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1222721
A BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY "
CENTRAL KANSAS
ILLUSTRATED
Embellished with Portraits of Many Well-Known People of this Section of the
Great West, who have keen or are Prominent in its
History and Development.
VOL. I.
NEW YORK AND CHICAGO:
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1222721
PRKFACK.
' ^{f,f\fi1^^f^ UT of the depths of his mature wisdom Carlyle wrote.
"History is the essence of innumerable biographies."
Believing this to be the fact, there is no necessity of
advancing any further reason for the compilation of
such a work as this, if reliable history is to be the
^^"^^^^^l^l^t^ ultimate object.
The section of Kansas embraced by this volume has sustained within its
confines men who have been prominent in the history of the State, and even
.the nation, for a century. The annals teem with the records of strong
and noble manhood, and, as Sumner has said, "the true grandeur of nations
is in those qualities which constitute the greatness of the individual."
The final causes which shape the fortunes of individuals and the destinies
of States are often the same. They are usually remote and obscure,
and their influence scarcely perceived until manifestly declared by results.
That nation is the greatest which produces the greatest and most manly
men and faithful women; and the intrinsic safety of a community depends
not so much upon methods as upon that normal development from
the deep resources of which proceeds all that is precious and permanent
in life. But such a result may not consciously be contemplated by the
actors in the great social drama. Pursuing each his personal good by
exalted means, they work out as a logical result.
The elements of success in life consist in both innate capacity and determi-
nation to excel. Where either is wanting, failure is almost certain in the out-
come. The study of a successful life, therefore, serves both as a source of
information and as a stimulus and encouragement to those who have the
capacity. As an important lesson in this connection we may appropriately
quote Longfellow, who said: "We judge ourselves by what we feel capa-
ble of doing, while we judge others by what they have already done." A
faithful personal history is an illustration of the truth of this observation.
PREFACE.
In this biographical history the editorial staff, as well as the publishers,
have fully realized the magnitude of the task. In the collection of the ma-
terial there has been a constant aim to discriminate carefully in regard to the
selection of subjects. Those who have been prominent factors in the public,
social and industrial development of the counties have been given due recog-
nition as far as it has been possible to secure the requisite data. Names
worthy of perpetuation here, it is true, have in several instances been omit-
ted, either on account of the apathy of those concerned or the inability of
the compilers to secure the information necessary for a symmetrical sketch;
but even more pains have been taken to secure accuracy than were promised
in the prospectus. Works of this nature, therefore, are more reliable and
complete than are the "standard" histories of a country.
THE PUBLISHERS.
INDKX.
Abbott, Handsel A., 163
Ahlberg. G. F., 677
Ainswiorth. Avery R., 626
Ainsworth, Jesse, 486
Albrigbt, M. J.. 378
Allen, Albert S., 598
Allison, Burton, 300
Allison, M. E., 298
American Steam Laundry, 104
Anderson, Joel M., 334
Anderson, Thomas J., 624
Andrews, Henry G., 142
Andrews, James A., 560
Appel, George A., 371
Appel, William E., 371
Astle, William, 222
Avery, George, 474
Axtell, J. T., 669
Bain, Millard F., 543
Bainum, Levi H., 606
Bainum, William G., 660
Bainum, William M., 657
Baker, Ira, 381
Baker, James F., 715
Baker, James R., 561
Baker, James W., 746
Baker, Lew, 117
Baker, Willis N., 20
Banfield, Albert, 736
Bardwell, John W., 93
Barkhurst, William, 457
Bates, Frank A., 517
Baxter, Jackson B., 505
Bay, C. M., 288
Beaman, Alonzo, 693
Bean, Nathan A. C, 529
Bean, Robert R., 685
Beers, Isaac, 1.38
Bellew, Noah. 269
Benedict, William H. S., 256
Bennett, William R.. 192
Bettenbrook, Frederick, 3.^8
Birney, David, 325
Bishop, G. A., 473
Blackball, John, 515
Blakely, Henry H., 400
Blodgett, William C, 689
Bobb, Aaron, 216
Bolinger, Jacob, 756
Boroughs. Bartley C, 391
Boy, Charles F., 631
Boyce, David, 477
Branch, Andrew C., 535
Branch, Phineas C, 276
Brinckerhoff, Jermain W., 398
Bromley. John H., 204
Brown, G. W., 615
Brown, Jesse, 45
Brown, John B., 65
Brown, Weslev S., 437
Brown, W. L.. 147
Bruce, Frederick J.. 29
Burdick, Barnett, 464
Burdick, Charks E., 465
Burke, Laurence, 737
Butler. John, 220
Butler, John F., 220
Caffry, Eugene M.. 557
Caldwell, A. B., 40
Calhoun, Joseph W., 491
Campbell. James M.. 452
Cannon. William T.. ,304
Cappis, William. 622
Carhart, William H., 124
Carnahan, Elias M., S89
Chamberlin, David C, 272
Chambers, Robert R., 620
Church. Bvron L., 152
Clark, Ira'H., 663
Clark, William H., S73
Clarke. J. W.. 109
Clayton, W. B., 670
Cloud, Fred J., 633
Cole, Baxter, 215
Colladay. Frank, 539
Collett, George A., 287
Collings, Albert W.. 407
Collingwood. Daniel F., 374
Combs, Albert, 228
Conkling, Clark, .v'!8
Connett. A. H., 712
Connor, Eugene, 701
Connor. W. B., 168
Cook, Fred W., 564
Cooper, E. C, 632
Cragun, John A.. 406
Crawford, John C. F., 21
Crow, Martin, 329
Danner, Clark L., 340
Davis, Caleb R.. 126
Davis, George T., 75
Davis, J. C, 343
Day, Claude D., 310
Day, John, 100
Dayhoff, Insley L., 88
Dean, Albert A.. 520
Dean, C. A., 408
Deck, Peter, 720
Deissroth, Frederick. 237
Demoret, Joseph, 366
Demoret, Mrs. Ella, 375
Dern, B. F., 439
DeWeese, Carey, 584
DeWeese, William S., 360
Dickhut, Charles W.. 174
Dillman, James M., 353
Dodge, D. P., 495
Dodge, E. J., 664
Dorr, Josephus, 509
Dtotson. John W., 119
Doze, George W., 666
Doze, John C, 709
Duff, J. R., 654
Dukelow, James. 28
Dunham, Jay, 98
Dunkelberger, Samuel, 611
Dunkelberger, William, 612
Durham. LaRue H.. 651
Duval, Claude, 178
Easton, Marquis L.. 656
Ebbert, William, 202
Elbury, Thomas G., 600
Elwood, Robert J.. 618
Endicott, J. S.. 628
Engel, James P., 46
Eppley, Josiah T., 394
Evans, Charles J., 754
Evans, John G., 703
Evans, Perry A., 198
Everett, Elmer, 501
Paris, Winfield S.. 629
Fendrick. Andrew, 610
FInley, M., 208
Fisher, E. C, 152
Filch, D. D., 570
Fitzpatrick, William, 95
Ford, Patrick O.. 662
Forsha, Alexander L., 155
Forsha, Sam W., 158
Forsyth. John D.. 86
Forward, M. W., 739
INDEX.
Foster, Frank H., 73
Foster. Frank S., 740
Fox, David, 648
Fox, Thomas O., 213
Franklin, John H., 719
Freels, W. H., 611
Freese, James A., 566
Frisbie, George M., 338
Fry, Frank A., 392
Fuller, F. E., 250
Fulton, Samson, 53
Funk, James F., 380
Gardner, John S.. 70
Giaston, W. E., 577
George, Joseph S., 450
Gerber, John, 616
Gerber, Mike, 466
Giertz, Joseph, 202
Gilchrist, John, 166
Gile, William S., 385
Giles, Daniel, 33
Gillett, Preston B., 136
Ginter* George W.. 526
Goldsborough, H. J., 695
Gordenier, Fred B., 493
Gorman. John. 704
Grant. David F., 5.28
Greenfield. Jesse. 608
Greenlee. Jasper J., 757
Gregg, Andrew J.. 250
Gregg, Currence, 63
Griem, Renning H.. 651
Griffith, Frederick J., 320
Griffith, John D.. 751
Grosvenor, William S.. Z2:i
Groth. Henry M.. 574
Grover, Dallas, 758
Hair, William T., 572
Hamilton. James W., 743
Handy, William, 749
Harbaugh. David. 492
Harding, John B.. 373
Harlow. Frank. 324
Harrison. William J'.. 118
Hauschild. Jacob. 307
Hauser. George F., 207
Hay, Geo. L., 484
Heath, William V., 405
Hedden. Elisha, 15
Hedges, M. T.. 682
Hedrick. Charles. 454
Heist, Michael B., 467
Helm. Wesley B., 308
Hendry, William F.. 488
Herren, Isaac W.. 57i
Heryer, David, 357
Hibbert. James, 55
Hill, W. W., 76
Hilton, James, 621
Hilyard. W. H., 363
Himes. Solomon P.. 558
Hissem., Henry Z., 552
Hoagland, Martin, 644
Hodgson, H. C, 122
Hodgson, William, 314
Hoesman, H. F., ii
Holcomb, T. C., 639
Holland. James M., 44
Holmes, John B.. 342
Holmes. John E.. 115
Holton, Richard H.. 318
Honey, Henry R., 732
Hopkins, Isaac A., 332
Hopkins, James L., 171
Hopkins, O. E.. 224
Howard. Daniel H., 533
Howell. David. 671
Hoyt. Henry S.. '18
Hudson. Robert B.. 540
Huey, Thomas J.. 311
Huffman. J. R., 387
Hughes. Robert W.. 446
Hummel. Peter. 23
Humphrey. Joseph E.. 35
Hunter. Alexander S., 246
Huntington, Frank H.. 726
Hutton, Emmett. 96
Hutton & Oswald, 104
Huycke, George, 445
Inman, Henry, 506
Jellison, Charles R.. 227
Jennings. Charles E., 259
Jewell, A. M.. 72
Jewell. Warren D.. 579
Johnson. DeWitt C. 78
Johnson, G. B.. 725
Johnson, Henry, 472
Johnson, Jacob. 296
Johnson. William L.. 362
Johnson. William R.. 247
Johnston J. E.. 718
Jones. Edward W.. 525
Jones. George W.. 536
Jones. Samuel. 433
Jordan. James M.. 22
Judson. John S., 109
Kabler. L. W.. 696
Kansas Grain Company. 592
Kauflfman. Samuel, i^i
Kelley. Frank. S38
Kendall. Charles T.. ^12
Kidd. T. M.. 617
King. William B., 47
Kirby. Elisha W., 575
Kirk, James, 412
Klose. Edward. 302
Koons. Simon W.. 239
Krey. Frederick. 283
Kunkle, Aaron, 738
Lackey, John T., 727
Landis, Levi F., 471
Lang, John A., 194
Lash. Albert R.. 60^
Lashmet, J. E.. 468
Latshaw. Joseph. 92
Lavertv, Lewi-. 146
Laviellc, P.,ri,.,Nl, y,-
Lawrence. Willia.n. 43
Leighty, Steplieii S., 662
Leonard. C. D., 692
Leslie, John F.. 141
Levitt, George L., 568
Lewis, J. F.. 516
Lewis, William N., 238
Libbev. Leon D.. 172
Libby, William H.. 252
Light, Jacob W., 27
Lindsley, Herbert K., 469
Lippincott, E. M,. 623
Livingston, Samuel B.. 402
Logan, David W.. 686
Long, Gabriel. 293
Lonnon. F. M.. 42=;
Love. William R.. 463
Lucas, William B., 251
Lydecker, John E., 411
Lyman, Herbert S., 175
Maguire. M.. 653
Majors. Samuel, 431
Malcolm. John G., 206
March. John. 158
Markham. John J.. 500
Markle. H. C. 7H
Martin, Andrew B., 128
Martin. John. 307
Masters. C. I).. 755
Mathews. Samuel. 326
May, James S.. s6
May, W. L.. 383
McAlillv. M. L.. 3i8
McCandless, M. H.. 664
McClellan, Wylie, 395
McClelland, George F.. 714
McConnell. J. A., 680
McCormack, W. B., 390
McCracken. Isaac L.. 242
McDavitt. John L., 344
Mcllhenny, Henry L.. 706
McKenry. Joseph F.. 683
McKinnis. Robert. 312
McLaurin. John R., 270
McMillan. W. K.. 594
McMurphy. Alonzo. 198
McPeek. Joseph, 478
McPlicrson. Owen P.. 597
MtVay. Mrs. Cornelia (Buckles).
377
Measer. John J.. 16=;
Melville. William. ^72
Meng. Michael. 183
Miller. Charles P.. 162
Miller. P. D.. 627
Miller, Robert C. m9
Milligan. S. C. 84
Miner. George H.. 422
Mitchell. Ida M.. 441
Mitchell. William H.. 3(10
Monroe. A. J.. 66
Monroe. G. A.. 67
Moon.. James V.. 303
Morgan. William Y.. 9
Morris, Harvey. 483
Morris. Samuel J.. 544
Morris, T. E., 607
Morrison, John T.. 508
Morter. G. W.. 531
Moscript. Robert O., 623
Moses, Brothers, 594
Moses, Clayton L., 594
Moses, Edward W., 594
INDEX.
Moi^es, George N.. 51
Rose, John W., 120
Swartz. Simeon, 413
Mowery, G. H., 555'
Rose, William A.. 231
Swingle, Asa S., 636
Murphy, Will R.. 661
Ross, William J., 280
Switzer, Alexander M., 102
Murray, James, 399
Russell, F. Vernon, 603
Sykes, C. T., 393
Murray, William F. 354
Ryker, Charles A., 355
Mustoe, H. A., 710
Ryther, James, 48
Tampier, Joseph F., 226
Mustoe, U. G., 635
Tanton, Robert E., 31
Myers, Adolphus F., 569
Sallee, Samuel, 496
Taylor, Charles R, 490
Sample, Charles \V., 403
Taylor, Ernest A., 244
Nash, J. T., 200
Sample, Edward, 711
Tedrick, William R., 409
Negley, David M., 708
Sanderson, Ernest W., 587
Tellin, Peter, 716
Nelson, John W,, 189
Sanderson, Samuel, 587
Templer, Thomas J., 592
Nesmith. William L., 13
Schaet?er, August H., 599
Teter, Samuel P., 149
Newk.rk. R. R . 534
Schall, Harry S., 45O
Thornley, David M., 273
Newlm. William. 591
Schardein, John. 134
Tibbutt, George, 722
Newnmn, Henry B., 243
Schermerhorn, Edward D., 72^
Tincher. J. N.. 655
Nichols. George H.. 532
Schmidt, William. 368
Tiln^. Hrnrv. (>)7
Nickason. G. M., 177
Seeley, Loren L., 613
r-Mrn. 1 r„-tiniuil P.. 420
Norris, F. H., 162
Sentney, Charles N., 688
r-uimihl, George. 504
Nunemaker, J. S., 2^2
Shaw, Kinsey, 382
Trao, David B., 2to
Nutter, John N., 440
Shaw, Simeon J., 602
Truesdell, E. R, 255
Sheriff, William E., 742
Truitt, George, 39
Obermowe, Henrv, 135
Sherman, E. F., 586
Ogle, B. F., 667
Shideler, Jacob C, 448
Van Bibber, Moses H., 234
O-Hara, Henry C.. 210
Shiells, John, 171
Vandeveer, George A., 67
Oswald, Charley W.. 97
Shock, Benjamin, 143
Van Deventer, Cyrus C, 17
Overton, Benjamin F., 541
Shuler, Tillman A., 562
Van Patten, Myndert, 188
Shuler, William D., 191
Van Sickle, William J., 498
Palmer, Daniel, 637
Shumway, Reuben B., 426
Vaughan, C. L., 240
Park, Joseph E., 90
Shuyler, David M., 419
Venn, Harry, 752
Patterson, J. W., 676
Shuyler, John S., 25
Vermillion, L. E., 160
Peckham, Charles W., 4S8
Siemsen, Henry, 277
Vincent, Frank, 24
Pennington, William R.. 284
Smith, C. B., 235
Vincent, John B., 218
Peters, Samuel R., 641
Smith, Edward B., 447
Volkland, William, 99
Pickerill, Walter, 647
Smith, Edward L., 336
Pieper, Conrad H., 130
Smith, Ephraim A., 196
Walker, John P., 480
Pierce, William E., 54
Smith, Francis M., 36
Walters, Leonard, 679
Plank, C. v., 17
Smith, George, 8i
Ward, Mahlon, 604
Plankenhorn. David, 416
Smith, Isaac N., 328
Ward, William M., 734
Pollock, William C, 379
Smith, John L., 186
Warner, H. C. 113
Porter, Frank S.. 597
Smith, Joseph A., 519
Warrell, Mark, 98
Porter, William M., 346
Smith, Louis C, 279
Warren. William A.. 652
Potter, Peter B., 125
Smith, S. J., 429
Waterman, William H., 482
Potter, William, 184
Smith, S. L,, 424
Watkins, Robert J., 253
Presby, Solon P., 553
Smith, William, 523
Watson, Robert N., 465
Price, John R., 275
Smith, Wilson, 279
Weatherd. John W., 60
Prigg, Frank R, 11
Soden, William T., 694
Weaver, Ezra, 278
Proffitt, C. G., 219
Southerland, Charles Y.. 569
Weigel, Jacob, 233
Proffitt, J. M., 266
Sparks, Chauncey C, 350
Wellman, Edward C, 5SS
Prose, Joseph B., 495
Speck, A. D., 435
Wellman, J. M., 556
Prouty, F. A., 690
Sperry, Samuel A., 442
Wells, John W., 491
Spickard, Samuel, 205
Wernet, Herman. 263
Radcliffe. John C, 6r
Sponsler, A. L., 106
Wernet. Xaver. is'i
Radiol, George V„ 521
Stahl, C. C, 485
West. William. 70s
Ramsev, James M.. si I
Stephenson, John, 678
Westerman. Le«,; 11.. 261
Rankin, lamrs. 77
Stevenson, C. C, 728
Westfall. B. S.. 418
Raiip. W illiaiii, (.40
Stewart, Henry M., 56=;
White. C. C. 85
R;nl, I'liiah, J4S
Stewart, J. E., in
Whiteside, Houston. 713
Reann.r. I'aMl. 41/
Stewart. Samuel W., 730
Wiegel. Louis. 294
Rrdtiel.l, (ieorge Z., 582
St. John. J.amc. .53
Wiggins, Harvey. 167
keid. Daniel E.. 285
Stockwdl. b.h.i II.. 00
Wiggins. John. 349
Ku-e, Wilbur H.. 352
Stoltcnl.rr..;. 1 Ionian .\.. 12
W.ldin. John R. 144
Rickar.l. J. W., 684
Stone, Gilbert 11., 476
Willett. Thomas J.. 514
Riggs. Eli J.. 700
Stone, Solomon, 513
Williamson. Cicero. S4g
Ritchey, W. F., 438
Stratmann. Bert. 423
Wilson. Eli C. 699 ■
Robbins, William W.. 546
Strohmeyer, Henry, 672
Wilson, J. A.. 301
Robinson, Charles. 292
Sturgis. W. D.. 214
Wilson, James M.. 271
Roff. John W.. 384
Sultzbach. Henry, 581
Wilson, W. Henry, 290
Root, Edwin S., 58
Summers, Alvin E., 229
Winsor, George R., 80
INDEX.
Winsor, James, 79
Wolf, Fred, 396
Wolfe. Gideon R.. 576
Wood. C. A.. 5-'7
Wooddell. Charles N., 124
Wright, Benjamin, 542
Wright, Hannah, 264
Yeoman, J. A.. 71
Wyer, John W., 721
Young, Jacob A., 105
Wyman. David, 550
Young, John M., 82
Youngs, Francis L., 675
Yearout. N. J.. 432
\ust, Fred. 547
Yeoman, A. O., 351
Yust, John, 331
A BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
OK
CENTRAL KANSAS.
WILLIA^I Y. .MORGAN.
A\'illiam Y. Morgan, president of the
State Exchange Bank, is one of the lead-
ing representatives of journalistic interests
in central Kansas, occup3nng the responsible
position of state printer. For thirty years
he has lived in Kansas and has made his
home in Hutchinson since 1895. He was
born in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 6, 1866, and
was only four 3"ears of age when his par-
ents came to the Sunflower state. His fa-
ther, William A. ^Morgan, is a native of Ire-
land but was reared in America where he
arrived with the family when a little lad of
four summers, his parents locating in Cin-
cinnati. Throughout almost his entire life
he has been connected with the printing
business, becoming familiar with it in e\-ery
department. At the time of the civil war
he enlisted as a member of the Twenty-third
Kentucky regiment and saw much active ser-
vice. He has bee* prominent in Grand
Army circles and takes an active interest in
everything tending to advance the welfare
of his ciinu-ades who wnre the blue, when
upon the southern battle fields they fought
for the preservation of the union. He is at-
taining to distinction in civic life and has
served in both branches of state legislature
since coming to Kansas in 1871. He makes
his home in Cottonwood Falls, where he is
engaged in the publication of the Chase
County Leader. A man nf .strung mentality
and marked force nf character, he has left
the impress of his indixiduality for good
upon many lines of thought and action. He
married Minnie Yoast, who is prominent as
a member of the Woman's Relief Corps.
William Y. Morgan, whose name begins
this re\-iew, was well fitted for life's practi-
cal and responsible duties by a liberal educa-
tion which he pursued in the state univer-
sity of Kansas at Lawrence. There he pur-
sued a special course that prepared him for
the vocation which he had chosen for his life
work. At an early date he learned to set
type in his father's office in Cottonwood
Falls, and thus became connected with the
art preservative of arts. The practical work
which he had done in connection with the
printing business, gave him a better insight
into the instruction he received at the uni-
versity so that he profited much more l)y his
college training than nthers who had no
kuDwlcd-c of the business, and in his class
he to, k high rank. He is a member of the
Phi Gamma Delta, a college fraternity.
After his graduation, Mr. Morgan was
engaged in local work on a Lawrence paper
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
and then purchased a newspaper in Strong
City, which he edited and published for
four years. On the expiration of that pe-
riod he sold out and purchased an interest in
the Emporia Daily Gazette. His work in
connection therewith was \-ery successful
and he conducted a paper, making it a first
class publication, until 1895, when he sold
to ^^'illiam Allen ^^'hite, the noted writer
and journalist, and came to Hutchinson.
The collapse of the boom at this place had af-
fected the newspaper interests, as well as
other lines of business, and the circulatiim of
the papers was lessened thercl)y. However,
recognizing the opportunit}* to build up a
good business here, Mr. Morgan organized
the News Company, of which he is president
and the principal stuckliolder. While he
has followed the plan oi ha\ing his co-work-
ers interested iinancially in the success and
thus stimulating them to greater effort, he
is the manager of the paper and has made
it one of the leading journals in the state.
Here, as in all other newspaper enterprises
in which he has embarked, his own industry,
capable management and enterprise have had
marked effect in building up the business,
increasing the circulation of the paper, and
making it a paying inxestment. Few cities
of the size of Hutchinson can boast of a
daily paper issued with as much general
news as has the one of which ]\Ir. Morgan
has charge. He has an efficient corps of re-
porters in the field and he is a member of the
Associated Press, thus receiving the latest
telegraphic news. It has taken much labor
and experience to place the paper in its ex-
cellent condition, but he brought to bear his
long and varied experience in the newspaper
field together with marked business ability.
Its patronage has largely increased in every
department and it is miw the niddel paper of
central and western Kansas, ]Ta\-ing marked
effect in moulding public opinion and at the
same time greatly advancing the interests of
the Republican party.
Mr. Morgan has always been a stanch
supporter of the Republican principles, and
was only twenty vears of age when he was
made secretary of the Douglas county con-
vention. In whatever community he has
lived since, he has been honored with the
position of either secretary or chairman of
the Republican Central committee, and at
the present time he is serving in the latter
office here, having acted in that capacity for
four consecutive years. He has never been
a candidate for any office himself, outside of
the line of his profession. In January, 1899,
he was elected by the state legislature to the
office of state printer and is still the incum-
bent. His work is highly satisfactory, ow-
ing to his thorough understanding of the
printing business, and his efficiency is indi-
cated by most excellent workmanship pro-
duced under his control.
Mr. ]\Inrg-an was elected president of the
State Exchange Bank of Hutchinson in Jan-
uary, 1902. and is deeply interested in all
matters intended for the general good. He
is a memljcr . d' the board of managers of the
Jubilee association, which has done so much
to advance the musical interests not onlv of
the city, but of the state. He is a member of
both the Park and Fair associations, which
he has since aided to. a considerable extent in ■
a financial way. He served for two or three
years as secretary of the Commercial Club
and later as its president. In Masonry he
holds membership in the lodge of Emporia,
m Reno Chapter. Xo. 34, R. A. M. ; in Reno
Commandery, No. 26, K. T., and in Wichita
Consistory No. 2, S. P. R. S. He is an
active member of the Sons of Veterans and
has served as its commander in the state leg-
islature. He is also a member of the grand
lodge of the Knights of Pythias and belongs
to the Ancient Order of United \\'orkmen,
the Modern Woodmen of America, and the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
On the 20th of November, 1891, in
Strong City, Mr. Morgan married Colie
Adair, a daughter of Wit Adair of that city.
He has just completed the erection of a fine
residence at No. 416 Sherman street, which
is the highest point on the street. Mr. Mor-
gan has a wide acquaintance throughout the
state and is prominent among the best people
of Kansas. He is known in the legislative
and business circles, amid the members of
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
fraternal organizations, and wherever
known, he is held in highest regard. His
career is imbued with the enterprising spirit
of the West, and progress has been his
watchword. Every movement or concern
with which he becomes connected feels the
intiuence of his labors and is advanced there-
l)_v. A natural leader, the impress of his in-
dividuality has ever been for good, and he
stands to-day among the leading" men of cen-
tral Kansas, known and honored for his
genuine worth.
FRANK F. PRIGG.
Few citizens of Hutchinson, Kansas, are
unacquainted at least by reputation with the
scholarly, able and successful member of the
legal profession, Frank F. Prigg, the senior
memlaer of the prominent firm of Prigg &
Williams, of Hutchinson, Kansas. Since
I SS3 he has been identified with the business
interests of this city.
The birth of Mr. Prigg occurred in
^^ladison county, Indiana, on June 5, 1853.
and he traces an honorable ancestry from a
worthy Welsh emigrant on down to his loyal
grandfather, who made the name of William
Prigg respected in the war of 1812. For
\-alorous ser\-ices during this war the govern-
ment granted him land, and he removed
from his former home at Havre de Grace,
^laryland, first to Ohio and later to Indiana.
Here he was a pioneer and entered some
land in what is now Madison county. By
trade he was a tanner, but after settling in
loiHana fdlowed farming.
Edward C. Prigg. the son of \\"illiam
the father of our subject, was born during
the family residence in Ohio, being still a
lad when removal was made to Indiana. He
assisted on the pioneer farm and always en-
joyed agricultural pursuits, although he be-
canie a successful physician ; for manv years
he combined the two vocations. He be-
came active in the Republican party, al-
thjiugh never an office holder, and was a
leading member of the Universalist church.
The first marriage of Dr. Prigg occurred in
Indiana, to Miss Harriet Curry, and the chil-
dren of this union are: Frank F., of this
biography, and Mary F., who is now a Mrs.
Bryant and a resident of New York. The
second marriage of Dr. Prigg was to Mar-
garet Jones, two children also being born to
this union, namely: Helen M.. who now is
a i\Irs. Ginn, residing in Indianapolis, and
Edward R., who is a salesman in New York.
Dr. Prigg is passing the evening of life in
his home in Indiana, his years now reaching
seventy-four.
The rudiments of our subject's education
were accjuired in the public schools of Madi-
son county, Indiana. The natural and ir-
resistible bent of his mind was in the direc-
tion of the law, and very ear]\- he f^ iresaw
that his own efiforts must pro\ide the neces-
sary education, although he was assisted by
all that his father could provide, his mother
having died when he was' but seven years of
age. Taking a preparatory teacher's course,
he contributed to his own support by teach-
ing, in the meantime employing all spare mo-
ments in study. A scientific course followed
at Valparaiso, Indiana, and later he was en-
abled to graduate at the Central Normal
College, at Danville, Indiana. Beginning
to teach in 187S, he followed this profession
for three years in the country schools, and
four years in the graded schools, continually
reading law under instruction, both in Dan-
' ville and Middletown. In 1882 he was ad-
mitted to the bar in Danville.
In 1883 he came as a teacher to Hutch-
inson, Kansas, serving for two years as the
efficient superintendent of the city schdols.
a position at that time of great resiKnisibility
and annoyance, hampered as he was liy exist-
ing conditions. Although eminently success-
ful, this was not the career which he had
marked out for himself and for which he had
so carefully prepared. Resigning this lucra-
tive position, he started out upon the untried
path of the law. In 1885 he opened an office
i in the some liuilding in which he is now lo-
cated, where he has since remained.
From his initial case our subject has been
successful, his aljilitv receiving immediate
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
recognition, bringing him a large practice
which has resuhed in social prominence and
financial prosperity. In 1896 he formed a
partnership with Charles M. Williams, the
legal firm of Prigg & Williams being one of
the strong combinations in the business
world of Reno county. Both members of the
firm are men of thorough knowledge and
judicial mind, and both are thoroughly
equipped for the legal battles in which they
are constantly involved. The library pos-
sessed by this firm needs a passing notice,
being complete and kept entirely up-to-date
in all respects, and represents at the present
time an outlay of over five thousand dollars.
This gives the firm not only all past records,
but also the latest decisions, so tliat the
clients are assured of advice sustained by
precedent, in every case. Aside from this
]\Ir. Prigg possesses an extensive library at
his home, which represents the latest and
best of the world's literature. While not
making a .specialty of any branch of the
law, he has given close attention to real es-
tate and corporation law and is regarded as
one of the safest and most. thoroughly in-
structed lawyers in the state, and is entrusted
with cases involving ^-ast amounts of money
and embracing many avenues of business
activity.
Although so constantly occupied with the
cares and responsibilities of his profession,
Air. Prigg, like his father, has a liking for
agriculture, and his recreation consists in
experiments in horticulture, on his farm of
forty acres, located in the rich Cow Creek
bottoms, adjoining the city on the east.
Twenty acres of this tract he has set in fine
young apple trees, which have just come to
a bearing age, promising a great fruitage.
When wearied with business care this is a
pleasant retreat, although Mr. Prigg has a
pleasant residence in the city, at No. 509
Avenue A, east.
In his political affiliations he has always
been actively identified with the Republican
party: but previous to this time, the stress
of private business has precluded anv ac-
ceptance of office except that for seven con-
secutive terms he served as citv attornev, and
during his administration important ques-
tions of water works and sev/erage were con-
sidered and settled. In 1891 he received the
nomination of the Republican party for
judge of the district court of the ninth judi-
cial district. The nomination was unsolicited
and unexpected, and he was not present
when the nomination was made. After con-
sidering the matter the nomination was de-
clined.
The first marriage of iMr. Prigg occurred
in 1879, in Indiana, to Miss Minnie Gar-
rard, one daughter, Edna ]M., being born of
this union. Previous to locating in Kansas,
Mrs. Prigg passed out of life. The second
marriage of our subject occurred in this
city, to ]\Iiss Laura A. Van Winkle, three
children being born to this marriage, name-
ly: Jesse G., who died at the age of one
year, Roberta Lucile and Mamie B.
In fraternal circles Mr. Prigg has been
as prominent as he is in social and profes-
sional life, belonging to Reno Lodge, No.
140, A. F. & A. M.; Reno Chapter, No. 34,
R. A. M. ; Reno Commandery, No. 26,
Knights Templar; Byron Lodge, No. 197,
K. of P. ; La Rue Division, No. 4, Unifomi
Rank, K. of P. ; and Reno Lodge, No. 99, I.
O. O. F. He joined the latter order in In-
diana, and for many years has been active in
its work, ser\'ing on committees and repre-
senting it at the higher councils of the order.
Locally he is connected with the Commercial
Club, and takes an active interest in all mat-
ters pertaining to the progress and advance-
ment of the citv, countv and state.
HERMAN A. STOLTENBERG.
In a rapidly de\'eloping country like Kan-
sas, the hardware merchant and the imple-
ment dealer are as necessary to the work of
advancement as any two men who can be
named. The gentleman mentioned above is
both a hardware merchant and an imple-
ment dealer and is a member of one of the
leading firms of its kind in central Kansas.
The firm of Stoltenberg Brothers, the part-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ners in which are Herman A., William and
Julius Stoltenberg, is the proprietor of one
of the leading enterprises of Holyrood, Ells-
worth county, Kansas. The Stoltenbergs
deal in hardware, implements, silverware,
tinware, guns, ammunition, pumps and
windmills, vehicles of different kinds, stoves,
fence wire and machinery supplies, bicyxles
and bicycle repairs, and are agents for the
Crescent paints and oils. Their tine new two-
story building was erected in 1900, and is
one of the best for the purpose in this part
of the state. It occupies a ground space of
sixty-four by seventy feet and the lower
story is divided into double rooms extending
the whole length of the building, the upper
room being used as a storeroom for imple-
ments and vehicles, and heavy implements
are stored in a large shed which has a depth
of seventy feet and stands at the rear of the
store. The tirm makes a specialty of the
Moline Blue Ribbon buggies and Old Hick-
ory wagons.
Herman A. Stoltenberg, who is the act-
ive manager of this enterprise, was born
near Davenport, Scott crmnty. Liwa, Febru-
ary 21, 1868, a son of Henry and Annastina
( 6tt ) Stoltenberg, both of whom were born
in Holstein, Germany. . ^Ir. Stoltenberg's
father came to America in 1853, when he
was nineteen years old. Annastina Ott, who
became his wife, came over from the father-
land a ^•ear later and they were married in
Iowa, where they farmed imtil 1881, when
they located in Ellsworth county, where in
1878, Mr. Stoltenberg had bought railroad
land located in Palacky township. His
holdings aggregated five quarter sections
and he farmed successfully until 1888, when
he removed to^ Holyrood.
Hemian A. Stoltenberg and his bnitliers
were reared to farming. They were \iiung
men (if enterprise and were tlie first in their
\'icinity to engage in threshing by steam
priwer. They carried on a business of that
kind in season for nine years, farming mean-
time with considerable success. Mr. Stolten-
berg is the owner of three hundred acres of
good agricultural land, which he rents to
tenant farmers. He retired fnim farming
in 1898, and engaged in the hardware trade
in a building one-half the size of the Stolten-
berg Brothers' present store, the original
building being utilized in the structure which
has been described. In politics Mr. Stolten-
berg is a Democrat and has served his fellow
citizens two years in the office of justice of
the peace. For one year he was a member of
the tirm of Siemsen & Company, dealers in
lumber at Holyrood. He is a member of
the German Lutheran church.
Flenry and Annastina (Ott) Stoltenberg
had twelve children. Tlie following memo-
randa concerning some of them will be
found of interest in this connection: John
is a farmer ; William and Julius are farmers
and are members of the firm of Stoltenberg
Brothers; Agnes is the wife of Alexander
Stratmann, a farmer of Ellsworth county:
Bertha is tlie wife of Henry Siemsen, a well
known lumber dealer at Holyrood; Lizzie
is the wife of A. Besthorn, a farmer of Ells-
worth county; Gustav and Ferdinand are
well known in the county. Herman A. Stoi-
tenberg was married November 22, 1891, to
Elizabeth A'oss, and they have three children,
namelv : August, Edward and Mabel.
WILLIAM L. XES:MITH.
If those who claim that fortune has
favored certain individuals above others will
but investigate the cause of success and fail-
ure, it will be found that the former is large-
ly due to the improvement of opportunity,
thelatter to the neglect of it. Fortunate en-
vironments encompass nearly e\'ery man at
some stage in his career, but the strong man
and the successful man is he who realizes
that the proper moment has come, that the
jiresent and not the future holds his oppor-
tunity. The man who makes use of the Now
and not the To Be is he who passes on the
hig"hway of life others who started out ahead
of him and reaches the goal of prosperity
far in advance of them. It is this qualit}' in
!Mr. Xesmith that has made him a leader in
the Ijusiness world and won him a name in
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
connection with commercial interest? that
is widely known.
ilr. Xesmilh is now engaged in dealing
in groceries, lumber, furniture, hardware
and coal in \\ ilson and has been a resident
of Kansas since 1874. He was bom in \"an
Buren county, April 24. 1S52. His grand-
father. Henry Xesmith, was a native of \'ir-
ginia and ser\ed in the war of 1812, while
his father-in-law was a Hessian soldier.
\Mien a young man Henr\- Xesmith removed
to Ohio, becoming one of the pioneers of that
state. He secured a tract of land and car-
ried on fanning until the early '40s, when
he emigrated to Iowa, where he continued
work as a pioneer. In his later years he re-
moved to Iowa county, Iowa, where he spent
his last days, his death occurring when he
had passed the eightieth milestone on the
journey of life. In his family of ten chil-
dren Joseph T. X'esmith. the father of our
subject, was the eldest. He was born in
Perr\- counr\-, Ohio, September i, 1S23. and
was reared to farm work. In the early '40s
he accompanied his parents on their removal
to VsLTi Buren county, Iowa, and cast in his
lot with the pioneer settlers of that portion
of the countn,-, experiencing all the hard-
ships and trials which fell to the lot of the
frontiersmen who established homes there.
He aided in preparing the countn,- for the in-
coming tide of emigration. He afterward re-
moved to Iowa count\-, where he secured a
tract of land and improved a farm, becoming
one of the successful and well known agri-
culturists of that locality-. In his early life
his political support was given the AMiig
party, and on the dissolution of its ranks he
joined the forces of the new Republican
part}-, with which he was allied until his
death. He held membership in the [Method-
ist Protestant church, was long one of its
officers and was an active worker in its be-
half. He married Jennie Truscott, a native
of England, and they became the parents of
live sons and five daughters, of whom three
are residents of Wilson, namelv : William L..
Mrs. D. W. Tilton and INIrs.'S. E. Barton.
About 1892 the father came to Wilson,
where he spent his remaining days, passing
away December 3, 1898, at the age of seven-
ty-five. His wife still survives him and is
living in Iowa.
William L. X'esmith is indebted to the
public school system for - the educational
privileges which he enjoyed in his youth.
He has added largely to his knowledge by
experience, reading and observation. He
was reared upon a farm, and in 1874 came
to Kansas in order to take advantage of the
government offer of cheap lands. He se-
cured a claim upon the flats, intending to
follow farming here, but did not remain
long. Returning to Iowa, he was there iden-
tified with agricultural pursuits until 1877.
when he came to Wilson and embarked in
the grocery- business, meeting with success
in the undertaking from the beginning.
Later he added a stock of hardware and
afterward purchased a furniture store and
undertaking establishment — the only one in
the town. In 1S89 he purchased a lumber
T.-ard and has since conducted that industry
in connection with dealing in coal. He
handles both eastern and western coal and
also mines coal on the river here, taking out
from one hundred to two hundred tons of
the mineral each month during the mining
season. He aided in erecting the stone mill
— the first here — and built the stone store
building which he now occupies, also one to
the south, and his residence in the city. In
many ways he has advanced the material in-
terests of Wilson. He has three quarter
sections of land, which is devoted to farming
and grazing purposes, and on Coal creek he
owns a section, which is devoted to the pro-
duction of cereals and to the raising of stock.
He has both farms well stocked, but does
not operate them himself. In his business
affairs he has met with a high degree of suc-
cess, being a man of capable management,
keen discrimination and far-sighted sagacity.
In his work here he has found that his
knowledge of the German language has been
to him of great advantage. By the aid of a
few lessons he acquired the rudiments of the
tongue and by continuous practice he has
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
increased his vocabularj- unti! he can now
speak fluently with the German settlers of
the neighborhood.
In 1874 ilr. Xesmith was united in mar-
riage to Clara H. Carhart, a sister of W. H.
Carhart, and unto them have been bom four
sons, namely : Edgar L., who is engaged in
business with his father in Wilson, Kansas;
Hal J., Verne and Aura, the last three be-
ing at home. In his pohtica! riews ilr.
Xesmith is an ardent and earnest Prohibi-
bitionist, laboring untiringly for the success
of the part\- and the adoption of temperance
principles. Whenever the party has a tickrt
in the field his support is assured. At other
times, the nominees being of equal capabilitj-,
he casts his suffrage with the Republican
part}-. He has been a member of the city
council and has also filled the position of
mayor of Wilson. During the greater part
of his life Mr. Xesmith has been a member
of the Methodist church, and has served as
class-leader and as superintendent of the
Sunday-school. He and his wife, leather
with W. H. Carhart and his wife, were the
four charter members of the church on its
organization in 1878, and he has ever since
acted as one of its trustees, \\ith the excep-
tion of a year and a half he served as super-
intendent of the Sunday-school since its or-
ganization. He aided materially in the erec-
tion of the house of worship here and has
never abated in his zeal or energy in support
of the cause of Christianit].-. He has been a
leading factor in the progress of Wilson.
Educational, church and social interests owe
their promotion in a considerable degree to
■-•m. Twenn-four years has this citv" been
- '-.cnie. vear; largelv devoted to the pub-
- c:vd.
ELISHA HEDDEX.
Hutchinson has no more honored or
highh- esteemed citizen than the gentleman
whose name introduces this re^-iew. He v\-as
born in Shelby countv", Kentucky, on the
25th of ilarch. 1834, a son of Ellsha Hed-
den, a native of Xew Jersey. The latter re-
moved with his father, Jacob Hedden. who
was also bom in Xew Jersey 2T?d ^. Gerrrsn
descent, to Kentucky, in a ; _;-.
He established a hcmesteac -i
from where General F. J^ _ -i.
and was osMt of the early pioneers of ihai pari
of the, country. He was a vnan of mndi
force and strength of character and became
one of the most prominent njen in his com-
munity. He was ver;.- sv::;;;:-^ in his
agricultural operatic r - . lime to
time added to his ori^' : until he
owned about fifteen ':!_:-_., _.:;; ;f land,
where he followed farming and stock-rais-
ing on a large scale, his being one of the
best improved properties in that secti«Dn.
Such was the estomation in which he was
held by the people that he was solicited to
represent his district in the legislature, but
he cared little for the emoluments of public
life and refused to allow his name to be used.
He was an active worker in the Baptist
church, in which he held the positions of
moderator and clerk, and was prominent in
the organization of the First Baptist church
of that locahty.
In Shelby county, Kentucky, Mr. Hed-
den was united in marrage to Mary Carriss,
a native of the old Bluegrass state and of
Pennsylvania German parentage. Her fa-
ther was also one of the early pioneers of
that locality. His son, Henry Carriss, was
a soldier in the war of 1812, having fought
under Jackson at Xew Orleans. The mar-
riage of Mr. and Mrs. Hedden was blessed
with eleven children, namely: Elizabeih,
who died in Shelby coimty. Kentucky- ; Mary,
who died in Missouri: Rebecca, who also
died in Shelby county; Simon H-, who
passed away in Missouri; Jane and Jacob
H.. both of whtMn passed away in Shelbv
county: Xancy H.. who died in Missouri;
John H., who was called to his final rest in
Shdby county: Henry, who died in Spencer
county. Kentuckv- ; Thomas, a retired farmer
of LouisA-ille. Kentucky- ; and Ehsha. the sub-
ject of this reraw. The mother of :h:= -.r -
ily passed away on the loth of X . -
1852, and on the loth of October the :
ing'year her husband joined her in the spiri:
world.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Elisha Hedden remained in the place of
liis nativity until 1866, receiving his educa-
tion in the common schools of his locality,
and his youth and early manhood was prin-
cipally spent in assisting his father on the
home farm. After the death of his. father,
which occurred when he was nineteen years
of age, the estate was divided among the
heirs, our subject receiving the old home-
stead as his share of the property, and there
he was engaged in agricultural pursuits un-
til 1886. In October, 1861, he enlisted for
service in the Civil war, entering Company
D, Sixth Kentucky Infantry, and on its or-
ganization, in December of that year, he was
elected its captain, and as such served until
January, 1864. At the battle of Shiloh he
received a gunshot wound in the head, after
which for a time he was confined in the
United States marine hospital at Mound
City, Illinois, and was later sent to Louis-
ville. After his recovery he rejoined his
comiiany and took part in the battles of
Stone River. Chickamauga and many minor
engagements, and while acting as second in
command at the battle of Stone River he
was a second time wounded. He now main-
tains pleasant relations with his old anny
comrades by his membership in Joe Hooker
Post, No. 17, of Hutchinson. In 1886 Mr.
Hedden sold his possessions in Shelby coun-
ty and came to Kansas, arriving in Hutch-
inson on the 28th of October. Soon after
his arrival here he purchased what was
known as the Clifton House, and for three
years thereafter was its genial proprietor,
his efforts in that line having been attended
with a high and well merited degree of
success. During that period he also did a
good business in a private way as a real-es-
tate agent of Hutchinson, in which he was
equally successful. In 1889, however, he
sold his hotel property, and two years later,
in 1 89 1, was appointed to the police force,
filling that position for one year, while for
the following two years he served as assist-
ant marshal. His next public office was that
of marshal, remaining as its incumbent for
one year. In tlie Republican convention of
April, 1899, I\Ir. Hedden was nominated for
the position of city marshal, was afterward
elected and served therein for one year, and
was then re-elected, his temr of office ex-
piring May 20, 1901. While a resident of
Kansas he was for sixteen years in the
United States revenue service, beginning on
the 14th of July, 1869, first as a store keeper
and afterward as a ganger. His present
attractive and tasteful residence was pur-
chased in 1899, and there he now resides in
the enjoyment of the fruits of former toil.
In Shelby county, Kentucky, on the 5th
of October, 1854, Mr. Hedden was united in
marriage to ^Miranda Harrison, a relative of
General Harrison, their grandfathers hav-
ing been first cousins. She is now deceased,
passing away in Hutchinson on the 31st of
October, 1892, in the faith of the Baptist
church, of which she was a worthy and con-
sistent member. At her death she left six
children, namely: Charles M., born in
Shelby county, Kentucky, October 5, 1855, is
emplo}-ed as clerk for the Kansas City &
fronton Railroad Company at Lake Charles,
Louisiana; Ben C, born February 28, 1858,
is a prominent farmer of Vernon county,
]\Iissouri ; . Mary Jane, widow of Noah
Sinder, is a resident of Ansley, a suburb of
Birmingham, Alabama ; Elisha is an inmate
of the acyium at Anchorage, Kentucky, his
affliction having been caused by brain fever :
Sallie Belle is the wife of P. J. Connolly, a
carpenter of Ensley, Alabama; and Guthrie
H., also follows the same occupation in that
city. Our subject has been a second time
married, his last union being with Mrs. H.
C. Carriss, formerly Susan D. Cardwell, a
native of Shelby county, Kentucky. Her first
husband, H. C. Carriss, came from that state
to Hutchinson in March, 1886. and in June
of the following year was called to his final
rest. He was a relative of the mother of our
subject. In politics Mr. Hedden is a life-
long Republican, and for many years has
been an active worker in its ranks. He has
served as a delegate to many county conven-
tions, and while in Kentucky was a member
of the state convention that selected the
Blaine delegates. He has been a member of
the ^Masonic fraternitv for fortv vears, and
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
since 1854 has been a member of the Baptist
church, being a faithful worker in the cause
of Christianity.
CYRUS CLARKE A'AX DEVEXTER.
Mr. Van De\'enter is a native of BufYalo.
Xew York, born in 1856. and is a son of
James and Jennie ( Clarke) Van Deventer,
of the same city. The Van Deventers \Yere
natives of Holland and took up their abode
at X"e\v Utrecht, on Long Island, in 1653.
On the mother's side he was descended from
Joseph Clarke, who located at X^ewport,
Rhode Island, in 1638, and was one of the
founders of that town. His wife was Be-
thiab. Hubbard, a greal-granddaughter of
Thomas Hubbard, one of the men burned at
the stake during the reign of Queen ^lary
of England on account of their religious l^e-
lief.
Peter Van Deventer. the great-grand-
fatlier of our subject, belonged' to the Xew
Jersey branch of the family, for whose head
the British government offered five hundred
pounds during the Revolutionary war. His
son, Alajor Christopher \a.n Deventer, was
a graduate of W^est Point and served as ad-
jutant general to General Brown in the war
of 181 2. At the battle of Chippewa creek he
was captured and confined at Quebec until
the cldse of the war. For some time he
served as chief clerk under Calhoun. His
son, James Van Deventer, the father of our
subject, was born in Buffalo, X^ew York,
studied for the bar and became a practicing
attorney there. He ?er\-ed as major and
lieutenant colonel of subsistence during the
war of the Rebellion. He was afterward
president of the Iowa Railroad Land Com-
pany and was recognized not onlv as a: most
prominent and prosperous business man,
but as a leader O'f public thought and opinion.
He was a stanch advocate of the Republican
party and its principles. He married Jen-
nie Clarke, a daughter of Cvrus Clarke, a
well-knr'wn merchant of Brffalo, X"ew York.
Cyrus Clarke Van Deventer was grad-
uated at Hobart College in 1876, with the
degree of Bachelor of Arts, while in 1879
that of Master of Arts was CDuferrcd upon
him. He engaged in business in lUiffalo
from 1876 until 1886, when he came to
Kingman, where he became one of the pro-
moters of the Telephone Company.
Prominent in the affairs of the city of
Kinginan, his ability and trustworthiness
being recognized by his fellow citizens, Mr.
Van Deventer has been several times called
to public office and for many years served as
city clerk or city treasurer. He is an active
Democrat and was a delegate to the Indiana-
polis convention in 1896. In religious faith
he is an Episcopalian and was one of the or-
ganizers of the Episcopal church in King-
man. He served as its first junior warden
and upon the death of Dr. Lanning he be-
came senior warden and has since continued
in that office. He belongs to Xine Scab
Lodge, Xo. 230, F. & A. 'M., of which he has
served for two years as master. He has also
been high priest of Kingman Chapter, Xo.
71, F. & A. M. ; and belongs to Kingman
Commander}-, Xo. 34, K. T. His worth and
prominence are widely recognized in frater-
nal, business, and political circles, and he is
one of the intelligent, enterprising men of
the west, influential in molding public
thought, opinion and policy, and standing
as a high type of our stalwart American
manhood.
C. Y. PLAXK
C. y. Plank, one of the early pioneers
and leading agriculturists of Rice county,
was born in Lagrange county, Indiana, on
the 15th of June, 1852. His father, Isaac
Plank, is a native of Wayne county, Ohio,
and of German descent. He was reared on
a farm in the state of his nativity, and when
a young man was united in marriage to
Elizabeth X'ofziger, a native of the Buckeye
state and a daughter of Valentine X^ofziger,
of Pennsyh-ania-German descent. After
their marriage. Isaac and Elizabeth Plank
removed to Elkhart countv, Indiana, and
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
five years later located in Lagrange county,
that state, where they still reside, honored
and respected by all who know them. The
father has been a fanner all his life, and
he also owns a valuable farm of three hun-
dred and twenty acres in Rice county, Kan-
sas. He has rounded the Psalmists span
of three-score years and ten, being now in
his seventy-ninth year, and his wife has
reached the good old age of seventy-seven
years. His political support is given the Re-
publican party, and both he and his wife hold
membership in the Amish church. This
worthy couple are the parents of seven chil-
dren, namely: Levi, a prominent farmer
of Harrison township. Rice county; Jacob,
who resides southwest of Lyons ; Elizabeth,
who yet resides in Indiana; Christian V.,
the sirbject of this review; David, a resident
of Idahn; Ephraim, also of that state; and
Isaac, whii makes his home in Oklahoma.
Christian Y. Plank was reared on the old
family homestead in Lagrange count)', In-
diana, where he was early taught the \-alue
of industry and economy as a preparation
for the active duties of life. He remained un-
der the -parental roof until twenty-one years
of age, when he began life on his own ac-
count, and as a companion and helpmate on
the journey of life he chose Celestia Smeltz-
ly, the wedding being celebrated in Lagrange
county. Indiana, in 1877. She was born in
Ohio, where she was reared until seven
years of age, and was a daughter of Chris-
tian and Mary (Lehmer) Smeltzly, who still
reside in Indiana. The union of our subject
and wife has been blessed with three chil-
dren, — Claude, who is now twenty-one years
of age, Mary and Florence.
In the fall of 1878 Mr. Plank came to
Kansas, and in the following spring he lo-
cated on one hundred and sixty acres of his
present farm. As the years have passed he
has prospered in his undertakings and has
added to his original purchase until he now
owns four hundred acres, in one body. His
farm is located on section 27, Victoria town-
ship, and there he is engaged in the culti-
vation of the cereals best adapted to this soil
and climate and in the raising of a good
grade of cattle, horses and swine. He has a
good farm residence, a barn thirty-eight by
forty-eight feet, a beautiful grove and
orchard, and all necessary outbuildings and
improvements, and a glance at his well regu-
lated place indicates to the passer-by the
careful supervision of a progressi\'e owner.
He is well versed in all branches of farm
work, and his life has been characterized by
energy, perseverance and hard work, quali-
ties which have won him a high and well
merited degree of success.
HENRY S. HOYT.
The year 1877 witnessed the arrival of
Henry S. Hoyt in Ellsworth county, and he
took up his abode on section fourteen, Gar-
field township, where he yet makes his home,
•although the farm of to-day, with its splen-
did equipments, bears little resemblance to
the undeveloped tract of which he obtained
possession almost a quarter of a century ago.
The buildings, including a fine residence and
large barn, are built of stone, and everything
indicates the careful supervision of one
whose methods are progressive, whose ideas
are practical and whose elTorts therefore are
crowned with success.
i\Ir. Hoyt was born in what was then
Ne-\vburg, now Cle\'eland, Ohio, January 19,
1834. His father, Lriah Hoyt, was a na-
tive of Vermont and after spending a short
time in Canada went to Ohio. He was a
tanner and currier by trade. In the Green
Mountain state he married Comfort Day-
ton, \\ho was descended from one of the Pil-
grim Eathers. They had eleven children, of
whon'i Henry S. is the eldest son and the only
one living in this portion of the country.
The Hoyts are one of the old families of
America and the}' have complete records
back to tlie da}-s when the first of the name
came to the new world, but the copy which
our subject possessed was destroyed by fire
in 1895, his residence being burned at that
time. The father was a W'hig in his early
political affiliations and afterward became a
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Republican. He took an active interest in
politics and in educational affairs and was a
member of the Disciples church. Both he
and his wife died in Ohio.
Henry S. Hoyt pursued his education in
the district schools and when young he
learned the tanner's trade under the direction
uf his father, while later he mastered' the
trade of paper-making. He started out upon
his own account when about nineteen years
of age, and at the age of twenty he was
married and began keeping house. In the
fall of 1855 he removed to Illinois and fol-
luwed farming in Lake county, that state,
for six years, after which he returned to
Ohio and worked at his trade. In the first
year of the civil war he enlisted, and at the
close of his three months' term was honor-
ably discharged. On the 17th of August,
1864, he again entered the army, becoming
a member of Company C, Secmd Ohio
Heavy Artillery, with which he ^aw service
in Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. He
was once wounded by a bayonet thrust
through the fleshy part of his right leg but
did not leave the field on that account. He
suft'ered more from exposure than from
wounds. At Nashville, Tennessee, July 17,
1865, he received an honorable discharge.
Returning to Ohio Mr. Hoyt was con-
nected with a paper mill for a time and later
engaged in farming there for three years.
In 1878 he came to Kansas, arriving in
April, where he bought out the man who had
filed a claim on the place where Mr. Hoyt
now lives. He then started in to get the
farm in good shape, erected a house and be-
gan raising both grain and stock. Having
fine bottom land on the Mulberry he can
raise corn when others fail. For twenty
successive years he has raised good corn
crops in the same field. He raises native
cattle and always has good grades. He
owns a pedigreed Durham bull and has thus
graded his stock. Formerly he was exten-
sively engaged in dairying, but now that he
and his wife are alone he has abandoned that
branch of his business. They made such
excellent butter that they could always se-
cure for it twenty-five cents per pound, even
when the regular price of butter on the mar-
ket was ten cents. Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt have
lived through the hard times here, but have
persevered in their attempt to establish a
home here and their labors have eventualh'
been crowned with a high degree of success.
He now owns twoi hundred and sixty acres of
valuable land on the south bank of the Mul-
berry, and his improvements are all of the
most substantial kind. The stiMie liain.
erected in SS", is thirty-twn l)y lift_\- fcL-t.
There are alsu two l;a-ge c .rrals, liuth of
stone, the walls being built by Mr. Hoyt. In
November, 1895, he met with a severe loss,
his dwelling with all its contents being en-
tirely ilestriiyed by fire, and he and his wife
having nuthing left but the cfothing which
they wore. With characteristic energy he
began the erection of a new home, which
Phcenix-like rose from the ashes, and the}'
now have a very comifortable residence.
Upon the place there is also a good orchard
and he has planted two acres of mulberries
and a number of cottonwood trees. He is
largely engaged in the raising of liogs and is
the owner of two especially fine teams, his
driving team, a span of large grays being
particularly speedy.
The lady who bears the name of Mrs.
Hoyt was in her maidenhood Miss Marcia
F. Oaks, and their marriage w'as celebrated
July 12, 1854. Her parents were George
and Eveline (Foster) Oaks, the former a
native of Massachusetts, whence his parents
removed to New York when he was ten years
of age. Tliere he followed farming and also
carried on the same pursuit after going to
Ohio, in which state his death eventually oc-
curred. The family is of English descent
on the paternal side, but the grandmother
was of East India Dutch stock. Unto Mv.
and Mrs. Hoyt have been born three chil-
dren : Sarah, now the wife of Washington
Litch, of Topeka ; David Gerard, who also is
living in Topeka ; and Ellen, who died in
infancy.
In his political views i\Ir. Hoyt has al-
ways been a Republican, but at local elec-
tions where there is no issue up before the
people he \-otes independently of party ties.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
He does all in his pOAver, hoavever, to secure
the adoption of his party principles and liis
services have been recognized by the party
which has frequently elected him to office.
He has served as township treasurer, has
been treasurer of the school district for nine
years, was township trustee and assessor,
was county committeemen for three years
from the first district, was county commis-
sioner for three years, and has always proved
a good and efficient officer. Socially he is
connected with the Masonic fraternity and
among his brethren he is held in high es-
teem — a feeling which is entertained for him
whereA'er he is known.
WILLIS X. BAKER.
A native of Michigan, Mr. Baker was
born at Battle Creek, on the 20th of Octo-
ber, 1S60, a son of James and Lucy A.
(Webster) Baker, the former a native of
New York and the latter of the Wolverine
state. The father was reared in his native
state and in early manhood went to Mich-
igan, engaging in mercantile pursuits in
Battle Creek. Leaving that place he went to
Belle Plaine, Iowa, where lie again conduct-
ed a mercantile establishment. In 1887 he
took up his alx)de in Hutchinson, Kansas,
and engaged in the real-estate and loan
business, and in 1892 became associated with
the banking interests of the county. In con-
nection with his son, ^\'illis N. Baker, he
organized' the Farmers State Bank at Pretty
Prairie. Reno county, conducting that insti-
tution for five years, when in the fall of 1897
they organized the State Exchange Bank of
Hutchinson, with the father as president,
the son as cashier, in which positions they
had respectively served in Pretty Prairie.
Here they began doing a general banking
business, making a specialty of farm loans
and investments. The father died January
20, 1900. He was one of the successful busi-
ness men and respected citizens of Hutchin-
son who during a comparatively short resi-
dence in this citv became favorablv known
in financial circles for his strictly honorable
dealings and his business ability, and socially
for his many worthy and estimable quali-
ties. In his political views he was a stanch
Republican and in his chifrch relations was
a Presbyterian. He often held office in the
church to. which he belonged' and was serv-
ing as an elder at the time of his death. His
widonv is still living with her son.
^^'illis N. Baker was the only child born
to his parents and was reared under the
parental roof, acquiring his preliminary edu-
cation in the public schools of Belle Plaine,
Iowa. At the age of sixteen he matriculated
in the State University at Iowa City and was
graduated in the class of 1883, standing sec-
ond in a class of forty. After completing his
college course he joined his father in busi-
ness, becoming his partner, an association
that was maintained until the father's death,
when he succeeded to the presidency of the
bank. For a number of years he had been
the virtual manager of the business, his fa-
ther encouraging him from his boyhood to
assume personal responsibility and giving
him all the aid possible that would fit him
for the conduct of important affairs. As
the son mastered business methods and
principles the father more and more re-
legated to him the control of their banking
interests and prior to his father's death he
was the virtual president of the State Ex-
change Bank of Hutchinson, which is now
widely recognized as a leading and reliable
financial institution of this part of the state.
He served as president of this bank until
Januan-, 1902.
On'the 20th of October, 1887, Air. Baker
was united in marriage to Miss Nellie M.
Norton, a daughter of George and Frances
(Stone) Norton. She was born in St.
Charles, Illinois, and is a most estimable
lady who has made her hospitable home a
favorite resort with their many friends. Mr.
Baker's reputation in banking circles
throughout the state is indicated by the fact
that at the state convention of bankers htld
in 1901 he was elected to the ofiice of vice-
president for Group 3 of the state asso-
ciation. His influence and efforts, however.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
have not been confined entirely to business
matters, as lie has taken an active part in
educational, religious and social affairs and
withholds his support from no movement
or measure which promises advancement
along- any of these lines. In fact he is a
leader in such progress and his opinions
carry weight with the public mind. In the
jNIasonic order he has attained the Knight
Templar degree, and of Reno Lodge, No.
99, I. O. O. F., he is a past noble grand.
He is an active and official member of the
Presbyterian church. For several years he
has served as deacon, has taken a leading
part in the various branches of church and
Sunday-school work, and has ser\-ed as su-
perintendent of the latter. In politics he is
Republican and while he keeps well in-
formed on the issues of the day, as every
true American citizen should do, he has
never sought or desired political prefer-
ment. The cause of education has ever
found in him a warm friend and he is al-
ways on the side of progress, reform, and
improvement.
JOHN C. FREMONT CRAWFORD.
John C. F. Crawford, who for a number
of years has occupied a very conspicuous
place among the leading business men of
Reno county, was born in Allen county, In-
diana, on the 20th of November, 1856. His
father, John Crawford, claimed Ohio' as the
state of his nativity, his birth there occur-
ring in Columbiana county on the 6th of
November, 1820, and in that county his fa-
ther, Samuel Crawford, lived and died. He
was probably born in the Buckeye state, and
was there married to Kate George, a native
of Columbiana county. The great-great-
grandfather of our subject reached the re-
markable age of one hundred years, passing
away ni Columbiana county. John Craw-
ford, the father of him whose name intro-
duces this review was married in that coun-
ty, in' 1853, to Elizabeth A. Bowman, and
she, too, was born in Columbiana countv.
Prior to his marriage, however, Mr. Craw-
ford had removed to Allen county, Indiana,
and had purchased a farm of one hundred
and twenty-three acres of heavily timbered
land, and with his bride he located in the
dense forest. At the call of one hundred
day men during the war of tlie Rebellion he
nobly put aside all personal considerations
and responded to the call of duty, and on re-
turning to his home after the expiration of
his term of service he found that his loving
wife had passed away in death just the day
before his return. About eleven years ago
he retired from the active duties of farm life
and since that time has made his home at
Roanoke, Huntington county, Indiana. His
political support is given to the Republican
party, and socially he is a member of the
Grand Army of the Republic and the Odd
Fellows fraternity. His religious prefer-
ence is indicated by his membership in the
Methodist Episcopal church. By his first
marriage he became the father of four chil-
dren, — Noah Henry, who is engaged with
the Packard Organ Company, of Fort
Wayne, Indiana: John C. F., the subject of
this review; Christian Frank Y., ah agent
for the Wabash Railroad Company at Catlin.
Illinois; and Sarah Emaline, the wife of
Austin Hamlin Lopshire, a hotel proprietor
of Fort Wayne. About 1867, in Columbiana
county, Ohio, Mr. Crawford w^as united in
marriage to Sarah Armstrong, and they had
three children, — Hattie, who died in child-
hood; Perr>- M., who is engaged in the hard-
ware business at Rogers, Ohio; and Effie
Elma, who died in Allen countv, Indiana, in
1899.
John C. Fremont Crawford, of this re-
view, remained on the home fann with his
father until he was twenty-si.x years of age,
after which for a short time he was employed
in railroad work. In the spring of 1883 he
took charge of his aunt's, Mrs. Sarah Bow-
man, farm, and in the following spring he
came to Kansas, locating first in Saline
county, where he fomied a partmership with
his cousin and together they purchased a
quarter section of land, which they farmed
during that season. Our subject then be-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
came dissatisfied with the place, as the land
was hilly and unproductive, and he sold his
interest to his cousin and came to Reno coun-
ty in the fall of 1884, where in the following
spring he purchased the lots on which his
present residence now stands, erecting a
small house fourteen by eighteen feet. At
that time his land was located in the wild
prairie, there being then but eleven houses
south of what is now East C street. From
that time until the spring of 1886 he was
engaged in teaming, after which he removed
to Kiowa county, Kansas, and pre-empted
one hundred and forty -five acres, but after
a time he abandoned farming and returned
to Hutchinson, although he still retains pos-
session of his land. In the spring of 1887
Air. Crawford took up the trade of carpen-
tering, which he had learned of David Boyle,
of Hutchinson, and with him he carried on
that occupation for the following five years,
since which time he has been alone in busi-
ness. He has assisted in building the many
establishments for the Hutchinson Packing
Company, having been employed by that
company long before it engaged in the salt
busmesS, his work there covering the period
from 1 89 1 until
He has tw'ice en-
larged and remodeled his home, which is
now a tasteful and attractive residence, and
has planted his ground with grape vines and
pear, peach and apple trees.
On the 3d of April, 1883. at Fort Wayne,
Indiana, Mr. Crawford was united in mar-
riage to Anna Hamilton, who was born in
Allen county, Indiana, a daughter of Will-
iam A. and Barbara (Scott) Hamilton, the
father a native of Allen county, Indiana, and
the mother of Licking county, Ohio. They
now reside on the farm on which they orig-
inally located in Allen county. The union
of our subject and wife has been blessed with
two children, — Edna, who was born Jan-
uary 12, 1890, and Jay, born January 4,
1892, and Ixith are attending the Maple
school, of Hutchinson. In matters of na-
tional importance Mr. Crawford gives his
support to the Republican party, but was
made councilman of his city against both the
Republican and Citizens tickets, having been
elected to the position by a majority of one
hundred votes, and in 1901 he completed his
two years" tenn. He is now serving as a
member of the school board, having been
elected to that position on the Citizens ticket,
and he is a member of the building commit-
tee. He has passed all the chairs and is now
past grand of the Odd Fellows fraternity,
and is also a member of the Red Men, while
both he and his wife are identified with the
Court of Honor.
JAMES :\I. JORDAN.
Few traveling men of Kansas and the
southwest have a wider acquaintance or
are more generally esteemed than James i\I.
Jordan, of Hutchinson, who for se\-enteen
years has represented upon the road the
firm of R. L. McDonald & Company, of St.
Joseph, manufacturers of men's furnishing
goods. He has been a resident of this city
since 1872 and has therefore witnessed the
greater part of its growth and development,
having become identified with its mercan-
tile interests in the early period of its up-
building.
Mr. Jordan was born in Cabell county.
Virginia, in 1849, and is a son of Chapman
Jordan, who was also a native of the Old
Dominion. Our subject is a representative
of the fourth generation of the family that
has resided in America. In 1867 his father
removed westward with the family to ]\Iis-
souri and after James ]M. came to Hutchin-
son he also took up his abode here, but sub-
sequently removed to Lawrence, Kansas,
where he spent his remaining days. He
was married near Gallipolis, Ohio, to -Miss
Maria Sloan, and they became the parents
of seven children. John M., who came to
Hutchinson in the fall of 1871 and started
in business here, but is now a resident of
Cedar Rapids, Iowa ; Jackson, deceased :
James M. ; Margaret A. and \\'illiam M..
who have also passed away ; Dallas and
Emma, who are living in Lea\'enworth,
Kansas.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
23
James M. Jordan pursued his educa-
tion largely in the public schools of Indiana
and when a young man became connected
with mercantile life. Joining his brother
John in Hutchinson in 1872 they made
plans whereby a branch house was estab-
lished in Medicine Lodge — this being the
first general store in that place — and of this
our subject took charge. After a short time,
however, he sold out and returned to
Hutchinson, entering the store here. He
was thus engaged in merchandising until
1874, when he disposed of his interests and
was afterwards associated with different
mercantile firms until January, 1884,
when he entered the ser\-ice of R. L. Mc-
Donald & Company, of St. JosqMi, J\lis-
souri, with Avhom he has since remained as
their traveling rq^resentative in the territory
co\-ered by southern Kansas, northern
Texas, Oklahoma and Indian Territory.
Before Oklahoma was opened up he also
made New Mexico and Colorado. He
makes four trips annually to the more
thickly populated districts and Texas he
visits about twice each year. He is very
pijpular on the road and with the many pa-
trons riiat he has secured for the house, and
the firm which he represents allows him the
utmost liberty and freedom in carr\-ing on
his work, for they have implicit confidence
in his ability and trustworthiness.
On the 26th of July, 1869, in Missouri,
INIr. Jordan was united in marriage to Miss
Alargaret A. Burkhart, a daughter of
George Burkhart, a farmer of Carroll coun-
t}-, that state. They became the parents of
seven children, but only three are living:
William S., a graduate of the high school
of Hutchinson, who is engaged in the dry-
goods business in Pittsburg, Kansas, and
married Bird Oviatt, of Astoria, Illinois, by
whom he has one child, Eugene, who is
with the Star Clothiers, of Hutchinson, and
Xina 'Ms.y, at home. ]\Ir. Jurdan has erect-
ed two residences in Hutchinsnn and the
family now occupy an attractive home. In
poltics he is a Democrat and served as sec-
retary of the Duval Campaign Club, but
has usually taken no very active ixart in
political work. He belongs to Reno Lodge,
Xo. 140. F. & A. M.; Reno Chapter, Xo.
34, R. A. ^I.; Hutchinson Council, X'o. 13,
R. & S. AI. ; Reno Commandery, Xo. 26,
K. T. ; Isis Temple of the Mystic Shrine,
of Salina; and his wife is a member of
Acacia Chapter, No. 37, O. E. S. She also
belongs to the Baptist church and is a most
estimable lady. In addition to his JNIasonic
affiliation Mr. Jordan is a charter member
of the United Commercial Travelers" Asso-
ciation and was the second senior counsel
of the organization in Hutchinson. He is
a wide-awake, energetic and enterprising
man, who in his business life has become
an excellent judge of human nature. Tact
as well as industr}- has made him an excel-
lent traveling salesman and his honorable
business methods have at all times won him
the confidence of those with whom he has
had dealings, while his genial manner and
friendly disposition render him popular in
all circles.
PETER HUMMEL.
From early in our historv tlie German
element in our population has been one of
its best factors. The German character has
always made for progress and prosperity of
the most substantial kind. Kansas is justly
proud of 'its citizens who were born in the
fatherland, and among those l>est known in
Ellsworth co'unty is Peter Hummel, who
lives on Blake's addition to Ellsworth and is
the owner of a farm of two hundred and
eighty acres in Noble township and also of
much town property.-
Peter Hummel was born at Heiback,
Germany, October 19, 1843, a son of Lud-
wig and Catherine ( Clech ) Hummel, both
natives of Hesse-Darmstadt. Germany,
where Mrs. Hummel died, when her son, the
subject of this sketch, was four years old.
In 1849, ^Ir- Hummel and his seven chil-
dren came to .-Vmerica, and located in Frank-
lin county. Pennsylvania, where they lived
until 1856, when they removed to' Knox
county, Illinois, where :\Ir. Hummel
bought a farm of two hundred and forty
acres, within five miles of Galesburg".
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
The subject of the sketch grew up on his
father's farm near Galesburg, Illinois, and
received such education as was afiforded in
the public schools near his home. Novem-
ber 9. 1S63, h^ enlisted in Company D,
Seventh Regiment of Illinois Cavalry, under
Captain Reynolds and Colonel Prince, and
saw active service with General Sherman's
command in Hatch's brigade in Tennessee,
Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi* At
Summerville his company was surrounded
by Forrest's cafalry and did not escape
without the loss -of forty men. He sen-ed
continuously until the close of the war and
his last service was on relief guard duty at
East Port, near Eureka, Mississippi, when
General Forrest came in and surrendered to
the federal commander. He was honorably
discharged from the United States service
at Nashville, Tennessee, November 4, 1865,
and, returning to Illinois, worked for farm-
ers for wages until he had saved sufficient
money to buy a team and wagon, when he
rented a farm in Knox county, which he
worked successfully until 1873, when he
drov;e with horses from Illinois to Ells-
worth, Kansas, where he secured a soldier's
land claim within the borders of section 6,
Columbia township. He put one hundred
acres on his land under cultivation and
otherwise improved the property and lived
upon it until 1880, when he traded it for
one hundred and sixty acres of section i, in
the same township, where he was engaged
in sheep raising until August, 1897, when
he removed to his present home, the old
Ramonsbury place, at Ellsworth. He has
a fine two-storv house, surrounded by a
large yard, nicely laid t)ut and ornamented
with fruit trees and shrubbery. About that
time he bought a half section in Enterprise
township, and he .has altogether six hun-
dred acres, which he rents to tenant farmers.
Mr. Hummel is one of the representative
citizens of the county, and has achieved a
most worthy success. His public spirit is
such that he alwa\-s aids every movement
which in his judgment promises good to
the people at large. He is especially inter-
ested in educational matters and has served
ably as a member of his township school
board, and he has also filled the office of
township treasurer. In politics he is a Re-
publican ^nd in religion he adheres to the
creed of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Hummel was married February 22,
1882, to Miss Qara Erdtmann, of Ells-
worth, Kansas, and has children named
Amanda, George, John, Elma, Mata and
Paul.
HON. FRANK VINCENT.
Few men in Reno county, Kansas, are
more widely known than Hon. Frank Vin-
cent, who has been prominently identified
with the social, religious, educational and
political development of this section of the
state since the spring of 1874. His fellow
citizens have honored him with many posi-
tions of trust and responsibility, and he is
now distinguished as the senator from the
thirty-sixth senatorial district.
Tlie birth of Senator Vincent occurred in
Bro'wn county, Ohio, in May, 1853, ^"d he
is a son of J. P. and Sophia (Miller) Vin-
cent. The father was a native of Penns}l-
vania, but in young manhood moved to Ohio
and there engaged in business both as a
merchant and farmer. There he married
Sophia Aliller, and two children were born,
Mr. Vincent of this biography being the
only survivor. Later the father married
Caroline Morehead, and had a family of
nine children. In 1854 he moved with his
family to Lucas county, Iowa, where he was
a pioneer, and the mother died soon after
their arrival. Mr. Vincent became a prom-
inent man in that section and an active work-
er and leader in the Methodist church. In
1886 he removed to Hutchinson, Kansas,
and spent his last days here, dying in 1898.
Frank Vincent was but a babe one year
old when the family exodus was made from
Ohio to Iowa, and until he was seventeen
years of age he attended school in that state.
in March, 1874, he made his way to Hutch-
inson, Kansas, and in the latter part of that
year took up a one-quarter section in Castle-
ton township and engaged in farming for a
couple of years and then turned his attention
t
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
25
to mercantile pursuits, for three years con-
ducting a store at Castleton. Having re-
ceived the appointment of deputy register of
deeds, he sold his business in Castleton and
removed into Hutchinson, where two years
later he opened a business in real estate and
loans. Until 1888 Mr. Vincent was engaged
in the above line, becoming then interested
in the salt business, this having been one
with which he has been connected ever since,
holding now the position of general manager
of the Hutchinson Salt Works. He was one
of the incorporators of this company, and
they had but one competitor. The Hutch-
inson Salt Company started the plant known
as the Vincent plant, later bought other
plants and now control ten. In January,
1900, the business was sold to the Hutchin-
son, Kansas, Salt Company, a wealthy syn-
dicate, and Mr. Vincent was retained as gen-
eral manager. The salt business as now
managed is the largest industry in the city
of Hutchinson. The united plant has a ca-
pacity of • forty-five hundred barrels a day,
but ships only one million barrels annually.
Employment is gi\'en to from four hundred
and fifty to six hundr.ed men, according to
the season, the business bringing comfort
into many worthy homes.
Senator Vincent invested largelv in farm-
ing property and is among the largest land
owners in the county, one of his valuable
farms lying five miles north of the city, to
which it is our subject's delight to drive.
This comprises four hundred acres under
cultivation, also three hundred and* twenty
acres in pasture land, where are raised thor-
nughbred Black Angus cattle, the finegt in
this part of the state. Senator Vincent takes
a ])ersonal interest and pride in his farm and
tine cattle, enjoying the management more
than either the strife of political or the com-
petition of commercial life. In almost all of
the various organizations of a public char-
ricter he has taken a leading position. He
w as one of the organizers of the Wholesale
( iroters' Company, and for four }-ears was
its vice-president, and was not only one of
the organizers of the Hutchinson National
I'.ank, but was also vice-president and direc-
tor. Every educational and religious move-
ment has had his hearty support, and he
has liberally contributed to the erection of
the various edifices. He has always been an
active worker in the Republican party. For
six years he served as mayor of the city,
during which time he reduced the water
rentals one-half and instituted many reforms.
He was a delegate to the Republican national
convention at St. Louis, at which the late
lamented President McKinley was nomi-
nated, and has been one of the leading mem-
bers of his party in this locality. In 1900
he was nominated for senator and was elect-
ed by a majority of seven hundred.
The marriage of Senator Vincent occur-
red in August, 1874, to Miss Anna C.
Payne, who was a daughter of Rev. John
Payne, a farmer in Iowa and for over forty
years a minister in the Methodist church.
He now lives a retired life in the home of
our subject, at the age of eighty-nine years.
Seven children were born to this union,
namely : Lizzie, who is the assistant post-
mistress of this city; Frank, Jr., who is a
shipping clerk in his father's office; George
who superintends the farm ; Sophia ; Esther ;
Louie; and Jay. In fraternal circles Senator
Vincent has long been active, holding a
membership in the Ancient Order of L'nited
Workmen, and in the Alasonic order, be-
longing to Reno Lodge, Xo. 140, to Reno
Chapter, No. 38, and tO' the Commandery
No. 26. The religious connection of the
family is with the Presbyterian church,
where Senator Vincent is a liberal contri-
butor. His record as a politician has been
unstained, and he stands a true representa-
tive of the highest class of citizenshii) in
Reno countv.
JOHN S. SHUYLER.
Labor forms the foundation of all pros-
perity and it is to his enterprising and well
directed efforts that our subject owes his
position as a leading and representati\e
farmer of Enterprise township, Reno coun-
ty. He was born in Spencer county. In-
26
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
diana, in 1846. His father, Michael P.
Shuyler, who was born about the year' 1800,
died in Spencer county, Indiana, in 1855.
He followed blacksmithing as a means of
livelihood, having learned the edge tool bus-
iness in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and was
an excellent workman. As a companion for
the journey of life he chose Elizabeth Cies,
who was born near Hagerstown, Maryland,
and they had twelve children, of whom our
subject was the youngest in order of birth,
and of that large number, six sons and six
daughters, all have passed away with the
exception of John S. and his brother David,
The latter is engaged in agricultural pur-
suits in Huntsville township, Reno county,
Kansas. The mother of this family died
when our subject was but an infant, and
the father was again married, the second
union resulting in the birth of four children,
of whom two, a son and daughter, still sur-
vive: Louis, a resident of Boonville, In-
diana ; and Seleta, wife of John R. Bacon,
of Topeka, Kansas. The mother is now
Mrs. Bacon and makes her home at Boon-
ville, Indiana.
John S. Shuyler, the subject of this
review, made his home with his brother,
David M., from his ninth to his fifteenth
year, receiving but meager educational ad-
vantages during that period, as his time was
principally employed in the arduous task
of clearing an Indiana farm from the heavy
timber. At the early age of fifteen years, in
January, 1862, he enlisted for service in the
Civil war, entering the Sixty-second In-
diana Volunteer Infantry, which regiment
was afterward consolidated with the Fifty-
third Indiana, and as a member of Com-
pany G, he served in its ranks for three
and a half years, during which time he
participated in the battles of Corinth, Vicks-
burg and Hatcher's Run, and was also with
Sherman on his Atlanta campaign. Dur-
ing his army service Mr. Shuyler also spent
three months in the Overton hospital, at
Memphis, Tennessee, where he suffered
with a relapse of the measles. After re-
covering his health he veteranized at Camp
Heborne, Alississippi, and at Louisville,
Kentucky, in August, 1865, he was honor-
ably discharged, for the war had ended and
the country no longer needed his services.
After returning home he spent one winter
in school, and afterward engaged in farm-
ing the old Allen place, where he remained
for two years, and for the following two
years resided on a farm in Pike county, In-
diana. In August, 1872, he began the
journey westward with his team and
wagon, working on the railroad and
at other occupations during the trip,
and after traveling over one thou-
sand miles finally arrived in the Sun-
flower state, where he secured a homestead
of one hundred and sixty acres, on which
he located on the 12th of July, 1873. Here
he has ever since made his home, but as the
years have passed by and prosperity has
rewarded his efforts he has added to his
original purchase until he now owns a half
section of land, but farms in all three quar-
ter sections. His principal crop is wheat
and corn, and in one year he raised fifty-
five hundred bushels of the latter cereal,
while in 1901 his wheat crop yielded him
four thousand bushels. He has planted all
the fruit and shade trees which add so much
to the value and attractive appearance of
his place, and the many other improvements
upon his farm stand as monuments to his
thrift and ability. His present beautiful
residence was erected in 1889, ^"d in the
same year his large barn was also built,
which is one of the finest structures of the
kind in the county. In addition to the rais-
ing of the cereals best adapted to this soil
and climate Mr. Shuyler is also extensively
engaged in the stock business, keeping on
hand from ten to fifteen horses and large
numbers of hogs, which are of the Poland
China breed'. Success has abundantly re-
warded his efforts since coming to the Sun-
flower state, but the high position which he
now occupies among the leading agricul-
turists of Reno county has been attained
through his enterprising spirit and his de-
termined purpose.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
27
On the 27th of March, 1867, was cele-
braled the marriage of Mr. Shuyler and
Miss Julia M. Allen. The lady is a native
of the state of Tennessee, born in 1848, a
daughter of \Villiam and Mary (Harden)
Allen, natives also of that state. The fa-
ther, who was a farmer by occupation, died
in Indiana, leaving his widow with their
tive children, four of whom still survive, —
:\Irs. Shuyler; Alice, the wife of J. C. Kel-
lum, a farmer of section two, Enterprise
township; James L., who for many years
has held an important position with the
finn of Fuller & Fuller, in Chicago; and
Rinda, now Mrs. Ed Behler and a resi-
dent of Huntington, Indiana. Previous to
her marriage with the father of these chil-
dren the mother had wedded Robert B.
Shaw and by that union had one child. She
is now the widow of Perry Chinn and
makes her home with her daughter, Mrs.
Shuyler, having reached the ripe old age of
eighty-five years. The children born to
Mr. and Mrs. Shuyler are as follows : W.
P., wlio is a prominent agriculturist of
Enterprise township, and has a son and
daughter; Adella, wife of W. C. Detter, by
whom she has two children; O. C, a farmer
near Lerado, this county, and has one son;
Florence, the wife of Jacob Detter; Harr}'
A., who is attending the State Agricultural
College; Mabel, a member of the Linsborg
Musical College, where she is studying both
vocal and piano music; Reynolds, a youth
of fifteen years, who is attending the dis-
trict schools; Mary Mildred, a maiden of
ten summers; and Dean M., seven years of
age. Those who passed away are: Mil-
lard, who died at the age of nine months;
Georgia Lee, who also died when only
nine months old; and Floyd S., who
died at the age of seventeen years. In his j
political affiliations Mr. Shuyler is a Popu-
list, but previous to his identification there- |
with he was a supporter of Republican prin-
ciples. He has served his township as a
trustee for several terms, and for six
years held the office of justice of the peace.
He has a wide acquaintance in this section
of the state, and his honestv in all trade
transactions, his reliability in discharging
his duties of citizenship and hs fidelity to
the interests' of private life have won him
marked esteem.
JACOB W. LIGHT, M. D.
Dr. Jacob W. Light, who has been suc-
cessfully engaged in the practice of medi-
cine in Kingman since 1884, was born near
Fostoria, Ohio, in January, 1859, soon
after the removal of his parents from Penn-
sylvania to the Buckeye state. The fam-
ily is of German lineage and the name was
originally spelledi Lichte. Felix Light, the
Doctor's father, was born in Pennsylvania
and was a shoemaker by trade. He was
married in his native state to Susan Pef-
fer, who was of the same family to which
Senator Peffer belonged. They became the
parents of eleven children, nine of whom
attained' years of maturity. The family
were connected with the United Brethren
church and were people of the highest re-
spectability.
The Doctor attended the district schools
until eighteen years of age and then entered
the Ada N'ormal College, at Ada. He en-
gaged in teaching as a means whereby to
procure the funds necessary for the con-
tinuance of his studies, and this determina-
tion to procure an education no matter
what the difficulties which stood in the way
showed forth the elemental strength of his
character and gave promise of accomplish-
ment in later life. Before going to Ada
he made arrangauents to study medicine
with a physician in Findlay, Ohio, but the
accidental death of the ph3-sician forced
him to change his plans, and after teaching
for several years he became a student in the
office of a physician in Columbus Grove,
Ohio, reading under his direction all the
time between the courses of lectures which
he took in college. In March, 1884, he
was graduated in the Pulte ATedical Col-
lege, at Cincinnati, Ohio, winninL;" the prize
there for the best work in physiology.
28
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Dr. Light then made his arrangements
to remove to the west, and in June arrived
in Kingman, which was then enjoying an
era of marked progress. The railroad had
just reached here and the Doctor complet-
ed his journey on the construction train.
There was only one brick building in the
town and many conditions were primitive,
but the western spirit of enterprise was
soon to dominate the place and produce a
transformation. Our subject entered into
partnership with Dr. Yancey, who was the
owner of a drug store in iCingman, but in
the autumn following his arrival the part-
nership was dissolved and Dr. Light en-
tered upon an independent business career.
\\'ith one exception he is the oldest resident
physician of Kingman and his practice is
proportionate to the length of his stay. \\'ith
the growth of the town his patronage in-
creased and from the 1>eginning he has en-
joyed a successful professional career. Li
the early days of his location here he was
called as far as seventy-five miles and had
to endure many hardships by making long
drives across the country in storm as well
as in sunshine, but he never refused to give
his aid in alleviation of suffering. He is
now called as far as thirty miles, and in
Kingman and the immediate surrounding
district he has a large business. He has
been particularly successful in treating cases
of dropsy, having effected cures in cases
which others had pronounced incurable, and
thus his reputation has gone abroad and
won him high standing in his profession. He
is a member of the Kansas State Medical
Society and the American Institute of Hom-
eopathy, and thus he keeps in touch with
the advanced thought of the day along the
lines of medical and surgical investigation
and practice. In order to still further per-
fect himself in his work he took a course in
the Polyclinic in Chicago in 1893.
Just before his 'removal to Kingman Dr.
Light was married to Miss Aimee Sterling,
the wedding being celebrated March 20,
1884. in her home in Columbus Grove. With
his bride he came to this city and their home
has been blessed with three children, but
only one is now li\ing. F. ]\Iarvin. In 1899
the Doctor erected a fine residence at the
corner of Spruce street and Avenue F. It
is an ornament to the city and is the most
modern dwelling here, being supplied with
the latest improvements and conveniences.
He also owns another house which he rents.
He also has extensive stock raising inter-
ests, having a fine herd of shorthorns.
Dr. Light holds membership with the
Ancient Order of United \\'orkmen and
was formerly connected with the team of
Select Knights. He is likewise a worthy
exemplar of Ninnescah Lodge, F. & A. M.
He is a member of the pension Ixiard and
with the exception of four years has held
the office of its secretary since 1888. He
served for five years as county health officer
and has been a member of the school board.
In politics he has always been an earnest
Republican, but has ever refused to become
a candidate for office. He is regarded as
one of the most skillful physicians of his
locality. His knowledge and abilif}- in med-
icine and surgery and all matters pertaining
to the health of the body, his intelligence
in other lines of study and his manly char-
acter alike entitle him to esteem, and he is
regarded with the highest respect in this
and other communities.
JAMES DUKELOW.
The eminent position which Reno coun-
ty, Kansas, has attained as a leading one in
the state is in a large measure due to the
class of citizens which makes up so large
a proportion of her agricultural population.
Among those who have succeeded and be-
come subsitantial pillars oi the countv
through their own well directed and intel-
ligent efforts is James Dukelow, who has
owned property here since 1880.
The birth of Mr. Dukelow was in Great
Britain in 1846, and he came to America
prior to attaining his majority. For some
years he was located in New England, trav-
eling in the interests of the well known firm
of J. Gould's Sons, tea iniporters of New
York city, his business taking him through
Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts,
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
his headquarters being in Boston. His first
visit to Kansas was made in the interest of
tiiis firm, being sent hither to make investi-
gations concerning its fomier representa-
tive, and wliile here he joined one of the
tlome Seekers" excursions which went to
look at land in this territory. The party
made stops at Newton, at Florence, and at
Hutchinson, and the greater number went
on to Larned, but the location of this city
pleased Mr. Dukelow the best, resulting in
his buying the claim for the farm upon
which he now resides, in 1880. He paid
eight hundred dollars for the one hundred
and sixty acres,' having the original deed
made out tO' him. Then he returned tO' the
east and closed up his business affairs there,
agreeing with his former emplo}-ers to con-
tinue to represent their house in this locality.
This he did until increasing private business
made it inexpedient. The improvements on
the place consisted of a small frame shanty,
and a shed which was made out of a straw
]3ile. About eighty acres of the land had
been broken, and after his locating, in
the fall of that year, he put in wheat,
and in the following spring began to
]iut out some fruit trees. No trees of any
kind were there prior to this, the beautiful
grove which is one of the adornments of this
ideal country home having all been planted
and nurtured by our subject. The soil re-
sponded so generously that he foimd it nec-
essary at times to cut down some of the trees
of his planting, as their spreading branches
crowded each other. He has made a special-
ty of fruit trees and he now has two hundred
and sixteen acres in fruit alone, one hun-
dred acres in peaches, twenty-five acres in
grapes and twenty-seven acres in berries.
Each year he cultix'ates ])iitatoes on fifteen
acres, although the cereals, corn and oats,
he considers his jirincipal crops. He has
}'early added to his land and now owns fi\e
farms and keeps all under his own supervi-
sion, having them worked on the share s}-s-
tem. In stock raising also he has pros-
pered, and keeps hogs on three of his farms
and also has about one hundred and fifty
head of cattle. In the fall of 1899 he
erected his elegant residence, this being one
of the most comfortable and attractive
homes in Reno county.
The marriage of Mr. Dukelow was in
September. 1873, to Miss Elizabeth Justice,
who was born in Boston, Massachusetts. To
this union three sons have been born, name-
ly: Herbert L., Elmer R., and Howard ]M.
Mr. Dukelow has l)een identified with
almost all of the progressi\-e mii\-enients in
the county since his locatidu here, and has
been connected with many enterprises in a
financial way. He was one of the organizers
of the Citizens' Bank of Hutchinson, and fo-r
four years was its president, resigning that
honorable position on account of stress of
personal business. The Presbyterian church
in this locality owes much to his devotion, he
being one of the pioneer memibers of that
religious body, ever ready with time, influ-
ence and means to promote its interests. For
a long period he ser^^ed as chairman of the
board of deacons in that church. In politi-
cal sympathy he has alwavs been an ardent
supporter of the Re])ulilicaii jiarlv, although
in no sense a puliii'.-ian, dc-inii^ iiMue of the
public offices, his .:\vii liUMiicss demanding
his constant attention. Although he has
been unusually successful since locating in
Kansas, there is no mystery in it. He pre-
pared himself by close attention to business
for the work he had undertaken and gained
a thorough- knowledge of the properties of
the soil and its adaptatidu tn tlie various
growths, of the scientific lireeding and eco-
ncniiral feeding of st. ck. and with energy
and intelligence carried this knowledge into
practice. He is well and favorably known
throueh Reno county, where he has hosts
of friends and many imitators of his
methods.
FREDERICK J. BRUCE.
Frederick J. Bruce is a farmer and stock-
raiser residing on the east half of section
14. Garfield township, Ellsworth county,
and is the oldest settler' in this locality.
Great indeed are the changes which ha\e
occurred since his arrival, for he found an
undeveloped section of the country, the land
30
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
as yet not claimed for the purposes of civili-
zation. Buffalo roamed over the prairies,
and often going out on a hunt he has se-
cured all that he could bring home with an
ox team. As men from the east came to this
portion of Kansas dug-outs and sod houses
were seen as the homes of the settlers, and
these in turn were replaced by the more
commodious and modern frame residences,
and the district has become the abiding
place of a contented and prosperous farm-
ing people, whosie homes surround thriving
towns and villages where all kinds of manu-
facturing and industrial interests are car-
ried on. All these changes Mr. Bruce has
witnessed since his arrival in Ellsworth
county, in the fall of 1869.
The family originated in Scotland but
]Mr. Bruce of this re\-iew was born in the
duchy of ^Mecklenburg, Germany, Decem-
ber 27, 1839. His father, Frederick J.
Bruce, was also a native of Gennany, and
in 1852 came to America in the old sailing
vessel Gibraltar, which was nine weeks up-
on the water before reaching the harbor of
Xew York. He was a tishennan in the
old country and upon landing in the new
world he went to Cleveland, Ohio, wdiere he
followed the same pursuit until 1856, when
he located upon a fann and there spent his
remaining days. His political support was
given to the Democracy. He married a
]Miss Johnson and they became the parents
of three children, but our subject is the
only one now living.
Frederick J. Bruce began work at a very
earlv age, assisting in the cultivation of the
home farm, upon which he remained until
he had attained his majority. He enlisted
in April, 1861, at the first call for troops,
becoming a member of the Buckeye Rifles,
but this regiment was not furnished with
arms and was discharged without going to
the front. Upon the three years' call he re-
enlisted, on the 2ist of August, 1861, be-
coming a member of Company K, Second
Ohio Cavalry, which was assigned to the
Army of the Frontier, thus serving until
1863, when it was transferred to the Depart-
ment of the Ohio, and in 1864 became a part
of the Army of the Potomac. ?*Ir. Bruce
participated in the battles of Independence,
Carthage and Newtonia in Missouri; Cave
Hill, Prairie Grove and White River, Ar-
kansas ; Monticello and Columbia, Ken-
tucky; and Greenville, \\'alker's Ford,
Knoxville, Blue Springs, jNIorristown and
Bean's Station, Tennessee. The regiment
then changed its base of operations to \'ir-
ginia and ]\Ir. Bruce participated in the bat-
tles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Han-
over Court House, Ashland, Nottawav
Creek, Stone's Creek, Ream's Station, Win-
chester, Berryville, Opequan, Luray Val-
ley, Tom's Brook, Cedar Creek, Middle
Road, Lacey Spring, Five Forks, Sailor's
Creek and Appomattox, Virginia ; and
Charlestown, West Virginia. On the 9th
of May, 1864, he was wounded by a minie
ball in the right breast and left hip, at Spott-
sylvania. From Augvist, 1864, until dis-
charged he served as orderly to General Cus-
'. ter. He was honorably discharged on the
; 1st of July, 1864, but re-enlisted as a vet-
eran on the same day, and his final discharge
was received at Camp Chase, Columbus,
Ohio, September 11, 1865.
Mr. Bruce afterward began work upon
a farm near Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and a year
later he was married and began farming on
his own account. It was on the i8th of Oc-
tober, 1866, at Chagrin Falls, that he mar-
ried Miss ^lan' Meeker, a daughter of Dan-
iel Abner and Sidney (Clark) IMeeker. Her
father was born in New Jersey, whence he
removed to Ohio, where the birth of Mrs.
Bruce occurred. Our subject and his wife
began their domestic life in Ohio, where he
engaged in the dairy business and the manu-
facture of cheeses, carrying on that pur-
suit for three years. During the first year
of his army service he had visited Kansas
and the Indian Territory, and believing that
he would have a better chance to getting
a home of his own in the west, he came to
the Sunflower state in 1869 and took up a
soldier's homestead on the quarter section
of land where he now resides. There were
a few settlers living on the creek in Saline
cotmty, but there was not a house, nor had
a furrow been turned, between his home and
Fort Harker. It looked dismal enough, as
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
the prairie liad been burned over and there
was not a tree or shrub in si,s:ht. There were
also many snakes on the prairie and Mr.
Bruce frequently killed rattlers aroiuid his
home. He erected a small frame house and
started in to cultivate the g-round, raising
potatoes and garden vfegetables to sell in
Ellsworth and Salina, the two nearest mark-
ets to his home. Later he began raising
grain and afterward made a start in the
cattle business by raising a few head of
stock. He has living water upon his place,
which makes the fami a good one for stock
raising purposes. At the present time his
attention is devoted to the raising of cattle
and hogs. He owns a thoroughbred Dur-
ham bull which he is cross-breeding with
his stock. He has had sixty acres of land
and has given his daughter eighty acres,
but cultivates the balance of his farm. He
has planted all of the trees on his place and
is now cutting' cordwood. many of the trees
being from eighteen to twenty inches in di-
ameter. He has also planted fruit trees,
which are in good bearing condition. His
farm is now valuable and especially attrac-
tive in appearance, and all of the improve-
ments upon it stand as monuments to his
enterprise.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce has
been blessed with four children, but Willie
and Anna died at the ages of fourteen and
thirteen, respecti\-ely. \'enelia S. is the
wife of Eli Bradford, who is engaged in
fanning in this locality, and Frederick died
at the age of one year. ^Ir. Bruce has
served as township treasurer, and for about
fifteen or sixteen years has been a member
of the school board. He assisted in the
organization of the school district, built the
first school house and was also a member of
the United Brethren church, the services
being held in the school house until 18S3,
when he was largely instrumental in secur-
ing the erection of the present stone church.
In former years he conducted services here
and in other places, but owing to the effects
of the wounds he sustained in the war, he
has given up active ministerial work, al-
though he still holds a license to preach, but
seldom officiates in that capacity unless
called upon to preside at some funeral. He
has always been one of the trustees, and has
labored effectively to promote the best in-
terests of moral advancement. Socially he
is identified with John A. Logan Post, No-.
127, G. A. R., of Salina.
ROBERT E. TANTON.
Robert E. Tanton, who since 1879 has
made his home in Ellsworth county, is now
carrying on farming on section 21, Sher-
man township. He is one of the worthy
citizens that England has furnished to cen-
tral Kansas, his birth having occurred on
the "Merrie Isle" March 12, 1836, his par-
ents being James and Rebecca ( Brinsmade)
Tanton. He was reared and educated in
his native land and when seventeen years of
age came to the United States, crossing the
Atlantic on the Rosalind Castle, which was
five weeks in completing the voyage from
Plymouth to Quebec. After reaching the
new world he learned the wagonmaker's
trade and remained in Canada for a year
audi a half. On the expiration of that period
he removed to Boone count\'. Illinois, where
he remained for two or three \-ears and sub-
sequently he went to Miimesnta, where he
engaged in teaching school thmugh the win-
ter, near Red Wing. He next took up his
abode at Beloit, Wisconsin, where he re-
mained for two years, and then went to- Mis-
souri, spending a similar period in Macon
City, after which he purchased a farm and
followed agricultural pursuits for about
nine years. He then sold that iimperty and
went to Silver Citv. Coli-radn, Imt was not
pleased with ;that sectinn of tlie country
and returned tO' his family in Missouri.
The year 1879 witnessed the arriwal of
Mr. Tanton in Ellsworth cnunty, and here
he purchased eighty acres of railroad land,
•upon which he has since made his home.
There was nr;t a tree or bush uimn the ]ilace,
all being in the nati\-e sod. lie had (lri\'en
from ]\lissouri in a prairie schooner drawn
by a team of horses, and with these he be-
gan breaking ground. Immediately after
his arrival he erected a small frame house,
which forms a- part of his present residence.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
He began farmin.s: in a small way and grad-
ually was enabled to add to his possessions,
purchasing an adjoining quarter section of
land. He also engaged in the raising of cat-
tle, and he usually sells his calves when two
years old. However, the greater part of
his attention is devoted to the production of
wheat, which crop always gives a good yield
in Kansas and the products of his farm find
a ready sale on the market. He has sold
eighty acres of his land, but still owns the
original tract and another eighty acres.
On the I2th of April, 1865, in Beloit,
Wisconsin, Mr. Tanton was united in mar-
riage to Miss Emma Maxworthy, a daugh-
ter of George Maxworthy, who was born in
England and came to America prior to the
war of 1812, in which he participated. He
afterward returned to his native land and
was there united in marriage to Sabina S.
Huxtable. He located at Statford. Gene-
see county, New York, where Mrs. Stanton
was born and reared. Later the family re-
moved to Wisconsin, but both the parents
died in Illinois. Mr. Maxworthy had a great
desire to see the world and traveled exten-
snvely in Europe, Asia and Africa, thereby
gaining that knowledge and culture which
only travel can bring. I\Irs. Tanton was one
of "five children, two sons and three daugh-
ters. Her two brothers, Albert and George,
were both Union soldiers in the civil war.
The latter enlisted as a member of Com-
pany D, Second Delaware Regiment, and
served with with the Army of the Potomac.
He was captured at the battle of the Wil-
derness and after eleven months spent in
Andersonville prison died while thus in-
carcerated. He was corporal of his com-
pany. Albert was attending college in Be-
loit at the time of the inauguration of the
war, enlisting at that place. Mrs. Tanton
has one sister living, Mrs. Mary Hinman. a
resident of Boone coimty, Illinois. In her
girlhood days Mrs. Tanton received excel-
lent educational privileges. For one year
she was a student in Ingham University, in
Leroy, New York, and subsequently con-
tinued her studies in the Haughton Sem-
inary at Clinton, Oneida county. New York.
She is a member of the ^^'oman's Relief
Corps and she and her two older sons are
members of the Baptist church. The mar-
riage of Mr. and JNIrs. Tanton has been
blessed with three children, namely: George,
who is now farming in Oklahoma ; jNIax, a
resident of Harper coimty, Kansas; and
Burt, at home. The two elder sons were
both successful teachers in Ellsworth county
for three years each.
In his political views ;\Ir. Tanton is in-
dependent, preferring to support the men
whom he thinks best qualified for office rath-
er than follow the dictates of party. He has
served as road overseer and as school di-
rector and is known as a citizen of worth,
true to the best interests of his county, state
and nation. The many qualities which are
characteristic of Mr. and ]\Irs. Tanton have
gained for them the warm regard of a large
circle of friends.
CAPTAIN H. F. HOESMAN.
Captain H. F. Hoesman is one of the
honored pioneer citizens of Ellsworth coun-
tv and veteran of the Ci\-il war, whose loy-
alty to the Union was manifest upon south-
ern battlefields. He was born January 15,
184 1, in Auglaize county, Ohio, his parents
being John A. and Engle (Klute) Floesman,
both of whom were natives of Hanover.
Germany. In the state of his nativity our
subject was reared to manhood, residing
there upon a farm' until nine years of age,
when the family removed to New Bremen,
where he attained his majority, being edu-
cated in the German free schools. In his
youth he learned the carpenter's trade, at
which he worked until July 8. 1861, when,
in response to his country's call for troops,
he enlisted as a member of Company D,
Thirty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as
a private. He was soon promoted to the
rank of sergeant, and on the 14th of April,
1864, was commissioned captain and sen'ed
until after the close of the war, receiving
an honorable discharge on the 24th of April,
1866. He was first on duty in Missouri,
going down the Mississippi and taking part
in the battle of Island No. 10 and in the
Fort Pillow campaign. He was afterward
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
in the engag-ement at Corinth and the siege
of that city, his reg-iment being- the first to
raise its flag; in the town after its evacuation
by the Confederate troops. His regiment
was with the Army of the Tennessee and ai-
terward in the Atlanta campaigii.
^^'l^e^ the country no longer needed his
ser\-ices the Captain returned to Ohio, and
in ]\Iay, 1867, came to Ellsworth county,
Kansas, where he embarked In the grocery
business, which he conducted for two years.
He was then engaged in the real estate busi-
ness for a time, after which he entered the
hardware store of J. L. Bell as bookkeeper.
That connection was maintained until 1881,
when he established a hardware and imple-
mem lousiness of his own, which he con-
ducted until January, 1899. He then sold
out and has since been engaged in the real
estate and insurance business, representing
the Concordia, German, of Freeport, the
Northwestern National and the Farmers
and ]\l€rchants insurance companies. He
writes many policies, and also does a large
real estate business. In 1899 he was elected
justice of the peace, in which office he has
served in a capable and satisfactory manner,
and for the past two years he has been no-
tary public. He has taken an active part
in public afifairs. He was elected the first
mayor in 1870, was sheriff for two years,
county clerk one year and township clerk
one year. In 1872 he was elected to represent
his district in the state legislature, where he
served during the Pomeroy-York trouble.
For tAVO years he was deputy treasurer and
was chainnan of the board of county com-
missioners for three tenns, or nine years,
from 1878. In all his public offices he has
manifested a liwal an*l patriotic spirit, dis-
charging his duties with promptness and
fidelity. In politics he is a prominent Re-
publican, has been \tvx active in his party
and has served on various committees, being
a delegate to many of its conventions, also'
a chairman of the county conventions. His
labors have been of material benefit in pro-
moting the welfare and progress of Ells-
worth coimty along other lines, for he was
one of the organizers and the secretary of
the-EIlswiirth ^Mining Comnany, which was
the first to make the discoverv of the salt
deposjt underlying this county, and also as-
sisted in locating the Midland j\.ddition to
Ellsworth. He has been interested in resi-
dence and business property in the city and
has co-operated in even'thing which he be-
lieved would prove of general good along
substantial lines of advancement.
On the 2ist of February, 1884, Cajitaiu
Hoesman was united in marriaL;(.' i^ Miss
Esther B. Lyons, a daughter of Mrs. Sarali
Lyons, of Ottumwa, Iowa. Her death oc-
curred December 29, 1898, and she left one
child to mourn her loss, Sarah E., w'ho' yet
resides with her father. Socially the Cap-
tain is connected with Ellsworth Lodge, No.
146, F. & A. M., and was its first worship-
ful master. He assisted in organizing Ells-
worth Chapter, No. 54. R. A. M., of which
he is past high priest, and also took part in
the organization of St. Aldemar Command-
ery, No. 33, K. T., of which he was the
first conmrander. and in fonning Ellsworth
Council, No. 9, R. & S. M., of which he is
a past thrice illustrious master. He is like-
wise a member of Isis Temple of the Mys-
tic Shrine at Salina. Wherever he is known
he is held in high regard by reason of his
sterling worth, his fidelity to principle and
bis loyaltv in everv relation of life.
DANIEL GILES.
Daniel Giles occupies the important ])iisi-
tion of foreman with the Kan>as ( ii'ain
Company. His rise in the business wi irlil is
due to his determined purpose, unflagging-
energy and enterprise. He started out for
himself at an early age without ca])ital, and
brooking no obstacle that could be oxcrcome
by resolution, he has \\-oi-kc(i liis \\a\- ^a■ad-
ily upward until he is now a leading repre-
sentative of the grain trade in central Kan-
sas, his home lieing in Hutchinson. He was
bo-ni in Carroll count}-, Indiana, December
6, i860. His father, William Giles, was
born in Kent, England, in 1812, and after
his miarriage came to America about 1830,
bringing with him his wife and five chil-
dren. He landed at Quebec. Canada, but
soon afterward removed to Rochester, New
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
York, where he remained for more than a
year and t}jen went to White county, Indi-
ana, where he followed farming for about
twelve years. His next place of residence
was in CaiToll county, that state, where he
carried on agricultural pursuits until 1861.
He then returned to White county and
bought a farm of one hundred acres partially
improved, continuing its further develop-
ment until his death, January 15, 1883. He
was a Democrat in his political affiliations.
He was twice married and by the first union
had three children, who are yet living : John
H., a retired farmer, now engaged in build-
ing and improving city property in Brooks-
ton, White county, Indiana ; Mary Ann, the
wife of John Foster, a fanner of Oklahoma ;
and Janet, the wife of Gustavus Fewell, an
agriculturist of White county, Indiana. For
his second wife William Giles married Han-
nah Butcher, who was born in Greenbrier
county, Virginia, about 1821. They were
married in Carroll county, Indiana, in 1858
and she is now living on the old homestead
in \Miite county at the age of seventy years.
They were the parents oi so'cn children, of
whom five are living, namely: Daniel, the
subject of this review; Nelson, a farmer of
White county, Indiana; Edtwin, a farmer of
^^'hite county. Indiana, located at Brooks-
ton; Helen, who died in infancy; Zuillah,
the wife of Benjamin Rush, a resident farm-
er of -White county, Indiana; Lillie Belle,
who married James Shigley. also a farmer
of White county, Indiana; and Alice, who
died in infancy.
In the common schools of White county,
Indiana. Daniel Giles was educated, and up-
on his father's fami he assisted in the culti-
vation of the fields until fifteen years of
age, when he began work as a farm hand in
the neighborhood, his time being thus occu-
pied until he was twenty-two years of age.
On the 1st of March. 1883, in Carroll coun-
ty, Indiana, he wedded Ida May Reed, who
was born in White county and was a daugh-
ter of Francis Marion and Hellen M.
(Compton) Reed, both of whom were na-
tives of the Hoosier state. Mrs. Giles is of
Scotch and Irish descent. Her father en-
listed in the Union anny during the Civil
war and died in the service. His wife
passed away in White county, Indiana.
Mr. Giles, abandoning farming, learned
the carpenter's trade with Cockran Brothers,
of Brookston, ranaining in their employ
for two years. In the spring of 1886 he lo-
cated in Conway Springs, Sumner county,
Kansas, where he followed carpentering for
a year, working for a part of the time on
his own account. He thai removed to Fin-
ney county, where he secured a homestead
of one hundred and sixty acres, and during
his three years' residence in that county
he also pre-empted another quarter section
of land and took a timber claim of one hun-
dred and sixty acres, making in all four
hundred and eighty acres of land which he
owned there. He lived on the pre-emption
claim for a year and then removed to the
homestead, where he continued for two
years. On the former he built a frame house
and on the latter a sod house and broke
about sixty acres of land. In 1889. how-
ever, he sold his property there and came
to Hutchinson, where he followed carpen-
tering until January, 1890, when he began
working by the day for the Kansas Grain
Company, being thus anpiloyed until June,
when he was gi^-en the position of second
foreman. He served in that capacity until
June, 1893. when the company was dis-
solved. It had been organized in Missouri
and was dissolved on account of a techni-
cality of the- law which required the prefix
"the" to the name of all such corporations
of the state, and a word lacking in the title
of the Kansas Grain Company. A new com-
pany was then organized with the article
prefixed. During the time which elapsed
between the dissolution and the organiza-
tion, perhaps six or seven months, Mr. Giles
again followed carpentering, but in October,
1893. became foreman for the new company
and has since served in that capacity. His
duties are by no means light for he has en-
tire supervision of all the complicated de-
tails of the work within the house, inspect-
ing all of the grain, securing employes and
in short acting as the real head of the practi-
cal working of the plant. He has gained
this position by his thorough and conscien-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
±^ZZ72A
tious service. Since becoming- foreman he
has not lost a single day"s paj- and he richly
merits and enjoys the entire confidence of
the company. The plant is strictly modern,
and one feature that is seldom seen west of
Kansas Citv is the dust collecting system,
bv means of which the dust is drawn from
every part of the building to the furnace
room, where it is consumed, thus greatly
adding to the comfort and health of the em-
ployes. ^\'hen the present company began
business they had only an old building with
a limited capacity, but in 1895 a large new
elevator was erected with all modern equip-
ments. In addition to the purchase and
shipping of grain, the company manuafac-
tures two grades of chopped feed, the plant
being equipped with one set of rolls and one
steel mill. A regular transfer system
is conducted in the grain business,
and all cleaning, mixing and grading
is here done. The motive power of
the plant is furnished by a two-hundred-
and-fifty horse power St. Louis Corliss
engine. The engine room, sixty by seventy-
fi\-e feet, was built only two years ago and
is of brick. The cleaning capacity o-f the
plant is from twenty to twenty-five thousand
bushels of grain every ten hours. The offi-
cers of the The Kansas Grann Company are
T. J. Templer. president; L. B. Young, sec-
retary; W. K. Meridian, treasurer; and
Daniel Giles, foreman.
]\Ir. and "Sirs. Giles have a pretty modern
residence on Twelfth Avenue "\\^est, of
which tliey recently took possession. They
have three children: Ethel Rosamond;
Wilbert Claud; and Mary Helen, aged re-
specti\ely. sixteen, thirteen and eight years.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Giles are members of
the Christian church, with whicli they have
been identified for twelve years, and for
about eight years he has served as deacon.
Socially he is connected witli^ the Modern
^^■oodmen and Ivnights and Ladies of Se-
curity. In politics he is a supporter of Dem-
ocratic principles and votes with the party at
state and national elections, but at local elec-
tions, where no issue is involved, he is in-
dependent, supporting the men whom he
thinks best qualified for oflice. He is an
earnest advocate of the temperance cause
and does everything in his power to ad-
vance those interests which tend to uplift
humanity, giving his support to temperance,
educational and church work. High and
honorable principles have actuated his en-
tire career and have gained him a reputa-
tion in business which is above reproach.
JOSEPH E. HUMPHREY.
A genealogical work in three volumes
published by Dr. Frederick Humphre}", of
New York, shows that the Humphreys of
America trace their ancestry to England.
Two brothers of the name came from the
mother country and one located in Virginia
and the other in Pennsylvania, and from
them all or nearly all of the Humphrevs in
America are believed to be descended. A
prominent representative of the family is
ex-Governor Humphre}-, of Kansas.
Another representative of the family well-
known in Reno county and throughout the
surrounding country is Joseph E. Humph-
rey, postmaster at Nickerson.
Joseph E. Humphrey was born Septem-
ber 6, .1861, in Athens county, Ohio, a son
of E. C. Humphrey, who was born in Wash-
ington county, Ohio, in 1817, and is now
living in .Athens ounty, that state, aged
eight_\'-foin- }'ears and is in pn.^session of all
his faculties. E. C. Humjihrey is a son of
W. E. Himiphrey. a native of Pennsylvania
and a pioneer in Ohio, who, while clearing
up some land was accidentally killed Ijy a
tree which he was chopping down. E. C.
Humphrey was a member of Company E,
Seventy-four Regiment, Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, in which he enlisted from Athens
county, Ohio, in 1862, and in which he
served until he was discharged in 1S63 on
account oif a wound which he had received
while attending to his duties as a soldier. He
re-ailisted in the same rcL^iment and was
detailed to take charge ni a pack train which
went over the Cumberland mountains. He
was inactive service until the close of the
war and long suffered from disabilities
which came upon him while in service.
36
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Tliough often urged by friends to apply for
a pension, he steadfastly refused to do so,
but late in life he permitted his son to make
application in his behalf. His eldest son,
John E. Humphrey, enlisted at the age of
sixteen and he was killed in action at the
age of seventeen years and fills an unkno^vn
grave on a southern battlefield. He was an
unusually large youth, being nearly six feet
in heighth and otherwise well developed
and, young as he was and brief as was his
service, he made a record as a brave and de-
\'Oted soldier, of which any man might well
be proud.
E. C. Humphrey-, father of the subject of
this sketch, married Sarah Rigg, who was
born at Brownsville, Washington county,
Pennsylvania, in 1823, daughter of William'
Rigg. Mrs. Humphrey, who was twenty-
one years old at the time of her marriage,
was born at Brownsville, of a Quaker fam-
ily. Her father, who was also born at
Brownsville, in 1792, was a boat builder on
the Ohio and Allegheny rivers and was a
man of more than ordinary mentality and of
fine and imposing physique, who was six
feet and one inch in height and weighed two
hundred and forty pounds. He reared three
daughters and two sons, one of whom, Par-
ker Rigg. is a contractor and builder at Ath-
ens. Ohio, and another, !Mary, married A.
Cooley.
E. C. and Sarah (Rigg) Humphrey had
four soiTS. The eldest was John E. Hum-
phrey, who was killed in the Civil war, as
has been stated. The next in order of birth
was Charles E. Humphrey, who became a
coach finisher and died of congestive chills
at Alaska. Ohio, at the age of twenty-two
years. He was not married. William E.
Humphrey, the third son. is a farmer and
lives at Albany, Ohio. He is married and
has three children. The subject of this
sketch is 'tJie fourth son of his parents in the
order of birth. Their mother died in
JIarch, 1889, aged sixty-six years. Their
father was in early life a pattern-maker and
was later a builder.
Joseph E. Humphrey gained a high
school education and then entered the office
of the Athens. Ohio, Journal, to learn tlie
printer's trade. He was a compositor in
that establishment for eight years, and for
two years filled the position of foreman. In
1886 he went to Nickerson, Reno cotmty,
Kanstas, and as a meml>er of the firm of
Hendry & Humphrey, bought .the Nickerson
Argosy at sheriff's sale. After publishing
it about twelve years he was appointed post-
master at Nickerson and sold his share in
the publishing enterprise to Mr. Hendry,
whose wife was ]\Ir. Humphrey's mother's
sister ayd who had been a mother to him as
she had to mjany others, who know her as
one of the noblest women with \\-hom the\-
have ever met.
Mr. Humphrey is a member of Nickerson
Lodge, No. 43, A. F. & A. M., of Nicker-
son ; of Nickerson Lodge, No. 90, Independ-
ent Order of Odd Fellows ; and is a Knight
of Pythias. He is at this time filling the
office of worshipful master of his Masonic
Lodge. He is an active and influential Re-
publican and his appointment as postmaster,
in 1899, came to him without a contest. He
has been secretary of the Republican state
convention several times and held that office
in the convention of 1900, for the nomina-
tion of state officers.
Mr. Humphrey was married at St. Jo-
seph, Missouri, April 24, 1901, to Miss Nel-
lie B. McCoy, who was born, reared and
educated in Ohio, and who for the past six
}ears has been private secretary to the Ham-
mond Packing Company, of Omaha. Mrs.
Humphrey has been a stenographer since
she was fifteen years old and at seventeen
filled the responsible position of court ste-
nographer. She is a member of the Episco-
pal church. Mr. Humphrey has always taken
an active part in advancing the prosperity of
Nickerson and of Reno county. He is a
man who has a kind word for every one and
there is not a more popular postmaster in
Kansas.
FRANCIS M. SAIITH.
The record of Francis M. Smith con-
tains an acconnt of valiant ser\-ice in the
civil war and of fidelitv to duty in every
walk of life. He is numbered among the
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
37
early settlers of Rice county, dating his res-
idence from 1873. He was born in Cass
county, Illinois, January 30, 1841, and is a
son of James Job Smith, one of the oldest
and most honored citizens of Lyons. The
father was born in Cumiberland county, Ken-
tucky, on the 5th of January, 18 13, and
^\'as a son O'f James Smith, whose birth oc-
curred in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1782.
The great-grandfather of our subject was
Samuel Smith, who removed tb North Car-
olina about 1792, and therefore his son,
James, was reared in that state. After ar-
riving at years O'f maturity he wedded Eliz-
abeth Job, a native of North Carolina, and
they became the parents of two^ children
while residing in that! state. Subsequently
they went to Kentucky,, crossing the moun-
tains on horseback. They took up their
abode in Cumberland county, that state,
among the pioneer settlers, and aided in
laying the foundation for the present pros-
perity and progress of that commonwealth.
They were the paraits of nine children:
Samuel and Jane, who were born in North
Carolina ; Thomas, Levi, Ruth, James Job,
John and William, who were born in Ken-
tucky; and Elijah, who was born in Lidi-
ana, whither the family had previously re-
moved. After residing for a time in the
Hoosier state they went to Morgan county,
Illinois, suljsequently to Cass county and
afterward to ]\Iadison county, Iowa, where
James Smith and his wife spent their last
days, both passing away when about seven-
t\'-tliree years of age. They were members
of the Methodist Episcopal church and were
earnest and loyal Christian people, rearing
their children in that faith and doing all in
their power to^ promote-the cause of Chris-
tianity among their fellow men.
James Job Smith w^as reared in Ken-
tucky and Illinois, accompanying his par-
ents on their removal to Morgan county,
of the latter state, in 1829. In 1845 h^ be"
came a resident of Cass county, Illinois, but
was married in the former county, at the
age of twenty-two years, to !Miss Eve Mil-
ler, who was born in Indiana, a daughter of
Henry Miller, one of the honored pioneer
settlers of that state, arriving there at a
period when all was wild, the work of im-
provement and civilization being scarcely
begun. The Indians still lived in the neigh-
lx)rhood, and he had to tiee with his familv
to a block house to secure protection from
the red men. He had removed tO' Indiana
from Pennsylvania and was of German lin-
eage. From the time of his first settlement
in the Hoosier state until his death he aided
in the work of development and advance-
ment there. His wife was Hester Miller.
In 1845 James Job Smith ranoved to
Cass county, Illinois, and in 1853 went to
Mahaska county, Iowa, where he remained
for a }-ear, after which he took up his abode
in Madison county, that state, casting in
his lot with its pioneer settlers. In 1873
he came to Rice county, Kansas, where he
has since resided, and to-day is one of the
venerable, honored and respected residents
of this community. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Smith were born six children: Elizabeth
Ann, who died at the age of eighteen ; J.
F., who was a soldier in the Fourth Iowa
Infantry during the Civil war, and is now
living in Lincoln township, Rice county;
Francis ^I., who was also a member of the
same regiment ; Isaac N., who', with his
brothers, enlisted in the Fourth Iowa Infan-
try and is now living in Lyons; Elijah T.,
a resident of Douglas county, Kansas ; Will-
iam Thomas, who makes his home in Lyons;
and Mrs. Mary J. Summers, also of Lyons.
The mother of this family was called to her
final rest April 2, 1896, at the age of eighty-
five years. She was loved by aill whO' knew
her for her kindness of heart and mind, for
she was a devoted wife and mother, a faith-
ful friend and her generous and kindly spirit
were recognized by all with whom she came
in contact. A noble Christian woman, she
held membership in the Methodist Episco-
pal church, and her life was in harmon}-
with her professions. For sixty-two years
she traveled life's journey by the side of her
husband, and as time passed their mutual
love and confidence increased. Mr. Smith
devoted his attention to agricultural pur-
suits throughout his acti\c business career.
anvl thus provided a CMnilMrialilc support for
his family. Since the 1 11 ^anizatinn of the
party he has been a stalwart Republican,
and his sons are all of the same political
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
faith. For sixty years he has been a zealous
member of the Methodist Episcopal church
and for a half century has served as class-
leader. He does all in his power to promote
the work of the church in its various lines,
and his upright life reflects credit upon the
Christian teachings which he has so closely
followed.
Francis M. Smith, whose name intro-
duces tliis revicAv was a lad of twelve years
when the family removed to Iowa, and upon
a farm in that state he was reared. His
education was acquired in the public schools
and he was early trained to the work of the
farm, assisting in its labors tliroughout the
summer months, while in the winter season
he pursued his studies. When the Civil
war was inaugurated his patriotic spirit was
aroused and in response to President Lin-
coln's call for 'tliree hundred thousand men
he enlisted in July, 1861, becoming a mem-
ber of the Fourth loiwa Infantry, under
Colonel Granville M. Dodge, afterward
General Dodge, and one of the most
prominent statesmen that Iowa has pro-
duced. He has been very prominent in
the affairs of the nation, exercising strong
influence in the national councils. The cap-
tain of tlie company of which Mr. Smith
was a member was H. J. B. Cummings. Our
subject participated in thirty battles, includ-
ing the engagements at Sugar Creek, Pea
Ridge, the first attack on Vicksburg, the
battles of Grand Gulf, Jonesboro, Chickasaw
Bayou, Lookout Mountain, Missionary
Ridge and the entire Atlanta campaign un-
der General Sherman, including the cele-
brated march to the sea, which proved that
the Rebel forces had been drawn to other
c^uarters and were thus almost exhausted.
He was also in tihe battle of Goldsboro, pro-
ceeded thence to Richmond and afterward
participated in the grand review at Wash-
ington, D. C, where "wave after wave of
bayonet-crested blue" passed by the stand on
which stood the president, who watched the
return of the victorious army after the
greatest war of that history has ever known.
'Mr. Smith was honorably discharged, witli
the rank of corporal in Louisville, Kentucky,
and was paid off in Davenport, Iowa, after
whidi he returned to his home in the Hawk-
eye state.
In 1866 was celebrated the marriage of
Mr. Smitli and Miss Maggie Coultrap, of
Deersville, Ohio, who died in Madison coun-
ty, Icnva, April 2, 1873, leaving three chil-
dren, of whom two yet survive, namelv :
The Rev. James O. Smith, of the Methodist
Episcopal church, now located in Arizona,
and Rev. Ernest D. Smith, who is pastor of
the ]\Iethodist Episcopal church in Lowell,
Indiana. One son, Walter S., died in in-
fancy. On the 25th of October, 1877, Mr.
Smith was again married, his second union
being with Geneva B. Enoch, a lady of cul-
ture and intelligence, who has indeed proved
to her husband a good helpmate. She was
born in Ohio, but was reared and educated
in Davis count}% Iowa. Her father, George
Enoch, was born in Virginia and married
Persis Cook, a native of Essex county. New
York, and a daughter of Lewis Cook, who
was born "near Boston, Massachusetts. The
last named was a son of James and Persis
(Newton) Cook. Lewis Cook married
Anna Peck, who was born in Massachu-
setts ,and was a daughter of Ebenezer Peck,
of that city. Mr. Enoch, the father of Mrs.
Smith, died in Winfield, Kansas, at the age
O'f ninety years. He was the father of
eleven children : Henrs-, who is living in
Winfield; Mrs. Malinda Dodge; I\Irs. Julia
A. Pierson, of Lyons; Mrs. Louise Kinny,of
Appanoose county, Iowa ; j\Irs. Mary Mont-
gomery, also of Iowa; Mrs. Smith, of Ly-
ons ; Mrs. Clara Cook, of Ellsworth county,
Kansas; Mrs. Eliza Vermillya, who died in
Winfield Kansas; and three who died in
early childhood. The mother of this family,
however, is still living. She is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church, to which
her husband also belonged. She has reached
the age of eightj'-eight years and makes her
home with her daughter, Mrs. Smith.
By the marriage oi our subject and his
wife five living children have been born :
Arthur O., Enoch F., Maggie E., Leora B.
and Geneva F. TlieA- also lost one daughter,
Nona B., who was the fourth in order of
birth and died at the age of thirteen years.
For many years the family resided in Lin-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
39
coin township, upon the homestead fann
which Mv. Smith secured on coming to the
county in 1873. There he resided until
1S93, wlien, in order to provide better edu-
cational advantages for his children, he re-
moved to W'infield, Kansas, placing his chil-
dren in the Soutliwest Kansas College, an
institution under the jauspices of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church. In 1898 he re-
turned to Rice cO'Unty, locating in Lyons,
where he now makes his hime. He is the
owner of three hundred and twenty acres
of ^■aluable land, and the farm yields to
him a good income. In his political affilia-
tions he is stalwart Republican, and is a
member of the Grand Army of the Republic,
in which he has filled several offices. He
holds membership in the Methodist Episco-
pal church, of which he is a steward, and he
takes a deep interest in everything pertain-
ing to educational, church and temperance
work and to the improvement of the com-
munity along substantial lines of progress.
He has witnessed almost the entire growth
and development of his community, and is
one of the honored pioneers of the county,
who for twenty-eight years has been iden-
tified with its progress, and well deserves
mention in this volume.
GEORGE TRUITT.
In almost every town and village in the
country may be found men of worth who
have retired from lives of activity on the
farm to pass in ease and comfort their de-
clining years, surrounded by the results of
past labors. One of these respected citizens
was George TruS'tt, who was one O'f the
most highly esteemed residents of the pleas-
ant little village of Langdon, Kansas.
The birth of George Truitt occurred in
Rush county, Indiana, on January 28, 1829,
and was the -grandson of Collins Truitt, who
was brought by hSs parents from England
to America, when but a small boy. Grand-
father Truitt took an active part in the Rev-
olutionary war, and his wife is remembered
for many admirable qualities and also for
her longe\'ity and vigor. At the age of one
hundred and one years it is related that she
had the agility of a girl and still attended
to her household tasks. Of their children
Elias S. became the father of our subject.
His birth was at Delaware, in 1786, and his
death occurred in 1873, at AVorthington,
Indiana. The motlrer of our subject was
named Sybil Reeves and she was born in
Kentucky about 1790, and died in Indiana
in 1863, while her son, George, was in the
army. Of her ten cliildren, six sons and
three daughters grew to maturity, the only
survivor of the family now being Austin
Truitt, a bachelor of seventy-six years, who
was one of the pioneers in the California
gold fields more than fifty years ago. He
is a veteran of the Alexican war. and is pass-
ing his last days in the Soldiers" Home. The
parents lie buried in Indiana, both in the
same state, although fifty miles apart.
On October 22, 1856, our subject,
George Truitt, was umted in marriage, in
Monroe county, Indiana, to Miss Sarah E.
Eller, who was born there on August 12,
1836, a daughter pf John and Mahala
(Pauley) Eller, the former a native of
Pennsylvania, and the latter of Indiana. Mr.
Eller .was a soldier in the Alexican war,
where he died of fever, and his body was
placed in a boat for conveyance home, in
charge of his brotlier, James, but the boat
struck a snag in the Ohio river and the body
was lost. This was in October, 1846, when
he was but thirtv-four years of age. The
widow was left with five children. Later
she married ,Samuel Reeves and two chil-
dren were born to that union, her death
taking place in 1853, and her burial was in
Bloomington, Indiana. The Eller family is
one of the old, honored and intellectual ones
of Indiana, and its numerous memljers have
kept bound together by .establishing a }-early
reunion, in Monroe county, Indiana, on the
farm which Grandfather Eller reclaimed
: from the forest. Early in the settlement of
I the county he came thither from Kentucky
I and established a home and bought three
I hundred and twenty acres of land and here
I the grandparents died. Their posterity and
I that of the Pauley's of the maternal side of
j Mrs. Truitt's familv are all settled within
ten miles of the old home, and some of the
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
well-known survivors are Frank A. EUer,
a minister of the Methodist church; James
Eller, now an octogenarian, who without
difficuhy walked the five miles in order to
attaid the last family reunion and he is a
veteran of the Mexican and the Civil wars.
The military spirit has not been lacking in
any generation of this family, for Grand-
father Eller was a soldier in the Revolution.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Truitt had some ed-
ucational opportunities, which they em-
braced, both possessing bright intellects.
They settled on their own small farm in In-
diana and there their seven sons and two
daughters were born. These were : James
Albert, on the Kansas homestead fann, who
has two daughters and four s:ons : Eli Mc-
Kee, who is a fanner in Indiana, near Jack-
sonville, and has six children; Elias Edgar,
who is a farmer in Indiana, and has five
children; Charles, who is a resident also
of Indiana, and has one son and one daugh-
ter : Ella J. was the wife of Samuel H.
Creig and died in 1896, leaving three chil-
dren; John O., who is a farmer on two hun-
dred and twenty acres, two miles north of
Langdon, and has two sons and one daugh-
ter; George Homer, who is a farmer near
Langdon, and has three daughters and one
son; Carrie, ,who is the wife of Lewis Cat-
tie, of this vicinity, and they have one
daughter; and Benjamin, who died at the
age of two years.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Truitt were reared
in the Methodist church, and in its faith lie
passed away in death December 3, 1902,
at Langdon.
On August 22. 1862, Air. Truitt joined
the great army of loyal citizens and became
a Union soldier, enlisting from Greene
county, Indiana, in Company I, Ninety-sev-
enth Indiana Infantry, and faithfully served
until the close of the struggle, being mus-
tered out of the service in Washington, in
June, 1865. Mr. Truitt received a flesh
wound in the left breast, which fractured
his rib, thus necessitating a few days in the
hospital at Barton Iron Works, in Georgia,
and he was then given a furlough home.
For several years he was an invalid, the
privations and exposures of his army life
having left traces, but he could find no
more devoted, sdf-sacrificing or capable
nurse than Mrs. Truitt, who in every sense
proved a helpmate. In 1^87 he took his
homestead farm of one hundred and sixty
acres in Reno county, Kansas, but in April,
1 90 1, they took up their abode in the vil-
lage of Langdon. In politics our subject
was always an active member of the Repub-
lican party, and before leaving Indiana held
public office. He was one of the honored
members of the G. A. R.
HOX. A. B. CALDWELL.
Among the old settlers of the state of
Kansas none possess any better claim than
does Hon. A. B. Caldwell, of this biography,
who is now an honored citizen of Hutchin-
son. His location here was after the close
of the war and the organization of Reno
countv. The birth of Mr. Caldwell was near
Ithaca, Xew York, in IVIarch. 1838, his an-
cestors having founded the American branch
of the family shortly after the battle of
Boyne. In every generation members of it
Ar^ Ca.tXurtUL.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
became conspicuous in some walk of life,
notably so was the great-grandfather of our
subject, Capt. Thomas Cald'weli, who, al-
though a minister in the Presbyterian church
was a soldier and officer in the Patriot army.
His helpless wife and innocent child were
killed by the Hessian hirelings during the re-
treat from Philadelphia.
Asa Caldwell, who was the father of our
subject, became a clergyman of note in the
Baptist church, exerting a power and in-
fluence through the state of New York
which is still recalled in the annals of the
church and in the reforms he instituted
wherever he was given an opportunity to
exert an influence. He was a man who lived
up to the highest standard of Christian citi-
zenship. Always in the front rank, protest-
ing against oppression and lawlessness, he
was the first clerg}-man to bring before an
association of ministers a resolution con-
demning slavery and endured undeserved ob-
loquy for it, the time being not yet ripe for
the opening oi men's eyes. The marriage
of Rev. Caldwell was to Pamelia Pennell,
and to this union were born four sons and
one daughter, our subject and his brother,
John G., being the only members of the fam-
il}- to locate in Kansas. The latter served
tiu-ough the Civil war, in Company A,
Se\-enty-sixth New York Volunteers, and
is now located on a farm' in this county. The
sister, Lydia A., married Barclay Pennock,
who accompanied the celebrated Bayard
Taylor during several years of travel. Both
he and his wife were authors of note, being
connected with New Yr^-k journals.
The early education of Air. Caldwell, of
this sketch, was obtained in the public
schools, in preparation for a thorough scien-
tific course of study, but failing health made
it necessary to abandon this ambition. \\'ith
a hope of regaining his health he decided to
make a tri-p to the west, by way of the Santa
Fe trail, reaching the village of Chicago in
1850. He v/ent on to St. Louis, thence up
the Missouri river as far as Westport. where
was situated an outfitting depot for this
trail. Here he was engaged as a trailer and
made se\-eral trips from Leavenworth to
Santa Fe, and in the fall of i860, he entered
the employ of the Hudson Bay Company and
engaged in trapping in British Columbia.
In that day he lived a life of adventure, hav-
ing acted as a scout in Minnesota against the
Sioux Indians in their uprising, and was
wounded by them, still carrying that bullet.
While carrying dispatches from Big Stone
Lake to Fort Zarah, Kansas, it was neces-
sary to pass through Nebraska, among hos-
tile Indians, and he dared only travel at
night. When he bad covered about one-
half of the trip he was attacked and wound-
ed, making the remaining four hundred miles
in this condition. Recalling that time Mr.
Caldwell says that only his duty supported
him through the torture he then endured, for
it would have cost him much less to end his
life than to prolong its agony.
When the whole country was aroused
by the outbreak of the civil war, the loyal
spirit of his ancestors stirred the blood of
our subject, and with as little loss of time as
possible he started on a walk of eight hun-
dred miles in order to reach the recruiting
station at St. Paul. At Fort Snelling he was
taken as one of Berdan's sharp shooters, this
company making a most enviable record
during those trying years. With this gal-
lant band Mr. Caldwell became connected
with the Army of the Potomac and took part
in twenty-one of the dangerous engage-
ments, and at one time spent thirty days con-
tinuously under fire. The records of history
tell that at Gettysburg only thirty-one of our
subject's company of sixty-three men sur-
vived that day of slaughter, and while these
gallant soldiers were acting as pidvets they
discovered Longstreet's advance and were
told to hold Little Round Top "as long as a
man is left." and this was literally done
these brave heroic men fighting until every
man was either killed or wounded. No re-
stricted space such as the present can in any
proper wa}-, tell of the .courage, the daring,
the prowess of that little band. General.
Daniel Sickles, himself a brave man, who
ordered the point held, said later he would-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
rather have lost any regiment than that com-
pany of Berdan Sharp Shooters.
The vahied Hfe of our subject was mirac-
ulously spared, but he received three serious
wounds and still carries one bullet in his
person. At Little Round Top Mr. Caldwell
was first shot through the body and as he
fell, another bullet entered his neck and
buried itself in the muscles of the loin, where
it still remains. Recovering from the shock
he again picked up his trusty rifle and man-
aged to fire five rounds, when a third bullet
hit him, entering his right arm. During the
night while lying on the field, he heard a call
from some poor wounded comrade for water
and he managed to stagger along between
fainting spells until he reached the soldier's
side, finding in him an old companion of his
scouting and trapping life. But recently
these two, who came back from the very jaws
of death, had their first meeting since that
dreadful day, and it was one affecting in the
e.xtreme, exciting all the noljlcr feelings of
those of a later generation. During his army
career Mr. Caldwell participated in many
hard-fought battles of the war, including
those of Falmouth, Fredericksburg, Orange
Court House, Guiney's Station, Rappahan-
nock Station, Warrington Springs, Bull
Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Chancel-
lorsville, Gettysburg and many others.
Strange as it may appear he shows little oif
all this stress and strain to-day, his physical
condition being remarkable.
At the close of the war Mr. Caldwell re-
turned tn lii-; nlil hi line in Xew York and
there \\;is married tn ]\Iiss T.otiisa Brown.
With his liride he returned to the west, lo-
cating near Hutchinson, Kansas, just after
the organization of Reno county. He hauled
lumber from Newton, took up a soldier's
claim in the southern part of the county and
was prospering until the visit of the grass-
hoppers, an old landmark in Kansas history.
He recalls the days when he saw in his vicin-
ity 1x)nes of buffaloes covering acres of land,
they having been ruthlessly slaughtered for
their tongues only. Later as they grew
more scarce their hides were also taken. He
continued on his farm until 1890, coming
then into this city, where he has since been
engaged in the real-estate business, having
established the same while living in Arling-
ton, as early as 1880, living there and com-
ing to Hutchinson to attend to business. Mr.
Caldwell is the oldest in point of service of
any man in his line in the county. He is
now associated in business with Mr. Rick-
secker, and they handle the greater part of
country property in this locality, long ex-
perience making them valuable advisers. In
politics he has always been a Republican, and
while living in Arlington, in 1884, was elec-
ted to the legislature, serving for twO' terms,
during which time he gave especial atten-
tion to the bill allowing th'e county commis-
sioners to have the sum of fifty-five thousand
dollars to expend in the building of bridges.
The sum, however, was reduced to two thou-
sand dollars. He also advocated changes in
the townships in the county.
Some ten years after locating in Kansas,
Mrs. Caldwell passed away. In 1886 our sub-
ject returned to New York and at Homer,
in that state, was married to Miss Anna
Babcock, who was a daughter of Samuel
Babcock. Mrs. Caldwell is a most estimable
lady, of great refinement and intellectuality,
literary in her tastes, and for many years
was connected with the Detroit News and
the Detroit Tribune. Her immediate fam-
ily was sadly bereft during the Civil war,
one brother, the brave Lieutenant Babcock,
dying at Gettysburg, and another, General-
Babcock, at Winchester, while the third
passed away a prisoner at Andersonville.
To Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell two children have
been born, Florence and Addie.
Few citizens have the congenial home life
that Mr. Caldwell now enjoys, and it com-
pensates for many of the hard experiences
of earlier years. His pleasant, genial man-
ner makes the hospitality he delights to offer,
all the more acceptable to his wide circle of
old and devoted friends. For twelve years
Mr. Caldwell has written short stories de-
scribing western ife, most of which have
been published in the Youth's Companion.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
WILLIAAI LAWRENCE.
Among the pioneer settlers and promi-
nent agriculturists of Xickerson, Kansas, is
^\"iiliam Lawrence, who was born in York-
shire, England. ^Iax 14, 1827. His father,
^\'illiam Lawrence, was born in 1800 and
died of smallpox at the early age of thirty-
eight years, leaving children of Avhom the
subject is the second child and oldest son.
His mother was Mary Pocklington, who died
a widow at the age of fifty-nine years. Our
subject thus being left an orphan was' bound
out to a xleep-sea captain and after serving
for ti\-e years he continued to follow the sea
until his twenty-second year. During that
time he was wrecked three times, once on
Prince Ed-wards Island, once near Yar-
mouth, England, and the third time in the
Irish Channel, barely escaping death. He
was reared on the water, his father being a
ri\er man, serving as second mate and as
first mate one year. His mother loved her
boy and could not bear to have him cxik ised
to the perils of the sea and for her sake he
left the sea and came to America in 1849,
\\-hen twenty-two years of age, the voyage
from Liverpool to New Orleans consuming-
eight weeks. After coming to America he
was for one year on the Mississippi river
running from St. Louis to Galena, Illinois,
and on one of these trips he came near dying
of cholera, but the clerk of the boat gave
him some medicine which saved his life.
Till. ugh his money was all gone he finally
fdimd his uncle, James Pocklington, in Ma-
coupin county, Illinois, who was rme of the
earl\" piimeers of the state, locating there
in 183 J after .spending se\-en weeks in Xew
York. He \\-as a poor man and saw verv
hard times at first but afterward became
well-tr,-,lo.
^^'hen the Civil war was inaugurated our
subject. William Lawrence, enlisted as a
private in August, 1861, in Company B.
First ^Missouri Cavalry Volunteers, and
served until Julv, 186c;, when he res-igned
on account of ill health, and was mustered
out (if the service as a first lieutenant, hav-
ing participated in forty-four battles, fear-
lessly defending the stars and stripes and
the cause it represented. He has had many
narrow escapes for his life by land and sea
because of his fearless daring and faithful-
ness to duty, and believes that his mother
is his guardian angel. As a souvenir of his
experiences on the battlefield he has pre-
served his sword, and of his life as a sailor,
a seaman's triangle.
Mr. Lawrence was first married in Gor-
laston, Englanil. when twenty-three years of
age, but his wife died in seven months after
their marriage, and her loss was so
deeply felt by her husband' that he
remained a widower sixteen years and
then was again married in Illinois,
in 1866, to ^liss Xancy Joihnson, by
whom he had four chihlren, but lost one.
The mother was called to her final rest on
the nth oif Jul}-. 1873. wheu thirty-five
years of age. Five years later, in 1878,
Mr. Lawrence was united in marriage to
Miss Martha Brigbtenstine, of Mahaska
county, Iowa, who was born in Ashland
county, Ohio. Her father, Peter Brighten-
stine, moved to Iowa in 1848, when this
daughter was ten years of age. By his sec-
ond wife, Mr. Lawrence has three children,
namely : May, wife of Frank Pittman, of
Argentine, Kansas, and has one son ; Emma,
wife of \Varren Smith, of the same place,
and has four sons; and George A., a
farmer, who has two sons and two daugh-
ters. Tlie children by 'tJhe firsit marriage
were Henry, who died in infancy, and
Freddie, who died at the age of three years.
Mr. Lawrence owned several fanns in
Illinois, which he bought and then sold or
traded to good advantage, and in 1872 he
drove his mule team from Illinois to
Kansas, and after his wife's death, in the
fall of that year, he drove back with
his children. Later he drove to Iowa
and then in the spring drove back to his
farm in Salt Creek township, Kansas, to
the cabin' home, which was fourtteen by eigh-
teen feet and the first cabin in the town-
ship, as hi's present home is the
fir=it hmise built twai'ty-one years ago.
His farm consists of two hundred and forty
acres of excellent land, on which he does
general farming, meeting with good' success.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
JAMES M. HOLLAND.
Among the prominent farmers of Bell
township, residing on section 19, is James
yi. HoHand who by industry and economy,
.comJDined with most excellent judgment, has
become one of the substantial citizens of
Kansas. His birth occurred in Sangamon
county, Illinois, on May 27, 1857, and he
is a grandson of Benjamin Holland, who
at one time was a large slave owner and
Kentucky planter. He was twice married,
rearing two sons and three daughters by
his first marriage and four children by the
second marriage. The father of our sub-
ject was William T. Holland and he was
born in the Kentucky blue-grass region, on
February i, 1831, and died in Langdon, in
December, 1899. One of his brothers,
Monroe Holland, is a resident of Mis-
souri. The mother of Mr. Holland, of this
sketch, was Julia Ann Hurt, a native of
Menaid county, Illinois, where she was
married to William^ Holland in 1852. They
had a family of five sons and two daugh-
ters, all of whom still survive with the ex-
the well tilled fields yielding abundant har-
vests and bringing to him a handsome in-
come. He is a very generous man and has
spent much money in helping his friends.
He also believes that one should enjoy some
of the ptesures of life as well as its trials
and labor, so he and his wife spent scnne
time at the Worldl's Fair at Chicago and left
the farm for a few years and li\-ed in one
of the suburbs of Kansas City. l>ut ci includ-
ing that the dearest place on carili t.i them ,
was the old home on the farm lhe_\ returned
to it and will there spend their remaining
days. His wife has been a most faithful
companion and helpmeet to her husband and
a devoted mother to his motherless children
and there are few, if an}', happier couples to
l)e fnund anywhere than Mr. and Mrs. Law-
rence. He is a stanch Republican in his
p<iHtical views and is one of the best known
and hig-hly respected citizens of Nickerson.
ception of Homer, who died in Atchison
county, Kansas, about 1878. W'illiami T.
Holland was a carpenter by trade and
came to Kansas from Sangamon county,
Illinois, when our subject was a lad. He
preempted one hivndred and sixty acres of
land in Kingman county, selling the same
one year later and then bought one hun-
dred and sixty acres near Langdon, adjoin-
ing the property of his son-in-law, R. C.
Miller, and remained on that farm for
twelve years, moving then into Langdon,
where for several years he was postmaster
and a justice of the peace, and was identi-
fied with the growth and development of the
town. To the ^lethodist church he was a
liberal giver and both he and his wife were
consistent members of the same. The hon-
ored mother of our subject still resides in
Langdon.
James Monroe Holland enjoyed but
limited school privileges during his youth
in eastern Kansas, remaining with his fa-
ther and assisting in the fanm work until
his majority, coming then to- his! homestead.
This consisted of one hundred and sixty
acres of wild prairie land, and to sulxlue this
wilderness and make of it the beautiful,
well cultivated and fruitful farm which now
attracts the eye and consoles the owner,
Mr. Holland was obliged' to set himself
some hard tasks. He owned but little capi-
tal as far as mone}- goes, but he was young,,
energetic and industrious, owned a pair of
strong young horses, and during the first
year he was' a'ble to- break about forty acres
of his land and sow it to wheat. He also
built his log house, w'hich was small, but
snug and warm. He follows general farm-
ing and raises a considerable amount of
stock, keeping from forty to sixty head of
cattle and horses. He Bas been very suc-
cessful in raising wheat and corn and in
1896 his land yielded three thoiisand bush-
els of that grain. Mr. Holland wisely set
out his orchards early and has one hundred
and seventy-five bearing trees, thrifty and
well cared for. He has never made the
mistake of expecting his farm to do every-
thing that land in other locations and cli-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
mates might do, but he has studied its i>os-
sil:iihties and has reaped most satisfactory
results. The first Httle home is attached as
an outbuilding tO' his present handsome
residence. All his life he has worked hard
and although he has not retired, takes
pleasure in the honest toil which brings its
sure reward.
The marriage of ^Nlr. Holland occurred
on No'vember 29, 1885, to Miss Ophelia
Prv, who was a daughter of Rev. John H.
Pry, a prominent minister of the Baptist
church, and the children born to this union
are as foUo-ws: Cora B., thirteen years of
age; Franklin D., five years of age; Elma,
se\-en years of age; Raymond; and Nellie,
who is a babe of seven months, all of them
bright, intelligent children who promise to
become the excellent citizens of the future.
Mr. Holland has been identified with the
Republican party all his life, and has effi-
ciently served as constable and road over-
seer, while socially he is connected with the
order of Modern Woodmen. The religious
connection of the family is with the Method-
ist church, where they are most highly es-
teemed.
JESSE BROWN.
Jesse Brown is a retired farmer and
civil engineer living in the village of Alden.
He was born in Israel township, .Preble
county, Ohio, 011 the 9th of February, 1835,
and on the paternal side he is of Welsh line-
age, while on the maternal side he is of
English descent. His father. Thomas
Brown, was born in Georgia, in 1785, and
w hen twenty-one years of age went ti > Ohio.
The grandfather of our subject was Sam-
uel Brown, a native of Xnrth Camlina and
a representative of a family of Friends or
Quakers. After arriving at years of ma-
turity Thomas Brown married Miss Re-
becca Stubbs, who was bo.rn in Georgia, in
1793, and when a maiden of twelve sum-
mers was taken to the Buckeye state, where
she remained until her marriage, which was
celebrated in 181 t, when she was twentv-
two years of age. Unto I\Ir. and Mrs.
Brown were born twelve children, ten of
whom reached mature years. Of this num-
ber seven were married and si.x have had
children.
Jesse Brown, whose name forms the
caption of this review, was reared to agri-
cultural pursuits upon his father's large
farm and was early inured to the labor of
the field and meadow.. He was also pro-
vided with good educational privileges, pur-
suing a high school course and also studied
I surveying. For thirteen years he has filled
the position of county surveyor in Ohio and
Kansas. Before leaving his native state he
was married, on the 5th of June, 1866, to
Miss Margaret McBurne>% a lady of Scotch-
Irish descent, her people being connected
with the Presbyterian church. There is but
one son bj' this marriage, Elmer Brown,
who is now the railroad station and ticket
agent at St. John, Kansas. He was agent
at Alden for twehe A'car?. and in August,
1900, was transfcrrr,] tn lijs present loca-
tion. He is married and ha^ iwn children, a
son and a daughter.
It was in the spring of 1877 that Jesse
Brown came to Kansas and purchased a
claim oif eighty acres for three hundred dol-
lars. There he engaged in farming for fif-
teen years, during which time he worked a
wonderful transformation in the appearance
of his land. He afterward owned another
farm, but in 1893 h^ ^°°^ "P '^i^ abode at
his present home in the village of Alden.
He entered upon his business career with
limited capital, owning a small farm in
Ohio, on which there was an incumbrance.
His determined purpose and resolute will,
however, have enabled him to work his
way steadily upward, overcoming all obsta-
cles in his path and surmounting all diffi-
culties. As the years have gone by he has
addeil tu his capital and to-day he is the
posse--"!' 'f a comfortable competence,
which enal)les him to enjoy rest from furth-
er toil. In his political views he is a Re-
publican. He is not a professor of religion,
believing in deeds before creeds. He has.
hnwe\'er. lived for sixtv-six vears without
46
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
using wliisky or toibacco, and oaths never
cross his Hps. He is a man of sterling hc-n-
or, strict integrity and all who^ know him
respect him for his genuine worth.
TAMES P. ENGEL.
James P. Engel -is an agriculturist and
stock bi'ceder of Valley tO'wnsliip, now car-
rying on a successful business. He was
born in Northampton county, Pennsyl-
vania, April 13, 1846, and is a son of
Charles and Ellen f Heller) Engel. The
father was born about 1810 and died in
1846. before the birth of their son James,
who was his only child. The mother was
a daughter of Adam Heller, a native of I
Germany. She was thrice married, her first
union' being with John Bruch, by- whom
she had three cliildren. rearing two sons,
Adam and Andrew Bruch, who are yet
living in Pennsylvania. Her third husband
was Jacob Godshalk.
In the state of his nativity James P.
Engel was reared and the public schools af-
forded liimi his educatinnal pri\-i]eges. On
the i8th of November, iSCh, he was united
in marriage, in Pennsylvania, to :\Iiss Clar-
issa Gods'^alk, a daughter of Jacob God- j
shalk. She was born in Northampton '
county, Pennsylvania, Decemljer 10, 1847, i
and at the time of the marriage the groom i
was in his twenty-first year, wliile the bride '
was eighteen years of age. They removed
to St. Joseph county, Michigan, and were
connected with farming interests there. Mr.
Engel continuing the operation of rented
land for a numljer of years and then pur-
chased property. He there remained alto-
gether for twelve years, after which he
took his family to Indiana, settling in South
Bend in 1872. Howe\'er, he soon returned
to Michigan, and in the spring of 1878 he
came to Sterling, Kansas. Not long after-
ward he settled on a pre-emption claim of I
eighty acres north of Alden. and there re- |
mained for four years, after which he was
engaged in business in Sterling for six
years. On the expiration of that period he
purchased his present farm, comprising one
hundred and sixty acres of the Santa Fe
Railroad Company paying eleven hundred
dollars for the wild land, upon which
not a furrow had been turned or an
improvement made. Fourteen years ago,
in the spring if 1887, he removed to
the farm and has since made it his home.
In 1884 he had erected a part of his resi-
dence thereon and it was occupied' by a ten-
ant until he concluded to make it his home.
He has constructed all of the buildings on
the fami and planted all of the trees, includ-
ing a good orchard of apple, cherry and
peach trees. His fine, large red barn was
built in 1899. He has for a number of
years been engaged in the breeding of pure
blooded Shorthorn cattle, carrying on this
industry for more than two decades. He
also grows wheat, corn and broom corn, and
in both departments oi his business he is
meeting with creditable success.
Mr. Engel ser\-ed for one }"ear during
the Civil war, joining the army in the fall
of 1862, as a member of Cumpau}- I, One
Hundred and Fifty-third Pennsylvania In-
fantry. He was taken prisoner at Chancel-
Idrsville and held in captivity for two long
months, enduring many ol the hardships of
prison life. He has always been a loyal
citizen, as true to the interests of his coun-
try as when he followed the stars and stripes
upim siiuthcrn jiattlefields. In his jiolitical
attiliations he is now a Poptdist and was
formerh^ a Republican, but he largely votes
independently. For one year he served as
township treasurer and for several years he
was a member of the school board. He be-
longs to the Grand Army of the Republic
and for three years was sergeant at arms
in his post. His religious faith is indicated
by his connection with the Methodist Epis-
copal church, in which he has been trustee,
steward and Sunday-school superintendent
for se\-eral years.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Engel has
been blessed with four sons. Elmer
Franklin, who was born April 7, 1868, in
Plainfield, Northampton county, Pennsyl-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
47
vania, pursued his education in the Ster-
hng high school, after which he engaged in
teaching for three terms and then took a
five years' course in the State University, be-
ing graduated' with high honors in the class
Oif 1892. He then became an assistant pro-
fessor in that institution, in which he had
won the dtegree of bachelor of arts, and after
pursuing a post-graduate course in
Harvard College he won the degree
of master of arts. He is now pro-
fessor of German in the State Uni-
versity and' is one of the prominent educa-
tors of Kansas. He is a man of fine personal
appearance and of high mental and moral
worth. On the 27th of June. 1891, he mar-
ried Miss Essie Powers, and they have two
sons and two daughters. William Ezra,
the second member of the Engel famih", was
born in St. Joseph county, Michigan, June
lb, 1873, ^"'d is a farmer, living upon a
tract of land adjoining his father's prop-
erty.* He has a wife and one daughter.
Raymond Jacob, who is married and has
one son, also' resides upon a farm in this lo-
cality. Frederick Austin, born June 27,
1882, is a young man at home. He acquired
a good education and is now of great as-
sistance to his father in carrying on the
home farm. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Engel are both
young appearing people and are justly
proud of their children and grandchildren.
Far thirty-seven years they ha\e traveled
life's journev togetlier, sharing with each
other in its joys and siirrows, its adversity
and prosperity, and. though they had to
work hard in early life, they are now sur-
rounded by all the comforts and many of
the luxuries of life.
WILLIAM B. KING.
W'illiam B. King is numbered among the
pioneer settlers of Barton county, Kansas,
who came to tliis jinrtion of the state when
the work of progress and development lay
in tlie future. Only a few enterprising men
from the east had come to this localitv to
establish homes and reclaim the wild land
for purposes of civilization. Throughout
the intervening years he has watched with
interest the progress that has been made as
tlie raw prairie has been converted into
good farms and as towns and villages have
sprung up, while churches and school-
houses have been built and the modern im-
provements of a thriving and enterprising
community have been added. He has
borne his part in tlie work oi development
and his name is thus inseparably connected
with the history of the county.
Mr. King w^as born in Greene county,
Illinois, near Carrollton, June 19, 1844, and
is a son of Samuel P. and grandson of
Isaac King, who was a native of Ireland
and emigrated to America in colonial days.
He became one of the heroes of the Re\-o-
lutionary war and afterward located upon
a fami in Tennessee, where he reared a large
family. Samuel P. King was born in
Knoxville, Tennessee, and about 1836 re-
moved to Greene county, Illinois, locating
upon a farm. He died in Carrollton, at the
age of fifty-two years. On the 14th' of No-
vember, 1832, he had married' IMiss Eliza-
beth Sawyer, a native of Alabama, who
died when about sixty years of age. Their
children were: Rebecca, Sarah, Mary, Mar-
tha, Jane, William B., Tletha, John, George
and Etta.
In the usual manner of farmer lads of
the period William B. King spent the days
of his childhood and youth until 1861,
when, on the 15th of October, he responded
to the president's call for troops, although'
only seventeen years of age, joining Com-
pany B of the Sixty-fifth Illinois Infantry,
and remained at the front until honoirably
discharged on the 25th of October, 1865,
having in the meantime re-enlisted in the
same company and regiment an^d partici-
pated in many hotly contested engagements,
but Avas only once injured, being wounded
in the battle of Nashville on the 14th of
December. T8ri4, when he had the third fing-
er of his Icfl lian.l sh..t uli. I lis was a most
creditalile mihtary rccurd, fnr his \-alor and
gallantry was displayed upon many a south-
48
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ern battle-field. When the war was over
he returned to^ his home in Greene county,
where he follo-wed farming and railroading
until June, 1877, when he came to Barton,
county and pre-empted land in Eureka
township, thus becoming the owner of a
quarter section. He at once began improv-
ing the property and also worked on the
railroad. After a time he traded his first
tract of land for ano'ther farm, which is to-
day owned by C. Samuels, and there he re-
sided until 1892, during which time he
erected good buildings and planted a large
orchard, which was the best in the county
when he disposed of the property. It con-
tained one hundred and se\-enty-five bear-
ing fruit trees and a large amount of small
fruit. In 1892 Mr. King sold his property
in Barton county and removed to Califor-
nia, where he remained' unjtil 1895, when
he returned and' resumed farming, which
pursuit claimed his attention for two years.
He then took up his abode at Hoisington,
where he conducted the Arlington Hotel un-
til 1900, at which time he came to Great
Bend, where he is practically living retired.
However, he purchased the Arcade Hotel,
in which he resides but rents out the greater
part of that property. He also has charge
of the city park.
Mr. King was united in marriage to
Miss Mary Pinkerton, a daughter of James
M. Pinkerton, a native of Tennessee, and a
granddaughter of James Pinkerton, Sr.,
who was likewise born in Tennessee, but in
an early day removed to Greene county, Illi-
nois, where he carried on agricultural pur-
suits until his life's laljors were ended in
death when he was about se\-enty years of
age. His children were: William, Willie,
Randall, John R, Mary, Martha, Rebecca,
Rhoda, Paulina and James M. The last
named, the father of Mrs. King, was
a cooper by trade, and at an early period
removed to Monmouth, Illinois, whence he
afterward went to Iowa, where his death
occurred in 1883. His wife, who bore the
maiden name of Jane C. Reynolds, was
born in North Carolina and died in 1876.
Their children were: Cecelia Ann, .\nnie
J., Sarah E., James B., ]\Iary, ]\Iartha, Da-
vid and John. The marriage of Mr. and
Mrs. King has been blessed with eight chil-
dren, namely: Sarah E., wife of George
Brisbie ; Mary J., wife of Elem Crawford ;
Calvin, deceased'; twin sons who died in in-
fancy ; Iva M., who has passed away ; Ger-
trude, wife of Joseph Woodburn; and Leon
Pearl, who has departed this life.
Socially Mr. King is connected with the
Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken
the Royal Arch degree, and with the Odd
Fellows and Knights of Pythias societies.
In the blue lodge of iMasonry and the
Knights of Pythias fraternity he is now
holding office. He is also a member and the
commander of the Grand Army Post at
Great Bend and thus maintains pleasant re-
lations with his old army comrades with
whom he fought for the preser\ation of the
Union on the battlefields of the south.
TAMES RYTHER.
After a long and honoral>le career as a
brick and stone contractor, James Ryther
is no'W practically living retired at his
pleasant home in Hutchinson, surrounded
by a large circle of friends, who hold him
in the highest regard. Born in Erie coun-
ty, Pennsylvania, August 24, 1838, he is a
son of Hiram A. Ryther, a native of the
Empire state, his birth having occurred in
Oneida county, in 1807. The first of the
family to locate in America was Adijlphus
Ryther, the grandfather of our subject, who
came with a brother to this country about
1780, locating in the Black River country,
in New York, near \Vatertown, wliere he
spent the remainder of his days, passing
away in death about 1814. The family, it
is belie\-ed. is of pure Englisli descent, and
as far back as its histor}- can be traced its
members have Ijeen natural mechanics and
artists. The name is a very uncommon one,
and it is therefore believed that Rvther's
map of the city of London, published in
1600, a copv of which is now in the posses-
I
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
sion of our subject, is the work of one of
his ancestors. A daughter of Adolphus Ry-
ther, Dorotliy, married David Shell, who be-
came prominent in the early Canadian re-
bellion. He was captured by the British and
banished to the United States.
Hiram A. Ryther, the father of our sub-
ject, was only seven years of age when his
father died, and' at that early age he was
thrown largely upon' his own resources.
When a young man he was noted for his
great strength and endurance, and could cut
more grain with a cradle in a day than any
other one person in that locality. He was
united in marriage to Cynthia Wood, a na-
tive of the Empire state, but she died at the
early age of thirty-six years, leaving two
daughters, — ]\Iary, who became the wife of
O. S. Boughton and died in Berrien county,
Michigan, and Martha, who passed away in
the same locality, and was the wife of J. S.
liaskins. For his second wife Mr. Ryther
chose Caroline Stancliff, a daughter of
Charles Stancliff, and that union was blessed
with five children, namely: James, the sub-
ject of this re\-ie\v ; Franklin, who died in
battle (luring the Civil war; Solon, deceased;
Alice, widow of Frank Pugh, who was a
millwright by trade and died in Minne-
apolis, Minnesota, and in that city his
widow was a matron for a number of years
in the St. Barnabas Hospital; and Ellen D.,
the wife of Arthur Grey, a farmer of Lynch,
Nebraska.
About 1833 Hiram A. Ryther began op-
erating a sawmill about twenty miles from
Buffalo, Xew 'S'ork, which he continued for
the following ten years, and oiu' subject now
has in his possession a turning tool used' in
the first mill built by his father in Edentown,
that state. On leaving the Empire state in
1843, ^\''th his wife and five children, Mr,
Ryther drove to Michigan, spending about
five weeks on the road, and on their arrival
in that state the family located in Sodus
township, Berrien county. There the father
purchased forty acres of land in the dense
timber, erected a log cabin and began the
arduous task of clearing his farm and plac-
ing his fields under cultivation. In additirn
to his agricultural pursuits his time was also
employed as a millwright, ship carpenter and
house builder. In 1861, at the outbreak of
the Civil war, he enlisted in Company L,
Third Michigan Cavalry, entering the army
in the fall of that year, and in tlie lollnwnig
spring he was discharged on account ^f dis-
ability. He was confined in camp during a
long period, and his death occurred six
months after he had received his discharge.
His son Frank also entered the same com-
pany during that struggle, and was killed
in a skirmish near Rienzi, Mississijipi. An-
other son, Solon, became a member of Com-
pany L, in 1864, and was ordered to the
front, but died of measles on the way. In
that year James, our subject, answered to
the last draft issued, but as his wife and sis-
ter were both dangerously ill at the time a
substitute was secured for him. The death
of the mother of these children occurred in
Nebraska, in 1890, while residing with her
daughter, Mrs. Ellen D. Grey, passing away
in the faith of the United Brethren churcli,
of which he was a worthy and consistent
member, Mr. Ryther became an influential
and prominent citizen of his locaIit\-, and in
his political afliliations he was first a ^^"hig
and afterward a Republican, ever taking an
active interest in the progress and welfare
of his party and was a great admirer of
Grant. He held the oHice of justice of the
peace while residing in ^Michigan, and
throughout his entire career he did all in his
power for the advancement and bettemient
of his fellow men.
■ James Ryther, the immediate subject of
this review, enjo}'ed the educational ad-
vantages aft'or<led l)y the common schools of
Berrien count). Michigan, and during his
youth and early manhood he also assisted
his father in the difficult task of clearing and
impro\'ing new land. After the close of the
Civil war he cleared a timber farm on the
shore of Lake }tticliigan, tlie tract consist-
ing of forty acres, fifteen acres of which he
planted with fruit trees, and in 187 1 he
shipped three thousand Ijaskets of choice
peaches from his orchard to the Chicago
market. Shortly afterward. hcwe\'er, a pe-
5°
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
culiar disease affected the trees of that lo-
caUty, ahnost ruining liis orchard, and this,
together with the financial crisis of 1872,
compelled him to sacrifice his place. In Feb-
ruary, 1874, he came to the Sunflower state,
first locating at Emporia, where he was em-
ployed as a gardener and in stone and brick
work until Jul_\-, 1876, when he came to the
city of Hutchinson, and during the first two
}Tears and a half of his residence here resided
on East A avenue, subsequently purchasing
lots adjoining and thereon erected a mag-
nificent residence, the structure costing thir-
ty-one hundred dollars. It was located at
No. 328 A avenue, and was beautifully and'
tastefully furnished throughout. For a time
Mr. Ryther conducted a large and profitable
business in this city as a stone and brick
contractor, anploying many men, and he
shipped into Hutchinson nearly all of the
heavy stone used in the erection ot its liuild-
ings. He superintended the brick and stone
work in the erection of the water works,
built the Atwood flats, and many of the fin-
est residences and public buildings of the
town stand as monuments to his skill and
ability. He also put in the first curb and
gutter work in the city of Hutchinson. After
building up a large and lucrative trade in
this line he admitted a partner into the busi-
ness, but the latter proved dishonest, and
Mr. Ryther was again compelled to part
with his beautiful home. The next resi-
dence which he erected was on B and Elm
street, built at a cost of fifteen hundred dol-
lars, and afterward, on East Fourth street,
he erected a one-thousand^dollar residence.
His present residence, located at 328 East
Ninth street, was erected in 1899, also at a
cost of one thousand dollars, and is an at-
tractive and commodious dwelling. Mr.
Ryther has built in all five or six residences,
but by a strange and fatal combination of
circumstances, dishonesty of partners, sick-
ness of himself and family and the bursting
of the great boom in Hutchinson, — each one
has been swept from him in turn, and eight
years ago, on account of failing health, he
was compelled to abandon his trade, after
which he took up gardening, at one time
having as many as forty lots under his care.
He has also devoted a portion of his time
tO' the setting out of shade trees in this city,
and thus has assisted not a little in adding
to the atractive appearance of this beauti-
ful little city. Another branch of his busi-
ness has been that of a correspcndent to sev-
eral papers, including the Hutchinson News,
the Kansas Workman, and the Select
Knights, During recent years, however,
he has been greatly troubled with fail-
ing eyesight, and at one time he spent
eighty-one days in Dr. Pitt's hospital at
St. Joseph, where he underwent three opera-
tions, but his sight is still very poor.
In 1862, in Berrien county, Michigan,
was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ryther
and Miss Frances A. Millard, a native of
New Hampshire and a daughter of Na-
thaniel and Martha (Skinner) Millard, the
I former a native of Troy, New ^'ork, and
the latter of Vermont. The grandfather of
Mrs. Ryther, Charles Millard, was a native
son of the Empire state, and' his father,
Jonathan Millard, was the first of the fam-
ily to locate on American soil, ^^'ith two
brothers, Nehemiah and' Thomas, he was
driven from England to France on account
of his Huguenot principles, and in iC)38 they
came to this country, locating in Martha's
Vineyard. The family coat of arms con-
sisted of a stag feeding on a hill and an
ermine, and their motto was ''Fortune fa-
vors the brave." Mrs. Ryther has been
called to her final rest. She was one of a
family of eight children, namely : Charles
O., who served throughout the Civil war as
a member of the Fourteenth Brooklyn In-
fantry, but as a result of his army experi-
ence he became broken in health and his
death occurred on the loth of June, 1900;
George B., who served in the Ninth Illi-
nois Cavalry as a sergeant, and died of apo-
plexy on his way home from the army;
Frances A., the wife of our subject, who
died on the loth of February, 1900; Helen,
who died at Caswell, New York, at the age
of nineteen years; Louise, who- is employed
as our subject's housekeeper: Bessie, wife
of Rev, S, Hendrick, a retired minister of
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Hutchinson; David J., who died in Clay-
viile, New York, in 1852; and Armenia,
who died when only eleven months old. The
daughter Louise is a lady of much literary
ability, and during the past twelve years has
contributed many valuable articles to both
eastern and western periodicals. The union
of Mr. and Mrs. Ryther was blessed with
three children. The eldest, Charles S., a
contractor and builder, is now traveling for
his health. He is known throughout the
west as big Tex, and since sixteen years of
age much of his time has been spent in the
southwest, largely among scouts and hunt-
ers. At different times he has been em-
ployed as a cowboy and stage driver, and
he has also traveled with Buffalo Bill's show,
encountering many thrilling adventures in
the west. The second son, H. B., is em-
ployed as foreman for the Grant County
Xews, and the youngest child, Fred J., died
in Hutchinson.
In political matters Mr. Ryther is an
ardent Republican, and many times has
served as a delegate to county conventions.
Socially he is a member of the Ancient Or-
der of United Workmen, the Select Knights
and Ladies, and has attained a degree of
honor in the Fraternal Aid.
GEORGE X. MOSES.
It is the enterprise and character of the
citizen that enrich and ennoble the common-
wealth. From individual enterprise has
sprung all the splendor and importance of
this great west. The greatest merchants
have e\'olved from the humblest origins.
From clerkships have emerged men who
ha^■e bnilt great enterprises. America is a
self-made country, and those who have cre-
ated it are self-made men. No influence of
birth or fortune has favored the architects
of her glory. Among those who have
achieved prominence as men of marked' abil-
ity and substantial worth in Great Bend is
the subject of this sketch. George N. INIoses.
wlio occupies a prominent position. No
man in this city has been more closely or
prominently identified with its upbuilding
and improvement. He has been the pro-
moter of all of its most important enter-
prises and from an early day has been a
potent factor in the progres.s which has led
to its present prosperity.
The wise system of industrial economics
which has been brought to bear in the de-
velopment of Great Bend has challenged uni-
form admiration, for while there has been
steady advancement in material lines there
has been an entire absence of that inflation
of values and that erratic "booming" which
have in the past proved the eventual death
knell to many of the localities in the west
where "mushroom towns" have one day
smiled forth with "all modern improve-
ments" and practically on the next have
been shorn of their glories and of their pos-
sibilities of stable prosperity until the e.xist-
ing order of things shall have been radically
changed. In Great Bend progress has been
made continuously and in safe lines, and in
the healthful growth and advancement of
the city Mr. Moses has taken an active part.
George N. Moses was born in Olean,
Cattaraugus county. New York, April 15,
1844, his parents being Anson G. and Mary
Ann (Bobn) Moses. The father was a
mason by trade and engaged in contracting
along that line, spending most of his busi-
ness life in Philadelphia, New York city
and at other points in the Empire state. He
did much contracting for the New York &
Lake Erie Railroad during the period of its
construction. In 1855 he removed to Rock-
ford, Illinois, but died while visiting in New
York, at the age of sixty-five years. His
wife passed away at the age of sevent3--nine.
They were the parents of fourteen children,
and with the exception of two all reached
mature years. They are as follows : Lou-
isa; Lucinda; Francis; Adeline; Reuben H.,
who died in early childhood'; Anson ; Reuben
H., the second of the name; Theodore;
Mary ; George N. ; Emma ; Laura ; Charles
and Edward.
George N. Moses pursued his education
in the public schools until 1861, when, at
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
tlie age of seventeen years, he offered his
services to his country, enlisting as a mem-
ber of Company I, Fifteenth Illinois Infan-
try. He was wounded near Memphis, Ten-
nessee, having the fore finger of his right
hand shot away. He was then discharged
on account of disability, but re-enlisted in
1864, becoming first sergeant of his com-
pany, and with that rank he served until
the close of the war. He then went to Se-
dalia, Missouri, where he was on the police
force for a time. Afterward he made his
way to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he
joined a company en route for Arizona. He
was then engaged in prospecting from April,
1867, until 1 87 1. This brought him in con-
tact with the wild west and he experienced
all kinds of hardships; several months pass-
ing in which the men of tlie party did not
even see a hut. He engaged in hunting
buffaloes and acting as scout over the plains.
While in Saline, Kansas, he became ac-
quainted with Luther Morris, of Quincy,
Illinois, a man famous as a builder of towns.
Mr. Morris sought the services of Mr. Moses
to pilot him over the country, and to the site
of Great Bend they at length made their
way. Mr. Moses had ridden all over this
country hunting buffaloes when these
animals were seen in herds as far as the eve
could reach, the herds being so dense that
it was dangerous to drive through them.
Our subject conducted Mr. Morris to> Bar-
ton county and they located on Walnut
creek, near a spring, and established a town
site on secton 34. Mr. Moses secured a
quarter section of land where the town is
now located and built a fcamdation for a
building, but a combination of the railroad
and land site companies was made, and this
company concluded that Mr. Moses had a
better tract of land than they could secure;
so he disposed of his interests to them and
took another quarter section further west.
Here the Quincy Township Companv built
a shed, which was constructed by Lewis Fry.
The men were then retained to erect other
buildings, including a hotel,' a store and a
dance hall. Mr. ]\Iorris had his office in the
hall. Among the first settlers were ]\Ir.
O'Dell and P. Sneck, and T. L. Stone was
proprietor of the first store which was con-
ducted in the hotel. Thus the work of build-
ing a town and promoting its interests was
carried on. Mv. Moses secured the north-
west quarter of section 32, now o\vned by
D. W. Heizer, and planted a fine grove of
shade trees. This was in iSj2. and the grove
to-day is the finest in the county. In con-
nection with Samuel Hefty and J. F. Tilton
he dug a hole, intending to make a dugout,
and put on a log on which to pile the brush,
but the work was never completed, although
Mr. Moses slept in the hole for a long time.
When it rained he had to sit up, but he never
caught cold, the free out-door life enjoyed
by the pioneers bringing to them iron con-
stitutions. Their principal food was game,
but as the years passed and the coimtry be-
came more thickly settled railroads were built
and all of the comforts of civilization were
added. After a time Mr. Moses erected a
house, which he enlarged in 1886, and it still
stands on the ranch now owned liy Mr.
Heizer. Since that time Mr. Moses has pur-
chased and sold and partly improved many
places, and his own home is a beautiful resi-
dence of brick built in modern style of archi-
tecture. This is one of the largest and most
attractive homes within the county and was
built by Mr. Heizer.
Since the time of his arrival in Barton
county our subject has contributed in large
measure to the progress and enterprises cal-
culated to prove of public benefit as well as
to promote the prosperity cf those financially
interested. He yet owns much property in
Great Bend. He established the largest
hardware store, and in this was as.sociated
with his brother, Ed R. Moses. After a
time they added other lines of goods, thus
introducing a department store, which is
still carried on by the brother. Our sub-
ject owns valuable farming lands and is
connected with the ice plant and manv other
interests of the city. He is a man of excel-
lent business and executive abilitv. and his
wise counsel and sound judgment ha\-e been
important factors in the successful control
of many business interests in this place.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Along another line Mr. Moses has been of
great benefit to the city, by inducing sub-
stantial men to locate here and found busi-
ness interests and promote commercial act-
ivity, whereon depends the welfare and
progress of e\'ery town. He is one of the
prime movers and is financially interested
in tlie Lake Koen irrigation and navigation
scheme, whicli will improve land in this vi-
cinity and will also prove a pleasure resort,
makin.i; the lake ime of the finest bodies of
water in central Kansas.
Mr. Moses was united in marriage to
Miss Ida A. Mitchell, of Ouincy. Illinois,
and they ha\'e two adopted children, — Mor-
ris and Susie. Socially Mr. Moses is con-
nectetl with the ^Masonic fraternity, in
which he has taken the degrees of the blue
lodge and commandery. He is now a past
master and has filled other offices in those
organizations, while in the Independent Or-
der of Odd Fellows he' is past grand. He
was a charter member of the lodge and
ser\-ed for fourteen years as noble grand.
He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias
fraternity and to the Fraternal Aid. He
served as the first sheriff of the county,
filling the position from 1871 until ■ 1875
inclusively. He has also been county com-
missioner and has served as a member of
the city council and as mayor of Great
Bend. He is a man of splendid capability
and broad resource — a typical representative
of the American spirit which within the past
century has achieved a work that once
amuses the admiration and astonishment of
the world.
SAMSON FULTON.
SaniS(in Fulton, the efficient night fore-
man of the Vincent Salt Works, of Hutch-
inson, was born in Jackson county, Ohio,
on the 27th of December, 1857, a son of
Hugh and Catherine (Dixon) Fulton, and
a grandson of Hugh Fulton, Sr., who was
a native of Ohio, and was of Scotch de-
scent. The father of our subject was reared .
in the vicinitv of Zanesville, Ohio, and' in
early life was engaged at the carpenter's
trade, but later turned his attention to
farming, in which occupation he is still en-
gaged, owning a valuable homestead of one
hundredi and seventy acres in Scioto county,
Ohio. Throiighout his entire life he has
taken a prominent part in the affairs of his
locality, and in political matters he is a sup-
porter of Republican principles, while in his
religious convictions he is a Baptist. His
first wife died when our subject was but a
child, leaving a son and a daughter, and the
latter, Lucretia, is now the wife of Frank
IMartin, an express messenger in Chicago.
For his second wife Mr. Fulton chose Jane
Shoemaker, and of their six children fi\e
are now living.
Samson Fulton, of this re\-iew, was left
motherless when only two and a half years
of age, and from that time until he was
eight years old his home was in the famih"
of his grandmother Dixon, in Jackson coun-
ty, Ohio. He then returned to his father,
where he remained until sixteen years of
age, and he then again entered the home nf
his maternal grandmother, there continuing
until his twenty-first year. Deciding tn re-
move tO' the west, he took up his abode in
Barton county, Missouri, where he was en-
gaged at farm labor for several years, and
for the following two years he carried on
that business on his own account on rented
land. The year 18S6 witnessed his arrival
in the Sunflower state, locating at Cimar-
ron, the county seat of Gray county, where
for a time he was engaged in the manu-
facture of brick. For a year and a half
thereafter he was employed as a salesman in
a general store ; from that point went to
Kansas City, where he had charge of a
tran.sfer company; went thence to Butler,
Bates county, where for six months he was
foreman of a livery stable; and from that
city came to Hutchinson, Kansas. In July,
1889, ■Mr. Fulton became an employe of the
Vincent Salt ^^^Jrks, in the packing depart-
ment, but his energy, perseverance and well
known reliability soon secured for him a pro-
motion and for the past eleven years he has
served as foreman of the evaporating de-
54
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
partment. This long service with one cor-
poration ihnstrates in no uncertain manner
his trustworthiness and ability, and his en-
tire business career demonstrates what may
be accomplished' when perseverance and' de-
termination form the keynote toi a man's
life. During the past five years Mr. Ful-
ton has also been engaged on a limited scale
in the breeding of fine horses.
In Barton county, Missouri, on the 25th
of April, 1880, Mr. Fulton was united in
marriage to Ellen J. Weir, a daughter of
James and Mary (Hogland) Weir, and the
parents and daughter are natives of Indi-
ana. One son has been born unto this union,
Charles S., who was one of the organizers
and is now a member of the Globe Coffee
Company, of Hutchinson. The Republican
party receives Mr. Fulton's hearty support
and co-operation, and in his social relations
he is a member of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of
America, the Fraternal Aid, and the Inde-
pendent Order of Red Men. Both he and his
wife are connected with the Rebekah lodge
of the Odd Fellows.
WILLIAM E. PIERCE.
William E. Pierce, who since 1877 has
been a resident of Rice county and for for-
ty-two years has made his home in Kansas,
now resides on section 20, Wilson town-
ship, where he owns and operates a good
farm. He was born in Greene county, Ten-
nessee, on the 7th of March, 1852, and is a
son of Isaac M. Pierce, a native of eastern
Virginia. His mother bore the maiden
name of Anna Robinson and was a native
of Tennessee. For some time after their
marriage the parents resided in the latter
state, and then came west to Kansas by
steamboat and rail, locating first at Leav-
enworth, in 1859. A settlement was made
in Atchison county, near Pardee, and they
were pioneer people of that region. Sub-
sequently the\' removed to Springdale, in
Lea\-enwnrth county, where they remained
for two or three years, when they took up
their abode in Leavenworth city, Kansas,
there residing until January, 1867. In that
year the family returned to Tennessee, and
the parents died at Jefferson county, that
state, the mother passing away at the age
of fifty-one, the father at the age of fifty-
four. He possessed considerable mechani-
cal ingenuity and was a wagon-maker and
machinist. Both he and his wife were mem-
bers of the Society of Friends and were
people of the highest respectability, enjoying
the confidence and regard of all who knew
them. They had eleven children, of whom
nine are living, namely: Mrs. Mary Rus-
sell, of Kansas ; Mrs. Amanda Battersby, of
Saline county; A. K.. who is living in Sa-
line county and who served as a soldier in
the Civil war; Mrs. Sarah P. Stanley, of
Saline; George, who is living in the same
county; William E., of this review; Joseph,
of Arizona; Charles E., of Ottawa county,
Kansas; Nate R., who is a resident of New
Mexico; Casper, who died at the age of
twenty-two years ; and iMartha, who died at
the age of seventeen years.
William E. Pierce was reared in the city
and county of Leavenworth and received his
education in the district and city schools.
He entered upon his business career as a
cow boy in the western part of the state of
Dakota. In the latter place he was employed
by a Mr. Powers, a well known cattle deal-
er and drover of Kansas. In 1876 Mr.
Pierce took up his abode in the southeastern
portion of Ellsworth county, on ]\Iule creek,
where he remained for one year. He then
came to Rice county, locating where the Ira
Brothers now reside, there making his home
until 1883, when he sold that farm and pur-
chased a tract of land on section 20, Wil-
son township. Here he has two hundred
and forty acres of land. This is one of the
farms first settled in the county and is a;
tract of rich land, splendidly improved with ,
all modern accessories and conveniences.
The house is substantial and the outbuild-
ings are kept in good repair. Corn cribs and
granaries are full of grain and everything
about the place is neat and thrifty in appear-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
ance, indicating the proigressive supervision
of the OAvner. Near the house is a good
grove of five acres, for this was a timber
claim. There is also an apple orchard con-
taining three acres. Mr. Pierce follows
general farming and stock raising, and'
his labors are attended with a richly mer-
ited success. He has witnessed the de-
velopment in the county and has con-
tributed in a large measure to its sub-
stantial upbuilding. At an early day he
spent several weeks on Little river, putting
up hay on the old Hutchinson cattle ranch.
He also carried the mail for the United
States government from Lindsburg to
Hutchinson in pioneer days, and while
traversing his route he saw many buffaloes
on the plains. He has watched with com-
mendable interest the work oi civilization
and progress and in every way possible he
has aided and abetted in the movements for
improvement and upbuilding.
In 1882 Mr. Pierce was united in mar-
riage, in Wilson township. Rice county, to
]\Iiss Frances Buckles, who was born in
Lee county, Iowa, near Fort Madison, a
daughter of Robert and Margaret (Anders)
Buckles. The father is now a resident of
Sterling. Kansas, but the mother has passed
away. In the family were two children, —
Mrs. Frances Pierce and Libby Rye, the lat-
ter of Iowa. The father is a mechanic and
harnessmaker by trade, but for a number
of years has engaged in farming in Rice
county. The marriage of ]\Ir. and Mrs.
Pierce has been blessed with two' children:
Olive E., who was born January 9, 1883;
and George H.. bom March 31. i'885. Both
]\Ir. and Mrs. Pierce hold membership in the
Wesleyan Methodist church, and they take
an active part in the church and Sunday-
school work, doing all in their power to pro-
mote the cause of Christianity among their
fellow men. Their support is not withheld
from educational interests and is given in
hearty measure to all movements for the
general good. One of the honored pioneers
of the county, Mr. Pierce has witnessed its
development from the days when this por-
tion of Kansas was upon the frontier, when
much of its land was unclaimed and the
greater part of it was still in its primitive
condition. As the years have passed, how-
ever, the wild prairie has been transformed
into richly cultivated fields and the county
has become the home of a prosperous and
contented people, whose united efforts have
gained Rice county a place among the lead-
ing counties of the commonwealth.
TAMES HIBBERT.
Our mother country, England, has con-
tributed to the United States an element of
our population which has afforded an ex-
ample of indnstrious endeavor and well
earned success that has not been without its
effect in many wa}'s in our general pros-
perity. Kansas has had her share of settlers
of English birth and has been glad always to
welcome them. One of the most prominent
citizens of the class in Reno county under
consideration is James Hibbert. who is a
farmer on section 2j, Hayes township, and
whose postoffice is at Sylvia.
Mr. Hibbert was born in Lancashire.
England, July 21, 1840, and was early in-
structed in the engraver's trade, at which he
worked from the time he was lifteen years
old until he was twenty-five, in his native
land. He was married October 27, 1864,
to Miss Hannah McGillivray, of Manches-
ter, England, who was torn October 29,
1841. When he had attained to his twenty-
sixth year Mr. Hibbert came to the United
States. He went to Kansas without much
means and homesteaded one hundred and
sixty acres of land, on wdfich he lived eight
years in a box house, one story high and of
the dimensions twelve by fifteen feet. He
then built his present large modern house.
He grows corn, wheat and other grains, but
gives particular attention to corn and wheat,
often planting one hundred and sixty acres
to corn and sowing two hundred acres to
wheat. For many years he and his wdfe both
worked hard, early and late, but during the
last three vears thev ha\-e Iseen resting from
56
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
their labors. They have taken great pleas-
ure in planting fruit and shade trees and in
improving their home farm otherwise, and
they have given some time to travel and have
spent some weeks in Chicago, Illinois, where
three sisters of Mr. Hibbert have lived for
twenty-six years. ]\Ir. Hibbert is the owner
of four hundred and eighty acres of fine
land, of which he cultivates all except sev-
enty acres. In politics he is a Republican
and he has ably filled the offices of township
clerk and justice of the peace. He and his
good wife are both communicants of the
Protestant Episcopal church.
James and Hannah ( McGillivray) Hib-
bert have had eight children: Salina, who
died at the age of ten months; Sarah E.,
who married Ferdinand Miller, of Okla-
homa, and they have had three sons ; Anna,
the wife of Charles P. ]\Iiller, Jr.; John,
who is married and lives in Oklahoma;
\Mlliam Emory, who was killed July 28,
1890, at the age of twenty-six years, by the
explosion of a traction engine, and he left a
widow ; Hannah, who married George Crape
a farmer of Reno county, and has one son ;
Matilda, who is a memlber of her father's
household, as is also the daughter Emilv.
JA^IES STEVEXS AIAY, ^I. D.
Few citizens of the city of Hutchinson,
Kansas, are more highly esteemed than is
Dr. James Stevens May, of this short biog-
raphy, who bears the name of being a fine
scholar, a ready and witty writer, a genial
companion, ancl one who has long been dis-
tinguished in the Masonic fraternity. He
comes of honorable ancestry. His great-
grandfather, William May, was a resident
of Kentucky, at the time when Daniel Boone
was fighting savages and civilizing that state,
and Mr. May was shot by the Indians from
ambush, and when his horse galloped into
camp it carried his dead body.
Francis May, the son of William and the
grandfather of our subject, was prominent
in militarv circles, serving with General
Harrison. Andrew May, who was the father
of Dr. May, was born in Kentucky and came
to Indiana in 1816, the same year that it was
admitted into the Union. As pioneers he
and family cleared up a fine farm from the
timber, succeeding where others failed, both
on account of fine physical conditions and
by the industry and energy which have char-
acterized the whole family. Those were the
days of rail-splitting, and our subject can
recall his feat of splitting as many as two
hundred and fifty in one day, doing twice as
much as his brothers were able to accomplish
in the same time. He was much interested
in educational matters, and he contributed
an acre of his land for the erection of a log
schoolhouse, the windows having greased
paper in place of unobtainable glass and
puncheon floor and slabs for benches. In
those days in that locality books were rare
and it was almost as difficult then to get an
education as it now is to escape one. The
alphabet was learned by our subject from
letters which were cut from paper and pasted
on a board, other ingenious methods being
also used. No advance is more marked than
that which has been made in provision for
the education of the children in the public
schools. Mr. May became a local preacher
in the Methodist church and was a most
worthy and highly esteemed citizen. His
marriage was to a most estimable lady, and
our subject had a number of brothers and
sisters, seven of the former being loyal and
patriotic soldiers in the Civil war, two of
them giving their lives to their country,—
Simon P., who was killed at Perrysville,
Kentucky on October 8, 1862, and Henry,
who was taken prisoner at Shiloh, and died
about one year later.
Dr. May of this sketch was born on a
farm in Orange county, Indiana, on April
I, 1845, and was a son of his father's sec-
ond marriage, with ]\Irs. (Stevens) Peters,
whose first husband was a cousin of the late
distinguished Judge Gresham, of Chicago,
and was a brigadier-general in the Civil
war. Our subject was given the best school
privileges possible, as related above, and be-
ing very ambitious applied himself so closely
I
-'W- yptoj pjf^^
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
that at the age of seventeen years he was
engaged in teaching scliooL, continuing for
live years, in the meantime studying medi-
cine, and was enabled to begin practice in
the spring of 1868. In 1875 he received the
degree of Doctor of Medicine from the In-
diana Medical College at Indianapolis. Until
1877 he followed his profession in Daviess
county, Indiana, and then decided to try the
great west, removing to Kansas and locating"
in Reno county. Here he took up a home-
stead of one hundred and sixty acres in
Langdon township, all wild land, and this
he improved and operated until 1883. He
has always taken an active part in politics,
being an active Republican, and in this year
he was elected register of deeds and is npw
engaged'in the abstract business. For some
eight years he has been secretary and chair-
man of the county central committee and
has frequently been a delegate to the various
conventions of his party. During his four
years" term of office as register of deeds his
work was so efficient and he became so thor-
oughly conversant with every detail that he
has become an authority in the abstract busi-
ness for Reno county. His personal deal-
ings in real estate, however, have only been
in the way of investment.
The marriage of Dr. May was in Indi-
ana, in December, 1865, to Miss M. J.
Crotts. and the children of this union were
as follows: Ida, who is the wife of J. E.
Mc]\Ieen, of Chicago : Elmer, who died in
1900: Lizzie, who died in 1892: Vinnie, who
is the wife of H. O. Skinner, and resides in
Hutchinson; James P., a resident of Kansas
City : Madge, who assists her father in his
abstract business; and Tressie, at home.
Dr. I\Iay is a leader in the Methodist
church, where he is both beloved and es-
teemed. He is well known in Masonic cir-
cles throughout the state. His record com-
menced in Moore Lodge, No. 303, in Indi-
ana, where he received his first degree on
April 14, 1870. On his removal to Kansas
he affiliated with Reno Lodge, No. 140, A.
F. & A. 'M.. and Reno Chapter, No. 34, at
Hutchinson, serving as high priest in 1890;
was annointed to the holv order of high
4
priesthood in February, 1890: received the
cryptic degree in Newton Council, No. 9,
R. and S. M., in 1885 ; and served as thrice
illustrious master of Hutchinson Council,
No. 13, during 1890-91. In 1895 he served
as most illustrious grand master of the grand
council of Kansas. He was created a com-
panion of the order of the Red Cross in
August, 1884, and dubbed a Knight Tem-
plar on October 7. of that year, in Reno
Commandery, K. T., No. 26, being its re-
corder for ten years; entered the order of
the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in Isis
Temple, May 10, 1887; and was a member
of the Jubilee class of one hundred and sev-
enty who received the thirty-second degree,
Scottish Rite, from April 15 to 18, 190 1,
in \\"ichita. Kansas. He has held the inter-
ests (if this order as one of the leading ones
of his life and in its higher circles holds a
distinguished place.
From the annual address of Dr. May,
delivered before the grand council of Kan-
sas, at its session held in Wichita, February
17. 1896, and which has been most favor-
ably commented upon by ]\Iasonic writers,
we quote the following:
"Illustrious Companions — Some hun-
dreds of miles to the westward lie the mighty
Rockies, from whose glinting tops and rock-
ribbed sides gush forth the waters pure and
sweet, as if distilled in the laboratory of
Heaven, which, rushing on their way to
the sea, diffusing life and blessings every-
where, uniting with other streams as pure,
form the stream on whose peaceful banks
and in whose fruitful valley sits the Peer-
less Princess of the Plains — whose guests
we are to-day, and wjiose hands are out-
stretched everywhere to extend salutations
to us as we come at the opening of this, our
twenty-eighth annual assembly. Not manv
generations ago where you now sit encircled
with all that exalts and embellishes civilized
life, the rank blue stem nodded its tasseled
head in the wind: tlie sunflower, the em-
blem of our state, turned its face to the great
orb of day, and kept watch of his journev-
ings; here lived and loved another race of
beings. Beneath the same sun that rolls
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
over your heads, gazing on the same fair
queen of night, tliat smiles for all alike, an-
other and far different council was assem-
bled. To these poor sons of the then desert
no light of the Bible had come, to them the
laws of God were not traced on tables of
stone, but in the book of nature, whose
teachings are never distorted, in the stars
that sank in beauty beyond the crimson west,
where earth and sky touched each other, in
the midday flame, from the blazing sun, in
the flower that bloomed in the night-time
and withered when day had again come, in
the sighing of the flower-scented breezes as
they came laden with the perfume of the
sunny south lands, in his own majestic form,
on the tablets of his heart — in all these were
traced the revelations of the universe, and to
whose mysterious source he bent in humble
and silent adoration. A traveler, in jour-
neying westward, came to the base of the
mountain and saAv before him nothing but
impregnable rocky fastnesses, which he
could not climb. But there came also a
skillful engineer whose cunning was equal
to the skill of the architect at the building of
the first temple, and by following the mys-
terious inclinations of his instrument he
sought and found a pathway whereby the
mountain's mighty crest was reached. The
ribbons of steel were laid, the commerce of
a continent was transported over what at
first seemed an impassable barrier. So like-
wise, in assuming the duties of the station to
which you elevated me one vear ago I felt
as if there was no pathway by which I might
reach the end of the journey, but with the
assistance of the companions on whose wis-
dom I confidently relied, the mountain
heights have been climbed, the difficulties
overcome, and now have we come to close
the year's labor."
Among the pioneer settlers of Reno
county Dr. May is regarded with approba-
tion and affection. He is always ready and
willing to tell the truthful tales of those
early days, and his articles possess high lit-
erary merit. It is related that at one time
he was called upon to deli\'er an address
upon this subject, his auditors the next day
scarcely believing that it was prepared over
night for that occasion. His contributions
to the press are widely read, his wit and hu-
mor making them very enjoyable.
EDWIN S. ROOT.
Edwin S. Root is now liviiig a retired
life in Ellsworth. He has reached the ripe
old age of seventy-three years and until
1900 he continued actively connected with
business affairs. Such a record should put
to shame many a man of younger years,
who, grown weary of the strife and responsi-
bilities of Inisiness life, would relegate to
others the burdens which In. should bear.
Young in spirit, progressive and energetic,
jMr. Root could easilv pass for a man many
years his junior. He has the resi>ect of
young and old, rich and poor, and wherever
he goes he wins friends.
A native of Monroe county, Xew York,
he was born nine miles west of Rochester,
on the 24th of February, 1828. His pa-
ternal grandfather, Thaddeus Root, was a
colonel in the Revolutionary war, and the
ancestry of the family can be traced back
directly to one of the princes of England.
The family was founded in the new world
soon after the first settlement was made on
the shores of New England by the Pilgrims
w^ho crossed on the Mayflower. Edwin S.
Root, Sr., the father of our subject, was
born in Massachusetts and removed to
Rochester, New York, when that place was
little more than a marsh. There was no
mill within forty or fifty miles and the en-
tire country around about was unsettled and
gave little evidence of the development
which would make it a large center of pop-
ulation. ]\Ir. Root built a tannen,- and also \
engaged in farming. He cleared several
tracts from the timber and Avas thus actively!
connected with the substantial improvementj
and development of that section of the coun-
try. He was also interested in the formation]
of schools and churches and aided in the'
erection of the Presbvterian church in Roch-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ester. His influence was ever given to
tlie causes which tend to uplift mankind and
he was a vakied citizen oi his adopted home.
He married Catherine Ensign, and they be-
came tiie parents of five sons and five daugh-
ters, but our subject and one brother are
the only ones now living.
Edwin Sheldon Root, whose name in-
troduces this review, was reared to agricult-
ural pm'suits and upon the home farm en-
gaged in raising wheat, cattle and hogs.
Soon alter reaching his majority he started
out in life on his own account. In 1862 he
became a resident of Illinois, locating two
miles from Dekalb, where he engaged in
farming for nineteen years. In 1881 he
came to Kansas and purchased a farm of
three hundred and thirty-four acres, in Black
Wolf township, south of the river. He after-
ward bought a tract of one hundred and
sixty acres and later purchased eighty acres
and again one hundred and twenty acres.
Kansas tested the faith of her people in
her possibilities and her future. There were
several years of drouth, when many settlers
wished to sell and go elsewhere, but Mr.
Root Ijelieved that a splendid future lay be-
fore this rich section of country and' he per-
severed in his efforts, which were ultimately
crowned with a high degree of prosperity.
In connection with the production of the
crops best adapted to this climate and soil
he carried on the stock business quite ex-
tensively, both raising and feeding cattle.
In the spring of 1900 he sold all of his
land to his son, witli the exception of two
hundred acres, and retired tn l'',llswi atli,
where he has purchased a cnmfnrtaljle
home, in which he and his wife are enjoy-
ing life quietly, having there a well earned
rest. l\Ir. Root purchased' a half-section of
land, which he now rents, and the income
therefrom provides him and his wife with
all of the comforts and many of the luxuries
of life. At the same tin-.e he has a suljstan-
tial bank account. He carried nn active
work until 1900, feeding his own stock
through all the seasons. His is certainly a
record of a long, useful and honorable ca-
On the 24tli of February, 1850, in his
native state, Mr. Root was united in mar-
riage to Miss Susanna Fenner, a daughter
■of the Rev. James Fenner, D. D., of Mon-
roe county. New York, wdio served as pastor
of one of the churches there for sixteen
years. Later he retired to New York city,
where he spent his last days. He sent Mrs.
Root the first sewing machine used in this
section of the country west of Rochester.
Tliey also had the first kerosene lamp. Their
oil was then crude and the lamp did not
prove of great success until processes for re-
fining oil were introduced. Mrs. Root has
ever proved a faithful companion and help-
mate to her husband, and he gives her credit
for much of his success in life. Their home
has been blessed with twelve children, but
James F., the eldest, died in early childhood.
Cara Matilda is the wife of A. L. Johnson,
of Ellsworth, and has nine children ; Elm^ra
J. is the wife of James B. Lewis, of Iowa,
and has four children ; Clarence M. F. died
in childhood; Cynthia \V. is the wife of C.
P. \\'agonselIer, of Nashua, Missouri, and
has one child; William Freeman married
Louisa Boots, and at his death, which came
by drowning, he left a widow and two chil-
dren; Edwin Sheldon, of Brookville, mar-
ried Addie Stark, and they became the par-
ents of five children, of whom their eldest
son, Edwin Sheldon, represents the third
living generation of that natne; James L.
married Daisy Carey and is living in Kan-
sas City; Susa Almina is the wife of J. W.
Ross, of Herrington, Kansas, and has four
children; Mary Elizabeth is the wife of G.
A. Dow, of Burlington, Vermont, and they
have three children; Frederick F., a farmer
of Barber county, this state, married Ollie
Estes and has two children; Albert H.
wedded Ada Allen and is now a faimer of
Ellsworth county. There are thirty grand-
children and two great-grandchildren living.
In an early day Mr. Root was a silver-gray
Republican, but is now a Democrat. He
filled some local offices in both New York
and Illinois and has served as clerk here.
He was also a member of the school board
from the time of his arri\-al in Kansas until
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
he removed to Ellswortli. ]\Ir. and Mrs.
Root are a genial, hospitaljle couple. They
ha\'e experienced many difficulties and en-
countered many obstacles in life, but by de-^
termined purpose they have pressed forward
and are now in possession of a very hand-
some competence. While in the country
they always kept open house and entertained
freely. They have made it a point to have
a Christmas dinner for many years and an-
nually have entertained from twenty to thir-
ty-five guests on that day. In 1900 they
celebrated their golden wedding, which was
an occasion greatly enjoyed by their many
friends and relatives, who wish for them
many happy returns of the marital anniver-
sary. At length they decided to leave the
farm and reside cjuietly in town, and from
Christmas until the ist of March they were
never alone for a single day, so freely is
their hospitality extended to their friends.
Genial and kindly, this wnrthy couple have
a circle of friends which is only limited by
the circle of their acquaintances, and in the
liistnry of their adopted county they well
deserve an honorable mention.
JOHN W. WEATHERD.
•John W. ^^'eatherd, who is filling the
office of county commissioner, is one of the
leading and influential farmers of Kingman
count}-, his home being on section 4, Vinita
township. He has been a resident of the
county since 1883 and has therefore wit-
nessed much of its development and prog-
ress, taking his part in the work of ad-
vancement and doing all in his power for
the general good. He was born in Heiv
dricks county, Indiana, near Danville, on the
loth of October, 1853, and is of French de-
scent, his paternal grandfather, Thomas
Wea'therd, being a native of France, whence
he came to the United States when a }'Oung
man. He served his adopted country as a
soldier in the war of 18 12. His son, Syl-
vester C. Weatherd. the father of our sub-
ject, was born in Madison county, Ken-
tucky, and was married there to. Susan
Bush, also a native of that county, where
both were reared and educated, she being of
I German descent. After their marriage they
removed to Hendricks county, Indiana, and
in 1 86 1 went to Missouri, settling in Gentry
county. The father was a farmer by occu-
pation and at the time of the civil war he
put aside business and personal considera-
tions, offering his services to the govern-
ment. He was assigned to the Fifty-first
Missouri Infantry, under command of Col-
onel McPherris' and proved a loyal defend-
er of the Union. He died in Gentry coun-
ty, Missouri, at the age of sixty-five years,
but his widow is still living and has reached
the age of eighty-two. In his political affili-
ations he was a Whig in early life, and on
the dissolution of that party he joined the
ranks of the new Republican party, which
he continued to support until his death. Of
the Methodist Episcopal church he was a
very active and influential member and was
a steward in the congregation with which
he held manbership. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Weatherd were born ele\-en children, of
whom seven are yet living: Nancy; Sarah;
Virginia and America, twins ; Thomas ;
John W. : and P. B., of Borwich, Kansas.
Malvina and Susan E. both reached adult
age but are now deceased, while two of the
family died in childhood.
John W. Weatherd, whose name intro-
duces this sketch, was a little lad of eight
years when he accompanied his parents on
their removal to Gentry county, Missouri.
He was reared on the home farm, and prac-
tical experience soon made him familiar with
the best methods of producing crops and
caring for stock. He acquired his education
in the scliools of Indiana and Missouri, also
adding to his knowledge through practical
experience, reading and observation. He
was identified with agricultural pursuits in
Missouri until 1883, when he came to King-
man county, where he has since made his
home. He owns one of the best farms with-
in its Ixirders, a tract of three hundred and
twenty acres of land, on which he erected
a modern residence, at a cost of two thou-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
sand dollars. It is comfortably furnished,
indicating the cnltured' and refined taste of
the owners. There are good barns and all
necessary outbuildings for the care of grain
and stock, feed lots, a windmill, orchard,
pastures, a grove and every modern acces-
sory for facilitating the work of the farm.
He is quite extensi\-ely engaged in farming
and stock raising, and everything about the
place is neat and thrifty in appearance.
Mr. ^^'eatherd was married in iS86, to
Miss Mary Brady, a native of Pennsylvania,
who was reared and educated in Pennsylva-
nia and Kansas. She is a daughter of John
R. Brady and accompanied her parents on
their various removals, arriving in Kansas
when a maiden of twelve years. Her fa-
ther died in Cheney, Kansas, in 1901, at the
age of eighty-one years, and his wife, who
bore the maiden name of Catherine Owen,
is living in Cheney, at the age of seventy.
The Brady s arrived in Kansas in 1874 aiid
for a number of years resided in Vinita
township, Kingman county. Unto Mr. and
Mrs. Weatherd were born two daughters :
Hazel and Elsie. Their onlv son Earl, the
second horn, died in 1900, at the age of
eleven years.
Mr. Weatherd lias manv times been
called to public office, and his duties have
been sii faithfully and honorably discharged
that he has won the commendation of all
concerned. He was elected county commis-
sioner and once appointed to fill a vacancy
and then re-elected for the full term of three
years. Elected coimty commissioner, he
filled the position so creditably and satis-
factorily to his constituents that he was
chosen f(^r a second term and is the present
incumbent, and no doubt will be again elect-
ed, judging from the esteem in which the
people hold him. He never wavers in his
allegiance to what he believes to be for the
public good and is both practical and pro-
gressive in his endorsement 1 if measures. He
has served his township as trustee and as
township treasurer four years, and was
elected justice of the peace but resigned that
office when elected county commissioner.
Like his father, he believes in reform and
advancement in politics as well as other
things. He believes in taking all the good
and rooting out the bad, and the new he be-
lieves is always the best. He affiliates with
the reform party, but holds un malice against
any party. Mr. Weatherd hel.nigs to the
Independent Order of Odd Eellows and is
an active and consistent member of the
Methodist church, in which he has seiwed
as class-leader and Sunday-school superin-
tendent. Education, temperance and moral-
ity are causes dear to his heart, and he does
all in his power to uplift his fellow men. His
manner is open and free-hearted, and in his
life record are no pages which will not bear
the closest scrutiny and investigation. He
is one of the most popular and honored cit-
izens of Vinita township, Kingman county,
as well as one of its- most prosperous and
practical agriculturists.
JOHN C. RADCLIFFE.
John C. Radcliffe is a retired farmer re-
siding in Ellsworth, and his rest is well mer-
ited, for his has been an active and useful
career, in which he has labored effecti\'ely
and earnestly for the welfare and improve-
ment of his adopted county. He has done
much to promote its horticultural interests,
and along the lines of intellectual, moral and
material improvement his work has been of
marked benefit to those among whom he
lives. He still owns a farm of six hundred
and forty acres, on sections 14 and 15, Em-
pire township, Ellsworth county.
Mr. Radcliffe is a native of LeRoy.
Cuyahoga county. Ohio, born on the 6th of
August, 1830, his parents being William
and Anna (Halsell) Radcliffe, both of
whom were natives of the Isle of Man, where
the marriage was celebrated. In the }'ear
1833 they came to. America, locating in
Ohio. The father was an iron molder and
in 1837 removed to Ontario, Canada, where
he spent the remainder of his acti\'e busi-
ness life, his last days, however, being spent
in the home of his son. b'hn C, in Illinois,
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
where he died in 1879, at the age of eighty-
seven j-ears. His wife passed away in Can-
ada, in 185 1. They were the parents of ten
children, namely: William, who resides in
Califijrnia: Airs. Margaret Johnson, who
died in Cuyahoga county, Ohio; John C, of
this review ; George, who died in Canada ;
James, a resident of Windsor, Canada ; Jane,
the wife of Thomas Wallace, also of Can-
ada; Mary, the wife of Thomas Carson, of
Indiana ; Kate, the deceased wife of Bernard
Glattenhof ; Jefferson, who is living in Cuya-
hog'a county, Ohio; and Sarah, who married
William Collett, of Wisconsin.
It was during the early boyhood of John
C. Radcliffe that his parents removed to
Canada, Snd he was there reared upon a
farm until nineteen years of age. He as-
sisted in the work of the fields and meadow
and also pursued his studies in the common
schools. In 1850 he removed to Putnam
county, Illinois, where he arrived with only
five cents in his pocket. Soon afterward he
secured a position as a farm hand, and thus
entered upon an independent business ca-
reer. In May of that year he was united in
marriage to Margaret Kester, a daughter
of Rev. Jesse Kester, a Baptist minister.
After his marriage he operated his father-
in-law's farm on the shares until the spring
of 1865, and in the meantime he purchased
a small farm of his own. On selling that
property he was again employed by others
for a time and then purchased one hundred
and sixty acres of desiraljle land, for which
he paid six dollars per acre. He had two
thousand dolars from the sale of his Put-
nam county farm. His new tract was raw
land, entirely unimproved, and upon this he
built a house and then began the develop-
ment of his land. He was somewhat im-
peded in his labors, for he lost one of his
horses. He also' had to borrow five hundred
dollars to complete the payment on his farm,
but with characteristic energy and deter-
mination he prosecuted his labors and in
course of time Se^-eloped a good property.
He set out a good orchard, placed his fields
under cultivation, and in 1878 he sold his
property for thirty-five dollars per acre. In
May, 1878, he started westward, intending
to locate in Missouri, but concluded to come
to Kansas, and, reaching Ellsworth county,
purchased two hundred and forty acres of
land, \\-hich he mjw owns, pa}-ing one thou-
sand d(jllars for the amount. A few acres
had been broken and a small stone house
was the only improvement up to that time.
Returning to Missouri, he then brought his
family to Kansas, having left them in the
fomier state while he secured his location
here. Upon the farm he remained until Oc-
tober, 1899, when he took up his abode in
Ellsavorth. Upon his farm^ he erected a two-
story frame residence, barn and outbuild-
ings, built fences and added all modern ac-
cessories and ecjuipments for facilitating
farm work and making his labors success--
I ful. He also planted the first orchard in
the county, containing seven hundred and
[ thirty apple trees, together with an abund-
ance of small fruit. He has also an orchard
of six hundred peach trees. As the years
passed he made judicious investments in
property, adding other land until he now
owns six hundred' and forty acres. He en-
gaged in stock and grain raising and now
keeps one hundred head of coavs and a large
number of calves, making two hundred in
all. He has given considerable attention to
the breeding of draft horses of the Per-
cheron breed arid' also raised mules. He now
j has about fifty head upon his place, includ-
ing some of the best in the locality. How-
ever, Mr. Radcliiife is best known in connec-
tion with fruit culture and has demonstrated
the practicability of raising fruit successfully
on a large scale in central Kansas. Al-
though now residing in Ellsworth, he still
retains an active interest in his farm, upon
which his son Jesse resides.
To Mr. and ^Nlrs. Radclifife were Ijorn
four children, of whom two are living^ Marv
and Jesse, who reside upon the heme farm.
The latter married Ellen Adams, a native
of Pennsylvania, and they have four chil-
dren, — George, Hubert J., Xorman K.
and Marie. Felicia and Philander, children
of OUT subject, died in early life. The
mother of this familv died December i;.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
63
1897, and on the nth of October, 1899, Mr.
RadcHffe was again married, his second
union being with Mrs. Harriet Burton, the
widow of Royal Burton and a daughter of
Rev. Elam Chapin, a minister of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church, who was born in
Springfield, Massachusetts, and was edu-
cated, ordained and spent his life in Hart-
ford, Connecticut. He married Harriet Olm-
sted, of that city, born in the old home of
Samuel Olmsted, her great-great-grandfa-
ther, who was a captain of a militia com-
pany in the early days. !\Irs. Radcliffe was
reared and educated in the city uf Hartford,
and there gave her hand in marriage to
Royal Burton, who was born and reared in
that locality. In 1885 they removed to Ells-
worth, on account of Mr. Burton's health,
and here he died on the 18th of December,
1897. He was one of the first party of a
hundred members that crossed the plains to
California for the discovery of gold on the
Pacific coast. For some time he remained
in San Francisco and erected the first large
hotel in that place, at a cost of eighty thou-
sand (l(illars, but three days afterward it was
destrii)C(l l>y fire. He remained in Califor-
nia for nine years and made three fortunes,
but three times lost all he had by fire. He
then returned to Boston and enga.ged in
the general commission business, becoming
a prominent and enterprising business man
of that place. I\Irs. Radcliffe is a lady of
superior culture, refinement and intelligence
and is an active leader in social and church
circles. By her first marriage she had one
daughter, Alice, who died at the age of
ele\-en months.
In educational matters Mr. Radcliffe
has always taken a deep' and active interest
and was a prime mover in the organization
of the Radcliffe school district, donating" the
ground on which the schoolhouse was
erected. The organization of the district
was perfected at his residence, and he did
all in his power to promote educational in-
terests in his locality, serving on the school
board for many years. Fie has also^ filled
the office of justice of the peace and in his
political affiliations he is a Democrat. Pub-
lic spirited and progressive, he has withheld
his support from no mo\'ement or measure
which he believes will prove of general
good. He was at the head of the movement
to erect bridges across the river at Wichita
Crossing, raising considerable money by
private subscriptions before any county ap-
propriation was made. He was the first to
introduce barb-wire fences into this section
of the country, securing the same at a cost
of fourteen cents per pound. He is one of
the solid, successful and _progres'sive citizens
of Ellsworth county and is yet deeply con-
cerned in the welfare and progress of his
cominunity. His worth is widely acknowl-
edged and the people recognize that they
owe much to him for his efforts in behalf of
this section of the state.
CURRENCE GREGG.
Currence Gregg came to Rice county
nineteen years ago, and through the inter-
vening period has been a well-known repre-
sentative of the farming interests of Wash-
ington township, his home being now on sec-
tion twenty-seven. He was born in Rush
county, Indiana, March 6, 1848. His pa-
ternal grandfather, William Gregg, was a
Kentucky farmer and removed to the
Hoosiier state in pioneer days, there carry-
ing on the work of the farm until his life's
labors were ended in death, in 1834. He
was of German parentage. lie reared five
children, three snn< ami tw" (l:iuL;"!iter-, an.l
among the numluT \\;i- \\'illi;iiii ( ircgg. jr.,
the father of our subject, who was burn in
the state of Kentucky, in 1810. Hav-
ing arrived at years of maturity he wedded
Mary Hillegoss, also a native of Kentucky
and a schoolmate of her husband's during
her girlhood days. They were married in
the Blue Grass state, but soon afterward
went to Indiana, where they became the
parents of ten children, five sons and five
daughters. They lost one daugliter at the
age of eight years, but seven of the number
are now living. The eldest, America, is the
64
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
wife of James Coer, of Rushville, Indiana,
where she was born seventy years ago. All
of the nine children were married and had
families with the exception of one son and
one daughter, and the grandchildren num-
bered from three to eight in each family.
The fathei- of our subject was a life-long
farmer and stock-dealer and dealt consider-
ably with the Indians. About 1857 ^^''^7 ''^"
moved to Clark coimty, Iowa, where the fa-
ther died in 1876. The mother survived
him about three years, passing away at the
age of sixty-eight. Their remains were laid
to rest in Clark county, where they had been
highly esteemed as worthy citizens.
Currence Gregg received but meager ed-
ucational privileges in the district schools,
pu-rsuing his studies in a log school house
with puncheon floor, seats and desks. His
services were largely needed upon the home
farm and thus he had little opportunity to
master the branches o'f English learning.
He has been twice married, bis first union
being with Josephine Piper, whom he
wedded in 1868. She lived for ten years
after their marriage and then died, leaving
four children. In 1882 ]\Ir. Gregg was
again married, Miss Mattie Thomas, of Rice
count}-, Kansas, becoming his wife. Her
parents were Solomon and Ruth ( ]\Iorman)
Thomas, natives of Indiana, and their
daughter, Mrs. Gregg, was born in Clark
county, Iowa. In 1874 they removed to
Rush county, Kansas, and in 1889 came to
Rice county, where the mother died in 1894,
at the age of sixty-three years, leaving seven
of her nine children. The father is now a
farmer in Oklahoma and has been again
married.
Mr. Gregg came to Kansas nineteen years
ago, and in the spring of 1893 he removed
to Oklahoma and made the run to the Chero-
kee strip. He improved one hundred and
sixty acres of land, upon which he engaged
in farming for seven years. He not only
built a home but added a fine orchard, con-
taining all kinds of fruit, of which he made
annual displays each year at the county fairs,
carrying off many premiums. In one year
he gained twenty-one prizes and each year
took the lead among the exhibitors. He was
the leading man in this enterprise in his sec-
tion of the country and was one of the most
prominent shippers of fruit to other states.
In his home he has several excellent pictures
of his exhibits and of his Oklahoma prop-
erty. He there engaged in raising wheat,
corn and broom corn. He also exported
watermelons weighing one hundred pounds
and raised sweet potatoes weighing eight
pounds each. While residing in Oklahoma
he made considerable money and at length
sold his property there for three thousand
dollars. He then came to Rice county and
pui chased a half section of land for which
he gave fifty-five hundred dollars cash. All
of this he had made himself, for when he
came to Kansas he had nothing and was glad
to get fifty cents per day for his services.
His leading crop is wheat and he now has
two hundred acres planted to that cereal. He
threshed five thousand bushels in one year.
He also has from forty to one hundred acres
planted with corn and from thirty to fifty
acres in broom corn, which pays from sev-
enty-five to one hundred and sixty dollars
per ton.
Mr. Gregg had ele^-en children. Those
of the first marriage are: Homer William,
of Oklahoma, who has a wife and two chil-
dren : Lola, now the wife of Charles Geist,
of Reno county, Kansas : Adblphus, at
home; and Josephine, now the wife of James
Ashley, of Clark county, Iowa, by whom she
has two children. Those of the second mar-
riage are: Olive M., a youth of sixteen:
a son who died in infancy; Sulva, a lad of
twelve summers; Gola, who died in Okla-
homa, at the age of eight years; Ethel, who
is now seven years of age; Murray,, two
years old; and' Alto, who is a year old. Mr.
Gregg votes with the Republican party and
is one of its stanch advocates, believing
firmly in its principles. He has, however,
never sought or desired office, bis attention
being given to his farming interests, which
claim his entire time. He is an example
of the boys who educate themselves and
secured their own start in life. — de-
termined, self-reliant bovs, willing to work
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
6S
for advantages which other boys secure
through inheritance, destined by sheer force
of character to succeed in the face of all op-
position and to push to the front in one im-
portant branch or another. As a man his
business abihty has been constantly manifest,
showing large possibilities, and the farm of
which he is now the owner is a monument
to his exceptional power.
JOHN B. BROWX.
Jolin B. Brown was a well-known and
highly respected citizen of Hutchinson,
where he was extensively and successfully
engaged in the real estate busness for a num-
ber of years. He was born in Seneca coun-
ty, Ohio, September 24, 1840, and repre-
sented an old Virginian family. His grand-
father, Issacher Brown, resided in Londoun
county, Virginia, where, according to tradi-
tion, he located a land grant which had been
given him in recognition of his loyal service
in the Revolutionary war. He became &
well-knnwn planter of that locality and ex-
tensively engaged in raising tobacco, which
he sold in the markets of Alexandria. He
lived and died in Loudoun county and like
the family was connected with the Society
of Friends or Quakers.
Giles Brown, the father of our subject,
was born near Alexandria, Virginia, and in
Loudoun county was married to Harriet
Briscoe, also a native of that state, although
her people were originally from North Caro-
lina. Giles Brown and his family removed to
Beaver, Pennsylvania, and about 1827 went
to Canton. Ohio, and thence to Salem, that
state. Later he removed to Attica, Seneca
county, Ohio, where he purchased a tract of
heavily timbered land. There he cleared a
space on which he built a log cabin and in
course of time he erected a good brick resi-
dence, which is still standing and which is
known as the Giles Brown homestead. He
died in 1842, leaving to his w'idow the care
of their eight children, the eldest being only
about fourteen vears of age. She remained
upon the old homestead, superintended the
cultivation of the farm and reared her fam-
ily. When her children had reached mature
j^ears and left home she bought a farm near
Attica, where she resided, superintending
her farming interests until her death, which
occurred in 1880.
John B. Brown pursued his education
in the public schools of Attica and early be-
came familiar with the work of the heme
fann. At the time of the civil war he re-
sponded to his country's call for aid, enlist-
ing in the Fourteenth Ohio Lifantry, with
which he served throughout the war, mak-
ing a creditable record as a gallant and pa-
triotic soldier. He participated in the bat-
tles of Wild Cat, Mill Spring, Corinth.
Hoo\-er's Gap, Tullahoma, Chickamauga,
Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca,
Allatoona, Kenesaw i\Iountain. Peach Tree
Creek, Chattahoochie River, Atlanta, Jones-
boro, Milledgeville, Savannah and Raleigh.
His regiment was always connected with the
western army and served under Generals
Tliom'as, Buell, Rosecrans, Grant and Sher-
man.
After his return from the war ]\Ir.
Brown located in Napoleon, Ohio, where
he engaged in the grocery business for three
years, when he went to South Carolina with
Governor Scott. He remained there for one
year, doing constable duty during the recon-
struction period, and then returned to Na-
poleon. On the 15th of February, 1872, he
was united in marriage to iliss Alma Roff,
who was born in Stark county, Ohio. Feb-
ruary 2, 1845, a daughter of Henry and
Catherine (Frean) Roff, both of whom
were from Pennsylvania and were descended
from Holland ancestrv that settled in the
Keystone state prior to the Re\-oluti()nary
war.
Li the spring of 1872 Mr. Brown em-
igrated westward to Kansas and in Novem-
ber of that year went into the land office with
Mr. Bigger. He was practically, thrnughout
his entire residence here, engaged in dealing
in real estate. In partnership with L. A.
Bigger he located two hundred and fifty
thcusand acres (_;f land under the homestead
66
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
act. He represented the Santa Fe Railroad
Company and in 1880 sold over one hun-
dred thousand acres of railroad land in Reno
and adjoining counties during the "boom."
yir. Brown was a very active, energetic and
enterprising man and contributed much to
the upbuilding of Hutchinson. He erected
the Masonic block and other structures in
the city and he ever enjoyed the confidence
of investors, being considered the standard
authority on all real estate matters in Hutch-
inson. His judgment was always sought
on matters of public moment and his counsel
was ever wise, practical and judicious. He
was an active promoter of many new enter-
prises which contributed in large measure to
the general good. When Hutchinson was
incorporated in 1872 he was elected one of
its councilmen, in 1874 he was elected mayor
and also held the office of police judge. In
politics he was ever a stalwart Republican.
Socially he was connected with the Grand
Army of the Republic, attained the Knight
Templar degree in the Masonic fraternity
and belonged to the ]\Ien's Commercial
Club.
Unto ]Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born
two children: Catherine, who is employed
in the pension office in Topeka; and John
B.,"who is attending school in Topeka. Mrs.
Brown is still a resident of Hutchinson and
makes her home with her sister. Airs. Obee.
Mr. Brown contributed so largely to the de-
velopment and upbuilding of the city, was
so prominent in public affairs and was so
active in all measures for the public good
that his name is inseparably associated with
its history and this volume would be incom-
plete without the record of his life.
A. J. MONROE.
A. J. Monroe represents a family that
came to Rice county among its first settlers,
arriving here in August, 1871. Here our
subject has since resided and made his
home, and his life record illustrates the
opportunities which the Sunflower state af-
fords to its settlers. A native of Ohio, his
birth occurred in Ross county, on the ist
of August, 1830. His parents were Samuel
and Mary (Wishon) Monroe, both of whom
were natives of Virginia, and their marriage
occurred in Pike county, Ohio. They after-
ward removed to Ross county, that state,
where they remained for a number of years.
They then went to Newton county, Indiana,
and there the father passed away. The
mother afterward moved to Irocjuois county,
Illinois, wdiere she also died. They had six
children, as follows: John H., Andrew J.,
Mary Jane, George C, Hannah E. and
George W.
In the county of his nativity A. J. Mon-
roe remained until thirteen years of age,
when the family removed to Warren county.
Indiana. The labors of the farm occupied
much of his attention throughout the period
of his youth and he gained good practical
experience in the best methods of developing
and cultivating land. He was married in
Newton county, Indiana, on the 27th of
January, 1856, to Miss Julia A. Roberson,
and through the intervening years she has
been to him a good wife and helpmate. She
possessed much exeoutive ability and cour-
age and was thus well fitted for the experi-
ences that come to pioneer settlers. Her
birth occurred in Carroll county. Indiana,
and she is a daughter of William and Anna
(Tinkle) Roberson. The father was born
in the south, the mother in Ohio, and the}'
became the parents of se^'en children, name-
ly: Mrs. Monroe, Nancy, "Martha, George
R., now deceased, Josephine, \\'arren and
Morgan. The father died in Cowley county,
Kansas, at the age of eighty. Throughout
his life he was a farmer and a bard-working,
upright, honorable man. He held member-
ship in the Baptist church. His wife passed
away in Cowley county, at the age of sixty-
four years, loved b_\- all for her many good
qualities.
Mr. and Mrs. Monroe made the oxxrland
trip to Kansas in 1858, traveling in a wagon
drawn by ox teams and camped along the
wa}- where night overtook them. They
started on July 21, 1858, and arrived at their
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
destination on the iSth of September follow-
ing. The)- remained in eastern Kansas until
the 15th of May, 1862, when thej- started
for Indiana, reaching their old home on the
27th of July. The return trip was made
with both oxen and horses. They crossed
a corner of Nebraska, a large portion of
Iowa, the southeastern corner of Missouri,
the state of Illinois and thus reached the
Hoosier state. Through the following year
^Ir. Monroe was engaged in farming, but
in 1863 he put aside agricultural pursuits
that he might give his country the benefit of
his services as a soldier in the civil war. He
enlisted in the Eleventh Indiana Cavalrj',
with which he served for eighteen months.
He sustained a flesh wound, but was never
seriously injured. His regiment was with
the Army of the Cumberland, under Gen-
eral Thomas, and he participated in the bat-
tles of Nashyille, Clarksville and many
others of lesser importance. When the war
was over he, was honorably discharged at
Louisville, Kentucky, and thence returned to
Indiana, where he remained until 1871.
In that year Mr. Monroe again started
for sunny Kansas and cast in his lot among
the early settlers of Rice coimty. Here he
built a sod house and afterward a small
frame house, but to-day he owns a large
modern residence, built in a good style of
architecture and containing a number of
pleasant and well ventilated rooms. It
stands upon an attractive building site and
is surrounded by a fine grove and orchard
containing fifteen acres, and has also erected
excellent barns. The fann is complete in
all its equipments. Windmills pump the
water supply, good pastures afford excellent
grazing for the stock and the fields bring
to him a good return. The Monroe farm
comprises nine hundred and sixty acres of
wel improved land. It is one of the most
valuable farming properties in Rice county
and is a monument to the thrift and enter-
prise of the owner, whose persistent pur-
pose and diligence have enabled him to gain
a prominent position among the substantial
farmers of his community.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. ]\Ionroe have been
born three children : ]\Iary Ann. who. was
born in Kansas, in i860, is now the wife
of Moses Baker, of Wilson township. Rice
county. George A., whose birth occurred
in Wabash county, Indiana, on the i6th of
April, 1864, was married at the age of
twenty-se^'en years to Agnes McCabe, a cul-
tured and intelligent young lady, a daughter
of Wesley McCabe, of Wilson township.
She died in 1892, leaving a daughter, Clara
Belle. George A. Monroe was seven years of
age when he came to the county, where he
was reared and educated. Here he follows
farming. Charles E., the youngest of the
family, was born September 16, 1878, on the
old homestead where he yet resides. The
Monroes were originally Republicans, but
the sons are now connected with the Pei^ple's
party. Since coming to Kansas our subject
has achieved excellent success and is now
numbered among the substantial citizens of
Rice county.
GEORGE A. A'ANDEVEER.
Probably no citizen of central Kansas is
better known throughout the county in finan-
cial and legal circles than George A. Van-
deveer, the senior member of the law firm
of Vande\-eer & Martin, of Hutchinson.
Admitted to the bar he entered upon the
practice and from the beginning has been
unusually prosperous in every respect. The
success which he has attained is due to his
own efforts and merits. The possession of
advantages is no guarantee whatever of pro-
fessional success. This comes not of itself,
nor can it be secured without integrity, abil-
ity and industry. Those qualities he pos-
sesses to an eminent degree and he has been
faithful to every interest committed to his
charge. Throughout his whole life whatso-
ever his hand has found to do. whether in
his profession or in official duties or as the
representative of most important interests,
he has done with all his might and with a
deep sense of conscientious obligation. Thus
he has won distinction and prosperity and
68
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
to-day George A. Vandeveer is one of the
most honored members of the Kansas bar.
He was born in Christian county, Illi-
nois. December 13, 1853. his parents being-
Aaron and Sarah C. (McWilliams) Van-
deveer. The father was born July 4, 1830,
in what is now Christian county, but was
then a part of Sangamon county, Illinois.
Throughout his entire life he there -resided,
taking up his abode in Pana in 1867. There
he engaged in the grocery trade until his
death. His widow afterward married again,
her second husband being Hugh A. Bab-
cock, of Hutchinson, in which city she yet
makes her home. George A. Vandeveer was
one of ten children, of whom four are yet
living: Mrs. E. N. Maxfield, of Stafford,
Kansas: Nellie V., the wife of Hon. Frank
L. ]\Iartin, of the firm of Vandeveer &
]\Iartin and the present mayor of Hutchin-
son; Calvin B., a farmer of Clay township,
Reno county, and George.
But the ancestry of the A'andeveers may
be traced back to a more remote period.
George Vandeveer, the grandfather of our
subject, was a native of Kentucky and be-
came a pioneer of Sangamon county, Illi-
nois. His father, J. Vandeveer, was a na-
tive of either New Jersey or North Carolina
and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war,
while his father, who was born in Holland,
became one of the early colonial settlers who
took up their abode at Communipaugh, New
Jersey. His descendants removed to North
Carolina and some of them became associ-
ated with Daniel Boone in his explorations
of Kentucky, that noted hunter and explorer
being a relative of the Vandeveers. The
family name was originally von der Veer,
meaning "from the Veer." A member of
the family well worthy of mention was
Horatio M. Vandeveer, a son of Aaron Van-
deveer and a cousin of the father of our
subject. He was an old-school law practi-
tioner of Illinois, who was the colleague and
associate of Lincoln, Douglas and r ther dis-
tinguished men of that time practicing at
the Illinois bar. \Miile experiencing the
difficulties and hardships of pioneer life he
studied law by the light of the fireplace and
the blaze of hickory bark, and he spent a
long life engaged in practice in Christian
county, Illinois. He served his country in
the war with Mexico. Entirely through his
own efforts he acquired his education and
won advancement to a prominent position
among the noted men of his state, and at
his death, which occurred in 1892, he was
worth three million di.illars and possessed
sixty thousand acres of valuable land in his
county. He was at cHfferent times judge of
various courts' and represented his fellow
citizens in the house and senate of the state
legislature. His son, ^^■illiam T. Vande-
veer, was a member of the commission which
built the magnificent new capitol building.
He took a very prominent part in molding
the history of the state at an early day and
was a notable figure in public affairs.
The life of this eminent relation has been
an inspiration and source of encouragement
to George A. Vandeveer, who in some way
was deprived of a collegiate %ducation and
professional training, but who through the
innate strength of his character has over-
come difficulties and worked his way upward
to success. He ranained with his parents
upon the farm until fourteen years of age
and assisted in the work connected there-
with, spending much of the time in the sad-
dle, herding cattle. The father owned a
large farm of four hundred acres and kept
a large herd of cattle, which grazed over the
prairies, which were unfenced, therefore de-
manding that some one constantly be on the
alert lest some of the herd stray away.
Young George had very little opportunity
of attending school until the family removed
to the town of Pana, after which he pursued'
his studies in the public schools for three
years. From' the time he was seventeen
until 1872 he assisted his father in the con-
duct of the grocers- ?tore, and in the fall
of that year he accepted the responsible po-
sition of deputy tax collector of Pana town-
ship. He did most of the work of his su-
perior officer, collecting and conveying to
the bank taxes amounting to over forty-six
thousand dollars. He was next tendered a
position in the Exchange Bank of Pana. act-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
69
ing' in that capacity until the tinancial jianic
of 1873, \yhen that bank, together with
many others, closed its doors. On the ist
of January, 1874, he became assistant cash-
ier of the Nokomis National Bank, of No-
komis, Illinois, which position he occupied
for a year, when his father, in company with
James P. Walker, established a bank at
. ;\Iorrisville. Illinois, our subject and Mr.
\\'alker's son conducting the same from
February, 1875, until the fall of 1879.
At that time George A. Vandeveer sold
his interest and came to the west. While
in Mcrrisville he was married. Septem-
ber 5, 1876, to Miss Clara B. Edgcomb, a
daughter of John Edgcomb, of LaSalle
county, Illinois, and in the fall of 1879 he
came to Newton, Kansas. During his resi-
dence in ^Nlorrisonville, w'hile in the bank
he had pursued the study of law under the
direction of his brother-in-law, David F.
]Murry, now of Tacoma, Washington, and
in December, 1879. he began practice in
Newton in partnership with A. B. Knowl-
ton, which connection was maintained for
about a year. In 1880 he removed to Burr-
ton, Har\-ey county, Kansas and established
a private banking business. When he had
placed it in successful operation he had an
opportunity to dispose of it to advantage and
did so. In the fall of 1862 Hon. A. R.'
Schebie, of Hutchinson, who had been elect-
ed to the state legislature, desiring an active
and capable young attorney in his ofifice, of-
fered to make Mr. Vandeveer a partner, and
the law firm of Schebie & Vandeveer was
accordingly formed, maintaining an exist-
ence as such until December, 1885, when
the senior partner died. In July of that year
Frank L. Martin had come to Hutchinson
fnim Illinois and succeeding Mr. Schebie
became a member of the present firm of Van-
deveer & Martin. They enjoyed a large and
representative clientage until September,
1890, when our subject removed to Kansas
City, where he practiced until the spring of
1896. In the meantime he drafted the char-
ter and assisted in the organization of the
National Surety Company with Charles A.
Dean as president, the headquarters being
in Kansas City until the spring of 1876,
when the business was removed to New
York city. In March of that year Mr. Van-
deveer went with Mr. Dean to the eastern
metropolis to secure additional capital and
extend the organization. Mr. Vandeveer
then took an important part in incorporating
the company and drafted the charter fur the
New York organization. He became gen-
eral solicitor for the New York National
Surety Compam-, with offices at No. 346
Broadway, in the New York Life Insurance
building, where he remained until August,
1900, when he resigned his position and re-
turned to Hutchinson, where he once more
entered into partnership with Mr. Mar-
tin for the general practice of law. Since
that time he has given his attention exclu-
sively to his legal work and his devotion to
his clients" interests is proverbial.
During his residence in New York city
Mr. Vandeveer had charge of a large num-
ber of important cases in the interests of the
company throughout the principal cities of
the United States. He prepared a form of
fidelity bond which was adopted and is now
used by the American Bankers' Association.
The success of the National Surety Com-
pany is largely due to his talent of organi-
zation as well as control of its afYairs. It
has become one of the leading institutions
of the kind in the entire country and is of
national importance in the business world.
It bonds the employes of over fifty per cent,
of all the transportation companies of the
United States, such as railroad and express
companies and the employes of the United
States mail service, also the employes of
banks, and furnish bonds for guardians and
executors. To-day Mr. Vandeveer has a
large and constantly growing law practice,
which connects him with much of the most
important litigation tried in the courts of
this district, while in the supreme court of
Kansas and the supreme court oi the United
States he has tigured in connection with
notable suits. His knowledge of the law is
comprehensive and accurate, his mind is
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
analytical and inductive and lie has shown
splendid ability in handling the most intri-
cate problems of jurisprudence.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Vandeveer have been
born three children: Cossie, the wife of
Ernest F. Tietzel, who has business interests
in New York city and resides in Brooklyn;
Fred Leroy, a graduate of Yale College and
an attorney of St. Louis, who married Vesta
Hardy, of New Haven, Connecticut, a
daughter of George Hardy, chief engineer
of the New York, New Haven & Hartford
Railroad Company; and Harry D., who was
admitted to the Kansas bar in 1901, when
in his nineteenth year and is now a student
in the law department of Yale University.
In the school of experience George A. Van-
deveer has been an apt pupil. Study, earnest
investigation, close obserA-ation and laudable
ambition have given to him the capability
which a college course would have afforded.
Marked strength of character has been mani-
fest throughout his entire life ; and the prom-
inence he has attained, the work he has ac-
complished, his manly principles and up-
right career have ever commanded for him
the admiration and respect of prominent
men throughout the country. While in the
localities in which he has resided he has
gained that friendship which is a tribute to
personal worth. In politics he is a Repub-
lican.
JOHN S. GARDNER.
History chronicles many changes in con-
dition, in progress, in business and in the
ways of life. No longer do the annals of a
country consist of a record of wars and
conquests, but teem instead with the ac-
counts of business extension, of commercial
prosperity and of the consequent progress
and improvements which appear in every
walk of life. The conquests now made are
those of mind over matter, not of man over
man, and the victor is he wdio can success-
fully establish, control and operate extensive
commercial interests. Although a young
man 'Slv. Gardner has become an important
factor in the business life of Hutchinson,
where he holds a responsible position as
foreman of the Perarsylvania Salt Block. He
has also been prominent in public affairs in
the city of South Hutchinson and in mold-
ing public thought and actii^n his opinions
have carried weight.
Mr. Gardner was born in Coles county,
Illinois, September 20, 1869, and is of
Scotch-Irish lineage. His grandfather
opened and operated a farm in Indiana and
there followed agricultural pursuits through-
out his entire life. His son, Samuel Gard-
ner, was born in Scott county, Indiana, June
13, 1847, and was reared to the work of the
fann, early taking his place in the fields.
After his father's death he assumed the
management of the old homestead, which he
successfully operated for some time. About
1865 he was united in marriage to Miss
Margaret K. Weir, who was of German de-
scent, and was born in Indiana, February 2,
1849. Her father, James Weir, was a
farmer by occupation and became one of the
pioneer settlers of the Hoosier state. Her
brother, George Weir, served throughout
the civil war as an officer. About 1866
Samuel Gardner removed with his family to
Coles county, Illinois, where he engaged in
farming until 1875, when he went to Barton
county, Missouri. There he followed the
same pursuit until about 1887, when he re-
moved to Marion county, Oregon. He re-
sided in Woodburn and Oregon City dur-
ing his stay there and followed his original
trade of stonemason and plasterer. In 1889
he became a resident of Gray county, Kan-
sas, locating in the town of Cimarron,
where he engaged in the same pursuits for
six years, and in 1895 ^^ ^'^°^ "-M^ l^'s abode
in Hutchinson. Here he accepted the posi-
tion of foreman in the packing department
of the Hutchinson Salt Block and he makes
his home at No. 800 Third avenue East.
During the Civil war he served as a team-
ster in the Union army. In his political
views he is a Democrat and fraternally he
is connected with the Odd Fellows and the
Modern Woodmen. Both he and his wife
held membership in the Methodist church.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
In the family of this worthy couple were
seven children, of whom four are now Hv-
ing. The record is: George, who died in
llhnois in childhood; John S., of this re-
view ; Orrell, who is employed in a grocery
store in Hutchinson; Anna, the wife of
Charles Mason, who is engaged in the
creamerv business in Preston, Pratt county,
Kansas; Dora, the wife of Harry Mounts,
who is employed by the Centney Wholesale
Grocery Company and lives in Hutchinson ;
Charlie, who died in infancy, while the fam-
ily were in Missouri; and a son who died
in infancy in the same state.
In the common schools of Barton coun-
ty, Missouri, John S. Gardner began his ed-
ucatiiin, which was continued in the public
schools of Cimarron, Kansas, where he re-
mained with his father until nineteen years
of age, when he secured a railroad position
in Greene county, this state. He was thus
employed for about two years, when he ac-
cepted a position in the Hutchinson Salt
Block, but after a year he became foreman of
the Pennsylvania Salt Block, located on the
other side of the Arkansas river in South
Hutchinson and thither he removed his
family. The Pennsylvania Salt Block was
built about 1886, its dimensions being two
hundred by two hundred feet. It contains
two pans, each one hundred and tifteen by
thirty-two feet and the capacity of the plant
is three hundred barrels per day. The pro-
cess of evaporation by natural heat is used
and twO' grades of salt, fine and coarse, are
manufactured. The output is sent mostly to
packing houses in Omaha, Kansas City, and
St. Louis.
On the 24th of September, iSgo, in
Hutchinsdu Kansas, Mr. Gardner was united
in marriage to Miss Anna Millhouser, a na-
ti\'e I if Missouri and a daughter of Fred
INIillli'iuscr, niiw a resident farmer of Pratt
county, Kansas. His wife died in Carroll
county, in 1873, when Mrs. Gardner was
only three years old. Her uncle. John Mill-
houser, served as an officer in the Union
army during the Civil war and on account
of the wound he sustained now draws a
pension. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have
been born four children: Hubert S., who
was lx>rn July 30, 1891 ; Dora, born Octo-
ber 5, 1892: Leslie, January 5, 1895; and
Orrell, September 22, 1896, All were born
in South Hutchinson. Mr. Gardner owns a
pleasant residence just outside the city lim-
its of South Hutchinson. This he pur-
chased together with seventeen acres of land,
in June, 1899. There was a fine peach or-
chard on the place at the time he bought it
and he has since set out a new orchard of
peach and apple trees. The remainder of
his land he usually plants in corn forage, and
other grains.
In his political views Mr. Gardner is a
Republican when party issues are involved
but at local elections he votes independently.
In the spring of 1895 he was elected coun-
cilman of South Hutchinson on the Citizen's
ticket, an anti-license ticket, and served out
his term. The following spring he was
elected mayor and filled the position for three
consecutive terms, while in 1899 he was
again elected councilman. He has been a
member oi the board of education from
1895 until 1901 inclusive. Socially he is
identified with the following orders : the
subordinate lodge and encampment of the
Odd Fellows, in which he has passed
through all the chairs; the Modern Wood-
men of America and the Modern Tonties,
in which he has filled all the chairs, and is
now secretary of Council No. 83, of South
Hutchinson. In his life history there are
many elements worthy of commendation and
of emulation and the high regard in which
he is held as a man and citizen is indicated
by the prominence which he has attained
in social circles and in politics as well.
J. A. YEOMAN.
J. A. Yeoman, a well known farmer of
Kin.gman county, was born in Fa_\ette coun-
ty, Ohio, on the 2d of February, 1855. His
father, Eli Yeoman, was a native of the Em-
pire state, his birth having there occurred in
Drvden, and in his native state he became a
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
prominent farmer and stock man. His wife
bore the maiden name of Jane Knox and
was a daughter of James Knox and a cousin
of James Knox Polk, president of the Uni-
ted States. She was a native of Ohio and
was a member of a prominent and well
known family of that commonwealth. In
1856 Mr. and Mrs. Eli Yeoman removed
from Ohio to Jasper county, Indiana, where
they spent their remaining days, the mother
dving in the faith of the Presbyterian
church, of whicli she was a worthy and con-
sistent member. They became the parents
of ten children, nine sons and one daughter,
seven of whom are now living, and those
who make tlieir home in Kingman count}'
are O. A., J. A. and ^l. M.
J. A. Yeoman, the subject of this re-
view, was reared on the old home farm in
Jasper coimty, Indiana, where he waisi early
inured to the labor of the fields, and he re-
mained under the parental roof until he at-
tained to years of maturity. In 1886 he re-
moved to Greensburg, Kiowa county, Kan-
sas, where he purchased a farm, but two
years later he sold his place and went to the
St. Louis valley, in Colorado, where he was
engaged in ranching for a time. On coming"
again to this state he purchased a fine farm
of three hundred and twenty acres' on sec-
tion 10, Ninnescah township, two and a half
miles from Kingman, where he is exten-
sively engaged in' general farming and'
stock-raising.
At the age of twenty-five years iMr. Yeo-
man was united in marriage to Amy Is-
rael, who was born, reared and educated in
Jasper county. Indiana, a daughter of
Whit Israel. The father was a soldier in
the Civil war, a member of the Eighty-sev-
enth Indiana Infantry, and was killed at the
battle of Chickamauga, Tennessee, leaving
a widow and two daughters, — Mrs. Maggie
Kirchner and Mrs. Yeoman. The former
died in Berry, Oklahoma. The mother was
killed by lightning at Greensburg, Kansas,
in 1885. ^Ir. and Mrs. Yeoman became the
parents of six children, but only two are
now living, — Don, a lad of seventeen years,
and Joseph, now thirteen years of age. Guy,
their first born, died at the age of three
years; their second child, \'erne, died at the
age of six months; Frances also died at the
age of six months ; and Bessie, the 3-oungest
child, died at the age of fifteen months. Mr.
Yeoman ^•otes with the Republican party,
and socially he is a member of the Independ-
ent Order of Odd Fellows and the Work-
men. Both he and his wife hold manber-
ship in the Christian church, and the family
are among the well known and highly re-
spected residents of Kingman county.
A. M. JE^^"ELL.
The real-estate business in the citv of
Hutchinson, Kansas, has been well and suc-
cessfully managed by leaders in this line,
and one of the most prominent is A. '\l.
Jewell, who since 1886 has dealt very ex-
tensively in property in this vicinity. His
birth occurred in I^wiston, Maine, on June
29, 1850, a son of Benjamin and Ursula
(Ham) Jewell, both of whom were natives
of the same state. Both parents have passed
away and also all of the children of the fam-
ily with the exception of ^Ir. Jewell of this
sketch, and one sister. He was but two \ears
of age when he lost his parents and he was
reared by his maternal grandparents, obtain-
ing his education in the schools of iMon-
mouth, Maine, and graduating at the iMon-
mouth Academy. His business career began
in his native state, but a year later he start-
ed for the west, locating in the state of Illi-
nois, and there he engaged in railroad work,
in the transportation department, remaining
as clerk, train dispatcher and agent for the
following eight or nine years. Leaving rail-
road work, he then embarked in the mer-
cantile business, being associated with part-
ners for five years and traveling in the same
line for seven years.
It was in 1886 that Mr. Jewell's attention
was particularly called to Kansas as a place
of residence, and in that year he located in
Hutchinson, soon afterward being associated
in the real-estate business with several of
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
the leading- citizens. Three years later he
purchased tiie interests of his partners and
since then he has conducted liis very pros-
perous business alone. He liandles both
city residences and farm property, has also
done much toward the improvement and
building up of many of the subdivisions of
this city and lias laecome an authority on
values and the real-estate market. He fre-
quently buys property and places it in fine
condition, eventually disposing of it to great
advantage. His beautiful residence at 209
Avenue A was erected in 1889, and he also
has one of the fine farms of Reno- county.
The marriage of Mr. Jewell occurrecVon
May 26. 1873, in Springfield. Illinois, to
Miss Emma C., a daughter of H. M. Wick-
ham, who was a resident of that city. Four
children have been born to this union, name-
ly: Clinton L. ; Helen G., who is the wife of
Frank H. Battise, a- resident of Hutchinson
and a conductor on the Hutchinson & South-
ern branch of the Santa Fe railroad; Edna
M. ; and Howard M. In politics Mr. Jewell
supports the Republican party, although he
is not a politician in the strict sense of the
word. Socially he is connected with both
the A. O. U. \\\ and the ^Voodmen of the
World, while in religious matters he has
long been a consistent member of the Meth-
odist church, an official member of the same
and a leader in its Christian work. Mr. Jew-
ell stands very high in the estimation of the
business part of the city, while his pleasing
personality and courteous manner wins for
him friends in everv walk of life.
FRANK H. FOSTER.
Mr. Foster was born in Allen county,
Indiana, June 19, 1858, his parents being
Asher W. and Prudence (Thrasher) Fos-
ter, both of whom were natives of Virginia,
where their marriage was celebrated. The
paternal grandfather of our subject was
one of three brothers who came from Ire-
land to America, landing in Boston, whence
he made his way southward to Virginia. He
was a tailor by trade and died during the
early boyhood of his son Asher. The latter
served an apprenticeship to the cabinet-
maker's trade, and in 1857 removed to In-
diana, where he engaged in carpentering,
following that pursuit until his enlistment
for service in the Union army, in April,
1 86 1. He was with the Army of the Po-
tomac, and after serving for three years
veteranized and remained with his com-
mand until the close of hostilities, receiving
an honorable discharge in August, 1865. He
joined the army as a private but was later
detailed as hospital steward, which position
he continued to fill until the war was ended.
Much of his service was near his old home
in Virginia, and he obtained permission to
go through the picket lines to visit his old
home. He found that all of his relatives
were espousing the Rebel cause. He was
taken in by his brothers and mother, and
they gave him protection for three days, but
his mother felt greatly hurt over, as she ex-
pressed it, his going back on his state and
the interests of home. He remained at home
until his command went north, when he left
with them. He never visited his home again
and was cut ofif from the estate. Asher Fos-
ter had but one furlough during his entire
army service, and that was when he veter-
anized. He participated in the battles of
Antietam, the A\'il(lcrness, the seven days'
fight at .\tlanta and Lonkdut Mountain, and
was in the detail that sailed to New York
to enforce army regulations. He was also
in the fight at Pea Ridge.
After the war Mr. Foster returned to
his family in Allen county, Indiana, and en-
gaged in carpentering, which he followed
until 1885, when he joined his son Frank in
Kansas, locating in Alden, Rice county.
There he worked at his trade until his death,
which occurred July 27, 1893, when he was
sixty-four years of age. He was a man of
medium size, had acquired a fair education
and had a good memory. His wife died in
Alden, in January, 1898. She was a daugh-
ter of a Mr. Thrasher, a prominent farmer
and slave owner of ^'irginia. who died in
that state. His children were Mrs. Mar-
74
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
garet Lipse; John P., who served in the
Confederate army and died in Virginia;
George, a Baptist minister, who died in the
Old Dominion ; Prudence, the mother of our
subject; Maria; Kate; Adeline; and Henry.
Unto the grandfather Foster were born four
children : Asher W. ; John, who removed
to Missouri and afterward to Iowa, where
he died; George, who spent his last days in
Missouri ; and Harriet. Unto the parents
of our subject were born five children:
Frank H. ; John, who died at the age of
eleven years ; Dora, the wife of Lee W. Ar-
nold, of Burdette, Kansas; Maggie, of In-
diana; and Nettie, who is attending school
in Emporia. The mother w^as a member of
the Evangelical church, and her Christian
life and teachings had mr.ch influence over
her children.
Frank H. Foster remained under the
parental roof until ten years of age, after
which he spent three years in the home of the
Rev. W. Y. B. Pierce, a Baptist minister of
New York. He then returned home and
later was employed as a farm hand. Sub-
sequently he took charge of a livery barn,
which he conducted for a time, when he ac-
cepted a clerkship in a, store. He followed
difTerent lines of business until 1883, when
he went to Nebraska, where he worked on a
cattle ranch until the spring of 1884. when
he removed to Colorado, being there em-
ployed on a ranch until the following July.
In that month he came to Rice county, Kan-
sas, and was first employed in connection
with the operation of a threshing machine.
Subsequently he secured a situation as a
salesman in a store, and in March, 1888, he
was made a deputy sheriff, occupying that
position fnr fnur \ears. after which he was
elected sheriff for a term of two years and
re-elected for the same period, so that he was
connected with the office for eight consecu-
tive years, filling the position with credit to
himself and satisfaction to his constituents.
During their long service no complaint was
ever made and no prisoners escaped. While
filling the position Mr. Foster purchased a
farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and in
1896 took up his abode thereon. There were
only a few improvements and after a time
his barn was destroyed by fire. He then
erected a very large barn, remodeled his
house and has placed his farm in excellent
condition, his fields being under a. high state
of cultivation. He also purchased another
quarter section of land and is now giving
much attention to the growing of stock of
all kinds, including short-horn cattle and
Pel cheron horses. He has a fine Percheron
stallion, also a saddle-bred stallion and
roadsters. The stock produced on his farm
is among the best to be found in Kansas,
and in this direction he has gained a very
enviable reputation.
Mr. Foster was united in marriage at
Chase, to Miss Minnie M. Smith, who was
born in Madison county, Iowa, the wedding
taking place January 20, 1892. The lady is
a daughter of O. F. and Nettie (Compton)
Smith, the former a native of Virginia and
the latter of Iowa, in which state their mar-
riage was celebrated. During the Civil war
her father joined the army and was in many
hotlv contested battles. He received what
was supposed to be a mortal wound, the top
of his head being torn away. He was left to
die, but his strong constitution enabled him
to recover. A portion of his skull was torn
off and he lost the sight of one eye. He has
always been a sufferer since the \Yar, but life
was spared to him. Later he received an
honorable discharge and is now granted a
small pension. He afterward engaged in
the meat market business and in buying' and
selling stock. In 1880 he removed to Chase,
Kansas, where he condiicted a meat market
until his retirement to private life. He and
his wife are now living in Chase, where
they are held in warm regard. In politics
he is a strong Republican, has served as
township trustee and in other positions. He
was the eldest of se\-en children, the others
being James, Thomas, Howard, William N.
M., a physician, and Mary, who married
Rev. A. Hestwood, a Methodist minister.
He also had a half-brother and sister by his
mother's first marriage, namely, Rufus and
Mrs. jNIartha Rowe. L'nto O. F. Smith and
his wife were born eight children. Charles
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
75
O. is a resident of Hutchinson. Minnie M.
is now Mrs. Fo'Ster. C. E. was in Colorado
when the Spanish-American war ijroke out.
He there enhsted, was sent to the Philip-
pines and ultimately was discharged as
quartermaster, being now a merchant at
Chase. Ernest is proprietor of a meat mar-
ket at lola. Carrie is at home. George W.
served with the Twentieth Kansas Regiment
in the Philippines. Flora and Albert are
still at home. The parents are devoted and
loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. Mr. and Mrs. Foster also belong
to the same church and he is identified with
the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Py-
thias lodge and the Sons of Veterans. He
was reared in the Republican party and has
frequently attended the county, state and
congressional conventions and is a most
ardent ad\-rcate of tlie party principles.
GEORGE T. DAVIS.
A man who has won for himself a prom-
inent place among the successful agricul-
turists of Galesburg township, Kingman
county, is George T. Davis, who resides on
section 27. He is a native of Callaway
county, INIissouri, his birth having occurred
here on the gth of April, 1849. His father,
James Madison Davis, \v3^ a native of Ken-
tucky, and in 1810, when a little lad, came
to [Missouri and was reared and educated on
his father's farm, the family being one of
the first settlers in Callaway cijuntv. J\'Ir.
Davis was married in ^Missouri to Mary
Ely, who was born in Virginia. Her father,
Harry Ely, was also a native of the Old
Dominion. Mrs. Davis died in Callaway
county, Missouri, at the age of forty-nine,
but her hnsliand is still liviiip', at the ad-
vanced age of ninety years, in Grayson coun-
ty, Texas. They were the parents of five
children, of which our subject is the young-
est, as follows: Sally; Benjamin, who
served in the war; Molly; Amanda: and
George T. Mr. Davis was married a second
time, and by this union were born six chil-
dren, namely: Cynthia, Nancy, James,
Emma, Lizzie and Charles. During his en-
tire life, Mr. Davis followed the occupation
of farming. He gave his political support
to the Democratic party and held member-
ship in the Baptist church.
George T. Davis was reared to farm life
on the homestead in Missouri, and there
learned lessons of thrift and perseverance.
His literary education was received in the
schools of his native county, and early in life
was thoroughly acquainted with the duties
and labors of farming, as well as having
laid a good foundation for later knowledge
in the school room. When twenty-six years
of age he led to the altar Miss Martha Ste-
venson, who was a native of Kentucky, but
was reared and educated in Missouri. She
was a daughter of James R. and Sarah R.
(Givens) Stevenson. The latter was born
in Kentucky, where she was reared, and
died October 8, 1901, at the great age
of over ninety years. In 1878 Mr. Davis
removed with his family to Kansas and they
were numbered among the Missouri valley
settlement families. Here he purchased one
hundred and sixty acres of Osage Indian
land to which he has added from time to
time until he has four hundred acres of high-
ly cultivated property, constituting one of
the finest farms in Kingman county. A sub-
stantial residence and well built barns and
sheds, together with a fine grove and or-
chard, are among the salient features of
this well kept farm, while well tilled fields
and rich pasture lands show the careful
work of cultivation.
The home of Mr. and^ Mrs. Davis has
been blessed with three girls: Sallie; Mrs.
Jennie Endicott ; and Eva, the last two of
whom are twins. They lost one child, Ro-
salie, in infancy. Politically Mr. Davis is a
faithful adherent of Democratic principles;
i and has ser\'ed as road overseer, and also' as
I a member of the school board. He is a
; member of the Court of Honor, and he and
his family hold membership with the Cum-
berland Presl)yterian church, of which the
father serves as elder. He has always lived
an upright and honorable life, and is inter-
76
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ested in every movement which will promote
the welfare of his community along relig-
ious and educational lines.
\\'. W. HILL.
This well known farmer and honored
citizen of Kinginan county has throughout
his active husiness career been prominently
identified with agricultural interests and for
a number of years has resided upon his pres-
ent farm. He was born in Essex county,
New Jersey, in 1840, and in that state his
father, W. R. Hill, also had his nativity, as
did his parents, Ed and Elizabeth Hill. The
grandfather was a loyal soldier in the war
of 1812. W. R. Hill attained to years of
maturity in the state of his birth and was
there married to Caroline Harris, a native
daughter of New Jersey, where her parents,
John Harris and his wife, were also born.
She was the mother of eleven children,
eight of whom grew to years of maturity,
namely: Eliza, Mary, Abraham, William
^\'., Catherine, Charlotte, Uriah and Mar-
tha. The first named passed away in death
at the age of sixty-one years, but the remain-
ing seven are all still living. Li 1856 the
family left their' New Jersey home for Taze-
well county, Illinois, and two years later
they located near Lincoln, Lo_gan county,
that state, where the father passed to his
final rest at the age of seventy-eight years.
He followed both farming and carpentering
as a means of livelihood, and his political
support was given to the Democracy, while
religiously he was a member of the Method-
ist church. His widow survived until her
eighty-sixth year, and she, too, passed away
in the faith of the J\Iethodist Episcopal
church.
^V. W. Hill, whose name introduces this
review, remained in the state of his birth
until his fifteenth year of age, receiving his
education in its public schools, and he then
accompanied the family on their removal to
Illinois. The year 1868 witnessed his ar-
rival in the Sunflower state, and for a time
thereafter he made his home near Quenemo,
Osage county. Later he became the owner
of a claim on One Hundred and Ten Creek,
which he improved and made his home
thereon until 1883, when he sold that place
and purchased his present fami on section
30, White township, Kingman county, one
hund.ed acres of which had been placed
under cultivation. His homestead now con-
sists of one hundred and sixty acres of ex-
cellent land, where he has a fine bearing or-
chard of nine acres, devoted to the raising
of small fruits of all kinds. He has carried
forward with success the work of an agri-
culturist and fruit-grower, and is to-day ac-
counted one of the well-to-do and prosper-
ous citizens of his community. His capable
! management, enterprise, well directed
efforts and honorable dealing have been the
important factors in his prosperity and have
; brought to him a very handsome compe-
' fence.
'. On the 15th of March, 1869, Mr. Hill
was united in marriage to Mary A. Hay-
wood, who was born in Cass county, Illi-
nois, in 1845, ^nd received her education in
the city schools of Burlingame, Kansas. Her
parents, James and Eliza Haywood, were
1 born near* Sheffield, England, where they
were married, and there they remained until
after the birth of their first child, Fredrick,
' when, about 1843, they emigrated to this
country, settling in Illinois. The father had
learned the blacksmith's trade in the old
country, but after his arrival in America he
took advantage of the cheap land and en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits, becoming a
successful and well-to-do farmer. In 1858
he sold his possessions in Illinois and came
to Kansas, where he spent the remainder of
his life, dying in Osage county, at the age
of seventy-five years. His wife, who bore
the maiden name of Eliza Farrar, died in
that county at the age of sixty-six years, in
the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church.
She was a daughter of William and Mary
(Wilkerson) Farrar. Our subject and
wife are the parents of six children, namely:
Uriah, of Alvaretta, Oklahoma; Fred, who
also makes his home in that territorv ; Laura
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
who was formerly a popular teacher in
Kingman county; Walter; James; and
Pearl. Mr. Hill gives his poilitical support
to the "Third party," and socially is a mem-
ber of the Ancient Order of United Work-
men. Mrs. Hill is a worthy and acceptable
member of the Methodist church, and the
family is one of prominence in the locality
in which thev reside.
JAMES RANKIN.
James Rankin is a representative of the
honored pioneers of a great commonwealth
who have served faithfully and long in the
enterprising west He claims Pennsylva-
nia as the state of his nativity, his birth hav-
ing occurred in Indiana county, June 27,
1839. His father, Isaac N. Rankin, was a
well known citizen of that county and was
a son of Andrew Rankin, who was born in
Ireland, of Scotch-Irish parentage. An-
drew Rankin married Ann Stitt, who was
also born O'f Scotch-Irish parents, and they
were members of the Presbyterian church.
Isaac N., the father of our subject, was
reared to manhood in his native county and
was there married to Jane Alcorn, a daugh-
ter of James Alcorn. They were the parents
of the following children : Andrew, a resi-
dent of Bedford, Iowa; James, our subject;
John, a twin brother of James and a resi-
dent of Oklahoma ; William, who resides fn
Rice county, Kansas. Two of their children
are deceased, — Robert Johnson, who died at
the age of eighteen months, and Mary, who
died in Ringgold county, Iowa. In 1874
the parents came to Rice damty, Kansas,
where the father died in Harrison township,
at the age of sixty-seven years. He was a
carpenter and joiner by trade and was iden-
tified with the Democratic party. The
mother, who was born in 1800. survived her
husliand until 188S. dying at the age of
eighty-eight years. They were members cf
the Presbyterian church.
James Rankin, whose name introduces
this re\-iew, was reared in his parents' home
in Pennsylvania. He accompanied the fam-
ily on their removal to Tl;uicock county, Illi-
nois, locating near Lali;u-]ic, and later they
removed to Des Moines count\', Iowa. A
settlement was made near Middletown, and
he was there married to Cynthia Duke, who
was born in Henry county, Iowa, and was
there reared and educated. Her father,
James M. Duke, was born in Kentucky, of
which state the grandfather, John Duke, was
also a nati\'e. James Duke was but a boy
when he removed with his father to Iowa.
He was a sawyer by trade and operated
j many sawmills in Iowa, Missouri and Ar-
kansas. His wife bore the maiden name of
Elizabeth Williams and was a native of
Ohio, a daughter of Xehemiali and Eliza-
beth (Borden) Williams. James and Eliz-
abeth Duke became the parents of five chil-
dren, but one, Francisca, died in childhood.
The living are : Cynthia ; David W., a resi-
dent of Victoria township. Rice county :
and Mrs. Harriet Holmes, of Lyons, Kan-
sas. The father of this family died in
Weiner, Arkansas, at the age of sevent_\--six
years. In early life he affiliated with the
Greenbackers, Init later was an advocate id'
Democracy. His widow now resides with
her children in Rice county, Kansas, and is
a worthy member of the Baptist church, with
which her husband was also identified.
In the year 1875 Mr. Rankin took up
his abode in the Sunflower state, casting in
his lot with the pioneers of Rice county. He
first secured a timber claim, containing Cot-
tonwood, box-elder and mulberry trees. He
now owns a fine farm of one Inmdred and
sixty acres, known as Grove Land, and this
is one of the beautiful country seats of Vic-
toria township. The place is located a half
mile from Pollard, and is highly cultivat-
ed, the product>ive fields yielding a golden
return for the care and labor which he be-
stows upon them.
The marriage of ]\lr. and }ilrs. Rankin
has been blessed with three children, name-
ly: Andrew J., who married Miss Lizzie
Gruml)ine, and is a grain buyer, railroad
agent and postmaster of Pcllard; Hattie P..
who is employed as a clerk in a store in Pol-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
lard; and Estella H., a successful and popu-
lar teacher of Rice county. The children re-
ceived excellent educations in the Normal
College at Great Bend. In his political
views Mr. Rankin was formerly a Democrat,
but now affiliates with the Populist party,
but he has never been an office seeker, pre-
ferring to give his time and attention to his
business interests. He is a member of the
[Methodist Episcopal church, and his wife
and daughters hold meinbership in the Re-
formed church. In his soaal relations he is
connected with the Modern Woodanen of
the World. He is imbued with fine sensibil-
ities and clearly defined principles. Honor
and integrity are synonyinous with his name
and he enjoys the respect, confidence and
high regard of the community.
DeWITT C. JOHNSON.
DeWitt C. Johnson, a conductor on the
Atchison, Tope'ka & Santa Fe Railroad, and
a resident of Hutchinson, was born at
Wayne, \\'ayne county, Michigan, on the
23d of August, 1843. His father, Stephen
R. Johnson, was a native of the Empire
state, and when a young man began work
on the Erie canal, in which he continued
until the advent of the railroads rendered
that business unprofitable and he then be-
came identified with railroading. He was
first employed in furnishing telegraph poles
to the Michigan Central Railroad Con?pany,
and was later made general roadmaster of
the division between Chicago and Detroit,
where he had charge of all construction and
building. He remained with that company
for thirty years, or until the time of his
death, and during that period the road was
completed from Chicago to Ypsilanti, he
purchasing and paying for all material used
in its construction. After the completion of
the road to that place Mr. Johnson removed
to Niles, Michigan, where he spent the re-
maining years of his life, passing away on
the 20th of March, 1872. He was an ardent
Republican in his political views and was
active iii the work of his party. He was
married in New York, his native state, and
the union was blessed with ten children, but
our subject is the only representative of the
family in the Sunflower state, the others re-
siding in Niles and Detroit, Michigan.
DeWitt C. Johnson was only about six
years of age when he accompanied his par-
ents on their removal to Michigan, in which
state he was reared and e'ducated, the first
school which he attended having been held
in a log house, but that was about the last of
those primitive structures. On first locat-
ing in Wayne county the family lived in a
log cabin, and many a time our subject has
hauled a fire log into the cabin with horses
and wagon. When but sixteen years of age
he began his identification with railroading,
and his father, who was much opposed to
his entering the service, would not assist
him in obtaining a position, but by his own
efforts he secured the position of a brake-
man, which he followed for two years. For
the follriwing four years he had charge of a
construction train, and was tlien made road-
master of the division between Niles and
Kalamazoo, but, preferring road work, he
resigned that position after one year. In
1870 he came west and for a time had
charge of repairs and building on the Coun-
cil Bluffs road, from Corning to Council
Bluffs, after which he was again employed
as roadmaster, continuing in the latter posi-
I tion until 1884. In that year he began work
I on the Santa Fe Railroad, first as brakeman,
! but a year and a half later was given charge
of a train in the construction department,
assisting in building the different branches
of the road in western Kansas. After their
completion he became a member of the oper-
ating department and has the exceptional
record of running one train on the main
line for fourteen consecutive years, or up
to the present time, his run being from New-
ton to Jetmore, a distance of three hundred
and six miles, and during that long period
he hasi been absent from duty only on three
occasions, one having been to visit 'the
W^orld's Fair. Mr. Johnson has invested to
a considerable extent in residence property
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
79
in Hutchinson, where he has built and re-
paired several buildings, and his beautiful
residence is located at No. 219 Fifth avenue.
On first coming to the Sunflower state Mr.
Johnson located in Topeka, where he resid-
ed for aljout two years, and then took up his
abode in Burdette. While there residing he
took the first train to Jetmore, where they
were met with bands of music and many
other public demonstrations. Nine years
afterward Mr. Johnson removed' to Nicker-
son, where he was among the first to plant
trees and flowers, and during his residence
there the town was visited by a severe hail
storm, rendering it impossible for one to
venture out of the house for three days. His
home was located on the boulevard in that
city. In July, 1897, he took up his abode
in Hutchinson, where he now owns much
valuable property, and during his absence
from home his wife looks after their .inter-
ests and has proved herself a capable busi-
ness woman.
The marriage of Mr. Johnson and Miss
Isabella Frost was celebrated on the 17th of
April, 1873. The lady was born in Iowa,
and is a daughter of Thomas D. Frost, who
was also connected with the Michigan Cen-
tral Railroad. He was born in Fredonia,
New York, in 1819, and in early life was
engaged in the lumber business, selling the
lumber and rafting it down the Ohio river
to Cincinnati. He located in Niles, Michi-
gan, in a very early day, and there spent
many years of his life, having been princi-
pally engaged in bridge work. In 1890 he
came to Kansas, but he was not long per-
mitted to enjoy a residence in this state, as
he passed away in death one year later, and
his remains were interred in a cemetery in
Niles, Michigan. He was married in the
latter city to Irene M. Merritt, and three
children graced th^ir union, but Mrs. John-
son is now the only survivor of the family.
Her maternal grandfather, Captain Daniel
Hicock, was a Revolutionary hero, and
many of his descendants now reside in
Cleveland, Ohio. In his political afhliations
Mr. Johnson is a Republican, and although
he takes an active and commendable interest
in all matters pertaining to the public wel-
fare he has never sought political prefer-
ment, as his entire time is devoted to his
railroad interests. His social relations con-
nect him with the Order of Railway Con-
ductors, No. II, of Newton. His life has
been a busy and useful one. He is a man of
high intellectuality, broad human sympa-
thies and tolerance ; honor and integrity are
synonymous with his name, and he enjoys
the respect, confidence and high regard of
the community.
JAMES WINSOR.
Since 1878 James Winsor has been a
citizen of the great state of Kansas, and
since 1880 he has occupied his present fine
farm of eighty acres, located on section 36,
Grcne township, Reno county, near the town
of Turon. His birth occurred in Rensselaer
county. New York, on June 16, 18 16, a son
of John and Lydia (Boardman) Winsor,
the fonner born in England about 1749 and
the latter in Scotland. John Winsor was
apprenticed to the carpenter trade in his na-
tive land, and so faithfully did he perform
his duties that his employer permitted him
to leave six months before the contracted
date, and Mr. Winsor immediately emigrat-
ed to America. After locating in the new
country he displayed his loyalty to it by en-
tering the Patriot army and fighting with
them to the close of the Revolutionary war,
and' was one of its pensioners until his
death. He married Lydia Boardman, and
they reared four sons and three daughters.
By trade he was a cooper, and he also owned
land at the time of his death, which occurred
in 1829, in the town of Brunswick, Rensse-
I laer county, New York, in the eightieth year
of his age. The Winsors belonged to the
yeomanry class in England, all respected for
their industry and honesty.
James Winsor is the only survivor of his
parents' family, of which he was the sixth
I child and youngest son. From the age of
twelve vears he lived awav from home, earn-
8o
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ing liis own living by working for farmers
and then learning a trade, and he was per-
mitted by his parents to use his wages,
this being contrary to the general usage
of the time. In 1838. at the age of
twenty-two years, James ^^'insor was
united in marriage to Charity Feathers,
in Peekskill, New York, and seven of the
eight children born of this marriage grew to
maturity, and those still surviving are as fol-
lows: George; David, who lives near To-
peka, Kansas: and Mrs. Lydia Ann Austin
and Mrs. }ilarv Burr, both of whom reside
in Rensselaer county. New York. Their
mother died al^out 1859, and the father then
married Amanda Burr, whose death oc-
curred on March 29, 1897, in the fifty-sixth
year of her age. She left these children:
William, who has one son and one daugh-
ter; Wesley, single, living at home; Cather-
ine, who married Benjamin Bush, a farmer
of Reno county, and they have three chil-
dren ; and Jennie, who married Cyrus Huff,
has one daughter, and they reside in the
Sand Hills, in this county.
Mr. Winsor entered the service of the
Union army early in the progress of the
Civil war, enlisting in the Fourteenth New
York Infantry as a private, later becoming a
corporal. In 1862, at Antietam, he was
wounded in the hip by a shell, this necessi-
tating a sojourn of fourteen weeks in the
hospital at Camp Curtin. The injury was
so serious that he still receives a pension of
twelve dollars a month from the govern-
ment. For three years he lived the life of a
soldier, but gladly returned to peaceful
times.
After the close of the war Mr. Winsor
removed to Otto, Pennsylvania, where he
remained for seven years, coming to Kansas
in 1878, where he took up a government
homestead of ninety acres. Three years
later he settled on his present eighty-acre
farm, paying three dollars per acre for raw
prairie land. In 1880 he lost his all in a ter-
rible prairie fire that swept over his section
of the county, saving but two cows. These
could not take the place of a fine pair of
horses he had owned, but as a necessity he
used them for a time to enable him to do his
plowing. He is now retired from activity,
his son cultivating the land. In politics he
is a very pronounced Republican, and he was
one of the charter members of Fremont
Post, of Turon. Mr. Winsor, with his sec-
ond wife, attended the Methodist church,
with which they had long been connected,
the former wife having been a member of
the United Brethren denomination.
George R. Winsor, a stock farmer in
Grove township, w-as born in Rensselaer
county. New York, on May 14, 1840, and
son of James and Charity (Feathers) \\'in-
sor, both of whom were born in New York,
and "the latter died in 1851. Their surviv-
ing children are as follows: Mary, who
married Hiram Burr, of Lewis county. New
York : George R., of this sketch ; David, who
lives in Lecompton, Kansas; and Lydia
Ann, 'who resides in Duke Center, Pennsyl-
vania. Mr. \Vinsor had but limited educa-
tional opportunities. He was reared to the
wood and lumber business, but in 1861 he
became a soldier, enlisting at Boonville,
New York, in the Ninety-seventh New York
Infantry, and at his second enlistment en-
tered the same rebiment, serving his coun-
try with gallantry for four years lacking but
forty-one days. On September 14, 1862, he
Avas wounded in the left thigh, and draws a
pension for the same at the present time.
His wound was so serious that he was
obliged to remain in the hospital for seven
months, his pluck and good constitution en-
abling him to finally recover sufficiently to
return to his regiment.
Until 1874 he remained in Lewis coun-
ty, New York, coming then to Butler, Kan-
sas, and one year later he took his one hun-
dred and sixty-acre homestead, moving his
family here in 187(1. A sod house twelve
by fourteen feet in dimensions was awaiting
the family, and in it they resided until 1880,
when Mr. ^^''indsor built his first box house,
which is now used as an out-building. His
present residence was erected in 1886, and
in 1899 it was remodeled and now is one of
the most comfortable and attractive coun-
try homes in this neighborhood. jNIr. Wind-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
8i
sor feeds from thirty to forty head of stock,
buys corn and fodder, beheving' this the
most profitable way. He milks sixteen cows
and raises calves, his herd being Herefords
mixed with common stock. The productive
orchards, the small fruits and the beautiful
shade trees were all planted by the industry
of our subject.
The marriage of Mr. Windsor was in
Turin, New York, on October 21, 1868, to
Flora C. Perkins, of Lewis comity, New
York, a daughter of John and Caroline
(Smith) Perkins, both deceased. Mr. Per-
kins was a mechanic, and was well known
as a great deer hunter in the Adirondack
mountains. Seven children were born to
this union, namely : John, who was born in
February, 1873; Arthur, who was born in
Kansas, on June 12, 1877, and both of these
sons are married, have families and are en-
gaged in the well, windmill and pump- sup-
ply business under the firm name of Wind-
sor Bros., at Bucklin, Kansas. The third
son was Charles B., who was born on Au-
gust 14, and died at the age of four years;
Mvrtle. who married W^arren Thorp, of
Pratt county : Fred, who was born on No-
vember 10, 1886; Fay, who was born on
April 20, 1890; and Maud, who was born
on April 22, 1891. The children reflect
much credit upon the parents. jNIr. Wind-
sor is a stanch Republican.
GEORGE SMITH.
For manv years George Smith has been
a prominent figure in the annals of Reno
county and lias nided materially in its de-
velopment. By a life of uprightness, in-
dustry and sfjuare dealing, — a life devoted
to the su.pport of whatever is good and true,
— he has won the admiration and gen-
uine regard of a large circle of acquaint-
ances. He was born in Ross county, Ohio,
on the 2d of May 1834. His oaternal grand-
father, Jacob Smith, was employed as a
sailor on the ocean during his early life,
but later he located in Ross countv. Ohio,
where he followed farming for a number
of years. About 1840, however, he re-
moved from the Buckeye state to Indiana,
taking up his abode on a farm in Clinton
coimty, where he spent the remainder of his
life, passing away in death in 1855. O"^
of his sons, Thomas Smith, was a brave and
loyal soldier during the Mexican war.
James C. Smith, the father of him whose
name introduces this review, was born and
reared in Ross county, Ohio, and after at-
taining tO' mature years he was there em-
ployed as a fuller in a woolen mill. Before
leaving that locality he was married to
Maria Thomas, also a native of Ross coun-
ty. After the birth of their second child
the parents left their Ohio home and located
in Warren county, Indiana, where it was
Mr. Smith's intention to devote his time to
agricultural pursuits and he accordingly
rented a farm for that purpose. He next
removed to Tippecanoe county, and on
Wea creek was located a woolen mill,
which was owned and operated by a Quaker
named Andy Yunts. The latter was in
need of a competent superintendent to con-
duct his mill, and a former neighlvir of Mv.
Smith in Ross county, wlio had also moved
to Tippecanoe county and found employ-
ment in the mill, told the owner of Mr.
Smith's abifity in that Ijne, and he accord-
ingly offered him a position, the latter to
receive ninety dolla'-s a month for six
months in compensation for his services.
Mr. Smith accordingly hft Ms farm and
assumed the position of supermtendent ni
the mill, which he retained for se\en m ei^lil
years. On the expiration of t' at pemul lu
removed t:-- Clinton count\ . Indiana, seciii
ing a farm in the dense woods, but he ^(^ 11
cleared a space sulficient to erect a cabin
home and at once began the arduous task of
placing his land under cultivation. In 1850
he sold that place and removed to Vermilion
cornty, Illinois, purchasing a quarter sec-
tion of land (-n the north folk of Vermilion
ri\er. A-^ iIk Acars passed by he succeeded
in phicing his fields under a fine state of cul-
ti\'ati(in. and there he made his home until
his life's lal^crs were ended in death, passing
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
to his final rest in 1862. He was survived
lay his widow for many years, and her death
occurred at the home of her youngest son
in Vermilion county in 1880. Mr. Smith
was a Whig in his political views, and in
early life he held membership in the
United Brethren church, but later he be-
caine a member of the Methodist denomina-
tion. Unto this worthy couple were born
eight children, namely: George, the sub-
ject of this review; William, who died in
Tippecanoe county, Indiana ; Elizabeth, who
passed away in Vermilion county, Indiana ;
Eliza, the wife of John G. Brown, a shoe-
maker of Newport, Vermilion county, In-
diana; Laura and John, who died in Ver-
milion county, Illinois; ]\Iary, who passed
away in Fountain county, Indiana; and
INIartha, who also died in Vermilion county.
George Smith, of this review, received
his early education in the subscription
schools of Warren, Tippecanoe and Clinton
counties, Indiana, attending the primitive
log structures so common at that early day,
which were furnished with slab benches and
pins driven into the wall supported planks
for desks. Remaining on the home farm
with his father until his twenty-second year,
he then began learning the carpenter's trade
in Vermilion county, following that occu-
pation until 1862, but in that year his fa-
ther died and ouf subject then returned
home and took charge of the farm, remain-
ing there until his marriage. Soon after
that event Mr. Smith removed with his wife
.. to Vermilion county, locating near Danville,
•Cit, where he was engaged in agricultural pur-
P suits for four years, and for tlie following
year he made his home on his father-in-law's
place. For the succeeding sixteen years he
was engaged in operating the Collet farm,
and he then cast in his lot with the early
pioneers of Reno county, Kansas, securing
the farm of one hundred and eighty acres
which he yet owns. At the time of the pur-
chase the land was but partiallv improved,
but as the years have passed by he has suc-
ceeded in placing his fields under an excel-
lent state of cultivation, and has added many
improvements, including a commodious and
well built residence, a large barn and all
other necessary buildings, and has also a
beautiful orchard of seven acres. Mr.
Smith follows general farming and stock-
raising, and in his pasture he annually keeps
about thirty head of a fine grade of short-
horn cattle.
In 1863 occurred the marriage of Mr.
Smith and Miss Armina Brown. The lady
was born on the 26th of December, 1844,
and is a daughter of Thomas J. and Hanna
(Wentwood) Brown, natives of Kentucky.
From that state they removed to Indiana,
where the father was engaged at his trade
of shoemaking. Unto our subject and his
wife have been born six children : Frank,
who died in Valley township, Kansas ; Ed-
ward, who also departed this life in Valley
township ; Flora, the wife of Walter G. Har-
ris, a farmer of this localitv; George, at
home ; Bernie, who is attending college at
Manhattan, Kansas; and one who died in
Vermilion county in infancy. Three years
ago Mrs. Smith sustained a severe fall,
which resulted in breaking her hip. and
since that time she has been almost an in-
valid, but she bears the affliction with re-
markable courage and Christian fortitude.
In his political affiliations our subject is
independent and socially is a member of the
Ancient Order of United Workmen, while
his religious preference is indicated In- his
membership in the United Brethren church.
His many admirable qualities of heart and
mind have gained for him a large circle of
friends, and he is widely and favorably
known in Reno countv.
JOHN ^I. YOUNG.
John ]\I. Young, Letter known as ]Mart
Young, is a representative agriculturist and
stock man of Ellsworth county, now resid-
ing on section eleven. Empire township.
He there owns four hundred and five acres
of land, and the richly cultivated fields yield
to h'm a golden tribrte while his extensive
stock interests also a profitable source of in-
come. He is a southern man, possessed of
the enterprising spirit which characterizes
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
83
this portion of the country. His birth oc-
curred in Bates county, Missouri, November
7, 1846, his parents being Daniel E. and
Margaret (Hornsinger) Young. The fa-
ther was a native of Wayne county, Ken-
tucky, and became a pioneer of Bates county,
Missouri, where he met and married Miss
Hornsinger, whose people w^ent to Missouri
from Pennsylvania. He became an exten-
sive stock man and farmer and' was engaged ''
largely in the breeding of horses and mules j
on the Osage river. During the war he had
to leave ]\Iissouri, owing to his Union sym-
pathies, and for four years he remained in
Illinois, after which he returned to his farm,
upon which he spent the residue of his days,
dying in 1878. He was prominent in
the Republican party and was a Baptist in
religious faith. His wife died when their
son John was ten years of age. They had
three children: Jacob F., who is now a
prominent farmer of Greene county, Illinois ;
^ilart: and Tabitha A., the wife of George
W. Cherry, of Howell county, Missouri.
After the death of his first wife the father
was again married, his second union, being
with Robinett Martin, of Missouri. They
had seven children, but only two are now
living, Xathan and' Ingham, both of whom
are residents of Indian Territory and' with
them the mother makes her home.
The days of his minority J. Mart Young
spent under the parental roof. He acquired
but limited school privileges, being only able
to attend school for about three months in
the year, ^^'hen he had attained his major-
ity he received forty acres from his father's
estate and made his home thereon, devoting
his energies to agricultural pursuits until
1868, when he sold that property and went
to Texas, there engaging in the stock busi-
ness. After a year spent in Grayson county,
however, he returned to Missouri and rented
land in St. Clair county, where he remained
until 1876, when he came to Kansas with a
horse and mule team and a covered wagon,
accompanied on the journey by his wife and
child. At length they reached Smoky river
and ]\Ir. Young purchased railroad land
near Venango, securing the southeast quar-
ter of section thirty-five. He built a log
house, sixteen by fourteen feet, dug a well
and broke thirty acres of land, planting a
crop of wheat the same year. Soon after-
ward, however, he had to abandon this place,
for the season was a hard one and the crops
produced were very small. Removing eight
miles west, he located on section twenty-
two. Empire township, EllsAvorth county, on
Thompson creek. It was a squatter's claim,
for which he traded a young team and
wagon. About forty acres of the land had
been broken, and with characteristic energy
he continued its further development and
improvement, remaining thereon for eight
years, during which time he added another
quarter section. He broke all of the tillable
land, made excellent improvements and in
connection with the raising of grain was
quite extensively engaged in the stock busi-
ness, keeping as many as four hundred head
of cattle, which grazed on the rich pasture
lands. The ranch of Captain Millett ad-
joins Mr. Young's farm, and the latter did
considerable work for the Captain, the
money thus earned aiding him to carry on
the work of improvement in his own fields.
He did more or less work for the Captain
for fourteen years and their dealings were
always of the most pleasant character, Mr.
Young ever retaining the highest regard for
the worthy Captain, who afterward sufi^ered
such heavy losses here. After the failure
of Captain Millett, Mr. Young went to Colo-
rado and spent one year in the employ of
D. B. Powers, one of the first as well as one
of the most exteijsive cattle men of Kansas.
While in that state his family remained upon
the home place in order to care for the prop-
erty. After his return Mr. Young contin-
ued the development of his homestead, there
engaging in farming and stock-raising until
1898, when he disposed of his land and pur-
chased his present home on section 11,
township 16, range 8. This was formerly a
well known sheep ranch and prior to that
was part of the old Fort Harker reservation.
Mr. Young has added excellent improve-
ments to the place and now has a good home,
supplied with substantial buildings and
equipped with all modern accessories and
conveniences for facilitating farm work and
84
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
making it profitable. He handles from three
ti ) four hundred head of cattle each year and
has an excellent reputation as a reliable
stock dealer.
In Alarch, 1866, occurred the marriage
of Air. Young and Miss Samantha Fer-
guson, a native of Cedar county, Missouri,
and a daughter of Judge John and Eme-
line (Patterson) Ferguson, both of whom
were natives of Virginia. Unto Mr. and
Airs. Young have been born two children:
Alaggie, the wife of Fred Baker, of Ells-
worth county, and Ella, who died at the age
of two years. They also' have an adopted
son. Bruce Powers, who came to them when
three years of age and now assists in the
cultivation of the home place. In his politi-
cal views Mr. Young is a Republican, and
for eight years he served on the school board
in his ofd neighborhood and has occupied a
similar position since coming to his present
home. Socially he is a member of Charity
Lodge. No. 109, I. O. O. F., and also be-
longs to the Daughters of Rebekah. Com-
ing to Kansas in pioneer days, he has
watched with interest through the passing
years its development and progress and has
borne his part in its substantial upbuilding.
He is known as one of its reliable and pro-
gressive citizens and a man whose example
is well worthv of anulation.
S. C. MILLIGAN.
There has been no more valuable or im-
portant element in our national citizenship
than that furnished by Ireland. From the
green island of Erin have come men of
versatility and determination, ready and
willing to take up any honorable occupation
that would yield success and provide a com-
fortable living for themselves and their fam-
ilies. Of such a nationality came the an-
cestors of our subject. His paternal grand-
parents, Mr. and Airs. Robert Milligan,
cri -seil the Atlantic from Ireland, locating
in Jefferson county, Ohio, and thence re-
moving to Guernsey county, where they
spent their remaining days. At the time of
their emigration their son Thomas was but
a youth. He was born in the northern part
of the Emerald isle and in the Buckeye state
was reared to farm life. Ha\-ing arrived at
years of maturity he wedded Alary Camp-
bell, who was born in Pennsylvania, of
Scotch-Irish parentage, her father and
mother having been natives of northern Ire-
land, whence they came to the United States,
spending their remaining days in Ohio. The
following children were born unto Thomas
and Alary Alilligan : Robert H. ; Jane ;
Joseph, who was a soldier in the Civil war ;
Nancy Isabelle : Thomas Clark : Sylvanus ;
Calvin ; Eliza K. ; and William C. The fa-
ther died in Ohio at the age of sixty-nine
years. Throughout his business career he
had carried on farming and was known for
his sterling honesty and many excellent
characteristics. In his political views he
[ was a stanch Republican, and both he and
his wife were devoted members of the United
Presbyterian church. Airs. Milligan passed
away at the age of eighty yfars, but her
memory was long afterwarcl enshrined in
the hearts of those who knew her.
S. C. Alilligan, whose name introduces
this record, spent his youth on his father's
farm in Guernsey county, Ohio, where his
birth occurred on the 2nd of January,
1848. His childhood days were passed in
the usual manner of lads of that period, the
duties of the school-room and the pleasures
of the play-ground claiming his attentii'n.
while during the summer months he worked
in the fields from the time he was old enough
to handle the plow. He was married at the
age of twenty-one to Aliss Elizabeth Con-
I nell, and since that t'vre she has been an
able helpmate to him on life's journey. She
was a native of Columbiana county, Ohio,
where she was reared and educated. Her
. parents, Alexander and Alary Jane Connell,
were residents of East Liverpool, Ohio. The
mother passed away on February 4, 1902,
and her husband followed her fifteen hours
later, she being eighty-eight years of age,
while he was in his ninetieth year. The fol-
lowing children have been born to Air. and
Airs. Alilligan, namely: Airs. Ella R. Bone,
of ^^■hite township, Kingman county; Em-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
85
ory C, who lives in the same township;
]\Iary Anima Hemphill, of Kingman coun-
ty; Anna Pearl, who has been one of the
successful and popular teachers of this local-
ity from the age of sixteen years; and
Harry C, who completes the family.
After his marriage Mr. Milligan contin-
ued his residence in Ohio until 1885, when
he came to the Sunflower state, and pur-
chased one hundred and sixty acres of land
on section 9, White township, Kinginan
county, where he has since lived. He built
a little house, fourteen by twenty feet, but
this has since been replaced by a commodi-
ous residence, tastefully furnished, and is
surrounnded by a good lawn adorned with
shade-trees, an orchard yields its fruit in
season and annually the fields return a
golden harvest for the care and labor that
have been bestowed upon them. By addi-
tional purchases Mr. IMilligan has extended
the boundaries of his farm until it now com-
prises two hundred and forty acres of val-
uable land. The farm is well supplied with
the many improvements that go to facilitate
agricultural work in the twentieth century,
and this property is a visible evidence of the
enterprise and the thrift of the owner. In
his political views Mr. Milligan is an advo-
cate of Republican principles, and has served
as justice of the peace. He belongs to the
United Presbyterian church of Pretty Prai-
rie, and his wife and two of the children are
identified with the same denomination, while
the other children belong to the United
Brethren church. Theirs is a Christian fam-
ily, in which high principles permeate the
conduct of the members of the household,
and throughout the community they are held
in high regard.
C. C. WHITE.
C. C. White is one of the well known
early settlers of Rice county who secured a
homestead here in 1872 and has since been
acti\-ely associated with the progress of this
portion of the Sunflower state. He was
born in Polk countv, ^Missouri, December
30, 1849, ^"d is a son of Captain William
White, whose birth occurred in Ohio. The
grandfather, James A\'hite, was a native of
New England, but removed to the Buckeye
state at an early period in its development,
and there the Captain was reared and edu-
cated, subsequently removing westward to
Missouri. At the time of the Mexican war
he served as a soldier in the regiment com-
manded liy ("dlonel Price, afterward the
noteil RelicI ( ieneral Price, of the Civil war.
In 1S40 Captain White crossed the plains
and ser\ed under General Fremont in th.e
western district, remaining a member of the
United States army in active service against
the Indians upon the frontier. His gallantry
and bravery won him promotion to the rank
of captain in a Missouri, company. A mem-
ber of the Union army during the war of
the rebellion, he was captured at Sjiringfield,
Missouri, and rnic nf the guards placed over
him \\a-> liis own liruther, who was then a
member of the Reljel army! Captain White
made a most brilliant record as a brave and
loyal soldier and a gallant officer, and his
own valor often inspired his men to deeds
of bravery. He has indeed a brilliant mili-
tary record, for in the Mexican war, upon
the plains of the west and as a defender of
the Union he aided his country. He now re-
sides at Halstead, Harvey county, Kansas.
He married Emma E. High, who was born
in Tennessee and was reared and educated
in Polk county, Missouri. Tliey became the
parents of the following children: C. C,
of this review : Sumner, who is living in
Halstead. Kansas: ^^'illiam, deceased; Mrs.
Fanny Wonds, of Rice county; Joseph, who
is living in Virg'inia ; Mrs. Ida Lehman, of
Halstead, Kansas; Mrs. Rose Chapin, who
died in Halstead; Mrs. Hattie Southard, of
Redlands, California. The father of this
family was a wool carder by trade and after-
ward de\'Oted his energies to farming when
not engaged in military service in behalf of
his country. He is now living retired at his
pleasant home in Halstead, at the age of
seventy-six years. His wife passed aAvay in
the winter of 1900. and her loss was mourned
by many friends, for she had' manty esti-
mable equalities which won her high regard.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
C. C. White of this review was reared in
]\Iontgomery county, Ihinois, and acquired
a good education, which has been supple-
mented by the knowledge gained by travel.
He has visited almost every state in the
Union, and is thus familiar with his native
land. In 1872 he came to Rice county, Kan-
sas, and took a homestead claim. During
the first season after his arrival he worked'
on the railroad. Upon his farm he built a
stone house and dugout and lived alone for
a time. During the greater part of the year
he engaged in hunting bufifaloes through-
out central Kansas, selling the hides, which
brought him a good return. Large herds
of those animals were seen in central Kan-
sas, sometimes a thousand being seen in one
drove. For three 3'ears Mr. White contin-
ued hunting and thus gained a good living.
He afterward turned his attention to the
development of his farm and erected thereon
a rock and frame residence, which stands
upon a natural building site and c'ommands
a fine view of the river and surrounding
prairie. None of the equipments of a model
farm are lacking. A fine orchard of twenty
acres yields its fruits in season. In addi-
tion to the development of the fields he is
operating a quarry, selling much rock. It is
this which has given the name of White
Rock Farm to his place.
In 1875 Mr. White returned to the east
and was there united in marriage to Miss
^lartha A. Kellar, who was born in Ma-
coupin county, Illinois, and was educated in
Litchfield, that state. Her father was the
Rev. J. W. Kellar, who for fifty years was a
minister of the Christian church, a most act-
ive and zealous worker in the cause of the
■Master. He died at Mt. Rose, Missouri, in
1898, and his wife, Mrs. Sarah Kellar also
passed away in that state. Unto our sub-
ject and his wife have been born four chil-
dren : Walter, whose birth occurred April
I, 1876; Laura, who married Menno Slo-
bach of McPherson county, Kansas; and
Ida. Tliey also lost one child in infancy.
Mr. White is a Republican in his political
views, and for twenty years he has served
on the school board. A man of intelligence,
he keeps well informed on the general is-
sues and questions of the day and is able to
suport his political position by strong
argument. His wife is a member of the
Christian church, and he advances every
measure for the uplifting of his fellow men
and the advancement of the best interests
of his community along lines of intellectual,
moral and material progress.
JOHN D. FORSYTH.
The record of Mr. Forsyth is that of a
man who has worked his way upward to a
position among the substantial men of the
community in which he lives. His life has
been one of industry and perseverance, and
the systematic and honorable methods he
has followed have won him the support and
confidence of many. He was born in De-
catur county, Indiana, on the 14th of July,
1837. His father, John S. Forsyth, was a
native of the old Bluegrass state, his birth
occurring in Louisville, on the 6th of Au-
gust, 1796. In an early day he removed to
Indiana, locating first in Decatur county and
afterward in Boone county, where he held
the office of sheriff for four j-ears. In the
fall of 1844 he took up his abode in Marion,
Linn county, Iowa, where he made his home
for two years, on the expiration of which
period he removed to Vinton, Benton coun-
ty, that state. In the latter place he served
as a justice of the peace for several years,
and for a period of four years was also a
county judge. The death of his wife there
occurred in 1850, and in 1876 he came tii
the Sunflower state, locating in Sumner
county. Mr. Forsyth was a stone mason
by trade, but after the birth of our subject
he did not follow that calling. In politics
he was first a Whig, and after the organiza-
tion of the Republican party he joined its
ranks. He became a member of the Chris-
tian church in his later years, and was an
active worker in the cause of religion and
temperance. In his social relations he was
connected with the Good Templars.
The marriage of Mr. Forsyth was cele-
brated in Kentucky, when Miss Jane ]\Ic-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
87
Coy became his wife. She was born in that
commonwealth, and her parents were both
natives of Scotland. The parents of Mr.
Fors}-th were born in Ireland. Unto John
S. and Jane (McCoy) Forsyth were born
the following children : Edwin P., who
was killed in the battle of Atlanta, July 22,
1864, while serving in the Thirteenth Iowa,
his enlistment having occurred in 1861, and
he had veteranized before his death ; Ana-
zett, who died in Wellington, Kansas ; Rob-
ert 'SI., a retired carpenter of Wellington,
having reached the age of eighty-two years;
Mary Ann, who died in Benton county,
Iowa ; Martha Jane, a twin of Nancy Ellen,
who died in Wellington, Kansas; Nancy
Ellen, wife of J. S. Epperson; David M.,
who died in Wisconsin ; Christina, who also
passed away in that state ; John ~D., the sub- '
ject of this review; and Lucretia, the wife
of S. B. Jones, who resides near. Hennes- 1
se}-, Oklahoma.
John D. Forsyth was only thirteen years
of age when his mother died, and for a time
thereafter he made his home with his broth-
er-in-law. When about seventeen or
eighteen years of age he began learning the
carpenter's trade, working first with Mr.
Douglas, a prominent contractor of that
vicinity, and was afterward with his broth-
er, who was also a carpenter by trade. Dur-
ing his youth he received but meager edu-
cational advantages, having only attended
school a short time in Benton county, Iowa.
On the 27th of March, 1859, in that county,
he was united in marriage to Lucinda M.
Jones, a native of Indiana and of Welsh
and German descent. She. was a daughter
of Hugh B. and Mary (Douglas) Jones.
After his marriage Mr. Forsyth temporarily
abandoned his trade, and from that time
until 1861 was engaged, in farming. On
the 7th of August of the latter year he en-
listed for service in the Civil war, joining
Company D, Eighth Iowa Infantry, and was
first sent to Springfield, Missouri, thence to
Sedalia, and from there to Pittsburg Land-
ing, participating in the battle of that city,
where he was under command of General
Lew Wallace. A part of ^\'allace■s com-
mand was sent to the assistance of General
Prentice, who was being severely handled,
and with others our subject was captured
while holding out against overwhelming
odds. He was taken to Tuscaloosa, Ala-
bama, where he was .incarcerated for ten
months, on the expiration of which period
he was paroled. In the fall of 1862 he was
exchanged and participated in the Vicks-
burg campaign, also in the battles of Ray-
mond and Jackson, Alississippi, and on the
22d of May, 1862, he was in charge of the
rebel works at Vicksburg, where he lay in
the trenches for thirty-two days, acting as a
sharpshooter. After the surrender of that
city he was sent to Black River, thence to
Jackson, Mississippi, participating in the
siege and capture of that city, and afterward
was in the battle of Brandon, ^ilississippi.
Returning to Vicksburg, he was sent from
there to Memphis, thence to Pocahontas,
and on the ist of January, 1864, veteran-
ized and was again sent to Vicksburg. At
this time Sherman had returned from his
memorable march to the sea, and with others
Mr. Forsyth was given a thirtv davs' fur-
lough and returned to his home. After his
leave of absence had expired he went to
Memphis, where he was engaged in doing
patrol duty for ten months, after which he
joined Canby at New Orleans and was with
him on his great expedition against Mobile.
After participating in the capture of Span-
ish Fort and Fort Blakely. ^Lv. Fursvth
was transferred to Canby's headquarters as
a guard, where he remained until August,
1865, and then joined his regiment at I\Iont-
gomery, Alabama, where he was promoted
to the position of first sergeant. At that
place he was given charge of the jail. Again
receiving a thirty days' furlough he went to
Davenport and from there to his home,
where he remained until he received a letter
to rejoin his regiment at Tuskegee, Ala-
bama, and from that point was sent to Sel-
ma, there remaining until 1866. At Selma
he was given charge of the government sta-
bles, and at that place he was mustered out
of senice on the 20th of April, 186G, with
the i-ank of sergeant and with a record of
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
nine hard-fought battles, tlhrty-two days
under hre at Vicksburg and thirteen days
under fire at Jackson, ^lississippi. During
his Ci.tire military career he was never
wounded.
After hostilities had ceased 'Mr. For-
syth returned to his home at Vintcn, Iowa,
where he was engaged in agricultural pur-
suits until 1878, and in that year, in com-
pany with his wife and six children, he made
the journey with a team and wagon to Kan-
sas, locating in Sumner county. He spent
seventeen years in that locality, during
which time he followed the carpenter's
trade, and was several times honored with
positions of public trust and responsibility,
having for two years served as deputy sher-
iff, one year as city marshal and two years
as constable. While there residing, on the
7th of May, 1894, he was called upon to
mourn the loss of his wife, and in tlie fol-
lowing year he removed to Kansas City,
where he followed his trade for one year.
In Lawrence, Kansas, he was a second time
married, choosing for his wife Carrie L.
Larry, who was born in Ohio and was S
dress-maker by trade. Soon after his mai-
riage Mr. Forsyth removed to Hutchinson,
where his wife owned the property in which
they now reside, and he sold his property in
Wellington. They have a commodious and
attractive residence here, surrounded by
beautiful and well kept grounds.
The union of our subject and wife has
been blessed with six children, as follows :
Olive, wife of T. T. Robinson, of Kansas
City ; Christina, wife of Frank E. Phelps, a
prominent farmer of \\'ewoka, Indian Ter-
ritory ; Grace, wife of E. R. Deyo, a plum-
ber of Wellington, Kansas; Marion E., a
cigar manufacturer of Newton, this state;
Mary E., wife of W. H. Hart, a machinist
of Ottawa ; and Nellie, wife of Henry Fehr.
a miner of Leadville, Colorado. Mr. For-
syth is a life-long Republican, and in his
social relations is a member of Joe Hooker
Post, No. 17, G. A. R., in which he served
for one year as chaplain. He is one of the
leading and substantial business men of
Hutchinson, and many of its finest public
buildings stand as monuments to his thrift
and ability, including the new opera-house.
A man of reliability, lie is held in the highest
confidence and esteem by his fellow citizens.
INSLEY L. DAYHOFF.
Few public officials in the state of Kan-
sas have displayed more enthusiasm, com-
bined with energy, than has Insley L. Day-
hoff, the popular and efficient superintendent
of the Reno county schools. Although young
in years he is a man of erudition, ambition
and business ability and the educational in-
terests of Reno county are in competent
hands.
The birth of Mr. Dayhoff occurred near
Worthington, Greene county, Indiana, on
October 17, 1867. The family is an old and
numerous one, eleven brothers having emi-
grated to America from the province of
Hofif, Germany, but are now scattered over
the United States, many of its members fill-
ing positions of prominence. It has always
been a family noted for its longevity also,
there being no record of any male member
of it dying before the age of seventy-five
years, while in occasional instances they have
reached and rounded out a century.
The father of our subject was George
W. Dayhoff, who was born in Indiana and
began the study of medicine, his education,
however, being interrupted by the outbreak
of the Civil war. He ser\'ed with marked
distinction during the entire period of that
desperate struggle, having been in over sixty
battles and skirmishes, often times in the
thickest of the battle. After serving his
country well he received an honorable dis-
charge after the "Grand Review" at Wash-
ington. After returning home from the war
he settled down on the farmi near the old
Scaffold Prairie homestead, near Worthing-
ton, Indiana. There he lived until 1S87,
when he moved to Kansas. In 1863 he was
married to Mary Amanda Johnston, at
Worthington. Four children were born of
this union that are now living: Insley L.,
EHa ]M., Tames Emmett and Lenora M. In
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
89
1876 his first wife died, and since that time
he was remarried and is now Hving at
Hondo, Texas.
The boyhood and early, youth of our sub-
ject were passed in Worthington, where he
graduated from the common school course
into the high school, and later became a stu-
dent in the Bloomfield Normal school, in
Greene county. From there he went to De
Pauw University, and still later to the Kan-
sas State Normal school, at Emporia. While
this closed his scholastic career, it by no
means completed his studies, for while Mr.
Dayhoff has enriched his mind far beyond
the average, he is of a class whose ambition
will continue to ever inspire him to efforts
for higher culture. Prior to removing from
Indiana he began what has since become a
life work, teaching his first school in his na-
tive state. On March 9, 1887, he reached
Hutchinson, Kansas, and immediately
ranged himself with the state educators,
teaching tw-o temis in Langdon and three in
Plevna, displaying such ability that in 1896
he was made county superintendent, and he
has had the honor of a third consecutive elec-
tion, this being an unusual occurrence. With
characteristic determination he immediately
began his onerous duties, which in this coun-
ty are exceptionally hard, there being one
hundred and fifty-seven districts and one
hundred and seventy-four schools outside of
the city schools. One hundred and seventy-
tmir teachers come under his supervision,
>ixty-seven of these being males and the
(jther sex numbering one hundred anxl seven,
the salaries ranging from thirty-five to sixty
dollars a month, aggregating from sixty-two
to sixty-three thousand dollars. With the
oth^r necessary outlay, the county expends
on her schools the sum of ninety-five thou-
sand dollars.
To visit these schools, as the law directs,
once every six months, compels much driv-
ing and in this work alone the conscientious
superintendent covers over four thousand
miles, aside from trips on the railroad. Mr.
Dayhoff keeps one hundred and seventy-four
reports, and the proper keeping of these and
the selection of teachers, with its attendant
social and business features, rec[uires not
only a great deal of physical but also mental
strain. When the reports of the entire num-
ber of people connected with this office are
taken into consideration, it will give some
idea of the duties of the office of county su-
perintendent in this state, as beside the num-
ber of teachers, there are four hundred and
eighty school offices, and all of the justices
of the peace report here as well. Since tak-
ing charge of this office hehas organized and
reorganized almost every department, and
now has all of the schools properly graded
and has had the satisfaction of graduating
three hundred and fifty-four pupils. He has
established the system of association work
and has advanced the standard of teachers'
examinations, resulting in a higher grade of
work given and required. Mr. Dayhoff has
had his heart in this work and has untir-
ingly pushed it to its present stage, finding
reward in the appreciation of his patrons.
Mr. Dayhoff has always been identified
with the Republican party and has been one
of the active workers fur its success. He has
been one of the delegates t<> the various con-
ventions and as he is gifted in oratory and is
always thoroughly posted in regard to all
issues, he is in great demand as a public
speaker. In the matter of his own election,
it has been a source of gratification to him
that his elections have been accomplished
with increased majorities, the first resulting
in a majority of three hundred and se^■enty-
six, the second by five hundred and eighty,
and the third by nine hundred and fifty-six.
The only one in this last election w'ho re-
ceived a greater number of votes was the
well known Judge Campbell.
On February 7, 1890, Mr. Dayhoff" was
united in marriage to Miss A. M. Bordeaux,
a daughter of R. D. Bordeaux, formerly of
this city but now a resident of Wichita, and
the three children born to this union are:
Lamar, Don Richard, and Helen Mossman.
The religious connection of the family is
with the :Methodist church. Socially 'Mr.
Daylioff' belongs to the iModern Woodmen,
the Odd Fellows, the A. F. & A. M.. the
Commercial Club and the Park .\ssociation.
•90
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
He has also been the president of the Central
Kansas State Teachers' Association, and for
the past fi\'e years has had' a place on the
state association program. A man of read-
ing, travel, culture and high attainment, his
life is a strenuous one, given to the advance-
ment and prosperity of his adopted state.
JOHN H. STOCKWELL.
John H. Stockwell, who has passed the
seventieth milestone on the journey of life,
is now an honored and respected resident of
Rice county, Kansas. A native of the Em-
pire state, he was born in Chenango county,
August 24, 1830, a son of Reuben Stock-
well, who was born in Connecticut. He died
when our subject was but sixteen months
old, and his wife, who waS' in her maiden-
hood a Miss Doran, was again married, and
her death occurred in 1844.
John H. Stockwell, the subject of this
review, was reared on his brother-in-law's
farm in Ohio from the age of ten years.
In the autumn of 1861, he enlisted for ser-
vice in the Civil war, becoming a member of
the Third Ohio Infantry, in which he served
fcr three years, when he was discharged on
account of disability. After regaining his
health he re-enlisted for service, in 1865, en-
tering the Eleventh Michigan Infantry, in
which he remained until the close of hostili-
ties. He was a brave and gallant soldier,,
and his war record is one of which he has
every reason to be proud. In 1853 Mr.
Stockwell was married, and later, in 1864,
he located with his family in southern Mich-
igan. In 1878 he took up his abode in Rush
county, Kansas, where he remained for live
years, and then located in Rice county. After
spending a few months in that locality they
came to the city of Sterling, where he has
since made his home. Fourteen years ago,
on the 9th of September, 1886, he was
stricken with paralysis, and this caused him
to lose his hearing and his speech, but since
that time he has been free from chronic
diarrhoea, with which he was troubled for
years. His illness has been a long and ter-
rible affliction to him and to his faithful
wife, who has been closely confined to his
care for the past fourteen years. They have
learned the mute language and are now able
to converse rapidly and intelligently. He is
also unable to walk and has to be assisted
from his bed to a locomotive chair, in which
he wheels himself about the house and on
the streets. He now receives a pension of
seventy-two dollars a month.
In Williams county, Ohio, on the 2d of
January, 1853, Mr. Stockwell was united in
marriage with Miss Lydia P. Palmer, who
was born in Jefiferson county, New York.
By the death of her mother she was left an
orphan at the early age of fourteen years,
and from that time until her marriage she
was obliged to make her own way in the
world. She has indeed proved to her hus-
band a true and loving companion for the
journey of life. Their union has been
blessed with eleven children, eight of whom
grew to years of maturity and are still liv-
ing. They also have twenty-three grand-
children and four great-grandchildren. Mr.
and ]\Irs. Stockwell are zealous members of
the United Brethren church, and socially he
is a member of the Grand Army of the Re-
public. His political support is given to the
Republican party. He has ever borne his
sufferings with Christian fortitude, and his
life is a beautiful example of patience and
perseverance.
JOSEPH E. PARK.
\\'idely known in Rice county and In
other portions of central Kansas, Joseph
Ebenezer Park well deserves mention among
the leading representatives of agricultural
interests in this portion of the state. He was
born in Ford county. Illinois, January 31,
1863. His father, Thomas Park, was a na-
tive of Jefferson county, Indiana, born in
18 19, and the family is of Scotch descent,
the grandfather. William Park, having come
from Scotland to America. By trade he
was a stone mason and followed that pur-
suit for some time but afterward turned his
attention to farming. In his native land he
married Jane Anderson, and in 1821 he
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
crossed the Atlantic bringing with him his
wife and two children. They were then in
moderate circumstances. He l« Unwed his
trade until his sons were grown and then
cleared and improved a farm in the midst of
the dense forest. He had one hundred and
sixty acres and became well-to-do, but his
children started' out upon business careers
for themselves without his financial aid.
They had seven sons and two daughters and
all married with the exception of the young-
est son. Three of the sons settled in Jeffer-
son county, Indiana ; one daughter became a
resident of Atchison county, Kansas, and
Thomas also came to Kansas. One daugh-
ter is now living in Vermilion county, Illi-
nois, and has two sons and a daughter —
John, wliO' is living in Vermilion- county
as is the daughter, while the other son,
\\'illiam, is now in Nebraska or Idaho. The
paternal grandmother of our subject died
about 1867, in the sixtieth year of her age,
and the grandfather, surviving her about
nine years, passed away in his seventieth
year.
Thomas Park, the father of our subject,
was reared in the Mississippi valley and
after arriving at years of maturity was mar-
ried in Jefferson county. Indiana, Decem-
ber 28, 1842, to Miss Jane M. Mann, who
was born in Nova Scotia in 1824, and was
then nineteen years of age. She is still liv-
ing, in her seventieth year. Mr. Park, how-
ever, passed away on his farm near Ster-
ling, Kansas, in 1900, at the age of eighty-
one years. She is a daughter of Jabez and
Mary (Jimmerson) Mann, both of whom
were natives of Scotland and came to the
new world in a sailing vessel, the former in
1822, the latter in 1823. Mrs. Mann was
six weeks; upon the ocean. They had five
sons and four daughters, of whom three
daughters and two sons married. I\Irs.
Park, the seventh in order of birth, is now
the only siu'vivor. Her brother, Andrew
Mann, was very wealthy, making the most
of his money in farming in Jefiferson county.
Indiana. In 1880 he came to Kansas and
died in Sterling in 1884, in the sixtieth
year of his age. His wife had previmisly
died in Sterling, and as he had no children
he left most of his money to his sister, Airs.
Park. Her uncle. Ebenezer Mann, was in
the army for aboiit one year during the war
of the Rebellion and^ died of consumption,
having contracted the origin of the disease
while at the front. Mrs. Mann, the mother
of Mrs. Park, died in Indiana, about 1875,
wdren eighty-two years of age, and Mr.
Mann passed away about ten years later,
when eighty-nine years of age.
After their marriage Mr. and ]\lrs.
Thomas Park settled upon his small farm
in Indiana where they lived for three years,
and then removed to Laporte, that state,
where the father carried on agricultural pur-
suits for eight years. In 1853 he went with
his family to Boone county. Iowa. For two
years he conductedi a sawmill there and then
returned to Kankakee county, Illinois, where
he was a tenant fanner for six years. On
the expiration of that period he went to
Paxton, Ford county, Illinois, thence to
Vennilion county, that state, and afterward
came tO' Kansas, settling upon a claim in
Kingman county. Eventually he came to
Rice county, where he spent his remaining
days and where his widow is still residing.
They were among the most highly respected
citizens of the community, their sterling
worth of character winning them warm
friendship. They had seven children. fi\-e
sons and two daughters : James Andrew,
the eldest, served in the Union army during
the Civil war for more than a year and was
held as a prisoner at Belle Isle from Janu-
ary until March. He was then paroled but
died in the hospital at Annapolis. ^Maryland^
in 1864, at the age of nineteen years, his
remains being interred there. William, the
second of the family, is a farmer of Jeffer-
son cornty. Indiana, and is married and has
five children. Thomas A., who is living in
Hartshorn in the Indian Territory, has three
children. King A. died in Kankakee coun-
ty, Illinois, at the age of ten years ; Mary J.
is the wife of Henry Lakey, of Kingman
county. Kansas, and has three children. Mar-
garet is the wife of W. R. Carter, of Ster-
ling, and has four children. Joseph, of this
review, is the yormgest of the family.
During the first nine vears of his life
92
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Joseph Patk was a resident of Illinois and
then acco:rpanied nis parents on their re- i
moval to Kingman county, Kansas, in 1872, ■
while in 1878 he came with them to Rice j
county. The father .purchased a hundred
and sixty acres of land a mile south' of Ster-
ling and there carried on general farming |
until his death, our subject assisting him as j
his age and strength would permit. He re-
mained at heme most of the time until his
marriage, which occurred on the 22d of De-
cember, 1889, the lady of his choice being
INIiss Annie Schlazer, who was born in
Cle\-eland, Ohio. Her parents, Jacob and
Barbara (Alher) Schlazer, now reside about j
eleven miles from Sterling. They emigrated
from Germany to Ohio, settling in Cuya-
hoga county, and in 1873 tl''cy came to Kan- 1
sas. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Park have been |
born two children: Ralph Herbert, born {
October 12, 1893, and Elsie Maud, born
February 2, 1898. ■
For two years after his marriage Mr.
Park resided upon the old home farm and
then came to his present place of residence on
section 16, Washington township, where he'
purchased one hundred and sixty acres in
1897. He carries on general farming, rais-
ing the cereals best adapted to the soil and
climate. He is also a carpenter and builder
and a tinner and can construct a house en-
tire from the cellar to the roof. He has
built several residences and barns in this lo-
cality which are monuments to his enter-
prise and business versatility. On his farm
he grows wheat, having about sixty-five
acres planted to this crop, yielding about
twenty bushels to the acre, while the corn
yields abi -ut forty Inishels to the acre. He
also raise- SMme cattle and is now carrj-ing
on a prMiitalilc business. His political pref-
erence is for Republican men and measures.
He has served for two years as justice of the
peace and is now assessor of Washington
township, having been elected in 1900. He
and his wife are members of the United
Presbyterian church, in which he sen-ed as
trustee and in its work are actively inter-
ested. They have many friends, for their |
characteristics are such as everywhere com- '
mand confidence and good will. ,;
JOSEPH LATSHAW.
The unostentatious routine of private
life, although of vast importance to the wel-
fare of the community, has not figured to
any great extent in the pages of history.
But the names of men who have distin-
guished themselves by the possession of
those qualities of character which mainly
contribute to the success of private life and
to the public stability, and who have en-
joyed the respect and confidence of those
around them, should not be permitted to per-
ish. Their example is more valuable to the
majority of readers than that of heroes,
statesmen and writers, as they furnish means
of subsistence for the multitude whom they
in their useful careers have emph yed. Such
are the thoughts that involuntarily come to
our minds when we consider the life of him
whose name initiates this sketch. He is en-
gaged in dealing in grain and coal in Ells-
worth, where an extensive business attests
his executive ability, his enterprise and his
determined purpose.
Mr. Latshaw is a native of Canada, his
birth having occurred near Paris, on Grand
River. The family is of French lineage and
was founded in America by Joseph Latshaw,
the grandfather of our subject, who took up
his abode in Pennsylvania, where occurred
the birth of Samuel Latshaw, the father of
Joseph. The latter was a lad of twelve sum-
mers when with his parents he removed to
Canada, there spending hjs remaining days,
his time and attention being devoted to agri-
cultural pursuits. He held membership in
the Baptist church, took a very active part
in its work and frecjuently ser\-ed in a church
office. He married Cynthia Xellis. and they
became the parents of six children : John,
who is engaged in the grain busness in Dur-
ance, Kansas; Joseph, of this review^; Mary;
Maria; Edwin, who is a box manufacturer
at Winston, Wisconsin ; and Alexander, who
is living in Los Angeles, California. The
father died at the age of forty-six years, but
the mother is still living and now makes her
home with her son, Joseph, in Wilson.
In the public schools Joseph Latshaw
pursued his education until it became neces-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
93
sary for him to assume the management of
the home farm upon his father's death. He
was then only thirteen years of age, and he
and his brother took charge of the property
and carried on the work of the fields. He
remained with his mother until iS^S, when
he went to Kansas City and with his brother
emlaarked in the dain,- business. Later they
operated an elevator there, but lost most of
their earnings througli fire in the fall of
1S73. ^^1'- Latshaw of this review then em-
barked in the grain business in this county.
He was first at Perryville, his brother at
that time being connected with the grain
trade in Wilson. Mr. Latshaw remained at
Perryville for eighteen months and' then
came to Wilson, where he has since resided.
The brothers erected an elevator east of the
depot, but in 1885 removed it to its present
location. In 1884 Ed and Alexander Lat-
shaw purchased the mill in Wilson, and
since that time our subject has carried on
the grain business alone. He has been very
successful in the enterprise, making large
purchases and sales. He has shipped as
hig"h as four or five hundred car loads of
grain in a year. His elevator has a capacity
of twelve thousand barrels and was built so
as to handle large ciuantities of grain in a
short time. It is well equiiiped fur this pur-
pose, having two (h"i\-e-ways and a Ijjdwer
to blow the grain in the cars, which sends
it to the further end of the cars witlnjut
shoveling. The engine, located in a sepa-
rate engine room, is a new one, of twenty-
horse power. The arrangements are so
complete and perfect that forty-five hundred
barrels of grain can be handled dailw ]\Ir.
Latshaw is tlie leading grain merchant 'in
this portion of the county, and his lousiness
affords a market inv the farmers as well as
proving a source of re\'eiuie to himself. In
1900 he also began dealing in cual, handling
the product from lioth the eastern and west-
ern coal fields. He is likewise interested in
mining in Arkansas, and is one of ten men
who own a tract of land of nine hundred
and sixty acres, another of eighty acres and
a third of forty acres. These are underlaid
with rich coal fields and are promising prop-
erties.
Mr. Latshaw exercises his right of fran-
chise in support of the men and measures of
the Republican party and is a stanch advo-
cate of its principles. He belongs to the
Masonic fraternity and has attained the
Thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite
in Wichita Consistory, No. 2, S. P. R. S.
He is also connected with the Eastern Star
and with the Knights and Ladies of Secur-
ity. He aided in organizing the Presby-
terian church of Wilson and attends its ser-
vices. As a citizen he is public-spirited and
progressive, witlihi ilding his support from
no measure that is intemled toi prove of gen-
eral good. His life record stands as an ex-
emplification of the opportunities afforded
young men in America, where ambition and
energy are not hampered by caste or class.
He has worked his way up\\ard, placing his
dependence upon the reliable qualities of la-
bor when guided by sound judginent. and
his efforts have resulted in winning for him
a place among the substantial citizens of his
adopted county.
JOHN W. BARD WELL.
The subject of this review is a well
known farmer of Kingman county, whose
skill and* ability in his chosen calling are
plainly manifest in tlie well tilled fields and
neat and thrifty appearance of his place. He
was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 17,
1853, and is a son of Seth and Talitha
(Woolen) Bardwell. The father was born
on the /th of September, 1800, and his
death occurred on the i6th of March, 1876.
He was first married November 8, 1821, to
Nancy Jones, who was born February 25,
1803, and died on the 30th of June, 1825.
On the 5th of February. 1831, the father
was again married, Talitha Woolen becom-
ing his wife. She was born September i,
1812, and cHed April 21, 1899. She accom-
panied our subject on his removal to Kan-
sas, and for twenty years she made her home
with him in this state.
Seth Bardwell. a carnenter and builder
by occupation, located in Indianapolis, In-
94
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
diana, when it was but a small village, pur-
chasing the first town lot ever sold there and
also erected one of the first hotels of the
town, known as the Indiana House, which
he conducted on Market street for several
years. He also erected the first brick resi-
dence in the town. In 1857, however, he
left his Indiana home for Missouri, where
he purchased a farm near the city of Cali-
fornia, and for a time was there engaged in
farming and stock-raising, but finally re-
turned to Indianapolis. After remaining at
his old home but a short time he located in
Jasper county, Indiana, where for ten years
he was engaged in the tilling of the soil, and
on the expiration of that period located in
Clermont, Indiana, there spending the re-
mainder of his life. He was a prominent
factor in the early history of Indianapolis,
where he became an extensive landed pro-
prietor. While residing in Missouri the
Civil war broke out, and, being an ardent
Republican and abolitionist, Mr. Bardwell
was compelled to leave the state and was
thus obliged to dispose of his property there
at a great sacrifice. Religiouslv he was
prominently identified with the early history
of the Christian church in both Indiana and
Missoiu-i, and was ever an active worker in
the cause of Christianity. By his first mar-
riage he became the father of one son. Nel-
son, who was born November 14, 1824. By
his second' union he had ten children, name-
ly: John L., who was born on the 6th of
July, 1833, 'I'ld died September 9, 1834;
Clarissa, who was born July 13, 1835, and
was first married to Joseph Sanborn, after-
ward becoming the wife of James Bice, and
both are now deceased ; Thomas J., who was
born August 15, 1837, and is a painter in
Cincinnati, Ohio; Seth W.j.born October 15,
1840, and is a resident of Eureka Springs,
Kansas: Ellen, who was born December 18,
1843, and was first married to Barnum B.
Pafif, afterward becoming the wife of D. C.
Tavlor, of Rensselaer, Indiana; Henry C,
who was born January 9, 1844, and makes
his home in Kansas City; MalvinaC., who
was born January 3. i84r). and is the wife
of H. Graves, of Wichita ; Azubah, who
was born on the 7th of September, 1848, and
is the widow of D. Duval and a resident of
Denver, Colorado; Emma H., who was born
December 30, 185 1, and is the wife of Nel-
son Button, also of Colorado; and John W.,
the subject of this review.
The latter was only four years of age
when he was taken by his parents to Alis-
souri, and he can vividly recall the troublous
days incident to the Civil war. In the fall
of 1859, when seven years of age, the family
returned to Indianapolis, and shortly after-
ward he accompanied them on their removal
to Jasper county, his education having been
received in the common schools of the dif-
ferent localities in wdiich he resided. . When
twenty-O'ue years of age he became the real
head of the household, remaining under the
parental roof until April 7, 1880, wdien he
located in Kingman county, Kansas, and im-
} mediately pre-empted his present homestead.
One hundred and twenty acres of his land is
under an excellent state of cultivation and
he also' farms one hundred and sixty acres
of rented land and' in his pastures may be
seen an excellent grade of stock. The first
dwelling which he occupied after coming to
this state now forms a part of his present
residence, which is a commodious and well
built structure.
Mr. Bardwell was married on the 25th
of May, 1886, at Lecompton, Kansas, to
Miss Jennie Lawrence. She is a native
daughter of the Sunflower state, her birth
having occurred in Douglas county, and she
is a daughter of Joseph K. and Helen Law-
rence. She was reared in the county of her
nativity and received an excellent education
in Lane University, of Lecompton. This
union has been blessed with six children, —
Mabel, Nelson, Ira, Seth, Lucy and Walter.
In political matters Mr. Bardwell gives an
unfaltering support to the Republican party.
For three terms he served as clerk of his
township and he assisted in the organiza-
tion of school district No. 69, of which he
has since served as clerk and treasurer, hav-
ing held the latter office for the past seven
years. He also bears the distinction of hav-
ing secured the establishment of the first
rural mail route of Kingman county, desig-
nated as route No. i. He circulated the pe-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
95
tition and througli the assistance oi Post-
master Harlow, of Kingman, the route was
granted, and Mr. Bardwell was ' appointed
carrier, tlie first deUvery being made
on the 1st of August, 1901. The route now
covers a distance oi twenty-six miles, ex-
tending into Reno county,' and at the pres-
ent time contains sixty-two boxes. Mrs.
Bardwell is the assistant carrier, and much
of the time, when the weather permits,
makes the delivery, probably being the only
lady carrier in the west. She is a member
of the United Brethren church, and has long
served as superintendent O'f the Sunday-
school. In his social relations Mr. Bardwell
is a member of the Ancient Order of United
Workmen, of Kingman.
WILLIAM FITZPATRICK.
The farming interests of Sterling town-
ship, Rice county, were well represented by
William Fitzpatrick, who resided' on section
19, where in 1877 he purchased a quarter
section of land for fifteen hundred dollars.
This has many times increased in value
since he took possession of it, for the place
was then a tract of raw prairie, not a fur-
row having been turned or an improvement
made. There were many wild geese and
prairie chickens in the neighborhood and the
successful hunter could thus supply his table
with game. The work of progress and im-
provement was in its incipiency, but it has j
been carried steadily forward by the enter-
prising and resolute pioneer settlers, among
which number was ]Mr. Fitzpatrick.
Our subject was born at Conneautville,
Crawford county. Pennsylvania, October 16,
1840. His father. John Fitzpatrick. was
born prior to 1800. a native of Ireland,
whence he came to the new world when a
young man. The voyage across the Atlantic
consumed seven •\\-eeks and he landed at
Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was a laborer
and worked on the capitol grounds at Wash-
ington, D. C, for some time. About 1837
he was married, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania,
and he became the father of three children.
He died in Erie, Pennsylvania, January 21,
1857. The childi-en were: John, who was
born in Pittsburg, July 18, 1839, and died in
Youngstown, Ohio, October 27, 1870, leav-
ing three children : William, of this review ;
and James, who was a soldier in the Civil
war and was killed Mav jS, \X(^, at Dallas,
Georgia, while in lii^ second year's service.
Our subject and his brother buth enlisted on
the 14th of August, 1862, at Aurora, Ohio,
becoming mienibers of Company D, One
Hundred and Fourth Ohio Infantry. James
was promoted to the rank of corporal and
after serving for two years vv-as accidentally
killed by a ball, which struck him in the
head. An Ohio paper, the Portage City
Democrat, had a long article in which it
paid him a high and just tribute. It read :
"J. P. Fitzpatrick was a young man who
possessed the qualities and qualifications of
a true soldier and those that rendered life
happy and won friendship. He was manly,
honest and upright, of good habits and in-
dustrious and with a good share of native
talents, which he cultivated with care, ren-
dering him worthy of the best society, and
such he always chose. Of Irish descent, he
possessed warm, affectionate, genial traits
so characteristic of that nation and people.
A typical soldier, he perfomied his duties
most promptly and enthusiastically. Though
warmly attached to his mother and his home
he went forth to fight for the nation, nor
did he ask for furloughs or accept any, but
he was eagerly anticipating his return in
honor to his dear ones, but the day was not
to come, and on that fatal 28tli of May,
1864, he was among the slain with his no-
ble Captain McHorton, both shot through
the head by sharpshooters. 'What will be-
come of mother now' was the burden of his
dying breath, but he was not afraid to die,
and thus a noble soldier's career came to an
end."
William Fitzpatrick, the subject of this
review, served for nearly three years or until
the 1st of July, 1865, and was mustered out
with the rank of sergeant. He was spared,
although his comrades fell thick around him,
including his brother and his captain. The
remains of his brother were embalmed and
96
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
buried there, but they have since been trans-
ferred to Erie, Pennsylvania, and now rest
by the side of his parents. The father be-
came a raih'oad contractor in New York,
Pennsylvania and Ohio, taking contracts for
the construction of from eight to twelve
miles at a time. He was very successful iri
his business, but he ultimately lost heavily
through investment in the Clinton Air Line
Railroad. His death occurred in 1857 and
his wife sur\ived him a number of years,
passing away in 1873.
At the time of the father's death Will-
iam Fitzpatrick began to earn his own live-
lihood, securing a situation as a farm hand,
and for seventeen years he was an overseer
on an estate of fourteen hundred acres.
Coming to Kansas in 1877, he purchased
one hundred and sixty acres of land on sec-
tion 19, Sterling township. Rice county, and
with characteristic energy beg^n the im-
provement of a farm of his own. He erec-
ted all nf the liuildings upon the place, and
some of them have been built a second time,
as the first lot were destroyed in a wind
storm. He owned six hundred and fifty
acres, divided in three farms, but nearly all
in one body. He raised from one to two
tlicusand bushels of wheat each )-ear and
held over about four thousand bushels. He
kept from fifty to one hundred and seventy
head of cattle and ten head of horses, whicli
were used in working the farm. He fed
and shipped his nwn st( ^ck and was one of
the few farmers engaged in the raising of
sheep in this locality, having a fine flock of
Shropshire. Everything about the place is
neat and thrifty in appearance and indicates
his careful supervision. He was widely
known as an enterprising and progressive
farmer and his own eft'orts were the secret
of his success.
In 1883, in \\'ooster, Wayne county,
Ohio, Mr. Fitzpatrick was united in mar-
riage to Miss Kate Wirt, a most estimable
lady, who has indeed proved to him a faith-
ful companion and helpmate on the journey
of life. She is a native of Ohio and a daugh-
ter of John and Luretta (Dresser) Wirt,
both of whom were natives of Germany. In
his social relations Mr. Fitzpatrick was con-
nected with the Grand Army of the Repub-
lic, and politically he was a Republican. He
was reared in the Catholic faith and his wife
is a member of the Lutheran church. He
was a man of sterling worth, widely and fa-
vorably known, his circle of friends being
almost co-extensive with his circle of ac-
quaintances. To Mr. and Mrs. Fitzpatrick
were born three children: Carl, deceased;
Carl W'illiam and Jay John.
Mr. Fitzpatrick died at his home near
Sterling, April 7, 1902, at 4:15 a. m., aged
sixty-one years, five months and twenty-two
davs.
EMMETT HUTTOX.
Emmett Hutton, a young man of super-
ior business ability and executive force,
whose labors are bringing to him creditable
and gratifying success in industrial circles,
was born in Bedford county, Tennessee. De-
cember I, 1866. His father, George D. Hut-
ton, was a native of Virginia and removed
thence to Tennessee, where he was united
in marriage to Mrs. Whiteside, a widow and
the mother of Houston Whiteside, one of the
representative citizens of central Kansas.
Three children were born unto Mr. and Mrs.
Huttnn : Samuel, who is in the office of H.
^\"hitesi(le: Emmett: and Leota, the wife of
Dr. J. L. Conn, of Hutchinson.
In the schools of his native state Emmett
Hutton pursued his education and when
twenty years of age came to Kansas. For a
short time he was connected with the lumber
trade and for three years he was employed
in the postofhce, after which he became in-
terested in the laundry business and as the
senior member of the firm of Hutton & Os-
wald, proprietors of the American Steam
Laundry, he has a wide acquaintance and a
very large business, whose profitable return
has placed him among the substantial citi-
zens of the county.
On the 25th of October, 1899, Mr. Hut-
ton was united in marriage to Miss Lottie
Bay, a daughter of C. M. Bay, a resident
farmer of Reno countv. He has remodeled
FOUR GENERATIONS OF THE OSWALD FAMILY.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
97
their home, which is situated at No. 320
east Sherman street, and is now one of the
attractive residences of the city, one of its
most delightful features being the warm-
hearted hospitality which pervades the
place. In his political views Mr. Hutton is
a Democrat, but the honors or emoluments
of office have no attraction for him and he
desires to give his entire attention to his
business affairs, which he is managing so
successfully. Socially he is connected with
Byron Lodge, No. 197, Jv. P.; Hutchinson
Camp, No. 506, M. W. A. ; and Hutchinson
Lodge. No. 433. B. P. O. E. He is widely
known and popular in the city where he has
resided throughout the period of his man-
Imod, and his friends are almost as manv as
his acquaintances.
CHARLEY W. OS\\'ALD.
A native of Ohio, Charley A\'. Oswald
was born in W'ooster, \\'a}-ne county, No-
vember 3, 1867, a son of Anthony and Ma-
ria (Ewing) Oswald. The family was
founded in Pennsylvania during the early
settlement of that state, the ancestors of our
subject joining a colony that became active
in the pioneer de\'eIopment there. In the
'30s William Oswald, the grandfather of our
subject, removed from Pennsylvania to
Ohio and became identified with its pioneer
interests. He has since been a witness of the
progress made by the state and has borne his
part in the work of improvement in his local-
ity. He has never been ill a day in his life
and is still living at the advanced age of
eighty-five years. For fifty years he en-
gaged in the manufacture of boots and
shoes. Anthony Oswald, the father of our
subject, was I»rn in Wayne county, Ohio,
and during much of his life has engaged in
speculation and in dealing in real estate,
while to some extent he has followed farm-
ing. In 1877 he came to Kansas and for
twenty years resided in Reno county, after
which he removed to Texas. He is now liv-
ing in Beaumont, that state, and is interested
in the oil business.
When a lad of ten years Charley Oswald
accompanied his parents to Kansas and here
entered the public schools, being graduated
in the high school of Hutchinson, in the
class of 1885. For two years he engaged in
teaching school in this county, after which
he entered the postoffice and was the first
letter carrier appointed to the position in
Hutchinson. He served in that capacity for
three years, when a change of administra-
tion caused his removal from the office and
he entered into partnership with Emmett
Hutton as priipn'etor of the American Steam
Laundry, which they have made a very prof-
itable investment, its business having
reached an immense volume.
On the 25th of May, 1896, was celebrat-
ed the marriage of Mr. Oswald and Miss
Myrtle Lewis, a daughter of S. C. Lewis,
and they have two children : Anthony Lewis
and Charley ^^'alIace. Tbeirs is one of the
fine residences on Ninth avenue west, located
at No. 301. In his political affiliations Mr.
Oswald has always been an active Democrat
and for the last ten years has been actively
connected with the organization of that party
in Reno county. For three years he has
been chairman of the Reno county central
committee, and he was sergeant-at-arms in
the national Democratic convention at Kan-
sas City in July, 1900. W'hh many fraternal
and social organizations he is alsn crinnected.
holding memberslii]> in Reno Lodge, No.
140. F. & A. ^I.: Rcnn Chapter. No. 34.
R. A. M. : Hutchinson Council. Xo. iv"^R.
& S. M. ; Reno Commandery. Nn. 26. K. T..
and to the order of the Eastern Star, the la-
dies' branch of ]Masi:nry. his wife belongs.
He also has mcniliersiii]) relations with
Hutchinson Lodge. No. 433, Benevolent and
Protective Order nf Elks.' and both Mr. and
Mrs. Oswald attend the services of the
Methodist church. His life reci rd is an ex-
cellent example of the opportunities that are
afforded young men in the new world and of
the success that can be achieved by deter-
mined purpose and unflag'ging energy — for
therein lies the secret of the prosperity
which has attended our subject in his busi-
ness career.
98
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
At a family reunion of the Oswald fam-
ily recently held in Wooster one of the
most pleasant events was the taking
of a photograph of four generations.
In this group each 'one is the eldest
son of each family, namely: Will-
iam Oswald, aged eighty-six years, of Lodi,
eldest son of the pioneer, George Oswald;
Anthony Oswald, aged fifty-six years, of
Beaumont, Texas, eldest son of William Os-
wald; Charley W. O'swald, aged thirty -five
years, of Hutchinson, eldest son of An-
thony Oswald; and Anthony L. Os-
wald, aged three years, eld>;st son of Charley
W. Oswald. It is a fine family picture,
from great-grandfather to great-grand-
son, covering a period of eighty-six
years and representing an old and highly re-
garded family, second to none in the annals
of esteem and good reputation in all respects.
DR. JAY DUNHAM.
In the methods of the treatment of, dis-
ease great progress has been made in recent
years ; study and investigation have brought
forth new rules of procedure in the treat-
ment of the sick and science has made rapid
strides. Dr. Dunham is among the younger
physicians now engaged in the practice of
osteopathy, being a graduate of the School
of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Missouri, in the
class of 1899.
He was born in Knox county, Missouri,
near the town of Edina, in October, 1872,
and is a son of James G. and Edwilda
(Pugh) Dunham, "the latter a daughter of
Jacob Pugh, a prominent citizen and early
pioneer settler of Knox county. She was
reared and educated at Edina, and the Doc-
tor's parents are both well and favorably
known in that portion of the state. The
father is a farmer by occupation and in fol-
lowing that pursuit has provided a comfort-
able living for his family. His children are :
Jay, of this review; Joseph; Catherine, who
is engaged in teaching; Bruce; Nora; Ber-
tha; and James. Mr. Dunham exercises his
right of franchise in support of the men and
measures of the Republican party, and both
he and his wife are consistent Christian peo-
ple, holding membership in the Methodist
Episcopal church.
Dr. Dunham was reared near Hurdland,
Knox county, Missouri, and after acquiring
a good literary education in the public
schools he began preparation for the medical •
profession, and, believing in the methods of
practice promulgated by the school of osteo-
pathy, he entered the institution at Kirks-
ville, there completing the course, being
graduated in the class of 1899. In his chosen
profession he has been successful, effecting
many cures among his patients, thus gain-
ing a merited reputation for skill and abil-
ity. He is a close student and his compre-
hensive knowledge, combined with sound
judgment, has made his efforts of great
avail.
The Doctor is a member of the Knights
of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United
Workmen and also holds membership in the
Methodist Episcopal church. His unfailing
courtesy and his genial and unassuming
manner make him popular in the commun-
ity in which he is now located and he has
many friends, both in the county of his na-
ti\-itv and the county of his adoption.
AIARK ^\■ARRELL.
An honored resident of the Sunttower
state for the past eighteen years, Mark War-
rell is entitled to a prominent place in the
annals of Kingman county. He was born
in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1850, a son
of John and Nancy (Heaton) Warrell, both
natives of Ohio. The mother passed away
in death when her son Mark was but a babe,
leaving six children, only two of whom are
now living, the brother of our subject being-
Isaac, a resident of Howard county, Ne-
braska. The father died when our subject
was thirteen years of age, in his fifty-second
year. He followed the tilling of the soil as
a life occupation, was a Democrat in his po-
litical views, and was honored and respected
bv all with whom he came in contact.
]\Iark Warrell was left an orphan at an
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
99
early age, and his youth and early manhood
were spent on a farm in Ohio, the educa-
tional privileges which he enjoyed being
those afforded by the common schools of his
locality. From a very early age he was
obliged to make his own way in the world,
and the high position which he now occu-
pies in tile business world is due entirely to
his unremitting toil, his perseverance and his
close attention to duty. In 1883 ^^^ removed
from the Buckeye state to Kansas, taking up
his abode on a farm in Dale township, where
he made his home until 1893. •'■" ^^^^ J^^^
he came to the farm which is yet his home,
where he owns a tract of two hundred and
forty acres of excellent and well improved
land, and here he is extensi\'ely engaged in
farming and stock-raising.
In 1 87 1 Susan Wilson became the bride
of ]\Ir. Warrell. She was born near Ed-
wardsville, Madison county, Illinois, and is
a daughter of William and Agnes Wilson,
both natives of Scotland. The father has
passed to his final rest, but the mother is
still living and now makes her home with
our subject. Unto this worthy couple were
born six children, four of whom are living,
namely : James, Susan, William and Peter.
Eight children, five sons and three daugh-
ters, have been born unto the union of Mr.
and Mrs. Warrell, — John W., James Ed-
ward, Mrs. Flora Ellen Calhoun, Isaac C,
iNIaggie Ann, Edith Belle, Frank and Albert
Grover. The Democracy receives Mr. War-
rell's hearty support and co-operation, and
socially he is a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows.
\MLLIAM VOLKLAND.
As a representative of that class of sub-
stantial builders i:if a great commonwealth
who served faithfully and long in the enter-
prising west, we present the subject of this
sketch, who is a pioneer of central Kan-
sas and who has nobly done his duty in
establishing and maintaining the material
interests, legal status and moral welfare of
his communitv. Whatever tends to benefit
his state and promote the welfare of his
community is sure to elicit his interest and
co-operation, and thus his name is insepar-
ably interwoven with the history of Rice
county during the past twenty-three years.
Mr. Volkland was born in Fond du Lac,
Wisconsin, September 27, 1864, a son of
William Volkland, who was born in We'i-
mar, Germany, where he was reared and
educated. There he learned the carpenter's
trade and for one year he served in the Ger-
man army. In 1848 he came to the United
States and was here married to Pauline
Roehr, who also was a native of Weimar,
Germany. For a number of years the father
engaged in contracting and building in
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and afterward
came to Rice county, being identified with
the agricultural interests of Farmer town-
ship until his death, which occurred in 1888,
when he was sixty-three years of age. He
was honored and respected for his integrity
and upright life and to his family he left
the priceless heritage of an untarnished
name. His widow still resides in Farmer
township. In his political views he was a
Republican, unswerving in his advocacv of
the principles of the party, and in religious
belief he was a Methodist, his wife being
also a member of the same church. Thev
had seven children, and those living are:
Mrs. Ottilia Stehwien. of Bushton ; Will-
iam ; and Albert, postmaster of Bushton and
the partner of William in the hardware busi-
ness. He is one of the well known and lead-
ing business men of the tnwu. He was born
in Fond du Lac, Wiscun^ni. I'cliruary i^,
1867, and acquired hi-; educilidii there and
in Kansas. He married Matilda Korf, of
Bushton, who was born in Illinois, a daugh-
ter of Frederick Korf, deceased. Her
mother, however, is still living. Unto Al-
bert Volkland and his wife have been born
four children: Nettie A. P., Otto F. \\'.,
Oscar and Mabel. In his political views the
father is a Republican and in religious faith
is identified wth the IMethodist church. His
prominence in business circles in Bushton is
widely acknowledged and in his life he ex-
emplifies the enterprising spirit of the west.
William Volkland, whose name intro-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
duces this review, spent his youth in his na-
tive state, and by improving the educational
advantages afforded by the piiblic schools
there lie became a well informed man, well
fitted for the practical and responsible du-
ties of life. In 1878 he accompanied his
parents to central Kansas and here became
familiar with fami work through actual ex-
perience in the labors of field and meadow
upon his father's farm. In 1888 he became
a factor in the business interests of Bushton
by establishing a hardware store, which he
still condiicts in connection with his brother
Albert. They have a fine store, occupying
a building twenty-four by ninety feet. Their
stock is extensi\'e. cniljracing a large line of
heavy and shelf hardware, and their patron-
age is continually increasing, owing to their
relialile business methods, their earnest ef-
forts to please their patrons and the moder-
ate prices which they ask for their goods,
desiring only to make a fair and legitJmate
profit.
Mr. Volkland is also president of the
Bushton State Bank, one of the solid finan-
cial ^n^titutions of this part of the state,
designated as the county depository of Rice
county. A fine bank building has recently
been erected, twenty-four b^r forty-eight
feet. It is suitably and tastefully furnished
and ever>i:hing is in excellent condition for
carrying on the enterprise. They conduct
a general banking liusiness, l^uy and sell ex-
change, pay interest on dep isits and, in fact,
conduct a banking Inisiness which is profit-
able and worthv ( f patmnage. The officers
are popular and relinlile Inisiness men, name-
ly : William. Volkland, president; William
Schmidt, vice-jjresident : George F. Hauser,
cashier; and Heorge Cramm, Frank Shon-
yo, A\"il!iam Schmidt and William Volkland,
directors.
When twenty-five years of aee Mr. \"nlk-
land was married to Miss Sophia Roehr, of
Buslitiai, a daughter of Fred Roehr, de-
ceased. They now ha\e six children, two
sons and four daughters ; Ella Viola ; Will-
iam F., Maud G., Florence, Pauline Selma
and Paul Albert. Mr. Volkland exercises
his right of franchise in support of the men
and measures of the Republican party and
labors earnestly and eft'ectively in its behalf,
but he is not a politician in the sense of
office seeking. He and his wife hold mem-
bership in the IMethodist Episcopal church
and he is filling the position of trustee of the
church. For thirteen years he has been
closely identified with the history of Bush-
ton as a representative of most important
business interests. He Is a man of keen dis-
crimination and sound judgment, and his
executive ability and excellent management
have brought to the concerns with which he
is connected a large degree of success.
HOX. TOHN DAY,
Since early pioneer days Jolm Day has
resided in Kingman county, the year of his
arrival being 1878, and through many years
has watched with interest the progress and
advancement of this section of the common-
wealth. He has ever borne his part in the
work of improvement as a loyal citizen and
as one whose public spirit has been manifest
in his active co-operation with many meas-
ures that have contributed to the public
good. He was born near Bluffton, in Wells
county, Indiana, on the 29th of September.
1849. The family trace their ancestry
through many generations to Englanrl. to
two brothers who came from that country
to the United States prior the Revohuion-
ary war. They were silk merchants in their
native land. Wilbur Day, the father of our
subject, was born in North Carolina, and
was there reared and married. Miss ]Mar-
garet Sale becomiing his wife. She was
also a native of Xorth Carolina, and both
she and her husband were members of prom-
inent old southern families of that state.
After their marriage, in 1841, they located
near Bluffton, in Wells county, Indiana,
where they were among the pioneer settlers,
and there they made their home for the fol-
lowing eight years, on the expiration of
which period, in 1853, they took up their
abode in Jasper county, that state. There
they were also among the earlv pioneers,
and during their residence on the western
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
frontier they suffered all the privations and
hardships known only to the settlers of a
new antl unsettled country. Unto this
worthy couple were born fourteen children,
seven sons and seven daughters, namely:
Lewis, who died at Nashville, Tennessee, in
1864, while serving as a soldier in the Civil
war; William, who was a soldier during the
Civil war, and is now a resident of Indiana;
Amanda; John, the subject of this review;
George; Alartha; Jesse, deceased; Louisa;
Lizzie, deceased; Charles; and four who
died wdien young. The father of this family
passed away in death in Jasper county, In-
diana, on the 4th of March, 1892, at the age
of seventy-two years. He followed the till-
ing of the soil throughout his entire business
career, and in all life's relations he was ever
found true and faithful to duty. His wife
has reached the ripe old age of seventy-nine
years. She is a. member of the Christian
church, as was also her husband.
John Day, of this review, was reared to
manhood on an Indiana farm, both in Wells
and Jasper counties and in addition to at-
tending the common schools of his locality
he was also a student in the Battle Ground
Academy, where he enjoyed superior educa-
tional advantages. After putting aside his
school books to take up the active duties of
life on his own account he chose as a life
occupation that to which he had been
reared, namely, farming, which vocation he
follo'wed in his native state until 1878. In
that year he came to Kansas, Irrst securing a
tract of Osage Indian land and for a num-
ber of years after coming to this state the
family resided in a sod house. As prosperity
attended his efforts he has added to his land-
ed possessions until he is now the owner oi
eight hundred and eighty acres of excellent
and well improved land, on which he has
erected a large and comfortable dwelling,
barns and other outbuildings, and has now
one of the finest homesteads in this part of
the county.
In Rensselaer. Jasper county, Indiana,
on the 4th of March, 1873, '^'^'^s celebrated
the marriage o-f Mr. Day and Miss Mary
Ann Burns, who was born in Jasper coun-
ty, Indiana, July 30, 1849, '"id '^'^'^s reared
and educated in the Hoosier state. Her pa-
ternal grandparents were James and Delilah
(Barnes) Burns, and the former was a sol-
dier in the war of 1812. Her father, Will-
iam Burns, was born in Champaign county,
■Ohio, and was there reared until eighteen
years of age, when he removed to White
county, Indiana. He was there married to
Susanna Barnes, a native of Virginia, and a
daughter of James and Elizabeth (Rigor)
Barnes, natives also of the Old' Dominion.
The father served as judge of the courts in
Indiana, and was a very prominent man in
.his locality. Mr. and Mrs. William Burns
became early pioneers of Jasper county, In-
diana, and at that time only four families
resided within the boundaries of the county
and Indians were still very numerous. They
became the parents of ten children, eight of
wdiom grew to years of maturity, namely :
James I., deceased; Francis Marion, who
served as a soldier during the Civil war, and
who died in a hospital at Nashville, aged
twenty-two years; John M., who died at the
age of twenty-one years: Vilena, also de-
ceased; Mary A., the wife of our subject;
James M., wlio resides on the old home farm
in Indiana; Margaret, now Mrs. J. W.
Groom; William, who resides with his
brother on the Indiana farm. The father of
this family died at the comparatively early
age of forty-nine years, his death resulting
from exposure. He was a Republican in his
political views, and was a progressive and
public-spirited citizen. His wife survived
until sixty-eight years of age, when she
joined her husband in the home beyond,
both dying in the faith of the Christian
church. The union of our subject and wife
has been blessed with twoi sons, the eldest of
whom, Ernest F., is a popular and success-
ful physician of Arkansas City, Kansas. He
is a graduate nf the Medical University of
Kansas City, a member of the class of 1900,
which was the largest ever graduated from
that institution. The youngest son, E\-
i art C, is now twenty-one years of age.
i and is a resident O'f Oklalu mia. He married
j Lettie Hobson. of Kingman count\-, and a
! daughter of Newton Hobson. Mrs. Day is
a member of the Christian church. Mr. Dav,
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
of this review, gives his poHtical support to
the Populist party, and on its ticket he was
elected to represent his district in the legis-
lature of 1 89 1, discharging the duties en-
trusted to his care in a manner highly satis-
factory to all concerned. He has, however,
never sought or desired public honors, pre-
ferring to give his undivided time to his
business interests.
ALEXANDER M. SWIT2ER.
Alexander M. Switzer, a prominent
farmer, stockman and fruit-grower of Reno
county, was born in Tuscarawas county,
Ohio. March 7, 1849, ^ son of John and
Elizabeth (Anderson) Switzer. The father
was a native of Switzerland but when only
hve years of age he accompanied his parents
on their removal to the United States, the
family locating in Ohio, where he spent the
remainder of his life. He engaged in the
tilling of the soil as a life occupation, and as
a supporter of Republican principles he took
an active part in the public affairs of his lo-
cality, having served for many years as a
county commissioner and as a trustee. His
death occurred when he had reached the age
of seventy-six years. His wife was a native
of the Emerald Isle, but she was' brought to
the United States in childhood, also locat-
ing in Ohio. She passed away at the age of
sixty years. Unto this worthy couple were
born seven children, four of whom grew to
years of maturity, and three of the number,
Robert, Eliza and Thomas, remained in the
Buckeye state. The last named owns the
old family homestead in that commonwealtli.
Alexander M. Switzer, whose name in-
troduces this review, was reared to manhood
in the place of his nativity, and in the dis-
trict schools of the neighborhood he received
his educational advantages. In 1864, when
but fifteen years of age, he enlisted in the
one-hundred-day service as a substitute for
his father, becoming a member of Company
D, One Hundred and Sixty-first Ohio Na-
tional Guards. During his military career
he served four months in the Shenandoah
valley, under Hunter, Sigel and Sheridan,
and on the expiration of his term of enlist-
ment he re-enlisted in Company A, One
Hundred and Eighty-fifth Volunteers. Go-
ing with his command to Kentucky, he was
engaged in guarding Cumberland Gap and
in suppressing guerrillas. During their first
campaign in the Shenandoah valley the regi-
ment started out complete, but they returned
with only about one hundred men. Mr.
Switzer still has in his possession a treas-
ured memento of President Lincoln in the
form of an autographic letter which was
presented to each of the one hundred sur-
vivors of his regiment as a personal recog-
nition of their gallant service.
After the close of hostilities Mr. Switzer
received an honorable discharge at Camp
Chase, Columbus, and returned to his home
with a most creditable military record. In
March, 1866, in Ohio, he was married to
Jennie Knee, and in the following Septem-
ber he removed to Champaign county. Illi-
nois, where he was engaged in agricultural
pursuits for the following five years. In the
spring of 1872, with his wife and two sons,
he came with a team and wagon to Reno
county, Kansas. Tlie family left their Illi-
nois home in March, and in the following-
April they arrived in the Sunflower state.
Their first residence here was a combination
of a sod house and a dug-init, Iccated in a
rather low spot and excavated to a depth of
about two feet. During the first heavy rain
the house was flooded and everything within
was set afloat, and they were thus compelled
to move to higher ground. Mr. Switzer ac-
cordingly erected a small box house, eight
by twelve feet, which was their place of
abode during that season, and although it
was only partial!)- enclosed it proved a com-
fortable residence during the pleasant sun-i-
mer weather. In the following fall a snug-
little box house, ten by twelve feet, was
erected, which at that time was the finest
residence in the neighborhood. In that early
day game was plentiful and buffaloes could
be secured by going only a short distance
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
from their home. There were no clearly
defined roads across the prairie from one
town or settlement to another at that time,
and to mark the way ]\Ir. Switzer during the
first year of his residence here plowed a fur-
row nine miles across the prairie to Castle-
ton. By arduous labor he soon succeeded in [
placing about ten acres of the place under
cultivation, which he planted. with corn, and !
in order to secure money he was alsQ obliged
to break sod for his neighbors. He was one
of the first in this section of the state to en-
gage in the fruit and nursery business, hav-
ing as early as 1876 about forty acres of
his farm devoted to that purpose, and for
some years he made that line of work a spe-
cialty, raising all kinds of the larger fruits,
but during the past few years he has devoted
his attention to the raising of small fruits,
principally grapes and strawl^erries. He
supplies the Hutchinson market with the
choicest fruits, and in this enterprise he fur-
nishes employment to many young people
during the fruit season.
There are few men better known in Reno
and adjoining counties than Alexander
Switzer. for during his entire residence in
the Sunflower state he has been actively and
prominently identified with the affairs of his
township, county and state. He has served
in all of the township ofiices, was the first
overseer of highways of his township, and
from 1879 until 1885 was an efficient county
commissioner. Upon his retirement from
that position he was presented with a beau-
tiful gold watch by the citizens of Reno
county, as a recognition of the efficiency
with which he had discharged the duties de-
volving upon him while in that office. He
was a member of the town board when the
present bridge across the Arkansas river
was built at this point, and it was largely
through his persistent efforts, in the face of
much opposition and adverse criticism, that
it was built at that time, but those who were
among the most bitter adversaries now ad-
mit that the undertaking was a profitable
one. In 1896 he received the Republican
nomination for the thirty-sixth senatorial
district, but with tlft rest of the ticket was
defeated. No citizen of Reno county has
rendered more faithful or efficient ser\-ice to
his party than Mr. Switzer, and he is widely
recognized as a Republican leader who has
labored earnestly for its success. He was
one of the organizers and for many years
president of the Reno Cnunty Horticultural
Association, and was al-i > i;e > 1 the prin-
cipal organizers and the \\\->\ ]ire-ident of the
Farmers" Institute. He holds memliership
relations with Joe Hooker Post, Xo. 17, G.
A. R., with the Court of Honor and with
the Sons and Daughters of Justice. He is
also a member of Reno Lodge, No. 140,
A. F. & A. ]\I. ; Reno Chapter, No. 34;
Hutchinson Council, Xo. 13 : and Reno Com-
mantlery, Xo. 2h. K. T., and is also a Scot-
tish-Rite ]\Iason and a member of the Shrine
and Eastern Star. He has lieen a ccjnimand-
ing officer in all of these bodies with the ex-
ception of the Scottish Rite, and has attend-
ed the Knights Templar conventions for the
past fifteen years. His religious preference
is indicated liy his membership in the
Alethodist Episcopal church. He was one
of the organizers of the Elmer Sunday-
school and for fifteen years was its efficient
superintendent, while for one year he was
president of the County Sunday-school As-
sociation.
Mrs. Switzer passed away in death on
the 1 8th of January, 1885, leaving two sons,
Lawrence P., of Pueblo, Colorado; and
Percy E., a resident of Oklahoma. On the
30th of January, 1886, our suljject married
Annie Ingham, a daughter of "\\'illiam and
Sarali Ingham. She was born in Massa-
chusetts, but in childhood she came with
her parents to Kansas. She was reared near
Topeka and experienced all the horrors of
the border trouliles. Tliis union has been
blessed with two children, Gladys and Ethel.
Mr. Switzer is a man of strong mentality,
keen discernment, great tact and resolute
purpose, and is therefore well fitted for the
political honors which have been conferred
upon him. He is ever a generous friend and
warm advocate of those who are battling
for the right and of principles and policies
for the public good.
!04
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
HUTTOX & OSWALD.
Tlie held of business is limitless and op-
portunity is only hampered by the inability
or negligence of the individual. The man
who is energetic, determined, honest and
persevering can always win success and it is
such qualities that have placed the firm of
Hutton & Oswald in their present enviable
position. They are proprietors of a laundry
business which was conducted by ten com-
panies or individuals before they took hold
of it, — this being between the years 1886
and 1 89 1, but when these gentlemen assumed
the management there was straightway a
change in the outlook. They determined to
succeed, went about getting patrons in a
business-like way that inspired confidence
and retained their trade through the excel-
lence of their workmanship, their prompt-
ness and reliability. The story seems simple
but in it lies the secret of enviable success.
The proprietors are Emmett Hutton and
Charley W. Oswald and the enterprise is
known as the American Steam Laundry of
Hutchinson. They began business here
April 20, 1 89 1, in a small building, twenty-
five by seventy feet, and started as successors
to ten dilTerent parties who had previously
made a failure of the work. They combined
the plants of the American Steam Laundry
and the Hutchinson Steam Laundry. The
plant had been shut down for three or four
months, but Mr. Hutton took a mortgage on
it and began business in connection with
Willis Brothers. Six months later he and
Mr. Oswald bought the plant, and from the
start both gentlemen gave their entire time
and attention to the business. It was not
long before they needed more space and
doubled the capacity within the first three
years, renting the room on the east. It was
about two years later when they took an up-
stairs floor of the same size, giving theni
three times' the space they first had, but still
their business grew, demanding more com-
modious cjuarters, until now their plant occu-
pies ten times the original space in which
they began business. In January, 1898, they
purchased the building in which they are lo-
cated and by building a large addition in the
rear have more than doubled their space.
They first employed four hands, now they
have an average force of seventy-five em-
ployes and on rush occasions increase the
number by ten. They have the reputation
of payiilg the help better salaries than are
elsewhere given in the same line of business
and thus they are enabled to retain their em-
ployes, some of whom have been with them
for nine years, while the majority have been
continuously in their service for five years.
Both Mr. Hutton and Mr. Oswald have
given Iheir entire attention to the business
and their close application has been an im-
portant factor in their prosperity. They
have often worked at midnight and some-
times later, so that their business has ne\er
got the start of them and they never disap-
point customers by not having the work
ready at the time promised. Now they
make it a point to close the laundry at six
o'clock, employing a sufficient number to
make this possible and the majority of the
time the work of the day is over at the time
designated.
From the first they sought trade in the
surrounding towns and this has grown until
it is now limited only by express charges.
They are in receipt of applications almost
daily for agencies at different points and
their business reaches as far east as Herring-
ton and equal distances to the north, south
and west. In fact it extends into Oklahoma
and Texas and they are now doing business
in one hundred towns outside of Hutchin-
son. They have gained their reputation
solely on the excellence of the work. In
their building they have a concrete floor
twenty-five by one hundred and forty-five
feet. The building is also specially lighted
and ventilated. Condensed steam is used
and no colored goods are washed in anything
but distilled water ; steam, water, light and
power come from the Hutchinson W'ater,
Light & Power Compau}^, and throughout
Kansas there is no more flourishing laundry
business than that conducted by the enter-
prising firm of Hutton & Oswald. To such
a degree has success attended their enter-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
105
prise that they have not found it necessary
to continue all of their capital in the busi-
ness, but have made judicious investments
in farm property, .which is well improved and
now contributes not a little to their income.
JACOB A. YOUNG.
The fine farm of three hundred and
twenty acres on sections 14 and 23, Roscoe
township, owned by Jacob A. Young is the
visible evidence of his well spent and useful
life. His property has all been acquired
through his own efforts : Industr)- and per-
severance have fo'fmed tlio fnuiidalion stones
upon which he has reared the superstructure
of his success. He is a native son of Penn-
sylvania, his birth having occurred in Mif-
Hin count}^, that state, February 4, 1845,
his parents being John and Harriet (Rudy)
Young, both of whom were natives of Penn-
sylvania. The family removed from Penn-
sylvania to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1864,
and from Iowa to Kingman county, Kan-
sas, being among the early settlers there.
The father pre-empted a claini and through
his remaining days resided thereon, devot-
ing his energies to the development and
cultivation of his farm. His wife died on
the same farm in 1898, at the age of sixty-
nine years. In their family were thirteen
children, ten of whom are living: Jacob
A. ; Daniel J., a fanner of Roscoe township,
Reno county; Xoali, of Oklahoma Terri-
tory; Adam, of Hutchinson; John, a resi-
dent of Lincoln township, Reno county;
]\Irs. Amanda Knight; James, of Okla-
homa; Ella, the wife of Grant Lee; Mrs. Ab-
bie Brady, of Kingman county; and Alli-
son, a resident of Pretty Prairie, Kansas.
Those deceased are: Lewis and Elizabeth,
who died after reaching mature years; and
one who died in infancy.
In his parents' home Jacob A. Young
spent his boyhood days, and when only
seventeen years of age he enlisted as a de-
fender of the L'nion, becoming a member of
Company I, Twelfth Pennsylvania Reserv^es
of McCall's Division, which went with Mc-
Clellan's command into the Peninsular
7
campaign. After the seven days' engage-
ment at Richmond the Union troops fell
back to the James river, wdiere Mr. Young
was taken sick, and cfter some time spent
in the hospitals at Fortress Monroe and
HaraptO'n Roads he was discharged, in Xcj-
vemiber, 1862. Not content to thus end his
military service, he re-enlisted, in February,
1864, as a member of Company B, One
Hundred and Forty-seventh Pennsylvania
Volunteer Infantry, and was transferred to
the Army of the Tennessee, going to Bridge-
port, Alabama, where he joined Sherman on
the march to the sea. When that was accom-
plished, showing that the strength of the
confederacy had lieen darwn from the inte-
rior to protect the borders, he proceeded with
his command to Raleigh, North Carolina,
then on to Washington, wdiere he partici-
pated in the grand review, the most cele-
brated military pageant which the continent
has witnessed. In July, 1865, be returned
to his home, having received an honorable
discharge.
After the war Mr. Young remained in
Pennsylvania until February, 1866, when
he joined the family in Iowa, where he
worked on his father's farm for a year and
then rented land in order to engage in farm-
ing on his own account. He resided in Iowa
until February, 1874, when with his wife
and two children he came by team to Kan-
sas, accompanied by two other families, that
of George Fisher and of S. M. Hegarty, the
latter a cousin of Mrs. Young. Reaching
Reno county he stopped the first season in
Allii^n i>i\\i;ship, where Alexander He-
garty. ,1 c-UMu uf S. M., had settled in 1873.
He raised one crop here and in the spring
of 1875 came to his claim, constituting his
present homestead. He secured one hun-
dred and sixty acres on section 23, Roscoe
township, and a timber claim, constitutiTig
the southwest quarter of section 14. He
lost all of his crop of 1874 on account of the
grashopper scourage, and like many of the
other pioneers in the winter of 1874 and
1875 he had to resort to any available means
of earning a livelihood. He joined what
was known as the "horse brigade," engaged
in freighting to the distant, markets of
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Hutchinson and Wichita. In tlie fall of
1874 he had gone to the mill in Sterling,
then called Peace, driving his team, and
during his absence his stacks were struck by
lightning, causing his stable to burn, also
his cows, hay and grain, his team being for-
tunately saved on account of the trip he was
making. He then built a new stable, but
within two weeks it was destroyed by
another fire. In the year 1875 Mr. Young
again made a start and from that time on
has been more fortunate. He is now en-
gaged in general farming and stock-raising
and keeps from fifty to seventy head oi
cattle. He makes quite a specialty of dairy-
ing, milking from fifteen to twenty cows,
and this branch of his business adds mate-
rially to his income.
On the 20th of October, 1870, Mr.
Young was united in marriage to Miss
Sarah E. Hegarty, a native of Pennsyl-
vania and a daughter of S. K. and Rebecca
(Lanborn) Hegarty, who were also born in
the Keystone state. Unto our subject anil
his wife have been born nine children :
Samuel E., a farmer of Roscoe township:
Albert D., an agriculturist of the same town-
ship; Paul J., at home; Rebecca A., the wife
of E. P. Young, a teacher of Roscoe town-
ship; Rosa, Delia, Pearl, Elizabeth and
Helen, all yet with their parents. The mem-
bers of the famih' belong to the United Pres-
byterian church and in its work take an act-
ive part, while Albert D. is very prominent
in temperance work. In politics Mr. Young
is an ardent Republican and a member of the
Republican executive committee, while to
various local and state conventions he has
been sent as delegate. He has been es-
pecially prominent in local affairs and has
filled nearly all of the township offices, in-
cluding those of trustee, treasurer and clerk,
at the present time acting as treasurer. He
has also been a leader in the work of secur-
ing good schools and his service on the
school board has been very effective. His
name is on the membership roll of the OcTd
Fellows lodge in Pretty Prairie and his
brethren of the order have honored him with
various offices. Both he and his wife belong
to the order of Rebekahs, of which she is
past grand. He is also identified with Joe
Hooker Post, No. 17, G. A. R. He is a
good citizen and gives hearty co-operation
to every movement for the general good.
Christian, educational, social and material
interests have been promoted through his
eft'orts, and while the county has benefited
by his labors he has also won for his family
a comfortable competence and well deserves
the proud American title of "a self-made
A. L. SPOXSLER.
The name of this gentleman is one which
stands consjjicuously forth on the pages of
Kansas' political history. He has been an
active factor in shaping the affairs of the
government in the west, and is widely recog-
nized as a Republican leader who has la- J
bored earnestly for the success of the party I
and yet has ne\'er placed partisanship before •
citizenship or self-aggrandizement before
the national good. Close study has given
him a keen insight into the important polit-
ical problems, and his interest in the issues
of the day that affect the state or national
weal or woe has ever been of the highest.
The Sponsler family are of Pennsyl-
vania-Dutch extraction, and according to
well founded tradition the first of the name
to come to the new world was a captain in
the French army, who came to America
during the French and Indian war. After
hostilities had ceased he located in Phila-
delphia, from which place the Sponsler fam-
ily in America dates its origin, but in after
years they spread over the colonies as farm-
ers, merchants and mechanics. The pater-
nal grandfather of our subject was Lewis
Sponsler, who resided in Perry county,
Pennsylvania, where he was employed in a
factory, and there his death occurred at an
early age. Lewis Sponsler, the father of our
subject, was born in that county, October
3. 1825, and was there reared to manhood
and learned the wagon-maker's trade, which
he followed for a number of ^-ears in Cum-
berland county. Pennsylvania. In 1849 h^
was united in marriage to ]\Iaria ^^'olfe,
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
who was born in Lancaster county, Penn-
sylvania, in September, 1827, a daughter of
Christian and Sarah (Stoner) Wolfe. On
both the paternal and maternal sides Mrs.
Sponsler was descended from German an-
cestry, and her grandfather, Henry Wolfe,
was a soldier in the Revolutionary war.
In, 1856 Lewis Sponsler removed wirii
his wife and four children to Keithsburg,
Mercer county, Illinois, where for four years
he was engaged at the carpenter's trade, and
on the expiration of that period he pur-
chased a farm seven miles east of that city,
which he continued 'to operate until 1881.
In that year he retired from the active work
of the farm and located in Aledo, Mercer
county, where he spent the remainder of his
life, passing away in death on the 4th of
April, 1893. Throughout his entire life he
never courted notoriety or sought the honors
of public office, preferring to devote his
energies to his business, his church and to
the ad\-ancement of the principles of Repub-
licanism. For many years he was a leading
member of the Presbyterian church, and was
ever active and earnest in its support. Al-
though his educational opportunities during
his youth were limited, in later years he be-
came a great reader and acquired a most re-
markable knowledge of Biblical, ancient and
modern history. He is still survived by his
widow, who makes her home in Aledo, hav-
ing reached the seventy-fourth milestone on
the journey of life. The union of Mr. and
Mrs. Spousler was blessed with seven chil-
dren : William J., who came to Reno coun-
ty. Kansas, in 1S74. and is now a prom-
inent farmer and sti-ck-raiser of Reno town-
ship; Sarah, the wife of W. D. Reynolds,
of Morton Mills, Iowa, where he is engaged
in the breeding of Angus cattle ; George W.,
who is also a farmer and breeder of Angus
cattle and resides in Mercer county, Illi-
nois: Alice M., who makes her home with
her mother in Aledo, Illinois : A. L., the sub-
ject of this review; Anna, the wife of L.
Mc\Mif rter, who ranks among the foremost
breeders of pure Angus cattle in the United
States, having held the ofiice of president of
the National Association of Angus Breed-
ers in 1900, and his home is in Aledo; and
John L., who was formerly engaged with
his brother A. L. in the newspaper business
in Hutchinson, but is now a journalist of
Lawton, Oklahoma.
A. L. Sponsler, whose name introduces
this review, was born in Mercer county,
Illinois, April 30, i860, and during his
youth he was a student in the district schools
of his neighborhood. Afterward he com-
pleted the course in Knox Academy, at
Galesburg, Illinois, after which he entered
Knox College, of the same city, but left
that institution after attaining the sopho-
more year to engage in the study of law in
the office of John C. Pepper of Aledo, be-
ing then in his twenty-third year. He re-
mained with his preceptor for two years,
and was then, in Alay, 1885. admitted to the
bar by the supreme court after a written
examination. This event, memorable to
him in itself was made doubly so by the fact
that it occurred the day after John A. Logan,
whose election he was advocating, was elect-
ed to the United States senate for the last
time and after one of the most memoralile
contests of the kind that has ever occurred
in the L^nited States. Immediately after his
admission to the bar Mr. Sponsler beg^an the
practice of his chosen profession in Aledo.
under the firm name of Pepper & Sponsler.
which relationship was maintained until
1887, wdren he came to the Sunflower state,
locating in Arlington, Reno county, with
the intention of practicing law, but with the
"Lost Heads," who were assembling in Kan-
sas at that time to pursue a real-estate specu-
lation, began booming Kansas town prop-
erty to an extent never before or since re-
corded. To such an extent did he partici-
pate in this business that he found no con-
venient opportunity for following his chosen
profession, and it required two' or three
years after its abandonment to settle tlie
affairs of his partnership.
In 1888 Mr. Sponsler made a remark-
able race for the position of state senator,
the convention meeting at Pratt, and after
balloting for three days it adjourned to meet
in Turon, Reno county, wdiere it was also in
session for about three days, but during this
time our subject was called to Illinois by
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTOR]
the sickness of his wife, and the convention,
finding it impossible to arrive at a conclu-
sion, adj(_)urned sine die. The next con-
vention met in August, in Turon, and was
composed of one delegate from' each voting
precinct of the counties of Reno, Pratt and
Kingman. After several hundred ballots
had been cast, in which Mr. Sponsler came
within one vote several times and at one time
within a half a vote of gaining the nomina-
tion, he withdrew his name from further
C'jnsideration, believing then that his nomi-
natii-in was impossible, and Hon. Frank E.
Gillett, of Kingman, was nominated. In the
meantime Mr. Sponsler had also become in-
terested in two newspapers, and in the fall
of 1889 he removed to Hutchinson, where,
in company with his brother John L., he be-
gan publishing the Hutchinson Times, and
m the following year the Times and Repub-
lican were c^ns. 'lidated. The brothers con-
tnuied its pulilicatii in until 1891, when they
purchased the Hutchinson Daily News, in-
cluding the job offices and book bindeiy,
and thus they were engaged until 1895,
when they sold their interests to W. Y. Mor-
gan, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in
this volume. After retiring from journal-
istic work the brothers engaged in the grain
business, buying and cribbing corn in vari-
ous tciwns in this section of the state, in
which the\- continued for three years, their
business having been carried on under the
firm name of E. L. Wolff & Company. They
were then engaged in various other enter-
prises until the year 1899, when our subject
purchased hi^ present farm of four hundred
and fifty acres and engaged in the breeding
of registered short-horn cattle. At the time
of the purchase the farm was raw prairie
land, but he has since placed his fields under
cultivation, has erected a good residence and
has built substantial barns and fences. The
farm is devoted to the raising of grass with
'the exception of 'one hundred and seventy
acres, and he is now recognized as one of
the leading breeders of registered short-horn
cattle in the locality.
During all these years Mr. Sponsler has
been actively engaged in promoting a num-
ber of measures for the public advancement.
It was through his efforts in 1892 that the
Republican state convention was secured for
Hutchinson, which was the first time it had
ever been held as far west. During the pre-
vious winter by his tireless activity he had
succeeded in organizing the Hutchinson
Commercial Club, and when the convention
was secured for this city it was found that
no building in Hutchison was large enough
to meet its requirements. , Then it was that
the Commercial Club and other citizens
erected the Auditorium. When Chester I.
Long was nominated against Jerry Simp-
son for congress in 1892 there was no one
man who spent more time and money in the
support of Mr. Long than Mr. Sponsler. He
was chairman of the Reno county delega-
tion to the state convention which met at
Topeka in 1894, when the vote of Reno
county nominated Governor IMorrill, was
a delegate to the National Editors' Associa-
tion at Asbury Park, New Jersey, in 1893,
and was a delegate to the Trans-Mississippi
Congress in 1894. He has been in every
session of the Kansas Legislature since 1889
as an observer and student of affairs. He
! was one of the chief organizers of the Cen-
tral Kansas Fair Association, which was or-
ganized in 1 90 1, and of which he is now
president, and was also one of the original
promoters of the- Kansas Day Club.
On the 27th of September, 1887, at the
home of the bride in Aledo, Illinois, Mr.
Sponsler was united in marriage to Minnie
P. Bentley, who was born in the vicinity of
that city on the 5th of September, 1862, a
daughter of James L. and Nancy (Smith)
Bentley, the former a native of Ohio and the
latter of Aledb, Illinois. About 1855, when
a ^-oung man, the father removed from the
Buckeye state to Mercer county, Illinois,
where he was engaged in teaching in the
public schools and farming, and was very
successful in both lines of labor. On both
the paternal and maternal sides Mrs. Spons-
ler IS of Scotch and English ancestry, and
the family located in America in a very early
day. ]\Irs. Sponsler is active in Women's
Club affairs and served as president of the
Women's Club of the city of Hutchinson
for the }'ear 1899 and 1900. In his social
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
relations ^Ir. Sponsler is eligible to member-
ship in the following orders, — Ancient Or-
der of United Workmen, the Woodmen and
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He
is and always has been most liberal in sup-
porting and promioting all measures for the
public good, has always kept fully abreast
of the times, and his large and well selected
library contains only the most substantial
works, in which history, both ancient and
modern, has a prominent place. He is a
man of strong mentality, keen discernment,
great tact and resolute purpose. He com-
mands the respect of his fellow men by his
sterling worth, and Kansas numbers him
among her honored residents.
T. W. CLARKE.
J. W. Clarke is the county attorney of
Barton county and has attained a distin-
guished position in connection with his pro-
fession, whicli! stand!s as ):he conservator of
human rights and justice. His prominence
is based upon a thorough knowledge of the
principles of jurisprudence and of accuracy
in the application of them to the points in
litigation. Earnest and discriminating in
his preparation of cases, a strong pleader
before court and jury, he has won the favor-
able con:mendation of the public and the
complete confidence and high regard of his
pr.fessional brethren.
Mr. Clarke was born in Liberty. Tennes-
see, en the 22dof December, 1852. His fa-
ther, Robert L. Clarke, was also a native of
that state and a farmer by occupation. He
learned and hks followed the carpenter's
trade and yet makes his home in Liberty.
On the old homestead farm there the sub-
ject of this review was reared and in the dis-
trict schools of the neighborhood he acquired
his preliminary education, which was sup-
plemented by a course in the Cumberland
University. He was graduated in the law
department of that institution with the class
of 1879, ^'"id thus prepared for his chosen
profession he at once began practice in
Smithville, where he secured a good patron-
age. However, he became interested in the
great west, and having a desire to visit the
country and see if its opportunities were
such as represented, he came to central Kan-
sas in 1884 in company with his two broth-
ers-in-law. They went on a prospecting
tour and visited all portions of the state,
ultimately deciding that Great Bend was to
have a bright future lai accuunt of its
healthful location and natural beauty and
Air. Clarke concluded to locate here, at once
opening an office. He was alone in business
for a time but afterward was associated in
practice with F. V. Russell for six years.
He soon secured a large and growing pat-
ronage as he demonstrated his ability to han-
dle the intricate problems of jurisprudence.
He is a fluent and earnest speaker and his
oratorical ability, combined with his pro-
found knowledge of the law, has gained him
enviable and well merited distinction.
In 1880 Mr. Clarke was unnited in mar-
riage to Miss Jennie L. Yelton, a daugh-
ter of John P. Yelton, of New Middleton,
Tennessee. She died, however, in 1897, at
the age of thirty-seven years^ — leaving no
children. ^Ir. Clarke was a second time
married, July 16, 1901, to ]\Iiss Xettie Ber-
nis, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, He
is a prcminent and valued member of the
Alasonic fraternity, has taken the degrees of
blue lodge, council, chapter and command-
ery and is a past master of the lodge. He is
also connected with the Modern Woodmen
fraternity. In his political views he is a
Democrat and takes a very active part in
political affairs, being an active factor in the
campaign work. In 1900 he received the
nomination for county attorney and being
elected to that officers now discharging his
duty in such a manner as to win the high
commendation of the people for his faith-
fulness and capability. •
JOHN S. JUDSOX.
If a society of the sons of New York
should be organized in central Kansas, sim-
ilar to a club of the same name which exists
in Chicago, it is probable that John S. Jud-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
son,' of Kanopolis, would be one of its prom-
inent members. Mr. Judson, who is man-
ager of the KanopoHs Land Company, and
one of the best known real-estate and insur-
ance men in Ellsworth county, was born at
Utica, New York, December 12, 1827, a
son of Silas and Mary (Lunnon) Judson.
His father was a native of Co-nnecticut, and
his mother was born at Savannah, Georgia.
Air. Judson was educated in the common
schools in vogue in his part of his state in
bis boyhood and at one of the old-time acad-
emies once so popular there. In 1849, h^
went to South and Central America, in the
interest of his cousin George Curtis, and
tilled a responsible position in connection
with the building of hotels and the establish-
ment of transportation across the isthmus
of Panama. After some years spent in that
tropical and malarial region, he was taken
suddenly and seriously ill and lay for three
days helpless and unattended, and after his
recovery he returned to the United States
and located at Detroit, Michigan, where he
remained a year and a half. From Detroit
he went t(.) the Saginaw valley, to the site of
the now flourishing city of Bay City, to take
a position as an accountant for a lumber firm
which, while he was in its employ, built two
new sawmills. \\ hile he was at Bay City
the Bay City Salt Manufacturing Company
was organized, the second salt company in
^Michigan, and he became one of its stock-
holders and its secretary. Later, when the
Saginaw & Bay City Salt Company was or-
ganized he became its secretar}' and remain-
ed with the concern in that capacity until it
went out of existence. He then accepted the
position O'f secretary and' treasurer of the
Saginaw River Towing Association, which
owned a line of tugs plying on Saginaw
river and bay, a positioji which he was event-
ually compelled to resign because of his ill
health and that of some members of his fam-
ily. After living two years at Tampa, Flor-
ida, he returned north and located at Spring-
field, Ohio, where for several years he was
in charge of the accounts of dififerent firms.
Later he was offered a position with the
Kanopolis Land Company, of Kanopolis, ^as
its accountant, and in April, 1888, he was
sent to Kanapolis to act as general manager
for the company.
Soon after his arrival at Kancpnlis Mr.
Judson becamie convincedi that there was an
immense amount of salt underlying the whole
region round about the town, and after mi-
nute exaj-ninations of boring made at E11--
worth, he became convinced that salt-min-
ing there was feasible. At last, after mrch
correspondence and many earnest confer-
ences, he succeeded in interesting the di-
rectors of the Kanopolis Land Company,
and after a prospect well had been sunk to
a depth of eight hundred and eiglty-one
feet, which was accomplished between March
I and 16, 1889, active operations were I s-
gun. The Royal Salt Company was organ-
ized February 4, 1890, in. which the stock-
holders were m.embers of the Kanopolis
Land Company and others. A diamond
drill was brought into requisition and a shaft
was sunk, taking a core out of the earth to
the depth of nine hundred feet. Operations
on this shaft were begun May 12, 1890, and
the plant was in operation February 28,
1891. Mr. Judson had charge of the dis-
bursements of funds, etc., for the sinking
of the shaft till 1891, since which time the
\vork has proceeded under James Cowie's
efficent management.
The Kanopolis Land Ccanpany was oi--
ganized in 1886, with Ross Mitchell as presi-
dent, J. S.Crowell as secretary, F. M. Brook-
wait as vice-president. J. H. Thomas as
treasurer, and General J. Warren Keifer,
as attorney. Other members of the com-
pany were F. Halford. of Springfield, Ohio;
General William Alartindale, H. C. Cross
and H. C. Whitley, of Empora, Kansas.
The company purchased about four thou-
sand acres of land, now in EllsAvorth, Empire
and Clear Creek townships, Ellsworth o am-
ty. A portion of this land, at the Fort Har-
ker reservation, includes the site and build-
ings of the post. \Mien it beg'an operations
there the company laid out the city of Kan-
opolis. It erected the Kanopolis hotel, a
three-story brick structure containing fifty
rooms, and also more than a dozen dwellings
and several other buildings. Since he came
to Kanopolis Mr. Judson has had entire
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
charge of the general business of tlie com-
pany, making sales, renting property, leas-
ing and selling farm lands, and residences
and attending to other important interests.
Colonel Snyder preceded ^Ir. Judson as
manager at Kanopolis. !
Mr. Judson believes that Kanapolis |
would be an excellent location for a sani-
tarium and he is doing what he can to pro-
mote a mo'vement to utilize the hotel for that
purpose. He has devoted his. time and en-
ergies entirely to the interests of his com-
pany, which from time to time has given
him numerous intimations that, his conscien-
tious ser\-ice is highly appreciated, and Mr.
Judson has received many testimonials from
former employers as to his ability and dis-
cretion. Our subject has one son, William
B. Judson, of Chicago, founder, proi>rietor
and publisher of the Northwestern Lumber-
man, which was merged with the American
Lumberman, published at Chicago, of which
]Mr. Judson is manager. Mr. Judson's
mother died June 28, 1890; she was born
at Savannah, Georgia, December 20, 1783.
She married Silas JucIisoot April 19, 1822,
and went with him to Utica, New York.
Mr. Judson died in 1838, in Connecticut.
Mrs. Judson remained at Utica until 1865,
but passed her declining years at Waverly,
Iowa. She was a de\'out member of the
Protestant Episcopal church and wasi highly
esteemed for her many Christian virtues.
Mr. Judson was received as an entered
apprentice in Bay City Lodge, No. 129, A.
F. & A. M., January 30, 1861, passed the
fellowcraft degree February 9, 186 1, and
was raised to the sublime degree of Master
Mason Februarv 20, 1861, and is a past
master of that lodge. He was past high
priest of Blanchard Chapter, No. 59. R. A.
M., at Bay City, in which he took the degrees
of capitular Masonry, and was there exalted
to the august degrees of royal-arch Mason.
He is past eminent commander, of Bay City
Commandery of Knights Templar. He is a
member of Isis Temple nf the Ancient Arabic
Order of the Nobles of the [Mystic Shrine, of
Salina. Kansas. He is an honorary member
of Saint Aldemar Commandery, No. 33,
Knights Templar, of Ellsworth, and is a
charter member of Joppa Lodge, No. 315,
A. F. & A. M., of Bay City, Michigan. He
is a member of Kanapolis Lodge, No. 321,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is
one of its past noble grands. He has rep-
resented his lodge in the grand lodge of the
state of Kansas and has served three terms
in the office of district deputy.
J. E. STEWART, M. D.
One of the notable institutions of Hutch-
inson is the Stewart Hospital, conducted by
the Stewart Brothers, both distinguished
and capable physicians and surgeons whose
marked ability has placed them in the front
rank of the representatives of the medical
fraternity in this portion of the state. Their
reputation, however, is not limited by the
confines of Kansas, for many of their pa-
trons come from other states and the history
of their successful treatment is continually
increasing their practice. This is a utilitarian
age in which man is judged by bis useful-
ness in the world. The public lias no place
for the misanthrope or the individual who
lives to himself alone, and public opinion
commends or condemns according as the in-
dividual has wrought along the lines of
greatest good to his fellow men or other-
wise. It is this which has won for the med-
ical fraternity its high standing, and well
does the honorable, able and conscientious
physician deserve the gratitude and respect
of his fellow men.
Dr. J. E. Stewart, the senior member of
the firm, was born in Bedfoi'd county, Vir-
ginia, March 19, 1857, a son cf Robert B.
and Angeline (Arrington) Stewart, both of
whom are representatives of prominent old!
southern families. The branch of Stewarts
to which the Doctor belnngs is ilesccnded
from the Scottish clan nf that name. The
great-grandfather, emigrating to. America,
took up his abode in Beaufort. South Caro-
lina, where he spent his' remaining days.
His son, the Rev. James Stcwnrt, the grand-
father of the Dnct'T, wa- a [li. iicer minister
of the ?kIethodist hlpi^La 'pal chrich and for
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
sixty years was a member of the Baltimore
conference, the scene of his labors being
Virginia. There he gave his time and ener-
gies to ministerial work until 1868 when he
came to Kansas, and his death occurred in
Reno county when he had attained the ad-
vanced age of ninety-five j'-ears. In early
life he had married Betsey Bush, of Vir-
ginia. His last years were spent in the home
of his son Robert.
Robert Stewart was the father of the
well known physicians of Hutchinson, wIto
are cijnducting the Stewart Hospital. He
was reared on the old plantation in Bedford
count^■. Virginia, and there resided for inany
years. He owned extensive landed interests
and many slaves and in common with other
property owners of the southern states he
lost considerable during the period of the
Civil war. In 1881 he removed with his
family of seven children to Rice county,
Kansas, where he purchased a tract of land
upon which he vet resides — an honored and
representative agriculturist of the commun-
ity. In his political views he is a standi
Democrat and like the other members of the
Stewart family is a devoted member of the
Methodist church. He has five children who
are still living: Samuel W., who operates
a part of the homestead farm in Rice coun-
ty: Robert O., an agriculturist of the same
county; James E., a twin brother of Robert
and tlie subject of this review; R. A., who
is in partnership with his brother James ; and
Olive, the wife of Samuel Steimr.etz, of Rice
county.
On the old Virginia plantation Dr.
James E. Stewart spent his early youth and
acquired his preliminary education in the
common schools. He began the study of med-
icine under the direction of Dr. E. W". Sale,
of Stewartville, Virginia, who directed his
reading for two years. He then entered the
Hospital Medical College, of Louisville,
Kentucky,- where he remained for one term,
when he accompanied his parents on their
removal to Kansas. After a residence of
six months in Rice county he became a stu-
dent in the office of Dr. P. P. Trueheart. of
Sterling, Kansas, and then returning to the
east entered the Universitv of IMarvland, at
Baltimore, where he spent one term. On the
expiration of that period he returned to the
Hospital Medical College, of Louisville,
where he was graduated in the sprint- of
1883. Six months later he established an
office in Alden, Rice county, Kansas, where
he engaged in practice for eight years, re-
moving then to Hutchinson, where he has
since remained, forming a partnership with
his brother in the establishment and conduct
of the Stewart Hospital, which has become
one of the leading private hospitals in the
state.
On the 7th of JNIarch. 1894. Dr. J. E.
Stewart married Miss Lillian Young, a
daughter of John \\'. and A. E. ( Furge-
son) Young. They have two children,
Helen and William Y. The family attend
the Methodist church, in which the Doctor
holds memljership. He is independent in
his pdlitical views and has never sought of-
fice, his time and attention being fully en-
grossed by the demands of his practice.
Robert A. Stewart, the junior member
of the firm, was born in Bedford county,
Virginia, January 20, 1868, and was only
thirteen years of age when he acompanied
his parents to Rice county, Kansas, where
he continued his education which had been
begun in the public schools of his native
state. Through the summer months he as-
sisted his father in the operation of the
farm until 1888. when he matriculated in
the Hospital Medical College, of Louisville,
and was graduated in the class of 1891.
Immediately afterward he entered into part-
nership with his brother, Dr. James E.
Stewart, an association which has since been
maintained. He was married June 12. 1895,
to Mary C, daughter of James P. ^McCurdy,
and they have two children, Margaret and
John R. Tliey have an elegant residence at
No. 801 North Main street, which was erec-
ted by the Doctor. His political views are
not bound by party ties, his support being
given to the men and measures that he be-
lieves will best promote the general good.
His religious faith is indicated by his mem-
]>ership in the Methodist Episcopal church.
Both brothers give their undivided atten-
tion to their professional duties and their
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
work lias been crowned by a high measure
of success. Since his graduation Dr. R. A:
Stewart has taken two private courses of
study under Professor Reynolds, of Louis-
ville. Kentucky. In March. 1891. the hos-
pital was established in Hutchinson, with
modest pretensions, in a small building on
West Tenth street. They abandoned gen-
eral practice, making a specialty of surgery,
gynecology and the treatment of diseases of
the eye. ear and throat. It took time to
demonstrate to the public the worth of the
institution and for about four years the finan-
cial outlook was anything but promising,
but since that time a constantly increasing
patronage has rendered their business lucra-
ti\'e and profitable. Well do they deserve
success. They have founded a hospital just-
ly meriting the public support. In 1897 they
purchased their present property at 724
North !Main street, the location being one of
the most desirable in the city. It is far
enough removed from the business portion
to escape the noise of traffic. The building
was originally a fine residence, and this they
liave remodeled' and added to, making it
well adapted for the purpose for which it is
now used. The grounds are well kept and
of attractive appearance and the house is
bright and cheerful and arranged with ad-
mirable taste. Perfect sanitary conditions
exist and the steam heating, electric lighting
and water systems are equally admirable.
There are more than thirty rooms in the
building, each perfectly ventilated. The
clean white walls and spotless floors in the
twenty-two rooms fitted up for patients pre-
clude the possibility of disease germs of any
nature finding a harboring place. The kitch-
en is in a separate building soi that no> odors
of conking reach the rooms of the patients.
On the ^ec(-ind llonr is located the laboratory
containing apparatus for making all of the
delicate tests and analysis so essential to
correct diagnosis and subsequent successful
treatment of disease. The institution is well
equipped with all necessary appliances and
instruments for the successful. performance
of all ordinary surgical operations in the
operating room on the first floor and the past
four years has demonstrated the fact that the
percentage of recoveries here is greater in
proportion than in many of the larger insti-
tutions. Skillful and scientific methods of
treatment, salubrious climate, careful nurs-
ing and perfect sanitary conditions and quiet
and pleasant surroundings, all doubtless
contribute their share in accomplishing this
desirable result. In summing up the value
of man's work in the world that of the phy-
sician has a prominent place and no mem-
bers of the profession are doing more along
the line of their chosen \j;ocation than the
Stewart Brothers, whose professional skill,
high Christian character and individual
worth have gained them the unqualified re-
gard of all with whom they have been asso-
ciated.
H. C. WARNER.
H. C. \\'arn€r. president of the Citizens'
State Bank, is a leading and influential busi-
ness man of Arlington, not alone ]>ecause of
his connection with financial circles, but also
by reason of his extensive farming and
stock-raising interests. He owns a large
and valuable ranch on section 34, Arlington
township, where he resides, dividing his at-
tention between the bank and the ranch.
He was born in Union county, Ohio, No-
"vember 6, 1850, a son of Elijah and Lois
(Burdick) Warner, the former a' native of
New York and the latter of Ohio. During
his boyhood days the father accompanied
his parents to the Buckeye state, where he
was reared to manhood and married. He
then engaged in farming on his own account
and acquired a good property of one hun-
dred and sixty acres. This he cleared of
heavy timber, transformed it into richly
cultivated fields and made his home thereon
until his death, which occurred in 1870. His
widow still survives him and yet resides
on the old home place at the age of eighty-
five years. In the family were ten children
and our subject is the fourth of the surviv-
ing members, now numbering seven. One
son, Joshua, came we,st, located in Gage
county, Nebraska, and there died in 1890.
The living members are: Pernintha, the
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
wife of I. H. Embry, of Gage county, Ne-
braska ; Emma, the wife of Foster Graham,
of Dundee county, Nebraska ; Hezekiah C.,
of this review ; Isaac, who is living; on the
old homestead in Ohio ; and Nettie and' Ada,
who reside with their mother upon the same
farm together with Albert, who also oper-
ates the home place.
On his father's farm in Ohio H. C. War-
ner spent the days of his boylibod and youth,
and through the short winter terms he pur-
sued his education in the common schools.
When he was but twenty years of age his
father died and as he was the eldest son the
work U'f the farm and' the managanent of its
bu^iness affairs devolved largely upon him.
For twenty-five years he there remained, cul-
tivating the fields and looking after the in-
terests of the family. In 1875 he left the
old homestead and engaged in merchandis-
ing in Union county, Ohio, in company with
B. \^'. Evans, the partnership being main-
tained for fi\-e years, when Mr. Warner sold
his interest to Mr. Evans, and in 1880 went
to Gage county, Nebraska. There he en-
gaged in the stock business until his re-
moval to Reno county in 1881. Here he lo-
cated first in the town of Arlington, where
for a few months he engaged in handling
and dealing in range horses. He then took
ch.arge of the Arlington Hotel, which he,
conducted for about twO' years, and in July,
1883, in company with J. E. Eaton he en-
gaged in the real-estate business at Arling-
ton, buying and selling property for five
years. During this time, in company with
Charles Ford and A. B. Crebbs, he founded
the Arlington State Bank, of which he be-
came a director. This was the first bank in
the town. Later the Citizens' State Bank
was organized and the Arlington State Bank
sold out to them, for there was not enough
business tO' enable two- banfe to profitably
continue here. Subsequently Mr. Warner
and other prominent business men purchased
the Citizens' Bank, in May, 1896, and he
was made its president, in which office he
has since served, capably controlling the af-
fairs of the institution and' making it one
of the most substantial financial concerns
of the county.
While engaged in the real-estate business
Mr. Warner embraced the opportunity he
had! of making judicious investments in
farming land and thus became the owner of
considerable property. When he arrived in
Reno county in the fall of 1881. he pre-
empted the southwest quarter of section 35,
Arlington township, which he improved,
gaining the title thereto from the govern-
ment. He still owns this, it constituting a
part of his present extensive ranch. In 1884
he took up his residence on the place, which
was then a tract of raw prairie, but he has
transformed it into one of the best stock
ranches of the county. Within its boundar-
ies are comprised fourteen hundred and
forty acres, of whidi six hundred acres is
under cultivation. The entire amount is
under fence and substantial buildings pro-
vide shelter for grain and stock, while the
home is a very pleasant and commodious
residence. Mr. Warner keeps on hand three
hundred or more cattle, feeding from one
to two hundred head each year. While he
raises a great deal of feed on his place he
annually buys from one to ten thousand
bushels of corn, which he purchases from his
neighbors. His affairs are capably mjnn-
aged and' his thorough understanding of the
best method's of caring for stock and of
raising crops has made him a very successful
farmer of Reno county.
On the 15th of June, 1884, ^Mr. \'\'arner
was united in marriage tO' Miss Rose D.
Crane, whose father gave his life to his coun-
tr\-, falling in the war of the Rebellion. ]\Irs.
AVarner is a nati\'e of Kentucky and rqjre-
sents an old and distinguished family of the
south. Unto our subject and his wife have
been born four children: Harold, Chester,
Don and Raymoiid. In public matters Mr.
\\'arner takes an intelligent, interested and
active part, but is not an aspirant for office
as his varied personal interests occupy his
attention completely. He has, however,
done effective work in the interests of the
Republican party, has been a member of the
Republican county central committee and a
delegate to> the county and congressional
conventions. He is a charter memberof Ar-
lington Camp, Modern Woodmen of Amer-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ica, and is a progressive, public-spirited man
whose worth makes him a valuable acquisi-
tion to the citizenship of Reno county. His
business record is: without a blemish and
through his unaided efforts he has advanced
steadily to the goal of success.
JOHN E. HOLMES.
John E. Holmes, a retired farmer of
Hutchinson, was born in Bradford, York-
shire, England, March 3, 1847. His father,
Edward Holmes, was born in Northumber-
land, England, in 1813, and was a miller
by trade. The latter came toi America with
his family when our subject was nine years
of age, the voyage being made on the sail-
ing vessel, Frances P. Sage, and during the
trip severe storms and coiUrary winds were
encountered and they were beaten back sev-
eral hundred miles. At one time, when the
storm was at its height, the passengers were
locked in the hold and immense waves swept
over the deck. After six weeks spent upon
the ocean the passengers were finally land-
(-1I at Castle Garden, and from that place
.Mr. Holmes made his way to Macoupin
cijinity, Illinois, where he secured einploy-
ment with N. Howard, a prominent miller
of that place, with whom he remained for
two or three years. He then removed' about
five miles into the country, purchasing what
was known as the Boggis grist and saw
mill, together with about five acres of land,
on which his family resided while he en-
gaged in the operation of the mill. After
about two years thus spent he soki his prop-
erty there and removed to Alton, Illinois,
where for the following two or three years
he was employed as a miller by the Schuy-
ler Distillery Company, going thence to
Jersey county, Illinois, where for three or
four years he worked in the Haycroft &
Herdman mill at Eidelity. Mr. Holmes'
next location was at Jerseyville, in Jersey
county, Illinois, where he was employed in
a large mill until 1865, when he removed to
Greene county, that state, and' purchased a
mill on ;\Iacoupin creek, which was oper-
ated by water power. There ]Mr. Holmes
spenfthe remainder of his life, passing away
in the fall of 1865. I" P"litical matters he
gave his support to- the Democratic party.
In England, his native country, he was
united in marriage to Mary A. Fox, who
was born near Leeds, England. Ilcr father,
who was also a miller bv > iccupatii m, met his
death while oiling niachincr}-, his necker-
chief having caught in the machinery and he
was drawn into the wheels and crushed to
death. After lii> death his widnw came to
America, .'uhl hor (k\-ith dccurrcd in Jersey
county, IlliiK'i-, in 1^53. The ni' ither of our
subject is still li\ing, and now makes her
home at Springfield, Illinois, having reached
the ripe old age of eighty-two years. Unto
this worthy couple were born nine children,
namely: Jane, the wife of Matthew Wil-
kinson, a retired miller of Alton, Illinois ;
Alfred, a prominent farmer oi RenO' coun-
ty, Kansas; Susanna, the wife of Manning
F, Price, a carpenter of Springfield, Illinois;
Edward and a sister, lji>tli 'if win mi died in
England in childhDod; Jdlni E., the subject
of this rcA-iew ; William H., a retired fanner
oi Hutchinsiin, Kansas: I'lKcbe, wife of
George Parker, a saw \er of Alton, Illinois;
and Mary, widijw nf Ralph Smith, and a
resident of Sterling. Kansas.
John E. Holmes received his early edu-
cation in the schools of his native land, and
after coming tO' this coimtry he attended
school at Fidelity and Alton, Illinois, When
only about fifteen years of age, however,
he laid aside his text-books in order to as-
sist his fatlKr in the mill and on the farm,
and he alsi> dr^ i\-e a coal and flour wagon.
At the time of the Civil war our subject was
but seventeen years of age, but he valiantly
ofifered his service in the protection of the
stars and stripes, becoming a member of
Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and in the
spring of 1865 was sent to Fort Rosecrans,
located' on the battlefield of Stone River,
wdiere he did garrison duty until the follow-
ing July or August. Between Louisville
and Nashville, while on his way tO' the front
and while traveling on a freight car, he was
shot frQm ambush, the ball grazing his lip.
ii6
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
He would have fallen between the cars and
probably have been killed but for the brave
act of his comrade, John McGee, who saved
him from the fall. He was sent to Tulla-
homa, Tennessee, thence to Nashville, and
at the last named place he was taken sick
and was confined in the hospital for several
weeks. He has never fully recovered from
the exposure and hardships endured during
his army career, and has ever since been dis-
qualified from performing active work. Re-
ceiving his discharge at Nashville, Tennes-
see, in the fall of 1865, he was mustered out
of service at Springfield, Illinois, and re-
turned to his home in Greene coimty, that
state, near CarroUton, but his home-coming
was attended by a sad event, as his father
passed away in death only two weeks after
his arrival. In the folloaving spring our
subject, in company with his mother, sisters
and two brothers, removed to Alton, Illi-
nois, where he secured employment in the
roundhouse of the Chicago & Alton Rail-
road, but after a short time thus spent he
began work on the road as a fireman. After
his father's death he became the head of the
fainily, and nobly did he perform his duty
toward his mother and sisters, although he
received able assistance from bis: younger
brother William. After about six months
spent upon the road INIr. Holmes removed
to ]\Iacoupin county, Illinois, where for the
following year he was employed as an agri-
culturist, and at the end' of that time, in
company with his younger brother, he leased
a farm for a term of five years, receiving all
the crops raised in return for caring for the
place and clearing off a portion of timber.
After his term had expired he and his broth-
er purchased eighty acres of land, also rent-
ing a tract adjoining, but after a time the
brother married and our subject then began
farming by himself, on the eighty-acre tract.
After a time, hcwever, he sold that land and
went to Litchfield, Illinois, where he rented
a farm for one year, paying five dollars per
acre cash rent; but becoming dissatisfied
w'ith this exorbitant rate he decided toi come
to the Sunflower state, arriving in Reno
coimty in the fall of 1881. where he home-
steaded one hundred and sixtv acres of land
in Huntsville township, on the southeast
quarter of section 28. Mr. Holmes made
the journey from Illinois to Kansas with
three horses and a few household goods, and
on his arrival here he had just ten cents in
money, but he soon began work in earnest,
erecting a sod house, and in a short time he
had eighteen acres planted with wheat. At
the close of his third year he had prospered
to the extent that he was able to purchase
an adjoining one hundred and sixty acres
from the railroad on the northeast quarter
of section 33. Several years later he extend-
ed his landed possessions by purchasing one
hundred and t\\enty acres in Plevna town-
ship, eighty acfes on section 9 and forty
on section 16, adjoining the town of Plev-
na, and on the forty-acre tract he erected a
magnificent residence, twenty-eight by
thirty-six feet, and containing nine rooms,
and this is regarded as one of the finest
dwellings in the township. On his original
one hundred and sixty acres he has also
made many valuable improvements, erect-
ing a good residence, barns, granaries and
all other necessary outbuildings, while a
beautiful orchard and a grove of mulberry
and Cottonwood trees further add to the
value and attractive appearance of the place.
He has principally devoted his attention to
grain farming, making a specialty of wheat
and corn, and in his operations he has been
remarkably successful and is now the owner
of a comfortable competence. In 1886 he
traded his forty acres in Plevna for his
present commodious and beautiful residence
in Hutchinson, and in this city he also' owns
lots on Sixth avenue, and has a house and
two lots in Nickerson. He still retains pos-
session of his four hundred acres of farm-
ing land, which is operated by tenants, but
from' his city residence in Hutchinson he
keeps a general oversight over his entire
possessions.
Mr. Holmes was married in Montgom-
ery county, Illinois, near the town of Ray-
mond, in 1883, to Jennie Anderson, a na-
tive of that county and a daughter of Peter
and Elizabeth Anderson, both of whom
were born in Scotland. Unto this union
were born four children. — Elizabeth. Mar-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
garet, Murray and John Logan, all of whom
are attending the Fourth Avenue school in
Hutchinson. In 1892, while residing at
their beautiful residence in Plevna township,
the wife and mother passed away in death,
and on the 19th of December, 1893, at
Springfield, Illinois, our subject married
Carrie M. Robbins, who was born in Chau-
tauqua county. New York, near Jamestown,
a daughter of George W. and Phoebe
(Sweet) Robbins, the father a native of
Scotland and the mother of Germany. Mrs.
Holmes was employed as a dress-maker be-
fore her marriage. For many years Mr.
Holmes has been identified with the Repub-
lican party, and while residing in Hunts-
ville township he served for two terms each
as road overseer and school clerk, and dur-
ing his residence in Plevna township he was
the efficient township treasurer for one term,
ever discharging his public duties with fidel-
ity and honor. In his social relations he is
a member of the G. A. R., Joe Hooker Post,
No. 17, and previous to his connection there-
with he was connected with Sylvia Post, No.
386, in which he held every office up to and
including that of senior vice commander.
He was formerly a member of the Knights
of Pythias fraternity. His religious prefer-
ence is indicated by his membership m
the First Methodist church of Hutchinson,
of which denomination his wife is also a
valued member. The business career of Mr.
Holmes is one that should encourage others
to press on, for when he came to Kansasi he
was without money and without influential
or wealthy friends to aid him, but he set to
work to overcome all difficulties that might
lay in his path to success. Earnest labor,
unabating perseverance, good management
and a laudable ambition, — these are the ele-
ments which brought him prosperity and
have made him one of the influential citizens
of the locality. His career has ever been
such as to warrant the trust and confidence
of the business world, for he has ever con-
ducted all transactions on the strictest prin-
ciples of honor and integrity, while his de-
votion to the public good is unquestioned
and arises from a sincere interest in his fel-
low men.
LEW BAKER.
Upon section 21, Wilson township. Rice
county, resides Lew Baker, who follows ag-
ricultural pursuits and is engaged in the
raising of stock. He is well known as an
enterprising citizen and has made his home
in Rice county since 1880. He was born
in Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, October
4, 1863, and is a son of Ansel Baker, whose
birth occurred in the Empire state in 1818.
When :a young man the father emigrated
westward to Ohio, and in that state was
united in marriage to Miss Martha Foster,
who was born in Vermont. She was greatly
beloved for her kindness of heart and mind.
Her death, which occurred when she was
fifty-five years O'f age, was mourned by all
who knew her. Mr. Baker, the father of our
subject, was born in 1818, and died April
14, 1890, at the age of seventy-two years,
after devoting his attention to agricultural
pursuits as a life work. In politics he was
a Republican and in religious belief was a
Methodist, holding membership in the
church of that denomination in his boyhood.
His children are: Mrs. Frances Robbins,
of Huron county, Ohio; M. F., one of the
prominent early settlers of Wilson town-
ship. Rice county ; Norman, who is also liv-
ing in Ohio; Charles, who makes his home
in Chicago, Illinois ; Lew, whose name in-
troduces this review ; and Thomas, who is
likewise a resident of the Buckeye state.
The boyhood days of Lew Baker were
quietly passed. He worked upon the home
farm during the summer months and was
trained to habits of industry and economy.
In the winter season he pursued his studies
in the public schools and by business experi-
ence has also added to- his knowledge. At
the age of seventeen he made his way west-
ward to Kansas, locating in Rice county,
where his brother, M. F., resides. Here he
engaged at farm work, and by industry and
economy he secured a capital sufficient to
purchase a small tract of land and thus
g-ained a start. As time has passed he has
added to his property until he now owns a
valuable tract of three hundred and twenty
acres, upon which are splendid buildings.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
and his excellent pasturage affords golden
opportunities for stock-raising. There is an
orchard upon the place and he has every fa-
cility for raising and feeding cattle. Besides
being a splendid judge of cattle, he is a good
manager, and in his business efforts he has
wi;in creditable success.
In the year 1893 Mr. Baker was united
in marriage to Miss Lulu Black, a lady of
intelligence and culture, who has spent her
entire life west of the Mississippi river. She
was born in Lee county, Iowa, near Fort
Madison, where she was reared and educat-
ed. She is a daughter of A. and Frances
Black. Her father is now a resident of
\\'ilson township, but her mother departed
this life in Lyons, in 1901. The marriage
of our subject and his wife has been blessed
with two children. Foster M., whose birth
occurred December 23, 1897, and Everett
Lewis, born April 2, 1902. Mr. Baker is a
man of strong mentality, of splenchd' busi-
ness ability and is frank and genial in man-
ner. His business associates find' him relia-
ble and trustworthy and he is an enterpris-
ing and successful farmer.
WILLIAM J. HARRISON.
Among the citizens that Illinois has fur-
nished' to the Sunflower state is William J.
Harrison, who resides in Sterling township.
He was born in Lagrange, Cook county, Illi-
nois, October 3, 1851. His father, John
Harrison, was a native of England, born
near Carlysle, in 1818, and there he was
reared to farm life. In 1845 he married
]\Iiss Jane Burrow, who was born in June,
1824, and they became the parents of ten
children, five sons and five daughters, all
born in America with the exception of three.
One born in England died ere the emigra-
tion to the new world. In June, 1851, Mr.
Harrison with his family sailed for the Uni-
ted States, and after thirteen weeks spent
on the bosom of the Atlantic reached the
American harbor. He arrived in Chicago
with only eighty-four cents in his .pocket.
He went into the countrv and worked as a
fann hand for a dollar a day and thus gained
a start, after which he purchased a farm on
credit. His indefatigable labor and econ-
omy, however, enabled him to soon dis-
charge his indebtedness and not long after-
ward he bought a farm of one hundred and
seventy acres, where he prospered, owing to
his marked diligence and the increase in
realty values. His farm' was at length sold
for two hundred and fifty dollars per acre.
On it was located a valuable stone quarry.
His wife died December 24, 1889, at the age
of seventy-five years, and his death occurred
in 1892.
William J. Harrison, whose name begins
this record, received but meager educational
privileges. He attended the district schools
during the winter months and in the sum-
mer, from the time he was seven years of
age, he worked in the fields. When a youth
of fourteen he did a man's work, for he was
strong and rugged. At twenty-two years
of age he left home to make- his own way in
the world, and, as usual with young (men'
starting out for themselves, he sought a com-
panion and helpmate for the journey of life.
On the 30th of October, 1883, he was united
in marriage to Harriet Selfridge, of Ran-
dolph county, Illinois, a daughter of J. S.
and Susan Jane (Woodside) Selfridge. the
former a native of Ohio and the latter of
Kentucky. The father was born in August,
1825, and their marriage was celebrated in
Illinois, in 1844. He was a carpenter and
builder by trade, following that pursuit in
order to provide for the support of his fam-
ily, which as the years wart by grew in
numbers until he was the father of five sons
and four daughters. One daughter. ]\Iary
Ellen, died at the age of fourteen years. The
sons were reared to assist in the work of
carpentering and farming, and eight chil-
dren are now living. The parents also sur-
vire and are now residents of Sterling, where
they located in 1876. The marriage of Mr.
and Mrs. Harrison was celebrated at the
home of the bride, after yhich they took up
their abode six miles northwest of the vil-
lage of Sterling, where Mr. Harrison pur-
chased a half section of improved land. He
afterward made other purchases, paying six-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
teen hundred dollars for one hundred and
twenty acres and twenty-seven hundred and
thirty dollars for two hundred acres. He
has a tenant upon the last mentioned farm.
In the sijring of 1899 he took up his abodte
at his present home, where he has twoi hun-
dred and forty acres, and he also owns a
forty-acre farm near Sterling. He has three
valuable tracts of land, supplied with gKx>d
buildings, and he is extensively and success-
fully engaged in the raising of cattle, horses
and hogs. He breeds polled Durham cattle
— registered stock — the most of them being
one-half or three- fourths Durham. For
eight years he has been engaged in the stock
business and is now breeding Norman
horses. He grows from three to five thou-
sand bushels of wheat and from two to four
thousand bushels of corn annually.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Harrison have been
born four children : Mabel, who is now
sixteen years of age; John Logan, fifteen
years old; Benjamin, a lad of ten summers;
and Lorenzo, who is eight years of age. In
his political views Mr. Harrison is a Repub-
lican and has served on the school board,
but has never sought or desired office, pre-
ferring to give his time and energies to his
business affairs, in which he is meeting with
signal success. He belongs to the Independ-
ent Order of Odd Fellows, holding member-
ship in both the subordinate lodge and en-
campment. He is also identified with the
Congregational church and his wife is a
member of the Reformed Presbyterian
church. The secret of his success is not
difficult to ascertain, for in the legitimate
lines of busines he has met with prosperity,
placing his dependence upon the sulistantial
■cjualities of energy and resolution.
JOHN \\-. DOTSOX.
Among the worthy citizens that Ken-
tucky has furnished to the Sunflower state
is John W. Dotson, who is successfully en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits on section 25,
Raymond township, Rice county. The year
■of his arrival here \\-as 1879. and he has
since been one of the county's most substan-
tial and reliable citizens. He was born No-
vember 21, 1836, and is a son of George
Dotson, a native of Virginia and a repre-
sentative of a prominent family of that state.
When a young man the latter remo\-ed to
Kentucky. In Mason county, that state, he
was united in marriage to Miss Ellen White,
who was l)orn in North Carolina, and. they
became the parents of seven children, name-
ly: Elizabeth; John W. ; Mary; Al>salom,
who was a loyal soldier in the Cnnfederate
service; Saphronia: George, who aided in
the defense of the L'nion in the Ci\'il war :
and James. Tlie father of this family was a
blacksmith by occupation and in his political
views was a Democrat. His death occurred
in Fleming county, Kentucky, at the age of
fifty-one years. His wife died at the age
of fifty-four years, and both were faithful
members of the Baptist church.
John W. Dotson, whose name intro-
duces this review, was reared to farm life
in the state of his nativity, and there received
his education in the common schools. In
1861, at the outbreak df the Civil war, he
enlisted for ser\'ice in tlic I'nidn army, join-
ing the Sixteenth Kentucky Volunteer In-
fantry. He became a member of Company
A, and was a loyal defender of the Union
for three years and eleven months. He par-
ticipated in seventeen battles and many
skinnishes, including the engagements at
Franklin, Nashville, Toivn Creek, I\'}-
Mountain, Kingston, Resaca, Lookout
Mountain, Mossy Creek, King's Hill, Pine
Mountain, Atlanta, Lost Mountain, Kene-
saw Mountain, Jonesboro, Columbia, Fort
Anderson. W'ilmington and many others.
During his service he was sick in a hospital
for eight or ten months, but was ne\-er
wounded. He was honorably dischar.ged in
July, 1865, returning to his home with an
honorable military record.
In the year 1867 Mr. Dotson was united
in marriage to Miss Mary Seever, a lacty of
intelligence and culture, who has proved to
her husband a faithful companion for the
journey of life. She was born in Fleming
county. Kentucky. July 13. 1849, ^^rid is a
daughter of Helms and Eliza (Choate)
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Seever, also natives of Kentucky, but both
are now deceased, the mother dying in mid-
dle life and the father at the age of sixty
years. They were the parents of eight chil-
dren, six of whom still survive : Charlotte,
Elizabeth, Henry, George, Peter and Mary.
The sons were all members of the Confed-
erate army during the Civil war. The chil-
dren who'have passed away are Edward and
Hannah. There is also a half brother,
Tames Seever. The father of this family fol-
io'wed the occupation of farming and af^Ii-
ated with the Democratic party. Both he
and his wife were members of the Methodist
Episcopal church. The union of our subject
and his wife has been blessed w'ith seven
children, as follows : ]Mrs. Ellen Boes, a
resident of Oklahoma; Henry and George
Casper, also O'f Oklahoma: Elizabeth;
Vaughn McCanlass, of Raymond, Kansas;
Bessie; and Absalom.
Mr. Dotson located on his present farm
of one hundred and sixty acres in 1879, and
here he is now engaged in general farming.
He . has made many substantial improve-
ments upon his place, including the erection
of buildings and the planting of an orchard
and grove. His fields are under a high state
of cultivation and evers'thing about the place
is neat and thrifty in appearance. Mr, Dot-
son is a stanch advocate of Democratic prin-
ciples. In all relations of life he has been
upright and honorable, and he gives his
hearty support and co-operation to every
movement and measure for the public good.
JOHN W. TiOSE.
This is an age of specialization, for busi-
ness interests have become so complex that
it is almost impossible for one man to be
thoroughly proficient in every department of
a profession, and, therefore, gaining a gen-
eral knowledge of the fundamental princi-
ples he devotes his energies to some special
line, thereby advancing to a prominent posi-
tion as a representative of his chosen field of
labor, which he could nut do if his efforts
were disseminated over a broader field. Such
a course has John W. Rose pursued and to-
day his reputation as a corporation and coni-
mercial lawyer is not limited by the confines
of this state, but extends widely throughout
the country. He maintains an office in the
First National Bank building of Hutchin-
son, from which points'fie controls the prac-
tice which conies to him from an extensive
clientele, including many of the most import-
ant corporations in this city and throughout
the state.
Mr. Rose was born near Valparaiso, In-
diana, May 13, 1857, his parents being X,
B. and Esther A, (Price) Rose, both of
whom were natives of Ohio. His paternal
grandfather, N. B. Rose, Sr., was born in
Pennsylvania and, emigrating westward,
took up his abode in the Buckeye state. He
was a farmer by occupation. His son and
namesake became a pioneer preacher of the
Christian church. In the early '40s he lo-
cated in Indiana and when gold was discov-
ered in California he was among the first to
make his way to the Eldorado of the west.
There he engaged in mining with some suc-
cess but eventually returned to Indiana and
devoted his attention chiefly thereafter to
the work of the church. In addition to his
ministerial labors, however, he managed his
investments, being an extensive owner of
farm lands. He spent his later years near
Henderson, Kentucky. In his political views
he was first a Whig and on the dissolution of
that party became a Republican. In his fam-
ily were seven children, of whom only two
are now living: John W., of this review;
and A. B., a well known and successful dry
goods merchant of Abilene, Kansas.
John \y. Rose was born on his father's
farm within eight miles of Valparaiso, In-
diana, and when a lad of three years accom-
I panied his parents on their removal to that
I city. There he was reared to manhood and
its educational system provided him with the
knowledge that prepared him for the practi-
cal duties of life. Desiring to engage in the
practice of law, when nineteen years of age
he became a student in the law office of X.
J. Bozarth, of Wilparaiso, who directed his
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
reading for two years, and on the 20th of
^lay, 1878, he was admitted to the Indiana
bar. Prior to this time, in the intervals of
study, he had. engaged in teaching school
and thus provided the means necessary to
the prosecution of his course of reading.
Mr. Rose at once opened an office in Val-
paraiso and after being alone in business for
a year entered into partnership with his
former preceptor, ISIr. Bozarth, with whom
he was associated for a year. He then be-
came a partner of J. H. Skinner and estab-
lished the law firm' of Rose & Skinner, his
partner being a son of J. N. Skinner, a prom-
inent resident and mayor of the city. That
firm maintained an uninterrupted existence
until 1883, when Mr. Rose entered into part-
nership with the Hon. ]\lark L. De^L>tte, a
member of congress, under the firm style of
De]^Iotte & Rose. In September, 1884, this
connection was dissolved by mutual consent
and Mr. Rose came to the west, locating first
at St. John, Kansas, where he was alone in
practice until 1886. He then entered into
partnership relations with T. W. Moseley,
and after practicing thus for several years
;\Ir. Dixon was taken into the firm, under
the style of Rose, Moseley & Dixon. In
1889 Mr. Rose withdrew, for in August of
that year he was induced to accept the Re-
publican nominatiim for judge of the twen-
tienth judicial district, including Rice, Bur-
ton and Stafford counties, and entered upon
the canvas's. His personal popularity and
the confidence reposed in him by those who
knew him best is indicated bv the fact that he
receixed almost the entire vote of his own
ciiy. Init in the general Populistic landslide
of that year he was defeated. From 1890
until 1893 li^ then engaged in the practice of
law alone.
In the latter year 'Sir. Rose came to
Hutcliinson. where he opened an oflice. and
in March, 1894, formed a partnership with
John \V. Roberts under the firm name of
Rose & Roberts, a relation that was main-
tained for three j-ears. when, in Octuber.
1897, lie became associated with \\'illiam
^^'itelaw, the firm of Witelaw & Rose con-
tinuing until April, 1899, when it was dis-
solved. Mr. Rose was then alone in business
until the ist of June, 1901, when Howard
Lewis, city attorney of Hutchinson, became
his partner and the firm of Rose & Lewis
now exists. In 1885-6, while residing in
St. John, Mr. Rose served as deputy attor-
ney of Stafli'ord county and the greater part
of the district work devolved upon him. His
practice is and has been of a very important
character. He was assistant general attor-
ney for the Hutchinson & Southern Railroad
Company for two years prior to its consoli-
dation with the Santa Fe Railroad system
and is at present general attorney for the
Texas & Southern Railroad Company, hav-
ing occupied the position since March, 1901.
He is also general attorney for the Delaware
Construction Company, engaged in the
building of one hundred and fifty miles of
railroad in Oklahoma. Mr. Rose has given
his attention almost entirely to corporation
and commercial law in recent years and in
this department of the profession has be-
come widely known and has built up an ex-
! tensive and important practice, his reputation
being not confined to Kansas, especially in
the department of banking law and the trial
of banking cases. He has one of the most
complete law libraries in the city, including
over fifteen hundred volumes on law. His
clientage includes some of the most import-
ant corporations and business firms in the
city and vicinity, among these being the
Sentney Wholesale Grocery Company, the
St. John Trust Company, the Monarch Mills
Company, the L. J. "\Vhite Lumber Company
and ten different banking houses. He yet
retains all of his Stafford county business of
that class and is attorney for the National
Bank of Commerce, of Kansas City, while
for the Phoenix Insurance Company, of
Hartford, Connecticut, he is attornev for
Kansas. The character of his business and
the important concerns which he represents
is a guarantee of his superior abilitv, his
c< luprehensive knowledge and of the care
with which he handles the intricate problems
which arise in connection with corporation
and conmiercial law.
On the 20th of September, 1881, was
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
celebrated the marriage of Mr. Rose and
Wiss Winifred Fnrness, the wedding taking
place in Furnessville, Indiana. The lady is
a daughter of the Hon. E. L. Furness, a
prominent citizen of Indiana, living at Fur-
nessville. He is extensively interested in
agricultural pursuits and is regarded as
authority on such matters. Three sons have
been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Rose : Arthur
B., Fred F. and Dwight, and the eldest two
are students in the State Agricultural Col-
lege of Kansas. The family occupy a prom-
inent place in the social life of Hutchinson
and the hospitality of the best homes is freely
extended to them. Since coming here Mr.
Rose has purchased an elegant residence,
containing ten rooms and supplied with all
modern conveniences. It is located at No.
802 Avenue A, east. In his political views
Mr. Rose has always been an inflexible ad-
herent of the Republican party, has attended
many of its conventions and his opinions
carry weight in its councils. Socially he is
identified with the Ancient Order of United
Workmen and with the Masonic fraternity.
In a profession where advancement depends
upon individual merit he has attained to a
position of distinction. He is a man of schol-
arly attainments, of liberal culture, broad
minded and public spirited, and Kansas ac-
counts him among her representati\-e men.
H. C. HODGSOX.
One of the most prosperous farmers and
horticulturists of Rice county is H. C. Hodg-
son. Indefatigable energy has been the key
which has unlocked for him: the portals of
success and from its storehouses he has gar-
nered rich fruits. He came to the county
in the epoch of its primitive development and
as the years have passed he has not only
added to his individual prosperity but has
alsri largely promoted th& v/elfare and prog-
ress I if the community, co-operating in all
measures and movements which tend to con-
tribute to the general good. Classed among
the representative citizens of the commun-
ity he well deserves mention in this volume
and with pleasure we present his record to
our readers.
He belongs to a Virginian family honor-
able and prominent. His birth occurred in
Frederick county, Virginia, November 4,
1843, and his yotmger days were spent on
his father's plantation and -in the school
room. He is a son of Samuel and Rebecca
(Beam) Hodgson, both r.epresentatives of
prominent families of the Old Dominion.
The father was a son of Abner and Rebecca
(Johnson) Hodgson, also of Virginia, the
fomier a leading and influential farmer who
died in his native state. During the war
of 1 812 he sent a substitute to the army.
He had three children, Elizabeth, Mary and
Samuel.
The last named was born, reared and
spent his entire life in Virginia, where he
was a well known and successful farmer and
slave owner. He was identified \\ith the
farming interests of Frederick county and
his work netted him a good financial return.
During the war of the rebellion he was loyal
to the Union, although he knew that the
success of northern arms meant the loss of
his slaves. His home was in the path of
the contending armies, but his house was
searched by neither, although he suffered
heavy losses in his farm products and stoCk.
He, however, was never harmed, for he was
widely and favorabh- known and command-
ed the respect of all. Politically he was a
Whig and later a Republican. He lived the
life of an honest, unostentatious planter and
never aspired to political preferment. His
wife yet survives him and is li\-ing at the
old homestead in Virginia, at the age of
ninety years. Her father, James Beam, was
an extensive farmer of the Old Dominion,
in which he spent his entire life. His chil-
dren were: Nathan, who died in McPher-
son county, Kansas; Uriah, who departed
this life in Missouri ; Eliza. Judith, and Re-
becca. Unto Samuel Hodgson and his wife
were born eight children : Abner. who died
in Virginia ; James, who died in Iowa; John
R., who passed away in West Virginia ; H.
C. of this review ; Ann E., the wife of A. J.
Howard ; George, a leading farmer of Rice
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
county, Kansas; Mary R., who is with her
mother; and Mrs. Florence Willis. The
mother is a consistent and worthy member-
of the Presbyterian church and into the
minds of her children she instilled the prin-
ciples of right living.
H. C. Hodgson was reared in the Old
Dominion and remained at home until twen-
ty-five years of age. During the rebellion
he was enrolled in the militia and was thus
forced into the Rebel service, but after nine
days succeeded in obtaining his release and
like the others of the family remained loyal
to the Union cause. In 1869 he married
Miss Hannah Wright, a lady of intelligence
and, culture, who was born in Virginia in
1845, a daughter of Amos and Rachel (Lup-
ton ) Wright, both of whom were natives of
Virginia. They were prominent people and
members of the Friends society. Her father
would take no part in the Civil war and the
secessionists therefore put him in prison, but
after a short time he was. released. He was
opposed to the w^ar and' therefore woiild
take no part in the fighting. His death oc-
curred in Virginia, after which his wife
found a good home with her daughter, Mrs.
Hodgson, in Kansas, where she died. They
had four children. Rebecca, whoi gave Gen-
eral Sheridan the information concerning
the situation at \\'inclie>ter before the fight,
was rewarded for that service by an ap-
pointment to a position in the treasury de-
partment at Washington, where she has re-
mained for thirty-three years. She is now
the wife of W. C. Bonsai, and resides in
\\'ashington, D. C. George, the second of the
family, was killed while serving in the Rebel
army: Hannah, now Mrs. Hodgson, is the
next of the family ; and John T. is a resi-
dent of Ohio. All are members of the So-
ciety of Friends. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hodg-
son have been born five children : Jo^hn W.,
at home; Edward H., who is attending
school in Manhattan, Kansas; Frederick E.,
also at ^Manhattan; Mary B. and Henry C.,
at home.
After his marriage Mr. Hodgson en-
gaged in farming the old homestead until
1871, when he came to Kansas, locating in
Rice countv, where he filed a hom.estead
claim in the valley of Little River. His
first work was to build a dugcnt, in which
he settled his family and then began the
improvem'ent of his land. Like most of the
pioneers he had limited capital and had to
endure many trials and dif^culties. He
bought a team and when winter was over
his mioney was gone and terd work lay
before him, but he soon began the develop
men of his fields and from that time his
fami has been self-sui)porting. Li 1874 he
sufferedi the loss of his corn crop and \-ege-
tables by the grasshoppers, but he had wheat
and other supplies and did not suffer as
many of his neighbors did. He worked hard
and prosperity followed his indefatigable
labors. He early began setting out fruit and
shade trees and finding that the fruit would
grow and mature he kept extending his or-
chards until he is now one of tlie leading
horticulturists of the state. Li .1886 he
planted a large orchard and now has about
five thousand bearing apple trees and aliout
two thousand peach trees besides other
smaller fruits. He has the largest and finest
orchard in Rice county, if not in central
Kansas. He was reared in a good fruit
country, always took an interest in horticul-
tural pursuits and determining to make the
venture in Kansas he found that he could
succeed here as a fruit grower, and this
branch of his business has proved quite suc-
cessful. He has had some short crniis, Init
many years his trees have yielded lunnti-
fully and his fruit sales have t'uis materially
increased his income. He also manufactures
pure cider vinegar quite extensively and
finds a ready market for all the products
which his farm yields. His farm and or-
chards are fenced with hedges and he has
planted many forest trees, having fine groves
for windbreaks. As his financial resources
have increased he has added to his home-
stead and now owms eight hundred' acres of
valuable land without any incumbrance. His
land is undfer a high- state of cultivation and
he raises and handles stock bes'des carrying
on general farming. In 1888 he erected a
large barn and in 1899 he built a commodi-
ous two-story frame residence, supplied with
all modern conveniences and situated upon
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
a natural building site and in the midst ot
beautiful groves of evergreen, fruit and for-
est trees, miaking liis' place one of the best
improA-ed farms in the state. He started
with his dugout and, sod house, two years
later erected a small frame d^velling and
now has a most beautiful residence. These
homes indicate his steady progress on the
highroad to success. He is ever reliable and
straightforward in business, commanding
the respect and confidence of all with whom
he is associated and winning the high re-
gard of manv friends.
\\'ILLIA^I H. CARHART.
^^'illiam H. Carhart, deputy county
treasurer, is a native of Ellsworth county,
born April ii, 1875, near Wilson. His par-
ents, A\'illiam H. and Hettie Carhart, came
to Kansas from Iowa, in 1872, and here the
father engaged in farming for a time, but
afterward became connected with mercan-
tile interestsi in Wilson, where he is now re-
siding. The son pursued his education- in
the public schools of Wilson and in the
Kansas Wesleyan University, at Salina,
where he was a student for four years. He
also spent one year in the University Medi-
cal College, at Kansas City, intending to
make the practice of medicine his life work,
but upon the breaking out of the war with
Spain he enlisted in his country's service
and was made sergeant of Company I,
Twenty-first Kansas Infantry, and the regi-
ment was sent to- Chickamauga and then to
Kentucky. He is still interested iu military
affairs and is now first lieutenant of Com-
pany H of the Second Regiment of the Kan-
sas National Guard.
When his brother-in-law, G. L. Banner,
was elected county treasurer he chose IMr.
Carhart as his deputy, and -as ]\Ir. Banner,
on account of his extensive bus'ness inter-
ests in Wilson, finds it impossible to locate
at the county seat, the managerial part of the
duties of the office devolves upon our subject,
who is now capably serving and winning
high commendation bv his faithfulness and
ability. He has filled the office since Au-
gust, 1899, during which time the detail
work has de\'ol\'ed upon him. In politics
he is a Republican and takes an active in-
terest in the success of the party.
In November, 1900, Mr. Carhart was
united in marriage to Miss Minnie, daughter '
of Rev. Br. J. H. Lockwood, presiding elder
of Beloit district. He has since made Ells-
worth his home and has purchased an at-
tractive residence here, the large house be-
ing surrounded by beautiful shade trees and
the well kept lawn. The young couple are
popular in social circles and enjoy the hos-
pitality of many friends. Mr. Carhart is
identified with the lodge of Independent Or-
der of Odd Fellows, at Wilson, and is treas-
urer of the Ellsworth Club, in which he
takes great pride.
CHARLES N. WOOBBELL.
Charles N. Wooddell, one of the most
prominent dealers in coal, grain and feed
in Nickerson, Kansas, is a native of Ohio,
his birth having occurred in Highland
county, June 8, 1861. His father, J. M.
Wooddell, was born in Virginia about
sixty-five years ago. He married Miss
Catherine Ellen Stout, a native of High-
land county, Ohio, and the daughter of John
Stout and a jMiss Nailor, who died aljout
the time Catherine was born. Her parents
were married in Higliland county, Ohio.
She and her husband had nine children,
seven of whom grew to years of maturity.
Charles N. Wooddell, the subject of this
review, is the third child and second son
of his parents. He was reared in his native
village and attended the district schools un-
til sixteen years of age, when he left home
and the following year he went to Urbana,
Ohio, as an employe of the United States
Rolling Stock Company, engaged in car
manufacture, and remained with them two
years. He then accepted a position with the
Lim'a Car Works, of Lima. Ohio, and later
with the Chicago & Atlantic road, now the
Chicago & Erie, at Huntington, Indiana,
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
and for one sumlmer worked for the Pull-
man Company, at Pullman, Illinois. In
1884 he went to Hutchinson, Kansas, where
he worked on the Methodist Episcopal
church and other buildings, and made his
home there several years with his uncle,
I. N. Wooddell, now in Garden City, Kan-
sas. For one year he worked for the Santa
Fe Railroad Company, and then with the
St. John & Marsh Company, of Great Bend,
Kansas, from the fall of 1885 until 1889,
when he went tO' Nickerson and was with
the same fimi in the lumber yard there. On
Ma}' 28, 1890, he went to work in the round
house there, being thus engaged two years.
He was then made a locomotive fireman,
and, being a member of the Order of Loco-
motive Firemen, he went out in the Ameri-
can Railway Union strike in 1894. He then
located in Nickerson and bought out the
lumber, coal and grain business of S. M.
Cooper, which he has conducted since Sep-
tember, 1894, though in 1899 ^^^ discon-
tinued the sale of lumber.
Mr. ^Vooddell was married at Topeka,
Kansas, on the 15th of September, 1886,
to i\Iiss Georgetta AlcCoy, of Highland
county, Ohio, and their union has been
Ijlessed with three children : Dorothy, who
died of diphtheria when four years of age;
Earl, a bright boy of fourteen years; and
Helen, now four years of age. The parents
are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church, in which he is serving as an officer.
His father was an invalid in his later years
and our subject gave his earnings to the
family from the time he was seventeen years
of age until he was twenty-five, but he has
been very successful in his business and he
now owns his own home and place of busi-
ness. He buys grain at Wherry, Lorraine
and at Fruit Valley, and is doing the lead-
ing business in Nickerson.
Mr. Wooddell is a great admirer of
horses, has shipped many and has a \'aluable
Wilkes stallion, Alashtar, register number
25>598, a ver)^ fine animal of high breeding.
Fraternally Mr. Wooddell is a Mason, an
Odd Fellow and also a member of the Re-
bekah Degree, the Modern Woodmen of
America and the Ancient Order of United
Workmen. In his political affiliations he is
a stanch Republican, does everything in his
power to promote the growth and secure the
success of his party, and was elected a mem-
ber of the city council, in which capacity he
served two years in a most acceptable man-
ner to his constituents, and by his consci-
entious and faithful performance of his
official duties he did much for the substan-
tial upbuilding and progress of the city,
thus well deserving the confidence and higli
esteem which is uni\-ersally accorded him by
his fellow citizens.
PETER B. POTTER.
The people of Norwich, Kingman coun-
ty, Kansas, and vicinity have come to con-
sider the store of Peter B. Potter, of that
town, as headquarters for dry goods, cloth-
ing, furnishing goods, hats and caps, boots
and shoes, notions, millinery, groceries and
queensware. Mr. Potter is a native of
Dodge county, Wisconsin, born December
12, 1856. His parents were Peter and
Sophronia (Coles) Potter. His father was
born in the state of New Y(jrk, his mother
in Ohio. The former settled in Dudge
county, Wisconsin, before their marriage
and took up a timber farm, on which he
made some improvements and on which he
died when the subject of this sketch was
about one year old. After his death the
farm was sold and the family broken up.
Peter B. Potter, the youngest of the five
children of his parents, literally made his
own way in the udrld after he was ten years
old. He found emplnynient at farm work,
for a time recei\ing fur his services only his
board and clothes. When he was twenty-
two years old he hired out to work in a saw-
mill, and a year later became clerk in a store
at Merrillan, Jackson county, Wisconsin,
where during six years' continuous service
he obtained quite a practical knowledge of
mercantile life and affairs. In October,
1885, he went to Cowley county, Kansas,
and opened a general store at New Salem
in a building which he erected at that
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
point. A year later he traded his store
building for land and removed his stock of
goods to Norwich, which town was then
only one year old. For a year he was a
tenant in the building which he now occu-
pies and which he bought at the expiration
of that time. From the first he has kept a
stock of goods fresh and up-to-date and
from time to time he has enlarged it until
he has brought it to its present goodly pro-
portions, and throughout all the territory
tributary to Norwich he has an enviable
reputation for honesty and fair dealing.
Mr. Potter has taken an active part in
public affairs, and as a Republican has been
elected mayor of Norwich and has served
three terms as a member of the common
council and four years as a member of the
board of education of that city. He has been
an active worker in his church, in which he
has filled the office of Sunday-school superin-
tendent for many years; has passed the
chairs in the local branch of the Ancient
Order of United Workmen, and is also a
member of the orders of Royal Neighbors
and ]\Iodern Woodmen of America.
December 19, 1881, Mr. Potter married
at La Crosse, Wisconsin, Miss Ella B.
Nash, daughter of Edmund and Catharine
(\\'ilkenson) Nash, the former of English,
the latter of Scotch extraction. Mrs. Pot-
ter, who was born at Delafield, \\'aukesha
county, Wisconsin, has borne her husband
children as follows : Nina F., who died at
the age of eight years and eight months;
Inez C, who is a student at Winfield Col-
lege, Kansas ; Harrison E., Grace E. ; and
Donald C.
Rufus Coles, Mr. Potter's grandfather
in the maternal line, was a practicing physi-
cian in Ohio and a pioneer physician in
\\'isconsin, and Captain Coles, of the
United States army, is a cousin of Mr. Pot-
ter's mother. Peter Potter, Sr., the father
of our subject, v/as active in the political
life of Dodge county, and in 1855 he was
elected by the Democratic party as a mem-
ber of the state senate, but he died during
his ,term of service. Mrs. Potter is one of
nine children of her parents, seven of whom
survive. Her brother, John Nash, who is
an architect, carpenter and builder, lives in
the state of Washington. Richard Nash is
a farmer and mechanic and lives on the old
family homestead at Camp Douglas, Wis-
consin. Henry Nash is a citizen of ]\lil-
waukee, Wisconsin. Edward Nash is as-
sociated in business with his brother in
Washington. Ralph Nash lives in New
York city. Dennis Nash lives on the Nash
homestead in Wisconsin. Anna Nash died
at the age of eight years. Michael Nash,
who was a railroad man in the service of the
Chicago & Northwestern Railway Com-
pany, was killed by a railroad accident at
the age of twenty-four years. Edwin Nash,
the father of Mjrs. Potter, was born in York-
shire, England. His father died when he
was a child, and when he was sixteen years
old he came to America with his mother and
her four youngest children. They remained
for a time in New York city, whence they
moved to Waukesha county, Wisconsin.
After his marriage Mr. Nash worked at the
cooper's trade and improved a farm which
he sold in order to remove to Juneau coun-
ty, Wisconsin, where he bought a large
farm, on which he died in 1891, aged fifty-
eight )-ears, and on which his widow is liv-
ing at the age of seventy-four. He was
active in public affairs and for fifteen years
held the office of assessor of his township,
and was a member of the Protestant Epis-
copal church.
Mr. Potter has recently remodeled his
family residence at Norwich, and it is one
of the pleasantest and most hospitable ones
in that city. He is not only a progressive
merchant but a progressive citizen, who
takes a helpful interest in all movements
for the public good and whose public spirit
may be safely depended upon in any emer-
gency.
CALEB R. DAVIS.
The subject of this sketch is widely
known as a pioneer in central Kansas, and
he is one of the oldest settlers in Rice coun-
ty. When he came to the locality the land
was in the possession of Indians and buft'a-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
loes and no counties had been organized,
and there were no settlers within forty miles
of the place in Ellsworth county, where he
and two other families located. Through
all the growth and de\-elopnient of Ells-
worth and Rice counties he has been promi-
nently identified with their interests.
Caleb R. Davis, who is an honored resi-
dent of Little River, Rice county, KanSas,
was born in W'arren count}', Indiana, De-
cember 23, 1835, a son of Andrew and Zella
(^ Grant) Davis. His father was born in
Massachusetts and reared in Xew Jersey,
and he was married in Ohio. Joseph Davis
came from Wales to America when a small
boy and was brought up in Massachusetts
and bravely served the cause of the colonies
during the entire period of the Revolution-
ary war, during a portion of which he was
one of Washington's most trusted personal
attendants, looking after his wardrobe and
baggage and attending to many important
matters under his direct supervision. He
returned to Massachusetts after the war and
later removed to Xew Jersey, where he lived
out the remainder of his days. He was a
prominent farmer and an influential citi-
zen. His children were named Andrew,
Joseph, Asher, Elijah, Amelia and Pris-
cilla. Andrew grew to manhood in New
Jersey, where he entered the army and
ser\-ed through the war of 18 12, doing gar-
rison duty much of the time at Sandy
Hook. After the war he lived for a time
at Trenton, New Jersey, whence he re-
moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, then an unim-
portant village, where for a time he worked
at the carpenter's trade. Subsequently he
located in Montgomery county, Ohio, not
far from Dayton, where he farmed and
worked at his trade to obtain money with
which to secure his homestead. He was
married there and remained until 1833.
From 1833 until 1867 he lived in Warren
county. Indiana, where he developed a good
fanu, which he sold in order to remove to
Kansas. He bought a small tract of land
near Manhattan, Kansas, and built on it a
good residence and improved it into a good
farm, which he sold in order to remove to
his life. He was a broad-minded and intelli-
gent man, of great charity and public spirit
and of unswerving integrit}-, who was most
worthily successful in life and acquired a
good property. His wife was the daughter
of James Grant, who was a distant relative
of General U. S. Grant, and who became a
well-to-do farmer in Ohio, where he died.
Mr. and Mrs. Grant had children as fol-
lows: Susan, Zella (Mrs. Davis), Charity,
Alice and John. The following facts con-
cerning the children of Andrew and Zella
(Grant) Davis will be of interest in this con-
nection: Elizabeth married George Little.
J\Iary married N. Farden. James died in
Illinois. Joseph was captain of a c(3mpany
in the Fifty-third Regiment, Illinois Volun-
teer Infantry, and was later promoted to
the command of his regiment, with the rank
of colonel. He was made a prisoner of war
at Jackson, Mississippi, and was soon after-
ward paroled. Some time after the close
of the war he went to California, where he
died. William is living in Missouri and
Thomas in California. Evaline married
John Curran. Andrew lives in Oregon.
Amelia is the wife of R. Stone. Caleb R.
is the immediate subject of this sketch.
John fought in the Union army three years
during the rebellion and lives in southern
Kansas.
Caleb R. Davis passed his childhood and
youth in Warren ctumty. Indiana, and after
he had attained to his majority went to Illi-
nois, where he worked on a rented farm for
two years, meantime returning to Indiana
to be married. After that he rented a farm
in Newton county, Indiana, for six years,
and in 1865 removed to Kansas. He passed
the winter of 1865 and 1866 at Manhattan,
and in tlie spring of 1866 he and his wife
and twO' other families located within the
present borders of Ellsworth county, on
Thompson's creek, squatting on land which
they afterward pre-empted and held, thus
effecting the first settlement in that portion
of Kansas. There was no other settlement
nearer than forty miles, but Camp Ells-
worth, the site of Fort Harker, was twelve
miles distant and Mr. Davis could buy sup-
plies from the army settler at the military
post there, and he remembers that on one
i?.S
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
occasion he paid fifteen dollars per hundred
weig'ht for floiu". There was no market
nearer than the Missouri river and no grist
mill was available. Game was plenty and
]Mr. Davis killed many buffaloes and some
antelopes. There were many Indians in the
country, but they were not at that time
dangerous. He built a small dugout house,
broke some land, and as soon as possible got
to farming in a small way. It was not long
before he was well embarked in the cattle
business, in which he has continued to the
present time. After the little band of pio-
neers had become established in Ellsworth
county the Indians began stealing their
stock and such depredations became so fre-
cpient that at times the settlers would band
together for mutual protection against their
raids. More than thirty men, women and
children passed one winter under the pro-
tection of a fort, but no member of their
colony was killed by the savages. About
1866 emigration set into that quarter of the
state and in 1867 ™ost of the creek land
was claimed and within a few years about
all the prairie land had been taken up and
the development and improvement of cen-
tral Kansas had begun in earnest. Mr. Da-
vis improved a good farm there, which he
sold in 1875, when the filed homestead and
timber claims in the Little River valley, on
the Rice side of the county line. Later he
gave the timber claim to his daughter and
in 1893 he sold the homestead claim and
bought one hundred and sixty acres of land
in Rice county, where he now lives and to
which he has added by subsequent purchase
until he owns eight hundred acres, mostly
in Little River valley, all well improved and
under profitable cultivation. He has been
successful as a general farmer and cattle-
raiser and is one of the well-to-do farmers
of the county. Few improvements had been
made on his home farm when he bought it,
but he has built an expensive and attractive
residence on a natural elevation that over-
looks the valley and a wide stretch of sur-
rounding country. This beautiful home,
three miles northwest of Little River, is
provided with ample outbuildings, barns and
appliances for successful farming.
]\Ir. Davis is an influential Republican
and is regarded as a citizen of public spirit,
who may always be depended upon to fa-
vor to the extent of his ability any move-
ment promising to benefit the general pub-
lic. He was married January 20, 1858, to
Miss Catherine Byard, of ^\'arren county,
Indiana, who was born in Benton county,
same state, a daughter of John and Margaret
(Smith) Byard, natives of Ohio. John By-
ard was the son of John Byard, Sr., of
Ohio, who was a prominent farmer and who
had children named David. Mary and John,
Jr. Mary married Mr. Collins and John,
Jr., was the father of Mrs. Davis. John
Byard. Jr., was reared to manhood on his
father's farm in Ohio, and married Mar-
garet Smith, a daughter of James Smith,
who removed from Ohio to Indiana and
unproved a farm in Benton county, became
prominent there as a citizen and died there.
His children were Margaret ([Mrs. Byard),
James, Thomas and Henry. John Byard,
Jr., and his wife, Margaret Smith, who
were earnest Christians of the Baptist faith,
had children as follows : James ; Thomas ;
Henry; Catherine, who married the subject
of this sketch: and Margaret, who died
young. Caleb R. and Catherine (Byard)
Davis have a daughter, Margaret, who is
the wife of John L. Smith, a prominent
farmer of Rice county, Kansas. Mrs. Da-
vis is a worthy and helpful member of the
Christian church.
ANDREW B. -MARTIX.
For many years Andrew Black !\Iartin
was one of tlie intelligent and popular citi-
zens and reliable business men of Rice coun-
t}-. and his loss to the community was widelv
felt. He was a representative of that class
of American citizens who while advancing
their individual interests also promote the
general good. While carrying on business
for himself he contributed to commercial
activity, whereon depends the growth and
development of every community. His name
was always an active factor in cluuxli circles.
?
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
129
and wherever he was known he was highly
esteemed, for he possessed those quaHties
which in every land and in every clime
command respect and admiration.
Air. Alartin was licrn in Kirkwood,
Warren connty, Illincis, June 3, 1853, '^'''cl
is a son of James P. Martin, whose birth
occurred in the east and he was of Scotch-
Irish lineage. The members of the family
perhaps were never distinguished for prom-
inence in political or military life, but they
belonged to that sturdy class of citizens
whose reliability and devotion to the public
good formed the bulwark and strength of
the nation. The mother of our subject was
Miss Alaxey Talcott. She had received a
good education and was a lady of intelli-
gence, whose innate culture was manifest
in her home and in her influence over her
children. She died at Des Moines, Iowa,
and Mr. Alartin, the father, passed away in
\\'arren county, Illinois.
In the state of his nativity Andrew
Black Alartin spent his youth, and his pre-
liminary education acquired in the common
schniils was supplemented by collegiate
training in Alonmouth College, of Mon-
mouth, Illinois, an institution under the
auspices of the United Presbyterian church.
In connection with his brother, John Mar-
tin, he afterward established the Galesburg
Business College, which became one of the
best knijwn and popular schools for business
training in the state. This^they conducted
successfully for some time, but at length
our subject abandoned educational work
and turned his attention to commercial pur-
suits. In the enterprise he was connected
also with the firm of S. K. Martin & Com-
pany, lumber dealers of Chicago, where
they carried on operations until 1883, when
Mr. Martin became identified with the in-
terests of Rice county, establishing his
home in Lyons. Here he opened a lumber
yard and was soon in command of a good
trade, for he carried a complete line of all
kinds of lumber, and in his business dealings
he was so reliable and straightforward that '
those who once became his customers re- j
mained as his regular patrons. He possess- '
ed excellent and executive ability, keen dis-
cernment and strong sagacity, and these
qualities rendered him well worthy of the
splendid success which crowned his efi^orts.
On the 17th of January, 1882. Air.
Martin was joined in wedlock to Aliss
Mary Newman, who was born in Burling-
ton, Iowa, but was reared and educated in
Galesburg, Illinois , a daughter of Isaac
and Salina ( Patrick) Newman. Her fa-
ther was a representative of a prominent
southern family and her mother was born
in IMichigan, her ancestors having removed
from New York to the Wolverine state.
Unto Mr . and Mrs. Martin were born
three children: A. Newman, now a young
man of eighteen years; A. B., a lad of ten
summers; and Ruth Maxim, a bright little
girl of five years. After the father's
death Mrs. Martin removed with her chil-
dren to a farm three miles southwest of
Lyons, where they ha^•e a fine modern resi-
dence, tastefully furnished in a manner that
indicates the refinement and culture > if the
inmates. Both Mr. and Mrs. Martin held
membership in the Presbyterian church, of
which he was a very active and earnest
worker. He served as leader of the choir
and was also Sunday-school superintendent.
His love of children was one of his most
marked characteristics, and his superior
manhood was indicated by the free confi-
dence given Inm liy the little ones. There
is an intuiti.in which seems to teach a child
where its confidence can be placed, and this
quality is more reliable than the judgment
of our mature years. It was the most easy
matter for Air. Martin to win the love of
children on account of the deepi love which
he bore for them and the interest which he
took in their welfare. He was a man of
strong temperance principles, and by pre-
cept and example promoted the cause. So-
cially he was identified with the Independ-
ent Order of Odd Fellows, and in his po-
litical \-iews he- was a Republican. He
found his greatest happiness in the midst
of his family and counted no sacrifice too
great that wmild promote the welfare of his
wife and children. In business life he sus-
130
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
tained an unassailable reputation, and in so-
cial and home relations he was the soul of
honor, so that he left to his family not only
a handsome competence, the rich reward of
his labors through many years but also the
priceless heritage of an untarnished name.
His death occurred February 13, 1900.
COXRAD H. PIEPER.
Conrad Pieper, a farmer, thresher and
liveryman of Nickerson, Kansas, was born
in Lippe, Germany, December 7, 1841, and
when three years of age accompanied his
parents, Antone and Dora (Hillkirk) Pie-
per, to America in a sailing vessel. They
landed at New Orleans and then came by
river to Evansville, Indiana. The father
was a cabinet maker by trade but after com-
ing to America was mostly engaged in
farming. He came to this country with
scant means and borrowed money to begin
life here. He proved up on a small claim of
thirty-six acres and made several additional
purchases until he owned one hundred and
eighty acres, improved a good farm and
stocked it with horses, cattle, sheep and
hogs. Unto this worthy couple were born
seven children, six sons and one daughter,
and four of the number were born in Ger-
many. The daughter and one son died in
childhood and the other five sons are:
Fred, a farmer living in Bicknell, Indiana ;
Conrad, the subject of this sketch ; Her-
man, who is living in Pratt county, Kan-
sas, and has three sons ; Tlieodore, a farmer
living in Indiana, who has a family of sons
and daughters ; and Charles, who died in
Indiana in December, 1900, leaving a wife
and four children. The mother of this fam-
ily died in Indiana in 1872, at the age of
fifty-six years, her birth having occurred in
18 1 6. and the father died in 1896, at the age
of eighty-seven years.
Conrad H. Pieper. whose name forms
the caption oi this sketch, was reared to
farm life and labored at grubbing the land
■ when a lad of ten years, and he and two
of his brothers drew rails and wood bv hand
on the little truck wagon, made by their fa-
ther, before they had their first team of
steers, which they raised. His educational
privileges were very meager. He went to
the little log school-house, with puncheon
floor, seats and desks, the windows being
single panes of glass rudely placed in space
where a part of two logs had been cut out.
The books were very few, reading, writing
and arithmetic being the principal studies
taught, and the methods of teaching were
the most primitive and simple. He re-
mained at home until August, 1862, when
he enlisted in Company C, Eightieth Indi-
ana Volunteer Infantry, and served three
years or until the close of the war. He was
wounded in the left side at Perryville. Ken-
tucky, and was in the hospital seven weeks.
At the battle of Atlanta, Georgia, he was
taken prisoner while he was with Sherman
and was held fifty-six days in the Ander-
sonville pen in 1864, being captured on the
22d of August and not paroled until Oc-
tober, when he joined his company at once.
When the war closed he returned from
Mosely Hall, North Carolina, to the old
homestead farm near Bicknell, which is now
owned by his brother Theodore. Mr. Pie-
per has been a thresher since his youth,
when the power and the separator had to be
loaded and unloaded by hand, but now he
owns two steam threshers in -complete ruii-
ning order. He purchased his first land,
one hundred and sixty acres, in Linn coun-
ty, Kansas, in April, 1866, paying four
hundred and sixty dollars for it. and he later
sold it for one thousand dollars. That in-
vestment proved so profitable to him that
eighteen months later he bought a quarter
section in the same county, for four hundred
dollars, which he sold in 1880 for fifteen
hundred dollars, which amount he was
offered for it within one year after
purchasing it. His next venture was
in Sedg-wick county, Kansas, where
he purchased a quarter section for
seven hundred dollars, which he sold in less
than a year for eleven hundred dollars. He
then went to the western part of Reno
county and bought a claim of a half section
for four hundred dollars, and proved up on
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
131
one quarter at a, dollar and a quarter per
acre and sold the claim to the other quarter
for four hundred dollars. In 1888 he pur-
chased a quarter section for sixteen hun-
dred dollars, in 1890 another quarter ad-
joining for sixteen hundred, and in 1S93
eighty acres for eight hundred dollars, and
in 1 90 1 bought one hundred and six^- acres
more, so that he now owns seven hundred
and twenty acres in four farms, all improved
with guod buildings and the fields are under
a high state of cultivation through the en-
ergetic efforts and good management of tlie
owner and his two sons.
On the 4th of December, 1858, in Linn
county, -Kansas, Mr. Pieper was united in
marriage to Miss Mary Jane Sproul, wdio
was born in Iowa in 1849 ^"d is a daughter
of Thomas Sproul, a native of Ireland, who
went to Ohio, thence to Iowa and then to
Kansas in 1856, becoming one of the first
settlers, driving over the country in a wagon
with two yoke of cattle, and was one of the
best farmers in Linn county. His wife died
in 1863, leaving five children, two daugh-
ters and three sons, all living but one daugh-
ter. He died in 1894, at the age of seventy-
two years. Mr. and Mrs. Pieper lost one
daughter when she was seventeen years of
age, and they have six living children,
namely : Byron E., a dealer in groceries,
farm implements and grain in Kingman
CL'Unt}', Kansas, in which business he is
making mnney ; Theressa, the wife of
Charles \\'ells, wlio is now living in King-
man county and has three children; Thomas
A., a farmer of Reno county, who' was mar-
ried in March, 1901 ; Laura E., who mar-
ried John Woodson, by whom she has three
children, and they are living in Kingman
county ; William Theodore, whoi is on the
home farm; and Leonard S., also on the
home farm.
Mr. Pieper is a stanch Republican in his
political views and is a member of the Grand
Army of the Republic. He has never
sought or desired political office, but his fel-
low townsmen, realizing his fitness for lead-
ership and positions of trust, have elected
him at different times as justice of the peace,
road overseer and a member of the school
board, all of which positions he has filled
with entire satisfaction to his constituents.
He began the livery business in Nickerson
in December, 1900, has since taken his son
intO' partnership, under the style of Pieper
& Son, and they are doing a fine business,
keeping many rigs and boarding horses.
SAMUEL KAUFFMAN.
Samuel Kauffman, one of the well-
known citizens of Rice county, who is de-
voting his energies to agricultural pursuits
and whose efforts in that direction result in
making him one of the substantial citizens
O'f the community, came to this locality in
1878, and here he has since made his home.
He was born in Lehigh county, Pennsyl-
vania, December 2, 1842, a son of Samuel
Kauffman, Sr. The latter's father, Abra-
ham Kauft'man, was likewise a native of
Pennsylvania and was of German descent.
He married Miss Sarah Shantz, a native of
the Keystone state, and both died on the old
home farm in Lehigh county. Samuel
Kauffman, Sr., was reared and educated in
the state of his nativity, and was there mar-
ried to Esther Musselman, who was born in
Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. Their union
was blessed with seven children, namely :
Mrs. Sarah Gehman; Mrs. Susanna \\'3.x-
ner ; Elizabeth ; Abraham, who* was a min-
ister of the Mennonite church and is novv^
deceased ; Samuel ; Milton ; and Mrs. I\Iary
Ann Moore. The father of this family fol-
lowed farming as a life occupation, and was
honored and esteemed by all who knew him.
He was an elder in the Mennonite church,
and in his life exemplified his Christian
faith. Politically he was an advocate of
Republican principles. He was called from
this earth in 1853, ^''"^ '''is widow sundved
until 1894, when she. too, was called to the
home beyond, at the age of eighty-nine
years.
Samuel Kauffman, whose name forms
the caption of this review, was reared on a
farm in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania,
where he was earlv taught lessons of in-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
dustry, perseverance and economy. The
public schools afforded him his educational
privileges, but he has largely supplemented
this training by practical experience, read-
ing and observation. The year 1878 wit-
nessed his arrival in Rice county, Kansas,
whither he came from Michigan. He lo-
cated on a tract of unimproved land, but his
farm is now one of the finest and best im-
proved places in the county, coiiiprising
seven hundred and twenty acres of rich and
productive land. Here he not only folloAvs
general farming but is also extensively en-
gaged in the raising of cattle, horses and
hogs, and in both branches of his business
he is meeting with a well-merited success.
As time has passed he has secured all oi the
improvements and accessories of a model
farm, erecting a good residence, large barn
and all necessary outbuildings, and the
school-house also is located on a portion of
his place.
In the year 1866 ^Ir. Kauffman was
united in marriage to Caroline Godshalk,
who was born in NoTthampton county,
Pennsylvania, a sister of the Hon. A. J.
Godshalk. of Alden, Rice county, Kansas.
On the 1 8th of October, 1874, in St. Joseph
county, Michigan, Mrs. Kauffman was
called to the home beyond, and her loss was
deeply mourned, for she was loved and re-
spected by all who' knew her. In 1878, in
St. Joseph county, Michigan, Mr. Kauff-
man wedded Savilla, a daughter of John
W. and Mary (Hile) Kline. The father,
a native of Snyder county, Pennsylvania,
is a well-known and honored citizen of Cen-
ter township. Rice county. The mother
died at her home in Center township. June
19, 1900. She was an affectionate wife and
mother and was loved by all for her kind-
ness of heart and mind. At her death she
left six children, namely: Charles. Mrs.
Savilla Kauffman, Mrs. Jilla Coonfer, Mrs.
Elizabeth Rathbun, Mrs. Catherine Miller
and Albert W. Mrs. Kline was a worthy
member of the Evangelical church, in which
her husliand also hiMds membership. Unto
j\Ir. and ]vlrs. Kauffman have been born
three cliildren. — Eva Grace, Rov L. and
Floyd Earl. The family are members of the
Evangelical church.
On the 5th of April, 1882, their resi-
dence was completely destro)-ed by a cy-
clone, and although the family were in the
house at the time, none of the members were
injured. Mr. Kauffman casts his ballot in
favor ^of Republicanism, stanchly advo-
cating the principles set forth by the party.
His fellow townsmen ha\-e recognized his
worth and ability and have called him to
the office of trea^irer of the school district
in which he resides, and in this position he
has served with credit and ability. He is
a warm advocate of education, temperance
and religion, and in all relations of life he
has been true to principle and to duty.
BYRON L. CHURCH.
Among the leading and substantial citi-
zens of Holyrood, Ellsworth county, Kan-
sas, is Byron L. Church, farmer and stock-
man, and also president of the Holyrood
Bank. Mr. Church was born in Jackson
county, Michigan, on January 26. 1854,
being a son of Munson Church, who \\as
born in New York, in 1825, and Charity
(Glark) Church, who was born in Ohio, in
1827, and died in 1862.
Thomas Church, the grandfather of our
subject, was a pioneer of Jackson county,
Michigan, and was active in its early or-
ganization, spending his whole life there.
He married Mary Warner, and the five sur-
viving members of his family are these :
Munson. the father of our subject; Eli. a
farmer in California ; Alonzo, a farmer in
Michigan ; Bolona. the widow of Leonard
Cutler, of Eulton, Illinois ; and Sarah, the
widow of Alonzo Cutler, of Laporte, In-
diana.
While still a child INIunson Church, the
father of our subject, accompanied his par-
ents to I\Iichigan and there grew to man-
hood and married. He was there engaged
in farming until 1858, when he moved to
Fulton countv. Illinois. Here also he was
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
133
engaged in farming for about six years and
then returned to Michigan, locating in Cal-
houn county, where he remained until 1879
and then foIloAved our subject to Ellsworth
county, Kansas. Mr. Church located on
section 33-16-9, in Lincoln township, buy-
ing one-half section of land, and here he
carried on agriculture until 1884, moving at
that date to the city of Ellsworth. Five
years later he removed to a farm belongmg
to our subject, in Genesee, where he now
resides. His second marriage was to Mrs.
Amelia Eldred. Through life Mr. Church
has been one of the active members of the
Methodist church and is a much-respected
citizen. Five children have been born to
Mr. Church, and our subject was the sec-
ond in order of birth, the others being as
follows : Lydia, the wife of C. G. Thomas,
of Kalamazoo, Michigan; Mary, the wife of
Charles Chase; -Edward, of Ithaca, Michi-
gan ; Emma, who died at the age of twelve
years ; and Richard, a stock dealer of Holy-
rood.
Byron L. Church, who is the subject of
this sketch, was about five years oi age
when he came to Illinois with his parents,
and he was reared on a farm in that state
until he was seventeen years of age, when
he went to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where
he found employment in a stove foundry,
and remained there until he was twenty-one
years old. Mr. Church was too ambitious
and energetic to settle down to this life
when adventure and land were awaiting
courageous men in Kansas, and in 1876,
with about one hundred dollars which he
liad been able to save, he bade his friends
farewell and started out in the world to
make a career for himself. His reading
and investigation had given him a pretty
fair idea of the part of the state in which
he wished to locate, and upon reaching Ells-
worth county he took up homestead and
timber claims, the west one-half section of
32-16-9, and settled right down to hard
work. This was in April, and during the
first year he succeeded in breaking fifty
acres, thirty of which was ready in time to
put in wheat that same year.
For a home Mr. Church constructed a
dug-out of dimensions ten feet by sixteen,
and in this place he kept what was termed
"bachelor's hall" for about three years,
working with all the energy and industry of
which he was capable. He was fortunate
in raising a good' crop of wheat the first
year, and in the second year was able to
utilize the whole fifty acres for wheat, this
also proving productive, and this encour-
aged him tO' continue for seven years rais-
ing wheat. It was some five years after lo-
cating in the county before he had saved
enough to buy another one-half section of
land, and since that time he has done con-
siderable land buying and selling, his ex-
cellent judgment being rarely at fault in the
matter. Mr. Church still retains five hun-
dred acres of land in the home farm and
owns eight hundred acres in other parts o{
Ellsworth and Rice and Barton counties.
In 1885, in company with his brother,
our subject entered into the cattle business,
in Ness county, where they fenced five thou-
sand acres of good land, upon which they
conducted an extensive business for six
years, or until the law requiring the removal
of fences from large grazing tracts made it
impracticable. Mr. Church then continued in
the cattle business to a large extent on the
home farm, keeping some two hundred
head, but during late years has nidre closely
confined his attention tn his farming inter-
ests, mainly wheat, raising this cereal en
four hundred acres, and renting out the re-
mainder of his land.
Mr. Church is a man of large ideas and
progressive spirit, and in 1888 he purchased
a controlling interest in the Holyrood Bank,
which institution was founded by H. S.
Westfall, and since that time our subject
has served as president, his policy placing
it among the safe, reliable and conservative
institutions of the county. The capital of
the Bank of Holyrood is twenty-five thou-
sand dollars, and its officers are as follows :
B. L. Church, president ; H. C. Trevert, vice-
president ; F. W. Thomas, cashier, and
Philip Church as assistant cashier, and there
is probably no business concern in this coun-
ty doing a more satisfactory business. Lo-
cated as it is in the heart of one of the best
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
wheat producing sections of the state, and
at a distance from other banks, it is not
only a convenience but a necessity to the
farmers, stockmen and business citizens.
During the shipping season, when thousands
of bushels of wheat are handled daily, the
business amounts to an almost incredible
sum. Then it is that an honest, reliable and
conservative concern like the Bank of Holy-
rood is appreciated.
In public affairs Mr. Church has always-
taken an active part in promoting all en-
terprises for the improvement and advance-
ment of the county and has been identified
with ever}^ progressive movement. In poli-
tics he is a Republican, but a desire for ofifice
has never disturbed the even tenor of his
way, and he has accepted only that of town-
ship trustee, for three consecutive terms,
and has acted as treasurer of the school
board. His interest in educational matters
has been sincere and he has ever done his
duty in promoting every measure looking
toward any improvement.
Fraternally Mr. Church is a Knight
Templar Mason, belonging to chapter, con-
sistory and council in Ellsworth, and is a
charter member of Wichita Consistory, No.
2, and Ho'lyrood Lodge, No. 362.
The marriage of Mr. Church was on
December 29, 1879, to Miss Mary Durr,
who v/as a daughter of John P. and Catji-
erine Durr, and she was born in Sheboygan
county, Wisconsin. Seven children have
been born to our subject and wife, namelv :
Ray, who was assistant cashier of the Bank
of Holyrood and now carries on the work
on the farm ; Philip, assistant cashier ; Max ;
Levi : Mimson ; James ; and Donald.
The home of the Church family is lo-
cated five miles northeast of the town of
Holyrood and attracts attention on account
of the fine improvements and excellent cul-
tivation.
Mr. Church is in a great measure a self-
made man. He came when but a boy to
this state and by the application of energy
and industry founded his own fortune. He
is held in high esteem in Ellsworth county
and is justly regared as a thoroughly repre-
sentative citizen of Ellsworth county.
JOHN SCHARDEIX.
A work purporting to give an account
of the leading citizens of Reno county, Kan-
sas, could not well omit adequate mention
of John Shardein, a prominent farmer who
lives on section 20, Salt Q-eek township,
not far from Nickerson. He is a native of
Cincinnati, Ohio, and was born August 24,
1837. Bernard Schardein, his father, was
a native of Alsace or Lorraine, Germany,
who some time after 1820 came from his
native land to New York city, making the
voyage in one of the old-fashioned sailing
vessels. He had then just been married,
and he and his young bride went west as
far as Ohio. He was a weaver by trade,
but went to Louisville, Kentucky, in 1837
or 1838 and became a groceryman there.
Later he went to Clarke county, Indiana,
and became a farmer there and prospered.
Mr. and Mrs. Schardein reared five sons and
two daughters, all of whom grew to ma-
turity and with exception of one son and
one daughter all had children. Three of
the sons fought for the Federal cause in" the
Civil war. Philip died of disease at Savan-
nah, Tennessee, and is buried at Shiloh.
Adam was wounded in the Shenandoah val-
ley and died at Williamsport, Maryland.
John, who is the immediate subject of this
sketch, volunteered August 31, 1861, in the
-Eleventh Indiana Infantry, and served three
years or until he was mustered out, August
31, 1864, at Harper's Ferry, Virginia.
During the three years he was in the hos-
pital at New Orleans, a sufferer from oph-
thalmia. Though often urged to apply for
a pension, he has never done so. He is an
ardent Populist and is now the treasurer of
his township and has served his fellow citi-
zens as township trustee. He and his wife
are members of the Christian church, in
which he is an elder.
Mr. Schardein was married in Clarke
county, Indiana, April 20, 1857, to Miss
Nancy McKinley, who died in the fall of
1862, while Mr. Schardein was in the army,
and left a daughter named Luella, whO' mar-
ried James Miller and lives in Floyd count}-,
Indiana. In 1865 Mr. Schardein married
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
135
^liss Eliza J. Grady, who has borne him
eight cliildren, se\-en of whom are living.
Their son, John A. Schardein, is a merchant
in Orange county, Indiana, and has one
daughter. Their daughter, Emma Ade-
laide, who married Frank Green, of Salt
Creek township, has two sons and a daugh-
ter. Their son Charles B. is a farmer in
Salt Creek township and has two sons.
Their daughter Clara L. married George
Gillock. of Salt Creek township, and has
two daughters. Their son William E.
Schardein, of Nickerson, has three sons.
Their daughter Hettie M. is the wife of
Frank Johnson, of Medford township, Reno
county, Kansas. Their son Fred G., a
youth of sixteen, is a member of his parents'
household.
After the war Mr. Schardein went to
Macoupin county, Illinois, where he was a
tenant farmer for thirteen years. In 1878
he went to Sterling, Rice county, Kansas,
by rail and arrived there August 31. He
brought Avith him stock and a cash capital
of five hundred dollars and his belongings
were conveyed in a cliartered car. He
bought a claim to a quarter sccticn of land
and proved up a soldier's claim on it, mak-
ing a cash payment of one thousand dollars.
The place was in a state of nature and his
first honse was a shanty, twelve by fourteen
feet in size. The man who had lived on the
claim before he had bought it had occupied
a leaky shed of the same dimensions. For
some time his style of living was primitive,
l)ut better things' were in store for him and
his family. His present residence is a sub-
stantial and attractive farm cottage, built
in tlie midst of a group of shade trees and
an orchard of fruit trees. This sightly and
rural home, with the large barn and other
commodious buildings near by, stands some
distance from the dusty street and alto-
gether presents a very inviting appearance.
]\Ir. Schardein takes pride in breeding good
stock and he ?lways has fine horses and
good cattle. In every sense he is a pro-
gressive and up-to-date farmer, who farms
in a thoroughly business-like way and reaps
a substantial and satisfactory reward. He
has a wide acquaintance among the leading
business men of the county and while quiet
and unassuming is influential in public
matters and helpful to all worthy local in-
terests.
HEXRY OBERMOWE.
Emerson has written: "Knowest thou
what argument thy life to thy neighbor's
creed has lent?" The influence of a man
is immeasurable by any of the known stand-
ards of the world, but its potency is no less
marked, and the New England poet, writing
along the same line, has said again that
every individual in greater or less degree,
but always to some degree, leaves an im-
press upon the lives of those whom he
meets. If this be true, and the great minds
of all ages acknowledge it to be so, then the
question propounded in old Judea, "Am I
my brother's keeper?" is answered. It is
this everlasting truth of the brotherhood of
man and the fatherhood of God that has led
to the religious work of the world. A most
potent factor in church circles in Ellsworth
coimty is the Rev. Henry. Obermowe, now
pastor of St. Paul's church, in Sherman
township. His labors have been attended
with excellent results and a visible evidence
of his work is found in the splendid house of
worship which has been erected under his
direction and as the result of his untiring
efiforts.
Mr. Obermowe was born in Westphalia,
Germany, October 2, 1857, a son of Chris-
topher and Christine Obermowe. He pur-
sued his education in the state schools and
then took up a course in theology that he
might fit himself either for teaching or the
ministry. He was connected with educa-
tional work for a short time in Germany
and in 1883 he came to America, making
his way to Spring-field, Illinois, where he be-
came a student in the German Lutheran Col-
lege, studying in both English and German.
He there pursued a four years' conrse and
was graduated in 1887. Soon afterward he
came to Kansas, and the same year was or-
dained, in ]\ritchell county, as a minister of
the German Lutheran church. For one vear
36
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
and seven months he served as pastor of a
congregation there, and on the ist of No-
vember, 1888, he received and accepted a
call to come to Ellsworth county and take
charge of St. Paul's church, in Sherman
township. At that time there was a mem-
bership of forty families, but the number
has since been increased to sixty. Mr. Ober-
mowe placed the church on a good working
foundation, and soon marked advancement
was seen along its various lines of labor.
Deciding that a new edifice was needed here,
and after considerable solicitation, and en-
treaty, he let the contracts for the building
and saw it actively under way in June,
1898. In six months it was completed. It
is a fine stone edifice, forty by seventy-eight
feet, with a side wall eighteen feet high and
a spire one hundred and eight feet. The
foundations are four feet wide at the bot-
tom and five feet high and the wall of the
church is two feet thick. It has fine win-
dows of cathedral glass and has other mod-
ern equipments and adornments. The
church was erected at a cost of eight thou-
sand dollars and has a seating capacity of
six hundred. The old church was used as
a school-house until 1900, when the pastor
secured the erection of a more moderii
school building, twenty-four by forty feet.
The students come from a radius of over
seven miles. The term covers nine months
during the year and the attendance is be-
tween sixty-five and seventy, ■ instruction
being given in both German and English.
The church building is a very handsome
one, being one of the finest in central Kan-
sas, and the congregation is connected with
the Missouri synod.
On the 28th of October, 1887, Mr.
Obermowe was united in marriage, in Lake
county, Illinois, to Miss Louise Knigge, and
they now have five children. — Christina,
Lena, Amelia, Mary and Alfred. Their
home life is extremely pleasant and Mrs.
Obermowe heartily co-operates with her
husband in his work for the uplifting of
their fellow men. Their home is celebrated
for its gracious hospitality, which is freely
extended to all. In his political views ]\Ir.
Obermowe is a Republican, believing firmlv
in the principles of the party, although he
takes no active part in political work. In
the pulpit he is forceful, earnest and con-
vincing, using arguments deduced from the
word of God, and firmly impressing his
points upon the minds of his audience. His
language is well chosen, showing his mas-
tery of the art of rhetoric, and underneath
all is a substratum of thought, feeling and
truth which never fails to arouse the atten-
tion and thus awaken conviction in the
minds oi those who sit under his teachings.
PRESTON B. GILLETT.
A well known jurist of Illinois said, 'Tn
the American state the great and good law-
yer must always be prominent, for he is one
of the forces that move and control society."
Public confidence has generally been repos-
ed in the legal profession. It has ever been
the defender of popular rights, the cham-
pion of freedom regulated by law, the firm
support of good government. In the times
of danger it has stood like a rock and breast-
ed the mad passions of the hour and firmly
resisted tumult and faction. No political
preferment, no mere place, can add to the
power or increase the honor which belongs
to the pure and educated lawyer. Judge
Preston B. Gillett, of Kingman, is one who
has been honored by and is an honor to the
legal fraternity of central Kansas. He
stands to-day prominent among the leading
members of the bar of his district — a posi-
tion to which he has attained througli mark-
ed ability, and as jndge of the twenty-fourth
judicial district he has made a most credit-
able record.
Judge Gillett was born in Saybrook,
Ohio, July 9, i860, but has spent almost his
entire life in the Sunfllower state. 'On the pa-
ternal side his ancestry can be traced back
to Jonathan Gillett, who was one of the
hundred and forty Puritans who formed a
company in Dorsetshire, England, and
started' on the i\Iary and John for this coun-
try, :\Iarch 30. 1630, landing at Nantucket,
on the 30th of :\Iay, exactly two months
PRESTON B. GILLETT.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
137
after setting sail. In 163(3 he remc\-ed to
Connecticut and numerous branches of the
family which he there founded are still liv-
ing in that state. Many representatives of
the name became prominent in professional
life and in the Revolutionary war the Gil-
letts were enrolled among the private sol-
diers and the officers of the American Army.
Asa Gillett, the father of the Judge, was
born in Connecticut, but during his early
boyhood his parents removed to Ohio, where
he was reared. After attaining to man's
estate he followed merchandising there. In
Ohio he married Miss Cornelia Fisk, whose
ancestry can be traced to Sergeant James
Fisk. who was born in England and crossed
the briny deep to the new world in 1637. He
too took up his home in Connecticut, and
records show that he joined the Salem
church in 1642. He was descended in di-
rect line from Lord S_\auond Fisk, of the
county of Suffolk, England, who was born
in 1399. The Fisk family has also been
well represented in the professions, the
name figuring conspicuously in connection
with the church, law and medicine, while
in every war into which the country has
been engaged the Fisks have stood as loyal
defenders of this land, fighting on hotly
contested battlefields as officers or privates,
but always with the same determined and
patriotic spirit.
Some years after his marriage Asa Gil-
lett removed with his family to Kansas, and
in 1861 secured a homestead at Emporia,
as scon as it was decided whether Kansas
should be a free state or a slave
state. Emporia was laid out shortly
before, and his claim lay adjoining
the corporation limits, which part he
improved and engaged in business at
the same time, becoming a leading resi-
dent of that locality. He was a warm per-
sonal friend of Senator Preston B. Plumb,
who was visiting at the home of Mr. Gillett
at the time of the birth of the Judge, who
was named in his honor. Mr. Gillett was
a most ardent Abolitionist and when the
new Republican party was formed to prevent
the further extension of slavery he joined
its ranks and remained one of its stalwart
supporters until his death. He was alsO'
a devoiit Methodist and aided in organiz-
ing the church of that denomination in Em-
poria. He served as one of its officers, con-
tributed generously tO' its support and did
all in his power to advance its interests. He
died of pneumonia at the age of fifty-seven
years, and his wife passed away June 15,
1865, after which Mr. Gillett was again
married, his second union being with Bar-
bara Campbell. By the first marriage he
had five children. Frank E.. the eldest, is
now a prominent attorney of Oklahoma, and
for many years he was nuniliered among
the distinguished lawyers and statesmen of
Kansas. He was educaterl in llie State Nor-
mal School at Empdria, and after prepar-
ing for the bar practiced law in Hutchinson
and later with our subject in Kingman. He
was elected and served for six years in the
state 'legislature and for four years in the
state senate and was a most influential and
active member of the general assembly. He
studied closely the questions which arose
for the settlement in the law making body
of the commonwealth and his broad judicial
and his practical mind made him a very
valued member of both divisions of the
house. Charles E. Gillett. the second mem-
ber of the family died in 1874. Nellie G.
is now the wife of ^^'. C. Fullem, of Em-
poria. The Judge is the next younger,
while Guy R., the fifth memfier of the fam-
ily, is living in Hennessey. Oklahoma. By
the father's second marriage there was one
son, Don A. ,
Judge Gillett was reared on the home
farm adjoining Emporia and pursued his
early education in the schools of that city,
later continuing his studies in Cottonwood
Falls and in the State University, at Law-
rence, Kansas, where he remained as a stu-
dent for three years, his studies being large-
ly directed toward preparation for the bar.
Upon his return home he read law in the
office of his brother, Frank E. Gillett and
subsequently went to Washington, D. C,
and entered the Cclumbia Law College
and was graduated in Tune. 188^. Return-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ing to Kansas he located in Kingman and en-
tered into general law practice with his
brother, continuing an active and leading
member of the bar until November, 1898,
when he was elected district 'judge of the
twenty-fourth judicial district, comprising
Kingman. Harper. Barber and Pratt coun-
ties. While the district had a nominal Dem-
ocratic majority of several hundred, his per-
sonal popularity and the confidence of the
public in his legal ability enabled him to
overcome this and win the election by one
hundred and thirty-five votes. Before his
elevation to the bench his law practice was
large and remunerative and connected him
with most of the important litigation heard
in his county. He won for himself very
favorable criticism for the careful and sys-
tematic methods which he followed. He
has remarkable powers of concentration and
application, and his retentive mind ha§ often
excited the surprise of his professional col-
leagues. As an orator he stands high, es-
pecially in the discussion of legal matters be-
fore the court, where his comprehensive
knowledge of the law is manifest and his
application of legal principles demonstrates
the wide range of his professional acquire-
ments. On the bench his course has fully
justified the confidence manifested in him
by the large vote given him. His decisions
are models of judicial soundness, and he is
largely without that personal bias or mental
prejudice which ofttimes rather darkens a
judicial career.
The Judge has always been an active
member of the Republican party since at-'
taining his majority, but is not a politician
in the sense of office seeking and has never
sought preferment outside the strict path of
his profession, save where his fellow towns-
men have conferred upon him local ofifice.
He has served on the city council and on the
school board and is ever alert to the best in-
terests and progressive measures of King-
man.
On the 19th of August, 1887, Judge Gil-
lett married ^liss Etta A. Goodson. the wed-
ding taking place at Deansboro, New York.
She is a daughter of Caleb Goodson. a farm-
er of the Empire state. They now have
two children, Wilber G. and Josepliine.
Mrs. Gillett belongs to the Presbyterian
church and the Judge attends its services.
He. is past chancellor, and representative to
the grand lodge of the Knights of Pythias
fraternity, belongs to the Ancient Order of
United Workmen and to the ]\'Iodern Wood-
men of America. As his financial resources
have increased he has made judicious in-
vestment in country and city property, but
has disposed of the former although he yet
owns much valuable real estate. He has
witnessed' almost the entire development of
Kansas from a border country to its present
proud position in the Union and has been an
active factor in the upbuilding of Kingman
and the countv.
ISAAC BEERS.
Reno county, Kansas, and the city of
Hutchinson have been fortunate in the char-
acter of their progressive, yet conservative,
business men whO' in shaping successful
careers for themselves have had much to do
with insuring the success of the community
with which they have been identified. Isaac
Beers, a retired farmer and merchant, who
lives at No. 514 East Fourth avenue. Hutch-
inson, is a worthy representative of the class
of substantial men of affairs referred to.
Isaac Beers was born in Cayuga count}-.
New York, March 11, 1826, a son of Lewis
Beers, who was born in Redding, Fairfield
county, Connecticut, March 20, 1798. Isaac
Beers, father of Lewis Beers and grand-
father of the subject of this sketch, was born
in Connecticut about 1765 and served dur-
ing the last four years of the Revolutionary
war as a soldier in the American army, and
his grandson has an iron ramrod with
which his grandfather loaded his gun dur-
ing that period. When Lewis Beers was eight
years old. about 1806, his parents moved to
Cayuga county. New York, where his father
had bought a piece of land in a densely tim-
bered region in the town of Aurelius. \\hich
he improved until it was as good a farm as
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
any in the vicinity. Lewis Beers was a
member of his father's household until he
attained to the age of twenty-four years and
after that he farmed on his own account un-
til 1826. He was married in Caj'uga coun-
ty, New York, in 1824, to Eliza C. Lane,
who was born in Coos county. New Hamp-
shire, in 1804, a daughter of Stephen and
Lois ( Currier) Lane, both of whom were
hern in Xew Hampshire. This family of
Lanes has in all generations been one of un-
usual ability and has given to our country
se\-eral statesmen and scholars, one of
whom became the incumbent of the high
office of governor, and Homer Lane, a lirst
cousin of Mr. Beers''. mother, gained a na-
tional reputation as a mathematician and
-Mine time before. 1850 entered the employ
"f the United States government in connec-
tion with coast surveys. Few men have
more reason to be proud of their family cnn-
nection than has the subject of this re\-iew.
When the latter was three months old,
in 1826, the father removed from Cayuga
county, A^ew York, to Livingston county,
that state, where he bought a farm of one
hundred acres, on wdiich some little im-
jir. vement had been made. He built a fine
1 ^ -idence and improved the place until it
was known as the best farm in the county
and doubled its area by the purchase of
mere land. There he farmed until poor
health compelled him to retire from active
life. Politically he was a ^^ hig. and while
he took an active interest in political affairs
iie was not in the ordinar\- sense a politician
ami neither sought n^r accepted office. An
' ■ i-school Presbyterian, he was one of the
-lees of his church and was thoroughly
ted to all its interests, never failing to
i l.t his place in his pew promptly at any
-iittd service and giving to the church lib-
Li-.-lly of his means. His wife died July 13,
i.^,;-, and in course of time he married
I i:iiinah Thorp, a native of Cayuga county,
\\\v York. By his first marriage he had
:u- children, as follows : Isaac, who is the
ipediate subject of this sketch; Lois, who
i> living unmarried at Fort Collins, Col-
orado: Emily C, who married John Rich-
ardson, of Ohio, a farmer and dealer in
wood and grain; and Jane, who died in
Kalamazoo, Michigan. By his second mar-
riage he had three children : Hannah, who
is the wife of a Mr. George, a farmer at
M'.junt Morris, Livingston county. New
York; William L., who was a member of a
Xew York volunteer regiment in the Civil
war and was killed at the battle of An-
tietani; and Charles L., who died in child-
hood. Lewis Beers died at his homie in
Livingston county. New York, September
18, 1845.
Isaac Beers was a member of his father's
household until he attained the age of
twenty years, receiving a meagre educa-
tion in the public schools and was brought
up to farm work. He was possessed of a
consuming desire for knowledge. He made-
many plans by which he hoped to secure a
liberal education, but they were thwarted
one after another by circumstances over
which he had iiO' control, such as sickness
in the family and financial losses. So well
known was his hope to the whole comimun-
ity that all who knew him sympathized with
him deeply and mourned with him when it
became evident that it was never to be
realized; but he was a great reader and
trained himself to close and exhaustive
study at home and for fifteen years after he
left school to read and studied patiently
and systematically and in time became
really belter posted than many men who had
enjoyed superior educational advantages.
At the present time he takes sixteen news-
papers and periodicals and has gathered to-
gether the nucleus of what he hopes will
be a fine library, it being one of the ambi-
tions of his life to leave a library to his
children. He buys well-selected books from
time to time, gives all his spare time to read-
ing, and, possessing a retentive memory and
a logical mind, he is a man of thorough and
varied infonnation.
In 1846 Mr. Beers began active life for
him/self as a teacher of district schools in
Livingston county. New York. He taught
there in 1846 and 1847 and then went to
Michigan and engaged in farming on new
land. When not bus)' with his home work
he found emplojiiient in season with cthei'
[40
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
farmers and taught schoul during the whi-
ter months. He was married in Michigan,
March ii, 1849, to Aliss PolHe H. Blanch-
ard, a native of Cayuga county, New York,
born July 9, 1828, a daughter of Adonijah
and Pollie (^Leberteaux) Blanchard. Mr.
and Mrs. Blanchard were both natives of
New York state and Mrs. Blanchard was of
French descent. In 1852 Mr. Beers gave
up farming and located at Marshall, Michi-
gan, where he entered the service of Charles
Dickey, a manufacturer of fanning mills,
by whom lie was employed for three years,
until he became a clerk in a hardware store,
which he bought four years afterward and
conducted until 1866, and after that he re-
mained in Michigan, engaged in a variety
of pursuits, until 1873, when he removed to
Iowa. There he was engaged at farming
until 1886, when he went to Hutchinson,
Kansas, as bookkeeper for the firm of Beers
& Lee, dealers in horses and mules, in wdiich
his son was a partner. He was thus em-
ployed for two years and since then he has
been practically retired from business.
Mr. Beers" first wife died at ^Marshall,
Michigan, October 2. 1S65. He married
Amanda G. Olin, of that town, January 7,
1866. Miss Olin was born in Calhoun
county, Alichigan, a daughter of Charles
and Scynthia. (Hopkins) Olin, both of
whom were born in Rhode Island. She was
educated in a female college at Albion,
[Michigan, and after her graduation, in
i860, she taught school until her marriage.
By his first marriage Mr. Beers had four
children, all of whom are living, with the
exception of the oldest, who died in in-
fancy. By his second marriage ^Ir. Beers
has one son. Herbert Eugene Isaac,
who is now twenty-one years of age
and is a member cf his father's family.
His son Herm.an M. was born at Marshall,
Michigan, July 8. 1853, and was educated
in the high school at Marshall. He went to
Reno county, Kansas, in 1879, and began
dealing in mules and horses and he soon
took in a partner and the firm was known
as Beers & Lee. In 1890 the firm of Wal-
cctt. Beers & Company was organized and
did a good business at Hutchinson until
1897, when the business was removed to
Kansas City, Missouri, and associated with
two other firms, those of Erwin Grant &
Company and Hendrick & Ryan, and jointly
the three firms practically controlled the
horse and mule market of Kansas City,
handling as many as fifty thousand head a
year. In the great sales, which occur every
two weeks and last several days, an average
of one head of stock per minute is sold.
Herman M. Beers married, in 1883, Frances
Tibbetts, of Reno county, Kansas, but a na-
tive of Michigan, and they have two daugh-
ters, Frances and Louise. He is now worth,
fully one hundred thousand dollars and is
adding to his wealth rapidly. ]\Ir. Beers'
daughter, Louise A., was educated at Mar-
shall, Michigan, and- Corning, Iowa. She
has been a teacher for twenty-five years,
having taught twelve years in Iowa and
thirteen years in the public sciiools of Hutch-
inson, during the last ten years in the sev-
enth grade. Mr. Beers' third son, Licester
M., remained with his father until he was
twenty-one years old, then he engaged in
farming and in speculation. He was mar-
ried in Reno county, Kansas, to Mary
Libby, and has two children, Florence an'J
Maud. He holds the pi.>sitiun of shipping
clerk and foreman in a wholesale produce
iiouse at Wichita, Kansas.
Mr. Beers was formerly a Republican,
but is now a Democrat. He is a member of
the Episcopal church. He was received as
j an entered apprentice, passed the fellow
craft degree and was raised to the sublime
I degree of Master Mason in St. Albans
Lodge, No. 20, A. F. & A. M., in Michi-
gan; also took the Mark Master's degree,
the Past Master's degree and the JNIost Ex-
cellent Master's degree of capitular Mason-
ry and was exalted to the august degree of
Royal Arch ]\Iason in Lafayette Chapter,
No'. 4, R. A. :\I., in [Michigan, and has filled
all the chairs in his blue lodge and all in his
chapter except that of high priest. Mr.
Beers had never known that he possessed
much mechanical ability, especially such as
j w-ould ena1>le him to do creditable carpen-
j ter work, until the fall of 1900. In the sum-
mer of that vear he bought his present home.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
which consists of four lots, on which was
a fine residence. There being no barn on
the place, he determined to build -one by
himself. He laid out a building eighteen
by twenty-eight feet in area, and fourteen
feet to the ea\'es and began its construction.
He had about completed his task in a work-
manlike manner when he was so seriously
injured by a vicious horse that he was com-
pelled to forego any active work for many
nionlhs. Xow almost recovered, he declares
that he will complete the barn, and those
who' know him best believe that though he
is seventy-six years old he will yet complete
his task. His hair is scarcely beginning to
lose its color, he is quick and agile in his
movements, possesses a remarkable mind
and memory and is in many ways a man of
nil re than ordinarv note.
JOHN FRANK LESLIE.
Missouri, a sister state of Kansas, has
given to Kansas a considerable percentage
of its leading citizens in different walks of
life. Prominent among- its farmers of Mis-
Sdurian nativity in Rice county is John
Frank Leslie, who lives on section 7, Wal-
nut township, and whose postoffice address
is Thurber.
John Frank Leslie was born in Clark
county, Missouri, August 28, i860, a son
of Alexander Leslie, wlm was born in Mont-
gomery county, Xcw ^'urk. December ig,
1804, and died in ^Valnut township. Rice
county, Kansas, July 2, 1878. Alexander
Leslie settled on one-half of section 30,
township 22, range 9, in the mu.nicipal
township mentioned, February 16, 1876.
His father, Daniel Leslie came tO' America
with his brother, Benjamin Leslie, when a
young man. He married and was left a
widower with four children. He afterward
married Elizabeth (Carmen) Butts, widow
of Edmund Butts, who had two daughters
by her first marriage. Mr. Butts was born
October 20. 1807, and died September 19,
1843. Mrs. Leslie, who was born in Hardin
county. Kentucky, Julv 29, 1824, is now \\\-
ing, aged seventy-seven years. She is a
daughter of Joseph and Alartha (Duncan J
Carmen. Joseph Carmen was born in the
year 1800, and died in his seventy-ninth
year. His wife was born in 1806, and died
in her fiftieth year. Joseph Carmen was a
native of France.- Of their eleven children
he and his wife reared nine. Their daugh-
ter, Mrs. Leslie, reared ten of eleven chil-
dren and has four sons and -four daughters,
thirty-one grandchildren and nine greal-
grandchildren, and one of her great-grand-
sons and one of her great-granddaughters
are grown to manhood and womanhood.
John Frank Leslie \yas the oldest son of
his parents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Car-
men) (Butts) Leslie, who had eight chil-
dren, and he was reared to farm life and
was given a meagre schooling. He lived
on his father's farm until he was twent}-
years old. May 14, 1882, he married Mary
A. Geist, a native of Pennsylvania and a
daughter of William Geist, deceased, and
they have five children : Pearl, wdio is
eighteen years old, is a student at Cooper
College ; Frank Leslie is fifteen years old :
Ethel is nine years old ; Vernie is six years
old; and Eston is two }-ears old. In Mr.
Leslie's home farm there are three hundred
and twenty acres and he leases five and half
sections. Giving attention principally to
stock farming, he feeds and ships annually
one hundred and fifty head of cattle and
usually from fifty to sixty head of horses
and mules. He gi\cs liis attention largely
to Hereford cattle, with special reference
to registered stock. At this time he owns
one hundred and seventeen head of grown
stock and owns altogether six hundred head
of cattle. His manner of stock farming has
in certain respects commended itself to the
emiulation of neig'hlioring farmers and his
influence upon the develnpnient of the in-
terest in his locality has nut been inconsid-
erable. Realizing the fact that it costs no
more to feed fine stock than ordinary stock
and that fine stock is much more profitable
than ordinary stock, his aim has been con-
stantly to improve the standard of his cat-
tle, and other farmers desiring to sell as
advantageously as Mr. Leslie and farmers
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORj
of his school have been Hkewise iDrogress-
ive. He is pubHc-spirited and enterprising
and exerts a recognized influence in local
affairs. He is an independent voter and has
never yet been prevailed upon to accept any
public office. He is a Knight Templar Ma-
son and' is fa\-orably known to a wide circle
of acquaintances. Airs. Leslie and their
children are members of the United
Brethren church.
HENRY G. ANDREWS.
For twenty-eighf years Henry- G. An-
drews has been a resident of Ellsworth coun-
ty and is now a \\-cll known representative
of its agricultural interests. He successfully
follows fanning on section 28, Sherman
township, where he has a valuable and high-
ly productive tract of land. He was born in
St. Lawrence coimty, New York, in 1836.
His father, Orin Andrews, was a native of
Veniiont,- born March 4, 1801, and as he
was left an orphan when only four years of
age he was reared by his maternal grandfa-
ther, early becoming familiar with the du-
ties and labors which fall to the lot of the ag-
riculturist. Throughout his entire life he
followed farming as his chief occupation.
When a young man he removed to New
York and was there married. In early life
ht supported the men and measures of the
Democracy, but when the abolition move-
ment resulted in the formation of a party to
oppose slavery he joined its ranks and was
one of its well known advocates, becoming
one of the leaders of the Republican party,
and voting for its candidates until the close
of his life. In early days he was connected
with the close-communion Baptist church
and at all times he lived a consistent Chris-
tian life, commanding the respect of all by
his fidelity to principle. He attained the very-
advanced age of eighty-five years and then
his eyes closed in the eternal sleep, but the
memorj- of his upright life remains as a ben-
ediction to all who knew him. He married
Miss Sallie Remington and they became the
parents of two sons and six daughters, but
the youngest, one of twins, died in infancy.
Henry G. Andrews is the only member
of the family now living in Kansas. He pur-
sued his education in the district schools and
i as soon as able began work upon the home
j farm, following the plow when scarcely
large enough to manage the heavy farm im-
: plement. When about eighteen years of
age he went to Boston and became connected
with seafaring life on a merchant vessel, re-
maining on the briny deep for two years.
On the expiration of that period he made a
trip to the west and after a few months spent
in Michigan removed to Illinois, where he
w-as engaged in farming for several years.
But when the tocsin of war soimded he put
aside all personal considerations in order to
respond to his country's call for aid, and on
the 15th of September, 1861, he enlisted as
a member of Coanpany H, Fifty-seventh Illi-
nois Infantry.' He learned of the realities
of war in the battle of Fort Donelson and
also participated in the engagement of Shi-
loh and in the siege of Corinth, and was
present at the capture of the city. There he
was stationed until the fall, guarding trains
and keeping the lines of communication open
until Generals Price and Van Dorn, the Con-
federate commanders, attempted to.recap-
j ture the place, in October. From Corinth
I\Ir. Andrews proceeded with the regiment
j to Chattanooga and afterward participated
; in the entire Atlanta campaign, being with
Sherman's advance troops. He was sta-
tioned at Rome, to guard the road from
Kingston, and partof his regiment was in the
se\-ere battle of Allatoona Pass, where an
effort was made by the Confederates to break
the line and capture or destroy a large load
of supplies that belonged to Shemian's army.
Having the advantage of position and being
aided by the veil of the mountains they with-
stood the charge of a body of rebel trops
numbering about seven or eight to their one,
yet the carnage was so great that ]Mr. An-
drews says that after the battle he could
have walked half a mile without putting foot
on the ground. With his command he after-
ward proceeded from that point to Savan-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
143
nah, where he was mustered out on Christ-
mas day of 1864, having served his country
in a most loyal manner for almost three and
a half years.
After winning an honorable discharge
;\Ir. Andrews returned to Illinois and
through the succeeding three years was Upon
the road as a traveling salesman. He then
went to Iowa and was engaged in fanning in
the northern part of the state, where his fa-
ther was living. His parents were then weH
advanced in years and ]\Ir. Andrews assisted
them in placing the fann in good shape. In
the spring of 1873 he came to Kansas to
make a start in life, and homesteaded the
southeastern quarter of section 28, Sherman
township, Ellsworth county. The shanty
which he first erected is still standing and is
now used as a granary. His present resi-
dence was erected in 1884 and is an attrac-
tive home. Mr. Andrews is engaged princi-
pally in the raising of wheat, and the ricih
land enables him to annually harvest large
crops, the sales of which bring to him a good
income. He is enterprising and progressive
and his diligence has won for him a com-
fortable competence. In the winter of 1900
Henry G. Andrews erected a new barn .upon
his farm with stanchions for ninexows. The
floor is boarded and drained and the barn
affords ample shelter for the stock. He also
keeps seven head of horses and has some
pure-blooded Poland-China 'hogs.
On the iSth of June, 1875, was celebrat-
ed the marriage of 'Mr. Andrews and ]\Iiss
Susan Schock, a daughter of Henry and
jMagdaline Shock. Unto them were born
three sons and three daughters, but the old-
est son died at the age of two years. The
others are: Charles H., who enlisted for
ser\-ice in the Spanish-American war as a
member of Company I, Twenty-first Kansas
Infantry : Laura ; Minnie, Florence Gertrude
and Frank, who are still under the parental
roof. In his politics Mr. AndreAvs has al-
ways been a Republican, and, like every true
American citizen should do, takes an active
interest in the work of his party. He is a
recognized leader in the ranks in that local-
ity and has frequently served as a delegate
to cijuntv. congressional, senatorial and state
conventions, being a member of the state
convention which first nominated Governor
Stanley. He has seiwed on the township
board, but his party service has never been
perfonned with the hope of receiving the
rewards of office. He is a member of the
school board and is now seiwing as its clerk
for the third term. He has also sensed as
treasurer and has long been connected with
the board, which has charge of the educa-
tional interests of this locality. Socially he
is identified with Ellsworth Post. G. A. R.
Mr. Andrews is not only an enterprising
farmer and valued citizen of the community
but is also an honored pioneer. When he
came to the county there were only two set-
tlements between his home and Ellsworth,
and none to the north until Lincoln county
was reached. He has therefore witnessed
much of the growth and de\-eloi5ment of
this portion of the state and can relate many
interesting incidents of the early daj^. He
is a hospitable, genial man and his many ex-
cellent qualities render him a favorite with
a large circle of friends.
BENJAMIN SHOCK.
Benjamin Shock, who is engaged in
farming and stock-raising on section 4, Ells-
worth township, has been a resident of Ells-
worth county for almost thirty years, the
time of his arrival here being in 1872. He
was born in Canton, Ohio, February 5. 1854.
His father, Henry Shock, was a native of
the same place, and his grandfather, Lucas
Shock, was born in New Bavaria and came
to America when about eighteen years of
age. He located in the northern part of
Maryland, near Hagerstown, where he fol-
lowed farming, and there he resided until
about 181 6, when he removed to Ohio.
There he cleared some land in the midst of
the forest, and upon his farm reared his
children, seven in number, Henry being the
youngest. His childhood and youth were
soent in the homestead in this state and his
education was here acquired. He followed
farming until i860, when he removed to
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
the town and was engaged in the mannfac-
turing business in Canton for four years.
He also spent nearly three years in Bucyrus.
During the succeeding five years he was at
Ottumwa, Iowa, where he operated a coal
mine. He then again turned his attention
to manufacturing, which he followed until
1872, when he came to Kansas and pre-
empted the land upon which our subject
now resides, althottgh Mr. Shock of this re-
■^-iew proA-ed up on it. The father carried on
the place until 1878. when, owing to his suf-
fering from rheumatism, he retired from
active business life. He was reared in die
German Refomied church, but after coming
to Kansas united with the Presbyterian
church. On the 4th of April, 1S44. in Can-
ton, Ohio, he was united in marriage to
Magdalena Triem, a daughter of Peter
Triem, who emigrated from Germany to
Canton. Ohio, in 1831. Mr. and Mrs.
Shock became the parents oi nine children:
Suj^an, the wife of Henry G. Andrews;
Henrv, who remained in Ohio; Emma, de-
ceased; Marv, the wife of Olden Flanders,
of Ellsworth; Benjamin, of this review;
Louisa M., of Canton, Ohio; Luke, who is
living in Ellsworth ; Ferdinand, who died at
the age of three years; and Laura E., who
also has passed a'way. The father of this
family died August 29, 1890, but the mother
is still living, making her home with our
subject.
Beniamin Shock pursued his education
in the public schools of Ohio and also con-
tinued his studies for tw-o years after the
(family removed' to Ottumwa, Jowa. He
there learned the blacksmith's' trade, but
worked at it for only two years before com-
ing to Kansas. Here he turned his attention
to" farming, and thus when his father was
obliged to abandon that pursuit the son took
charge of the home place and has since con-
ducted it. Some stray buffalo were seen in
the county after his arrival and he has killed
antelope and other game. He broke about
half of the land on the home place and has
kept e\^erything about the farm in good
shape. He raises wheat and corn, having
some good bottom-land, for there are two
creeks that cross his place. He makes a
specialty of raising high grade Poland-China
hogs, having l^rought some good stock from
Illinois. He was one of the firstto intro-
duce a high grade of hoigs into this part of
Kansas and "has raised some animals that
have weighed eight and nine hundred
pounds. His business affairs are conducted
with diligence, enterprise and perseverance,
and his labors are attended with gratifying
success. There is considerable timber upon
the place and he has sold cord-wood grown
since he came to the count\-. In his polit-
ical views Mr. Shock is a Republican, vot-
ing with the party, yet never seeking office.
He has served as road supervisor but has
declined to accept official preferment, save
that of school director, having been a mem-
ber of the board for fifteen or sixteen years.
He has in his possession one of the old
"grandfathers' clocks" that was purchased
by his grandfather in ^laryland.
TOHN F. WILDIN.
John F. A\'ildin. the son of George and
Caroli-ne \\'ildin, was bcrn November 13,
185 1, in York county, Pennsylvania, where
he lived with his parents until he was seven
years of age, when they ranoved back to
Pike county, Ilii;iois. He learned to till
the soil at an early age, commencing to
plow -when he was but ten years old. He
worked on the farm in the summer and
went to school in the winter until he was
twenty years of age, receiving a common-
school education. He remained with his
parents until twenty-five years of age, farm-
ing partly for himself and also helping his
father.
J. F. ^^'ildin was married to IMiss Electa
Hoskin March 11. 1877, she being the
daughter of Isaac and Mary Jane Hoskin,
wdio also resided in Pike county, Illinois.
^Irs. Electa A\'ildin was born January 7.
1854, in that county. After their marriage
they removed to a tenant house on his fa-
ther's place, farming his father's land until
the fall of 1880; but in the meantime he
^Aeta W^/M^
Jl J/ ^^.^l^^/:^
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
was trying to purchase land of his own for
the purpose of farming and stock-raising.
Thinking land too high priced in Pike
county, he concluded to go west, and in
August, 1879, ^'^'itli liis father and several
friends took a trip to Emporia, Kansas,
lucking over Lyons county. They not be-
r ing satisfied with the land there, his father
[ returned home while he and his cousin went
I on to Wichita, and, after looking over
Sedgwick county and not finding a suitable
location, returned to old Pike.
Then the fall, following his father took
a trip to Rush county, visiting some friends
there, and was well pleased with the devel-
opment of the country for farming and
stock-raising. His father returned home
and reported to his son that he was
satisfied he had found the place which they
had been looking for. Then in the spring
of 1880 J. F. concluded to go to Rush coun-
ty and see for himself, his father and cousin
accompanying him. After looking over the
country and seeing the cattle being win-
tered on the buffalo grass without any other
feed, they concluded that was certainly the
place to buy; so J. F. purchased a half sec-
tion of land on Walnut river, four miles
west of Rush Center. His father also pur-
chased two hundred and forty acres ad-
joining his farm. On account of having a
large crop of wheat sowed in Pike county
he decided not to move to his new farm un-
til fall, and rented it to his cousin for that
summer.
• In November, 1880, J. F., with his fam-
ily, moved to his new home in sunny Kan-
sas, where he engaged in farming and
stock-raishig. handling as many as three or
four hundred headi of cattle each year. Be-
ing in need of more pasture he bought one
hundred and sixty acres more, making him
in all four hundred and eighty acres.
In the spring of 1889, renting out his
farm and putting out his cattle on the
shares, which he still continues, he conclud-
ed to move to Reno county, Kansas, resid-
ing in Hutchinson two years, being en-
gaged in real-estate business. In the fall of
1889 he purchased a half section of land in
Enterprise township and rented the same un-
til the spring of 1891, when he concluded
to go to farming again himself and mo\-ed
to this farm.
The following August, not being satis-
fied for several years with Kansas,' — always
liaving for a saying, he "wanted to ga
back where the red clover grew," — he sold
this farm and in January, 1892, took a trip
back to Pike county to visit his parents and.
with a view of buying. He looked at quite
a number of farms, but he remained only a
few days when he made up his mind that
sunny Kansas was good enough for him!
After visiting his parents and friends for
two weeks he returned home and bought his
present farm of two hundred and sixty-two
acres deeded land and one hundred
acres of river-made land, made by the
changing of a channel in the river, situ-
ated four and one-half miles northwest of
Hutchinson on sections 5 and 6. He pur-
chased this farm with the intention of farm-
ing, stock-raising and fruit-gowing, in
which he is engaged at the present time.
The farm being run down when he came
here, there being only six aces of orchard
and improvements being very poor, he built,
in the fall of 1892. his present residence,
and in the spring of 1893 planted thirty-
four acres of apple orchard, making in all
forty acres of apple orchard, alsn quite an
orchard of peaches, pears, plums, apricots
and cherries also a three-acre vineyard,
which has proved to be a profitable invest-
ment.
In the fall of 1896 Mr. Wildin built a
large barn and in the spring of 1897 con-
cluded to rent out part of his farm, there-
fore erecting a tenant house on his farm.
In the spring of- 1898 he concluded to en-
gage in the dairy business and erected a
dairy barn in connection with his tenant
house, found an experienced dairyman and
furnished him with cows and equipments
for running a dairy. After engaging in
this! business for six months and finding
it not a profitable business he sold out.
.Vfterward he rebuilt this dairy barn and
put in a self-feeder especially fr-r full-feed-
[46
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ing cattle, in which he is now engaged, and
finds it a profitable business in connection
with his farming and fruit-raising. In the
summer of 1901 J. F. purchased the old
homestead in Pike county, having it rented
out at present.
. Mr. and Mrs. Wildin's family consisted
of seven children, — five daughters and two
sons, namely: Mary E., Orville H., de-
ceased. Carrie E., Susie V., Janie L., Electa
H. and John F., Jr.
On the 13th of January. 1902. ]\Ir. and
Mrs. Wildin and family united with the
Methodist Episcopal church and our sub-
ject is a member of the' board of trustees
of Poplar church, three miles south of his
farm, which he w-as active in erecting.
In his political views he is a Democrat,
never holding any office except as a member
of the school board for the last twenty
years. His life has been characterized by
unflagging industry and strong purpose,
and, overcoming all difficulties and ob-
stacles in his path, he has worked his way
upward to prosperity.
LEWIS LA VERT Y.
Lewis Laverty is one of tire representa-
tive merchants of Kingman, where he is
successfully conducting a carriage and im-
plement business. His btisiness qualifica-
tions have won him a place among the lead-
ing representatives of the niercantile inter-
ests of this city, and his honorable career has
gained him uniform confidence and regard.
Mr. Laverty is a native of the Hoosier
state, his birth having occurred in Wabash
county, Indiana, on the 27th of June, 1861.
His paternal grandfather, James Laverty,
was the first of the family to come to Amer-
ica., and after his arrival in this country he
located' in Boston, Massachusetts, where he
became well known as a weaver. He subse-
quently moved to South Carolina, there re-
maining until some time in the '30s, when
he journeyed to Tennessee. From the latter
state he went to Indiana in 1850. His son
and the father of our subject, George S.
Laverty, was born in Boston, Massachusetts,
in 1809. When eighteen years of age he
assisted in the work of preparing the ne-
groes for emancipation, visiting many of the
southern states while engaged in that work
and encountering many exciting experiences.
He was arrested at Island No. 10, in Mis-
sissippi, but made good his escape to the
north, where he was engaged in farming in
Indiana for a time. In 1871 he came to
Kansas, securing a claim in Reno county on
which the Reformatory is now located, and
there began the arduous task of improving
new land with ox teams. He passed through
all the trying experiences which fall to the
lot of the frontiersman, but he bravely sur-
mounted the obstacles W'hich lay in his path-
way and eventually his efforts were crowned
w-ith a high and well merited degree of suc-
cess. During the winter months he engaged
in hunting, often making trips as far as
Texas, and he always found a read}' sale for
his game. In 1878 he sold his land in Reno
county and came to Kingman county, his
sons having preceded him tO' this locality
and taken up claims on sections 25 and 36,
Hoosier township. Here Mr. Laverty again
underwent the trying ordeal of improving
new land, but eventually his fields were
placed under a fine state of cultivation and
all the improvements of a well regulated
fanB added, his becoming one of the fine
country seats of the locality. There he
made his home for six years, on the expira-
tion of which period he removed to the city
of Kingman, where the remainder of his
days were passed in quiet retirement, bis
Hfe's labors being ended in death in 1896,
at the age of eig'hty-seven years.
Mr. Laverty was twice married, his first
union being with Polly Collier, and they
had three children, all now deceased. His
second marriage occurred in Indiana. Eliza-
beth Dorsey becoming his wife, and that
union was blessed with five children, only
two of whom. Lewis and George, attained
to years of maturity, and the former is the
only one now living. The mother of these
children passed away in death on the 26th
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
of January, 1896, and April 10 of the same
year her husband joined her in the spirit
world. He was an active worker in the
ranks of the Republican party. The cause
of education also' found in himi a strong
sympathizer and willing worker, and while
in Reno county he took an active interest
in the establishment oi schools. Of the
Christian church he was a worthy and con-
sistent member.
Lewis Laverty, whose name introduces
this review, was but ten years of age when
he removed with his paretits to Reno county,
and at that time there were but six families
residing within its borders, — Captain Bell,
Robert Ekll, John Shahan, James Freese and
his two sisters, Hannah and Mary. Our
subject and a sister of Henry P. Miller, who
now resides in Hutchinson, were the first
to attend school in the county. After com-
pleting his education in the common schools
of that locality Mr. Laverty followed farm-
ing in that county until his removal to King-
man county, which occurred in 1877, and
with his brother he engaged in farming in
Harrison township. In the following year,
hijwevcr, he removed to Marion county,
where he learned the trade of stone cutting,
fallowing that occupation there until 1886,
when he again came to Kingman county.
For a number of years after his return to
this locality he found employment at his
trade, and from 1893 until 1898 took con-
tracts for moving buildings. In the latter
year he became identified with the grain and
implement business in the city of Kingman,
and as the years have passed success has
abundantly rewarded his efforts and he is
now known as one of the leading implement
d.calers in Kingman county. He occupies
two store buildings, twenty-five by one hun-
dred and fifty feet, and also has a large ware-
h'jrse. He handles the Canton and Pea-
body line of buggies and implanents, the
J. I. Case thresher, has a large and com-
plete line of harness and saddler)-, and car-
ries two tubular pump outfits and the Wood-
mansee windmills. During the year of 1900
there was but one engine and not over four
separators brought into the county which
were not purchased at his store. He is a
wide-awake, energetic and progressive busi-
ness man, and the pro.sperity that has come
to him is the result of his own well directed
efforts.
In Marion county, Kansas, on the 25th
of March, 1885, was celebrated the mar-
riage of Mr. Laverty and Miss Tula McAl-
lister. The lady" was a daughter of James
McAllister, a prominent early settler of
Marion county. One daughter, Olive, who
died at the age of fourteen years, came to
bless the union of our subject and wife. On
the 2d of November, 1900, Mr. Laverty was
a second tim-e marriecl, Maggie L. Castle-
man becoming his wife. She is a daughter
of Rev. A. Castleman, of Lyons, Kansas.
The Republican party receives Mr. Laver-
ty's active support and co-operation, and for
one year he served as marshal of the city of
Kingman. Socially he is a member of the
Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen
of the World.
MAJOR W. L. BROWN.
There is no resident in Kingman county
who has borne a more important part in re-
claiming this section of the state for pur-
poses of civilization than has Major. Brown.
He has been actively a'ssociated with the
work of developing wild land, of instituting
horticultural and stock-raising pur.-;uits and
has been the promoter of many movements
for the common good. He was for a num-
ber O'f years a representative of its journal-
istic interests, is prominent in social, fra-
ternal and political circles and at the present
time is largely aiding in the settlement of
this portion of he state as a member of the
Kingman County Colonization Compan}-.
His residence in the county covers a period
of more than twenty years and since settle-
ment in the state dates from 1876.
A native of Steuben county. New York,
the Major was born January 28, 1854. His
father, Solomon Brown, was a native of the
same state and there followed agricultural
pursuits. The family is of Scotch origin but
148
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
was early planted on American soil and has
furnished its loyal representatives to all the
wars in which the United States has been
engaofed, including that which brought in-
dependence to the nation. One of the num-
ber served under General Ethan Allen and
was sergeant at the battle of Ticonderoga.
In Steuben county, New York, Solomon
Brown was united in marriage to Miss Ruth
E. Carpenter, a daughter of James Carpen-
ter, who was one of the pioneer settlers of
western New York. They became the par-
ents of three children but with the exception
of our subject the only surviving member
of the family is a sister of the Major, who
lives in the Empire state." The father died
when his son W. L. was only twenty months
old. The latter has not a single relative
west of the Mississippi river. The ancestry
of the Carpenter family can be traced back
to the time of the landing of the Mayflower
when the first of the name in this country
settled at Plvmouth Rock. One of his de-
scendants was a major in the Union army
during the war of the Rebellion.
Wlien quite young Major \V. L. Brown
was left an orphan. He enjoyed but meager
educational advantages, save what his own
determination and industry won for him.
Realizing the value of education he resolved
to prepare for the responsible duties of life
hv acquiring a good knowledge of the Eng-
lish branches of learning at least. He
worked his way through schooi, attending
Woodhull Academy, now known as the
Western New York College, in which he
pursued the regular collegiate course and
fitted himself for teaching, a profession
which followed for a number of years. As
he was only fourteen years of age when he
won his certificate and the laws of the state
forbade one teaching under eighteen years
of age, he made his way westward and for
three vears engaged in teaching in ]\Iissouri,
where his years were no bar to his work.
He then returned to New York and while
teaching in the Empire state hp also com-
pleted his own education.
In 1876 Major Brown arrived in Kansas
and was for six months engaged in hunting
on the buffalo range south of Dodge City,
and afterward in Texas along the Red river.
Returning to Pawnee county, Kansas, he
there took up a claim and also engaged in
teaching. Later he removed to ]\IcPherson
county, where he continued his educational
labors and resided for two years, coming to
Kingman in 1881. In White township,
Kingman county, he secured a claim, which
was^ two and a half miles from the nearest
dwelling. He at once began to break and
improve this tract of wild prairie, and while
thus engaged lived in a dugout. He also
taught a select schoo'l, taking his pay in
whatever his patrons fotmd' most con\'enient
to give. Some of his land he left fur pas-
turage purposes and gradually got this
stocked up with cattle. Soon afterward,
however, he disposed of that property and
purchased his present ranch of six hundred
and forty acres, seven miles north of King-
man and just over the line- from Reno coun-
ty. Here he again started in with raw land
and gave all his time to getting this in shape.
He engaged both in raising grain and stock
and also devoted some time to the cultiva-
tion of fruit. He has spared no' expense or
effort to make this one of the finest ranches
in central Kansas and has succeeded in the
undertaking, having his farm well improved
with all modern accessories, while a fine or-
chard of forty acres yields good crops of
apples, peaches, apricots, plums and grapes.
He has a grove of fifty acres which he plant-
ed, and as there is running water upon his
land the place is well adapted for stock-
raising. He owns a number of cattle,
horses and hogs, and altogether has one of
the best farmis in this portion of the Sun-
flower state.
The Major made his home thereon until
1890, when he built his present residence in
Kingman. He purchased the Kingman
Journal and started to build up the paper,
which was considerably run down. It had
been a seven-column folio but he trans-
formed it into a six-column quarto and soon
added materially to its business and circu-
lation. His entire attention was given to
the paper, which soon became recognized as
one of the leading fusion journals in the
state. This he edited and published until
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
149
Janiia-ry, 1891, when he sold it and has been
an active factor in the Kingman County
Colonization Company. For a year and a
half previously he had been interested in
the real estate business, and there is no man
in the county better qualified to- carry on the
work which he is now- undertaking, for he
has a most comprehensive knowledge of
realty values.
Until 1890 }vIajor Brown was a sup-
porter of the Republican party, but in that
}'ear he felt that he could nut conscienti-
ously support its platform and has since
acted with the Fusionists. He has taken a
\ery active part in political work and has
held a number of state offices, but has de-
clined the nomination for state senator.
From 1893 until 1895 he served as secre-
tary of the Kansas state senate, and in April,
1897, was made president of the state board
(if charities, an office which he resigned in
1898, two years before the expiration of the
term, in order to enlist in the army being
raised for the Spanish-American war. He
organized a regiment and was the first inan
in the state to be sworn into the service. He
was first commissioned adjutant and later
major. In 1901 he was a candidate for the
nomination for congress, but when within
two \'Otes he withdrew his name. His
prominence in political aft'airs is equaled
only by his high position in social circles.
He is a leading member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, and has filled all the
chairs from the minor offices in the subor-
dinate lodge to the highest in the grand'
lidge of the state. He was grand master
in 1898, in 1899 was elected representative
til the sovereign grand lodge for two years
and in ]\lav, 1901, was again chosen tO' that
position, the first time the honor of a re-elec-
tion to that office had ever been conferred
in Kansas. He is also .a member of the'
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and
of the Modern Woodinem of America. Foir
three years he was an officer in the State Ed-
itorial Association and for the past eight
years has been one of the directors in the
State Historical Society.
In July, 1 88 1, was celebrated the mar-
riage of ^lajor Brown and ]\Iiss Sadie J.
Blake, a daughter of Madison Blake, a
farmer of McPherson county, in which place
the wedding occurred. They have three chil-
dren; Maud, Wayne and Harlow, and also
an adopted daughter, Hallie. Mrs. Brown
is an oificer in the Rebekah State Assembly
and is one of the charter members: of the
Shakesperean Club of Kingman. Like her
husband she shares nn the high regard of
many friends. His active life has brought
tO' him a wide acquaintance, his labors have
made him a valued citizen of the community
and his name is inseparably interwoven with'
the history of progress and improvemient
along material, social, and intellectual lines
in Kingman county.
SAMUEL P. TETER.
Samuel P. Teter, a leading and influen-
tial agriculturist of Reno county, maintains
his residence at 15 17 North Main street, in
Hutchinson, and in this city which has for
so many years been his home he has made
many friends, who esteem him highly for
many excellencies of cliaracter. A native
of the Old Dominion, he was born in Pen-
dleton county, on the 22d of February, 1842.
His father, Laban Teter, was a native of
the same locality, born about the year 1810,
and he followed the tilling of the soil as a
life occupation. The paternal grandfather
of our subject was a native of the fatherland,
and after coming to this county located ui
Virginia. He was a brave and loyal soldier
during the terrible struggle for liberty. In
the Old Dominion he spent the remaining
years of his life, having followed the trade
of a blacksmith. Laban Teter was one of
a family of eleven children, all of whom have
long since passed to the home beyond. \Mien
about twenty- four years of age he was united
in marriage to Sarah Wayman, a native also
of Virginia. In 1849 Mr. Teter emigrated
with his family to McLean county, Illinois,
making the journej- with one two-horse
team and one five-horse team, and, having
started in the fall, they encountered very
severe weather during- the trip, at times the
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
sirnw ha\-ing fallen to a great depth and they
suffered many hardships and privations. Be-
fore starting on the long, wearisome jour-
ney Mr. Teter had sold his farm of one hun-
dred acres in Virginia for fourteen hundred
dollars, and a part of this money he invested
in a one hundred' and sixty acre tract in
McLean county, Illinois, then raw prairie
land. As time passed, however, he im-
proved his land an J added to his original
purchase until his landed possessions con-
sisted of six hundred acres, on which he
made many substantial improvements, and
upon this valuable tract he spent the remain-
der of his earthly pilgrimage. At the time of
his death he was residing with his youngest
son, Reuben, who had taken charge of the
farm. Mrs. Teter had passed to the home be-
yond about two years prior to her husband's
demise. He w'as a very prominent man in his
community, having filled many of the local
ofifices, and in political matters he was identi-
fied W'ith the Republican party. He was a
stanch Union man, anil was a prdininent and
worthy member of the Methruilist church, in
which he long served as a deacon. His
death was occasioned from lib k id' poisoning,
caused by having his finger pricked by a
hedge thorn. Unto this worthy couple
were born thirteen children, of whom our
subject wasi the fourth in order of birth,
but several of the children died in infancy.
Those who reached mature years were :
]\Ialinda. who died in McLean county, Illi-
nois ; Jonathan, also deceased; Huldah, the
wife of Will .Edmunds, a farmer of Hutch-
inson, Kansas; Laban C, deceased; Samuel
P.. the subject of this review; Sallie E.,
wife of Solomon Phillips, a veteran of the
Civil war and now a prominent farmer of
McLean county, Illinois; Reuben D., who is
engaged in fruit farming near Salem,
Oreson; Sina. wdio makes her home
with her sister in McLean county; Almeda,
who died in Haven township ; and Hezekiah
B., also deceased. The second son, Jonathan,
was a member of Company F, Ninety-fourth
Illinois Infantn,', during the Civil war,
but after nine months' service wasi discharged
on account of disability. He took part in
the battles of Prairie Grove and Spring Hill,
and in the last named engagement suffered
the loss of one of his eyes. His death oc-
curred in Hutchinson, Kansas, in 1899. La-
ban C. also rendered valuable service to his
country during the war of the rebellion, be-
coming a member of Company K, Twent}--
sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, his mili-
tary career covering a period of three years,
nine months and twenty-one days. He was
wonnded in a charge made on a fort in front
of Atlanta. He was loved and honored
among his fellow soldiers; for his strict ad-
herence to the standard of Christian man-
hood, and all who knew him entertained for
him the highest respect and esteem. He
passed to .the home beyond about 1885,
while residing near his father's home in Mc-
Lean county.
Samuel P. Teter, whose name introduces
this review, received only meager educational
advantages during his youth, having attend-
ed school but twenty days in all. and that
having been during his absence from the
army on a furlough. \\'hen only fifteen
years of age he performed a man's work in
the harvest fields, and after the close of the
day's labor in the field it wonld be his task
to feed the horses, cattle and hogs and milk
the cows, his work extending until late in
the evening. His father was at that time
extensively engaged in the stock business,
owning about one hundred head oi cattle and
one hundred and fifty hogs, while his landed
possessions consisted of six hundred acres.
In this manner our subject spent his youth
and early manhood. When the trouble be-
tween the north and south culminated in cixil
war he nobly ofifered his services to the
Union cause, enlisting, in 1861. at Blooming-
ton, in Company K, Twenty-sixth Illinois
Volunteer Infantry, On account of sick-
ness, however, he was unable to accompany
his regiment on their march to the south,
but he joined it in St. Louis, and from there
the regiment was sent to Madrid, its first en-
gagement being at Island No. 10. For
about four months thereafter Mr. Teter was
absent from duty on account of sickness,
caused by typhoid fever, but in the spring of
1862 he rejoined the army at Holly Springs,
Reaching La Grange, he was among the one
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
luindred who were left there to hold the fort.
Pie was at that time ir.uch broken in health
and was daily expecting liis disdiarge, but it
was delayed and when it final!}- arrived he
had grown so strong and rugged that his
captain burned the paper without telling him
of its arrival, nor was he acquainted of the
fact until the war had closed. Mr. Teter en-
tered the sendee as a fifer, but after regain-
ing his health he demanded a place in the
ranks as a soldier, and the request was
granted him. From La Grange they went
to Memphis and participated in tlie Irikiiii:- "f
that city, and was next statj'm.d in the
Yazoo river, where they were engaged in
guarding the city of Vicksburg. On the
4th of July followimg the regiment started
for Jackson, Mississip]>i, waded I'lack river,
camped on the opposite side during the niglit
and in the morning proceeded on their way.
Durin-g that engageiuent the regiment of
which our subject was a member charged
and finally captured the deep ditch, but dur-
ing- the combat Mr. Teter was struck in the
back, probably by a piece of shell, and' was
teiuporarily disabled for ser\-ice. After the
capture cf Jackson he retnrned with his reg-
iment to Black river, where lie was taken
sick with chills and fever, and with many
other soldiers was sent to Vicksburg, where,
in company with five hundred sick and
wounded comrades, he was placed on a hos-
pital beat bound for ]\Ie;uphis, and a few
days later his regiment jiassed tint citv on
their way to luka. Afterremaining in the
hospital for two days he and a comrade start-
etl to rejoin the regiment, and on reaching
luka they were infonned that in three day^
the regiment would start on a forcedmarch
t(i Chattanooga. Witli I'lliers who were too
weak to walk Mr. Teter was taken to that
city in wagons, where he was engaged in
doing guard duty far one month, and during
that time witnessed the taking of Lookout
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, after
which the armv set out to the relief of Burn-
side at Knoxville, where with n^any other
invnhds he was statinr.cd fm- a' tin-ie at
Whiteside Station. There they suffered
severely for the want of ]>r>tatoes. as gueril-
las had infested the countrv and had cut off
all suppihes. For eleven days those there
stationed subsisted on a half an ear of corn
each per day, but they finally organized a
party and set out on a foraging expedition,
their first find having been a half bushel of
flour, which the immediately converted into
flapjacks and ate until their appetites were
satisfied.
From that point they proceeded to
Scottsborough, Alabama, after which IMr.
Teter returned home on a thirty days' fur-
lough, on the expiration of which period he
rejoined his regiment near A'tlanta and was
engaged in the battle on the 22d of July,
1864, where the beloved McPherson fell,
and his death was mourned by the entire
army. During Hood's attack on the Fif-
teenth Corps, Mr. Teter was struck in the
face by a spent ball, inflicting a slight wound,
and on the 26th of August following, while
fitting within alxmt ten feet of the enemy's
lines and while waiting for his mail, he was
again wounded, a minie ball striking him in
the left side of the head, crushing tiie skull
and inflicting a very severe Wdund. After
being treated for a time in the field hospital
he was put in an ambulance and taken to
Marietta, Georgia, where he was confined
in Mother Beckerdyke's ward, there receiv-
ing excellent care. Although so severely
wounded, his recovery was rapid, and after
sufficiently regaining his health he returned
home on a thirty days;' furlough, but his
absence from the army extended over a
period of two months. Rejoining the army,
he went first to New York, thence to Hil-
ton Head and next to Beaufort, and ten miles
from that city, on the march to Raleigh, he
once more entered the ranks. During their
journey to that city' they were informed by
Logan that Lee had surrendered, and the
long, continued and deafening cheers which
followed the announcement can better be
imagined than described. . From Raleigh
they proceeded to Goldsboro, where Mr.
Teter, on account of wounds and having no
shoes, was mounted and with the regiment
made foraging expeditions. From there
they proceeded to ^\'ashington, D. C, where
they participated in the grand review, the
grandest military pageant ever witnessed in
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
this country. He was mustered out of ser-
vice at Louisville, Kentucky, and at Spring-
field, Illinois, received his honorable dis-
charge.
Returning to McLean county, Mr. Teter
once more took up the quiet and peaceful
duties of the farm, remaining with his father
for one year. The home farm was then di-
vided, he receiving as his share a seventy-
acre tract, which he farmed until 1887, and
in that year came to Hutchinson, Kansas.
During his first year's residence in this lo-
cality he was employed at various occupa-
tions, but he then purchased a team and en-
gaged in farming two and a half miles north-
west of Hutchinson, where he remained for
two years, and fox a time thereafter was en-
gaged in the dairy business in Newton. His
next place of residence was in Oregon, but
after six months spent in that state he re-
turned to Kansas and resumed the dairy bus-
iness. After a time he again went toi Ore-
gon, where he remained for nine months,
and since that time he has followed' farming
in Reno^ county, Kansas, during a portion of
which period he also served on the police
force.
Ii: McLean county, Illinois, Mr. Teter
was united in marriage with Phcebe Jane
Stewart, a native of the Old Dominion and
a daughter of John and Phoebe Jane (Hun-
ter) Stewart. Ten children have blessed
this union, namely: Dicey Albert, who is
engaged in farming five miles north of
Hutchinson ; Allie Estella, who died in in-
fancy ; Ira J., who is engaged in fanning
near the old homestead ; jNIaggie G., wife of
Robert Reed, a stone mason of Hutchinson;
Jonathan Edwin, a farmer of this county;
Nancy I\Iay, wife of O. Archer, who aho
foHows agricultural pursuits in this county;
Jesse, Samuel Carl, Jennie Alyrtle and Al-
fred, who are still at home. Mr. Teter
casts his ballot in favor of the men and meas-
ures of the Republican pnrtv. and nn its
ticket has been elected to niaiiv puMti. ns of
honor and trust, including that of school
director. He maintains pleasant relations
with his old army comrades through his
membership with joe Hooker Post, No. 17,
G. A. R., and for efficient service which he
rendered his country in her time oi trouble
he now draws a pension of twenty-four dol-
lars a month. His has been a well spent life,
true to all public and private duties, and his
scrupulous regard for the right has gained
him the esteem of a large circle of friends.
E. C. FISHER, M. D.
In an analyzation of the character and
life work of Dr. Fisher we note many of
the characteristics which have marked the
English nation for many centuries — the
perseverance, reliability, energy and imcon-
rpierable determination to pursue a course
that has been marked out. It is these ster-
ling qualities which have gained Dr. Fisher
success in life and made him one of the
substantial and valued citizens of Lyons,
where he is actively engaged in the prac-
tice of his profession.
A native of England, the Doctor was
born in New Castle on the Tyne April 25,
1844, and is a son of John Fisher, whose
birth occurred at Newcastle on the T}-ne,
in 1816. He represents a well-known and
prominent English family. After coming
to America he was for many years engaged
in mining on the Ohio river, but now he
is living- in retirement, at the age of eight}'-
five years, making his home with his son,
the Doctor. In early manhood he wedded
Ann Combie, and for many years they trav-
eled life's journey together, the labors of
one supplementing and rounding out the
work of the other. Mrs. Fisher was also
born and reared in Newcastle on the Tyne,
and it was after their marriage that thev
cr^'-'-ril llie briny deep tn the new world,
liccM-niii-^ rrMilciits of the Buckeye state.
Her death occurred at ]\Iiddleport, in Meigs
county, Ohio, at the age of seventy-three.
In his political opinions Mr. Fisher is a Re-
publican, and in the Methodist Episcopal
church he holds membership, as did his
wife, who was an earnest Christian, kind-
hearted, true and loyal. This worthy coui)le
were the parents of four children, nameh- :
E. C. of this review: Joseph, who is living
in Braman. Oklahoma: }ilrs. Ann Ee:'ler.
&,6. ^aXiyrlh.^
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
53
of Buffalo, Xew York; and John, who is
connected with mining interests in Seattle,
Washington.
Dr. Fisher was reared in the county of
^leigs, Ohio, and completed his literary ed-
ucation by a high school course in Aliddle-
port, Ohio, but put aside his text-books in
order to respond to his country's call for
aid. He volunteered on the 12th of May,
1862, as a member of the Fifth Ohio Cav-
alry. This was a noted cavalry regiment,
under CLimniaud of Colonel Judson Kilpat-
rick, and with that organization he served
for three years, being with General Sher-
man's army. He took part in the Atlanta
campaign and went with Sherman on the
celebrated march to the sea. All through
tlie war he w-as loyal to the cause which he
espoused, faithfully following the old flag
upon the battlefields and pro\-ing his loyalty
both upon the picket and the firing lines.
When the war was over he returned to his
home and resumed his studies in Athens
College, the oldest college in the state of
Ohio. Believing that he would prefer pro-
fessiojial life, he took up the study of med-
icine in the State University of Michigan,
at Ann jVrbor, and on the completion of the
prescribed course was graduated with the
class of 1871.
Dr. Fisher then returned to IMiddleport.
Ohio, opened an office and was a represent-
tive of its medical fraternity until 1874,
when he visited Europe. While there he
was married, in 1876, to JMiss Stella Reiche-
nau, a lady of highly cultivated mind and
many natural graces of character and dis-
position. She was born on the Rhine, in
Germany, and was a daughter of Charles
Reichenau, wlm bt-l' mi^ed tn oue of the dis-
tinguished families nf that country. She
obtained her education at Deitz, Germany,
and was a popular and successful teacher
in Scotland at the time when she formed
the acquaintance of the Doctor. Return-
ing with his bride to his native land. Dr.
Fisher became a resident of Racine, Ohio,
in 1876, but on the solicitation of his par-
ents he returned to the old home in Mid-
dleport. where he remained until 1884. In
that year he came to the Sunflower state
and took up his abode in Lyons, where he
has since remained. His broad knowledge
and his marked ability have secured for
him a liberal patronage, and his name is en-
rolled among the representatives of the
medical fraternity in this portion of the
state.
The marriage of the Doctor and Mrs.
Fisher has been blessed with six children,
namely: Charles A., who is now a student
in Lawrence University, of Kansas ; Anna
Florence, who received a good musical ed-
ucation in Cologne, liermany, where she
was a student for six years, attaining high
proficiency in that art ; Wilhelm and Thekia,
both of whom are students in the high
school of Lyons; and Elsie Nancy, who
completes the family. The Fisher house-
hold is celebrated for its gracious Hospi-
tality, and the Doctor and his wnfe occupy
a very enviable position in social circles.
In his political views and affiliations he is
a Republican, and is now serving as presi-
dent of the school board of Lyo^ns, his.
labors proving of value and benefit to the
cause of education here. He has also been
a member of the city council and takes a
deep interest in everything pertaining to the
progress and material advancement of his
adopted county. A valued Mason, he has
passed all the chairs in the blue lodge, and
he is likewise a member of the Lyons Post,
No. 20, G. A. R. The familv attend the
services- of the Methodi-t i;]i;-r-|)al church.
His fine personal appearance is an indica-
tion of his character. He is easily approach-
able and his unfailing courtesy wins him
friends where\"er he goes. To-day he stands
among the valued and respected citizens of
central Kansas and is well worthy of men-
tion among the representative residents of
the state.
JAMES ST. JOHN.
The life of James St. John — pre-emi-
nently that of a business man — has been
crowned with success and shows the power
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
of untiring energy and industry in over-
coming obstacles, meeting competition and
gradually advancing to the goal of prosper-
ity. He is now the president and manager
of the Huthinson Lumber & Planing Mill
Company, a leading industry which contrib-
utes to the commercial activity of the city
as well as to the individual success of its
stockholders. The company was organized
under the present form in 1897 and its large
trade indicates that the business methods of
the house commend it to public patronage.
James St. John was boi n in Preble coun-
ty, Ohio, June 5, 1838. Tradition says that
the family is of French lineage but the orig-
inal American ancestors came to this coun-
try from England. The grandfather of our
subject was another James St. John and was
born, in Dutchess county, New York, April
4, 1788, his parents being John and Ann
(Lockwood) St. John. In 1807 he married
Elizabeth Payne, a native of Culpeper coun-
ty, Virginia, and to provide for his family
he followed agricultural pursuits. Remov-
ing to Ohio his son, Seth St. John, was there
born and reared. He learned the tanner's
trade, which he followed in the Buckeye
state until 1840, when he ranoved to Van
Buren county, Iowa, where he established a
tannery, which he conducted for some timie.
He took an active part in public affairs dur-
in the early history of the county and for
two terms served as sheriff. After his elec-
tion to that office he removed to Keosauqua,
the county seat, where he spent his remain^
ing days, his death occurring in 1865. He
was a man of pn ni' unccil character and' fear-
less in defen-o ■ t" hi- Imnest convictions. He
gave a stalwart siip|hirt to the principles of
Democracy and was an active and' consistent
member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Fraternally he was connected with the Ma-
sonic lodge and Independent Ordter of Odd
Fellows. His wife, who was a native o'f
Peimsylvania, died at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. Sarah Kreigh, of Johnson,
Kansas, in February, 1888. They' were the
parents of nine children, seven of whomi
reached mature years, while five are still liv-
ing, namely : Carlisle, who is a sheet metal
worker in Des iMoines, Iowa; Jacob M., an
attorney of Des ]\Ioines : James of this re-
view: Sarah R., wife of L. H. Kreigh, post-
master of Edwin, Stanton county, Kansas;
John F., who served through the entire
Civil war as sergeant of Company K, Tenth
Iowa Volunteer Infantrv', and died at the
Soldiers' Home in Kansas, in 1891 ; Mary
A., the wife of M. C. Davis, for many years
special examiner in the pension department
in Washington, D. C. ; and Seth, who for
many years was engaged in business in Os-
ceola, Iowa, and died in Texas in 1891.
James St. John was only two years old
when his parents went to Iowa, where he
was reared to manhood under the parental
roof. He attended the public schools until
thirteen years of age and then entered upon
an apprenticeship to the tinner's trade at
Keosauqua, Iowa, where he remained for
eight years, when, having attained his major-
ity, he -entered into partnership with his
father iathe establishment of a stove and
tinning business in Keosauqua, Iowa. He
was there located for four years and on the
expiration of that period he removed into
the country in that county, where he im-
proved a new farm and engaged in agricul-
tural pursuits for about two years. He
next went to Bloomfield, Iowa, where he
conducted a lumber yard for about six years
and in 1877 he removed to Kansas, locat-
ing at Burrton, Harve}- county, where he
was connected with the lumber trade for a
year. In 1878 he arrived in Hutchinson and
organized the Hutchinson Lumber Company,
a stock company, of which he became pres-
ident and manager, conducting the enterprise
until 1885, when the company was merged
into the St. John & IMarsh Company, busi-
ness being carried on under the latter name
until 1887 when Mr. St. John disposed of
his interest to the Marshes. In 1889, in con-
nection with Mr. McCandless, he purchased
the banking business of J. F. Redhead &
Company-, and continued it under the name
of James St. John & Company until 1897,
when the bank was sold. Tlie following
year Mr. St. John established the Hutchin-
son Lumber & Planing ]\Iill Company, with
which he has since been connected as its
president. It was established on nnich the
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
same plan that is now followed, but the trade
has constantly grown in volume and impor-
tance and the enterprise is now accounted one
ri the leading industrial concern."- of the
city. In addition toi the manufacture and
sale of lumber the company does a large
building contract business, employing a
number of competent mechanics, as many
as from twenty to twenty-five during the
building season. The office o<f the 'company
is at No. 13 Sherman street, west, ancl the
plant on Avenue A, west. The present of-
ficers are James St. John, president; M. H.
Wagner, vice-president: A. W. McCandless,
secretary and treasurer. The firm carries
a complete line of lumber and building ma-
terials of every description and in the plan-
ing mill employs fifteen operatives. Every
branch of their business is well managed and
is profitable. Tlie partners are men of en-
terprise, practical, progressive and reliable,
and the house sustains an unassailable repu-
tation in trade circles.
Mr. St. John is pre-eminently a Ijusi-
ness man, devoting almost his entire time
and attention to his industrial and commer-
cial affairs. He has never sought or desired
office and has seldom ever consented to
accept political positions. His fellow towns-
men, however, elected him to the ofifice of
city coimcilman while he resided in Bloom-
field and much against his desire he was
compelled to accept. In a cpiiet way, how-
e\er, he aids largely in the city's progress
and improvement and endorses^ every raeas-
lu'e for the general good. He votes inde-
pendently, supporting by his ballot the men
and measures which he thinks will best ad-
vance the welfare of the city, state and na-
tion.
On the .25tli of December, 1861, Mr. St.
John was married to Miss Margaret Trebil-
cock, a daughter of Frank and' Anna (Dow-
erick) Trebilcock, both of whoni were na-
tives of England, while Mrs. St. John was
born in Ohio. By her marriage she has be-
ciime the mother of three children : Frank
T., who is controlling a brancji of the lum-
ber business, located at FredericT<, Kansas ;
Agnes, the wife of A. W. ]\IcCandless, the
secretarv and treasurer of the Hutchinson
Lumber & Planing Mill Company ; and Mary
who died in infancy. The parents hold
membership in the Presbyterian chur.ch, con-
tribute liberally to its support and take an ac-
tive part in its work. Mr. St. John is one
of the oldest, best known andi most highly
respected business men of Hutchinson, hav-
ing been an active factor in the trade circles
of tliis city for twenty-three years. While
in lo'wa he was one of the organizers of the
Fort Madison Chair Company, which is still
in existence, and was one of the organizers
and the first president of the Valley State
Bank of Hutchinson. Besides; his other in-
terests in this city he owns valuable fruit
lands in the stjate of California. He
is a man of superior business force and exec-
utive power, t<irnis l^is plans readily and is
determined in their execution. He has keen
foresight and his judgment is rarely, if ever,
at fault. His treatment of his employes is
just and considerate and his reputation is
Oine over which there falls no shadow of
wrong. His splendid success has been
worthily achieved and his career excites the
admiration and respect of all.
ALEXANDER L. FORSHA.
One of the most notable places in Reno
county is the ranch and milling property
owned by Alexander L. Forsha. a very
prominent business man whose success is
the result of his own earnest labors, directed
by sound business judgment. His life his-
tory again proves the truth of the old adage
that "the achievement depends upon the
man." It is not he who waits for opportu-
nity to aid him, but the individual who can
make his opportunity, wh6 can make condi-
tions serve his purpose that gains wealth.
Such has been the career of Colonel Forsha,
who' now residtes at a beautiful home in
Hutchinson and yet spends much of his time
upon his ranch, his beautiful country seat
proving a most attractive feature of the land-
scape.
The Colonel is a native of Oxford. Ohio,
born on the 27th of December, 1832. his par-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ents' Iseing William and Elizabeth (Louis)
Forsha, the latter a native of Xew England.
The father was Ixjrn and reared in New York
and was a ship carpenter by trade. In early
manhood he remo^•ed to Ohio, where he was
married and soon afterward, in 1S36, went
to Scotland count}-, Missouri, casting in his
lot among its early settlers. He became an
extensive land owner and stock raiser and a
well known and popular citizen actively iden-
tified with pubHc and ofiicial affairs in Scot-
land county. He spent the last years of his
life in retirement from business cares in
Monticello, ^Missouri. In his family were
five children ; Mary, the wife of J. M. Fish,
a wealthy merchant of Eddyville, Iowa;
Siles E., who is engaged in the real estate
business in Los Angeles, California ; Alex-
ander L. ; Lizzie J., wafe of William F.
Staples, of Los Angeles : and William B.,
who died at the age of eighteen years.
The Colonel was only three years old
when the family took up their abode in the
new home in Missouri and there amid the
wild scenes of pioneer life he was reared,
early becoming familiar with the work of the
farm, while in the common schools he pur-
sued his educatioji, also attending St.
Charles College. At the age of twenty-two
years he engaged in business on his own ac-
cornt as a merchant in EddA-ville, Iowa,
where he remained for six years, when he re-
turned to ^Missouri, locating in Schuyler
county, that state, where he had large landed
interests. There he engaged in farming
and milling until 1883. He had previously
purchased a large tract of railroad land in
Reno county, and in that year he disposed of
his iNIissouri property and removed to
Hutchinson in order to superintend his
growing business interests here. He had
first purchased ten sections of land and here
he devoted his attention to the real-estate
business. A man of resourceful business
ability, he extended his operations to other
lines and became one of the founders of the
Hutchinson Street Railway Company. In
December, 1889, he began improA-ements on
what has become widelv known as the For-
sha Ranch, then comprising sections 7, 17,
19 and 29 Castleton township, to which he
has added until the place now comprises over
four thousand nine hundred and eighty acres.
It is conducted as a stock ranch, where they
graze and feed about one thousand head of
cattle and sell each year from four to five
hundred head. Since developing- the ranch
Mr. Forsha has given his chief attention to
it, disposing of many of his other business
interests. He has a fine residence in Hutch-
inson, at No. 317 Sherman street, east, which
he considers his home, although he spends
much of his time on the ranch.
In his political views ^Ir. Forsha is an
ardent Republican and keeping well inform-
ed on the issues of the day is able to support
his position by intelligent argument. His
first vote was cast for John C. Fremont and
in this he did. not follow the example of his
father, w"ho was first a Whig and then a
Democrat, favoring the slavery position of
the soulth. In his fraternail relations the
Colonel is a Mason, having been made a
member ef the craft many years ago.
On the 13th of February, 1862, at Eddy-
ville, Iowa, Colonel Forsha was united in
marriage to Miss Jean Irvin, a daughter of
James M. and Louisa (Castell) Irvin. She
was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and
during her infancy was taken by her parents
to Nodaway county, Missouri. Later the
father removed with his family to
Doniphan county, Kansas, and took an ac-
tive part in the border difficulties attendant
upon the settlement of this state. When the
Civil war w^as inaugurated he became a colo-
nel in the Union army and was a brave and
•loyal officer. He served as a member of tlie
first senate of Kansas and left the impress
of his individuality upon the early history
of the state. He died March 7, 1900, at his
home in Pasadena, California, where for
several years he had lived a retired life. In
his family were six children, of whom four
are now living: Frank, of Los Angeles,
California; Mrs. Forsha; Flora, the wife of
E. E. W^ard, a business man of Chanute.
Kansas; and Emma L., the widow of Jo-
seph L. Barbee, of Chicago. One son, Wal-
ter, who was connected with railroad service,
died 'in West Virginia in 1898. Unto Mr.
and Mrs. Forsha have been born two sons:
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Fred A., who is vice president of tlie Na-
tional Live Stock Company, of Kansas City,
Chicago and Omaha, and resides in the first
mentioned' place: and Sam \\\. who carries
on the Forsha ranch.
This ranch has become a \-alual)le and
remunerative property under the personal
supervision of Sam. ^^'. Forsha, whoi since
its establishment has been in charge of the
place. His ability as a financier and man-
ager is amply demonstrated by the success
and profitable results of one pi the largest
and most completely equipped and systemat-
ically conducted stock ranches in southern
or central Kansas. One thousand acres are
planted to alfalfa, about three hundred and
fifty are cultivated in forage crops and the
remainder is pasture land. The first im-
provement was made on the ranch in 1889,
a small house being erected, in which Sam
\y. Forsha slept for the first time on the
24th of December, althorgh the house was
not completed until the 2d of January, 1890.
Business was first carried on exclusively as
a stock ranch and cribs were erected for one
hundred thousand bushels of corn which
would be required for feeding purposes. In
July, iSps, a new department was added to
the business by the erection of a mill, which
was built largely for their own use in grind-
ing feed for the cattle, but an increasing cus-
tom trade induced them to erect a modern
mill and in iNIay and June, 1899, work on
the Forsha Roller IMills was carried forward
to completion, the plant constituting a three-
story building, equipped with the latest im-
proved machinery, and having a capacity of
one hundred and seventy-five barrels per
da}-. ]\Ir. Forsha and his son have demon-
strated their abilitv to manufacture as good
flnur as can be pr- ilrr. ' '^- ■'- ■ "iitry and
they have a large a;i:l ■ creasirig
patronage. Their prii:>: • ,:re Peer-
less, Standard and Takers' Delig t, and
these are well known throughout central and
southern Kansas and in the Indian Terri-
tory. They also ship largely for the export
trade, and in addition to the merchant trade
they have a large custom trade^and exchange
covering an area of from twenty-five to
thirty miles. The mill is operated by power
I furnished from a large Corliss engine. In
j connection with the mill is a large storage
room for mill products, fifty by seventy-two
i feet, steel covered. The mill in all its equip-
I ments is strictly in line with all general im-
; prcvements and is in keeping with the mod-
ern stock ranch on which it is located. Since
it has been remodeled it grinds from eighty
to one hundred thousand barrels annually.
They sell at the door all coarse mill prod-
ucts, besides shipping frorii twenty to thirty
car Irads each year. The Forsha mill and
ranch creates a good demand and excellent
local market for both wheat and corn. The
feed lots and yards are arranged with a vie\v
to convenience and economizing time. There
are large roofed feed sheds and a large dou-
ble barn for winter feeding, while substan-
tial pens and yards are arranged in the man-
ner of city stockyards. \\'ater is piped' from
an eighty-foot standpipe mounted on a steel
tower and thus the feed lots, outbuildings,
mill and residence are supplied. There are
also two fire plugs with hose attachments,
furnishing adequate fire protection. The
place is equipped with a modern blacksmith
shop where a competent mechanic does the
work in his line for the ranch besides the
custom work of the neighborhood. In the
yards is a dehorning chute and a sixty thou-
sand pound Fairbanks stock scale. A well
drilling apparatus is kept for sinking their
own wells, which are located in different
parts of the pasture lands. There are alto-
gether ten wells and Avindmills. which fur-
nish abundant water supply. The feeding is
conducted in the most careful and systeni-
' atic manner, and account being kept of all
feed consumed, and the cattle are weighed
everv thirty days. The care and precision
which is manifest in the conduct of this large
ranch with its varied interests are a credit to
I the executive ability of Sam W. Forsha. the
genial and hospitable manager and host.
The office and residence at Hutchinson are
connected with local and long-distance
phones with the ranch, and few conveniences
i of the modern city home or office are missing
at Forsha. The elegant and comfortable
residence is three stories in height with base-
ment, and is furnished in a manner that is a
5S
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
supervision and is justly accounted one of
credit to the good taste of the host. It has
all modern conveniences, including furnace
heat, hot and cold water, toilet and bath and
gas is furnished by their own gas plant. The
ranch presents an inviting prospect and the
Colonel and his wife spend much of their
time there in the summer months in prefer-
ence to their elegant city home.
In public affairs Sam W. Forsha has
taken an active part since locating upon the
ranch. He is identified with the Republican
party and is a member of the township cen-
tral committee. He has also been a delegate
to the county, state, congressional and na-
tional conventions, and his opinions carry
weight in the councils of his party. Frater-
nally he is a thirty-second degree Mason,
holding membership in Friendship Lodge,
No. 208. F. & A. M. : Resjo Chapter, R. A.
^L: and \A'icliita C. -iisistory. No. 2, A. A.
S. R. He i> aL~i' cimected with the Com-
mercial Travelers' Association. Since tak-
ing charge of the ranch, however, he has
given his attention almost exclusively to its
the most capable and reliable business men
in Reno co-unty, possessing sound judgment,
keen foresight and earnest purpose. He
forms his plans reachly and yet not without
mature dmsideratinn. and Is determined in
their exrcntii 11. The Fi^rsha ranch is indeed
a creditalilc nii'iuiment to the business ability
and w ' 'Tth ■ 'f lt^ i< under and its manager.
JOHN ^lARCH.
For almost a quarter of a century John
Alarch has resided upon the farm which is
now his home, having taken up' his abode
here in 1877. Kansas tested' the bravery,
endurance and' faith of her early settlers in
the }-ears of pioneer life here, but those who
had the coura^^e and the resolution to meet
hardships and tliniculties have ultimately
been rewarded. "Hard times," occasioned
by droughts and grasshoppers, are now no
longer knoavn. The advent of the railroad
has bought all the comforts of civilization
known to the older east, and moreover has
afforded shipping facilities so that the citi-
zens are in direct contact with the great
market centers of the country to which an-
nually millions of bushels of grain and thou-
sands of heads of cattle are sent. Mr. March
is one among the brave pioneers who- faced
the trials to eventually win success and he
is now in very comfortable circum-
stances financially. Moreover, he has won
the high regard of his fellow townsmen and
one of the popular residents of Ellsworth
county is John March.
He was born October 29, 1837, in Wel-
lingborough, Northamptonshire. England, a
son of John and Dinah ( Chamberlain)
March. The father, who- was connected
with the railroad service there, died during
the early boyhood of our subject, and when
fourteen )-ears of age the latter came to
America with his uncle, crossing the ocean
on the ship Leviathan, wdiich was forty-
nine days in making the New York harbor.
Mr. ^larch went west to Columbus, Ohio,
and remained with his uncle until twenity-
one years of age, when he offered his aid to
his adopted country for military service, en-
listing July 22, 1861, as a member of Com-
pany E, Twentieth Indiana Volunteer In-
fantry, which was assigned to the Army of
the Potomac. He participated in the battles
of Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina, where
he served as a sharpshooter during the fight
between the ]\Ierrimac and the ]\Ionitor. He
was also in the battles of Fair Oaks, \\'hite
Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, JManassas, the
second battle of Bull Run. Chantilly, Fred-
ricksburg, Chancellorsville and many minor
engagements and skirmishes. He was
wounded by a minie ball when before Rich-
mond and was confined in St. Elizabeth's
Hospital, Washington, D. C, where his
thumb was amputated. He was also wound-
ed at Fair Oaks. He received an honorable
discharge at Camp Pitcher, Virginia, De-
cember 24, 1862, on a surgeon's certificate
of disability, and then returned to Ohio.
From there Mr. March went to Iowa
with the intention of following farming
there, but finding that a regiment was being
raised, and the war spirit being still strong
within him, he re-enlisted at Newton, Iowa,
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
159
for three years' service, being mustered in
at Davenport, November 30, 1863, as a
member of Company L, Xinth Regiment of
Iowa Cavah-y. The command was assigned
to the army at the frontier, and be was
mostly on detached service in Arkansas, tak-
ing part in a number of engageinents with
the bushwhackers. They lost one hundred
and ninety-four men by death from wounds,
and disease. At Little Rock. Arkansas, on
the 3d of February, 1866, Mr. March re-
ceived his final discharge, and with a most
commendable record for faithful military
ser\-ice and for bravery he returned to his
Ohio home.
Renting a farm in Delaware countv, that
state, he continued its operation imtil 1877,
when he came to Kansas, and bought out the
man who had pre-empted the land upon
which Mr. March now resides, giving him
one hundred and fifty dollars for his right.
He then purchased a yoke of cattle with
which he brcike the land, and here he has car-
ried ijii his farming- pursuits ever since. He
raised ci insiderable corn at first, as he had a
tract (if liottom land that never entirely
failed cjf yielding a crop. He has given most
of his attention, however, to the production
of wheat. He has added sixty acres to his
land and with the exception of seventy-five
acres all is under the plow. The other is
I largely used for pasturage, for he raises
some cattle.
On the 20th of September, 1866, Mr.
March led to the marriage altar Miss Mary
-V. Dickinson, a daughter of Edward \V.
Dickinson, a farmer of Ohio. He was born
in Northamptonshire. England, and came to
America in tlie spring of 185 1. spending ten
ycai-- ill ."^aral^ ,L;"a c>iUntv. New ^'nrk, after
which he renmved tn Ohio. Untn Mr. and
Mrs. March have been born seven children:
Emma J.; John H. : Edward A., who is
farming in Illinois ; Margaret, the wife of
Bert Story, of Ellsworth township. Ells-
worth county ; Samuel E.. a resident farmer
of Illinois: ^lelvina and Charles j\I.. at
home. For eleven or twelve years after
coming to Kansas the family lived in a small
house of only two rooms, but additions were
made to this and thev now have a nice home.
while all modern imprc\-ements, in the way
of good buildings, are found uix)n the place.
Mr. March continued the acti\-e manage-
ment of the farm until 1900, since which
time he has lived practically retired in the
enjoyment of a well merited rest. In his
political views he is a Rqjubhcan, and for
twelve years he has served as treasurer of
the school district. He belongs to Ellsworth
Post, No. 22, G. A. R., and attends the ser-
vices of the Methodist Episcopal church.
The years of his life have passed in activity
mostly gi\-en. to business, yet he has never
neglected his duties of citizenship or the ob-
ligation of private and social life.
ROBERT C. MILLER.
Among the well known citizens of the
floiirishing town of Langdon, Kansas, is
Robert C. Miller, a farmer and merchant,
who was born in AVasliin-iMn c< nntx. Indi-
ana, on June 16, 1844. n ^nn nt W illiam and
Susan (Truman) Miller. William Miller,
the father of Robert C, was; born in Ten-
nessee, in 1819, and he died in Georgetown,
Indiana, in 1892, at the age of eighty-three
years. He married Susan Truman, who was
born in Kentucky in 1818, the marriage tak-
ing place in Indiana about 1839. and there
they have followed a farming life. They
reared these children : Louise, who married
Thomas J. Teaford, of Indiana: Robert C,
our subject; John N., who is a farmer in
KingTnan county, Kansas ; and Charles A.,
who resides in Reno county. Kansas. Both
piarents had been previously married and
each had one son. William Bright, who lives
in Martinsburg. Indiana, and Thomas Mil-
ler, who died in \'ermilion county, Illinois.
After the death of the mother of our sub-
ject, in 1867. the father again married.
Robert C. Miller was reared to farm life
and had but few educational opportunities.
At the age of eighteen years he left home
to become a soldier, enli-tiiig for service in
the Civil war in tlie l-"ighty-hrst Indiana In-
fantrv, becoming a private in Company C,
and remained faithful to dutv feir three
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
years, being mustered out at the close of the
war. He did not escape all of the disasters
of war, having been captured by the enemy
at Lookout ]\Iountain and confined for six
and one-half months at the military prison
on Belle Isle.
On April 8, 1875. Mr. Miller was united
in marriage to Fannie E. Holland, who was
born in Sangamon county, Illinois, a daugh-
ter of \\'illiam T. and Julia A. (Hurt) Hol-
land, the fomier born in Kentucky and the
latter in ^lenard county, Illinois. Mr. Hol-
land was a carpenter and also a farmer and
lived to be sixty-nine years of age, dying
on December 14, 1899. They caane with
their six children to Atchison county, Kan-
sas, in 1873, and in 1879 removed to Reno
county, ]\Irs. Holland still enjoying vigor-
ous health.
;\Ir. and ^Irs. ]\Iiller began farming as
tenants, thus continuing for one year in
Atchison county, but in 1874 our subject
took up a quarter section of homestead land
on section 29, in Langdon township, and in
1876 he and wife moved out to their land.
The first house was what is locally known
as a "dugout" and its dimensions were
twelve by twenty feet, with a dirt roof and
board floor, and here industry and happiness
made it a most comfortable home. This
home was succeeded by a small frame build-
ing, fourteen by twenty-four feet in dimen-
sions, but the contrast is great between it
and his present commodious residence, a
story and a half in height with an annex of
twenty-six by sixteen feet. One of the feat-
ures (if the place which testifies to the pros-
perity that reigns is the large red barn, which
was erected in 1882. As a reward for his
persevering industry Mr. Miller now owns
two hundred and fourteen acres of fine, pro-
ductive land, and here carries on a general
line of farming. He keeps fifty head of cat-
tle, milks nine or ten cows and' always owns
from eight to ten horses. He uses one hun-
dred and sixty acres of his land for the rais-
ing of wheat and seventy acres for corn. The
fine shade trees which adorn the landscane
and the two hundred and fifty apple trees he
planted here, and has thus benefited the lo-
cality l)y turning unproductive land into a
veritable garden, pleasant to the eye of the
public and remunerative to its owner. Since
18S7 he has alsoi been engaged in the mer-
cantile business, his establishment being the
first opened in the village proper. Until
1900 his brother was associated with him,
but since that date he has successfully con-
ducted it alone, having a very lucrative trade,
retaining the customers whom he first served
fourteen years ago.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller had a familv of nine
children born to them, two dying while in-
fants, the others being as folloAvs : \MlIiam
T., a railroad official, living at home: Lou-
ise, a resident of St. Joseph, Missouri : Frank
B., in cliarge of the store: Stella A. : Helen
Gertrude; .Jessie B., a little lady of nine
years : and Howard, a lad of five. In politics
Mr. ]\Iiller has never wavered in his alle-
giance to the Republican party, and has serv-
ed as the efficient township trustee for two
terms, in 1890 was census enumerator, and
for twO' years has been a justice of the peace. ?
Mrs. Jones, of this village, is the postmistress
and Mr. Miller is the assistant, the office be-
ing located in his store, this being the most
centrally located and appropriate building
in the town, and is Mr. Miller's own prop-
erty. Socially he is a member of the G. A.
R., while the religious connection of the fam-
ilv is with the Christian church.
L. E. VER^IILLIOX.
For almost a quarter of a century Dr.
Vermillion has been a resident of Kansas
and to-day he ranks with the ablest physi-
cians and surgeons of this portion of the
state. He was born in Loudon county, Yiv-
ginia. A]iril 30, 1850, his liirthplace being-
near Euckland. the family residence. On
l>oth the paternal and maternal sides he is
descended from old and prominent families
of his native state, his ancestors having lo-
cated in the Old Dominion prior to the Re^■-
olutionary war. Jonathan \^ermillion. the
Doctor's father, \\as a miller by trade, and
in his business affairs won a high degree of
success. He was born in \"irginia. and
>>,^^^^-i-<- y^S).
BIOGJ^APHICAL HISTORY
there wooed and won Miss Elizabeth War-
ford, who was connected with the Lees and
other prominent families of Virginia. She
acquired her education there and was a lady
of culture. \\h( iini\-ed to her husband a
faithful ci'iiipaiii"!! >'\\ tlie journey of life.
In his political views Jonathan A'ermillion
was a stalwart Democrat, and his religious
belief was indicated by his membership in
the Methodist Episcopal church. He was
active and- zealous in its work and had much
influence among the young people by .rea-
son of his genial ways' and hearty sympathy
and the interest which he took in the boys
and girls through youth -as they approached
manho(^d and womanhood. Socially he was
identified with the Masonic fraternity. He
died in 1868, at the age of forty- four years,
and his wife passed away at the age of fort)--
eight, loved and respected by all who- knew
her by reason of her many good qualities
of head and heart. This worthy couple
were the parents of three children : Louin
E., of this review; Oscar, of Sullivan coun-
ty, Indiana ; and Mrs. Annie Pascoe, of
Great Bend, Kansas.
In taking up the personal history of Dr.
Vermillion we present Im i hu" reailers a life
record which cann^'t fail to proxx- "f interest,
for the subject is so widely and favorably-
known in this portion of Kansas. He was
reared in \'irginia and in Clark county,
Illinois, near York, pursuing his educaton
in the common schools and in the high
school and academy near his home. De-
termining to make the practice of medicine
hi.s"life work, he began study under the di-
rection of Dr. Beard, of Rice county, Kan-
sas, and further continued his studies in the
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Keo-
kuk, Iowa, where he was graduated with
honor in the class of 1890. In the mean-
time, however, in 1890, he had begun prac-
tice in Mitchell, where he remained until
1892. when he came to Lyons and opened
an office. From the beginning of his prac-
tice here he has met with' a high degree of
success. When called upon to attend some
difficult cases he soon demonstrated his abil-
itv to handle the intricate prolilems that fall
to the lot of the medical practitioner and
has since enjoyed a constantly increasing-
success. By reading and study he keeps in
touch with the advanced thought and prog-
ress made by the medical science as exem-
I)lified in the work of the fraternity, and
his labiirs ha\-e been of great value to the
Cduimunity in which he is located, as well
as pr(i\-ing a source of good income to him-
self.
In 1871 Dr. \'ermillion was united in
marriage to ]\Iiss Amelia G. Ball, who was
born in York, Clark county, Illinois, a
daughter of Aaron and Susan (Bennett)
Ball, the former a native of Xew Jersey and
the latter of Xew Y'-rk. Her fatJier is n. iw
deceased. Untn Dr. and :\lr>. Wrmillion
were born four childr.en: Jonathan, of Kan-
sas City, Missouri ; Carl, who is living in
Lyons; Mrs. Mary Suttle. of Rice county,
Kansas; and Clyde, who is yet under the
parental roof. Llrs. Vermillion died Feb-
ruary 19, 1883. and October 5, 1887. Dr.
Vermillion was united in marriage to Miss
Ida Nichcsls, of Kingsville, ]\Iissouri. To
this tmif-jn ha\-e been bo+n six children. \\z. :
Archie, Harry Percival, Grace, Charlie,
who died at the age of three years, Louin
Edgar, Jr., and Frank. The Doctor exer-
cises his right of franchise in support of the
men and measures of the Democracy, and
socially he is connected with the Masonic
fraternity and with the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, exemplifying in his life the
beneficent spirit of those orders, which
recognize the hrotherhix^d of mankind and
the claims of humanity for fcrbearai-ice,
charily and aid.. He is likewise a repre-
sentative of the Ancient -order of United
Workn-icii. Beth he and his wife hold mem-
bership in the IMethodist Episcopal church,
of which he i- 'Serving as trustee. The Doc-
tor is now acting as physician for the INIis-
souri Pacific Railroad Company and his
standing in his profession is indicated by the
fact that he is chairman of the Rice County
Medical Society. He is a man of fine per-
sonal appearance, being six feet and two
inches in height and weighing two hundred
and thirty pounds. His manner is frank and
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
courteous, and he wins friends wherever he
goes. As a citizen he is public spirited and
progressive. The causes of education, of
temperance and of morality are all dear to
his heart, and he is a champion of every
measure calculated to prove of . general
g"Ood.
CHARLES P. DULLER.
One of the best known farmers of Ger-
man birth in Renoi count}', Kansas, is Charles
P. Miller, of section _:;, Ilunts\ille town-
ship, whose post office address is lluntsville.
Like most American citizens of his nation-
ality he is a man of enterprise and thrift
who believes in doing for the community in
which he lives as much as the comnumity
can possibly do for him.
Charles P. Miller was born in the old
family home of the ^Millers on the Rhine, in
Germany, July 29, 1835, a son of John Mil-
ler, who owned lands and mill property and
who died in Germany in 1837, leaving a
widow and five chilcjfen, three of whom are
sons. Mrs. Miller disposed of her property
in her native land and with some little cap-
ital came to America with her children about
1S43. She located in Cuyahoga county,
C)hiii, and died at the residence of her son,
George E. Miller, a successful farmer in
Franklin county, Missouri, in 1872, aged
se\-enty-five years. The subject of this
sketch received a fair education in Germany
and was reared on a farm about five miles
from Cleveland, Ohio, which was owned by
his mother. In 1857 she sold her land in
Ohio, and with many othft's went to Mis-
souri, where cheap and good land was pro-
curable at that time and- where they bought
one hundred and eighty acres' and later
eighty acres. This property was purchased
bv Charles P. Miller and his brother. George
F., and is located in Eranklin county, Mis-
souri, fifty-four miles west of St. Louis.
Augaist 16. i860, Mr. Miller married
Sophronia Paulina Woodland, who was
born in Missouri, in 1835, a daughter of
James \\'oodland. August 23, 1863, cur
subject enlisted in Company D. Eleventh
Regiment, Missouri \"olunteer Infantry,
with which he saw active service until he
was honorably discharged, January 15,
1866. He went into the service as a private
and came out Avith the rank of a corporal.
He went to Stafford county, in western Kan-
sas, in 1879, and in 1883 removed to Hunts-
ville township, Reno county, where he
bought one hundred and sixty acres of un-
improved prairie land, in the following year,
for ten hundred and forty dollars. He had
previously sold his eighty-acre farm in ]\Iis-
souri. Mr. and Mrs. -Miller ha\-e had three
sons and three daughters, all but one of
wdiom are married. , Their son, John Thom-
as Miller, who is unmarried, manages his
father's homestead. Ferdinand, born May
8, 1861, is a farmer in Oklahoma, and has
three sons. Eliza Jane married Jacob Dean
and has two children. She lives in Kansas
City, Kansas. Charles Miller is a farmer hi
Oklahoma territory. He is married but has
no children. Amelia married John Speniol,
of Livingston county, Illinois, and has two
sons and a daughter. Emma married Oron
Saxton, and lives in Hayes township.
\\'hen Mr. Miller entered the army as a
volunteer it was not without a good knowd-
edge of the perils he would be called upon
to endure, for he had seen acti\e service in
the home g"uard, and his services in behalf
of the flag were so well appreciated that he
is the recipient of a pension of seventeen
dollars a month. Politically he is an inde-
pendent voter. He is a Protestant and has
been guided through life by the Golden
Rule. A man of much public spirit, he has
given an active and liberal support to every
movement which in his good judgment has
promised to benefit his township and county.
E. H. NORRIS. •
Among the enterprising business men of
Gene;eo is E. H. Norris, who is at the head
of an extensive mercantile establishment. He
was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, Jan-
uary 8, 1856. a son of S. M. Korris, who
was called to the home beyond in 1900, at
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
■63
the ripe okl age of eiglity-five years. He
was a member of a prominent and influen-
tial Indiana family. His wife bore the maid-
en name of Rachel JNIoore, and they were
the parents of seven children, five sons and
two daughters. One son, R. ^l. Xorris, is
now an enterprising business man of Paw-
nee county, Kansas.
F. H. Norris w^as reared under the pa-
rental roof and received a good common-
school educatiijn. He came to Kansas in
1884, locating in Hodgman county, where
he was engaged in business for three years.
On the expiration of that period, in 1887,
he took up his abode in Rice county, where
he has since been identified with its mercan-
tile interests. He is now recognized as one
of the leading merchants of Geneseo. His
large store is located in the bank block, and
there he carries a large line of dry goods,
boots, shoes, groceries and everything tO' be
found in a first-class establishment of that
kind.
When twenty-four vears of age he was
united in marriage with ]\Iiss Viola Brook,
a lady of intelligence and culture, who was
born, reared and educated in loiwa. Her
father, ^^'illiam Brook, is now deceased.
Three children have come to bless the home
of Mr. and Mrs. Norris, — Earl F., Cecil B.
and Fern. Our subject is a Mason and a
member of the Ancient Order of United
Workmen. In politics he is a Republican,
and has served as a member of the school
board, the cause of education e\'er finding
in him a warm friend. He is a public-spir-
ited and progressive citizen, lending his aid
and co-i iperation to every movement for the
pulilic giiud an is a reliable business man
who fullv merits the confidence reposed in
HANDSEL A. ABBOTT.
Kansas, which before the Civil war was
the theatre of dire sectional strife, is now
ground common to both federal and confed-
erate where they may not only talk over the
events of those days of battle and of death
from 1 86 1 tO' 1865, but where they meet as
friends and live together as brothers. This
thought is suggested by the fact that Kansas
contains a large percentage of citizens from
the south, and these are among her most
progressive, successful and highly appre-
ciated business men. Of the prominent citi-
zens of Reno county of southern birth and
experience none is known more widely or
more favorably than the gentleman whose
name is above, and none has better reasons
for remembering the Civil war and the sec-
tional hate and personal animosity which
were engendered by the causes which led to
it and were fostered by its strenuous activ-
ities.
Handsel A. Abbott, of the firm of Abbott
& Henshaw, dealers in lumber, hardware,
grain and coal, at Plevna, Reno county,
Kansas, was born on Lookout Mountain,
Franklin county, Tennessee, May 26, 1853,
and his earliest recollections are of those
days and scenes which so sorely tried men's
souls in every part of the United States. His
father, Thomas Henry Abbott, was born
near Atlanta. Georgia, in 1818. and died at
East St. Louis, Illinois, in June, 1899. His
mother was Huldah L. Simmons, and she
came of an old Georgia family. Thomas
Henry and HuUIah L. ( Simmons ) Abbott
had four sons and three daughters, of whom
in order of birth the subject of this sketch
was the third son and fourth child. All of
their children except two of the daughters
are living. Monrr.c, who is a cattle rancher
in northwest Texa>. wa^ thr'iui;h the whole
period^ of the Ci\il war caplain >•{ a mili-
tary company in the Confederate service.
Louisa Elizabeth died at the age of
twenty-seven, leaving one son. George B.,
a dealer in lumber and coal at East St.
Louis, Illinois, has two daughters. Handsel
A. is the immediate subject of this sketch.
Lorenzo Dow, a dealer in lumber and coal
at East St. Louis. Illinois, has a daughter.
Julia Ann died at about the age of thirty
years and left one daughter. Lydia N. is
the wife of a Mr. Doyle, of McPherson
I county, Kansas. The mother of these chil-
I dren was born in 1819 and' died at East St.
1 Louis, Illinois, in 1896.
Thomas Henr^■ Abbott was bv nrofes-
i64
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
sion a dentist and was the owner of a sec-
tion of land and of about three slaves, and
his \\ife's parents were planters and slave
owners. Notwithstanding the fact that his
financial interests might have appeared to
be jeopardized by such action, he enlisted in
the federal army at Nashville, Tennessee, in
1861. and served much of the time for three
years as a scout and as a guidfe to the Union
froces. He was twice captured, and once,
with a rope around his neck, was threatened
with a speedy death, but was saved through
recognition as a member of the Masonic
order by some of the leaders of these would-
be executioners. Once, while he was) on a
visit to his old home, enemies approached
and he was obliged to flee and was pursued
by bloodhounds. He managed to climb into
a mulberry tree, from which he fired at the
dogs until they were all dead, after which
he escaped to the Union camp at Huntsville,
Alabama. So strong was the feeling against
Union men in his vicinity that he found it
impossible to remain there and, sacrificing
all his property, including several blooded
horses and considerable other fine stock, he
escaped with his family, and they made their
way to Mattoon, Illinois, where he joined
them at the close of the war. Mr. Abbott
who was a well educated man of gentle-
manly bearing- and' was known as a temper-
ance advocate, was an outspoken abolition-
ist before the war began and was averse to
the war. Two attempts were made to con-
script him and compel him to do duty as a
Confederate soldier, but those who made
them were outwitted and as has been stated
he did everything in his power to aid the
federal cause.
Handsel A. Abbott was married ]\Iay 26,
1S82, to ]Miss Ida Campbell of Ple\-na town-
ship, Reno county, who was born at Bay
City, !^Iichigan, a daughter of N. R, and Al-
mira( Dickson) Campbell, natives of the state
of New York, and early settlers at Bay City.
In. August, 1S73, ^Ii'- Campbell went 3:0
Plevna township and secured three hundred
and twenty acres of land, partly on a home-
stead claim and partly on a tree claim, and
his son. J. W. Campbell, took up one hun-
dred and sixtv acres on a homestead claim.
At that time no one lived where the village
of Plevna has. since grown up, and the
Campbells had but one neighbor within four
miles. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell reared six
children, all that were born to them and all
are living in central Kansas. ]\Ir. Campbell
died in January, 1892, at the age of seventy-
two and his widow removed from their farm
to Plevna, where she is living, aged sixty-
nine years.
Mrs. Abbott's mother. Mrs. Almira
(Dickson) Campbell, was born in Taberg.
Oneida county, New York, June 30, 1832. a
daughter of George and Sarah (Smart)
Dickson. Her father, who was a foundry-
man, reared seven children to years of ma-
turity and five of them married. At this
time there are living Mrs. Abbott's aunt.
Adelia (Dickson) Berry, in Lebanon coun-
ty, Pennsylvania, and her uncle, O. A. Dick-
son, of West Alton, Missouri. N. R. Camp-
bell, Mrs. Abbott's' father, was born in Erie
county. New York, in 1820, and was mar-
ried in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, in
1850, to Almira Dickson, audi they settled
at Bay City, Michigan, where he was em-
ployed in lumiber mills.. N. R. and Almira
(Dickson) Campbell had six children, as
follows: J. W., a farmer near Plevna, and
has two sons; Ida, the wife of Handsel A.
Abbott; J. J., of Hutchinson, Kansas, and
has four children ; Dean, who married John
W. Hanon, who lives near Plevna, and they
have four children; Julia, who married A.
T. Dunham, of Plevna, and has six children :
Georgia, who married \^^illiam H. jMitchell,
and has two children. Mr. Campbell went
from Oakland county, Michigan, to Plevna
township in the fall of 1872 and_was a suc-
■cessful fanner until he was stricken by par-
alysis, which for two years before his death
made him a helpless invalid.
Mr. and Mrs. Abbott have a daughter of
eighteen years who is now securing an edu-
cation and giving much attention to music,
being an accomplished musician on the
piano. She is taking lessons from one of the
best teachers in. Hutchinson. Mr. Abbott is
a member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, of the ^Modern \Voodmen of Amer-
ica and of the ffiood Templars. He is a man
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
165
of much public spirit and is well and witlely
known through central Kansas. He came
to the state with his parents in 1870. locat-
ed in Plevna township in 1880 and bought
a half section of land and engaged in stock-
raising. He located in Plevna in 1885 and
bought out the Knapp, Stout & Company's
enterprise for three thousand dollars. He
now does a prosperous business, aggregat-
ing about twenty thousand dollars annually.
His lumber plant is a good one, with a com-
modious office and ample sheds for dry lum-
ber. His hardware store is one of the best
in his part of the state, and besides selling-
much hardware and building material he
sells a considerable number of buggies and
wagons every year. He built his modern
two-story residence in 1886, and his home
is one of the pleasantest in Plevna. He owns
about five acres of village property, on which
he has built several houses for sale and lease.
An enterprising, successful man, he is re-
garded as one of the prominent citizens of
his county and is highly respected by a wide
circle of acquaintances.
JOHN J. 2^IEASER.
If a special blessing awaits the one who
makes two blades of grass grow where one
grew before how many blessings should be
showered upon one who has turned acres of
sandy and unproductive land into fruitful
orchards, delightful both to the eye and to
the palate! This has been accomplished by
one of the prominent and deser\-edly suc-
cessful cy:izens of RenO' township, Reno
county, Kansas, who has been a resident of
the state since 1881;
John J. Measer, the subject of this re-
view, was born in Tioga county. New York,
near Owego, on June 16, 1839, a son of
Peter and Dora (Stauf¥) Measer, the form-
er of whom was born in Germany but after
their marriage came to America and located
upon wild land in Tioga county, New York.
There he cleared a fine farm and there the
parents passed the remainder of their lives,
dving consistent members of the Lutheran
church. Air. JNIeaser was the se\enth and
youngest member of their famih' and re-
mained at home, in attendance at school and
at work on the farm, until he was twenty-
one years of age. During a part of the Civil
war he was connected with the construction
department, with headcjuarters at Chatta-
nooga, Tennessee, and assisted in the build-
ing of the bridge at Loudon and helped to
rebuild all the britlges between Chattanooga
and Atlanta, Georgia. He was on his way
home at the time of the assassination of
President Lincoln. After his return from
the war he remained at his old home in New-
York for one year, after which for the fol-
lowing three years he was engaged in farm-
ing in Kendall county, Illinois, and he then
came to Kansas, securing a homestead in
Pottawatomie county. He had wisely
brought his team with him, and he broke his
land and engaged in grain sowing and in
planting nursery stock, continuing in that
line until he came to Reno county, in 1881,
the former county not yielding sufficient re-
ward for his effort on account of its hilly
and rocky character. After locating in this
county, upon a quarter section of land pur-
chased from' the Santa Fe Railroad, he be-
gan in the same industrious way which had
partially rewarded him at his former home.
This was then wild prairie and he under-
went all his former pioneer experiences. At
first he cultivated grain, but his inclinations
were in the direction of nursery planting,
and with his knowledge, observation and ex-
perience he believed he could grovw as fine
fruit on his land as on any other. His
i neighbors gave him much advice upon the
subject of a very discouraging nature, but
Mr. Measer persisted and soon had his sandy
acres covered with flourishing peach, app'le.
cherry and plum trees, which have never
failed to produce the best and most luscious
fruit to be found in the county. He owns
two hundred and forty acres of land and
raises corn, wheat and oats, but forty acres
I of his land is covered with his orchard. The
only fruit he does not attemj)t to raise is
pears, as he has found they blight in tliis
climate. !\Ir. Measer has been quite a trav-
eler, going from one ocean to the 1 tlier and
!66
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
far both north and south, and has been a
close observer in every locajity. In addition
to his other industries lie has an apiary, con-
sisting of seventy colunies of bees, and has
a local market for all of his honey. Mr.
Measer is also a breeder of fine poultry and
owns some of the finest specimens of geese
in the state, having imrported them from
Iowa, and they are known as the Toulouse
breed.
The marriage of Mr. Measer occurred
in New York, in 1862, to Jane Wiggins, a
native of that state and a daughter of Henry
Wiggins. Seven children were born of this
marriage, one of whom, Charles, died at the
age of seventeen. The others are: William,
who is a farmer in this township; Mar}-, the
wife of Carl Jacobson, of Portland, Oregon ;
Sadie, now Mrs. Casey, and a resident of
Iowa; Jessie, the wife of E. M. Corrie and
resides on the homestead: Freda, who lives
in Hutchinson; and Millie, at home. In
1899 "Sir. Measer remodeled "and rebuilt his
residence and now owais one of the most
attractive and delightful homes in Reno
county. His success has been so remark-
able and his surroundings are so delightful
that the Orange Judd Farmer, a large agri-
cultural journal, devoted its front page in
its issue of March 2, 1901, to a picture of
Mr. Measer and his beautiful home. In pol-
itics he is in sympathy with the Republican
party, but has never consented to accept of-
ficial position. Fraternally he is connected
with the Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows, while he has long been a leading mem-
ber and a cheerful and liberal supporter of
the Presbvterian church.
JOHN GILCHRIST.
Among the honored pioneers and repre-
sentative citizens of Kingman county none
are more highly respected than John Gil-
christ, who now owns a fine farm on sec-
tions 14 and 15, Ninnescah township. He
is a native of the land of hills and heather,
his birth having occurred in the county of
Argyle, Scotland, in November, 1842, the
same year in which King Edward was born.
The parents of our subject were Neal and
Isabella (Gillis) Gilchrist, also natives of
the highlands of Scotland, and they spoke
the Gaelic language. The father was acci-
dentally killed while yet in the prime of life,
passing away at the early age of thirtv-seven
years. He was honored and respected by all
who had the pleasure of liis acquaintance,
and at his death he left a widow and four
children, — John, of this review; Duncan, of
Canada ; Dugald, who was accidentally killed
at a barn raising: and Jane McLean, of Can-
ada.
John Gilchrist, whose name introduces
this review, was but a lad of twelve years
when with his parents he left the land of his
nativity for the new world, the family locat-
ing in St. Thomas, County Elgin, Canada.
At the age of fifteen years he was appren-
ticed to learn the shoemaker's trade, and
during the greater part of his business career
he has followed that occupation. In 1864
he came to the United States, and for some
years thereafter he resided in different local-
ities, traveling through Michigan, Illinois
and Indiana, and at Detroit, Michigan, he
was employed by McGraw, Smith & Bald-
win. The latter afterward became governor
of that state. For a time he also worked at
his trade in Monrovia, Indiana, and was
there married. Mr. Gilchrist remained in
the Hoosier state from 1867 to 1878, during
which time he made a \-isit to his old home
in Canada, and tlien came to Kansas in the
latter _\ear, where he secured a claim' and also
followed his trade in Wichita and Kingman
for a number of years. In recent years,
however, he has abandoned the sltoemaker's
trade and now devotes his entire time and
attention to the farm, which consists of
three hundred and twenty acres of excellent
and well cultivated land on sections 14 and
15, Ninnescah township, Kingman county.
In addition to the raising of the cereals best
adapted to this soil and climate he is also
engaged quite extensively in stock-raising,
and in both branches of his business he is
meeting with a high and well merited degree '
of success.
The ladv who now bears the name of
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
167
Airs. Gilchrist was in her maidenhood Aliss
Saraii Brown. She is a daughter of Stephen
and Ann (Wass) Brown. Six children have
blessed the union of our subject and wife,
four sons and two daughters, namely : Ste-
phen, of Gary, Oklahoma: Neal, in the res-
taurant business in Alva, Oklahoma ; Bruce,
at hiinie: Finley, who is now twenty-one
vears (jf age: Lula J., a prominent and suc-
cessful teacher of this county ; Laura, a
maiden of sixteen years. Two of their chil-
dren have also passed away in death, — Belle,
who died at the age of eight years ; and Du-
gakl, who died at the age of six months.
Mr. Gilchrist gives his political support to
the People's party, and religiously his wife
is a member of the ^Methodist Episcopal
church. He holds to the old Presbyterian
faith of his fathers.
HARVEY WIGGINS.
The agriculttiral interests of Rice couhty
are well represented by Harvey \Viggins,
who devotes his time to farming and stock-
raising in Atlanta township. For twenty-
six years he has resided in this locality. He
was born in Coshocton count}-, Ohio, No-
venaber 3, 1849, 'i"'! 'S a son of Benjamin
^^'iggins, whose birth occurred on the same
farm, and he is now eighty-one years of
age. The grandfather, Edward Wiggins,
was born in the panhandle of West Vir-
ginia. His parents, however, were natives
of Ireland, and when young people left the
Emerald Isle for the new world. Remov-
ing from his native state Edward Wiggins
took up his abode in Coshocton county,
Ohio, on Wills creek, a branch of Muskin-
gum river. There he cleared a tract of land
and developed a farm, upon which he made
his home from 1807 until his death. His
son, Benjamin \\'iggins. was there reared
amid the wild scenes of frontier life and
became familiar with pioneer experiences
in Ohio. Having attained man's estate he
married Jemima Magnus, who was born in
Coshocton county, a daughter of George
Magnus. Unto Mr. and Airs. Wiggins
were born ten children, of whom si.x are
living, namely : Edward, who was a sol-
dier in the Union army and is now living
in Coshocton county; Samuel, who has a
similar record for army service and is also
a resident of Coshocton coimty: John, who
wore the blue during the Civil war and now
makes his home in Rice coimty, Kansas;
Harvey, of this review; Mrs. Alary Will-
iams, of Coshocton county ; and Airs. Aman-
da ^Vorkman, who is living in the same
county. Those who have passed away are :
Seth. who died at the age of thirty years;
Benjamin, who died at the age of ten years ;
and two who died in infancy. The mother
reached the psalmist's span of three-score
years and ten and then departed this life,
honored and respected by all who knew her..
The father, however, has reached the age
of eightv-one years and is still living on the
ancestral home in Coshocton county, where
throughout his active business career he
carried on farming and stock-raising. In
politics he was a stanch Republican and
gave three of his sons to the Union dur-
ing the Civil war. Like him they were all
stanch admirers of Lincoln. Honored and
respected he has lived an upright life and
enjoyetl the confidence and esteem of young
and old, rich and poor, wherever he is
known.
Harvey Wiggins, the well known resi-
dent farmer of Atlanta township. Rice coun-
ty, was reared on the old homestead, and
the plowing-, planting and harvesting be-
came familiar to him in youth. His liter-
ary training was received in the public
schools of Ohio. At the age of twenty-two
years he was united in marriage to Isabella
Sturtz, who was born in Muskingum coun-
ty, Ohio, a daughter of Adam and Jane
(W'iggins) Sturtz, of that state. The young-
couple began their domestic life in his na-
tive county, where they resided until 1875,
when they removed to Jefiferson county, Ne-
braska, but after five months there passed
came to Rice county, Kansas. Here Air.
Wiggins purchased a homestead claim, upon
which he yet resides. He has greatly im-
[6S
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
nroved it, making it one of the valuable
farms of the count)-, and his tract of land of
three hundred and twenty acres yields to
him a good return. Its improvements are
modern and indicate his progressive spirit.
A comfortable residence, a substantial barn,
sheds, an orchard and richly cultivated fields
give evidence of his thrift and care. He also
has three hundred and twenty acres of fine
land in IMitchell township. Rice county, and
is thus extensively engaged in agricultural
pursuits. Stock-raising has also proved to
him a profitable source of income.
In 1884 Mr. Wiggins was called upon
to mourn the loss of his wife, who died Sep-
tember 21. of that year, in tlie faith of the
Methodist Episcopal church, of which she
was a consistent member. She was also a
devoted wife and mother and a kind neigh-
bor. She had three children : Ada, now the
wife of David Foreman, of Harrington,
Kansas; Ella, wife of Daniel Bru'baker of
\\'ashita county, Oklahoma; and Jesse, who
married Delia 'Monroe and resides in Mitch-
ell township. Rice county. On the 22d of
February, 1888, Mr. Wiggins was joined in
wedlock to Alary E. Brubaker, an estimable
lady, who was born in Greene county, Ten-
nessee, her parents being Jonathan and Mar-
garet (Carter) Brubaker. Her father was
Ijorn in Virginia and has now passed away,
Ijut her mother is living in Rice county. He
devoted his energies to agricultural pur-
suits until his life's labors were ended in
death, when he had attained the age of sixty-
three. In politics he was a Democrat, and
was an elder in the German Baptist church,
in which his wife also held membership,
while his children are of the same religious
faith. In the Brubaker family were four
daughters and three sons, namely: Nancv,
Mary E., ^Margaret, John, Benjamin, Will-
iam and Lucy. The marriage of Mr. and
Mrs. Wiggins has been blessed with four
children, — John F., Leora M., Blanche and
Har*-ey Stanley. In his political views Mr.
Wiggins is a Republican, and has served as
township treasurer, while for fifteen years
he has labored earnestlv and effectively as
a member of the school board. His wife
belongs to the German Baptist church. His
landed possessions comprise six hundred and
forty acres in Rice county, and his property
is the visible evidence of a life of usefulness
and activity. He is a champion of educa-
tion, temperance and morality, and is re-
garded as one of the valued, progressive and
upright citizens of his adopted county.
JUDGE W. -B. CONNER.
Judge \\\ B. Conner is an honored pio-
neer settler of Rice county. He came to
this portion of the state many years ago
and found the broad prairies unmarked by
the homes of settlers, the land being in its
primitive condition. \\'ild prairie grass,
waving in the wind, resembled a billowy sea
of green. Bufifaloes, antelopes and other wild
animals found here excellent pasturage,
and the most far-sighted could not have
dreamed that within a brief interval of time
a great transfomiation couJd have taken
place, changing the broad prairies into rich-
1}' cultivated farms. In the work of im-
provanent and progress .-Ir. Conner has
borne his part, and his name is thus insep-
arably' interwoven with the history of cen-
tral Kansas, in whose advancement and im-
provement he feels just and commendable
pride.
He was born in Butler county, Ohio,
April 7, 1825, and was reared to the hon-
est toil of the farm, while in the common
schools he pursued his education. His par-
ents, James and Jane (Brooks) Conner,
were both natives of Susquehanna county,
Pennsylvania, and were there married, while
the grandfather. Caliph Conner, was born
on the green isle of Erin. Crossing the
Atlantic to the new world, he took up his
abode in the Keystone state and became
a prominent farmer there, following that
pursuit until life's labors were ended in
death. He had but two children, the elder
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
169
dying- in Pennsylvania. Both the grandfa-
thers were soldiers of the Revolutionary
war.
James Conner, the father of onr subject,
remained in that state until his marriage
and soon afterward removed to Butler coun-
ty. Ohio, becoming one of the pioneer set-
tlers there. He entered land from the gov-
ernment, developed a farm and there re-
mained until 1829, when he removed to
Montgomery county, Indiana, where he
again purchased land and carried on farm-
ing. On selling that property he went to
Kankakee county, Illinois, where he pur-
chased a farm, but after his children were
married and had left home he broke up
housekeeping and went to live with a daugh-
ter in Iroquois county, Illinois, where he died
in 1863, at the venerable age of eighty-eight
years. In early life he had learned the
trade of a stone and brick mason, and also
weaving, but during the greater part of
his business career he carried on agricult-
ural pursuits. In politics he was a stanch
Democrat, yet never aspired to office.
Reared in the faith of the Presbyterian
church, ihe always adhered to that doctrine,
and was a man of stern disposition and
sturdy integrity. His children were: James,
who died in Xess county, Kansas ; Eleanor,
deceased wile of E. Richardson: Agnes,
who married L. Tender and after his death
became the wife of Rev. E. Sargent : Su-
sanna, the wife of J. R. Frogg; Elizabeth,
who married A. R. Frogg; ]Mary, the wife
of J. Wadkins ; W. B., of this review ; John,
who died in Iowa ; and iMartha, who died in
childhood.
W. B. Conner was reared in Indiana,
where his parents remained during his early
childhood. He remained at home until eight-
een years of age, when he went to Will
county, Illinois, and secured a claim. Subse-
quently he sold that property and entered
another tract of land, on which he made
improvements. On again selling out he re-
moved to Iowa and entered land in ^Mahaska
county, making it his ho>ne for two years,
when he disposed of the same and returned
to Will county, Illinois. There he purchased
and sold a farm and bought another one,
and on the second place he remained until
1872, when he again disposed of his prop-
erty and came to Kansas, locating in Rice
county. Here he secured three claims and
homesteaded a pre-emption and a tree claim,
all of which he proved up and still owns
the land, yet residing on the old homestead
claim. At difTerent times he purchased
other property and has sold four hundred
acres, but still owns a tract of more than
four hundred acres. He was first to lo-
cate upon the farm which has since been
his place of abode, and it was then five
miles distant to the home of any neigh-
bor. He hauled lumber from the town
of Ellsworth in order to build his
house. Game of all kinds was plenti-
ful, and from his own doorway he has
shot bufifaloes. Wild geese and other kinds
of game were also in the neighborhood. !Mr.
Conner brought with him horse teams and
soon began breaking his land, carrying on
stock farming. His home became self-sus-
taining, although at times crops have not
been very good, and in 1874 the grasshop-
pers destroyed nearly everything raised in
this sectioai of the country. Many people
became dissatisfied and left Kansas, but it
was a time of merely temporary depression,
as almost uniformly the fields yield good
crops, so that the farmers have a splendid
return for the labor and time which they
bestow in cultivation. j\Iany years have
passed since Judge Conner first won a place
among the substantial citizens of the county.
In addition to general farming he has en-
gaged in stock-raising, and his labors in this
direction have been crowned with pros-
perity.
\\'hile residing in Indiana the Judge was
united in marriage, in 1846, to Miss Betsy
A. Mullen, who was born in Ohio, but was
reared in Indiana, and was a daughter
of Samuel Mullen, of New Jersey. Her
father was a cooper by trade, but followed
farming through much of his life. He died
in Indiana. His children were: Asenath,
who became the wife of P. Mitchell; Betsy
A., wife of Judge Conner; William, a
banker, who died in Winfield, Kansas; Al-
nivra, who married H. Harlan and after his
170
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
death became the wife of John Rose, while
her third husband was John Funk; and
Kelsey, who completes the family. The
parents were members of the Methodist
church. By his first marriage Judge Con-
ner had five children: James, now of Chi-
cago; John, who died in Rice county; Mrs.
Matilda J. Rife; ^Mary, the wife of James
Pogue; and Abraham L. The mother was
a consistent member of the Methodist
church from the age of eight years. She
was called to the home prepared for the
righteous in September, 1872. In 1873 the
Judge married Mrs. Sabine Ambrose, a
widow, and a daughter of Owen Johns, of
Ohio, who removed to Illinois and in 1872
came to Kansas, locating in Rice county.
He built a hotel at Atlanta, which he car-
ried on for some time. He also owned a
farm, and when Lyons was made the county
seat he remo\'ed his hotel property to that
place and there resided until his death.
He voted with the Democracy. His chil-
dren were: Owen, a resident of Wilson
county, Kansas; William; Mrs. Jane Chis-
on ; ]\Iattie, the wife of a ^Methodist mis-
sionary minister; Sabine; and Belle, the
wife of John Keys. The marriage of the
Judge and ]\Irs. Conner has been blessed
with four children : Cora, now the wife of
E. Wilson; ]\Iary, who is attending college;
Frank B., at home: and Hugh, who is a
student in \Mnfield College.
Judge Conner has ever been known for
his marked loyalty to his. country and its
interests, and during the war of the rebel-
lion he enlisted as a defender of the Union,
joining the army in Will county, Illinois,
in 1862, for three years' service or during
the war. He became a member of the One
Hundredth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, un-
der command of Colonel Fred Bartleson,
and was assigned to the Army of the Cimi-
berland, with the Fourth Corps, Second
Division, Third Brigade. He saw much
arduous service, was in many skirmishes
and in eighteen hotly contested battles,
went on many long and tedious niarches
and was with General Thomas on the
campaign after General Hood. On the
19th of September. 1S64, at Chickamauga,
he was struck by a minie ball in the right
shoulder. He acted as chief sergeant of his
company and was detailed to serve as com-
mander at Gallatin for four months. His
wound troubled him and he ^\■as granted
a forty days' furlough, but as he had not
recovered on the expiration of that period
the time was extended to eighty days. He
then joined his command, with which he re-
mained until the close of the war, and was
at Bull's Gap at the time of General Lee's
surrender. Mustered out at Nashville, Ten-
nessee, he then returned to Chicago, where
he received an honorable discharge, after
which he made his way home. He had
been reared in the Democratic faith, but in
1856, when the Republican party Avas or-
ganized, he voted for Fremont and contin-
ued with the party until Grant's second
term, when he joined the Greenback party.
Later he assisted in organizing the Reform
or Populist party, attending its conventions
and doing everything in his power for its
progress. He was a delegate to the first
county Republican convention in Rice coun-
ty, but he there bolted and had many fol-
lowers and admirers who nominated him for
the office of probate judge, to which he
was elected by a large majority, being the
second person chosen to that office in Rice
j county. During his term he resided in .\t-
1 lanta, then the county seat. He has always
; been a leading factor in political circles, has
been active in naming successful candi-
dates and his opinions carry weight and in-
fluence in party councils. During his early
life he studied law and was the first young
man admitted to the bar in Rice county, but
he has never engaged in practice to any ex-
tent. He has filled many local offices of
honor and trust, including that of township
treasurer, in which he served for two terms.
He is indeed a citizen of worth, loyal and
faithful to every trust reposed in him. On
account of advanced age he does not take
an active part in public affairs as he for-
merly did, but in 1900 he attended the Pop-
ulist convention at Clay Center, where he
was heard with interest. He is yet a mem-
ber of the county central committee of his
party. His acquaintance is ^-erv wide and
il
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
the circle of his friends is ahnost co-exten-
sive therewith. His hfe has been an hon-
orable and upright one, commending hiai to
the confidence and respect of all.
JAMES L. HOPKINS.
Among the representative citizens of the
county none are more desendng of repre-
sentation in this volume than James L. Hop-
kins, who' has for many years been connected
with its agricultural interests. For ovef
twenty years he has made his home in the
Sunflower state, and throughout this long
period he has ever borne his share in the
work of development and improvement nec-
essary to produce the wonderful change
which has here taken place. He has re-
mained true to its interests when the dark
clouds of adversitj have swept over the state,
and as the years have passed by prosperity
has abundantly rewarded his efforts, he be-
ing now the owner of a fine farm of two
hundred and forty acres.
Mr. Hopkins was born in Putnam coun-
ty. Missouri, in 1853, a son of James Laban
Hopkins, a native of Kentucky, and a mem-
ber of a prominent old family of the Blue-
grass state. The mother of our subject bore
the maiden name of Emily Wade, and was
a daughter of Richard Wade. She was also
a member of a prominent old southern fam-
ily, and prior to the trouble between the
north and the south thej- owned matiy slaves,
but on account of that conflict they removed
to Missouri. The father of our subject
passed away in middle life, at the age of
fifty-one years, and the mother reached the
psalmist's span of three score years and ten.
Ten children were born unto this worthy
couple, eight of whom are now living, name-
ly : Elijah, who was a soldier in the Civil
war and is now a resident of Emporia, Kan-
sas : ]\Iartha : Sarah ; Elizabeth ; George ;
James L., our subject; Mary; John J., a
resident of Unionville, Missouri ; Dennis, of
Hilgard, Oregon; and Thomas Fletcher,
who received the honor of being the first
governor of Missouri, and is now a resident
of Billings, Oklahoma.
James L. Hopkins, the subject of this re-
view, was reared in the state of his nativity.
where he was early inured to the labors of
field and meadoiw. After attaining to vears
of maturity he chose as a life occupation tjie
vocation to which he had been reared, and
he was engaged in the tilling of tlie soil in
Missouri until 1879, the year of his arrival
in Kansas. Soon after coming to^ this state
he secured a claim of two hundred' and forty
acres in Evans township, Kingman county,
where he has ever since made his home. As
time has passed he has placed his fields under ,
a fine state of cultivation, has added all the
improvements foimd upon a well regulated
farm, and is now the owner of one of the
best and most productive properties in his
adopted county. Two hundred acres of his
place is planted with wheat, which annually
yields handsome returns.
Mr. Hopkins was married at the early
age O'f nineteen years. Miss Margaret C.
Franklin becoming his wife, and during the
many years in which they have traveled
life's journey together she has ever proved
to her husband a loving companion and
helpmate. Ten children, four sons and six
daughters, have blessed their union, name-
ly: Mrs, Sarah Emily Summers, Jonathan
Laban, Mrs. Lillie Terry, Oliver Tucker,
Laura, Ralph, Albert, Nettie, Zena and Her-
bert. Mr. Hopkins is an active worker in
the ranks of the Republican party, and his
last presidential vote was cast for McKin-
ley. The cause of education also receives in
himi a warm friend, and for seventeen years
he has served as a member of the school
board.
JOHN SHIELLS.
John Shiells, one of the extensive and
progressive agriculturists of Rice county,
has beeii a resident of this section of the Sun-
flower state since 1882. He is a member of
a prominent Scotch family, whoi trace their
ancestry back to the warlike days of that
country, members of the family having ta-
ken an active part in the historic battles of
the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Our
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
subject was born in Newcastle, on tlie Tyne,
in Xorthiimberland county, England, on tlie
25th of March, 185 1. His father, John
Shiells, was a native of East Lothian, Scot-
land, born on the farm on which the famous
battle was fought by Prince Charles against
the English crown. It w-as an old farm, and
was noted far and near as a historical bat-
tlegroiind. John Shiells, Sr., grew to man-
hood there, and after reaching mature years
he was united in marriage to Marian Flem-
ing, who was also a representative of an old
Scotch family. She was born and reared' in
the same iu'iL;hl» 'rh(.iijd as her husband. They
became the parents uf four children, — John,
the subject uf this sketch; Janet, who still
resides in England ; Mary, \vho was former-
ly a resident of Rice county, Kansas, but now
makes her home in England : and Alice, also
of the old country. In 1882 the family bade
adieu to home and native land preparatory
to seeking a home in the new world, and
after landing in the United States they took
up their abode in Gait township. Rice coun-
ty, Kansas, where the father purchased a
farm from the Union Pacific Railroad Com-
pany, lie became the owner of three hun"-
dred ami twenty acres, and there his death
occurred m 1893, passing away at the age
•of sixty-five years. He followed farming as
a life occupation, and his political support
was given to the Democratic party. His re-
ligious preference was indicated by his
membership in the Presbyterian church. He
was a man of fine physique, and at one time
weighed over two hundred pounds. The
mother survived her husband until 1900,
when she, too, was called to the home be-
yond, having reached the ripe old age of
seventy-two years.
John Shiells, the subject of this review,
accompanied his parents on their removal to
the new world. He was reared to the hon-
est toil of the farmer in his native land, and
his education was received in the schools of
South Durham, Eilgland. At that place, at
. the age of twenty-four years, he was united
in marriage to Miss Emeline Hankey, who
was born, reared and educated at South
Durham. She is a daughter of John and
Caroline (IMorrisou) Hankev, the former
a native of South Durham antl the latter of
Gloucestershire, England. The father was
called' to his final rest at the age of forty-
seven years, and his wife survived him a
number of years, passing away at the age of
sixty-one years. He was a mason by trade.
This worthy couple were the parents of five
children, — Thomas, Emeline, Harriet, Car-
oline and Jane Ann. The family were active
and zealous members of the ^Methodist Epis-
copal church. Seven children have graced
the union of IMr. and ]\Irs. Shiells, two sons
and five daughters, — Robert, Emeline, ]Mar-
ian, Mabel, Herbert, Caroline and Hilda.
Mr. Shiells now owns two hundred and
forty acres of the best land to be found in
central Kansas, and his place is improved
with all the improvements and accessories
known to the model farm. He formerly
volted with the Democracy, but in the last
election cast his ballot in support of McKin-
ley, and in his religious views is a member
of the Presbyterian church. He is a fine
type of the hardy Scotchman, being six feet
in height and weighing two hundred pounds-.
As a man and citizen he enjoys the added
popularity which comes 'to those genial
spirits who have a hearty shake of the hand
for all those with whom- they come in con-
tact from day to day, and who seem to throw
around them so much of the sunshine of
life.
LEON D. LIBBEY.
Among the successful, energetic and
representative citizens of Hutchinson, Kan-
sas, is Leon D. Libbey, who is the capable
superintendent of the ]\Iorton plant for the
Hutchinson, Kansas, Salt Company, which
is one of the largest of its kind in the United
States. Leon D. Libbey comes of New
England parentage, where distinguished an-
cestors took prominent parts in the Revolu-
tionary and Colonial wars and filled offices
of trust and responsibility. Jacob Libbey,
who was the grandfather of our subject, was
born in New Hampshire and in his early
days was a stage driver, later being one of
the first railroad conductors in that locality.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
^71
He became well known in political circles,
• Avas a colonel of the local militia and repre-
sented his district in the legislature. His
marriage was to Harriet Wadleigh, who was
a daughter of a Revolutionary patriot.
George A. Libbey, the father of Leon
D.. of this sketch, was born in Laconia, New
Hampshire, on November 25, 1836, and in
1855 he came west to Madison, Wisconsin,
residing there for some five or six years, dur-
ing which time he became a skilled machin-
ist" Then he moved to Black Earth, Wiscon-
sin, returning later to Madison, where he
bought a printing office. From there he re-
moved to Palmyra, Wisconsin, and engaged
for a time in fanning, still later working in
a factory in Farmington. On August 25,
1S64, he enlisted in Company E. First Wis-
consin Heavy Artillery, and during the re-
maining years of the Civil war, was sta-
tioned in the neighborhood of Washington
and Alexandria. Returning then to Wis-
consin, he followed his trade in Palmyra,
but later moved to Janesville, that state, and
for twelve years was a resident of that city.
In the fall of 1883 he went to Kansas City,
where he entered into the business of con-
tracting on a large scale, being so occupied
until compelled to give it up on account of
impaired health.
]\Ir. Libbey was united in marriage, in
Madison, Wisconsin, to Mary A. Hadley, a
daughter of Isaac and Abigail (Seavey)
Hadley, both of whom were natives of New
Hampshire, the fomier having been a prom-
inent man in his locality and a representative
in the legislature. Isaac Hadley was a son
of Moses Hadley, the family having been
founded in America in 1600. The grand-
mother of our subject, Abigail Seavey, jvas
a daughter of John Seavey, who served gal-
lantly in the war of 181 2 and who was a
I son of a Revolutionary father. The childreu
born to George and Mary (Hadley) Libbey
w^ere: Leon D., of this sketch; Abbie H.,
now ]\Irs. \\'alter Helms, of Janesville, Wis-
consin ; George H., of Burlington, Iowa;
and Ella May, \\\\o died at the age of four-
teen years.
Leon D. Libbey was born in Madison,
Wisconsin, on ]\Iarch 15, 1857, and acquired
his education in the schools of Janesville. He
resided with his father, assisting him in his
various business , enterprises, until he at-
taned his thirty-second year. About this
time he embarked in street contracting and
building in Duluth, Minnesota, and began
the practical study of mechanical engineer-
ing. He was very successful in this line, an
evidence of his excellent and enduring work
being- afforded by the water works plant at
Madison, Wisconsin. Later he followed
contracting and building in Kansas City, but
in the spring of 1897 he came to Hutchinson,
Kansas, to take charge of the Hutchinson
Packing Company's plant, which was then
operated by the Salt Company. This man-
agement continued for three years, but aliout
one year ago Mr. Libbey became superin-
tendent of what is known as the Morton
plant of the Hutchinson, Kansas, Salt Com-
pany, and since then has made many im-
pro\"einents in machinery JiKiking to greater
capacity nf prdduction. This is the largest
plant of its kind in the United States and is
a model one in all respect's. It has ten evap-
orating tanks, one hundred and twenty liy
twenty-six feet and seven feet in depth,
which are kept in operation^ day and night,
the output being eleven hundred barrels
daily. About one hundred tons of coal are
consumed in a day, there 1>eing two batter-
ies of boilers, under which the fires have
never been banked for more than eighteen
months. Some eighty hands are employed
here, although the principal work is d ;ne by
machinery, all modern appliances Ijein^s' in
use. The finished product is shipped in
sacks, barrels and bricks, and over as wide
a territory as the freight rates will allow,
principally through Kansas, Xeliraska, In-
dian Territory, Oklahoma, Cr-]i:ra(lo, Ari-
zona, New Mexico ami Texas. As an or-
ganizer and manager Mr. Libbey has dis-
played wonderful ability, good judgment
and thorough knowledge, this business be-
ing now one of the most imjinrtant in the
industrial world of Hutchinson.
The marriage of Mr. Libbey occurred
on July 5, 1891, in Superior, Wisconsin, to
Mis's Mallei R. Burrill, a daughter of Jobn
H. Burrill, who was a farmer in Hawlev,
174
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Clay ci^unty, Alinnesota. The birth of Mr.
Burrill occurred in Fitz WilHam, New
Hampshire, and he was a pioneer to Minne-
sota in 1871. He became' prominent in his
section and was a county judge.
In politics Mr. Libbey has always been
an ardent Republican, and' he has been ac-.
tive in the social order of the Benevolent and
Protective Order O'f Elks, where he is highlv
valued. Mr. and Mrs. Libbey are among
the most esteemed residents in Hutchinson
and are devoted members of the Episcopal
church.
CHARLES W. DICKHUT.
Charles W. Dickhut is the owner of a
valuable farm on section 18, Miami town-
ship. Many years of his life have been
passed in Reno coimty, and he is therefore
widely known to its settlers. He was born
in the far-off state Oif Pennsylvania, his
birth having occurred in Pittsburg, on the
2d of March, 1833. The family is of Ger-
man descent, and the grandfather of our
subject, Zachariah Dickhut, was a wool
dealer in the fatherland, where he spent his
entire life, and for a number of years he
served in the German, army. Three of his
sons came to this country, namely : Chris-
tian, the father of our subject; Christopher
A., who died leaving two sons; William,
who was a lumber dealer in Quincy, Illi-
nois, and his death occurred in 189'! ; and
Zachariah, who remained in Germany.
Christian G. Dickhut was born near Mei'l-
housen, Genuany, in 1804, and in his native
land, in 1S31, he married Johanna E. Smith,
who was born in the fatherland about 18 14,
and they became the parents of ten children,
but their first born, a son, died during the
voyage to this country. The other children
are: Charles W., the subject of this re-
view; George, city colletetor in Quincy, Ifli-
nois: William, who was feorn in 1837, and
died in Quincy, Illinois, in 1898, leaving one
daughter; Elizabeth Webber, who also
passed away in that city, leaving one daugh-
ter; Emily Bentle, of California, and she is
the mother of one child ; Christian G., a drav-
man of Quincy, Illinois; Caroline Bentle
who makes her home in Montana ; Matilda
Smith, of California; and Albert, who lost
his life while on a hunting expedition in
California. The father of this family passed
away in death in Quincy, Illinois, August
12, 1878, and was survived by his wife until
1881, when she joined him in the home be-
yond, dying in California, and her remains
now He at rest in the beautiful Golden state.
Charles W. Dickhut, the immediate sub-
ject of this review, received such educational
privileges as were afforded by the public
schools of Quincy, Illinois, to which place
his father had removed in 1836, but at that
time it was only a small hamlet. \\'hen the
trouble between the north and south resulted
in Civil war, Mr. Dickhut nobly offered his
service in defense of the. Union cause, join-
ing the army in February, 1862. He be-
came a member of Company H, One Hun-
dred and Eighteenth Illinois Volunteer In-
fautry, serving in its ranks until hostilities
had ceased and the country no longer needed
his services, having been mustered out at
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in October, 1865.
During his career as a soldier he was wound-
ed in battle. After his discharge he returned
to his home in Quinc}'. where he remained
until his removal to the Sunflower state,
which has been his home since the 9th of Oc-
tober, 1878. He made the trip from Illinois
to Kansas with two double teams and cov-
ered wagons, seventeen days having been
spent upon the road, and after his arrival
here he pre-empted one hundred and sixty
acres of raw prairie land. During the erec-
tion of his residence the family lived in
tents, and their house, which was completed
in the fall of 1878, was one of the first in
the locality, their only neighbors between
their farm and Turon at that time having
been G. W. Slatar, M. Lamont and T. W.
Hickmian. Since coming to this favored
section success has abundantly rewarded the
well directed eft'orts of Mr. Dickhut, and- he
is now the owner of a valuable and highly
improved farm. His home is surrounded by
a beautiful grove of cottonwood, walnut, bux
elder, Ri>ssian mulberry and coffee nut
trees, and a large and productive orchard
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
yields its fruit in season. Everj-thing about
the place indicates the supervision of a prac-
tical and progressive owner, and in the lo-
cality where he has so long made his home
he is recognized as a progressive and leading
agriculturist.
Mr. Dickhut was married in Quincy, Illi-
nois, on the 23d of March. 1856, to Mar-
^■aret C. Stork, who was born in southern
Illinois November 9, 1837, a daughter of
John Stork, a native of the fatherland. Ten
children have blessed the union of our sub-
ject and wife, namely: Oliver B., a prom-
inent farmer of Miami township. Reno coun-
ty, and the father of two sons ; Cora, wife
of F. A. Lamont, of this county, by whom
she has eight children; Charles W., who
makes his home in Scott county, Kansas,
and has three sons and one daughter ; Eliza-
beth, wife of R. Hafeman, of Xew Jersey,
by whom she has six children; Clara, wife
of Max Lamont, also of New Jersey, and
they have four children; Archibald Grant,
who is still at home, but is engaged in farm-
ing for himself; Emma Thatcher, who
makes her home in Oklahoma, and has three
children; Maggie Hinds, whose husband' is
engaged in farming in Miami township, and
they have two children; Albert E., a grain
buyer and drayman of Turon; and Ida, a
young lady of twenty years who is in Den-
ver. Colorado. The children have all re-
ceived excellent educational advantages, and
Albert, who was a student for a time in the
normal school at Nickerson, followed the
teacher's profession for two terms. The Re-
publican party receives Mr. Dickhut's" act-
ive support and co-operation, and on its
ticket he was elected to the office of township
trustee, in which he served for four years.
His social relations connect him with Fre-
mont Post, No. 403, G. A. R., of Turon,
which was organized ten years ago, and for
two years he served as its commiander, while
during the remainder of the time he has
held the office of senior vice commander.
For the past fifty-one years he has been a
member of the !\Iethodist Episcopal church,
joining that denomination when only sev-
enteen years of age, and has ever since been
an active worker in the cause of Christian-
ity. His wife is also a devoted member of
that church. His life has been exemplary
in all respects, and he merits and receives the
confidence and respect of his fellow men.
HERBERT S. LY^^IAX.
Herbert S. Lyman, a prominent and
well known agriculturist of Reno county,
was born in Lewis county, New York, on
the 13th of January, 1856. His father,
Hamilton Lyman, was also a native of that
locality, his birth having there occurred on
the 28th of January, 1832. The latter's fa-
ther, Samuel Lyman, lived and died in Lewis
county, his death resulting from his team of
oxen running away and throwing him from
the wagon. He was of English descent and
was related to the celebrated novelist Dick-
ens. He was united in marriage to Amy
Allen, a descendant of Ethan Allen, and* her
death also occurred in Lewis county,. New
York, w'hen she had reached the age of
eighty years. She was a second time mar-
ried, becoming the wife of Jeremiah Bib-
bins.
Hamilton Lyman was reared to years of
maturity on his father's farm in Lewis coun-
ty, and was Ijut seventeen years of age at
the time of his father's death. On the nth
of October, 1853, in Lewis county, he was
united in marriage to Lucinda Lampher, a
native of that county and a daughter of
Jonathan Lampher, a prominent farmer of
that locality, where his widow by a second
marriage is still living. In 1861, when the
Civil war was inaugurated, ]Mr. Lyman of-
fered his services to his country, entering
the Fifth New Y'ork Volunteers on the 9th
of August of that year. During his military
career of three years he saw both cavaln,- and
artillery service, and on the 26th of June,
1864, at Harper's FeriT, he was honorably
discharged with the rank of sergeant. Re-
turning to his liome in Lewis county, he
there followed farming until 1868, when he
removed with his wife and three children
to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where
the familv made their home until the fall of
176
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
1870. In that year they removed to Atch-
ison county, JMissouri, but in the spring of
1 87 1 they came to Kansas, securing a home-
stead claim on the northeast quarter of sec-
tion 20. Valley township, Reno county,
u'here the father made his home during the
remainder of his life, passing away in death
on the 26th of February, 1873. The jour-
ney from Wisconsin to Missouri was made
with a team and wagon as was also the trip
from Missouri to Kansas. On their arrival
here this portion of the state was an un-
broken prairie as far as the eye could reach,
and buffaloes, antelopes and other wild ani-
mals roamed at will over the vast plains.
Their fir^t rcMiknce in the Sunflower state
was a si.'d hi u-e, witli a hay roof, and in
this primiti\e abode the family made their
home for a number of years. Their nearest
neighbor at that time was located seven miles
away. A little circumstance worthy of men-
tion in this connection is that C. C. Hutchin-
son, when starting on his journey to locate
the city which now bears his name, secured
a horse from Mr. Lyman with which to
make the trip. Mr. Lyman gave his politi-
cal support to the Republican party, and for
a time he served as a clerk of his township.
His wife passed away in Hutchinson, on the
2d of :\Lirch, 1894. in the faith of the Bap-
tist church, of which both she and her hus-
band were worthy and consistent members.
Lmto this couple were born three children, —
Herbert S., the subject of this review: Har-
low A., who was born August 10, 1859, and
at the present time is living in Hutchinson,
Kansas ; and Howard E.. who was born De-
cember 27, 1869, ^nd is employed as a clerk
in that city.
Herbert S. Lyman attended the common
schools of Lewis county. Xew York, during
his early life, but he was onlv thirteen years
of age when his parents remo-\-ed from that
locality. Four years afterward his father
died, and he was then obliged to take charge
of the home farm. On the 9th of February,
1879. lie was united in marriage to IMary i
McArthur. who was born in Canada, a [
daughter of Dougal McArthur. Her par-
ents were both natives of Scotland, and after
coming to the L'nited States thev eventualiv
took up their abode in Reno cr.unty. where
they resided on a farm, which they after-
ward sold and removed to Hutchinson.
There the mother passed away in death. The
father died at Burrton, Harvey county, Kan-
sas, a few years later. By this marriage
three children were born : Grace, who is a
young lady of twenty-one years, and is liv-
ing at home: William M.. who died at the
age of fifteen months: and Eddie D.. de-
ceased in infancy. Shortly after his mar-
riage Mr. Lyman removed from the old
family homestead to his 'present farm, and
here his wife died on the 13th of May. 1884.
For his second wife he chose Addie Schmidt,
their wedding having been celebrated on the
30th of June, 1886, in Burrton. She was
born at Bunker Hill. Boston, and is a daugh-
ter of Augustus Theodore and Priscilla
(Blanchard) Schmidt. The father was
born in Berlin, Germany, and came to Amer-
ica aljout 1850. locating in Boston, where
he first followed his trade of a cooper. After
a time, however, he turned his attention to
the study of chemistry, and his researches
along that line resulted in his giving to the
world the process of manufacturing color-
less carbon oil. while later he also discov-
ered the art of making \-ulcanized fiber pa-
per. Li 1 86 1 he removed to Pittsburg and
engaged in refining oil. remaining in that
city until 1885, when he came west to Valley
township. Reno county, Kansas, purchasing
one hundred and twenty acres of land on
section 16, and there his death occurred on
the 17th of December. 1890. while living a
retired life. Li his political views he was a
Republican, and while living in Pittsburg lie
held the position of assessor for a number of
years. His religious ^•iews connected him
with the Lutheran church.
Mr. Schmidt married Priscilla J. Blanch-
ard, who was born in Falmouth. J^Laine, June
23. 1829. a daughter of Captain Samuel and
Rebecca ( ^^lerrill) Blanchard. The father
was born in IMaine, on the 28th of March.
1 78 1, and was master of a vessel, brrt on
one occasion he was shipwrecked oft' Cape
May and his ship was lost. He then re-
tired from the active duties of life, becoming
the owner of two farms, and he also donat-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ed the land on which tlie town hall and the
Congregati(Mial church of Falmouth were
located. He served in the war of 1812, dur-
ing which time he took part in the defense of
Portland. On his side the family is of Pur-
itan stock, his ancestors ha\'ing emigrated
from England to France during the time of
^^'illiam the Conqueror. About the time of
the arrival of the Mayflower there came to
this country a family consisting of the fa-
ther, surnamed Joshua, his wife and five sons
and they became the founders of the Blanch-
ard family in America. The mother died
during the royage, but the father and sons
located in New England. On the JNIerrill
side the family is also^ descended from old
New England ancestry. The great-grand-
mother of Mrs. Lyman lived prior to the
Revolutionary war, and she frequently rode
to church on a pillion behind her husband,
who, in common with the other settlers of
that day. carried his gun to church to protect
them from the Indians. Their daughter,
Mary Merrill, was born, reared and married
in Falmouth, Maine, Priscilla Blanchard,
the mother of T^Irs. L^tnan, is of the six
generation in which a daughter of the fam-
ily was named Priscilla. George Blanchard,
a ciiusin on her father's side, received an
excellent education in Germany and for a
number of years served as an alderman of
Boston.
Bv his second marriage Mr. Lyman, of
this review, has become the father of one
son, Raymond S., who was born on the i8th
of July, iSSg. Li political matters our
subject gives his support to the Republican
party, and on its ticket he has been elected
to a number of positions of honor and trust.
He was first made road overseer, was justice
of the peace, constable, trustee, and has in
fact held every township' position within the
gift of the people. For sixteen years he
was a member of the sdiool board, and the
cause of education has ever found in him- a
warm friend and active worker. Socially
his is a member of the Ancient Order of
United Workmen, and religimisly he is a
member of and an elder in the Prec^byterian
church. He is indeed a manlv man, and the
honor and esteem in which he is held by all
who have come in contact with him is but
a just tribute to his worth.
G. M. NICKASON.
G. 'SI. Nickason, who follows agri-
cultural i>ur-uit< iin section eleven. Black
W'oU townsliip, KlI>worth county, has re-
sided here since 1S7S. He is a native of the
Empire state, his birth having occurred in
\\"alden. Orange county, on the 8th of I\Lay,
1830. He was only eleven years of age
when he started out on his own account, be-
coming a driver on the Erie canal. He was
thus employed for about seven years, when
the New York & Erie railroad was built
and he secured work in preparing the road
bed. Later he worked on the laying of the
track, serving as section boss when he was
only eighteen years of ap-e. He had a nat-
ural aptitude for mechanics and decided to
follow this line of business. Accordingly,
in April. 1849, ^^ began learning the car-
penter's trade and that of a house joiner. In
those days sash, doors and blinds were most-
ly manufactured by hand, and Mr. Nicka-
son entered the employ of a firm engaged in
that business, remaining with them for
twenty-five years. He became the main re-
liance of the house, and soon after he sev-
ered his connection therewith their business
had to be abandoned.
In September, 1861, Mr. Nickason re-
sponded to the country's call for aid, enlist-
ing in. the Twentieth New York Infantry,
in which he served for fifteen months. Fle
then joined the Fourth New York Heavy
Artillery. He was unacquainted with all of
its members and jijined the regiment
as a private, but was steadily pro-
moted until he held the office of
quartermaster sergeant of the regi-
ment, al.-o serving on the non-commissioned
staff of General Hancock. He participated
in many engagements, among which were
the battles of Centerville, the second battle
of Bull Run, South IMountain and Antietam,
178
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
where General George B. IMcClellan saved
the Union cause. He then went on south
to Ream's station. ]\'Iuch of the time he
was in the commissary department and can
relate many interesting anecdotes, concern-
ing- his experience in foraging. On the 3d
of September, 1864, he was wounded at Pe-
tersburg and was taken to Lincoln Hospital
on the 8th of October, there remaining until
the army was discharged, in July, 1865.
Mr. Nickason then returned to his na-
tive state and again resumed work at his
trade, carrying on business with his brother.
They were xtry successful, owing to the im-
provements in machinery which our subject
was enabled to introduce as the result of his
thorough knowledge of mechanics. At
length he determined to come to Kansas and
disposed of his interests in the east. Mak-
ing his way to this state in 1878, he pur-
chased a quarter section of land in Black
Wolf township, where he now resides, and
all the improvements on the place are his
work and stand as monuments to his energy.
In 1900 he erected a handsome new resi-
dence. In 1890 he built a fine shop in FJli-
worth, equipped it with the best machinery
and carried on business along that line for
a few years, but ultimately resumed farm-
ing, to which he now devotes his entire at-
tention. Throughout his entire life he has
been a hard worker, although for the past
thirty-seven years he has suffered with an
open wound. His diligence and energy
enabled him to triumph o\-er an adverse
fate, and he is now one of the substantial
citizens of his community.
Mr. Nickason has been twice married.
In 1855 he wedded Ellen Mance, and unto
them were born two children : Marietta, who
is nn\v in an Indian school, in Pahuska ; and
Frederick. Both have been well educated.
The mother died and' in August, 1867, Mr.
Xickason was again married, his second
union being with JNIargaret Tice, by whom
he has two children, — Ellen and Lemont.
In his home our subject has a grand roller
organ, and in his leisure hours greatly en-
joys plaving thereon. His accomplishment
in this direction has also enabled him to af-
ford much pleasure to others. In politics
clerk of the township board and as township
he is independent, but has served as clerk
of the township board and as township treas-
urer. His advancement in business affairs
has been creditable and gratifying since he
came to Ellsworth county and he has never
had occasion to regret the fact that he allied
his interests with those of the Sunflower
state.
CLAUDE DUVAL.
Claude Duval, who for fifteen years has
been a resident of Hutchinson, is widely
known throughout Kansas as a traveling
salesman, and is no less honored and dis-
tinguished in business circles than he is in
the ranks of the Democratic party, of
which he is leading member. He was
born in Morganfield, Kentucky, May
19, 1859, and not only can he claim
descent from one of the honored pio-
neer families of that state but also from
those who were among the first permanent
settlers on the Atlantic coast. The first of
the Duval famiily in America were two
brothers, who came fniui France with Gen-
eral La Fayette. Both served in the Revo-
lutionary war and one settled in Maryland
and the other in Virginia. It is from the
latter that our subject is descended.
Through his paternal grandmother, who
bore the maiden name of Jane E. Russell,
the family history can be traced back
through several centuries to about 1000 A.
D. The first of the name in America was
William Russell. It has always been under-
stood from tradition that he was a member
of the family of Russell in England, rep-
resented by the ducal house of Bedford, but
of which particular branch of the family is
not known. However, it is known that the
Russell family in England is one of great
antiquity and came originally from Nor-
mandy, where the name was Du Rozel.
\\'ift:n, in his memoir of the house of Rus-
sell, says: "It derived its distinctive ap-
pellation from one of the fiefs which the
first chieftain of that name possessed an-
terior to the first conquest te England. In
^A-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
lower Xormandy in the ancient bourey of
Briquebec, in 1066, they occupied the castle
and territory of Du Rozel, which was a
portion of their appanage, as a younger
branch of the Bertrands, barons of Brique-
bec, a house the head of which took the title
of sire, being accounted second only in rank
to the barons of St. Sauvenr, who were
styled vicomtes of La Manche. Hugh Du
Rozel, who appears to liave been the first of
the name, was born about 102 1. Soon after
the Norman conquest the Du Rozels crossed
the channel into England, where land was
assigned to them in Northumberland and
\\ here the name was anglicized into Russell.
In 1 141 Robert De Russell led his company
of knights into the battle of Lincoln and
distinguished himself in that conflict. The
earliest coat of arm's of the family in Eng--
land bore a lion rampant; gules on a chief
sable : three escallops argent."
William Russell, the first representative
of tha family in America, crossed the
Atlantic with Sir Alexander Spotts-
wood in 1710, arriving within the capes
of Virginia on the Deptford, a man
of war, of which Tancred Robinson
was commander, the landing being ef-
fected on the 20th of June. The following
day they proceeded up the James river in
the Bedford galley, commanded by Captain
Lee. who landed his beat at Jamestown.
William Russell soon became a prominent
character in the early history of the col-
onies. \Mien he left England for Virginia
he was a young lawyer from the inner tem-
ple of the court in London. As he. was at
that time twenty-fi\-e years of age, the year
of his birth must have been 1685. Before
embarking for America he obtained a com-
mission in the British army. The old ac-
c< lunt says he "was an officer in the British
army of occupation and defense in Vir-
ginia." Tradition says that he was one of
the party of cavaliers who accompanied
Governor Spottswood on his expedition
across the Appalachian mountains, and that
in consequence thereof he became one of the
famous Knights of the Golden Horse Shoe.
The old account savs that he obtained lare;e
! grants of land from the British government
and the records show that in 1735 two
tracts of land in Frederick county, Virginia,
one containing forty-nine hundred and fifty
acres and the other thirty-six hundred and
fifty acres, were patented to him from the
King's office; also other tracts in Augusta.
The records of the Virginia land office also
show that in 1712 he purchased from Lord
Fairfax several thousand acres located in
several counties of the Old Dominion. He
belonged to the church of England and was
an active member of the old colonial church
known as Buck Run, in St. ]\Iark"s parish.
The Rev. Mr. Slaughton, in his history of
St. Mark's parish, says: "C/olonel William
Green and Culoncl WiUiani Russell were
made church wardens for the ensuing year
(1756) ; also that payments were made by
the church to William Russell, Charles Mor-
gan, R. D. Parks and others for providing
for certain poor persons." In 1730 he was
married to Man- Henley, and their children
were William, Henry and Catherine. Will-
iam Russell died after a few days' illness,
October 18, 1757, when about seventy-two
years of age. He was buried in the Buck
Run church yard.
His son and namesake. General William
Russell, was born in Virginia in 1735 and
acquired a classical and scientific education
in William and Mary College, at \\'illiams-
burg, Virginia, the oldest seat of learning
in the United States, with the exception of
Harvard University. He educated himself
for the practice of law, but, owing to his
marriage shortly after leaving college, he
changed his plans and settled on a planta-
tion in Culpeper county, Virginia. He early
became active in military operations and the
greater portion of his life was spent in act-
ive service, defending the colonies from In-
dian attacks. The year 1775 found him
captain of a company of rangers, serving
under General Braddock. In 1765 Captain
Russell was sent by the British authori-
ties on some mission among the Indians in
the section fi cnuntrx' wlierc Chattanooga,
i Tennessee, i< now located. It t^ nk twelve
■ months to execute the trust, during which
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTOR]
time he endured great hardships among the
Creek Indians. Captain Russell was soon
called into public service. At the battle of
Point Pleasant, October lo, 1774, he led
his company; and of this engagement Col-
lins, in his History of Kentucky, says: "It
was probabl}' the most se\-erely contested
conflict ever maintained with the northwest-
ern Indians. The action continued from
sunrise to sunset and the ground for half
a mile along the bank of the Ohio was al-
ternately occupied by each of the contend-
ing parties in the course of the day. So
sanguinary was the conflict that blood was
found on each of the trees behind which the
combatants were posted. The Indians un-
der the celebrated chief Comstock aban-
doned the field under cover of the night.
Their loss, according to official report, ex-
ceeded that of the Americans, the latter
amounting to sixtj'-three killed and eighty
wounded. This report was drawn up by
Captain Russell, reported to be the best
scholar in the camp."
In 1776 Captain Russell was promoted
to the rank of colonel, commanding a regi-
ment of mounted men. He was constantly
engaged in repelling the attacks of the In-
dians on the frontier of Virginia and Ten-
nessee. It was during this year that Col-
onel Russell lost his beloved' wife, who in
her maidenhood was Tabitha Adams. On
his return from active service to his family
he found that the home was left desolate
through the death of the faithful wife and
mother. Owing to the Revolutionary Avar
Colonel Russell was again called into active
service. ^ In the section of the country in
whicli Ills family of children resided the' In-
dians were carrying on the work of devas-
tation Ijy fire and massacre, so he removed
his children to a farm which he purchased,
adjoining the Aspenville tract, belonging
to Colonel William Campbell, near the seven
mile ford. He placed his children in charge
of an old negro man and his wife, whom he
selected from among his slaves because of
their faithfulness and devotion to his fam-
ily, and after committing the little ones to
their care Colonel Russell gave his service
to the cause of liberty. The negro couple
proved most faithful to the trust reposed
in them, and though the children were many
times in danger of capture by British raid-
ers, yet the caretakers managed to keep them
free from harm. In the winter of 1776-7
Colonel Russell received the appointment of
colonel in the regular army and took com-
mand of a Virginia regiment, which he re-
tained until the close of the war. He was
one of the colonels in the Virginia line in
continental establishment and was brevetted
on that account. He took an active and
prominent part in the liattles of Brandy-
wine, Germantown, ]\Ionmouth, and the
siege of Charleston, and when that place
w^as captured was made prisoner and sent on
a British prison ship to one of the ^^"est
India islands. Subsequently he was released
on parole and sent to Virginia, where he
was exchanged and again took the field.
In 1777, 1778 and 1779 he was in Wash-
ington's army. He was also with the army
at Yorktown and witnessed the surrender
of Lord Cornwallis. October 19, 1781.
There is abundant evidence that he exhib-
ited great bravery and military tact as an
officer and retired from the service with an
honorable record. Because of having
served through the entire Revolution he
was brevetted to the rank of general and re-
tired on half pay for life. For his services
he was entitled to large grants of land,
much of which was located in the Green
river section of Kentucky. In his honor
Russell county, Virginia, and Russellville,
Kentucky, were named, the latter being
built upon land originally owned by him.
After peace was restored giving integrity to
the republic, he returned lo ci\il life and
was soon elected to the A^irginia senate, of
which he was a leading and influential mem-
ber for many years. He was a hig'h type of
the gentleman of the old school "without
fear and without reproach."
After his return home General Russell
was married, about 1783, to ]\Irs. Elizabeth
(Henry) Campbell, the widow of General
William Campbell, of Kings mountain
fame, who died a few weeks before the
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
siege of Yorktown, in 1781. She was the
daughter of John Henry and a sister of
Patricia Henry, whose words of burning
eloquence probably did more than any
other agency to arouse the people to
resistance of the oppressive measures of
the mijther country at the opening of
the war. It was in 1788 that General
Russell became a convert to the Meth-
odist faith, uniting with that church.
The Rev. T. Ware, speaking of this, said:
"Our tirst conference in Holston was held j
in ^Nlav, 1788. As the road by which Bishop |
Asburv was to come was infested w'ith hos-
tile savages so that it could not be traveled
excejit bv considerable companies together,
he was detained for a week after the time
to commence it, but we were not idle and
the Lord gave us many souls in the place
where we were assembled, among whom
were General Russell and Lady, the latter
a sister of the illustrious Patrick Henry. I
mention this particularly because they were
the first fruit of our labors in this confer-
ence." It appears from the complete ac-
count of Rev. Ware that when General Rus-
sell enlisted' as a soldier of the cross he did
so with his whole heart and soul. Both he
and his wife were zealous in their faith and
consistent in their devotion. Family pray-
ers were offered night and morning and
they frec]uently had preaching at their house.
Bishop Asbury was a frec^uent visitor and
he says in his journal : "General Russell's
home is one of the harbors of rest for the
weary JMethodist preacher."
Within a year or two from thetime of
his conversion the entire household, both
white and black, were converted and' brought
into cl urch. After an active life spent in
serving his country- as a legislator and spl-
dier, he passed away Monday morning at
four o'clock, January 14, 1794. His death
was caused by exposure on his journeying
to and from Richmond, where the general
assemblies were held in the winter months.
In his letters he expressed a dread of such
exposure and when finally he contracted a
severe cold on going to Richmond, and the
next day became worse, so that a physician
was summoned, he fel^ that the illness
would be his last. At the close of his hon-
orable and useful life he exhorted his fam-
ily and those around him to live according
to God's word and frec|uently prayed that
the grace of God might rest on all.
His son, John Coats Russell, the great-
grandfather of Claude Euval, was born in
Culpeper county, Virginia, in 1768, and in
1793 was mariied to ]\liss Amy Clay, of
Chesterfield county, \ ir^inia. In 1880 he
removed with his fani;l_\ to Kentucky and
settled on a portion of '"Russell's Green
river survey," which he inherited from his
father. In 1809 he was elected and served
as a member of the house of representatives
from jMuhlenberg county, Kentucky, and
later he removed to Butler county, that state,
where he spent the remainder of his life,
passing away November 17, 1822.
His daughter, Jane E. Russell, was born
July 30, 1794, in Virginia, and died in
Union county, Kentucky, January 10, 1861.
She became the wife of Claiborn Duval,
one of the pioneer ministers of Kentucky,
who was bcn-n in the Old Dominion, but at
an early date went to the Blue Grass state
to preach the gospel among the first settlers
there.
H. C. Duval, the father of our subject
and a son of the Rev. Claiborn and Jane
(Russell) Duval, was a native of Kentucky
and a farmer by occupation, following agri-
cultural pursuits up to the time of the Civil
war. He owned a large number of slaves
and of course lost all at the time of the hos-
tilities between the north and the south.
For two terms he served his county as
sheriff". He was a member of the ]\Ieth-
odist church and was long regarded as one
of the most prominent residents of the com-
munity. He married Miss Mobley, a rep-
resentative of an old southern family and
they became the parents of ten children,
eight of whum are living, ime having died
in infanc}' and Claibourn 'SL, who was a
member of Company K, Twenty-first Kan-
sas Volunteer Infantry in the Spanish-
American war, died at Phoenix. Arizona,
December 13, 1901-. His body -was brought
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
to Hutchinson for interment. Our subject
is the eldest of the family.' One brother,
W. J. Duval, is grand chancellor of the
Knights of Pythias fraternity of the state
of Kansas, with headquarters at Wichita.
A daughter, ]\Irs. K. B. Ringle, the wife of
a well known stockman, is living in Reno
county. The father died in 1894.
Born upon his father's farm in Ken-
tucky, Claude Duval, whose name breads this
re\-iew, spent his early youth- in his native
state and for three months in the winter
season attended the public schools, while in
the summer months he assisted his father
upon the farm. At the age of sixteen he
entered college in Morganfield, where he re-
mained for three years, and then putting
aside bis text books he entered upon his
business career as an employe in a mercan-
tile bouse, where he remained until he went
upon the road as a traveling salesman. For
the past twenty-one years he has thus been
engaged with the exception of a brief in-
terval of two years. From 1882 until 1886
be was traveling representative for the Ohic
& IMississippi Railroad in Illinois, Kentucky
and Tennessee and at the latter date he came
to Hutchinson, where for two years he was
engaged in the retail grocery business. He
was then one of the promoters in the or-
ganization of the Hutchinson Wholesale
Grscery Company, for which he traveled
continuously until Apriri2, 1900, largely
augmenting its business through his
introduction of its goods. At the last date
he accepted his present position with the
Springfield Hat Company, which has its
headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, and
its factory in Orange, New Jersey. He
represents this company throughout the en-
tire state of Kansas, and has already se-
cured a large patronage for the house. In.
business affairs he is energetic, prompt and
notably reliable, always courteous and' ge-
nial and succeeds not only in winning cus-
tomers but also in gaining'their high regard.
Mr. Duval has long taken a deep and
active interest in political questions and is
a well known factor in the councils of the
Democracy. He is an entertaining, force-
ful and logical speaker, endowed with supe-
rior gifts of oratory and his campaign ad-
dresses are very effective. He always takes
an active part in selecting delegates' for the
county, congressional and state conventions,
so that competent men may be nominated for
office and the principles of the party firmly
upheld. In 1900 he received the party nom-
ination as candidate for congress, and al-
though Kansas gave a very strong Repub-
lican majority, he made a remarkable race
for the office — acknowledged so to be by
even the western Republican press. He was
defeated, but it was a defeat that amounted
almost to victory for he ran fifteen hundred
ahead of his ticket, after making a canvass
through thirty-six counties covering one-
third of the area of the state. He assumes
no credit for this, but modestv says the re-
sult was due to the effective "leadership of
Hon. George T. Pitts, of Wellington, Kan-
sas, chainnan of the congressional commit-
tee, and to the unswerving loyaltv of
Mr. Duval's personal friends, regardless
of party; but his friends all believe and
know that it was the personal popularity
of the man aad confidence so uniformlv re-
posed in him that gained for him such a
flattering vote. He has the respect and
confidence of many prominent men of
the opposition, for his loyaltv to Ameri-
can institutions and his honest convictions
are above question. ]\Ir. Duval is
a valued member of Byron Lodge, No. 197,
K. P. and Hutchinson Council. No. 34.
United Commercial Travelers. He has filled
all the offices of the local U. C. T. Council,
for three terms was grand treasurer of the
state, has been elected grand counselor and
takes a deep and helpful interest in the move-
ments tending to advance the interests of the
traveling men. He likewise holds mem-
bership with Reno Lodge, No. 140, F. & A.
M., and with the Iowa Accident Insurance
Company. Fourteen years ago he joined the
First Presbj-terian church of Hutchinson,
Kansas, and has ever since been an active
working member, taking special interest in
the Sunday-school work, and is now servmg
his third year as superintendent of the First
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
183
Presbyterian church Sunday-school. Under
his management the school has prospered
and grown and is to-day one of the best and
most active working schools in the city.
On the 26th of April, 1882, in Kentucky,
Mr. Duval was united in marriage to Miss
Cora White, a daughter of H. \V. White,
formerly a merchant of McLeansboro, Illi-
nois, and later a traveling salesman out of
St. Louis, Missouri. They have one
daughter, Clara, who is giving considerable
attention to the study of vocal music, in
which direction she manifests pleasing tal-
ent. Their home is noted for its cordial
hospitality and their friends throughout the
community ai>e many. Reliable in busi-
ness, considerate in the home, genial and
/riendly in social circles, loyal in citizenship,
and above all without ostentation in manner
—these qualities have gained for Claude
Duval the respect and in many instances the
warm friendship of those with whom he
comes in contact.
MICHAEL MENG.
One of the prosperous and progressive
farmers of Galesburg township, Kingman
County, has so ably conducted his business in-
terests that success has crowned his efforts
and given him a place among the substantial
citizens of his community. He was born in
Seneca county, near Bellevue, Ohio, in
1850. His father, Martin Meng, was born
in Alsace, on the Rhine, Germany, in 18 18,
and in his native country he atten'ded school
until his fourteenth year. He then learned
the weaver's trade, following that occupa-
tion for four years. On the expiration of
that period, being then eighteen years of age,
he left his home and native land" for the new
world, and after his arrival in this country
he located near Bellevue, Ohio. In Seneca
county, that state, he was united in marriage
to Agnes Fritz, who was born in Alsace,
Gern:any, but came to America when six-
teen years of age, locating in the Buckeye
state. Seven children were born unto this
worthy couple, four sons and Soiree daugh-
ters, namely : Michael, Lena, Anna, Mar-
tin, Philip, Joseph and Mary. Philip and
Joseph are twins, and the former now resides
in Evans township, this state, and the latter
still makes his home in Ohio. The parents
are also living in that commonwealth, the
father having reached the ripe old age of
eighty-three years, while the mother died at
sixty-three years of age.
Michael Meng, whose name introduces
this review, was reared to manhood on an
Ohio farm, and in that state he received his
early educational privileges. He remained
in the state of his nativity until 1880, and in
that year located near Decatur, Adams
county, Indiana, where for the f-'Ih'wiiiL; -ix
years he was, engaged in agriciiltural jiur-
suits. The year 1887 witnessed his arrival
in the Sunflower state, and in Kingman
CL.'unty he first purchased a tract of one hun-
dred and sixty acres of land, to which he
later added another tract of one hundred
and sixty acres located one mile south of his
original purchase, and still later he bought
eighty acres on the southeast, being now the
possessor of four hundred acres of excellent
and productive land. As the years have pass-
ed by and prosperity has rewarded his efforts
he has placed many substantial improve-
ments upon his place, and this is now one
of the finest homesteads of the locality. Mr.
Meng is also operating a threshing machine.
which is the, second one he has owned and
operated in Kansas.
At the age of twenty-eight years Mr.
Meng was united in marriage to Philopena
Gerber, a daughter of Jacob and Barbara
(Heitz) Gerber. The father is still
liA-ing, making his home in Ohio, but
the mother has passed to her final rest.
They became the parents of six chil-
dren, four of whom are now living,
namely: Jacob, a prosperous farmer
of Evans townsihip, Kingman county ; Mary,
a resident of Ohio; John, who makesi his
home Ih Galesburg township, Kingman
county; and Philopena, the wife of our sub-
ject. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Meng has
been blessed with ten children, as follows :
Leo, Christina, Otto, Charles, Emma, !Mary,
Minnie, Lucv, William and Lizzie. The
1 84
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
last named died when twelve years of age.
The Democracy receives Mr. Meng"s active
support and co-operation and of the Catholic
church he is a worthy and acceptable mem-
ber. He served as a trustee of the build-
ing committee for the new church, which
was erected at a cost of thirty-live hundred
dollars, and in 1901 he took an active part
in the building of the fine new edifice at
Waterloo. As a citizen he is- public-spirited
and progressive, withholding his support
from no measure or movement which he be-
lieves will prove of public benefit.
WILLIA^I POTTER.
\\"illiam Potter, superintendent of the
Reno county poor farm, has been a resident
of the locality since 1877, and during that
period he has so lived as to gain for himself
by his honorable, straighforward career the
confidence and resided rf tlie entire com-
munit}- in which he li\es. He was born in
Drake county, Ohio, September 28, 1840.
His paternal grandfather, Daniel Potter,
was one of the very early pioneers of the
Buckeye state, where he cleared a farm from
the native timber. His son, Daniel Potter.
Jr., also improved a farm in that state, and
became one of the prominent and infiuential
! early settlers of his locality. When he was
1 nine years of age the Indians forced the
family to take refuge in a fort and every-
thing was then new and wild, while game of
all kinds was so numerous that they would
at times almost destroy the corn crops. The
i family made their sugar and spun and wove
; the material for their clothes, and if they
j raised crops sufficient to pay taxes and pur-
chase their salt they were considered suc-
cessful. Mr. Potter married Catherine
Crumrine, of Pennsylvania, and our subject
is the eldest of three living children. The
father died at the age of fifty-two years,
i while the mother was called to the home be-
yond at the age of forty-three years.
\\'illiam Potter, whose name introduces
this review, was reared on the home farm
until he had nearly reached mature years.
September i, 1861, he enlisted for service
in the Civil war, becoming a member of
Company G, Fortieth Ohio Volunteer In-
fantry. In 1862 he joined the army of the
Cumberland, was with Garfield of the Big
Sandy, took part in the Atlanta campaign,
and was five times wounded, though never
seriously. At the battle of Chickamauga,
he was in the thickest of the fight, and in all
the engagements in which the regiment took
part he nobly did his duty as a brave and
103-al soldier. On the expiration of the term
of enlistment the army was disbanded, but
Mr. Potter \-eteranized. and before the last
fight at Xash\-ille his regiment consolidated
with the Fifty-first Ohio and went to Texas,
remaining in the Lone Star state from July
until the following October, when they were
mustered out at Victoria, that state, and
were discharged at Columbus, on the fifth
of November, 1865. That y-ear, while in
Texas he was ill with a fever, which finally
settled in his ankle, and from that time to
the present he has ne\'er been free from
pain. During his illness he was cared for
at the home of a Texan, who was a southern
sympathizer. For meritorious service
during- his military career, Mr. Potter was
appointed corporal of his company and was
afterward made first lieutenant. At the
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
185
battle of Resaca his only brother. John D.,
who was a member of Company K. Xinety-
foLirth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was killed.
Returning to his home with an honor-
able military career, our subject again took
up the quiet and peaceful duties of the farm
in Drake county, where he continued to re-
side until 1S76, and in the spring of that
year came tO' Kansas, locating on a home-
stead quarter section of timber land in Ar-
lington township and also took a home-
stead claim in Lodi township. In the fol-
lowing fall, however, he returned to Ohio,
and in the spring of 1877, brought his fam-
ily to his Kansas home. Buftaloes still
roamed over the country at that time, and
for three or four years afterward antelope
were numerous in this section. Mr. Potter
improved one-half of his three-hunclred-and
t s cnty-acre tract, his principal crop being
wlieat, and he continued to cultivate
the place until 1895, when h^ sold his farm
and afterward assumed the duties of super-
intendent of the Reno county farm, being
a member of the town board at that
time. When he was given charge of the
office his only instructions were to conduct
the place as he would his own, and that he
has do>ne so^ is evinced by the fact that dur-
ing each succeeding year he has been re-
elected. The number of inmates now num-
ber twelve, but at one time as many as
thirty-four made their home upon the
farm, and two servants are CDiistaiitly em-
pliiyed. The principal crops rai'-u 1 are wb.cat
and corn. In 1901 the latter C( nimiidity
a\'eragcd thirty-se\'en luishels to the acre,
while tlie 1 ats en -p yielded an average of
furty-six and a half bushels to the acre. Few
public institutions are conducted so profit-
ably as this, and for many years the sale of
the crops not consumed upon the place and
that of the stock have been sufficient to meet
the other expenses. The greatest revenue of
the farm is derived from the sale of stock.
About three hundred head of hogs and from
ten to fifteen head of cattle are sold each
year, while apples and grapes al-^n are mar-
keted. A fine grade of stock is rai-cd upon
the place, a beautiful orchard yields its fruit
in season, and evervthing about the farm in-
dicates the supervision of a progressive and
thrifty agriculturist. Since assuming the
duties of this responsible position his salary-
has been increased from eight hundred to
twelve hundretl dollars, thus showing the
higii regard in which he is held by those in
authority.
In Ohio, on the 12th oi April, 1866, Mr.
Potter was united in marriage with Miss E.
J. Ryan, a daughter of Rudolpk Ryan, who
was born in Germany, but when nine years
of age was brought by his parents to Amer-
ica, the family locating in Virginia. He
was there married to Ellen Hamilton, a na-
tive of Maryland. She was married in that
state and later located in the Buckeye state.
Rudolph Ryan was a farmer by occupation,
and became an early pioneer of both Ohio
and Indiana. He passed away in death
when Mrs. Potter was only eight years of
age, but his wife reached the ripe old age of
seventj'-odd years. Five of their sons were
brave and loyal soldiers during the Civil
war. John Alexander, \\-ho was a member of
the Ninety-fourth Ohio, , was wounded and
captured at the battle of Resaca and died in
Andersonville prison: G. W. and F. L.,
twins, the former a member of the Fourth
United States Cavalry, was also wounded in
battle, \A-hile the latter was a member of the
Thirty-fourth Ohio Zouaves; Daniel T., was
a member of the Ninety-fourtTi Ohio; and
William, a member of the One Hundred and
Flfty-^ccond Ohio VcIrnttn->, died of meas-
les at (amp Chase. Unt. . Air. and Mrs, Pot-
ter ha\-e been born seven children, namely:
Catherine Ellen, wife of D. C. Banks, of
OklalK.nna : Alary Annatta. wife of William
Banks, cf Ledi township. Reno ciauntv:
Sarah Olive, wife of Charles Vaughn, also
a resident of Lodi township: John D.. who
proved a claim in the "Strip," but now re-
sides' in this county, and he married Mary
Amanda Wilburn, a daughter of John Will-
iam Wilburn; Emma Jane, wife of M. A.
Minor, Arlington township, Reno co'unty;
Rosa Lee, wife of Fred Vaughn: and on
daughter who died when a year and a half
old. Mr. Potter maintains pleasant relati.^ns
with his old army comrades through his
membership with the Grand Armv'cf the
i86
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Republic, Perryville Post, Xo. 222, at Ar-
lington, Kansas, and of the Christian church
he has been a worthy and acceptable member
for a half century and I\Irs. Potter has been
a member of same church for thirty-nine
years. She is now serving as matron of the
county home and is a woman whose pure life
and most amiable manner admirably fit her
for the great trials and increasing responsi-
bilities of the home, and wherever she is
known she is highly respected and loved.
Mr. Potter's political support is given the
Republican party, and in 1886 he was elected
to th.e office of county commissioner, which
he has served for four years. For twelve
years he was a justice of the peace in Lodi
township, and for twenty-two years both in
Ohio and Kansas, he was a member of the
school board. He is widely and favorably
"known, and has the respect and confidence
of all with whom he comes in contact, either
in business or social life.
TOHX LAFAYETTE S^IITH.
Among the business and professional
men of Hutchinson, Kansas, none are more
closely identified with the growth and best
interests of the Sunflower state than John
Lafayette Smith, familiarly known among
his friends as "Fay," having been a resident
of Reno county since 1872, locating south of
the city of Hutchinson. At that time the
city could Ijoast of but one store and very
few residences, and between the farm of Mr.
.Smith and the city there were but two resi-
dences, indicating the unsettled condition
of the country at that time. The paternal
grandfather of cur subject, Alexander
Smith, was a native of the south, as was also
his wife, who was born in North Carolina.
He was of English-Irish lineage, and she of
Dutch. Two of his sons were soldiers in
the Civil war, one fighting for the preserva-
tion of the union, and the other taking up
arms in favor of the Secessionists, and in
the l_iattle of Gettysburg thev fought against
each other. John Lowrv Smith, the father
of our subject, although born in North Car-
olina, was reared in Tennessee, and in 1839
went to Iowa. The following year he
brought his family from White Oak
Springs, Illinois, to Iowa, where he took up
a timber claim and partially improved it,
but later made a home for his family out on
the prairie. He was an important factor
in the organization of the county in which
he resided, and it being a time of Indian out-
breaks, he showed great courage in protect-
ing the citizens of the surrounding country.
He took part in the B^llevue war, being a
member of the vigilance committee, and the
old building in which he and a number of
brave men helped to protect the settlement,
is still standing. His clothes were pierced
with seven bullets, but he escaped without a
wound. He aided in the formation of
schools and churches, and gave his support
to any movement tending toward the ad-
vancement and development of the commun-
ity in which he lived. He worked at Galena,
Illinois, and was obliged to go there for sup-
plies. In those primitive days travel was
tiresome and dangerous but lie made his
journeys with comparatively little trouble.
Mr. Smith luiilt the first frame house in that
part of the country, and deer and wild geese
were so abundant that they were driven off
the farm in order to permit of the cultiva-
tion of the land. ^\'hile in Illinois. ]\Ir.
Smith was married to ^Nlary ]\I. Smith, a
second cousin, by whom he had eight chil-
dren, four sons and four daughters, five of
whom are now living, namely : Nancy R..
the wife of 'M. N. Sisler a resident of Jack-
son count}-. Iowa: Rufus P., a farmer of
Taylor county, Iowa; IMary I\I., the wife
of S. J. Matthews, of South Hutchinson:
John L., the subject of this review: and
Susie, the wife of John H. Kingkade, of
Norman, Oklahoma. ^Irs. Smith was a
helpful companion to her husband in these
early days, faithfully performing all the
duties of the primitive household. She
made the cloth, as well as the garments, that
was worn by her familv and endured the
hardships of frontier life with courage and
fortitude. The father spent his remaining
days in his adopted state, and passed away
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
187
at the age of fifty-nine years. He liad be-
come a successful grain and stock raiser,
having acquired alx)ut five hundred acres of
land. He started with nothing in life but
wilhng hands and a stout heart, and won all
through his industry and perseverance.
John Lafayette Smith, whose name in-
troduces this record, was born November
27. 1852 in Jackson county, Iowa. He. re-
ceived his preliminary education in a little
log school house in his native cuunty, but
later, as the country de\'eloped, the schools
became more advanced, and after complet-
ing the school work here, he attended col-
lege at Clinton, Iowa. He spent his boy-
hood days on the farm, assisting in the work
in the manner of the times. His father was
the owner of the first reaping machine in the
country, an old fashioned INIanny, but as
this did not prove successful, he abandoned
it for the scythe. His father was also the
possessor of "the first spring wagon, and also
subscribed for the only weekly paper taken
for a long time in that part of the count^\^
and this paper was loaned to the neighbors
until it was worn out. When fourteen years
of age, the parents of Mr. Smith died and he
lived with his brother until he decided to
start out on life's journey for himself. The
pioneer spirit of his family being strong
within him, he started for the west. At
Independence, Kansas, he purchased a yoke
of oxen which he drove over the prairie until
he arrived in Reno county, where he decided
to locate, taking up a claim in the southeast
cpiarter of section eight, township twenty-
four, range five. The country was sparse-
ly settled, there being no railroad nearer than
Xewton, and the buffaloes were so abundant
they could always be seen in droves on the
prairie, and their meat was very plentiful.
J\Ir. Smitli liogan the task of breaking the
open prairie w ith liis team of oxen and plant-
ed ^-(:me ciirn, but his main source of revenue
was derived from buffalo hides and bones.
In 1874 he traded this claim, upon which he
had erected a sod house and a few outbuild-
ings, for a claim owned by a man by the
name of Robinson, upon which he located.
He greatly impro\-ed this land, devoting the
greater part of his time to the raising of corn
and wheat. In 1874 and again in 1876 he
lost all his crops. In 1878 he was appointed
deputy sheriff and this brought him to the
city where he resided most of the time, ha\--
ing rented his farm. He became quite ac-
tive in ix)litical circles after his removal to
the city, and in 1885 was elected sheriff and
served for a term of four years. In 1897 he
was elected to the office of clerk of the dis-
trict court and served in that capacity for
four years. His duties were discharged in
a most acceptable manner, winning to him
many friends. He was an advocate of Re-
publican principles until 1892, when he
joined the Populist party, and his election
in 1897 was largely owing to his own fol-
lowing, who re-elected him in 1899.
John Lafayette Smith was joined in
marriage on the 2d day of June. 1886, in
Troy township, Reno county, Kansas, to
Alice B. Lewis, a daughter of S. C. Lewis,
who resides in Hutchinson. This union
was blessed with two children: Harry L.,
and Susie Louisa.
Mr. Smith while attending tO' his official
duties has also been engaged to a great ex-
tent in real estate, and has also retained the
possession of his farm property, which he
rents. In the organization of schools and
churches he has been an important factor,
always taking an active intere^^t in any
movement tnward the advancement of his
community. He is identified with the An-
cient Order of United Worknnen, and until
recently was a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, of which he was a
trustee, and was also a charter member of the
Knights of Pythias, luit has withdrawn from
the two latter societies. While a resident of
Hutchinscin he occupied the office of con-
stable. He is verv active in the support of
the Methodist Episcopal church of which his
wife is a member, and has ever been a loyal
defender ( f all that is true and holy. A
man of strong purpose and untiring energy,
he has won to himself a place among the
prominent citizens of Reno county, and a
reputation of high worth among those with
whom he is associated.
i8S
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
MYXDERT VAX FATTEN.
Myndert \'an Patten is a prominent
physician engaged in practice in Sterling,
and in his profession is meeting with a very
high degree of success, owing to his capable
control of business affairs, his comprehen-
sive knowledge of the underlying principles
of the science of medicine and his deep and
abiding interest in humanity aside from his
profession. He was born in Sterling, Cay-
uga county. New York, in 1835. His fa-
ther. Christian Van Patten, was a native jof
Albany county, New» York, born May 4,
1 80 1, and the grandfather, John Van Pat-
ten, was born in the Empire state, about
1765. His death occurred in 1845, ^vhen he
had attained the age of eighty years. He
reared three sons and three daughters.
Among this number was Christian Van Pat-
ten, who after attaining years of maturity,
married I\Iiss ]\Iary Relyea, who was born
January 20. 1835. and gave her hand in mar-
riage to I\Ir. Van Patten when nineteen
years of age. She died in Sterling, Kansas,
when almost ninety-seven years of age. They
were the parents of fourteen children, of
whom five sons and seven daughters reached
mature years, while four sons and four
daughters are yet living, namely: David,
a farmer residing in Sterling who has one
son and two daughters; Herman, an agri-
cultuiist of the same locality who has one
son; Alyndert, of this review; James, who
resides on the old homestead where the
grandfather located more than one hundred
years ago; Nancy, the widow of Charles
Lyon, of Sterling; Susan, wife of George
Blackwell, of Kankakee. Illinois; Mrs. Ra-
chel Marvin, of Sterling; and ]\Irs. Isabell
Duncan, a widow, also living at Sterling.
The father of this family died in Sterling,
in 1893. ^6 followed farming as his life
work and thus provided a good home for
his family, also giving to his children edu-
cational advantages that well fitted them for
life's practical duties. He took an active in-
terest in public affairs and was greatly es-
teemed for his genuine worth of character.
Dr. Van Patten was educated in \\'ayne
countv academy, and after completing his
literary course he prepared for professional
life in the Albany ^Medical College, in which
he was graduated with the class of 1864.
He first began practice in Hannibal, New
York, in 1865, and a year later raiioved to
Sterling, where he resided for three years.
His. next place of business was in Chats-
worth, Livingston county, Illinois, where he
was associated with Dr. Hunt in practice
and in the drug business for eight years.
For four years he was a resident of Peoria,
Illinois, where he engaged in practice as a
regular. For the past twenty-twn years he
has ministered to the needs if sut-fcring Ini-
manity as a homeopathic pliy>ician in Ster-
ling. Kansas, coming to this place from
Peoria. Illinois, in 1868.
In the meantime Dr. Van Patten had en-
gaged in military service. He enlisted at
Sterling, New York, as a member of Com-
pany F, One Hundred and Tenth New York
Infantry, in 1862, but in February, 1863,
was honorably discharged on account of
physical disability. After his return home
he was united in marriage, in Hannibal,
New York, in 1865, to Miss Ada Foot, who
died in Kansas about 1874, leaving five of
her six children, four daughters and one son,
namely: Isabelle L.. wife of Cassius Elli-
ott, of Farmington, New ]\Iexico, by whom
she has six children ; George, who is living
in the same place; Mamie, the wife of Riley
Peterson, of Hodgman county, Kansas, by
whom she has two children ; Fernette and
Winnie, who are still under the parental
roof. The Doctor was again married in
1887. his second union being with ]Miss Let-
tie M. Muse, of Greenfield. Ohio, a daughter
of a Presbyterian minister, and his first wife
was a daughter of a Baptist preacher. The
children born to Dr. Van Patten by his sec-
ond marriage are : Myndert, who is now
thirteen years of age; Guy, a lad of nine
years ; and Lowell, who is seven years of
age. Socially the Doctor is connected with
the Grand Army of the Republic and is now
serving his third year as commander of
Mead Post. No. 14. a fact which indicates
his present personal popularity. fiT the of-
fice is not usually accorded to one man for
s.:) long a time. In politics he is a Repub-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
lican and has senxd as school director and
as mayor of Sterling, exercising his official
prerogatives in promoting the best interests
of the city. In the campaign of 1900 he was
chairman of the Republicani committee and
labored earnestly in the interest of McKinley
and Roosevelt. For twenty-two years he
has occupied his present residence in Ster-
ling and is recognized as one of the most
capable physicians and prominent citizens of
the neighborhood. His devotion to his pro-
fession is marked and arises not only from
his love of scientific research, but also from
his desire to be a benefit to the world. His
public and private relations are alike above
reproach and as' a friend and physician he
has won the high regard of all and become
a popular resident of his adopted county.
JOHN W. XELSOX.
Though no land is richer in opportuni-
ties or offers greater advantages to its citi-
zens than America, success is not to be ob-
tained through desire, Init must be persist-
ently sought. In America "labor is king,"
and the man who resolutely sets to work to
accomplish a purpose is certain of success if
he has but the qualities of perseverance, un-
tiring energy and practical common sense.
John \V. Xelson is one whose career ex-
cites the admiration and gains the respect of
all. fur through his diligence and persistent
purpose he has won a leading place in the
business circles of Hutchinson and classed
among the most prosperous citizens of Reno
county. He is a member of the firm of Nel-
son Brothers, dealers in hardware, stoves,
farm implements and vehicles. They also
engage in the manufacture of pumps and
pump fixtures and are the proprietors of the
Hutchinson Machine Shops. Their business,
constantly growing in volume and im-
portance, has brought to them a hand-
some income and the most envious can-
not grudge tliem their prosperity so worthily
has it been won.
John \\'. Xelson was born near Emhutt,
Sweden, ]March 29, 1S61, a son of John and
Xellie (Benson) Xelson. The father was
born in southern Sweden. July 3, 1835, and
was a son of Nels Anderson, for according
to the custom of that land the son's surname
is formed by attaching the word son to the
father's last name. The great-grandfather
of our subject was Ander Hult, an officer
in the Swedish army, who served for five
years in the war with Germany. John X'el-
son, the father of our subject, was a farmer
and land owner in the old country, but be-
lieving America offered better opportunities
for advancement he came to the United
States in 1869. He left his family in Swe-
den and came alone in search of a home for
his wife and children. After landing on
the Atlantic coast he made his way across
the country to Winnebago county, Illinois,
where he was employed as a farm laborer
for two years, when he was joined by his
family. In the spring of 187J, accompanied
by his two sons, he started for the west,
making the journey bv wagon. In May of
that year he reached Reno county and locat-
ed a homestead in Lincoln township, where
he built a small house of one room and
broke a little sod. He planted some corn
that first spring and broke alti.igether fifteen
acres oi the land. After a year he s.>Id his
first claim and purchased another two miles
west on the southeast Cjuarter of section 28,
township 24 range 6. Of this, eighty acres
had been taken as a homestead and the other
eighty acres as a timber claim. Both of
these he proved up and placed under a high
state of improvement and cultivation. The
family resided upon this farm until 1S84,
when they removed to a farm in Castleton
township which the father had purchased.
Two years later, however, he went to his
present home in South Reno township, just
outside the city limits of Hutchinson. Here
he owns a valuable tract of land. Through
his economy, industry and perseverance and
the aid of his faithful wife he has pros-
pered, now occupying a place among the
leading and successful agriculturists of
Reno county. He endorses the principles
of the Republican party and supports its
candidates by his ballot. In religious faith
both he and his wife are Lutherans. Thev
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTOR]
are now living happy en their excellent
farm, Mr. Nelson at the age of sixty-four
years, while his wife has attained the age of
fifty-seven.
John W. Nelson was a lad of only eleven
years when he came with the family to Kan-
sas. Here he soon became familiar with the
experiences incident to the establishment of
a home ui>on the frontier. He shared with
the family in the hardships and privations
of pioneer life and assisted his fatlier in im-
proving new farms and in herding cattle.
His cducaticnal privileges were those afford-
ed liv thr di-lrict schools of the neighbor-
hood through the winter months. He re-
mained under the parental roof until twenty-
four years of age, when he took charge of
one of his father's farms, which he was al-
lowed to operate rent free. There he re-
mained for a year, after which he went to
Kingman and entered a blacksmith shop
with the intention of ultimately establishing
a machine shop, but after six months he
abandoned that idea.
In company with his; brother, Peter A.
Nelson, who was born January 4, 1863, and
with wli'-ni he has long been associated in
business, he went to Finney county, Kansas,
where each pre-empted a quarter section of
land. After breaking some sod and making
some improvements on the place they re-
turned to Reno county but are still owners
of their claims in Finney county. In 1887
he established a hardware business in South
Hutchinson, which he carried on for a year,
when he admitted his son to a partnership,
under the firm name of Nelson Brothers.
In 1889 they removed across the river to
Hutchinson and began business in what was
then the Hegner but now the Rock Island
block and at present occupied by the Parker
Creamery Company. For a year they re-
mained at that place and then went to No.
4 South Main street, where they also con-
tinued foi- a year, after which they occupied
the Welsh building for four years and then
returned to Main street. In the fall of 1899
they purchased their present three-story
brick building at No. 6 Main street, the di-
mensions of the structure being twenty-five
by one hundred and fiftv feet. It is a fine
modern business block, of which they occu-
py the entire space except the front part of
the upper floors, which are arranged for
office purposes. The>^ also own the build-
ing at No. 3 Sherman street, east, — a good
two- story structure, twenty-five by one hun-
dred and sixty-five feet. They have like-
wise purchased another lot, on which they
will erect a storage building. In 1898 they
estabiisiied the Hutchinson Machine Shops
on lots 14 and 16 Sherman street, west, and
have since conducted the enterprise. Four
years before, in fact, they had established a
shop on Sherman for the manufacture of
irrigating pumps. The quesfion of irriga-
tion was. then receiving much attention in
Kansas and Mr. Nelson meant to be ready
to supply the demand if they should be gen-
erally brought into use. The sihop is now
used as a general machine and repair shop,
in which four workmen are employed. The
business of Nelson Brothers has grown from
a small beginning in 1887 to one of the
most extensive concerns in this line in Reno
county, their trade amounting to fifty thou-
sand dollars per annum. Their reputation
for reliability and business integrity is sec-
ond to none in this part of the state and in
financial circles they are rated with the best.
Their prosperity seems almost phenomenal,
but at the same time it is well cleserved, be-
ing the logical result of straightforward
business methods, directed by intelligence
and discretion.
The brothers own a number of fine resi-
dence properties in the city, ha\ing made ju-
dicious investments in real estate. They are
equal partners in all property and business
operations and in addition to their half sec-
tion of land in Finney county they have an
equal amount of valualjle farming land in
Reno county, while in the year 1901 they
had three hundred and fifty acres planted in
wheat.
On the 8th of October, 1890, John W.
Nelson was married in RenO' county, to Miss
Pearl M. Stevenson, a daughter of James
and Elizabeth (AIcKinney) Stevenson. She
was born near Lawrence. Kansas, her father'
having been one of the honored pioneer resi-
dents of that community. In public aft'airs
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
lie was quite prominent. In 1S73 he came
tO' Reno county and was therefore also iden-
tified with its early development. Unto Mr.
and ]Mrs. Nelson have been born two chil-
dren, Nellie A. and James B. Their home
is an elegant residence at No. 407 East First
street. It was purchased in 1899 by Air.
Nelson and is pleasantly situated on one of
the most' desirable residence streets of the
city." Such in brief is the life history of
one of the most active and influential busi-
ness men of Hutchinson, and his record'
should serve as a source of encouragement
and inspiration ,tO' others, proving wdiat it
is possible to accomplish through indefati-
gable labor when guided by sound judg-
ment. That "honesty is the best policy" is
demonstrated in his career, for his integrity
stands as an unquestioned fact in his life
work.
WILLIAM DAVID SHULER.
This well known citizen and fruit grow-
er of Reno county. William David Shuler.
is a nati\'e of the Old Dominion, his birth
having occurred in Page county, on the
Shenandoah river, on the 23d of June, 1833.
His father, George Shuler, was Ijnrn im the
same farm December j;. 1794. and his death
there occurred on the 28th of April, 1873.
The grandfather, John Shuler, was born in
Germany, but in early life, in company with
his brother Alichael, he came to the new
world, locating in Pennsylvania. He was
married to a Miss Keyser, who was one of
five daughters, and after Mr. Shuler's death
she married a Mr. Stepp, bv whom she had
three children. Her death occurred in Illi-
nois, at the age of ninety-fi\'e years. The
mother (if nur subject, who was former! v
Tal)itha Dovel, was' also a native of the Old
Dominion, her birth occurring in 1795.
Their marriage was celebrated in 1813, and
was blessed with eight children, five sons
and three daughters, namely : John, who
on the 19th of August, 1901. will celebrate
his eighty-sixth birthday: Diana Dovel, who
is now a widow and is eighty-one years of
age; Noah ^^'., a resident of Rockingham
county, A'iroinia; Elizabeth Ann, who be-
came the wife of a Mr. Aylshire and died
at the age of twenty-four years ; George W.,
who resides in Page county, Virginia ; An-
drew Jackson, of the same county; William
D., the subject of this review- ; and Sarah
Jane, who has been tw-ice married, her first
husband having been her brother-in-law, C.
W. Aylshire, who was killed in the winter
of 1862, during his service in the Ci\'il war.
Her second husband was James E. Morris,
and her death occurred in Reno county, Kan-
sas, in 1895, she being the mother of six
children by both marriages. The mother of
our subject was called to her final rest in
Virginia, June 8, 1857, '^'ifl the father after-
ward married the widow Kite.
\\'illiam David Shuler was reared on the
home farm in \"irginia. and when a boy was
there engaged in gardening. His education
was received in the subscription schools, his
j tuiton therein amountng from one dollar
and a half to two dollars a month, and he
attended' school from five to six months dur-
ing the year. He remained' under the par-
ental roof until his marriage, which occurred
on the gth of August, 1865, the lady of his
choice being ]\Iiss Sarah A. Koontz. On the
1st of September, 1875, they left the Old
Drmiinion and journeyed tO' Kansas. In the
vear previous, however, Mr. Shuler had
heard favorable reports concerning the pos-
sibilities of the Sunflower state, and he came
here on a prospecting tr;ur in 1874. He
found Ijut r;ne A'irginian in tliis Incality. and
he remained in Hutcliin-iai i^v i:ne numth,
when he purchased the north eighty acres
of his present farm, paying four hundred
dollars for the tract. Two years afterward
he bought the remaining eighty acres, for
which he paid three hundred and fifty dol-
lars. His last purchase was enterecl as a
tree claim, and he has planted ten acres to
Cottonwood and box elders. Since locating
in the county ]\Ir. Shuler has purchased five
farms, aggregating seven hundred and twen-
ty acres, and has given to each of his sons
oue hundred and sixty acres. He has one of
the finest orchards to be found in this lo-
cality, fifteen acres of which is planted to
apples and small fruits, including two acres
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
of grapes and two of peaches. His oldest
orchard is about twenty-one years old, and
he also has some apple trees that are twenty-
three years old and are still in a good bear-
ing condition.
In 1896 Mr. Shuler was called upon to
mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the
19th of October of that year, aged nearly
fifty-eight years. She left five sons, namely :
Philip P., who resides in Harvey county,
Kansas, and has three sons and a daughter;
Jacob O., who is engaged in farming on
the one hundred and sixty acres which was
given him 'by his father, and he has three
sons and a daughter; William' Lee, who is
engaged in agricultural pursuits one mile
west of Hutchinson, and has two sons and
one daughter; Alartin B., who follows farm-
ing near the old homestead, and' has one
son; and Walter A., who was married Jan-
uary 25, 1901, and is engag-ed in merchan-
dising at Blackwell, Oklahoma. On the
26th of May, 1808. ^Ir. Shuler was again
married, his secnnd union being with Mrs.
Laura A. Sours, ncc Price, who was born,
reared and married in Page county, Vir-
ginia. She had been a widow about s'ix
years prior to her marriage to our subject,
and was the mother of five children, as fol-
lows : Susan C, the wife of Jacob Foster,
of Virginia ; Anna Bell, wife of Henry Koll-
hoff , of Grant township, Reno county ; Gro-
ver Clevelandi, a resident of Virginia ; Lena
Blanche, a twin of Grover Clevdand; and
George W., who is now ten years of age.
Mrs. Shuler' SI mother is still living at her old
home in Virginia, having reached the ripe
old age of eighty-one years. Her husband,
Abigail Price, died about 1886, leaving her
with the care of six daughters and two sons,
all of whom are married excepting one.
Mr. Shuler was reared in the faith of the
Democracy, and has voted for ten presi-
dents, but James Buchanan wast the only one
of these who was elected. In later life he
has voted with the Greenback and Populist
parties. During the Civil w-ar he entered
the Confederate service, serving nine months
as lieutenant of a militia company, under
Governor \\'ise. He then hired a substitute,
for which he paid one thousand dollars, and
he was one of twelve who voted against
secession in his precinct. After the war he
was elected to the office of justice of the
peace. In A'irginia, at the age of seventeen
years, Mr. Shuler became a member of the
United Brethren church, and after coming
to tljis state he became a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church by letter, his
first wife having also been a member of that
denomination. In iS~() he assisted in estab-
lishing the first Sun(!:iv-:;ch'iMl here, which
was held in the old sch^ M,lh,lu^e, and before
leaving the Old Dominiun he was superin-
tendent of a Sunday-school there, where he
built a church of logs. The cause of Chris-
tianity has ever found in Mr. Shuler a warm
friend and supporter, and he gives of his
time and means to all charitable and benevo-
lent purposes.
CAPTAIN WILLIA:\I R. BENNETT.
A valiant soldier of the Civil war and
now a successful business man and prom-
inent citizen of Hutchinson, Kansas, Cap-
tain ^^'illiam H. Bennett is regarded as one
of the representative residents of Reno coun-
ty, Kansas. His grandfather, Amos Ben-
nett, was born in England, but brought his
wife to this country and located in Connecti-
cut, where he engaged in farming, took part
in the war of 1812, and reared a family of
eleven children. The parents of Captain
Bennett of this sketch were Eli and Eliza-
beth (Crance) Bennett. The former born
in 1 80 1, but later moved to New^ York state,
where he engaged in teaching school and
later took the contract for l^uilding a part of
the Delaware division of the Erie Railroad.
in later life he engaged in mercantile pur-
suits in Wurtsboro, Sullivan county. New
York, and became one of the leading citizens.
He also bore the title of captain in the state
militia, and served in almost all of the local
offices, declining to accept any office which
prevented his remaining at home. In poli-
tics he was a Whig until the formation of
the Republican party, when he identified him-
self for life with it and ardentlv supported
>r^v^6U..^^
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
193
its men and measures. He reared his fam-
ily in the faith of the Presbyterian church.
The mother of our subject, nee Elizabeth
Crance, was born in New York, in i8jo, and
by^ her marriage with Captain Bennett four
sons and two daughters were horn, our sub-
ject being the only member of his family in
Kansas. The father died at the age of seven-
tv-six vears. but the mother still survives
and resides with her eldest son in the old
homestead.
the army. The leading engagements in
which Captain Bennett took part were Get-
tysburg, Lookout Mountain. Missionary
Ridge, Resaca, and all the other battles on
down to Atlanta. During the fierce fight
at Peach Tree Creek he displayed a courage
and bravery which well deser\-es recording.
At this, place Captain Bennett held an import-
ant position and though thev were flanked
nn brtli sides he h"d net the least idea cf
retreating. Both the ma'cr and adjutant
William R. Pjennelt cf this sketch was
reared on the farm and attended the district
schools, his father having purchased an es-
tate near the village where he engaged in
his mercantile business. At the age of
twenty-one years William started out to
make a career for himself, and for a couple
of years was engaged in the milling busi-
ness, and later went to Xew York city and
carried on a grocery business. In April,
1862, he entered the Union army and was
engaged in building bridges with the Army
of the Potomac, but in August of that year
he returned home and raised a company
which later became Company E, One Hun-
dred and Forty-third Xew York, of which
he was made first lieutenant. Until 1863 his
regiment was with the Army of the Potomac
and was then sent with General Sherman
and opened up the roads for the passage of
came to h'ni and r.rged Inm i- . withdraw
his men, and while they 'were expostulating
with him i ne was shot down to his right and
the other t.j his left! He held the pnsitii ;n
until reinforcements came and drove the
i enemy back.
I At Atlanta Captain Bennett served
gallantly, and in ]March, 1863, was pro-
moted to be captain and was honored by be-
ing placed in charge of the color company
I of his regiment. From Atlanta the regi-
\ ment made the march to the sea and did
good work in the fight at Savannah, where
I it remained until in the spring cf 1865, when
I it started through the Carolinas. met Gen-
I eral John^ston at Averysfcoro and took part
in the heavy fight at Eentonville, this be-
ing the last engagement befor^ the surrender
of General Lee. Captain Bennett was per-
mitted to take part in the grand triumphal
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
review in Wajhingtrn and was lioncu-ably
discharged in Xew York city nn July 20,
1865.
From the effects of privation and ex-
posure Captain Bennett left tlie army in im-
paired health, and it was not unt 1 the follow-
ing year that he felt able to embark in busi-
ness. Then locating at To\yanda. Pennsyl-
vania, he opened i p a bottling establishment,
which business he sold four years later and
rem.ived tn ^Nleadville. in the same state, and
there continued in the same line. In 1887
he sold this plant also and came to Kansas
and, locating in this city, at 406 North Main
street, opened up a similar business. In the
following winter lie built where h.e is now
li'cated, liis estalilishment being a brick
structure, twenty-live by seventy-tive feet in
dimensions, with a basement. He is a care-
ful and skilled chemist and all of his prepar-
ations are made under his own supervision.
The business has grown enormously and he
now ships his products all over western Kan-
sas, east as far as Florence, and south into
the Territory and as far as Texas, manufact-
uring on an average two hundred cases a
day, and his product is of uniform excel-
lence. During the summer seasons when
there is a greater demand he manufactures
on an extensive scale.
Captain Bennett has long been an active
and valued member of the Repulilican party,
has served in the city council and frequently
as a member of conventions, always being
a delegate. Being a great sufferer from
rheumatism, as a result of army exposure,
he is net able to accept many prominent
official positions, but is a member of Byron
L' d-e. Xo. 197, Knights of Pythias, and
miL- Mt the charter members of LaRue divi-
-ii n. Xo. a. Uniform Rank, and was its first
captain. He has served as delegate a num-
ber of times to higher orders, and for four
years was colonel of the Fourth regiment of
the order. He was also commander of the
Meadville Post for three years and is a mem-
ber of the Joe Hooker Post, G. A. R., No.
19, of which he has served as adjutant, and
is a member also of Reno Lodge No. 99,
I. O. O. F.
In 1S75, in Xew York, Captain Bennett
I was married to ]\Iary E. Brown, a daughter
I of James Brown, wdio was then a farmer of
I that state, but now resides with our sub-
] ject, at the age of eighty-three years. The
five children born to this union are as fol-
lows : Adelaide, who is the widow of Craw-
ford R. Thoburn, a son of Bishop Thoburn,
I and a resident of Oregon; Charles G. ; Eliz-
abeth; Helen and Josephine. Much of the
management of the business has lately de-
volved upon Charles G., as our subject is
much incapacitated at times with rheuma-
tism, and he has proven himself a very able
assistant. Captain Bennett has lately re-
built and remodeled his residence on Avenue
A, and he also dealt considerably in city lots
soon after locating here. He was one of the
company that built the Penns\-l\-ania Salt
Company's works.
JOHX A. LANG.
To a student of biography there is noth-
ing more interesting than to examine the
life history of a self-made man and to detect
the elements of character which have en-
abled him to pass on the higbwav of life
many of the companions of his youth who
at the outset of their careers were more ad-
i vantageously ec|uipped or endowed. The
subject of this review has through his own
exertions attained an honorable position and
marked prestige among the representative
men of the west, and with signal consistency
it may be said that he is the architect of his
own fortunes and one whose success amply
justifies the application of the somewhat
hackneyed but most expressive title, "a self-
made man."
John A. Lang is one of the jirominent
and enterprising business men of Ellsworth
county, and is now vice president of the
Bank of Wilson. He also has extensive
grain, farming audi stock-raising- interests
and is one of the prosperous men of the
Sunflower state where he has made his home
I since 1879. He was born near Appleton,
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Missouri, in Xoveniber, 1840, and is of Ger-
man lineage, his father having been a native
I if W'urtemberg, whence he came to America
in early manhood. He was a graduate in
medicine in Germany and afterward prac-
ticed in Missouri, where he acquired an ex-
cellent reputation as a skillful physician. He
married ]\Irs. Dorothy (Schrumpf) Bruihl-,
a widow, and unto them were born three
children: John A., William E., deceased,
and Emily, wife of \\'illiam H. Bedwell, of
Missouri.
The father died when the eldest son was
only seven years of age and as soon as he
attained sufficient strength and growth John
A. Lang was" forced to assume the work of
the home farm. He was thus engaged until
the inauguration of the Civil war, when he
responded to the country's call for troops,
enlisting as a member of Company E,
Eighth ^lissouri Infantry. For three years
he was with General Sherman and partici-
pated in the battles of Donelson, Shiloh and
Pittsburg Landing and in the siege of Vicks-
burg, in which he was wounded. He was
then taken to the Fifth street hospital in St.
Louis and afterward sent to Jefferson Bar-
racks, where he remained for four months.
On the expiration of that period he rejoined
his regiment and participated in the opera-
tions around Chattanooga, though his lack
of strength was such as to make it very hard
for him to keep up with his comrades on the
long marches. He remained with the army
until the close of his term of enlistment, and
then, owing to his physical condition, did
not re-enlist and so returned to ]\Iissouri.
He had manifested his loyalty and fidelity
to dutv on many a southern battlefield, and.
like the other lioys in lilue. deserves the meed
of gratitude from the country.
^^"hen he had again reached ^Missouri
I\Ir. Lang followed farming for a short time,
but soon became interested in merchandis-
ing and afterward operated a sawmill. In
1879 I's- was advised by the doctors to leave
^Missouri, for military sendee had un£ler-
mined his health, and he therefore took up
his abode in Kansas. Securing a tract of
land in Russell countv he began farming and
stock-raising. He had little capital when
he arrived there but carefully husbanded his
resources and made judicious investments in
other land and was the owner of a large
tract in Russell, Lincoln and Ellsworth coun-
ties. He then began selling portions of his
land, but now has about four thousand acres.
His main ranch is a bodv of twenty-four
hundred acres in Lincoln county and on this
he is extensively engaged in the raising of
wdieat and stock, making a specialty of short
horn cattle. He personally operates this
ranch, and in 1881 came to \\'ilson and pur-
chased his present home. He has made ad-
ditions and improvanents and the house is
now" one of the attractive residences of the
city. In the business affairs of Wilson he
has taken a prominent part, his labors con-
tributing in large measure toward the pro-
motion and successful conduct of many en-
terprises. He was one of the incorporators
of the State Bank of Wilson, and about a
year after-'N'ard was elected vice-president,
which position he has since filled and has
contributed in no small measure to the suc-
cess and growth of the institution. He has
also been one of the board of directors from
the organization. He has erected two mills
in the city and is one of the directors of the
present milling company. He is also inter-
ested in the grain business, handling the
farm products raised in this portion of Kan-
s'as, and for seventeen years he was inter-
ested in merchandising in partnership with
E. D. Schennerhorn. and they did a profit-
able and extensive business.
Mr. Lang has been twice married. He
first wedded Miss Caroline Nussbaum. in
1867, and their only child died in infancy.
After the death of Mrs. Lang he was a.gain
married, his second union being with Lizzie
Luker. In his political views Mr. Lang is a
Republican and in Ellsworth county takes an
active interest in the growth and success of
the party. He was the first mayor of ^\'il-
son and has occupied that position for sev-
eral terms, exercising his official preroga-
tives in support of all measures for the gen-
eral good. Socially he is connected with
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and
with Wilson Post, Xo. 115, G. A. R.. in
which he has been commander and has also
196
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
been quartermaster for fifteen years. He at-
tends the services of the Presbyterian and
Methodist churches and contributed largely
to the support of both. Mr. Lang is a most
genial man, easily approachable by all who
may have occasion to seek an audience with
him. He recognizes the value of persever-
ance in the business affairs of life and be-
lieves also that
"He who wishes strong enough,
He who works hard enough,
He who waits long enough,
Will get what he wishes.
Works and waits for."
His character and position most hap-
pily illustrate the fact that if a young
man but possess high attributes of mind
and heart he can readily attain to a
point of unmistakable precedence and gain
for himself a place among the leading busi-
ness men of his community, and it proves
that the road to success is 0{>en to all young
men who have the courage to tread its path-
way. His life record should serve as an in-
spiratiou' to the young of this and future
generations and teach by incontrovertible
facts that success is ambition's answer.
EPHRAIM A. SMITH.
More than twenty-nine years have
passed since this gentleman: arrived in
Hutchinson and he is therefore numbered
among her honored pioneers as well as lead-
ing citizens. He has been actively and prom-
inently identified with the upbuilding and
progress of central Kansas and his name is
inseparably associated with many events and
enterprises which have contributed to the
development of this part of the state. Long
since has he passed the Psalmist's span of
three score years and ten, being now eighty-
six years of age, but he is still engaged in
business and his activity in the affairs of life
should put to shame many a man of less
resolute spirit, who in the prime of life, hav-
ing grown weary of -the cares and struggles
of business life, would relegate to others the
burdens that he should bear. Throughout
a long, useful and h.onorable career, Mr.
Smith has enjoyed the high regard of his
fellow men, and this work would be incom-
plete without the record of his career.
Captain Smith — for by that title he is
uniformly known — was bcrn in AMiiting-
ham, ^^■indham county, Vermont, April 25,
181 5, and represents a fam.ily that was
founded in America in early colonial days.
His great-grandfather, Ephraim Smith,
came from England, and on the maternal
side the ancestry of the Captain were Scotch.
Ephraim Smith, the grandfather, was a sol-
dier in the Revolutionary war and when the
country became again involved in war with
England, in 1812, the father of our subject,
oltered his services to the government and
went forth in defense of the republic. He
was born in Danvers, Massachusetts, and in
the war of 1812 served as sergeant of ma-
rines. Throughout his business career he en-
gaged in merchandising. He was married in
Salem, Massachusetts, in 1812, to Martha
Ireland, and subsequently removed to Vev-
mont, where he remained until 1835, when
he took up his abode in what is now Living-
ston county, \ew York. Later he removed
to Indiana and erttered land from the go\-ern-
ment in Whitley county, where he remained
until his death, which occurred when he was
eighty-five years of age. He was a strong
anti-slavery man, took an active interest in
political affairs, and while residing in Ver-
mont was elected to the state legislature.
In religious faith lie was a Presbyterian and
for many years served as elder in his church.
Captain Smith is the second child in a
family of three sons and three daughters
and was the eldest that reached maturity.
He acquired the greater part of his educa-
tion in Massachusetts and was graduated in
an academy there in 1834. After leaving
school he engaged in merchandising with
his father until his health failed, when he
turned his attention to outdoor pursuits, be-
lieving that he would be benefited thereby.
After the removal of the family to Indiana
he lived upon the farm and aided in clear-
ing sixty acres of land. That was long
l>efore the Pittsburg Railroad w.as built and
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
197
the family huine was ia a pioneer settlement.
Af the time of the Civil war he enUsted,
but his services were not accepted on ac-
count of his health. He remained as one
of the most active supporters of the Union
cause throughout the struggle and at home
rendered very efficient aid to the govern-
ment, in fact was so active and energetic in
behalf of the Union that a price was set
upon his head by the Knights of the Golden
Circle.
Owing to an injury Captain Smith was
tinallv oljliged to abandon farm wi:'rk and
bcL;an merchandising in Pennville. Indiana,
where he remained until April, 1872, when
!ie sold his store and came to Kansas. No?
until the following June was the Santa Fe
Railroad built through Hutchinson and the
entire country was in its primiti\e condition,
giving little evidence of the wonderful trans-
form.ation soon to be wrought. Soon after
his arrival he began work with the county
•surveyor and was later elected to that office.
Sherman and Main streets were at that time
laid out, but he did the work on most of the
other thoroughfares of Hutchinson and in
the performance of his duties visited every
section of the county, thus becoming
thoroughly posted concerning land values.
His knowdedge and advice in such particii-
lars were greatly sought and he aided many
in securing desirable homes. For nine years
he filled the office of county surveyor, and
going to Kingman county he located the
ti 'wn of Kingman. Buffaloes were so numer-
I us at that time they were frequently obliged
t^. suspend work to get out of the way of
the animals. For many years 'Mr. Smith
engaged in the real estate and insurance
business, and handled much valuable prop-
ertv and conducted many important real-
estate transactions. He is still engaged in
the fire insurance business to some extent,
although he has largely laid as'ide business
cares. Indolence and idleness are utterly
foreign to his nature and his life has been a
busy and useful one in which he has acquired
a competence.
During the twenty-eight years of his res-
idence in Indiana Captain Smith was an ac-
tive worker in the ranks of the Republican
party and after coming to Kansas he took
a deep interest in its gr.nvth and success and
was honored with several local offices. For
four years he w'as a member of the city coun-
cil, and for nine years was treasurer of the
board of education, wdiile for three years
he served as deputy county treasurer in ad-
dition to his long incumbency in the office
of .county surveyor. He is a prom-
inent Mason, holding membership in RenO'
Lodge, No. 140, F. & A. M. ; Reno Chap-
ter, No. 34, R. A. M., in wdiich he served
as the first high priest; Hutchin.son
Council, No. 13, R. & S. M. ; and Reno
Commandery, No. 26, K. T. He was
treasurer of all the bodies for twelve years.
In religious faith he is a Universalist.
A very important event in the life of
Mr. Smith occurred on the 14th day of Oc-
tober, 1840, — his marriage to. Miss Phoebe
Root, wdio was born December 7, 18 ly,
and is the daughter of Joseph H. Root,
of New York. Her father, however, was
a native of Maine and for many years
engaged in the lumber business, coasting his
lumber while he resided in the Pine Tree
state and after removing to New York oper-
ated a sawmill and floated the logs down the
Genesee river. Mr. and_ Mrs. Smith are
the parents of two sons and' three daughters :
Ephraim, who was a member of Company
B, Seventy-fourth Indiana Infantry, died
during the war at Gallatin, Texas ; Hattie E.
who engaged in teaching the first public
school in Reno county, married James T.
Norman and died in February, 1886; Alida
is the wife of William R. Underwood, who
w^as city clerk for seven years and who in
the Civil war enlisted in Company F, Seven-
tv-fifth Indiana Infantry, and Company E.
Seventh Indiana Cavalry, serving for three
years in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississip-
pi as a member of the First Brigade, Sixth
Division, Sixteenth Army Corps; Alexan-
der is in the railroad service in Louisiana ;
and Caroline is the wife of Charles L. Chris-
topher, of Hutchinson. The parents are the
oldest married couple in Hutchinson if not
in the county. They are now aged eightx-
I9S
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
six and eighty-two years respectively, and
for sixty-one years they have traveled life's
journey together, their mutual love and con-
tidence increasing as year by year they have
together met the joys and sorrows, the ad-
versity and prosperity which checker the
careers of all. Uniformly respected and
venerated, amid a large circle of friends, they
are now spending the evening of life quietly
in their pleasant home in Hutchinson. •
PERRY A. EVANS.
Perry A. Evans, who is clerk of the dis-
trict court in Rice county, Kansas, and
makes his home in the city of Lyons, was
elected to the office in November, 1900. He
is regarded as one of the popular and worthy
residents of the community, in which he has
made his home since 1877, coming here in
his bov'hood days. He was born in Wayne
county, Ohio, near the city of Wooster, Oc-
tober 12! 1866, and traces his ancestrv- back
to Revolutionary stock. His great-grand-
father. Tames Evans, was a native of Wales,
and in colonial days sought a home in the
new world. When the attempt was made
to throw off the yoke of British oppression
he joined the American army and loyally
served in the cause of independence under
General Washington and General Lafayette.
James S. Evans, the father of our subject,
now resides in Sterling, Kansas. He was
reared, however, in Ohio, and there made
his home until 1877, when he came to Rice
county. In the Buckeye state he wedded
Lamenta Swan, a daughter of J. S. Swan
and a native of Ohio. In their family were
but two children, the brother of our sub-
ject being D. G. Evans, a resident of Ster-
ling.
Perry A. Evans was a lad of only eleven
summers when brought by his parents to
Kansas. He acquired a good education in
his youth and for some years was engaged
in the grocery business in Sterling, where
he made many friends and gained success
by his honorable dealing, his earnest desire
to please his customers, his pleasant manner
and Ills reliability. In 1900 he was elected
to the office of clerk of the district court
and his business and executive force well
qualified him for the position. He is regard-
ed as an active factor in Republican ranks,
keeping well informed 011 the issues of the
day and thus being able to support his posi-
tion by intelligent argument. As a politi-
cal worker he is faithful, zealous and capable
and his labors in recent years have contrib-
uted to the success of the public in this por-
tion of the county.
In Rice county, in 1887, Mr. Evans
wedded Miss Bernice Williams, of Brook-
lyn, Iowa, and unto them have been born
three children, namely: Glenn, Lamenta
and Lorena. Mr. Evans is a representative
of the Knights of Pythias, the Modern
Woodmen of America, and Ancient Order
of United Workmen. He is an intelligent,
well informed young man, who is foimd re-
liable in public and private life and whose
many excellent characteristics, manifested
from his boyhood days to the present time,
have gained for him the esteem and con-
fidence of all with whom he has been asso-
ciated.
ALONZO McMURPHY.
Alonzo McMurphy, a prominent farmer
on section 31, Sterling township. Rice coun-
ty, claims Indiana as the state of his nativ-
ity, his birth having occurred there in Por-
ter county, on the 20th of November, 1846.
His father, Moses McMurphy, was born in
Vermont, in 1810, and died in Kankakee
county, Illinois, in 1858, at the age of forty-
seven years and six months. He wedded
Ruth Hulinger, of Ohio, the wedding being
celebrated in Norwalk, that state, August
I, 1833. His bride was born in Perry coun-
ty, in 1 81 1, and was a daughter of Jacob
and Sarah (Stronsnider) Hulinger, repre-
sentatives of high Dutch fanners of Penn-
sylvania. They were numbered among the
pioneers of the Buckeye state, and there
reared four of their ten children. The moth-
er of our subject was first married in 1828.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
'99
to Jesse Cain, who died in 1832, leaving
two children, but one passed away soon
afterward. In 1833 ]\Irs. Cain became the
wife I'f ]Mr. 3,Ic]\Iurp*liy. His death oc-
curred in 1857, and in 1862, in Lake county,
Indiana, she was married to David Weed, of
New York, who was then engaged in farm-
ing in Lake county, where he had located
at an early da}?. His death there occurred
in 1875, when he had reached the ripe old
age of eighty-two years. Mrs. Weed has
been the mother of ten children and with the
exception of one all reached years of matur-
ity and were married.' Thev are: James,
who died in infancy ; Eliza, who became the
wife of Robert Ingram and died at the age
of twenty-five years, leaving an infant son,
who soon afterward passed away; Polly, who
became the wife of Walker Ross and died
in November, 1899, ^^ the age of sixty-five
years, after becoming the mother of ten
children ; Harriet, who became the wife of
Azariah \\*eed, a son of David Weed, and
after his death in' the service of the Union
army she married Sherman Drury andl is
now living in Tennessee; Helen, who be-
came the wife of Fred Westernian, who was
her second husband, and died in Lake coun-
ty. Indiana, leaving three children; jNIelissa,
who became the wife of Robert Ingram and
died in 1S93, being survived by three of her
four children : Amy, who died at the age of
nine years ; Alnnzo, of this review ; Martha,
who died in August, 1866, at the age of six-
teen years ; and Emma, who became the wife
of j\iorgan Kelly and died in Sterling, in
1884, while their two children have also
passed away. Mrs. Weed has had fifty-four
great-grandchildren and has one great-
great-grandson, Clarke Hayden. She has
been three times married and has now been
a widow for twenty-six years. From Indi-
ana she removed to Kansas in 1884 and re-
sided in Sterling until 1893. when she came
to the home of her son Alonzo.
Mr. ]\Ic^Iurphy of this re\iew was an
only son and his father died when he was
twelve years of age. He recei\ed luit a mea-
ger education, owing to the fact that it was
necessary for him to provide for his own
living. He worked as a farm hand for five
dollars a month and in the winter he re-
mained with his mother, assisting her in the
work of the fanii. In Julv, 1863, in Lake
county, Indiana, he enlisted for three years'
service in the Seventh Indiana Cavalry, re-
maining at the front until March, 1866,
when he returned home. He was in the
C]uartermaster"s department much of the time
and was wagon-master under General Cus-
ter. He was never wounded, but was large-
ly broken down in health when he left the
army, and is now a pensioner, recei\-ing
eight dollars a month.
On the nth of February, 18G7, ilr.
McMurphy was united in marria.o;e to Ruth
Mitchell, who was born in Montgomery
county, Indiana, a daughter of Daniel and
Asenath (Mullin) INIitchell, the former a
native of Kentucky and the latter of Ohio.
His birth occurred in 182 1, his wife's in
1823, and they were married in Indiana in
1846. Subsequently they became farming
people of Will county, Illinois, and IMr.
Mitchell died in Kankakee county, that state,
April 20, 1886, leaving his widow and three
of their five children to survive him. Their
children were: Ruth, now Mrs. Mc^NIur-
phy; Mary, who became the wife of Loren-
zo Smith and died in Illinois, at the age of
twenty-four years, leaving one child : Rebec-
ca, who became the wife of John Reed, of
Buchanan county, Iowa, by whom she has
seven children; Samuel, who died at the age
of se\-en years ; and \\'illiam, a farmer of
Waterloo, Iowa, and he has two children.
Unto ]\Ir. and Mrs. Mc^Iurphv has been
born but one child. Pearl Ethel, now the
wife of James J. Leatherman. of Iowa.
For one year Mr. JMcINIurphy engaged in
farming in Will county, Illinois, on land be-
longing to his father-in-law, and then rent-
ed a tract on Grand Prairie, after which he
settled on a f^ .rt\ -acre farm in Kankakee
county, Illimis. making it his home for two
years. In 1871 he sold that property and
took up his alwde in the northern part of
Rice county, Kansas, upon a homestead farm
of one hundred and sixty acres, which he
cultivated for three years, after which he
returned to the Mitchell farm for the winter.
In 1876 he again came to Sterling. Kansas.
UOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
where he engaged in the Hvery business as
a member of the firm of iVIcMurphy &
Hughes, and they also owned a stage route
from SterHng to Ellsworth. They did a
larg-e business in staging, in renting teams
and vehicles and in shipping horses and
mules from Missouri to Kansas. Their oper-
ations annually brought in- many thousand
dollars, but the business was terminated in
1881 and Mr. McMurphy became a ranch-
man in Reno county, Kansas, where he re-
mained for two years. In 1883 he pur-
chased one thousand acres of railroad land
in Rice county, for which he paid from two
dollars and eighty cents to nine dollars and
sixty cents per acre. Subsequently he added
to this and was the owner of fourteen hun-
dred acres, but he sold a portion to his son-
in-law. He is one of the leading stock-
farrners of the township, keeping on his
ranch as high as fifteen hundred head of
cattle at a time for himself and others. He
has fattened as many as four hundred head
a year, and as he ne\-er places his stock upon
the market unless it is in excellent condition
he has secured there fr: an a gc ud return on
his investments. When he came to his pres-
ent farm it was a tract of wild and unim-
proved prairie and when he located in the
connty bufi^aloes, antelopes and wild horses
were still seen, Indians also being numerous
in the locality. Upon his place he has a
splendid farm residence, large barns, excel-
lent corn cribs, and cattle sheds, all of which
he has erected and which are therefore a
monument to his enterprise and thrift. He
also has a fine orchard and groves of shade
trees, which were planted by him. He has
grown seventeen thousand bushels of corn
in a single year and his granaries will con-
tain fifteen thousand bushels of wheat.
Mr. McMurphy is a Chapter Mason and
is an exemplary representative of the craft.
He votes with the Republican party and has
served as road master. His wife is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, in
which Mr. ]\IcI\Iurphy has' served as one of
the officers. Both his mother and wife are
veteran members of the church. Mr. and
]\Irs. McMurphy have reared two adopted
-;ns, — Luther, who came to them when four
years of age and is now eighteen, and Ed-
ward Herman, who came to them when ten
years of age. Our subject and his wife are
people of sterling worth, of broad humait-
itarian principles, of deep human sympathy,
and of genuine kindness and wherever they
go they win friends. Mr. McMurphy well
deserves the splendid prosperity which has
come to him, for his life has been one of
unfailing industry and in all his dealings he
has been straightforward and honorable, so
that his record will bear the closest investi-
gation.
J. T. XASH.
The safety of the republic depends not
so much upon methods and measures as
upon that manhood from wliose deep sourc-
es all that is precious and permanent in life
must at last proceed. Macaulay has said
that the history of the nation is best told in
the lives of its individual citizens and it is
the men of prominence in a community by
which that community is jud'ged. Among
the representative and highly respected resi-
dents of Rice county is J. t. Xash. who is
now occupying the position of register of
deeds, to which office he was elected in No-
vember, 1897, on the Republican ticket. He
has served continuously in the position since
that time and his marked fidelity to duty,
his abilitv and his faithfulness have won him
the commendation of all concerned. He has
been a resident of the county since 1887 and
his identity with the Sunflower state dates
from i86g.
Mr. Nash is a native of Kentucky, his
birth having occurred at Concord, on the
Ohio river in Lewis county, July 5, 1841.
His father, Jesse Nash, was also a native of
Kentucky, but the family was of German
lineage and was founded in America by
James Nash, the grandfather of our subject,
who was born in Ccrniany and spent his
last days in Evansville, Indiana. He was a
farmer' by occupation and upon the family
homestead Jesse Nash grew to manhood.
After arriving at years of maturity he mar-
'/>f«^
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
riLi! Aliss Cynthia A. Sparks, who was born
in Fleming county, Kentucky, and was a
representative of one of the old and worthy
families of that state. The young people
lievan their domestic life in Kentucky, where
11 ey remained until 1866, when they re-
lieved to Jasper county, Indiana. For
ni.iny years of his active business career
-Mr. Nash. engaged in dealing in lumber. He
eventually returned to his native state,
where his death occurred in 1884, but his
\\i;'e passed away in Franklin county. Kan-
>,i^. when sixty-eight years of age. She was
:i ir.emfcer of the Christian church, and in
111- political views Mr. Nash was a Repub-
lican. Tliey became the parents of the fol-
li wing children: G. W., Eliza, Elizabeth,
jair.es H., John T., Jesse, Sarah, Mary B.,
Adolphus S. and Theophilus. The last
r,:aned died in Sterling, Kansas, aged fifty-
fix e years. He had followed merchandising
in Rice county, had served as a county offi-
■• ! and was well known in that portion of
. itate, being an active factor in business
I public affairs.
J. T. Nash, whose name introduces this
rd, was reared in Kentucky ar.d ac-
, iired his education in the subscription
schouls. In his youth he became connected
with the lumber business. At the time of
tlie Civil war he offered his services to the
.ui'vernment, enlisting in June, 1861, for
three years as a member of Company A,
'i bird Ohio Infantry. He remained at the
fn'ut for two years, serving in West Vir-
i.;inia, Kentucky and Tennessee. At Mur-
freesboro he was wounded, after which he
received an honorable discharge. Later he
raised a company, which became Company
A, of the Forty-fifth Mounted Infantry of
Kentucky, and was its orderly sergeant.
Later he was commissioned first lieutenant
' t Company I, but refused tb.e lieuten-
ancy, preferring to remain with his old com-
rades of Company A. With that command
he participated in the engagement at King's
Salt Works against the forces of General
Morgan. He was also in the battle of Lex-.
ington ard Cynthiana, Kentucky, and in
other engagements. Wherever ^uty called
he was found at his post and was always
faithful to the starry banner of the nation.
\\ hen the war was over he received an hon-
orable discharge and gladlv returned to his
home.
Mr. Nash afterward went to Lafayette,
Indiana, where he resided from 1865 until
1869, his time and attention being devoted
to carpentering and contracting. In the lat-
ter year he emigrated to Kansas, taking up
liis abode in Franklin county. He lived in
Ottawa until 1887, when he came to Lyons,
Kansas, becoming an active factor in the
building interests of the city. Here as a
carpenter and contractor he carried on oper-
ations until elected to public office, and erec-
ted many of the substantial structures cf
the city, which still stand as monuments of
his thrift and enterprise. He lived i;i ' t
faithfully up to the terms of his contracts
and the reputation which he enjoys in the
business circles is anunassailable one.
Mr. Nash was united in marriage ii
Frankrn county, Kansas, in 1872, to Miss
Mary A. Alford, of that county, who was
born in Wocdsfield, Monroe county, Ohio,
and was reared and educated, there. She
had one brother who was a soldier in the
Civil war and died of wounds received in
battle. Three children grace their union:
Warren ; Ella, who is assisting her fatlier as
dteputy register of deeds in the office at Ly-
ons; and Daniel, who is a student in the high
school. The family is one widely and fa-
vorably known in this community and the
members of the household occupy prominent
positions in social circles. Mr. Nash is an
advocate of Republican principles and does
all in his power to promote the growth and
secure the success of the party. His fitness
for office, his reliability and his devotfon to
the general good led to his selection for the
position of register of deeds, in which in-
cumbency he is now serving, by re-election
in the fall of 1899. He is a member o-f the
Grand Army of the Republic, belongs to the
Masonic fraternity; the Royal Arch degree
of Sterling Chapter, No. 50. He is also
identified with the Knights of Pythias fra-
ternitv, and his wife is a member cf the
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Methodist Episcopal cliurch. A man of in-
telligence, straightforward in business, gen-
ial and approachable in manner, J. T. Nash
ranks among the popular and \-alued citi-
zens of Lyons.
JOSEPH GIERTZ.
The deserved reward of a well spent life
is an honored retirement from business in
which to enjoy the fruits of former toil. To-
day, after a useful and beneficent career,
;Mr. Giertz is quietly living at his beautiful
home in Kingman, surrounded by the com-
forts that earnest labor has brought to him.
He was born in Mecklenburg, Prussia, on
the 1st of January, 1825, a son of Joseph and
Mary (Kippert) Giertz, also natives of
Prussia, where the father had charge of
large estates. Joseph was early inured to
farm labor in all its departments. When
twenty years of age he entered the German
army, in which he sei-yed for three years,
and during two years of the time he was
engaged in the war with Denmark. After
the close of the struggle he again resumed
the quiet and peaceful duties of the farm,
continuing that occupation in his native
country until i860, when he crossed the At-
lantic to America, locating first in Mason
county, Illinois, where for the following two
years he was employed as a farm laborer.
From that time until 1883 he rented land
in that county, but in the latter year he came
to Kansas, locating on land belonging to a
Mr. McGleason in Kingman county, whom
he had known in Illinois. In the following
year he went to Seward' county, Kansas, and
secured a homestead in Liberal township,
which he improved and made his home for
fourteen years, his first residence there hav-
ing been a one-story frame Iniilding four-
teen by sixteen feet. He alsn secured timi-
ber claims of a lialf section of land, which
he placed under cultivation, and there erect-
ed a frame dwelling, sixteen by fourteen
feet. In i8g8 he sold his possessions there
for six hundred dollars, receiving only fifty
dollars for his timber claim, although he had
placed about two thousand dollars' worth
of improvements on both places, including
the erection of a windmill. In the spring of
1900 he purchased his present home, consist-
ing of a residence and one hundred acres of
land, the purchase price being twenty-four
hundred dollars. His residence is now one
of the good ones in the city of Kinginan,
substantially built upon a beautiful eminence,
thus commanding a splendid view of the city
and surrounding country. The land is
farmed by his eldest son, but the place is
principally devoted to pasturage, in which
they keep from one hundred to three hun-
dred head of cattle annually.
Mr. Giertz was married in 1861, Miss
Emma Studiman becoming his wife. She is
also a native of Prussia and came to Amer-
ica with the Giertz family. Thirteen chil-
dren have blessed their union, only eight
of whom still survive, namely : John, who
carries on the work of the home place: Em-
ma, the wife of Charles Newland, a farmer
of Ninnescah township; Eliza, the wife of
James Goddard, of Indiana ; Frank, a prom-
inent farmer of Seward county, Kansas;
Minnie, the wife of Harry Heath, also of
that county ; and Laura, \\'ill and Sophia, at '
home. i\Ir. Giertz casts his ballot in favor
of the men and measures of the Democracy,
and he has served as overseer of highways in
both Illinois and Seward county, Kansas.
He is a worthy and acceptable member of
the Lutheran church, and those who know
him personally have for him high regard.
A man of great natural ability, his success
from the beginning of his residence in King-
man county has been uniform and rapid. He
has persevered in the pursuit of a definite
purpose and has gained a most satisfactory'
reward. His life is exemplary in all respects
and he has ever supported^ those interests
which are caluculated to benefit and uplift
humanity, while his own high moral worth
is deserving of the highest commendation.
WILLIAM EBBERT.
There are not many sections of middle
Kansas where the name of \\'illiam Ebbert
is not familiar, for as r ne of the leading
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
cattle men of the state, he is widely known.
The Ebbert farm and cattle ranch is situated
on section 34, in Ninnescab township, King-
man county, Kansas, and has a reputation
which extends over all this section of coun-
try.
The birth of William Ebbert was in
Pennsylvania, in York county, in 1859, ^"^
he is a son of John and Susan (Bowser)
Ebbert. His father was a native of Ger-
many, who came tO' the United States when
•a young man, having been educated in his
nati\"e country. He was an excellent farmer,
a kind father and devoted husband and was
sincerely mourned when his death occurred
in Illinois, at the age of sixty-four. In pol-
itics he had been attracted to the Republican
party, and he liberally supported the German
Baptist church, in which both he and wife
were leading members. He married Susan
Bowser, who was born in Maryland and be-
longed to a highly esteemed family of that
state. She died also in the state of Illinois,
at the age of fifty-five, and is still remem-
bered with tender affection. She was the
mother of eight children, and six of these
still survive, namely: Joseph, William,
Samuel, Lydia, Rebecca and Mary, and all
of them were reared in a home atmosphere
which was of a character to make them use-
ful and honored members of society.
When William Ebbert was about se\'en
years old the family removed to Schuyler
county, Illinois, where the father settled on
a farm and was assisted by his sons. Will-
iam learned all of the practical details of
farming, in the thorough way which is the
custom of German agriculturists, and in
later life no doubt often felt glad that his
father had been so exacting. One branch of
the liusiness, that of the scientific and. tcon-
omical management of stock, he has devel-
oped to the highest degree and through, tiiis
has become one of the most substantial and
reliable cattle men of this county.
In 1885 Mr. Ebbert came to Kingman
county, Kansas, possessing but limited
means, which he used to begin his business
in an humble way. From the first he had
faith in the promises held out by the appar-
ent fertilitv of the soil of this section, and
he was far-sighted enough to see how good
management could make this the finest cattle
country in the Union. Accumulating land,
he continued until he was in possession of
twelve hundred and eighty acres, which he
stocked with fine cattle, and by careful man-
agement and excellent judgment he has
built up a business which reflectsi upon him
great credit. His elegant residence was
erected at a cost of eighteen hundred dollars
and all his impro\-ements are in agreement
with it, in finish and completeness. Mr.
Ebbert keeps from three to four hundred
head of cattle and has one of the largest
ranches in the county.
At the age of twenty-one Mr. Ebbert
took to himself a wife, who has been a true
helpmate through all these years and who
is still spared to enjoy with him the success
which she assisted him to attain. Her cheer-
ful ciinipanidn^hip. loving care and \\-ise
housewifery did much tii encourage and help
him in Ins endeavors. She was Miss Eliza-
beth, Schuman, who was born in Eulton
county, Illinois, where she was reared and
educated. She was a daughter of George
and Annie ( Baer ) Schuman. lioth of whom
were born in Bavaria, Germany, the latter
being reared and educated in Baltimore,
Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Schuman moved
to Schuyler county, Illinois, in 1858, and the
father died there at the age of seventy years.
Mrs. Schuman is still a resident of that
place. Their children were as follows:
Leonard, John, George, Michael. Henry.
Samuel, Noah and Elizabeth. The latter is
now Mrs. Ebbert. A family of nine children
'was born to Mr. and i\Irs. Elil^ert. these be-
ing: George, who assists his father: .\nna,
who is a student in }ilcrhersion College;
Amanda, who lives at home, and her twin
sister, Mary, is a student at the above named
college; Ella, who is at home, as are also thq
younger members, — Inez, Samuel S., Jessie
May and Goldie A.
In politics Mr. Ebbert has been more or
less active, being an ardent Republican, and
exerts considerable influence in the county.
Of the German Baptist .church :\Irs. Ebbert
is a member and in that faith her children
have been reared. Eew citizens have taken
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
a deeper or more sincere interest in educa-
tional matters in this townshipi than Mr. Eb-
bert, and he has been a patron of progressive
ideas which have been of value to the cause
of education. Mr. Ebbert is a well read, in-
telligent man, who by no means devotes all
of his time to his large farm and stock busi-
ness, great as they are, but is an important
factor in almost every enterprise which
promises to be of benefit to his county and
state. In fact Mr. Ebbert has faith ini the
great future awaiting Kansas, and Kansas
has every reason to feel just as much faith
in this, her representative adopted son.
JOHN H. BROMLEY.
John H. Bromley is one of the pioneer
merchants of Kingman coimty now success-
fully carrying on business in Waterloo. He
became a resident of Galesburg township in
1877. but for almost twenty years has been
identified with the business interests of the
city, and his industry, enterprise and hon-
orable dealing have secured to him a liberal
patronage. Widely and favorably known,
the history of his life cannot fail to prove of
interest tO' many of our readers.
Mr. Bromley was born in Tennessee,
representing an old' and respected family of
that state, living just across the division line
from Lafayette, Kentucky. His natal day
Jas November 3, 1837. His father, John
Bromley, was born in Nashville, Tennessee,
while the grandfather .of our subject, John
Bromley, Sr., was one of the heroes of the
Revolutionary war and aided' in laying the
corner stone of the capitol of Tennessee. His
son, the father of our subject, was exten-
sively engaged in dealing in stock, handling
cattle, horses and mules. He also carried
on farming and was a man of extensive
business ability. He married Rebecca Mul-
lin. who was born in Tennessee, but her
father was of Irish lineage and her mother
was of Scotch descent Mr. and Mrs. Brom-
ley had a family of eight children, namely :
Jefferson ; Tennie C. ; Jessie : John H. : Jack-
son ; Jason ; Thomas ; and Laura E. Of this
number, Jason served in the Confederate
army for two w«eksi, but the service was
compulsory, and managing to make his es-
cape at the end of that time he journeyed to
Hopkinsville, Kentucky, where he enlisted
in the Union army, serving for three years
as a gallant soldier in defense of the stars
and stripes. He is now a resident of Mont-
gomery, Tennessee. The father of our sub-
ject gave his political support to the Democ-
racy, but was a strong Union man who op-
posed the secessionist attitude of the south.
Both he and his wife died when seventy-four
years oi age. They were people of the high-
est respectability and were valued residents
of the community in which they made their
home.
John H. Bromiley, whose name intro-
duces this record, was reared in Tennessee,
and early became inured to the work of the
farm. His education was acquired in the
schools there and has been largely supple-
mented by reading, experience and observa-
tion. Leaving the farm, he learned the
trade of an engineer, spending three years
at Nashville, after which he was employed
in that capacity on the river. He later gave
his attention to blacksmithing for a number
of years, and his work along that line
brought to him a fair degree of prosperity.
In public affairs he also took an active inter-
est and while living in Henderson count}-,
Kentucky, he served as deputy sheriff, mak-
ing a competent and trustworthy officer.
.After his removal to Illinois Mr. Brom-
ley was married at Shawneetown, tliiat state,
on the 7th of October, 1873, to Miss Sarah
Warren, who was born in Christian county,
Kentucky, and spent her maidenhood days in
th^ state. Her parents were Booker and
Martha (Ladd) Warren, and both died in
Tennessee.
In 1877 Mr. Bromley and bis wife came
to Kingman county, settling in Galesburg
township, where for five years he carried on
general farming and blacksmithing, but for
the past nineteen years he has been an en-
terprising merchant of Waterloo. He car-
ries a large and complete line of general mer-
chandise and his earnest desire to please his
patrons, his honorable dealing, and his un-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
205
flagging enterprise, have secured to him a
large trade, which is constantly increasing
and which brings to him a merited financial
reward for his labor. He has ever been a
citizen of worth, public-spirited and progres-
sive. When in Tennessee, he was connected
with military affairs as captain of the Home
Guards, and became quite familiar with the
art of arms and General Hardee's manual
of drilling. He has a soldierly bearing, in
manner is frank and genial, and his cour-
teous address and generous hospitality be-
speak a true southern gentleman. Waterloo
numbers him among its popular citizens, and
he well deserves representation in this vol-
ume.
SAMUEL SPICKARD.
Samuel Spickard, one of the wealthy
and honored residents of Hutchinson, was
born in Harrison county. Kentucky, on the
1 2th of June, 1864, a son of John and Mary
J. (M'cClure) Spickard, the latter of Scotch
descent. The father, who followed farming
as a life occupation, was accidentally killed
soon after the close of the Civil war.
When the subject of this review was
but a lad of ten years he was; bound put to
a hard master, with whom, he reinained for
three years, and soon after\vard he went to
Lawrence county, Indiana, where for the
following four years he was engaged at farm
labor during the summer months and in the
winter seasons he attended the district
schools. In 1884 he came with friends to
Remi ci.iunty, Kansas, locating at Hutchin-
son, but a short time afterward he went into
the country and' for six months was engaged
in the tilling of the soil. In the following
fall he removed to Edwards county, where
he secured employment on a ranch until the
spring iif 1885. wlien he purchased a claim
of one hundred and sixty acres, but after
residing on his land for six months he re-
linc|uished it and' for a time thereafter was
engaged in the livery business at Garfield,
Pawnee county. For two years, from the
spring of 188,7, ^^ rented a farm of one hun-
dred acres in that county, on the expiration
of which period he went to ^Montgomery
county and for the following year was em-
ployed on a ranch. Returning thence to
Reno county, for the succeeding two years
he followed agricultural pursuits in Clay
township. Mr. Spickard then formed a [lart-
nership with R. H. Holton, a progressi\-e
and enterprising 3-oung farmer and stock-
raiser and a sketch of whose life will be
found on another page of this volume, and
together they purchased one hundred and
sixty acres of land, the southeast quarter
of section 8. Valley township. This rela-
tionship continued through a period of about
eig'ht years, during which time they were
engaged in both farniing and the stock busi-
ness. In the latter line they soon built up a
large trade, which rapidly increased to such
enormous proportions that they began in-
vesting the proceeds in farming lands, and
the rapidity with which they made money
and added to their landed possessions was
a miarvel to their friends and acquaintances.
For a numlber of years they did the largest
business in buying and shipping cattle of any
firmi in Reno county, their shipment in one
season often running as high as four thou-
sand head, while they usually wintered about
one thousand head, and thus they fed about
five thousand bushels of grain annually.
They usually cultivated from eight to nine
hundred acres and also rented aliout five
thousand acres of pasture land. During this
time they made many improvements on their
place, including the erection of an excellent
barn, sixty by forty-eight feet, large cribs
and other outbuildings, and they also added
to their landed possessions until they were
the owners of about ten hundred and forty
acres of fine farming land, located in Clay
and Valley tuwnships, besides several hun-
dred acres of grazing land in Sumner t-wn-
ship. In 1901, however, Mr, Sitici;:!! ^I , •],]
his interest to his partner, wh. > cirrie- ' ^n
business under the name of R. H. Holton.
Since dispn-ing of his interests our subject
has made lii< Imnie in Hiitclfinson, where
he is engaged in buying .'n^d ^lii]i]iing stock.
On the-'4ili ni X(i\eml.ier, iSNo, occurred
his m.arriage to Maggie B. Reger. who was
born in Hancock county, Illinois, a daugh-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ter of P. C. and Susan ( Booth )Reger. When
fourteen years of age she left the place of
her nativity and accompanied' her parents on
their removal to Bates county, Missouri, and
from there the family went to^ Pawnee coun-
ty, Kansas, where her marriage occurred.
Mr. and Mrs. Spickard now occupy a beau-
tiful residence at No. 724 East Sherman
street, Hutchinson, where hospitality reigns
supreme. In matters of political importance
our subject supports the Democracy, but at
local elections he casts his ballot in favor of
the men whom he regards as best qualified
to fill positions of honor and trust. He is
one of the successful and self-made men of
central Kansas, but the height which he has
reachedl in the business, world is due to his
own individual eiTorts. In studying the lives
of both 'Mr. Spickard and his former partner
it is interesting to note tlie many points of
similarity in their lives. Both practically of
the same age, thrown upon their own re-
so'urces at an early age. each f(jllowing the
same line of work and residing in many lo-
calities, shifting from state to state until
both e\'entually located in Reno county, and
bv a happy chance these kindred spirits be-
came united in a partnership that made them
the most famous stock men iii this section of
the state and secured for each a handsome
competence.
JOHN GILMORE MALCOL:^!, M. D.
Prominent among the original thinkers
and progressive and scholarly professional
men of Kansas was Dr. John Gilmore j\Ial-
colni, who won much more than a local rep-
utation. He was born in Aberdeen, Scot-
land, in 1830. His father, Francis Mal-
colm, was also born in Scotland, where he
resided until early in the year 1832, when
he came with his family to Ontario, Cana-
da, locating in Oxford county. He was
a man of education and progressive ideas,
and was instrumental in a large degree in
the establishment of schools in his neighbor-
hood, and contributed liberally to the Bap-
tist church, of which he was a member.
He was married to a Scotch maiden,
Janet Mitchell, and four sons were born to
them, our subject's eldest brother being the
only survivor. The death of the father was
in 1866, but the mother survived until 1878,
and possessed almost the vigor of youth,
although she had reached her ninety-third
year. During her last years she enjoyed the
walk of nine miles through the woods to
the market at Woodstock.
The educational advantages of our sub-
ject were those obtainable in the country
schools and the Normal school of Toronto.
Undecided for a time what vocation in
life to adopt, he at length decided to
be a farmer, and it was only the un-
warranted advance in the price of desirable
land' that prevented him from becoming a
tiller of the soil instead' of the leader of
many lines of modern research, both in and
out of his profession. His first instruction
in the science of medicine was under a phy-
sician in Woodstock, and later in London,
Canada. At the latter point he remained
one year and then went to Ann Arbor,
IMichigan, and later to the Plomeopathic
College of New York, at whicli he graduat-
ed in the spring of 1866. Dr. Malcolm
first located for practice in ]\Iichigan, and
continued practice there fc;r the succeeding
eighteen years, at the end of which period
the failing health of his wife induced him
to trv the eft'ects of the climate of Kansas.
This advantage caused the location of our
j subject, in the fall oi 1884. iii Hutchinson,
Kansas, and he remained in active and
successful practice here until the time of his
death.
The marriage of Dr. ]\Ialcolm occurred
in 1861, to Miss Margaret Mathewson, a
daughter of Joseph Mathewson. Her death
occurred in October. 1892. her two chil-
dren being: Oliver F., who is a broker in
New York city ; and Margaret, who is the
wife of Frank V. Barton, of Hutchinson.
As previously noted. Dr. Malcolm was
an original thinker as well as a convincing
speaker. While not a follower in full of
Henry George, he believed, in the truth of
manv of his theories. On finan'i^l questions
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
he held advanced ideas, and one of these he
claimed would do away with the incentive
to crime and the accumulation of riches by
the few at the expense of the many. He ad-
vanced some excellent argaiments in support
of this theory, and did a great deal of writing
along this line. He was but a hn\ when, in
experimenting, he proved the princiiile which
has been later demonstrated i_:f u^e in w ire-
less telegraphy. He was a correspundent f<:)r
a number of medical journals and issued a
number of works which met with marked
approval by the profession. In 1895 he
brought out a work entitled "A Regional
and Comparative ^lateria Medica," which
has a classification concerning the use of
medicines in use in certain cases, different
diseases and medical agents, and in 1898 he
issued a supplement, which covers new ma-
terial in tlie same line. Dr. ^Malcolm's
death occurred December 22, 1901, and in
this connection the Detroit (Michigan)
Times, of December 28th, contained the fol-
lowing in its telegraphic news :
" Dr. ]. G. Malcolm, a former resident of this city,
is dead at his home in Hutchinson, Kansas. He
became prominent in Michigan medical circles by
diagnosing- the location ot the bullet which was tired
into the body of President Garfield and caused his
death. When the post mortem was held Dr. Mal-
colm's statement as to the location of the leaden mis-
sile of death was found to be correct. He was the
author of several medical works."
GEORGE F. HAUSER.
Banking interests are the heart of the
commercial body and indicate the healthful-
ness of trade. In times of financial depres-
sion the bank wdiich continues business along
safe yet progressive lines di es nn ire to estab-
lish public confidence than anv otlier agency,
and at all times it is a power in tlie business
world whqse influence can scarcely be exag-
gerated. One of the reliable financial con-
cerns of central Kansas is the Bushton State
Bank, of which George F. Hauser is cashier,
and in his official capacity he has become
widely known, commanding uniform con-
fidence by his straightforward methods. He
has been a resident of Bushton since 1887
and of central Kansas since 1874.
Like many of the leading citizens o-f this
ponion of the state Air. Hauser is a nati\c
of Germany, his birth having occurred in
the village of Langenau, Baden, on the 22d
of November, 1858. He is a representative
of a good family whose salient characteris-
tics are integrity, industry and morality. His
father, Fritz Hauser, was born in Baden,
July 6, 1822, ac(iuired his education there
and after arri\ing at years of maturity mar-
ried Elizabeth Obser, who was born July
8, 1826, and whose childhood w'as also
passed in Baden, the place of her nativity.
Their son George was a lad of ten summers
when the family came to the United States,
settling at Columbus, Platte county, Ne-
braska, in the spring of 18(19, where they re-
mained until 1874, when tliev came to cen-
tral Kansas, locating at Ellinwood, Barton
county. The father was a farmer by occu-
pation and carried on that pursuit in Bartori
county until his death, which occurred July
31, 1884, wdien he was sixty-two years of
age. His wife died in Ellinwood, October
6, 1900, W'hen seventy-four years of age.
Both were honored and respected for their
many good qualities and for their fidelity to
the principles of right living. Fi\'e children
sun-ived the mother : Ernest, of Ellinwood ;
William F., a resident of McMinnville, Ore-
gon; George F., of Bushton; Ludwig F., a
resident of Nashville, Kansas ; and August
F., of Bushton. They also lost one daugh-
ter, Elizabeth, who died at the age of seven
years and is buried at Columbus, Nebraska.
Leaving the fatherland at the age of ten
years. George F. Hauser was principally
reared in Nebraska and Kansas, pursuing
his education in the schools of the two states
and gaining practical experience in farm
work by assisting his father in the field. At
the age of eighteen he began teaching school
in Barton county, Kansas, and later he was
employed as a clerk in the postoffice at El-
linwood. He afterward went to New Mex-
ico in the service of the Santa Fe Railroad
Company and was also employed by the
Adams and W'ells-Fargo Express Compan-
ies, while later he had charge of the freight
208
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
department of the Santa Fe Railroad at EI-
linwood. This was followed by a period de-
voted to the real-estate business, and in 1887
he came to Bushton. wliere he was interested
in a hardware and implement store. On re-
tiring, in 1893, from that line of trade, he
managed a private bank in Bushton, and^ in
1898 took up his abode upon his farm' of
two hundred and forty acres adjoining that
village. The place is known as Cedarlawn
Farm and is one of the best places in Farmer
township, improved with an attractive resi-
dence, large barns and outbuildings and all
modern improvements. There is a granary,
a windmill, an orchard and a beautiful grove
of cedars, from which the place takes its
name. EX-erything is neat an J thrifty in
appearance, indicating the careful supervi-
sion of an enterprising owner, who in addi-
tion to his agricultural interests fills the ofifice
before mentioned! — that of cashier of the
Bushton State Bank. Also, he is specially
interested in his orchard and select herd of
shorthorn cattle. During the years 1874-6
he herded cattle on the plains in the sum-
mer, being in the saddle day after day, rafn
or shine, and attended school during the
winter months.
March 28, 1883. ^vhen twenty-five years
of age. Mr. Hauser was united in marriage
to I\Iiss Bianca Volkland, who was born in
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, June 17, 1858. a
daughter of William and Pauline Volkland.
She died near Bushton, August 12, 1887,
■leaving two children: Willie E., born in
Ellinwood, February 9, 1885; and Lola
Florence, born in the same city Februarv 27,
1886. On the 29th of November, 1888, in
Bushton, Mr. Hauser was again married,
his second union being with Emma Swartz,
who was born in Bettsville, Sandusky coun-
ty, Ohio, January 9, 1859, and she is a lady
of intelligence who has made his home very
pleasant and attractive. She is the second
daughter of the Rev. S. and Sarah Swartz,
the former and honored pioneer and well
known minister of the Methodist Episcopal
church. He was for many years a leading
and influential citizen of this community,
but is now living in Oklahoma. Unto Mr.
and Mrs. Hauser have been born two sons :
Ernest S.. born June 17. 1897. and Theo R.,
born July 22, 1901. In his political opin-
ions our subject is a Republican, and he and
his wife are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church, in which he is serving as one
of the trustees. His name is synonymous
with honorable dealing in all business af-
fairs; he is uniformly courteous and consid-
erate, and wherever known is esteemed for
his genuine worth of character. He, how-
ever, gratefully acknowledges that whatever
success he may have attained in life is largely
due to the teachings of Professor J. R. Bick-
erdyke, his former preceptor, whom he
holds in high regard and gratefully remem-
bers as a teacher and a proven friend.
M. FINLEY
M. Finley is a prominent and represent-
ative farmer and stock-raiser of Rice coun-
ty, where he located at an early day, and
throug'hout the intervenmg years he has
been known as an enterprising business man
of the community. He was born in Ross
county, Ohio, November 30, 1846, and was
reared to the honest toil of the farm. His
parents were Isaac and Mary (Henness)
Finley, the former a native of Ohio and the
latter of Virginia. The paternal grandfather
was John Finley, a native of the Green Isle
of Erin, in which country he was 'married,
and all of his six children were there born
with the exception of the father of otir sub-
ject.- By occupation John Finley was a
farmer, and in following that pursuit pro-
vided for the support of his wife and chil-
dren. Tbe following is the list of his sons
and daughters,— John, Moses, \\'illiam,
Mary, Jane and Isaac.
The last named was reared to manhood
in the Buckeye state and learned the car-
penter and cooper's trades, which he fol-
lowed for many years. In Ohio he married
Miss Mary Henness, and there they spent
the residue of their days, the father passing
away in 1862. He was a Whig in his po-
litical affiliations in early life and afterward
joined the ranks of the new Republican
y^ ^-^^^^-w^^
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
209
party. Ho\\-ever. he ne\-er aspired to office,
preferring that his attention should be given
to his business affairs. His wife survived
him only a short time, passing away the
same year. It was the mother who practi-
cal)}- reared the children and instructed
them, for the husband was away from home
working at his trade in order to provide for
their support. She was- a devoted and lov-
ing wife and mother, who^e gentle counsel
and kind words had marked influence over
the lives of her children. She early im-
pressed upon their minds lessons of integ-
rity and industry, and they have become an
honor to her name. Of the Baptist church
she was a consistent and honored member,
and her Christian faith permeated her entire
life. John Finley, her eldest son, was
among the first to enlist at the call of the
president for troops to aid in crus'hing out
the rebellion. He received a wound and
then returned home on a furlough, but after
recuperating his health rejoined his com-
mand and continued at the frcxnt until after
the close of the war. He then once more
took up his abode in Ohio, w'here he after-
ward died. William, the second son. en-
listed as a member of the Twenty-sixth
Regiment of Ohio Volunteers and was
killed at the battle of Chickamauga. James
also served as a Union soldier, and, becom-
ing ill, was brought to his home, where he
died not long afterward. The next of the
familv is he whose name introduces this
review, and the younger members are Scott,
who also wore the blue in the Civil war;
Isaac, who is living in Ohio; Mrs. Mar-
garet Guess ; Nancy, who died at the age of
eighteen years; Airs. Martha Wilson, of
Ohio; Mary, who died in childhood; and
Mrs. Ida Hurst.
Mr. Finley acquired a knowledge of the
elementary branches of English learning in
the public schools, and by reading and study,
as well as practical experience in later life,
he has added largely to his knowledge and
is now a well informed man. He is the only
memjjer < if his father's family who left Ohio.
His father died when he was quite young
and he was then thrown upon his own re-
sources, being strictly a self-made man.
Soon after the death of his parents he was
employed by the month as a farm hand, and
continued to serve in that capacity until his
marriage, except during the period when he
aided in the defense of the Union. He was
only seventeen years of age when, in 1S64,
he enlisted in the Ohio militia, and after
serving there for a short time he joined the
United States volunteer serAdce as a mem-
ber of .Company E, One Hundred and Fcrt)--
ninth Ohio Infantry. • This regiment was
assigned to the Army of the Potomac, un-
der the command of General Thomas, and
saw some hard service. The troops were
sent on long and difficult marches and were
almost daily engaged in skirmishing with
the Confederates. Mr. Finley participated
in the battle of Frederick, Maryland, where
the Union troops were repulsed' and made a
retreat of forty miles. After his second- en-
listment he was engaged in guardng the
White House at Washington, and on the
expiration of his term of service he received
an honorable discharge, in September, 1864.
After returning to his home Mr. Finley
learned the carpenter's trade, which he fol-
lowed in connection with farming. In 1868
he went to Illinois, where he was employed
as a f.irm hand, and after his marriage he
rented a tract of land, which he cultivated
for six years. With the capital he had ac-
quired in the meantime he then purchased a
small farm, which he continued to operate
until 1887. He then sold that property and
removed to the new Eldorado, for at diat
time the attenion of the country was direct-
ed toward Kansas and its possibilities. He
settled in Rice county, where he leased three
quarter sections of land, upcn which he yet
resides. It was then a tract of raw prairie
and he has made all of the improvements
upcn the place, including the erection of a
commodious house and barn. He has the
entire place under fence and the land is de-
voted to the raising of crops and to grazing
purposes. In connection with general farrn-
ing he makes a specialty of handling stock,
keeping on hand only high grades^ He has
a herd of fine Hereford cattle and a large '
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
herd of cows, well graded, owning several
fnll-blooded animals. He has a reputation
for the excellent grade of stock which he
places upon the market, and he finds a ready
sale for all of the calves of which he wishes
to dispose, receiving high prices. For many-
years he has always purchased and bunched
cattle and he always has a good bunch on
hand on his farm. His business ability has
made him widely recognized as a capable
financ'er, and his enterprise and thrift have
won for him a \ery desirable competence.
He has purchased a well improved farm,
which he rents, and he also owns two resi-
dence properties in Lyons, the rental from
which adds materially to his income.
Air. Finley was first married in 1869, to
Aliss :\Iary W'ood, who was born in San-
gamon county, Illinois, and was a daughter
of Solomon and Mary (Preston) Wood, the
former a native of Vermont and the latter
of New York, in which state they were mar-
ried. At an early day they removed to Illi-
nois, where her father fullowed the black-
smith's trade until his life's lalxTs were end-
ed in death, in May, 1852. Only a few days
elapsed between the deaths of the parents.
The mother was a consistent an] worthy
member of the Methodist church. Their
children were Harriett, of Iowa; Harvey,
who died in Illinois in 1901 ; Aurilla, who
is the present wife of Mr. Finley: Franklin
H., of Iowa : Alary, the first- wife of our sub-
jeit: \ii-clia. now Mrs. Connor, of Illi-
ni.^is; l-.Imira, of Iowa; and Scott, who is
Hving in Lawrence. Kansas. By his first
marriage Mr. Finley had two children, Will-
iam I. and Scott, but the latter died in early
childhood. The former is still at home and
assists his father in the conduct of the farm
and in his stock-raising interests. He is also
township clerk. The mother, who was a
loyal and devoted member of the Alethodist
Episcopal church, passed away on the loth
of February, 1876, and in July. 1877, Mr.
Finley was again married. She was born
and reared in Illinois. Mr. and' Mrs. Finley
and their son William are identified with the
Alethodist Episcopal church, in which the
last named has held membership since the
age of ten years. i\Ir. Finley joinedi the
church at the age of eighteen and has lived
a consistent Christian life. He has been a
liberal contributor to the support of the
church, has served as class leader and has
filled all other positions and does all in his
pc'wer to promote the work of the church and
Sunday-school. For fourteen years he has
been superintendent of the Sunday-school in
this district and has done much to promote
the cause of religious education through this
channel. He has also been president of the
township Sunday-school organization for
six years and has given freely of his means
toward the building of many houses of wor-
ship. In his political views he is a stalwart
Republican, using his influence for and fur-
therance of the party's good. He has at-
tended township and county conventions,
has filled the office of township treasurer and
has served in many other local positions.
Socially he is connected with Kit Carson
Post, No. 20, G. A. R., of Lyons, and in
political, social and business, circles he is
widely and favorably, known, his salient
characteristics being such as command con-
fidence and respect and awaken the favor-
able consideration of all with whoni he
comes in contact. To-day he occupies an
enviable position among the men of prom-
inence in his adopted county, and his life
demonstrates the advantages which Kansas
offers to her citizens, for he came here with
little capital and all that he now possesses
has been won through his persistency of pur-
pose and unflagging diligence.
HENRY C. O'HARA.
Since the days of pioneer development
in Reno county the name of Henry Clay
O'Hara has figured conspicuously and hon-
orably in connection with progressive meas-
ures which have contributed to the improve-
ment and progress of this portion of the
state. He was for some time identified with
agricultural pursuits and is now engaged in
general merchandising in Partridge, where
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
he also owns and conducts a livery stable.
His life record began in Evansville, Indiana,
where he tirst opened his eyes to the light of
day on the 17th of February, 1841, his par-
ents being John and Elizabeth 0"Hara. His
father was engaged in steamboating on the
Ohio and ^Mississippi rivers, devoting his
entire life tij that vocation. He died in 1849,
when our suliject was only eight years of
age. In the family were three children:
James E., now deceased; Henry C, and
Alice E., the wife of Hugh Hampton, who
resides at the old Hampton homestead in
Memphis, Tennessee.
Soon after his father's death Mr. O'Hara
of this review went to Hancock county, Illi-
nois, to make his home, and there grew to
manhood. When twenty years of age, in
response to the first call for Union men to
serve three years, he enlisted, becoming a
member of the Black Hawk Cavalry, August
I'.i, 1S61. The cjuota was full and there-
fore he went to jMissouri where he did scout-
ing and other service until February, 1862,
when his regiment was consolidated with
the Seventh Missouri Cavalry, under com-
mand of Colonel Schofield. Previous to this
time he had received nO' pay for his services.
After the organization was etTected he did
service in Missouri and Arkansas, pursuing
bushwhackers and guerrillas. At Lone Jack
his command encountered Price, Ouantrell
and Coffee with their troops, arbout eight
hundred Federal troops being surrounded
by some five thousand Confederates. Sev-
enty of his. company survived and some of
them w-ere wounded. Other companies of
the regiment suffered as severely. This was
on the i6th of August, 1862. Another se-
vere engagement was at Prairie Grove, Ar-
kansas,, December 7, 1862, when his com-
mand went on a forced march to reinforce
General Blunt, but before they reached him
the enemy turned on them, inflicting severe
loss. They succeeded, however, in reaching
Blunt and dispersed the TJebels. In this en-
gagement twenty of the company to which-
I\Ir. O'Hara belonged were captured. The
enemy retreated to Fort Smith with prison-
ers, where the following day the Union
forces overtook tliem and. succeeded in res-
cuing all of the captured Union troops. Air.
O'Hara had been wounded at Lone Jack,
and on account of his injury he was mus-
tered out at Springfield, Missouri, February
23, 1863. He enlisted as a corporal but was
made orderly sergeant, and thus command-
ed the company a portion of the time.
After leaving the service Mr. O'Hara re-
turned to Hancock county and for one season
took charge of a large farm owned by a Mr.
Chandler, near Warsaw. The following-
winter he became a student in the high
school of that town with the intention of
pursuing his studies longer, but in the spring
he entered a recruiting office wdiere he con-
tinued for some time. He afterward lo-
cated in the southeastern part of the count}-,
where he engaged in farming, and while
there residing he was married to Durella
Dilly, a daughter of the Rev. Samuel Dilly,
of the Congregational church. She was
bornj in Illinois. For a year after their
marriage they resided upon her father's
farm and then removed to Lewis county,
Missouri, where Mr. O'Hara purchased a
tract of land, upon which he remained for a
year. He then sold and returned to Han-
cock county, Illinois, where he Imught forty
acres of land in Wythe t. i\\ n.-hip. making
his home thercdu for three }cars. Again' he
disposed of his property and this time re-
moved to Galesburg, Illinois, where he en-
gaged in the transfer business. He next ac-
cepted a position in the freight office of the
Chicago, Burlington & Ouincy Railroad, and
after three years spent in Galesburg returned
to Bowen, Hancock county, where for eight
months he conducted a grocery and meat
market. On the expiration of that period
he sold his store and went to Clay county,
Arkansas, where he followed agricultural
pursuits for three years and in the mean-
time he became interested in the manufac-
ture of candy in Galesburg, Illinois, dividing
his time between the two places.
On the 20th of September, 1873, Air.
O'Hara arri\-ed in Reno county and located
a homestead claim in the northwest quarter
of section 24. township 26, range 7. This
he at once began to cultivate and improve.
His first home was a dugout in which he
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
lived for two years wlien he built a frame
house, walhng the cellar with rock. _The
first year he broke some sod and in the spring
of 1874 planted thirty acres to corn, but the
grasshoppers entirely destroyed his crop.
This left him destitute and he had to go
away from home and find work to support
his family. That fall he planted about sixty
acres of wheat but the grasshoppers ate the
seed wheat in the ground. The following
spring he sowed a small amount of spring
wheat. He resided upon the homestead for
seven years and in the meantime he pur-
chased the south half of section 16, township
24, range 7. To this place he removed in
the spring of 1880, building a good house of
seven rooms. Improving the place he made
it his home for some time, but when the rail-
road was built through the locality he sold
to the company one hundred and twenty
acres oi his land for the town site of Part-
ridge. In the meantime, in 1880, in com-
pany with C. Bussinger and others, he be-
came largely interested in the cattle business,
grazing about a thousand head or more in
the Indian Territory, with winter quarters
at Mule creek, in Barber county, where they
had land for the purpose. After disposing
of their interests in the territory he contin-
ued with Mr. Bussinger in the same line of
business in Reno county for two years, graz-
ing and feeding some two hund'red and fifty
head of cattle. After the town was estab-
lished on his land in Center township, Mr.
O'Hara remained at that place for a number
Oif years and engaged there in the real-estate
and insurance business until 1891 when he
took charge of the Farmers' Alliance store
in Partridge, which heiater purchased. The
business was at first an exclusive grocery
trade, but in 1899 he added a general stock
of goods, including dry goods, men's fur-
nishing gooids, queensware and in fact every-
thing found in a first-class general store. He
still carries on the real-estate and insurance
business, representing the old Hartford In-
surance Company, of Hartford, Connecticut.
In addition to his other interests he is pro-
prietor of a livery stable and in the various
departments of his business he is meeting
with excellent success.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. O'Hara were born
ten children : Levi A., a member of the
Twenty-first United States militia, now in
the Philippines; Hugh S., a resident farmer
of Reno county; Henry P., who owns the
old homestead ; Asaph, who died at the age
of five years; Alice G.,_ the wife of W. M.
Hemphill, a farmer of Reno county; Ina, the
wife of Harry Lusk, postmaster of Part-
ridge: Elsie; Don C. ; Seth, who died at the
age of three years; and Veazie. Mr. O'Hara
has given his children good educational priv-
ileges and his daughter Elsie is an accom-
plished musician and teacher of music.
Mr. O'Hara has always taken a deep in-
terest in public and political affairs and al-
ways gave his support to the Republican
party until recently when he has voted with
the People's party. He has served in nearly
all the township offices, was postmaster of
Reno Center for five years, and for four
years has served as postmaster of Partridge.
His service on the school board covers a
period of sixteen years, during which time
he did much to raise the standard of educa-
tion in his district. Fraternally he is identi-
fied with the Ancient Order of United Work-
men. In Partridge he ij a most valued citi-
zen and has been identified with nearl_v everv
movement that has contributed to its up-
building and progress. He assisted in the
building of the elevator and creamery and
was a mernber of the building committee of
the school board when the qew school house
was erected. Since 1886 he has been agent
for the Santa Fe Town Company, transact-
ing their business and looking after their in-
terests in Partridge. He has erected alto-
gether eight residences and business blocks
in the town and he was one of the organizers
of the Congregational church here, both he
and his wife becoming charter menfbers in
the fall of 1873. He has since served on
the official board and has also been active
in Sunday-school work as teacher and super-
intendent. In the fall of 1888 he was com-
missioned notary public and for twelve years
served in that capacity ; he has also been jus-
tice of the peace, and thus in official, busi-
ness, church and social life he has contrib-
uted in large measure to the ad\'ancement
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
and upbuilding of the town, deserving men-
tion among its most prominent and enter-
prising men.
THO^IAS O. FOX.
Thomas O. Fox, who is carrying on ag-
ricultural pursuits on the southeast corner
of section twenty-twn. tnwii^liip fifteen,
range nine, Ellsworth ii;\vii>hip, claims
Ohio as the state uf hi^- nativity, for his birth
occurred there in Ashland county on the 8th
of March, 1850. On the paternal side he is
of Geiman lineage, for his father, David
Fox, was a native of that country. When a
lad of fourteen years he crossed the Atlantic
to America, locating in Ohio, where he form-
Q'\ the acquaintance of Matilda Watson, who
was reared in Ohio. They were married
and began their domestic life in the Buck-
e\e state. The father was an attorney-at-
1' w, but devoted much of his life to farming
iid stock-raising, making a specialty of the
eeding of fine stock. His death occurred
1'; Ohio, in' 1884, and his wife passed away
m 1898. He was prominent in public and
Iticial life, and his opinions carried weight
'Pong his fellow townsmen, who recog-
ized his devotion to the public good.
Thomas O. Fox was one of five children,
Mt whom four are now living, namely:
James W., a policeman in Wichita, Kansas;
Allan C, who is living on the old' homestead
at Hayesville, Ohio; Mrs. Elizabeth Far-
shing, of Cleveland, Ohio; and Thomas O.,
J who was the third of the family.
* Under the parental roof at Hayesville
\ our subject was reared and when he was
i quite young the care of the farm devolved
f largely upon him, for his older brothers had
enlisted in the service of their country as
members of the Union army. He pursued
his education in the common schools and re-
mained at home until iSj.^, when, in the
month of March, he started with three com-
panions for the Sunflower state, where he
arrived on the anniversary of his birth, the
Nth of March. He continued in Ellsworth
c unty until the following September, when,
in company with his brother, J. W., and a
Mr. Zimmerman, he engaged in the stock
business, going to Iowa, where he purchased
ten hundred and sixty-five head of sheep,
which they drove across the country, being
seventy days upon the road. Until 1897
Mr. Fox engaged in the conduct of his sheep
ranch. In 1875 he purchased his present
home property, comprising one hundred
and sixty acres, to which he added until he
had' eight hundred acres in one body, and
upon this he anniially kept from fifteen to
thirfy-five hundred head of sheep. He also
engaged in the raising of grain, having
about three hundred acres of land under cul-
tivation. In 1897 he severed his connection
with the sheep industry and' has since de-
voted his attention to the raising of cattle,
keeping O'U hand about one hundred head.
He has also given sO'me attention to fine
stock, making a specialty of thoroughbred
Poland China hogs. On his place is one of
the finest buildings in the county, a long
stone barn which was built for defense
against the Indians. At one time "Wild
Bill" made his home on this place for a con-
siderable period. In his political views Mr.
Fo'.x is a Republican, and takes an actixe in-
terest in the growth and success of his party,
which he believes to contain the best ele-
ments of good government. Official prefer-
ment, however, has had no attraction for
him, although he has served on the central
committee and was active in the organiza-
tion of school district No. 49, serving as a
member of the school board during the
greater part of the time since. Fraternally
he is connected with Ellsworth Lodge, No.
146, F. & A. M.
Mr. Fox. has been twice married, hav-
ing in Ohiii, in 1872, wedded Miss I\Iary L.
Rankin, who died in June, 1873, leaving one
son, James O., who is a soldier in the regular
army, now serving in the Philippines with
the Twenty-second United States Infantry.
In 1S75 Mr. Fox was married, in Ellsworth,
to Emma A. Green, who was born in Au-
gusta, Georgia, and is a daughter of M.
Green. Her death occurred in July, 1889.
By the second marriage there were four sons
and a daughter : Edward, who is in the em-
ploy of the Union Pacific Railroad Com-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
pany ; \\'illiani C. ; Herbert ; Harry, who is
in the emply of the 'Frisco Raih^oad Com-
pany at Joplin, Missouri ; and Nellie, who is
in school. Mr. Fox is one of the respected
pioneer citizens of Ellsworth county. For
almost thirty years he has shared in the for-
tunes and aided in the development of cen-
tral Kansas. He has thus manifested his
faith in the future, a faith which time has
justified, for through the labors of its pro-
gressive citizens the counties of central Kan-
sas have taken rank among" the best in the
state.
W. D. STURGIS.
The firm of Kreider & Sturgis occupies
an enviable position in commercial circles
in Kanopolis. The junior member in con-
trol of this well equipped hardware and im-
plement establishment is W. D. Sturgis,
whose name heads this review and who is
a man of sterling worth, well deserving of
mention among the representative citizens
of central Kansas. He was born in Smith-
field, Jefferson county, Ohio, February 22,
i860, a son of the Hon. William and Kesiah
(Beresford) Sturgis, both of whom were
also natives of the Buckeye state. The
father was a school teacher by profession
and resided upon a farm in the east. He
took a ^•ery active part in public affairs and
was honored with a number of offices. In
1865 he removed to Moniteau county, Mis-
souri, where he served as superintendent of
the county schools. He is also a recognized
leader in public thought and opinion and has
the confidence and high regard of the citi-
zens among whom he lives. They have
manifested their confidence in his ability
and trustworthiness by electing him to the
office of representative to the state legisla-
ture in 1900. Hehas given careful thought
to the questions which have come up for con-
sideration in the general assembly and has
labored earnestly for the best interests of
the commonwealth. His wife is also sur-
viving, and in their family of thirteen chil-
dren our subject is the second in order of-
birth. The record is as follows : J. T., a
prominent attorney of Newton county, ]\Iis-
souri, and a partner of the Hon. M. E. Bur-
ton; Horatio Edward, who is living at
Neosho, Missouri ; George, who is principal
of the schools of Windsor, Missouri ; Reed,
who makes his home in Clarksburg, Mis-
souri; Stewart, who is engaged in teaching
at Clarksburg; Alfred Elmer; Ella, who is
the wife of Homer Henry, of Latham, Mis-
souri; Irene, the wife of J. H. Seaver, of
Springfield, Missouri; Corrine, the wife of
Budd Osborn, of Deepwater, Missouri:
Kate, and Mary. Three of the sisters ha\-e
l.ieen successful teachers.
\\'. D. Sturgis, whose name introduces
this record, remained at home until seven-
teen years of age, and was a little lad of five
summers when the family removed to ]^Iis-
souri. He pursued his education in the
public schools, and in Central College of
Clarksburg. At the age of seventeen he re-
turned to the old home in Ohio and was en-
gaged in teaching in the district schools of
that locality for three years. At the age of
twenty he went to Stanwood, ^Nlichig'an,
where he accepted a position as teacher in
the public schools, acting as principal for
two years. He afterward served as prin-
cipal in Blufifton, Indiana, and in 1885 he
came to Kansas, after visiting his family
in Missouri. In this state he engaged in
teaching in the district schools for two terms
and then accepted a position in the city
schools of Kanopolis, being thus identified
with the educational interests of the city
until 1888, when, in connection with Henry
Kreider, he established the firm of Kreider
& Sturgis and bought the small hardware
business owned by Mr. Hallenstein. Since
that time he has been connected with the
harware and implement trade. The firm has
increased its stock, enlarged its facilities and
is now enjoying a liberal patronage." In
January, 1886, Mr. Sturgis was united in
marriage to Miss Mattie Kreider, a daughter
of his partner, and they now have six inter-
esting children: Ethel, Fay, Kate, Ruth,
Alfred and Emily. Mr. Sturgis is a mem-
ber of Kanopolis Lodge, No. 324, I. O. O.
F., and is a charter member of the Camp of
Modern ^^'oodmen. in which he lias filled all
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
215
of the offices. In 1893 1^^ ^^'''^ made post-
master of tlie town, under President Cleve-
land, and served for about five years. He
has also been a miem-ber of the city council
and of the board of education since his ar-
rival in the town. His worth as a business
nian and citizen is widely acknowledged and
he has li;id marked iiilluonce upon public
prui^rc-s alnii-- iiuclleciual, ^Mcial, moral and
material lines in this place.
BAXTER COLE.
The stock interest^ arc amung the lead-
ing ones in many ]iart^ ^f the great west
and are particularl} impmtant in Reno coun-
ty, Kansas, where conditions are so favor-
able for men of ability and good judgment
to pursue this line with the greatest success.
One of the leaders in this locality is Baxter
Cole, member of the well-known and pros-
perous firm of Cole & Bigger, of Hutchin-
son, Kansas.
Mr. Cole is not a native of this state, his
birtli having taken place, on April 11, 1873,
in Darke county, Ohio. His parents were
William and Clarissa (Alexander) Cole, the
former of whom was born in Darke county,
Ohio, on March 3, 1849. His fa-
ther was Samuel Cole, a native of New-
Jersey, and he is still residing on the farm
where he settled as a pioneer, and when
the country was still the home of various
tril)es of Indians. , The marriage of Samuel
Cole was to Elizabeth Cox, also of New
Jersey. Soon after their marriage they
moved to the reputed ricli lands in Ohio,
located on a heavilv timbered tract and
through hard work and tireless energy,
changed the wilderness nf the forest into
the smiling landscape, which is not only a
pleasure to the eye Init which is the equiva-
lent of an immense anmunt nf money. Mr.
and Mrs. Cole were ]:]csscd with health and
strength, and the kind fatlier was able to
pro\-ide each son with a farm nf eighty acres,
while the }-i:)ungest has the hnme place, con-
sisting of one hundred and sixt>- acres. Ten
children were born into this pioneer home.
eight of whom inherited the robustness and
\dgor of their parents, two of their sons also
rearing large families. The youngest, El-
mer, is the only one unmarried.
The mother of our subject was a daugh-
ter of Samuel Alexander, of Union City,
Indiana, and there at the age of eighteen
}"ears she was married to William Cole, who
at that time had just reached his majority.
They settled on a farm near Greenville, and
there Mr. Cole still owns a valuable farm
of one hundred and sixty acres, its selling
price being not less than ten thousand dol-
lars. In the spring of 1886 they left their
Ohio home to make a new one in the state
of Kansas, and on IMarcli ](]. nf that vear
they reached the farm tlicv imw nccupy, in
Lodi township, near Ijimespriiigs, in Reno
county. Here Mr. Cole owns four hundred
and eighty acres of valuable land. Twelve
children were born to \\'illiam Cole and his
wife, ten of wdiom still survive, as follinvs:
Baxter, Samuel. John, George. Clifford. Liz-
zie, Perry, Burley, Rosa, and Hobart. Those
who have passed away are \Mllie, who died
at the age of two years, and Elmer, who
died in January, 1901, at the age of fifteen.
Baxter Cole, of this sketch, was well ed-
ucated in the common schools, at first with
the idea of becoming a teacher, in which his
brother Clift'ord has succeeded well, but later
this idea was abandoned in preference for a
business life. He made his home with his
parents until his marriage, which took place
on March i, 1897, to Josie Lee Brown, who
was born in Iowa, a daughter of Robert
Brown, who is now a farmer in Osage coun-
ty. Oklahoma. One son was boiMi to this
union, Robert Leoto, wlio died ;il tlie age of
thirteen months.
The extensive stock operations of Cole
& Big'ger are carried on on four hundred
and eighty acres and they have the same
amount of land under cultivation. At pres-
ent they have three hundred head of stock
cattle and two hundred and fifty head of Po-
land-China hogs, and considering that but
four years have been occupied in the ven-
ture their success has been remarkable. The
corn crop in 1901 was not up to their ex-
pectations, but it was more than compensat-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ed by the enormous yield of wheat. ]Mr.
Bigger is the manager of a mercantile busi-
ness in Hutchinson, while Mr. Cole looks
after the management of the farm and stock
He is thoroughly conversant with every de-
tail understands the properties of the soil
and has studied and put into practice the
scientific breeding and economical feeding of
cattle and stock. He takes an intelligent in-
terest in politics and is one of the leading
Republicans in his locality. Socially he is
connected with the order of Odd Fellows,
and is regarded as one of the rising young
men of the country.
AARON BOBB.
The name of Mr. Bobb is inseparably
interwoven with the history of Rice county.
He is one of its honored pioneers and most
esteemed and worthy farmers. He was the
first man that plowed land and put in a crop
in Rice county, and from that time his labors
have continuously demonstrated the possi-
bilities that lie before the agriculturist in
this portion of. the Sunflower state. He
arrived here in January, 1871, bought a
tract of land and planted a field of potatoes
in March. His first home was a sod house,
in which he resided for two years. Buffa-
loes roamed over the prairies in large herds,
deer and antelope could always be killed,
and the animals furnished an abundance of
meat to the early settlers. Ind'ans were
still in the neighborhood, spending much of
their time in hunting bufifaloes, after which
they would tan their hides and use them for
clothing or sell to the white men. Such were
the conditions which Air. Bobb found when
he emigrated westward and took up his
abode in Rice county, here to become an
active factor in the development and prog-
ress which has since placed the county on a
par with any community in the state.
A native of Union county, Pennsylva-
nia, he was born Maixh 7, 1830, and is a
representative of a family of Pennsylvania
Dutch people, whose chief characteristics
were energy, perseverance and fidelity to
their word. Daniel Bobb, the father, was
born in the Keystone state and> was a son of
Peter Bobb, also a native of Pennsylvania
and a son of a German emigrant, who was
the founder of the family in the new world.
Daniel Bobb was united in marriage to Sa-
rah Close, also a native of Pennsvlvania, and
a daughter of Solomon and Sophia (Gift)
Close. Their marriage was blessed with
seven children, namely: Marj^; Aaron, who
is now living in Kansas; Phebe; Levi; Jo-
seph, now deceased ; Samuel ; and Amelia.
In 1847 the Bobb family removed from the
Keystone state to Illinois, locating in Ste-
phenson county, that state, near Freep'ort,
where the parents spent their remaining
days, the mother passing away April o,
1892, in her eighty-fourth year, while tlie
father's death occurred May i, 1893, in the
eighty-seventh year of his age. Throughout
his entire business career he devoted his en-
ergies to farming, and thereby piovided a
comfortable living for. his family" Like his
ancestors he was indentified with the Lu-
theran church, to which his wife also e-
longed. They were people of genuine worth,
honest, faithful and reliable, and wherever
known their sterling characteristics won
them high respect and confidence.
Aaron Bobb, whose name introduces
this review, was reared in Pennsylvania
until seventeen years of age and was early
taught lessons of industry, honesty and per-
sistence. He acquired his education in the
public schools, and at the age of nineteen he
began serving an apprenticeship to the car-
penter's trade, which he mastered. bec(!m-
ing a good mechanic. After the removal of
the fam.ily to Illinois he followed that occu-
pation, and has always been identified with
the building interests of Rice county since
coming to Kansas. His knowledge of car-
pentering proved of great value to him in
this state, for, far from towns and rail-
roads, he had to depend largely upon his
own efforts for everything which he wished
not only in an agricultural but also in the
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
217
mechanical line. Hi$ use of tools enabled
him to secure improvements much more
easily than many of his neighbors who were
not familiar with such departments of work.
Mr. Bobb was married in 1856. in St.
Joseph, Alickigan, to Amelia Ann King,
who was born in Unio.n county, Pennsyl-
vania, a daughter of James King. He died
in Rice county, Kansas, at the age of
eighty-seven years, and his wife. Mrs. So-
phia King, passed away in ^Michigan, at the
age of seventy-four. They were farming
people and were consistent Christian-, h^ld-
ing membership in the Lutheran church.
Mr. and ]\Irs. Bobb took up their dcmestic
life in ^lichigan. where they remained until
1869, when, believing that better opportun-
ities could be secured in the west, they went
to Daviess county. Missouri, where they re-
mained for two years before coming to Kan-
sas. ^Ir. Bobb walked tw-j hundred miles
on making the journey to the Sunflower
state, and after viewing the countrv, being
pleased with its prospects, he returned to
Missouri for his family, his team and his
carpenter tools. Here he secured a tract of
wild land and immediatelv l;egan the im-
provement of his claim, for not a furrow
had been turned. A sod house gave shelter
to the family, and there hospitality reigned
supreme, the latch-string being always out.
A cordial welcome was ever extended to the
weary wayfarer, and many of the new com-
ers thrciugh Rice county enjoyed the good
cheer which pervaded the Bobb home. In
September, 1893, Mr. Bobb removed to his
present farm, where he new has a large and
attractive residence and a commodious
barn, together with extensive granaries,
containing three thousand busliels of wheat.
There are also sheds fur tlie slielter of stock,
cribs for the stc ring , f grain, feed lots, ver-
dant pastures and highly cultivated fields.
In fact, everything about the place is in ex-
cellent cr-ndition, the farm being one of the
finest in this portion of the country. It com-
prises seven hundred and twenty acres of
rich land, whirh yields to him an excellent
return for the grain that is each spring plant-
ed in the fields. Good groves and orchards
add to the value of the place and no im-
provement of the model farm is lacking.
The home of Mr. and ]\Irs. Bobb was
blessed with a family of nine children, six
Sills and three daughters, namely: James
a farmer who is residing near Noble, Kan-
sas ; ]\Iary A., the wife of John Altman, of
Rice county : Frank S.. who is living in At-
lanta townslii]*. Rice county: Oscar David,
a carpenter cf Denver, Colorado; Joseph
Calvin, wild is enipli:iyed as a salesman in
th^.t city; Charles Alfred, who is living in
Oakland. Californina; Anna S., wife of
Clark ]McFarland, of Miami county, Kan-
sas : John Peter, who was a soldier in the
Spanish-American war, and is also engaged
in clerking in Denver, Colorado; and Ida
Louise, who is now at home wdth her father.
The greatest loss which Mv. Bobb ever sus-
tained was in the death of his wife, wliich
occurred June 16. 1888. She had indeed
been a faithful companion and helpmate to
him on life's journey through a period of
; thirty-two years. She was of even temper-
! anient, always genial, never complaining,
and was widely loved for her kindness of
heart and mind. Her neighbors knew her
for a kind and faithful friend, and to her
husband and children she was a devoted
wife and mother. She belonged to the
Lutheran church, and the principles of
Christianity permeated her career.
Formerly Mr. Bobb was a supporter of
Democratic principles, but is now a Popu-
list. He has reached the psalmist's span of
three score years and ten. but possesses the
vigor and appearance of a man much
younger. He came to the countv with lim-
ited means, but as the years have passed has
acquired a handsome competence. He owes
nr: man. lias a valuable farm free from debt,
anil lii- w.inl is as good as his bond, for in
all Im-iiie-s transactions he is found straight-
forward and reliable. He possesses the ster-
ling qualities of the sturdy pioneers who
bravely faced the trials and hardships of life
on the plains in order to make homes for
their families and thus aided in laying the
foundation for the prcient prosperity and
progress of this portion of the state.
2l8
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
JOHX B. MXXEXT.
John B. \'incent. tlie efficient postmaster
of Hutchinscn, was born in Franlvfort, Ken-
tucky, on the 5th of December, 1845, his
parents being Leonard and Laura ( Kackby)
Vincent, the former a native of New York
and the latter of Virginia. In early life the
father went to the Old Dominion, where he
was married, and later removed to Franklin
county, Kentucky, where he engaged in con-
tract work. In 1858 he became a resident
of Knox county, Indiana, where he spent his
remaining days, passing away in 1876. In
his family were 'seven children, of whom
three are yet living, the sisters of our sub-
ject being Catherine, the wife of George \\'.
Martin, of Bruceville, Indiana, and Carolina,
the wife of William McEnder. of Frankfort,
Kentucky.
When only thirteen years of age J^hn
B. Vincent accompanied his parents to Indi-
ana and there he remained until sixteen
years of age, when his patriotic spirit was
aroused by the attempt of the south to secede
and at the first call for troops for three years'
per\ice he enlisted in Company H, Fifty-
first Indiana Infantry. The regiment was
attached to Rosecrans' division of the Four-
teenth Army Corps and he participated in
the battles of Shiloh, Perryville, Stone River
and ether engagements. In the raid of Sand
mountain he was captured near Rome,
Georgia, by General Forrest and was sent
to Libby prison and afterward to Belle Isle,
but was soon paroled and a little later was
exchanged. Returning to his regiment, he
took part in the battles of Franklin. Tennes-
see, and Nashville, and after the surrender
of General Lee his regiment was sent to
Texas, doing duty on the frontier until the
CI inmand was discharged, on the 13th of
January, 1866. Although so young when
he entered the service, his military record
was creditable and he displayed valor equal
to that of many a veteran of twice his ^-ears.
Returning to. his home in Indiana, Mr.
A'incent began work at the carpenter's trade,
which lie followed until Aord, 1878. when
he came to Reno county. Kansas, to secure
a claim. He located on schorl land in Ros-
coe township and there made his home for
two years, during which time he broke sixtv
acres of land and made other improvements.
He then removed from the farm to Nicker-
son. where he accepted a position in the
shops of the Santa Fe Railrpad Company,
there remaining until the fall of 1884, when
he was elected clerk of the district court.
He filled the position for three consecutive
terms and was nominated for the fourth
term, but the Populist movement swept over
the country that year and together with the
other members of his party in this locality
he was defeated. He, however, retired from
office as he had entered it, with the confi-
dence and good will of the public.
On laying aside official cares Mr. ^^incent
engaged in business at Galena. Kansas, in
operating mines and developing mining
property. Later he was engaged in business
in Polk county, Arkansas, and there became
interested in coal mining in connection with
W. E. Burns, under the firm name of ^^■. E.
Burns & Company. He continued in that
position for only six months, for the exces-
sive freight rates entirely consumed the prof-
its on coal. On the first of April, 1896, :\Ir.
Vincent was appointed by Governor Morrill
to a position as a member of the live stock
sanitary board of the state of Kansas, a
board established to stamp out and prevent
the spread of disease among live stock. He
served in that capacity for a year and on
the 1st of July. 1897, was appointed post-
master of Hutchinson by President McKin-
ley, in which capacity he has since served,
his administration of the afifairs of the office
being practical, business-like and commend-
able. He has resided in Hutchinson since
May, 1887, and is numbered among the lead-
ing citizens. He has served as justice of the
peace in his township and in politics has al-
[ ways been stanch Republican.
I On the 25th of December, 1870, in
! Bruceville, Indiana. Mr. Vincent was united
in marriage to Miss Alice Bruce, a represent-
ative of an old and prominent family of the
Hoosier state. She is a daughter of H. J.
Bruce and her grandfather. Major Bruce,
after serving as an officer in the war of 1812,
secured a land warrant which he located in
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Indiana, the tract includino; the present site
of Brucexille, which town was named in his
honor. Socially Mr. Vincent is connected
with Joe Hooker Post, No. ly, G. A. R., of
Hutchinson, is a past commander and has
represented the local post in the encamp-
ment. In the Masonic fraternity he has at-
tained the Knight Templar degree, and' he
has also belonged to the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias
fraternity. Few men are better or more
widely known in Reno county and through-
out the state than Mr. Vincent, whose long
ofticial service has gained him a wide ac-
quaintance, while his per<Mn;i1 (|u;ilities have
won for him the friend^lnp ami respect of
those with whom he lias licen a>50ciated.
C. G. PROFFITT.
One of the finest ranches in Rice county
— known as Sunn.y Ridge Stock Farm — is
the property of C. G. Proffitt, a leading and
enterprising" farmer and stock-raiser of Ray-
mond township. Here he owns and oper-
ates eleven hundred and twenty acres of
land, his energies being devoted to the culti-
vation of the crops best adapted to this soil
and climate and to the raising of the best
grades of stock. He was born in Sullivan
county, Tennessee, in 1855, a son of John
M. Proffitt, a prominent early settler of Rice
county. The grandfather, William Proffitt,
was a native of Virginia, and was a son of
Robert Proffitt, who was born in England.
John M. Proffitt, the father of our subject,
married Ellen Smith, who died in this coun-
ty in 1874, loved and respected by all who
knew her. The father is still living, and
his history will be found on another page of
til is volume.
C. G. Proffitt, whose name initiates tliis
review, was 'a lad of eleven vears when he
accompanied his parents on their renio\-al tn
Marion county, Iowa, taking up their abode
near Pleasantville, where he assisted in the
labors of the farm. His education was re-
ceived in the public schools of Tennessee
and Iowa. He first came to Rice county.
Kansas, in .1873, t)ut shortly afterward re-
turned to Iowa. In 1885 he again took up
his abode in this county, where he has since
remained, proving an active factor in the
upbuilding and improvement of his adopted
county. He now owns eleven hundred and
twenty acres of the best land to be found in
the locality, it being improved with a good
residence, large barns, wind-mills, feed lots
and all other necessary improvements. In
addition to the raising of the cereals best
adapted to this soil and climate lie is exten-
sively engaged in stock raisni.;. dL-alini^- in
cattle and hogs. He keeps on hand from fnur
hundred tO' one thoiusand head of cattle on
his large fami, and is also an extensive grain
buyer. His Polled Angus cattle are among
the finest to be found in central Kansas. He
lias been largely instrumental in improving
the grade of stock raised in the state, and
his efforts have therefore been of public
benefit, for the improvement of stock adds
to its market value, and the wealth of the
agricultural class is therefore augmented.
In- IMarion county, Iowa, in 1876, oc-
curred the marriage of Mr. Proffitt and Miss
Sarah Elizabeth Schirner, who was born,
reared and educated in Marion county, a
daughter of Andrew Schirner, a native of
Germany. After coming to the new world
lie ser\ed as a soldier in the Unioai army
during the Civil war, enlisting in the Iowa
Graybeard Regiment, and served for three
years. He was married in Indiana to ^lar-
garet Titus, who was burn in Knox cuunty.
Ohio, and her death occurred in 1876, at
the age of sixty-two years. She was twice
married, her first husband being James
Walker, and they had four children: Jesse
D. ; F. M., who was a soldier in the Union
army during the Civil war; Emily J.; and
Eliza. Unto 3.1r. and ]\Irs. Schirner were
born five children, namely: Margaret, Si-
las, Haniiali. Sarah E. and Lawrence. ]\Ir.
Schirmr wa- called to his final rest in 1876,
when se\ cntN-fiiur years of age. The union
of our subject and wife has been' blessed \\-itli
six children : ■ Leonard, who was married,
October 8, 1899, to Bertha Wood, by whom
he has one daughter, Frances Margaret, and
they reside in Raymond township: Everett,
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Ralpli, Frank, Esta and Beiyl. In his po-
litical affiliations ]\Ir. Proffitt is'a Democrat,
and he has served as a member of the school
board. His life has been a success, but all
his achievements are the result of patient ef-
fort, unflagging industry and self-confi-
dence. During his residence in the Sun-
flower state he has so deported himself that
as a citizen and as a man of business no
man has a cleaner record or is more highly
esteemed than he.
JOHN AND JOHN F. BUTLER.
Few citizens of Ellsworth county, Kan-
sas, are better known or have been more suc-
cessful in farming and stock raising, than
John and John F. Butler, uncle and nephew,
who operate a ranch of eight hundred and
forty acres in this county. This is one of
the most desirable stock farms in this part
of ihe state, being located on both the
Smoky Hill river and on Thompson creek.
This noted ranch is owned and managed by
Tohn Butler, jr., and his nephe^v, John F.
Butler.
The Butler family is of Irish extraction.
John Butler was born in New York'city, on
December 22, 1839, ^nd ^'^^ '^^'^s a son of
James and Margaret (Hister) Butler, both
of whom were born in Ireland, but lived a
few years in New York after their emigra-
tion, dying when their sons, John and James,
were but three and five years of age. An
aunt took charge of the orphans for some
four years and then our subject, John, was
bound out to a farmer, in Sullivan county.
New York, and remained in his employ until
he was of age. At this time he received fifty
dollars in money and a suit of clothes in
payment for his twelve years of service.
A stirring life followed. In December,
1863, our subject enlisted in the United
States navy, from Brooklyn, on board the
frigate Niagara, which was the flagship of
Commodore Somers. The ship remained
in harbor until the following June, starting-
just one day too late to witness the engage-
ment between the Alabama and the Kear-
sarge. The cruise extended to Antwerp, Bel-
gium, the port being reached in thirty davs,
and until September, 1865, the vessel was
engaged in cruising along the French and
Spanish coasts and along the English chan-
nel, in search of privateers.
In September of this year the vessel re-
turned to New York and our subject was
discharged in October. Starting westward
in search of a permanent career, Mr. Butler
reached St. Joseph, ^Missouri, which was
then the terminus of the Hannibal & ]^Iis-
souri railroad. Here he spent a short time
working on the construction of the Hanni-
bal & St. Joe road, going thence to Leaven-
worth, where he was engaged as a govern-
ment teamster on the overland Sante Fe
trail. Mr. Butler started in as a driver in
a train of thirty wagons, with thlrty-fi\e
other men, and they reached Kit Carson
Crossing of the Arkansas river and there
they were snowbound. It was necessary
for them to go into camp here and it was
not until the following March that they were
released, an eastbound train then coming
to their rescue. This unfortunate band was
by that time reduced to almost the last ex-
tremity, their provisions being e.xhausted
and their clothes so worn out that "gunny-
sacks" were made use of in place of neces-
sary articles. For a considerable period their
only food had been parched corn, which
they used in all forms. The whole party,
however, survived, and although exhausted
and ill, safely reached Leavenworth.
In the spring of 1867 Mr. Butler went
to the Delaware Nation, south of Leaven-
worth, and engaged in farming and railroad-
tie making for some three months, return-
ing then to Leavenworth and hiring his
services to a Mr. Bausman for a period of
four months. In the following September
our subject went to what is now Valley-
Falls, but which then was called Grasshop-
per Falls, and there engaged " for eighteen
months in farm work, going then to Atchi-
son, w-here he reinained during the succeed-
ing two years.
In July, 1869, Mr. Butler came to Fort
Harker, in Ellsworth county, and was en-
gaged as a driver in a wagon train from
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Fort Harker to Fort Sill, returning in De-
cember of the same year. In the following
I\Iarch he located a homestead claim on the
Dry Fork of Thompson Creek, on section
34-16-7, a strip which was eighty rods wide
and one mile long. Here he made his home
until 1874, engaging in stock raising in a
small way at first, and gradual!)' increasing
until he owned some eighty head. In 1875
he sold out his claim for four hundred dol-
lars, and during the next two ^-ears. he con-
tinued grazing his own herd and also took
I in stock for others. In 1882 Mr. Butler
I bought two hundred acres of land from Eli-
, jah and Samuel Johnson, this being a part
' of his present home. A year or two later, his
brother and two children joined him in Kan-
sas. At this time his brother was a widower,
in Xew York, his two children being : Ella,
who w.as the wife of Edw^ard Peary, but now
deceased, a farmer and stockman of Mitchell
county, and John F., who is at present asso-
ciated with our subject in his large opera-
tions. As sooni as the latter reached his
majority, he was takeu into partnership by
his uncle.
Since this firm was formed the entire of
section 2.3 has been added to the original
tract, making the present estate to comprise,
eight hundred and forty acres, some three
hundred of which is under cultivation, while
from two to three hundred head of cattle
are continually kept. All of the excellent
imprO'Vements on this estate have been made
by ]\Ir. Butler, the fencing alone being an
enormous expense.
In all public, matters Mr. Butler has
taken an intelligent and public spirited inter-
est, always doinp- his full share to promote
enterprises for the advancement nf Ells-
worth ci/iunty. In politics he has always
l;een a Democrat, but has never accepted any
I 'fhce except a membership on the school
l:oard. on account of his interest in educa-
tional matters. Fraternallv he is connected
with Ellsworth Post. G. A. R.
John F. Butler was born in New
York city ou October 22. 1869, and he was
deft motherless at the age of ten years. In
1883 he accompanied his father to Ellsworth
countv to make his heme with his uncle
John, recei\'ing a hearty welcome and later
becoming his partner in business. On De-
cember 6. 1 89 1, he was united in marriage
to Rebecca E. Brown, who was a daughter
of James and Rebecca (Evans) Brown.
Airs. Butler was born in Harrison county,
Ohio, and came to Kansas with her parents
in 1889. Mr. Butler ha)s developed into
one of the leading stockmen of this county,
is universally esteemed, and is prominentlv
identified with the Masonic fraternity, with
the A. O. U. W. and the M. \V. A., of Kan-
opclis. In politics he adheres to the prin-
ciples of the Democratic party. The home
is brightened by the presence of one beauti-
ful little daughter, named Ella M.
James Butler, who is the other mem-
ber of this family, and the father of
John F. Butler, was born in New York city
on February 28, 1835. and on February 28,
1867, was married to Catherine McGovern,
who was also born in that city. During the
Civil war he was connected with the Armv
of the Potomac and took part in the battles
of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and
after faithful service was honorably dis-
charged in June, 1863. Until the fall of
1865 he was engaged in New Jersey at his
trade and then accepted a position as freight
agent for the N. Y. & N. J. railroad, latter
traveling in the interests of the firm of
i Kemp, Day & Co., frdm 18^.7 until 1870.
He then engaged in Inulding until 1883.
when he came to Kansas to make Ins home
with his brother and since that time has as-
sisted on the ranch.
Mr. Butler has taken an active part in
Democratic politics, has frequently been a
delegate to congressional, state and county
conventions, and has most acceptably filled
the oftice of overseer of liighways. Fra-
ternally he is connected with Ellsworth Post,
G. A. R., and has been sergeant in that body
at the state encampment.
The ho.me life enjoyed by this family
elicits good natured envy from the neigh-
borhood. Mr. John Butler. Sr., after an
early life of so much adventure and struggle,
is able now to enjoy some of its fruits, sur-
rounded bv those of nearest kindred, by
whom he is bel(n-e<l and appreciated. The
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
famil}- is one of the most highly respected
in Ellsworth county, not only on account
of the business ability it displays, but for
its estimable domestic virtues and exalted
citizenship.
WILLIAM ASTLE.
A worthy representative of one of the
most prominent ' and honored pioneer fam-
ilies not only of Haven township, but of
central Kansas, is William Astle. They
have ever borne their part in the upbuilding
and development of this region and have
invariably been exponents of progress and
liberal ideas upon all subjects. In 1872 the
Astle family, consisting of the father, moth-
er and eight sons and daughters, located in
the Sunflower state, where they were among
the very earliest settlers of what' is now
Haven township, and from that time to the
present no famil)- has been more prominent-
Iv identified with the various interests of
the community than the Astles.
William Astle, of this review, was born
in Derbyshire, England, on the 21st of No-
vember, 1840, a son of Richard Astle, who
was a native of the same locality, his birth
having there occurred on the 15th of Febru-
arv. 181 1. In his native land the latter was
united in marriage to Sarah Hibbert, also
a native of Melbourne, Derbyshire, Eng-
land, born on the 3d of February, 1810, and
there twelve sons and daughters were born
unto them, but three of the number, Sarah,
Harriet and Mary, died in infancy. In 1852,
after several of the children had grown to
years of maturity, and the two oldest, John
and Elizabeth, had married and located in
Derbyshire, England, the family, consisting
of the father, mother and seven children, em-
igrated to America, and after their arrival
here they located near Quincy, Illinois,
where the father was engaged principally in
gardening until 1861. In that year the fam-
ily removed to Godfrey, Illinois, near Al-
ton, where they follcrwed agricultural pur-
suits until 1866, and then removed to the
eastern portion of the county, at Alhambra.
In 1872 Mr. and ]Mrs. Astle and several of
their children took up their abode in what is
now Haven township, Reno county, Kansas,
and in the following fall they were here
joined by the remainder of their children,
consisting of six sons and two daughters,
and the father and each of the children se-
cured claims. The father's land was located
on section 20, and there he spent many years
of his life, during which time he greatly im-
proved his land and took a very active and
prominent part in the public affairs of the
locality. He served as a justice of the peace
during the early days of Haven, was very
prominent in the organization of the First
Methodist church in Haven township, of
which he was long one of the leading mem-
bers, was an ardent supporter of RqDublican
principles and was a member of the old
Manchester Union of Odd Fellows. His
death here occurred on the loth of June.
1883, and his wife survived him sfeveral
years, passing away January 22, i8qi,
aged eighty years and eleven months. Like
her honored husband she, too, was a mem-
ber oi the Methodist Episcopal church. Unto
this worthy couple were born thirteen chil-
dren, ten of w'hom grew to years of matur-
ity : John, who was born November 17,
1832, was a gardener by occupation and died
in England, September 2. 1896, aged sixty-
three years ; Elizabeth, who was born JMarch
15, 1834, and died September 28. 1899, was
the widow of Henry Barber and resided in
Melbourne, England; Richard, born Feb-
ruary 15, 1836, is a retired farmer of Haven
city, where he has served as marshal and
street commissioner; William is the subject
of this review; George, born October 21,
1842, is a prominart farmer and stock raiser
residing two miles north of Haven, and dur-
ing the Civil war he served for three years
as a member of the Ninety-seventh Illinois
Infantry, Company I; Joseph, born April
27, 1845, died in Haven in 1899. where he
was one of the leading hardware merchants ;
Sarah, born February 16, 1847, is the de-
ceased wife of Henry Challacombe, a farm-
er of Cornelius, Oregon ; Marv, born Feb-
ruary 20, 1849, is the wife of G. \\'. \'an .
Buren, a prominent early settler and farmer
residing one mile nortlieast of Haven ;
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Harry, born January 21. 1S51. is a success-
ful farmer and stock raiser northwest of
Ha\-en; and Charles W'., the youngest of
the family and the only one born in America,
iiis birth occurring on the 21st of Novem-
ber, 1854, in Ouincy, Illinois, is a retired
farmer of Haven, where he has served as
postmaster and mayor.
William Astle. whose name introduces
this review, received his early education in
England, and after coming to this countrv
he attended school for three months in the
vicinity of Ouiiicv, Illinois. He assisted his
father in the work of the farm until 1858,
when he learned the blacksmith's trade in
Ouincy, Illinois, following ^that occupation
until 1862. In that year he enlisted for
service in the Civil war, entering Company
I, Xinety-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infan-
tr}-. at Alton, Illinois, and in August he was
mustered into service at Camp Butler.
Springfield, Illinois, first under command of
Colonel Rutherford, and later the regiment
was under the command of Colonel Vif-
quain, who' commanded Bryant's regiment
during the Spanish-American war. From
Spring-field the regiment was sent to Ken-
tucky, where it formed a part of the amiy
under Buell in the campaign against Bragg,,
participating in the battle of Perryville. The
regiment then went by boat from Louisville
to Alemphis, and from there was taken by
boat to Vicksburg in Xovember, where
they formed a part of Sherman's army and
attacked Vicksburg from the north at Chick-
asaw bayou. This attack being unsuccess-
ful, the army then fell back and was taken
by boat to Arkansas Post, the army being
then commanded by John A. AlcClernand.
The pest was captured in the following Jan-
uary, after which the army was sent to 'M\\\i-
ken's Bend, just across the river from Vicks-
burg, where it remained' camped until in
April, 1863. The regiment of which ]\Ir.
Astle was a member then participated in the
campaign against A'icksburg, was also in the
battles of Pert Gibson, Champiun Hills
and Black River, and on the 19th of
]May they drove the enemy into the forts
around Vicksburg. On the 22(\ of that
month he participated in the assault on
the works and afterward in the siege
of the city until it surrendered. The
regiment then formed a part of the army
that went to the capture of Jackson, Mis-
sissippi, starting on the march on three
o'clock of the 5th of July, and after besieg-
ing the city for three or four days it was
finally evacuated and they then returned to
I Vicksburg, from which place the regiment
was sent by boat to Xew Orleans, remain-
ing in camp in western Louisiana until the
' Red river expedition, with General Wash-
burn in command, after which they were or-
dered to Xew Orleans to be fitted out as
ntounted infantry. On the way, however, the
train was wrecked, leaving less than two
hundred men fit ior duty, and these were
put on provost duty for ten months in Xew
Orleans, during which time the regiment
was recruited and participated in the expe-
dition against Mobile. They embarked on
a ship at X'ew Orleans for Pensacola. ad-
vancing thence by the ^Mobile & Charleston
railroad to Fort Blakely, and on the 9th of
April, 1865, the fort was caried by storm,
but during the assault the regiment. suffered
greatly. From Alobile they proceeded up
the Alabama river to Selma and ]\Iontgom-
ery : thence on to the coast, where they em-
barked on a ship for Galveston. Texas,
where they were discharged in July, 1865,
and at Camp Butler, Illjnois, on the 19th of
August, 1865, they were mustered out of
the service.
After the close of the war Mr. Astle re-
turned to Alton, Illinois, where he was en-
gaged in agricultural jiursuits until 1872.
and in that year he came to Kansas, locating
in Haiven township, Reno cnunty, and at
that time only about eight families resided
in the township. He immediately secured
a homestead claim on the southwest quar-
ter of section 32, also a timber claim on the
southwest quarter of section 34, and
this section of- the state was then inhabited
principally by Indians, buffaloes and ante-
lopes. At one time Air. Astle killed a buf-
falo ten miles east of where the city of Ha-
ven noAv stands. He began life on thie
western frontier in a small way, first erect-
ing a small two-rcom house, but as time
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
passed by he gradually improved his claim
and has also spent some time at his trade
of blacksmithing. having a shop on his farm.
As he prospered in his undertakings he has
added to his original purchase until he is
now the owner of about twelve hundred and
forty acres in Haven and Castleton town-
ships, but much of this, however, he has
given to his sons. He still carries on general
farming on his original soldier's homestead,
which he secured on coming to this state,
and which now almost adjoins the town of
Haven on the north, where he maintains his
residence. On this old homestead in 1885
he erected one of the finest country residences
in Reno county, the structure costing about
four thousand dollars, and his residence and
groimds aire among the most beautiful to
be found in this section of the state. He
also has one of the largest barns in Haven
township. In addition to the raising of
the cereals best adapted to this soil and cli-
mate, Mr. Astle gradually worked into tll"e
stock business, aud in 1886 he became ex-
tensively engaged in the grain and live stock
business,- establishing an office in Haven,
where business is carried on under the firm
style of \\'illiam Astle & Sim. Thev have
a well furnished dfhce lucated near the ]Mis-
souri Pacific railrnad ijn Kansas avenue,
where they are extensively engaged in buy-
ing and selling grain and live stock. In the
spring of 1901 Mr. Astle erected a magnifi-
cent grain elevator, the largest in the town,
having a capacity of twenty thousand busli-
els. Shortly after his return from the war.
on the 25th of December, 1866. and while
residing at Alton, Illinois, :\Ir. Astle was
united in marriage to Louisa L. Tisius, a
native of Wisconsin and a daughter of
Henry and Louisa ( Fraink) Tisius, both na-
tives of Germany and now deceased. The
father, who was a shoemaker by trade,
passed away at Alton. Illinois, several years
ago, and the mother died in Haven in 1900.
The union of our subject and wife has been
blessed with five children, namely: Henry
J., who is engaged with his father in the
grain and li\-e stock business ; T. F., a farm-
er near Haven: William R.. who is a farm-
er and stockman near this citv: ]. W.. who
makes his home with his parents : and Rose,
the wife of O. P. Gilmore. In political mat-
ters ]\Ir. Astle was formerly a Republican,
but in recent years he has supported the
People's party, believing it to represent the
best interests of the American people. In
1875 he \^'3S elected to the position of county
commissioner, and for the past fourteen
years he has served as a justice of the peace
and also as a notary public. He was one
of the original memljers of the town com-
pany, of which he was \'ice-president for
several years, and he still retains a number
of lots in Haven. The town is located on
railroad lanxl originallv owned bv Mr. As-
tle, and it was laid <
year in which the ^11
was coustructeJ thr.a
social relations he ha;
ut in 1886, the same
-souri Pacific railroad
gh this place. In his
lieen an Odd Fellow
for the past thirty-fixe years, in which he
has passed all the chairs, is a member of the
Grand Army of the Republic, of Haven,
and carries a life insurance in the Ancient
Order of Pyramids. He has given his aid
in many generous ways to the perpetuation
of those forces which conserve the best in-
terests of the coniiuunity. and the course
that has followed in political, business, social
and home circles commends him to- the high-
est esteem of all.
O. E. HOPKINS.
The law stands most prominent among
our learned professions because it is the only
one that involves the study and pursuit of
a stable and exact science. Theplogy, it is
true, was once considered an inimitable
science, but in these modern times we see
the props of every creed attacked and new
denominations multiplied. So it is with med-
icine, for its practice and theories succeed
each other in rapid revolution. But amidst
them all the science of law remains un-
changed, its principles as finn as the rock of
Gibraltar. Is it any wonder then that men
who follow the legal profession claim more
than a passing interest from their fellow
men? .A.nd this is especially true when they
^^^€<^-/i-^i<f^^i.J^^
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
225
have, through their own efforts acquired
more than ordinary prominence and are
known to exercise more than ordinary care
in sifting the contents of fact and brain, well
knowing that it is only on the anvil of discus-
sion that the spark of truth can be struck.
One of the most prominent legal practi-
tioners at the bar of Rice county is O. E.
Hopkins, wlm is iiow occupying the posi-
tion of county attorney, to which ofHce he
was elected on the Republican ticket in No-
vember, 1898. He stands as an able repre-
sentative of his profession in central Kan-
sas, his ability being widelv recijgnized. He
was born in ^^'arren county, Indiana, near
\\'illiamsport, on the 26th of November,
1868, ancl is a son of W. H. Hopkins, whose
birth occurred in Illinois, where the grand-
father of our subject located in pioneer days.
A^^ H. Hopkins, the fathei", was reared in
Indiana, and at the time of the Civil war he
manifested his loyalty to his country by don-
ning the uniform of the nation and joining
the Thirty-third Indiana Infantry, with
which he served until hostilities had ceased
and the preservation oi the Uninn was an
assured fact. He married Su-aii ."^cIim, Cl-
over and' in 1871 came westward with his
family to Kansas, securing a homestead
claim in Farmer township, Rice county.
This was before the county was organized,
and in the work of its establishment Mr.
Hopkins took an active part. He still owns
the homestead, and is one of the leading and
valued citizens of Rice county. In his po-
litical views he is a Republican, and was the
choice of his partv for sherifif in 1896, but
was defeated by a fusion ticket. Socially
he is connected with the Grand Army of the
Republic and with th.e Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, and in his religious belief
he is a ]\Iethodist, taking an active interest
in the work of the church. His life has been
honorable and upright, and he is as faith-
ful to all duties cf a civil nature as he was
to the military duties which devolved upon
him when he followed the stars and stripes
through the south. He had but two children
O. E., and Bertha, who is with her parents.
Mr. Hopkins, whose name forms the
captiijn of this review, was reared upo
the
homestead farm and there develojjed the
physical strength which formed the founda-
tion cf his success in life. He was early
taught lessons of industry and honesty and
was trained in the common branches of Eng-
lish learning in the common schools, after
which he pursued his studies in Salina, Kan-
sits. For a time he engaged in teaching
school, and. with the intention of making the
practice :' ' ' ' ''i'e work, he matriculated
in the 1 Mt of the State Univer-
sity of A I ■ , , : I Ann Arbor, where he
was graduated with honor in the class of
1894. He is still a student and prepares
his cases with great thoroughness and pre-
cision. From the beginning of his profes-
sional career he has met with a fair degree
of success, and his clientage is now of a
distinctively representative character.
In October, 1897, was celebrated the
marriage of Mr. Hopkins and Miss Lura
C. Collins, of Salina, a lady of superior in-
tellectual culture and refinement and a
daughter cf S. W. Collins, who is now de-
ceased. Socially Mr. Hopkins is connected
with the ^Masonic fraternity, with the Inde-
pendent Order cf ( )(M Fellriws and with the
Knights of Pythias ledge, being a valued
representative of those organizations. In
pilitics he has ever been a stanch Republi-
can and takes an active interest in the
growth and success of his party. At his
second election in November, 1900, to the
position of county attorney he received a ma-
jority of five hundred and fifty-six votes, a
fact which indicates his personal popularity
and the confidence reposed in his ability and
ofificial integrity.- He discharges the duties
of the ofhce i;i a nf'-^mpt and reliable manner.
He is a -!i' v.; :i'l\ icate before the jury and
concise in In- ;i] iic:ils before the court. He
is Si I till rinL;hl\- well read in the minutiae of
the \:'.:\\- tl-ai he is able to base his arguments
upiui tlic-fi ugh knowledge of and fainiliar-
ity with precedents and to present a case
upon its merits, never failing to recognize the
main points at issue and never neglecting to
give a thorough preparation. His pleas
have been characterized by a terse and de-
cisi\-e logic and lucid presentation rather
than by flights of oratory, and his power is
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
the greater betcre cuurt ur jury from tlie fact
that it is recognized that his aim is ever to
secure justice and not to ensliroud the
cause in a sentimental garb of illusiijn which
thwarts the principles of right and equity
in\'olved.
JOSEPH F. TAMPIER.
In the past ages the history of a country
was the record of wars and conquests ; to-
day it is the record of commercial activity,
and these whose names are foremost in its
annals are the leaders in business circles.
The conquests now made are those of mind
over matter, not of man over man. and the
victor is he wiio can successfully establish,
control and operate extensive commercial
interests. Joseph F. Tampier is one of the
strong and influential men whose lives have
become an essential part of the history of
Ellsworth county. Tireless energy, keen
;ierception. honestv of purpose, genius for
devising and executing the right thing at
the right time, joined to e\-ery day common
sense, guided by great will power, are the
chief characteristics of the man. As mana-
ger of the leading grocery house in Wilson
the place that he occupies in business circles
is in the front rank.
Mr. Tampier has been a resident of Kan-
sas since the spring of 1880. He was born
across the water, November 15, 1864, and
came to America in 1867 with his parents,
]\Ir. and ?vlrs. Joseph F. Tampier. The fam-
ily located first in \\'isconsin, and for a
year the subject of this review was con-
nected with the farming interests of the
state. They afterward removed to Saginaw,
Michigan, and while residing there the
mother died. In 1880 the father, with his
son and daughter, came to Kansas, and the
three now occupy a fine residence in Wilson,
which was erected in 1893.
On coming to Kansas Joseph F. Tam-
]jier secured a quairter section of land in
Russell county, and for some time devoted
his attention to the cultivation and improve-
ment of the tract. After three years, how-
ever, he sold the farm and ijurchased a stock
of goods in Wilson. The building in which
I he began his mercantile enterprise stood on
the east oi his present location, and there he
I carried on o|>erations until 1887. In 1887
! he erected a two-story business block, in^
which he now conducts his store. He is a
well known and highly esteemed resident of
the county, having been actively connected
with its mercantile interests for many years,
and in business circles he sustains an unas-
sailable reputation for reliability.
Joseph F. Tampier, whose name intro-
duces this record, pursued his educjitiMU in
the public schools of Saginaw am! accMm-
panied his father on the removal ni the fam-
ily to Kansas in 1880. A year later he.
cajme to Wilson and has since been asso-
ciated with mercantile interests in this city.
He induced hs father to dispose of the farm
and enter commercial life here. From the
beginning Mr. Tampier has met with a high
degree of success in his efforts. He is the
manager of the store and carries a large line
of hardware and queensware, as well as gro-
cries. As the years have passed his trade
has constantly and steadily increased as die
result of the enterprise and honorable efforts
of Mr. Tampier, and to-day the volume of
business amounts to forty thousand dollars
annually. He also engages in shipping' eggs
to both eastern and western markets, hand-
ling that product to the value of about twelve
thousand dollars each year. In connection
with other interests he is a partner in a
general store in Sterling. He is a vei'v prac-
tical, enterprising and progressive business
man, manifesting keen discrimination in the
control of his affairs, and at all times com-
mandng the confidence and respect of those
with whom he is associated. Air. Tampier
donated half of the west wall of the building
and eight feet of the lot to the Turners, who
erected a lodge room and onera house ad-
joining his business block on the east.
Ill his political views Mr. Tampier is a
stalwart Republican and keeps well informed
on the issues of the day. He has several
times served as a member of the city council
and has given his support to all measures
of reform and progress. Socially he is iden-
tified with Samaria Lodge, No. 298, F. &
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
227
A. :\I.; Ellsworth Chapter, Xo. t,^, R. A.
M. : Ellsworth Council, R. & S. M. ; and in
\\'ichita Commandery, No. 20. has attained
the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite.
He is likewise identified with the Knights
of Pythias fraternity and with tlie Knights
and Ladies of Security. He withholds his
co-operation from no movement that is cal-
culated to prove. of benefit to the city and
is justly regarded as one of the valued resi-
dents of Ellsworth. In manner he is pleas-
ant and genial, in dispositi(jn is kindly, and
the high regard in which he is uniformly
held is well deserved. His success in life
may be ascribed tcj positive, determined pur-
suit of business and to the fact that he is
a man of hones^v and integritv.
CHAI^LES R. JELLISOX.
Charles R. Jellison is a lumber merchant
of Wilson and is accounted one of the lead-
ing representatives of business interests in
the city. He is a native of Illinois, his birth
having occurred on the 8th of February,
1871, in Apple River, that state. He. was
not yet four years of age when the family
came to Kansas, and in the schools here he
began his education, which was afterward
supplemented by study in the ^^' esleyan Uni-
versity, at Salina, Kansas, where he pursued
a commercial course and was graduated
with the class of 1890. Not long afterward
he entered upon his business career', and in
1893 formed a partnership with his brother,
A. C. Jellison. in the lumlicr Ijusiness. This
connection was maintained and the business
carried on with a eood degree of success un-
til the fall of 1897. when I\Ir. JelHson, of
this revie^v, sold his interest, and from that
time until the summer of 1900 devoted his
attention to the operation of a farm adjoin-
ing \\'ilson, which he had purchased. ■ He
has one hundred and sixty acres of land,
of which one hundred acres is under culti-
vation, the remainder being devoted to pas-
turage. He makes a specialty of the rais-
ing of fine stock, having some very vain-
able Heref(jrd cattle and draft horses. This
enterprise proved a very profitable one, and
to it he gave his undivided attention until
1900, when he again became interested in
the lumber business with his brothers, W.
D. and A. D. Jellison, since which time he
has acted as manager of the lumber yard
in Wilson, in addition to supervising his
farm. He has made many improvements
upon his place, which is now in excellent
condition, and his lumber yard also indi-
cates the superintendence of a man well
accjuainted with business and in touch with
the progressive spirit of the times. It is
located- on the railroad, which affords ex-
cellent shipping facilities, and he handles
hard wood as well as pine lumber, buving
direct from southern and northern mills.
His trade extends over a wide area, sales
being made to a distance of forty miles to
the north and ten:- or t\\-elve miles to the
south, and over a radius of ten miles to the
east and west. In addition to lumber he
handles brick, lime, cement and other build-
ing materials, and has a large and growing
trade. His sales have already reached a
proportion that brings to him a very hand-
some income, making the business one of
the most important in this line in this sec-
tion of the county.
On the Jjth of September, 1803, ^Ii"- Jel-
lison was united in marriage tn ]\Iiss Iva
Bertie, daugliter of W. H. and flattie J.
Humphrey, of Wilson. Their union has
been blessed with two children. Arthur A.
and Marion Lucile. In his pi'litical views
Mr. Jellis(jn is a stawart ReiniliHcan. giving
an inflexible support to the principles of the
party. His fellow townsmen, recognizing
his worth and ability, have called him to
public oflice, and he has ser^^ed both as city
alderman and as city treasurer. He is iden-
tified with the Pyramids and with the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a
consistent and faithful member of the Pres-
byterian church, in which he is now choris-
ter, having been a member of the choir since
he was fourteen years of age. Personally
Charles Reynard Jellison is the most genial
of men. and, though his time is fully occu-
pied by the details of his large business inter-
ests, he awax's finds time to de\-ote to those
228
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
of his friends wliose calls are purely of a
social character. He is a thorough exem-
plification of the tpyical American business
n:an and e'entleman.
ALBERT COPIES.
Almost a quarter of a century has
passed since Albert Combs came to Kingman
countv. He took up farm work here, and
throughout the intervening years has been
engaged in the tilling of the soil, ranking
among the leading agriculturists. He was
horn in \"an Buren county, Tennessee, June
9, 1S31. and is a son of Simon and T^Iartha
( Murrill) Combs, who were also natives
of the same state. The former died in 1833
and the latter in 1839. leaving the following
children: :\Iahala; Ella; Theresa; Nancy;
Elizabeth: Athelia : Julia; Gideon; and Al-
bert. They also had a daughter who died in
her childhood.
Albert Combs was left an orphan at the
early age of eight years and when a little lad
cf ten vears began earning his own livelihood
bv working for twelve cents per day and
his board. He was industrious, honest and
reliable and therefore could always obtain
emplovment, but the necessity of earning his
living made it impossible for him to attend
school. His youth was largely passed upon
a farm in Camden county, IMissouri, and in
185 1 he was united in marriage to Miss
Mary Ellen Kelley, a native of Missouri,
and a daughter of Jesse H. and Lavina
( \Miitenburg) Kelley, both of whom are
now deceased. Her father was a native of
Tennessee. I\Ir. and Mrs. Combs became
the parents of three children, but two died in
earlv life. The surviving daughter, jSIar-
garet Lavina. became the wife of William
^IcKee, of \Miite township, Kingman coun-
ty. Th.e mother died in the fall of i860, in
the faith of the ^lethcdist Episcopal church,
01' which she was a consistent member, and
for a second wife Mr. Combs chose Mrs.
Nancy A. Vestal, a widow. ThcA- were
married in 1865. but she died eight months
later. Li 1869 he wedded :N[rs'! Sarah E.
(Smith) Newman, a widow of Samuel G.
Newman, who was a soldier of the Civil
war and (^ed in Libby prison, January 5.
1865. To his widoAv he left the care of
three children, namely: Edward A., of
Wichita. Kansas; Mrs. !Mary J. Corv, of
\\'atonga, Oklahoma; and Albert E.. of
Texas City, Texas. J\Irs. Combs was a
daughter of J. ^^^ Smith, who died in
Spring-field. Missouri. Her mother is still
living and makes her home in Newton coun-
ty. Missouri. Unto Mr. Combs and his
present wife have been born two children:
Eliza, who married W. F. Winfrey, and Al-
man Ernest. Both are residents of White
township, and the latter is serving as town-
ship trustee. He married Almeda Herald,
who died in Mav, 1891. leaviung a son
Herald Albert.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Combs
of this review offered his services to the gov-
ernment, becoming a member of Company
D, Sixth Missouri Cavalry, with which he
served for three years under command of
Captain Crockett and Colonel Wright. He
was with the battalion of scouts in Spring-
field, Greene county, Missouri, and was
largely" engaged in figthing the bushwhack-
ers and guerrilla bands in the woods and
swamps of Missouri and Arkansas. He was
present at ^^'ilson Creek when General Lyon
was killed. He was also with Colonel
Wright at Springfield, Missouri, and was in
General Davis" command. Li a number of
battles and skirmishes he displayed his brav-
ery and loyalty, and at the expiration of his
term of enlistment recei\-ed an honorable
discharge at St. Louis, Missouri, returning
to his home with a creditable military record
for gallant service.
Mr. Combs continued his connection with
the farming interests of Llissouri until 1878,
when he came to Kingman county and here
secured a claim which he cultivated and im-
proved until 1892, Avhen he purchased his
present farm of one hundred and fifty acres
in White township. Upon the place is a
pleasant residence and substantial barns and
outbuildings. He has a good vineyard and
orchard and the well tilled fields promise a
golden harvest. His thorough knowledge of
MR. AND MRS. ALBERT COMBS.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
229
farm work and his progressive spirit have
made him a capable and prosperous agricul-
turist. His political support is given with
unswerving loyalty to the Republican party.
He is a member of the Baptist church, and
his wife belongs to the Presbyterian church.
For thirty years he has been a member of
the Grand Army of the Republic and main-
tains pleasant relations with his comrades
of the blue. In manner he is frank and gen-
ial, in business straightforward, and at all
times is known as a good citizen well worthy
of mention among the representative men of
his adopted county.
ALMX E. SU^niERS.
Among the prominent and enterprising
agriculturists and stock raisers of Rice coun-
ty, Kansas, is numbered Alvin E. Summers,
who was born in Putnam county, Indiana.
January 30, 1872. his parents being William
C. and Mary ( Lake ) Summers. The pa-
ternal grandfather of our subject was a
native of Kentucky and a minister of the
Cumberland Presbyterian church who came
to Indiana at a very early day and settled
in Putnam county, where he improved a
gririd farm, which he carried on in connec-
tion with his ministerial duties until called
to his final rest. He was the father of five
chldren, namely: James H., of Mitchell
county, Kansas; Daniel T., deceased; Will-
iam C. the father of our subject; Amanda
and Almaza. William' C. Summers, the
father of our subject, was born in Kentucky,
in 1830, but was reared in Putnam county,
Indiana, where he married and engaged in
farming until 1872, when he came to Kan-
sas, locating a homestead in Rice county, on
which our subject now resides, and in the
spring of 1873 he built a farm house upon
it and moved his family into it. He then
commenced making permanent improve-
fnents. There were few permanent settlers
in that locality at that time and the land
was a vast unbroken prairie, but with char-
acteristic energy he plowed and prepared
a portion of his land for cultivation and in
1874 he planted his first crop, but the grass-
hoppers appeared and destroyed all vegeta-
tion. This was enough to discourage most
men, but with determined purpose he per-
severed in his effoiis to make an honest liv-
ing and finally his labors were crowned with
success. He engaged in general farming
and stock raising and became well and fa-
vorably known, commanding the respect and
confidence of all that knew him. In 1861 he
enlisted in Company C, Fifty-first Indiana'
Volunteer Infantry, under command of Cap-
tain J. W. Sheete for three years' service or
during the war. His regiment was assigned
to the army of the Tennessee and he partic-
ipated in some of the most important battles
of the war, Shiloh, Stone River and Day's
Gap in Alabamaj and many other minor
battles and skirmishes. He was never
wounded but was made a prisoner and
placed in Libby prison, where he suffered
from hunger and disease so severely that he
never recovered his health. Later he was
exciianged and at the expiration of three
years received an honorable discharge No-
vember 12, 1864. For a few years after his
return home from the war he was not able
to perform any manual labor and ne^-er re-
gained his full strength and vigor. For
this sacrifice to his country he receives
from the government a small pension. He
was married in Putnam county, Indiana, to
Miss Alary Lake, a native of that state, born
in 1833, and a daughter of Elisha L. Lake,
of New Jersey, who' became a farmer and
early settler of Indiana, remaining on his
homestead there until his children married
and scattered to homes of their own, and
his wife died, when he came to Kansas, find-
ing a good home among his children, and
died in this state at the home of his daugh-
ter, Mrs. Wright.
Unto Elisha Lake and his wife were born
the following children : Caroline, who mar-
ried Dr. Collings, and he died in the INIexi-
can war; Mary, the mother of the subject
of this sketch; Hannah, the wife of S.
Wright ; and INIartin, who died in childhood.
William C. Summers was a very energetic
\ and progressive agriculturist and by his hard
' labor and honest dealing accumulated a
230
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
handsome competence. In manner he was
ven- genial and delighted in gathering
around him his friends and neighbors for
social converse. He was kind-hearted and
charitable, ever ready to lend a helping hand
to the needy or distressed. Socially he was
connected with the Masonic fraternity and
with the Grand Amiy of the Republic. He
and his wife were members of the Methodist
Episcopal church and were actively inter-
ested in all of its work. Their home was
blessed with eight children, namely : Ethan
B., of Indiana; Elisha L., also of Indiana;
Daniel T.. nf Chicago, Illinois: flattie F.,
the wife of E. N. Curts; William C, a
druggist of Wheaton. Kansas; Laurel A., a
ph)-sician and surgeon of \\'heaton, Kansas ;
Sarah E.. the wife of -F. ^\. Becker; and Al-
\'in E.. the subject of this sketch. The fa-
ther of this family died November 26. 1898,
and was liuried in Lyons cemetery, but his
wife still sur\-i\-es him and has a good farm
and home in Kansas.
Ah-in E. Summers, whose name intro-
duces this review, was about a year old when
his parents moved to Kansas, where he was
reared among the pioneers of Rice county,
where he still makes his home. He was ed-
ucated in the common schools oi Kansas
and remained under the parental roof, assist-
ing his father in the work of the home farm,
until the latter's death, when the property
was divided and our subject received eighty
acres of the original homestead tract and
later he bought the other eighty from his
brother and now owns the original one hun-
dred and sixty acres of the homestead. His
father had also' given' eightv acres of land
to each of his other children, and built his
residence on another quarter and the home-
stead land had no buildings upon it. In
1895 our subject married and settled on one
of his father's farms and after the latter's
death he l^uilt a good house, barn and out-
buildings on the homestead and is carrjdng
on the work inaugurated by his father. He
has placed the fields under a high state of
cultivation, and carries on general farming
and stock raising.
In 1895 our subject was united in mar»
riage to Miss ?ilina M. Hill, a ladv of in-
telligence and culture, born in Sullivan coun-
tv, Indiana, October 3, 187s, a daughter of
W. F. and Elizabeth (Xorrick) Hill. Her
father was a nati\'e of Pennsylvania and her
mother of Ohio, where they were married.
He was a carpenter by trade aiid also en-
gaged in farming. In 1864 he enlisted for
service in the rebellion and served until the
close of the war, when he received an hon-
orable discharge and returned tO' his home
in Ohio, there remaining until 1872, when
he removed to Sullivan county, Indiana, and
bought a farm. In 1878 he sold the farm
and moved to Kansas, locating in Rice coun-
ty, where he rented a farm and later bought
a farm, upon which he remained a number
of years. He then again sold his place and
moved to Oklahoma, where he took up a
claim, which he has since sold and is now
living among his children in Oklahoma. His
wife died in Rice county, Kansas, in 1888.
She was a consistent manber of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church and a most estima-
ble woman. He is an industrious, honest
farmer and mechanic, plain and unassum-
ing and does not desire notoriety or public
otSce, though he was formerly a Republi-
can and now votes independently. He is a
class leader in the Methodist Episcopal
church, of which he is a consistent member.
He and his wife were the parents of ten chil-
dren, namely: Serepta J., the wife of R.
D. Hall ; Ida, who married J. W. Tarr :
Daniel N., of Lyons; George W'., deceased:
Stewart, of Lyons; Grant, now living in
Perry, Oklahoma; Rose R., who marrried
George W. Pancoast ; Anna E., who is }'et
siingle; Mina M., the wife of our subject:
and Jessie B.. who became the wife, of C.
Bailey.
Mr. Summers, of this review, is one of
the most prominent agriculturists and stock
raisers of Rice county, who by his unflag-
ging industry, determined purpose, enter-
prise and capable management has won a
comfortable competence for himself and
family. As a citizen he takes a deep and ac-
tive interest in everything pertaining to the
welfare of the community. He and his wife
are consistent and worthy members of the
IMethodist Episcopal church and take an
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
^31
active interest in the work of the church and
charitable and benevolent enterprises. They
have no children, but their pleasant home is
noted for its gracious hospitality and the
circle of their friends is co-extensive with
that of their acquaintance, and they well de-
serve the respect and high regard in which
thev are held bv all who know them.
WILLIAM A. ROSE.
One of the most highly respected, intel-
ligent and valued citizens of Reno county is
\\'illiam A. Rose, the pastor of the German
Baptist church of Lincoln township and a
well known and enterprising farmer who
since pioneer times in the history of this
county has been identified with its agricul-
tural interests. He owns and operates three
hundred and twent}- acres of land and there
is not in the township, if in the county, a
better impoved place than the property of
our subject.
Mr. Rose is a native of Franklin county,
Ohio, born July 16, 1844, his parents being
S. G. and Jane (Ogden) Rose, both of
whom were natives oi the same county. He
accompanied them on their remo\-al to Lu-
cas county, Iowa, and assisted his father in
the work of the home farm until sixteen
years of age, when, in September. 1861, he
offered his services to the government as a
defender of the Union, whose destruction
was threatened by the spirit of secession in
the south. He became a memher of Com-
pany C. Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infan-
try, and took part in the battles of Shiloh,
Pittsburg Landing and tlie siege and battle
of Corinth. He was also in the campaign
with Grant througli central ]\Iissi^sippi, then
back to ^Memphis and liy wa}- of the river
to Vicksburg, participating in the siege of
that city. After that campaign he marched
to Meridian and then returned to \'icksburg.
He then returned home on a thirty days'
furlough, and after rejoining the army he
partici]iated in the Atlanta campaign from
May until the 23d of August, being contin-
U(!usly under fire with the e.xception of but
two days. Mr. Rose also went with Sher-
man on the memorable march to the sea,
which proved that the strength of the Con-
federacy was broken, and was detached for
forage duty on that jnarch, running many
narrow escapes from being captured by the
enemy, ^^'ith his command he afterward
went north by boat from Savannah to Beau-
fort, South Carolina, and was present at the
capture of Columbia, the capital of that state,
his regiment pulling down the Rebel flag
I that waved from the dome of its capitol
building. Mr. Rose carried the flag and pre-
sented it to General Sherman's wife at South
Bend, Indiana. He served throughout the
war as a non-commissioned officer — cor-
poral and sergeant — and his valor and brav-
ery was equal to that of many a veteran of
twice his years. He participated in the
grand review in Washington, where "wave
after wa\e of bayonet-crested blue" swept
by the stand from which the president
watched the march of his victorious armies.
Returning to Iowa Mr. Rc^e entered
JMount Pleasant University to resume his in-
terrupted studies w itli tlic pm-pose of prepar-
ing for a teacher's pii 1 i'e->i« n. He afterward
spent four years in teaching in Iowa and
after his marriage turned his attention to
farming. As a companion and heljjmate for
the journey of life he chose Miss Kate Cut-
ler, a daughter of Joel Cutler. She was
l>orn in Licking county. Ohio, and with her
parents went to Iowa in 1859, the marriage
being celebrated in the latter state on the 15th
of October, 1868.
After his marriage ]Mr. Rose j^urchased a
farm of eighty acres of brush land in Iowa,
and clearing it he continued its cultivation
until March, 1873, ^vhen he came to Reno
county. Kansas, and located his present
claim. He then returned to the Hawkeye
state, and in September came by team and
wagon to his new home. All was still wild
and unimproved in this region, buffaloes
could still be shot in this locality, and Mr.
Rose could eount not less than forty car-
casses within sight of his home. He built a
residence that was somewhat in advance of
the prevailing style of the country at that
time — a two-story frame dwelling, twelve by-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
sixteen feet, one story being under ground.
In the spring of 1874 he planted sixteen
acres in corn, but his crop was entirely de-
stroyed by the grasshoppers. Discouraged
he returned to Iowa, where he renTained for
a year, engaged in farming. ' The following
year, with a replenished exchequer and new
courage, he again came to Reno county, and
this time was more successful. He rapidly
improved his place and the rich fields soon
returned to him a golden harvest as a re-
ward for the care and cultivation he be-
stowed upon them. He purchased the south-
west quarter of section 29, Lincoln town-
ship, adjoining his first purchase — one hun-
dred and sixty acres on section 32, so that
he now owns an entire half section in one
tract. He has intelligently followed farm-
ing, his methods being practical and pro-
gressive and his efl:'orts have therefore been
attended with success. He feeds a large
number of cattle, selling usually two hundred
head each year, and buying a large portion
of the grain used for feeding- purposes. The
grounds which surround his home are the
most tastefully arranged in the township,
and his farm is one of the finest and most de-
sirable in the county. He has a comfortable
and beautiful residence and his orchard com-
prises ten acres.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Rose has
been blessed with five children: ^^'alter L.,
whO' is now a practicing" physician of Har-
per, Kansas; John G.. a student in Xicker-
son College ; Loda, the wife of Alonzo Rob-
erts, of Oklahoma ; and Frank and Lena,
who are still under the parental roof. The
family hold membership in the German Bap-
tist church, of which 'Mr. Rose has been a
minister since 1889. This church was or-
ganized by Lemuel Hillery and Abraham^
Shipler in 1886, with a membership of about
twenty, including Benjamin Shester, A. F.
Miller, John Young. Amos Hartman. Peter
Hartman. Hetty Engle, William' A. Rose
and wife. George Rexrood and wife. ]\Iinnie
Negley, now Mrs. L. P. Smith, David Xeg-
ley and wife, William Rexrood. and wife.
John Showalter and wife. Catherine Al-
bright. G. W., Keedy and wife, Levi Hertz-
ler and wife and daughter Rhoda, now the
wife of Guy MclMurry, Samuel Kechler and
wife. Ella 'Miller and Mrs. IMary Gardner.
The building was erected that year on the
southwest quarter of section 27, Lincoln
township, at a cost of about eleven hundred
dollars. The first regular ministers were
Lemuel Hillery and Abram Shipler. who
were followed by Enoch Eby and A. F. Alil-
ler, the latter the present elden-. He has rt-
mained in charge for the last three years.
The congregation has increased to a mem-
bership of ninety-five.
Mr. Rose has not only been an active
worker in the interest of the local church
but gave his aid and influence toward the
establishment of the state institution of that
church — The Old Folks" & Orphans" Home,
which is situated on section 27. Lincoln
township, and is sin'rounded by eighty acres
of land belonging to the institution. Mr.
Rose has led a busy and active life aside
from his ministerial duties and the care of
his farm, for he has taken an active part in
promoting the general good along many
lines of progress. The cause of education
has found in him a warm friend and for a
number of years he has served on the school
board, acting as its clerk for some time. His
life has ever been honorable and upright and
his influence has been widelv felt for good.
J. S. XUXEMAKER.
J. S. Xunemaker is a leading represen-
tative of the agricultural interests of King-
man county, where he owns and operates
a' most desirable farm. Of excellent busi-
ness ability and broad resources, he has at-
tained a prominent place among the sub-
stantial citizens of his part of the county
and is a recognized leader in public affairs.
He has won success by his well directed and
energetic efforts, aitd the prosperity that
has come to him is certainly well deserved.
Mr. X'unemaker was born in Clinton
county, Indiana, forty--four years ago, and
is of German lineage, his grandfather,
James X^'unemaker, having been born in the
fatherland. His father, Joseph X^unemaker,
I
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
was born and reared in Hocking county,
Ohio, and after reaching years of maturity
he was there married to Clarissa Taylor, a
native also of that county and a daughter
of William Taylor, who claimed Pennsyl-
vania as the state of his nativity and was
of English parentage. Soon after their
marriage ^Ir. and Mrs. Nunemaker re-
moved to Clinton county, Indiana, where tlie
-former died at the age of fifty-three years.
He fullnwed the vocation of farming- as a
means of livelihood, and in political mat-
ters he upheld the Democracy. His widow
was called- to^ the home beyond while re-
siding in Kansas, passing away at the age
of seventy-four years. A family of ten chil-
dren were born unto this worthy couple,
namely : Lovina Jane, Elizabeth, Clarissa,
Daniel, Amanda, Thomas, Joseph S.,
Rachel, George and Alice.
Joseph S. Nunemaker, whose name intro^
duces this review, was reared to years of
maturity on an Indiana farm, and his edu-
cational advantages were those afforded by
the common schools of Clinton county. He
remained in his native state until 1885, in
which year he came toi Kansas, and after
his arrival here he purchased the quarter
section of land which he yet o-wns, located
on section 26, Ninnescah township, and
on this place he has ever since been engaged
in general farming and stock-raising. When
he took possession of the farm only a small
amount of the land had been placed under
cultivation by its former owner, William
Weiler, but he has since improved the entire
place, and his fields now annually yield tO'
him a handsome financial return for the
care and labor which he bestowes upon
them. Substantia] and commodious build-
ings adorn the place, and everything about
the farm bears evidence of a progressive
and thrifty owner.
In 1880 was celebrated the marriage of
^Ir. Nunemaker to ^Nliss Elda Lamberson,
who was born in Clinton county, Indiana, in
1857, a daughter of William Lamberson and
a granddaughter of Levi Lamberson, both
natives of -Alaryland and of English descent.
The mother of Mrs. Nunemaker bore the
maiden name of Marv Frver, and both she
and her father, James Fryer, were also
natives of Maryland. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
\Villiam Laniiberson were born sevei: chil-
dren, — Ira, John, Sarah, Phcebe, Elda, Levi
and William. The father was a life-long
farmer, was a Democrat in his political
views, religiously a Baptist, and his death
occurred in Clinton county, at the age of
seventy-one years. His Avife reached the
age (if se\ciUy-eight years, dying in the faith
it the Cliristian church, and she was loved
and hdniired Ijy all who knew her. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Nuneanaker have been born
seven children, six sons and one daughter,
namely: Ernest J., William E., Mittie
Alice, Dennis A., Schuyler and John and
Joseph, twins. Mr. Nunemaker casts his
ballot in favor of the men and measures of
the Democracy, and for many years he
served as a member of. the school- board,
the cause of education ever finding in him
a warm- friend and active worker. Such is
the record of one who has been an important
factor in the public improvement as well
as the business interests of his adopted coun-
ty. His code of morals is such as to impel
him to a just consideration of the rights
of all with whom he has been brought in
contact and toi a conscientious observance of
all proprieties of life. Thus he has retained
throughout his career friendships which
have grown stronger with more intimate ac-
c^uaintance, and all who know him estean
him for his sterling worth.
JACOB WEIGEL.
Nearly every state in 1 le Union has sent
her quota of men to Kr.nsas. and among
those that Pennsylvania h.as furnished to the
Sunflower state is Jacob Wcigel, who was
born in Erie county, Pennsvlvania, .Septem-
ber 19, 1843, 'lis parents being Nicholas and
Margaret (Iseworth) Weigel, both of whom
were natives of Germany. The father was
born about 1808, and when twenty-eight
years of age came to the United States. In
Pennsylvania he met and married Miss ise-
worth, the wedding being celebrated about
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
1837. He was a farmer and took up his
abode upon one hundred and twenty acres
of land, where he and his wife spent their
remaining days. Unto them were born thir-
teen children, eight of whom reached years
of maturity, and two, of the five sons served
in the Union army. John, the eldest of the
family, was for three years a member of the
army and was wounded January 15, 1865, at
Fort Fisher, North Carolina, his injuries
being very severe and causing him much
suffering for several years. Mrs. Weigel.
the mother, died \\-hen about forty-fix-e
years of age. The father ever remained true
to her memory, living as a widower until
1898, when he passed away, at the age of
ninety years. He was in good' financial cir-
cumstances and was a strong man physically,
mentally and morally. Both he ant! his wife
were reared in the Catholic faith, but sev-
ered their connection with that clmrch.
In his parents' home Jacob Weigel spent
his youth. In 1864 he responded to the
country's call for assistance to aid in preserv-
ing the Union, enlisting as a member of
Company I, Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania In-
fantry, with which he remained until the
close of the war, when he was mustered out
at Raleigh, North Carolina. He nnw draws
a pension of twelve dollars a month.
On the 4th of July. 1868. after return-
ing from the war, Mr. Weigel was joined in
wedlock to Miss Henrietta C. Stricklin, of
Richland. Michigan, in which place the wed-
ding was celebrated. The lady is a daugh-
ter of James Stricklin, now of Michigan.
The young couple began their domestic life
upon a rented farm in Kalamazoo county,
where Mr. Weigel carried on agricultural
pursuits for thirteen years. On the 26th of
March, 1878, he arrived in Sterling, Kan-
sas, and soon afterward took a soldier's
"homestead in Reno county, near Sterling.
His wife was in poor health, and on this
account they returned to Michigan, where
she died December 31, 18S0. at the age of
thirty-five years. She lost her first daugh-
ter at the age of eighteen and her second
•daughter ako died at the same age. For
the* past twenty-one years Mr. Weigel has
resided in the Kimliall familv and has en-
gaged in the operation of the Kimball farm
as well as his own. He has always been a
hard working man. industry being one of
his marked characteristics, and though he
has acquired a competence he does not be-
lieve in idleness and therefore continues in
the active control, of his farming affairs. In
politics he is a Republican, giving a stal-
v\-art support to the principles Oif the party.
Socially he is connected with the Grand
Army of the Republic and with the Benev-
olent Association of St. Louis. He is a man
of sterling worth, of strong convictions and
unquestioned honesty, holding his word as
obligatorv as his bond.
MOSES H. VAN BIBBER.
Moses H. Van Bibber is a well known
agriculturist of Huntsville township, Reno
county, Kansas, and the success which he
has achieved' is the merited reward of his
own labor. He has worked his way stead-
ily upward, overcoming all the difficulties
and obstacles in his path by determined pur-
pose, and to-day he is recognized as one of
the most substantial citizens of the cimi-
munity, his labors having brought to him
a handsome competence.
Mr. Van Bibber was born in Nicholas
county. West Virginia, on the 7th of Feb-
ruary, 1828, of which countv his father, Da-
vid C. R.'Van Bibber, was also a native.
The latter held the rank of captain in the
militia. The grandfather of our subject.
Mathias A'an Bibber, was the first white male
child born in a fort in Greenbrier county.
West Virginia, and he held the rank of cap-
tain in the militia, while his father, Jnlin
Van Bibber, served as a colonel therein.
About 1824 David C. R. Van Bibber, the
father of our subject, wedded Jane Will-
iams, who was born in Greenbrier county.
West Virginia, December 12, 1804, and they
became the parents of ten children, seven
sons and three daughters, and eight of the
number still survive. The mother passed
away in Nicholas county. West \'irginia, in
1872, and in '1889, from that county, her
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
235
liusband joined her in the spirit world, dy-
ing at tlie age of about ninety years, liis
liirth having- occurred on tlie i6th of Xo-
vember, 1799.
Moses H. Van Bil>ber, whose name in-
troduces this review, enjoyed but limited ed-
ucational advantages chiring his youth, but
since putting aside his text-books he has
largely added to his knowledge by observa-
tion, reading and study, and has thus be-
come a well inf</rnied man. In early life
he learned surveying In- himself, and for a
number of years followed that occupation in
his native state. On the iitli of May, 1874,
he left his home in the south and with a
team of horses and a covered wagon made
the journey to the Sunflower state, arriving
in Walnut township. Reno ciuiiitv. in the
following June, and was at that time almbst
without means. He secured eighty acres of
land, to which he afterward added another
eighty-acre tract, lint in 1884 he sold that
place for fourteen hundred dollars and pur-
chased the farm which he now owns. It
then consisted of one hundred acres of rail-
road land, and the purchase price was five
hundred and ninety dollars. The principal
•crop which he raises is corn and wheat, an-
nually harvesting about two thousand bush-
els of corn, and during the year of 1901 his
wheat crop yielded a return of two thou-
sand one inmdred and sixty bushels. His
beautiful orchard and shade trees were
planted by his own hands, and the many
substantial and valuable improvements here
seen stand as monuments to his thrift and
ability.
In the Old Dominion, on the 14th of Sep-
tember, 1858, Mr. Van Bibber was united
in marriage to Joanna Pierson, a native of
that commonwealth, and they had a family
of four children, namely: David, who re-
sides in Peoria, Illinois, and has two chil-
dren : Franklin, who makes his home in
^\'est A'irginia; Margaret Jane, wife of
Henry Jones, of Peabody, Kansas, and they
have five children; and Lizzie IMcClintosh,
who died leaving one daughter. For his
second wife I\Ir. Van Bibber chose \'irginia
Ann Hrilt. who was born in Charleston.
AA^est \^irginia. and was married' September
14, 1867. and by this union there were also
four children: John, who is married and
revsides in Oklahoma; Ulysses Simpson
Grant, who makes his home in Huntsville
township, and has one daughter, and one
sou; ;\Iinnie, wife of O. C. Andel, by whom
she has two daughters, and they reside with
her parents : and Fred, at home. The mother
of this family died on the 27th of October,
1892, at the age of fort3--nine years. On
questions of national importance Mr. Van
Bibber casts his ballot in favor of Repub-
lican principles, but at local elections he votes
for the men whom he regards as best quali-
fied for pulilic office. He has ever been a
loyal and public-spirited citizen, and during
the Civil war he served for two years as a
corporal in the state service. He is also a
worthy member and active worker in the
Missionar\' Ba|jtist church. As a citizen he
is 1:' ,11 !. and loyal, as a business man
str;!i;:; I 1 .\ , lil and honorable, and as a
fricinl lie 1^ laithful and consistent.
C. B. SMITH.
C. B. Smith is extensively engaged in
farming and stock-raising. Success in any
calling is an indication of close application,
industry and faithfulness, qualities which
are numbered among the leading character-
istics of our subject, and the greatest re-
ward of the successful man is his conscious-
ness of having acted well his part. This Mr.
Smith has ever done, and to-day he stands
among the highly respected citizens of his
community.
A native of Canada, Mr. Smith was born
at Port Stanley. July 24, 1847, 'i"tl is a son
of Alvin and Eleanor (Clark) Smith, the
former a native of Massachusetts and the
latter of Nova Scotia. Their marriage was
celebrated in Canada. The paternal grand-
father of our subject, Grove Smith, was a
member of an old and prominent Massa-
chusetts family and was a soldier in the war
for American independence. He was a
mechanic bv profession, and his death oc-
curred in Canada. His children were : Su-
236
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
sail, who married Janies Tobime. he being
a member of an old pioneer family of Illi-
nois; Moses, Aaron, Zenos, George W.,
Montgomer}', 'Alvin and Safronia, who be-
came Mrs. Benedict. Alvin Smith, the fa-
ther of our subject, was reared to manhood
in the state of his nativity. He afterward
emigrated to Canada, going the entire dis-
tance on foot, walking on an average of
sixty miles a day, and there he settled with
his father and family. They bought land
and improved a farm from the native tim-
ber. In 1833 Mr. Smith removed to Illi-
nois, locating in Boone county, where he
rented a farm, but death claimed him four
years later and he passed away in 1857. His
wife survived him for many years and nobly
succeeded in keeping her family together and
providing them with the necessaries of life.
After many years she came to Kansas, and
her death occurred at the home of her son,
our subject, in McPherson county. Both she
and her husband were Free Will Baptists.
They were the parents of ten children,
namely: Hiram, who died in Minnesota;
Lucy A., who was twice married, first to J.
Moss and afterward to D. Thurston ; Mary
E., who became Mrs. Higbee, and after his,
death she wedded W. Phelps; Harvey J.,
who died in Arkansas; Henry T., a resident
of Rockford, Illinois ; Alvin M., who makes
his home in Arkansas; Ella G., the wife of
G. H. Irish; Sarah J., who married C. A.
Wing; Charles B., the subject of this re-
view; and Carrie V., who married A. C.
Church and died at Belvidere, Boone county,
Illinois, about 1864. The mother of this
famijy was twice married, her first husband
having been a Mr. Johnson, by whom she
had one son, William Johnson. He was
reared by Mr. Smith, and on reaching his
majority the latter gave him a good farm,
he being at that time in good circumstances,
but afterward misfortune overtook him and
his own children were obliged to begin life
for themselves without assistance.
C. B. Smith, whose name introduces this
review, was only six years of age when he
accompanied his parents on their removal
to Illinois, where he grew to manhood, re-
ceiving his education in tne common schools.
After the death of his father he remained
j with his widowed mother and, with his
I brothers, Alvin M. and H. J., assisted her in
j the support of the family. In 1870 he left
I that state and made his way to Kansas, first
j locating in McPh.erson count}-, where he se-
cured a homestead claim. His mother after-
ward joined him in this state and he nobly
cared io.r her (luring the remainder of her
life. He remained in jMcPherson county
until 1885, when he sold his property there
and came to Rice county, settling on the
farm on which he now resides. Only eighty
acres of this place had then been broken,
there were no fences and a small frame dwel-
ling stood upon the land. Mr. Smith has
since enlarged and remodeled his residence,
which is two stories in height, and has a
large barn and all necessary outbuildings.
The place is located five miles southeast of
Little River and is one of the well improved
and valuable farms of the county. In addi-
tion to his general farming and stock-rais-
ing Mr. Smith also operates a threshing
machine.
In McPherson county, Kansas, in 187S,
he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret
Pinkerton, who was born at Kirksville, Mis-
souri. June 7, 1855, a daughter of Thomas
and Harriet ( Normanl Pinkerton, both na-
tives of Ohio. They were married in the
Buckeye state, and in 1855 removed to Mis-
souri, where the father followed farming.
During the Civil war he fought for the
preservation of the Union in a Missouri
regiment, having enlisted at Kirksville, that
state, and during his military career he saw
much hard service. He was never wounded
or captured, and on the expiration of his
three years' service he received an honor-
able discharge and returned to his family in
Missouri. He subsequently removed to No-
komis, Illinois, where he followed farming
until 1873. That vear witnessed his arrival
in Kansas, where he purchased a tract of
raw prairie land and began the improvement
of a farm. He was only permitted to enjoy
his new home for a short time, however, as
death claimed him the following year. He
was a loyal and patriotic soldier, a success-
ful business man and a true friend, and he
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
won the love and esteem of all with whom
he came in contact. His family carried on
the work wliich he had begun and remained
there until 1885, when they sold that prop-
erty and removed to Kingman county, Kan-
sas, where they pre-empted one hundred and
sixty acres of land, and there began the work
of improving another fann. where the ninth-
er lived until her death, which occurred in
1 89 1. Both she and her husband held mem-
bership in the Free Methodist church, in
which he served as a minister for many
years, using his influence in behalf of Chris-
tianity and in the uplifting of his fellow
men. He was a well educated man and was
a competent school teacher in early life. The
children of Mr. and Mrs. Pinkerton were :
Amanda, the wife of J. E. Stanley; Lewis
W., deceased; Marg-aret, the wife of our
subject ; A. P., a resident of Kingman coun-
ty, Kansas; Joanna, the wife of J. C. Fair-
childs; Rhoda, who married D. Hess; and
Sarah J-, the wife of B. Durr. The union
of Mr. and Mrs. Smith has been blessed with
three children, — Arthur D., who was born
Augiist 25, 1880; Hattie E., born Novem-
ber 27. 1881 ; and James L., born September
12, 1884. Of the Methodist church Mrs.
Smith is a valued and active member. In
his social relations Mr. Smith is a member
of the \\'oodmen of the \\'orld. He form-
erly voted with the Democracy, but is now a
stanch advocate of the Reform party. He
has served as trustee and assessor of his
township and has filled many other minor
offices, and in all his public duties he has
been true to the trusts reposed in him.
FREDERICK DEISSROTH.
It is a fact to which due recognition is
not always acd^r^lcd that the German ele-
ment of our nati'i'ial commonwealth has
been a very impnriant mie in advancing the
material interests of the nation, but on in-
vestigation it will be found that a large per-
centage of the successful business men are
of German birth or lineage. Mr. Deissroth
is a representative of the fatherland and is
now one of the leading^ and enterprising
merchants of Wilson, where he is engaged
in dealing in dry goods, clothing, boots and
shoes. He was born in Guntersblum, Darm-
stadt, Germany, July 11, 1846, his parents
being William and Elizabeth Deissroth, the
former a carpenter and builder. In the fam-
ily were seven children, of whom Frederick
is the eldest and the only one living, and his
parents have also passed away.
Frederick Deissroth was educated in the
common sclionls rmd pur-ucd a course in
drawing and iiKitlH'iiiatic^ preparatory to
learning the trade which his father had fol-
lowed. He was then instructed in the study
of architecture .and carpentering, and en-
gaged in work along that line until nineteen
years ot age, when he came to America,
crossing the Atlantic in the winter of 1864-
5, on the steamer Saxonia, which was nine-
teen days upon the trip. The vessel was
commanded by Captain Meier, who said that
it was his thirty-fifth voyage and that the
storm which they encountered was the worst
he had ever experienced. The vessel was
driven about by the gale, its staterooms were
damaged and the berth occupied by Mr.
Deissroth was also broken down. However,
in safety they at length reached New York,
and, landing in the eastern metropolis, Mr.
Deissroth proceeded thence to Philadelphia
where he was engaged in carpentering for
fifteen years. He came to Kansas with the
intention of following farming, believing
that his health would be benefited thereby.
The exhibit made l)v the Sunflower state in
the Centennial Kxpnsition liad favorably itn-
pres^ed him and was the thing which in-
duced him to seek a home here. In the spring
of 1877 he came on a prospecting tour to
the west and upon his return organized a
colony of forty families with whom he came
to Wilson. Six of them, however, settled
in Russell and Lincoln counties.
Mr. Deissroth secured a homestead in
Russell county and also established a gen-
eral mercantile store in Wilson, in connec-
tion with J. H. Claussen. their partnership
being maintained for five years. On the ex-
piration of that period Mr. Deissroth sold
his interest in the store and at a sheriff's
238
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
sale purchased the store formerly owned by
W. G. Thompson, and which he has since
conducted. He resided upon his farm for
many years, driving back and forth daily
to his place of business. He first carried on
mercantile operations at the corner south of
his present location and there suffered a loss
by fire in 1879, but, phenix-like, a new store
arose from the ashes. The day following
the fire he had seventeen carpenters^ at work
on the ground clearing away the debris and
making- preparations for the erection of a
new structure. Five years were there passed,
after which, in February, Mr. Deissroth sold
his interest in the establishment, as before
mentioned, and purchased the Thompson
store. He was for three years on the oppo-
site corner and then rented his present site.
In 1898 he purchased the entire corner where
he is now located and erected the two-story
building, having- a frontage of seventy-five
feet facing the railroad and one hundred and
fifty feet on Main street. This building is
divided into six stores. The one occupied
by Mr. Deissroth is forty by fifty feet and
contains a large stock of drv goods, cloth-
ing, boots and shoes. Mr. Deissroth has
been very prosperous in his undertaking. He
gives personal attention to the business and
has the unique record of never having had a
bill presented to him or a draft made on him
for payment of his accounts. He makes it a
point to discount all bills. He sustains an
unassailable reputation in business circles,
his honesty being proverbial, his v/ord being
as good as any bond that was ever solemiiT
ized by signature or seal. He has added to
his landed possessions and now Operates
four hundred acres, mainly planted to grain,
raising Ijetween nine and ten thousand
bushels of wheat each year. He is also one
of the directors of tiie \\'ilson bank.
On the nth of July, 1869, in Philadel-
phia, Mr. Deissroth was united in marriage
to Miss Ernestina Linsenbarth. They have
nine children : Frederick is the foreman of
Hook and Ladder Company No. 4, of New
\ ork city. On one occasion he saved the
life of Mr. Rajanond, the president of the
Home Insurance Com|)any, who was in the
\\'indsor Hotel fire, and for this he received
a gold medal and a gift of five hundred dol-
lars. The other members of the family are :
August R.. who is engaged in farming;
Ernestina. deceased ; Charles, who also car-
ries on agricultural ] ursuits ; Grace, Frank,
George, Otti ami Kinli. who are still with
the parents. Tlic family home is a fine resi-
dence which was erected by Mr. Deissroth in
1897. It extends from one street back to the
next and the grounds are attractive and well
laid out. There is also a good stone barn upon
the place. His farm is equipped with all
modern accessories and improvements, in-
cluding a good grain barn and sheds, and it
is characteristic of Mr. Deissroth that every-
thing about him shall be neat and thrifty in
appearance and thoroug-hly up to date.
Mr. Deissroth exercises his right of fran-
chise in support of the men and measures
of the Democratic party. He has served as
mayor of Wilson antl as a member of the
city council, while for three years, from 1880
until 1883, he was county commissioner for
the third district. He belongs to Samaria
Lodge, No. 298, F. & A. M., of which he
was the first master, serving in that capacity
for several vears. He also belongs to Ells-
worth Chapter. No. 54, R. A. M. :"Ellsworth
Council, No. 9. R. S. M. : St. Aldemar Com-
mandery. No. ^t, : and Isis Temple of the
Mystic Shrine. He is also connected with
Wilson Lodge, No. 225, I. O. O. F., and is
a miember of the German Lutheran church.
He has. every reason to be proud of his rec-
ord, which indicates his business ability to
be of a high order, combined with unflag-
ging perseverance and keen discrimination.
His entire life has been one of unusual activ-
ity and industry and his methods have al-
ways been in keeping with the highest prin-
ciples of fair dealing and with conscientious
regard for the rights of others.
WILLIAM N. LEWIS.
A leading business citizen of Hollyroocl,
Kansas, who conducts one of the impiortant
lines of sale and manufacture in this little
city, is William N. Lewis, a native of Penn-
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
s\lvaiiia, Ijorn in Cumberland county, on
November 21, 1863. He was a son of Nich-
olas and Margaret ( Finkenbinder) Lewis,
the former of whom was born in Germany,
and the latter of whom was a nati\'e of
I'ennsylvania.
Nicholas Lewis was a shoen^^aker by
trade, and until 1872 was located at Stone-
ham, Pennsylvania. At that date he re-
niioved to Ellsworth county. Kansas, with
his family, and located at Wilson, opening
up at this place a shoemaking shop. A short
time later he removed to what is now Russell
county, where he purchased three hundred
and twenty acres of railroad land which was
entirely unimproved. ^Iw Lewis was one of
the early pioneers and spent five years in the
improvement of his land, in farming and
stock-raising, selling" out at that date and
again engaging in work at his trade, in Wil-
son. Until 1893 ^J^''- Lewis conducted a
business in this line but failing health urged
a return to the more active life on the farm,
and he purchased a desirable tract of land in
Barton county and carried on general farm-
ing there until 1899. returning at that time
tn Russell county, where he now resides.
The children born to the parents of our
subject numbered eight, and five nf these
still survive, as follows: Fred R.. \\h>i is
in the harness business in Wilson: William
N.. who is the subject of this sketch; Daniel
A., who is in the employ of the government ;
Jennie B.. who is the wife of R. Powell, a
farmer of Ellsworth county ; and Samuel A.,
who resides at home.
\A'illiam N. Lewis of this sketch was a
lad of nine years when his parents came to
Kansas, and he acquired his education in
the public schools of his district. As soon
as C'Ul enough to learn a trade, he was in-
structed by his father and' thus gained a
knowledge of leather and other necessi-
ties of the shoe and harness trade, which
later in life, wdien he was prepared to estab-
lish a business for himself, proved of the
greatest value.
As early as eighteen year- Mr. Liwis be-
gan the business of grain Ijiiyir.g, in ;;sso-
ciation with his eldest brother, and this was
carried on with success for two vears. In
1889 our subject came to Holly rood and
started the first business in his line, in this
town, offering to the public a complete line
of both heavy and fancy harness, plain or
ornamental, with all modern designs and
conveniences, anil soon began the m;mufac-
ture of the same, this branch of the business
being satisfactory both to himself and his
many patrons. He has given close atten-
tion both to the management and promotion
of his business and has gained the confidence
of the public over a large extent of terri-
tory. In additii n i. » his manufactured arti-
cles, which arc ci iiiiilete and entirely up-to-
date, he has on sale an excellent line of less
expensive harness and horse furnishings.
In politics Mr. Lewis has always, been
an adherent of the Democratic party, but has
ne\er accc'iited any iiftice except that of con-
stable. Iii> >er\ ice in that position being sat-
isfactory to both parties, although he re-
tained the office but one term. He is well
and favorably known in a number of frater-
nal orders, the leading ones being : F. & A.
]\I.. of Hollyrood ; R. A. M., E. M. Chapter,
of Ellsworth; and has filled many official
positions and has been a representative to
the grand lodge; is also- a thirty-second de-
gree Mason and belongs to Wichita Con-
sistory : Hollyrood Lodge, No. 380. I. O.
O. F., in which he is past grand; and
in the Knights of Pythias, where he has
passed the chairs and has been a representa-
tive to the highest lodge.
]\Ir. Lewis is highly regarded in his local-
ity and is recognized as a man of high char-
acter who conducts hi-^ Iui-uk-- ( n princi-
l)les which reflect honor ,iim1 lund'n not only
upon himself, but alsii np^ r. In- lown. Our
SniON W. KOONS.
Simon W. Koons was born in Wayne
county. OhiO', March 12. 1848. and is now
engaged in farming on section 2. Valley
township. Rice county, Kansas. His par-
ents were John and Rebecca (Gesleman)
K( ons. The former was born in Lancaster
county. Pennsylvania, in 1797. and died
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
upon tlie farm there in October. 1872. By
his marriage he became the father of eleven
sons and four daughters, of which number
ten sons and three daughters reached adult
age and all were married with the exception
of one daughter. The youngest daughter of
the family was accidentally poisoned when
one year old. and they lost' an infant son.
The parents began life in humble circum-
stances and in the midst of the heavy forest
the father cleared and developed a farm of
one hundred and si.xty acres and the rich
fields yielded to him a golden, tribute for the
care and labor he bestowed upon them. He
served in the war of 1812 and was ever a
loyal and devoted citizen. He and his wife
were members of the United Brethren church
and the latter died in 1884. being an octo-
genarian at the time.
Simon \\". Koons spent his youth in the
usual manner of farmer lads of the period.
He acquired a good common-school educa-
tion, such as was given to the other mem-
bers of the family. The nine sons engaged
in teaching school and two of them, Samuel
and Isaac, became ministers of the gospel,
the former now preaching in California,
while the latter is located in ^\"ichita, Kan-
sas. Joseph was the inventor of the Min-
nesota Chief Thresher and makes his home
in Glencoe, ^linnesota. Jacob was a soldier
for four years in the Civil war and now
resides at New Auburn. Minnesota. He has
a son who is engaged in military service in
Ithe Philippinies. During foul'teen winter
terms Simon W. Koons engaged in teach-
ing school in Ohio and Kansas and was a
capable educator, who imparted clearly and
concisely to others the knowledge he had ac-
quired. He remained at home until his mar-
riage, which was celebrated on the ist of
December, 1870, Miss ^Minerva Grady be-
coming his wife. She was born in Ohio.
August II, 1850. Her parents came to
Kansas in the fall of 1884, but both are now
deceased. Mr. Koons of this review arrived
in the Sunflower state on the 23d of August,
1877, settling on a quarter section of land.
He homesteaded eighty acres and paid two
thousand dollars for the other eighty. He
has since carried on general farmincr. his
principal crop being wheat and corn. He
has raised twenty-three hundred and fiftv
bushels of wheat and three thousand bush-
els of corn in a single year and has kept on
hand from six to ten head of horses, most
of which he has worked in the operation of
his land. He also keeps about thirty-five
head of cattle and an equal number of hogs.
In 1 901 he erected a good residence upon his
farni and to-day he has a well improved
place, neat and thrifty in appearance, the
richly cultivated fields bringing to him a
splendid return for his labor.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Koons
has been blessed with six children : Frank-
lin Walter, who married Bertha Talbott, is a
graduate of the Kansas City Medical Col-
lege and is now engaged in practice in
Chase, Kansas; Xola ]\Iaud is the wife of
Bruce Burrows, and they have two children :
Carrie !May is the wife of \\'illiam Coldwa-
ter, a farmer living near Chase, Kansas, by
whom she has one son : Guy Grady assists
his father in the operation of his farm; and
Lena Catherine and Bryson are both at
home. Mr. Koons is a member of the sub-
ordinate lodge and encampment of the In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows and has
membership relations with the Ancient Or-
der of United Workmen. He supports the
men and measures of the Republican partv,
has been township trustee for one term and
has served on the school examining board.
He and his family are members of the
United Brethren church and he is a public
spirited and progressive citizen who gives
all bis aid and influence to support every
measure which he believes will prove of gen-
eral benefit.
COL. C. L. \'AUGHAX.
An im];ortant business interest of Hutch-
inson. Kansas, is the insurance line, and a
leading representati\'e is the ^'aughan-Font-
ron Agency, tlie senior member of the firm
being Col. C. L. Vaughan of this biog-
raphy. Although long identified with the
interests of this state. Colonel \'aughan was
born in ^Medina, Ohio, on September 18,
Cti^fli-
'/
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
1845. He comes of a pioneer ancestry and
also belongs to a family which has been cori-
spicuoiis in the military life of the country
from the time when Orlando X'aughan was
a distinguished soldier in the war of the
Revolution down to the brave young soldier
who worthily bore honors in the Spanish-
American war.
The early family records tell of three
English brothers of this name coming to
America and settling, one in Rhode Island,
one in Massachusetts and the third in Con-
necticut. The ancestor i<\ the Vaughan
branch under consiikiMiiMii was Orlando,
and after the close of the Kevnlutionary w'ar
he moved to New York and took part in
the Indian wars of the period. His son
Rufus. who was the grandfather of Colonel
\'aughan. was a loyal soldier in the war of
1812-14 and at that time was a resident of
Ohiii, having l>een one nf the pioneers in
that state. In 1848, fi'llnwing the example
of his ancestors. Chauncy Vaughan, who,
although born in New York, was reared in
Ohio, migrated to WiscOinsin and settled
near the present town of Oiilton, in Calu-
met county, before that great state was ad-
mitted to the Union. Whatever prompted
these early pioneers, whether it was a spirit
of adventure or a desire to better provide
for their ofifspring. the life brought with
it exacting conditions which required great
ph\'sical courage and robust constitutions.
At the time of settlement Chauncy Vaughan
and wife fonnd a forest surrounding their
little log cabin and Indians were their
only neighbors. Sometimes these children
of the woods were friendly, but occasionally
they were savage. Colonel Vaughan recalls
one occasion when his mother was badly
frightened l:)y finding three Indians grinding
knives at her husband's grindstone, near
the spring where she had gone for water.
Greeting them in a friendh- way she escaped
injury bv giving tlieni fnod, but it required
strong nerves in these pioneer mothers tO'
enable them to go abmit their daily tasks
under such conditions. The mother of our
subject was Amanda (Hyatt) Vaughan,
wdio was born in Ohio, and she passed away
in 1863. The father survived until March
28, 1893. Their surviving children are:
Col. C. L., who is the subject of this sketch;
Mrs. Mary Walsh, who lives in Seymour,
Wisconsin ; Rufus, who is the talented editor
of the Jewell County "Monitor,"' at Man-
kato, Kansas, and Ida, who is Mrs. \\'alsh
and lives at Antigo, W'isconsin.
The subject of this biography was reared
on the pioneer farm in Wisconsin and was
attending school in Chilton when, at the
age of seventeen years, he, in the wake of
his ancestors, also became a soldier. Enlist-
ing on July 14. 1863, in Company F, New
York lieavy Artillery, he took part in the
operations of the Army of the Potomac until
Aug-ust, 1864, when he was made prisoner
and was confined in Libby prison, and was
later transferred to Belle Island. While there
he cemented a friendship with a colored man
by the gift of a pipe, who frequently suc-
ceeded in getting him somjething to eat,
which was a matter of vital importance. By
this means he was able to keep his strength :
and when the poor victims of imprisonment
became so desperate that they would even
commit murder to obtain something and
it became necessar\- to police them, he
was the one placed in charge of thirty-eight
of the most desperate characters. This posi-
tion Cokjuel \"aughan had forced upon him
by Lieutenauit Ballou, the officer in charge,
and he was promised a parole at the winter
break-up if he would consent, and with this
understanding our subject took the dista.ste-
ful p -iti'ii. Like many of the promises
made in tiiat dreadful place, this was not
fulfilled, and even President Davis refused
to notice it, as the idea was to only parole
or exchange those who were unfit for ser-
vice. However, in this emergency. Lieu-
tenant Ballou privately gave him medicine
which made him temporarily sick and in
this way he secured parole. After his ex-
change, however, he suddenly grew better
and lost no time in rejoining his regiment
at Fort Steadman, only to again sufi^er cap-
ture, in March, 1865. and was again sent
to Libby prison, and was exchanged again
at Aiken's Landing, on April 2. He was then
given a furlough home of thirty days, return-
ing thence to his regiment, and with it went
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
i
to Washington, where it was stationed until
July, 1866, being- discharged in Rochester,
^s"ew York. On account of his excellence
as a drill master, our subject obtained his
honorable title, having had charge of a
batallion at New York, his instruction in-
cluding both officers and privates.
After his return to civil life. Colonel
Vaughan was successfully engaged in the
manufacture of wagons and carriages in
Wisconsin until his property was destroyed
by a disastrous fire. In 1871 he made a
trip to Kansas, but did not permanently
locate in this state until 1873, when he took
up a quarter section on Buffalo creek, in
Jewell county, and here did some farming,
but was principally engaged at work at his
trade in Beloit. In 1875 he invented and
patented a breaker, which was a success, bivt
about this time he received an injury which
incapacitated him from active work physi-
cally and he then entered into the real-estate
business at Mankato. In 1885 the Com-
mon\\-ealth Loan and Trust "Company, of
Boston, was organized and our subject was
made one of the three district agents in this
state, the location being first at Millbrook,
then at Wakeeney, where the United States
land office was located. In 1887 the three
agencies were consolidated and Colonel
Vaughan was gi\^en charge o-f the entire
state and also of Texas. In 1889 he moved
to Dallas, but in 1891 returned to Kansas
in order to close up the afifairs of this busi-
ness, on account of the prevaihng hard
times. Before accomplishing this the Phce-
nix Insurance Company of Hartford, Con-
necticut, offered him the position of western
manager, covering the states of Kansas, Ne-
braska and North and South Dakota, prac-
tically all of their investments in this section.
They had at that time three-quarters of a
million dollars in western investments, but
thrO'Ugh defaulting creditors their business
was in bad shape. Colonel Vaughan en-
tered into this with characteristic energ>'
and enthusiasm, and has managed so well
that two-thirds of the amount has been paid
and the balance has been so arranged that it
is now profitable. In 1896 a partnership
was formed and in 1898 Judge Fontron he-
came a partner, the firmi style being the
Vaughan-Fontron Agency, and they repre-
sent some of the oldest and most reliable
insurance firms in the United States and
England.
Colonel Vaughan was married on Au-
gust 4, 1867, to Miss Eliza Jane Godding,
a daughter of Joseph O. Godding, and a son
of this marriage, A. E., is associated with
the business of his father. In political life
Colonel Vaughan has been actively identified,
with the Republican party as far as good citi-
zenship extends, and has done his civic duty
in the city council, but his tastes are not in
the direction of political honors. In this
city he stands high in public esteem and is
reco'gnized as one of its most reliable and
capable business factors.
ISAAC L. AIcCRACKEN.
Isaac L. McCracken is now living re-
tired in Sterling, the rest which crowns hon-
orable, continued and well directed efforts
having been vouchsafed to him, and now as
he approaches the evening of life be is en-
abled to enjoy quiet retirement. He was
born in Butler county, Ohio, July 18, 1836.
His father, the Rev. S. W. McCracken, was
born in Hamilton county, Ohio, near Cin-
cinnati, in 1800, and was a son of Wilson
McCracken, but aside from this little is
known concerning the remote ancestral his-
tory. During the greater .part of his life the
Rev. McCracken devoted his labors to gos-
pel work as a minister of the United Pres-
byterian church, and was at one time pro-
fessor of mathematics in the Miami Univer-
sity, of Obio. He married Miss Catherine
E. Monfort, who was born in Butler coun-
ty, Ohio, about 1809, and was a daughter
of Peter and Anna Maria (Spinning) Mon-
fort. The parents of our subject were mar-
ried in Oxford, Ohio, and the mother died
at ]\Iorning Sun, Preble county, that state,
in 1S49, while the father, surviving her
about ten years, passed away in" the same
ci'unty, in October, 18:9. He was for twen-
ty years the pastor of Hopewell church in
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
tliat county and his remains were laid to rest
in the churchyard there. They were the par-
ents of nine children, but only four reached
years of maturity, namely.: John Calvin,
who is now a merchant in Urbana. Ohio;
Isaac L. ; Charlotte A., who became the wife
(if W. Craig- and died in Oxford, Ohio.
April 23, 1893, at the age of forty-nine
years, leaving four children: and Samuel,
who was killed at the battle ^f Resac:i, and
sleeps in the soldier's cemeter\ at Atlanta,
Georgia. He left the jMianii L'iii\trsity at
President Lincoln's second call for troops,
served for three years and on the expiration
of that period, when his first term_ of enlist-
ment had expired, he re-enlisted, meeting
death upon the battlefield.
Isaac L. McCracken. the immediate sub-
ject of this review, and the memlier of the
family in whom the citizens of central Kan-
sas are most interested, was a student in the
Morning Sun Academy, after which he en-
gaged in teaching for one term. He volun-
teered for service in the Union army August
8, 1862, becoming a member of Company G,
Ninety-third Ohio Infantry. He joined the
army as a private and' was sergeant when
mustered out. He was never wounded, but
was accidentally injured while on the sick
list. Brave and loyal he was ever found at
his post of duty and' with a creditable mili-
tary record he returned to his home.
Mr. McCracken was united in marriage
October 27. 1857, to Miss Ella ^^■. Stewart,
of Preble county, Ohio, born Deccmlier 9.
1835, her parents being Joseph and Xaomi
(Hart) Stewart. Eight children have been
born of this union: Alia ]\I., wife of A. D.
Ramsey, of Sterling, and they have three
living children and have lost one: Frank
M., who died at the age of two years, while
his father was in the service of his country :
Myrta C, who is the wife of X. C. Elliott,
of Union county, Indiana, and they have
two living children ; Charley S., who is now
a ranchman in Texas: Lee S., a resident of
Sterling, who is married and has four chil-
dren : Gilbert G.. who is married and also
resides in Sterling: Josiah C, who graduat-
ed in the University of Pennsylvania with
the class of 1901, and was for four years a
member of the football team and one of the
finest athletes of the school, while he is also
renowned for his mental superiority and his
moral worth ; and Daisy E., whoi is the wife
of O. B. Johnson, of Lyons, Kansas.
Mr. McCracken continued to reside in
Ohio until the- fall of 1872, when he re-
moved to Lincoln county, Tennessee, going
thence to Emerson county, Kansas, in the
fall of 1884. He fHll,.\'ve(l farming and
milling. In the spring nf iSSd he went to
Ness county, Kansas, wlicre he secured four
quarter sections of land and thereon carried
on farming for five years. In i8gi he came
to Sterling, taking up his abode in his pres-
ent good residence, and is now living re-
tired. Socially he is connected with the
Grand Army of the Republic and has been
junior vice commander. He has served as
street commissioner for four years and is a
stanch temperance man. He also belongs
to the L'^nited Presbyterian church, in which
he is a trustee, and he is deeply interestd in
all moral work calculated to uplift his fellow
men.
HENRY B. NEWMAN.
Henry B. Newman is a progressive
farmer residing one mile north of the city
of Sterling. He was born in Rising Sun,
Indiana. October 30, 1854. His father,
Henry B. Newman, was accidentally
drowned when the son was only six months
old. He was a cripple, and in falling from
a boat at Rising Sun was unable to help him-
self and thus found death in a watery grave.
He left three sons and two daughters. The
mother bore the maiden name O'f Mary Wal-
ton and died in Rising Sun in the fall of
1893. at the age of sixty-seven years. The
father of otir subject was a native of Eng-
land, but was brought to America during his
childhood. His crippled condition was
caused from a white swelling. At the time
of his death he was engaged in the drug bus-
iness in Rising Sun. and to his family he
left a comfortable home and a small prop-
erty. His children were: Charles, now a
painter of Rising Sun : Oliver, a farmer of
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
that locality ; Sarah Frances, wliO' became the
wife of A. R. Talbott and died when about
thirty years of age, leaving tAvo children;
Harriet, who died wheil about twelve years
of age; and Henry B.
Mr. Newman, o^f this review, received a
fair common-school education, continuing
his studies until thirteen years of age, when
he began working in a woolen mill, where
he was employed for six years. He subse-
quently worked in a brick yard, receiving
but small wages. At the age of twenty-
three years he left home and came to Rice
county, Kansas, reaching his destination on
the 27th of February. 1877. He made his
way to the home of his brother-in-law, A.
R. Talbott, a miller of Rising Sun, Indiana,
and later came to Rice county. After his
arrival here Mr. Newman formed the ac-
quaintance of Miss Isabel Heter, and their
friendship ripened into love, their wedding
being celebrated on the 20th of April, 1879.
The lady was born in Bellevue, Ohio, a
daughter of Levi and Marv (Schock) Heter.
The mother was a native of Pennsylvania,
born in February, 1834, but was reared in
Ohio. The father was born in the latter
state on the 17th of April, 1829, and was
married in Ohio in 1852. Their daughter.
Mrs. New^Tlan, was the eldest of their eight
children, of whom four sons and three
daughters reached mature years, and all are
yet living and are married with one excep-
tiiin. The parents still reside in Bellevue,
Ohio, where the father for many years con-
ducted a large farm, but ij now retired.
Mr. and Mrs. Newman took up their abode
six miles northwest of Sterling, remaining
for two years upon the Talbott farm, after
making a purchase of one hundred and sixty
acres of land for one thousand dollars. The
former owner had been Mr. Heter, the
father of Mrs. Ne\\nnan, who had come to
Kansas on a prospecting trip and purchased
tliis land as an investment. There were a
few improvements on the place and Mr.
Newman has added maoy others, mak-ing his'
farm a very desirable property. The home
has been blessed with four children : Ralph
A., who was born June 27, 1884. and is
ucAv a student in the high school in Sterl-
ing: jNIay Gladys, born May 3. 1886; Rose
Fern, born December 21, 1889; and Winnie
Belle, born October 28, 1891. All are stu-
dents in the schools of Sterling.
Mr. Newman carries on general farm-
ing, making a specialty of the production
of wheat and corn and also raises cattle and
horses. At one time he was extensively en-
gaged in raisiiog hogs, but cholera rendered
this unprofitable and he now devotes his
energies to other lines of farm work. He
is a man of marked industry, energy and
determination. His home is embowered
amid many ornamental shade trees and he
has also planted many fruit trees, which have
reached a bearing condition and add to the
value of the place. Few farmers starting
out in life without cash capital have in so
short a space of time achieved as creditable
success as has crowned the efforts of Mr.
Newnvan. He is now the possessor of a
handsome competence, which will enable him
to carry over his crops for better markets
if he does not desire to dispose at the pre-
vailing prices. He and his wife are mem-
bers of the Congregational church and en-
joy the warm friendship of many with
whom they have come in contact, for their
many sterling characteristics liave ever com-
manded the res])ect and regard of those
with whom they have been associated. They
have labored together earnestly, the work of
the one supplementing and rounding" out the
work of the other, and their attractive home
is a fitting monument to their labors.
ERNEST A. TAYLOR, M. D.
Prominently identified with the inter-
ests of Reno county, Kansas, and one of
the most highly esteemed citizens ol Hutch-
inson, is Dr. Ernest A. Taylor, who' since
1886 has been in the active practice of his
profession in this city. He is a resident of
the \\-est by choice, for his birth occurred in
the east, in Hunterdon county, New Jersey,
on August 13, 1834. Prior to the Revolu-
tionary war some of his ancestors founded
the great industrv known still as the Tav-
^, ^, .2z^m/^
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
lor Iron Works, at Highbridge, Xew Jer-
sey, and it was from these great fo'undries
that the army of General Washington ob-
tained man}^ of the cannon balls which so
eiTectually enforced the demands of o-ur pa-
triot fathers \\-'hen they called upon the
British troops and the Hessian hirelings to
depart from our shores.
Archibald Taylor was the grandfather
of our subject, and during the progress of
the Revolutionary war bought this iron busi-
ness, in association with his sons. Some
members of the family are still connected
with it. John B. Taylor, the father of Dr.
Taylor, was not b}- nature a worker in iron.
He became a teacher, was a man of higli
attainment, but never accumulated large
means. His marriage was to Susan Ade-
line Bray, a distant relative and a daugh-
ter of John Watsom Bray, who traced an
honorable descent from Scotch ancestors.
These came among the early settlers to
New Jersey, where the name still represents
public-spirited and financial stability. He
served in the war of 1812, was identified
with many public affairs and was the orig-
inator of the idea oi the feasibility of the
building and success oi the New Jersey
Central railroad. His son. Augustus, made
a trip to Salt Lake, Utah, in the early days
of the reign of Brigham Yoimg, driving
the entire distance with six yoke of oxen.
He was employed by the great Mormon
prophet and later took out one thousand
head of cattle. Still later he went to Cali-
fornia, where he sold cattle for a time and
then engaged in milling, becoming both
prominent and wealthy. Our subject was
the fourth n^ember of a family of five chil-
dren born to his parents, namely : Robert,
who has passed away; John, who^ lives in
Boulder county, Colorado: Alexander, who
is our subject's twin brother; and IMary C,
who married Byron Bliss and died in
Boulder county, Colorado.
In 1840 Air. Taylor removed with his
family tof Missouri, and continued to fol-
low his profession of teaching. Our sub-
ject \\-as instructed by his father, whom
lie afterward remunerated, the latter being
in limited circumstances. \"erv earlv in
his career he engaged in farming, and was
j so occupied at the outbreak of the Civil
war. The family became divided on this
great question. Dr. Taylor becoming a mem-
ber of Con-qjany F, Seventh Missouri State
Cavalry, on April 11, 1862, while his twin
brother espoused the other side. Governor
Crittenden was lieutenant-colonel and Judge
Phillips was coiloijel oi the regiment of
which Dr. Taylor was a member. His serv-
ice was principally in Missouri, Arkansas
and Kansas. For forty-one days he was
on- Price's raid, and was captured on the
third day of the battle of Lexington, Mis-
souri, but just afterward he was paroled.
Some eight months later he re-enlisted and
soon afterward was appointed by the col-
onel as fifth sergeant of Company F, and
later was made hospital steward. This po-
sition he held until the close of the war,
and this' determined his future career. The
practical experience that he had received in
medicine and surgery during these \-ear5
of strife awakened in him an enthusiasm
for the profession which he has adorned
for so many years.
W'ith about a tliousand dollars which.
he had saved. Dr. Taylor entered the Uni-
versity of New York and took his first med-
ical course, returning then to Misisouri and
locating for one year in Leesville, in Henry
county. A favorable opending presenting
itself both for practice aaid study at Cole-
camp, he removed thither, remaining for
six years at that point. Then he entered
the St. Louis Medical College, remaining
until graduation in 1871. A short time was
again spent in Colecamp, when removal
was made to Aullville, in La Fayette coun-
ty, Missouri, where he remained for two
years, opening tfhen a practice in Concordia,
I where he remained for eleven years. In
1886 he came to this city and since that
j timie has built up a lucrative and still in-
{ creasing practice, due to his skill, medical
ability and the possession of those personal
attributes which go so far to incite confi-
dence in a physician. During the first term
of the late President McKinley, Dr. Taylor
was appointed by him a member of the
pension examining" board, and ever since
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
then he has retained this position. He is
serving his third term as county coroner,
liaving made it his aim ever since taking
charge of this important branch of the coim-
ty business to niai<e the costs as httle as
win subserve justice. In poHtics he is a
stanch, Repubhcan and is fraternahy con-
nected with Joe Hooker Post, No. 17, G.
A. R. For many yeai;s our subject has
been pron:inent in the Presbyterian church,
for fifteen years serving as retiring elder.
Dr. Taylor has been twice married, first
in Ouincy. Illinois, to Miss Florence Mc-
Kee. and ten children were born to^ this
union, eight of these still surviving, namely :
Adeline, who' married James H. Stratton,
of Hutchinson; Alberta, who married Bert
j\I. Iver, of Abbey ville, Reno county; Ern-
est, who is a tobacconist, in Preston, Colo-
rado; Robert, who is in the insurance busi-
ness with W. S. Thompson, in this city;
Grandon. who is a resident of Creston, Colo-
rado ; Clarence, who is a resident of Hutch-
inson; Josie, who lives in St. Louis; and
Augustus A., who was born on his father's
birthday. The second marriage of Dr.
Taylor was to Mrs. Samantha (George)
(Newcomb) Scott. The children born to
her first marriage are: James Newcomb,
who served in tlie Spanish-American war;
Mae, who is Mrs. Thorpe; and Guy New-
comb, who is now in the army in the Philip-
pine Islands. The children of her second
marriage are: Orville, Fairy. Hattie and
Annie.
ALEXANDER S. HUNTER.
The subject of this sketch is a man who
in his progressive career has demonstrated
the \-alue of a good name in the business
world, which is worth more than cash. As
a merchant and man of affairs he has not
only prospered in a substantial manner but
has won a name which stands for business
stability and insures him a high standing.
Alexander S. Hunter, of Norwich, King-
man county, one of the prominent merchants
of southern Kansas, was born in the state
New York, January i, 1831, a son of Sam-
uel and Mary A. (Calvert) Hunter. His
father was born in the state of New York
and was descended from an old New Eng-
land family, the founder of which in Amer-
ica was Mr. Hunter's great-grandfather, a
Scotch-Irishman, who came to the colonies
a British soldier to help subdue the patriot
insurrection of 1776. but who, soon recog-
nizing the injustice of the British cause,
transferred his allegiance to America and in
the army of Washington fought for Ameri-
can liberty. After the Revolution he lived
for a time in Connecticut and later removed
to New" York state, where he was a farmer
and where he died within the recollection
of his great-grandson.
Samuel Hunter, in 1842. emigrated from
New York state to^ McHeiary county. Illi-
nois, where he died in 1872. aged seventy-
three years. In politics he was a Democrat
until the organization of the Republican
party, with which he afterward acted. In
religion he was an old-school Presbyterian.
He had ten children, the following informa-
tion concerning some of whom will doubt-
less interest readers of this article. His
daughter, Mary, married a Mr. Shearer,
and, now a iwidow. lives at Woodstock, Illi-
nois. His son, S. H., lives in Kansas City.
Missouri. His daughter. Sarah, married a
Mr. Austin, and lives in ^Missouri. His
daughter, Martha, is Mrs. Furney, of Genoa,
Wisconsin. His son, \A'. H., lives at Gow-
ens, Iowa. His son, Thomas G., lives at
Los Angeles, California. Three others of
his children died in childhood and youth.
When his father removed with his fam-
ily to ^IcHenry county. Illinois, Alexander
S. Hunter was eleven years old. He ac-
quired some education as was available to
him in public schools near his home, and
when twenty-one 3-ears old he began farming
on rented land. In 1854 he bought land
in Bremer count}-, Iowa, which he owned
until 1857, but on which he never lived. In
1856 he opened a general store at Crystal
Lake, Illinois, which, five years later, he re-
moved to Algonquin. Illinois. After trad-
ing two years at Algonquin he removed his
stock of goods to Elgin. Illinois, where he
sold dry goods and groceries until 1866.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
247
From' that time until 1873 he was
in his old home in WcHenry county,
looking after his parents and attend-
ing- to his father's farm. After the death
of his father in Septemlier r.'f the year
mentioned, he went to W'ynniing-. where for
two ytors he operated mines and looked
after mining investments. In 1875 he lo-
cated at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where he
was a leading merchant until 1886, when
be removed to Norwich, Kansas, which had
been founded the previous year, where he
opened a general store, which he has man-
aged successfully toi the present time. He
has invested tO' a considerable extent in town
proijerty, owning several dwellings in Nor-
wich and the Norwich flouring- mill, and
has accjuired eight hundred acres of good
land in Bennett township, which he leases.
As a member of the People's party he has
l^een active in public afTairs and has been
elected justice of the peace and a member
of the city council. Since 1883 he has
owned mining interests in southern Colo-
rado and in 1900 he became financially in-
terested in the Norwich flouring mill, al-
ready mentioned, which has a capacity of
seventy-five barrels of flour a day, and which
has recently been equipped with up-to-date
machinery and is under his own manage-
ment. He is a member of tUe Independent
Order of Odd Fellows.
December 12, 1855. Mr. Hunter was
married, in Illinois. tO' I\Iary A. Lynd, and
they have four children : Viola, whO' is the
wife of William E. Haynes. a merchant of
Emporia. Kansas: Fannie, who married Dr.
Frank Boyington. (^t Oiariton. To\va; Albert
O., who lives at Wichita. Kansas; and Jay
Alexander, who assists his father in the man-
agement of the store. As a merchant Mr.
Hunter has made it the rule of his life never
to procrastinate in any business affair or to
depend on another to attend to matters of
importance about which he felt any solici-
tude. During his many years active career
he has never asked for an extension of time
on any obligation and has discounted all
bills, and his thoroughness and carefulness
have carried him safely through several fi-
nancial panics which have wrecked many of
his competitors. His friends rejoice with
him in his success because they know that it
has been fairlv won.
WILLIAM R. JOHNSON.
Among the successful and prominent
farmers and stockmen of Ellsworth county,
Kansas, as William R. Johnson, who resides
on the east t ne-half of section. 32, in Gar-
field townsbi;;. ^Ir. Jchhscn has a ranch
of ten hundred and thirty acres in cultiva-
tion and raises some enormous crops of corn,
Kaffir corn and sorghum, employing eight
men.
The birth of Mr. Johnson occurred in
Lawrenceburg, Anderson county, Kentucky,
on December 6, 1858, and he is a son of
Berry W. and Elvira (Mountjoy) Johnson,
both of wdiom are natives of the same state.
The father followed farming in that state
until 1869, when the family removed to Bates
county, Missouri, where the parents remain-
ed until 1895, at which period they returned
to tlieir (.1(1 Kentucky home, wdiere the fa-
ther died in April. 1899, but the mother still
survi\-es.
Mr. Johnson of this sketch was the eldest
in a family of eight children, two of his bro-
thers, James and John, also being residents
of Ellsworth county. His school days had
to be shortened in order that he might also
become a wage-earner, as he was the eldest
of :i lai-L^e family, and when only eleven
>■ ■ le started out, securing work
■.\ : ig farmers, and spent thirteen
yc..i. ;;..; , ,, (irking for four years for one
man, J. C Farrar. Industrious and provi-
dent, our subject accumulated means and
bought a one-half interest of Mr. Farrar.
One year he spent in Arkansas, but not lik-
ing tiie country, he returned to Missouri,
where he remained until October, 1895,
when he came to Ellsworth county. Prior
to this Mr. Johnson had been engaged in
farming and later in mining for coal, but
the vein gave out. and he decided to move
to Kansas. 'Mr. Johnson shipped the first
coal, over the Kansas Citv & Southern rail-
248
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
road, wliich was ever sent south of the
INlarais des Cygnes and the Cypress rivers.
Upon coming to Ellsworth county Mr.
Johnson could not at first find and buy a
place that suited him, so he leased the Mc-
Lennan ranch, consisting of nine sections.
This extends for four miles on the creek,
with luxuriant pasture on both sides, seem-
ing to be especially adapted to stock-raising.
He buys almost exclusively western cattle,
both on the ranges and in Kansas City, and
at the present writing he is feeding six
hundred and forty head of his own, and
wintering two hundred head for another in-
dividual. This is not the extent of the cat-
tle interests Mr. Johnson is a large farmer,
Johnson, for he buys and sells from two
thousand to three thousand head, his plan
being to buy in large numbers and to sell in
small lots to other feeders, who do not do
so extensive a business. Aside from his cat-
tle interests Mr. Johnson is a large farmer,
cultivating ten hundred and thirty acres.
The amount of energy and' ability required
to manage all these large interests, is abund-
ant proof that j\Ir. Johnson is gifted with
great executive force and the most excellent
judgment.
The marriage of our subject was solem-
nized in Bates county, Missouri, on October
12, 1881, to Miss Ruth Woodfin. who was
the daughter of John and Emily Woodfin,
the former of whom was born in Vermont
but became one of the pioneer settlers of
ilissouri, and one of the most extensive
farmers of that state. Two children were
born to the marriage of Mr. and ]\Irs. John-
son, one son and one daughter, namely:
Samuel F. and Emma V.
In his political sympathies 'Mr. Johnson
has always been a Democrat, but he has
ne\-er consented to accept office, with the
exception of membership on the school board,
on account of his interest in education, al-
though few men in this locality are more
fitted to assum 
