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OENEALOGY c6LLt.-C i iOM B5 2 c 

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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 



n 

Sf o 

3 ?a 



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^ z 

2 O 

m 
Z 




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 wa