Gc
978.101
A-£5d
11427P4.y
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
3 1833 01664 8043
HISTORY
ALLEN AND WOODSON
COUNTIES,
KANSAS
ILLUSTRATED
Emkei-lished with Portraits op Well Known People of These. Countii
WITH Biographies of Our Representative Citizens, Cuts of
Public Buildings and a Map of Each County.
EDITED AND COMPILED BY
L. WALLACE DUNCAN
CHAS. F. SCOTT
lOLA, KANSAS:
lOLA REGISTER, PRINTERS AND BINDERS
1 90 1
1142784
preface
There is no romance more thrilling and fascinating than the story of
the early settlement of Kansas, and her later history holds a charm and
interest that is not possessed by that of any other State in the Union. Organ-
ized as a Territory when the contest for the extension of slavery was at
white heat, it became at once the battle ground of the contending forces,
the South determined that it should be held as slave territorJ^ the North
equally determined that it should be dedicated to freedom. The struggle
drew the gaze of the Nation upon Kansas, and the interest then awakened
has continued, through peace and war, to this day. Something is always
"going on" in Kansas, and whatever it may be, the people in all the other
States want to know about it.
Allen and Woodson were among the first counties to be organized in
the new Territory, and some of the earliest white settlements in Kansas were
made within their borders. Many of their pioneers were identified in an
honorable way with the contest for freedom, and they have witnessed many
stirring events. It is for the purpose of making a permanent record of
these events, to engrave where they will not be lost or forgotten the names
of those whose courage and sacrifices laid the foundation for the prosperity
and peace we now enjoy, as well as to note the steps by which the present
high material development of the two counties has been reached, that the
present volume has been compiled and published.
The highest ambition of the publishers has been to make this History
accurate and reliable, and they have spared no pains to verify every substan-
tial fact recorded. To do this they have gone, whenever that was possible
to the original sources, to documents when such were available, to early
newspaper files, and to men and women who have been here from the or-
ganization of the counties and who can say: "All of this I saw and part of
it I was." And in conducting this research the publishers have been often
reminded that their work was not begun too soon, for of the large number of
those who
■Crosssed the prairies as of old
Our fathers crossed the sea",
and whose courage and endurance laid broad and deep the foundations of
the commonwealth, but few now remain, and when they shall have gone
"to join the great majority" it will no longer be possible to gather at first
hands the facts that constitute the most interesting", if not the most import-
ant, part of the history of the two counties. In collecting and putting in
form for permanent preser\'ation the recollections of those who were original
obser\'ers and actors through the long period that now stretches between the
organization of the counties and the present day, the publishers feel that
they have done a real ser\ace for future generations.
"Biography is history teaching by example," and no histon,- of aiiy
American community would be complete that did not contain the life record
of many of the men and women who constitute its citizenship. A large por-
tion of this volume is therefore devoted to sketches of those who have in one
way or another been identified with the political, social, religious, business
or professional life of the community. The limits of the volume have made
it impossible to include all who are worthy of a place in it; but so far as it
was possible to secure the facts no one has been omitted whose record is an
essential part of the histon^ of the two counties.
The publishers wish to make .special acknowledgment of their indebt-
edness to those who have contributed the chapters which appear over their
names, and which add greatly to the interest and value of the book. The.\-
are very grateful also for the generous encouragement which their under-
taking has received and for the advance subscriptions which have made it-
publication possible.
In a recent article Hon. E. F. Ware says: "Next to having heroes is
having historians. A hero who does not get into histors' is practically
wasted. Heroism without history is like a banquet without a guest. The
great charm of Kansas is the fact that it has had both heroes and historians.
A good printed history- is like a bank. In it the valuables and the jewels of
the State are kept. Into this bank goes the surplus greatness of the people
and of the state."
If the present work shall in any degree merit this accurate and witty
definition of a "good printed history," the publishers will feel that their
hopes have been justified.
HISTORY
OF
ALLEN COUNTY
KANSAS
Xocation an^ IRatural features
Allen couim- is located in the southeastern port of the State, in the sec-
ond tier of counties from the east line and in the third tier from the south
line, 109 miles south of Kansas City. It is twentj--cr,e miles north and
south and twenty-four miles east and west, containing 504 square miles, or
about 322,560 acres. It is divided into tweh e townships, as follows:
Geneva, Carlyle, Deer Creek, Osage, Marmaton, Elm, lola, Elsmore, Salem
Cottage Grove, Humboldt and Logan.
The Neosho, the third largest river in the State, enters it at the north-
west comer and follows a generally southea.sterly course, affording a large
and steady supply of water and furnishing abundant water power at lola
and Humboldt, where dams have been constructed, the greater part of the
year. The river has numerous tributaries, the largest being Indian creek,
Martin creek. Deer creek. Elm creek. Coal creek and Owl creek. The
Neosho and all its tributaries were heavily wooded when the country was
first settled, and large bodies of native timber still remain en all of them.
The Marmaton river rises east of the center of the county and flows south-
east through Marmaton and Elsmore townships. The Little Osage river
rises north of the center of the county and flows .'^cutheast. Each of these
rivers has small tributaries. Good well water is obtained nearly everywhere
in the count>- at a depth of from twenty to thirty feet, era at numerous
points deep wells, drilled to a depth of about two hundred feet, have supplied
never failing water.
The river and creek bottoms are wide and level, ccmprisirg about cne-
tenth the area of the county. The uplands are ger.tly icllirg jiaiiie. There
is comparatively little surface rock, although in r.eaily every township seme
6 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
good quarries have been opened, the stone being usually blue and white
limestone and red sandstone.
When the county was first settled considerable surface coal was found
in Osage and Cottage Grove townships, and it was thought that a consider-
able portion of the county might be under laid with coal at a greater depth.
Subsequent prospecting, however, has not developed any veins of sufficient
thickness to warrant working.
IWatural IResources
AGRICULTURAL: Like most of the counties of Kansas, Allen is mostly
an agricultural county. The bottom lands, comprising as already stated
one-tenth of the entire area of the county, are apparently inexhaustible in
their fertility and produce enormous crops year after year. The uplands
are not so rich, of course, but they yet possess a deep alluvial soil, rich in
decomposed limestone, and with proper cultivation producing extremely
well. Up to the time of this writing but little manufactured fertilizer has
Ijeen used, because not found necessary. Some of the more progressive
farmers, however, are now experimenting with the various fertilizers that
are on the markets, and the results have proven so satisfactory that the cus-
tom will no doubt soon become general. Wheat is grown successfully
along the river bottoms, and some of the uplands have produced good results
when fertilizer was used. But corn is the principal crop of the county, the
average annual product being in the neighborhood of two million bushels.
Kaffir corn is gaining in favor with the farmers, as it never fails to produce
a good crop. A great deal of sorghum and millet is raised as a forage crop,
while flax, oats and broom corn are grown successfully. Nearly all the
varieties of fruits common to this latitude do well here, apples especially
being abundant in quantity and excellent in quality. Of the tame grasses,
clover and timothy do the be.st and are now very generally grown.
STOCK RAISING: Nearly all the farmers are also stock raisers or
feeders and nearly all the grain and forage grown in the county is fed with-
in its borders. Attention is given mostly to hogs and cattle, although there
are some sheep in the county, and a great many car loads of horses and
mules are turned off annually. The cheapness with which grain and forage
can be grown, the abundance of good water, the mildness of the climate and
the proximity to great markets make the live stock industry one of the most
profitable in which our people engage.
TIMBER: When the country was first settled the heavy growth of
forest along the rivers and creeks constituted a very important resource and
brought many thousands of dollars to the fortunate owners. Saw mills
were the first factories of any kind to be established, and practically all the
houses built prior to the advent of the railroad in 1872 were constructed
wholly or in large part of native lumber. The forests have been very largely
cut down, but enough of the original growth yet remains to enable three or
four small saw mills .to do a flourishing business.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 7
MINERAL: Bj- far the most important mineral resource of the count}-,
so far as now known, is the Natural Gas, the discovery and development of
which is made the subject of another chapter. Next in value to the gas
are the shales, suitable for the manufacture of brick and tiling, and the
stone designated in the geology of the State as "the lola l,ime.stone". The
shales are deposited very generously over the county, but are utilized at
present only at lola and Humboldt, at each of which places, by the use of
nattiral gas as fuel, they are manufactured into a fine quality of building
and paving brick. The stone also underlies a large portion of the county,
but is used only at lola where, in combination with the shale, it is tised in
the manufacture, on a very large scale, of Portland Cement. It has also
been used quite extensively for sidewalks and curbing. Considerable oil
has been developed in the vicinity of Humboldt and at some other points in
the county, but not in sufficient quantities as yet to admit of its being placed
upon the market. The presence of so large a gas field as Allen county
, possesses lends reason to the hope that at some time a correspondingly
large pool of oil will be found.
HISTORY OF AI.LEN AND
^be ^territorial jPerio^'
Allen coiiiity m dDubt has a history, if we could only find it, dating
far beyond the brief pariod of its occupation by the present population.
Away in the dim recesses of prehistoric times there is good reason to believe
the country we now ciU Kansas, and perhaps this very valley, was inhab-
ited by a numerous psople, different from and far more advanced in civiliz-
ation than any of the aborigines found here upon the advent of the Euro-
peans. The num;roa; and massive ruins of long forgotten cities in Arizona,
in the cmons of the Colorado, and the traces of vast systems of irrigation
yet discernible in partions of our own State, prove that this portion of the
continent had a histjry in connection with the human race long before it
became the hunting grounds of the Indian or the home of the Caucassian;
but who they were, whence they came, how long they remained, whither
they went, and what were the agencies of war, pestilence or famine which
so completely blotted them out, are questions for the archaeologist and anti-
quary, and not for the practical historian of to-day.
The first written account we have of the territory included within this
State dates from about the middle of the sixteenth century, when a Spanish
expedition, under the leadership of Coronado, coming from Mexico by way
of the Gulf of California, penetrated as far as the north central part of Kan-
sas. The expedition came in search of gold and silver and fabulously rich
cities, but it found neither gold nor silver nor cities, and so the disorganized,
discouraged and demoralized remnant of it returned to Mexico as best it
could, having left no permanent mark upon the State.
Another Spaniard, DeSoto, after discovering the Mississippi, crossed
it in his search for the fountain of perpetual youth and penetrated almost to
the borders of Kansas, but failing to find the fabled fountain returned and
was buried in the stream he had discovered, and the only reminder of him
in Kansas is his name, given to a small station on the Atchison, Topeka
and Santa Fe railroad near Lawrence.
French explorers were more successful than the Spanish had been.
Coming down from the north and east, they ascended the Missouri to the
mouth of the Kansas river which they entered and followed some distance.
They have left the most glowing accounts of the beauty and fertility of the
country and especially of the incredible numbers of buffalo, deer, bear and
other wild animals with which it abounded.
In 1682 the French took possession of the mouth of the Mississippi in
the name of the King of France and named the country on its banks Louis-
* NotB-The Publishers wish to acktiawledge their indebtedness for many ol the facts recited
in this chapter to two addresses on "The History of Alien County," one delivered at lola, July 4,
1876. by Dr. John W. So 3tt. and the other delivered the someday at Humboldt, by Major Watson
"WOODSON COrxTIES, KANSAS. $
iana, in honor of Louis XIV. The name was applied to a vast but some-
what indefinite extent of territon- west of the Mississippi river including
what is now divided into eighteen States and Territories of our Union,
Kansas being one of them. It remained nominally in the 'possession of
France until November, 1762, when it was ceded to Spain, being retroceded
to France, October i, 1800, by the secret treaty of St. Idilfonso.
In 1803, through the crowning act of the administration of Thomas
Jefferson, the entire Territory of Louisiana was purchased from France and
ceded to the I'nited States. In 1804 Congress divided the new purchase
into two distinct territories divided by the 33d parallel of north latitude.
The southern portion was called tlie Territory of New Orleans, and the
northern the District of Louisiana, this District being placed under the
jurisdiction of the Governor of the Tenitory of Indiana. In 1805 a Terri-
torial government was granted to the District of Louisiana, under the name
of the Territory of Louisiana, and in 1812 the Territorial Government was
recognized and the name changed to that of Missouri Territory. In 1820
the State of Missouri was admitted into the LTnion with its present boun-
daries and there remained of the old Louisiana Purchase the Territory of
Nebraska.
It was not until 1854 that the name Kansas appeared upon the map.
In that year the Territory ol Nebraska was divided and what had been the
southern portion of it was organized into the Territory of Kansas, with A.
H. Reeder as Governor. The first legislature of the new Territory was
elected March 30, 1855, — the election being marked by such gross and
palpable fraud on the part of the "Border Ruffians" that the legislature
then chosen has come down in history as "the bogus legislature". It was
in the acts of this legislature, known as "the bogus statutes", that Allen
county first appears as a recognized municipality, having a "local habita-
tion and a name", the section being in the following words:
"The county of xlllen shall be bounded as follows: Beginning at the
southeast corner of Anderson county, thence south thirty miles, thence
west twenty-four miles, thence north thirty miles, thence east t'venty-four
miles to place of beginning "
The first white settlements in the county were made in the spring and
summer of 1855, shortly before the county was named and its limits defined
as above set forth. There is some dispute as to who made the first perma-
nent settlement, but the weight of the testimony seems to award that
honorable distinction to Mr. D. H. Parsons, who with a companion, B. W.
Cowden, arrived on the Neosho river near the mouth of Elm creek in the
month of March, 1855. They found about four hundred lodges of Osage
Indians encamped in the timber and still claiming some sort of ownership
in the country. But owing to the fact that the father of Mr. Parsons had
been a trader among the Osages, the newcomers were received in the most
friendly manner and made welcome in the lodges of the camp until their
cabins were built.
A little later the good will of the Indians again stood Parsons in good
stead. Returning to his claim after a short absence later in the summer.
lO HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
he found his cabin in possession of a'party of Missourians who, drifting
down that was and finding it unoccupied had proceeded at once to take
possession and make themselves at home. There was no law, no right but
might, and the Missourians were the stronger. Finding that argument was
of no avail, Mr. Parsons appealed to his friend. Little Bear, chief of the
Osages. The result of this appeal was that a party of warriors presented
themselves suddenly before the astonished interlopers, and with angry
gestures and loud threatening talk gave them to understand that the\- must
get out. The Missourians were now the suppliants, and begging Parsons
to restrain the fury of the savages until they could get out of their reach
they departed immediately, rapidly and permanently. The claim over
which this dispute arose was just across the river southwest of lola, known
to all the later settlers as the Nimrod Hankins place.
During the summer of 1855 a number of settlers arrived in the county,
the following being as nearly a complete roll as can now be obtaiiied:
Major James Parsons, with his sons, Jesse and James, H. H. Hayward,
Dr. Burgess, Isem Brown, A. W. J. Brown, J. S. Barbee, Thos. Day, Giles
Sater, Thos. Norris, Jessie E. Morris, Anderson Wray, George Hall, Dr.
Stockton, A. C. Smith, .Augustus Todd, Michael Kiser, Hiram Smith,
Richard J. Fuqua, W C. Keith, Henry Bennett, Elias Copelin, James
Barber, Barnett Owen, James Johnson, Charles Passmore, James Gillraith,
David Dotson, E. H. Young, a Mr. Duncan and a Mr. Martin, for whom
Martin creek was named. Of these sturd)- and honored pioneers not one
now remains in the county, and probably fewer than half a score are yet
living.
The Legislature of 1855 adopted a system of county organization the
oi£cers of which were a Probate Judge, with power and jurisdiction almost
equal to that of our present district court; two County Commissioners, con-
stituting with the Probate Judge, the tribunal for transacting county busi-
ness; and a sheriff. These four officers were to be appointed by the
Legislature and to hold their offices until the general election in 1857, and
they in turn to appoint the County Clerk and Treasurer. The officers
appointed for Allen county were Charles Passmore, Probate Judge, Barnett
Owen and B. W. Cowden, Commissioners, and Wm. J. Godfrey, Sheriff.
In the spring of 1855 a party of proslavery men from Fort Scott formed
a town company, and coming to Allen county laid out a town on the high
ground south of the mouth of Elm creek and on the east bank of the Neosho
river, about one and one-half miles southwest of where lola now stands
The town was named Cofachique, in honor of an Indian chief, and James
Barbee was elected the first president of the company. The Company was
incorporated by the bogus legislature under the name of the Cofachique
Town Association, with Daniel Woodson, Charles Passmore, James S.
Barbee, William Barber, Samuel A. Williams and Joseph C. Anderson as
the incorporators. The Association was authorized by the act creating it to
hold any quantity of land not exceeding 900 acres, "where the city of
Cofachique is now located," and was made the permanent county seat of
Allen county. The first store in the town and in the county was started by
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. II
James Galbreath. H. D. Parsons and a Mr. Lynn soon started another and
a third was opened by John & Owens. The first post-office in the county
was e-tablished at Cofachique in the spring of 1855 with Aaron Case as
post-master, but it was not until July i, 1857, that a regular mail route
was opened, the mail prior to that time having been brought in from Fort
Scott by a carrier employed by the citizens.
For nearly two years Cofachique was the only town in the countv and
was a place ot much importance. The first term of court in the county was
held there in 1865 by Judge Cato, a United States District Judge, with J.
S. Barbee, clerk and James Johnson sheriff. There is no record of pro-
ceedings at this term and it is possible that but little was done. In October
1858 Judge Williams held another term, with J. B. L,amkin clerk, and J.
E. Morris sheriff. A grand jury was in attendance composed of the follow-
ing: L. E. Rhoades. Thos. H. Bashaw, Thos. Dean, J. B. Young, Jacob
Buzzard, Moses Neal, Mike Kiser, Robert Culbertson, Simon Camerer, A.
G. Carpenter, J. C. Redfield, Wm. Pace, Chas. Burton, Dene Reese and
Rufus Wood. A number of civil cases were tried, and the grand jury
made presentment against Leonard Fuqua lor assault with intent to kill
one Josiah C. Redfield; also for assault on P. P. Phillips; and against
Leonard Fuqua, Homer C. Leonard, A. C. Smith, Avery C. Spencer, Ed.
Cushion and William Fuqua for assault and battery on George Esse.
These troubles grew out of claim disputes, a fruitful cause of strife in all
new countries.
With the record of this term of court the history of Cofachique prac-
tically closes. In 1858 a Free State legislature, looking upon Cofachique
as a pro-slavery nest, removed the county seat to Humboldt, a new town
that had been laid out the year before, some seven miles south of Cofachi-
que. In 1859 lola, another new town, was started a little distance to the
north. The result was the death of Cofachique. The site of the town had
not been wisely chosen, being difficult of access from any of the beaten
roads and having no available water supply. The natural disadvantages
together with the disrepute into which it fell on account of its pro-slavery
proclivities, are responsible for its ultimate failure. In 1859 and '60 all
the buildings that had been erected there were removed to lola, and there
is now not a stick nor a stone to remind even the most careful observer
that a town once existed there. The land on which it was built is now the
property of the Portland Cement Company.
During the summer and fall of 1856 immigration continued, though
not in very large numbers. Prominent among the settlers of that year
were Nimrod Hankins, William M. Brown, Carlyle Faulkner, Carroll
Prewett, Henry Doren, G. A. Gideon, William Mayberry, Thomas Bashaw,
M. W. Post and Joseph Ludley. The two last named came in February
1856, being engaged in the survey of the standard parallels. They finished
this survey with the fifth parallel through Allen county, and concluded to
locate in or near Allen county. Sometime during the following summer
Ludley brought a small saw mill from Westport, Mo., set it up in the
timber near Cofachique and began operations at once. The mill was run
12 HISTORY OF ALLEX AND
by horse power, and was the first mill or other machinery to be put in
operation in Allen coinitv. Alter running it tor some time Ludley sold it
to Urury S. Tye.
This year, 1856, witnessed the first marriage thai took place in the
county, that of James Johnson to Marinda Barber, August 14. The cere-
mony was performed by A. W. J. Brown, the probate judge of the county.
The first death in the county also took place this year, that of James Barbee
which occurred at Cofachique.
Although the county officers were appointed by the legislature as has
already been ncted, in 1855, it appears that they did not meet until May 7.
1856. In the meantime the probate judge by appointment, Charles Pass-
more, had died, and on the day above named Barnett Owen and B. W.
Cowden, county commissioners, met in Cofachique at the house of J. S.
Barbee, and organized by the appointment of Barbee as clerk. On June 2,
1856, the Board again met and com[)leted the organization of the county by
the appointment of A. W. J. Brown, probate judge, James Johnson sheriff,
C B. Houston surveyor, H. D. Parsons coroner, H. H. Haywan.1 treasurer
and J. S. Barbee permanent clerk. They also divided the county into
three precincts. The first embraced all north of a line drawn east and
west through the mouth of Deer creek, and was called Deer creek precinct
or township; R. Fuqua and Hiram Cable were appointed justices of the
peace and William Sater constablt. The second division included all
between Deer creek township and the 5th standard parallel, and was called
Cofachique; John Dunwoody and William Avery justices and Ozias Owen
constable. The third division comprised the remainder of the county and
was called Coal creek township; Thos. H. Bashaw and Elias Copelin jus-
tices, and James Brady constable.
On the 19th of August, 1856, the Board met and appointed judges of
election for the first Monday in October for members of the Territorial
legislature. The appointments were as follows: Deer Creek, Giles Sater,
James Parsons, Wm. C. Keith, — the election to be held at the house of Isem
Brown. Cofachique, Wm. Avery, G. A. Gideon and Wm. Mayberry, —
the election to be held at Cofachique. Coal Creek, Henry Bennett, E.
Copelin and James H. Bashaw, — the election to be held at the house of W.
G. Wimburn. The Board also levied a tax of "twenty-three and one-half
per cent on each one hundred dollars" (so stated in the records, though it
is probable that twenty-three and one-half cents on each one hundred dol-
lars is meant), of personal property and fifty cents poll tax, and soon after
ordered the erection of a court house at Cofachique to be eighteen feet wide
and twenty feet long, one room below and two above, the lower room to
have one batton door, and one twelve light window, 8x10, and each of the
upper rooms a window of similar dimensions. This order, however, seems
to have been unpopular, for at a subsequent meeting, January 7, 1857, the
Board recinded both the tax and the order for a court house.
There is no record that the election ordered for the first Monday in
October of 1856 was held in Allen county. This election was for members
of the Territorial legislature and delegates in Congress under the bogus
\VOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 3
laws. The Free State men, who were a majority amongst tlie settlers of
Allen county, did not recognize the authority (,f those laws, and it is prob-
able that most of the judges appointed refused to act and the election went
by default. The county records contain no mention of even an attempt
being made to hold any election prior to this, but as a matter of fact an
election was held October 5. 1S55, at the house of J R. Fuqua, at which
Wm. R. Griffith, John Hamilton. A. W. J. Brown and Wm. Saunders
were elected as delegates to the Topeka Constitutional convention, each
receiving twelve votes. At the same election A. H. Reeder received f.vehe
votes for delegate in Congress. There is no record that a vote was ever
taken in the county upon the adoption ot the Topeka constitution or an\'
officers under it. While Allen county took no part in the elections it was
yet included in a large and rather indefinite district which was represented
in the Territorial council of 1855 by Wm. Barbee, of Fort Scott, a brother
of J. S. Barbee who figured in this count}-, and in the lower b.ouse of the
same legislature by S. A. Williams. In the second Territorial legislature,
elected in October, 1 856, this county was represented in the same vague
way in the council by Blake Little, a notorious Border Ruffian, and in the
house by B. Brantley and W. W. Spratt.
The years 1855 and 1856 are noted in the history of Kansas for the
Border Ruffian war which raged throughout the more thickly settled por-
tions of the Territory, the first active outbreak of the irrepressible conflict
between slavery and freedom which ended some years later in the slave-
holders' rebellion and the final extinction of their peculiar institution on
the continent. Invasion of savage hordes, armed with ballots and bullets,
with which to subdue the country and make Kansas a slave State, bogus
elections, pitched battles, marauding raids and midnight assassinations,
kept the northern and border counties in continual excitement and alarm.
But only the distant reverberations of the conflict reached the peaceful val-
ley of the Neosho. Isolated by situation and separated from the eastern
and northern portions of the Territory by wide and naked prairies, our
early settlers escaped the perils and anxieties of these troubled years.
Amongst the pioneers of Allen county from the very first the Free State
sentiment predominated, but they were mostl)' western men and as such
rather moderate in their views on the slavery question. They allowed their
pro-slavery neighbors to entertain their peculiar sentiments without moles-
tation, and during the entire continuance of the troubles no instance of
violence or outrage from this cause occurred within the limits of the county,
or involving any of its citizens. And of the immense sums of money raised
in the eastern States for the relief of Kansas settlers in 1856, amounting
according to Wilder's Annals, to $241,000, it is not known that one dollar
ever found its way into Allen county.
But while the county fortunately escaped the horrors of border warfare,
its early history is not without pathetic, and almost tragic incidents. One
of the most pitiful of these resulted from the attempt to establish what was
known as the "\'egetarian Colony", in 1855 and '6. The colony was
organized in some of the Northern States in 1855, its purpose being to form
14 HISTORY OF ALLEX AXD
a ssttlenicinl somewhere in Kansas Territory, the members of '.vhich should
abstain from the use of meat, tea, coffee, tobacco, or other stimulants, and
who while owning some land individually should yet hold large tracts in
common and should co-operate in many other ways to help one onother
and to build up an ideal community. C. H. DeWolf, of Philadelphia, was
president, Dr. McLauren, treasurer, and H. S. Clubb, of New York, secre-
tary. In the fall of 1855 Dr. McLauren was sent out to select a location.
The place chosen was on the left bank of the Neosho river, about six miles
south of Humboldt, designated in the literature of the promoters of the
scheme as Neosho City. In the spring of 1856 the secretary arrived with a
number of the colonists, and others came later, through the months of
April, May and June, until somewhat more than a hundred people reached
the place. There appears to have been gross mismanagement, if not out-
right peculation, on the part of the managers of the colony. At least the
promises they had made, among other things to have a saw and grist mill
constructed, and to have a large house built in which all the colonists could
be sheltered until they should have time to erect their individual dwellings,
were not kept. The result was bitter disappointment and much suffering.
For the most part the settlers were eastern people, not versed in the e.xped-
ients by which those accustomed to frontier life learned to make themselves
comfortable with few of the accessories of civilization. The food supply-
was scant, and even the little they had could not be properly prepared for
want of stoves and utensils. There was but one plow in the entire settle-
ment. When the summer came on clouds of mosquitos swarmed from the
adjacent low lands, making the night time almost unendurable. The
shallow springs which had been noted as "inexhaustible" in the glowing
prospectus of the company, failed and only the stagnant pools in the little
creek which ran by the settlement were available for drinking water, so
that nearly all the people were stricken with chills and fever. The little
fields of melons, squashes, pumpkins and corn which had been planted
with infinite toil in the tough sod, and which had grown luxuriantly, were
raided by neighboring bands of Indians and the products carried off or
destroyed. It is little wonder, therefore, that the colony did not survive
its first year. As the winter approached, those who could get away
returned to their old homes or sought other locations where the conditions
of life were not so strenuous, many died, especially of the children and the
old people, while those who remained in the county located claims and
fought their own way through to victory or defeat, without the "assistance"
of a paternal company. So that before the following spring not a trace of
the settlement survived, and the ill-starred venture has left no mark on the
county except its name "Vegetarian" given to the small creek that flowed
by the settlement. The story of the colony has been most graphically told
by Mrs. Wm. H. Colt, who with her hu.sband and two children and her
husband's father, mother and sister, were among the colonists, in a book
which bears the quaint and curious title "Went to Kansas", and it is one
of the most touching and pathetic stories in all the annals of the State.
During the summer and fall of 1857 large additions were made to the
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 15
population of the county, so many new settlers arriving that it is impossible
to give the names of individuals. Up to this time the settlements had been
exclusively confined to the timbered valleys of the large streams. But
the\- now began to encroach upun the prairies and the population became
more generally distributed over the county, especially the western half of
it, to which indeed it was iuainl\- confined for many years. As a result of
this large immigration Allen county during this summer experienced its
first "boom". Times were flush. Money was abundant. Every new
settler came with his pockets full of gold, and most of them seemed to come
with the idea that the thing to do was to build a city. Towns were staked
out everywhere, the most impossible locations were selected, high sounding
names were adopted, lithographs were printed by the thousand and sent all
over the country. Indeed so universal was the mania that the facetious S.
N. Wood once proposed in the legislature to reserve by law a certain por-
tion of the Territory for farming purposes. The Kansas "boomer" of later
daj-s comes by his propensity honestly; it was bred in him. Allen county
did not entirely escape this town building infection, though she suffered from
it in a less degree perhaps than some other localities. Only two towns
were started here during that year, Geneva and Humboldt, and although
they have not realized the extravagant expectations of their founders, they
have yet prospered in a reasonable degree, and their history is reserved for
a subsequent chapter.
Until the general election October 5th of this year, the affairs of the
county were conducted by the original count}- board. Brown, Cowden and
Owen, although it seems that Owen now seldom met with them. At their
first meeting in 1857 January 5th, they again undertook to levy a tax. This
time it was forty-three and one-third per cent on the $100. They ap-
pointed Jacob B. Sherlock assessor, offered a bounty of twenty-five cents for
wolf scalps, and allowed Barbee fifty cents house rent. On the 19th of
January they had another meeting and appointed Nimrod Hankins assessor,
Sherlock having refused to qualify. On March 30 the assessment roll, the
first taken in the county, was returned and showed a total taxable property
in the county $34,515.50. The board allowed the assessor twenty-four
dollars for his ser\-ices. Having apparently discovered that forty-three and
one-third per cent was rather a heavy tax, the board at this meeting rescinded
their former action and levied a tax of one-sixth of one per cent, a ver>- con-
siderable reduction. Having thus satisfactorily arranged the financial af-
fairs of the county^ the board adjourned, as the record qtiaintly sa3'S, "until
there is other business before the cottrt. " It seems that other business did
not appear during the year, as there is no record of a subsequent meeting of
the board, and it was succeeded by a new board chosen at the general elec-
tion in October.
The first census of Kansas was taken in April, 1857, under an act of
the Territorial legislature preparatory to a new legislative apportionment
and for the apportionment of delegates to the Lecompton constitution. By
this census the population of Bourbon, McGee, Dorn and Allen counties
was 2622, of whom 645 were legal voters. This gave the district which
l6 - HISTORY OF AI.LEX AND
these counties comprise four delegates in the convention, and at the election
held in June, 1857, H. T. Wilson, Blake Little, Miles Greenwood and
G. P. Hamilton were elected, J. S. Barbee, of Allen being defeated. The
candidites were all pro-slavery, the Free State men refusing to recognize
the proceeding in any way. In the legislative apportionment, the counties
of Shawnee, Richardson, Davis, Wise, Breckenridge, Bourbon, Godfrey,
Wilson, Doru, McGee, Butler, Hunter, Greenwood, Madison, Wilson, Coffey,
Woodson and Allen, (how many familiar names do you note?) were allowed
two members of the council, and in the House nineteen counties including
Allen , were allowed three representatives. The election was called for Octo-
b=;r 5, 1857, and under the assurance of Gov. Robert J. Walker that it should
be fair and free, the Free State party now for the first time determined to
muster their strength at the ballot box. The result, after throwing out
s;ime illegal votes in Johnson and McGee counties, was a complete victory,
nine Free State Councilmen being elected to four pro-slavery, and twenty-four
Free State representatives to fifteen Pro-slavery. The political complexion
of Allen county at this time is shown by the vote for delegate in congress
as follows: Deer Creek, M. J. Parrott, Free State 33, E. Ransom, Pro-
slavery i; Cofachique, parrott 20, Ransom 16; Coal creek, Parrott 12,
Ransom 3: total vote 85, Free State majority 45. At this election O. E.
Learnard, then of Coffey county, now owner of the lyawrence Journal, and
C. K. HoUiday, of Shawnee, lately deceased, were elected to represent in
the council the district of which Allen county was a part, and in the House
the representatives were Christopher Columbia, John Curtiss and Samuel
J . Stewart. Mr. Stewart was the first citizen of Allen county who occupied
a legislative position in the Territory, and his continued vigor, as well as
his continued popularity, is shown by the interesting fact that at this writ-
ing (1901) he is again representing his county in a similar position, having
l>een elected to the State senate in 1900, — forty-three years after his first
experience in that capacity.
At this election, in 1857, new county officers were also chosen as
follows: J. D. Passmore, probate judge; Elias Copelin and T. J. Day,
county commissioners; Jesse E. Morris sheriff. The new board met January
5, 1858, and appointed James H. Signer clerk, Z. J. Wisner assessor, George
A. Miller coroner, and Cyrus Dennis, Cornelius O'Brien and Dan Brown
constables. The only other meeting of this board which is any where
recorded was March, 1858, at Layton Jay's blacksmith shop in Cofachique.
At this meeting they reorganized the precincts, for the first time designating
them officially astownships,of which they made four. Deer Creek, Cofachique,
Humboldt and Cottage Grove. The board then adjourned to meet at
Thurston's office in Humboldt, the legislature having removed the county
seat to that place. There is here a hiatus of nearly a year in the record,
the next entry being dated February 8, 1859, when the board again
returned to Cofachique. The probability is that that portion of the record
made at Humboldt was destroyed in some of the raids that took place during
the war.
During the year 185S the population of the county increased very rap-
WOODSOX COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 7
idly and indeed at the close of the year was very little short of what it was
at any time for nearly a quarter of a century thereafter. And the increase
was by healthy and natural immigration. The era of colonization and town
building was about over, only one or two enterprises of the kind being
inaugurated that year, and those of modest and unpretending character. A
small colony from Johnson and Park counties Indiana had selected the pre-
ceding fall the townsite of Carlyle, and left two young men P. M. Carnine
and R. V. Ditmars, to prepare some cabins during the winter. In the
spring and summer of this j'ear several families arrived. T. P. Killen, J. M.
Evans, S. C. Richards, David Bergen, J. W. Scott and H.armon Scott being
among the first. The Carlyle colony had selected two quarter sections of
land as a town site whereon they proposed to build a village, with church,
school house, etc. They very soon discovered, however, that a town was
not what they wanted, and the tovvnsite was very wisely made over into
farms. The church and school house were built, however, and the settle-
ment, with its later additions, the Coverts, Cozines, Christians, Adamses,
Smiths and many more, became one of the most thrifty and substantial in
the countj'. In the course of time a post-office was established, and that in
due course brought a store, and Carlyle is now a modest but thriving vil-
lage, the center of a splendid country community.
About the same time that the Carlyle colony arrived another town was
projected, called Florence, which was to be located north of Deer creek and
east of Carlyle. J. B. Chapman, Harvev Allen, J. B. Justus, D. C.
VanBrunt, D. Rogers, M. M. Haun, W. S. Eastwood, F. M. Power, R. B.
Jordan and others were interested in it, and it was their expectation that
the L,. I,. & G. railroad would pa,ss through it. This expectation was not
realized however, and the attempt to build another "city" was soon aban-
doned. The site which it was to occupy is now known as the Strickler
and Whitaker farms.
The second mail route was established during the summer of 1S5S.
It was to run from Eawrence to Humboldt, via Garnett, Hyatt, Carlyle and
Cofachique. The service was to begin July i and a few days before that
date J. W. Scott, J. M. Evans and Harmon Scott took a wagon load of
poles and laid out and marked a trail from Hyatt to Carlyle. This trail is
now the main wagon road leading from the county north and very near the
route followed by the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Galveston (now the
Southern Kansas division of the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe) railroad.
Zach Squires was the first mail carrier, and for some time his weekly trips
were made on the back of a small mule. Afterwards the service was made
tri- weekly, and the little mule gave way to a two horse hack, then a jerky,
or two horse stage, and finally an imposing Overland coach which, in its
turn was succeeded by the passenger train. The post-ofiice for Carlyle was
for some time kept at the house of J. W. Scott. Afterwards and for a
number of years at the home of John Covert, in the house now occupied by
Mrs. D. Adams. Since the advent of the railroad it has been kept at the
store in the village.
This was the era of elections in Kansas, when the people voted early
iS HISTORY OF ALLEX AXD
and often, and tlie year 1858 witnessed a large number of town meetings,
political conventions and elections. On March 9, occnn-ed the election for
members of the Leavenworth constitutional convention. A. G. Carpenter
was chosen as the delegate from Allen county. This was the third
convention that had been elected to frame a constitution for the State, and
like both of the others it proved an abortion. In this year also was
submitted to the people for ratification or rejection the Lecompton constitu-
tion under the English bill. The vote in Allen county stood, for 23, against
268, showing a very decided predominance of the Free State sentiment.
The regular election of members of the Territorial legislature and county
officers occurred October 4. The same 19 disfranchised counties sent three
representatives as before. This time Allen county failed to secure a
member, Wm. Spriggs, of Anderson, being the nearest.
The Free State legislature had abolished the old Missouri system of
county court or commissioners, and provided for the election of township
supervisors, three from each township, the chairmen of these together con-
stituting the county board. Those elected at this time and serving at
different times during the year were B. ly. G. Stone, J. F. Colborn, D. B.
Stewart, W. \V. Miles,- John Hamilton, Elias Copelin and J. S. Barbee.
The other county officers held over from the previous year.
As before stated, the legislatm-e of 1858 had, without consulting the
people and without the previous knowledge of any except of a few particu-
larly interested, removed the county seat to Humboldt. The first meeting
of the new county board of which there is any record was held at that place
February 8, 1859. The only business transacted was the election of B. L.
G. Stone, chairman. The board then adjourned to meet at Cofachique,
but why, or by what authority, does not appear. They met at Cofachique,
as per adjournment, February 14, organized the new township of Geneva
and appointed judges of the election to be held on the fourth Monday of
March to ratify the Leavenworth constitution. The judges appointed were
as follows: Geneva, at the house of Levi Ross, L. L. Northrup, William
Noble, J. H. Spicer; Deer Creek at the house of Thos. Day, Thos. Day,
Henrv Doren and J. \V. Scott; Cofachique, James Faulkner, Z. J. Wisner
andj! N. Bear; Humboldt, Thos. H. Ba,shaw, P. Cox and Elias Copelin;
Cottage Grove, Thos. Jackson, J. M. Beck and Dr. Phillips. This is the first
election held in the county of which any report appears on the county records
or of which there appears to have been a regular canvas. Apparently little
interest was taken in this event, as the entire vote cast was only 138, of
which 134 were for the constitution and 4 against.
During the year 1859 political matters continued to engage a large
share of the attention of the people. On the 7th of June an election was
held for members of another constitutional convention, the fourth and la.st.
At this election J. H. Signor was chosen by a majority of six, having
received 175 votes to 169 for Chas. S. Clark. The convention met in
Wyandotte July 5, and framed the constitution under which the State was
finally admitted. This constitution was submitted October 4th, and the vote
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 9
ill Allen county stood 244 for, 159 against, and on the homestead clause
which was submitted separately 201 for and 152 against.
The time for the general election this year had been changed to Nov-
ember 4, and a new apportionment had been made for the legislature.
Bourbon, Allen, McGee, Dorn, Woodson and Wilson counties formed the
1 2th council district. Watson Stewart was elected to the council and J. W.
Scott representative, with the following county officers: Simon Camerer,
probate judge; H. H. Hayward, sheriff; J. W. Perkins, register of deeds;
J. H. Signor, county clerk; Wm. Doren, treasurer; Merriit Moore, super-
intendent of schools; A. G. Carpenter, surveyor; Chas. Fussman, coroner.
About a month later, December 6, the first election for State and county
officers under the Wyandotte constitution was held, resulting as follows:
District Judge S. 6. Thacher; Senators, loth district, P. P. Elder, Wm.
Spriggs; Representatives, B. L. G. .Stone, N. B. Blandon (Stone afterwards
resigned and a special election was held to fill the vacancy in the first State
legislature;) probate judge, Geo. A. Miller; Clerk of the District court,
J. H. Signor; Superintendent of schools, Merritt Moore.
The last year of the Territorial period is the darkest year in the history
of the county and the State. The story of i860 may be written in the one
word, Drouth. Up to this time the county had steadily improved. Times
were not so good nor money so abundant as before the panic of '57, but
immigration still continued, the seasons had been favorable, the crops good
and the people had enjoyed a reasonable degree of prosperity. But all this
was sadly changed. There was a copious shower in September 1859, but
after that it may be said with almost literal truth that there was no rain for
eighteen months. There was neither rain nor snow during the winter and
the ground was exceedingly dry in the spring, but anticipating nothing
unusual the people plowed and planted and pursued their ordinary avoca-
tions. The Territorial legislature at its last session had adopted a new plan
of county organization, providing for three county commissioners instead of
the board of supervisors, and a probate judge with greatly restricted powers.
On March twenty-sixth a special election was held for the new officers. J.
G. Rickard was elected probate judge, George Zimmerman, N. T. Winans
and D. B. Stewart county commissioners. But a more absorbing interest
than offices and politics soon began to claim the attention of the people. As
spring passed on and ripened into summer there was still no rain, the dust
in which the seed had been planted remained dust. The burning sun
glared fiercely all day, and no dew decended at night. "The sky above
our heads seemed brass," says J. W. Scott in the address. from which many
of the foregoing facts have been gleaned, "and the earth was iron beneath
our feet. The air around us seemed the very breath of hell, and the whole
atmosphere ready to burst into devouring fiame. Day after day and month
after month the scantj^ vegetation looked up helplessly to the unpitying
heavens, and finally drooped and died. How many nights we sat hour
after hour watching the hurrying clouds and hoping against hope that they
would bring the needed moisture; but they were as dry as ashes and the
hearts of the boldest died within them. No people ever struggled more
20 HISTORY OK ALLEN AND
manfully against ovenvhelming disaster. When one crop failed another
was tried, each to meet with no better success than the first." It was a
heart-breaking experience, and those who passed through it cannot speak
of it even now without a shudder. It is no wonder that many of the settlers
perhaps a majority of them, went back to their former homes, and that few
of those who went ever returned. Those who remained suffered the
extremest privation, and many of them were rescued from actual starvation
only by the timely arrival of supplies sent out by the numerous "Kansas
Aid" .societies which were oi'ganized throughout the East. There have
been hard times in Kansas since then: but compared with i860 there has
never been a year that was not one of abundance and good cheer.
This year the county was divided for the first time into commissioner
districts. The board elected at the special election in March were only to
hold until the general election in November, at which time the following
persons were elected commissioners: Henrj' Doren, H. D. Parsons and D.
B. Stewart, with Yancy Martin assessor, — the other county officers holding
over. J. W. Scott was re-elected representative, Watson Stewart holding
over in the Council. An attempt was made during this year to build a jail
at Humboldt. Specifications were adopted by the county board and pro-
posals received: but the times were unpropitious and nothing farther was
done. The first regular census was taken this year and gave Allen county
a population of 3120. The number of cattle reported was 5043, swine 2060,
horses 951, mules 50 and sheep 710. This census was taken in June and
shows a much larger population than remained at the end of the year.
The following winter was very severe, and notwithstanding the "aid"
received, much suffering was experienced, especially by those who were
compelled to make long trips after relief goods. These were mostly dis-
tributed from Atchison through S. C. Pomeroy. afterwards United States
vSenator, and the journey, often made with ox teams, requiring a week or
ten days, sometimes through the fiercest storms, was only rendered endura-
ble by the absolute necessity oi the case.
It was during this darkest period of her history, when the hearts of the
bravest of her pioneers were heavy within them and the "Ad Astra" of the
motto emblazoned on her shield seemed a bitter mockery, that Kansas was
ushered into the sisterhood of States. The bill for her admission was
signed by President Buchanan on the twenty-ninth day ol January, 1861,
and the Territorial Period was brought to a close.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
Zbc Mar ll^erio^
As soon as the news of the breaking out of the Rebellion reached
Allen Count}- nearly all the able-bodied men hastened to enlist in defense of
the Union. In 1861 the lola Battalion was formed, and from the county
were three companies, commanded by Captains Coleman, Flesher, and
Killen, which served in the Ninth Kansas. In the Tenth Kansas Regi-
ment were two companies, one commanded by Capt, W. C. Jones, and the
other by Capt. N. B. Blanton.
The county being on the southern border of the State, it was consid-
ered in danger of invasion from the Missouri guerrillas and the hostile
Indians of the Territory. The scene of most of the military operations in,
the county were in and about Humboldt. In the summer of 1861 a
company was organized there with N. B. Blanton, Captain; S. J. Stewart,
First Lieutenant. J. H. Signer was afterward Second Lieutenant. Capt.
Isaac Tibbets organized a company of infantry, and Capt. I. N. Phillips a
company of Cavalry. During the same summer a regiment was organized
in Allen and Woodson counties. -Orlin Thurston was Colonel; James
Kennar, Lieutenant Colonel; and N. S. Goss, Major. This was the Sev-
enth Kansas Regiment, for the defense of Kansas, and was under the com-
mand of Gen. J. H Lane. While this regiment was with Lane in Missou»i
there were but very few men left at home to protect the settlements, and
the most of the farming and other work for the maintenance of the families
of the soldiers was done by the women and children.
Sacking of Humboldt. — While the Allen County soldiers were away
with Lane, a raid was made on the unprotected settlement of Humboldt on
September eight, 1861 by a band of Missouri guerrillas, Cherokee Indians,
and Osage half-breed Indians, under command of Captains Matthews and
Livingstone. Matthews had been a trader among the Indians, had married
an Osage squaw, and lived where Oswego now is. He had great influence
among the Osages and incited them to take sides with the Southern Con-
federacy. At Humboldt they sacked the stores and dwellings, carrying off
all the money and valuables they could find without resistance, all the men
being absent.
Burning of Humboldt. — At the time of the raid in September, Dr.
George A. Miller was absent trying to obtain authority to organize a
company of Home Guards. He succeeded in this, and on his return or-
ganized a company of infantrymen in the town, which was composed of old
men, boys, and a few of the militiamen who had returned to Humboldt as
soon as they learned of the raid, to help protect their defenseless families.
A company of cavalry was also organized in the neighborhood, composed
22 HISTORY OF ALLEX AXD
of fanners, anl cDminanded by Capt. Henry Dudley. These companies
accompanied by Col. J. G. Blunt, went in pursuit of the guerrillas, and
succeeded in overtaking them, when a skirmish took place, during which
the outlaw, Capt. Matthews was killed. The Home Guards returned, and
for several days the cavalry was sent out regularly as a scouting party, it
being feared that another attack would be*made on the town. The infantry
remained at home and were always upon guard. Soon, however, there
appearing to be no danger, the cavalry were allowed to return to their
homes. Late in the afiernoon of the Fourteenth of October, 1861, a body
of Rebel Cavalry under command of Col. Talbott, dashed into Humboldt.
The Home Guards, comprising less than 100 men, were taken completely
by surprise, and it was impossible for Capt. Miller to get them together.
The town was soon filled with armed men, who kept up a continual firing
of guns and pistols. A few of the men by running succeeded in making
their escape, but the others were soon captured and placed under guard.
It was suppo.sed they would all be shot by the outlaws and the Indians
who accompanied them. The only resistance cffered was by Capt. Miller
and Charles Baland. The Captain finally gave up his arms, pleading
that the women and children might be saved, even though he expected to
be murdered. The town was then set on fire, but before this was done,
tlie Rebel officer ordered his men to allow the women and children to
remove their valuables and household goods from their dwellings, and
even ordered them to assist. The rebel officers claimed that Humboldt
was burned in retaliation for the burning of Osceola, by Gen. Lane, and
the killing of Matthews. Nearly all the buildings were then set on fire.
The churches were saved, also the Masonic Hall. Of the other buildings
rtot set on fire was the house of Dr. Wni. Wakefield, who, when he saw
that he was in the power of the enemy, invited the officers to take supper
with him. Among them was Capt. Livingstone. A few other houses
were saved where there were women too sick to be moved. Among these
was the residence of Col. Thurston, whose wife was unwell, and Mrs.
Goodin, the wife of Hon. J. R. Goodin, who sent lier to bed and told the
Rebels she was too sick to be moved. The land office and court house
building was set on fire, but after the departure of the Rebels the fire was
extinguished, but not until many valuable papers among the records
were destroyed. Coffey's store was set on fire, but the Rebels had in their
excitement poured out a barrel of black molasses, thinking it to be tar, and
this did not burn very well, besides which Mrs. Coffey had just been wash-
ing, and the wet clothes were thrown over the burning portion, extinguish-
ing the fire. The raiders did not stay long, departing early in the evening.
The men they had captured were taken a short distance and then released.
They returned in time to help save some of the burning buildings. During
the entire time the women behaved nobly. By their coolness they suc-
ceeded in making the invaders believe an armed force was on the way from
lola, therefore they hastened their departure. The land office had just
been opened, with J. C. Burnett, Register. He managed to speak to his
sister. Miss Kate Burnett, now Mrs. S. N. Simpson, telling her to save
WOODSON' COUNTIES, KANSAS. 23
$25,000.00 in land warrants that were in the office. Obtaining permission
to go to the office for a candle, she secnred the warrants and dropped them
on the prairie in the high grass Judge J. R. Goodin and his wife had
been absent all day, gathering wild grapes, and were just approaching the
town from the west. The Judge jumped out of the vehicle and told his
wife to drive away, but instead of this she went to Mrs. Thurston's resi-
dence and aided in saving it. Numerous other heroic acts were performed
by the women. The better portion of the town was entirely destroyed.
There were only a few buildings left, and some of these were badly dam-
aged by the fire. The only man killed was a farmer, Seachrist, who
was running away trying to save his mules. He was ordered to stop, but
Hot doing so, he was shot and fatally wounded. All the horses that could
be found were taken b}- the Rebels. Besides this but little propeity was
stolen, and outside the town no damage whatever was done. The Rebel
force numbered 331 men who were all well mounted and thoroughly
armed.
After the burning of Humboldt it was considered to be in danger, and
a military post was established there. There were no e\ents of note until
the Price raid in 1S64, The militia of the county was organized into a
liattalion, known as the Allen County Battalion, and was composed of six
companies, three from lola and the northern part of the county, two from
Humboldt, and one from the extreme southern part of the county. The
officers were: C. P. Twiss, Colonel: Watson Stewart, Major. Among the
Captains were J. M. Moore and G. DeWitt of Humboldt, and D. C. New-
man, of the southern part of the county. This regiment comprised all of
the able bodied men in the county, between the ages of si.xteen and sixty
years. The militia force of the entire Neosho Valley were commanded by
Major General J. B. Scott, of LeRoy, and under him the Allen County
Battalion was ordered to Fort Scott. At the military post of Humboldt a
block house was built, and a small force of the eleventh Kansas stationed
there under command of Major Haas. Besides this force. Captains Moore,
DeWitt and Newman, under command of Major Watson Stewart, were left
to protect the town against invasion. All remained at Humboldt except
Captain Newman's company, which acted as scouts and was stationed at
Big Creek. Major Haas ordered this company to come to Humboldt,
which Captain Newman refused to do. This gave rise to considerable
difficulty between the two officers. Major Haas had charge of the govern-
ment supplies of rations, etc. , which he refused to issue to the Big Creek
company until it should remove to Humboldt. The stores were kept at
the German Church, in charge of a Sergeant. Newman's company being
out of rations Major Stewart made a requisition on the post commander for
five day's rations for the company which was refused. Major Stewart then
ordered the Captain to help himself to the rations and receipt to the Ser-
geant. This was done, upon which Major Haas ordered Major Stewart
and Captain Newman under arrest. It was impossible, however, to carry
out this order, as the militia all took sides with their own officers. After
the militia disbanded Captain Newman was arrested but was released the
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
next day. After the companies under Major Stewart had remained in
camp three weeks they were ordered to Ft. Scott, leaving Captain Newman
and his company, and a few colored men under Captain E. Gilbert at the
Humboldt post. During the entire period of the war there were a great
many loyal Indians scattered over the county, they having been driven
from the Indian Territory by the Indians who were in sympathy with the
rebels.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
tlbirt\>=fi\)e IDcars of Ipeacc
Nearh' all the early settlers of Allen county were young men and
women, full of energy and ambition and hope, and with the return of peace
they came back to the long deserted towns, to the weed grown farms, and
bravely set themselves to build up the waste places, to repair the ravages of
war and enforced neglect. With them came hundreds of other, many of
them ex-Union soldiers, attracted by the heroic record the State had made
duing the war and in the long period of border warfare that preceded it, and
by the opportunity to secure free homes under the homestead and pre-
emption laws. With ceaseless industry and indomitable pluck the old
settlers and the new comers applied themselves to the herculean task of
subduing the fertile but rebellious soil and building up schools and
churches and all the institutions of a free, self-governing community. The
statistics presented elsewhere show the rapidity with which this work was
accomplished.
As in most of the other counties of Kansas, one of the first things to
engage the attention and excite the feeling of the people was a fight over
the county seat. As has been already stated, Cofachique was designated
as the first county seat by the legislature which organized the county. The
first Free State legislature removed the county seat to Humboldt, and it
remained there until after the war. It had to fight for the honor, however,
almost from the beginning. The first battle occurred March 25, i860, when
the matter was submitted to a vote of the people, lola being the principal
competitor. Humboldt people proved to be the best voters, however,
casting (so the envious lolans declared at the time) twice as many votes as
they had legal electors. The returns showed 562 votes for Humboldt, 331
for lola, 72 for Vernon, 4 for Center, and 2 for Cofachique, so Humboldt
retained the prize. For the next four or five years, the people had other
things to think of. But as soon as the war was over the agitation was
resumed and on May 10 of that year another election was held resulting as
follows: lola 243, Geneva 35, Humboldt 2 and Vernon 2. The county
seat was accordingly removed to lola, where it has since remained. Prior
to this last election the legislature had moved the south line of the county
some four miles north of the original location, thus throwing into Neosho
county a considerable territory whose settlers would otherwise have voted
for Humboldt. This fact, together with the fact that the southern part of
the county was not so thickly settled as the northern portion and that a
considerable number of the citizen of Humboldt and vicinity had not yet
returned from the army, doubtless accounted for the large preponderance
of the votes in favor of lola. The contest engendered a great deal of bitter-
26 , HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
ness at the time and the ieeliiig continued for many years afterwards. It
gradually abated, however, and now, happily, little if any of the old
antagonism remains.
When the county seat was removed to lola loo lots were donated by
the town company to the county to aid in the erection of public buildings.
In July, iS66, bonds were voted to raise funds to procure a court
house, and a frame building, located at the southwest corner of Washing-
ton and Jackson avenues, where Shannon's hardware store now stands, was
purchased from George J. Eldridge and fitted up for the use of the county
officers. This building was used until 1877 when the present court house
was bought for $i8jo and the old one sold for $500 to the school district.
In 1868 $10,000 in bonds were voted to build a jail, and the stone
structure still in use was erected the following year at a cost of $8400.
In November, 1871, a tax was voted of $5000 to purchase and fit up a
poor farm. On February i 2, 1872, a tract of land consisting of 160 acres
in Carlyle township vvas bought from David Funkhouser for twenty-five
dollars an acre, and Dr. J. W. Driscoll was installed as the first keeper.
The most notable event of the years immediately following the war was
the coming of the railroads. The Missouri, Kansas and Texas was the first to
arrive, building down the right bank of the Neosho and reaching Humboldt
April 2, 1870. To secure this road the city of Humboldt voted $75,000 in
bonds and a few of its citizens bought for $1,3,000 160 acres of land (a fairly
good price considering the fact that there were then thousands of acres of land
in the county to be had from the Government for the taking! )in order to pro-
vide the road with depot facilities and right of way. The price was not
thought to be too great, however, for the luxury of a railroad, and the com-
pletion of the track was celebrated with elaborate rejoicings. A few
months later the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Galveston. (now the Southern
Kansas division of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe) railroad entered
the county from the north, and its arrival also was celebrated at lola and at
Humboldt with much "pomp and circumstance", and there was no sugges-
tion that the $125,000 in bonds which the county had voted to secure it was'
too high a price to pay.
Those were "the good old days" in Allen county. New settlers were
coming in every day, money was plenty, crops for the most part were good
and prices high. Various manufacturing enterprises were undertaken, the
most notable of which perhaps was the King's Iron Bridge Company, to secure
which the city of lola voted $100^000 in bonds. Nobody seemed to think
it incongruous or impossible that an industry which must import from long
distances at high rates of freight both its fuel and its raw material and
which was to manufacture a product for which there was no market, should
be located here. And so the Company went to work in the summer of 187 1
built enormous shops (now constituting the first floor of the main building
of Works No. i of the Lanyon Zinc Company) brought in and set up
expensive machinery and actually built a bridge or two. It failed, of
course, and after a year or two moved its machinery to Topeka where
another bonus was secured. But it made things hum at lola while it lasted.
WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 2'
For awhile town lots were held at enormous prices, and land adjoining the
town was sold at figures which were nut reached again for nearly thirty
years. Of course the bottom fell out when the shops were removed, and
the only pleasant thing to remember now in connection with the King's
Iron Bridge Company is that the courts declared the $100,000 bonds voted
to secure it forfeited, and that the building which it erected was of material
assistance a quarter of a century later in securing the location of an indu.stry
which is a benefit and a pride to the entire countw
The collapse of the local boom resulting from the withdrawal of the
Bridge Company was followed by the general panic of 1873, and that was
followed by the drouth and the grasshoppers, — one disaster following hard
upon the heels of another. The people would have soon recovered from the
collapse of the boom, if the panic had not struck them; the panic would
not have hurt them much, if the drouth had not come; the drouth would
soon have been forgotten if it had not been for the grasshoppers. But col-
lapse and panic and drouth and grasshoppers all together hit us hard,
bringing a long period of business prostration and actual destitution that
will never be forgotten by those who passed through it. Only one other
period in the history of the county can be compared with it, and that was
the year of the terrible drouth, 1860, and that was worse only because there
were fewer people and they felt more keenly their isolation and distress.
As has been already stated, the collapse of the boom, the panic and
the drouth, although bad enough, could have been endured. It was the
grasshoppers that brought the people to their knees, helpless and well
nigh hopeless. These pests appeared first in August, 1874. Coming in
countless miriads, their gossamer wings tairly veiling the sun in their
flight, they settled down upon the fields and within a month the scanty
crop that remained after the unusual drouth of the summer was devoured.
Not the green things only, such as the melons, pumpkins and all the veg-
etables of the garden, but the dry blades of the standing corn and all the
other field crops were destroyed. One who has not seen it cannot conceive
how completely this avalanche of locusts swept the country of everything
in the nature of vegetation. The result was that hundreds of families found
themselves facing the winter with nothing to support the lives of themselves
or of their animals. And so many of them sold their property for the little
it would bring under such circumstances and left the county, while many
others were forced to the humiliating necessity of accepting the "Aid" that
came in response to the call that went out from Kansas for help. Societies
were organized for the relief of the needy, and the county commissioners
appointed Robert Cook and I. C. Cuppy to go to Ohio and Indiana and solicit
food and clothing. Some of the later settlers in Allen county think they
have occasionally seen hard times here; but they dont know anything about
it! In lola the small frame building (then one of the largest in town,)
owned by J. W. Scott on the corner now occupied by DeClute's clothing
store, was rented by the commissioners for use as an "aid depot," and the
writer of this remember well how the dejected farmers, driving scrawny
horses, hitched often with rope harness to dilapidated wagons, used to
28 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
drive up to that store through the dreary fall and winter of 1874 to have the
little jag of "aid," as it was called, doled out to them, shamefacedl}' carrv-
ing home the few pounds of beans and corn meal and bacon that was to
keep their families from starvation. That is what the old settlers mean
when they talk about hard times! There was only one alleviation, and
that was. the prairie chickens! Whether they came because of the food
supply furnished by the grasshoppers, or whether ihe^- were sent as the
quail were sent to the famishing Israelites in the wilderness it is not the
province of sober history to speculate upon; but that they did come, and in
unprecedented numbers, is indisputable. And they were exterminated !
The people having nothing else to do, and in desperate need of the food
they supplied and of the money they commanded on the market, trapped
and shot them ceaseless!}- and without mercy. That was the beginning
of the end of the prairie chickens in Allen county.
In the spring of 1875, the people, those that were left, plowed and
planted as usual, but the grasshoppers reaped. The eggs that had been
deposited in the ground in the fall hatched out in relays through the spring
and early summer, so that whenever a fresh crop appeared, there was a
fresh army of grasshoppers ready for it. Having no wings the young 'hop-
pers swept on foot over the country, leaving behind them — dust! The wheat,
the corn, even the prairie grass, every green blade of any kind, went into
the insatiable maw of this remorseless army . All through the spring and
into the summer this continued, and the people were in despair. And then,
one day, early in June, there was a shimmer of gossamer wings in the sun-
light, as there had been the August before. The army was departing.
Whither it went is as little known as whence it came. By the middle of
the month the last of the innumerable host had disappeared. The people
plowed and planted again, and providence smiled on their courage and per-
severance. The early and the later rains came in their season, and the
crops raised were so phenomenal that in the plenty of 1S75, the want of
1874 was well-nigh forgotten.
In a self-governing community, economic conditions always influence
strongly the political action of the jieople. Sometimes with, but oftener
without reason, the party in power is held responsible for good times or for
bad. It is secure if times are good; and it is very insecure if times are
bad. And so it happened in Allen County. From its organization, the
county had been strongly Republican, and that party retained power al-
most without an effort, until the panic and the drouth and the grasshop-
pers came. And then, not perhaps because it caused these calamities to
come, but because it was in power when they came — it had much trouble.
Those who had been its strongest leaders, and many who had been its
staunchest supporters in the prosperous days, deserted it. There was a
time, in 1874, when some, even of those who remained true to it, were so dis-
mayed by the opposition against it, that they advised against putting a Re-
publican ticket in the field. This timid counsel was rejected, and the bat-
tle was fought, but after it was over, all the Republican party had left was
honor and two minor county officers, the nearest to total defeat ever snf-
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 2t)
fered by tbat party in the history of the county. In that year Hon. John
R. Goodin, of Humboldt, was elected to Congress on the "Reform ticket,"
the first man not a Republican to be elected to Congress from the Second
District.
For a number of years following the visitation of the grasshoppers, no
events transpired of special importance or interest. A succession of aver-
age crops soon restored noinal conditions and the people pursued the even
tenor of their way, illustrating in the main the saying "happy is the people
which has no history." There was a steady, although not a large stream
of immigration, and the country gradually filled up with a splendid class of
intelligent, self-respecting, law-abiding and industrious citizens. The his-
tory that was made was chiefly that of the individual citizen, much ol
which will be found in the biographical part of this work.
In 1880, after a lively contest between Humboldt and lola as to which
should gain the prize, a branch of the Missouri Pacific, at first known as
the Fort Scott, Wichita & Western, was built through the county from east
to west, passing through lola, and giving birth to the towns of LaHarpe
and Moran. In 1888, the Kansas City & Pacific Railroad, (now a branch
of the M. K. & T.) was built through the eastern part of the county, cross-
ing the Missouri Pacific at Moran and giving birth to the villages of Bay-
ard, Elsmore and Savonburg.
The years from 1882 to 1888, were marked by a great many deeds of
violence, extending to even loss of life, and much litigation growing out of
a dispute over the title to a large body of land in the eastern part of the
county, mostly in the townships of Marmaton, Salem and Elsmore. These
lands, many thousand acres in all, had been granted to and were claimed
by the M. K. & T. , and the L. L- & G. Railroad companies, and nearly all
of them had been sold to individual purchasers, although comparatively
few tracts were occupied by those holding the railroad title. The claim
was made that the railroad companies had not complied with the conditions
of the grant, and had, therefore, forfeited their rights to the lands. Acting
on this opinion some three hundred men had entered upon the land, each
one claiming a quarter-section as a homestead. These men formed an or-
ganization known officially as "The Settlers Protective Association," but
designated commonly as the "Land League," and began a strenuous con-
test to make good their claim. Eminent attorneys were employed and in
many cases physical force was resorted to in the maintenance of what the
settlers believed to be their rights. Fences built by those claiming under
the railroad title, were destroyed, a number of houses were burned, two
men lost their lives, and the growth of the entire county was materially re-
tarded. Of course the matter got into the courts immediately , and for many
years the "League cases" made up a considerable portion of the docket of
the district court of Allen County. Case after case was carried to the higher
courts, and it is only within the past year that final decision has been ren-
dered in the last of them. To present all the details of the controversy would
occupy a great deal ol space, and would .serve no good purpose. Let it suf-
fice to say in a general way, that the railroad title has been confirmed by
30 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
the courts, and the recollection of the unfortunate contest and the distress-
ing events that grew out of it, is rapidly fading away.
Allen County had a very light attack of the "boom" fever that was so
virulent in many parts of the State during the 80s. A few spasmodic ef-
forts were made to inoculate it with the virus, but it did not "take."
Nevertheless, the county suffered with the rest of the State when the bub-
ble burst and the reaction came. From 1890 to 1895 things were very
quiet, indeed. The towns made no growth to speak of, and the population
of the county showed little if any increase, although those who were here
added steadily, if slowly, to their acquisitions, and were every year in seme-
what better circumstances than the year before. In 1895, however, owing
to the discovery and development of the the natural gas field, an account of
which is made the subject of a separatechapterof this book, and to the result-
ing location of large manufacturing enterprises, the county began to gain
rapidly in both population and wealth. From that time to the present the
advancement has been most gratifying, and, there is is perhaps not a county
in the State that is now enjoying a greater degree of universal prosperity.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
vTbe first ILanb titles
Settlement commenced in Allen county before an acre of land had been
surve^'ed, and while the Indian title was yet unextinguished, although
treaties for its extinguishment were pending. About two thirds of the
county on the north belonged to the New York Indians, and the remaining
one-third to the Osages. In 1855 Joseph Ludley, with a party of surveyors
began the survey of the standard parallels of the Territory, finishing it
February, 1856, with the Fifth standard parallel, crossing Allen county a
little north of Humboldt. The township and range lines were run during
this and the following summer, but the subdivison was not completed until
the summer of 1859. In the absence of definite "corners" there was naturally
much uncertainty as to the boundary and extent of territory that could be
rightfully claimed by individual settlers. The first settlers located in or
adjoining the timber, and while professing to hold but a quarter section
often claimed a mile .square. The Territorial legislature enacted that each
.settler might hold two quarter section, one of timber and one of prairie.
This was directly contrary to the laws of congress and gave rise to much
trouble. To remedy these evils so far as possible the settlers in this county,
as eleswhere, organized among themselves associations ^whose business it
was to settle disputed claims and protect each others rights. The decision
of these tribunals was always prompt, nearly always just and equitable, and
very generally acquiesced in so that actual violence was seldom resorted to
in these cases.
In the summer of i860 the public lands in the county that had been
surveyed were opened up for settlement and offered at public sale in Nov-
ember of that year, the homestead law having not yet been passed. Owing
to the great destitution that year amoung the settlers, resulting from the
failure of the crops, but few were able to purchase their claims, and to pre-
vent speculators from bidding them off at the sale large numbers of settlers
were in attendance and in most cases succeeded in preventing the sale of
lands on which settlement had been made.
They were not always able to prevent such sales, however, and the two
or three tragedies which darken the early pages of our county's history
resulted from this failure. One of these cases was that of a young man
named Winn who in i860 settled on a claim a few miles west of Humboldt,
and without filing on it went to Missouri to work. During his absence a
man named Harris went to the land office at Fort Scott and bought the
land at private entry. When Winn returned and ascertained the facts he
immediately procured a revolver and proceeded direct to Harris' house, on
Deer creek and demanded a conveyance of the land. Some altercation
32 - HISTORY OF ALLEX AXD
ensued and the two men started off together. Harris was found next day
with a bullet hole through his head. Winn was arrested, charged with
the crime. In the preliminar>' hearing before 'Squire Mattoon, of Geneva,
he admitted the killing but pleaded self-defense. He was held to bail, but
popular sympathy was with him, and the war soon after breaking out, he
enlisted in the army and no trial ever took place.
A similar tragedy came near being enacted between Anderson C. Smith
and Anderson Wray, and for a similar reason. Wray bid off Smith's claim
at the land sales at Fort Scott. Smith, who was at his place on Martin
creek, heard of it late in the evening, and immediately mounted a pony and
started for Fort Scott, swearing vengeance. He met Wray and his party
in camp on Turkej' creek about three or four o'clock in the morning, and
without a word of warning or a moment's notice began firing at Wray, one
or two shots taking effect before friends could interfere. Fortunately the
wounds were not mortal. Wray recovered and the affair was afterwards
amicably settled.
A number of settlers had located on Osage Indian lauds in the south
part of the county before the Indian title was extinguished, and the Gov-
ernment had ordered them to move off. The order was not obeyed to any
great extent, and in several instances serious trouble with the Indians was
narrowly averted. On September 29, 1865, however, a treats- with the
Osages was finally concluded by the terms of which the white settlers then
on the lands were permitted to enter 160 acres each at one dollar and twenty-
five cents an acre. These lands were surveyed in 1866- '7 and the settlers
were enable under the treaty to secure a title to their homes in January,
1868, after a residence on the part of some of eleven years.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS, 33
Some of tbe "jTirst" Cbinos.
The first school was opened in Humboldt in 1858, and was taught by
S. W. Clark.
The first wedding was that of George W. Young to Sarah Bennett,
June 28, 1856.
The first court in the county was held by Judge Cato, in November,
1855, in Cofachique. He held another term in 1856.
The first death was that of an Englishman named Broadbent, one of
the Vegetarian colony, which occurred in June, 1856.
The first postoffice was located at Cofachique in 1856, but a regular
carrying route was not put on until the year following.
Nimrod Hankins made the first assessment of the county in March,
1857, finding taxable property to the amount of $34,515.50.
The first election was held at Cofachique, in the fall of 1856, seven
votes being cast. Each voter paid a poll tax of one dollar before being per-
mitted to vote.
The first practicing physician who located permanently in the county
was Dr. Burgess, who came in the summer of 1856, and took a claim two
miles north of Humboldt.
The legislature of 1855, known as the "bogus legislature," established
slavery in Kansas by law, and it existed in Allen County in the first years
of its history in fact, slaves being owned and held here by Henry Sater,
Giles Sater, James Galbraith, a Mr. Hurlston and a Mr. Dunbar. Giles
Sater was a free state man and soon .set his slaves free. The other slave
owners, finding the atmosphere unwholesome, returned after a short time
to Missouri.
HISTOKV OF ALLKX AN'D
Ebc IRcminisccncc of an ®l^ Settler.
BY I. B. LAWYER
Ou the ist day ot April, 1857, W. F. Brooks, William Boyd and I
started from Solon Iowa to go to Kansas with our own conveyance, two
horses and a wagon. When we got to Leavenworth we met a man who
had surveyed a townsite down on the Neosho, they named Leroy, so we
struck out for the Neosho River. From Leroy we came on the west side of
the river to Neosho Falls, thence down to what was afterwards called Law-
yer's Ford, (three miles north-west of now lola). There we camped on
Saturday evening, and on Monday morning we bought a claim of Mr. Au-
gustus Todd. The land had not as yet been surveyed into sections, and
when the government survey was made, it was close to the line where Mr.
Todd had figured.
The next news that came was that the land belonged to the New York
Indians, and that we would all have to leave. This was not cheerful news
to me as I had bought out my partner's (Mr. Brooks), interest for some
eight hundred dollars, and as time passed on the land was offered for sale
at the Fort Scott land office and hardly any of us had sufficient money to
bid in our land which was sold at the mercy ot the speculators. There
were but few speculators present at the sale, and our land was not sold.
We now had an opportunity to file on our land, with the privilege of
twelve months in which to pay for our homestead, and by the time I bought
a land warrant from L. L. Northrup, (then running a store at Geneva), and
at that time land warrants being under par, I procured my land from the
government for a little less than one dollar per acre.
When J. R. Young and I went to the land office at Mapleton to prove
up, darkness came on before we got home, and coming in on the east side
of lola, we were stopped by the pickets, (lola being under guard to keep
the rebels out), and passing through the line into town, we had to get the
password to get out of town again, and when we got to my house we ran
amuck another outpost; so you see we had some thrilling times even in
free Kansas.
I well remember the first four acres of corn I raised in Kansas, and
that was in 1857. I readily disposed of it the following spring for seed
corn at $1.50 per bushel — ^joe Colburn buying the last of it at $2.00 per
bushel. The money those days in circulation was gold and silver, with a
five-cent piece for the smallest change.
It may be of interest to some people to know what kind of game we
had, and, while I think of it I must tell you a joke on myself: One Sun-
1142784
\VOOlJSOX COHNTIES, KANSAS, 35
day morning my wife and I were getting readj- to go to J. R. Young's to
eat some apples that he had brought from Missouri, and looking out the
west window of the log cabin, I saw two deer in the brush. Not having
any meat in the house, nor money to buy any, I, of course, thought of my
rifle first thing, and picking same up dropped one of the deer, and the other
deer stood there until I loaded my muzzle-loading rifle, and I dropped it
too; but lo, when I reached the side of my game I found they both had
strings around their necks. They were pets and had strayed away from
their owner, Miss Fannie, daughter of Joe Parsons, (Jesse Parsons, now a
resident of Chanute, was at the time a young man). The}' took it as a joke
and said the deer had no business wandering so far from home, and for me
to divide with my neighbors. I went home and, as luck would have it,
Nimrod Hankins and Lawrence Arnold came to call on us and helped me
dress them. They were the only deer I ever killed.
Wild turkey were abundant. I once saw twenty-six go to roost at the
mouth of Deer Creek, and got one the following morning before breakfast.
The log cabin we lived in was built by an Arkansas man and, of course,
had an Arkansas chimney to it, built with sticks above the fireplace, and
daubed with mud; and, of course, it had to be repaired every fall. While
inside that chimney repairing it one day, I saw some wild turkey's in a corn
patch across the road. I went out and picking out one with a large head I
dropped him. I told my wife to go and get it, and we found that the ball
had gone through the one I aimed for and crippled one more, so we had
two turkeys that weighed twenty pounds apiece, and only two of us to eat
them and, of course, we divided among the neighbors. I killed nine the
lirst fall I was here, and some of them were plenty fat to fry themselves.
Prairie chicken were plentiful. They would come off the prairie to the
timber to sun themselves on the dead trees, and I could shoot two or three
of them before they would fly away.
In the summer of 1857 I heard of a colony that had settled up on In-
dian Creek, and heard they had started a town and named it Eureka, (I sup-
pose tliey thought they had found it), so I concluded one Sunday- morning
I would ride up and see the town, and get acquainted with some of the peo-
ple. I found the place and found that the town consisted of a hole in the
ground, (where they had been digging for water), and the people were
camped along the creek. I rode across the creek to where there was a log
cabin that a Mr. Fuqua had vacated, and I saw the people gathering
toward the cabin, so I rode up to it and a Mr. Spicer, (now of Geneva),
and Dr. Stone were sitting on a log talking, and I asked them if there
would be preaching there? They said no, it was to be Sabbath school.
I was wearing one of those two-.story hats I had brought from the states,
and they mistook me to be a preacher and asked me whether I was one. I
told them no, but that I was a lawyer, but only by name, so there I was at
my fir.st Sabbath school in Kansas. Before I forget I must tell you that
they afterwards changed the name of their town to Geneva.
The first sermon I heard preached in Kansas was at the residence of
Martin Brown, father of Samuel and Miss Ruth Brown, now of lola. It
36 ' HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
was on the farm now owned by Mrs. Robert Purdom. I have forgotten the
man's name now that preached, but he belonged to the colony that first
started Geneva.
Some years after my wife and I went to Neosho Falls to camp meeting
with an ox team and farm wagon, took a man along to take the oxen home,
and we camped in the wagon until the meeting was over. We had plenty
with us to eat and sometimes entertained the preachers. I don't know but
what we enjoyed the meetings about as well as though we had gone in the
finest style. I attended quarterly meeting at Leroy, and was there for the
9 o'clock love feast, traveling a distance of sixteen miles to get there. I
have farmed it through drought, flood and grasshoppers and hail-.storms,
peace and war, and bountiful crops and failures; it would take many pages
to tell it all, and I have been in many different states in the Union, and
have even lived in Missouri, where the pure air of Heaven is contaminated
with the fumes of whiskey; so that when I come over into Kansas, and the
cars glide along over the beautiful prairies, it always seems to me as soon as
I cross the State line, that I can smell the difference in the air we breathe.
And, when it comes to genuine comfort, there is no place I have ever been
where I would rather spend my remaining days or j^ears than lola, Kansas.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
^be lEencb anb Bar
When Kansas was admitted into the Union as a State on January 29,
186 I, Allen county became a part of the fourth judicial district and Solon
O. Thacher of Lawrence, became the judge of such district, and held the
courts therein until October 1864, when he resigned and D. P. Lowe of
Ft. Scott was appointed to fill the vacancy, but Judge Lowe never held a
term of court in Allen County. At the November election in 1864, D. M.
Valentine of Ottawa was elected to succeed Judge Lowe and took the office
as judge of the fourth judicial district on January 8, 1S65. Judge Valentine
held all the terms of the district court in Allen County during the years
1865 and 1866 — the several terms commencing as follows: May i, 1865,
October 30, 1865, April 30, 1866 and October 29, 1866. By an act of the
legislature which took effect March 4, 1867, Allen County was taken from
the fourth judicial district and placed in a new district then created and
numbered seven, and it still remains in the seventh judicial district.
The 7th judicial district, as first formed comprised the counties of
Anderson, Allen, Neosho, Labette, Woodson and Wilson. Hon. Wm.
Spriggs, of Garnett, Anderson county, was the first Judge of the new district.
He was appointed by Governor Crawford March 4, 1867, and held the office
until January 13, 1868. At the general election in November, 1867, Hon.
John R. Goodin, of Humboldt, Allen county, was elected for a regular term
of four years, and succeeded Judge Spriggs. Judge Goodin was re-elected
in 1 87 1, but in 1874 was elected to Congress and resigned the judgeship
February i, 1875. Shortly thereafter Hon. W. H. Talcott, of lola, Allen
county, was appointed by Governor Osborn, to fill the vacancy caused by
the resignation of Judge Goodin. At the general election in November,
1875, Judge Talcott was elected for the term of four years beginning on the
second Monday of January, 1875, and Honorable Peter Bell, of Woodson
county, was elected for the "short term", that is to say, the period inter-
vening between the election of 1875 and the official canvass of the vote, and
the beginning of the regular term on the second Monday of the following
January. JudgeTalcott was re-elected in 1879. At the general election in
1883, LeanderStillwell who then resided at Osage Mission (now St. Paul) in
Neosho Co., was elected Judge, and was re-elected in 1887, 1891, 1895 and
1899. Upon the completion of his present term Judge Stillwell will have
served twenty years on the bench of this district, a longer period of con-
secutive service in that capacity than stands to the credit of any other man
in the history of Kansas.
With scarcely an exception the judges of this district have been
men of character and ability. Among them all none has stood higher than
38 HISTORY OK AtLKN AHV
Judge D. M. Valeutiue, who was promoted from the district (a the Supreme
Bench upon which he served with great distinction for a full quarter of a
centur_v. Since his retirement from the bench, he has been in the active
practice of his profession as the head of one of the strongest law firms in
Topeka. Although far advanced in years his memory is unimpaired, and
the publishers of this history are glad to be able to include in this chapter
the following contribution from his still iacile pen;
3ui>cic Wa(eittine's IRecoUections.
The first term of the District Court which I held in Allen County was
held in Humboldt, which was then the county seat, in an old church, which
had previously and during the latter part of the war been occupied by Union
soldiers as barracks. At this term J. H. Campbell was the county attor-
ney; J. C. Redfield, sheriff; George A. Miller, clerk, and John Francis,
deputy sheriff and bailiff for the court. All the officers performed their du-
ties faithfully, and I have never seen a more faithful officer than John Fran-
cis. He was afterwards clerk of the District Court of Allen County, and
has since held several important offices, among which were the offices of
countj^ treasurer and state treasurer. There were present at that court the
following attorneys: J. H. Campbell, Eli Gilbert, Chas, P. Twiss, John R.
Goodin, Orlin Thurston, Xelson F. Acers, W. S. Newberry and Joseph
Bond, all residents of Allen County, the last three being admitted to prac-
tice during the term. Judge Lowe, of Fort Scott, G. W. Smith, of Law-
rence, and John G. Lindsay of Garnett also attended that term. All the
aforementioned attorneys generally attended the courts afterwards held in
Allen County, and also the following attorneys generally attended the sub-
sequent terms: H. W. Talcott and Mr. Sechrist, residents of Allen County.
Judge R. M. Ruggles, of Emporia, and Joel K. Goodin, of Ottawa, also at-
tended at least one term of the court in Allen County. Other attorneys may
also have attended whom I do not now remember.
Col. Thurston had previously been a state senator from Allen County ,
and Col. Twiss was then a state senator from that county. John R. Goodin
was afterwards judge of the Seventh Judicial District, including Allen
County, and was afterwards a member of congress. H. W. Talcott was
also later the judge of that district and county. Judge Lowe was after-
wards judge of the Sixth Judicial District, and afterwards a member of
congress. Nelson F. Acers was afterwards a United States collector of in-
ternal revenue for Kansas. Joseph Bond was also at that time editor of the
"Weekly Herald," a paper published at Humboldt. As above stated, the
first term of court which I held in Allen County, was held at Humboldt;
but the next three terms were held at lola, the county seat having been
removed from Humboldt to lola in the meantime. A grand jury was con-
vened and had a session during the first term, which grand jury found
and returned several indictments.
During the terms of the District Court which I held in Allen County,
many humorous incidents occurred. Among them a prosecution for illegal-
'WOD'DSON COrXTIES, KANSAS. 39
iy selling intoxicating liquor, was tried before a jury. The liquor sold was
beer, and the defense was that the beer sold was not an intoxicating liquor.
Evidence was introduced tending to show both that the beer was intoxicat-
ing and that it was not intoxicating. Judge Gilfjert was a witness in the
case and testified that he had purchased several bottles of the beer, under a
prescription from a physician, and had drunk the beer and that it did not in-
toxicate him. The law3-ers had considerable sport over this testimony, and
one of them suggested that it wa^ like the Dutchman, who said he could
drink fifty or sixty glasses of beer witliout becoming intoxicated, but he did
not know what effect it would have on a man if he should make a hog of
himself. Judge Gilbert was a very good speaker before a jurj-. In one
■case he and Judge Ruggles each made an argument before the jury and
while Judge Ruggles was an ex-judge of the Fifth Judicial District and an
eminent lawyer, yet some of the Iaw\-ers who heard the argument expressed
the opinion that Judge Gilbert made fully as good an argument as Judge
Ruggles, if not a better one. The lawyers also had considerable sport over
the manner in which Judge Gilbert talked to litigants who wished to em-
ploy him to make an argument before a jun,-. The law3^ers .stated that
Judge Gilbert informed tlie litigants that he would make just a common
speech to the jury for $25.00: that he would make a good speech for $50.00,
but if they wanted him to make one of his " hell-roarin" speeches, they
must pay him $100.00. Judge Gilbert had a few favorite phrases which he
liked to repeat to juries. One was, in illustrating the purity or honesty of
a person, or tlie reverse, he would say that he or she was or was not "As
pure as the icicle from the purest snow on Diana's temple," or would some-
times vary this by saying that he or she was or was not "As pure as the
purest snow on Alpine Heights." Col. Thurston also showed ability in
trying cases. In one of his cases, which was for a breach of promise of
marriage, in which he was for the plaintiff, and showed a great deal of feel-
ing, he tried it extraordinarily well, and made an excellent speech to the
jury. The jury found a verdict in favor of the plaintiff for $3,500 which,
under the circumstances, the defendant not being a wealthy man, was con-
sidered a liberal verdict. At one time while the District Court was in ses-
sion, a preliminary examination was had out of court before a justice of the
peace, in which the defendants were charged with murder in the first de-
gree. It was claimed that two or three persons had been guilty of stealing
horses in that community, and that some of the people of the community
had hanged them until they were dead. The persons charged with doing
the hanging were then charged with murder. Judge G. W. Smith de-
fended them. Among his suggestions was that the persons killed had, af-
,ter stealing the horses, been stricken with remorse and that they had
hanged themselves, but in reply to this, it was suggested that that was im-
possible for all the persons hanged had their hands tied behind them when
they were hanged. But Judge Smith replied, as he said a Dutch justice in
Pennsylvania, where he came from once replied, when it was suggested
that a person assaulted who had lost his nose in the encounter, had bitten
it off himself; and the other side suggested that that was impossible. But
40 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
the Dutch justice replied that nothing was impossible "mit Got." During
one of the terms of court which I held in Allen County, a person who was
admitted to the bar, furnished to the bench and bar an oyster supper with
the etceteras, and the bench and bar generally attended and seemed to en-
joy it and to have a good and jovial time. Many stories were told by mem-
bers of the bar, and judge John R. Goodin, who was a good singer, sang
some good songs; but, to the credit of the Allen County Bar, I will state
that no one of them appeared to become intoxicated. At the term of court
held at Humboldt, an indictment was found against George W. Stamps for
murder in the first degree. He was tried at that term and at the next
term for this offense, and the jury at each trial disagreed. The evidence
tended to show that he was a Union soldier, and during the war he had
killed a man in that county who claimed to be and was a rebel sympathizer,
and in those days it was difficult to obtain a verdict of guilty from any jury
under such circumstances. At the third term he pleaded guilty of man-
slaughter in the first degree and was sentenced to ten years imprisonment
in the penitentiary. He was then permitted to travel over the county to
obtain signers to a petition for his pardon. He obtained a very large num-
ber of signatures to his petition and carried it himself to the governor at
Topeka and obtained a pardon. He was never taken to the penitentiary.
During the terms of the District Court which I held in Allen County many
other humorous incidents occurred, which have now passed from my mem-
ory.
During those early times we had but few law books in Allen County.
We had the Kansas Statutes, including the session laws and the compiled
laws of 1862. We also had Swan's Pleadings and Precedents, Nash's
Pleadings and Practice, Chitty's Pleadings, Blackstone's Commentaries,
Kent's Commentaries, Parsons on Contracts, Greenleaf s Evidence, Whar-
ton's Criminal Law, Wharton's Precedents of Indictments and Pleas, and
a few others. We had very few of the reports of adjudicated cases. The
first volume of the Kansas Reports was not published until about the close
of the year 1864, and the succeeding volumes came later. The lawyers,
however, in those days discussed the questions which they presented to
the courts and juries, more upon general principles and the law as stated
in the text books, and less with regard to decisions as found in the reports
of adjudicated cases than they do now.
At that time, which was just at the close of the war of the rebellion,
there was a greater percentage of criminal cases, as compared with civil
cases than there is ilow; and the percentage of prosecutions for assaults
and batteries, assaults with intent to kill or injure, and for murder and
manslaughter, was also much greater then than now. With these ex-
ceptions the business of the Courts of Allen County in those days was ■
very similar to the business of the courts in that county at present.
D. M. Valentine.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS,
IbumbolDt lawgcrs iprior to 1880.
BY HON. L. W. KEPLINGER
In all that engaged public interest, or went to make up her early his-
tory, whether it were an incipent county seat contest, an election to vote
bonds to aid railroads or build machine shops, or a scheme to evade such
bonds already voted, the lawyers of Allen County were conspicuously at
the front. To preserve their names in history, and more especially to trans-
mit to future generations of Allen County lawyers the memory of their pre-
decessors who, during and prior to the seventies, drove angling across the
unfenced quarter sections, of which it was composed, to talk politics in
school houses, or try lawsuits before justices on the open prairie, is the ob-
ject of this article.
Strongly marked characters, full of ambition, for the most part of ex-
ceptional ability, schooled and moulded by the conditions which prevailed
during the civil war, if not actual participants in that great strife, the law-
yers of Allen County, during the period referred to, were a most interesting
iDody of men. No one who knew them will doubt that men like J. R.
Goodin, Orlin Thurston, J. Q. A. Porter, H. C. Whitney, G. P. Smith, J.
C. Murra)-, J. B. F. Cates and H. M. Burleigh, fall easily in the class of
those who, as congressmen and senators, or in other fields of effort, have at-
tained distinction.
The presence of the United States land office at Humboldt made that
point the chief center of attraction for lawyers who came to Allen County.
I was better acquainted with those who came there, and it is of the Hum-
boldt lawj^ers I shall now .speak.
Orlin Orlin Thurston, who came from Ohio about the year 1857,
Thurston, was the most forceful character of the group, and the one
most capable of influencing the community in which he lived,
had his disposition been somewhat different. He was at one time during
the war colonel of a regiment of State militia, which rendered efficient ser-
vice on the border during the summer and fall of 1861. He was of medium
height, strong physique and most resolute purpose, thoroughly practical and
little swayed by sentiment. He was a most excellent judge of men and af-
fairs, and never failed to impress others with confidence in his judgment
and sagacity. As a speaker, though not an orator, he was earnest, forcible
and impressive. He gave his attention largely to business affairs, outside
of law, and seldom appeared in court. He once represented his district in
the State senate, but his peculiarities of temperament and disposition debar-
red him from the high career for which his strong qualities so eminently
fitted him.
His general deportment was that of a person of distinction. All old
timers will remember the Colonel's stately going with driver and coach to
and from his river-bank home, atmosphered as it was with unsavory legend,
aristocratic and repellent.
Few men ever so little cared for, sought after, or received the general
good will of the public, especially in his later years. At the same time.
42 . HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
among those lie considered his friends, he was the most courteous, genial
and obliging of men. I am fulh persuaded some people thought ill of him
because they disliked him vasth' more than they disliked him because of
any evil there was in him. To a very great extent, at least, the trouble
was he was too much of the Corialanus type. If ever he broke a pledge,
or spoke the word that was not true, the writer who was closely connected
with him for years, is ignorant of the fact and he now VAts his hat to the
memory of his friend and former law partner, Colonel Orlin Thurston.
John R. Here was a remarkable man, equally at ease in the presence
GooDiN. of president or bootblack; good company for both and well inter-
ested in either. He was certainly the most companionable of
men. Few men, and no Kansan, ever had more of the elements of per-
sonal popularity. Referring to his engaging manner, a client who had just
come from paying him a fee, remarked in my hearing: " It just does me
good to pay that man money." He was neither a money-maker nor a
money-saver. Utterly incapable of close application; never a student; he
possessed to a remarkable degree the faculty of assimilating the researches
of others. He never read a book so long as he could find any one to talk
to, and this was always easy for so brilliant a conversationalist to do. At
the same time and without the slightest effort, with both tongue and pen he
framed most exquisiteh^ worded sentences. The chance remark of a juror
on one occasion called forth a half-dozen impromptu verses, which speedily
found their way through the eastern press. I noticed them in the editor's
drawer of Harper's Magazine some years later.
He was a man of consummate tact, clear head, sound judgment and
commanding presence. He specially excelled as a speaker. He did not
orate, he just talked. But such talk! Imagine a Wendell Phillips, and the
writer has heard Phillips, less learned, less cultured, more florid, in short
more western, more given to anecdote, abounding in familiar illustrations
and local reference, engaged in animated conversation with his audience,
with an occasional and sometimes a prolonged rise to the impassioned, and
you have Goodin, the orator.
Although a Democrat living in a district which was unanimously Re-
publican, he was kept on the bench term after term until elected to con-
gress in 1874, in a district in which his party was largely in the minority.
Failing of re-election he resume~d the practice of law at Humboldt. In the
later seventies he was a candidate for governor on the opposition ticket but
was unsuccessful. Judge Goodin was born at Tiffin, Ohio, December
14, 1836. He received his education at Kenton, Ohio, and came to Hum-
boldt in the spring of 1859. He remained at Humboldt until 1883 when he
removed to Wyandotte, now Kansas City, Kansas, where he remained in
the practice of law until his death, which occurred in December, 1885.
Eli Though not quite so early an arrival in Allen County, Eli
Gilbert. Gilbert came west so early his eastern origin didn't count at all.
He originated in Morgan County, Ohio, in 1821, and after-
wards came to the then frontier in Iowa, where he remained until 1859
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 43
when he came to Allen County. He, also was an orator, though not of the
Wendell Phillips type, and for several years, over a wide extent of territory,
his peculiar frontier oratory was largely a substitute for law libraries.
To a new-comer and prospective client who wished his services, not to
assist in the trial, but because of his reputed influence over juries, he thus
gravely gave rates. " For a few sensible remarks I charge $10.00; for a
speech $15.00; but one of my regular ' hell-roarers' will cost you $25.00."
It may be added, however, that whichever variety was coutracted for, it
was the last mentioned which was always forthcoming.
To the eternal envy of all future Allen County lawyers, let one inci-
<lent in Judge Gilbert's career be reserved from oblivion. The necessities of a
case required that the jury should be convinced the prosecuting witness
had bitten off his own ear. The Judge's eloquence rose to the occasion.
Verdict, "not guilty." He was kindly disposed toward all men, convivial,
full of jokes, stories and reminiscences, especially of a pergonal nature.
Shakespeare's most pleasing character, who was in some respects a feeble
imitator of the Judge, will never know how lonesome he has been all these
years until Eli Gilbert comes to swap auto-biographies with him in the land
of shade.
Judge Gilbert was at one time Probate Judge of Allen County. He
also represented his district one term in the legislature, where he voted ior
the right man for United States Senator and, as a consequence, received an
appointment as Receiver of the United States L,and Office, in the western
part of the state. He is now nearing his end at Lawrence, Kansas, and all
who ever knew him will wish him well.
John John Porter, who came from Ohio in 1867, had left
Q. A. Porter. Kansas about one year before I came. He was elected to
the legislature in 1868 and, at the close of his term, for
some mysterious reason, he never returned to Allen County. To this day,
however, tradition assigns him a foremost place among the young men of
promise and ambition who came to this country at the close of the war.
He returned to Cincinnati, where he still continued to practice at one bar
too many, which resulted in the usual wreck. In 1883 Porter came to
Kansas City proposing to locate there. Instead he went to Albuquerque,
New Mexico, where he was soon after found dead in the office of one of his
old time Humboldt fi'lends, then residing in that city.
J. B. F. Here was an innovation. All others named came from north of
Cates. the Mason and Dixon lyine, but J. B. F. Gates came from the moun-
tains of East Tennessee Having neglected to change politics
when he crossed the political equinox, he let politics alone when he came
to Kansas and gave his attention exclusively to law. He settled at Hum-
boldt in 1867 and remained there in the practice of his profession until 1878,
when he removed to Kansas City, Missouri, where he speedily took rank
among the foremost lawyers of that city. He continued in the practice
there until 1884, when for some reason, for which he has never been able
to give a satisfactory excuse, either to himself or his friends, he gypsied
44
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
away to Florida where he abandoned Greenleaf and Blackstoiie and be-
came the man with the hoe. After exchanging several thousand dollars
for a good stock of orange grove experience, he gravitated back to his first
love, Kansas, and the Seventh Judicial District. Settling temporarily in
Fredonia, he divided his time between Kansas and Oklahoma, after which
he came to Chanute, where he now resides within gunshot of old Allen, in
which he will eventually be found. Being neither dead or otherwise ab-
sent, but still on the ground, delicacy forbids that freedom of treatment,
the subject of this sketch would otherwise receive from his former associate,
law partner and admiring friend. However, this much shall be said,
though possibly not equal to some others in s )me respects, yet as an all-
round lawyer, both in intellectual acumen and legal learning and skill as
a practitioner, he easily stands the peer of any who came either before or
after. The writer freely accords him the honor of being the best lawyer and
worst penman in the whole group.
H. C. H. C. Whitney came to Humboldt at the close of the war.
Whitney. Of all the lawyers who came to Allen County Whitney was
the most ambitious and the writer, who was on close terms of
intimacy with him, is still of the opinion that in many respects his ability
justified his ambition.
Prior to the war a young attorney of one of the outlying counties in
EfiStern Hlinois. he was what might be termed a local partner of Lincoln.
He evidently had the confluence of Lincoln, and almost every biography of
Lincoln contains correspondence between them.
He was paymaster in the army during the civil war. At its close
he came to Kansas for the purpose of bec<jraing Congressman. Uni-
ted States Senator and afterwards President of the United States. He was
a man of phenomenal memory. The world is indebted to Mr. Whitney for
one of Lincoln's famous speeches, the one delivered at Bloomington, Illi-
nois, in 1856, which was reproduced by Whitney from longhand notes taken
by himself.
More than any man I ever knew, he was familiar with public affairs
and public men. There was scarcely a man of prominence in the North
during the Civil War whom he had not met and with whom he was not
actually acquainted. Once alter Thurston had returned from a trip East,
he made this criticism: "When Thurston goes East he never meets anybody
but hotel clerks and porters." It was never that way with Whitney.
Whitney's appearance and manner were far from being pleasing;, especially
to strangers. In this respect there was the strongest contrast between him
and Goodin. He was at one time in the State Senate but being unsuccess-
ful in politics he removed to Chicago about '75 or '76 and entered the practice
of law in that city with W. B. Scates former Chief Justice of Illinois. He
seemed to succeed exceptionally well for some years, but in the midst of a
divorce trial in which his client was one of the leading bankers of the city,
he was all but fatally wounded in the head by a pi.stol shot fired by the
opposing wife. It was years before he recovered and he never resumed his
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 45
practice. Though by no means an orator, he was an exceptional!)- fluent
and forcible speaker and writer. Since quitting the law practice he has
written a work on marriage and divorce. Also a most interesting life of
Lincoln of several hundred pages. He is now living somewhere in Massa-
chusetts.
Thom.\s L- BjTne was another of those striking characters whom to
Byrne. have known briefly was to remember for ever. Light com-
plected, flaxen haired, pale blue eyes, lithe as a cat, of most
nimble wit, one of the kind that could keep the table in a roar, and with
temper nimbler still. He came to Humboldt in 1868. I recall one incident
which characterizes the man. Driving up to lola in a hack Goodin and
■Gilbert were regaling later arrivals such as BjTne, Barber and myself with
stories of more primitive times. Finally Byrne broke in "Pshaw, that's
nothing. Do you see that hill over there?" pointing to the Dave Parsons
Hill south of Elm Creek whose demolition for cement purposes now
furnishes employment for hundreds of men, "When I first came to Allen
County that hill was nothing but a hole in ground."
Bj'rne was always prominent and quite active in all public affairs.
His family consisted of a wife, a mo.st estimable lady of culture and refine-
ment, and several children to all of whom he was devotedly attached. In
the spring of '71 without warning he dropped from sight and for no con-
ceivable reason, and from that day to this "What became of Byrne? " has
been a mystery which remains to be solved in generations to come by some
literary genius of Allen County who chooses to interweave in thrilling
romance the stirring scenes and picturesque characters of Allen County's
early days.
H. M. Here too was romance. The son of Matthew Hale Smith,
Burleigh, a writer of national distinction, he disliked the name for some
reason and changed Smith for Burleigh. Though rather
3'oung for the position he served during the war on the staff of some corps
commander, Burnside, I think, in the army of the Potomac with the rank
of Major. His appearance was striking, of medium height, spare and
straight, dark visaged, wicked twinkling black eyes, brisk, alert, with air
and bearing suggestive of dash, rattle of sword and scabbard and jingle of
spur, always neatly attired, in cold weather with a military cloak with the
cape jauntily thrown back to exhibit a trifle of its red flannel lining, such
was the appearance of the man.
One picture of Burleigh I shall never forget. An editor by an injudic-
ious application of an epithet to a newly arrived lawyer converted the writer
hereof into a prosecuting witness, and himself into a defendant, in a crim-
inal libel suit. Upon the trial Burleigh, who in addition to being Count)-
Attorney, was an excellent reader, for one solid hour read in evidence from
Dickens to a jury of Allen county farmers, and from that day to this no
Allen county editor has ever called an Allen county lawyer "Uriah Heap".
Burleigh was an accomplished gentleman, somewhat literarj^ much
above the average as a talker and ver)" fair as a lawj-er. Soon after the
46 - HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
incidentreferredto he went to Athol, Massachusetts, where he practiced law
for some years. Then came an interregnum of mysterious disappearance
coupled with piratical and sentimental romance. Afterwards he reappeared
and practiced law in Athol until a few years since when he was found dead
in his office.
G. P. Strongly touched with genius, versatile and visionary, active
Smith and energetic, fearless and tireless, audaciously aspiring and thirsty
for prominence and notoriety, of very exceptional ability as speaker
and writer, such was Colonel G. P. Smith. Probably no man was ever
more on the alert for an opportunity to rise and address his fellow citizens,
and few could do so on short notice with more credit. Lack of continuity,
both as to occupation and locality, was his most notable characteristic.
Ohio, Virginia, Eastern Illinois, Middle Illinois, Humboldt, Fredonia and
back to Ohio. Doctor, soldier, editor, lawyer and farmer, doctor and
farmer, editor, lawyer and always a politician, such was his history. His
career was strenuous, stormy and eventful. In '56 he was a leading spirit
in organizing a Fremont Club in Wheeling and during the fall of that year
he made an aggressive campaign in West Virginia. On one occasion an
attempt was made to lynch him but he was rescued by friends though not
until he had disabled sever.il of his assailants with his knife.
In '61 Lincoln appointed him collector of customs at Puget Sound, but
the outbreak of the war offered employment more to his liking and he
declined the appointment. Aide-de-camp on the staff of General Rosecrans
with rank of Captain, Major of the 69th and Colonel of the 129th Illinois,
such was his army career and in each of these positions his energy, force of
character and courage won for him distinction.
After the war he edited the Journal at Jacksonville, Illinois, for several
years. In 1869 he settled in Humboldt, Kansas, as lawyer and farmer.
Through the seventies he alternated in rapid succession between law, med-
icine, farming, editorial work and politics and in fact at times combined all
five. Though fond of mingling with people he was at the same time an
indefatigable student of general literature, political economy and kindred
subjects as well as philosophy. No hard day's work on the farm or in the
office was ever tiresome enough to send him to bed before midnight when
he had a good book to read, and he never read an inferior book. He held
it to be the most inexcusable waste of time to read a good book when one
better could be had. One of his poems entitled "The Gods and I are at
Strife", written in moments of depression after the death of an idolized and
only daughter and his phenomenally gifted son Byron, and after the
utter failure of all his plans, may still be seen occasionally in the newspapers.
His special excellence was as a campaign orator and as such he was
always in demand. In '64 together with Ingersoll then unknown to fame,
he campaigned over Northern Indiana. In '71 he represented his district
in the State Legislature. As candidate for State Auditor he canvassed the
State some years later but was on the wrong ticket. In about '85 he
returned to his starting point in Eastern Ohio where he soon after died.
WOODSON COt^NTIES, KANSAS. 47
L,. W. BDrii in Morgan county, Illinois, in August, 1841, raised
Kkplinger on a farm, entered the army in August 1861, present with
Company A of 32nd Illinois (of which John Berry of Erie
Kansas, was afterward Captain) at the capture of Fort Donelson and
wherever else the army of the Tennessee won glorv, including the march to
the sea and the grand review at Washington; mustered out in September
1865. He was a private until three days after the battle of Hatchie River,
then first Sergeant until January 1865, then Second Lieutenant until
mustered out. From the time of receiving his commission until mustered
out he was on staff duty as acting adjutant, or as aide-de-camp on the staff
of General W. W Belknap of the Iowa Brigade. He graduated at Wes-
leyan University at Bloomington, Illinois in 1868; then with Major J. W,
Powell's "exploring expedition" in Colorado; with Powell and W. N.
Byers, then editor of the Rocky Mountain News, and some others made
the first ascent of Long's Peak in August 1868, read law at Bloomington,
Illinois, admitted to bar in December 1869, had trunk packed for Kansas in
time to have been there before the close of '69 but was detained until a few
weeks later by sickness of a relative, was therefore constructively present
and one of the sixties, opened office in Humboldt early in 70, first in
partnership with G. P. Smith; then with Orlin Thurston; then with J. B.
F. Cates; from '83 in partnership with J. R. Goodin at Wyandotte, now
Kansas City, Kansas, until Goolin's death in '85, since that time and now
in practice with Hon. C. F. Hutchings at Kansas City, Kansas. He was in
the Legislature in 1877. Such is the history of the subject of this sketch.
Keplinger was as different from each one of those heretofore mentioned
as they were from each other. He was not convivial. He liked to be with
books rather than with people. He shunned rather than sought after
prominence. He had a horror of being called on to make a speech. He
regarded sentiment as of paramount consideration and he sought to make
up in earnestness and industry what was lacking in grace or eloquence.
He brought with him to Kansas an uncertain quantity of political aspira-
tion which however was hampered with the notion (which he still enter-
tains) that the office should seek the man. After years of waiting, a little
measly office that no one else in the party wanted, sought him. He was
permitted to write his own platform. He put in this plank "When bad
men secure nominations the mistakes of conventions should be corrected at
the polls." The rest of the ticket was elected and Keplinger was defeated.
But he had his revenge a few months later when the candidate on the State
ticket at whom that plank in the platform was especially hurled, became a
sudden inhabitant of South America But all the same the State never
recovered the bonds he ran oS with.
For all that, however, and though now a resident of Wyandotte
county, he accords Allen the foremost place in his affections and to her he
will assuredlv return when he dies.
48 , HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
E. A. Mr. Barber was born August, 1848, in Morgan County, Illinois.
Barber He remained on the farm upon which he was born until 1863
when his parents removed to Jacksonville where he graduated at
Illinois College in 1868, standing second in his class; he was admitted to the
bar in 1870 and in October of that year came to Humboldt where he at once
entered upon the practice of law with exceptional prospects of success, but
in 1875 he added banking to law, by going in business with B. H. Da>-ton
under the firm name of Dayton, Barber & Company, and soon thereafter he
organized a National Bank which wholly engrossed his attention. The general
financial disaster of 1893 numbered this bank among its victims, although
he continued the struggle until some years later. In 1896 he removed to
Springfield, Missouri, where he now resides.
GicoKGK A. Mr. Amos came to Humboldt in 1868 or 1869 and went
Amos into the lumber business. The extermination of private en-
terprise by consolidated capital which has since driven out
pretty much all lumber yards conducted by private individuals, influenced
Amos to enter the law. He was admitted to the bar in 1875 and continued
in the practice there until 18S9 when business connected with the settle-
ment of his father's estate caused him to remove to Springfield, Illinois,
where he remained until 1894. He then returned to Humboldt where he
still remains engaged in the practice. His ability and energy as a lawyer
soon gave him prominence at the bar and he was elected county attorney.
That was a time when it was thought to be the proper thing for county
attorneys to see to it that laws were enforced and Amos did see to it in such
fashion that Mrs. Nation would have had no occasion to visit Allen county.
Amos was chiefly responsible for one memorable event in Allen
county's history. Humboldt's zeal in behalf of the famous "East and
West road" outran her discretion. She not only voted but she also issued
the necessary bonds but she never got the road. When payment of the
bonds was demanded, to borrow the slang expression then current, which I
trust the severe taste of the future Allen county bar will excuse, she
"kicked". A city could be sued only by getting service on certain named
officers. By a judicious selection of persons who were about to leave the
State or the world, the municipal machinery was disintegrated beyond the
power of a Federal Court mandamus to ever put it together again. In this
way the city was placed and kept under cover for nearly twenty years and
until a favorable compromise was effected. Mr. Amos was chief conspira-
tor in the scheme.
W. J. Though hardly justified by his prominence at the bar, the
Larimer romantic incident which made him an Allen County lawer throw-
ing light as it does upon the vicissitues of life on the frontier
may excuse the insertion of Larimer's biography in a history of the Allen'
County bar.
The Larimer and Kelly families were among the early settlers in Allen
County. Shortly after the close of the war they in company with several
other families started in wagons for some point on the Pacific slope. While
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 49
in Wyoming Territory the train was attacked by the Sioux Indians.
Larimer was badly wounded but escaped by hiding in the brush. Kelly
was killed. Mrs. Larimer together with her young children also Mrs.
Kelly were captured.
Mrs. Larimer after being a prisoner about two days escaped. Mrs.
Kelly remained a captive until ransomed about five months later. After
her release she regained her friend? the Larimers. Some time later Mrs.
Larimer published a book as her own production and on her own account,
giving a full story of the occurrence which was largely made up of an ac-
count of Mrs Kelly's experiences while a captive. Thereupon Mrs. Kelly
came to Allen County, attached land belonging to the Larimers and
brought suit for damages, claiming that the manuscript was the joint pro-
duction and property of both herself and Mrs. Larimer and was to have
been published on joint account. This woman's quarrel became a matter
of general public interest and was prolonged in the courts for several years
with varying results until the costs equaled the value of the land attached,
when it was adjusted.
Larimer having nothing else to do during its progress read law and
was admitted to the bar. He soon after wandered off to the Black Hills
where he afterwards served a term or two as Probate Judge in one of the
leading counties, after which he resumed practice until his death which
occurred several years since.
William Henry Mr. Slavens was born in Putnam county, Indiana,
Slavens August, 1849, came to Kansas in 1869, began the prac-
tice of law at Neosho Falls, Woodson county, in 1870,
removed to Humboldt in 1876 where he remained until elected county
attorney in 1878 when he removed to lola. After the expiration of his
term, he returned to Yates Center. He removed to Kansas City, Kansas,
where he died in 1897.
Mr. Slavens possessed in a high degree many of the qualities necessary
for a successful lawyer. He was bright, genial atid likeable, and excep-
tionally influential with the jury. He represented Woodson county in the
Legislature in 1884 and 1886.
J. O. Mr. Fife was born near Plymouth, Ind., September 10, 1854, was
Fife raised on the farm, was educated at the Indiana State University,
came to Kansas in 1878 and began the practice of law at Humboldt
in September of that year. Mr. Fife's qualifications entitle him to a place
in the foremost rank of those who have been Allen county lawyers. He
speedily became prominent. In 1880 he was appointed county attorney to
fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Mr. Slavens. In the fall of
that year he was elected to the same position. In 1883 he removed to
Kansas City Kansas, where he at once established an extensive practice.
Though by no means wanting as a counsellor, his special excellence is as
a trial lawyer. Mr. Fife takes an active interest in politics and appears as
a prominent and influential factor in every congressional and State conven-
tion of his party. Since his removal to Wyandotte he has been County
50
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
Attonie}- for one or two terms. Of late years he has been extensively in-
terested in mining operations in Colorado, and contrary to the general rule
his adventures in that line have been quite successful.
MiLFORD H. Mr. Donoho was born in Macon County, Tennessee, in
DoNOHO 1^44, came with his parents to McDonough County, Illi-
nois, in 1846, served three years in the 47th Illinois Infantry during the
Civil War. came to Allen County in 1868, was admitted to the bar in
1876. From 1881 to 1889 he practiced law and edited the Pilot at Bron-
son, Kansas. In 1889 he began the practice of law in Kansas City, Kansas.
Sterling integrity, sound judgment, strong common sense and an innate
love of justice coupled with a familiarity with the fundamental principles
of law are his striking characteristics. He is now filling his second term
as Judge of one of the city courts in Kansas City, Kansas, and has just
been re-nominated without opposition for a third term with certainty of
election.
©tbcr alien Counts attorncxje.
The publishers of this History regret that they have not been able to
command the services of so able a chronicler as Mr. Keplinger on behalf
of the attorneys who came here since Mr. Keplinger removed from the
county or who lived at lola during his residence at Humboldt and with
whom he did not feel sufficiently acquainted to include in his article. In
the absence of such an expert little more can be done than to set down here
the names of those who made for themselves a permanent place in the
records of the Allen County bar.
J.\MES C. Mr. Murray held a prominent place among lola lawyers
Murray for several years. He went from here to Missouri and is now
at Harrisonville, Arkansas.
C. M. Mr. Simpson practiced at the bar a comparatively short time,
Simpson but he holds a large place in the earlier history of lola for the
reason that he was for several years clerk of the district court
and afterwards for a number of years post-master, resigning the latter posi-
tion, chiefly on account of his health, to go to Pasadena, California, where
he now lives and where he has taken a prominent place at the bar and in
politics, having been twice elected to the Senate of the State.
J. H. Mr. Richards came to lola soon after the war as a young
Richards lawyer and would probably be willing to admit that he had a
hard fight of it for several years. When the Fort Scott Wich-
ita and Western railroad, (now a division of the Missouri Pacific), was
built through Allen County Mr. Richards, who had been active in securing
right of way and other concessions, was appointed its local attorney. His
work was so well done that he was soon advanced to the general attorney-
ship of the road, with headquarters at Fort Scott where he has ever since
made his home. While never holding or seeking political office, Mr.
Richards has taken an active interest in politics and is now recognized as a
strong factor in the Republican councils of the State.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 5 1
W. G. Mr. McDonald was perhaps one of the most ambitious
McDonald men who ever tried to practice law in lola. He was a man
of considerable natural ability, but his professional success
was hampered by lack of early training. He soon gave up the law and
after holding a subordinate office at the San Carlos Indian Agency in Ari-
zona for a time, returned and started a newspaper at Kiowa. When Okla-
homa was opened to settlement he "made the run" and located a claim in
"D" one of the far western counties. In Oklahoma he engaged actively
in politics and soon achieved a wide reputation for his radical and fearless
utterances and for the unusual and picturesque oratory which he de-
veloped. He was shot and killed one day on the road between his claim
and the neighboring town, by a man with whom he had quarreled. The
man gave himself up, admitted the shooting and claimed self-defense. As
there was no testimony to disprove this claim he was never punished. The
very general opinion was, however, that "McDonald of D," as he was
known all over Oklahoma, was waj'laid and shot in the back.
J. K. Mr. Boyd will be remembered by the old citizens of lola as a
Boyd little gray cheerful talkative man who seemed to have out lived his
ambitious and his energy and was simply waiting around "killing
time" with infinite good humor and patience. He rarely had a case in the
district court but he was for many years police judge or justice of the peace
and was much missed when he died.
R. H. Mr. Knight came here from Iowa in the early eighties and en-
Knight gaged at once in the practice as a partner of Oscar Foust. He
was a man of great energy and force and was considered es-
pecially strong as a criminal law3rer. He removed to Los Angeles, Cali-
fornia, some years ago, where he still resides, and where he has built up a
lucrative practice.
B. O. Mr. Davidson was first admitted to the bar here, but soon
Davidson removed to Hutchinson where he rapidly advanced well to-
ward the front rank. He afterwards located in St. Louis
where he now lives and is reported to be doing well.
A. C. Mr. Bogle came to lola first as stenographer for the district
Bogle court. He soon resigned that position, however, and engaged in
the practice of law. He was a shrewd, well schooled lawyer, a
most likeable man to his intimate friends, but with oddities of manner and
dress that did not promote his success in gaining clients. Mr. Bogle was
a southerner by birth and he never felt really at home in the North. After
a few years, therefore, he went to Macon, Mississippi, where he was when
last heard from by any of his lola friends.
J. H. Mr. Fisher came to Kansas from Pennsylvania and began his first
Fisher practice at lola. He was a man of tremendous energy and great
determination, and speedily took rank among the first of the
many bright young lawyers who were then practicing law in Allen County.
52 . HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
Becoming dissatisfied with the narrow field that Tola offered at that time
he went to Chanute and later to Conneaut, Ohio, where he is now engaged
in the successful practice of his profession.
C. E. Mr. Benton also tried in lola his first lawsuit, coming here
Benton from Illinois. He was thoroughly devoted to his profession and
had perhaps the most distinctly legal mind of any of his associates
at the bar. He applied himself diligently and rose rapidly in his profession.
He formed a partnership with J. H. Richards and when the latter was ap-
pointed solicitor for the Fort Scott Wichita and Western railroad Mr.
Benton was appointed as his assistant and went with him to Fort Scott
where he has since made his home
A. C. Mr. Scott grew up in lola and after graduating from the Uni-
ScOTT varsity oi Kansas and from the Columbia Law School, Washing-
ton, D. C, he returned here and engaged in the practice of law in
partnership first with J. H. Richards and C. E. Benton, and afterwards with
Mr. Benton alone. He went to Oklahoma City when that Territory was
opened for settlement in 1889 and continued there the successful practice
of law. In 1898, failing health compelled him to relinquish the law and
he accepted an appointment as Professor of English Language and Literature
in the Agricultural and Mechanical College of the Territory of Oklahoma.
After one year in that position he was appointed President of the institu-
tion which place he has since filled.
John C. Mr. Gordon grew up in Osage township, Allen County, and
Gordon worked his way up to the practice of the law. He was a man
of splendid physique and considerable natural ability and he
soon acquired a good standing as a young law3^er of promise. He lacked
continuity, however, and after a few years at the law drifted into the news-
paper business for which he was not adapted. About 1890 he left Tola and
when last heard of by Allen County friends was teaching school in Illinois.
Nelson F. Mr. Acers was one of a number of unusually clever young
AcERS lawyers who came to Tola in the later sixties. Handsome,
delightfuUv companionable, a speaker of much more than
average ability, he easily took a place well toward the front rank which he
held as long as he chose to devote himself to his profession. He suc-
cumbed to the allurements of politics, however, and after making an un-
successful race for Congress as the candidate of the Democratic party, he
was appointed internal revenue collector. For a few years after retiring
from that office he devoted himself to mining enterprises. These failing to
return the rewards promised he returned to lola and engaged in the real
estate business which now occupies his time.
Henry W. Mr. Talcott came to lola from the army, slight of figure but
Talcott with rare dignity and courtesy and with a knowledge of law
that speedily sent him to the District bench and kept him
there for twelve years. Upon his retirement from the bench he followed
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 53
his old friends, C. M. Simpson and R. H. Knight to southern California
and is now engaged in the practice of his profession at San Diego.
A close scrutin}' of the court records of the past thirty years would
doubtless bring to light some names not mentioned in this rapid review,
but it is believed that the names of all who really made a place for them-
selves have found mention here.
To comment on those who are now acti\"ely engaged in the practice of
law in Allen County would seem to be hardly the province of history, and
hence the editors content themselves with placing on record the following
list of present day attornej-s taken from the current docket of the District
court:
Amos, G. A. Gard, G. R.
Atchison & Morrill. Gard & Gard.
Bennett & Morse. Goshorn, J. B.
Beatty, 1,. C. Hankins, W. C.
Baker, J. E. Jacoby, M. P.
Choguill, W. A. McClain, Baxter D.
Campbell & Goshorn. Ritter, Chris. S.
Cullison, R. E. Stover, T. S.
Conley, A. B. Thompson, J. F.
Clifford, B. E. Thompson, Harry.
Ewing & Savage. Tudor, H. M. M.
Foust, 0.scar & Son. Thrasher, Geo. C.
54 HISTORY OF ALLEN AWE»
Zbc Swcbisb Settlement
BY CARL A. REYNOLDS.
In 1 869 some Swedes in Illinois, following the tide of immigration
westward in search of cheap honies, were attracted toward Kansas b}- the
opening to settlement of the Osage Indian resen'ation which had been
ceded to the Government and subjected by it to pre-emption at $1.25 per
acre.
The original settlers were Peter Hawkinson and Swan Olson from
Farmersville, Illinois, who reached Allen County in October, 1S69. Feb-
ruary 8, 1870, Olof Nelson and son Charles, John B. and John H. John-
son emigrated from Knoxville, Illinois, and on March 12, 1870, they were
joined by W. S. Holmes and Nels Olson and families from Farmersville.
They brought with them little of this world's goods, but possessed un-
daunted courage, industry and frugality, and set themselves bravely to the
difficult task of building their homes in a new and undeveloped country.
But sorrow was in store, not only for these, but all other people who
had settled here, for the railroads had also seen that these lands were
beautiful and productive, and laid claim. Finally, in 1876, after a lawsuit
of national renown, the United States Supreme Court vested the title in
the Government. This decision was joyfully accepted by the settlers who
at once redoubled efforts for the improvement and beautification of their
homes.
In May, 1870, the first school house was built in what is now Dis-
trict 38.
Death invaded the settlement in October, 1870. This caused the loca-
tion of the Swedish cemetery, now one of the best kept and most beautiful
cemeteries in the country.
The settlers having all been reared in the Lutheran church, soon felt
the need of religious services and so a Sunday school was organized which
for social reasons, was held in rotation in the homes of the various families.
Early in the fall of 1870 the settlement was visited by Rev. Andreen of
the Augustana Synod, and later a catechrist or colporteur came regularly
and held religious services until February, 1872, when, by the arrival of
other settlers, the number had increased sufficiently to organize a congre-
gation. This was done by Rev. S. J. Osterberg, now deceased. A few
years after the organization a great number was added by those who came
from Moline and WoodhuU, Illinois. They built their first church in
1878, now used by the Free Mission Society, of which Rev. Alfred John-
son is the local pastor.
In 1898 the Lutheran congregation had so increased as to number 250
WOODSON COtlNTIES, KANSAS.
55
communicants and, including the baptized children, more than 45a So
it was very apparent that the.v should build a new and more conimodiou.s
church to accommodate this large and fast growing congregation.
The accompanying half-tone engraving is of the Swedish Lutheran
church. This handsome edifice was erected in iSgS and dedicated Mav
14, 1899. Its dimensions are 36x54 feet with an addition of 24x26 feet,
•and a steeple 65 feet high. The total cost of the church and all appurte-
nances will aggregate I3. 300.00 to say nothing of the gratuitous labor
which would have amounted to several hundred dollars. The furnishings
are fine. The bell, one of the largest and best in Kansas, was made in
St. Louis by the Henry Stuckstade Foundry. The architect was Olof Z.
Cervin, of Rock Island, Illinois. The builders were Huff Brothers of
Savonburg.
This church is three miles west of Savonburg, in the midst of the
Swedish settlement of East Cottage Grove and Elsmore townships. Rev.
O. Moren, the estimable pastor, is a highly educated gentleman and con-
tributes largely to the social, intellectual and moral life of this community.
The Swedish people composing the congregation are of the best type of
citizenship, honest, thrifty^ and provident.
56 HISTORY OF ALLEN- AND
^be 2)iscover^ anb Development of IRatuval (Bas
Natural gas has been known to exist in Kansas almost from the earli-
est white settlement of the State, small quantities of it having been found
in wells drilled before the war in Wyandotte county in search of oil. As
soon as the war was over prospecting for oil was continued in several of the
counties of the eastern border, and in many of the wells thus drilled small
quantities of gas were found.
Probably the most notable of these early gas wells was the one de-
veloped at lola in 1873 by the lola Mining Company, of which Nelson F.
Acers was president. This company had been organized to prospect for
coal, and so certain were they of finding it that they began at once sinking a
large shaft. The work on this shaft attracted the attention of some of the
officers of the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Galveston railroad, (now the
Southern Kansas division of the Santa Fe), and they offered to^ bring to
lola a diamond drill outfit with which the railroad company had been pros-
pecting at different points along its line, and pay $500 of the expense of a
deep well. The offer was gladly accepted, and the work was begun in the
fall of 1872. At the depth of 190 feet a small flow of gas was struck. At
the depth of 622 feet the drill suddenly dropped eighteen inches, and
almost immediately the water which filled the space about the drill was
thrown high into the air and a volume of gas followed which became
lighted and did considerable damage before it could be subdued. The
drilling was continued until a depth of 736 feet was reached. This was
the limit of the apparatus in use, and the work was reluctantly abandoned.
If this chapter were a speculation on what might have been and not a
history of what has been, it would be interesting to try to conjecture what
the past twenty-five years would have witnessed if that drill had gone a
hundred feet deeper. But the work ceased and the drill was withdrawn.
And then a singular spectacle was witnessed. Following the drill there came
a great geyser of water, thrown many feet above the ground with a great
gurgling and hissing noise. Presently the flow ceased and all was quiet
for the space of a few seconds, and then the same phenomenon was re-
peated. And so for more than fourteen years at intervals of from fifteen to
forty-five seconds it continued to be repeated, and it was a remarkable and
very beautiful sight, particularly when the gas was set on fire and the
spraying water looked like a fountain of liquid flame. The fame of it
spread abroad, and as the waters were shown to have considerable medi-
cinal virtue "The Acers Mineral Well," as it soon came to be known,
attracted many visitors and became quite a resort. In 1885, however, the
Neosho river overflowed its banks and the Acers well was filled with sur-
WOODSOX COUNTIES, KANSAS. 57
face water, the weight of which was too much for the gas to lift and so the
flow ceased.
In i886 the discover}' of the great natural gas fiehis of Ohio and Indi-
ana and the remarkable growth of the towns of that region resulting there-
from attracted general attention all over the West, and the people of lola
recalled the Acers Mineral Well, and the long \ears that the gas which
issued from it had signalled to them of the riches below. And so a local
company, known as the lola Gas and Coal Company, of which J. W.
Coutant w.TS president, and H. L. Henderson secretary, was organized
with a capital of $50,000, for the purpose of prospecting for gas. A fran-
chise for supplying the city with gas for domestic and manufacturing pur-
poses was secured, and with $2,500 raised by an assessment of two per cent
on the capital stock, the work of drilling was begun. At the end of a year
the money had been spent with nothing to show for it but one or two wells
with a small flow of gas. Hope was still strong, however, and the local
feeling that gas might be found was such that $3,000 of city bonds were easily
voted to continue the prospecting. With this sum two or three more wells
were drilled, each of which developed a small quantity of gas, but in all
the wells together there was hardly a supply for fifty cook stoves. At this
juncture Mr. Joseph PauUin, then as now a conductor on the Southern
Kansas division of the Santa Fe railroad, and who had noted the prospect-
ing with much interest, associating with himself Mr. W. S. Pryor, an ex-
perienced deep well driller, appeared before the lola Coal and Gas Com-
pan)' and proposed to buj' its plant and franchise and continue the work.
The sale was made under the condition that the new tirm should drill at
least six wells unless a sufficient quantity of gas to supply the town with fuel
and light was sooner found. The work continued, but \-ery slowly, and it
was nearly five years before the six wells called for Ijy the contract had
been sunk. And the gross product of all these wells barely sufficed to
supply one hundred cook stoves. It looked discouraging. Messrs. Pryor
and Paullin were so firm in their faith that there was a big supply of gas
somewhere in the vicinity, however, that they determined to sink one more
well and sink it deep. In all the wells up to this date the gas had been
found at a depth of from 250 to 350 feet, and in no ca.se had the drill gone
deeper than 450 feet. It was determined that the next well should go
down a thousand feet if necessary before the long search was finally
abandoned. And this determination had its rew-ard. On Christmas day,
1893, at a depth of 850 feet the drill entered the long sought for "sand"
and the first natural gas well in Kansas of any real value was opened.
And so although the existence of natural gas in the State had been known
for nearly fort}' j'ears, Christmas day, 1893, may be remembered as the
date of the discovery of the Kansas natural gas field.
The fame of the new discovery spread rapidly, and in June, 1894, the
Palmer Oil and Gas Company, of Cleveland, Ohio, sent representatives to
lola, leased several thousand acres of land and proceeded at once to sink
a number of wells. In nearly all of these wells gas was found, the rock
pressure in each varying but slightly from 320 pounds, the volume ranging
58 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
from .^,000,000 to 14,000,000 cubic feet daily, and the depth at which the
"sand" was found varying from 810 to 996 feet. The success of the Pal-
mer Company attracted other investors, and within four years from the
date of the original discovery the field had been practically outlined in the
form of a parallelogram extending from lola eastward a distance of about
eight miles, with a width of about four miles. Within these limits gas is
regarded as a certainty, and the wells now drilled are supplying fuel for six
large zinc smelters, three brick plants, one Portland Cement plant, and num-
erous smaller industries, be sides furnishing heat and light for perhaps three
thousand private dwellings. Even with this enormous drain but an insignifi-
cant proportion of the gas which the field is capable of supplying is required.
It is perhaps not the province of this chapter to speculate upon the life ot the
field; but it may not be without interest to state that a single well near lola
has supplied all the fuel that has been required for a large smelter for more
than three years, and as yet shows no signs of exhaustion. At the rate at
which it is now being used it is the opinion of experts that the field will
not be exhausted during the life of this generation, and perhaps not for
sixty or seventy years.
.\ number of wells have been drilled in the vicinity of Humboldt and
gas enough has been found to supply the town with fuel and light for
domestic purposes and for manufacturing to a limited extent. Nearly all the
Humboldt wells have shown considerable oil and there seems good ground
for the opinion that a profitable oil field may some day be developed there.
As this chapter is going through the press Mr. J C. Noble is sinking
the first prospect well in Salem township, where he has leased several
hundred acres of land, and where he hopes to develop another paving gas
field.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
Cburcbcs an& Scbools
Among the pioneers of Allen County perhaps an unusual percentage
were educated, Christian people, and among the ver}- first of the things to
which they turned their attention after providing for the immediate neces-
sities of life was the organization of churches and schools. In nearly
every neighborhood there was a minister of the gospel who had followed
his parishoners from their old home, and "colporteurs" or missionaries of
the various churches were frequent visitors. And so it happened that al-
most from the beginning religious services of some kind were held at some
point in the county, at the home of one of the settlers or in the open air.
The first church regularly organized in the county was the Congre-
gational church at Geneva, which dates its existence from the summer of
185S. It has been in continuous and prosperous existence ever since that
date.
Probably the second organization was that of the Presbyterian church,
June 25, 1859. It also has had a long, useful and prosperous life, and is
now, as it has been for more than forty years, the center of the social as
well as the spiritual life of the community.
Other churches were organized as rapidly as the increase of the popu-
lation warranted. The Methodist Episcopal church has probably the
largest membership, followed closely by the Presbyterian and Baptist,
although most of the other prominent Protestant denominations are well
represented. The Roman Catholic church has but two organizations in
the county, one at Humboldt and one at lola, although a considerable
number of the communicants of the Piqua (Woodson county) church live
in this county.
As -in all new countries, the "Camp Meeting" was one of the most
important features of church work for the first twenty years of the County's
history. These meetings 'Were usually held in the summer or early
autumn. A large and well shaded grove on the banks of some stream,
where wood and water and the other necessities for comfortable camping
could be found, was selected, and there the people would come in covered
wagons or with tents, and spend two or three and soinetimes four weeks.
Three religious services were held each day and the degree of religious
fervor excited was often very great. These annual meetings were but the
earlier and cruder forerunner of the Chautauqua Assemblys which are now
held annually in many parts of the country', combining religious worship
and spiritual culture with rest, recreation and social enjoyment. Oc-
casional meetings are still held in the various groves of the County, but
the old-fashioned camp meeting, where a whole neighborhood, abandoning
6o HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
everything else except work of the most necessary character, came together
and remained for weeks at a time, is a tiling of the past.
Wherever the Christian religion has gained a foothold there it may be
counted as certain that the cause of education is firmly entrenched. The
pioneers of Allen County lost no time in organizing school districts, build-
ing school houses and employing teachers for the instruction of their
children. In The beginning, as must necessarily be the case where the
people are few in number and poor in purse, the school house was poor,
(altliough it was usually the best house in the neighborhood), and rudely
furnished, and the school term lasted but three or four months in the 3'ear.
But as fast as the ability of the people increased they improved their school
facilities and extended the length of the term. It may not be amiss here
to record that without doubt the best of the district schools maintained in the
County from the years 1867 to 1872 was that at Carlyle, taught b}- David
Smith. Professor Smith was an ex-college professor who had been driven
out of Tennessee during the war on account of his strong Union senti-
ments, and after a few 3'ears in Illinois had come to Kansas. He taught
first at the Academy at Geneva, and was then employed by the people of
Carlyle- on a contract requiring him to teach ten months each year for a
term of ten years at a salary of fifty dollars a month. It required a heavy
tax to meet this expense, for so high a salary and so long a school term
were unheard of in the County at that time. But the result was a remark-
able school, a school the curriculum of which ranged from the primer to
the higher mathematics, Latin and Greek, and in which a morality as
stern as that ever taught by the most rigid of the Puritans was daily incul-
cated. Having no patience with stupidity, stern to the verge of cruelty
sometimes in discipline, David Smith reverenced learning almost as he
reverenced his God, and there was nothing too much for him to do when
the result was to push a bright boy forward. Declining health and unfor-
tunate dissensions in the neighborhood compelled the cancellation of the
contract before the ten years for which it provided had expired. But those
who were pupils in that school during the few years while David Smith
ruled it with the authority of an absolute monarch, count the experience
now as a rare privilege.
While the common schools of the County gradually improved, there
was no attempt at grading them or bringing them up to a uniform standard
until the administration of Mr. Ed. T. Barber as County Superintendent of
Public Instruction. Mr. Barber had received at the State Normal a
thorough training in the most modern methods of teaching and school
organization. He was a young man of fine executive ability, of untiring
energy, of- attractive personality, and with an allconquering enthusiasm,
and upon his election in 1888 he entered at once upon the work of organiz-
ing the common schools, and grading them to a uniform course of study.
He introduced also the "grade privilege" which means so much to the
teachers. During the four 3'ears that he held the office of superintendent
Mr. Barber labored incessantly and with rare intelligence, and the result
WOODSON COrNTIES, KANSAS. 6l
■was a stimulus to the common schools of the County that is felt to this da_v.
Prior to Mr. Barber's administration, as the schools had not been
graded there had been no classes graduated. The pupils simply went until
they thought they had learned all the teacher could teach them or until
they got tired, and then quit. The first graduation from the common
schools of the County therefore took place in 1889. Since that time nine
hundred and fifty boys and girls have been graduated from these schools.
The course of study now includes a thorough training in orthography,
reading, writing, grammar, history, arithmetic, geography, physiology and
composition, so that the student who has successfull}' passed through the
common school is prepared to enter the high school, which in its turn
leads up to the freshman class of the University. Allen County as yet has
no county high school, but the place is to a large degree filled by the ex-
cellent schools of lola and Humboldt, the students from which are fully
prepared for the University,
The impetus given to the schools of the County by Superintendent
Barber has been re-inforced by the excellent administration of the present
incumbent, Mr. Grant Billbe. Mr. Billbe will be chiefly remembered as
the originator of the Annual School Exhibit and Contest, which he in-
augurated in 1900 and which was repeated in igoi and will doubtless be-
come a permanent feature of the school work.
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
Zbe Criminal IRecorb.
The early as well as the later settlers of Allen County were for tlie
most part orderly and law abiding citizens, and in the forty-six years of its
history its records have been darkened by comparatively few crimes of so
shocking and unusual a nature as to attract general attention and interest.
The first tragedy to arouse public sentiment after the two or three
homicides growing out of early land troubles and already recorded, was
the lynching of E. G. Dalson which occurred on the night of June 27,
1870. Dalson lived in the south part of the County and was accused of the
murder of his adopted son. He was brought to lola and placed in jail.
t,ate in the night of the above named date three men appeared at the jail
and demanded admittance telling the sheriff that they had brought a
prisoner from Neosho county for safe keeping. Sheriff John Harris (still
living in lola), opened the door when a number of men crowded in and
demanded the key to Dalson's cell. This was refused The mob quickly
overpowered the sheriff, however, and the deputy who had come to his
assistance, and placing a rope around the prisoner's neck they led him
away. The next morning his body was found hanging in a deserted house
on the old townsite of Cofachique. It was reported that before being
hanged the old man had confessed the crime with which he was charged,
but said that it was not intentional. He said that he had occasion to
punish the boy and finding him hard to conquer had thrown him down
and placed his foot on his neck, with no thought of doing him serious in-
jury. On raising his foot he found the boy lifeless and fearing the
consequences of his act he had concealed the body where it was found.
Dalson had some friends and there was a good deal of indignation over
his summary execution. Efforts to ferret out the perpetrators of the lynch-
ing resulted in the arrest of R. T. Stephens, but he was released on bail
and it appears that he never came to trial.
As is stated eLsewhere the dispute over land titles in the eastern part
of the County, out of which grew the organization known as "The
League" resulted in a number of crimes of a more or less serious nature.
And the singular part of it is that the most serious of these crimes resulted
from disputes among the Eeaguers themselves. Perhaps the most noted
of these cases was the killing of James Harclerode and Robert McFarland
by Hugh, Isaac, Joseph and William Guilliland which occurred in
1884. All the parties concerned were members of the League. Har-
clerode and McFarland were building a house on land which the
Guillilands, father and sons, claimed. The latter went to where the two
former were at work to drive them away and the quarrel which ensued
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 63
resulted as above noted. The Guillilands were brought to trial and were
all convicted. Hugh Guillilaud and two of his sons were sent to the peni-
tentiary for life, and the third son was sentenced for three j-ears. After
serving a few years of their sentence all were pardoned and when last
heard from were living in one of the central counties of the State.
Shortly after the above occurrence one Columbus Carter, living in the
same neighborhood, quarreled with an old man by the name of Grisham
and in the fight which followed gouged out one of his eyes. A few da5-s
afterwards Carter was waylaid and shot. It was very naturally suspected
that a son of Grisham had done the deed, but no arrests were ever made.
On December 8, 1884, A. W. Ashcraft, a constable, attempted to
arrest one Voght, at Humboldt, on a warrant charging him with violation
of the liquor law. Voght resisted arrest and was killed. Ashcraft was
exonerated.
On November 23, 1885, J. W. Browning shot and killed A. A. Earle
in front of what is now the Hotel Thomson in lola. Earle lived at
Bronson where Browning had been selling organs. Earle charged Brown-
ing with the ruin of his daughter and forced him to come with him to lola
to be delivered over to the officers to stand trial for the crime. From the
lola depot they drove to the hotel in an omnibus. Earle got out first, and
as he did so Browning shot him twice, killing him instantly. Browning
was tried and acquitted, claiming self-defense. He immediately left the
State and has not since been heard of by any of his old associates.
On July 9, 1896, the body of Delia' Hutchison, a young girl, was
found in a pond some miles east of Humboldt, nude and shockingly
mutilated. Jacob S. Rogers, a farmer living near, was convicted of the
murder, the testimony showing that he was the father of the girl's
unborn child, the concealment of the lesser crime being the motive for the
perpetration of the greater one. Rogers was sentenced to a term of twenty-
one years in the penitentiary.
On July 4, 1898, Byron Cushman was shot and killed by J. W. Bell
at Humboldt. Both of the men were said to have been intoxicated. Bell
was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to the penitentiary for ten
years.
64 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
leiection IRcturns an^ ©tber Statistics
As has been already indicated in previous chapters of this work, the
early settlers of Allen county were very largely Free State men and there-
fore Republicans. The immigration of the years immediately following the
war, made up as it was to a very great extent of ex-Union soldiers, strength-
ened this sentiment, and it has persisted so strongly that Allen county has
been regarded as practically a safe Republican county through all its his-
tory. The Grange movement in 1874 resulted in the defeat of a few
Republican candidates for county office, but the "Reform" wave soon sub-
sided and the Republican party quickly regained its normal majority.
Even the Farmers' Alliance storm, which swept Kansas as a State into the
People's Party column in 1892 and kept it there for eight years, did not
shake Allen county from its Republican moorings, and it was one of the
very few Kansas counties that never returned a Populist majority. An
occasional opposition candidate has of course been elected from time to time,
even from the beginning, but such an event has always resulted from a
personal and not a party vote. •
The politics of Allen county has been maintained, happilj-, on a high
plane of honesty and decency. There has rarely been a campaign of bitter
personal vituperation, and there has never been a serious charge of flagrant
corruption of the ballot. The administration of the public affairs of the
county has also been free from scandal, no officer in the history of the county
having been called to account for the dishonest use of public funds com-
mitted to his care.
The publishers of this history are indebted to Mr. H. M. Miller, ex-
clerk of the District Court, for the election returns which follow, and to Mr.
Melvin Fronk, deputy county clerk for the other statistics. It is believed
that the election returns, showing as they do the name, date of election and
politics of every county officer since the adoption of the Wyandotte constitu-
tion, will be found of special interest and value. In the following table
names of Democrats are marked by an *, names of Populists by a t- Names
not thu,s marked are of Republicans.
alien CountB Election IRetunis
WYANDOTTE CONSTITUTION
Vote for -244 | AgiUnst i.W
H05IESTEAD CLAUSE
Vote for - -201 I Against.. IM
Representative ■2iiTH District— Jno. W. Scott, November, 1859.
FIRST ELECTION IN ALLEN COUNTY UNDEK THE CONSTITUTION DECEJiBER
6. 1859
GOV
Charles Robinson.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS, '65
LIE
J. P. Root - 1T5 I *JolinP. Slough- 134
SBCBETARY OP STATE
,1. W. Robinson... 175 I *A. P. Walker 133
TREASURER
Wm. Tholen 176 | *Kobert L. Pease... 135
ATJDITOB
G. S. Hillyer - 175 | *Joel K. Goodin -133
SnPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS
Wm, R. Griffith ..175 I *J. S, MagilL. 135
CHIEF JUSTICE
Thos. Ewing 172 I *Jos. WiUiams 132
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE
S.A.Kingman (tour years) 174 | *S. A. Stinson - 135
L. D, Bailey (two years) 164 I 'R. B. MitcheU .135
ATTORNEY GENERAL
B. F. Simpson 1«5 1 *Orlin Thurston 141
CONGRESSMAN
M.F.Conway 175 I *J. A. Haldeman 135
DISTRICT JUDGE, FOURTH DISTRICT
S. O. Thacher 172 I *Jas. Christian... 136
SENATOR, TENTH DISTRICT
76
. Goodin 139
REPRESENTATIVE TENTH DLSTBICT
W. W. Lawrence 172
.Jacob Morrall i71
W. F. M. Arny 173
S. .1. Crawford.. 173
B. L. G. Stone 168
N.B.Blanton ..179
*Jno. M. Beck.
*.J.L. Arnold..
*A. R. Morton.
*J. M. Wilson..
*Samuel Ander
*P. Bowen
REPRESENTATIVE ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1860
General Election. December 6, l&'iD— Votes cast, 310
County Attorney ...S. A Ellis I Supt. of Instructions Merritt Moore
Register of Deeds 1. M.Perkins Surveyor A. G. Carpenter
County Clerk .1, H. .Signer | *Coroner Ohas. Fussman
Special Election, March 26, 1860— Votes cast for ticket, 607:
Votes cast locating county seat, 971
Probate Judge J. G. Rickard I Treasurer H. W. Signor
Sheriff J. C. Redfleld I Assessor H. Doran
General Election, November 1861— Votes cast, 209
County Attorney *S. A. Riggs I Supt. of Instructions Z. J. Wisner
Probate Judge J. E. Childs County Clerk. M. A. Simpson
Sheriff J. O. Redfield | District Clerk B. F. Pancoast
Surveyor A. G. Carpenter I Treasurer N. Hankins
Assessor A.Stewart Coroner.... J.A.Hart
Register of Deeds E. A. House I
NoVE.MBER, 1862— Votes cast, 369
Probate .Judge A. L. Dornburg | Surveyor W. W.Murray
Cierk District Court ..Wm. C. O'Brien Coroner S. K. J. Collins
Treasurer John Harris Assessor _. Enoch Bray
Supt. of Instructions Z. J. Wisner |
November, 1863— Votes cast, 314
Sheriff J. C. Redfield | Assessor... P.M. Power
■#
W.Tibbits 108 I *John Mesel ;""";II""".II" 1 f
REPRESENTATIVE ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1862
REPRESENTATIVE FIFTY-FOURTH DLSTRICT
W. J. Brown- 162 | *Jas. Faulkner 86
REPRESENTATIVE FIFTY-FIFTH DLSTRICT
H.Campbell ...48 | J. A. Christy 43
HISTORY OF ALLEX AND
•Clerk
er of Deeds
sionerlbtDist ..
ssioner 2Qd Dist .
-John Francis
--John Hai-ris
-I'has. BoUiud
\Vm Jones
H. D. Parsons
. B. Hitchcoels
-W. W. Murray
Ch.is. Fussman
-D. B. Stewart,
I CK
I Su
Sheriff
Clerk District Court -- -— John Francis
County Clerlt John Francis
Treasurer John Harris
Register of Deeds Chas. Boland
Assessor F. M. Power
L,. Dornburg | Supt. of Instruction .
November, ise?— Votes cast. 3ii8
F. Coleman | Coroner
Commis-sioner Ist Dist
Commissioner and I )ist .
r 3rd Dist
. M. Mattoon
I. D. Parsons
-Peter Lonj^'
Sheriff
Clerk District Cc
Probate Judge -
1st Dist -
■ 2Qd Dist .
■ 3rd Di-st.
-Z. J. Wisner
-J L Arnold
--Peter Liong
NoTEMBEB. 1866— Votes cast 586
Wm Y. Crow I Supt. of Instruction M.A.Simpson
John Francis I Surveyor G. DeWitt
— -A. L. Dornburg i County Attorney N. F. Acers
November, 1867— Votes cast 661
Sheriff John Harris , C .roner D. Horville
Treasurer John Francis I Surveyor G. DeWitt
County Clerk W. F. Waggoner
Register of Deeds G. .M. Brown
Assessor lohn Paxson
November isfi* -Vo'i^^ •■■I'^.t 896
ProbateJudge lohnP:)- : ■ ■; J. H. Vannu.v
Supt. of Instruction .- ---M. Sinii. . , .\itorney --.N. F. Acer
Clerk DisLrict Court John l-i n
NoVEMBDii, iv,;l \-,.l,- .M.st 735
Treasurer lohn Frarieis ; Coronur I C. Gilliha
Sheriff John Harris \ Surveyo
County Clerk W.F.Waggoner
Register of Deeds G. M Brown
Clerk District Court John Pmxs^^ii
■ 1st Dist Z.J Wisner
■■2nd Dist D. Horville
:■ :■■■! Dist PeivrLong
Sheriff
Treasurer
County Clerk
Register of Deedi
Coroner
---E C. Amsden
W. C. Thrasher
H. A Needham
R. B. Stevenson
--G. DeWitt
ner 1st Dist Paul Fisher
ner 2nd Dist Dan Horville
ner drd Dist A. W. Howhind
Treasure
on I County Attorney *J. C. Murray
on I Supt. of Instruction G DeWitt
1873— Votes cast 1389
F. Root
--- i'h Horville
.---A W. Howland
C Gilhhan |
November, 1872— Votes i
—John Pax5
-C. M. Simps
November.
W. C. Thrasher I coroner
County Clerk H. A Needham Commissioner Is
Sheriff- J. L. Woodin | Commissioner ■ir
Register of Deeds G. M. Bro^wn Commissioner 3r
surviyor . L. J.Rhoades I
November. 1874— Votes east 1325
Clerk DiNii-ici Cuun 0. .M.Simpson I Probate Judge—
*Supt. of Instruction J. E. Bryan Rept. 47th Dist--
»County Attorney J.H.Richards I Rept. 4Sth Dist.-
November, 1875— Votes cast 1205
Treasurer -J. B. Young 1 Commissioner Ist Dist M. Hawley
Sheriff J. !>. Woodin Commissioner 2nrt Di.st L H.Gorrell
County Clerk T. S. Stover I Commissioner 3rd Dist J. W. Christian
Register of Deeds G. M. Brown Rept. 47th Dist J. L. Arnold
Coroner C. GiUihan Rept. 48th Dist S. H. Stevens
Surveyor ---G. DeWitt |
November, 1876— Voles cast l.n63
Clerk District Court ---C. M. Simpson I Probate Judge W. G. Allison
Supt. of Instruction Frank Root | Rep. 52nd Dist ^J. L. Arnold
County Attorney-. ^-^ —
E. H
F. Ace
Blair
.Peter Bell I Eep. 53raDist L. W. Keplinger
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
Register of Deed-
Sheriff-
-Surveyor
tJlerk District Cou
Oounty Attorney.
SuDt. of Instructio
November, isr?— Votes cast 1258
- .]. B. Youn;; I Coroner
T. S Stover I Comraissioner Is
-C. UiUihan
-Peter Long
r. D. Sims
W. Christian
Wm Davis
-W. H. Slavens
Frank Root |
XOVEM-BER, 1879— Votes cast
Surveyor-
County Clerk T. S. Stover
Treasurer -W. H. McClure
Register of Deeds. .- Jesse Fast
Sheriff J. D. Sims
November. 1880
Rep. .i2nd Dist . -- R. B. Stevenson
Rep. 63rd Dist .(. W. Cox
Proliate.ludfce W. G. Allison
Clerk District Court Wm Davis
N.lVE-MBKB. ISSl
I'reasii.er W . H. MoClure
Con
Clerk District Com
<'ounly Attorney.-
Supt. of Instructioi
Treasurer
County Clerk
Sheriff
Kegister of DeedS-
.Probate .ludge . ..
Clerk District i\mrt
Supt. of Instiuciioi
Novembee. i8S2-Votes cast 22n5
A.C.Scott I Probate Judge
G.A.Amos Commissioner 2nd Dist-
' E. Henderson I
November, 1883— Votes cust 2S02
*H. H. Hayward I
R. W. Duffy !
-. *S. Riggs I
----J. P. Duncan |
November. 1^84—
W. G. Allison I
St 3193
attorney.
G. DeWitt
A. J. FultOB
A. J. McCarley
J. O. Fife
..-Frank Root
H. Lieurance
DeWitt
J Fulton
W. Moon
-F. Kelsey
v. J. Fulton
W. A. Ross
County Attorney.
Probate Judge
Clerk District Coui
I- i;, i,( Commissioner 2ad Dist-
P. Duno.in
EMBER, 1886— Votes cast 23gt
E. Denton | Supt. of Instruction <
Commissioner 3rd Dist
Jacoby I
November, 1887— Votes cast 2698
County Clerk R. W. Duffy I Coroner
Treasurer _Wm. Cunningham | Surveyor
Register of Deeds J. P. Duncan | Commissioner 1st Dist--
Sheriff- D. D. Britton |
November 1888— Votes cast 3332
Probate Judge .J. L. Arnold | Supt. of Instruction....
County Attorney H. A. Ewing I Commissioner 2nd Dist
Clerk District Court M. P. Jacoby |
November, 1889— Votes cast 2447
Treasui-er Wm Cunningham ; Coroner
County Clerk E. M. Eckley I Surveyor
Register of Deeds J. F. Nigh I Commissioner 3rd Dist.
Sheriff.. L. Hobart |
November, 1890— Votes oast 2909
Rep. 21st Dist- L. B Pearson | Clerk District Court
Probate Judge J. L. Arnold I Supt. ol Instruction
County Attorney.— H. A. Ewing | Commissioner 1st Dist..
November, 1891— Votes cast 272.')
County Clerk.
G. DeWitt
A. J. Fulton
.H. L. Henderson
...-A. J. Fulton
A. O. Christian
— C. C. Kelsey
H McDowell
G. DeWitt
----D. R. Inge
.--.M. P. Jacobs
...-E. T. Barber
.+Wm Braucher
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
Commissioner 3nd Dist,
Croweli
Sheriff L. Hobart ]
Register of Deeds 1. F. Nigh |
November, 1892— Votes cast 3065
—L.B.Pearson | Supt o( Instruction H.H.Jones
J. L Arnold I County Attorney *A. H. Campbell
F.L.Travis | Commissioner 3rd Dist E. D. Lacey
November, 1893— Votes cast 2.i93
Rep. 19th Dist
Probate Judge -.
Clerk District Court.
Treasurer
County Clerk
Sheriff
Register of Deeds.
-O. C
3. M. Nelson
3. Wakefield
Ausherman
. C. Coffleld
Coroner
Surveyor
Commissioner 1st ]
;. A Brown
. G DeWitt
- N. L. Ard
Rep. 19th Dist.__
Probate Judge
County Attorney
Treasurer
County Clerk
Sneriff
Register of Deeds
Probate Judge
County Attorney
Clerk District Oourt.
NovEMBEB, 1894— Votes cast 29.i3
G. DeWitt i Clerk District Court F. L Travis
J.B.Smith I Supt. of Instruction H.H.Jones
--R.H.Bennett | Commissioner 2nd Dist J. M. McDonald
NOVEMBER 1895— Votes cast 2682
-M.L^ Decker I Coroner J. E. Jewell
'I Surve.vor L. P. Stover
I Commissioner 3rd Dist E. D, Lacey
November, 1896— Votes cast 3535
J. B Smith I Supt. of Instruction G. Billbe
.-.tC. S. Ritter Commissioner 1st Dist tjas. Lockhart
— -H. M. MUler |
NOVEMBER. 1897— Votes cast 3123
Treasurer M. L. Decker | Surveyor..
County Clerk C. A. Fronk I
Sheriff H. Hobart
Register of Deeds H. P. Fowler I
NovE.MBEB, 1898— Votes cast 3192
Clerk District Court H.M.Miller I Probate Judge .1. B.Smith
Supt. of Instruction G. Billbe Commissioner 1st Dist -- J. D. Christian
County Attorney G. R. Gard |
November, 1899— Votes cast 3393
Treasurer Frances Wilson | Surveyor G. DeWitt
County Clerk C. A. Fronk | Coroner P. D. Teas
Register of Deeds H. P. Fowler | Commissioner 1st Dist tJas. Lockhart
Sheriff — -H. Hobart |
November. 1900— Votes cast 482-1
Couutv Attorney * .7. F. Goshorn | Supt of Instruction tHattie Olmstead
C.Brewster ' "■ • ^.-^ ™ ^, „,-,.__
Wakefield
. C. C. Ausheri
I. C. Coffleld
Commissioner 3nd Dist-
. P. Stover
. E. Jewell
McDonald
Clerk District Court .
nissioner 1st Dist-
. Tobey
JUDGES WHO HAVE SERVED ALLEN COUNTY SINCE THE ADOPTION OF THE WYANDOTTE
CONSTITUTIONS
Solon O. Thacher-December 6, 1859 to 1S64 I Wm. Spriggs March to November, 1867
D. P. Lowe I »,Iohn R. Goodin November, 1867 to 1874
One Term of Court, October ,1864 I H, W. Talcott November, 1874 to 1884
D.M.Valentine Noveraber,1864 to 1867 I L. StillweU November, 1884 to
PODDSON COUNTIES, X-ANSAS. 69
©eneva
BY C. L. KNOWLTON
Geneva is situated in the north-west part of the count}', between Mar-
gin and Indian creeks. The location is one of much natural beauty, and
from its first settlement, the communitj' has been one of the most intelligent
and thrifty in the county.
The idea of establishing a colony in Kansas territory, which resulted
in the founding of Geneva, originated in St Johns, Michigan. Dr. Stone
and Merritt Moore were among the first to agitate the question there, and
Mr. Moore went to Java, New York, his former home, .where he aroused
quite an interest in the proposition.
In the spring of 1857, a committee composed of Dr. Stone and Merritt
Moore of St Johns, Michigan, and Deacon E. Fisk of Java, New York,
were sent to Kansas to select a location for the colon}-. After traveling over
a considerable portion of the then famous Neosho Valley, they selected the
site that is still the City of Geneva. Upon their return home and making
their report, J. H. Spicer, Geo. F. Wait, E. J. Brinkerhoff, J. M. Mattoon,
Frank Freidenberg and others from St. Johns, Michigan, left for Kansas.
This advance guard of the colony, traveling of course by wagons, stopped
on the bank of Indian creek and decided to call their town Eureka. After
further consideration, however, the present name was chosen.
During the following summer and fall, S. T. Jones, Dr. B, I. G. Stone,
A. P. Sain, J. C. Redfield, J. M. Mattoon, W. E. Holbrook, Geo. Esse, H.
R. Sommers, J. R. Stillwagon, P. P. Phillips, E. Fisk, Rev G. S. North-
rup, P. A. Holman, P. R. McClure, Chas. Vanwert, Geo. Stevens, W. P.
Samms, Mr. Demings, "Eawyer" Adams and the Stigenwalts arrived.
Among those who settled near Geneva but were not connected with the col-
ony were the Fuquas on the river south-west of the village, on the land now
owned by D. R. Inge and J. F. Fry, both now of Neosho Falls, Kansas.
Anderson Wray, located on Martin creek on the farm now owned by
D. L. Hutton. He came in the spring of 1855. His daughter, Mrs. Geo.
Hall, is still living in the township.
J. K. McQuigg and his brother "Bob" located on the south bank of
the river, on land now owned by Jacob Heath and part of Mr. Jones farm.
They came from Tennessee in the summer of 1855. J. K. McQuigg is still
a resident of Allen County, living now in lola.
A. C. Smith located on Martin creek. His sympathies were against
the Abolition Colonists, and as he had the reputation of backing his opinion
with his revolver, he was, a terror to the "Yankee Colonists." After the
fO HISTORY OF ALLEK AiVO
war he moved to Montana, where he studied law, and is still practicing his
profession, making a living b\' shooting off his mouth instead of his revolvers,
Jeremiah R. Sencenich settled on the farm east of jMartin creek, now
owned by Mrs. I^ura Leake. He serA^ed a-s second lieutenant in Company
D, 9th Kansas Volunteers, during the war.
C. L. Colman located a claim joining Geneva on the north-east. He
was captain of Company D, 9th Kansas, and made quite a reputation during
the war as leader of scouting parties.
Dennis Mortimer and his brother-in-law, Anthony Fitzpatrick, settled:
on farms south of the village, still occupied by their families.
During the winter of 185-; and 1859, Austin Carpenterand his brothers,
James and J. C.,came to the neighborhood. Austin moved to Johnson
County, Kansas, after the war, and has held quite a prominent place in the
politics of that county. J. C. went back to Pennsylvania, where he joined
the army , serving during the war, holding everj' office from a private to
colonel in his regiment. He is now state senator for the district south of
this. James' family still lives on the farm settled by him.
William Denney, who has owned and improved more farms than any
other man in Kansas, came about the same time.
A. W. Howland, who has retired from active business life, having by
hard knocks dug out a fortune from the soil he came near starving on, dur-
ing the first years of his residence here, was among the early settlers. His
brother, J. H. Howland, came with him. He still owns and lives on the
farm he first settled and is now exteivsively engaged in the poultry business.
Others of the early settlers whose names are readily recalled are G. M,
Brown, who was several terms Register of Deeds for the county and whose
death at an advanced age resulted from a railroad accident within a few
yards of his home in lola; his brother "Dick" Brown; Wm. A., Henry and
Robert Hyde; Henry Grimm and his uncle, Daniel Grimm, who came from
Nassau, Germany, and Wm. Noble, whose daughters, Mrs. James Hersh-
berger and Mrs. Oscar Myers, are now living in lola. Of the original set-
tlers J. H. Spicer, J. M. Mattoon, J. P. Dickey and George Esse are still
living in the village they helped to found.
Rev. S. G. Northrup wrote to his brother, L. L,. Ncrthrup, then en-
gaged in the manufacture of woolen goods at Thorntown, Indiana, trying
to get him interested in the colony, and with such effect that in the fall or
winter of 1857 L. L- Northrup and J. T. Dickey decided to visit the pro-
posed site of the colony and judge for themselves. Upon their arrival at
Kansas City they could not procure any kind of transportation so they
decided to walk, which they did, making the trip in about four days. While
here Mr. Northrup contracted to erect and operate a steam saw mill on con-
dition that the colonLsts should give him 160 acres of timber land and
should furnish him all the sawing he could do at $15 per thousand, the
first manufacturing enterprise in the county to be given a bonus. The mill
was erected according to contract on the banks of Indian creek, on the land
now owned by C. N. Spencer. At the same time Mr. Northrup brought in
a stock of general merchandise, the largest stock then in southern Kansas.
■\^'OODSON COVNTIES, KANSAS. 71
He continued to operate both mill and store until 1862, when he sold his
mill to Goss & Clarke of Neosho Falls. He then moved to Tola and started
another store, his brother Gilbert taking charge of the store here. After-
wards L. L. Northrup formed a partnership with J. M. Evans, (father of
the Evans Brothers, of lola.) who managed the store until Mr. Evans'
death, which occurred in 1870.
It had been the intention of the founders of the colony to establish a
large non-sectarian college and academy. Elaborate plans had been drawn
and part of their Professors were among the early colonists. Not one-fourth
of the three hundred families that were expected came, however. The
•college was never built, yet notwithstanding drouth and famine in i860,
and the ravages of war from 1S61 to 1S65, the original idea was so far
adhered to that the colonists never lost an opportunity of securing subscrip-
tion to build some kind ot an educational institution. They worked until
they procured notes and cash to the amount of $2000.00 and the town com-
pany donated t6o acres of Geneva town lots. In 1866 the Academy Board
purchased a building then used for hotel purposes, and employed David
Smith to run the institution. He proved to be one of the ablest instructors
ever in Allen county, but on account of differences about the management
of the institution he resigned and moved to Carlyle, where he taught until
his death. In 1867 J. M. Evans contracted with the Academy Board to
erect the building according to their plans, taking for his compensation
what cash and notes they hid, the building bought by them for temporary
school purposes and about eighty acres of their town lots. Just prior to
making this contract the Academy Board deeded the ground upon which
the Academy is erected to the Presbyterian church, from the erection fund
of which they borrowed $500, with the understanding that the building
was to be leased to the Academy Board for ninty-nine years for educational
purposes. The building was completed during the summer of 1867, and it
■was generally understood that Mr. Evans had to go deep down into his own
pocket to finish his part of the contract. The Board employed Rev. S. M.
Trwin to take charge of the school commencing September 1867. His man-
agement was very successful for a number of years. H. L- Henderson with
Miss Jennie Pickell (now Mrs. Dr. Fulton, of lola) as assistant, then taught
for one year, and were followed by a Mr. Rhoades and Professors Thomp-
son and Robertson who each taught one year. Then as an Academy it was
heard ot no more. The building is still owned by the Presbyterian church
and used by them for church purposes. Rev. S. M. Irwin is still their pas-
tor, he having preached for them for more than thirty-four years.
The original colonists were mostly Congregationalists. The first year
after making their settlement, they erected a frame church building on the
land just west of the townsite. Rev. Gilbert Northrup was their first pas-
tor. Mr. Northrup was one of the most energetic workers of the colony
■and it was principally by his work that funds for the erection of the Acad-
emy building were procured, he having donated $500 towards that object.
He also took the lead in raising funds to build the Congregational church.
.Mr. Northrup was succeeded as pastor by Rev. Henry Jones, who preached
72 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
until 1867. In 1866 the church erected a substantial stone edifice. J. P,
Dickey was "boss" carpenter and Mr. Upton laid the stone, tended by his
son Joe Upton, the same J. B. Upton who was a prominent candidate for
the nomination of Governor of Missouri four years ago.
After Rev. Jones' pastorate. Rev. Calvin Gray preached for several
years, then Revs. Reid, Norris, Tenney, Morse, McGinnis and Francis re-
spectively, labored for the success of the church. Rev. Fred Gray is the
present pastor.
A postofSce was established in 1857 with Dr. Stone as postmaster and
J. M. Mattoon as assistant. Dr. Stone held the commission for two years
after which Mr. Mattoon was appointed, which appointment he held for
nearly forty years. During most of the time he served also as Justice of the
Peace and was for many years County Commissioner. During Harrison's
administration Postmaster General Wanamaker wrote to Mr. Mattoon stat-
ing that he was one of four of the oldest postmasters in continuous service
in the United States and requesting him to send his photograph and sa}-ing
he would be pleased to have him make any suggestion that would be for
the good of the Postal service. In reply the postmaster stated that he did
not know of anything to suggest unless there could be some way to raise the
salaries of the fourth class postmasters. After serving his countr3' for forty
years, at an average salary of about $100 a year, it was not strange that he
thought .some plan ought to be found to increase their pay.
There was at first considerable controversy over claims and some vio-
lence almost approaching rioting occurred. One of these took place when
the Fuqua crowd met the colony to settle rival claims of George Esse and
L,en Fuqua to the land now owned by Geo. Lynn. Fuqua used his rifle as
a club and Mr. Esse's head still aches when he thinks of the blow he got
that day. J. E. Redfield also came in contact with this same gun barrel
and for awhile it was thought he had received his death blow. Another
affray that came near ending fatally was when A. C. Smith got it into his
head that Anderson Wray had wronged him. Smith owned the claims
now owned by J. D. Sims, Wray owned the claims south of him and had
gone to Ft. Scott for the purpose of entering his claim. Smith heard that
he had also entered his. Just at sundown Smith saddled his mule, took
his revolver and started to Ft. Scott. Next morning just at sun up. Smith
rode into a camp near Turkey creek in Bourbon county and finding that
Wray was with them he went into the tent where Wray was and shot him
through the thigh before any of the bystanders could interfere.
Dr. Stone was the first physician to locate here. He practiced until
about the beginning of the war. After him Dr. Southard practiced for
some years and then returned to LeRoy, Kansas. In 1866 Dr. J. F.
Knowlton came and practiced until his death in 1882. Since then Doctors
Ganze, Campbell and Wilkins practiced here until they were called to take
a higher seat in their profession.
After J. M. Evans' death, T. L Elliot traded for the stock of goods
owned by L L- Northrup and the Evans estate and did a good business
until 1882 when he moved to Colony. Since Elliot's removal, C. L. Knowl-
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 7.-^
Ion has been in the general merchandise business at the same old stand.
D. D. Spicer has a good stock of hardware, and has succeeded to the post-
mastership which his friends wish he may continue to hold as long as did
Mr. Mattoon.
J. D. Leavitt has a grocery and feed store and is apparently doing well.
R. B. Warner is ringing the old blacksmith shop that was built in i860
by P. R. McClure.
Geo. Esse runs the hotel which he built with the expectation of mak-
ing his fortune boarding college students.
While the extravagant expectations indulged by the founders of Ge-
neva have not been realized, yet the village has been what they intended
first of all it should be, and that is a moral, law-abiding, God-fearing town,
"a good place to live in."
Ilola
(Acksowledgement is tti-aietully uKide to Mr W, A. Co\v;in for all that p trt of the followii e
sketch reUling to the eui-ly history of lola. Kdhdhsi
In the fall of 1858 the settlers on the Neosho River finding that on
account of inability to get good well water, the town of Cofachique would
prove a failure and believing that the county seat of Allen County should
be as near as practicable in the center of the county decided to locate a new
town which should have as many advantages and as few disadvantages as
possible. Accordingly in January 1S59 a meeting of all those in favor of
the new enterprise was called, the meeting being held at the residence of
J. C. Clark near the mouth of Deer Creek. John W. Scott was elected
president of the new town company, John Hamilton vice- president, J. M.
Perkins Secretary, James McDonald treasurer, A G. Carpenter, B. I. G.
Stone and H. D. Parsons, directors.
Among those present at this meeting besides those above named were
Wm. C. Keith, W. H. Cochran, J. C. Redfield. Daniel Horville, J. C.
Clark, Simon Camerer, J. F. Colborn, L. E. Rhodes, James Faulkner, Eli
Lorance, W. M. Brown, Nimrod Hankins, W. F. Brocks, John A. Hart,
J. T. Cornell, Carlyle Faulkner, J. M. Faulkner, J. B. Lampkin, M. A.
Simpson, J. C. Parsons, Rufus Perkins, H. D. Parsons, Wm. Lewis and
Aaron Case.
Two quarter sections north of Elm creek and east of the Neosho river
owned by J. F. Colborn and W. H. Cochran were selected and A. G. Carpen-
74
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
ter, a brother of Honorable J. C. Carpenter, now of Channte, was appointed
surveyor.
"lola" the Christian name of Mrs. J. F. Colborn was chosen as the
name of the future town, The land was surveyed and the new townsite like
many Kansas enterprises was on a broad g-iuge. Four blocks were set
aside as a public park on which the future Court House was to be erected ,
avenues loo feet wide surround it. The stock in the company was
divided into fifty shares and each shareholder was to get twenty lots but he
was not to get a deed to any until he had put up $300 worth of impr jve-
ments. This was to prevent men from securing control of a great number
of lots and holding them for speculative purposes without contributing to
the support of the town. A block was set aside for school purposes, two
lots at the south-west corner of the park were reserved for a hotel, others
for churches, a college, and to secure the location of the United States land
office. One hundred lots were donated to the county to "permanently locate
the county seat at lola," other lots were offered to any one who would
build on them.
The first house to be erected in town was built by Bolivar Buckner
Bayne, a relative of Gens Bolivar and Buckner of Kentucky. This was a
log house which disappeared several years ago but the frame addition to
which yet stands on South Washington avenue and is now occupied by
Mr. Chase as a restaurant. It was bought by J. M. Cowan in July,
i860, and still remains in the family.
The first frame house was built by J. F. Colborn and became the birth-
place of the first lola baby. Miss Luella Colborn, now Mrs. W. P. North-
rup, of Wallace, Idaho.
In i860 James Faulkner and Aaron Case moved their stoies from
Cofachique to lola. Both were small general stores. B. B. Bayne opened
a dry goods and notion store and J. M. Cowan a grocery store. In the
winter of i860 and '61 Messrs Howell & Brewster opened a general store.
Soon afterwards L,. h. Northrup moved to lola from Geneva. E. A. Howes
also opened a small stock of notions and in the fall of i860 Dan Horville
opened a stock of clothing. Later Drs. Gillihan and Packard emptied
their medicine cases together and the result was the first drug store.
This passed to Gillihan & Cowan (S. J. Cowan) then to J. M. Cowan &
Son, then to S. Ridenour & Co. then to John Francis, then to John W. Scott,
then to Campbell & Burrell.
Of all the first business enterprises but one, Northrup Bros, survives,
the others having wound up business and quit.
It is a remarkable fact that for over thirty years there was not a busi-
ness failure in lola, and it well illustrates the kind of men that have made
the city what it is now.
The first bank was started by the leading men of the King Bridge
Company but retired when the Bridge Company died.
The' second bank was started in 1869 by L. L. Northrup, first by simply
receiving and taking care of the money of his friends and selling his perso-
nal checks against his deposits in New York. The business however soon
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 75
became large enough to justify a separate establishmt-nt and "The Banking
House of L. L. Northrup" was opened in the small brick building on the
west side of the public square where it remained until destroyed recently
to make room for the Masonic Temple when the name was changed to the
"Northrup National Bank" and the business moved to the new National
Bank building.
L. L. Northrup, now deceased, was a man of large means when he
located in lola and to this he added very largely during the civil war by
the great advance in price of goods so that at the time he entered the bank-
ing business he was perhaps the wealthiest man in this part of Kansas. A
hard worker, he gave personal attention to every detail of his business with
such faithfulness that he generally wrung success from e\erything he
undertook, and so it was that he had the perfect confidence of all with whom
he did business and when the financial crash of 1873 came he kep this bank
open and met all deuiiuds. It is believed that but two other banks in the
State braved this storm and b')th of them have since failed.
The first real estate office was opened by Geo. A. Bowlus in 1868. To
this he added fire insurance and finally in 1885 he established The Bank
of Allen County of which he is still president and manager.
The first blacksmith shop was started by J. F. Colborn. The first
wagon shop by Geo. J. Eldridge. The first hotel by Mrs. Ross. The first
grist mill D. R. Harvey, saw mill Wood & Means and a Mr. Jay, Furnit-
ure and undertaking Joe Culbertson, bakery W. H. Richards, tin shop
J. J. Casmire who later added a stock of Haidware.
In 1S60 Miss E. G. Hancock opened a private school in her own buikl-
ing near where the Star Livery barn now stands.
The first public school was taught by Miss Hester Walters a sister of
John Walters, in the building at the corner of West and State streets. In
this building was also held the first term of the District Court after the
removal of the county seat to lola. It was also used for some time as a
meeting place for the Presbyterian church.
Soon after the building of the L., L,. & G. railroad through lola a
company was organized to prospect for coal and a diamond drill was hired
and the "Acers Well" drilled, the L., L. & G. railroad paying half the ex-
pense.
Next the King Bridge Company located a branch of their works in the
building now used by the Lanyon Zinc Company. The town voted bonds
to the amount of $50,000 to secure the location of the works. A few bridges
were built in the time the shops were in operation, the largest being the one
across the Kansas river at Kansas City, Kansas. The company soon found
the business a failure and moved to Topeka. lola then refused to pay the
$50,000 bonds and suit was brought to collect them, the case going to the
Supreme Court of the United States, where the town was successful. The
bonds however are still outstanding and there are occasional inquiries about
them.
The next enterprise was a large grist mill which was begun in what is
now Gear's addition. The contract was let and the building finished to
76 HISTORY OF ALLEN ANM
the second story. Then the promoter started to his old home for his moiie\-
and never returned, it being supposed that he was murdered by the Bend-
ers. The stone work was afterward torn down and the window sills were
used in the Northrup and Cowan buildings on Washington avenue.
In 1887 the lola Carriage and Omnibus Company secured the old King
Bridge shops, raised it to two stories and began the manufacture of carriages
on a large scale, but the business proving a failure was wound up and in
1896 the buildings were leased to Robert and William Lan^-on for smelting
works.
The effort to build up a town cost its promoters many thousand dollars.
Allen County accepted the one hundred lots which were sold and the money
was used to pay- for a building for use as a court house.
The public square was originally intended for the court house but the
county being slow about using it for that purpose a plan was started to cut
it up into lots and sell them to pay the King Bridge Company bonds. In
1872 an act was passed by the legislature authorizing the sale. The board
of county commissioners met and relinquished all the county's rights; the
city council did the same in behalf of the city. The owners of property
facing the square agreed to quit claim any interest thej- might have, and
finally the lola Town Company authorized its president to deed the prop-
erty to John Francis, Daniel Horville and Geo. A. Bowlus, trustees, to sell
the same and pay off the bonds. By this time, however, the Bridge Com-
pany began to move and it was decided to contest the validity of the bonds
in the courts rather than pay them, and so the whole plan was abandoned
and the property returned to where it was before.
"The Schemes That Failed" would be an appropriate title for a chap-
ter which should attempt to give in detail the industrial history of lola from
1887, — or indeed from the beginning for the matter of that, — to 1896.
Ambitious and energetic, the business men of the town, from the very day
of its founding, were always casting about for the establishment of some
enterprise that might furnish employment to labor and thereby bring lola
a greater support than that afforded by the country trade. Some of ihe
more notable of these, — the prospecting for coal, the location of the Bridge
Company, the establishment of a Carriage Factory, — have already been
noted. Innumerable smaller enterprises were undertaken from time to
time, pushed with all possible zeal as long as there was any thing to push,
only to be abandoned at last. . To set out in detail all these undertakings,
if not an impossible task, would still be a tedious and profitless one Let
it sufRce to say that at the end of thirty-five years of almost incessant effort
lola remained what it had been from the beginning, a country village,
a fairly good trading point but nothing more. The census of 1895 showed
a population of 1565, and the most sanguine among all her citizens would
not have dared to predict that" he would live to see that number doubled.
But with the discovery of natural gas, — the story of which is told in
detail in another chapter, — all that was changed. Almost immediately the
attention of men with large capital was attracted by the splendid opportunity
which this discovery opened for investment in maiuifacturing enterprises.
WOODSON COUXTIES, KANSAS. 77
and troin that day to this the growth of lola has been rapid and continuous,
until it now stands well up toward the head of the list of Kansas cities in
wealth and population.
The first of the great industries to enter the field was the Robert
Lanyon's Sons' Spelter Company. Robert and William Lanyon, brothers,
constituted this firm, and in i8'-_,6 they completed the first zinc smelter ever
erected in Allen County. They were followed a year later by W. & J.
Lanyon, who also built a zinc smelter. (Both these firms afterwards sold
all their interests to the Lanyon Zinc Company which has since operated
and largely e.\tended their properties.) Following them, in rapid succes-
sion, came the loia Brick Company, the lola manufacturing Company (now
The lola Wotks of the Pittsburg Foundr\- and Machine Companx', and the
lola Planing Mill Company), the Geo. E. Nicholson smelter, the Star
Brick Company and the lola Portland Cement Company. As this chapter
is written T!ie Standard Acid Company (William Lanyon) is erecting a
large Sulphuric Acid plant, and the Lanyon Zinc Company is preparing to
build a Sulphuric Acid plant and Zinc Rolling Mills. What the establish-
ment of these industries has meant to Ida may be seen by reference to the
statistics of wealth and population appended to this chapter. It has meant
in brief that lola is no longer a country village but a flourishing city, des-
tined to be, if not alre-idy, the manufacturing metropolis of Kansas.
Responding to the needs of the increased population, in 1900 the city
voted $80,000 in bjnds for the erection of water-works and an electric light
plant. These were completed April i, 1901, and are now in successful
operation.
The educational interests of lola have been from the beginning gener-
ously advanced and good schools have always been maintained. The
present High School has for years carried a course of study that prepares
its students for the F'reshman class at the State University. It is well
supported l)y three splendid ward schools, the four buildings having been
erected at a cost of $80,000. Thirty-one teachers are employed and the
enrollment for the current year reached the total of 1705 pupils. In addi-
tion to the public schools, the lola Business College, established in 1899 by
the Fesler Brothers, is in successful operation.
ist Baptist The first church to be regularly organized in Ida was the
Church Finst Baptist church which was organized in the summer of
i860 at the residence of Joseph Culbertson by Rev. Harris
and Rev. Sands. Rev. H. K. Stimson, State Missionary supplied the pulpit
at intervals for •some time but the members finally disbanded and the rec-
ords were lost. In November 1S69 Rev. A. Hitchcock of Humboldt and Rev.
L. D. Walker of Fort Scott reorganized the church with a membership of
thirteen. Rev. A. Hitchcock was called to the pastorate and filled the place
for three months after which the church was without a pastor until July
1871 when Rev. M. D. Gage of Junction city came here and reorganized
the church under a state charter with twenty members. He remained with
the church as pastor until April 1873. During the year 1S72 the church built
JS HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
and de.licated the edifice now occupied by the church, at a cost of $7,000,
Since that time the pulpit has been occupied by the following pastors, Rev.
I. N. Clark from April 1S73 to October 1S73, Rev. T. C. Floyd, from Jan-
uary 1874 to April 1876, Rev. David Fieldin;^ of Ottawa filled the pulpit
during the summer of 1876 as often as his health would permit. Rev. J. W.
Alton, from July 1877 to May 1878, Rev. J. X. Wiman, from Jar.uary 1879
to August [S79, Rev. T. C. Coffey, from December 1S8;) to April 1883,
Rev W. S. Webb from July 1S83 to May 1886, Rev. C. X. H. Moore from
November 1886 to March 1891, Rev J. F Huckleberry from February 1892
to September 189J, Rev. M. F. King from October 1892 to April 1897, Rev.
H. g'. Fraser from August 1897 to February 1S99, Rev H. A. Doughty from
September 1899 to September igoo. Rev. G. \V. Shadwick the present pas-
tor was called in No\-ember 19 jo. The membership of the church at present
is about two hundred,
Pkesbyverian The First Presbyterian church in lola was organized
Church June 24th 1864 ina grove on Deer creek, three and one-half
miles north of lola, by Rev. E. K. I^ynn, Rev. Austin
Warner and Elder J. M. Evans, of the Carlyle church. About twenty persons
were enrolled as members, of whom Mrs. Susan Post is the only one who yet
survives and who has maintained continuous membership. The first ser-
vices of the church were held in the small house on the corner of West and
State streets and later in the court house then on the north-west corner of
the square. The first church building, a brick structure, was completed in the
spring of 1868 and was rebuilt on the same site in 1891. In 1899 the church
bought a new site on east Madison avenue where it is expected that a large and
handsome edifice will soon be erected. The first pastor was Rev. E. K.
Lynn, who served the church from its organization until 1869. Others
succeeded him as follows: Rev H. M. Stralton from October 1870 to January
1873. Rev. J. W. Pinkerton from March 1873 until his death in February,
1875. Rev. S. G. Clark from July 1875 to April 1878. Rev E. S. Miller
from February 187910 May 1886. Rev. W. H. Hyatt from May 1887 to
October 1891. Rev. Johnston McGaughney for most of the year following.
Rev. Squier from February 1893 to May 1898. Rev. J. M. Leonard from
June 1898 to the present. The church now has over two hundred members.
United Brethren The United Brethren Church was organized in the
Church spring of 1892. The present church building was
dedicated in 1898. The church has been served by
the following pastors: Revs. J. I. Robinson, L. W. Stone, L. D. Wimmer,
E. A. and C. V. King (husband and wife), N. L- Vezie and F. M. Gillett,
the present incumbent.
Methodist Episcop.\l The records of the Methodist Episcopal church
•Church are not complete and the exact date of the first
organization is not known. It is remembered, however, that Methodi.st
services were held in the home of Mr J. F. Colborn in September 1859 and
it seems probable the church was organized, at least as a mission, then or
WOODSON COrXTIKS, KANSAS. 79
■50on afterwards. Of the original membership, only Mr. I. B. Lawyer yet
survives. Services were held for a time in the building on the corner of
West and vState 'Streets, the first public building erected in lola and used as
a school house as well as a place for religious meetings. Afterwards class
meetings were held in a stone building which formerly occupied the present
site of H. Klaumann's business house. The first quarterly meeting in lola
of which any record remains was held in this building May i, i860. The
present building was erected in i8;o. As this chapter is written a new and
handsome structure is under erection-. It will cost $10,000 and will be the
first large and modern church edifice to be erected in lola. The present
uiembership of the church is 375. The pastors have been as follows:
Revs. N. P. Bukey, i860: Tho.s. Willett, i86r; W. T. Travis, 1862:
Vv'. Kimberlan, 1863: C. Meadows, 1S64; A. B. Walker, 1865-66; C. K.
Tobias, 1867: G. L. Williams, 1S68: E. A. Graham, 1869-70: W. W. Welsh,
1871; L. M. Hancock, 187.'; Thos. B. Palmer, 1S7,;: H. K. Muth, 1874-76
J. S. Kline, 1877-80; D. T. Summerville, 1880-81, S. vS. Weatherby, 1882-
S:^; R. M. Scott, 1SS4-86: N. B. John.son, 1887-88; J. B. Ford, 1S89, A. S.
Freed, 1890- 92; Isaac Hill, 1893; James Hunter, iS94"95; I- B- Pulliam,
1896-97; A. B. Bruner, 1898-99; John Maclean, igoi, the present incumbent.
Christ Ricforjieii Was organized by Rev. D. B. Shuey, superintendent
Church of Missions, on July 29th i 883. The following named
. pastors have served this congregation. Rev. vS. A.
Alt June 15 1884 to October i, 1889. Rev. J. R. Skinner October i, 1S89
to April I, 1890. Rev. W. E. Shaley August 27, 1890 to December i, 1892.
Rev. L. S. Faust July i, 1893 to September i, 1898. Rev. 13. B. Shuey
September i, 1898 and is the present pastor.
The present church and parsonage lot was purchased on May 17, 1884,.
Present church building 30x50 erected in 1888
St. Timothy's This parish has held services with greater or
Episcopal. less regularity since about 1878, at which time it
was organized under the direction of Bishop \'ail.
Rev. Holden was the first minister, and held services monthly for
several years. The membership of the church was very small.
and there were considerable periods during which no regular ser-
vices were held. With the growth of lola, however, the church
was materially strengthened, and in 1901 a small, but handsome
church was erected, in which regular services were held by Rev. George
Davidson, the pastor in charge
Catholic The first Catholic services ever held in lola where held
Church March 10, 1897, by Father Weikman, in charge of the Hum-
boldt church. He conducted services regularly each month
thereafter until October, 1900, when he went to Europe and was succeeded
by Father Donohue, who is now in charge and who holds religious services
every two weeks. The church has bouglit the old Methodist church and
parsonage and will be given possession as soon at the new M. E. church is
80 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
ready for occupancy. Some seventy-five or eighty families in lola acknow-
ledge allegiance to the Catholic church.
Second Baptist The Second Baptist Church (colored) was organized
Church November i8, 1876, with Rev. Samuel Clark as pastor.
Considering its small membership it has done much
good work, having early secured a church building which, served it until
1899 when a new and more commodious one was erected. The member-
ship at present is 38.
African Methodist This church has been organized for .several years
Church. and has done much good among the colored people.
It owns a church building of sufficient size to ac-
commodate its congregations, and holds regular services.
The first news paper established in lola was the Neosho Valley Regis-
ter, which was founded in 1866 by W. H. Johnson, now publisher of the
Salina, Kansas, Sun. After running it for about two years, Mr. John.son
sold the paper to H. W. Talcott and Nelson F. Acers. Mr. Acers soon
sold his interest to his partner and Mr. Talcott conducted the paper for
some months, selling it then to M. M. Lewis and H. E Mitchell, who
changed the name to the State Register. Lewis & Mitchell had evidently
bought the paper "on time" and were unable to meet the deferred payments,
for after about six months under their management it returned to the owner-
ship of Judge Talcott, who restored the old name, Neosho Valley Register.
In 187 1 Judge Talcott again sold the paper, this time for good, to G. M.
Overstreet and W. G Allison. They conducted it for about a year and
sold it to Lewis Walker. The next owners wers G. D. lugersoll and H. A.
Perkins who changed the name of the paper to the lola Register. They
vvere succeeded by Allison & Perkins, and they by Perkins & Rohrer. In
1882 Mr. Perkins bought the interest of his partner, Mr. S. Rohrer, and a
few weeks later sold the entire plant to A. C. and Chas. F. Scott
and Edward Rohrer, the name of the new firm being Scott Bros., & Rohrer.
In September, 1884, Chas. F. Scott bought the interest of his brother, and
about a ye.ir later he purchased that of Mr. Rohrer, since which time he has
been the sole proprietor. The Register remained a weekly until October 25,
1897, when the growth of loh warranted the establishment of a daily edi-
tion which has since been continued. The Register has been Republican
in politics since its foundation and for the greater part of that time has been
the official paper of Allen county and of lola City.
The second paper of permanent importance to be started in lola was
the Allen County Courant, which was founded in 1883 by H. A. Perkins.
After running it for about a year Mr. Perkins sold it to W. G. Allison and
G. D. IngersoU. Mr. Allison later sold his interest to Mr. John Gordon.
The paper was then sold to Hamm Brothers, who consolidated it with the
Allen County Democrat, a paper which had been started in 1886 by Mr. J.
J. Rambo. In 1889 the consolidated Courant and Democrat were sold to
Chas. F. Scott and consolidated with the Register. The Courant was
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 8]
Started as a Republican paper but became Democratic upon its purchase by
Hamm Bros. The Democrat was Democratic from the beginning.
The organization of the Farmer's Alliance resulted in the establish-
ment in 1890 of the lola Farmer's Friend. The paper was owned b}' a
stock company and A. H. Harris was the editor and publisher of the paper.
Daring the next three years there were numerous changes in the name at
the head of the paper, A. H. Harris being succeeded by Harris & Wixson,
they by Wixson Brothers, they by Bartlett\& Weber, they by Welker &
Weber. In 1893 the paper passed into the hands of C. S. Ritter who has
since remained editor and proprietor. It has always adhered to the
Populist party.
The Allen County Herald was e.stablished in 1890 by S A. D Cox.
This paper was but a side issue of the Humboldt Herald and the proprietor
gave it but little personal attention, leasing it to first one and then another.
It therefore led a precarious existence and in 1893 was consolidated with
the Farmer's Friend. During its life time the Herald was of the Demo-
cratic faith.
The Western Sentinel was established as a Democratic paper in. 1896
by J. B. Goshorn. In 1899 the paper was sold to Mr. L. I. Purcell, who
changed its name to the Allen County Detnocrat. Later Mr. M. Miller
was associated with Mr. Purcell in the publication of the paper. In 1900
Mr. Miller retired and Mr. Purcell associated with him Mr. W. W. French
and Mr. H. D. McConnaughey and began the publication of the Daily
Democrat. This venture not proving successful, was abandoned after three
months and the firm was dissolved, Mr. French retaining the Weekly
Democrat which he still publishes.
The lola Daily News was started in 1896 by Mr. Ed. S. Davis. x\fter
being published about a year it was bought by and consolidated with the
Daily Register.
The lola Daily Record was established in 189S by Mrs. Jennie Burns.
After having been published for a little more than a year the paper got into
financial straights and Mrs. Burns retired from its management, being
succeeded by A. P. Harris, as editor, W. C. Teats as business manager, and
R. W. McDowell as circulator, who are at present in charge of the paper.
Statistical Sable
Sbowlng ©rowtb in ipopulation anO XRHealtb of alien Counts anO Hola Cite
records are incomplete, the foUowintr Ugures bein); all that are
YEAR
1872
POPULATION
ALLEN
VALUATION
S 2312829
iar38-;9
i:ns97,5
COHNTV
YEAH
POPULATION
I464S
VALU.1TII>N
-J a-.'iHs.i
2964348
\m — -
1,S8,S---
1889
- - 13818
1876
2'll()621
1891
1892-.--.
1818
ISW ....
189.5
. - .- 12960
12679
--12372
12770
-13736
■imy.ii
1877
:;:!S0110
1ST9
10116
I895S11
18S0
10417
I990:i6fi
HISTORY OF ALLEN -A-ND
VEAB
1881
10436
-20115285
YEAR
1896
11^98 r.".'."
IH9H
19C0 -.
A flTY
POPULATION
14153
14441
15905
17483
19923
337fl60
1S83- — -
1884
188t --
1S86..-..
1ST9
14173
14540
15708
96U
- -. ■25n(il6U
2646085
26990211
.._- ...S
4069337
56363-23
1891
1892
1*^93
1894 .-
1895 -
1898
1897
1898
-,--1513
1S8I
1882 ....
1853 -
1854 -.-.
18?5-....
1S83-....
188?
1888- —
1889
814
1070
I48II
I5(i0
.... iijia
'';;;;;i785 ;i;-;m":
1087
:i;""""' '[ 185480
----- 19-.320
- - 22011M
244;l.')2
::::::::::;: V^
349120
226(67
249945
i.v.r
- ;---2145 - -
3531
2451185
256970
- - 249355
- -248570
;::; ^^
549930
1930
61.53
980430
flDoran.
BY MRS. H. L. BASSETT
In the summer of 1 88 1, the Missouri Pacific Railroad Conipau}- built
the long desired railroad through Allen County. The citizens of Marma-
ton township, eager lor improved facilities, at a mass-meeting in the Wal-
nut Grove school-house, had voted the necessary bonds. This company
agreed to locate a depot within a mile of the middle of the township, but it
was uncertain for a time what site they would choose. At first all trains
stopped on the corner of N. G. Brown's section. Those living two miles
west at Fair Lawn, were eager to have the station there, but largely
through the influence of the late Dr. Henry M. Strong, the company decid-
ed on the present location, midway between the two places. Where
Moran now stands corn and oats were growing luxuriantly. James Meade
and Win. Finley owned most of the land north of the track. These gen-
tlemen, aided by Dr. Strong, P. J. McGlashan, C. P. Keith and others,
advocated that site, but John A. Epling, Ezra Rhodes, James Armstrong
and George McLaughlin, hoped to see the business part of the town south
of the half section line followed by the railroad. The latter secured the
services of G. DeWitt, and had their location surveyed and recorded as
.Moran, while the railroad company had their men do the surveying north
of the track, and it was recorded Moran City. The blocks on the north
side are smaller than those on the south, so the streets fail to connect. In
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 83
two or three years the business houses were all on the north side. When
application for a postoffice was made it was named Morantown, and not
until 1900 was that changed to Moran. L. M. West was the first post-
master. Notwithstanding its variet}* of names, the new town had a healthy
growth. David Mitchell opened a lumber yard, which in i,S82 he sold to
S. C. Varner, who still carries on that business. The Farmers' Restaurant,
erected by West & Davis, was the first business building. Robert Daw\son
was the first merchant. His store was on part of what is now known as
"the burnt district." E. F. DeHart & Son had a stock of general mer-
chandise on the south side, and later enlarged their building and kept a ho-
tel, known as the "Commercial House." The first hotel and livery on the
north side belonged to Riley Daniels. They, too, were on the burnt dis-
trict. N. S. Smith built a livery barn, where that business is still contin-
ued. It has changed hands several times, but is now owned by George
Moore. L. H. Gorrell & H. B. Smith were the first blacksmiths. The
site of their shop is still occupied by Mr. Smith, who novv deals in wagons
and farm implements. L. B. Kinne, in the fall of 1S81, opened a grocer\-
and drug store. He has been and still is, one of the uidU public-spirited
and successful business men in the place. J. E. Hobby opened a grocery
about the same time, and is one of Moran's substantial business men. Old
Mr. Southard built a store where the Moran Bank now stands, and dealt in
general merchandise. In the low attic of that building his daughter, Miss
Abbie Southard, taught the first private school in Moran. W. J. Steele
was the first hardware merchant to locate here, H. B. Adams and Chas.
Meudell purchased his stock and building in 1889. In 1895 Mr. Men-
dell bought out .\Ir. Adams, and the business is still continued at the old
stand, but in far more comnKxlious qr.arters, for Mr. Mendell in r ,00 put
up a new building on the old site, which is well adapted to his needs.
The second floor is a public hall, and supplies a much-needed convenience.
Mitchell and Housted were the south side hardware merchants. Al-
ter changing hands two or three times, this stock of goods was purchased
by S. C. Varner, who had already opened up a store of that kind, and who
still continues that business. He also for years has engaged in other
branches of mercantile business, and has done considerable building in dif-
ferent parts of town. The finst meat market was located in a small build-
ing on the .south side of the square. Its owner, Mr. Devons, soon became
discouraged and quit. A little later, W. C. Carter and Wm. Finley opened a
meat market, which after changing hands once or twice, was bought, in
1885, by Joshua Rumbel. He or one of his sons continued in the lousiness
until 1900, when W. J. Rumbel sold out to E D. Rapp. The elevator was
built by Mr. Rosch, who soon sold it to A. W. Beck. It has had several
proprietors, and is now under the management of Bailey Palmer. Jas.
Fulwider was the first barber. His shop was in his residence, which still
stands. The Misses Fairman were the first milliners, but they were not
long left without rivals, as Miss Minnie Ross and Mrs. Seldomridge, each
soon claimed her share of patronage.
Union religious services were first held in the depot. After the erec-
S4
HISTORY OF ALLEN ANI
tioii of the school house it was used till the Presbyteriau church was cou;-
pleted, when it was uo longer needed for such purposes.
December lo, 1892, the Presbvterian church was organized with nine-
teen members, who were cared for by Rev. E. S. Miller, of lola. In 18S;,
they built a church which was dedicated July 20, 1884 The union S. S.
had its home there until each of the denominations represented withdrew
and established its own service. In 1895 a parsonage was built north of
the church. The ministers who have served this church are Revs. Ruther-
ford, King, Wilson, Millard, Hawkins, Evans, Cantrall and Barr. Rev.
F. W. Mitchell, a graduate of Princeton seminary is now the pastor. His
people are united in him, and the church is prospering. It has eighty-
five members.
In 1S84 the Methodist Protestant church was organized, with about
twenty members. Their first pastor was Mr. Wayland, and largely through
his persistent efforts, their church was the second one erected in Moran.
Their parsonage, the second one in town, was built just south of the
church. They have since sold it, and built one more commodious, on the
east side. There are fifty names on their church roll. They have had as
pastor Revs. Wayland, Young, Brown, McAdams, Daley, Lane, Buck-
ner. Chamlin, Slater, Hinshaw and Mellors. Rev. R. H. N. McAdams
who nov.' has charge of the church has been here two years. He is earnest
and faithful, and his work has been blessed.
The Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1882, and with
thirty-five members. In the fall of 1884 they built a church which was
dedicated free of debt, in 1889. They provided a parsonage in 1883 which
has made a good home for some excellent ministers. Those who have been
shepherds of this flock are Revs. Anderson, Stradforth, York, Swartz
Means, Bruner, Emerson, Siess, Holtz, Howard, Riess, Moore and
McNabb. The present pastor is Rev. G. B. Mehl, who has proved a zeal-
ous, untiring worker. His labors have been blessed. The church now
has one hundred and thirty-five members.
In the summer of 1883 the Christian church was organized Ijy J.
Shively at the school house, with a membership of fifteen, and reorganized
in the Presbyterian church in the winter of 1885, by Henry Martin, the
first pastor. In 1887 they built a house of worship. They now have sev-
enty-five members. They have had as niinisters Elders Dunkleberger,
Lamb, Porter, Moore, Cash and Klinker.
The Baptists met and organized in the Presbyterian church. In 1892
they organized in the Christian church, with about twenty members.
That same year they built, and built well. It is to be regretted that this
church has been exceptionall}^ unfortunate in losses, by death and removal.
It is three years since they have had a settled pastor, and for a year thej'
have not kept up regular services. They have enjoyed the ministrations of
Elders Trout, Woods, Day and Collins.
In the early days of Moran a German Reformed church was organized,
but they never built here, and finally disbanded, most of their members
identifying themselves with theii church at Allen Center. Rev. S. A. Alt
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 85
^Yas the faithful pastor of this flock till rSSy, when Rev. Mr. Skinner was
his successur. Rev. L. S. Faust, ol lola, was in charge when the church
•disbanded.
All our churches have sustained heavy losses by death and removal.
Most of them have active Sabbath .schools, and live j'oung people's organi-
zations that are doing good work.
In 1877 Dr. Henry M. Strong removed from lola to his farm, which
is now owned by A. J. Eflin, and from that time to the fall of 1882 was
truly a good Samaritan to any sick neighbor, refusing to accept an}- re-
muneration for medical services. How many he helped and how deep was
their gratitude eternity alone can reveal. In the fall of 1882, J. E. Jew^ell,
M. D., located in Moran. In the spring of 1884, Dr. G. B. lyambeth loca-
ted here. Again and again some third ph\'sician has tried to gain a foot-
hold, but after a short time has sought some other place in which to prac-
tice his profession.
In the fall of 18S2 a school house was built east of the square, and the
first teacher was Mr. Ed. Muth. .School opened with a larger number on
the roll than was shown by the census taken in August. As the town
grew the school building was found inadequate, so in 1884 the original
building was removed to make a place for a main building of two rooms,
and the original has since been known as the north wing. The school did
good work, and its increasing efficiency, as well as the growth of the town,
made it necessary in 1892 to enlarge its quarters, so the main building was
raised. This gave five rooms, but as only four were then needed, the
north wing was unused for a year. In 1893 the need of a high school was
so pressing that the proper steps were taken, and three years added to the
course of study. That the school has done good work has been repeatedly
demonstrated here, by the scholars who have left it to take their places
among the respected workers and citizens of Moran. Not a few of its
scholars have gone out to teach others what they learned here. Many a
home is blessed by the influence that can be directly traced to the Moran
school. • Those who have gone to higher institutions of learning have
proved without exception, that their Alma Mater was one of which to be
proud, and she has had good reason to be proud of them. Prof. C. W.
Kline is now its principal, and his efficient corps of assistants is made up of
Mrs. Barton, Mrs. Collins, Miss Keith and Mrs. Thomas. The school is a
credit to the place. Those who have taught in it are Messrs. Muth,
Johnson, Carter, Courtney, Coulter, Fogleman and Kline. Messrs. Ad-
ams, Russ, Smith, Mayhu, and their wives; Mesdames Anderson, Millard,
Barton, Collins and Thomas; the Misses Newman, Gay, Culbertson, Spen-
cer, Brown, Pember, Ireland, Bryden, Corn, Donica, Esse, Rennells, Fuss-
man and Keith.
An enterprising town like Moran early felt the need of a newspaper of
its own, so a company was formed, in which prominent and public-spirited
citizens took stock, and the Moran Herald came into existence. Henry
Armstrong was its editor, and its first issue was in 1883. Two or three
years later G. D. IngersoU bought the paper, and later it changed hands
86 HISTORY UF ALLEN AND
several times, being successively owned by Leo. Fesler, W. G. Allison,
Smith & Matthews, and Jay Matthews. In 1897 it "'as purchased by C. C.
Thomas, who still owns it. His faithful efforts and careful attention to
business, have secured for it a place in the front ranks of papers of its kind.
In 1887 the M. K. & T. built a road that gave direct communication
with Kansas City and Parsons. This was a distinct advantage to the town
in many ways, and greatly increased the shipping facilities for stock
raisers.
In the matter of banks, Moran has been quite unfortunate. Winans &
Post, from Erie, opened and closed their bank in 1888. They paid up all
their liabilities. S. C. Varner e.stablished the People's Bank in 18S8,
which suspended in 1896 Later all depositors were paid. The Moran
bank after five or six years existence went into the hands of a receiver in
1898. It has paid tip all claims with interest. In 1899 the Moran State
Bank was incorporated, and a long and prosperous life is anticipated for it.
The year 1897 was a disastrous year for Moran. Several fires did
much harm, but the one most sweeping did its w )rk on Sabbath evening in
August, when nearly all the buildings on the west side of Spruce street
east of Randolph, were destroyed. Mauley's hall, Ross & Augustine's of-
fice and store room, Stoddard & Young's millinery, Twineham's harness
shop, the Virginia hotel, Stephenson's racket, Willoughby's furniture store.
Young's real estate office and Strickler's restaurant, were left but smoking
ruins. The burnt district still remains a sad reminder of that terrible con-
flagration.
There is no dearth of societies here. The A. O. U. \V. and Degree of
Honor, the M. W. A., Free Masons, Odd Fellows and Rebeccas, Knights
and Ladies of Security and Fraternal Aid, are all represented. The Home
Coterie, a literary organization, has lived through eight happy and pros-
perous years.
A history of Moran which said nothing about its music would indeed
be incomplete. Few towns of its size have possessed so many musical and
music-loviu'J people. In 1882 or 1S83 the Moran orchestra was organized
by P. J. McGlashan, who was at all times its leader. The charter mem-
bers were P. J. McGlashan, first violin; Wm. Wheeler, .second violin; S. N.
Steele, cornet; H. B. Smith, bass viol; Mi.ss Abbie Southard, piano. After
the marriage and removal of Miss Southard, Miss Floy McGlashan filled
the position of pianist. In the early days of the town W. H. DeHart or-
ganized a brass band, and a little later S. N Steele organized another. In
about a year they consolidated. The orchestra and brass band gave their
first concert in the Presbyterian church before it was plastered, and from
that time it only needed to be known that the Moran Orchestra was purposing
to give a concert to insure an interest far and wide. A full house on the
appointed evening could always be assured, and in the audience could al-
ways be found people from lola, Savonburg, and other places more or less
remote. Those annual concerts were the musical events of the year, and it
is a cause of sincere regret, that removals and death so lessened their tuim-
bers that in 1900 the Moran orchestra disbanded. There have been several
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
music teachers here, but for two years Miss Flo}' McGlashan has held her
place as first. Those who receive invitations to her recitals are counted
fortunate, and on the rare occasions when her scholars give a concert, a
large attendance is certain. The present Moran brass band, made up of
young men, is a comparatively recent organization. Every member has
joined the M. W. A.
The contrast between Moran eighteen years ago and now is marked.
It looked then, like many another new town, as though a few dozen large
boxes had been scattered about carelessly, in which the people were stay-
ing a few days. Now the town shows that it is regularly laid out; two rail-
roads pass through it, giving easy and swift communication to it from all
points; its school house is comfortable and convenient; there are five
churches; two telephone companies have offices here, and one of them a
central station. George Moore owns the livery, and is proprietor
of the Pennsylvania House, a substantial brick building. The
Moran State bank owns its commodious brick home. Oral Spencer and
George Shopshire have each a restaurant. E. D. Rapp owns the meat
market on Cedar street, and Smith & Knight are proprietors of the market
on Randolph street. C. B. Keith handles coal and grain. L. B. Kinne
deals in drugs and groceries. P. J. McGlashan and J. E. Hobby each
handle groceries, boots and shoes. Frank Messenger carries a good stock
of general merchandise. S. C. Varner keeps dry goods, groceries, hard-
ware, queensware and implements, besides dealing in grain and lumber.
F. E. Twineham keeps harness. Walter Lacey is the jeweler and watch-
maker. H. B. Smith deals in wagons and implements. Charles Mendell
has a fine hardware and tinware stock. The Farmers' and Mechanics'
Lumber Compan\' are doing a good business. J. F. Willoughby deals in
iurniture. John Hurly is the blacksmith. George Shopshire and W. R.
Dougherty have each a barber shop. Eatham has an egg-packing estab-
lishment. Mrs Cobb and Mrs. Homer Varner have each a millinery, and
Mrs. Young and Mrs. Minnie Kinne are kept busy in their dress-making
establishment.
Moran has now a number of beautiful residences that improve its ap-
pearance much; but best of all, it has many homes — homes in the truest
sense of the word, from which goes forth an influence for good at all times,
and in all directions.
HISTORY OF ALLEN- AND
Savon bunj.
r C. A. KKVNOLDS.
Savonburg is located in the extreme southeast corner of Allen county,
one mile north ol the Neosho county line, and four miles west of the divis-
ion line between Bourbon and Allen counties.
The town was founded in 1879, at which time the post-office was
established with John Keen as postmaster. Mr. Keen was the first mer-
chant, and kept store until 1881, when he was succeeded by A. Linville.
In 188.^ Mr. lyinville sold out to L B. Murray, who continued the bus-
iness till 1888. In the early spring of 1888, Chas. Nelson, who was destined
to play an important part in the building of the town, rented the business room
of L. B. Murray, and in the early part of May removed from Warnersburg, a
school district three miles west, about one-half of his stock of general mer-
chandise. Mr. Nelson enjoyed a good business from the start, which was
greatly increased by the patronage of the various gangs of laborers engaged
iu the building of the Kansas City, Parsons & Pacific, now known as the
M. K. & T. railway, which was completed to this point August ist of this
year.
About this time there came a corps of engineers, surveying a route for
the Kansas, Nebraska & We.stern railroad, which was at that time the con-,
struction company of the Santa Fe railway the line of definite location be-
ing some 600 feet south of Main street. The engineers were s-cin followed
by an agent, who came to secure right of way and land for a town site, an.d
options were obtained upon 240 acres. Shortly after the Santa Fe encoun-
tered the financial shoals which terminated in a receivership for the com-
pany, and the project came to naught. In March, 1889, the options which
had been secured by the company expired. It was then determined by the
people of the vicinity that it would be advisable to organize a town com-
pany, and proceed to the building of a town. Accordingly a charter was
procured, and March 24, 1889, the Savonburg Town and Improvement
Company formally opened for business, with an authorized capital of $25,-
000, and under the direction of the following officers: Chas Nelson, presi-
dent; R. G. Cravens, vice president; L. B. Murray, secretary; J. T. Butter-
field, treasurer. Board of Directors: Chas. Nelson. R. G. Cravens, W. T.
Huff, S. Huff, Wallace Young, T. B. McGuire, D. Freed, D. W. Craddock
and J. T. Butterfield.
Twenty-five acres of ground were at once purcha.sed and platted and
money raised to erect three business rooms. Charles Nelson then sold his
stock of merchandise to D. W. Craddock and, upon request of the Town
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. Sg
Compaiu', consented to give his time and energy to push the nevvlj' platted
village, which he did zealously, and with creditable results.
As is characteristic of most new towns, Savonbnrg experienced many
set-backs and met with no little discouragement, not only to the people al-
ready here, but to prospective residents as well. The principal difficulty
experienced at the beginning was the lack of a depot and other railroad fa-
cilities, without which business was paralyzed and progression greatly
handicapped. Nothing but a small platform 8x20 feet alongside the main
track, and a spur switch 40a feet long had yet been provided, and rival
towns were therefore privileged to make the assertion that no better facili-
ties ever would be provided for "the burg" by the railway company.
Notwithstanding these difficult problems and numerous other hard-
ships, a little flame of righteou; indignation kindled within the hearts of
the few brave residents — a flame which was never extinguished by its own
reaction.
In March, 1890, complaint having been made by Charles Nelson in
behalf of the people to the State Board of Railroad Commissioners against
the M. K. & T. Railway, the representatives of the railway were cited to
appear and show cause why they should not be compelled to provide the
needed facilities. It had been shown before the hearing that for eight
months previous, the company's receipts at this place were $1,000 and over
per month. The company very wisely decided to at once erect a depot,
stock yards, switch, etc., and never has it had cause to regret the money
here invested,' as Savonburg for the past ten years has borne the well-mer-
ited reputation of being the best shipping point on the division.
When these necessities had been granted by the M. K. & T. people,
the town was, for the first time, squarely upon its feet, and upon equal
terms with competing points. Rivalry was then laid aside, and all joined
hands and worked together for the upbuilding of the town and community.
Thus step by step, Savonburg has advanced from an insignificant hamlet
to a substantial country town of about 300 inhabitants, remarkable for her
business interests, and particularly as a shipping point for live stock, grain
and broom corn. The town enjoys an immense trade from the west, from
the prosperous Swedish farmers of East Cottage Grove and Elsmore town-
ships, and receives a large volume of business from the country tributary to
the town in all directions.
Many merchants and residents have come and gone within the past
decade which has marked the town's career. Some have crossed the Dark
River into eternity. Where others have gone, we do not know; and still,
a goodly number of the pioneer merchants and citizens are with us today,
most of them, happily enough, blessed with the comforts of life.
The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway officials manifest their interest
in Savonburg by keeping pace with the rapid progress of the town, and
making such improvements as are demanded from the business public from
time to time. The recent remodeling and doubling in size of the depot at
this point is evidence of this fact. The stock yards are also well equipped.
go HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
R. B. Oliver is the present local freight and ticket agent; C. E. Aldrich night
operator.
The Savonburg Record was established April i, 1898, by C. A. Re3'n-
olds. The paper is widely circulated, and prosperous Previous to the es-
tablishment of the Record, the Trio-News, by E. A. Jordan, the Sentinel,
by T. V. Campbell, and other newspapers suspended publication, after a
limited existence.
The school house was built in 1889, and a few years later enlarged to its
present size. The district has always employed the best teachers obtain-
able, and as a consequence, is reputed to be one of the best graded schools
in the count}-. U. R. Courtney principal, and Mrs. A. V. Lodge assistant,
are the proficient instructors now in charge. There are two churches in
Savonburg, the Methodist Episcopal, H. I. Dodson pastor, and the
Friends' house of worship, L. W. McFarland, pastor. The members of
the Christian church hold sendees at the school house. The Mt. Moriah
Methodist Protestant church is one mile south of town; James M. Frame is
the local pastor.
There are, perhaps, as man}- lodges in Savonburg as any town of com-
parative size in the state — Masonic. Eastern Star, Odd Fellows, Rebekah,
Workmen, Degree of Honor, Woodmen, Royal Neighbors, Knights and
Eadies of Security, and A. H. T. A., all of which are on a sound basis, and
have large memberships.
Savonburg is graced by the presence of many silvery-haired veterans
of the civil war, than whom there are no better citizens.
Savonburg Post No. 421 G. A. R., O. P. Matson commander, is a
worthy and substantial organization.
Since the building of the town her residents have all been, and are
today, self-sustaining. It has never been the misfortune of any at this
place to seek the county's aid for maintenance. Idleness is unknown, and
loafers are conspicuous only by their absence.
The question of incorporating the town has been but little agitated,
and steps have never been taken in that direction, probably for the reasons
that the best of order is maintained, and the streets and the walks are well
looked after by the citizens who possess that sense of public pride which
needs no prompting by a maj'or or city council.
lOLA HIGH SCHOOL
ALLKN COUNTY COURT HOUSE
HUMBOLDT HIGH SCHOOL
STONY LONESOME
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
Ibutnbolbt.
This is a thriving business town, situated in the southwest part of the
county. The location is a desirable one, on the level valley land, on both
the east and west banks of the Neosho river. The business portion of the
town is on the east bank of the river, and about one-half mile from its bank.
Coal Creek forms part of the southern limits. The two railroads are the
Southern Kansas Division of the A. T. & S. F. on the east side, and the
Missouri Kansas & Texas on the west side of the river.
The population of Humboldt is about 1400, and the town at present is
about at a standstill; though there are prospects of increased progress in
the near future. There are here some of the best business houses in the
county, and the town enjoys a large and prosperous trade. The Neosho
river furnishes an abundant water power, which has long been utilized
for manufacturing purposes. The citizens are of a substantial class and
progressive.
In the fall of 1856 B. M. Blanton, a Methodist missionary, in making a
trip through southern Kansas, became impressed with the idea that this
was an excellent point for the foundation of a town. He returned to Law-
rence and told his brother, N. B. Blanton, and J. A. Coffey of this selec-
tion, advising them to locate a townsite. In March 1857, J. A. Coffej' se-
lected the site and with the aid of a pocket compass made a temporary sur-
vey. He found an abandoned log cabin there; it had been built the spring
before by some claimant who abandoned the country. In the fall of 1856
Charles Baland. who was sick, abandoned the claim near there, and moved
into the cabin, where he spent the winter, and in the spring, intending to
leave the country, he presented the cabin and his claim to the land to Mrs.
E. H. Young, but finally decided to remain, and located another claim
where his farm now is. Coffey finding a claim on the land paid $20 for it,
to secure peaceable possession. He then returned to Lawrence, where he
and Blanton met a German colony, which was induced to help them form
the town.
The German colony was organized in Hartford, Connecticut, during
the winter of 1S56-7, and consisted of E. M. Serenbets, Jacob Schleicher,
William Lassman, John Frixel, Franz Trontz-Landerwasser, A. Senner, H.
Zwanziger and N. Kemmerer. All of these with the exception of the last
named, who did not come until a year later, arrived at Lawrence in March
1S57. There they were met by Blanton and Coffey, who induced them to
locate on their townsite. The Humboldt town company was organized, and
the town so named in honor of Baron Von Humboldt. Among the members
were J. A. Coffey, N. B. Blanton, F. M. Serenbets, J. H. and W. H.
92 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
Signor, Dr. Hariman and A. D. Searle. The German portion of the col-
ony arrived May loth 1857, ^"'^ were soon followed by Coffey, Blanton and
others.
The first house built was of logs, built for J. A. Coffey, at a cost of
$25. It was located on Bridge street, on the east side of the river. The
next house was buill southwest of Coffej^'s in the summer of 1857, and was
known as "Bachelor's Hall." It was occupied during the summer bv Dr.
G. A. Miller, R. M. Works, J. W. Sperring, J. H. and H. W. Signor, B.
H. Whitlow and W. W. Pollock. During the same summer, a man by
the name of Clark, built a two-story log hotel. In June J. A. Coffey
opened a store in a cabin in the timber near the river. This store was
soon after sold to W. C. O'Brien.
During the summer of 1857, Orlin Thurston, a young attorney, was
persuaded to locate at Humboldt, and put up a steam saw-mill He soon
began sawing lumber, and then building began on the prairie portion of the
townsite, where the business center now is.
Before this most of the building was in the timber along the river. In
the spring of 1858, Charles Fussman opened a tinshop, in a log cabin in
the timber.
The first frame building erected was on the corner of Eighth and
Bridge streets, which was a residence and store of J. A. Coffey. It was af-
terward part of a cigar manufactory of W. H. Holtschneider, destroyed du-
ring the fire of 1883.
In the spring of 1858, a steam saw and grist mill was opened by W. C.
O'Brien. The mill was hauled from Jefferson City, Mo., and required the
use of nine yoke of oxen and one span of horses. It took fifty-four days to
make the trip both ways. The mill was in operation by May ist, and had
one run of burrs. It was the first grist mill in the county.
During 1858 the town grew quite rapidly. Prominent among the set-
tlers of that year was John R. Goodin, who afterwards distinguished himself
as a district judge, and as a member of Congress.
The first physician to locate in Humboldt, was George A. Miller, in
1857. His office was first in a tent, and his sign "physician and surgeon,"
was nailed to a jack oak tree.
The postoi^ce was established in 1858, and A. Irwil appointed post-
master. A postal route had been established from Lawrence the same
year. Before that time the mail was brought from Fort Scott by private
carriers. Among them were S. J. Stewart and a young man named Dot-
son. The mail was weekly until 1865, when it was changed to tri-weekly,
and not long after to daily.
The first brick was made at Humbolt in 1859, on the place later owned
by Capt. O. S. Coffin, adjoining the town on the south.
Prior to the year i860, meetings of the town company were held at
Lawrence, and some of the membeis never moved to Humboldt. On June
20th, however, the company reorganized and was incorporated under the
name of the Humboldt Town Association, which was composed of N. B.
Blanton, J. A. Coffey, J. H. Signor, George A. Miller and W. C. O'Brien.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 93
The towiisite was entered on Nov. i6, i860, by J. G. Rickard, in trust for
the Town Association.
In 1861 the United States land office was removed to Humboldt from
Fort Scott. N. B. Blanton had been elected a member of the first state
legislature, and all his work had been in the interest of Humboldt. He
voted for both Lane and Pomeroy for U. S. senators, securing from them
the promise that the land office should be removed to his town. J. C. Bur-
nett was register of the land office, and Charles Adams, son-in-law of Lane,
was receiver. Senator Lane gave them orders to select a new location.
Humboldt finally secured it, but the Town Association had to give 200 lots
in order to obtain it. The removal was effected and the office opened for
Imsiness September 23, 1861, in a building on Bridge street, the old red
frame structure which was then used as a court house as well.
From the foundation of the town to the summer of i860 its growth was
quite rapid. There was then a population of perhaps 300, and there were
about fifty buildings. The drouth of that year had such an effect upon the
country that for the remainder of the year and earh- in 1861, the town
progressed very slowly. During all its earlier history, Humboldt was
more prosperous than most of the Kansas towns, having such a large trade
with the Indian tribes on the south and west.
In 1861 , the war broke out, and most of the able bodied men having en-
listed in the army, but little building was done. Then in September of
that year, the town was robbed, and about one month later was burned by
rebel raiders. Only a few buildings were left, and until the close of the
war, but few new buildings were erected.
The first building of any consequence that was erected after the raid,
was the "red store," on the corner of Bridge and Eighth streets, now occupied
by E. W. Trego with a hardware stock. The lower storey was built by
Col. W. Doudna, and the upper one by the Masonic fraternity. This was
followed by a few more buildings.
In 1866, the town began to progress quite rapidly, and a number of
fine structures were erected. Among them were the school house. Catho-
lic church, the brick block on F)ighth street, and a number of other good
buildings. During the next three years, the growth of the town was quite
rapid.
In 1865, a treaty was eSected with the Osage Indians which permitted
actual settlers to enter 160 acres each, at $1.25 per acre. This land was
.sold in 1868, and the landoffice being at Humboldt, brought an immense
trade to the town, which made it for some time one of the most thriving
business places in the state.
On April 2nd, 1870, the M. K. & T. R. R. was completed to the
townsite. To secure this road, the citizens voted $75,000 in bonds. The
citizens also bought, for $13,000 160 acres of land on the west side of the
river, of which they gave to the railroad company ten acres for depot
grounds and right of way, and the remainder was divided into lots, of
which the railroad company received one-half.
In October 1870, the L. L. «& G. R. R. (now the Southern Kansas divi-
94 HISTORY OF ALLEX AND
siouof the A. T. & S. F.)vvas finished to Humboldt, and the event was cele-
brated the following month. The years 1870 and 1871 , were marked by the
rapid growth of the town. Large numbers of buildings were erected, some of
them being constructed of brick and stone. Property greatly increased in
value until it was almost impossible to buy lots. An iron bridge was built
across the Neosho river by the Humboldt Bridge Company, which was
composed of some of the leading men ol the town, and various other im-
provements were made
In 1872 the improvements of the town were not so rapid, and the in-
flated prices of property began to decrease. In 1873 the great financial
crash seriouslv' effected the business of Humboldt, and this was followed by
the general devastation of crops by grass hoppers the following year, which
resulted very disastrously to the town, some of the merchants failing in bus-
iness, while many of the citizens moved away. Then followed a dull pe-
riod, but before it commenced the town had arrived at nearly its present
proportions. For the last twenty years, while it is true thnt at no time has
there been any great progress, Humboldt has always held its ground as a
prosperous business town.
Since the burning of Humboldt by the rebels in 1861, noted in the his-
tory of the county, there have been very few fires. The last serious one
occurred on the night of January 1 1 , 1883. About 8 o'clock a fire was discov-
ered in the brick building owned by Dayton, Barber & Co. . on Bridge Street.
The lower floor was occupied by the grocery store of Charles Lehman, and
the upper story by law offices, and the Independent Press printing office. On
the same floor H. D. Smith and family and Mrs. Lydia Sniff resided. All
had gone to church and left the lamp burning in the printing office, and it
is supposed it exploded. The building was soon in flames, and to prevent
the fire from spreading further, the cigar factory on the east side was torn
down. On the west was Curdy's double store, over which were law, in-
surance, and real estate offices, as well as dental rooms. This building
was soon covered with men who, by hard work saved the building. The
greater part of the goods, furniture and fixtures, were caiTied from all these
rooms, except Smith's private rooms and printing office, the contents of
which were all destroyed. The damage to the goods, as well as to Cur-
dy's building, was great, but most of the property, except Smith's, was in-
sured for nearly enoirgh to cover the losses.
The ravages of the fire were soon repaired, and the town did not suffer
any permanent setback on account of it. The years that followed have
been for the most part, quiet and uneventful, marked by but slight changes
either in the business or the population of the city. The discovery of gas
has resulted in the establishment of a flourishing industry, the Humboldt
Brick Company, and the discovery of oil, although as yet not in market-
able quantities, leads to the hope that further prospecting may yet develop
a large supply which will be of great commercial advantage to the town.
For the present Humboldt remains, as it has always been, a good country
town, enjoying a much better than usual trade on account of the excellent
country around it, and affording a delightful place of residence.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
(5as (Tit?
Ill the summer of iSgS Mr. E. K. Taylor, who owned a tract of land
on the line of the Mi.ssouri Pacific Railroad, sunk a well and developed a
large flow of gas. He sold forty acres of the land to the Cherokee-Lanyoii
vSpelter Company and twenty acres to the Prime Western Spelter Company. •
These companies at once began the erection ot zinc smelters- Mr. Taylor
then had the remainder of the tract laid out into town lots, naming the
place Gas City and filing the official plat October 27, 1898.
The town has grown rapidly and several hundred people now make it
their home. It has a post-office, and is connected with Ida by telephone.
The Missouri Pacific suburban train service also puts it in close touch with
lola, and it is on the line of the electric street railway which is projected as
this chapter is written and will doubtless be in operation when this volume
appears.
Xalbarpe
BY J. O. ROBERTS
The building of the Fort Scott Wichita and Western (now the Missouri
Pacific) railway was responsible tor the birth of the town of LaHarpe, the
plat of which was filed in 1881. J. C. Reeder was the first station agejit,
and he was succeeded by C. H. Hackney.
The first businesss house in the village was built by Hackney & Sons,
who engaged in the business of buying grain.
For many years the growth of the town was very slow, and until 1898
it remained a mere hamlet, with a post-office and a few small stores.
The discovery of gas, however, gave a splendid impetus to the town,
and since then it has grown rapidly under the stimulus of the great zinc
smelters of the Lanyon Zinc Company. By the spring of 1899 the in-
crease in population was such as to warrant incorporation as a city of the
third class, and the first officers elected were the following: S. S. Fornev,
mayor: C. H. Hackney, G. G. Fox, J. E. Stansbury, F. M. Davis, L. H.
Daggett, councilnien: S. Malcom, treasurer : E. L. Runyan, clerk: J. O.
Roberts, attorney; E. C. Moore, police judge; Lee Chew, Marshal.
In 1898 a new school building was built, a commodious structure re-
placing the small district building, and excellent schools are maintained.
The first church building was erected by the Methodist Episcopal de-
nomination in 1885. In 1890 the Presbyterian church was erected, and in
1 90 1 the Protestant Methodist church building was completed. All three
societies are reasonably strong.
LaHarpe is situated near the geographical center of Allen county, is
apparently right over the strongest gas pressure in the state, is surrounded
by a rich agricultural country, and her citizens feel that there is a bright
future in store for their town. Whv not?
g6 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
leismorc
BY JESSE. P. Dl'-.CKER.
In the spring of 1887, the present busy little town of Elsniore was not
in existence. At that time its site was an open prairie, and people who
wanted more than a sack of flour or a package of coffee, must necessarily go
to Humboldt, lola, or Fort Scott for their need?, or go without. The coun-
try surrounding at that titne was sparsely settled, most of the land being
owned by non-residents, and lying open and uncultivated, except now and
then a leaguer had broken out a small patch, built a cheap box house and
settled down to fight the railroad company through the courts for the land,
believing, true or not, that the land had never been honestly earued by those
claiming ownership, and that somi day it would be opened by the govern-
ment for settlement.
At this time Old Elsmore was the center of attraction for people in
Elsmore town.ship They went there for their mail, to vote, to buy grocer-
ies from the little country store that was run by different men at different
times among whom were W. D. Cox and J. G. Kenyon, both of this place
at the present writing. Along in the fall of 1886, the talk was heard that
a railroad might be built from Kansas City to Parsons and that it would
pass through Allen county, and forthwith the repre-entative men of Els-
more' townsliip began to figure on getting it through this township. After
the usual preliminary survey, resurveys and talk of better routes, the pro-
moters of the Parsons and Pacilic Railway Company decided that if Osage,
Marmaton and Elsmore townships would each vote to take twenty thous-
and dollars of common stock in the company, at par and pay for ic in
twenty year 6 per cent bonds, they might be able to build the road this
way; any way, they would like for the people to vote on the proposition,
and they did. The result was favorable to the bonds. Among the consider-
ations, however, the Parsons and Pacific Railway Company was to build a
depot and maintain a station, telegraph office and stock yards within one-
half mile of the center of Elsmore township, and when this agreement is
considered, it is easy to account for the present location and town of Els-
more.
About Aug. 25, 1888, Messrs. W. D. Cox, H. W. Cox, N. L. Ard, O.
P. Mattson, J. E. Roberts and J. A. Nicholson, purchased of the owners of
the S. E. quaiter of section 7, 26, 21, twenty acres in the southwest corner
of said land, and proceeded to lay off and plat the town of Elsmore. The
first business to be established was that of W. D. Cox, who moved his
country store from Old Elsmore to the right of way near the southwest cor-
WOODSON COUNTIKS, KANSAS. 97
ner of town and sold goods of ever\- drscription to citiz-ns ol the comnui-
nity, as well as furnishing the contractors who were building the road manj^
of their supplies. As soon as the town site was platted, W. D. Cox moved
his store to the place where he now carries on business. E. Peters followed
with a little store on the south side and later built where the M. L Decker
residence now stands, and carried a verj' good general .stock. The business
changes of the town have been many, but in almost every instance the change
has been to the advantage of the town. L. T. Donoho was the first post-
master, J. L. Roberts the first hotel proprietor. The p-isher Lumber Co.
were first to open a lumber yard, securing free lots from the town company,
but losing them through failure to fulfil their part of the agreement. On
their withdrawal came J. H. Osborn & Co., of Humboldt, who opened and
maintained a yard that has been one of the strong firms of the town and at
the present time one of our best firms. Winfield Samuel was bur first drug-
gist. Following him were Springer; Biitler, Barton, Braden & Rees, and
then S. H. Braden, who at present owns the fine brick building occupied
with his large stock, equal to that of almost any store in the county. In
the fall of iSgoThos Bettesbuilta block of four large business rooms, which
were occupied oy Lardner, Love Bros., general merchandise, E. Butler,
drugs, and Martin & Adams, general merchandise. In 1892 J. P. Decker
& Co. purchased of Martin & Adams their stock of merchandise and con-
tinued in the Bettes block until 1895, when the Decker block on the south
side of the street was built and occupied by them.
By this time the town was making a strong growth and despite the hard
times of '95, '96 and '97, new buildings were built and new firms con-
tinued to locate until at the present time we have four general stores as fol-
lows : Smith & Sons, McCaslin & Kincaid, the Elsmore Cash store, (J. P.
Decker) and A. M. Tippie. W. D. Cox & Son now handle hardware and
implements, grain, coal, furniture and undertaking goods. Krokstrom
& Nelson have a large stock of hardware, implements, wagons, buggies,
harness, etc. H. S. Richards is our harness maker and carries a good
stock of goods. Mrs. H. S. Richards and Miss Carrie Rice each have a
choice line of millinery. J. H. Ward does the barber and laundry work
of the town; \V. S. Samuels provides the soft drinks, candies and cigars
to the trade and also feeds the hungrv short order lunches. Mrs. Sparks
conducts our hotel and enjoys a splendid trade; G. H. and H. E. Blakely
recently purchased J. G. Kenyon's livery business and combining it with
that of the Star livery barn, built a large new barn and do a thriving
business. Besides W. D. Cox & Son. \V. W. Moffitt and W. L. Higin-
botham each do a grain business and find plenty to keep them busy. C.
W. Nelson, J. T. Barron and C. W. Mosier are our blacksmiths; C. H.
Woodard and A. C. Snyder our carpenters; Milton Watson our painter;
Palmer and Rogers, our masons.
The fraternal societies of the town are the A. O. U. W., M. W. A.,
K. and L. of S., and the F. A. A., all flourishing insuiance societies with
a membership of about 250 persons. The Elsmore Creamery Company,
composed of about twenty of our farmers and two or three town men, was
9,S
HISTORY OF ALLEX
oiganized in i8y6. B. F. Ludlum was its first president and J. P. Decker
its first secretary. At the present time J. M. Hill is president and J. P.
Decker still continues as secretaiy. The company has its main plant
here and has stations at Bayard, Kansas, and Stark, Kansas, and does
a large amount of business in a year. The State Bank of Elsmore was
organized in 1899 and opened for business in August of that year. A. F.
McCariy, of Humboldt, was its first president and still retains that
position. S. H. Braden was the first cashier, but resigned his position
January i, 1900, to better look after his drug business, Frank Goyette
purchasing the larger part of his stock and becoming cashier, still retaining
the position. B. F. Ludlum is vice president and Mrs. Nannie Goyette,
assistant cashier of the institution, which is doing a conservative, .safe
business, its deposits at the present time exceeding $20,000, its loans about
$[5,000 and its surplus and undivided profits reaching about $600. The
capital stock of the bank is $6,000.
In the early days of the town the Elsmore Eagle made its appearance •
and while a creditable country paper, did not pay its way and was finally
allowed to die, the lola Register getting its subscription list. Mr. L. E.
DeHaven was editor and publisher and made the money to keep it going
during its life teaching the local school. In 1S96 A. F. McCarty came
from Mapleton and started the Elsmore Enterprise and it soon became
popular with the people of the community and was doing a fair business,
when in 1897 ^^r. McCarty secured control of the Humboldt Herald,
abandoned the Enterprise and moved to Humboldt. In February 1899
A. F. McCarty and J. P. Decker concluded to revive the Enterprise and
formed the Enterprise Publishing Company, Mr. McCarty furnishing the
plant and Mr. Decker managing and conducting the paper. In February,
1900, Mr. Decker became owner and proprietor of the plant and paper and
is conducting it at the present time, business being very good with him.
The Elsmore mill, J. T. Ralston proprietor, is another enterprise that
is doing a successful business, dealing in grain and feed as well as doing
grinding and a custom business. The trade of the town extends west half
way to Humboldt. ea.st into Bourbon county and north and south easily
me^ts Moran and Savonburg half way, doing an especially large grain,
broom corn, produce and life stock business. A list of the leading
business firms would include J. A. Nicholson who knows more about
broom corn and hauls more of it than any other Allen county firm and
Elsmore easily ships more of this commodity than all other towns in the
county and more than any two other towns in Southeastern Kansas, the
shipments from here the past season being more than 400 tons.
In 1883 Wood Hull school district was organized, the school house
being built at a location one-half mile south of the present town site and
H. W. Cox taught the youthful mind such branches as are common to
our country schools, and in 1889 the district voted for removal to Elsmore
and favorable to another room, which was built and L,. E. DeHaven and
Mi,ss Etta Alford were the first teachers. (They afterw-ard married )
Again, in 1S95, the room for our young became too crowded and a third
WOODSOX COrXTIES, KANSAS. Q9
room and teacher were added, new studies taken up and our school made
rapid growth. In 1S99 the patrons of the district realized that the schools
might be improved and Prof. Ramsey, of Redfield, was employed. He at
once took up the maiter of a course of .study that could be carried on
systematically, and prepared one which was accepted by the board of
education and which, when completed, fits the graduates of the Elsmore
schools for entering the State University.
About the first of January, 1889, the U. B. society with Bro. Ayling
as pastor met and organized and elected a board of trustees and circulated
a subscription paper for a church, but failed to get enough subscribed and
the matter was dropped. The same spring they organized a Suuda\-
school. Rev. Ayling was followed by Revs. Finch and Cleaver, when in
1891 another effort was made to build a church and failed till in the
summer of 1895 'he corner stone was laid, and under the Rev. Kirk-
patrick the following May the U. B. church of this place was dedicated.
The following year they built a parsonage under Rev. Christlieb who was
followed by Rev. Stone. The first Methodist minister who preached at
this pHce was R. S. Barber whom the Moran charge under W. Emmerson
sent here as a supply in the spring of 1890. In the fall of the same year
Bio. Barber resigned to go to school at Baker University at Baldwin,
Kansas. By special request Rev. C H. Ganntz, of the Erie circuit, came
in November of the same year and preached the remainder of the con-
ference year, holding services on Saturday evenings. On the 9th of
January, 1 90 1 , the Methodist church was organized with thirteen charter
members, namely: C. D. Willoughby and wife, W. B. Tramell and wife,
Timothy Hurlbert and wife, H. W. Cox and wife and daughter, Lizzie,
G. W. Smith and wife and Marry Bettes. The following members were
elected as trustees: C. D Willoughby, W. B. Tramell, H. W. Cox, W.
D. Cox and Timoth}' Hurlbert. It was decided at once to erect a church
and, accordingly. Rev. Graraly and H. W. Cox were directed to solicit
subscriptions which met with hearty response and in the following-
February the corner stone was laid, Rev. Brant, of Parsons, officiating.
About the same time L. W. Keplinger, of Kansas City, Kansas, donated
four acres of ground one- half mile east of town to the M. E. board of
trustees for a cemetery. Early in the same spring the cemetery was platted
and ready for use and on July 10, 1891, Thomas Davis was carried there
the first to his last resting place. September 27, 1891, the M. E. church,
size 28x48, costing $1,300, was dedicated. President Ouayle of Baker, offi-
ciating. The following Sabbath an M. E. Sunday School was organ-
ized and has been an evergreen Sunday School. The following year
under Rev. B. F. Cargy a parsonage, 24x24, was built at a cost of $200.
By some delay and the sale of the parsonage, owing to a change
in the circuit and the pastor residing at a more central point, the church
was released from all debt in the .spring of 1900 and papered and repainted.
The church has had the services of the following pastors: C. H. Gramlv,
B F. Cargy, Wm. Leaser, J. K. White, J. S. Btidd, J. H. Carter. The
present pastor is H. I. Dolson.
HIST(.)KY OF ALLEN AXD
Biot3raphies
LEONARD B. PEARSON.— It is a well attested maxim that the
greatness of a state lies not in its machinery of government, nor even
in its institutions, but in the sterling qualities of its individual citizens, in
their capacity for high and unselfish effort and their devotion to the public
good. The goal toward which he has hastened during Ins many j-ears of
toil and endeavor is that which is attained only b3^such as have bj' patriot-
ism and wise counsel given the world an impetus toward the good; such have
gained the right and title to have their names enduringly inscribed on the
bright pages of history.
Leonard B. Pearson, who is interested in agricultural pursuits in Allen
County, his home being in Salem township, was bom July 2, 1832, in
Jefferson countv, New York, and traces his ancestry back to one of the old
Quaker families of Connecticut. In 1637 John Pearson was driven from
England on account of his religious belief. He landed at Lynn, Mas-
sachusetts, and shortly afterward went to Rowley, Massachusetts, where
he established the first fulling mills in America. Several families of the
Pearsons also came from England to escape the Quaker persecution at
about the same time and settled in the Penn colony. The early Peaisons
inter-married with the families of Cowdr^^s, Fosters, Dexters, Morrows
and Kendalls. Edward, the grandfarher of our subject, was a farmer.
Two of his maternal uncles, Harmon, were soldiers in the Revolutionary
war. One was killed in the battle of Cowpens. Edward Pearson had
four sons and four daughters: Austin was born in 181 1 and died a few
years ago in New York, leaving a family; Leonard, who made his home
in Jefferson county, New York, also passed away a few years ago, survived
by his family: Ira, the father of our subject; Edward, the youngest brother,
died in Tiffin, Ohio, leaving two children. Of the sisters, Hattie was born
in 1793, Sally was born in 1794, Almira was born in 1797 and Anna was
born in 1806. All have now passed awa>-.
Ira Pearson, the father of our subject, was a native of Otsego county.
New York. His birth occurred October n, 1799. At the age of twenty-
four he was united in marriage to Eliza Ann Harmon who became the
mother of five sons and two daughters. The father was a Democrat in
early life, but on account of his opposition to slavery he became a staunch
Abolitionist. He and Cortez Overton and Chas. Dickey wrote their ballots
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. lot
and marched in line to vote for Birney for president, when to be an Aboli-
tionist was to incur ridicule. When sixty-four years of age Ira Pearson
offered his services in the defense of Washington, but on account of his
advanced years he was not received as a member of the army. Charles
Edwin Pearson, his eldest son, was born September 2, 1S26. During the
Civil war he joined the Union army and was killed in the battle of Gettys-
burg while faithfully serving his country. Adelia, the second child, was
born March 8, 182S, and died unmarried; Leonard B. ; Lydia E. was born
November 15, 1834, and resides with hei brother Leonard. Horatio C.
was born November 28, 1837, and fell in the second battle of Bull Run
August 30, 1862. Albert and Alfred, twins, were born March 22, 184!,
The former was wounded and captured at the second battle of Bull Run, but
was again with his regiment at Gettysburg. Soon afterward he returned
home broken down in health by his experiences in a Confederate prison.
Alfred died in 1874 at his home in Downer's Grove, Illinois.
Leonard Bloomfleld Pearson, whose name introduces this review, spent
his early life assisting his father in his blacksmith shop. In winter he
attended the district school. His early privileges were supplemented by
studying in the Belleville Academy in Jefferson county. New York, which
he entered when twenty years of age, working his way through four years
of school by his own efforts. In 1862 he removed to Illinois and for ten
years, at intervals, sailed on the great lakes. The family was noted for
loyalty and during the progress of the war of the Rebellion Mr. Pearson
of this review joined the boys in blue of Company C, One Hundred and
Thirty-second Illinois Infantry under Captain Baker, Colonel T. J.
Pickett. It was supposed when he enlisted that his soldier brothers were
all dead and now he placed himself at the front willing to give his life, if
need be, as a ransom to his country. He was soon promoted to the rank
of sergeant and was on duty in Kentucky and Missouri, being kept on
scouting and outpost duty until the time of his discharge in 1864. Soon
after he was discharged he Was offered one thousand dollars to re-enlist,
but he had entered the army from patriotic impulses and would not re-enlist
for money. Returning to Illinois he was for some time a resident of
Du Page county and on the iSth of November, 1870, he started from there
to Kansas. He reached Allen count}^ November 22 and located on the
O. J. Johnson farm in Humboldt township. There he remained one year
when he traded his team and wagon for an eighty-acre farm in Section
thirty Salem township. When he took up his abode there the total of his
improvements was a ten by twelve box house. He now owns three hun-
dred and twenty acres of valuable land, a greater part of which is under
a high state of cultivation, yielding to him an excellent income. Many
modern improvements and accessories have been added to the place which
indicates his careful supervision.
In 1867 Mr. Pearson was united in marriage to Jane C. Dixon, a
daughter of Robert and Mary (Wilson) Dixon. She was born in Fer-
manaugh county, Ireland, in 1839. Her father died of cholera at Downer's
Grove, Illinois, in 1863. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Pearson are:
I02 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
Alice K., wife of Frank Pettit, by wliom she has two children, Charles
P. and Ralph, their home being in Salem township; Mary E., wife of
Willis Pettit, brother of Frank, and a resident of Elm township; Grace E.
and J. Stella who are still with their parents. Two children, George
I. and Rarrie M., died in infancy.
Mr. Pearson cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in
1864 and has supported each presidential nominee of the Republican part}-
since that time. He is recognized as one of its leaders in Allen county,
and has taken a deep interest in political affairs since long before he
attained his majority. In 1 890 his party honored him with a seat in the
House of Representatives. The Republicans were greatly in the minority
and could carry tinrough no measure alone. He was placed on the railroad
committee and introduced the alien land bill which passed both houses of
the assembly and became a law. In 1892 he was re-elected and became
a member of the "Douglas" house which House the "Populist House"
locked and barred from the Capitol as their solution of the dual house
question. Mr. Pearson carried the sledge with which the "Douglas
House" battered down the House door and took forcible possession of the
chamber, February 15, 1893. He was again placed on the railroad com-
mittee and was chairman of the fee and salary committee, and also the
committee of cities ot the first and second class. During this session of
the legislature he introduced an amendment to the constitution that all
taxes paid by the railroads for school and county purposes should be paid
in money instead of work, and providing where municipalities, towns or
counties had voted bonds in aid of railroads the taxes paid for school and road
purposes should be divided among the districts, cities or counties, the money
to be paid per capita in such manner as the legislature might direct. Mr.
Pearson is still an earnest, honest conscientious worker for the good of his
party and the upbuilding of the commonwealth. He has ever placed
the party's welfare before self-aggrandizement and he is widely known as
a patriotic citizen whose devotion to the general good is unquestioned.
Over his public career and his private record there falls no shadow of
wrong or suspicion of evil and he is justlj- entitled to the high regard of
his many friends.
KEYSER. — This Allen county family is of recent date as to settlement
in Kansas, having entered the state for the purpose of a residence in
March 1881. In May following Benjamin Keyser, the head of the family,
brought his household to Allen county and established his home in
lola. Benjamin Keyser had been reared a farmei in the east and to this
pursuit did he devote himself the few years he lived in Kansas. He
became the owner of a tract of land on Deer Creek, at Wise post office, and
the last acts of his life were devoted to its culture. Once strong and of
powerful physique Mr. Keyser was in the state of decline when he left
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. lOT
his native Maryland for the west. Kansas was too new for him at that
date and his hopes and expectations were not as rapidly realized as he felt
they would be and this condition induced a further and gradual decline in
health. January 9, 1889, he was stricken with apoplexy while reading his
paper and passed away without regaining consciousness.
Benjamin Keyser was born in Frederick county, Maryland, October
24, 1821. He was one of thirteen children and a son of Philip and
Elizabeth (Cannon) Kevser. The latter's children and grandchildren are
as follows: Sophia, who married Samuel Heffner and died in_ Frederick
county, Maryland, leaving Lewis, John and Sophia A. (Link); Margaret,
who died single; Elizabeth, who married Joseph Crist and died in
Frederick county, with issue as follows: Margaret, wife of Thos. Chilcote;
Philip; Joseph; Charles; Henry; Celia, wife of Hens. T. C. Green, of
Washington, D. C. ; Luther and Melsino, who married Clayton S. Smith ;
John Keyser, who died in Frederick county, and left the following
children: Ephraim; William; Mary; Charles; Eugene; John; Dallas;
Lewis and Nettie; Lewis Keyser, who died near Harpers Ferry, Va. , and
left Fannie; James; Elizabeth; Naomi; Joseph; Charles; Martha; Erma;
John; George and Alice; Samuel Keyser, who died in Frederick county
was the father of Walter; John; Margaret; Mary; Annie; George; Katie:
Richard; Virgie and Cliffie; Jacob Keyser, who died in Lincoln, Neb.,
leaving Philip, Mary, Annie, Jennie, Fannie and Lewis; Ann Catherine
who married Daniel Wachtei and died in Frederick county, with issue as
follows: Margaret, Sophia, Elijah and Mary; Joseph Keyser, who died
in southern Penns3dvania and had two sons, names not known; Benjamin
Keyser; Cornelius, who died in Baltimore, Maryland, with no children;
Sarah, who married Henry Wachter and died in Frederick with the
following children: Nathan, Howard, Sidney, Isaac, David, Emma,
Charles, Newton, Annie and Mary; Savilla Keyser, who married Jacob
Snook and died at Boonsboro, Maryland, left children as follows: A.
Clayton, Scott, Marshall, Wallace and Harlin.
Philip Keyser, the father of our subject, was born in Washington
county, Maryland, in 17^3, was married there and removed to Frederick
county where all his children were born. He was a blacksmith, but was
engaged chiefly in farming and was a prominent citizen of his community.
His success in business was of local note and his sons represented various
lines of industry in their choice ol livelihoods. He was a Democrat.
Benjamin Keyser passed his first fifty-nine years in Frederick county,
Maryland. He was married there March 24, 1846, to Fredrica Elizabeth
Zeigler, a daughter of Michael and Johanna (Schaffner) Zeigler. Michael
Zeigler was born in Germany in 1783 and his wife was born in the same coun-
try in 1795. They were married in 1818 and the next year they came to the
United States. They were accompanied by a sister of Mr. Zeigler and a
brother of Mrs Zeigler (wife and husband) who .settled near Philadelphia,
Pa. Michael Zeigler settled in Frederick county, Maryland, and passed
the remainder of his life upon a farm. He died in March 1052 and his
widow died in November 1863. Their children were: Hanna, who is a
104 HISTORY OF ALLEN AN]3
maid and resides in Frederick county; Henry, who died in Frederick City.
Maryland, with issne as follows: Edward, Mary, Charles, 'Eugene, Clara,
Kate, A'.init;, William, George, Clarence and Fannie; Fredrica, widow of
Benjainin Keyser, born November i6, 1824; Susan, who married Isaac
Wachter and died in Delaware, Ohio, left the following children: Annie,
Alice, Frank, L,ue an! Daisy; Christian Zt^igler who was killed in a
railroad accident in the mountains of Pennsylvania in 1-856, and died
without heirs; Rebecca, who married John Hobbs and died at Nauvoo,
Illinois, with a deceased daughter, Alice, as issue; Mary C, who married
E/.ra Staley and died near Frederick City, Maryland, with issue as follows:
M'innie, Annie and Charles; and Louisa M., who died in Frederick City
unmarried.
The childred of Benjamin and Fredrica Keyser are Chas. H., born
March 25, 1847, resides in Pitkin county, Colorado; Milton W., born
April 29, 1849, married Mary C. Mitchell and is one of the large farmers
of Edwards county, Kansas; Alice J., born January 2, 1852, resides in
lola; Franklin A., born June 29, 1854, resides in Mineral county, Colo-
rado, and Anna M., wife of L,. W. Duncan, born March 9, 1862.
TDEAvSON M. CUNNINGHAM is a representative of many important
-*- *- business interests of Allen county. Since 1885 he has been a resi-
dent of Humboldt, where he has been the promoter of many enterprises
which contribute not alone to his individual prosperity but also advance
the general welfare by promoting commercial activity. A native of
Indiana, he was born in Daviess county on the 22nd of March, 1856, his
parents being Reason and Susan E. (Prewitt) Cunningham, the former
born in Indiana in 1818, the latter in Kentucky in 1821. The father was
a fanner by occupation. In 1870 he removed to Kansas, arriving in
Humboldt on the 19th of April, after which he purchased a farm near
Leaiina in the southern part of the county. Both he and his wife are still
living, their home being in Humboldt. The father has attained the age
of eighty-two, while the mother is seventy-nine years of age. They were
parents of eight sons and three daughters, and two sons and one daughter
have passed away. Elbethel B. was a soldier in the Civil war. He served
for three years with Company I, Sixtieth Indiana Infantry, and then
veteranized, remaining at the front until the cessation of hostilities. He
participated in many battles but escaped the enemies' bullet, although he
came nearly losing his life from the explosion of his ammunition box.
The other children of the family are Mrs. Sarah E. Dickerson, who
resides on a farm near Leanna; Robert H., an agriculturist; I. N., of
Moline, Kansas; G. D. and W. S., who are residents of Humboldt, and
Ollie, who is with her parents.
In taking up the personal history of Reason M. Cunningham, Jr., we
present to our readers the life record of one who is- widely and favorably
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS
105
known. He was fourteen years of age at the time of hi^ parents removal
to Kansas. After completing a coinmon school ednc.ition he continued his
studies in the Fort Scott Normal and in the State Normal of Emporia.
Kansas, providing the means for his tuition and other expenses by teaching
at intervals and by farm work in the summer. For fifteen years he
followed the profession of teaching, and was regarded as an excellent
educator, having the ability to impart clearlv and impressively to others
the knowledge he had acquired. In 1885 he came to Humboldt, where he
engaged in teaching through the winter, while in the summer months he
followed the insurance business. Ultimately he dropped his educational
work and has since given his attention to the insurance and real estate
business, in which he has met with very desirable success. He has con-
ducted many important realty transactions and is the owner of considerable
valuable property, having a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near
Humboldt, together with his residence, and other business property in the
city. He also owns the grounds and ice plant building on the banks of
the Neosho river and is a stock holder and the secretary and treasurer of
the Humboldt Telephone C jrapiiiy. These various interests bring to him
an excellent income, which classes him among the well-to-do citizens of
the county.
Mr. Cunningham was married on the 27th of May, 1883, to Miss
Nancy H. Booe, of Neosho county, a daughter of William Booe, who was
a native of Indiana, whence he came with his family to Kansas in 1879.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham have been born five children, four of whom
are yet living: Gertrude L. , Vera M. , Clay D. and Helen E. The third
child, Glen, died at the age of eleven months. At the time of his
marriage, Mr. Cunningham removed to Erie and purchased lumber of
A. L. Taylor to build his house. That was before the day of railroads
in this locality, and he had to haul his lumber by teams from Osage
Mission.
In his political views Mr. Cunningham has ever been a stalwart
Republican, and takes an active interest in promoting the party's welfare.
He has served as a member of the county central committee, and for three
terms filled the office of township clerk, while at the present time he is
notary public. As a citizen he is progressive, lending his aid to any
movement calculated to prove of benefit along material, social, intellectual
and moral lines. He has made marked advancement in his business career
through the possession of those unyielding elements which ever conquer
success.
JOHN H. GARDNER, of Humboldt, whose connection with the
*J interests of that city date back to 1870 when he came to it from Wash-
ington, D. C. , was born in Ann Arundel county, Maryland, July 4, 1840.
His parents, John and Anna Hall (Watson) Gardner, were natives of the
Io6 HISTORY OF ALLEX AND
same state, his father being born in Ann Arundel countw His grand-
parents were also native Maryland people. John and Anna H. Gardner
were the parents of seven children, viz; Wni. L. , who died in Maryland
in 1897; Elizabeth C, wife of James Crogen, of Washington, D. C;
Charles T. , of Allen county, Kansas; Anna E. , wife of Thos. J. Webster,
died in L'>s Angeles, California; J. H.; Richard and Abner, of Phila-
delphia, Pennsylvania. John Gardner's first wife died in 1849 and by a
second wife he reared seven children all of whom reside in Maryland.
J. H. Gardner lett the old Maryland home during the war and went
to Washington, D. C, where he was in the employ of the Adams Express
Company during a period of the Civil war. Succeeding this he engaged
in the fruit and provision business in that city and was so connected in a
business way till 1870 when he decided to come west. On the 6th of May
of the last named year he came to Humboldt, Kansas. It was his intention
to return to the Capital Cit\' but, seeing a good opening for carpenters —
and having learned that trade in his youth and early manhood — he
decided to remain and found work at once. He formed a partnership with
his brother-in-law, Webster, to engage in contracting and the firm had in
their employ the first two years a half score of men. In 1872 he engaged
in the meat business and for twentv-five years was the leading butcher
and meat man in the city. He not only killed and cut up meat on the
block but killed and cured and did a considerable business as a packer, as
well. He was amply rewarded for every effort put forth in the line of his
business but as soon as he stepped aside to aid his friends, by endorse-
ments or by a lift on some enterprise with a doubtful future, he got into
the mire. The harder he tried to extricate himself from these burdens the
deeper their own weight carried him into the bog. In time he was forced '
to jdeld up his business and much of his accumulations to satisf}' his
creditors.
Harry Gardner has not alone been prominent as a business man. He
brought strong Republican proclivities with him from Maryland and as
Allen was a strong Republican county he found use for his politics and
real sympathy for his faith. He has been a formidable candidate for a
county office on more than one occasion before Republican conventions
and was nominated for count\' treasurer in 1SS7 but was defeated b}" a
combination of circumstances for which his reputation was in no wise to
blame.
Mr. Gardner was married in Humboldt in 1878 to Alice J. Smith, a
daughter of Thos. D. and Julia A. (Maxwell) Smith who came into Allen
county with her family from Illinois in 1S69. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner's
children are: Charles R., J. Thomas, Hazel, Mildred and Morris.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I07
GEORGE W. MOON is one of the the most substantial farmers of
Allen county and represents a line of business that contributes in a
greater degree to the substantial growth and prosperity of the country than
any other calling to which man devotes his energies. He was born in
Hamilton county, near Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 22nd of December, 1838.
His father, Milton Moon was a native of New York, and by occupation
was a farmer. His mother, Julia Mullen Moon, was a native of New
Jersey, and a representative of a Quaker family. When twelve years of
age Milton Moon accompanied his parents to Ohio, where he was reared
and continued to make his home until his death which occurred in 1886,
at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife died in 1866 at the age of sixty-
five years.
George Moon remained at home until about twenty years of age, when
he began learning the milling business, serving as an apprentice under
a Mr. Miller, of Union county, Indiana. He was employed in that
capacity until the outbreak of the Civil war. He was then young, of
courageous spirit and unfaltering loyalty, and in defense of the old flag he
enlisted as a member of Company B, Sixty ninth Ohio Infantry. He was
made first sergeant. He little imagined the hardships and privations that
were in store for him, but wherever he was found he was always loyal to
duty and to the Union cause. The regiment with which he was connected
was sent directly to the front and was engaged in several skirmishes. He
participated in only two pitched battles, — the engagements of Stone River
and Chickamauga. At the latter he was captured and he experienced all
the horrors of the southern prisons. It was on the 19th of September, 1863,
at the burning of Reed's bridge that he was captured and taken to Bell
Isle, just opposite Richmond, Virginia. After remaining at that place for
about two months he was transferred to Richmond, being incarcerated in
lyibby prison, a large tobacco house which the rebels had transformed into
a place in which they might confine those who throtigh the fortunes of war
had fallen into their hands. The prison was very crowded and dirty and
the soldiers only had about half rations, and though he considered the
hardships very great, the conditions in Richmond were far better than
those at Danville, Virginia, whither he was sent after three months spent
in Libby prison. At Danville he remained for two months and was then
transferred to Andersonville, where he remained for seven months. The
conditions at that place were too horrible for description, for many of the
prisoners were crowded into an open space with a high stockade all around
with nothing to shelter them from the hot summer sun of the south. This
prison was so crowded that they had hardly room to lie down. They had
scarcely anything to eat and the sanitary conditions were the worst
possible. The poor food and impure air brought death to many of the boys
in blue. Sickness visited them and the sufferings were horrible. Mr. Moon
entered that prison a strong man, but was almost a skeleton when he came
out. He could hardly stand alone, but the bayonets and bullets of the
guard forced him to move when the command was given. The sufferings
I08 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
and horrurs of that prison are bej'ond description and only those who
experienced incarceration there can fully understand the situation. When
the men were taken prisoners they were robbed by the guards of all the>
possessed, including tents, blankets and much of their clothing. A
promise was given that these would be returned, but they never were.
Mr. Moon was taken from Andersonville to Sa\annah where he
remained for a few days and was then sent to Charleston, South Carolina,
where, after a month spent upon the race track, he was transferred to
Florence. He experienced there a repetition of the horrors of Anderson-
ville. After remaining at that point for three months .Mr. Moon was taken
to Wilmington. North Carolina. The Union forces were so near, however,
that the prisoners were rushed on to Goldsboro where relief came to them.
After suffering everything that human nature could endure, the subject of
this review was at length paroled, sent to Wilmington and passed through
the Union lines. He was then taken to Columbus, Ohio, and given a
thirty days' furlough that he might return home, as he was greatly in need
of rest and of those necessities of life which contribute to health and
strength. On the expiration of his furlough he reported at Columbus and
was there when the news of General Lee's surrender was received in May,
1865, and returned to his home with a record paralleled by comparatively
few of the thousands of brave men who defended the nation in her hour
of peril.
Returning to his home Mr. Moon resumed work in the employ of the
man with whom he had learned his trade several years before. For three
years he remained in this man's .service as a most trusted and competent
workman, and then started for the west, arriving in Humboldt on the ist
of April, 1868. He purchased a farm two and one half miles west of the
city and has since resided here, giving his time and attention to the devel-
opment of his farm in Allen county, and has acquired a comfortable
competence for the evening of his life. He keeps the soil in good condi-
tion by the rotation of crops and he is most progressive in all of his
methods, while the neat and thrift^^ appearance of the place indicates his
careful i-upervision.
Mr. Moon was united in marriage in March, 1S67, to Miss Rachel
Danzenbaker, a native of Indiana. Unto them have been born five chil-
dren, but their eldest, Emma, died at the age of eighteen months. The
others are: William, who is now married and living on a farm; Charles
L,., who studied telegraphy, but is now farming; Frank, who is pursuing
a course of study in the Wichita College, and also devotes a part of his
time to teaching, and George, who is with his parents. Mr. Moon has
always been a stalwart Republican and has been elected as county com-
missioner, in which capacity he sen'ed for three years. He was township
treasurer for two terms, and has also been township clerk. He received
the nomination of his party for representative, but in that j-ear the Fusion
ticket won, he being defeated by a very small majority. He is a member
of the Grand Army of the Republic and in this way maintains associations
with his old arm\- comrades. His has been a well spent life of activity,
\YOODSOX COUNTIES, KANSAS.
energy and honest}' in all of its relations. As a citizen he is as true to his
country as when he followed the stars and stripes on the southern battle-
fields. His business methods have, ever commended him to the public
confidence and support, and he is now regarded as one of the valued
representatives i)f the agricultural interests of Allen county.
FRED. J. HORTON, .-Mien county's famous gas driller, has been the
direct cause of more supreme happiness on the part of Iota's "original
set" than any other person, living or dead. A few references, only, will
establish this claim beyond the pale of successful contradic:ion. He is all
but the discoverer of gas at lola. It was he who opened the first great
well at the "Northrup ford" and, for a few years, it was his drill, only,
whose regular "thump" announced to the populace of Elm Creek valley
the continued development of their gas field. At an hundred different
points, in Allen and adjoining counties, has he penetrated the "sand" and
more than sixty times has he brought to the surface that precious article,
the greatest of Allen county's resources. In the discovery of the Ohlfest
well the citizens of LaHarpe were wont to believe their locality the center
of the gas deposit in the valley and when the Remsberg "invincible,"
south of the city of Gas, burst forth both LaHarpe and lola felt a jealous
pang and vied with each other in their claims to its jurisdiction.
Fred Horton is a new-comer among the citizens of Allen county. He
came to our state in the interest of the Palmer Oil and Gas Company and,
for a time, was regarded among our temporary sojourners, only. His
continued success in the determination of the extent of Allen county's gas
territory led to his decision to take up his residence in lola, where he is
regarded among the permanent and substantial citizens.
Our subject was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, October 31,
1S64. His father. Hector Horton, was a successful farmer. He was born
in the town of Hector, New York, in 1819 and died in Tioga, county.
Pa., in July, 1807. In early life he moved down into Tioga county,
Pennsylvania, and was there married. He was one of the prominent men
of his community, lived an honorable life and left an estate at his death.
He was married to Permelia Emmick, a daughter of William Emmick,
whose early home was near the site of Morris. Pennsylvania. Seven
children were born to this union, viz: Charles A., of Butler county,
Pennsylvania; Frank, of Freeport, Ohio; Anna M., wife of A. C. English,
of lola, Kansas; George E. , of Freeport, Ohio; Fred J., our subject;- Mary
J., deceased, and Bert L- Horton, who maintains the old home in
Pennsylvania.
The Hortons offer no apology for their Americanism. They were of
the first families who left England for the Colonies and their descendants
have filled our states and territories with some of the best blood of the
no HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
ages. Tlios. Horton, grandfather of Fred J. Horton, spent his life around
Seneca Lake, in New York. He was first a boatman on that lake and
afterward a distiller, with his factory at the head of the lake. He married
Miss Anna Cully and died in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, leaving sons
and daughters, viz: Elizabeth, of Jackson county, Mich., is the wife of
John Kimball; Hiram, who died in Tioga county. Pa.; Susanna, of the
same county, is Mrs. Jerre Houghton; Thomas, of same county; Hector;
Sallie A., who married P. G. Walker and resides in Tioga county. Pa.;
Semantha, wife of E. H. Hastings, of Wellsboro, Pa., and Ezra Horton,
who died in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania.
Fred J. Horton was reared chiefly on the farm. Before he reached
his majorit)' he had some experience in the lumber woods of his native
state. The schools of the country district and those of the little clean
county seat of Wellsboro gave him his educational equipment. He went
into the Ohio oil field about 1885 and remained there eight years, as
employe two years and as prospector and driller and in the business of
development six years. At times he was associated with a brother or
brothers and his efforts were productive of varying degrees of success. His
operations were in Wood county and around Lima, Ohio, and it was in
that country that he came into contact with the Palmer Oil and Gas
Company. The latter firm arranged with him to come into Kansas and
develop their field and he reached Allen county in the fall of 1894. On
October ist of that 3'ear he began erecting the first rig at the "Northrup
ford" and at the end of a fortnight he had uncovered a flow of gas that
fairly startled our people.
Mr. Horton is not only a developer of our gas resources but an aid in
the promotion of other enterprises as well. He owns an interest in the
Brooklyn Park addition to lola and put in, and is the owner of, the gas
plant, or system, in both Highland Place and Brooklyn Park. He is one
of the directors of the Kansas Brick Company, with plant at Chanute,
Kansas. In 1898 he erected a commodious residence in lola and the
same year made substantial improvements upon his farm in Elm township,
Allen county.
March i6, 1889, Mr. Horton was married in Monroe, Michigan, to
Minnie E. , daughter of James Carroll, of Waterville, Ohio. Their chil-
dren are Ethel F. and Ruth Horton.
The Hortons are Republicans in politics. Hector Horton, father of
our subject, became a Republican early in the history of that party and his
sons found it to their financial well-being to support the principles of the
same party. The Knights of Pythias, the Elks and the Masons have each
a claim upon the social tendencies of our subject.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. Ill
ELMER C. REMSBERG. — Among the enterprising merchants and
progressive and reliable citizens of lola is Elmer C. Remsberg, who
is now conducting an implement store. He was born near Middletown,
Maryland, June 7, 1S6 ?. and his father, J. P. Remsberg, a native of the
same locality, was born April 10, 1836. John Remsberg, the grandfather
of our subject, was born in Marjdand in 1796, the family homestead being
situated about five miles from the battle-field of South Mountain, where
occurred one of the sanguinarj' engagements of the Civil war. J. P.
Remsberg was reared upon that place and there followed agricultural
pursuits until 1876, when he came with his family to Kansas, locating in
Elm township Allen county, where he made his home until the spring of
1900. He then removed to lola, where he now resides. On the 14th of
February, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa A. C. Coblentz,
who was born in Maryland June 7, i8.';8. She was a daughter of David
Coblentz, also of Marjdand, who was a first cousin of George A. Bowlus of
the Bank of Allen County, at lola. Mrs. Remsberg died in Allen county
July 19, 1890, leaving five children. Elmer C, Mary C. , John D., Aaron
T. and Simon, all of whom are living in this county.
Elmer C. Remsberg spent the first fourteen years of his life in Mary-
land and was then brought by his parents to Kansas, where he was
reared. After completing his education he began teaching in the LaHarpe
district in 1882, and followed that profession continuously until 1892, when
he secured a position with C. H. DeClute, for whom he acted as clerk,
remaining in that establishment until April, 1899. In February of the
following year he purchased of A. W. Beck the implement store and stock
and has since carried 01a business along that line, meeting with good
success. His business methods are commendable and therefore increase
his patronage, and he is now enjoying a large and constantly growing
trade.
On the i6th of May, 1894, Mr. Remsberg wedded Miss Effie Lemasters
who was born July 10, 1871. in Johnson county, Indiana, and is a daughter
of I. H. Lemasters, a native of Indiana. To them have been born two
children: Mary L- and Everett L. Mr. Remsberg is a member of the
Reformed Church. In politics he is a Republican, takes a very active
interest in the growth and success of his party, and has several times
served as a member of the central committee. For one term he was a
member of the city council, and is now clerk of the board of education,
which position he has held for three years. He has been called to office
by those who recognize his ability and in the discharge of his duties he has
shown that the trust reposed in him is well merited.
"C^LIAS BRUNER.— Actively identified with the industrial interests of
' ' lola, Mr. Bruner has been until recently engaged in the flouring
business in connection with W. E. and G. S. Davis, and in the
112 HISTORY OK ALLEN AND
manufacture aifd sale of lumber. He was born in Lancaster count}-,
Pennsylvania, June 15, 1S46, and is a son of Jacob Bruner, who
was born in the same county, about the year 1S14. The father was a
wagon maker, following that trade in Reyuoldsville, Pennsylvania. He
married Louisa White, of Lancaster county, and died in 1849, leaving
several children. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Church
and took an active part in the work. About 185 1 or 1852 his widow
married Jacob Bender. By her first marriage her children were Mary,
who resides in Annville, Pennsylvania; Elias; Elizabeth, wife of Henry
Dissler, of Ephrata, Lanca.ster county, Pennsylvania. There were also
three children by the second marriage: Jacob, who was probably killed in
the great strike in Chicago in 1886; Anna, who died in Annville, Penn-
sylvania, at the age of twenty; and John, a blacksmith of Annville,
Pennsylvania. The mother of this family died March i, 1897, at the ripe
old age of seventy-three years.
Elias Bruner began learning the machinist's trade at the age of
thirteen years, serving an apprenticeship to his tmcle, Peter Bruner, of
Brunersville, Pennsylvania. At the age of eighteen he went to Canton,
Ohio, where he remained for one year in the employ of the Malleable Iron
Works. After- visiting Louisville and Indianapolis, he returned home and
was again employed by his uncle, but after a short time there passed, he
removed to Kokomo, Indiana, and soon afterward came to Kansas, arriving
in this state in December, 1865, having traveled the entire distance in a
wagon. He settled near Erie, Neosho county, where he engaged in farm-
ing and-iTi working in a saw mill. When a year had passed he came to
Allen couwty and entered the employ of D. R. Hovey, who at that time
operated a saw -mill and planing mill near lola. After Mr. Hovey sold out
to G. S. Davis & Company, Mr. Bruner continued as engineer in the
mill. In 1871 he purchased an interest in the plant, thus entering into
partnership with W. E. and G. S. Davis, continuing at the old place until
1880, when they removed theii machinery to the more convenient site and
building which they occupied until 1900 when they sold it, with all the
water privileges attached, to the city of lola, and retired temporarily from
active business.
On the 1.3th of January. 1872, Mr. Bruner wedded Miss Drucie Davis,
daughter of E. S. and Drucie (Allcock) Davis, the former born in
Augusta, Maine, in 1806, the latter in Marietta, Ohio, in 181 1. Mrs.
Bruner is also a native of Marietta, born May 19, 1848. They now have four
children: Lettie, who was born October 8, 1874, and is the wife of L. L.
Northrup, of lola: Clara, born September 13, 1879; Freddie, who was born
November 2S, 1S82, and died at the age of one month, and George, born
September 20, 1890. The family is one well known in lola and the
members of the household enjoy the high regard of many friends. Mr.
Bruner has been a life-long Republican, and as every true American citizen
should be, is well informed upon the issues of the day and does all in his
power to promote the growth and insure the success of the party which he
advocates.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. II3
l_^ 'LIAS W. ARNOLD, one of the well known and permanent mechanics
^—' of lola, has passed a quarter of a century in Allen county, having
come into it in ICS75. He was an Ohio emigrant, from Wayne count) ,
where he was born on the gth of April, 185 1. His father, George Arnold,
was a farmer and carpenter, who was brought to Ohio when a child from
the state of Maryland. The early residents of Wayne and vStark counties,
Ohio, well remember George Arnold as a meclianic for he handled the
saw and the hammer in the two municipalili-s nearly half a century.
Daniel Arnold, our subject's grandfather, was the founder of the
family in Ohio for it was he who crossed the AUeghenies from Maryland
just after the war of 1812 and began the initial work of opening up a farm
in Wayne county. He died and is buried in the Buckeye state.
George Arnold was an only child. He was born in 1812 and died in
1S98. He married Mary Spake, whose father, John Spake, was from tbe
state of Pennsylvania, and served in the war of 1812. Mary (Spake)
Arnold died in rgoo at the age of seventy-six years. She was twice
married, her first husband being Jacob Plum. George Arnold was also
twice married, his first wife being Mary Bowman. The family of Plum
children were: John, deceased, who served in the 120th Ohio Infantry;
Elizabeth, who married William Cordray, died in Wayne county, Ohio.
The first family of Arnold children is composed of John Arnold, who
resides in Wayne county, Ohio; Levi, of Blackwell, Oklahoma; Hiram and
David, deceased. Eli and Hiram served in the 4th Ohio regiment, the
latter dying in the service. The yoxinger generation, which includes our
subject, are: Elias W. ; Jennie, wife of Calvin Taggart; Mary; Amanda,
wife of Jerre Houk, of Wayne county; Daniel and Charles, of Wayne;
Jacob, whose whereabouts are unknown; and Elberta, who married John
Trout, of Wayne count}-, Ohio.
E. W. Arnold practically grew up in a carpenter shop. He had
completed his trade by the time he had acquired a fair common school
education and at the age of about twenty years he undertook the serious
side of life. He made no pretentions to any other calling before he came
west and the first few years he was in Allen county he picked up a few
doUais here and there as the opportunity occurred, in this vva^^ Twenty
years ago mechanics were more numerous in Allen county than jobs and
Mr. Arnold found it necessary to employ other means, at times, to supply
the wants of his family. Gardening and a little truck patch business here
and there and doing odd jobs at anything and for anybody is not an exag-
gerated statement of his experiences for a few years in Kansas. When he
became able to buy a lot and improve it, and then sell, he struck his fir.st
money-making project. The town property he acquired in this way he
finally traded for a farm which he moved onto and cultivated with some
degree of profit, a few vears. In the spring of 1900 he erected a couple of
residences in Jones' addition to lola, returned to the city and resumed his
trade. Toward the development of lola he has built, on his own account,
114 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
seven houses not to say aught of the many he lias been connected with
merely as a mechanic.
Jannary 22, 1874, Mr. Arnold vva- married to Louisa A. , a daughter
of Aaron Altland. The latter married Margaret Jones and died in Stark
count\ , Ohio, in December, 1895, at the age ot sixty-seven \ears. His
wife died in 1866 at the age of thirt\-four years. The Altlands were from
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, to Ohio where they settled early. John
Altland, Mrs. Arnold's grandfather, was born in 1790 and died in 1^71.
He was a farmei and was married to Susan Eckroate, who died in 1875 at
the age of eighty-one. Aaron Altland's children are: Louisa A., born July
20, 1853; and Andrew and Josiah A. Altland, of Stark county, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Arnold's children are: Clark Warren, born August
II, 1875; Edna, born May iS, 1884; Odella, born April 25, 1888; Almeda,
born April 14, 1891. Three children, Aaron, Ethel S. and George S.
A_^rnold, are deceased.
Eli Arnold has been one of the industrious citizens of his community.
His sympathies have always been with the struggling, honest toiler for he
felt that he was one of them. His life has been in every way honorably
spent and he has done his best with the resources at his command.
JASPER S. TURNER— In the early spring of 1885 a new man succeeded
Mr. AUaway in charge of the Santa Fe station at lola. He was an eastern
man but had absorbed western waj's and western customs in his association
with the builders of the Union Pacific Railroad from Junction City to
Denver and in his subsequent association with men of the craft on other
lines and in other departments of the work. The j-ear 1 885 marks his ad-
vent to the service of the Southern Kansas Railroad Company, now the
Santa Fe Railroad Company, and he was, consequentl}', in the probationary
stage of service when he came to lola. We refer, in these preliminaries,
to the person whose name introduces this review, Jasper S Tnrner.
Mr. Turner was born in Medina County, Ohio, February 17, 1842, and
passed his boyhood there. The country was all he had an opportunity to
familiarize himself with as a boy and j'outh and his education was obtained
amid such surroundings for the time being. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted
in Company B, 42nd Ohio Volunteers for three months and upon the ex-
piration of his time reenlisted and was assigned to Company I. 103rd Ohio
volunteers. His regiment served in the arni)- of the the Tennessee and
when his second period of enlistment expired he was in Ten-
nessee, and there veteranized. He did not furlough home as was the prac-
tice under such circumstances, and as the remainder of his company did,
but continued on duty and remained in the field until the last gun had
been fired and the last vestige of the Confederacy' had been wiped out.
The first year after the war Mr. Turner spent in attendance upon the
Mennonite College at Wadsworth, Ohio. His experiences up to this time
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. II5
had been ample to enable him to cope successfully with his pe- rs in the
warfare of life and in 1S67 he started wesl "to look for something." The
development of the west was at that time in its incipient stages. The first
great artery of domestic commerce to unite the Atlantic and the Pacific was
then building and our subject drifted toward Kansas, the initial point in its
construction. He secured the clerkship with the Superintendent of con-
struction and followed the road out to Denver and observed its completion
to that point. He returned to Manhattan, Kansas, next and entered the
station service of the same road, the "Kansas Pacific," and while here was
injured and forced to retire from the service, going to Wyandotte, Kansas.
He secured a clerkship in one of the hotels of the place and there passed
a period of six months. Returning again to railroad work he entereil the
service ol the Ft. Scott and Gulf road as clerk for the assistant Superin-
tendent of construction. Leaving this p<3sition he went into the station de-
partment of the North Missouri, now the Wabash Railroad, and remained
with that system from the fall of 1869 to April, 188;, when he left their
employ at Plattsburg, Missouri. He joined the Southern Kansas company
the same year and on the 13th of March following took charge of the station
at lola.
Mr. Turner's is one of the old American families. His great-great-
grandfather and his great-grandlather were born in the Fatherland and, on
arrival in Ameiici, settled somewhere on the Atlantic coast. The great-
grandfather served in the Colonial army during the war for Independence.
He was probabh' a recruit from the colony of New Jersey, for some of his
posterity went from that State into Pennsylvania in the early part of the
rgth century. John Turner, our subject's grandfather, emigrated from
"Jersey" and settled on the Muskingum river in western Penns>lvania
when his son, Alexander, was a youth. Some years afterward he moved
over into Ohio and passed the remaining years of his life in Medina County.
.■\mong his children was .\lexander, the father of the subject of this sketch.
The latter spent many years teaming between Pittsburg and Wadsworth,
Ohio, served with the Ohio troops in the Mexican war and finally settled
down to the farm near Wadsworth, where both he and his wife died. He
married Betsey French, who died in November, 1870, just eight years be-
fore her husband. Their children were Alonzo, of Halley, Idaho; James,
deceased; Maria, deceased, who married Chas. Curtis; Chas. Wesley, de-
ceased; Quincy \., the ist, and Ouincy A., the 2nd; and Jasper S. , ist
and 2nd, the latter being, of course, the subject of this article.
Jasper S. was married while he was in Plattsburg. Missouri, October
23, 1872, to M. Fannie Butler, a Kentucky lady. For many years Mrs.
Turner has conducted the leading millinery and ladies tailoring establish-
ment in lola and the Turner block on West Madison, is in a great measure,
a monument to her skill and industry. In their relations to the social side
of lola Mr. and Mrs. Turner have been most fortunate and happy. They
are a popular host and hostess and they hold the confidence of their towns-
men in a high and permanent degree.
jl6 HISTORY OF ALLEX AND
IRA E. PATTERSON, o^ lola, in the business of plumbing, cornice
work and general builders supplies, began his life in lola in 1882, as a
clerk in the grocer}- of Richards & Eakin. The next year he joined Nimrod
Hankins in the same business, which partnership and business existed one
year. Being a mechanic, he engaged in building work and followed his
trade some ten years, and left it to engage in the lumber business with H.
E. Thomas. IJpon the dissolution of this firm their tinning and plumbing
business was retained and Mr. Patterson succeeded to it. While at first it
was a matter of small dimensions the growth of the city has justified its
owner in extending and enlarging his business till its importance is second
to none in Allen County.
Mr. Patterson w^as born in Henry County, 111., March 30, 1865. He
received a good common school education in the school at Annawan, 111.
At the age of seventetn years he became responsible for his maintenance
and support. He went into a carpenter shop with W. K. Brown, of Anna-
wan, and became an efficient mechanic in due time. He cau:e to Kansas
a youth of eighteen with no capital except his industry and his character.
How well he has exercised the former and maintained the lattei old resi-
dents of lola will amply testify.
Mr. Patterson was married in lola October, 1889, to Susie B. , a
daughter of Henry Waters. Mrs. Patterson was born in Douglas County,
Kansas, in 1868. Their children are: Arthur E., Lyford M. and Helen R.
Patterson.
Mr. Patterson is known as an active Republican and as a leading
member of the Methodist church. He has served the city as a member of
her common Council and has served his church in its various departments
of church work.
IRA D. KELLEY is the proprietor of the only hack and baggage line in
the cily of lola, and is doing' an extensive and profitable business. His
salient characteristics are energy and persistency of purpose, aad as these
form the ioundation of all success his friends feel safe in predicting that he
will become one of the prosperous residents of Allen County. He is yet
a young man for his birth occurred June 3, 1875, the place of his nativity
being Newton County, Arkansas, and he is a son of William D. Kelley, of
lola.
Ira D. Kelley has spent twenty-five 3-ears in Allen County. At a very
early age he commenced driving for his father in the transfer business and
after a few j-ears he purchased the business, which he has since carried on
with ever increasing success. He began with only one bus, and since that
time has added a new wagon or caiTiage each year and has the only hack
and baggage line of the city.
On the i6th of May, 1896, Mr. Kelley was united in marriage to Miss
Grace N. Smith, of Humboldt, Kansas, and their pleasant home in lola is
WOODSOX COUNTIES, KANSAS. II7
justly celebrated for its charming hospitalit_v. Mr. Kelley is connected with
a number of fraternal and social organization; , including the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Order of Elks. His menial man-
ner and unfailing courtesy render him popular, and in business circles he
sustains a high reputation.
I_^ 'LISHA JAY — For more than a third of a century Elisha Jay has been
■^—-'a resident of Allen County and during this period has carried on farm-
ing, which Washington said is the most honorable as well as the most use-
ful calling which man follows. He was born in Miami County. Ohio,
October 23, 1S37, his parents being Jonathan and Ann (Jcnes) Jay, al.-o
natives of the Buckeye State. In 1850 the father removed with his family
to Indiana, where he made his home upon a farm until his life's labors were
ended in death in 1867, when he was sixty-two years of age.
Elisha Jay was the third of six children in his father's family and was
seventeen years of age at the time of the removal to Indiana. The common
schools had afforded him his educational privileges and in his early life he
learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for some time, but dur-
ing the greater part of his business career he has carried on farming and
has found it a profitable source of income. He was married in 186 1 to
Miss Hannah Palmer, a native of Montgomery County, Indiana, and a
daughter of Daniel and Mahala Palmer, who were the parents of ten chil-
dren. The father died in Fountain County, Indiana, on the 14th of Janu-
ary, 1867, at the age of sixty-five years. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs,
Jay has been blessed with four children, of whom three aie now living,
namely: Albert, a resident of Galena, Kansas: Jonathan, who is living in
Salem township and William B.
Five years after his marriage Mr. Ja\ came to Kansas. Much of the
land was still unclaimed and the government offered homesteads at a
nominal price to those who would cultivate and improve the wild prairie.
Our subject thus secured a farm five miles east of Humboldt, where h e still
resides and by his industry, as time has passed, he has developed one of
the best farms in Salem township, adding thereto all modern accessories
and improvements. He is well known in the county and has a host of
warm friends. His political support is given the Republican party and in
religious work he has been quite active. He was made one of the trustees
of the Maple Grove Methodist Episcopal church when that society was
organized and still holds the position. In the interim this has grown to be
a prosperous church, strong numerically and in its far-reaching influence.
Throughout his life Mr. Jay has been found true to the principles in which
he believes, and honestv and integritv are svnonymous with his name.
IlS HISTORY OF ALLFJX AND
T ]\ ZILLIAMB KKLLEV, lola's leading draj'maii and a gentleman
* * who has established an enviable reputation for hone>ty, sobriety-
and public spirit, is a native of one of the southern states, having been born
in Jackson County, Akdjania, August 23, 1847. His ancestors were radi-
cally southern, having resided in that section for generations and having
been introduced therein at so early a date that it is not positively known.
Eli. M. Kelley, our subject's father, was born in Walker County, Georgia,
in 1823, and is a son of Marvel Kelley who died in that county in 1830.
Eli M. Kelley has made the calling ot his forefathers his life work. He
resides in Butler County, Kansas, where he located in 1872 and is well
known as a farmer and substantial citizen. He resided in Arkansas during
the Civil war and, although in one of the hottest secession states he sided
with the Union and entered the 2nd Arkansas cavalry and served nearly
two years in the western army. Circumstances made him a Republican
many years ago and he has not had occasion to depart from the faith. He
married Elizabeth J. Reynolds in the State of Alabama. She died in But-
ler County, Kansas, October 16, 1893, at the age of sixty-six years. She
was a daughter of Calvin Reynolds-, a southern planter whose family home
was in Tennessee. Eli Kelley 's children are: William B. ; Marvel C. , of
Butler County, Kansas: John M., of Ida: Pleasant S., of Wes'.ern Kansas:
Palestine, deceased, married John Hall and left a husband and one babe,
George M., in Cowley County, Kansas. She died September 15, 1882. at
the age of 2 1 .
William B. Kelley came to matihood's estate chiefly in Arkansas. His
father resided for a time in Green County, Missouri, and there our subject
got his education in the district schools. When he reached his majority he
began the battle of life as a farmer. He maintained himself at this for some
years, even doing a little of it after his advent to lola. He came to this
point in 1S75 and, although he claimed to be a farmer for fifteen years, he
was not at all well known as such. In 1890 he saw an opportunity to en-
gage in the dray business, with some promise of return, and he did so.
But the dray business at that date in lola's history was very light. In fact
it can hardly be said to have reached the dignity of a business. But some-
how Kelley found enough to do to keep the wolf from the door of a fair-
sized family. He hauled everything, from junk to baggage and kept in the
field so that when his town finally started in her career toward the skies he
went with her. In a short time his single team was inadequate and he
added another, and another, and finally two more until his yard and stables
have something of the appearance of a metropolitan one. His original
homestead has kept pace in the march of progress. At the beginning it
contained one house and he has added more than one house for each team,
on the same block.
In June, 1869, Mr. Kelley was married in Newton County, Arkansas,
to Susan A., a daughter of John T. Spears, of South Carolina, a farmer
and trader. The children of this union are: John M., Levi S., Ira D., and
Agnes J., wife of James Dunfee.
WOODSON COUXTIES, KANSAS. I I9
T EOXARD C. THOMAS, one of the well-to-do fanners of Allen
J — ' countv, was born in Quincy, Illinois, March 7, 1S59, of German
pai-entage. His father, Philip Thomas, was a native of Germany, and
came to America at the age of twelve years. He represented a family
widely known for excellent business ability, its members attaining a high
degree of prosperity. Two of his brothers yet survive. Casper Thomas,
who came to America in 1849, located in California. He is now living in
lu.xury in Germanj'. Tobias, also went to California and is now living in
Portland, Oregon.
In early life Philip Thomas begin working at the cooper's trade which
he followed in this country with excellent success, thereby acquiring a
very desirable competence. He married Elizabeth Herleman, who was
born in Denmark, and came to America when nine years of age. She was
a daughter of Jacob Herleman, a farmer, who died near Quincy. Adams
county, Illinois, when in the prime of life. Her brother, Nick Herleman,
made his fortune on a farm, and is now living retired in Quincy. Her
sister, who married a Mr. Smith, and was widely kuown as "Aunt Smith,"
died wealthy. The money making propensitv of the family was manifest
in Philip Thomas, whose business grew in volume and importance, so that
he furnished emplojnnent to between one and two hundred men. By his
marriage to Miss Herleman the following children were born: Mary,
widow of Mr. Messerschraidt, who was a well-to-do saddler; Lysetta, -who
died in May, 189S, was the wife of Mr. Winter, who died in May, 1900.
He served for four years and seven months in the Civil war, participated
in the battle of Bull Run, and was seven times wounded. At the battle
of Wilson Creek, General Lyons fell and he aided in carrying him from
tlie field. In other engagements, Mr. Winter also sustained wounds. As
soon as it became known that he was a boatman, he was detached from land,
service and placed oa a transport boat, where he served until after the close
of hostilities. Albert Thomas, the eldest son of the family, was a sergeant
in the Regular army and now is in the Philippine war. Philip C, who
was born in June, 1853, has followed the coopering business all his life in
partnership with his father. He has a son, a machinist, now in Denver,
Colorado. Tobias, the youngest son of the family, is an engineer with the
Electric Weaving Company, of Quincy, Illinois.
Leonard C. Thomas acquired a common school education and received
a thorough training at the cooper's trade, which he learned under the
direction of his father, of whom he afterward became a partner. They
took the trees as they were cut down in the forest and did all the work of
manufacturing the lumber and making the barrels. Mr. Thomas, of this
review, followed the business until November, 1883, when he came to
Kansas. He has since carried on agricultural pursuits here. In Novem-
ber previous he had wedded Miss Carrie Smith, a sister of Judge J. B.
Smith, of the probate court of Allen county. Her father, John Smith, was
for four years sheriff of Sangamon county, Illinois, and was at one time
mayor of Springfield, Illinois. He was elected and served for one term in
I20 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
the State legislature, and was afterward appointed warden of the state
penitentiary. When the war broke out he was in Springfield and there he
formed a company and was appointed captain. He represented an old
Kentucky family but possessed strong abolition principles. John Smith,
however, was the only Republican in his family, and had brothers in the
southern army. He was killed in a railroad accident between Chicago
and Springfield, Illinois, while warden of the penitentiary. Two sons and
one daughter still survive him. The third being Will Smith, a real estate
dealer in Oklahoma.
As before stated Mr. Thomas came to Kansas in 1883. His wife had
inherited two hundred and fifty-six acres of land on section 32, Salem
township, and this induced him to take up the life of farming. Mr.
Thomas broke all of this tract and all of the improvements on the place
stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. Here they have reared
their three children: John, who was born June 26, 1S8'; Charles, born in
November, 1889, and Elmer B., born March 31, 1896. They are being
provided with good educational privileges and well fitted for life's practical
duties. Mr. Thomas has been a man of marked enterprise and excellent
executive ability whose sagacity and energy in business affairs have con-
tributed in a large measure to his prosperity'.
JOHN H. VANNUYS, cashier of the Northrup National Bank at lola,
an early settler in Allen cotmty and a gentleman widely known and
universally esteemed, was born in Johnson countj', Indiana, September
20, 1S40. He is a son of Isaac Vannuys and passed his boyhood and
youth upon the farm. He acquired a good elementary education in the
country schools and in Hopewell Academy. Before he had undertaken to
battle with the problems of life the Civil war burst upon the country and he
attained his majority in the ranks of Co. F, Seventh Indiana Infantry. He
enlisted for three years in August and his regiment went at once into West
Virginia and became a part of the P'ederal forces fighting the battles for
liberty and union in that state. Two weeks aitei leaving Indianapolis
Mr. Vannuys was in the battle of Green Briar. Toward the latter part of
the year his service in the field was interrupted by sickness and he spent a
part of ths first winter in th.e hospital at Cumberland, Maryland, before
furloughing home. He returned to his command in time for the engage-
ment at Port Republic and was in the field with it till after the second
battle of Bull Run. His lying out in all kinds of weather brought on an
attack of acute rheumatism and he was so crippled by it that he lay in the
hospital nearly all the second winter. When the Confederates started
north on their second raid and all the men were being pushed to the
defense of Washington the hospitals were drawn upon for their convales-
cents and our subject was given a gun with the rest. He was sent north
with them to Columbia, near Harrisburg, on the Susquehanna river.
WOODSON' COUXTIES, KANSAS. 12 1
<;UHi"diiig the long bridjie, and he reached his regiment again after the
battle ot Gettysburg had been won. He was able for duty the remainder
of his term of enlistment and was in all the engagements of the regiment
up to and including the fight in front of Petersburg, \'irginia. He received
a bullet through the right thigh in that fierce engagement and was ren-
dered incapably of further service to the regiment. He was discharged
September 20, 1864. and, upon returning home, he took a business college
course at Indianapolis the following winter. In the fall of 1865 he was in the
national bank at Goshen, Indiana, for a few months but severe illness
forced his retirement and the following spring and summer he spent in the
Second National Bank ot Franklin, Indiana. In the spring of 1867 he
came to Kansas and spent hi-; fii^i two years here upon an Allen county
farm. He was associated with James Christian in the cattle business, more
or less, in which enterprise Mr. Christian was also a partner. In the
.spring of 1869 he came to lola and associated himself with William Davis
in the clothing business. Before this firm ceased to exist he went into the
bank of L. L,. Norchrup, where he had had occasional employment, almost
from the inception of the bank and was soon a fi.Kture there. He dates
his permanency with the bank from April 1873. He has had such an
e.Klended connection with the institution that it seems this connection
never had a beginning and never sliould have an ending. His relations
have been so close to the guiding spirits of the institution and his attentions
so unremitting to the institution itself that it can be said with propriety that
he is a part of both. He has thought moie about his duty to his fellows
and to his Maker than to himself and has not profited by his opportunities
as he might. Every charity, every benevolence crosses his path and every
progressive movement for the substantial or intellectual improvement of
his community is a beneficiary of his purse.
Mr. Vannuys' connection with the Presbyterian church of lola has
been long and con.stant. As Treasurer of the Board of Trustees his tenure
of office runneth not, neither to his predecessor or his successor. His
moral code is strict and unbending and his aesthetic nature is well
cultivated.
Isaac Vannuys, our subject's father, was born in Kentucky in 1S13.
His father and our subject's grandfather was probably born in Jersey Citv,
New Jersey, went to Kentuck}- many 3'ears ago and, about 1835, settled in
Johnson county, Indiana, where he died in 1846 at about seventy years of
age. He married a Miss Demaree and reared a large family. His son,
Isaac, who died in 1844, married Elizabeth, a daughter of John Johnson.
Elizabeth (Johnson) Vannuys was born in Henry county, Kentucky, in
1815. Her children are: Archibald C, who died in 1861; Charity E- ,
wife of H. C. Winchester, of Carlyle, Kansas: Julia E., widow of Isaac
C. LaGrange, of Franklin, Ind.; John Harvey, our subject; and Mary C,
widow of Richard T. Overstreet, of Johnson county, Ind. Our subject's
grand ancestors on both the paternal and marernal sides were native born
English, Scotch, Irish and German respectively.
The political history of Mr. Vannuys can be sumed up in a few words.
122 HISTORY OF ALLEX ASV
He joined the Republican party as soon as he became a viiter ami that
jniblic safeguard has since been his pulitical refuge.
Mr. \''annuys' first wife was Anna M. Overstreet, who died in lola
November 20, 1S71, with lut leaving i.ssue. In Ma\'. 1^74, he married
Emily A., daughter of the late L. L. Northrup Mrs. \'aniuiys died in
April, 1885, without issue.
AM. BEEMAN — Among the sons of the Empire State who have cast in
their lot with the citizens of Kan.sas and are numbered among the
representatives of Allen Count}' is A. M. Beeman, who was born in New
York, March 8, 1833. His parents were John S. and Ursula (Crooker)
Beeman, the former born in Vermont in 18 12, and the latter in Connecticut
in 1813. Our subject now has in his possession several mementoes of his
wife's grandmother, among other things a ribbon belt which was worn
more than a century ago. In 1836 Mr. Beeman's parents removed to
Michigan, but after nine years returned to the Empire State, where the
father died in 1888, — the mother having passed away in 1S39, — leaving
three children: Julia, wife of William Cobb; A. M., of this review; and
Emily, wife of Ira Allen.
A. M. Beeman was reared in New York with the exception of
the nine years spent by the family in Michigan, and in the common schools
he acquired his education. In 1867 he came to Kansas, — a young man of
34 years, — full of energj-, determination and resolution. He secured a
homestead claim of eighty acres, six miles east of Humboldt, and still re-
sides upon that property, having made it a highl)' cultivated and productive
tract. In his early life he learned the gunsmith's trade and during the
Civil war worked in the gunshops, making Enfield rifles for use by the Union
army, thus rendering effective service for his country. He was employed
in this way in Canandaigua, New York, where he manufactured many guns
used by sharpshooters.
In 1867, the year of his removal to the west, Mr. Beeman was united
in marriage to Miss Eydia A. Pomeroy, a native of New York. Her father,
Chauncey Pomeroy, was born in that State, August 26, 1813, and man'ied
Fannie Eliza Alger, a native of Ontario. Mr. Pomeroy' s death occurred
in July, 1848, but his wife, who was born in i8i7,is still living. They
were the parents of six children, as follows: Jane D., William I., Lydia A.,
Catharine A., George W. and Henry T. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs.
Beeman was blessed with seven children: Emma Ursula, Edwin A., Chas.
Wesley, Mary Etta, John S., Martin O. and Benight M. The last named
is now deceased.
Mr. Beeman is a popular resident of his community. He has served
as justice of the peace of his township, is now its treasurer, and in 1900 re-
ceived the nomination of the People's Party for the office of township
trustee. He deserves great credit for what he has accomplished in life, for
WOODSON COUXTIES, KANSAS. I 23
he Started out to earn his living wlien only twelve years of age, and since
that time has depended entirely on his own resources. Diligence has been
the ke\ note to his success, and his example is one that might be profitably
followed by all who have to depend upon their own exertions. His worth
is widely recognized Mid he enjoys the friendsliip of in:-.ny of the best peo-
ple of Allen County.
TTH.\.\IER F. RANDOI^PH has won the right to be termed a self-made
-'-man and is now classed among the enterprising citizens of Salem town-
ship, Allen County. He was born in Shelby County, Indiana, January 9,
1844, and is a son of Reuben F. Rand ilp'.i, a mtive of Oliir), who removed to
the Hoosier State when a young man and was there married to Miss Amanda
Runyon, who was born in Indiana of southern pirentagc. During the
early boyhood of their son Ithamer tliev removed to Ic:)wa, where both died
in November, i860, there being onh- about two weeks' difference in the
time of their demise. Tlieir children were: Owen F. , Reuben F. , William
F. , Ithamar F., Melinda P'. , wife of Lafayette Shadley, who was killed at
Coffey ville by the Daltons; Amanda F., wife of Alexander Breeding and
Margaret A. F., wife of Charles Hodgkiss.
Ithamar F. Randolph spent the greater part of his youth in Iowa, and
to its public school system is indebted for the educational privileges which
he enjoyed. He worked on the home farm until after the country became
involved in Civil war, when on the 15th of Julv, 1863, at the age of 19
years, he offered his services to the government, enlisting in Company C,
Ninth Iowa Cavalry, with which he remained until the 20th of March,
1866. During that time he was in Arkansas, ?\Iissouri and Texas with the
Western Division, engaged in fighting bushwhackers and Texas Rangers.
He was never wounded nor taken prisoner, although lie saw some very
hard service while associated with the boys in blue in establishing the
supremacy of the Union.
After receiving an honorable discharge Mr. Randolph returned to
Davis County, Iowa, and two years later married Miss Miriam \'. Cade, a
native of that county. The marriage was celebrated March 12, 1868, and
has been blessed with seven children: Louie F. , now the wife of W. J.
Royer; Mattie F. , wife of W. J. Kelso; Mary F., wife of Lewis Anderson,
of Kansas City, Missouri; Effie F., Myrtle F. , Bessie F. , and Jessie F., all
at home.
Mr. Randolph continued to reside in Iowa until 1S77, when he came
with his family to Kansas and for five years was a resident of Wilson
County. The spring of 1882 witnessed his arrival in Allen Count}', and
he purchased a farm in the southeastern part of Salem township, where he
.still resides, having a very comfortable home that stands as a monument to
his thrift and enterprise. His life has been one of industry and honesty,
and his career has been a useful and commendable one, showing what can
be accomplished by determined purpose and serving as an example that is
well worthv of emulation.
124 HISTORY OF AI.LEX AXD
TIj^RAXK JACKSON, of Caiiyle township, is one of Allen County's
-L pi(jneers. He was born in Iol.\ March 31, iSSi, ani, with the excep-
tion of four years spent in Cowley County, Kansas, has resided continu-
ously in Allen County. His life has been devoted to the farm and the re-
wards of his industry have been never-failing and constant. Beginning
life as a mere boy and in a molest and unpretentious way he has come to
be recognized as one of our most thrifty and successful small farmers.
The Jacksons were among the first settlers of Allen County. Joel
Jackson, father of the subject of this review, started west from some point
in the State of Wisconsin with a yoke of oxen and a linchpin wagon. His
objective point was Kansas and he arrived in lola about 1S59. On the
journey out one ox died and a cow was substituted for the remainder of the
trip. Farming was Mr. Jackson's occupation and he had that vocation in
mind when he came to this new State. He entered the army the first year
of the Rebellion, enlisting in Company E, 9th Kansas, and was killed at
the battle of Stone Lane, Missouri.
Joel Jackson was an Englishman. He was married to Mary Fleek,
who died March 25, 1S97. Upon the death of Mr. Jackson his w-idow was
left with a family of small children. They were: Niton Jackson, of Okla-
homa: William, of Kansas City, Missouri; Joseph, deceased, and Frank
The family remained in lola till 1870 when the mother took a homestead
northeast of town and moved her family and effects onto it. With the aid
of her sons she opened up a farm there and slowly acquired the means to
make them comfortable. All the sons left home, in time, but Frank. He
stuck to the farm, through hard times, poor seasons and poor markets and
encouraged and took care of his mother, never losing faith in Kansas.
Our subject was married in Cowley County, Kansas, in November,
1879. His wife was Miss Lizzie Sutliff, a daughter of Abe Sutliff. She
was born March 31, 1862, and, as a companion, has borne her portion of
the family responsibilities. She is really a "better half" and a genuine
woman and a genuine man are at the head of their family. Their children
are: Nile\-, Milev , John, Effie, Frankie and .\ltie.
As a farmer Frank Jackson has been a success. He has proceeded
upon the theory that if he provided the labor and managed his affairs with
wisdom Providence would do the rest. He never complains or fault-finds
over a crop shortage, but takes a hopeful view of all things. He has a
surplus when anybody has and often when others have not. From a team
and a few cattle he has expanded to a one hundred and twenty acre farm,
well stocked. Although he takes a fervent interest in politics he does so
for the benefit of his party and not for himself. He has always been a Re-
publican, has always practiced honesty and has the confidence and esteem
of his fellow countrvmen.
WOODSON CmiNTIES, KANSAS. I 25
TOXATHAX .M. MATTOOX.— The historic village of Geneva in Allen
*-* count\ is yet rich in the personal presence of pioneers; men whose
years had scarcely reached the quarter century mark when they established
-.hemselves in that connnunity; men whose forms are now bent with years
and awaiting tlie passing of the spirit to be laid away with the honored
dead. When the names of Spicer, Dickey, Esse, Rowland and Mattoon
have passed into the Great Beyond then will Geneva cease to turn to her
first settlers for her "first things" but place her reliance in recoi d-^ instead.
J. M. Mattoon has been one of the characters of Allen county for
nearly iorty-five years. He came to the county in 1857 when the settle-
ment at Geneva was being founded and cast his lot with the brethren of
the east. He had started west eight years before he reached Kansas hint
spent the intervening years in Michigan where he was employed as a
machinist. His place of birth was in Jefferson county. New Vork, and
the date was December 17, 1813. Gershom Mattoon was his father anci
X'^ancy Sayer was his mother, natives of Connecticut and X'^ew Jersey,
respectively. Of the nine children of these parents onh' two survive, viz:
Our subject and a sister, Harriet Williams, of Warsaw, Michigan.
Mr. Mattoon was married to Tracy Hancock and in 1849 went into
Michigan. Eight years later he found himself on the frontier of civiliza-
tion and at the gateway to the great American Desert. Choosing mer-
chandising as his vocation he eng^ged in it with little delay and many
> ears passed ere he laid aside the liquid measure, the yard stick and the
scissors. In, 1858 he was appointed assistant post-master at Geneva and
two years later he was appointed chief of the office. He held this latter
position through several administiations — from Lincoln to McKinley — until
he had held the office more than forty years and was one of the oldest
post-masters in the United States.
In i860 Mr. Mattoon suffered the loss of his wife. She was the
mother of eight children, two sons, both of whom served in the Civil War.
and both of whom have since died. The surviving daughters are: Lucy
J.; Matilda, wife of Henry Gray; Josena, wife of Lotiis Davidson; Cecil
Carry; Mav, wife of Frank Campbell, and Adda, who married William
Hyde.
J. M. Mattoon has filled a place in the affairs of men. He brought
with him to his new western home character and honor and has maintained
them both untarnished and unassailed. Honesty and integrity "blazed"
his pathway and whether transacting his private business or representing
his constituents in a public office his watchword was the same.
"DOBERT F. WHITE.— One of the early settlers in Geneva township,
^ *- Allen county, and a gentleman whose prominence as a farmer and
whose influence in public affairs is universally recognized, is Robert F
White, of lola. He settled on the H. L. vSpencer farm, on the Neosho
126 HISTORY OF ALLEN AN'D
river, in iS66 and fnjni that date till his recent removal to lola he was one
of the central figures of his township. He was born in Washington
county, Indiana, November 20, 18,^4, but his parents removed to Hend-
ricks county and there Mr. White was married and from that point he
came into Kansas. He is a son of Maximillian White who was born in
North Carolina in March 1801 and whose parents settled in Washington
county, Indiana, in 1814. Caleb White, our subject's grandfather, was
a shoemaker. He was born in North Carolina, belonged to the Quaker
sect and passed his later life as a farmer. He married Parthena White
and both are buried in Washington county, Indiana. The children of
this pioneer couple were: Josiah, Ann, Sallie, Penelope, Margaret, Jean-
ette. Caleb and Maximillian White.
Maximillian White was one of the prominent local Whigs in Indiana
and was married in Washington county- to Ruth, a daughter of Lewis and
Jane (Thompson) Woody. Jane (Woody) White died in 1841. Their
children were: Anna, deceased, wife of Simeon Clayton; Asanas, de-
ceased, who married Samuel Nixon: Eliza, deceased, was married to Edwin
Pead; Lewis W., deceased; Robert F., our subject; Walter, deceased, and
Martha White.
R,obert F. White is a typical countryman. His youth and vigorous
manhood were passed amidst rural environments and his student days,
proper, were confined to the district schools, finishing them with a term or
so in an academy. He began life on a farm, when of age, and every other
business is a stranger to him. He left Indiana in 1859 and settled on a
farm in Lyon county. He was in the state militia during the war and was
called out to chase Quantrell, Bill Anderson, and to repel Indian invasion
and to defend Kansas against the Price raid.
Mr. White was first married in 1854 to Esther Hadley. She died in
1S69 and in 1S72 he married Elizabeth Odell. Mrs. White was a daughter
of Isaac and Mary Odell, both from Tennessee. Mrs. White was born in
Coles county, Illinois, in 1834. The other Odell children are: George
W., of Reno county, Kansas; James H., of Neosho Falls, Kansas; Mollie,
wife of John W. Parker, of Coles county, Illinois, and Mattie D., wife of
D. M. Smith, of Mattoon, Illinois.
Robert F. White's children are: Jennie, deceased, wife of A. C.
Settle; J. R. White, who died at twenty-one; Frank D. White, of Geneva,
who married Hester Saferight, and Enos White, who died at twenty-one.
If R. F. White is well known for any one thing it is as a Republican.
He was one of the first voters with the party but he did his first hallowing
in a political campaign for Gen. Harrison in 1840. He has voted at every
presidential election except the one in i860, when he was not a voter. He
has not aspired to serve the people in a public capacity but did so as
Trustee of his township, by appointment.
"WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 1 27
CHARLES \V. HALL has spent his entire life in the Mississippi Valley
and the progressive spirit which dominates this section of the country,
and has led to its wonderful advancement is manifest in his business career.
He was born in Belvidere. Illinois, on the 26th of October, 1852, and is a
son ot Edward and Helen (Wickes) Hah, the former a native of New
York, and the latter of Michigan. From the Wolverine state they removed
to Illinois, where the mother died in 1861, at the age of twenty-seven
3-ears. She had two children, but Charles W. is the only one now living.
When nine years of age Charles W. Hall went to the Empire state
where he resided for a time, afterward living in Illinois and Michigan.
He pursued his education in the common schools supplemented b}' one
term's attendance at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. From early
youth he has made his own way in the world, dependent entirely upon
iiis own resources for a livelihood. At the age of eighteen he began
steamboating on the river, learned the work of a marine engineer and suc-
cessfully passed the engineer's examination, given by Mr. Cole of Port
Huron. He then spent three years as an engineer on the Saginaw river,
and on leaving the water returned to Michigan, where he purchased a
farm.
Mr. Hall then completed his arrangements for a home by his marriage
to Miss Florence Larnbie, in 1875. Their children are: Lottie, wife of
Joseph Reynolds: Nettie, Mary, George and Grace, who are still with
their parents. For eleven years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hall
resided in Michigan, but in 1884 became residents of Denver, Colorado,
where he carried on business as a contractor and builder until 1893, the
year of his arrival in Allen county, Kansas.
In Allen county Mr. Hall purchased a farm of eight}- acres in Cottage
Grove township, five miles south-east of Humboldt, and has erected upon
it a nice residence, a good barn and many other improvements found upon
a farm of the twentieth century. Depending entirely upon his own re-
sources he has worked his way upward, brooking no obstacles that could
be overcome by determined purpose and honorable labor. This has been
the strongest factor in his success. While residing in Denver he was
appointed city inspector and held that position for four years. For seven
years he was chairman of the county central committee. and
has always taken an active part in political work, doing everything in his
power to promote the growth and insure the success of the party in which
he firmly believes.
DUNCAN — Among the settlers of Allen County who located along the
Neosho River in the early seventies and who has maintained his home
here since is James P. Duncan, ex-Register of Deeds of his adopted county.
In November, 1870, he drove his teams and a small bunch of cattle onto
the premises ol Wm. L. Ziuk, three miles northwest of HuinlMjldt. where
lie made his first but temporary home. He resided in this portion of old
Humboldt township till 1 88 1, serving one-half of this tune as Trustee of
the township, when he removed to Humboidt and it was from this latter
point that he was appointed, by the Board of County Commissioners, Reg-
ister of Deeds to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Jesse Fast. In this
position he served nearly seven years, or until January, 1890.
The subject of this review left the wooded country of Indiana in 1865
and made his residence respectively in Cooper County, Missouri, Douglas
County, Kansas, and in Grundy County, Missouri, before his arrival in
Allen County, as above slated. He was born in Putnam County, Indiana,
March 22, 1840, was reared "in the clearing," and "niggering off logs"
and burning brusli formed a goodlv share of his youthful occupation. He
was three times enlisted in the Civil war, first in the ySth Indiana Volun-
teers; second, in the 115th Indiana X'olunteers, Colonel Hahn, and third,
in the iith Indiana Volunteers. Colonel Lew Wallace. He served in an
humble capacity "with the bo>s" and when his services were no longer
needed he was discharged and returned home.
October 24, 1858, occurred the marriage of the subject of this review. His
wife was nee Mary Ellen Baile\ . a notice of whose ancestry will appear farther
on in this article. Eight children resulted from this union, viz: Annie, who
died at one year old; Lew Wall^ice; Nora C. and Dora C , twins, born
November 3, 1863. The former married Orlando P. Rose at Humboldt,
Kansas, June 19, 1883, died October 29, 1884, leaving a son, Ora D. Rose,
of Kansas City, Missouri; Dora C. married the husband of her sister, Or-
lando P. Rose, and resides in Kansas City, Missouri; Horace Otho, who
died October 30, 1886, at nineteen years of age; J. Edgar, who died in
Apnl, 1873 at four years of age; Harry Evert, born December 24, 187 1, is
practicing dentistry in Humboldt, Kansas and M. Agnes, born February 28,
1874, married Ernest L. Brown and died July 22, 1898, leaving two dangh-
ters, Nita and Lois.
In an efiort to trace up the Duncan genealog3^ as in every other like
effort, it will be necessary to bring in the names of heads ot families remote
from the subject hereof, but as this volume is devoted in a measure to the
preserving of records along these lints, for the satisfaction and enlighten-
ment of their posterity, none of the family names will be omitted from this
record whose strain can be shown to have effected the subject hereof or his
posterity.
The earliest record of the Duncans of this .strain, finds them located in
the counties of Culpepper and Fauquier, Virginia. Oui subject's great
grandfather was one of two men, Charles or William Duncan, whose father,
it is believed, was the Scotch ancestor who was responsible for the estab-
lishment of one branch of this American family. Three children of this
doubtful ancestor referred to above are known to have survived, as follows:
Henry, the grandfather of James P. Duncan, Charles, who reared a family
in Missouri, and a daughter who married a Covington, after whom the city
of Covington, Kentucky, was named. Henry Duncan was born about
•WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 29
J 780, and during the last decade of the 18th century migrated to Bath
County, Kentucky, where, about 1803 he married Polly Combs. Their
•children were: Matilda, who married Coleman Covington, her cousin, and
a woolen manufacturer; James, father of our subject, born in 1^06:
Margaret; Miranda, wlio became the wife of William Barnett; Hiram, Jep-
tha, Granvil and George. Henry Duncan died in Cooper Count)', Missouri,
where some of his sons reared families.
James Duncan, father of our subject, was married in Kentucky to
Annie Proctor, a daughter of James B. and Elizabeth Proctor. The last
named married a daughter of an old well-to-do planter, Valentine and
Elizabeth (Hicks) Tudor, of Madison County, Kentucky, and went up into
Indiana about 1830, and settled in Boone County. His sons-in-law James
Duncan, David Hedge and John Blackburn all passed their lives between
North Salem and Lebanon and in that section the venerable couple lived
honorable Christian lives and died. The children of James and Annie
(Proctor) Duncan were: Mary, who married William Woodard, left t.wo
children at death, Leonidas E. A,, and Froncy: Coleman C, who resides
in Clay City, In'liana, married Lizzie Glenn and reared Dr. Walter C;
William, May and Franka; Dr. William, who died without heirs just after
the war; Annie, wife of Champ C. Yeager, of Allen County, Kansas, is the
mother of three surviving children, James L., of Oregon, Mary E. , wife
of E. W. Trego, of Allen County, Kansas, and Faucis M. , of St. Joseph,
Missouri; James P. Duncan, our subject; Miranda, wife of Andrew J.
vStephens, of Rich Hill, Missouri, with issue as follows: James, Dillon,
Annie L. and William; George W. Duncan, who married Nan Davis, has
two children, Elmer, of Colorado, and Mrs. Lulu Davis, of North Salem,
Indiana; John W., who married Betty Owen and died near Humboldt,
Kansas, February, i8g8, leaving Pheres, Mrs. Frelia Stewart, Einmert,
of the Indian Territory, Mrs. Thella Booe, of Indiana, Bertha, Buhlon and
Olin; Alinanda (Duncan) Ray, deceased, left five chiidren in Indiana;
Nancy Duncan, who married John Gosnold, of Kansas City, has four chil-
dren: Laura, Bessie, Edna, and Nina; Kittie Duncan, deceased, wife of
William Long, left four children near Holden, Missouri. James Duncan's
first wife died in 1855 and a few years later he married Mrs. Amanda Dean,
who bore him Ruth, Belle, Elmer and Delia, twins, Charles and Minerva.
James Duncan and his sons were in the main, farmers. He was one of the
old line Whigs of Putnam County, Indiana, and became a Republican
upon the organization of that party. His sous were all patriots during the
Rebellion and three of them rendered active service in the army. He
passed away in 1S85 in North Salem and is buried at Maysville, Indiana.
Lew Wallace Duncan, second child of our subject, was born near
North Salem, Indiana, June 22, 1861. His mother was a daughter of
Zachariah Bailey, who was born in Kentucky in 1812 and was married to
Eliza Frame. The father was a son of William Bailey, who was born
March 6, 1784, and who married Margaret Green, born in 1790. Their
children were; Lucretia, born in 18 10, married Hiram Mitchell, and spent
her life in Indiana; Zachariah, born January 5, 1812, and died in Topeka,
130 HISTORY OK ALI.EX AND
Kansas. July 7,' iSSg; John T., born Dec. 14, i8i3,and died at Augusta.
Kansas, and Chas. W. , born January 24, 1816. William Bailey died about
1S16, and his widow married Moses Vice, four years his wile's junior. The
ch.ildren of the latter union were: Maliala, Wiuey, Sallie Ann, Moses.
Alafair and Nancy G. Matilda J. Zachariah Bailey reared his fsruily in
Indiana and in Johnson and Butler counties, Kansas. His twelve children
were: John W. ; killed at Winchester, Virginia; Mary E. who married our
subject and died in lola, Kansas, January 25, 1893, was born April 14,
1841: Sallie Ann (Bailey) Welch, born August 2, 1843, died at Lawrence,
Kansas, September 1 1, 1870: William F. , born August 24, 1845, served
three years in the nth Indiana Volunteers during the Rebellion, resides in
Topeka; Asbury H. , born August 27, 1847, resides in Topeka; James M. ,
born March 25, 1850, lives in Topeka, was married to Emma Clark and
has a son Arthur; L,ucretia M., deceased, married Chris Pickerell and left
children: Hattie Fellows of Griswold, Iowa, and George. Lorenzo A. Bai-
ley, of Colorado Springs, married Mary McCartney. He was born June 21,
1854. Matilda J. (Bailey) Nordine, born November 3, 1856, has two sons
and resides in Topeka; Zachariah C. Bailey, deceased, born May 17, 1859,
was married to Florence Hart and left six children in Oklahoma; Eliza
Charlotte (Bailey) Simcock, born January 20, 1S62, resides in Topeka and
has four children, and Phebe Alice, who died single. L- W. Duncan of
this sketch, was reared in Allen County, educated at the Kansas State
Normal school, taught school for a time, made abstracts of title two years
in Allen County, was with a surveying party on the resurvey^ of the Utah
Central Railway in the spring of 1890, spent the fall of the same year on
the flax inspection force of the Chicago Board of Trade and in August 1891 ,
joined the Lewis Publishing Company, of Chicago, and was in their em-
ploy in various parts of the United States for nine years. In 1900 he
engaged in the business of publishing histories. June 22, 1887, he was
married to Annie M., a daughter of Benjamin and Fredrica (Zeigler)
Keyser, Maryland settlers who came into Allen County in 18S1. Mr. and
Mrs. Duncan's children are: Edna L. . born May 25, 1 88S; Alfa I. , born
May 29, 1889: Lue W., born July 14, 1890, and Clifford Morrill, born Nov.
8, 1894.
September 20, 1893, James P. Duncan married Mrs. Margaret Swear-
ingen, widow of the late well known old soldier, Joseph Swearingen, of
lola. The latter left two children. Fuller Swearingen, who served in the
20th Kansas in the Philippine Insurrection, and Miss Josie Swearingen.
JOHN W. EDWARDS, the well known farmer and speculator of La-
'-' Harpe, Allen County, came into Allen County, permanently April 23,
1879. His native place is Kendall County, Illinois, where his birth oc-
curred March 2, 1845. Thomas Edward, his father, was a Welch man.
borq near Liverpool in 1812, and received what was then termed a liberal
Q<titvu ff, ^^{^^^^^ "^//t.
o/?^<aL.^^>G, >t/'^-<S^^---<
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 131
education. He spent .several years in the mercantile business in Liver-
pool and came to tlie United States in 1842 in search of a patch of ground
that he could call his own. Passing through Chicago when it was scarcelv a
village and not being satisfied with the wet low land where that city now
stands, he wandered forty miles farther west and selected 160 acres of land
near Oswego, Kendall County, Illinois, paying $1. 25 per acre. He was
married to Susan Miller in 1842 and they lived on the Oswego farm forty-
four years, until the death of Mrs. Edwards in 1886, when he moved to
.\Uen County, Kansas. Here he resided with his son, J. W. Edwards,
until his death, which occurred August 12, 1891. Their children are:
Sarah, wife of Er Park, of Allen County, Kansas; John W., Mary J., who
married James Andrews, of Plainfield, Illinois; Evan T. , deceased; Melissa,
wife of R. L. Manley, of lola, and Melinda, wife of Riley Beach, of Big
Springs, Colorado
Our subject grew up on the Illinois homestead and was schooled in a
country school located on his father's farm. Afterward at Clark Seminary,
Aurora, Illinois, and in Bryant & Stratton's Business College, Chicago.
He started in business as a bookkeeper in a plumbing establishment in
Chicago, and later became a clerk in Smith Bros, wholesale house in that
city. He returned to his father's farm some time later and remained a
fanner in the vicinity some five years. He went into the butcher business
in Oswego, Illinois and followed it with reasonable success six years. In
the spring of 1879 he moved with his family to Allen County, Kansas and
settled on and improved his present farm east of LaHarpe. His success as
a farnrer and stock dealer in Allen County has netted him a neat profit.
His farm acreage has materially increased and his investments in other
lines have shown him to be a man of ^ood business judgment. In 1896 he
Ijecame interested in Tola real estate and has owned and platted three ad-
ditions and is interested in the fourth, east of town on the Jeffries
tract.
Mr. Edwards was married at Sandwich, Illinois, June 29, 1870, to Alice,
a daughter of John Pearce, an Ohio settler. The children of this marriage
are: Arthur W., who married Sarah Lawler; Luther P., who married Nel-
lie Walton; Clarence O., who married Jennie Walton, now decea.sed, and
Roy C, who is single and still at home. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards are raising
their grandson Vernon Edwards. Mr. Edwards has been trusteeand record-
ing steward since the organization of the M. E. church at LaHarpe.
T SAAC S. COE — The subject of this review is one of the characters in the
J- settlement and development of Allen County, where he has maintained
his residence for a third of a century, and is the Republican postmaster of
LaHarpe. He arrived in the county June 28, 1868, and has led a varied
life of farming, trading, breeding, and the like, and his home has been
r32 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
maintained either in Marmaton or Elm townships during all these years.
The record of Isaac S. Coe is not a briet one. His life spans a mightj'
^pnce of time — a record breaking era — and to undertake to present in detail
his successes and reverses and the innumerable incidents which have oc-
curred to influence his life is a task not the province of this article to accom-
plish. To note such events as serve as milestones in his career and to present
such facts of family history as are necessaty to identify the American race of
Goes is all that is contemplated and attempted herein.
Isaac S. Coe was born August i6, 1822, in the township of Hemp-
stead, Rockland County, New York. He was a son of Samuel I. and Mary
(Conklin) Coe, both natives of that County, who were the parents of twelve
children, viz.: Ann, Sarah, Elizabeth, Martha, George S., Mary, Samuel
S., John S., Charlotte, Harriet, Isaac S., and Jesse S., all of whom mar-
ried and reared families except Charlotte. In January 1827, the mother
died and fifteen years later the father was removed unto the beyond.
Our subject resided with his married sisters during his boyhood and, at
times, worked with their husband.s at their business as "roust-about' ' in a store
or what not, and was deprived in a large measure of the youthful privilege of
obtaining a good school training. At fifteen years of age, having tried
various occupations and with no special liking for any of them, his father
put him to trade with the firm of Gale, Wood & Hughes, New York
City, and he was later bound to John C. Moore, a carpenter and builder,
with whom he became a skilled workman. His promise of the pittance of
twenty-fn-e dollars per year for five years, the term for which he was bound,
not being forthcoming, and suffering the further neglect of poor clothing
and insufficient food, he terminated the agreement by summarily quitting
his master. His father then gave him the remainder of his time and he
engaged with the great cab and coach maker of Newark, New Jersey,
Gilbert and Van Derwurken. Wood & Hughes were his next employers
and with this important firm he remained many months. Work growing
scarce he went back to his old home near Haverstraw, New York, and set
up his first independent business — at wagon-making — on the Nyack turn-
pike. This shop he opened in 1840 and an era of prosperity opened up for
the young mechanic. In the spring of 18.5.1 he married Sarah E. Felter, of
Bergen County, New Jersey, a daughter of an Englishman, Alexander
Feiter. Selling his shop and business Mr. Coe engaged in improving a
new home nearby and following market gardening and poultry raising for
the New York market. In ten years he had accumulated a few hundred
dollars; and, with his family, emigrated to DuPage County, Illinois. In
the town of Fullersburg he associated himself with his brother, John S.
Coe, a fine blacksmith, and the two built up an immense business. It was
soon necessary to enlarge their shop and many men were required to do
their work instead of two. In August, 1854, his wife died and our subject
.sold his business and, after exploring Minnesota somewhat he settled at
Faribault and set up business. Again he found things to his hand and
prospered for the two years he occupied the shop. Selling out he took a
claim near town and undertook to farm. This venture was disastrous and
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I33
lie spent much of his accumulations before he could stop the drift. In 1859
lie left Minnesota with the remnant of his family and in June, 1859, stopped
at Syracuse, Missouri. He bought the Overland Sta^e Company's shops
and immediately stepped into a large business. He prospered there and
remained at the helm of a growing business till the war cloud of the Re-
bellion lowered upon him and forced his retirement.
The period of the Civil war now being on Mr. Coe's first service
rendered was for the telegraph company, repairing their line from Syra-
cuse to Springfield, Missouri This was a trying and dangerous job and
was accomplished by him.self and an assistant. This completed he was
ordered to take down and coil the wire from Jefferson City to Boonville
which he did without injury from the enemy and on October 4th, 1861, he
enlisted in the Sigel Scouts under Captain William Smallwood and was
appointed 2nd sergeant. He was detached on the 15th and made Gen.
Sigel's chief scout. In this capacity he rendered much valuable service to
the Federal commanders, Lane and Lyons, in Missouri, and experienced
many hardships and privations incident to this peculiar branch of service.
Being under the orders of General Osterhaus and once chafing under a
stretch of idleness he asked for some duty and was ordered to rep Drt to
Captain Phil Sheridan. Sheridan appointed him to be inspector of mills
for a radius of twenty miles: to learn their condition, their capacity, needed
repairs and the amount of grain in store. Coe's last service as a scout was
about Clinton, Missouri, in the interest of the ist Iowa cavalry and as an
independent scout. August 13, 1862, he enlisted in the 33rd Missouri in-
fantr\^ commanded b)' Clinton B. Fiske. He was appointed drill-master of
the awkward squad and later made head quartermaster-sergeant for Adjutant
Halloway and was still later promoted to sergeant major of the regiment.
He was promoted in the spring of 186310 2nd Lieutenant of Company C
and after the battle of Helena was raised to ist lieutenant for gallant and
conspicuous service as gunner. He was ordered to the command of Com-
pany I of the 33rd regiment and remained in that position till near the end
of the war. In the regular .service Mr. Coe was in the following battles
and expeditions: Vazoo Pass, Helena, Ark.; White River Expedition, Mis-
sissippi Expedition, storming of Ft. De Russy, La.; destruction of Ft.
Rollins, battle of Pleasant Hill, Cane River, Old River Lake, West Ten-
nessee F)xpedition, battle of Tupelo, Nashville, and march to East Port,
Mississippi, where he was detached by General McArthur to organize the
ambulance corps of the western division. With all his equipment and
paraphernalia in readiness, in three days he was ordered to Vicksburg to
reorganize the corps there, but finding no purveyor there he was ordered to
take his command to New Orleans, where it was fully organized and taken
on to Dauphin Island in Mobile Bay. In pursuance of orders he finally
found his command in front of Ft. Spanish in time to take care of the first
wounded man from the field. At the close of the incidents around Ft.
Blakely the hospital corps was ordered to Selma, Alabama, and there our
subject established his headquarters. His final orders were to turn over
certain property to the proper officer at Selma and still other property at
134 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
\'icksljurg to the purveyor of the department and report at Benton Barracks
to be mustered out.
Returning home to Syracuse, Missouri, sick, he recuperated some
time before engaging again in civil pursuits. He repaired his'propertv,
run down by destructive usage by the military forces, and undertook to re-
build and re-establish himself in his old home. In 1868 he disposed of his
Missouri interests and became a settler on the prairies of Allen County,
Kansas.
Mr. Coe has been four times married and is now a widower. His first
marriage occurred before he was twenty years of age, as has been stated,
and the children of this union were: Sarah P,, Mary A., Arlena B. , Ann,
Jesse and Harriet E. In September, 1855, Mr. Coe married Mrs. Mary
(Knapp) Bell, from whom he separated in Minnesota. In the year 1866
he married Nannie B. Tease, of Syracuse, Missouri, who died in 1868. In
1872 he married Mary Miller. She lived something more than ten years
and again left him a widower. As a result of this sad incident Mr. Coe
sold all his effects and spent some time on the road selling electric belts,
medicines, notions and was engaged in this vocation when the election of
1896 occurred. With the assurance of there being a change in the post-
mastership at LaHarpe. Allen County, he became a petitioner for the office
and brought such influence to bear upon the department as to secure his
appointment in April, 1897. He took the office the ist of May following.
In his political affiliations Mr. Coe has ever been a Republican. Since
1S56 when that organization placed its first candidate in the field for presi-
dent he has espoused the party principles and has modestly given its candi-
date his support.
A SEPH E. WRIGHT, Assessor of the City of lola, and for many
'^~^ years buyer and shipper of stock, was born in Ashtabula county,
Ohio, December 15, 1840. His father, Ralph K. Wright, was a Conneaut
township farmer, who was reared, lived and died in Ashtabula county, was
born in Massachusetts September 5, 1803, and at the age of three years was
brought to the Western Reserve. He was a son of Ralph Wright who
opened out a farm in Conneaut township and died upon it about 1856 at
the age of seventy-eight years. He was prosperous, thoroughly repre-
sentative, a Free Soiler and then an Abolitionist. He married a Miss
King and six of their eleven children lived to rear families: Ralph K.,
AbelK., Frank K., Sophia, wife of Seymour Stephens; Mary, wife of
Conover Conover and Caroline who married Charles Simons, of Fairfield,
Ohio.
Ralph King Wright was a thorough-going farmer who was born in
Connecticut in 1808 and died in 1870. He married Ann Grisvvold and
their children were: Harriet A., whose second hu.sband was Edward
Brooks. vShe resides in Conneaut, Ohio; Aseph Eugene; Josephine, wife of
X\~OODSOX COrxTIES, KANSAS. I^J
Luther Ri pie v. of Detroit, Michigan: Arniena, of Detroit, is the wife of
John Randall: Florence, of Cotineaut, Ohio, is the wife of Lester Griswold;
Vina, of Comieaut. Ohio, married Poorest Wellinan: Electa, of Ashtabula,
Ohio, wife of Alonzo Randall.
A. E. Wright secured a country school education and remained with
the old home till twenty-three years of age. He earned his first money, as
a j'outh, driving an ox team at thirty cents a day. He began life inde-
pendently as a farmer, but was soon attracted to the Pennsylvania oil
fields and spent a few years there with profit. In 1862 he went to Huron
county, Ohio, where he devoted himself to the farm and stock till his
removal to Kansas. In 1871 he came to Allen county and made per-
manent settlement on a farm in Elm township. Some years later he located
in lola and engaged in the grocer}^ business on the "Simpson corner,"
where the New York Store now stands. He was an lola merchant nine
\ears and was succeeded, in 18S7, by Port brothers.
Mr. Wright engaged in the buying and shipping of stock some ten
years ago. He has billed out many thousand head of both cattle and hogs
and his face is a familiar one to the buyers and packers of Kansas City.
Notwithstanding Mr. Wright has been busy he has taken time to help
in the political battles of Allen county. He was elected Trustee of Elm
township and served three years and served in the same capacity in lola
township four years. He was elected Assessor of lola in 1889 for a term
of two years. His frequent re-elections are a sufficient guaranty of
the efficiency of his public service and only once has he suffered defeat at
the polls. He is one of the staunch Republicans of the count}- and,
whether in success or defeat, he is always a Republican.
December 26, 1866, Mr. Wright was married in Ripley township,
Huron county, Ohio, to Tacy P. Green, a daughter of William A. and
Adah (Kebby) Green, who came into Ohio from Rhode Island. The
Green children are: Eli/.a Green, Susan, George, Mary, Harrison, Tacy,
Whitford and Rilla. Mr. and Mrs. Wright's surviving children aie:
Adah A. and Blanche Wright. Two sons, Herbert aad Ralph, are dead.
A A T'lLLIAM MERCHANT, of Wise. Allen county, whose residence
^ " in Allen county for the past thirty years has been mutually bene-
ficial to the county and to himself and whose citizenship and patriotism is
of a high and commendable order, was born in Fayette count}', Ohio,
October g, 1825. His father was William Merchant who accompanied his
widowed mother into Highland county, that state in 1813. Berkley
county, Virginia, was their native heath and there our subject's father was
born in 1800. He was married in Fayette county in 1822 to Elizabeth
Smith, a daughter of Isaac Smith who also went to Highland county from
Berkley county, Virginia. Soon after his arrival in Ohio William Mer-
chant the first was bound to a blacksmith in Greenfield and only became a
1^6 HISTORY OF ALLEN ANTI
farmer after main- years spent at fiis trade. He became one of the sub-
stantial men of liis community, was public spirited and influential and was
ail. "old side Methodist." His father, Abraham Merchant, belonged to
one of the old families of the "Dominion" State. His origin and that of
his paternal ancestors is not a matter of tangible record.
Our subject's maternal ancestors were the Bulls of Virginia. Their
history dates back to Colonial days and theirs were some of the Patriots
who crossed blades with the British in the days of "seventy-six."
Elizabeth Merchant died in 1893 at the age of eighty -eight years.
Her children were: Isaac, William, John, of Chicago, 111.; Jonah, of
Leesburg, Ohio; Abraham, who died in California in the service of his
country; Naham, deceased, was a soldier in California; Sarah, deceased,
who married Jacob Kaylor, Rebecca, who became the wife of Hugh
Snj^der, and Nancy, who resides in Jaj' county, Indiana, is the widow of
Charles Fishback.
William Merchant, our subject, was schooled in the log cabin school
houses of Ohio and grew up on the farm. July 19, 1849, he married
Sarah, a daughter of John Breakfield, whose family was also Irom Berkley
county, Virginia. Mrs. Merchant was born in Fayette county, Ohio,
February 28, 1828. In 1850 Mr. Merchant left his father's place and took
possession of a tract of his own purchase. This he cultivated till 1870
when he was induced to dispose of it and become a resident of Kansas.
For twenty years he devoted himself to intelligent cultivation and manage-
ment of his Ohio farm and his experience and his accumulations placed
him in an advantage when located upon his Alien county farm. He pur-
chased on Deer Creek the John Martin tract of 160 acres and out of his
earnings both before and since 1870 he has added five other quarters mak-
ing a total of 960 acres. His is at once a farm and a ranch for Deer Creek
bottom excels in the production of grain while the prairies and hill land
furnish fine range accessible to the waters of the creek.
The patriotism of the Merchants is noteworthy and unbounded.
Wherever their countiy calls there they respond, even with their lives.
During the Civil war William Merchant volunteered for the defense of
Ohio and was one of the Morgan pursuers. Two of his brothers enlisted
in the volunteer service and thus the cause of the Union was upheld and
the loyalty of the Merchants demonstrated. In politics, as in war, our
subject has been on the right side. His ancestors were Whigs and he cast
his maiden vote for Gen." Taylor, and for Gen. Scott, the last two Whig
candidates for the presidency. He was a Fremont man in 1856, a Lincoln
man in 1860-4 and a supporter of Grant, Hayes, Blaine, Harrison and
McKinley. As for actively engaging in local political frays Mr. Merchant
never does. His moral attitude leads him to the support of municipal
candidates who .stand for principle instead of spoils. His whole life is one
long Christian example and moral lesson. He became a Christian in early
life and has done much religious work in the home and in the pulpit. He
is a licensed preacher of the Methodist church and his talks are filled with
earnestness and Christian zeal. Mr. and Mrs. Mecrhant's children are:
£''!^ hfSi^.m/^i,v„s3BmNir'
if-
^/^^^
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I37
Eliza E. , who married Bela Latham; Josephine, widow of Arthur Latham;
Mary E. Merchant, and Nancy J., wife of William Moffit, of Folsom, New-
Mexico.
William Merchant is one of the strong characters of Allen county.
His distinguishing marks are his pronounced sincerity, his unstinted
lionesty and his intense Christian simplicity. He is a man among men
and a gentleman without taint or suspicion.
LEVI LEE NORTHRUP. — The history of a community is largely
made up of the biography of a few^ individuals, and the history of
lola and Allen county can never be written without including also the
record of L. L- Northrup, one of the pioneers of the county, and from the
date of his arrival until the day of his death one of the largest factors in its
business.
L. L. Northrup was a son of Lewis Northrup, a brick mason, and of Eliz-
abeth Lathrop, and was born in Geneseo county, New York, April 12, 1818.
There were three other sons. Rev. G. S., who died at Geneva, Kansas;
Ezra L. , who died at Rippon, Wisconsin, and Charles Northrup whose
whereabouts have been unknown since the period of the Civil War.
When but two years of age, by the death of his mother, the family
home was broken up and Levi L. Northrup was taken into the household
of an uncle at Elmira, New York, by whom he was brought up. His
schooling was only such as the very indifferent common schools of that
day afforded and his education was, therefore, limited.
As he approached manhood he was put to learn the woolen manu-
facturing tiade, and in 1S40 he had saved enough out of his wages to be
able to engage in the business on his own account, which he did at
Albion, New York. His business prospered and the young factor seemed
fairly started on the road to wealth when, in 1846, his factory was burned
and there was little left of the accumulation of six years of work and
care.
Nothing daunted, however, the young man set to work again and it
was not long till he was again engaged in the manufacture of woolen
goods this time at LaFayette, Indiana. But the same misfortune overtook
him here as at Albion for he had not long been in operation when fire
swept away his plant, and his resources, for the second time, were ser-
iously crippled. A third time he set up in the same business, the last time
at Thorntown, Indiana, where an uncle became his partner and where, for
some years a thriving business was done and the foundation of a modest
fortune started.
In 1858, at the earnest solicitation of the Union Settlement Company,
which had bought a large body of land in Allen county, Kansas, and had
laid out the town of Geneva, he disposed of his interest in the
138 HISTORY OF .\LLEN AND
woolen mill and removed to this state, bringing, as his entire capital, a
sni-iU stock of general merchandise and a saw-mill; the whole representing
an investment of, perhaps, three thousand dollars. He located first at
Geneva, but wh-n t!ie town of lola was laid out, a year later, he estab-
lished a branch store there. Three years later, the expectation of its
founders, that Geneva would grow into a city, not having been realized,
Mr. Northrup removed with his family to lola, and in 1869 he concentrated
all his business interests in the latter town which ever afterward remained
his home.
Up to this time he had been engaged only in general merchandising,
but he now established a bank, the first in lola, which soon became one of
the most important factors in the business life of the town. One of the
few Kansas banks that lived through the panic of '73, it became steadih
more strongly entrenched in popular favor, until its large business war-
ra ited its re-organization in 1900 as a National Bank. As the "ISTorthrup
National Bank" it has become known and is generally recognized as one of
tiie leiding financial institutions of southeastern Kansas. It may be of in-
terest to note in this connection, that the small two-story building originally
erected for the use of the bank, and which was famed at the time as the fin-
est building south of Ottawa, has now given way to the Masonic Temple,
the new bank having transferred its business to the splendid structure that
bears its name.
In 1877 Mr. Northrup practically turned the business of his store ov-er
to his oldest son, O. P. Northrup, who managed it with marked ability
and success until failing health, which resulted in his death, in 1892, com-
pelled him to give up his place to his younger brothers, in whose name the
store has ever since been conducted.
After relinquishing the management of the store, Mr. Northrup gave
his entire attention to the bank, to the lumber business which he had
established about the same time, and to large landed and other outside
interests, continuing, until overtaken by his last illness, with marvelous
industry and activity, to look after the least details of a great and always
growing business.
Mr. Northrup was married at Thorntown, Indiana, February 27,
1849, to Mary E. Pearce, a daughter of John S. and Jane (Code)Pearce who
came to the United States from England and of whose seven children four
survive: Thos. E. and John A. Pearce, farmers near Edgerton, Kansas,
and Mrs. C. E. DeVore, of Bushhell, Illinois, and Mrs. Northrup. Of
the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Northrup but three survive:
Frank Altes, Lewis Eee and Delmer Pearce Northrup, for many years
actively and successfully engaged in business in lola.
Although all his life an unremitting and indefatigable worker, Mr.
Northrup enjoyed robust health until about three years before his death
when he suffered an attack of lagrippe. He was present at his desk, not-
withstanding his enfeebled condition, until a few months before his taking-
away, March 3, 1896. Two days later, when the funeral services were
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I -g
held, business in tola \va- suspended while the friends of a lifetime joined
in paying tribute to his memory.
The foregoing is a brief sketch of a busy, eventful and successful
life. It is the story of a boy born in poverty and obscurity, orphaned in infan-
cy, thrown upon the world with meager education and with no capital but
his own brains and skill and industry and character, fighting his way step
by step until he had amassed a large if not a great fortune. And this
fortune was not made by any sudden or un worked for stroke of "luck," or
by some fortunate speculation It was accumulated slowly and as the result
of economy, good judgment and tireless industry.
Mr. Northrup was intensely loyal to his town and was always counted
upon as one of the large contributors to any enterpri.se that was to be
undertaken for the advancement of public interests. In the early days
. when it was a question whether the Missouri Pacific railroad should come
to lola or go to a rival town, it was Mr. Northrup's open purse and active
effort that did more than anything else to secure the prize for lola. He
was especially earnest and effective in his efforts to have tola's natural gas
field developed and utilized. In short he gave freely in time, labor and
money, to any and every undertaking that promised to advance the interest
of Ida.
Ne.xt to the town in general, the Presbyterian Church, of which he
was a life -long member, was the most especial object of Mr. Northrup's
interest and care. In the beginning, when the struggling church was
occupying a little building on the corner of State and West streets, Mr.
Northrup personally did the janitor work and attended to all the little
"chores" that had to be done to keep the house in order and have it
ready for the various meetings. And for a great many years, indeed from
the time of its organization until his death, he bore one-fourth of the entire
expense of maintaining the church. He was a teacher in the Sundav
School for nearly a full quarter of a century, and as long as his health
permitted he was a regular attendant upon all of the services of the church.
The faith in the Christian religion, which prompted all these good works,
was the faith of a little child, unquestioning and undoubting, and it abided
with him to the very end, so that he leaned upon it as upon a staff when
he walked down, without fear and without repining, into the valley of the
shadow.
Like most men who devote themselves successfully to business pur-
suits, Mr. Northrup cared little for society. In his own home, however,
he was most hospitable to his guests and loving and indulgent to his wife
and children. Always and in all things a modest man, there was never
any display, any vain show of wealth; but the family home was always the
home of comfort and contentment and true happiness.
The large businesses which Mr. Northrup so firmly established, —
merchandizing, banking and lumber, — have been most successfully con-
tinued by his sons, who have shown in the management of their large
estate many of the qualities of sagacity, industry, public spirit and un-
swerving honesty that were shown by their father in its accumulation. So
I40 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
that in the considerable city which lola has now beconie, "the Northrups"
occupy the same relative position as their father occupied before them in
the then modest village, and the family name stands now, as it has stood
in lola and in Allen county for more than forty years, as the synonym for
business enterprise, success and integrity.
TI^REDERICK KETTLE— Among the practical, progressive farmers of
-•- Carlyle township, Allen County, is numbered Mr. Kettle, who was
born in England, April 22, 1859, a son of Robert and Jane (Roland)
Kettle. The mother died at the age of thirty-five years, but the father
came to America in 1873, and is now living near lola, at the age of seven-
ty-six years.
Mr. Kettle, of this review, was reared in the land of his birth and at
the early age of twelve years entered the employ of the Britania Rolling
Mills, with which he was connected until the time of his emigration to
America. These were the largest rolling mills in England, utilizing one
thousand tons of metal each week. As his educational privileges were
limited he attended night schools. In the year 1881 he crossed the Atlan-
tic and has since been a resident of Allen County, Kansas. When he ar-
rived here he knew nothing of farming, having never seen an ear of corn
growing, or had hold of a cultivator handle up to that time; but he possessed
a resolute spirit and readily adapted himself to his new surroundings.
In 1882 Mr. Kettle was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Menzer, a
native of Germany and a daughter of Conrad Menzer, a resident of lola,
who came to Kansas when Mrs. Kettle was only twelve years of age. After
his marriage Mr. Kettle began farming on his own account, renting land.
He lived upon two rented farms, making his home on each for about nine
years. He then purchased about eight)' acres of land on Deer Creek and
the rich, productive soil enables him to raise from fifty to seventy-five
bushels of corn per acre. One of the first things he learned in connection
with his life in the new world was always to have the best of everything,
and this he has followed in equipping his farm with buildings and machinery.
His has been an industrious and active life and through his well directed
efforts he has acquired a competence. He raises cattle and hogs, to
which he feeds his corn, and in the sale of his stock he has acquired a good
income.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kettle have been born seven children, namely:
Libbie and Lillie, twins; Agnes J., Hattie H., Florence M., George F. ,
and Robert R. They have been trained to habits of industry and are now
very helpful to their parents. In his political views Mr. Kettle is a Re-
publican, and while he is thoroughly conversant with the issues of the day
he has never sought nor desired office, preferring to give his entire time
and attention to his business affairs.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 14I
SHERMAN G. ROGERS — Sherman G. Rogers is actively and prom-
jnentlj' connected with educational interests in Allen County, his ability
in the line of his chosen calling having won him prestige as an instructor.
His life cannot fail to prove of interest, showing as it does the opportunities
that lie before men of determined purpose, for at the early age of eleven
years he started out to earn his own living and has since been depending
entirely upon his own resources. Such a history is an exemplification of
the lines of the poet who wrote:
"There is no chance, no destiny, no fate
Can circumvent or hinder or control
The firm resolve of a determined soul.
Gifts count for little; will alone is great;
All things give way before it, soon or late."
Professor Rogers was born in Adams County, Indiana, on the 23rd of
January, 1868, his parents being James and Margaret (Pitts) Rogers, both
of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, The mother died in 1875, leaving
four children, of whom Mr. Rogers of this review is the youngest. He was
then eleven years of age. In 1879 his father removed to Kansas, purchas-
ing a farm in Osage township, Allen County, but was not long permitted to
enjoy his new home, his death occurring about three months later. Sher-
man G. Rogers was then left an orphan, and, receiving no patrimony, he
was forced to provide for his own livelihood. Having acquired his pre-
liminary education in the common schools he desired to further perfect his
knowledge and to this end he pursued a two years' course in the Fort
Scott Normal, meeting the expenses of his normal study with money which
he had himself earned. Subsequently he learned telegraphy at Moran and
secured a position on the Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad, but after a year he
resigned in order to enter upon educational labor. He successfully passed
the teachers' examination, received his certificate and setured a school in
the district where he had acquired his education when a boy. For seven
j-ears he has been a representative of the profession, being employed in
various parts of Allen County, and is now for the fourth term acting as
teacher in the East Liberty school district. As a student he was thorough,
fully mastering the branches to which he gave his consideration, and now
he has the faculty of imparting clearly and concisely the knowledge he has
acquired. At the present time he is devoting his leisure to the study of
medicine, under the direction of Dr. O'Flyng, of Elsmore, perusing the
medical text books after his day's work in the school room is ended. His
strong force of character, laudable ambition and resolute purpose will en-
able him to achieve success in whatever line of life he decides to cast his
lot. He is also engaged in teaching several classes in vocal music, pos-
sessing considerable talent in that direction. He is now serving as choris-
ter and Sunday School superintendent in the Methodist Episcopal church
in Elsmore. It would be almost tautological in this connection to say that
he is a man of broad mind and progressive spirit, for these have been
shadowed forth between the lines of this review. Although he is a young
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
man, his career is one \vorth\' of emulation, being characterized by marked
fidelity to duty, by earnest purpose, by manly principles and sincere
actions.
LYMAX F. PALMER, lola's reliable marble and granite cutter, came
into Kansas in 1893 and located for business in Burlington. He re-
mained at that point until October, 1895, when he saw the future of the
gas belt and established himself in lola. He was formerly from Chicago,
Illinois.
T^"^ G. GILBERT— Northeast Allen County, or what is now Osage town-
^—-' ship, is fortunate in the possession of many of our splendid citizens.
In the year 1S60 when the first settlers stole across the border and laid the
foundation for homes and thereby established civilization within its borders
Edward G. Gilbert was of the few. He entered the southwest quarter of
section twenty, township twenty-three, range twenty-one, built a cabin and
returned to his home in Ohio. He reached there on election day and
helped elect Lincoln the first time. The events leading up to the Civil
war transpired rapidly and its outbreak caused him to delay his return to
Kansas. He remained in Ohio, participated in some of the events which
ended the war and then turned his face toward his new home. He took
possession of his cabin near the river, furnished it with a peg bedstead,
box cupboard and antiquated chairs and began a bachelor's existence. The
work of reducing nature with art which he began then he has continued
with such successf and such profit as to place him among the large land-
owners of the county.
All that is left of the settlers of 1S65 is Mr. Gilbert, the Tucker broth-
ers and Charlie Ross. The Brays and the Manns, pioneers, are all gone, and
the prairie which Mr. Gilbert predicted would all be settled in his time and
which many thought could not happen, is all settled, improved and turned
into one vast field and meadow.
Mr. Gilbert came to Kansas from Champaign County, Ohio, He was
born in Harrison County, West Virginia, December g, 1832, and is a farm-
er's son. Amos Gilbert, his father, was born in Buck's County, Pennsyl-
vania, of Quaker parents. In about 1850 the latter came into Ohio where
he died in 1854, at fifty years of age. His wife, who was Phebe Wilson,
died in 1852. Of their seven children six survive, viz.: Edward G., Mary,
wife of George Millice, of Mechanicsburg, Ohio; Ann E. , widoAv of N. B.
Johnson, of Champaign, County, Ohio; Benjamin B., of Champaign,
County, Ohio; George and Amos G. , also of that county; Nellie, deceased,
wife of G. M. Nelson.
Edward G. Gilbert acquired only a limited education. He began life
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I43
without other than his ph)'sical resources and earned his first nione)- as a
wage worker on a farm. He was induced to come to Kansas by an old ac-
quaintance, Mr. Black, who settled in Anderson County in 1858, and he
made the trip by rail to St. Louis, by boat to Kansas City, and by stage
(for III) to Mound City, Kansas.
August 19, 1866 Mary E. Tucker became Mrs. Gilbert and took pos-
session of his residence (a log cabin 14x16) and all its furnishings. Mrs.
Gilbert was a daughter of Robert Tucker who came to Kansas from Missouri
but was a Virginian by birth.
Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert's children are: Mary, wife of Rev. Geo. W. Trout,
of Rochester, New York; Millie J., wife of Hiram Huffman, Robert E. , who
married L. Harvey: Conney, deceased and Cora Gilbert.
Mr. Gilbert went into the arm\ toward the close of the war. He enlist-
ed in Company F. , 134th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, one hundred day service,
under General Butler's command. He contracted lung fever and was
warned that he would die if he entered the army but it did not deter him.
Mr. Gilbert has been one of the most influential men in the politics of
Allen County. He cast his first vote for General Scott and his next for
Fremont and on down the Republican ticket to November 6, 1900. Thir-
teen times has he presented himself at the ballot box to make his choice
for President and only four times has he failed of his man. Mr. Gilbert
possesses, in a high degree, the confidence of his fellow countrymen which
fact, alone, is worth a life time of active industry and personal sacrifice.
TAMES WHALLON ROLL, successful farmer and highly respected citi-
^ zen of Carlyle township, Allen County, was born in Hamilton County,
Ohio, near Glendale, December 2S, 1836. His father, Samuel V. Roll,
was one of the pioneers of Hamilton County, going there in 1805 from
Mendham, Morris County, New Jersey. The latter was born at Mendham
in 1788 and died in September, 1885. In early life he was a saddle and
harness maker. His father, Abram Roll, bought a large tract of land near
Cincinnati(the 25th ward of that city)and opened a farm there. Samuel "\'.
Roll lode over across the mountains into Ohio on horseback and was offered
the square in Cincinnati where the Gait house stands, for his horse.
Samuel V. Roll was a gentleman well known as a pioneer, took a conspicu-
ous part in the affairs of his locality and the. second Abolition ballot cast in
Springfield township, Hamilton County, was cast by him. He married
Nancy A. Whallon, daughter of James Whallon, a large farmer and a
Jersejnnan. Their marriage resulted in the following issue; Samuel, de-
ceased; James W. ; Lavina, deceased: Nanc}', deceased; John, deceased and
Benjamin, of Mt. Healthy, Ohio.
James W. Roll grew up at Glendale and was educated in College Hill,
Ohio. He taught in the public schools five j-ears and then entered the
Cincinnati Business College as one of the professors. Following this con-
144 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
iiectioii he purchased a half interest in a business college in Zanesville,
Ohio, and remained with it eight years. Returning to his first love, the
farm, he remained four years on the old home and then disposed of his per-
sonal effects and came west. Kansas, and especially Allen County, was
absolutely strange to him when he entered it. He purchased a farm on the
north line of the county and began its successful cultivation and manage-
ment. Another farm, adjoining, in Anderson County, he owns, and alto-
gether his time and energies are in full demand.
Mr. Roll was first married in Ohio, January i6, 1861, to Anna McCor-
mick. She died in March two years later. In October, 1S65, he was
married to Sarah J., a sister of Hon. James Neal, of Hamilton, Ohio. She
died before their first anniversary and July 7, 1867, he was united in mar-
riage with Susan M. Weatherhead, of Ogdensburg, New York, a daughter
of Robert Weatherhead, a government officer. Robert H. Weatherhead, a
leading druggist of Cincinnati, and Judson Weatherhead, of Chicago,
are brothers of Mrs. Roll and Mrs. Fannie Church, of Chicago, is her
sister.
Mr. Roll's children are Samuel A. Roll, with the Electric Appliance
Company of Chicago; Bessie, wife of Arthur Paine, of Chicago; Lillie M.,
head book-keeper for the E. A. Armtrong Manufacturing Company, of Chica-
go, and Robert Roll, of Allen County.
The politics of the Rolls has been permanent and unchangeable.
Our subject cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont and fol-
lowed the Republican party on down to and including its late candidate,
William McKinle\ .
/'"^ EORGE HARRIS, one of the practical and prosperous farmers of
^-^ Deer Creek township, came to Allen County, Kansas, in company with
his fellow countrymen, Busley and Robertshaw, in 1880, and purchased a
tract of eighty acres on the broad and untamed prairie in section seventeen,
township twenty-four, rauge twenty. He was a young Englishman with
scant means and he came to the State to provide himself, with his labor
and his native tenacity, a home for his growing family. He had worked
as a farm hand in Livingston County, New York, and, at $25 a month, he
had laid by sufiScient means to pay for his land and to begin the initial
work of its cultivation and improvement. His first cottage, 16x12, fur-
nished him with a home for eight years and in that time .his prosperity
enabled him to erect a comfortable and more commodious residence, a mod-
est barn, and to add forty acres to his original farm.
Before coming to Kansas Mr. Harris resided in New York seven j^ears,
coming there from Lincolnshire, England, where he was born July 31, 1849.
His father, Thos. Harris, was a farmer and William and our subject were
his only heirs. William Harris resides in England still. Thos. Harris
married Susanna Hilton, who, after the death of her husband married
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 45
James Hill and reared a second family of four children. George Harris
attended school at Keeby, Lincolnshire. In his youth he learned farming
by actual experience and worked, also, in the iron mines.
November 13, 1874, Mr. Harris was married at Rochester, New York,
to Elizabeth Lj'ttle, a daughter of Joseph Lyttle, a settler from the north of
Irelavid. Mr. and Mrs .Harris' children are: Alice, wife of Geo. M. I,ove,
of Kansas City, Missouri; Mary, Clara, Hilton and Nellie.
Mr. Harris became a voter in iSSo. • He cast his first presidential ballot
for the Republican candidate of that year, but four years later he supported
Mr. Cleveland. For ten years he has been identified with the Republicans
and his support of their candidate in 1896 and in 1900 was both earnest and
enthusiastic.
WILLIAM T. STOUT, who is recognized as one of the substantial
of the moderate farmers of Deer Creek township, has been a
citizen of Allen county twenty years. He came to the county in 1880 and
first settled upon section 5. township 24, range 20. For seventeen years
prioi his home was in Linn cou'nty, Missouri, to which county he went
from Bond county, Illinois, the year following the close of the Civil war.
Mr. Stout was born in Bond county, Illinois, November 29, 1844. His
father, Harvey E. Stout, was born in the state of Illinois and was a son of
Thomas Stout, whose life was passed as a miller and later as a hotel man
in Greenville, that state. He was of German stock and went into Illinois
as a pioneer. His son Harvey was born in 1820. The latter was reared
in Illinois, learned the carpenter trade, married Minerva Young, a
daughter of William Young, and went into Wappelo county, Iowa, some
years before the Rebellion. He died in 1865 and is buried at Agency
City, Wappelo county. His wife, the mother of our subject, died in 1846.-
William Stout is her sole surviving heir. Another son, Richard E. Stout,
died in Denver, Colorado, in 1894, leaving a son, William.
Our subject spent his > outh upon the farm. The war came on before
he reached his majority and he enlisten' in 1861 in Company E, 22nd
Illinois, Capt. McAdams and Cols. Dougherty and Hart, in their order,
and finally Col. Swanrick. He was mustered in at Cairo, Illinois, and left
the command for a scout after Jeff. Thompson whose men he met at Bert-
rand, Missouri. In the spring of 1862 his regiment was sent across
Missouri to New Madrid to aid in cutting off the rebels. It went down to
Fort Pillow and was ordered back to Shiloh to re-enforce Grant. The
siege of Corinth followed and the 22nd was in it. Company E was camped
near a railroad bridge, guarding this thoroughfare during a- portion of its
stay around Corinth. Following Corinth came Stone River, Chicka-
mauga. Missionary Ridge and Chattanooga. Mr. Stout was in east Ten-
nessee when his term of enlistment expired and he re-enli.sted in the 42nd
Illinois and furloughed home for thirty days. He joined his regiment — a
146 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
part of the 4th corps — just before the Atlanta campaign and, following
close upon the heels of that, his regiment was a part of the army at Scho-
field that whipped Hood at Nashville. The 42nd was ordered from east
Tennessee and had something to do with the demoralization of the Con-
federate troops in that region. Later it was ordered into Texas and was
stationed at Port Lavaca, that state, when Mr. Stout was discharged in the
winter of 1865.
Notwithstanding the long, continuous and dangerous service Mr.
Stout was exposed to he escaped serious injury, He was only one of many
thousand who accomplished this feat but this fact does not detract from the
value of his service nor from the spirit of patriotism which prompted it.
At all times he fulfilled the requirements of a .soldier — he obeyed orders.
On September 19, 1867, Mr. Stout was married to Sarah E. Warren, a
daughter of Thomas C. Warren, from Kentucky. Their children are:
Mary, wife of Thomas Wollard; James W. Stout, who married Lily
Wagner; Ola J., widow of Carl Stickney; Ida, who married Thomas L.
Dickerson; Thomas Stout, who married Mattie Trout; Nora E,, wife of
Ralph Sprague; Lucy Elva, wife of Thomas Jackson; George A., Albert,
Leonard, Raymond and Qtiincey, all residing in Allen county.
William T. Stout came to Kansas with a large family and little means
Fifty dollars covered his cash possessions, and with body filled with
industry he rented land and went to work. He bought a forty acre tract
in Osage township the second 3^ear, or arranged to buy it, and later on
another forty (railroad land) and his start uphill dated irom that time. He
sold his Osage possessions and located in his present place in 1883. As a
citizen he is regarded with confidence by his neighbors and fellow towns-
men and in politics, in his somewhat limited sphere, he stands for the
principles of Republicanisui as expounded in the Philadelphia platform
of 1900.
JOHN D. CHRISTIAN is one of the leading farmers of Carlyle town-
ship, and one of the reliable citizens of Allen county, on whom have
been conferred positions of public trust and responsibility. He was born in
Parke county, Indiana, October 15, 1S47, his parents being Robert and
Mary M. (Gilkerson) Christian, both of whom were natives of Augtista
county, Virginia. In 1835 they removed to Indiana, locating on the old
homestead farm which is now in possession of their sons, John D. and
Gilbert M., who are the only survivors in their family of five children.
The latter resides in Rockville, Indiana, The father died in 1855, at the
age of sixty-three years, and the mother's death occurred in 1898, when
shejiad attained the advanced age of eightj'-two years.
John D. Christian spent his boyhood days on the home farm and was
educated in the common schools. He remained with his parents until he
had attained his majorit}', when with the restless .spirit of energy he
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I47
resolved to seek a business opening in the wesi , and made his \va\' to
Kansas in 1869. He found employment on a farm in Carljde township.
Allen county, and later was employed to herd cattle, following that pursuit
until he had saved some money, when he entered into a partnership for the
purpose of buying and selling cattle on his own account. He was thus
engaged for eight years, during which time he had acquired through his
own exertions a sum sufficient to enable him to purchase a tract of prairie
land. This he at once began to improve and from time to time he has
added to his first purchase, until now within the boundaries of his farm is
comprised a tract ot two hundred and forty acres, situated in Carlyle town-
ship, eight miles north of lola. His place is well improved with modern
accessories and conveniences, although not an improvement had been made
upon the farm when it came into his po.ssession. The entire place is a
monument to his enterprise and the buildings stand in material evidence of
his energy and diligence.
Mr. Christian was married in 1874 to Miss Rachel Dennis, but after
three years of married life she was called to her final rest. In 1887 Mr.
Christian wedded Miss Rosa McGurk, a native of Pennsylvania, and a
daughter of Daniel and Sophia McGurk, who came to Kansas in 18S0.
Mr. and Mrs. Christian have six children: Maggie, Robert, John, Cary,
Edwin and Bernice.
In connection with his only brother Mr. Chri.stian now. owns the old
home farm in Parke county, Indiana, cora])rising one hundred acres of
valuable land adjoining Rockville, which is one of the wealthiest towns of
its size in the Hoosier state. For eighteen years he filled the office of
treasurer of Carlyle township, and in 1898 he was nominated and elected
by a large majority oa the Republican ticket for the office of county com-
missioner, which he has filled with satisfaction to his constituents. Over
his official record there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, and
his has been an honorable and upright career, in which he has gained and
retained the warm friendship of many with whom he has been brought in
contact.
T~^R. CICERO S. MARTIN, of Allen county, whose father, the late
-• — ' John Martin, of Deer Creek township, was one of the first settlers on
the creek, was born in Lawrence county, Arkansas, February 20, 1857.
The following June his father landed in Allen county and made his final
stop in the "Martin and Wise" neighborhood on the 14th of the month.
The homestead which the head of the family entered is now the property
of "Uncle Billy" Merchant, but the place upon which he spent the last
years of his active life and where he died is the property of his son, Rufus
S. Martin, at the forks of north and south Deer Creek.
John Martin was born in North Carolina June 14. 1815. His father,
John Martin, was a state senator of the old "Tar Heel State" and a wealthy
148 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
planter. The latter married ^ Miss Jones and eight of their sixteen child-
ren were sons. Amonj them were Benjamin, Henry, William, Bartlelt,
Yancy, Alexander and John. The last named married Sarah Sale who
died in Allen county in 1893. while her husband died Octobers, 1882.
This pioneer couple left North Carolina about 1S55 for the west and
stopped a year or more in Lawrence county, Arkansas. He drove into
Allen county with his thirteen in family, with an ox team and, along
with the Days and Wises, was the first permanent settler in his locality.
He engaged at once in the stock business and in the cultivation of the soil
and was one of the successful and comfortably well-off men of his time.
He took a rather conspicuous part in public affairs, was a soldier in the
Kansas militia, as were some of his sons, and was called out when the
Rebels were threatening our frontier. In politics he was a Democrat, as a
citizen he was among the best and as a man he was loyal to his family and
to his friends.
The children of this pioneer, our subject's father, were William
Yancy, of Wheatland, Oregon; Jane, wife of Nelson Hall, of Blackburn,
Indian Territory; John J., a soldier in the 9th Kansas, who died in 1S70;
Hiram S., who died in 1876; Adeline, deceased, wife of Patrick Moynihan;
Susan, wife of James Goodnight, of Dale county, Missouri; James H.,
deceased; Martha A., wife of R. E. Strickler; Rufus and Dr. Cicero S.
Dr. M airtin spent his childhood and youth in the country on Deer
creek. He attended school under Prof. David Smith at Carlyle and chose
medicine as his calling at about eighteen years of age. He was a student
in the office of Dr. J. Morgan at Neosho palls, following which he attended
the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis two years, graduating March
4, 1882. His practice began at once in his home neighborhood and has
continued there with success.
January 13, 1887, he was married to Emma L. Benjamin, a daughter
of John B. Benjamin, of Hamilton, Missouri. The only child of Dr. and
Mrs. Martin, Cicero Ray, died August 8th, 1899, at nearly nine years
of age.
HIRAM LIEURANCE. — A well known and prominent representative
of agricultural interests in Allen county, Hiram Lieurance, well
deserves mention in this volume devoted to recording the history of the
leading men of Allen county. He was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on
the 8th of March, 1829, a son of Elijah and Cynthia (Wright) Lieurance.
The father was a native of North Carolina and when about twenty years
of age removed to the Buckeye state, where he met and married Miss
Wright, an Ohio lady. In 1836 they started westward and became identi-
fied with the farming interests of Illinois, the father continuing the work
of the fields throughout his active business career. His wife died in 1844
at the age of forty-two years, and surviving her twenty-four years Mr.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I49
Lieurance departed this life in !86S, at the age of seventy-eight. They
were the parents of twelve children, but three of whom are living, the
sisters being Cynthia, a resident of Nebraska, and Mary L. Jane Reynolds,
living in Anderson county, Kansas.
Hiram Lieurance, the only surviving son of the family, accompanied
his parents on their removal to Illinois when he was but seven years of
age. There he was reared and in the common school; he acquired his
education, pursuing his studies through the winter season, while in the
summer months he assisted in the work of the home farm, remaining with
his father until he was twenty years of age. He then went to Wisconsin
where he worked as a farm hand by the month for two years, returning to
Illinois on the expiration of that period. In a short time, however, he
again left home, his destination being the Pacific coast. It was in 1850
that he crossed the plains to California, reaching the Golden state after a
trip of four months. There he began mining, following that pursuit for
three years with good success, and with the large sura of money which he
had acquired he returned to the east, making the journey by the water
route. He sailed to San Juan, crossed the Isthmus to Graytown, and by
way of the Nicaragua river reached the Atlantic ocean where he took
passage on a vessel bound for New York. From that point he continued
on his way as a passenger on the Hudson river boats, and on the great
lakes proceeded to Chicago, reaching his home after forty days of travel.
Soon afterward Mr. Lieurance was united in marriage to Miss Mary
A. Vandiveer, a native of Illinois, in which state they resided until 1868,
when they came to Kansas, locating in Allen count)' upon the farm where
they have since resided. Mr. Lieurance first secured a tract of eighty
acies, but he has extended the boundaries of his place until it now com-
prises three hundred and twenty acres. For some time he engaged in
buying and shipping stock, but after a number of years he withdrew from
that enterprise and now devotes his attention solely to the cultivation of
his land.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lieurance has been blessed with four
children, namely: Eliza, the wife of J. N. Fallis, who is living with her
parents; Elvin T. ; Herbert Grant and Perry. All are married and reside
near the homestead, either in Allen or Anderson counties. That Mr.
Lieurance is a popular citizen in the communitj- is indicated by the fact
that in 1883 lie was elected to the office of county commissioner in his
district, on the Democratic ticket, although the district was largely Repub-
lican and his opponent was a strong candidate. He served in that capacity'
for three years and his course was one which showed that the confidence
and trust reposed in him was well merited. Faithful to the duties of citi-
zenship, he has given his support to measures and movements calculated
to prove of public good and is justly numbered among the valued and
influential residents of the community.
150 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
TDERRY STOTlvER, a leading and influential farmer of lola township,
-*- Allen County, owns the old Bartels homestead in section eighteen,
township twenty-five, range eighteen, upon which he has resided since
1880. He came to Kansas from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, where
he was born in August, 1853, and took up his residence in Allen
County.
Mr. Stotler is a son of Emanuel Stotler, born in the same locality with
his son, and a descendant of Pennsylvania German ancestry who came to
that locality from over the mountains from the east. He was one of the
first settlers of Penn township, Allegheny County, and was a soldier in our
second war with Great Britain. He was several times married and reared a
large family. Emanuel Stotler passed the greater part ot his life in the
country about Allegheny and Pittsburg and cleared up a farm in Penn town-
ship. Wagon making was also a part of his business. He was married to
Barbara Stoner who occupies the old family home.
Emanuel Stotler's children are: Sylvester Stotler, a prominent educat-
or in his native county; Nancy Stotler; Elizabeth, deceased wife of David
Shepherd: Fannie and Lillie, twins. The former married E. Gillooly, of
Humboldt, Kansas, and the latter resides in the Pennsylvania home; F. P.
Stotler, Rudolph, deceased, and John Stotler, of California.
F. P. Stotler has passed his forty-seven years ot life upon the farm.
His first trip to Kansas was in the year 1879 and that year he passed with
the family of E. Snively, one of his near neighbors. His busy life in this
State has been passed as a farmer and raiser of stock. Of late years he has
been engaged in blooded stock breeding and his Jersey cattle and his
Durock hogs are the pride of the Onion Creek valley In this venture he
had demonstrated that the breeding of graded stock, when intelligently fol-
lowed, is a profitable business, even in Kansas.
Mr. Stotler was married March 23, 1887, to Lena Van Sickle, a daugh-
ter of B. D. Van Sickle, a former New Yorker but now of Hudson, Indian
Territory. Mrs. Van Sickle was formerly Miss Merinda Latier. Mr.
and Mrs. Stotler's children are; Frank E., Benjamin H., William Van and
Lillie Verl.
In politics the early Stotlers were Whigs but when the Republican
party was formed they entered its ranks and those after them have yielded
allegiance to the same political faith. Perry Stotler has been one of the
active Republicans of lola township. Although his township has a majori-
ty adverse to his party he has been twice elected treasurer of it and is an
efficient public official. (Since this sketch was written the subject of it has
passed away, his death occurring March 2, 1901.)
"OHN B. HAYS, of Carlyle township, came into Allen County as a
youth in the spring of 1861 from Madison County, Illinois. Be was born
St. Clair County, Illinois, April 4, 1849, and was a son of Thomas Jeff-
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 151
erson Hays, a native Keiituckian, born about 1814. The latter died in 1S54.
Zachariali Hays, our subject's grandfather, was born in Scotland and upon
migrating to the United States, settled in Kentucky. He was one of the
pioneers there and also to Illinois, in which State he died. He was a sol-
dier of the war of the American Revolution, was a farmer in civil life and
reared a family of seven son.s, NoiTis, Zachariah, Elias, John, Thos. J.,
"Jack" and Andrew all of whom reared families in Kentucky and Illinois.
Thos. J. Hays married Susan Ann Co.x, our subject's mother. She
was a daughter of John B. Cox, a Scotchman, who was the father of six
children and died in Madison County, Illinois. The children were: Eman-
uel, Wesley, Susan, Ann, Phena, Nancy and Mary, all of whom had fami-
lies. Susan Ann Hays was the mother of three children, viz: William A.,
of Miami County, Kansas: John B. and James, decea.sed. Thos. Hays, a
half brother of our subject, resides in Jasper County, Missouri.
John B. Hays really began life when he enlisted in the army. In the
spring of 1862 he enlisted at lola in Company E, gth cavalry, and mustered
in at Leavenworth. He was with the supply-train escort from Ft. Scott
south into Arkansas and the regiment was placed along the Missouri and
Kansas and Territory lines to watch the frontier. They had some experi-
ence with the guerrilla, Ouantrel, in this service. They got him into a
house, burned the house down over him and yet he and a companion, got
away, wounding a Federal major as they went. The third and last > ear
of his service Mr. Hays spent in Arkansas and the Territory and was
mustered out at Duvalls Bluff the "baby of the company." When mus-
tered out he weighed, with all accoutrements, two pistols and one
hundred cartridges, just one hundred pounds. He saw much hard and
exhausting service and suffered from sickness and general physical de-
bility, yet he forced himself on and came out of it all and was discharged
with his regiment more of a wreck than a man.
Since the war our subject has devoted himself to the farm. He has
resided in Missouri, and in Miami and Allen counties, Kansas; has worked
by the month and has farmed on his own account but not until 1889 did he
settle down near Carlyle upon his own farm. He was never married and,
until his sight failed him, he took a warm personal interest in local public
affairs. He is one of the well known Republicans of Carlyle and is de-
scended from a long line of Whigs, Free Soilers and Republicans. His
first presidential vote was cast for Grant in i868 and his last one for
McKinley.
T EWIS L. NORTHRUP is a native of lola, having been born June
-*— ' 23, 1864, in the old Northrup home now owned and occupied by
Dr. A. J. Fulton. His family history has been already given in the sketch
of his father, Levi L. Northrup. After concluding the course of study in
the lola city schools he spent two years in the Poughkeepsie Business
152 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
College, where he received a thorough technical business education.
Returning home he joined with his brothers, F. A. and D. P., in the
propriet )rship of the dry-goods house which is still conducted under the
firm name of Northrup Brothers. From the first, however, he gave but
little attention to the dry-goods business his assistance being needed by his
father in his bank and in looking after his numerous other outside inter-
ests. It thus naturally came about that upon the death of his father Lewis
L,., assumed the active management of the bank and of the general affairs
of the estate, although the responsibility of these affairs is shared by his
mother and his brothers.
Mr. Northrup not only succeeded to the work his father had done in
the management of the large estate of the family, but he inherited also his
father's aptitude and liking for business, his public spirit and his pride in
lola. The Northrup business is as large and dominating a factor in the
city of lola as it was in the village of lola. The Northrup support of any
public enterprise is as much relied upon, and is as generous and ready as
it ever was. It has given to lola the finest business building yet erected
here, and it has contributed with a lavish hand to every enterprise planned
and carried out for the good of the public.
It nearly always happens that the possessor of large wealth, particu-
larly in a small town, is personally unpopular, but that rule does not hold
good with "Lute" Northrup. His public spirit, his generosity, his un-
selfish willingness to serve his friends and the public, his absolute honesty,
are so well established that it is not too much to say that he holds not only
the good will but the regard of the entire community. This is sufficiently
attested by the fact that he has repeatedly been elected — often over his
protest and never at his own suggestion — to various city ofiices, being at
the present time the representative of his ward in the city council.
Mr. Northrup was married October 25, 1894, to Miss Lettie Bruner.
Three children have been born to them, of whom Roswell Bruner Northrup
and Laverne Lee Northrup are now living.
T A riLLIAMT. DAUGHTERS— One of the most important families
" ^ in eastern Allen County and admittedly useful and favorably known
is that headed by the subject of this mention. Its founder came into the
county in 1S77 and located upon section 34, town 25, range 21, and, reared
trained and educated his large family from there. He is an Indiana emi-
grant, having come from Dearborn County, that State, where he was born
August 8, 1834. He is a son of James Daughters who settled in Dearborn
County in 1824, at a time when the woods were so thick and heavy that he
was compelled to blaze his way from his home to the settlements sixteen
miles away. James Daughters died in Dearborn County in 1843 at the age
of fifty-four years. He was born in Maryland in 1789 and was a sea cap-
tain on the Chesapeake and Atlantic in his early life. He was a son of
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 53
Hudson Daughters, born and reared on th; eastern shore of Mar\land.
The latter was a Revolutionary soldier and was of English stock. His sons
were: Gilbert Daughters, who reared a family in Ripley County, Indiana;
Samuel Daughters, who spent his life in Maryldnd; Hiram Daughters, who
reared a family in Mopport, La., Randolph Daughters, who left a family in
Ripley, County, Indiana, and James, father of our subject.
James Daughters married Sarah, daughter of an Englishman, James
Philips. Their children were: Kitturah, deceased, who married Joseph
Collins and reared a family in Louisville, Kentucky; James Daughters,
died in California in 1879; Franklin Daughters, who died in Dearborn
County, Indiana; Elizabeth, wife of N. H. Tuck, of Dearborn County,
Indiana; Andrew P. Daughters, physician at Moores Hill, Indiana; William
T. and Sarah R. , wife of John Welch, of Calilornia.
William T. Daughters came to manhood in the log cabin country of
Indiana and his schooling was limited to about two months in the year.
He became one of the sustainers of the family at an early age and there was
no opportunity for mental drill after that. He went to work on the Ohio
and Mississippi railroad in the shops at Cochran and later at Vincennes,
Indiana, and learned the machinists trade. He became an engineer and
pulled a train over all parts of the system for twenty years. He left the
road in 1877 to come to Kansas.
March i, 1858, Mr. Daughters was married to Elmira Heaton, daugh-
ter of Eben Heaton, who went from Green County, New York, into Dear
born County, Indiana in 1819. The latter was born August 20, 1797,
and was a son of a farmer and married to Sarah Streeter, of New Jersey.
She was born in May, 1801, and died, with her husband, in Dearborn
County, Indiana. Their children were: Mary, deceased, married Reason
Hines, William, deceased, married Eliza Dickinson; Thos., deceased, mar-
ried Jane Stage; Julia A., widow of Henry Gaston; Philip, deceased,
married Elizabeth Graves of Ripley County, Indiana, Eben, deceased,
whose wife was Jane Lamberson; Richard, deceased, married Mary Cole;
Freeman Heaton, of Seymour, Indiana, is married to Altha Hines; and
Mrs. William T. Daughters.
Mr. and Mrs. Daughters' children are: Rosalin, wife of L. A. Stafford,
of Bourbon County, Kansas; Eben J., an attorney of Cripple Cieek, Colo-
rado; Nelson, of Minnesota; Trena, wife of of L. A. Biebinger, of Des
Moines, Iowa; Grant, a student in the Kansas City Medical College;
Turpen A., rector at Colfax, Washington; Freeman R. , rector in Wallace,
Idaho; Elmira, wife of Grant Lowe, of Bourbon County, Kansas; Britania,
R., student in Nebraska University; Pearl, deceased; and Milo, a student
in the University of Nebraska.
One especially good feature in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Daughters is
the spirit with which they have left nothing unturned to educate their chil-
dren. Neither of them had the advantage of modern educational times and
they have moved in the matter on the theory that an education is a resource
that one can not be deprived of and that it would be worth more to their
children than all things else. As fast as the children were competent they
'54
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
engaged in teaching, and their parents look with pardonable pride, upon the
fact that nine of them engaged in that useful and laudable calling. What is
better still, the}^ were not ordinar)' teachers but were among the most suc-
cessful and intelligent of their count}'. The sons who are ministers are
graduates of the Divinitj- School in Philadelphia and represent the Episco-
pal denomination.
Politics is something that has not disturbed Mr. Daughters greatly.
His interest in elections is all that a citizen's should be but he has never
seen any advantage to himself in spending his substance in the interest of
local politicians. He is a Republican.
JOHN N. SAPP — One of the leading farmers as well as early settlers, of
the township of Marmaton is John N. Sapp. He entered the southeast
quarter of section 5, town 25, range 21, in the "three mile strip," iti 1874,
and has created out of it one of the productive and desirable farms in the
township. Mr. Sapp came to Allen County from Knox County, Illinois.
He had gone there only three years before from Circleville, Ohio, in which
county, Pickaway, he was born August 16, 1840. His father, James Sapp,
a cooper by trade, carried on his business in Circleville and was succeeded to
it by his son, George. He went intoOhioin 1862, when twenty years of age.
He was born in Pennsylvania and was a son of John Sapp.
James Sapp married Margaret McAlister, and both died at Circleville.
Their children were: George Sapp; John Sapp; Caroline, wife of Joseph
Redmond, of Louisville, Kentucky; William Sapp, of Cleveland, Ohio;
Edson Sapp, of Circleville, and Mollie Sapp, of Louisville, Kentucky.
John N. Sapp began his life at the tinner's bench. He was sixteen
years old when he went to the trade in Circleville. He completed it and
was working at it when the war came on. In August 1862 he enlisted in
Company B, 114th Ohio Infantry, Col. John Cradlebaugh, and later on
Col. Kelley. The first active service of the regiment was at Chickasaw
Bluffs from which point it continued south with Sherman's army to Young's
Point and Vicksburg. Mr. Sapp participated in the battles of Raymond
Big Black and the final capture of Vicksburg. He went with his regiment,
then to New Orleans, at which place, and at Algiers, it was in camp some
time, eventually embarking on a gulf steamer for Texas. The winter of
1863 was passed in entrenchments at Indianola, Texas, and in the spring
the command returned to New Orleans and was shipped up Red River to
help Banks' army out of its difficulty. The latter was relieved at Alexan-
dria and while this operation was in progress the river lowered and the
fleet could not be gotten down. The obstacle was removed by the con-
struction of a dam which gathered sufficient water to float the boats over
the riffles and thereby get out of the enemy's stronghold. The trip back
to Morganza Bend on the Mississippi River was under fire of Rebel
batteries. The command rendezvoused at Morganza till the fall of 1864
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I51;
when it was ordered to Lake Poiitch.irtraiii where it too'c boat for Ft.
Pickens, Florida, and marched on to Pensacola where the work of- con-
structing a pier was done. The 1 14th marched back to Ft. Blakely and
aided in it.i reduction. This last act cleared up the Alabama River and the
Federal wounded were taken down from Selma. The regiment then re-
turned to New Orleans and again went to Texas and was mustered out at
Galveston in August 1865. Mr. Sapp was discharged in Columbus,
Ohio.
The war over Mr. Sapp located at Oneida, Illinois, where he engaged
in the tin and stove business. He prospered there fairly well but the de-
sire to go west became too strong to resist and he came to Allen County,
Kansas, the year before stated.
In Allen County Mr. Sapp's progress has been steadily upward. His
accumulations show themselves in the increased acreage of his farm and in
the substantial improvements to be found thereon. He owns a tract of
400 acres well watered and well stocked. It lies on the east side of the
Marmaton River and a large part of it was clearly visible from his home
site when it was first located.
Mr. Sapp was married in 1867 to Rebecca, a daughter of Andrew Cul-
bertson, who came to the United States from County Tyrone, Ireland in
1848 and stopped first in Jersey City, New Jersey. Hs resided for a tim;
at Galesburg, Illinois, and came to Allen County, Kansas, in 1869. He
was the father of thirteen children, seven of whom survive: Elizabeth, Jane
and William Culberlson, Mrs. Margaret McGuire, Samuel Culbertson and
Mrs. Sapp, all residents of Allen County.
Mr. and Mrs. Sapp's children are: Laura, wife of Ray Smock; May
and Ethel.
Mr. Sapp's ancestors were Democrats. The issues of the Civil War
made his father a Republican and he, himself, became a Republican and
cast his first Presidential vote for Mr. Grant. He is a member of the
Bronson Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and a person of high standing
in the confidence of his countymen.
A LEXANDER M. WRIGHT, President of the Board of Education of
-^"^Morau and a self-made and prosperous farmer, of Marmaton township,
first located in Allen County in 1876. He came from Pike County,
Illinois, where he was born September 10, 1852. He was a son of Abiah
Wright, a Pennsylvaniaii, who went into Illinois early and settled a Pike
County farm. He became one of the well known and highly respected
citizens of his county and died in 1884 at the age of seventy-five years. He
married a Pennsylvania lad>', Catharine Fisher, who died in 1896, aged
eighty-three years. Their children were: Elizabeth, wife of David Hester
of Barton County, Mi.ssouri; Barbara, wife of Ed Bowers, of Pike County,
Illinois; John Wright, of Pittsburg, Kansas; Bela Wright, of Barry, Illinois,
156 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
John Wright, a prominent and prosperous farmer, of Carlj'le township.
Allen County, and Alexander M. , our subject
A. M. Wright was educated sparingly in the old log school house of
Illinois during and after the war and at about eighteen years of age he
abandoned the "academy" to begin life's real battles. Farming is what
he undertook then and farming is what he has continued. He was married
in Pike County, Illinois, October i, 1876, to Anna Blake. Jerre Blake,
Mrs. Wright's father was an early resident of Pike County and went there
from Maine. He married Almira West and was the husband of seven chil-
dren.
The first two years Mr. Wright passed in Allen County were spent
north of lola on the Wizner place. His circumstances were most ordinary
and it can be truthfully said that he was not far from poverty at times. To
begin farming he bought a horse and borrowed another of his brother and
his implements he borrowed from his neighbors. He paid $2.50 for a chain
harness. His first crop the grasshoppers took and his second one drowned
out. The third year was a good season and he started upgrade again. In
the fall of '77 he bought a farm of sixty acres in the vicinity of Moran and
January 14, 1878, he moved onto it. This he succeeded in paying for,
and in 1881 sold, and purchased in 1883 the northwest quarter of section
24, town 24, range 20, his present home. It was a piece of land that had
been entered under a soldier's Indian war land warrant by King. There
was nothing but the soil there when Alex Wright took possession. How
well he has accounted for his time in the past seventeen years his farm will
testify. Cattle and horses have supplemented the earnings of his plow and
sickle and he has reached that point at which it is a pleasure to live.
Mr. Wright's children are: Bela F., a student in Emporia College,
Edwin, a junior in the Moran high school; Mina, who is in the same class,
and Eva, a student in the same schools.
It is noticeable that Mr. Wright is interested in advanced education.
He feels the need of it in his own case and since circumstances have so
conspired to arrange matters favorably he is losing no opportunity to give
his children these advantages. He has been a member of the Moran
school board three years and his elevation to the chairmanship of the body
is a compliment to his warm personal interest in education.
JOHN M. EVANS was one of the early settlers of Allen county. He
was one of the leading spirits among a few pioneers who chose the
broad and undulating prairies in the valley of the Neosho for their abiding
place. In 1857 Thomas P. Killen, Dr. John W. Scott, Peter M. Carnine,
Richard V. Ditmars and others from Johnson county, Indiana, formed a
colony for the purpose of emigrating to Kansas and asked Mr. Evans to
join them. He did so and in October, of that year, they came to the terri-
tory in search of new homes. At the time of the removal Mr. Evans was
^^{p-^/^-'i-V//^ O^t'^'^-^^-^.^
WOODSON CQCNTIES, KANSAS. I57
uiving in Motitgomerj- count}', Indiana. They came without any purpose
iQther than to search out a location where honest tillers of the soil and
earnest Christian people could establish themselves, build homes and plant
the seed of a moral, intellectual and religious community. After traveling
over the cauntiy for some time the}' decided to locate on the high prairie
north of Deer creek, which is now the neighborhood of Carlvle. Each
member of the colifny selected a quarter section and held it as a claim until
the land came into market.
Mr. Evans chose the quarter sectioa which is now the Allen county
Poor Farm. With the assistance of the company he built a round log
cabin on his claim. Carnine and Ditmars remained in the territory that
winter and occupied this cabin, which was the first one built in the colony.
The other members of the party returned to Indiana. On the 19th of
April, 1858, however, with his wife and three children, Mr. Evans started
from Waveland, Indiana, for their new home on the Kansas plains.
Thomas P. Killen, with his wife and two childien, started at the same time
and traveled in company with them. The journey from Waveland to
Terre Haute was made in wagons, by rail from Terre Haute to St. Louis,
from the latter place to Kansas City by steamer, and from Kansas City to
Allen county by wagon again, over rough prairie roads and across deep
unbridged streams. They reached their new location on the loth of May,
at lo o'clock in the evening. They all camped in Carnine's cabin that
night and the next afternoon Mr. Evans removed into his own cabin and
began housekeeping in true pioneer style. After supper was over and their
beds made ready on the floor Mr. Evans read a chapter in the Bible and
the}' knelt together in prayer the first time since leaving their home in
Indiana. It was a happy, restful hour and never had they so fully realized
the true meaning of the poet's lines, "Be it ever so humble, there's no place
like home," as they did that night. Samuel C. Richards, a nephew of
Mr. Evans, and Miss Sarah P. Newell, a sister of Mrs. Evans, came with
them and made their home with them for .some time. The colony at this
time numbered thirteen, eight adults and five children. The adults were
all member^ of the Presbyterian church and all Republicans. Other mem-
bers of the colony arrived latet. These settlers proceeded to the business
for which they came west at once. The work of supplementing nature
with art was carried on as rapidly as their individual capabilities permitted
and in a few years a house of worship and a primitive school house were
a part of their achievements.
In those days Lawrence was the headquarters of the mail service for
that section. Cofachique, an Indian trading post, eight miles south of the
new colony, was the nearest post-office. "Little Billy," the mail carrier,
0.1 his Indian pony, made the trip once a week from Lawrence, by way of
Hyatt, Fort Scott and Humboldt to Cofachique, returning by the same
route. It was the only road into the Deer Creek settlement from the north
and was a long circuitous route. The new colonists decided to shorten it
and about the middle of July, Mr. Evans, Harmon Scott, T. P. Killen and
P. M. Carnine surveyed and staked off the route from their new location
t5S HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
north to H.vatt, a distance of sixteen miles, and thus shortened the way
niany miles. The next week Mr. Carnine mounted on Mr. Evans' little
ICentuck}' mare, Becky, rode to Hyatt, met the mail carrier and piloted
him over the new route to Cofachique. In passing though the new loca-
tion they stopped at Mr. Evans' cabin for water and "lyittle Billy" said to
Mrs. Evans, "I'm mighty glad you folks moved out here and made this
new road, for it will save me so much hard riding." *
Mr. Evans was reared a Whig. He was a strong opponent of slavery
and came to Kansas to help make this a free state. When the war began
he was anxious to join the regiment with his neighbors, but his wife being
a cripple at that time it was impossible foi him to leave home. It was
necessary, especially on the frontier, that some measure of protection be
accorded to the settlements from inroads of the Confederates and the in-
cursions of thieves and marauders, and this protection was extended
through the Home Guard. It was made up largely of men who were near
the age of exemption from military duty and without the physical require-
ments for the arduous campaigning of the regular service, but with the
same courageous and patriotic spirit which actuated men of all arms. Mr.
Evans belonged to the state militia and endured some hard service. Dur-
ing the Price raid he and a comrade were detailed as scouts on the western
border of Missouri and were in the saddle from three o'clock in the morning
until six in the afternoon without a mouthful of food. In politics Mr.
Evans was a pronounced Republican with no political aspirations what-
ever, but in the fall of 1863, at the urgent request of his friends he accepted
the nomination and was elected state representative. During the session
he became one of the substantial and useful members of the house. The
Carney fraud was perpetrated during that session and Mr. Evans was a
bitter opponent to the movement to elect Carney to the United State senate
a year before the proper time, which was done because Carney was sure of
his election by that 'oody.
Mr. Evans was not less prominent in spiritual than in temporal mat-
ters. He was an elder in the Carlyle and Geneva churches, was one of the
committee who organized the Presbyterian churches of lola, Neosho Falls
and Geneva, and his mind was not only a directing force in their organiza-
tion, but his substantial aid was fully as potent a factor in their mainten-
ance during their early years.
In 1865 Mr. Evans' health failed and he had to give up farm work.
He had been engaged in the dry goods business before coming to Kansas
and when L. L,. Northrup offered him a partnership in his store in Geneva
he accepted it and moved there in 1866. Geneva had been located and
settled by an eastern colony who came there with the intention of founding
an institution of learning at that place. The citizens of the surrounding
country united with them and subscribed liberally for the erection of a
building for that purpose. In 1S67 Mr. Evans, acting on the advice of the
Rev. G. S. Northrup, Rev. Austin Warner and Rev. E. K. Lynn, took the
contract and erected the Geneva Academy building with his own money,
and thus established an institution which they all thought would be per-
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 59
inaneiit, but they were disappointe 1. Rev. Northrup died just as the work
was begun. In less than three years Mr. Evans died, and through mis-
management after his death the enterprise proved a failure and the building
now .stands as a monument to the earnest efforts of those noble, Christian
pioneers.
Mr. Evans was born in Owen county, Indiana, May 9, 1825. His
father, Jesse Evans, was born in East Tennessee in 17S7. He emigrated
to Pulaski county, Kentucky, and in 1S12 married Esther M. Newell. In
18 1 S he removed to Owen county, Indiana, living in Owen and Mont-
gomery counties until 1868 when he came to Kansas, dying in lola in
1S75. His wife died in Waveland, Indiana, in 1851. His father, Andrew
Evans, the grandfather of our subject, was born in North Carolina, re-
moved to Tennessee and there married Elizabeth Fain, of French descent.
The early settlers of that state were frequently attacked by the Indians and
at such times would take refuge in the block-houses. During one of these
attacks Mr. Evans' supply of lead gave out and his wife melted their
pewter plates and moulded bullets which he shot through the portholes,
thus keeping the Indians from setting fire to the block-house. In so doing
he saved their lives with their dinner plates. Mr. Evans afterward moved
to Kentucky and later to Owen counts', Indiana, where he died in 1842.
His wife died in the same state in 1846. His ancestors were Welsh people
who settled in the south at an early date. Since then, by intermarriage,
the blood of the Scotch, Irish and French have been introduced into its
own strain. Esther M., the wife of Jesse Evans, was Scotch-Irish. She
was born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, in 1783. Their children were:
Elizabeth F., wife of Rezin Richards; Samuel N.; Jane M., wife of Milam
Knox; Andrew H.; Margaret E., wife of Andrew Couchman; Harriet N. ,
wife of Samuel Steele, and John M., the subject of this review.
John M. Evans was married in Owen county, Indiana, May i, 1851,
to Jane Newell, the eldest daughter of William Tell Newell, who was born
in Pulaski county, Kentucky, in 1803, and in 1830 went to Owen county,
Indiana. He married Paulina Fain, a daughter of David Fain, of French
descent and whoj-e wife was of English lineage, David Fain was a colonel
in the second war with England. He was a man of fine taste, high aspira-
tions and a devoted Christian. He died in 0>ven county, Indiana, in
1857, and his wife died in Monroe county, Iowa, in 1874.
The children of William and Paulina Newell were Jane N. , wife of
John M. Evans; Harriette A., who died in girlhood; Mary E. , wife of
Martin Giltner; Samuel A.; Sarah P., wife of William Crawford; Martha
E., wife of Whitfield Woods; Clarinda A., wife of Marcus Hennion; Hester
L., who died in infancy; William M.; David F. ; Alice J., wife of William
Hay. Mr. Newell died in 1851 in Monroe county, Iowa, and his wife died
in Albia, Iowa, in 1891 His father, Samuel Newell, was of Scotch-Irish
descent, was born in West Virginia in 1754 and in 1780 he married Jean
Montgomery, a descendant of the poet Montgomery. She was born in
West Virginia in 1764 and was of Scotch descent. Samuel Newell was a
colonel of the Tennessee cavalry in the Revolutionary war and saw much
l6o HISTORY OF ALLEN AND'
of the arduous service incident to the war. He was in the battle of King's'
Mountain, aided in winning the victories of Cowpens and Yorktown, being
present at the surrender of Cornvvallis. At the battle of King's Mountain
he was wounded in the hip and rode all day without stopping to dress his
wound or take any food. Before starting out in the morning he had.
roasted a large sweet potato, which he carried in his knapsack for lunch,
but when he stopped to eat his potato he found it saturated with his own-
blood which had dripped into his knapsack from his wound, but he was
so hungry he ate it as it was. After the war Colonel Newell located in
Kentucky and served two terms in the state legislature. He was a talented
man, a devoted Christian and a gentleman in every sense of the word. He
was bitterly opposed to slavery and for this reason left Kentucky and
removed to Indiana in 1837, there remaining until his death in 1841. His
wife died in the Hoosier state in 1843.
John M. Evans married Jane Newell in Owen county, Indiana, May
I, 1S51. She was born in Morgan county, Indiana, October 14, 1832..
Their children were: Edwin Prescott; Mary Irene, wife of John D.
Knowlton; William Jesse; Samuel Henry; Harvey Tell; Annetta Estella,
wife of David R. Beatty; and Louemma. Edwin Prescott Evans died
August 3, 185S, soon after the arrival of the family in Kansas and his
funeral sermon was the first sermon preached in Carlyle colony and his
grave the first one made in Carlyle cemetery, the Rev. G. S. Northrup, of
Geneva, Kansas, officiating at the funeral. In July, 1870, the children of
Mr. Evans had the smallpox in the worst form, yet with careful nursing
they all recovered, but the over-exertion and mental anxiety of the father
for the children was too much for the weakened condition of Mr. Evan.s.
As soon as he felt they were safe, he sank down, weary and exhausted, and
death came to him in Geneva, Kansas, August 22, 1870, in the forty-sixth
year of his age. He passed away honored and respected by all who knew him.
ROBISON LENT, a well known farmer within the vicinity ol Bronson,,
and who resides upon the north-east quarter of section 28, township
24, range 21, Allen county, is a settler from Vernon county, Missouri.
His birth occurred in Madison county, Indiana, March 5, 1854. His
father, Chester Eent, was a farmer and was born in Pennsylvania in 1815.
He left the east in early life and made his way westward through the states
of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and into Vernon county, Missouri, where he
died in 1858. He married Susanna Frasier who died in Allen county,
Kansas, in 1883 at the age of sixty-seven years. Their children were:
Elizabeth, wife of Richard Parmenter, of Fort Scott, Kansas; Nancy
J , wife of Alexander Mayfield, of Bourbon county, Kansas; Maria, de-
ceased, wife of W. W. Findlay, of Bourbon county Kansas; Robison
Lent, and Lewis Lent, who died in Bates county, Missouri, leaving a
family.
Robison Lent grew up, from seven years of age, in Kansas. The
■WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. tZt
^family came into Bourbon county in 1861 and remained there twenty years.
He received a country school education and was thrown upon his own
resources at about sixteen years of age. He was a wage earner by the
month for some time but farmed rented land as his first independent
\-enture. Grain raising, with some stock as supplementary, is his forte
and he is regarded as one of the reliable, trustworthy and liberal citizens
of Marmaton township.
Mr. Lent was married in Bourbon county, Kansas, November i, 1S77,
to Miss Belle West, a daughter of James R. West, a well-to-do and well
known farmer of that county. The latter was a pioneer to Bourbon county
and located there from the state of Arkansas. Mr. and Mrs. Lent's chil-
dren are James Chester, Charles Walter, Bert Robison, Estella Jane,
Thomas Homer, Orlie Belle, John Franklin and Clyde Leroy I^ent.
The Lent political history is somewhat mixed. Our subject's father
■was a Democrat but his posterity are republican. A son, John W. Lent,
served in the 5th Kansas, Company K, and died after two years of service
during the war of the Rebellion. Robison Lent has no interest in politics
beyond that of a citizen. A membership on the East Maple Grove school
board comprises his record of ofKce-holding.
./^ORWIN B. KEITH, one of the old settlers of Marmaton township and
^-^ a citizen who has performed an honorable part in the development of
-Moran and vicinity, came into Allen county in 1869 and located in Ida.
He associated himself with Cyrus M. Simpson and engaged in mercantile
pursuits. For ten years he was a citizen of the county seat and when he
removed it was to locate in Gilfillan, Bourbon countj', where his chief
interests were for another ten years. His interests in Gilfillan were with
the famous stone quarries there and while that notable place was the scene
of his business activities his residence was, in the main, in Fort Scott.
In November 1892 Mr. Keith came to Moran. He opened a grain,
coal and feed store and has since conducted that business. The ownership
of a good farm in addition to the possession of an established business in
Moran identifies him with the affairs of Allen county, permanently. Before
coming to Kansas Mr. Keith resided in Ogle county, Illinois. He went
into that count}' with his parents in 1853 from his birthplace, Huron
count}', Ohio. He grew up in Ogle count}' and obtained his education
in the country schools and in Rock River Seminary at Mount Morris,
Illinois. His father was Carlos Keith and his grandfather was Caleb
Keith, both of whom were natives of the state of Vermont and went into
Ohio as pioneers. The Keith ancestry were among the first settlers of New
England. One of them, Rev. Jas. Keith, was the first minister of the
town of Bridge water, Massachusetts. He married Susanna D. Edson.
Carlos Keith, father of the subject of this review, died in lola in 1872
at the age of seventy-five years. His marriage with Elvira Pond was pro-
1 62 HISTORY OF ALLEN 'AND
duclive of five children of whom Corvvin B. is the fifth. The latter was
horn Jul.v 24, 1841. The other survivors are Carl P. Keith, of Moran, and
Elvira, wife of J. T. Rhoades, of Vermont.
August 2, 1862, Corwin B. Keith enlisted in Compan}' A, Second
Illinois Cavalrj' and was detailed as Gen. Ord's escort and latter as Gen.
Logan's escort. He was in the battles of Tallehachie, Willow Springs and
the regiment took part in the campaign about Vicksburg and was after-
ward sent across into Louisiana and up Red River. Mr. Keith was dis-
charged from the service in March 1863. He took up farming upon his
return to Ogle count)', Illinois, and remained in that vocation till his
departure for Kansas.
Mr. Keith was married first at Mound City, Kansas, in 1870 to Miss
Ella Morse, who died in 1874. December 19, 1899, he was again married
to Marj' Businger, of Bowlusville, Ohio. No children resulted from either
marriage.
The Keiths of the olden time were Whigs. Those of the present are
Republicans. For his political conviction Corwin B. is especially known
and while he is not in the active work of the party he is at all times
interested in its success.
JOHN C. WOODIN.— Connected with the industrial interests of Allen
county, Mr. Woodin is engaged in the manufacture of brooms in lola,
having followed this enterpri: e during the greater part of an active business
career. He was born in Painesville, Ohio, December 29, 1844, his parents
being J. H. and Rachel (Hitchcock) Woodin. The father was born in
New Haven, Connecticut, in 181 1, and in that city spent his boyhood
days, the grandfather there following the blacksmith's trade. The latter
died when his son was only thirteen years of age, at which time J. H.
Woodin was practically thrown upon his own resources. In 1828, at the
age of seventeen he removed to Ohio, in company with his brother-in-law,
George Mygatt, an architect, under whose direction he learned the trade
of a carpenter. In the spring of 1847, Mr. Woodin went to Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, where he was employed as a journeyman, and also worked in
the machine shops of that city until 1853, when he removed to Peoria
county, Illinois, making his home upon a farm there until 1866, when he
came to Allen county, Kansas. He took up his abode in the western part
of Ida township, and there died in 1892. He was married in 1834, in
Painesville, Ohio, to Rachel Hitchcock, who was born in New York, in
1811, a daughter of James Hitchcock, a Methodist minister, who removed
from the Empire State to Ohio. Mrs. Woodin died in Kansas in 1891.
By her marriage she became the mother of two sons^'^aHd three daughters:
James L., who died in lola in 1895, and was an ex-sheriff of Allen county;
Mrs. Mary E. Hurt, of Farmington, Illinois; J. C, of this review; Eliza-
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 63
beth, deceased, wife of William Best, of Neosho Falls, Kansas; and
Frances J., deceased, wife of Robert Works, of Humboldt, Kansas.
J. C. Woodin was reared on the home farm. Through the winter
months he pursued his education in the district schools, and in the summer
months he followed the plow and assisted in the work of the harvest fields.
After he had attained his majority he began farming and stock raising on
his own account, but later turned his attention to the manufacture of
brooms, which business he is still following. As the output of his factory
is of a superior grade he receives a liberal patronage and is therefore enjoy-
ing a good income.
On the 23rd of December, 1874, Mr. Woodin married Miss Kate
McCuUough, who was born in Waterproof, Louisiana, March 18, 1856.
Her father, William McCullough, was a native of Ireland, and emigrated
to the United Stated in 1846. In 1848 he was married in Rondout, New
York, to Jane Duncan, also a native of the Emerald Isle. With his family
he removed from New York to Indiana, w-here he followed the brick
mason's trade. For a time he resided in Louisiana, engaging in the same
business, but on account of his union sentiments he was compelled to leave
there at the time of the Civil war, making his way to Texas, and thence to,
Mexico, where he took passage on a sailing vessel for New York. From
the last named place he went with his family to Illinois and subsequently
to Kansas City, where he resided for about twenty years, when, hoping to
benefit his health by a change of climate he came to Allen county. Here
his death occurred in 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Woodin have become the
parents of three sons and two daughters: William J., Fred, Anna, James
and Lettie, who are still undei the parental roof.
TAMES COLLINS STRONG, son of the late Dr. Henry Strong, of
" Moran, came to Allen County in 1874, and located upon section 25, al-
most adjoining the town of Moran. He was the eldest son of Dr. Strong, who
brought his family to Kansas in order that he might the better locate them
and establish them more advantageously about him. The latter made the
selectiovi of their future home and upon this he resided until the family
home was broken up by the death of his wife.
Dr. Strong was one of the characters of Allen County. He was a
gentleman of learning and of much force and foresight. He was one of the
old-time practitioners and his life, from first to last was an open book for the
inspection of all. He was northern by birth but somewhat southern by
environment and training. Many years of his life as a young physician
were passed in the heart of what afterward became the Southern Confeder-
acy and it was but natural that he should absorb many of the habits and
customs of the southern people. He left the South, though, before the
questions which almost severed the Union came to be agitated with fatal
seriousness and returned to live with the people and institutions of the
North.
Dr. Henry Strong was born in the state of New York, October 9, 1811,
164 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
and was prepared for his profession in the Louisville, Kentucky-, MedicaE
College. He was a son of Rev. Henry Pierce Strong and a grandson of
Adonijah Strong. Rev. Henry Strong was born February 2, 1785, and
married November 16, 1810, to I^aura Clark, who was born at Danbury,
Connecticut. Rev. Strong was a graduate from Yale College, and of
Andover Theological Seminary.
Dr. Henr>' Strong was one of a family of eight children. He began
life at Buffalo, New York, and about 1833 went to Cold Springs, Miss., to-
locate. He remained there about twenty years (from 1S33 to 1853) and
returned north to Rockford, Illinois. He felt that the South was a poor place
in which to rear a family and this impelled him to desert it. He spent the
years from 1S53 to 1874 in Winnebago County, Illinois,, and arrived in
Allen County, Kansas, December 4, 1S74. He brought with him three
sons and four daughters, all of whom survive.
Dr. Strong was first married June, 1835, to Phebe Pomeroy, of Lyons,.
New York. She died at Cold Springs. Miss., in June, 1S45, and May 12,
1847, he married Eloiza Collins, of Adams County, that State. March 29,
1862, Eloiza Strong died at Rockford, Illinois, and he was married the
third time at Rockford, 1867, to S ilina Davis an English lady. The doctor's
children are: Henry (the child of his first wife), Mary C, wife of Peter J.
McGlashan, of Moran; James C, born December 24, 1849; William T. ;
Sarah O. , wife of J. E. Montgomery, of lola; Joshua Newton, of Des
Moines, la.; Eloiza C, wife of G. M. Nelson, of lola; Martha E., wife of
C. M. Richards, of lola, Kansas; Mrs. Caroline C. Millard, residing in
lola.
During the Rebellion the people of Rockford, Illinois, sent Dr. Strong
to the front to care for the Illinois, and more especially the Rockford
troops sick and wounded on the field. He went to the Bull Run battle
ground and there plunged into the work of dressing wounds, working over
the operating table, until all the wounded were cared for. He was made
surgeon of the 74th Illinois, but wis superseded by a young doctor who
was seeking an opportunity to gain experience at the expense of the men.
He was appointed surgeon of the 93th Illinois, an Irish regiment, and re-
mained with it till the war closed. He was in twenty-two engagements, or
under fire twenty -two times while in the performance of his duties. He
let nothing interfere with the full and complete performance of that dut^^
which contributed to the comfort of the sick and wounded. At the battle
of Missionary Ridge he worked seventy-two hours dressing wounds, wear-
ing out ever)? other surgeon.
In politics the Doctor was originally a Democrat. During the war he
Was a firm friend of Lincoln, and after that trouble had passed away he
became a potent factor in the moulding of local Democratic sentiment. In
belief he was a Christian gentleman and was identified with the Presby-
terian church, being one of the elders of the Moran congregation. He
died at the home of his son, William T. Strong, July 5, 189S.
James C. Strong passed his youth and early manhood in Winnebago
county, Illinois. His has been a life of devotion to the farm and he owns
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 165
one of the attractive and productive places in Marmaton township. His
career in Allen count}- has been an honorable, though uneventful one and
the demands of the farm and field have occupied his time.
Mr. Strong was manied at New Milford. Illinois, November 11, 1S75,
to Elizabeth L. , a daughter of John S. Watson, an early settler there and
an Englishman. The children of this marriage are: Edith Eloiza, born
June 6, 1878; Walter James, born January 18, 1883; and Curtis Henry,
born October 30, 18 ,,0, Mrs. Strong was born February 21, 1850, and is
the second of four children: Eva, wife of George Skinner, of Winnebago
county, Illinois: Robert S. Watson, of Chicago, and George A. Watson, of
New Milford, Illinois.
Mr. Strong is a rock-ribbed Democrat, has served a term as township
clerk, treasurer of the township four terms and treasurer of the school
district eleven years.
/^^BED KERR, of Marmaton township, Allen county, who has passed
^~-^ his score of years in the county, located upon a piece of raw prairie
in the fall of 1878, his location being the south-west quarter of section 9,
township 25, range 20. It was included in the "Peck" land and conse-
quently, his title was never disputed by the League. It was well on
toward winter when Mr. Kerr drove his mule team, a cow and two calves
onto the spot which is now his home and started a camp. The ten dollars
which he brought with him was unequal to the task of providing shelter
for the family and he mortgaged his team in Humboldt to buy the lumber
for his 14x16 shanty, ten feet high. A hard winter came on and the little
mansion proved little more than a good wind-break, for it filled with snow
as regularly as it fell.
He started farming with sowing eight acres of wheat which harvested
only fifty-one bushels and it came at a time when the family was needing
something to eat. These hardships all passed over, the difficulties were
all overcome with the lapse of time and prosperity showered its blessings
upon him as had adversity in the beginning. He has more than doubled
the area of his original farm, having real estate in Elm township as well as
in Marmaton.
Mr. Kerr came to Kansas in 1877 and spent the first year in Marshall
county. He came from Union county, Pennsylvania, in Snyder count}'
of which state he was born January 11, 1835. The Kerrs were among the
well known people of that locality and one of the old German families of
the state. Our subject's father was Jacob Kerr, a farmer, a son of Chris-
tian Kerr.
Jacob Kerr married Sarah Hummell, was reasonably succes.sful in life
and died in 1S45 ^t the age of forty-four. His widow survived him more
than forty-five years, dying in 1891, aged ninety years. Their children
were: Leah, wife of Joseph Miller, of Northumberland county, Pennsyl-
l66 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
vania; Rachel, who married John Bere. of Union county, Pennsylvania:
Kanez, of Allen county, Kansas; Obed Kerr; Jacob Kerr, who died just
after coming out of the army; Sarah, who is Mrs. Joseph Miller, residing
in Pennsyvania; Elizabeth, deceased; Susan, widow of Isaac Keyser, of
Northlumberland county, Pennsylvania; Catherine, wife of Theodore
Fegley, of Harvey county, Kansas, and Christian Kerr, of Benton county,
Arkansas.
Being orphaned by the death of his father Obed Kerr was forced to
"workout" very early in life and at the age of fifteen years went to live
with an uncle. He learned the carpenter trade with him and worked at it
about five years. In addition to his country school advantages he put in a
full year in a graded school. He was granted license to teach and did
engage in that work several winters and clerked in a store at Mount Carrael
in summer. He finally became a partner in the business and remained so
for twenty years. When the crash came after the war the firm failed and
Mr. Kerr suffered severe financial reverses. The two years succeeding his
forced retirement from the counter, and prior to his advent to Kansas, he
spent on a farm and he reached Marshall county, Kansas, with funds
enough to provide for the wants of his family till a crop could be raised.
December 20, i860, Mr. Kerr was married to Mary Heiser, a daughter
of David Heiser. The children of this union are: Walter A. Kerr; Arie.
Claire and Willis Kerr. The Kerrs are Republicans in politics and our
subject has been one of the active and enthusiastic party men in Allen
countv.
SAMUEL MILES KNOX was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania,
November 11, 1S26. The son of a farmer, his boyhood was spent
after the usual fashion of American farm boys, — working hard during the
long summer and going to school in the short winter. His first money
was earned at the age of ten, when for three months he built the .school
house fires every morning for one dollar. He has earned a good many
dollars since then, but never one that gave him more satisfaction. The
progress made in his studies is shown by the fact that at the age of seven
teen he was employed by the school directors as assistant teacher, — at the
munificent salary of four dollars a month ! The spring following he
entered the Tuscarora Academy, and the next fall he secured a position as
teacher at a salary of $18.00 a month, — boarding himself. Determined to
secure an education if possible, he continued for two years to attend the
Academy in summers, paying his way there by the money saved from the
meager salary paid him as a teacher during the winter. From the
Academy he went into the office of a physician and for two years gave all
the time he could spare from the school teaching by which he earned his
living to the study of medicine. After two years of this study he gave up
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 16/
the idea of becoming a physician and for three years thereafter he was
engaged in the business of selling books, especially German and English
History of the United States, selling more of the German than of the
English edition. Through the accident of being obliged to accept grain in
payment of some debts owed to him by the farmers of the neighborhood, he
was drawn into the lumber and grain business, which he followed success-
fully for two years at Wyant a small station in Bureau county, Illinois, of
which village he was the first postmaster. Abandoning his mercantile
business he went to Princeton, Illinois, and began the study of law in the
office of Milton T. Peters, a leading attorney of that section, and after the
proper preparation was admitted to the bar. In i860 he was made the
Democratic candidate for Representative in the Legislature, but went down
with his party in the election that followed. In spite of an adverse
party majority he was elected county Judge of his county' the following
year and served in that capacity four years. Soon after his retirement from
this office he made an extended tour of Europe. Returning from this trip
his attention was attracted to the cheap lands then being placed upon the
market by the western railroads, and he bought several ot the tracts that
he still owns in Allen county, Kansas. Becoming acquainted through
the.se purchases with the managers of some of the land grant railroads he
was engaged for the next several years as their agent for the sale of their
lands, ser\dng with marked succe.ss in this capacity the L- L. & G., the
M. K. & T., the C. B. & Q., and the Union Pacific. His longest service
in this line was with the Union Pacific with which he remained as Land
and -Passenger Agent until 1897. Retiring from this employment he took
up his permanent residence in Allen county and is now engaged on a large
scale in the farming and stock business in Salem township.
This is the simple story, as briefly as it can be told, of a successful
career, won without any outside help, through the sheer force of pluck,
industry and character. To begin as a mere boy, to educate one's self, to
win an honored place in a learned profession, to make one's force felt in
great corporations, to amass a modest but sufficient fortune, and then to
have sense enough, while yet hale and heart}- to settle down to enjoy the
fruits of his labor, — that is a record any man may be pardoned for being
proud of.
Like most Americans, Judge Knox knows but little of his ancestry.
His grandfather, Hugh Knox, was born in Scotland in 1758, emigrated to
America, settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, moved to Danville,
New York, then to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he died in 1851. His
father, John Knox, was born January 6, 1789, in Lancaster count,',
Pennsylvania, and was a farmer by occupation. He served as a cavalry-
man in the war of 1812, and died November 25, 1858, in Princeton, Illi-
nois. His mother, Eunice Pauling, was born November 12, 1794, in
Philadelphia and died July 12, 1858, in Princeton, Illinois. She was
descended from one of the Quaker families who came to America with the
Penn colony. Several of Judge Knox' maternal ancestors were soldiers
in the Revolutionary war, one of them, Samuel Pauling, being with Wash-
l6S HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
iiigton during the memorable winter of 1777-8 at Valle}' Forge, and later
at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.
On the 31st of December, 1854, Mr. Knox was united in marriage to
Miss Hannan H. Weaver, of AUentown, Pennsj-lvania. Unto them have
l)een born two sons and three daughters, four 3'et living: Anson H., who
married Annie Dewey Whipple and who is now engaged in farming near
Sheffield, Illinois; Mary K. , wife of Justus Massillon Stevens, of Prince-
ton, Illinois; Ada L , who resides with her parents; Samuel F., a practic-
ing attorney of Chicago, Illinois, who married Edith Brown, of London,
England. The children have been provided with ver}- superior
educational privileges, the two daughters completing their education in the
languages in Dresden and Paris.
In his political views Judge Knox has been a life-long Democrat, is
strongly in favor of the double standard of currency and had the honor of
being a delegate to the national silver convention in 1896, which nominated
William J. Bryan for president of the United States. He is a gentleman
of broad general information, liberal in his views, and acts upon his con-
victions. He is one of the most public spirited and enterprising citizens of
Allen county. In 1856 he became a member of the Masonic fraternity and
has taken all the degrees in blue lodge, chapter, council, commandery and
Scottish rite branches of Free Masonry and held office in all the bodies. In
his life, however, he exemplifies the spirit of mutual helpfulness and
forbearance which forms the basic element of the craft. His has been an
honorable career. He has never made engagements that he has not ful-
filled nor incurred obligations he has not met. He is at all times straight-
forward and reliable and stands as a representative of our highest type of
American manhood.
T^R. A. L. DORNBERGH.— Time has all but annihilated the pioneers
-* — ' of Kansas. The passing of years has thinned their ranks until there
is only here and there one. In Allen county they are so rare as to become
an object, almost, of curiosity. To have spent more than forty years in
Kansas seems, at first thought, an improbability. Two score of years takes
us so far out onto the frontier that it seems scarcely the abode of the white
man. Yet it was and A. L. Dornbergh was among the number. He came
here from Lockport, New York, as a young miller in 1859, remained in
Humboldt a short time and having secured a claim near Humboldt preceded
to build a house and moved thereon. His family consi.sted of self, wife
and two sons and stepson H. D. Smith. It was with every expectation of
turning the claim into a farm that he took possession of it, but in this he
was disappointed, for in i860 came the drouth, then 1861 ushered in the
war which stopped all improvements. He entered the service as First
Lieutenant of the Allen County Guards. This compan}' with these of
Woodson and Wilson counties was organized in the southern division and
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 169
was called the 7th Regiment. Dr. Dornbergh was made Captain of his
company September 3d, 1861. February 2nd, 1864, he received a commis-
sion with the rank of Major and Aid-de-camp on Major-General John B.
Scott's staff. He was- out almost from the beginning of hostilities till the
end of the contest. He served on the border between Missouri and Kansas
and saw and participated in much of the hard field work of the west. After
the war Dr. Dornbergh was elected Probate Judge of Allen county where
he served three terms con.secutively of two years each, John Francis being
his deputy. Retiring he devoted himself to the cultivation and improve-
ment of his claim. He proceeded to plant forty acres of it to fruit and had
about the first bearing orchard on the prairie. His fruit was the best qual-
ity and was appreciated by his neighbors and friends toward whom he
showed a spirit of liberality.
Dr. Dornbergh was a homeopathist, practicing in his own family before
coming to Kansas, and when he took up the practice in this State, soon
gained by his success and faithfulness such a large business that everything
else was given up to that field of usefulness. Having spent nearly thirty-
five years in medicine he retired from its general practice.
When Dr. Dornbergh settled in Allen county Indians were roaming
over the county, settlers were scattered here and there along the streams,
Humboldt was the county seat, and lola, the successor to Cofachique, was
only a place in name. In those days the Doctor's well was on a sled in the
yard and as the Indians came by they helped themselves to the contents of
the barrel so long as there was any, without the permission of its owner.
Dr. Dornbergh was born in Caledonia, Livingston county. New York,
December 7, 1826. His father, John Dornbergh, was born near Albany,
New York, in 1799. and died at R.ochester, N. Y. in 1844. His wife, Sabra
S. Oldfield, was born in 1806 and died in 1876. She was the mother of five
children.
Dr. Dornbergh was married in 1854 at Clifton, Monroe county. New
York, to Sarah A. Smith, widow of W. H. Smith. Two children have
been born to them, viz: Harmon Lewis, born in 1855, died in 1878; John
Cheever, born i860, and who is a prominent farmer of Humboldt township,
Allen county, Kansas. The latter is married to Nettie M., daughter of
E. N. Wert, of Humboldt, and has five children.
Dr. Dornbergh was reared a Democrat. His father was an uncom-
promising one and taught the faith to his children, but our subject departed
from it when he grew up and was well known for his political convictions
during the early days of Allen county. In fraternal matters he is a Mason
and an Odd Fellow.
T A 7"ILLIAM J. EVANS was reared and educated in Carlyle and Geneva,
^ " Kansas. He was eighteen years of age when he came to lola and he
worked at odds and ends, hauling coal among the rest, till he entered the
1 70 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
drug house of R. B. Stevenson as a clerk. When the Missouri Pacific
railroad was building through lola he had a place on the engineering force
for a time. After this he was in Topeka, Kansas, occupying a position as
a drug clerk for some months and upon his return to lola in 18S2 bought
the drug business of Richards, Lakin and Ireland, a prominent firm twenty
years ago. In 1883 in company with William Goodhue he purchased the
drug stock of R. B. Stevenson and has since made drugs, books, stationary
and paints his business. Upon the retirement of Mr. Goodhue the firm
became W. J. Evans and remained so till the partnership of William J. and
Tell Evans was entered into in 1892. This stand has always enjoyed a
prosperous business. It has been the popular corner since the day Steven-
son opened his paper stand, and later his little drug store, and its magni-
tude and importance has increased with the demands of a metropolitan
city. The firm of Evans Brothers is nothing if not progressive and public
spirited. They get all that their legitimate business will earn but they do
not keep all they get. Their liberality toward worthy charities and meritor-
ious enterprises is well known and the money that they thus dispose of
annually is in liberal proportion to their net incomes.
Mr. Evans has been a member of the State Pharmaceutical Association
for near a dozen years, has been active on some of the committee work
■ and in 1896 was elected president of the Association, serving the usual,
term of one year.
In politics there never was a time when the Evans' w-ere not on the
side of patriotism and the flag. Whigs predominated in the household in
the days of Webster and Clay and Scott but with Fremont they became
Republicans and have remained so through all the history of that party.
William J. Evans was married in lola January 26, 1888, to Jessie, a
daughter of William Buchanan.
Mr. Evans is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias and a Workman.
The foregoing brief record and the more extended sketch of J. M.
Evans, previously given, is ihe story of lives well and honorably spent
It covers the period of Allen county's development and testifies to the part
which one of its pioneer families took in that development. It is fortunate
that the facts of genealogy herein contained have been so well preserved
to us and that the brief reference to the first settlement of our county is
thus vividly portrayed. The student of oui times in the future, will gain
information and find much to satisfy in the perusal of the lives of our
worthy pioneers.
T A 7'IIvLIAM x\I. MATTOCK.— Standing out conspicuously as a
^ » pioneer upon our eastern border and as a trusted and tried citizen
of Allen county is William M. Mattock, of Marmaton township. The day
when he was not among us takes us back to the Civil war era upon the
close of which the soldiers of the Union scattered to homes throughout the
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I71
length and breadth of the United States. Many of them sought the fertile
and unsettled portions of our frontier, chief of which latter was the domain
of eastern Kansas, and our subject was among the number. He drove,
with his family, across the border into Allen county in 1S66, and was the
third settler to build a cabin in what is now Marmaton township. He
entered the south-west quarter of section 24, township 25, range 20, and
the settlers who were his neighbors theji and are here still are the Culbert-
sons, the Harclerodes, John Sapp and Henry C. Rogers. The Porters
lived farther south than Rogers but have long since gone. All of eastern
Allen county was included in Humboldt township till after the war. Els-
more was the first to be cut off, in 1868, and iMarmaton the second, about
1871. Mr. Mattock was in Humboldt school district at first but the next
year little '"Stony Lonesome," midway between Humboldt and lola. was
erected and he was attached to that district. His first two votes were cast
in Humboldt, the distance to the polling place not sapping the voter of his
enthusiasm any more than now.
The original home of Mr. Mattock was McLean county, Illinois. He
was reared there but born in Richland county, Ohio, September i, 1840.
His father, Jacob Mattock, was born in Pennsylvania in 1815, left the state
with his father, Daniel Mattock, at eight years of age and settled in Rich-
land county, Ohio. The Mattocks are descended from the French and
German races who came to America in colonial times. An only brother of
Jacob Mattock was killed, with his family, in the Spirit Lake Indian
massacre, in Minnesota, many years ago. Jacob Mattock was married in
Ohio to Eliza McConkie, a daughter of William McConkie, who emigrated
Irom Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Two children were the result
of their marriage, viz: William M., our subject, and Mrs. Mary Swine-
heart, who died in McLean county, Illinois. Mrs. Jacob Mattock died in
the same county in 1866.
In the spring of i860 Jacob Mattock took his family into Cooper
county, Missouri, where he died the same season. The following year his
son enlisted in the gth Missouri Cavalry, Company I, and served the first
year as a scout with different commands. His company officer was Capt.
Eaton and his regimental commander, Col. Williams. Mr. Mattock was
promoted from sergeant of his company after the first year to Acting Ser-
geant Major of the regiment. He sensed in the south-western department
and was dealing with bushwhackers quite all the lime. The Price Raid
furnished a few engagements, like the Big Blue, which the gth Missouri
Cavalry got into, but beyond these the only excitement of the regiment
was raised when a band of guerrillas or detachments of rebels was en-
countered and brought into a fight
Mr. Mattock's service covered Missouri, Arkansas and eastern Kansas,
and his exposure during the.se years brought on him attacks of rheumatism
from which he has suffered much torture all the years since the war.
William Mattock was reared chiefly in a small town in Ohio He was
schooled at Newville and acquired sufficient learning to render him com-
petent to transact the ordinary business of life. He was married in Jul}-,
iy2 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
1865, to Maria J., a daughter of C. S. Starkey, who came to Kansas with
our subject in 1866. His two children are Dr. J. A. Starkey, of Waynes-
viDe, Illinois, and Mrs. Mattock. Mr. Mattock's children are: Emma
A., wife of J. W. McFarland, of Stillwater, Oklahoma; L. D. and J. A.
Mattock, of Marmaton township, and Katie, wife of J. W. Sigler, of Lone
Elm, Kansas.
Mr. Mattock was elected Trustee of his township first early in the '70's
and has filled the ofiice sixteen years, and only retires when his health will
not permit him to serve longer. He is one of the staunch Republicans of
Allen county and, for years, it was an unusual thing when he was not on
the Marmaton delegation to any county convention.
CHARLES NELSON, who follows farming in El-more township, Allen
County, was born in Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois, on the 19th of
August, 1854. His father, Olaf Nelson, was a native of Sweden, and ere
leaving that land he was united in marriage to Miss Inga Parison, who was
also born there. They came to the United States about 1850, locating in
Illinois, and in 1876 took up their abode in Kansas, the father purchasing
a farm five miles west of Savonburg, near the south line of the county. He
is still living there at the age of seventy-seven years, but in 1897 he was
called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 13th of March,
of that year, at the age of si.xty-eight years. They were the parents of
eight children, of whom five are now living, namely: Charles, Frank J.,
Hannah M., Madison and Sarah.
Mr. Nelson, of this review, was reared in Illinois until sixteen years
of age, and enjoyed the educational advantages afforded by the common
schools of his native county. He resided with his parents until twenty
years of age, at which time he left home and was married to Miss Caroline
Home, of Knoxville, and that year they came to Kansas with her parents
and Mr. Nelson preempted one hundred and sixty icres of land five miles
west of Savonburg. Immediately he began the improvement of his farm
and in 1880 he extended the field of his labors by embarking in general
merchandising at Warrensburg, conducting the new enterprise in connec-
tion with the operation of his farm, until 1888. He then removed his stock
of goods to Savonburg. About that time the Missouri, Kansas & Texas
railroad was surveyed through the place. Mr. Nelson organized a town
company and was made its president. He has lived to see the little village
grow and prosper and it now has a population of eighf hundred. In its
improvement and upbuildinjj he has been an important factor, his active
co-operation in all measures for the general good being of immense benefit.
On the ist of March, 1896 he sold his stock of goods and returned to the
farm, to the operation of which he is now devoting all of his time and at-
tention.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson has been blessed with eleven chil-
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 73
dren, eight of whom are now living, namely: Estella M., who is a graduate
of the grammar schools and is now teaching in lola; Victor C, John F.,
Gertrude V., Carl Inez, Gladys and Virl. The family is one of prominence
ill the community, the members of the household occupying leading posi-
tions in social circles. Mr. Nelson gives his political support to the
Democracy and keeps well informed on the issues of the day. Socially he
is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen in Savonburg.
His life has been a busy and u.seful one and while he has added to his own
prosperity he has at the same tim2 been numbered among the substantial
citizens and also contributed to the general good.
NEWTON THOMPSON, of Marmaton township, of Allen County,
who owns the northeast quarter of section 22, town 24, range 20, came
to Kansas from Carroll County, Missouri, but he was born in Carroll Coun-
ty, Indiana. His birth occurred near Delphi October 15, 1856, and he is •
a son of George R. Thompson, a resident of Moran, Kansas. The latter
spent many years of his life as a blacksmith in Delphi, to which point he
went from Washington County, Indiana. In 1S66 he emigrated westward
to Saline County, Missouri, and resided there and in Carroll County, that
State, till 1879, when he came to Kansas He was engaged in burning
lime in the two Missouri counties and in the latter one he purchased and
operated a farm. The first years of his residence in Allen County were
passed in the country and he improved a farm in section 23, town 24,
range 20.
Mr. Thompson is directly traceable to the Irish. He is a great grand-
son of Thos. Thompson, born and reared in Ireland. The latter came to
America prior to the Revolution and settled in Kentucky as a pioneer.
There he reared his family and, at Frankfort our subject's grandfather was
born in 1775. Thos. Thompson died in Franklin township, Indiana, in
1828, at the age of seventy -two years. His .son, Robert Thompson, our
subject's grandfather, died in Washington County, Indiana, in 1864. He
was a pioneer to Indiana and among the first settlers of Washington Coun-
ty. Thos. Thompson was a soldier of the American Revolution, as were
three of his sons. Robert Thompson was a captain in the War of 1812 and
was engaged in the battle at New Orleans. He married Elizabeth
Robinson aud George R. Thompson is the ninth of ten children in his
family.
George R. Thompson was born in Washington County, April ro, 1824,
and at the outbreak of the Civil War enlisted in the 2nd Indiana cavalry,
a rather independent organization, under the command of General Ed. Mc-
Cook. He participated in ever}* engagement of cavalry from Atlanta, in
the fall of 1863, to the close of the war. His division went in advance of
Sherman to and away from Savanah and saw the war ended at Jonesboro,
174 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
North Carolina. He was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, J uly
26, 1865.
Our subject's mother was Emily Perdue. She bore eight children and
our subject is the sole survivor.
J. Newton Thompson was schooled in the country and has practiced
nought but farming. He was married in Allen County in February, 1880,
to L,;ota Binta, a daughter of William Banta. Mrs. Thompson was one of
the early and successful teachers of the county and was a boarder in the
home of Hon. E. H. Funston, whose oldest son, the General, was one of
her pupils.
The Bantas came to Kansas from Brown County, Indiana. William
Banta was born in the state of Kentucky in 18 17 and died in AUt-n County
in 1897. He married Eleanor Coffland and was the father of Mrs. Thomp-
son, Byron Banta, of Oklahoma; Rhoda, wife of Geo. W. Smith, one of the
leading teachers of Alien County; Albin Banta, of Kansas City, Kansas;
Mrs. Alice Jones, wife of Rev. E. S. Jones, of Westphalia, Kansas; Elijah
Banta, of Allen County, and Mrs. Pearl Cox.
Mr. and Mrs. Thompson's children are: Addie Thompson, born iSSo,
is a graduate of the coraiuon schools and a teacher; Minnie Thompson, a
graduate of the common schools; Rothwell, Clair, Arthur and Glenn
Thompson.
"Newt" Thompson is one of the enthusiastic Republicans of Allen
County and holds a membership in the Presbyterian church at Moran.
GEORGE McLAUGHEIN. — Our attention is directed in the following
brief sketch to a family who have done no little toward the moral,
educational and material advancement of Allen county. Its establishment
here dates from the year 1871 and its worthy and industrious head is the
subject hereof.
When George McLaughlin located upon the north-west quarter of sec-
tion 8, township 25, range 21, there were few persons who could now be
termed neighbors. The Sapps, Culbertsons, Moores and the Armstrongs
were among the nearby settlers and the neighborhood was considered to
extend as far away as Nortons, west of Moran. The post-ofKce was old
Elsmore and there was naught to prevent one from taking the shortest cut
to any desired point. Mr. McLaughlin erected, or moved into, an old
stone house layed up with mud, built by an old bachelor settler, Lindsey.
This the family used as a lesidence till 1S79 when the present family cot-
tage was erected in the center of the section he now owns.
The first years in a new country are not infrequently years of occa-
sional trials and hardships. This is particularly true of settlers who are
without means, save as they gather them from their fields in the harvest
times. The McLaughlins were poor. They had settled in a new country
because of that fact and when it is stated that a failure in their crops
Vvm..*tf VvLr^j^.^^Ldw^ Wu:, J-cxAx^oiJ^y^
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 175
brought suffering, both mental and physical, it is no exaggeration. There
was one barrier between the family and actual distress, at times, and that
was education. Mrs. McLaughlin had superior educational facilities. At
the age of sixteen she was a classical graduate of the Macedonian Institute
at Alexandria, Kentucky, and was immediately tendered the chair of
English Literature in the Mt. Vernon, Ohio, Female Seminary, which she
declined. Her first teacher's certificate was granted by Colonel Jacob
Ammon, a close friend and old teacher of Gen. Grant. When Mrs. Mc-
Laughlin was acquiring an education it did not occur to her that said
education would some time save a little settlement on the frontier and pre-
serve it for good in the development of a great state. But it so happened.
When the hard years came and the family larder ran low the wife of our
subject taught school. Rocklow and Union and Stony Point have all been
garrisoned by her and a small band of America's youth and those times
are now regarded as among the events of her life.
As the years wore on and crop conditions became more favorable and
the growing of cattle profitable the material prosperity of the family be-
came apparent. This condition of financial ease exemplified itself in a
regular and steady increase in area of the family homestead. Eventually
its boundaries extended to and included all the eighties in section eight,
save one, and its shortage is made up in another section. To dig a section
of land out of itself is not done without great industry and perseverance and
the McLaughlins are to be congratulated, in view of their earl ^ difficulties,
in accomplishing the task in a quarter of a century.
Mr. McLaughlin came from Brown county, Ohio. He was born there
May 12, 1835, and his wife April 25, 1844. The latter was A bbie J. , a
daughter of Thomas Pickerell, who cut off with his own ax three hundred
acres of Ohio timber land. Mr. Pickerell was born in Mason county,
Kentucky, March 12, 1800, and died in Brown county, Ohio, April i6,
1871. His father, Samuel Pickerell, enlisted at twelve years of age in the
Colonial army for service in the war of the Revolution. He was a drum-
mer and served through the war. He was with General Washington at
the crossing of the Delaware and in the service his feet and hands were so
frosted that parts of them were necessarily removed. He was a farmer and
bought the old Pickerell place on Eagle Creek, Bird township, Brown
county, Ohio, upon which the fir.st church of the Campbellite faith was
erected, in 1817. The Shakers had once occupied the site but had
abandoned it and the early Campbellite leaders gathered and perfected
their organization there. Samuel Pickerell died at the age of ninety-eight
years. He was married and reared the following children: Dennis, who
reared a family in Brown county, Ohio; Richard, Samuel, Lovell, Thomas,
William, Betsy, who married Samuel Dunham, Jennie, who married James
Beatty; Mary, who became the wife of Mr, Harbaugh; Sallie, wife of Mr.
Gillespie; Mrs. Thomas Reese: and Lucy, who became Mrs. Samuel
Bartholomew. Thomas Pickerell married Alice Mann, a grand-daughter
of David De\''ore, born in Alsace, France, now Germany. She was Mr.
Pickerell's second wife. He reared two families; in the first eight children
176 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
and in the second five. Those surviving are: Thomas Pickerell, of Rice
county, Kansas; Addison Pickerell, of Carthage, Illinois- Alexander O.
Pickerell, of Arkansas; John F. Pickerell, of Ripley, Ohio; Mrs. Mc-
Laughlin; Sarah, widow of Samuel Peck, Dover, Kentucky, and Ella, wife
of John McKee, of Ripley, _ Ohio. William C. Pickerell, deceased, was
the first settler on the townsite of Topeka. He was a brother of Mrs. Mc-
Laughlin who went out the Kaw river above Kansas City in 1853 and
took the claim that much of the State Capital stands on. He enlisted in
Jameson's command and served through the war. His twelve-year-old
son, Thomas, rode ninety miles without saddle or bridle and without
eating to a military post to carry out his determination to get into the
service. He went through the war as buglar and resides in Ness county,
Kansas, at present.
Mr. McLaughlin's father was David McLaughlin, a pioneer settler in
Brown county, Ohio. He was born in Pennsylvania but was reared in
Mason county, Kentucky. He was a son of John McLaughlin and the
farm where he first settled is still in the family, owned by our subject's
youngest brother. David McLaughlin was a soldier in our second war
with England and was in the garrison at Detroit when Hull surrendered it
to the British. He died in 1880 at the age of eighty-four years. He
married Reebcca Ramey who died in 1873. Their children were: John
R. , of Brown county, Ohio; Lydia, deceased, married R. P. Fisher; George
McLaughlin; Josiah C, who died in 1863; Frances, deceased, and Law-
rence McLaughlin.
George McLaughlin served in the hundred day guards called out dur-
ing the war to protect the border from Rebel invasion. He left Ohio in 1866
and came west to Jackson county, Missouri. He resided there three years
and took another step westward into Brown county, Kansas. In 1871 he
left there and came down into Allen county. He was married May 2,
i860, to one of the successful teachers of Brown county, Ohio. Their
children were: Herschel, deceased; T. Hamer; Josiah C, of Kansas City,
Kansas, married Cora Holman; Anna, widow of J. L. Edson, resides in
Kansas City, Missouri; Alice, wife of Will Shank of Bronson, Kansas;
Chilton W. , of Kansas City, Kansas, assistant surgeon St. Margaret's
Hospital; Rose, wife of W. L. Stahl, with Kansas City Journal, and Leona
and Myrtle McLaughlin, successful teachers of Allen county, and Horace
McLaughlin, at home.
Mr. McLaughlin is a Democrat. He was reared one and there has
been no time when he felt warranted in changing his faith.
JEROME. VV. DELAPLAIN, who for almost a third of a century has
made his home in Allen County, traces his ancestry back to France and
finds that many representatives of the family are living in various sections
of this country. The orthography of the name has undergone many
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I 77
changes, some spelling it as dwellers of the plains, De I^a Plain. Samuel
Delaplain, the grandfather of our subject, was born about the 7th of
November, 1 78 1 , and served in the War of 1812. He married Jane Mc-
Fadden, a descendant of a patriot of Irish birth who served for seven years
in the war of the American Revolution. Some time in 1808 Samuel Dela-
plain, accompanied by one of his brothers, made the journey on horseback
from Ohio to Illinois, also accompanied by their aged mother, a Scotch
woman, who died a: the age of one hundred and four years. The grand-
father was a pioneer Methodist preacher and crossed the Mississippi River
to a French village where the city of St. Louis, Missouri, now stands. He
was also a carpenter and took a contract to build the first market house
there, going to the forest and cutting and hewing the timber and making
the boards from which to construct the building. The old French market
house long stood as a landmark of that locality.
While Samuel Delaplain and his wife Jane were occupying the French
claim in 1812, Joshua P. Delaplain was born unto them, Ijeing the fifth of
their eleven children. Shortly afterward the family again crossed the
Mississippi River, settling on a farm lour miles north of Alton, Illinois,
where the son Joshua grew to manhood. We find him early taking an
active part in the work of the Methodist church, of which he remained an
active and consistent member until his death in 1875. Holding a commis-
sion from Governor Reynolds of Illinois in a company of Stats militia when
the Black Hawk war broke out, he resigned his military ofSce and enlisted
as a private in a company of Independent Mounted Rifles, serving until the
old chief and his followers were subdued.
On thegthof October, 1836, Joshua Delaplain was united in marriage
to Mary O. Copley, who was born October 7, 1818, at Oneida, New York.
Her parents were of English ancestry. Of this marriage were born the
following named: Jerome W. , Eugene W., now of Eogan township; John
B., of Kansas City; Charles E- , deceased; Emma J., who in 1871 married
George D. IngersoU, then a merchant of lola, and died in Moran, Kansas,
in 1886, leaving three children; and Ellis P., of Elm township, who come
pletes the family.
In 1868 Joshua P. Delaplain and his eldest son, Jerome W., made a
prospecting tour to Missouri and northern Kansas without finding just the
location they wanted, and after considering the future of Galveston, Texas,
as an outlet for the produce of Kansas by the Leavenworth, Lawrence &
Galveston railroad, then talked of, the father in the early summer of 1868,
came to Allen County, Kansas, spending the first night after his arrival at
the Rodgers farm, southeast of Moran. The next day he met William
Buchanan of lola, who showed him the Snodgrass farm of one hundred and
sixty acres, one mile south of Gas City. The farm was purchased and Mr.
Delaplain went east for his family who came overland in the last of Sep-
tember, 1868.
Previous to this time, Jerome W. Delaplain, on the i6th of May, i866,
had married Sue F. Gifford, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
and whose parents were of English and German descent. Jerome Dela-
178 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
plain and his wife came with the family to Allen County and purchased of
Oliver Redfern the southwest quarter of section five, township twenty-five,
range nineteen, then a part of lola township, of which James McDonald
was trustee. Houses were few and far between and were scattered along
the streams. Prairie fires were frequent and often destructive, much time
being consumed in guarding against and fighting them. The blanketed
Indian still hunted over the prairies and sometimes would get the deer the
Delaplain boys were after. Soon, however, the country became more
thickly settled with the white people, who purchased farm lands of specu-
lators, railroad companies or of other settlers. The Pickells, Ohlfests,
Monforts, Frinks, Johnsons, Crowells, Ports, Renisbergs and others
came.
During the period of these arrivals petitions, at fint unavailing, began
to find their way to the county commissioners asking for the establishment
of anew township. Fiually, as the result of the earnest effort of Mr.
Pickell, the petitions were granted. At the Jacob Sikes school house on
Elm Creek, a half mile north of the present site of the Allen Center school
house, a general gathering of the voters was held. John Wooleras, a Dem-
ocrat, was nominated for trustee and J. W. Delaplain, a Republican, for
township treasurer, but the latter did not like the idea of a fusion ticket,
and at a consultation which was held it was decided to cut loose from the
fusion movement and put a straight Republican ticket in the field. Ac-
cordingly notices were posted for a primary of Republican voters at the old
log schoolhouse on the Riley farm about three-fourths of a mile east of the
I. N. Port corner. At that primary J. W. Delaplain, refusing any place on
the ticket, his father, J. P. Delaplain, was nominated for trustee, J. L.
Arnold for treasurer and Alvin Harris for clerk. They were all elected
and Mr. Delaplain served for two terms in that office and one term as jus-
tice of the peace. In 1874 Jerome Delaplain was appointed township
treasurer to fill out the unexpired term of George Hopkins and by re-elec-
tion held the ofBce for eight years, when he refused to again become a
candidate.
The subject of this review passed through the usual experiences of
pioneer life. The house which stood on his one hundred and sixty acre
farm was a log structure, sixteen by sixteen feet, with rough board doors
and one small window, while a split board roof was held in place with the
weight of rocks and poles. Between the rough boards of the floor rattle-
snakes sometimes made their way into the cabin, and the first winter a
small, striped perfumed cat got in. The large rock fireplace in one end of
the room, together with a cook stove in the center of the room, did not
prevent the young wife's feet from getting badly frosted. Such were the
hardships of pioneer life in Kansas! Times were very hard. On one oc-
casion they were eating their last loaf of bread, not knowing how or where
to get more, yet it came without calling for "aid."
Mr. Delaplain's mother, now eight3'-three years of age, yet resides
with him. Unto him and his wife, while they were living in the old cabin,
a son was born. May 15, 1869, to whom they gave the name of Charles W.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 79
He lived to young manhood and then died. Another son, Alfred G. Dela-
plain, was born December 5, 1874. In March 1891, Jerome W. Delaplain
purchased thirty-one and a fourth acres of land near Ida, now in Brooklyn
Park, and moved from Elm to lola township that the children, Alfred and
the adopted daughter, Nellie, now Mrs. C. D. Eakin, of Gas City, might
have the advantages of the lola schools. There he resided for six years,
and about the time of the beginning of lola's prosperity he sold his prop-
erty at an advance and, crossing East street, purchased the Chatfield prop-
erty, little dreaming that it would ever be a part of the new city of
Ida.
During the last three years of the great rebellion, J. W., E. W. and
J. B. Delaplain served their country as enlisted members of Company D,
One Hundred and Twenty-Second Illinois Infantry, which formed a part
of the Sixteenth Army Corps, which marched, starved, feasted and fought
according to the fortunes of war and all the time loj'allj' promoted the cause
of the Union. While a resident of Elm townphip J. \V. Delaplain was a
worker for the Republican party, often serving on central committees or rs
a delegate to the different conventions of county or district. He was prom-
inent in the school work of his district and altogether has held rather more
than man's share of the minor offices of district or township — a fact which
indicates his high standing among his fellowmen.
TDARTHOLOMEW A. LONGSTRETH, one of the substantial and
-• — 'representative farmers and early settlers of Deer Creek township, came
into Allen County, Kansas, October 2, 1869, and became a permanent
settler. He purchased the northeast quarter of section 21, township 23,
range 19, one of the "settled" places, with log cabin (fit only for firewood)
in which he was glad to make his home. Looking about for the .settlers
who were here then, Adam Maier. David Funkhouser, Al Weatherman,
Thos. Day and William Wise are all gone. Liztown, then a trading point
near thr county line, has long since passed out of existence and the new
towns of Colony and Lone Elm have profited by its demise.
Settling the frontier was no new business to Mr. Longstreth for he had
passed some years in the wilds of Kansas before the Civil war and was
familiar with the hardships and trials incident thereto. Upon coming of
age he journeyed into Wisconsin and from that State across into Leaven-
worth County, Kansas, on an exploring "voyage." It was 1857 when he
went to Leavenworth and an opportunity to join a party of surveyors pre-
sented itself and he accepted it. Kansas was then being sectionized by the
government and the party to whom he belonged did the work of running
off the lines and setting the corners up the Smoky Hill River almost to its
head, and to the Nebraska State line. D. L- Lakin, of Alabama, had
charge of this party and our subject acted as chainman. The latter was
out among the buffaloes and coyotes from July to December, in the per-
I So HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
formerance of his duties, and communing with nature in her horael}' garb.
In 1858-9 and i860 Mr. lyongstreth was engaged as a farm hand or in get-
ting out logs and lumber around Leavenworth. Following this he re-
turned to Ohio and was married and engaged in farming. Upon his return
to Kansas with his family he came bj' train to Ottawa where he provided
himself with implements, furniture and other effects necessary to supply a
cabin and to cultivate a small farm and paid $20 to have it all freighted '
down to David Funkhouser's near Carlyle. He took possession of his farm
and began his third of a century of successful cultivation of Allen County
soil.
B. A. Longstreth was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, August 10,
1834. He is a son of Philip Longstreth, born in Pennsylvania, settled
in Ohio as a boy and died in Muskingum County in 1886 at the age of
eighty-three years. His father. Philip Longstreth, went into Ohio in
the first years of the 19th century and opened a farm in the Muskingum
valley.
Our subject's mother was Anna Giger, still living at eighty-seven
vears of age. Her children are: Bartholomew A.; Catharine, wife of Philip
Vance, of Morgan County. Ohio; Daniel Longstreth, of Muskingum,
County; Mary Ann, who resides in Zanesville, Ohio; Julia, wife of Mr.
Shreir, and Priscilla, wife of Mr. Clager, both of Muskingum County,
and James Longstreth.
Mr. Longstreth acquired little education. He was the oldest child
and he was looked to to help clear the farm. He applied himself faithfully
ill the aid of his parents till his twenty-first year when he started on the
western trip which brought him his frontier experience. In August, 1863,
he was married to Lorena Stoneburner, a daughter of Israel Stoneburner
and Miss Busch, the lattei of whom crossed the Atlantic from Germany.
Mrs. Longstreth was born in Ohio and is the mother of the following chil-
dren: Anna, wife of C. H. Wilson, County Surveyor of Noble County,
Ohio; Laura, wife of C. E. Walters, of Colony, Kansas; Frank; Fred, of
Anderson County, Kansas, who married Clara Delp, and Delia and Floy
Longstreth, in the family home.
The interested searcher for the political history of the Longstreths will
find the early ones Democrats. B. A. Longstreth espoused that faith until
his advent to Kansas. His observation of matters political, then, caused
him to change front on the two great parties and he has since voted and
worked with the Republicans. Mr. Longstreth's applied industry for
nearly a third of a century in Allen County has brought its reward. The
raising of grain and stock and the investment of his surplus in real estate
has expanded his acres and makes him the owner of one of the most de-
sirable stock farms and feeding-grounds on the creek. His record as a
citizen has kept pace with that as a farmer. He enjoys the confidence of a
wide circle of friends by whom he is regarded as an honorable, public-
spirited and successful citizen.
•WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. iSl
^A 7'ILLIAMJ. RUMBLE, one of the well known farmers and stock
^ " men of Marmaton township, came to Allen county January 13,
1882. His location was upon section ,-55. township 24, range 20, one of the
first class tracts of land in Allen county and of which he owns the north-
west quarter. As a resident of Kansas he has been engaged extensively in
the beef cattle business and is widely known as a feeder and furnisher of
butchers stuff. For sixteen years he was proprietor of a meat market in
Moran, a business which he conducted as an adjunct to his other and reg-
ular business of supplying beef cattle to butchers. Since his retirement
from the "block" the management and cultivation of this farm and of the
north half of section 10, same township, have required much ot his per-
sonal supervision. During the ,'ear of 1900 he handled about 500 head of
fat cattle and as a feeder his herd numbers into the hundreds of head.
Mr. Rumbel was born in Schuykill county, Pennsjdvania, December
10, 1864. He was educated in the country schools, and learned the
butchers trade in his youth. He is a son of Joshua Rumbel, of Moran,
who was also born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, April 28, 1832.
He is a grandson of Henry Rumbel, a farmer, born in Montgomery
county, Pennsylvania. The latter followed lumbering, farming and kind-
red businesses, and was successful. He moved into Schuylkill county at
eleven years of age with his father, Jake or John Rumbel. Henry Rumbel
died in the county of Schuylkill in 1S75 at the age of sixty-nine years.
He married Salane Andress and their children were: Henry, Rebecca,
Daniel, Joshua, John P., Jacob and -Mary, wife of G. T. Reber, of Berks
county, Pennsylvania.
Joshua Rumbel grew up on his father's Schuylkill county farm and
was educated in German in the country schools, but picked up an English
education. He began life as a farmer and lumber manufacturer and con-
ducted a large business and acquired some wealth. He disposed of his
interests in the east and came to Kansas and invested in lands and stock.
He was one of the organizers of the Moran Bank and was connected with
its affairs till its failure in 1898.
Joshua Rumbel was married first in 1853 to Louisa Singley who died
from the effects of an injury at the hands of the Kansas and Pacific Rail-
road Company. Their children are Albert H., of Schuylkill count}',
Pennsylvania; Josiah, of Parsons, Kansas; Lawrence, of Schuylkill county,
Pennsylvania; William J., our subject; Mary A., deceased; Richard, de-
ceased, and Emma N. , wife of C. R. Richard, of Greensboro, Maryland.
William J. Rumbel was married in Allen county. Kansas, November
9, 1886, to Dessie M. Keith, a daughter of C. P. Keith. Their children
are Neta, Vernie and Oliver.
From the earliest time the Rumbels have been Democrats. The rare
departure was when Joshua Rumbel supported Abraham Lincoln for
President. Our subject was schooled in the principles of Democracy and
has kept the faith. He is one of the active party leaders and conventions
of the "opposition" without his presence, are rare indeed.
iSa HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
r^ EORGE MANVILLE BROWN was born in Otsego, New York, on
^-^ the 9th day of January, 1813. He lived on a farm until he was
thirteen years old. At that time his parents moved out to the western part
of the state and he went to live with a brother, supporting himself and at-
tending school. His school work was prosecuted with such vigor and
success that at the early age of seventeen he became a teacher, an avoca-
tion which he followed for upwards of thirty years. In 1857 he left New
York and came to Kansas, locating in Geneva township, Allen county,
where for ten years he farmed the land now occupied by Mr. B. O. Miller.
In 1 87 1 he was elected Register of Deeds and removed to lola which has
ever since been his home. He held the office four }^ears, and then after a
vacation of two years, he was again elected and served four years more.
Since retiring form office the last time he has not been actively engaged in
business but has devoted his time to managing the property he had ac-
quired. Mr. Brown was married at the age af twenty-two to Miss Caroline
Griswold, deceased, of Bath, New York. Five children have sprung from
this union, of whom but two, Mrs. D. D. Spicer, of Geneva, and Miss Flora
Brown, are .still living.
During the long years he has been a resident of Ida and Allen county
Mr. Brown has had the unqualified confidence of all who knew him. And
during the later years of his life, this confidence deepened into affection.
He was an honest man, who feared God and loved his neighbor and did
his duty; and he had his reward in a serene and cheerful old age and in
the love of troops of friends. No man was ever more ready for the great
change, and few men have left behind them a more fragrant memory.
T A 7'ILLIAM BUCHANAN, among the representative citizens of lola,
'^ " is a son of Irish parents, Robert and Mary A. (Craig) Buchanan.
The latter came to the United States in i8n and chose Kentucky as their
place of residence. Bourbon county became their permanent home and in
that municipality he plied his trade of coverlet weaver. He went into
Rush county, Indiana, and took a "claim" in the Rushville swamps. He
died at Riddles Mills, Kentucky, in 1827 at about forty years of age. His
wife died in Rush county, Indiana. Seven of their children grew to be
men and women, viz: Mary, who died in Larned Kansas, was the wife of
Joseph David; John, who died in California in 1849; James, who died at
Garnett, Kansas, in 1890; William; Robert, who died, also, at Garnett,
Kansas; Samuel, who died at Welda, Kansas; Jennie, wife of William
W. Innis, of Rushville, Indiana.
William Buchanan was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, in 1820.
He spent the first seventeen years of his life in Kentucky doing farm labor
in the fields with the blacks at twelve and a half cents a day. He got as
little education, in a school house, as it was possible for a boy to get and
he was convinced early in life that his hands would be his capital. When
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 83
he went into the beech woods of Indiana and grubbed and chopped in the
clearing he got ten dollars a month for his labor. By this means he man-
aged to get together an ox team with which, in 1842, he crossed the
prairies to the new state of Iowa. He decided to settle with the Sac and
Fox Indians at Princeton, in Kishkekosh county, afterwards Albia,
Monroe county. This he did finally and remained in that state
thirty 5'ears. Mr. Buchanan quit farming ultimately and engaged in
the dry goods and grocery business in tne same town. He purchased the
only flouring mill in the city of Albia and operated it twelve years. This
period covered the Civil war era and many were the soldiers' widows and
soldiers' wives who were the recipients of his benefactions. He disposed
of his Iowa interests in 1866 and came to Allen county the next year. He
located in lola and engaged in the manufacture of furniture. His factory
■ was located on the lot just north of the Presbyterian church and he oper-
ated it two 5'ears. He erected the first fine hou.se in the city of lola and
was just prepared to enjoy life when financial reverses overtook him and he
was left nearly penniless. He started again, with his raw steers, renting a
piece of grub land on the river. He raised his first crop on supplies pur-
chased on time, — corn one dollar a bushel. After his second marriage he
located on the tract north of lola, where he lived so long, and continued to
repair his financial losses.
Mr. Buchanan was married fir.st, in 1842, to Mary A. Stephenson.
She died in 1869 and in 1872 he married Harriet M., a daughter of Stark
Edwards. The Edwards were originally from Connecticut, but more re-
cently from Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Buchanan was one of the early
teachers of lola and she died here in February 1897. Her only heir is
Don C. Buchanan, one of lola's young business men. He is married to
Mary E. Dugan.
William Buchanaa's first children are: George, a soldier, who died in
1867; Melissa, relict of W. Morgan Hartman, of lola; Jessie, wife of W. J.
Evans, of lola; Maggie, who married H. H. Funk and resides in lola; John
Buchanan, who married Cynthia Zinc and left a family, at death, in
Bourbon county, Kansas.
Mr. Buchanan's first presidential vote was cast for Willian H. Har-
rison. He remained with the Whigs until it merged into the Republican
party and he has since been a loyal and constant supporter of it.
"T^ELERSEIE W. TREGO— Men who change business in middle life are,
-*— -'as a rule, in the same predicament as the men who swapped horses while
crossing a stream. Rarely do men, after their business habits are formed
and their success in a given line demonstrated, change the course of their
training without handicapping them.selves or meeting with serious and
and positive reverses. Especielly is this true where the successful farmer
deserts his post and embarks in the mercantile business. Ellerslie W.
r84 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
Trego was a successful farmer in Ailen Count}' for many years. When
anything was accomplished on the farm in his county he deserved credit
for a part of it. His industry and tenacity overcame difficulties that would
have defeated a less determined soul and as the years went by he found
himself climbing steadily up the ladder of success. But he was not doing
as well as he wished. He was ambitious to accomplish more and in a
different line. In his case "old man well enough" was not good enough
and his old quality of determination prompted him to change his business.
There seemed an opening in Humboldt for a hardware business, in addi-
tion to the two already established there. Merchandising is directly oppo-
site in business principles to that of farming and this few farmers readily
realize. Mr. Trego must have discovered this for his entrance upon it was
signaled with success from the start. He purchased the small stock of C
L,. Rice who was doing a fair business with a new stock, and engaged in
business in December, 1898. To the surprise of his farmer friends Mr.
Trego attracted business. Each quarter showed an increase over the pre-
ceding one and each year a greater volume of business than the one before.
It was soon discovered that E. W. Trego was not only a successful farmer
but that he was a successful merchant as well. He even surpa.ssed, in
substantial earnings, his achievements upon the farm maintaining the
same good credit and the same business integrity that characterized him as
a farmer.
E. W. Trego was born in Bucks County. Pennsylvania, July 4, 1861.
He is a son of the late Dr. Albert Trego who came to Allen County in 1878
and settled upon a farm in Salem township. The family started to Kansas
from Mercer County, Illinois, but set out for the west from Bucks County,
Pennsylvania. For many years the Tregos were identified with the
Keystone State, Lewis Trego, our subjecs's grandfather, being born
therein.
Dr. Albert Trego was born in 1826. He was liberally educated, prac-
ticed medicine from his farm in Allen County and died June 6, 1893. He
was a man of good address, with an intellect vvell balanced and well in-
formed and was one of the leading men of Allen County. He was an
active Republican for many yeais and his name was mentioned in
connection with the nomination for the State Legislature He married
Mary Etta Linton, who survives him. Their six children were: Ellerslie W. ,
Albert, of Leadville, Colorado; Anua, wife of Mahlon Trego, of Harvey
County, Kansas, and Mrs. Minnie Kirk, of Bucks County, Pennsylyauia,
surviving. Two are deceased.
E. W. Trego was educated in the common schools. His life, until his
entry into the mercantile business, was entirely rural, where he learned
and practiced the principles of industry. He conducted the farm operations
in Salem township twenty years and took up his residence in Humboldt to
be near his business. He was married July 19, 1885, to Miry E- Yeager,
daughter of Champ C. Yeager, of Allen County, whose ancestors were iden-
tified with Shelby County, Kentucky, but were originally from Madison
County, Virginia. Mrs. Trego was a successful teacher in Allen County
WOODSON COITNTIES, KANSAS. IS5
many years and was one of a family of three surviving children. Mr. and
Mrs. Trego's children are: Willis A., Edward C. , Homer, Linton L. and
Elma.
As a citizen of Allen County EUerslie Trego is one of the best. He
inherited a desire to be in politics and he has permitted no opportunity to
pass for its gratification. Until the reform wave swept over Kansas he was
a Republican, as .staunch as the most unyielding, but his opinions on pub-
lic questions changed in 1891 and he joined forces with the Peoples party.
He was elected trustee of his township four times and was the nominee for
County Clerk on the Populist ticket in 1S93 and made the race against
James Wakefield. He has been one of the chief advisors of his party, in
county matters, during many campaigns.
JOHN MANBECK — Pennsylvania has furnished Allen and other coun-
^ ties of Kansas with many sturdy and industrious citizens whose efforts
have added much toward the development of the State and in few instances,
in Allen Count}-, has such citizenship been more conspicuoush- apparent
than in that of John Manbeck, of Marmaton township. It is scarce twenty
years since he settled his f'=imily upon the northeast quarter of section 9,
town 25, range 20, then a piece of unbroken prairie, and now his is one of
the attractive, homelike and productive farms in the county. Mr. Man-
beck was not enjoying a great degree of financial independence when he
came to Kansas and he paid the railroad for his land in installments. At a
time when he was nearing the plane of independence and was well ahead
of his pursuers in the race of life, fire destroyed his barn and contents and
struck him a paralizing blow. His horses, mules and his swine have
thrived to aid him in retrieving these losses and he has replaced the build-
ings with larger ones than before.
Mr. Manbeck was born in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, March
13, 1855. His father, Enoch Manbeck, was a thrifty and successful farm-
er, born in the same county in 1820 and died there in 1896. The latter
was a .soldier in the Civil war, in a Pennsylvania regiment, while his son,
Lucien, saw much hard service in the campaign around Richmond, was at
the blowing-up of the Petersburg miiie and, being captured, was impris-
oned at Salisbur}', North Carolina. Enoch Manbeck was the great-grand-
son of an Irishman who settled in Pennsylvania among the Germans and
lost thereby the identity of his nationality.
Enoch Manbeck married Harriet Straus, who still survives. Their
children were: Lucien Manbeck, of Pennsylvania; Emma, wife of Franz
Seltzer, of Pennsylvania; William Manbeck, of the home county; Charles,
deceased; John Manbeck; Barbara, wife of Samuel Miller- James, deceased;
Mary, wife of George Horn and Ida, who married George Seidle, of
Schuylkill County.
John Manbeck worked with -his father till his majority. He was
1 86 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
placed on a monthly salary then for a year at ten and fifteen dollars a
month and the second year he rented land and did his own managing. He
farmed on "the halves" three years and was then induced to visit the west.
He was so impressed with the situation in Allen County, Kansas, that he
bought his land and moved his family hither soon thereafter.
Mr. Manbeck was niaried in 1876 to Mary Dreibeldeis, a daughter of
Daniel Dreibeldeis. The Dreibeldeis children are: Charles, Frank and
Irwin Dreibeldeis, of Marion County, Iowa; Tessie, wife of William Irvin,
of Moran, and Aaron Dreibeldeis, of Kansas City, Missouri.
Mr. and Mrs. Manbeck's children are: Gertie, wife of Charles Collins,
of Kimball, Kansas; and Neda, Annie, Ida, Clara, Dora, Edward, William,
Charles and John Manbeck Jr.
For many years have the Manbecks been identified with the Evangeli-
cal church. Our subject is a steward and is treasurer of the Golden Yalley
congregation. He is a Republican and a pronounced enemy of the doc-
trines of modern Democracy.
JOHN H. ARMEL — It is surprising what an active part young men play in
the business affairs of a community, and among the leading representa-
tives of commercial interests in Humboldt is John H. Armel, who
was born in Aurora, Indiana, on the third of January, 1864 His father,
Daniel Armel, was a native ol Pennsylvania, and when a young man re-
moved to the Hoosier State where he became acquainted with and married
Miss Keturah Hare. In 1864 they removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where
the father became connected with the porkpacking industry, continuing in
that business until 1872, when he came to Kansas and purchased a large
tract of land southwest of Humboldt. In 1877 he removed his family to
this State, located on his farm and engaged in the stock business, raising
and shipping cattle and other stock. That enterprise continued to claim
his time and attention until his life's labors were ended in death. He
passed away on the 9th of January, 1893, at the age of seventy-three years,
but his widow is still living in Humboldt at the age of sixty-six.
John H Armel spent the first fourteen years of his life in the State of
his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Kansas.
He assisted his father in business and after the latter's death assumed the
management of the business. In 1S95 he removed to Humboldt, where he
began dealing in real estate in connection with the stock business and to
the dual pursuit he now devotes his energy, managing both with ability.
In 1894 Mr. Armel was united in marriage to Miss Georgia Amos, a
daughter of G. A. Amos, of Humboldt. Their marriage has been blessed
with three children: Robert, Nat and Dorothy. Throughout the years of
his manhood Mr. Armel has been connected with business affairs in Allen
County and his capable management and keen discernment have placed
him in an enviable position in commercial circles.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 87
TOEL MOORE O'BRIEN— The spirit of self-help is the source of all
*J genuine worth in the iudvidual and is the means of bringing to man
success when he has no advantages of wealth or influenee to aid him. It
illustraces what is possible to accomplish when perseverance and determina-
tion form the keynote to a man's life. Depending upon his own resources,
looking for no outside aid or support, J. M. O'Brien has risen from a posi-
tion of comparative obscurity to a place of prominence in the commercial
world, and as pi'oprietor of a leading mercantile establishment in Hum-
boldt he is widely and favorably known.
He is numbered among the native sons of Allen County, his birth
having occurred on a farm two miles north of Humboldt, on the loth of
November, 1872. There he spent his boyhood days, working in the fields,
the meadows or the garden. His education was acquired in tne common
schools and in the high school at Chanute, and from the latter institution
he was graduated. He also attended Baker University, a two years
course in commercial business, after which he gained a certificate with the
signature of President Ouayle attached. Going to Chanute he obtained a
clerkship in a grocery store and there put to the practical test the knowledge
which he had gained. He afterward accepted a position as a traveling
salesman and when he had saved up five hundred dollars he began business
on his own account, purchasing a small stock of groceries. From the
beginning his trade .steadily and constantly increased. His kind and oblig-
ing manner and his honorable dealing won him a liberal support and his
increasing trade forced him to secure larger quarters and increase his facili-
ties. He began business in Humboldt in 1897 and is now housed in a large
store building, with a stock valued at-three thousand dollars. In 1899 his
sales amounted to five times his stock and in 1900 to seven times that amount.
His success is due to the fact that he has ever been most diligent and enter-
prising; that he has always secured the benefit of the discount on bills,
never allowing them to mature; and that a most straightforward business
policy has been followed by him.
He has served as superintendent of the M. E. Sabbath school five
years and is connected with the church as treasurer and trustee. He was
president of the Fraternal Aid Association two years.
/~>HARLES C, THOMPSON has passed his thirty-two years in Allen
^~^ County. He settled in Marmaton township, before it was estalished_
and he has grown old in the citizen service in a Slate that has been both a
surprise and a disappointment. He came to the county March 3, 1869, and
found three dead claims which he proceeded to contest the title for. He
re-entered them and some years after it was thought his title was surely
coming to him he was notified that the Government had cancelled his
claim, with other lands, in favor of the Gulf Railway Company. It was
ISS HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
some years before he got this matter reversed and the land again subject ta
homestead entry and it was done through an act of Congress. The Kansas
delegation in Congress at that time was of so little importance that it could
not even get the attention of that body long enough to present a grievance
of this character and matters looked desperate for a time. Finally Con-
gressman Dick Yates, of Illinois, introduced a bill explaining the situation
and asking for the reinstatement of the claims of actual settlers and it was
done without delay. This action confirmed the belief that Mr. Thomp-
son would receive patents for his land and he did without much further
delay.
Mr. Thompson left Marion County. Ohio, December 8, i86S, for Kan-
sas. He ran into Pleasant Hill, Missouri, by rail and remained there till
spring. He purchased an ox team for $150.00 and started out in Febru-
ary, through the mud, for Allen County, and reached here as above stated
after many trying and vivid circumstances. He had a supply of funds to
sustain him through the first season and, as it happened, he got a crop.
His faith in Kansas became more and more firmly established as each suc-
ceeding year yielded its abundance and there was little to mar the family
happiness and comfort till the "bug year" of 1874. With this exception
there has been a constant era of material improvement in onr subject's con-
dition since his advent to the State. He owns one of the good farms in
Marmaton township, containing 160 acres and situated in section 10, town
25, range 21, and an 80 acres in section 4.
Mr. Thompson was born in Marion County, Ohio, November 2, 1840.
His father, Edward Thompson, was born in Virginia in 1802 and, in 1812,
went into Kentucky with his parents. The family came north into Ohio
some years afterward and six miles east of Springfield, that State, Thos.
Thompson, our subject's grandfather, is buried. The latter's children
were; John, Edward, Madison, who died near Eodi, Illinois; Thomas;
Nancy, who married James Nephews; and Sarah, wife of Josiah Olcott.
Edward Thompson married Ellen Foose and both are buried in Ohio.
Seven of their nine children grew up, viz.: Jane, wife of S. H. King, re-
sides in Marion County, Ohio; Isabel, who died in 1899, was the wife of
Benjamin Sharpless; Thomas, died in 1899; Sarah E. , married Paul Sharp-
less, of Huron County, Ohio; Edward, in Arappahoe County, Colorado;
Ann, wife of John Duffy, of Kenton, Ohio, and Charles C of this
sketch.
Charles C. Thompson was reared amid rural surroundings and ac-
quired very little school training. He was married in Marion County,
Ohio, March 14, 1S65, to Matilda Messenger, a daughter of Orrin Messen-
ger. The children of this union are: Minnie, who died in 1880, Edith,
wife of Dan Hoadley, has ason, Harry Hoadley; Homer; Evaline, Edwinand
Orrin all died of diphtheria in 18S0; Charles, Wayne, Edna and Sarah.
Homer Thompson lives in Marmaton township, Allen County, and has two
children. Bertha and Percy Thompson.
In April, 1861, Mr. Thompson enlisted in Company H, 4th Ohio in-
fantry, three months service. He was discharged for disability but was
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 89
agair under arms as a member of the State militia and was called out in
the defense of Cincinnati from Confederate invasion.
In politics the old line of Thompsons were Clay Whigs. Chas. C.
Thompson was a Republican till the Peoples Party movement came along.
He had discovered a line of proceedure in the practices of the old party
which did not seem to him just and proper toward the masses of the people
and he cast his political fortunes with the new party.
T\TEIvSON J. SHIVELY, of Marmaton township, is one of Allen Coun-
-l- ^ ty's progressive and pro.sperous farmers. Resettled here in 18S2
and was an emigrant from Marshall County, Indiana. He was born in
Elkhart County, Indiana, January 16, 1853. His father, Isaac Shively, of
Osage township. Alien County, was born in Ohio in 1830 and went
into Elkhart County, Indiana, in early life. He married Catharine
Leer, who died in Allen County, Kansas, in 1886 at the age of fifty-one
years. Their children are: Nelson J.; Fernandes, deceased; Amos, of
Osage township; Edward; Charles and Alice Shively of Elreno, Ok-
lahoma.
Our subject began life at about eighteen years of age as a farmer and
has continued it since with varying degrees of success. He was induced
to come west by the heralding cry of "cheap lands" and in 1882 he brought
his small amount of resources into Allen County and made a payment on
his first eightj' acres of land, in Osage township. He exchanged this for
the southwest quarter of section 20, town 24, range 21 and took on a debt
of sixteen hundred dollars. This he has succeeded in liquidating and
has purchased an additional eighty acres and has the whole clear of in-
cumbrance.
Mr. Shively was married in Marshall County, Indiana, February 6,
1S79, to Ella Caldwell, a daughter of Archibald Caldwell, who went into
the Hoosler State from Virginia. Mrs. Shively died February 13, 1899,
leaving five children: Grace A,, Opal, Alice, Carl and Harry.
Mr. Shively is one of the leading and active Republicans of Allen
County. He frequents county conventions of his party and can be de-
pended upon not only to support the whole ticket but to work for its
success at the polls. He is identified with the Osage Valley Baptist
church.
T~\R. GEORGE B. LAMBETH, of Moran, Allen county, can justly and
-' — ' rightfully be regarded as a pioneer Kansan. All but seven years of
his life have been tpent in and all he is and all he possesses are of Kansas.
He was born in Bolivar, Tennessee, July 22, 1S55, and the next year his
I go HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
father migrated to Bentonville, Arkansas, from which point, owing to the
outbreak of the war of the Rebellion, he fled northward and settled in Bourbon
county, Kansas. Allison G. Lambeth, our subject's father, volunteered
his services to General Blunt, as a scout, and aided in piloting that officer
into northern territory. The General's army was raised and made up of
loval men of that region, largely, and Mr. Lambeth's family accompanied
it out of the Confederacy.
The late A. G. Lambeth was born in Randolph county, North Caro-
lina, in i<S28. His ancestors have resided in the United States since early
in the nineteenth century and are of English origin. Mr Lambeth was a
highly educated and cultured gentleman and was, in early life, a professor
of languages in Emery and Henry College in Virginia. The last years of
his active life were spent on the farm in Bourbon county and he died in
Moran August 4, 1899.
Dr. Lambeth's mother, nee Sarah J. Williams, still survives. She
was born at LaGrange, Tennessee, in 1830, and is of English stock. Her
children are: Mrs. Jennie MuUey, of Fort Scctt, Kansas; Dr. G. B.
Lambeth: Henry W. Lambeth, a prominent farmer and Trustee of Marma-
ton township, Allen county; Hugh N. Lambeth, near Blackwell, Okla-
homa, and J. Braxton Lambeth, of Allen county.
Dr. Lambeth was a student in the district schools of Bourbon county
in his youth. He was a farmer till he passed his majority, when he
selected medicine as a profession. He read with Dr. A. L. Fulton, now a
prominent surgeon of Kansas Cit}', Missouri, and did some practice even
before he finished his three years' reading. He entered the St. Louis
Medical College in 1876 and spent four years there. The year 1888-9 he
attended the Kansas City, Missouri, Medical College and finished its course
to graduation.
Dr. Lambeth located in Moran and opened an office in 1884. He
took rank early as a successful practitioner and, with the lapse of time, his
practice has extended to all the country, for miles around Moran, and with
it his reputation as a genial and pleasant gentleman.
Dr. Lambeth was married in Bourbon county, Kansas, July 2, 1884, to
Mary G. Tennyson, a daughter of the pioneer Rev. Rutherford Tennyson.
The latter was born Januar}' 10, 1S04, and died in 1872. He came into
Kansas from Tennessee and was married to Mary T. Robinson. Their
children are: Wesley Tennyson, a prominent and successful farmer near
Uniontown, Kansas; Levi Tennyson, of Prairie Lee, Texas; Mrs. S. B.
Holt, of Bourbon county, Kansas; Mrs. L I. Brown, of Ozark, Missouri,
and Mrs. Lambeth. Mr. Tennyson came to Kansas in 1855 and his family
was one of the most widely known and honorable in Bourbon count}'.
The Dr. and Mrs. Lambeth's children are: George S., Alfred T.,
Phyllis J., Hugh W. and Esther.
Allison G. Lambeth, politically, allied himself first with the Whigs
and then the Republicans but his la.st presidential vote was cast for the
candidate of the Chicago platform of 1S96. Dr. Lambeth first trained with
the Republicans. In 1884, when modern Democracy first triumphed, he
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I9I
voted the Democratic ticket and has espoused that cause since. He
was appointed a pension examiner for Allen county and sensed through
Cleveland's second administration, and, for twelve years, he has been local
surgeon for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company.
"T^OIIGLAS ARNETT, of lola, father of the lola Telephone Company
-' — ' and one of Allen county's pioneers, came to lola in the fall of i860.
He was then a child of two years and was, then, the youngest member of
his father's family. James B. Arnett, his father, began his westward
migration from Pike county, Illinois, a few years before the Civil war, and
went to Fort Smith, Arkansas. In this city our subject was born Novem-
ber 21, 1858. Being a man of the North the near approach of hostilities
between the two opposing sections of our country caused him to return to
the object of his sympathies hence, his advent to Kansas. J. B. Arnett
was born in Pike county, Illinois, November 8, 1834, and was essentially a
farmer until his removal to the Rocky Mountain country where the stock
business has engaged his attention.
The paternal grandfather of "Doug" Arnett was John B. Arnett, who
died in Fort Smith, Arkansas. His native state was probably Virginia.
He emigrated westward to Pike county, Illinois, early in the history of
that state and in 1858 took up his residence at Fort Smith, Arkansas. Of
his ten children James B. Arnett was the tenth. The latter married, in
Pike county, Illinois, Mary A., a daughter of William Mitchell. Mrs.
Arnett died in lola in September 1863, leaving an only child, J. Douglass
Arnett. J. B. Arnett married for his second wife Hattie Barton. Their
children are: Carrie, wife of William Mason, of Walla Walla, Washing-
ton; Ella, who married Jesse Brown and resides in Arizona, and Adda, wife
of John Whitlow, of Arizona.
Doug. Arnett has carved out his own destiny. He has taken care of
himself since he was fifteen years of age. He was small of his age, and
fond of horses, and for a livelihood he rode races at the fairs and old settlers
will remember the two familiar faces who jockied the steeds at Allen
county's first fairs, viz: Doug. Arnett and Rice Todd. Whatever came in
Doug's way to do whereby he could turn a dollar legitimately he took ad-
vantage of. While he worked he schemed and between the two he found
it not a difficult matter, this bread-winning contest. At twenty-one years
of age he married — made the only mistake of his life — and moved onto a
farm in Einn count)', Kansas. This vocation was too slow and plodding
for his makeup and he returned to his old home and engaged in the dray
business. Arnett's dray was about the first regular one on the streets of
lola. It was only an ordinary affair, for the business didn't justify any
other, and he did the driving, loading and collecting all himself and was
not at all busy. He engaged in the livery and bus business, later, and
followed the two with some profit about fifteen months. He then took the
192 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
agency for the Standard Oil Compan>' at lola and expanded their business
in Ailen and adjoining counties for nine years. Before severing his rela-
tions with the Standard people he had conceived the idea of establishing a
telephone sy: tem in lola and had actually installed the plant in 1898. He
secured the franchise for the company in 1897 and started his exchange in
his residence, on West Madison avenue, with forth-three 'phones. The
grocery of C. M. Richards was the only patron in that line of business when
he first started but the rapidity with which all the merchants got into line
was remarkable. The business of the companay grew so rapidly that the
domestic quarters were soi:>n found to be too cramped and the exchange
was moved into the Apple building on South Washington. It has now
two bundled and fifty working 'phones and is keeping pace with the
growth and extension of the city. In 1900 Harmon Hobart purchased a
half interest in the system and the two partners- constitute a worthy and
popular company.
Mr. Arnett married his second wife, Lillie McKinley, in October 1897.
Her father, J. B. McKinley, came from Pennsylvania to Kansas before the
war and was a soldier in the Ninth Kansas.
Our subject is an Odd Fellow, a Pythian Knight and a Rebekah. His
belief in woodcraft has led him to join that order, also.
Doug Arnett has been one of lola's tenacious citizens. His efforts
have always been rewarded here and aside from this fact he has always felt
an interest in the city and her people. While he is in business for profit
his earnings are not all devoted to his own use. He regards money only
for the good that it will do, and, while he is not prodigal in his expendi-
tures, any enterprise promising good for lola receives his substantial
support.
SAMUEL, H. EVANS, a traveling salesman residing in Pleasanton, is
numbered among the native sons of Kansas. He was born April 12,
1861, the second son of the late honored pioneei , John M. Evans, of Allen
county. Reared in Geneva and lola, he secured a common school educa-
tion and then began work at herding cattle on the prairies near Geneva.
After the family removed from that place to lola he secured a clerkship,
which was his first experience as a salesman and gave him the foundation
knowledge and training which now fits him for his present business duties.
When the Missouri Pacific railroad was being builded through Allen
county he worked with its surveyor on construction work, and later he was
for a time with the firm of O. P. Northrup & Company, of lola. Subse-
quently he secured a situation as luanager of a store in Bronson, Kansas,
and afterward filled similar positions in Blue Mound, Kansas. Eventually
in 1888 he accepted his present position as traveling salesman with the
Ridenour Baker Grocery Company, of Kansas City, Missouri, and is now
upon the road, being one of the trusted and capable representatives of that
house.
In March, 1884, Mr. Evans was married, the lady of his choice being
. WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 1 93
Miss Carrie Ellis, of lola, a daughter of Seaman T. Ellis, who now resides
in Oklahoma. Unto our subject and his wife have been born the following
children: Brett M., Bruce E., Harrj- D., Margaret and Melvin, twins,
and Robley D. They also lost twin daughters, Ruth and.Rena, who died
in infancy. Mr. Evans, whom everyone knows as "Harry," has become
popular with many of the patrons of the house which he represents and also
has many friends in the city of his residence. His manner is genial,
courteous and kindly, — qualities which always win regard.
'X^TlhLlAM F. YOUNG, of Moian, Allen County, was born in Darke
^ ^ County, Ohio, on the 7th of January, 1856. His father, Elias
Young, was born in Maryland, April 9, 1811, and married Sophia Edwards,
a native of Ohio. When a young man he learned the plasterer's trade,
which he followed for several years, after which he engaged in the milling
business but followed farming many years previous to his removal to Kan-
sas, in 1870. He located on a farm in Osage township, Allen County,
three miles north of Moran, where he resided until his death, which oc-
curred in February, 1900, when he was eighty-nine years of age. His
wife still survives him at the age of seventy-seven years, and is living on
the old homestead. They had five children, namelj^: Martha, wife of
Theodore Wright; I^eanida, wife of W. C. Carter; Rebecca, wife of W. D.
Young; and Mirtin A. , who is living with his mother on the old horns-
stead, while W. F. is the youngest of the family.
Mr. Young, of this sketch, spent the first fourteen years of his life in
the State of his nativity and then accompanied his parents to Kansas. He
remained with his father until eighteen years of age and then went to Fort
Scott to complete his education in the high school. He also attended the
high school at lola and the academy at Geneva, Kansas, working on the
farm by the month in the summer and, after completing his own mental
training, teaching school in the winter. He followed that profession about
three years. On the expiration of that period he went to Las Animas, Colo-
rado, where he was engaged with a hardware, lumber and furniture firm
for two years. Returning to Kansas he began business for himself in
Moran as a dealer in groceries, feed and coal, carrying on that enterprise
for nine or ten years. Since that time he has engaged in the real estate,
insurance and loan business, and now handles much valuable property and
writes a large amount of insurance annually.
On the 17th of March, 1S86, Mr. Young was united in marriage to
Miss Mary Rucker, a native of Indiana, who came to Kansas with her
parents. They have two children, Louis, a bright little daughter born
January 9, 1887, and Russell, born February i, 1890. In his political
affiliations Mr. Young is a Republican and socially he is connected with
.Moran Lodge, No. 459, I. O. O. F. , and with the Knights and Ladies of
Security. He and his wife have worked hard to secure a good home of
194 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
their own and are HOW comfortabl}- situated, being able to enjoy many of
tl'.e luxuries of life. Withoirt the aid of capital or influential friends he
started out upon his business career and has steadily worked his way up-
ward through determined and earnest purpose until now he occupies a
creditable position among the honorable business men of his adopted county.
JOHN R. ANDERSON, one of the large cattle dealers of Allen and
Bourbon counties and a member of the firm of Love & Ensminger, is
one of the pioneers of Kansas. In April 1856 his father brought the
family to Bourbon county and took up land in Franklin township. He
was from Green county, Missouri, but was originally from Lee count\-,
Virginia. In the latter place our subject was born October 4, 1839. His
father, Charles Anderson was born in Tennessee in 1807 and died in
Bourbon county, Kansas, in 1863. The family left Virginia in 1853 and
made the trip to Missouri with a yoke of oxen, being two months on the
road.
The original Anderson, and the one who established the family in
America, was John Anderson, an Irishman and a blacksmith. His burial
place is unknown but his wife is buried at Xenia, Kansas.
Charles Anderson married Anna Hester who died in 1893 at the age of
eighty-one years. Her children are: Mary, widow of T. 1,. Charles, of
Larned, Kansas; William C, of Xenia, Kansas; Catherine, deceased, mar-
ried Mr. Adkinson; John R. ; Elizabeth, wife of A. Williams, of Xenia,
Kansas, and L,etitia, deceased, who married J. F. Davis.
Our subject was seventeen years old when he came to Kansas. He
aided his lather in opening a new farm and herded and drove cattle for
several years. He took a claim himself when he reached the required age
and was interested in its initial development and improvement when the
war broke out. He enlisted first October 10. 1861, in Company I, Third
Kansas Cavalry and was transferred to the Sixth Kansas. He was mus-
tered out of the latter regiment in September 1862, and, a year later, re-
enlisted in the Fourteenth Kansas. During his first enlistment Mr. Ander-
son fought bushwhackers in Missouri and the Indian Territory. While
with the Fourteenth he was in the battle at Prairie DuChene, Arkansas,
the chief one in which he participated. He was mustered out of service
in June 1865 and returned to his home in Kansas. His history for thirty-
five years can be told in a few words. His early training led him into the
stock business soon after the war and for many years nothing else has
claimed his attention. When the firm of which he is a member was formed
he was chosen for the active management of its affairs. So extensive has
been its operations and so closely has Mr. Anderson been confined to duty
that the strain is telling upon him and the year 1901 will close his connec-
tion with the business and he will rest.
In politics Mr. Anderson is a Democrat. He became a follower of the
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. ig:;
faith when it required courage to be a Democrat, but he outrode the storm
and has seen his partj' in full control of National affairs since the war.
His first presidential vote he cast for Douglas and he .cast his second vote
for Mr. Lincoln because he did not think it a good plan "to swap horses in
the middle of a stream." He has been County Commissioner, a position
he filled with ability and credit.
Mr. Anderson was first married in Bourbon county in 1866. His wife
was Louisa Williams. She died in 1889 with twelve children surviving:
Marsh D.; Elsie, widow of George Johnson; Allen T., of Nebraska; Robert
and Cannon D., of Bourbon county; Warren, of Nebra.ska; Ralph and
Ronald B., of Bronson, and Alma Lean and Grover C. Anderson. In 1890
Mr. Anderson was married to Lizzie Campbell, his present wife.
Mr. Anderson is a Workman, a Mason, an Eastern Star, a member of
the order of Knights and Ladies of Security and of the G. A. R. post at
Bronson.
A /f ICHAEL F. KERN, of Humboldt township, Allen county, was born
^^-^ in the province of Wurteraberg, Germany, July 2, 1833. He was a
son of John Adam Kern, who emigrated to the United States in 1859 and
settled in the state of Michigan. In Washtenaw county his
parents died, the mother in 1869 and the father ten years later. Eight
children were born to this worthy couple, four of whom survive, viz: Lena,
who married Carl Haddock and resides in Lawrence, Kansas; Catherine,
wife of Andrew Reule, of Ann Arbor, Michigan; John M. and Michael
F. Kern.
The subject Of this sketch resided five years in Michigan and then set
out for the frontier. He came down into Allen county during the war and
preempted the land upon which he has since resided. He was acquainted
with the methods of successful farming and Jjegan at once to devote him-
self thereto. The improvement of his premises also received his attention
and in his thirty-five years of citizenship he has expanded and developed
materially to the extent of a substantially improved, high-cultivated and
exceedingly productive two hundred and forty acre farm.
As a feeder and grower of cattle and other marketable stock Mr. Kern
is well known in southern Allen county. For many years his farm has
furnished a market for much surplus grain of the community and his ex-
tensive interests demand the employment of labor throughout the year.
His home presents the appearance of neatness and cleanliness. Everything
has its proper place and, when not in use, is found in its place. He
planned his improvements for convenience and the arrangement of his
barns, sheds and fences indicate the perfection he attained."
Michael F. Kern was married in October 1865 to Sarah W. Schmidt,
whose father, Henry Schmidt, was born in Hanover, Germany. Mrs.
Kern was born in Lafayette county, Missouri.
During the war Mr. Kern belonged to the state militia, doing guard
196 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
duty along the border, and upon several occasions was called into the field
to drive out the invading rebels and bushwhackers. In politics he has
been without aspirations. While he has been interested in all political
controversies it has been the interest of a citizen and not of a candidate.
He affiliates with the Republicans and is regarded in some measure as a
controlling influence in local elections.
CARLOS P. KEITH, of Moran, whose advent to Allen county num-
bers him with the pioneers of Marmaton township, made settlement
upon the broad prairie on section 30, township 24, range 21, then within
the municipal boundaries of Osage township. October 24, 1868, was the
day he drew up to his future abiding place and the dwelling he moved into
was one of his own construction and measured 16x24 feet, one story, a com-
modious and inviting structure at that time.
Mr. Keith came to Kansas from Illinois. He was born in Huron
county, Ohio, December 2, 1837, and in the spring of 1854 went into Ogle
county Illinois, from whence he came to Kansas. He is a son of Carlos
Keith who was born November 13, 1797, at Barnard, Vermont. The latter
accompanied his parents into Ohio at a very early date and was there mar-
ried April 22, 1824, to Elvira, a daughter of Munson Pond, born in Bridge-
port, Vermont, October 5, i8o6. The Keiths' are among the original
Americans. They are descended from Scotch ancestors who settled in
New England and whose posterity aided in the establishment of inde-
pendence in our countr}\ The Ponds also possess this military distinction
for Munson Pond was of that bund of patriots who marched from Lexington
to Yorktown in the days of "seventy-six." Carlos Keith was a soldier of
the war of 1812. In civil life he devoted his energies to the farm. He
followed his son to Kansas and died in lola December 21, 1872. April 4,
1870, his wife died. Of their children Carlos P. is the fourth child.
Our subject had fair opportunities as a boy. His father operated a
grist-mill on the head waters of Huron River, in addition to his farm, and
in this Carlos Keith spent some of his early life. He was educated, liber-
ally tor his day, in the countrj' schools and did not separate from the
parental home till he was married. Until his semi-retirement from the
farm his was a life of persistent and continued activity. The farm and its
auxiliary enterprises have received his greatest care and most strenuous
efiorts.
December 24, i860, Mr. Keith was married to Lucena Shoemaker, a
daughter of Benjamin Shoemaker, from Perry, New York, a blacksmith
and farmer. Th'e surviving children of this union are: Dessie, wife of
William J. Rumbel of Moran; Harold E. , one of the young farmers of
Marmaton township, and Miss Mabel C. Keith, a teacher in the Moran
schools.
The year 1868 would seem not to have been an opportune time for
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I97
settlers without means to enter a new country. The necessities of life were
almost beyond the reach of the poor and life in those families could be
sustained by the most ceaseless and interminable labors. Corn was worth
two dollars a bushel, kerosene seventy-five cents a gallon, flour six dollars
a hundred, poor hay nine dollars a ton and such a luxury as calico was
almost too high to indulge in. Mr. Keith was one of the poor settlers.
His inventory, upon his arrival in Allen county, included a team and
wagon, a few dollars and a wife and three children. While engaged in the
initial steps in the improvement of his own farm he earned the wherewith
to buy supplies for his family by aiding other old settlers in doing theirs.
He was not particular as to the kind of work, nor as to the price, but both
were generally to his liking. As time went on his clain: took on the ap-
pearance of a home and when, in late years, he erected his substantial and
permanent buildings the whole farm of one hundred and eighty six acres
presented an appearance unexcelled on the Fort Scott road. In 1S92, after
a residence of twenty-four years, Mr. Keith left the farm to the care of his
son, Harold E. , and took up his residence in Moran. Here, on November
22, 1900, Mrs. Keith died, suddenly. She was a consistent member of the
Presbyterian church and was a loyal companion of a worthy husband for
nearly forty years.
In politics C. P. Keith is a Republican. His first presidential vote
was for Lincoln and he has continued in the faith of the fathers till the
present. He affiliates with the Masonic fraternity and is regarded wher-
ever known, as a gentleman of truth, character and patriotism.
JAMES WILSON — To say that a man is self made indicates in a few
vi'ords a career of usefulness and activity, and it suggests a j^outh in
which few privileges have been enjoyed and a manhood of active effort in
which the trials and obstacles of life have been overcome by determined
purpose. Such indeed has been the career of James Wilson, one of the
successful farmers of the county, his home being in Logan township.
He was born at Deerfield, Portage County, Ohio, February 3, 1841.
His father, James Wilson, was a native of Dover County, Pennsylvania,
and married Miss Elizabeth Donahue, a native of Ireland ,who came to
America during her early girlhood The father followed the occupation of
farming as a life work, and died September 21, i88o. at the age of sixty-
eight years. His wife passed away in 1863 at the age of forty-four. They
were the parents of eight children, six of whom are yet living, namely:
Mary Ann, the wife of Robert McClure, of Ohio; Jesse, who is living in
Allen County; James; Mrs. Margaret Turner, of New Falls, Ohio; Andrew,
who is living in Minnesota, and Leanna Wilson, of Ravenna, Ohio. Those
who have passed away are Ellen J. and William. The latter was a mem-
ber of the regular army and was killed by the Indians in Dakota, in 1866,
Mr. Wilson of this review spent the first nineteen years of his life in
1 98 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
the State of Illinois where he secured work as a farm hand, having gained
practical experience in the fields by assisting his father in the cultivation
of the old home place. He was thus employed until the Civil war broke
out when in June, 1861, he enlisted for three years' service as a member
of Company D, Twenty-fifth Illinois infantry, being honorably discharged
in September, 1S64. He participated in many of the most sanguinary en-
gagements of that struggle, including the battles of Missionary Ridge,
Stjne River, Chickamauga, Kennesaw mountain and Peach Tree creek.
He went to Knoxville with Sherman to relieve Burnsides, and again
joined the main army at Resaca preparatory to entering upon the Atlanta
campaign. When the troops reached Atlanta the term of service of his
regiment had expired and with his comrades he was sent home to be dis-
charged. He was exceptionally fortunate in his military experiences, being
never wounded or captured throughout the three years of his association
with the boys in blue upon the battlefields of the South.
After the war Mr. Wilson went to Ohio and visited his parents, and
then returned to Illinois. The year of 1S69 witnessed his arrival in this
State where he secured a homestead claim of eighty acres upon which he
has since resided, although its boundaries have been many times extended
by additional purchases until he is now the owner of seven hundred and
forty-nine acres of land. He grazes his cattle on the fine pastures of his
own domain and he has ample sheds which shelter grain and stock. He
has one of the finest farms of the county and is pleasantly 1 jcated five miles
west of Humboldt. He carries on his farming pursuits on an extensive
scale and is feeding about one hundred head of cattle and hogs each year.
He has been very successful in the raising of cattle, and his large opera-
tions along this line have enabled him to not only utilize as feed all of the
crops which he raises but also to furnish a good market to his neighbors,
buying from them much of their corn.
Mr. Wilson was married on the 4th of January, 1880, to Miss Sarah A.
Berger, a daughter of Darius and Elizabeth (White) Berger, natives of
Virginia and Indiana respectively, the former born March 21, 1812, and the
latter on the ist of January, 1816. The mother died in Iowa on the i6th
of August, 1872, and soon after the father removed to Butler County, Kan-
sas, where he died on the 12th of March, 1878. In their family were ten
children: Mrs. Mary Lytle, who is living in Toronto; Mrs. Elizabeth
Richey, of Augusta, Kansas; Rebecca, wife of Robert Musgrave, of Hum-
boldt. The deceased are: Charlotte, wife of W. J. King; Dr. J. Berger;
Martha, wife of John King, and Daniel Berger who died in the army.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born three children: Willie J., born
May 28. 1881, died in March, 1901; Florence L., born July 1, 1884 and
Mary, born October 7, 1888.
Mr. Wilson is a Republican and has served as treasurer of his town-
ship, but has never been an aspirant for the honors and emoluments of
public office. He is a member of Vicksburg Post, No. 72, G. A. R., and
thus maintains a pleasant relationship with his old comrades who wore the
blue when the perpetuity of the Union was endangered. He is surely a
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. I99
self made man and as the architect of his prosperity he has builded wisely
and well. His business ability is widely recognized and has insured him a
very creditable position in financial circles, while his honorable course has
commanded the respect, confidence and esteem of his fellow men.
OTARLING D. BRANDENBURG— For more than a quarter of a
*^— ' century has Starling D. Brandenburg tilled the soil and reaped the
meadows of Allen County. He moved into a board shanty on practically
a raw piece of land in section 16, township 25, range 21. on the iSth of
October, 1872, and began the initial -work of developing a farm. How
well he "has succeeded will be seen when it is stated that his farm is bound-
ed by half section lines and its improvements exceed those of many of the
largest farms in Allen Count}-.
Mr. Brandenburg came to Kansas from Tipton County, Indiana. He
was born in Union Count)-, Indiana, Nov. 5, 1840, and passed some of his
early years in Wax ne County. His father was John Brandenburg, born
near Baltimore, Maryland, March 22, 1809. In 1830 he came west and
engaged in merchandising in Philomath, Union County, Indiana. He
removed, some 3'ears later, to Wayne County and died near Centerville,
November 6. 1861.
The Brandenburgs of this branch were introduced into the United
States by William H. Brandenburg who was born near Berlin, Germany,
emigrated to the new world and settled near Baltimore about 1780. In
1801 he moved westward to Warren County, Ohio, and died near Lebanon
in 1805.
The mother of S. DeWain Bradenburg was Elizabeth Kidwell. Her
father, the Rev. Jonathan Kidwell, was a Welchman and the original
Universalist preacher of his district in Indiana. He issued three publica-
tions devoted to the propagation of the doctrines of the Universalist church,
one at Philomath, one at Cincinnati, Ohio, and one at Terre Hante, Indi-
ana. The children of John and Elizabeth Brandenburg were: Ann, wife of
James Chapman, of Winchester, Indiana; Sarah J., of Chanute, Kansas;
Emily, wife ol Aaron Jones, of Chanute, Kansas; Starling D.,and Rebecca,
who married James Jones, and resides in Neosho County, Kansas.
Our subject received only a country school training in the woods of
Indiana. When the family home was broken up by the death of the father
the son married and started life for himself. A pony and a sleigh, the
resources of his days of frolic and courtship, were the sum total of his
property with which to begin business. In the ten years which elapsed
from his marriage to his advent to Kansas he had accumulated eight hun-
dred dollars. With this and with his abundant energy he has maintained
a stead}' increase from year to year. His large, room,' and handsome resi-
dence, which he erected in V898, his barns and his orchard and his pens of
200 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
Stock testify to the manner in which he has disposed of liis time the past
twenty-eight years.
January i, i852, Mr. Brandenburg was married in Wayne County,
Indiana, to Nancy Helms, a daughter of James Helms, who, with a son,
served through the Civil war. James Helms married a Clevenger, for his
first wife and five of their children survive. By a second marriage three
resulted. Isaiah Helms, of Bronson; I,aciua Recknor, of Allen County;
Samuel Helms, of Allen County, and Susan L,aws, of Calaway County,
Missouri, are some of these children.
Mr. and Mrs. Brandenburg's children are: Melvin F., of Allen Coun-
ty; William L. ; Emma ly., wife of John Tillery, of Allen County;
Myrtle I. and Ivy May Brandenburg.
The Brandenburgs were Democrats in politics, at all times, till the
Peoples party was organized in 1892 at which time our subject espoused
their cause and has since acted with it.
TV /TRS. NANCY E FISHER is one of the wealthy residents of Allen
-'-''-'- county and is numbered among its pioneer citizens, having come to
this portion of the state at an early period in its upbuilding. She was born
in Franklin county, Illinois, on the 13th of June, 1S40, a daughter of
Aaron Neal, a native of Virginia. Her father was born April 28, 181 1,
and in an early day he removed to Illinois in company with his parents,
finding the Prairie state almost one vast undeveloped tract of land. The
city of Chicago, whose growth is regarded as one of the miracles of the age,
was then undreamed of. Fort Dearborn standing on its site as a protection
against the Indians for the few white settlers who resided in that section of
the country. Mr. Neal was reared upon the frontier amid the wild scenes
of pioneer life, and after arriving at years of maturity married Elizabeth
Clarappett, who was of Irish lineage. He was the owner of a horse and a
sled and with them he hauled his few household effects to his little cabin
on the frontier. He and his bride began their domestic life in true pioneer
style. He was a very industrious and energetic man, and before his death
had accumulated ten thousand dollars, which was considered a handsome
competence in those days, and he was regarded as one of the rich men of
his neighborhood. He died in the prime of life, passing away in 1855, at
the age of forty-four years. His wife lived to the age of sixty and was
called to her final rest in 1875.
This worthy couple were the parents of ten children, of whom two died
in early life. The others were Moses, who is well known throughout Kan-
sas and is a leading politician of the west, his home being now in Okla-
homa; Mrs. Fannie Whiteside; Thomas J., who died in 1862; John A., who
resides in Missouri; Mrs. Fisher; William, also a resident of Oklahoma;
Mrs. Sarah Todd, deceased, and Robert, ot Washington.
Nancy E. Neal, the fifth of the family, spent the days of her girlhood
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 20 1
in the State of her nativity, and pursued her education in one of the old-
time, log school houses, conning her lessons while sitting upon a rude
bench without a back or a desk. When a \ oung lady of twenty j^ears she
came to Kansas to visit her brother Moses, who was then living in Leaven-
worth, and while there she became acquainted with Paul Fisher, a young
man who had removed from Texas to Allen county, Kansas. They were
married in 1862. A married life of thirty- five years was vouchsafed to
them, Mr. Fisher taking his bride to his farm, three miles west of
Humboldt.
Mr. Fisher was a native of Ohio and removed from that state to Texas,
whence he came to Kansas. For seven years he and his wife resided upon
one farm, after which they spent three years in Humboldt. On the ex-
piration of that period Mr. Fisher purchased a farm a mile from the town,
on the river bottom, and for twelve years itvvas their place of abode, after
which they again became residents of Humboldt, occupying one of the
finest dwellings in the place. Mr. Fisher was a man of marked diligence
and executive ability and his indefatigable labor, guided by sound judg-
ment, enabled him to acquire very extensive realty holdings, so that he left
to his family a handsome estate. He died on the 30th of December, 1897,
at the age of seventy-five years, and thus the community lost one of its
reliable and valued citizens, and his neighbors a faithful friend.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fisher were born six children, but three died in
early childhood. The others are Katie, the wife of O. H. Stewart, presi-
dent of the State Bank of Parsons, Kansas; Maggie, wife of L,. P. Stover,
County Surveyoi of Allen county; and Nannie, the wife of A. F. McCarty,
of Humboldt.
Mrs. Fisher has always been a very energetic woman, and since her
husband's death has given evidence of the possession of superior business
and executive qualifications. She has very important business affairs,
superintended by Mr. A. F. McCarty, and her efforts are attended with
prosperity. After the estate was divided each of the daughters had one
thousand acres of land while there remained to Mrs. Fisher, in addition to
her large farming interests, considerable business property in Humboldt
and lola and her beautiful residence in Humboldt. She is one of the old-
est residents of .Mien county in years of continuous connection with this
portion of the state, for she has lived here through thirty-nine years. She
has therefore witnessed almost the entire development and upbuilding of
southeastern Kansas for at the time of her arrival the homes were widely
scattered and Indians were frequently seen in the neighborhood. Great
changes have since been wrought, and as the population has increased the
circle of Mrs. Fisher's acquaintances and friends has been continually en-
larged. She enjoys the warm regard of many with whom she has come in
contact, and well deserves representation in this volume among Allen
county's leading citizens.
202 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
LUCIUS B. KIXNE, Moran's efficient post master and for manj' years
a leading merchant of that citN-, is among the substantial and sterling
citizens of Allen county. It is almost a score of years since he came
amongst the people of Moran and since that September day in i8Si when
he became an inhabitant of the town his life has been one even and
straightforward career, devoted not only to his private needs but to the
public interests, as well. He established a drug and grocery store in
Moran when that village was in its infancy and became at once one of the
central figures in the development and growth of one of the business centers
of Allen county.
By training Mr. Kinne is a western man, but a native of the east. He
was born in Livingston county. New York, August 5, 1S50. He was
trained a merchant, for his father, Elias G. Kinne, passed a lifetime mer-
chandising. In 1851 the latter moved his family to Van Buren county,
Michigan, and resided in Paw Paw man3' years. In 1882 he died in Kala-
mazoo county. He was born in the same county in New York as our
subject, in 18 15, and was a public spirited man and much interested in
public affairs. He was a useful and honorable citizen and while his maiden
vote was cast with the Democrats the issues of the war changed his opinions
and he was ever afterward a Republican.
The Kinne name was imported into New York from Ireland by Lyman
Kinne, our subject's grandlather. He accompanied his children from New
York to Michigan and died at Albion in 1864 at the age of ninety years.
He was the father of two sons, Allison and Elias Kinne, and of the follow-
ing daughters: Clarissa, who married Jonathan Rogers; Hannah, who
married Elisha Goodrich; Phebe, wife of E. J. House, and Mary, who be-
came Mrs. Jedediah Holmes.
Elias G. Kinne married Amanda Alvord, a daughter of Phinneas and
Rachel (Lemon) Alvord. Their two children were sons; Lucius B. and
Frank E. Kinne, deceased. Lucius B. Kinne grew up at Paw Paw, Mich-
igan, and acquired his education in the public schools. Among his first
efforts were those of a farmer, first as hired man and second as a tenant.
He was engaged in business as a druggist in Texas, Michigan, for a time
and upon coming to Allen county he put in the first stock of drugs in
Moran.
Mr. Kinne was early recognized as a man of sound judgment and of
correct business principles. In spite of the opposition and of jealousy en-
gendered because of success, he prospered and maintained his commercial
standing unimpaired. This record, together with his known integrity had
much to do with securing his appointment as receiver of the Moran Bank
in 1898. His political activity and his intense loyalty to Republicanism
and to McKinley, especially, placed him in line for the appointment as
post master and in June 1897 he succeeded Charles Mendell as chief of the
Moran post office. For many years he was a member of the Republican
rs
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 203
County Central Committee and the direction of matters political for Marma-
lon township has been left to the care of him and his advisors.
February 15, 1876, Mr. Kinne was married in Kalamazoo, Michigan,
to Esther, a daughter of John S. Harrison, of the line of the first Benjamin
Harrison, of Virginia. Mr. and Mis. Kinne's children are: Clare B., born
October 7, 1877, is a registered pharmacist and looks after the drug depart-
ment of the store; Lulu, born April 23, 18S1; Bessie, born June 22, 18S5,
and Verle, born June 17, 1890.
In reviewing the life of a citizen for this work it is only possible to
touch upon the chief events therein and to impress posterity with the domi-
nant elements of his mental makeup. It will be seen that Mr. Kinne was
a son of respected and honorable parents and that industry was his capital
from early manhood. His accumulations have come by dint of toil and
prudent management and his reputation established by right living and
right conduct toward his fellow man.
TTIRAM M. BURTIS— In New York the Burtis family has taken root
-•- -'- and in the years which have followed since the original one landed
in this country the family name has spread over the west. Piatt V. Burtis,
one of this numerous family, was married to Miss Mary A. Freeman. Two
children were the result of this union, Hiram M. Burtis, the subject of this
sketch, born in Saratoga County, New York, August 8, 1848, and Margaret
A. Cowles, now living in Harper County, Kansas. Piatt Burtis was one of
the largest business men of his section of the State. His grandfather had
been a large slave owner, but becoming convinced that slavery was wrong
manumitted his slaves and allowed those who wished to to remain on his
land until they accumulated enough to get a start in life. Piatt Burtis
embarked in the carrying trade of the canals and soon owned a large num-
ber of vessels which did a part of the carrying trade of the Erie canal. The
panic coming on he was crippled seriously and, after paying all his obliga-
tions, suspended business and with the remnants of his once ample fortune
turned his face toward the west, settling in Illinois on a farm. The busi-
ness reverses through which he had gone undermined his health and he
was forced to turn over his property to his son. The wreck of his health
found him also completely \vrecked in fortune and the only heritage he was
able to give his son was a good constitution and a debt. Young Hiram
Burtis was not daunted by the prospects before him. He went to work
with manly vigor to pay his father's debts and redeem the name. He
went to woik in Kankakee County, at once farming and stock raising and
after some years disposed of his effects and moved to Ottawa, Illinois,
where he engaged in the hardware business. Three years afterward, in
1880, he sold out the business and moved to Hastings, Nebraska. Here
he lived but a short time and then came to Kansas, purchasing farms four
miles southeast of lola. He lived here but two years when he moved to
204
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
Humboldt and again engaged in the implement and real estate business.
In. this business he was fairly prosperous and built up a good trade. In
1892 he disposed of his implement stock and entered the real estate busi-
ness and in this he is still engaged. Mr. Burtis has been a successful
business man and although starting in life with the burden of debt he has
succeeded in accumulating enough of the world's goods to place him in easj-
circumstances.
January 26, 1869, Mr. Burtis was married to Miss Helen E. Snyder, a
native of Illinois. Mrs. Snyder's father Jives with them and is hale and
hearty at the ripe age of eighty-three. To them have been born four chil-
dren: Maggie A., wife of A. F. Fish; Chauncey H., married Irene Moore;
Edith Maud, wife of S. S, Jackson, and Walter.
Mr. Burtis is a member of the Fraternal Aid Society. Politically he
is a Republican.
FREDERICK W. FREVERT— One of the successful business men of
Humboldt is Frederick W. Frevert, whose father is Frederick Fre-
vert, one of the pioneers of Woodson County, Kansas, whose history ap-
pears herein.
Our subject is the eldest child and was born in Lee County, Illinois,
March 20, 1857. A year after his birth his parents removed to Kansas,
settling in Wooason County. Mr. Frevert grew up on the farm and re-
mained with his parents until he was twenty-six years of age. At this date
he went to Humboldt and secured a position with the well known merch-
ant, Moses Neal, in his dry goods store, working two months for his board,
when he was given a small salar)-. He remained with Mr. Neal six
months when he secured a position as deputy postmaster under Mrs. Ella
Kimball, and remained in the office during her term of office. Afterward
he secured a clerkship of B. S. Smith with whom he remained for two years.
He then formed a partnership with A. Wedin in the grocery business and
the firm existed about two and a half years, being dissolved bj' the retire-
ment of Mr. Wedin. Mr. Frevert has since conducted the business alone.
Mr. Frevert was married in the fall of 1888 to Mrs. Ella Kimball,
under whom he had served for six years as deputy postmaster. Mrs.
Kimball is a daughter of E. C. Amsden, of one the early sheriffs of Allen
County. Two children have been born to them, Frederick and Robert.
Politically Mr. Frevert is a Damocrat, but further than casting his
ballot he has never taken any part in politics,
HONORABLE EDWARD D. LACEY, of Marraaton township, ex-
Representative to the State Legislature and ex-County Commission-
er has been a citizen of Allen County more than twenty-one j'ears. He
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 205
came amongst us in the fall of 1879 and purchased the northwest quarter of
section 23, town 24, range 20, a piece of wild prairie belonging to the
■"Peck land." He was from Illinois and Illinois emigi'ants possess the
energy and the industrs' to successfully combat the trials and obstacles
always encountered in the settlement of a new country. Then it is not
a matter of wonderment that his oue-time pasture should rapidly take on
the appearance of a well -managed and well-improved farm.
Mr. Lacey migrated to Kansas from Champaign Count}', Illinois, to
which State he moved some time after the war. He was born in Jackson
County, Michigan, June 23, 1843, and was reared in Licking County,
Ohio. He was a son of Sandford Lacey who went into Michigan from New
York and died in 1855. He married Louisa Parmelee and our subject is
their first child. The latter grew up in the country and was educated in
the district school. The elementary principles of an education were about
all that could be acquired from that source, in the days before the war, and
these Mr. Lace\' secured and supplemented with practical experience in the
warfare of life. His first efforts in the direction of individual independence
were put forth the first year of the Civil war. He enlisted August 12, of
that year in Company A, 17th Ohio infantry, Col. J. M. Connell. His
regiment was mustered in at Zanesville and was ordered into Kentucky.
Its second important engagement was the one at Pcrryville, Kentucky, in
October, 1S62. Mr. Lacey was in the battle of Shiloh and in the Murfrees-
boro fight, where he received a wound through the right thigh in the
second day's engagement. He lay in the field hospital three months and
was then sent to hospital No, 7, at Nashville. Upon his recovery he was
transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps by orders of the War department.
His command was the 15th regiment. Company F, and he wa'^ Clerk in
the Provost Marshal's office for nearly one year. He was then transferred
to Washington, D. C, and, soon after, was ordered to Chicago where he
acted as drill-master till his muster out of the service September 25, 1864.
The following letter explains itself:
"To All Whom It May Concern:
"I cheerfully recommend Corporal Edward D. Lacev as an honest
and upright young man, smart, intelligent, devoid of all bad habits, and
in every respect a soldier and a gentleman. He has served in my Company
for ten months, the most of which time he has acted as sergeant. He has
always performed his duty with credit to himself and the Company, He
has been highly spoken of by all the officers he has served under, is well
posted in tactics, is a good drill master and would do honor to the service
as a line officer. His descriptive li.st from his former Company, Company
A, 17th Ohio infantry, shows that he was wounded in the right leg at the
battle of Stone River, January i, 1863. Samuel McDonald,
Second Lieutenant, Commanding Co. F, 15th Reg. V. R. C.
•Dated Camp Douglas, Chicago, 111., October 26, 1864."
Having served his country in time of war more than three years, Mr.
Lacey was content to return to civil life. He re-engaged in farming in Iro-
quois county, 111., to which point his mother's family had removed during
2o6 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
his absence. He was married there January 31, 1867, to Mary E. Culbert-
son, a daughter of Joseph Culbertson, now a resident of lola. Mr. Cul-
bertson was born in Ohio, in 1821, and was married to Pernetta Matthews.
Mrs. Lacey is the fifth of eight children.
Mr. and Mrs. Lacey's children are: Joseph Lacey, postmaster of
Savonburg, Kansas, is married to Claudia Southard; Emma Lacey, who is
the wife of Harry Keith, of Marmaton township; Reuben C. Lacey, of
Marniaton township, is married to Rose Evans; Quincy E., near Moran,
is married to Daisy Eflin; MelviU, Pearl G. , and Bulah are with their
parents.
Edward D. Lacey became a Republican long before he could vote.
His first vote was cast while in the army. One of the first things he did
upon reaching Allen County was to identify himself with the Republican
organization of the county. His frank and earnest manner and his in-
telligent bearing made him a valuable acquisition to the party and he soon
took rank as one of its leaders. He was urged forward as soon as he could
be prevailed upon to accept a nomination and was elected township trustee
three terms. So conspicuously efficient were his services in this capacity
that he was earnestly supported in his candidacy for the Legislature in
1887. He was elected by a good majority and re-elected in 1889, serving
four years in ail. He served on some of the important committees of the
House and introduced House Bill No. 91, providing for the care of old
soldiers, in indigency, outside of the Alms house. He was the author of
some measures of local importance, only, and was always on the alert in
the interest of wise and wholesome laws for the State. He was on the
Joint Committee with Murray in preparing the Prohibition law, now in
operation, and was one of its earnest supporters.
The same year he retired from the office of Representative Mr. Lacey
was nominated by his district for County Commissioner and was elected.
He was again elected in 1895 ^"^ "'^s the Board's Chairman the last four
years of his service. One thing was especially characteristic of Mr. Lacey's
public service. He was always well enough informed to have a decided
opinion on matters of public policy and whenever called upon for it it was
always forthcoming. He was a guiding spirit of the County Board while
an incumbent of the office of Commissioner and if he was unpopular with a
few it is accounted for bj' the fact that they were not his invited advisors.
As a business man Mr. Lacey is successful and conservative. He has
extended his domain materially by the addition of another eighty to his
original tract and his individual prosperity is noted in other lines of indus-
try. He is a member of the Methodist congregation of Moran of which
body he is one of the Trustees, being Chairman of the Board.
JAMES McKINNEY WILLIAMSON, who was for years engaged in
the harness and saddlery business in lola, and but recently retired,
located in Allen county in 1883. His first years in the county he passed
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 207
on the farm, but, having served his apprenticeship, without being
bound, at the saddlery and harness trade and having an opportunity to ac-
quire the business exclusive, in lola, he purchased the Hart stock and
conducted an honorable and profitable business till 1900 when "William-
son & Son," the successor of J. M. Williamson, sold its business to Mr.
Hartung.
Mr. Williamson came to Kansas in 1871 and took a claim in Butler
county. From this claim he moved to the city of Eldorado and was a resi-
dent there at the time he removed to Allen county. His native place is
Mercer county, Pennsylvania, where he was born August i, 1840. His
father, John L. Williamson, was a farmer and, to some extent an iron ore
dealer. He was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, but
reared in Mercer county. He died in Butler county, Kansas, in 1882 at
the age of eighty-two years. In early life he was in line with Democracy
but in' [84S became a Whig and later a Republican. George Williamson,
a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and a son of Thomas Williamson,
passed his active life at farming in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania.
He is buried at Salem church in Mercer county. His forefathers were of
Scotch and Irish extraction.
John L. Williamson married Rebecca McKinney, a daughter of
Samuel McKinney, who was born and reared in Center county, Pennsyl-
vania. He was a farmer, a wool-carder and an ex soldier of the war of
i8i2. He was awarded a medal by the state of Pennsylvania for gallantry
in the battle of Lake Erie. Rebecca McKinney Williamson died in 1840.
Her children are: Mary J., wife of Fohnestock Lightner, of Knox county,
Iowa; Rachel E., wife of John Naix. of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and James
M. Williamson.
Until he became old enough to care for himself Mr. Williamson made
his home with his grandfather McKinney. He hired out as a day work-
man and by the month, as the opportunity offered, until beginning his
trade. He left the bench to enter the Union army in August 1861, joining
Company A, Seventy-Sixth Ke3'stone Zouaves. For some months prior to
the close of the war he was enrolling officer, being employed as such after
his discharge from .service in the field
The Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania Zouaves rendezvoused at Camp Came-
ron, Harrisburg, and was ordered to the front at Fortress Monroe, Virginia,
and on to Hilton Head, South Carolina. It participated in the capture of
Fort Pulaski, was in the fight at Pocataligo, and, in the spring of 1863,
Mr. Williamson was discharged from it and soon thereafter was commis-
sioned as enrolling officer, as above mentioned.
Mr. Williamson engaged in merchandising in a country store in
Mercer county, Pennsylvania, upon resuming civil pursuits and followed it
and farming three years each. He then came to Kansas in search of cheap
lands and the claim he took in Butler county proved to be the dearest
piece of real estate he ever owned.
June I, 1864. Mr. Williamson married Lizzie L- , a daughter of James
Brandon. Mrs. William.son died in 1873. Her children are: Mary J.,
2o8 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
who married J. F. Shidely, of Fairhaveu, Washington; Austa, wife of
Charles Cadwell, of Harvey county, Kansas; and John H. Williamson, of
Ida. In 1875 Mr. Williamson married Mary M., a daughter of Hansford
Jones, whose original home was in West Virginia. The children of the
marriage are: Horace Carl Williamson, who is married to Emma Butler
and is one of the substantial young business men of lola; Arthur Leroy,
Earnest Wiley, James and Ruth Esther Williamson.
Mr. Williamson's first national ballot was cast for Lincoln for presi-
dent. In 1872 he got into the Greeley movement but supported Hays in
1876 and has since been one of the staunchest advocates of Republican
policies and Republican candidates at the polls. He was elected coroner of
Butler county, Kansas, held many minor offices there and in Allen county,
including councilman for the city of lola. He is a member of the Grand
Army and Past Commander of the Post, a director of the lola Building and
Loan Association and, above all, a citizen above reproach.
TTENRY C. ROGERS— The late Henry C. Rogers, of Bronson, wa.s
^ -^ one of the characters of eastern Allen County, not alone because he
was an honorable citizen but because he represented the age of pioneering
in the county and because his death closed the chapter devoted to the liv-
ing pioneers. He came to the county at a time when white men were a
curiosity on our eastern border and when any piece of prairie from Rock
Creek to the ea,st line of Allen County might have been preempted or home-
steaded. The settlements adjacent and tributary to where Mr. Rogers and
his uncle settled were around the Turkey Creek post office and at Ira
Hobson's mill on the Osage River, in Bourbon County. Prior to the Civil
war the land between Moran and Bronson belonged to the Indians but
they did not occupy it. They had, no doubt, abandoned it to whoever
might settle it as per an act of Congress providing for the disposition of the
public domain. To the few settlements made prior to the war, to the
events affecting this locality duTing that .struggle and to the period of settle-
ment succeeding the war, including the fencing of the last tract of prairie
"lying out," Mr. Rogers was an eye witness. He not only saw it all but
he was a distinct part of it all and could his reminiscences have been
gathered while in his physical and mental vigor they would have added
much to the completeness of the story of the settlement and development of
Allen County.
It was November 10, 1858, when Henry C. Rogers and D. V. Rogers,
his uncle, stopped on the creek southeast of Moran. They were seeking a
location and the uncle claimed the "Dick Gilliam" place and died on it in
1875. Young Henry remained with his uncle till old enough to enter
land when he took up the south half of the southwest quarter of section 10,
township 25, range 21, Marmaton township, and there resided till about
^, ^, ^ a-Q.^Aj
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 209
1880 when he sold and located on the county line south of Bronson
two miles.
The settlements on the prairies of Kansas in an early day were chiefl\
disturbed by the devouring flames of a prairie fire. This scourge visited
every settler who made his abiding place in Allen County from the earliest
time to 1880, and many of them more than once. It was no unusual thing
to see everything swept away and a family left penniless after a hard
summer's work. Thieves and marauders made occasional sallies into the
settlements and plied their trade effectively but the vigilantes took frequent
charge of them and left them alone in their solitude. The drouth of i860
was a calamity visited upon the frontiersmen and, had not the winter fol-
lowing been as mild and as gentle as that of Florida, great suffering among
man and beast would have ensued. During the war the Bushwhackers and
Butternuts did not disturb the peace and repose of eastern Allen County.
Its able-bodied men all belonged to some military regiment and were called
out only when the State was threatened with invasion. Mr. Rogers was a
member of Col. Orlin Thur.ston's regiment of State guards which rendez-
voused at Ft. Scott during the last Price raid.
H. C. Rogers was born in Vermillion County, Indiana. He started
to Kansas from Vermillion County, Illinois, but his parents settled in Ver-
million County, Indiana, and it is probable that there was where his birth
occurred February 23, 1842. His father, Daniel Rogers, who left Vermont
when young, was a pioneer to the above Indiana county. His parents no
doubt accompanied him to the west for his father, Allen Rogers, resided in
Indiana, Illinois, and lastly Iowa, where he died and is buried. His sons
were: Elisha, Minor, John, Daniel and Jobe Rogers, all of whom reared
families. Daniel Rogers married Mary Baldwin who died in Perryville,
Indiana, in 1S53. Daniel also died early in life. Their children were:
Henry C; Hannah, wife of Richard Davis, of Altamont, Kansas; Nettie,
deceased, wife of Mr. Blair, of Neosho County, Kansas.
Henry C. Rogers was not an educated man. The circumstances of his
time were such as to preclude the acquirement of more than the primary
elements of an education. He was only sixteen yearsold when he assumed
the responsibilities of a citizen in Allen County, where schools were the
scarcest of necessities. Whatever oi success has attended him has been the
result of his efforts with stock and the farm. He was married June 10,
1865, to Miss Ruth Main, a daughter of John Main, a pioneer to the
we.st from Virginia. Mrs. Rogers was born in Mongoha, Virginia,
June 23 1846. The children of their marriage are: Charles, married to
Cora Thompson, resides nearby; Henry C. Jr., married to Mary Goodm,
resides on the homestead; Dora E. , wife of Elijah Hodge, of Bronson,
Kansas; Oscar V., married to Maggie Thomas, of Bronson, Kansas; Bertha
May Rogers, a teacher; William and Roy.
Mr. Rogers' political affiliations were with the Republicans. In 1872
he espoused the Greeley movement but, using his own words, "never got
into the Democratic party." He never took a very active part in local
2IO HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
politics and the'onl.y office in which he consented to serve was that of school
director which he held for twent}- j-ears.
When the day shall come when the contemporaries of the pioneers
shall all have passed away and their lives and deeds are known only in
history, then will their posterity come to a full realization and a just appre-
ciation of them and their efforts. A word from those "who saw and did"
is more to be desired than a volume from those who were not there and
only heard.
Mr. Rogers' last illness was of long duration. He died November 30,
1900, and was laid away in the 59th year of his age.
/^^ EORGE G. MAPES. — Few men are more widely and favorably
^~-^ known to the citizens of eastern Allen county than George G. Mapes
the commercial traveler, farmer and stock man of Marmaton township.
His home, "Shady Slope," just southeast of Moran, is one of the attractive
farmsteads of the county and is the handiwork of its progressive and pros-
perous proprietor.
G. G. Mapes was born in Princeton, Illinois, April 20, 1854. He was
educated in the public schools of that city and graduated from the high
school. His father, George W. Mapes, was born in the state of New York
in 1828 and died at Des Moines, Iowa, February 2, 1S98. In an early day
the latter went into Ohio and later came westward to Laporte, Indiana, and
was there married to Martha E. Dennison, a New York lady. Not long
after their marriage the couple emigrated to Bureau county, Illinois.
George \V. Mapes was educated and equipped for the ministry. He
filled the pulpit of the Christian church in Princeton many years, following
this service up with a like one for a period of j'ears in Des Moines, Iowa.
He was a gentleman of much force of character and a preacher with great
power and conviction. He was highly educated, abreast of the progressive
age in all literary and scholastic matters and was the iustrument in the
hands of Providence which built up a large congregation, numbering
nearly fifteen hundred members, in the city of Des Moines. His widow
survived him till July 27, 1900, dying at the age of seventy years. Their
wedded life covered a period of nearly fifty years. A half century of con-
tinuous usefulness, of wedded bliss, walking hand in hand and doing all
things to the glory of God. Of their six children, five survive: Wheeler
M. Mapes, of Redfield, Iowa, the first conductor to run a vestibuled car
out of Omaha, and for twenty-three years in the service of the Rock Island
Railway Company as conductor; Rosella F. , wife of M. A. Hitchcock, of
Des Moines, Iowa; George G. Mapes; Charles Mapes, of Hutchinson,
Kansas, traveling for Selz, Schwab & Co., of Chicago, and Frank H.
Mapes, a druggist of McComb, Illinois.
Wlien George G Mapes began his career as a business man it was in
the notion business. He covered the state of Kansas for five years selling
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 211
notions to the merchants out of a wagon. His success was so marked that
at the end of this period he established a wholesale notion business in
Topeka, Kansas. In 1878 after four years of unremitting watchfulness and
attention in the upbuilding of his business,- he disposed of it and took a
position with Florence, Jansen & Company, of .Atchison. He represented
them as a traveling salesman and remained with the house till 18S1 when,
on the first of July, he accepted a place with the Grimes Dry Goods Com-
pany, in the same city, and was with them nine years as salesman on the
road. Resigning this position he entered into an arrangement with the
Hood-Brownbright Wholesale Company, of Philadelphia, to travel for
them, which position he resigned after three years of service, to take charge
of the Pennsylvania hotel at Moran, Kansas. Soon after this date he was
offered the position of cashier of Varner's Bank in Moran and accepted,
remaining with the institution five years and conducting the hotel at the
same time. In 1894 he exchanged the hotel for "Shady Slope," a quarter
section of land two and a half miles southeast of Moran, to which he moved
his family and where he spends his time when off duty as a drummer. In
1895 he engaged with the Smith, McCord Dry Goods Company, of Kansas
City, and five days in the week his time and energy is expended in their
behalf.
The well known farm, "Shady Slope," is not one of those common-
place resorts where the production of corn and hay are the chief source of
revenue and the center of interest season after season. It is a place where
there is intense activity the year round. First of all it has expanded from
one hundred and sixty acres to four hundred acres in area and has taken
on. improvements commensurate with the growth and resources of the farm.
His herd of sixty registered Herefords, his string of trotters and the mis-
cellaneous animals necessary to a well regulated stock farm furnish
splendid evidence of the profitableness of intelligent farming and at the
same time show Mr. Mapes to be a leader and not a follower in his under-
taking. His horse flesh is among the best bred anywhere. One of them,
"Betsy King" at twenty-two years, is the mother of nineteen colts, four of
which have brought the sum of $6,000 and two others give promise of de-
veloping into horses of much merit.
"Shady Slope" and its attendant and accompanying interests are the
fruits of the individual efforts of G. G. Mapes. In the beginning, and
when he loaded up his first notion wagon, his capital was too small for
any other business. It was his all and upon his merits as a salesman and
his integrity as a man did he stake his future. Shady Slope answers how
well he has done. Years of push and good management have counted for
much and when the inventory is taken it will be found that he has been
the maker and his wife the saver. Both are admirable traits and both go
hand in hand to financial independence. July 6, 1881, G. G. Mapes was
married to I^aura E. Kindig, a daughter of David and Elizabeth (McCord)
Kindig. The father was born in Virginia in 1816 and died in Washing-
ton, Illinois, in 1892. His wife, a native of Tennessee, and Mrs. Mapes'
mother, died at Washington many years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Mapes' chil-
212 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
dren, surviving, are: Pluma, born April i, 1SS4; Opal, born Februarv
19, r886, died at fourteen months; Ruby, born August 14, 18S8.
Mr. Mapes has made no record in politics except for voting the Repub-
lican ticket. He w^s elected to'the Cit}' Council in Moran almost unani-
moLisl}' and, as a lodge man, affiliates with the Masons and Workmen.
T TENRY B. SMITH, of Moran, leading implement dealer and worthy
-•- -'- citizen, came to Kansas in 1878 and stopped first in Atchison. Re-
maining there a short time he went into Norton county, Kansas, took up a
claim and tried farming in the short grass countr}' eighteen months. lyeav-
ing the west he went to Parsons, Kansas, and spent one year there. Allen
county was his next objective point and to this locality he came in i83i.
He was in the county about three months before he entered the neighbor-
hood of Moran. His first entrance into the town was in cumpany with
L. H. Gorrell with whom he soon after engaged in the implement business.
The firm was Gorrell & Smith and it continued in business till 1887 when
Mr. Smith purchased the interest of his partner and has since conducted
the firm's affairs.
Our subject was born in Clayton county, Iowa, September 8, 1S55.
His father's name was John Smith and the latter went into that state from
Pennsylvania in 1850. In 1857 he returned to his oiiginal home in
Latiobe, Pennsylvania, and there reared his family. He was a carriage
maker and was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1824. He
was a son of Jacob Smith, a wagon maker.
John Smith married Adeline Cook who died in Pennsylvania in 1893.
Their five children are: Henry B. ; George C, of Jamestown, North Da-
kota; Emeline, wife of Peter Albaugh, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Blanche,
wife of Clark Thomas, of Moran, and Grant Smith, of Chicago, Illinois.
The father of the family resides in Jamestown, North Dakota.
H. B. Smith left Pennsylvania before he came of age and returned to
the state of his birth. He had learned his father's trade and this he made
his means of support for some years. He worked in Clayton and in Mc-
Gregor, Iowa, before his return to the Keystone state. He remained a year
in Latiobe, Pennsylvania, and then made his final trip west. He spent a
few months at his trade in Atchison, Kai:sas, and was induced to desert it
for a time, by visions of a free home in the we.st.
May 2, 1883, Mr. Smith was married in Moran, Kansas, to Miss
Orpha E. DeHart, a daughter of Elisha DeHart, who came to Kansas from
Morgan county, Indiana, and who is a well known, industrious and re-
spected citizen of Moran. Mr. and Mrs. Smith's children are: Eerov,
Pearl B. and Ralph.
As a citizen Mr. Smith is modest and unassuming, yet alive to his own
interests and to those of his town. He is a member of the township board
and has spent nine years on the school board.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 213
T OSEPH CLARENCE NORTON, Allen County's practical and theoretical
'^ Agriculturist, and a farmer whose fame extends beyond the confines of
his own State, came into the county in 1872. His father, Joseph G.
Norton, came out to Kansas in 1871, as a representative of a colon)' of Ohio
emigrants and purchased for them a tract of land in Anderson Count)', of
John W. Scott, agent of the L. E. and G. Railway Company. The colony
came out and settled their new purchase and called their station on the line
of the Santa Fe road "Colony." The town which this name was given to
was called by the old trailers, to and from Lawrence "Divide." Colony
was applied to this high point about 1872 when these Ohio soldiers took
possession of their lands. Mr. Norton was not pleased with this location
and the same year went into Marmaton township, Allen County, and pur-
chased a tract. In company with Mr. Norton were other Ohio settlers,
Mr. Schlimmer, Mr. Whitney and Fred Wagoner who also located in Allen
County. The first postoffice was Johnstown which in a few years gave way
to the Fairlawn postoffice, established in the house of Mr. Fehlison who
looked after. its affairs and the mail matter of the neighborhood till Moran
was founded, when it was discontinued. Mail was delivered by pon\-
carrier twice a week and the settlers felt themselves fortunate in receiving
such favors at the hands of the government.
J. Clarence Norton was born at Montville, Waldo County, Maine,
December 28, 1857. His father was born at Castine, Maine, April 21, 1824,
and his environments in 3'outh were entirely rural. His father, David
Norton, had charge of the Count)' Poor Farm ior many years and was a
local official for a long period. He was born in Maine and died in Das
Moines, Iowa, and was a son of Joseph Norton, an old whaling-shipmaster.
The latter had made several trips around the world before the Revolutionary
war and sailed into the harbor of San Francisco and shot buffalo where the
Presideo now is located and used water from the spring at the Golden
Gate. The original Nortons were aboard the Mayflower and are buried at
Plymouth, the site of their settlement.
Joseph G. Norton married Jane Cram, who died in Allen County in
1886. Their children were: Ida; deceased wife of John Carter of lola;
Ada, wife of George S. Davis, of lola; Joseph Clarence; Etta, wife of George
Mausy, of Rushville, Indiana.
Joseph G. Norton passed his early life as a boot and shoemaker. He
left Maine in 1862 and located in Covington, Kentucky, but worked in Cin-
cinnati, Ohio. Before reaching Cincinnati he lived in Ouincy and Brain-
tree, Massachusetts, and spent some time in Columbus, Ohio, upon his ar-
rival in the State.
Clarence was a lad of fourteen years when he came to Allen County.
He had had ample opportunities for education and graduated from the
Covington high school, the youngest in his class. He early developed a
talent for newspaper work and got his first experience on the lola Register.
Its editor, Mr. Perkins, retained him as a paid correspondent, the first of
the kind in the county. The subject of farming attracted him and he has
214 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
done much of it in an experimental way. His discoveries he has made
known from time to time in his letters to the Kansas Farmer and The
Rural New Yorker to which publications he contributes as a pay corre-
spondent and at good pay. He was the first to bale corn fodder and to in-
vent a machine for baling, a description of which operation was published
in Coburn's "Forage and Fodder" and he was the fiist to di.scover a meth-
od of preserving and keeping Irish potatoes two years. His articles have
attracted a wide interest among professional and experimental fanners and
he has addressed the State Board of Agriculture of Kansas, as the invited
guest of the Secretary on different occasions when officers of Agricultural
societies of other states were in his audience. Mr. Norton is also a
.student of farm stock and all his property of this description is registered.
Mr. Norton has kept weather records for thirty years and for the last
si.x years has kept the United States official records for this county, being a
regular weather bureau observer and supplied with government instru-
ments. There are instances where his records have been called to settle
damage suits with railways. He wrote a book on Weather Talks that was
published in the Register in the winter of 1895-6. Also another book pub-
lished in the Kansas Farmer on Potato Growing, and he has for two years
been at work on the Kansas Farmer's Hmdy Guide which is now running
in the Kansas Farmer and will be out in book form early in 1902. It is a
reprint of a collection of thirty years from all the leading farm papers in
the world.
Mr. Norton has been quite a sportsman and has hunted all over
the northwest. In 1S83 he brought from the Cascade Mountains a cap-
tured bear cub and that a year later he gave to the St. Louis Zoo, the largest
bear they ever had. He also gave to the Smithsonian Institute at Wash-
ington, D. C, the only specimen the world ever heard of in its life — a
Maltese skunk — a hybred cross between a white skunk and a mink and its
value is beyond estimate. This animal was captured on his farm in Allen
County, Kansas.
Mr. Norton has for several years been an introducer of worthy farm
machinery through the Kansas Farmer and he has a valuable collection.
He introduced the Early Kansas potato that was originated by William
Hankins of lola, and it is favorably known all over the United States,
being one of the best yielders at the Rural New Yorker's testing trials,
among one hundred other varieties. Also the Kansas Snowball, a new
seedling from the Common No. i potato.
Mr. Norton was married to Frances Coa, of Ashtabula, Ohio. She
died in 1892 leaving a son, Louis Norton. Mr. Norton then married (in
1893) Elba Ashcraft. Their children aje: Everett and Annie P.
In politics the Nortons have all along been Republicans. The 'St.
Louis platform did not conform to the ideas of our subject on the finance
question, in 1896, and he supported the candidate of the Democratic party.
The question of expansion being of more personal concern and of greater
national importance he supported Mr. McKinley in 1900 on that issue.
Outside of questions of citizen.ship he takes no special interest in local affairs.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 215
DOCTOR JAMES E. JEWELL, of Moraii, a member of the Board of
Pension Examiners for Allen County and for two terms Health
Officer of the county, is a gentleman most honorable, and highly esteemed.
His attitude and bearing are in themselves a moral lesson and his pro-
fessional integrity and professional competency are matters of general
recognition.
Dr. Jewell came into Allen County permanently Oct. 9, 1892, and
located in the new village of Moran. He came from McMinn County,-
Tennessee, where he had located in 1871. In 1868 he went into the South
with his father-in-law and engaged in the saw-mill and lumber business
in Talledego, County, Alabama. After he had remained there three years
he went into East Tennessee and was located near Athens eleven years.
Dr. Jewell was born in Chenango, County, New York, not far from
Norwich, December 26, 1846. His father. Dr. James Jewell, was born at
Durham, Green County, New York, December 6, 1818, and died in
Catskill, N. J., May 15, 1884. The latter was schooled and trained for an
educator and graduated in the Vermont Medical College. He was engaged
in regular practice, in New York, from graduation to his death. He pos-
sessed a fine intellect and an inordinate love for his profession and his
entire makeup rendered him one of the marked men of his co'.inty. He
was descended from Massachusetts stock and from Revolutionary ancestors.
His father was a Congregational minister.
Among the Revolutionary patriots who aided in the capture of the first
British soldiers who ever surrendered to Americans was Seth Clark, our
subject's great-grandfather. He was one of General Warren's men at
Boston and, while awaiting the turn in events which forced the English to
hand the city over to the Americans, he made, and decorated with Boston
scenes, a powder-horn which our subject possesses and which is to descend
to successive generations of the family.
Dr. James Jewell married Almyra Day, a lady of New England stock,
but born in Schoharrie County, New York. Her birth occurred in 18 rS
and her death the year of her husband's. Both lie in Moran cemetery.
Their children are: Dr. J. E. Jewell; Mary A., wife of Henry L. Bassett,
of Moran; Rev. Stanley D. Jewell, of Butler, Missouri, and the late Anson
Jewell.
Dr. Jewell's j'outh was passed chiefly in school. From fifteen to
twenty years of age he was a photographer in Catskill and Prattsville,
New York. February 11, 1868, he married May R. Coe, whose father,
Daniel Coe, founded and endowed Coe College at Ced.ir Rapids, Iowa. He
was a successful farmer in the Catskills of New York and died in Talledego,
County, Alabama. He was twice married, his second wife being Mrs.
Mercy (Wattles) Cowles, the mother of Mrs. Jewell.
It seems but natural that our subject should become a physician. His
father's prominence and success in the craft and his own associations with
the latter during his bringing up led him to a determination to pre-
pare for a life of medicine. It was rather late in life that he began the
2l6 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
actual work of preparation but it was better, thus, ou the whole, for his
faculties were then fully developed and matured. He entered the College
of Physicians and Surgeons in IBaltimore, Maryland, and took the highest
honors in a class of one hundred and forty-three at graduation. In appre-
ciation of this mark of excellence the faculty presented him with a gold
medal, properly inscribed, which is his constant companion, as it were.
The Doctor completed his course in iS8i and opened an office first at
Athens, Tennessee, where he remained until his location in Moran.
Dr. Jewell's only surviving child is a son, James Ralph Jewell, a
.student in Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A son, Walter Jewell, died
in Moran in 1892 at the age of twenty-two years.
The Presbyterians of Moran have had an active aid in Dr. Jewell. He
has been connected with that church officially many years and much of its
substantial progress has been due to his efforts. The Republican party of
Allen County has felt the beneficent effect of his influence and cooperation
and has honored him twice with election to the office of Coroner. His
own little city has called him to the Mayoralty and all his official acts
have been inspired by a desire to do absolute and accurate justice at all
times and to all men.
^' AMUEL, C. VARNER is one whose name is inseparably interwoven
*^— ' with the history of Moran. He belongs to that class whose ability and
character are making a deep impression upon the life of this rapidly de-
veloping town. In this broad state with its abundant room for individual
enterprise with its hearty appreciation of personal worth and its splendid
opportunities lor individual achievement, the man of ability finds the very
largest sphere for usefulness and the gratification of personal ambition. His
abilities will be discovered, his integrity will find appreciation, his public
.spirit will meet with recognition, and he cannot but become prominent.
Mr. Varner is an illustration of this fact. He has done much to advance
the material interests and substantial upbuilding of Moran.
A representative of sturdy Pennsylvania ancestry he was born in
Monongahela, Washington county, that state, December 10, 1845. His
parents, John M. and Lucinda (Collins) Varner, were also natives of
Pennsylvania. During his boyhood he accompanied them to Canton, Illi-
nois, and from 1856 until 1867 his home was in the "Prairie State." Dur-
ing a part of that time he pursued his education in the public schools.
When the war broke out he eniered the army and served with distinction
in the Sixty-seventh and One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiments of
Illinois Infantry, receiving well merited promotion He enlisted as a pri-
vate of Companj' B, in the One Hundred and Forty-eighth, was promoted
to first lieutenant and held other responsible positions by appointment.
When the stars and stripes had been planted in the capital of the southern
confederacy and hostilities had ceased he returned to his home.
In 1867 Mr. Varner removed to Iowa and in 1880 came to Kansas,
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 21/
locating in Colony. Being of an earnest, self-reliant nature, he was fully
prepared for business and at once took a leading position in commercial
circles. He made his lumber yard at that place one of the leading enter-
prises of the time in Anderson county. Quick to note an opportunity
offered and with a mind trained to take advantage of favorable business
possibilities, his lumber business was a success in every particular. Be-
lieving in the future of Moran he determined to locate at that place and
extend the field .of his operations. Accordingly in 1SS3 he opened his
lumber yard there and also embarked in the grain business. Two year-
later, in 1885, he extended the field of his labors by adding a hardware
store, placing his stock on sale in a small frame building on the east side
of Cedar street. That was the modest commencement of his present mam-
moth commercial enterprise. Soon those quarters became too smnll and in
1S88 on the west side of Cedar street he erected the first brick building in
the city. His hardware store soon took first rank in the countv and would
be a credit to any city in the state. Again he extended the field of his
labors by organizing the firm of J. J. Varner & Company and opening an
extensive store with a complete stock of merchandise.
In 1888 Mr. Varner established what was known as the S. C. Varner
Bank, which in 1892 was re-organized under the name of the Pejples Bitik
with Mr. Varner as president. In 1890 he completed tlie magnificent
brick block which stands as a monument to his activity, energy and suc-
cess. Giving personal supervision to his varied business enterprises he has
at all times been master of the minutest details of eich, so that he is ever
able to thoroughly meet every call of an imuiense business that would ordi-
narily require the combined skill of the individual members of a strong
company. Although the year 1893 was a period of financial depression in
many departments of trade, Mr. Varner, owing to his careful management,
found that his business not only held its own but was increasing, making
necessary additional room. He therefore erected the opera house block on
the east side of Cedar street, utilizing the first floor a; a ware-room. This
is a handsome brick structure which is certainly a credit to the city. Mr.
\^arner's public spirit, his pride in his adopted city and his faith in its
future led him to believe that his investments in improvements would be
appreciated. Having early established his commercial standing, which
was recognized by all the leading houses of the country, Mr. Varner con-
tinually added to his business, carefully managed its interests, ahd
maintained unassailed his reputation for commercial integrity, so that
when the period of financial depression came upon the country, he .still
enjoyed the public confidence that had been earned by honest effort. The
words of commendation which he now receives from the leading wholesale
houses of the country are well-deserved tributes to his ability and his high
standing.
On the 27th day of September, 1863, Mr. Varner was married to Miss
Annie McCord, a highly accomplished lady of Canton, Illinois. They
have never had any children of their own but adopted a daughter whom
they reared to adult age. Mr. Varner exercises his right of franchise in
2l8 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
support of the men and measures of the Republican part)-, but has never
.sought or desired office. He was elected ma\-or of Aloran in 1896 and his
administration was one of worth to the city. Socially he is a Knight
Templar, Mason and also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of
Elks, the Ancient Order of the United Workmen and the Grand Army of
the Republic. Men with minds that are as alert and broad as his are never
narrow; and men who, like him, view public questions, the social organi-
zation, politics and all the relations of life comprehensively and philo-
sophically are magnificent supporters of the best interests of humanity.
T ESSE H. COFFMAN — One of the successful and representative farmers
*J of Allen County is Jesse H. Coffman, of Moran. He came to the
county in 18S4 and purchased the old "Fair Lawn" farm, the northeast
quaiter of section '4, town 24, range 20. He was a pioneer to Neosho
County, irom which point he located in Allen County. In 186S he pre-
empted a claim on the Osage Ceded lands and was a party to the famous
law-suit which arose over the title to that land, much of which lay in Neosho
County.
Mr. Coffman came west from Adams County, Indiana, where he was
reared from boyhood. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, December
17, 1839. His father, David Coffman, was born in the same county in 1809
and was there married to Rebecca Hughes, a daughter of Jesse Hughes, a
soldier of the War of 1812. Mr. Hughes cam; from Pennsylvania into
Ohio as a pioneer and David Coffman came through that State from Vir-
ginia on his way to Ohio. The Coffmans are one of the old American
families and some of them were patriots of our Revolution. Our subject's
great-grandfather was one of them and he was killed while in the service.
David Coffman died in 1872 at the age of sixty-three years. His wife
died the same \ ear. Their children were: Mary E. , who resides in Adams
County, Indiana, is the widow of the late Basil Hendricks, her second
husband; Sarah A., wife of Henry Steele, of Pleasant Mills, Indiana,
Harriet O., widow of Alexander Eichar, who resides with our subject;
Jesse H.; Isabel, wife of David Springer, of VanWert County, Ohio, and
George M. Coffman, of Erie, Kansas.
In 1861 President Lincoln appointed J. H. Coffman postmaster of
Pleasant Mills, Indiana, which office he resigned in 1862 to enlist in Com-
pany E, loth Ohio cavalry, Ciptain Fehlison and Colonels S;nith and
Sanders. The regiment was under Kilpatrick and took part in the cavalry
work around Atlanta and Savainiah. It returned north through the enemy's
country to Richmond, Virginia, where it was embarked on a transport for
Baltimore and from that point was shipped to Cleveland, Ohio, where it
was mustered out of service in August, 1865. Mr. Coffman took part in
all the serious engagements with which his division was concerned and
notwithstanding the frequency with which he was under fire during his
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 219
three years' service he received no wounds. He was mustered out as first
duty sergeant of Company E.
The three years intervening between his discharge from the army and
his advent to Kansas Mr. Coffman spent at farming in Adams County, In-
diana. He made the trip to Kansas in a wagon coniaining, besides his
family, his personal effects. He disposed of his Neosho County farm at a
fancy price and invested the proceeds in land near Moran. His farm
comprises 330 acres convenientlj' situated and well stocked and well tilled.
Mr. Coffman was first married in 1867 to Anna R. McL,eod who died
in 1879, with issue as follows: May, wife of Marion L,ee, of L,oi Angjeks
County, California; Edith I., wife of Chas. Weast, of Neosho County. In
1884 Mr. Coffman married I^aura E. Coe, a daughter of Orville L,. Coe, of
Geanga County, Ohio. Their child is Harold C. Coffman.
Mr. Coffman is a well known Democrat and is one of the party leaders
in Allen County. He frequents county conventions and enthuses his coun-
trymen in the faith in every political campaign.
"V ^ 7"ESLEY N. JONES, of Marmaton township and a pioneer Kansan,
" ^ has resided upon the southeast quarter of section 22, town 24,
range 20, for the past ten years, having come into Allen County from the
adjoining county of Anderson in the spring of 1890. In 1865 his father,
John M. Jones, settled in the valley of Deer Creek, near Colony, Kansas,
and became one of the substantial farmers of Anderson County. He emi-
grated from Montgomery County, Illinois, where he was reared and married.
He was born in Tennessee in 1826, was a son of Hugh Jones, and died near
Colony in 1894. Hugh Jones left Tennessee about 1836 and improved a
farm in Montgomery County, Illinois, where he settled permanently
and died.
John M. Jones married Frances Grisham, a daughter of Spartan Gris-
ham, who survives her husband at the age of sixty-nine years. Her chil-
dren are: Mary, wife of W. H. Quiet, of Anderson, County, Kansas; Wes-
ley N.; Emma, wile of Jesse Day, of Chase County, Kansas; Hugh Jones,
of Boston, Massachusetts: a lawyer and a telephone promoter.
Wesley N. Jones was born in Montgomery County, Illinois, in May,
1S54. He consequently grew up in Kansas from his eleventh year. His
education was obtained in the early schools of Anderson County and he be-
gan life as a farmer. In 1877 he was married in Allen County to Ella, a
daughter of George H. Bacon, of Elsmore township. The children of this
union are: Jesse M., Laura, Charles, George, May, Roy and Junia.
Mr. Jones made farming a success in Anderson County for several
years and when he came into Allen County he purchased one of the good
farms of his township. It is two and one-half miles northwest of Moran
and was the "Snyder League claim." His surroundings present the ap-
pearance of thrift and a degree of prosperity not uncommon with men of
220 ■ HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
indiistrj' and ambition He is growing into the stock business and is
reaching a plane of financial independence most desirable in the evening
of life.
The Jones' have a reputation for staunch Republicanism. Our subject
cast his first presidential vote for Mr. Hayes and his last one for William
McKinlej' and the Republicans of Marmaton selected him for the candidate
for Trustee in 1900.
GEORGE L. MERRILL, of the lumber firm of Adams & Merrill, of
Moran, came to Allen County in 1883. At that time he located in the
new and growing town of Moran, engaged in the business of contracting
and building and for seventeen years has been regarded as an active mov-
ing spirit in the affairs of his town.
Mr. Merrill was born in Concord, Morgan County, Illinois, May 10,
i860. His father, Spafford Merrill, was a mechanic. He crossed the-
plains in '49 and remained on the Pacific coast several years, residing
among the Indians and resting here and there alone, and without the sight
of a white man for years. He made his way up into Washington and was
one of the parties to name the city Whatcomb. He returned to Illinois
with the proceeds of his trip, before the Rebellion, and engaged in mercan-
tile pursuits in Concord. He joined the loist Illinois infantry as a private
soldier and served over two years.
Spafford Merrill was born in New^ York February 5, 1825. His father
was Aaron Merrill, born in Geneseo, New York, in 1798. The latter left
New York with his family in 1829 and settled in Mahoning County, Ohio.
He continued his westw%nrd trip in 1871 and died in Morgan County,
Illinois, in 1874. He married Electa Wright and his children were: Mar-
garet, Charles, Spafford, Benson, .George, John and Emily, wife of W. H.
McCartney, of Hopkins, Missouri. Benson resides in Jacksonville, Illinois;
the others are dead.
Spafford Merrill married Athalia Rush, of New York. She died
February 28, 1878, in Morgan County, Illinois. Their children were:
Oscar R., of Moran, Kansas; George L. and Eva, wife of Charles Orwig,
of McDonough County, Illinois, Robert Merrill, of Warren, Ohio, is a
half brother of our subject.
George L. Merrill put himself to the carpenter trade in Concord,
Illinois, at an early age. By the death of his parents he was without a
home at the age of thirteen 3'ears. He remained about Concord till 1883
when he started west and soon brought up in lola, Kansas. He was in
company with W. H. Berkihiser, known in Moran, and found work in that
town at once. He followed his trade till 1890 when he engaged in the
lumber business with Honstead & Berkihiser. The firm changed to
Merrill &. Honstead some months later and finally, in 1896, to its present
name.
On questions of public policy, in Nation andSt^ate, the early Merrills
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 22 1
were Republicans. The faith of his fathers our subject has espoused and
his politics is well known in Moran, where he has served as Clerk of
the cit_v.
November 30, 1884, Mr. Merrill was married in Moran to Ida M. Cox,
a daughter of Peter Cox, of Vigo County, Indiana. The latter died in
Moran and left two children, viz.: Amy, wife of A. Lisenbee, and Mrs.
Merrill. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill's children are: Oscar L., Alma M.
and Amy E.
Mr. Merrill is a Workman, an Odd Fellow, a Rebekah and a member
of the ladies auxiliary to the Workman — the Degree of Honor.
Ti;^ZRA N. WILLETT, of Moran, is one of the pioneers to eastern Allen
-•— -' county. He came to the county with his parents in 1868 and has
been a resident of it since. His father, John Willett, located three and a
half miles ea,st of lola, on the farm adjoining Gas on the east, and was a
resident of the county till 1880 when he took up his residence in Parsons,
Kansas. He, however, died in lola in 1882 at the age of seventy-eight
years.
John Willett was born in the state of Pennsylvania, reared there and
came west by degrees to Ohio, Illinois, Missouri and finally to Kansas.
He was married to Nancy Landis in the state of Ohio in the year 1835 and
his widow resides with the subject of this review. The latter was born in
1 818 and is the mother of: Wesley Willett, of Seattle, Washington; Sam
E. Willett, of Malone, New York; Ezra N., our subject, born January 20,
1856; Ira Willett, of Miami, Florida; Lew E., wife of C. A. Sensor, of
Denver. Colorado; Mary, wife of Jacob Fitzpatrick, of Wichita, Kansas,
and Cynthia E. , of Denver, Colorado.
Ezra N. Willett has passed all but twelve years of his life in Kansas.
He was born in the state of Illinois, Pike county, was educated in the
common schools of Kansas and is responsible for his own financial and
social standing. He remained with the family neat lola till nearing his
twenty-first birthday when he identified himself with the eastern portion of
the county by entering a piece of the indemnity strip, his claim, now his
farm, being the southwest quarter of section ig, township 24, range 21.
His early efforts at farming and farm-improvement were very crude and the
first two years he spent on the claim were years of not the greatest possible
prosperity. He hauled coal from Fort vScott to lola to earn some of the
means to sustain him and in other menial ways he maintained an honor-
able existence till his farming venture was made to pay. His first house
was a ten by twelve box and his second one twelve by sixteen which gave
way, in 1889, to his present farm cottage.
In 1878, February 28, Mr. Willett was married to Amy McNaught, a
daughter of the late James R. McNaught, of Moran. Their children are :
Zella and Ethel, aged sixteen and eleven years, respectively.
222 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
MELVIN-Iv. LACEY. — The Lacey family is one of the conspicuously
prominent ones of Allen county. It was established here more than
a score of years ago and the heads of its numerous households are men of
integrity, of great respect, ability and undoubted personal honor. One of
their number is the subject of this brief sketch, Melvin L,- Lacey. He wa.s
born in Jackson county, Michigan, March 7, 1853, and is a brother of
Edward D. Lacey, of Allen county. He is the youngest of si.x children,
the others being: Anna, deceased, wife of James Wright; Mary J., wife of
William Harper, of Champaign county, Illinois; Edward D., William H.,
of Allen county, and George W., of Moran, Kansas.
M. L. Lacey began life, really, in boyhood. He learned farming and
engaged in it for some years, as a hired man. He was married in Iroquois
county, Illinois, in 1874 to Ivy Robinett, a daughter of Eleaser Robinett,
an Ohio farmer, who went into Illinois from Pickaway county, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Lacey 's children are: Arthur, married to Mattie B.
Green, resides in Blue Mound, Kansas; Archie F. and Harry E. Lacey,
young farmers of Marmaton township.
Mr. Lacey came to Allen county in 1887 and spent twelve years in
Moran where he controlled the transfer and express business of the town.
In 1S99 he moved to his farm, the south half of the south-east quarter of
section 19, township 24, range 20, one of the desirable and fertile tracts of
Allen county.
In politics our subject is in line with the conduct of his elder brethren.
He is well known as a Republican and served in the city of Moran three
years in the council and as its city marshal. He is a member of the dis-
trict school board and"holds a membership in the Methodist church.
ALLEN B ISAAC, well known as a citizen and farmer of Marmaton
township, Allen county, came to Kansas in 1877 and located in this
county. He spent the first year in Humboldt and, having cast about over
the county foi a satisfactory location he chose Marmaton township and took
up his residence therein. He settled section fifteen, on the south line of
the township, improved a good farm and has resided in that vicinity, almost
continuously, since.
Mr. Isaac came to Kansas from Illinois. His father, Elias Isaac set-
tled in Bureau county, Illinois, in 1833, going there from Washington,
Indiana. At this latter place our subject was born May 30, 1S26. Elias
Isaac was born in North Carolina in 1804. He was a son of John Isaac,
who left the "old Tar Heel" state in 1808 and went into Daviess county,
Indiana, where he died. He had five sons, Samuel, John, Elijah, Allen
and Elias. Allen spent his life about Beardstown, Illinois. John died in
Edgar County, Illinois, and Elias died in Bureau county, Illinois, in 1890.
The last named learned tanning in his early life, followed it to some ex-
tent but drifted into farming and made that his life work. He was dis-
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 2 23
■charged from the ranks as a soldier of the Black Hawk war for disability.
He married Mary Black whose parents were trom Kentucky. She died in
1S9.? at the age of eighty-seven years.
Elia.i and Mary Isaac were the parents of Allen B. ; Ardilla, married
Aaron Stephenson and died; John M. Isaac, of Maiden, Illinois; Mahala,
wife of John Winans, of Carson, Iowa; William Isaac, of Maiden, Illinois,
the oldest white child born in Bureau count> ; Mary E., widow of John
Cass, of Bureau county; James W., of Hastings, Nebraska, is deceased,
and Nancy, deceased, who married Marion Hite, of Bureau county,
Illinois.
Allen B. Isaac spent his youth on the farm and acquired his education
in the country districts. He engaged in mercantile pursuits on reaching
his majority and his interests were in a general store in Maiden, Illinois.
Twelve years in the store sufficed and he left the counter for the plow. He
was on the farm, still, when his attention was drawn to the advantages of
the west. This he heard through Ross and Knox, who were then engaged
in the emigration business, and he came out, saw, was pleased and
located.
May 3. 1853, Mr. Isaac was married to Paulina Seger, a daughter of
Andrew Seger, who came into Illinois from Ohio but who was formerly
from near Syracuse, New York. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac are:
Charles L. , of Allen county; Lincona, wife of Al Moore, of McLoud. Okla-
homa, whose first husband was A. B. Bainura. The Bainum children
are: Neal, Genie, Claude and Eva; Clayton Isaac, of Allen county; Dres-
den Isaac, of Allen county; Ada, wife of Thomas Thore, of Choctaw,
Oklahoma; George Isaac,' of Chicago, Illinois, and Clifford Humboldt
Isaac, born at Humboldt, Kansas, resides with his parents.
Mr. Isaac became a Republican with the earliest of the party voters.
His first presidential ballot was cast for Hale, the Free Soil candidate and
with the Republican party he has acted since 1856. His adherance to the
party tenets has been steadfast and his belief in them constant and un-
faltering. He took a prominent part in county politics from the first in
Kansas and his name has been associated with others, in time past, as a
suitable candidate for public trust.
TAMES L. HOSLEY— The beautiful home of James L. Hosley is located
^ in Anderson County, but much of his land lies in Allen County. His
possessions are a monument to his enterprise, unflagging industry and
capable business management. He owns twelve hundred and thirty-five
acres of fine land in the two counties, but at the time of his marriage he did
not possess a dollar. His life history so clearly illustrates the possibilities
that lie before men of determined purpose who are not afraid to work that
it should serve as a source of inspiration and aid to all who are forced to
start upon a business career empty-handed.
James L. Hosley was born in Barry County, Michigan, on the 13th of
224 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
November, 1S43. His father, Jonathan Hosley, was a native of Massa-
chusetts an i at an early period in the development of the Wolverine State
emigrated westward, taking up his residence there. He was united in
marriage to Miss Lima F. Fisher, and upon a farm in Michigan they re-
sided until 1859, when they came to Kansas and settled in Osage town-
ship, Allen County. The father died here in 1878 and the mother, surviv-
ing him for man}^ years, passed away in 1S94. Of their six children, four
are yet living and are residents of Kansas.
James L. Hosley, the third in order of birth, pursued his education in
the common schools of Michigan. When a youth of sixteen years he came
with his parents to the Sunflower State and assisted his father in the opera-
tion of the home farm until after the inauguration of the Civil war. His
patriotic spirit was aroused by the attempt of the South to overthrow the
Union, and donning the blue he joined Company E, of the Sixth Kansas
Cavalry on the 5th of December, 1S61. He served throughout the remain-
der of the war, participating in many battles and skirmishes. Among them
were those of Clear Creek, Coon Creek, Ft. Gibson, Lindsay's Prairie,
Prairie Grove, Cane Hill, Maysville, Newtonia, Waldon and Mazard
Prairie. All those battles occurred in Arkansas and were most hotly con-
tested. Mr. Hosley was captured at the last named on the 27th of July 1864
and was exchanged on the 22nd of May, 1865, after being held as prisoner
of war for ten months. He will never forget the first day, which was one
of the saddest of his life, nor the day of his release, which brought great
happiness, for his experience as a Rebel captive was anything but pleasant.
He was senc to Tyler, Texas, and there remained until the close of hostili-
ties. During the entire period he had to sleep" upon the ground and his
rations were limited. He would much have preferred to take his chances
-A-ith his comrades upon the field, facing the enemy in battle, rather than
remain in inactivity in the far South, enduring treatment thit was, to say
the least, not enviable. For days he had nothing but a pint of meal in
which the cob of the corn was also ground. Upon being exchanged he was
sent to Duvall's Bluff, Arkansas, where he received an honorable discharge
on the 2 ist of June, 1865. Although in a number of important engage-
ments he was never wounded. With a most creditable military record he
returned to his home, conscious of having faithfully performed his duty as
a defender of the old flag.
On again reaching Kansas Mr. Hosley began farming and dealing in
stock on a small scale. He completed his preparations for a home by his
maiTiage to Miss Emeline West, a native of Ohio, who came with her
parents to this State in 1858. The wedding was celebrated in 1868, and
the lady has ever proved to her husband a faithful companion and help-
mate. At the time of their marriage Mr, and Mrs Hosley had only money
enough to buy a package of soda, which cost fifteen cents, but they began
work with a will and the fruits of their labor aie seen in the extensive
landed possessions which now constitute the Hosley estate. As his
financial resources have increased Mr. Hosley has continually added to his
property until now he has twelve hundred and thirty-five acres of rich.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 225
productive land in Allen and Anderson counties. He has this well stocked
with horses and cattle, keeping about one hundred and fifty head of cattle
and a large number of horses. He has only good grades of stock and
therefore has no trouble in securing a ready sale on the market. His resi-
dence is just across the line in Anderson County. It is a beautiful struc-
ture, and its tasteful furnishings and attractive exterior make it one of the
most pleasing homes in all the county. He certainly has every reason to
be proud of his business record. He does not owe a dollar to any man
and his possessions have been acquired entirely through his own efforts
and through the assistance of his capable wife. Honesty has characterized
all his dealings, and added to this has been indefatigable energy that has
overcoihe all difficulties and obstacles in his path, enabling him to gain a
plane of affluence.
In his political views Mr. Hosley is a .stalwart Republican. He joined
the party when he became a voter and has never wavered in his allegiance
to its principles. He maintains a pleasant relationship with his old army
comrades through his membership in Major Rankin Post, G. A. R. , at
Kincaid, and delights in recounting and recalling the scenes of life on the
tented field or upon the field of battle. He possesses the true western
spirit of enterpri.se and progress that has been such an important factor in
the substantial upbuilding and development of the middle west.
T TARVEY OLMSTEAD.— There are no rules for building character;
-L J- there is no rule for achieving success. The man who can rise to an
enviable position in a community and in the business world is he who can
see and utilize the opportunities that surround his path. The conditions
of human life are ever the same, the surroundings of individuals differ but
slightly, and when one man passes another on the highway and reaches the
goal of prosperity before others who perhaps started out before him, it is
because he has the power to use advantages which probably encompass the
whole human race. There have been no exciting chapters in the career
of Mr. Olmstead, but an untiring industry and a steadfastness of purpose
have enabled him to work his way steadily upward and gain a position of
affluence among the substantial agriculturists of Allen county.
He has the distinction of being the first white child born in Fairfield
township, Bureau count}-, Illinois, the date of his birth being the ist of
May. 1842. His father, Elijah Olmstead, was a native of Canada and
married Electa Hall, a native of Ohio. In 1842 they removed to Illinois,
locating in Fairfield township. Bureau county, among the first settlers
there. The father was not permitted long to enjoy his new home, for
death claimed him in 1846, when he was forty-eight years of age, and his
wife survived only until 1848. They had two children, Harvey and J. E.
Olmstead.
The subject of this review remained in Illinois until eleven years of
226 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
age. His parents having died, he went to live with his grandparents and
the}' removed to Hamilton county, Iowa, where he acquired his education
in the common schools. In the fall of 1856 he became a resident of In-
diana, where he was employed as a farm hand until 1861. In that year the
troubles between the north and the south culminated in civil war and his
sympathy with the Ur.ion cause prompted his enlistnient as a member of
Company A., Twenty-first Indiana Infantry, with which he served until
tlie fall of 1862, when he received an honorable discharge. The following
year he re-enlistea and became first sergeant in Company C, of the Twelfth
Indiana Cavalry. He was then at the front until after the star-spangled
banner had been planted in the capital of the southern confederacy. Re-
turning to his Indiana home he there remained until the month of Decem-
ber, when he went to Illinois and secured work as a farm hand, being
employed in that capacity for two years. He was then married and began
farming on his own account, upon rented land, remaining in Illinois until
1882, when he came to Kansas, taking up his abode in Osage township.
He first purchased eighty acres and subsequently added to it another tract
of eighty acres, so that to-day he owns a valuable quarter section.
On the 6th of October, 1867, occurred the marriage of Mr. Olmstead
and Miss Mary Oviatte, a native of Summit county, Ohio. Unto them
were born four children: Frank H., a book-keeper in Hot Springs, Arkan-
sas; Hattie A., Fred E. and Vera. The elder daughter was born in Sum-
mit county, Ohio, and accompanied her parents to Iowa, there residing
until twelve years of age when she came to Kansas. She acquired the
greater part of her education here and spent one year as a student in Stan-
berry College, Stanberry, Missouri. At the age of eighteen she began
teaching schcol and for twelve j'ears she followed that profession in Kansas
while for two years she was principal of the Withington schools at Hot
Springs, Arkansas. She is also numbered among the popular teachers of
Allen county. In June, 1900, she received the nomination on the fusion
ticket for the office of county superintendent of schools and was elected by
a majority of two hundred and eighty-two votes. The election was cer-
tainly a triumph for she overcame the usual Republican majority of six
hundred and fifty. The Olmstead family is one of prominence in Allen
county, its members enjoying the high regard of many friends. The career
of our subject has been both commendable and gratifying, for along legiti-
mate lines of business he has won success and at the same time has retained
the confidence and good will of his fellow men by reason of his honorable
methods.
JOSEPH C. BEATTY, one of the large feeders and farmers of Allen
*J county, came to Kansas in 1877 and settled in Osage township. At
that date Humboldt was the county metropolis and many of our leading
settlers were located from that point, being located by the well-remem-
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 227
bered real estate man, G. W. Hutchinson. Mr. Beatt}' was one of these
settlers. He chose the valley of the Osage river, bought a farm therein
and has since called it his home. For some years beginning with 18S0
Mr. Beatty was not an active farmer. He engaged in the butcher business
in lola, being interested with "Beatty Brothers," and later their interests
were transferred to the furniture business there. In i3S6 he became a part-
ner in the Fort Scott Wholesale Grocery Company and remained with the
concern till 1S88, at which date he returned to the Osage River farm.
In the conduct of the farm Mr. Beatty has given the stock business the
chief place in his affections. This branch of industry calls for a genius not
common to the average farmer and its successful conduct, upon a large
scale, is consequent upon the especial adaptability of its promoter. The
growth made in this industry by our subject within the past dozen years
marks him as one of the successful feeders and the extent of his operations
gives him a wide acquaintance' through Allen, Anderson and Bourbon
counties.
By nativity Mr. Beatty is an Irishman. He was born near Belfast
July 8, 1S54, and was a son of David Beatty who left Ireland in 1855 and
took up his residence near Kincarden. Canada. In r86g the family took
another jump westward, this time locating in Sonoma count)', California.
David Beatty, father of our subject, was married to Mary Crawford, whose
death occurred in Allen county in 1880. Their children were: William,
who died in California; John C., of L,os Angeles, California; Elizabeth, wife
of William Caldwell, of Cloverdale, California; Mary J., widow of R. A.
Kerr, of L,os Angeles, California; Joseph C. ; James T. , of the Fort Scott
Wholesale Grocery Company, and David R. Beatty, of Beaumont, Texas.
Joseph C. Beatty was equipped for a career of business in Healds
Business College in San Franci.sco, California. He began life in the sheep
business in Sonoma county and drifted from that into the cattle business,
on a moderate scale. The conditions for handling cattle extensively were
not so favorable in California and he was induced to return east, to Kansas,
where there was a prospect of acquiring cheap land and greater range for
stock. In Allen county the area of his farm and ranch has kept pace with
the extent of his herds and his six hundred and twenty acres comprises one
of the desirable pieces of property in the county.
Mr. Beatty excels not only as a man of affairs but as a citizen. His
conduct has been, toward his neighbors, of such a character as to win and
maintain their confidence, commercially, socially and politically. He has
been identified with county politics, as a Republican, for many years and,
as an intimation of the weight of his opinion it is only necessary to say that
candidates for office are always anxious to know "how Beatty stands" with
reference to them.
July 29, 1880, Mr. Beatty was married to Mrs. Mattie Fielding, a
daughter of W. W. Neville, of Garnett, Kansas. The Nevilles were from
Hart county, Kentucky, to Illinois and from Illinois to Kansas in 1870.
Mr. Neville married Catherine Conover who bore him four children: John,
of Lawrence, Kansas; Mrs. Melissa Hunley, of Garnett, Kansas, and Mrs.
228 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
Beatty. All are surviving. Mr. Neville died in 1895 at the age of
seventy-five j-ears while his widow makes her home with Mrs. Beatty.
Mr. and Mrs. Beatty's children are: Luretta May, Sophomore in
University at Ottawa, Kansas; Clarence N., a student in the Moran high
school, and Joseph Harold. The family are members of the Baptist
church.
/^CHRISTOPHER K. MILLS, of Deer Creek township, the well known
^-^ Irish- American farmer and stock man, has passed a generation, a
score of years in Allen County. He came here in 1880 with plenty of
means and bought land in section 17, township 24, range 19, one-hali of
the section, and improved and brought the large farm under cultivation.
The stock business he was made familiar with in his youth and it was but
natural, under favorable circumstances, that he should turn his attention to
it when settling upon the broad prairies of Kansas.
As the name would indicate, Mr. Mills is an Irishman. He was born
in County Roscommon, Ireland, December 25, 1829. His father, Thos.
Mills, died in the Emerald Isle, leaving a family of five sons and six
daughters, of whom Christopher K., was the oldest son. The latter's ad-
vantages as a boy were those only of the country lad with poor but respect-
able parents whose chief aim from day to day was to do a bigger day's
work tomorrow than they did today. The practice of this plan taught all the
children to work, especially the eldest son, and so when he lelt Ireland to
join the vast throng of his countrymen in the United States he did so, well
equipped with the elements that win success. He boarded a sailer at
Liverpool and after eleven weeks put into New York harbor He cast
about for a hold and took any honorable employment yielding a revenue
for his support. He went into the country about Kingston, New York,
and hired for seven dollars a month with a promise of more as he
earned it. Upon leaving New York State he went into western Pennsyl-
vania and made his home about Pittsburg for twenty years. He invested
his wages in a team as soon as he could purchase one and engaged in
teaming and freighting. To this he added farming, also, and ere many
years found himself in possession of the implements and the experience to
win a fortune.
With the proceeds of his years of toil in cash Mr. Mills brought his
large family to Kansas where he could the better utilize the labor of his
sons and where a promise of greater reward awaited his coming. The sons
remained with the homestead in Allen County till things were well started
when they scattered here and there as each reached the period of his
majority.
Seven of the eleven children of Thos. Mills came to the United States.
Those surviving in addition to our subject are: James, of Clark County,
Missouri; Patrick, of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; Michael of south-
east Missouri, and Bridget, wife of Thos. Convoy, of Denver, Colorado.
C. K. Mills was married to Mary Convoy who died in Allen County,
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 22Cj
Kansas, March 17. 1898. She was born in County Roscommon, Ireland,
and was the mother of: Thomas Mills, who died near Edmund, Oklahoma,
and left two sons; John Mills, of Oregon; James Mills, of lola; Mary, wife
of George Silvers, of Kansas City, Missouri; Lizzie, who married A. T.
Kennedy; Agnes, widow of Frank Cain; Cristopher K. Jr. , of Oregon ;
Samuel Mills; Julia, wife of Edward Marsoth, of lola; Kate, wife of Alfred
Nelson, of Allen County; William Mills: Rosa, witeof James McKaughan,
of Allen Countv, and Lsabel, wife of William LaVell.
MRS. MARY M. BROWNING, of Savonburg, was born in Franklin
County, Illinois, April 3, 1853. Her father. Colonel James J.
Dowlins, was also a native of that State, and there married Susan Ann
Hartley, who was born in Kentucky and went with her parents to Illinois
when a maiden of twelve summers. The Colonel was a prominent and in-
fluential citizen of his community, and for a number of years of5iciall\-
served as county clerk of Franklin County. When the Civil war broke
out he resolved to aid in the preservation of the Union, and in August,
1 86 1, enlisted in the Eighty-first Illinois Infantrj', of which he was com-
missioned colonel. After serving one year and nine months, during which
time he had participated in the battle of Fort Douelson, and had sustained
a severe wound in the head at the battle of Shiloh. he proceeded to Vicks-
burg, where on the 2.'nd of May, 1863, he laid down his life on the altar of
his country, a minie ball causing his death while his regiment was making
a charge on the enemy's works. Thus fell one of the most gallant, brave
and noble commanders in the Federal army. He was then but thirty-one
years of age. He had the confidence and friendship of his superiors, and
the love and respect of those who served under him. From the pen of R.
M. Wheatley, of DuQuoin, Illinois, familiarly known as "Hardshell,"
came the following poem, "written in honor of James J. Dowlins of the
Eighty-first Illinois Infantry, who fell on the 22nd of May, 1863, while
leading his band in that memorable charge on the rebel works at Vicksburg:"
"Onward to victor}'," nobly he cried,
"Onward to victory," onward till he died.
In arms the rebel phalanx stood
Behind their works of earth and wood.
"Give us vict,ry or give us death,"
Brave Dowlins cried with his last breath:
And "Onward" was the last command
That Dowlins gave his gallant band.
Through whizzing shot and bursting shell,
Onward he charged until he fell;
A fatal ball had pierced his head
And made the gallant colonel dead.
230 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
May holy reverence mark the grave
Where lies DoUins, the leader brave;
May holy angels guard his tomb
And heavenly spirits waft him home.
Five children were left to. mourn the less of the gallant colonel and
three of the number are now living, as follows: Mrs. Browning, Mrs. Delilah
A. Svvafford, and Joseph L. Dolling.
The first named spent her girlhood days in her parents' home and in
1872 she gave her hand in marriage to Joseph B. Martin, a native of
Illinois, who like her father had served as a soldier in the Civil war. He
was a member of Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-sixfh Illinois In-
fantry, and died in 1879, from wounds received in the army. They had
two children: John W., now a resident of McCune, Kansas; and Mrs. Ida
May Smith, of Chainite, Kansas. Mrs. Martin was married to Joseph
Browning, a native of Illinois, and by her second marriage had five chil-
dren, of whom four are now living, namely: Mrs. Maud P. DeHart; IdaG.,
wife of Homer McCallen; and Fred and Fay who are with their mother.
In [S80 Mrs. Browning came to Kansas, snd for some time resided on
a farm at McCune. Later she purchased a farm near Chanute, where she
remained for twelve years, and then sold that property. Coming to Savon-
burg, she bought the City Hotel, greatly improved the building by erecting
an addition, and gave her attention to the conduct of the hotel till about
the first of the year 1901.
TS. TATHANIEL. T. HOLMES, who is numbered among the enterpris-
-L ^ ing young businessmen of Savonburg, has lived for little moie than
three decades, yet has attained a creditable degree of prosperity in com-
mercial circles as the reward of well directed labors. Hs was born in Pax-
ton, Ford County, Illinois, on the 24th of October, 1868, and is the fourth
in order of birth in a family of — children. He is of Swedish parentage, his
father, W. S. Holmes, being born in Sweden and came to America in
1852, taking up his residence in Illinois. There he married Miss Cora
Matson. The mother died after the removal of the family to Kansas, and
the father and one son are now in the State of Washington. One son, L.
L. Holmes, is a resident of Iowa, but the other members of the family are
living in Allen County. They arrived there on the 12th of March, 1870.
when the subject of this review was only one and one-half years of age, and
located upon a farm where the town of Savonburg now stands, and amid
the scenes of frontier life Nathaniel T. Holmes was reared. He pursued
his education in the common schools of the county until he had completed
the curriculum and then spent two terms as a student in th e Fort Scott
College, On laying aside his text books he secured a clerkship in Charles
Nelson's grocery store at Savonburg, remaining in the employ of that
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 23 1
gentleman for five 3'ears. During that time he saved his earnings, and
adding this to some borrowed mone)' he purchased a stock of goods and
embarked in business on his own account. The new venture proved suc-
cessful from the beginning and in ninety days he was enabled to discharge
his indebtedness. The secret of his success lies in his strict attention to
business, his obliging manner and his honorable dealing.
Mr. Holmes votes with the Republican party and at all times stands ready
to advance its welfare along legitimate lines or contribute to the support of
his friends who are seeking office. He is a member of the Ancient Order of
United Workmen of Savonburg. He speaks and reads his father's native
tongue, is a well informed man and a reliable and progressive citizen.
I JETER M. LINQUIST, a farmer of Elsmore township, was born in
-*- Sweden on the 3rd of June, 1834, a son of James P. and Mary (Pet-
erson) Linquist both of whom spent their entire lives in Sweden. The
subject of this review remained in that country until twenty-three years of
age, when hoping to find better opportunities than were afforded in the
old countries of Europe, he crossed the Atlantic to America, arriving in
Henry county, Illinois, in 1857. There he began working by the month
for he had no capital, and it was necessary to depend upon the labors of
his hands for his support. It was after his arrival in Illinois that he was
married to Miss Edna Carlson, a Swedish lady, who came to the United
States with her parents in 1852, locating in Illinois. Mr. Linquist re-
moved to Warren county, Illinois, where he was employed for three years
and then returned to Henry county, there purchasing a farm of one hun-
dred and sixt\' acres, making it his place of residence for seven years. On
the expiration of that period he removed to Moline, Illinois, and through
the seven succeeding years was in the employ of the John Deere Plow Com-
pany. The year 1879 witnessed his arrival in Kansas. He took up
his abode in Elsmore township, Allen county, where he purchased one
hundred and sixty acres of land, and began the improvement of what is
now one of the finest farms around Savonburg, supplied with modern
accessories and conveniences. His fields are highly cultivated, and in ad-
dition to the raising of grain he handles all kinds of stock.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Linquist have been born eight children, as follows:
Rosa, wife of Olaf Swanson, now in Kansas City, Missouri; Emma H., wife
of John Johnson: Nellie and Caroline, at home; Esther, who is engaged in
teaching school in Savonburg; Peter S., George and David, who are still
with their parents. The three last named posse.ss considerable musical
talent, a love of the art of music being a characteristic of the family. By
his ballot Mr. Linquist supports the Republican party. He has filled the
office of township treasurer for a number of years, and in November, 1900,
was elected town.ship trustee. His marked fidelity to the duties of citizen-
ship is a guarantee of faithful service. Mr. Linquist's hope of benefitting
232 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
his financial condition in America has been more than realized. Improv-
ing his opportunities he has placed his reliance upon the substantial quali-
ties of diligence and perseverance and has therefore acquired creditable
success.
"^ A TTLLIAM F. ENOS, who is engaged in blacksmithing in Savon-
" ^ burg, is numbered among the native sons of Wisconsin who have
sought homes in the Sunflower state. He was born in Evansville, on the
14th of November, 1847. His father, John Enos, removed from Indiana
to Wisconsin and was married in that state to Miss Hulda Griffith. They
spent their remaining days in the Badger state, being people of the highest
respectability and held in warm regard by their many friends. Under
the parental roof the subject of this review was reared, and in the common
schools near his home he conned the lessons that gave him a knowledge of
the branches of English learning. At the age of sixteen he enlisted in the
naval service of the United States, taking passage on a vessel at Chicago
on the 2nd of April, 1864. He served for nine months on the United
States man-of-war Benton, in the Sixth Division of the Mississippi Squad-
ron, and was then transferred to the warship Brilliant where he remained
until honorably discharged at the close of the war. He was very young
when he entered the service and as hostilities ceased not long afterward he
did not engage in many important naval battles, but his bravery and valor
were tested and found to be equal to that of many a time-tried veteran.
At the close of the war Mr. Enos returned to Wisconsin and began
learning the blacksmith trade which he followed until twenty years of age.
He then left the Badger state for the district west of the Mississippi river,
removing to Iowa where he was employed for three years. On the expira-
tion of that period he once more became a resident of Wisconsin where he
followed blacksmithing until 1893, the year of his removal to South Da-
kota. After a year devoted to farming in that section of the country he
went to Crowley, Louisiana, where he was engaged in the cultivation of
rice until i8g6, when he came to Kansas and made his home at Stark
till 1898. He has since been a resident of Savonburg and has con-
ducted a blacksmithing and wagon-making establishment. He has a good
location and enjoys a liberal pationage. He aLso conducts a farm and both
branches of his business are proving to him a profitable source of income.
On the 26th of September, 1S68, Mr. Enos was united in marriage to
Miss Lucy W. Haywood. Unto them have been born eight children, as
follows: William H., a resident of Joplin,. Missouri; Cora M., the wife of
Charles Benson, of South Dakota; Archie, who is employed in the shop of
his father; Carrie B., the wife of John Benson, of South Dakota; Pearl, the
wife of Perry Huff, of Savonburg; Edith, the wife of John Ridgeway; Katy
P., who is in Louisiana, and Clarence and Raymond, who are still under
the parental roof. A consideration of the political questions of the day
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 233
have led Mr. Enos to give his support to the men and measures of the Re-
publican party. He is now a member of Savonburg Post, G. A. R., and
this relationship indicates the time when among the boys in blue he
loyally served his country in order to perpetuate the Union. At all times
his duties of citizenship are faithfully performed and he withholds his sup-
port from no measure which he believes will contribute to the general
good.
STEPHEN H. WEITH.— Numbered among the most energetic and
progressive farmers of Elm township is S. H. Weith, whose farm is
supplied with all modern accessories and conveniences while the well-tilled
fields give evidence of the careful supervision of their owner. As he is
well known his life record can not fail to prove of interest to many of the
leaders of this volume.
Stephen H. Weith was born in Peoria county, Illinois, January 13,
1850. His father, George Weith, emigrated from Germany at the age of
twenty-four years, and took up his residence in Peoria county, Illinois. It
was in 1838 that he settled in that western country, then being filled up
with some of the best blood of all nations whose posterity have made rich
the pages of history in the professions, statesmanship, science and the
mechanical arts. Our subject's father was offered a block of land, now
almost in the center of the city of Peoria, for two months' work but de-
clined, to give his labors to some enterprise then more promising of im-
mediate reward. He located in Hollis township that county and engaged
in farming and teaming.
George Weith married Elizabeth Walters who was born in Switzer-
land. During her childb.ood the latter came with her parents to the United
States and became settlers of Peoria county, Illinois. The union of this
couple was productive of three children, John, Stephen and Rose. John
Weith died in lola, Kansas. He came to Kansas in 1870, was a black-
smith—a fine mechanic — and was one of the worthy men of his adopted
city.
George Weith was one of a family of five sons. Two of his brothers
survive and are in the Fatherland. George died in 1853 and his widow be-
came the wife of a Mexican soldier, Kobler, residing in Peoria county,
Illinois.
Stephen Weith, the subject of this review, was thirteen years of age
when his mother died. He was thus thrown upon his own resources at a
tender age. All that he has achieved has come as a reward for his indi-
vidual labors. In January 1877 he visited Allen county, Kansas, and the
next month purchased a large tract of land in Elm township and soon
thereafter began the work of developing a farm from the treeless waste of
prairie. In the little more than a score of years which have elapsed since
his advent to the county Mr. Weith has brought into existence fields and
2;,4 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
orchards and barns and a commodious residence and his is one of the
attractive homesteads of the township.
As a companion Mr. Weith chose Ella Shanklin. The wedding oc-
curred just before their removal to Kansas and their marriage has been
blessed with the following surviving children: George, Archibald and
Josie.
In politics Mr. Weith is well known as a Populist. He espoused the
"cause of the people" in 1890 and has lent his influence in support of the
principles enunciated by his party. He is one of the leaders of Elm
township in that organization and has filled the office of Township Trus-
tee and director of the school board.
Mr. and Mrs. Weith are members of the Presbyterian church of lola
and all who know them hold them in high regard.
TIDICHARDR. CLAIBORNE, proprietor of the lola Cider, Sorghum
-L *- and Corn Mill and Vinegar Works, is a representative of one of the
old and famous families of the United States, being lineally descended from
William Claiborne, who was sent out by Charles I., King of England, as
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and who at one time ruled
both Virginia and Marjdand. This William Claiborne is st>led by Chief
Justice John Marshall, in his life of Washington, as "the evil genius of Mary-
land," he having besieged .\nnapolis and driven Lord Proprietor Calvert out
of the Province. His career in America was long and turbulent but he tri-
umphed to the last, being sustained against all his enemies by Charles I.,
Cromwell and Charles II., under all of whom he held high office in the
new world. He fell in battle with the Indians and his tomb may yet be
seen at Wancock Hill, Virginia.
The descendants of William Claiborne became numerous in Virginia
as they remained there for many generations without emigrating, filling
many of the highest offices in the Commonwealth and intermarrying with
its most distinguished families.
Richard Claiborne, our subject's paternal grandfather, was a Revo-
lutionary soldier. He entered the Virginia line as a lieutenant, was aide-
de-camp to General Greene during the whole of his southern campaign,
and If ft the serx'ice at the close of the war, a major. He took up the prac-
tice of law in Virginia, and when h-'s cousin. Wm. C.C. Claiborne, was
appointed by President Jefferson Governor of the Territory of Lousiana,
then just made a part of the United States by purchase, he accompanied
him to New Orleans as his private secretary. After the admission of the
State of Lousiana he was appointed clerk of the District Court of the United
States and continued to hold this position until the time of his death which
occurred in 1819.
Richard Claiborne married Catherine Ross, a daughter of Brigadier
General James Ross, of the Revolutionary army, and a grand-daughter of
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 235
George Ross, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Their
children were Guilford Green Claiborne, our subject's father, and Hen-
rietta Virginia Claiborne, who married Preston Billings Elder, of Pennsyl-
vania.
Richard R. Claiborne, the subject of this sketch was born at Colum-
bia, Pennsylvania, September 7, 1838, and is the son of Guilford Greene
Claiborne who was for many years a prominent official of the Pennsylvania
railroad. When but eighteen years of age Richard R. Claiborne entered
upon the active duties of life as Statistical Clerk in the Philadelphia custom
house, an appointment made by direction of President Buchanan. He con-
tinued in office during a part of the administration of President Lincoln and
resigned to take the superintendency of the Linscott Petroleum and Coal
Company at Athens, Ohio. This position he resigned to assume the manage-
ment of the James River Granite Company, at Richmond, Va. , resigning this
latter position t) engage in the coal business in Philadelphia. In 1870 he
came to Kansas for the purpose of engaging in the cattle business. He
Icicated first in Neosho county, near the town of Osage Mission (now St.
Paul) establishing an extensive ranch on Walnut creek. In 1882 he came
to Allen county, purchased the J. W. Scott homestead in Carlyle township,
ai.id made his home there until 1890 when he came to lola, purchasing the
Cider and Vinegar industry then carried on by the firm of Potter & Mc-
Clure, in the building now used by the lola Creamery. He soon removed
the machinery to block 115, where he erected new buildings, put in a
larger plant and greatly extenaed the business. Under careful and intelli-
gent management the industry grew rapidly and had already become one of
much importance when, in 1898, the buildings and plant were totally de-
stro\ed by fire. Not daunted by this disaster Mr. Claiborne secured a tract
of land just east of the city, erected there a new and larger plant, and is
rapidly regaining the ground lost by this unhappy misfortune.
Mr. Claiborne was married in February, 1872, at Bridge Water, Mas-
sachusetts, to Elnora Bartlett, a daughter of Joseph and Mary E. Bartlett.
The two children of this union are Clarence Elder Claiborne, born in 1873,
and George Ross Claiborne, born in 1876 and married in 1899 to Edith
Emerson of lola.
During the nearly twenty years Mr. Claiborne has lived in Allen
county he has so conducted him.self as to win the respect and the cordial
esteem of all who have had either business or social relations with him.
Of polished manners and excellent education, with a fine sense of personal
honor, he has maintained the reputation of the distinguished name he
bears and has made a record that well entitles him to a place among the
representative men of Allen county.
TTENRY A. BROWN, M. D.— Men of marked ability, forceful charac-
-'- -*- ter and culture leave their impress upon the world written in such
indelible characters that time is powerless to obliterate their memory or
236 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
sweep it from the minds of men. Their commendable acts live long after
they have passed from the scene of their earthly careers. Dr. Brown is one
of the strong characters who have become an integral part in the business
life of Humboldt and has gained marked prestige as a representative of the
humane calling to which he devotes his energies.
He was born May 15, 1851, near Burlington. Iowa. His father,
Sydney Brown, was a native of Ohio, and married Miss Jane Hawkins,
also of that State. A farmer by occupation he removed to Iowa in 1850
and operated a tract of land near Burlington for a few vears. He then
went to Cincinnati, Iowa, where he and his wife spent their remaining
days, the father passing away in 1894, at the age of ninety-four years,
while the mother was called to her final resting place in 1889, at the age of
fifty-nine. They were the parents of four children: Mrs. Mariam Pritchard
and Mrs. Rebecca Corder, who reside at Cincinnati, Iowa; Mrs. Isabella
Atherton, of Hannibal, Missouri, and Henry A.
The doctor pursued his education in the common schools until twelve
years of age, when he entered a drug store, where he was employed for
some time. Resuming his studies "he was graduated in the high school in
Cincinnati, and with considerable knowledge of the drug business he de-
termined to enter upon the study of medicine and make its practice his life
work. He became a student in the office and under the direction of Dr. J.
M. Sturdevant, and later entered the medical college at Keokuk. Iowa.
On completing his course in that institution he returned to his old home
in Cincinnati, where he opened an office and began practicing in 1876, re-
maining there until the spring of 1879, when he sought a new field of labor
in Earlton, Kansas. He represented the medical fraternity of that city for
ten years and in 1889 came to Humboldt where he has since resided, building
up a large and constantly increasing practice He exercises great fraternal
delicacy in his work and has strict regard for the ethics of the professional
code. His knowledge of the medical science is comprehensive and exact,
and thus he has attained a prominent position in his chosen calling. His
broad humanitarian spirit prompts his response to every call, no matter
what hardships are entailed in making the visit. He never refuses to visit
a patient even when he knows that no pecuniary reward may be expected,
but he also has a large patronage from among the more substantial class of
citizens in Humboldt and the surrounding countr}'.
Dr. Brown has been twice married and by the first union had one
daughter, Mrs. Ella Bordenkircher, of Chanute, Kansas. For his second
wife the doctor chose Mi-^s Minnie, daughter of EH and Mary Neff, who
are residents of Humboldt, Mr. Neff bein^ one of the largest stock traders
in both Allen and Wilson counties. The doctor is a member of various in-
surance orders, and fraternal and medical societies. In politics he has al-
ways been a stalwart Republican and has twice been elected and served as
coroner of Allen County. He has, however, never been a politician in the
sense of office seeking, preferring to give his attention to his business
affairs.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 237
^ i\ /"ILLIAM DAVIS — Among the conspicuous characters and success-
^ ^ ful farmers of Allen County is William Davis, of Marmaton
township. He has been in the county more than a generation, for he came
to it in April 1878, and, as is well known, settled upon a piece of the dis-
puted land. He aided for twenty years in carrying on an honest and ag-
gressive legal fight for land which he believed the settlers were entitled to
and only ceased when the court of last resort said he was in the wrong.
His home place, the southeast quarter of section 19, township 25, range
2 1, presents such an appearance of unusual development as to warrant a
passerbj' in believing it an old-settled, pioneer place. While it is a new
farm practically, yet it is an old one for there hadn't been a plow .stuck into
it nor a post driven on it before Mr. Davis took possession of it.
Mr. Davis came into Allen County from Appanoose County, Iowa, to
which point he went two years after the close of the Rebellion. He was
born in Noble County, Ohio, May 21, 1844. His father, Elijah Davis,
was also reared in Noble County, Ohio, but was born in Virginia. He
was married to Mary Buckley in Noble County and died there in 1887 at
the age of seventv-nine years. He was a successful and prosperous farmer,
was identified with the Republican party and maintained himself, as a citi-
zen, honorable before the world.
Our subject's paternal grandfather was Thomas Davis. He was a
schoolteacher and farmer and was a native of the "Old Dominion', .state.
He died about 1854, aged seventy years and was descended from Scotch
ancestry.
Mr. Buckley, grandfather of our subject, died in the military service
of the United States in the War of 1S12. He went into the service from
the state of Penns3-lvania. Mrs. Elijah Davis died in 1897, leaving the
following children: Catharine, who married William Fowler, resides in Noble
county, Ohio; Levi Davis, of Taylor County, Iowa; William, our subject;
Eli Davis, of Noble County, Ohio; Thomas Davis, of the old home county,
and Mary, wife of Lowry Smith, of the same point. Those who passed
away in early life are: Joseph, died in Appanoose County, Iowa; Abraham,
died in the army, and Eeroy, died in Ohio.
William Davis acquirednio more than a country .school education. In
August, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, 92nd Ohio Infantry, Captain E.
G. Dudley and Colonel B. F. Ferring. He was mustered into the regiment
at Marietta, Ohio, and it was ordered up the Kanawa valley. Among the
important things done, unofficially, on that trip was the raiding of apple
orchards and chicken roosts. The regiment was ordered by boat from
Charleston, to Nashville, Tenn., where it went into camp for a time. From
this point it proceeded to Carthage, Tenn., where it guarded the river a few
months. Actual hostilities with the regiment began at Chicamaugua.
Then followed Missionary Ridge where Mr. Davis lay at the foot of the
hill and watched Hooker drive the Rebels off of Lookout Mountain. His
own command helped drive them off the other side of the mountain. About
this time Mr. Davis was called in for a detail and he was informed that he was
238 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
the onl}' man who had not been off duty in his company or on detail. The
special service detail which he got took him away from his regiment perma-
nently. He did not again see it till all were mustered out, in June, 186,5.
Mr. Davis took up the serious responsibilities of life when he left the
army. He went back to the farm and was married November i , of the
same year to Eliza J. Nicholson. They remained in Ohio till 1867 when
they moved out to Iowa as previously stated.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis' children are; Abraham L-, of Stroud, Oklahoma;
Mary C, wife of A. Morris, of Pawnee, Oklahoma: Margaret, wife of Chas.
H. Ford, of Allen County; Joseph M. Davis, whose wife was Rachael Cul-
bertson; Thomas E. Davis, whose wife was Ethel Wood; Minnie, now wife
of Frank Miller.
AIvBERT h. DANIELS, a resident of Carlyle township, Allen County,
since 1881, and one of the substantial and progessive farmers of the
county, came to the State of Kansas from Ford County, Illinois. In 1864
he went into Woodford County, that State, and resided in that county,
Champaign, and Ford for seventeen years, or until his emigralion to Kan-
sas. Mr. Daniels was born at Woodbury, Vermont, January 26, 1S44. His
father, Luke Daniels, was born at Danville, Vermont, in 1802 and died in
Woodbury in 1871. His father, the grandfather of our subject, was one of
the early men and settlers of Danville, as was Luke Daniels. Their occu-
pation was farming and these early ancestors were of the strong, rugged and
honorable people of the community.
Luke Daniels married Maria Keniston, a neice of two Revolutionary
soldiers, and a daughter of a soldier in our war for independence.
Mrs. Daniels died in 1874 and was the mother of: Noah, who left Vermont
a young ma'n and was never heard from more; Alanson, of Vermont;
Lovisa, wife of William Cook, of Hopkinton, New Hampshire; Samuel,
who died in Vermont in 1898; George, of Vermont; Lovina, of Paxton,
Illinois is the wife of H. H. Atwood, and Albert L-, the subject of
this sketch.
At twelve years of age A. L- Daniels was bound to a brother for eight
years. He was liberally schooled and became competent to teach before
his apprenticeship was ended. He paid liberally for the time he taught
until his majority and made teaching a business till he was thirty-three
years of age. He cariied on farming on a modest scale the latter years of
this period and between the two vocations he laid the foundation for a good
degree of financial independence. As a teacher he was most proficient and
successful and the five year season in the Swede settlement in Ford County,
Illinois, marked an era in his career in tl'ie profession.
Mr. Daniels brought with him to Kansas a limited amount of capital.
He purchased an eighty acre tract in section 17, township 24, range 19,
and began its improvement and cultivation. His record as a farmer and
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 239
stock grower has come to be known, for his efforts at both have been
reasonably and properly rewarded. The breeding and growing of fine
hogs has claimed a share of his attention and the business has long passed
the experimental point with him. The area of his farm is three times the
original one and there are greater opportunities for him in the future.
Mr Daniels was married in Woodford County, Illinois in 1868 to
Clara Robinson, a daughter of Rev. Sumner Robinson, a resident of
Benton, Kansas. Mr. Robinson is a native of the State of Maine. Mr.
and Mrs. Daniels' children are: Lula, wife of Hervey Bowlby; Erta, wife of
Newton Reno, of Yates Center; Fred, who married Jane Busley; Cordie,
Walter and Floy.
In their political affiliations our subject's forefathers were Whigs.
His father espoused Democracy but the sons all became followers of Fre-
mont and Lincoln and later Republican lights. In religious matters Mr.
Daniels is an earnest advocate of Christianity and holds a membership in
the Baptist church of lola.
JOHN ELLISON POWELL, of the firm of Henderson & Powell, of
*^ lola, is a son of John Powell, one of the early settlers of Carlyle town-
ship, Allen county. The latter came to the county in i860 and located
upon a claim in section 34 where he opened a farm, improved it and has
since resided upon it. He came to Kansas, directly, from Macon county,
Illinois, previously from Madison county, Indiana, and starting his migra-
tion to the westward from Sciota county, Ohio. He was born in that
county January 31, 1826, and his father was John Powell, a farmer, who
died at an early age. The latter's mother was the first white child born in
Lawrence county, Ohio.
John Powell, our subject's father, married Rachel Quick, a daughter
of James Quick, who was one of the first settlers of Carljde township and
emigrated from Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. The Powell chil-
dren of this union are: Dora, wife of Orrin Lake, of Round Valley, Cali-
fornia; P. Jasper Powell, of Anderson county, Kansas; Celena Powell, who
married M. E. Hutchinson, of lola; J. Ellison Powell; Mary Powell; Ada,
wite of James Carter, of lola; Emma and Cora Powell, teachers of Allen
county.
J. E. Powell was born in Allen county, Kansas, June 4, i860. He
was schooled at Maple Grove and finished his education at the Fort Scott
Business College. When he left the parental roof at the age of twenty-five
years it was to engage in the real estate business at Buffalo, Kansas. Later
he became associated with H. L. Henderson in the same business in
lola. The press for business in that line became so great in lola that
farming seemed more profitable and Mr. Powell retired to his farm in
Geneva. Three years later when prosperity dawned upon our city and
240 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
activity centered- in real estate Mr. Powell again joined Mr. Henderson and
the firm has been one of the prominent ones of Ida.
June 8, 1891, Mr. Powell married Dora, a daughter of Samuel Full-
wider. Mrs. Powell was born in Anderson county, Kansas, June 15, 1868.
Their children are: Narcissus, Jasper M., Fay M. and Ival Powell.
/^ EORGE MEREDITH.— Among the loyal and patriotic Anglo-Ameri-
^^ can citizens of Elm township, Allen county, whose enviable reputa-
tion abounds throughout his township and county and whose substantiality
has been acquired there is George Meredith, retired farmer, of LaHarpe.
He came to Allen county in March 1870 and permitted George A. Bowlus
to sell him a piece of grass land on the east side of Elm township. He was
a young man then and possessed the courage and determination equal to
overcoming the task of changing this grassy waste into a productive farm
and an attactive home. He began the work of cultivation and improve-
ment at once and, during the twenty-eight years which he occupied it,
reached a point of financial indepmdence worthy to be sought by our
American yoiith. The loss of his wife in 1896 left him without companion-
able surroundings and two years later he took up his residence in LaHarpe
to be near friends and associates.
George Meredith was born in Herefordshire, England. April 3, 1830.
He was a son of a small farmer, James Meredith, whose ancestors had
lesided in the same shire for many generations. His mother was Maria
Porter, and George was the seventh and last son of their family. He and
his sister, Mrs. Mary Prosser, of Wilmington, Loraine county, Ohio, are
the only members of the family on the west side of the Atlantic. He grew
up on the little home farm in England and educated himself in Ohio, after
he had reached the age of maturity. He left Liverpool March 25, 1849,
aboard the "Caleb Grimshaw," a sailing vessel, and reached New York
after five weeks of tossing and wallowing in the sea. He was destined for
Oberlin, Ohio, where he had some acquaintance, and where he remained
for five years. He worked about from place to place at the wages of ten
dollars per month and, in 1854, came west to Davenport, Iowa. There he
was employed as teamster for a miller and was engaged in milling either
as employe or as an interested partner, in that city for many years. When
the Civil war was in progress and the nation seemed so much in need of
troops he determined to drop his business and enlist. He had notified his
employer of this fact and the latter, desiring to retain his valuable helper,
reported to the examining surgeon that Meredith was not an able-bodied
man and that he was not competent for military duty and that, if he re-
ported himself for enlistment, to so inform him. The scheme worked well
and our subject was thus deprived of serving his adopted country in time
of war.
When George Meredith came to Kansas he brought less than three
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 24 1
hundred dollars with him. The land he purchased, on contract, was
found to be in the "disputed belt" and he joined the League to aid in re-
claiming the government title through the courts. He entered the quarter
as a claim and supported the contest till it was seen that the railroad \vould
win when he again bought the tract — this time at a higher price — and the
controversy was then and there ended.
Mr. Meredith was married in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1S54 to Esther
Ravenhill who came to the United States in 1851 from England. She was
born in 1826 and died without issue.
The first presidential vote of our subject was cast for General Scott,
and when the Republicans put up their first candidate he supported him.
The great Lincoln he also pinned his faith to, and the administration from
1897 to 1901 has no parallel, in his judgment, in important national
achievements and in assuaging the anguish and discontent of our citizens
as a result of a preceding administration.
/^>ARL OHLFEST.— For thirty years Carl Ohlfest has been a resident
^-^ of Allen county, and during that period has been actively identified
with its agricultural and industrial interests. He belongs to that class of en
terprising American citizens that the Fatherland has furnished to the
New World. His birth occurred in Holstein, Germany, on the 27th day of
November, 1833, and his father, Carl Ohlfest, Sr. , was also a native of the
same locality. Our subject now has one brother living, John N., who is a
valued resident of Allen county.
In the land of his nativity Carl Ohlfest acquired his education and
learned the brick-mason's trade. Hoping to better his financial condition
in America, he made preparations to leave Germauy in 1S56, and joined a
compan\- of six hundred emigrants who took passage on the westward
bound vessel. Napoleon. He first located at Valparaiso, Indiana, where
he followed his chosen trade for a number of years. In 1870 he came to
Kansas, locating in Allen county, where he has since engaged in busine.ss as
a brick- mason and farmer. He settled on a tract of prairie land a half mile
south of the present town of LaHarpe, and with characteristic energy
began its development, transforming the wild tract into richly cultivated
fields constituting one of the finest farms of the county.
Mr. Ohlfest has been twice married. He first wedded Katrina Roeder,
of Valparaiso, Indiana, and Delia Mounsir became his second wife. The
latter's great-grandfather, Adam Hahn, located in Maryland at an early
period in the history of that state. Her father, Reuben Hahn, is still
living, at the age of eighty-two years. She has three brothers and one
sister living: D. H. Hahn, a physician at Wauneta, Kansas; R. H. Hahn,
a cattle inspector in Oklahoma, and C. C. Hahn, an author of consider-
able repute. His work, "In Cloisters Dim," has created much favorable
comment among critics. Josephine, the only living sister of Mrs. Ohlfest,
242 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
iri the wife of Mr. Olney, a boot and shoe merchant of Fresno, California.
In his political views Mr. Ohlfest has always been a Republican, un-
swerving in support of the principles of the party. For many years he has
been a member of the Lutheran church, while his wife belongs to the
Presbyterian church. He is also a member of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows. He is faithful to the duties of citizenship and to every rela-
tion in life. He owes his prosperity entirely to his own efforts. His labors
have never been performed in a desultory or intermittent manner but have
been vigorously prosecuted, and his sound judgment has so enabled him to
direct his efforts that he has gained therefrom a handsome competence.
T UTE P. STOVER, County Surveyor of Allen County, and a gentle-
-" — 'man with large farming and live stock interests therein, was born Feb-
ruary ID, 1873, in Humboldt, Kansas. He is the oldest son of Tindall S.
Stover, of Ida, and was reared in his native county. In the lola schools
where he graduated, he was noted for his original and inquisitorial nature
and was noted as a specially bright and well-informed boy. His fund of
information extended to subjects where small bo}'S are not wont to tread
and his powers of expressing his ideas were remarkably well developed.
His teachers learned not to be surprised at any demonstration of learning,
any technical inquiry or any impersonation of character from his lips and
such a fund of humor ran through it all as easily to mark him an extra-
ordinary and promising pupil. After leaving the lola schools he went to
the old Stover home in Maine and spent two years in the Blue Hill Acade-
my. He finished his education with two years in the University of Kansas
where he took an irregular course, chief among his studies being civil engin-
eering and surveying.
Mr. Stover's business life began in the Indian Territory where he spent
two years surveying and doing newspaper work. He was on papers in
Blackwell, Oklahoma, and in Tallequah, Cherokee Nation, and came
back to lola to take charge of the business of the Stover Abstract Company.
During this period of employment the Republicans nominated him for
County Surveyor (in 1S95) and he was elected by a majority of over 1300
votes. In 1897 he was again a candidate and this time the Fusion candi-
date succeeded in getting his name on both the Populist and Democratic
tickets and the Republican majority for this office was something over
300 votes.
During his incumbency of the surveyor's office Mr. Stover married a
lady whose Allen Counts' interests were extensive and he succeeded to the
active management of her affairs. For three years from the first of 1897,
he was chiefly engaged in the cattle business and in farming.
The marriage ot our subject occurred February i, 1S97, the lady of his
choice being Miss Madge, a daughter of the late pioneer, Paul Fisher.
January ist, 1900, Mr. Stover joined Herman Tholen and Ben Achter,
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 243
of Humboldt, in the for;nation of the lola Wholesale Grocery Company and
was chosen its Treasurer.
The political tendencies of Lute Stover are matters of general informa-
tion. He was a Republican when a boy in knee pants and he took as
much interest in elections as the average politician of today. He knew the
leaders of the parties in the big states and was conversant with the current
political events then as now. Ujron the organization of the lola militia com-
pany he was chosen its captain and gave the boys their first serious lesson ia
militarv tactics.
P^DMUND H. TOBEY— One of the leading farmers and stock men of
-•— -* Allen County is Edmund H. Tobey, County Commissioner. He
has resided within the confines of the State more than thirty years and in
that time has established a reputation for industry, thrift and personal in-
tegrity. He was born in Duchess County, New York, August 30, 1837,
and is a son of Albert Tobey, who was born in the year iSoo in the State
of Connecticut and his mother, nee Emily Howes, was born in Sullivan
County, Xew York. Of their family of four children Edmund H. was the
youngest. The latter was married in 1859 to Miss M. L. Card, whose peo-
ple came originally from Columbia County, New York.
Mr. Tobey came to the Sunflower State without means and went to
work. His remarkable energy and tenacity coupled with the qualities al-
ready enumerated have won him a high place among the substantial men
of the county. He has accumulated land by the section and his herds of
fat and stock cattle feed over his domains year in and year out. As a ship-
pei he is known extensively and his place is a market for acres of his neigh-
bors' surplus corn.
Mr. Tobey has comported himself in a manner to win the confidence
social and political, of his fellow citizens. Although he has been a pro-
nounced Republican in politics his friends of the opposition have not failed
to endorse his candidacy or aid his aspirations for public office. In rgoo
he was nominated by the Republican County Convention for Coramis.sioner
of the Second district and he was elected by a majority com;3limsntary to
him as a citizen and satisfactory to his party.
"Maple Avenue," his home, is a product of Mr. Tobey's own ingenui-
ty and taste. It lies one and a half miles south of LaHarpe and comprises
his residence, birns and grounds adjacent. It is one of the most conspicu-
ous places oa the drive crossing Elm Creek ani is of a character highly
creditable to the substantial development of Allen Cjunty.
^y\ 7ILLIAM TURNER — It is in this article that are presented the facts
^ ' which led to the early development of the lola gas field. It is the
subject of this brief biography who was responsible for this early develop-
244 HISTORY OF ALLEN' AND
nient and who has had no little connection with it. William Turner,
superintendent of the LaHarp; works, of the Lanvon Zhic Compan\-, is the
psrson referred to in the introduction hereto. While on a visit to a sister
in Elsmore township, Allen County, in 1896 he heard of lola's gas find and
decided to investigate its strength and merits, as fuel, etc , in the hope
that he would find a desirable -point for his emploj'ers, the Lanyons, to re-
engage in the smelting business. After convincing himself that the volume
of fuel necessary to operate anj^ factory enterprise indefinitely, was under
the city he consulted L. ly- Northrup to determine whether any induce-
ments would be offered to manufacturers to locate in lola. Finding a
readiness on the part of the latter gentleman to go to great lengths and
sacrifices to inject a breath of real life into his town Mr. Turner reported the
result of his find, with recommendations, to Robert H. Lanyoii who visited
lola and verified the report. Negotiations weie soon set in motion which
resulted in the erection of the lyinyon Zinc Company's works No. i , the'
pioneer smelter in the gas belt.
William Turner's part in the development of the gas field was in the
capacity of supervising constructor of the Robert Lanyon's Sons two large
smelters at Ida and LiHarpe. Having done this and completed the work
of building for that company he was placed in charge of the LaHarpe
plant and was undisturbed in his position when the Lanyon interests went
into the great consolidated company. Mr. Turner's career as a smelter
man extends over a period of ten years. He became connected with the
Lanyon's at Nevada, Missouri, in [890, in the capacity of mill-wright and
was with them two j'ears there. In 1892 he was sent by them to Wauke-
gan, Illinois, where he remained repairing and constructing four years.
Upon leaving this point it was to take a vacation and visit his si,ster in
Kansas, resulting in the discovery of the gas field and the construction of
the first lola ^melter.
Mr. Turner wa^ born in Delaware County, Indiana, April 17, 1852.
His father was Jonas Turner who entered land in that county. The latter
settled eight miles south of Muncie and resided there until his death
in 1866. He was born in Green County, Ohio in 1812 and was a son of a
wheel-wright, George Turner, who settled near Xenia, Ohio, very early and
afterward went into Delaware County, Indiana. Walter Turner, father of
George Turner, came to America during the French and Indian war as a
soldier with the King's army. He felt his duty to his king greatei than
those to his adopted countr\' dnd he did not serve with the patriots during
the Revolution. He died near Xenia, Ohio, leaving as many as six sons:
Joseph, Jonathan, Robert, Ambrose, Isaac and George. The latter married
Fanny Oaks and died in Delaware County, Indiana. Their children were:
Joshua, Jonathan, Jonas, George, Riley, Robert and John, all of whom
reared families.
Jonas Turner married Patsy Gibson, whose father, William Gibson;
was a southern man and a preacher. Mrs. Turner died in 1889 at the age
of seventy-six years. Their children were: John, who died in 1863; Sarah,
deceased, was the wife of William Felton; Jonathan Turner, of Delaware
WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 245
County, Indiana, a farmer; Phebe, decea.sed. left children by two hu.sbands
(James Lacey and Lasley L. Herold); Jane, wife of Joel Canady, of Els-
more, Kan.sas; Philip Turner, of Delaware County, Indiana, and William,
our subject.
At the age of sixteen William Turner began learning the machinist
trade in Muncie, Indiana, in the old Phelps Foundry and Machine Shop.
Before he had completed his term of service the shop closed and our sub-
ject took up the carpenter trade. He worked in and around Muncie and
practically completed the trade. He followed it many j'ears, together with
niill-wrigliting, in Indiana and Wisconsin. He was located at Richhnid
Center in the latter State and was in a saw-mill and furniture factory there
for a time. From this point he went to Irving, Illinois, and resided five
years. All the time he was on the road putting up mills of all kinds and
because of this fact he was first induced to come to Kansas. He went to
Humboldt in 1884 to put in the machinery of the Lindsay flouring mills.
He put in a paint mill at Deep Water, Missouri and from this point went
to Nevada where, after an elapse of time he became associated with the
Lanyons.
August 15, 1875, Mr. Turner was married at Irving, Illinois, to Mary
J. Carriker, a daughter of John Carriker, an early settler of Montgomery
County, Illinois, and from North Carolina. Their only son is John Turner,
who is married to Lue Ricketts and is a foreman for the Lanyon Zinc Com-
pany. Josie Turner is the only daughter of our subject.
Mr. Turner is a Mason, Odd Fellow, Elk, Woodman and a Republican.
/^LAUS BARNHOET, of LaHarpe, a successful farmer and one of the
^-^ early settlers of Elm township, is a character among the substantial
men of his community. He was born in Holstein, now a part of the Ger-
man Empire, March 21, 1836. His parents were in humble circumstances
and his father supported his family at day labor as a timberman or woods-
man. The latter was Henry Barnholt, who died in Germany in 1884. He
was born with the century and was first married to Annie Timm, who died
in 1838. Their other two children were Annie, wife of Hermann Hatz,
and Hans Barnholt, both in the Fatherland. Henry Barnholt's second
wife was Lina Ohlfest, a sister of John and Carl Ohllest, prominent and in-
fluential farmers of Allen county. The children of this marriage were
Catherine, widow of Carl Heeley, who resides in LaHarpe: Henry Barn-
holt, of Holstein, Germany, and Carl Barnholt, of LaHarpe, Kansas.
Claus Barnholt came to the United States in 1S68. He sailed from
Hamburg on the "Itonia" for New York and located first at Valparaiso,
Indiana. He had been accustomed to wage working in his native land and
this was what he took up in America. He remained about Valparaiso two
years and, in 1870, came to Kansas with the Ohlfests. The first five years
in Allen county he passed as a farm laborer, working for the old and sub-
246 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
stantial citizens of Elm township, including Tobe^, Pickell, etc. In the
spring of 1875 he bought an eighty in section 2, township 25, range 19, and
put into it the wages he had saved since his arrival in the United States.
His success in farming and, to a limited extent, stock raising, has brought
him to a position of financial ease not always achieved by the average
farmer. He has added eighty acres to his first purchase giving him a
quarter section of land.
Claus Barnholt has known nothing but work. It is one of the char-
acteristics of his race. Reaching maturity with no special opportunities
and no talent resources his capital was his industry. The world was be-
fore him and it is alwa^'S kind to the honorable son of toil. In the vigor of
manhood did he put forth his greatest efforts and what he achieved will
supply his wants in old age. He is a Republican.
HENRY BUSEEY, of Elm township, Allen county, successful farmer,
and thrifty and progressive citizen, has passed a full score of years
within the confines of his county and is a gentleman worthy to be known
and trusted. He came amongst us almost a raw English emigrant and
purchased a small farm in section 23, township 24, range 19. He reached
lola on the 4th of March, 1880, and the next day was driven into the
country by George A. Bowlus, lola's genial banker, then an ordinary land
agent. He sold Mr. Busley the tract above mentioned and the latter
brought his family to his new home at once.
Mr. Busley was born in Eincolnshire, England, May 29, 1845, and was
left an orphan by the accidental death of his father, Samuel Busley, two
years later. There were six children in the family and Henry is the only
one who ventured across the Atlantic. Jane Scotney was our subject's
mother. Her other children were: John, William, Samuel, Ann, Sarah,
and George, Joseph and Jane Reed, the last three by her second husband.
Henry Busley was strictly a farmer boy and at eleven years of age
began the task of finding his own keep. He worked seven years for one
man at four pounds the first year and at ten pounds a year the last two
years. The following four years he spent with another farmer at sixteen
pounds per year. The last tour years in England were spent as foreman
over a farm. In this position he acquired a valuable and accurate know-
ledge of caring for all kinds of stock belonging to the farm.
On reaching the United States Mr. Busley located in Livingston
county, New York, and spent seven years there. He became foreman of a
large farm belonging to Mr. William Hamilton, a leading man of that
countj'. He was induced by Arnold and Kemp, emigration agents, to
make a trip to the west with the result as above mentioned.
• Farming in the west Mr. Busley has found to be different to farming in
England or New York. He has been able in the years he has cultivated
Kansas soil to not only improve his original home but to add to it a half
<:^^^^'^>^'^^-^ ^D^^L-'i^-^e ^
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 247
section of land and to properly improve and till the same. In his case
agriculture includes the growing and handling of stock. Much of his ac-
cretions have come from this source and when conducted with wisdom it
produces the easiest money a farmer makes.
For three years Mr. Busley has given much of his time to the interests
of the Lanyons and their successors. The leasing of territory for prospect-
ing for gas and the renewal of leases in the territory of LaHarpe are mat-
ter which the company has entrusted to him and the fidelity with which he
performs his duties is a matter of common recognition. He has a personal
interest in the development of the gas fields of Allen county for his land is
all within the territory and the "Busley well" is the farthest north, yet
discovered.
Mr. Busley was married in 1S6S to Sarah A. Green and their children
are: Sarah Elizabeth, wife of William Higgins; Mary Jane, wife of Fred
E. Daniels; and Annie G., John ^^'. , Emily, Thurza E. , George H., Nellie,
Harry and Albert J. Busley, all in the family home.
In matters of public policy Mr. Busley is a Republican. His first
presidential vote was cast for the lamented Garfield and his voice and vote
have gone to each Republican nominee since the campaign of 1880.
As a citizen Mr. Busley is honest, energetic and industrious. As a
business man he possesses the utmost integrity and practices only the recog-
nized principles of business. As a neighbor he is accommodating and
helpful, encouraging the timid and lending substantial aid to the weak.
r^LUS P. DELAPLAIN is one of the early settlers of Elm township,
-*— -JAUen County. He dates his advent to the county from the year 186S
when his father, Joshua, P. Delaplain, emigrated from Macoupin County,
Illinois, and became a permanent resident of this new country. Ellis
Delaplain was born in Madison County, Illinois, January 3, 1850, and fin-
ished his education in the Brighton, Illinois, high school. Tilling the
soil has engaged his attention here for nearly thirty-two years, continuous-
1)', and when, at two different times, he tried to settle to be content else-
where, he found it impossible and each time returned to the fertile plains
of Kansas.
^ Mr. Delaplain was married in lola May 14, 1S71 , to Jennie Penn,
whose father, John Penn, settled in Macoupin County, Illinois, in an early
day. He was a native of St. Clair County, that State, and was married to
Catherine Bates. The other Penn heirs are: Charles, Joseph, Benjamin
and Samuel Penn.
Mr. and Mrs. Delaplain's children are: Hairy J. : Herbert W. ; and
Earl L. Delaplain, all of whom inhabit the family' home.
Mr. Delaplain has been, for some years, one of the well known stock
handlers of his township. He is one of the extensive farmers of the county
24<S HISTORY OF ALLEN AN7J
and with the aid of liis sons is operating the large tract ot George G. Fox
near LaHarpe.
The political affiliations of the Delaplains are well known. Their Re-
publicanism is not a subject of doubt or question and their interest in
lionest and wholesome municipal government is constant and unflagging.
Our subject has served his township efficiently as trustee as well as its con-
stable and his conduct of both offices marks him as eminently fair and
scrupulous in his execution of the law.
JOHN WESLEY LAURY, Marmaton township's successful farmer and
" popular citizen, was born in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, February
2, 1853. Godfrey Laury, his father, was born in Lehigh County, in 1823,
and was a Pennsylvania Dutchman. His early life was passed as a merch-
ant at Mahanoy in Schuylkill County, but the last twenty years of his life
were spent with our subject on the farm. John Laury, our subject's grand-
father, was one of the successful farmers of Lehigh and Northampton
Counties. Pennsylvania, in the former of which he died in 1832. His son,
Godfrey, served under General Albright in the defense of Washington
when the Rebels were marching on the capital in the summer of 1S63.
Godfrey Laury married Anna Maria Dreisbach, a daughter of Daniel
Dreisbach, a Carbon County Pennsylvania farmer. Mrs. Laury died in
Allen County, Kansas, in 1866, at the age of sixty-three years; while her
husband died March 29, 1897. Their children are: John W. , our subject;
Emma, wife of Theodore Maxson, of Elm township, and Ella, who married
J. O. Eagle, of Allen County.
The Laurys came to Kansas in 1878 and settled upon section 9, town
26, range 20, which our subject has succeeded in reducing to a productive
farm and a comfortable home. A few years after his advent to the county
he discovered an opening in his community for a country butcher and he
fitted out a store-on-wheels and engaged in the business. Fourteen years
is almost a generation but it is that long since this venture was under-
taken and its success has been ample and more than its projector
anticipated.
May 18, 1882, John W. Laury was married to Alice McCray, of Wil-
son County, Kansas, a daughter of William McCray who came to Kansas
from Hancock County, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Laury's children jire:
William G., Charles McCray, Clara Olivia, John W. Jr., Emma' Alice,
George Aldridge, Raymond H., Everett M., and Ruth Jane.
With nothing has John Laury been more familiar and taken a deeper in-
terest in Allen County, than its politics. The time was not when he was not a
Republican. He inherited the spirit from his ancestors, breathed it from the
air in which he was reared and practiced it from the time he reached his
majority. He cast his first Presidential vote for Rutherford B. Hays and
he has felt it a great privilege to be permitted to aid in choosing for the
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 249
Presideiic}' such men as Garfield, Harrison, and McKinley. Mr. Laury's
convention record, as a delegate, is a long and almost unbroken one. His
influence is of far-reaching and weighty character and the candidate whose '
cause he espouses finds him enlisted for the war. He has been urged for
the County Treasurershi]i, which ofiice he is admirably adapted to preside
over, but the opportunity has \\<>t yet arrived. Were all the elements of our
composite citizenship as indu;trious, as energetic, as honest and as
patriotic as John W. Lauiy there would be no need of court or juries or
lawyers.
JOHN GWILLIM— In March, 187 1, John Gwillim took up his residence
^ in Allen County. He owns the north half of the southeast quarter of
section 6, town 25, range 20, but settled upon section 29, town 24, range
20. He came from Herefordshire, England, where he was born March 3,
1846. His father died in Herefordshire in 1897 at the age of eighty-two
years. The latter was married to Harriet Lloyd and their children were:
John, Mary, William, Robert, of England; Thomas, of Wallowa County,
Oregon; Martha and Elizabeth, both in Oregon, and Ebenezer Gwillim,
who still clings to his English home.
John Gwillim was reared on a farm and left old England at the age of
twenty-four years. He had sufficient capital to begin business on in Kan-
sas and, after spending a year in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, he came
hither and added his name to the list of prairie farmers of Elm township.
He was married before he emigrated from England to Ann Watkins,
who died in 1877, leaving a daughter, Annie, who is herfather's companion,
Mr. Gwillim's first presidential vote was cast for Garfield and his fealty
to the Republican party has remained constant. He is in no sense a work-
er, in party parlance, but his knowledge of policies and men enables him to
cast an intelligent and patriotic ballot.
"X 7^ 7 ALTER A. KERR, of Elm township, one of the energetic and
* " substantial j'oung farmers of his community and a son of our
worthy countryman, Obed Kerr, was born in Pennsylvania October 9, 1869.
He came into Allen county at the age of nine years and has been reared
and fairly educated here. His life has been that of a farmer and stockman
and he remained under the parental roof till near his twenty-ninth year.
He was married May 13, 1898, to Miss Alice Brookins, a daughter of Prof.
W. E. Brookins, one of the effective educators of Kansas, now located at
Blue Mound. The latter was born in New York, is married to Libbie
Gay, and Fred Brookins and Mrs. Kerr are his two children.
Mr. and Mrs. Kerr's only child is Bessie V. Kerr born May i, 1899.
Mr. Kerr manages the east half of section 13, township 25, range 19
250
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
one half of which he owns, and he is graduallj- and surely coming to be
one of the successful cattle growers and dealers of Elm township. He
takes a citizen's interest in the management of public affairs, and while he
has nu inclination toward politics he keeps abreast of current events and
manifests a keen concern foi the success of Republican principles at the
poles.
CHARLES W. SMITH, one of the foremost young farmers of Elm town-
ship, whose unquestioned reputation has been established in Allen
county in the past twenty years, was born in Peoria county, Illinois, Octo-
ber i8, 1^53. He was reared on the farm of his father, Samuel W. Smith,
who died in Allen county, Kansas, in 1886, at the age of sixty-three years.
The latter was born in Pennsylvania, came to Illinois early in life and was
married there to Sarah H. Bodine. Mrs. Smith was born in New Jersey in
1S31 and is a resident of LaHarpe, Allen county, Kansas. Her children
are: Josephine, wife of Charles Cole, of lola, Charles W., our subject;
Addie, wife of W. H. Baker, of Cherryvale, Kansas; Henry B. Smith, of
Moran, Kansas; George C, of LaHarpe, and Luella May, wife of Andrew
Smith, of Wichita, Kansas.
Charles W. Smith was married at twenty-one years and started in life
as a farmer. He came to Kansas about that date and, with a small amount
of capital, purchased eighty acres of land north-east of LaHarpe and began
its improvement and cultivation by degrees. He worked by the day near
Moran for Peter McGlashan who paid him twenty-five cents more for a
day's work than any one else was getting, and he earned good wages with
\'andegrift and Paske who paid hands in proportion to what they were
worth. By this method he acquired the means with which he sustained
himself and family while the initial strokes of farm improvement were being
made. When he got some land broken and a shanty erected our subject
was well on his way toward independence, and when he had accumulated
a small bunch of cattle and gotten his income to exceed his expenses by
some fold prosperity had really set in. Since he made his fir.st crop of
twenty acres of broom corn his farm could be relied upon to produce suf-
ficient for the family needs.
Mr. Smith's energy is not the kind that would permit him to go back-
ward instead of forward. Whatever he planted he reaped a crop from, if
weather conditions did not interfere, and if his crop was small one year he
retrenched just as much in proportion to bring the yearly balance on the
right side. He is the owner of a fertile one hundred and sixt}- acres.
Beyond his father, little is at hand as to the Smith ancestry. Samuel
W. Smith was an only son and his widowed mother married an Aby, and
two of their their children survive: G. H. Aby, of Harper county, Kan-
sas, and Rebecca, wife of Nelson Milles, of McDonough county, Illinois.
March 23, 1879, Charles W. Smith was married to Louisa, a daughter
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 25 I
i)f Jonas Johnson, deceased, of Knox county, Illinois. The latter reared
eight children, six of the surviving ones being in Illinois. Our subject's
children are: Henschel W. , Claire H., Helen Marie and Nola Belle.
Mr. Smith is a Republican without compromise or apology. He has
given his ser\'ices in a modest way to party affairs in Allen county and is a
delegate to nearly every County convention held. He looks back over his
modest political history and feels gratified in the belief that he has never
been on the wrong side in a national campaign.
A LFRED C. KOHLER. — Elm township, Allen county, contains few
-^"^ farmers who are more enterprising and progressive than Alfred C.
Kohler. His industry and thrift are subjects of common report and his
pride in farm-improvement, and thus in county-development, is very ap-
parent to the passerby. It is only sixteen years that he has dealt with con-
ditions in Kansas, for he came here in ES84, and in that space of time
Pennsylvania energy and perseverance have done effecti\-e work.
November i, 1845, A. C. Kohler was born in Lehigh county, Penn-
sylvania. A son of Dr. W. S. Kohler and a grandson of Peter Kohler he
was reared in L,eliigh and Northampton counties. His ancestors were of
the first settled families in that region and Peter Kohler was one of the
lirge land owners in his county. He was a Whig and later a Republican
while his ancestors were Federalists. He married Catherine Steckel and
died in 1872 at the age of ninety-three years. Of his eight children five
were sons of whom Dr. W. S. Kohler was the eldest. The latter spent
forty years in the practice of medicine and died at the place of his birth,
now Egypt, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1870 at the age of sixty-six
years. His first wife was Mi.ss Kern who bore him three children only one
of whom died with issue, Dr. John P. Kohler, who left two children. His
second wife, and our subject's mother, was Catherine Laury, a daughter of
a Lehigh and Northampton county farmer, John Laury. Of the issue of
this last marriage Alfred C. Kohler is the eldest. The other children are
Sarah, Martha, wife of Dr. Erdman, of .\llentown, Pennsjdvania, and Silas
Kohler who resides in Lehigh county.
A. C. Kohler secured little more than a common school education.
He was a country youth till his seventeenth year when he went to Phila-
delphia to clerk for S. H. Bibighaus, a prominent hardware merchant, and
he remained in the city two years. In 1864 he enlisted in Company H,
One Hundred and Ninety-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel W. B.
Thomas. The regiment was ordered to Fort McHenry and later to John-
son's Island where it served for a time as prison guard. From this point it
was stationed at Galipolis, Ohio; Parkersburg, West Virginia, and finally
returned to Philadelphia where it was mustered out of service.
For three years succeeding the close of his army service Mr. Kohler
was in a mill at Copley, Pennsylvania. In 1S6S he was married and en-
252 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
gaged in farming in Northampton count} . His wife was Sarah Laubach, a
daughter of John Laubach, a Pennsj-lvania German and a iarmer. Mrs.
Kohler was born in 1850. Their seven children are: John P., who
married Nannie Mitchell and has two children, Helen and Bulah; Esther
Kohler, who married Charles Rebman and is the mother of three children,
Clara, Esther and Sarah; Irene, Richard, Bulah, Charles and Sadie Kohler
are all on the homestead.
When Mr. Kohler came to Allen county he located upon the north-east
quarter of section 17, township 25, range 20, and is now the owner of three
quarters of the section, less eighty acres. His farm is well stocked and he is
otherwise admirably situated for reaping a profit from his labors year after
\ear. In matters of religion the family are members of the Reformed
church.
^ X 7" E. SLOAN, a well known and prosperous farmer of West Hum-
y ^ • boldt. was born in Butler count)', Pennsylvania, September 29,
1855. His father was James F. Sloan and his mother was Martha Oli-
phant, both natives of the Ke3'stone state. W. E. Sloan was their third
child. He was one of thirteen children and was reared in the state of his
birth. He came to Kansas in 1880 and took a claim in Harvey county.
He disposed of this in 1884, came to Allen county and purchased a farm
four miles north-east of Humboldt, which he yet owns. He resides on and
cultivates, as a tenant, the old Thurston farm just west of Humboldt and is
regarded as a liberal, progressive and thrifty citizen.
In August 1880, Mr. Sloan was married to Miss Ella Scott, a daughter
of M. E. Scott, of Marion county, Pennsylvania. Mr.s. Sloan's mother was
Miss E. J. Scott, and the state of Pennsjdvania was the home of the
Scotts. Mrs. Sloan was born February 11, 1865, and is the mother of five
children, viz: Wilbur, Austin, Edward Henry and Fiank.
In his early manhood and to gain a sum with which to engage in farm-
ing Mr. Sloan was a wage earner. He was inured to the duties of the
farm and upon this did he become a hand when he became accountable for
his future. Whatever he is and has has resulted from the effort of his own
hands. His political history is told when it is said that he votes the Re-
publicau ticket. He came from a patriotic state and was conceived by
loyal antecedents and that he is both patriotic and loyal is not a subject of
wonder.
T A 7"ILLIAM GWILLIM, of Elm township, who settled in Allen
^ " County, in the spring of 1871, was one of the first of the English
colon)' to locate in his township and he came to it from Jo Daviess County
^-/Kt^
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 35;,
Illinois. His sojourn in that State was only temporary and while there he
was a visitor of a friend of his father's, hoping to get some information with
reference to Kansas, in which State it was his intention of making a home.
Mr. Gwillim was born in Herefordshire, England, October 24, 1848.
His father was John Gwillim, a representative of one of the old families of
Monmouthshire in which sh-ire they were farmers as far back as memory
.serves. In olden times the custom was to give the oldest son the Christian
name and propel ty of the father and in this family the practice prevailed
yet in modern days. Our subject's grandfather was John Gwillim and his
yreat grandfather bore the name of John.
William Gwillim is the third child of his parents and left Liverpool,
England, on the steamer City of Paris iu the mDuth of May bound for New
York. He was twelve days at sea and was accompanied by his brother's
family. Upon coming into Allen County he purcha.sed, on contract, a
quarter section of railroad land, but when the League seemed in a fair way
to win their contest for land in the odd sections he joined his fortunes with
that organization and let his contract forfeit. When the railroad title was
declared good he again purchased the land and owns now the west
half of section 29, town 24, range 20. Cattle raising became one of Mr.
Gwillim's industries and he has become known as a "feeder" in a small
way. His premises present the appearance of thrift and financial in-
dependence and add greatly to the settled and matured condition of his
township.
Mr. Gwillim was married April 5. 1870, to Sarah Farr, a daughter of
James Farr, of Herefordshire, England. Their children are: Albert J.,
Sarah J. and William Frederick.
In National and State politics Mr. Gwillim is a Republican. He has
been a member of the school board of Pleasant Prairie many years and is
clerk of the board. In religious matters he is a Methodist.
TTACKNEY & SON — The firm whose name appears above is one of
-*- -*- prominence in LaHarpe, actively identified with its commercial in-
terests. Its members are men of marked business enterprise, excellent ex-
ecutive ability, keen sagacity and determined purpose. Every well con-
ducted business concern is of value to the community in which it is located,
for the welfare, progress and upbuilding of every town or city depends upon
its commercial activity. Those who control a paying business enterprise
are therefore representative citizens, and among the number in La-
Harpe are the two gentlemen, W. J. and Canby H. Hackney, who consti-
tute the well known firm of Hackney & Son.
The senior member, W. J. Hackney, is a native of Frederick County,
Virginia, his birth having occurred in Winchester,' in 1821. When three
years of age he became a resident of Ohio, and in 1854 he took up his abode
in Iowa, where he became interested in manufacturing, successfuUv carrv-
254
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
ing on business there until the financial panic of 1876, when he lost all that
he had made. In 18S1 he came to Allen County and here entered into-
business with his sons, E. L. and Canby H. In LaHarpe they established
the enterprise which has since been conducted by the firm whose name in-
troduces this review. The association was maintained as first organized
until 1890, when E. L. Hackney withdrew. He was united in marriage
to Miss Mary K. Blodgett, whose mother was one of the early settlers of
Allen County, and they are now prospering upon a ranch in the White
river valley of Colorado. The business was continued by W. J. and Canby
H. Hackney and has grown to be an important enterprise in LaHarpe.
In the year 1843 was celebrated the marriage of W. J. Hackney and
Miss Susan D. Canby, a native of Ellicot's Mills, Maryland. Unto them
were born four children and they had been married for half a century be-
fore a death occurred in the family. Although fifty-eight years have
passed since they started upon life's journey together, they are still enjoy-
ing good health and are quite vigorous. Of their children, one daughter,
Mrs. Russell, is now deceased. The other daughter, Mrs. Happersett,
formerly a resident of lola, is now living in Illinois. The elder son, as
stated above, is a resident of Colorado. In his political views the father
has long been a stalwart Republican, but the honors and emoluments of
office have had no attraction for him, his support to the party being freely
given because of his belief in its principles.
Canby H. Hackney, the junior member of the firm, was born in
Davenport, Iowa, in 1856, and spent his boyhood days in his parents' home.
He was a hard working lad, in early life, showing forth the elemental
strength of his character by his energy and close application. He pursued
his preliminary education in the common schools and in Howe's Academy
of Mount Pleasant, Iowa. He then entered upon his business career, re-
maining -in Iowa until 1881. With his father he then came to Allen
Couiit5' without a dollar, but with a clear conscience, knowing that they
owed no man anything. In Kansas Canby H. Hackney entered upon a
career which has made him widely known and has gained for him the un-
qualified respect and confidence of all with whom he has been associated.
The firm of Hackney & Son are now engaged in dealing in hay, grain and
farming implements at LaHarpe. They began operations on a small scale
and gradually from j'ear to year their business has increased until it has
assumed extensive proportions. In the employ of the firm is a young man,
Orin Hartley, who was left an orphan and came to them when a small boy.
He has always been honest and diligent and has aided materially in win-
ning the splendid reputation of the firm. In addition to his interest in the
store Canby H. Hackney now owns considerable property, having made ju-
dicioits investments in real estate.
In the year 1892 he was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Donnan,
a native of Livingston County, New York, and a sister of VV. J. Donnan,
one of the substantial settlers of Allen County. The hospitality of the best
homes of LaHarpe is extended to Mr. and Mrs. Hackney and many friends
enjoy the good cheer of their pleasant home. Since attaining his majority
WOODSON COUNTII
255
Cinby H. Hackue\- has exercised his right of franchise in support of men
and measure-! of the Republican party, but has never been an aspirant for
office. His attention has been closely given to business and his reliability,
keen discrimination, and unflagging purpose have enabled him to advance
steadily on the highroad to success. He comes of a family of the Quaker
faith and the honesty and uprightness so proverbial of that people are mani-
fest in his career.
TDOYAL S. COPELIN, a representative of the farming interests of
-^ "^ Allen County, was born in Oneida County, New York, on the
14th of February, 1856, and is of English lineage. His father, John Cope-
iin, was a native of England, and during his boyhood came to America
with his parents. He was born in 182 1, and in 1854 was united in marriage
to Sarah Ann Perry, a native of Mew York. - By trade he was a miller and
f.iUowad that pursuit for some time, but subsequently turned his attention
to fanning. In i86o he removed to Illinois, making his home in Kanka-
kee, County, until his death, which occurred July 22, 1883. His widow
still survives him and is living in Kankakee Ciunty, at the age of sixty-
three. They were the p:ire;its of three children: Eliza, wife of John
Coasch, of Wilmington, Illinois; Royal S., of this review, and Julia, wife of
Patterson Patchett, of Kankakee County, Illinois.
Mr. Copelin, whose name introduces this record, accompanied his
parents on their removal to Illinois when he was four years of age, and
acquired a common school education in that State. He was reared upon
the home farm and assisted his father in the cultivation and development
of the fields until twent3'-four years of age, when he was married and be-
gan farming on his own account. On the 14th of February, 1880, — his
twenty-fourth birthday ,^he wedded Miss Alice Amelia Armitage, who was
born in Kankakee, Illinois. Her father, James A. Armitage, was a native
of Pennsylvania, born April 22, 1826, and is .still living. He wedded Miss
Margaret E. Gruer, a native of the Empire State and they became the
parents of nine children, nam^lv; Agnes A., Albert A., Authou A., Alice
A., Winfield S. , Charles W., Mary A., Jessie J. and James H. The fami-
ly circle 5^et remains unbroken by the hand of death. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Copelin have been born two children: Stella Maud, a young lady of nine-
teen years, and Perry A., a lad ot seven summers.
Mr. and Mrs. Copelin began their domestic life upon a farm in Illinois,
and there remained until 1887, when they removed to Colorado, locating
on a ranch of five hundred and sixty acres in Kiowa County. There our
subject engaged in the cattle business, buying, raising and ishippiug cattle
on an e.xtensive scale, meeting with very creditable success in this venture.
After he had lived in Colorado three years, he sold his Illinois farm and
invested the money in his business in Colorado. He was there elected
county commissioner of Kiowa County for a term of three years. The
256 . HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
county was thirty-seven by eighty-eight miles in extent, and the office of
commissioner is one of importance, paying a salary of five hundred dollars
and mileage per year, but Mr. Copelin's family were not satisfied in Colora-
do, and, consequently, he sold his ranch and came to Allen County, Kan-
sas. Here he purchased the excellent farm which he now owns, buying
the property of C. H. Pratt. It is located a mile and a half northeast of
Humboldt and Mr. Copelin has placed it under a very high state of cultiva-
tion. To the north of his pleasant residence is a beautiful grove and drive
way leads from the main road to his home, standing on an eminence, com-
manding an excellent view of the surrounding country. He trades, buys
and ships both cattle and hogs, and thus annually augments his income. He
votes with the Republican party, but takes little part in public affairs, his
attention being directed to his business interests.
CHARLES BALAND, one of the few old settlers that remains in Allen
county, was born in Sweden December 5, 1816. He came to Kansas
in 1859 and took a claim on Coal Creek, three miles east of Humboldt, and
has gone through all the hardships that go to make up a man's life in a new
country.
Mr. Baland served in U. S. Grant's company in the Mexican war, a
distinction of which he is justly proud. He was also in the army in the
war of the Rebellion, which makes him a veteran of two wars. He has
been one of the leading men in this county, serving as Register of Deeds
for three terms. He has served almost continuously for thirty-five years as
Justice of the Peace of Humboldt township and was post-master of Hum-
boldt for manv vears.
SIMEON B. 'WI1<LHITE is one of the substantial farmers of Allen
county, his home being in Humboldt township, where he owns three
hundred and twenty acres of fine land. He is a western man by birth, and
possesses the true western spirit of enterprise and progress. A native of
Missouri, he was born in Clay county, on the 15th of January, 1832, and
was the eldest in a family- of nine children. His father, Henry Willhite,
was a native of Kentucky, and married Sarah Flora, a native of that state.
Soon afterward they removed to Missouri and became early settlers of Clay
county. The father died in 1871, at the age of sixty-two years. Seven of
hjs nine children are still living, namely: Simeon B. ; Albert and James,
of Oklahoma; Henry W., whose home is in Barton county, Missouri; Mrs.
Margaret Aiken, of Olathe, Kansas. Those deceased are James M. and
Donelson Willhite, M. D.
The subject of this review was reared in Missouri, and the public
WOODSOX COUNTIES, KANSAS. 257
schools afforded him his limited ediicati lual privileges. At the time of the
Civil war he did not enter the service as a volunteer, but participated in
the battle of Lexington. When he heard that the Confederates were ad-
vancing on that town, he went down to help defend it, was given a gun
and witli the others participated in the engagement.
January 3rd, 1851, Mr. Willhite was united in marriage, in Missouri,
to Mi.ss Martha Elliott, who was a native of that state. She long proved to
him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey but was called to
her final rest December 13, iSgg. Sixteen children were born unto them
as follows: A., Robert, who is living in Allen county, James M.,. of Okla-
lioma; Henry, of lola, Jesse H., who resides in California; S. Walter and
John P., at home; Octavia; John, of Allen county, Kansas; Kate Marshall,
who died leaving two children, Frank and Edith who are with their father
in Worth county, Missouri, Mattie, wife of Eli Ellsworth, of Gas, Kansas;
Sida Clara Veer Laveer, at home; and Mahala. wife of Riley Moore, of
Allen county.
Mr. Willhite came to Kansas in 1880 and purchased the farm on which
he now resides. At the time of his marriage he owned but 'one horse, and
on this both he and his wife rode when thej' went to visit their neighbors.
This horse he used for plowing and cultivating his land for two years
before he was able to buy another. Eventually success attended him and
as the years passed he has added to his po.ssessions until he is now the
owner of three hundred and twent}' acres of well improved and valuable
land. He has upon his place good grades of stock and his fields are under
a high state of cultivation. His home is a nice country residence, sur-
rounded by fine shade trees, and everything about the place indicates his
careful supervision. His capital is now sufficient to enable him to put
aside the more arduous duties of life. In politics he has been a Democrat
since casting his first presidential vote for Buchanan, but he has never
sought or desired office, preferring to devote his time to his business affairs,
in which he has met with signal success.
^ 71 /"ILLIAM OVERHOLT was born in Hancock county, Ohio, June
* ^ 4, 1857. his parents being Henry and Sarah (Fritz) Overholt,
both natives of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. The father was a
farmer by occupation, following that pursuit throughout his active life. He
died during the early part of the Civil wai at the age of fort3'-five years.
His widow, however, is still living in Ohio, and has now attained the ripe
age of eighty one. They had two sons who loyally entered the Union .ser-
vice during the war of the Rebellion, one of whom was taken ill soon after
joining the army and died, giving his life as a ransom for his country's
preservation. David served throughout the entire struggle and is now
living in Ohio. John C. and Henry are also residents of that state.
William Overholt, the youngest of the five children, was reared under
258 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
the parental roof and as a companion and helpmate on life's journey he
chose Miss Gertie Redfern, also a native of Hancock county, Ohio, and a
daughter of Peter C. Redfern. Her mother bore the maiden name of
Frances Wineland and was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsyl-
vania. Mr. Redfern died in 1893 at the age of fifty-four years, and his
widow is still living at the age of fifty-four. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs.
Overholt has been blessed with five children, namely: Floyd L,. , Alma
Edna, Willie E., Merle R. and Orpha H. I. Overholt. The initial letters
of the youngest daughter spell Mr. Overholt's native state — Ohio.
In the year 1889 our subject came with his family to Kansas, and after
lesiding in Humboldt for a short time purchased the Maple Grove farm in
Salem township, comprising two hundred and forty acres of rich land,
which he placed under a very high state of cultivation, there residing for
seven years. He then rented his farm and came to Humboldt, where he is
now engaged successfully in operating a corn sheller. In his political
affiliations he is a Republican, and for one term served as trustee of Salem
township. Both he and his wife are members of the Knights and Ladies
of Security and in Humboldt and the surrounding country they have a
large circle of friends limited only by the circle of their acquaintances.
Classified among the substantial citizens of the community Mr. Overholt
owes his creditable position to his well-directed efforts in business and his
indefatigable energy.
"^ A ZILLIAM A. CHOGUILL, a practitioner at the bar of Allen county,
" " recognized as one of the most prominent representatives of the
legal fraternity of Humboldt, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, March 25,
1848. His father, Samuel Choguill, a contractor and builder, was born in
the Buckeye state in 1823. He married Sybilla Todd, an Ohio lady, and
in 18S4 removed to Kansas, where his death occurred in 1890. His widow
still survives him, and is living on the home farm in Woodson County at
the age of seventy-two. They were the parents of five children, three of
whom are: Sarah E., who is living with her mother; Louis G., who resides
on the home farm in Woodson Count\- and William A.
William Alkanzor Choguill is indebted to the public school sj-stem for
his early educational privileges, which were supplemented by study in the
Hopedale Academy in Jefferson County, Ohio. Later he entered the
Lebanon Normal School in Warren County, Ohio, where he completed his
education and then served an apprenticeship in a drug store. Subsequent-
ly he matriculated in the Starling Medical College in Columbus, Ohio, in
which institution he was graduated in 1870. After this he studied law with
the firm of Stewart & Metcalf and was admitted to the bar in McConnells-
ville, Ohio, in 1879. Believing that there was abetter field of labor offered
to young men in the west where competition was not so great he started for
Kansas, arriving in Humboldt on the fifth of March, 1880. He purchased
WOODSON COUXTIES, KANSAS.
259
a farm in Woodson County, a few miles west of Humboldt, made it his
place of residence and engaged in its cultivation for three years at the end of
which time he took up his abode in Humboldt where he has since engaged
in law practice, rapidly winning his way to a foremost place in the ranks of
the legal fraternity.
In 1874 Mr. Choguill married Miss Laureta M. Millner, of Ohio, and
the hospitality of many of the best homes of the locality is cordially extend-
ed them. Mr. Choguill is independent in his political views, supporting
the men and measures th^t he thinks will best promote the country's wel-
fare. He is, however, a man of superior oratorical power, an eloquent and
convincing speaker, and on more than one occasion he has entered into the
campaign work, delivering addresses both in his adopted and in his native
state. In his fraternal sentiment he is connected with the Odd Fellows
and the Maccabees.
Mr. Choguill's career has been one of untiring industry. During the
years of his residence in Allen County he has championed every movement
designed to promote the general welfaie; has supported every enterprise for
the public good and has materially aided in the advancement of all social,
educational and moral interests. His knowledge of law, his ability in
argument and his masterful treatment of the intricate problems of juris-
prudence have resulted in gaining him a creditable standing among his
professional brothers.
C^AMUEL G. CECIL, one of the prominent builders and contractors of
'^— ' lola, and a citizen whose interest in the public affairs of his city are
positive and constant, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, March 12, 1853.
His father, B. Cecil, was a teacher and was engaged in educational work
in Belmont County many years and was, himself, born there in 1824, dying
in 1854. He was descended from French parents, his father having emi-
grated to the United States from the Kingdom of France at an early period.
Our subject's paternal grandfather was a farmer and is buried in the county
of Belmont where he seems to have settled.
B. Cecil married May Jordan, a daughter of Abel Jordan, a Quaker,
whose abiding place was once Mayfield, Pennsylvania, and whose calling
was that of a cabinet maker. Mrs. Cecil died in 1881 leaving two children:
John E. Cecil, who died in 1880, leaving one child at Berea. Ohio, and
Samuel G. Cecil, our subject.
S. G. Cecil spent his youth on a farm till his sixteenth year. At that
age he undertook the task of learning the carpenter trade, around Urichs-
ville, Ohio, and finishing or completing it, in Cleveland, Ohio. He re-
mained with his native State till 1884 when became west and located in
Larned, Kansas. In that western town he took up contracting prominent-
ly and remained in that section until 1897 when he became a resident of
lola. In his last location he has been as prominently identified with the
26o HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
building interests as any of his competitors, as many of the buildings he
constructed will serve to show what class of work, in a measure, he has
been identified with.
Mr. Cecil married first in Urichsville, Ohio, in 187S, Anna Harris,
who died in 1890. Her childrtn are; Harry H. and Ralph E. Mr. Cecil
was again married in 1895, to Sarah E. Tabor.
The Cecils are Republicans, early and late, and our subject has evinced
an active interest in local public matters wherever he has resided. In
Larned he was the city's public servant for a time and soon after locating
in lola he was called to the city council. While he is a gentleman with
positive convictions he is not an extremist to such an extent as to prejudice
and bias his usefulness as a public officer. During his membership of the
council while the "gas question" was uppermost his position was rather
that of a mediator and pacificator, or harmonizer, of the two strongly an-
tagonistic factions. In 1899 he was elected a member of the board of edu-
cation for the first ward of his city. He is a Mason and an Odd Fellow.
"\ X 7" ILLIAM J. IHRIG, one of the best known masons and plasterers
" ' of Allen County, and a citizen who has spent more than a gener-
ation as a resident of the county, came here in March 1879, from
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He is a native son of the Keystone State,
having been born in Philadelphia, Pa. .January 21, 1842. His father, Adam
Ihrig, was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, in 181 1 and, about 1853,
came to America with his family and located in the city of Philadelphia.
He was known among the early hotel keepers of Strasburg, Alleghany
Citv, and in the counties of the Oil Region and his last years were passed
in Cleveland, Ohio. He married Margaret Ihrig and died in 1894, his
wife dying at Cleveland in 1872. Their children are: William J., the first
to grow up; Catherine, wife of John Meyer, died in Cleveland in 1898; and
Adam Ihrig, of the city of Cleveland.
W.J. Ihrig 's boyhood was passed in ' the manufacturing districts of
Pennsylvania, in the counties of Schuylkill, Alleghany and Lancaster.
He was schooled in both English and German and remained under the
parental roof till his enlistment in the army. September 12, 1861, he
became a member of Company C, 79th Pennsylvania Volunteers, Col.
Hambright's regiment. He belonged to the Armj- of the Cumberland and
began his active service at Louisville, Kentucky. The 14th corps, to
which he belonged, was in the battles of Perryville, Nashville, Murfrees-
boro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and in the Atlanta campaign. In
this campaign our subject was wounded at the battle of Kennesaw Moun-
tain, and taken prisoner. He was confined in Andersonville nearly four
months, was transferred to Florence, South Carolina, where on the eve of
an exchange of prisoners, with two others he made his escape. They fell
into a squad on detail for wood and when outside broke the guard line and
fled. They were piloted through the .strange country by negroes and
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 261
reached the Union lines some six weeks after their escape. A pass was
isaued to Mr. Ihrig to enter a parole camp at Alexandria, Virginia, where
he found his regiment, and he returned home with it in June, 1865. From
the battle of Murfieesboro Mr. Ihrig was on detail in the 4th Indiana
Battery, serving a gun, till after the battle of Lookout Mountain. He then
returned to his regiment.
On coming out of his long armj- service Mr. Ihrig's first work was in
the oil fields as a driller and he followed this work much of the time till he
left the State. He conceived a desire to see the west and left Lancaster in
1879 on a prospecting tour. He met with our townsman, Henry F. Travis,
on the train and, upon their reaching Kansas City they decided to run
down the Santa Fe Railway and see lola. Their coming settled the fate of
both, for Ihrig bought the Perkins place (the Goodner property) and
Travis located in Elm township and both brought theii families out the
next year.
Mr. Ihrig learned the masons and plasterers trade in Lancaster, Penn-
sylvania, and he has practically folio Jved nothing else in Kansas. He has
worked on nearly every good brick or stone building in lola and his pros-
perity has enabled him to build a house for himself every year for the past
ten. With the end of 1899 he sought retirement and is in ample financial
freedom to remain so.
July 26, 1865, Mr. Ihrig was married in Lancaster, Pa., to Mrs. Annie
Gminder, a daughter of Archibald Warren, one of Lancaster's merchants.
One of his sons, William Warren, served in the regular army and was
stationed in .some of the western posts. He went to South America when
his enlistment expired. A daughter, Lizzie, married Peter Frank and re-
sides in Saginaw, Michigan. George Pinkertou. of Lancaster, Pennsyl-
vania, married Amanda Warren and Susie Warren mamed James Buchan-
an, of Philadelphia. The youngest, James Warren, is still in Lancaster.
Mrs. Ihrig has a son, Harry Gminder, by her first marriage. The Ihrig
children are two sons, Albert W., who married Maggie Duncan and has
six children: Annie, Bertha, Lillian, Lloyd, Eugene and Charlie. Arthur
Eugene Ihrig was born in May, 187 1, and is W. J. 's younger son. He was
married to Nellie Bean in Ida and has no children.
Harry Gminder married Emma Riggs and resides in Concordia, Kan-
sas. Their three children are: Anna, Lillian and Edna.
As a citizen W. J. Ihrig is one of our most pronounced and positive
in his views. There are no more staunch Republicans than he and his in-
terest in and connection with McCook Post, G. A. R., is especially strong
and permanent. He is a member of many of our mutual insurance orders
and is, on the whole a social and agreeable gentleman.
A NDREW D. INMAN, of O.sage township, Allen county, has passed
-^~^ twenty years within the boundaries of the county. He came to it in
April 1 88 1 and settled upon one of the old pioneer farms of eastern Allen
262 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
countv. It is the southwest quarter of section i8, township 24, range 20,
and there Mr. Innian has maintained a continuous and honorable resi-
dence. Mr. Inman came to Kansas from Benton count}', Indiana, but he
was born and reared in Blackford county, that state. Hi^ birth occurred
January 12, 1849, and his training and education were entirely rural. He
is a son of Samuel Inman, who was reared in Ohio, but whose active life
was spent largely in Blackford county, Indiana. He was married to a lady
of Scotch descent, Abigail Dickson. A streak or strain of Irish also
coursed through her veins for her ancestors were from the north of Ireland.
Samuel Inman was married in Ohio and died in December 1876 at the age
of seventy-seven years. His wife died in 1856. Their children were:
John, who died in Blackford county, Indiana and left a family; Elizabeth,
wife of Solomon Geyer, of Piqua, Kansas; Mary, wife of John Waters, of
Moran, Kansas; Eli, of Blackford county, Indiana; Sarah, deceased, was
married to Jacob Clapper and left a family in Indiana; Isaac, of Lawrence-
burg, Tennessee; Jane, deceased, wife of Daniel Daily, and Andrew D., our
subject.
Andrew D. Inman acquired the nece-sary elements of an English edu-
cation and became responsible for his proper conduct and personal main-
tenance in his sixteenth year. For some eighteen years he was a laborer,
by the month or day, and on December 23, 1880, he was married at Mound
City, Kansas. In September, 1871, he left Indiana and spent the years
intervening, till 1880, in Allen and Linn counties, Kansas. Upon pur-
chasing, or arranging the terms for his farm, he found it necessary to mort-
gage it in order to provide himself with the implements and other adjuncts
necessary to cultivate it. His twenty years of residence irpon, and cultiva-
tion of, an Osage township farm have been both pleasant and profitable to
him. His ides, that everything was wrought by industry and nothing
without it, was the proper one and he and his loyal wife have witnessed
their labors bear substantial fruit.
Mr. Inman married Miss May Dow, a daughter of Isaac Dow, who was
born in New York state in 1832. The latter was from Vermont parents, a
thrifty and industrious people. Mr. Dow was a mechanic, came to Kansas
in 1866 and settled in Linn county. He married Phebe Daggett, a
daughter of Harvey Daggett, of Massachusetts. Mr. Dow belonged to
Company E, Fourth Iowa Cavalry during the Rebellion and served three
years in the western aepartment. He received a sun stroke on the battle
field, was discharged on account of it and it finally caused his death,
April 1899.
The Dow children are: Mary A., wife of our subject, born November
5, i860; Frances, wife of A. B. Houser, of LaHarpe, Kansas; Loren Dow,
of LaHarpe, and Miss Bulah, with her widowed motliei at LaHarpe,
Kansas.
The politics of the Innians, early, was Democratic, that of the Dows
Republican. Andrew Inman voted with the Democrats till 1884, since then
he has been a Republican.
Our subject's only child, Charles, was born January 29, 1885.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 263
nnnOMAS B. SHANNOX.— One of the enterprising merchants of lola,
-'- successfull}' conducting an extensive hardware establishment is T. B.
Shannon, who since 1897 lias been a well known iactor in commercial
circles in this city. He was born in Attica, Indiana, Januarj' 28, 1871,
and is a son of G. W. Shannon, whose birth occurred in Virginia, May 31,
1835. The grandfather, Thomas Shannon, was also a native of the Old
Dominion, born at Sharon Springs, Bland county, March 20, 1817, and iu
that state the fither of our subject resided until 1S55, making his home
upon a farm. He then removed to Fountain county, Indiana, where he
again followed farming until the spring of 187 1, when he came to Kansas,
settling in Woodson count}', on the present townsite of Vernon. In 1873
he removed to Neosho Falls, where he learned the tinner's trade under the
direction of ex-Governor Finney. In 1880 he engaged in the hardware
business in Toronto, Kansas, where he remained ten years, and in the fall
of 1890 he became a resident of Anacortes, Washington, where he is now
successfully conducting a hardware establishment. He was married in
Wythe county, Virginia, to Miss Gallic Brown, who was born in Wythe
county, Virginia, October 7, 1831, a daughter of Josiah Btown, also a
native of Virginia. She died in Neosho Falls, Kansas, August 26, 1874,
leaving two children, namely: T. B., of this review, and G. D., who is
connected in business with his father in Anacortes, Washington.
The subject of this sketch is indebted to the public school system for
his educational privileges, and iu his youth he became familiar with the
hardware trade in his father's store. At the age of nineteen he entered
upon an independent business career in Blaine, Washington, as a dealer in
hardware, since which time he has been connected with that Hue of com-
merce. In the spring of 1897 he disposed of his store in Blaine and came
to lola, where he entered into partnership with Frank M. Horville under
the firm name of Shannon & Horville. This connection was maintained
until September 1S98, when Mr. Shannon purchased his partner's interest
and has since carried on business alone. During the summer of 1900 he
remodeled and added to his store building and now occupies both floors
and an eighty foot basement with his large stock of shelf and heavy hard-
ware. He carries everything found in a first-class establishment of the
kind, and in the rear of the store he has a tin and plumbing shop, doing
all kinds of work in those trades. He deals in buggies, wagons and farm-
ing implements in addition to hardware, stoves and ranges, tinware, paints
and oils, guns and cutlery, and his patronage is constantly increasing.
On the 30th of November, 1S92, Mr. Shannon married Miss Lulu
Brewer, of Greenwood county, Kansas. She was born in Colorado, Janu-
ary 8, 1873, a daughter of E. j. Brewer, a native of Massachusetts. Their
only child died October 25, 1S94, and the mother passed away on the 12th
of December, following. On the ist of February, 1899, Mr. Shannon was
again married, his second union being with Miss Agnes Mitchell, who was
bom in Franklin county, Kansas, February 12, 1872, and is a daughter of
David H. Mitchell, a native of Missouri. Their Iiome is now blessed with
264 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
the presence of a little daughter, Winifred, born July 31, rgoo. Mr.
Shannon is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the B. P.
O. Elks, and he and his wife are well known and highly respected resi-
dents of Ida, the hospitglit}' of many of its best homes being freely ex-
tended to them.
TAMES W. DRAKE. — Among the substantial farmers of lola township
" is James W. Drake, who was born near Louisville, Kentucky, January
26, 1 83 1. His father, James Drake, was born in that state in 1781, while
the red men still roamed the forest. In the early days he was more than
once called to leave his work on the farm to defend himself or his friends
against the attacks of these wild neighbors. He related many stories of
engagements with the Indians, of the captures they made and of the res-
cues performed within the limits of the "dark and bloody ground." In
1832 he removed to southern Indiana, locating on Whitewater river, not
far from Cincinnati, where he resided until 1834, when he removed to
Kosciusko county, Indiana, still following his occupation of farming.
There he died in 1845. He served his country as a volunteer soldier in
the war of 18 12. While in Kentucky he married Elizabeth Dickerson,
who was born in Pennsylvania in 1787 and died in Indiana in 1842. Her
father was John Dickerson, a native of Scotland who emigrated to the new
world in the latter part of the eighteenth century. To Mr. and Mrs.
Drake were born twelve children, eight of whom reached maturity, while
three survive. Those who attained adult age were William, now deceased,
whose family lives in Linn county, Kansas; Martha, deceased, wife of
Isaac Masters, of Kosciusko, Indiana; Kelley, who died near Cedar Rapids,
Iowa; Nathan, who died in Kosciusko, Indiana; Mrs. Jane Carter; Ira,
who resides in Kosciusko, Indiana; James W. , of lola, Kansas; and
Homer, who resides in Champaign counnty, Illinois.
Mr. Drake, of this review, accompanied his parents to Indiana, and
remained with them until they died. In 1854 he went to Illinois, but re-
turned to the Hoosier .state, and in 1856 removed to Iowa where he resided
two years. The year 1858 witnessed his arrival in Allen county, and he
secured a claim in lola township, upon which he has since lived. He has
followed farming throughout his entire life, and is now numbered among
Allen county's best known and prosperous pioneer agriculturists. At the
time of the Civil war he put aside personal considerations, enlisting as a
private of Company E, Ninth Kansas Cavalry, under command of Captain
Henry Fletcher and Colonel Lynde. He participated in the battles of
Prairie Grove, Johnstown, Stone Lane and Westport, besides numerous
smaller engagements, and was honorably discharged in November, 1865, at
Duvall's Bluff, having served for three years and three months.
When the country no longer needed his services, Mr. Drake gladly
returned to his family. He had been married in 1861 to Miss Mary A.
WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 265
McKenzie, who was born in Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Joseph
McKenzie, of Irish lineage. Mr. and Mrs. Drake have become the parents
of seven children, namely: Elizabeth, wife of Frank Bliss; Minerva, wife
of Nicholas Burton; Viola, wife of John Harris; Dora, wife of George
Strawderman; Nora, wife of Fred Baker; Cora, who re.-^ides with her
parents, and Frank, at home.
Since 1866 Mr. Drake has been a member ot the Masonic fraternity,
and in his life e.xemplifies its principles of mutual helpfulne.ss and kind-
ness. He supported the Republican party until 1867, since which time he
has been an advocate of the Democracy. His attention has been closely
given to its interests, though he has never sought public office, but he is as
true to his duties of citizenship today as when he followed the stars and
stripes on southern battle fields.
/^^ONR.\D HEIM has spent his entire life in the Mississippi valley, and
^-^ the true western spirit of progress and enterprise has colored his
career. He was born in Quincv, Illinois, on the first of August, 1850, and
is a son of Adam and Barbara (Stumpf) Heim, natives of Baden Baden,
Germany. The father was a brewer by trade, and after emigrating to
America in 1836 he carried on that business in Quincy, Illinois, where he
died in 1872, at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife survived him for
some time and died in Quincy in 1893, at the ripe old age of eighty-three
years. They were the parents of four children, the subject of this review
being the eldest. The others are Anton, a resident of Quincy, Cararma,
who is married and lives in Southern California, and Anna, who makes her
home in Portsmith, Ohio.
During his boyhood Conrad Heim learned the butcher's trade and
after reaching adult age he went to the west where he was employed for a
time. Subsequently, however, he returned to Quincy and there was united
in marriage to Miss Anna Enghouser. Four children were born unto
them, of whom three are living, namely; Mrs. Anna Nelson, a resident of
Parsons, Kansas; Maggie, wife of William Hess, a druggist of Humboldt,
and Mrs. Emma Kelley, of Humboldt.
After our subject's arrival in the Sunflower State he purchased a farm
in Salem township and there resided for several years, devoting his atten-
tion to the cultivation oi the fields and to the raising of stock. He then
came to Humboldt, where he embarked in the butchering business and also
began buying and shipping horses and cattle. He feeds considerable stock
during the winter and his business efforts have been attended with a very
gratifying degree of success, for when he came to the county he had no
capital and now he is in posssssion of a profitable business, which annually
increases his" bank account. He today owns a good farm and some business
property, together with three residences in Humboldt and three in Chanute.
His identification with the Democracv dates from the attainment of his
266 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
niijoritv, while of two civic orders he is a representnti^'e, being connected
with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Citholic Mutual Benefit Asso-
ciation. He has a wide acquaintance in Humboldt, where he is held in
uaiforui regard as a reliable business man and public-spirited citizen.
TI^RANKLIN RICHARDS, M. D.— Although one of the youngest mem-
-*- bers of the medical fraternity of Kansas, Dr. Richards' years seem
no bar to his success, and in LaHarpe, where he is located, he has gained
a liberal patronage that indicates coafidence reposed by the public in his
skill and ability.
The Doctor is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Canton, on
the 17th of March, 1874. He belongs to one of the old families of that
place, his ancestors for several generations having resided in that city. His
father removed to Nebraska in 1887, and engaged in the drug business with
his eldest son in Shadron, where he is still located. He was a man of
practical common sense and sound judgment who believed in preparing
his children for the responsible duties of life and thus Dr. Richards was
trained to habits of industry in his youth. He completed his literary edu-
cation in the high school of Milford, Nebraska, after which he began the
study of medicine with the intention of making its practice his life work.
Tins resolution probably had its beginning with him when he was very
young. When a little lad of four years he was crippled through an acci-
dent and the old family physician who attended him told him that he must
become a doctor. Franklin never forgot the advice of this worthy man
and after completing the high school course he began the study of medi-
cine in the fall of 1893 as a student in the Eclectic Medical College of
Lincoln, where he remained for two years. Subsequently he entered the
Williams Medical College of Kansas City, Missouri, but was graduated in
Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1897. He is now a member of the State Eclectic
Societ)- of Nebraska.
After his graduation Dr. Richards located in Centerville, Linn County,
Kansas, remaining two years, when he removed to LaHarpe, Allen County,
in 1899. He has since gained a large and lucrative patronage and the
profession and the public acknowledge his worthiness. He is a close and
discriminating student and by perusal of medical journals he keeps in touch
with the progress that is being continually made in the medical fraternity.
On the 23rd of December, 1893 in Lincoln, Nebraska, Dr. Richards
was united in marriage to Miss Emma Bowman, of Magnolia, Ohio. She
is a daughter of L. D. Bowman, a leading stockholder in the Magnolia Oil
& Gas Company, which controls one of the principal industries of that sec-
tion of the country. Another member of the Bowman family is a promi-
nent attorney of Canton, Ohio, and is now mayor of that city. Dr. Rich-
ards and his family have always been staunch Republicans, unswerving in
their advocacy of the party. They have alwa3-s been earnest adherents of
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 267
Christian principles and belong to that class of representative Aaiericins
who labor for the advancement of Connty, State and Nation along the lines
of greatest good.
'~|~' B. H.\RRISS, who is numbered among the veterans of the Civil
-*- • war, and is now one of the e.steemed residents of Allen County, was
born on the 1 2th of October, 1826, near Nashville, in Holmes Connty,
Ohio. He is a son of Jonathan Harriss, who was born in Brooks County,
Virginia, in 1801. His great grandfather, John Harriss Sr. , was of Eng-
lish birth, and came to America duiing the war of the Revolution. He
then joined the American army and valiantly aided in the struggle for inde-
pendence. His wife was a native of Scotland. Their son, John Harriss
Jr., was born in Maryland, and became a farmer by occupation. He aided
his country in the war of 1812, mainly acting as scout and guide. He, too,
married a Scotch lady, who became a resident of Maryland during her
girlhood. They removed to Brocks County, Virginia, where the father of
our subject was born, spending his boyhood days on a farm in the Old
Dominion. The latter acquired an education such as the common scliools
of that day aff jrdjl and at an eirly p:?rio 1 in the development of Ohio re-
moved thereto where he worked at the carpenter's and shoe:naker's trades
for about thirty years. In early life he voted with the Whig party, but
joined the Republican party upon its organization He married Sarah
Biiden, who was born in Rhode Island, in 1S05, a daughter of Thomas
Birden, who was also a native of Rhode Island and was a sea captain.
Jonathan Harriss passed away at his home in Ohio in 1877. In his family
were the following named: T. B., of this review; Bradford and JohnW.,
who died during the Civil war; Allen, of Mansfield, Ohio; Henry, who is
living in Nashville, Ohio; Mrs. Lucy A. Gill, who died leaving a family
in Nashville, Ohio, (one of her sons being a banker in Millersburg, that
State); and Mrs. Abby Remington, of Nashville, Ohio.
On a farm in Holmes County, Ohio, T. B. Harriss spent his boyhood
and youth and conned his lessons in an old log school house, where the
curriculum was limited and the method of instruction was of primitive char-
acter. He entered upon his business career at the age of twentv-two upon
a farm in his native county, and later he engaged in business as a railroad
contractor. Next he purchased a sawmill, which he operated for five
years, after which he sold that property and engaged in the stock business
until after the inauguration of the Civil war.
When the country was calling for the support of her loyal citizens to
aid in the preservation of the Union, he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-
third Ohio Infantry, and with that command served during the years 1861-2.
In the latter year he was wounded, and in consequence was discharged,
but after his recovery, in the fall of 1863, he re-enlisted, joining the boys
in blue of Company G, of the One Hundred Second Ohio Infantry, with
268 HISTUkV OF ALLEX AXD
which he was connected until nfter the stars and stripes were planted in the
capital of the Confederacy. His regiment took part in the engagement at
Mnrfreesboro and was afterwards stationed at Nashville, Tennessee.
He received an honorable discharge in L,ouisville, Kentuck}', in November,
1865.
On the first of February, 1849 Mr. Harriss had been united in marriage
to Sabrina Gray, who was born in Erie County, Pennsylvania, August 8,
1824, and is a sister of Hiram P. Gray, of lola, Kansas. Her people were
natives of Connecticut. To Mr. and Mrs. Harriss have been born ten chil-
dren, but only three are now living: Jonathan E., an engineer on the Santa
Fe railroad, now residing in Winfield, Kansas; Mrs. L,aura Kirkland, of
Wichita, Kansas, and Mrs. Lovie E. Hill, who is living in lola.
Mr. Harriss cast his first presidential vote for William Henry Har-
rison, and was a supporter of the Whig party until he joined the ranks of
the Republican party, of which he has since been an earnest advocate.
Since 1857 he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity and in his life
has exemplified its beneficent principles. He has passed the seventy-
fourth milestone on life's journey, but still maintains an active interest in
affairs of general importance, and is a valued citizen of Allen County.
JOHN M. BROWN.— The prairies of Kansas are dotted here and there
'^ with pioneers who have passed through the discouragements and ad-
versities incident to life on the frontier and a few of this class, the more
resolute and industrious, have exemplified the adage, "time is money," in
making the years roll up each a new and larger balance on the credit side
of the ledger. One of the early settlers on the prairies of eastern Allen
county whose circumstances place him with the exceptional but thrifty
class above referred to is John M. Brown. Tlie pioneer days of eastern
Allen were about ten years later than those days along the Neosho, and
while the settlements along the' river were thickening up the expanse to
the east of it was still barren and unbroken with the cabins of home -seekers.
Mr. Brown's first trip to the countj' was made in 187 1 when he came to
learn whether he could eke out an existence upon a tract of land he had
bought here in 1864, "sight unseen.'! He decided that he could make the
land provide a living for one and in 1872 he brought his effects out from
the east, permanently to remain. He turned the sod with his oxen and
got things to appearing, to him, somewhat homelike so that in twelve
months he felt warranted in having his family venture out. His land was
one of the prime quarters of the section. It is situated in the "Golden
Valley" belt of Allen county and now approaches, in fertility and improve-
ment, a well-conducted Illinois or Indiana farm. The proceeds of his
early years' efforts Mr. Brown turned into land and his farm comprises five
hundred and twenty acres of this rich and productive region. His first
>;\-OODSON COUXTIES, KAXSAS. 269
abiding place was a shanty 13x15 feet and in this he resided from 1873 till
[S82 when he built extensively and permanently.
Mr Brown was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1S43'.
His father was Alexander Brown, a farmer, who died at the home of our
subject in June 1900. The latter was born in County Derry, Ireland, town
of Kilwray, in 1819. He emigrated to the United States in 1827, with his
father, William Brown, and settled in Pennsylvania. In 1852 Alexander
Brown went to Grundy county, Illinois, and there his father died.
Alexander Brown married Sophronia Murphy who was born in Beaver
county, Pennsylvania, in 1819 and died in Allen county, Kansas, in 1807.
Their children were: John M.; William, of Little Rock, Arkansas; Charles,
of Polk county, Nebraska; James and Daniel, of Portland, Oregon; Her-
bert, who died in Texas in July 1899.
John M. Brown was married in Woodford county, Illinois. He mar-
ried Amy A. Phillips, a daughter of James Phillips, who went into Illinois
from Tennessee. The Phillips children were: William F.; Margaret, de-
ceased, who married James Brown; Paulina, deceased, married Mr. Dan-
iels, of Neodesha, Kansas; Elizabeth, wife of John Grim, of Ford county,
Illinois; Almyra, wife of Mr. Snyder, of Pasadena. California; Manala, who
married A. C. Brown, of Champaign county, Illinois; Eli Phillips, who
<lied in McLean county, Illinois, in 1900; Mrs. E. Brown, of Pasadena,
California, and Albert Phillips, of the same point.
The heirs of John M. Brown and wife are: Edgar A. Brown, with the
vSwift Packing Company, Kansas City, Mi.ssouri, who is married to Alice
■Woodward; Hannah; J. Oscar; Albert, and Herbert Brown. Four of the
children are common school graduates and, in addition, Albert and Oscar
are graduates of the Moran High School. These young men are especially
gifted with bright and active intellects and, with their industrious habits
and energetic composition, are admirably equipped for a successful and
useful career.
The Republican proclivities of John M. Brown are well known. He
has taken some active interest in Elm township politics for many years and
has served as its Treasurer. His educational equipment is not of the
highest order but it is ample for the efficient conduct of all business per-
taining to his community or his farm. He enjoj-s the unalloyed confidence
of those of his acquaintanceship and permits no man to outdo him in matters
pertaining to the moral or educational wellbeing of his county.
T TOWARD B. ADAMS, of Ida, whose business interests are at Moran,
-*- -*- Kansas, and who has spent nearly thirty years in Allen cotinty, was
born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, January 12, 1845. He is a son of Charles
K. Adams, M. D., who was a native of Keene, New Hampshire, born
1812, and died in Maries county, Missouri, in 1870. He received his pro-
fessional training in New York state and went from school to Ohio and
270 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
began practice. In 1847 he went to Green county, Wisconsin, and after
some years spent there, went to Stephenson county, Illinois, and from
there to Missouri where he died. He was a strong sympathiser with pub-
lic education, took an active interest in politics, as a Republican, and be-
lieved firmly in the efficacy of the church. He died a Methodist. He
married Jerusha B. Swain, a daughter of William Barrett Swain and grand-
daughter of Joseph Swain whose ancestors were among the pas-sengers
aboard the "Mayflower." John Tilley and wife and Elizabeth, daughter
of John Howland, came to America in that historic little craft. The
mother of Joseph Swain was a Chipman, a daughter of John Chipnian and
Hope, a daughter of John Howland. John Howland married Elizabeth
Howland.
The mother of our subject was born in Athens, Pennsylvania, April 8,
1S20. She died iu Dane county, Wisconsin. She was the mother of:
Charles E. Adams, who died in 1861, leaving a family; Ellen L., wife of
William B. Payne, of Jeffer.son Cit}', Missouri; Olive J., widow of Elijah
L,. Weston, of Shenandoah, Iowa, and Howard B. Adams.
Green county, Wisconsin, was the scene of our subject's boyhood. He
attended the city schools till eighteen years of age when he entered the
Federal army, enlisting in Company B, Eighth United States Infantry.
He was mustered in on Governor's Island, New York, and joined his regi-
ment just after the battle of Antietam. His regiment reiuained a part of
the Army of the Potomac and he participated in the great battles of Gettys-
burg, Cliancellorsville, Fredericksburg, Cold Harbor, Wilderness, and
Spott>ylvania Court House. The last year of his service he was on detail '
and was discharged in Baltimore in June 1865.
Upon his return to Illinois, where his people had removed, Mr. Adams
engaged in teaching school in the country and made it a part of his busi-
ness for ? time. He came to Allen county in 1872 and located upon a farm
east of Humboldt and here engaged in farming as well as teaching. In
1880 he went to the Paola Normal College, an efficient educational insti-
tution and teachers' training school under the leadership of Professor
Whirrell, to better prepare himself for the work of higher education and, in
1883, he received a certificate of graduation. He taught in Geneva and
completed his educational work with four years of service as principal of
the Moran schools.
Mr. .\dams turned his attention to merchandising in 1888, succeeding
W. J. Steele in the hardware business in Moran, with Charles Mendell as
partner. Disposing of this business he established himself in the lumber
business and the firm of Adams & Merrill is one of the prominent and pop-
ular ones of the city^ Mr. Adams has served Moran as Mayor, on its
Council, as Cit}' Treasurer and on her Board of Education.
Mr. Adams was first married in Stephenson county, Illinois, in 1867 to
Ruth A. Harris. The Harris's were from near Lake Champlain, New
York, and Ruth was born in 1840. She died in 1892. She was educated
in Plattsburg, New York, taught in Stephenson county, Illinois, and many
years in Allen county, Kansas. Her surviving child is George I. Adams,
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 27 1
Avho was horn in their Illinois home Auj^usr 17, 1870. After leaving the
■common schools George spent four years in the Kansas State Normal and
after his graduation there he took the Bachelor's degree in the State Uni-
versity and later the Master's degree, in the same institution. He entered,
next, Princeton College took the degree of Master ol Science. During his
cireer as a student he did some teaching, at Emporia and in normal insti-
tutes in Kansas. Leaving Princeton Mr. Adams spent a year in Germany,
at Munich, taking lectures and perfecting the German language. Soon
after his return to the United States he was appointed to a position upon
the geological survey of Kansas. He spent two years at this and the fol-
lowing two years as assistant geologist upon the United States Geological
survey. In May 1900 he successfully passed the examination for perma-
nent appointment with the United States Geological Survey and is stationed
at Washington, D. C.
H. B. Adams' second marriage was to EmniaE. a daughter of James R.
McNaught, of Allen county. Mr. McNaught was born in Morgan county,
Indiana, m 1828 and came to Kansas in 1870. He married Rebecca Adams
and Emma E. is their fourth child. Mr. McNaught died in March 1900.
Mr. and Mrs. Adams' children are: Charles H., born in 1894; Scott Mc-
Kinley. born in 1895; Grace E., born in 1897, and Ruth Eddy, born in
1900. Mr. Adams erected, in 1900, one of the handsome cottages of lola,
located upon the north eminence overlooking the city and here he is resting
from an active and well-spent life.
r^ EORGE FREEMAN— Among the young educators of Allen County
^~^ who have endeared themselves to the school patrons and who have
established a reputation for efficiency and honesty of purpose is the subject
of this personal reierence, George Freeman, principal of the first ward
school in lola. Mr. Freeman is distinctly of Allen County. His biith oc-
curred here, he was educated here and his. entrance upon the serious phase
of life has occurred here. He was born in Salem township April 8, 1S75,
and his first years of school age were passed in the country. At the age of
twelve years his parents moved into lola and almost since that date
George Freeman has been more or less known to the citizens of this town.
Charles Freeman, our subject's father, came to Kansas in 1868, from
New London, Canada West. He was a carpenter by trade but he deter-
mined to secure a free home upon the plains of Allen County and he home-
steaded a quarter section in Salem township. He laid aside his trade, as a
business, and devoted himself to improving his claim and bringing it grad-
ually into the appearance of a farm. He remained with it till 1887, when
he came to lola. Mr. Freeman is a son of George Freeman, who with his
wife, Sirah, nee Faulkenburg, emigrated to the new world and located in
Canada West. They died there in 1884 leaving their son, Charles, as their
sole American heir. He was reared bv Mr. McKenzie. He had learned
272 HISTORY OF ALLEN" AN^D'
his trade by the time he reached his majority and, during the war he went
into the Pennsylvania oil fields and became a small operator, with some pros-
pect of success, but unexpected reverses overtook him and left him fiiiancially
exhausted. He was married in L,ogan township, Allen County, in 1867 to
Nancy E. a daughter of William Bartley. Their children are: Minnie,
Arthur W. , M. Louise, George, Fred F. , Samuel S. and Josie
George Freeman entered the 7th grade of the lola schools, and finished
the high school course in 1893. He taught his first school in his old
.Saleni district and, with the exception of the year 18967 spent in Baker
University, he has made teaching his exclusive business. He entered the
lola schools in 1899 as principal of the first ward building where he has
finished his second year.
Mr. Freeman was married in lola in August, 1900, to Zella, a daugh-
ter of Marshal M. Hart. He is one of the leading members of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church in which he has taken an active part for many yeais.
FRANK NIGH — For almost a third of a century J. Frank Nigh has
resided in Allen County, and is today classed among the wide-awake
and progressive farmers and stock raisers of lola township. He was born
in Cowden, Shelby County, Hlinois, October 14, 1859. His father, Isaac
Nigh, was born in Garfield County, Ohio, December 2, 1S29, and his
grandfather was a native of the State of Maryland, born in 1803. In 1846
the last named enli.sted in Ohio for .service in the Mexican war and his
regiment was assigned to General Scott's army. He participated in the
cimpaigns of that victorious army from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico,
where he was stricken with typhus fever, died and was buried. In civil
life he was a frontier farmer and died leaving a family of four children.
His wife's maiden name v\'as Mary Beachtel, born in the State of Pennsyl-
vania in 181 1. She died in Shelby County, Illinois, in 1898.
Isaac Nigh was the first child of his parents and his boyhood and
early youth were passed in Franklin, County, Ohio. At the age of seven-
teen years he joined the same regiment with his father for service in the
Mexican war and followed the army of General Scott to the City of Mexico.
He, too, took down with the dread disease, t}-phus, and was sick near unto
death. Upon recovery, and being discharged from the army, he went back
to his native county and passed a year upon the farm. The next year he
spent in New York City and, upon his return west, he took up his resi-
dence in Shelby County, Illinois. He engaged in farming there and con-
tinued it until the war of the Rebellion called him to arms. He enlisted
in the 115th Illinois Infantry, Colonel Moore, and served three years.
F^'rom the year of his muster out of the service till 1869 he passed in Illinois
on a farm. The latter month and year he journeyed to Kansas and settled
in Cottage Grove township, Allen County. He secured a homestead four
and a half miles south of Humboldt which he improved and upon which he
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 273
made his home many years. The first year Isaac Nigh spent in Kansas
he was engaged much of the time in freighting goods from the nearest rail-
road points along the Kavv River, Lawrence and Kansas City, Missouri, to
Humboldt. In- this way he was able to the better provide for his family
while the initial steps toward farm-improvement and farm-cultivation were
being taken;
I-;aac Nigh was married in 1853 to Ann Phillips. Mrs. Xigh was
born January 6, 1835, '" Shelby County, Illinois. She was a daughter of
Bryant Phillips and is the mother of two sons and a daughter: vSam-
uel C. Xigh, who died at Chanute, Kansas, in 1894; Mary J,, wife of E. A.
Gleason, of Humboldt, and J. Frank Ni^h, our subject.
At ten years of age Frank Nigh came into Allen County. He began
contributing toward his own support upon entering his 'teens and learned
the lessons of independence and self-confidence long before he saw his
twenty-first birthday. He was schooled passably well in the district schools
and this, strengthened by the efficient school of experience, has equipped
him for a successful career in life. To enter the railroad service was among
the first acts of our subject upon reaching man's estate. He learned
telegraphy with the L. h- and G. Railway people and was in their employ
at stations along their line till 1S86. Leaving the road he located
upon a farm along the Neosho River and has ever since dubbed himself
a farmer.
In November 1889 Mr. Xigh was elected Register of Deeds of Allen
County and was again elected in 1891, each time b\- a majority largely in
excess of the regular Republican ticket. He performed his official duties
with fidelity and efficiency and was regarded as one of our reliable and
honorable public servants.
November 16, 18S4, Mr. Nigh was married to Miss Lou Hubbard, a
daughter of the late pioneer, Samuel F. and Parmelia Hubbard. Mr. and
Mrs. Hubbard were from North Carolina and came into Allen County in
1857. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nigh: Edna L.,
Claude H., Matilda M. and James P.
Frank Nigh has acquitted himself well wherever he has been tried.
He served his employers faithfully when in the railroad .service: nothing
was left undone by him as a public official, which jeopardized the public,
or private welfare of his constituents; as a farmer he is broad-gauged and
progressive, practicing industry and honesty before all men, and as a citi-
zen he is unassailable and his character stands unimpeached. Being a
firm believer in the efficacy of Republican principles he is a loyal and un-
swerving supporter of the party of his choice. He is a Knight of Pythias,
an Odd Fellow and a laborer in the cause of Father Upchurch.
jlOBERT NELSON. — One of the successful farmers and well knovvi
-*- ^ citizens of Deer Creek township is Robert Nelson whose residence ir
Allen county has spanned a period of almost a score of years. He locatet
274 ■ HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
upon section i6, township 24, range 20, a raw and unimproved piece of
school land in 1882, and since that date he has devoted his time and
energies, not onlj- to the proper care and support of his family but to the
development and impro^'emeut of a farm and to the task of reaching a con-
dition of financial independence, both warrantable and creditable. The
place of his first settlement he made sale of as did he of the settlement
made in section seventeen where he repeated, on a larger scale, his efiforts
upon the first farm.
Mr. Nelson was born in Adams count}-, Illinois, September iS, 1846.
His father, Zenas B. Nelson, was born near Louisville, Kentuck}', in 1819
and, in 1832, left th-^t state and became a citizen ,of Illinois. He accom-
panied his father, James Nelson, whose origin, or birth, occurred in Vir-
ginia. The latter died in Illinois in 1846 at the age of seventy years. His
military experience was gained as a soldier in the war of 18 12 and, as a
civilian, he was devoted to agriculture. He married Elizabeth Allen and
was the father of fifteen children, fourteen of whom lived to grow up and
marry.
Zenas B. Nelson's military service consi'^ted of a connection with the
Illinois militia when called out for the purpose of suppressing the disturb-
ances with the Mormons at Nauvoo. He was married in 1843 to Delilah
Hopson, a daughter of Robert Hopson who was a Scotchman, kidnapped in
boyhood by some sailors, while hauling logs in the wood near the seashore.
While the ship of his master was in harbor at New Yoik he stole away and
made his way to Ohio. He was married in that state to Narcissa Pierce,
which union was productive of fourteen children.
The children of Zenas and Deliah Nelson were: Alfred and Robert
Nelson, of Allen county; Olive, wife of Martin Cray, of Woodward county,
Oklahoma; Harriet, wife of Edward Wade, deceased, of Clark county, Mis-
souri, Ann, who married Thomas Lowr}', of Adams county, Illinois; Ida,
wife ot Chauncey Owens, of the same county; Deliah, wife of Sanford
Graham; Charles and Philip, all of Illinois. Philip Nelson is one of the
leading architects of the state. He is widely known throughout the state
and has done much work of a high character and received the plaudits and
commendations of architects and builders alike.
Robert Nelson passed his childhood and early manhood with the
family home. He left the parental roof at twenty-four years of age and
was married and engaged in farming. His wife died soon thereafter and
centennial year he was again married and, with scarce an intermission, has
continued his connection with the farm.
Mr. Nelson was first married February 3, 1870, to Sarah Seals, who
died in 1873, leaving a son. Alpha, who is married to Catherine Mills and
resides in Allen countv. January 26, 1876, Mr. Nelson was married to
Mary O. Treatch, a daughtei of George W. Treatch, a German and from
Darmstadt. The latter came to America with his family in 1840 and set-
tled in Illinois about 1841. He was a miller by trade and was the father
of ten children. Those living are: George Treatch, Catherine, wife of
George Randolph, both of Illinois, Mrs. Robert Nelson; Kate, wife of Wil-
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
-/.I
liam Crabtree, of Adams count}-; Matilda, wife of Wilson Jones; Fred
Treatch, who married Maggie Seals and resides in the home county;
Henrj', who married Rosa Hill, residing in Adams county, Illinois.
Mr. and Mrs. Nelson's children are: Gertrude, who is the wife of
George Myers, of lola; Ona, wife of Lindsey T. Gillenwater, of Allen
county, and Cora, Jessie and Clark, about the domestic hearthstone.
In politics the early Nelsons were Whigs. Later on the voters of the
family were divided as to parties and our subject became a Greenbacker,
then a Union Labor man and finally a supporter of the Peoples Party.
JOHN B. FERGUS, of Deer Creek township, well known in horticulture
" and floriculture in Allen county, settled upon the west half of the north-
east quarter of section 29, township 23, range 20, his present home, in
January 1889. He was a resident of Anderson county before coming into
Allen and prior to that time occupied the old Younger homestead in Jack-
son county, Missouri. He was a resident of Missouri from 1879 to 1882
when he to )k up his residence in Anderson county, Kansas.
Mr. Fergus was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, March 24.
1858, and is a son of Thomas P. Fergus, of the same county and state.
The latter was born in 1832, was engaged in the calling of a firmer and in
1879 went into Missouri. His last years were spent in Anderson county,
Kansas, where he died in i888. He married Abigail Bradford, a daughter
of John and Annie (Hamilton) Bradford, lineal descentants of the famous
Massachusetts family of Bradfords. John Bradford of this mention was a
soldier in the war of 1812, was born in Pennsylvania and died near Dayton,
Ohio. The children of Mr. and Mrs. John Bradford are; Elizabeth
Friend, of Wyoming, Ohio, aged eighty-two years, still living; Margaret Ser-
vice, of Dayton. Ohio, eighty years; Martha Jane Hamilton, Ft. Wayne,
Indiana, seventy-eight 3'ears; Rev. D. G. Bradford, Springfield, Illinois,
seventy-six years; James H. Bradford, Bellbrook, Ohio, seventy-three
years; Ebenezer E. Bradford, Centerville, Ohio, seventy years; Annie C.
Ewing, missionary in Cairo, Egypt, sixty-eight years; Abigail Fergus,
Glenlock, Kansas, sixty-six years; Agnes Andrews, Bellbrook, Ohio,
sixty-three years.
The Fergus' are of Scotch lineage. Thomas Fergus, our subject's
paternal grandfather and a Scotchman, sought the LTnited States about
1803, stopped a season at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, but raaae his permanent
home in Washington county, that state. His sons and daughters were:
Martha, who married James Taggart; Margaret, wife of Thomas McCall;
Sarah, who married Joseph Donaghy; Nancy, who became Mrs. James
White; Hugh; John and Thomas P. '
The surviving children of Thomas P. and Abigail Fergus are: Anna,
wife of Alexander McKitrick, of Anderson county. Kansas; J. Bradford,
our subject; Samuel and Hugh, of Anderson county; Sadie, wife of Robert
Furneaux, of Allen county, and Thomas, of Reno county, Kansas.
John B. Fergus has passed his life a student of the field and farm.
276 . HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
His first independent enterpiise was one calculated to make him a sheep
grower and he came into Allen county in i88i and bought land for the
purpose of ranching it with sheep. The year happened to be a dry one
and the venture proved a failure. He sold out what remained of his stock
and for the next five years "knocked about." He was married in 1887
and the next year, but one, moved to the farm that is now his attractive
home. General farming and horticulture with a recent entry upon the fine
cattle business are matters which claim all his time. From a modest be-
ginning he has gained on the world steadily and surely and has not onlj-
demonstrated his success with the soil but has established and maintained
a public confidence that is worthy of emulation.
May 20, 1S87, Mr. Fergus was married to Emma Z. Nicholson, a
daughter of Cornelius J. Nicholson, who came to Allen county in 1866 and
settled in the valley of the Little Osage. He emigrated from Pike county,
Illinois, where he was married to Sarah Hoover. Their children were:
Scott W., deceased; David and Emma Z. ; Robert, and Hattie, wife of
Robert Richardson, of Ripley, Oklahoma.
Mr. and Mrs. Fergus' children are; T. Earl; Ruth, deceased; Hugh;
Fanny Fern, and Lou J., since deceased. The Ferguses are among the
staunch and active Republicans.
THEODORE THOMPSON ANDERSON, whose residence in Allen
County dates from the pioneer settlement of the county and whose
personalit}' is among the best known of all her citizens, was born at Ripley,
Ohio, August 15, 1844. His father, Levi V. Anderson, died in Brown
County, Ohio, in 1849. The latter was a son of John Anderson, an old
Scotch school teacher who lived to an advanced age and died in Linn
County, Missouri, in 1867. He was a most pronounced Abolitionist and
was ordered to leave Mi.ssouri by Rebel sympathizers, as a rebuke for his
attitude, but he took down his rifle and defied the "Secesh" element. He
was married to Mary Van Camp. Their children were; Levi V., our sub-
ject's father, who died of smallpox; John, who served in the Civil war with
a Missouri regiment, and one other.
Levi V. Anderson married Caroline, a daughter of George T. and
Hannah (Middleswart) Reynolds. George Reynolds is a Pennsylvanian
and is buried on the hill north of lola, near the Robinson home. The
Anderson children were: Mary J., who married jNL F. Warner and is buried
at lola; Theodore T. ; Lavina A., wife of John McDonald, of lola; George
T., of Baxter Springs, Kansas. Caroline Anderson removed from Ohio to
Livingston County, Illinois, with her family and while there she married
our well remembered pioneer, Lyman E. Rhoades. Their only child was
Rhoda, deceased, wife of the late Lafe McCarley.
Lyman Rhoades was born in Ohio and died in lola in 1892 at the age
of seventy-five years. He had two children by his first marriage and was a
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 277
lather to the children orphaned by the death of Levi Anderson. In com-
ing to Kansas he put into execution a desire to locate in the west and he
started overland on the journe}- hither in 1855. He meandered across the
State of Missouri and stopped in Barton County where he raised a crop in
the year 1856. The next spring he drove over into Kansas on a tour of
inspection and decided to locate in Allen County. He brought his family
immediately and located on the claim where the lola mineral well is, in
1857. He was a prominent factor in the preliminary steps leading up to
the organization of the town and remained one of its substantial and in-
fluential citizens for many years. Rhoades' Addition to lola was laid out
by him, the tract where the Northrup homestead is located was once his
property. His last residence was on Sycamore street just north of the city
limits. As a genuine man he was one to be remembered. His nature was
in full sympathy for the needy and distressed and the testimony of the
worthy poor of lola would be to the effect that he divided his substance
with them and kept them from want. He served lola as Justice of the
Peace and was one of the prominent local Republicans hereabout.
T. T. Anderson got a smattering of an education attending a subscrip-
tion school in lola. Joel L. Jones was one of the first teachers to visit lola,
and he kept school in a rude building prepared for that purpose and situat-
ed on the Delap farm, northeast of town. Mr. Anderson al.so attended
school in lola's first school house, on lot 7, block 7.'. In i860 he went
back to Illinois on a visit and while there the war broke out and he decided
to enter the Union army. In [862 he joined the Third Illinois Cavalry.
He joined his regiment at Helena, Arkansas, and took part in the Missis-
sippi campaign. His first fight was at Chickasaw Bluffs and the number
of engagements before the surrender of Vicksburg, in which he participated
were twenty-two. The Third cavalry- was ordered to aid in the reduction
of Arkansas Post, after which it went south to New Orleans, taking part
in the battle of Port Hudson. A considerable force of Union troops was
sent to Texas in 1863 and Mr. Anderson's was one of the regiments to go.
After a few exploits in the west the regiment, with others, went into Ten-
nessee and was engaged in the battles of Franklin and Nashville. It re-
mained in that vicinity the residue of Mr. Anderson's term of enlistment.
He was discharged at St. Louis, Missouri, after serving two years, ten
months and eleven days.
When he left the army Mr. Anderson returned to Illinois, and without
much delay came back to Allen County, Kansas. He purchased a farm on
Elm Creek which he was deprived of, some time later, through the "securi-
ty channel." Being much reduced in circumstances he brought his family
to lola and for many years has maintained his residence here.
For years Mr. Anderson held clerkships with some of lola's lead-
ing merchants and his service was always marked for its faithfulness. His
connection with the Ancient Order of United Workman in lola has
brought him conspicuously into the public view and if there is a youth in
lola who does not know him it would be a new-comer indeed.
In 1865 Mr. Anderson was married in Livingston County, Illinois, to
27» HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
Nancy M. DeMoss, a daughter of John and Mary DeMoss. She died in
rSby and in 1871 Mr. Anderson was married in Ida to Cinderella M., a
daughter of William and Adah Green, of Huron County, Ohio. Two
daughters were the fruits of this union: Carrie Estella and Pearl Adell.
Carrie E. died in the eighth year of her age Miss Pearl, with the lola
Racket, is the only living heir of this union.
Our subject became a Republican when a boy and cast his first vote
for the party in 1S68. He is proud of the fact that he never voted for but
one Democrat in his life. In the fraternal world he is one of the charter
members of lola lodge No. 98, A. O. U. W., of which he has been Financier
many years.
/^> EORGE M. NELSON — Among the most energetic, reliable business
^^ men and entesprising, public spirited citizens of Allen County is
numbered George M. Nelson, who now resides in Brooklyti Park, lola.
Since his arrival in Kansas he has taken an active and commendable inter-
est in public affairs and his labors have been of valuable benefit to the
county.
A native of Ohio, Mr. Nelson was born in Highland County, on the
7th of April, 1846. His father, William A. Nelson, was born in Hillsboro, of
the same county, while John M. Nelson, the grandfather of our subject,
was a native of Stanton, Virginia, whence he emigiated to Ohio in an early
day on account of his views on the slavery question. William A. Nelson
spent his early life in Hillsboro, and acquired his education in its public
.schools. After his marriage to Katherine Kibler, a daughter of Joseph
Kibler of Hillsboro, he developed and improved a farm in Highland
County, the land having been granted to his grandfather, Captain Trimble,
in recognition of his valued service in the American army during the war
of the Revolution. The farm is still in possession of the family, by whom
it has been owned for more than a century. Upon the homestead which he
developed. William A. Nelson resided until his death, which occurred in
18S3. By his first marriage he became the father of si.x children, the eldest
of whom died in infancy. The others are; Cary L. , who died in 1899, at
Albia, Iowa; Jennie E. , who is the widow of Robert Bishop and resides in
Paris, Illinois; Joseph K., of Chelsea, Butler County, Kansas; George M.,
of this review, and Katherine A., wife of Henry Bishop, a journalist of
Kansas City, Missouri. The mother of these children died in 1S49, and
Mr. Nelson afterward married Miss Margaret Kelley, of Rockbridge Coun-
ty, Virginia, daughter of John Kelley. To them were born six children,
five of whom reached maturity, namely: William C, a practicing physician
of Sycamore Springs, Kansas; Anna V., wife of Marion Meyers of Paris,
Illinois, who removed to California where Mrs. Meyers died in 1898; Charles
Q., a medical practitioner of Albia, Iowa; Lena, the second wife of Marion
Myers, who is now in Pasadena, California, and is the State Secretary of
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 279
the Young Men's Christian Association, and Thomas H., who occupies the
old homestead at Hillsboro, Ohio.
George M Nelson, in whom the citizens in Allen County are especial!}*
interested, acquired his preliminary education in the schools of Hillsboro,
Ohio, after which he pursued a classical course in the National Normal
school in Lebanon, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1868. During the
following year he served as deputy postmaster in Lebanon, and later he
purchased and operated a farm in Brown County, that State. He also en-
gaged in teaching in the common schools there. He was for a year a member
of the laculty in the Harrisburg Academy at Harrisburg, Kentuck> , after
which he emigrated to Kansas in 1SS3, locating in Butler County, where
for one year he was engaged in the stock business in connection with his
brother, J. K. Nelson. In 1884 he purchased a farm a mile and a half north
of Moran, Allen County, and took up his abode thereon in April of that
year. For some time he successfully devoted his energies to agricultural
pursuits. His fellow townsmen recognizing his ability and trustworthiness
have frequently called him to public office, his first service having been the
discharge of the duties of trustee of Marmaton township. He remained in
that office for a year, and in 1890 he was made census enumerator. In
1S91 he was elected county treasurer, and so acceptably discharged his
duties that he was re-elected for a second term. On his retirement he entered
into partnership with J. M. Mason in the real estate business, in which
he is now engaged. The firm has conducted a number of important realty
transactions, handling considerable valuable property, and their business
methods commend them to the confidence and pratonage of all. Mr.
Nelson's fellow citizens, however, are not content that he should retire
wholly from public office for his services have ever been of value, and at
the present time he is acting as president of the board of education of lola.
He has alwa^'s supported the Republican party, and for a number of )-ears
has been a member of the Republican central committee.
Mr. Nelson was married in i!S69 to Miss Clara A. McFadden, of
Brown County, Ohio, a daughter of Joseph McFadden, who was a native
of Virginia. She was a graduate of the Lebanon Normal School of the
class of 1 868, and for some time followed teaching with excellent success.
Four children were born of their marriage, but only one is now living,
Wilfred W., who is now engaged in the furniture business iu lola with A.
VV. Beck. He enlisted as a private in Company D, Twentieth Kansas In-
fantry under Colonel, afterward General, Fred Funston, and served for
eighteen months in the Philippines. He was promoted to the position of
quartermaster sergeant, and as such was discharged. After the death of
his wife in 1881 Mr. Nelson married Mi.ss Phoebe E, Gilbert of Champaign
County, Ohio. She died in 1886, survived by one of their two daughters —
Grace G. Mr. Nelson's present wife bore the maiden name of Miss Elozia
C. Strong, of Moran, Kansas a daughter of the late Dr. Henry Strong. Of four
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson two are yet living, Alfred and
Lawrence.
Mr. Nelson's military service began through connection with the Ohio
2So HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
State Militia, and with his regiment he was mustered into the United
States service May 2, 1864, as a member of Company H, One Hundred
Sixty-eighth Ohio Infantry. After assisting in repulsing Morgan on his
last raid and engaging in the battle of Cynthiana, Kentucky, the regiment
was mostly on guard and patrol duty until mustered out at Camp Dennison,
Ohio, September 8, 1864. Socially Mr. Nelson has been connected with
the Masonic fraternity since 1880 and with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows since 1893. He has been a life- long member of the Presbyterian
church — a man of upright principles and of sterling worth, his character
being such as commands respect and admiration in every land and clime.
TAV McCARLEY— The late A. Jay McCarley, of Ida, among the best
^ known cattle men of lola and ex-County Commissioner of Allen Coun-
ty, came to the county in i860. He had resided in McLean County,
Illinois, just prior to his entrance to Kansas, having taken up his resi-
dence there in 1853. He was born in Jessamine County, Kentucky, and
was a son of Samuel and Celia (Harris) McCarley. He was one of seven
children, as follows: Mary, wife of Holman Dean, residing in Kentucky;
Sarah, who married J. C. Todd and lived in lola; Samuel McCarley, re-
siding in San Jose, California; James McCarley, of California; Eliza,
married Dorus Stevens, of Lexington, Illinois; A. Jay, and LaFayette C.
McCarley, deceased.
Jay McCarley received only a passably good education and began his
life work as a farmer. He entered into a partnership with his brother, Lafe,
at an early date and the two were engaged prominently in dealing in stock
until death separated them. They owned farms adjoining, had the fullest
confidence in each other and had no differences except in politics. A.J.
McCarley was elected Commissioner of Allen County in 1879 and was re-
elected in 1882, serving two full terms. He made a most conscientious and
efficient official. With county matters he was as devoted as to his private
matters, and when his services ended it was with a consciousness of having
merited the plaudits of his whole county.
Jay McCarley was no ordinary man. Coming here when a young man
of twenty-three he was, during all the years that passed, a prominent,
respected and influential citizen. He was a fine business man, as his suc-
cess in farming and dealing in stock testified, and he was generous and
public-spirited to a marked degree. He had no political ambition, but up-
on the demand of the people he served his county two terms in one of its
most important offices. He brought to the Board of County Commissioners
the same energy, zeal and clear-headed sagacity that marked the manage-
ment of his personal interests. He had no religious professions but was a
friend to the widow and the fatherless. His door stood open for any whose
condition made them seek shelter there, and his purse was never closed
against the appeal of the distressed. His hand was never withheld when
WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 28 I
its Strength was needed to sustain the weak. He never defrauded any
man; he never went back on a friend. Many loved him and all his ac-
quaintances liked him.
Mr. McCarley was married October i8, 1863, in Neosho Falls, Kansas,
by Squire Phillips to Hannah Goff. J. R. Goff, Mrs. (McCarley) Robert-
son's father, was born in Maine, was married to Cynthia Noyes and died at
Stillwater, Minnesota, in 1884. Their children were: Sidney, Eliflet,
Rufus and Horace Goff, of Stillwater, Minnesota; Mrs. Eli Ratliffe. of lola;
Diana, deceased wife of Henry Clark, of Superior, Wisconsin; and Mrs.
Robertson. The last named was born in Piscataquis County, Maine, Janu-
ary 8, 1839. She was married to C. T. Robertson in 1893.
Jay McCarley died April 9, 1892. He left no heirs but was fond of
children and he and his worthy wife reared two children of his sister, Mrs.
Todd, viz.: Rice Todd and Mary, widow of John Beggs, of Chicago.
Willie Briggs and Emma L,ucas were also members of this hospitable house-
hold. Alfred, Luther and Ella McCarley, children of Lafe McCarley,
make their home with Mrs. Robertson since the death of their parents.
lOSIAH F. and lOLA COLBORN.— The venerable and revered pioneers
" whose names introduce this review possess a history so closely and
peculiarly identified with the county seat of Allen county that it is of in-
terest and importance to enter at some length into the circumstances of
their settlement, the jncidents following, and the substantial facts of their
family history. While many other pioneers were intimately connected
with the founding of and early history of lola, and rested their hopes
upon its future, we are warranted in asserting that there was not that pe-
culiar, sincere and burning attachment existing as really possessed Mr.
and Mrs. Colborn, from the very circumstances of the case.
J. F. and lola Colborn left Lewisville, Illinois, about the 20th of
September, 1857, for Allen county, Kansas. An ox team was hitched to
their effects and it "polled" its way across Missouri and into Kansas,
reaching lola October 24h, following. In June prior Mr. Colborn had
made a trip of exploration and discovery in Kansas and had purchased a
claim on the Neosho river, embracing the land occupied by the Often
country home, the fair grounds and a large portion of the city of lola.
His cabin rested in the wood (on the site of the Often residence) by the
river and to this our settlers proceeded upon their arrival at their destina-
tion. To prepare the cabin for the proper comfort of his family Mr. Col-
born put in a floor, "battened" the door, etc., and when all was done
about the house began the task of making the rails with which to fence
fort)' acres of his farm. This tract included about half of what is now the
public square and was enclosed eight rails high. He broke it out the next
spring, planted it to corn and soon after returned-with his family to Illinois
282 HISTORY OF ALLEN' AND
for a visit. He exjjected to find a good crop of sod corn on his return but
his experience with Kansas was too brief to take into account the prob-
ability of a drouth (which ensued) and the sod corn was without ears or
fodder.
In 1858 the question of a town for the Neosho River and Rock Creek
colony became to be agitated. The old (and iirst) county seat below the
mouth of Elm Creek was not advantageously situated for a towti and now
that Humboldt had secured legislation which deprived the former of the
county seat it was not thought wise to try to revive the old Indian town.
An inspection of the country roundabout Elm Creek and the Neosho dis-
closed the fact that the Colborn claim was the ideal one for a townsite and
in due time it was selected and purchased for the purpose.
The movement in favor of a town on Elm Creek took substantial form
in the organizatiou of a town company, composed of fifty pioneers, of which
Dr. John W. Scott was chosen president. The latter resided in Carlyle at
that time but became interested in the town propo.sition and became one of
its chief and most powerful promoters. Weekly meetings of the company
were held in a little school house out near where the "Horville" school
house now stands and, at one of these meetings and when the business of
the company had proceeded to the point of choosing a name fot the town,
an assortment of hall a dozen or more were proposed. Noah Lee proposed
Caledonia, as he was from Caledonia, Ohio; Mr. Colborn proposed Elgin
and other favorite names, none of which seemed to "catch the ear" of the'
company. Finally Lyman E. Rhoads in a short and complimentary
speech proposed the name of "lola" in honor of the wife of the former
owner of the site of the town. This suggestion prevailed as "a motion be-
fore the house", adopted January 1859.
It ma^' interest some student of history to learn the origin of the name
"lola" and while the information is accessible, sufficient for our purpose,
it is here asserted that the name is of French origin. George Collins, a
great uncle of Mrs. Colborn, married a French lady whose Christian name
was lola. Thomas Friend, Mrs. Colborn's father, married Emily Collins, a
neice of George Collins, and their first child was christened "lola."
Returning to the personal history of Mr. Colborn — he was a farmer
but one year in Allen county. After selling his claim he opened a shop
and followed blacksmithing until some time in 1862 when he began a
clerkship with Brinkerhoff Brewster. He continued with him and with
Scott Brothers, his successor, till 1865 when, in company with Nimrod
Hankins, he opened a general store in lola. His was a popular place —
the corner where Coutant's hardware now stands — and he carried on his
business with profit so long as lie remained there. Early in the eighties he
sold his business corner and conceived the idea of introducing life into the
"north side of the squre." He erected the first store-room on that side
(the Shannon block) and opened a dry goods business. This venture
was disappointing in its results. Trade could not be induced "to leave
town," as crossing the square seemed to be doing, but spent its surplus
with merchants about their, "old haunts" and left the "north side" to
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 283
dwindle and decay. Mr. ColbDrn continued bu-iness till 1896 when he
closed his doors and retired.
From his earliest advent I0 the county and for more than thirty- live
years Josiah F. Colborn was a conspicuous ligure in the affairs of [(jla.
When the county was first organized it was done under the "township
plan." Each township chairman was, by virtue of his office, a member of
the Board of County Commissioners. Mr. Colborn was chairman of Inla
township and took part in the business of the first board of County Commis-
sioners. Down through the years he filled township and town ofiices, as
called upon to do so by the voters at their annual elections, and all his
official acts were performed with that painstaking care and consideration
for the public good which characterized his personal intercourse and busi-
ness relations with human kind. Quiet, and without show or fuss, he has
passed almost across the stage of acticn in lola and has maintained, for
forty-five )'ears, an unblemished, spotless reputation. In Masonic work he
has been a part of the Allen county structure from the beginning. His first
work was done in Kansas with Pacific Lodge at Humboldt when there
were only eight Masons in the county. The lodge at lola was instituted
in 1863 and he was appointed its first master. By election he served till
1865, and was called to the chair again in 1870. In this, as in other
things, he has done his duty conscientiously and is held in the highest
esteem by the brethren of the craft. In politics, while his forefathers and
many of his brothers were Democrats, he became a charter member of the
Republican party, and is well known as such now.
Josiah F. Colborn was born near Noblesville, Hamilton count}-, In-
diana, February 7, 1829. His father, Robert Colborn, went into that sec-
tion about 1825, settled a farm and remained till the latter part of the
thirties when he reraovrd to LaFayette, Indiana, to execute a contract for
a piece of work on the Illinois and Michigan canal. This work completed
he settled in Clay county, Illinois, where he "took up" land, prospered as
a fanner and died in 1855. He was born in Perry, county, Ohio, in 1801
and, in 182 1, married Ro^^anna West who died in Clay county. Illinois, in
1872. Robert Colborn, the ist, was our subject's paternal grandfather.
He emigrated from Somerset county, Pennsylvania, to Perry county, Ohio,
soon after the close of the war of the Revolution and removed from Ohio to
Hamilton county, Indiana, in 1823 and there died. He was the father of
five sons, viz: Johathan. Robert, Jesse, Perry and Harrison.
Robert and Rosanna Colborn 's children were: Levi, who died in
Clay county, Illinoss, in 1899; Samuel, who died fn Richland count}^ Illi-
nois, in 1885, George W., of Clay county, Illinois; Mary Jane, who mar-
ried Crawford Lewis, died in Jonesboro, Arkansas, in 1898; Josiah Francis;
Elizabeth, who married Jonathan Lewis, died in Texas; Robert, of Rich-
land county, Illinois; Martha, who married Mr. Hadden, is believed to
reside in Arkansas, and John W., who was one of the early residents of
lola, served on General Logan's staff in the Rebellion, as first lieutenant,
went into the southwest from lola and was never heard of again.
J. F. Colborn was married to lola Friend on the 12th of September,
284 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
1857. The latter's father was Thomas Friend whose ancestors were Dutch
and whose wife's antecedents were Scotch. He married Emily Collins, as
elsewhere stated, and their four children to reach maturity were: lola,
born Januaiy 13, 1S32; Mary B., of lola; Marshall D. , of Chi?ago, Illinois,
and Wellington M., deceased. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Colborn
are: Mrs. Alice Scott; Luella, the first child born in lola, is the wife of
William P. Northrup, of Murray, Idaho; Effie J., wife of Edward Moffit,
of Wallace, Idaho; Madaline Jo., wife of David M. McKissick, of Wallace,
Idaho; Nellie Colborn, of lola, and George M., of Spokanne, Washington-
GEORGE J. ELDRIDGE— Those who lived in the vicinity of lola as early
as the year 1850 recall the appearance, one July day of a little English-
man driving a yoke of oxen across the prairie and into the village. Behind
this primitive team was a young wife and son and all the worldly effects of
the travelers. That they were settlers was early made known and that they
were poor was at once apparent. They had made the journey all the way
from McHeury County, Illinois, to lola and were just finishing their trip
that 27th of July. Their resources, aside from their team, wagon and
camping outfit, amounted to $40. The head of the family was a wagon-
maker and the hope of their future welfare lay in his ability to provide
life's necessities from his trade. He built a small cabin on the site of the
Hart livery barn and took possession. If his wagon shop was not the first
in town it was one of the early ones and he plied his trade as the main
means of existence from that date till i858.
The few foregoing facts are sufficient to identify the subject of this
review, George J. Eldridge. He was born in East Kent, England, Mary
19, 1833, a-nd was a son of Richard and Mary (Bone) Eldridge. The
parents had six children, two of whom survive: Mrs Peter Adams, of Cald-
well, Missouri, and the subject of this notice. Although his father was a
shoemaker George Eldridge left England without a trade. He went
aboard a sailing vessel at London, in compan3' with an uncle and family,
and after five weeks of sea life landed in Castle Garden. The little com-
pany located in Wayne County, New York, and there, at the age of
eighteen years, our subject took his first lessons in wagon-making. In
1856 he came on west to McHenry County, Illinois, residing three years,
and while there marrying Miss Martha J. Hopkins, a lady born in Alle-
ghany County, New York. She was a daughter of William and Mary
Hopkins whose children she and Mrs. Catharine Washburn, deceased, of
Elgin, Illinois, are.
Two of the three children of Mr. and Mrs. Eldridge survive: Mar)-,
wife of John Cloud, of Allen County, has a son. Glen; and Richard A.
Eldridge, still under the parental roof.
George Eldridge had been in America ten years when the Rebellion
broke out. He felt the same patriotic zeal for the preservation of the Union
WOODSON COUXTIES, KANSAS. 285
under the southern sun of Kansas as in the free and invigorating air of the
northern clime. When the second call for troops was issued he enlisted
for three years or during the war. He entered Compauy E, gth Kansas
Cavalry Colonel Lvnde and Captain Flesher, on the 19th of October, 1861.
The Company joined the regiment at Lawrence, Kansas, and in the course
of events was sent south into the Territory. It took part in the battle of
Prairie Grove and in many smaller engagements and skirmishes in Mis-
souri and Arkansas. Mr. Eldridge was discharged at Duval's Bluff, Ar-
kansas, in January, 1855, having served his three years.
In 1867 Mr. Eldridge purchased the tract of land which is his home-
stead. It is the northwest quarter of section 36, township 24, range 17,
and cost him three and a half dollars per acre. The first years of his
career as a farmer was something of a struggle for little more than existence.
Like all settlers without means it was a slow process to do more than the
natural improvement the first ten years. After this his progress was steady
and sure and as the circumstances warranted he extended the area of his
farm. As is well known he is one of the substantial men of his community,
and a gentleman whose social and political integrity are undoubted and
above reproach. He is a Republican pioneer, having joined the party in
1856 as a charter member. His first vote was for John C. Fremont and
his last one for William McKinley. He has aided in an official capacity
the conduct of public business in his township and does his part as an in-
dividual toward the promotion of Republican principles and Republican
success in political campaigns.
JOSEPH P. ROSE, of Elm township, Allen County, was almost a
" pioneer to Woodson County, Kansas. He homesteaded a tract of land
there, in section eight of Liberty township, and remained a citizen of
Woodson till 1895 when be became a citizen of Allen. His farm is the
northeast quarter of section 19, town 25, range 19, and in early days it was
the Zike property.
Mr. Rose was born at Kingston, Ontario, October 30, 1847. I" 1853
his father, Stephen R. Rose, left Canada and located at Rockford, Illinois.
The latter was a hotel man at Kingston, Canada and followed railroad and
carpenter work in Rockford, Illinois. He was married to Elizabeth Adget
who died in Rockford, while he died in Fredonia, Kansas, in 1897 ^t the
age of eighty-seven years. Their children are: Sarah J., wife of Lorenzo
Bissell, of Winnebago County, Illinois; D, W. Rose, of Detroit, Michigan;
Annie, wife of Fred L. Horton, of Chicago, Illinois; Joseph P., our subject,
and Cyrus Rose, of the Indian Territory.
The Roses were originally from York State. Our subject's father was
born in the Empire State and migrated to Canada in early life. In
1866 he came onto the prairies of Kansas and settled in the county of
Woodson.
J. P. Rose began life as a newsboy. He carried the News and Times
2S6 HISTORY OF ALLEN AXD
ill DuBuque, "Iowa, and later worked in the lead mines at that place.
With the exception of the year iSS6 he has resided in Kansas, Woodson
and Allen Counties. He spent the year 1886 in Pomona, California, where
he was toll-keeper in a mill. But he had lived too long in Kansas to be con-
tent with a new place, so he came back to Woodson County and took up farm-
ing, where he left off, and is today one of the well known citizens of Elm
township, .Allen County.
In January, i88i, Mr. Rose was married to Emma Crabb, a daughter
of Henderson Crabb, who came to Kansas in 1866 and was once the pro-
prietor of the Pennsylvania Hotel in lola. His wife was Mary Beach, who
resides in Pomona, California.
Mr. and Mrs. Rose's children are: Albert R., who died in 1897 at
the age of sixteen years: Richard; W. Darwin: George Beach; A. Orville and
Lillian V.
The Roses are Republicans and Methodists. Our subject is leader
of the class in the LaHarpe charge and is otherwise one of the active
members.
A yTILLARD FILMORE SICKLY was born in Livingston County, New
^^-^ York, January II, 1852. His father, Robert Sickly, a farmer by
occupation, was born in New Jersey, and married Elizabeth Gray, born in
the same State. A brother and sister of Mrs. Sickly are still in the Empire
State, William T. Gray and Mrs. Mary Morris.
The boyhood days of our subject were spent on the old family home-
stead, where he assisted in the labors of field and garden until he was
twenty-one years of age. He then went to California, remaining in the
Golden State for a yeai. Subsequently and for a period of five years he en-
gaged in merchandising in New York. In 1880 he came to Allen County,
Kansas, remaining in lola while a house was being erected on the farm in
Elm township which he had purchased. As soon as the new home was
completed he took up his abode therein and as the years have pas.sed his
labors have wrought great change in the appearance of the farm through
the improvements he has added. His work has annually augmented his
income and he now has a very desirable property. Mr. Sickly's brother,
Alfred, the only other surviving member of the family, is living in the
Empire State.
In 1879 Mr. Sickly was united in marriage to Miss Annie L. Bearss, a
native of Livingston Count3^ New York, where her people were also born.
Her mother belonged to the well known Jerome family of that State, Mr.
and Mrs. Sickly have four children: Dumont, Clyde, Bertha and Glenn.
Mr. Sickly exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and
measures of the Republican party although his father was a Democrat. He
spent his early life on the Atlantic coast, passed one year on the Pacific
coast, and is now contentedly living in Kansas, his labors having brought to
him creditable success, so that he is now the possessor of a good home here.
WOOnSOX COUXTIES, KANSAS. 2S7
SIMON KLOTZBACH.— Perhaps the history of few men in Allen
count\- exemplifies more forcibly the power of determination, courage
and industry in achieving success than does that of Simon Klotzbach. an
honored pioneer of Allen county. He was born in Hessen Germany,
March 10, 1848, and is a representative of a family that was prominent
both in political and military affairs there. His grandfather, Martin
Klotzbach, servs^d under Napoleon in the battle of Wagram in 1809, and
two of his brothers-in-law went to Moscow under that officer. The younger
entered the army at the age ot fifteen and served under the Corsican gen-
eral for fifteen years. He was a "Tryrom," — a man that batters down
doors, — until that position was abolished by the use of cannon, alter which
he was a sharpshooter and also served on outer picket duty.
George Klotzbach, the father of our subject, was born in 1802, and in
the '60s came to America w-here he took up farming as an occupation. He
followed that pursuit for several years in Pennsylvania, removed to Illinois
in 1872, and in 1878 came to Kansas, settling on a farm on which Simon
now resides, and which he homesteaded. His widow and daughter Ma-
tilda are now living with the subject of this review, and the mother,
althoup'h ninaty years of age, is still enjoying good health. The other sur-
viving member of the family is Mrs. Kate Malone, who lives in Iowa.
Simon Kl<5tzbach of this review spent his early youth in the fatherland
and accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world. He
came to Kansas in an early period in the development of Allen county, and
soon after his arrival heie he attempted to purchase his supper at a house
by the roadside but on account of the scarcity of food was refused, although
he had three hundred dollars in his pocket. He suffered many hardships
and difficulties those first }'ears in Kansas. Twice the grasshoppers de-
stroyed all his crops, and he has at several different times lost all his hogs
by cholera and once by cockle burrs. His first loss amounted to about
twelve hundred dollars, and the next spring and fall he lost at each time
about sixty head. In 1897 he lost about one hundred and fifty head of
hogs; in 189S one hundred and forty; and the following winter between
forty and fifty, and at one time he lost probably one hundred head of cattle
by the Texas fever. Yet in spite of all this he has prospered and he to-day
owns five eighty acre tracts of land, of which one hundred acres are planted
to orchard products, eighty acres of this being in one plat. He follows
progressive methods in his farming, and merits a high degree of success.
On the 7th of October, 1891, Mr. Klotzbach married Miss Dora Strup-
hart, whose widowed mother is now living in Chanute, Kansas. Her
brother, Joseph, resides in Salem township, Allen county. Unto Mr and
Mrs. Klotzbach were born five children, viz: George, Willie, Mary, Mar-
garet and Frank, who died at nine months.
During the Civil war Mr. Klotzbach manifested his loyalty to his
adopted country by enlisting in the Forty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry,
and with Sherman participated in the celebrated march to the sea. While
at the front he suffered a very severe attack of tj'piioid fever and it was be-
288 , HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
lieved that he could not recover. To all duties of citizenship in times of
peace he is as true and loyal as when he defended the stars and stripes on
southern battlefields.
"T^R. SAMUEL H. KELLAM, who located in LaHarpe about three
-I — ' years ago and who already enjoys a large and lucrative patronage in
the line of his profession, was born in Shelby county, Illinois, May 6, 1865.
His father, Nathan Kellam, was a farmer and stock raiser of Elk county,
Kansas. He, too, is a native of Shelby county, Illinois, his birth having
occurred there in 1827. In the place of his nativity he continued to reside
until 1S80, when he took up his abode in Kansas and has since become a
prominent stock raiser and shipper of Elk county. Having acquired a
comfortable competence he is now retired. He is a leading representative
of the Democracy in that locality and is respected by all who know him.
He married Ellen Yantis, a daughter of Isaac Yantis, a farmer of Marion
count}', Ohio, who at an early day removed to Illinois, carrying all his
personal effects in a red handkerchief. In the Prairie state tUe latter pros-
pered, becoming well-to-do. The paternal grandfather of our subject was
born in Kentucky in 1790, and he also became a pioneer of Illinois, mak-
ing the journey to Shelby county in a two wheeled cart. There he began
the arduous task of transforming the wild land into a good farm. He mar-
ried Nancy Smith and they became the parents of five sons and two
daughters, namely: Samuel, William, Nathan, L,ogan, John, Mrs. Leran.
James and Mrs Matilda Handerly, the last named being still a resident of
Shelby county. The Kellam and Yantis families were united through the
marriage of Nathan Kellam and Ellen Yantis. Their union was blessed
with six children who are still living: Flora, wife of W. T. Calon, of Elk
county, Kansas; Sarah, wife of J. W. Donnell; William J., who died in
1892; Nora Belle, wife of J. G. Yantis, of Elk county; Metta Blanche and
Aullendore, who are also residents of Elk county.
Into the mind of Dr. Kellam of this review were early instilled lessons
of industry. When quite young he began work on his father's farm,
remaining there until he was twenty-one years of age. His father retired
and for four years he managed the ranch. In the meantime he secured a
good foundation for his professional knowledge by a thorough English
course, supplementing his preliminary studies by a course in the Howard
high school, of which he is a graduate. For some time he occupied the
position of department foreman of the Armour Packing Compau)', of Kan-
sas City, but wishing to make the practice of medicine his lite work he
began reading in the office and under the direction of Dr. Strunen, with
whom he remained for two years. Later he was graduated in the Kansas
City College of Physicians and Surgeons and received practical training
while acting as assistant in the free dispensary hospital at Bethany. Prior
to coming to LaHarpe he practiced medicine in Kansas City for three
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 289
years, but since 1S97 has been a valued member of the medical fraternity of
Allen county.
Doctor Kellam married Miss Hattie Graham, who was born in Ohio in
1867, a daughter of James Graham, now a farmer ot Elk county, Kansas.
Two children grace their union: Marvelle and Lillian. The Doctor and
his wife have many friends in Allen county where he is enjoying an ex-
cellent practice, having a patronage that many an older representative of the
medical fraternity might well envy. As a citizen he is public spirited and
progressive, and is therefore a welcome addition to LaHarpe.
/^>0LUMBU3 L. RICE.— On the roll of the business men of Humboldt
^-^ appears the name of Columbus h- Rice. He was born in Jasper
county, Missouri, on the 12th of September, 1854. His father, George D.
Rice, was a native of Pennsylvania, and when a young man removed to
Ohio, where he was united in marriage to Eleanor Taylor. On leaving the
Buckeye state he took up his residence in Missouri, and the year 1862
witnessed his arrival in Allen county, Kansas. Soon afterward he joined
the Union army as a member of the Ninth Regiment of Kansas Volunteers,
and served throughout the remainder of the war, loyally aiding in the
preservation of the Union. During much of his life he followed farming,
but in later years he located in Humboldt, where he was engaged in the
coal business until his death, in July, 1899, when he was seventy-three
year.s of age.
Columbus ly. Rice was reared upon the home farm and through the
sunny days of early spring followed the plow as it turned the furrows for
the planting. He afterward engaged in farming on his own account for a
short time, when he entered the machinery department of the business of
Johnson & Bragg at Humboldt, being thus emplo^'ed for nine and a half
years. On severing his connection with that firm, he entered the employ
of William Rath, who was in the same line of business, and with whom he
remained for seven and a half years. While there he learned the trade of
a tinner and gas fitter. Subsequently he opened a hard-vare store of his
own, conducting it for two year>, when he sold out to E. W. Trego, with
whom he has since remained in the capacity of tinner and gas fitter. He
has always been an industrious and energetic man and has never had
trouble in keeping himself employed.
Mr. Rice was married on the 23rd of March, 1879, to Miss Lydia Ann
Shellman, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth vShellman. She was born
Ileal Bloomingtou, Illinois, and in 1872 came to Kansas vi'ith her parents,
who settled in Humboldt, where her father was proprietor of the Sherman
House. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rice has been born a son, Robert Charles,
whose birth occurred in October, 1880. In his political affiliations Mr.
Rice is a Republican, but though he keeps informed on the issues of the
day he has never been a politician. He is connected with the Modern
290 HISTORY OF ALLEN AN13
Woodmen of America, and is well known in his community for those traits
of character, which in every land and every clime command respect.
THOMAS M. FITZPATRICK.— A history of Allen county would be
incomplete without the record of Thomas Marion Fitzpatrick for he is
one of her native sons, a distinction of which ver}' few men of his age can
boast. He was born in the county in i860, before the state was admitted
into the Union. His father was one of the pioneers of Kansas who came
hither locating in Osawatomie in 1856. Four years later he took up his
abode in Allen count}', locating on what was known as the Bishop farm,
and during the Civil war he served as a private in Company E, Ninth
Kansas Cavalry. He was born in Missouri in 1820, and was thoroughly
familiar with the development of the west. He married Rebecca Sparks,
whose people were natives of Indiana. Their surviving children are: J.
J. Fitzpatrick, of Allen county; Mrs. Sarah E. Schultz, of Anderson county;
Thomas M., of this review; and Mrs. Anna M. Lucky, of Allen county.
The boyhood of our subject was not one of leisure for he was early
trained to do the work of the farm and through the summer months as-
sisted with the plowing, planting and harvesting. He pursued his educa-
tion in the subscription school, his first teacher being a Mr. Todd, and the
school house being on the Fulton farm. Mr. Fitzpatrick also engaged in
teaming from Kansas City prior to the building of the Southern Kansas
railroad. He aided in farm work when Elm township was a part of lola
township, and only about ten families lived within its borders, the greater
part of the land being wild prairie which awaited the awaking touch of
civilization. The first land which he owned was a quarter of the Dr. Ful-
ton farm. He removed to his present farm in 1881, and is to-day the
owner of a valuable property, his labors having wrought a great change in
the appearance of the farm.
In 1880 Mr. Fitzpatrick wedded Miss Melissa Leake who was born on
the farm now owned by Mr. Daniel Horville, and whose mother is yet
living. She has three brothers living in Kansas: William Henry, a resi-
dent of Phillips county; J. P., of lola, and I. T. , who is also living in the
county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Fitzpatrick are Albert, Bertha
May, Cora Fay and Jessie. All are under the parental roof.
After attaining his majority our subject gave his political support to
the Democracy, but of late years has been a Populist. He has served as a
member of the school board, and is a prominent member of the camp of the
Modern Woodmen. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fitzpatrick are native citizens of
Allen county, and as such are entitled to distinction. They have always
manifested a deep interest in its progress and upbuilding and have borne
their share in the work of development which has placed Allen county
upon a par with any county in the commonwealth. Their social qualities
and genuine worth have gained them manj' friends.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 201
"A TRS. MARGARET C. DEAL, one of the pioneers of Allen county,
-LvJ- was born in Indiana May 9, 1841. Her father, Enos Myers, a
native of North Carolina, came to Indiana when still a young man. Here
he married Sallie Seachrist, a native of North Carolina. Mr. Myers moved
to Illinois when Mrs. Deal was eleven years old, and resided there for two
years. He then moved to Denton county, Texas, where Mrs. Deal was
married in 1857 to Andrew M. Deal, a native of Indiana. Mr. Deal had
gone to Texas when but twenty-one years old, intending to make that state
his home. When the war came on he did not believe in the Confederacy,
and, as Union men were not wanted in that part of Texas, he came to Kan-
sas. An ardent and earnest advocate of die cause of the Union in the great
struggle, Mr. Deal in 1862, enlisted in the Ninth Kansas regiment. The
regiment was used largely against the bushwhackers, that infested the
border counties and made life for the free state men a constant terror. One
morning a party of twenty from the regiment, among the number Mr. Deal,
joined a detail of scouts for an expedition. While passing through'a stone
lane near West Port, they were suironnded by the enemy, believed to be
Quantrell's guerrilas, who opened upon them from behind cover. Al-
though surprised and unable to see their foe they fought gallantly, until
fifteen of Company E, Ninth Kansas men were killed, Mr. Deal among
the number; the five men who were left making their escape. The Con-
federates killed the Federal wounded.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Deal: Mary E. , now the
wife of Howard Moore; Paris and Thomas, both living at home. Left thus
with the care of a small family Mrs. Deal faced the future with a courage
worthy of the husband, who had given his life for his country. The chil-
dren as they grew older aided in the struggle against the hardships of the
new country and now, after many ^^ears, have succeeded in acquiring a
fair share of this world's goods. Three miles east of Humboldt they have
a pleasant home, surrounded by stately maple trees, and every acre ot the
eighty is well improved and shows the evidences of careful cultivation.
To the fatherless children Mrs. Deal has given a careful training and
the record of the deeds of her husband has been one of the cherished
memories of their life.
T~\AVID P. DURNING is one of the most successful stockdealers of
■J — ' .southeastern Kansas where he has carried on business since 1871,
and through the intervening years he has borne an una.ssailable reputation
in trade circles, never making an engagement which he has not kept, nor
contracted an obligation that he has not met. His sagacity and enter-
prise, and moreover his untiring labor have brought to him a handsome
competence, and the most envious can not grudge him his success, so
honorably has it been acquired. Neither have his labors resulted alone to
his individual benefit, for on account of the large amount of stock which
2g2
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
he handles he has instituted a market for much of the grain raised in this
locality and his trade relations with his fellovvmen have 'been mutually
profitable.
Mr. Burning was born in Kentucky March 4, 1842. His father, John
Durning was a native of Pennsylvania, and during his boyhood daj^s ac-
companied his parents on their removal to Kentucky where he was reared
to manhood and married to Miss Mary J. Maxwell. The latter died when
her son, Porter, was a small boy. Mr. Durning afterward came to Kansas and
spent his last days with the subject of this review, his death occurring
about 1885.
David Porter Durning spent his early boyhood days under his father's
roof, remaining at home until he was fourteen years of age, when the father
suffered financial reverses and he started out to make his own way in the
world. His educational privileges were very limited. He attended school
fijr about a year, but other than this his mental discipline has been obtained
in the hard school of experience. Reading, observation and practical work
gave him a good knowledge which fitted him for the responsibilities of a
business life. On leaving home he went to Illinois in 1857 and there
secured work by the month as a farm hand. He was thus employed until
he had saved money enough to venture upon a new stage of life's journej-,
taking to himself a companion and helpmate, — Miss Mary J. Traughber, —
their marri.ige being celebrated in the year 1865. The lady was born and
reared in Illinoi.s and for a few years after their marriage they resided in
that State, but believing that there were better opportunities for young men
in the districts farther west, Mr. Durning turned his face toward the setting
sun and in 187 1 arrived in Kansas, locating on the county line between
Allen and Woodson counties. He made his home tl'.ere for a number of
years and improved the property, but gave the greater part of his time and
attention to the buying and shipping of stock. After eight years he took
up his abode in the city of Humboldt and has always continued his opera-
tions as a live stoc'K dealer. He entered into partnership with James
Dayton and togethei they purchased and shipped stock for a number of
years, when the business relations between them were dissolved, since
which time Mr. Durning has been buying, feeding and shipping stock on
his own account. His business has grown to very extensive proportions and
he ships more stock from the Humboldt depots than any other man in the
county, his shipments reaching as high as thirty-five carloads a month.
His equipment and preparation foi feeding and growing stock is unequaled
in the State. He pays good prices to the farmers for their grain and his ex-
tensive stock dealing interests have made Humboldt one of the best grain
markets in Kansas. He is an excellent judge of horses, cattle and hogs
and this enables him to make judicious purchases and profitable sales.
In his political views Mr. Durning is a stalwart Republican, but he
has never sought or desired the emoluments of public office, preferring to
give his attention to his business affairs. He started out in life for himself
a poor boy without capital. His environments were not particularly favor-
able and he had no influential friends to aid him, but he placed his reliance
WOODSON COrNTIES, KANSAS. 293
in tile more substantial qualities of diligence, energy, determination and
honesty. The experience of men who are willing to work persistently
and intelligently and wait calml\ goes to prove that success may surely be
attained during the ordinary lifetime, and no man, not cut ofJ at an untimely
age need work and wait in vain. Steadily has Mr. Durning increased his
capital and his honorable business methods and unflagging industry have
enabled him for many years to maintain a position among the wealthy
business men of Allen County.
RICHARD WARD— A native of the Empire State, Richard Ward was
born in Westchester County in 1843. The Wards came originally
from Holland to America, the family being established in New York in
1680. James Ward, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of West-
chester County. Hezekiah Ward, the father of our subject, was also a
native of Westchester County and was a farmer by occupation. He wedded
Mary A. Cromwell, who was of English lineage. They became the parents
of three sons who are .still living: Clarence A. and Charles P., both younger
than Richard, being still residents of the Empire State.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life
for Richard Ward during his boyhood days. He assisted in the labors of
field and meadow through the summer months and pursued his
education through the winter season at the common schools. In
1864, on attaining his majority, he enlisted in the navy and was assigned
to duty on the war ship Hetzel. He afterward served on the Granite and
on the Mattabessett, his time being spent with the blockading forces at
Plymouth, Albemarle Sound and Cape Hatteras, under Commander
Febbager. Throughout his business caieer he has carried on agricultural
pursuits and has gained a good living through his indefatigable industry.
In October, 1870, Mr. Ward was united in marriage to Miss Naomi
Earl, who is the only child of William Earl. Mr. and Mrs. Ward now
have seven children, all of whom still call the old place home. These are:
Hezekiah, Mary A., Fanny C. , Jennie, Clarence A., William J. and
Amelia. The year 1880 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Ward and his family
in Allen County, and he has since been numbered among the enterprising
agriculturists of Elm township, having a very comfortable home, which is
surrounded by well tilled fields, whose neat and thrifty appearance indi-
cates the careful supervision of the owner. As a citizen he takes a
commendable interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his com-
munity and gives a loyal support to all measures which he believes will
contribute to the substantial upbuilding of the county and to 'its progress
along intellectual, social and moral lines.
294 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
/^HARLES F. HELLE— In Humboldt township is a well developed
^-^ farm which is the property of Charles F. Helle, one of the most
prosperous agriculturists of the county. He was born in Allen County,
Indiana, on the 20th of November, 1843. His father, Frederick Helle.
was a native of Prussia and in that country married Celatara Pence. With
his young wife he sailed for America in i84[, and after a short time spent
in New York continued his westward journey until he established his home
in Allen County, Indiana. He was a passenger on the first canal boat that
was ever taken through the Erie Canal. By trade he was a tanner and
worked with General Grant at the tannery in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The
friendship formed between them at that time continued throughout their
remaining days Mr. Helle was also an engineer and during the latter
part of his life was employed in that capacity in the foundry of Stacy &
Bouser, at Fort Wayne. He died in 1876 at the age of sixty-six years, and
his wife passed away in 1870 at the age of fifty-five years. They were the
parents of only two children, the daughter, Louisa Dolman, being now a resi-
dent of Allen County, Indiana.
Charles F. Helle was the elder. Although his parents were natives of
the fatherland he never learned the German language. He associated with
boys who spoke the English tongue and has always been an American in
thought, purpose and feeling. His time in youth was devoted to the
studies of the school room and to different employments that would contri-
bute to his livelihood. In Allen County, Indiana, he was united in mar-
riage to Miss Amanda Bishop, the wedding being celebrated November 3,
1862. The lady was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and was
afterward a resident of Ohio, but later moved to the Hoosier Slate. Unto
them have been born seven children, namely: Charles F., who is engaged
in the transfer business in Chicago; Lizzie, the wife of J. W. Wheatley, a
resident of lola; John, at home; Warren, who is also engaged in business
in Chicago; Frank, who has business interests in Kansas City; George and
Daisy, who are with their parents.
Thinking to find better opportunities in the west where "there was not
such great competition, Mr. Helle removed from Indiana to Allen County,
Kansas, and purchased three hundred acres of land a mile and a half north
of Humboldt. To his property he has added until now he has land aggre-
gating seven hundred and fifty acres, a rich farming tract in this section of
the State. He raises wheat, oats and corn on an extensive scale, and has
large numbers of horses, mules, cattle and hogs, and everything about the
place is neat and thrifty in appearance and modern in appointment. H is
residence occupies a commanding building site, standing on a bluff of the
Neosho river in the midst of a beautiful grove of natural forest and cedar
trees. In politics he is independent, voting for the man he regards as best
qualified for the office. His business career has surely been a most success-
ful one, due to his well directed, earnest and indefatigable efforts. He
has made a good record as a business man and citizen, being at all times
reliable and upright. His name i? high on the roll of Allen County's most
WOODSON COITNTIES, KANSAS.
prosperous agriculturists. His code of morals is such as to impel him to a
just consideration of the rights of all with whom he has been brought in
contact and a conscientious observance of all the proprieties of life.
OLIVER H. STEWART— Although Mr. Stewart does not make his
home in Allen County at the present time, he is one of the native
sons of the county and has been prominently identified with her interests
so that his history cannot fail to prove of interest to many of our readers.
He occupies an enviable position in financial circles, not alone on account
of his brilliant success but also on account of the honorable, straightforward
business policy he has ever followed. He is a man of energy, of keen per-
ception, forms his plans readily, and is determined in their execution, brook-
ing no obstacles that bar his path to success along the line of honorable
effort.
Mr. Stewart was born in this county on the 6th day of November,
1 86 1, a representative of one of the leading pioneer families, his parents
having settled in what is now Allen Count}' in Maj', 1856. He is the
fourth son of Watson and Elizabeth Stewart and was reared and educated
in Humboldt. In 1885, though a staunch Republican, he was appointed
under the Democratic administration, Agent to the Mexican Kickapoo
Indians under the control of the Sac and Fox Agency in the Indian Terri-
tory and detailed as an expert accountant to the Sac and Fox .\genc)-.
He remained there for a year at which time he removed to Parsons,
employed by W. L. Bartlett and Company of that city, large dealers in
general merchandise, and subsequently became a member of .that firm,
where he continued for ten years, his labors and counsel proving import-
ant factors in the successful conduct of the business. In 1897 he returned
to Humboldt to assist in the settlement of the e.state of the late Paul Fisher,
and when that task was completed returned to Parsons, Kansas, assisting
in the organization of The State Bank of Parsons, which was opened for
business on the 7th day of November, A. D., 1899, with a paid up capital
of $25,000, with Mr. Stewart as president of the- institution. In 1900 The
Savonburg State Bank with paid up capital of $6,000 was also organized
and opened for business on the 23rd day of October, Mr. Stewart being also
president of this institution. He gives both banks personal attention, and
they are classified among the safe financial institutions of the State.
He and Mrs. Stewart own and operate upward of nine hundred acres
of Allen County's most fertile soil, in high state of cultivation, finely im-
proved, and carrying a considerable number of fine cattle.
On the gth of May, 1887, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Stewart
and Miss Katie Fisher, a daughter of Paul and Nancy E. Fisher, one of
Allen County's native daughters. They have four sons: Lyman O.,
Ellsworth F. , Harold E. and Paul F., aged respectively twelve, ten, five
and one year. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have many warm friends in Allen
296 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND'
C )umy as well as in the cit.v of- their present residence. In his p ilitical
Atfiliitions he has always been a Republican. He has served as president
of the Board of Education of the city of Parsons, and member of the City
Council of the city of Humboldt. Fraternally he is connected with the
Royal Arcanum. Both Mr. Stewart and his wife are members of the First
Presbyterian church of Parsons.
BERGEN S. SMITH, one of the prosperous business men of Humboldt,
was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, July 27, 1857. His
fatlier, Zachariah Smith, a native of the same state, was a farmer, until ill
health compelled him to abandon the farm. He accordingly entered the
merchant tailoring business, which he followed until his death in 1862.
He was married to Miss Lydia A. Johnson, a native of New Jersey , and
three children were born to them, of whom the subject of this sketch was
the second. After the death of her hu-band Mrs. Smith was married to
Mr. Nical Graham, and is still living.
Early in life our subject started out to face the realities of life. He
first learned the printers trade and worked for four years in the office of the
Hunterdon County Republican. This business did not offer the oppor-
tunity that he wished and, in 1877, he came to Kansas City, Missouri, and
after trying in vain to get a position that would aid him in his ambition he
accepted a position with BuUene, Moore & Emery, (now Emery, Bird,
Thayer & Co.), one of the large department stores of that city. This place
he soon left for a better one with G. Y. Smith & Co., and two- years later
entered the wholesale house of Tootle, Hanna & Company, where he re-
mained for-five years. His careful attention to business and his natural
aptitude for the work soon gained him the esteem and confidence of his
employers and he was advanced rapidly. His work in Kansas City came
at a time when real estate was advancing enormously in that city and Mr.
Smith took advantage of the opportunity thus offered to invest his savings
in that channel. As soon as his investment showed a fair profit he sold,
and by this method succeeded in adding materially to his savings. In
1884 he formed a partnership with J. F. Cooper and together they estab-
lished a clothing store at Cherryvale, Kansas. One year later Mr. Smith
purchased the interest of his partner and moved the stock to Humboldt.
Here he has built up a business second to none in the southwest. Carry-
ing a large stock, carefully selected, a shrewd and judicious buyer, he has
been able to attract trade from territory not strictly tributary to him. The
years he spent with the large stores in Kansas City brought liim an ex-
perience that he has been able to turn to golden account in the conduct of
his own business.
Mr. Smith has always been active in all measures taken for the up-
building of Humboldt and is now a large stock holder in the Humboldt
Brick Manufacturing Company. He lias always been an active Republi-
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 297
can and has taken a warm interest in the success of his part)'. Personally
he has had no desire for office and his business has always occupied his
entire time. He has served as Treasurer of the City oi Humboldt for sev-
eral years and is a member of the Knight Templars and other secret
societies.
HENRY EBERT. — One of the respected citizens and prosperous
farmers of Allen county is Henry Ebert, who was born in Germany,
on the 28th of January, 1839. His father, Frederick Ebert, was also a
native of the same country and was there married to Amelie Snyder, whose
birth occurred in that land. In 1849 they bade adieu to home and friends
and with their family came to the new world, locating in Ohio. The
father was a contractor and for a time was identified with business interests
in Cincinnati, but subsequently removed to Illinois, making his home
upon a farm there from 185: until 1871, when he died at the age of sixty-
five years. His wife, who was born in 1808, died in 1SS2, at the age of
seventy-four years. They were the parents of two children, Augusta and
Henrv. The former married Albert Martin and is living in Decatur,
Illinois.
Henry Ebert spent the first ten years of his life in the fatherland and
then came with his parents to America. He learned the brass molder's
trade and followed that occupation in Cincinnati until the removal of the
family to Illinois. At the time of the Civil wai and in response to the
country's call for aid, he enlisted on the 15th of August, 1862, as a member
of Company I, One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, with which
he served until honorably discharged at the clo.se of the war. He partici-
pated in all the battles and engagements that his regiment had part in and
was severel\- wounded at Vicksburg, May 19th, 1863, a ball shattering the
front part of his lower jaw. In February of the same year he was pro-
moted to the rank of sergeant of his company and after his wound has suf-
ficiently healed he returned to his regiment, October 21st, 1863. When
hostilities had ceased he received an honorable discharge and with a credit-
able military record returned to his Illinois home.
In 1882 Mr. Ebert came to Kansas and located on the farm which is
still his home. It is the "Cottage Corner" farm and is locted in the
southwest corner of Allen county. In his agricultural pursuits he has been
successful and now owns a valuable and attractive property, its richly cul-
tivated fields indicating his careful supervision and enterprising spirit. He
has also engaged in stock raising, which has been a profitable source of
income to him, and today he is the possessor of a comfortable competence
and is regarded as one of the leading farmers of the community.
Mr. Ebert has been twice married. While in Illinois he wedded Miss
Ellen S. Neyhard, a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, and unto them were
born five children: Alvin H., who is residing in Rosedale, Kansas; Irvin,
298 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
who is engaged in the phiinbing and gas-fitting business in Chanute, Kan-
sas; William A. , who enlisted in Company F, Twentieth Kansas Volun-
teers, and went to Manila where he was very severely wounded in an en-
gagement. He was discharged in Manila, and is still in that city; Anna
A. and Richard both died in infancy. The mother died September 24th,
1879 in Illinois. Mr. Ebert was again married, his second union being with
Ellen Shaffer, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Peter H. Shaffer,
who was born in the Kfeystcne state in 1823. He married Sarah Grove,
who died in January, 1900, at the age of seventy-six years, but Mr. Shaffer
is yet living at the age of seventy -seven. They had two children: John,
who is living on a farm in this locality, and Mrs. Ebert. By her former
marriage she had one child, Frank. The children of the second marriage
are Fred, Sadie, Bessie and Anna, all at home. The family is well
known in the community and their friends are manv.
T ESSE BARKER, foreman in the office of the Humboldt Union, was
*J born in Keosauqua, Van Buren county. Iowa, July 21, 1850. His
father, Jesse B. Barker, a native of Indiana, was married to Amelia Scott,
a native of Missouri, who had moved with her parents to Iowa in an early
day. The elder Mr. Barker is still living in Montana at the advanced age
of seventy-four years. Jesse Barker is the only living child of this union.
Mr. Barker had a common school education. At the tender age of ten
}-ears he began to learn the printer's trade. He worked two years and
eight months in a printing office in his native city and then two years in
Ottumwa, Iowa. His health tailing he went to Hancock county, Illinois,
and, learning the carpenter's trade, worked at it for several years. He
spent a few years on a farm and, in 1883, came west, locating in Anderson
county. He was soon installed as editor of the Anderson County Demo-
crat and for two and a half years resided in and near Garnett. An offer of
a good position on the Humboldt Union caused him to leave Garnett in
1886 and he came to Humboldt taking charge of the mechanical depart-
ment of the paper. His long connection with the newspaper business has
given him a thorough knowledge of the work and he has the confidence
and esteem of his employer.
Originally a Democrat Mr. Barker found himself out of accord with
his party in 1890 and he allied himself with the Republicans. He has
since been an active member of that party.
Mr. Barker has never married, but "while there is life there is hope"
is the old adage. He is a Mason and a member of the Order of Eastern
Star and has filled offices in both lodees.
TAMES M. WALLACE, one of the highly respected citizens of Hum-
" boldt, was born in Springfield, Illinois, January 17, 1829. His father,
John Wallace, was born in Georgetown, South Carolina, August 3, 1800,
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
299
and moved with his parents to Illinois when but twelve years old. He
was a wagon-maker by trade and followed that business in Illinois for
uuny years. Upon reaching manhood's estate he was married to Miss
Minerva Myers, a native of Davis County, Kentucky.
The schools of those days were of little consequence and the only edu-
cation it was possible for a child to get was from the schools which were
conducted by teachers who received their pay from the scholars who at-
1 ended. Tliese schools Mr. Wallace attended and received such meager
instruction as they afforded. When sixteen years of age he was apprenticed
to a carpenter and served with him for four years. Two years ol this time
he worked for his board and clothes and two months schooling each year.
The early love for the carpenter's trade has never left him and although
most of his life has been spent on a farm he has always worked more or less
at the trade he learned in those early days.
October 19, 1849 he was married to Miss Mary Garver, a native of
Pennsylvania, and to them has been born eight children. Seven of these
children still survive: John J., David C, Emma A. Zigler, of Emporia;
Charles S. : William C. ; James A. and Mary C, all scattered about over
Colorado, Illinois, .Miisoari and Kati4as.
Mr. Wallace was living in Illinois when the war came on and although
he had a large famil> he answered the call for troops, enlisting August 2,
1862, in Company C, ii6th Illinois volunteers. He was elected a lieu
tenant of his company and after a month's drill his regiment was sent to
the front. They landed at Memphis, Tennessee, and were soon sent south
to re-enforce troops that had previously been sent down into Mississippi.
Mr. Wallace was taken sick on the march and he was sent to the hospital.
Here he lay for a long time and when he had recovered sufficiently to
travel he was sent back to Decatur with health shattered. Here he was
given detached duty, enforcing the draft, arresting deserters and the like.
This work continued until the close of the war and in 1865 he was mustered
out. The year 1867 he came to Kansas to look up a location and finallv
located in Humboldt. He bought a farm five miles west of that city and
returned to Illinois and brought his. family out to their new home. In
this vicinity he has lived until the present time. He improved that farm,
which was a wilderness when he came here, until it is one of the best in
the county. His life has been filled with hard work and in 1896 he moved
to Humboldt, determined upon a partial rest. His activity for the good of
the city soon brought him in contact with municipal affairs and he was
elected Police Judge. He is now mayor of the city.
Politically he has always been an ardent Republican and for many
years was an active worker in the ranks of that party. He is a member of
the Masonic order.
"NyTRS. JENNIE JONES, wife of the late A. A. Jones, was born in
-'-"-'- Philadelphia, May 24, 185 1. Her father, George Marshall, was
also a native of that city, born April 27, 1826, and there he lived until after
300 HISTOKY OF ALLEN AND
he had attained to man's estate. In early life he learned the blacksmith's
trade, which he followed for a number of ^-ears. He married Miss Xaonii
Tliompson, who was born in England in 1830, and came to America with
her parents in 1844, being then a maiden of fourteen years. They took
passage on a siiling vessel and encountered some very rough weather,
sixty-six days having elapsed from the time they left the English port until
they reached the harbor of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall were
married on the 23rd of July, 1850, and in 1900 they celebrated their golden
wedding. They are both well preserved people who look as if ther might
be spared for many years to come, and in that hope their friends all join.
In 1852 Mr. Marshall removed with his family to Lebanon , Warren County,
Ohio, and in 1854 journeyed still farther westward, locating at Grandview,
Illinois, where Mr. Marshall worked at his trade of blacksmithing until
1870, when he came to Allen Count/, Kansas, and purchased a raw tract
of prairie land six miles east of Humboldt. Not a furrow had been turned
nor an improvement made upon the place, but with characteristic energy
he began its development and continued its cultivation fo: twenty-two
years. He and his wife then removed to Humboldt and have since resided
with their daughter.
Mrs. Jones is their only child. She spent her girlhood days under the
parental roof and on the 24th of August, 1890, became the wife of A. A.
Jones, who was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, and came to Humboldt in
1885. Here he built the elevator and feed mills and conducted an exten-
sive business, buying and shipping grain of all kinds, and grinding feed.
He was then one of Humboldt's enterprising business men, energetic,
reliable and trustworthy, but death came to him very unexpectedly and his
life's labors were thus ended February 27. 1893. As a citizen he was
loyal and progressive, as a friend faithful and as a husband and father devoted
and tender. He left a wife and the four children of his first marriage to
mourn his loss. These are: Harry E., Cora Chester, who i.- attending the
State University at Lawrence, Kansas, and Etta and Foiest, who are now
students in the schools of Humboldt. Mrs. Jones, her parents and the
children are all living very happily together in a pleasant residence in
Humboldt, and she takes as great interest in rearing the children as though
they were her own. In addition to her home in Humboldt she owns a
good farm, and is one of the most highly esteemed ladies of the community.
'^X WILLIAM BRAUCHER, of Humboldt, Allen County, is a gentle-
' ' man whom the citizens of his county have delighted to honor.
His character is a combination of traits that make true men and worthy
citizens and his life has been an open book to the people of Allen County
for nearly a third of a century. Mr. Braucher was born in Tuscarawas
County, Ohio, January 24, 1845, and is a son of a pioneer to the Buckeye
State. The latter was Joseph Braucher, born in Pennsylvania and a sou of
WOODSON COfNTIES, KANSAS. 301
Germaa parents whose migration to the United States occurred about the
opening of the 19th century.
Joseph Braucher married Julia Antoinette Hawley (Halley), a native
of New York and of English parents. He engaged in the dry goods busi-
ness in earl\- manhood and made merchandising hi-^ business throusjh life.
The scene of his business activit\- was in Ohio, and he retired -.vhen the
infirmities of age were found to be creeping upon him. He died at the age
of eighty years.
William Braucher attended the common schools until he was preparea
to enter college. At sixteen he became a student at Wittenburg L,utheran
College and there took up the study of the orthodox faith. The ministry
was his ultimate goal. For a further preparation and following a com-
pletion of th^ course in the Lutiieran institution he entered a military
college in Cleveland, Ohio, and while there the war between the states was
in progress. His enlistment followed in the course of time and his regi-
ment, the t29th Ohio \'olunteers, saw some of the real service in that
struggle. It aided in the capture of Cumberland Gap and then re-enforced
General Barnside at Knoxville and aided General Sherman in releasing
Burnside after a twenty-five day siege.
Upon his return from his army service Mr. Braucher went into his
father's store and remained three years Having accumulated a small
amount of cash in the spring of 1868 he came into Allen County. He
purchased a farm five miles south of Humboldt and entered upon a new
and semi-strange experience. A new farm always furnishes ample oppor- '
tunity for the display of industry and art in its improvement and in these
elements Mr. Braucher was not lacking. His soil was fertile and the in-
dustry and good taste of its owner rapidly made the farm one of the attractive
country homes in his township.
During the earlj- years of his residence in Kansas Mr. Braucher was
a,ssociated with G Y. Smith in the dry goods business in Humboldt. Mr.
Smith, now located in Fort Worth, Texas, was one of the prominent
merchants of Allen County and Mr. Braucher's connection with his store
covered a period of over five years. Later he spent two years behind the
counters of Hysinger & Rosenthal, another firm whose history covers many
of the early and prosperous years of Humboldt's existence. In February,
1898, Mr. Braucher lost his wife and he rented his farm to which he had
moved and returned to Humboldt soon thereafter. Seeing an opening he
engaged in the furniture business but soon sold this and engaged in the
hardware business.
InDeceniber, 1870, Mr. Braucher married Isabel Heath. Sheleftthree
children, viz.: Joseph W., Edward Allen and Halley Heath Braucher. The
first two are in Kansas City and the last named is with his father in Hum-
boldt. In January, 1899, Mr. Braucher married Mrs. Margaret (Bragg)
Johnson.
In the matter of the conduct of public affairs in Allen County Mr.
Braucher has always shown an active and intelligent interest. His rare
judgment and his wise discrimination in matters of public policy make him
302 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND"
an admirable public servant. He served Cottage Grove township in an
official capacit}- and was elected Counts- Conimissioner for a term of three
years. His political affilations are with the Republican party.
In his business and social relations Mr. Braucher is the prototype of
honesty and sincerity. His practice of meeting his engagements promptly
and otherwise maintaining his good name are matters of common report.
He is courteous and affable and is without the objectionable qualities of
manner too often present with the busines.s and professional men of our day.
\ 7^ T P. McGREW. — Among the native sons of the Sunflower state
V V . \\r_ p, McGrew is numbered, while in the business circles of
Humboldt he is recognized as an important factor. He was born in Doug-
las county, Kansas, February lo, 1862. His father, William McGrew,
was a native of Indiana and married L,ucinda Dickey, who was also born
in that .state They arrived in Kansas in i860, and the following year the
father enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of the Eleventh
Kansas Infantry, with which he was associated until victory crowned the
northern arms and the sound of musketry was no longer heard in the land.
He died in 1896 at the age of fifty -six years, and his widow is now a resi-
. dent of Chetopa, Kansas
W. P. McGrew was the second in order of birth in their family of nine
children, and learned the plasterer's trade under the direction of his father,
following that pursuit for about sixteen years. He then went to the In-
dian Territory, where he worked in a cotton gin in a custom mill for some
time, after which he returned to Chetopa, Kansas, and entered into part-
nership with Mr. Bartlett. They purchased a flouring mill which they
still own and operate, the plant having a capacity of thirty barrels per day.
Wishing to enlarge their business, in 1896 they purchased the mill site in
Humboldt and built a large flouring mill with a capacity of fifty barrels
per day and equipped with the latest improved machinery. In February,
1900, Mr. M'-Grew came to Humboldt to supeivise and conduct the intei-
ests of the irm at this place.
In, • -a-s celebrated his marriage to Miss Cora Orm, a native of
I^abetl^i' x>> Kansas, and a daughter of Robert Orm. They have two
childfci , • . iVite and Elinor. Already they have gained warm friends
in ji.tf'.. .-..,.. .,"ii'd enjoy the hospitality of many of the best homes here.
So( " 'iy Mr. McGrew is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America
an^ tie Ancient Order of United Workmen, while politically he is a Dem-
ocr-*- He had no special educational advantages and was without the
as .nee of influential friends in his early business career, but steadily he
h advanced step by step until he now occupies a creditable position on
t ; plane of affluence.
•WOODSON COrxTIES, KANSAS. 303
GEORGE W. HESS, well known and highly esteemed in Humboldt,
and one of the recent additions to her citizenship, was born in Canton,
Ohio, July 27, 1838. His father, Christian Hess, was born in Baden, Ger-
many, and came to America with his parents when seventeen years of
age. He was married to Barbara Shutt in Canton, Ohio, a lady born on
the line between Germany and France. Christian Hess followed shoe-
making and died in December in the year i86r, aged forty-eight years.
His wife died in 1891 at the age of seventy years. Six of their children
survive: Mary, wife of J. B. McBroom, resides in Defiance, Ohio; John
Hess, of Defiance, Ohio; Sarah, wife of Joseph Blanchard, of Defiance;
Frances, wife of W. St. Amont, of Defiance; Rosella B. Hess, of Defiance,
Ohio, and G. W., of Humboldt.
For a number of years Mr. Hess was in the grocery business in Defi-
ance, Ohio. While there he married Frances Kestler, born in Henry
county, Ohio, and a daughter of Francis and Elizabeth (Fonder) Kestler,
both German born. Mrs. Hess was born February 19, 1844, ^^i^ was one
of five children, viz; Elizabeth P. Sterns, of Belphis, Ohio; Adam Kestler
of Nevada, Missouri; Maigaret. wife of John Schwartz, of Defiance; Mary,
wife of John Bohman, of Ludlow Grove, Ohio, and Mrs. Hess.
Mr. Hess came to Kansas in the spring of 1872 and took a claim in
Butler county. At that time there were plenty of indolent and loafing In-
dians in the county and they made regular pilgrimages about the country
begging flour (not corn meal) and meat and in this way provided largely
for their physical needs. In 18S4 Mr. Hess sold his Butler county farm
and moved into Allen county. He purchased a small farm joir.ing the
townsite of Humboldt and has builded up one of the beautiful and attract-
ive country homes of the township. He devotes his time to the growing
of fruit and "small farming," generally and everything is kept in perfect
order.
Mr. and Mrs. Hess' family of nine sons is one of the remarkable cir-
cumstances of their lives. They are Frank E., of lola, Kansas; Joseph F. ,
of Humboldt, Kansas; Charles A. and William A., of Humboldt, of the
Hess Drug Company, (the latter is married to Maggie Heim); George J. ,
of Telluride, Colorado; Henry J., of lola; Frederick A., Wuker I. and
Lewis B. are at home.
Mr. Hess has demonstrated his business success ' ' lias
reared his large family, educated them liberally ant 3m-
petence sufficient to provide him against want in his decln. not
preached politics nor entered into serious advocacy of the cause v ,^[n}'
local politician but he does vote and, in national affairs, the Demotj a|^c
ticket. _^^
— ■fi1?re.
JOHN W. SAVAGE, of Humboldt, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsintl
October 25, 1842. He is a son of Charles Savage and Nancy Smith,
the former of Geneseo county. New York, and the latter of Canada. The
3<34 HISTORY OF ALLEX AXU
parents emigrated to Milwaukee where the father was connected with the
city's affairs, as an official for some years. The mother died in 1S44 and
the father two years later, They left several children four of whom sur-
vive, viz: Mary A., Ruth E. and James E. , all residents of Great Bend,
Kansas, and John \V., our subject.
Mr. Savage was sent to New York upon the death of his parents and
grew up in the company of his relatives. He was educated in the common
schools and, when the war began, enlisted in Company H, Second New
York Infantry. He spent two years in that regiment and then enli.sted in
the Twenty-first New York Cavalry and served about two years in that
command. He saw the war from first to last and was in many of its fiercest
engagements. He was in the seven days fight on the Peninsula, the bat-
tles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, the second battle of Bull Run,
went through the campaign in the Shenandoah and was wounded on the
22nd of November, 1864, in the battle of Rhoads Hill. After the war he
volunteered for service in the regular army and served thirteen months
longer. He was discharged for disability.
In 1870 Mr. Savage moved to Illinois and was a resident of Lake
county, that state, till 1877 when he came to Kansas. He settled first in
Barton county, Kansas, and remained in the wheat belt seven years. In
1884 he came to Allen county and took up his residence in Humboldt.
Mr. Savage was married March 25, 1872, to Catherine Miller. She
died February 8, 1897, leaving two children, Charles and Lizzie Savage.
February 4, 1900, Mr. Savage was married to Ida M. Wilson, a Georgia
lady.
In business circles Mr. Savage devotes his time to real estate and the
execution of legal papers. He is serving Humboldt as Police Judge to
which the people have chosen him. For fifteen years he has been Post
Adjutant of Vicksburg Post Grand Army of the Republic. He is a Demo-
crat, is a lover of his country and of the flag he helped defend. He served
one vear as Post Commander.
A DDISON SLEETH— The forefathers of the subject of this review
-^~^ were among the pioneers to America. They settled in the colony
of Virginia, and did their share in the establishment of a civilization, the
highest and most progressing and enduring of the age. The paternal
great grandfather of our subject, like most of the other colonists, had been
taught to love liberty and justice, and when British tyranny and British
encroachment became unbearable, and the colonies said tliey were,
"and of right ought to be free and independent states," he enlisted in a
Virginia regiment and served seven full years as ensign in our struggle for
independence.
About the first of the 19th century a son of this soldier of "The Ameri-
can Revolution" settled in Ohio, where John Sleeth, our subject's father,
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
305
was born. When he was six years old the family again moved west, locat-
ing in Shelby County, Indiana, where he grew to manhood and married
Rebecca Talbert, who was born in North Carolina and came with her
parents to Indiana when a child. They were tillers of the soil, and brought
up their children in the paths of sobriety and industry. Their children
were seven in number and Addison, their second son, was born April 29,
1842. The mother died in Shelby County, Indiana, in 1883 at the age of
sixty -five years, and the father died in i88g at the age of seventy-four
years. Their three sous and four daughters survive them and are still
living.
Addison Sleeth spent his youth on a farm, attending the country
schools during the fall and winter months, till he was eighteen years of
age. Desiring the advantages of a higher education, he entered Asbury
University at Greencastle, Indiana, but had been a student only a year
when the Southern Rebellion threatened to overthrow the government.
He enlisted in Company G, 52nd Indiana Volunteers, on the 2Sth of
October, 1861, for three years. He then veteranized and served till the
war closed. The regiment participated in a number of battles and
skirmishes, beginning with the capture of Fort Donelson, in February,
1862, and ending with the capture of Mobile, in April, 1865. As a member
of the regiment he traveled ten thousand miles during its forty-three
months active service in the field. September loth, 1865, his regiment
was mustered out of the service at Montgomei}*, Alabama. The war over,
Mr Sleeth returned home and engaged in farming and teaching. He was
married August 11, 1868, to Margaret Joyce and became a citizen of Allen
County, Kansas, in the year 1874. In 1877 Mrs. Sleeth died leaving two
children, Grace G. and John J. Sleeth. Both are well educated, the
former having pursued some of the higher branches of learning, and the
latter having completed a course in the Humboldt high school.
In 1878 Mr. Sleeth married his present wife, Phebe C, a daughter of
S. M. and L- A. Partlow.
As a citizen of Kansas Mr. Sleeth is thoroughl}' representative and
honorable. He goes through life without interference with the affairs of
others and for thirty years has maintained himself blameless in the estima-
tion of his fellow countrymen. In politics he is Republican and is a frequent
attendant of county conventions in a delegate capacity.
Uj^ H. LEITZBACH was boin in Litchfield County, Connecticut,
-^— -'• August 6, 1864. His father, N. Leitzbach, a native of Germany,
emigrated to America in 1857. His mother, also a native of Germany,
makes his descent distinctly German. Mrs. Leitzbach's maiden name was
Esslinger. Three children were born to them: Anna, Augustus, a prac-
ticing physician in Fairmount, Illinois, and the subject of this sketch. The
elder Leitzbach was a cabinet maker by trade and followed this business for
many years in his New England home.
E. H. Leitzbach attended the schools of his native city and when old
3o6 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
enough entered the high school where he completed his education. After
graduation at Winstead, Connecticut, he entered a furniture store where he
thoroughly learned the business. Here he worked for three years and, in
•18S5, he came to Kansas. Purchasing a half interest in the Utterson &
McLeod stock of furniture, he began a business which he has since
conducted with signal ability and success. Three years after beginning
business in Humboldt he purchased the remaining interest in the firm and
has since conducted it alone. His thorough knowledge of the business and
his untiring industry have combined to build up a business which is one of
the largest of its kind in this part of the State. He is very popular with
the people in the county and has always had the reputation of dealing with
them in the fairest manner.
Mr. Leitzbach was married to Miss Ona Cox, of Elsmore, Kansas, in
[899, and their's is one of the liandsomest homes in the county. Mrs.
Leitzbach is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Cox, of Elsmore, and is a
native of Allen County.
Politically Mr. Leitzbach is a Republican and has always been an
active worker for party success. He has served two terms on the city
council of Humboldt.
OSCAR C. BRETT— One of the most prominent business men of Allen
County is Oscar C. Brett, of Humboldt. From a modest beginning
he has built one of the largest and most prosperous mercantile businesses
in the county. Twelve years ago he purchased a small stock of goods in
Humboldt. In order to do this he was compelled to borrow $200. To the
building up of this business he gave his entire time and the most patient
industry. Gradually he saw his little busines- grow. Soon he was able to
repay the borrowed money and add materially to the small stock. As his
trade grew the stock grevv. Soon he was able to occupy a larger store
than the one in which he began business. A few years more found one
store room too small for the needs of the establishment and an adjoining
room was added. Today both rooms are filled with goods and his trade
has reached proportions seldom attained in the smaller towns. His success
has been largely due to industry, but to this he has added a ripe judgmsnt
and correct business methods.
Mr. Brett was born in Macon County, Illinois, April 29, 1863. His
father was boru in Virginia in 1822 and came to Illinois when but a child.
Settling on a farm he followed that business the rest of his life. He was
married to Miss Martha Cox and to them were born seven children, of whom
James, Oscar, Grant, Otto, Julia and Grace still survive. The subject of
this sketch was able to secure little schooling but the little he had was well
learned. Until he was twenty-one years old he worked on the farm with
his father. Coming to Humboldt he entered the large store of S. A.
Brown & Co., where he worked for a year and a half. When the company
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 307
Ijurued out and discontinued business he went to Kansas City where he
secured a place iu the Boston Dry Goods Co.'s store Tud there he remained
a year. City life was not to his taste and he moved back to Humboldt and
engaged in farming. A single year sufficed in this business and he again
moved into town and established himself in a small Racket business on the
north side of the square. From this small beginning he has grown into
his present immense establishment. While living in Kansas City Mr.
Brett was married to Miss Jennie McKiiight, a resident ot Humboldt. One
child, a girl, Hazel, eight years old, was the result of this union.
Mr. Brett has always taken an active interest in politics and has con-
tributed much toward the election of Republican candidates. Never an
office seeker he has filled many positions under the city government of
Humboldt and has been identified with every effort to aid the town and
country. He is a member of the Masons, M. W. of A. and has filled
different offices in each lodge.
TAMES PEERY. — When Samuel Peery came to Vigo county, Indiana,
" in 1776, the country was a wilderness. The French colony which had
settled there had few members but these were hardy pioneers and the soli-
tude of the forest and inhospitible character of the savages did not deter
them from founding a colony that eventually brought civilization to the
country and cultivation to the soil. In this state four generations of Peerys
were born.
George W. Peery, born in Marion county, Indiana, was married to
Miss Margaret A. M\ers, and to them ten children were born. In 1869 he
moved with his family to Allen county, Kansas, where he died in i8gi,
followed in 1897 by his wife.
In 1868 James Peery, the subject of this sketch, born in Monroe
county, Indiana, April 10, 18.43, came to Kansas, settling in Jacksonville,
Crawford county. Here he lived for five years, moved thence to Labette
county and after a few years there removed to Missouri. In 1882 he re-
turned to Kansas this time settling in Humboldt where he has since made
his home. When he came to Humboldt he entered the mercantile busi-
ness and has been engaged in some branch of that business since. He is
one of the most extensive broom corn buyers and shippers in this part of
the state and gives it his chief attention. He has been eminently success-
ful in the business and has built up a large and lucrative trade.
Mr. Peery's early life was spent on the farm on which he was born.
He lived with his father, getting such education as the limited facilities of
that day and region afforded and when the war came on he enlisted in the
Thirty-eighth Illinois Volunteers and served throughout the war. His
regiment participated in many of the hardest fought battles of the war and
he looks back over those days with great pride. He was in the battles of
Corinth, Nashville, Perryrille, Stone River and Murfeesborough. He was
308 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
wounded at lyibertj- Gap, Tennessee, in one of the numerous engagements
of his regiment. He was invalided the latter part of his service and was
mustered out near the close of the war. Returning to his home he was
married October 20, 1864, to Miss Carrie Anthony, of Paris. Illinois, and
to them have been born ten children, four of whom are still living: George
H., Maggie, Mabel and Everett.
Mr. Peery has always been a prominent Republican and has been
.several times honored by his party with important offices. During his
residence in Crawford county he was elected County Commissioner and
Trustee of his township, and he has filled the office of Justice of the Peace
in Humboldt. In 1899 he was elected Mayor of Humboldt.
JOHN M. ASHBROOK was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, on the
^ 26th of July, 1859. His father, Absalom Ashbrook. was a native of
Pennsylvania and during his boyhood removed to Ohio with his parents.
His second wife was Mrs. Frances (Wesenhouver) Brinker, a native of the
Buckeye state, and in 1876 he died, at the age of sixty-four years, leaving
his wife and son, the subject of this review. In 1865 they came to Kansas,
locating upon the farm to which Mr. Ashbrook has since devoted his
energies, making it one of the val-uable properties in Logan township.
In the spring of 1884 he was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Defen-
baugh, a native of Ohio and a daughtei of Henry Defenbaugh. During
her early girlhood Mrs. Ashbrook's parents removed to Illinois. Her
mother died in 1900 at the age of sixty-six years, but her father is still
living at the age of seventy-three years.
When Mr. Ashbrook came to Kansas with his mother he purchased one
hundred and sixty-six acres of land which his industry has improved until
it has reached a state of commendable development. In all his work he
has been successful and ranks among the progressive farmers of the county.
In his political affiliations Mr. Ashbrook is a Republican and has been
honored with local positions of public trust. He has served as township
trustee and for several years has been treasurer of his township. Socially
he is a Workman, having filled a chair in the lodge. He belongs to the
class of enterprising Americans who always constitute the substantial ele-
ment in our population.
A NDREW WEDIN has resided in Allen county for thirty years and is
-^~^ one of the leading grocers of Humboldt. He was born in Sweden on
the 5th of Februar}', 1847, and is a son of Gustavus Wedin, also a native
of that country, in which land he spent his entire life. His business was
that of hotel keeping. He maiTied Miss Charena Jones, and they became
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 309
the parents of six children, five of whom are now living, three being resi-
dents of America, namely: Peter, a resident farmer of Allen county; Eva
Jarel, of Illinois, and Andrew. The father died in 1880, at the age of
seventy-three years, while the mother pa.ssed away in 18S9, at the age of
seventy-nine years.
Andrew Wedin pursued his education in Sweden, attending the com-
mon schools and spending one term in a college there. He came to Amer-
ica in 1869, landing in New York on the 19th of April, when twenty-two
years of age. Alter one year spent in Chicago, Illinois, and a short time
passed in Iowa, he arrived in Humboldt in the fall of 1870, and with char-
acteristic energy began life in the west. America offers a broad field to
ambitious and energetic young men, and Mr. Wedin soon took his place
among the leading business men of his community. He has been connected
with the grocery trade since 1S83, in which year he entered into partner-
ship with F. W. Frevert. That connection was maintained for three years,
when Mr. Wedin sold his interest to his partner and established an inde-
pendent grocery and provision store in which he has since conducted a
large and constantly growing trade, his business annually amounting to
from si.xteen to eighteen thousand dollars. He also owns a farm a few
miles west of Humboldt.
Mr. Wedin was united in marriage to Miss May Johnson, a native of
Sweden, who came to America in 1872. They had two children but both
are now deceased. Our subject exercises his right of franchise in support
of Republican principles, but otherwise takes no active interest in politics.
He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Odd Fellows Lodge, and in
the latter has filled all the offices and seived as representative to the grand
lodge. He is deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of
his community and has ever cheerfully given his support to those enter-
prises that tend to public development. His name is synonj'mous with
honorable dealing, and he has probably not an enemy in Allen county, for
he is ever straightforward in commercial transactions and is most reliable
and faithful in his friendships.
T^LNATHAN N. WERT, of Humboldt, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio,
-*— -< ou the 20th of January, 1839, and was the third child born unto
Richard D. and Amanda Wert. His father was born in Germany, March
10, 1810, and with his parents came to America in 1813, landing at Jersey
City, residing there two years and subsequently removing to Cincinnati.
In early life he learned the cooper's trade, but afterward engaged in farm-
ing. In 1839 he married Miss Amanda Compton, a native of Ohio, and
removed to Indiana, securing a homestead near Crawfordsville, where he
made his home until his death, which occurred in 1893. His wife passed
away in January, 1865. They had six sons and six daughters, all of whom
reached years of maturity.
E. N. Wert spent his youth in Montgomery county, Indiana, where he
3IO HISTORY OF ALLEX AND
attended the common schools, after which he spent two years in Wabash
College of that state. When the war broke out he enlisted in 1861 for
three months' service as a member of Company B, Tenth Indiana Infantry,
and participated in the battle of Rich Mountain. When his term had ex-
pired he received an honorable discharge, but re-enlisted for one year's
service in Company B, .Sixty third Indiana Infantry. He was detailed for
duty in the secret service and received a lieutenant's pay. On the ist of
.Septembei, 1863, he resigned, but soon afterward was appointed recruiting
officer and recruited sixty-four men, with whom he joined Company B,
One Hundred and Twentieth Indiana Infantry, being assigned to the posi-
tion of corporal. Successive promotions came to him as orderly sergeant,
second and first lieutenant, and he was detailed to act as General Cox's
body guard with the Third Division and Twenty-third Army Corps, thus
serving until November 30, 1865, when he was discharged under general
orders at David Island in New York harbor. He was ever a loyal soldier,
true to the stars and stripes, but when the country no longer needed his
services he gladly returned to his home and family.
Mr. Wert was married on the 22nd of January, i860, to Elizabeth
Copner, a native of Indiana. After following carpentering in the Hoosier
state until the fall of 1867, he brought his family to Kansas, arriving in
Humboldt on the 22nd of October. Here he secured a clerkship in the
United States land office, under Colonel Goss, with whom he worked for
three months. He then secured a homestead three miles north-east of
Humboldt, residing thereon until December, 1869, when he returned to
the city and entered into partnership with Messrs. Gilbert and Suits in the
law and real estate business. This connection was maintained until 1873,
when Mr. Wert sold out and becami traveling salesman for the Singer
Sewing Machine Company, which he represented on the road for ten years.
He went into the livery business in Humboldt and traded his livery stock
for a Woodson county farm which he moved to and operated some years.
On selling that property he became owner of eight hundred acres in Gove
county, Kansas, where he engaged in general farming and stock raising for
four 3-ears. On the expiration of that period he disposed of his land, pur-
chased property in Humboldt and has since made his home in this city.
On the i6th of August, 1869, he was called upon to mourn the loss of
his wife, who died leaving three children, but William and James are
now decea.sed. Nettie, the only surviving child is the wife of John Dorn-
burg, of Allen county. For his second wife he chose Frances E. Scan-
Ion, their marriage being celebrated September 19, 1878.
Mr. Wert has always been an active worker in the Republican party
since attaining his majority. He was deputy sheriff for four years, filled
the office of ju.stice of the peace, and in both positions discharged his duties
in a very commendable manner. He is a valued member of the Odd
Fellows Lodge of Humboldt, in which he has filled all the chairs. He
also l:)elongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and was a delegate to the
national encampments in San Francisco and Columbus, Ohio. In his early
life he twice sailed round Cape Horn as a cabin boy, the voyage, in those
WOODSOX COUNTIES, KANSAS. 3 I I
davs of primitive navigation, consumin.s; six months. He has visited every
state and territory of the Union, gaining that experience and knowledge
which only travel can bring. His has been an active, useful and honor-
able life and now he is enjoying a well-earned retirement from labor, occu-
pying a pleasant home in Humboldt, where he has the warm regard of a
large circle of friends.
T A WILLIAM J. CAMPBELL— In reverting to the settlers of the olden
^ ^ time who bared the breast and braved the storms of adversity in
order that th.ere might be a community of enlightened citizens instead of a
camp of government wards, our minds cling to the memory of those along
the Neosho River, where the very first settlements were made. Conspicu-.
ous among them was a young Kentuckian, full of life and hope and young in
years, who wandered into Allen County as early as 1855. That date was
almost, if not quite, the beginning of the era of white settlement in the
county. There was then no Humboldt, no lola, a trading post, perhaps,
at Cofachique and a military post at Ft. Scott. At that time the Red Man
roamed the prairie and forest at will and thought little of the encroachment
of his pale-faced brother. Our Kentucky pioneer dropped down upon a
piece of land three miles southwest of Humboldt in the midst of a band of
Indians. At first they swarmed about him thick out of curiosity and a de-
sire to learn his intentions. Being convinced that his mission was a friend-
ly one they became his fast friends and would have protected him with
their lives. In this community and upon this claim did our subject, the
late William J. Campbell remain till death.
We have refeired to Mr. Campbell as a Kentuckian for the reason that
his birth occurred in the State of Daniel Boone. He was born in Hfipkins
County, March 11, 1S33. He was a son of William Campbell, a native of
the State of Kentucky and was the youngest of six children. His educa-
tion amounted to but the rudiments of English and his life till his emigra-
tion westward was passed as a farm hand. It will be noticed that on com-
ing of age he left his native State and went into Missouri, stopping
near Mt. Vernon, Lawrence County. He remained there one year and
continued his journey to Kansas. Alex. H. Brown, of lola, is the only
other settler, now in the county, who came the same year. Mr. Campbell
was two years in advance of most of the Humboldt pioneers and his
life spanned a period of two generations of western settlement and
development.
February 29, 1856, Mr. Campbell returned to Missouri and was married
to Caroline Bashaw, a daughter of Thomas Bashaw, and a lady born in
Caldwell County, Kentucky, August 27, 1840. The husband and child
wife returned to his new possessions along the Neosho, in the wilds of
Kansas, and settled down to the task of clearing up and improving their
home. For two years during the period of the Rebellion Mr. Campbell was
312 HISTORY OF A.LLEN AND
away from his farm and residing in Nebraska. While away he was engaged
in freighting across the plains to Colorado, carrying supplies and provisions
to Denver. Returning to Allen County in 1865 he took permanent posses-
sion of his farm. Raising grain and hogs and horses was his chief busi-
ness. A good horse was an object of adoration with him and he always
owned them. Industry and steadiness were traits which characterized his
every day life and in consequence his accumulations were certain and con-
tinuous. He made his family comfortable while he lived and left them so
at his death. He was devoted to his wife and children and their joys and
sorrows were his own. He reared his children to habits of industry and to
become persons of honesty and integrity. He enjoyed the society of his
neighbors and friends and his hospitality was proverbial and unbounded.
He took little interest in affairs not connected with his personal or family
welfare and to talk and vote was as far as his interest extended in public
matters. He was a Democrat of the old school and hewed to the line in
State and National politics.
Mr. and Mrs. Campbell's surviving children are: Sarah J., widow of
Archibald D. Young, whose two children are George W. and Gracie May;
Mary E. Campbell; Lucretia (Campbell) Cox, wife of John F. Cox. a pop-
ular clothier of Cherry vale, Kansas; and James Campbell, whose wife, nee
Minnie Ladd, died February 27, igoo, leaving two children, Olive Blanche
and Ralph Augustus
William J. Campbell was a strong robust man till late in life. A can-
cerous trouble developed some years ago and grew slowly but surely,
sapping his vitality at every turn and baffling the skill of the medical
fraternity in their efforts to destroy it. The end came on March 10, 1900,
and a good and true man pa.ssed to his reward.
^ A riLLIAM H. ANDREWS— There is, in the anxious and laborious
^ ' struggle for an honorable competence and a solid career of the
business or professional man fighting the every-day battle of life, but little
to attract the idle reader in search of a sensational chapter, but for a mind
thoroughly awake to the reality and meaning of human existence, there
are noble and immortal lessons in the life of the man, who, without other
means than a clear head, a strong arm and a true heart, conquers adversity,
and toiling on through the work-a-day years of a long career finds that he
has not only won a comfortable competence, but also something far greater
and higher. — the deserved respect and esteem of those with whom his years
of active life placed him in contact.
Such a man and one of the leading citizens of Humboldt is William H.
Andrews, who was born on Long Island, in Queens County, New York, on
the 19th of September, 1829. His father, James Andrews, was also a
native of Long Island and was there married to Miss Hulda Jack.son, a
native of the same locality. The former died in September, 1856, at the
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 31.",
age of fifty-six years, but the mother long survived him, passing away in
1896 at the extreme old age of ninety-six years. They were the parents (if
seven children, all of whom are yet living, namely: Mrs. Margaret Bisley.
of New York; Isaac R. , who is living in Virginia; Mrs. Jane Alger, of New
York, wl'ose husband laid out Alger's addition to the city of Humboldt;
William H., of this review; Lucy, who is living in Pennsylvania; James, a
resident of Long Lsland; and Mrs. Sarah Merritt, who is also living on
Long Island.
William H. Andrews spent the days of his boyhood and youth under
the parental roof and mastered the branches of learning taught in the
common schools. When nineteen years of age he began to learn the
carpenter's trade, which he followed in the Empire State until 1852 when
he removed to Ohio, there following the same pursuit until after hostilities
were inaugurated between the North and the South. A loyal advocate of
the Union cause, he enlisted as a private in Company K, Nineteenth Ohio
Infantry, and was afterward promoted' sergeant of his company. He
experienced many of the hardships of war, having participated in numerous
skirmishes and several of I he most hotly contested battles, including the
engagements at Shiloh, Crab Orchard, Chicamauga and Mission Ridge.
He was never captured or wounded but had many narrow escapes for he
was always found at his post of duty, which frequently led him into the
thickest of the fight. He received an honorable discharge, at Marietta,
Georgia, October 17, 1865, for the flag of the nation had been planted in
the capital of the Confederacy and the services of the loyal Union soldiers
were no longer needed.
Mr. Andrews returned to his home in Ohio, but in April, 1S66, came
to Humboldt. Kansas, and has since been actively identified with its inter-
ests along many lines which have contributed to the public good. His
fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called
him to public office, and he has filled various positions of trust. He has
been police judge, was justice of the peace for several years and has been
trustee of his township for twelve years. He has always retired from office
as he has entered it — with the confidence and good will of the public.
Whenever nominated, election has been accorded him and although he has
always been a Democrat he has many friends in Republican ranks who
give him their support.
In 1854 Mr. Andrews was united in marriage to Miss Adeline Redfield,
of Ohio, who has been to him a faithful companion and helpmate on the
journey of life. They have two sous: James H., who is now one of the
leading musicians of Kansas City, and Orin S , who is a member of a New
York City orchestra. The sons have exceptional musical talent, which,
having been cultivated, has placed them in prominent positions in musical
circles. Socially Mr. Andrews is a man of genial nature and one who is
most appreciative of the amenities which go to make up the sum of human
happiness. He has therefore identified himself with the Masonic fraternity,
belonging to the Blue lodge, the Chapter and Commandery and he has
filled one of the chairs in the Grand Chapter of the State. He is a valued
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
member of the 'Grand Ami}- of the Republic and thus maintains pleasant
relationships with his comrades of the blue. He has been quartermaster
of Vicksburg Post, No. 72 for a number of years. He is now sevent\--one
years of age, but still manifests a commendable interest in public affairs
and is recognized as an esteemed citizen and honored pioneer of Humboldt.
MRS. CELIA H. STEELMAN is a native of the Empire State, her
birth having occurred at Gloversville, New York, on the 28th of
September, 1846. She is a daughter of Abraham Gulick, who was born in
New York, in 18 14, and was married on the 25th of November, 1841, to
Miss Maria Mitchell, whose birth occurred July 2nd, 1816. Their union
was blessed with three children, but only two survive, namely: Mrs. Steel-
man and Andrew. The latter was born July 12, 1844, and is now living
with his sister. Mr. and Mrs. Gulick became residents of Kansas in 1880.
In the State of her nativity Celia H. Gulick spent her girlhood days
in acquiring her education in the public schools. In 1869 she gave her
hand in marriage to J. F. Wing, who was also born in New York, in which
State they began their domestic life. They removed to Minnesota, where
they remained for three years, and in 1874 they came to Kansas, locating
in the northern part of Allen Count3' where Mr. Wing purchased a large
farm. They remained upon the farm for three years, and then took up
their abode in lola, which was their place of residence for about eight
years, when their home was given in exchange for Humboldt property.
In 1 888 they located in the latter city and Mr. Wing purchased business
property there. He was identified with the business interests of the place
until i8go, when his life's labors were ended in death, he being then fifty-
seven years of age. Mrs. Wing remained a widow for two years and in
1892 was married to David Steelman. Theirs was a short but happy
married life, terminated by the death of Mr. Steelman in 1896, when he
was seventy-seven years of age.
Mrs. Steelman and her brother now reside in her pleasant home in
Humboldt. She owns two nice residences in the best portion of the city
and has other property which yields to her a good income. In no field of
endeavor requiring intellectuality has woman failed to demonstrate her
equality with man, and her business and executive powers, when brought
to a practical test, are found equal to his. Mrs. Steelman shows decided
ability in the care and supervision of her property interests. For twenty-
seven years she has been a resident of Allen County and is now widely
known in this portion of the State, where her estimable characteristics
have gained for her the sincere friendship of those with whom she has been
associated.
WOODSUX COUNTIES, KANSAS. 315
TAMES T. TREDWAY— While the race is not always to the swift nor
" the battle to the strong, tireless energN', resolute purpose and sound
judgment never fail to gain success, and though Mr. Tredway spent his
youth amid rather unfavoring circumstances and has had to depend entire-
ly upon his own labors, he has risen to a position of affluence and is classed
among the sub.stautial citizens of Allen County. He was born in Hamilton
County, Ohio, April lo, 1849, and is of English lineage. His parents,
however, were natives of Maryland, and were married in Wheeling. West
Virginia. The father died when James was only two years old. The sur-
viving members of the family are: Mrs. Olivia B. Littell, whose husband
was a captain in the Civil war and later was captain of police in Cincinnati;
Thomas Albert, who is married and lives with his family in Kentucky;
John W., who is general manager in the offices of the Selmer Hess Publish-
ing House, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; James T.; and Almira E. Nes-
bitt who resides at the old home. Of the sons, Thomas served as one of the
boys in blue in the war of the Rebellion.
At the father's death the mother was left to caie for her six small chil-
dren, but she nobly took up the work and ably prepared them for the practical
and responsible duties of life. She gave them good educational privileges,
and after attending the common schools James T. Tredway continued his
studies in Clermont Academy in Ohio. When still young he went to Cin-
cinnati, where for five years he served as a street car conductor in summer
and stencil cutter in the winter season. He also spent two years in St.
Louis, Missouri, as foreman in the stencil and steel-stamp establishment of
J. G. Harris & Company.
He resigned this position and returned to Ohio to wed Miss Josephine
.Brede, of Cincinnati. She was born of German parents. Her father
served in the war of the Rebellion and was taken prisoner and spent many
months in Andersonville and other southern prisons. He returned home
after the war but in a few 3'ears died from the effects of prison life. Her
mother is still living with Mrs. Tredway on the farm at the age of seventy-
five years.
They began farming in Ohio and after several years of up hill work
concluded to go west and were attracted to Allen County bj- circulars of
George A. Bowlus, real estate agent.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tredway have been born five children, who are a
source of great comfort to the parents. Guy, the eldest, is a graduate of
the State Normal College, at Emporia; Charles is among the first teachers
of Allen County; Edna is a graduate of the lola high school; John is a
student in the Agricultural College at Manhattan, Kansas, and Alt at four-
teen is still with his father on the farm.
In his business career Mr. Tredway has experienced man}' difficulties,
but the obstacles in his path have served as an impetus to renewed effort.
When he came to Kansas he had nothing but a team of mules, and, renting
a farm of Jacob Zike, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. The
firm of Scott & Goforth, uf lola, furnished him with provisions for a
3l6 . HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
ye tr and with characteristic energy he began his work, which brouijht to
him a good return. He purchased his farm witliout paying a cent down,
but soon discharged his indebtedness and bought an adjoining eighty. The
building which is now utilized as a barn served as his house for eight
years, but as the years passed he added substantial improvements to his
property and has made it a very desirable and attractive place. All of
which has been made possible only by the aid of his dutiful wife.
In politics Mr. Tredway has always been a Republican, has taken an
active part in the work of the party and has been chairman of the county
central committee. He has, howevei , never sought office as a reward for
his service, which has been given because he believes earnestly in Republi-
can principles. He has been elected president of the County Farmers' In-
stitute for several years and has been twice elected president of the County
Sunday School conventions. He and his family are members of the Re-
formed church. His life demonstrates most clearly what may be ac-
complished by determined purpose and shows that success does not depend
upon fortunate circumstances, upon inheritance or the aid of influential
friends, but upon the man. His career is creditable and honorable and
should serve as a source of inspiration to others who are forced to begin
life empty-handed, as did Mr. Tredway.
JOHN S. LEHMAN. — It is a well proven assertion that the history of a
" county is best told in the lives of its people, for it is individual enter-
prise and effort that bring about the upbuilding and advancement of a
community. One of the energetic and reliable merchants of Humboldt is
John S. Lehman, who is now connected with the' grain trade. He was
born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on the i6th day of May, 1850. His
father. Christian Lehman, was a native of Franklin count}', Pennsylvania,
and accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio when he was only
six years of age. After reaching years of maturity he married Susannah
Shank, a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, who was a little maiden
of five summers when her parents became early settlers of the Buckeye
state. The father of our subject was a farmer by occupation and died in
Ohio, in 1895, at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife passed away
some time previous, her death occurring in i865. He was a second time
married. By the first union he had eight children, and by the second ,
one.
John S. Lehman, our subject, is the eldest of the family, the others
being David, a minister residing in Columbiana county, Ohio; Jacob, a
farmer of that county; Henry, who is a horse buyer and shipper of Hum-
boldt; Christian, who is conducting a planing mill and lumber business in
Columbiana county, Ohio; Mrs. Anna Miller, of the same place; Mrs.
Susan Hurst, of Wayne county Ohio; and Mrs. Rebecca Culler, of Colum-
biana county. Frances L. Lehman, the half-sister, died in 1893.
After John S. Lehman completed his common .school course he pur-
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 3 17
:siied his studies through one term in the PoUand Seminar_v Union, and
afterward organized the Columbiana Lumber & Coal Company, with which
he was connected lor eight years, serving for two years as its manager. In
1S84 he came to Kansas, locating on a farm in Allen county, north-west of
Humboldt. There he engaged in the cultivation of grain and the raising
of stock foi seven years, and in 1893 took up his residence in this city,
where he engaged in buying and shipping live stock, an industry to which
he devoted his energies for about three years. He was then appointed by
Governor Leedy, to the position of superintendent of the public grounds
and state house, thus serving until he was relieved by the Republican gov-
ernor. After his return to Humbolrlt he opened a grain and feed store,
buying and shipping all kinds of grain, vegetables, seeds and flour.
Before leaving Ohio Mr. Lehman was married in 1876 to Miss Mary
A. Kistler, of Lordstown, Ohio, and to them have been born eight children:
Gertrude, wife of Edward King, who is now foreman of a blacksmith shop
in Topeka, Kansas; Cora, who is living with her sister, Gertrude; Allen,
who died in 1897; Arden; Leslie; Ethel, who died in 1888, and Harney and
Floyd, at home.
Mr. Lehman is a stalwart advocate of the Populist party and his deep
interest in political affairs has led him to give an earnest support to its
principles and to labor untiringly for its success. Socially he is a member
of the Odd Fellows fraternity. As a citizen he has always been true and
faithful to every trust reposed in him and is a worthy representative of that
class who lead quiet, industrious, honest and useful lives and con.stitute the
best portion of a community.
ASA M. WOOD. — -Although one of the more recent arrivals in Allen
county, Asa M. Wood is already widely known and has made for
himself a place among the practical and progressive agriculturists who have
made Elm township to bloom and blossom as the rose. He was born in
Harrison county, Missouri, August 14, i860, and is a son of John Irwin
and Elizabeth (Bartlett) Wood. His paternal great grandfather was a
native of England and became the founder of the family in America at an
early period in the development of this country. George Wood, the grand-
father, was born in Kentucky during the pioneer epoch in the history of
that state, and there occurred the birth of John Irwin Wood in 1816. Hav-
ing arrived at years of maturity he wedded Elizabeth Bartlett, who was
born in Tennessee in 1818. She has a brother Nathan who is living in
Mississippi, and a half brother, Daniel T., who is also a resident of that
state. (Her father was married twice.) Mr. and Mrs. Wood became the
parents of seven children, namely: Asa M. ; D. C, a ranchman of Seward
county, Kansas; Joseph, a farmer of Missouri; Amanda and Martha, who
manage the homestead in Harrison county, Missouri; and Mrs. Arazilla
Easton, who is also a resident of Harrison county. Robert H. died in
1S74.
On his father's farm Mr. Wood, of this review, spent the days of his
3l8 - HISTORY OF ALLEN ANU
boyhood and youth, and at the age ol twenty-six went to Colorado, where
he remained for two years engaged in ranching. Returning to Missouri he
spent the two succeeding years in his native state, and then again located
in Colorado, but after four years he came to Kansas and in 1896 purchased
his present farm in Elm township, formerly owned by Mr. Swartzman.
Since that time he has been engaged in the cultivation of his fields and in
stock raising. He conducts both branches of his business profitably for he
follows progressive methods and in all his dealings he is strictly reliable.
In 1S8S, in Missouri, Mr. Wood was united in marriage to Miss Jennie
Frisby, whose people were from Ohio. Her father, J. C. Frisby, is still
living, and spends the summer months in Kansas, while in the winter
season he makes his home in Missouri. Mrs. Wood has two brothers,
Adna H. and E. H., who are residents of Missouri. Our subject and his
wife have two sons, Glenn and Kirk, aged respectively eleven and five
years. Mrs. Wood is a lady of considerable business ability, who is now
contributing to -the family income through the raising of poultry on an ex-
tensive scale.
In his political views Mr. Wood is a stalwart Republican, unswerving
in his support of the principles of the party, and on that ticket he was
elected to the office of township trustee of Elm township, in which capacity
he is now serving. He is a western man by birth and by inclination and is
thoroughly imbued with the western spirit of progress and enterprise.
GEORGE G. FOX.— Not in desultory fashion that renders effort un-
profitable and labor without satisfactory result has Mr. Fox prose-
cuted his business career for he is a man of marked energy and strong
determination who has steadily worked his way upward to a position of
affluence. He now resides in LiHarpe, where he is successfully engaged
in real estate dealing.
A native of the Empire state, Mr. Fox was born in L,ivingston county,
New York, June 23rd, 1846, and is a son of John and Hannah (Hillman)
Fox, the former born in Connecticut in 1803, the latter in New York in
1808. They had ten children — five sons and five daughters. Two of the
sons loyally served the Union during the Civil war. George G. Fox ac-
quired his education in the common schools of his native county and in an
academy at Geneseo, New York. In his early business career he engaged
in the manufacture of cheese for eight years, and was also proprietor of a
general mercantile establishment for twelve years. Prominent in the com-
munity in which he resided, he was elected and served for one term as
township clerk in Livingston county, and was also postmaster at East
Groveland, New York.
The year 1883 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Fox in Kansas, and for
seventeen years he has made his home in Allen county. He first located
on a farm north of LaHarpe, but for some time has been engaged in real
-^i^ ^ y^^^i/-
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 31Q
estate dealing in the city. He is well informed on land values and has
•conducted a number of important transactions in his line. He is a man of
sound business judgment, obliging and courteous and at all times perfectly
reliable. These qualities have insured him gratifying success.
In February, 18S5, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Fox and Miss
Mary Eagle, who was born in Livingston county. New York They have
a pleasant home in LaHarpe and occupy a leading position in social cir-
cles. In politics Mr. Fox is a stalwart Republican and has filled the office
of township trustee in Elm township, Allen county. Throughout the
greater part of his life he has been an active worker in the church, and was
one of tlie founders of the Piesbyterian church of LaHarpe. He withholds
his support from no movement or measure calculated to pnove of public
benefit, along material, social or moral lines, and is a valued resident of the
. count}^ having the respect of all who know him.
JOHN N. OHLFEST — Among the residents of Kansas who are of foreign
*J birth is numbered John N. Ohlfest, who is a native of Holstein,
Germany. The days of his boyhood and youth were pas.sed in that land,
and his education was acquired in its public schools. In accordance with
its laws he served in the German army, was in the Schleswig-Holstein
war between Denmark and Germany and was three years in Denmark as a
soldier. In iSss^he came out of the army. Hearing of the advantages
offered young men in America and thinking to better his financial condi-
tion on this side of the Atlantic he crossed the briny deep in 1S57 and took
up his residence in Valparaiso, Indiana, where resided his brother Carl,
who had come to America the \-ear previous and who sought a home in
Kansas in 1870. He is now a neighbor of our subject. The latter engaged
in the butchering business in Valparaiso, Indiana, and was married there
in r86i, to Anna Dora Urbahus, who was also born in Holstein, Germany,
and came to the United States in 1858. The year 1870 witnessed the
arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Ohlfest in Kansas, and since that time he has de-
voted his energies to the development of his farm, which, at the time of
his purchase was a piece of raw prairie land, entirely destitute of improve-
ments. Not a furrow had been turned, but he at once began the work of
plowing and planting, and in the intervening years he has developed a
valuable property, complete with all the accessories and conveniencies of a
model farm.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Ohlfest has been blessed with six chil-
dren, namely: Mrs. Mary Davis, who is living in LaHarpe; Otto, a railroad
employe located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and was a soldier in the Span-
ish-American war. Company I, 157th Indiana Volunteers; Minnie, who is
at home; Emma, wife of Dr. Hooper, of LaHarpe, and Albert Frederick,
who is also under the parental roof. John died in 1877 at the age of eight
years. The family have many warm friends in the community and their
320 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
circle of acquaintances is an extensive one. Mr. Ohlfest has always given
his political support to the Republican party, and keeping well informed
on the issues of the day is able to support his position by intelligent argu-
ment. In religiotis belief he is a Lutheran. He left the little German
home across the sea to become identified with American interests and in the
new world he lias found the opportunity he sought for advancing in life to
a position among the substantial citizens of the community in which his lot
has been cast.
T^DWIN IRVING CROWELL.— At a period in the pioneer develop-
-»— * ment of Allen county, Edwin Irving Crowell came to Kansas, and
for many years was identified with agricultural interests in Elm township,
becoming one of its most prosperous farmers. The years of his active
labor annually augmented his income, and now with a handsome compet-
ence acquired, entirely through his own efforts, he is living retired. He
has watched with interest the progress and upbuilding of the county and
has aided in its advancement and progress along the lines which have con-
tributed to its substantial improvement.
A native of the Buckeye state, Mr. Crowell was born in Ashtabula
county, Ohio, April gth, 1839. It is believed that the family patronymic
was originally Cromwell and that the ancestors of our subject were direct
connections of Oliver Cromwell, changing their name to its present form
when they fled to America in order to escape the persecution brought upon
them by reason of their connection with the attempt to establish a pro-
tectorate government in England, and thus end monarchial rule. Samuel
Crowell, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Massachusetts in
1742, and was married in 1770 to Jerusha Tracy, by whom he had four
sons: William, Samuel, John and Hezekiah. Of this number Samuel
Crowell became the grandfather of our subject. With a colony he emi-
grated westward, locating in Ashtabula county. Ohio, where he was known
as a thrifty and enterprising farmer. By trade he was a tanner, having
served an apprenticeship of seven years, as was required in those days, but
in later life he devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. He served as
a soldier in the department of the east in the war of 1812 and held a cap-
tain's commission. He was born August 5, 1773, and died August 22,
1864. The early Crowells were Whigs, but on the formation of the Repub-
lican party representatives of the name joined its ranks.
George Crowell, the father of our subject, was born in Connecticut in
1859, and in his youth accompanied his parents on their removal to Ashta-
bula county, Ohio. There he reared his family, and his eldest son,
Edward I. Crowell, after attending the common schools, continued the
acquirement of an education at Grand River Institute at Austinburg, Ohio
Subsequently he engaged in teaching school for two years, and then turned
his attention to farming which he followed in the state of his nativitv until
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 32 1
his removal to Kansas m October, 1S70. In tlie meantime, however, he
had spent a few months in Greeley, Colorado, after which he took up his
abode in Doniphan county, Kansas, removing thence to lola. His farm in
Kim township which he came to in 1875 was entirely a tract of raw prairie,
but with indefatigable industry he began its development and for twenty-
five years has continued its cultivation, making it one of the most highly
improved and desirable farm properties in the county. In connection with
the raising of grain he has engaged in the breeding of graded hogs, and
has found this a profitable enterprise.
In December, 1866, Mr. Crowell led to the marriage altar Miss Sarah E.
Crosby, a daughter of Elijah Crosby, who was originally from Connecticut,
but removed to Ohio with the colony of which the Crowells were members.
His wife bore the maiden name of Eliza Chester, and their surviving
children are Mrs. Crowell; Albert C, who is married and lives in Delta,
Michigan; Alice, who was formerly a school teacher of Tola and is now
teaching in the Indian Territory; Carrie, who is widow of Elton Stiles.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Crowell are Newman I., who is married and
lives in Elm township; Oriette B., wife of Rev. L,. S. Faust, of Emporia,
Kansas; George T. and Walter C, who are still at home. They also have
three adopted children, Hattie, Sarah and Nellie.
Mr. Crowell served for several years as justice of the peace in Elm
township and was frequently called upon to perform marriage ceremonies
as well as settle litigation. He was commissioner of Allen county in 1891,
and is now filling the office of justice of the peace, discharging his duties in
a manner which has won him high commendation. He is one of the leading
and influential members in the Presbyterian church, in which he has served
as elder for twenty years, and in all life's relations he has been found true
to manly principles. His word is as good as any bond solemnized bv sig-
nature or seal, and among those who know him his honesty is proverbial.
In all his business dealings he has been straightforward, and this is doubt-
less one of the salient factors in his success. His life record is well worthy
of emulation, and being closely interwoven with the history of Elm town-
ship it certainly deserves a place in this volume.
SAMUEL E. DOWNS passed the Psalmist's span of three score
years and ten. He was an honored veteran of two wars and one of
the pioneer settlers of Allen county, having long been identefied with the
work of improvement and development in Cottage Grove township. He
claimed Virginia as the state of his nativity, his birth having occurred in
Culpepper county, on the 14th of February, 1825, his parents being William
H. and Cynthia (Bean) Downs. The father died in the Old Dominion,
and the mother afterward removed to Illinois when her son Samuel was ten
years of age.
Amid the wild scenes of frontier life in the Prairie state, Mr. Downs
322 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
was reared and after arriving at years of maturity he was married, on the
15th of October, 1S57, to Martha A. Savage, a daughter of Moses P. Sav-
age, who was born in Albemarle county, Virginia, and who wedded Sarah
Lee, a native of Virginia. He died in 1885, at the age of seventy-eight
years, and his wife passed away when seventy-six years of age. They
were the parents of thirteen children, of whom seven are now living, as fol-
lows: F. M., who is in the Indian Territory; C. A., of Danville, Illinois,
Mrs. Etta Nye, of Chanute, Kansas; Mrs. Laura Bans, of Saybrook, Illi-
nois; Mrs. Florence Howe, of Bloomington, Illinois; and Mrs. Downs. By
the marriage of our subject and his wife eight children were born, the
living members of the family being Mrs. Laura F. Matsler, of Chanute;
Charles L. ; William E., now of Lafayette, Indiana; Harmon E. of Hum-
boldt, Kansas; Nettie J., and W. H. Savage, a resident of Allen county,
Kansas.
Mr. Downs io\\q^f^'f^^r]^\.Jlg in Illinois until after the inauguration of
the Civil war. He^.^ff'^^edftl-^e service with a knowledge of military tactics,
for he had been numbered among the loyal defenders of his country
throughout the Mexican war. When the South refused to acknowledge
the supremacy of the national government at Washington, he joined the
army for the preservation of the Union, becoming a member of Companj'
C, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Infantry, in which he served for
three years, participating in many hard fought battles. He was for four
months under constant fire, though many bullets pierced his clothes he
escaped without wounds or injury. Truly this was a remarkable record.
He was never absent from the regiment until the war was over, and par-
ticipated in all of the engagements down the Mississippi river and through
the south to Nashville. When the stars and stripes were planted in the
Southern Confederacy he received an honorable discharge and returned to
his home.
Soon afterward Mr. Downs started with his young wife for the new
west, arriving in Kansas in the fall of 1S65. He secured a claim on Vege-
tarian creek, five miles southeast of Humboldt, and has continually made
his home here, having one hundred and twenty acres of good land under a
high state of cultivation. Prior to the war he voted with the Democracy,
first supporting James K. Polk, for the presidency , but since the Civil war
he has been unfaltering in his advocacy of Republican principles. His life
has been an active and useful one, characterized by fidelity to duty in all
relations and he justly enjoyed the esteem and respect of his fellow men.
Mr. Downs died April ist, 1901.
MRS. ELIZABETH HECK— Well known in social and business
circles in Humboldt. Mrs. Heck enjoys the warm regard of many
friends and well deserves representation in this volume. She was born in
Fredericksburg, Virginia, April 4, 1872, and is a daughter of Matthew B.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 323
MuUany, a native of Ireland. When sixteen years of age her father left
the green isle of Erin, crossed the broad ocean to the new world and be-
came a resident of Virginia. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth
Bates, who was born in Xew York City, but her parents were natives of
England. When Mrs. Heck was a little child of two summers her parents
left the Old Dominion for the Nation's capital, and the father engaged in
business in Washington. Subsequently he removed to Ouincy, Illinois,
where he conducted a grocery store. In 1876 he came with his family to
Humboldt where both he and his wife spent their remaining days. The
father died April 25, 1898, at the age of sixty-eight years, while the mother
passed away the loth of June, 1900, at the age of fifty-six. They had three
children, but two died early in life.
Elizabeth Mullany, the only surviving member of the family, spent
her girlhood days in Washington, D. C, Quincy, Illinois, and in Hum-
boldt, Kansas, and the public schools afforded her the educational priv-
ileges which she enjoyed. When she had attained womanhood she gave
her hand in marriage to Henry Heck, the wedding being celebrated in
i8go. Mr. Heck was a native of Germany and a man of considerable
means, his attention being given to ihe management of his security inter-
ests. His health failed him, however, and after two years of married life,
in 1892, he pa.ssed away. Mrs. Heck maintains her residence in Hum-
boldt where she looks after her real estate interests and other investments
which she has here and which yield to her an ample income. She pos-
sesses good business and executive ability and at the same time manifests
in her life those true womanly qualities which everywhere command
respect. Having long made her home in this portion of the State, she has
a wide acquaintance and her circle of friends is very extensive.
JAMES L. CHRISTY— One of the most highly esteemed and prominent
pioneers of- southeastern Kansas is James L,. Christy, who came to
to this portion of the country during territorial days and took part in the
exciting events which formed the history of Kansas prior to the Civil war.
With the era of progress and improvement he has also been connected,
bearing his part in reclaiming the wild land for purposes of civilization.
No history of Allen County would be complete without the record of
his life.
He was born in Rowan County, Kentucky, July 12, 1840, the eldest
son of John A. and Nancy Christy, who came to Allen County in i860.
The mother died June 25, 1870, at the age of fifty-four years, and the
father passed away July 29, 1897, at the advanced age of eighty-
five years.
James L. Christy accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois
during his eaily boyhood and also went with them to Mi.ssouri. In 1855,
thinking that he would like to see more of the wild west he came to Kan-
324 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
sas, locating first in Bourbon County, where he was employed on a farm.
There he worked for three years, during which time the border troubles
bioke out and he joined John Brown's party. He was right in the midst of
the bot-der difficulties and saw service under Generals Montgomery and
Lane, participating in the battle of Osawatomie. He was well acquainted
with John Brown, the Abolition leader, whom he says was a very good
man and used to preach to his followers every Sunday. When the trouble
was over Mr. Christy returned to his work. He was a great hunter and
would often accompany the Indians on their hunting expeditions. He
also killed, December 27, 1893, the last deer ever shot in this county.
When Captain Gordon, the United States surveyor, divided the county
into sections, Mr. ChrLsty drove the ox -team hauling the stones used in the
corners of the sections. In 1S50 he returned to Missouri on a visit, but in
i860 again came to Kansas, where he watched with interest the oncoming
tide of events that involved the country in war.
Upon reflection and in the rehearsal of incidents and events connected
with the first years of Allen County Mr. Christy adverts to the fact that the
first blacksmith shop in the county was located in section 5, town 2^, range
18, and that it was established by Reuben Benbow. The first death in the
county of which the public and society took notice was that of Tommy
Keith. He was buried on the Carpenter place which was, necessarily, the
first opened cemetery in the county. The first school house was named for
"Uncle Jimmy" Carpenter and was erected on his premises.
In the days of disorganization and before the establishment of Terri-
torial regulations for the county the few settlers were distressed by thiev-
ing Indians and white men and were driven to take matters into their own
hands. They formed an organization for muLual protection and chose the
first officers and established the first seat of government for the county.
Cofachique was selected as the county seat and the officers chosen were:
A. W. J. Brown, Probate Judge; Jesse E. Morris, Sheriff and William C.
Keith, Justice of the Peace. Frank Morris, son of Jesse, was selected to
represent the county in the Lecompton Constitutional Convention.
These scenes are long past and few are alive who remember them.
Elijah Brown, son of the pioneer Isham Brown, who resides in Neosho
County, Kansas, and Robert McQuigg, of Roseburg, Oregon, were among
the active participants in these events.
On the 24th of July, 1861, Mr. Christy enlisted in Company F, Third
Kansas Infantry, and soon afterward the Third, Fourth and Fifth regi-
ments consolidated to form the Tenth regiment, with which he served for
three years, experiencing all the hardships and rigors of war. He partici-
pated in nineteen engagements, including some of the most hotly contested
battles, among which were Wilson's Creek, Locust Grove, Dry Wood,
Newtonia, Ray's Mills, Prairie Grove, Van Buren, Chattanooga and the
storming of Fort Blakely. He was taken ill and was forced to remain at
Salem, "where he was captured by the Rebels, but after two weeks he
managed to make his escape by running through the guard lines. He
c^e-^^
] '
■WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 325
faithfully defended the stars and stripes and the cause the}' represented, but
when the war was over he gladly returned to his home.
In 1867 Mr. Christy was united in marriage to Miss Martha E. Morris,
a native of Missouri, who came to Allen County in 1855 with her parents.
She is the second daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth Morris, who located on
Deer Creek, in Geneva township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Christy have been
born nine daughters: Louisa E. . died at the age of four years; Emma, wife
of George A. Smith, of Chandler, Oklahoma; Cora, who died at the age of
sixteen years; Mamie, Ruby, Lora, Mattie and Lizzie, twins, and Jessie, the
\oungest, all at home. Ruby is a teacher in the county schools.
Mr. Cliristy has held a number of responsible positions in Allen Coun-
ty. He was deputy sheriff under J. C. Redfield and also under Charles P.
Twi.'-s. He has also served for seveial terms as justice of the peace and
■constable of Geneva townsliip, and discharged his duties with marked
fidelity and promptness. In his political affiliations he is a Republican.
Whether on the field of battle, in public office or in the walks of private
life, he has ever been true to his duties of citizenship and has commanded
and enjoyed the high regard of those with whom he has been associated.
TONATHAX H. SPICER has passed the eighty-fourth milestone on life's
*J journey and his has been an honorable record, the history of his life
containing no esoteric chapters. Manly and sincere at all times he has
commanded the respect and confidence of tho.se with whom he has associ-
ated, and he now receives the veneration and regard that should ever be
accorded those who have reached advanced age.
Mr. Spicer was born in New Hampshire, on the 12th of April, 1S16.
His father, Jabez Spicer, was also born in the old Granite State and
married to Miss Mary Huvey, a native of Connecticut. The father won the
degrees of D. D. and M. D. He pursued both the classical and theological
course in the Dartmouth Theological College, and though he prepared for
the medical profession he never engaged in practice, believing that his
duty called him to the ministerial field. In an early day he removed to
Michigan where he enteied upon the often arduous life of a home mission-
ary, and during the greater part of his career he was thus engaged in work
in the west, carrying the gospel tidings into settlements where church
privileges were little known. When he arrived in the Wolverine State it
was a largely undeveloped region, the Indians being far more numerous
than the white settlers. He took a very active part in planting the seeds
of truth in the new communities and his influence was manifest in the
upright lives of those among whom he lived and labored. He died in
Michigan on the 25th of December, 1847, at the age of sixty-two years, and
his wife passed away three years later when sixty years of age. They were
the parents of ten children, but only two are now living, the other being
Charles R. Spicer.
J. H. Spicer of this review was the third in order of birth. He spent
326 HISTORY OF ALLEN ANTf
much of his boyhood in the Empire State and received a common school
education. When a young man he went to Vermont where he engaged in
teaching school and also worked on a farm. Subsequently he returned to
New York and later made his way to Ohio and afterward to Michigan,
where he met a little black-haired maiden of attractive appearance and
pleasing manner. Their acquaintance ripened into love and on the 3rd
of September, 1842, Emily Finney became his wife. She, too, was a
native of the Old Granite State, a daughter of Seth and Lydia Jane Finney,
the former born in New Hampshire and the latter in Connecticut. Her
father's birth occurred May 27, 1791, his death October 24, 1S72. Mrs.
Finney was born November 26, 1792, and departed this life May 25, 1852.
They were the parents of seven children, but Mrs. Spicer is the only sur-
vivor of the family. She was born April 8, 1821, and for sixty one years
(September 3, 1900, the 6ist anniversary) she has traveled life's journey
by her husband's side, sharing with him in all his pleasures, sorrows, his
adversity and prosperity, and ever proving to him a faithful companion and
helpmate.
A few years after his marriage Mr. Spicer removed from Michigan to
Kansas, arriving in this State in 1857 with a colony that took up their
abode at Geneva. He preempted a tract of land just north of the little
village and his experience on the frontier of Michigan well fitted him to
meet the hardships and trials of pioneer life in the Sunflower State. The
Indians were still numerous in this section of the country and there was
much discussion as to whether Kansas would or would not permit slavery
within its borders. It was decided to settle the question by popular
suffrage, and the South, anxious to retain Kansas as slave territory, sent
many squatters who, says Mr. Spicer, gave the permanent settlers more
trouble than all the Indians. Not long afterward the country became in-
volved in civil war and loyal to the North, Mr. Spicer enlisted as a member
of the Ninth Kansas cavalry, being made quartermaster sergeant of his
regiment. He went to the front and served throughout the war, while his
young wife and little son remained alone in the wild country. Mrs.
Spicer relates many interesting instances of her experience in Kansas and
Michigan, living in both States when they were the haunts of the red men.
When they located at Geneva their nearest post office was Kansas City,
Missouri. For many years they resided upon a farm, but about 1886 took
up their abode in Geneva where they have a pleasant home. They are
Hearing the end of life's pilgrimage, but can look back over the past with-
out regret and forward to the future without fear.
Duane D. Spicer, the only son of J. H. and Emily Spicer, was born in
Seneca County, Ohio, December 4, i845, and with his parents came to
Kansas when twelve years of age. This was in 1857. He was reared upon
a farm and the experiences and duties of agricultural life early became
familiar to him. His education was acquired in the schools at Emporia
and later at the Academy in Geneva. On the 15th of June, 1869, he was
united in marriage to Miss Ella G. Brown, a daughter of G. M. and Caro-
line Brown. They had been reared in the same neighborhood and attended
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 327
the same school, and now tliey are traveling life's journej' together in a
happy married relation. Their home has been blessed with three children,
namely: Fred Brown, a resident of Neosho Falls; Flora E. , the wile of
Robert B. Warner, of Geneva, and Herbert R. , who is still with his parents.
Duane D. Spicer continued farming until 1885, when he sold his land
and entered into partnership with C. L. Knowlton in the conduct of a
general mercantile enterprise in Geneva, They carried on business together
for fourteen years when Mr. Spicer sold his interest to Mr. Knowlton and
established a hardware business which he is still conducting. In 1899 he
was appointed postmaster of Geneva and is now filling that position with
credit to himself and satisfaction to his con.stituents. In 18S7 he was ap-
pointed on the board of county commissioners, to fill a vacancy caused by
the resignation of Robert Inge, and in 1891 he was elected to that ofiice
where he served for two terms, retiring from the position as he had entered
it, with the confidence and good will of the public. His political support
is given to the Republican party and he keeps well informed on the issues
of the day. His prosperity is the reward of his own unaided and well-
directed efforts and today he ranks among the representative residents of his
adopted village.
TORN CORNELL.— With the history of the development and upbuild-
*^ ing of Allen county the name of John Cornell is inseparably inter-
woven, for he has long been a potent factor in the progress and advance-
ment of this portion of the state. He was born in Fountain county, Indi-
ana, October i, 1827, and is of Welsh descent, his paternal grandfather
having come to America from the little rock-ribbed country of Wales about
1750. Daniel Cornell, the father of our subject, was born in Canada, and
during his boyhood removed to New York, where, after attaining to adult
age, he was married to Marry E. Tracy, a native of Kentucky. About
i8iG he removed to Indiana, becoming one of. the first settlers of the
Hoosier state. His death occurred when he had attained the age of
seventy-four years, and his wife died at the age of seventy-seven. They
were the parents of ten children, of whom six are now living, namely:
Dessie B., George, John O., Samuel, Martha and Sarah Jane.
John Cornell was reared on the old homestead farm in Indiana, and
like most boys who spend their youth in frontier settlements, his educa-
tional privileges were quite limited. In his native state he wedded Miss
' Phoebe Booe, and in 1858 removed to Kansas, securing a claim which ad-
joins the present town site of Ida, and is now known as the Delap farm.
He made manj' improvements upon that claim and there lived for several
years, it being his home when the lola Town Company was organized. He
became a member of the company and drove the first stake used in laying
out the town. Aftei some time he .sold his first claim and purchased
a tract west of the river, about nine miles northwest of lola. This was
328 HISTORY OF ALLEN ANI>
prairie land and he soon learned to know that it was not as preferable for
fanning purposes as river bottom land lyiiiJ near him, which was covered
with a heavy growth of timber and which no one seemed to want, so he
sold his upland and purchased a farm in the river bottom amid the green
woods. With characteristic energy he began to clear this, and to-day he
has a valuable tract of land worth one hundred dollars per acre. Its im-
provement, however, represents much hard labor, but it is now a very pro-
ductive tract and yields to him an excelletU financial return for the care he
bestows upon it.
In 1899 Mr. Cornell was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife,
who died June 30, at the age of sixty-seven years. They were the parents
of ten children, eight of whom are now living, namely: Mary E. , wife of
E. Goff, of Minnesota; Daniel, a resident of Chanute, Kansas; Ashpet W.
C. , of Bourbon county, Kansas; George, of lola, Olive, wife of Wellington
Osborn, of Allen county; John C. and Albert O., who are on the home
farm; and Minnie, wife of Thomas Heffern, of Woodson county, Kansas.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Cornell was called out with the State
Militia and went to Fort Scott, for Price was then making his raid into the
state. He served on guard duty on the border for about six weeks and
then returned to his home. He has served as deputy under Sheriff Brown
and later was elected constable of lola township. He discharged his duties
without fear or favor, and it is said that he always secured the prisoner he
was in search of. He is widely known throughout Allen county as
"Uncle" John Cornell and enjoys the high regard of many. He belongs
to the class of honored pioneers who laid broad and deep the foundation
for the present prosperity of this part of the .state.
TOHN SHELBY — .Among the enterprising and progressive young
" farmers of Allen county is John Shelby, who has already attained suc-
cess that many an older man might well envy. He was born in Circle-
ville, Pickaway county, Ohio, on the nth of October, 1865, his parents
being David and Margaret (Mason) Shelby, the former a native of Ohio,
and the latter of West Virginia. The father died in Arkansas in 1894., at
the age of sixty-four years, while visiting at the home of his son John, but
the mother is still living in Ohio, at the age of sixty-eight years. They
were the parents of three children: John, of this review; W. D. and
Edwin B., who are now residents of Ohio.
In taking up the personal history of John vShelby we present to our
readers the life record of one who is widely and fav(5rably known in the
county of his adoption; His preliminary education, acquired in the com-
mon schools, was supplemented by a course in the Northern Indiana Nor-
mal School, at Valparaiso, Indiana, where he was graduated. On com-
pleting his education and putting aside his text books, he turned his
attention to farming and has made that pursuit his life work.
Mr. Shelby was married in Ohio to Miss Jane Young, a native of the
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 329
Buckeye state, :ind som afterward they moved to central Arkansas, where
Mr. Shelby engaged in farming for ten years. The year 1890 witnessed
his arrival in Allen county, Kansas, where he has now made his home for
a decade. He located five miles northwest of lola, where he purchased a
farm of one hundred and sixty acres.. From that time he has continued
the work of improvement until he is to-day the owner of a very valuable
property, on which is a good house and everything that goes to make up a
desirable farm. He keeps his land in excellent condition through the
rotation of crops and the rich fields yield to him a good return.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Shelby has been blessed with three
children; .Maxwell, Joe R. and Booth S., who are the life and light of
their parents' home. Mr. and Mrs. Shelby have become widely known in
Geneva township and the circle of their friends is almost co-extensive with
the circle of their acquaintances.
HARVEY H. CARMAN, one of the mo.st energetic young farmers of
Allen county, was born in Stark county, Ohio, on the 5th of March,
1S69, but has spent almost his entire life in Kansas, having been brought
to this state by his parents when a year old. His father, David Carman,
was born in Carroll countv, Ohio, and died in 1896, at the age of fifty-
three years. He first wedded Elizabeth H. Taylor, a native of Pennsyl-
vania, and they became the parents of five children, namely: Harvey
H. and Ida, who are at home; Anna, wife of Edward Cleaver, and David
and Charles, who are deceased. As before stated the father of this family
came to Kansas in the spring of 1870 and was a resident of Riley county
until the spring of 1876, when he came to Allen county, and purchased
one hundred and sixty acres of land on Indian creek, one mile west of
Geneva. There he improved a farm, leaving his property in good condi-
tion. His first wife died in Ogden, Kansas, in 1875, and he was afterward
married to Miss Elizabeth Thrall, a native of Ohio, whose death occurred
in 1888. For his third wife he chose Miss Nannie Rankin, of Monroe-
ville, Alabama, who died September 19, 1890.
At the time of the Civil war David Carman responded to the country's
call for aid, enlisting in the Third Ohio Battery, in which he served as
gunner. He participated in many engagements under command of Gen-
erals McPherson and Thomas, and during the lattei part of the war was
with the troops of General L,ogan. He loyally served his country for four
years and six months. He marched through the southern Confederacy
from Atlanta to the sea, taking part in all the engagements on the way.
He was also in the siege of Vicksburg, the battle of Shiloh, the battle of
Appomattox, and in the engagements at Chattanooga, at Peach Tiee Creek
and at Vicksburg he was wounded. After faithfully serving his country
for three years, he veteranized and remained at the front until after the
.stars and stripes were planted in the Confederate capital. He ever loyally
330 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
lollowed the old flag and was often in the thickest of the fight, battling earn-
estly for the Union.
Harvey H Carman pursued his eaucation in the schools of Allen
county, and in the periods of vacation assisted in the work of the home
farm. In this way he was well qualified by practical experience to assume
its management upon his father's death. He has since overseen the prop-
erty and the fields are under a high state of cultivation, yielding a golden
tribute in return for the care and labor he bestows upon them. He also
raises and handles quite a number of horses and hogs and feeds all of his
grain to his stock. His sister Ida acts as his housekeeper and the home is
characterized by an air of neatness and thrift, while the household is noted
for its generous hospitality.
DOCTOR BENJAMIN COPE is a skilled physician and surgeon of
Humboldt, whose ability is widely recognized. His knowledge of
the science of medicine is broad and comprehensive, and his successful
adaptation of its principles to the needs of suffering humanity has gained
him enviable prestige in professional circles. He was born in Columbiana
county, Ohio, October 9, 1849, and is a son of Elijah Cope, also a native of
the Buckeye state and a farmer by occupation. He married Miss Anna
Fryfogle, a native of Maryland, and about 1865 removed with his family to
northern Indiana, where he remained for a few years, after which he re-
turned to Ohio, where he resided until his death in 1876, at sixty years of
age. His widow still survives him and has attained to the advanced age
of eighty-three years. In their family were ten children, but all are now
deceased with the exception of the Doctor and David Cope, the latter a
resident of Colorado. Two of the sons were soldiers in the Civil war, John
W., one of them, enlisting in i86r as a private of the Forty-third Ohio
Volunteers. After the battle of Corinth he was taken ill, died and was
buried there. Joshua Cope, the other, enlisted in 1863, was sent to the
department of the Cumberland, and participated in the arduous service of
the campaign oi east Tennessee. The troops had to go on long hard
marches and their food supply was short, for as communication with the
north was cut off they had to live on what they could forage on an almost
exhausted country. Joshua Cope participated in the siege of Knoxville.
which lasted twenty-five days and when General Sherman went to the re-
lief of the besieging troops who were under command of General Burnsides,
he found that they were almost starved, having nothing to eat except a loaf
of bread daily. Joshua Cope returned to his home at the close of the war
and soon afterward died from disease resulting from the exposure and hard-
ships of army life.
Dr. Cope acquired his preliminary education in the common schools
of Ohio and Indiana and afterward attended college at Mount Union, Ohio.
rC^^^,^';^
WOOUSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 33 1
In 1.S70 he came to Kansas, locating in L,inn county, where he was em-
ployed in various ways until his return to Ohio. He then read medicine
under Dr. B. A. Whiteleather, at Osnaburg, Stark county, Ohio, and
attended a course of lectures at Cleveland. In 1878 he again came to Kan-
sas and was a student in the St. Joseph, Missouri, Northwestern College,
winning his diploma in that institution. He began practice in Wilson
county and for seventeen years was a leading representative of the medical
profession there. On the expiration of that period he came to Humboldt
and has since enjoyed a large and constantly increasing patronage in this
place.
In the fall of 187S Dr. Cope returned to Ohio and married Miss UUa
Pettit at New Lisbon. She is a native of the Buckeye state, and by her.
marriage has become the mother of five children, namely: Edna, Florence,
Elsie, Frances and Byron. The Doctor owes his success in life entirely to
his own efforts. He scorned no service that would yield to him an honor-
able living and thus prepared for professional life in which he has obtained
an enviable degree of success.
OALATHIEL M. IRWIN.— If "biography is the home aspect of
• — ' history," as Willmott has expressed it, it is entirely within the prov-
ince of true history to commemorate and perpetuate the lives and character,
the achievements and honor of the illustrious sons of the nation; and if
any stimulus is, needed in this behalf, it may be found in the caustic words
of Burke, that "those only deserve to be remembered who treasure up a
history of their ancestors." Each state presents with pride her sons and
her jewels. She has nursed among her children those who have become
illustrious in religion, in law, in oratory and in statesmanship, and whose
exalted character and national reputation have shed more honor and glory
upon the history of their native state than any beside. One of the most
widely known and honored citizens of southeastern Kansas is Rev. S. M.
Irwin. Tliirty-three years have been added to the cycle of the centuries
since he established his home in Geneva to minister to the spiritual wants
of tbe congregation of the Presbyterian church.
He was born at South Salem, Ross county, Ohio, on the 23rd of No-
vember, 1836, and is a son of William S. Irwin, whose birth occurred in
1812. When he (the father) had arrived at years of maturity he married
Miss Sally McMunn, a native of Ohio. At the time of the Civil war he
served as captain of Company I, of the Sixtieth Ohio Volunteers, and in
the course of his services he was captured at Harpeis Ferry, Virginia, and
sent back to Chicago where he remained until he was paroled. He then
helped to organize the Second Ohio Heavj' Artillery. He was commis-
sioned major of the battery and acted as commanding officer most of the
time until the war was ended and he received an honorable discharge.
Resuming the pursuits of civil life he engaged in the nursery business,
332 . HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
dealing in fruit trees. On coming to Kansas he located in Neosho county
and was elected to represent his county in the general assembly, having
the distinctive honor of being the first Republican sent to the legislature
from that county. He was a member of the house during the session in
which Pomeroy and York had their trouble, and when John J. Ingalls was
elected to the United States senate. His wife died in January, 1S79, at the
age of sixty-eight years, and is now survived by three of her six children,
namely: Albert Irwin, a resident of Washington, D. C; William N., who
is first assistant in the pomological department at Washington; and S. M.,
of this review.
Rev. Irwin was reared on the home farm and the public schools
and academy of his native town afforded him his early educational priv-
ileges, which were supplemented b}' study in Hanover College and in
which he was graduated in the class of i86t. He then engaged in teach-
ing for two years, as principal of the high school of Hanover, and subse-
quently entered the theological seminary at Princeton, New Jersey, where
he remained until, having completed the three years' coarse, he was
graduated in 1866. The following year he was ordained to the ministry at
Decpwater, being located in Vernon county, Missouri, his first charge
being the Little Osage church, and there he continued for a year, coming
to Geneva in 1867. Since that time he has been pastor of the Presbyterian
church and he is rich in the love, confidence and respect of his people, and
his influence for good in the community is immeasureable. He has also
been identified with educational interests in Allen county, having for six
years been a teacher in the Academy at Geneva. His sermons are in-
structive, forceful, logical and entertaining, and fail not to impress his
hearers with his earnestness and with the truth of his utterances. He has
preached in many of the churches in the surrounding country and for
twenty-eight years he has had charge of Liberty church, now at Piqua.
Rev. Irwin was married in the summer of iS^y to Miss Louisa A.
Hackman, of Washington, Missouri, and a daughter of J. F. W. and
Juliana Hackman. They are the parents of nine children, of whom seven
are now living, as follows: John M., a railroad agent at Westphalia, Kan-
sas; William N., a resident of Geneva; Samuel J., who is a train dispatcher
at Herrington, Kansas; Paul C, Julia L., Abram M. and Mary L., all at
home. Mr. Irwin has a very pleasant residence and a fine orchard in
Geneva. When he first came to this state he purchased two lots and a
small dwelling and has kept adding to it until he has a comfortable home.
He has bought the first forty blocks (save one lot) within the corporation
limits of the town and afterward purchased tracts of forty-five acres on the
east and forty acres on the west and at another time a tract of eighty acres
in Woodson county, Kansas, so that his realty possessions are now quite
extensive. No man has ever been more respected in Geneva and the sur-
rounding country, or enjoyed more fully the confidence of the people,' or
better deserves such respect and confidence than Mr. Irwin. The residents
of southeastern Kansas recognize his merit and hold in the highest regard
his services. He believes in a church true to the Master and aims to
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 333
preach the whole truth whether men will heai or forbear. Many have
reason to bless him for his influence in leading them to take cognizance of
the soul's needs and to place their treasure in that country "where moth
and rust do not corrupt and thieves do not break through and steal."
EDWARD D. CURTIS— A native of the Empire State, Edward D.
Curtis, was born on the 2nd of September, i860, the eldest in a
family of ten children. He spent the first ten years of his life in New
York, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Kansas, the
family locating in Allen County. He remained at home until twenty -six
years o£ age and in the meantime learned the carpenter's trade, which
he followed for a number of years, eventually abandoning it for farming.
Mr. Curtis was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Estep, a daughter
of A. J. Estep. Her mother, Mrs. Charlotte Estep, died in 1S70, at the
age of thirty-four years. She has a brother and sister, George and
Charlotte, the latter the wife of J. H. Hobb, of Colorado Springs, Colorado,
where he is engaged in the Stock Brokerage business. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Curtis have been born three children. May, Ivan and Madge
After his marriage in 1SS6, Mr. Curtis moved to Wichita, Kansas,
and there engaged in the implement business for five years. On the ex-
piration of that period he sold his store and returned to Allen County,
where he engaged in farming until 1897. He then resumed work at the
carpenter's trade in lola, following that pursuit until he met witli an acci-
dent, falling from a building. Subsequently he conducted a feed store in
lola, but in 1899, disposed of that business and removed to his farm in
Geneva township, where he has since engaged in raising grain and stock.
Thirty-one years have passed since he came to the county and throughout
the period he has been held in high regard for his many excellent qualities
and sterling worth.
^ A riLLIAM J. PICKELL— We are now permitted to touch briefly
' " upon the life history of one who has retained a personal associa-
tion with the affairs of Allen County for a number of years. His life has
been one of honest and earnest endeavor and due success has not been
denied him. As proprietor of the elevator in Humboldt he is recognized
as one of the leading business men of the community. The safe, conserva-
tive policy which he has inaugurated commends him to the judgment of
all, and he has secured a patronage which makes the volume of business
transacted in his office of considerable magnitude.
Mr. Pickell was born in Canada, November 30, 1857, his parents being
Moses and Mary (Mark) Pickell, the former a native of Canada, and the
334
HISTORY OF ALLEN. AND
latter of England During her girlhood, however, the mother accompanied
her parents on their removal to the English province in the new world.
B)- the marriage of this worthj' couple they became parents of seven chil-
dren, namely: Moses, who died February 26, 1901; Mrs. Elizabeth Beck,
wife of A. W. Beck, of lola; Mary J., wife of Dr. A. J. Fulton, of lola; Mrs.
Kale Thomas, of lola; Anna, wile of L. H. Wishard, of lola; and William
J. The father was a millwright by trade and also followed blacksmithing.
In 1858 he went to California, where he remained for eight years, working
at his trade and operating a sawmill. In 1861 his family removed to
northern Indiana and after his return from California Mr. Pickell took them
to Kansas, arriving July 30, 1869, five miles east of lola, where he
purchased five hundred acres of land, owning the land joining the town of
LaHarpe. His wife died in October, 1869 at the age of fortj'-two years.
His death occurred in Allen County in 187 1, when he was forty-four years
of age.
William J. Pickell, whose name introduces this record, received but
limited educational privileges, never attending school after he was eleven
years of age. He was only fourteen years of age at the time of his father's
death, and upon him devolved largely the responsibility of managing the
family affairs. For twenty -two years he resided upon a farm, but coming
to the conclusion that he could better h'is financial condition by entering-
commercial life he went to lola, where he was employed for six years by
A. W. Beck, a dealer in farm implements and grain. On the expiration
of that period Mr. Pickell traded hi? farm near EaHarpe for the elevator at
Humboldt, and on the 14th of October 1S97, removed his family to that
place. There he began business on a small scale, buying grain and grind-
ing feed, but his trade has rapidly and steadily increased, so that he now
furnishes employment to from five to eight men. He buys everything the
farmers have for sale, including hogs, cattle, corn, wheat, oats, hay and
flax. He is the proprietor of one of the best business enterprises in his
line in the State of Kansas.
On the 22nd of March, 1S79, Mr. Pickell wedded Miss Jessie Wei-ner,
a native of Greene County, Illinois, who came to Kansas in 1878 with her
parents. Unto our subject and his wife have been born seven children:
James Ralph, Catharine Maud, Archie Benson, Mo.^es F. , Ray Caswell,
Mark Weisner and Loren Clifford. The eldest son has completed the high
school course and for two years has been a student in Baker University at
Baldwin.
Mr. Pickell votes with the Republican party, but aside from casting
his franchise in support of its men and measures he takes no active part in
politics, preferring that his attention shall be given in an undivided man-
ner to his business affairs. He started out in life with a very limited capi-
tal, but the years have brought him success as a reward for his efforts and
prominence in commercial circles is assured and enviable.
^ ^^-^A^
WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS. 335
JOHN P. DICKEY has been the architect of his own fortunes and has
■" builded wiselj- and well. His life affords an illustration of the viccisi-
tudes of business under modern conditions; it emphasizes the importance of
doing the right thing at the right time and it teaches a lesson of patience
under difRculties and perseverance against obstacles, — a lesson that might be
profitablj- followed bj' many.
Mr. Dickey was born in Scott County, Indiana, on the 26th of Febru-
ary, 1S24, and is a representative of one of th& old families of the South.
His father, Rev. John Dickey, was a native of North Carolina, and re-
moved to Kentucky when ten years of age, being there reared to manhood.
He was licensed to preach in the Presbytery of that State, and in an early
day removed to Indiana, being the first Presbyterian minister ever installed
.in that commonwealth. He had charge of one church for thirty years and
was (;ne of the organizers and founders of the Presb3'terian Academy in
Hanover, Indiana. As an educator he possessed exceptional ability and
throughout his life he devoted his time and talents to imparting knowledge
to others or to preaching the gospel, carrying the glad tidings of great joy
into many a household upon the frontier.
Rev. Dickey preached the first anti-slavery sermon and the first tem-
perance sermon in the synod of Indiana. He was without college educa-
tion or theological training, like Uncle Tom, of a meek and quiet disposi-
tion, yet he was first and foremost in all the reforms of the day.
Mr. Beecher was a member of the same synod with Mr. Dickey.
Harriet Beecher Stowe says the life of Rev. Mr. Dickey gave her the in-
spiration for Uncle Tom's Cabin. He was the first in.stalled pastor in the
State, and probably the third minister in the State of Indiana. '
When Birney run on the ticket for anti-slavery Mr. Dickey was the
only one who cast a vote for him in Clark County, Indiana.
He married Miss Margaret Osbom Steele, a native of Kentucky, and
they instilled into the minds of their eleven children lessons of indu.stry,
honesty and morality. The father died in 1849 at the age of fifty-nine
years, and the mother passed away in 1847, when fifty years of age.
Four of the children are yet living, namely: James, a resident of Tola; Mrs.
Mary Haines, of Xew Albany, Indiana; William, now living in Oregon,
and John P. of this review.
The last named was reared upon his father's farm during the early
development of the State of his nativity. His educational privileges were
those afforded by the common schools. He learned the carpenter's and
wagonmaker's trades as a preparation for life's practical duties, and as a
companion and helpmate on life's jonrne)' he chose Miss Martha E.
Matthews, a native of Kentucky, the wedding being celebrated in New-
Washington, Indiana. After the death of his first wife he was again
married in 1865, his second union being with Miss Amanda D. Dickerson,
a native of New York, and a daughter of John Dickerson. Her father was
born in the Green Mountain State and when he had arrived at the j'ears of
maturity he wedded Miss Mary Bacon, a native of Connecticut. In 1864
336 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
they came to Kansas, locating in Gene\'a, where Mr. Dickerson died in
1856, at the age of seventy-five years, while his wife passed away in 1885,
when eighty-five years of age. In their family were six children, three of
whom survive, namely': Mrs. Maria I,. Williamson, who resides with Mrs,
Dickey; Lewis I. Dickerson and Mrs. Dickey.
In the year 1857 Mr. Dickey arrived in Kansas, which was then a
territory having not yet assumed the dignity of Statehood. He secured a
claim on Martin Creek and there resided until his country's call tor aid
prompted his enlistment as a member of Company D, Ninth Kansas
Cavalry. He served for three years along the border of Missouri and Ar-
kansas, escorting trains as they passed to and fro. His command was
mostly engaged in guard duty, but occasionally met a band of bushwhack-
ers, which would be followed by a skirmish. At the close of the war the
subject of this review returned to his adopted State, locating in Geneva
where he was identified with its building interests. He had the honor of
building the first school house and the first church ever erected in Allen
County, the location being in district No. i of Geneva.
In 1867 Mr. Dickey removed to his farm and has since carried on agri-
cultural pursuits with marked success. He owns one hundred
and sixty acres of rich and arable land and has developed a valuable
property. In front oi his commodious residence is a wide lawn on which
stand beautiful shade trees protecting the home from the hot rays of the
summer sun. His extensive barns and outbuildings furnish shelter for
grain and stock. When he arrived in Kansas he had only twelve dollars
in money, and that served as a nucleus for his present comfortable compe-
tence. His success was assured from the beginning because he pos.sesses
those qualities which contribute to prosperity. He has always been a
staunch advocate of Republican principles, voting with, the party since he
cast his first ballot for General John C. Fremont. In all life's relations he
has been found true to duty, whether it has been in the fields of indus-
trial or agricultural business, in military circles or in the walks of private
life. There has been manifest in his career a persistency of purpose that
when guided by sound judgment never fails of reward.
CHARLES L. KNOWLTON was born in Clark County, Indiana, on
the 23rd of June, 1849. His father, James H. Knowlton, was born
in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, in 1810, and in 1836 became a resident of
Hanover, Indiana, where he began the study of medicine. He was gradu-
ated in the Cincinnati Medical College and entered the professional ranks
where he soon won prominence, his skill and ability gaining him marked
prestige. In 1838 he was united in marriage to Mi.ss Margaret Dickey, a
native of Kentucky, who was born in 1814 and was a daughter of John and
Margaret Dickey. Mr. and Mrs. Knowlton became the parents of six
children, of whom three sons are now living: John D., Charles L- and
I
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 337
Howard N. Two sisters, Olive and Emma, married George Tathain, tlie
latter becoming his wife after the deatli of her sister, and she, too, has
passed away.
Dr. Knowlton continued to practice medicine in Indiana until the in-
auguration of the Civil war. When rebellion threatened the destruction of
the Union, from every walk of life there came men of loyal purpose and
undaunted spirit who offered their services to the government, and among
the Union troops of Indiana Dr. Knowlton was numbered, joining the Fifty-
second Indiana Infantry, of which he was appointed assistant surgeon. He
rendered great aid to the sick and wounded men of his regiment and served
in that capacity until his own health failed, when he resigned and returned
to his home. He afterward removed to Illinois where he engaged in prac-
tice several years and in 1866 he came to Kansas, locating in Geneva
where he followed his profession through his remaining days, his death
occurring in 1882. Seven years later his wife passed awa\', being then
seventy-five years of age. Like many other energetic young men starting
out in lite Dr. Knowlton had to depend entirely on his own efforts, and
engaged in teaching school in order to obtain the money necessary to pur-
sue his medical course. After locating in Allen County he became one of
the leading practitioners and also one of the prominent citizens in other
walks of life. He was a man of strong mentality, of marked force of char-
acter and keen discernment, and his fitness for leadership led to his selec-
tion for high official honors. He was once chosen to serve in the legislature
and Allen County has never been better represented than by Dr. James
H. Knowlton. He left the'impress of his individuality upon the legislature
of that period and upon many of the interests of Allen County, and by
those who knew him he is remembered as a man who was fearless in con-
duct and of untarnished reputation.
The first twelve years of Charles L. Knowlton's life were spent in
town. He -then accompanied his parents on their removal to a farm.
The>- had become residents of Illinois during his early boyhood and in the
schools of that State he acquired his education, becoming familiar with all
the branches of English learning that constituted the curriculum of public
instruction. In 1867, when about eighteen years of age, he came with his
parents to Kansas, locating in Geneva where he has since continued to
make his home. For many years he was identified with the work of the
farm. In 1872 he married Miss Emily Denney. a naitve of Ohio, who in
1S59 came to Kansas with her parents, William and Emilin Denney. On
putting aside the plow Mr. Knowlton became identified with commercial
pursuits, establishing a general store in Geneva where he carries every-
thing that is usually found in a first class establishment of the kind. This
includes a stock of drugs. About the same time he began the practice of
medicine. His father being a physician, he became familiar with the prin-
ciples of the medical profession from association with him. As the years
have passed he has continued his studies and is now well informed along
that line. He controls quite an extensive practice in connection with his
338 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
mercantile affairs and is the most active and enterprising business man in
the little town of Geneva.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Knowlton have been born four children: Olive,
who is a teacher in Allen County; Maggie and Daisy, who are successfully
teaching in the schools of Allen County, and Frank, who is still under the
parental roof. The family is one of prominence in the community, enjoy-
ing the high regard of a large circle of friends and the hospitalit}' of the
best homes in this localitv. Mr. Knowlton has always taken a deep and
abiding interest in political affairs and keeps well informed on the issues of
the day, thereby being enabled to support his position by intelligent argu-
ment. He always attends the County and State conventions and his
opinions carry weight in party councils, yet he has never been a politician
in the sense of office seeking. He could undoubtedly win political honors
did he desire, but his business makes heav}' demands upon his attention
and he prefers to give his time in an undivided manner to the control of his
mercantile and professional interests. His labors have contributed largely
to the upbuilding of Geneva, and its commercial enterprise is due in no
small measure to him. In business circles he enjoys an unassailable repu-
tation for he follows correct methods and honorable principles and at all
times he is possessed of that progressive spirit which seeks not alone his own
good, but is alive to the advancement of city, county and State, and his
place in Geneva would be difficult to fill.
TV /f RS. CLARA M. MABIE is one of the highly esteemed ladies of
-'-''J- Allen county and lesides upon one of the fine farms of southeastern
Kansas. She was born in the county which is yet her home, on the 22nd
of April, 1862, and is a daughter of George and Mary A. Esse. Her
parents are still living, their home being in Geneva. Her father was born
in France near the city of Metz, on the 12th of December, 1827. His
father, John Esse, was a Frenchman, but his mother, Mrs. Mary Esse, was
of German birth. When twelve years of age George Esse came to America
and resided in New York until he had attained to man's estate. He was
married there to Miss Mary Ann Ikins, an English lady who came to the
Unite.d States in 1845. In 1867 they emigrated to Kansas, locating on a
farm near their present home. There the father carried on agricultural
pursuits for a number of years, but he has since disposed of all of his land
with the exception of a small tract, not caring to be burdened with a
greater amount. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Esse were born two children: Eugene
C. and Clara, the former a resident of lola.
Clara M. Esse spent her girlhood days under the parental roof and
pursued her education in the public schools. When eighteen years of age
she gave her hand in marriage to Edward R. Mabie, the wedding being
celebrated on the 27th of May, 1880. Mr. Mabie was born in vSouth Wes-
ley, New York, August 25, 1838, was reared there and was graduated at
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 339
the high school in Albany, New York. When the country became in-
volved in Civil war he joined the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh New
York Infantry, at Rome. New York, .serving for three years. He partici-
pated in the battles of Shiloh, Richmond, Antietam, Vicksburg, Atlanta
and many others which led to the successful termination of the Rebellion.
On one occasion b.e was wounded by a minie ball which grazed the back
of his neck, and he incurred diseases that finally terminated his life.
In 1 866 Mr. Mabie came to Kansas and secured a claim of eighty acres
on Martin creek, two miles east of Geneva, where he resided until the
time of his death. He added to his farm as opportunity offered until he
liecame the owner of three hundred and twenty-five acres of land which he
placed under a high state of cultivation. He erected thereon a good resi-
dence and barn and the home is surrounded by beautiful, native forest
trees which protect it from the hot rays of the summer sun. He also set
out nine miles of hedge fence, and forty gates furnish entrance to his fields
and pastures. His labors resulted in making his property one of the best
farms in Allen county. He died October 20, 1899, at the age of sixty-two
years. He was a loving and devoted husband and father, a faithful
friend and a loyal citizen and thus throughout the community his loss was
deeply felt.
Mr. and Mrs. Mabie were the parents of eight children: George E. ,
Frank C, Harris R., Alice E., Maud P., Clara B. and Ed. T., seven of
whom are under the parental roof. Mrs. Mabie, with the assistance of her
eldest son, George, is conducting the home farm, which is kept up in the
same excellent condition in which it was found when under the super-
vision of the husband and father. Mrs. Mabie possesses excellent business
;ind executive ability, in addition to those true womanly qualities which
have gained her the high regard and friendship of many with whom she
has been brought in contact.
r^HARLES A. STEWART is a representative of one of Allen county's
^-^ honored pioneer families, and is one of her native sons, his birth hav-
ing occurred on the 5th of June, 1870. He was reared on the farm which
is now his home, the residence being situated within two hundred feet of
his present dwelling. His parents were Samuel J. and Emma A. Stewart,
and he is the eldest son of their seven children. During his j'outh he at-
tended the district schools of the neighborhood, and in the summer months
assisted in the plowing, planting and cultivation of the fields, early becom-
ing familiar with all the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He
remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which event in his
life occurred on the 3rd of April, 1892, Miss Freelie E. Duncan becoming
his wife. She was born in Indiana, and is the second child of John W.
and Elizabeth Duncan, with whom she came to Kansas during her early
girlhood. Her parents were also natives of the Hoosier state, and her
340 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
mother bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Owen. In 1878 the_v came tu
Allen county, settling four miles south of Humboldt, where Mrs. Duncan
still resides.' Her husband died February 8, 1898, at the age of fifty years.
During the Civil war he loyally served the Union as a member of an In-
diana regiment. By their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Duncan became the
parents of seven children, namely: O. P., who is living in lola; Mrs.
Stewart; Emmert, a resident of Oklahoma; Othella, wife of W. H. Booe, a
resident of Fountain county, Indiana; Bertha, Bulin and Olin, who are
with their mother.
Mr. and Mrs. Stewart began their domestic life upon a farm of seventy-
seven acres, which he purchased, erecting thereon a cozy little residence,
to which he has since added a stone addition. He has increased the
beautyof the place by planting trees, has set out a nice vineyard, erected a
good barn and other outbuildings and now has one of the desirable farms
in the southern portion of the county. The fields are under a high state of
cultivation and their rich products find a ready sale on the market.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart has been blessed with four chil-
dren, namely: Alma, Gladys, Harlan and Glenn. Mr. Stewart is a Re-
publican, and though he never seeks office for himself he has just regard
for the duties of citizenship, keeps well informed on the issues of the day,
and attends the conventions of his party, doing all he can to support his
friends and to secure the adoption of Republican principles. He started
upon his business career as manj' others have done, without capital, and
his earnest labor, guided by sound judgment in business affairs, has
brought to him all that he now possesses, making him one of the substan-
tial residents of the community.
FRANK S. DENNEY. — The Denney family is of English lineage and
was founded in America by the great grandfather of our subject, who
was born in the city of London. While on the ocean, at the time of the
Revolutionary war, he was captured and brought to this country and being
well pleased with his new home he never returned to his native land. His
son, James Denney, was born in Pennsylvania, and having arrived at years
of maturity married Sarah Lucas, also a native of the Keystone state. Of
their children William Denney became the father of our subject. He was
born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, Augu.st 23, 1823, and was married
in Ohio in 1845. to Miss Emily Melick, a daughter of James and Anna
(Duncan) Melick, the former a native of Kentucky. At an early day
William Denney removed from the Buckeye state to Green county, Wis-
consin, and in 1859 came with his family to Kansas, where he has since
resided. Both he and his wife are yet living and have enjoyed a happy
married life of fifty-five years. Their farm is situated on Indian creek, a
mile northwest of Geneva. They are numbered among the honored pioneer
settlers of the Sunflower state, having resided here for forty-one years, and
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 34 1
they relate many interesting incidents of the early development of Allen
county when its farms were in their primitive condition, when the now
thriving towns and villages were unfounded and when the Indians were
still very numerous. Great changes have since occurred and they have
borne their part in the transformation that has been wrought.
Frank S. Denney, their sixth child, was born in Green county, Wis-
consin, on the 2Sth of March, 1857, ^"^ was therefore but two years of age
when brought by his parents to Allen county in the lall of 1859. The
days of his youth were passed upon the home farm, and in the schools of
Geneva he acquired his education. In 1S84 he wedded Miss Alice White,
of Colony, Kansas, a daughter of George and Mary White. Her father
died in 1890, but her mother is still living. Mrs. Dennev came to Kansas
in 1881.
Three years previous to his marriage our subject entered a general
mercantile store in Colony as clerk and held the position for seven years,
after which the stock of goods was sold and he returned to the farm, pur-
chasing one hundred and sixty acres of land a half mile south of Geneva.
Here he has since made his home and is engaged in raising and selling
cattle and hogs. He never sells any of his grain but feeds it to his .stock,
and is regarded as one of the prosperous stock raisers of this locality. He
has been very successful and has made all that he has by his own industry
and good judgment.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Denney have been born three children: Roy,
Delta and Alta, who are still with their parents. The youngest is a bright-
eyed little maiden'of seven years and very small for her age, but she had
the honor of winning the first prize at the Allen county oratorical contest
held in lola in January, 1900. The best talent of the county participated,
including men and women, and there were twelve contestants, but Alta
Denney was awarded the prize, an unabridged dictionary valued at ten
dollars. Her parents certainly have every reason to be proud of her.
The family is one of promince in the community and they enjoy the warm
regard of many friends.
'^AR E. BENNETT— In.scribed on the roll of pioneer .settlers of south-
•^— ' ern Kansas appears the name of Zar E. ' Bennett, who came to this
county at a very early period in its development. He was born in western
New York, June 15, 1853, and when five years of age came with his parents
to this State. He belongs to a family noted for longevity. His father,
Zar Bennett, Sr.,is j-et living at the age of ninety-three years, and is a
resident of Ida. He was born in Connecticut, and after arriving at years
of maturity wedded Sarah J. Hinman, of New York, whence they removed
to the Sunflower State in 1858. Mrs. Bennett's death was occasioned by
accident. Her clothing caught fire and burned her badly, and this, to-
gether with the nervous shock, terminated her life December 25, 1898, when
342 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
she was seventy-one years of age. They had three children: Zar E.,
Fred S. and Leslie, both of lola.
The subject of this review was reared on the home farm and early be-
gan work in the fields, assisting in the work of plowing, planting and
harvesting. When crops were garnered in the autumn he was allowed the
privilege of going to school, but the educational advantages in Kansas at
that time were rather meager, owing to the unsettled condition of Lhe coun-
try, but through study in the school-room and in his leisure hours, Mr.
Bennett prepared himself fof teaching and followed that profession for five
years, thus gaining capital sufficient to enable him to get a start in life.
As a companion and helpmeet on life's journey he chose Miss L,ibbie
M. Reno, a native of Indiana, the wedding being celebrated in 1875. The
lady is a daughter of P. G. and Lucinda (Clark) Reno, the parents being
natives of Indiana, whence they came to Kansas during the early girlhooa
of ]\Irs. Bennett. They have five children now living, namely: W. C, of
Richmond, Kansas; Mary J., wife of M. M. Hart, of lola: Mrs. Eliza Cook,
of Oklahoma; S. D., of Kingman, and Libbie M., the honored wife of our
subject.
Although Mr. Bennett started out on his business career at the very
bottom round of the ladder he has steadily worked his way upward and
now stands on the plane of affluence. He has always followed farming
with the exception oi a short period devoted to conducting a meat market
in lola. in partnership with M. M. Hart, but not being satisfied with that
enterprise he returned to his farm on Deer Creek. Subsequently he sold
his land in the river bottom and purchased one hundred and fifty-three and
a half acres on Martin Creek where he has developed one of the best farms
in Geneva township He has plenty of bottom land for cultivation, while
his residence stands on an elevation, commanding an excellent view of the
surrounding country. His home stands in the midst of richly cultivated
fields and it is evident to the passerby that the owner follows progressive
methods in his farming operations. Politically Mr. Bennett is a stalwart
Republican and has twice served as trustee of Geneva township, leaving
the office as he entered it with the confidence and good will of the public.
The history of Allen County is familiar to him from pioneer days and his
support and co-operation have been given freely to many measures which
have contributed toward the general good and to the upbuilding and pros-
perity of the county.
JAMES W. HAMM, one of the enterprising young business men of
Humboldt, was born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, February 22,
1865. His father, William B. Hamm, was also a native of the Kej'stone
State, and was a carpenter by trade, following that pursuit for many years
in Pennsylvania. In 1878 he removed to Kansas, locating on a farm five
miles northwest of Humboldt, in Woodson County, where he carried on
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 343
agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 18S7, when he was
fifty-five j'ears of age. His widow still survives him and is now living in
Humboldt. She bore the maiden name of Catharine M. Servey, is a native
of Clarion County, Pennsylvania, and was married in 1852. By their
union were born six children, one of whom died in childhood, while five
are yet living, namely: Mrs. Mary Weckerly, of Yates Center, Kansas:
John C, one of the leading attornej-s of Evanston, Wyoming: Sadie, now
Mrs. Kesterson, of Portland, Arkansas; James W. of this review and
Albert, who is living with his mother.
James W. Hamm pursued his education in the public schools of Penn-
sylvania until fourteen years of age and only attended school for six months
after coming to Kansas. He was, however, an extensive reader of news-
papers, and thus in the evenings, after the day's work was done, became
familiar with the events that mark the world's history. He worked upon
the home farm until 1886, when, in connection with his brother, J. C.
Hamm, he purchased the Allen County Courant, a Democratic paper pub-
lished in lola. They continued to issue that journal for two years, when
they sold the plant to A. C. and W. W. Scott, who removed' it to Okla-
homa and established there the Oklahoma Journal. After disposing of his
interests in that journal Mr. Hamm spent some time in travel and was for
a short time a resident of Evanston, Wyoming, but in 1890 returned to
Humboldt, and in that year was married. After his marriage he settled
on a farm north of the city, and there still resides, giving a part of his time
to agricultural pursuits in connection with other business affairs. He was
for some years general agent for the Page Woven Wire Fence Company of
Adrian, Michigan. In 1897 he engaged in the ice business, electing a
small plant which he operated in connection with an ice house on the bank
of the river, the building having a capacity of seven hundred tons, which
he fills with ice sufficient to supply a large patronage . through the hot
summer month.-. He has recently added to his manufacturing enterprises
a sorghum mill and evaporator, which is operated by steam and has a
capacity of two hundred gallons per day, also a hydraulic cider press, the
name of the firm now being Hamm Bros.
On the 22nd of February. 1890, Mr. Hamm was united in marriage to
Miss Ella Works, a daughter of the pioneer R. M. Works. Three children
have been born of this union: Robert, Helen and Mildred. Mr. Hamm
votes with the Democracy, but takes no active part in politics. Socially he
is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient
Order of United Workmen. The business interests of Humboldt are well
represented by him, and whether in public or private life he is always
a courteous, genial gentleman, well deserving the high regard in which he
is held.
TOHN GRIMM, who follows farming in Geneva township, was born in
" Prussia February 5, 1839, a son of John H. Grimm, who died in the
fatherland at the age of seventy-four years, while the mother also passed
344 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
away in that country. Their two children, Henry and John, are both resi
dents of America. The latter was reared in the land of his nativity an:l
after entering upon his business career secured a situation in an iron
foundry where sheet iron was manufactured. He was thus employed until,
according to the German laws, he had to enter the regular army. He was
a member of a sharp-shooters company and remained in the service for
seven years,, but as the country was then at peace the soldiers had little
else to do but drill. One regulation of their army life was that they were
required to learn to swim, spending an hour thus each day in summer
months and continuing the practice until they were enabled to swim across
the River Rhine, which is a mile and a half in width. Another regulation
was that the soldiers could not marry until thej' had served their seven
years in the army.
After being released from military service, Mr. Grimm was united in
marriage, in 1S67, to Miss Eliza France, and in 1871 they came to the
United States, casting their lot with the citizens of Allen county, Kansas.
At the time of their arrival Mr. Grimm's cash capital consisted of only a
few dollars, but he resolutely set to work and when he had earned more
money he rented a small farm, continuing its operation for six or seven
years, when with the capital he had acquired through his own efforts he
purchased a small farm, to which he has added from time to time until his
landed possessions now aggregate one hundred and twenty acres. There
were no trees upon the place, but now a beautiful grove surrounds his
farm. He has a good residence and barn, well tilled fields and a fine
oichard containing seventeen varieties of apples.
Mr. Grimm served as justice of the peace of Geneva township for one
term and then declined re-election. For about twelve years, however, he
has served as school director, and the cause of education has found in him
a warm friend. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men
and measures of the Republican party and is veiy earnest in his advocacy
of its principles. All that he is in life and all that he has acquired, are due
to his own efforts. Though he came to America empty-handed, unfamiliar
with the language of the people and their customs, he readily adapted him-
self to his new surroundings, and to-day is numbered among the substan-
tial citizens of his community.
GEORGE McKINLEY, agent of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
Railway Company at Humboldt, is a worthy citizen of Allen county
whose business life has been passed within its borders. He was born in
Fairfield, county, Ohio, December 8, 1861. He is a son of William Mc-
Kinley who came to Allen county and settled west of Humboldt, on Owl
creek, in 1880, and improved a bottom farm. His is one of the large
bodies of cultivated land in the county and in his relation with his fellow
countymen he has maintained himself with honor, dignity and uprightness.
William McKinley was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1830, and
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
345
was the son of an Irishman b}* the same name. His mother was Betty
Herring, born also in Ireland. They came to the United States in rS20
and settled a farm in Ohio. They reared a family of five children to be-
come industrious and honorable men and women. When William was
married, January 20, 1858, he continued the occupation of his father and
maintained a substantial and progressive establishment from the first.
The proceeds of the sale of his Ohio home he invested in land and its im-
provements near Humboldt and the same thrift and expansiveness which
characterized him in the east he has maintained in the west. Mr. Mc-
Kinley married Grace Mounts and eight of their ten children are living:
Mary, wife of Monroe Ashbiook; George; Alice, wife of Charles E. Reeber,
of Independence, Missouri; William, of Carlinville. Illinois; Charles, of
Hutchinson, Kansas; Scott, John and Joseph, the last two with the Wells-
Fargo Express Company at lola.
George McKinley was almost grown when he came to Humboldt.
His enviroment in early, life was entirely rural and his education of the
common school sort. When he decided his fate and selected his life work
railroading was his choice. In 1884 he entered the office at Humboldt
under the instruction of C. E. Blackmar and learned telegraphy. His first
position was that of operator with the Santa Fe Company at Piinceton,
Kansas. He v>'as employed at points on the system for some years and was
then given charge of the Humboldt station. This position he has filled
fourteen years and with what acceptibility his tenure of office will answer.
December 29, 1885, Mr. McKinley was married to Flora Deffenbaugh,
a daughter of Henry and Susan Deffenbaugh, of Peoria, Illinois. The
children of this marriage are Susan, Benjamin and George McKinley, Jr.
It would be a strange departure to announce the politics of the Mc-
Kinleys as anything but Republican. They have ever maintained an
interest in public affairs and their voices not infrequently respond to the
roll-call in party conventions.
TAMES M. YOUNG. — For twenty-two years James M. Young has re-
" sided in Allen county and his farm in Logan township is one of the
valuable properties in that locality. He was born in Jackson county, Ind..
on the 5th of December, 1840, his parents being George W. and Susanna
(Erma) Young, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Indiana.
When a young man the father took up his abode in the Hoosier state and,
when our subject was a lad of ten years, removed with his family to Iowa,
where he made his home until the spring of 1857, when he came to Allen
county, Kansas, here making his home until his death. Mrs. Young still
survives and is living on the old homestead. They were the parents of
nine children, and with two exceptions all are living in Kansas.
James M. Young spent the first ten years of his life in the state of his
nativity and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa. He
346 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
came to Kansas in the fall of 1878 and purchased a farm in the south-
western corner of Allen county, in Logan township, on the southern
boundrv line and a mile from the western limit of the count}'. It was
school-land and he became owner of one hundred and sixtj' acres. With
characteristic energy he began its development-and from time to time ex-
tended its boundaries until his farm now comprises two hundred and forty
acres, constituting one of the fine farms of Logan township. A nice resi-
dence is surrounded by beautiful shade trees, sheltering the home from the
hot summer sun; large barns and sheds furnish protection for grain and
stock and all the modern improvements and accessories of a modern farm
are there found. He raises horses, cattle and hogs and feeds all of his
grain to his stock.
While in Iowa Mr. Young married Miss Mary Esther Turner, a native
of Illinois, and unto them have been born four children, two of whom are
living. W. T. Young, the elder, married Florence Schooley and resides in
this county, while Robert O. is at home and assists his father in the opera-
tion of the farm. In politics Mr. Young is a Democrat, voting for the men
and measures of the party, but never seeking or desiring office, as he pre-
fers to give his time and attention to his business affairs. These have been
carefully managed and his diligence and sound judgment have enabled
liim to accummulate sufficient capital to cany him through the evening of
life, whether his remaining days be few or many.
CHARLES HOUSER — On scores of farms in Kansas are men who
were educated in the trades. In many cases they are men who were
high up in their occupations and able to command the best wages, but the)-
preferred the free life of the farm rather than the uncertain, and oftimes
precarious life in the factories. Among the men who lelt positions of trust
and profit as a mechanic to found a home on the prairies of Kansas
is Charles Houser, of Humboldt township. Born in Germany October 16,
1839, he came to America in 1864, and at once secured employment at his
trade of cabinet maker. His ability soon secured him a good position with
a railroad company in Buffalo, New York, where he worked for many
years. In 1868 he moved to South Bend, Indiana, and worked at his
trade there. Two years later he followed the great tide of immigration to
Kansas, stopping at Humboldt. Here he resumed his trade, carefully saving
his money and investing it in an 80 acre farm. For years he alternated with
work on the farm and in the cabinet shops. He has added largelj' to his
land holdings and now he has one of the splendid farms in the county. It
consists of 320 acres of well 
