Biographical history of Cloud County, Kansas: biographies of representative citizens. Illustrated with portraits of prominent people, cuts of homes, stock, etc, Part 1

Author: Hollibaugh, E. F
Publication date: 1903]
Publisher: [n.p.
Number of Pages: 938

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS

BIOGRAPHIES OF REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

ILLUSTRATED

WITH PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT PEOPLE, CUTS OF HOMES, STOCK. ETC.

MRS. E. F. HOLLIBAUGH BIOGRAPHER AND HISTORIAN

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 734656 ASTOR, LENOX ANO TILDEN FOUNDATIONS 19 6 L

THE NEW Y" PUBLIC L'

THEEN FIRINDA".

MRS. E. F. HOLLIBAUGH.

INTRODUCTORY.

The author has endeavored to gather the material for the historical part of this work from the most authentic and reliable sources possible, has gleaned many extracts from admirable newspaper articles, and nearly every old set- tler has added his quota of historical lore.

No one yet ever wrote a history, either ancient or modern, that pleased everybody ; but the substance of the greater part of the following has been collected from the people themselves, and in most instances individuals agree that "out of the mouths of so many witnesses the truth is established." To produce a truthful and trustworthy volume of history, one must possess a knowledge of things as they actually occurred, and give them from an in- biased standpoint which renders them a permanent value.

The "homestead settler" and "pioneer" imply a great deal more than is generally accredited to them, and should be considered distinguished per- sonages. In the chronology of all historical works, they are accorded a con- spicuous place. Around them cluster the traditions and early memories of romance, as they penetrated the wilderness and plain, fraught with untold hardships and privations to pave the pathway for the masses that followed. and many of the old veterans who saw the work begun, have passed into the great beyond and left the plans to be carried forward by civilization.

A record is herein given of personal experiences that cannot but interest and prove delightful chapters to the citizens of Cloud county. The biog raphies represent all classes of society, from the hardy pioneers who procured their homes by privations and toil, that now offer many luxuries-to those who cast their fortunes among them in more recent years. The contrast in transportation was great, however; the former came through the roadless, bridgeless tract of the frontier; the latter seated in a palace car-or reclin ing on a downy couch, and after a few hours of luxurious travel is landed in Cloud county. Those who enjoy these modern blessings would be less than human were they not filled with gratitude to these early settlers who paved the way and made the present condition of things possible.

The pioneers were attracted by the hope of procuring lands and making homes in a new country. The hope as to the future that lured them on, "Springs eternal in the human heart." Those who came were, as ? rule, enterprising, open-hearted and sympathetic. They were good neigh- bors. and hence good neighborhoods were created. They illustrated the idea of the brotherhood of man more by example than by quoting creeds.

INTRODUCTORY.

The traveler wending his way across the fair state of Kansas with its evidences of civilization upon every hand, its magnificent churches, school- houses, and palatial residences evincing wealth and refinement-cannot re- alize that less than a half century ago this favored land was the home of the red man and the buffalo, roaming at will over its now fair and fertile prai- ries. Nature seems to have made that singular appreciation of the beautiful an instinet of the savage. These fields were as green then as now, the flowers bloomed as brightly and diffused their fragrance everywhere; then all was as nature formed it: now all traces of the primitive are obliterated. Where the tall prairie grass grew, one behokls the broad fields of waving golden grain ; the transformation is complete.

To the pioneers and old settlers more especially, is this work dedicated with the hope that their virtues may be emulated, and their toils and sacrifices duly appreciated by coming generations. Thus is afforded an effectual method of keeping green the memory of those to whom honor is due for their useful and worthy lives.

The author has been closely associated with the people of Cloud county for many months, and has studied the minutest detail of everything pertain- ing to the county and its citizens. The time is approaching when I shall bid them adieu with a sigh of regret, to enter upon a new field of labor. My sojourn among them is fraught with many pleasant memories and I shall ever remember the kindly courtesies extended me by the residents of Cloud county. They are a people full of noble and generous impulses, and entertain with a genuine hospitality proverbial in almost every household.

I wish to thank J. M. Hagaman, who so kindly submitted notes from which valuable extracts have been gleaned, particularly relating to the early history of Concordia. His tabulated estimate of the rainfall of Cloud county for forty-three years will be read with interest.

I am also specially indebted to J. B. Rupe, the veteran editor of the Clyde Herald, for much desirable data. Mr. Rupe is one of the most reliable, en- thusiastie and best informed men on the early history of Cloud county. Ilis "Early Recollections of Clyde and Vicinity" was kindly submitted to be used in the compilation of this work and was of incalculable value.

To the press, many old settlers and representative people generally, who have so generously and magnanimously aided in the construction of this vol- ume. I tender my sincerest gratitude and trust the following pages will meet the approbation of its patrons and friends to the fullest extent.

E. F. HOLLIBAUGH.

QUIVERA.

In the home of William J. Ion, of Grant township, the author foun.i among many other heirlooms a volume of ancient history published in 1670 71. The manuscript was prepared forty years prior to that date by the Rev- erend Samuel A. Clark, a Welsh historian This intensely interesting and valuable work was handed down to its present owner from a grand uncle, John Ion, who was a son of Mr. Ion's paternal great grandfather. It was brought to America by Mr. Ion's mother, Mrs. Maria Williams, of Ebbwvale, Merionethshire, South Wales, Great Britain. This priceless work was also the property of Mr. Ion's great grandmother, Maria Gregg, given her by her father, Thomas Gregg.

The following quotation is a fac-simile of an article contained on its pages regarding Quivera that once included the fair state of Kansas within its boundaries. In the copy which follows it will be noticed that the letter f takes the sound of s in most instances, making the literature difficult to read. The Reverend Samuel A. Clark, who compiled the work, evidently believed in the fulfillment of the Scripture, which reads: "The first shall be last and the last shall be first," as this historical volume is published in two editions, the last one being issued first and are bound together in that form.

"Next to Mexico is Quivira, which is feated on the moft weftern part of America, over againft Tartary, from whence probably the Inhabitants firft came into this New World, that fide of the country being moft populous, and the people living much after the manner of the Tartars, following the Scafon; of the Year for the Pafturage of their Cattel; that fide of America being full of Herbage, and enjoying a temperate Air. The People defire Glafs more than Gold: "Their chief Riches are their Kine, which are Meat, Drink, Cloth, Houfes, and Utensils to them: For their Hides yield them Houfes; their Bones, Bodkins; their Hair, Thred; their Sinews. Ropes; their Horns, Maws, and Bladders, Vessels: their Dung. Fire; their Calves, Skins, Budgets to draw and keep water in; their Blood, Drink; their Flesh Meat, etc.

"In Quivira there are but two Provinces that are known, Cibola and Nova Albion, fo Named by Sir Francis Drake, when he compaffed the World. It abounds with Fruits, pleafant to both the eye and palate: The people are given to Hofpitality, but withall, to Witch-craft, and worfhipping of Devils."

BRIEF RECORD

OF THE

STATE OF KANSAS

"O'er Sunny Kansas Some Commercial Cadmus

In days unknown, The teeth of golden dragons Must have sown, For, when the prairies

Feel the breath of summer, The Trowels ring. And from the soil

The burnished cities spring."

-Eugene Ware.

According to historical tradition it was on the plains of Kansas that Coronado and his band suffered so many hardships in their search for the country of Quivira and its fabulous cities of gold. Crossing the state in a northeasterly direction he reached the Missouri river near the present site of Atchison. Not finding the treasure, they erected a cross bearing the incrip- tion, Thus far came Francisco de Coronado --- general of an expedition, and returned home to Mexico." They described the country rich in fruits and1 with a soil similar to the finest fertile regions of their own country-Spain.

In the early part of the eighteenth century Kansas was visited at various times and explored by the French, who mingled with the numerous tribes of Indians that dwelt along the Arkansas and Kansas rivers. In 1803 the state became a part of the "Louisiana Purchase" and a portion of it afterward be- came a part of the Indian Territory. The state was organized as a territory in 1854.

The territory embraced with the present area of the state all the lands between the parallels of 36 degrees and 40 degrees north latitude to the Rocky mountains on the west except that part of New Mexico lying north of the 37th parallel, with the exception of a small tract. This was a part of th>

HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

above mentioned Louisiana Purchase made by President Jefferson from France. April 30. 1803. The terms of this treaty were to deed to the United States all the country drained by the Mississippi and its tributaries, of which she had any right or title.

The boundary line on the south and southwest touched the Spanish Mexican possessions, and on the east the Spanish province of West Florida. On the west shore of the Mississippi it extended to its source embracing all the Missouri valley, and stretched north of the Spanish American possessions across the Rocky mountains to the Pacific ocean, and as far north on the Pacific coast as the British possessions. For this vast domain the United States paid France the sum of $15.000,000 The province of Louisiana thus acquired comprised 1,160,577 square miles.

Its eastern and western boundaries were not definitely settled between this country and Spain until February 22, 1819, at which time a treaty was made defining these boundaries wherever contiguous to Spanish territory. In consideration for the reliquishment by the United States of her claim to Texas. Spain ceded West Florida (now MMabama and Mississippi) and re- linquished to the United States all claim to territory lying north of the 31st parallel and east of the Mississippi river.

Thus that portion of Kansas lying west of the 23rd meridian and south of the Arkansas river was ceded to Spain. When Mexico achieved its in. dependence in 1824. it passed into the possession of that republic. In 1836, Texas, on gaining her independence, claimed it as a part of her domain, which claim was subsequently confirmed by the treaty of the United States and Mexico, at the expiration of the war, February 22, 1848. It finally became a part of the government domain by purchase, it being a part of the territory celed to the United States by Texas in 1850, that state receiving $10,000,- 000 as a consideration.

The origin of the word Kansas is Indian, and means smoky river, de- rived from the tribe of Indians found in the territory when first visited by white men. They were spoken of by the early explorers as Kanzas, Canceas, Cansez, Canzas, Canzes, Okansis, Kansies, Canses, Canzon, Kanzon, Konza. Konzas, Kasas, Kanzan. Kanzans and by various others, all having a similar phonetic sound. From these have come the legal recognition of the present word Kansas, which is said to signify in the language of the Kansas tribe, smoky, and the south fork of the Kansas river is still known as Smoky Hill river.

The first move for a territorial government made within the limits of Kansas was at the trading post of Uniontown in 1852. A mass meeting was held at this point by the American citizens of the Indian territory. The pro- ceedings are alluded to in a sketch of the early days of Pottawatomic county by Hon. L. D. Palmer as follows :

"About one-half dozen persons. residents of the state of Missouri, as- sembled together in a shed. One of them took from his hat a paper upon which had been written a set of resolutions brought all the way from Mis-

HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

souri, and asked the assembled multitude to vote on them. One individual said 'aye;' noes were not called for. Two or three of these were sporting gentlemen and the others were merchants who had furnished goods for the Indians and always came at such times to collect. These resolutions recited that there were hundreds of families in that vicinity in the interior of the ter- ritory who were bona fide settlers, the lives and property of whom were in constant jeopardy for want of civil protection and memorialized congress to organize a territorial government. They purported to be the unanimous expression of large class of citizens assembled together for the purpose of calling the attention of congress to the perils that threatened them.

Petitions passed at this meeting were presented at the first session of the thirty-second congress by Honorable William P. Hall, a Missouri member. who, in the following session, presented the first bill in congress providing for the organization of the territory in accordance with the papers of his Uniontown "constituency." In the autumn of 1852 an election was held at Wyandotte and thirty-five votes were polled for AAbelard Guthrie as ter- ritorial delegate to congress. As no territorial bill was passed for more than two years, the election proved an empty honor. The manuscript copies of the returns of this election are among the collections of the Kansas His- torical Society.

July 28, 1853. a convention was held at Wyandotte, a territorial govern- ment organized and Abelard Guthrie nominated for delegate to congress. His competitor for the nomination was Reverend Thomas Johnson, a staunch pro-slavery man and a friend of Atchison. A bolting convention was held at Kickapoo village September 20. 1853, and Johnson was placed in nomination as opposition candidate. He was elected over Guthrie, it is claimed, by Indian votes. He went to Washington, but owing to the delay in passing the territorial bill, was not received as a delegate.

The act organizing Kansas and Nebraska was passed May 27, and ap- proved by the President May 30, 1854. The officers appointed by President Pierce. whose appointments were confirmed by the senate, and who entered npon the duties of their office, were Governor Andrew H. Reeder, of Eaton, Pennsylvania, June 29, 1854. He took the oath of office before Peter V. Daniel, one of the justices of the supreme court of the United States at Wash- ington, July 7. He arrived in Fort Leavenworth on Saturday, October 7. and became the executive head of the Kansas government, personally assum- ing the functions of that office with a salary of $2,500 per annum. He was removed from offce July 28, 1855; he received official notice of his removal and ceased to act as governor Angust 15. The secretary. Honorable Daniel Woodson, became acting governor during the remaining part of the session of the territorial legislature.

August roth Honorable Wilson Shannon was commissioned governor. He resigned August 21, 1856 and on the same day received official notice of his removal and the appointment of Honorable John W. Geary as his ste- cessor. Governor Geary resigned March 4. 1857. Secretary Woodson again

HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

became acting governor from AApril 16th, when Mr. Geary's political and official connection with Kansas affairs terminated, to May 27, when his suc- cessor arrived. The successors of both Geary and Woodson were appointed March 10.1857, Honorable Robert J. Walker receiving the appointment of governor and Honorable Frederick P. Stanton as secretary of the territory, to be acting governor until the arrival of Mr. Walker on December 17.

Governor Walker resigned December 21st; John W. Denver took the oath of office and served until October 10. 1858, when he resigned. Samuel Medary was appointed November roth and arrived in the territory and en- tered upon the duties of his office December eoth. He resigned December 17, 1860, and George M. Beebe, then secretary of the territory, became act- ing governor and continued in this capacity until the inauguration of the state government February 9. 1861.

Daniel Woodson, of Lynchburg, Virginia, was appointed secretary June 29th with a salary of $2,000 per annum. Israel P. Donaldson, of Illi- neis, was appointed United States marshal with a salary of $300 per annum and fees. Madison Brown, of Maryland, was appointed chief justice and he not accepting was superceded by Samuel D. Lecompte, of Maryland, who was appointed October 3rd, and took the oath of office before Governor Reeder, of Leavenworth, December 5th, at a salary of $2,000 per annum. Associate Justices Saunders N. Johnson and Rush Elmore, salaries $2,000 per annum. Attorney, AAndrew J. Isaac, salary $250 per annum and fees. Surveyor, General John Calhoun, of Illinois, appointed August 26th. Terri- torial treasurer. Thomas J. R. Cramer, appointed August 29th.

The governor after his arrival set promptly to work to organize his government. He made a tour of observation taking in the most important and remote settlements in the eastern part of the territory extending as far west as Fort Riley and Council Grove. His reception was enthusiastic. The proclamation for the first election in Kansas under date November 10, 1854, was issued November 15th.

Four constitutions were framed as the organic law, before Kansas was admitted to the union. The Topeka constitution, the first in order, was adopted by the convention which framed it November 11. 1855, and by the people of the territory at an election held December 15, 1855. November 7, 1857. the Lecompton constitution was adopted by the convention which framed it. It was submitted to a vote of the people by the convention De- cember 21, 1857, the form of the vote prescribed being for a constitution with slavery and for a constitution without slavery. No opportunity was afforded at this election to vote against the constitution and the free state people of time territory refrained from taking part in it. The territorial legislature having been summoned in extra session by acting Governor F. P. Stanton, passed an act submitting the Lecompton constitution to a vote of the people at an elec- tion to be held January 4. 1858. Result, 138 votes were cast for the consti- tution and 10,226 against it. Notwithstanding this overwhelming vote against the constitution it was sent to Washington by its partisans. President

HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

Buchanan transmitted it to the senate urging the admission of the state under it, thus inaugurating the great contest which resulted in the division of the Democratic party, the election of Abraham Lincoln and the final overthrow of the slave power. The house of representatives on July 3, 1856, passed a bill for the admission of Kansas into the union under the Topeka constitui- tion. Had the bill become a law, Kansas would have been saved the five years of turmoil and strife which elapsed before she was admitted into the union.

The Topeka constitution had located the capital temporarily in Topeka ; other towns were ambitious of becoming the seat of government. Minneola, a town existing only on paper and created for this purpose, was successfully carried through the legislature. The bill locating the seat of government of the territory at Minneola was passed over the governor's veto and two days later the bill calling a constitutional convention, fixing Minneola as the place where it would assemble, was also passed.

The "Minneola swindle" as it was called, created a sensation throughout the territory and denounced as a scheme to further the finances of members of the legislature who were personally interested in the town. The public con- denned the act severely and many of the delegates were instructed to vote for an immediate adjournment of that body to some other point. This brought about a long and acrimonious debate. The session was prolonged the entire night and during the morning hours a motion was passed to adjourn and fixed Leavenworth as the next meeting place.

The convention reassembled in Leavenworth on the evening of March 25th. The constitution which became known as the Leavenworth constitui- tion was adopted and signed on April 3rd. It was adopted by the people on May 18, 1858, and on the same day the following state officers were elected under it. viz: Governor, Henry J. Adams, of Leavenworth ; lieutenant gov- ernor, Cyrus K. Holliday, of Topeka; secretary of state, E. P. Bancroft, of Emporia ; treasurer, J. B. Wheeler, of Doniphan; auditor, George S. Hellyer, of Grasshopper Falls; attorney general, Charles A. Foster, of Osa- watomie; superintendent of public instruction, J. M. Walden, of Quindaro; commissioner of school lands, J. W. Robinson, of Manhattan ; representative in congress, M. F. Conway, of Lawrence; supreme judges, William .1. Phelps, of Lawrence, Lorenzo Dow, of Topeka, and William McKay, of Wyandotte; reporter of the supreme court, Albert D. Richardson, of Sum- ner ; clerk of the supreme court, W. F. N. Arny, of Hyatt.

AREA OF THE STATE OF KANSAS, ALTITUDE, RESOURCES, ETC.

Kansas is larger than New York and Indiana combined and has over 52,000,000 acres of land. The north line of the state is on a parallel with Philadelphia, Columbus, Ohio, and Springfield, Illinois, while the southern boundary is on a line east and west with Norfolk, West Virginia. The state is 400 miles long, east, and west, and about 200 miles in width. The state dips to the east and south and nearly all the streams run in that direction.

HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

Where Kansas touches Missouri it reaches an altitude of 750 feet higher than the sea, while at the western line it is nearly 4,000 feet above tide water.

Kansas is purely an agricultural state and people of all professions and calling's have farms or are engaged in farming and stock raising. Nothing depends more on the capacity of the brain for success than agricultural pur- suits. The banker with soft white hands and a complexion that does not suggest life on a farm, will tell you of his prospects, his stock interests, etc. The merchant discusses his profits and losses on the farm. The M. D.'s from whom one would expect a dissertation of medicine instead, tells you he is doing thus and so on his farm. The attorney with a large clientage and prospering in his profession is also interested in agricultural pursuits. The minister in his conventional suit of black broadcloth is often more or less concerned in farming. The clerk tells of the harvesting of his wheat crop of the outlook of his corn fields; thus all classes of people are more or less directly or indirectly interested in farming, and all have common interests in the inviting fields of Kansas, with its bountiful crops.

During the years of 1873-4 Kansas was advertised throughout the east- ern and middle states and a great tide of emigration came pouring in and con- tinned for many months. They were from all the states, and of all profe -- sions, but many of them practical farmers and nearly all of more or less means. The pioneer settlers had paved the way for the later emigrants and to them unlimited credit is due for their courage and valor, during the pre- vailing Indian troubles, grasshoppers, drouths, and the hardships due to early settlements.

The years of 1874-5 were the most disastrous Kansas has ever known. More especially is this true of the western portion. The people of Kansas possess the secret of contentment whose value is more to them than the phi- lo-opher's stone, and these years were followed by several abundant harvests which largely and rapidly increased the population, although remote from markets and produce had to be hauled long distances in wagons to the nearest railroad station. With the bringing of the railroad facilities the state was made one of the most prosperous countries on the continent.

The preference for good schools and churches and all humane and benefi- cent social appliances and public improvements characterized the people of Kansas. These western pioneers did not only want to redeem the desert and wilderness but transfigure it into cultivated fields and handsome homes. The west doubtless seemed to be much further west than it does in these days of railroads, telephones and modern improvements. Less than a half century ago it was a question if this vast buffalo range would ever be adapted to agri- culture.

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Biographical history of Cloud County, Kansas: biographies of representative citizens. Illustrated with portraits of prominent people, cuts of homes, stock, etc, Part 1

Author: Hollibaugh, E. F Publication date: 1903] Publisher: [n.p. Number of Pages: 938

Author: Hollibaugh, E. F
Publication date: 1903]
Publisher: [n.p.
Number of Pages: 938