USA > Kansas > A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I > Part 101
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Mr. Hilton was an advocate of Repub- lican principles, but was never an aspirant for office, preferring to give his time and attention to his business affairs. When twenty-one years of age he became a meni- ber of East Mechanics' Lodge, No. 66, I. O. O. F., at Jersey City, and at his decease was a charter member of Sterling Lodge. Mrs. Hilton is a member of the Christian church.
Not only did Mr. Hilton see Rice county grow from a wild country to a rich agricul- tural district, containing thousands of good homes and acres of growing towns, inhab- ited by an industrious, enlightened and pro- gressive people, but he also participated in and assisted the slow, persistent work of de- velopment which was necessary to produce such a complete and wonderful change. He died March 26, 1902, respected by a wide circle of acquaintances.
WILLIAM CAPPIS.
One of the most straightforward, en- ergetic and successful agriculturists of Kingman county is William Cappis. Few men have been more prominent or widely known in this community than he. In busi- ness circles he has ever been an important factor and his popularity is well deserved, for in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and industry that has never flagged. He is pul lic-spirited and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, intel- lectual and material welfare of Kingman county, and for many years he has been numbered among it's most valued and hon- ored citizens.
A native of the Keystone state, Mr. Cap- pis was born in Berks county in 1831, a son cf Martin Cappis, who was born in Phila- delphia, that state, and was a member of a prominent old Pennsylvania Dutch family.
He was united in marriage to Polly Cupp, also a native of that state, and in May, 1832, they removed to Richland county, Ohio, locating in the dense woods. In 1846, however, they left their Ohio home for Champaign county, Illinois, there spending the remainder of their lives, the father pass- ing away at the age of sixty years, while the mother survived until she had attained the age of seventy-two years. Seven children were born unto this worthy couple,-Abra- ham, Moses, John, Mary, William, Caro- line and Martin. The family were members of the Lutheran church and one of promi- nence in the communities in which they made their home, and the children have be- come an honor to an honored family name.
William Cappis, the subject of this re- view, spent the early years of his life in Ohio and Illinois, where he was employed as a brick-maker, carpenter and farmer, and for several years he also worked in a mill. When the Civil war was inaugurated he nobly put aside all personal considerations and in 1862 offered his services to the Union cause, entering Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry. During his military career he took part in thirteen important battles, including those of Perryville, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca and Kenesaw Mountain. At the battle of Morgantown, Tennessee, he was wounded in the neck, and near the close of his army experience he was taken pris- oner and for eleven months was confined in the rebel prison at Andersonville, from which he was paroled at the close of the war. receiving an honorable discharge on the 6th of July, 1865. Returning thence to his home in Illinois, Mr. Cappis remained therc for a time and then came to Kansas, where he now owns four hundred and seventy- five acres of rich and fertile land on section I, Richland township, Kingman county, fifty acres of which is devoted to an orchard and timber, and he raises many varieties of fruits. Since taking up his residence in this state he has met with many reverses. On one occasion his house was completely de- stroyed by a cyclone and his horses and oxen were taken sick and died, but his undaunted
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enterprise and indomitable perseverance, which have been his chief characteristics throughout life, enabled him to retrieve his lost possessions, and he is now recognized as one of the leading agriculturists of the locality.
In 1853 occurred the marriage of Mr. Cappis and Miss Dulcena Catherine Dale. who was born in Coles county, Illinois, a daughter of Daniel F. and Polly ( Osborn) Dale. The father passed away in death in Illinois, but the mother afterward came to Kansas and she was called to her final rest from Linn county, this state. Eight chil- dren blessed the union of our subject and wife, namely : Daniel, of Champaign coun- ty, Illinois ; Francis, who makes his home in this township: Mary Sluder, of Woods county, Oklahoma ; and Eva Belle, wife of E. M. Lippincott, a sketch of whom will be found below. Four of the children are de- ceased, one daughter, Polly Ballfinch, hav- ing died at Rich Hill, Missouri, and the re- mainder passing away in infancy. The wife and mother also has passed to the home be- yond, having departed this life at the age of forty-two years, in the faith of the Baptist church, of which she was a worthy and con- sistent member.
E. M. Lippincott, also one of the well known and influential agriculturists of Kingman county, was born in Logan coun- ty, Ohio, in 1866, a son of George and Sarah ( Line) Lippincott, also natives of the Buckeve state and there they passed their entire lives, the mother dying at the age of forty-seven years and the father when he had reached the seventy-seventh milestone on the journey of life. They be- came the parents of six children, namely : James : John, deceased : E. M., of this re- view; W. M .; Frank; and Anna, deceased. E. M. Lippincott was sixteen years of age when he left the home of his birth, where he had been reared and educated, for the Sunflower state. After his arrival here he was employed for a time in the salt works at Kingman. Since taking up his abode in his present township of Richland he has met with a gratifying degree of success in his chosen line, and now occupies a leading
place among the substantial and representa- tive agriculturists of Kingman county. He is in full sympathy with all the great move- ments of the world about him, and watches the progress of events with the keenest in- terest, giving an active support and co- operation to all movements and measures which in his best judgment he considers for the public good. As a companion on the journey of life he chose Eva Belle Cappis, and they have three children,-George W., Grace May and Anna Edna. The family reside in a pleasant home in Richland town- ship and are surrounded by many of the lux- uries and comforts of life.
ROBERT OLIVER MOSCRIPT.
One of the early pioneers and permanent settlers of Chicaski township, Kingman county Kansas, who is also notable as an ex-soldier of the Civil war, is Robert Oliver Moscript, who is one of the best-known men in this part of Kingman county. Since 1878 he has been a resident here, and has successfully overcome all of the disasters from which the early settlers suffered. The same courage which made him bravely face shot and shell on the field of battle has en- abled him to repair the ravages of grass- hoppers, replant the fields destroyed by drouth and hot wind, and to ride safely on the top of the financial wave which engulfed so many.
The birth of Mr. Moscript was in Delhi, Delaware county, New York, and he was a son of Thomas and Mary ( Reynolds) Mos- cript, the former of whom was born in the lowland of Scotland. Thomas Moscript was a son of Robert Moscript, who came to the United States when the former was twelve years of age, and who served in the war of 1812. The ancestors of the mother of our subject were of New England birth, although she was born in Delaware county, New York, and died there at the age of forty years. The father of our subject spent his life in his home in Delaware county. These parents reared one daughter and six
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sons, and a notable fact connected with this loyal and patriotic family is, that all these sons became soldiers during the Civil war. Robert O. served in the One Hundred and Thirty-second Pennsylvania Infantry. Will- iam was killed at Petersburg, Virginia. The other members of the family were: An- drew, Stephen, Daniel, Edward and Sallie. One child died young. These children were all carefully reared in the Presbyterian faith and in the political belief of the Whig party.
The early life of Robert O. Moscript was passed on the Delaware county farm and he received his education in the district schools in the vicinity of his home. In 1861 he enlisted for service in Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-second Pennsylvania Infantry, his officers in the regiment being Captain Archibald and Colonel Richard A. Oakford, and with his comrades partici- pated in some of the most serious battles of the Civil war. These include Bull Run, the seven days of fighting before Richmond, South Mountain. Antietam, Fredericks- burg. Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesboro. These names stand out in history and reflect a glory of the faithful soldier which no later life can ever dim. From Jonesboro Mr. Mos- cript went with his regiment back to Rich- mond and then on to the final magnificent review at Washington city. It could scarcely be expected that such hard and con- stant service should be without injury. and our brave subject suffered twice from wounds, first at Fredericksburg, when his right foot was cut by a shell, and more seriously at Chancellorsville, when a minie ball passed through his body, piercing the left breast and coming out at the back.
In 1853 Mr. Moscript was married, in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, to Miss Lu- cinda Swartz, who was a daughter of Will- iam and Althea ( Steward) Swartz, both of whom died in that state. Four children were born to our subject and wife, namely: Mrs. Ada Boswell, of Medicine Lodge, Kansas ; E. M .. of Idaho Springs, Colorado; Elmer. a resident of Rochester township: and Will- iam, on the homestead. The latter married
Clara Tracy and they make cheer and com- fort around the path of this brave old sol- dier and equally courageous pioneer, for since 1894 he has been deprived of the com- panionship of his devoted wife, her death occurring then, at the age of sixty-four. She was a woman of many most lovable qualities, a consistent member of the Meth- odist church and devoted to deeds of kind- ness to all.
For fifteen years Mr. Moscript has been justice of the peace, and one of the most re- liable officials in this county, his decrees giv- ing universal satisfaction as to their justice. In the G. A. R. he is valued as a comrade, and he has long been connected fraternally with the I. O. O. F. In religious belief he is a Methodist and lives a life consistent with his profession.
When Mr. Moscript first located in this township he found plenty of antelope and other wild things of the wilderness. It has taken years to turn these acres into the fertile farm which he now owns, but he feels that they have been well spent. He has the hospitable manner and friendly spirit which were so common in the early days, when neighbors were many miles apart, and it is just as genuine as of old. Personally he still shows his soldierly training. his erect figure and brisk walk telling of robust health, although he still bears the marks of his battle wounds. He is one of the truly representative men of Kingman county ..
THOMAS J. ANDERSON.
Thomas J. Anderson, manager of the Hutchinson Produce Company, located at Nos 404 and 406 North Main street, Hutch- inson, was born in Panola county. 'Texas. on the 3d of April, 1842, a son of T. J. and Margaret A. ( Irving) Anderson. The father was a native of Georgia and of Scotch-Irish descent, and after coming to the United States he located in Texas, in 1839, where he was among the early pioneers. There he spent the remaining years of his life, pass- ing away at sixty-five years of age.
If Andmon
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Thomas J. Anderson, of this review, grew to manhood in the place of his nativity. In March, 1862, he nobly responded to the call of his country, becoming a member of Company I, Twenty-second Texas State Regiment of Infantry, in which he served for three and a half years in Louisiana, Ar- kansas and Texas. After the close of hos- tilities he returned to his home, where he remained for a short time and then went to western Texas, where he remained until 1869. In that year he embarked in the cat- tle business, driving them from Texas to Kansas. In 1871 he located his herd on the range of southern Kansas, keeping away from the settlements as much as possible in order to take advantage of the abundant prairie grass, and at that time his herd con- sisted of about eight hundred head. Abilene was then the nearest shipping point for this section. In 1874 Mr. Anderson pre-empted a claim on the southwest quarter of section
ness which now claims his attention and which at that time was carried on under the firm style of Braggs & Company, but later our subject purchased their interests and in September, 1900, the firm became known as the Hutchinson Produce Company, which is composed of Mr. Anderson and members of his family. His daughter, Sybil. is the efficient secretary and bookkeeper. The Hutchinson Produce Company conduct a large business in fruit and vegetables, re- ceiving consignments from the south, which are distributed to home and adjacent mar- kets. The larger part of their supplies, how- ever, are purchased from growers and ship- pers, and in addition to supplying the dealers of this city and neighboring towns they ship in carload lots to the retail trade. The bus- mness has met with a steady growth and it now represents a volume of one hundred thousand dollars per year.
On March 7, 1877, in Kansas, Mr. An- 21, also homesteaded the northwest quarter | derson was united in marriage to Alice of the same section and secured a timber claim, where he engaged in agricultural pur- suits and stock raising on an extensive scale. On his land he erected a box shanty, in which he lived for two years, and then built a good residence, which continued to be his home for ten years. As time passed he suc- ceeded in placing about five hundred acres of his land under cultivation, but in 1884 he sold his property, which then consisted of abottt nine thousand acres, to the Thompson Land & Cattle Company, of Kentucky, and in the following year he removed to Hutch- inson and engaged in the real estate business. During the wonderful boom which occurred in this section at this time, Mr. Anderson practically built up the town of Plevna and also many of the neighboring towns, as well as Hutchinson, but in the terrible decline which soon followed he lost abou one hun- dred thousand dollars. During his career as a real estate dealer, which covered a pe- riod of about four years, he handled both city' and farm property, and after retiring from the business he still retained much farming land, on which he engaged in agri- cultural pursuits for several years. In May, 1899. he became associated with the busi- Sevey, a native of Iowa, and a daughter of the Rev. John C. Sevey, a minister of the Christian church. Unto this union were born six children: - Roy, deceased in in- fancy; Ray, who died at the age of three years; Sybil L., secretary of the Hutchin- son Produce Company ; Midge, assistant sec- retary of the same company ; and Margeory and Glen, who are attending school. The wife and mother was called to the home be- yond on the 6th of March. 1890, and Feb- ruary 7, of the following year. the father married Miss Mattie Robley. In political matters Mr. Anderson was reared in the Democratic party. but in the latter years of his life he has been a reformer, favoring the "greatest good for the greatest number of people," thus supporting the principles com- monly termed socialist. He has been a close, intelligent and observant student of humanity and acknowledges no class or party boundaries, but is in favor of methods and measures which shall result in a univer- sal reformation politically, financially and socially. He took an active part in the or- ganization and the erection of the Christian church of Hutchinson, of which he was long a prominent member and active worker. He
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is almost entirely a self-educated man, hav- ing received but meager school advantages during his youth, but being naturally a close student and observer he has acquired a wide fund of knowledge. He has kept fully abreast of the times and takes a deep interest in all questions which affect the welfare of state and nation and mold the public policy. He is a broad-minded, progressive man and public-spirited citizen, and in all life's re- lations he is found true to all the duties of professional and social life which the day may bring forth.
AVERY R. AINSWORTH.
Avery R. Ainsworth, who is city mar- shal of Newton, Kansas, was born in Me- dina county, Ohio, on April 30, 1847, and he was a son of Richard W. and Harriet M. (Homan) Ainsworth, both of whoni were natives of New York. In 1855 the fa- ther of our subject moved to Bloomington, Illinois, where he was engaged in farming until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he established himself as a merchant-clothier in Bloomington and remained there until 1867, when he removed to Pleasant Hill, Missouri, and there became the cashier of a bank. From there he came to Larned, Kan- sas, and resided with his daughter Hattie. but later returned to Pleasant Hill, dying two months later, in 1895, at the age of sev- enty-eight years. His widow still survives, at the age of eighty-seven years, residing at St. John, Kansas. In early life both she and husband had become members of the Episcopal church. The three children which comprised the family of these par- ents are: Avery R., who is our subject ; James A., who lives in Pleasant Hill, Mis- souri ; and Hattie, who is Mrs. Avery H. Ainsworth, of Larned, Kansas.
Mr. Ainsworth, of this sketch, was a student in the Wesleyan University near Bloomington, Illinois, when the call came for troops for the preservation of the Union. Among those who loyally responded was Avery R. Ainsworth, although he was a
member of the sophomore class in his col- lege, with bright prospects before him, and in reality was but a lad of sixteen. He was accepted as a private in Company C, Fifth Illinois Cavalry, and bore a gallant part in the siege of Vicksburg, the battles at Jack- son, Mississippi, Corinth, Natchez and many minor engagements. At Jackson he was taken prisoner but managed to escape within two hours, made his way back to his regi- ment and again joined his comrades in the battle. The regiment then was sent on a fifteen days detour to Meridian, then re- turned to Vicksburg, and later marched all over southwestern Arkansas and Missis- sippi, went up the Red river with General Banks, and in 1865 took its last march up the Red river, through Texas and Louisiana to Springfield, where it was discharged after two years and nine months of faithful service.
After his return from the army Mr. Ainsworth accepted a position as shipping clerk in a wholesale confectionery house in Bloomington, the firm name of which was J. L. Green & Company, and a year later be- came one of their traveling salesmen, which position he held for five years. Then he continued in the same position for five years more, in the interests of Aldrich Brothers & Company, at Bloomington, and then spent another five years with Turner Wilson & Company, wholesale cigars. Then Mr. Ainsworth came to Kansas City and be- came connected with the firm of Thurber & Company, this house being the largest wholesale grocery house in the United States, and for two years he was their rep- resentative. The next eleven years were spent with the Symms Grocery Company, of Atchison, Kansas, making his headquarters in Newton in 1879. Later he engaged as traveling salesman for the Wichita Soap Company, and continued in that capacity four years.
Since that time Mr. Ainsworth has given his services to the city of Newton, and is now in his seventh year as marshal. This continued service is testimony as to his effi- ciency. It is a matter of congratulation to the quiet and law-abiding citizens of New-
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ton that no city of its size in Kansas is freer from joints and places of resort for evil- doers. This is immediately attributable to the excellent management and vigilance of the marshal. He has filled othier positions of prominence in the city, having served as councilman, and has four terms been a member of the school board.
Mr. Ainsworth was married on Sep- tember 14, 1870, to Miss Sarah J. Coney, who was born in New York, and who was a daughter of William Coney, being a resi- dent of Bloomington at the time of her marriage. The ceremony was performed at the home of her sister, Mrs. O. B. Stiles. One child has been born of this union,- Clayton A.,-a pupil in high school, who is looking forward to an education in the Santa Fe railroad shops, being a mechanical genilis and anxious to be able to work out his ideas. Both our subject and wife are members of the Episcopal church.
Marshal Ainsworth has been a life-long Republican and thoroughly believes in the principles of that party. His leadership is acknowledged and his influence in political matters has been of value to his party. Fra- ternally he is prominent in the order of Knights of Pythias, uniting with it in 1870, in Bloomington, where he was a charter member of the lodge. Since that time lie has been a delegate to the grand lodge three times, has been captain of the division in Newton for four years and he is also a char- ter member of Union Lodge, No. 223, ci Newton.
P. D. MILLER.
Among the progressive, reliable and rep- resentative citizens of Lorraine, Ellsworth county, Kansas, is P. D. Miller, who is a member of the well known firm of Miller, Peter & Schmidt, of this town. This birsi- ness firm has succeeded that of Miller & Peter, which was established in 1900, Mr. Miller having previously founded a success- ful blacksmith and implement business.
The ancestry of Mr. Miller reaches back to the fatherland, his respected grandfather,
Peter Miller, coming from Germany to the United States when the father of our subject was but twelve years old, founding the fan- ily home in Wisconsin, where his life was spent. H. J. Miller, who became the father of our subject, was a son of Peter Miller and grew up in Washington county, Wiscon- sin, and there engaged in farming until the outbreak of the Civil war. In loyal spirit he enlisted for service, entering Company F, Twelfth Wisconsin Infantry, and for three years was one of the brave soldiers who made the state of Wisconsin so conspicuous for loyalty. During the last twenty-five years of his life he was a consistent and zealous minister of the German Baptist church, the territory of his labors extending over Wisconsin and Minnesota. His useful life ended on August 2, 1900, at his home in Tacoma, Wisconsin, where his widow still resides. Mr. Miller was a man of great public spirit, took an active and intelligent interest in all public affairs, and was firm in his devotion to the principles of the Repub- lican party.
Ten children were born to Rev. H. J. and Margaret (Schuinton) Miller, namely : Maggie, who is the wife of Fred Sternberg, of Mason City, Iowa ; P. D., who is the sub- ject of this sketch; Katie, who is the wife of John Voke, of North Freedom, Wiscon- sin : Henry, who holds the position of cap .- tain of the guards in the state penitentiary at Waupaca, Wisconsin; Minnie, who is a missionary of the German Baptist church and lives in La Crosse, Wisconsin : Lydia. who resides in Lincoln county, Kansas : Matilda, who is the wife of Joel Platt, of Waupaca, Wisconsin : William, who is in business at Fox, Wisconsin; Freda, who is the wife of Henry Kruger, of Oconomowoc. Wisconsin ; and Benjamin, who is a member of the firm of Miller Brothers at Fox, Wis- consin.
Mr. Miller, of this biography, was born in Washington county, Wisconsin, on No- vember 13, 1859. and passed his boyhood and youth engaged on his father's farm and in attendance upon the public schools until the age of twenty years. At this date he entered a flouring mill at North Freedom.
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Wisconsin, remaining there for two years, or until his marriage. This took place on November 24, 1882, in Baraboo, Wiscon- sin, to Miss Ida Blankenburg. She was the estimable and highly esteemed daughter of Frederick and Minnie ( Ceagler) Blanken- berg, and she was born in Germany, accom- panying her parents to America when but a child. Four sturdy sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller namely: Walter, Ber- nard, Arthur and Edward. These sons have been given excellent educational ad- vantages and all promise to follow in the footsteps of their father and to worthily rep- resent the future citizenship of Kansas.
After his marriage Mr. Miller engaged in farming, renting land in North Freedom for four years. In 1886 he removed to Ells- worth county, Kansas, his father having purchased a half section of land in Green Garden township. Mr. Miller took charge of this property, which at that time was raw prairie, and with energy set about its im- provement, succeeding in breaking all but ninety acres in three seasons. Here he erected suitable buildings and successfully engaged in the raising of wheat until 1896. At this date he moved to Lorraine, one in- ducement being better school facilities for his children, and here he established a blacksmith and implement business, which he still owns and operates, although his en- . terprise has grown to large proportions.
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