USA > Kansas > A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I > Part 103
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working on the farm during the summer va- cations and attending the various teachers' institutes held in the county. He was also a student in the Kansas State Normal School, at Emporia, for, one year, and he gained a high reputation as an earnest and successful teacher. During the last year of his school work he also found employment in the office of the Norwich Herald, in which he thus became familiar with the details and intricacies of the "art preservative of all arts." In June, 1901, Mr. Cloud effected the purchase of the Herald, of which he has since continued editor and publisher, mak- ing the paper a credit to himself, to the town and to the editorial profession of the state. The Herald was founded in Janu- ary, 1898, by J. A. Maxey, who continued in control of the same until the regime of the present proprietor. was inaugurated. Mr. Cloud is issuing a bright and readable paper, the same giving an excellent sum- ming up of the news of local and general character, while the editorial utterances are invariably timely and show marked origin- ality. At the time when he assumed control of the Herald Mr. Cloud was but twenty- four years of age, and he is to be recorded as one of the youngest editors on the list of Kansas journalists, handling his paper with the skill of a veteran and gaining unqualified endorsement.
At the age of fourteen years Mr. Cloud was seriously injured in the hands and face by the accidental discharge of a shotgun, necessitating the amputation of one finger on each hand, while the left hand was drawn in such a manner that only the first finger can be straightened. From his boyhood clays he has been an enthusiast in regard to outdoor sports and general athletics, being fond of skating and bicycling and being a fine player of baseball, notwithstanding the handicap involved in the physical injuries mentioned, and he is well known in base- ball circles. The favorite pastime and amuse- ment of Mr. Cloud is musical study and work. He began the study of the "divine art" when a mere boy, and though he has had but little instruction, he has shown that native talent and predilection which have en-
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abled him to make notable progress, gaining a thorough knowledge of theory and hav- ing much technical skill in both vocal and in- strumental interpretations, being able to read the more complicated scores at sight and devoting his attention more particularly to band music, in which connection he has attained a reputation of more than local order.
Mr. Cloud is one of the popular young men of the county, and in both business and social circles is most highly esteemed. He has a distinct individuality, is genial in his nature and has the gracious facility of gaining and retaining friends. He is well known in the county where he has passed practically his entire life, and his popularity attests the integrity of his character and his ability in his chosen field of endeavor. In politics he gives his support to the Re- publican party, and he ever manifests a lively interest in all that conserves tlie wel- fare of his city, county and state. Those who know him best will feel that this slight tribute is eminently merited.
HON. U. G. MUSTOE.
Hon. U. G. Mustoe, who is now repre- senting his district in the state legislature, has been a prominent factor in the public life of Kingman county since a very early day. His residence in the Sunflower state dates from 1877, and during the long period which has since intervened he has ever borne his part in the work of progress and development which has here taken place. He was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, on the 16th of August, 1863. His paternal great-grandfather was a native of England, but subsequently came from that country to the United States, and his son Anthony, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Virginia.
The latter's son, H. C. Mustoe, became the father of our subject and was born in Barbour county, West Virginia. He was reared and educated in the state of his nativ- ity, and was there married to Margaret Wil-
son, a daughter of John Wilson, who was of Scotch-Irish descent. After his mar- riage Mr. Mustoe removed from his native state to Indiana, where he remained for three years, and then took up his abode in Scotland county, Missouri, near Memphis. There he was engaged in agricultural pur- suits until 1877, which year witnessed his arrival in Kingman, Kansas. Here he se- cured a tract of Osage Indian land on sec- tion 28, Galesburg township, where he made his home during the remainder of his life, passing away on the 6th of September. 1880, at the age of sixty-eight years. \t his death he left a widow and seven sons, namely: J. D., a resident of Cheney, Kan- sas ; William K., of Dunlap, Harrison coun- ty, Iowa; G. H., who is engaged in busi- ness in New Murdock, Kansas; Thomas A., who was foremrly the postmaster at New Murdock but is now deceased, passing away at Greensburg, Kiowa county, Kansas; H. A., a prominent merchant of New Mur- dock; Lewis H., who is engaged in busi- ness at Cheney, this state; and U. G., the subject of this review. Mr. Mustoe was a machinist by trade, and was an ardent sup- porter of Republican principles. Both he and his wife were worthy and acceptable members of the Christian church.
U. G. Mustoe was only fourteen years of age when the family removal was made from Missouri to Kansas, and in this state he was reared to farm life and attended the public school of Kingman county. After beginning the battle of life on his own ac- count he was for a time employed as a hotel proprietor, but for many years he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. His fine farm now comprises two hundred and forty acres of land, and there, in addition to the raising of the cereals best adapted to this soil and climate, he is also extensively en- gaged in the stock business, both branches proving a profitable source of investment. He has recently removed to New Mur- dock, where he has purchased a residence and gone into the livery business.
The marriage of Mr. Mustoe was cele- brated in 1886, when Miss Susy Davis be- came his wife. She was born in Scotland
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county, Missouri, and was there reared and educated. Her father, C. J. Davis, now de- ceased, was for many years a well known citizen of Galesburg township, Kingman county. The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with five children,-Ethel, born February 23, 1888; Cortie, October 14, 1889; Ralph, November 20, 1891; Alta, October 20, 1896; and Beulalı, June 20, 1898. Mr. Mustoe has always taken an act- ive part in the public life of his locality, and in 1889 he was elected to the position of clerk of Kingman county, in which he served for one terni, proving an efficient and trustworthy official. In January, 1901, he took his seat as a member of the state legis- lature, and in this important position he has proved equally worthy to discharge the du- ties entrusted to his care. His strong men- tality, close study of the questions of the day and sound judgment well fitted him for leadership, and his course has been marked by patriotic devotion to the public good. In his social relations he is a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen fra- ternities.
ASA S. SWINGLE.
The prosperity and prominence of cen- tral Kansas is, no doubt, in a great measure due to the fact that so many of its early set- tlers came hither from homes where they had been reared in the principles of industry, honesty, morality and patriotism. From such a home came Asa S. Swingle, who is one of the most worthy and reliable and rep- resentative citizens of Rochester township, in Kingman county.
The birth of Mr. Swingle was on a farm near the town of South Canaan, Wayne county, Pennsylvania, in 1840. The origin of the family was in Switzerland, his great- grandfather, Urich Swingle, being a native of that land; and his son, Conrad, was one of the band who sought religious freedom in a new country. Conrad Swingle became the father of thirteen children, one of whoni
was Moses, who became the father of our subject. Moses Swingle grew to manhood in Wayne county and married Elizabeth, who was a member of the prominent Cobb family of that county. They also reared a numerous family, consisting of six sons and six daughters, these being as follows : Laura; Ruby; Clark, a soldier in the Civil war, living in the far west; Ralph; Paul, also a soldier; Asa S., our subject; Frank; Lewis, a soldier; Ruth; Ann; Stella; and Abigail. Lewis was a resident of Kingman county for some time, but died in 1881, leaving a widow and six children. The fa- ther of these children grew aged in Wayne county, passing from life at about ninety years of age. In his locality he was a rep- resentative man, a stanch supporter of the Democratic party and a respected and con- sistent member of the Methodist church. The mother of our subject also reached the unusual age of ninety years and died in the full fruitage of a kind and well spent life.
Asa S. Swingle spent his early ife on a farm and all his life his interests have cen- tered in agricultural pursuits. His educa- tion was acquired in the district schools of his neighborhood, and perhaps he would still be a resident of his native state had not the stirring events of 1861 roused the loyal feeling of his elder brothers and communi- cated itself to him. Almost a boy at the time of his enlistment, he made a good rec- ord as a soldier, entering a regiment of state troops for a short term of service, later becoming a member of the One Hundred and Forty-third New York Infantry, serv- ing for eighteen months and receiving an honorable discharge.
At the age of twenty-one Mr. Swingle was united to Miss Mary Cobb, in matri- mony, and for forty years she has been his beloved and congenial companion, the part- ner of his joys and the cheerful companion ¿who has encouraged him in times of trou- ble. She was a daughter of John and Sarah (Shaffer) Cobb, estimable and respected residents of Wayne county, where both passed out of life, the latter in 1862. They had eight children, namely: Angeline, Susan, Alice, Olive, Mary, Aurilla, Abigail
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and Joseph. Nine children were born to |locality, which when he first came here was Mr. and Mrs. Swingle, namely: Darius, of covered with the bones of buffaloes. Wood county, Oklahoma ; Mrs. Ellen Haw- ley, of Rochester township; Benjamin, of Woud county, Oklahoma; Frank, at home ; Mrs. Dolly Westfall, of Oklahoma; and Fred. Ralph, Lewis and Sam, all at home. All of these children are robust specimens of Kansas youth, intelligent and well edit- cated.
In 1865 Mr. Swingle left Pennsylvania and moved to Iowa, locating in Hamilton county, near Webster City. They were pio- neers there and remained until 1869, when Mr. Swingle decided to make a trip with his family to Texas in order to see if that coun- try offered more attractions for a permanent location. The long but interesting journey was made in a prairie schooner, with a mule team, traveling south in as direct a line as possible, through Iowa, Missouri and Ar- kansas, entering Texas in Tarrant county. Later illness in his family caused a removal to Jack county, but later Mr. Swingle de- cided to return to the north. With two yoke of long-horned Texas oxen and a covered wagon the family exodus was made, a selec- tion of a home in Kingman county, Kansas, being decided upon in 1878.
Mr. Swingle took up a claim which was situated about three-fourths of a mile from the present home, where improvements were made and a fine farm placed in good condi- tion. This home was advantageously sold in 1893 and then the present location was taken, which Mr. Swingle has converted into one of the finest estates in Rochester township. This beautiful and fruitful farm comprises four hundred and forty acres, and what Nature has not donc Mr. Swingle has supplied. One of the improvements that he has made is a fine fish pond, while the con- fortable residence, the commodious accom- modations for stock and cattle, the excellent arrangements which he has perfected for the satisfactory irrigation of his land, all testify to his excellent business management. He has always been one of the most industrious farmers and is a successful stock-raiser, and has always taken an active interest in this
The face of the country has changed much in all these intervening years, but not more than many of its old settlers, this mak- ing the vigor and robustness of Mr. Swingle all the more remarkable, as he appears to be yet in the very prime of life. He has been called upon to serve his township in a number of responsible positions, and for years was township treasurer, and for three terms was the efficient township trustee. The regard. in which he is held in his locality may be expressed in the words of a neigh- bor, who declared, "Asa Swingle's word is as good as his bond. I want nothing bet- ter." His hospitable doors stand open, his hand is extended in friendship to all who deserve it, and no one in this locality bet- ter exemplifies the heartiness and friendli- ness of the old Kansas settler.
DANIEL PALMER.
Daniel Palmer, a retired farmer of Hal- stead, Kansas, was born in Ross county, Ohio, Saturday, December 31, 1836, it being the last day of the week as well as of the month and year. He was of Dutch lineage, his paternal grandfather, Edmond Palmer, having come to the new world from Hol- land, settling in Virginia, where he passed away in 1804 in the prime of his life. His wife, whose maiden name was Milbourn, and three children, two sons and a daugh- ter, survived him. In 1856 the mother passed away and was laid by the side of her husband in Loudoun county, Virginia. The daughter of the family, not having married, went to live with her brother, Landon Palmer. He lived to quite an advanced age, but was survived by his sister, who became an octogenarian. The grandfather was a cooper by trade, an honest and industrious man, who gave to his descendants a legacy of far greater worth than worldly possess- ions, that of honesty and fidelity to that which is right.
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Milbourn Palmer, the father of our sub- ject, was a native of Virginia, his birth hay- ing occurred in October, 1798. He began the life of a farmer in that state in 1828, where he wedded Miss Rachael Cowgill, also a native of the Old Dominion, born in October, 1804. Her father, Isaac Cowgill, was one of a family whose patriotic spirit aroused them to take up arms in defense of their country, in its struggle for freedom, seven of the sons having served in the Revo- lutionary war. Early in life Milbourn Palmer removed to Ohio, and thence in 1854 to Indiana. In 1856, however, he returned to Ohio. He had met with reverses during his life, and at the time of his death, which occurred June 21, 1865, he left no estate. His widow survived him many years, pass- ing away in 1885. The children born to this couple were: Isaac, born in 1832, died in White county, Indiana, September 2, 1855, leaving no family. Mary, born in 1834, is the wife of Joseph Seelig, of Ross county, Ohio, and is the mother of a fine family of fourteen children, having lost one in child- hood. Daniel is the subject of this review. Saralı, the second daughter of the family, lived to be fourteen years of age. Rachael is the widow of Joseph Trego, who resided in Ross county. She has no children. Har- riet is the youngest of the children, and is the wife of Frank Flee, of Fayette county, Ohio, now in Virginia. The eldest child, a son, died in infancy.
Daniel Palmer, while acquiring a com- mon-school education, at the same time learned the duties of farm life and the la- bors attending the same, and at an early age was competent to undertake any ordinary business aside from farming. He, however, remained with his parents on the home farm, assisting his father in the work. On the twenty-seventh day of July, 1862, Mr. Palmer was married to Miss Abigail Edg- ington, a young lady nineteen years of age. who was born in Ross county, Ohio. the daughter of Samuel and Sarah ( White) Edgington. The father was a native of the Buckeye state, and the mother of Ohio. They were farmers, and reared a family of seven children, two sons and five daughters.
For two years after his marriage Daniel Palmer remained on the home farm, assist- ing in the cultivation of the land, and there lost his first child, Mary Jane, when thirty days old. Isaac, the second child, was born in Ohio in 1864, and is now a prosperous farmer living near his parents. His family consists of his wife and two sons, the only grandchildren of Mr. Palmer. The third child, a daughter, died when past three years of age. The other children born to Mr. and Mrs. Palmer are Elbert J., unmar- ried and assisting on the home farm; Frank, also single and at home; Oliver Thurman, who was born in Iowa, May 17, 1871, died in Kansas, May 7, 1873, when two years old ; and Harley Irvin, born in Iowa, De- cember 30, 1867, died also in that state, De- cemiber 24, 1868.
In 1864 Mr. Palmer removed with his family to Iowa, where he remained for eight years, having purchased some town property in Indianola, Warren county, but he later bought a farm, which he operated for a number of years. In 1873, however, he re- moved to Kansas, settling in Halstead in December of that year, where he pre-empted a homestead of eighty acres. For eight years he resided here and in 1881 sold the property, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land in Garden township, on which he successfully followed the pursuit of agri- culture until 1886. The death of his wife at this time was a great loss to him, for she had been a faithful and helpful companion during their married life, always lending her assistance whenever it was required. He was then left to care for the three mother- less children, a son of twenty-two and two younger sons of ten and five years, respect- ivly. Tenderly and carefully has he reared these boys, being both father and mother to them, and now as reward for the care in boyhood, he lives with them in Halstead, enjoying the rest which he well deserves after so many years of hard labor and sacri- fice. The children all realize what he has done for them, having worked and striven to bring them into perfect manhood, and lovingly render any service possible to the beloved father. Mr. Palmer's success has
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been remarkable, he having begun life with- out a dollar, and even being obliged to bor- row the fee with which to get married. His father-in-law was about to leave for another state, taking with him his family, and this precipitated his intentions before he had ac- cumulated sufficient means with which to begin married life. His perseverance and industry, however, have brought to him un- questionable success, and his honesty and in- tegrity have won for him scores of friends, who admire him not only as a man of high lionor but as one who has performed his duties to his family as becomes a man of strong character and noble purpose. Be- sides the large farm in Garden township he also owns eighty acres of finely cultivated land in Halstead township, and these bring to him a handsome competence.
Mr. Palmer is a loyal Democrat, and, be- ing modest and unassuming, he has never sought nor held an office. He is a member of the Quaker church, a descendant of the old Puritan stock, his maternal ancestors belonging to the colony founded by Will- iam Penn, and with such inherent qualities given to him by a conscientious people he has lived a life of loyalty to their teachings, firm in his convictions, true to his friend- ships and loving and unselfish with those with whom he was closely connected.
T. C. HOLCOMB.
T. C. Holcomb, a prominent resident of Zenda, Kansas, has been one of the leading business men of Kingman county and for a number of years has been a merchant of es- tablished reputation in this vicinity as well as a successful dealer in stock. He has re- cently sold out with the view of going upon his ranch and devote his attention to horse- raising, etc.
The birth of Mr. Holcomb was on the borders of Lake Champlain, Essex county, New York. in 1851, descending from a fam- ily which for many years has represented the highest ideals of patriotism and good citizen- ship. His father, B. F. Holcomb, was born
in New York, his forefathers having been among the Revolutionary patriots in Ver- mont. B. F. Holcomb married Elizabeth Towner, who was born in Canada, but reared in Essex county, New York, where her family still remains. Eight children were born to the parents of our subject. T. C. is the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Ella Converse resides in Zenda, an the others are residents of Galesburg, Illinois.
Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb moved from New York in 1856 to Knox county, Illinois, locating at Galesburg, where he was an early settler. During the Civil war he attained prominence as a gallant officer on the staff of General Logan, and made a fine record as a member of the Forty-fifth Illinois In- fantry. He was a man who commanded re- spect in every locality in which he made his home, and was prominent in public affairs, a leader in the councils of the Republican party. Until his death, at the age of seventy- eight, he was actively interested in the G. A. R. The mother of our subject still lives in Galesburg, Illinois.
T. C. Holcomb was five years old when the family removal was made to Galesburg, and there he obtained an excellent common- school education, later entering a business establishment, where he served an appren- ticeship to the book-binding trade, follow- ing this business for a period of nine years. Then he accepted the position of manager of a large shirt factory and remained with that concern for several years. In 1879 he went to Kansas, where he took up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres of land near Lyons, in Rice county, and remained there engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1882. sell- ing out at that time and coming then to Kingman county. Mr. Holcomb now owns a fine, well watered farm of twelve hundred and sixty acres, which, with the assistance of his sons, he has made one of the very best farms in Rochester township, and here he has engaged extensively in farming and stock-raising.
Although much interested in his above named enterprise, Mr. Holcomb has also been actively engaged since 1890 in a very successful and constantly increasing mer-
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cantile business in Zenda and is well and favorably known all over the county, prob- ably being one of the most popular men of this locality. Since 1894 he has been the postmaster of Zenda.
In 1874 Mr. Holcomb was married, in Galesburg, Illinois, to Miss Ida Mecorney, the intelligent, accomplished and educated daughter of John L. and Frances ( Cook ) Mecorney, the former of whom was a well known and esteemed citizen, and both of whom are now deceased. Five children sur- vive of the seven born to Mr. and Mrs. Hol- comb, and all of these are conspicuous mem- bers of business and social circles. The eld- est son, F. L., is a graduate of the medical college at Keokuk, Iowa, in the class of 1901, having previously been educated in Lombard College, at Galesburg, graduating there in the academic course in 1897. Earl C. is at home and is engaged with his father in the stock business, as is also the third son, John E. Two daughters, Bessie and Lillie, make up the family. The two chil- dren who died were Ethel, at the age of ten years, and an infant son.
Mr. Holcomb is a stanch member of the Republican party and zealously works for its measures and candidates. Fraternally he is connected with the order of Woodmen and has been prominent in the I. O. O. F., Lodge, No. 372, of Spivey, in which he has passed all of the chairs and of which he has been a delegate to the grand lodge. As a private citizen Mr. Holcomb commands the respect of all who know him and he is much beloved by those who are admitted to his close friendship. His business career has reflected only credit upon him and he is known to be one of the most upright men of : ffairs in Rochester township.
WILLIAM RAUP.
As an honored pioneer and sterling cit- izen of Kingman county and as one of the veterans of the war of the Rebellion, in which he rendered the valiant service of a true son of the republic, we are permitted to refer to this well known and popular res-
ident of Allen township, Kingman county, where he has devoted his attention to agri- culture and stock growing since the year 1879, developing a fine farm and gaining prestige as one of the successful men of this favored section of our great state. His farmstead comprises one hundred and sixty acres, is located on section 26, and his post- office address is Norwich.
Mr. Raup comes of stanch German lin- eage and is himself a native of the old Keystone state of the Union, having been born on the parental farm in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, on the 4th of Sep- tember, 1839. His father, George Raup, was born in Pennsylvania where he passed his entire life. He bore the full patro- nymic of his father George Raup, Sr., who was born in Germany, whence he emi- grated to the United States and settled on a farm in Pennsylvania, in which state he died, as did also his estimable wife. George Raup, Jr., was reared on the old farm. and also learned the trade of carpenter. He married Martha Marks, who was likewise born in Pennsylvania, and they became the parents of thirteen children, of whom nine lived to attain years of maturity, namely : Henry, Hannah, John, Rachel, George, Jonah, David, William and Elizabeth. George, John and William were Union sol- diers in the war of the Rebellion. The fa- ther of our subject was a Democrat in his political proclivities, and both he and his wife were devoted members of the Lutheran church. He died at the age of seventy-two and his wife lived to attain the venerable age of ninety-six, while her mother was ninety-nine years and nine months of age when she was summoned into eternal rest, both having retained their faculties to a remarkable extent and the latter having passed away while sitting in her chair.
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