USA > Kansas > A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I > Part 106
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William A. Warren, the subject of this review, was reared in the state of his nativ- ity until fourteen years of age, and was there early inured to the labors of blacksmithing and farming. In 186.4, on account of his moved to Illinois, and in Madison county. that state, our subject completed his educa- tion. In the Prairie state he made his home until his removal to Kansas, which occurred in 1873. a location being made in Reno coun- ty. Shortly after his arrival there he pur- chased a farm of eighty acres, to which he later added another eighty-acre tract, but in 1893 he sold his possessions there and pur- chased the farm which he now owns in
Evans township, Kingman county. Since coming to the Sunflower state prosperity has abundantly rewarded his efforts, and he is now the owner of one of the finest farms in the locality, consisting of two hundred and forty acres of well improved land. In addition to the raising of the cereals best adapted to this soil and climate, Mr. Warren is also extensively engaged in the stock busi- ness, in which he is meeting with an equal degree of success.
Mr. Warren chose for his wife Miss Mary E. Riggs, who is a native daughter of this state, her birth having occurred in Law- rence county forty-two years ago. Her fa- ther, Nathan S. Riggs, was one of the early pioneers of Reno county, Kansas, his resi- dence there dating from 1871, and at that time not a railroad had been built into the county. A more extended account of his life will be found in the history of E. J. Riggs, in this volume. The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with seven chil- dren, two sons and five daughters, namely : Mrs. Estella Becket, of Reno county, Kan- sas; W. F., at home; Mamie E., who, in 1901, was voted the most popular teacher in Kingman county, and she is now engaged in teaching school at Cunningham, this state; Jessie A., wife of H. L. Oliver, and also a successful teacher of Reno county; Ethel, who follows the teacher's profession in the Evan Mound district ; and Berthia and Jerry Allen. Mr. Warren has also reared a sis- ter's son, Archie Hartford, who is now a lad of thirteen years.
· In political matters our subject supports the Populist party, and religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a progressive and public-spirited citi- father's Union sympathies, the family re- . zen who takes an active interest in all mat- ters which he believes for the public good.
REV. FATHER M. MAGUIRE.
Rev. Father M. Maguire, the esteemed pastor of St. Mary's Catholic church, of Newton. Kansas, was born in County Wex- ford, Ireland, and came to America in 1866,
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when seven years of age. He was the young- est son of Mathew and Mary (Murphy ) Maguire, the former of whom followed agri- cultural pursuits in his native country and came to the United States with the idea of promoting the welfare of his children. Lo- cating at Lemont, Illinois, he there engaged in business for four years, but in the fall of 1870 removed to Kansas, in the same year locating near Chapman, in Dickinson coun- ty, where he took a claim, was one of the pioneers of the section, and cleared and im- proved a fine farm. Here his life was passed until his death on August 29, 1897, at the age of ninety-three years. The mother re- sides with her son, our subject, and is one of the most highly esteemed ladies of ad- vanced age, in this city.
Rev. Father Maguire was the youngest member of the family of six children born to his parents, the only other survivor being his brother, Patrick Maguire, who is a resi- dent of Chapman, Kansas, where he owns and manages the work on the old home- stead. Our subject attended the parish school in his native county, but after coming to the United States he acquired a good com- mon-school education in the schools of Illi- nois and Kansas. At the age of seventeen he began to teach school, continuing until he was twenty-one, when he entered the Jes- uit college at St. Mary's, Kansas, where he pursued his studies for the five succeeding years. The next year he was employed in severe study and discipline at the Lazarist seminary at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, after this still pursuing a higher course at the Benedictine seminary at St. Meinrad, Indiana, where he continued for three years, going thence to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he was ordained on April 8, 1890, by the Rt. Rev. Lewis M. Fink, O. S. B.
For nearly a year Father Maguire was stationed at the church of the Assumption at Topeka, Kansas, as assistant, and later was sent to Fulton, Kansas, at which place it was through his efforts that the imposing church and parsonage were erected and placed out of debt, in nine and a half years. In 1900 his services to the church were rec- ognized by his appointment to his present
charge. Here is established a parochial school, which is under the care of the Sisters of St. Joseph, with two teachers and forty- five pupils. The parish contains one hun- dred and fifty families and about seven hun- dred and fifty communicants. It was found- ed in the fall of 1870, under Father Schwem- berg, who, a western missionary, remained here seventeen years, during which time he built the first church and also secured the property very much as it is to-day. After its founder came Rev. B. Schmeihausen, for four years, then came Rev. M. J. Casey for four years, then Rev. John Maher, also for four years, then Father Wirsma, for two years, and finally Father Maguire.
Father Maguire has much of the indom- itable spirit that filled the lives of the early teachers of his faith, in this country. His successful work speaks for him. For eleven years he has lived a life of duty, asking no vacation. He is energetic, magnetic, schol- arly, and thoroughly understands both the financial aspects and the religious needs of his parishioners. In the city of Newton he is universally esteemed.
The congregation is a large and wealthy one and much is required of them by their earnest and faithful priest. Under his care- ful management this parish will doubtless have a church and parsonage in keeping with the enterprising spirit of the worthy people of Newton.
J. R. DUFF.
The firm of Duff & Duff is one of the leading ones in Newton, Kansas, and one of the directing spirits of that enterprising city is J. R. Duff, who is the subject of this sketch.
The birth of Mr. Duff was in Baltimore, Maryland, on October 27, 1861, and he was a son of Henry and Mary A. (Flaherty) Duff, the former of whom was of Scotch- Irish descent, born on the border, and the latter was a native of Maryland. By trade the father of our subject was a contractor and builder, and his home for many years was in Springfield, Illinois, where he died
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in 1887, at the age of sixty-eight years. He was a worthy and consistent member of the Brethren church. His widow is one of the respected residents of Springfield.
J. R. Duff, who is our subject, was the oldest of the eight children in the family, six of whom are still living. one brother, Albert J., being a member of the firm of Duff & Duff. Our subject was educated in the public schools, including the high school, in Springfield, Illinois, and then learned the trade of cabinet-maker, carpenter and uphol- sterer, first in Springfield, later in Chicago, whither he went in 1880. For nine years the latter city was his home, where he worked at his trade with satisfaction and success, but in 1891 he moved to Kansas, locating in Arkansas City, and there opened up a business in furniture and undertaking, which latter branch he had also learned dur- ing his residence in Chicago.
In March, 1899, Mr. Duff came to New- ton, Kansas, and bought the interest of W. C. Powers in the same line, and the firm now occupies the Gertsen block, which has seventy-five feet of frontage and one hun- dred and fifty feet of depth, which they oc- cupy to the full capacity. Duff & Duff carry the largest line and the most complete stock within a radius of several counties and they do an immense business through the small towns included within fifty miles, giving the people a chance to select from a large and varied assortment without being obliged to go to one of the large centers. This stock comprises furniture, carpets, draperies and curtains of all kinds and also displays the latest designs in house fittings of all descrip- tions. Mr. Duff is also an experienced em- balmer.
The marriage of Mr. Duff was on No- vember 21. 1885, to Miss Adah Beard, who was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and who was a daughter of H. N. Beard, both parents being now deceased. The three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Duff were Macile. Eva and Albert. The religious connection of the family is with the Episcopal church, while in politics Mr. Duff is an active Re- publican. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, a thirty-second degree Ma-
son, and has been five times a delegate to the grand lodge; also he is connected with the order of Knights of Pythias, and has been secretary and venerable counsel in the order of Woodmen of America.
There is no business citizen who stands higher in public regard than our subject. He has won his own way to the front, has hon- estly placed himself among the substantial citizens of Harvey county, and is justly re- garded as a representative business man of this thriving city.
J. N. TINCHER.
J. N. Tincher is a member of the firm of Noble & Tincher, attorneys at law of Medi- cine Lodge. He is a young man whose con- nection with the bar covers but a brief pe- riod, yet his years seem not to impede his progress and he has already attained a repu- tation which many an older practitioner might well envy. The firm has become wide- ly recognized as one of the leading law firms of southern Kansas and has been intrusted with the conduct of important litigation.
The junior member, who is also serving as city attorney of Medicine Lodge, came to this place in 1894. He was born near Browning, Sullivan county, Missouri, on the 2d of November, 1878, and represents one of the old families of that locality. his par- ents being A. T. and Corinne F. (Clifford) Tincher. His father is now a resident of Sharon, Barber county, but was a native of Frankfort, Kentucky, whence he removed to Missouri and ultimately came to this coun- tv. His wife was born, reared and educated in Missouri and they became the parents of four sons and four daughters, including J. N. Tincher, who likewise obtained his edu- cation in the puble schools of his native state and by study and reading at home. After putting aside his elementary text books he became a clerk in a law office in 1897 and in 1899 he was admitted to the bar. Two years later he became a member of the law firm of Noble & Tincher and has rapidly won his way to a foremost position in the ranks of
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the legal fraternity in Barber county. He has gained a distinctvely representative cli- entage and his success results from his com- prehensive knowledge of the law, marked devotion to his clients' interests, and his careful preparation of cases.
In June, 1901, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Tincher and Miss Nellie South- worth of Medicine Lodge, a lady of culture and refinement who presides with gracious hospitality over their pleasant home. She was a graduate of the high school and is a daughter of G. J. Southworth, a pioneer business man of Medicine Lodge. She holds, membership in the Christian church and her circle of friends is very extensive. Mr. Tincher gives his political support to the Republican party, and is most active and ear- nest in its support and labors indefatigably for the success of his friends in a political way, but hasnever sought or desired office for himself outside the line of his chosen vocation. He helongs to the Masonic fra- ternity and the Knights of Pythias lodge. and of the latter he is vice-chancellor. His life record shows conclusively what may be accomplished through determination, strong purpose and indefatigable energy. He is a self-educated and self-made man and stands to-day among those for whom the future has a bright outlook. His strong manhood and broad learning are certainly a foundation of a successful legal practice. His manner is courteous and genial, his disposition kindly and considerate and such qualities have made him popular with a large circle of friends.
MARQUIS L. EASTON.
Among the pioneer settlers of Kingman county, Kansas, who came hither in April, 1878, from Pennsylvania, was Marquis Lafayette Easton, who since that time has been identified with the interests of Rich- land township, where he is one of the es- teemed and substantial citizens.
The birth of Mr. Easton was in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, near the town of
Wilkesbarre, in 1847, and he was a son of William and Mary ( Derby) Easton, the former of whom was born in Essex county, New Jersey, a son of an ex-soldier of the war of 1812. The latter was born in Brad- ford county, Pennsylvania, where she was reared and educated. William Easton grew to manhood in New Jersey and after his marriage moved with his wife to Licking county, Ohio, where he died at the age of seventy-four. As a worker in iron and steel he was considered a fine mechanic in his younger years, but in later life he devoted his attention to farming. He was a Re- publican in politics and both he and his wife were consistent supporters of the Methodist church. The mother of our subject died at the age of fifty-one years, a good and con- scientious woman, an example of Christian virtues, devoted to her family and beloved in the neighborhood for her many acts of kindness. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Easton. two of whom survive, viz., Marquis Lafayette, our subject ; and Charles Orville, who resides in Columbus, Ohio. Those who passed away were: Hes- ter Ann, who died at the age of five years; Ophelia, who lived to reach sixteen; and Marietta, who lived to the age of twenty- four.
Marquis L. Easton grew to manhood in his native state, assisting on the farm and attending school, preparing himself physi- cally and mentally for future work. In 1874 he was married, in Peru, Indiana, to Miss Maggie Letitia Moore, a woman who has been his loving companion for twenty- eight years, and one to whom he attributes much of his success in life. She was the estimable daughter of John Moore and was reared and educated in Indiana. John Moore was a successful farmer who lived to the age of sixty-two years, born in 1814 and died in 1876, and was one of the most re- spected men in his neighborhood. He mar- ried Rebecca Stevens, who also was a native of Indiana, and who lived to the age of fifty-one. She was a devoted member of the Methodist church and was unremitting in good works and charitable deeds. They had five children, who are living, namely :
MR. AND MRS. M. L. EASTON.
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Amanda, Washington. Henry, Mary and Maggie. The three deceased are John H., who died aged seventeen; Sarah A., who died at the age of twenty : and Diza Jane, who died at the age of one year and ten days.
In 1878 Mr. Easton and family came to Kansas, taking an ox team from Wichita to his present location. Soon he built a small cabin of twelve by fourteen feet in dimen- sions, and here began the cultivation of the farm which now ranks with the best and most productive in the county. His present residence cost eight hundred dollars and is a most comfortable one, while all of his im- provements show the progressive methods of an excellent manager. Mr. Easton has divided his farm so that every acre yields a satisfactory amount, grain, particularly corn, doing well on his land, while he also raises some cattle, horses and swine, a want of shade preventing his engaging more extensively in this business.
Mr. and Mrs. Easton have been blessed with three children, these being: Roce, who is the wife of L. C. Littrell, of Creston, Pratt county, Kansas, who was born May 27. 1876: Roy, who resides in Cunningham, where he has charge of a creamery, and also runs a barber shop in the town ; he was born April 7, 1880; and Harry, who was born April 25. 1888, and is in school.
Mr. Easton has taken a very deep inter- est in all educational matters and for thir- teen years has been the treasurer of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with the order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 199. at Kingman: and Mrs. Easton belongs to the order of Rebekah, Chapter No. 102. at Kingman, and both belong to the Knights and Ladies of Security. Lodge No. 374, of Kingman. She is a consistent member of the United Brethren church, taking an ac- tive part in its benevolent work and to the best of her ability extending its influence. Although both Mr. and Mrs. Easton were obliged to pass through many unavoida- ble hardships during their pioneer days, they are surrounded by comforts now, and are considered representatives of the element in this state which ever exerts a powerful in- fluence in the direction of temperance and
morality. As such they deserve and enjoy the respect and esteem of all with whom they are connected by either business or so- cial ties.
WILLIAM M. BAAINUM.
There is an element of peculiar satisfac- tion in entering a review of the life history of this venerable and honored citizen of Kingman county, for his experiences in con- nection with pioneer life have intimately touched three different states in the Union and his career has been one of consecutive toil and endeavor, while his unblemished character has gained to him the unqualified confidence and respect of his fellow men in the various localities where he has lived and labored. As the shadows of his life begin to lengthen in the west he may find satisfac- tion in a retrospective view and feel that he has not lived in vain, though he has endured his quota of the vicissitudes and burdens which fall to the lot of human kind. This epitome of the career of one of Kansas' ster- ting pioneers can not fail of interest and ap- preciation and is offered as a well deserved tribute to him as a man and a citizen.
William M. Bainum, whose well im- proved farm of one hundred and sixty acres is located on section 27, Dresden township. is a native of the old Buckeye state, having been born on the parental farm in Noble county, Ohio, on the 22d of February, 1825. He was there reared to maturity. being fa- miliar with the work of clearing and improv- ing the pioneer farm and having such lim- ited educational advantages as the primitive schools of the place and period afforded. On the 20th of November, 1845, when twenty years of age, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Lucretia Fogle, who likewise was born in Noble county, on the 3d of June, 1826, being the daughter of Peter and Phoebe ( Stevens) Fogle, natives respec- tively of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Mr. Fogle was first married to Elizabeth Sala- day, who died in Pennsylvania. His second wife came to the old Keystone state with her parents and was there reared and edu-
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cated. After her marriage to Mr. Fogle they removed to Noble county, Ohio, be- coming pioneer settlers in that section of the state, where Mr. Fogle took up a tract of government land, heavily timbered, reclain- ing the same from the wilderness and devel- oping a good farm. He there made his home until his death, which occurred in 1876, at the venerable age of ninety years. He was a man of prominence in his com- munity, was a devoted member of the Methi- odist church and served in various offices of local nature. By his second marriage he became the father of eight children, of whom Mrs. Bainum is the only survivor at the present time, so far as is definitely known. Of them we enter the following data: Ra- chel, who married Owen Rucker ; John, who · died in Sangamon county, Illinois; Lucre- tia, the wife of our subject: Anna, who be- came the wife of Samuel Carey, of Sanga- mon county, Illinois; James, who was at Durango, Colorado, when the last news was heard concerning him: George, who made his home in Kentucky until his death; and a daughter, who married Alfred Berry, of Colorado; and Peter, who died at Caldwell, Ohio, in July, 1901.
William M. Bainum, to whom this sketch is dedicated, is a son of William and Nancy (Collins) Bainum, the former of whom was born in New Jersey and the latter in Dela- ware. the respective families having been es- tablished on American soil in the colonial epoch. Their marriage occurred in Dela- ware and thence they removed to the sylvan wilderness of Noble county, Ohio, being numbered among its first settlers and there reclaiming a tract of wild government land. The father was a man of strong individuality and utmost probity of character, and he be- came one of the prominent and influential citizens of the pioneer communinty, to whose development and material upbuilding he contributed in large measure. He filled various local offices of trust and responsibil- ity and was a zealous member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, being for many years a member of official boards and acting as class leader. He passed the last years of his life at the home of his son John, at
Mount Ephraim, Noble county, where he died at the age of eighty-four years, his wife having passed away in 1843, at the age of sixty-three years. They had a large family of children, and of those who attained ma- turity we are enabled to offer a brief record : John died in Missouri : Hannah became the wife of Robert Hill and died in Ohio; Mary, the wife of Robert Carey, died in Urbana, Illinois; Elizabeth, who married and after the death of her husband became the wife of William McFadden, and died in Ohio; Levi also died in that state; William M. is the subject of this sketch: Nancy married Charles Collins and her death occurred in Ohio, our subject being thus the only sur- vivor.
After his marriage Mr. Bainum pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of tim- ber land in his native county, clearing and improving the same and there continuing to be engaged in farming until the fall of 1853, when he sold the place to his brother Levi and removed to Sangamon county, Illinois, where he rented a farm and continued its cul- tivation for two years, and then purchased a quarter section on the south fork of the Sangamon river, paying eight hundred dol- lars for the same. He finally lost the farm and the money invested, by reason of the title being defective. In the fall of 1857 he re- turned to Noble county, Ohio, locating near Caldwell, where he engaged in oil spec- ulation, leasing oil lands and putting down several wells. He was thus engaged about four years and then, in 1861, disposed of his interests in the line and purchased a farm in that county, paying four thousand dollars for a quarter section and three years later disposing of the same for five thousand. He then returned to Illinois, locating in Cham- paign county, where he purchased eighty acres of land and there engaged in farming for five years, leasing an adjoining quarter section. In 1869 he sold out and in the fol- lowing year came to Olathe, Johnson coun- ty, Kansas, where he rented a farm for three years. In the meanwhile, in the fall of 1873. he located a claim in Langdon township, Reno county, and in the spring of the fol- lowing year he brought his family to this
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homestead, their first dwelling being a typi- cal box house, sixteen by twenty feet in di- mensions. Buffalo were still to be found in quite large numbers in this locality, and Mr. Bainum brought down a number of the no- ble beasts with his rifle, at various intervals. In coming to Reno county Mr. Bainum made the overland trip from Johnson county with two ox teams, transporting sufficient provi- sions to supply the family for a year and be- ing seventeen days en route. He also brought seven milch cows, and one of these was brought into requisition to take the place of one of the oxen which died on the way. The preceding fall he had sent a young man to the claim with a pair of horses and a plow and thus instituted at that time the breaking of the virgin soil of the prairie. In the spring of 1874 our subject had thirty acres in wheat and the same promised to yield as high as fifty bushels per acre, but on the third day of June the wheat was en- tirely destroyed by hail. Thereafter his work of developing continued and he met with varying success in the securing of crops, as was the case with all the early settlers in this locality. He persevered, however, and the final results justified his courage and deter- mination. In the winter of 1876 Mr. Bain- um took a government contract and engaged in freighting provisions from Newton to the fort at Sun City, Barber county,-a distance of about two hundred miles. In filling this contract our subject and his sons Josephus and William G. were engaged during the entire winter, realizing a good profit from the venture. They also held a similar con- tract the following winter, and on their re- turn trips transported cedar posts, which they secured at a cost of five cents each and which they sold for twenty-five cents each in Newton. Later much time was given to the collection of buffalo bones, which brought from five to eight dollars per ton. The ex- tent to which these bones covered the prairie may be imagined when it is stated that Mr. Bainum was compelled to clear the same from his farm before it was possible to pro- ceed with the breaking of the land.
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