A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 108

Author: Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: New York Chicago: The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 970

USA > Kansas > A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I > Part 108

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they had no fear of men, having never seen them before, and therefore a man could go into the midst of a drove of hundreds and shoot the one which he wanted. He would then take the hide and as much meat as lie desired and leave the remainder upon the prairies. Buffaloes often ran over the top of the sod house and Mr. Dodge and other members of the family would go out and drive them away. There were also elks, an- telopes, deer, prairie lions and wolves which the pioneers killed, selling their skins, which they took to market forty or sixty miles away, exchanging them for provisions or money.

In 1872 Mr. Dodge erected a shop at Great Bend and engaged in blacksmithing there, but continued his residence upon the farm until 1879, when he sold the property, which now belongs to his son, Charles E. In that year he erected Hotel Dodge at Great Bend and conducted the hicstelry for two years, after which he removed it to the college grounds, living there for three years. On the expiration of that period he built his present residence and shop and lias since done a good business in the line of his trade. He patented the Dodge tire-shrinker machine and the sod-cutter disc, which ably served the purposes for which they were intended and thus found a ready sale.

In 1889 Mr. Dodge was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, who died at the age of sixty years. Their children were : Charles Edward, Wallace Henry, Don Du- ane, Jennie M., Lizzie L., Jolın, Maggie C., Mary L. and Giles B., and with the excep- tion of John all are living. For his second wife Mr. Dodge chose Mrs. Elizabeth Wells, a daughter of William Thornton and the widow of George S. Wells, a farmer of Russell county, Kansas, who died at the age of forty-nine. They were the parents of eleven children, namely : Delaney E .. Charles W., Benjamin F., Newman G., Lil- lie, Homer M., Lizzie, Thornton W .. Lottie G., Arthur T. and Mabel.

At the time of the Civil war Mr. Dodge enlisted three times but was never mustered into the service. However, he acted as fore- man of the Chattanooga locomotive works

and thus rendered valuable aid to his coun- try. He is a member of the Masonic frater- nity and in his political views is a' stanch Republican. For several years he has served as justice of the peace, discharging his du- ties with promptness and fidelity. He be- longs to the Presbyterian church and in all life's relations is true and faitliful to manly principles and to every duty. Living through the experiences of pioneer life he is enabled to enjoy the fruits of his labor and the im- provements and conveniences which civiliza- tion has brought to this section of the coun- try.

GEORGE W. DOZE.

In every period of American history the people of France have sympathized with Americans. in whose footsteps they have followed politically, and in every decade front the beginning of the settlement in the colonies to the present time Frenchmen have been leaders among our pioneers and in our civilization and material progress. Kansas has reason to be proud of her citizens of French blood, and of such there is none in Kingman county more prominent or more highly esteemed than George W. Doze, the proprietor of the Norwich Roller Mills and police judge of the city of Norwich, who was born in America of French parents.

George W. Doze is a native of Decatur county, Iowa, where he opened his eyes upon this world November 23, 1851. and is a son of Victor and Mary ( Baily) Doze, natives of Lorraine, France. His grandfather, John Doze. was a soldier under Na- poleon and fought at Austerlitz. Victor came to America at the age of eighteen years with his father and they located near Cov- ington, Kentucky, where the elder Doze be- came a land-owner. Later Victor removed to Decatur county, Iowa, where some years later he was joined by his father. Eventu- ally he removed to Sullivan county, Mis- souri, where he enlisted in Company G, Eleventh Regiment of Missouri Cavalry. with which he served in the Civil war two years, until discharged on account of age,

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with the rank of major. Returning home he organized a company of home guards and after the war gave his attention to farm- ing and stock-raising, becoming one of the most extensive land-owners in Sullivan county, an influential citizen and a leader in many important affairs. In politics he was a Democrat. He died in August, 1881, aged eighty-five years; his widow in 1885, aged sixty-eight years. They were the parents of twelve children, nine of whom lived to man- hood and womanhood. John is a farmer in Allen township, Kingman county, Kansas ; Job is a farmer of Sullivan county, Mis- souri; Victor died in infancy; Julia is the widow of G. T. Mellan; Polly is the widow of Job Dodson; Margaret is the wife of John Hill, of Lyonsville, Iowa : Phoebe mar- ried C. Custer of Sullivan county,, Mis- souri; George W. is the immediate subject of this sketch; Melvina died in infancy ; Thomas Jefferson lives in Brown county, Nebraska; Frank lives on the old family homestead in Sullivan county, Missouri; and Peter is a farmer in Bennett township, Kingman county, Kansas.

George W. Doze was the eighth in the order of birth of the children of Victor and Mary ( Baily) Doze, who were married in Ohio. He grew up on his father's farm in Sullivan county, Missouri, gained his edu- cation in common schools, and remained under his father's roof until he was twenty- three years old. June 28, 1874, at Osceola, Missouri, he married Fannie C. Hahn, a na- tive of St. Clair county, Missouri, and a daughter of Columbus and Gilia ( Brown) Hahn. natives of Kentucky, who settled early in Missouri. For some years after his marriage he farmed in Sullivan county, Missouri, and after that gave his attention to contracting and building there until the fall of 1883, when he went to Kingman county, Kansas, remaining only a short time, and went thence to Pratt county, Kansas. He pre-empted land in McPherson township, in the county just mentioned, paid for it and remained on it until the fall of 1895, when he removed to Norwich, Kingman county, where he has since lived.

Judge Doze was engaged in contracting

and building at Norwich until October, 1901, when he leased the roller mills there, then newly remodeled and equipped with the latest machinery. The mill has a capacity of sixty barrels of flour daily, and the flour made by Judge Doze is as good in every re- spect as any made anywhere. In politics he is a Democrat, and wherever he has lived he has, since he grew up, bcen always active in political affairs. In his former place of residence he served long and ably in the office of justice of the peace. In September, 1901, he was elected police judge of the city of Norwich, the duties of which office he is performing justly and expeditiously and without fear or favor. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

George W. and Fannie C. (Hahn) Doze have had four children: Wallace W. and Edgar O., of Norwich, are up-to-date pros- perous carpenters; J. Burtis is connected with the circulating department and the rep- ortorial staff of the Wichita Eagle; and Ger- trude Lena died in Pratt county, Kansas, aged five years.

JUDGE B. F. OGLE.

An enumeration of those men of the pres- ent generation who have won honor and public recognition for themselves, and at the same time have honored the state in which they belong, would be incomplete were there failure to make prominent reference to one whose name initiates this paragraph, a man of scientific and literary attainments and a valiant and patriotic soldier. He has been and is distinctively a man-of-affairs and one who has wielded a wide influence. A strong mentality, an invincible courage, a most de- termined individuality has so entered into his makeup as to render him a natural leader of men and a director of opinion.

Benjamin F. Ogle was born in Seneca county, Ohio, March 22, 1837, his birth- place being a farm on the banks of Wolf creek. His father. Joseph Ogle, was a na- tive of Baltimore, Maryland, and followed teaming until about thirty years of age. He

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served for a time in the Continental militia and was a patrolman in the war of 1812. He married Miss Elizabeth Valentine, a na- tive of Virginia, and they emigrated to Ohio, where Mr. Ogle purchased a farm upon which he spent the remainder of his active business life. At length he put aside the more arduous duties of business and retired to Tiffin, where he resided until called to the home beyond, at the age of eighty three years. His wife passed away at the age of eighty-seven years. In their family were twelve children, but two of the number died in infancy, the others being Maria, Mar- garet, Thomas, Elizabeth, George, John, Joshua S., Aaron V., Joseph and Benja- min F.

The last named remained upon his fa- ther's farm until seventeen years of age, during which period he had acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of the neighborhood and had been a student of the high school at Tiffin. He was after- ward graduated in the Seminary at Repub- lic, having completed a course in English, Latin and Greek with the class of 1855. During the winter of 1856 he engaged in teaching and in the spring of that year he joined a party en route for California. Mak- ing their way eastward to New York city, they sailed from that harbor on the ship Crescent City bound for Panama. Cross- ing the isthmus they then embarked on the sailing vessel Clarissa, which on the way stopped at various islands. This was an in- teresting experience to Mr. Ogle. The voy- age consumed seventy-two days and after reaching California it was followed by a mining experience of two years. In this work Mr. Ogle met with very desirable suc- cess and then returned by way of the water route, stopping at Valparaiso, Kingston and New Orleans, whence he proceeded north- ward to his Ohio home. He then took up the study of law under the direction of Judge James P. Pillars, of Tiffin, Ohio, but before admitted to the bar he saw service in de- fense of his country. When the element of disturbance in the south precipitated the country in civil war his patriotic spirit was

aroused and almost before the smoke from Fort Sumter's guns had cleared away he offered his aid to the government, enlisting on the 20th of April, 1861, as a member of Company A, Eighth Ohio Infantry. He was made first lieutenant and the same year was promoted to the rank of captain of his com- pany. He was a brave and loyal officer and his own valor often inspired his men to deeds of daring. After two years spent at the front he received an honorable discharge and returning to his home resumed his law studies, being admitted to the bar in 1865.

Judge Ogle began the practice of his profession in Tiffin. Ohio, and also became interested in other business ventures there. After two years he removed to Toledo, Ohio, where he followed his profession for ten years, when on account of ill health he sought a drier climate. He suffered from bronchial troubles, and learning of the clear, dry atmosphere of Kansas, he was induced by his friends to take up his abode at Great Bend. He found that the report of the health- ful conditions of the country was not exag- gerated, for he has enjoyed excellent health throughout the period of his residence in Barton county. Opening a law office he has enjoyed a large and lucrative business, hay- ing a distinctively representative clintage. From 1887 until 1891 he served as probate judge of Barton county and is now serving his third term as justice of the peace, while for eighteen months he acceptably filled the office of police judge. As a lawyer he is sound, clear-minded and well trained. He is at home in all departments of the law from the minutiæ of practice to the greater topics wherein is involved the consideration of the ethics and science of jurisprudence and the higher concerns of public policy. His thorough preparation of cases, his keen discrimination and logical deductions are al- ways manifest in his work of the court- room and much of the important litigation tried in the district finds him as a represent- ative of either the defense or the prosecu- tion.

He has a pleasant suite of rooms over the Brinkman Bank and in addition to his

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many legal volumes he has a very large and well selected general library. Socially he is connected with the Grand Army Post, has served as its commander and is now chap- lain. He has won a host of friends in Great Bend and the surrounding country and as a gentleman of high scholarly attainments and sterling worth he is a most pleasant and in- teresting companion. In politics he has been a life-long Republican.

J. T. AXTELL, M. D.

One of Harvey county's most progress- ive and enterprising citizens is Dr. J. T. Ax- tell, physician and surgeon, and the pro- prietor of the Axtell Hospital, at Newton, Kansas.

The birth of Dr. Axtell was in Warren county, Illinois, on August 11, 1856, and he was a son of J. M. and Lydia ( Long) Ax- tell, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky, respectively. His father came to Kansas in 1865 and bought a ranch in An- derson county, where he engaged in stock- raising. He was a man of superior char- acter and soon became prominent in the county, both in public and political affairs, and for many years served as township trus- tee. For some time he battled with a serious attack of Bright's disease. In 1887 lie came to Newton and his affliction was treated in the Axtell Hospital, but no skill could cure him and his death occurred in 1888, at the age of sixty years. In religious belief he embraced the Unitarian faith and would have been a member of a church of that de- nomination if one had been in his vicinity. The mother of our subject passed away many years ago, at the age of thirty years. She had always been a devout member of the Baptist church. Eight children were born to the parents of our subject and all of them still survive, with one exception.

After obtaining a good common-school education our subject passed with honor through the curriculum of the high school in Garnett. and then taught school for the succeeding three years, following this period

with two years at the University of Michi- gan at Ann Arbor. His high standing at this great institution enabled him to secure the position as principal of one of the large western schools, and lie remained there for two years. During all of his teaching life he kept steadily in view the end,-that of qualifying himself as a physician and sur- geon. The opportunity came at last and lie graduated at Bellevue Hospital, New York, in 1883. Previous to taking his last course, Dr. Axtell practiced in Honeywell through the summer of 1882, but after graduation he went to Newton and remained there in practice until the present time.

On May 18, 1882, Dr. Axtell was united in marriage to Miss Lucena Chase, who was a native of Michigan and was a daugh- ter of I. Chase, at that time a very promi- nent man in the state of Kansas. In 1886 Dr. Axtell returned to Bellevue Hospital and took a post-graduate course and was one of the surgeons of the out-door depart- ment, gaining experience there which he could have obtained in no other way. To give an idea of the volume of his business. we would state that in one year seventy thousand cases were treated, ranging from those which required but little surgery to those of the most delicate and dangerous character. After one year of this laborious but instructive work, Dr. Axtell returned to Newton and established the Axtell Hos- pital, in 1887. Since that time many thou- sand patients have been under treatment here, the number now averaging one thou- sand a year. This institution has much more than a local celebrity. The staff of physicians and surgeons include Mrs. Dr. Axtell, who graduated in medicine in Marclı, 1897, at the University of Kansas City, and now devotes her entire time to the hospital work; and also Dr. Frank Abbey. with a number of consulting physicians. Dr. Abbey is a brother-in-law to Dr. Axtell. graduating at the University of Kansas City in 1897, since which time his close care and attention has been given to the hospital patients. All diseases are treated except contagious ones, but much of the skill of the faculty is directed to surgical cases, and

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a specialty is made of the diseases of the eye, ear and nose. A general practice is also carried on, although Dr. Axtell is almost always occupied with surgical cases, his skill and success having caused the public to rely upon him. In 1895 Dr. Axtell was elected professor of orthopedic surgery, and occu- pies this chair in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Kansas City, Kansas, and he usually passes his winters as an instructor and demonstrator in that city.

Many honors have been bestowed upon Dr. Axtell. In 1896 he was made one of the surgeons of Bethany Hospital, a Metho- dist hospital in Kansas City, and has been on that staff ever since. Probably no opera- tion known to modern surgery has not been performed in the Axtell Hospital. Dr. A.x- tell is a student and a forcible and instruct- ive writer, and many of his papers have been published by the various medical societies before which they have been read. He is a consulting surgeon for at least one hundred physicians, and his judgment is almost uni- versally accepted.

The Doctor has three daughters: Lil- lian, who is a student in the State Univer- sity at Lawrence, Kansas; Marguerite, a student in the Newton public schools ; and Mildred. In religious belief Dr. Axtell is a Unitarian. He is a Republican in politics and has been a delegate many times to con- ventions.

Aside from his professional life, Dr. A.x- tell has found recreation in the breeding of fine horses, of which he has a great admira- tien. One of the horses bred in his stables is the well known Hans McGregor, who has a trotting record of 2 :1114. Besides, he has about fifty standard mares and colts and other fine animals. He has, perhaps, the largest and most complete stables in the county, and in Athletic Park, at Newton, he has built forty box stalls. Of this park he was one of the founders, in 1897, and he is still one of the proprietors. It comprises forty acres and is well arranged for driving and racing. The Doctor also owns four hundred acres of land adjoining Newton.

As a physician our subject is prudent and careful, an enthusiast; as a citizen and

man he is upright and progressive, and he is justly esteemed both in his profession and by his fellow citizens.

W. B. CLAYTON.

The list of the leading citizens of Rice county contains the name of W. B. Clayton. one of the representative and honored citi- zens of the locality. His record as a soldier and as a business man has been so honorable that he has gained the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact. He was born in Marshall coun- ty, West Virginia, January 13, 1845, and is a son of Tylee Clayton, a native also of Vir- ginia. His parents removed from New Jer- sey to the Old Dominion and were of Ger- man descent. Tylee Clayton was reared to the quiet pursuits of the farm and was mar- ried to Mary Bush, a native of Virginia and of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. They be- came the parents of ten children, namely : John Wesley, who was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, and is now deceased; Jacob, who served in the Forty-third Ohio Regiment for three years during the Civil war, and died in Marshall county, Virginia; William B., the subject of this review : Isaac, a resident of Newark, Ohio; George, of Dodge City, Kansas; Elizabeth, deceased; Sarah who became Mrs. Caldwell and resides in Marshall coun- ty. Virginia : Margaret, now Mrs. Wilson, of Marshall county, Virginia; and Susan and Rebecca, who died in the Old Domin- ion. The father was called to the home be- yond at the age of seventy years. He was a stanch supporter of Republican principles, and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The mother also reached the seventieth mile- stone on the journey of life.

W. B. Clayton, whose name introduces this record was reared to the honest toil of the farm. and the common schools of Mar- shall county afforded him his educational privileges. At the opening of the Civil war his loyalty asserted itself and he became a

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member of Company \. Forty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted in Octo- ber, 1861, at Bellaire, Ohio, finder Colonel Kirby Smith, who was mortally wounded at Corinth. He was later under the com- 1 mand of Colonel Swann, who was wounded at South Corinth, at which place Captain Spangler was also killed, and Mr. Clayton was next under the command of Captain C. MI. Davis. His regiment took part in many hard fought battles, including New Madrid, Corinth and Memphis, and at the last named place the regiment veteranized and our sub- ject returned home on a furlough. After his leave of absence had expired he rejoined his regiment and went to the front, fighting against General Hood's forces at Decatur, Alabama. He took part in the siege of At- lanta, went with General Sherman on his memorable march to the sea, and on through the Carolinas to Richmond, Virginia, and finally to Washington, D. C .. where he took part in the grand review, the most wonder- ful military pageant ever seen on the western hemisphere.

After the close of hostilities Mr. Clay- ton retuned to his home in Marshall coun- ty, Virginia, where he remained until 1870, when he removed to Kendall county, Illi- nois. The year 1874 witnessed his arrival in the Sunflower state, securing a homestead in Center township. Rice county. He after- ward sold that property and purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, the rich and fertile fields annu- ally yielding to the owner a golden tribute in return for the care and labor which he be- stows upon them. The place is located five miles from Frederick and is one of the well improved and valuable places of the lo- cality.

When twenty-three years of age MIr. Clayton secured as a companion for the journey of life Miss Margaret Coffield, who was born, reared and educated in Vir- ginia. a daughter of Adam and Sarah Cof- field. She was subsequently called to the home beyond, leaving three children: New- ton, who is an employe of the Standard Oil Company and resides in southern Ohio;

William, a resident of Marshall county, Vir- ginia : and Sarah, of Dodge City, Kansas. " In March, 1881, Mr. Clayton was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Keesling, who was born in Wythe county, Virginia, and was there reared and educated. She is a daughter of James Harvey Keesling, of Rice county, Kansas. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Clayton has been blessed with three children, namely : Cora. Harvey and Libby. Mr. Clayton maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades by his membership in Kit Carson Post, G. A. R., of Lyons, of which he is a charter member. Both he and his wife are active and worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a man of strong mentality, of bread humanitarian principles and kindly motives. No trust re- posed in him has ever been betrayed, and whether on the field of battle or in private life he is true to his country and its best interests,-a loyal and patriotic citizen.

DAVID HOWELL.

David Howell is a retired ranchman and farmer of prominence, who has for some years been identified with agricultural in- terests in Barton county, but is now enjoy- ing a well earned rest in Great Bend. He was born in Knox county, Ohio, in 1834, his parents being Jeremiah and Margaret (Sharp) Howell. His father was a lum- berman, who died when about forty years of age. His wife survived him until forty- five years of age, when she, too, was called to the home beyond. They were the par- ents of nine sons, all of whom grew to manhood, namely: Philip, Aaron, John. Nelson, Morris, William, David, Caleb and Peter.

Our subject, however, is the only repre- sentative of the family now living. In his youth he learned the blacksmith's trade and on leaving Ohio removed to Winterset, Iowa, where he began business for himself. He soon secured a good patronage, but de- siring to extend the field of his labors he

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left the Hawkeye state for sunny Kansas, having heard various reports of the splendid opportunities afforded in this state. In 1878 he purchased railroad land for five dol- lars and twenty cents per acre, becoming owner of a tract on section 29, Eureka township. Barton county. With character- istic energy he commenced improving his property and for four years thereafter he also carried on his blacksmithing business in Iowa. He would come to Kansas, plant his crops and then return to his smithy. Subsequently he sold four hundred acres of his land, which is now owned by R. W. Gould, but he still retains two hundred acres of the original tract. He afterward bought for ten dollars an acre the northern half of section 20. Eureka township, and there he made his home, erecting thereon a fine set of buildings. He also planted considerable fruit, putting out cherry and peach trees and much small fruit. His farm, however, is largely devoted to the raising of stock and grain, making a specialty of wheat, which has yielded as high as forty bushels to the acre. In 1900 he raised on two hundred and sixty acres of land sixty-nine hundred bushels by machine measurement, while his barley crop yielded sixty-five bushels to the acre. He also keeps on hand one hundred and sixty head of graded cattle, and his business interests are conducted along the most progressive lines. In 1900 Mr. How- ell purchased the Brinkman residence on Martin street. Great Bend, where he is now living. From that point be superintends his farming interests, but is not actively en- gaged in the operation of his land and the care of his stock as he was in former years.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 108

Author: Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago Publication date: 1902 Publisher: New York Chicago: The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 970

Author: Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: New York Chicago: The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 970