A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 112

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 112

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Our subject had three sisters : Prudence, who always remained single; Martha, who married Theodore Ashley ; and Mary, who married Warren Ashley. He died in a rebel prison, and she afterward married John Fowler and lived with him until she died, about four years ago. The three brothers. of our subject were : Gladwin, a farmer, who died of consumption caused by exposure ; Joseph, whose service in the army caused his death ; and Eber, who still lives in Mich- igan, a successful farmer.

F. A. PROUTY.

A prominent, substantial and estimable citizen of Newton, Kansas, is F. A. Prouty, who was born in Mercer county, Illinois, on February 1, 1846. He is the son of Colonel Amos and Mary L. (Stone)

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Prouty, both of whom were born in Massa- chusetts. Colonel Prouty was a distin- guished officer of the Civil war. His early life was spent at the carpenter's trade, but when the call came for troops to preserve the Union he was one of the first to respond, enlisting in Company G, Twenty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served twenty-eight months as a private. Re-en- listing, he was rapidly promoted for gal- lantry, becoming the colonel of the regi- ment. As a member of the Army of the Cumberland he took part in the siege of At- lanta, and later went on the memorable "march to the sea.'

After the close of the war Colonel Prouty settled in Illinois and began farm- ing remaining in that state until 1871, when he came to Harvey county, Kansas, and was one of the pioneer settlers. He still owns three farms of eighty acres each, and resides four miles west of Newton. One most valuable portion of his property is a forty-acre orchard, which produces all varieties of fruit, which grow to great ex- cellence in this climate. Fifteen acres con- sist of a beautiful maple grove which Col- onel Prouty permits to be made nse of for picnic parties and other congregations of an orderly nature.

Upon December 21, 1901, Colonel Pronty celebrated his eighty-sixth birth- day, surrounded by friends and affectionate relatives who delight in his vigor of mind and body. With his estimable wife, whose years almost reach his own, her birth hav- ing been on February 7, 1817, he represents the best type of Kansas pioneer. Both of them were subjected to the trials and de- privations of the early life in this locality and have been permitted to see the rewards of their former labors. Colonel Prouty is an ardent Republican, and is fond of re- marking that he "votes as he shot;" but now he is a man of peace, an uncompromis- ing advocate of temperance, and is recog- nized as one of the kindest and best of neighbors and true friends. Both he and wife are members of the Universalist church, in which belief the whole family has been reared. Colonel Prouty and wife be-

came the parents of six sons and three daughters who survive, the family being originally twelve in number. The eldest (f the family was born in Illinois, a son named Amos, who died at the age of fourteen years, and the others who are deceased died in infancy. The surviving children are all settled near the old homestead and are very generally prosperous farmers.

F. A. Prouty, who is the subject of this sketch, was sent to school in Illinois prior to the family removal. His father owned two scholarships in Knox College, at Gales- burg, Illinois, and he and his brothers William and Henry took advantage of them and enjoyed the opportunities there given them. His early life was spent on the farm and for some years he owned it and became a successful agriculturist. About 1880 he learned the carpenter's trade and since then has built many of the residences and busi- ness honses in Newton, and among other pretentious buildings which testify to his skill may be mentioned the Presbyterian parsonage and the China Emporium un Main street.

While still living on the farm Mr. Pronty became somewhat prominently iden- tified with politics, and for twelve years served as township trustee, during which time he was a most efficient officer. For two years Mr. Prouty served as justice of the peace and has been frequently made ad- ministrator and guardian. His devotion to the Republican party is outspoken. For several years he was county commissioner and assisted in the organization of the county, and in public as well as private life his acts have ever been those of an upright and unselfish citizen.

Mr. Prouty was married in September. 1866, to Miss Ida Clark, who was a native of Illinois and was a daughter of James Clark. Her death occurred on December 16, 1888, having been born on Jannary I, 1847. The children who survived to mourn her loss are : Opal L., who is the wife of J. A. Cummings and resides in Newton, with two children .- Thaddeus and Gladys : Rena, who is the wife of Charles Kendall and resides in Newton, with one child,-

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Ruby : Burt, who married Effie Cooper, re- sides in Newton, and has two children,- Opal and Frank; and Bessie, a young lady who has developed a wonderful musical talent and is a teacher of the same.

Mr. Prouty is one of the leading citi- zens of this locality. As a farmer and stock-raiser he has been very successful, while his business in building and contract- ing has been one of the most prosperous in that line in Harvey county. No man stands higher in the estimation of his fel- low citizens, and he is known to be kind, charitable and just, and none would contest the claim of his friends that he is one of the best representative men that resides in this city of worthy people.

C. D. LEONARD.

Many theories have been advanced as to the causes of success, but an investiga- tion of the life record of most successful men will show that their prosperity is due to untiring effort, unflagging diligence and good business management. This statement proves true in the history of Mr. Leonard, who came to Rice county in March, 1878, and has since gained a place among the most prosperous farmers of Wilson township, where he now resides, his home being on section 17. Mr. Leonard was born in Gal- loway. Knox county, Ohio, near Mount Vernon, and is a son of John W. Leonard, a well known citizen of Rice county, now residing in Lyons. The father was born in New Jersey and began his education in the schools of his native state, after which he continued his studies in Tuscarawas coun- ty. Ohio. Subsequently he became a resi- dent of Knox county, Ohio. He is a har- ness maker by trade and has also followed farming for several years. In 1879 he cast in his lot with the residents of Rice county, Kansas, and now owns a farm on section 21, Wilson township. He was united in mar- riage in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, to Miss Mary Van Lew Sudam, of Knox county, Ohio, who was born and reared in the Buck-

eye state. They became the parents of eight children, namely: Columbus Delano; Mrs. Altha M. Hobbs, of Lyons; Florence L., wife of F. E. Hoyt, also a resident of Lyons; Eldridge S., who makes his home on section 22, Wilson township; Elizabeth Ann, who died at the age of fourteen years ; Mary Alice, who died at the age of twenty ; and two who died in early childhood.

Columbus Delano Leonard spent his bo hood days upon the home farm working in the fields through the summer months, while in the winter season he attended the public schools and there acquired his educa- tion. He was afterward employed as a farm hand by the month and thus got his start in life. After coming to Kansas he purchased eighty acres of land and with this as a nucleus for his present possessions lie . has added continually to his property interests until he now has eight hundred and eighty acres of rich prairie land in Kansas, and his farm property is one which is attractive in appearance, owing to its ex- cellent improvements. A good residence stands in the midst of the fertile fields ; there is a substantial barn, sheds and corn cribs ; feed lots and pastures provided for the stock and everything about the place is in a thrifty condition. Mr. Leonard en- gages in the raising of both grain and stock and is now one of the most prosperous ag- riculturists of his community.

On the 15th of October, 1892, occurred the marriage of Mr. Leonard and Miss Mary Salmons, who was born in Mills coun- ty. Iowa, and spent her girlhood days in that state, her parents being James and Saralı (Silkett) Salmons, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Virginia, and their marriage was celebrated in Indiana. This union was blessed with ten children, as follows: Mrs. Catherine Rockefeller ; John: Mrs. Susan Wills, of Wilson town- ship, Rice county; Randolph; William, who is living in Nebraska : Rebecca ; Irene : Mary L. ; Mrs. Leonard and Henry. Unto our subject and his wife have been born four sons, two pairs of twins, namely: Ralph Hobart and Ray Mckinley, born on the 5th of May. 1896; and Theodore Roosevelt and

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Randolph Sherman, whose birth occurred August 10, 1900. They also lost one son, John W., the first born, at the age of five years.

Mr. Leonard exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and is unswerving in his adherence to its principles. He keeps well informed on the issues of the day, yet has never sought or desired office. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and both are highly esteemed peo- ple, having many kind friends in the com- munity where they make their home. In business affairs Mr. Leonard has met with a high degree of success. Starting out in life in humble capacity as a farm hand he has worked his way continually upward. overcoming all obstacles and difficulties in his path by determined purpose and reso- lute will, and now he is numbered among the men of affairs identified with the farm- ing interests of Rice county, and his business methods have ever been such as to entitle him to prosperity.

ALONZO BEAMAN.

Throughout an active business career Alonzo Beaman has followed farming, but is now practically living retired in Sterling, enjoying a well earned rest. He was born in Antwerp. Jefferson county, New York, August 22, 1841. His father, David Bea- man, was a native of Wooster, Massachu- setts, born in October. 1797. The grand- father, Joseph Beaman, was a blacksmith by trade and saw considerable military ser- vice as captain of a militia company in Wooster, Massachusetts. He wedded An- nis Bemis, and they reared five sons and three daughters, but all are now deceased. The grandfather died in the prime of life. but his widow lived to be an octogenarian. Her remains were laid to rest in Antwerp. New York. In the year 1820 David Bea -- man took up his abode upon a farm near Antwerp, New York, and there he resided for sixty-four years, his death occurring on

the old homestead on the 16th of April 1884. He married Sally Ann Mosher, who was born in Jefferson county, New York, March 4. 1815. Her death occurred July 12, 1901, when she had attained the age of eigh- ty-seven years and four months. She had three children,-Alonzo, and Alice and Ar :- nis, twins. They are still residing in the Empire state at Antwerp. The father was twice married, his first union having been with Lucy Porter, who died leaving three of her four children, and two are yet living, namely: Jane, the wife of Anson Miller of Rodman, Jefferson county, New York. She has six children by two husbands. The third surviving member of the family is George P. Beaman, of Gouverneur, New York.

Mr. Beaman of this review was reared to farm life, and the old family homestead upon which his father settled in 1820 is still owned by his daughters. He acquired a good dis- trict school education. also spending two terms in a seminary and pursued a course in Eastman's Business College, of Poughkeep- sie, New York. At the age of eighteen he began teaching and followed that profession for two years in the Empire state, for two years in Illinois and for three years in Kan- sas. On the 4th of March, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Imogene A. Fos- ter, who was born in Theresa, Jefferson county, New York, July 24, 1844, her par- ents being David and Amanda ( Mann-) Foster, the former a native of Swanzey. New Hampshire, and the latter of Water- town, New York. They were farming pec- ple and had two children, Mrs. Beaman and and elder sister, Mrs. Emmoretta Phillips, who is living on. the old homestead in the east. Mrs. Beaman was only two years of age at the time of her mother's death. The father afterward married again and had two sons and a daughter by his second wife. One son died at the age of nineteen years and the other, Wallace S. Foster, a Methodist min- ister, was called to his final rest while resid- ing in Michigan. The father departed this life in 1860. He was an enthusiastic sup- porter of Abraham Lincoln, for whom he gave his ballot in the year of his death.

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For six years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Beaman resided upon the old fam- ily homestead in the Empire state and then removed to Du Page county, Illinois, where both engaged in teaching in the rural dis- tricts, following the profession for three terms. Mr. Beaman also acted as police magistrate for one year. On leaving Illi- nois they came to Rice county, Kansas, where they have resided for twenty-four years. They settled one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land and two years later Mr. Beaman purchased forty acres of school land. In 1886 he bought one hundred and twenty acres of school land and and for many years he continued the cultivation of his fields, including three hundred and twen- ty acres. In the fall of 1901 he sold a quar- ter section and removed to Sterling, where they have an acre village lot. He has also made some judicious investments in town property on both sides of his home. For ten years prior to leaving the farm he was engaged in the stock business and during the past few years wheat has been the leading crop, averaging twenty-two and a half bush- els per acre. He has raised nine thousand bushels in one year. He has also grown forty-five hundred bushels of corn in one year. His farming operations have been carried on successfully, for he has followed progressive methods and honorable deal- ing. He thoroughly understands the busi- ness in every department, and, although he is now somewhat retired from practical busi- ness life. he yet superintends the operation of his one hundred and sixty acres.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Beaman has been blessed with five sons and two daugh- ters, but four of the sons died in infancy. Jay Foster, the living son, is a graduate of the Cooper Memorial College, of the class of 1893, and is now a student in the Kansas State University. He wedded Clara B. Koonts, and they have three children, two sons and a daughter. He is a splendid ath- lete, being one of the finest in this line in Kansas. From a newspaper account we learn that as an athlete Mr. Jay F. Beaman is almost the equal of the noted Sandow and is a "record smasher." Besides Sandow,

Arthur Tyng, of Harvard University, is the only man reported ahead of him, but that report is not official. His little son, five years of age, is now with his grandpar- ents, and, like his father, is a splendid type of physical perfection. Annis Imogene, the second of the family, is a young lady of six- teen years, now in school. Alice Emaret completes the family and is a student in the high school of Sterling. In his political views Mr. Beaman is a Republican and has served as township trustee, as clerk and as a member of the school board. He and his wife have been prosperous in their affairs, and his life record illustrates the potency of energy, determination and indefatigable la- bor in winning success.

WILLIAM T. SODEN.

William T. Soden, a retired miller and capitalist of Emporia, is one of the wealthy and influential residents of central Kansas. He was born in the North of Ireland, on the 22nd of November, 1835, a son of William and Angeline (Smith) Soden. The father. also a native of the north of Ireland, came to the United States when our subject was a babe, locating in Clinton county, New York, where he was engaged in lumbering and farming until his life's labors were ended in death, in 1878. His wife was called to the home beyond prior to that date, also dying in Clinton county.

When twenty-one years of age William T. Soden, of this review, left his parental home and in 1857 came to Lyon county, Kansas, crossing the present site of Emporia on the 22d of March of that year. After his arrival in this state he immediately en- gaged in the sawmill business, on the Cot- tonwood river seven miles west of Emporia, and the same summer, in company with G. D. Humphrey, he sawed the lumber for the first buildings erected in this city. In 1858 he embarked in the flour-milling business, erect- ing the first mill in this section of the coun- try, and from that time until July, 1900, he was actively engaged in that industry,

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but in the latter date he retired from the ac- tive duties of life and entrusted his business to his son, J. R. Soden. This mill is the · leading manufacturing industry of Emporia. and is a large brick, frame and stone struc- ture on the Cottonwood river, located south of the city limits, and is run by water power. The residence which Mr. Soden now occu- pies is a beautiful brick structure, located near the mill, and surrounded by fifty acres of rich and fertile land and one of the neat- est houses in Kansas. He also owns about six hundred and sixty acres of fine farming land, having been engaged extensively in ag- ricultural pursuits throughout his residence in this state. In 1867 Mr. Soden was one of the organizers of the Emporia National Bank, of which he is still one of the officers and he is also a member of the Emporia Electric Light and Gas Company. He was also one of the first three county commissioners of Lyon county, and his name stands conspicuously forth on the pages of Lyon county's political history.

Mr. Soden has been three times married. His second wife bore the maiden name of Jennie Weaver, and their marriage was cele- brated in Emporia, in 1866. She was a daughter of John Weaver. This union was blessed with three children, two of whom are living : Mrs.

Hoss Laws and Justin R. Soden. This loving wife and mother closed her eyes in death in 1878, dy- ing as she had lived, a sincere, trusting Christian. Mr. Soden has carved his way to fame and fortune by his own unaided efforts, and during his entire career he has so lived that as a citizen, as a man of business, as an honorable Christian gentleman no man has a cleaner record or is more highly respected than he.

H. J. GOLDSBOROUGH.

One of the "boys in blue" of the Civil war and at all times a loyal citizen, true to the interests of county, state and nation, H. J. Goldsborough is numbered among the representative farmers of Kingman county. His descendants have long been noted for

their patriotic zeal, and members of the family have been represented in various wars in which the country has participated. The father of our subject. John F. Goldsborough, was a native of Garot county. Kentucky. and was an ex-soldier of the Civil war. He was a son of John Goldsborough, Sr., who was born in Virginia, and his father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was of Scotch descent. The family were among the early settlers of Jefferson county, Indi- ana. John Goldsborough. the grandfather of our subject, wedded Mary Ritchey, and she, too, was a member of a prominent and patriotic family of the Hoosier state. Both passed away in that commonwealth. Their son John grew to years of maturity in that state, and was there married to Rebecca Bryan, a native of North Carolina and of Irish descent. She also became one of the early pioneers of Indiana. Unto the union of John and Rebecca H. Goldsborough were born five sons and one daughter: John J., who served as a member of the One Hun- dred and Fifty-fourth Indiana Infantry dur- ing the war of the Rebellion, and he now re- sides in Arkansas ; William J., who was em- ployed as a railroad engineer and was ac- cidentally killed in 1857 : James H., who also served in the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Indiana Infantry during the Civil war : H. J., the subject of this review ; Norman B., who served in the One Hundred and Fiftieth Indiana Regiment and is now employed as a machinist in Monett, Missouri : and Mary J., the wife of S. A. Mott, who was a sol- dier in a New York regiment during the war, and now resides at Monett. Missouri. The father of these children also took part in the memorable struggle between the north and the south, serving in Company H, Sec- ond Indiana Cavalry. After the war he re- moved to Missouri, and his death occurred at Monett, at the age of eighty-two years. He was a gunsmith by trade, and for many years was also engaged in railroad work, having served as both freight and passenger conductor on the first road into Indiana. His political support was given the Repub- lican party, and his sons have also become identified with that grand old party. His

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widow survived him until her nine- , early age of eighteen years; and two who tieth year, and both passed away in | the faith of the Baptist church, of which they were worthy and exemplary members.

H. J. Goldsborough, whose name intro- duces this review, was born in Jefferson county, Indiana, on the 3d of March, 1838. In early life he became identified with rail- road work, as an employe of the M. & I. Railroad, but at the breakng out of the Civil war he put aside all personal considerations and nobly offered his services to the Union cause, enlisting in the Second Indiana Cavalry. During his army experience he took part in many of the hard-fought engagements of the war, including those of Chickamauga. Stone River, Gallatin, Hartsville, Shiloh and many others. He also assisted in the relief of General Burnside's troops, and later assisted in the organization of the One Hundred and Fifty- fourth Indiana Infantry, of which he was made first lieutenant of Company B, remain- ing in that capacity until the terrible strug- gle was past and he was permitted to re- turn to his home and again take up the active duties of civil life. In 1877 Mr. Golds- borough secured a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of Osage Indian land, and this has been his home for twenty-four years. As the years have passed by he has been en- abled to place his fields under a fine state of cultivation, has erected commodious and sub- stantial buildings, planted a beautiful grove and orchard, and his is now one of the most valuable places of its size in the county.

Soon after his return from the war, in April, 1865. Mr. Goldsborough was united in marriage to Caroline E. Green, a native of Ohio and a daughter of William and Mary ( Roush ) Green, both of whom passed away in Indiana. They were members of the Christian church, and were people of the highest respectability, honored and es- teemed for their many noble characteristics. Unto this union were born seven children, namely : Ed. J., of Newton, Indian Terri- tory: Nora M. Guthrie, of Oklahoma ; Eva M. Foster, of Kingman county ; John W., ať home ; Mary J., who was a successful teach- er, but her career was ended in death at the

died in childhood. The wife and mother has also been called to her final rest. passing away in 1899. at the age of fifty-four years,' and thus ended the life of a noble, Christian woman. On the seventh of May, 1900, Mr. Goldsborough wedded Harriet Hubler, a na- tive of Miami county, Ohio, and a daughter of George and Fannie ( Warner) Hubler, of the Hoosier state. Mr. Goldsborough is one of the leading and valued members of the Republican party in Kingman county, and he has many times served as a delegate to county conventions, while for six years he was justice of the peace. His social rela- tions connect him with the Grand Army of the Republic, being a charter member of Kingman Post and also a member of Rankin Post, of Cheney, and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Both he and his wife are identified with the Christian church He has earned for himself an enviable repu- tation as a careful man of business, always known for his prompt and honorable meth- ods of dealing, which have won him the de- served and unbounded confidence of his fel- low men.

L. WESLEY KABLER.

L. W. Kabler is the former proprietor of the Hill Dale stock farm in White town- ship, Kingman county. . He has resided in this portion of the state since October. 1883, and is therefore numbered among the pi- oneers who have witnessed the greater part of the development and progress of the country, bearing their part in its upbuild- ing and advancement. He was born in Campbell county, Virginia, in 1862, and is a son of Lillburn and Octavia (Shands) Kabler. The paternal grandfather was Har- vey Kabler, a native of North Carolina. At the time of the Civil war, Lillburn Kabler joined the Confederate army and served with the command of General Stonewall Jackson, as a loyal defender of the cause in which he believed. He married Miss Shands, who was born in Virginia, a repre- sentative of one of the old families of the

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 112

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