USA > Kansas > A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I > Part 120
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122
After the war the Doctor went to Springfield, Illinois, his father in the mean- time having removed to Madison, Wiscon- sin. In 1867 the former located in Law- rence, Kansas, where he remained for eight years, and then went to Detroit county, Wisconsin, was there three years; then went to Ottertail county, Minnesota, but later he returned to this state, settling at Quenemo, Osage county, where he remained for nine months. On the expiration of that period he became a resident of Douglas county, Mis- souri, which was his home for two years, when in 1894, on account of ill health, he came to Frederic, where he has since made his home, finding that the climate was bene- ficial.
In his political views the Doctor is a Republican, and while residing in Quenemo filled the position of mayor. He is now serving as justice of the peace of Frederic and in all public positions discharges his du- ties in a most prompt and able manner. So- cially he is a Mason and he also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and to the Grand Army of the Republic.
The Doctor was first married in Sanga- mon county, Illinois, to Martha Poore, and unto them were born three children, of whom two are living,-Minnie and Flor- ence. In 1882 the Doctor was again mar- ried, his second union being with Mary Draper, a cousin of Mrs. John D. Rocke- feller. The Doctor married his last wife in 1892. Her maiden name was Edith Ba-
ker, and she was a lady of intelligence and good family, presiding with gracious hos- pitality over their pleasant home. She died January 9, 1902, and the following obituary appeared in the local paper :
"Edith Baker was born at Quenemo, Kansas, May 23, 1876. At the age of twelve years she united with the Presby- terian church and began to work for her God. In December, 1891, she moved with her parents to Kansas City, Missouri, where she was married on the following January, 1892, to Dr. M. W. Forward. Dr. and Mrs. Forward moved to Thornfield, Mis- souri, where she taught music in the college during the year of 1894, while the Doctor came west to find a place in which he might build up a practice. In June, 1895, Dr. and. Mrs. Forward settled in Frederic. Mrs. Forward placed her church letter into the Methodist Episcopal church, and as she al- ways had done began to work. She was very active in all reforms, organizing a Good Templar lodge in Frederic, herself holding a seat in the grand lodge.
"On the morning of January 9, 1902, Mrs. Forward left the church militant to unite with the church triumphant, after a three years' fight against that dread disease, consumption. During her illness many phy- sicians were consulted, but none could aid. She died with perfect confidence and trust in her Saviour. Her life went out as the sun goes down,-noiseless, but glowing. She leaves behind to mourn her loss a mother, a husband, a brother, a church, a community. The services were held in the Methodist church, Rev. George P. Sturges officiating."
FRANK S. FOSTER.
The value of local newspapers in the up- building of the best interests of any com- munity is universally conceded. The rule is that good papers are found in good towns, inferior journals in towns of stunted growth and uncertain future. It is not so much a matter of size as of excellence and of adap- tability to the needs of its locality. These
741
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
conditions given. in an appreciative and pro- gressive community, the size of the paper will take care of itself in a way mutually satisfactory to publishers and patrons. This has been proven in Ellsworth, for Mr. Fos- ter has found that the Ellsworth Messenger is a profitable source of income and the peu- ple have enjoyed a wide-awake and enter- prising journal.
The subject of this review was born No- vember 12, 1863, in Birmingham, Van Bu- ren county, Iowa, his parents being Judah Henry and Harriet Elizabeth ( Sharon) Foster. The Foster family is of English and German extraction, while the mother of our subject was of Scotch descent. The pa- ternal grandparents were Joseph and Eliza- beth (Griffith) Foster, and the maternal grandparents were the Rev. and Mrs. James Sharon. The father was born July 14, 1834. and died in Oklahoma City, April 27. 1896, while his wife, whose birth occurred in 1844, passed away in 1878, in Ellsworth. During the early boyhood of our subject they removed with their family from Bir- mingham to Bloomfield, Iowa, where they remained until the spring of 1877, when they came to Ellsworth, the father erecting the first flouring mill in this place. Frank S. Foster pursued his education in the schools of Bloomfield, Iowa, and in Ellsworth. He is the eldest of four children, three sons and a daughter. After putting aside his text- books he learned the printer's trade, work- ing in the office of the Ellsworth Reporter in the years 1878, 1879 and 1880. Realiz- ing his need of still further education, he then entered the State University, spending four and a half years in that institution, be- tween the fall of 1879 and 1885. He was graduated in the spring of the latter year, and on the completion of the Latin scientific course he entered actively upon a journal- istic career. In October, 1885, in connec- tion with G. A. Collett, he embarked in the newspaper business, as owner and editor of the Ellsworth Messenger, and in November, 1894, he purchased his partner's interest, becoming sole proprietor. He has made this journal a credit to the community and has enjoyed a constantly increasing patronage.
On the 8th of June, 1892, Mr. Foster was united in marriage to Miss Mollie Sher- riff, a daughter of Alexander and Mary Sherriff, of Ellsworth, Kansas. They now have one child, Norman Macleod, who was born December 2, 1894. Mr. Foster has never taken a very active part in politics, although he has been a delegate to numerous district and state conventions. However, through the columns of his paper he warmly espouses the cause of the Democratic party, and has had marked influence in promoting its growth and success in this portion of the state. In 1893 he was elected county clerk of Ellsworth county and filled the position for two years. In 1894 he was chosen city clerk and has served in that capacity unin- terruptedly since the 15th of November of that year. No higher testimonial of fidelity and capability can be given than the fact that he is the present incumbent after seven years of service. He is quite prominent in Masonic circles, being the worshipful master from January 1, 1901, to January 1, 1902, of Ellsworth Lodge, No. 146, F. & A. M. He is also high priest of Ellsworth Chapter, No. 54. R. A. M. ; a member of St. Aldemar Commandery, No. 33, K. T., and of Ells- worth Council, No. 9, R. & S. M. He is also a member of the lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Ellsworth, and of the Knights of Pythias.
It will be appropriate and fitting in this connection to append a history of the Ells- worth Messenger, which is a weekly, four- page paper, of seven columns of home print. The paper politically is Democrat and is ed- ited and published by Frank S. Foster. A specialty is made of local, city and county news. It also publishes all official proceed- ings of the county commissioners and of the city council. By the addition of the subscription list of the Ellsworth Populist, which paper was purchased and consolidat- ed with that of the Messenger in April, 1899, the latter now has a total subscription list of more than sixteen hundred. The Messenger is the outgrowth of the Rural West, an agricultural paper founded at Ells- worth in 1880 by W. E. Fosnet. This was purchased in 1882 or 1883 by Z. Jackson,
742
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
who changed the name to the Cyclone and later to the Ellsworth News. The latter was an independent Republican paper, which in 1885 was purchased by George A. Collett and F. S. Foster, who called it the Ellsworth Democrat, making the change in its politi- cal complexion. In 1891 the name was changed to the Ellsworth Messenger and the paper was published and edited by the firm of Collett & Foster until the fall of 1894, at which time Mr. Collett disposed of his in- terest to Mr. Foster, the present proprietor.
WILLIAM E. SHERIFF.
William E. Sheriff is a well known mer- chant of Ellsworth, where he is engaged in dealing in drugs and wall paper. In his youth the elements of success lay dormant in his nature, awaiting the awakening touch of effort. As the years passed he became actively connected with business interests and his latent powers were aroused to meet the contingencies of the moment. Meeting his opportunities, he has advanced steadily to a position formost among the representatives of business interests in his adopted city.
William E. Sheriff is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred May 24, 1857. His father, Johnson Sheriff, was born in Scotland, and in 1855 crossed the Atlantic to America, locating in Cincinnati. In his youth he had learned the miller's trade, and in his new home followed that pursuit until 1885, when he came to Kansas, spending his last days in the home of his son William, in Ellsworth. He was married in Cincin- nati, to Miss Mary Wright, a daughter of Ebenezer Wright, a merchant of that city. Both were members of the Presbyterian church and were people of the highest re- spectability. They became the parents of seven children, our subject being the only son and eldest of the family. He has four sisters who are still living. The father died in 1897, but the mother still survives and is yet a resident of Ellsworth.
William E. Sheriff pursued his education in the public schools of Gallipolis, Ohio, and
in an academy in that city. He began his business career as a drug clerk in Gallipolis and after two years spent in that manner came to Ellsworth, in 1876, where he en- tered upon his business acreer in a similar capacity. He occupied a position as sales- man until 1883, when he purchased the busi- ness conducted by E. G. Minnick and of which he has since been proprietor. The store was a small one at the time of the pur- chase, but he has steadily increased his stock in order to meet the demands of a growing trade until he now has the best drug store in the city, carrying a large line of goods such as is found in a first class establish- ment of the kind. His wall paper depart- ment is also very extensive and complete, comprising all grades of paper of the latest patterns and most fashionable colors. In 1889 he purchased the building which he now occupies and in 1891 made a forty-foot addition in the rear, so that he now has a store room one hundred and fifty feet deep and twenty-five feet wide. This en- ables him to make an excellent display of his stock, and his store is always neat and attractive in appearance-an element of suc- cess of which he is fully aware. His busi- ness methods are such as to commend him to public confidence and his trade annually returns him a good income.
In 1880 occurred the marriage of Mr. Sheriff and Miss Augusta Hall, a daughter of Mrs. M. A. Cramer. of Ellsworth. They have two interesting children,-Mary Pearl and Harry L. Mr. Sheriff is identified with various fraternal organizations, including Ellsworth Lodge, No. 146, F. & A. M .; Ellsworth Chapter, No. 54. R. A. M .; St. Aldemar Commandery, No. 33. K. T .; and Isis Temple of the Mystic Shrine, in Salina. In the commandery he has served as emi- nent commander and for forty years was re- corder. He also belongs to the Ancient Or- der of United Workmen. He takes a deep and active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community, co-operat- ing in all measures for the public good. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Ellsworth Hospital, of which institution he was one of the organizers. In his political
743
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
views he is a Democrat, and for three years he served as treasurer of the county central committee. He formerly took a very active part in politics, but the growing demands of his business now claim his attention, so that his political work is lessened. He is now serving for the third term on the state board of pharmacy and for one term has been sec- retary of the board. For three terms he has been a member of the school board, and has served on the city council. The marvelous development of the west is due to such men, whose indomitable energy and progressive spirit have overcome all obstacles and reached the goal of success. He is not so abnormally developed as to be called a genius, but is one of. the strongest because one of the best balanced, the mose even and self masterful of men, and he has acted so well his part in both public and private life that Ellsworth has been enriched by his ex- ample, his character and his labor.
JAMES W. HAMILTON.
There is in every person a something that is inseparable,-the suggestive power of character,-and no one can analyze the deeds and actions of men without taking into account this ever recurring principle. He whose name initiates this re- view has been actively and conspicuously identified with the industrial activities of Kansas for nearly thirty-five years, has wielded a potent influence in public affairs, has held the distinguished preferment as state treasurer, has been prominent in the councils of the Republican party in this state, and has been signally loyal and true to the duties of citizenship, even as he was to the cause of the Union when he rendered yeoman service in the ranks of the boys in blue during the war of the Rebellion, that greatest of all internecine conflicts in the an- nals of history. Mr. Hamilton is distinct- ively a man of affairs, his business interests have been of wide scope and importance, and he is honored in Kansas not less for his ability than for his sterling integrity of
character. He is at the present time man- ager of the Chakaskia Land & Cattle Com- pany, and retains his residence on a fine ranch property, in section 32, Kingman township, Kingman county, having im- proved this property, which until a recent date he retained in his own possession.
Mr. Hamilton was born in Adams coun- ty, Ohio, on the 18th of October. 1842, and is of stanch Scotch lineage, his early Ameri- can forbears having been sturdy and noble Scotsmen who were exiled from their na- tive land in the latter part of the seventeenth century, by reason of their stalwart resist- ance to tyranny and oppression and their. strenuous efforts to keep the boon of liberty. Thus they came to America, banished from the land of their valiant fathers, and took up their abode in South Carolina. There was born James Hamilton, who emigrated thence to Harrison county, Kentucky, which was the birthplace of his son William, the grand- father of our subject. James Hamilton be- came one of the prominent pioneers of that region, being a contemporary of Daniel Boone and a conspicuous figure in the early history of that section, which, as the scene of seemingly interminable conflicts with the Indians, became known as the "dark and bloody ground." There he passed the resi- due of his life, a man of courage, ability and honor. His son William, whose birth oc- curred near the present town of Cynthiana, Kentucky, in the latter part of the eighteenth century, was there reared, but when a young man he emigrated to Adams county, Ohio, where he secured employment at the Mar- ble Furnace. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving under General Wilkinson, in the vicinity of Lake Erie. In Adams county he married Anna Beaver, and they contin- ued to make their home in Ohio until their death, the former passing away in the year 1856 and being survived only a few days by his devoted wife. Of their large family of children none are living. The eldest was Henry, who died in Adams county, Ohio; Andrew died in Livingston county, Illinois, abont 1868: William died in Iowa, in 1885: Christian was the father of the subject of this sketch; Catherine became the wife of
744
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
William Sommers, of Locust Grove, Adams county, Ohio, where she died many years ago; and there were four other daughters, whose names our subject does not recall.
Christian Hamilton was born in Ad- ams county, Ohio, in the year 1818, and his education was such as was afforded in the primitive subscription schools of the pioneer epoch, while he early began to assist in the work of the homestead farm. In 1841 he was united in marriage to Miss Julia Wil- son, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, about 1820, a daughter of James and Hannah Wilson, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Ohio and cast in their lot among the pio- neer settlers of Highland county, the farm which they owned having adjoined that of the father of Joseph B. Foraker, United States senator and former governor of Ohio, who was there reared. Mr. Wilson was like- wise a soldier in the war of 1812, under General Wilkinson, and he was of a collat- eral branch of the family of James Wilson, one of the signers of the Declaration of In- dependence. One of his sons became a man of marked prominence in Ohio politics, where he was an influential member of the state legislature and otherwise potent in public affairs. James and Hannah Wilson died in Highland county many years ago, both having been of Scotch extraction.
After his marriage Christian Hamilton removed to Pike county, Ohio, locating near the town of Cynthiana, where he remained until the early '50s, when he removed to Benton county, Indiana, whence, three years later, he removed to Coles county, Illinois, and in 1868 he came to Kansas, settling near the town of Erie, in Neosho, where he made his home until 1872, when he located near South Haven, Sumner county, having devoted his attention principally to farming and stock-raising. His wife died in the year 1881, and he subsequently married Elizabeth Crow, of Greencastle, Putnam county, Indiana. About 1888 they removed from Kansas to Bainbridge, in the Indiana county mentioned, and there the father of our subject was engaged in agricultural pur- suits until his death, which occurred in 1898,
his widow still maintaining her home in that locality. In his political adherency he was arrayed in support of the Whig party until the Republican party was organized, when he espoused its cause, which he ever after- ward supported. He was a member of the Methodist church, but in his religious views manifested a broad and tolerant spirit. Of his first marriage nine children were born, namely : James W., the subject of this re- view; Joseph, who died in childhood ; Sarah, the wife of M. Jones, a merchant of Pike county, Ohio; Lewis, a resident farmer of Bramen, Kay county, Oklahoma; John, a farmer and stockman of Putnam county, In- diana; Eliza, the wife of Joseph Carter, a farmer of Beaver, Oklahoma; Nancy, the wife of Joseph C. Little, a farmer of Kay county, Oklahoma; Julia, the wife of George W. Peters, of Seattle, Washington ; and Frank, who died in Wellington, Kan- sas, at the age of twenty years. By the fa- ther's second marriage there were two chil- dren, Edward and Alice, who reside with their mother in Bainbridge, Indiana.
In the district schools of Pike county, Ohio, James W. Hamilton acquired his early educational discipline, and when four- teen years of age he accompanied his par- ents on their removal to Indiana, where he continued his studies, eventually being ma- triculated in Asbury (now DePauw) Uni- versity, where he continued his scholastic work until the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion. Scarcely had the smoke from Fort Sumter's guns cleared away ere he en- listed for service in support of the nation's integrity, being enrolled on the 29th of April, 1861, at Shawnee Mound, Tippeca- noe county, Indiana. He was assigned to Company A, Fifteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry ; was mustered into the state serv- ice, at Indianapolis, on the 13th of May, and into the federal service on the 14th of June. The regiment left for Virgina on the 2d of July, passed through Parkersburg and thence proceeded to Rich Mountain and took part in the battle at that point. After the engagement they remained in the Tigart valley until December, when the regiment was sent to Louisville, to become a part of
745
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
the Army of the Olgy, which was then forming, and it was assigned to General Nelson's divise. In the early part of 1862 the regiment was transferred to the com- mand of General Themas J. Wood, and thus participated in the battle of Shiloh, from which sanguinary field it advanced to Cor- inth, arriving after the city had been evacu- ated. In the summer of 1862 Wood's divi- sion, together with a part of Buell's army, proceeded to a point near Chattanooga, the object being to prevent the Confederate forces under General Bragg from crossing the Tennessee and entering Kentucky. This movement, however, was not successful, and the regiment thereafter participated in the race with the Confederates through Ken- tucky, Louisville being the objective point with both armies, where the Union forces managed to anticipate the arrival of the en- emy. October 8 in that year the Fifteenth Indiana participated in the battle of Perry- ville, after which the Confederates retired from the state, and the regiment, togetlier with Buell's army, returned to Nashville, later participating in the battle of Stone River, on the last day of 1862 and the fol- lowing two days. Mr. Hamilton was in the campaign that resulted in driving Bragg's army from Tullahoma, Tennessee, whence he was followed to La Fayette, Georgia, where he was reinforced by Longstreet. The campaign culminated in the disastrous bat- tle of Chickamauga, in which the Union army suffered a severe defeat, being driven into the fortifications of Chattanooga, where for several weeks it was besieged by Bragg's forces, undergoing severe priva- tions until Sherman's army came to the res- cue of the beleagured garrison. During the siege many transfers were made, the Fif- teenth Indiana being assigned to General Sheridan's command, with which it partici- pated in the three-days battle at Mission Ridge, in November, 1863. It was also with Sherman in his expedition for the release of Burnside, who was besieged by Longstreet, at Knoxville, Tennessee, and our subject's command passed the remainder of the win- ter of 1863-4 in the mountainous region of eastern Tennessee, returning to Chattanooga
in March and being there placed on guard and garrison duty. Mr. Hamilton there re- mained until the expiration of his term of service, and he was mustered out, at Indian- apolis, June 25, 1864, after which he went to Coles county, Illinois, where his father was then living.
On the 15th of April, 1867, Mr. Hamil- ton was united in marriage to Miss Belle G. Combs, who was born in Coles county, in 1847, a daughter of Pleasant and Mary Combs, who had removed thither from their native state of Tennessee and there passed the residue of their lives, the father having been an influential farmer of that section of Illinois. Three of his children yet survive, -Oliver Perry, of Hazleton, Kansas ; John, of Arcola, Illinois; and Mrs. Mock, of Co- lumbia, Oklahoma; Mrs. Hamilton has been dead for ten years. Of the seven children born to our subject and his wife we enter the following brief record : Alexander, who died at the age of two months ; Amelia, the wife of William F. Schultz, a merchant and ranchman of Wharton, Texas; Julia, the wife of W. E. Hart, a ranchman of Nash- ville, Kansas; James W., a rancher and miner of Stone, Montana : Emma, who died in childhood; Grace, who remains at the par- ental home; and Lulu, the wife of Harry Hart, a general merchant of Nashville, Kan- sas.
The year 1868 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Hamilton in Kansas. He located in Neosho county, where he remained until 1871, when he removed to the site of the present town of South Haven, Sumner county, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1884 he was elected coun- ty treasurer of Sumner countny, serving one term, and in 1886 he was chosen to the office of state treasurer, this necessitating his removal to Topeka, the state capital. He gave so capable and discriminating an ad- ministration of the fiscal affairs of the con- monwealth that he was elected as his own successor, in 1888, his tenure of office end- ing on January 10, 1891.
In 1882 Mr. Hamilton had purchased a tract of fourteen hundred and forty acres. in Kingman township, Kingman county.
47
746
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
and in 1888 In indre took up his abode, hay- ing since made it his home. In 1891 he held the position of live-stock agent for the Santa Fe Railroad, but resigned at the end of a year, and thereafter he was employed by the Aetna Mortgage Company, of St. Louis, as a fiscal agent, until 1894, since which time he has given almost his entire attention to the operation of his ranch, with the exception of the years 1889 and 1900, when he was inspector of stock in the Kan- sas City stockyards. At the present time he is manager of the Chakaskia Land & Cattle Company, whose operations are of a most extensive order. Mr. Hamilton is a lover of fine horses, and perhaps no man in the state is a better judge of horseflesh. He has for years bred the famous Pacemaker strain of Hambletonians, many of them making not- able records, and at the time of this writing he owns several very fine driving horses, having forty head of horses on his ranch. He is also an excellent judge of cattle, and has made a specialty of raising the Durham breed. His favorite recreation is hunting, and he makes frequent trips into the wilds with rod and gun.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.