A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 13

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 13

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George R. Winsor, a stock farmer in Grove township, was born in Rensselaer county, New York, on May 14, 1840, and son of James and Charity (Feathers) Win- sor, both of whom were born in New York, and the latter died in 1851. Their surviv- ing children are as follows: Mary, who married Hiram Burr, of Lewis county, New York : George R., of this sketch ; David, who lives in Lecompton, Kansas: and Lydia Ann,who resides in Duke Center, Pennsyl- vania. Mr. Winsor had but limited educa- tional opportunities. He was reared to the wood and lumber business, but in 1861 he became a soldier, enlisting at Boonville, New York, in the Ninety-seventh New York Infantry, and at his second enlistment en- tered the same rebiment, serving his coun- try with gallantry for four years lacking but forty-one days. On September 14, 1862, he was wounded in the left thigh, and draws a pension for the same at the present time. His wound was so serious that he was obliged to remain in the hospital for seven months, his pluck and good constitution en- abling him to finally recover sufficiently to return to his regiment.

Until 1874 he remained in Lewis coun- ty, New York, coming then to Butler, Kan- sas, and one year later he took his one hun- dred and sixty-acre homestead, moving his family here in 1876. A sod house twelve by fourteen feet in dimensions was awaiting the family, and in it they resided until 1880, when Mr. Windsor built his first box house, which is now used as an out-building. His present residence was erected in 1886, and in 1899 it was remodeled and now is one of the most comfortable and attractive coun- .

After the close of the war Mr. Winsor removed to Otto, Pennsylvania, where he remained for seven years, coming to Kansas in 1878, where he took up a government homestead of ninety acres. Three years later he settled on his present eighty-acre farm, paying three dollars per acre for raw prairie land. In 1880 he lost his all in a ter- rible prairie fire that swept over his section of the county, saving but two cows. These could not take the place of a fine pair of horses he had owned, but as a necessity he try homes in this neighborhood. Mr. Wind-

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sor feeds from thirty to forty head of stock, buys corn and fodder, believing this the most profitable way. He milks sixteen cows and raises calves, his herd being Herefords mixed with common stock. The productive orchards, the small fruits and the beautiful shade trees were all planted by the industry of our subject.

The marriage of Mr. Windsor was in Turin, New York, on October 21, 1868, to Flora C. Perkins, of Lewis county, New York, a daughter of John and Caroline (Smith) Perkins, both deceased. Mr. Per- kins was a mechanic, and was well known as a great deer hunter in the Adirondack mountains. Seven children were born to this union, namely : John, who was born in February. 1873; Arthur, who was born in Kansas, on June 12, 1877, and both of these sons are married, have families and are en- gaged in the well, windmill and pump sup- ply business under the firm name of Wind- sor Bros .. at Bucklin, Kansas. The third son was Charles B., who was born on Au- gust 14, and died at the age of four years ; Myrtle, who married Warren Thorp, of Pratt county ; Fred, who was born on No- vember 10, 1886; Fay, who was born on April 20, 1890: and Maud, who was born on April 22, 1891. The children reflect much credit upon the parents. Mr. Wind- sor is a stanch Republican.

GEORGE SMITH.

For many years George Smith has been a prominent figure in the annals of Reno county and has aided materially in its de- velopment. By a life of uprightness, in- dustry and square dealing,-a life devoted to the support of whatever is good and true, -he has won the admiration and gen- uine regard of a large circle of acquaint- ances. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, on the 2d of May 1834. His paternal grand- father. Jacob Smith, was employed as a sailor on the ocean during his early life, but later he located in Ross county, Ohio.

where he followed farming for a number of years. About 1840, however, he re- moved from the Buckeye state to Indiana, taking up his abode on a farm in Clinton county, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in death in 1855. One of his sons, Thomas Smith, was a brave and loyal soldier during the Mexican war.

James C. Smith, the father of him whose name introduces this review, was born and reared in Ross county, Ohio, and after at- taining to mature years he was there em- ployed as a fuller in a woolen mill. Before leaving that locality he was married to Maria Thomas, also a native of Ross coun- ty. After the birth of their second child the parents left their Ohio home and located in Warren county, Indiana, where it was Mr. Smith's intention to devote his time to agricultural pursuits and he accordingly rented a farm for that purpose. He next removed to Tippecanoe county, and on Wea creek was located a woolen mill. which was owned and operated by a Quaker named Andy Yunts. The latter was in need of a competent superintendent to con- duct his mill, and a former neighbor of Mr. Smith in Ross county, who had also moved to Tippecanoe county and found employ- ment in the mill, told the owner of Mr. Smith's ability in that line, and he accord- ingly offered him a position, the latter to receive ninety dollars a month for six months in compensation for his services. Mr. Smith accordingly loft lis farm and assumed the position of superintendent in the mill, which he retained for seven or eighty: years. On the expiration of that period he removed t> Clinton county, Indiana, secur- ing a farm in the dense woods, but he soon cleared a space sufficient to erect a cabin home and at once began the arduous task of placing his land under cultivation. In 1850 he sold that place and removed to Vermilion county, Illinois, purchasing a quarter sec- tion of land on the north folk of Vermilion river. As the years passed by he succeeded in placing his fields under a fine state of cul- tivation, and there he made his home until his life's labors were ended in death, passing

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

to his final rest in 1862. He was survived by his widow for many years, and her death occurred at the home of her youngest son in Vermilion county in 1880. Mr. Smith was a Whig in his political views, and in early life he held membership in the United Brethren church, but later he be- came a member of the Methodist denomina- tion. Unto this worthy couple were born eight children, namely: George, the sub- ject of this review; William, who died in Tippecanoe county, Indiana; Elizabeth, who passed away in Vermilion county, Indiana ; Eliza, the wife of John G. Brown, a shoe- maker of Newport, Vermilion county, In- diana; Laura and John, who died in Ver- milion county, Illinois; Mary, who passed away in Fountain county, Indiana; and Martha, who also died in Vermilion county.

George Smith, of this review, received his early education in the subscription schools of Warren, Tippecanoe and Clinton counties, Indiana, attending the primitive log structures so common at that early day, which were furnished with slab benches and pins driven into the wall supported planks for desks. Remaining on the home farm with his father until his twenty-second year, he then began learning the carpenter's trade in Vermilion county, following that occu- pation until 1862, but in that year his fa- ther died and our subject then returned home and took charge of the farm, remain- ing there until his marriage. Soon after that event Mr. Smith removed with his wife to Vermilion county, locating near Danville, where he was engaged in agricultural pur- suits for four years, and for the following year he made his home on his father-in-law's place. For the succeeding sixteen years he was engaged in operating the Collet farm, and he then cast in his lot with the early pioneers of Reno county, Kansas, securing the farm of one hundred and eighty acres which he yet owns. At the time of the pur- chase the land was but partially improved, but as the years have passed by he has suc- ceeded in placing his fields under an excel- lent state of cultivation, and has added many improvements, including a commodious and well built residence, a large barn and all

other necessary buildings, and has also a beautiful orchard of seven acres. Mr. Smith follows general farming and stock- raising, and in his pasture he annually keeps about thirty head of a fine grade of short- horn cattle.

In 1863 occurred the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Armina Brown. The lady was born on the 26th of December, 1844, and is a daughter of Thomas J. and Hanna (Wentwood) Brown, natives of Kentucky. From that state they removed to Indiana, where the father was engaged at his trade of shoemaking. Unto our subject and his wife have been born six children: Frank, who died in Valley township, Kansas; Ed- ward, who also departed this life in Valley township; Flora, the wife of Walter G. Har- ris, a farmer of this localitv; George, at home; Bernie, who is attending college at Manhattan, Kansas; and one who died in Vermilion county in infancy. Three years ago Mrs. Smith sustained a severe fall. which resulted in breaking her hip, and since that time she has been almost an in- valid, but she bears the affliction with re- markable courage and Christian fortitude. In his political affiliations our subject is independent and socially is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while his religious preference is indicated by his membership in the United Brethren church. His many admirable qualities of heart and mind have gained for him a large circle of friends, and he is widely and favorably known in Reno county.

JOHN M. YOUNG.

John M. Young, Letter known as Mart Young, is a representative agriculturist and stock man of Ellsworth county, now resid- ing on section eleven. Empire township. He there owns four hundred and five acres of land, and the richly cultivated fields yield to him a golden tribute while his extensive stock interests also a profitable source of in- come. He is a southern man, possessed of the enterprising spirit which characterizes

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

this portion of the country. His birth oc- curred in Bates county, Missouri, November 7, 1846, his parents being Daniel E. and Margaret (Hornsinger) Young. The fa- ther was a native of Wayne county, Ken- tucky, and became a pioneer of Bates county, Missouri, where he met and married Miss Hornsinger, whose people went to Missouri from Pennsylvania. He became an exten- sive stock man and farmer and was engaged largely in the breeding of horses and mules on the Osage river. During the war he had to leave Missouri, owing to his Union sym- pathies, and for four years he remained in Illinois, after which he returned to his farm, upon which he spent the residue of his days, dying in 1878. He was prominent in the Republican party and was a Baptist in religious faith. His wife died when their son John was ten years of age. They had three children : Jacob F., who is now a prominent farmer of Greene county, Illinois ; Mart; and Tabitha A., the wife of George W. Cherry, of Howell county, Missouri. After the death of his first wife the father was again married, his second union, being with Robinett Martin, of Missouri. They had seven children, but only two are now living. Nathan and Ingham, both of whom are residents of Indian Territory and with them the mother makes her home.

The days of his minority J. Mart Young spent under the parental roof. He acquired but limited school privileges, being only able to attend school for about three months in the year. When he had attained his major- ity he received forty acres from his father's estate and made his home thereon, devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits until 1868, when he sold that property and went to Texas, there engaging in the stock busi- ness. After a year spent in Grayson county, however. he returned to Missouri and rented land in St. Clair county, where he remained until 1876, when he came to Kansas with a horse and mule team and a covered wagon, accompanied on the journey by his wife and child. At length they reached Smoky river and Mr. Young purchased railroad land near Venango, securing the southeast quar- ter of section thirty-five. He built a log

house, sixteen by fourteen feet, dug a well and broke thirty acres of land, planting a crop of wheat the same year. Soon after- ward, however, he had to abandon this place. for the season was a hard one and the crops produced were very small. Removing eight miles west, he located on section twenty- two, Empire township, Ellsworth county, on Thompson creek. It was a squatter's claim. for which he traded a young team and wagon. About forty acres of the land had been broken, and with characteristic energy he continued its further development and improvement, remaining thereon for eight years, during which time he added another quarter section. He broke all of the tillable land, made excellent improvements and in connection with the raising of grain was quite extensively engaged in the stock busi- ness, keeping as many as four hundred head of cattle, which grazed on the rich pasture lands. The ranch of Captain Millett ad- joins Mr. Young's farm, and the latter did considerable work for the Captain, the money thus earned aiding him to carry on the work of improvement in his own fields. He did more or less work for the Captain for fourteen years and their dealings were always of the most pleasant character, Mr. Young ever retaining the highest regard for the worthy Captain, who afterward suffered such heavy losses here. After the failure of Captain Millett, Mr. Young went to Colo- rado and spent one year in the employ of D. B. Powers, one of the first as well as one of the most extensive cattle men of Kansas. While in that state his family remained upon the home place in order to care for the prop- erty. After his return Mr. Young contin- ued the development of his homestead, there engaging in farming and stock-raising until 1898, when he disposed of his land and pur- chased his present home on section II, township 16, range 8. This was formerly a well known sheep ranch and prior to that was part of the old Fort Harker reservation. Mr. Young has added excellent improve- ments to the place and now has a good home, supplied with substantial buildings and equipped with all modern accessories and conveniences for facilitating farm work and

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

making it profitable. He handles from three to four hundred head of cattle each year and has an excellent reputation as a reliable stock dealer.

In March, 1866, occurred the marriage of Mr. Young and Miss Samantha Fer- guson, a native of Cedar county, Missouri, and a daughter of Judge John and Eme- line (Patterson) Ferguson, both of whom were natives of Virginia. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Young have been born two children : Maggie, the wife of Fred Baker, of Ells- worth county, and Ella, who died at the age of two years. They also have an adopted son, Bruce Powers, who came to them when three years of age and now assists in the cultivation of the home place. In his politi- cal views Mr. Young is a Republican, and for eight years he served on the school board in his old neighborhood and has occupied a similar position since coming to his present home. Socially he is a member of Charity Lodge, No. 109, I. O. O. F., and also be- longs to the Daughters of Rebekah. Com- ing to Kansas in pioneer days, he has watched with interest through the passing years its development and progress and has borne his part in its substantial upbuilding. He is known as one of its reliable and pro- gressive citizens and a man whose example is well worthy of emulation.

S. C. MILLIGAN.

There has been no more valuable or im- portant element in our national citizenship than that furnished by Ireland. From the green island of Erin have come men of versatility and determination, ready and willing to take up any honorable occupation that would yield success and provide a com- fortable living for themselves and their fam- ilies. Of such a nationality came the an- cestors of our subject. His paternal grand- parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Milligan, crossed the Atlantic from Ireland. locating in Jefferson county, Ohio, and thence re- moving to Guernsey county, where they spent their remaining days. At the time of

their emigration their son Thomas was but a youth. He was born in the northern part of the Emerald isle and in the Buckeye state was reared to farm life. Having arrived at years of maturity he wedded Mary Camp- bell, who was born in Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish parentage, her father and mother having been natives of northern Ire- land, whence they came to the United States. spending their remaining days in Ohio. The following children were born unto Thomas and Mary Milligan: Robert H .; Jane; Joseph, who was a soldier in the Civil war; Nancy Isabelle: Thomas Clark: Sylvanus; Calvin; Eliza K .; and William C. The fa- ther died in Ohio at the age of sixty-nine years. Throughout his business career he had carried on farming and was known for his sterling honesty and many excellent characteristics. In his political views he was a stanch Republican, and both he and his wife were devoted members of the United Presbyterian church. Mrs. Milligan passed away at the age of eighty years, but her memory was long afterward enshrined in the hearts of those who knew her.

S. C. Milligan, whose name introduces this record, spent his youth on his father's farm in Guernsey county, Ohio, where his birth occurred on the 2nd of January, 1848. His childhood days were passed in the usual manner of lads of that period, the duties of the school-room and the pleasures of the play-ground claiming his attention. while during the summer months he worked in the fields from the time he was old enough to handle the plow. He was married at the age of twenty-one to Miss Elizabeth Con- nell, and since that tire she has been an able helpmate to him on life's journey. She was a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, where she was reared and educated. Her parents, Alexander and Mary Jane Connell. were residents of East Liverpool, Ohio. The mother passed away on February 4, 1902, and her husband followed her fifteen hours later, she being eighty-eight years of age, while he was in his ninetieth year. The fol- lowing children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Milligan, namely : Mrs. Ella R. Bone, of White township, Kingman county: Em-

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

ory C., who lives in the same township; Mary Amma Hemphill, of Kingman coun- ty; Anna Pearl, who has been one of the successful and popular teachers of this local- ity from the age of sixteen years; and Harry C., who completes the family.

After his marriage Mr. Milligan contin- ued his residence in Ohio until 1885, when he came to the Sunflower state, and pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 9, White township, Kingman county, where he has since lived. He built a little house, fourteen by twenty feet, but this has since been replaced by a commodi- ous residence, tastefully furnished, and is surrounded by a good lawn adorned with shade-trees, an orchard yields its fruit in season and annually the fields return a golden harvest for the care and labor that have been bestowed upon them. By addi- tional purchases Mr. Milligan has extended the boundaries of his farm until it now com- prises two hundred and forty acres of val- uable land. The farm is well supplied with the many improvements that go to facilitate agricultural work in the twentieth century, and this property is a visible evidence of the enterprise and the thrift of the owner. In his political views Mr. Milligan is an advo- cate of Republican principles, and has served as justice of the peace. He belongs to the United Presbyterian church of Pretty Prai- rie, and his wife and two of the children are identified with the same denomination, while the other children belong to the United Brethren church. Theirs is a Christian fam- ily, in which high principles permeate the conduct of the members of the household, and throughout the community they are held in high regard.

C. C. WHITE.

C. C. White is one of the well known early settlers of Rice county who secured a homestead here in 1872 and has since been actively associated with the progress of this portion of the Sunflower state. He was born in Polk county, Missouri, December

30, 1849, and is a son of Captain William White, whose birth occurred in Ohio. The grandfather, James White, was a native of New England, but removed to the Buckeye state at an early period in its development, and there the Captain was reared and edit- cated, subsequently removing westward to Missouri. At the time of the Mexican war he served as a soldier in the regiment com- manded by Colonel Price, afterward the noted Rebel General Price, of the Civil war. In 1846 Captain White crossed the plains and served under General Fremont in the western district, remaining a member of the United States army in active service against the Indians upon the frontier. His gallantry and bravery won him promotion to the rank of captain in a Missouri company. A mem- ber of the Union army during the war of the rebellion, he was captured at Springfield, Missouri, and one of the guards placed over him was his own brother, who was then a member of the Rebel army! Captain White made a most brilliant record as a brave and loyal soldier and a gallant officer, and his own valor often inspired his men to deeds of bravery. He has indeed a brilliant mili- tary record, for in the Mexican war, upon the plains of the west and as a defender of the Union he aided his country. He now re- sides at Halstead, Harvey county, Kansas. He married Emma E. High, who was born in Tennessee and was reared and educated in Polk county, Missouri. They became the parents of the following children: C. C., of this review; Sumner, who is living in Halstead, Kansas; William, deceased; Mrs. Fanny Woods, of Rice county; Joseph, who is living in Virginia; Mrs. Ida Lehman, of Halstead, Kansas; Mrs. Rose Chapin, who died in Halstead; Mrs. Hattie Southard, of Redlands, California. The father of this family was a wool carder by trade and after- ward devoted his energies to farming when not engaged in military service in behalf of his country. He is now living retired at his pleasant home in Halstead, at the age of seventy-six years. His wife passed away in the winter of 1900, and her loss was mourned by many friends, for she had manty esti- mable qualities which won her high regard.

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

C. C. White of this review was reared in Montgomery county, Illinois, and acquired a good education, which has been supple- mented by the knowledge gained by travel. He has visited almost every state in the Union, and is thus familiar with his native land. In 1872 he came to Rice county, Kan- sas, and took a homestead claim. During the first season after his arrival he worked' on the railroad. Upon his farm he built a stone house and dugout and lived alone for a time. During the greater part of the year he engaged in hunting buffaloes through- out central Kansas, selling the hides, which brought him a good return. Large herds of those animals were seen in central Kan- sas, sometimes a thousand being seen in one drove. For three years Mr. White contin- ued hunting and thus gained a good living. He afterward turned his attention to the development of his farm and erected thereon a rock and frame residence, which stands upon a natural building site and commands a fine view of the river and surrounding prairie. None of the equipments of a model farm are lacking. A fine orchard of twenty acres yields its fruits in season. In addi- tion to the development of the fields he is operating a quarry, selling much rock. It is this which has given the name of White Rock Farm to his place.

In 1875 Mr. White returned to the east and was there united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Kellar, who was born in Ma- coupin county, Illinois, and was educated in Litchfield, that state. Her father was the Rev. J. W. Kellar, who for fifty years was a minister of the Christian church, a most act- ive and zealous worker in the cause of the Master. He died at Mt. Rose, Missouri, in 1898, and his wife, Mrs. Sarah Kellar also passed away in that state. Unto our sub- ject and his wife have been born four chil- dren : Walter, whose birth occurred April 1, 1876; Laura, who married Menno Slo- bach of McPherson county, Kansas; and Ida. They also lost one child in infancy. Mr. White is a Republican in his political views, and for twenty years he has served on the school board. A man of intelligence, he keeps well informed on the general is-

sues and questions of the day and is able to suport his political position by strong argument. His wife is a member of the Christian church, and he advances every measure for the uplifting of his fellow men and the advancement of the best interests of his community along lines of intellectual, moral and material progress.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 13

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