A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 14

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 14

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).

JOHN D. FORSYTH.

The record of Mr. Forsyth is that of a man who has worked his way upward to a position among the substantial men of the community in which he lives. His life has been one of industry and perseverance, and the systematic and honorable methods he has followed have won him the support and confidence of many. He was born in De- catur county, Indiana, on the 14th of July, 1837. His father, John S. Forsyth, was a native of the old Bluegrass state, his birth occurring in Louisville, on the 6th of Au- gust, 1796. In an early day he reinoved to Indiana, locating first in Decatur county and afterward in Boone county, where he held the office of sheriff for four years. In the fall of 1844 he took up his abode in Marion, Linn county, Iowa, where he made his home for two years, on the expiration of which period he removed to Vinton, Benton coun- ty, that state. In the latter place he served as a justice of the peace for several years, and for a period of four years was also a county judge. The death of his wife there occurred in 1850, and in 1876 he came to the Sunflower state, locating in Sumner county. Mr. Forsyth was a stone mason by trade, but after the birth of our subject he did not follow that calling. In politics he was first a Whig, and after the organiza- tion of the Republican party he joined its ranks. He became a member of the Chris- tian church in his later years, and was an active worker in the cause of religion and temperance. In his social relations he was connected with the Good Templars.

The marriage of Mr. Forsyth was cele- brated in Kentucky, when Miss Jane Mc-

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

Coy became his wife. She was born in that commonwealth, and her parents were both natives of Scotland. The parents of Mr. Forsyth were born in Ireland. Unto John S. and Jane (McCoy) Forsyth were born the following children: Edwin P., who was killed in the battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864, while serving in the Thirteenth Iowa, his enlistment having occurred in 1861, and he had veteranized before his death; Ana- zett, who died in Wellington, Kansas ; Rob- ert M., a retired carpenter of Wellington, having reached the age of eighty-two years ; Mary Ann, who died in Benton county, lowa; Martha Jane, a twin of Nancy Ellen, who died in Wellington, Kansas; Nancy Ellen, wife of J. S. Epperson; David M., who died in Wisconsin; Christina, who also passed away in that state; John D., the sub- ject of this review; and Lucretia, the wife of S. B. Jones, who resides near. Hennes- sey, Oklahoma.

John D. Forsyth was only thirteen years of age when his mother died, and for a time thereafter he made his home with his broth- er-in-law. When about seventeen or eighteen years of age he began learning the carpenter's trade, working first with Mr. Douglas, a prominent contractor of that vicinity, and was afterward with his broth- er, who was also a carpenter by trade. Dur- ing his youth he received but meager edu- cational advantages, having only attended school a short time in Benton county, Iowa. On the 27th of March, 1859. in that county, he was united in marriage to Lucinda M. Jones, a native of Indiana and of Welsh and German descent. She was a daughter of Hugh B. and Mary (Douglas) Jones. After his marriage Mr. Forsyth temporarily abandoned his trade, and from that time until 1861 was engaged in farming. On the 7th of August of the latter year he en- listed for service in the Civil war, joining Company D, Eighth Iowa Infantry, and was first sent to Springfield, Missouri, thence to Sedalia, and from there to Pittsburg Land- ing, participating in the battle of that city, where he was under command of General Lew Wallace. A part of Wallace's com-

mand was sent to the assistance of General Prentice, who was being severely handled, and with others our subject was captured while holding out against overwhelming odds. He was taken to Tuscaloosa, Ala- bama, where he was incarcerated for ten months, on the expiration of which period he was paroled. In the fall of 1862 he was exchanged and participated in the Vicks- burg campaign, also in the battles of Ray- mond and Jackson, Mississippi, and on the 22d of May, 1862, he was in charge of the rebel works at Vicksburg, where he lay in the trenches for thirty-two days, acting as a sharpshooter. After the surrender of that city he was sent to Black River, thence to Jackson, Mississippi, participating in the siege and capture of that city, and afterward was in the battle of Brandon, Mississippi. Returning to Vicksburg, he was sent from there to Memphis, thence to Pocahontas, and on the Ist of January, 1864, veteran- ized and was again sent to Vicksburg. At this time Sherman had returned from his memorable march to the sea, and with others Mr. Forsyth was given a thirty days' fur- lough and returned to his home. After his leave of absence had expired he went to Memphis, where he was engaged in doing patrol duty for ten months, after which lie joined Canby at New Orleans and was with him on his great expedition against Mobile. After participating in the capture of Span- ish Fort and Fort Blakely, Mr. Forsyth was transferred to Canby's headquarters as a guard, where he remained until August, 1865. and then joined his regiment at Mont- gomery, Alabama, where he was promoted to the position of first sergeant. At that place he was given charge of the jail. Again receiving a thirty days' furlough he went to Davenport and from there to his home, where he remained until he received a letter to rejoin his regiment at Tuskegee, Ala- bama, and from that point was sent to Sel- ma, there remaining until 1866. At Selma he was given charge of the government sta- bles, and at that place he was mustered out of service on the 20th of April, 1866, with the rank of sergeant and with a record of

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

nine hard-fought battles, thirty-two days under fire at Vicksburg and thirteen days under fire at Jackson, Mississippi. During his entire military career lie was never wounded.

.After hostilities had ceased Mr. For- syth returned to his home at Vinton, Iowa, where he was engaged in agricultural pur- suits until 1878, and in that year, in com- pany with his wife and six children, he made the journey with a team and wagon to Kan- sas, locating in Sumner county. He spent seventeen years in that locality, during which time he followed the carpenter's trade, and was several times honored with positions of public trust and responsibility, having for two years served as deputy sher- iff, one year as city marshal and two years as constable. While there residing, on the 7th of May, 1894, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, and in the fol- lowing year he removed to Kansas City, where he followed his trade for one year. In Lawrence, Kansas, he was a second time married, choosing for his wife Carrie L. Larry, who was born in Ohio and was a dress-maker by trade. Soon after his mai - riage Mr. Forsyth removed to Hutchinson, where his wife owned the property in which they now reside, and he sold his property in Wellington. They have a commodious and attractive residence here, surrounded by beautiful and well kept grounds.

The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with six children, as follows : Olive, wife of T. T. Robinson, of Kansas City ; Christina, wife of Frank E. Phelps, a prominent farmer of Wewoka, Indian Ter- ritory ; Grace, wife of E. R. Deyo, a plum- ber of Wellington, Kansas; Marion E., a cigar manufacturer of Newton, this state; Mary E., wife of W. H. Hart, a machinist of Ottawa; and Nellie, wife of Henry Fehr, a miner of Leadville, Colorado. Mr. For- syth is a life-long Republican, and in his social relations is a member of Joe Hooker Post, No. 17, G. A. R., in which he served for one year as chaplain. He is one of the leading and substantial business men of Hutchinson, and many of its finest public buildings stand as monuments to his thrift

and ability, including the new opera-house. A man of reliability, he is held in the highest confidence and esteem by his fellow citizens.

INSLEY L. DAYHOFF.

Few public officials in the state of Kan- sas have displayed more enthusiasm, com- bined with energy, than has Insley L. Day- hoff, the popular and efficient superintendent of the Reno county schools. Although young in years he is a man of erudition, ambition and business ability and the educational in- terests of Reno county are in competent hands.

The birth of Mr. Dayhoff occurred near Worthington, Greene county, Indiana, on October 17, 1867. The family is an old and numerous one, eleven brothers having emi- grated to America from the province of Hoff, Germany, but are now scattered over the United States, many of its members fill- ing positions of prominence. It has always been a family noted for its longevity also, there being no record of any male member of it dying before the age of seventy-five years, while in occasional instances they have reached and rounded out a century.

The father of our subject was George W. Dayhoff, who was born in Indiana and began the study of medicine, his education, however, being interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil war. He served with marked distinction during the entire period of that desperate struggle, having been in over sixty battles and skirmishes, often times in the thickest of the battle. After serving his country well he received an honorable dis- charge after the "Grand Review" at Wash- ington. After returning home from the war lie settled down on the farm near the old Scaffold Prairie homestead, near Worthing- ton, Indiana. There he lived until 1887, when he moved to Kansas. In 1863 he was married to Mary Amanda Johnston, at Worthington. Four children were born of this union that are now living: Insley L., Ella M., James Emmett and Lenora M. In

Andy L Daybiff

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

1876 his first wife died, and since that time he was remarried and is now living at Hondo, Texas.

The boyhood and early youth of our sub- ject were passed in Worthington, where he graduated from the common school course into the high school, and later became a stu- dent in the Bloomfield Normal school, in Greene county. From there he went to De Pauw University, and still later to the Kan- sas State Normal school, at Emporia. While this closed his scholastic career, it by no means completed his studies, for while Mr. Dayhoff has enriched his mind far beyond the average, he is of a class whose ambition will continue to ever inspire him to efforts for higher culture. Prior to removing from Indiana he began what has since become a life work, teaching his first school in his na- tive state. On March 9, 1887, he reached Hutchinson, Kansas, and immediately ranged himself with the state educators, teaching two terms in Langdon and three in Plevna, displaying such ability that in 1896 he was made county superintendent, and he has had the honor of a third consecutive elec- tion, this being an unusual occurrence. With characteristic determination he immediately began his onerous duties, which in this coun- ty are exceptionally hard, there being one hundred and fifty-seven districts and one hundred and seventy-four schools outside of the city schools. One hundred and seventy- four teachers come under his supervision, sixty-seven of these being males and the other sex numbering one hundred and seven, the salaries ranging from thirty-five to sixty dollars a month, aggregating from sixty-two to sixty-three thousand dollars. With the other necessary outlay, the county expends on her schools the sum of ninety-five thou- sand dollars.

To visit these schools, as the law directs, once every six months, compels much driv- ing and in this work alone the conscientious superintendent covers over four thousand miles, aside from trips on the railroad. Mr. Dayhoff keeps one hundred and seventy-four reports, and the proper keeping of these and the selection of teachers, with its attendant 6

social and business features, requires not only a great deal of physical but also mental strain. When the reports of the entire num- ber of people connected with this office are taken into consideration, it will give some idea of the duties of the office of county su- perintendent in this state, as beside the num- ber of teachers, there are four hundred and eighty school offices, and all of the justices of the peace report here as well. Since tak- ing charge of this office he has organized and reorganized almost every department, and now has all of the schools properly graded and has had the satisfaction of graduating three hundred and fifty-four pupils. He has established the system of association work and has advanced the standard of teachers' examinations, resulting in a higher grade of work given and required. Mr. Dayhoff has had his heart in this work and has untir- ingly pushed it to its present stage, finding reward in the appreciation of his patrons.

Mr. Dayhoff has always been identified with the Republican party and has been one of the active workers for its success. He has been one of the delegates to the various con- ventions and as he is gifted in oratory and is always thoroughly posted in regard to all issues, he is in great demand as a public speaker. In the matter of his own election, it has been a source of gratification to hint that his elections have been accomplished with increased majorities. the first resulting in a majority of three hundred and seventy- six, the second by five hundred and eighty, and the third by nine hundred and fifty-six. The only one in this last election who re- ceived a greater number of votes was the well known Judge Campbell.

On February 7, 1890, Mr. Dayhoff was united in marriage to Miss A. M. Bordeaux, a daughter of R. D. Bordeaux, formerly of this city but now a resident of Wichita, and the three children born to this union are: Lamar, Don Richard, and Helen Mossman. The religious connection of the family is with the Methodist church. Socially Mr. Dayhoff belongs to the Modern Woodmen, the Odd Fellows, the A. F. & A. M., the Commercial Club and the Park Association.

.90

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

He has also been the president of the Central Kansas State Teachers' Association, and for the past five years has had a place on the state association program. A man of read- ing, travel, culture and high attainment, his life is a strenuous one, given to the advance- ment and prosperity of his adopted state.

JOHN H. STOCKWELL. i

John H. Stockwell, who has passed the seventieth milestone on the journey of life, is now an honored and respected resident of Rice county, Kansas. A native of the Em- pire state, he was born in Chenango county, August 24, 1830, a son of Reuben Stock- well, who was born in Connecticut. He died when our subject was but sixteen months old, and his wife, who was in her maiden- hood a Miss Doran, was again married, and her death occurred in 1844.

John H. Stockwell, the subject of this review, was reared on his brother-in-law's farm in Ohio from the age of ten years. In the autumn of 1861, he enlisted for ser- vice in the Civil war, becoming a member of the Third Ohio Infantry, in which he served for three years, when he was discharged on account of disability. After regaining his health he re-enlisted for service, in 1865, en- tering the Eleventh Michigan Infantry, in which he remained until the close of hostili- ties. He was a brave and gallant soldier, and his war record is one of which he has every reason to be proud. In 1853 Mr. Stockwell was married, and later, in 1864, he located with his family in southern Mich- igan. In 1878 he took up his abode in Rush county, Kansas, where he remained for five years, and then located in Rice county. After spending a few months in that locality they came to the city of Sterling, where he has since made his home. Fourteen years ago, on the 9th of September, 1886, he was stricken with paralysis, and this caused him to lose his hearing and his speech, but since that time he has been free from chronic diarrhoea, with which he was troubled for years. His illness has been a long and ter- rible affliction to him and to his faithful

wife, who has been closely confined to his care for the past fourteen years. They have learned the mute language and are now able to converse rapidly and intelligently. He is also unable to walk ard has to be assisted from his bed to a locomotive chair, in which he wheels himself about the house and on the streets. He now receives a pension of seventy-two dollars a month.

In Williams county, Ohio, on the 2d of January, 1853, Mr. Stockwell was united in marriage with Miss Lydia P. Palmer, who was born in Jefferson county, New York. By the death of her mother she was left an orphan at the early age of fourteen years, and from that time until her marriage she was obliged to make her own way in the world. She has indeed proved to her hus- band a true and loving companion for the journey of life. Their union has been blessed with eleven children, eight of whom grew to years of maturity and are still liv- ing. They also have twenty-three grand- children and four great-grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Stockwell are zealous members of the United Brethren church, and socially he is a member of the Grand Army of the Re- public. His political support is given to the Republican party. He has ever borne his sufferings with Christian fortitude, and his life is a beautiful example of patience and perseverance.

JOSEPH E. PARK.

Widely known in Rice county and in other portions of central Kansas, Joseph Ebenezer Park well deserves mention among the leading representatives of agricultural interests in this portion of the state. He was born in Ford county. Illinois, January 31, 1863. His father, Thomas Park, was a na- tive of Jefferson county, Indiana, born in 1819. and the family is of Scotch descent, the grandfather. William Park, having come from Scotland to America. By trade he was a stone mason and followed that pur- suit for some time but afterward turned his attention to farming. In his native land he married Jane Anderson, and in 1821 he

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

crossed the Atlantic bringing with him his wife and two children. They were then in moderate circumstances. He followed his trade until his sons were grown and then cleared and improved a farm in the midst of the dense forest. He had one hundred and sixty acres and became well-to-do, but his children started out upon business careers for themselves without his financial aid. They had seven sons and two daughters and all married with the exception of the young- est son. Three of the sons settled in Jeffer- son county, Indiana ; one daughter became a resident of Atchison county, Kansas, and Thomas also came to Kansas. One daugh- ter is now living in Vermilion county, Illi- nois, and has two sons and a daughter- John, who is living in Vermilion county as is the daughter, while the other son, William, is now in Nebraska or Idaho. The paternal grandmother of our subject died about 1867, in the sixtieth year of her age, and the grandfather, surviving her about nine years, passed away in his seventieth year.

Thomas Park, the father of our subject, was reared in the Mississippi valley and after arriving at years of maturity was mar- ried in Jefferson county. Indiana, Decem- ber 28, 1842, to Miss Jane M. Mann, who was born in Nova Scotia in 1824, and was then nineteen years of age. She is still liv- ing. in her seventieth year. Mr. Park, how- ever, passed away on his farm near Ster- ling, Kansas, in 1900, at the age of eighty- one years. She is a daughter of Jabez and Mary (Jimmerson) Mann, both of whom were natives of Scotland and came to the new world in a sailing vessel, the former in 1822, the latter in 1823. Mrs. Mann was six weeks upon the ocean. They had five . son county, Indiana, and is married and has sons and four daughters, of whom three daughters and two sons married. Mrs. Park, the seventh in order of birth, is now the only survivor. Her brother, Andrew :

Mann, was very wealthy, making the most of his money in farming in Jefferson county. Indiana. In 1880 he came to Kansas and died in Sterling in 1884. in the sixtieth year of his age. His wife had previously died in Sterling, and as he had no children

he left most of his money to his sister, Mrs. Park. Her uncle, Ebenezer Mann, was in the army for about one year during the war of the Rebellion and died of consumption, having contracted the origin of the disease while at the front. Mrs. Mann, the mother of Mrs. Park, died in Indiana, about 1875, when eighty-two years of age, and Mr. Mann passed away about ten years later, when eighty-nine years of age.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Park settled upon his small farm in Indiana where they lived for three years, and then removed to Laporte, that state, where the father carried on agricultural pur- suits for eight years. In 1853 he went with his family to Boone county, Iowa. For two years he conducted a sawmill there and then returned to Kankakee county, Illinois, where he was a tenant farmer for six years. On the expiration of that period he went to Paxton, Ford county, Illinois, thence to Vermilion county, that state, and afterward came to Kansas, settling upon a claim in Kingman county. Eventually he came to Rice county, where he spent his remaining: days and where his widow is still residing. They were among the most highly respected citizens of the community, their sterling worth of character winning them warm friendship. They had seven children, five sons and two daughters: James Andrew. the eldest, served in the Union army during the Civil war for more than a year and was held as a prisoner at Belle Isle from Janu- ary until March. He was then paroled but died in the hospital at Annapolis, Maryland, in 1864, at the age of nineteen years, his remains being interred there. William, the second of the family, is a farmer of Jeffer-

five children. Thomas A., who is living in Hartshorn in the Indian Territory, has three children. King A. died in Kankakee coun- ty, Illinois, at the age of ten years ; Mary J. is the wife of Henry Lakey, of Kingman county, Kansas, and has three children. Mar- garet is the wife of W. R. Carter, of Ster- ling, and has four children. Joseph, of this review, is the youngest of the family.

During the first nine years of his life

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

Joseph Paik was a resident of Illinois and then accompanied nis parents on their re- moval to Kingman county, Kansas, in 1872, while in 1878 he came with them to Rice county. The father purchased a hundred and sixty acres of land a mile south of Ster- ling and there carried on general farming until his death, our subject assisting him as his age and strength would permit. He re- mained at home most of the time until his marriage, which occurred on the 22d of De- cember, 1889. the lady of his choice being Miss Annie Schlazer, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Her parents, Jacob and Barbara ( Aller ) Schlazer, now reside about eleven miles from Sterling. They emigrated from Germany to Ohio, settling in Cuya- hoga county, and in 1873 they came to Kan- sas. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Park have been born two children: Ralph Herbert, born October 12, 1893. and Elsie Maud, born February 2, 1898.

For two years after his marriage Mr. Park resided upon the old home farm and then came to his present place of residence on section 16, Washington township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in 1897. He carries on general farming, rais- ing the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate. He is also a carpenter and builder and a tinner and can construct a house en- tire from the cellar to the roof. He has built several residences and barns in this lo- cality which are monuments to his enter- prise and business versatility. On his farm hie grows wheat, having about sixty-five acres planted to this crop, yielding about twenty bushels to the acre, while the corn yields about forty bushels to the acre. He also raises some cattle and is now carrying on a profitable business. His political pref- erence is for Republican men and measures. He has served for two years as justice of the peace and is now assessor of Washington township, having been elected in 1900. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, in which he served as trustee and in its work are actively inter- ested. They have many friends, for their characteristics are such as everywhere com- mand confidence and good will.

JOSEPH LATSHAW.

The unostentatious routine of private life, although of vast importance to the wel- fare of the community, has not figured to any great extent in the pages of history. But the names of men who have distin- guished themselves by the possession of those qualities of character which mainly contribute to the success of private life and to the public stability, and who have en- joyed the respect and confidence of those around them, should not be permitted to per- ish. Their example is more valuable to the majority of readers than that of heroes, statesmen and writers, as they furnish means of subsistence for the multitude whom they in their useful careers have employed. Such are the thoughts that involuntarily come to our minds when we consider the life of him whose name initiates this sketch. He is en- gaged in dealing in grain and coal in Ells- worth, where an extensive business attests his executive ability, his enterprise and his determined purpose.

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.

A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 14

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