A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 15

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 15

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Mr. Latshaw is a native of Canada, his birth having occurred near Paris, on Grand River. The family is of French lineage and was founded in America by Joseph Latshaw, the grandfather of our subject, who took up his abode in Pennsylvania, where occurred the birth of Samuel Latshaw, the father of Joseph. The latter was a lad of twelve sum- mers when with his parents he removed to Canada, there spending his remaining days, his time and attention being devoted to agri- cultural pursuits. He held membership in the Baptist church, took a very active part in its work and frequently served in a church office. He married Cynthia Nellis, and they became the parents of six children : John, who is engaged in the grain busness in Dur- ance, Kansas ; Joseph, of this review ; Mary ; Maria; Edwin, who is a box manufacturer at Winston, Wisconsin ; and Alexander, who is living in Los Angeles, California. The father died at the age of forty-six years, but the mother is still living and now makes her home with her son, Joseph, in Wilson.

In the public schools Joseph Latshaw pursued his education until it became neces-

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

sary for him to assume the management of the home farm upon his father's death. He was then only thirteen years of age, and he and his brother took charge of the property and carried on the work of the fields. He remained with his mother until 1868, when he went to Kansas City and with his brother embarked in the dairy business. Later they operated an elevator there, but lost most of their earnings through fire in the fall of 1873. Mr. Latshaw of this review then em- barked in the grain business in this county. He was first at Perryville, his brother at that time being connected with the grain trade in Wilson. Mr. Latshaw remained at Perryville for eighteen months and then 1

came to Wilson, where he has since resided. The brothers erected an elevator east of the depot, but in 1885 removed it to its present location. In 1884 Ed and Alexander Lat- shaw purchased the mill in Wilson, and since that time our subject has carried on the grain business alone. He has been very successful in the enterprise, making large purchases and sales. He has shipped as high as four or five hundred car loads of grain in a year. His elevator has a capacity of twelve thousand barrels and was built so as to handle large quantities of grain in a short time. It is well equipped for this pur- pose, having two drive-ways and a blower to blow the grain in the cars, which sends it to the further end of the cars without shoveling. The engine, located in a sepa- rate engine room, is a new one, of twenty- horse power. The arrangements are so complete and perfect that forty-five hundred barrels of grain can be handled daily. Mr. Latshaw is the leading grain merchant in this portion of the county, and his business affords a market for the farmers as well as proving a source of revenue to himself. In 1900 he also began dealing in coal, handling the product from both the eastern and west- ern coal fields. He is likewise interested in mining in Arkansas, and is one of ten men who own a tract of land of nine hundred and sixty acres, another of eighty acres and a third of forty acres. These are underlaid with rich coal fields and are promising prop- erties.

Mr. Latshaw exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and is a stanch advo- cate of its principles. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and has attained the Thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Wichita Consistory, No. 2, S. P. R. S. He is also connected with the Eastern Star and with the Knights and Ladies of Secur- ity. He aided in organizing the Presby- terian church of Wilson and attends its ser- vices. As a citizen he is public-spirited and progressive, withholding his support from 10 measure that is intended to prove of gen- eral good. His life record stands as an ex- emplification of the opportunities afforded young men in America, where ambition and energy are not hampered by caste or class. He has worked his way upward, placing his dependence upon the reliable qualities of la- bor when guided by sound judgment, and his efforts have resulted in winning for him a place among the substantial citizens of his adopted county.

JOHN W. BARDWELL.

The subject of this review is a well known farmer of Kingman county, whose skill and ability in his chosen calling are plainly manifest in the well tilled fields and neat and thrifty appearance of his place. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 17, 1853, and is a son of Seth and Talitha (Woolen) Bardwell. The father was born on the 7th of September, 1800, and his death occurred on the 16th of March, 1876. He was first married November 8, 1821, to Nancy Jones, who was born February 25. 1803, and died on the 30th of June, 1825. On the 5th of February, 1831, the father was again married, Talitha Woolen becom- ing his wife. She was born September 1, 1812, and died April 21, 1899. She accom- panied our subject on his removal to Kan- sas, and for twenty years she made her home with him in this state.

Seth Bardwell, a carpenter and builder by occupation, located in Indianapolis, In-

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

diana, when it was but a small village, pur- chasing the first town lot ever sold there and also erected one of the first hotels of the town, known as the Indiana House, which he conducted on Market street for several years. He also erected the first brick resi- dence in the town. In 1857, however, he left his Indiana home for Missouri, where he purchased a farm near the city of Cali- fornia, and for a time was there engaged in farming and stock-raising, but finally re- turned to Indianapolis. After remaining at his old home but a short time he located in Jasper county, Indiana, where for ten years he was engaged in the tilling of the soil, and on the expiration of that period located in Clermont, Indiana, there spending the re- mainder of his life. He was a prominent factor in the early history of Indianapolis, where he became an extensive landed pro- prietor. While residing in Missouri the Civil war broke out, and, being an ardent Republican and abolitionist, Mr. Bardwell was compelled to leave the state and was thus obliged to dispose of his property there at a great sacrifice. Religiously he was prominently identified with the early history of the Christian church in both Indiana and Missouri, and was ever an active worker in the cause of Christianity. By his first mar- riage he became the father of one son, Nel- son, who was born November 14, 1824. By his second union he had ten children, name- ly: John L., who was born on the 6th of July, 1833, and died September 9, 1834; Clarissa, who was born July 13, 1835, and was first married to Joseph Sanborn, after- ward becoming the wife of James Bice, and both are now deceased ; Thomas J., who was born August 15, 1837, and is a painter in Cincinnati, Ohio; Seth W., born October 15, 1840, and is a resident of Eureka Springs, Kansas ; Ellen, who was born December 18, 1843, and was first married to Barnum B. Paff, afterward becoming the wife of D. C. Taylor, of Rensselaer, Indiana; Henry C., who was born January 9, 1844, and makes his home in Kansas City; Malvina C., who was born January 3, 1846, and is the wife of H. Graves, of Wichita; Azubah, who was born on the 7th of September, 1848, and

is the widow of D. Duval and a resident of Denver, Colorado; Emma H., who was born December 30, 1851, and is the wife of Nel- son Button, also of Colorado; and John W., the subject of this review.

The latter was only four years of age when he was taken by his parents to Mis- souri, and he can vividly recall the troublous days incident to the Civil war. In the fall of 1859, when seven years of age, the family returned to Indianapolis, and shortly after- ward he accompanied them on their removal to Jasper county, his education having been received in the common schools of the dif- ferent localities in which he resided. . When twenty-one years of age he became the real head of the household, remaining under the parental roof until April 7, 1880, when he located in Kingman county, Kansas, and im- mediately pre-empted his present homestead. One hundred and twenty acres of his land is under an excellent state of cultivation and he also farms one hundred and sixty acres of rented land and in his pastures may be seen an excellent grade of stock. The first dwelling which he occupied after coming to this state now forms a part of his present residence, which is a commodious and well built structure.

Mr. Bardwell was married on the 25th of May, 1886, at Lecompton, Kansas, to Miss Jennie Lawrence. She is a native daughter of the Sunflower state, her birth having occurred in Douglas county, and she is a daughter of Joseph K. and Helen Law- rence. She was reared in the county of her nativity and received an excellent education in Lane University, of Lecompton. This union has been blessed with six children, --- Mabel, Nelson, Ira, Seth, Lucy and Walter. In political matters Mr. Bardwell gives an unfaltering support to the Republican party. For three terms he served as clerk of his township and he assisted in the organiza- tion of school district No. 69, of which he has since served as clerk and treasurer, hav- ing held the latter office for the past seven years. He also bears the distinction of hav- ing secured the establishment of the first rural mail route of Kingman county, desig- nated as route No. 1. He circulated the pe-

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

tition and through the assistance of Post- master Harlow, of Kingman, the route was granted, and Mr. Bardwell was appointed carrier, the first delivery being made on the Ist of August, 1901. The route now covers a distance of twenty-six miles, ex- tending into Reno county, and at the pres- ent time contains sixty-two boxes. Mrs. Bardwell is the assistant carrier, and much of the time, when the weather permits, makes the delivery, probably being the only lady carrier in the west. She is a member of the United Brethren church, and has long served as superintendent of the Sunday- school. In his social relations Mr. Bardwell is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of Kingman.

WILLIAM FITZPATRICK.

The farming interests of Sterling town- ship, Rice county, were well represented by William Fitzpatrick, who resided on section 19, where in 1877 he purchased a quarter section of land for fifteen hundred dollars. This has many times increased in value since he took possession of it, for the place was then a tract of raw prairie, not a fur- row having been turned or an improvement made. There were many wild geese and prairie chickens in the neighborhood and the successful hunter could thus supply his table with game. The work of progress and im- provement was in its incipiency, but it has been carried steadily forward by the enter- prising and resolute pioneer settlers, among which number was Mr. Fitzpatrick.

Our subject was born at Conneautville, Crawford county, Pennsylvania, October 16, 1840. His father, John Fitzpatrick, was born prior to 1800, a native of Ireland, whence he came to the new world when a young man. The voyage across the Atlantic consumed seven weeks and he landed at Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was a laborer and worked on the capitol grounds at Wash- ington, D. C., for some time. About 1837 he was married, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and he became the father of three children.

He died in Erie, Pennsylvania, January 21, 1857. The children were: John, who was born in Pittsburg, July 18, 1839, and died in Youngstown, Ohio, October 27, 1870, leav- ing three children: William, of this review ; and James, who was a soldier in the Civil war and was killed May 28, 1864, at Dallas, Georgia, while in his second year's service. Our subject and his brother both enlisted on the 14th of August, 1862, at Aurora, Ohio, becoming members of Company D, One Hundred and Fourth Ohio Infantry. James was promoted to the rank of corporal and after serving for two years was accidentally killed by a ball, which struck him in the head. An Ohio paper, the Portage City Democrat, had a long article in which it paid him a high and just tribute. It read: "J. P. Fitzpatrick was a young man who possessed the qualities and qualifications of a true soldier and those that rendered life happy and won friendship. He was manly, honest and upright, of good habits and in- dustrious and with a good share of native talents, which he cultivated with care, ren- dering him worthy of the best society, and such he always chose. Of Irish descent, he possessed warm, affectionate, genial traits so characteristic of that nation and people. A typical soldier, he performed his duties most promptly and enthusiastically. Though warmly attached to his mother and his home he went forth to fight for the nation, nor did he ask for furloughs or accept any, but he was eagerly anticipating his return in honor to his dear ones, but the day was not to come, and on that fatal 28th of May, 1864, he was among the slain with his no- ble Captain McHorton, both shot through the head by sharpshooters. 'What will be- come of mother now' was the burden of his dying breath, but he was not afraid to die, and thus a noble soldier's career came to an end."

William Fitzpatrick, the subject of this review, served for nearly three years or until the Ist of July, 1865, and was mustered out with the rank of sergeant. He was spared, although his comrades fell thick around him, including his brother and his captain. The remains of his brother were embalmed and

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

buried there, but they have since been trans- ferred to Erie, Pennsylvania, and now rest by the side of his parents. The father be- came a railroad contractor in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, taking contracts for the construction of from eight to twelve miles at a time. He was very successful in his business, but he ultimately lost heavily through investment in the Clinton Air Line Railroad. His death occurred in 1857 and his wife survived him a number of years, passing away in 1873.

At the time of the father's death Will- iam Fitzpatrick began to earn his own live- lihood, securing a situation as a farm hand, and for seventeen years he was an overseer on an estate of fourteen hundred acres. Coming to Kansas in 1877, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on sec- tion 19, Sterling township, Rice county, and with characteristic energy began the im- provement of a farm of his own. He erec- ted all of the buildings upon the place, and some of them have been built a second time, as the first lot were destroyed in a wind storm. He owned six hundred and fifty acres, divided in three farms, but nearly all in one body. He raised from one to two thousand bushels of wheat each year and held over about four thousand bushels. He kept from fifty to one hundred and seventy head of cattle and ten head of horses, which were used in working the farm. He fed and shipped his own stock and was one of the few farmers engaged in the raising of sheep in this locality, having a fine flock of Shropshire. Everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance and indicates his careful supervision. He was widely known as an enterprising and progressive farmer and his own efforts were the secret of his success.

In 1883, in Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, Mr. Fitzpatrick was united in mar- riage to Miss Kate Wirt, a most estimable lady, who has indeed proved to him a faith- ful companion and helpmate on the journey of life. She is a native of Ohio and a daugh- ter of John and Luretta (Dresser) Wirt, both of whom were natives of Germany. In his social relations Mr. Fitzpatrick was con-

nected with the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, and politically he was a Republican. He was reared in the Catholic faith and his wife is a member of the Lutheran church. He was a man of sterling worth, widely and fa- vorably known, his circle of friends being almost co-extensive with his circle of ac- quaintances. To Mr. and Mrs. Fitzpatrick were born three children: Carl, deceased ; Carl William and Jay John.

Mr. Fitzpatrick died at his home near Sterling, April 7, 1902, at 4:15 a. m., aged sixty-one years, five months and twenty-two days.

EMMETT HUTTON.

Emmett Hutton, a young man of super- ior business ability and executive force, whose labors are bringing to him creditable and gratifying success in industrial circles, was born in Bedford county, Tennessee, De- cember 1, 1866. His father, George D. Hut- ton, was a native of Virginia and removed thence to Tennessee, where he was united in marriage to Mrs. Whiteside, a widow and the mother of Houston Whiteside, one of the representative citizens of central Kansas. Three children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Hutton : Samuel, who is in the office of H. Whiteside : Emmett : and Leota, the wife of Dr. J. L. Conn, of Hutchinson.

In the schools of his native state Emmett Hutton pursued his education and when twenty years of age came to Kansas. For a short time he was connected with the humber trade and for three years he was employed in the postoffice, after which he became in- terested in the laundry business and as the senior member of the firm of Hutton & Os- wald, proprietors of the American Steam Laundry, he has a wide acquaintance and a very large business, whose profitable return has placed him among the substantial citi- zens of the county.

On the 25th of October, 1899, Mr. Hut- ton was united in marriage to Miss Lottie Bay, a daughter of C. M. Bay, a resident farmer of Reno county. He has remodeled

FOUR GENERATIONS OF THE OSWALD FAMILY.

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

their home, which is situated at No. 320 east Sherman street, and is now one of the attractive residences of the city, one of its most delightful features being the warm- hearted hospitality which pervades the place. In his political views Mr. Hutton is a Democrat, but the honors or emoluments of office have no attraction for him and he desires to give his entire attention to his business affairs, which he is managing so successfully. Socially he is connected with Byron Lodge, No. 197, K. P .; Hutchinson Camp, No. 506, M. W. A. : and Hutchinson Lodge. No. 453, B. P. O. E. He is widely known and popular in the city where he has resided throughout the period of his man- hood, and his friends are almost as many as his acquaintances.

CHARLEY W. OSWALD.

A native of Ohio, Charley W. Oswald was born in Wooster, Wayne county. No- vember 3, 1867, a son of Anthony and Ma- ria (Ewing ) Oswald. The family was founded in Pennsylvania during the early settlement of that state, the ancestors of our subject joining a colony that became active in the pioneer development there. In the '3os William Oswald, the grandfather of our subject, removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio and became identified with its pioneer interests. He has since been a witness of the progress made by the state and has borne his part in the work of improvement in his local- ity. He has never been ill a day in his life and is still living at the advanced age of eighty-five years. For fifty years he en- gaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes. Anthony Oswald, the father of our subject, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, and during much of his life has engaged in speculation and in dealing in real estate, while to some extent he has followed farm- ing. In 1877 he came to Kansas and for twenty years resided in Reno county, after which he removed to Texas. He is now liv- ing in Beaumont, that state, and is interested in the oil business.

When a lad of ten years Charley Oswald accompanied his parents to Kansas and here entered the public schools, being graduated in the high school of Hutchinson, in the class of 1885. For two years he engaged in teaching school in this county, after which he entered the postoffice and was the first letter carrier appointed to the position in Hutchinson. He served in that capacity for three years, when a change of administra- tion caused his removal from the office and he entered into partnership with Emmett Hutton as proprietor of the American Steam Laundry, which they have made a very prof- itable investment. its business having reached an immense volume.

On the 25th of May, 1896, was celebrat- ed the marriage of Mr. Oswald and Miss Myrtle Lewis, a daughter of S. C. Lewis, and they have two children : Anthony Lewis and Charley Wallace. Theirs is one of the fine residences on Ninth avenue west. located at No. 301. In his political affiliations Mr. Oswald has always been an active Democrat and for the last ten years has been actively connected with the organization of that party in Reno county. For three years he has been chairman of the Reno county central committee, and he was sergeant-at-arms in the national Democratic convention at Kan- sas City in July, 1900. With many fraternal and social organizations he is also connected. holding membership in Reno Lodge, No. 140, F. & A. M .: Reno Chapter. No. 34. R. A. M. : Hutchinson Council. No. 13. R. & S. M. : Reno Commandery. No. 26. K. T .. and to the order of the Eastern Star, the la- dies' branch of Masonry, his wife belongs. He also has membership relations with Hutchinson Lodge, No. 453, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and both Mr. and Mrs. Oswald attend the services of the Methodist church. His life record is an ex- cellent example of the opportunities that are afforded young men in the new world and of the success that can be achieved by deter- mined purpose and unflagging energy-for therein lies the secret of the prosperity which has attended cur subject in his busi- ness career.

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

At a family reunion of the Oswald fam- ily recently held in Wooster one of the most pleasant events was the taking . Episcopal church. of a photograph of four generations. In this group each 'one is the eldest son of each family, namely : Will- iam Oswald, aged eighty-six years, of Lodi, eldest son of the pioneer, George Oswald; Anthony Oswald, aged fifty-six years, of Beaumont, Texas, eldest son of William Os- wald; Charley W. Oswald, aged thirty-five years, of Hutchinson, eldest son of An- thony Oswald; and Anthony L. Os- wald, aged three years, eldest son of Charley WV. Oswald. It is a fine family picture, from great-grandfather to great-grand- son, covering a period of eighty-six years and representing an old and highly re- garded family, second to none in the annals of esteem and good reputation in all respects.

DR. JAY DUNHAM.

In the methods of the treatment of dis- ease great progress has been made in recent years ; study and investigation have brought forth new rules of procedure in the treat- ment of the sick and science has made rapid strides. Dr. Dunham is among the younger physicians now engaged in the practice of osteopathy, being a graduate of the School of Osteopathy, at Kirksville, Missouri, in the class of 1899.

He was born in Knox county, Missouri, near the town of Edina, in October, 1872, and is a son of James G. and Edwilda (Pugh) Dunham, the latter a daughter of Jacob Pugh, a prominent citizen and early pioneer settler of Knox county. She was reared and educated at Edina, and the Doc- tor's parents are both well and favorably known in that portion of the state. The father is a farmer by occupation and in fol- lowing that pursuit has provided a comfort- able living for his family. His children are : Jay, of this review ; Joseph; Catherine, who is engaged in teaching; Bruce; Nora ; Ber- tha; and James. Mr. Dunham exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and both

he and his wife are consistent Christian peo- ple, holding membership in the Methodist

Dr. Dunham was reared near Hurdland, Knox county, Missouri, and after acquiring a good literary education in the public schools he began preparation for the medical . profession, and, believing in the methods of practice promulgated by the school of osteo- pathy, he entered the institution at Kirks- ville, there completing the course, being graduated in the class of 1899. In his chosen profession he has been successful, effecting many cures among his patients, thus gain- ing a merited reputation for skill and abil- ity. He is a close student and his compre- hensive knowledge, combined with sound judgment, has made his efforts of great avail.

The Doctor is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen and also holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. His unfailing courtesy and his genial and unassuming manner make him popular in the commun- ity in which he is now located and he has many friends, both in the county of his na- tivity and the county of his adoption.

MARK WARRELL.

An honored resident of the Sunflower state for the past eighteen years, Mark War- rell is entitled to a prominent place in the annals of Kingman county. He was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1850, a son of John and Nancy (Heaton) Warrell, both natives of Ohio. The mother passed away in death when her son Mark was but a babe, leaving six children, only two of whom are now living, the brother of our subject being Isaac, a resident of Howard county, Ne- braska. The father died when our subject was thirteen years of age, in his fifty-second year. He followed the tilling of the soil as a life occupation, was a Democrat in his po- litical views, and was honored and respected by all with whom he came in contact.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 15

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