A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 19

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 19

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Mr. Hohes was married in Montgom- ery county, Illinois, near the town of Ray- mond, in 1883, to Jennie Anderson, a na- tive of that county and a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Anderson, both of whom were born in Scotland. Unto this union were born four children,-Elizabeth, Mar-

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garet, Murray and John Logan, all of whom are attending the Fourth Avenue school in Hutchinson. In 1892, while residing at their beautiful residence in Plevna township, the wife and mother passed away in death, and on the 19th of December, 1893, at Springfield, Illinois, our subject married Carrie M. Robbins, who was born in Chau- tauqua county, New York, near Jamestown, a daughter of George W. and Phoebe (Sweet) Robbins, the father a native of Scotland and the mother of Germany. Mrs. Holmes was employed as a dress-maker be- fore her marriage. For many years Mr. Holmes has been identified with the Repub- lican party, and while residing in Hunts- ville township he served for two terms each as road overseer and school clerk, and dur- ing his residence in Plevna township he was the efficient township treasurer for one term, ever discharging his public duties with fidel- ity and honor. In his social relations he is a member of the G. A. R., Joe Hooker Post, No. 17, and previous to his connection there- with he was connected with Sylvia Post, No. 386, in which he held every office up to and including that of senior vice commander. He was formerly a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. His religious prefer- ence is indicated by his membership in the First Methodist church of Hutchinson, of which denomination his wife is also a valued member. The business career of Mr. Holmes is one that should encourage others to press on, for when he came to Kansas he was without money and without influential or wealthy friends to aid him, but he set to work to overcome all difficulties that might lay in his path to success. Earnest labor, unabating perseverance, good management and a laudable ambition,-these are the ele- ments which brought him prosperity and have made him one of the influential citizens of the locality. His career has ever been such as to warrant the trust and confidence of the business world, for he has ever con- ducted all transactions on the strictest prin- ciples of honor and integrity, while his de- votion to the public good is unquestioned and arises from a sincere interest in his fel- low men.

LEW BAKER.

Upon section 21, Wilson township, Rice county, resides Lew Baker, who follows ag- ricultural pursuits and is engaged in the raising of stock. He is well known as an enterprising citizen and has made his home in Rice county since 1880. He was born in Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, October 4, 1863, and is a son of Ansel Baker, whose birth occurred in the Empire state in 1818. When a young man the father emigrated westward to Ohio, and in that state was united in marriage to Miss Martha Foster, who was born in Vermont. She was greatly beloved for her kindness of heart and mind. Her death, which occurred when she was fifty-five years of age, was mourned by all who knew her. Mr. Baker, the father of our subject, was born in 1818, and died April 14, 1890, at the age of seventy-two years, after devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits as a life work. In politics he was a Republican and in religious belief was a Methodist, holding membership in the church of that denomination in his boyhood. His children are: Mrs. Frances Robbins. of Huron county, Ohio; M. F., one of the prominent early settlers of Wilson town- ship, Rice county ; Norman, who is also liv- ing in Ohio; Charles, who makes his home in Chicago, Illinois; Lew, whose name in- troduces this review ; and Thomas, who is likewise a resident of the Buckeye state.

The boyhood days of Lew Baker were quietly passed. He worked upon the home farm during the summer months and was trained to habits of industry and economy. In the winter season he pursued his studies in the public schools and by business experi- ence has also added to his knowledge. At the age of seventeen he made his way west- ward to Kansas, locating in Rice county, where his brother, M. F., resides. Here he engaged at farm work, and by industry and economy he secured a capital sufficient to purchase a small tract of land and thus gained a start. As time has passed he has added to his property until he now owns a valuable tract of three hundred and twenty acres, upon which are splendid buildings,

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and his excellent pasturage affords golden opportunities for stock-raising. There is an orchard upon the place and he has every fa- cility for raising and feeding cattle. Besides being a splendid judge of cattle, he is a good manager, and in his business efforts he has won creditable success.

In the year 1893 Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Lulu Black, a lady of intelligence and culture, who has spent her entire life west of the Mississippi river. She was born in Lee county, Iowa, near Fort Madison, where she was reared and educat- ed. She is a daughter of A. and Frances Black. Her father is now a resident of Wilson township, but her mother departed this life in Lyons, in 1901. The marriage of our subject and his wife has been blessed with two children, Foster M., whose birth occurred December 23, 1897, and Everett Lewis, born April 2, 1902. Mr. Baker is a man of strong mentality, of splendid busi- ness ability and is frank and genial in man- ner. His business associates find him relia- ble and trustworthy and he is an enterpris- ing and successful farmer.

WILLIAM J. HARRISON.

Among the citizens that Illinois has fur- nished to the Sunflower state is William J. Harrison, who resides in Sterling township. He was born in Lagrange, Cook county, Illi- nois, October 3, 1851. His father, John Harrison, was a native of England, born near Carlysle, in 1818, and there he was reared to farm life. In 1845 he married Miss Jane Burrow, who was born in June, 1824. and they became the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters, all born in America with the exception of three. One born in England died ere the emigra- tion to the new world. In June, 1851, Mr. Harrison with his family sailed for the Uni- ted States, and after thirteen weeks spent on the bosom of the Atlantic reached the American harbor. He arrived in Chicago with only eighty-four cents in his pocket. He went into the country and worked as a

farm hand for a dollar a day and thus gained a start, after which he purchased a farm on credit. His indefatigable labor and econ- omy, however, enabled him to soon dis- charge his indebtedness and not long after- ward he bought a farm of one hundred and seventy acres, where he prospered, owing to his marked diligence and the increase in realty values. His farm was at length sold for two hundred and fifty dollars per acre. On it was located a valuable stone quarry. His wife died December 24, 1889, at the age of seventy-five years, and his death occurred in 1892.

William J. Harrison, whose name begins this record, received but meager educational privileges. He attended the district schools during the winter months and in the sum- mer, from the time he was seven years of age, he worked in the fields. When a youth of fourteen he did a man's work, for he was strong and rugged. At twenty-two years of age he left home to make his own way in the world, and, as usual with young men starting out for themselves, he sought a com- panion and helpmate for the journey of life. On the 30th of October, 1883, he was united in marriage to Harriet Selfridge, of Ran- dolph county, Illinois, a daughter of J. S. and Susan Jane (Woodside) Selfridge, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Kentucky. The father was born in August, 1825. and their marriage was celebrated in Illinois, in 1844. He was a 'carpenter and builder by trade, following that pursuit in order to provide for the support of his fam- ily, which as the years went by grew in numbers until he was the father of five sons and four daughters. One daughter, Mary Ellen, died at the age of fourteen years. The sons were reared to assist in the work of carpentering and farming, and eight chil- dren are now living. The parents also sur- vive and are now residents of Sterling, where they located in 1876. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison was celebrated at the home of the bride, after yhich they took up their abode six miles northwest of the vil- lage of Sterling, where Mr. Harrison pur- chased a half section of improved land. He afterward made other purchases, paying six-

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teen hundred dollars for one hundred and twenty acres and twenty-seven hundred and thirty dollars for two hundred acres. He has a tenant upon the last mentioned farm. In the spring of 1899 he took up his abode at his present home, where he has two hun- dred and forty acres, and he also owns a forty-acre farm near Sterling. He has three valuable tracts of land, supplied with good buildings, and he is extensively and success- fully engaged in the raising of cattle, horses and hogs. He breeds polled Durham cattle -registered stock-the most of them being one-half or three-fourths Durham. For eight years he has been engaged in the stock business and is now breeding Norman horses. He grows from three to five thou- sand bushels of wheat and from two to four thousand bushels of corn annually.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Harrison have been born four children: Mabel, who is now sixteen years of age; John Logan, fifteen years old ; Benjamin, a lad of ten summers ; and Lorenzo, who is eight years of age. In his political views Mr. Harrison is a Repub- lican and has served on the school board, but has never sought or desired office, pre- ferring to give his time and energies to his business affairs, in which he is meeting with signal success. He belongs to the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, holding member- ship in both the subordinate lodge and en- campment. He is also identified with the Congregational church and his wife is a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church. The secret of his success is not difficult to ascertain, for in the legitimate lines of busines he has met with prosperity, placing his dependence upon the substantial qualities of energy and resolution.

JOHN W. DOTSON.

Among the worthy citizens that Ken- tucky has furnished to the Sunflower state is John W. Dotson, who is successfully en- gaged in agricultural pursuits on section 25, Raymond township, Rice county. The year of his arrival here was 1879, and he has

since been one of the county's most substan- tial and reliable citizens. He was born No- vember 21, 1836, and is a son of George Dotson, a native of Virginia and a repre- sentative of a prominent family of that state. When a young man the latter removed to Kentucky. In Mason county, that state, he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen White, who was born in North Carolina, and they became the parents of seven children, name- ly: Elizabeth; John W .; Mary; Absalom, who was a loyal soldier in the Confederate service; Saphronia: George, who aided in the defense of the Union in the Civil war; and James. The father of this family was a blacksmith by occupation and in his political views was a Democrat. His death occurred in Fleming county, Kentucky, at the age of fifty-one years. His wife died at the age of fifty-four years, and both were faithful members of the Baptist church.

John W. Dotson, whose name intro- duces this review, was reared to farm life in the state of his nativity, and there received his education in the common schools. In 1861, at the outbreak of the Civil war, he enlisted for service in the Union army, join- ing the Sixteenth Kentucky Volunteer In- fantry. He became a member of Company A, and was a loyal defender of the Union for three years and eleven months. He par- ticipated in seventeen battles and many skirmishes, including the engagements at Franklin, Nashville, Town Creek, Ivy Mountain, Kingston, Resaca. Lookout Mountain, Mossy Creek, King's Hill, Pine Mountain, Atlanta. Lost Mountain, Kene- saw Mountain, Jonesboro, Columbia, Fort Anderson, Wilmington and many others. During his service he was sick in a hospital for eight or ten months, but was never wounded. He was honorably discharged in July, 1865, returning to his home with an honorable military record.

In the year 1867 Mr. Dotson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Seever, a lady of intelligence and culture, who has proved to her husband a faithful companion for the journey of life. She was born in Fleming county, Kentucky. July 13, 1849, and is a daughter of Helms and Eliza (Choate)

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Seever, also natives of Kentucky, but both are now deceased, the mother dying in mid- dle life and the father at the age of sixty years. They were the parents of eight chil- dren, six of whom still survive: Charlotte, Elizabeth, Henry, George, Peter and Mary. The sons were all members of the Confed- erate army during the Civil war. The chil- dren who have passed away are Edward and Hannah. There is also a half brother, James Seever. The father of this family fol- lowed the occupation of farming and affili- ated with the Democratic party. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The union of our subject and his wife has been blessed with seven children, as follows: Mrs. Ellen Boes, a resident of Oklahoma; Henry and George Casper, also of Oklahoma; Elizabeth; Vaughn McCanlass, of Raymond, Kansas ; Bessie ; and Absalom.

Mr. Dotson located on his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in 1879, and here he is now engaged in general farming. He has made many substantial improve- ments upon his place, including the erection of buildings and the planting of an orchard and grove. His fields are under a high state of cultivation and everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance. Mr. Dot- son is a stanch advocate of Democratic prin- ciples. In all relations of life he has been upright and honorable, and he gives his hearty support and co-operation to every movement and measure for the public good.

JOHN W. ROSE.

This is an age of specialization, for busi- ness interests have become so complex that it is almost impossible for one man to be thoroughly proficient in every department of a profession, and, therefore, gaining a gen- eral knowledge of the fundamental princi- ples he devotes his energies to some special line, thereby advancing to a prominent posi- tion as a representative of his chosen field of labor, which he could not do if his efforts

were disseminated over a broader field. Such a course has John W. Rose pursued and to- day his reputation as a corporation and com- mercial lawyer is not limited by the confines of this state, but extends widely throughout the country. He maintains an office in the First National Bank building of Hutchin- son, from which points fie controls the prac- tice which comes to him from an extensive clientele, including many of the most import- ant corporations in this city and throughout the state.

Mr. Rose was born near Valparaiso, In- diana, May 13, 1857, his parents being N. B. and Esther A. ( Price) Rose, both of whom were natives of Ohio. His paternal grandfather, N. B. Rose, Sr., was born in Pennsylvania and, emigrating westward, took up his abode in the Buckeye state. He was a farmer by occupation. His son and namesake became a pioneer preacher of the Christian church. In the early '4os he lo- cated in Indiana and when gold was discov- ered in California he was among the first to make his way to the Eldorado of the west. There he engaged in mining with some suc- cess but eventually returned to Indiana and devoted his attention chiefly thereafter to the work of the church. In addition to his ministerial labors, however, he managed his investments, being an extensive owner of farm lands. He spent his later years near Henderson, Kentucky. In his political views he was first a Whig and on the dissolution of that party became a Republican. In his fam- ily were seven children, of whom only two are now living: John W., of this review ; and A. B., a well known and successful dry goods merchant of Abilene, Kansas.

John W. Rose was born on his father's farm within eight miles of Valparaiso, In- diana, and when a lad of three years accom- panied his parents on their removal to that city. There he was reared to manhood and its educational system provided him with the knowledge that prepared him for the practi- cal duties of life. Desiring to engage in the practice of law, when nineteen years of age he became a student in the law office of N. J. Bozarth, of Valparaiso, who directed his

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reading for two years, and on the 20th of May, 1878, he was admitted to the Indiana bar. Prior to this time, in the intervals of study, he had engaged in teaching school and thus provided the means necessary to the prosecution of his course of reading.

Mr. Rose at once opened an office in Val- paraiso and after being alone in business for a year entered into partnership with his former preceptor, Mr. Bozarth, with whom he was associated for a year. He then be- came a partner of J. H. Skinner and estab- lished the law firm of Rose & Skinner, his partner being a son of J. N. Skinner, a prom- inent resident and mayor of the city. That firm maintained an uninterrupted existence until 1883, when Mr. Rose entered into part- nership with the Hon. Mark L. DeMotte, a member of congress, under the firm style of DeMotte & Rose. In September, 1884, this connection was dissolved by mutual consent and Mr. Rose came to the west, locating first at St. John, Kansas, where he was alone in practice until 1886. He then entered into partnership relations with T. W. Moseley, and after practicing thus for several years Mr. Dixon was taken into the firm, under the style of Rose, Moseley & Dixon. In 1889 Mr. Rose withdrew, for in August of that year he was induced to accept the Re- publican nomination for judge of the twen- tienth judicial district, including Rice, Bur- ton and Stafford counties, and entered upon the canvass. His personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by those who knew him best is indicated by the fact that he received almost the entire vote of his own city, but in the general Populistic landslide of that year he was defeated. From 1890 until 1893 he then engaged in the practice of law alone.

In the latter year Mr. Rose came to Hutchinson, where he opened an office, and in March, 1894. formed a partnership with John W. Roberts under the firm name of Rose & Roberts, a relation that was main- tained for three years, when, in October, 1897, he became associated with William Witelaw, the firm of Witelaw & Rose con- tinuing until April, 1899, when it was dis- 8

solved. Mr. Rose was then alone in business until the Ist of June, 1901, when Howard Lewis, city attorney of Hutchinson, became his partner and the firm of Rose & Lewis now exists. In 1885-6, while residing in St. John, Mr. Rose served as deputy attor- ney of Stafford county and the greater part of the district work devolved upon him. His practice is and has been of a very important character. He was assistant general attor- ney for the Hutchinson & Southern Railroad Company for two years prior to its consoli- dation with the Santa Fe Railroad system and is at present general attorney for the Texas & Southern Railroad Company, hav- ing occupied the position since March, 1901. He is also general attorney for the Delaware Construction Company, engaged in the building of one hundred and fifty miles of railroad in Oklahoma. Mr. Rose has given his attention almost entirely to corporation and commercial law in recent years and in this department of the profession has be- come widely known and has built up an ex- tensive and important practice, his reputation being not confined to Kansas, especially in the department of banking law and the trial of banking cases. He has one of the most complete law libraries in the city, including over fifteen hundred volumes on law. His clientage includes some of the most import- ant corporations and business firms in the city and vicinity, among these being the Sentney Wholesale Grocery Company, the St. John Trust Company, the Monarch Mills Company, the L. J. White Lumber Company and ten different banking houses. He yet retains all of his Stafford county business of that class and is attorney for the National Bank of Commerce, of Kansas City, while for the Phoenix Insurance Company, of Hartford, Connecticut, he is attorney for Kansas. The character of his business and the important concerns which he represents is a guarantee of his superior ability, his comprehensive knowledge and of the care with which he handles the intricate problems which arise in connection with corporation and commercial law.

On the 20th of September, 1881, was

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celebrated the marriage of Mr. Rose and Miss Winifred Furness, the wedding taking place in Furnessville, Indiana. The lady is a daughter of the Hon. E. L. Furness, a prominent citizen of Indiana, living at Fur- nessville. He is extensively interested in agricultural pursuits and is regarded as authority on stich matters. Three sons have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Rose: Arthur B., Fred F. and Dwight, and the eldest two are students in the State Agricultural Col- lege of Kansas. The family occupy a prom- inent place in the social life of Hutchinson and the hospitality of the best homes is freely extended to them. Since coming here Mr. Rose has purchased an elegant residence, containing ten rooms and supplied with all modern conveniences. It is located at No. 802 Avenue A, east. In his political views Mr. Rose has always been an inflexible ad- herent of the Republican party, has attended many of its conventions and his opinions carry weight in its councils. Socially he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and with the Masonic fraternity. In a profession where advancement depends upon individual merit he has attained to a position of distinction. He is a man of schol- arly attainments, of liberal culture, broad minded and public spirited, and Kansas ac- counts him among her representative men.

H. C. HODGSON.

One of the most prosperous farmers and horticulturists of Rice county is H. C. Hodg- son. Indefatigable energy has been the key which has unlocked for him the portals of success and from its storehouses he has gar- nered rich fruits. He came to the county in the epoch of its primitive development and as the years have passed he has not only added to his individual prosperity but has also largely promoted the welfare and prog- ress of the community, co-operating in all measures and movements which tend to con- tribute to the general good. Classed among the representative citizens of the commun-

ity he well deserves mention in this volume and with pleasure we present his record to our readers.

He belongs to a Virginian family honor- able and prominent. His birth occurred in Frederick county, Virginia, November 4, 1843. and his younger days were spent on his father's plantation and .in the school room. He is a son of Samuel and Rebecca (Beam) Hodgson, both representatives of prominent families of the Old Dominion. The father was a son of Abner and Rebecca (Johnson) Hodgson, also of Virginia, the former a leading and influential farmer who died in his native state. During the war of 1812 he sent a substitute to the army. He had three children, Elizabeth, Mary and Samuel.

The last named was born, reared and spent his entire life in Virginia, where he was a well known and successful farmer and slave owner. He was identified with the farming interests of Frederick county and his work netted him a good financial return. During the war of the rebellion he was loyal to the Union, although he knew that the success of northern arms meant the loss of his slaves. His home was in the path of the contending armies, but his house was searched by neither, although he suffered heavy losses in his farm products and stock. He, however, was never harmed, for he was widely and favorably known and command- ed the respect of all. Politically he was a Whig and later a Republican. He lived the life of an honest. unostentatious planter and never aspired to political preferment. His wife yet survives him and is living at the old homestead in Virginia, at the age of ninety years. Her father. James Beam, was an extensive farmer of the Old Dominion, in which he spent his entire life. His chil- dren were: Nathan, who died in McPher- son county, Kansas; Uriah, who departed this life in Missouri ; Eliza. Judith. and Re- becca. Unto Samuel Hodgson and his wife were born eight children: Abner, who died in Virginia; James, who died in Iowa; John R., who passed away in West Virginia ; H. C., of this review ; Ann E., the wife of A. J. Howard; George, a leading farmer of Rice

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 19

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