USA > Kansas > A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I > Part 24
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A native of Steuben county, New York. the Major was born January 28, 1854. His father. Solomon Brown, was a native of the same state and there followed agricultural pursuits. The family is of Scotch origin but
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was early planted on American soil and has furnished its loyal representatives to all the wars in which the United States has been engaged, including that which brought in- dependence to the nation. One of the num- ber served under General Ethan Allen and was sergeant at the battle of Ticonderoga. In Steuben county, New York, Solomon Brown was united in marriage to Miss Ruth E. Carpenter, a daughter of James Carpen- ter, who was one of the pioneer settlers of western New York. They became the par- ents of three children but with the exception of our subject the only surviving member of the family is a sister of the Major, who lives in the Empire state. The father died when his son W. L. was only twenty months old. The latter has not a single relative west of the Mississippi river. The ancestry of the Carpenter family can be traced back to the time of the landing of the Mayflower when the first of the name in this country settled at Plymouth Rock. One of his de- scendants was a major in the Union army during the war of the Rebellion.
When quite young Major W. L. Brown was left an orphan. He enjoyed but meager educational advantages, save what his own determination and industry won for him. Realizing the value of education he resolved to prepare for the responsible duties of life by acquiring a good knowledge of the Eng- lish branches of learning at least. He worked his way through school, attending Woodhull Academy, now known as the Western New York College, in which he pursued the regular collegiate course and fitted himself for teaching, a profession which followed for a number of years. As he was only fourteen years of age when he won his certificate and the laws of the state forbade one teaching under eighteen years of age, he made his way westward and for three years engaged in teaching in Missouri. where his years were no bar to his work. He then returned to New York and while teaching in the Empire state he also com- pleted his own education.
In 1876 Major Brown arrived in Kansas and was for six months engaged in hunting on the buffalo range south of Dodge City,
and afterward in Texas along the Red river. Returning to Pawnee county, Kansas, he there took up a claim and also engaged in teaching. Later he removed to McPherson county, where he continued his educational labors and resided for two years, coming to Kingman in 1881. In White township, Kingman county, he secured a claim, which was two and a half miles from the nearest dwelling. He at once began to break and improve this tract of wild prairie, and while thus engaged lived in a dugout. He also taught a select school, taking his pay in whatever his patrons found most convenient to give. Some of his land he left for pas- turage purposes and gradually got this stocked up with cattle. Soon afterward. however, he disposed of that property and purchased his present ranch of six hundred and forty acres, seven miles north of King- man and just over the line from Reno coun- ty. Here he again started in with raw land and gave all his time to getting this in shape. He engaged both in raising grain and stock and also devoted some time to the cultiva- tion of fruit. He has spared no expense or effort to make this one of the finest ranches in central Kansas and has succeeded in the undertaking, having his farm well improved with all modern accessories, while a fine or- chard of forty acres yields good crops of apples, peaches, apricots, plums and grapes. He has a grove of fifty acres which he plant- ed, and as there is running water upon his land the place is well adapted for stock- raising. He owns a number of cattle. horses and hogs, and altogether has one of the best farms in this portion of the Sun- flower state.
The Major made his home thereon until 1890, when he built his present residence in Kingman. He purchased the Kingman Journal and started to build up the paper, which was considerably run down. It had been a seven-column folio but he trans- formed it into a six-column quarto and soon added materially to its business and circu- lation. His entire attention was given to the paper, which soon became recognized as one of the leading fusion journals in the state. This he edited and published until
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January, 1891, when he sold it and has been an active factor in the Kingman County Colonization Company. For a year and a half previously he had been interested in the real estate business, and there is no man in the county better qualified to carry on the work which he is now undertaking, for he has a most comprehensive knowledge of realty values.
Until 1890 Major Brown was a sup- porter of the Republican party, but in that year he felt that he could not conscienti- ously support its platform and has since acted with the Fusionists. He has taken a very active part in political work and has held a number of state offices, but has de- clined the nomination for state senator. From 1893 until 1895 he served as secre- tary of the Kansas state senate, and in April, 1897, was made president of the state board of charities, an office which he resigned in 1898, two years before the expiration of the term, in order to enlist in the army being raised for the Spanish-American war. He organized a regiment and was the first man in the state to be sworn into the service. He was first commissioned adjutant and later major. In 1901 he was a candidate for the nomination for congress, but when within two votes he withdrew his name. His prominence in political affairs is equaled only by his high position in social circles. He is a leading member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has filled all the chairs from the minor offices in the subor- clinate lodge to the highest in the grand lodge of the state. He was grand master in 1898, in 1899 was elected representative to the sovereign grand lodge for two years and in May, 1901, was again chosen to that position, the first time the honor of a re-elec- tion to that office had ever been conferred in Kansas. He is also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and of the Modern Woodmen of America. For three years he was an officer in the State Ed- itorial Association and for the past eight years has been one of the directors in the State Historical Society.
In July, 1881, was celebrated the mar- riage of Major Brown and Miss Sadie J.
| Blake, a daughter of Madison Blake, a farmer of McPherson county, in which place the wedding occurred. They have three chil- dren ; Maud, Wayne and Harlow, and also an adopted daughter, Hallie. Mrs. Brown is an officer in the Rebekah State Assembly and is one of the charter members of the Shakesperean Club of Kingman. Like her husband she shares in the high regard of many friends. His active life has brought to him a wide acquaintance, his labors have made him a valued citizen of the community and his name is inseparably interwoven with the history of progress and improvement along material, social, and intellectual lines in Kingman county.
SAMUEL P. TETER.
Samuel P. Teter, a leading and influen- tial agriculturist of Reno county, maintains his residence at 1517 North Main street, in Hutchinson, and in this city which has for so many years been his home he has made many friends, who esteem him highly for many excellencies of character. A native of the Old Dominion, he was born in Pen- dleton county, on the 22d of February, 1842. His father, Laban Teter, was a native of the same locality, born about the year 1810, and he followed the tilling of the soil as a life occupation. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of the fatherland, and after coming to this county located in Virginia. He was a brave and loyal soldier during the terrible struggle for liberty. In the Old Dominion he spent the remaining years of his life, having followed the trade of a blacksmith. Laban Teter was one of a family of eleven children, all of whom have long since passed to the home beyond. When about twenty-four years of age he was united in marriage to Sarah Wayman, a native also of Virginia. In 1849 Mr. Teter emigrated with his family to McLean county, Illinois, making the journey with one two-horse team and one five-horse team, and, having started in the fall. they encountered very severe weather during the trip, at times the
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snow having fallen to a great depth and they suffered many hardships and privations. Be- fore starting on the long, wearisome jour- ney Mr. Teter had sold his farm of one hun- dred acres in Virginia for fourteen hundred dollars, and a part of this money he invested in a one hundred and sixty acre tract in McLean county, Illinois, then raw prairie land. As time passed, however, he im- proved his land and added to his original purchase until his landed possessions con- sisted of six hundred acres, on which he made many substantial improvements, and upon this valuable tract he spent the remain- der of his earthly pilgrimage. At the time of his death he was residing with his youngest son, Reuben, who had taken charge of the farm. Mrs. Teter had passed to the home be- yond about two years prior to her husband's demise. He was a very prominent man in his community, having filled many of the local offices, and in political matters he was identi- fied with the Republican party. He was a stanch Union man, and was a prominent and worthy member of the Methodist church, in which he long served as a deacon. His death was occasioned from blood poisoning, caused by having his finger pricked by a hedge thorn. Unto this worthy couple were born thirteen children, of whom our subject was the fourth in order of birth, but several of the children died in infancy. Those who reached mature years were : Malinda, who died in McLean county, Illi- mois : Jonathan, also deceased; Huldah, tlie wife of Will.Edmunds, a farmer of Hutch- inson, Kansas: Laban C., deceased ; Samuel P., the subject of this review; Sallie E., wife of Solomon Phillips, a veteran of the Civil war and now a prominent farmer of McLean county, Illinois ; Reuben D., who is engaged in fruit farming near Salem, Oregon; Sina, who makes her home with her sister in McLean county ; Almeda, who died in Haven township; and Hezekiah B., also deceased. The second son, Jonathan, was a member of Company F. Ninety-fourth Illinois Infantry, during the Civil war, but after nine months' service was discharged on account of disability. He took part in the battles of Prairie Grove and Spring Hill,
and in the last named engagement suffered the loss of one of his eyes. His death oc- curred in Hutchinson, Kansas, in 1899. La- ban C. also rendered valuable service to his country during the war of the rebellion, be- coming a member of Company K, Twenty- sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, his mili- tary career covering a period of three years, nine months and twenty-one days. He was wounded in a charge made on a fort in front of Atlanta. He was loved and honored among his fellow soldiers for his strict ad- herence to the standard of Christian man- hood, and all who knew him entertained for him the highest respect and esteem. He passed to the home beyond about 1885, while residing near his father's home in Mc- Lean county.
Samuel P. Teter, whose name introduces this review, received only meager educational advantages during his youth, having attend- ed school but twenty days in all, and that having been during his absence from the army on a furlough. When only fifteen years of age he performed a man's work in the harvest fields, and after the close of the day's labor in the field it would be his task to feed the horses, cattle and hogs and milk the cows, his work extending until late in the evening. His father was at that time extensively engaged in the stock business, owning about one hundred head of cattle and one hundred and fifty hogs, while his landed possessions consisted of six hundred acres. In this manner our subject spent his youth and early manhood. When the trouble be- tween the north and south culminated in civil war he nobly offered his services to the Union cause, enlisting, in 1861, at Blooming- ton, in Company K, Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. On account of sick- ness, however, he was unable to accompany his regiment on their march to the south. but he joined it in St. Louis, and from there the regiment was sent to Madrid, its first en- gagement being at Island No. 10. For about four months thereafter Mr. Teter was absent from duty on account of sickness, caused by typhoid fever, but in the spring of 1862 he rejoined the army at Holly Springs. Reaching La Grange, he was among the one
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hundred who were left there to hold the fort. He was at that time much broken in health and was daily expecting his discharge, but it was delayed and when it finally arrived he had grown so strong and rugged that his captain burned the paper without telling him of its arrival, nor was he acquainted of the fact until the war had closed. Mr. Teter en- tered the service as a fifer, but after regain- ing his health he demanded a place in the ranks as a soldier, and the request was granted him. From La Grange they went to Memphis and participated in the taking of that city, and was next stationed on the Yazoo river, where they were engaged in guarding the city of Vicksburg. On the 4th of July following the regiment started for Jackson, Mississippi, waded Black river, camped on the opposite side during the night and in the morning proceeded on their way. During that engagement the regiment of which our subject was a member charged and finally captured the deep ditch, but dur- ing the combat Mr. Teter was struck in the back, probably by a piece of shell, and was temporarily disabled for service. After the capture of Jackson he returned with his reg- iment to Black river, where he was taken sick with chills and fever, and with many other soldiers was sent to Vicksburg, where, in company with five hundred sick and wounded comrades, he was placed on a los- pital boat bound for Memphis, and a few days later his regiment passed that city on their way to Iuka. After remaining in the hospital for two days he and a comrade start- ed to rejoin the regiment, and on reaching Iuka they were informed that in three days the regiment would start on a forced march to Chattanooga. With others who were too weak to walk Mr. Teter was taken to that . city in wagons, where he was engaged in doing guard duty for one month, and during that time witnessed the taking of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, after which the army set out to the relief of Burn- side at Knoxville, where with many other invalids he was stationed for a time at Whiteside Station. There they suffered severely for the want of potatoes, as gueril- las had infested the country and had cut off
all supplies. For eleven days those there stationed subsisted on a half an ear of corn each per day, but they finally organized a party and set out on a foraging expedition, their first find having been a half bushel of flour, which the immediately converted into flapjacks and ate until their appetites were satisfied.
From that point they proceeded to Scottsborough, Alabama, after which Mr. Teter returned home on a thirty days' fur- lough, on the expiration of which period he rejoined his regiment near Atlanta and was engaged in the battle on the 22d of July, 1864, where the beloved McPherson fell, and his death was mourned by the entire army. During Hood's attack on the Fif- teenth Corps, Mr. Teter was struck in the face by a spent ball, inflicting a slight wound, and on the 26th of August following, while sitting within about ten feet of the enemy's lines and while waiting for his mail, he was again wounded, a minie ball striking him in the left side of the head, crushing the skull and inflicting a very severe wound. After being treated for a time in the field hospital he was put in an ambulance and taken to Marietta, Georgia, where he was confined in Mother Beckerdyke's ward, there receiv- ing excellent care. Although so severely wounded, his recovery was rapid, and after sufficiently regaining his health he returned home on a thirty days' furlough, but his absence from the army extended over a period of two months. Rejoining the army, lie went first to New York, thence to Hil- ton Head and next to Beaufort, and ten miles from that city, on the march to Raleigh, he once more entered the ranks. During their journey to that city they were informed by Logan that Lce had surrendered, and the long, continued and deafening cheers which followed the announcement can better be imagined than described. From Raleigh they proceeded to Goldsboro, where Mr. Teter, on account of wounds and having no shoes, was mounted and with the regiment made foraging expeditions. From there they proceeded to Washington, D. C., where tliey participated in the grand review, the grandest military pageant ever witnessed in
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this country. He was mustered out of ser- vice at Louisville, Kentucky, and at Spring- field, Illinois, received his honorable dis- charge.
Returning to McLean county, Mr. Teter once more took up the quiet and peaceful duties of the farm, remaining with his father for one year. The home farm was then di- vided, he receiving as his share a seventy- acre tract, which he farmed until 1887, and in that year came to Hutchinson, Kansas. During his first year's residence in this lo- cality he was employed at various occupa- tions, but he then purchased a team and en- gaged in farming two and a half miles north- west of Hutchinson, where he remained for two years, and for a time thereafter was en- gaged in the dairy business in Newton. His next place of residence was in Oregon, but after six months spent in that state he re- turned to Kansas and resumed the dairy bus- iness. After a time he again went to Ore- gon, where he remained for nine months, and since that time he has followed farming in Reno county, Kansas, during a portion of which period he also served on the police force.
In McLean county, Illinois, Mr. Teter was united in marriage with Phoebe Jane Stewart, a native of the Old Dominion and a daughter of John and Phœbe Jane (Hun- ter) Stewart. Ten children have blessed this union, namely: Dicey Albert, who is engaged in farming five miles north of Hutchinson; Allie Estella, who died in in- fancy; Ira J., who is engaged in farming near the old homestead; Maggie G., wife of Robert Reed, a stone mason of Hutchinson ; Jonathan Edwin, a farmer of this county; Nancy May, wife of O. Archer, who also follows agricultural pursuits in this county ; Jesse. Samuel Carl, Jennie Myrtle and Al- fred, who are still at home. Mr. Teter casts his ballot in favor of the men and meas- ures of the Republican party, and on its ticket has been elected to many positions of honor and trust, including that of school director. He maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership with Joe Hooker Post, No. 17, G. A. R., and for efficient service which he
rendered his country in her time of trouble he now draws a pension of twenty-four dol- lars a month. His has been a well spent life, true to all public and private duties, and his scrupulous regard for the right has gained him the esteem of a large circle of friends.
E. C. FISHER, M. D.
In an analyzation of the character and life work of Dr. Fisher we note many of the characteristics which have marked the English nation for many centuries-the perseverance, reliability, energy and uncon- querable determination to pursue a course that has been marked out. It is these ster- ling qualities which have gained Dr. Fisher success in life and made him one of the substantial and valued citizens of Lyons, where he is actively engaged in the prac- tice of his profession.
A native of England, the Doctor was born in New Castle on the Tyne April 25, 1844, and is a son of John Fisher, whose birth occurred at Newcastle on the Tyne, in 1816. He represents a well-known and prominent English family. After coming to America he was for many years engaged in mining on the Ohio river, but now he is living in retirement, at the age of eighty- five years, making his home with his son, the Doctor. In early manhood he wedded Ann Combie, and for many years they trav- eled life's journey together, the labors of one supplementing and rounding out the work of the other. Mrs. Fisher was also born and reared in Newcastle on the Tyne, and it was after their marriage that they crossed the briny deep to the new world, becoming residents of the Buckeye state. Her death occurred at Middleport, in Meigs county, Ohio, at the age of seventy-three. In his political opinions Mr. Fisher is a Re- publican, and in the Methodist Episcopal church he holds membership, as did his wife, who was an earnest Christian, kind- hearted, true and loyal. This worthy couple were the parents of four children, namely : E. C., of this review : Joseph, who is living in Braman, Oklahoma: Mrs. Ann Beiler,
E.6. Fisher M. L.
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of Buffalo, New York; and John, who is connected with mining interests in Seattle, Washington1.
Dr. Fisher was reared in the county of Meigs, Ohio, and completed his literary ed- ucation by a high school course in Middle- port, Ohio, but put aside his text-books in order to respond to his country's call for aid. He volunteered on the 12th of May, 1862, as a member of the Fifth Ohio Cay- alry. This was a noted cavalry regiment, under command of Colonel Judson Kilpat- rick, and with that organization he served for three years, being with General Sher- man's army. He took part in the Atlanta campaign and went with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. All through the war he was loyal to the cause which he espoused, faithfully following the old flag upon the battlefields and proving his loyalty both upon the picket and the firing lines. When the war was over he returned to his home and resumed his studies in Athens College, the oldest college in the state of Ohio. Believing that he would prefer pro- fessional life, he took up the study of med- icine in the State University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and on the completion of the prescribed course was graduated with the class of 1871.
Dr. Fisher then returned to Middleport, Ohio, opened an office and was a represent- tive of its medical fraternity until 1874. when he visited Europe. While there he was married, in 1876, to Miss Stella Reiche- nau, a lady of highly cultivated mind and many natural graces of character and dis- position. She was born on the Rhine, in Germany, and was a daughter of Charles Reichenau, who belonged to one of the dis- tinguished families of that country. She obtained her education at Deitz, Germany. and was a popular and successful teacher in Scotland at the time when she formed the acquaintance of the Doctor. Return- ing with his bride to his native land, Dr. Fisher became a resident of Racine, Ohio, in 1876, but on the solicitation of his par- ents he returned to the old home in Mid- dleport, where he remained until 1884. In 10
that year he came to the Sunflower state and took up his abode in Lyons, where he has since remained. His broad knowledge and his marked ability have secured for him a liberal patronage, and his name is en- rolled among the representatives of the medical fraternity in this portion of the state.
The marriage of the Doctor and Mrs. Fisher has been blessed with six children, namely: Charles A., who is now a student in Lawrence University, of Kansas; Anna Florence, who received a good musical ed- ucation in Cologne, Germany, where she was a student for six years, attaining high proficiency in that art ; Wilhelm and Thekla, both of whom are students in the high school of Lyons; and Elsie Nancy, who completes the family. The Fisher house- hold is celebrated for its gracious hospi- tality, and the Doctor and his wife occupy a very enviable position in social circles. In his political views and affiliations he is a Republican, and is now serving as presi- dent of the school board of Lyons, his. labors proving of value and benefit to the cause of education here. He has also been a member of the city council and takes a deep interest in everything pertaining to the progress and material advancement of his adopted county. A valued Mason, he has passed all the chairs in the blue lodge, and he is likewise a member of the Lyons Post, No. 20, G. A. R. The family attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church. His fine personal appearance is an indica- tion of his character. He is easily approach- able and his unfailing courtesy wins him friends wherever he goes. To-day he stands among the valued and respected citizens of central Kansas and is well worthy of men- tion among the representative residents of the state.
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