A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 28

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 28

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John Shiells, the subject of this review, accompanied his parents on their removal to the new world. He was reared to the hon- est toil of the farmer in his native land, and his education was received in the schools of South Durham, England. At that place, at the age of twenty-four years, he was united in marriage to Miss Emeline Hankey, who was born, reared and educated at South Durham. She is a daughter of John and Caroline ( Morrison) Hankey, the former

a native of South Durham and the latter of Gloucestershire, England. The father was called to his final rest at the age of forty- seven years, and his wife survived him a number of years, passing away at the age of sixty-one years. He was a mason by trade. This worthy couple were the parents of five children,-Thomas, Emeline, Harriet, Car- oline and Jane Ann. The family were active and zealous members of the Methodist Epis- copal church. Seven children have graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Shiells, two sons and five daughters,-Robert, Emeline, Mar- ian, Mabel, Herbert, Caroline and Hilda.

Mr. Shiells now owns two hundred and forty acres of the best land to be found in central Kansas, and his place is improved with all the improvements and accessories known to the model farm. He formerly voted with the Democracy, but in the last election cast his ballot in support of McKin- ley, and in his religious views is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is a fine type of the hardy Scotchman, being six feet in height and weighing two hundred pounds. As a man and citizen he enjoys the added popularity which comes to those genial spirits who have a hearty shake of the hand for all those with whom they come in con- tact from day to day, and who seem to throw around them so much of the sunshine of life.

LEON D. LIBBEY.

Among the successful, energetic and representative citizens of Hutchinson, Kan- sas, is Leon D. Libbey, who is the capable superintendent of the Morton plant for the Hutchinson, Kansas, Salt Company, which is one of the largest of its kind in the United States. Leon D. Libbey comes of New England parentage, where distinguished an- cestors took prominent parts in the Revolu- tionary and Colonial wars and filled offices of trust and responsibility. Jacob Libbey, who was the grandfather of our subject, was born in New Hampshire and in his early days was a stage driver, later being one of the first railroad conductors in that locality.

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

He became well known in political circles, was a colonel of the local militia and repre- sented his district in the legislature. His marriage was to Harriet Wadleigh, who was a daughter of a Revolutionary patriot.

George A. Libbey, the father of Leon D., of this sketch, was born in Laconia, New Hampshire, on November 25, 1836, and in 1855 he came west to Madison, Wisconsin, residing there for some five or six years, dur- ing which time he became a skilled machin- ist. Then he moved to Black Earth, Wiscon- sin, returning later to Madison, where he bought a printing office. From there he re- moved to Palmyra, Wisconsin, and engaged for a time in farming, still later working in a factory in Farmington. On August 25, 1864, he enlisted in Company E, First Wis- consin Heavy Artillery, and during the re- maining years of the Civil war, was sta- tioned in the neighborhood of Washington and Alexandria. Returning then to Wis- consin, he followed his trade in Palmyra, but later moved to Janesville, that state, and for twelve years was a resident of that city. In the fall of 1883 he went to Kansas City, where he entered into the business of con- tracting on a large scale, being so occupied until compelled to give it up on account of impaired health.

Mr. Libbey was united in marriage, in Madison, Wisconsin, to Mary A. Hadley, a daughter of Isaac and Abigail (Seavey) Hadley, both of whom were natives of New Hampshire, the former having been a prom- inent man in his locality and a representative in the legislature. Isaac Hadley was a son of Moses Hadley, the family having been founded in America in 1600. The grand- mother of our subject, Abigail Seavey, was a daughter of John Seavey, who served gal- lantly in the war of 1812 and who was a son of a Revolutionary father. The children born to George and Mary ( Hadley) Libbey were: Leon D., of this sketch; Abbie H., now Mrs. Walter Helms, of Janesville, Wis- consin ; George H., of Burlington, Iowa: and Ella May, who died at the age of four- teen years.

Leon D. Libbey was born in Madison, Wisconsin, on March 15, 1857, and acquired

his education in the schools of Janesville. He resided with his father, assisting him in his various business enterprises, until he at- taned his thirty-second year. About this time he embarked in street contracting and building in Duluth, Minnesota, and began the practical study of mechanical engineer- ing. He was very successful in this line, an evidence of his excellent and enduring work being afforded by the water works plant at Madison, Wisconsin. Later he followed contracting and building in Kansas City, but in the spring of 1897 he came to Hutchinson, Kansas, to take charge of the Hutchinson Packing Company's plant, which was then operated by the Salt Company. This man- agement continued for three years, but about one year ago Mr. Libbey became superin- tendent of what is known as the Morton plant of the Hutchinson, Kansas, Salt Com- pany, and since then has made many im- provements in machinery looking to greater capacity of production. This is the largest plant of its kind in the United States and is a model one in all respects. It has ten evap- orating tanks, one hundred and twenty by twenty-six feet and seven feet in depth, which are kept in operation day and night. the output being eleven hundred barrels daily. About one hundred tons of coal are consumed in a day, there being two batter- ies of boilers, under which the fires have never been banked for more than eighteen months. Some eighty hands are employed here, although the principal work is done by machinery, all modern appliances being in use. The finished product is shipped in sacks, barrels and bricks, and over as wide a territory as the freight rates will allow, principally through Kansas, Nebraska, In- dian Territory, Oklahoma, Colorado, Ari- zona, New Mexico and Texas. As an or- ganizer and manager Mr. Libbey has dis- played wonderful ability, good judgment and thorough knowledge, this business be- ing now one of the most important in the industrial world of Hutchinson.

The marriage of Mr. Libbey occurred on July 5. 1891. in Superior, Wisconsin, to Miss Mabel R. Burrill, a daughter of John H. Burrill, who was a farmer in Hawley,

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Clay county, Minnesota. The birth of Mr. Burrill occurred in Fitz William, New Hampshire, and he was a pioneer to Minne- sota in 1871. He became prominent in his section and was a county judge.

In politics Mr. Libbey has always been an ardent Republican, and he has been ac- tive in the social order of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, where he is highly valued. Mr. and Mrs. Libbey are among the most esteemed residents in Hutchinson and are devoted members of the Episcopal church.

CHARLES W. DICKHUT.

Charles W. Dickhut is the owner of a valuable farm on section 18, Miami town- ship. Many years of his life have been passed in Reno county, and he is therefore widely known to its settlers. He was born in the far-off state of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Pittsburg, on the 2d of March, 1833. The family is of Ger- man descent, and the grandfather of our subject, Zachariah Dickhut, was a wool dealer in the fatherland, where he spent his entire life, and for a number of years he served in the German. army. Three of his sons came to this country, namely: Chris- tian, the father of our subject ; Christopher A .. who died leaving two sons; William, who was a lumber dealer in Quincy, Illi- nois, and his death occurred in 1891; and Zachariah, who remained in Germany. Christian G. Dickhut was born near Meil- housen, Germany, in 1804, and in his native land, in 1831, he married Johanna E. Smith, who was born in the fatherland about 1814, and they became the parents of ten children, but their first born, a son, died during the voyage to this country. The other children are: Charles W., the subject of this re- view : George, city collector in Quincy, Illi- nois ; William, who was born in 1837, and died in Quincy, Illinois, in 1898, leaving one daughter ; Elizabeth Webber, who also passed away in that city, leaving one dangh- ter : Emily Bentle, of California, and she is the mother of one child ; Christian G., a dray-

man of Quincy, Illinois; Caroline Bentle who makes her home in Montana: Matilda Smith, of California; and Albert, who lost his life while on a hunting expedition in California. The father of this family passed away in death in Quincy, Illinois, August 12, 1878, and was survived by his wife until 1881, when she joined him in the home be- yond, dying in California, and her remains now lie at rest in the beautiful Golden state.

Charles W. Dickhut, the immediate sub- ject of this review, received such educational privileges as were afforded by the public schools of Quincy, Illinois, to which place his father had removed in 1836, but at that time it was only a small hamlet. When the trouble between the north and south resulted in Civil war, Mr. Dickhut nobly offered his service in defense of the Union cause, join- ing the army in February, 1862. He be- came a member of Company H. One Hun- dred and Eighteenth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, serving in its ranks until hostilities had ceased and the country no longer needed his services, having been mustered out at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in October, 1865. During his career as a soldier he was wound- ed in battle. After his discharge he returned to his home in Quincy, where he remained until his removal to the Sunflower state. which has been his home since the 9th of Oc- tober, 1878. He made the trip from Illinois to Kansas with two double teams and cov- ered wagons, seventeen days having been spent upon the road, and after his arrival here he pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land. During the erec- tion of his residence the family lived in tents, and their house, which was completed in the fall of 1878, was one of the first in the locality, their only neighbors between their farm and Turon at that time having been G. W. Slater, M. Lamont and T. W. Hickman. Since coming to this favored section success has abundantly rewarded the well directed efforts of Mr. Dickhut, and he is now the owner of a valuable and highly improved farm. His home is surrounded by a beautiful grove of cottonwood. walnut, box elder. Russian mulberry and coffee mit trees, and a large and productive orchard

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yields its fruit in season. Everything about the place indicates the supervision of a prac- tical and progressive owner, and in the lo- cality where he has so long made his home he is recognized as a progressive and leading agriculturist.

Mr. Dickhut was married in Quincy, Illi- nois, on the 23d of March, 1856, to Mar- garet C. Stork, who was born in southern Illinois November 9. 1837, a daughter of John Stork, a native of the fatherland. Ten children have blessed the union of our sub- ject and wife, namely : Oliver B., a prom- inent farmer of Miami township, Reno coun- ty, and the father of two sons; Cora, wife of F. A. Lamont, of this county, by whom she has eight children; Charles W., who makes his home in Scott county, Kansas, and has three sons and one daughter ; Eliza- beth, wife of R. Hafeman, of New Jersey. by whom she has six children: Clara, wife of Max Lamont, also of New Jersey, and they have four children; Archibald Grant, who is still at home, but is engaged in farm- ing for himself; Emma Thatcher, who makes her home in Oklahoma, and has three children : Maggie Hinds, whose husband is engaged in farming in Miami township, and they have two children; Albert E., a grain buyer and drayman of Turon; and Ida, a young lady of twenty years who is in Den- ver, Colorado. The children have all re- ceived excellent educational advantages, and Albert, who was a student for a time in the normal school at Nickerson, followed the teacher's profession for two terms. The Re- publican party receives Mr. Dickhut's' act- ive support and co-operation, and on its ticket he was elected to the office of township trustee, in which he served for four years. His social relations connect him with Fre- mont Post, No. 403. G. A. R., of Turon, which was organized ten years ago, and for two years he served as its commander, while during the remainder of the time he has held the office of senior vice commander. For the past fifty-one years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, joining that denomination when only sev- enteen years of age, and has ever since been an active worker in the cause of Christian-

ity. His wife is also a devoted member of that church. His life has been exemplary in all respects, and he merits and receives the confidence and respect of his fellow men.

HERBERT S. LYMAN.

Herbert S. Lyman, a prominent and well known agriculturist of Reno county, was born in Lewis county, New York, on the 13th of January, 1856. His father, Hamilton Lyman, was also a native of that locality, his birth having there occurred on the 28th of January, 1832. The latter's fa- ther, Samuel Lyman, lived and died in Lewis county, his death resulting from his team of oxen running away and throwing him from the wagon. He was of English descent and was related to the celebrated novelist Dick- ens. He was united in marriage to Amy Allen, a descendant of Ethan Allen, and her death also occurred in Lewis county .. New York, when she had reached the age of eighty years. She was a second time mar- ried, becoming the wife of Jeremiah Bib- bins.

Hamilton Lyman was reared to years of maturity on his father's farm in Lewis coun- ty, and was but seventeen years of age at the time of his father's death. On the IIth of October, 1853, in Lewis county, he was united in marriage to Lucinda Lampher, a native of that county and a daughter of Jonathan Lampher, a prominent farmer of that locality, where his widow by a second marriage is still living. In 1861, when the Civil war was inaugurated, Mr. Lyman of- fered his services to his country. entering the Fifth New York Volunteers on the 9th of August of that year. During his military career of three years he saw both cavalry and artillery service, and on the 26th of June, 1864, at Harper's Ferry, he was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant. Re- turning to his home in Lewis county, he there followed farming until 1868, when he removed with his wife and three children to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where the family made their home until the fall of

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1870. In that year they removed to Atch- ison county, Missouri, but in the spring of 1871 they came to Kansas, securing a home- stead claim on the northeast quarter of sec- tion 20, Valley township, Reno county, where the father made his home during the remainder of his life, passing away in death on the 26th of February, 1873. The jour- ney from Wisconsin to Missouri was made with a team and wagon as was also the trip from Missouri to Kansas. On their arrival here this portion of the state was an 1111- broken prairie as far as the eye could reach, and buffaloes, antelopes and other wild ani- mals roamed at will over the vast plains. Their first residence in the Sunflower state was a sod house, with a hay roof, and in this primitive abode the family made their home for a number of years. Their nearest neighbor at that time was located seven miles away. A little circumstance worthy of men- tion in this connection is that C. C. Hutchin- son, when starting on his journey to locate the city which now bears his name, secured a horse from Mr. Lyman with which to make the trip. Mr. Lyman gave his politi- cal support to the Republican party, and for a time he served as a clerk of his township. His wife passed away in Hutchinson, on the 2d of March, 1894. in the faith of the Bap- tist church, of which both she and her hus- band were worthy and consistent members. Unto this couple were born three children,- Herbert S., the subject of this review ; Har- low A., who was born .August 10, 1859, and at the present time is living in Hutchinson, Kansas : and Howard E., who was born De- cember 27. 1869, and is employed as a clerk in that city.

Herbert S. Lyman attended the common schools of Lewis county, New York, during his early life, but he was only thirteen years of age when his parents removed from that locality. Four years afterward his father died, and he was then obliged to take charge of the home farm. On the 9th of February. 1879, he was united in marriage to Mary McArthur, who was born in Canada, a daughter of Dougal McArthur. Her par- ents were both natives of Scotland. and after coming to the United States they eventually

took up their abode in Reno county, where they resided on a farm, which they after- ward sold and removed to Hutchinson. There the mother passed away in death. The father died at Burrton, Harvey county, Kan- sas, a few years later. By this marriage three children were born: Grace, who is a young lady of twenty-one years, and is liv- ing at home : William M., who died at the age of fifteen months: and Eddie D., de- ceased in infancy. Shortly after his mar- riage Mr. Lyman removed from the old family homestead to his present farm, and here his wife died on the 13th of May, 1884. For his second wife he chose Addie Schmidt. their wedding having been celebrated on the 30th of June. 1886, in Burrton. She was born at Bunker Hill, Boston, and is a daugh- ter of Augustus Theodore and Priscilla (Blanchard) Schmidt. The father was born in Berlin, Germany, and came to Amer- ica about 1850, locating in Boston, where he first followed his trade of a cooper. After a time, however, he turned his attention to the study of chemistry, and his researches along that line resulted in his giving to the world the process of manufacturing color- less carbon oil, while later he also discov- ered the art of making vulcanized fiber pa- per. In 1861 he removed to Pittsburg and engaged in refining oil. remaining in that city until 1885. when he came west to Valley township. Reno county, Kansas. purchasing one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 16, and there his death occurred on the 17th of December, 1890. while living a retired life. In his political views he was a Republican, and while living in Pittsburg he held the position of assessor for a number of years. His religious views connected him with the Lutheran church.

Mr. Schmidt married Priscilla J. Blanch- ard, who was born in Falmouth, Maine. June 23. 1829. a daughter of Captain Samnel and Rebecca ( Merrill) Blanchard. The father was born in Maine, on the 28th of March. 1781. and was master of a vessel, hift on one occasion he was shipwrecked off Cape May and his ship was lost. He then re- tired from the active duties of life, becoming the owner of two farms, and he also donat-

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ed the land on which the town hall and the Congregational church of Falmouth were located. He served in the war of 1812, dur- ing which time he took part in the defense of Portland. On his side the family is of Pur- itan stock, his ancestors having emigrated from England to France during the time of William the Conqueror. About the time of the arrival of the Mayflower there came to this country a family consisting of the fa- ther, surnamed Joshua, his wife and five sons and they became the founders of the Blanch- ard family in America. The mother died during the voyage, but the father and sons located in New England. On the Merrill side the family is also descended from old New England ancestry. The great-grand- mother of Mrs. Lyman lived prior to the Revolutionary war, and she frequently rode to church on a pillion behind her husband, who, in common with the other settlers of that day, carried his gun to church to protect them from the Indians. Their daughter, Mary Merrill, was born, reared and married in Falmouth, Maine. Priscilla Blanchard, the mother of Mrs. Lyman, is of the six generation in which a daughter of the fam- ily was named Priscilla. George Blanchard, a cousin on her father's side, received an excellent education in Germany and for a number of years served as an alderman of Boston.

By his second marriage Mr. Lyman, of this review, has become the father of one som, Raymond S., who was born on the 18th of July, 1889. In political matters our subject gives his support to the Republican party, and on its ticket he has been elected to a number of positions of honor and trust. He was first made road overseer, was justice of the peace, constable, trustee, and has in fact held every township position within the gift of the people. For sixteen years he was a member of the school board, and the cause of education has ever found in him a warm friend and active worker. Socially his is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and religiously he is a member of and an elder in the Presbyterian church. He is indeed a manly man, and the

honor and esteem in which he is held by all who have come in contact with him is but a just tribute to his worth.

G. M. NICKASON.

G. M. Nickason, who follows agri- cultural pursuits on section eleven, Black Wolf township. Ellsworth county, has re- sided here since 1878. He is a native of the Empire state, his birth having occurred in Walden, Orange county, on the 8th of May, 1830. He was only eleven years of age when he started out on his own account, be- coming a driver on the Erie canal. He was thus employed for about seven years, when the New York & Erie railroad was built and he secured work in preparing the road bed. Later he worked on the laying of the track, serving as section boss when he was only eighteen years of age. He had a nat- ural aptitude for mechanics and decided to follow this line of business. Accordingly, in April. 1849, he began learning the car- penter's trade and that of a house joiner. In those days sash, doors and blinds were most- ly manufactured by hand, and Mr. Nicka- son entered the employ of a firm engaged in that business, remaining with them for twenty-five years. He became the main re- liance of the house, and soon after he sev- ered his connection therewith their business had to be abandoned.

In September, 1861, Mr. Nickason re- sponded to the country's call for aid, enlist- ing in the Twentieth New York Infantry. in which he served for fifteen months. He then joined the Fourth New York Heavy Artillery. He was unacquainted with all of its members and joined the regiment as a private, but was steadily pro- moted until he held the office of quartermaster sergeant of the regi- ment. also serving on the non-commissioned staff of General Hancock. He participated in many engagements, among which were the battles of Centerville, the second battle of Bull Run, South Mountain and Antietam,

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where General George B. McClellan saved the Union cause. He then went on south to Ream's station. Much of the time he was in the commissary department and can relate many interesting anecdotes, concern- ing his experience in foraging. On the 3d of September, 1864, he was wounded at Pe- tersburg and was taken to Lincoln Hospital on the 8th of October, there remaining until the army was discharged, in July, 1865.

Mr. Nickason then returned to his na- tive state and again resumed work at his trade, carrying on business with his brother. They were very successful, owing to the im- provements in machinery which our subject was enabled to introduce as the result of his thorough knowledge of mechanics. At length he determined to come to Kansas and disposed of his interests in the east. Mak- ing his way to this state in 1878, he pur- chased a quarter section of land in Black Wolf township, where he now resides, and all the improvements on the place are his work and stand as monuments to his energy. In 1900 he erected a handsome new resi- dence. In 1890 lie built a fine shop in Fils- worth, equipped it with the best machinery and carried on business along that line for a few years, but ultimately resumed farm- ing. to which he now devotes his entire at- tention. Throughout his entire life he has been a hard worker, although for the past thirty-seven years he has suffered with an open wound. His diligence and energy enabled him to triumph over an adverse fate, and he is now one of the substantial citizens of his community.

Mr. Nickason has been twice married. In 1855 he wedded Ellen Mance, and unto them were born two children : Marietta, who is now in an Indian school, in Pahuska ; and Frederick. Both have been well educated. The mother died and in August, 1867, Mr. Nickason was again married, his second union being with Margaret Tice, by whom he has two children,-Ellen and Lemont. In his home our subject has a grand roller organ, and in his leisure hours greatly en- joys playing thereon. His accomplishment in this direction has also enabled him to af- ford much pleasure to others. In politics

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 28

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