USA > Kansas > A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I > Part 35
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Baxter Cole, of this sketch, was well ed- ucated in the common schools, at first with the idea of becoming a teacher, in which his brother Clifford has succeeded well, but later this idea was abandoned in preference for a business life. He made his home with his parents until his marriage, which took place on March 1, 1897, to Josie Lee Brown, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of Robert Brown, who is now a farmer in Osage coun- ty, Oklahoma. One son was born to this union, Robert Leoto, who died at the age of thirteen months.
The extensive stock operations of Cole & Bigger are carried on on four hundred and eighty acres and they have the same amount of land under cultivation. At pres- ent they have three hundred head of stock cattle and two hundred and fifty head of Po- land-China hogs, and considering that but four years have been occupied in the ven- ture their success has been remarkable. The corn crop in 1901 was not up to their ex- pectations, but it was more than compensat-
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ed by the enormous yield of wheat. Mr. Bigger is the manager of a mercantile busi- ness in Hutchinson, while Mr. Cole looks after the management of the farm and stock He is thoroughly conversant with every de- tail, understands the properties of the soil and has studied and put into practice the scientific breeding and economical feeding of cattle and stock. He takes an intelligent in- terest in politics and is one of the leading Republicans in his locality. Socially he is connected with the order of Odd Fellows. and is regarded as one of the rising young men of the country.
AARON BOBB.
The name of Mr. Bobb is inseparably interwoven with the history of Rice county. He is one of its honored pioneers and most esteemed and worthy farmers. He was the first man that plowed land and put in a crop in Rice county, and from that time his labors have continuously demonstrated the possi- bilities that lie before the agriculturist in this portion of. the Sunflower state. He arrived here in January, 1871, bought a tract of land and planted a field of potatoes in March. His first home was a sod house, in which he resided for two years. Buffa- loes roamed over the prairies in large herds, deer and antelope could always be killed, and the animals furnished an abundance of meat to the early settlers. Ind'ans were still in the neighborhood, spending much of their time in hunting buffaloes, after which they would tan their hides and use them for clothing or sell to the white men. Such were the conditions which Mr. Bobb found when he emigrated westward and took up his abude in Rice county, here to become an active factor in the development and prog- ress which has since placed the county on a par with any community in the state.
A native of Union county, Pennsylva- n'a, he was born March 7, 1830, and is a representative of a family of Pennsylvania
Dutch people, whose chief characteristics were energy, perseverance and fidelity to their word. Daniel Bobb, the father, was born in the Keystone state and was a son of Peter Bobb, also a native of Pennsylvania and a son of a German emigrant, who was the founder of the family in the new world. Daniel Bobb was united in marriage to Sa- rah Close, also a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Solomon and Sophia (Gift) Close. Their marriage was blessed with seven children, namely: Mary; Aaron, who is now living in Kansas; Phebe; Levi ; Jo- seph, now deceased ; Samuel ; and Amelia. In 1847 the Bobb family removed from the Keystone state to Illinois, locating in Ste- phenson county, that state, near Freeport, where the parents spent their remaining days, the mother passing away April c, 1892, in her eighty-fourth year, while the father's death occurred May 1. 1893, in the eighty-seventh year of his age. Throughout his entire business career he devoted his en- ergies to farming, and thereby provided a comfortable living for his family. Like his ancestors he was indentified with the Lu- theran church, to which his wife also e- longed. They were people of genuine worth, honest, faithful and reliable, and wherever known their sterling characteristics won them high respect and confidence.
Aaron Bobb, whose name introduces this review, was reared in Pennsylvania until seventeen years of age and was early taught lessons of industry, honesty and per- sistence. He acquired his education in the public schools, and at the age of nineteen he began serving an apprenticeship to the car- penter's trade, which he mastered. becon ing a gocd mechanic. After the removal of the family to Illinois he followed that occu- pation, and has always been identified with the building interests of Rice county since coming to Kansas. His knowledge of car- pertering proved of great value to him in this state, for. far from towns and rail- roads, he had to depend largely upon his own efforts for everything which he wished not only in an agricultural but also in the
AARON BOBB.
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mechanical line. His use of tools enabled him to secure improvements much more easily than many of his neighbors who were not familiar with such departments of work.
Mr. Bobb was married in 1856, in St. Joseph, Michigan, to Amelia Ann King. who was born in Union county. Pennsyl- vania, a daughter of James King. He died in Rice county, Kansas, at the age of eighty-seven years, and his wife, Mrs. So- phia King, passed away in Michigan, at the age of seventy-four. They were farming people and were consistent Christians, hold- ing membership in the Lutheran church. Mr. and Mrs. Bobb took up their domestic life in Michigan, where they remained until 1869. when, believing that better opportun- ities could be secured in the west, they went to Daviess county, Missouri, where they re- mained for two years before coming to Kan- sas. Mr. Bobb walked tw hundred miles on making the journey to the Sunfl wer state, and after viewing the country, being pleased with its prospects, he returned to Missouri for his family, his team and his carpenter tools. Here he secured a tract of wild land and immediately hegan the im- provement of his claim, for not a furrow had been turned. A sod house gave shelter to the family, and there hospitality reigned supreme, the latch-string being always out. A cordial welcome was ever extended to the weary wayfarer, and many of the new com- ers through Rice county enjoyed the good cheer which pervaded the Bobb home. In September, 1893. Mr. Bobb removed to his present farm, where he now has a large and attractive residence and a commodions barn, together with extensive granaries, containing three thousand bushels of wheat. There are also sheds for the shelter of stock. cribs for the storing ( f grain, feed lots, ver- dant pastures and highly cultivated fields. In fact, everything about the place is in ex- cellent condition, the farm being one of the finest in this portion of the country. It com- prises seven hundred and twenty acres of rich land, which yields to him an excellent return for the grain that is each spring plant- ed in the fields. Good groves and orchards
add to the value of the place and no im- provement of the model farm is lacking.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bobb was blessed with a family of nine children, six s ns and three daughters. namely : James a farmer who is residing near Noble, Kan- sas: Mary A., the wife of John .Altman, of Rice county : Frank S., who is living in At- lanta township, Rice county : Oscar David, a carpenter of Denver, Colorado; Josepli Calvin, who is employed as a salesman in that city; Charles Alfred, who is living in Oakland. Californina: Anna S., wife of Clark McFarland, of Miami county, Kan- sas: John Peter, who was a soldier in the Spanish-American war, and is also engaged in clerking in Denver, Colorado: and Ida Lonise, who is now at home with her father. The greatest loss which Mr. Bobb ever sus- tained was in the death of his wife, which occurred June 16, 1888. She had indeed been a faithful companion and helpmate to him on life's journey through a period of thirty-two years. She was of even temper- ament, always genial, never complaining, and was widely loved for her kindness of heart and mind. Her neighbors knew her for a kind and faithful friend, and to her · husband and children she was a devoted wife and mother. She belonged to the Lutheran church, and the principles of Christianity permeated her career.
Formerly Mr. Bobb was a supporter of Democratic principles, but is now a Popu- list. He has reached the psalmist's span of three score years and ten. but possesses the vigor and appearance of a man much younger. He came to the county with lim- ited means, but as the years have passed has acquired a handsome competence. He owes no man, has a valuable farm free from debt, and his word is as good as his bond, for in all business transactions he is found straight- forward and reliable. He possesses the ster- ling qualities of the sturdy pioneers who bravely faced the trials and hardships of life on the plains in order to make homes for their families and thus aided in laying the foundation for the present prosperity and progress of this portion of the state.
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JOHN B. VINCENT.
John B. Vincent, the efficient postmaster of Hutchinson, was born in Frankfort. Ken- tucky, on the 5th of December, 1845, his parents being Leonard and Laura ( Kackby) Vincent, the former a native of New York and the latter of Virginia. In early life the father went to the Old Dominion, where he was married, and later removed to Franklin county, Kentucky, where he engaged in con- tract work. In 1858 he became a resident of Knox county. Indiana, where he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1876. In his family were 'seven children, of whom three are yet living, the sisters of our sub- ject being Catherine, the wife of George W. Martin, of Bruceville, Indiana, and Carolina, the wife of William McEnder. of Frankfort, Kentucky.
When only thirteen years of age John B. Vincent accompanied his parents to Indi- ana and there he remained until sixteen years of age, when his patriotic spirit was aroused by the attempt of the south to secede and at the first call for troops for three years' service he enlisted in Company H. Fifty- first Indiana Infantry. The regiment was attached to Rosecrans' division of the Four- teenth Army Corps and he participated in the battles of Shiloh. Perryville, Stone River and . ther engagements. In the raid of Sand mountain he was captured near Rome, Georgia, by General Forrest and was sent to Libby prison and afterward to Belle Isle, but was soon paroled and a little later was exchanged. Returning to his regiment, he took part in the battles of Franklin, Tennes- see, and Nashville, and after the surrender of General Lee his regiment was sent to Texas, doing duty on the frontier until the command was discharged. on the 13th of January, 1866. Although so young when he entered the service, his military record was creditable and he displayed valor equal to that of many a veteran of twice his years.
Returning to his home in Indiana, Mr. Vincent began work at the carpenter's trade, which he followed until April. 1878. when he came to Reno county, Kansas, to secure a claim. He located on school land in Ros-
coe township and there made his home for two years, during which time he broke sixty acres of land and made other improvements. He then removed from the farm to Nicker- son, where he accepted a position in the shops of the Santa Fe Railroad Company. there remaining until the fall of 1884, when he was elected clerk of the district court. He filled the position for three consecutive terms and was nominated for the fourth term, but the Populist movement swept over the country that year and together with the other members of his party in this locality he was defeated. He, however, retired from office as he had entered it, with the confi- dence and good will of the public.
On laying aside official cares Mr. Vincent engaged in business at Galena. Kansas, in operating mines and developing mining property. Later he was engaged in business in Polk county. Arkansas, and there became interested in coal mining in connection with W. E. Burns, under the firm name of W. E. Burns & Company. He continued in that position for only six months, for the exces- sive freight rates entirely consumed the prof- its on coal. On the first of April, 1896, Mr. Vincent was appointed by Governor Morrill to a position as a member of the live stock sanitary board of the state of Kansas. a board established to stamp out and prevent the spread of disease among live stock. He served in that capacity for a year and on the Ist of July, 1897. was appointed post- master of Hutchinson by President McKin- ley, in which capacity he has since served, his administration of the affairs of the office being practical, business-like and commend- able. He has resided in Hutchinson since May, 1887, and is numbered among the lead- ing citizens. He has served as justice of the peace in his township and in politics has al- ways been stanch Republican.
On the 25th of December. 1870, in Bruceville, Indiana, Mr. Vincent was united in marriage to Miss Alice Bruce. a represent- ative of an old and prominent family of the Hoosier state. She is a daughter of H. J. Bruce and her grandfather. Major Bruce, after serving as an officer in the war of 1812. secured a land warrant which he located in
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Indiana, the tract including the present site of Bruceville, which town was named in his honor. Socially Mr. Vincent is connected with Joe Hooker Post, No. 17, G. A. R., of Hutchinson, is a past commander and has represented the local post in the encamp- ment. In the Masonic fraternity he has at- tained the Knight Templar degree, and he has also belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias fraternity. Few men are better or more widely known in Reno county and through- out the state than Mr. Vincent, whose long official service has gained him a wide ac- quaintance, while his personal qualities have won for him the friendship and respect of those with whom he has been associated.
C. G. PROFFITT.
One of the finest ranches in Rice county -known as Sunny Ridge Stock Farm-is the property of C. G. Proffitt, a leading and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of Ray- mond township. Here he owns and oper- ates eleven hundred and twenty acres of land, his energies being devoted to the culti- vation of the crops best adapted to this soil and climate and to the raising of the best grades of stock. He was born in Sullivan county, Tennessee, in 1855. a son of John M. Proffitt, a prominent early settler of Rice county. The grandfather, William Proffitt, was a native of Virginia, and was a son of Robert Proffitt, who was born in England. Jolin M. Proffitt, the father of our subject, married Ellen Smith, who died in this coun- ty in 1874, loved and respected by all who knew her. The father is still living, and his history will be found on another page of this volume.
C. G. Proffitt, whose name initiates this review, wasa lad of eleven years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Marion county, Iowa, taking up their abode near Pleasantville, where he assisted in the labors of the farm. His education was re- ceived in the public schools of Tennessee and Iowa. He first came to Rice county,
Kansas, in .1873, but shortly afterward re- turned to Iowa. In 1885 he again took up lis abode in this county, where he has since remained, proving an active factor in the upbuilding and improvement of his adopted county. He now owns eleven hundred and twenty acres of the best land to be found in the locality, it being improved with a good residence, large barns, wind-mills, feed lots and all other necessary improvements. In addition to the raising of the cereals best adapted to this soil and climate he is exten- sively engaged in stock raisng, dealing in cattle and hogs. He keeps on hand from four hundred to one thousand head of cattle on his large farm, and is also an extensive grain buyer. His Polled Angus cattle are among the finest to be found in central Kansas. He has been largely instrumental in improving the grade of stock raised in the state, and his efforts have therefore heen of public benefit, for the improvement of stock adds to its market value, and the wealth of the agricultural class is therefore augmented.
In Marion county, Iowa, in 1876, oc- curred the marriage of Mr. Proffitt and Miss Sarah Elizabeth Schirner, who was born, reared and educated in Marion county, a daughter of Andrew Schirner, a native of Germany. After coming to the new world he served as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, enlisting in the Iowa Graybeard Regiment, and served for three years. He was married in Indiana to Mar- garet Titus, who was born in Knox county, Ohio, and her death occurred in 1876, at the age of sixty-two years. She was twice married, her first husband being James Walker, and they had four children: Jesse D .; F. M., who was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war; Emily J. ; and Eliza. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schirner were born five children, namely : Margaret. Si- las, Hannah, Sarah E. and Lawrence. Mr. Schirner was called to his final rest in 1876. when seventy-four years of age. The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with six children : . Leonard, who was married, October 8, 1899, to Bertha Wood, by whom he has one daughter. Frances Margaret, and they reside in Raymond township: Everett.
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Ralph, Frank. Estu and Beryl. In his po- litical affiliations Mr. Proffitt is a Democrat, and he has served as a member of the school board. His life has been a success, but all his achievements are the result of patient ef- fort, unflagging industry and self-confi- dence. During his residence in the Sun- flower state he has so deported himself that as a citizen and as a man of business no man has a cleaner record or is more highly esteemed than he.
JOHN AND JOHN F. BUTLER.
Few citizens of Ellsworth county, Kan- sas, are better known or have been more suc- cessful in farming and stock raising, than John and John F. Butler, uncle and nephew, who operate a ranch of eight hundred and forty acres in this county. This is one of the most desirable stock farms in this part of the state, being located on both the Smoky Hill river and on Thompson creek. This noted ranch is owned and managed by John Butler, Jr., and his nephew, John F. Butler.
The Butler family is of Irish extraction. John Butler was born in New York city, on December 22, 1839, and he was a son of James and Margaret (Hister) Butler, both of whom were born in Ireland, but lived a few years in New York after their emigra- tion, dying when their sons, John and James, were but three and five years of age. An aunt took charge of the orphans for some four years and then our subject, John, was bound out to a farmer, in Sullivan county, New York, and remained in his employ until he was of age. At this time he received fifty dollars in money and a suit of clothes in payment for his twelve years of service.
A stirring life followed. In December, 1863, our subject enlisted in the United States navy, from Brooklyn, on board the frigate Niagara, which was the flagship of Commodore Somers. The ship remained in harbor until the following June, starting just one day too late to witness the engage- ment between the Alabama and the Kear-
sarge. The cruise extended to Antwerp, Bel- gium, the port being reached in thirty days, and until September, 1865, the vessel was engaged in cruising along the French and Spanish coasts and along the English chan- nel. in search of privateers.
In September of this year the vessel re- turned to New York and our subject was discharged in October. Starting westward in search of a permanent career, Mr. Butler reached St. Joseph, Missouri, which was then the terminus of the Hannibal & Mis- souri railroad. Here he spent a short time working on the construction of the Hanni- bal & St. Joe road, going thence to Leaven- worth, where he was engaged as a govern- ment teamster on the overland Sante Fe trail. Mr. Butler started in as a driver in a train of thirty wagons, with thirty-five other men, and they reached Kit Carson Crossing of the Arkansas river and there they were snowbound. It was necessary for them to go into camp here and it was not until the following March that they were released, an eastbound train then coming to their rescue. This unfortunate band was by that time reduced to almost the last ex- tremity, their provisions being exhausted and their clothes so worn out that "gunny- sacks" were made use of in place of neces- sary articles. For a considerable period their only food had been parched corn, which they used in all forms. The whole party, however, survived, and although exhausted and ill, safely reached Leavenworth.
In the spring of 1867 Mr. Butler went to the Delaware Nation, south of Leaven- worth, and engaged in farming and railroad- tie making for some three months, return- ing then to Leavenworth and hiring his services to a Mr. Bausman for a period of four months. In the following September our subject went to what is now Valley Falls, but which then was called Grasshop- per Falls, and there engaged for eighteen months in farm work, going then to Atchi- son, where he remained during the succeed- ing two years.
In July, 1869. Mr. Butler came to Fort Harker, in Ellsworth county, and was en- gaged as a driver in a wagon train from
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Fort Harker to Fort Sill, returning in De- cember of the same year. In the following March he located a homestead claim on the Dry Fork of Thompson Creek, on section 34-16-7, a strip which was eighty rods wide and one mile long. Here he made his home until 1874. engaging in stock raising in a small way at first, and gradually increasing until he owned some eighty head. In 1875 he sold out his claim for four hundred dol- lars, and during the next two years, he con- tinned grazing his own herd and also took in stock for others. In 1882 Mr. Butler bought two hundred acres of land from Eli- jah and Samuel Johnson, this being a part of his present home. A year or two later, his brother and two children joined him in Kan- sas. At this time his brother was a widower, in New York, his two children being : Ella. who was the wife of Edward Peary, but now deceased. a farmer and stockman of Mitchell county, and John F .. who is at present asso- ciated with our subject in his large opera- tions. As soon as the latter reached his majority, he was taken into partnership by his uncle.
Since this firm was formed the entire of section 23 has been added to the original tract, making the present estate to comprise eight hundred and forty acres, some three hundred of which is under cultivation, while from two to three hundred head of cattle are continually kept. All of the excellent improvements on this estate have been made by Mr. Butler, the fencing alone being an enormous expense.
In all public. matters Mr. Butler has taken an intelligent and public spirited inter- est, always doing his full share to promote enterprises for the advancement of Ells- worth county. In politics he has always been a Democrat, but has never accepted any office except a membership on the school board, on account of his interest in educa- tional matters. Fraternally he is connected with Ellsworth Post. G. A. R.
JOHN F. BUTLER was born in New York city on October 22, 1869, and he was ·left motherless at the age of ten years. In 1883 he accompanied his father to Ellsworth county to make his home with his uncle
John, receiving a hearty welcome and later becoming his partner in business. On De- cember 6, 1891. he was united in marriage to Rebecca E. Brown, who was a daughter of James and Rebecca (Evans) Brown. Mrs. Butler was born in Harrison county, Ohio, and came to Kansas with her parents in 1889. Mr. Butler has developed into one of the leading stockmen of this county, is universally esteemed, and is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, with the A. O. U. W. and the M. W. A., of Kan- opel's. In politics he adheres to the prin- ciples of the Democratic party. The home is brightened by the presence of one beauti- ful little daughter. named Ella M.
JAMES BUTLER, who is the other mem- ber of this family, and the father of John F. Butler, was born in New York city on February 28. 1835, and on February 28. 1867, was married to Catherine McGovern, who was also born in that city. During the Civil war he was connected with the Army of the Potomac and took part in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and after faithful service was honorably dis- charged in June. 1863. Until the fall of 1865 he was engaged in New Jersey at his trade and then accepted a position as freight agent for the N. Y. & N. J. railroad, later traveling in the interests of the firm of Kemp, Day & Co., from 1867 until 1870. He then engaged in building until 1883. when he came to Kansas to make his home with his brother and since that time has as- sisted on the ranch.
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