USA > Kansas > A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I > Part 36
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Mr. Butler has taken an active part in Democratic politics, has frequently been a delegate to congressional, state and county conventions, and has most acceptably filled the office of overseer of highways. Fra- ternally he is connected with Ellsworth Post. G. A. R., and has been sergeant in that body at the state encampment.
The home life enjoyed by this family elicits good natured envy from the neigh- borhood. Mr. John Butler. Sr., after an early life of so much adventure and struggle, is able now to enjoy some of its fruits, sur- rounded by those of nearest kindred, by whom he is bel ved and appreciated. The
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family is one of the most highly respected in Ellsworth county, not only on account of the business ability it displays, but for its estimable domestic virtues and exalted citizenship.
WILLIAM ASTLE.
A worthy representative of one of the most prominent and honored pioneer fanı- ilies not only of Haven township, but of central Kansas, is William Astle. They have ever borne their part in the upbuilding and development of this region and have invariably been exponents of progress and liberal ideas upon all subjects. In 1872 the Astle family, consisting of the father, motli- er and eight sons and daughters, located in the Sunflower state, where they were among the very earliest settlers of what is 110W Haven township, and from that time to the present no family has been more prominent- ly identified with the various interests of the community than the Astles.
William Astle, of this review, was born in Derbyshire, England, on the 21st of No- vember, 1840, a son of Richard Astle, who was a native of the same locality, his birth having there occurred on the 15th of Febru- ary, 1811. In his native land the latter was united in marriage to Sarah Hibbert. also a native of Melbourne, Derbyshire, Eng- land, born on the 3d of February, 1810, and there twelve sons and daughters were born unto them, but three of the number, Sarah, Harriet and Mary, died in infancy. In 1852, after several of the children had grown to years of maturity, and the two oldest, John and Elizabeth, had married and located in Derbyshire, England, the family, consisting of the father, mother and seven children, em- igrated to America, and after their arrival here they located near Quincy, Illinois, where the father was engaged principally in gardening until 1861. In that year the fam- ily removed to Godfrey, Illinois, near Al- ton, where they followed agricultural pur- suits until 1866. and then removed to the eastern portion of the county, at Alhambra. In 1872 Mr. and Mrs. Astle and several of
their children took up their abode in what is now Haven township, Reno county, Kansas, and in the following fall they were here joined by the remainder of their children, consisting of six sons and two daughters, and the father and each of the children se- cured claims. The father's land was located on section 20, and there he spent many years of his life, during which time he greatly im- proved his land and took a very active and prominent part in the public affairs of the locality. He served as a justice of the peace during the early days of Haven, was very prominent in the organization of the First Methodist church in Haven township, of which he was long one of the leading mem- bers, was an ardent supporter of Republican principles and was a member of the old Manchester Union of Odd Fellows. His death here occurred on the Ioth of June. 1883, and his wife survived him several years, passing away January 22, 1891, aged eighty years and eleven months. Like her honored husband she, too, was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. Unto this worthy couple were born thirteen chil- dren, ten of whom grew to years of matur- ity : John, who was born November 17, 1832, was a gardener by occupation and died in England, September 2, 1896, aged sixty- three years; Elizabeth, who was born March 15, 1834, and died September 28, 1899, was the widow of Henry Barber and resided in Melbourne, England; Richard, born Feb- ruary 15, 1836, is a retired farmer of Haven city, where he has served as marshal and street commissioner ; William is the subject of this review: George, born October 21, 1842, is a prominent farmer and stock raiser residing two miles north of Haven, and dur- ing the Civil war he served for three years as a member of the Ninety-seventh Illinois Infantry, Company I; Joseph, born April 27, 1845. died in Haven in 1899, where he was one of the leading hardware merchants; Sarah, born February 16, 1847, is the de- ceased wife of Henry Challacombe, a farmi- er of Cornelius, Oregon: Mary, born Feb- ruary 20, 1849, is the wife of G. W. Van. Buren, a prominent early settler and farmer residing one mile northeast of Haven;
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Harry, born January 21, 1851, is a success- ful farmer and stock raiser northwest of Haven: and Charles W .. the youngest of the family and the only one born in America, his birth occurring on the 21st of Novem- ber, 1854, in Quincy, Illinois, is a retired farmer of Haven, where he has served as postmaster and mayor.
William Astle, whose name introduces this review, received his early education in England, and after coming to this country he attended school for three months in the vicinity of Quincy, Illinois. He assisted his father in the work of the farm until 1858, when he learned the blacksmith's trade in Quincy, Illinois, following that occupation until 1862. In that year he enlisted for service in the Civil war, entering Company I, Ninety-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, at Alton, Illinois, and in August he was mustered into service at Camp Butler. Springfield. Illinois, first under command of Colonel Rutherford, and later the regiment was under the command of Colonel Vif- quain, who commanded Bryant's regiment during the Spanish-American war. From Springfield the regiment was sent to Ken- tucky, where it formed a part of the army under Buell in the campaign against Bragg, participating in the battle of Perryville. The regiment then went by boat from Louisville to Memphis, and from there was taken by boat to Vicksburg in November, where they formed a part of Sherman's army and attacked Vicksburg from the north at Chick- asaw bayou. This attack being unsuccess- ful. the army then fell back and was taken by boat to Arkansas Post, the army being then commanded by John A. McClernand. The post was captured in the following Jan- uary, after which the army was sent to Milli- ken's Bend, just across the river from Vicks- burg, where it remained camped until in April. 1863. The regiment of which Mr. Astle was a member then participated in the campaign against Vicksburg, was also in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hills and Black River, and on the 19th of May they drove the enemy into the forts around Vicksburg. On the 22d of that month he participated in the assault on
the works and afterward in the siege of the city until it surrendered. The regiment then formed a part of the army that went to the capture of Jackson, Mis- sissippi, starting on the march on three o'clock of the 5th of July, and after besieg- ing the city for three or four days it was finally evacuated and they then returned to Vicksburg, from which place the regiment was sent by boat to New Orleans, remain- ing in camp in western Louisiana until the Red river expedition, with General Wash- burn in command, after which they were or- dered to New Orleans to be fitted out as mounted infantry. On the way, however, the train was wrecked, leaving less than two hundred men fit for duty, and these were put on provost duty for ten months in New Orleans, during which time the regiment was recruited and participated in the expe- dition against Mobile. They embarked on a ship at New Orleans for Pensacola, ad- vancing thence by the Mobile & Charleston railroad to Fort Blakely, and on the 9th of April, 1865, the fort was caried by storm, but during the assault the regiment .suffered greatly. From Mobile they proceeded up the Alabama river to Selma and Montgom- ery : thence on to the coast, where they em- barked on a ship for Galveston. Texas, where they were discharged in July, 1865, and at Camp Butler, Illinois, on the 19th of August. 1865, they were mustered out of the service.
After the close of the war Mr. Astle re- turned to Alton, Illinois, where he was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until 1872. and in that year he came to Kansas, locating in Haven township. Reno county, and at that time only about eight families resided in the township. He immediately secured a homestead claim on the southwest quar- ter of section 32. also a timber claim on the southwest quarter of section 34, and this section of the state was then inhabited principally by Indians, buffaloes and ante- lopes. At one time Mr. Astle killed a buf- falo ten miles east of where the city of Ha- ven now stands. He began life on thie western frontier in a small way, first erect- ing a small two-room house, but as time
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passed by he gradually improved his claim and has also spent some time at his trade of blacksmithing. having a shop on his farm. As he prospered in his undertakings he has added to his original purchase until he is now the owner of about twelve hundred and forty acres in Haven and Castleton town- ships, but much of this, however, he has given to his sons. He still carries on general farming on his original soldier's homestead, which he secured on coming to this state. and which now almost adjoins the town of Haven on the north, where he maintains his residence. On this old homestead in 1885 he erected one of the finest country residences in Reno county, the structure costing about four thousand dollars, and his residence and grounds are among the most beautiful to be found in this section of the state. He also has one of the largest barns in Haven township. In addition to the raising of the cereals best adapted to this soil and cli- mate, Mr. Astle gradually worked into tlie stock business, and in 1886 he became ex- tensively engaged in the grain and live stock business, - establishing an office in Haven, where business is carried on under the firm style of William Astle & Son. They have a well furnished office located near the Mis- souri Pacific railroad on Kansas avenue, where they are extensively engaged in buy- ing and selling grain and live stock. In the spring of 1901 Mr. Astle erected a magnifi- cent grain elevator, the largest in the town. having a capacity of twenty thousand bush- els. Shortly after his return from the war. on the 25th of December, 1866, and while residing at Alton, Illinois, Mr. Astle was united in marriage to Louisa L. Tisius, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Henry and Louisa ( Frank) Tisius, both na- tives of Germany and now deceased. The father, who was a shoemaker by trade, passed away at Alton, Illinois, several years ago, and the mother died in Haven in 1900. The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with five children, namely: Henry J., who is engaged with his father in the grain and live stock business : T. F., a farm- er near Haven: William R., who is a farm- er and stockman near this city; J. W .. who
makes his home with his parents ; and Rose, the wife of O. P. Gilmore. In political mat- ters Mr. Astle was formerly a Republican, but in recent years he has supported the People's party, believing it to represent the best interests of the American people. In 1875 he was elected to the position of county commissioner, and for the past fourteen years he has served as a justice of the peace and also as a notary public. He was one of the original members of the town com- pany, of which he was vice-president for several years, and he still retains a number of lots in Haven. The town is located on railroad land originally owned by Mr. As- tle, and it was laid out in 1886, the same year in which the Missouri Pacific railroad was constructed through this place. In his social relations he has been an Odd Fellow for the past thirty-five years, in which he has passed all the chairs, is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, of Haven, and carries a life insurance in the Ancient Order of Pyramids. He has given his aid in many generous ways to the perpetuation of those forces which conserve the best in- terests of the community, and the course that has followed in political, business, social and home circles commends him to the high- est esteem of all.
O. E. IIOPKINS.
The law stands most prominent among our learned professions because it is the only one that involves the study and pursuit of a stable and exact science. Theplogy, it is true. was once considered an inimitable science, but in these modern times we see , the props of every creed attacked and new denominations multiplied. So it is with med- icine, for its practice and theories succeed each other in rapid revolution. But amidst them all the science of law remains un- changed, its principles as firm as the rock of Gibraltar. Is it any wonder then that men who follow the legal profession claim more than a passing interest from their fellow men? And this is especially true when they
OEstapolis .
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have, through their own efforts acquired more than ordinary prominence and are known to exercise more than ordinary care in sifting the contents of fact and brain, well knowing that it is only on the anvil of discus- sion that the spark of truth can be struck.
One of the most prominent legal practi- tioners at the bar of Rice county is O. E. Hopkins, who is now occupying the posi- tion of county attorney, to which office he was elected on the Republican ticket in No- vember. 1898. He stands as an able repre- sentative of his profession in central Kan- sas, his ability being widely recognized. He was born in Warren county, Indiana, near Williamsport, on the 26th of November. 1868, and is a son of W. H. Hopkins, whose birth occurred in Illinois, where the grand- father of our subject located in pioneer days. W. H. Hopkins, the father, was reared in Indiana, and at the time of the Civil war he manifested his loyalty to his country by don- ning the uniform of the nation and joining the Thirty-third Indiana Infantry, with which he served until hostilities had ceased and the preservation of the Union was an assured fact. He married Susan Schoon- over and in 1871 came westward with his family to Kansas, securing a homestead claim in Farmer township, Rice county. This was before the county was organized, and in the work of its establishment Mr. Hopkins took an active part. He still owns the homestead, and is one of the leading and valued citizens of Rice county. In his po- litical views he is a Republican, and was the choice of his party for sheriff in 1896, but was defeated by a fusion ticket. Socially he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic and with the Independent Order . of Odd Fellows, and in his religious belief he is a Methodist, taking an active interest in the work of the church. His life has been honorable and upright, and he is as faith- ful to all duties of a civil nature as he was to the military duties which devolved upon him when he followed the stars and stripes through the south. He had but two children O. E .. and Bertha, who is with her parents.
Mr. Hopkins, whose name forms the caption of this review, was reared upon the
homestead farm and there developed the physical strength which formed the founda- tion of his success in life. He was early taught lessons of industry and honesty and was trained in the common branches of Eng- lishi learning in the common schools, after which he pursued his studies in Salina, Kan- sas. For a time he engaged in teaching school, and, with the intention of making tle practice of law his life work, he matriculated in the law department of the State Univer- sity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated with honor in the class of 1894. He is still a student and prepares his cases with great thoroughness and pre- cision. From the beginning of his profes- sional career he has met with a fair degree of success, and his clientage is now of a distinctively representative character.
In October, 1897. was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hopkins and Miss Lura C. Collins, of Salina. a lady of superior in- tellectual culture and refinement and a daughter of S. W. Collins, who is now de- ceased. Socially Mr. Hopkins is connected with the Masonic fraternity, with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Knights of Pythias lodge, being a valued In representative of those organizations.
politics he has ever been a stanch Republi- can and takes an active interest in the growth and success of his party. At his second election in November. 1900, to the position of county attorney he received a ma- jority of five hundred and fifty-six votes, a fact which indicates his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in his ability and official integrity. He discharges the duties of the office in a prompt and reliable manner. He is a strong advocate before the jury and concise in his appeals before the court. He is so thoroughly well read in the minutiae of the law that he is able to base his arguments upon thorough knowledge of and familiar- ity with precedents and to present a case upon its merits, never failing to recognize the main points at issue and never neglecting to give a thorough preparation. His pleas have been characterized by a terse and de- cisive logic and lucid presentation rather than by flights of cratery, and his power is
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the greater before court or jury from the fact that it is recognized that his aim is ever to secure justice and not to enshroud the cause in a sentimental garb of illusion which thwarts the principles of right and equity involved.
JOSEPH F. TAMPIER.
In the past ages the history of a country was the record of wars and conquests; to- day it is the record of commercial activity, and those whose names are foremost in its annals are the leaders in business circles. The conquests now made are those of mind over matter, not of man over man, and the victor is he who can successfully establish, control and operate extensive commercial interests. Joseph F. Tampier is one of the strong and influential men whose lives have become an essential part of the history of Ellsworth county. Tireless energy, keen perception, honesty of purpose, genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time, joined to every day common sense, guided by great will power, are the chief characteristics of the man. As mana- ger of the leading grocery house in Wilson the place that he occupies in business circles is in the front rank.
Mr. Tampier has been a resident of Kan- sas since the spring of 1880. He was born across the water, November 15, 1864, and came to America in 1867 with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Tampier. The fam- ily located first in Wisconsin, and for a year the subject of this review was con- nected with the farming interests of the state. They afterward removed to Saginaw. Michigan, and while residing there the mother died. In 1880 the father. with his son and daughter, came to Kansas, and the three now occupy a fine residence in Wilson, which was erected in 1893.
On coming to Kansas Joseph F. Tanı- pier secured a quarter section of land in Russell county, and for some time devoted his attention to the cultivation and improve- ment of the tract. After three years, how. ever, he sold the farm and purchased a stock
of goods in. Wilson. The building in which he began his mercantile enterprise stood on the east of his present location, and there he carried on operations until 1887. In 1887 he erected a two-story business block, in which he now conducts his store. He is a well known and highly esteemed resident of the county, having been actively connected with its mercantile interests for many years, and in business circles he sustains an unas- sailable reputation for reliability.
Joseph F. Tampier, whose name intro- duces this record, pursued his education in the public schools of Saginaw and accom- panied his father on the removal of the fan- ily to Kansas in 1880. A year later he, calme to Wilson and has since been asso- ciated with mercantile interests in this city. He induced hs father to dispose of the farm and enter commercial life here. From the beginning Mr. Tampier has met with a high degree of success in his efforts. He is the manager of the store and carries a large line of hardware and queensware, as well as gro- cries. As the years have passed his trade las constantly and steadily increased as the, result of the enterprise and honorable efforts of Mr. Tampier, and to-day the volume of business amounts to forty thousand dollars annually. He also engages in shipping eggs to both eastern and western markets, hand- ling that product to the value of about twelve thousand dollars each year. In connection with other interests he is a partner in a general store in Sterling. He is a very prac- tical. enterprising and progressive business man, manifesting keen discrimination in the control of his affairs, and at all times com- mandng the confidence and respect of those with whom he is associated. Mr. Tampier donated half of the west wall of the building and eight feet of the lot to the Turners, who erected a lodge room and opera house ad- joining his business block on the east.
In his political views Mr. Tampier is a stalwart Republican and keeps well informed on the issues of the day. He has several times served as a member of the city council and has given his support to all measures of reform and progress. Socially he is iden- tified with Samaria Lodge, No. 298. F. &
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A. M .: Ellsworth Chapter, No. 33. R. A. NI .; Ellsworth Council, R. & S. M. ; and in Wichita Commandery, No. 20, has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is likewise identified with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and with the Knights and Ladies of Security. He withholds his co-operation from no movement that is cal- culated to prove.of benefit to the city and is justly regarded as one of the valued resi- dents of Ellsworth. In manner he is pleas- ant and genial, in disposition is kindly, and the high regard in which he is uniformly held is well deserved. His success in life may be ascribed to positive, determined pur- suit of business and to the fact that he is a man of honesty and integrity.
CHARLES R. JELLISON.
Charles R. Jellison is a lumber merchant of Wilson and is accounted one of the lead- ing representatives of business interests in the city. He is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred on the 8th of February, 1871, in Apple River, that state. He was not yet four years of age when the family came to Kansas, and in the schools here he began his education, which was afterward supplemented by study in the Wesleyan Uni- versity, at Salina, Kansas, where he pursued a commercial course and was graduated with the class of 1890. Not long afterward he entered upon his business career, and in 1893 formed a partnership with his brother, A. C. Jellison, in the lumber business. This connection was maintained and the business carried on with a good degree of success un- til the fall of 1897. when Mr. Jellison, of this review, sold his interest, and from that time until the summer of 1900 devoted his ' attention to the operation of a farm adjoin- ing Wilson, which he had purchased. He has one hundred and sixty acres of land, of which one hundred acres is under culti- vation, the remainder being devoted to pas- turage. He makes a specialty of the rais- ing of fine stock, having some very valu- able Hereford cattle and draft horses. This
enterprise proved a very profitable one, and to it he gave his undivided attention until 1900, when he again became interested in the lumber business with his brothers, W. D. and A. D. Jellison, since which time he has acted as manager of the lumber yard in Wilson, in addition to supervising his farm. He has made many improvements upon his place, which is now in excellent condition, and his lumber yard also indi- cates the superintendence of a man well acquainted with business and in touch with the progressive spirit of the times. It is located on the railroad, which affords ex- cellent shipping facilities, and he handles hard wood as well as pine lumber, buying direct from southern and northern mills. His trade extends over a wide area, sales being made to a distance of forty miles to the north and ten or twelve miles to the south, and over a radius of ten miles to the east and west. In addition to lumber he handles brick, lime, cement and other build- ing materials, and has a large and growing trade. His sales have already reached a proportion that brings to him a very hand- some income, making the business one of the most important in this line in this sec- tion of the county.
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