A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 37

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 37

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On the 27th of September, 1893. Mr. Jel- lison was united in marriage to Miss Iva Bertie, daughter of W. H. and Mattie J. Humphrey, of Wilson. Their union has been blessed with two children. Arthur A. and Marion Lucile. In his political views Mr. Jellison is a stawart Republican. giving an inflexible support to the principles of the party. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to public office, and he has served both as city alderman and as city treasurer. He is iden- tified with the Pyramids and with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a consistent and faithful member of the Pres- byterian church, in which he is now choris- ter, having been a member of the choir since he was fourteen years of age. Personally Charles Reynard Jellison is the most genial of men, and, though his time is fully occu- pied by the details of his large business inter- ests, he aways finds time to devote to those

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of his friends whose calls are purely of a social character. He is a thorough exem- plification of the tpyical American business man and gentleman.

ALBERT COMBS.

.Almost a quarter of a century has passed since Albert Combs came to Kingman county. He took up farm work here, and throughout the intervening years has been engagel in the tilling of the soil, ranking among the leading agriculturists. He was born in Van Buren county, Tennessee, June 9. 1831. and is a son of Simon and Martha ( Murrill) Combs, who were also natives of the same state. The former died in 1833 and the latter in 1839. leaving the following children : Mahala; Ella; Theresa; Nancy ; Elizabeth: Athelia: Julia: Gideon; and Al- bert. They also had a daughter who died in her childhood.

Albert Combs was left an orphan at the early age of eight years and when a little lad of ten years began earning his own livelihood by working for twelve cents per day and his board. He was industrious, honest and reliable and therefore could always obtain employment, but the necessity of earning his living made it impossible for him to attend school. His youth was largely passed upon a farm in Camden county, Missouri, and in 1851 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ellen Kelley, a native of Missouri, and a daughter of Jesse H. and Lavina ( Whitenburg) Kelley, both of whom are now deceased. Her father was a native of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Combs became the parents of three children, but two died in early life. The surviving daughter. Mar- garet Lavina, became the wife of William NicKee, of White township, Kingman coun- ty. The mother died in the fall of 1860, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she was a consistent member, and for a second wife Mr. Combs chose Mrs. Nancy A. Vestal, a widow. They were married in 1865. but she died eight months later. In 1869 he wedded Mrs. Sarah E.

( Smith) Newman, a widow of Samuel G. Newman, who was a soldier of the Civil war and died in Libby prison, January 5. 1865. To his widow he left the care of three children, namely: Edward A .. of Wichita. Kansas: Mrs. Mary J. Cory, of Watonga, Oklahoma: and Albert E., of Texas City. Texas. Mrs. Combs was a daughter of J. W. Smith, who died in Springfield, Missouri. Her mother is still living and makes her home in Newton coun- ty, Missouri. Unto Mr. Combs and his present wife have been born two children : Eliza, who married W. F. Winfrey, and Al- man Ernest. Both are residents of White township, and the latter is serving as town- ship trustee. He married Almeda Herald, who died in May, 1891, leaviung a son Herald Albert.

At the time of the Civil war Mr. Combs of this review offered his services to the gov- ernment, becoming a member of Company D. Sixth Missouri Cavalry, with which he served for three years under command of Captain Crockett and Colonel Wright. He was with the battalion of scouts in Spring- field, Greene county, Missouri, and was largely engaged in figthing the bushwhack- ers and guerrilla bands in the woods and swamps of Missouri and Arkansas. He was present at Wilson Creek when General Lyon was killed. He was also with Colonel Wright at Springfield, Missouri, and was in General Davis' command. In a number of battles and skirmishes he displayed his brav- ery and loyalty, and at the expiration of his term of enlistment received an honorable discharge at St. Louis, Missouri, returning to his home with a creditable military record for gallant service.

Mr. Combs continued his connection with the farming interests of Missouri until 1878. when he came to Kingman county and here secured a claim which he cultivated and im- proved until 1892. when he purchased his present farm of one hundred and fifty acres in White township. Upon the place is a pleasant residence and substantial barns and outbuildings. He has a good vineyard and orchard and the well tilled fields promise a golden harvest. His thorough knowledge of

MR. AND MRS. ALBERT COMBS.

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

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farm work and his progressive spirit have made him a capable and prosperous agricul- turist. His political support is given with unswerving loyalty to the Republican party. He is a member of the Baptist church, and his wife belongs to the Presbyterian church. For thirty years he has been a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and main- tains pleasant relations with his comrades of the blue. In manner he is frank and gen- ial, in business straightforward, and at all times is known as a good citizen well worthy of mention among the representative men of his adopted county.

ALVIN E. SUMMERS.

Among the prominent and enterprising agriculturists and stock raisers of Rice coun- ty, Kansas, is numbered Alvin E. Summers, who was born in Putnam county, Indiana, January 30, 1872, his parents being William C. and Mary (Lake) Summers. The pa- ternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Kentucky and a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian church who came to Indiana at a very early day and settled in Putnam county, where he improved a good farm, which he carried on in connec- tion with his ministerial duties until called to his final rest. He was the father of five chldren, namely: James H., of Mitchell county, Kansas; Daniel T., deceased; Will- iam C., the father of our subject; Amanda and Almaza. William C. Summers, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky, in 1830, but was reared in Putnam county, Indiana, where he married and engaged in farming until 1872, when he came to Kan- sas, locating a homestead in Rice county, on which our subject now resides, and in the spring of 1873 he built a farm house upon it and moved his family into it. He then commenced making permanent improve- ments. There were few permanent settlers in that locality at that time and the land was a vast unbroken prairie, but with char- acteristic energy he plowed and prepared a portion of his land for cultivation and in

1874 he planted his first crop, but the grass- hoppers appeared and destroyed all vegeta- tion. This was enough to discourage most men, but with determined purpose he per- severed in his efforts to make an honest liv- ing and finally his labors were crowned with success. He engaged in general farming and stock raising and became well and fa- vorably known, commanding the respect and confidence of all that knew him. In 1861 he enlisted in Company C. Fifty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under command of Cap- tain J. W. Sheete for three years' service or during the war. His regiment was assigned to the army of the Tennessee and he partic- ipated in some of the most important battles of the war, Shiloh, Stone River and Day's Gap in Alabama, and many other minor battles and skirmishes. He was never wounded but was made a prisoner and placed in Libby prison, where he suffered from hunger and disease so severely that he never recovered his health. Later he was exchanged and at the expiration of three years received an honorable discharge No- vember 12, 1864. For a few years after his return home from the war he was not able to perform any manual labor and never re- gained his full strength and vigor. For this sacrifice to his country he receives from the government a small pension. He was married in Putnam county, Indiana, to Miss Mary Lake, a native of that state, born in 1833. and a daughter of Elisha L. Lake, of New Jersey, who became a farmer and early settler of Indiana, remaining on his homestead there until his children married and scattered to homes of their own, and his wife died, when he came to Kansas, find- ing a good home among his children, and died in this state at the home of his daugh- ter, Mrs. Wright.

Unto Elisha Lake and his wife were born the following children: Caroline, who mar- ried Dr. Collings, and he died in the Mexi- can war; Mary, the mother of the subject of this sketch; Hannah, the wife of S. Wright; and Martin, who died in childhood. William C. Summers was a very energetic and progressive agriculturist and by his hard labor and honest dealing accumulated a

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handsome competence. In manner he was very genial and delighted in gathering around him his friends and neighbors for social converse. He was kind-hearted and charitable, ever ready to lend a helping hand to the needy or distressed. Socially he was connected with the Masonic fraternity and with the Grand Army of the Republic. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were actively inter- ested in all of its work. Their home was blessed with eight children, namely: Ethan B., of Indiana; Elisha L., also of Indiana ; Daniel T., of Chicago, Illinois: Mattie F., the wife of E. N. Curts; William C., a druggist of Wheaton, Kansas; Laurel A., a physician and surgeon of Wheaton, Kansas ; Sarah E .. the wife of F. A. Becker ; and Al- vin E., the subject of this sketch. The fa- ther of this family died November 26, 1898. and was buried in Lyons cemetery, but his wife still survives him and has a good farm and home in Kansas.

Alvin E. Summers, whose name intro- duces this review, was about a year old when his parents moved to Kansas, where he was reared among the pioneers of Rice county, where he still makes his home. He was ed- ucated in the common schools of Kansas and remained under the parental roof, assist- ing his father in the work of the home farm. until the latter's death, when the property was divided and our subject received eighty acres of the original homestead tract and later lie bought the other eighty from his brother and now owns the original one hun- dred and sixty acres of the homestead. His father had also given eighty acres of land . to each of his other children, and built his residence on another quarter and the home- stead land had no buildings upon it. In 1895 our subject married and settled on one of his father's farms and after the latter's death he built a good house, barn and out- buildings on the homestead and is carrying on the work inaugurated by his father. He has placed the fields under a high state of cultivation, and carries on general farming and stock raising.

In 1895 our subject was united in mars riage to Miss Mina M. Hill, a lady of in-

telligence and culture, born in Sullivan coun- tv. Indiana, October 3. 1875. a daughter of W. F. and Elizabeth ( Norrick) Hill. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of Ohio, where they were married. He was a carpenter by trade and also en- gaged in farming. In 1864 he enlisted for service in the rebellion and served until the close of the war, when he received an lion- orable discharge and returned to his home in Ohio, there remaining until 1872, when he removed to Sullivan county. Indiana, and bought a farm. In 1878 he sold the farm and moved to Kansas, locating in Rice coun- ty, where he rented a farm and later bought a farm, upon which he remained a number of years. He then again sold his place and moved to Oklahoma, where he took up a claim, which he has since sold and is now living among his children in Oklahoma. His wife died in Rice county, Kansas, in 1888. She was a consistent member of the Methi- odist Episcopal church and a most estima- ble woman. He is an industrious, honest farmer and mechanic, plain and unasstin1- ing and does not desire notoriety or public office, though he was formerly a Republi- can and now votes independently. He is a class leader in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a consistent member. He and his wife were the parents of ten chil- dren, namely: Serepta J., the wife of R. D. Hall: Ida, who married J. W. Tarr; Daniel N., of Lyons ; George W., deceased : Stewart, of Lyons: Grant, now living in Perry, Oklahoma: Rose R., who marrried George W. Pancoast: Anna E., who is yet single ; Mina M., the wife of our subject ; and Jessie B .. who became the wife, of C. Bailey.

Mr. Summers, of this review, is one of the most prominent agriculturists and stock raisers of Rice county, who by his unflag- ging industry, determined purpose, enter- prise and capable management has won a comfortable competence for himself and family. As a citizen he takes a deep and ac- tive interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community. He and his wife are consistent and worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take an

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active interest in the work of the church and charitable and benevolent enterprises. They have no children, but their pleasant home is noted for its gracious hospitality and the circle of their friends is co-extensive with that of their acquaintance, and they well de- serve the respect and high regard in which they are held by all who know them.

WILLIAM A. ROSE.

One of the most highly respected, intel- ligent and valued citizens of Reno county is William A. Rose, the pastor of the German Baptist church of Lincoln township and a well known and enterprising farmer who since pioneer times in the history of this county has been identified with its agricul- tural interests. He owns and operates three hundred and twenty acres of land and there is not in the township, if in the county, a better impoved place than the property of our subject.

Mr. Rose is a native of Franklin county, Ohio, born July 16, 1844, his parents being S. G. and Jane (Ogden) Rose, both of whom were natives of the same county. He accompanied them on their removal to Lut- cas county, Iowa, and assisted his father in the work of the home farm until sixteen years of age, when, in September, 1861, he offered his services to the government as a defender of the Union, whose destruction was threatened by the spirit of secession in the south. He became a member of Com- pany C, Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infan- try, and took part in the battles of Shiloh, Pittsburg Landing and the siege and battle of Corinth. He was also in the campaign with Grant through central Mississippi, then back to Memphis and by way of the river to Vicksburg, participating in the siege of that city. After that campaign he marched to Meridian and then returned to Vicksburg. He then returned home on a thirty days' furlough, and after rejoining the army he participated in the Atlanta campaign from May until the 23d of August. being contin- uously under fire with the exception of but

two days. Mr. Rose also went with Sher- man on the memorable march to the sea, which proved that the strength of the Con- federacy was broken, and was detached for forage duty on that march, running many narrow escapes from being captured by the enemy. With his command he afterward went north by boat from Savannah to Beatt- fort, South Carolina, and was present at the capture of Columbia, the capital of that state. his regiment pulling down the Rebel flag that waved from the dome of its capitol building. Mr. Rose carried the flag and pre- sented it to General Sherman's wife at South Bend, Indiana. He served throughout the war as a non-commissioned officer-cor- poral and sergeant-and his valor and brav- ery was equal to that of many a veteran of twice his years. He participated in the grand review in Washington, where "wave after wave of bayonet-crested blue" swept by the stand from which the president watched the march of his victorious armies.

Returning to Iowa Mr. Rose entered Mount Pleasant University to resume his in- terrupted studies with the purpose of prepar- ing for a teacher's profession. He afterward spent four years in teaching in Iowa and after his marriage turned his attention to farming. As a companion and helpmate for the journey of life he chose Miss Kate Cut- ler. a daughter of Joel Cutler. She was born in Licking county. Ohio, and with her parents went to Icwa in 1859. the marriage being celebrated in the latter state on the 15th of October, 1868.

After his marriage Mr. Rose purchased a farm of eighty acres of brush land in Iowa, and clearing it he continued its cultivation until March, 1873. when he came to Reno county. Kansas, and located his present claim. He then returned to the Hawkeye state, and in September came by team and wagon to his new home. All was still wild and unimproved in this region, buffaloes could still be shot in this locality, and Mr. Rose could count not less than forty car- casses within sight of his home. He built a residence that was somewhat in advance of the prevailing style of the country at that time-a two-story frame dwelling. twelve by-

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sixteen feet, one story being under ground. - In the spring of 1874 he planted sixteen acres in corn. but his crop was entirely de- stroyed by the grasshoppers. Discouraged he returned to Iowa, where he remained for a year, engaged in farming. . The following year. with a replenished exchequer and new courage. he again came to Reno county, and this time was more successful. He rapidly improved his place and the rich fields soon returned to him a golden harvest as a re- ward for the care and cultivation he be- stowed upon them. He purchased the south- west quarter of section 29, Lincoln town- ship, adjoining his first purchase-one hun- ' dred and sixty acres on section 32, so that he now owns an entire half section in one tract. He has intelligently followed farm- ing. his methods being practical and pro- gressive and his efforts have therefore been attended with success. He feeds a large number of cattle. selling usually two hundred head each year, and buying a large portion of the grain used for feeding purposes. The grounds which surround his home are the most tastefully arranged in the township, and his farm is one of the finest and most de- sirable in the county. He has a comfortable and beautiful residence and his orchard com- prises ten acres.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Rose has been blessed with five children: Walter L., who is now a practicing physician of Har- per, Kansas: John G., a student in Nicker- son College : Loda, the wife of Alonzo Rob- erts, of Oklahoma; and Frank and Lena, who are still under the parental roof. The family hold membership in the German Bap- tist church, of which Mr. Rose has been a minister since 1889. This church was or- ganized by Lemuel Hillery and Abraham Shipler in 1886, with a membership of about twenty, including Benjamin Shester, A. F. Miller, John Young, Amos Hartman, Peter Hartman, Hetty Engle. William A. Rose and wife, George Rexrood and wife. Minnie Negley, now Mrs. L. P. Smith, David Neg- ley and wife, William Rexrood and wife, John Showalter and wife, Catherine Al- bright. G. W. Keedy and wife, Levi Hertz- ler and wife and daughter Rhoda, now the

wife of Guy McMurry, Samuel Kechler and wife. Ella Miller and Mrs. Mary Gardner. The building was erected that year on the southwest quarter of section 27. Lincoln township, at a cost of about eleven hundred dollars. The first regular ministers were Lemuel Hillery and Abram Shipler, who were followed by Enoch Eby and A. F. Mil- ler, the latter the present elder. He has re- mained in charge for the last three years. The congregation has increased to a mem- bership of ninety-five.

Mr. Rose has not only been an active worker in the interest of the local church but gave his aid and influence toward the establishment of the state institution of that church-The Old Folks' & Orphan's' Home, which is situated on section 27. Lincoln township, and is surrounded by eighty acres of land belonging to the institution. Mr. Rose has led a busy and active life aside from his ministerial duties and the care of his farm, for he has taken an active part in promoting the general good along many lines of progress. The cause of education has found in him a warm friend and for a number of years he has served on the school board, acting as its clerk for some time. His life has ever been honorable and upright and his influence has been widely felt for good.

J. S. NUNEMAKER.

J. S. Nunemaker is a leading represen- tative of the agricultural interests of King- man county, where he owns and operates a most desirable farm. Of excellent busi- ness ability and broad resources, he has at- tained a prominent place among the sub- stantial citizens of his part of the county and is a recognized leader in public affairs. He has won success by his well directed and energetic efforts, and the prosperity that has come to him is certainly well deserved.

Mr. Nunemaker was born in Clinton county, Indiana, forty-four years ago, and is of German lineage, his grandfather, James Nunemaker, having been born in the fatherland. His father, Joseph Nunemaker,

MR. AND MRS. J. S. NUNEMAKER AND FAMILY.

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was born and reared in Hocking county, Ohio, and after reaching years of maturity he was there married to Clarissa Taylor, a native also of that county and a daughter of William Taylor, who claimed Pennsyl- vania as the state of his nativity and was of English parentage. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Nunemaker re- moved to Clinton county, Indiana, where the -former died at the age of fifty-three years. He followed the vocation of farming as a means of livelihood, and in political mat- , ters he upheld the Democracy. His widow was called to the home beyond while re- siding in Kansas, passing away at the age of seventy-four years. A family of ten chil- dren were born unto this worthy couple, namely: Lovina Jane. Elizabeth, Clarissa, Daniel, Amanda, Thomas, Joseph S., Rachel, George and Alice.

Joseph S. Nunemaker, whose name intro- duces this review, was reared to years of maturity on an Indiana farm, and his edu- cational advantages were those afforded by the common schools of Clinton county. He remained in his native state until 1885, in which year he came to Kansas, and after his arrival here he purchased the quarter section of land which he yet owns, located on section 26. Ninnescah township, and on this place he has ever since been engaged in general farming and stock-raising. When he took possession of the farm only a small amount of the land had been placed under cultivation by its former owner, William Weiler, but he has since improved the entire place, and his fields now annually yield to him a handsome financial return for the care and labor which he bestowes upon them. Substantial and commodious build- ings adorn the place, and everything about the farm bears evidence of a progressive and thrifty owner.

In 1880 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Nunemaker to Miss Elda Lamberson, who was born in Clinton county, Indiana, in 1857, a daughter of William Lamberson and a granddaughter of Levi Lamberson, both natives of Maryland and of English descent. The mother of Mrs. Nunemaker bore the maiden name of Mary Fryer, and both she

and her father, Jamies Fryer, were also natives of Maryland. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William Lamberson were born seven chil- dren,-Ira, John, Sarah. Plicebe. Elda, Levi and William. The father was a life-long farmer, was a Democrat in his political views, religiously a Baptist, and his death occurred in Clinton county, at the age of seventy-one years. His wife reached the age of seventy-eight years, dying in the faith of the Christian church, and she was loved and honored by all who knew her. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nunemaker have been born seven children, six sons and one daughter, namely : Ernest J., William E., Mittie Alice, Dennis A., Schuyler and John and Joseph, twins. Mr. Nunemaker casts his ballot in favor of the men and measures of the Democracy, and for many years he served as a member of, the school board, the cause of education ever finding in him a warm friend and active worker. Such is the record of one who has been an important factor in the public improvement as well as the business interests of his adopted coun- ty. His code of morals is such as to impel him to a, just consideration of the rights of all with whom he has been brought in contact and to a conscientious observance of all proprieties of life. Thus he has retained throughout his carcer friendships which have grown stronger with more intimate ac- quaintance, and all who know him esteem him for his sterling worth.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 37

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