USA > Kansas > A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I > Part 42
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After his marriage Mr. Benedict was employed for six months in the grading of the Santa Fe railroad at Socorro, after which he moved to a ranch on the Rio Grande, the land having a frontage on the river for six miles. He obtained a squatter's right to the land and was there engaged for three years, employing several cowboys to take care of his large hierds of cattle. In 1885 he sold his property there and came to Kansas, spending the following four years in Sylvia, where he was engaged in the coal, flour and feed business with his father-in-law. They erected a large store building, and for a time conducted a paying business, handling
the famous Rockvale coal of Colorado. In 1889 our subject again sought a new loca- tion, this time selecting Hutchinson, and in this city he engaged in the same line of busi- ness at No. 318 North Main street, there remaining for nine months. On the expi- ration of that period he located at No. 400 North Main street, and about six years ago he added a line of groceries to his already extensive business. On the Ist of April, 1901, he came to his present quarters, No. 113 North Main street, where he carries a full line of groceries and field and garden seeds, and in connection therewith has an extensive bakery. Associated with him in business is his nephew, Frank W. Gunning, and the firm of Benedict & Gunning occu- pies a conspicuous place among the leading business houses of the city. They sell from seven to eight hundred loaves of the B. & G. bread each day and this brand has be- come famous throughout the locality, its popularity also extending into the surround- ing towns. The firm occupy a floor space of twenty-five by one hundred and sixty-five feet, and seven assistants and three delivery wagons are kept constantly employed. Dur- ing the month of May their sales amounted to thirty-one hundred dollars.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Benedict has been blessed with three children, Jessie, born in New Mexico, in 1885; Arthur, who died at Sylvia when three months old; and Harry M., born in Sylvia, Kansas, in 1888. The daughter is now a member of the sophomore class of the high school. In his political affiliations Mr. Benedict is a Re- publican, and socially is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Ancient Order of Red Men and the Modern Tontine. Mrs. Benedict holds membership relations with the Methodist church, in which she is an active and zealous worker. Our subject has perhaps the finest collection of old coins, old scrip, bank notes and geological speci- mens to be found in this part of the state. An English farthing of 1669 and an Ameri- can dollar of 1798 are among his rare coins, while among his collection of bills is a con- tinental scrip dated 1776.
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CHARLES E. JENNINGS.
Every community has a few men who are recognized as leaders in public affairs and to whom are due the prosperity and progress which have led to the substantial development of the locality. To this class in Kanopolis belongs Charles E. Jennings, who is now engaged in general merchandising there. He was born December 5, 1864, at White Cloud, Kansas, and is a son of C. F. and Jennie (Seaver) Jennings. The father was a native of Virginia and there resided until the time of the Civil war, when, on ac- count of his loyal adherence to the Union cause, he was forced to leave the state, and together with his brother. Samuel L. Jen- nings, came to Kansas. The latter had re- moved to this state in 1854, but after a time returned to the Old Dominion. When the brothers once more sought a home in the Sunflower state they took up their abode in Doniphan county and Mr. Jennings was ap- pointed to the government position of pay- master of the Shawnee agency, in which he served until about 1869. He then removed to Jasper county, Missouri, where lie became largely interested in mining operations. which were attended with a high degree of success at an early day, but afterward proved of a disastrous nature. In 1885 he removed to Wyandotte county, Kansas, and in 1886 came to Kanopolis, where, in connection with his sons, H. S. and Charles E., he es- tablished his present general mercantile busi- ness, under the firm name of C. E. Jennings & Sons. He was an active partner in the enterprise until 1887, when he withdrew, the sons continuing the business together until 1891, since which time Charles E. Jennings has been sole proprietor. The father died in August, 1888 or 1889. His widow still survives him and is now a resident of Car- neiro, Kansas. He was very prominent in church work. In early life he held member- ship with the Methodist Episcopal church but afterward became a Presbyterian, and throughout his remaining years he did all in his power to promote the cause of Chris- tianity and thus aided in the uplifting of his fellow men. He was a liberal and generous
contributor to church work and aided large- ly in the building of both houses of worship in Kanopolis. The father was twice mar- ried, and by his first union had three chil- dren,-Hugh, a resident of Joplin, Mis- souri ; Mary L., the wife of E. D. McCul- lom, of Aurora, Missouri; and Florence, the deceased wife of John M. Shannon, also of Joplin. After the death of his first wife C. F. Jennings married Miss Jennie Seaver, and they had four children, namely : Seaver, who is now deceased ; Charles A., of this re- view ; Will H., who is living in Joplin, Mis- souri ; and Annella, the wife of F. N. Rew- ick, a merchant of Carneiro, Ellsworth county.
Charles E. Jennings spent the first six- teen years of his life in his parents' home, during which time he pursued his education in the public schools of Joplin, Missouri, and in Drury College, of Springfield, Missouri. He then determined to see something of the world and traveled in the southern and east- ern states, and in 1882 he made a trip to South America, spending a year or two in that country, visiting various portions of the continent. While there, in company with two American companions, he became involved in one of the local insurrections frequent in that country. He continued traveling until 1884, and through this means he gained an extensive and comprehensive knowledge of North America and of the southern continent. In 1884 he turned his attention to railroad construction, taking some contracts from the Fitz L. Malloy Con- struction Company. He was thus engaged for two and a half years, when, in 1886, he came to Kanopolis and joined his father in merchandising, since which time he has re- mained in active business. He is now sole proprietor of a large and well appointed store, in which he carries everything found in a first-class general establishment. In addition to dry goods and groceries and other commodities he deals in coal and feed. His patronage is now extensive, and those who once become his customers remain as his regular patrons, owing to the fact that he is ever courteous, obliging and reliable in his dealings.
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On the 6th of June. 1885. occurred the marriage of Mr. Jennings and Miss Allie Kirby, a daughter of John J. and Mary (Funk) Kirby. She was born in Missouri and by her marriage has become the mother of one son, Claude S. Mr. Jennings is iden- tified with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Modern Woodmen of America, also with the Royal Labor and is a charter mem- ber and past noble grand of Kanopolis Lodge, No. 321, I. O. O. F. He has been very prominent in public affairs and has left the impress of his individuality upon prog- ress and improvement. He is one of the enterprising and successful young business men of Ellsworth county, who has experi- enced the adversity as well as prosperity of . Kansas. He has also been postmaster of Kanopolis for five years. He has reason to feel justly proud of his success, which has come to him through good management, close application to business and fidelity to duty. Public-spirited and progressive, he is accounted one of the most valued citizens of his community, and this work would be in- complete without mention of his career.
DAVID B. TRACY.
Among the veterans of the Civil war who now find homes in Kansas, who are rep- resentatives of its farming interests and who are numbered among the valued residents of the Sunflower state is David B. Tracy, who now follows agricultural pursuits and stock- raising on section 14, Garfield township. He is one of the best known men in the county, and his standing among his fellow men is indicated by the fact that for eight years he has occupied the position of county com- missioner. His writings, too,-for he is a well known newspaper correspondent-are favorably received, as he treats intelligently and comprehensively every subject which he discusses.
Mr. Tracy was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. April 24, 1845, and is of Irish lineage, his grandfather. James Tracy, having been born on the Emerald Isle,
whence in early manhood he crossed the At- lantic to the new world, taking up his abode in this country during colonial days. When the colonies attempted to throw off the yoke of British oppression he joined the army and loyally served as a soldier of the Revolu- tionary war. His son, Peter Tracy, the fa- ther of our subject, was born at Morrison's Cove, in the state of Pennsylvania, and was likewise a soldier, belonging to a Maryland regiment that did active duty in the war of 1812. By trade he was a blacksmith, and in connection with that pursuit he followed farming. He wedded Mary Knowles and they became the parents of eight children, but only five are now living.
In the usual manner of farmer lads Da- vid B. Tracy spent his youth, pursuing his education in the schools of the neighborhood and assisting in the work of the farm in such a manner as his years and strength would permit. He was only fifteen years of age when with loyal spirit he responded to his country's call and joined Company H of the One Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania In- fantry. He afterward re-enlisted, on the 8th of January, 1864, as a member of Company A, Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. The principal engagements in which he par- ticipated were those at Cold Harbor, the siege of Petersburg, and the battles of Fort Harrison and James Landing, and he also took part in a number of minor engage- ments. He remained in the army until 1866, when he received an honorable discharge and with a most creditable military record returned to his home.
When again in the north Mr. Tracy fol- lowed various occupations, being a part of the time engaged in farming in Pennsylva- nia, until 1876. His leisure moments, how- ever, were devoted to literary pursuits and he has gained quite a reputation as a writer of ability and merit, his productions being at once interesting and instructive. At that time he wrote a pamphlet called Five Months on Cape Fear, which was sold out- right to a book company of Augusta, Maine. He also wrote a work which was published by the Baltimore News & Book Company. in 1872 and 1873, three editions being issued.
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Its title was Life Around the Knob, and treated of the humorous side of mountaineer life and of the "happy-go-lucky" disposition of such people.
In 1876 Mr. Tracy came to the west, lo- cating on Mission Creek in Wabaunsee coun- ty, Kansas, where he remained for two years when he came to Ellsworth county. Here he entered from the government a claim of one hundred and sixty acres on a branch of the Elkhorn creek, and opened up the farm upon which he now resides. His first resi- dence, a little dug-out, now forms the kitchen of his present home. He chiose a tract of land bordering the creek so that he could have running water, as it was his intention to engage in the stock-raising business. He makes a specialty of the production of corn and wheat and the raising of cattle, and he also sells calves to feeders. The secret of his success is found in unremitting toil and close application. To his farm he has added another half-section of land, so that he now has quite an extensive tract, and its value has been greatly increased owing to the im- provements which he has made upon the place.
On the 14th of October, 1868, Mr. Tracy was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Belle Mclaughlin, and they now have two children : Johnson, who is living in Kan- sas City, and Mrs. Bett Adamson, who is now living upon the home farm.
Mr. Tracy exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and has served as a delegate to its conventions. While in Pennsylvania he acted as town treasurer, and also filled other township offices, in an early day. He was chosen a director of the school board in Ellsworth county in 1882 and has since served in that capacity, exer- cising his official prerogative in behalf of good schools and doing all in his power to increase their efficiency. He was appointed postmaster of Masmer under President Cleveland's first administration and was cen- sus enumerator of Garfield township in 1890. In 1893 he was elected county commissioner, was re-elected in 1896 and again in 1899. so that for more than eight years he has
been continued in the office, which fact stands ås incontrovertible evidence of his ability and his fidelity to duty. He was elected county commissioner on promises of having suitable bridges put across the Smoky Hill river, and he has kept these promises, and, even with all the extra expense he has succeeded in having taxes reduced three mills on the dollar. He has indeed been a very faithful officer, and his official record is one which is above reproach.
Mr. Tracy maintains pleasant relation- ship with his old army comrades through his membership in Ellsworth Post, No. 22, G. A. R., and takes delight in recalling the scenes which occurred on the tented fields or in the midst of battle. He continues his lit- erary work as a newspaper correspondent. Mr. Tracy is one of the best known men of Ellsworth county, and his genuine worth of character commands for him the confidence and respect of all whom he comes in contact. The success which has attended his efforts has enabled him in the past ten years to take life easier and to enjoy more of its rest and comforts. He finds more time for the read- ing which he so much enjoys, and being an excellent sportsman he finds great pleasure when with his gun he travels through the forest or across the prairies in search of game.
LEWIS H. WESTERMAN.
Lewis H. Westerman, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, owns and operates nine hundred acres of land on sections 5 and 8, township 15, range 8, Ells- worthy county. He was born in Hanover, Germany, September 19, 1840, his parents being Frederick and Dorothea ( Oldenburg) Westerman, both of whom were also natives of Hanover. The father was a farmer by occupation and remained in Germany until 1845. when he came with his family to America, locating at Dunkard Grove, Illi- nois, where he remained for two years. He then removed to Lockport, that state, where he also spent two years, going thence to Lake county, Indiana, where he procured
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
a tract of land. upon which he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1868. The mother died in Hastings, Nebraska, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Lepin, at the advanced age of seventy-nine years. In their family were five children, namely : Frederick, a resident of Toledo, Ohio; Lewis H., of this review; Wilhelmina, the wife of H. Lepin, of Hastings, Nebraska; William who is general state agent in Min- nesota for the McCormick Harvester Com- pany, making his home in St. Cloud, that state; and Sophia, the deceased wife of Christ Thurman, of Blue Hills, Nebraska.
Lewis Westerman was only five years of age when the family crossed the broad Atlantic to the new world. He acquired his education in the common schools of Illi- nois and was reared to farm life. On the 4th of May, 1864, he was married, in Bruns- wick, Lake county, Indiana, to Frances A., a daughter of Samuel F. and Sarah (Judd) Holbert. The lady was born in Broome county, New York, and her parents were also natives of the Empire state. In 1857 they emigrated westward, locating in Lake coun- ty, Indiana. They had six children, but the eldest died in infancy. The others are : Mrs. Westerman; Almeda, the deceased wife of Sylvester Bartholomew, of Lake county, Indiana; Martha, who died in in- fancy ; Jessie, the wife of Marion Albin, of Jasper county, Indiana ; and James A., who is living in Lake county, Indiana.
Mr. Westerman's first business venture was in connection with merchandising at Brunswick, Indiana. He formed a partner- ship with his brother, William, and together they carried on business for about five years, but in 1867 Lewis H. Westerman turned his attention to farming, cultivating a tract of land just across the state line in Will county, Illinois. There he remained for a year, when, in 1868, in connection with his brother, William, he purchased the flouring mill at Lovell, Indiana, where for ten years he engaged in the milling business. In 1878 he organized a colony from his county and with fifty families shipped his household goods, teams and farming implements, to Kansas. The party utilized twelve freight
cars and one passenger coach, and arrived at Ellsworth on the 12th of March, 1878. The various families sought homes in Ells- worth and Logan counties, while a few lo- cated in Russell county. Of all those who came with the colony and located in Ells- worth county, Mr. Westerman and his fam- ily are the only ones who have braved the harships and reverses of pioneer life in Kansas and remained residents of the com- monwealth to the present time. He home- steaded the northwest quarter of section 34, township 14, range 8, five miles north of Ellsworth, and with characteristic energy began its improvement, erecting thereon, a comfortable frame residence and also build- ing what was at that time one of the best barns in the county. He planted an orchard and otherwise improved the place, which he made his home for six years. In 1884 he traded his farm for a half interest in the Ellsworth Flouring Mill, becoming a mem- ber of the firm of Jamesen & Westerman. Fifteen months later the mill was destroyed by fire, but, phoenix-like, it arose from the ashes. The new mill was equipped with a roller process, the first in the county, and was known as the Ellsworth City Roller Mill. In this industry Mr. Westerman re- tained an interest until 1887, when he sold out to Mr. Gooddell, taking a farm property in exchange. He then took up his abode on the Gooddell place, where he remained until 1889, when, in connection with H. Ramels- burg, he again bought the roller mill, which he conducted for two years, when he dis- posed of his interest to his partner. Mr. Westerman next became proprietor of the Farmers' Hotel, at Ellsworth, and in con- nection therewith for two years conducted a livery barn. In 1894 he purchased his pres- ent farm, then consisting of sixty-four acres of land, on which was a good set of farm buildings that had been erected by Mr. Mc- Lennon. From time to time he has added to the place until he now owns nine hundred acres of land in one body, constituting one of the best farms in the county. It is ad- mirably adapted to mixed husbandry and stock-raising, to which Mr. Westerman has given considerable attention. The residence
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and buildings are among the best to be found in this portion of the county and everything about the place indicates the thrift and progressive spirit of the owner. He has won distinction by introducing im- proved stock, and has done much to advance the grade of stock-raising. He was proba- bly the first man to bring standard-bred horses into Ellsworth county, having intro- duced these in 1888, at which time he pur- chased from P. R. Eycke, of Washington Court House, Ohio, eight head of horses, with the famous Dalbrino, No. 4323, and Mayflower at their head. He has since raised a number of other fine animals of more than local fame, including Dandy O., with a pacing record of 2:11, now owned in Vermont : Otto WV., 2:1314; Mambrino, 2 :2614 : Albrino, 2:08, now owned in Can- ada; and St. Patrick, 2:28, with a trial record of 2:16. Mr. Westerman has also purchased a number of full-blooded draft horses, which he has brought to the county, and probably no man in this locality has done more to improve the grade of stock than he. He bought thoroughbred short- horn cattle and was the first to introduce imported Holstein cattle. He also founded a herd of registered Poland-China swine, and for several years engaged in breeding those hogs. He has made the breeding of fine stock his principal business and in this way he has contributed in a large measure to the welfare and prosperity of the com- munity, for improved stock commands higher prices, its market value is increased and thus the income of the community is greatly augmented. He was the first man in the county to open a coal mine, having in 1879 opened a mine in the northern part of the county, which is still operated and is known as the Westerman mine. Of the Ellsworth Creamery Company he was one of the organizers. His varied interests show that he is a man of resourceful ability and one who is capable of successfully con- trolling extensive interests.
The home of Mr: and Mrs. Westerman was blessed with eleven children, namely : Alma, now the wife of T. T. Burnham, of Wakeeney, Kansas; Martha, the wife of
W. A. Bauer, of Ellsworth county; Lizzie H., the wife of Jesse Forrest, also of Ells- worth county; Capitola, who married Sam- tel Earlenbaugh, of Plainsville, Kansas; Willie, who died at the age of twenty-three years ; Bertha, who died in childhood; Sarah; Mary; Otto; Sylvia; and Edwin. The family is one of prominence in the community and the members of the house- hold occupy enviable positions in social cir- cles. In public affairs Mr. Westerman has been quite prominent, taking an active part as a worker in the ranks of the Republican party, although he has never been an aspir- ant for political honors. He has served on the Republican central committee, has acted as delegate to the various county, congressional and state conventions and was chosen chairman of the congressional con- vention held in Hays city in 1900. In edu- cational matters he lias also taken a deep interest, has served as a member of the school board for a number of years and has done everything in his power to promote the cause of the schools in this locality. He belongs to Ellsworth Lodge, No. 146, F. & A. M., and to Chapter No. 44 of the Order of the Eastern Star, of which Mrs. Wester- man also is an esteemed member. Few men in central Kansas have done more for the material upbuilding and substantial im- provement of this section of the state than Mr. Westerman, who with strong faith in the future of Kansas came here in pioneer days, endured all the hardships and trials incident to frontier life, invested his capital here and assisted in the work of establishing many lines of business which have proven of great value to the community. His fellow towns- men recognize his worth and ability and ac- cord him a place among the prominent citi- zens and extend to him their warin regard.
HERMAN WERNET.
Herman Wernet is one of the prominent. enterprising and successful residents of Rockville township, Rice county. The Ger-
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man race has ever been noted for persist- ency of purpose, and this has been a salient feature in the career of Mr. Wernet, who is one of the sons of the fatherland. Hav- ing come to America to seek his fortune, he has found in the opportunities of the new world the advantages which he sought, and today he is numbered among the agricultur- ists of affluence in his adopted county.
Mr. Wernet is a son of Jacob and Mary ( Baden) Wernet, who were also natives of the fatherland and there spent their entire lives. They had nine children, seven sons and two daughters, namely: Aver, a prom- inent citizen of Rockville township; Her- man, of this review; Albert, also a well known farmer of the same township; and six others who never became residents of Rice county. The subject of this review pursued his education in the schools of Ger- many until fourteen years of age, when he determined to seek a home in the new world, having heard favorable reports of its ad- vantages and opportunities. Accordingly he took passage on a westward bound vessel at Bremen, and on the twelfth day of the voyage landed at New York. He did not remain long in the metropolis, however, but proceeded at once to Harvard, McHenry county, Illinois, where he followed agricul- tural pursuits for eighteen months. On the expiration of that period he removed to An- drew county, Missouri, and in 1873 came to Rice county, casting in his lot with its early settlers. He has here one hundred and sixty acres of land and has resided continuously upon the old homestead which he secured from the government. As his financial resources have increased, however, he has added to his property until he now owns nine hundred and sixty acres of land, and as the result of care and culti- vation it yields him a splendid re- turn. His farm is improved with a good residence and substantial barns. There are also feed lots, pastures and meadows and highly cultivated fields. He raises a large amount of wheat each year and keeps on hand about one hun- dred head of cattle, one hundred hogs, thirty horses and other stock. He is justly ac-
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