A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 52

Author: Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: New York Chicago: The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 970

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three thousand head of cattle in his pastures. During the present season he expects to winter about one thousand head. He has steadily worked his way upward to a posi- tion of wealth and affluence, overcoming many difficulties and obstacles in his path. and step by step he has advanced steadily along the tried paths of honorable effort 1in- til he has reached the goal of prosperity.

Mr. Holton has never married, and his home is presided over by Mrs. Wilbert, who. with her husband, B. E. Wilbert, make their home with him. In his political affiliations he is a stanch Republican, and although he is public-spirited to an eminent degree he has never been an aspirant for political hon- ors, as his enormous business interests clain his entire time and attention. He is a stock- holder in the famous elevator at Haven, and. is also a stockholder in the Park Associ- ation of Hutchinson. In his fraternal re- lations he is a member of the Odd Fellows. No one in the community enjoys a better reputation for integrity of word and deed. and his true worth and kindly life have en- deared him to all who know him.

CAPTAIN FREDERICK J. GRIFFITH.

Captain F. J. Griffith, a descendant of an aristocratic family of England and Wales, and an honored pioneer of Kansas. was born at Longtown. Wales, February 2. 1820, a son of James and Charlotte ( Pros- ser) Griffith, the former a native of Eng- land and the latter of Wales, where they were married. Both families had landed estates in Wales and had farming conducted extensively. Thus when his ancestors died James, the father of our subject, inherited" large landed estates in Wales, a portion of which yet remains his undivided estate. Dur- ing the war between England and France he was in the commissary department and made heavy purchases of cattle and other supplies, but was a heavy loser by the transactions. In 1824 his wife died and left him with seven children, namely: Char- lotte, the wife of P. Stephens: Elizabeth,

CAPT. F. J. GRIFFITH.

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

why married William Harris and yet re- sides in Longtown, Wales: Caroline, who became the wife of George Lingham : James J., Jr .. who died in Wales: John, who died in Battle Creek, Michigan : Frederick J .. the subject of this sketch : and William, a min- ister of the Methodist Episcopal church, now living in Ohio. The father of this family was a man of considerable political influ- ence, was a Chartist, and used his influence to destroy the appointive power of the gov- ernment, believing in a government by the people and that the House of Lords should be elected by the people. The government took action against all these agitators and he with others was banished from Wales, and in 1828 he brought his family to America. One of his daughters, who had married, re- mained in Wales and took charge of her father's' estates and interests there, where she died. He landed at New York city. where he remained a few years and then came to Ohio, locating in Lorain county. He was reared in the faith of the church of England but after coming to America uni- ted with the Methodist church. He had plenty of money and was not compelled to engage in any business. He never married again, and after his son, the subject of this sketch, was married he made his home with him, and died in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

Captain Frederick J. Griffith, whose name introduces this review, came to Amer- ica when about eight years of age, went to Ohio when thirteen years of age and soon afterward apprenticed himself to a shoe- maker. Later he joined a journeyman shoe- maker, traveled with him and so learned the trade. They went to Canada, working at London, Chatham and other towns in the Dominion for a number of years. While they were in Canada the rebellion broke out and our subject volunteered, was made lieu- tenant of his company and participated in the battle of Fighting Island, where he and all of the forces had to retreat. He buried his sword and returned to America, but after- ward returned, secured his sword and then went to Detroit, where he was employed at his trade for some time, and there he wa- married. He then returned to Ohio, where

he joined his father and family. remaining with them until 1847, when he moved to Pittsburg. where he followed his trade for a time and then worked in a rolling mill. He was converted to Christianity before he was twenty years of age, and soon afterward began exhorting. Later he was licensed to preach, and in September, 1860. he was er- daincd a minister by the Ohio conference. In 1883 he was made elder of southwest Kansas. He was under several conferences, traveled a circuit containing twenty-one dif- ferent charges, and his ministry was blessed by the conversion of many souls. About 1897, on account of his age, he left the cir- cuit and has since given less time and strength to ministerial work, only occasion- ally filling vacancies. When he left Pitts- burg he moved his family to Hanging Rock. Ohio, where he engaged as a clerk on a steamboat for eighteen months, during which time he preached every Sunday. From that place he went to Portsmouth, where he engaged as a traveling salesman for a whole- sale house, in which position he continued two years, preaching every Sunday. In 1871 he moved to Kansas, located in Rice county. entered the conference, received a charge and traveled one year, receiving for his ser- vice- only sixteen dollars and a half, and as he had to furnish his own conveyance and pay his own hotel expenses he could not afford to continue the work longer. He was then elected to represent his county in the legislature. serving in 1871-2, and was chiefly instrumental in effecting the organ- ization of Rice county. The governor had proclaimed Atlanta as the county seat, and there considerable business had been done. and Captain Griffith secured the passage of the bill which legalized all transactions. He also introduced and secured the passage of a bill requiring every section to establish a public board. Later he received the appoint- ment from the governor as mail agent on the Santa Fe Railroad, running west from Hutchinson, which position he filled for eight years, after which he again entered conference and continued preaching until 1897. when he retired.

While at Portsmouth, Ohio, he helped

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raise & ciaupany of volunteers, entered the service as a private, but upon its organiza- tion was made captain of Company C, Fifty- third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was consigned to the Fifteenth Army Corps, Second Division. He saw much hard ser- vice, being engaged in seventeen hotly con- tested battles and many minor engagements and skirmishes. At the battle of Shiloh he lost many of his men. They were next en- gaged in the battle of Corinth. and at the battle of Missionary Ridge he was severely wounded, a minie ball piercing his right shoulder, where it yet remains, causing him much suffering. He was too patriotic to leave the field and never went to the hos- pital, but although he continued with his command he was disabled for active service and took charge of the camp. Later he re- ceived from General Grant a furlough of thirty days, which was later extended. Dur- ing his furlough the term of enlistment of the regiment expired, the men were honor- ably discharged and returned home. Soon afterward, however, most of the regiment veteranized and Captain Griffith was made chaplain of the regiment, in which position he continued to the close of the war. The government recognized his valuable service and gave him a pension.

After the close of the war he took up a homestead claim in Rice county and im- proved a good farm, which he conducted as long as his age would permit. He built a commodious residence at Chase. where he yet resides, enjoying a well earned rest and having retired from all active labor. In 1840 he was married, in Detroit, Michigan, to Miss Mary Wood, a native of England, whence her father emigrated to America. settling in New York state, where he en- gaged in agricultural pursuits and he and his wife died in the faith of the Baptist church. Their children were: Esther, who became the wife of Henry Clay: Lydia ; Mary, the wife of the subject of this review : Jane, who married John Morgan : and Ann, who became the wife of Hiram Wing. The marriage of our subject and his wife was blessed with the following children : James

J., who died when nineteen years of age : Julia, who married H. Dodridge and died in 1897; Matilda M., who became the wife of Thomas Oliver and died in 1874: Fred- erick J .. who died at the age of fourteen years ; Amelia J., wife of W. Nichols ; Ar- letta M., wife of Oscar Noyes ; and Eugenia, who became the wife of Albert James, and now resides at the homestead and cares for her father. On the 26th of September. 1899. the mother was called to the home beyond. after she had spent sixty years of loving and faithful companionship with her hus- band. Him she ably assisted in all his min- isterial labors for the conversion and eleva- tion of men, as she was a very intelligent and cultured Christian woman, and one whose death was deeply mourned by her many friends and the entire community. while to her sorrowing husband and chil- dren the thought of her loving, self-sacri- ficing devotion to them is a sweet and hal- lowed memory and her earnest Christian life of helpfulness to others is a constant incent- ive and inspiration to them to emulate hier noble example.

In his political affiliations Captain Grif- fith was formerly a Whig, but when the Re- publican party was formed he joined its ranks and does all in his power to secure the growth and promote the success of the party. As a citizen he takes a deep and active in- terest in all measures for the advancement and upbuilding of the community along ed- nicational, material and moral lines, and he commands the highest respect and confidence of his fellow men, by whom he has been chosen and elected to many positions of pub- lic trust, all of which he filled with great credit to himself and entire satisfaction of his constituents. He served as postmaster of Chase for four years, in a prompt. busi- nesslike and acceptable manner, and was a progressive. practical, energetic and enter- prising business man while engaged in the active duties of life, while in the quiet retire- ment ( f old age he is still much beloved for his sterling traits of character and is well worthy of representation in a work devoted to biography.

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

WILLIAM S. GROSVENOR.

Great, indeed, have been the changes which time and man have wrought since William Shelton Grosvenor arrived in Kan- sas, and no one man had been more actively identified with the work of improvement in Kingman county than he. In the front rank of the columns which have advanced the civilization of the northwest he has led the way to the substntial development, progress and upbuilding of the central por- tion of the state, being particularly active in the growth of Kingman, where he still makes his home.

Mr. Grosvenor was born in Buffalo, New York, February 21, 1854, and is de- scended from one of the old American fami- lies, the first of the name in this country being Richard Grosvenor, who settled at Pomfret, Connecticut, in 1640, crossing the Atlantic from England. The great-great- grandfather and the great-grandfather of our subject both participated as loyal Amer- ican soldiers in the war of the Revolution, while Thomas Grosvenor, who entered the service as captain, was promoted to the rank of colonel. Abel Moore Grosvenor, the grandfather of our subject, was the first of the family to leave the Atlantic coast for regions westward, removing to Buffalo, New York, in 1804. He engaged in mer- chandising there, the goods being trans- ported by sloop to Troy, New York, and thence hauled across the country, for not not even a canal had been dug through in those days. He was one of the early set- tlers of Buffalo and his letters containing his impressions of the country are now in possession of our subject. He owned lots that are now in the center of the city and he built the first cotton mill that was operated in that part of the country. He served as captain of a militia company in the war of 1812 and was shot at the time Buffalo was captured by the English. the wound he thus sustained causing his death several years later. He married Serene Heacock, also a representative of a prominent family of Buffalo.

Seth Heacock Grosvenor, the father of

our subject, was born in Buffaloe in 1810, and after arriving at man's estate engaged in manufacturing, staves on an extensive scale. He also owned a number of vessels and engaged in the shipping business be- tween points on the Great Lakes and the island of Cuba. His business interests were important and profitable. In his political views he was first a Whig and afterward a Republican. Throughout the greater part of his life he was a vestryman of St. Paul's cathedral in Buffalo and took a deep inter- est in everything that tended to promote the material, social and moral welfare of the city. He married Miss Jane Wey, a daugh- ter of Dr. William Wey, a physician of Cats- kill, New York, at which place Mrs. Gros- venor was born. They became the parents of three children, who are yet living, Will- iam S., Abbie and Lucretia, and they also lost four children. The father died at the age of fifty-four years, while the mother reached the advanced age of seventy-eight.

In the public schools of Buffalo William Shelton Grosvenor began his education, which was continued in De Veaux College. at Niagara Falls, New York. He studied mechanical engineering and followed that vocation for several years in Buffalo, but determining to try his fortune in the west he left the Empire state in 1880 and came to Kingman county, Kansas, proving up land in Ninnescah township, where he erected a roller flouring mill, the second of the kind built in the state. The mill was erected in 1881 and the machinery was shipped from Buffalo to Hutchinson and thence hauled to Kingman county by teani. Everything was placed in shape so that op- erations were begun in January, 1882. Mr. Grosvenor built the mill race and thereby gave employment to many of the early farmers here, who, needing ready money, took this method of acquiring it. As there was no railroad here at that time and the county was but thinly settled, the products of the mill were sold mostly through the south and west, chiefly to large ranchers. .As this was the first roller mill in this part of the state his goods attained a reputation which made the demand tax the capacity of

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the mill to the utmost. For seven years Mr. Grosvenor successfully conducted his enter- prise and then sold out, but later he again came into possession of the mill, which he still owns, although he does not operate it. As the years had passed he had invested in land and turned his attention to the real estate business. He has erected in the city both residence and business property, but has given his time mostly to the latter and many of the fine structures of the county seat now stand as monuments to his enter- prise and labor. He has charge of the farm property for the North American Trust Company of New York and manages the rental of this in addition to controlling his own extensive real-estate interests here.

Mr. Grosvenor is a man of resourceful business ability and his labors have been ex- tended to many lines of activity, whereby he has not only advanced his individual suc- cess but has also promoted the general pros- perity. He aided in sinking the first salt shaft in Kingman county, previous to which time' there was no knowledge among the people that there were any salt deposits in this part of the state. He has taken an act- ive part in the development of all enterprises for the advancement of the community and his wise counsel and sound judgment. com- bined with his energy, have proven im- portant factors in the successful conduct of many business interests.

In St. Catherine's, Canada, in 1875, Mr. Grosvenor married Miss Julietta Frazier, a daughter of William J. Frazier, a promi- nent contractor and builder of that city. Three children were born unto them. of whom two are living. Mabel having died at the age of eight years. Lucretia S. is the wife of B. Anawalt, of Wichita, Kansas ; and Jane W. married Clarence L. Barron. of Kingmin. Mr. and Mrs. Grosvenor are communicants of the Episcopalian church of Kingman, of which he has served as vestry- man and is now treasurer. In politics he is a stalwart Republican and has several times served as alderman and mayor of the city. in which offices he has used his prerogatives to advance the best interests of the city along all lines of substantial development and

progress. He is a prominent Mason, being one of the first to be initiated in Ninnescah Lodge. No. 230, F. & A. M., of which he has served as trustee. He has also been high priest of Kingman Chapter, No. 71. R. A. M., and commander of Kingman Commandery, No. 34. K. T. He likewise has membership connection with the Mod- ern Woodmen of America, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Or- der of United Workmen. His life has been one of unabating energy and activity, and in the channels of legitimate business he has achieved success, being now the possessor of a handsome competence.

FRANK HARLOW.

Frank Harlow, who is serving as post- master of Kingman, is one of the leading representatives of the Republican party in this portion of Kansas and is a prominent and influential citizens, well known in psi- hess circles as well as in political councils. The width of more than half the continent divides him from his birthplace-Portland. Maine. His natal day was in October. 1850. and he is a representative of the family in the eighth generation in America. The first of the name to come to this country was Sergeant William Harlow, who crossed the Atlantic from England in 1643 anl located at Plymouth, Massachusetts, where mem- bers of the family make their home to this day. The great-grandfather of our subject was the first to leave that locality, removing thence to Portland, Maine. At that time 'there was a heavy trade between that point 'and the West Indies and the family became interested in shipping. Lazarus Harlow, the grandfather, and William Harlow, the fa- ther of our subject, were both born in Port- land. The latter while not a politician in the sense of office seeking. was an earnest Republican, giving an unfaltering support to the party from the time of its organiza- tion. In 1861 he left his native state and for a number of years resided in Syracuse, New York, but spent his last days in Con-

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necticut. He was a member of the Unitarian church and attained the good old age of seventy-five years. His wife died in 1851. She bore the maiden name of Louisa H. Daniels and was a daughtr of Ebenezer Daniels, an old sea captain who was engaged in trade between Portland and the West In- dies, owning the ship which he commanded. In the Harlow family were three children, a brother, of Tibbe, Connecticut, and a sis- ter, of Seattle, Washington.

Frank Harlow, whose name forms the caption of this review, pursued his educa- tion in the schools of Syracuse, New York, being graduated in the high school. At the age of nineteen he left home and went to Texas, remaining for a little more than a year upon the plains of the Lone Star state. He then went to Missouri and engaged in farming and in teaching. following the latter profession through the winter season for twelve years. In 1884 he came to Kansas and secured a claim in Kingman township, Kingman county. It was a tract of wild prairie, but he at once began to break and placed one-half the place under cultivation. He resided thereon for five years and then came to the city, where he has since made his home. He first became deputy in the office of the district court clerk. He had served on the township board of supervisors and has always taken an active interest in local politics. In 1888 he was nominated for county superintendent of schools, but his opponent was the nominee of both the Union Labor and the Democratic parties and thus he was defeated, losing the election by only thirty votes, and receiving the greatest num- ber of votes given to any candidate on the ticket. After his retirement from the office of the district clerk Mr. Harlow embarked in the real-estate business and has handled some valuable and important property. He is also engaged in loaning money belong- ing to himself, and then selling the loans to eastern parties. This business he now con- ducts and is making it a profitable venture. On the toth of January, 1898, he was ap- pointed by President Mckinley to the posi- tion of postmaster of Kingman, and in 1902 he was reappointed by President Roosevelt,

and since his incumbency the busines- ri the office has steadily increased, his administra- tion of its affairs being satisfactory to the government and to the local public.

Mr. Harlow has long been active in poli- tics and his opinions carry weight in the councils of his party. He has served on the county central committee at different times for the past twelve years and in 1892 he became a member of the congressional con- vention, of which he was elected chairman in 1894. He has aided largely in effectively organizing the working forces of the party in his district and his capable management and sound judgment have been important factors in Republican successes in this lo- cality.

In February, 1879, in Bates continty, Mis- souri, Mr. Harlow was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Ballard, a daughter of John Ballard, a farmer of that county. They now have five children: Gertrude, Grace, Louise, Florence and Eugene, and the fam- ily circle yet remains unbroken. Socially Mr. Harlow is connected with the Knights of Pythias .fraternity, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has a wide ac- quaintance in his adopted county and has gained many friends. Dominated by the en- terprising spirit of the west he has become a successful business man and as a citizen is the embodiment of loyalty to his honest convictions and progressiveness in all that pertains to the welfare of the community.

DAVID BIRNEY.

David Birney, who owns a valuable and highly cultivated farm on section 22. Hoos- ier township. Kingman county, has made his home in the Sunflower state almost since 1879. when he located near Lyons, Rice county. He claims Pennsylvania as the state of his nativity, his birth having there occurred in Cambria county on the 24th of April, 1848. His father, James Birney, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, and was of Scotch-Irish descent and a protestant in his religious views. He was married in Phila-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

delphia. Pennsylvania, Lo Jane Elliott, a na- tive of County Fermano, Ireland. After coming to this country the father and mother located in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the tilling of the soil. On the 10th of December. 1855, Mr. Birney removed with his family to Scott county, Iowa, where he followed agricultural pur- suits near Davenport, and there he passed away in death in 1882, at the age of seventy years. His wife was called to her final rest in December. 1896. Unto this worthy couple were born six children, three sons and three daughters, namely: Margaret: Mary A., now Mrs. Duncan : David, the subject of this review ; John, who resides near Avoca, Iowa ; Jane, now Mrs. Fletcher, of Scott county ; and Henry, also a resident of that county.

David Birney, whose name introduces this review, assisted his father in the work of the home farm during his youth and early manhood, while the educational ad- vantages which he enjoyed were those af- forded by the common schools of his neigh- borhood. In 1873 he removed to Pottawat- tomie county. Iowa, locating near Avoca, where he made his home for five years. In 1879 he took up his abode in Kansas, pur- chasing three hundred and twenty acres of land on section 16, Center township. Rice county, which he improved and operated until 1894. when he sold his possesions there and located in Jasper county, purchasing a farm near Carthage, Missouri, which contin- ued to be his home for the following four years. Selling his possessions in that state he then returned to Kansas, since which time he has made his home in Kingman county, and his landed possessions now consist of eleven hundred acres, located in Hoosier township. where he is extensively engaged in farming and st ck-raising. His efforts in the line of his chosen vocation have been at- tended with a high degree of success and he now occupies a leading position among the business men of Kingman county.

In Scott county, Iowa, in 1872, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Birney and Miss Sarah A. Patterson. She was born in Lee county, Iowa, but was reared and educated in Scott county. She is a daughter of Jo-

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 52

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