USA > Kansas > A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I > Part 56
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Johna Se NºSaunito MRS. JOHN L. McDAVITT.
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8, 1899, on the old homestead, where his father had lived.
James R. McDavitt, who was the eldest of the family and became the father of our subject, was born in Virginia, January 4. 1825, and when thirteen years of age ac- companied his parents to Illinois. Soon af- terward he left home, and, making his way to Bloomington, Illinois, secured work on a farm near that place. At that time lots could have been purchased in the city for eight dollars each. For two years he re- mained on the farm, and during that period often hauled wheat to Chicago, for rail- roads affording shipping facilities had not then been built. On the expiration of two years he returned to Edgar county, and dur- ing the Mexican war he enlisted as a sol- dier, serving under General Scott. He was married, in Edgar county, to Miss Wood- ard, who lived for only a year afterward. He later wedded Seleta A. Combs, who was born in Tennessee, October 17, 1831, a daughter of Pleasant M. and Mary ( Prince ) Combs, both of whom were natives of Ten- nessee, whence they removed to Edgar county, Illinois, where they spent their re- maining days. After his marriage Mr. Mc- Davitt engaged in farming in Edgar coun- ty for several years, and about 1859 he re- moved to the town of Kansas. where he established a hotel, which he conducted un- til 1861. He then traded his town prop- erty for a farm in Coles county, Illinois, near Westfield, and after residing thereon for six years returned to Edgar county, pur- chasing a tract of land near the old family homestead, making it his place of residence until 1890, when he sold out and removed to California, near Chico. There he en- gaged in fruit raising until his death, which occurred in June, 1898. His second wife had died April 8, 1876, and he had wedded i
Mrs. Mary Houghman, who passed away in 1898. Mr. McDavitt was a Democrat in his political views and for several years served as treasurer of Grandview township. Edgar county, Illinois. Socially he was identified with the Masonic fraternity, and both the parents of our subject were consist- ent members of the Presbyterian church, in 22
the work of which they jook an active part. They had five children, ali of whom are liv- ing, namely: John L. ; Mary C., who was born October 29. 1853. and is the wife of Harrison B. Thompson, proprietor of a restaurant in Brockton, Illinois; Chester R., who was born August 21, 1855, and is a farmer living near Kiowa, Kansas; Notley P., who was born February 17, 1862, and is an insurance agent at Bridgeport, Iowa, but is now traveling for his health; and Nora M., who was born October 4. 1869, and is the wife of Samuel Huffman, of San Fran- cisco, California.
In the district schools of his native coun- ty John L. McDavitt pursued his education and remained upon his father's farm until he was twenty-one years of age. He was married January 14. 1875. to Frances E. Thompson, who was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Jones ) Thompson. Her father was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, Janu- ary 30, 1811, and her mother in Maryland, January 21, 1820. The Thompson family was of English lineage. Thomas Thomp- son was twice married, his first wife having been Anna Kinsey, by whom he had three children : Emily, the wife of Joseph Brill, a farmer living near Windsor, Illinois; Louisa, the wife of William H. McCord, an agriculturist of Edgar county, Illinois; and Edward, a farmer of the same locality. After the death of his first wife Mr. Thomp- son was married, August 25. 1835, in Guernsey county, Ohio, to Mary Jones, a daughter of Andrew Jones, who was a cooper by trade and died in Guernsey coun- ty. Ohio, about twelve years ago. By the second marriage there were also three chil- dren : Harrison B., proprietor of a restau- rant in Brockton, Illinois ; Anna E., the wife of John N. Combs, of Edgar county; and Mrs. McDavitt. The father was a farmer by occupation and also conducted a hotel in Salesville, Ohio. In 1864 he removed to Edgar county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm, which he operated until his death, October 12, 1890. his wife surviving him until March, 1896, when she, too, passed away. Both were members of the Metho-
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dist church and took an active part in its work. His political support was given the Republican party.
For two years after his marriage Mr. McDavitt followed carpentering in Grand- view, Illinois, and then rented a farm near by, operating it for a year. Subsequently le resided on his father's farm for a time, then lived in the town of Dudley, and from there went to Redmon, Illinois. Later he resided east of Walnut Grove for a year and then removed to a farm one mile south of the town of Kansas, continuing its cultiva- tion for six years. A year was also spent on a farm a mile and a half north of Charles- ton, Coles county, Illinois, and in April. 1886, he removed to Wellington, Kansas, but after a short residence there came to Kingman county, locating on the Hamilton ranch, when all he had in the world in money was fifty-five cents, while his other resources were represented by two cows and a few household goods,-he did not even have a team. There he remained for one year, and then removed to the town of Bross, but after a few weeks came to his present home, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land on which a few improve- ments had been made. That fall he built a house, twenty-eight by sixteen feet, and later he put up a good barn and a five-ton wagon scale. His farm is now all under fence and he has an excellent orchard and ninety acres planted with the cereals best adapted to this climate. The remainder of his home farm is devoted to pasturage pur- poses and he rents about eight hundred acres of pasture land, for he has a fine herd of one hundred and fifteen graded short- horn and Hereford cattle.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. McDavitt has been blessed with four children: Claud WV., who is in the railroad service and makes his home in Zenda, Kingman county ; Myrtle, the wife of William H. Boots, a farmer and carpenter of Portland, Oregon; Thomas R., who ably asists his father on the farm: and Frances L., who is attending school.
In his political affiliations Mr. McDaviti is a Democrat, and for two terms he capably
served as justice of the peace. He has been a delegate to the county conventions and was made a delegate to the state convention at Ft. Scott, but business prevented his at- tendance. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since twenty-one years of age, at which time he joined Kansas Lodge. No. 280, A. F. & A. M., in Illinois. He is now a member of Spivey Lodge, No. 347, and he also belongs to Nashville Lodge, No. 383, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all the chairs, while to the grand lodge he has been sent as a delegate. He holds men- bership in Magnolia Camp, No. 5394, M. W. A., of Nashville, Kansas, and is its ven- erable consul. All that he possesses in life has been acquired through his own efforts, -industry, perseverance and capable man- agement being the foundation upon which he has built his success. He is honored and respected by his neighbors and many friends in the county, and well deserves to be accounted a leading citizen of his portion of the state.
WILLIAM M. PORTER.
William M. Porter was born in Pella, Marion county, Iowa, in October, 1855, his parents being Joseph and Mary ( Cheesman) Porter, the former a native of Delaware and the latter of Indiana, in which state they were married. The paternal grandfather, Joseph Porter, was of Scotch-Irish descent and his wife was a'relative of Henry Clay Dean, of world-wide reputation. The grand- father died in Delaware, and Joseph Porter left his native state after he had attained to early manhood and traveled on foot to In- diana, where he secured work as a farm hand and thus entered upon an independent busi- ness career. He had no money save that which he earned through his own labor. He purchased a horse, which was almost his only possession at the time of his marriage. then rented land and began farming on a small scale, following agricultural pursuits in the Hoosier state for two years, when he started for Iowa, taking with him his fam- ily and all of his earthly possessions. He was
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one of the first settlers of Marion county, where he entered land from the government. After making some improvements upon it he sold that property and erected the first grist and saw mill in Marion county, the products of which he had to haul to market, selling the goods mostly in Burlington. Sub- sequently he traded his mill property for a large tract of land, on which a few improve- ments had been made, but they were of very poor character. With resolute will he be- gan work and soon transformed the field into a good farm, thereon spending his remain- ing days. He was an excellent financier, was diligent, progressive and enterprising and thus won success. He became an ex- tensive land owner and one of the most pros- perous and prominent men of the county. In his youth he was deprived of all advantages. His education was practically acquired under the direction of his wife after they were mar- ried, but by reading, study and observation he became a well informed man and capable of conducting many branches of business. His political support was given the Demo- cracy, but he reserved the right to vote for any man whom he preferred at local elec- tions. He filled many township and county offices and was also chosen to represent his county in the state legislature, where he served with honor and credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. A leading member of the Methodist Episcopal church, he also took an active part in Sunday-school work and did everything in his power to promote the moral advancement of the peo- ple among whom he lived. The poor and needy ever found in him a friend and he was always willing to give of his time and means to assist others. His many excellent qualities made him widely and favorably known and he commanded the uniform con- fidence and respect of all by reason of his sterling integrity and honor. He was a man above the average height, of an athletic build and when young he worked very hard. He possessed natural mechanical ability and was a millwright by trade. In later years his attention was given exclusively to his farm work, and his enterprise and diligence
wen for him a competence that enatiled him to surround his family with all of the ne- cessities and many of the luxuries of life. He had an able assistant in his wife, who was a most estimable lady. His death occurred August 8, 1882, and Mrs. Porter died May II. 1901, having reached the ripe old age of eighty-two years. Her parents were Scotch Irish and were early settlers of Indiana. where her father was a prominent farnier. After the death of her husband Mrs. Porter became the wife of J. H. Woody, also from Indiana. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Porter were born eleven children: John, who died in childhood ; James, of Iowa; Mrs. Elizabeth Millison; George, who died at the age of twelve years ; Marion, of Iowa ; Mrs. Nancy Wray : William, of this review ; Charles, who is living in the Hawkeye state; Mary, de- ceased ; Frank, a twin brother of Mary and now a farmer of Iowa; and Katy, deceased wife of Joe Kelly.
William Porter was born and reared in Iowa, and he remained in his parents' home until twenty-five years of age. He was trained to the work of the farm in its various departments and in the schools of the neighborhood he mastered some of the branches of English learning. In 1881 he was united in marriage to Miss Clara Bitting, who was born in Indiana, although the wedding was celebrated in Iowa. The lady was a daughter of Lewis and Hannah ( Redman) Bitting, both of whom were na- tives of Pennsylvania and were of German descent. The father was a farmer and me- chanic and removed to the Hawkeye state where he departed this life. They were members of the Presbyterian church and in that faith reared their family of six children, namely: Joseph; Mrs. Porter ; Charles, of . Iowa ; Alvin ; Emma, the wife of T. Baker ; and Mary. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Porter was born a daughter, Bertha, on the 28th of November, 1881. The wife and mother died April 5, 1883. She was an earnest Christian woman, devoted to the interests of her family, and her loss was deeply felt. Subsequently Mr. Porter was again married, his second union being with Miss Martha
.
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J. Miller, who was born at Pella, Iowa, April 17, 1859, her parents being J. H. and Martha ( Liter ) Miller, both of whom were natives of Illinois. Their marriage was celebrated in Marion county, Iowa. Her pa- ternal grandfather, Isaac Miller, represented a family of Pennsylvania German lineage. He married Jane Smith, a sister of Job Smith, of Lyons, Kansas. The father of Mrs. Porter was a successful farmer and is now living retired at Truro, Iowa, yet own- ing the old family homestead in that state. He formerly supported the Democracy, but is now an advocate of the Populist party. and was chairman of his township organi- zation for that party for some time. He is a very prominent and successful farmer and a man of sterling integrity and honor. His wife died at the age of thirty-two years, leav- ing four children, namely: John L. ; Martha T., now Mrs. Porter ; Sarah C., the wife of W. Zimmerman; and Mary J., the wife of S. Miller. After the death of the first wife . the father wedded Miss Mary Millard, and had five children: Cora, now the wife of E. Bennett ; Lora, who married E. Atkinson ; 1 Frank, who is operating the home farm; Anna, the wife of F. Knott; and William, of Rice county. The parents are members of the Methodist church. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Porter has been blessed with two children,-Bessie, who died in infancy ; and Clarence, born June 18, 1888.
After his first marriage Mr. Porter rent- ed a farm and thus made a start in life. Sub- sequently he purchased a small tract of land, which he afterward sold and then bought another farm. Prior to his marriage he had engaged in operating a threshing machine, but subsequently to that event he devoted his time exclusively to farming. After the death of his wife he rented his farm and made a tour of the west, going to Colorado, where he spent a few months. Subsequent- ly returning to Pella, Iowa, he there engaged in merchandising for a short period. In 1885 he was again married, and then sold his Iowa property, after which he came to Kansas, locating in Rice county, where he first purchased the quarter section of land
upon which he yet resides. It was improved with a small house, but the place was in poor condition, yet his marked determination and and energy, however, enabled him to readily take up and carry on the work and in a short space of time he was enabled to pay off the indebtedness upon the place and add many substantial improvements. Not afraid of work, he took contracts for various kinds, of labor, and his marked diligence, deter- mination and enterprise thus enabled him to alter his surroundings and conditions and to conquer an adverse fate. In the course of time he stocked his farm with good grades of cattle, horses and hogs, and in addition carried on general farming, harvesting good crops. He has always had good corn crops, and in later years he has purchased corn and other products, gaining a good financial return from the investments. As his finan- cial resources have increased he has added to his landed possessions until he now has eight hundred and ninety acres, all under a high state of cultivation, the place be- ing located four miles northeast of Lyons. He is a very energetic, determined man, and his resolute will has enabled him to conquer all difficulties and obstacles. He is an ex- cellent judge of property and of stock, buys cattle in bunches and always has a bunch of cattle for sale. His fellow townsmen rec- ognize his business ability and reliable judg- ment and feel that in trade transactions he is ever straighforward and just. His place is improved with a good two-story residence, a large barn and splendid outbuildings. There is also an orchard and grove and all of the attractive features found upon a model farm of the twentieth century are here seen. By hard work and honest dealing he has be- come one of the most prosperous agricultur- ists of the community, and in his business career he has ever followed the honorable precepts laid down by his father, thus sus- taining an irreproachable character. In pol- itics lie is a Democrat and has filled many township offices, at the present time acting as township treasurer of Harrison township. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.
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JOHN WIGGINS.
Mr. Wiggins was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, November 13, 1847, his par- ents being Benjamin and Jemimah ( Mag- ness ) Wiggins, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Ed- ward Wiggins, was born in West Virginia, and in 1807 removed to Ohio, where he entered land and improved a farm from the heavy timber. There he reared his family, living in the plain, old-fashioned style of the time, yet training his sons and daughters to habits of industry and integrity. He ever commanded the respect and confidence of his fellow men and all who knew him recog- nized his sterling worth. His death oc- curred on the old Ohio homestead. His son, Benjamin Wiggins, was born July 13, 1820, on that farm, where he has always lived and where his children were also born. He yet owns the old homestead, which came into his possession after the death of his father and which was secured by the family from the government. In politics he was a Whig, and when the Republican party was formed he advocated its issues and supported its platform. He has never faltered in his allegiance thereto and has done all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of Republican meas- ures. He held a number of township offices and has frequently been called upon to act as guardian to estates, being widely known for his competent business ability and his irreproachable honesty and integrity. He is now enjoying the fruits of a well spent and useful life, but in April, 1890, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. This worthy couple were the parents of seven children, as follows: Edward, who ! is living in Ohio: Seth, who died at the age of thirty years, leaving one child : Samuel, who is living on the old homestead; John, of this review"; Harvey, who also resides in Rice county: Mary, the wife of John Williams; and Amanda, who married T. Workman.
In the old home which was the birth- place of his father. John Wiggins of this review was born and reared, and under the
parental roof he remained until twenty- seven years of age. During that period he acquired a common-school education and became familiar with all departments of farm work, for he assisted in the labors of field on the old place. In October, 1864, although but seventeen years of age, he en- listed for one year's service as a member of Company H, Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to duty with the Army of the Tennessee. He went with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea and took part in other long marches and in many skirmishes, but was never wounded. At the time of General Lee's surrender he was in North Carolina, after which the regiment proceeded to Wash- ington, D. C., and there participated in the grand review, the most celebrated military pageant ever seen in the new world. He was then sent to Louisville, Kentucky, and later to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was mustered out and returned to Coluni- bus, Ohio, and there received an honorable discharge and was paid for his services.
On reaching home Mr. Wiggins re- sumed farming operations and continued upon the old homestead until his marriage, which occurred in 1875, Miss Ellen McCune becoming his wite. She was born January 20, 1850, in Ohio, a daughter of John and Sarah ( McDowell) McCune, natives of the Buckeye state and of Scotch descent, their ancestors having located in Ohio in pioneer days. John McCune's father served in the war of 1812 and died in the state of his na- tivity. John McCune, the father of Mrs. Wiggins, was a farmer by occupation and passed away in '1892. His political sup- port was given the Democracy and he filled a number of township offices with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. In 1857 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, and later he married Miss Nancy Glenn. The children of his first marriage were: Mary, now Mrs. D. Craig: James, of Ohio; Nathaniel, who died in Missouri and left a family: Mar- tha. deceased; Salina. the wife of Dr. A. Tackson: and Ellen, wife of Mr. Wiggins. By his second marriage Mr. McCune had
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two children: John, now of Ohio, and Robert, who is living on the old homestead. The parents of Mrs. Wiggins were consist- ent and loyal members of the Presbyterian church, The marriage of our subject and his wife has been blessed with seven chil- dren, namely : May, who married F. Wol- ford: Seth. Cecil, Maggie, Della, Benja- min and Lowell. After his marriage, in 1875. Mr. Wiggins came to the west with his brother, first locating in southern Ne- braska, where they purchased teams, rented land and planted a crop. After their corn was matured and disposed of in the autumn they came to Kansas, our subject purchas- ing a squatter's claim and later homestead- ing the land comprising one hundred and sixty acres. Only a small amount had been broken and a little house of cheap work- manship was the only improvement upon the place. Since that time he has carried forward the work of progress here and now has a splendidly developed farm, the fields being under a high state of cultivation, while excellent barns and outbuildings fur- nish shelter for grain and stock. There is a bearing orchard and a beautiful grove, and the home is a commodious and tasteful residence. In his work Mr. Wiggins has been successful and has added another quar- ter section of land to his farm. Although occasionally the crops have not been good, the farm has always been self-supporting and usually his labors have been crowned with abundant harvests. He makes a spe- cialty of the raising of wheat and he also raises some stock and buys in bunches young cattle. When he first came to his farm it was necessary to do his trading at Sterling, but with the growth of the county. markets have been established much nearer. His first vote after coming to Rice county was cast in behalf of establishing the coun- ty seat where the town of Lyons now stands. He has witnessed all of the ad- vancement and development of this portion of the state and has had no occasion to re- gret his decision to make his home within the borders of Rice county, for here he has met with creditable success and has gained many warm friends. He was reared in the
Republican party and for many years ad- hered to its principles, but recently has affil- iated with the Reform party, believing that its men best serve the welfare of the ma- jority. He has been a member of the town- ship board for ten years, was also township treasurer, trustee and assessor, and his pub- lic service has ever been commendable.
CHAUNCEY C. SPARKS.
Chauncey C. Sparks, proprietor of the Sparks stock farm, consisting of thirteen hundred and twenty acres, is one of the most prominent farmers and stock-raisers in Kingman county. He was born in Clay county, Indiana, on the 3d of August, 1864, and is a member of a prominent and well-known family of the Hoosier state. His grandfather, Owen Sparks, was born in Kentucky, of French and Welsh ancestry, and his son and the father of our subject, David Sparks, was a native of Vigo county, Indiana. He was married in the state of his nativity to Mary Welsh, also a native of Vigo county, and they became the parents of the following children: Charlotta Isa- dora, of Coles county, Illinois; Enola J., deceased; Rev. Charles C., a resident of Kingman county; Chauncey C., the subject of this review; Albert, a resident of Jasper county, Illinois; Sallie, who makes her home in Coles county, Illinois ; Fred, of Illi- nois ; and Owen, who died at the age of four years. The parents of these children died at the age of sixty-three years, both passing away in the faith of the Baptist church, of which they were worthy and consistent members.
Chauncey C. Sparks remained in his na- tive state until thirteen years of age, and he then accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Jasper county, Illinois, and in both the Hoosier and Prairie states he was reared to agricultural pursuits. Remaining at home until his twenty-first year, he then came to this state, where for one year he was employed by his uncle, William Sparks. In 1887 he removed to western Kansas, se-
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