USA > Kansas > A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I > Part 57
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curing a government claim in Stanton coun- ty, but a short time afterward he sold his possessions there and returned to Kingman county, Kansas, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of improved land where he now lives. As the years have passed by and success has come to him as the result of in- domitable energy and unfaltering persever- ance, he has added to his landed possessions until he now owns thirteen hundred and twenty acres of land in Ninnescah town- ship, Kingman county, four miles south- east of the city of Kingman. His residence, which was erected at a cost of one thousand dollars, is situated on a natural building site and is surrounded by a beautiful grove and orchard, while his barns and outbuildings are well built and neat in appearance. The Ninnescah river furnishes an abundance of pure water to his stock, of which he keeps about two hundred head.
On the 24th of November, 1889, Mr. Sparks was united in marriage to Addie Wymore, who has proved to him a loving and devoted companion. She was born in Iowa, but was reared and educated in Kan- sas, and is a daughter of Ben and Florence Wymore, the former now deceased. After the father's death the mother was again married, being now Mrs. Isaac Newton and a resident of Ninnescah township. Four children have brightened and blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sparks, -Effie, Ellis, Clifford and Florence, aged respectively eleven, seven, five and two years. They were also called upon to mourn the loss of one who died in infancy. The Populist party receives Mr. Spark's active support and co-operation, and he takes an active in- terest in public affairs. He is progressive and public-spirited, and never withholds his support from any enterprise which he be- lieves will prove of public benefit or will in any way advance the interests of the com- munity.
A. O. YEOMAN.
A. O. Yeoman, one of the successful and extensive agriculturists and stock- raisers of Kingman county, was born in
Fayette county, Ohio, near Washington Court House, on the Ioth of September, 1850. His paternal grandfather, Walter Yeoman, was born in England, of English parentage, and his father, Eli Yeoman, was a native of Ohio. The latter was reared to years of maturity on a farm in that state, and was there married to Rebecca Jane Knox, also a native of the Buckeye state and a cousin of James Knox Polk, presi- dent of the United States. In 1856 Mr. and Mrs. Yeoman removed to a farm near Rensselaer, in Jasper county, Indiana, where they became well and favorably known for their many excellencies of char- acter. There the father died at the age of sixty-eight years. He was a Democrat in his political views, and both he and his wife were zealous members of the Baptist church. She reached the age of sixty-nine years. Ten children were born unto this worthy couple, nine sons and one daughter, as follows: Andrew, a resident of Indiana ; Robert, also of that state: Jennie, deceased ; Alfred O., the subject of this sketch ; L. K., who was killed in a railroad' accident at Rossville, Illinois, in 1901 : James A., a suc- cessful farmer of Kingman county ; Charles, of Newkirk, Oklahoma; D. F., also of that territory : Marcus M., of Kingman county ; and Joseph, deceased.
When six years of age A. O. Yeoman, of this review, accompanied his parents on their removal to Jasper county, Indiana, and on a farm in that county he was early taught the farm work in all its departments. The educational advantages which he en- joyed in his youth were those afforded by the schools of Rensselaer. In 1878, one year after his marriage, he cast in his lot with the early settlers of Kingman county, Kansas, first securing a claim of one hun- dred and sixty acres on the northeast quar- ter of section 34, Ninnescah township, His first residence in this state was a dug- out, twelve by fourteen feet, in which the family made their home for a time. Here they experienced all the hardships and pri- vations familiar to the early frontiersmen, but they bravely met and overcame the ob- stacles and difficulties which beset their
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path, and in this favored section they are | monwealth. His career has not been helped now enjoying the comforts and conveni- by accident or luck, wealth of family or powerful friends. In the broadest sense of the term he is a self-made man, being the architect and builder of his own fortune.
ences known to the older east. As the years have passed Mr. Yeoman has added to his original purchase until he is now the pos- sessor of nine hundred and sixty acres of land, four hundred acres of which is un- der a high state of cultivation, while the re- mainder is devoted to pasturage. The large and comfortable residence which now adorns the place was erected at a cost of thirteen hundred dollars, and he has also erected large barns and other outbuildings.
In Jasper county, Indiana, in 1877, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Yeoman and Miss Mary E. Moore, a native of that lo- cality and a daughter of W. E. and Dianna (Evans) Moore, well-known and highly esteemed people of Jasper county. Four children have graced the marriage of our subject and wife .- Mattie, a successful and popular teacher of Kingman county, Edna, Jennie and John Knox. Mr. Yeoman is identified with the Republican party, and for eighteen years lie served as treasurer of his township, while for a number of years he was a member of the school board. In his social relations he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mrs. Yeoman is a member of the Methodist church.
WILBUR H. RICE.
The industrial and commercial history of Kansas would be very incomplete and un- satisfactory without a personal and some- what extended mention of those whose lives are interwoven so closely with the develop- inent of the state. The subject of this re- view finds an appropriate place in the his- tory of those business men whose force of character, whose sterling integrity, whose fortitude amid discouragement, whose good sense in the management of complicated af- fairs and whose marked success in estab- lishing large industries and bringing to completion business enterprises, have con- tributed in an eminent degree to the de- velopment of the best resources of this com-
Mr. Rice was born in Holliston, Massa- chusetts, in 1844, a son of Professor Gard- ner Rice, who devoted his entire life to edu- cational work and was very successful as a teacher, gaining prominence in that line. His son, our subject, therefore received an excellent education and became especially proficient in music. Believing that he would find shoe manufacturing a congenial line of business, he started to learn it, but at the age of eighteen years he put aside business cares and enlisted in his country's service, joining Company F, Thirteenth Massachusetts In- fantry, on the 29th of July, 1861. He was transferred to Battery C. of the First New York Artillery, and served for three years, on the expiration of which period he was honorably discharged, in 1864. He took part in all of the engagements with the Army of the Potomac, but was never wounded.
On his return to the north Mr. Rice en- tered into the reformation business and had charge of the musical department in several reform schools in New York city and state. This he followed until 1887, when the men- tal strain became too great a tax on his con- stitution and he decided to enter a line of business which would not involve so severe a tension upon his mental energies. Accord- ingly he made his way westward to Kan- sas, locating in Albion township. Barton county, upon the northeast quarter of sec- tion 8. township 17, range 14. Here he erected a small frame house, sixteen by eighteen feet, and later built an addition, yet it was a very diminutive structure compared to his present home. He had to pay forty dollars per thousand feet for lumber in the rough. Here he began to break prairie and improve the land. During the first year he broke fifty acres and raised an average of thirty bushels per acre of sod corn. After making substantial improvements upon this place, including the erection of a good home and barn, he purchased the southeast quarter
MR. AND MRS. WILBUR H. RICE.
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of section 8 and the east half of the south- east quarter and the east half of the north- west quarter, thus becoming owner of one of the finest ranches in the county. It is improved with all modern accessories and equipments and is a most desirable country seat. The house is seventy by thirty-eight feet, the barn fifty by thirty and the gran- ary forty by fourteeen feet, with a capacity of five thousand bushels. He also has other similar buildings for grain and stock and has an abundant supply of pure cold water. He owns the largest portable well drill in the county and has drilled more wells than any other one man in this part of the state. His work in this direction has given entire satisfaction. He is now an extensive land owner and grain and stock raiser, and his farming interests have been of marked per- sonal benefit and have also contributed in large measure to the progress of the com- munity. The development and improvement of any section increases the value of sur- rounding territory, and in this way Mr. Rice has contributed in no small degree to the prosperity of the community.
In 1866 Mr. Rice was united in marriage to Miss Eliza S. Wilson, a daughter of James Wilson, of Shrewsbury, Massachu- setts, and they have one child, Sarah Jane, who is now the wife of D. M. Southwick, of Plumerville, Arkansas. In his political views Mr. Rice is a stanch Republican, and in 1880-6 he served as justice of the peace. He was also a representative to the state legislature, elected on the Republican ticket. Socially he is connected with the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. His Masonic affiliations are as follows : Hoisington Lodge, No. 331; Mount Nebo Chapter, No. 36; Ellsworth Council, No. 9: St. Omar Commandery, No. 14: Wichita Consistory, No. 2: Una Chapter, No. 119; and Isis Temple, Mystic Shrine. He also holds membership in the auxiliary organi- zation, the Order of Eastern Star. He maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership with the Grand Army of the Republic, and is past commander of his post. His fellow
townsmen have rejoiced in the political hon- ors which he has won, knowing his worth and ability, and in the community where he resides he occupies a leading position as one of the most prominent and influential citi- zens.
JAMES M. DILLMAN.
James M. Dillman, one of the represen- tative and well-known agriculturists of Kingman county, has been a resident of this favored section since 1886, and during the years which have since come and gone lie has nobly borne his part in the work of progress and advancement which has liere taken place. A native of the state of Indi- ana, his birth occurred near Bloomington. in Monroe county, in 1856. His paternal grandfather, Andrew Dillman, claimed Pennsylvania as the state of his nativity, and he became a millwright by trade. In the state of his birth he was united in mar- riage to Elizabeth Bruwner, a native daugh- ter of that commonwealth, and both she and her husband were of good old Pennsylvania Dutch descent. Later in life they left the home of their childhood for Kentucky, and still later took up their abode in Indiana, where they both passed away in death in Monroe county.
John Dillman, the father of him whose name introduces this review, was born in Kentucky, but was reared and educated in Indiana. In the latter state he was united in marriage to Martha Perry,, a native daughter of Indiana, and they became the parents of six children .- Melvin, Susan Emly, James M., Andrew G., William S. and Clara E. The wife and mother of this family passed away in death at the early age of thirty-nine years. She was a noble Christian woman and was loved for her many estimable traits of character. She was survived by her husband for many years, he having departed this life at the age of sixty-one years, and both were zealous and consistent members of the Christian church. The father gave his political support to the Republican party, and in all matters pertain-
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ing to the welfare of his county and state he took an active and commendable interest.
James M. Dillman, the immediate sub- ject of this biographical record, was reared to years of maturity on an Indiana farm, where he was early taught the value of in- dustry and honesty as a preparation for the active duties of life, and the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his youth were those afforded by the common schools of his neighborhood. In 1880, shortly after his marriage, he located with his bride in Liberty township, Lucas county, Iowa, where they made their home for the follow- ing six years, and on the expiration of that period, in 1886, cast in their lot with the settlers of Rural township, Kingman coun- ty, Kansas. After his arrival here Mr. Dill- man became the owner of three hundred and eighty acres of land, but he afterward sold that tract and in 1900 purchased his present farm of three hundred and twenty acres, one of the valuable and well improved farms of Kingman county. A beautiful residence, which was erected at a cost of thirteen hundred dollars, is one of the at- tractive features of the place, and a beauti- ful grove and orchard also adds to its value and charming appearance. Mr. Dillman's occupation through life has been the tilling of the soil, and in this honorable vocation he has met with a high and well merited de- gree of success.
The marriage of our subject was cele- brated in 1880, in Indiana, when Miss Della E. Bodkin became his wife. She was born, reared and educated in Indiana, a daughter of Josiah and Priscilla (Thresher) Bodkin. The father, who was a native of West Vir- ginia, has been called to his final rest, but the mother still survives and makes her home in Indiana. They became the parents of five children, only three of whom sur- vive,-Della E., Louisa and Charles. The father was a brave and loyal soldier during the Civil war, serving as a member of the Twenty-first Indiana Infantry. Mrs. Dill- man was a popular and successful teacher prior to her marriage and is a lady of ex- ceptional refinement and culture. Three children have brightened and blessed the
home of our subject and wife,-Arthur Raymond, who is eighteen years of age; Wright, a lad of thirteen years ; and Cloe, a bright little daughter of six years. Mr. Dillman casts his ballot in favor of the men and measures of the Republican party, and for a number of years has served as a meni- her of the school board. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church.
WILLIAM F. MURRAY.
William F. Murray, county superintend- ent of schools in Kingman county has spent nearly his entire life in this locality, as he was only two years of age when he was brought here by his parents. A native of Trenton, New Jersey, he was born on the 23d of October, 1875, a son of James Mur- ray, a sketch of whom will be found on another page of this volume. William F. 1 eceived his education in the schools of his locality, graduating therein in the Latin course. Immediately after his graduation, in 1893, he took up the task of instructing the young along lines of mental advance- ment, teaching first in the country schools and afterward in the schools of this city, his time being thus employed until the fall of 1808, when he was elected to the position he now holds, having been the first Repub- lican superintendent elected in this county for ten years. At his first election his op- ponent was the incumbent of the office, but Mr. Murray made a good canvass throughout the county and received a ma- jority of seventy-three votes. At his sec- ond election a lady was placed on the op- posing ticket, but our subject won the elec- tion by two hundred votes. Since assuming the duties of this responsible position he has labored untiringly to build up the attend- ance of the schools of the county and to ad- vance the standard of teachers. He now has ninety-three districts under his charge, each of which is visited twice a year. The school population of Kingman county num- bers four thousand and eighty-nine pupils, with an enrollment outside of the city of
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Kingman of two thousand eight hundred and sixty-four and a daily attendance of one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine, while ninety-nine teachers are given en- ployment. The average salary paid to male teachers is thirty-eight dollars and ninety- four cents, and to female teachers, thirty- six dollars and fifty-four cents, and the valuation of the school property is now esti- mated at sixty-five thousand dollars, while the bonded debt on June 30, 1901, was eight thousand one hundred and ten dollars. The amount received for all school purposes from the state and county in 1901 was forty-three thousand three hundred and thirteen dollars and fifteen cents, while the money paid out for all necessary school pur- poses amounted to thirty-five thousand one hundred and three dollars and sixty-six cents, leaving a balance of over eight thou- sand dollars. Since Mr. Murray entered upon the duties of his present position five school houses have been erected, costing about three thousand five hundred dollars. Yearly institutes are held during the sum- mer months, the attendance during the past year numbering one hundred and twenty, and for this purpose five special instructors were furnished, Mr. Murray paying for the same three hundred and ten dollars, besides furnishing his own service. Monthly teach- ers' meetings are also held in Kingman and at different points in the county, and able instructors are oftentimes secured to ad- dress these meetings.
On the 23d of May, 1900, Mr. Murray was united in marriage to Mary Haifley, a daughter of Mrs. S. A. Westfall, of this city. Mrs. Murray is a graduate of the Kingman high school, and for a number of years prior to her marriage was also an efficient teacher in the city and county schools. Since attaining his majority our subject has given his political support to the Republican party, but has never sought or desired the lionors of office outside of his own line of work. He is, however, a loyal and patriotic citizen and an efficient worker for the Republican party. In 1900 he made many speeches throughout the county in favor of that grand old party, and he has
many times served as a delegate to conven- tions. His fraternal relations connect him with the Modern Woodmen, in which he is holding the high office of worthy advisor. His religious preference is indicated by his connection with the Presbyterian church, and for the past four years he has served as superintendent of the Sunday-school. Mr. Murray is a man of high intellectuality, broad human sympathies and tolerance, and imbued with fine sensibilities And clearly de- fined principles. He is now regarded as one of the most eminent educators of his sec- tion of the Sunflower state, and his marked ability has gained him prestige.
CHARLES A. RYKER.
Among the prominent men of Reno county, Kansas, who have become well known through good citizenship and effi- cient public service is Charles A. Ryker, the present treasurer of Reno county. He has been a resident of this county since 1887 and a citizen of the state since 1879.
The birth of Charles A. Ryker occurred in Jefferson county, Indiana, on January 21, 1859, and he came of an ancestry which originated in Prussia, Germany, members of the family having located in New York. Gehard Ryker was the first settler in Indi- ana and was one of the first white men to make a home there. His son, who was the grandfather of our subject, was born in In- diana, as was also J. H. Ryker, the father of Charles A. The father died in 1881. hav- ing been a man much respected in his lo- cality and an elder in the Presbyterian church. The mother of our subject was Eliza (McLelland) Ryker, also of Indiana, where she still resides, at the age of seventy- three years. She became the mother of seven children, our subject and his brother, Clifton J. Ryker, being the only two who reside in Kansas.
The early life of Charles A. Ryker was spent in Hanover, Indiana, where he at- tended the public schools and later Hanover College. At the age of twenty years he first
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came to the west and for four years engaged in a mercantile business at Burlington, Cof- fey county, Kansas, later embarking in the lumber business, which he most successfully managed in Coffey county, and also pros- pered in the same after locating in Hutchin- son, in 1887. From early years he has shown a taste and capacity for politics, and has long been a member of the Republican party in his state. In all the various dis- turbances and controversies on leading ques- tions he has never once wavered in his alle- giance and has boldly supported the candi- dates and measures of his party. In a small way his services have been recognized, se- curing his election in 1899 as county treas- urer. He has so simplified and systematized the business of his office that when he is called to higher honors his successor can take charge with comparative ease. Some three hundred thousand dollars passes through his hands during a year, the office being one greatly desired by local politi- cians.
The marriage of Charles A. Ryker oc- curred in 1883, to Miss Eva Dickinson, a daughter of G. H. Dickinson, of Burling- ton, Kansas, and to this union has been born one daughter, Miss Cornelia. The family residence is on F street, in Hutchin- son, built here by our subject in 1889, and is a comfortable little home, and here Mr. Ryker delights to show hospitality to his friends.
Not all of our subject's time is occupied in the duties of his office, as he is socially inclined and . is a valued member of the Commercial Club and the orders of Modern Woodmen and the Ancient Order of United- Workmen. He is secretary of the Com- mercial Club, in which he has taken much interest. and is a stockholder in the Park and in the Fair Associations. It is that class of citizens which Mr. Ryker so worth- ily represents which have made the Kansas of to-day. They have put their energies and best endeavor into the upbuilding of the sec- tien in which they located, and by precept and example stand for progress, law and order. Mr. Ryker has long been one of the leading members of the Presbyterian
church and is a deacon in the Hutchinson congregation and one of the most liberal supporters of its various lines of extension work.
XAVER WERNET.
Naver Wernet, who is engaged in gen- eral farming on section 14, Rockville town- ship, Rice county, is one of the worthy citi- zens that Germany has furnished to the new world, and he possesses the sterling char- acteristics of his race, being persevering, energetic and determined. He was born in Baden, Germany, October 20, 1849, and is a son of Jacob and Mary ( Boden) Wernet, both of whom were natives of that locality, where they spent their entire lives. They were people of honesty and industry and rcared a family of nine children, seven sons and two daughters, who do credit to the un- tarnished family name. The members of the family are Xaver, of this review ; Her- man, a prominent citizen of Rockville town- ship, Rice county ; and Albert, who is also living in the same township. These are the only ones living in Rice county.
In accordance with the laws of his na- tive land Mr. Wernet acquired a good edu- cation in Germany, attending school until fourteen years of age, when he began learn- ing the baker's trade, with which he was connected for several years. At the age of eighteen he bade good bye to home and friends and sailed from Havre, France, to the new world, being upon the broad At- lantic for eleven days. After reaching the American harbor he made his way west- ward to McHenry county, Illinois, locating near Harvard, where he remained for eight- een months upon a farm. He then went to Andrew county, Missouri, where the fol- lowing year and a half was passed. On the expiration of that period he came to Kansas, taking up his abode upon the farm which is now his home. In 1873-4 lie en- gaged in a big buffalo hunt and brought in eighty-two hides. He to-day owns thirteen hundred and twenty acres of land, much of which is rich bottom land, yielding excel-
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lent harvests n! corn, wheat and other grains. The farm is one of the most at- tractive in this portion of the county, its large residence built in modern style of ar- chitecture being tastefully adorned and fur- nished, giving evidence of the successful business career of the owner. He has also erected a large barn, with a rock basement, for the horses and cattle, and upon his place he keeps two hundred head of cattle, two hundred hogs and thirty horses, all good grade of stock, having some of the best horses in the township. Upon the place is a beautiful grove, a bearing orchard, tracts of woodland and pastures and the farm in its thrifty appearance indicates the ener- getic nature of the owner.
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