A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 65

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

USA > Kansas > A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I > Part 65

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

retained possession of the old homestead, but the place is now farmed by tenants. In his shop in Kingman Mr. Murray does all kinds of blacksmithing, and his well known honesty, as well as his ability as a master workman, has gained him an enviable stand- ing among the citizens of the county. His beautiful residence on West A avenue was erected shortly after his arrival in Kingman, and there he and his family now reside, sur- Founded by a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances.

Mr. Muray has been twice married. In 1874 he returned to Scotland, and on the IIth of August of that year was united in marriage to Maggie Little, a daughter of Andrew Little, a farmer of that country. Three children graced their union,-Will- iam, the history of whose life will be found elsewhere in this volume : Jessie, a teacher in the city schools; and James, a prominent pharmacist of Kingman. After the death of the mother of these children the father was a second time married, on the 13th of Aug- ust. 1882, when Louisa Shafhouser became his wife. Their only child, Ross, is now en- gaged in mercantile pursuits. Mrs. M. was born in Vanderburg county, Indiana, but came to Kingman county, Kansas, in September, 1878, with her mother and as- sisted in proving up a claim, so that she too has borne her part in the development of t'iis section. She has always taken an active and earnest interest in everything for the good of her adopted county, and for many years was prominently connected with church and Sunday-school work. She has

also given much of her time to fraternal so- cieties, and has passed all the chairs in the Eastern Star, the Rebekahs and the Knights and Ladies of Security. Mr. Murray has ever taken an active interest in the cause of education, and has given his children excellent school privileges. The Republican party receives his support, and, although he has never sought the honors of public office, he served for six years as a member of the school board and for several years served as treasurer of Galesburg. In his social rela- tions he is a member of the Masonic order, the Knights and Ladies of Security, and for twenty years has been a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows. Of the Presbyterian church he is an active and worthy member, having assisted in the erec- tion of the church edifice in this city and for many years has held the office of deacon. In 1901 Mr. Murray again made a trip to his native land, where he renewed the acquaint- ances of his youth, and there spent many pleasant months.

HENRY H. BLAKELY.

When the stability of the Union was threatened by the secession of the south Mr. H. H. Blakely donned the blue and went to the defense of his country. He has a some- what remarkable military record and one in which his courage and loyalty were ever manifest. To such men the country owes a debt of gratitude which can never be re- paid, yet while memory remains to the American people they will honor the patri- otic sons of the nation who at the front braved the dangers of war in order to pre- serve the Union.

Mr. Blakely is one of the leading, pro- gressive and enterprising agriculturists of Kansas, and resides in Atlanta township, Rice county, where he owns and operates a valuable tract of land. He has been a resi- dent of this locality since 1879, coming to Kansas from Knox county, Ohio, where he was born on the 18th of January, 1844. The family is of Scotch-Irish lineage and

H+Blakely

401

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

was founded in America by Francis Blakely, who was born in the northern part of the Emerald Isle, his ancestors having gone to that locality from Scotland. After making the long and perilous voyage across the At- lantic,-for a voyage at that time consumed many weeks,-he took up his abode in Maryland, whence he afterward removed to Washington county, Pennsylvania. He married Miss Rachel Hardesty, who was born in Scotland, and their last days were spent at Liberty, Knox county, Ohio, where the grandfather of our subject died, at the ripe old age of ninety-seven years, while his wife was a year older at the time of her de- mise. Their son, William Blakely, the fa- ther of our subject, was born in Washing- ton county, Pennsylvania, and was reared to farm life in Ohio. After attaining man- hood he married Miss Sarah Grubb, who was a native of Rockingham county, Vir- ginia, and was the daughter of Daniel Grubb, who was born in the Old Dominion and represented one of the prominent fam- ilies of that state, his ancestors having estab- lished a home at Johnson, Virginia, during the period of its early settlement. . William Blakely was a farmer by occupation and thereby provided for his family. His politi- cal support was given the Whig party until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were loved and esteemed by all. The father died at the age of seventy-two years and the mother, long surviving, passed away at the ripe old age of ninety years. They became the parents of twelve children, nine sons and three daughters, namely: Mary Ann, Rachel, Nancy Jane, John, David, William, Sam- uel, Daniel, Christy Ann, George W., Henry H. and Elkanah F. The family was well represented by loyal sons of the family in the Civil war, William being a member of an Ohio regiment, while George served in the Eighty-second Ohio Infantry and John was in the service for a time as a mechanic.

Upon the family homestead in Ohio Henry H. Blakely was reared, and in the schools of the neighborhood he acquired his

preliminary education, which was supple- inented by study in an academy. He was eighteen years of age at the time when Pres- ident Lincoln called for six hundred thou- sand men, and he then joined Company F, Eighty-second Ohio Infantry, under Colonel Cantwell, who was killed at the battle of Bull Run. The company was commanded by Captain John Costin, who was killed at Gettysburg. Mr. Blakely participated in the engagements of Chancellorsville, Fred- ericksburg and Gettysburg and was with General Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. He was one of thirty-six hun- dred of the Union men who were taken prisoners in Gettysburg and were placed in a rebel camp-prison at Staunton, Virginia, with six hundred others. With a comrade he made his escape over the dead line, which seemed well guarded, but they managed to effect their departure, after having spent thirty-one days of imprisonment. With his friend, O. A. Rhea, who is now living in Indiana, he proceeded toward the Union lines. For twenty-one days they were with- out food except for one meal and such wild berries as they could get in the mountains. They crossed a range of mountains almost impassable for a white man, but with forti- tude and determination they pressed for- ward and Mr. Blakely was finally able to join his regiment at the front and again serve his country.

When the war was oyer he received an honorable discharge and returned to his home. He then engaged in teaching for a time and later took up farming. As a com- panion and helpmeet on life's journey he chose Miss Mary E. Bailey, the wedding being celebrated in 1868. The lady was born, reared and educated in Knox county, Ohio, being a daughter of John and Mary (Caldwell) Bailey, both of whom were na- tives of Ohio. Nine children were born to our subject and his wife: John T., who is now living in Wilson township, Rice coun- ty: Mrs. Olive M. Sangster, of Atlanta township: Ralph W., who is living in El- dorado, Kansas, where he is engaged in business as a bridge carpenter; H. Ray; Guy Wait; Mildred MI., a student in Ster-

402

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

ling College; May Gertrude; Sarah Theresa; and they lost one child, Henry Dahlgren. Mrs. Blakely was summoned into eternal rest on the 18th of December, 1901, and her loss was not only an irrep- arable loss to the immediate family but was deeply felt by a wide circle of friends whoin she had drawn about her.

Mr. Blakely came to Rice county, Kan- sas, in 1879, and he has been a prominent factor in the community. He to-day owns and operates two hundred and forty acres of valuable land, on which stands a good resi- dence, surrounded by an attractive grove, an orchard of five acres yields its fruits in season, and the many improvements which have been made upon the farm render it very valuable. In his political views Mr. Blakely is a Republican and for four and a half years has served as justice of the peace. He is recognized as one of the leaders of the party in this locality. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church and are interested in everything pertaining to the general welfare. As a citizen he is as true to his duties to-day as when upon the battlefields of the south he wore the blue uniform and followed the stars and stripes into the thickest of the fight.

SAMUEL B. LIVINGSTON.

Samuel B. Livingston, the president of the Livingston Furniture Company, of Kingman, has been a resident of Kingman county since 1878 and has made his home in central Kansas since 1874, at which time he took up his abode in Reno county. He was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, July 10, 1854. His father, Samuel B. Liv- ingston, Sr., was a physician and success- fully practiced in the Buckeye state for some time, but died when his son and name- sake was only four years old. He married Henrietta C. Bussinger, and they became the parents of five children, of whom three are now living, namely: Mrs. S. J. Bugh, of Okmulgee, Indian Territory ; W. A., who is engaged in the music business in King-

man, Kansas; and Samuel B. The mother is still iving and makes her home with the last named.

Mr. Livingston of this review pursued his studies in the schools of Terre Haute, Indiana, and on account of his father's death was early thrown upon his own re- sources, so that he was enabled to attend school for only about three or four months in the year. He was employed in various ways in Indiana and Illinois until 1874. when he came to Kansas and worked at farm labor in Reno county. He shot a buffalo on the Ninnescah river July 4th of that year, in company with M. C. Bus- singer and Silas Maples. The grasshoppers were so thick that year they destroyed every particle of vegetation. They even ate holes in Mr. Livingston's shoes when he hid them under fodder. The destruction caused by those insects made all farm work un- necessary and as he could not obtain em- ployment Mr. Livingston started to return to the east. Accompanied by his brother, who was ifl, he made his way to the eastern part of the state and by that time his sup- ply of money was exhausted. After a great deal of persuasion he obtained permission to sleep at night in a barn and was cutting wood the next morning when the members of the household arose. This display of industry caused the owner of the place to give him some corn to cut and he worked so hard that the farmer recommended him to a man in St. Joseph, who also employed him, but he remained in that service only a short time as he received but fifteen dol- lars per month. After a month spent in working in a livery barn he secured a po- sition in the lumber yard of the Dougherty & Ray Company and was soon promoted by them. When they established their whole- sale business he was given charge of the men, and out of business hours he did other work, putting in about sixteen or seventeen hours each day. He also lived very econom- ically at that time and thus through his in- dustry and economy was enabled to enter upon an independent business career. He spent three years with the Dougherty & Ray Company, and then resigning

403

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

his position came to Kingman in the fall of 1878. Here he established the first store in which a line of dry goods, clothing and boots and shoes were carried. He erected a two-story frame building on the south side, shipping the lumber, which was pur- chased from his old firm, from St. Joseph to Hutchinson by rail and from the latter place hauling it across the country to King- man, as there was no railroad here at that time. Later he disposed of his store and entered the cattle business, in which he con- tinued until 1881, when he established his furniture store, also at that time hauling all his goods from Hutchinson. He erected another store building, in which he placed a line of undertaking goods. His new en- terprise was situated on the north side of the river. Both buildings are still stand- ing, although they have been moved from the original site. He now occupies with his furniture stock a large building one hun- dred and fifty by twenty-five feet, while carpets and caskets are kept in an adjoining store room, twenty-five by thirty feet. He owns his own hearse and practically con- trols all the undertaking business of the town. He is a good embalmer, a graduate of several undertaking schools. He carried a very large and well selected stock of fur- niture, including high-class goods as well as that which sells more reasonably and is doing a constantly increasing business in that line. He has also put in a stock of musical instruments and music and is re- ceiving a liberal patronage in that depart- ment of the store. In August, 1901, the business was incorporated under the name of the Livingston Furniture Company with our subject as president and his son, Harry E. Livingston, as secretary. They carry a stock valued at from eight to ten thousand dollars and are continually bringing in new goods. Their trade policy is one which commends them to the confidence and good will of the public and has been a strong ele- ment in their success. Mr. Livingston, since his arrival in Kingman, has been an important factor in the progress, upbuild- ing and enterprise of the town. He was one of the three men who erected the opera

house and the Brunswick hotel, the largest building in the city, and with many move- ments he has co-operated when the general good could be advanced thereby.

In 1877, at St. Joseph, Missouri, Mr. Livingston was united in marriage to Miss Alice M. Reynolds, and unto them were born three children, two of whom are liv- ing,-Harry E. and Ettie F., both of whom are associated with their father in busi- ness, the daughter largely having charge of the music department. She is very profi- cient in music and is thus well qualified for the business cares which she has assumed.

In his political views Mr. Livingston is an earnest Republican. He served as town- ship clerk in an early day when his town- ship embraced about one-half of the county. He has been a member of the school board on several occasions, but has always re- fused to accept other office. He was one of the members of the first band ever or- ganized in the county, belongs to the Mod- ern Wbodmen of America, the Knights of Pythias fraternity, the Knights and Ladies of Security, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in the last two has filled all of the offices. He also belongs to the Methodist church and aided generously in the erection of the house of worship. He is a public-spirited man, imbued with the progressive spirit of the west, and his labors and energies have not only made him a successful business man, but have advanced the general welfare. His success in life has been achieved entirely through his own efforts, and from a very humble financial position he has worked his way upward to a place prominent among the substantial residents of Kingman.

CHARLES W. SAMPLE.

Almost a quarter of a century has passed since Charles W. Sample came to Kingman county. He was one of the early settlers to locate in White township and has therefore been a witness of almost the en-

404

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

tire growth and development of the country as it has emerged from a wild, uncultivated plain to a tract of rich fertility, dotted here and there with substantial homes, school- houses, churches and business industries. On the 26th of February, 1879, he located a claim and since that time has been an active factor in the development and hip- building of the county along many lines.

Mr. Sample is a native of Switzerland county, Indiana, his birth having there oc- curred on the banks of the Ohio river, Oc- tober 29, 1851. His father, George W. Sample, was born in the same county, while his grandfather, Andrew Sample, was a na- tive of Virginia. The former followed farming throughout his life and removed from Switzerland to Tipton county, Indi- ana, where he continued to carry on agri- cultural pursuits. He was an active and consistent member of the Baptist church and his life was in harmony with his pro- fessions. He was married in the Hoosier state to Miss Adeline Mckay, and unto them were born nine children, of whom three died in infancy. Our subject is the only member of the family living in central Kansas. He died in 1868 and his wife, long surviving him, passed away in 1896, at the age of seventy-six years.

Following a public school curriculum Charles W. Sample continued his education in Holbrook's Normal School, in Lebanon, Ohio. Early in life he became familiar with the work of the farm and through the sum- mer months he engaged in the labor of the field, while in the winter season he engaged in teaching school in Indiana. At length he determined to test the advantages afford- ed in the Sunflower state and making his way westward to Kingman county became the third settler in White township. From Sterling he hauled the lumber to erect his first house, which was a primitive struc- ture, ten by twelve feet, but it served the purpose through the summer and in the fall he erected a substantial sod house. He hanled the lumber with oxen, which he also used in breaking prairie and the first year he got about three acres broken. Gradually he improved the place and within four years

he had broken and cultivated seventy-five acres of land. During the building of the mill race he was also employed on its con- struction. He would arise at three o'clock in the morning, walk nine miles and after working ten hours, would walk back to his home, arriving there about nine o'clock in the evening. Money was almost unknown in that locality, but the men working on the mill race were paid in cash, receiving a dol- lar per day, which was considered very good wages at that time. For several years Mr. Sample found it very difficult to get along, but he persevered and his determination and energy at length enabled him to tri- umph over difficulties, and when better times came he reaped the benefit of his per- sistence and labor. He gathered together a herd of cattle and continued in the cattle business until 1886, when he removed to Kingman, in the spring. For two years previously he had been engaged in busi- ness in the county seat. In 1884 he began dealing in real estate there and that work has since occupied at least part of his at- tention. He handles property on commis- sion mostly, but has sold a number of farms on his own account. He continued to own the old claim until 1901 when he disposed of it advantageously. He is a most hon- orable and conscientious business man and makes it a point always to represent land fairly so that the purchaser will understand exactly what he is buying. He perhaps has not made as many sales in this way as he would otherwise have done, but he retains the friendship and confidence of his patrons -and a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches. He also makes loans for the Warren Mortgage Company, of Em- poria. In 1887 he again began dealing in cattle, raising short horns, of which he keeps on hand from one hundred and sev- enty-five to two hundred head.

Mr. Sample has been twice married. In Indiana he wedded Laura D. Wooldridge, and they had two children: Orlando L., who is now a minister of the Methodist denomination, and Willard S., who is a graduate of the Western Dental College and is now doing a good business here.

405

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

After the death of his first wife Mr. Sample was again married in 1885, his second union being with Clova C. Moore, a daugi- ter of J. U. Moore, a farmer of Kingman county. They have two children, Walton C. and Hazel F.

Mr. Sample is a very prominent and active member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Kingman, also belongs to the encamp- ment and order of Rebekahs, and for the past ten years has represented the local lodge in the grand lodge. He likewise has membership relations with the Ancient Or- der of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America. Of the Methodist church he is an earnest and faithful mem- ber. He is chairman of the board of trus- tees, and has served as class leader, stew- ard and treasurer of the church, and was a generous contributor toward the erection of the house of worship. Christian principles permeate his life, and throughout the years of his residence in Kansas he has ever com- manded the respect and good will of his fellow men.

WILLIAM V. HEATH.

A farm neat and thrifty in appearance, with all modern accessories and convenien- ces, constitutes a portion of section 12, Gar- field township, and is the property of the gentleman whose name introduces this re- view and who has been a resident of Ells- worth county since 1878. Mr. Heath was born in Kenton county, Kentucky, June 15, 1863. His father, William Heath, was a native of Maryland and when a young man became connected with steamboating, but when that method of travel was superseded by the railroad he entered the railway ser- vice. At one time he was employed in Ohio by A. J. Warner, and in 1878 he came to Kansas, purchasing land eight miles west of Salina, where he engaged in farming for a year. On the expiration of that period he came to Ellsworth county, where he se- cured a quarter-section of land, upon which our subject now resides. Soon he became

connected with the Union Pacific railroad service as bridge foreman, and occupied that position for nine years, after which he en- tered the employ of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, in a similar position, be- ing now on their new line which is being builded through to Texas. His many years of railroad work have gained him an excel- lent reputation in his department, and lie is one of the most trusted and reliable employes of the company. William Heath was mar- ried, in Kentucky, to Miss Eliza Walsh, and unto them were born five children, namely : William V .; Mary, now the wife of Andy McCluggage, a farmer residing in Carneiro township, Ellsworth county; Thomas, wh, is purchasing agent for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company; Ed- ward, who is teaching school at Clifton. where he occupies the position of principal ; and Augustus, who is with his father. The parents now reside at Herrington.

William V. Heath, whose name forms the caption of this review, pursued his edu- cation in the public schools of Kentucky and Ohio, and in early life became identified with agricultural pursuits, to which he has given his attention throughout his entire ca- reer. He followed farming until his re- moval to Kansas, in 1878. With his father he improved the farm upon which he yet re- sides, for when they took up their abode here the land was in its primitive condition, not a furrow had been turned or a build- ing erected. He broke the land, built a res- idence, barns and shops, and has now one of the finest farms in this portion of Kansas. His work has been carried on along practical lines, and his progressive spirit and enter- prise have enabled him to overcome all diffi- culties and to work his way upward to suc- cess. As the years have passed and in finan- cial resources have increased he has added to the boundaries of his farm until he has nine hundred and sixty acres in the home ranch, of which three hundred acres are under cultivation, being devoted to the pro- duction of wheat and corn. He also raises cattle on an extensive scale, making a spe- cialty of short-horns, which he sells to feed- ers. He owns some thorough-bred bulls and

406

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

graded stock, and has an average of about one hundred and fifty head upon his place.

On the 7th of January, 1894, Mr. Heath was united in marriage to Miss Katie Miller, a daughter of Amandus Miller, of Carneiro township. Three children graced their union .- Bessie, Florence and Hazel,-and they also have an adopted son, Samuel. In his political views Mr. Heath is independent, preferring to support the men whom he thinks best qualified for office without re- gard to party affiliations. He served as clerk of the school board, but has never been an office seeker, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business affairs, in which he has met with signal success. He is a communicant of the Catholic church, holding membership in the church in Ells- worth.

JOHN A. CRAGUN.

There is no man who has left the impress of his individuality more indelibly upon the pages of the history of Kingman county than has John A. Cragun, 'who has been an im- portant factor in the material, intellectual, social and moral development of the county, and who throughout the years of his resi- dence here has so lived as to make his ex- ample well worthy of emulation. He ar- rived in this county in 1878, when there were but three houses in what is now the flourishing city of Kingman, and has therefore witnessed the entire development of the place, contributing to its advancement through his business interests and through his co-operation with many movements for the general good.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 65

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