A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 69

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 69

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).

has been increased to thirty by one hun- dred feet, and in 1900 a second story was built by Mr. Stratmann. It is a substantial stone building, the only one of its class in town, except the bank building.

Politically Mr. Stratmann is a Demo- crat and he has always been active in con- nection with public matters. He was the trustee of his township for three years, held the office of township clerk, was for six years a notary public and for six years he has been secretary of the school board. He is a member of the German Lutheran church.

S. L. SMITH.

One of the successful and extensive ag- riculturists of Kingman county is S. L. Smith, who owns a fine farm of three hun- dred and twenty acres in White township. He was born in Ritchie county, West Vir- ginia, in 1854, and is a member of a promi- nent old southern family of that common- wealth. His father, Barnes Smith, was a son of Barnes Smith, Sr., and both were natives of that state and of English descent. The former married Harriet Dye, a native of the Old Domninon and a daughter of Dennis Dye, of Scotch-Irish descent. Unto this couple were born seven children, as fol- lows: Oliver ; S. L., of this review ; J. D., a resident of the state of Washington ; L. C., of Oklahoma; A. G .; Rosa; and Mary. The father of this family was called to his final rest at the age of sixty-three years. He fol- lowed the tilling of the soil as a life occupa- tion, was identified with the Republican party, and was a deacon in the Baptist church. His widow is still living, having reached the sixty-third milestone on the journey of life.

S. L. Smith, the only representative of the above family in the Sunflower state, was reared on a farm in his native county, and in that state he continued to make his home until 1887, which year witnessed his arrival in Kansas. His first purchase of land in this county consisted of a tract of one hundred

J. J. Smith MRS. S. L. SMITH.

425

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

and sixty acres, but by giving strict atten- tion to his business interests he has been en- abled to add to his landed possessions until he is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres, all of which is under a fine state of cultivation. When he purchased his land nine years ago it was wild and un- cultivated, but he now has it all fenced, has erected a comfortable home. fourteen by twenty-four feet, with an L sixteen by six- teen feet and with one of the best cellars in the county, has also erected a barn, twenty- four by forty feet, granaries and sheds for his hogs and cattle, keeping about seventy- five head of the latter. He also raises the Red Berkshire hogs, of which he keeps a nice drove. All of his possessions have been ac- quired since locating of his present farm. All the improvements of a well regulated place are seen upon his premises, and in the county of his adoption he is now regarded as a leading and representative agriculturist.

The marriage of Mr. Smith was cele- brated in 1873, when nineteen years of age, Miss Mary McCray becoming his wife. She was born in the state of Pennsylvania, but while yet young she moved to Calhoun coun- ty, Virginia, and was reared and educated there and was also married in that state. She is a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth McCray. Ten children have blessed the union of our subject and wife, namely : Montuzuma, Calvin A., M. Van Buren, Laura M. Stanberg, Rosa F., Albertus G., Pearl, Maud and Kenneth. A little daugh- ter also died when a babe. Mrs. Smith is a worthy and active member of the United Brethren church. Mr. Smith is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 199, of Kingman, Kansas. The Republican party receives Mr. Smith's active support and co-operation, and on its ticket he has been elected to many positions of honor and trust. For many years he served as a jus- tice of the peace, and was also treasurer of the schol board. A progressive farmer, a competent official and a man whose social qualities commend him to the friendship and regard of all, he is both widely and favorably known in Kingman county.

F. M. LONNON.

In central Kansas F. M. Lonnon is well known, having been a resident of this por- tion of the state since 1876, the year of his arrival in Ellsworth county. He is now living in Atlanta township, Rice county, where he has a valuable farm. He was born April 4, 1842, in Holmes county, Ohio, a son of William and Nancy ( Hoover ) Lon- non, the former a native of the Buckeye state and the latter of Pennsylvania. The mother was of Holland descent and was a daughter of Abraham Hoover, who was also born in Pennsylvania. The parents of our subject have had nine children, namely : John, Mrs. Mary Crowley, Francis M., Abraham, Mrs. Delilah Jolly, Thomas, who is living in Miami county, Kansas. Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson and two who are now de- ceased. George, the eldest of the family, was a soldier in the Nineteenth Iowa In- fantry during the Civil war, and died at Springfield, Missouri, while another son, William, has also passed away. The fa- ther died at the age of seventy-seven years, in Miami county, Kansas, and the mother passed away in Ellsworth county, Kansas,. about 1884. He had made farming his life work, and through that occupation had pro- vided comfortably for his wife and children. In politics he was a Republican. . Both were honored and loved by all who knew them, and they had a large circle of friends.

F. M. Lonnon, the subject of this re -- view, spent the greater part of his youth in Van Buren county, Iowa, upon a farm, where from the time of early planting in the spring he worked in the fields until harvests were garnered in the late autumn. His edu- cational privileges were those afforded by the public schools. His patriotic spirit was aroused at the time of the Civil war, and on the 15th of August, 1862, he responded to President Lincoln's call for three hundred thousand troops, enlisting for three years' service in the Nineteenth Iowa Infantry, under Colonel Crabb .and Captain Payne. He participated in the battle of Springfield, Missouri, in the siege of Vicksburg, the bat- tle of Mobile, Alabama, and in the campaign

426

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

in Texas, and at the close of the war was honorably discharged with a creditable mili- tary record, having ever been found at his post of duty as a faithful defender of the Union. Laying aside his suit of blue, he then resumed farming in Scotland county, Missouri, near Memphis, where he resided until 1876, the year of his arrival in Ells- worth county, Kansas. He was among its early settlers, and from that time to the present has been an active factor in the sub- stantial growth and development of this portion of the state. He first lived near Lorraine, where he opened up a farm, con- tinuing its cultivation for twenty-four years. He then sold that property and then purchased what was known as the God- schockt farm, adjoining Lyons. Here he yet makes his home. The property is improved with a good residence, substantial barns, a fine orchard, a wind-mill for pumping water to the pastures, all indicating the super- vision of an energetic, practical and pro- gressive owner. Everything about the place is in excellent condition, and the farm is a valuable one.

In Scotland county Mr. Lonnon was united in marriage, in January, 1866, to Miss Catherine Close, an estimable lady, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Joseph and Sarah ( Thomp- son) Close, the latter a native of the Buck- eye state, while the former was born in Pennsylvania. Her parents had the follow- ing children : Malinda Lonnon : Mrs. Caro- line Lonnon; Malachi: John; Thomas; Willard: Mrs. Cornelia Mallett, of Colo- rada : Stephen, deceased : Jeremiah, who died in childhood ; and Eliza, who has also passed away. Mrs. Lonnon, the wife of our subject, was a little girl when her parents removed te Van Buren county, Iowa. There they remained until called to the home be- yond, the mother passing away at the age of sixty, while the father reached the sixty- ninth milestone on the journey of life. He was a carpenter by trade, and was an active factor in the upbuilding of his adopted county. His political support was given the Republican party, and in religious faith he was a Methodist in his later life, but in

former years was connected with the United Brethren church. The marriage of our sub- ject and his wife has been blessed with six children: Ella, wife of W. K. Foster, of Ness county, Kansas ; Alma, wife of Charles Williams, of Rice county; Ross, of Ells- worth county; Grace, wife of John Frantz, of Ellsworth county; Pearl, who has been a successful teacher; and Earl, at home. The parents belong to the Methodist Epis- copal church, and Mr. Lonnon votes with the Republican party. He co-operates in all movements for the general good, and assists in every measure that he believes will bene- fit the community. At the same time he successfully carries on his farming opera- tions, and as the result of his diligence and capable management he is now the pos- sessor of a very comfortable competence.

REUBEN B. SHUMWAY.

In all life's relations R. B. Shumway has enjoyed the confidence and respect of his fellow men, and to-day he is known as a representative and leading farmer and stock-raiser of Rice county, as one of its honored early settlers and as a veteran of the Civil war. He has also occupied pub- lic offices, and as county treasurer displayed his fidelity to the best interests of the people whom he represented. Mr. Shumway is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Scioto county, on the 3d of January, 1844, his parents being John Q. and Hettie (Snyder ) Shumway, who were also natives of the Buckeye state. The father was a son of Sylvanus T. Shumway, of Pennsylvania, and the great-grandfather of our subject was Reuben Shumway, a native of New York. He was of French descent. His ancestors were French Huguenots, who were banished from their country on ac- count of the religious difficulties with the Catholics and therefore came to America during colonial days, settling in New York, whence they became loyal citizens of their adopted country. Reuben Shumway served through the war of the Revolution, and his

427

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

patrictic spirit has been manifest in the lives of his descendants, who have ever been true and loyal to the best interests of America. He reared a family of four sons, namely : Darias, Alvah, Sylvanus and Cyrus, all of whom served in the war of 1812. After re- turning from the war of 1812 Sylvanus Shumway, the grandfather of our subject, emigrated to Ohio. Building a raft, he with his family and effects floated down the Allegheny river to the Ohio river and thence to the mouth of the Big Scioto river, in Ohio. This occurred about 1717 or 1718. He established a home in that state, and there resided until his death. He was a broad-minded, intelligent man and exer- cised strong influence for good in the com- munity with which he was associated. He was a civil engineer and in an early day fol- lowed surveying in the Buckeye state. He also improved a large farm, upon which he spent the years of an active and honorable business career. He was enterprising and public-spirited and was favorably known for his sterling integrity and honor. His children were: Polly, who became the wife of H. Van Gorder and after his death mar- ried William Jenkins; Harriet, the wife of N. McCowan ; John Q .; and Mrs. Julia T. Crabtree. The parents held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and in his political views the grandfather of our sub- ject was a Whig. Both he and his wife were people of the highest respectability, their lives being in harmony with their Christian professions.

John Q. Shumway, the father of our subject, was born and reared in Ohio and his was an upright and useful career. His birth occurred in Scioto county, July 24, 1823, and he died on the 7th of March, 1897. When he had arrived at years of ma- turity he wedded Miss Hettie Snyder, who was born November 27, 1825. and died De- cember 14. 1893. They always resided in the state of their nativity and after their mar- riage located on the old Shumway home- stead, which had been entered and improved by his father. In early life John Q. Shum- way joined the Methodist Episcopal church and remained a loyal member throughout

the years of his earthly pilgrimage. He contributed liberally to the support of the church and was a man of high Christian character, cheerful disposition and of broad charity. His many virtues made him an in- fluential resident of his community, and he left the impress of his individuality not only upon the members of his own household but upon many friends, and his memory re- mains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him. He voted with the Whig party in early manhood and on its dissolution joined the Republican party, but never sought or cared for office. In 1862 he aided in organizing Company F, of the One Hun- dred and Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, which on the 10th of August, 1863, was re-organized as a company of Ohio heavy artillery. At that time he became lieutenant, serving as such until the com- pany was mustered out. August 10, 1865. He kept a complete diary during the war, giving a brief but concise account of army life with all the engagements. It is now a valuable memoir, containing a record of the battles and incidents, and thus giving a correct and vivid picture of war life. He voted for Abraham Lincoln on the 8th of November, 1864, while at the front. No braver man shouldered a musket in defense of his country than John Q. Shumway, but it was with great joy that he returned to his home and family when the war was over and the preservation of the Union was as- sured. He re-entered the walks of civil life with an earnestness that was characteristic of the man and lived out his three score years and ten; until the Great Commander called his volunteers, and on the 7th of March, 1897, he answered the roll call above. His was a noble and upright char- acter, commanding uniform respect, and he was widely known as a considerate neigh- bor, a faithful friend and a devoted hus- band and father, as well as a man of sterling integrity and honor. His wife was a daughter of John and Sally ( Mead) Sny- der, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of New York. After their marriage they located in Ohio, where they became prominent and well known farming people.

428

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

Their children were Judah, Ezra, Hettie, Jonathan, Esther and Mary. The three sons served their country in the Rebellion and Judah laid down his life in defense of the Union and was buried at Helena, Ar- kansas. Both parents were members of the Baptist church. The children of John Q. and Hettie (Snyder) Shumway were Reuben B .; Sarah, the wife of D. W. Strouse; Cy- rus W., who came as a pioneer to Rice coun- ty in 1871 and here spent his remaining days as a prominent and honored early set- tler and a leading Republican, serving at one time as county treasurer; John, who is liv- ing in Ohio; Milton, who occupies the office of auditor of Scioto county, Ohio; Maria, the wife of H. Ketter, of Ohio; and James Q., who owns and operates the old family homestead in the Buckeye state.

It was upon that farm that Reuben B. Shumway was born and reared. He re- ceived his elementary education in the com- mon schools and afterward attended an academy, his training at farm work being received in the fields under his father's direction. When about twenty years of age, aroused by a spirit of patriotism, he joined Company F. of the One Hundred and Fortieth Ohio Infantry, which was as- signed to the Department of West Virginia. He joined his regiment at Gallipolis, Ohio, and was there mustered out on the 3d of September, 1864, receiving an honorable discharge. His command was detailed to guard service and also engaged in skirmish- ing to some extent, but Mr. Shumway re- ceived no wounds. Returning home he re- sumed work on the farm and there remained until December 24, 1865, when he was mar- ried. In the spring of that year he had been elected assessor and the following year was re-elected to the same office, thus serv- ing for two years. Having located upon a small farm, he cultivated the fields and in connection carried on surveying, executing some contracts on public works, such as turnpikes and bridges. He superintended the construction of the big bridge over the Scioto river and continued farming and contracting until 1885.

In that year Mr. Shumway came to

Kansas, where he has since made his home, locating in Rice county. He took his fam- ily to the home of his brother, who was then county treasurer, and he employed Mr. Shumway as his assistant. For eight years he filled the position of deputy treasurer and was then elected to the office for a term of four years, so that he was connected with the position continuously for twelve years, a fact which indicates in an unmistakable manner his fidelity to duty and the care with which he superintended the financial inter- ests of the community. While acting as treasurer he was also made assignee of the Bank of Lyons to settle up its business. In the fall of 1885 he purchased the farm upon which he yet resides, and there located his family, while each day for twelve years he drove to and from his business. During the boom in Lyons, Mr. Shumway was actively interested therein and lost considerable money in the collapse, but altogether his business career has been a profitable and successful one, and to-day he owns valuable farms, comprising altogether about twelve hundred acres. He carries on general farm- ing and raises, buys and handles stock. He has improved the grade of stock, giving special attention to shorthorn cattle, and he now has a number of fine registered ani- mals upon his place, including a head of registered Jerseys.

Mr. Shumway was joined in wedlock to Miss Barbara Schuster, who was born in Ohio, November 19, 1844, a daughter of John and Margaret (Getschell) Schuster, who were natives of Germany and became successful farming people of Ohio. Her father died in 1865, after which his widow found a good home with her daughter, Mrs. Shumway, there spending her last days, her death occurring in 1895, at the very advanced age of ninety-one years. Both were consistent members of the Luth- eran church. Their children were Mrs. Au- gusta Groff, Mrs. Laura Mink, Christina, who became the wife of H. Myers and is now deceased, and Barbara, wife of our subject. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Shumway has been blessed with nine chil- dren : John W., who is agent for the Wa-

429

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

bash Railroad Company at Council Bluffs, Iowa; Ella, wife of W. D. Thompson, a resident farmer of Rice county; Henry, Charles and Edward A., who are also fol- lowing agricultural pursuits in the same county ; Bertha, at home; Hettie, wife of C. Plank; and Clay and James M., who are with their parents. Mr. Shumway holds membership with Kit Carson Post, No. 20, G. A. R., of Lyons. His wife belongs to the Lutheran church, while he is a worthy member of the Methodist church. He takes a very active interest in Sunday-school work, is serving as superintendent and co- operates earnestly in the work of the church along lines of advancement. During his residence in Kansas he has progressed finan- cially and is to-day one of the substantial agriculturists of his adopted county. He has a commendable record for fidelity in office, for loyalty to the duties of citizenship and for the faithful discharge of the obli- gations which devolve upon him in relation to his fellow men.

S. J. SMITH.

At an early period in the development of Rice county S. J. Smith came to Kansas, settling in this portion of the state, and since that time he has been numbered among its prominent and representative farmers. He was born in Richland county, Ohio, September 17, 1835, a son of Samuel and , Mary A. (Soper) Smith. The Smith fam- ily is of Scotch-Irish descent and the Soper family is of German lineage. The father of our subject was born in Washington coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and was one of five chil- dren, namely: Thomas and Jedediah, who died in Ohio; Samuel; Mary, the wife of WV. Barnes, who removed to Iowa, where her last days were spent; and Nellie, who became the wife of J. K. Barnes and died in Ohio. Samuel Smith, the father of our subject, was reared and married in Pennsyl- vania. His wife was a native of Maryland. Soon afterward they went to Ohio, where he purchased a tract of raw land and began

the development of a farm. Subsequently he purchased, improved and sold three farms. All of his children were born in Ohio, and in 1866 he removed with his fam- ily to Michigan, settling in the northern peninsula, where he purchased and sold real estate, there spending his remaining days. He died in Benzonia, Michigan, October 20, 1875. While in Ohio he served as captain of a militia company. Politically he was a Whig and abolitionist in early life, being strongly opposed to the institution of slavery. He filled many minor township offices and was a progressive and loyal citi- zen. In early life he held membership in the Presbyterian church and later became identified with the Reformed or Congrega- tional church, in which he served as deacon for many years. He was also superintend- ent of the Sunday-school for more than twenty years. He contributed liberally to church work and gave of his time and effort to the advancement of the cause of religion. Much of his thought and labor was devoted to measures calculated to prove of benefit to his fellow men and he was a liberal con- tributor to all charitable institutions. A devoted Christian, he was enterprising and public-spirited and had a high sense of in- tegrity and honor. The poor and needy found in him a friend and his neighbors knew him to be a considerate, just and straightforward man. He passed away at the age of seventy-six years, and his wife, long surviving, departed this life in July, 1896, when eighty-six years of age. They had eight children, namely: Ruth A., the wife of J. H. Ford, who became the parents of Mrs. Governor Altgeld, of Illinois; Mar- tha, the wife of C. C. Baldwin, a Congre- gational minister of Ohio; James W., who died in childhood; Elizabeth, the wife of C. G. Bryant, a merchant of Knox county, Ohio; Charles, who died at the age of six years; S. J., whose name introduces this review; Edward P., of Chicago; and Mary M., the wife of William Patterson, of Ohio.

No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for S. J. Smith in his youth. He remained at home until he had attained his majority and then

430

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

went to Illinois, where he engaged in teach- ing school, for he had enjoyed liberal edu- cational privileges, his early mental disci- pline having been supplemented by a course in the Oberlin Academy. He continued to follow the teacher's profession until 1862, when, feeling that his country needed his service, he offered his aid to the govern- ment, enlisting for three years or during the war, as a member of Company E, Seventy- seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under command of Colonel D. P. Greir. The regi- ment was assigned to the western depart- ment, becoming a member of the Thirteenth Army Corps, with Sherman in command. Mr. Smith participated in the siege of Vicksburg and the battle of Arkansas Post and was with General Grant in all of his campaigning in the vicinity of Vicksburg until the capitulation of the city. After the close of that campaign he was granted a twenty-days furlough, the only leave of ah- sence which he had during his entire term of military service. On its expiration he re- turned to his command and continued with his regiment until the close of the war. His military duty was often arduous. He was in much skirmishing and in seventeen hotly contested battles. At the time of Lee's sur- render he was located in Alabama, in which state the regiment was mustered out and went to Springfield, Illinois, where Mr. Smith received an honorable discharge and was paid off in July, 1865.

He then returned to his home and fam- ily and resumed school teaching, which he followed continuously until 1867 when he accepted a position as bookkeeper in Peoria. A year later failing eye sight and close con- finement compelled him to seek an occupa- tion that would enable him to have some out- door exercise. He therefore purchased a small farm in Peoria county, upon which he remained for several years. In the spring of 1875 he came to Kansas, locating in Rice county, where he rented a tract of land and began its cultivation. He lived alone through the summer, during which time he located a homestead and built a house, and in the fall of the same year he sent for his family. He is yet residing on his original

claim, which at first comprised one hundred . and sixty acres, but to this he has since added a tract of eighty acres. His home is a commodious two-story frame residence, in the rear of which stands substantial barns and outbuildings, and these in turn are surrounded by well tilled fields. He also has a good orchard and a grove of over five acres, in which are many squirrels which have their haunts in the trees. He and his wife planted seed and set out trees and are to-day enjoying the fruits of their labor. Their beautiful home and farm is situated six miles north of Lyons and is one of the most attractive country seats in this portion of the state. When they came here there were few permanent settlers and farming was carried on only on a small scale, but the country settled and developed rapidly and towns and villages were founded. There were some buffaloes and many antelopes yet in the district, but Mr. Smith had no time to hunt and within a comparatively short period advancing civilization had driven all wild animals from this district. Occasion- ally crops have been poor, but usually the return for labor has been abundant. The wheat crop is always reliable and his farm has ever been self-supporting and for many years his labors have been crowned with a high degree of prosperity. He has every reason to be pleased with his adopted state, for here he has established a good home.and has gained success.

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 69

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