A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 70

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 70

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It was in 1860 that Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda A. Gardner, who was born in the city of Peoria, Illinois, November 3, 1840, and is a lady of intelligence and culture. Her parents, An- sel M. and Lucinda (Bishop) Gardner, were both natives of New York, where they were married. The paternal grandfather, Adam Gardner, was also born in the Em- pire state and was of English lineage. By trade he was a shoemaker, and on leaving the east he removed to Illinois, where his last days were passed. His children were: Otis, who died in Illinois; Ansel M., the father of Mrs. Smith: Roxana, wife of W. Meggs: Mrs. Lydia Meggs; Sophia, the wife of Judge Hunt; and Clarinda, who

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married Isaac Spencer. Ansel M. Gardner was reared in New York and was ordained as a minister of the Baptist church. In 1835 he went to Peoria, Illinois, where lie acted as local preacher until old age necessi- tated his retirement. By occupation he was a mechanic, and in 1844 he took up his abode upon a farm, where he resided for a number of years, after which he retired to Osceola, his death there occurring in 1876. Throughout his entire life his career was in harmony with his Christian teachings, and he died in the firm hope of everlasting happiness. His wife survived him some tinie and spent her last days with her daugh- ter, Mrs. Smith, where she found a good home. Her death occurred January 1, 1895. She was a daughter of Joel Bishop, of New England, who served in the war of the Revolution and was a farmer by ocupation. His death occurred in the Empire state. He had thirteen children, namely: Chaun- cy, Joel, Elijah, Reuben, Anna, Clara, Roxy, Sallie, Phoebe, Lucinda, Harriet. Martha and Rachel. The children of the Gardner family were: Martin A .. who is now deceased : Phoebe L., who became Mrs. Weaver and after the death of her first huis- band she was again married; Harriet, the widow of William Calhoun and a resident of Crawford county, Kansas; Adam, who is living in the state of Washington; Mar- tha F .. the wife of Joseph A. Smith; Reu- ben B., of Illinois: Lucinda, wife of S. J. Smith : Chauncy H., of Iowa ; Mary J., the wife of C. H. Drury, of Illinois ; and John A., who died at the age of twenty-two years. The parents of this family were members of the Baptist church and in that faith reared their children.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Smith has been blessed with seven children, as fol- lows: Charles J., of Utah; Samuel E., a farmer of Rice county; Ella M., wife of WV. E. Cassingham, a grain merchant of Noble, Kansas: Frank, a stockman, at home: Lotta B., the wife of J. Blakeley, of Oklahoma : Ransom T., of Utah : and Mary L. Mr. Smith is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and likewise belongs to Kit

Carson Post, No. 20, G. A. R., of Lyons. He was reared in the faith of the Whig party and in 1860 supported Stephen A. Douglas, who was the author of the Squat- ter's Sovereignty plan for Kansas. After entering the army, however, he became a stanch advocate of Republican principles ' and has since supported the party. While in Illinois he filled a number of township offices and was clerk and treasurer for some time. Since coming to Kansas he has served for eight years as clerk of the courts and was deputy clerk for three years, while in 1890 he was elected to serve in the state senate. He is one of the most prominent and leading members of his party, and was at one time the nominee for county treas- urer, but on account of the great strengtli of the Populist movement he was defeated. In the positions which he has filled he has discharged his duties with marked prompt- ness and fidelity, and over the record of his public career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He has con- tributed in no unsubstantial manner to the progress and improvement of his portion of the state, and his worth as a citizen is widely acknowledged. As an honored pio- neer and man of genius, ability and worth he well deserves representation in this vol- time.

SAMUEL MAJORS.

Samuel Majors is the efficient and popu- lar postmaster of Waterloo, Kansas. to which position he was appointed in June. 1897. He was born in White county, Illi- nois, April 14, 1837. The family is of English lineage, but for several generations has been represented in America. William Majors, the grandfather of our subject, was a valiant soldier in the war of 1812, and served under General Jackson at Horseshoe Bend. His son, Isaac Majors, the father of our subject, was born in Giles county, Ten- nessee, and when he had reached man's es- tate he married Martha Lay, who was born in North Carolina, and was a daugh- ter of Jesse Lay, a native of that state, of

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Scotch descent. Mr. Majors held member- ship in the Baptist church and his wife in the Methodist Episcopal church. They instilled into the minds of their children les- sons concerning the value of honesty and uprightness. Mrs. Major died at the early age of twenty-six years. By her marriage she became the mother of two sons and three daughters, namely: Samuel; Will- iam; Rebecca; Mary; and Martha. After the death of his first wife Mr. Majors was again married, and by the second union had a son, Jacob WV. In his political views the father was a Democrat, and was a citizen very loyal to the best interests of his county, state and nation. His long and honorable career covered a period of eighty years, at the end of which time he was called to his final rest.

Samuel Majors spent his youth in the usual manner of farmer lads, working in the fields on the Illinois-homestead, while in the public schools of the neighborhood he ac- quired his education. When the country became involved in the Civil war and needed the aid of her loyal sons, he enlisted on the 25th of July, 1861, at the second call of President Lincoln for troops, becoming a member of Company C. Fortieth Illinois Infantry, under command of Captain E. Stewart and Colonel S. G. Hicks. He par- ticipated in the battles of Belmont, Fort Denison, Fort Henry and Shiloh, and on being taken ill, was sent to the hospital at Louisville, Kentucky, where he was hon- orably discharged June 14, 1862.

Mr. Majors then returned to his home and wife, for in 1860 he had married Eliza- beth A. Upton, a lady of culture and intelli- gence, who has been a most able assistant to him in his life work. She was born, reared and educated in Springertown, Illi- nois, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Cain) Upton, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Tennessee. Both spent their last year in Illinois. Their family was well represented by two brave sons who aided in the defense of the Union. James B. Upton, who is now deceased, was a member of the Fortieth Illinois Infantry, and William W., who became a member of

the Fifty-sixth Illinois Regiment, was lost on the ship "General Lyons" at the time it was burned. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Majors has been blessed with eight children, namely: Martha A., Delpha E., Mary E., Rebecca J., Charles E., Minnie A., Eliza A. and John A. The family are now living in Woodward county, Okla- homa, near Curtis.

In the year 1879 Mr. Majors disposed of his business interests in his native state and came to Kansas, locating first in Sum- ner county, where he remained until 1886, when he came to Kingman county. He has since been identified with the work of de- velopment and progress in this portion of the state, and is a citizen who places the public welfare before personal aggrandize- ment. His political support is given to the Republican party and he never wavers in his allegiance to its principles. Appointed to his present position as postmaster of Waterloo in June, 1897, his administration has been one commending him to the con- fidence and support of the best citizens, for he is prompt and reliable in the discharge of his duties. He keeps well informed on the issues of the day and takes just pride in public progress and improvement. Socially he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic and with the Odd Fellows society, and in his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit of these fraternities.

N. J. YEAROUT.

N. J. Yearout, superintendent of the Kingman County Infirmary and one of the early and highly respected residents of his locality, was born in Blount county, Tennes- see, in 1859. His father, J. J. Yearout, was a native of Knox county, that state, and dur- ing the war of the Rebellion he served for three and a half years as a brave and gal- lant soldier. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Jane Symerly, was born in Ger- many. In 1866 Mr. Yearout removed with his family to Crittenden county, Kentucky, where they made their home for six years,

MR. AND MRS. N. J. YEAROUT.

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after which they took up their abode near Newton, in Newton county, Missouri, there spending the following five years. On the expiration of that period they came to the Sunflower state, securing a farm on section 35, Reno township, Reno county. The land was then known as Osage Indian land and was in its primitive condition, but Mr. Year- out succeeded in placing his fields under a fine state of cultivation, and there the family made their home for many years. The fa- ther's death occurred at Hunnewell, Sumner county, Kansas. He was a life-long farm- er, and in his social relations was a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he maintained pleasant relations with his old army comrades. His widow still survives and resides at Hunnewell, being now in her sixty-sixth year. They became the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters,-Jacob, Catharine, Martha S., N. J., Mary J., J. E., Alice, and J. C. N. J. Yearout, whose name introduces this review, accompanied his parents on their various removals, and was reared and edu- cated in Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri and Kansas. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age, and in the following year was united in marriage to Martha Whitehead, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Whitehead. They now make their home at Cheney, Kansas. Since as- suming the duties of superintendent of the county poor farm and infirmary Mr. Year- out has given to it his undivied attention. He has indeed proved himself an efficient and worthy man for the position, and the county commissioners are to be congratulated in securing him for this responsible office. The farm consists of three hundred and twenty acres of land, one hundred and twenty acres of which is under cultivation, while the re- mainder is devoted to pasturage, in which may be seen an excellent grade of stock. About sixty head of cattle, seventy hogs and about seven horses are usually kept upon the place. The place is adorned with neat and substantial buildings and from six to twenty- three inmates yearly find excellent homes here.

The Republican party receives Mr. Year-

out's hearty support and co-operation, and in his social relations he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. Mrs. Yearout is a member of the Christian church, and both she and her husband are highly esteemed by all and enjoy the hospitality of the best homes in this section of the county, the circle of their friends being almost co-extensive with the circle of their acquaintances.

SAMUEL JONES.

In no profession is there a career more open to talent than in that of the law, and in no field of endeavor is there demanded a more careful preparation, a more thorough appreciation of the ethics of life or of the underlying principles which form the basis of all human rights and privileges. Unflagging application and intuitive wis- dom and a determination to fully utilize the means at hand are the concomitants which insure personal success and prestige in this great profession, which stands as the stern. conservator of justice; and it is one into which none should enter without a recog- nition of the obstacles to be overcome and the battles to be won, for success does not perch on the falchion of every person who enters the competitive fray, but comes only as the diametrical result of capability and unmistakable ability. Possessing all the requisites of the able lawyer, Mr. Jones is now occupying an enviable position among the leading attorneys in central Kansas, his home being in Lyons, where he has a large and distinctively representative clientage. He came here in 1888 and has since been a resident of the city.

Mr. Jones is a native of Bloomfield, Da- vis county, Iowa, born May 10, 1857, and is a son of M. H. Jones, one of the promi- nent lawyers of the southern portion of that state through nearly half a century. The family is of English lineage and was founded in the south in early colonial days, the first of the name having come to Amer- ica with Lord Baltimore. A settlement was

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made in Queen Anne county, Maryland, the . original American ancestor being the grand- father of Benjamin Jones, the great-grand- father of our subject. The family has been represented in the Revolutionary war, the war of 1812 and the Civil war, and have always been found on the side of liberty, of right and of progress.

Benjamin Jones, grandfather of our subject, was reared in Maryland and Vir- ginia and was a son of Mrs. Pamelia ( Se- gar) Jones of Frederick county, Maryland. He became superintendent of a large mill race which was being erected in Virginia, and in that capacity directed the labors of many slaves, but being convinced that the habit of holding human beings in bondage was unscriptural, he espoused the abolition cause and announced to his wife his inten- tion of leaving Virginia and seeking a home in a new country free from the nfluence of · slavery. He had married Miss Kate Alex- ander, who belonged to a prominent and distinguished family of Virginia that was also represented in the war of the Revolu- tion. Her parents resided in Rockbridge county, Virginia, where they had many slaves. They were wealthy and influential and it will thus be seen that Mrs. Jones was descended from prominent ancestry. As Mrs. Jones' views were in harmony with those of her husband they liberated their slaves in 1819 and removed to Putnam coun- ty, Indiana, locating near Greencastle, where the grandfather of our subject erected one of the first log houses in that portion of the state. He then devoted his energies to the development of a home for his family and to the work of preaching the gospel among his friends and neighbors, carrying the glad tidings of great joy into the frontier region. The Rev. Benjamin Jones and his wife became the parents of five children, namely : Peter A., deceased ; Samuel; M. H., deceased; Benjamin, who served as colonel of the Third Iowa Cavalry in the Civil war: Thomas, of Wayne coun- ty, Iowa : Mrs. Kate Tolbert, deceased ; and Mrs. Jane May, who has also passed away. The grandfather died at the old homestead in Putnam county, Indiana, in 1845, at the

age of sixty-five years. He has devoted much of his life to the work of the gospel and his influence had been far-reaching and beneficial.

M. H. Jones, father of him whose name introduces this review, was born near Greencastle, Putnam county, Indiana, and was reared on a farm, assisting in the ardu- ous task of developing and improving the fields in those early days. He was in- structed concerning. the value of industry and honesty in the affairs of life and ac- quired a good education in the public schools. Determining to enter professional life he became a student of law and when a young man took up his abode in Bloomfield, Davis county, Iowa, where for many years hie successfully engaged in practice. For nearly half a century he was regarded as one of the distinguished attorneys and promi- nent and influential citizens of the southern portion of the state. He was an important factor in its progress and upbuilding and contributed in large measure to its general advancement. He left the impress of his individuality upon public thought and ac- tion and his influence and efforts were ever on the side of right and of improvement. He married Miss Emaline Judson Spencer, a lady of superior nature, culture and refine- ment, who was born in Coosco, New York, January 3, 1824. Her father was Benjamin Spencer, of the Empire state. Her grand- father, Thomas Spencer, and the latter was a son of General Joseph Spencer, of Revo- lutionary fame, who served on the staff of General Washington. Benjamin Spencer married a Miss Abigail Wheeler, of the Em- pire state. Mr. and Mrs. Jones became the parents of four children: Charles Benja- min, who is residing in Davis county, Iowa; Samuel, of this review; Mrs. Alice Esther Deupree, now deceased; and M. A., who is living in Iowa. The mother of this family pased away in 1889, dying in the faith of the Christian church, of which she had long been a consistent member. Mr. Jones was a Republican in his political affiliations and took an active part in the work of the party. He served as district attorney of the sec- ond judicial district, which embraced seven

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counties of Iowa, and also as district at- torney fully sustained the dignity of the law. At the time of the Civil war M. H. Jones manifested his patriotism and loyalty by joining the Union army, serving as a lieutenant in the Forty-fifth Iowa Infantry, under General A. J. Smith. In his social relations he was a Mason and attained the Knight Templar degree in the command- ery. In manner he was jovial and in social life was easily approachable, but in the court-room had the dignified bearing of one who recognized the fact, too often forgot- ten, that he stood as the conservator of right, justice and the liberty of the people. Wherever he went he won friends by his cordiality and genuine worth and he died at the age of seventy-one years, honored and respected by all who knew him.

Samuel Jones, the well known attorney of Lyons, was reared in the city of his birth and acquired his preliminary education in its public schools, after which he matriculated in the State Normal, of Iowa, and was grad- uated in 1876, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. The following year he entered the Wesleyan University, where he was grad- uated in 1877, as Bachelor of Science. In 1878 he was admitted to the bar and was elected district attorney for the second ju- dicial district of Iowa in 1882, embracing the counties of Van Buren, Wayne, Appa- noose, Lucas, Monroe and Davis. In 1888 he came to Lyons, where he has since en- gaged in practice, being regarded as one of the most capable and distinguished lawyers of Rice county. He is remarkable among lawyers for this wide research and provident care with which he prepares his cases. In no instance has his reading ever been con- fined to the limitations of the question at issue: it has gone beyond and compassed every contingency and provided not alone for the expected, but for the unexpected, which happens in the courts quite as fre- quently as out of them. His logical grasp of facts and principles and of the law ap- plicable to them has been another potent element in his success; and a remarkable clearness of expression, an adequate and pre- cise diction, which enables him to make

others understand not only the salient points of his argument but his every fine gradation of meaning may be accounted one of his most conspicuous gifts and ac- complishments. In addition to his law prac- tice Mr. Jones is also connected with finan- cial interests in Lyons as one of the direc- tors of the Lyons National Bank.

In 1881, in Bloomfield, Iowa, Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Young, who was born in that state and was educated at the Iowa Wesleyan Univer- sity, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Her par- ents were Ephraim and Elizabeth ( French ) Young, formerly of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Jones now have three children: Rob- ert Young, Benjamin Samuel and Eliza- beth Z. They have lost one daughter, Mary, the second born, who died at the age of four years. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Christian church and is an estimable lady, whose many excellencies of character have gained her a large circle of warm friends. Socially Mr. Jones is a Mason and has taken the degrees of the blue lodge and chapter. He is also a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Knights of Pythias. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, unswerving in his support of the principles of the party. In social life lie is a genial, cordial and courteous friend. He is well versed in the principles of juris- prudence and in addition to his compre- hensive legal knowledge he employs wit and satire with good effect as he presents to the court the points in litigation which bear upon his case.

A. D. SPECK.

A. D. Speck is one of the well known, successful and prominent pioneers and ag- riculturists of Rice county, whither he came in the year 1879. He was born in York county, Pennsylvania, January 19, 1839, and represents a well known and honored family, ever characterized for straightfor- ward dealing, energy and integrity. His

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father, Martin Speck, was also a native of the Keystone state and was there reared upon a farm belonging to his father, Adam Speck, who was born in Pennsylvania, but was of German lineage. The family was founded in the new world at an early period in its development, and in Pennsylvania both Adam and Martin Speck followed farmning. The latter was married in York county, Pennsylvania, to Miss Elizabeth Leighty, whose birth occurred in that coun- ty and who also belonged to one of the old families of York county, of German origin. Martin and Elizabeth Speck became the par- ents of three sons and six daughters, name- ly: Catherine; Nancy and Joanna, both de- ceased ; John ; Barbara, who has also passed away; Elizabeth, deceased; Margaret; Jo- seph; and A. D., of this review, who is the only one living in Kansas. The father was born September 2, 1798, and died Septem- ber 21, 1849, after devoting his time and attention throughout his active business career to farming. He voted with the Whig party and in religious faith was a Lutheran. His wife, who was born in 1796, also held membership in the same church, and her death occurred September 28, 1873. She was loved by all for her many good qualities of heart and mind, and the father of our subject was recognized as a man whose word was as good as his bond.

On the old homestead farm in Pennsyl- vania A. D. Speck was reared, and lessons of industry and perseverance were early in- stilled into his mind and formed an excellent foundation upon which to rear a character of worth. His education was obtained in the public schools and in the practical school of experience, where he learned many les- sons of value. He was married May 28, 1863, to Miss Mary A. Stickel, who was born in York county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Peter and Margaret (Gentz- ler) Stickel. In 1863 Mr. Speck left his Pennsylvania home. In 1870 he removed with his family from White Pigeon, Michi- gan, to Blackhawk county, Iowa, and there his wife died, leaving four children, of whom two are now living: Mrs. Laura E. Mertz, of Lyons, and Mrs. Clara Jane Mar-

kle, wife of H. Markle, of Rice county. Those who have passed away are: · Eliza- beth M., who died in Iowa, and Albert E., whose death occurred in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. After the death of his first wife Mr. Speck was again married, on the. 4th of July, 1873, the wedding being cele- brated in Iowa, at which time Esther Ever- hart became his wife. She was born in In- diana, but was reared in Iowa, and her death occurred August 3, 1874. For sev- eral years Mr. Speck remained single and was then married, on the 5th of July, 1879, in Hutchinson, Kansas, to Miss Carry Stokes, a lady of intelligence and good fam- ily, who was born and reared in Michigan, pursuing her education in St. Joseph, that state. Her father was Richard Stokes, who was born in England about 1828 and came to the United States in early manhood. He died at the age of forty-three years. Her mother was born in York county, Penn- sylvania, and passed away at the age of fifty-three. They were Lutherans in relig- ious belief, and the former made farming his life work. In their family were ten children, five sons and five daughters, as follows: William, who died in early youth; Sarah; Mary; Emma, who has also passed away ; Ella ; Mrs. Speck; John, who died in childhood; Henry; George and Charles.

Prior to his last marriage Mr. Speck re- moved from Iowa, in 1874, locating in St. Joseph county, Michigan, where he made his home until 1879, when he removed to Kansas. He located in Atlanta township, Rice county, and has since successfully car- ried on agricultural pursuits. He here owns five hundred and sixty. acres of valuable land, and his rich and fertile fields yield to him excellent harvests. The land borders on Cow creek and is thus well watered. In addition to the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to this climate, he has also de- voted considerable attention to the raising of stock. His farm is splendidly improved with a comfortable and commodious resi- dence, a good barn, fine orchard, a good grove, verdant pastures and fields of golden grain. He is now the owner of the finest

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 70

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