A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 85

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 85

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WILLIAM SMITH.

William Smith is an honored and re- spected citizen of Rice county, who since pioneer days has made his home within its -borders and has ever borne his part in the work of development and upbuilding. He has seen great changes and has .witnessed the wonderful transformation as wild lands have been converted into fine farms and as towns and villages have been builded, thus introducing into this section of the state all of the industries, commercial enterprises and indications of civilization known to the older east.

Mr. Smith is among the residents of Rice county that Kentucky has furnished to the Sunflower state. He was born in Cum- berland county, Kentucky, January 18, 1820, and is a son of James Smith, whose birth occurred near Baltimore, Maryland. The family is of English and Scotch descent and was founded in the new world at an early day. Samuel Smith, the grandfather of our

subject, was also a native of Maryland, and during the early boyhood of his son James he removed with his wife and children to North Carolina, where he spent the residue of his life. His wife also passed away in that state. James Smith, the father of our subject, was reared to manhood upon a farm in North Carolina, and when he had reached years of maturity he wedded Miss Job, a na- tive of that state and a representative of one of its early and distinguished families. After the birth of two of their children Mr. and Mrs. Smith removed to Kentucky, trav- eling in the primitive manner of the times, when the journey to the Blue Grass state was made over the mountains on pack horses. They settled in Cumberland coun- ty, Kentucky, and at an early period in the development of that state were identified with its improvement and upbuilding. They had a family of nine children,-Samuel, Jane, Thomas, Levi, Ruth, James Job, who is now living in Lyons, John, William and Elijah.

William Smith, whose name introduces this record, was a youth of nine years when the family removed to Morgan county, Illi- nois, taking up their abode there in 1829. Subsequently the parents went to Madison county, Iowa, where the father passed away at the age of seventy-four years. The mother reached the age of seventy-three years. They were farming people, who lived industrious and honorable lives, in har- mony with their professions as members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

William Smith spent the greater part of his youth on the home farm in Morgan county, Illinois, and assisted in the arduous labors of establishing a home in the midst of the wild western district. His lot was one of early toil. He was taught to be hon- est, to be industrious and to be fair in all his dealings with his fellow men, and the lessons which he learned in his youth he has followed throughout his entire career and has thus commanded and enjoyed the re- spect of those with whom he has been as- sociated. He pursued his literary education in a log school-house, with greased-paper windows and primitive furnishings. The

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building was heated by an immense fireplace, which occupied almost the entire end of the rcom. The years passed and at the age of twenty he was united in marriage to Martha J. Murphy, an orphan girl. Their married life, however, was of short duration, for she died at the age of twenty years, leaving a little daughter, Mary. On the 22d of April, 1852, Mr. Smith was again married, in Morgan county, Illinois, his second union being with Miss Ellen Hollingshead, with whom he has now traveled life's journey for almost a half century. Together they have shared the joys and sorrows, the adversity and prosperity which checker the careers of all. Mrs. Smith was born in New Jersey, in November, 1828, a daughter of Joseph L. and Mary C. (Ogden) Hollingshead. Her father was born in New Jersey, of English parentage, and her mother was a native of New York. They had four children : Maurice L., Mrs. Smith, Henry and one now deceased. The mother of this family died in early life, being buried on the twenty-seventh anniversary of her birth. Mr. Hollingshead afterward married again, and by the second union had a daughter, Mary C. In an early day he carried on mer- chandising at Oak Grove Furnace, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but later turned his attention to farming and spent his re- maining days in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. For many years he was a consistent and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. By the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Smith six children were born: Joseplı H., a resi- dent farmer of Rice county; W. T., who follows farming in Mitchell township, Rice county ; Martha J., wife of G. W. Conner, who is also living in Mitchell township; F. R., a physician who resides on Little river, Kansas ; R. H., a popular and success- ful teacher now located at Mitchell; and E. O., a practicing physician at Marquette, McPherson county, Kansas.

William Smith maintained his residence in Morgan county, Illinois, for many years and then removed to Cass county, where he resided until 1858. That year witnessed his removal to Madison county, Iowa, where

he was numbered among the early settlers. He took an active part in public affairs, was elected county commissioner and was a member of the board at the time the court house was erected. During the Civil war he responded to the country's call for aid, in 1864, and joined the Fifteenth Iowa In- fantry, as a member of Company F, under command of Captain Job Throckmorton and Colonel Bellmont. He joined General Sher- man's army at Maryville, Georgia, and afterward was honorably discharged, on ac- count of physical disability, at Savannah, Georgia, his discharge papers being signed by Dr. Dungleson and General Gilmore, and the document was forwarded to him at Fair- fax, Virginia, where he was in the hospital. He then returned to his home in Madison county, Iowa, but in 1874 came to Rice county, Kansas, casting in his lot with its early settlers. He located on a claim of one hundred and sixty acres where he resided until his retirement from business life in 1892, at which time he took up his abode in Lyons, where he now makes his home. His energy, capable management and keen discrimination in business affairs during his long and active connection with agricultural interests brought to him a handsome com- petence which now supplies him with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Mr. Smith was converted by the Rev. Peter Cartwright at a camp-meeting sixty, four years ago, and throughout this long period has been a consistent and zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as class-leader for a half a century. His political support has been given the Republican party, and the cause of education, of temperance and of religion have found in him a warm friend. He has now reached the very advanced age of eighty-two years, but time has dealt kindly with him, as it does with all who . abuse not the laws of nature. In manner he is frank and genial, and his upright and honorable life has gained for him the esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contact. He receives the veneration which should ever be accorded one of advanced

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age, and in the evening of life he can look back over the past without regret and for- ward to the future without fear.

EDWARD W. JONES.

The Groveland farm in Wilson township has been developed under the enterprising efforts of Edward Jones, its present pro- prietor. It comprises four hundred acres of rich bottom land and the salient features of the place are its good buildings, its fine pas- ture and meadow lands and its waving fields of grain; there is also a beautiful grove, the latest improved machinery and every convenience that will facilitate farm work and render its returns more sure and speedy. Groveland farm has a wide reputa- tion in connection with stock-raising since Mr. Jones became the owner of a herd of Galloway and Black Polled cattle, no finer stock being found in Rice county.

The enterprising and progressive owner of this desirable property is a native of Wales. He was born on the White Field farm in Cardiganshire, April 28, 1850, and is a son of John P. and Ann (Lewis) Jones, also natives of the same locality. The latter is a daughter of Joshua Lewis, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were reared, educated and married in the county of their nativity. and in 1850 they bade adieu to friends and home preparatory to taking up their abode in the new world. Crossing the Atlantic to the United States, they became residents of Gallia county, Ohio, where the father fol- lowed agricultural pursuits, although in Wales he had devoted his attention to the weaver's trade. In politics he was a Repub- lican and warmly espoused the principles of his party. In all his dealings he was straightforward, reliable, his word being as good as his bond. For many years he served as deacon in the Calvinistic Methodist church, and in that religious faith he passed to his final rest in 1881, at the age of sev- enty-five years. His wife, who is a member of the same church, still survives him and yet makes her home in Jackson county.

Ohio. She is a most estimable woman and hier exemplary life has had a marked influ- ence for good over the lives of her children and friends. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were the parents of five sons and three daughters, of whom six are yet living: John, who for four years served his country in the Union army during the war of the Rebellion, be- coming a member of General Hancock's Veteran Corps, and now resides in Ohio; Edward W., the next of the family; Will- iam, who makes his home on the old farm in Jackson county ; David, who is a resident of the state of Washington ; Phillip, who lives in San Francisco, California ; and Mary E., who resides in Jackson county, Ohio. Those who have passed away are Mrs. Jennie Will- iams, who died in the Buckeye state, at the age of thirty-three years, and Anna, who died in infancy.

Mr. Jones, of this review, was brought to America in his babyhood and was reared upon the homestead farm, in Gallia county, Ohio. As age and strength permitted hie as- sisted in the farm work and in the schools of the neighborhood he mastered the branches of English learning, acquiring a knowledge that fitted him for the transaction of business in later life. He was identified with the farming interests of Ohio until 1878, when he resolved to seek a home in Kansas, believing that he would have better opportunities for advancement in a state less thickly settled than in the one in which he had resided. Accordingly he came to Rice county and in 1879 took up his abode on Groveland farm, where his labors have since been prosecuted with such diligence and en- ergy that he is now numbered among the citizens of affluence in his community.

Mr. Jones was united in marriage, in 1881, to Miss Kate Hughes, a representa- tive of a good family 'in Jackson county, Ohio, where she was born, reared and edu- cated. Her parents. Lewis and Ann ( Lloyd) Hughes, were both natives of Wales, and in their family were eight chil- dren: Thomas, who became a member of the Ninety-first Ohio Infantry during the Civil war and died at Cloud Mountain. Vir- ginia : Anna: Mary; Z. Jenkins: Susie;

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Mrs. Jones; Isaac; and Jennie. The mar- | made his home in this portion of the state. riage of Mr. and Mrs. Jones has been blessed with four children: John H., who is now in his nineteenth year and is a student in Cooper College in Sterling, Kansas; Ann B., Florence and Lewis H., aged respect- ively sixteen, fifteen and twelve years.

Mr. Jones exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and is one of its val- ued advocates and leading workers, doing all in his power to promote its growth and secure its success. He has served as a meni- ber of the central committee for a number of years and has thereby done effective service. He has filled most of the township offices with credit to himself and the satisfaction of all concerned and in 1890 and 1891 was census enumerator. He and his family arc members of the Congregational church, in which he is actively interested, contributing liberally to its support and working un- tiringly for its advancement. He has served as deacon and trustee of the church and also as superintendent of the Sunday-school. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend, and for a number of years he has been a member of the school board. His hearty co-operation is given to all move- ments and measures calculated to advance intellectuality and morality, to establish temperance principles or in any way uplift humanity. His own life is well worthy of emulation for he has exemplified the prin- ciples of Christianity in his daily life and conduct. He is one of the most honored and popular citizens of Wilson township and well deserves prominent mention in this vol- ume, the purpose of which is to perpetuate the life records of the representative men of the community.

GEORGE W. GINTER.

He was born in Atlanta, Blair county, Penn- sylvania, February 22, 1847. His father, Jonathan Ginter, was born in the same coun- ty and was of German lineage. He was reared upon a farm in the place of his na- tivity, and after arriving at years of matur- ity he was there married to Sarah Yingling, who was born in Blair county, where her girlhood days were passed. Mr. and Mrs. Ginter became the parents of five children : David was a soldier in the First Pennsyl- vania Bucktails, a regiment that made a most gallant record for brave service in the Civil war. He is now living in Herington, Kansas. George W. is the next of the fam- ily, and the younger children are Mrs. Anna Smith, Solomon and Samuel. The father of this family died when George W. was only eleven years of age and the mother afterward married again, becoming the wife of a Mr. Grumbling, by whom she had four children, namely: Charles, Alice, John and Lucy. The mother departed this life at the age of fifty-five years. She was a member of the Baptist church, and her many excel- lent qualities of heart and mind won her the esteem and regard of all who knew her.

George W. Ginter was reared in Blair county, Pennsylvania, upon a farm, and re- ceived his education in the schools of the neighborhood. During the war he enlisted, in August, 1861, in response to President Lincoln's call for three hundred thousand men, in the Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, as a member of Company D. He was under command of Captain R. H. Mc- Cormick and Colonel William Sirwell. He participated in the battle of Green River, Kentucky, and was with the Army of the Cumberland at Stone River and at Dug Gap. He was also in the battle of Chickamauga and the Atlanta campaign with Sherman's army, including the battle of Kenesaw Mountain and the siege of Atlanta. He likewise took part in many skirmishies and lesser engagements, but though often in the thickest of the fight he escaped serious in- ury. He was honorably discharged with a good military record at Kittanning, Penn-

In Wilson township there is a highly improved farm of three hundred and twenty acres which is the property of George W. Ginter, one of the well known. intelligent and enterprising agriculturists of Rice coun- ty. He came here in 1866 and has since sylvania, on November 4, 1864.

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Not long after this Mr. Ginter went to Lawrence county, Ohio, and secured a situ- ation in the furnace works, where he re- mained for a number of years. In 1878 he came to the west on a prospecting tour, look- ing over the country, and then returned to the east. Prior to again coming to Kansas he sought and won as a companion and help- mate for the journey of life Miss Binie Nor- man, a lady of intelligence and a represen- tative of one of the good families of Gallia county, Ohio. Her father, William Nor- man, was a resident of that locality, where he followed farming pursuits. He married Maria Parkins, who was born in Virginia, a representative of one of the old and highly respected families of that state. This worthy couple became the parents of seven children, three now living, namely: Mrs. Nora Edwards, of Gallia county, Ohio; Mrs. Emma Bartles, also of the Buckeye state; and Mrs. Ginter, the honored wife of our subject. Those who have passed away are Elizabeth, Mrs. Elva Smith, Paulina and one who died in infancy. The father departed this life at the age of forty-four years. He had made farming his chief pur- suit, and by his energy and diligence in that line of labor he provided a comfortable liv- ing for his family. In politics he was a Democrat and in religious faith was a Meth- odist. His widow belongs to the same church. She still survives her husband and is now living in Gallia county, Ohio, at the age of seventy years. The marriage of our subject and his wife was celebrated on the Ist of January, 1879, and they began their domestic life in the Buckeye state, where they remained until 1886, when they came to Rice county, Kansas. Mr. Ginter now has a good farm of three hundred and twenty acres of rich land, upon which he has made excellent improvements, includ- ing the erection of a house and barn and the planting of groves and orchards. His pastures and cultivated fields are in good condition, and through his efforts in rais- ing grain and stock he is winning a comfort- able competence.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Ginter has been blessed with three children: Ollie;

Garfield, who is now a student in Cooper College ; and Clare. The children are being provided with good educational privileges, for the parents realize the value of mental discipline as a preparation for life's work. Mrs. Ginter is a member of the Methodist church, and Mr. Ginter is a man of sterling worth, whose word is as good as his bond. The family is one honored and esteemed throughout the community, and upon the battlefields of the south, in business life and in social circles Mr. Ginter has made for himself an enviable record.

C. A. WOOD.

Opulence and plenty are evidenced in all portions of central Kansas. The traveler passing through that section of the country sees thriving towns and cities standing in the midst of well tilled fields, constituting farms that are unsurpassed in any section of the country. The land is rich and fertile and produces excellent crops, and at the same time broad meadows afford excellent pasturage for stock, which may be seen in large numbers. Thrift, prosperity and con- tentment are characteristic of this section of the state. One of the finest farms in Rice county is the Wood Galloway farm, of which C. A. Wood is proprietor. As the name indicates, he is extensively engaged in dealing in Galloway cattle, and since 1881 has been interested in the raising of stock in this part of the country.

Mr. Wood was born in McLean county, Illinois, near Bloomington, on the 2d of De- cember, 1855, and is a son of George P. Wood, whose birth occurred in Pendleton county, Virginia. The grandfather, Joshua Wood, was also a native of the Old Domin- ion, while the great-grandfather of our sub- ject was born in England. George P. Wood spent his childhood and youth in the Old Dominion, and at the age of twenty-three went to Illinois, taking up his abode near Bloomington, in McLean county. He mar- ried Huldah Teeter, also a native of Vir- ginia, as was her father, Laban Teeter, who

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died in the Prairie state. Mr. and Mrs. Wood had nine children, of whom six are yet living, namely : C. A., of this review ; Mrs. Rebecca Oswalt, Mrs. Etta Franker- burger, Mrs. Charlotte Hyatt, Mrs. Amanda Weidner and Willian1. The other three children died in childhood and the father passed away in 1882, at the age of sixty- seven years. In his political views he was a Democrat and in religious faithi was a Protestant. His widow still survives him and now resides in Hutchinson, Kansas, at the age of sixty-two years.

In taking up the personal history of Mr. Wood, of this review, we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Rice county. He was reared upon the homestead farm in Illi- nois and work occupied no unimportant por- tion of his time in his childhood. However, he received good educational privileges, at- tending the public schools of McLean coun- ty, and by experience in the practical affairs of life and by reading and observation he has added largely to his knowledge. In 1881 he established his home in Rice county and two years later secured as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Ellen Tucker, of Sterling, Kansas, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah ( Dickerson) Tucker. Her father came to Rice county in 1878 and is now deceased, but her mother makes her home in Sterling. Mrs. Wood departed this life in 1886, dying in the faith of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, of which she was a consistent and loyal member. She left two children,-Hazel and Ernest. In 1889 Mr. Wood was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Fannie L. Smith, the widow of Theodore E. Smith, who died in California. They had four children, of whom three died in childhood, the fourth being Mrs. Nettie Roher, a widow residing in Junction City, Kansas. By the second marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wood two chil- dren have been born,-Ramona and C. Amby. The mother was born in Litchfield. Illinois, and acquired her education in Pleas- ant Hill, Missouri. Her father was Captain William White. He was a veteran of the Mexican war, also served in the Indian wars

on the plains of the west and was with Gen- eral Fremont's army. When the slave ques- tion precipitated the country into Civil war lie joined the Union army and became cap- tain of a company of Missouri cavalry. He made a brilliant record as a soldier and offi- cer, being fearless and faithful in the dis- charge of his duties, his own bravery in- spiring his men to deeds of valor. He now resides in Halstead, Kansas. He married Miss Elvira High, who was born in Ten- nessee and died November 25, 1900, at the age of sixty-seven years. She was greatly loved for her genial qualities of heart and mind.

Mr. Wood is the owner of a very valu- able farm of four hundred acres, supplied with all modern accessories and equipments. He has splendid buildings, which are kept in good repair, a fine bearing orchard, a grove of forest trees and well cultivated grain fields, but his attention is principally given to the raising of Galloway cattle, of which he has one of the best herds to be found in central Kansas. He has spent much money in improving his grade of stock, and is now regarded as one of the leading and most successful stock dealers in this portion of the state. Aside from his business affairs he has found time to devote to public interests, and for two terms he served as justice of the peace in a most fair and impartial manner. He has also been clerk of the school board. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Congrega- tional church and are held in warm regard, their circle of friends being almost co-ex- tensive with their circle of acquaintances.

DAVID F. GRANT.

David F. Grant is engaged in the rais- ing and feeding of cattle on a very extensive scale. He resides on the Wellington ranch on section 1. Clear Creek township. Ells- worth county, and for twenty-seven years has been a resident of this portion of the state. having come to Kansas in 1875. He was born in Indiana, Mav 22, 1852, and is of Scotch lineage, for his paternal grand-

MR. AND MRS. DAVID F. GRANT.

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father, William Grant, was a native of Scot- land being a millwright and farmer by oc- cupation. Crossing the Atlantic to the new world he became a resident of Indiana, where occurred the birth of William F. Grant, the father of our subject. The latter followed farming and carpentering. He was a Democrat in politics until 1861, when he joined the ranks of the Republican party. Soon after the arrival here of our subject he also came to Kansas, but did not remain long, removing thence to Missouri and af- terward to Texas, where he spent his last days. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah Bledsoe and they were the parents of four children, three of whom attained to years of maturity, namely : David F., John S., a resident of Texas, and James S. The parents were members of the Methodist church.

Mr. Grant, of this review, pursued his education in the public schools until thir- teen years of age, when he started out to earn his own livelihood by working as a farm hand. He remained in Indiana until the spring of 1866, when he became a resi- dent of Iowa, spending one year there. He afterward went to Missouri, where he re- sided until coming to Kansas. He was one of the first settlers of Ellis county, Kansas, taking up his abode there when not two hundred acres of land in the entire county had been broken. He built a dugout and began breaking his land with oxen. He planted his land to wheat and also engaged in herding cattle, laboring long and ardu- ously to gain a good start. He remained on his claim until he secured a deed for the land. In course of time he added eighty acres to his original tract, but finally sold the farm and came to Ellsworth county in 1883. Here he began work for the company that owned the ranch upon which he now resides. Af- ter four years he was made foreman, and he occupied that position for nine years, hav- ing control of ten thousand acres of land and employing as many as forty men. He fenced all of the land and engaged largely in raising wheat, producing from ten to fifteen thousand bushels annually. He also gave considerable attention to the cattle in-

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 85

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