A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 86

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 86

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).

dustry and his labors proved profitable to the company which employed him. Mr. Grant then purchased one hundred and six- ty acres of bottom land on section 12. This is splendid corn land and never has there been a failure of the crop. In 1895 he rented a part of the Wellington ranch, which joined his own home place, and is now very extensively engaged in the cattle business. He raises corn for feeding, and utilizes from two hundred to two hundred and fifty acres for his corn crop. He fat- tens his cattle mostly on grass. He has leased sixteen hundred and sixty acres, all under fence, and has a pasturage of three hundred and twenty acres six miles north of his home, and when he needs more pasture he rents other land. He has live springs in all of his pastures excepting the one to the north and that is equipped with a large windmill. He also raises his own horses and has fine stock for farming purposes.

On the IIth of December, 1870, Mr. Grant was united in marriage to Miss Mary Alice Straley, a daughter of Nicholas and Catherine F. (Funkhous) Straley. Her fa- ther was born in West Virginia and subse- quently removed to Missouri, where he car- ries on agricultural pursuits. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Grant has been blessed with three children: Frederick Nicholas, who is married and follows farming and stock raising: Lizzie Estella; and Laura Gertrude. In politics Mr. Grant is a Re- publican, but takes no active part in politi- cal affairs, save that he manifests his prefer- ence by always casting his ballot for the men and measures of his party. He is iden- tified with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. In business life he is progressive and energetic, and he owes his success to his own unaided efforts. Idleness forms no part of his nature and indolence has no place in his make up.

NATHAN A. C. BEAN.

Nathan A. C. Bean, deceased, was a resi- dent of Rockville township, Rice county, and enjoyed the high esteem and unqualified

530

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

regard of all with whom he came in contact. He was numbered among the pioneer set- tlers of the community, and in the neighbor- hood where he lived for so many years his loss was deeply mourned, for all knew him to be a man of upright principles and hon- orable life. He was born in Frederick county, Virginia, in 1846, and represented a good family of that state. His father, James Bean, was also a native of the Old Dominion and there married Gule Elma Fawsett, who was born in the same state and was a member of the Society of Friends or Quakers. The parents both died in the Old Dominion. They had seven children: Jo- seph, who was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war and now resides in Virginia; Mrs. Mary Richards, of Win- chester, that state; Nathan A. C .; Mrs. Anna Cooper, also of Virginia ; Mrs. Sarah Ramey, who is living in Nebraska; Mrs. Aurelia Williams, who resides upon the old homestead farm in Virginia ; and Mrs. Gus- sie Larrick, who is living in Frederick coun- ty, that state. The father was a farmer and planter, and at the time of the Civil war he espoused the cause of the Union, believing firmly in the supremacy of the national gov- ernment in Washington as represented by the administration in power.

Nathan A. C. Bean, whose name intro- duces this review, was reared upon the old homestead in Virginia and acquired his education in the schools of the neighbor- hood. In Frederick county, that state, he was united in marriage, in 1869, to Miss Rachel Fry, a lady of culture and intelli- gence, who was reared and educated in the Old Dominion and proved to her husband a most faithful and devoted helpmate and companion on the journey of life. Her par- ents were Eli J. and Lea (Findlay) Fry. natives of Virginia, and in their family were eleven children, namely: Fannie, Mrs. Bean, Archibald, Katie, Ida, William and Edith, all of whom are yet living, and Mrs. Eliza Cooper. Robert, George and Briscoe, who have passed away. The father was a blacksmith by trade, following that pursuit in order to provide for his family. He died in 1901, at the age of eighty years, respected

by all who knew him. His widow, however, is still living on the old home farm in Vir- ginia, at the age of seventy-four years, and is a devoted member of the Lutheran church.

Mr. and Mrs. Bean began their domestic life in the state of their nativity, but hoping to better their financial condition emigrated westward in 1871, securing a homestead claim in Rockville township, Rice county, Kansas. With characteristic energy he be- gan the development of his farm and carried on agricultural pursuits until his life's la- bors were ended in death. The tract com- prised one hundred and sixty acres, which he transformed into richly cultivated fields and improved with good buildings and an orchard. Here he and his wife reared their family, numbering eleven children. Mrs. Mattie Christmore is now living in Labette county, Kansas. Mrs. Mamie Birch resides in McPherson county, Kansas. Edgar, who was a well known resident of Windom for a number of years, moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where he had the misfortune to lose his wife, and then returned to Windom, where he now resides. James, who was suc- cessfully engaged in teaching, became a student in Saline College, where he gradu- ated in the business course and is now em- ployed as bookkeeper for a large milling firm in Gypsum, Kansas. Bonnie and Lot- tie were also students in the same school, where they received a normal course. Ethel, Branson, Ruth, Asa and Luther are all yet at home. They also lost one child, Elma, a twin sister of Edgar. The two eldest daughters, Mrs. Christmore and Mrs. Birch, have been popular and successful teachers of the county.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Bean became mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and did all in their power to promote its growth and upbuilding. During the Civil war he was an advocate of the Union cause and gave his political support to the Republican party up to the time of his death, which occurred April 14, 1888, when he was forty- two years of age. He was a man of upright principles and sterling worth, who ever commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he was associated. Since

531

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

her husband's death Mrs. Bean has devoted hier attention to the management of her property interests and to the care of her chil- dren, whom she has nobly reared. All of them are now members of the church. They have also received good educational privi- leges, and have thus been fitted for life's practical and responsible duties. She has regarded no sacrifice too great that would promote their happiness and welfare, and in return she receives their loving care and consideration. Like her husband she is a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church and in her life exemplifies her Chris- tian belief.

G. W. MORTER.

G. W. Morter was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1861, and is a son of John Morter, also a native of that locality. The grandfather, David Morter, was born in Fulton county, Penn- sylvania, and was of German lineage. Re- moving to Franklin county, he there spent his remaining days. His son John was reared upon the family homestead and after arriving at years of maturity was joined in wedlock to Miss Elizabeth Hess, whose birth occurred in Franklin county, where she was also reared and educated. She was the daughter of John Hess, who spent his entire life in the Keystone state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Morter were born nine children who grew to years of maturity: Samuel, who served as a Union soldier during the Civil war; Catherine; William; Joseph ; Da- vid and Mary, who have both passed away ; Jerry; John A .; and George WV. They also lost two children, Jolmn and Oliver, who passed away in early childhood. The father made farming his life work and followed that pursuit until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-two years of age. His wife passed away at the age of seventy-five. Both were members of the German Baptist church and lived earnest, consistent Chris- tian lives. The father was a Republican in his political views.

George W. Morter spent the days of his

youth in the Keystone state and in the pub- lic schools acquired a good education. He was early trained to the work of the farm and early manifested special aptitude in the handling of tools displaying considerable mechanical ingenuity. He remained in Pennsylvania until 1880, when he came to the middle west, locating first in Aurora and afterward in Batavia, Kane county, Illi- nois, where he followed the trade of car- pentering and was also employed as a ma- chinist in different shops. Later, however, he returned to the east, and in 1883 he came to Rice county, Kansas, where he has since made his home. Upon the farm where he yet resides he has lived for sixteen years. He now has a valuable property, equipped with good buildings, and is successfully de- voting his time and energy to the raising of grain and stock.

In April, 1893, after coming to Kansas, Mr. Morter was united in marriage to Miss Lena Goos, who was born in Germany and was three years of age when brought to the United States by her parents. Her girl- hood days were spent in Chicago and in Clinton, Iowa, and in 1879 she came to Rice county, Kansas, with her father and mother, C. and Margaret (Flount) Goos. The lat- ter died in Wilson township, Rice county, in 1896, leaving five sons and five daugh- ters, namely: Mrs. Lena Morter, Kate, William, Anna, Henry, Frank, Rosa, Al- bert, Dora and Charles.

In his political affiliations Mr. Morter is a' stanch Republican and does all in his power to promote the growth and secure the success of the party. He has served as trus- tee of his township, and in the fall of 1897 he was elected to the position of county sur- veyor. In that office he discharged the duties so capably that he was again made the candidate and once more elected to the office, of which he is the present incumbent. He has been a faithful and popular official, his labors bringing him the high commenda- tion of all concerned. He holds member- ship in the Wesleyan Methodist church and his wife is a member of the Congregational church. Mr. Morter is yet a young man and his salient characteristics are his stead-

532

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

fast purpose, his reliability and his unflag- ging industry. These qualities have won him success in business and honor in public life and he is to-day regarded as one of the popular and highly respected men of his adopted county.

GEORGE H. NICHOLS.

For many years, in fact from the early days of development in Rice county, farm- ing has been the leading occupation of the people, and for almost a quarter of a cen- tury Mr. Nichols has been a representative of this branch of industry in central Kansas. He located here in 1878 and has performed the arduous task of transforming wild prairie into richly cultivated fields. He comes from the far-off state of New Jersey, his birth having there occurred in the town of Sparta, on the 20th of July, 1855. His father, Ziba Nichols, was a well known citi- zen of Wilson township, Rice county, for a number of years, becoming a pioneer settler here. He was born in New Jersey and was of Scotch lineage. His childhood days were spent in the state of his nativity and his edu- cation was acquired in the public schools. He married Matilda Smith, also a native of that state, reared and educated there. In 1858 he removed with his family to Henry county, Illinois, locating near Kewanee, where he resided until 1881, the year of his arrival in Rice county, Kansas. Here he spent his remaining days, his death occur- ring in Wilson township, in August, 1887, when he was sixty-five years of age. His wife died in February, 1888, at the age of sixty-seven. In politics he was a Republi- can, and in religious faith Mrs. Nichols was identified with the Presbyterian church. They had ten children, namely: Wesley, who was a soldier of Company H. Ninth Illinois Cavalry, and served for four years, veteranizing during the Rebellion, now re- sides at the Soldiers' Home at Leavenworth, Kansas, where he expects to spend the re- mainder of his life: Mrs. Maggie Sutton is deceased : Mrs. Ellen Ayres resides in

Galesburg, Illinois; Mrs. Louisa Benedict is living in Blue Rapids, Kansas; Mrs. Delia Mccullough is a resident of Omaha, Ne- braska; Winfield makes his home in Rice county ; George H. is the next of the fam- ily; Charles is a resident of Kansas City, being employed as a traveling salesman ; Fred is located at Joplin, Missouri; and Eddy is deceased.

George H. Nichols was a little lad when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Henry county, Illinois, in which locality he was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the work of the fields. He at- tended the public schools and supplemented the knowledge there gained by broad prac- tical experience. In 1878 he arrived in Rice county, Kansas, and for three years made his home near Raymond. He afterward lived in the vicinity of Chase for two years, and in 1883, eighteen years ago, he came to his, present farm in Wilson township, where he has since lived, devoting his energies to the improvement and cultivation of one hundred and sixty acres of arable land. His farm is now a very desirable property. There are good buildings upon the place, a bearing orchard and shade trees, and in the pastures are found good grades of stock. He cultivates the crops best adapted to this climate and soil, and his labors are annually bringing to him a good profit.

Mr. Nichols was married in Rice county, on the 2d of March, 1882, to Miss Nattie Bradley, who has been to her husband a true companion upon the journey of life. She was born near Lancaster, in Schuyler coun- ty, Missouri, August 18, 1861, and is a daughter of James and Catherine (Ow) Bradley, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Pennsylvania. In 1878 her parents came to Kansas, settling near Ray- mond, and the father followed agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death, when he was sixty-eight years of age. He had served his country as a Union sol- dier during the Civil war and had given his political support to the Republican party. A man of firm convictions, he loyally ad- hered to every cause which he believed to be right. His widow is still living and

533

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

makes her home at Alden, Rice county. They had eight children, nainely : Samuel G., a resident of Reno county, Kansas ; William R., who is living in Rice county ; Mrs. Nattie Nichols; Mrs. Maggie Ward, now deceased; Mrs. Mary Ross; Mrs. Ber- tha Ingall; Webster, who died at the age of eighteen months ; and Charles, who died at the age of four years. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Nichols has been blessed with eight children, as follows: Avis L., Editlı, Ina, Clem, Roy, Wesley and Virgie. Ansil L., the first born, died at the age of fourteen months.

In his political affiliations Mr. Nichols was long a Republican, but in recent years he has voted independently. His wife is a member of the Congregational church and both are people of genuine worth. He is a warm friend of the cause of education and of various interests calculated to promote the welfare of the community, being a pub- lic-spirited and progressive citizen. In man- ner he is cordial and genial, and those who know him are glad to win his friendship.

DANIEL H. HOWARD.

One of the finest ranches of Ellsworth county-a very extensive tract of land-is the property of Daniel H. Howard, a lead- ing and enterprising farmer and stock- raiser, whose home is on section 32, Clear Creek township. There he owns and op- erates nine hundred and sixty acres of land, his energies being given to the cultivation of the crops best adapted to this soil and climate and to the raising of stock. He was born December 8, 1846, in Wooster county, Massachusetts, a son of J. C. and Martha J. (Fagan) Howard. The father was a native of Connecticut, and after removing to Massachusetts made the acquaintance of Martha Fagan, who was born in Ireland. There they were married, and by their union six children were born, but three died in early life. The surviving members of the family are: Daniel H. ; Robert C., a farmer and dairyman of Absarokee, Minnesota ;

Minnie, the wife of William Tompkins, of Billings, Montana. The father was a me- chanic and engaged in car building in the east for a number of years. In 1854 he re- inoved to Michigan, where he conducted a hotel at Hubbardston, Ionia county, re- maining at that place until 1869, when he came to Ellsworth county, Kansas, taking up his abode at the place where our subject now resides. Here he pre-empted a tract of land and was associated with his son Daniel in the conduct of the farm until his death, which occurred in 1887. His wife still sur- vives him and is now living with her son Daniel, at the ripe old age of seventy-six years. The father took a very active part in public affairs and served as probate judge for a number of years, being an incumbent in that position at the time of his death. He was a man of prominence, whose ability and trustworthiness well fitted him for leader- ship in public affairs, and wherever he was known he was held in high regard.

Daniel H. Howard, whose name intro- duces this record, spent the first eight years of his life in the state of his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Michigan, where he assisted his father in the hotel, remaining there with hiin until the removal of the family to Kan- sas. They located upon the farm which has since been his home and where he now has three hundred acres of land under cultiva- tion, the well tilled fields bringing to him a golden return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them. Altogether the ranch comprises nine hundred and sixty acres, much of it being devoted to pasturage for the stock. All of the equipments and accessories of a model farm are found upon the place, including a palatial residence, which is two stories in height and contains seventeen rooms. He also has a large stone barn, two stories in height, forty-six by fifty-three feet, with a "lean to" shed six- teen feet wide and extending the entire length of the barn. The farm is well fenced and all of the buildings are kept in first class condition. He is extensively engaged in the raising of cattle and now has about three hundred head of steers on his farm, which

534

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

he buys in Kansas City and fattens for the market. He is indeed progressive and en- terprising and keeps in touch with the most advanced methods of farming. His labors are profitable, bringing to him an excellent financial return.

On the 15th of March, 1876, Mr. How- ard was united in marriage, in Ellsworth county, to Miss Eva Campbell, a daughter of Charles Campbell. She was born in Gallipolis, Ohio, and during her girlhood was brought to the Sunflower state by her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Howard have had no children of their own, but they have reared a nephew, a son of his brother, R. C. Howard. The lad, Converse H. Howard, is now fifteen years of age and is a student in the Kanopolis high school. He will gradu- ate in June, 1901, the youngest member of the class. In his political views Mr. How- ard was formerly a Democrat, supporting the party until 1896, when he renounced his allegiance thereto and became a stanch advo- cate of Republican principles. Fraternally he is a Knight Templar Mason. In busi- ness affairs Mr. Howard has been particu- larly successful, carrying on his work in a manner that has enabled him to realize a handsome profit from his farm. He does not owe his success in any measure to others, but has placed his reliance upon the sub- stantial qualities of energy and resolute purpose.

R. R. NEWKIRK.

A large and well improved farm in Galt township, Rice county, is owned by R. R. Newkirk, who is regarded as one of the most enterprising and progressive agriculturists of this part of the state. His business abil- ity, untiring industry and capable manage- ment have been the chief elements in his success and have gained him a position among the substantial residents of the county.

Mr. Newkirk was born in Clinton coun- ty, Iowa, near Dewitt, February 11, 1859, a son of James M. Newkirk, who was born in Clermont county, Ohio, in 1813. He was of

Scotch descent, and the family first located in the eastern states. James M. Newkirk was united in marriage to Elizabeth Myers, who was born and reared in Ohio. For some years they resided in the Buckeye state, and then removed to Clinton county, Iowa, locating near Dewitt, where the father improved a small farm. In 1879 they took up their abode in Kansas, and for one year resided in Eureka township, Rice county, after which they came to Galt township, lo- cating on the farm where our subject now resides. The father followed farming as a life occupation, was a stanch supporter of Republican principles and was a member of the Presbyterian church. His death oc- curred at the ripe old age of eighty-four years, and his wife passed away at the age of sixty-seven years. They were the par- ents of twelve children, five sons and seven daughters, six of whom are now living, namely: Ella, who resides on the old home- stead; Sophia, who became Mrs. Marsh and lives in Galt township; Isabella, now Mrs. Schultz and a resident of Sac county, Iowa; Abram, who was a valiant soldier in the Civil war and now resides in Oklahoma; James W., a resident of Galt township; and R. R., the subject of this review. The de- ceased children are: John; George, who served as a soldier in the Civil war and laid down his life on the altar of his country; Ann; Mary ; Catherine; and Rebecca.

R. R. Newkirk, whose name introduces this review, remained under the parental roof until fourteen years of age, during which time he became familiar with farin work and was early taught lessons of indus- try, honesty and economy. He was then employed as a clerk in a store for a time, after which he followed the carpenter's trade. In 1879 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Rice county, Kansas, and during the intervening years he has aided materially in the upbuilding and ad- vancement of this section of the state. He has witnessed its growth from an undevel- oped prairie to a rich agricultural country, inhabited by an industrious, progressive and contented people, and in this work he has nobly performed his part. In Clinton coun-

535

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

ty, lowa, at the age of twenty-five years, Mr. Newkirk was united in marriage to Mary A. Sparks, a native of that county, where she was also reared and educated. She is a daughter of Jolin and Salina (Burk- head) Sparks, both now deceased. Unto our subject and wife have been born five children,-Clare S., Ethel E., Arthur Reed, Ray Hobart and Lella Belle.

After locating in Rice county Mr. New- kirk purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which he built a sod house and began the work of cultivating and improv- ing a farmi. Success has rewarded his efforts, and as time has passed he has added to his original purchase until he now owns eight hundred and eighty acres of land, on which is located a good farm residence, a barn fifty-four by fifty-six feet, wind-mills and a beautiful orchard and grove. In addi- tion to general farming he is also exten- sively engaged in the raising of a high grade of cattle and horses, and in both branches of his business he is meeting with a well de- served success. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the Republican party, and, although never an office seeker, he has held the office of justice of the peace. He has served on the official board in the Methodist Episcopal church, and is an active and zealous worker for that denomination. A man of unswerv- ing integrity and honor, one who has a per- fect appreciation of the higher ethics of life, he has gained and retained the confidence and respect of his fellow men and is distinct- ively one of the leading citizens of Rice county, with whose interests he has been so long identified.

ANDREW C. BRANCH.

grated west and finally settled at Vinton, Benton county, Iowa, where he was mar- ried to Sarah Chapin, formerly a resident of Holyoke, Massachusetts. Two sons were born to this union: Charles Minor, now of the First National Bank of Hutchinson, Kansas; and Andrew C., the subject of this sketch.

Andrew C. Branch when twelve years age accompanied his parents. on their re- moval to Reno county, Kansas, in 1874. Here his subsequent life has been spent and through all these years he has nobly per- formed his share of the work necessary to the upbuilding and development of this favored section of the golden west. After arriving in this state he spent some time in the district schools, and for six months was also a student in the State Agricultural Col- lege. He remained under the parental roof until after his marriage, when he began farming on his own account, locating on land just across the road from his father's farm. He first owned two hundred and forty acres, which was purchased by his father, and in 1892 he added to his land un- til he now owns a half section, where he is extensively engaged in farming and stock- raising. During the year of 1900 he sold five thousand dollars worth of stock, and his efforts in that direction greatly add to his income. Wheat is his principal crop, and in the present year, 1901, he has two hundred and twenty-five acres planted to that cereal. He is a natural mechanic, and all the build- ings upon his place have been erected by himself, much of his time being spent in his shop.

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 86

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