A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 87

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 87

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On the 22d of May, 1888, Mr. Branch was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Frances Hunt, who was born in Menard county, Illinois, February 6, 1861, a daugh- ter of John G. and Maria (Van Meter ) Hunt. The father was a native of Hunter- don county, New Jersey, born March 17, 1809, and the mother was born in Clark county, Ohio, January 5, 1815. The pater- nal grandfather of Mrs. Branch was Dr. Benjamin Van Cleave Hunt, whose mother was a first cousin of Captain Lawrence, of

Andrew Chapin Branch, one of the leading and representative agriculturists of Reno county, Kansas, was born in Benton county, Iowa, May 22, 1862, just three months before his father, Dr. P. C. Branch, left for the Civil war. Dr. Branch was a native of Middletown, Vermont. He emi- the frigate Chesapeake, who in the naval

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engagement with the British in 1813 was mortally wounded. His dying words, "Don't give up the ship," have been an in- spiration to many a soldier since. Dr. Hunt was engaged in the practice of medicine in Cincinnati, Ohio, for many years. He wed- ded Elizabeth Grandin and they reared a large family of sons and daughters. The parents lived to a good old age. The ma- ternal grandfather of Mrs. Branch was Colonel Henry Van Meter, an officer of the war of 1812, who afterward became an ex- tensive farmer and stock dealer in Clark county, Ohio. His wife was in her maiden- hood Margaret Ann Renick, and they also reared a large family of children. Their older children subsequently removed to Sangamon county, near Springfield, Illi- nois, locating there when that portion of the state was a vast wilderness. John G. Hunt, the father of Mrs. Branch, died in Menard county, Illinois, February 14, 1884, and his wife survived him for a number of years, passing away in Lincoln, Illinois, January 18, 1892. They were the parents of twelve children, ten of whom grew to years of ma- turity, and those who still survive are: Eleanor, who became Mrs. B. E. Campbell and now resides in Wilson county, Kansas ; Benjamin Henry, a resident of Vermilion county, Illinois : Miss Mary Eliza, of Lin- coln, Illinois ; Margaret Renick, who became Mrs. Holland and resides at Cantrall, San- gamon county, Illinois; Mrs. Elizabethi Grandin McGee, a resident of Progress, Oregon; Mrs. Maria Louisa Kelsey, who with her husband were among the first set- tlers of Medford township, Reno county, and have been actively engaged in Sunday- school work, the first Sabbath-school in the township having been held at their home for several months before a public building was erected, and they now reside in Sterling, Kansas: Sarah Clark, who became Mrs. Otstott and resides in Athens, Illinois ; John G., also of that city ; and Mrs. Branch. The latter received her education in the Illinois State Normal, and after completing her studies there she followed the teacher's pro- fession for eight years. The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with three

sons,-Phineas Colver, who was named in honor of his grandfather, was born Febru- ary 22, 1891; Grandin Hunt, named after his maternal grandfather, was born on the 18th of October, 1893; and Ransom Duane was born September 23, 1901. All are bright and promising little boys.

Mr. Branch exercises his right of fran- chise in support of thé men and measures of the Prohibition party. He has never sought or desired public preferment, his time being fully occupied in his chosen avocations, but he has served as a member of the school board, the cause of education ever finding in him a warm friend. In his religious views he is a member of the Baptist church, while his wife holds membership in the Presbyterian church. They are both highly esteemed residents of Reno county and have a large circle of true friends.

GEORGE W. JONES.

Among the prominent and substantial farmers of Pratt county, Kansas, who is lo- cated on a fine farm in section 24, in Haynesville township, is George W. Jones, one of the most highly esteemed citizens of this section of the country. His birth oc- curred near Vandalia, Illinois, on March 27, 1843, and his father was Jackson Jones, who was born in Clermont county, Ohio, in 1827, and died in Tipton county, Indiana, in 1879. The grandfather was John Jones, an Ohio farmer, in rather poor circum- stances. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, and it was remembered by the six children that their mother never entirely conquered the English tongue.

The mother of our subject was Rebecca Bishop, a daughter of George and Mary (Houser) Bishop, of Pennsylvania-Dutch . ancestry. The parents of Mr. Jones were married in Pennsylvania, in 1840, removing from that state to Illinois, thence to Cler- mont county, Ohio, and from there to Indi- ana, where Mr. Jones bought land and there he and his wife died. They had a family of thirteen children, namely:

MR. AND MRS. GEORGE W. JONES AND DAUGHTER.

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Mary E., the widow of James Thomas, and she lives in Nebraska with her six children; George W., of this sketch; Sarah Jane, who at death left a family; John E., who at death left a wife and two children; Jacob, who resides in Tip- ton county, Indiana, and has four daugh- ters; Allen, who lives in Henry county, In- diana, has three children ; Mrs. Susan Wall, who lives in Noblesville, Indiana, and has four children ; William and Alice, who were twins, and both are now deceased, Alice leaving children; Frank, who died young; Milton, who died in young manhood; Mrs. Belle Caron, who lives in Oklahoma Terri- tory. and has two daughters; and the last of the family was an infant that early passed away. The mother survived the fa- ther for three months.

Mr. Jones, of this biography, had but limited advantages for obtaining an educa- tion. Among the loyal spirits who early offered their lives to their country when the call came for defenders was George W. Jones, who enlisted on July 27, 1861, in Company C, Twenty-sixth Indiana Volun- teers, and served gallantly in the ranks un- til October 14, 1864. He was wounded in the left hand at Morganza, Louisiana, and he was taken prisoner and was confined for ten months in Tyler, Texas. On July 22, 1864, his release was obtained and he immediately returned to his regiment, which was at Donaldsonville. Louisiana, taking part in all the movements of the regiment until his discharge, as noted. Although suffering from wound and capture, his health was good. During his service in the west he was under both Generals Fre- mont and Hunter, and in the south was un- der the brave McClernand. It seemed strange that he should be stricken with fe- ver immediately after his return home, but he probably had the germs in his system. For four weeks this brave soldier battled for his life, finally recovering.

The marriage of Mr. Jones occurred on August 30, 1865, to Miss Sarah Payne, who was born in Indiana on November 2, 1849, a daughter of John A. Payne, who was a member of the same company during

the war as Mr. Jones. Mr. Payne died in the service on January 4, 1862, and it was the sad duty of our subject to assist in his burial at Otterville, Missouri. When Mr. Payne enlisted in his country's service, he left his widow and three children, these latter being: Mrs. Jones, of this sketch; James D., who died at the age of five years; and Warren, who was born on January 3, 1861. Mrs. Payne later married George Humphrey, and lives in Stafford county, Kansas, and both are still in the enjoyment of vigorous health. Mr. Humphrey was born in Kentucky, and has passed his eightieth year, and they have two living children.

Although Mr. and Mrs. Jones had a fine farm in Indiana, they decided to sell that property and move to the rich state of Kansas, locating on a one-hundred-and-six- ty-acre homestead, some twenty years ago, in March, 1880. The first house built by Mr. Jones was of sods, fourteen by twenty- eight feet in dimensions and seven feet high, with a dirt roof, which was later replaced by a board one. Its counterpart may still be seen by the tourist not only in Kansas but in Nebraska and Wyoming. For seven "years this was the family home and his first pension money, consisting of two hundred and thirty dollars, was invested in a house. He first set out cottonwood cuttings, which for a time flourished but have since died, however, they still have a fine grove of box elder and walnut trees, which either Mr. Jones or his wife set out and tended. There is also a fine grove of Russian mulberry, which they grew from seed. Not every- thing has succeeded with our subject, but much has and there is no more comfortable nor better appointed farm in this locality than his. His orchards yields generously, his two wells never fail, his buildings are compact and comfortable, and his one hun- dred and sixty acres of land are as much as he cares to manage. He herds his cattle a part of the time, keeping twenty head and five horses.

Three children were born to our subject and wife, namely: Harry, who is a farmer living on his one-hundred-and-sixty-acre

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farm close by, and has a wife and two sons; Bertha, who married Fred Reece, and re- sides at Kingfisher, Oklahoma Territory, has two sons; and Nellie, who married Harry Walker, and resides in Arlington, Reno county, Kansas. In politics Mr. Jones is a Republican and has served as school treasurer for a period of twelve years. Fra- ternally he is a valued member of the G. A. R., and has served as sergeant of Post Fremont, No. 403, Turon, and has filled many of the most important offices in the or- ganization. Both he and his wife are val- ted and consistent members of the United Brethren church, but the parents of Mrs. Jones were Quakers. Although at the time of her marriage she was an inexperienced maiden of sixteen years, she has lived to show her noble character and has been, in- deed, a tower of strength to her husband, a most devoted and helpful wife and a mother whose children unite in loving and admiring hier. Her housewifely care, her. cheerful endurance of trial and trouble, and her Christian example have won her high esteem, not only in her own household, but through the neighborhood where many have benefited by her kindness.

FRANK KELLEY.

One of the energetic, public-spirited, successful and representative citizens of Reno county, Kansas, is Frank Kelley, who is the efficient and reliable section foreman of the great Rock Island Railroad at Lang- don. Through years of experience he has reached this responsible position, his thor- ough knowledge, excellent judgment and re- liability, as well as his conscientous devotion to the interests of the corporation, have made Mr. Kelley one of the most highly valued emplo yes of the road.

The birth of Frank Kelley occurred in Freeport, Illinois, on the 25th of June, 1863. and he is a son of James J. and Rebecca (Sadler) Kelley, the form- er of whom was born in Ireland, in 1824. The father of James Kelley died

in Ireland, but his mother followed her son to the United States and still survives in health and activity of body and mind, al- though she has reached the unusual age of one hundred and ten years. Her home in Iowa is cared for by her own hands, she be- ing a remarkable example of the industrious mothers of the Emerald Isle. She reared six sons and two daughters. James Kel- ley, the father of our subject, came to Amer- ica while still a young man and located in New Jersey, acting as foreman on one of the first railroads in that state. Although he was but eighteen years of age at that time, he efficiently held the position. Later he went to Albany, New York, and from thence to Freeport, Illinois, and there the most of their children were born. In 1869 he removed to Mitchellville, Iowa, and bought eight acres of town lots. Ten years later he bought his first farm in Kansas, this consisting of one hundred and sixty acres in Marshall county and was Santa Fe rail- road land. This land Mr. Kelley improved, the sons doing much of the work. At the time of his death he was one of the substan- tial citizens of the county, leaving an estate worth some ten thousand dollars. In the meantime, while accumulating this prop- erty by honest industry, he had not only reared a large family in comfort but had as- sisted his brothers, bringing them from the old home and establishing them in the new one. The mother of our subject, Rebecca ( Sadler) Kelley, was born in London, Eng- land, in 1825, and she was the mother of five sons and five daughters, five of the fam- ily still surviving, as follows: Kate, who lives in Des Moines, Iowa; Jolin, who lives in Woodward, Iowa; Frank, who is our subject; Annie, who is the wife of Pursey White, and lives in St. Louis, Missouri; and Agnes, who is a milliner and lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. The father of this family died in Marshall county, Kansas, in his seventy-third year, and three months later his wife also passed away.

Until he was fourteen years old our subject had very good educational oppor- tunities, but at this time his father met with some losses and he began work on the rail-

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road. In 1879 he came to Kansas to look after his father's land, which he assisted in placing under cultivation and also did some building, remaining here for one year. On September 22, 1884, Mr. Kelley was married to Margaret Burke, who was born in Wyoming, Marshall county, Kansas, in 1864. She was a daughter of Patrick and Annie (Kelley) Burke, both of whom came to America from Ireland and settled in Pennsylvania, coming from there among those who first settled in Marshall county, Kansas. Mr. Burke died in 1891, a man advanced in years, his widow surviving till 1895, dying at the age of fifty years. They reared eight daughters and one son.

After their, marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kel- ley remained in Marshall county for one year and then went to Topeka, but after re- maining there for six months they went to Herington for two years. For twenty- three years he has been with the Rock Isl- and road, and for nineteen years has been a foreman and a section foreman for four- teen years. In 1890 Mr. Kelley came to Langdon and has a valuable farin of one hundred and eighty acres two miles north- west of the village. This property he pur- chased in 1895, paying twenty-five hundred dollars for it, and now has it well improved, and has forty acres of it in grail land. In his business connection his long service and promotion tells how he is appreciated by the Rock Island railroad. He has a force of six men continually at work, and no sec- tion on the route shows the result of care- ful supervision more clearly than does Mr. Kelley's.

A family of six children has been born to our worthy subject and his estimable wife, but one of these passed away, the others being as follows: Theresa, a charm- ing young school miss of fourteen years; Rose, eight years old, a bright girl in school ; James, six years old; John Francis, of four years; and Baby Thomas, of two years. Mr. Kelley has many things to take a just pride in, but probably nothing more than in this family of bright, robust, intelligent children. The family resides in one of the houses provided by the company,

very near the depot, in Langdon, but Mr. Kelley owns considerable village property, having built up a half block of houses for his men, and is proposing to build more. In politics he is an independent voter, us- ing his own good judgment. He belongs to the order of Woodmen, and he has care- fully reared his children in the Catholic church, of which both he and their mother are most consistent members.

FRANK COLLADAY.

Frank Colladay, one of the most success- full business men of Hutchinson, Kansas, was born in New York city, New York, in August, 1850. His father, Charles Colla- day, although a native of Pennsylvania, spent the greater part of his life in New York city, going there when quite young. Here he occupied official government posi- tions, being connected with the bonded ware- house, and at different times with the police and fire departments. His wife, Sarah Jane (Lutes) Colladay, was a daughter of Jolin Lutes, who was a glass blower by trade. Five children blessed this union, our subject being the youngest of the family.

Frank Colladay received his early edu- cation in the common schools of New York city and later attended the schools in Illinois, after the removal of the family to that state. When seventeen years of age he started to learn the tinner's trade, in which line he be- came an expert workman, and which he fol- lowed for some years in Illinois. In 1877 he went to Waterloo, Iowa, where he estab- lished a business of his own, continuing the same successfully for eight years. In 1885 he came to Kansas, locating at Hutch- inson, where he embarked in the hardware business. This proved to be a successful venture. At first his stock consisted only of stoves and hardware, but in six years he added agricultural implements, buggies, wagons and other farming equipments, and was enabled to erect the imposing two-story brick building, one hundred and fifty feet deep, which is situated at 16 North Main

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street, where he is now located. In 1900 he erected on East Sherman street, his com- modious warehouse, fifty by one hundred feet, two stories in height, in which he carries a large stock of implements, buggies and other vehicles. . He handles the Canton goods and the Deering harvesters and mow- ers. From a thorough knowledge of the business and strict attention to his duties, Mr. Colladay has enjoyed a steadily increas- ing trade since his settlement in Hutchinson. In fact, he now has the largest and oldest hardware establishment in the city.

While living in Iowa, Mr. Colladay be- came united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Stewart, a daughter of Benjamin Stewart, a prosperous merchant of the Hawkeye state. Three children have been born to them, two sons and one daughter, namely: Charles ; Jennie ; and Grover. Politically, Mr. Colla- day is a Democrat, and although he has never desired any office, he has served as a delegate to conventions, and at one time was a mem- ber of the city council. At present he is a stockholder in the Park Association, taking pleasure in lending his influence and finan- cial aid in beautifying the city and advanc- ing the welfare of the community, which he has chosen as a permanent place of residence. He is a valued and prominent member of various social and fraternal organizations, being identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; the Ancient Order of Unit- ed Workmen: the Modern Woodmen of Amerca : the Court of Honor : and the Com- mercial Club. He is also a director in the Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma Retail Im- plement Dealers' Association. This organ- ization was formed for the betterment of the hardware and implement trade. and its operations have been attended with marked success.

Mr. Colladay is domestic in his tastes, and a devoted husband and father. He is a member and liberal supporter of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and his entire life has been one consistent with the teachings of Christianity. His success may be as- cribed to his close application and untiring energy, for all that he is and has are the re- sults of his own labor. By his honorable

and upright living he has won many friends in this community, and enjoys the confidence and high regard of all with whom he asso- ciates.

ROBERT BRUCE HUDSON.

A well-known farmer and stockman of Ellsworth county, Kansas, is Robert Bruce Hudson, now a resident in section 29, is a native of this state, having been born near Manhattan, on February 13, 1864, and he was a son of Robert and Sarah ( Redpath) Hudson, both of whom were natives of Scotland. They both located in Canada after leaving Scotland, he in 1837, and she in 1843, and there they were married and engaged in farming.

In 1859 they determined to cross the border, and remove to Michigan, where a brother lived, and this plan they put into execution, but they spent but six months there, in the fall of the year coming to Kan- sas. Mr. Hudson located in what is now Riley county, seven miles from Manhattan, and entered into farming and also freight- ing between that place and Leavenworth, the traffic being large at that date. In 1866 Mr. Hudson removed to Ellsworth county and pre-empted land on section 33- 16-7, building a dug-out and surrounding it with a strong stockade, so that place was known over the country, as Hudson's Fort for years. In those days the Indians were very troublesome and in times of danger the neighbors were welcomed.

Here Mr. Hudson passed the balance of his life, engaged extensively in farming and in stockraising, owning eight hundred acres, and this homestead is still in the pos- session of our subject's brother, David D. Mr. Hudson was a man of influence in the community and a promoter of all intelligent efforts for the advancement of the county; and a firm advocate for laws in favor of school facilities. He was one of the organ- izers of the Presbyterian church in Fort Harker and gave largely of his time and means to its establishment. and he gave the land and assisted in the hanling of the

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logs for the first schoolhouse that was erect- ed in the county, a part of this building still standing. He was one of those characters which give tone to a community. In poli- tics he was a Republican and was quite act- ive in public life, serving in many minor offices and also as county commissioner, al- ways with that faithfulness to duty which characterized every act of his life. This most worthy and useful citizen died on June 18, 1883, the mother passing away on January 14, 1898.

The children born to the parents of our subject were as follows: Sarah, deceased, was the wife of Charles Robinson, of Ells- worth county, more extended mention of whom will be found in another part of this volume; Maggie, who died at the age of twenty-two years; Jessie, who is the wife of W. S. Faris, more extended notice else- where ; William W., who died in early man- hood; David Duncham, who owns the old homestead: Jane, who died at the age of nineteen years ; and the youngest, the sub- ject of this sketch.

Robert Bruce Hudson was less than three years of age when he was brought to Ellsworth county. He was reared on the old homestead, and from the age of nine years spent months in the saddle, assisting in the berding of cattle on the range. His education was acquired in the schoolhouse which his father assisted to build, and he remained in the home shelter until six years after his marriage, the boys and their mother keeping the stock interests and the farming operations in a partnership, add- ing land until they owned sixteen hundred and eighty acres and one hundred head of cattle, carrying on the business under the name of Hudson Brothers, until 1898.

The marriage of Mr. Hudson was on October 5, 1892, to Miss Lillie M. Reed, who was a daughter of Dr. William and Mary ( Metlin ) Reed. She was born in Ohio, of which state both her parents were natives. The latter came to Ellsworth county, in 1878 and located on section 30- 16-7, taking up a homestead and a timber claim. Dr. Reed was a prominent and well- known physician, and during the Civil war

was a member of the One Hundred and Twentieth Ohio Infantry, and did much hospital work during the whole period of the war. His death occurred on March 30, 1895. the mother of Mrs. Hudson surviv- ing until July 1898.

Mrs. Hudson was the third member of a family of seven children, these being as follows : James E., of this county ; Thomas E., in the old home : Mrs. Hudson : Lulu M .. Charles H. : Martha A. ; and Jennie J. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hudson are as follows; Bessie R., Leonard M., Russell D .. Janet and Agneş.

In 1898 the brothers divided their inter- ests and our subject erected his handsome residence on his farm of seven hundred acres in sections 29-32. Here Mr. Hudson keeps about forty head of stock and feeds his grain. Mr. Hudson has done much for the improvement of stock and cattle in his section, taking great care to keep it up to grade. Among his horses is a fine Morgan stallion brought from Illinois.

In politices Mr. Hudson is an outspoken Republican and he has most efficiently served his fellow-citizens in a number of offices, notably four successive terms as township treasurer and was the census enumerator of this township in 1900. He is one of the progressive and enterprising men of this section and holds a high posi- tion in public esteem, well respresenting so flourishing and important a county as Ells- worth.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN OVERTON.

The business interests of the town of Langdon, Reno county, Kansas, are in the hands of capable and reliable men, who have done much to place this section in the front rank of commercial prosperity. Among those who have been particularly active and successful is Benjamin Franklin Overton of this sketch.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. I, Part 87

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