A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 100

Author: Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: New York Chicago: The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084

USA > Kansas > A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II > Part 100

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Mr. Hewitt has filled several township offices, discharging his duties with prompt- ness and fidelity. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Odd Fellows Ledge of Nashville and with the Modern Woodmen of America. Ile is a successful and enter- prising farmer, a loyal citizen and a genial, social gentleman, and both he and his wife have many friends in the county.

DANIEL CONKLING.

A prominent and well known business citizen of Hutchinson, Kansas. is Daniel Conklin, who 'has been identified with the interests of Reno county since 1874, perma- nently locating in this city in 1877.

The birth of Mr. Conkling was in Her- kimer county, New York, in February, 1847, and he is a son of Abraham and Sarah ( Kayser) Conkling, le th of whom were also natives of the Empire state. Vadran Conk- ling was for many years a farmer there, and then removed to the state of Illinois, where he resided from 1867 to 1872, coming then to Kansas. Locating in Reso county. he took up a large tract of land. Ming herses to this locality, and son placing it in fine condition ing cultivation. Here he started

into the raising of sheep and did quite an ex- tensive business until the scab disease at- tacked them, and he then bent his energie . in another direction. In peiities he was a life- long Republican, and Lecture well and ia- vorably known all through the western part of this county. His death occurred at the age of eighty years.

The mother of our subject care of a family which was distinguished both in the Revolutionary and the later wars and mil- itary mancouvers in this country. Her years reached sixty. The family of children born to Mr. and Mrs. Conkling numbered nine, our subject and his brother, Charles A., of this city, being the only members living in Kansas.

Although but a schoolboy. Daniel Conk- ling became a soldier in 1852. celating in Company D. One Hundred and Tenth New York Volunteers, and with the medical de- partment remained in service in the De- partment of the Gulf until 1864. His regi- ment was sent to the Dry Tortugas to do garrison duty, and he was a member of it at the time, at Fort Jefferson, when the con- spirators. Dr. Mudd, Mclaughlin, Arnold. and Spangler, were sent there for imprison- ment. after the assassination of President Lincoln. One of Mr. Conkling's brothers, John E. Conkling, enlisted in a regiment of mounted riflemen, and was killed during the war. while one other brother, Peter K. Conk- ling, was in the same regiment as our sub- ject. Mr. Conkling. of this sketch, remained in the service until the case of the war. and was honorably discharged at New York. in 1865.

In the fall of 1865 our subject removed to Illinois and engaged there in business 1111- til 1874, coming then on a visit to Kansas. Pleased with the country and the business outlook. he made arrangements to return going back to close up his affairs in the for- mer state. In 1877 he permanent'y 1. ca- ted in Mulvane, on the line between Sumner and Sedgwick counties, where he carried . n agricultural operations and also engaged in the mercantile business. When the great inflation of land values started in Kansas. Mr. Conkling came to Hutchinson and as a

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keen business man, managed a large amount of property, both in the city and also in the farming districts. He platted and sold many additions to the city and realized a hand- some sum. At one time lie owned eighteen hundred acres of land, but he has sold all with the exception of three eighty-acre tracts, one of these being very valuable, as it adjoins the city. When the inevitable collapse in land vaues came, Mr. Conking did not suffer as did many others, as he had all his land clear so that no judgments could be obtained against it.

Since that time Mr. Conkling has been interested in a number of enterprises, his excellent business capacity making him suc- cessful in almost everything he undertakes. In politics he is an active worker for the Republican party, although he seeks no of- fice for himself, enjoying the confidence of the leaders, and ably performing the duties of delegate to the various conventions.

The marriage of Mr. Conkling was in Lyons, Kansas, to Mrs. Emma A. Living- ston, a daughter of Thomas Campbell, who was a prominent attorney and a well known politician of that city. Three children have been born to this union, namely: Hazel ; Jean Marie: and Dimple. Mrs. Conkling is a lady of education and refinement, and is a sister to the noted jurist, Judge Camp- bell. The children born to the first marriage of Mrs. Conkling are : Ralph T. Livingston, a resident of Indian Territory, and Nellie, who is the wife of Bart K. Livingston. The beautiful family residence of Mr. Conkling was erected in 1885, where a delightful hos- pitality is dispensed to a wide circle of friends. Mrs. Conkling is connected with the Ladies' Relief Corps, and is most highly esteemed in social life in Hutchinson. On June 3, 1900, Mr. Conkling was seriously injured in a street car accident, in which three others were killed.

Mr. Conkling has been so identified with public affairs in this part of Kansas that he has become an authority in many lines. He has been an important factor in building up and advancing this section and is known and highly regarded by all through this locality.

GUSTAV H. BINGER.

The value of careful and thorough prepa- ration for and strict and conscientious at- tention to the business of life has been dem- onstrated in the career of Gustav H. Bin- ger, of Holyrood, Ellsworth county, Kan- sas. Mr. Binger was born at Quincy, Illi- : nois, July 30, 1867, a son of Herman and Mary Ellen (Lange) Binger, natives of Hanover, Germany. His father, who was iva cabinet-maker, came to Quincy about 1865. when that now flourishing city was only a small village, and now at the age of seventy- seven, is still in business there with an es- tablishnient on Main street.

Herman and Mary Ellen (Lange) Binger had children. named : Edward, Gustav H., Herman and Mathilda. Edward and Herman are in the foundry business at Quincy, Illinois, and Mathilda is the wife of Edward Eberling, of that city. By a for- mer marriage Mr. Binger had children as follows : William is the proprietor of the Reliable Poultry Farm at Quincy, Illinois ; John is extensively interested in copper min- ing at Wyoming; Mary is the wife of Charles Eberling, of Quincy, Illinois.

Gustav H. Binger was reared partly in Germany and partly in the United States, and finished his education in the city schools at Quincy, Illinois. When he was twelve years old he was apprenticed to the firm of Schermerhorn & Wells, of Quincy, to learn the pattern-maker's trade, and he was em- ployed in their establishment eight years and a half. In January, 1888, before he was twenty-one years of age, he went to Kan- sas, and for four months worked on a sheep ranch at Dillon, Decker county. After that he engaged in contracting work at building, in Decker and Marion counties, and was thus employed a year and a half, when he went to Lorraine, Ellsworth county, where he continued in the same line of enterprise.

April 12, 1891, Mr. Binger married Mary Janssen, a daughter of Professor E. C. and Eva (Trump) Janssan. Professor Janssen was for some years the proprietor of a private college at Green Garden, Illi- hvis, but was obliged to seek another climate

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for the benefit of his health and went to Kimstats. He is now a minister of the Ger- man Baptist church, in Iowa. After his marriage he returned to Quincy, l'in is, where he opened a promising business as a Contractor and builder, but before he had been there a year his young wife died and a year and a half after he went there he went to Kansas and bought eighty acres of land in Valley township, three and a half miles southeast of Helvrend. His attempts at farming were attended with disastrous re- sults, and the hail not only injured his crops but damaged his house and other buil- dings very materially. But nothing daunt- ed. he enlarged his operations somewhat. and twice lost crops of grain covering two hundred acres. One year he lest one of his horses and was obliged to finish seeding with a borrowed one. He cleaned up an average of twenty-nine bushels to the acre and sold it at sixteen cents a bushel, and found himself about seven thousand dollars in debt. The next year's crop was much better, and he was able to reduce his indebt- edness quite materially : but he had had enough of farming, and took advantage of an opportunity to sell his farm for twenty- five hundred dollars.

After Mr. Binger had turned his back on agriculture he entered his present business by buying a stock of goods and a building at Holyrood. His original building covered a green space of fifty by twenty-five feet, and he has built an addition to it covering a ground space of twenty-four by thirty- five feet. His original stock invoiced at eleven hundred dollars, and at this time his stock is valued at four thousand dollars and consists of furniture, carpets, wall paper. curtains, organs and planes, undertakers' supplies and tombstones. He is the owner of a fine hearse and a team of handsome black berses and is a thoroughly experienced en' almer who carries in the branch of his 1min: -< under authoritative license. He attends the annual meeting of the state ex- amining heard of the state of Kansas, and is th roughly up-to-date in every part of his business. In connection with the business just described. he is og and

building in and about Holerood, and in busy ser tis employs from twelve o fifteen men. Ile is one of the enterprising and successful men of the county and has tri- umphed over many obstacles. Hi- line is attractive and hospitable and the members of his family are highly regarded by all who know them. In politics he is a Republican. and he is a member of the German Baptist church. By his first marriage he had one son, Edward. His present wife, whom he married November 9. 1894, was Miss Em- ma Wilkins, daughter of the Rev. J. J. Wil- kins, who came to the United States item Germany. She was brought when a chill to Kansas by her parents. Her father, who was a minister of the German Baptist church and pastor of the church at Lor- raine, Ellsworth county, dial there in INGS.

J. E. KININGER.

T. E. Kininger is the proprietor of the Kininger drug store at Kanapolis, and is a progressive, wide awake young business man who, prompted by laudable ambition, has al- ready won success and will no deal: meet with greater prosperity in the future. He was born in Haysville, Ohio, on the 7th of February, 1867, and is a son of Joseph and Margaret (McLaughlin) Kininger, the ir- mer a native of Pennsylvania. while the lat- ter was born in Ohio. His father conducted a store at Haysville for a number .i years and in 1880 emigrated westward. taking up his abode in Ellsworth, Kansas, where he conducted the American House for several years. There he died in 1898, since which time the mother with her children has ta- ken up her abode in Ellsworth. The father was very active in public affairs, and arvel er in Toiel . He al- wars ket well informed concerning the is- nes and question : the day and gave an active support to over mesure which he believed would greve di geter ! god. Un- to him and his wife were born eight chil- dren, of whom the following named are yet living, namely : Franklin W. who served on

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the staff of the Toledo Blade: Jennie, the wife of C. G. Wilson, a resident of Jackson- ville, Florida; Ella L., the wife of Dr. His- sem, of Ellsworth: Jessie, the wife of Dr. O'Dobbell: J. E., of this review.

J. E. Kininger spent his youth in his pa- rents' home and began his education in the public schools, later continuing his stud- ies in a normal school and in a college at Haysville, Ohio. In 1887 he accepted a po- sition in a drug store, and at different times he has been salesman in pharmacies in Kan- sas City, Denver, Butte, Montana and in other places. He has also studied in an In- diana college. In September, 1898, he pur- chased the store of which he is now owner from its former proprietor, Gord Halleds, and he now has a well appointed establish- ment, supplied with a complete line of drugs, toilet articles, paints and oils, in fact, every- thing to be found in a first-class drug store. He is recognized as one of the leading young business men of Kanapolis. He does not fear that close application to business with- out which there can be no success. He is also ambitious and determined, and his ef- forts are guided by sound business judg- ment. He is now enjoying a liberal and constantly increasing patronage. In politics he is a Republican, and fraternally he is con- nected with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. In Kanapolis he is recognized as a pro- gressive citizen and a popular young man whose circle of friends is extensive.

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STEPHEN S. ARCHER.

To Scotland and to England does Ste- phen S. Archer turn to trace the early ances- tral history of his family, but prior to the Revolutionary war his ancestors came to the new world. It is on the paternal side that the Scotch strain in his blood is found, while on the maternal side he is of English lineage. His great-grandfather, Joseph Archer, was one of the heroes who fought for the inde- pendence of the nation. His son Joseph, the grandfather, was born and reared in Vir- ginia. The maternal grandfather, Isaac

Hedley, was born in Pennsylvania, and when only fifteen years of age joined the colonial army, aiding in the establishment of the republic. He was a farmer by occupa- tion and lived to be about one hundred years of age. He was married in the Keystone state and afterward removed to Ohio, being a member of one of the first colonies to settle in that state across the river from Wheeling. James Archer, the father of our subject, was reared upon a farm and assisted in its culti- vation, in connection with which he also worked at the miller's trade. Later in life he engaged in merchandising but never left his home farm. In public affairs he was act- ive and was a well known and prominent member of the Knownothing party. His fellow townsmen recognizing his worth and ability elected him to represent them in the state legislature. A man of strong influ- ence in his community, whenever parties got into dispute over anything and could not quietly settle their differences they would go to him with the matter and his decision was always accepted, for h's repu- tation for honesty and fairness was above question. He was an active member of the Methodist church and during most of the time he served as class leader. His un- shaken faith made him a devoted follower of the teachings of the church and his life exemplified his Christian belief. His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Hedley, and they became the parents of six sons and three daughters, of whom five sons and a daughter are yet living. The father died of typhoid fever at the age of sixty-eight years, but his memory is still enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him.

Mr. Archer, whose name begins this review, was educated in the public schools and reared upon a farm, devoting his at- tention to the work of fields and meadow until he had attained maturity, when he learned the carpenter's trade. In the fall of 1856 he started for the west, driving across the country, and in February, 1857, he located north of the present site of Ot- tawa. Franklin county, Kansas. Kansas City was then a small town, and Kansas City, Kansas, had not been founded, while

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in the former there was not a building in the district where is now located the thin dept. He could have purchased a quester section of land where the stuck with the non heated for about five hundred dollars Mr. Archer took up his abode en Appa. frase creek, pre-empting one hundred as sixty acres of land and developing there a good lane, which he retained in His pas- session for many years. He did not al- ways personaily operate it. for he gave most of his attention to the building business and the workmanship of his hands is widely to be seen in that locality. About fifty residences and barns still stand as monu- ments to his thrift, enterprise and skill. On leaving Franklin county he removed to Usage county, where he resided for about fifteen years, after which he spent two years in Missouri. In January, 1895, he arrived in Ellsworth county and purchased three hundred and thirty-four acres of land. of which two hundred acres is under cultiva- tion while the remainder is pasture and meadow land. He was here actively en- gaged in farming for two years, and then sold his stock and rented his land. although he still lives upon the place. His center prise and lauer in former yours 15 00m to him a good to me and with a com- aide & montante he is now living retired.

In ISTE Ma. Archer castel in dh - service and in it he Femme a water of Company H, Seventh Kansas Infantry. He served in Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkan- sas sel Missouri, and out on the institut of Montana. He was wounded thirteen times, and had two horses shot from under him, but was never very severely injured. He participated in the battles of Tupelo, Corinth and the Price raid. lasting sixty- che days, the battle of Holly Springs ani many skirmishes, being alvest on-family engaged in fighting. For twenty-one days he was in the volunteer army and was con- stautly on the move. never remaining i. : Ilvie than six days in one place. His was certainly an active service, and the service which he rendered to the government was very valuable. The regiment made a spier- did record. for they were reared to frontier

life and were endured to hardships and out- for Tie. Their elene, A. J. Sist . 1.1 unbounded confidence in his men and they showed that they were in every waywer- do ci his trust.

What the 11th of February, 1857, Mr. Archer married Miss Hannah A. Davis, who was a native of Syracuse, New York, but was reared in Wisconsin. They had eight children, three sons and five daugh- ters, all of whom lived to be married, name- ly : Ira, now a merchant of Osage count. . Kansas: Mary A., the deceased wife of M. McFadden: Ellen, the wife of Charles Hageman, of Douglas county, Kansas: Minnic, the wife of R. J. Adams, of Big Springs, Douglass county; Etta MI .. the wie of Nights : Stephens, of Coder coun- ty, Missouri ; Orla Eugene, of Lawrence, Kansas : Marcene, of Tacoma, Washingon: and Ora Mary, the wife of Milton Save". who is operating the home farm.

Mr. Archer always affiliated with the Republican party while it adhered to its original principles, But we by his suffrage Supports the candidate- of the People's par- tv and is one of the active workers in its He has served as a mem er i the count: central committee and - a clelegate to its conventions, but has re- to accept office. although cafen solicited to do so. He has preferred

that his attention shall be given to his business duties and to the pica -- ures of home life, and in th name: he has won success, and in the liter los gained contentment -de ppo aiit: :: which go to make life worth the living. ile was formerly a member of the time! Army Post at Lawrence, Kansas, and for thirty-five years he Irs lhes a mealher .f the United Brethren church.

ALEXANDER BOILEAU.

Nowa for B. that is one of the exten- site land owners of central Kansas. . wing amalie tract of eight hundred and ninety- acres. lie is one of the wealthy far-

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mers and stock dealers of this portion of the Sunflower state, his home being on section 4. Clear Creek township, Ellsworth coun- ty. A native of Ohio, he was born March 19. 1846, and traces his ancestry lack to the land of hills and heather, for his grand- father, John Boileau, was born in Scotland, whence he crossed the Atlantic to Penn- sylvania, where occurred the birth of Jo- seph Boileau, the father of our subject. He was a farmer by occupation and died when his son Mexander was only four years of age. He married Levan Gabriel, and they were the parents of four children, our sub- ject being the second in order of birth. Af- ter the death of her first husband the moth- er married again.

Mr. Boileau, whose name introduces this review, remained upon the home farm until fifteen years of age, when the patri- otie spirit of the young boy was arousel by the attempt of the south to overthrow the Union. On the 12th of August, 1861, he enlisted. joining the boys in blue of Com- pany H, Twenty-sixth Ohio Infantry. Dur- ing the first nine months he was on guard duty in the mountains of Virginia and then joined the Army of the Potomac, partici- pating in the second battle of Bull Run, Sont: Mountain, Antietam, after which he joined Rosecrans in Tennessee. He then took part in the engagements at Chattanoo- ga. Lookout Mountain. Missionary Ridge, after which he joined Colonel George Crooks in the Shenandoah valley. In the Lynch- burg raid he was wounded and thus his service was ended. He was taken to the hospital at Parkersburg, Virginia, where he remained from the 2d of July until the 24th of October, 1864. when, on ace ust of his injuries, he was honorably discharge !. He displayed bravery and valor equal to that of many a man twice his years. He was ex- tremely young to enter the service, but he bore all the hardships, trials and rigors of waar uncomplainingly.

Returning to Ohio Mir. Boileau entered school, spending three months in the dis- trice schools and six months in an acade- my. In September, 1869, he was married and removed to Appanoose county. Iowa,

where he engaged in teaching school for two years and then turned his attention to farm- ing. His experience in the fields in early youth now stood him in good stead, en- abling him to prosecute his work with intel- ligence. He resided in Appanoose county for nine years, and in September, 1877, came to Kansas, driving through in wagons, with three head of horses and seven or eight head of cattle. He located on section 6, Clear Creek township, Ellsworth county, where he secured a soldier's homestead. He then erected a house, fourteen by sixteen feet, which was one of the first in this vicinity, and immediately he began to break his land. For nine years he remained upon that farm, successfully conducting its cultivation, and then purchased a quarter section north of where he now lives. He also bought eighty acres of his present home and erected thereon a stone residence. His attention was first given to the production of grain, but he is now carrying on the stock business on a scale of considerable magnitude. He has one white-faced bull and two Durhams and he keep on hand about one hundred and twenty-three head of cattle. He also has three fine stallions, a Norman shire and a coach. He has also done quite an exten- sive business in the raising of mules. which he has found to be a profitable work. As his financial resources have increased he has added largely to his landed possessions and is to-day the owner of eight hundred and ninety-two acres of valuable land, of which about two hundred acres is under culti- vation.

On the 9th of September, 1869, Mr. Boileau was united in marriage to Mary E. Miller .and unto them have been born five children : Joseph M .. a farmer; Charles S .. of Oklahoma : Clydie, the wife of J. W. Mil- ler, of Oklahoma: Julia F .. who married George W. Stites and is living in Lincoln county; and Alexander Carl S., who is at home. Mr. Boileau votes the Prohibition ticket. is interested in politics, as every true American should be, and has served as a delegate to the conventions of his party. He has been township treasurer and for two terms has served as township trustee. Soci-

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

ally he is connected with Ellsworth Post. Gi. A. R. His life has been somewhat quietly passed, ummarked by exciting incidents, but it is the career of one who has ever been faithful to the duties of public and private life, and in the active affairs of business he has been called to achieve success.

R. CLAUD YOUNG, M. D.

Among the native sons and prominent physicians of Rice county, Kansas, is R. Claud Young, who was born in Centre township, February 16, 1875. a s nr f . Abra- ham and Hannah ( Vannatti) Young. His paternal grandfather was Jacob Young, a native of Pennsylvania but of Scotch descent. and a relative of General Crist. He was a lumberman by occupation while in Penn- svivania, but in old age came west ami found a good home among his children, dying at the home of a daughter in Ne- Traska. His children were: Aaren. Dan- ich. Tac b. Levi, John, Abraham, the fa- iber if car subject : and Maria, who mar- riet a Mr. Dickson. Abraham, the father of cur subject, was renred in Pennsylvania. remaining at home until 1862, when his patriotism induced him to volunteer for service in the Civil war, and for three years he bravely fought to preserve the Union. . \t the second battle of Bull Run he was w .:- ded by a bullet through leth thighs, and again at the battle of Gettysburg he re- ceived a minie ball wound through Leth knees, the last wound disabling him for further active service. He also received other wounds, having seven bulle: bles in Receiving an heng ... di -- charge be returned to Pennsylvania, where be recuperate, and soon afterward moved west : I wa, where he engaged in farming. remaining until 1873. when he mayel in Kanis Ponting in Rice county, where he tak a soldier's pre-emption and impresal a farm. In 1879 he moved to Ly ne on engaged in the furniture 'usiness. contini- ing it is a number of wars during which time to accumulate a heads me empe-

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 100

Author: Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago Publication date: 1902 Publisher: New York Chicago: The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 1084

Author: Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: New York Chicago: The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084