A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 103

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

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At the time of his marriage Mr. Leon- ard located on section 20, Wilson town- ship, Rice county, where he first had forty acres of land. In 1900 he removed to his present farm, comprising three hundred and twenty acres of good land, on which stand a comfortable residence, substantial barns, wood sheds, and all necessary buildings. He uses the latest improved machinery in the cultivation of his fertile fields, has good feed lots and pastures, and he also rents a large tract of land for stock purposes, being a very suc- cessful cattle raiser. He is also well known for his success in growing wheat. In his business affairs he has prospered, owing to his energetic determination and persever- ance and the assistance of his estimable wife, who has indeed proved to him a faith- ful companion on the journey of life. They have become the parents of five children. namely: Glenn Adelbert. Althea Alice.

Qualdo Eldridge, Blanche May and Belle. The mother is a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church. Mr. Leonard is a Re- publican in his political affiliations, but has never sought or desired office, preferring to devote his time and energies to his busi- ness affairs. He is a man of marked indus- try, whose word is as good as his bond. his integrity ever being above question.

JOHN L. SMITH.

John L. Smith, proprietor of Eagle Cliff Stock Farm, is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Rice county, Kansas. Upon no class of citizens does the general welfare of the community more largely depend than upon the farmers. The faithful performance of their duties always greatly promotes the material prosperity of the cities. All his life our subject has given his energies to this business and has ever been found true and faithful to his work and to the responsibilities of life, his many excellencies of character commending him to the confidence and high regard of all.

Mr. Smith was born in Cass county, Illinois, December 19, 1850. His paternal grandfather. James Smith, was an able minister in the Methodist church, and fol- lowted that high and holy calling in Ken- tucky and Illinois. The Smith family were originally from Virginia, and were an old and prominent family. Elijah Smith, the father of our subject, was born in Ken- tucky, and was there reared to farm life. When a young man he removed to Cass county, Illinois, where he was united in mar- riage with Miss Ann Witty, a native of that county. She was also a representative of an old and prominent Virginian family. Elijah and Ann Smith became the parents , of ten children, namely : James, deceased ; John L .; Sarah E., who became Mrs. De- mastus and died in Miami county, Kan- sas: Kitty E., who became Mrs. Dressler and resides in Ellsworth county, Kansas : E. Miller, of Galt township: and five who died in childhood. In 1877 the family

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came to Kansas, locating on a farm in Rice county, where the father still resides, hans - ing reached the ripe old age of seventy- eight years. The mother died in 1896, at the age of seventy years, having been a consistent and worthy member of the Meth- mist Episcopal church, and her husband is also a member of that denomination.

John L. Smith, the immediate subject of this review, spent the days of his youth on a farm in Cass county, Illinois, where he was early inured to the labors of field and meadow. The public schools of the neigh- herhood afforded him his educational privi- leges, but by reading, observation and practical experience in later life he has greatly added to his knowledge. In 1866 he removed with his parents to Harrison county, Missouri, locating near Bethany. where he resided until 1877, the year of his arrival in Rice county, Kansas. In 1882 he was united in marriage with Miss Mag- gie Z. Davis, who was born in Indiana, and was only six years of age when she came with her father. C. R. Davis, to Kansas, and was reared to womanhood on the west- ern prairie. Mr. Davis was among the early pioneers of central Kansas, and for thirty-five years has resided within its borders, nobly aiding in the work of devel- opment and improvement. The mother of Mrs. Smith was in her maidenhood Cath- erine Byard, and she and her husband now reside near Little River. Kansas, honored and respected by all who know them.

Mr. Smith is the proprietor of Eagle Cliff Farm, one of the romantic and beauti- ful places of central Kansas. It was a fa- vorite Indian resort in the days gone by, and Indians graves are yet seen on the place. The farm contains six hundred and forty acres and is adorned with a beautiful cottage home, while all the accessories and improvements of a model farm are there seen. The place is located six miles from Mitchell, and there Mr. Smith is extensively engaged in farming and stock raising. His political support is given to Republican principles, and of the Metho dist Episcopal church he is a zealous and active member. His wife has membership relations with the

Christian church. In the locality in which they reside Mr. and Mrs. Smith have made many warm friends, and their hospitalie home is a favorite resort with a large circe of acquaintances.

SAMUEL MURPHY.

Samuel Murphy, an agriculturist of At- lanta township. Rice county, where he has made his home since 1878, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, on the 4th of June. 1825. a son of Mahlen and Eliza- beth ( Friday) Murphy, whe were also hit- tives of the Keystone state. The father was born in Chester county and the mother in Lancaster county. The former died when his son Samuel was only eighteen months old. The latter was an only child and the mother afterward married Jacob Bush. . i Pennsylvania, by whom she had the folles - ing named children: William, Elizabeth, Christian, Catherine, Sarah and Mary .1. Her death occurred at the advanced age di eighty-two years. Her first husband was a blacksmith by trade and thus provided for the support of his family. He HE men- bership in the Lutheran church and was a consistent Christian gentleman.

Samuel Murphy was reared in Cheser county. Pennsylvania, and received his el- ucation in the schools near his home. No event of special importance occurred to say the routine of his life in his boghe. PIS and work occupied his attention, combined with the duties of the schoolroom, and thus his youth was passed. In 1850 he married Miss Caroline E. Glof, who was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, and died in March, 1871. leaving four children. : whom two are now living, Mrs. Anna E. Cramp, of Reading, Pennsylvania. :: : George E., a well known citizen of Wilson township, Rice county. He is an expert architect and builder as well as farmer. His first wife was Miss Martha Root, a sister of his step-mother, and his second wife was Miss Minnie Messenger, by wh m be had several children. The two children of Samme! Murphy, now deceased are:

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John E. and William H., the former hav- ing passed away in Pennsylvania, while the latter died in Kansas. After the death of his first wife Mr. Murphy was again mar- ried in 1873, his second union being with Miss Matilda Root, a lady of many good qualities of heart and mind. She is intelli- gent and cultured and has been to her hus- band a faithful companion and helpmeet on life's journey. She was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Jacob and Mary ( Metz) Root. Her father died in the Keystone state, but her mother is still living. at the age of ninety-one years. They had ten children, of whom eight are living: Mrs. Matilda Murphy; Jesse, a resident of Lyons; Eli; Mary: Amelia; Sarah, who died at the age of three years ; Margaret : Martha, who has now passed away; and Jacob H., of Colorado. Most of the members of the Root family reside near Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Murphy, whose name forms the caption of this sketch, has served as a dea- con in the Lutheran church for many years and his wife is a consistent and devout member of the church. He to-day owns a fine farm of eighty acres of well improved land three miles from Lyons. It is sup- plied with all the modern accessories and conveniences and a fine grove of shade trees is one of its most attractive features. Everything about the property is in excel- lent condition and indicates the careful supervision of the owner who is a man of genuine worth, unostentatious but reliable and trustworthy. The causes of temper- ance, religion and education find in him a friend, and his word is as good as any bond that was ever solemnized by signature or seal. He is true to principle and the right and his history contains many lessons that are well worthy of emulation.

HENRY GROVE.

Pennsylvania, but were married in Virginia. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Benjamin Grove, was of German descent and was a native of Pennsylvania, whence he moved to Virginia, where he died. His children were Simon, the father of our sub- ject ; Abraham; Jacob; Henry ; and Mary, who became the wife of Abraham Rhine- hart. The parents were both members of the Dunkard church. Their son Simon, the father of the subject of this sketch, was reared in Virginia, where he married and where three of his children were born. He then moved west and located in Indiana, first settling in Harrison county, where he improved a farm after cutting down the heavy beach timber which was upon the land, and there remained until 1835, when he moved to Illinois, locating in Wood- ford county, where he bought raw land and again improved a farm, experiencing all the hardships and privations of pio- neer life. He engaged in general farm- ing and stock-raising, was successful in his undertakings, and became one of the leading men of the county, commanding the respect and confidence of all who knew him. While in Virginia he enlisted for service in the war of 1812, and he was with General Jackson and participated in the famous battle of New Orleans. He was al- ways a great admirer of General Jackson, appreciating the courtesy and attention which the general gave him and all the sol- diers, and, although a Whig, he supported Jackson in his candidacy for the presi- dency. He remained upon the homestead in Illinois until his death, which occurred in September, 1844. His wife survived him until 1858, when she too was called to the home beyond. They were the parents of twelve children, namely : Barbara, who mar- ried William Shafer: Jacob, who served in the Civil war and died in Missouri, at an advanced age : Leah, the wife of E. Stewart ; Benjamin, who now owns and resides on the old momestead in Illinois ; Hannah who became the wife of J. Tanton; Mary, now Mrs. A. Page; Elizabeth, the wife of T. Brownfield: Abram, who died in Illinois ;

Henry Grove, a representative farmer and stock-raiser of Rice county, Kansas, was born in Harrison county, Indiana, May 10, 1827, his parents being Simon and Eliza- beth ( Rhinehart) Grove, both natives of ' Henry, the subject of this sketch: Susan,

MR. AND MRS. HENRY GROVE.

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who became the wife of L. Hall ; Isaac, who was killed while serving in the Civil war, and leaving a wife and one child; and Sarah, now the wife of C. Stine. All lived to ma- ture years, married and reared families except Isaac, who sacrificed his life while a soldier in the Civil war, as has already been noted. The mother of this family was a daughter of John Rhinehart, who was a native of Virginia, where he died, having been a cabinetmaker and undertaker by oc- cupation. His children were Abraham : Elizabeth, the mother of our subject; and Margaret, who married William Wright. The parents were consistent members of the Dunkard church.

Henry Grove, whose name introduces this review, accompanied his parents to Illi- nois when he was eight years of age and, as it was then a new section of the country and very sparsely settled, schools were few and conducted in a very primative manner so that his educational privileges were lim- ited : but he improved such advantages as were afforded and acquired a practical edu- cation which fitted him for the duties of life. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-five years of age, when he mar- ried and settled on the homestead. He there- after conducted the farm and took care of his mother until her death, when the es- tate was settled and divided, and then he bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres, which he improved, erecting an ex- pensive and commodious house, and there he was engaged in the cultivation of the fields until 1886, when he sold out and moved to Kansas, locating in Rice county, a half mile north of Chase, where he bought a section of six hundred and forty acres of land. which was partially improved. Later he bought an adjoining farm of one hundred and sixty acres, the same being well ini- proved with a good two-story frame house. large barns and outbuildings and a beautiful grove of shade trees, and there he makes his home. engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He has also given to each of his sons a farm. He has been successful in his work and has accumulated a compe- tence. being widely and favorably known as

one of the most successful and substantial citizens of Rice county.

In 1852 Mr. Grove was united in mar- riage to Miss Catherine Stine, who was lern in Ross county, Ohio, July 19, 1834, but who was reared in Illinois, to which state her parents removed when she was but five years of age. Her grandparents were George and Catherine (Dellaven ) Stine, and at his death the former left his widow with four children to support. For many years she conducted a restaurant, in which she met with excellent success, people com- ing for miles around to purchase her gin- gerbread. Her daughter Elizabeth also entered business, conducting a millinery store at Kingston, Ohio. Mrs. Stine had four sisters and three brothers, the later be- ing Abraham, John and Peter. The last named served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and was one of the number that Gen- eral Hull sold to the British. During the Revolutionary war George Washington at one time camped on their father's land. The sisters of Mrs. Stine were named Mary, Rebecca and Sarah. By her marriage to George Stine she became the mother of four children .- Elizabeth, Peter, John and Jacob. The last named, the father of Mrs. Grove, married Magdaline Shafer. in 1830, and they had ten children, four of whom died when young, and concerning the survivors. three sons and three daughters, we here enter brief record : Charles married Sarah Grove, and they reside in El Paso, Illinois: Cath- erine married Henry Grove, of this review, in Woodford county, Illinois, in 1852; Peter who served for three years in the war of the rebellion. married Lousia Wolf, and they now reside at Frankfort. Indiana. their son being now in the Philippines ; Mary, married John Shultz and resides in El Paso, Illinois: George L. is still un- married and is living in Delta county. Colo- rado: and Sarah Ellen married Norton Johnston and resides in Dawson county, Nebraska. The mother of this family. Magdaline, nec Shafer, was a native of Ohio, and was a daughter of Peter Shafer. who was of German descent and whose death occurred in Virginia. His children were:

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John, Sarah, Margaret. Mary. Elizabeth, Polly, Abram, David and Magdaline. Both he and his wife were members of the Luth- eran church. Jacob Stine, the father of Mrs. Grove, was a native of Virginia, and was a cabinet-maker and undertaker by oc- cupation. He moved to Illinois in 1839, becoming one of the pioneers of Woodford county, where he entered land and im- proved a farm, the work of which was car- ried on by hired help while he followed his trade. His death occurred upon the old homestead, in 1861, his wife having been called to her final rest in 1856.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Grove was blessed with twelve children, eight of whom died in childhood and four are still living, namely : Charles, who is district deputy head consul in the Modern Woodmen; Simon and Chauncey, who follow farming in Rice county; and John. a farmer of Stafford county. All are well settled and are promi- nent and worthy citizens. In his political affiliations Mr. Grove is a Republican, and while he does not aspire to political or pub- lic office he takes a deep interest in all public questions, doing all in his power to promote the growth and welfare of the community in which he lives. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and his wife are devout members of the Methodist church. When our subject and his wife first settled in Kansas they could ride for miles with- out seeing a house, tree or bush, but now groves are abundant, producing greater rainfall and making crops more sure, and prosperous towns and cities have sprung up throughout the state .- all this marvelous growth and development having been wit- nessed by this venerable couple. They have shared together the trials and hardships of early pioneer days, and now, surrounded with all the comforts of the present ad- vanced civilization, they are enjoying a hale and hearty old age.

ALBERT G. BOWRON.

In the best development of Kingman county Albert G. Bowron has borne an im- portant part. He has been identified with the agricultural interests of this section of

the state from pioneer days, and while pro- moting the material welfare of the com- munity has given an active and liberal sup- port to those measures which tend to ad- vance its intellectual and moral status. A native of Champlain, Clinton county, New York, he was born July 26, 1846, a son of Joseph, Jr., and Martha Jane (Ford) Bow- ron. The father was born, reared and died on the farm which his father, Joseph Bow- ron, had cleared in Clinton county. The latter was a native of Yorkshire, England. After coming to this country he located in New York. Joseph Bowron, his son and the father of our subject, was a carpenter by trade, and while residing on his farm gave his attention principally to that vocation, having performed much work on govern- ment buildings in the state of New York. His life's labors were ended in death on the 17th of October, 1886, when he had reached the age of seventy-four years, eight months and nine days, and his wife, who was a na- tive of Clinton county, New York, passed away in death May I, of the same year, at the age of seventy-one years, nine months and twenty-one days. They became the parents of seven children, namely: Ben- jamin W .. of Champlain, New York : Free- man H .. a prominent farmer of Aurora, Illinois : Lyman E .: Albert G., the subject of this review; C. D., a farmer of Wash- ington state: Catherine D., the wife of James Dickson, of Coopersville, New York ; and Joseph H., a prominent attorney of Sedalia, Missouri.

Albert G. Bowron, of this review, was reared to mature years on his parents' home- stead farm, and in the common schools of his neighborhood he pursued his education until seventeen years of age. In January, 1865. he left the schoolroom and loyally of- fered his services to the Union cause during the Civil war. but before his regiment could get to the front the war had closed and he was honorably discharged. At the age of nineteen years he entered an appren- ticeship to the blacksmith's trade, and from that time until 1876 devoted his time and attention to that occupation in various east- ern states. In the winter of 1876-7 he left

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his eastern home for the Black Hills, where he remained until the following year, at which time he cast in his lot with the early settlers of Kingman county, Kansas. In November of that year he secured a claim on the southwest quarter of section 25, White township, which he improved and there made his home until 1880, when he sold his possessions there and came to the city of Kingman, opening a shop on the south side of the city, where he followed his chosen occupation until the fall of 1900. and during that time he built up a large and lucrative trade. He engaged princi- pally in the manufacture of sod plows, and also did repair work for the stage lines and for the railroad company when it was be- ing builded through this city, employing from five to ten competent workmen in his shop. In 1886 Mr. Bowron had purchased eighty acres of land in West Ninnescah township, carrying on the work of the place in connection with his shop. Since taking up his residence in Kingman he has been actively identified with its interests, and in 1886. in company with George W. Cray- craft. he erected the salt works at this place, at a cost of ten thousand dollars, but this venture shortly afterward proved unprofit- able and the owners were obliged to sell at a very heavy loss. In 1884 he purchased his present residence property, his home, a two-story, nine-room house, being one of the elegant residences of the city, and there hospitality reigns supreme. Since retiring from the work of his trade Mr. Bowron has given his attention to the cultivation of his little farm of thirty acres, which is de- voted to small fruits and vegetables, and in additen his wife also owns a valuable place of one hundred and sixty acres in Richland township.

In Champlain, New York, on the 11th of January, 1882. was celebrated the mar- riage vi our subject and Miss Adaline E. Albee. She is a daughter of Frederick and Sarah (Aubry) Albee, and is a native of Clinton county. New York, where her fa- ther still resides on the farm on which he was born, being new in his eighty-fourth year. Her mother is a native of Vermont.

They were the parents of eight children. namely : Madison W., deceased: Adaline E., the wife of our subject : Clarissa, who still resides in the Empire state: Edward A., a farmer on the old homestead in New York; Alfred A., superintendent of the Missouri & Pacific railroad shops at Mar- shall. Texas: Florence, also at the old homestead in Clinton county: and two win died in childhood. Mrs. Bowron was ed- ucated in the academy of Champlain, and at the age of twenty years she became a teacher in her native county, having taught for fourteen consecutive terms in the school which she had attended when a child. The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with three children,-Frank, who was born November 13. 1882, and died on the 25th of October. 1884; Florence M .. who was born October 20. 1885, and klied September 4. 1901 ; and Frances A. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bowron in all its surroundings and appointments bear- cvi- dence of good taste and refinement, and in the city in which they make their home they are love l and honere l for their many noidle characteristics. In matters of political im- portance Mr. Bewron cast- his ballot inde- pendently. The cause of education has ever found in him a warm and active friend. Socially he is identified with the Mejern Woodmen of America, and both he and his wife are members of the Knights and Ladies of Security. He is one of the most honored and highly esteemed citizens of his community, and it is safe to say that no man in Kingman county has a wider circle of friends and acquaintances than Albert G. Bowron.

JOHN GREEN.

The rich lands of Rice county, once wild prairie or timbered regions. have been transformed into highly cultivated farms. whose productiveness equals that in any other section of this country. The owner . fa desirable farming property in Atlanta township is John Green, and his rich and arable fields yield1 : Creamer a golden

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tribute in return for the care and labor he bestows upon them.

Mr. Green was born in Wayne county, Indiana, near Richmond, January 25, 1848, and is a son of H. L. Green, also a native of Wayne county. The latter's father, John ; Green, was born in Kentucky and became .one of the first settlers of Wayne county, Indiana, where he remained until his death. The father of our subject grew to manhood ·on an Indiana farm, and was there mar- ried to Miss Mary A. Stanley who was born and reared in Wayne county, Indiana. Her father was one of the early pioneers of that locality. In 1852 the family re- moved to Illinois, and four years later, in 1856, took up their abode in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1861 they became residents of Andrew county, that state, where they remained until 1872, and in that year they came to Rice county, Kansas, being among the early pioneers of this section of the state. For thirteen years they made their home in the Sunflower state and then removed to California, where the father died at the age of seventy-three years. He followed the occupation of a carpenter and contractor, and was an advocate of Repub- lican principles. During the Civil war he loyally served his country as a member of the Missouri state militia. Of the Meth- odist Episcopal church he was an active member. His widow now resides in Lincoln township, Rice county. She is the mother of five children: John, the subject of this review: Wyatt, of Hutchinson. Kansas; James, a resident of Nebraska; H. L., who resides with his mother in Lincoln town- ship : Ida James, of Hutchinson.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 103

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