A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 104

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

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John Green was reared in the states of Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, and early assisted in the labors of field and meadow. The public schools afforded him his edu- cational privileges, but he has largely added to his knowledge through reading, observa- tion and practical experience. He accom- panied . his parents on their emigration to this state in 1874, and here he has since made his home. He first secured a claim in Wilson township and he gave a cow in payment for the same. He afterward sold

the tract to Wesley McCabe for eleven hun- dred and twenty-five dollars. He then se- cured a tract of land from the Union Pa- cific Railroad Company, near Little River, which he afterward sold for twenty-five hundred dollars. Four years later he bought a claim in Center township of James Turley, on which were a few improvements, and he remained on that place until 1894. In that year he took up his abode in Lyons, where he purchased a good, comfortable cottage, although he still owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. There he is extensively engaged in the raising of wheat, from which he secures excellent returns. His farm is one of the finest in Rice county.

In Gentry county, Missouri, on the Ist of September, 1872, occurred the marriage of Mr. Green and Miss Sarah S. Poole, who was born, reared and educated in Gen- try county, and has proved to her husband an excellent helpmate on the journey of life. This union was blessed with one child, a bright, intelligent and winsome little daughter, but she was taken from them by death when ten years of age, and her loss was a great blow to the parents. They have reared an adopted son, Edward Ma- rion Johnson, who came to them on his ninth birthday. He was born March 5, 1880, and is now a student of bookkeep- ing in Cooper College. He is called a light- ning calculator.

In this connection it will be interesting to note something of the family history of Mrs. Green. Her father, William Poole, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, April II, 1821, a son of Samuel Poole, who was a native of Europe. He was married in the state of Delaware to Cynthia Poole, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio. A member of her family was a recruiting officer in the war of the Revolution, and was a brave and efficient officer. Samuel and Cynthia Poole had fourteen children who grew to years of maturity. The parents both died in Belmont county, Ohio, in mid- (lle life. He was a farmer and miller by occupation, and both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. William Poole was reared on a farm in his native

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state and also learned the miller's trade and was engaged in building bridges across the streams. lle removed from Ohio to Gen- try county, Missouri, where he worked at farm labor and also followed his trade. During the Civil war he became a member of Col. Dave Craynor's regiment, of the Thir- ty-third Missouri State Militia, and served during the entire struggle. Ile served through different parts of the state of Mis- souri, going as far south as Arkansas. where he assisted in defense against Rebel bushwhackers. He served as quartermas- ter of his regiment for two years, issuing rations and clothing to the soldiers. His regiment was located near Savannah, Mis- souri, for a time, was afterward in De Kalb county, and subsequently at St. Joe. Mr. Poole participated in many skirmishes, and on one occasion was sent to capture Rebels who were engaged in stealing horses and stock in Missouri.

Mr. Poole was married in Belmont county, Ohio, by Esquire Tuttle, to Miss Cynthia Haggis, and they had the follow- ing children : Samuel, a resident of Okla- homa: P. Wesley, of Wilson township, Rice county; Sarah, the wife of our sub- ject : Cynthia, wife of George Maury, fore- man of the salt works: Abraham, a resi- dent of Lyons; Stephen, a resident of the old homestead. Two children are deceased, -- John and Ollie. The former was killed at a church in Missouri, in 1861, at the cut- break of the Civil war. He was then eight- een years of age. The mother of this fam- ily died in 1885, at the age of seventy- three years. She was an affectionate wife and mother, a kind neighbor and a true friend. Mr. Poole has been a life-long Republican, and in his religious views he is a member of the Methodist His ... church.

ALONZO LYNDE.

The subject of this sketch, one of the prosper us farmers of Harvey county, Kan- sas, has his home in section 28, Lake town- ship. and receives his mail by means of

Sedgwick rural delivery. His career has been that of an enterprising and success- ful tiller of the soil and an honest, upright and public spirited citizen who has at heart the best interests of the community in which he lives.

Alonzo Lynde was born at Westmin- ster, Massachusetts, July 20, 1818, a son of Benjamin Lynde, who was born at Bragg Hill. Massachusetts, in 1786 and died there in 1826. Benjamin Lynde, father of Ben- jamin and grandfather of Alonzo Lynde, was a farmer and dairyman, who owned one hundred cows and had a profitable milk route in Boston, Massachusetts. He mar- ried a Miss Sprague and they lived at Mal- den, Massachusetts, where they raised seven children and died at an advanced age.

Benjamin Lynde, father of the subject of this sketch, married Nancy Larrabee, of Malden, Massachusetts, who after his death was married to John Jackson. Of her five children by her first marriage, four grew to manhood and womanhood : Benjamin E. Lynde, born in 1814, died at St. Louis, Mis- : souri, leaving a daughter. Alonzo Lynde is the immediate subject of this sketch. - Nancy Lynde married Jonas Whitney and died in Westminster, Massachusetts, leav- ing a son and a daughter. John Lynde, who is the father of five children, lives at West- minster, Massachusetts.

Alonzo Lynde left the old family home in Massachusetts in 1838, when he was about twenty years old, and went to Mil- waukee. Wisconsin. He bought eighty acres of land three miles from that city and camped on it a year, then pre-empted a quarter section near Delavan, Walworth county, Wisconsin, which in the course of events he sold in order to remove to She- boygan, whence he removed to Green Bay. In 1871 he settled in Kansas and was one of the early settlers in his vicinity.

September 13, 1847, Mr. Lynde mar- ried. at Sheboygan Falls. Wisconsin, Sarah Ann Turner, who was born at Dans- I ville. New York. September 24, 1829. After his marriage he began farming on a quarter section of good land near Manito- we. Wisconsin. which he eventually sold.

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After that he farmed at Two Rivers, Wis- consin, and in Vernon county, Wisconsin, where he invested sixteen hundred dollars in a hop yard. He began his career in Kansas by homesteading eighty acres and securing one hundred and sixty acres on a tree claim. He is now the owner of one hundred and eighty-one acres. Out of three hundred apple and peach trees whichi he planted in the virgin sod, he now has two hundred trees, which in 1901 yielded about four hundred bushels of fine fruit.

During his residence at Green Bay, Wisconsin, Mr. Lynde was for about fif- teen years engaged in the lumber and fish- ing business. Politically he is a Republi- can and he has several times been elected to the responsible office of justice of the peace, in which he has served to the entire satis- faction of all classes of his fellow citizens. For several years Mrs. Lynde has been in feeble health, but she is plucky and ener- getic and her mental vigor is unimpaired. Her life has been that of a noble wife and mother and her neighbors accord her the honor due to one who was a heroine during the pioneer days of Harvey county.

To Alonzo and Sarah Ann ( Turner ) Lynde have been born five children, as fol- lows : Their son Reuben Lynde lives in Wisconsin. Their son William A. Lynde, of Lake township, Harvey county, Kansas. is a widower with one son. Their son Ed- ward died in infancy. Their daughter Laura married Joseph Lester and died in Lake township, aged twenty-five, leaving four sons and a daughter. Their son Charles, of Lake township, is a widower with two sons.

JOHN P. BAILEY.

In Raymond township, Rice county, re- sides John P. Bailey, who extensively and successfully follows agricultural pursuits. He is known as an enterprising citizen and has made his home in this county since 1877. He was born in Berkshire county. Massachusetts, in 1836, and is a son of

Philip Bailey, a native also of that state. His father was of English descent, and was a valiant soldier in the Revolutionary war. Philip Bailey was reared to manhood in the state of his nativity, and was there married to Miss Louisa Gardner, who was born, reared and educated in Massachusetts. She was a representative of a prominent family of that state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bailey were born six children, namely : John P., the subject of this review; George, who has departed this life; Sarah; James, also deceased; Nancy, the wife of Dr. Lee, of Hiawatha, Kansas; and Miller, deceased. The wife and mother was called to the home beyond in 1836, dying in the faith of the Congregational church. The father was afterward again married, choosing for his second wife Achsah Oaks and their union was blessed with six children three of whom still survive: Jeremiah, William Henry and Mary. The mother is still living and re- sides near Canton, Ohio. The father of our subject was summoned to his final rest in 1849, dying in Ohio. He had devoted hvis attention to agricultural pursuits as a life work.

John P. Bailey, whose name initiates this review, passed his boyhood days upon a, Massachusetts farm, where he was early inured to the labors of field and meadow. He was subsequently employed for three years as a clerk in a store in Massachusetts. At the age of eighteen years he removed to Ohio, and four years later, at the age of twenty-two years, he chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Miss Susan Freeman, a lady of culture and re- finement and a representative of a promi- nent family. She has indeed proved to him a faithful companion. . Mrs. Bailey was born in New Jersey, a daughter of John and Mary ( Scott) Freeman. The father was a native of New Jersey and the mother was born in Scotland, of Scottish parent- age. Mr. Freeman devoted his life to the tilling of the soil, and in his political affil- iations was an advocate of Republican prin- ciples. His death occurred in 1884. and his wife survived him only two years, dy- ing in 1886. Both were members of the

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Baptist church. They were the parents of eight children, two sons and six daughters, as flows: Susan, Janette. Ann. Orren, John, Agnes, Adelia and Arlitta.

Mr. Bailey, our subject, remained in Ohio, near Canton, until 1877, when he took up his abode in Rice county, Kansas, entering one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land. Here he engaged at farm work, and as time has passed he has added to his property all of the improvements and conveniences of a model farm. He has erected a good residence. which is located on a natural building site, a large barn. cribs, granaries, and there is also a good greve and orchard upon the place. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have been born seven children, namely: John F., who is engaged in the grain business in Raymond township: Orren Lincoln, also of this township; Lou- visa. vhb w of B. F. Eatinger, her husband having been accidentally killed; Robert, of Raymond, Kansas; James, a resident of Raymond township: Charles Sumner, also of this township; and Samuel G., of Chase. Kansas. They also lost two children,- Mary, who died at the age of two years, and Ben, who died when a babe. They have also reared an adopted daughter. Clara Belle Hoover, who came to them nine She is now seventeen years of age. Mr. Bailey is a Republican in his po- litical views and has served as constable. He was also a member of the school board, the cause of education having ever found in him a warm friend. Both he and his wife h. 11 membership in the Baptist church. Mir. Batley is a man of splendid business ability. frank and genial in manner, andthe is recognized as one of the enterprising and successful farmers of the county.

ROBERT BAGGS.

Robert Baggs has retired from farming and is enjoying a rest which is the fitting reward of his years of continuous and hen- orable labor. He was born in Shelby coun-

ty: Ohio, on the 8th of January, 1836, a son of Robert Baggs, who was born in Kocklinge county, Virginia, in 1798. The grandfather of our subject, Stephen Baggs, was a native of the Emerald Isle and was a weaver by trade. After coming to this country he entered the Revolutionary war, but after six months' service he was hired to return, receiving his discharge in South Carolina, and he was obliged to convert his overcoat into shoes in order to walk home. He married Polly Love, also a native ni Ireland and their marriage was celebrated in Virginia, they becoming the parents of thirteen children, eleven sons and two (laughters. He passed away in death in Ohio. Robert Baggs, the father of our subject, removed to Ohio about 1818, and in Miami county, that state, in 1822, he was united in marriage to Mary Botkin, who was born in Kentucky in 1802. This 1111 : was blessed with seven children : Mary Shafer, who died at the age of ser- enty years, in Piqua, Ohio: Debora Swal- low, who died in Union City, Indiana, leav- ing six children: Rachel Ramsey, who died at Warsaw, Indiana. leaving two children ; Margaret Croy, who now makes her home in that city and has three children: Delilah Pike, who died in Montgomery county. Ohio, in early life: Marian Gascow, who died in Auglaize county, Ohio; and Robert, the subject of this review. The father of this family, who was engaged in farming and stock-raising, died in Ohio in 1864, and six years later. in 1870, his wife joined him in the home beyond, passing away at the age of seventy-two years.

Robert Baggs received only the educa- ti nal advantages afforded by the common schools of his district during his youth. In 1864, when twenty-seven years of age. he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becom- ing a member of Company E. One Hun- dred pol Forty-seventh Obi AInsiver Infantry, his military career covering a period of one hundred days, ending the 21 of May, 1864. In Ohio Mr. Baggs owned a small farm of forty-eight acres. but in addition to its cultivation he also farmed

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another tract of one hundred and sixty acres, where he engaged in the rasing of grain and tobacco. In 1883, he left the state of his nativity and came to Kansas, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land near the village of Abbyville, where he has ever since made his home, and seven acres of his place is now included within the city limits. Through a long period he was actively connected with the development and improvement of this place and was regarded as one of the leading farmers of his neighborhood, but he is now living retired from the active duties of life, enjoying the rest which he has so truly earned and richly deserves.

On the 18th of October, 1860, Mr. Baggs was united in marriage to Mary Ann Baker, who was born in Shelby county, Ohio, in 1840, a daughter of Andrew Baker, whose wife was a Miss Wilde. They became the parents of nine children, namely : Marian, who died at the age of eighteen months; John M., who is serving his country as a soldier in the Philip- pines, while his wife and two chil- dren reside in Indiana; George T., who farm's the home place; Steward, who was accidentally killed when fifteen months old; the next in order of birth also died in infancy; Stephen R., at home; and David and Lilly, twins, the former dying at the age of six months while the latter is em- ployed as her father's housekeeper. The mother of this family passed away in death on the 18th of October, 1896, after an illness of six months, and her loss was mourned not only by her immediate family but by her many friends, for all who knew her loved and honored her for her many noble characteristics. She was a worthy member of the Baptist church, and in that denom- ination Mr. Baggs also holds membership. The Democracy receives his active support and co-operation, and both in Ohio and Kansas he has filled a number of township offices. He is known as one of the pro- gressive citizens of his locality, and enjoys the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

RINALDO F. THOMPSON.

An enumeration of those men of the present generation who have won honor and public recognition for themselves and at the same time have honored the state to which they belong would be incomplete were there failure to make prominent reference to the one whose name initiates this paragraph. He holds distinctive precedence as an emi- nent lawyer, jurist and statesman and in these connections has borne himself with such signal dignity and honor as to gain him the respect of all. He has been and is dis- tinctively a man of affairs and one who has wielded a wide influence. A strong men- tality, an invincible courage, a most de- termined individuality have so entered into his makeup as to render him a natural leader of men and a director of public opinion.

Judge Rinaldo F. Thompson was born in Livermore Falls, Maine, a son of Alonzo and Judith (Dolley) Thompson, both of whom were natives of that state. When the Judge was twelve years of age he accom- panied his parents on their removal to Fort Allegheny, Pennsylvania. During the time of the gold excitement in California the fa- ther went to that state, where he died in 1860, and the mother, long surviving him, passed away in Pennsylvania in 1891. Af- ter attending the public schools the Judge pursued a two years' course of study in the Wesleyan University, at Lima, New York, and subsequently he engaged in teaching, being principal of several graded schools. He followed that profession until 1872, when he was admitted to the bar, having in the meantime pursued the study of law while engaged in teaching. Believing that he would find a broader field and better op- portunities for his professional labors in the west, he made his way to Appleton City, Missouri, in 1871, and the following year came to Ottawa county, Kansas, locating in Minneapolis. Here he entered into partner- ship with Judge W. A. Johnston, now a su- preme justice of the state, and the relation was maintained until 1880, when his part-

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ner was elected attorney general of Kansas. Mr. Thompson afterward continued in the private practice of law until March, 1889, when he was appointed by Governor Hum- phreys judge of the thirtieth judicial district for one year. Since that time he has been elected for three consecutive terms and is the present incumbent. In 1873 he was elected to represent his county in the state legislature, and was county attorney from January, 1875, until January, 1879, cover- ing two terms. At various times he has been a member of the city council of Minne- apolis and for one term served as mayor of the city, capably handling the reins of gov- ernment. his administration being business- like and progressive.

In September, 1875. Judge Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Elzora L. Willson, daughter of D. K. and Louisa ( Wetherby ) Willson, natives of New York. The father died when Mrs. Thompson was JAMES HASTON. a little girl, and from Hinsdale, New York. Mrs. Willson came with her family to Kan- Virginia, known to history and tradition as the Old Dominion, has sent most worthy representatives to all her sister states and in that way has favored Kansas especially. A well known farmer and stock raiser of central Kansas is James Haston, of Walnut township, Reno county, whose postoffice address is Thurbur, and who was born in sas. locating in Ottawa county, where her death occurred in 1877. Mrs. Thompson is a graduate of the Cuba high school of New York, and after teaching for two years in that state she came to Kansas with her mother in 1873. Six daughters have been born to Judge and Mrs. Thompson, four of whom are yet living. The family record is | Botetourt county, Virginia, March 25, 1852. as follows: Ethel May, who was born May 3. 1879. and died on the 7th of August. 1893: Grace and Gertie, twins, born August 30, 1881, the latter, however, having passed away in August. 1882, while Grace is still with her parents, being now a student in the high school; Edna, born May 23. 1880: Edith, born December 20, 188; ; and Beth, born July 26, 1893.

Judge Thompson has devoted himself assiduously to the study of law and at the time he went on the bench had a very lucra- tive and important practice. Several of the leading young lawyers of the town have been students in his office, including the Hon. R. R. Rees. He has now sat upon the bench for thirteen years and has fully demon- strated his ability to handle the intricate problems of the law. The legal profession 88

demands a high order of ability and the ju- diciary requires not only ability but a rare combination of talent, patience and industry. The successful lawyer and the competent judge must be a man of well balanced intel- lect, thoroughly familiar with the law and practice, of comprehensive general informa- tion, possessed of an analytical mind and a self-control that will enable him to lose his individuality, his personal feelings, his prejudices and his peculiarities of disposi- tion in the dignity, impartiality and equity of the office to which life, property, right and liberty must look for protection. Pas- sessing these qualifications, Judge Thomp- son justly merits the high honor which has been conferred upon him by his thrice- repeated election to the bench.

James Haston is the son of John and Frances (Lyle) Haston. John Haston was born in Botetourt county. Virginia. July 28, 1804, and died July 28, 1871. He was a son of John Haston, who came from England, an untutored and unlettered youth of thirteen years and married a Miss Farris, and reared four sons and three daughters. Two of their sons died in the prime of life unmarried, and one i their daughters is living unmarried Their daughter Sallie married John Lucke, of Dade county, Missouri, and bas ten chij- dren.

Frances Lyle, mother of the liegt . f this sketch, was born in Virginia and was married in 1844, at the age of eighteen. John Haston, father of James Inte. w was ferry years . Il at the time i Wis mar-

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riage, was an overseer of slaves on a south- ern plantation, and had fifteen hundred hands under him on one plantation, unruly fellows, for the management of whom he received fifteen hundred dollars a year, and something of the quality of the man may be inferred from the fact that during a somewhat protracted experience he was obliged to whip only one of them and had the affection of them all to such a degree that they vied with each other in doing his bidding. He stood five feet eleven inches in his stockings and was a strong, active resolute man of undaunted courage. A total abstainer during all his life, before his death he counseled his sons to leave strong drink alone and told them that if they should do so they need never fear that they should make a failure of life. After his death his widow married the Rev. James Neal and lives near Eaton, Preble county, Ohio, widowed a second time and though she has attained to the advanced age of eighty-four years and is naturally somewhat weal gned physically she retains her mental capacity to a remarkable degree.

James Haston was reared -to farm life and was educated in the district schools at his old Virginia home in the exciting time of the Civil war, through the fortunes of which his father lost twenty thousand dol- lars. He left home April 1, 1874, with: a cash capital of thirty-five dollars and ar- rived at Sevenmile, Butler county, Ohio. with only twenty-seven cents in his pocket and began working on the farm of an old man named Bailey. He later learned the carpenter trade and after working for the firm of Lloyd & Thomas became a mem- ber of the firm of Thomas & Haston. He spent seven years in carpenter work, then farmed two years, and after that returned to contracting and building. Still later he turned his attention to construction of turnpikes or stone roads, with which he was identified four years. He removed from Ohio to Sterling, Rice county, Kansas, in 1886, arriving there March 4, and for about a year worked on the farm of C. K. Becket. In 1889 he took up a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Walnut township. At

this time he owns four hundred acres of land, stores and blacksmith shop and other village property, besides large ranch buildings. He long bred and handled cat- tle in large quantities and at this time owns seven hundred head and in 1897 sold twen- ty-one thousand head. His operations are so extensive that he controls by ownership and lease twenty-four thousand acres of land. When he began life on the Kansas prairie, the land now comprised in his large farm was in a state of nature. He has im- proved it and put it under a high state of cultivation and by his industry and enter- prise has converted it into a valuable prop- erty. Mr. Haston owns his own telephone, which he has connected with the various private and public lines available to him. He is a thirty-second-degree Mason and has been inducted into the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows. From his youth he has been an ardent Democrat, taking an act- ive interest in politics. While a resident of Preble county, Ohio, he was instrumental in carrying that county for Governor Campbell and for President Cleveland. He has filled the office of township treasurer and was treasurer of his school district for twelve years.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 104

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