A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 107

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 107

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Wilson K. Kirkpatrick, who is a miller at Russellville, Brown county, Ohio, and Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, who married Samuel Mellhenney, a farmer, who lives near Win- chester. Two of Mrs. Kirkpatrick's broth- ers and one of her sisters survive-William Dixon, a farmer of Jackson county, Kansas ; Frank Dixon, a farmer, who lives near Portland, Oregon ; and Adaline, who is the wife of George Marks, a railroad man, of Saint Joseph, Missouri.

Grant Kirkpatrick is the sixth in order of birth of his parents' family of eleven chil- dren. The first born died in infancy. Ed- ward lives in Laughlin, Texas. Harry lives with Grant and their mother, assisting in the management of the farm. Frank is a farmer in section 2, Sumner township. Me- lissa married Jacob Prough and died on the family homestead in 1892, leaving two chil- dren, named Herschel and Lela, who are : now members of the family of their Uncle Grant. Samuel is a farmer in Sumner town- ship, half a mile west of the Kirkpatrick homestead. Rosa married Ross Mixon and died at Wichita, Kansas, leaving two chil- dren, named Helen and Virgil. Lula is the wife of of Alfred Priest, a farmer in Haven township. Minnie married Harvey Rau. a farmer in Sumner township. Charles is a member of his brother Grant's household.

It was in the district schools near his home that Grant Kirkpatrick gained his ed- ucation. He early acquired a practical ex- perience as a farmer and he is one of the most successful farmers and stockmen in his vicinity. His farm is fenced throughout with wire. About ten acres of it bears fine shade trees, most of which were planted in 1876, and about four acres are devoted to a fine orchard. For several years he has been gradually increasing his herd of cattle un- til he now owns forty head, most of them shorthorns. Besides operating his own farm in 190 !. he rented considerable land and had two hundred and fifty acres sowed to wheat and twenty acres to oats and planted eighty acres to corn. He is regarded as one of the successful and progressive young men of his township and has as a Republican

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taken an active interest in local politics. In 1889 he was elected township clerk. He was a delegate from Reno county to the Kingman convention that nominated Frank Vincent for senator, and has often been a delegate to county conventions of his party. His public spirit has been many times demon- strated in different ways and there is prob- ably not a citizen of his township whose in- terest in the general welfare is deeper or more abiding or who may be more safely relied upon to further to the extent of his ability any movement which he deems bene- ficial to the people.

HENRY B. REVEL.

Mr. Revel is one of the efficient officers of Rice county, being a member of the board of county commissioners, and his election to this important and responsible office indi- cates his position in the regard of the com- munity and of the party of which he is a member, while in all the relations of life he is known as a worthy and progressive citi- zen. He is now actively identified with the farming interests of central Kansas and is a representative of one of the old and promi- nent families of North Carolina. He was born in Nash county, that state, on the Iotlı of January, 1844, and was reared on the home farm in Cleveland county and pur- sued his education in the public schools. He is a son of Rev. Elijah H. Revel, who was likewise born in North Carolina, and the latter's father was born in France and was a member of the greatly persecuted band of Huguenots who left their native heath and cast in their lot with the colonies of Hugue- nots who sought religious freedom in North Carolina. He belonged to a prominent and wealthy family of France and became one of the leading and influential citizens of his community in the new world. In his busi- ness affairs he was prosperous, becoming a rich planter and slave-owner of North Caro- lina, where he passed the remainder of his life. His wife survived him and afterward married E. Lewis, with whom she eventti-

ally removed to Florida, where they spent several years and where Mr. Lewis died. His widow then returned to North Carolina, and her declining days were passed in the eastern part of that state, where she died at the extremely venerable age of ninety-two years. She and her first husband became earnest members of the Baptist church. and in their family were two children .- Will- iam, who died in Wilson, North Carolina; and Elijah H., the father of the subject of this review.

Elijah H. Revel was born in Nash coun- ty, North Carolina, on the 9th of February, 1817, and there he was reared. His boy- hood days were passed upon his father's plantation, where he acquired a good En- glish education, and in early life he studied medicine and finally entered upon the active practice of the same. Later, however, he became a planter and managed his farming interests in connection with his professional duties for over twenty years. During that time he was very prosperous and accumu- lated a large estate, but the Civil war came on and most of his possessions were swept away. During his early manhood he en- gaged in teaching school, ever proving capable and proficient in all that he under- took. In 1866 he removed to Knox county, Kentucky, where he passed one year, and he then removed to Laurel county, where he remained until summoned to the life eternal, his death occurring at London, that county, on the 2d of December, 1895, at which time lie was seventy-nine years of age. He was broad-minded, intelligent, enterprising and public-spirited, and his labors and example were always of benefit to the community in which he resided. He was over six feet in height, of athletic build and weighed one hundred and sixty-five pounds. He greatly enjoyed life and made the most of his op- portunities for happiness, while at the same time he was strongly sympathetic and chari- table, doing much for the poor and needy. When twenty-one years of age he made a profession of religion and joined the United Baptist church, in whose communion he continued until his death. In 1864-5 he was licensed to preach by the congregation of

MR. AND MRS. H. B. REVEL.

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. -

New Bethel church, in Cleveland county. North Carolina, but he was not ordained to the ministry until September, ISON, when he was thus consecrated in the Lyan Camp church, in Laurel county, Kentucky. Fran that time until about ten years prior tobis death he always had charge of frem three to five churches, but was finally Migel to abandon pastoral work on account of ishing health. He was moderator of the Lynn Camp Association for a number of years. and after the organization of the Mount Zien Association he was its moderator om- tinvesty until his death, with the exception of two years, when he was not able to attend. He converted many to a belief in the Chris- tian religion, and the full fruition of his life and lale rs can not be measured until time merges into eternity. He officiated at hun- drols . i marriages and funerals, and was frequently called upon to act as executor of wills and administrator of estates, for hie always discharged the duties thus devolving upon him in a most earnest, conscientious and trustworthy manner. In 1895 he dr. ve into the country to perform a marriage core nonv. and upon his return he was attacked with a chill and became confined to his bed. never regaining his health, and he lived but five days thereafter. Although this no- ble man, whose career was date of signal usefulness and hepar, has been called to his reward. he has left te his family the price less heritage of an untarnished name and the memory of a life devoted to his fam- fly. his friends, his country and his God.

When but sixteen years of age the Rev. Elijah H. Revel was united in marriage Miss Susan Hammond, of Tartar, Not: Carolina, and to them were leri asl three daughters, of whom only three are now living. Of them we enter the fol- bowing brief recopi: William died at the age of twenty- me your : Sarah wh the wife of Wesley Hastings, died in Ten- nessee: James H., who lost an arm while serving in the Confederate army. i. man a veterinary surgeon in Oklahoma: Blix beth is the wife of John Bixthe. of Cile- county. Illinois: John W ... who likewise was a soldier in the Confederate army, died in 89

Coles county, Illinois : Elijah II. also be- came a soldier in the southern army, and his death occurred in the state of Missouri : Henry B. is the immediate subject of this review ; Robert died in the rebel army ; and Mary, the youngest of the children of this union, became the wife of Wallace Vance and died in Kentucky. Susan ( Hammond) Re- vel, the mother of these children, died in Cleveland county, North Carolina, at the age of thirty-two, and is buried at the Pa'm- tree Cemetery, Cleveland county, North Carolina. The Hammonds were from Penn- sylvania and were of Geman lineage. In November, 1852. Rev. Elijah H. Revel con- summated a second marriage, being then unite! to Sarah J. Hastings, ci Cleveland county, North Carolina, and they became the parents of four sons and three daugh- ters, of whom one of the daughters died in infancy, the others being as follows: Fran- cc. A. is the wife of Godlip Strohmyer, of Rice county, Kansas; Pinkna died in Texas ; Chauncey A. is a resident of Rice county, Kansas: Albert L. is a resident of Mineis: Esther became the wife of Henry Crowder. and after his death married Emel Bender, Leing now a resident of Louisville, Ken- tucky: and Wade C. resides in Illinois.

Henry B. Revel, whose name initiates this review, spent his childhood days in his parents' home and received his educational discipline in the common schools. In 1861. at the age of seventeen years, he entered the Confederate army; becoming a mem- her of Company H. Thirty-fourth North Cap Coma Volunteer Infantry, under com- mand of Brigadier General William D. Por- der and General "Stonewall" Jackson. Ile took part in fourteen hotly contested bat- tles, innumerable skirmishes, and all the camaigns in which his regiment participa- ted up to the battle of Gettysburg, being taken prisoner at Hagerstown, Maryland. He was then taken to the Baltimore mail. where he was held for thirty days, after which he was transferred & Point 1. ckout. Maryland, where he remained six months. He then enlisted in the First Regiment of United States Regular-, and was sent to the Northwest to fight Indians, being in the

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command of Captain Hooper De Strout, of Bangor, Maine. He did scouting duty in Minnesota, under Generals Pope and Sib- ly, and took part in skirmishes with the In- dians, serving for nearly two years, at the expiration of which interval he received an honorable discharge. At the battle of the Wilderness Mr. Revel received a shell wound in the hip, and as a result was confined in the hospital at Richmond, Virginia, for. forty-one days. He saw some hard sery- ice, often going on long, tiresome marches. and frequently was compelled to subsist on very short rations and thus endure the pangs of hunger. At one time, on a three days' march. he had nothing to eat except parched corn, and not much of that.

Mr. Revel was married at Norfolk, Vir- ginia. on the 12th of August, 1864, and when he was released from prison he took his wife with him to Minnesota. In Septem- ber. 1865, she returned to Virginia, and when he received his discharge she joined him in Wisconsin, where he was engaged in the lumbering business nearly three years. On the expiration of that period he went to Laurel county, Kentucky, where he was en- gaged in operating the homestead farm for three years, then removing to Douglas county, Illinois. There he purchased a farm, to whose cultivation he gave his attention for fourteen years. In 1885 Mr. Revel ar- rived in Rice county, Kansas. and here he effected the purchase of a tract of raw land from the railroad company. Since that time he has given his attention to the improve- ment and cultivation of his property, and has by his well directed efforts transformed it into a richly productive tract. He carries on general farming and raises some cattle. and his farm now produces sufficient grain and stock to net him a good annual income.

In politics Mr. Revel was formerly a Re- publican, but since coming to Kansas he has identified himself with the Reform party and has capably served in many offices. He was township clerk of Pioneer township for a term of two years, was justice of the peace for six years and is now serving as county | commissioner. While he was incumbent of the office of justice of the peace he tried

about sixty civil and criminal cases, and only one appeal was taken from his decisions. This was taken to the supreme court and remanded back to the county for a new trial and the final decision was in harmony with that which he had originally entered. His fidelity to duty is above question, his integ- rity is proverbial, and all who know him speak of him in terms of praise and enter- tain for him high regard and confidence. Both Mr. and Mrs. Revel are members of the Missionary Baptist church, with which he has been actively identified since he was twenty-five years of age. He is a very ear- nest worker in the church and Sunday- school, attends the meetings of many of the Sunday-school associations, and does all in his power to advance the cause of Chris- tianity. He has filled many offices in the church, including those of trustee, deacon and treasurer, and has been superintendent of the Sunday-school.

As has been already stated, Mr. Revel was married in the year 1864, the lady of his choice having been Mrs. Sarah A. Cor- prew, the widow of George Corprew, who was killed while serving in the Confederate army. She was born in Virginia on the 14th of February, 1843, being a daughter of Augustus and Elizabeth ( Brinson) Revel, the former of whom was a representative of a collateral branch of the same family to which our subject belongs. Augustus Brin- son was a fisherman on the Potomac river, and died in Virginia when his daughter Sarah was a mere child, and she after- ward spent a portion of her time with an uncle. She was one of five children, the others being Thomas, who entered the Confederate service and was never heard from after going to the front; James A., who still resides in Virginia : and two daugh- ters, who are deceased, each having borne the name of Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Revel have had no children of their own. but their home has sheltered many little ones who would have otherwise been homeless. At various intervals they have cared for nineteen children, and one of the number they formally adopted,-John L. Revel, whom they took into their home when he

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was but three years of age, and whom they reared to maturity. His mother's maiden name was Mary Tarter, and she was a na- tive of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Revel reared and educated the boy. bestowing up- on him loving parental care and attention. He married Miss Sarah Quarterman, of Taylorville, Illinois, and they have five sons, -William, Roscoe, Clements. Ansel and Claude. He is now engaged in farming near the home place, and is one of the wor- thy and honored young men of the commu- nity. Fraternally he is identifie l with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. and his wife is a devoted member of the Bap- tist church.

CHARLES L. CHRISTOPHER.

A successful business man, and one who has won the high regard of every one with whom he has been associated is Charles L. Christopher, who devotes his time to the growing of fruit and is also engaged in the insurance business. He is a native of St. Louis, Missouri, his birth having occurred there on the 22nd of September, 1852. His inther. John G. Christopher, was born in New York, where he was engaged in the wholesale grocery business. In 1849 he re- move ! to St. Louis, Missouri, and there entered into partnership in the wholesale grocery business with Rufus J. Lackland. who : the president of the Boatmen's Saving Bank. Mr. Christopher remained in this business until 1863, when he retired. having been very successful. He had made some excellent investments in city property and eyes regarded as a prominent citizen of St. L. miis. In Rochester, New York, Mr. Christopher was married to Mary E. Hey- www !. a native of the Empire state and of English ancestry on the paternal side. Her father. John Heywood, was a prominent hatter of Rochester. and was numbered among the early settlers of that city. John G. Christopher was a stanch advocate of Republican principles, and a liberal sup- Twitter of the Episcopal church. He passed away in St. Louis, in December. 1864, while

his wife's death occurred in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1802, at the home of one of her sons. One sister of Mr. Christopher is still living in Jacksonville, Florida, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-one years.

Charles I. Christopher was one of a family of five children : they are: Julia E., wife of W. S. Whiteman, engaged in the electrical business in Jacksonville, Florida ; Charles I ... the subject of this review : John ( .. a dealer in wholesale machinery in Jack- sonville, Florida : Rufus L., who dieI at the age of twenty-one at Yonkers. New York : and William Il., a resident of Jesseville. Horida, engaged in Imsiness with his brother. Ihn G. The carly conestien af Charles L. Christopher was acquired in the public schools of his native city, which was supplemented by a two years course in the military school at Yonkers. New York. Sub- sequently he went to Sing Sing, New York, where he entered the military school. After remaining there for more than two years, he left the school and at the age of twenty- two engaged in the produce business at Yonkers for a similar period. and thence he went to New York city. Here he was connected with a hardware firm for about two years and afterward was employed in a wholesale cigar house. having charge of the business transacted through the custer Touse for one year. At this time he received a severe sun-stroke, which incapacitated him for work for several months. In the fall of 18;4 he returned to St. Louis with his mother, and parting with her there, he came to Reno county, Kansas, and during the inloving winter engaged in the cattle busi- ross. In the spring of the next year he lo- catel in Hutchinson, where be nogal a store on the east side of Main street. Here he carried on the grain and poultry testes. she's through les industry and hapiness ability greatly prospered, his patronage ex- tearing to many points west of Hutchinson.

On the 25th of Gender. De. Mr. Christopher was inined in we Block to Mar- tha C. Smith. a native of Reno county, and a 'anghter of E. A. Smith. one of the pio- neers of the Sunflower state. Her parents are still living in Hutchinson, the father at

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the age of eighty-six and the mother at eighty years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Christopher have been born five boys, name- ly: Lewis A., Harry A .. John G. and Charles W., all born in Jacksonville, Flor- ida : and Lloyd E., who was born in Hutch- inson, Kansas. Previous to his marriage Mr. Christopher had purchased a claim of eighty acres situated about four miles north- east of Hutchinson. In 1877 he removed to this farm and engaged in the pursuit of agriculture until the year 1880, when he sold out and went to Yonkers. New York. After two years spent as a merchandise broker in this city, he removed to southern Florida, where he remained for nine years. He purchased a farm of forty acres of land, situated about one hundred and fifty miles south of Jacksonville. This he planted to young orange trees, and was engaged in orange growing and truck farming during his entire residence in Florida. He was very successful in both lines of work, al- though visited with one severe frost, which damaged many of the trees. In 1890, how- ever, he sold his orange plantation and re- turned with his family to Hutchinson, where he purchased an interest in an insurance business which was conducted by his father- in-law. They did an enormous business · here, representing as high as twenty-six companies. The high moral standing of the company was an important factor in bringing to them patronage, and the suc- cess of the firm was due to the honorable principles and upright dealings of its mem- bers. In time Mr. Christopher became owner of the entire business, and also added accident insurance to the already large list | of companies.

In 1894 Mr. Christopher purchased a beautiful residence, which is located at No. I 220 Sixth avenue, east. It is modern in all respects, surrounded by fine large grounds, having a frontage of one hundred and fifty feet. The tasteful furnishings of the home plainly indicate that the occupants are peo- ple of culture and refinement, and its doors are always open to the many friends of the family. Mr. Christopher also became own-

er in 1898 of a farm of ten acres, situated about three and one-half miles northeast of Hutchinson. This farm is devoted to the cultivation of fruit, there being a large or- chard and vineyard on the place. and also acres of rich land upon which are grown small fruits in abundance. This property is highly improved and bids fair to bring Mr. Christopher a handsome profit on his in- vestment. For the past few months he and his family have made this farm their home, enjoying the balmy air of the country and the fresh products from the farm.

Coupled with his high financial stand- ing is the prominent position which he oc- cupies in political and social circles. He is a loyal defender of Republican principles, having often been elected as a delegate to the county and city conventions. He is a member of the U. C. T., and also holds membership with the Episcopal church, hav- ing served as vestryman for the past six years. His life has been one of honor and integrity, and he enjoys the high regard and confidence of his fellow men.

J. B. RAPP.

The subject of this review is a self-made man who, without any extraordinary family or pecuniary advantages at the commence- ment of life, has battled earnestly and en- ergetically, and by indomitable courage and integrity has achieved both character and fortune. By sheer force of will and untir- ing effort he has worked his way upward and is now numbered among the leading ag- riculturists of Rice county.

He was born in Clermont county, Ohio, near Boston, January 2, 1857. His father, Joseph Rapp, was born in the same neigh- borhood and was a member of an old and prominent Ohio family. The grandfather, Joseph Rapp, Sr., was born in Pennsylvania. Joseph Rapp, Jr., followed farming as a life occupation and was a Republican in his po- litical views. He married Elizabeth Hill. who was born in Clermont county, Ohio. a

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daughter of Samuel Hill. Mr. Rapp was called to his final rest at the early age of twenty-eight years, leaving a widow and three sons,-J. B., our subject : Chester, a resident of Gerne mit cally

The me ther is now living in Ohio, at the age of seventy-four years. She is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which her husband was also a member: J. B. Rapp, the immediate subject of this review. Was past four var- of age when his father died. and as he was the cides child he was doiget to assist in the care of his mother and younger brother. Hi- einetion was therefore mewhat neglected. det through reaching and elverva- tion be has become a well informed man. Ile remained in the state of his nativity watil 181, when he removed to Macon county, Illinois, where he remained for six years. On the expiration of that period he came to. Rice county, Kansas, and here he has since made his home. The farm on which he located was only partially im- proved. and on the place was a sod house and a rude barn. Is hrst owner was Henry Evans, who entered it from the government. Ilis farm is now under a high state of culti- vati m. being improved with all m lern con- veniences and accessories, and his fields an- nually yield to him a golden return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them. He has a good residence, which was created at a cost of one thousand dollars. and his large barn, costing seven hundred dollars. and the same number of cons. His farm is one of the best in Victoria township, and there he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising.

furnishes accommodations for twelve horses I has gained him high regard.

At the age of twenty-three years Mr. Rapp chose as a companion for the journey of life Miss Martha Belle Hair, who was born. reared and educated in Clermont county. Ohio, a daughter of Thomas Hair. a native of the Old Dominion. Mrs. Rapp's great-grandfather, Ezekiel Dimmitt. made his way on horseback from Virginia t Ohio in 1797. locating in Clermont county. His wife was in her maidenhood a Miss

Guest, and they crested the first cabin in the township where the side. Theshi several children, and among them was De- lilah Dimmitt. who married Jonas Hair. the grandfather of Mrs. Rapp. They had six children .- Thomas.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 107

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