A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 108

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 108

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Sarah B. and Mary F. Thomas, the father of Mrs. Rapp, married Mary Ann South. The Seth were from New Jersey. to the Browns, who in turn were related to ille Parkers and Balls, of Virginia. They were also related to Mary Ball, who lies buried near Bethel, Ohio. Mrs. Rapp is an heir in the Ball estate. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas · parts of five children, namely : Elizabeth Ka . who died in the age of fifty-three years : Mrs. Martha Belle Rapp : Luella Des. . resident si Of: Jolm Dimmitt, also of that state: and Thomas Newton, of Kansas. The mother Vi- a member of the Church of Christ, and died June 8, 1901. The father affiliated with the Democratic party, and his death oc- curred February 24. 1. 2. tth passing away in their seventy-seventh year. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rapp have been born one son. Veron La. Form Oetker 20. 1895. and a daughter, Luella Rapp, born May 17. 1902. The parents hold membership in the Church of Christ at Geneseo, Kansas. Mr. Rapp support- the men and measures of the Republican party. He is an upright and reliable citizen. true to the duties of busi- ness and private life. and his sterling worth

RICHARD V. GANT.

Among the representative citizens of Barber county and one who has done much to promote the industrial precedence of this section of the state through his able and discriminating efforts as a farmer and stock-grower, is Mr. Gant, who now main- todos his home in the attractive little city of Medicine Lodge, having partially retired from active business, though he still main-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

tains a general supervision of his large and , his parents in their old age, and they finally important interests in connection with the accompanied him on his removal to a farm which he had purchased in Todd county, Kentucky, where they passed the residue of their lives, passing away in the fullness of years and having ever held the esteem and high regard of all who knew them. raising of high-grade cattle and horses. He and his son Joseph are associated in the con- ducting of an extensive enterprise in this line, and have done much to advance the stock interests of the state, while our sub- ject is the owner of one of the largest and most valuable ranch properties in Barber county, his landed estate having an aggre- gate area of five thousand acres. Mr. Gant has a beautiful home in Medicine Lodge and is held in the highest esteem in the community, being known as a man of im- pregnable integrity, marked business and ex- ecutive ability, progressive ideas and true public spirit, so that he is particularly en- titled to specific representation in this com- pilation, which has to do with those through whose efforts have conserved the develop- ment and material advancement of central Kansas, whose opulent resources can not fall short of appreciation.

Richard V. Gant is a native of the state of Tennessee, having been born in Marshal! county on the 22d of May, 1844. His pa- ternal grandfather, Zachariah Gant, was born in England, whence he emigrated to America when a young man and located in North Carolina. From that state he event- ually removed to what was then Giles coun- ty, Tennessee, where he was numbered among the earliest settlers. having there en- tered a tract of government land, which was covered with a dense growth of native tim- ber. and he eventually reclaimed his farm and placed it under effective cultivation, be- coming one of the honored and influential men of that section of the state. There he reared his four sons, namely: John, who was born in North Carolina prior to the removal of the family to the pioneer farm in Tennessee, and who died in Kentucky only a few years ago, at the age of eighty- nine years; Alfred, who likewise died in Kentucky, within recent years ; William, who died many years ago in Marshall county, Tennessee; and Joseph, the father of the subject of this review. The last named re- mained on the old homestead and cared for

Joseph Gant was born in Giles county, Tennessee, in the year 1818, and there he maintained his home until 1854, when he removed to Todd county, Kentucky, as has already been noted, and there he continued to devote his attention to agricultural pur- suits until his death, in 1882, at the age of sixty-four years. Like all of his broth- ers he was a life-long member of the Methi- odist Episcopal church, in which he held for many years the office of class-leader, while he also rendered efficient service as an exhorter, being a man of spotless integ- rity and one whose life was ordered upon a high plane of usefulness and honor. In the early days he was sent for from far and near to comfort and pray for the sick and afflicted, and his deep human sympathy and unvarying kindliness gained for him a place in the affection of a wide circle of friends. His was the faith that made faith- ful, and the world was made better by his life and example. In his native state of Tennessee Joseph Gant was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth Bugg, who was born in Williamson county, that state, in 1819, and she still survives her honored hus- band, making her home with her youngest daughter, Mrs. Snead, in Todd county, Kentucky. She has been a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church from her early youth and is a woman of gentle and noble character, receiving in her venerable age the deep filial love and solicitude which is so justly due her. Joseph and Elizabeth Gant became the parents of ten children, of whom we enter brief record, as follows: Patrick, who tendered his services in de- fense of the integrity of the Union during the war of the Rebellion, having enlisted as a member of the Twenty-fifth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, sacrificed his life on the altar of his country, being killed in the

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

battle of Chickamauga: Martha is the widow of William Kannier, of Woodward county, Oklahoma; Richard V. is the im- mediate subject of this sketch; Robert died in childhood, in Todd county, Kentucky; William makes his home with his nephew, Joseph Giant, son of our subject : Joseph i-a successful farmer of Todd county. Ken- tucky : Milton also retains his residence in that county; James is engaged in farming in St. Joseph county, Missouri: Jane is the wife of Joshua Harris, of Todd county, Kentucky ; and Mary T. is the wife of James Snead, of that county.

Richard V. Gant was a lad of ten years when he accompanied his parents on their removal from Tennessee to Todd county, Kentucky, and in the public schools of the latter state he completed his early educa- tional training. He was not yet eighteen years of age when the dark cloud of civil war obscured the national horizon, and his intrinsic loyalty and patriotism were quick- ened into definite and responsive protest when the rebel guns thundered against the ramparts of old Fort Sumter. In ISop he tendered his services in defense of the Union, enlisting, at Russellville, Kentucky, as a private in Company K. Eighth Ken- tucky Volunteer Cavalry, commanded by Colonel James H. Shakelford, who was later made a brigadier-general, while Captain Hudgepeth was in command of the & m- pany. The regiment was drilled at Rus- sellville and Bowling Green, in which latter place it made its headquarters for a time. Like the majority of cavalry regiments the Eighth Kentucky did not participate in any of the great battles of the war. and for this reason much of the arduous and dangerous work of the cavalry is overlooked in his- tory. The regiment saw much skirmish- ing. guerrilla fighting and scouting service. and this command had the distinction of capturing the celebrated Confederate gen- eral. John H. Morgan, whom it pursued on his famous raid through Ohio and Indiana. The regiment when assigned to this duty left Marrowbone, Tennessee. marched through Kentucky, crossed the Ohio river

forty miles below the city of Louisville and passe bort through Ohio and Indiana and in Columbiana county of the former state Mor- gan was captured, in July, 1863. The regi- Ment was then sent back to Kentuck , where it was mustered out of service in Septem- ber of the same year, our subject receiving ingeralle discharge at Kuching, that

After having thus rendere! execlient service as a valiant and loyal soldier of the Republic. Mr. Gant returned to his home. and on the 21st of July, 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Boley, who was born in Todd county. Kentucky, in 1841. being a daughter of Tholemirah and Nancy V. . Talan Boley, both of whom were born in the state of Virginia, where their mar- riage was solemnized and whence they re- moved to Kentucky, where Mr. Boles was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred when Mrs. Gant was eight years of age, his widow surviving him many years. They became the parents of eight children, namely: John, a farmer of Toll county, Kentucky; Thomas, who died in that state: Mary .A., the wife of Moses Scott, Who likewise is engaged in farming in Kentucky; Benjamin, who died there; Sarah, the wife of the subject of this sketch ; Tholemirah, who is a farmer of Fal con- ty, Kentucky; Nathan, who died in Marion county, Illinois, about the year ISen: and Zachariah T., a farmer of Kentucky.

Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gant removed to Washington county, Illinois, where they maintained their resi- dence for a period of five years, at the ex- piration of which time they removed to Ma- rion county, where Mr. Gant purchased a farm of eighty acres. to whose cultivation he devoted his attention for the ensuing four years. He then returned to Washing- ton county and shortly afterward. in 1875, came to Kansas, locating first in Cherokee county, with the expectation of there secur- ing "joy land." but being disappointed in this he proceeded to Barton county, Mis- souri, where he purchased and partially im- provel farm of eighty acres and there con-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

tinued to make his home until 1882. In that year he came again to Kansas, making Bar- ber county his destination, and here he took up a pre-emption claim of one hundred and sixty acres, on section 33, Mingona town- ship, having made the journey through from Missouri with team and wagon, by which was afforded transportation

for his wife and three children and

such household effects as were re-

quisite. Their first residence was a good house of five rooms, the woodwork of 'which was of native cedar and walnut, and thus Mr. Gant became one of the pioneers of the county, a full score of years having elapsed since he took up his abode within its confines. He brought with him on the over- land trip from Missouri thirty-five head of cattle, and with this nucleus he engaged in the stock business, in connection with the development of the agricultural resources of his homestead farm. For a time he was also engaged in transporting camp supplies for the government, hauling corn and other provisions and supplies from Hutchinson. Newton and Wellington to Camp Supply, while on his return trips he brought posts, of which he disposed at good prices, hav- ing received as high as twenty cents apiece for the same. He made the best of im- provements on his farm and continued to expand the scope of his operations in the line of stock-growing until his enterprise became one of the most extensive of the sort in this section of the state. He and his son Joseph now own a magnificent stock ranch of five thousand acres, all being fenced and equipped with other proper im- provements, the original pre-emption claim forming the nucleus of this fine landed es- tate. Fifteen hundred acres of the ranch are located on the south side of the Medi- cine river, in Mingona township, while the remainder is on the north side of the river. in Lake City, Elm Mills and McAdoo townships. The range is thus well watered by the river mentioned, while additional supplies are secured from natural springs and artificial ponds, the water facilities thus being of exceptional excellence. On this

large stock farm may be seen about seven hundred head of high-grade short-horn cat- tle, many of which are thoroughbreds, the progressive owners ever aiming to improve the grade of stock and having thus exerted a marked influence in promoting the stock- growing industry in this section. Mr. Gant utilized the open or free range for grazing purposes until the same was finally cut off, about four years ago, and he then began to purchase additional land in the county, the ultimate result being the accumulation of his present extensive estate, which affords ample grazing facilities. He and his son are also giving special attention to the rais- ing of horses, of which they have at the time of this writing about one hundred and twenty-five head. In 1893 Mr. Gant placed his rarch in the care of his eldest son and removed to Medicine Lodge, where he pur- chasel a beautiful residence property, on Walnut street, where he is enjoying the re- wards of his years of earnest toil and en- deavor. He makes almost daily trips to his ranch, which is ten miles distant from the city, in order to assist his son in the supervision of their extensive interests. He is a man of marked executive ability and progressive methods have been brought to bear in his ranching operations, so that the results attained have been notable and grat- ifying. while Mr. Gant is known and hon- orel as one of the essentially representative citizens of the county where he has made his home for the past twenty years and where his labors and enterprise have con- trilnited to the material prosperity and legiti- mate advancement of the community.

Mr. Gant gives an unswerving allegiance to the Populist party, and he has taken an active interest in the cause of the same, hav- ing served for a number of years as chair- man of the county central. committee. of his party, though he has never sought political preferment for himself. He has been long and prominently identified with the Farm- ers' Alliance. in which he held the office of chaplain for two years. Fraternally he manifests his abiding interest in his old comrades in arms by retaining membership

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in that noble organization. the Grand Army of the Republic, being an honored commande of Hired Post. No. 174, of Medicine Lodge. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

To Mr. and Mrs. Giant four chi ren have been born, namely : Thomas. who died in Marion county, Illinois, at the age of three years; Joseph, who is associated with his father in the operation of their evinive stock rauch, as has adresy been here !: Walter, who is engaged in the mer- car tile business in Medicine Lodge; and Minnie M., who is one of the and popular teachers in the public schools of the county.

Joseph Gant, the oldest of the children of our subject, was born in Marion county. Illinois, on the 17th of April, DET, and his educational discipline was received in the public schools of that state and Missmi. while he was eleven years of age at the time of the family's removal to Barber commit. Kansas. In Barber county, Kansas, on the 24th of December, 1890, he was united in marriage to Miss Hattie King, who was born in Missouri, a daughter of Alfred and Eleanor M. (Ferguson) King, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they were reared and educated. Their marriage was solemn- ized in Illinois, whence they eventually re- moved to St. Clair county, Missouri, where Mr. King passed the residue of his life. his death occurring about twenty-six years ago. His widow is still living, making her home near Capron. Oklahoma, and being now the wife of John Brown, an honored veteran of the Civil war. Alfred King was thrice married. his first union having been with a Miss Carr, by whom he had four chil- dren. of whom the only one known :le living at the present time is Charles X .. who is engaged in the lumber business in Menominee county, Michigan. For his second wife Mr. King chose Miss Orilla Ferguson, and of their two children the one surviving is Louisa, the widow of John Fletcher. and a resident of California. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gant are the parents of five children, namely: Rosa May, Bessie. Jen- nie, Richard and Luther.

Mr. Joseph Giant i- prominently ileti- fied with the Populist party and tales a lively interest in a public nature, having filled many of the 1 up offices and Paving serve!

of his part .. Fraterne!

with the Ancient Order of United Work- men, and both he and his wife tti gem- bership in the Methodist Foi The Gant family cijos gehe popularity in the county and are prominent in the so- cial life of the community.

V. IL. TAMPLIN.

Hutchins: - fejisentative coffrets are a marcher of sale of men who.

they are connected. "

mots by their sidesty to duty, s cit circles they have gained the high ve gard of those who estegen worth and sint- actor alove all de. One of this number is W. H. Tamplin, who is now an engineer on the Santa Fe Railsal.

A native of the Buckeye state. he was born in Logan county, on the 7th of March. 1842. His grandfather, John Tamplin, lo- catori in Ohio in a very early day, cooking in what was then Lucenville, now Cincin- nati, where he owned a farm on what is now Barth street, but the title to this post is still in dispute, as the preer were de. served when the court house was burned. In the early days he served as sheriff of Davier. The father of var stilet. Das Tamplin, was of English descent, and when his son. W. H. was quite small he removed to Dayton, where he was first onpo vel in running a sawmill and afterward

ful in his operations, and his industry and ourclient boxing - ability were the me of seuring for him a competence sufficient to enable him t retire from :we arrive de-

home beyond in Pickaway care. Det companion and helpmate on the journey of

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

life he chose Mary Ensey, a native also of Ohio and of English descent. She is still living in Dayton, making her home with her daughter Belle, and has reached the ripe old age of eighty years. One of her brothers, Samuel Ensey, was twice a mem- ber of the legislature of Indiana, and was vice-president of one of the railroads of that state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tamplin were born six children .- George, who died in Chicago about 1900. and was a locomotive view ; Mathew, a successful farmer of Pre- ble county, Ohio; Belle, wife of William Winder, a carpenter of Dayton, Ohio; John W., who was formerly employed as a loco- :1 tive engineer and now makes his home in Chicago; and Mary, wife of Horace Blakesley, an expressman of Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Tamplin gave his political support to the Whig party and both he and his wife were worthy members of the Methodist church.

engineer; W. H., the subject of this re- ' ever since held, but during his twenty years'

---

W. H. Tamplin received his elementary education in an old log schoolhouse in Day- ton, where he recived but meagre privi- leges, but in later life he has greatly added to his knowledge by experience, reading and observation, and is now a well informed man. Starting out in life for himself at the early age of fourteen years, he worked at farm labor for about four years. On the 12th of August, 1861, he began his identification with railroad work, first en- tering the service in the capacity of a fire- man on the Indiana Central. now the Pan- handle road, his conductor having been John Miller. His run was between Dayton and Indianapolis, a distance of one hundred and ten miles, and he remained as an em- ploye of that road for about three years, during which time he was promoted to the position of engineer. On the expiration of that period he entered the employ of the Dayton & Michigan Railroad Company, in the same capacity, his run being from Day- ton to Lima. Ohio, a distance of about seventy-one miles, but after about eighteen months thus spent he began work for the Cincinnati. Hamilton & Dayton Railroad. between Dayton and Cincinnati, a distance

of sixty miles. After a time, however, Mr. ! Tamplin was given charge of the Home Avenue Railroad, from Dayton to the Na- tional Home, where he had charge of two locomotives, and, in fact, the whole prac- tical working of the road was under his supervision. After three years spent in that capacity he came to Hutchinson, the date of his arrival being April 6, 1881, and he was soon given charge of an engine on the Santa Fe road, which position he has

connection with this company he has had many different runs. His first run was from Nickerson, where the shops were then located, to Dodge City, which he continued for nine years, and his present run is from Great Bend to Scott City, a distance of one hundred and tweny miles, making the round trip every second day and carrying a mixed train of both freight and passenger cars. He goes west on train No. 357 and returns on No. 358.

During his connection with the railroad business Mr. Tamplin has made careful and shrewd investments of his earnings. In 1886 he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of raw prairie land in Rice county, Kansas, located on the west half of section 7, range 6, township 26. As the years have passed by he has placed his land under an excellent state of cultivation, and has erected all the improvements necessary for a well regulated farm, consisting of a modern residence, large stables and sheds for stock, three good wells and many other valuable accessories, while beautiful shade trees and an excellent orchard, containing an abundance of small fruits, further add to the value and attractive appearance of the place. Two hundred and twenty acres of the place is devoted to pasturage, in which may be found excellent grades of stock, and he also pastures about one hundred head of cattle for others. During the past year he has shown his wise judgment by planting forty acres of his land with broom corn, which yielded a very handsome return. In 1898 Mr. Tamplin purchased his present commodious residence in Hutchinson, lo- cated at No. 320 Fifth avenue, and in addi-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

tien he also owns three lots in this city. His residence is a nine-room house, very comfortable and commodious and tastefully furnished.

On the 23d of March. 1865, at Rich- motel. Indiana, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Tamplin and Mary E. Thornhill, who was born in England but when a child accompanied her parents on their removal to America, the family locating near Rich- mondl. Her father. Thomas Thornhill, was a hatter by trade, but after coming to America engaged in the tilling of the soil. He came to the Sunflower state about 1877, where he followed the quiet pursuits of the farm until his life's labors were ended in death, passing away in Nickerson, Kansas, in 1892. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Curtis, and she passed to the home beyond in Winchester. Indiana. The union of our subject and wife has been bright- ened and blessed by the presence of eleven children, namely: Cora, the wife of Ed- mond Doan, who is engaged in farming near Turon, Reno county ; Oliver, a barber of Portland, Oregon: Ella, the wife of Professor Van Damen, a professor of music at St. John, Kansas; Ed, employed in the Santa Fe machine ships at Newton, Kan- sas: Daisy, at home: Bessie, also at home : Willie, who is learning the jeweler's trade : Emma, a member of the high school of Hutchinson; Gracie, who died at Great Bend: and two who died in infancy. Mr. Tamplin casts his ballot in favor of Re- publican principles, and is an active and efficient worker in the ranks of his party. His social relations connect him with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Masonic fraternity, in which he has at- tained the third degree, and the Brother- hed of Locomotive Engineers. He is a member of the Methodist church at Great Bend, while his wife and family hold mem- bership in the church of the same denomi- nation in Hutchinson. Mr. Tamplin is a practical and progressive aid to his em- . plovers, and has won the warm regard and confidence of all who have had business or social intercourse with him.

SAMUEL V. FORNEY.

The well known citizen of Lake town- ship. Harvey county, Kansas, whose name is the title of this article is a leading stock farmer and wheat grower. His homestead is located on section to, of the township mentioned and his postoffice is at Burrten. Mr. Forney was born November 2, 1860, in Guernsey county, Ohio, a son of A. K. For- ney, now of Hutchinson, Kansas, who was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, February 21, 1835, on the same farm on which Fred- erick Forney, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born. Abraham For- nev, father of Frederick Forney and great- grandfather of Samuel V. Forney, removed to Ohio from Baltimore, Maryland, and was an early pioneer in the woods of the Buckeye state. The family is of German- English extraction and the great great- grandfather of the subject of this sketch is believed to have been the first of the name in America. A distinguished representa- tive of the family was John W. Forney, of Pennsylvania, a brilliant and influential journalist, who was prominent before and after the Civil war. Frederich Ferney diel at Burrton, Kansas, of pneumonia Decem- ber 19, 1891, when he was about seventy- eight years old. He was a finely proper- tioned man, six feet tall, of a clear intellect and remarkable memory. He deveted the most of his active years to farming. and lived for fourteen years near Columbus, Ohio. where he owned three hundred acres of land. He bought a half section of land at Peabody, Marion county, Kansas, on which he located in December, 1877. The subject of this sketch lived with his grandfather during several years of his childh-1 and holds him in peculiar veneraton.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 108

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