A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 113

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 113

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In 1879 Mr. Galpin took up his present

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homestead, which consists of one hundred and twenty acres, on which are a good resi- dence and ample barns, sheds and other out- buildings. The place is provided with a grove and an orchard and is devoted to the purposes of general farming and stock- raising. Mr. Galpin is a Republican, influ- ential in local political affairs, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and his wife and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. His son, Forest HI .. and his daughter, Alice, are both graduates of the Minneapolis high school. The former, who is a Republican and an Odd Fellow, is a practical farmer and is associated with his father's agricult- ural interests. The daughter is the wife of H. G. Miller, of Blaine township.

WILLIAM HARRISON.

Logan township, Ottawa county, Kan- sas. includes among its leading farmers and respected citizens William Harrison, who has long been a resident of this locality. Like many of the early settlers of the coun- ty, he is a native of England, his birth hav- ing occurred in Lincolnshire, on the 11th of May. 1834. His parents, William and Martha ( Davey) Harrison, were likewise born and reared in Lincolnshire, and there the mother passed to her final reward when she had reached the thirty-sixth milestone on the journey of life. The father came to the United States, but shortly after his ar- rival in this country he was taken ill, and his death occurred in Christ Hospital, in New York city. The parents had the foi- lowing children: William, Mary, Joseph. Rebecca. Sarah. Thomas. Martha and Ro ... The last named died when young. Te family were members of the established Church of England, and the father i towed agricultural pursuits as a means of a live- lihood.

William Harrison, whose name intro- duces this review, was rearel on the will homestead farm in his native country. After his marriage, in 1867, he came with his

wife to the United States, sailing from Liv- erped to Castle Garden. New York, where he arrived after a voyage of sixteen days. He subsequently madle it's way to Lake county, Illinois, Creating meer Waukegan where he was employed as a farmi laborer for a short time. In ISog he came to Ut- tarsi county, Kansas, sending a claim on to je crocks, where in lived in a dug-out, ten by twelve feet, until better accommodation could be secures. His dest chce di almak was a log cabin, fourteen by sixteen icet. which was the first are created in the text- -hip and there hospitality reigned supreme. In 1886 this dwelling was replaced by a fine frame restence w high va- erected at a cost of two thousand dollars and in this com- fortable basse car subject and his wife are now spending the evening of life in the en- payment of the fruits of their former til. innalred and twenty acres of rich and fer- tile land, of which may be seen weat Rol substantial outbuildings while a beautiful grove and orchard also add to the value and attractive age range of the place.

Mr. Harrison was married in Line in- Shire. England, His native place, to Eliza Walmsley, who was likewise born in that locality, a daughter of George and Sarah Walmester, leth now decoused. Ten chil- ren have blessed this union, namely: Will- hmm, who is married and resides on the home farm : Thomas. : Leone : Helen. the wife of William this county: Martha, the wife of A. Heber- Is. al-na restent of Ottawa county ; Mary, the wife of C. Grant; and five who died when young. Mr. Harrison affiliates with

church,

-11 clerk and class-leader. For many years Mr. and Mrs. Harrison have traveled life's journey together, their muti. confidence increasing as the years have

which have come :...

up their alle is file >

nocthe transformation which has here

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taken place. They are widely and favorably known throughout their locality and com- mand the respect of all who have had the pleasure of their acquaintance.

JACOB GERBER.

Among the representative citizens of Kingmn county none are more deserving of representation in this volume than Jacob Gerber, who has for many years been con- nected with the agricultural interests of Evans township. A native of the Buckeye state, he was born in Seneca county, in 1850. His father. Jacob Gerber, Sr., was born in Alsace, France, eighty-three years ago, and is now living on a farm near Bell- ville, Ohio. In Alsace. France, his father owned a farm and vineyard, and there he grew to years of maturity, attending the schools of the locality until fourteen years of age. For the following four years he was employed as a weaver and farmer, and on the expiration of that period, at the age of eighteen years, he left the home of his youth for the new world. After his arrival here he became a sailor on the Great Lakes, that occupation claiming his time for three years after which he returned to France. He remained at his old home, however, but a short time, when he again came to Amer- ica, locating near Bellville, Ohio, where he has ever since made his home. Twice mar- ried, his first wife bore the maiden name of Barbara Heitz. She also was born on the River Rhine, and at her death left six children, four of whom are now living ; Jacob, the subject of this review: Mary, of Ohio: John, a prominent farmer of Gales- burg township, Kingman county ; and Phil- opena, the wife of Michael Meng, also of this county. Two of their children died in Ohio,- Barbara and James. For his sec- ond wife the father chose Lena Snyder, and one of their sons, Mike Gerber, is a resi- dent of Galesburg township, Kingman county.

Jacob Gerber, the immediate subject of this sketch, remained under the parental

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roof until twenty-five years of age, during which time he assisted in the work of the home farm and also attended the public schools of his locality. In 1880 he left the state of his nativity and came to Kansas. securing a location in Evans township, Kingman county, where he has ever since made his home. He is now the possessor of an excellent farm of four hundred and eighty acres. upon which he has made many improvements, including the erection of a good residence, substantial barns and out- buildings, and has transformed it into one of the most desirable homesteads of its size in the locality.

Mr. Gerber has been twice married. His first wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Gerber, was a distant relative, and she died in Ohio, at the early age of twenty- six years, leaving two children .- Anton and Mrs. Emma Stuble. For his second wife our subject chose Ursula Clouse, who was born. reared and educated in Seneca county, Ohio, a daughter of George and Catherine Clouse, natives of Alsace, France. They subsequently came to America and are now living at Defiance, Ohio. Eleven children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Clouse. namely: Benjamin Catherine. Ur- sula, Margaret, John, Charles, Nicholas, Mary, Josie, Minnie and Peter. The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with the following named children: Clar- ence, James, Mary, Leo, Benjamin, William and Loretta. In political matters Mr. Gerber casts his ballot in favor of the men and measures of the Democracy. Relig- iously the family are members of the Cath- olic church.

GEORGE P. DAVIS.

George P. Davis, who is successfully engaged in general farming in Galesburg township. Kingman county, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, August 28. 1860, and is a representative of an old southern family. His father, Philip R. Davis, also born in the same state, was a woolen manufacturer, honored and respect-

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od in the community where he resided. The grandfather. Reece Davis, Wales, of Welsh parentage, and when a When the colonies attempted to throw off the sake of British personen ke j the army which was fighting for li'est, and was a valiant soldier of the Revolutionary war. He married Rebecca Socket, ale a native of the little rock-ribbed country of Wales. Their son Philip R. Davis after ar- riving at his majority, was married ml Pennsylvania to Louisa B. King, who was born November 5. 1815, and who through life was of great assistance to him. Her birth occurred in Pennsylvania where she was reared. She was a daughter of W. L. King, a soldier of the war of 1812. It was in the year of 1854 that Philip Davis went with his family to Vermilion county, Illinois, settling near Danville upon a farm which he made his home until isas. when the family removed to Barry county. Missouri. Their new home was in the vi- cinity of Cassville, and this continued to be the father's place of residence until 1880, when he came to Kingman county, Kansas. working at his trade in Waterloo. He also served as postmaster of that town, ale tinned one of its industrious and respected. residents until his death. Unto him and his wife were born eleven children witha nine reached years of maturity, name : Reece: Samuel: Sarah A .: W. K. : Alice L. : Charles H. : Amanda F. : Katherina K. : and George P. The other two children died in early life. Lessons of industry, reset purpose and honesty were instilled into the minds of the sons and daughters. ... that they became useful and valued mentler- . i society. The father, after his arrival fren the east, became identified with farming in- terests, which occupied his attention in Illi- nois and Missouri. In politics he was a Jackson Democrat, and he serve! on the township board. He was reared Wy Out- ker parents and always endorsed the faith of the Society of Friends. Socially he was connected with the Independent Onler .: Odd Fellows. He died at the age forty- six years and his wife, who was a faithful

four years Later, 3. 5.1 1.c . Six. Her mans excellence. endeared her to her friends and acquaint- ances and her memor i- the court- di those who knew her.

George D. Dinis vem- . i his life in the state of his nativity sal thep accompanied les parent- 19 Barry county, Missouri, where his youth se - mit 11a n & farm. He there developed a robust constitution, acquired a god Dagher off cation in the public schools and became fa- miliar with all the duties and labors doit fall to the lot of the agriculturist. . \1- through scheet was held in a primitive log cabin which had been built by his father and the neighbors, he yet gained therein the foundations of knowledge, which he has broadened through practical experience, reading and observation. When eighteen years of age he came to Kansas, and an at- taining his majority he secured a home- stead claim of one hundred and sixty actes. which his labor has converted into a valuable farm, all modern implements king isol thereog. His family is sheltered in a com- instalace residence; barns and outbuildings por vide for the care of grain and stock and verdant meadows and rich die. f grain show that the farm work is carefully carried on. He has been very storewill

Bowl of stock. He to-day owns' a half- section of rich land, and the farm, with all its improvements, is the visible evidence of his enterprising and har takie career.

In 1885 Mr. Days was united in mar- ringe in Miss Anna L. Smith, who was born in Newtonia, Missouri, and was a successful teacher. Her girlhood days were spent in Newtonia and she taught her first svin ! in the Varner district of Newton county. Her father. Thomas Smith, who was a well known farmer there. removed to that staty from Minnesota. His death oc- carroll in Missouri and his wife, who in her . I. . ird, died during the early girlhood of Airs. Davis. They were ever respected and had the esteem of warm Friends Un Mr and Mrs.

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Davis have been born four children, one son and three daughters, namely: Claude K., who is now fifteen years of age; Grace B., thirteen years old: Christine, a child of four years: and Georgiana, who is eighteen months old.

Mr. Davis is a man of good physique ; he has successfully coped with the labors of the farm and in his enterprising career he found that success results not from ge- nius but from earnest, persistent labor. He is a leader in the Cumberland Presby- terian church of Galesburg township, of which both he and his wife are members. In politics he is a Democrat, and he has served as a member of the township board of supervisors and as township treasurer. discharging his duties with credit to him- self and satisfaction to his constituents. Socially he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. The characteristics of an upright manhood are his, and his life. consistent with honorable principles and actuated by industry and by good citizen- ship. is an example well worthy of emula- tion.

HEZEKIAH ORNDORFF.

From pioneer days in the development of Rice county Hezekiah Orndorff has fol- lowed farming in this portion of the state. His birth occurred in Shenandoah, Virginia, February 11, 1827, and he represents one of the highly respected families of that state. His father, Philip Orndorff, was a native of Frederick county, Pennsylvania, and the grandfather was a native of Hol- land. On coming to America Philip Orn- dorff, Sr., took up his abode in Pennsyl- vania, and in 1801 removed to Frederick county, Virginia, locating on Cedar creek. He married Miss Siabert, a lady of German lineage, and both died in Van Buren, Shen- andoah county, in the Old Dominion. Philip Orndorff. Jr., was born in 1795 and was a soldier in the war of 1812, being sta- tioned for a time in the garrison at Norfolk. He made for himself a good record and after the war he was united in marriage to

Christina Peer, a native of Shenandoah county and a daughter of John Peer, also a native of the Old Dominion. He had a sister who lived to the very advanced age of one hundred and thirteen years. Mr. Peer was the owner of Sugar Hill farm, and throughout his life was identified with ag- ricultural pursuits. When the country en- deavored to sever allegiance to the English crown he became a member of the American army and aided in the establishment of the republic. He married a Miss Stevens, who was likewise born in Virginia. The mar- riage of Philip and Christina (Peer) Orn- dorff was blessed with the following chil- dren : Anna, now deceased; Hezekiah, Uriah and John Sampson, who have also passed away; Delilah: Lorenzo, who has departed this life; and Perry W., who made an excellent record as a soldier in the Civil war and who was the youngest of the fam- ily. The father died at the old Sugar Farm in Virginia, at the age of seventy-six years, and his wife survived him for some time, passing away at the venerable age of ninety- two years. She was a member of the Evan- gelical church.

Upon the old homestead Hezekiah Orn- dorff spent the days of his boyhood and youth and acquired a fair education. When a young man he went to Ohio, and in Mans- field, that state, was married to Miss Anna R. Ricksecker, a cultured lady of good fam- ily. She was reared and educated in Mas- sillon, Ohio, attended the high school there and was afterward a student in the Mans- field Ladies' Seminary, where she was a schoolmate of Mrs. John Sherman. She afterward became a successful and popular teacher of Ohio. She was born in Wash- ington. D. C., a daughter of John and Eliza ( Geiger) Ricksecker, both of whom were of German descent, and the former was a na- tive of Hagerstown, Maryland. They had ten children, namely: Mrs. Orndorff ; Will- iam K. ; Hilda B .: Isabella: John H., who was a gallant colonel of the Civil war and afterward for a number of years a promi- nent farmer of Rice county, a land agent and hotel proprietor at Sterling, but is now a resident of Kansas City, Missouri ; Frank ;

MR. AND MRS. H. ORNDORFF AND FAMILY.

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Prudence, who has passed away; Stella; Addie; and Mary. The father died at Mansfield, Ohio, at the age of ninety-five years. He learned the trade of a cabinet- maker at Georgetown, in the District of Columbia, and afterward carried on busi- ness along that line in order to provide for his family. He voted with the Republican party and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, taking a very prominent and active part in' its work. His wife was also a consistent Christian, holding member- ship in the same church, and her death oc curred when she was eighty-four years of age.

After his marriage Mr. Orndorf located in Virginia, and about the time of the Civil war he was forced to flee to the mountains of that state on account of the hostility which his support of the Union cause aroused. He voted for Lincoln and fear- lessly announced his allegiance to the Union party. His life was then threatened by the Confederate sympathizers and he went to the mountains, where he was captured, but after a time he secured his release. He then went to Aurora, Portage county, Ohio, where he was employed in a cheese factory until 1864. when he offered his services to the government, enlisting in the Sixth Ohio Cavalry, under command of Colonel H. Bar- rett. For a time he was stationed at Cleve- land. Ohio. His brother Perry came to visit him and was taken ill with smallpox. This was the occasion of Mr. Orndorff's having to remain at Crestline for some time. There he was taken ill and confined in a hospital for a number of weeks, after which he was honorably discharged from the service on account of disability, at Cleveland, Ohio. At a later date he went to Marion county. Missouri, and for a time resided near Han- nibal, but the Rebel element in that locality was so strong that he returned east and took up his abode in Xenia, Ohio, where he re- mained until 1866. In that year he went to Jackson county, Missouri, but after a few months he left for the east. going down the river to St. Louis, where he narrowly escaped being killed and robbed, for it was known that he had money. Proceeding on

his way to Cairo, Illinois, he thence went to Bellaire, Ohio, and on to Harper's Ferry, where he was stationed at the time John Brown was taken prisoner. He afterward proceeded to Van Buren, Shenandoah coun- ty. Virginia. For nine years he successfully engaged in Innings at that point, making considerable money. On the expiration of that period he came to Sterling. Rice conn- tv. Kansas, where his brother-in-law. C.]- onel John H. Ricksecker, was doing a goed business, Mr. Orndorf took up his abode in Wilson township and purchased two good farms of one hundred and sixty acres cach. He has here three thousand acres, and in his farming operations he has met with prosperity. In an early day his house was set fire to and he was mobbed and wounded by a lot of drunken men, his injuries being inflicted with a hatchet. In 1882 he became proprietor of a hotel in Lyons and conducted that enterprise for four years, after which he returned to the farm and in isos he again took up his abode in Lyons.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Orndorff have been born two children. The Rev. R. C. Orn- dorff, the elder, is a prominent and able min- ister of the Methodist Episcopal compiere ce. I cate hat Tarlton, Ohio, i wart emerk a well known attorney in Rice county. The younger son, Fred Orndorff, resides upon one of his father's farms in Wilson town- ship. Throughout a varied. long. useful and honorable career Mr. Orndorff has steadily progressed in the path of prosper- ity and today he is one of the substantial citizens of his adopted county, where he is now living a retired life. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs, and in this community they have the respect and warm regard of all who know them.

JAMES E. SMITH.

Ottawa county, Kansas. has several cit- izens of English nativity who are leaders in its moral and material progress. One of these is James E. Smith. of Logan town-

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ship, whose postoffice address is Minneapolis and who has lived in the county since 1878. As a soldier, loyal to the stars and stripes, during the Civil war, Mr. Smith made a record of which any native-born American might well be proud.

James E. Smith was born in England, April 15, 1843, the same year in which the late lamented President Mckinley was born. His father, Robert Smith, a butcher by trade and occupation, stood well in the community in which he lived, being known for his integrity, enterprise and his observ- ance of all that makes for good citizenship. After the death of his first wife, Jane Smith. he married Anna Pierson, a native of York- shire. England, and the family came to America in 1851, sailing from Liverpool and landing at New York. After a short stop at Rochester. New York, they went to Lake county, in northern Illinois, and lo- cated near Waukegan, where Mr. Smith be- came a farmer. He was a stanch supporter of the Republican party from the time of its organization and was an active and de- voted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his good wife also was a member. They had children named Chris- tian. Enoch, Merad, Naomi, Elizabeth, James E., Mary, Ruth. Matthew. Eli and one who died young. The mother of these children died in Lake county, Illinois, at the age of fifty years, beloved for her many virtues of mind and heart and regretted by all who had known her.

James E. Smith was reared to manhood in Lake county, Illinois, and was there edu- rated in the public schools and instructed in practical farming and in other kinds of hard work. In 1861, when he was but eighteen years of age, he enlisted in the Thirty-seventh Regiment of Illinois Volun- teer Cavalry. His regimental commander was Colonel White and his company com- mander was Captain Eugene Payne. He was a member of Company C. and as such participated in the battle of Pea Ridge and in minor engagements, continuing in active service until he became a victim of mumps and measles, which confined him to a hos- pital, where he remained until he was hon-

orably discharged from the service, on ac- count of disability. At the expiration of a month after he was discharged he deemed himself again fit for military duty, and ac- cordingly enlisted in the Seventeenth Regi- ment of Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. Frs me time his regiment served in southeast Mis- souri and in Arkansas, with headquarters at Pilot Knob and Iron Mountain, and it participated in operations against the Con- federate generals Price and Marmaduke un- til the southern forces were driven from the two states mentioned. Afterward the regiment was under command of General Ewing, at Humboldt, and later it guarded United States mail in the west and south- west. When Mr. Smith was finally dis- charged from the United States service, at the close of the war, it was with the com- mendation of his superior officers for his brave and faithful service.

After the war Mr. Smith was for two years a blacksmith near his old home in Illinois. Later he was a clerk in the gen- eral store of Henry Rogers, at Vola, Lake county, Illinois. His faithfulness and his efficiency were so well appreciated by Mr. Rogers that the latter sent him to McHenry county, Illinois, to take charge of a store which he established there. Later he ac- cepted a position in the store of P. P. Helm- street & Company, at Galesburg, Knox county, Illinois. From Galesburg he event- ually removed to Iowa, and after one year's residence there he returned to Illinois, lo- cating at Chapin, Morgan county, conducted a blacksmith shop there for a time and then removed to Beardstown, Illinois, where for a year and a half he was connected with railroad work. He located in Kansas in 1878 and is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres. This he has improved from wild railway land and has made it one of the best in its vicinity. He began life in Kansas in an humble way, his home being a modest sod house. His pres- ent modern residence, which cost fifteen hundred dollars, is well appointed and well furnished and is one of the most homelike | in Logan township. The farm is under a high state of cultivation, has three miles

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of helge and is provided with every facility for successful operation. Mr. Smith is a strong Republican and takes an active part in political work, having been a delegate to many important conventions. He is a devoted member of the Grand Army of the Republic and is a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, with which he united in Lake county, Illinois. He and his family are members and attendants upon the services of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Smith was married in Morgan c unta. Ilinois, to Mary Elizabeth Pierson. who was born, reared and educated in Illi- nois, being a daughter of William and Anna Peren. They have had children as fel- lows: Cora, who became Mrs. Bickley and lives at Verdi, Kansas : Horace T., who lives in Logan township, Ottawa county; Nellie; Emma and Oscar J., who are members of their parents' household; Edwin, who is a physician ; Perry William: Adolphus S. A .; and Mary E., who died at the age of two months.

W. H. KEENER.

Success has been worthily attained by W. H. Keener, who is to-day accounted one of the prosperous farmers of Ottawa coun- ty. To his energy, enterprise will careful management this is attributable. He now owns one of the most desirable farming properties of the locality, the same being lo- cated on section 2, Blaine township. A na- tive of the Buckeye state, he was born at Miamisburg, on the 6th of May, 1842, a son of John Keener, who was born in Switz- erland and was a member of a prominent family of that country, its members having been noted for their honesty and bravery. John Keener received a good education in his native language, and when twenty-two years of age he came to the United States. During the voyage to this country he be- came acquainted with Miss May Lazer, who was also born. reared and educated in Switzerland, and after their arrival here they were married in Chillicothe. Ohio. They became the parents of eight children. three sons and five daughters, namely :

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 113

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