A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 119

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 119

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Bell, passed away in Indiana. leaving three children: George G. is the subject of this review ; and Eben H., a farmer of Franklin county, Kansas, has three sons and three daughters. The father of this family died in Franklin county, Kansas, in 1890, and his wife passed away, in the same county, in September, 1901.

In taking up the personal history .i George G. Burgess we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in this county. He was reared to the work of the farm his father in the cultivation of the col home place until twenty-five years of age. when he started out in life for himself and sought as a companion and helpmate for the journey Miss Louisa Nichols. They were married in 1867 and their union was biesse with two children: Charles, who is married and resides in Franklin county, Kansas ; and Drusilla, the wife of Henry Worth. by whom she has four children. Mr. Burgess was married again, his second union being with Ann Elizabeth Mooney, of Indiana, in which state the wedding occurred in 1872. By this marriage there was one daughter, Halevon Louisa, who became the wife of John A. Freeburg, and died in 1900. at the age of twenty-seven years, leaving three children, including an infant daughter. Her children now make their home with their grandparents.

Mr. Burgess continued to reside in the state of his nativity until 1874, when he determined to make a home in the west. choosing the Sunflower state as the scene of his future labors. Arriving in Harvey county he purchased a half section of land from the Santa Fe Railroad Company and later purchased a quarter section. He now the riginal two hundred and i which he transformed into a very valuable farm. He came to the comm; will means, making the journey by rail. while his father drive through with

in June, 1873. The first o nie un- & # one. small in dimensions. but as his finan- O tom urces increased he erected a very

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pleasant residence, thirty-two by thirty-two feet. He had previously worked at the carpenter's trade for two years, and he built his own house. With unremitting diligence he performed the work of the farm, carry- ing on general farming and stock-raising, and in one year he raised thirty-two hun- dred bushels of wheat. Upon his place is an excellent orchard comprising ten acres, and all modern accessories and improvements are also found. He has experienced many hardships, but with marked perseverance he has carried on his work and is now in possession of a comfortable competence. He lived here, however, at the time of the grasshopper scourge. These insects reached his place on the 14th of August, 1874. and in twelve hours they had consumed every particle of green vegetation upon the farm. Even the melon vines were thus destroyed, and the melons were eaten down to the core. It was a discouraging outlook, but with a brave heart he met the conditions and in course of time was enabled to retrieve his losses. Gradually, year by year, as the re- sult of his industry, economy and persever- ance, he added to his capital, and he is now enjoying a good income, which enables him to live a retired life. Fraternally he is a Master Mason, and is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while to the Republican party he gives his political support. His life history shows conclusively how much may be accomplished through determination and persistent effort when guided by sound judgment.

BENJAMIN A. BLACKWELL.

One of the fine farmsteads of King- man county is that of the honored subject of this review whose estate comprises a tract of four hundred acres, the same in- cluding three hundred and twenty acres in Rural township and eighty in Kingman township. Through well directed effort and excellent business judgment he has attained marked prosperity and is known as one of the enterprising and successful young farm-

ers and stock-growers of the county. Mr. Blackwell is a native of the state of Ken- tucky, having been born in Webster county, on the IIth of February, 1863, the son of Thomas and Margaret ( Dills) Blackwell, both of whom were born in the same county as was our subject. The former was a son of John Blackwell, who was numbered among the early settlers of Kentucky, where he devoted his life to agricultural pursuits.

Thomas Blackwell was identified with farming in his native state until the close of the Civil war, when he removed with his family to Piatt county, Illinois, where he has ever since maintained his home, owning a well improved and valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres. He is a mem- ber of the Christian church, as was also his wife, whose death occurred in 1881. They became the parents of eight children, of whom we offer brief record, as follows: Joel is engaged in the mercantile business in Edgar county, Illinois : Martha is the wife of Henry Metzgar, of Newman's Grove, Ne- braska : Mary is the wife of William Ander- son, of Edgar county, Illinois: Minerva is the wife of Frank Woodward, of Custer county, Nebraska; Nancy is the wife of Albert Smith, of the same county: Flor- ence is the wife of Frank Sharp, of Piatt county, Illinois : John is also a resident of that county : and Benjamin A., the fifth in order of birth, is the immediate subject of this sketch.

Benjamin A. Blackwell was reared on the parental farmstead in Illinois, early be- ginning to contribute his quota to the work thereof and for his early educational discip- line being indebted to the district schools, which he attended during the winter months when his services were not in demankl in connection with the work of the farm. He initiated his independent career at the age of twenty years, when he began working on a farm for wages, thus securing his start in life and giving evidence of his energy and self-reliance, as well as his appreciation of the dignity of honest toil.

On the 25th of July. 1885. Mr. Black- well was united in marriage to Miss Anna Dowell, who was born in Pratt county, Mis-

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souri, being the daughter of James and Mary ( Rector ) Dowell. She was reared and edu- cated in Missouri and Kansas, her parents having removed to the latter state and taken up their residence in Wilson county. To this county the subject of this review had come the year preceding his marriage, hav- ing been employed on a farm until that not- able event in his career. After his marriage he rented a tract of land in Chase county and later came to Kingman county, and for the following thirteen years he rented the farm of James Galbraith, in Rural township. At the expiration of this period, in 1899, he took up his abode on his present farm, hav- ing purchased a quarter section of the tract as early as 1892 and having thereafter added to the same until his landed estate reached the aggregate acreage noted in the initial paragraph of this article. He has made ex- cellent improvements on his place and has a considerable portion of the same under a high state of cultivation, while he also de- votes particular attention to stock-raising. keeping an average of about twenty-five head of horses and about fifty head of cat- tle, in which latter line he is breeding a high grade, having several thoroughbred short- horn cattle on the farm and taking marked interest in breeding the best types. In all his operations Mr. Blackwell shows marked dis- crimination and judgment, and thus his suc- cess has been conserved, while his energy. ability and sterling character have com- mended him to the esteem and good will of all with whom he comes in contact. He has shown a proper and lively interest in public affairs of a local nature, giving his support to the Republican party and having been called upon to serve in positions of trust and responsibility. Thus he has held the . nice of road overseer, was incumbent of the po- sition of constable for a term of four years and of that of treasurer of his township for two years, while at the time of this writing he is treasurer of his school district. He has been signally faithful to every trust thus reposed in him and his course has been such as to gain to him the unqualified endorsement of the people of the community. Frater- nally he is identified with Cunningham

Lodge of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. He is one of the worthy and enterpris- ing citizens of the county, and his -necess has been attained by industry, perseverance and intelligent direction. Ilis career illus- trates what is possible of accomplishment on the part of the man who is willing to "work out his own salvation." for he came to the county without other resources than his ex- cellent mental and physical equipment and such accessories as were represented in a team and a small farming outfit, and to-day he is numbered among the prosperous and substantial citizens of the state. In attaining this independence and success Mr. Blackwell ascribes a large measure of credit to his faithful and devoted wife, who has rendered him constant encouragement in his efforts and plans and has been his able coadjuter in every respect. They are the parents of five children-Bert. Roy, Fern, Orin and Imo- gene. Cunningham is the postoffice address of our subject, his farm being located eight and one-half miles southeast of that thriv- ing town.

GEORGE W. BRANINE.

Honored and respected by all. George W: Branine has for many years been promi- nently identified with the agricultural inter- ests of Kingman county, where he now owns a beautiful and well cultivated farm in Evans township. He was born in Decatur county, Indiana, near Greenburg, in 1859. a son of Joshua and Margaret ( De\'ese ) Branine, the former a native of Indiana and the lat- ter of English descent. In 1861 they re- moved from their Indiana home to Fayette county, Illinois, where they remained until 1874. In that year they crossed the plains with teams to central Kansas, locating upon a farm near Newton, Harvey county. After a time, however. they left their country home and removed to Newton, where the father passed away at the age of sixty-four ver -. In political matters he was a stanch supporter of Republican principles, and he held many offices of trust and responsibility. For a weng period he held membership rela-

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tions with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he served as a class-leader for many years. The mother still makes her home in Newton, loved and honored by all who have the pleasure of her acquaintance. Nine chil- dren blessed the marriage of this worthy couple : Mary, a resident of Newton, Kan- sas; George WV., of this review; Elmer, of Oklahoma; Charles E., who is an attorney by profession and is now filling the high po- sition of state senator ; and Etta, John, Ezra (an attorney), Jenette and Anna. Three of the children are prominent and successful teachers.

G. W. Branine, the immediate subject of this review, is indebted to the public-school system of both Illinois and Kansas for the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his youth. Remaining at home until his twenty-first year, he was then married to Hattie Dumond, who was born in Danby, New York, a daughter of John Dumond. His father was Issac Dumond, and his sis- ter was the first child born in Tompkins county. His death occurred at the age of ninety-three years. The mother of Mrs. Branine bore the maiden name of Sarah Clark, and she was a native of Ithaca, New York, her family being an old and honored one of that locality. Unto John and Sarah (Clark) Dumond were born five children : Marcus, a prominent physician of Ithaca, New York ; Fred, a resident of Larned, Kan- sas; Harry, also a resident of the Empire state; and Elizabeth and Hattie. In 1879 the family came from New York to the Sun- flower state, casting in their lot among the pioneers of Pawnee county, where the father passed away in death at the age of sixty- three years. As a means of livelihood he followed carpentering and contracting, and in his political views he was a Republican. The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with the following children: Frank J., Edwin I., Marcus E., Walter C., Effie, Guy K. and Marlin Lee. In 1887 Mr. Branine came with his family to Kingman county, Kansas, locating on the farm on which he now resides. He takes an active interest in the welfare of the Republican party, was for a number of years the ef-

ficient treasurer of the township and is now filling the position of township trustee. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has long served as a steward, and socially he is a 'member of the Woodmen. He is em- phatically a man of enterprise, positive char- acter, indomitable energy and liberal views, and is thoroughly identified with the growth and prosperity of the county which has so long been his home.

ALEXANDER S. JUDY.

Alexander S. Judy is a splendid type of the self-made man. Entering upon his busi- ness career without capital, he placed his de- pendence in the substantial qualities of dil- igence, perseverance and straightforward dealing, and upon this foundation he has reared the superstructure of a prosperous business. He is to-day accounted one of the most extensive and successful farmers and cattle men of central Kansas, having hun- dreds of heads of cattle upon his large ranch.

Mr. Judy is a native of Kentucky, his birth having occurred in Montgomery coun- ty, that state, September 7, 1842. The fam- ily is of German lineage and was founded in America at an early period in the develop- ment of this country. Winepark Judy, the grandfather of our subject, was born .in Pennsylvania, of Virginia parentage, and after arriving at man's estate he married Anne Tracy, who was of Scotch-Irish de- scent and was a relative of Colonel Tracy, a distinguished officer of the war of 1812. One of their children was Alexander Judy, Sr., the father of our subject. He was born in Clay county, Kentucky, in 1803, and as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life he chose Susan Bradley, who was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, a daugh- ter of John Bradley, the maiden name of whose wife was Stringer. John Bradley belonged to an old Virginian family and at a very early day removed to Kentucky, his death occurring in Bourbon county. In

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1852 Alexander Judy left the Bluegrass state and with his family went to Clay county, Missouri, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1870. Throughout his life he had carried on agricultural pur- suits and thus provided for his family. His wife passed away previous to the death of her husband, being called to her final rest in 1862. In their family were twelve children, all of whom are now deceased with the ex- ception of Alexander S. and his brother, Colonel John T. Judy, who likewise is a resi- clent of Burr Oak, this county.

Mr. Judy, of this review, spent the first ten years of his life in Kentucky and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Clay county, Missouri, where the remainder of his youth was passed. his education being obtained in the public schools, while his busi- ness training was that involved in the work of the farm. In 1867 he went to Colorado, locating on the "divide" fifty miles south of Denver. There he engaged in the cattle business, first as a cowboy, and when his diligence, industry and economy had brought him some capital he began buying cattle on his own account. He found in this a busi- ness to which he is entirely suited and as a dealer in cattle he has amassed a comfort- able fortune, being now the owner of one of the largest and best stocked ranches in this part of the state. The year 1878 witnessed his arrival in Jewell county. He took up his abode in Burr Oak township, two and a half miles northeast of the town of Burr Oak. and as his financial resources have in- creased he has added to his property until he now has twenty-two hundred acres of as fine land as can be secured in this part of the state. Hundreds of cattle are continually grazing in his pastures and his equipments for caring for his stock are most modern and complete.

Mr. Judy made preparations for having a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Jennie Pennington, which was celebrated in Platte county, Missouri, on the 2d of De- · cember. 1875. The lady was born in Nod- away county, Missouri. September 7. 1855. and is a daughter of James and Susan ( Wis-

dean) Pennington, both of whom were na- tives of Tennessee. Removing to north- western Missouri, they were numbered among the pioneer settlers there, for when, in 1837, they settled in Nodaway county the work of progress and improvement had scarcely been initiated there. Mr. Penning- ton died in Platte county in 1877, at the age of sixty-two years, his wife having passed away in 1858. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Judy returned to Colorado, where he was then living, and in 1878 they came to Jewell county, establishing their home upon the ranch, where they remained until 1893. since which time they have been pleasantiy situated in a very attractive home in Burr Oak. Three children have been born unto them: Ora M., Lula May and Libbie Bradley. The son, Ora M. Judy, was born October 8, 1876, and is a young man of ex- ceptional business ability. He now prac- tically has charge of his father's affairs, transacts his banking business and carefully superintends much of the work on the ranch. He has closely followed in his father's foot- steps, and therefore truth. justice and up- right principles are numbered among his salient characteristics.

In his political views Mr. Judy is a Dem- ocrat, unfaltering in support of the princi- ples of his party. He served as postmaster of Burr Oak during both administrations of President Cleveland. He is one of the lead- ing members and liberal supporters of the Methodist church of Burr Oak. yet is broad- minded in his views and has aided all de- nominations. His family are also connected with the Methodist church and their home is a center of delightful hospitality and good cheer. The life of Mr. Judy has ever been actuated by a high sense of honor, by strong purpose and unquestioned integrity. He has accomplished much in life and for this he de- : serves great credit. his career proving that success comes as the reward of earnest pur- pose and not as the outcome of special genius. His example is well worthy of em- ulation and he is enrolled among the most prominent, successful and honored residents of Jewell county.

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THE GALE FAMILY.

Authentic records give a history of the Gale family as far back as the year 1630, which represents the date of the founding of the family on American soil. In that year Richard Gale left his ancestral home in Wales and set sail for the new world, where he thus became the progenitor of a numer- ous and worthy family, whose representa- tives are now to be found in the most di- verse sections of the Union. Four succes- sive generations show a member of the family bearing the name of Jonathan, and the last to whom the patronymic was thus applied was Jonathan D. Gale, who was the honored father of Mrs. Minnie E. Parks, who resides near Delphos, Ottawa county, Kansas, and to whom we are indebted for the exceptionally excellent data from which this record is compiled. Dr. Jonathan D. Gale, just mentioned, was one of the four

sons of Dana Gale, who in turn was a son of Jonathan Gale, while the maiden name of his mother was Sarah Willington. Jona- than and Sarah Gale maintained their home at Boylston, Massachusetts, and they be- came the parents of four sons and three daughters. The eldest. John, was born May 18, 1787, and was drafted for service in the second war with Great Britain, and he was killed in the battle of Erie, where the city of Buffalo, New York, now stands. The second son was Dana Gale, the grand- father of Mrs. Parks. Sally, the eldest daughter, was born May 24, 1791, and mar-

ried a Mr. Eager, who died a few years later, leaving her with four children. Cur- tis Gale, the third son, was born July 9, 1795 ; the next in order of birth was Betsy, who was born August 17, 1797, became the wife of a Mr. Plympton and soon after the birth of their second child she died of con- sumption; Martha, the youngest of the daughters, was born in 1801, and at the time of her death was survived by several of her children ; and Jarvis, the youngest of the children of Jonathan and Sarah Gale, was born in 1804, entered the home of his brother Dana when about fifteen years of age and there remained until he was twenty. He married a Miss Hatchett and they be- came the parents of four daughters.

Dana Gale, the grandfather of Mrs. Parks, was born on the 14th of January, 1789,-the year in which George Washing- ton took his seat as the first president of the United States. At Millbury, Worcester county, Massachusetts, he learned the busi- ness of manufacturing scythes and guns, having been thus in the employ of one firm until he had reached the age of twenty-one years, and within this interval of service he saved from his wages thirteen hundred dol- lars. He then emigrated westward, and for four years he was engaged in teaching school in Boonville, Missouri, while he was one of the first to make permanent settle- ment near Madison, Indiana, where he took up a tract of one hundred and sixty acres. In the spring of 1823 he returned to the east, and at Grafton, Massachusetts, he married Miss Mary McClellan, a daughter of Deacon James McClellan, of Sutton, that state, who was of Scotch lineage and whose ancestors in the agnatic line were originally Jews. Shortly after his marriage, in company with his bride and his youngest brother, Jarvis, Dana Gale started on the re- turn trip to the west, making the journey by means of stages and the other primitive modes of transportation and proceeding down the Ohio river from Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania, to Madison, Indiana, where, dur- ing the first summer after their arrival, Mrs. Gale taught school, while in the fall they proceeded to their farm home, in Bar-

JONATHAN D. GALE.

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

thelemew county, that state, where, in 1821. he had entered land southeast of Amalia mills, his securing the same having pre- viously been referred to. There were two plats of eighty acres each, and he afterward bought an additional eighty acres. There in a log-cabin home. in true pioneer style, he and his wife began their domestic life and on that place they passed the residue of their days. In the primitive dwelling mentioned were born their three sons,-Joseph M., James M. and Jonathan Dana. In November, 1836, the wife and mother was summoned into eternal rest, and on the 7th of January, 1838, Dana Gale married Sarah P. Lundbeck, daughter of William Lundbeck, and of this .com union also were born three sons, -William. George W. and Jarvis. The second wife died February 3, 1847, and thereafter Dana Gale kept up the home for his six sons until the elder boys attained manhood and in- augurated their independent careers. Dana Gale had visited Indiana as early as ISTO. having gone there in company with Isaac Gale and others, and he had there taught school prior to taking up the land mentioned. His eldest son, Joseph M., eventually mar- ried and he became a resident of Kendall county, Illinois: the son James M. was married March 4, 1856. to Susan B., daugh- ter . i James Be mer, of Yorkville, Illinois. Dana Gale was a man of more than ordin- ary intelligence and culture, having been an extensive and careful student of the best literature from his youth up. He realized the value of an education and gave his sons the best possible advantages in this line. He engaged in the cultivation of his farm. the raising of stock and the growing of fruit, according to the best scientific sug- gestions of the period. In disposition he was genial and kindly and greatly enjoyed the company of children and young folks. In politics he gave a stanch support the Republican party from the time of its or- ganization and his sympathies were entirely with the Union cause during the dark and gloomy epoch culminating in the war of the Rebellion, though he did not live to see the triumph of the Union arms, his death

occurring in November, 1861, at the arei seventy- four years. He ever desired more just and equable laws in force and his name header a petition to the Indiana house of representatives for a change in the election laws. while he was ever found arrayed on the side of right and justice.

Jonathan Dana Gale was the last of the three eller sons to leave the paternal home. but he finally married and removed to Illi- nois. Near Dresden, Ohio, on the zed of December, 1853, he was united in marriage to Miss Leannah Parks, the daughter . i Thomas and Elizabeth ( Ogle) Parl .-. : after residing for a time in Ohio he removed with his wife to Illinois, as before stated. Themas Parks was the owner of one of the good farms in Muskingum county, Ohio. and was extensively engaged in sheep- growing, while his wife and daughter carded and spun the wool and wove their own cloth, as did they also their linen. made from flax raised on the place. In that early period the ground was tilled with a one- here piw, the crops were cultivated with hoes and the wheat threshed with flails. Thomas Parks, who was born in Bedred county, Pennsylvania, in January, 1502. went to Ohio at the age of eighter! se .. s his death, in 1853. Upon his removal to Illinois Jonathan D. Gale beate ; in the i- lage of Piano. Kendall county, where he conducted a general merchandise Gilles. for a term of years. At length he di. of his interests there and returned to In- diana, in order to care for his reverei ther in his declining days. At his father's cleath he inherited the old homestead. upon which he continued to reside for a number of years thereafter. While he and his wife were residing in Kendall county, Illinois. three children were born to them, namely : Mary Emma, born May 12. 1855: Edward in Lern September 2. 830, Balliol May 14th of the following year : and George Frederick, born February 22. 1859. After the return to Indiana a daughter was born. on the 28th of March, 1866, and she it is who furnishes us with the information here utilized.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 119

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