A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 121

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 121

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H. H. White In. D.

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

able farms in central Kansas. He has a fine herd of thoroughbred Jersey cattle and other stock, and everything about the place is kept in an excellent condition.

Dr. White was united in marriage to Miss Margaret A. Clark, a daughter of . Vi- kins Clark, of Auburn, New York. They became the parents of four children, but one daughter died in infancy. The others are: Ovida, George 11. and William II. The Doctor is a member of the Episcopal church, while his wife bolds membership in the Methodist church. They are well known throughout Barton county and enjoy the highest regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact.

CHARLES M. ROSS.

Charles M. Ross has been numbered among the residents of Burr Oak. Jewell county, since 1878, and is now successfully conducting a large general hardware store, being classed among the leading merchants of the town. His enterprise is in keeping with the progressive spirit of the west and his activity in business circles contributes to the general prosperity as well as to his in- dividual success. He is a western man by birth and traning, and now by preference. He was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, No- vember 30, 1856. his parents being Dr. W. J. and Mary H. (Clark) Ross. His father. a native of Ohio. remove lto Marshill comm- ty. Iowa, in 1854. before the railroad was built through the town, and in 1877 he c :me to Jewell county, Kansas, making his home in Mankato, where he successfully engaged in the practice of medicine until his cents. which occurred in 1896. He passesel marked ability in the line of his profession and won distinction ale me

while he was also widely and favorably known for the possession of those charac- teristics which go to make up an bon ratde manhood. His wife. Mary H. C"arki Ross, was born in Hamilton county, Ohio. and she still survives her husband, making

her home with her saat Charles M. the sub- jeg of this sketch.

In the schody of his native city Charles

cipline, and subsequently de spent five years in Ohio. In 1877 he berate a feel- dent of the Sunflower sare looking in Har- per county, and the file mi rivel in Jewel com. since Has been nunchere ! among the falling off- zens of hogy tak. Die hich he

the kind in the town. Jis drive are

and courteous, and therefore - sair nige logo and is steadily increasing. Mr. Ross is not only prominent in business affairs. but is also a leader in valida cindies ise served as register of dead- of lese !! for four years, beginning in 1892. and in ISg- he was made assistant secretary of state in Kansas, under Governor Lecas - administration, acting in that capacity for Ho vets. Broad reeling and investigation have kept him well informed on the political issues of the day and he is a leader of pub- le thought and action in his party, his in- fluence having great weight in its comets.

Mr. Ross has been twice married. He Brat wedded Miss Nette B n. a na- tive of Henry county. Mission an ter of Gerg Boanie

prominent citizen of beer.elle 1-

Oak. Mrs. Ross was called to her final rest

ndl un'on county, Pennsylvania. He has ilk - in

wod: L ic. T. & A. M. He

a past na. - ter. 11

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

Fellows, and he is a popular, successful and honored citizen, having gained prominence in business, political and social circles as a result of qualities that fit him for leader- ship.

ROBERT H. McBRIDE.

The subject of this review, Robert Hast- ings McBride, is actively connected with a profession which has important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of any section or community, and one which has long been considered as conserving the public welfare by furthering the ends of jus- tice and maintaining individual right. He is to-day accounted one of the leading mem- bers of the bar of this section of the state, and no man has higher regard for the ethics of his profession. He has won for him- self very favorably criticism for the careful and systematic methods which he has fol- lowed. He has remarkable powers of con- centration and application and his retentive mind has often excited the surprise of his professional colleagues. He is now occupy- ing the position of county attorney of Jewell county and his administration of the affairs of the office is giving uniform satisfaction.

Mr. McBride is a native of Ogle coun- ty, Illinois, his birth having occurred Oc- tober 2, 1849, at a place called Seven Mile. which is five miles east and two miles north of the city of Oregon. His parents were John H. and Clarissa ( Snell) McBride, and he is of Scotch-Irish descent. His paternal grandfather, Robert McBride, was a native of Scotland and when a young man crossed the Atlantic to America, taking up his abode in the state of New York. but his last days were spent in Illinois. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Holden, belonged to a prominent Scotch family. Their son, John H. McBride, the father of our subject, was born in the Empire state and at an early day emigrated westward. He was a inan of considerable literary ability and for several years was editor of the Miami of the Lakes, one of the first newspapers published in northern Ohio. In the '3os he removed to

Ogle county, Illinois, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of that locality, and when trouble with the Indians resulted in the Black Hawk war he aided, the pioneers in their efforts to suppress the Indian upris- ing. Through his connection with journal- ism he became acquainted with some of the most gifted men of the nation-men who were making history and molding the coun- try's destiny. Among these were Daniel Webster, Wendell Phillips and Horace Greeley. In his political affiliations Mr. Mc- Bride was a Whig and abolitionist and he strongly championed the measures in which he so firmly believed. He died at the home of his daughter, in Wabash, Nebraska, in1 1895, when in his eighty-seventh year. His wife survived him only a short time, also spending her last days in the home of her daughter, where she passed away in 1896. She was a native of Massachusetts and a member of the prominent Snell family of that state, to which Thomas Snell. the well known manufacturer, also belonged. John L. McBride, the eldest son of John H. and Clarissa (Snell) McBride, enlisted in an Illinois regiment during the Civil war and was killed in the battle of Chickamauga, while different branches of the family were also represented in that sanguinary struggle and several of the name laid down their lives on the altar of their country. One of the maternal ancestors of our subject was num- bered among the Revolutionary heroes who fought in the battle of Lexington.

To the public schools of his native coun- ty Robert Hastings McBride is indebted for the early educational privileges he received, and later he spent one year in the Skinner school, on the west side of Chicago, and the following year in the Dearborn school, on the north side of that city. He then crossed the Mississippi and located in Nodaway county, Missouri, where throughout the re- mainder of the Civil war he served as a member of the home guards. Determining to make the practice of law his life work, he began study with Judge C. Angevine, of Kansas City. In 1872 he came to Mankato, and was here engaged in merchandising un- til 1874, in the meantime reading law with

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

Judge Hanley of this city. In 18;5, as a partner of the judge, he began practice here. In 1888 he was elected county attorney of Jewell county, on the Republican ticket, for a term of two years: was again chosen to that office in 1890, and then, after an interval of several years, was re-elected in 1898 and in 1900, receiving the Republican nomina- tim by acclamation. No other incumbent of this position has been so honored. His public record is without a blemish, marked by the utmost fidelity to duty and earnest service in behalf of justice. The utmost care and precision characterize his prepara- tion of a case and have made him one of the most successful attorneys in Jewell coun- ty. As an orator he stands high, especially in the discussion of legal matters before the court, where his comprehensive knowledge of the law is manifest and his application of legal principles demonstrates the wide range of his professional acquirements. In his early residence here Mr. McBride also served as police judge and for several terms was a member of the school board. He taught school for several terms in different parts of Jewell county and has ever been promi- nentiy and helpfully identified with its edu- cational interests.

Mr. McBride was united in marriage to Miss Mary Young, a daughter of William Young, one of the early settlers and leading men of Kansas. A resident of Ohio when the Civil war was inaugurated, Mr. Young joined the service from that state and finally died as the result of injuries sustained while defending the starry banner of. the nation. Mrs. McBride was born in Indiana, but was reared in Illinois. By her marriage she Was become the mother of two interesting sons. -William L. and John S. For several Years Mr. MeBride and his family have made their home on a beautiful farm pleas- antly situated a half me Mankato. It is a model place and Mr. Mc- Bride takes just pride in keeping everything in splendid condition. He finds reeve. from the arduous duties of his profession by caring for his fine poultry. hogs. Jersey cows and Hambletonian horses, his stock being

of the finest grades. His gardens and or- chards affand all the delicacies of the season and the farm is indeed a model contitry -ett.

In his political views Mr. McBride i- an unfaltering Republican, and his efforts in campaigns have contributed in large me- ure to the success which has greeted the Re- publican ticket. High political hatier - wohl be accorded him if he would accept them. He has refused the nomination for the posi- tions of state senator, judge of the district court and others, accepting only the position of county attorney, which is directly in the line of his profession. That he is competent to fill the most exalted office that the state has to bestow is uniformly acknowledged, but his ambitions are not in that direction. Ilis allegiance to his party, however, is un- wavering. for he believes that one of the greatest obligations of citizenship is that connected with the right of franchise. His patriotism stands as an unquestioned fact in his career, and men of all political parties acknowledge his worth and accord him the highest respect. He has attained to a posi- tion of distinction in his profession and it is said that if he would demand fees in pro- portion to those asked by most other mem- bers of the legal fraternity he would to-day be a very wealth man, but he is the soul of business honor and prefers rather to err to his personal disadvantage in a financial way, than to overcharge his client. His career at the bar is one of the greatest hon- or, and no member of the profession back move seresults retard for the maximum ciliie- which to all guard and gui eth -e who are its representatives. He is vigilant in his donation to his effects interests. Net giance to the majesty of the law.

ARLES .1. UTTER.

nel citizens and repre- Re farmers and stock-growers of Kingman county is the subject of this re- a finely improved farm of two

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

hundred and forty acres, situated in Eureka township, his postoffice address being Pena- losa, which is one and one-half mile distant from his home. The family of which Mr. Utter is a worthy representative has been identified with the annals of our history for several generations, and has stood for ster- ling worth of character, sturdy industry and earnest co-operation in forwarding the march of development in the republic during the various transition stages.

Mr. Utter is a native of the state of In- diana, having been born in Bartholomew county, on the 2d of August, 1857, the son of Elijah and Amanda ( Dayton) Utter. Elijah Utter was born in Clermont county, Ohio, on the 27th of August, 1828, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth ( Mackelfresh) Ut- ter. both of whom were born in Pennsyl- vania, so that it may be seen that the two families have long been established in Amer- ica. Joseph Utter removed to Ohio in an early day, and in 1841 removed thence to Indiana, where he took up a tract of govern- ment land. the same being heavily timbered and entirely unreclaimed from the wilder- ness. This, with the assistance of his sons. he cleared and placed under cultivation, and here he made his home until he was sum- moned to his reward. Elijah Utter accom- panied his parents on their removal to the primitive wilds of Indiana, and he continued to remain on the old homestead until his marriage, when he purchased eighty acres of government land, in Bartholomew county, paying for the same at the rate of six dol- lars per acre. The place was covered with a heavy growth of oak trees when he came into possession of the same, but here he finally reclaimed a fine farm, upon which he retained his residence until his death, which occurred on the 15th of September. 1887. The old homestead is still in possession of the family, the title never having been trans- ferred. The father was one of the honored and progressive men of his county, and though never an aspirant for public office he wielded an unmistakable influence in local affairs of public nature. being highly es- teemed by all who knew him. He was a be-

----

liever in the doctrines of the Universalist church. and his widow is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She still re- sides on the old homestead, being seventy- two years of age at the time of this writing. They became the parents of eight children, three of whom died in infancy, the five sur- viving being as follows: Charles A., the subject of this review ; Frank, who is a ma- son and builder and who resides in Cherry- vale, Montgomery county, Kansas : and Os- car. Nora and Lieuverna, all of whom re- main on the old homestead with their vener- able mother.

As Charles A. Utter was the eldest of the children it became his duty to lend his best efforts in connection with the work of clearing and improving the homestead farm and thus aiding to provide for the family. In the midst of his arduous toil, however, he did not fail to take advantage of such educational opportunities as presented, at- tending the district school during the win- ter months and thus laying the foundation for that broad fund of knowledge which has come to him through reading and identifica- tion with the practical affairs of life.

Mr. Utter remained at the parental home until the time of his marriage, which was solemnized, in Bartholomew county, Indi- ana, on the 15th of August, 1878. when Miss Rena B. Custer became his wife. She is the daughter of John W. and Caroline ( Wilson) Custer, the former of whom was an own cousin of General George A. Custer, the victim of the ever memorable Indian massacre in Montana, their fathers having been brothers. Mrs. Utter was born in Jennings county, Indiana, while her father was born in Kentucky and her mother in Madison county, Indiana. She was one of a family of thirteen children, nine of whom lived to maturity and seven of whom sur- vive at the present time: Kate is the wife of Levi McKnight, of Shelby county, In- diana: Nellie is the wife of Simon Decker, of Ripley county, that state; Rena B. is the wife of our subject: William is a resident of Madison county, Indiana : Ida is the wife of Thomas Bevelheimer, of Madison county,

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

Indiana: Alice remains with her mother 1 Bartholomew county; Grace is the wife of Albert Bard, of Indianapolis, Indiana ; Colat B., who was the wife of Frank Franklin, died in Ripley county, Indiana : Maud died unmarried : and the other children passed away in infancy. Mr. Custer was a black- smith by vocation and he passed practically his entire life in Indiana, his death occurring in Madison county, that state, on the 24th of August, 1901. He was prominent in pub- lic affairs in his section of the state. though never an incumbent of office, being a stanch adherent of the Republican party, and a man vi absolute probity of character.

After his marriage Mr. Utter rented land in his native county, where he continued to he engaged in agricultural pursuits for a period of six years, at the expiration of which he disposed of his personal effects and came to Kansas. He located in the city of Kingman, where he followed the trade of carpenter, which he had learned under the direction of his father, and here he pur- chased town lots, improving the same by ste erection of dwelling houses and being timis engaged for about eighteen months. In the fall of i885 he traded some of his town prop- erty for one hundred and sixty acres of land. the same ixing a portion of his present farm- stead. On April 12. 1886. he removed with his family to the claim, and here they have ever since maintained their home. The oris inal claim was pre-empted by George To - jor. who had proved up on the same but who had made no improvements other than breaking five acres of ground and erecting a shanty eight by ten feet in dimensions. Mr. Utter at once inaugurated vigorously the work of development and improvement, erecting a two-room residence. fourteen by twenty-four feet, which was the alle the family until 1898, when the present com- fortable farm dwelling was built. He has devoted his attention to diversified farming and to stock-raising, and in both lines has been very successful, while the general ap- pearance of the farm is such that none cotta! recognize it as the wild prairie land which it represented when our subject located on

the original quante shown marked discrimination in h tiens. ichonting a in het sy tem que iam ing and keeping sufficient live epson the products of the farm with the exception of the wheat raised. He Lep about forty head of cattle and has made a speciality of raising hogs, and from this branch of enterprise he has secured the most gratifying returns. He has taken distinct interest and pride in breeding geel stock of all kinds. using the best male animals and grading up all of his -tock to high standard. He has given preference to the Hereford type of cattle, and both his draft and road horses give evidence of the same cafe ml breeding and selection. Mr. Utter has re- cently established on his farm a herd of pure bred Poland-China swine, procuring the best animais to be had from the ms reliable breeders of Ohio. Missouri and Iowa, and thus making the proper i am - tion for one of the finest herds to be sent .

Though a stalwart supporter of the prin- ciples and policies of the Republican party, Mr. Utter has never sought official prefer- ment. but he has rendered the party cifsgive and timely service as an active worker in the maks. He was prevailed

dice di constante of his township a served as deputy sheriff, in which ca- patty he rendered signat service

munity by effecting the arre: : tin

thieves who had committed many tions in the county, and later he appr weather member of the same party ani cured his comistion on the charge

stealing. these arrests resulting in the break- ing up .f the apparently well organized band.

Of the ten children of Mr. and Mrs. L'tter we enter brief record in this conclud- Mg paragraph : George W., a sin em of the commercial department of Nickerson College, is now a salesman in the story of of the popular young men ni this section: Bessie is the wife of Addison Moore, a farm- er of Eureka township; and the other chil-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

dren, Burnie, Nellie, Hazel, Frank. Nora, Caroline, John and Babe, are still at the parental home, which is noted for its re- : mission to discipline, travel and association

fined and gracious hospitality.

JAMES M. BEAM.

The subject of this biography is one of the early settlers of Reno county, coming here in October, 1871, and he now resides on a fine property in South Reno township, having located upon this when the land was unimproved and the surroundings seemed on the outskirts of civilization.

Mr. Beam was born in Wyandot coun- tv, Ohio, on March 8, 1847, a son of Will- jam and Maria (Bele) Beam. William Beam was likewise a native of Wyandot county, while his father was born in Penn- sylvania, but later settled in Ohio. William Beam was a stockman and farmer, was prominent in public affairs and was well known in his locality. In politics he was a Democrat, and for a period served as a mem- ber of the board of county commissioners. His death occurred about the age of fifty years, and the mother of our subject died when the latter was five years old. The three children of the family were: James M .. of this sketch ; Martha, now Mrs. Paige, of Topeka, Kansas; and Isaac, also a resi- cent of Topeka.

Our subject's early education was ob- tained in the public schools, but his advance in the higher branches was interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil war. At the age of sixteen years his loyal spirit induced his enlistment in defense of his country, and he became a member of Company C. Seventy- sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was with the army under General Sherman through his remarkable campaign, never missing an engagement and never being wounded. although his clothing showed plainly that the bullets narrowly escaped do- ing fatal work. He accompanied his regi- ment to Louisville and later to other points and its members received their final dis- charge at Columbus in July. 1865. Al- though not yet twenty-one years of age Mr.

Beam was a man in every sense except years, his endurance of army privation, his sub- with others having developed the courageous and ambitious lad into a strong and manly man, one capable of enduring the hard con- ditions of pioneer life.

For three years following the close of the war Mr. Beam remained in Ohio, en- graged there in sheep-raising, but he wisely decided that the great state of Kansas of- fered better opportunities, and hither he came in 1871. Taking up a quarter section in Reno county, it was his intention to en- gage in the cattle business. There was no railroad nearer than Newton, and there he bought a team and hauled his lumber to build a house, also hauling all of the other necessities, of life. He soon gave up the idea of confining himself to stock-raising, as he soon had neighbors who bought adjoining land with the intention of farming, and so he also began breaking up his land for cul- tivation. Three years later he purchased the quarter section north of his land and put forty acres of this into orchard, making six- ty acres which he has given to the cultivation of apples, peaches, pears, cherries and apri- cots, all of which have yielded abundantly. He now farms two hundred acres of land, and has one hundred and sixty acres in pas- turage north of Reno, raising short-horn cattle for market. He has made all the ex- cellent improvements here, his house having been the first one erected in this neighbor- hood north of the river. At the time when he established his home here buffaloes were still plentiful. so plentiful indeed that in 1872 they ruined his garden.

Among the many hardships which Mr. Beam endured during those early days was the first visit of the scourge of grasshoppers, in 1874. When they first appeared his thresh- ing was going on, his wheat having been cut, yielding a good crop, and he saved that, but he had seventy-five acres of standing corn, which promised an abundant yield. The unwelcome visitors settled upon it on Saturday morning and by Sunday morning they had devoured everything but the stalks. This was a misfortune indeed, but fortunate-

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

Iv Mr. Beam had some money and di : not Studer as many others did. Hacer schop- pers visited the country again in 1876, but in smaller numbers, and the damage was pot so great In 1877 our subject tokath to Cal vado with a view to gras eting, and! m 1; Leagain wantto translate an spent three vous in Levisite Dpa et hi- trame circle and his wife and four chil- diren were afflicted at one time, and two of hi- ingwer- succumbed to th

tie, at the age of six years. Mr. Bean then business in ilut hinson and later in the drug In-ness, remaining a resident of this city until iser, when he returned to Have an the farm, disposing of his drug business in 18ge. Since then he has given his entire atten- to: to his farming and horticultura !.

Mr. Beam was united in marriage, in IS , in Ohio, to Mi -- Emma Huff, a daugh- ter of William Huff, who was a farmer of that state and there his children were born and reared. The two surviving children of our subject are: Frank, who is a farmer and ranchman, and Blanche, the wife of Harry Scott, heth living on the same farm. Mrs. Beam was a member of the Womans' Relief Corps during the family residence in Hutchinson.

.\ stanch supporter of Democratic prin- ciple- all his life, Mr. Bean has never sought office. although in 1875 he served as a coil"- ty commissioner. Among the pioneers of this county none are more highly esteemed than he. His influence has ever been given in the direction of progress and advance- ment, and it is with justifiable pride that he recalls his own efforts in this direction. The intervening years have made wonderin! changes in Reno county, and he has been no small factor in the great work.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 121

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