A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 123

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 123

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St. Louis, Come ti kuk, and from there 1 his brother John, six mile -

saw. Illinois, where

where a

While in that city 1 . found master's male and in the construction of a mill race. but a few months later he made his way to St. Joe, where he ere . iwy

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

log houses within two miles of the present site of that city. In 1838 he returned to Illinois and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land eight miles south of Warsaw. The journey to the Prairie state was made on horseback, and there he se- cured a soldier's claim and erected a cooper shop, although up to that time he had never seen a barrel made. He, however, conduct- ed his shop with success, and as time passed he added a quarter section of land to his original purchase, and for a time was ex- tensively engaged in general farming and stock-raising.

In 1852 Mr. Harris left his Illinois home, and in company with about thirty or forty others started for the Golden state. he having eight oxen and one wagon. They proceeded up the Platte river to Grand Isl- and, thence up the North Platte to the Sweet Water, and in Lost River valley the caravan of about thirty-eight wagons was attacked by about seven hundred and fifty Modoc Indians. During the fight which en- sued their stock was stampeded and driven off, and with seven other well mounted comrades Mr. Harris followed the trail for fifty miles up the mountains, where they found four of their cattle, but they could find no trace of the Indians. On their re- turn they had much difficulty in finding their camp. Arriving there nine of the party made arrangements to take the stock and camp equipage, which they packed on a large oxen and cow, and proceed on the journey. Fourteen days' travel from Hum- boldt, where the fight had occurred, the party of nine was again attacked, and so far as is known all but Mr. Harris were killed. After a running fight, in which one after another fell. our subject mounted a thoroughbred race horse which had belonged to one of the party and which became fright- ened and ran away, never stopping until compellel to from exhaustion. Mr. Harris then concluded to leave the trail and make a cletour of a lake, thinking to again reach it further on, but after wondering for three days and nights without food he was obliged to retrace his steps to the trail. where he found his horse and again proceeded on his

way. After traveling for another day and night without food he came upon a company of acquaintances from Hancock county. During this terrible journey Mr. Harris' sufferings were intense. For four days and nights he was obliged to travel without food, and during the first night after his re- turn to the trail he almost perished from the cold. He had no matches, but after firing many shots from his revolver he succeeded in setting fire to a large pine log.

Proceeding with the company to Yreka, California, he there found employment at five dollars a day, and for two years he made his home in the Golden state, during which time he was engaged in prospecting and mining. In the fall of 1853 he returned to Illinois, where he again took up the occupa- tion of coopering. After his return from the Civil war he again followed that vocation and also farming, his place having been lo- cated four miles from Warsaw, on the Green Plains road. About the time of the close of hostilities he purchased another one hundred and sixty acres of land. In 1884 Mr. Harris again left his Illinois home for the west, coming with his family to Kansas, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Anthony township. Harper county, thirty acres of which had been placed under cultivation, but there were no buildings upon the place. He at once began the task of improving his land, soon having it under an excellent state of cultivation. and he also expended about three thousand dollars in buildings and other improvements. There he extensively followed general farm- ing and stock-raising until 1891, when he took up his abode in the city of Anthony, since which he has lived in quiet retirement. On this farm Mrs. Harris passed away in death on the Ist of April, 1887. She was born on the 4th of November. 1816, and on June 27, 1839, she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Harris. They became the parents of the following children: Vir- ginia F., who was born April 10. 1840, married Harry M. Green, and came to Kan- sas in 1885, locating in Alva, Harper coun- ty: Robert A., who was born on the 15th of August, 1841, died June 26, 1844 ; James

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E., Jr., was born August 8. 1843; and patent in forming the character of her chil- dren, nine of whom grew to maturity. Her daughter Elizabeth died in infancy. Nancy is the wife of Charles MeKnight, of Gent- ry county, Missouri. Sarah married G. Brewer, of Daviess county, Missouri. Mal- vina married O. A. Dodge, of Gentry cen- ty, Missouri, and both are dead. Anna mar- ried John Crane and after his death Thomas Jarmann, of Harrison cours, Missouri. Virginia married William Wilson, of Daviess county. Missouri. James died in infancy. Thomas lives with his mother al the old family have in Gentry county. John lives in Kingman county, Kansas. Pleasant B. is the immediate subject of this sketch. Emily married J. A. Oyler and died in Kan- Sis. Thomas Weathered, grandfather of these children, was a notre of Virginia and in all his life exemplified the value of Chris- tian faith. Hle married a Miss Cleveland. and their descendants are proud of the fact Julian Theo, born July 31, 1845, and is now a resident of Oklahoma. On the 2d of May, 1891, Mr. Harris was united in marriage to Ann Kerr, the widow of Scott L. Kerr. She was born in Monroe county, Indiana. Prior to her marriage to Mr. Kerr, and in 1877, they took up their abode in Sumner county, Kansas. She has three living chil- dren,-(irace, the wife of John Rankin, of Summer county: Jesse, also a resident of that county; and Mabel, the wife of Avah Painter, of Anthony. In political matters Mr. Harris formerly gave his support to the Whig party, was a supporter of Henry Clay, and in 1840 he attended a rally and barbecue on the Tippecanoe battleground. Since the organization of the Republican party he has given an ardent support to its principles. He has ever taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs, and for a time served as deputy sheriff of Han- cock county, while for many years he filled | that their great-grandfather Weathered was the offices of secretary and trustee. Since me of those Frenchmen who came to Amer- ica with La Fayette to assist Washington and his followers in the struggle for American independence. early manhood he has been a member of the Christian church, and the cause of the Mas- ter has ever found in him a worthy fol- lower.

PLEASANT B. WEATHERED.

Of that sterling Kentucky stock which has given pioneers and progressive citizens to every part of the west, is the well k! !! citizen of Bennett township, Kingman coun- ty, Kansas, whose name is above. an! . h. is a prominent farmer and stockman. Piens- ant B. Weathered was born in Indiana May 12. 1856, a son of Sylvester and Samt (Bush) Weathered, who were born and married in Kentucky and removed them to Indiana, and thence after five years in Gentry county, Missouri, where Stilte Weathered made a success as a farmer. served many years in the office of the peace and died in 1881, his wider surviving him, aged eighty-four years. That good woman has since her childhood been a devout and consistent member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and her influence was

Pleasant B. Weathered was two years old when his father took his family to Gentry county, Missouri, where he was educated in the common schools, began life as a farmer and remained until he was theother year- old. Viter his father's death he took his place at the head of the family and carel for his mother and ter who had four children. Acting upon his decision to try his fortune funder west. he Level in Summer e enty. Kass. in the fall of 1883, and found employment on the farm of a Mr. Handy. In the winter of 1883 and 1884 he bought the quarter section of land i Hemmet township, which has since been at home and on which no improvements had been made beyond the breaking of twen- to-one acres. He landing som le xim was back at his old home in Missouri, for the purpose of cutting a tome, fils weight- bors kindly moved the house onto his land. For three years his nephew, Alonzo Brewer, el together

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much of the time. In September, 1884, his ; his nephew for his own services or for mother went out to Kansas to keep house for boarding the harvest hands. him and in that year he broke seventy acres of land, planting twenty acres to corn and forty acres to wheat and renting the remain- der to his nephew; and after that he pro- ceeded with his improvements as rapidly as circumstances would permit. He bought a few young cattle and hogs and soon made stock-raising one of the features of his busi- ness. He has followed a diversified system of farming, keeping from fifty to seventy- five cattle and a sufficient number of hogs to consume the products of his farm. He built his present comfortable residence in 1884 1898, making it one of the best farm resi- dences in Bennett township. In 1885 he began the erection of his commodious and well arranged forty-four by fifty-two foot barn which was completed in its present form in 1898. By keeping his stock care- fully graded he has improved it vey mate- rially.

January 19, 1887, Mr. Weathered mar- ried, in Kansas, Miss Mary E. Wills, daugh- ter of John and Mary (Cloud) Wills, who was born in Missouri and came to Kingman county with her parents, who were early settlers there. They have four children, named respectively, John, Laura, Charles and Guy. Mr. and Mrs. Weathered are act- ive members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they have been prominent and in which he has filled several offices. He has never aspired to -political honors nor bound himself by any party and remodeled it and added a story to it in . allegiance. A man independent in thought and action, he supports such men and meas- utres as seem to him likely to best serve the interests of the community. He stands be- fore the people of Kingman county respected as a successful self-made man, who, coming. to the state poor has by industry and good management advanced himself to an envi- able position in the business community.

Mr. Weathered tells very pleasantly some reminiscences of early hardship and adversity in Kansas. In the fall of 1885 he sowed thirty-five acres of wheat. A hard winter followed and in the spring of 1886 twenty-five acres of the grain was plowed up and the land was planted to corn. That season he paid a dollar an acre to have the wheat on the remaining ten acres cut and stacked and five cents a bushel for threshing it and after the wheat had been hauled to Conway to market it brought a total of nine dollars. In the year last mentioned his nephew worked sixty acres of his land under lease, sowing it to wheat. At harvest time he was in another county and asked Mr. Weathered to attend to his cutting and har- vesting for him and board the hands em- ployed in the work. Mr. Weathered had the wheat cut by the same men who cut his own. except about fifteen acres on which the crop was so small that it would not pay for cut- ting. What wheat was harvested on the six- ty acres sold for from twenty-seven and one- half to thirty-four and one-half cents a 1

bushel and brought in so little money that Mr. Weathered had not the heart to charge

JOHN W. BLUNK.

John W. Blunk, whose home is in sec- tion 27. Elwood township, Barber county, is a native of the middle west, his birth occurring in Morgan county, Indiana, on the 26th of October, 1850. His father, David Blunk, was born in Owen county, that state, and is still living in Indiana. The latter's father. Aaron Blunk, was one of the first settlers of the Hoosier state and was of German ancestry, the family having been founded in America by two brothers who came from the fatherland at an early period in the development of the United States. Aaron Blunk served his country as a sol- dier in the war of 1812. He married a Miss Davis, sister of Jefferson Davis. the president of the Confederacy. They had a large family, including David Blunk, who was reared upon the home farm in Indiana. In Morgan county, Indiana, he was united in marriage to Temperance Hadley, who was born in South Carolina, whence she

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went to Indiana with her father, George Hadley, who was a native of North Caro- lina. Unto the parents of our subject were born eight children, of whom five are yet liv- ing, namely : Mary J., David E., John W., Jeremiah and Silvanus. Those deceased are George H .. who died from the effects of the hardships of war, having been a soldier in the Union army; Samuel W., who died at the age of nine years, and Harvey, who died at the age of six years. The parents are still residents of Danville, Indiana. The father was a successful farmer but is now living retired. His political support has been given to the Republican party since its organization. In religious faith he is a Bap- tist, while his wife is connected with the Society of Friends.

John W. Blunk was reared upon the old homestead in Indiana and began his edu- cation in a log school house. Although his privileges in that direction were somewhat meager, his training at farm work was not limited. In 1875, in Indiana, he married Alice Shake, who has traveled life's jour- ney with him for twenty-six years. She was born in Morgan county, Indiana, and is a daughter of Adam and Martha ( Whit- aker) Shake, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. Her mother died in Indiana at the age of seventy-three years. Her father is still living at the age of eighty-four. Throughout his business career he was a farmer. He belongs to the Christian church and is a Republican in petities. In his fama . were nine children, of whom six are vet living: Ann. Juliet, Mary, George, Levi and Mrs. Blunk. Those Freese Fare Rel. ert, who died at the age of eighteen; John Henry, who died at the age of death year: and Mrs. Lucinda Goss, who passed away at the age of twenty-six.

No events of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Mr. Blunk in his youth. He arrived in Barhier county in IS78, at which time he possessel a team and wagon and five d dar- in nume : but he had what is better than gold, a strong determination to succeed. supplemented by untiring industry and perseverance. His own labors and the assistance of his wife

have won for him a prominent place in ag- ricultural circles and to-day he is the owner of a valuable farm of over four thousand acres, constituting one of the best proper- tie- in the township. There is a good gran- ary and wagon shed, fourteen by thirty-ix feet, with ten-foot sheds of each has a large barn fifty-two by sixty feet, and thirty-six feet from the ground to the ridge- pic. In his pastures and feel lots are found thirty-seven hundred head of cattle, also horses of a high grade. He has all the modern farm equipments, wagons, carriages and everything required to carry on farm work along progressive lines.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Blunk has been blessed with seven children, of whom five are living: Myrtle, Birdie, David Adam, Vera Zella and John Glenn. Those deceased are Maude Derrick, who died at the age of twenty-one years, loved and re- spected by all, and one who died in early childhood. Mr. Blunk votes with the Re- publican party. He has been identified with the state militia, and fraternally is an Odd Fellow. His wife belongs to the Christian church. Both are well known in the com- munity where they enjoy the warm regard of many friends.

T. S. HARTSHORN.

It is not a very difficult matter to di. cover why the great apple -5 mm

time attabel wie the gren Sel

none in Kingman county

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The

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and there he grew to maturity and married Sarah Innes, of Orange county, locating in Brockport, New York, after a very success- ful business career as farmer. stock-raiser and dairyman. The family is well known and respected in that locality. where many rep- resentatives still reside. A family of eight children was born to John Hartshorn and wife, consisting of five sons and three daughters, namely: Benjamin, who resides in Brockport: Mrs. Kate Ellis. of Monroe county, New York: Mrs. Elizabeth Palmer, of Monroe county also; and J. S., of this biography. Those who have died were as follows : Isaac, who was accidentally drowned, at the age of fourteen years ; Sab- rev, who died at the age of eleven years ; Delbert, who lived to the age of nine years ; and Fred, who only saw four years.

J. S. Hartshorn, who is the subject of this sketch, was reared in Monroe county, New York, and learned the practical details of farming under his father, on the old homestead farm. His education was ob- tained in the district schools of his locality. Until he was twenty-one he remained under his parents' roof, but then decided to start out for himself. Having had much ex- perience with stock, as his father was a large breeder and dealer, he concluded that a business in that line would be the most profitable for him to pursue. With this end in view he went west as far as South Dakota and found employment on a stock farm near Fort Niobrara. Cherry county, Nebraska, but after one year's experience of Dakota blizzards, during a very severe winter, he went to Kansas. This remove has never been regretted. Locating in Kingman county Mr. Hartshorn first took up one hundred and sixty acres of Osage Indian land, and now is the owner of one of the finest and best improved estates in this county.

A beautiful residence, which cost one thou- sand dollars, is pleasantly located, while his immense barn which is twenty-eight by sixty feet in dimensions cost as much more. In addition his sheds for the humane and comfortable sheltering of his cattle, and his other arrangements for the successful and economical pursuance of his extensive busi- ness, are modern in arrangements and fully adapted to the uses to which they are put. With an eye to beauty as well as utility, Mr. Hartshorn has built on his property a large artificial lake, which he has stocked with fish. In every department of agriculture he is equally at home, and has made a very marked success in his stock business, proba- Dly doing more in this line than any other resident of the county.

On February 2, 1887, he was united in marriage to Miss Florence Fukqua, a young lady of beauty, intelligence and many social graces. She was born in Jasper county, Illinois, and is a daughter of William Fukqua, who was a native of Illinois, in which state he died after serving faithfully as a soldier in the Civil war. His widow resides in Sedgwick county, Kansas. One brother of Mrs. Hartshorn, Frank Fukqua, is a well-known resident of this state also. William Fukqua was a member of the Re- publican party and of the United Brethren church.

Mrs. Hartshorn came to Kansas with her parents when she was young, and was here reared and educated. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hartshorn, namely : Jatie and Livta. Politically Mr. Hartshorn adheres to the Republican party and has acceptably served as township trustee and county coroner. He has taken a prominent part in the development of his section and is one of the leading citizens of this part of Kansas.

With a farm of eleven hundred and twenty-five acres of fertile, productive land, JOHN M. BROWN. Mr. Hartshorn is justly regarded as one of the substantial residents of this part of the Blaine township, Ottawa county, has no more honored or highly respected citizen state. His improvements have been com- mensurate with the extent of his property. , than this gentleman, who has been promi-

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nently identified with its agricultural inter- ests for a number of years. He was born in Iowa county, Iowa, on the 26th of No- vember, 1862. His father, David Brown. now a well known and prominent citizen of Ottawa county, was born in the Keystone state and is a member of an old Pennsyl- vania Dutch family, noted for their honesty and industry. He was reared in his native state, and when a young man removed to Iowa, where he was united in marriage to Rachel Davis, who proved to him a faith- ful companion for the journey of life. She was born in North Carolina but was reared in Indiana. They became the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters, name- lv: Alice. Ida. Mary, John M., William, Clarence. Lillie. Stella, Eliflet and Edward. In 1878 the family came to the Sunflower state, locating in Logan township, Ottawa county, but the parents now reside in Blaine township, this county. The father gives his political support to the Populist party, and the mother is a member of the United Breth- ren church.

John M. Brown, whose name introduces this review, was reared on an Iowa farm. where he was early inured to the work of field and meadow, and the educational privi- leges which he enjoyed were those afforded by the common schools of his locality. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age, and in the follow- ing year he was united in marriage to Miss Effie Hebberly, a lady of intelligence and culture, who has proved to him a faithful and loving helpmate. She was born in Michigan, but was reared and educated in Kansas, and is one of eight children born unto Jacob and Rosina Hebberly. The fa- ther is a well known citizen of Blaine town- ship, but the mother has passed away. The marriage of our subject and wife has been blessed with one son. Glennie H. Politically Mr. Brown is a Populist, and takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs. He has many times served as a delegate to the conventions of his party, has been hon- ored with the office of township trustee. and for many years has served as a member of the school board. The cause of education

and temperance has always found in him a tireless worker, and he has ever borne his part in the work of public improvement and advancement. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellow, and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is widely known as a leading and suc- cessful farmer, and his is one of the finest farming properties in Logan township, sup- plied with all modern conveniences and ac- cessories, and in its neat and thrifty ap- pearance indicating the care and supervision of the owner.

THOMAS B. COBURN.

The farming interests of Harvey county are well represented la Thomas B. a. who resides on section 32. Burrton town- ship. He was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, on Christmas day and represents one of the d'A Gente- New England. His grandfather, Hiram 11. Coburn, was there born, and was a farmer and tanner by trade, owning and conducting a tannery for a number of years. He mar- ried a lady who resided near West Hunde .. New York, and they became the parent. .; three sons, Esek, Joseph and Morris, and two daughters. The seas all became resi- dents of Pennsylvania, but afterward re- moved westward, and Jeph is now living in Missouri at the age of ninety Morris del in Asistidade coment. 01. an advanced age, and Esek Coburn, who was the father of our subject. at the age of eighty-five. His Vermont in 1803 and died in Pen : 1888 In ONE. alex: 1827. united in marriage to Hannal. Io tive of West Hurley, New York.

burn correcto state and later engaged in the manufacture of boots and sle -.

removed with his family t. county, Pennsylvania, where both he and wife sent their remailing

father was twice married and ha children. Those born of the first 1

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

soldier throughout the Civil war and was held as a prisoner for a short time, is now a farmer living at Oil City, Pennsylvania, and is about seventy-one years of age. He married and has reared a family. Elsytha became the wife of Williams Billings and died at the age of fifty-two years, leaving two sons. Todorsica is the wife of Israel Zimmerman, who became one of the early settlers of Topeka, Kansas, of 1853, and is now living in Burrton township. His eldest son was the first white male child born in this state. The mother is now deceased. Humphrey, the fourth member of the fam- ily, was a member of the Topeka State Guard, from which he was honorably dis- charged. but he died soon afterward as the result of his service, his life being a virtual sacrifice for his country. Thomas B., the subject of this review, is the fifth of the family. Harvey, who was a captain on the Great Lakes for three years, died at Pueblo, Colorado, of consumption, leaving three daughters. Laura, who died in childhood, was the youngest member of the Coburn family, of the first marriage. There were four children born by the second union : Ira. a captain on the Great Lakes, living at Duluth, Minnesota; Elida, wife of John Gillett. of Townville, Crawford county, Pennsylvania : John, who is living on the old homestead in the Keystone state; and Fran- ces. wife of William Wright, of Manitoba. Thomas B. Coburn spent his childhood days in the usual manner of farmer lads, working on the old farm in Penn- sylvania when not engrossed with the duties of the school room or the pleas- ures of the playground. For six terms he engaged in teaching school in Penn- svivania. and he remained at home tin- til after he had attained his majority. His patriotic spirit being aroused by the rebel- lion in the south. he enlisted in August. IS62. at Townville, Pennsylvania, in the One Hundred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania In- fantry, known as the Bucktail Regiment. He was assigned to Company I. but though he enlisted for three years' service. on ac- count of illness he was honorably discharged in August, 1865.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 123

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