A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 128

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 128

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In April, 1866, Captain Tucker came to Kansas and settled near Tiscott on a claim. where he built a cabin and improved his land. The first year he made a good crop, but the Indians were committing depreda- tions and the settlers were leaving, wa that he joined a party to fight the red men. Re- turning he found his crop destroyed by cat- tle which had been left at large. He there- fore had no grain and hard times ensted, that he made a living by hunting leffees. The next year was a repetition of the first. In August, 1868, there was a general up- rising of the Indians, who did much dam- age. About the 11th of August they became vi dent and a party was organized to proceed against them at Fort Harker. on the 25th of Angust. About sixty or seventy of the Indians attacked a wagon train and- of the men were badly wounded. while the savages exceeded in getting away with sixty-five mules. Two days later they made an attack on Sheridan. then the terminus of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, killing two vendite and also attaching a Mexican train and killing four people. The organized party of men followed them for five des. preceding northwest from Sherid

coali - towertake the sa :

Captain Tucker is one of the fifty men selected by Lieutenant Fred Beecher. a nephew of Henry Ward Beecher. 10 . in the United States service to fight

day of De party was

1550

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

S. E. Stillwell, afterward known as "Co- manche Jack." On the Ioth of September the troop left Fort Wallace, Colonel For- sythe in command, Lieutenant Beecher sec- ond in command and Dr. Moore, a citizen, as surgeon. They started out to encounter a band of two hundred and fifty or three hundred Indian warriors reported by scouts to be in the country within a range to the north of eighty miles. The trail led west- ward toward the Arickaree, a branch of Re- publican river. They camped on an island in the Arickaree, then in Colorado, near the westward boundary of Kansas. A few scouts were sent out in advance and were followed by the command. The mules were unloaded and turned out to graze; the horses were unsaddled, picketed and placed in charge of sentries ; camp-fires were kin- dled1; rations distributed and eaten with a relish which only frontiersmen have. The old scouts realized the situation. The ab- sence of life impressed them that the pres- ence of the invading troop was known to the red man, yet the red man's pres- ence was unknown to the troop. Guards were stationed in every direction and strict watch kept during the night to prevent surprise or the stampede of stock. They were in the river bed, which was dry. Early in the evening Indian scouts had discovered their camp, and protected by the hills, made a complete reconnoissance of the camp, sentinels, stock and equipments, and then communicated the facts which they had learned to their chiefs. A plan of attack was arranged to be carried out at early dawn. These facts were learned from Ben Clark, an Indian scout. Thus while the soldiers were sweetly sleeping af- ter their fatiguing march of the day. the wily red men were putting on their war paint and silently gathering under the leadership of their respective chiefs, anx- iously awaiting the dawn to trample the invading foe into the dust. Just at break of day on the 17th of September the alarm was given by the sentinels firing and call- ing. "Indians! Indians!" In an instant all was . pandemonium; the clattering of a

thousand hoofs ; the shouting of the guards ; the yells of the Indians resounding over hills and valleys-all this conspired to make the event tragic beyond description. The mules belonging to the troop were gallop- ! ing at breakneck speed, followed closely by the Indians and proceeding up the valley i and over the hills were soon beyond rifle shot. Some of the horses also escaped in the same way. In another moment another onslaught with unearthly yell and war whoop of the savages seemed to shake heav- en and earth. The valley was alive with naked warriors, painted and mounted for battle. These reckless messengers of death consisted of Cheyenne, Arapahoe and Sioux. Every man realized that to advance was certain death and that retreat was im- possible. Onward came the savages in wild disorder, firing and shooting arrows in utter recklessness. "Fire!" The com- mand rang out along the line and in an in- stant the roar of muskets rose above the din of savage yell. Painted warriors reeled and fell, bleeding and dying upon the sand. Volley after volley was poured into the sav- age foe. Horses, freed of riders, frenzied with fear or smarting from wounds, rushed over the pits and through the ranks of the enemy, trampling on the dead and dying, adding tragedy to the scene. In confusion they began to retreat, gathering dead and dying, as is the custom of Indians in war- fare, and this cost many a brave his life, as he was a mark for the unerring sharpshoot- ers. The attack was renewed from day to day. The surgeon was badly wounded and died during the day, while other wounded and dead lay thick about them-half of the little band being included in the number. The Americans remained there until the ninth day. Worn and weary with continu- ous fighting, watching and fasting, with am- munition almost exhausted, they felt that the end had surely come, when over the hills arose a dark line of mounted men, riding at full speed. Each trooper grasped his rifle, preparing for the final struggle. The ris- ing sun threw its golden sheen across the 1 landscape and the glitter of saber and car-

1551

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

bine revealed to the besieged the coming of relief. Two men, Jack Stiftwch and Pete Trudell, had crawled away in the darkness of night and succeeded in their errand of revealing to the troops their po- sition. Men who faltered not in battle wept like children and embraced each other like long parted friends. The ground was strewn with the dead bodies of Indians, the air freighted with the other of decay- ing flesh : the wounded troopers suffering. without aid or shelter and their cry of joy at the approach of the soldiers caused every eye to weep in sympathy. Captain Tucker was among the wounded and has suffered from the effects of his injuries up to the present time. He gave the best part of his life to this tragic event.

When the Indians were quelled the Cap- tain returned to his claim, after receiving treatment for his wounds at Fort Harker. but wild rumors came that Indians were kill- ing the settlers and the soldiers did not seem to quell their uprisings. They attacked a settlement in the Spillman creek valley and wounded and killed several of the settlers there. Captain Tucker went to Ellsworth and telegraphed Governor Harvey for troops. Burlingame, his private secretary. answered that Governor Harvey had heard of the troubles and was en route for Salina. Captain Tucker met him at the train there and when he related the heart-rending scenes, the chief executive wept like a child. He commissioned the Captain to recruit a body of men and proceed to the invaded settlement. He wrote the commission on the head of a barrel at the depot, making him a first lieutenant. In ten days Captain Tucker organized a body of sixty-five men and established headquarters on Spillman creek. General Sherman remarked ofthe battle of Arickaree that it was the wrest on record where any one lived to a" the story. He said that he would see that the family of every man killed revet

sion, in recognition of their unflinching bravery. After several months' service Cap- tain Tucker disbanded his men, but they were never discharged.

In the winter of 1879 the Captain went

to Salina, where he engaged in the practice of law, having been admitted to the bar in 1867, and in the meantime he opened a land office in Lindsay. Hle had been married in 1870 to Miss Charlotte Ingersol, who was born in Woodstock county, Illinois, in 1847, a daughter of Southron and Mary F. ( Mur- phy) Ingersol, natives of New York. Her father is a first cousin of Robert (. Ingeral. Mrs. Tucker was educated in the graded schools of Fulton and in the high school of Leavenworth. She was engaged in teaching in the latter place and was also teacher of the second school in Salina. Hler two brothers. H. and A. J. Ingersoll, were low- vers and took an active part in the organi- zation of Ottawa county. The latter there served as county attorney and his death of- curred in that county in 1873. J. II. Inger- sol was county clerk at the time the county was organized, being appointed to the po- sition by the governor. His death occurred in 1871. Their sister, Mrs. Tucker, a most highly cultured and educated lady. : w elits the Review, a weekly paper, which she has conducted since 1873. Through its columns she advocates the principles of the Populist party. She is a clear, forcible and entertaining writer, well qualified for her journalistic duties. She was one of the dele- gate, who aided in organizing the Populist party. acted as national organizer and in ISOI WAS Sent to lecture in Kentucky and Ohio. The following year dir did cam- paign work in Indiana and delegate to Cincinnati. She ligent and capable woman, in would grace any social function, while her clear mind and strong mentality would od to its intellectual tone. Unto Captain and Mrs. Tucker have been born nine children, cielt of whom are yet living. All were born in Ottawa county, namely : Lenge i. a farmer : Susan E., ti ... . We diR. Commie. a music teacher residing in Minneapolis; Helen Ida, who has passed away: Marian I .. a teacher at Oak Hill, Kansas: H. H .; Charlotte M., who is att

Normal Số al: Dooley R .. a printer : How- ard Andrew and William I ... Of this family H. H. Tucker is one of the leading

1552

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

young business men of Minneapolis. He was born in April, 1878, in Ottawa coun- ty, and was educated in the high school of Minneapolis, after which he took a business course in Spaulding's College, in Kansas City. After returning home he read law under the direction of his father and in 1899 bought the real-estate business of Charles Fairfield, beginning on a capital of fifty-two dollars. He has built up a profitable busi- ness by close attention and the possession of those qualifications necessary to success. He deals in real estate, rents property, carries on an insurance business and negotiates loans on farm and city property. He also deals in eastern as well as Kansas farm lands. A exemplary young man he is not only prominent in business but in all life's relations commands respect by reason of his genuine worth and his fidelity to principle. A member of the Methodist Episcopal church he is a librarian in the Sunday-school and treasurer of the Epworth league. His father having been disabled in battle and thus incapacitated for providing for the family in the liberal manner which he would have liked to do, the son did not have superior educational advantages, but in his endeavor to work his way upward he has gained valuable knowledge not to be ac- quired in books. He has done much for his father's family and now owns the comfort- able home which they occupy, while his realty possessions also include several other residences in Minneapolis.

Captain Tucker has held various offices in the county. In 1867 he was elected county superintendent and in the same year he organized nine school districts. He was county commissioner soon afterward and has also filled the position of county attor- ney, while in 1867 he acted as mayor of the city. He is now manager of the paper which his wife edits and he holds the office of po- lice judge and practices in all the courts. He is highly respected and revered by many for his bravery and consequent suffering, and such a record of his should thrill all whose hearts are not dead to the sentiments of patriotism, loyalty and courage.

THOMAS A. DILLEY.

Thomas A. Dilley is a farmer of Rice county, residing in Sterling, and is very prominent in public affairs, his fitness for leadership being acknowledged in his selec- tion for numerous public trusts and respon- sibilities. In all of the offices which he has been called upon to fill he has discharged his duty with careful consideration of the trust reposed in him and for the work which he should execute, and over the record of his political career there falls no shadow of wrong nor suspicion of evil.

Mr. Dilley was born in Roseville, War- ren county, Illinois, May 7, 1843. His fa- ther, William Dilley, was a native of Mer- cer county, Pennsylvania, born September 8. 18II, and the grandfather of our subject was Lewis Dilley, whose birth occurred in New Jersey, about 1786, while his death oc- curred in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, about 1862. He was twice married, first wedding a Miss Cooper, by whom he had five children. After the death of the mother the grandfather married a Miss Elliott and they became the parents of six sons and two daughters, of whom William Dilley was the eldest. Four of the children of the first marriage had families and lived to advanced age. The grandfather of our subject was a farmer by occupation and to that pursuit reared his children, William Dilley also becoming identified with the work of tilling the soil. When he had ar- rived at years of maturity he married Miss Mary Axtell, of Mercer county, Pennsyl- vania, the wedding taking place in that county. October 24, 1833. The lady was born August 17, 1814, and was a daughter of Joseph Axtell, who was twice married, his first union being with Miss Eunice Tut- tle, by whom he had five children, while by the second marriage he had twelve children. With the exception of one son, who died at the age of two years, all of the members of the first family were married. While en route to a new home in Illinois the grand- father of our subject died, passing away at Danville, on the 17th of May, 1851. He

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

was making the journey westward by team. William Dilley, the father of our subject. drove across the country to Ilinois in 1841 and owned two quarter sections of land in Warren county. After long years of resi- dence there he disposed of his property and in 1883 came to Kansas. His life was de- voted to agricultural pursuits and his daily conduct was permeated by his Christian faith. For forty-five years he was a deacon of the Congregational church in Illinois, and after coming to Sterling he occupied a simi- lar position in the church of his denomina- tion until his death, which occurred Septem- ber 3, 1897, when he was eighty-six years of age. His had been a strong and vigorous manhood, in which he experienced little ill- ness. His wife passed away in Sterling. in February, 1886, at the age of seventy-five years, and was laid to rest in Cottonwood cemetery, where the remains of her husband also repose. They had ten children, namely : Joseph A., who was born July 29, 1834, and died at the age of fifteen years: Lewis, who was born in 1836 and died in 1846; Eunice, who was born in 1839 and became the wife of John Rodenbough, a farmer in Pottawat- tamie county, Iowa: Margaret, the wife of William Morningstar, of Roseville, Illinois : Thomas A .. of this review: Ruth (., the wife of W. H. Swagger, of Mercer county, Pennsylvania : William M .. a farmer and stockman of Wellsford, Kansas; Amanda. who died in childhood: Mrs. Mary J. Gor- don, who died. leaving one son ; and Charles Sumner, who died in 1857. when only a year old.

Thomas A. Dilley, the present represen. tative of the family in Sterling, received the ordinary common-school education, contin- uing his studies until the time of his enlist- ment in the Civil war. On the 4th of Au- gust. 1861. he left the farm and joined the volunteer company which was raised at Roseville, Illinois, the company organizing at Prairie City, that state. He was mus- tered into the Engineers' Regiment of the West. at Central. Missouri. on the 18th of August, 1861, and in February, 18op. the regiment was consolidated with the Twenty- fifth Regiment of the Missouri Volunteers.

He joined the army as a private, but served is compotal during his three years' term. Ile was very fortunate in the he eseje ! wounds and was never sick, being always found at his post of duty, faithful to his country and the oll dag. Comparer ( was with the First Battalion of the regime t and rebuilt the bridge across the river east of Sedalia, Missouri, in the fall of 1861. It was then attached to General Fremont's army to operate against the rebel troops une der General Price. His command spent the winter of 1861-2 in getting out timbers. building bridges and fortifying the place- against the approach of the Confederates. In February. 1802, the regiment proceeded to St. Louis, thence down the Mississippi river to Commerce, Missouri, whence it marched across to New Madrid and there aided in planting the batteries to Barnhard that place. With his command Mr. Dilley aided in cutting the canal around Island No. 10. After its reorganization he went with General Pope's army to Harrisburg, Tennessee, and took part in the siege of Corinth, Mississippi. In the summer of 1862 he repaired the railroad to Jackson and Memphis, Tennessee, and in the fall and winter of 1802 3 be repaired the Mississippi Central railroad to Oxford. Maissippi. where with his command he was located at the time of Van Doru- Springs. A detachment of the regiment was at the battle of Corinth, on the 3d and 4th of October. 1862. Subsequently the Union forces with which Mr. Dilley was connected opened the railroad from Jack- son. Tennessee. to Columbus, Kentucky, and then went to Memains. Testes

ceeding down the Mississippi river to Young's Point. opposite Vicksburg. They planted the batteris on the call opeste the city and then retired up the river to Grand Lake. where they made a levee and then took a to ge: threesgh a len on to the bol viver. This en- terprise. Bene er. ci a failure and they proceeded to Memphis and out upon the line of the Memphis and Charleston railroad, where they spent the summer in getting out ridge timbers. Inte

1554

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

doing other similar work. In the fall of 1863 they repaired the railroad east from Corinthi almost to the Tennessee river in or- der that Sherman's army might then go from Memphis to Chattanooga. On the last of December, 1863, they went from Corinth to Memphis and on by boat to Cairo, Illinois, and up the Ohio river to Southland, Kentucky, where they spent the memorable New Year's day of 1864. Afterward they went up the Cumberland river to Nashville, Tennessee, where the Engineer Regiment of the First and Twen- ty-fifth Missouri Volunteer Infantry was consolidated, taking the name of the First Missouri Engineer Regiment. Company C of the old organization making Company B. After the reorganization was effected the regiment built the railroad from Nashville to Johnsonville and the Tennessee river. which work occupied the summer and in- cluded the building of the block houses in order to protect the railrad. The regiment then returned to Nashville, where on the expiration of the term of his enlistment, the members of the regiment were mustered out. Those who re-enlisted went with Sherman on his march to the sea.

After his military services were ended Mr. Dilley returned to his native and was married on the 21st of April. 1868, in Macomb. Illinois, to Miss Margret Gordon, who died December 20. 1870. Their in- fnt child also passed away. On the 13th of March. 1873, Mr. Dilley was again mar- ried, his second union being with Caroline M. Condit, who was born in Mercer county, i Pennsylvania, a daughter of William and Margaret (Gordon ) Condit, both of whom are now deceased. Nine of their eleven chil- dren are now living: Rev. George G. Con- dit, the eldest. is the pastor of the Fair- field Presbyterian church, of Fairfield, Iowa. The Fairfield Presbyterian church of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, held its one hun- dredth anniversary in September, 1890. The Condits were among the founders of that church and the Rev. Ira Condit. the great uncle, was one of the pastors, serving from 1814 to 1836. America, the second mem- ber of the family. is the widow of Thomas

Dickey, of Oil City, Pennsylvania. Samuel J. resides in Pratt county, Kansas. Nancy J. is the widow of John West, of Mill- brook, Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Dilley and Sarah E. Condit are the younger members of the family. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dilley has been born one child, Condit W., whose birth occurred January 27, 1878, in Rose- ville, Illinois, where Mr. Dilley resided from his birth until 1883, being at one time the owner of the old home farm there. In the | year mentioned he sold the place and came to Sterling, Kansas, settling on a farm of sixty acres, much of which is now within the corporation limits of the town, and is occupied by the Missouri Pacific railroad depot and the Sterling Salt Works, while many residences have also been built on the place. He has another farm of eighty acres and has given to his son a farm which lies just across the Arkansas river. In his busi- ness affairs he has prospered and is now the possessor of a comfortable competence. In his political views he is a stanch Republi- can and has served as assessor and super- vior of his township in Illinois, while in Sterling he has been township trustee for three terms and has been a member of the city council for four terms and for two terms was mayor of the city. Socially he is connected with Meade Post, No. 14, G. A. R., of which he has been commander, and also belongs to the Congregational church. In all of life's relations he is known and honored for his sterling worth and is justly regarded as one of the most influential and prominent men of the community.

MARTIN J. M. SESSLER.

A fact of which due recognition is not usually accorded in connection with the com- mercial history of the wonderful metropolis of the west is that to no foreign element is its presence due in so large a measure as to those who have had their nativity in or trace their lineage to the great empire of Germany. Among those who left the fa- therland to identify themselves with Amer-

1555

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

ican life and institutions, who have pushed their way to the front and who are a crolit alike to the land of their birth and that of their adoption, is Martin J. M. Sessler. He is now a retired farmer and through his en- terprise and ability has done much to win for this favored region of Kansas the high reputation which it enjoys and deserves.

Mr. Sessler was born in Baden, Ger- many, May 24, 1836, a son of Adam and Joanna ( Brandenburger) Sessler. The fa- ther came to the United States in 1840 with his son Jacob and visited Utica, Rochester and Buffalo, New York, and was favorably impressed with the country and its appear- ance, so on returning to his native land he then brought his family to the new world, residing for a short time in Buffalo, whence, in 1853, he removed to Lake county, Illi- nois, where he became engaged in farming. He there owned and cultivated a valuable tract of land, giving his attention to agri- cultural pursuits until his death, which oc- curred when he was in middle life. His wife died at the age of sixty-five years. Their children were Jacob, Louisa, Lena. John, Martin J. M. and Barbara. all of whom grew to mature years, while other members of the family died in childhood.

Mr. Sessler, of this review, began his business career as a farm hand. working for seventy-two dollars per annum. After the first year. however, he received increased wages and as his age and strength enabled him to do more work his pay was propor- tionately increased. He saved his money and thus gained a start in life. In 1864 he responded to the call of his adopted country for aid and enlisted in the Thirty-com ] Illinois Infantry, serving for ten and a half months. He then returned to Illinois and resumed his farm work. With the capital which he had acquired through his own ef- forts he purchased a small tract of land in Newport township, Lake county. Illinois, and began farming there. Later ! ! that property to good advantage and pur- chased a rich tract of land in Warren town- ship. Lasalle county. Illinois, which he dis- posed of prior to 1871. In that year he went to Chicago. knowing that there was a

good demand for teamsters in the city. He owned fine horses and engaged in business along that line, but the work was not con- genial to him, and, in connection with a Mr. Voss, he established a brick yard on Chi- cago avenue, on the north branch of the Chi- Cagn river. After three years 01 ful business in that line he sold his interest in the enterprise to his partner and e-taly lished a brick yard in connection with a Mr. Weirheim, a partnership which was maintained for one year, when he saidi ont. Mr. Sessler and a brother moved to coral Kansas in 1877, and he determined to re- main in this portion of the country. fr file had received favorable accounts of its rapid development and its possibilities. He there- fore took a soldier's claim on section 8. in Union township, Barton county, Kansas, comprising one hundred and sixty acres. During the first year he bui : eighteen by twenty-four feet and make it hi- home for two years, when this primitive pioneer dwelling was replaced by a simte residence, which is still standing. He has I also erected barns and substantial outbuild- ings and has planted fruit and shade trees until he now has a fine and desirable prop- erty. During the first year he raised one thousand bushels of corn, or a yield of about thirty-five bushels to the acre. In oss; Le purchased a quarter section of railr- o local m section 20. Comanche township. Bat county, on which some improvements had been made by L. Vandiverl, a small house had been erected and some of the land had ben lassen. In gesso he sold his first farm and purchased an adjoining ijiarter section to his second form of secti y 20. Commande township. On this tract he erected numer- uns buildings of substantial structure and planted fruit and shade trees and carried on agricultural pursuits with

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 128

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