A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 14

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 14

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from this section, he came to Kiowa. Bar- ber county, where he became associated with his brothers in the cattle business, and none can but view with pleasure the pro- nouneed success which has been his, for it has been attained by worthy means, imply- ing utmost integrity, close application, marked discrimination and distinctive ad- ministrative and executive ability. He is at the present time one of the extensive stock- growers of this section, being the owner of the "T. I." ranch ( the letters signifying his cattle brand) in Woodward county, Okla- huma. He handles from three to five thou- sand head of cattle annually, and has been a power in advancing the industry which has so greatly furthered the material pros- perity and upbuilding of this favored sec- tion of the middle west.

Mr. Wilson has the personal characteris- ties of the true southern gentleman, and he numbers his friends by the hundreds, being genial, frank and unassuming and valuing true manhood rather than the mere con- comitants of wealth and power, and having the highest regard for the dignity of honest toil, so that he is deservedly popular with all classes. He has been one of the stalwart supporters of the Democratic party and prominent in its councils in the state. For five years he held the office of mayor of Kiowa, giving an able and business like ad- ministration of municipal affairs, and in 1894 he was elected to represent his dis- trict in the lower house of the legislature, in which capacity he rendered most effective service and gained the highest endorsement on the part of his constituency. Fraternally Mr. Wilson is identified in a prominent way with the time-honored order of Freema- sonry, in which he has made the round of the York-rite degrees, being identified with the lodge in Kiowa, chapter in Medicine Lodge and with Anthony Commandery, No. 37, Knight Templars.

Mr. Wilson has a beautiful home in the city of Kiowa, one in which the refined amenities of life are ever in evidence, and this is presided over by his gracious wife. Estella, nee Hockenberry, to whom he was united in marriage November 17, 1892. she

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being the daughter of James T. Hocken- Perry, one of the representative citizens of Kiowa. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have two children,-Gladys and Harold E. Gladys was born September 2, 1893, and Harold July 31, 1895.

ISAAC N. JORDAN.

Isaac N. Jordan is now serving his eighth year as superintendent of the poor farm of Jewell county, Kansas, and his long continuance in the office well indicates his faithful service and the confidence re- posed in him by his fellow towns-men. He was born in Morgan county, Ohio, Decem- ber 15. 1828, a son of Garrett and Elizabeth ( Harmon) Jordan. His paternal grand- parents were Jacob and Mary ( Shriver ) Jordan, the former a native of Dublin, Ire- Land, while the latter was born in Germany. Emigrating to America in early life they were married in this country and spent their last days in Morgan county, Ohio, where the grandfather died when more than nine- ty-one years of age, and his wife passed away when about eighty-six years of age. The maternal grandparents of our subject were Conrad and Christine ( Jane ) Har- man, both of whom were natives of the fatherland and died in Morgan county, Ohio, when well advanced in life. These two families were united through the mar- riage of Garrett Jordan and Elizabeth Har- mon. The former was born in New York and the latter was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Jordan was a veterinary surgeon and farmer, following both vocations. He died in Indiana when about eighty-two years of age, and his wife died in the same state at the age of seventy- five. This worthy couple were the parents of twelve children. eight sons and four daughters, of whom six are yet living.

To farm life Isaac N. Jordan was reared and the common schools afforded him his educational privileges, although after he attained his majority he spent six months as a student in a seminary. His

education, however, has been largely self- acquired outside of the schoolroom, read- ing. observation and experience being the avenues wherein he has gained his knowl- edge. When sixteen years of age he left home and has since made his own way in the world. his life being one of untiring industry. When a young man of twenty- six he was married to Miss Olive Pingrey, who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, and they became the parents of five chil- dren, but one died at the age of four months and another at the age of four and a half years. Those still living are John A .. who is married and has one child, and has lost two: James O., who is married and has three children: and Sarah C., who is married and has eight children.

After his marriage Mr. Jordan located on a farm in Indiana and in connection with the cultivation of his land he practiced vet- erinary surgery, which he had learned of his father. The year 1881 witnessed his arrival in Kansas. He took up his abode in Jewell county, where he purchased two hundred acres of partially improved land and at once began its further development. Later he traded that property for other land and also received one thousand dollars additional. For more than seven years he has served as superintendent of the poor farm and is a most capable official. Al- though he has passed the Psalmist's span of three-score years and ten he is very active and energetic, and the public indicates the confidence reposed in him by continually choosing him for the position which he is now so creditably filling. His wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and along the journey of life she has been to him a most capable assistant.

While residing in Indiana Mr. Jordan was elected and served for four years as trustee of his township and was twice elect- ed county commissioner, serving for the second term when he resigned in order to come to Kansas. He has been a stanch Democrat in politics since casting his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce. No trust reposed in him has ever been be- trayed. He has ever been a competent offi-

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

cer, an upright man, energetic and deter- mined in business, and has ever a mandel the confidence and respect of these with whom he has been associated.

JOHN A. LESTER.

John A. Lester, one of the leading and representative farmers i Barker county, has been a resident of the Sunflower state since ISmy, and since 1884, has made his home in this county. A native of the Old Dominion, his birth there occurred in Tazewell county, on the 8th of March, 1841. Flis paternal grandparents were Jesse and Nancy Lester. also natives of Virginia and of English an- cestry. The family has been represented in every war in which the country has par- ticipated, and in an early day its members were very prominent in the history of Vir- ginia. Thomas Lester, the father of our subject. also claimed the Old Dominion as the place of his nativity, and he was there reared to agricultural pursuits, As a cell- panion on the journey of life he chose Miss Margaret. a daughter of John Drake, a na- tive of that commonwealth and of English' descent. After their marriage they located on a farm in Tazewell county, and there the following children were born to them: Malinda, Ann Eliza and Jane, all deceased : Anderson, of Washington county. Vir- ginia: Fullen, also deceased; John A., the subject of this review: William, who was formerly a resident of Barber county, Kan- sas, but now makes his home in Oklahoma ; James Floyd. a prominent railroad bridge carpenter of Wellington, Kansas: Nanny, whe still resides in Tazewell county. Vir- ginia : and two who died when young- Robert, at the age of fourteen years. and Beverly, when twelve years of age. The father of this family, who was a successful farmer and stock man during his active business life. was calle 1 to his final rest when he had reached the age of three score years and ten. He gave his political support to the Democracy, and was a valued member and an active worker

in the Methodist Episcopal church. The mother was called to the home beyond at the age of seventy-two years, and she, too, was a worthy member of the Methodis: church.

John A. Lester, of this review, spent the carly cars of his life on the old Virginia farm, where he was taught the value of in- dustry and honesty as a preparation for the active duties of life, and the public schools of the neighborhood afforded him his edu- cational advantages. When the Civil war burst upon the country he nobly offered his services to his loved southland and in 1861 became a member of the Forty-fifth Vir- ginia Infantry, under Colonel Heath and Captain William Brown. The latter was a son of Dr. George Brown, a well known resident of Virginia. General John B. Floyd, ex-secretary of state. was in com- mand for a time. and they afterward served under General Loring, and Colonels Com- and Patten, commanding the brigade. Dur- ing his military career Mr. Lester was at Charleston, in Kanawha Valley, Virginia : Jonesboro, Tennessee: and at Piedmont Valley, Virginia. On the 5th of June. 1864. he was captured by General Hooker's command and taken to Indianapolis, In- diana, where he was exchanged after nine months and returned to Virginia. He was on sick furlough till the end of the war.

Mr. Lester followed the profession of teaching after the war, and in 1869 he came to Kansas, locating in Morris county, where he became the owner of a farm in Kaw val- ley. In 1884, however, he sold his posses- sions there and came to Barber county, where he now owns a valuable and well im- proved farm, his fields annually returning to their owner golden harvests. On his place he has erected a modern and attractive residence. at a cost of twelve hundred dol- lars, has a well built barn forty-four by for- ty-four feet. a windmill and all necessary outbuildings, while a large bearing orchard further adds to the value and attractive ap- Pearance of the place.

In 1872, in Kansas City, Missouri, Mr. Lester was united in marriage to Miss Mary V. Watts, who was born, reared and edu-

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cated in the Sunflower state. a daughter of muram P. Watts, one of the early pioneers of the commonwealth and the history of whose life will be found elsewhere in this volume. Six children have brightened and blessed this marriage,-Oliver C .. Joseph Edward. Hiram Orbin, Mary Gertrude. May and Nellie.

The People's party receives Mr. Lester's hearty support and co-operation. In 1900 he was the choice of his party for the leg- islature, and although it is known by his friends that he received the largest number of votes cast he was not elected: huit the election was not contested. For eight years he filled the office of township trustee and for a number of years was a member of the school board. He is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the cause of education, religion and temperance finds in him a warm and abiding friend.

WILLIAM D. HIBBEN.

William D. Hibben, the efficient agent of the Wells-Fargo Express Company at Hutchinson, was born im Greene county, Ohio, on the 16th of August, 1860, a son of William W. Hibben, a native of the Key- stone state, and of Scotch and Welsh de- scent. The latter received his medical edu- cation in the Ohio Medical College, at Cin- cinnati ; and in Greene county, Ohio, he en- gaged in the practice of his chosen profes- sion until 1867, when he removed with his family to Emporia, Kansas. He soon be- came recognized as one of the most skillful and successful physicians in the Sunflower state, having been the regular family physi- cian to Senator Plumb, the Hon. I. E. Lam- bert and many other equally prominent men. His death, from apoplexy, occurred in Em- poria. Kansas. He was a Republican in his political views, and was an earnest and con- sistent member of the Methodist church. while in the Masonic fraternity he attained the thirty-second degree. In the state of Ohio Mr. Hibben was united in marriage with Euphemia A. Watson, who was born

in Pennsylvania and was of Welsh descent, her ancestors having come to America in a very early day. She still survives her hus- band, and now makes her home at Glendale, Los Angeles county, California, where sev- eral of her children are also residing, en- gaged in fruit culture. Unto this worthy couple were born eight children, as follows: John Harry, fuel agent for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, at Parsons, Kan- sas : Charles H., who resides with his mother in Los Angeles county, California, and is engaged in fruit raising ; a child who died in infancy: William D., the subject of this review: George, a fruit raiser of Los An- geles county. California: Mamie, who re- sides with her mother; Jennie, the wife of Charles Jarvis, a banker of Los Angeles, California: and Ralph, who is engaged in business with his brother. Harry, at Par- sons, Kansas.

William D. Hibben enjoyed the educa- tional advantages afforded by the public and high schools of Emporia, Kansas, and about the year 1882, deciding to fit himself for the practice of medicine. he began the study under the direction of his father, but after Done year thus spent he abandoned the idea of entering the medical profession and se- cured employment of the Wells-Fargo Ex- press Company, at Emporia, as a driver. which position he filled for one year. He was then made cashier of the company's office in that city, and at the end of another year was again promoted, becoming a mes- senger on the road. He traveled first from Emporia to Moline, Kansas, next from Al- buquerque, New Mexico, to El Paso, Texas. thence from Kansas City, to Albuquerque. and afterward from Kansas City to Denver. having spent several years on each route, and his entire career in that capacity cov- ered a period of twelve years. The last official stamp which he received while on the road he still retains, and is dated Santa Fe. June 8, 1898. On the 12th of June. 1898, Mr. Hibben received the appointment which he now so ably fills, that of agent for the Wells-Fargo Express Company, at Hutchinson, and the company certainly never made a wiser choice than when they

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placed him in this important position. He is a perfect master of all the details of the business, all of which he personally super- intends, and his conscientious and faithful work in the interest of the company, added to his energetic nature, has contributed not a little to the wonderful increase in the vol- ume of their business during the past three years. When he first took charge of the office the monthly receipts amounted to twenty-seven hundred dollars a month, and at the present time the average monthly re- ceipts are five thousand dollars, represent- ing an increase of nearly one hundred per cent. There are four employes in the office besides Mr. Hibben : and three wagons, one double team and two single teams, are con- stantly employed. The company has com- pleted the plans for a magnificent new build- ing, which will soon be under process of con- struction, and when completed will be the first office it has erected in the state. Its location will be on the east side of North Main street, just south of the corner of Third and adjoining the beautiful park of the Santa Fe Railroad. It will be a two- story building, thirty by sixty feet, front- ing both Main and Third streets, and the materials used will be pressed brick and stone, while the furnishings throughout will be of the most artistic and ornamental na- ture. The upper story will be fitted up with bath, reading and sleeping rooms for the use of the employes, and the cost of the building will be about five thousand dollars. The business of the office in Hutch- inson is done exclusively with the Santa Fe Railroad, and extends to every branch of this extensive system.

Mr. Hibben was happily married on the Iīth of June, 1886, at Emporia, Kansas, Maggie M. Buford becoming his wife. She is a daughter of Thomas Buford, a descend- ant of one of the oldest and best known fam- ilies of Kentucky. Removing from that state to Kansas, he located first at Pea- body, afterward at Marion and next at Em- poria, where he was for some time engaged in the furniture business. His death oc- curred in Kansas City. Missouri, about 1895, and one year later his wife joined him

in the spirit world. The union of our sub- ject and wife has been blessed with two chil- dren : Kate, who received her education in Kansas City, and is now in the high school of Hutchinson; and Margaret. As a boy Mr. Hlibben saw much of western Kansas in its virgin state, when it was a vast plain. without a tree in sight. inhabited by wild Indians and the feeding ground of count- less buffaloes, deer and antelopes.

ABRAHAM BAUMGARTNER.

There are in Harvey county, Kansas, a number of natives of the great state of Ohio, who have become successful and well known as farmers and in business circles. One of the most highly respected of these is Abra- ham Baumgartner, farmer on section 19. Macon township, whose post-office address is Newton. Mr. Baumgartner was born at Mount Eaton, Wayne county, Ohio, March 22. 1835, a son of David Baumgartner, who was born in the canton of Berne, Switzer- land, in 1798, and came to America in 1824. sailing April 27, and arriving at Wayne county, Ohio. September 3. He was accom- panied by his bride. Barbara Welty, and when they got to Ohio they were in debt to a man in their native land for their passage to America to the amount of fifty-four dol- lars. In order to pay this inedbtedness and gain a foothold in the new country they both worked very hard, all day long and late at night, at whatever their hands found to do. and it is said that at one time Mrs. Baum- gartner husked corn at ten cents a day! Hard and unpromising as was their begin- ning. they prospered so well that at length they owned a quarter section of land in Indiana, to which his father moved to from Ohio.

The following facts concerning their children will be of interest in this connection : Their daughter Anna died in 1901, leaving a large family. Jacob, who was born in 1827. is married and lives in Ohio. Elizabeth died in 1886. David lives in Ohio. John died in 1872, leaving four children. Abraham is the immediate subject of this sketch. Peter

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lives on the old home farm of sixty-five acres. Katie died in childhood. It is worthy of note that all of Mr. and Mrs. Baumgartner's children and grandchildren are in good cir- cumstances. The father died in 1863, aged sixty-five years; the mother in 1880, aged eighty-five years.

Earley in life Abraham Baumgartner and two of his brothers learned the shoe- maker's trade and for fifteen years he worked at shoemaking and repairing. He was married April 6, 1865, to Barbara Ger- ber, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, a daughter of John and Barbara (Loganbill ) Gerber, natives of Switzerland. Mrs. Baumgartner's mother came to America at the age of seven years, and now, aged about eighty-five, is living in Morgan county, Mis- souri. From 1868 to 1883 Mr. and Mrs. Baumgartner lived in the same county. In the year last mentioned they re- moved to Kansas and located in Macon township, Harvey county, where Mr. Baum- gartner bought three hundred and forty acres of railroad land of an original pur- chaser at twenty-four dollars and fifty cents an acre. going in debt to the extent of about one-half of the purchase price. They came out from Missouri by rail, bringing with them eleven horses and mules, four head of cattle, three hogs and their household goods, and they still have some of the same fur- niture, certain prized articles of which were made in Wayne county, Ohio.

Mr. Baumgartner built his present fine residence in 1896 and his large red barn two years later. He has two orchards, covering eight acres, about three miles of Osage hedge and much wire fence. He has taken rank among the leading farmers in his vicinity and is in every sense a progressive, up-to- date citizen. In political affiliation he is a Republican. His interest in popular edu- cation led him to accept the office of school director, which he has filled ably for twelve years, and for a like period he was a mem- ber of the board of dirctors of Bethel Col- lege, at Newton, Kansas.

Mr. and Mrs. Baumgartner have had six- teen children. of whom thirteen are living.

six of them being daughters. They have had two pairs of twins and eight of their children have sat in the same school-room as students and teachers. Their son Simon is a farmer near his father's homestead ; his twin brother is dead. John, who lives a mile south of his father's homestead, has a son and daughter. William J .. who was a teacher and student at Lawrence. Kansas, is in college at Chicago, Illinois, and is married. Caroline married a Mr. Hahn and lives in Halstead township. Milton will graduate from a collegiate institution at Lawrence, Kansas, with the class of 1902. Bertha is a member of her parents' household. Eliz- abeth is teaching school in Larkin township. Walter and Jane are twins. Walter was a student at Bethel College, Newton, and now a student of Manhattan College, this state; and Jane is a teacher in Alto township. Rosa. David, Eddie and Rachel are in school. Eddie is fourteen years old and Rachel twelve. All members of the family except John are communicants of the Mennonite church.

David Baumgartner, Abraham Baum- gartner's grandfather in the paternal line. was born in the canton of Berne. Switzer- land, about 1758, and at the age of twenty- two years, when the Mennonites were being persecuted in his native land. he began to preach their doctrine, meeting his people as opportunity occurred, often at night, in cel- lars and in the mountains, and he labored so successfully that at about the age of twenty- four years he was made a bishop of their sect. He was a minister in Switzerland and in Wells county, Indiana, about sixty-seven years. He came to America about 1830, bringing four daughters and five sons and passed his life in preaching the gospel and as a tenant farmer. In his old age he lived with his children and died in 1848, aged ninety years.

As an interesting miscellaneous item we may add that Mr. Baumgartner, our sub- ject, has in his possession a hymn book bound in 1788 by his grandfther, who was a bookbinder by trade, and the trade was in the family from 1750 till 1850.

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GILBERT M. GOLDSMITH.

The many friends and admirers of Gil- bert M. Goldsmith, of Burton, Harvey county, Kansas, will take pleasure in read- ing the following too brief account of his busy and useful career thus far. Mr. Gold- smith, whose homestead was in section 14 of the township mentioned and whose post-of- fice is Burrton, is a native of Erie county, Ohio, and was born March 7, 1830. Isaac Gobismith, his father, was born on Long Island. New York, in 1785, and died at the age of seventy-eight years in Erie county. Ohio. He married Sarah Bush, of Norfolk, Virginia, and they had five suns and four daughters, all . f whom married and had children. Their youngest son, George, was the founder of Vicksburg. Mississippi. He diod at Keokuk. Iva, leaving a widow, and His death was the first in his father's family.

The second death in the family was that ri His brother Batter, the oldest child, in De- Kalb county. Ilinois, at the age of seventy Bailey Goldsmith left two daughters. The third death in the family was that of Charity, in Erie county. Ohio. in 1900. She married a Mr. Risden and had nine children, "ich . i whom survived her.

The following facts concerning the six surviving children of Isaac and Sarah ( Bush ) Goldsmith will be of interest in this conection : Lemuel lives in Michigan and is the father of several children. James, bas two daughters, lives at Vermillion, Eliza married Samuel Perkins and lives in Michigan. Julia, who is Mrs. Stick- rev. and Fannie, who is Mrs. Chester, live at Avon, Lorain county, Ohio. Gilbert M. is the immediate subject of this sketch. The mother of these children died in 1854.

Gilbert M. Goldsmith left home at the age of fourteen and went to St. Louis, Mis- suri. After that for about ten years he was employed on the Missouri and Mississip- pi rivers, on steamers, as a deck hand and otherwise, at twenty-five to forty dollars a month. He then went to Fort Laramie and For several years was employed as a bull- whacker on different cattle ranches. In 1870 he went to Eagle township. Sedgwick coun.

ty, Kansas, from Ohio, bringing with him his wife and one son. March jo. 1856, he married Miss Felicia Frances Bailes, a na- tive of Ohio, whom he met at St. Louis. She bore him one son, George Goldsmith, who is married and has a son and three daughters, and died August 13. 1899. May 1. 1900. Mr. Goklsmith married Sarah Eurton, the widow of James Eurton. Mrs. Goldsmith has borne nine children, six of whom are living-four sons and two daughters-and she has six grandchildren.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 14

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