A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 15

Author: Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: New York Chicago: The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084

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In 1885, Mr. Goldsmith bought a quarter section of land which constituted his late homestead, of which he acquired possession under the homestead law. He moved out of his original "shanty" into his new fine residence in 1890; but in 1901 he sold his farm and moved to Burrton, where he lives a retired life. He has given his son eighty acres of his original quarter secetion. He has planted about his residence many va- rieties of fruit and shade trees, and he took pleasure in the thought that the most of them will doubtless stand after he has passed away as monuments to his forethought and industry.

He is a Republican, but has carefully avoided nomination to any office. though he is devoted to the interests of his township.

JOSEPH H. HAYNES.

Although nature has been lavish in her distribution of gifts to many sections of the state of Kansas, this does not fully ac- count for the prominence attained by these localities. Credit must be given to those pioneers who have been the founders of the schools and churches, the organizers of the public conveniences in transportation facili- ties, and the energetic methods of agricul- ture which they have promoted. Among these early settlers was Joseph H. Haynes. who came first to this state in. 1872, locating here permanently ten years later, and is nen one of the prominent and substantial citi- zens of Rochester township, in Kingman county.

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The old North state claims the birth- place of Mr. Haynes, his family being one of the old, influential ones of Yadkin county, North Carolina. His birth occurred in 1852 and he is a son of Hon. Thomas and Nancy ( Ball ) Haynes, the former of whom was at one time a distinguished member of the state assembly and for a number of years a large contractor and planter. Thomas Haynes, in his marriage to Nancy Ball, be- came connected with another family. of prominence, she being a daughter of John Ball, of English ancestry, and Revolution- ary fame. The following children were born to Thomas and Nancy Haynes, these being as follows : Asbury, William L .. John, Calvin, Clinton, Joseph. Thomas, Vic- toria, Sarah Caroline and E. L. The father of our subject died at the age of eighty- four, the mother passed away at the age of seventy-two. Thomas Haynes was a highly esteerhed citizen who was honored with many offices of responsibility, and for a long period succeeding the close of the Civil war was connected with the revenue department of the government. His service in the state legislature was creditable, his record being that of an unsullied statesman. Both he and wife were consistent members of the Methodist church.

Joseph H. Haynes, of this sketch, was reared on his father's plantation and re- mained under the parental roof until 1872, when he made his first trip to Kansas, stop- ping in Reno county, and after his return to North Carolina he was engaged in the rev- enue service. Then Mr. Haynes embarked in a trading business in Yadkin county, dealing in tobacco, stock, horses, mules, etc., continuing for some years, after which he returned to Kansas, in 1882. Although Mr. Haynes has faced some very discouraging conditions since locating here, he has never lost his faith in the future of this great state, and has by sheer force of energy ac- complished much where others would have failed. Now his fine farm of four hundred and eighty acres well repays all his former activity, and the three hundred acres yield great harvests of wheat, the remainder of the land being utilized for grazing. When

the great question of irrigation is settled this portion of the state of Kansas will be the garden spot of the world. Mr. Haynes has been sucessful in his efforts and is one of the substantial men of Rochester town- ship, a leader in Democratic political circles and an intelligent and interested promoter of educational and progressive enterprises,

At the age of twenty-six Mr. Haynes was united in marriage to Miss Mahala Cheppell, a lady who was born, reared and educated in a high social circle in Yadkin county, North Carolina, where her parents, Moses and Keziah ( Swaim) Cheppell, en- joyed prominence and esteem. The parents are both deceased. The father lived for two years in Reno county, Kansas. A family of eight children was born to Mr. and Mrs. Haynes, as follows: Mina, a popular and successful teacher of Kingman county ; Lillie Belle; Birdie, deceased ; Megus ; Syl- vester : Cecil, deceased ; Thomas; and Har- vey Talmadge. The religious connection of the family is with the Baptist church. The famous hospitality credited to southern people finds expression in this household, friends and guests enjoying a welcome seldom extended in a more agreeable fash- ion.

WESLEY MCCABE.

The farming and stock-raising interests of Wilson township, Rice county, are well represented by Wesley McCabe, who now resides on section 4, where he has a fine home, indicative of the careful supervision and capable management of the owner. He was born in Crosswicks, New Jersey, Oc- tober 9, 1829, and comes of a family whose salient characteristics were industry, moral- ity and integrity. His father, George Mc- Cabe, was also a native of New Jersey. The grandfather of our subject died when George McCabe was an infant and the lat- ter was thus deprived of a father's care. He was reared upon the home farm in New Jersey and pursued his education in the common schools. He married Miss Sarah Bennett, who was born in the same township

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in which his birth occurred and was a daughter of James and Sarah ( Scott ) Ben- nett, both natives of New Jersey. Her par- ents, however, spent their last days in Miami county, Ohio.

In the year 1830 George and Sarah Mc- Cabe left the Atlantic coast to seek a home in the Buckeye state and located upon a farm in Miami county, where Mr. MeCabe de- total his remaining days to the tilling of the soil and the cultivation of crops. His political support was given to the Whig party until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the Republican party. An earnest and consistent Christian. he held membership with the Methodist Episcopal church and did all in his power to promote the cause of the Master. For thirty years he served as class leader, and died at the age of sixty-eight years, while his wife, long surviving him, departed this life at the age of eighty-four. She. too, belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, and her kindly and generous disposition and many sterling traits of character won her the friendship of all with whom she came in contact. This worthy couple became the parents of eight children, namely: Wesley, of this review ; James, John and Mary Ann, who are now decasal: George, who is living upon the home farm in Miami county, Ohio, and in the beuse which was erected by his father in 1837: William and Ann, who have passed away : and John, deceased, who was the sec- il of that name and who served as a sur- gen in an Ohio regiment during the Civil war.

Wesley McCabe was reared upon the home farm in Miami county, Ohio, assist- ing in the usual work that falls to the lot of farmer boys. He had the advantage of the reining influences . i a good Christian home and the care of parents who made it their Att tok well to the training of their c'of' iren. The public schools ci Ohio af- i nad him his educational privileges in watth. and his knowledge has been largely supplemented by extensive reading in later life. He was married at the age of twenty- seven years to Miss Mary Jane Badgley. i was born in Hamilton county. Ohi

near Cincinnati, and is a daughter of James and Eliza ( Belles ) Badgley. Her pater- nal grandfather was John Badgley, who died in Hamilton county, Ohio. James Badgley was born in that county, as was his wife. By their marriage they became the parents of five sons and five daughters : Will- iam, who died at the age of nineteen years ; Mrs. Mary J. McCabe; Leah Am: John. Angeline Lovina, Eliza, James, George and Charles, all deceased. The father of this family made farming his life work and thereby provided a comfortable living for his wife and children. In politics he was a Democrat. He died in Ohio, at the age of sixty-five years, and his wife passed away in 1897. The latter was a member of the Baptist church.

Mr. and Mrs. McCabe began their do- mestic life in Miami county, Ohio, where they remained until 1867, when they re- moved to Henderson county, Illinois. i- cating near Oquawka. In that locality Mr. McCabe followed farming until 1871, when he took up his abode in Madison county, Iowa, becoming one of the early settlers in that district. The railroad had just been built to the county and the work of im- provement and progress was in its primitive stage. There he made his home for seven vears, but in 1878 sold his property in Iowa and came to Rice county, Kansas, taking up his abode upon the farm where he now makes his home. Only twenty acres of the land had been broken and the dwelling was a mere shanty, twelve by fourteen feet. The place was a homestead claim. containing one hundred and sixty acres and Mr. Mc- Cabe in addition to this purchased eighty acres of railroad land. He has prospered in his labors, and having faith in the future of Kansas, he has made investments in realty until his landed possessions now aggregate six hundred and forty acres. He has also assisted his sons to secure good farms, and his home farm is now one of the best to be found in Rice county. It is improved with a fine modern residence. supplied with all the comforts and conveniences, a large barn. granary, sheds. feed lots and a windmill for pumping water. The verdant pastures

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afford excellent feeding grounds for the stock and the waving fields of grain give good promise of large harvests. Every- thing about the place indicates the thrift and enterprise of the owner, who was justly regarded as one of the substantial agricul- turists of his community.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. McCabe has been blessed with eleven children: Anna Frances, who died at the age of eleven years; Mary Belle, who was a successful teacher and is now the wife of John Bush, of Rockville township, Rice county ; George E. and James M., who are resident farmers of Wilson township; Sadie Malinda, who was formerly a popular teacher and is now the wife of Sidney Smith, of Houston, Texas, ankl is the owner of an extensive ranch of sixteen hundred acres in the Lone Star state; Harry. Elmer, of Wilson town- ship ; Agnes, deceased wife of George Mon- roe, of Wilson township; Charles W., who is upon the home farm; Elnora Maull, wife of Frank Forney, of Lyons; Laura Edith and Bertha Grace, both at home. The lat- ter is identified with the educational inter- ests of the county as a teacher. Mr. Mc- Cabe has been honored with the office of township treasurer for a number of years and has also been justice of the peace. Both he and his wife are worthy and prominent members of the Presbyterian church of Lyons and contribute liberally to its sup- port. A man of fine physique, he weighs over two hundred pounds. Seventy-two years have passed since he entered earth's pilgrimage, but nature has dealt kindly with him and his has been in the main a happy and prosperous life. Mr. and Mrs. McCabe are an esteemed and highly respected old couple of sunny disposition and genial man- ner, who are rich not only in the possession of a comfortable competence but in the love of family and friends and in the respect of children and grandchildren.

JOHN L. MILLER.

I. L. Miller, one of the honored pio- neers and leading agriculturists of Rice county, is a native of the Hawkeye state, his

birth having occurred in Marion county, Iowa, in July, 1856. His father, J. H. Miller, was born in Morgan county, Illi- nois, and the grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania, of Pennsylvania-German descent, and became one of the first settlers of Morgan county, Illinois. J. H. Miller married Miss Martha J. Leighter, who was born in Jacksonville, Illinois. She died when our subject was twelve years of age, leaving four children,-John L .. Martha J., Sarah Cathrine and Mary Isabella. For his second wife the father chose Mary E. Millard, and they were the parents of five children,-Frank, Cora, Lora, William, and Anna. The father now resides near Win- terset, in Madison county, Iowa, where he is engaged in farming. He formerly voted with the Democracy, but is now a Populist.

J. L. Miller was reared on his father's farms in Marion and Marshall counties, Iowa, where he was early inured to the work of field and meadow. His early edu- cation was received in the district schools of his native state, but actual experience, read- ing and observation, have added greatly to his knowledge. In 1878 he came with a team and wagon to the Sunflower state, a loca- tion being made in Rice county. He began life on this western frontier without money or influential friends, and all that he now owns has been obtained by persistent effort and unfaltering energy. He first purchased eighty acres of land and began farming in a small way, but his landed possessions now aggregate four hundred acres of the best land to be found in central Kansas. His principal crop is wheat, and he is also ex- tensively engaged in raising a good grade of horses. His fields were under a high state of cultivation, yielding an excellent return to the owner, and his pastures afford excel- lent opportunity for the raising of stock. For about eight years he has been engaged in raising a good grade of horses and mules, and now owns a thoroughbred Messenger, one of the best horses of Rice county.

In December. 1876, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Samantha E. Mar- shall, who for twenty-six years has proved a faithful companion and helpmate for the

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journey of life. She was born in Madison county, le wa, a daughter of John and Cath- erine Marshall. The mother died in Iowa. and the father was called to the home be- vend in Kansas, The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Miller has been blessed with six chil- dren, three sons and three daughters,- Charles Alton, Minta May, Essie Pearl. Emmett Roy. Goldie Marie and Leo Guy. Mr. Miller formerly affiliated with the Greenback party, but is now a Populist. The family have many warm friends in the county where they have so long resided, and are highly esteemed by all with whom they have come in contact.

LEWIS GEISSERT.

Lewis Geissert. the . Mest resident and the first to frente in the Solomon valley, be- came a resident of Ottawa county before its organization, and has ever since been identi- fied with its growth and development. Born- near Alsace. France, on the 6th of April. IS24. he is a son of George and Maggie ( Burck) Geissert, natives also of Alsace and representatives of prominent German families. They spent their entire lives in their native land. Their children were eight in number, namely: Lewis, the subject of this review: Maggie, who yet makes her home in France: Jacob, who died in Kan- sas: George, who departed this life in Illi- moi -: Tehn. who also resides in his native land: Katie, who makes her home in St. Levis. Missouri: Emma, of Germany, and Abraham, a resident of California.

Lewis Goissert remained under the par- ental roof refil twenty-one years of age. when he entered the German army, remain- ing therein for six years. as is required by the laws of that country, and on the expira- th n of his term of enlistment he entered the service as a substitute. thus spending the following five years, his services in all cov- ering a period of eleven years. During his military career he saved a sum of money sufficient to bring him to America. landing in New York in 1858, and from there made

his way direct to Chicago, where he at once filed papers for citizenship and soon found employment as a farm hand. In isto he came to Kansas, locating in the Solomon valley, in Ottawa county, but at that time the county was not yet organized. He made a choice selection of land, including a tim- ber tract bordering the Solomon river, on which he at once made some small improvements, and in the following year, 1801. he received his title to the land. lle erected a log cabin and stable, and with his ox teams began breaking prairie. To the pioneer of those early days, far removed from the privileges and conveniences of city life. the struggle for existence was a stern and hard one, but they possessed indomit- able energy and sterling worth of character as well as marked physical courage, and thus were able to fight the battles of life success- fully. When Mr. Geissert first located here the Indians were numerous, but were friend- ly. game of all kinds was plentiful, and wild beasts roamed at will over the country. About 1867, however, the red men became hostile, and the settlers, greatly alarmed lest they should be attacked, fortified themselves for protection, but none in this neighbor- hood were ever molested. In that early day the nearest postoffice was fifty miles distant. it requiring two days to make the journey on foot, and during the first five years of his residence here Mr. Geissert paid taxes in Davis county, for the following two years in Salina county, and then Ottawa county was organized. After the Union Pacific branch was completed to Solomon valley the town of Bennington was organized, thus bringing the advantages of city life within two miles of Mr. Geissert's farm. Having been the first settler here he was better pre- pared for the grasshopper calamity of 1874 than many of his neighbors, and he was thus able to render them substantial assist- ance. After the homestead bill was passed he secured an adjoining eighty acres, thus making his landed possessions to aggre- gate two hundred and forty acres, and on that place he made his home for thirty-three years. He then sold the farm in order to secure more land in one body, and pur-

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chased four hundred and eighty acres in Cole creek, all valley land, and here he has made many substantial and valuable im- provements. In April, 1901, however, he purchased a residence at Bennington, where he and his wife are now spending the eve- ning of their life in quiet retirement, their farm being conducted by their sons. Mr. Geissert and his faithful wife endured all the hardships and deprivations incident to life on the frontier, but their well directed efforts have been crowned with a well mer- ited and gratifying degree of success, and now after a long and eventful career they can look back over the past with pride and enjoy their remaining years of earthly pil- grimage with a consciousness of having gained the confidence and respect of the entire community in which they reside.

Mr. Geissert was first married in 1866, to Mrs. Elizabeth Ringwold. whose first husband died during the Civil war, leaving four children. She was a daughter of Philip Rhodes, a native of Germany, and a prominent early settler of Ottawa county. After coming to this locality he purchased land and improved a good farm, but both he and his wife and daughter, Elizabeth, died of cholera in 1867. After the death of Mrs. Geissert her four children were cared for by relatives. In 1873 our subject was united in marriage with Miss Katie Mocker, who was born in the kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 25th of Sep- tember, 1852, a daughter of Andrew and Christena ( Pfeifer) Mocker, both of whom died in their native land. The father was a shoemaker by trade, and both he and his wife were consistent members of the Pres- byterian church. Their children were as follows: Christina. deceased; Gotleib, a resident of St. Louis, Missouri: Andrew. who makes his home in Ottawa county ; and Katie, the wife of our subject. Mrs. Geissert came to America in company with her brother. Unto our subject and wife have been born seven children: Maggie, who is still with her parents; George, who is conducting the old homestead: Andrew. who married Miss Blanche Steward, and is a prominent farmer : Louey and Adam, also

prominent and leading agriculturists; and William and Charles, at home.

The family are consistent and worthy members of the Presbyterian church. In his political relations Mr. Geissert was formerly a Democrat, but in 1900 he cast his ballot in favor of Mckinley. He has filled the office of school treasurer, the cause of education ever finding in him a warm and helpful friend. His has been a well spent life. true to all public and private duties. and his scrupulous regard for the right has gained him the esteem of a large circle of friends.

CAREY J. COMMER.

Among the representatives of the south- ern states who have found a home in central Kansas and who have contributed substan- tially toward its development and prosperity none is better or more favorably known than the subject of this sketch, who was born in Winston county, Mississippi, De- cember 27. 1851.

Little is known by Mr. Commer of his grandfather in the paternal line except that he was a native of South Carolina, and who died when Mr. Commer's father, Thomas H. Commer, was eleven years. The latter was born in Union district, South Carolina, May 12, 1818, and was a farmer and physi- cian. When he was twenty-three years old 'he went to Winston county. Mississippi. where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of heavily timbered land. He cleared this tract and improved a good farm, to the area of which he added until at the time of his death he owned five hundred and forty acres. The homestead was one of the best in its vicinity, with an excellent house and ample outbuildings, but there was upon it : about thirty acres of reed-brake, low and marshy land, which long was infested by wolves and wildcats. On this farm Dr. Commer resided, engaged principally in the cultivation of cotton. Late in life he took up the practice of medicine and after his sons were old enough to manage the plantation

CAREY J. COMMER AND FAMILY.

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he gave his entire attention to his profession and gained a large and lucrative practice and an enviable reputation for skill as a phy- sician and surgeon. During the Civil war he served about a year in the Confederate cavalry, during the greater portion of which

Carey J. Commer, of South Hutchinson. Kansas, was educated in the common schools near his childhood home in Winston coun- ty. Mississippi, and remained on his father's plantation until he was twenty-one years old. He then bought a farm not far dis- time his regiment was stationed at Phila- : tant from his father's home, which he per- delphia. Neshoba county, Mississippi. where it was detailed for guard duty. In politics he was a Democrat. He died of paralysis of the heart in May. 1887. He was married in Winston county, Mississippi, about 1844. to Margaret P. Leatherwood, who was born there in November. 1835. a daughter of Isaac and Delina ( Woodrough) Leather- wood and is living with his youngest son. Yancy, on the old family homestead. Isaac Leatherwood, Mr. Commer's grandfather in the material line. operated a plantation in Winston county, Mississippi, until his death. which occurred in 1856. After that sad event his widow went to Texas and was a member of the household of her son-in-law, A. C. Stone, until her death, which oc- curred in the spring of 1887. when she had reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years.

Carey J. Commer was the third born in his parents' family of eight children. five of whom survive. His brother. James, when a mere youth, entered the Confederate army as a substitute for one of his uncles and died in a hospital at Alabama, when he was only sixteen years old. John C. is a farmer in Pandla county. Miss issiumi: The mos Wesley, next younger than the subject of this sketch. is a planter in Winston county. Mississippi, near the old family homestead. William B. has been engaged in farming in South Hutchinson, Reno county, Kansas. since 1894. He married Miss Florence E. Fair, sister of Mrs. Carey J. Commer. Re- becca died in infancy in Winston county. Mississippi. Yancy S. lives on and operates the OM Commer plantation in Mississippi. Callie F. married John M. Fair, a brother of Mrs. Carey J. Commer, and a native of Chectaw county, Mississippi, and died in Winston county, Mississippi. in 1891. leav- ing seven children.

ated for six years. Much timber grew upon it and he cleared, fenced and improved the land and in 1880 sold it to advantage and went on a southern pospecting tour as far as Dallas, Texas, spending some time in Arkansas and Tennessee. He returned in the fall of that year after an absence of about six months and soon afterward be- came acquainted with Miss Georgia Fair. whom after a brief courtship he married. Mrs. Commer, who was a daughter of Thomas A. and Julia ( Minter) Fair, was born in Winston county, Mississippi. Her grandfather Minter, a native of South Car- olina. emigrated to Choctaw county, Miss- issippi, where in ante-bellum days he became prominent as a planter and slave owner. In 1874 he removed to Reno county, Kan- sas, where he invested in land and there he died April 26, 1886, aged eighty-six years. Thomas A. Fair, father of Mrs. Carey J. Commer, was born in South Carolina. whence he removed to Choctaw county. Mississippi, where he acquired wealth and position, and in 1885 he removed to Reno township. Reno county, Kansas, and bought a large farm on section 35, which he im- proved until it became known far and wide as one of the best places in the county, it having a magnificent eleven-room house, large barns. a forty-acre orchard and other improvements and conveniences. There Mr. Fair lived until his death, in 1897, his widow until March 21. 1901, when she died. In August. 1901, this valuable farm was sold for twenty thousand dollars in order to effect a division of the Fair estate.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 15

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