A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 18

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

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John W. Arrowsmith was reared on the pioneer homestead in Adams county, Ohio, his early education being principally secured in the subscription schools, though he recalls the fact that his last term of study was in the public school installed in the primitve log schoolhouse of the section and period. He continued to assist in the work of the old farm until the age of eight- een years, when his intrinsic loyalty led him to run away from home in order that he might tender his services in support of the Union, now menaced by armed rebellion. At Camp Dennison, Ohio, on the IIth of August, 1863, he enlisted as a private in Company E. Fourth Ohio Volunteer Car- alry. commanded by Major Joseph Wheeler. With his command the youthful soldier proceeded to Cumberland Gap, and partic- ipated in the capture of the post, the regi- ment thence going to Knoxville. under Burnside, and aiding in repelling the at- tack of Longstreet's forces. After this the regiment did considerable scouting and

skirmishing. but took part in no heavy bat- tles. Mr. Arrowsmith was mustered out March 27, 1864, and on the Ist of the fol- lowing August. in Adams county, he re- enlisted, becoming a member of the One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, composed almost entirely of raw recruits. The regiment was sent to Nashville, Tennessee, serving under Gen- eral Thomas and doing its full share in the desperate battle at that point, when Gen- eral Thomas sallied forth to engage Hood's army, which had come up and become securely entrenched. Thus our subject had the painful experience of fighting against his own great-uncle, General Hood. After the disastrous defeat of Hood's army the One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Ohio was stationed at Nashville until nearly the close of the war. and our subject received his honorable discharged and was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, June 27. 1865.

After the close of the war Mr. Arrow- smith continued to reside in his native state for a period of two years and then removed to Woodford county, Illinois, where he pur- chased a farm and there resided until 1872. when he purchased a tract of eighty acres in Richardson county, Nebraska, and there continued to farm until 1876, when he bought eighty acres in Linn county, Kansas, where he made his home until 1884, which stands as the date of his advent in Barber county, having thus bought and improved three different farms in as many states be- fore taking up his abode in this county, whose attractions have been sufficient to cause him to remain a permanent resident. He drove with team and wagon from Linn county to Barber county, being accompa- nied by his wife and their three children, and he took up a pre-emption claim in sec- tion 22. Elwood township, and has here de- veloped a fine property, erecting substantial buildings and otherwise improving the place and being one of the progressive and suc- cessful farmers and stock raisers of the county, agriculture being his chief resource. He is held in high esteem in the county and is known as a man of inflexible integrity in all the relations of life. Politically he sup-

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ports the Populist party, and fraternally he is identified with the Grand Army of the Repubic.

In Woodford county, Illinois, on the 29th of January, 1872. Mr. Arrowsmith was united in marriage to Miss Candace Franklin, the daughter of Jared D. and Cynthia ( Henshaw ) Franklin, natives, re- spectively, of Massachusetts and Tennes- see, their marriage occurring in Illinois, where the father was a successful farmer. Mrs. Arrowsmith has three brothers and two sisters living, namely: George, of Linn county, Kansas; Allen, of Richardson county, Nebraska: Benjamin, of Beadle county, South Dakota: Laura, wife of T. K. Mitchell, of Richardson county, Ne- braska: and Anna, wife of R. H. John- son, of Labette county, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Arrowsmith are the parents of three children : Jessie, the wife of Beecher Crawford, a farmer of Woods county, Ok- lahoma: Jettie, the wife of G. Hart, a hotel keeper of Lumberton, New Mexico; and Anna, the wife of Frank Kinkaid, a success- ful stock raiser of Barber county.

REUBEN LAKE.

When it is stated that the thriving town of Lake City. Barber county, Kansas, was founded by the gentleman whose name in- troduces this paragraph, and that it most consistently bears his name, some idea will at once be conveved of the prominent part he has taken in the development and ma- terial upbuilding of this section of the state. He is one of the best known and most high- ly honored of the early pioneers of the county, having located, nearly thirty years ago, on the site of the village which now bears his name, while for a score of years. in the decades lying between the years 1873 and 1893. probably no other one man exerted so great an influence in the advance- ment of the general welfare of the commun- ity and the legitimate development of in- dustrial activities as did Mr. Lake, and it is certainly incumbent that in this work be incorporated a review of his life history.

Reuben Lake was born in the town of Perth, province of Ontario, Canada, on the 6th of December. 1839, being the son of James M. Lake, who was born in the state of New York, while his wife was a native of Pennsylvania. They emigrated to Can- ada in an early day and there maintained their home for many years, the father hav- ing been a carpenter by trade. In 1859 the family removed to Adams county, Illinois, and here the father of our subject passed the residue of his life, his death occurring about 1863. Reuben Lake there engaged in timber work, being employed in cutting railroad ties, etc., and in that county, in 1861. he celebrated the day which marks the anniversary of the signing of the Decla- ration of Independence, by taking unto him- self a wife. in the person of Miss Mary H. Beal, who was born in Cape Girardeau county, Missouri, on the 4th of February, 1845. the daughter of William and Elizina ( Malone) Beal, who removed to Adams county, Illinois, in 1851, and later to Mont- gomery county. Kansas, where the mother died about 1871. her husband thereafter changing his place of abode several times. his death occurring in Pike county, in 1881. Mr. Lake continued to make his home in Illinois until 1865. when he removed with his family to Neosho county, Kansas, mak- ing the trip overland with three wagons. There he took up a homestead claim. but did not prove up on the same, as he shortly afterward located in the town of Erie, where he established a livery business and also operated a sawmill. At the expiration of five years he removed to the Osage Mission, now known as St. Paul, and there he was engaged in the sawmill business until 1873. when he came to Barber county and took up a homestead claim in Lake City township, the same including the site of the present town which bears his name. He erected a three-room frame dwelling just south of the point where Shigley's brick store now stands, and then gave his atten- tion to breaking the virgin soil of his claim. About 1875 he established in his dwelling, which he had erected with his own hands, a modest general store and he also secured

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the location of a postoffice at this point, the one little residence thus serving in a triple capacity, for he was the first post- master of the town, as well as its first mer- chant and virtual founder. From that time forward the little settlement. comprising three or four houses, was known as Lake City. At a later period Mr. Lake erected in the town two large frame buildings, known as the Twin buildings, and then pur- chased a large stock of general merchandise. for his trade was steadily increasing, and installed the same in the new quarters, while he also began to augment his landed estate. In 1885 a hotel was erected by a stock company, of which he was a promi- nent member. and eventually he purchased the interests of the other stockholders, and thereafter rented the property until 1886. when he and his family took charge of the hotel business. About this time. also, Mr. Lake erected the fine brick building now owned by Grant Shigley, at a cost of about twelve thousand dollars. this expenditure for the improvement of the town clearly indicating how great was his public spirit and enterprise. In February, 1888, a furni- ture store, which he has opened in the east end of the town, was destroyed by fire, en- tailing a loss of about seven thousand dol- lars, and in 1892 he established a store at Coats, a town lying over the line, in Pratt county, and the following year this also was entirely destroyed by fire, with a loss about equal to that of the former disaster, while the truth of the old axiom that trouble never comes singly, but in battal- ions, was further exemplified when, in 1897, his hotel property also met destruction in the same way. These financial losses naturally caused a reverse in his general prosperity, for he had been signally fortun- ate in his business enterprises and had also accumulated about four thousand acres of valuable land contiguous to Lake City, and with the depreciation of values in local real estate and live stock, he met with most se- rious and deplorable reverses. which were regretted by all who knew him, for his generosity, public spirit and absolute in- tegrity had gained to him the highest es-

teem on the part of all who knew him. It was through his influence that the bridge across the Medicine river at this point was built, and the work was accomplished large- ly through his generous financial contribu- tion.

Mr. Lake is a stalwart Democrat in his political proclivities and early took a prom- inent part in the public affairs of the county, having been its first sheriff and having served in this capacity for several years, while he was also incumbent of the office of county commissioner. He is a man of fine intellectuality and appreciative talent and has long had high standing in the Ma- sonic fraternity, as is evident when we re- call the fact that he has attained the thirty- second degree in the Scottish Rite body, while he is also a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church, of which his wife and daughter also are members.

In 1893. when the Cherokee strip was thrown open to settlement, he was one of those to secure claims in that section, where he has since passed the greater portion of his time. engaged in farming and stuck raising. He also purchased the adjoining claim, which had been secured by his daugh- ter, who participated in the memorable rush when the strip was thrown open. and se- cured one of the best claims in that section: His wife and daughter, Irene, still reside in Lake City, where they conduct a popular hotel, and the other child. Riley, also re- sides just east of the town, being extensively engaged in the stock business and being in- cumbent of the office of county commis- sioner at the time of this writing.

. F. W. LENNEN.

The schools of Rice county were placed in competent hands when Professor F. W. Lennen became county superintendent. He is an educator of superior ability, whose rep- utation extends far and wide over Kansas. A man of strong individuality and superior

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scholarship, combined with excellent execti. tive ability and keen discrimination, his la- hors have been of great value and benefit in advancing the intellectual standard of the state.

Professor Lennen was born in Madison county, Indiana, June 4. 1861-the year in which Kansas was admitted to the Union. He is a son of W. C. Lennen, who died in 18og, at the age of sixty years. He was born in Indiana, where he was reared and educated. He was descended from Scotch- Irish ancestry, the family being noted for its intellectual attainments and for fidelity to duty. W. C. Lennen. after attaining to man's estate, was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Brown, who died in 1869, leaving five children, four of whom reached years of maturity, namely: Emma, now the wife of Lee Stanford, of Rice county : F. W .. of this review : O. L .. ex-county superintendent of schools in Ness county, Kansas ; and C. M .. who is living in Rice county. By occupa- tion the father was a farmer and devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits in order to provide for his family. In his political views he was a Republican, and by his bal- lot manifested his preference for the princi- ples of the party. He held membership in the Christian church, and was honored and respected by all who knew him.

Professor Lennen, whose name intro- duces this record. like so many men promi- nent in professional life, spent his boyhood days amid rural scenes. He was trained to habits of industry and honesty upon the home farm, and in his youth he bore his share of the work in the fields. In the com- mon schools he acquired his preliminary ed- . ucation. and at the age of seventeen he came to Kansas, after which he matriculated in Garfield University, at Wichita, where he was graduated. At the age of seventeen he began teaching, and has since made that profession his life work. For four years he was a teacher in the public schools of Lyons, and-wherever he has been employed in educational work it has been found that the schools have made material progress and marked advancement under his control. He readily understands human nature and real-

izes the fact of individual differences in children. This has proven an important ele- ment in discipline with him, while his own broad knowledge has enabled him to pros- ecute his work as an instructor with marked ability. He was elected superintendent of schools of Rice county. November 6. 1900, and entered upon the duties of the office .it May 13. 1901.

In Rice county, Kansas, at the age of twenty-two years. Professor Lenen was united in marriage to Miss Laura Commons, a lady of culture and superior mental attain- ments. She was reared and educated in Vermilion county, Illinois, and was a daugh- ter of Philip Commons, formerly of Indi- ana. He belonged to a family of Friends. or Quakers -- people of the highest respecta- bility and worth. He married a Miss Max- well. of Indiana, and they became the par- ents of the following children: T. L., of Vermilion, Illinois; J. M .. who is superin- tendent of an Indian school in Idaho: W. G., who is living in Arkansas City. Ar- kansas, and is in the railroad service ; Sarah. wife of J. K. Hubbard, of Georgetown, Illi- nois; D. T., who died in Wichita. Kansas, in 1895, where he was located as a photo- grapher: E. G., who makes his home on the Ponca Indian agency. Oklahoma; and Mrs. Lennen. Unto the Professor and his wife have been born six children: Florence M., who is now a student in the high school of Lyons ; W. Carl, who is also pursuing his education there : Harry M. ; Scott L. : Frank M. : and L. Eleanor. The parents hold mem- bership in the Christian church, in which Professor Lennen is now serving as deacon. and is also serving his sixth year as superin- tendent of the Sunday-school. They take a very active part in its work. contribute lib- erally to its support and do all in their power to promote its growth and upbuild- ing. Socially the Professor is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

At this point it would be almost tautalog- ical to enter into any series of statements as showing the Professor to be a man of broad intelilgence and genuine public spirit, for these have been shadowed forth between the lines of this review. Strong in his individ-

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uality, he never lacks the courage of his con- , creek, a navigable stream, across which he victions, but there are as many dominating swam in three different places, under a heavy fire on the part of his pursuers, but he escaped uninjured. His son, Moses, fa- ther of our subject, was a soldier in the war of 1812, so that patriotism is inherent in the family. elements in his individuality a lively human sympathy and an abiding charity which. as taken in connection with the sterling integ- rity and honor of his character, have natur- ally gained for him the respect and confi- dence of men.

MOSES WRIGHT.

This venerable and highly esteemed citi- zen of Moore township, Barber county, Kansas. has a well improved farm of four hundred acres. three hundred and twenty acres being in section 10. 14. 34. Tuppa- wall township, and the balance in Moore township : and he merits consideration as one of those who have been instrumental in the development of this favored section of the Sunflower state. where he has maintained his home for many years. He has now practically retired from active labors, as- signing the management of the homestead to his youngest son and enjoying the rest and freedom from carping care, which is the just reward for his years of earnest toil and endeavor.

Mr. Wright was born in Salem county, New Jersey, on the 13th of February, 1830. being the son of Moses Wright, who passed his entire life in that county, being a repre- sentative of one of the old and honored fam- ilies of the state. The latter was a son of Aaron Wright, who was born in Sweden, whence he emigrated to America in an early day and rendered effective service as a spy for the American army during the war of the Revolution. On one occasion he had taken refuge in a private residence, and here he was surrounded by a party of British soldiers, a number of whom were making their way up the staircase to the room in which he was seated. The situation was a critical one, and he resorted to desperate measures to effect his escape, going to the head of the stairs and, by a tremendous leap. passing entirely over the heads of the soldiers advancing up the same stairs. He then ran for his life, reaching Cohansey

The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in the village of Pennville, New Jersey, and at the age of seventeen years he became a sailor on the Delaware river, following this vocation for a period" of seven years. On the 16th of February, 1850, in New Jersey, he was united in marriage to Sarah E. Vanneman, who was born in that state, as were also her parents, Isaac and Maria ( Burdan) Vanneman, the former being of Swedish descent. In 1855 they removed to Illinois, becoming pioneers of Macoupin county, where they passed the remainder of their lives. In the same year. Mr. Wright and his wife also removed to the same county of Illinois, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1875. when he removed to Montgomery county, which was his home until 1882, when he located in Jasper county, Iowa, and two years later came to Barber county. Kansas, and located upon the farm in Kiowa, now Moore township, and now occupied by his son, Isaac V., and two years later he took up his residence on his present homestead, the original claim having been a pre-emp- tion entry made by one of his daughters. He now has a fine farmstead of two hundred acres, of which sixty are under a high state of cultivation, devoted principally to the raising of Indian corn and Kaffir corn. On the place are about sixty head of high grade cattle and twelve horses. In 1886 Mr. Wright erected his present substantial and commodious residence, and other perma- nent improvements, including good barns, sheds, etc.

In politics Mr. Wright gives his unqual- ified support to the Prohibition party. and he has ever been zealous in promoting good government and forwarding the best in- terest of the community, having been par- ticularly active in religious. temperance and educational affairs. He has been incum-

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bent of the office of justice of the peace in the county for the past five years and a member of the board of school directors for nine years, while both he and his wife have for a score of years been devoted and zeal- ous members of the Free Methodist church. They celebrated their golden wedding in 1900, have reared eight children to lives of usefulness and honor, and death has never as yet invaded the family circle. Of the children we incorporate the following brief record: Letetia is the wife of E. T. Haberson, who is engaged in the poultry business in Hutchinson, Kansas ; Benjamin S. is a farmer of Harper county; Isaac V. is individually mentioned on another page of this work: James B. is a farmer and stock grower of Moore township; Loretta is the wife of Theodore Elliot, also a farmer of Moore township; Phoebe is the wife of F. S. Atwell, who is located near Sharon, this county, being a successful farmer. a physician, and also a clergyman of the Free Methodist church; Lizzie is the wife of George Dickson, a farmer of Woods county, Oklahoma; and Frank, who is not married, has charge of the home- stead farm. His daughter. Phœbe, has been an evangelist in the Free Methodist church for about twenty years, and is still active in the work.

HERMAN A. BAILEY.

For twenty-three years Herman A. Bailey has ben a resident of Barber county, but his resident in the state covers thirty- five years. He is now engaged in agricul- tural pursuits and stock raising on section 9. E'weed township, and his property there is a monument to his enterprise and business ability. A native of New Hampshire. he was born at Bradford. in Merrimac county. in 1847. and is a representative of one of the oldest families of New England, for his ancestors came to America in the May- flower. Members of the family since that time have been active and influential in pro- meting the public welfare of the various lo-

calities in which they have resided and have ever been loyal and public spirited citizens. The family was established in the old Gran- ite state by the grandfather of our subject. Jacob C. Bailey. the father, was born at Newberry, New Hampshire, on the 6th of March. 1823, and when the period of his youth had passed he was united in marriage to Miss Clarissa Nichols, who also belonged to an old and prominent family of the coun- ty. She was born in New Hampshire and was of English ancestry, the family having been established in the new world in colonial days. The marriage of Jacob and Clarissa Bailey was blessed with five children. the eldest being H. A., of this review. The others were: Cyrus, of Osage county. Kan- sas: Elva. of Bradford, New Hampshire ; Eva, who died in infancy ; and Willis N .. also of Bradford. The mother possessed many excellent qualities, was devoted to her family, was a kind neighbor and a consist- ent Christian. She passed away at the age of seventy-three years. The father of this family was a successful builder and con- tractor. engaging in that line of business in connection with agricultural pursuits. He gave his political support to the Republican party and was always interested in every- thing that pertained to general progress.

Upon the old farm in the Granite state, H. A. Bailey was reared and early became familiar with the duties connected with the cultivation of the soil and with the raising of stock. Believing that he would have bet- ter opportunities in the far west where the settlement was more sparse and competition not so great, he made his way to Kansas in 1867. settling in Douglas county, where he engaged in farming and stock raising. In the year 1874 he returned to New Hamp- shire and was married. In 1879. however, he again came to Kansas, making the jour- ney westward with team and wagon to Wichita. Hutchinson was then the nearest railroad point. His destination this time was Barber county and here he has a valu- able ranch of twenty hundred and eighty acres. Upon the place is a pleasant home. substantial barns and sheds and all the mod- ern equipments found upon a model farm

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of the twentieth century. The place is sup- plied with an abundance of water from sev- eral fine springs. He keeps four hundred head of cattle and the care of these in ad- dition to the cultivation of the fields fully occupies his time and attention. His career has ever been a busy and useful one and his methods are straightforward and honorable.

On returning to Bradford. New Hamp- shire, in the year 1874. Mr. Bailey led to the marriage altar Miss N. A. Butman, who was born and reared in that place, her par- ents being Joshua and Hannah ( Brighton) Butman, both of whom were residents of Merrimac county, New Hampshire, and are now deceased. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bailey has been blessed with two children : Lloyd H., a young man of twenty-three years, being born January 26, 1878; and Louise B .. born February 15. 1889.

Mr. Bailey has been called to serve as a member of the school board and has largely advanced the educational interests of the community through his official efforts. He votes with the Democracy and is fearless in' defense of what he believes to be right at all times. His home is a hospitable one. his manner is frank and genial and through- out the community in which he has so long resided, he is regarded as a popular citizen.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 18

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