A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 26

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 26

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Robert Dougherty was educated in the common schools and was destined for higher opportunities, but the outbreak of the Civil war changed his outlook, and he became a student soldier, enlisting for service on May 21. 1861, in answer to the call of President Lincoln, entering Company K. Twenty- sixth New York Volunteer Infantry, and was with his regiment at the first battle of Bull Run, being of the reserve force that came up when the troops began to scatter. History tells of the events of that memora- ble day. The next battle in which our sub- ject took part was that of Cedar Mountain, then followed Thoroughfare Gap, the sec- ond battle of Bull Run, and then Chantilly. His regiment was a part of the Army of the Potomac, Rickett's division. His next bat- tle was at South Mountain, and next, Antie- tam, and he was with General Hooker's corps when he opened the battle here, in the morning. He was one of the gallant men at Fredericksburg and at Chancellorsville. Al- though his term of enlistment had expired he fought bravely through that awful day. At the second battle of Bull Run bullets passed through his clothes. In all, Mr. Dougherty was in thirteen hotly contested battles, and numerous lesser engagements.

After his return home he went south for four months in the service of the govern- ment, and then went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania, first to Pithole, then to Arm- strong county, Pennsylvania, remaining there until 1887, when he came to Kansas and settled in Newton, where for nine years he was the superintendent of the gas works. Before leaving Pennsylvania he had become prominent in politics, and during 1885-7 served two terms in the legislature. from Armstrong county.

Mr. Dougherty soon came to the front

Robert Dougherty

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after his Ication in Kansas. All his life he had been active in the Republican party. and his counsel is often required in party deliberations. In 1895 he was elected treas- urer of Harvey county and the honor was again tendered him in 1897. In 1900, while still serving in the treasurer's office, he was. elected to the legislature of Kansas, and retired from one important office to take charge of another.

As prominent in Masonic circles as in public and military life. Mr. Dougherty is connected with the blue lodge and consistory and has been past master both in Pennsyl- vania and in Kansas, and takes an active in- terest in Masonic matters. He is also one of the leading members of the G. A. R., in which he has been commander for two terms. and is also a member of the order of the A. O. U. W .. one of the oldest members of this organization in the state, having joined it in 1870 in Pennsylvania.

By natural gifts and by education Mr. Dougherty is well fitted for the high posi- tion to which his fellow citizens have eleva- ted him, and as he has discharged all duties in the past with a strict sense of responsi- bility. so can he be trusted in the future with greater trusts.

ALBERT BYERS.

In taking up the personal history of Al- bert Byers, we present to our readers a man who is well known as an enterprising and progressive agriculturist and who in every relation of life has commanded the respect and esteem of his fellow men. He resides on the southeast quarter of section 5. King- man township. Kingman county, and he claims Kentucky as the state of his nativity. his birth having occurred in Crittenden. Grant county, on the 27th of December. 1851. His father, Alfred S. Byers, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1820 and was a son of John Byers, a native of Philadelphia. Pennsylvania. The great-grandfather of our subject was a native of Germany and crossing the Atlantic to America, estab-

lished his home in Philadelphia, where he followed the shoemaker's trade, but passed away many years ago. His son. John Byers. also learned that trade, and followed it for : long period. He became quite wealthy and owned valuable property in Philadelphia, dealing quite extensively in real estate. Hle afterward removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he died when his son, Alfred S., was only four years of age, the latter being the only child by his father's second marriage. The mother was a native of Wales, By his first marriage John Byers had several chil- dren, one of whom was a sailor and was lost in a shipwreck at Natchez. John, a mem- ber of the family, died of cholera in Cincin- nati in 1849. The other son became a prom- inent farmer and resided near Columbus. Ohio. He is the father of several sons who served in the war of the Rebellion.

Alfred S. Bvers was reared in Avondale, Ohio, between the ages of four and four- teen years by an old gentleman who had buried Mr. Byers's father. When a youth of fourteen he went to Crittenden, Ken- tucky. where he learned the tailor's trade under the direction of Thomas Taylor. For fifty years he continued his residence in that city and became well known in the line of his chosen vocation. After his marriage he engaged in the real estate and loan busi- ness in Crittenden and for many years con- ducted important realty transfers. He also owned a good farm near the city and ac- quired a vast amount of city property. At one time or another he owned every build- ing in the city with the exception of one ho- tel and also the majority of the farms in that locality. In the early days when land was very cheap he would often receive forty acres in exchange for making a suit of clothes. As he held on to this property, which rose in valne as the years passed. he became quite wealthy. In politics he was an unfal- tering supporter of the Republican principles and endorsed the abolitionist movement be- fore the Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery. He freed nine of his own slaves and thus indi- cated his preference for the liberation of the bondmen. He also attended the national

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conventions and the presidential inaugura- tions and for fifteen years he held the office of postmaster in Crittenden. In the Metho- dist Episcopal church he was a leading and active worker and contributed most liber- ally to its financial support.

Alfred S. Byers was married in Critten- den in 1859 to Cassie Ann Van Horn, who was born in Kenton county, Kentucky, and was one of a family of four children : Will- iam, a farmer and tobacconist of Louisiana. Missouri, who died in that place; Arch, who engaged in the manufacture of tobacco and also owned interests in distilleries in Chi- cago and died in Louisiana, Missouri; Wal- ter. who followed farming in the same local- ity in which his death occurred : and Mrs. Byers. The father of our subject died in Crittenden in January, 1884. The mother had passed away in 1860, and, like her hus- band, she was a faithful and consistent mem- ber of the Methodist church. Having lost his first wife, the father was again married in 1863, his second union being with Mary A. Alexander, who was born in Girard. Pennsylvania, about 1833 and was a daugh- ter of Doctor Alexander, a prominent phy- sician of Girard, who removed to Kenton county, Kentucky, locating near De Moss- ville, where he purchased a farm on which he resided for many years, but also contin- ued in the practice of medicine. In his fam- ily were six children: Andrew, who died on his father's farm in Kenton county about 1865 : Rebecca, who also passed away there ; Ann, the wife of William Culberson, an ex- tremely wealthy citizen of Girard, Pennsyl- vania, who owns thirty thousand acres of land in Minnesota which is planted to wheat and thirty thousand acres of timber land in Michigan. His possessions also include a flour mill in Girard and a factory in which he manufactures monkey wrenches ; Samuel. who made a remarkable record for bravery as a soldier in the Civil war, single handed driving out a band of guerrillas who had surrounded his house, and he was killed by the cars at De Mossville, Kentucky: Katie. who is living at Girard, Pennsylvania; and Mary, who became Mrs. Bvers, and died in Crittenden, Kentucky, in 1899. By his first

marriage the father of our subject had six children : Leonard S., a farmer and physi- cian at Shelbyville, Indiana: Albert, of this review ; Frank, a farmer and blacksmith of Ulysses, Grant county, Kansas ; Robert E., who was a tailor by trade and died in Will- iamstown in 1898; and two children who were named William, one dying in infancy and the other at the age of six years. By the second marriage there were two chil- dren : Nellie J., the wife of Andrew Johns, a carpenter of Crittenden. Kentucky; and William, who is a farmer of the same lo- cality.

Albert Bvers, whose name introduces this record, obtained his education in pub- lic and select schools of Crittenden. Ken- tucky, and remained with his father until twenty years of age, when he came to Kan- sas, locating in Strong City. There he fol- lowed farming for a year, after which he removed to Council Grove, Morris county, where he purchased eighty acres of raw prairie land, on which he took up his abode and engaged in herding. After a year, how- ever. he returned to his native state and six months later once more came to Kansas, be- ing here a year employed in the flour mill owned by W. T. Sodens in Emporia. On the expiration of that period he went to St. Louis, Missouri, and worked in a pack- ing house for a time, returning thence to Crittenden, where for three years he oper- ated his father's farm, living with his broth- er, who was also a bachelor and who was a blacksmith by trade.

On the 7th of October, 1880, in Verona, Boone county, Kentucky, Mr. Byers was united in marriage to Martha H. Lewis, who was born in Verona and was a daughter of Charles D. and Elizabeth (Bolding) Lewis. Her father was born in Covington, Kentucky. June 20, 1822, and was a carpen- ter by trade. In that city he was married to Elizabeth Bolding, whose birth occurred in Boone county, Kentucky. December 4, 1820. They resided in Covington for tif- teen years and on the expiration of that pe- riod removed to Verona. Boone county, where they are still living. They had six children, as follows : Margaret, the wife

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of William Robbinson, a farmer of Gower, Missouri: Charles W .. a carpenter of Ver- ona, Kentucky ; Miranda, wife of Carter HI. Vest, also an agriculturist of Verona ; Wee- den. a shoemaker of Covington, Kentucky : Mrs. Byers: and Lulu, the wife of Scott Myers, a miller of Verona.

After his marriage Mr. Byers engaged in farming in the vicinity of Crittenden. Ken- tucky. until 1883. when lie removed to Kingman county, Kansas, locating where he still resides. He pre-empted the southeast quarter of section 5. Kingman township- a tract of raw prairie land on which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. He built a box house twelve by six- teen feet, boarded up and down and set in the ground. The first season he broke two acres of his land. His brother. Frank, had previously come to this county and located a mile and a half north of Cleveland and sixteen miles from our subject's farm. In partnership they engaged in the sheep busi- ness, purchasing five hundred and sixty head of Merino sheep, which Albert Byers kept upon his place, but the enterprise proved un- profitable for the wolves and disease made sad havoc in the flock and they abandoned the business at the end of the year, with a loss of three hundred dollars. Through many failures and discouragements, however, Mr. Byers persevered and by determined effort and unfaltering diligence at length conquered all the difficulties in his path and worked his way upward to success. He now has one hundred acres of his land under a high state of cultivation, his main product being wheat, of which he had one hundred and eighteen acres planted in 1891, and he rented eighty acres of land. He has a small herd of cattle and also pastures a number of cows for others. His farm is entirely fenced and his orchard comprises five acres of trees, which are now in a bearing condition. In the fall of 1891 he built his present comfort- able residence and he has placed very many improvements upon his farm, including a substantial barn, granary and windmill.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Byers have been born seven children: Maude, Charles .... Albert Ronnell, Lela L., Homer B., Will-

iam, Wayne and Guy R. The last named was the sixth in order of birth and died No- vember 4. 1899, at the age of sixteen months. For four years Mr. Byers served as a justice of the peace in this county and for three terms has been treasurer of his township, while for three or four years he was town- ship clerk. He has also filled the various offices in connection with the school board and in the discharge of his public duties he is ever faithful and prompt. In politics he was originally a Republican but later became a Populist and is now a Socialist. He is a man of firm convictions and is a deep stu- dent of national and social problems, his study and investigation along these lines leading him to become an endorser of the principles of Socialism. His wife belongs to the Adventist church at Lawndale. Mr. Byers and John A. Carlisle, of this locality, have been neighbors for a period of forty years, having moved to Kansas from the same neighborhood in Kentucky. The re- lation between them has been one of un- broken friendship and both are men of marked worth and respectability. Mr. By- ers deserves great credit for the success he has achieved, advancing steadily onward to prosperity as a result of his own well di- rected efforts.

ABRAHAM HALEY.

Among the honored and highly re- spected citizens of Ottawa county, who have for many years been identified with its agri- cultural interests and have met with success in their chosen calling is Abraham Haley. He was born in Cornwall. England. June 16. 1843. the same year in which President Mckinley first opened his eyes to the light of day, a son of William and Elizabeth ( Hamm ) Haley, also of Cornwall. England. The father was a son of Abraham Haley, and the latter's father was Isaac Haley. The maternal grandfather of our subject. Thom- as Hamm, was a British soldier. having served under General Wellington at the bat- tle of Waterloo. In 1851 the Haley family

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came from their native land to Quebec, their voyage covering a period of thirty days in a sailing vessel, and a settlement was made at Bowmanville. Durham county, Canada. in Darlington township. They afterward re- moved to Fullerton township, Perth county. where they farmed on rented land for ten years, and in 1873, they came to Ottawa county. Kansas. Both are now deceased. The father, who passed away at the age of seventy-two years, was reared in the faith of the Church of England. Unto this worthy couple were born the following children : John, a resident of Bennington, Kansas ; William, who died in Canada : Maria Frise. a resident of Michigan : James, who died at Delphos. Kansas : isaac, who passed away in Logan township. in 1899, and was a very prominent man in his locality: Abraham. the subject of this review: Richard, who was formerly a resident of Indian Territory. and his death occurred in Kansas City, Mis- souri, in July, 1901 : Nicholas, who was drowned at the age of eighteen years; and Elizabeth, who died when young.

When eight years of age Abraham Ha- ley. the subject of this review, accompanied his parents on their emigration to Canada, and he was there reared to manhood, re- ceiving his education in the common schools. In early life he engaged in farming and lum- bering. In the vear 1870 he came to Otta- wa county, Kansas, where he secured a homestead claim, and for a time the family made their home in a dugout. Mr. Haley has prospered in his farming operations, and he is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of fertile and well improved land. on which he has a fine stone residence. erected at a cost of fourteen hundred dol- lars. a large barn eighty-four by twenty-two feet, and all necessary farm improvements.

In Canada. in 1865, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Haley and Miss Marion Det- wiler. and for thirty-six years she has proved to him a faithful and loving com- panion for the journey of life. She was born in Waterloo township, Waterloo coun- ty. Canada, in 1845. a daughter of Christian and Marion ( Campbell) Detwiler, the form- er a native of Canada and the latter of Scot-

land. The mother was called to her final rest when forty-two years of age, and the father survived until his seventy-ninth year. He was a farmer by occupation, and both he and his wife were protestants in their religious views. Ten children were born unto this worthy couple : Hannah : Dunlap, who is deceased : Alexander ; Agnes Noble, a resident of California: Henry, of North Dakota: Andrew. deceased: Marion: Mary Davis : John, of Manitoba : Henry, a resident of Dakota: Andrew, of Canada : and Susan Hollingshead, a resident of Trempeleau, Wisconsin. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Haley has been blessed with twelve children, five sons and seven daughters, namely : Nicholas J. : William Henry: Marion Zu- ker: Rose May La Plant, a resident of Da- kota: Hannah, deceased: Elizabeth Jane Smith, a resident of Logan township ; a babe deceased : Susy May, who died at the age of six months: Nettie Paulina. also a resi- dent of Dakota; John Alexander : Ethel, a prominent and successful music teacher ; and Earl Abram, who died at the age of nine months. In political matters Mr. Haley ex- ercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy, and of the Lutheran church he is a zealous and faithful member.

FRANCIS C. DRAKE.

F. C. Drake, superintendent of the Ot- tawa county poor farm, has been a resident of this locality for twenty-nine years, and during this long period he has ever borne his part in the work of improvement and de- velopment which has here taken place. He is well qualified for the position which he is now filling, and Ottawa county numbers him among her leading and loyal citizens.

A native son of the Sunflower state, Mr. Drake was born in Miami county forty-one years ago, a son of Abraham Drake, who was a native of Pennsylvania. The latter was reared and educated in the state of his nativity, and there married Paulina Thomp- son, a native of New York. After their

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marriage they made their way to Clinton county. lowa, and after a residence there of two years they took up their abode in Miami county, Kansas. The year 1872 wit- nesse their arrival in Ottawa county, locat- ing on a farm near Bennington, where the father spent his remaining days, passing away in 1881, at the age of sixty-three years. During the memorable conflict between the north and the south he became a member of Company C. Twelfth Kansas Infantry, serv- ing as a brave and loyal soldier for three years. His military career, however, so un- dermined his constitution that he never fully recovered his health. He was recognized as a leading and influential farmer of the local- ities in which he made his home. His widow survived him for seven years, having been called to the home beyond in 1888, when fif- ty-nine years of age, leaving three children : Alice Cartright, of Miami county, Kansas; Francis C., the subject of this review ; and Samuel. The parents were members of the United Brethren church, and both were loved and esteemed for their many estima- ble traits of character.

F. C. Drake was reared to manhood on a Kansas farm. and the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his youth were those afforded by the public schools of his neigh- borhood. Since 1872 he has been a resident of Ottawa county, and during his long resi- dence here he has become widely and fa- vorably known. During the years of 1887-8 he assisted his mother in the conduct of the county poor farm, and since March 1. 1901. he has had entire charge of that institution. The farm is located four miles south of Minneapolis and contains one hundred and sixty acres of land. The main building is twenty-five by fifty feet, and is always kept in a neat and comfortable condition. while the table is always abundantly supplied with plenty of good, clean food. Mr. Drake's res- idence is a seven-room dwelling, and is lo- cated some distance from the main building. At the present time there are nine inmates on the farm.

At the age of twenty-eight years Mr. Drake was united in marriage with Miss Laura Smith. a native of Ohio, and during

their many years of wedded life she has ever proved to her husband a loving com- panion and helpmate. She is a daughter of Clark Smith, an ex-soldier of the Civil war and a resident of Bennington township, Ot- tawa county. He married Emily Rose, who passed away in death in 1900. Four chil- ren have blessed the marriage of our sub- ject and wife, namely: Harry Clark, Mary Melissa, William C. and Nancy Emily. The Republican party receives Mr. Drake's hearty support and co-operation, and both he and his wife are members of the Evan- gelical Association. Mr. Drake's life rec- ord is one which will bear the closest inves- tigation, and he commands the respect of all. He is a gentleman of upright purpose, of fidelity to principle, of pleasant manner and social disposition, and these qualities have gained him many friends.

CHARLES SETTLE.

Prominently identified with the best in- terests of Richland township. Kingman · county, Kansas, is Charles Settle, a resi- dent of section 20, and is an old settler of this state. In 1883 he came hither and was the first settler in Washington county, where he resided for eight years. More attractive conditions prevailing farther westward, he then moved to Phillips county, but three years later. in 1894, he came to Kingman county, which has been his home since that date.

The birth of Charles Settle occurred in the town of Union Star. DeKalb county, Missouri, in 1861, and he is a son of J. C. and Martha ( Smith) Settle. The former was a very prominent stockman of that lo- cality. an ex-soldier of the Mexican war and a leading citizen in his town for many years. His birth occurred in Kentucky, his ances- try being among the most honorable in the "Blue Grass" state. There he married Mar- tha Smith, who was a member of one of the leading families of Tennessee, and they reared a family of eight children: Benja- min, who resides in Missouri: T. C., who is

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a resident of Richland township: Charles, of this biography; C. E., also of Richland township: William E., who resides in Ninnescah township : Emma Dine, who lives in Missouri; Mary Rice; and Sara Cooper. The father died in this county at the age of sixty-nine years, and the mother at the age of sixty-eight. in Kingman county. They were people who lived sober and virtu- ous lives and reared their children to in- dustrious habits and instilled into them those principles which would enable them to meet any demands in the future, with self re- spect and esteem of others. In politics J. C. Settle was a Democrat, and both he and wife were members of the Methodist church. They were good and estimable people who had a wide circle of friends.

Charles Settle was reared on his father's stock farm. Although his educational op- portunities were not very extensive, subse- quent association with the world and close connection with public enterprises have made of Mr. Settle a very intelligent and well informed man, thoroughly representa- tive of his locality. In 1883 he crossed the border from Missouri and settled in Wash- ington county, Kansas, as mentioned above, but later went to Phillips county and still later came to Kingman county, which has retained him as a citizen ever since. His holdings here comprise four hundred acres of land, which are especially adapted both to the growing of wheat and corn and to the profitable raising of stock. Mr. Settle has a herd of one hundred and fifty head of some of the finest cattle to be found in the township, and has proved, by his success, that the training in the stock business. in his youth, well prepared him for his pres- ent activity.

The marriage of Charles Settle was in 1884, to Miss Mary Klonchest, a most esti- mable lady of many housewifely accomplish- ments and high Christian character, who has been a helpful wife and a devoted mother. She was born in Iowa, but was reared and educated in Missouri, and a daughter of Frank and Mary Klonchest, the former of whom died in Iowa, and the latter in Mis- souri. Two children have been born to

Mr. and Mrs. Settle: Adna, who has reached the age of sixteen, and Clayton, who is twelve years of age, both bright. intelli- gent young people, who take an interest in the advancement of Kansas and promise to become worthy representatives of an honor- able Kingman county family.

The wonderful development of Kansas through the seventeen years of Mr. Settle's residence in the state, is almost beyond be- lief, and he has done his full share in all public-spirited enterprises. He is a very popular citizen, his personal qualities gain- ing him the esteem and confidence of a large circle of friends. Although he is a stanch Republican, he is no aspirant for political honors, finding his greatest pleasure in the operation of his large estate and the com- forts of his home.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 26

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