A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 30

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 30

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On the 24th of December, 1885, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Nora Willhite, who was born in Sullivan county, Missouri, the daughter of William W. and Paulina Willhite, who now make their home in Barber county, the father being a suc- cessful farmer and stock-grower of Kiowa township.

Upon locating in this county Mr. Sterl- ing began operations in a modest way as a farmer and stock-raiser, and he has directed his efforts with such energy and discrimi- nation as to attain a high degree of success and prosperity, having added to his posses- sions until he now has a fine landed estate of nearly seventeen hundred acres, of which eight hundred acres are under effective cul- tivation, while the entire farm has enclos- ings and cross-fences, and the permanent im- provements in the way of buildings are of excellent order. Mr. Sterling keeps an av- erage of four hundred head of cattle of high grade, and he both full-feeds and sells cattle as stockers, doing a thriving business as a buyer and seller. He also devotes care- ful attention to the raising of a good grade of swine, his annual sales in this line having reached an average aggregate of about thir- teen thousand dollars. The principal crops raised are wheat and corn. and he also leased an additional tract of three hundred acres for grazing purposes.

In political matters Mr. Sterling gives his support to the Democratic party, so far as national issues are involved, but in lo- cal affairs he maintains an independent at- titude. He has never desired public office, but has shown a deep interest in all that concerns the welfare of the community, and has been a member of the school board of the district for twelve years. Fraternally he is identified with Kiowa lodge, No. 215. A. O. U. W., and with the lodge of the Woodmen of the World. Mr. and Mrs. Sterling have two bright and energetic lit-

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tle sons-George and Eddie-aged twelve and nine years respectively. an I they already render their father valuable assistance in his farm work, in which they take marked pleas- ure. Mr. Sterling commands the respect of the entire community, finds his faith in Kan- sas justified by the excellent results which have rewarded his own efforts. and is one of the thoroughly progressive men of the county.

ARTHUR D. RAFFINGTON, D. D. S.

Although Dr. Raffington began practice in Great Bend on the Ist of November, 1900, he is to-day the leading representative of the profession in this city. There are three elements necessary in successful dental practice, a comprehensive and accurate knowledge of the science of dentistry, ex- pert mechanical ability and capable business management, and these are found combined in Mr. Raffington. His skill and ability at once won recognition in Great Bend, and to-day he has a large and constantly increas- ing practice, having a particularly high rep- utation as a bridge work specialist.

The Doctor is a native of Missouri, his birth having occurred in Platte county, on the 28th of October. 1866. His father, Charles Raffington, was an author of note. He was a descriptive historical writer and won fame by his literary productions. His death occurred in 1892, when he was fifty- four years of age. In the public schools of his native county Dr. Raffington pursued his literary education, and then, desiring to enter professional life. he became a student in the office and under the direction of Dr. .G. B. Sanford, of Kansas City. He studied dentistry in all of its branches and later en- tered the Western Dental College, where he pursued the regular course and avas gradu- ated in 1893. Soon afterward he estab- lished an office at Edna. Missouri, and was afterward located in Stockton, Kansas, and there he met with good success, but his health failed him and he was advised by his phy- sician to seek a dryer climate. Still pos- sessed of a strong ambition, although de-

privedi of health, he started westward, visit- ing various places as far as Denver, but was ' more pleased with the location of Great Bend and its prospects than of any other town, and accordingly he decided to locate here. Since regaining his health he has built up a very lucrative practice, which is constantly increasing. He is a faithful. earnest and discriminating student, who is continually broadening his knowledge concerning the science of dentistry. He has pleasant par- lors, supplied with all modern equipments, and is well fitted for doing first-class work.

Dr. Raffington was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Steed, a daughter of the Rev. Abram Steed, a Presbyterian minister, and the young couple now have one child, Charles Steed. The hospitality of the best homes of Great Bend is extended them, and in their own pleasant residence a cordial welcome is always given to their many friends. The Doctor is popular socially as well as profes- sionally. He has already gained prominence in the ranks of his chosen calling, and as he has ambition, determination, energy and . strong mentality he will undoubtedly win . still greater successes as he proceeds.

HARRY COMPTON.

On the roster of county officials in Jewell county appears the name of Harry Compton. and the public regards him as a most capable and faithful register of deeds. He is a young man of sterling worth, with a just appreciation of the duties of citizenship and the obligations imposed thereby. Before his election to office he was for some years identified with educational interests in this part of the state and in whatever walk of life he has been found he has commanded uniform confidence and respect.

Mr. Compton has spent almost his entire life in Jewell county, although he is a native of Minnesota, his birth having occurred in St. Charles. Winona county, July 2, 1870. His parents are Perry and Nancy (Wykoff) Compton. The father was born in Pennsyl- vania, and in 1856 removed to the west, lo-

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cating in Minnesota, where he remained until 1871. when he came to Jewell county, Kansas, taking up a homestead claim in that year. Ile is a farmer by occupation and is living north of Montrose, Kansas. His wife. who was also a native of the Keystone state, died in Jewell county, in 1874.

In the usual manner of farmer lads of this period Mr. Compton spent the days of his early childhood upon his father's farm. As soon as old enough he assisted in the work of the fields and through the winter season he pursued his education in the Pleas- ant Valley School. When only ten years of age he began to earn his own living by work- ing as a farm hand through the summer months, while in the winter he continued his studies, being very ambitious in that direc- tion. Eventually he prepared himself for teaching, and his work in the schoolroom was of a nature that won him high com- mendation. He had the ability to impart clearly and concisely to others the knowledge he had acquired and every school with which he was connected received new stimulus by reason of his zeal in his work. In 1895 and 1896 he was principal of the schools of For- mes: and held a similar position in the Eb- son schools in the year ,1897. When the Fusionist convention met in Mankato, Au- gust 8, 1899, Mr. Compton was besieged by his friends to accept the nomination for the office of register of deeds and acquiescing in their demands he was nominated and elected by a plurality of eighty-nine votes. The trust thus reposed in him has never been be- traved. His work has been thoroughly exe- cuted in a methodical, practical and prompt manner, and he makes it his pleasure as well as duty to assist in as far as it lies in his l" wer everyone who wishes to examine the records or obtain information in his office. Through his obliging manner and kindly disposition he has made many friends. His term of office will continue until the Ist of January. 1903, and we predict that it will not be his last public service, for his capa- bility and fidelity are recognized throughout the county.

Mr. Compton was united in marriage to

Miss Frances Emery, who was born in Jew- ell county in 1876, a daughter of Clarence Emery, one of the early settlers of the coun- 11. Their home is blessed by the presence of two interesting children. Blanche and Porter. The hospitality of the best homes of Mankato and the surrounding district is extended to our subject and his wife and their circle of friends is very extensive. Mr. Compton is well known in musical circles in the city and is the efficient leader of the Man- kato Cornet Band, which he has advanced to a pleasing degree of efficiency. As a citizen he is public-spirited and progressive, with- holding his support from no measure for the general good and co-operating in every movement that tends to advance material. intellectual, social and moral progress.

PETER B. KIMPLER.

Prominent among the business men of Ellinwood is Peter B. Kimpler, who for a number of years has been closely identified with the history of the city as a representa- tive of some of its most important business interests. He is a man of keen discrimina- tion and sound judgment, and his executive ability and excellent management have brought to the concerns with which he is connected a large degree of success. The safe, conservative policy which he has inaugurated commends itself to the judg- ment of all and has secured to him a pat- ronage which makes the volume of trade transacted over his counters of great im- portance and magnitude. He is to-day the owner of the oldest and most extensive fur- niture store in the city and also is a mem- ber of the Mill & Elevator Company at El- linwood.

Mr. Kimpler was born in Mendota, Illi- meis. in 1858, and is a son of Peter Kimp- ler. who came to Barton county, Kansas, in 1872, and secured a claim of a section and a half of broad prairie land, upon which he made fine improvements, developing an ex- cellent farm. He was also identified with Frederick Steckel in disposing of the Santa

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Fe railroad lands, and was instrumental in bringing to this county for location many men who have become leading farmers and prominent business men of this portion of the state. Aside from his importance in this direction Mr. Kimpler always devoted lis attention to agricultural pursuits and was very successful, acquiring a handsome fortune. He died on the old family home- stead in 1896, at the age of seventy years, and his sons are still in possession of the property.

Upon that farm Mr. Kimpler of this re- view was reared. His father desired he should engage in the tilling of the soil and in the other work of the farm, but his tastes were more in the line of commercial pursuits and he decided to devote his energies to merchandising. Accordingly in 1879 he came to Ellinwood and accepted a clerkship in the store of V. S. Musil, a dealer in harvesting implements. He had acquired only a common-school education and he now devoted his leisure time in the even- ings to study at home, so that he largely supplemented his knowledge acquired in the school room. In 1880 he became a rail- road and freight clerk at Rincon, New Mex- ico, in the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad Company. By the following year he had acquired capital sufficient to enable him to establish a small furniture store in a little frame building where the Bank of Ellin- wood is now located. With characteristic energy he began the improvement of his property and the building up of a trade, ap- plying himself with unremitting energy to the conduct of the enterprise in a manner that would bring to him desirable success. He prospered from the beginning and in 1885 he erected a handsome brick block, where he is now occupying a double store. As his patronage has increased he has en- larged his stock and to-day he carries a more extensive line of furniture of all kinds than any other man in Barton county. He also deals in musical instruments, mak- ing a specialty of pianos and organs. He also carries a fine line of carpets and win- dow shades and does an undertaking busi- ness upon the three floors of his double

store building, which is fifty feet front by eighty feet in depth. He was a stockholder in the Bank of Ellinwood until 1900, and in 1892 he purchased stock and a half inter- est in the Star Elevator, of which he be- came sole proprietor in 1897. He then built a new track and scale office and en- larged the capacity of his elevator, and in the grain trade is doing a successful busi- ness, making excellent shipments.

Mr. Kimpler was united in marriage to. Miss Lizzie Bockemohle, and their union has been blessed with four children, name- ly: William, Esther, Elfred and Frank. Mr. Kimpler has erected a fine frame resi- dence in Ellinwood and as the result of his business success he has become the pos- sessor of considerable means and is enabled to surround his family with all of the com- forts and many of the luxuries of life. Nothing affords him greater happiness than to minister to them, and it seems that he cannot do too much to enhance their wel- fare. He has served for two years as city treasurer, but it is not because of special prominence in public affairs that he has and is justly entitled to the respect and confidence of his fellow men, for his per- sonal qualities are such as to make men es- teem and honor him. Kindness and amia- bility not only characterize his social re- lations, but are a marked feature in his busi- ness life.

DAVID J. LEWIS.

The rapid development of all material resources during the closing year of the nineteenth century brought business enter- prises up from the day of small things to large proportions, where thousands of dol- lars take the place of hundreds, and where men are required to handle large amounts as carefully, as coolly and as successfully as their grandfathers handled hundreds. One of the most successful, energetic and relia- ble business men of Barton county is David J. Lewis, whose resourceful business ability and keen discrimination enables him to carry forward to successful completion whatever

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he undertakes. He is now manager and one of the stockholders of the large department store in Hoisington, which is conducted under the business style of the E. R. Moses Mercantile Company. In this relation he controls extensive business affairs and the prosperity which is attending his labors is indicative of his marked ability.

Mr. Lewis was born in London, Eng- land. in 1849, and is a son of John Lewis, a carpenter. The son learned the builder's trade in his native city and in Wales, and when a young man he went to sea as a car- penter in a sailing vessel, but not finding tla occupation congenial he left the ship and sailed for Halifax. Nova Scotia, whence he afterward made his way to New York city and later to Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he was located during the Molly Ma- guire days. After a time he removed to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he engaged in contracting and building, and subsequently he was located at Berlin. and at Cleveland. Ohio, where he carried on an extensive con- tracting business. In that city he was mar- riol to Miss Margaret Ann Jones, a daugh- ter of M. M. Jones, and in 1878 he came to Rice county, Kansas, casting in his lot inng its early settlers. Here he entered a quarter section of uncultivated land. His first home was destroyed by a cyclone be- i re it was completed, but he rebuilt it and there remained until 1887. He experienced many privations and hardships during the pioneer days, but his determined will and good management enabled him to gain suc- cess. He prospered through buying and sell- ing land, making judicious and excellent sales. On one occasion he sent a man down an old well to clean it. but as the man reached the bottom he called out, "Pull me up, it's filled with rattlesnakes." Mr. Lewis then began to raise him, but just as the man reached the top he slipped and fell to the bot- tom : no sound came and Mr. Lewis there- fore ran for assistance. They got the man out more dead than alive and found the snake to be a bull snake and that hundreds more were in the well. Various kinds of wild animals as well as snakes were plenti- ful in those days, for advancing civilization

had not exterminated them or threatened them with utter destruction.

In 1887 Mr. Lewis removed to Great Bend and erected a dormitory to the college. and also had charge and the contracts for some of the leading buildings of the city. In 1801 he became associated with the firm of G. N. and E. R. Moses, general mer- chants, and came to Hoisington,. where a branch store had been conducted on a small scale. Through his capable management this enterprise has grown until they now utilize nineteen thousand, four hundred and sixty- four square feet of floor space and the build- ing is well stocked with a large and carefully selected line of general goods. The business was reorganized in 1900, under the name of the E. R. Moses Mercantile Company, and Mr. Lewis is one of the stockholders. In the first room is shelf and heavy hardware, tin- ware, stationery and books; in the second there is crockery and silverware, musical in- struments, boots and shoes; in the third room furniture and carpets: and in the fourth room implements and all kinds of machinery and iron utensils. On the second floor is the tin shop and plumbing e-taifish- ment and a large line of buggies an ! r als for doing the repair work di staves. There is also an undertaking department, a furni- ture store and a large line of pictures, with a framing department. They keep skilled mechanics for doing the work in every line and employ about fifteen salesmen and me- chanics. They can supply almost every noul of man. from eye glasses to the complete furnishing of a house fre m garret to kitchen. to meet the demands of a farmer for every thing from machinery to seed. The hunter and the fisherman can obtain all kinds of sporting goods of the highest grades and, in fact. every article of manufacture is there found. The arrangement and order of the stre shows excellent judgment, and the business daily transacted over its copiers is of great magnitude. The safe. e -or- tive policy which Mr. Lewis inaugurate.1 commends itself to the judgment of all and has secured to the company the patronage which makes the volume of their trade trans- acted over its counters of great importance

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and of wide extent. The prosperity of the company at this place is certainly due in a very large measure to the manager, the gen- tleman whose name introduces this review.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis has been blessed with four children, namely : John M., who is now employed as a clerk in the wholesale department of his father's store: Katie May; and Eleanor and Gene- vieve, twins. Mr. Lewis has served as a member of the city council and the school board, and discharges his duties in a very prompt and capable manner. He holds men- bership with the Modern Woodmen of America. In business life he has long since left the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few, and his record shows that the possibilities of Kansas are good, and that its citizens may hope for success if their lives are permeated by strong purpose and characterized by unfaltering diligence.

JOHN WESLEY BRESSLER.

One of the representative men of Reno county, Kansas, is John Wesley Bressler, the owner and operator of the Silver Creek stock farm, which is so named from the bright and sparkling stream which abun- dantly waters it. Although he is counted as one of the substantial citizens of the county, he is still a young man, his birth having been on December 22, 1862, in Owen county, Indiana. His parents were Henry and Eva (Branner) Bressler, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania, about 1814, and died in Indianapolis, Indi- ana. in 1864. The mother of our subject was Eva ( Branner) Bressler, and she was born in Berwick. Pennsylvania, in 1830, was married in 1847, and died in her fifty- second year. Eight children were born to these parents, the seven who grew to ma- turity being as follows: Nathan, who lives in Rice county, Kansas; Mrs. Caroline Lutz, who lives in Owen county, Indiana ; Francis, who resides in the old home, a widower with two children: Mrs. Lean Asher, who died in Indiana leaving three

sons ; John W., our subject; Mrs. Jane Hudson, who died in Clay county, Indiana, leaving one son: Mrs. Belle Halton, who resides in Oklahoma. Mr. and Mrs. Bress- ler were farmers, and for the time and lo- cality were considered to be in very comfort- able circumstances.

John W. Bressler of this sketch received his early rearing on a farm and until the age of fifteen years had school advantages, but after the death of his father he was obliged to look after himself. One hun- drol miles from home he secured employ- ment, and his next six years were spent in ¡ work for others. By steady application to his duties, ever honest, faithful and energetic, he soon advanced in the confidence of his employers. On April 18, 1882, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Ryan, who was born in Indiana, a daugh- ter of George and Mary ( Butcher ) Ryan, the former born in Ohio and the latter in Indiana. The death of Mrs. Ryan occurred in Indiana, but Mr. Ryan still survives and resides with his only other daughter, who is Mrs. Julia Tooley, of Missouri.

Mr. and Mrs. John W. Bressler lived in Indiana for two years following their marriage, but in the fall of 1884 they moved t. Kent county, Kansas, and Mr. Bressler rented a farm near Sterling, determined to try farming in the new state before purchas- ing land. Two years later he felt satisfied that the soil of Kansas and surrounding conditions made it one of the most desirable sections of the land in which to make a permanent home. Hence he bought a farm in Walnut township, selling the same to ad- vantage in the following year, but pur- chasing another in the same locality. In 1898 he also sold this property and bought his farms in Langdon and Bell townships, now owning one thousand and ten acres. Four hundred acres of this large estate he cultivates in wheat and corn, having the remainder given to hay land and pasture. Early in his operations in this state Mr. Bressler recognized the wisdom of engag- ing in the breeding, feeding and shipping of stock, every opportunity presenting itself for the production of the finest stock in the

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world. The Silver Creek Stock Farm has gained a wide and substantial reputation, ind very extensive operations in this line tre carried en. He keeps some three hun- ¡red head of native cattle, feeding and supplying dealers over a wide extent vi country. His good judgment and excellent Business sense have assisted him in his un- usually successful career. and if his present ; bust health is continued he may become me of the cattle kings of the west.

Four bright, beautiful and talented chil- dren have been born to our subject and wife, namely : Melie, who is a student in Winfield Academy ; Virgie Ethel, a miss of Fifteen years, who displays great musical ability: Gertrude: and Earl. Mrs. Bress- er is a lady of refinement and great house- wifey talent, and is a consistent member of the United Brethren church. In political matters Mr. Gressier has always been an active member of the Republican party, while he is socially connected with the Ma- pie fraternity. Although his early life resented many difficulties, he surmounted them all and now is justly regarded as one : the substantial. representative men of Pressing the esteem and con- in- idlow citizens. Although tliv. Men dist church, he is a man : shows and believes that the Gold- en Rule is a very excellent religion to live

ROBERT W. BARR, M. D.

R.ler: W. Barr is one of the m st je wegen: citizens . i Ellinwel. where he made His home since 1880. He is quite well known throughout Barton county, for in the early days of his residence, when the county was but sparsely settled, he tray- del ing distances to attend in the needs : the sick and suffering. Ohio has fur- ashet many worthy citizens to the Sun- " wer state and among the number is Dr. Barr, who was born in Wood county, Ohio, in 1840. His father, Samuel Barr, was a farmer by recupation.

The subject of this review enlisted as

a member of Company A. Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served for two years, after which he was transferred to the One Ilundred and Forty-fourth Regiment [ Ohio Volunteers, and was appointed ser- geant. In 1862 he was captured and sent to Lynchburg prison. In 1864 he was again captured and incarcerated in Libby prisen, and was altogether held as a prisoner of war for eleven months. In trying to escape he was shot and thus lost his right eye. There were only three of the twenty-eight prisoners who lived through the awful or- deal there, and with his two companions Dr. Barr was sent to Belle Island. Sick and exhausted he walked barefooted twen- tv-two miles in order to reach Wilming- om. North Carolina, where he took a ves- sei to Annapolis, Maryland, from which piace he proceeded homeward. With the comforts and care of home he soon recov- ered his health and strength, but the mem- ery of the awful days in southern prison pens will never be forgotten.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 30

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