A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 34

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

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ceived an honorable discharge. He then returned to his home and family and re- mhained in Pike county until 1867. when he removed to Iowa, where he purchased a farm, giving his attention to agricultural pursuits. After his children were grown and had left home he and his wife returned to Illinois, where Mrs. Callis died. Some- time afterward the father visited his daugh- ter in Texas and was there taken seriously ill. He sent for his son, David, who took him back to Illinois, but he died at Sedalia, Missouri, during the journey, and his re- mains were interred in Illinois. Both he and his wife were devoted and faithful members of the Methodist church, and were earnest workers in its behalf, Mr. Callis serving as class leader and holding many other church offices. In his political affiliations he was first a Whig and afterward a Republican and although he always voted for the men and measures of those parties he never sought office for himself. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Callis were born three children: Lou- isa MI., the wife of R. J. Clanton, of Texas ; Sarah F., who married J. C. Turner: and David H.

The last named was a lad of twelve years when his parents removed to Iowa and there he was reared to manhood under the parental roof. He pursued his education in the country schools and in Indianola, and through the summer months he was trained to the practical work of the farm. thus hav- ing broad experience in that direction when he began farming operations en his own ac- count. In 1874, in Iowa, he was united in marriage to Miss L. L. Knott, a cultured and intelligent lady who has been to him a de- voted companion and helpmate on life's journey. She was born in Iowa, May 15. 1855. a daughter of John M. and Lucinda ( Berry) Knott. Her father, a native of Canada, became a real estate dealer of Iowa. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in Company C. Fifth Iowa Cavalry and went to the front in defense of the starry banner. He saw some hard service, took part in some long and wearisome marches and par- ticipated in some hotly contested battles. At length in battle he laid down his life upon

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

the altar of his country. His first wife died in Iowa about 1858, leaving three children : Henrietta, the wife of N. Wilson: Ladere al Mrs. Callis. The father afterward mar- ric! Maleda Bunt, and unto them were bern a » n andl daughter, who are vet living in lowa. After the death of Mr. Knott his widow married a Mr. Tinchnor, and is now living in the Hawkeye state. Mrs. Callis was only a babe at the time of her mother's death. and was reared and cared for by Mr. and Mrs. John M. Carter, whom she holds in grateful remembrance for their kindness and consideration.

After their marriage Mr. Callis began the cultivation of the homestead farm in Iowa, where he remained until 1877 when he came to Rice county, Kansas, where he purchased a squatter's claim. upon which he yet resides. The place is located in Lincoln township, and when he came into possession only a few poor improvements had been made, the house being but a little unpretentious one. Soon, however, Mr. Cal- lis was energetically carrying on the work of devel ping the fields and in course of time gathered rich harvests in return for his la- bor. Some years the crops were short, but altogether his career here has been a pros- perous . ne. His first purchase was one hundred and sixty acres, to which he added an eightv-acre tract, and at two different times he has bought quarter sections, so that to-day his landed possessions are quite ex- tensive. In the early days when times were hard and crops were not good he became somewhat discouraged and returned to Iowa and Ilinois. 1nuit finally became satis- fied that Kansas was the place to live and now' he has here a very desirable property, which yields him a good income, making Him one of the substantial farmers of the community. In 1902 he erected a good house and barn.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Callis has been blessed with four children : Charles E .. a farmer of Lincoln township, Rice county : Nancy L., the wife of P. C. Scheen- over: Bessie M., who married F. C. Rob- bins : and Frank, who is still at home. Mr. Callis belongs to Chase Lodge, No. 247. F.

& A. M. and His standing in the . it is indicated by the fact that at different times he has filled all the offices. His ex ball membership with the Methodist church. Po- litically a strong Republican, he tera keep interest in the questions and Fem .. i the day and attended the convention of his party, desirous that goed men sla bost the offices, vet he has never sought or deiro! political preferment for himself, bis atten- tion being fully occupied with his business interests, wherein, his diligence and enter- prise have won him creditable and gratifying prosperity.

STEPHEN CARTER.

. One of the most enterprising and suc- cessful and one of the most honored citizens of Ottawa county. Kansas, is Stephen Car- ter, whose home is en section _r. Garfield township, and who was born in Dase coen- ty, Wisconsin. not far from the city . f Mali- son, in 1852. His parents were born in Manchester, England. His father was Jona- than Carter, his mother Harriet & Harrap) Carter. They emigrated to the United States and settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, where Mrs. Carter died at the age of forty- eight years, leaving seven children, named as follows. in the order of their birth : John: Harriet ; Hubbard, who lives in Blaine town- ship, Ottawa county; Lizzie: Borwell, of South Dakota ; William, of Ottawa & mtv: Stephen, who is the immediate fett this sketch : Emma Gorch. of Ogva cun- ty; Jonathan Carter, of Wisconsin; and Wesley Carter. of Ottawa county.

Stephen Carter was reared in View- sin and educated in the public sch wer his home. He made his start in life in Ne- vada, where for a year and a half he was employed in the mines, in the i

the plains in various ways. He halte in Kansas in 1876. when he joined : Ur ile: and a sister who had taken up their re- dence in Ottawa county. He hashi one hundred and sixty acres of rich land in the fertile Solomon river bottoms. on which there were some small improvement sed le

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has added to his land by subsequent pur- chase until he is the owner of three hundred and ten acres, embraced in a farm which is regarded as one of the best in its vicinity and which is equipped with ample barns and out- buiklings, a windmill of modern construc- tion and such other appliances and access- ories as are essential to profitable farming. His residence was erected at a cost of one thousand six hundred dollars. While giv- ing his attention chiefly to farming, he keeps a good many cattle.

In 1879 Mr. Carter married Miss Esther Porter, who was born, reared and educated in the Sunflower state. Her parents, Charles and Laura ( Welhuff) Porter, are both dead, her father's death having occurred in 1874. Mrs. Carter has borne her husband five chil- dren. as follows : Bessie. Elgira, Alfred, Ray- mond and one who died in infancy. Bessie is one of the popular school teachers of Ot- tawa county. In politics Mr. Carter, while he holds pronounced views on all public questions. is independent, believing it to be his duty to hold himself aloof from any party alliance that might prevent him from voting for the best men in nomination for public offices. His public spirit impells him to promote all measures for the public good and his genial and friendly nature and his upright character combine to make him popular as a citizen.

MORRISON W. WILSON.

M. rrison W. Wilson is numbered among the honored pioneers of Kansas whose self-sacrificing labors and unfaltering determination have been the means of lay- ing hrad and deep the foundation for the present prosperity and progress of the cen- tral portion of the state. He has endured all the privations and hardships incident to the establishment of homes on the frontier, but as the years passed the difficulties disap- peared one by one and now he is in posses- sion of a comfortable home and good com- petence as the result of his enterprise and diligence. He resides on section 19, Rural

township. Kingman county, and is numbered among the progressive agriculturists of the community.

Mr. Wilson was born in Knox county, Ohio, July 27, 1845, and is a son of Andrew J. Wilson, whose birth occurred in Wash- ington county, Ohio. The grandfather, An- drew Wilson, was a native of Ireland and on coming to the United States. established his home in Washington county, where he was married to a Miss Higgins, of New York. Entering land from the government he made his home in Washington county for a number of years and then removed to Knox county, where he purchased a farm. which was his place of residence until 1858 -the year of his removal to Scotland coun- ty. Missouri. There he also bought land but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, his death occurring in 1859. His wife passed away in the same locality in 1873. The father of our subject was the eldest of their six children, of whom three are yet living. The others were: Diantha. the wife of J. B. Gibler, a farmer living near Alva, Oklahoma: Garrison, who served for three years in the Thirty-sixth Iowa Infan- try with the Western Army and is now a farmer in Haven township, Reno county; David, who served for three years in the Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry in the Army of the Cumberland and was slightly wounded but returned to Iowa City, where he died in 1868: Miles, a farmer of Davis county, Iowa, who was a member of the Second Iowa Infantry for three and a half years with the Army of the Tennessee and was wounded in battle ; and Mary, who was the wife of Henry Johnson and died in Scotland county, Missouri.

In the common schools Andrew J. Wil- son. the father of our subject obtained his education and then removed with his parents to Knox county, where he was married to Malissa Barton about 1844. She was born in Ohio, a daughter of Michael Barton, a native of Scotland, who came to America when a young man and located in Knox county, Ohio, whence he removed to Van Wert county, that state, securing a claim from the government. He served as captain

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of a company in the Mexican war and died in Van Wert county about 1860. His wife, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and of German descent, survived him for several years and died in Mercer county, Ohio, while making her home with her daughter.

After his marriage Mr. Wilson remained in Knox county until 1855 when he removed to Van Wert county, where he conducted an ashery in the town of Van Wert, manu- facturing pearl ash and soda. In 1858 he went to Adams county, Indiana, where he engaged in farming until 1860, at which date he removed to Scotland county, Mis- souri. There he carried on farming until 1864, when he enlisted in Company D. Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, serving for two and a half years. He was largely engaged in scouting and in fighting guerrillas in Ar- kansas, participating in numerous skir- mishes. During the latter part of his serv- ice he was commissary sergeant. After the war he took part in some campaigns against the Indians, serving until the latter part of 1866, when he was honorably discharged. He then returned to Scotland county, Mis- Suri, and in 1867 removed to Lucas county, Iowa, where he lived for five years. On the expiration of that period he came to Kan- sas. settling in Haven township, Reno coun- ty, in 1872. among its pioneers. Securing a homestead claim he continued its cultivation until his death, which occurred February 2, 1876. His wife is still living on the old homestead, which is now operated by her son-in-law. Harry Astle. Mr. Wilson's worth and ability always made him a prom- inent citizen in the various communities in which he resided and while residing in Ohio he filled a number of public positions of trust and after coming to Kansas he was post- master. In politics he was a radical Repub- lican and labored earnestly for the party's welfare. He,belonged to the Baptist church. in which he was an exhorter at one time. while in Reno county he served as a deacon. In his fraternal relations he was a Mason. In his family were six children: Morrison W .: Sarah, the wife of Thomas Johnson. who lives near Byron, Oklahoma : Columbia A., the wife of Myrick Yokum, one of the

pioneer settlers and prominent citizens of Haven township, Reno county: Mary, the wife of Henry Astle, of Haven township; Edward, who follows farming near Byron, Oklahoma; and Henry. an agriculturist of Davenport, Oklahoma.

Morrison W. Wilson was only seven years of age when his father removed from Knox to Van Wert county Ohio. where he was reared upon a farm, there remaining until the family went to Indiana. and later accompanying his parents to Mis- souri. He continued at home until the win- ter of 1864. when at the age of nineteen years, aroused by a patriotic spirit, he offered his services to the government and joined the boys in blue of Company G. Sec- ond Iowa Infantry, at Bloomfield, Iowa. He was mustered in at Davenport and joined the regiment at Pulaski, Tennessee. His regiment was attached to General Sherman's command and with it he participated in the Atlanta campaign, his first battle being at Kennesaw Mountain. He was with the Army from Atlanta to the sea and through the Carolina campaign, participating in the en- gagements at Raleigh, South Carolina, and Bentonville, North Carolina, while later he took part in the grand review in Washing- ton, the most celebrated military pageant ever seen in the new world. He was muts- tered out at Louisville, Kentucky, in July, 1865. He was wounded in the leg at At- lanta. but continued with his regiment and was always found true and faithful to the old flag.

After the war Mr. Wilson returned to Scotland county, Missouri, where he was married May 20. 1866, to Nancy J. Mozin- go, who was born in Decatur county. In- diana. October 23. 1849. a daughter of Thornton and Minerva ( Collier) Mozingo. both natives of Kentucky. When a young man her father removed to Decatur county. Indiana, forty-two miles from the home of his betrothed. When the time came for the marriage, with a horse and sled-for it was in the dead of winter-he proceeded to the home of his bride and after the marriage was celebrated took her to her new home in the same primitive manner in which he

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had accomplished the journey. The infair dinner was cooked in a big kettle out of doors. For many years they resided in De- catur county and became very prosperous people there, owning a large and valuable farm. In 1865 they removed to Scotland county. Missouri, where Mr. Mozingo pur- chased a farm. on which he spent his re- maining days, his death occurring in July, 1873. his wife also passing away in the same locality. He held a number of local offices and was an old-line Whig until the dissolti- tion of the party when he became a stanch Republican. He was a prominent member of the Universalist church and a firm be- liever in the doctrine of universal salvation. as was his wife. They were the parents of seven children: Ann E., who died in Scot- land county, Missouri, December 24, 1883 ; Amelia, who was the wife of William Law- rence and died in Scotland county, Missouri, in September. 1873: Harvey, who is living at Gibbs. Adams county, Missouri ; Martha. who died in Scotland county, Missouri, April 14, 1890, and was the wife of Jacob Johnson: Mary E. who was the wife of Niles Holcomb, of Castleton, and died in Reno county. Kansas: William H .. a far- mer of Scotland county, Missouri ; and Mrs. Wilson, the honored wife of our subject,

After his marriage Mr. Wilson followed farming in Scotland county, Missouri, for two years and then removed to Appanoose county, Iowa, where he remained until 1873. the year of his arrival in Kansas. H located in what is now Haven township. Reno county, in October, and of all the pio- neers who braved the hardships of the over- land trip perhaps not one started on the journey under circumstances more discour- aging. He left Iowa with team and wagon and was accompanied by his wife and chil- dren, but they were all ill upon the journey, and at Eureka, Greenwood county, Kansas, their infant son, Andrew, died and was buried. With heavy hearts they pressed on with the next youngest child. Edgar, so ill that it was not expected that he would survive the journey. Mr. Wilson's father, who had located in Haven township the year , before, met them about eight miles from

his home, to which they were piloted, but their troubles were not yet over, for when they crossed the Arkansas river. their horses became mired in the quicksand and it was only after great difficulty that they were extricated, and they finally reached the home of Mr. Wilson's father, where they remained through the following winter. Our subject found that he had only five cents remaining and that his liabilities were fourten dollars. The prospect was certainly not encouraging. In the spring, however, he removed with his family to a claim owned by a Mr. Bran- dor, which Mr. Wilson operated through the season of 1874. That year his little daughter Cora swallowed some concentrated lye and though she lived for a year and a half afterward, she was never again able to take nourishment except in liquid form. and died in early childhood. The first sea- son Mr. Wilson raised a fair crop of wheat and stacked it with a neighbor's close by. When the terrible scourge of grasshoppers came the neighbor, hoping to drive the grasshoppers away, started a fire which soon got beyond his control and thus the wheat stacks were destroyed, also some flax owned by Mr. Wilson and a fanning mill which they owned in partnership. The winter of 1874 was one of almost unendurable hard- ships and suffering and of all the contribu- tions sent to Kansas our subject received only a small amount of corn meal. How- ever. in the extremity his wife's people sent them aid. During the winter of 1873 he had engaged in hunting buffaloes, the meat furnishing many a meal for the family, while the hides brought a good financial re- turn, but the next winter there were few buffaloes in this locality and with Myrick Yocum and James Wier, Mr. Wilson left Haven for Barber county on a buffalo hunt. They were very successful and started to return in good spirits, having much meat and many hides, but when they reached Spring creek in Pratt county a bliz- zard overtook them. Another man had joined them who was taking posts to Wich -. ita for sale there. They had plenty of pro- visions and could use the posts for fuel, so they placed their wagons in a circle, put up

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their wagen sheets and made everything as comfortable as possible. The storm raged three days and when it had somewhat abated they started on their journey again but the gullies had become filled with sh www and many were the mishaps which they en- countered before they arrived at home, where they were wee med mat heartily by their wives and families, who in the mean- time were almost crazed with anxiety con- corning their welfare. The return journey had consumed thirteen days.

Mr. Wilson's first home in Reno county was a dug ut, eight by ten feet and later he had one twelve by twenty-four feet. After a year and a half spent in Haven township, be rem vol to Castlet n township and se- cured a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres on section 12. there making his home until 1883, in which time he placed many improvements on the property. In 1883. however, he sold out and came to Kingman e anty, where he pre-empted the claim on which he still resides. He drove through with thirty head of cattle. His land was raw prairie and there was not a neighbor in sight. The first year he broke forty acres of his land. dug a well. built a stable and a house of one room. fourteen by sixteen feet. He there followed farming and stock-raising and now has placed the farm all under fence, while five acres have been planted with fruit trees and there is also a native grove upon the place. A com- fortable residence, a barn and granary are also among the improvements which he has added. He now has a herd of twenty-eight head of cattle, and one hundred and fifteen acres of the land is under cultivation. He also rents from two hundred to three hun- dred acres and last season he had two hun- dred and forty acres planted to wheat. He has recently sold this farm to his eldest son. and with his family he soon contemplates moving to Wichita, where he will engage in real estate pursuits, and there his children will receive excellent educational advantages.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were born eight children : William G. was married in 1888 to Elsie Graves and their children are Aubrey V .. Johnnie C .. Viva, who died in

childhood, Cora G. Leo, Wesley R. and Leslie G. : the second of the family. Com. died in childhood: Edgar diel at the age of thirteen: Andrew died in infancy: Minerva died in childhood: Nida Emma is at home : Garfield died in infancy; and Clarence Henry is at home. For several years Mr. Wilson has been in poor health and unable to work and his wife has also been an in- valid for several years, but their two noble children. Clarence and Nida, have been of the greatest comfort and assistance to them.

Mr. Wilson votes with the Republican party and has been road overseer, justice of the peace and a member of the school- board, discharging all duties with prompt- ness and fidelity. Ile has also served as a member of the central committee of his party and his influence is given for its growth and advancement. He belongs b. the Baptist church, his wife to the Chris- tian church and their lives have been charac- terized by all that is honorable, upright and commendable. In their declining years they can look over the past without regret and forward to the future without fear. and their example is well worthy of -emulation by their children and many friends.

ROBERT W. MILLARD.

In a history of the successful men of Rice county Robert W. Millard deserves homer- able mention, for through his residence in Kansas he has by determined purpose, laud- able ambition and unfaltering diligence worked his way upward until he is now in possession of a comfortable competence, ac- quired entirely through his own efforts. He is still identified with the farming and stock- raising interests of Rice county and is num- bered among its pioneer settlers.

Mr. Millard was born in Ohio. December I. 1853, while his parents. Thomas B. and Catherine ( Robinson ) Millard, were both natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal grand- father. Jonathan Millard, was a native of Pennsylvania and was of German descent. his ancestors having come to America from

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Germany with one of the colonies that cross- ed the Atlantic through the influence of Will- iam Penn. They were enterprising and public-spirited people and followed many forms of employment. Among the num- ber were farmers, merchants, tradespeople and school teachers. Jonathan Millard was at one time very prominent and wealthy but lost much of his property and subsequently removed to Michigan, where he purchased a farm and spent the remainder of his days. He managed there to add considerable to his property and had a competency for old age. ' By his first marriage he had two children : Thomas and Joseph, the latter dying at the age of twenty years. After the death of his first wife the father married again and had three children by that union-Jonathan, William and Mary. The daughter remained in Michigan.

Thomas B. Millard was born, reared and married in Pennsylvania and later removed to Ohio. locating in Van Wert county, where he engaged in teaching school. He was a highly educated man and his labors were very efficient in raising the intellectual standard of the community. After a few years he removed to Mercer county, where he developed a farm from heavily-timbered land. making his home thereon for eight years when he removed to Michigan in 1866. In that state he bought land and improved a second farm. He also taught one term of school in the Wolverine state. He re- mained in Michigan until all of his children were born and most of them had left home after which, in 1880, he sold his property there and came to Kansas, joining his sons in Rice county. Here he purchased a good farm. making it his place of residence until his death, which occurred in 1893. He was a man of more than average intelligence and culture and was not only well informed on the questions of the day but had a very broad and comprehensive knowledge of history and was familiar with the best authors of modern and ancient times. He was an entertaining conversationalist and genial companion and made friends wherever he went. He held membership in the United Brethren church. and became a strong Republican, afterward

allying his interests with the silver wing of that party. His wife yet survives him and finds a good home with her youngest son in Oklahoma strip, where he is living on a good farm. She was a daughter of Robert Rob- inson, of Pennsylvania, who removed to Van Wert county, Ohio, at an early day. There he improved a good farm, upon which he reared his family. There he also raised all the supplies needed by the family, including cereals. maple sugar and syrup and stock, which gave him a meat sup- ply. He was an influential and suc- cessful farmer and lived to a ripe old age, passing away respected by all who knew him. His children were: Mrs. Mary Young; Margaret; Catherine; Robert, who served in the war of the Rebellion and died while at home on a furlough ; and another brother who was killed in the Mexican war.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 34

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