A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 35

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 35

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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Millard were born nine children : William, who owns a cattle ranch in western Kansas; Robert W. : Mary a school teacher, who died at the age of twen- ty years; Emma, who became the wife of F. McKnett, of Michigan, and after his death married A. Gladall, of Arlington, Kansas; John, of Frederick, Rice county; Lucy, the wife of H. Slagle; Thomas, Charles and Frank, who are living in the Oklahoma strip. The parents held membership in the Metho- dist church and took an active interest in its work.

Robert W. Millard was born in Ohio, but his youth was passed in Michigan and in the year 1874 he came to Kansas, casting in his lot with the pioneers of Rice county. He took up a homestead in Lincoln town- ship, built a sod house and at once began to develop and improve a farm, later securing the government title to the claim. He then purchased two hundred and eighty acres of railroad land where he now lives, after which he sold his homestead farm and turned his energies to the development of his second tract of land, which he had transformed into a very valuable farm. He has fenced it and built thereon a house and barn, has planted an orchard, and adorned the place with at- tractive groves. He has placed the fielda under a high state of cultivation and in the

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pastures he raises fine stock. He has always been a lover of horses and has given much at- tention to grading and improving herses. having some very fine specimens of different breeds. He has had some good running ; stock and some splendid trotters, and has also sold some very fine roadsters. Later he has given much attention to a larger class of horses and has owned stallions for breeding purposes. He now has a fine French couch horse, imported and registered, and a short time ago he sold a famous horse of the same strain. He also owns an excellent horse which is a cross between the Hambletonian and Coach horse. For twenty-four years Mr. Millard has engaged in the operation of a threshing machine and has thus added to his income. He owns property in Lyons which he rents and also has land in Texas and western Kansas. He is a good busi- ness man and has successfully con- ducted his interests in the Sunflower state, where his straightforward dealing and reliable methods are widely acknowledged .At an early day he had ample opportunity to indulge his love of hunting and followed the buffaloes as they were driven westward, killing many a fine animal on the plains. In politics he was reared a Republican and has followed the silver branch of the party. He is a M'ason in good standing, holding mem- bership with Frederick lodge, but he has never sought advancement in political or so- cial circles preferring to devote his energies to his business interests in which he has met with splendid success.

SAMUEL POLSON.

Samuel Polson is one of the most success- ful farmers of Kingman county. At times he has suffered adversity and discourage- ments. but with resolute purpose he has per- severed and his persistence, diligence and en- ergy have brought to him a splendid reward. his existensive farming interests being the visible evidence of his activity in the busi- ness world. He resides on section 26, King- man township, where he has more than one

thousand acres of land. He was born in Jef- Fersenville, Inkliana, May 21. 1860, and be- Jongs to a family of German lineage. His grandfather, Cyrus Polson, became a steam- boat pilot in early life and for twenty years followed that occupation. He then turned his attention to farming, owning a large and valuable tract of bottom land on the west of the White river in Indiana. Aimant 1805 he sold this property and removed to Oregon, spending the residue of his days near Port- land, where his death occurred about 1881. His wife had died in Indiana. In their fam- ily were four children: Henry, who was a merchant of Maysville, Indiana, fell from a hotel window when suffocated by gas and was thus killed. He left a widow and two children. Mrs. Margaret Lamar, the second of the family, died in the vicinity of Port- land. Oregon. Jacob, the father of our sub- ject, was the third. Bettie, the youngest, died in Daviess county, Indiana.

Jacob Polson was born in Indiana. Feb- ruary 10. 1832, and at the age of seventeen left the home farm whereon he was reared and like his father became a river pilot, run- ning on the Mississippi as far south as New Orleans. For fifteen years that was his life work and on the expiration of that period he purchased a farm on the west fork of the White river. in Indiana. He was married April 19, 1859, to Maria Jenkins, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and a daughter of James and Margaret Jenkins. Her parents spent the greater part of their lives in In- diana. the father following carpentering in both Jeffersonville, Indiana, and in Louis- ville, Kentucky. He also owned a farm in the former state-a rich tract of land in Washington county, bordering the turnpike east of Fredericksburg. His death . pourred on this farm about 1884 and his wife passed away in the same locality in 1894. Their only son. Stephen Jenkins, is a prominent farmer living near Fredericksburg, Wash- ington county. Indiana.

After his marriage Jacob Pls nl cated in Indiana and subsequently rem ved to Pennsylvania, where he died on the 12th of February, 1881. His wife spent the last years of her life in the home of her son,

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Samuel, passing away March 4, 1895, her remains being interred in the cemetery of Bross. Both were consistent members of the Methodist church and the father was a Democrat in his political affiliations. In their family were six children : Samuel is the eld- est : Cora, born September 23, 1863, be- came the wife of James Hovey, a farmer of McPherson county, Kansas, and died at the home of our subject, March 5, 1901 ; Cyrus, born September 1, 1866, died in Indiana, March 7. 1876; James, born November 10, 1868. is a farmer living near Kiowa, Okla- homa : Jacob, born September 4. 1872, makes his home with Samuel; and Stephen, born February 11. 1878, died of consumption at the home of his brother James, in Oklahoma.

Samuel Polson, whose name begins this record, remained on his father's farm in Knox county. Indiana, until sixteen years of age and then, having acquired a good practical education in the common schools, started out to make his own way in the world. He secured a position on the farm of Governor Williams, a fine estate on the west fork of the White river, and there re- mained for five years, when he began farm- ing on his own account. He followed that oc- cupation for five years in Knox county, In- (liana. 'and then came to Kansas, locating at Mount Hope, Sedgwick county, October 16, 1881. He worked for Lewis Bird until Jan- uary, 1882, when he came to Kingman coun- ty and located a claim on Kingman township, comprising the southeast quarter of section I. He then returned to Sedgwick county, but in the spring spent a month upon his claim and later in the year located thereon, making it his place of residence for five years, when he sold that property and pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres on sec- tiens 24 and 25. Kingman township. There Mr. Polson continued to cultivate his fields for eight years and it was while he was re- siding there he completed his arrangements for a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Daisy Hendricks.

The wedding was celebrated October 25. 1892. The lady is a native of Illinois and a daughter of Samuel and Lucretia ( Bailey) Hendricks, both of whom are natives of the

same state and now reside four miles east of Sharon, in Barber county, Kansas. They had six children : Mrs. Polson; Roy, a school teacher of Barber county : Ralph, at lome; Florence, the wife of Will Hewitt, a farmer of Barber county ; Rex and Archie, who are still with their parents. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Polson has been blessed with one son, Frankie.

After his marriage Mr. Polson was com- pelled to lease his farm to the Loan Com- pany and then rented a ranch of three thou- sand acres, known as the Peck ranch, on the headwaters of the Chikaskia river, owned by George Peck, a railroad manager of Chicago. Here he was extensively engaged in the cat- tle business, having between six and seven hundred head of cattle on the place, of which he owned one hundred and fifty head, while the remainder belonged to other parties. After four years spent on the Peck ranch Mr. Polson removed to the Benefiel ranch of fourteen hundred acres. He purchased in February, 1899, two hundred and forty acres, but did not locate thereon until August, 1900. since which time he has met with marvelous success, his history being frequently cited on account of the wonderful prosperity he has achieved in so short a time. He has added to his ranch until it now comprises ten hundred and forty acres on sections 24. 26 and 27, Kingman township, and he has a herd of one hundred and seventy head of fine graded cattle, while he also engages in buy- ing and selling stock. Those which he raises he usually sells as stockers when two or three years old. He has built an excellent barn and put many other substantial improve- ments upon his place, and about four hun- (red acres of his land is now under cultiva- tion and returns to him golden harvests. He lvas three and a half acres planted to fruit trees and berries, and everything about his place is in excellent condition, in keeping with the most modern farms of the twentieth century. The residence is neat and commo- dious and the farm is well watered by the river which crosses it. Mr. Polson votes with the Democratic party, but has never had time nor inclination to seek public office. His wife is a member of the United Pres-

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byterian church and both are people of the highest respectability, enjoying the respect which is always accorded true worth in any land or clime.

A. B. DAVENPORT.

A. B. Davenport, one of the represen- tative citizens of Barber county, engaged in farming in Medicine Lodge township, was born in De Witt county, Illinois, near the town of Clinton, in 1835, and belonged to a pioneer family of that locality. His fa- ther. Hugh Logan Davenport, was a native of Kentucky and served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812, while one of his brothers was a soldier in the war with Mexico. Hugh L. Davenport was reared in Kentucky and in Illinois, and in De Witt county, of the latter state, was united in marriage to Joanna Watt, who proved to him a faithful companion and helpmate on the journey of life. She belonged to an old North Carolina family and by her marriage she became the mother of thirteen children, seven sons and six daughters, of whom twelve reached years of maturity and were married. Four of the sons were soldiers of the Union army, namely: Isaiah, Nelson, A. B. and Jackson, all of whom fought for the preservation of the Union. The mother was a daughter of a Methodist Episcopal minister. and throughout her life she held membership in that church and lived in har- mony with its teachings. Her death oc- curred when she was fifty years of age, and her husband, Mr. Davenport, passed away at the age of sixty-five. He was a farmer by occupation and followed that pursuit in order to provide a comfortable living for his family. In his religious faith he was a Baptist, and his life was ever upright and honorable.

A. B. Davenport was reared on the old home farm in Illinois. and no event of special importance occurred to vary for him the routine of his farm duties. The district schools afforded him his educational privi- leges and the refining influences of a good Christian home aided in molding his char-

acter. When only eighteen years of age he I was married to Miss Emeline Henson, who at her death left the following children : William, who married Ida Zimmerman and is a farmer of this county: Mrs. Mary C. Thompson, who is also living in Barber county ; and Nelson, a resident of New Mex- ico. Mr. Davenport married his present wife in Barber county in 1897. She was then Mrs. Lucy J. Zimmerman, the widow of Dr. John Zimmerman. Her parents were Cornelius and Rebecca ( Vanness ), both of whom were natives of Ohio, where they spent their entire lives. They had a family of eight children, one of whom, John, was a valiant soldier of the Civil war. George Vanness, the grandfather of Mrs. Daven- port, was one of the heroes of the Revolu- tion and lost his hearing in that struggle which brought independence to the nation. On attaining to womanhood Lucy J. Van- ness became the wife of Dr. John Zimmer- man, who died in Finney county, Kansas, at the age of seventy-three years. There were five children born of that marriage, of whom four are now living: George. a resi- dent of Independence, Missouri : Mrs. Eliza- beth Mitchell, of Barber county; Ida, the wife of William Davenport; and Mrs. Myrtie Kincade, of Hutchinson, Kansas.

Although Mr. Davenport has devoted the greater part of his life to agricultural pursuits, he has never faltered in the per- formance of his duties of citizenship, and when, in August, 1862, President Lincoln issued another call for sixty thousand troops he offered his services to the government for a term of three years, the regiment being commanded by Colonel Kimball and later by Colonel Foster, while his first captain was Horace Fitch, who later became a lieu- tenant colonel. Mr. Davenport took part in the battle of Helena, Arkansas, the cam- paign around Vicksburg and the battle of Fort Pemberton and at different times was under the command of Generals Buford, Prentiss, Fremont and Banks. He saw serv- ice in Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky and took part in many battles and skirmishes. He also aided in digging the big canal at Milliken's Bend. He was honorably discharged at Little

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Rock, Arkansas, and was mustered out and paid off at St. Louis, returning then to his home with a most creditable military rec- ord after three years of faithful and gallant service. His son Nelson also served a year and a half in the Spanish-American war, was in the first battle of Manila, was in the army service altogether two years, and was honorably discharged in 1899.

In his political affiliations Mr. Daven- port is a Democrat and has served for many terms as justice of the peace, filling that po- sition in Illinois for two years, later in Fin- ney, county, Kansas, and now is filling the same position in Medicine Lodge township in a most creditable manner. his decisions being strictly fair and impartial. He be- longs to Medicine Lodge Post. No. 174, G. A. R., and also belongs to the Masonic fraternity, while his wife belongs to the Christian church. They are widely and favorably known in this portion of the state, and the qualities which always command re- gard have gained for them the confidence and good will of all with whom they have been associated.

A. J. O'BRIAN.

Among the figures who stand prominent- ly forth on the pages of western history is the gentleman whose name introduces this review. He is one of those honored pio- neers who bravely turned their faces from the east, with all the advantages of wealth and civilization, and cast their fortunes with the western frontier, in all its wildness and primitive modes of life, who. rather than enjoy the comforts of their former homes, chose to endure the hardships of a wider and freer country, and who made out of those very obstacles the stepping stones to wealth and affluence.

Mr. O'Brian was born in Jackson coun- ty. Ohio, October 1, 1837. and is a son of Thomas B. and Mary ( Frazee ) O'Brian. natives respectively of New York and Ohio, and in the latter state they were mar- ried. The paternal grandfather, Jonathan O'Brian, was born in the Empire state and his ancestors came to America during Colo

nial days, members of the family serving as valiant soldiers in the war for American independence. Jonathan O'Brian was a prominent farmer of New York, and there his death occurred. His children were William, Chauncey, Thomas B. and John. The latter raised a company in Ohio and joined Sam Houston in Texas, taking part in the battle of San Jacinto, where Santa Anna and his Mexican army was captured and killed. In 1836 he also assisted in es- tablishing the republic of Texas. He sub- sequently located in the Lone Star state, remaining there during the remainder of his life. Thomas B. O'Brian, the father of our subject, located in Jackson county. Ohio, at a very early day and was there married. He entered land from the government and improved a good farm, remaining there for many years. In 1846 he sold his property there and removed to Marion county, Mis- souri, where he spent three years, and on the expiration of that period he returned to Ohio, taking up his abode in Vinton county. He later took up his permanent abode in Jackson county, West Virginia, where he im- proved a good farm, and there his death occurred in 1876, at the ripe old age of seventy-one years. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in the Federal army, in which he serving until the close of the war, valiantly performing his part in maintaining this grand republic. He followed farming as a life occupation, and in early life he upheld the principles of the Whig party and after its dissolution he became a loyal Republican. Although he filled a number of township of- fices, he was never an aspirant for political preferment, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. He was a licensed exhorter of the Methodist Episco- pal church, and did all in his power for the uplifting of his fellow men and the cause of Christianity. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. O'Brian was blessed with four children, namely: Andrew J .; John A., Thomas A., and Alford M. The mother of this family was called to her final rest in 1855. and the father was again married, his second union ; being with Mrs. M. Cowan, by whom he had three children, Walter, George and Sarah.

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Arew J. O'Brian, the subject of this review. remained under the parental roof until twenty years of age, when, in 1857. he cast hi- bet with the pioneers of the Suntlow- er state. He first located in the city of Leav- enwerth, where he was engaged in the wood and cool business, remaining there until June, 1801. In that year he joined the boys in Mue and assisted in the preservation of the Unien. He became a member of the quar- termaster's department and was ordered to Washington, D. C., later was employed in the transportation department and was made wagen master, having twenty-five teams un- der his supervision. He also drove a team in freighting government stores, ammuni- tion etc. was at all the camps on the Poto- mac river and during the last year of the war had charge of the shipping wharf at City Point. Virginia. Mr. O'Brian remained in the government service until 1868, when he returned to Kansas and was employed in the construction of bridges for the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad. In 1869 he secured a squatter's claim in Montgomery county, Kansas, on which he made some im- provements, but later soll that place and came to Rice county, where he joined a party and engaged in hunting buffaloes. The ani- mals were captured for their hides, for which there was a great demand, and as they brought good prices this proved a very profit- able source of employment. In 1872 he be- came the possessor of the land on which he now resides, first erecting a sod house, which he afterward replaced with a good and com- medi us farm residence, also erected other buildings, planted an orchard, and in many ways beautified and improved the place. His fields were placed under a high state of cul- tivation, and everything about the farm indi- cates the supervision of a progressive owner. In 1887 he sold the place. but still resides there as a tenant. The struggle for exist- ence has been a stern and hard one, but he possesses indomitable energy and marker physical courage and has successfully fought his way to success.

In Montgomery county, Kansas, in 1873. Mr. O'Brian was united in marriage with Miss Jemima Enders, who has proved t.

him a faithful companion on the journey of life. She was born in the state of New York. May 9. 1848. a daughter of Jeremiah and Catherine ( Becker ) Enders, both natives of the Empire state, where they were mar- ried. Jacob Becker, the grandfather, was of German descent and was a prominent farmer of his native state. Unto him and his wife were born seven children : William. David, Yost. Daniel. Elizabeth, now Mrs. Steiner; Hannah, who became Mrs. Shell : and Cath- erine, the mother of Mrs. ()'Brian. Jeremiah Becker departed this life in New York in 1863. and his widow afterward kept her family together and at an early day came with them to Kansas, locating in Montgom- ery county. In 1876, accompanied by a daughter and her husband, she removed to Kentucky, where her death occurred in 1887. Their children were: Harriet, who died at the age of sixteen years; Mary, the wife of Ira L. Zeh : John, who died in Pennsylvania : and Jemima, the wife of our subject. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. O'Brian has been blessed with four children, namely: Mary. born September 17, 1875 : Thomas, born No- vember 12. 1876; Abby, born March 8. 1878: and John, born December 3. 1881. The children are all at home and are enjoy- ing excellent educational privileges. Mr. O'Brian was formerly a strong Republican. but since 1876 he has been identified with the Reformed party, believing most firmly in the principles set forth by its platform. He is recognized as one of the most public- spirited men of Rice county, and is progres- sive and generously helpful to every meas- ure which in his judgment tends to the gen- eral good.

G. W. STEVENS.

Since 1884 Judge G. W. Stevens has been a resident of Barber county and in those years he has left the impress of his individuality upon the public life and progress. Called to public office, he has dis- charged his duties with marked fidelity, and in private life he has been equally true to those principles which in every land and

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clime command respect and admiration. He is progressive and manifests the enter- prising spirit which is so characteristic of the west, for Judge Stevens is a western man by birth, training and preference. He was born in Louisiana, Pike county, Mis- souri, his father, Joseph Stevens, having been one of the first settlers in that portion of the state, coming there as an Indian trader. He was well known all along the Mississippi river in pioneer days and was an active factor in the early development of this portion of the country. He was born in the city of New York in 1800 and be- longed to a well known family of the metropolis. Joseph Stevens, Sr., the grand- father of our subject, was a native of Eng- land and coming to America spent his re- maining days in New York city. His wife bore the maiden name of Hannah Wade and one of her uncles was numbered among the first settlers of Cincinnati, Ohio, aiding in founding that city and promoting its early progress. In New York the father of our subject was reared and educated and when twenty years of age he determined to seek his fortune in the west, believing that he might have better opportunities in districts where competition was not so great. Ac- cordingly he made his way to Carrollton, Illinois. In 1824 he was married to Miss Almira D'Vall, a most estimable lady who represented a Vermont family of French lineage. Her father, John D'Vall, was one of the earliest settlers of Illinois, making his way westward in 1821, at which time he took up his abode in Greene county, of the Prairie state. He served as a soldier in the Black Hawk war when the Indians threat- ened the extermination of the pioneers, and the father of our subject was also a soldier in that encounter with the red men. After some years' residence in Louisiana, Mis- souri, the parents of Judge Stevens returned to Illinois, locating in Hancock county in 1833. It was then a frontier region. in which the work of progress and improve- ment had scarcely been begun, and from the wild land Mr. Stevens developed a farm. His death occurred in 1846, at the age of forty-six years. He was a tall. well-pro- portioned man and weighed over two hun-

dred pounds. In politics he was a Jackson Democrat and was most loyal to his honest convictions. In his home he was a kind and affectionate husband and father, in business was straightforward and reliable, and in all life's relations he commanded the good-will and confidence of his fellow men. His wife, who was born in 1804, passed away in 1864. She was a most worthy woman and lived to see her children become respected men and women. Her disposition was cheerful and sunny and she was greatly loved for her many good deeds. She held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Unto Jo- seph and Almira Stevens were born five children : John D., the eldest, was a promi- nent agriculturist of Hancock county, Illi- nois, and there served as sheriff, and also represented his district in the state senate. His widow and children now reside in Carthage, that state. George W. is the sec- ond of the family. Joseph Oliver is a farmer of Hancock county, Illinois. Frank- lin served for ten months as a soldier of the Civil war and was killed at the battle of Jackson, Mississippi, when twenty-three years of age. Joanna is the wife of Thomas Hatton, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 35

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