A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 36

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 36

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Judge Stevens, whose name introduces this review, was born May 19, 1831. in Louisiana, Missouri, and was but two years of age when his parents removed to Han- cock county, Illinois, where he was reared upon the home farm but early became famil- iar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. At the age of twenty-two he was married to Miss Myra Worrell, a most estimable lady, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, but was reared and educated in Hancock county, . Illinois. Her parents were Elisha and Sarah (Knott) Worrell, and the former is now deceased. In 1867 Judge Stevens ac- companied by his family, removed to Cass. county, Missouri, where he engaged in farming and stock raising. He became a. : leading and influential citizen of that com- munity and served as county sheriff. prov- ing fearless and faithful in the discharge of i his duties. In 1884 he arrived in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, and purchased eight hun- 'red and eighty acres of rich and valuable

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land. He is now extensively engaged in the , though he has reached the psalmist's span of raising of cattle, and also has three hundred three score years and ten he appears to be a man of much younger age, and is yet actively concerned with the affairs of life both in a business way and in political serv- ice. He is firm in support of all that he believes to be just and honorable, and his career has been characterized by integrity and by forbearance and right in all his deal- ings with his fellow men. and forty acres of his land planted to the crops best adapted to this climate. The re- mainder . f his farm is devoted to pasturage purposes and he keeps upon the place three hundred head of cattle. His ranch is pleas- antly and conveniently located six miles east of the town, and while he maintains his residence in Medicine Lodge he gives his personal supervision to the management of his farming and stock raising interests. The home of the Judge and his wife has G. M. MARTIN. been blessed with seven children, namely : Joseph Stanley, who married Minnie Clark, is a railroad man living in Dennison, Ohio. Lelia M. is the wife of Joseph Gibson, a merchant of Isabell, Kansas. Harry W .. who married Martha Doles, a daughter of William Doles, now of Oklahoma, is a farmer and ranchman of Barber county. Mary is the wife of L. T. Wilson, an at- torney of Alva, Oklahoma. Myra, who is the twin sister of Mary, is the wife of James Jones, who is engaged in the real estate business in Wichita. Kansas. Stella is the wife of Eugene Youmans, a merchant of Medicine Lodge. And Harriet is the wife of A. L. Shannon. an attorney of Carthage, Missouri. The greatest loss that ever came to Judge Stevens was when, in 1893, he was called upon to give up his wife, who died in that year at the old home in Illinois, where she was visiting while on her way to attend the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. She was then fifty-nine years of age. She had been a most worthy helpmate to her husband and a kind and loving wife and mother. and her friends throughout the community were almost as many as her acquaintances.

Judge Stevens is a Democrat and has always been an active worker in the interests of the party, doing all in his power to pro- mote its growth and insure its success. Since coming to Barber county he has served for two terms as sheriff, discharging his duties in a most prompt and capable man- ner. He was also county judge in Cass county, Missouri, and on the bench was fair and impartial in his rulings, neither fear nor favor influencing him in any way. Al-

In the history of the legal fraternity of Barber county mention must be made of G. M. Martin, who is one of the prominent lawyers practicing at the bar of Medicine Lodge. He was admitted to practice in 1880 in Neosho county and is now well known in this portion of the state for his capability in the line of his chosen vocation. He is num- bered among the worthy citizens that Illi- nois has furnished to this state. his birth having occurred in the Prairie state on the 13th of August, 1852. His grandfather, Drury Martin, was one of the pioneer set- lers of Illinois, emigrating westward from South Carolina and in the Mississippi val- ley he spent his remaining days.

Jonathan Martin, the father of our sub- ject. was born and reared near the Wabash river. on the division line between Illinois and Indiana. He married Emily Matthews, who is a native of the Hoosier state and who proved to him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey. She was reared in Illinois and represented one of the old families of Kentucky, her parents re- moving from that state to Indiana. When gold was discovered in California. Jona- than Martin, hoping that he might rapidly acquire wealth in that state, made his way to the Pacific slope, but ultimately returned to Illinois. His death occurred in Illinois, at the age of fifty-five years, and his wife passed away at the age of fifty years. In ante-bellum days he gave an earnest support to the cause of abolition and when the Re- publican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery, he joined its

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ranks and was one of its zealous supporters. He was a warm personal friend of Lincoln and also enjoyed the acquaintance of Owen Lovejoy. He took a very active part in abolition work in Illinois in the '4os and was widely known on account of his effective service in promoting the anti-slavery senti- ment. In his family were four sons and four daughters and two of the sons died in Kansas.

In the public schools of his native state. G. M. Martin obtained a good education, which served as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of his professional learning. He took up the study of law in Lincoln, Illinois, under the direction of Ed- ward Lynch, a well known attorney of that place, and later studied with O. O. Felkner, of Chanute, Kansas, who was a distin- guished lawyer there. In 1880 he was ad- mitted to the bar and has since devoted his entire time and attention to his legal prac- tice, which has since increased in volume and importance. In the trial of cases he has shown his strength, keen discernment and strong reasoning faculties and has won many notable forensic victories. He also en- gages in stock raising, having a valuable ranch in this portion of the state.

In 1880 Mr. Martin was united in mar- riage to Nancy A. Doggett, a native of Kokomo. Indiana, and a daughter of A. J. Doggett. Six children have been born unto them, three sons and three daughters, name- ly: Chester E .; John A .; Nellie E. ; Mar- garet : Delilah; and James G. The eldest daughter is one of the successful teachers of Arbor county. In early life Mr. Martin gave his political support to the Greenback party, but later upheld the principles advo- cated by the Republican party. He has served as a delegate to many political conventions and his opinions carry weight in the coun- cils of his party. Socially he is a Mason, belonging to Delta Lodge, No. 177, F. & A. M., of Medicine Lodge. Mr. Martin is well known and during the years of his resi- dence in Medicine Lodge he has gained the public support in his profession and is now accounted one of the most successful and prominent lawyers in this part of the state.

ANDREW McINTURFF.

Andrew McInturff was born in Shenan- doah county, Virginia, December 24, 1836, a son of Henry and Elizabeth McInturff. The parents were what was then termed Penn- sylvania-Dutch, and although they spoke German their children were taught the Eng- lish language. They were the parents of fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters. The father was called to his final rest in 1846, dying of typhoid fever. At his death he left a family of thirteen chil- dren for the mother and older children to support, for the family were in very limited circumstances. The mother, who was born in Virginia, died in the same state.

Andrew McInturff, the tenth in order of birth in his parents' family, was obliged to begin the battle of life for himself at the early age of fourteen years, with only a sufficient education to enable him to read and write. In 1857, with only the means to pay his way to Indiana, he started for the west, where he had relatives living, and in 1858 he resumed his westward journey to the northern part of Missouri. In 1860 he crossed the plains to the Pike's Peak gold fields with an ox team, but not finding a good claim there, with one companion, he walked from the west of the Rocky Mount- ains to the northern part of Missouri, mak- ing the journey of nine hundred miles in thirty days. In 1861, at Fort Leavenworth, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, en- tering the Fifth Kansas Cavalry, under Jim Lane and afterward under Powell Clayton, now: United States minister to the city of Mexico. Mr. McInturff served for three years and thirty days, during which time he had many miraculous escapes and was wounded in the right shoulder in the battle near Helena, Arkansas, which disabled him from further manual labor, as the ball still remains where it lodged. He is the only one of seven boys that served in the Union army. When discharged he returned to Mercer county, Missouri, and on the 4th of December, 1864, Mr. McInturff was united in marriage to Lucretia Sweetman, a native of New York. In September, 1872, they

A. M Sintraf

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came to Hutchinson, Kansas, locating on a claim there, but in 1876, not being able to perform hard labor, he left the farm and emparked in the photograph business, which he has since made his occupation. His pro- ficency in the work is second to none in the state, and he has followed this occupation for over twenty years in Hutchinson, where he and his son have built up a wide reputa- tion for excellent work. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Inturff have become the parents of four liv- ing children, three sons and a daughter, namely : 1. Eugene. A. P., E. W. and Clara A. The daughter is the wife of Edward M. Moore, of the Hutchinson News Company. In political matters Mr. MeInturff has given his support to the Republican party.

JOHN M. PURCELL.

Among the honored pioneer settlers of Kansas, a descendant of one of the old and prominent families of Virginia and now a representative farmer and stock-raiser of Rice county, is John M. Purcell, who was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, January 26. 1841, his parents being Edwin and Rachel ( Paxson ) Purcell, both natives of Virginia, where they were married. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Samuel Purcell, who was of Irish descent, but was born in Vir- ginia, where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred on his homestead near Purcellville, a town named in honor of the Purcell family. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: Jo- nah: Jane, who married William Urton; Enos : Burnard: Samuel; Hannah; Edwin; and Hector.

Edwin Purcell, the father of our subject, was born and reared in Virginia, where he married and engaged in farming. In 1847 he moved to Oltio, locating in Adams county, where he bought a farm, upon which he made substantial improvements and made his home until his death, which occurred in 1885 when he had attained the ripe old age of eighty-six years. He was a man of strong

constitution and equally strong character. strictly moral and of unquestioned integrity and honor. He reared his family to habits of industry, honesty and economy. He was a Democrat in his political affiliations but never aspired to public office or notoriety. His lrome was blessed with nine interesting chil- dren, namely : William R. ; Burr P: Valen- tine V .: Margaret, who married J. H. Cus- ter: John M., the subject of this review ; Malon, who died in Ohio: Thomas H. ; Enos; and Franklin. John M. is the only member of the family residing in Kansas, and he and his brother, Burr P., both served in the Union army during the Civil war. The mother of this family was a daughter of William Paxson of Virginia, a prominent farmer of that state, who made his home there until his death. His children were Samuel : Mary ; Jacob ; William : Rachel, the mother of the subject of this sketch; and Griffith.

John M. Purcell, whose name introduces this review, removed with his parents from Virginia to Ohio when seven years of age, and there grew to manhood. He received a common-school education and assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm until 1864. when he enlisted in Company K. One Hundred and Forty-first Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, which was consigned to the Army of West Virginia and stationed as guards at Fort Hurricane. There he re- mained until the fall of the same year, when lie received an honorable discharge and re- turned to his home and resumed farming at the homestead, remaining there until 1870, when he married and engaged in farming on his own account. In 1880 he moved to Kansas, locating in Rice county. Like most early settlers he had small means and consequently had to begin farming on a small scale. He bought eighty acres of raw prairie one mile east of where the town of Chase has since been established. He built a small house, fenced his land, broke the prairie and labored early and late to im- prove his farm and place it under good cul- tivation, and his labors were crowned with success. When he settled in the Sunflower state much of it was still in its wild and

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primitive condition, the settlements were few and far apart and the farmers had to go long distances to find a market for their grain and other farm products, but the rail- roads which have since been built all · through the west brought energetic and en- terprising farmers and business men from the east who have invested their capital and developed in that section of the west the great commonwealth of Kansas.

Mr. Purcell was not a vigorous man when he moved to Kansas, but the climate here so improved his health that he is now strong and robust and is actively engaged in general farming and stock-raising. As his financial resources have increased he has added to his lands and now owns four hun- dred and four acres, upon which he raises diversified crops and has large bins for un- sold wheat. Upon his place are fine pasture lands, through which runs living water, and he engages quite extensively in the raising of graded stock, having some fine specimens of short-horn cattle, among them a fine male animal, and all of them are registered. He built a large two-story frame residence, com- modious barns, sheds and other outbuild- ings. There is also a large orchard and a fine grove of shade trees upon the place. everything is kept in good order, the fields are all under a high state of cultivation and the farm is one of the most attractive and valuable ones in Rice county.

On the 4th of January, 1870, Mr. Pur- cell was united in marriage to Miss Emaline E. Gore, who was born in Adams county, Ohio, November 20, 1840, and is a daughter of John G. and Sarah E. (Reid) Gore, both natives of Virginia, where they were mar- ried. He was a son of Solomon Gore, a prominent farmer, born in 1779, was a mem- ber of the Society of Friends and died in Virginia. His children were: Enos, Sarah E .. Joshua, William. John G., Ann L., Jona- than, Thomas and James H. John G. Gore, the father of Mrs. Purcell, was a farmer by occupation, was reared a Quaker but after- ward became a Methodist and lived a con- sistent member of the church of that de- nomination. In his political affiliations he was originally a Whig and later became a

stanch Republican, but never aspired to po- litical office. His wife died at their home in Ohio, in 1843, and he afterward married a sister of his first wife, Alcinda Reid. Their father, William Reid, was a prominent farmer of Virginia who moved to Ohio, where he died in 1853. He was a strictly moral man and supported the churches but was not a member of any. By his first wife John G. Gore had four children: Thomas W .: Emaline E., the wife of our subject ; Alcinda J., deceased: and John M. The children by his second wife were: Henry W .; George F .; Sarah E., wife of S. Mc- Clure ; Townsend; and Frances A., who died in childhood. Emaline E. and Sarah McClure are the only ones now living. The home of our subject and his wife has been blessed with five children, namely: Olive, born August 26, 1871, and who is a com- petent and successful teacher : Orville, who died in infancy: Emma E., who was born July 4, 1873; Homer E., who died when four years of age; and Townsend H., who was born August 31. 1878, and is engaged in farming on the old homestead. The par- ents of this family are both worthy members of the Methodist church. Mr. Purcell is a Democrat in his political affiliations and does all in his power to secure the growth and insure the success of the party, but he does not aspire to political preferment. He is genial and social in his disposition and is widely and favorably known. and in the community where he resides he is held in the highest respect and regard by his fellow citizens.

J. N. SHELDON.

J. N. Sheldon is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Kansas and is now associated with the farming in- terests of Rice county. He was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, February 2. 1859, and was reared on the home farm. The family is of English lineage, however, and was founded in America by the grand- father of our subject and his six brothers. who were born in the Merrie Isle and

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crossed the Atlantic to America, taking up their abode in New England. John Sheldon, the father, was born in Ver- mont and remained in that state until he had attained his majority, when he made his way westward, locating in Wisconsin, where he followed both carpentering and farming. He was there married to Miss Martha ). Dyer, a native of Tennessee. They began their domestic life upon a farm, where they remained until all of their ten children were born. In 1867 they emigrated to Kansas, locating in Marion county, where Mr. Sheldon located a claim which he af- terward sold. He then removed to Abilene and resided with one of his sons until his death, which occurred in March. 1874. He followed mechanical pursuits and farming throughout his business career and did not aspire to public office. His wife brought the children to Rice county in 1873 and took up a homestead claim, when there were few permanent settlers in this portion of the state. She had owned and conducted a hotel in Abiline, and on coming to this county she tore down the building and brought it with her, where it was put up and again used as a residence. Here she home- steaded a tract of land, which under her supervision was operated, raising both corn and oats the first season. In the summer of 1874 farming was carried on upon her own land and there seemed good prospects for excellent crops, but the grasshoppers came and destroyed everything green. This was very discouraging, but the family man- aged to get along through strict economy and capable management, two of the sons being employed as herders and their wages going to aid in general support. In 1875 times were more prosperous and good crops were raised. From that time on the farm was self-supporting. the sons carrying on the active work of the fields and meadows. The mother kept her children together, care- fully managing for them and making every personal sacrifice and effort that would pro- mote the welfare and happiness of her sons and daughters. She bore cheerfully the hard- ships and trials of pioneer life for the sake of bringing up her children to honorable

manhood and womanhood, and in this she was successful, for she lived to see them all grown and comfortably settled in life. and on the 23d of June, 1894, she was called to her final rest. Her devotion, her sacrifice and her efforts won the undying love of her children who venerate her mem- ory. She was born in Tennessee and her father was of Irish descent. He was a shoemaker by trade and followed that pur- suit throughout his business career. The children of Mrs. Sheldon were: Mrs. Sarah Barstow, whose first husband was killed in the Civil war, after which she be- came the wife of P. Benedict, but she is now deceased : Sophia, the wife of J. Prath- er : Henry, who served in the Rebellion and died in Oklahoma : Lucretia, who became the wife of G. Molton, and is now deceased ; Brunilda, the wife of B. F. Beale: Samuel, of Oklahoma: Laura. the wife of W. A. Howard : and J. N.

The last named pursued his education in the common-schools of Kansas and remained at home with his mother, relieving her as much as possible of the care and responsibil- ity of the farm. He had the entire man- agement of the farm after the other chil- dren had left home and thus he paid in part the debt of filial love and devotion which every child owes to the mother who makes her chief object in life the care of her chil- dren. At the time of his marriage he did not leave home, but brought his bride to the old place and purchased the farm, re- ceiving the title from his mother, who made her home with him and his wife during her declining years. All of the improvements upon the place he assisted in making and to-day he has a commodious and convenient residence, a large new barn and other out- buildings, while an orchard yields its fruit in season. The place is located two miles southeast of Mitchell and is most neat and thrifty in appearance, being supplied with all the modern accessories for progressive farming. Mr. Sheldon now owns an entire section of land. well improved, and on this he has several tenant houses. His fields are highly cultivated and his possessions stand as a monument to his thrift and labor, all

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having been acquired through his own earn- est effort.

In 1886 Mr. Sheldon married Miss Emma Holmes, who was born in Iowa, Au- gust 16, 1862, and is a daughter of J. P. and Mary A. ( Anderson) Holmes, both of whom are natives of Virginia. Their mar- riage. however, was celebrated in Iowa. where they spent their remaining days, the father devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits. Their children were: John, who died in the Union army, while serving in the Civil war; Martha, the wife of O. S. Sherrick: B. F., of Lyons, Kansas: W. D .. of Iowa: Reuben, who died at the age of sixteen years ; Marv. the wife of J. W. Mil- ler: Mrs. Emma Sheldon: and Charles, of Geneseo, Kansas. The mother was a mem- ber of the Methodist church. After her death the father was again married, his second union being with Sarah Burk, by whom he had one daughter. Anna, now the wife of A. G. Brown, a Presbyterian min- ister. MIrs. Sheldon came to Kansas in 1885. joining her brother in Rice county. Here she formed the acquaintance of him to whom she gave her hand in marriage. Four children grace their union: Mabel, who was born September 23. 1889; Alva. born August 8, 1891 : Esther, born July 30, 1893: and Blanch, born October 30, 1898. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon hold member- ship in the Methodist church and their Chris- tian belief permeates their lives. Politically he is a Republican and keeps well informed on the issues of the day. He has filled a number of offices and is now serving as township treasurer, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. He is cer- tainly a self-made man, for in early life he was thrown upon his own resources and has had no outside aid or influence to assist him in gaining the present financial position which he now occupies. Brooking no ob- stacles that could be overcome by sincere effort he has advanced steadily to the goal of prosperity, and his life should serve as an inspiration and encouragement to others who are forced thus to depend upon their own efforts for material advancement and progress.

JOSEPH WILEY.

When the tocsin of war sounded and men from every avenue of life flocked to the standard of their country to aid in the preservation of the Union, Mr. Wiley conned the blue uniform and went forth to fight for the old flag and the cause it rep- resented, but this was not his only military service, for he was also a veteran of the Mexican war. Certainly he deserves great credit for what he has done for his coun- try, and the republic owes to him a debt of gratitude for his valiant efforts in her behalf.

Mr. Wiley is a native of Virginia, his birth having occurred in Stafford county on the 17th of December, 1827. He represents one of the old and esteemed families of that state. His father, Hezekiah Wiley, was a native of North Carolina, and married Sarah Wheeler, who was born in Maryland. He was killed at a log rolling at Defiance, Ohio, having become one of the pioneer settlers of the Buckeye state. His wife, surviving him for a number of years, passed away at the age of seventy-six. They were the parents of two children, Joseph and Eliza, the latter now deceased. The mother afterward married again, becoming the wife of Joseph Henderson, by whom she had three sons, all of whom were soldiers of the Civil war, James and Charles serving in the Thirty-eighth Ohio Infantry, while Thomas was a member of the Sixty-eighth Regiment of Ohio Volunteers.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 36

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