A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 37

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 37

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Joseph Wiley, therefore, is the only sur- viving member of the family. During his early youth his parents removed to Ohio, and there amid the wild scenes of the fron- tier he was reared to manhood, aiding in the arduous task of developing a new farm and experiencing all the hardships and trials in- cident to pioneer life. At the time when the United States became involved in war with Mexico, Joseph Wiley enlisted for service in an Ohio regiment and under com- mand of General Scott went to New Or- leans and thence to the land of Montezuma. He participated in the campaign under the intrepid leader and took part in a number

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of important engagements, including the battles of Vera Cruz, Buena Vista and Sac- ramento. When hostilities had ceased he was honorably discharged and returned home with a good military record. His at- tention was then devoted to the pursuits of civil life until his country once more became involved in war. His patriotic spirit was areused by the attempt of the south to over- throw the Union, and at President Lincoln's call for three hundred thousand troops, in June 1862, he again klonned his country's uniform, enlisting in Defiance, Ohio, as a member of Company D. One Hundredth Ohio Infantry, under Colonel Groom. At later dates his regiment was commanded by Ciaonel Steven and then by Colonel Bishop. Mr. Wiley participated in the battles of Richmond and Danville, Kentucky, pro- ceeded against General Morgan's troops and was under fire in the engagements at Lou- dle un, Tennessee, Concord and Knoxville. He was with General Sherman on the cele- brated march to the sea and for ninety days was almost constantly under fire. He also tek part in the battle of Resaca, in which he was wounded in the right wrist, and was also in the thickest of the fight in the en- gagements at Burnt Hickory, Marietta and Kennesaw Mountain. That was one of the most famous engagements in the whole war. The troops under General Schofield were commanded to capture the fort, which was in an almost impregnable position, and the General said. "Boys, every man for him- self and God for you all." The brilliant victory there achieved has become a matter of history. As the troops approached At- lanta Mr. Wiley was taken prisoner. The rebels took from him thirty dollars which he possessed, but left him his knife, and on the way to Andersonville he managed t. cut a hole in a box car and make his escape. although he was fired upon by the guards. In attempting to reach the Union lines he obtained food and shelter from the negroes, who were always kind to "Lincoln's soldier boys." and after wandering for twenty- three days he rejoined his regiment at Jonesboro. The command was sent back to meet General Hood's retreating army on its way to Nashville. For a time Mr. Wiley

was with the forces of General Thomas. Later he participated in the battles of Columbia, Alexandria, Fort Fisher, Fort Anderson, Wilmington and Raleigh, being at the last named place when the news was received that General Lee had surrendered his troops to General Grant. Later he was at Greenboro for two months, and after re- ceiving an honorable discharge he was mus- tered out of the service at Cleveland, Ohio. Well may he be proud of his military rec- ord. In two of the important wars of the country he has displayed his valor and loy- alty and well does he deserve the praise. commendation and gratitude of his native land.

After the Civil war closed Mr. Wiley returned to his home in Ohio and there re- sided until 1871, when he went to Ellsworth county. Kansas, there residing near the city of Ellsworth until 1883, when he came to Barber county. Here he has a good farm of eighty acres, splendidly improved.

Mr. Wiley was married in 1865 to Miss Rebecca Wilson, who was born on the bank of the Maumee river near Toledo, Ohio, and pursued her education in that lo- cality. She was a daughter of Hezekiah and Rebecca Wilson, and by her marriage she became the mother of six children, namely: Mrs. Cora Blake: Mrs. Isabella Ash : Della: Pearl, who is a successful and popular teacher in Barber county; Lucy; and Orin, who died in Louisiana of yellow fever at the age of twenty-seven years. In 1896 Mr. Wiley was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. who died on the 4th of February of that year, at the age of fifty- two. She was a member of the Christian church and her life was so characterized by kindness and good deeds that she won the love and esteem of all who knew her. In his political views Mr. Wiley was originally a Whig, but on the dissolution of that party he joined the ranks of the new Repubican party. He has served as a member of the school board but has never been an office seeker, giving his allegiance to the party simply because he believed in its principles and not because he sought reward for his allegiance. For many years he has been a deveut member of the Christian church and

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his life has been very honorable and up- right. He has passed the psalmist's span of three score years and ten, having reached the seventy-fourth milestone on the journey of life, and he receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded to those who attain an advanced age. His life has indeed been worthy of the highest re- gard and his example should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to the young.

ANDREW V. KENNEDY.

Andrew V. Kennedy is well known to the residents of Kingman county, among whom he has long resided, and his sterling worth has gained for him uniform regard. He is now the postmaster of Nashville, a position which he has continued to fill since 1892. He is also engaged in general merchan- dising there and is a well known stock- raiser of the county. His business inter- ests, carefully conducted, are bringing to him well deserved success.

Mr. Kennedy was born in Howard coun- ty. Indiana, March 20, 1853. His grand- father, Howard Kennedy, was reared in Kentucky, but at an early day removed to Indiana, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of Howard county. He entered land from the government and cleared and developed a farm, upon which he remained until called to his final rest. Andrew A. Kennedy, the father of our subject, was the tenth in order of birth in the family of eleven children born unto the grandfather. He was born in Kentucky. in April, 1813, and during his early boyhood he accompanied his parents to Indiana, where amid the wild scenes of frontier life he was reared to manhood. He then extensively engaged in the fur traffic up and down the Ohio river for many years, and later. inheriting the old homestead, he took up his abode thereon and devoted the remainder of his life to agricultural pursuits. He was married in Howard county, Indiana, about 1850, to Harriet E. Neff, who was born in that state, a daughter of William and Sarah Neff, both of whom died before the birth of our subject. At the time of previous. On the 10th of June, 1901, he

the Civil war Andrew A. Kennedy enlisted as a member of the One Hundred and Fifty- fifth Indiana Infantry for four months' ser- vice. He was a stanch Republican in his political views and in his fraternal relations was an Odd Fellow. His death occurred in 1876, while his wife passed away in 1869. They were the parents of four children : Jerome, who was a gallant soldier of the Union Army, enlisted when only fourteen years of age and served for four years and seven months as a member of the One Hun- dred and Thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry. He was once slightly wounded, but he re- mained at the front until the preservation of the Union was an assured fact. He died in Kokomo, Indiana, in 1898. King has for thirty years been engaged in business in Kokomo as a dealer in men's clothing. Andrew V. is the third of the family. Will- iam, who was a merchant of Kokomo, In- diana, died in that city in 1883.

To the public school system of Howard county. Indiana, Andrew V. Kennedy is in- debted for the educational privileges he re- ceived. He remained at home until after the death of his mother and in the spring of of 1870 he began learning the plasterer's trade, which he followed in Kokomo for a year. In March 1871, he came to Kansas, locating in Cowley county, near Dexter, where he engaged in farming through the seasons of 1871 and 1872. In the spring of 1873 he removed to Greenwood county, where he remained for a period of five years, working on a cattle ranch. In 1878 he turned his attention to general farming. and was thus employed in that county until 1887, owning a farm during the last three years of his residence there. In 1887 he removed to Garfield county, and engaged in general merchandising at Calvesta for three years. In 1890 he took up his abode in Nashville, where he established a general mercantile store, successfully conducting the same until August 1, 1899. On the 21st of November of that year a disastrous fire swept over the town, destroying the major part of the busi- ness section and Mr. Kennedy would have lost all his business interests had he not been fortunate enough to sell a few weeks

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again embarked in general merchandising in his present large and commodious store, in which the postoffice is also located, he having been postmaster of the town since 1892. During almost his entire residence in Kingman county, in addition to his mer- cantile pursuits, he has been engaged in the stock business, having a large tract of land leased for that purpose. At the present time he has a herd of one hundred and fifty head of graded short-horn cattle, selling a num- ber each year as stockers. He also engages in buying and selling cattle and conducts a small meat market in connection with his store, thus supplying the local demand.

On the 20th of October, 1879, Mr. Ken- nedy was married to Miss Harriet Warfield, the wedding taking place in Greenwood county, Kansas. The lady was born in Iowa and was a daughter of James and Lucinda Warfield. Her death occurred in Green- wood county, this state. November 10, 1887, and on the 22d of November, 1888, Mr. Kennedy was again married, his second union being with Maggie Bridgewater, of Greenwood county, who was born in Saline county, Missouri, a daughter of John Bridgewater. By the first marriage there were four children: Pearl, who died in Nashville, in December, 1885 : Howard, who is engaged in merchandising in Kokomo, Indiana : Mabel and Herbert, at home. By the second union there are two children, Harold and Gracie.

Mr. Kennedy has often been solicited to accept public office, but has always declined, preferring to serve his fellow townsmen merely as a private citizen. In politics he is a loyal Republican, having supported that party since casting his first presidential vote. He has been a delegate to many county con- ventions, was a delegate to the state conven- tion in Topeka. in June, 1901, and to the senatorial convention, in Pratt. in July, of the same year. Fraternally he is connected with Nashville Lodge, No. 383. I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all the chairs, and has also been a delegate to the grand lodge in Topeka. He is one of the foremost citi- zens of Nashville, known for his liberality to public measures for the general good and for his reliability in business and private

life. The success which he enjoys has all been gained through his own unaided enferts and his example is well worthy of emulation.

J. H. OWEN.

J. 11. Owen is one of the well known citizens of Medicine Loxlge and has been a resident of Barber county since 1879. He was born in Laurel county, Kentucky, in 1845 and is a son of John and Jane (Knight ) Owen, who were also natives of Kentucky and represented old families of that state. In the year 1856 the parents re- moved from their native state to Mercer county, Missouri, settling near Princeton, and the mother passed away at the age of seventy-two years, while the father reached the advanced age of eighty-three years. He was a farmer by occupation, devoting his energies to that pursuit in order to provide for his family. His political support was given the Democracy, he being an advocate of the principles expounded by Jackson. His wife held membership in the Baptist church. and unto this worthy couple were born eleven children, three sons and eight daughters. William was a soldier in Com- pany I, Seventh Missouri Infantry, during the Civil war and now resides in Mercer county, Missouri.

J. H. Owen is the only member of the family residing in central Kansas. He spent the first eleven years of his life in Ken- tucky and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Mercer county, Missouri, where he assisted in the cultivation and de- velopment of the home farm. The public schools afforded him his educational privi- leges, and reading, experience and observa- tion have added to his knowledge in later years and made him a well-informed man. When he had attained man's estate he sought as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Nannie Thompson, their wedding being celebrated in 1865. She was a native of Mercer county, Missouri, and a daughter of Charles and Margaret ( Brown) Thompson. The father died in Missouri at the age of seventy-two years, and the

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mother in Medicine Lodge, at the age of eighty-four. She was a consistent member of the Baptist church and both were people of the highest respectability. In their fam- ily were five sons and five daughters, and of this number three were valiant soldiers of the Civil war,-Marion, who was a mem- ber of a Missouri regiment; Henry, who belonged to the Thirteenth Missouri In- fantry and is now living in Woodward, Kansas; and George, who was also con- nected with the Missouri troops and is now deceased. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Owen has been blessed with six children : Mrs! May Marquand, of Barber county ; Charles, a fireman on the railroad, living at Blackwell, Oklahoma; John T., a farmer of Barber county; William, who makes his home in Chanute, Kansas, and is also a rail- road fireman; and Walter, who is a student in the law office of Noble & Tincher, and is a graduate of the Ottawa Business College. Another daughter is Mrs. Minnie Jones.

The year 1879 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Owen and his family in Barber county. He secured a farm east of Medicine Lodge and resided thereon for sixteen years, after which he took up his abode in the city. Here he has a fine residence, tastefully fur- nished and giving evidence of the refine- ment and culture of the owners. He still owns his farm property and derives there- from a good income.

Mr. Owen holds membership in the Grand Army of the Republic in this place and for two terms has served as its com- mander. His eligibility comes by reason of his faithful service in the Civil war as a member of Company I, Seventh Missouri Cavalry. He made a gallant record and is deserving of the gratitude of the country for what he did in behalf of the Union. He en- listed in April, 1862, for three years' serv- ice and was under the command of Captain George T. Hamblin and Colonel John T. Crittenden. He took part in the engage- nvents against General Price and General Marmaduke, participated in the battle of Prairie Grove, the two engagements at Springfield, Missouri, and at Jefferson City, also with his regiment followed General Price over a great extent of territory and

was present at the capture of General Mar- maduke. He was twice struck by a spent ball, his horse was shot and he had many narrow escapes at different times, but he re- mained at his post of duty until honorably discharged at St. Louis, Missouri, at the close of his three years' term. In his political affiliations he has always been a stalwart Republican and for four years he served as deputy sheriff under James Dob- son. He is also constable of the town. So- cially he is identified with the Masonic lodge, and his wife belongs to the Christian church. Mr. Owen has resided in Barber county for twenty-two years, during which time he has witnessed much of its progress and development and has ever borne his part in advancing its welfare and interest.

LEVI ALLEN.

The name borne by the subject of this review is one which is well known in King- man county and particularly in Allen town- ship, which was named in honor of his fa- ther, and of which the two were the first set- tlers. To them is due in large measure the substantial upbuilding and the material progress of this section of the county, and from the beginning the family name has been a synonym of integrity and honor in the community, has stood voucher for enter- prise and industry, while the personal popu- larity of the various members of the family is the result of those qualities of mind and heart which ever win regard on the part of the appreciative. Mr. Allen is one of the extensive farmers and stock-growers of the county, has a finely improved landed estate of twelve hundred acres', lying in Allen township, Kingman county, and Erie town- ship, Sedgwick county, his postoffice ad- dress being Norwich.

Mr. Allen comes of fine old English line- age, being a native of Cambridgeshire, Eng- land, where he was born on the 15th of March, 1846, the son of Levi and Dorcas (Annis) Allen, both of whom were born in that same fine old county of the "tight little isle," the date of the father's nativity having

MR. AND MRS. LEVI ALLEN.

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been 1807. Levi Allen, Sr., was reared to - --- the life of the farm and received his educa- tional discipline in the schools of England, where he continued to reside until . 1866, when with his family he emigrated to the United States, settling in Vanderburg coun- ty. Indiana, where he was engaged in farm- ing for a decade. In 1876 he became one of the pioneers of Kansas, though he had pre- vi usly resided for a brief interval in Den- ver. Colorado. After he came to Kansas, he and his sons William and Levi each took up a claim of government land in what is now Allen township, the three claims being ontiguous. On the line between the two they erected the first dwelling built in the town- ship. the same being a primitive structure. such as was typical in the early pioneer epoch. Here they developed a fine farm. fostering the growth of the county and township in every possible way and wit- .

nessing the various transitions which have marked the history of the county. The fa- ther of our subject passed away at the age of eighty years, honored for his unswerving integrity of character and for his ability as a business man. In politics he gave his alle- giance to the Democratic party, and his re- ligioas faith was that of the Methodist Epis- copal church, of which his devoted and cherished wife also was a member. her death . courting in 1802, at the age of seventy- seven years. Of their thirteen children seven attained years of maturity, namely: John, who served in the war of the Rebellion, be- ing assigned to duty on the gunboat Canis- toga and dying as the result of injuries re- ceived in battle: Gorge is a resident of Den- ver. Colorado: Elizabeth died in Indiana ; William is a resident of Cheney. Sedgwick county, Kansas : Emma resides in Indiana : Jane in Denver, Colorado: and Levi. Jr .. is the subject of this review.

Levi Allen, Jr., was reared to the age of nine years in England, and then accom- panied his parents on their removal to America, completing his early educational training in Indiana, where he grew to ma- turity on the homestead farm, being about nineteen years of age at the time when his father removed to the west. To the original 62

claims in Kingman county, where he thus came as a young man, he has since added until he has a fine farm of four hundred and eighty acres in Allen township and an addi- tional seven hundred and twenty acres across the line in Erie township. Sedgwick county. His residence is located in the ier- mer county and is one of the attractive farm homes of this section, while he has further improved the place by the erection of a fine barn, 32x60 feet in dimensions, and by put- ting up other necessary outbuildings. The extent of his farming operations may be understood when it is stated that he has eight hundred acres under a high state of cultivation, while the balance is fenced and used for pasture, and he also devotes special attention to the raising of horses and cattle of high grade. His success is a credit to his enterprise and progressive spirit and he is a worthy representative of one of the hon- ored old pioneer families of this section of the state.

In politics he espouses the cause of the Democratic party as coalesced with the Per- ple's party, and he and his wife are members of the Christian church at Cheney. Their home is one in which a gracious hospitality is ever dispensed, and is a favorite resort for their large circle of friends.

On the 31st of December, 1891. Mr. Al- len was united in marriage with Miss Fan- nie Fearey, who was born and reared in Kansas. Her father. Henry H. Fearey, was born in England, the son of Enoch Fearey, and was brought to this country at the age of twelve years by his parents. He mar- ried Anna Buckingham, a native of Indiana. and they came to Kansas during the pioneer epoch, and he became a successful farmer here. They had four sons and five daugh- ters. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have three chil- dren: John W .. born February 6. 1893; Ruth A .. November 6, 1894; and Jesse. September 24, 1898.

WILLIAM E. HUNTER.

It is the enterprise and character of the citizens that ennobles and enriches the en- monwealth. From individual enterprise has

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sprung all the splendor and improvements of this great west. The greatest business men have developed from the humblest origin : from clerkships have emerged those who have established extensive commer- cial concerns, and farm hands have be- come leading agriculturists of their com- munities. America is a self-made country and those who have created it are self- made inen.

It is certainly creditable that earnest and persistent effort, guided by sound judgment, can secure advance- ment, and it is this which draws to our shores so many representatives of foreign lands who have not the same opportunities in their own country.

Mr. Hunter is to-day one of the most prominent and representative agriculturists of Rice county, being proprietor of the Al- falfa stock farm. He was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, August 6, 1856, and was reared in Jacksonville, that county, his parents being William R. and Lydia (Lowrey) Hunter, both of whom were also natives of the Keystone state, where the father spent his entire life. He was a son of Robert Hunter. an early settler of Penn- sylvania and of English descent. He fol- lowed the shoemaker's trade in Jacksonville. His children were John. James, William R., Robert, Mrs. Betsey Ross, Martha, the wife of W. Nesbit. Mrs. Margaret Mitchell, Mrs. Jeremiah Emerick and Mary, who died in 1900. The parents were identified with the Methodist church. William R. Hunter, the father of our subject, was reared and spent his entire life in Jacksonville. He fol- lowed shoemaking. that pursuit yielding him a living. He was an active worker and served as an elder in the Presbyterian church, being highly respected by his fellow citizens. His death occurred in March, 1858. His widow then removed with her children to a farm, keeping the family to- gether until her sons and daughters were grown. When they left home she sold the farm and for a number of years resided in Jacksonville. In 1880 she came to Kan- sas and found a good home with her son, William E .. with whom she remained until her death, on the 6th of August, 1887. She was a daughter of Daniel Lowrey, of

Pennsylvania, who followed farming and was highly honored for his uprightness of character and his sterling worth. His death occurred in Indiana county, of the Keystone state. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church and they reared a family of twelve children, namely: Sam- uel. Robert, Hugh, Lewis, William, Jessie, Mary, Rachel, Lydia, Sarah, Nannie and Kizzie. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hunter were born four children: Sylvester L., who for many years was a Methodist minister and belonged to the Northeastern Kansas Con- ference, but is now retired from preaching and resides on a farm: Nannie, the wife of D. M. McLester; Robert N., a resident farmer of Rice county; and William E.

The last named was born in Jackson- ville, Pennsylvania, and after the death of his father went with his mother to the farm, where he remained for a number of years. Subsequently he accompanied her on her return to Jacksonville, and there he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed at that place until nineteen years of age, when he came to the west, first lo- cating in Lacon, Marshall county, Illinois. There he was employed in a nursery for two years and in January, 1877, he came to Rice county, where he purchased a claim and registered a homestead. He ultimately proved it and secured his title from the gov- ernment, the deed being signed by Grover Cleveland. then president of the United States. He yet resides upon this place, which he has transformed into a very valu- able farm. In 1880 he was married and began the struggle of life in earnest. He paid a large interest upon his farm and some years had spare crops, yet by determined i purpose, energy and perseverance he has been enabled to press steadily forward and his honest dealing and diligence have in the course of time brought to him a comfort- able competence. As his financial resources increased he added to his property and now owns two other farms in addition to the home place. All of his land is improved and under a high state of cultivation. He set- tled on an almost unbroken prairie when he came to the county, there being only a few families within five miles and three houses

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 37

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