A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 48

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 48

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

D.W. Wilcox

1049

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

Massachusetts, Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox have one child, Abigail, who was born in Kan- sas in 1876 and is a graduate of the Newton high school. She is an accomplished young lady of musical and artistic tastes, and pos- sesses considerable talent along those lines.

On first coming to Kansas in 1872, Mr. Wilcox located in Butler county when there were only two or three other fam- ilies in his township. He had a hard experience during the grasshopper plague, and with his wife in a covered rig left the county, returning in the fall of 1875. Although it seemed a great calamity at the time, it was really the turning point in his life. As one of his neighbors proposed to sow the forty acres he had broken in fall wheat, he went back to his old home in Illinois, and farmed there one year, teaching school during the winter months. When his share of the crop of wheat was marketed he found that he had more money than he really hoped for. When he first came to Kansas he had but four hun- dred dollars and being unable to secure an expensive farm, he bought a tract of rail- road land on easy terms. He made a small payment and agreed to pay the annual inter- est for two years, and then pay ten per cent of the purchase price each year for ten years.

On his return to this state in the fall of 1875 he sold his interest and improvements for fourteen hundred and eighty dollars. which gave him a start on locating in New- ton in March, 1877. He embarked in the grocery business, which he successfully car- ried on for twenty-three years, building up a paying and constantly increasing trade. As there were only two other groceries in the place at the time. he prospered from the start. In June, 1896, Mr. Wilcox assisted in organizing the Railroad Loan & Savings Company, and has since served as its presi- dent, the other officers being W. R. Scott, vice-president : and J. R. Trouslot. treasurer : P. M. Hoisington, secretary; and C. E. Branina, attorney. These gentlemen, to- gether with C. M. Beachy, W. R. Munroe, D. C. Conway and W. H. Hamilton. con- stitute the board of directors. The capital

stock of the company is two million dollars. It is one of the leading associations of the kind in the state and one of its most solid financial institutions. The safe conserva- tive policy Mr. Wilcox inaugurated com- mends itself to the judgment of all, and the success of the institution is certainly due in a large measure to him.

He has dealt quite extensively in real estate, and still owns a good farm in Ford county, Kansas, and another in Illinois, be- sides his pleasant home on East Seventh street, Newton, where he has resided since 1878. He is one of the most reliable, ener- getic and successful business men of New- ton, as well as one of its most popular and highly respected citizens. In 1884 he was elected mayor of the city, and being re- elected served at that time four years. He was again called upon to fill that office in 1896 and served two terms. Never were the reins of city government in more capable hands. for he is progressive and pre-eminent- ly public-spirited, and all that pertains to the public welfare receives his hearty en- dorsement. He has also been an efficient member of the board of education for sev- eral years. In politics he is a Republican.

CHRISTIAN PIDER.

One of the most straightforward, ener- getic and successful business men of Jewell county is Christian Pider. He is public- spirited and thoroughly interested in what- ever tends to promote the moral, intellectu- al and material welfare of his locality, and for many years he has been numbered among its most valued and honored citizens. He was born in Hamburg, Germany, on the 23d of December. 1844, a son of Christian and Mary E. Pider, natives of the same b :- cality. The mother died in her native land when our subject was but nine years 31. and in 1848, when he was four years . i agc. the remainder of the family came to the United States. locating in Massillon, Stark county, Ohio, and some years later, in 1854,

1050

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

the father became a naturalized citizen of this country. He was a stone mason by trade, and his death occurred in Gentry county, Missouri, when he had reached the age of fifty-four years.

Christian Pider, of this review, was reared in his sister's home, in Centerville, Iowa, and in that city, on the 7th of Au- gust, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company F. Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, under Cap- tain Evans. He remained a brave and gal- lant soldier until the struggle was past, and he was honorably discharged at Little Rock, Arkansas, in the fall of 1865. During three months of his army career he was confined in a hospital, but with the exception of the time thus spent he was constantly with his command, and at the close of hostilities he returned to his home with a most creditable military record. After his return he again became an inmate of his sister's home in Iowa, but in 1874 he removed from that state to Kansas, locating on government land in Center township. Jewell county. The farm which he now owns comprises a tract of three hundred and twenty acres of fertile land, on which he has erected commo- dious and substantial buildings, and every- thing about the place indicates the supervi- sion of a practical and progressive owner. Their first home in the Sunflower state was a stone dugout, twelve by eighteen feet, in which they made their home for a number of years, but in 1884 this primitive abode was replaced by a modern and commodious build- ing, and their home is now one of the best and most attractive places of the locality.

Ere leaving the Hawkeye state Mr. Pi- der was married to Miss Mary E. Shoema- ker, their wedding having been celebrated in Appanocse county, that state, on the 19th of December. 1871. The lady was born in Indiana, and is a daughter of Frank and Mary C. ( Rhinka) Shoemaker, natives of Hanover, Germany. The mother was called to her final rest when Mrs. Pider was but one year old, passing away in Indiana, but she was survived by her husband for a num- ber of years. He died in Iowa when he had

;

reached the age of sixty-three years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pider have been born five chil- dren, but Christian, the second child in or- der of birth, died at the age of thirteen years. The four surviving children are: Luna I., who is married and is the mother of three children ; Myrtle J., who is attending school at Salina, Kansas; and Viola G. and Madge B., who are also attending school. The family are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, and our subject and his wife were among the first members of that de- nomination here. In his social relations Mr. Pider is a member of Jim Lane Post, No. 34, G. A. R., which was one of the first socie- ties organized in Mankato. In political matters he has been a life-long Republican, his first presidential vote having been cast for Abraham Lincoln while he was in the army, and he has ever since continued to support Republican candidates. Many years of his life have been spent in Jewell county, and he has thus become widely known among her citizens and is held in high re- gard.

REUBEN WORICK.

One of the honored pioneers of Jewell county, Kansas, is Reuben Worick, whose residence here covers a period of thirty years. At his arrival he found a broad stretch of wild prairie, upon which very few settlements had been made, while the flour- ishing towns and villages which we now see were unknown. The work of develop- ment and improvement belonged to the fu- ture. Buffaloes could be killed not far dis- tant, and only a few years had passed since the Indians had left for western reserva- tions. Mr. Worick established his home on the farm where he yet resides, and has ta- ken an active part in reclaiming the wild land for purposes of civilization.

He was born in Center county, Pennsyl- vania, on the Ist of October. 1836, and is of Dutch and English descent. His grand- father, John Worick, was born in Pennsyl- vania, and his parents came from Germany

1051

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

to America ,and when the ship arrived he was sold to pay his passage, working until his wages were equal to the passage price. Such was the custom in colonial days, the practice was discontinued after the estab- lishment of the republic. John Worick married Rebecca Kitchen, who was of English descent, and for many years they resided in Center county, Pennsylva- nia, where both died when well advanced in years. Their son, Charles Worick, the fa- ther of our subject, was born in Northum- berland county, Pennsylvania. June 2. 1810, and was a cabinet maker by trade. In October, 1842, he removed with his family to Stephenson county, Illinois, where he made his home until 1884. when he became a resident of Iola, Kansas, his death there occurring on the 2d of January, 1888. He was married on the 20th of September, 1835. to Miss Mary Brown, who was born in the Keystone state. October 3, 1815, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Klontz) Brown, the former a native of Center county, Pennsylvania, while the latter was born in the Keystone state.

Reuben Worick spent the first six years of his life in the state of his nativity, and was then taken by his parents to Illinois, where he was reared upon the home farm, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agricul- turist. He attended the common schools and remained at home until his marriage, assisting his father in the cultivation of the fields. On the 22d of October, 1854, he wedded Miss Susannah Kohl, who was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. a daughter of David and Christina (Weit- man ) Kohl, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state, whence they removed to Wisconsin about 1851. The father was a farmer and miller, and those pursuits occu- pied his entire business career. The fa- ther and mother both died in Green coun- ty, that state. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom four are yet liv- ing. The youngest in the family is Mrs. Worick.

After his marriage in the spring of 1855,

Mr. Worick removed with his bride to Ce- darville, Illinois, and for one year was em- played by the month by John H. Adams to drive a team, hauling flour to Freeport. He then removed to the vicinity of Orangeville, Illinois, where he worked at carpentering until the fall of 1857, at which time he went to Wisconsin, settling in Cadiz township. seven miles southeast of Monroe, where he followed his trade until September 10, 1861. .At that date, prompted by a spirit of patriot- ism. he offered his services to the govern- ment and joined the boys in blue of the Fifth Wisconsin Battery, with which he served until June 14, 1865, when he re- ceived an honorable discharge, the war hav- ing been brought to a successful termina- tion. He was always found at his post, re- porting each day for duty, and was a brave and loyal soldier. He had four brothers and two cousins who were members of the same company.

When the war was over Mr. Worick re- turned to his Wisconsin home, and there re- mained until the 19th of March. 1871. when he came with his family to Jewell county, Kansas, taking up his abode on the farm where he now lives. He secured it as a claim from the government and the patent for the same is signed by General Grant, then president of the United States. The first cooking for the family on this farm was done under a tree and their first house was a combination of a shanty and dugout. One day Mr. Worick started out on a hunting trip ofter buffaloes, and upon his return, much to his surprise, he found his family living in a little dugout, his wife and chil- dren having built it during his absence. There they lived for eight years, when the primitive home was replaced by a more com- modious one, and in 1887 their present fine residence was erected from stone secured up- on the farm. Other modern improvements and accessories have been added until now he has the largest and best barn in the coun- ty, and the place is now one of the best farms in this portion of the county-the substan- tial evidence of the enterprise and labor of its owner.

1052

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Worick was blessed with nine children, of whom four are yet living : Mary C., who is mar- ried and has two children living, the elder having served his country in the war in the Philippines: William W .. who is mar- ried and has three living children, his son having enlisted for service in the Spanish- American war, and with his command camped in Pennsylvania : Lizzie, who is mar- ried and has one child; and Minnie, who is married to J. M. Blake, and resides on the Symore farm. Their grandson, Eugene F. Windecker, was for two years a soldier in the Philippines, and is now in Wyoming.

Mr. Worick is a most enterprising far- mer and everything about his place indicates his careful supervision. He is progressive and his labors have resulted in bringing to him gratifying success. His fields are un- der a high state of cultivation, his stock is of good grades, and neatness and thrift char- acterize the farm in every department. For ten years Mr. Worick was agent for the Es- terly Machinery Company, and ran the first twine binding harvester that was shipped into Jewell county, Kansas. In his politi- cal views he has been a stalwart Republican since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. For many years he has served as clerk of the school district, but has never been an aspirant for public office. He belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and to Jim Lane Post, No. 34, G. A. R., of Mankato, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old army com- rades of the blue. His life has been a busy and useful one, and in all its relations his course has been manly and straightforward.

GEORGE R. TYLER.

Since 1882, a period of twenty years, George R. Tyler has been numbered among the agriculturists of Jewell county, and is to-day a prosperous farmer, owning four hundred acres of valuable land, which re- turns to him a golden tribute in reward for

the care and labor he bestows upon it. He was born in Lee county, Virginia. August 22, 1848, his parents being L. K. and Mir- anda ( Reed) Tyler. When the colonies at- tempted to throw off the yoke of British op- pression John Tyler, the grandfather of our subject, joined the American army and val- iantly fought for independence. As a proof of his bravery he ever afterward wore a bayonet scar upon his forehead, having been wounded by a British soldier.

L. K. Tyler was a native of Massachu- setts and in 1830 removed to Lee county, Virginia, where he spent his remaining days his death occurring in 1872. By occupa- tion he was a farmer. His sympathies were with the north during the Civil war and three of his sons had to flee from home in order to escape conscription by the Confederacy. The family were subjected to much persecu- tion, but they lived to see the south recog- nize the supremacy of the national govern- ment. In his political views the father was a Henry Clay Whig. His wife, who was a native of Connecticut, died near Hoxie, Kansas, where she was living with her daughter, Mrs. Pope, in 1894. The mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Tyler was celebrated in Massachusetts, after which they removed to the south.

Under the parental roof George R. Tyler spent his childhood days and assisted his father in the work of the home farm. When a young man he left the old homestead and made his way to Knox county, Kentucky, where he lived with his brother-in-law for a time. He then went to the three forks of the Kentucky river, where he was employed for two years with his brother in the dry- goods business, and on the expiration of that period removed to Buchanan county, Missouri. After a year and a half. how- ever, he went to Nemaha county, Nebraska, where he remained for three years, and in the winter of 1882 came to Kansas, settling in Jewell county, two miles west of Man- kato. Here he has developed a splendid farm. The rich land he has placed under a high state of cultivation and has added good buildings and all modern equipments

1053

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

for carrying on the farm work along pre- gressive lines. Everything is neat and thrifty in appearance and indicates the owner to be an industrious and energetic man.

On the 9th of December, 1886, in Spen- cer county, Indiana, near Dale, occurred the marriage of Mr. Tyler and Miss Susan Met- calf. They have one living son, Eugene M .. and they lost a little daughter, Nina L., who died February 17, 1895, at the age of three years. Mrs. Tyler belongs to the Method- ist church at Mankato, and Mr. Tyler has membership relations with the Masonic fra- ternity. In politics he has always remained a Republican through all the fluctuating opinions of the west, never wavering in his allegiance to the party whose principles, he believes, are most conducive to good govern- ment. He has served as a member of the school board and is ever deeply interested in all public measures for the general good. In manner he is accommodating, in dispo- sition genial and is highly esteemed by his many friends for his splendid qualities.

ADOLPH HAY.

It is always interesting to examine into the history of a self-made man and learn the secret of his success. Such a history is often a source of encouragement and help to others, and such is the life record of Adolph Hay, a well known bridge builder and contractor, who is residing upon one of his farms on section 2. Newton township, Harvey county. He is not only a self- made man but he had the additional draw- back of being unfamiliar with the English tongue when he set out to make his way in the new world, for he is of German birth.

A native of Hamburg, Germany, his natal day was March 9, 1852. His father, Paul Hay, was born in the same locality, in the year 1804. and was a son of Albert Hay, who was also born in Hamburg. He was a farmer in moderate circumstances and spent his entire life in the land of his nativ- ity, passing away in his ninetieth year. In his family were two daughters and three

sans wh reached mature years. Under the parental roof Paul Hay spent his child- hood days and after he had attained to man's estate he was married to Catherine Albert, by whom he had eight children. six sons and two daughters. Peter. the eldest, died at the age of twenty-four years. Kate was married and died in Germany, at the age of sixty years, leaving two sons. Nich- olas is a farmer of the fatherland and has six children. Amandus was a mariner and became an officer on board a sailing craft in the merchant marine service in early life but later he became a brewer and estab- lished business in that line in Fort Wayne, Indiana, about 1862. Hle met with splendid success in his business and accumulated con- siderable property. He was also married in Fort Wayne, and died in 1889, leaving one son. John Hay, the next of the family, came to this country in 1875, and died in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a year and a half later, leaving a wife and one son. Adolph is the sixth of the family. Ernest is pro- prietor of a meat market in Kingfisher. Oklahoma, and has a wife and seven chil- dren. The father of this family died in Germany about 1856 and his wife passed away in 1865.

In the schools of the fatherland Adolph Hay pursued his education and for three years he served in the German army after the French war, but took part in no battles. He was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade for a term of three years and during that time mastered the business which he has since followed to a greater or less extent. In 1875 he crossed the Atlantic to the new world. taking up his abode in Fort Wayne, Indiana. and twenty-three years ago, in 1878, he came to Kansas. For a time he was employed in Newton, and in the spring of 1879 he purchased eighty acres of land in Walten township, Harvey county, of the Santa Fe Railroad Company, paying eight hundred dollars for the amount. This was a wild tract. on which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made, but with characteristic energy he began its de- velopment and in course of time trans- formed it into a very valuable tract. He

1054

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

kept bachelor's hall for six or seven years in his small frame house, which was twelve by sixteen feet. In 1886 he returned to Newton, where, forming a partnership with J. C. Watson, under the firm name of Wat- son & Hay, he engaged in bridge building. The firm did a very extensive and profitable business, building high-water bridges throughout the state, and maintained the partnership until 1890, when by mutual consent it was dissolved. Mr. Hay, how- ever, is still connected with bridgebuilding and in this line has a liberal patronage. In the fall of 1894 he purchased, the farm upon which he now resides. It comprises one hundred and sixty acres of land, for which he paid three thousand dollars. It has good improvements, and, in fact, is one of the best farming properties of the district. He has a tenant on his eighty-acre farm but gives his personal supervision to the home place, and has from sixty to seventy acres planted to wheat and twenty-five acres in corn. He has about seventy head of short- horn cattle and keeps eight good horses, including a fine driving team. Throughout the year he employs a man to assist him in the work of the farm, which is conducted along the most progressive lines. He has six acres of orchards on the two farms and a fine grove of four acres surrounds his home. His cottage stands well back from the road and is reached by a shaded drive- way. It is a most attractive home place and the farm is the visible evidence of the enterprise of the owner.

On the 23d of September, 1891, Mr. Hay was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Kramer, who was born in La Salle county, Illinois, a daughter of Adam and Barbara (Young) Kramer, both of whom were na- tives of Germany, but came to this country in childhood. In 1882 they removed to Kansas and are now residing upon a farm near Newton. They became the parents of twelve children, of whom nine are yet liv- ing: Mary, the wife of George Bect; Mrs. Hay: Lizzie, the wife of Fred Roland, a farmer of Newton township: Anna, the wife of John Hess. of Texas: Charles, who is living on the Kramer homestead; Edward,

of Illinois ; Lena, in Newton: John, who is with his parents; and Fred, who completes the family.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hay has been born but one child, Carl, born in September, 1892. Our subject and his wife have long resided in Harvey county and year by year have extended the circle of their acquaint- ance, while their genuine worth has gained to them many new friends. Mr. Hay is a Knight Templar Mason, and in his politi- cai views is a Democrat. All that he pos- sesses has been acquired since he came to this country. Mastering the language and gaining familiarity with the business meth- ods and customs, he has steadily worked his way upward, brooking no obstacle that could be overcome by honest effort. To- day he stands among the substantial farm- ers and representatives of the builder's art in Newton, Harvey county, and has gained the good will and confidence of his fellow men as well as won a comfortable com- petence.

GEORGE D. STRATTON.

George D. Stratton is engaged in farm- ing and stock breeding on section 34. Wal- ton township, Harvey county. His place is known as the Elm Park Short-horn farm and he has a wide reputation as a breeder and dealer in cattle. He was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, March 19, 1842. His father, David D. Stratton, was also a native of Kentucky, born about 1814. His death occurred in Washington county, Indiana, in the town of Campbellsburg, June 24, 1901. His wife who bore the maiden name of Martha Ann Shanks, was also born in Ken- tucky, March 31, 1814, and they became the parents of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, all of whom have reached mature years and have married and have children of their own. William, who was born in Kentucky, October 25, 1838, had twelve children, of whom eleven are yet liv- ing, and his death occurred February 24, 1902, at Fairfield, Illinois. Samuel Wilson, born August 17, 1840, is a farmer of Pleas- ant township, Harvey county, and has been

1055

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

twice married, his children being nine in "oners by General Kirby Smith at Richmond, number. George D. is the subject of this Kentucky, soon after their enlistment, but within a few days were paroled and re- turned to camp at Indianapolis, from which 1 place they again went to the front in De- cember of that year. review. Sarepta, born January 13. 1843. is now Mrs. Peters, a widow living in Kan- sas City, Missouri. She came from Indi- ana to the west in 1884 and has one son. Seth, bern November 29, 1845, is a stock farmer of Orange county, Indiana. James, born August 27, 1847, is the next of the family, and was followed by John, who was born September 17. 1849. Margaret K., born July 23, 1851, is the wife of Jerome Stanly. Lewis H., born May 19, 1853, is a farmer and carpenter and has been en- gaged in teaching school. Eliza Jane, born March 19. 1856, is now Mrs. Glover, a widow residing in Indiana. The parents of this family were married December 21, 1837, and celebrated their golden wedding at the old home near Campbellsburg, Indi- ana, in 1887, on which occasion all of their children were together for the first time in over thirty years, and it proved to be the last occasion of a family reunion, for the mother died in October of the following year. The father survived her thirteen years, passing away in 1901. In religious faith they were Baptists and all of their children became members of that church with one exception.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 48

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