A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 50

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

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DALLE S. McCOY.

Dale S. McCoy, one of the younger rep- resentatives of the farming and stock-rais- ing industry of Barker county, was born in Peoria county, Illinois, January 17, 1874. a son of Joseph A. and Mary E. ( Stewart) McCoy. Dale S. was a lad of nine years when he accompanied the family on their re- moval from Illinois to Sedgwick county, Kansas, and in 1885 he went with them to Kingman county, where his father pur- chased a farm ten miles east of Kingman, and the son retains a most vivid recollection of the Indian scare which occurred in July of that year. In company with his father and brother Frank they started on a visit to their grandfather Stewart's home. driving through in a spring wagon, and when a part of the journey had been consumed they be- gan meeting fugitives fleeing in wild panic from an imaginary band of Indians, whom they declared to be close behind and some even asserted that they had seen them mur- dering the settlers. But in spite of all danger the McCoys continued on their journey to their destination, and the first night was spent in a corn field, as many wild rumors were afloat and the Indians were supposed to be near. However, the grandfather re- fused to leave his home. It was afterward found that the scare had originated at Sun. Barber county, where some cowboys had de- cided to have some sport with an old Ger- man settler. Dressed in blankets and ap- preaching him suddenly, they fired three Winchester rifles, at the same time uttering the most frightful yells, and this so fright-

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ened the German that he fled in wild alarm and started the report which spread like wild fire and caused the people of many counties to leave their homes and flee to Hutchinson and Wichita.

In 1887 Mr. McCoy removed with his father to Barber county where he remained with him for the following five years and he then engaged in the stock business on the farm which he rents. On the 29th of No- vember, 1899, at Medicine Lodge, he was united in marriage to Lillian M. Brown, a native of McDonough county, Illinois, and a daughter of Stephen S. and Barbara E. (Johnson) Brown, natives respectively of Ohio and Indiana. Their marriage was cel- ebrated in the latter state, and in 1880 they removed to Red Willow, Nebraska, ten miles from Indianola, where they made their home for sixteen years. For the following two years they resided in Ness county, Kansas, and then came to Elm Mills township, Bar- ber county, where they still reside. They have four children,-Lillian M., William. Margaret, and Donnie, the three last named being at home. The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with one child, Gladys Ruth.

Mr. McCoy now leases twelve hundred and eighty acres of rich and productive land, one hundred and sixty-five acres of which is devoted to wheat and in his pastures may be seen an excellent grade of stock. When sixteen years of age he became identi- fied with the Farmers Alliance, and he has been a supporter of the People's party since its organization.

DANIEL L. PIERCE.

Daniel L. Pierce is one of the most fa- miliar figures of the northwestern part of Barber county, and is an honored pioneer settler. The homestead on which he lo- cated twenty-six years ago and on which he still resides, is a part of section 26, Turkey- creek township, so named because of the great number of wild turkeys that were formerly found along the wooded banks of

the stream. Mr. Pierce was born in Mont- gomery. Indiana, July. 1, 1832, and is a son of Nathaniel L. Pierce, who was born in Virginia. The grandfather, Thomas Pierce, was killed by the Indians in the bloody war- fare that was waged in the early settlement of the south, which decided the supremacy of the races. It is believed that he was a native of England, and the founder of the family in America. He left a wife and five children, the father of our subject being only six years of age at the time of the grandfa- ther's death. The other children were : Elija. who was a farmer in Kentucky and died there : Susanna, who married Mr. Howard, and spent the greater part of her life in Ohio and Indiana, in which latter state her death occurred : Daniel, who was living in Ken- tucky when last heard from ; and John, who became a steamboat captain and owner of a boat on the Ohio river, on which the greater part of his life was spent, and in which voca- tion he died.

Nathaniel L. Pierce was taken by his mother to Cincinnati, Ohio, at the time of his father's death and was there reared to manhood. He learned the brick-maker's trade and was also married in Cincinnati, the lady of his choice being Elizabeth Mur- ray, who was born in 1798, of Irish parent- age. Her father and mother took up their abode in Cincinnati and there spent the greater part of their lives, but their last years were passed in eastern Indiana, where both died at an advanced age. For a time after his marriage Nathaniel Pierce remained in Cincinnati and then removed to a farm near- by. Subsequently he became a resident of Switzerland county, Indiana, where he pur- chased government land and established a home. Some years later his house was de- stroyed by fire with all its possessions. He then removed to Montgomery county, Indi- ana, where he again entered government land, which was heavily timbered. In the midst of the forest he cleared a farm, which he made his home for several years, and selling the property returned to the old home farm in Ohio, of which he had retained pos- session during his residence in Indiana. Af- [ ter a two-years' abode in the Buckeye state,

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however, he became a resident of Hendricks county, Indiana, where he purchased six or seven quarter sections of land, making his home there until his death in 1852. He be- came quite well to do, and was one of the most prominent and influential citizens of his community. He was a man of Hercu- lean strength and build, being six feet and three inches in height. In the tests of physi- cal strength and activity common at that time he never met with an equal. He was also a man of sterling character and integ- rity, who ever fulfilled a promise and kept an engagement. He was a stanch Jackson Democrat, and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist church. Mrs. Pierce survived her husband only two years, and died on the old home farm in Indiana. She was a noble Christian woman, whose memory is still revered by those who knew her. In their family were three sons and six daughters, as follows: Louisa, who married John Smith and died in Indianapolis about 1878: Belinda, who became the wife of a Mr. Roberts, and died in Ray county, Mis- souri, about 1887; Susanna, who was the wife of Samuel McCarty, and died about 1857 in Lawrenceburg, Indiana: Nathaniel L., a farmer of Cedar county, Missouri, who died there on the 20th of December, 1876; Harriet, who married Jacob Myers and died in Grayson county, Texas: Indiana, who married Noah Round and died in Grayson county, Texas, about 1898: Daniel, the sub- ject of this sketch: Merriam E .. the wife of Clark Douglas, a carpenter, who resides in Plainfield, Indiana: and one who died in infancy.

In the old log schoolhouse near his home in Hendricks county, Indiana, seated on a slab bench. Daniel L. Pierce perused the text-books used in such "temples of learn- ing.". He remained on the old homestead until after the death of his parents. He was married December 28, 1854, to Sarah F. McClain, who was born in Hendricks coun- tv. Indiana. June 11. 1836, a daughter of Thomas D. and Susanna ( Jones ) McClain. both parents being natives of Mercer county. They were married, however. in Hendricks county, where Mr. McClain followed farm-

ing. He died in middle life when his daugh- ter was only five years of age. Of the Blackhawk war he was a veteran, and was a typical pioneer, who took an active part in reclaiming the western district for purposes of civilization. His widow was given a grant of land in recognition of his military service. She spent her last days in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Pierce, and reached the very advanced age of ninety-two. Hers was a beautiful Christian character, and her memory remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew her. Her father-in-law, James McClain, was a soldier of the Revo- lutionary war, and was killed in battle. The family is of Irish descent. Mrs. Pierce has one living brother, James A .. who resides in Buena Vista, Oregon. Euphias, her sis- ter, was the wife of Thomas Bradshaw, and died in Unionville, Missouri, at the age of nineteen, while her brother, Thomas D., died in Charleston county, Missouri, at the age of twenty.

For a year after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Pierce remained in Indiana, and in 1855 went to Missouri, locating in Putnam county, where Mr. Pierce purchased a farm. , improving the same until 1865. He then went to Nodaway county, Missouri, where he bought two hundred and twenty acres of partially tilled land and on which he made his home through the succeeding decade. He then came to Barber county by team and wagon, bringing with him his household goods. For twenty-six years he has re- sided upon the farm which is yet his home. Only two or three acres of the land had been broken and there was a small gypsum house on the place. sixteen by sixteen feet. For several years Mr. Pierce engaged largely in freighting goods from Hutchinson, and on the return trips would take a load of cedar posts, cut in a locality twenty or thirty miles south of here. He received various prices, being paid anywhere from five to twenty- five cents apiece for posts. When he first came here large flocks of turkeys were found along Turkey creek, and on the prairie ante- lopes and deer were frequently seen, and oc- casionally a few buffaloes. In the fall of 1876 a stray buffalo wandered on to his

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farm and he killed it with an ordinary squir- rel rifle, shooting two bullets directly through the heart before it fell. In that year he made an addition to his house and in the spring of 1877 he planted the first orchard set out in Barber county, consisting of one hundred trees. In that year he also made a start in sheep raising, buying a small flock, which he kept until 1879, when he traded his sheep for cattle, and this was the beginning of the cattle industry of the locality. He continued freighting to a greater or less extent for ten years and also superintended his stock and farming interests. From the small start which he made in cattle in 1879 he gradually became the possessor of a fine herd, having as many as five hundred head. He has leased as high as eight or nine sections of land for grazing purposes. He has also added one hundred and sixty acres to his home farm, so that he has a half section of land. In April, 1901, he sold a herd of two hundred and twenty-four fine three-year-old steers, and still has about one hundred and fifty head of cattle. One hundred and ten acres of his land is cultivated for forage crops, while about eighty acres is planted with wheat and corn. About 1890 he began rais- ing fine draft horses, being the first man in this section of the county to introduce the England shire draft horse. There is per- haps no resident of this locality who has done more to improve the grade of stock than has Mr. Pierce. In 1890 he became the owner of the splendid stallion. Handcuff, imported by John Spurgeon. of Bushnell. Illinois. Since that time Mr. Pierce has sold many valuable horses at high figures, and has still several on hand.

Mr. Pierce has a vivid recollection of the cyclone which struck Barber county on the night of April 20, 1884. in a path scarce- ly exceeding two hundred yards in width. It passed through Sun City, unroofing sev- eral buildings, going from the southeast to the northwest. It blew down the residence just north of Mr. Pierce's home. and did various kinds of damage to houses. crops and stock. Mr. Pierce brought several in- jured people to his home, where he cared for them until arrangements could be completed

for taking them to their own homes ; and one family of three were killed.

In politics Mr. Peirce has taken quite an active part as a member of the Democ- racy, and six years was elected county com- missioner. For fifteen years he served on the school board and socially he is connected with the Masonic Lodge of Lake City, and has been a delegate to the grand lodge of the state. He also belongs to Medicine Lodge Chapter, R. A. M., in which he is an officer, and to the Knight Templar Com- mandery at Anthony, Kansas, while of the Odd Fellows' Lodge of Sun City he is a charter member, and has always been a dele- gate to its grand lodge. He belongs to the camp at Sun City and auxiliary of the Odd Fellows' society, and he and his wife are connected with the order of Rebekahs. They are also members of the Cumberland Presby- terian church. Unto this worthy couple were born three children, but all are now de- ceased, namely : Nellie, who died in in- fancy; Nevada, who became the wife of J. Riley Lake, of Lake City, Barber county, Kansas, and died in 1893 ; and one who died in infancy. Throughout Barber county our subject is familiarly and lovingly called Uncle Dan. He is a kind and tender-hearted old man who has ever manifested a deep in- terest in measures pertaining to the general ; good. His integrity is above question and all who know him respect him for his fidelity to the principles in which he believes.

HENRY W. LAKEY.

H. W. Lakey is a well known citizen of Galesburg township, his home being near Waterloo. Kingman county. His residence in Kansas dates from 1876, and two years later he came to this locality. He was born in Saline county, Illinois, August 24 1852, and is a son of John Lakey, whose birth occurred in North Carolina, whence his peo- ple removed to Tennessee. The family is of Irish lineage, and the father of our sub- ject was a mechanic and farmer. He mar- ried Miss Malinda Beaver, who was born

1.1)

MR. AND MRS. HENRY W. LAKEY AND FAMILY.

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in North Carolina and was a daughter of John Beaver, a soklier of the Revolutionary war, who served under General Washing- ton. He was of Scotch lineage. One of his sons aided his country in the war of 1812. serving under General Jackson. In the days when slavery existed in the south. John Lakey became an earnest opponent of the institution and joined the Abolition party. When the Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery he became identified with that polit- ical organization, and to it gave his alle- giance throughout his remaining days. . \ consistent Christian, he held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and served as a church exhorter and preacher on the circuit, representing the Methodist min- istry in White county, Illinois. He labored most earnestly in behalf of the church and his efforts were not without result. His death occurred at the age of fifty-one years, and his wife passed away at the age of ser- enty-two. She possessed many excellencies of character and was beloved by all for her kindness. This worthy couple were the par- ents of eleven children : Elizabeth : Martha J. : and Harriet. all now deceased ; Micajar. who was a sellier in the Civil war and is now living in Oklahoma: Ruth E., deceased ; Themas; Henry W .. of this review ; Cynthia, who has also passed away : Emily: Mrs. Alice Headley : and Mrs. Elvira Pow- ell, of Kingman county.

Upon a farm in Illinois. Henry W. Lakey was reared and early taught habits of industry and honesty, which have proved important factors in his success in later life. During his minority he lived in Saline and Williamson counties, Illinois. When only twelve years of age he beat the drum for recruits for the Civil war. At the age of twenty-two he was united in marriage to Mary J. Allen, of the Prairie state, a daugh- ter of Seth and Nancy ( Bell ) Allen.

In 1876 Mr. Lakey removed to Kan- sas, taking up his abode in Sedgwick coun- ty, and in 1878 he came to Kingman county, where he secured a claim a half mile west of his present home. Later he sold that prop- 67

erty and purchased one hundred and forty acres of good land upon which he now re- sides. To this farm he has added until it now comprises two hundred and twenty acres, and upon it he had made extensive improvements. There is a good residence. substantial barns and outbuildings, rich pas- ture lands, well-tilled fields, a grove and or- chard. In its neat and thrifty appearance it indicates the enterprise of the owner. who is a most progressive agriculturist.

In 1878 Mr. Lakey was called upon 10 mourn the loss of his wife, who died in that year. In 1880 he was again married, his second union being with Mary J. Park, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Thomas Park, who died in Sterling. Kan- sas, in 1899. Her mother, Mrs. Jennette Park, is still a resident of Sterling. Mrs. Lakey was reared and educated in Illinois, The three children of Mr. Lake, Thomas, Elmer and James, are still members of the household, and assist their father in the cultivation of the farm. Mr. Lakey belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. In pol- itics he is an independent Republican, for he does not consider himself bound by party ties. He has served as trustee. assessor and justice of the peace, ever discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. He has taken an active part in church work. has been zealous in promoting the temper- ance cause and is deeply interested in every- thing pertaining to the progress of the ; community. He holds membership in the Court of Honor, and as a frank and genial gentleman has many excellent characteris- tics. commending him & the confidence and regard of many friends.

LOUIS FRAME.

One of the early pioneers and leading farmers and stock-raisers of Barber county is Louis Frame, whose birth occurre ! in Crawford county, Ohio. November 23. 1852. His paternal grandfather was a native of Maryland and was of Welsh and Eng-

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descent. His son. Amos Frame, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and was there married to a Miss Rose, of German descent. In 1843 he emigrated with the younger members of his family to Crawford county, Ohio, where he resided on a farm until 1863, after which he made his home with his son George in eastern Kansas until his death, in October. 1872, at the age of eighty-two years, his birth having occurred in 1790. He was a veteran of the war of 1812. He became the father of thirteen children, and those who still survive are: Luther. a farmer of Woodson county. Kan- sas: Susan, the wife of William Corliss, of Johnson county, this state: Amos and Allen. who make their home in Humboldt county, California; and Mary A .. of Logansport, Indiana.

George Frame, the father of our subject, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, November 4. 1827, and was about seventeen years of age when he removed with his par- ents to Ohio. In Crawford county, that state. in 1851, he was married to Elizabeth Heller, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Daniel and Catherine ( Gingory ) Heller, natives also of the Keystone state. and of German descent. After his marriage Mr. Frame followed agricultural pursuits in Crawford county until 1863. when he took up his abode on a farm which he purchased in Johnson county, Kansas, and there spent the remainder of his life. During his resi- «lence here he served for six months in the militia during the Civil war. He became one of the prominent and wealthy citizens of Johnson county, and at his death he owned about four hundred acres of land. In polit- ical matters he was first identified with the Republican party, but after the Greeley cam- paign he became a member of the Demcc- racy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Frame were born seven children, namely: Louis, the sub- ject of this sketch : Eliza, the wife of Samuel F. Patton, proprietor of a hotel in Beulah, Colorad : Cassie, who became the wife of Archie Daniel and died in Johnson coun- ty in 1883: Lettie, the wife of George W. Mize, a farmer of Johnson county ; Lennie. !

the wife of Allen Bowen, a farmer of Ton- ganoxie, Leavenworth county, Kansas: Ad- die, the wife of Leslie Maxwell, engaged in railroad work at Rossville, Colorado: and Myrtle, the wife of Walter Compton, a far- mer of Johnson county, Kansas.

Louis Frame, of this review, was but eleven years of age when he made the over- land trip with his parents from Ohio to Johnson county, Kansas, the journey con- suming seven weeks. In 1875 he left the home farm and removed to Barber county, where he pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm. located on Elm creek. When he first came here a noted char- acter known as Old Friday, lived just above his farm on the creek, and together they had many exciting hunts after buffalo, deer and antelope, our subject furnishing the team and wagon and "Friday" doing the shoot- ing. A few years prior to his locating here his farm had been a favorite resort of the buffaloes, and they had been shot in such great numbers for their hides that the flats surrounding his place were so covered with their skeletons that it was almost impossible to drive through. The canyons south of Medicine Lodge were in those early days filled with cedars, and Mr. Frame would often cut them for posts and haul them to Hutchinson, often taking as many as one hundred and twenty at a load. for which he received about twelve cents apiece. On his arrival in Barber county he embarked in the stock business with one hundred head. and stock-raising proved his principal occupation for the following years. At one time he pur- chased two hundred head on the shares, but this proved a disastrous venture, as the fol- lowing winter was so very severe that he lost nearly his entire herd, and for several years thereafter he abandoned that occupa- tion and gave his entire attention to agri- cultural pursuits. Later, however, he again embarked in that industry and now has a herd of sixty cattle of an excellent grade. principally Herefords. He has his entire farm under fence. and one hundred acres of his land is under cultivation, while in ad- dition he leases about three hundred and

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twenty acres for grazing purposes. Ilis land extends for three-quarters of a mile along Elm creek, where he has about fifty acres of excellent native timber. For several years past he has also followed truck gardening on forty acres of his land, from which he annually markets about five hundred de Har-

worth of garden products, selling both to farmers and in the neighboring towns. The first re-ilence which Mr. Frame erected af- ter coming to Barber county was a small log cabin, in which the family made their home for about three years, when it was replaced by a more modern residence, fourteen by sixteen feet, and a few years later an addi- tion of the same dimensions was added, thus making it an attractive and commeclaus dwelling.

On the 10th of April. 1876, in Johnson county. Kansas, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Frame and Miss Georgie Johnson. The lady was born in Georgia, a daughter vi Ihn and Martha ( Shields ) Johnson. When the daughter was but a babe her par- ents removed to Texas, where her mother died when she was four years of age, and from Texas the father then moved with his two children to Johnson county. Kansas. where his death occurred a few years later. Unte this worthy couple were born two chil- dren : Georgie, the wife of our subject : and Sarah. who became the wife of Eben Jen- nings and died in Anderson county, Kan- sas. in 1892. Five children have been born untoyour subject and wife. namely : Clar- ence. Frank, Pearl ( the wife of Charles Ad- ams, a stock man of Sun City. Barber coun- ty) : Bertha and Orphie Irenes

Since his residence in the Sunflower state Mr. Frame has taken an active and prom :- nent part in the affairs of his community, having served as the township trustee for three terms, was a township clerk for sev- eral terms. and was long identifiedl with the schr. 1 1 ard. In political matters he is a life-long Republican, and he has probably taken a more active part in public affairs than any other citizen of Elm Mille town- shiv.

SAMUEL C. BLACKMORE.

There is no man more worthy of a place in the history of Rice county than Samuel C. Blackmore. a representative farmer and stock-raiser of that locality. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Blackmore, was a na- tive of Pennsylvania, but of English and Irish descent. He was a farmer by occupa- tion, and at an early day came to Ohio, ma- king his home with a son until he died at a ripe old age. He was the father of three children, namely: Benjamin; Samuel, the father of our subject : and Betsey, who died in Pennsylvania. His son, Samuel, the fa- ther of our subject, was a native of Penn- sylvania, where he was married and later moved to Ohio. There he became one of the pioneers of Ashland county, where he bought and improved a good farm in the midst of the forest, and there be reared his family and remained for many years. In 1862 he sold out and moved to bea. s. tling in Ringgold county, where he bought and improved a farm, upon which he re- mained until his death. which occurred in 1881. He was a prominent and successful farmer, commanding the highest respect of the people where he lived. was a kind and good neighbor and very generous to friends, which often proved very expensive to him. but he prospered and accumulated a compe- tency for old age. He was reared a Den - crat and voted with that party until the po- ing of the Civil war. when he became a Re- publican, and held many positions of trust while in Ohio. He was a Universalist in religious faith, and in his life and daily conduct manifested the principles of his Christian belief. His integrity was al. ve reproach, his word being as good a Mi- bond. He married Miss Elizabeth Them - son. a native of Pennsylvania, and a daugh- ter of William Thompson, a native of Scot- land. After emigrating & American Best. tled in Pennsylvania, where he died. His children were : Alexander, William. Tr .. Patty and Elizabeth, the latter the in the of our subject. Unto Samuel Blackmore.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 50

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