A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 54

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 54

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).

After his marriage Mr. Scott remained for four years in Missouri, then spent two years in Nebraska, for six years was a resi- dent of Phillips county, Kansas, and after four years passed in Smith county, this state, came to Jewell county, taking up his residence in Mantako. Here he established a livery and sale stable, which he conducted with excellent success for five years. He admitted his son to a partnership, under the firm name of J. M. Scott & Son, and they are now the owners of one of the finest stock farms of the Sunflower state and their busi- ness has reached mammoth proportions. They buy and sell horses and mules and no better judges of such stock can be found than the members of the firm. The son has been doing business for himself and father ever since he was eleven years of age, when he purchased his first horse. His ex- perience has been broad and varied. He is on the road much of the time, buying, sell- ing and looking after the interests of the firm, and there is not a horse dealer of any consequence in the land that does not know Glen Scott, either personally or by reputa- tion, and who would not accept his word as readily as a check from the bank. He has never been known to back out of a business proposition of any kind and his word is as

good as his bond. The firm has headquar- ters at the livery barn of J. T. Ridge, at Mankato, where they have ample yards and everything needed for the retention and care of stock, and where one or the other of these gentlemen can be found at any time during business hours, ready to buy, sell or trade. About seven miles from Mankato in Holm- wood township, Scott & Son own one of the finest stock farms in Kansas, compris- ing two hundred acres of choice land, well fenced and provided with every convenience for the proper and profitable handling of stock, in which they take such pride and which they understand so thoroughly. Here the sunny slopes and shady nooks of pasture land, the deep green of alfalfa fields, the abundance of pure, fresh water, the large, commodious, well lighted and well ventilated barns, all these give ample evidence that a master mind is in charge and a liberal hand at the helm. The farm is devoted principally to the care of high bred horses and mules, and at present they have about eighteen head of thoroughbred Kentucky and Missouri stallions and jacks. There is a place on the ranch for the proper care and feeding of mules, and during the year hundreds of these animals are taken there, put in good market- able condition and then find ready sale on the markets of the world. Their business affairs are conducted in a thoroughly straightforward, honorable manner. No tricks, schemes or frauds being contenanced among their employes or tolerated around their premises. . They have a reputation for integrity in all things and their success is, indeed, a legitimate one and well deserved.

James M. Scott and his family are mem- ber of the Christian church and contrib- ute liberally to its support: in fact, he does everything in his power for the promotion of material, social, in- tellectual and moral interests in his community. He is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, while his son is a valued representative of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is very popular not only in Jewell county, but throughout the country, for he has a very wide acquaintance and enjoys the high re-

1087

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

gard and good will of all with whom he has been associated. In his political views James M. Scott is a stalwart Democrat and is now serving his fourth term as mayor of Mankato. The first time he won the election by a vote of three to one and the second time his majority was so largely in- creased that at the third election there was no candidate nominated by the opposing party. In fact the people have such confi- dence in his ability and trustworthiness that they are practically unanimous in their en- dorsement of him and his administration. In the face of everything he fought for a water- works system for Mankato and triumphed in the contest. He has ever been found on the side of progress and reform and is prac- tical in all things, while advocating sub- stantial improvements. Over the history of his public career and private life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. His life has been manly, his actions sincere, and he has left the impress of his individuality for good upon the business and political record of Jewell county.

JOHN B. REA.

One of the most prominent business men of Jewell county is John B. Rea, whose in- terests are extremely varied and extensive. He belongs to that class of representative American citizens who, while promoting in- dividual success, also advance the general prosperity, and in this county his efforts have been of marked public benefit. Strong determination, keen discernment and su- perior mentality --- these are some of the ele- ments which have led to his success. He is widely known as an attorney, real estate dealer. merchant and agriculturist. and his efforts have been so discerningly directed along well defined lines of labor that at any one point of his career he seemed to have attained the full measure of success possi- ble at that time.

Mr. Rea was born in Savanna, Andrew county, Missouri, January 3. 1857. a son of the Hon. David and Nancy E. ( Beattie)

Rea. His paternal grandfather, Jonathan Rea. was born in Indiana, but died in Mis- souri. His son, the Hon. David Rea, was also a native of the Hoosier state and when a young man removed to Missouri, living in Andrew county for more than forty years, his death occurring in Savannah, in June, 1901, when he had attained the age of sev- enty-one years. He was one of the most distinguished lawyers in that portion of the country and he represented the ninth, now the fourth, district of that state in congress for three terms, leaving the impress of his strong individuality for good upon the leg- islation enacted in the council chambers of the nation during his incumbency. . Ile gave his political support to the Democratic party, but at the time of the Civil war was a strong Union man. His brother, the distinguished Judge Joseph Rea, of Missouri, was also a Union soldier. The mother of our subject, who was born in Virginia. is still living in Missouri.

Surrounded by the refinng influences of a good home Mr. Rea, of this review, was reared to manhood and his early education was supplemented by a course in the acade- mic and law departments of the University of Missouri, at Columbia. He practiced law in that state until 1885, when he came to Mankato, where he established a real es- tate and law office and in both branches of the business he is meeting with success. He has an analytical mind. is logical in his de- ductions and strong in his reasoning, and though he does not give his entire attention to the profession his ability classes him among the leading members of the profes- sion in the community. He has conducted some very important real estate transfers and is the owner of the only complete set of abstract books in the county.

In mercantile circles Mr. Rea is widely known. being the senior member of the firm of Rea & Campbell, owners of one of the largest general stores in Mankato. They carry a very large line of goods and their business methods have commended them to the public patronage. Mr. Rea's personal realty holdings are extensive. He owns five thousand acres of fine farming land in Jew-

1088

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

ell county, divided into a number of farms, and in 1896 he raised one hundred and sixty thousand bushels of corn, the largest corn crop ever raised by one man in Kansas. He also owns three business blocks in Mankato and his fine residence. In addition to the cultivation of corn and other cereals he is one of the most extensive stock raisers of this part of the state, feeding from three to seven hundred head of cattle each year for shipment to the city markets, while on his farms he also keeps four or five hundred head of hogs, fattening them for sale at the proper time.

In his political views Mr. Rea is a pro- nounced Democrat, recognized as one of the leaders of his party in this section of the state. He has been honored with a number of offices, has served as county treasurer, while for several terms he was a member of the city council. He has also been pro- bate judge, and in 1897 was elected mayor of the city, in which capacity he served for two consecutive terms, his administration being practical, progressive and business- like. For thirteen years he has been a men- ber of the school board of Mankato and has ever favored and labored to secure a higher standard of education. His official service has been most commendable and he has ever retired from office as he has entered it-with the confidence and good will of the public. He has been sent as a delegate to various conventions of the Democracy and is chairman of the Democratic county central committee, his management of cam- paign work being most effective.

The home life of Mr. Rea has been most pleasant. He was married June 24, 1880. to Miss Ella McLain, a native of Ohio, and their union has been blessed with two chil- dren, Marguerite and Bessie, while they also have an adopted daughter. Bertha, who shares in the loving care and attention be- stowed upon their own children. A splendid record is the life history of John B. Rea, who in the active affairs of business has achieved splendid success, who in office has gained the respect and trust of even his po- litical opponents and who in private life has ever commanded the high regard of

those with whom he is associated by reason of his upright manhood. Jewell county is proud to number him among her citizens and acknowledges her indebtedness to him for the many things he has accomplished in her behalf.

CHAUNCEY A. SEAMAN.

The prominent citizen of Sedgwick, Har- vey county, Kansas, a sketch of whose life should by all means be included in this work, has become widely known as a banker and dealer in Kansas farms. Unlike most of the leading men of Harvey county, he is a native of Kansas, having been born in Linn county, March 24, 1862, a son of A. G. Seaman, who was born in Schenectady county, New York, January 23, 1835. Chauncey Seaman, father of A. G. Seaman, and grandfather of Chauncey A. Seaman, was a cattle drover and dealer in New York state, and later a farmer in Whiteside coun- ty, Illinois. He settled in Linn county, Kan- sas, in 1863, and died there in 1867, leav- ing a widow and three children. His son, Andrew, lives in Whiteside county, Illinois, and is at the head of a family. A. G. Sea- man was the next in order of birth. Stephen lives in Linn county, Kansas.

A. G. Seaman married Elizabeth Clinga- man, a native of Pennsylvania, in 1857, and settled at Burlington, Osage county, Kan- sas, where they had stopped en route from Whiteside county, Illinois, to Pike's Peak, because of the illness of Mrs. Seaman. Af- ter her recovery they took up their residence in the old stone house in Linn county, Kan- sas, which had been the residence of three brothers, who had been pioneers in that part of the country. Mr. Seaman bought one hundred and sixty acres of land about four miles distant from the house mentioned, and eventually moved upon the place, and is living there at this time. Mrs. Seaman died in 1876 in the prime of life, leaving four children. Their daughter Maggie is the wife of R. W. Nungesser, of Mountain Grove, Missouri. Chauncey A., who was born in the old stone house, was the next

O.A. Gzaman.

1089

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

in order of nativity. Amelia married Will- iam Hockenberry, and died in 1896, leav- ing four sons. Emma married R. H. Ad- ams. of Hennessy, Oklahoma. Mr. Sea- man married a second time and again he- came a widower, and is now living with his third wife.

Chauncey A. Seaman was brought up to farm work by his father, who gave him as good an education in the common schools near their home as was there available to him, and he was a member of his father's household until he was twenty-one years old. When he was twenty-two he became foreman in the nursery of D. W. Cozad, at La Cygne, Kansas, a position which he held two years. After that for a year he was employed in a rursery at Peabody, Kansas. In 1885 he filed a homestead claim on eighty acres of land in Kiowa county, Kansas, whither he was attracted by a boom then in progress. He lived on this land in 1886-87, to prove up his claim. then mort- gaged it and eventually lost it. In August. 1887. he became foreman in a nursery at Sedgwick, Kansas, where he succeeded so well that in January. 1892, he bought the nursery, which comprised two hundred acres and which he regarded as one of the best in the state. Four years later the concern passed into the control of a stock company, which was capitalized at ten thousand dol- lars, and of which he was the president and general manager. In 1900 the business was sold for twenty thousand dollars, which sum was divided between Mr. Seaman and one other man, they having been at that time the only stockholders.

In May, 1900, Mr. Seaman bought stock in the Sedgwick State Bank, of which he is the president. and Charles Schaefer, vice- president. and J. L. Buck. cashier. The directors are Chauncey A. Seaman. Charles Schaefer. J. L. Buck. S. B. Shirk, and Will- iam A. Hume. Mr. Seaman owns two farms aggregating three hundred and eighty acres, and buys and sells Kansas farms whenever a favorable opportunity occurs. In politics he is a Republican, and as such he was elected mayor of Sedgwick. He was married in 1888 to Miss Anna Shirk, of

Sedgwick, and there they have a modest yet elegant home.

Few men in Harvey county who began there without cash capital have been so suc- cessful as Mr. Seaman, who is active, ener- getic and progressive, and who, young in years, appears to have a brilliant future be- fore him. His fellow townsmen have come to know him as a man of public spirit who is always solicitous for their best interests, and who gives unstinted support to every measure for the public good.

HON. GEORGE H. CASE.

High on the roll of the distinguished Re- publicans of the west appears the name of George H. Case, who has figured conspicu- ously as a leading member of the party in both Iowa and Kansas. Not as a politician seeking office has he labored for success, but as a loyal and patriotic citizen, who has placed country before party and the general good before personal aggrandizement.

Mr. Case was born in Mansfield, Rich- land county, Ohio, August 9, 1841, a son of Adam and Harriet (Stewart ) Case. The Case family lived originally in New Jersey, whence they went to the Buckeye state. As the paternal grandfather died when his son, Adam Case, was only ten years of age, the burden of the family fell upon him, for he was the eldest. He nobly assumed the duties and assisted his mother in caring for the younger children, until all were grown and able to care for themselves. His birth oc- curred in New Jersey, but in his youth he went to Ohio, where he lived until after his marriage. He wedded Harriet Stewart, who was born in Ohio, a daughter of John Stew- art. In 1854 they removed to Fairfield. Iowa, and the same year the mother died. The father was a carpenter by trade and fol- lowed that pursuit through a long period. His death also occurred in Fairfield when he was about sixty; years of age. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom five are yet living.

In his native town George H. Case spent

1090

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

his early youth and acquired his preliminary education, which was completed in Fairfield, Iowa. He remained at home until President Lincoln issued his first call for troops. He was twenty years of age, when, on the 15th of April, 1861, he enlisted in response to the first call, being mustered in May 28th, but it was not until the second call was is- sued for three hundred thousand men that his command was ordered to the front. He became a member of Company E, Second Iowa Infantry, under command of Captain Fred Melcher and served for three years, when his term having expired he was honor- ably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, May 28, 1864. He was never wounded and was never absent from duty save for two weeks, occasioned by a cut foot at Corinth. He was present at the surrender of Fort Donelson to the Union forces and marched at the head of the column-the position of honor. He went into the service as a pri- vate and came out as a corporal. Governor Kirkwood, of Iowa, offered him a commis- sion as lieutenant colonel in another regi- ment. but he replied, "I'd rather be a private in the Second Iowa than an officer in another regiment," and well might he feel proud of the fact that he served with that command, for the Second made a most brilliant record and the account of its bra- very and fearless deeds is now found upon history's pages.

After the war Mr. Case returned to his Iowa home and in the fall of 1865 he was elected county recorder of Jefferson county, in which capacity he served for two years. He was then elected clerk of the district court for a term of four years and on his re- tirement from office he was admitted to the bar. having previously studied during his clerkship. He continued to practice in Iowa until 1877 and then came to Mankato, where he opened a bank and continued in the bank- ing business until 1891. In his business ca- reer he has met with success, resulting from his energy, his well informed plans and his determined execution of them. His meth- ods, too, have been of the most honorable nature, and his prosperity is therefore well merited. His prominence as a leader of

public thought and opinion continued with him after his removal to the Sunflower state. In 1880 he was elected senator and by re- election continued in that office for eight years. During the first term he was chair- man of the committee on laws and during the second term of the committee on rail- roads, and was also a member of a number of other important committees. His careful consideration of all the questions and issues which came before the assembly, his knowl- edge of law and his recognition of the needs and possibilities of the state made his sena- torial service of great value to his constitu- erts and the commonwealth at large. He has long been recognized as a man of marked influence, especially in political circles. He cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln and has never yet wavered in his allegiance to the principles of the Republi- can party. He has been one of its advisors in Iowa and Kansas and his opinions yet carry much weight in the councils of the party. Honor, integrity and fidelity to his constituents have formed the basis of his political service. He was a delegate to the national Republican convention in Chicago, in 1880, when James A. Garfield was nom- inated for the presidency, and he attended every state convention of his party in Iowa from 1865 to 1877. To him belongs the credit of bringing the late United States Senator Gear, of Iowa, into politics. When Mr. Gear was a grocer of Burlington, Iowa, he was asked by Mr. Case to allow him to name him as a candidate for congress. Mr. Gear consented, but the nominating conven- tion resulted in a deadlock and he withdrew. The following year, however, he was nom- inated and elected governor of Iowa and continued for many years one of the most honored and prominent political men of the state. After coming to Kansas Mr. Case served for four years as warden of the state penitentiary and in 1888 he was a Republi- can candidate before the convention for gov- ernor and in 1898 was a candidate for lieu- tenant governor before the convention.

In 1869 Mr. Case was united in marriage to Miss Clara Delia Johnson, and by virtue of the office he then held issued his own

1091

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

marriage license. The lady was born in Somerset, Ohio, and by her marriage has become the mother of four children, but one died in infancy. The others are Harriet S .. Clara E. and Georgene. The daughters have received good educational privileges, two being graduates of St. Mary's College, at Leavenworth, Kansas. They and their mother. a most estimable lady, are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Case was one of the first members of Jim Lane Post. No. 34. G. A. R., of Mankato; in early life was an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pyth- ias, and is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, at Topeka. He is now largely living retired from busi- ness and public life, but a man of Mr. Case's force of character, marked individu- ality and keen insight can never wholly cease to be a factor in public life, no matter how much he wishes, unless the heavy hand of age places its restrictions there. He however. is yet in the prime of life, and is honored and esteemed for what he has ac- complished in the business world and in the political field where his efforts have been of the broadest possible public benefit.

DANIEL J. VANCE.

Lieutenant Daniel J. Vance has been a most important factor in the upbuilding of Mankato, where he located before a post- Office was established and when the work of progress and development seemed scarce- ly begun. He has aided largely in the pro- motion of movements calculated to prove of general good and has held many public offices, wherein he has conserved the best interests of the community. His life has at all times been worthy of the confidence and regard of his fellow men and with pleas- ure we present his history to our readers.

Mr. Vance is a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred in Goshen in June, 1840. The Vance family is of German lin- eage. the paternal grandfather of our sub- ject having been born in Germany, whence he emigrated to America and thus estab-

lished the family on the soil of the new world. His wife was a native of the United States, but her parents were born in Eng- land. George W. Vance, the father of our subject, was born in West Virginia, and died in Jewell county, Kansas, in the eighti- eth year of his age. He always followed farming as a means of livelihood.

It was upon his father's farm that Dan- iel J. Vance was born, and in 1843 he was taken by his parents to Iowa, where he was reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier, assisting in the work of cultivating the fields and harvesting the crops until the Civil war was inaugurated, when he left the plow and donned the blue as a defender of his country. It was on the 22d of October. 1861, that he enlisted, becoming a member ! of Company M. Fourth Iowa Cavalry. The regiment was first stationed at Camp Har- lan, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Senator Har- lan being the father of the command. and in the spring of 1862 was ordered to St. Louis and joined Curtiss' army soon after the battle of Pea Ridge. Mr. Vance was always with his command in the thickest of the fight or on the tented field, except when slight illnesses kept him from active service, and he rose from orderly sergeant to the rank of first lieutenant, being thus commis- sioned January 19. 1864. soon after his re- enlistment. He remained at the front until the close of hostilities, but when the starry banner was planted in the capital of the Con- federacy and peace was restored he re- turned to his home with a most creditable military record for bravery and loyalty. A curious incident occurred a few years since in connection with a picture which he mailed during war times. He had his photograph taken and sent it to his family, but it never reached its destination and twenty-six years afterward a friend saw and recognized this picture in the dead letter office. It was then returned to Captain Vance, who has since had an enlarged copy made from it.

After the close of the war Mr. Vance returned to Iowa and opened a store in Fairfield. that state. conducting the en- terprise for three years, after which he returned to the farm. In September, 1872,

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

he left the Hawkeye state for Kansas, Meachem and has two children; and Frank arriving in Jewell county in June. On ! A., who married Miss May White and has the 20th of the same month he took up ; three children. Lieutenant Vance has been three times married. By the second mar- riage he has two daughters, Julia M. and Margaret C., and by the last marriage, three children, Lewis H., Daniel E. and Elizabeth I. The family occupy a very prominent po- sition in social circles and have many warm friends in this locality. Mr. and Mrs. Vance hold membership in the Methodist | Episcopal church in Mantako and take an active interest in its work. He has long been a representative of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and belongs to Jim Lane Post, No. 34. G. A. R., of Mantako, in which he has filled all the chairs, acting as comman- der one term. As a citizen he has ever been as true and loyal as when he followed the stars and stripes to where the conflict was waged in the Civil war.

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 54

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