A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 57

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

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Mr. Mason has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Mary A. Feasneau, who died in 1880, and in 1881 he was united in marriage to Miss Frances Ellison, a na- tive of Ohio. Their residence is celebrated for its gracious hospitality, which is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. In his po- litical views Mr. Mason has always been a Republican. He says that his father gave him a right start by naming him in honor of the great statesman, Henry Clay, and

throughout the years of his manhood-all spent in Kansas-he has ever unfalteringly supported Republican principles. He has not sought reward for his party fealty by asking for office, but has been content to discharge his duties to his government, his state and his community as a private citizen. He is public-spirited and progressive and withholds his support from no movement or measure calculated to prove of public good, so that he is recognized as one of the valued residents of Ottawa county-a man whom to know is to respect and honor.

PERRY M. HOISINGTON.

No history of Harvey county would be complete without extended mention of Perry M. Hoisington, who has been so closely as- sociated with business and political interests in this locality for a number of years that his life record has become an integral part of the annals of central Kansas. He is also widely known throughout the state in con- nection with his Masonic work, and in every relation of life in which he has been placed he has been found faithful to the obligations resting upon him, true to his duties and honorable in his dealings. He enjoys in unusual degree the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen throughout the state, and it is with pleasure we present his record to our readers. He is now secretary and manager of the Railroad Savings and Loan Company, of Newton, a business organiza- tion which is proving of the utmost value to the city, enabling many to secure homes who could otherwise not do so, and thus contributing to the improvement of the city.

Mr. Hoisington is a native of Michigan, his birth having occurred on a farm in St. Joseph county, on the 13th of October, 1857. His father, Frederick A. Hoisington, who is now living at Three Rivers, Michigan, was born in Woodstock, Vermont, March 10. 1830, and is of English descent. The fam- ily was planted on American soil at an early epoch in colonial history, and when the op- pressive measures of England became un-

Prestorington

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endurable and the cob nies sought independ- ence, representatives of the name joined the patriot army and fought for liberty, which resulted in the establishment of the repub- lic. \bijah Hoisington, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Woodstock, Ver- mont, and was a mechanic and farmer. He became a brick maker and brick mason, and at an early stage in the development of Michigan he took up his abode in St. Joseph county, that state, the year of his arrival be- ing 1836. He married Miss Nancy Nason. also of Woodstock, Vermont, and they be- came the parents of ten children. all of whom reached adult age and had families of their own. Most of them are now living in southern Michigan. When the country became involved in the war of the Rebellion, the grandfather of our subject offered his services to the government, becoming drum major of the Thirteenth Michigan Infantry. He was a fine musician. and proved most loyal to the cause which he espoused. He served throughout the war and four of his sons and three of his sons-in-law also wore the blue uniform in defense of the stars and stripes. \bijah Hoisington died in Flow- erfield, St. Joseph county, Michigan, about 1875, when seventy-three years of age, and his widow passed away two years later. Their remains were interred in the cemetery at Three Rivers, Michigan.

Frederick A. Hoisington spent the first six years of his life in the Green Mountain state, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Michigan, where he was reared and married. Rachel Elizabeth French becoming his wife. She was born in Cattaraugus county, New York. in 1833. a daughter of Osias O. and Rachel ( Bates ) French, who were also early settlers of St. Joseph county. Michigan. They were farm- ing people in moderate circumstances, and reared their family of eight children, four sons and four daughters, upon their Michi- gan farm. All reached mature years, were married and reared families of their own. The mother of Mrs. Hoisington died in Michigan when about fifty-five years of age. and the father survived her for fifteen years. dying on the old home place, which was then

a well improved farm. but which was cov- ered with a dense growth of timber when he established his home thereon. He passed away at the age of seventy-five and was laid to rest by the side of his wife in the ceme- tery of Constantine, Michigan. His original homestead is still in possession of the fam- ily. The parents of our subject were mar- ried in St. Joseph county, Michigan, about 1853. and soon afterward settled upon the farm which has since been their place of abode. Seven children were born to them : Edna Velona. who died in childhood : Perry MI., of this review; Alma C., the wife of George H. Walker, of Newton: Myra Sele- ma, who successfully engaged in teaching for several years and died at the age of twenty-six; Herbert D., who was also a teacher and was killed in a railroad acci- dent when twenty years of age: Jessie May, a teacher in Burr Oak, Michigan: Grace, who formerly engaged in teaching, but is now at home with her parents. Both she and her sister Jessie have considerable talent as artists and musicians.

Perry M. Hoisington was reared to farm life and labor, and after attending the dis- trict school he enjoyed the privilege of con- tinuing his education in the academy at Three Rivers, Michigan. He taught his first school when nineteen years of age, fol- lowing the profession for one year and three winter terms, first in La Salle county, Illi- nois, and afterward in Mottville. Michigan. When twenty-three years of age he left the old home and became a commercial traveler, spending three years upon the road in north- western Illinois and Wisconsin. In the spring of 1884 he came to Newton, where he engaged in the coal and transfer business as a member of the firm of Jabe Clarke & Company, a partnership that was maintained for three years, when Mr. Hoisington pur- chased his partner's interest and was alone for a year. He then formed the firm of F. Dickinsheets & Company, which continued business until 1891, when Mr. Hoisington was called to public office. being elected county treasurer on the Republican ticket. He served in that office for four years, and was a most capable officer. receiving the high-

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est commendation of all concerned. To oth- er positions of public trust he has been called. He has been president of the school board and has served almost continuously as one of its members since his arrival in Newton, his labors being most effective in promoting the welfare and improvement of the schools. He has also served in the city council, and no public trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest de- gree. Military affairs has also awakened his attention and co-operation. At Three Riv- ers, Michigan, when seventeen years of age, he became a member of the Michigan state troops, belonging to Company D, Second Regiment. In 1891, at Newton, he was made first lieutenant of Company D, Sec- ond Regiment, of Kansas national guards, and the following year was elected captain. In 1895 he was chosen major of his regi- ment, and in August of the same year, by unanimous election, became colonel. By the same flattering vote he was re-elected colonel in 1899, and was appointed by the governor a member of the military board of the state, which office he still holds. His pronounced Republican principles and admitted leader- ship in a county always Republican in pol- itics, prevented his appointment at the hands of a partisan Populist governor as colonel of one of the Kansas war regiments during the recent Spanish-American conflict.

On the 17th of March, 1885, Mr. Hoi- sington was united in marriage to Miss Kate Gregory, who was born in Livingston coun- ty, Michigan, a daughter of Edward B. and Lucinda (Ward) Gregory. Her father was engaged in business in Howell, Michigan, and there died in the prime of life. In the family were three children: John E., who is a chemist and a very scholarly gentleman : Mrs. Hoisington and Fred. W., who is a business man in Fresno, California. The mother died in that state in 1896 when about fifty-five years of age. Mrs. Hoisington re- ceived an academic education and was her father's assistant and bookkeeper in his in- surance business and succeeded him in that line. The marriage of our subject and his wife has been blessed with five children : Helen, who is now a student in the high

school of Newton; Gregory, Stanley M., and Elizabeth, who are also in school; and Margaret, who was born September 4. 1901, and is the pet of the household.

On his retirement from the office of county treasurer in 1896 Mr. Hoisington accepted his present position as secretary and manager of the Railroad Savings and Loan Company, of Newton. Under his ca- pable management this has become a very profitable enterprise, and is as well of the greatest value to his townsmen. The state- ments of the company show that the stock is now paying good dividends, and this re- sult is largely attributable to the enterprise, keen discernment and excellent business abil- ity and executive power of Mr. Hoisington. His is a well-rounded character, symmetric- ally developed, and while he carries for- ward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, his efforts have been directed along many lines that have been of public benefit. He and his wife and also their older children are active members of the Presby- terian church. He is serving as chorister of the church and of the Sunday school, is treasurer of the church and chairman of its building committee. He contributed lib- erally to the support of the church and does all in his power to advance the cause. While a member of the city council in 1896 he ren- dered, with others, most valuable service in securing the present fine water works, which cost much persistent effort, but time has justified the wisdom of the course, which now receives the warm endorsement of his fellow men. He is the veteran member of the school board and has been the moving spirit in introducing musical instruction in- to the schools. He stands to-day as one of the most distinguished representatives of the Masonic fraternity in Kansas. He was made a member of the craft in Magnolia Lodge, of Newton, May 19, 1886, and was regularly advanced to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. The following year he was the senior deacon of the lodge, has been its master, has been assistant lecturer and has been on many of the most important committees of the grand lodge, at the same time filling many of its offices. He belongs

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to Arkansas Valley Chapter, No. 27. R. A. M., of Newton, and has been honored with the offices within the gift of his companions in both the subordinate and grand chap- ter. In 1890 he became a member of New- ton Commandery, No. y. K. T., and his ad- vancement in chivalric Masonry has been equally rapid and honorable. In 1900-01 he was grand commander of the state. In the Scottish Rite he has attained the thirty-sec- ond degree and no member of the fraternity in Kansas is better informed on all branches of the craft or lives more in harmony with its beneficent teachings.

In 1897 Sir Hoisington was appointed grand senior deacon of the grand lodge, and in the following and each succeeding year was advanced by very complimentary votes to the offices of grand junior warden, grand senior warden and deputy grand master suc- cessively, until in the present year, 1901, he is presiding over the craft as grand master of the Masons of Kansas.

At this point it would be almost tauto- logical to enter into any series of statements as showing Mr. Hoisington to be a man of broad intelligence and genuine public spirit, for these have been shadowed forth between the lines of this review. Strong in his indi- viduality he never lacks the courage of his convictions, but there are as dominating ele- ments in this individuality a lively human sympathy and an abiding charity, which, as taken in connection with the stering integ- rity and honor of his character, have natu- rally gained to him the respect and confi- dence of men.

GARNETT ELLIOTT.

The recipient of unqualified confidence and esteem, there is no man in Kingman county who is more worthy of representation in this compilation than Mr. Elliott, not alone on account of the success he has achieved. the high relative prestige he has attained in business and social life. but also on account of that sterling integrity of char- acter and clearly defined purpose which have

made him so worthy and valued a citizen. His life has been one of consecutive and well directed endeavor, his experiences have been wide and varied, and in all the relations of life he has been true to himself and has commanded the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been thrown in con- tact. He is now engaged in the real-estate and insurance business in the attractive little vil- lage of Cunningham, and is known as one of the representative men of Kingman coun- ty, where he has maintained his home for the past thirteen years.

Mr. Elliott is a native of the province of Ontario, Canada, where he was born on the Ioth day of July, 1848, the son of John J. and Mary ( Garnett ) Elliott, the former of whom was born in the same province of the Canadian dominion, in 1822, while the latter was a native of Westmoreland county, Eng- land, where she was born in 1819. John J. Elliott was reared and educated in Ontario. where he was successfully engaged in agri- cultural pursuits until past middle life, when he removed to the town of Mount Pleasant, where the last twenty years of his life were passed, his death occurring on the 15th of February, 1901. He was one of the influen- tial citizens of his community, being promi- nent in both public and religious affairs and being a man of high intellectuality and un- bending rectitude of character. Of broad mental ken and mature judgment. he im- pressed his forceful individuality upon the community and was honored by all who knew him. He was a prominent and exceptionally zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he was for many years an official and incum- bent of the position of class leader, while he also maintained an abiding interest in the Sunday-school, of which he was superinten- dent for a long term and in which he was also a popular and devoted teacher. It was but natural that a man of such distinct indi- viduality should have clearly defined views in regard to matters of public policy, and he thus manifested a deep interest in political affairs, being an ardent adherent of the re- form party and an influential factor in its councils. though he was never an aspirant

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for public office. He was a son of William Elliott, who was born in County Cavan, Ire- land, whence he emigrated to Canada in an early day, locating in Ontario, where he im- proved a fine farm and continued in agri- cultural pursuits during the residue of his life, the old homestead being inherited in accordance with the old English law of en- tailment, by John J .. the father of our sub- ject. Anthony Garnett, the maternal grand- father of our subject, emigrated from Eng- land to Ontario, Canada, about the year 1840, and there he devoted the remainder of his life to agricultural pursuits, passing away at the patriarchal age of ninety-three years. John J. and Mary ( Garnett ) Elliott became the parents of five children and also had one adopted daughter to whom they accorded the same love and solicitude as to their own children, the affection being warmly and fully reciprocated. Of the children we enter brief record as follows: Miss Elizabeth EI- liott still retains her home in Mount Pleas- ant. Ontario, and has there the companion- ship of her adopted sister. Evaline, who be- came a member of the family circle when a mere infant ; both ladies are accomplished musicians and are popular teachers of the "Divine art:" Garnett, the second in order of birth, is the immediate subject of this rewiew ; John F. is a successful farmer of Pembina county. North Dakota; Frederick William, who was blind from his birth, be- came a musician of marked technical and in- terpretive ability, notwithstanding his in- firmity, and attained a high reputation as a pianist and teacher, his death resulting from an injury to his spine, caused by a fall, this fatal accident occurring when he was thirty- six years of age: and John W. is station agent of the Grand Trunk Railroad at Good- wood, Ontario.

Garnett Elliott was born on the ancestral farmstead, as was his father before him. and was but a child at the time of his parents' removal to the town of Thorn Hill, near To- ronto, where he passed his youth, receiving excellent educational advantages in the schools of the locality and continuing his studies until he had attained the age of nine- teen years, after which he was for three years

employed in the woolen mills at Millbrook, Ontario, becoming familiar with the various details of the industry. In the year 1872 Mr. Elliott left his native province and re- moved to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he shortly afterward entered the telegraph school in the city of Oberlin, becoming an expert operator and being graduated in the following year. Thereafter he was identi- fied with railroad interests as operator and agent in various Ohio towns, including Beach City, Seville, Uniontown, Akron, and others, until 1889, with the exception of an interim of two years, during which he devoted his attention to the milling business, having purchased an interest in the roller- process flouring mill at Apple Creek, Ohio, and having been actively concerned in the operation of the same during the period noted.

In 1889 Mr. Elliott came with his fam- ily to Cunningham, Kingman county, Kan- sas, and soon after his arrival he effected the purchase of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Rural township, where, for the en- suing three years, he was engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising. He then disposed of this property and purchased a tract of two hundred and forty acres lying contiguous to the town of Cunningham, and there he continued in the same line of enterprise un- til 1892, when he was tendered and accepted the position of station agent for the Atchi- son, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad at Cun- ningham, retaining this incumbency and ren- dering most effective service until 1901, in the meanwhile leasing his farm until 1898, when he sold the property and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of exceptionally fertile and valuable bottom land, located one mile north of the town. In addition to this he also purchased and improved one of the most attractive residences in the town, mak- ing this his home, and also becoming the owner of another residence property, both dwellings being destroyed in the ever memo- rable cyclone which visited this locality in 1898. He erected his present modern and attractive residence in that year, the same being most eligibly located and being one of the beautiful homes of the village, having

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attractive grounds and being of pleasing ar- chitectural design. In December, 1900, Mr. Elliott resigned his position as station agent and then engaged in his present and impor- tant line of enterprise, which he is conduct- ing with signal discrimination and ability. his transactions involving the handling of improved and unimproved real estate of all kinds, the extending of financial loans upon approved securities and upon liberal terms, while he also makes a specialty of rentals and is the local representative for several of the leading and most reliable insurance com- panies. His progressive methods and the confidence in which he is uniformly held in- sure to the enterprise a cumulative prestige and success. During his active business life in Cunningham Mr. Elliott has taken a prominent part in public affairs of a local nature. being an uncompromising Republi- can in politics, and having served as a mem- ber of the Kingman county central commit- tee of his party and as delegate to various conventions, while he was incumbent of the responsible offices of township trustee and treasurer of Dresden township for a term of several years, having been elected in 1896. All that conserves the general welfare of the community is a matter of interest to this public-spirited citizen, and he served as clerk of the local board of education during a pe- riod of nine years, doing all in his power to promote the cause of this important factor in the civic life of the community. Mr. El- liott is a writer of force and ability, and has for several years been editor of the Cun- ningham department of the Kingman Lea- der-Courier, published in the city of King- man. In common with other members of his family he has distinctive musical talent of a natural sort, and this he has vitalized by careful technical study, having a finely cultivated tenor voice and taking a promi- nent part in fostering the love of this most graceful of all arts. He serves as chorister and director of the choirs of both the Meth- odist and Presbyterian churches in Cunning- ham, and also has charge of the music of the respective Sunday-schools. The superior choral services of the two churches testify to his ability as a director and to the deep

interest he takes in musical affairs. Mr. El- liott has been a devoted member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church from his youth, and during his residence in Cunningham he has rendered valuable service as steward and re- corder of the local church of this denomina- tion, also taking a specially active part in the work of the Sunday-school, acting as super- intendent for nine consecutive years and still retaining the same responsible leadership. This important branch of the church work has enlisted his earnest co-operation all through his life, while he has rendered sig- nal service as Sunday-school superintendent in various places where he has lived. the school in Akron, during his incumbency in this line, having attained a membership of three hundred. Fraternally our subject is prominently identified with Cunningham Lodge, No. 134, Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor com- mander, and which he represented in the assembly of the grand lodge of the state, at Fort Scott, in 1898. Ile is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica and the Knights and Ladies of Security, in the local lodges of which he has held all the official positions. Mr. Elliott is a man of genial nature and unvarying courtesy, and not alone is he regarded as one of the repre- sentative citizens and business men of Cun- ningham, but his influence in connection with educational and religious affairs of the com- munity have also made him a most valuable factor in promoting the higher interests of his home town, while his honor and integrity in all the relations of life have insured to him the unequivocal confidence and high re- gard of his fellow men.

At Wilmot. Stark county, Ohio, on the 19th of December, 1876, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Elliott to Miss Ada F. Put- man, who was born in that town. being the daughter of Hiram and Mary ( Hobbs) Put- man. the former of whom was likewise a na- tive of Wilmot, where he became a prominent and wealthy business man, being a member of one of the pioneer families of the Buck- eve state: his wife was born in Chambers- burg. Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott have four children, concerning whom we

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incorporate the following brief record : Card G. has been chief clerk in the office of the Wells-Fargo Express Company, at Kansas City, Missouri, and is now working in the general office of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company, at Topeka, having full charge of the distribution of all freight equipment for the entire system from Chicago to San Francisco, and also to Gal- veston, Texas. He also has charge of the interchange of all equipment between for- eign roads, a very responsible position for a man so young. He is a young man of fine character and exceptional ability, as may be inferred from the responsible office of which he is incumbent ; Marie is a successful and popular teacher and musical instructor of Kingman county ; L. Estelle, who is also one of Cunningham's popular young ladies, and prominent in social life, is now engaged in the millinery business in the city of King- man; Raymond remains at the parental home. Mrs. Elliott also is a devoted mem- ber of the Methodist church, and takes a prominent part in its work, having been president of the Ladies' Aid Society and president of the Women's Christian Tem- perance Union societies for years. She is a lady of exceptional moral prestige, and has aided largely in the life work and success of her husband, while she is beloved by all with whom she is associated.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 57

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