A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 64

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 64

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. In the public sonIs . i Kansas and Ne- bra-ka Joseph C. Gafford pursued his edu- caiba antti nineteen years of age. when he accepti a position as manager of a lum- ber yard at Humboldt, Nebraska, continuing in charge for two years. He then entered in partnership with his father at Concer- d'a. continuing the enterprise until 1885. when they sold out and our subject estab- Het a private bank at Glasgow. There he remained ir two years, after which he rem vel t Minneapolis and organized the Minneapolis Bank, with a capital stuck of Sixty thousand dollars. At the time of the Tantas: Mr. Gafford became president and his brother-in-law. B. F. Bracker, new . i Be it, was cashier, but owing to the ill- health of the latter they exchanged offices. and Mr. Gafford performs the greater part of the business connected with the insitu- ion. He is the principal stockholder, own- ing over two-fifths of the stock, and has had the contro lling interest since the organiza- ton of the bank. The instituti na flows a safe and conservative policy, which has awa- kened uniform confidence and secured a lib- era! patronage.

In 1876 Mr. Gafford was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth Morden. a daugh- ter of Burham and Hannah Morden, who were natives of Canada. Three children have been born unto them. Roy E., born in 1877. is the eldest. He is a graduate of

the high school of Minneapolis, and Com- theted the curse in the Lawrence Banan Charge in 1800, since which time he Fen employed as beck keeper in the Min- ver . National Bank. Earl, born in now in his junior year in the high

El. born in 1888, is also a pupil in the high school. The home of the family is a beutiful residence, situated on a plat of ground of two acres or more. This i- highly cultivated and improved with fruits. flowers and ornamental shrubbery. Mr. Gafford irrigates the place from an individ- nal plant. having a wind-mill. wells and other facilities for furnishing the water sup- ply. He owns about eight hundred acre. .... land and raises and dolls in cute . man ev. tensive scale. Ile is a member of Minneapo- His Lodge. No. 143. F. & A. M. Chapter, No. 51. R. A. M. : Highbe : 0 cil, No. IO. R. & S. M. an ! Evren mandery, K. T. of Beloit, Kanky. Hadi belongs to the Knights of Bothin- 1. to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. and the Modern Woodmen Camp. all of Minneapolis, and the Degree . i Hear the Fraternal Aid and the Sons and Daughters of Justice, while he and his wife are active and loval members of the Presbyterian church. He has been mayor of Minneapo- lis, discharging his duties in a business like manner that has largely promoted the wel- fare . f the city. He is now chairman of the Republican county central committee and committeeman from Ottawa county for the fifth congressional district. He is public- spirited in an eminent degree, for public progress and local advancement are causes both dear to his heart. Perhaps no man in the county possesses greater executive abil- itv. His force of character is manifest in all that he undertakes, and it led to the successful comme of many public and pri- vate enterprises with which he has been a -- sociated.

A. J. BISHOP.

A. J. Bishop is a highly respected citizen and leading business man of Minneapolis. where he is engaged in trade as a member . i

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the firm of Bishop & Kinsey, proprietors of the marble works: A native of Ohio, he was born of the marriage of Harvey and Sa- rah ( Bishop) Bishop, who though of the same name were not related by the ties of Dood. The father was a native of New York, the mother of Connecticut, and they became residents of Ohio in early life. In that state they were married and there spent their remaining days, the father devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits. He died on Christmas day of 1898, and the other passed away twenty years previous, in 1878.

The subject of this review completed his literary education in the high school of Gus- tavus, Ohio, and at the age of sixteen years enlisted in Company E, Sixth Ohio Cavalry for three years service, but on account of illness was discharged in March. In April, 1864, however, he re-enlisted as a member of Company A. One Hundred and Seventy- first Ohio Infantry, with which he served as a sergeant until the close of the war, participating in the battles of Kellers Bridge, Missionary Ridge. Cynthiana and at the last named was taken prisoner and carried to Falmouth, Kentucky, where he was held for two days and two nights when he was re- captured by the Union troops. It was ques- tioned whether or not the parole held good. However, the Union troops were finally stationed at Johnson's Island, engaged in guarding prisoners. The military spirit which Mr. Bishop manifested may be also seen in his ancestry, for his maternal grand- father was in the war of 1812.

After the war our subject travelled in various capacities, selling medicines, light- ning rods and other commodities. He locat- ed in Cortland. Ohio. where he engaged in the livery business, there remaining for nine years after which he spent two years upon his father's farm. In February, 1878, he came to Kansas, locating two miles from Minne- apolis upon a farm. but most of the time he has lived in the town. For a time he was employed as a salesman in the store of L. A. Davis, and for several years he dealt in horses, trading, buying, selling and shipping, which business he found to be profitable. He handled six hundred and seventy-five horses

while thus engaged. In 1887 he was appoint- ed by the Boston Company as superinten- dent of the water works, acting in that capa- city for two years after which he was solic- itor for George R. Bars. a live stock com- missioner connected with a firm of Kansas City, Missouri. When two years had passed Mr. Bishop engaged in selling windmills for the firm of Phelps & Bigelow, of S. Kansas City, disposing of one hundred and thirty- one in Ottawa, Saline, Lincoln and Clark counties. At various times he served as deputy sheriff of Ottawa county, acting in that capacity at intervals until his service covered ten years. In 1892 he began selling marble for C. W. Benham, of Beloit, Kansas. on the road, and in 1895 he began farming in Oklahoma. where he remained for five months, securing a claim and a couple of town lots, which he subsequently sold. In 1896 he was appointed relief officer at the penitentiary, at Lansing, Kansas. In the meantime Mr. Benham established the mar- ble works in Minneapolis, and Mr. Bishop purchased the same, carrying on business as a member of the firm of Putenney & Bishop. After a time the senior partner disposed of his interest to A. J. Kinsey, and the fim of Bishop & Kinsey was established.

In May. 1871. Mr. Bishop was united in marriage to Miss Belle Powell. of Mead- ville, Pennsylvania, and four children have been born unto them. but Adelbert, the eld- cst, died at the age of nine years. Charles, born in 1877. completed his education in the high school of Minneapolis, engaged in deal- ing in cattle for a time and now occupies a clerkship. At the time of the Spanish- American war he enlisted in the Twentieth Kansas, which sailed from San Francisco to the Philippines. Charles joined the army as a corporal and participated in all the en- gagements with his regiment. After his re- turn to this country he engaged in clerking for Page Brothers for four or five months and is now travelling auditor for Swift's packing house in Kansas City. Ada, the next of the family, born in 1883, is now in the millinery business. 1William, born in 1885, is employed as salesman by A. J. Smith. The mother died in August, 1896,

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and in 1900 Mr. Bishop was again married, his second union being with Elsie, a dough- ter of John and Elizabeth Shipp and a native of Pela, Kansas. Mr. Bishop's paternal grandmother was a sister of the wife of John Brown, the neted AL litionist, who was so prominent in reusing the north to a knowl- elgeri the e molition of things in the south. In his fraternal relations Mr. Bishop is a Mason, belonging to Old Erie Lodge. No. 442. F. & .A. M .. of Gustavus, Ohio. He is a free-silver Republican politically and for the first time scratched a ticket on the silver issue. A highly respected citizen and pros- perous business man. he well deserves men- tion among the representative residents of central Kansas, a man who represents the progressive spirit which typifies the west and who is active in promoting the substantial deve ament of the town with which he has allied his interests.

GEORGE W. WELSH.

the age W. Welsh has passed the Palm- ist's span of thece-score years and tom, and in the evening of life is enjoying a well- carnedl rest at his pleasant home in Minne- aplis. Nature seems to have ordained sucht an order . & Hfe. In youth there is strength. ambition and courage, in later years mature judgment and experience, and when the even ing approaches there comes a diminution of one's forces, showing that it was evi- dentiy intended that in the closing years of an earthly pilgrimage one should have rest -a season in which to enjoy the fruits of former toil. This has been vouchsafed to Mr. Welsh. one of the esteemed and hon- orol gi neer settlers of Ottawa county, who. with a well-earned competence to supply his needs. is now residing in Minowenalis in the ni Ist of vorm friends who hold him in high regard by reas no f his sterling worth.

Mr. Welsh was born in North Bend Nen known as Young Women's Town, in Clin- and is a son ai Samuel and Mary Quiser Welsh. His paternal ancestors were it !!!

Germany, his maternal ancestors from Mary- land. The father, a farmer by recupati. n. was born in Clinton county, Pennsylvania, and there his death occurred in 1866. His grandmother Welsh was born in Philadel- phia and was there residing at the time of the signing of the Declaration of halepen- ence in Independence Hall. His great granil- father was burned at the stake at Carlisle. eighteen miles south of Harrodsburg. He was engaged in trading with the Indians when there are some disturbance. Je- tween the red men and the white people. but they had always been friendly toward him and net. fearing them he went : . mi- ness with them. Their treachery, hone er. asserted itself, and they hummel Him of the stake.

George W. Webb, what this sketch, was educated in i tion schools of his time, but in that direction were rather limited. for Pennsylvania was then a new com

his youth he worked on his father- and in the sawmill, and later he entered the lember business on his own account. com down timber which he hewed and square and then shipped down the Suprehanna river, selling it to the New York merchants. In the year 1854 Mr. Welsi

in marriage to Eliza Ann. Regler Michael and Elizabeth Samt. i Can county. Her paternal aucey New Jersey, her maternal f: Her mother died in 1841, but her Father we survived and passed away in 188 :. IN - Mr. Welsh left the state with his family removed to a farm near Winchester, Virginia, living there for about three years, when he returnel t Pem -- win. having remained his ben'er interests there in the interim. However, he had been somewhat unfortunate as some sharpersted cheated him out of a great deal of his cap- !". and he sought the far west in order to retrieve his best possession-

i nine children he came to Kansas in homestead tv. northeast of Minneapolis. This pretty lit- the city was then a mere trading -1. 0 5- taining one smail store, a mill which was

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termed a "corn-cracker." and a few dwell- carried on a successful business. Samuel, ings which were little more than shanties. Mr. Welsh proceeded to make a dugout, in which they lived for several weeks umil he could haul lumber and build a house. He brought the lumber from Solomon, and for it paid forty-four dollars per thousand. He then built a four room house, which was then . a very pretentious structure and the envy of the entire community. In 1876 he returned to Pennsylvania for the purpose of settling up his business affairs there, and during his absence the house was burned to the ground togther with all its contents, including bedding and clothing. The mem- bers of the family were cared for by neigh- bors and friends, who began at once to get out lumber for another house and when Mr. Welsh returned he found his family in- stalled in a new residence of four rooms. For several years they suffered the hard- ships incident to pioneer life, but the chil- dren soon became self-supporting, and with the passing years Mr. Welsh was enabled to add to his possessions until he is now in very comfortable circumstances. He owns the original homestead, which is in a well im- proved condition with one hundred and thirty acres under cultivation.

Ten children have been born to our sub- ject and his wife, of whom nine are living : Michael S., in the employ of the Goodland Milling Company, of Fort Scott, Kansas. married Cora Custard, who died in 1890, leaving one son, Earl Gordon, who has since resided with his paternal grandparents. An- drew Jackson, the junior member of the firm of McConnel & Welsh, hardware mer- chants of Minneapolis, where they have carried on business since the spring of 1880. He was married in 1881 to Miss Belle Rush, a daughter of Moses and Martha Rush, of Minneapolis. Two children have been born to them, Winnie, Juanita and Harry. Their father, familiarly known as "Jack" Welsh, engaged in teaching in the district schools of Ottawa county when sixteen years of age, and afterward engaged in clerking for the Davis Hardware Company until the death of Mr. Davis. In 1881 he and Mr. Mc- Connel purchased the stock and have since

the next of the family, is a farmer and stock man, and was interested with his brothers, "Jack" and Will, in the ownership of eight hundred acres of land which they sold in 1901. William is a farmer and stock dealer. The next of the family were twin daugh- ters-Mary Elizabeth and Fannie Allen. The former is now the wife of Boyd L. Rees, of Topeka, the superintendent of the McCormick Harvesting Company there. and they have one child, Eva Edna. Fannie Al- len is the wife of Manchester Wood, who resides on a farm thirteen miles from Enid, Oklahoma, and they have four children, Ray, Leta, Samuel and Paul. George, who married Nannie Tudor, is engaged in the hardware business in Augusta, Oklahoma. Dora is the wife of A. W. Swazey, who was formerly a teacher in the schools of Min- neapolis, and is now serving as sheriff of Ottawa county. Annie E. is teaching in Minneapolis, having occupied a position in the schools here for the past eight years. The members of the Welsh family have all received good educational privileges fitting for the practical duties of life. and the fam- ily is one of which the parents have every reason to be proud.

In his political views Mr. Welsh is a Jeffersonian Democrat, and while he keeps well informed on the issues of the day, he has never been an office seeker. He belongs to the Baptist church; his wife, two daugh- ters and son, "Jack," are members of the Methodist church ; and another son is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church. Mr. and Mrs. Welsh are most estimable people, whose lives have been well spent. characterized by devotion to duty and to all that is right and just. They occupy a beautiful home on Sec- ond street, near Rothsay avenue. in Minne- apolis.

C. D. CLARK, M. D.

From no professional men do we ex- pect or exact so many of the cardinal vir- tues as from the physician. If the clergy- man is austere we imagine that his mind

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is absorbed with the contemplation of things beyond our ken: if our lawyer is brusque and crabbed, it is the mark of genius; but in the physician, we expect not only supe- rior mentality and comprehensive knowl- edge but sympathy as wide as the universe. Dr. Clark, in a large mesure, meets all of these requirements, and is regarded by many as an ideal physician. He has indeed been the level family doctor in many a house- hold. and the value of his service to the com- munity can not be overestimated. After many years of successful practice he is now living retired. Dr. Clark was born in Rochester, Verm nt. in 1841. his parents be- ing Stomon B. and Eliza ( Hoisington) Clark. The paternal grandfather. Daniel R. Clark, was a native of Connecticut. He served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, loyally aiding in the cause of independence. Removing t Vermont he remained there during the greater part of his life, and was a resident of the Green Mountain state at the time of his death. Solomon B. Clark was a farmer by occupation, and spent the greater part of his life in the Green Moun- tain state, but died in Rockford, Illinois, whore he had resided for fourteen years.

In taking up the personal history of Dr. Clark we present to our readers the life rec- ord of one who is widely and favorably known in Minneapolis. Kansas, and the sur- rounding country. He had attended school in Rockford. Illinois, prior to his matricu- lation in Hahnemann Medical College, of Chicago, in which he was graduated with the class of 1867. His residence in the Prai- rie state dated from 1856. He began the practice of his chosen profession in De Kalb, Illin is, where he remained for two years, and in iSto removed to Appleton City, Mis- Souri, where he resided for four years. On the expiration of that period he came to Min- neap Es. Kansas. in 1873. and here resumed the practice of medicine. continuing an ac- tive member of the profession until 1897, when he retired.

At the time of the Civil war the Doc- tor joined the army. serving for four years in the Eleventh Infantry and Twelfth Regi- ment of Illinois Cavalry. He was in sey-

era! very important engagements. includ- ing the battles of Gettysburg and Chance- lorsville. To quote his own language. he is a "rock-ribbed Republican." un-werving in his advocacy of the principles of the par- U. . As a loyal citizen, he is ever true to the best interests of his community and of the state and nation, adhering tothe meas- ures and causes which he Lelien- to be right with the same fidelity which he mani- fested on the southern Battlefield while aid- ing in the defence of the union. Socially he is connected with Minneapolis Masonic Lodge, and has been a representative of the craft for thirty-two years, having been ini- tiated into the order in Dekal Lage. Nu. 144. F. & A. M., in DeKalb, Illinois. He has taken the degrees of capitular, cryptic and chivalric Masonry, belonging to Chap- ter No. 51, R. A. M .; Council No. 10, R. & S. M .; and Askelon Commandery, No. 6, K. T., of Salina. In his religious belief and associations he is a Universalist.

His home life has been very pleasant and his greatest happiness centers in his family. On the 28th of September. ING. FR 1) tor was united in marriage. in Kishwaukee, Ogle er anty. Illinois, to Loraine Merryfield, a daughter of John T. and Mary Lucy ( Stewart ) Merryfield, of the Mohawk Val- ley. near Batavia. Mrs. Clark was i m in Kishwaukee. September 8. 1848, and there rested until her marriage, afterw -1 cm- ing with her husband Kan f 3. Three children have been ler ies. Reha Merryfield, wh in DeKalle cents. Mais Feruary 7. INGS: Daisy Clarissa, who was born in St. Clair county, Missouri, at Apden City. July In. 1821 : and Lucio- Brod eller in Minneapolis, Kansas. August 21. 1879. He liel September 5. 1880. The elder s nat- tendolechat in Minneapolis, and after & m- pleting the course here pursued a three ve ".' college course in Lawrence University. He then spent three years as a student in the Homo pathic Medical School of Kansas City, and was graduated in ISog. Fr there years he has been a successful practice verdi medicine in Minneapolis. On the 16th of October. 1807. he married El H. ....

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a daughter of Eugene and Eva Chapin, and | days until called to the home beyond. Their two sons have been born unto them: Car- many excellent qualites of heart and mind drew to them the regard of their fellow citizens and made them valued representa- tives of the community.

roll DeWitt, born January 10, 1898; and Eugene Chapin, born July 1, 1899. Mrs. Clark, the wife of our subject, is a graduate of the Chautauqua Society of Minneapolis, and is a member of the AAtlanteau Brown Club. She likewise holds membership in the Eastern Star Chapter, No. 146, of which she is worthy matron, an honor which has been bestowed upon her since the organiza- tion of the lodge in Minneapolis, in 1893. She is also president of the Ladies' Ceme- tery Association, which was organized April 3. 1897-an association whose object is to preserve and beautify Highland cemetery. Such in brief is the life history of Dr. Clark, a man who has ever been actuated by strong purpose and high motives, and who in all life's relations commands the respect and confidence of his fellow men.

JOHN GULDNER.

The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the annals of cen- tral Kansas before he learns how important a part has been played in public affairs by the Guldner family as represented by John Guldner and his six sons, who are promi- nent farmers and business men of this por- tion of the state. The name is a synonym for honorable dealing, for unflagging en- ergy and for resultant business activity, and no compendium of this character would be complete without extended mention of the family.

John Guldner, the father was born in Bavaria, at Moorlantem, on the river Rhine, and represents a good German fam- ily noted for industry, honesty, good busi- ness ability, faithfulness and patriotism. His father held a desirable position as weighmaster for a large coal company at Pultz and was honored and respected in the town where he was reared and passed his entire life. He married Susan Baker. also a native of the same village, in which they reared their family and spent their

The birth of John Guldner occurred in 1825, and in his native village he spent the days of his boyhood and youth, acquiring a good education in his native tongue. He was taught the value of industry and in- tegrity as a basis for future success and the lesson thus learned in youth has been carefully followed through all the years of his manhood. When a young man he en- tered the Bavarian army and gallantly served for five years during the exciting times when the spirit of rebellion was rife in that part of Europe. General Seigel and General Carl Schurz were also in the army in which Mr. Guldner served as a private. He participated in many engage- ments, but the troops with which he was associated were finally defeated and he had to flee from the country under penalty of being severely punished for treason. He succeeded in making his escape to Switzer- land, thence to France and at Havre, in 1849, he boarded a westward bound sailing vessel, which thirty-five days later dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. Mak- ing his way to Erie, Pennsylvania, he there obtained work as a weaver, remaining in that place for eight years.

Mr. Guldner was united in marriage to Elizabeth Frey, who proved to him a faith- ful companion and helpmate on the journey of life until called to her final rest. She, too, was born, reared and educated in Hesse-Darmstadt, and in 1840 came to the United States, locating in Erie, Pennsyl- vania, where she was married. In 1857, accompanied by his family, John Guldner removed to the Mississippi valley and for a number of years thereafter resided in Davenport, Iowa, where he obtained a good position with a prominent lumberman, John L. Davis. His employer soon recognized his capability and appointed him foreman, a position which he held for more than twenty years. Being faithful to every trust and duty, he was given a large salary and

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was thus enabled to provide comfortably for his family and also to assist his sons in getting a start in the business world by securing them positions in the sawmill. Industrious and economical he saved all of his salary that 'he could, made good in- Vestirents and when in 1879 he came to central Kansas he had a number of thou- sand d Cars to enable him to make an ex- cellent start in his new home.

Wishing to provide better opportuni- tien ir his sons, where competition was 1. t ., great and where business advantages were - unclaimed he came with his wife and six sons to the Sunflower state and has since been prominently identified with its interests. His children, most of whom were gen well grown and had received ger cimcational privileges in the schools di h expert, aided him in all his under- takings. He brought with him twenty th 119 ! Bars, and having faith in cen- trall Kamas and its promising future-a isit': which has been justified as the years have gone by-he invested his money here. erecting. in ISSo, one of the first grist mills of this part of the state. at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars. He also purchased large tracts i raw land, on which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. but with the aid of his boys he began the development of farms, and soon placed the will tract under a high state of cultiva- tion. the well tilled fields returning golden harvests for the care and labor bestowed upon them. The father and sons are to- der among the largest tax payers in cen- tral Kansas, for their property has risen in wine by reason of the improvements they have made thereon, as well as owing to the increasing population, which always ad- vicel really prices. Substantial resi- dences, large barns and outbuildings. graves en orchards and all modern ac- cosorties have been added to their farms. and the. they have contributed to the uni- versal pet gress and upbuilding.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 64

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