A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 66

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

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Charles Guier, the immediate su jet .i this review. was reared to form life in Grant county, Wisconsin. At the age of twenty years, in Prairie du Chien. WIR enlisted for three vous service in the fjell war, under command of Clone Cute. Fie afterward served under Und Borg. and next umier Captain E. A. Whaley. Mr. Guier took part in the second battle of Bull Run. Antietam, South Mount de. Chancel- lorsville, Gettysburg. Call Her of the Wilderness and Petersburg. He wiesel the mine explosion at the last name : place. and he there veteranized. He afterward re- ceived a thirty-days' furlough and on the expiration of that part I rej med . regi- ment and went to the front. becoming a member of the Army of the Pitnyc. At the battle of the Wilderness he was wounded by a piece of shell. He was a member ! the Iron Brigade, under General Warren. and at the close of the war was in the vicin- ity of Richmond, Virginia. He was sie. with a fever at Fredericksburg, and was confined in the hospital for one month. His army record is one of which he has every reason to be proud, for he was a valiant sol- Ver, and loyally did his duty on the field of battle. He was present at the grand re- wcw at Washington, and after his discharge he returned to his home in Wisconsin. where he took up the quiet pursuits . i the farm.

In Grant county, Wisconsin, in 1869,

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Mr. Guier was united in marriage to Laura Taylor, who was born in that county, a daughter of Fountain and Delilah Taylor, both dying in Wisconsin. Their son, John Taylor, was a soldier in the Civil war, be- coming a member of the Second Wisconsin Cavalry, and he now resides in Wisconsin. After his marriage our subject removed to Wabash county, Indiana, where he remained for six years. In the fall of 1878 he came to Rice county, Kansas, where he secured a homestead of eighty acres, and as time passed he added to that tract until he owned a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, all under a high state of cultivation. He has since sold eighty acres of the place to his son. His farm is located two and a half miles from Geneseo, and there he has a good residence, which is located on a natural building site, a large barn, and all necessary buildings and improvements.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Guier was blessed with three living children. namely : John, who resides at Henrietta. Indian Ter- ritory ; Frank, who owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Galt township, Rice county, and is engaged in general farming : and Eula, who is now seventeen years of age and is at home. One daughter, Hattie, died at the age of eighteen months. Mrs. Guier died at the early age of thirty-five years, in December. 1891. She was a lov- ing wife and mother, a kind neighbor and a true friend, and she was loved and respected by all who knew her. Of the Seventh Day Adventist church, she was an active and worthy member. Mr. Guier is a firm be- liever in Republican principles, and is a man who keeps himself well posted on the topics of the day, takes an active interest in public issues and is progressive, prominent and popular.

GEORGE LITCHFIELD.

George Litchfield, who died on the 2d of July, 1891, was an enterprising farmer of Rice county, an honored pioneer settler and one of the veterans of the Civil war who manifested his loyalty to the Union

by faithful service upon southern battle- fields. At all times he commanded the re- spect of his fellow men, and in his death the community lost one of its valued citi- zens.

Mr. Litchfield was born near Evans- ville, in Vanderburg county, Indiana, June 25, 1844. His father, Joseph Litchfield, was a native of England and in that coun- try he acquired his education, there remain- ing until eighteen years of age, when he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the United States, taking up his abode near Evansville, Indiana. He was married in Vanderburg county to Miss Lucy E. Browning, who was also born in England, and on coming to the new world took up her abode in the Hoosier state. She is now living in Yorktown, Iowa, but her husband died in McDonough county, Illinois, near Macomb. This worthy couple were the parents of eleven children : Jolin, who was a soldier of the Civil war; Joseph: Mary : George; Lucy A. : Sarah E. : William and Henry, who were twins: Fan- nie: Frank; and Richard. The father was a farmer by occupation, following that pur- suit in order to provide for his large fam- ily. In politics he was a Republican and both he and his wife were members of the Universalist church.

When a lad of only four years George Litchfield was taken by his parents to Mc- Donough county, Illinois, where he was reared upon a farm, early becoming fa- miliar with all the labors of field and meadow. The common schools of the com- munity afforded him his educational privi- leges. After the inauguration of the Civil war he enlisted in Company D. Sixty- fourth Illinois Infantry, and participated in many of the historic battles of the Rebel- lion. He was in the engagements at Resaca and Savannah, the siege of Atlanta and the celebrated march under General Sher- man to the sea, and afterward proceeded through the Carolinas to Jonesboro and to Richmond. He participated in the grand review in Washington, the most celebrated military pageant ever seen in the new world, where "wave after wave of bayonet-

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MR. AND MRS. GEORGE LITCHFIELD AND FAMILY.

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crested blue" swept by the stand on which the president viewed the victorious army.

After receiving an honorable discharge Mr. Litchfield returned to his home in Illi- mes, and on Christmas day of 1867 he was married to Amanda M. Allen. a most es- timable lady, who proved to him an able assistant on the journey of life. She was born in Highland county, Ohio, near Hills- Foro. a daughter of David Allen, a native of Virginia. Her paternal grandfather was twice married and had twenty-four chil- dren. David Allen married Eliza Laird. who was born in Pennsylvania of Scotch- Irish parentage, her father having been a native of the green isle of Erin, while her mother was a native of Scotland. In re- ligious faith they were Presbyterians. David Allen died in Ohio at the age of seventy-eight years, and his wife also passed away in Highland county, when she had reached the Psalmist's span of three se re years and ten. He was a farmer by occupation. In his political faith he was a Democrat, and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. By his first marriage the father had four children, three of whom grew to mature years, while one died in infancy. Those who survive are Mary E., Tamar M. and Jane E. By the second marriage there were ten children: John S., Malinda A .. Isabella MI .. Nancy E .. Thomas A., Sarah R., James Laird. Mrs. Amanda Litchfield. Matilda A. and David Wilson.

In 1874 Mr. Litchfield removed with his family from Illinois to Kansas, and se- cured a homestead claim in Rice county, als a timber claim of one hundred and sixty acres. He proved up on both quar- ter sections and for the same received a deed from the United States government. He first built a small box house and in a humble way began the development of the farm. Wolves were frequently seen in the neighborhood and were sometimes seen at night near their home. He continued the work of development and improvement upon his claims until he had transformed the property into fine farms, and thereupon he erected a comfortable residence, good barn and other necessary outbuildings. In 73

, 1886 he erected a hotel in Frederick, but · after fifteen months disposed of it. For ! three years he was engaged in the drug business at that place and prospered in the undertaking. His diligence and enterprise enabled him to surmount all difficulties in his path and to gain a comfortable compe- tence.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield was blessed with five children : Charles Edwin, who married Julia R. Owens and is living on his timber claim farm; Albert Melvin, who married Maggie E. Murray and resides on the old homestead : Dora E .. the wife of A. W. Van Boskird, a drug- gist of Frederick; Lucy E., who married James Cove, of Iowa; and George S., at home.

The father was five feet, nine inches and a half in height, and of slender build; in manner he was frank and genial and his unfailing courtesy and true worth won hin friends wherever he went. He took an active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his community and cooper- ated in all movements for the general good. He held membership with the' Grand Army of the Republic and thus maintained pleas- ant relations with his comrades who wore the blue. Called to his final rest July 2. 1891, the family was called upon to mourn the loss of a loving husband and father, the community a valued citizen. Mrs. Litchfield still survives her husband. She is a member of the Church of Christ and a lady whose many estimable qualities have won for her the high regard of those with whom she has been associated. cupies the home farm of three bondrel and twenty acres, pleasantly located near Frol- erick, the husband and father has hig gc. cumulated a competence which leaves the family in comfortable circumstances.

GEORGE STRATTON.

From fair Sexand the land of and heather. George Straten canne & Anti- ica. He found in this country the ip - tunities he sought for making a living and with the passing year- his Somich .

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perseverance and diligence have enabled him to advance steadily on the high road to fortune, so that he to-day occupies an envi- able position among the citizens of affluence in Ottawa county. For a number of years he was engaged in farming, stock-raising and milling, but is now living retired at his pleasant home in Minneapolis. An honored pioneer settler, he made the first location in Garfield township, and his residence here covers the entire period of early-day prog- ress and later-day development in central Kansas. Such a man certainly deserves representation in this volume.

A native of Scotland, George Stratton was born in 1839 unto James and Magdalen (Yule) Stratton, who were natives of the same country, where lived their ancestors through many generations. The father died in Scotland at the age of eighty-four years and the mother passed away at the age of ninety-six years.

The subject of this review spent the first seventeen years of his life in his native land, and during that period lessons of industry and honesty were instilled into his mind. and in later years have borne rich fruit. When a youth of seventeen he came to Amer- ica. After paying his passage he borrowed five dollars and with that sum arrived in the new world, locating first in the south- eastern part of Pennsylvania. There he re- mained for two years, during which time he followed farming, and then emigrated to Ottumwa, Iowa, where he was employed for a year by a railroad contractor to bring sup- plies to hiis camp. In 1861 when war was declared the railroad work was suspended and Mr. Stratton, imbued with a spirit of liberty and hatred of oppression, enlisted in the Sixth Missouri Infantry. for the ranks of Iowa regiments at that time were full. He served under General Giles A. Smith and Morgan L. Smith, and was appointed ser- geant, in which capacity he acted until the expiration of his term of three years. He participated in the battles of Shiloh. Cor- inth and the siege of Vicksburg. and also marched across the country to Chattanooga with twelve or more corps, forming a line sixteen miles long. Mr. Stratton expe-

rienced many hardships on that tramp. Af- ter the battle of Chattanooga and while on the march to Knoxville:" the shoes of the men were worn off and they would tear pieces from their coat tails and bind up their torn and bleeding feet. That winter they were quartered in the vicinity of Larkins- ville, Alabama, and later took part in the battles of Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta and many other engagements. At the close of the war, in company with David Morti- more, a fellow: soldier, Mr. Stratton re- turned to St. Louis, where they received their pay.

They then started out to make their for- tunes in the great west, proceeding by boat from St. Louis to St. Joseph, Missouri, where they purchased two horses and a few" camp supplies. Thus equipped they started for Kansas, arriving in the autumn of 1864. Mr. Stratton tells of hunting for Solomon City and after some search located smoke rising from a dug out. He learned from its occupant, a Mr. Whitney, that it was the town site of Solomon City. Mr. Stratton and his companion then followed the Solo- mon river up to Lindsay, and in that locality made a dug out for themselves and one for their horses, wintering their horses on the prairie hay and cottonwood bark from the boughs of the trees. With other settlers they went in quest of buffalo meat. They secured an old wagon and a yoke of oxen, and when the tires on the wagon gave out they took a raw-hide of a buffalo and wrapped the wheels, the hide drying and thus holding the tire in place. The follow- ing spring, in company with a Mr. Wright, Mr. Stratton took the rear wheels of a wag- on to serve as a foundation for a cart, and with two oxen. blankets. traps and fifty pounds of corn-meal, started out on a trap- ping expedition to the Saline river. One of the oxen died and Mr. Stratton then manu- factured a single harness, stuffed the collar with prairie grass, and thus drove one ox home. They were gone six weeks and their hunt netted them sixty dollars each. In the winter of 1865 our subject drove mules for the government to a freighting outfit and experienced the usual hardships of such a

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life. Flour at that time sold for ten dollars ir a hundred pounds, and the supplies Were porpertinatory high. He was in the Weitere creek Indian raid, and he and two companions were attacked la eight braves armed with arrows and guns. The white men drove the band back and started iraci in, which they knew & # serve as a jer: if there was a second attack. Just as they were approaching the house the Indians made another attack, shooting wildly. The men ; k their kurses into the cabin and, re- turning the fire, killed one Indian and suc- verdad in driving the . there away. The red men came down the river with their war paint on and brandishing their weapons and middle a great show of bravery. One of Mr. Stratton's companions was a "tenderit." and! startel t retreat, but Mr. Stratton told him that if he did not stand his ground he wohl shot him dead. well knowing that to retreat meant being scalped, and the man. terci re. remained. Soon afterward an. thier man came driving across the prairie, standing in his wagon and managing his tom with one hand while using a revolver with the other, while his wife lay down in tie wagon t. escape the wild shooting of the savages, who were in pursuit. The man afterward died from an arrow wound in- flicted by the Indians, and they found his sen's dead body soon afterward by the creek where the youth had crawled to get a drink.

In the meantime Mr. Stratton had taken a claim and in partnership with Mr. Morti- more began raising stock. Our subject kept his original claim and kept adding to it until he had twelve hundred acres of land. well improved with buildings, windmills and modern equipments, the place being known as the Riverside farm. In 18,1 he erected a residence, which was the first good house in Garfield township. In the fall of 1891. after ten years in the milling business in Minneapolis, he traded part of his land for the Delphos Flouring Mills, which he op- crated until 1893. when the mill was de- str vel by fire, and he sold the water power to Chapin Brothers. and removed to Min- neap. lis, where he bought a fine residence property in which he and his family have

since resided. He has practically retired from active life but still own- niness actes of land near Minneapolis, and rate. Fr. He also has considerable valcalde for ... tate in the city.

In 1874 Mr. Stratton returned : . and for a wife, and was married to Jessie Young. by whom he had six children ; An- nie, the wife of Edward White, a farmer residing in Washington: Jessie. the wife of Jeff Creigler, a barber of Denver. Com . Oswald, who is pursuing a business ... in the State Agricultural College, at Man- hattan, and will soon begin a course in diec- trical civil engineering : Lillie, who is a stu- dem in the high school and intends taking a normal course with a view of lee sang a teacher: Vivian, a pupil in the Minnes !- high school: and Bertha, a pupil in the graded schools. The mother died in Del- phos, in September, ISog, and the following year Mr. Stratton married Mrs. Alice White, widow of Charles White. I Ash she had one child. Edna, now attending the Minneapolis schools. Mrs. Stratten - a daughter of George and Media E. Shaw. who were natives of New Hampshire, and came to Kansas in 1871, settling in Lind- say. The father is now engaged in the har- ness business in Minneapolis.

Socially Mr. Stratton is connected with Minneapolis Lodge, No. 136, Knight and Ladies of Security. He may justly be termed a self-made man. for with a cash capital . f five dollars he began life in the new world and taking advantages . i the natural opp t- tunities of the land he has won a competi. home, and is accounted one of the salatal- tial citizens of Ottawa county. In 1883. ac- companied by his wife and four children he visited Scotland and while enjoying the trip abroad. he returned quite content to live in their fair Kansas home. preferring it to the breaks att brace di latte Se fand.

MARION T. WILSON.

and efficient superintendent of the e martin firmary since the Ist of March Ion in

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this position he has discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity. For nineteen years he has made his home in the Sunflower state, years actively devoted to its upbuilding and improvement. He was born in Fulton county, Indiana, near Rochester, April 2, 1861, a son of Uriah Wilson, a native of Kentucky. The latter followed farming as a life occupation, and of the Baptist church he was an active and worthy member. At his wife's death she left the following chil- dren-Nancy, Jones, Lewis, George, W. A., Malinda, Indiana, Joseph M., and Marion T. They also lost three children,-Jane, Harriet and Doc, who died in childhood.

Marion T. Wilson, the subject of this review, was deprived of a mother's loving care when he was quite small, and was reared on an Indiana farm, receiving his education in the public schools. However, he has added largely to his knowledge since put- ting aside his text-books by reading, obser- vation and practical experience. In 1882 he became a resident of the Sunflower state. casting in his lot with the residents of Rice county. He has resided in both Union and Wilson townships, and has ever borne his part in the work of progress and improve- ment. March 1, 1891, he was made super- intendent of the county infirmary, and his duties in this position have been performed with entire satisfaction to all concerned. The farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land, and there he is en- gaged in general farming, raising all kinds of produce and vegetables. The place is also well stocked with good grade of horses, cows and hogs. The farm is under a high state of cultivation and everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance.

In Rice county, Kansas, in 1887, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Eliza Lemira Thompson, a lady of intelligence and refinement. She is a daughter of James and Margaret ( Fullmer ) Thompson. The par- ents were married in Portage county, Ohio, but subsequently removed to Stark county, that state, where Mrs. Wilson was born in 1866. The parents afterward removed to Iowa, locating in Muscatine county, and in 1870 took up their abode in Keokuk county.

In 1876 they cast in their lot with the pio- neer settlers of Rice county, Kansas, where the father followed agricultural pursuits. He affiliates with the Democratic party. James Thompson and wife had fourteen children, namely: Lodema S., Sarah Almeda, Jacob Oliver, Eliza Lemira, Amanda. Charles Franklin, Cora Celesta, Ida Aldora, John Wesley, Maggie Ann, Eda Iona, Lola Le- vina,, Mattie Pearl and James William. The last named died at the age of four years, and the fifth child, Amanda, died when seven years of age, The mother of this fam- ily died in Rice county, Kansas, in May, 1895. She was a loving wife and mother and a true friend, and her loss was deeply mourned. One son, Charlie T., has blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson. He was born February 17, 1898. Mr. Wilson is in- dependent in his political views, casting his ballot in support of the men whom he thinks best qualified for office. In his social rela- tions he is connected with Lyons Lodge, No. 167, K. P.

GEORGE D. HOSS.

George D. Hoss, who is engaged in gen- eral farming and stock-raising. owns and operates a valuable farm on section 15, Vic- toria township, Rice county. He was born in Shrewsbury township, Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, at Hunter's Lake, December 14. 1850. His father, John Hoss, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, of Ger- man ancestry, and was reared to farm life in the state of his nativity. During the Civil war he offered his services to the Union, becoming a member of Company G. Sixty- first Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, of the Second Division, Third Brigade, Sixth Ar- my Corps. He served his country with hon- or and distinction and returned to his home with a creditable military record. His wife was in her maidenhood Miss Elizabeth Reed, and was a native of Northumber- land county, Pennsylvania. of German de- scent. The parents resided near Hunter's Lake for many years, and there reared their family, consisting of five children, namely :

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George D. Arritta Alice, Oliver C., William S. and Elizabeth M. The father of this fam- ily was called to his final rest at the age of seventy-one years, in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and the mother died in Colum- bia county, that state, at the age of sixty years.

George D. Hoss, the only member of the family to come to the Sunflower state, was reared to the quiet pursuits of the farm in the county of his nativity, and there he was early taught lessons of industry, economy and self-reliance. The public schools of the neighborhood afforded him his educa- tional privileges, but in the school of prac- tical experience he has added largely to his knowledge, thus becoming a well informed man. He remained in Pennsylvania until his wenty-third year, when, in 1873. he removed to Poweshiek county, Iowa, where he fol- lowel agricultural pursuits until 1874. He then went to Marion county, I wa, where he remained for one year, returning thence to Pennsylvania, where he resided until Au- gust 20. 1877. when he went to Warren county. Iowa, there remaining until Febru- ary 18. 1884. That year witnessed his ar- rival in Rice county, Kansas, and here he has since remained. In 1893 he located on his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which is one of the best and most productive tracts of land in central Kan- sas, and the place is improved with a good farm residence, large barns, a windmill, a beautiful grove and orchard and all other accessories and improvements necessary to a well-regulated farm. He raises a good grade of horses and cows, and is one of the progressive and enterprising farmers and stock-raisers ( i the locality.

In Columbia county, Pennsylvania, on the 28th of December, 18-6. Mr. H. s. was united in marriage to Sarah Alice Farver. and for twenty-five years they have trav- del Tic's journey together, sharing with each other in its joys and sorrows, its ad- versity and prosperity. She was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania. October 1. 1851, and is a daughter of Geoge Farver. whodied July 6. 1870, at the ageof sweet- nine years. He was her in School

county, Pennsylvania, near Reading. Ili- wife, who was in her maidenhool Miss Cath- crine Young, was born in Snyder county. Pennsylvania, and died in 1880, at the age of seventy-seven years. She was member of the Church of Christ. Mr. and Mrs. Farver were the parents of nine children. namely: Susan, deceased : George: Peter, who was an employe of the government dur- ing the Civil war: Hester : The mas: Kehec- ca : Theodore. deceased : Sarah : and Aman- da. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hoss has been blessed with three living children, as follows : Elizabeth Catherine, wife i G. F. Dale, of Harrison township, Rice cun- ty : Elmer, who is a young man of eighteen years, and is at home ; and Stella. a maiden of fourteen summers. Two sons. Harvey and Henry, died in childhood, and Ernest. a twin brother of Elmer, also del when young.

Mr. Hoss formerly affiliated with the Democracy, but is now ilentile! with the Populist party, and for several years servel as a member of the schotland Beth ke and his wife are active members of the Church of Christ, and he is a warm friend of education. religion and of temperance. He is a gentleman of genuine worth, who has many warm personal friends and the high regard of all who know him.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 66

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