A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 68

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

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

erty for sale and also deals in town realty, managing some valuable properties in Wich- ita. His long residence in the state and his various interests have made him widely known, and few men are better posted on the customs and laws of this section. In him is found a rare combination of keen business sagacity with open-hearted gener- osity, which latter quality has brought him hosts of friends.

On November 20. 1884, occurred the marriage of Mr. Liggett to Miss Etta M. Stevens, the estimable daughter of W. H. Stevens, a well known citizen of Cleveland, Kansas. Mr. Stevens married Miss Har- riet Snyder, who was born in Pennsylvania, and they had a family of six children, name- ly: W. E .: Etta M .: J. W .; Emma; Alice and Charles. Mr. Stevens was a soldier during the Civil war, and was born in the state of Illinois. Mrs. Liggett was reared and educated in Logan county, Illinois, and is a lady of culture and womanly graces. Mr. and Mrs. Liggett have two bright children : Miss Jessie, who has reached the age of fifteen : and Roscoe, who is aged eleven.

In political sentiment Mr. Liggett is a stanch Republican, and is an influential member of his party. He is liberal and public-spirited, and is one of the esteemed and popular citizens of Kingman county.

CHARLES O. SHARPE.

Center township has its full quota of re- liable citizens who are interested in agri- cultural pursuits, and among this number is Charles O. Sharpe. who is living on sec- tion 8. He was born in Adams county, Ohio, March 12, 1862, and the record of his ancestry is one of which he has every reason to be proud, for members of the family have ever been honest, upright and industrious. The Sharpes are of German lineage, and the family was founded in America at an early day. Daniel Sharpe, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, whence he afterward removed to Adams county. Ohio. In the latter district Daniel Sharpe.

Jr., the father, was born sixty-five years ago. When he had reached man's estate he wedded Nancy Wickerham, who was born in Adams county and was a daughter of Pe- ter and Elizabeth (Copeland) Wickerham. Her mother was a native of County Down, Ireland, born near Belfast, and was of Scotch-Irish parentage. Daniel and Nancy Sharpe became the parents of four sons and four daughters, namely: Annabell, wife of James Ingram, of Hamilton county, Ohio; Charles Oscar, of this review: Mary E. Wickerham, of Adams county, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah Florence Campbell, who is also living in the same county; Ulric Zwengle, a successful professor, who for some years has been connected with edu- cational interests; David S., a theolog- ical student in the United Presbyterian College, of Xenia, Ohio: Robert Hamil- ton, who is living in Adams county, Ohio; and Eva B., who is still with her parents. The children received excellent educational privileges, and five of the number have been successful teachers. The father desired to give his sons and daughters good opportuni- ties in that direction that they might be well. fitted for the practical and responsible duties of life. Through farming he provided for the support of his family. In politics he is a Republican, and both he and his wife are members of the Covenanters church, to which most of their children belong.

Charles O. Sharpe became familiar with farm work on the old homestead where lie was reared. The lessons of industry and honesty which were instilled into his mind in his youth have largely shaped his career and have made him a man worthy of the high regard in which he is uniformly held. When a youth of sixteen he began to earn his own livelihood by working by the month. In 1885 he came to Rice county, Kansas, where he has since made his home, and it was not until the following year that he was married, on the 28th of September, 1886, in Lyons, the lady of his choice be- ing Miss Ruth Almyrta Reed, a lady of in- telligence and good family. She was born in Adams county, Ohio. and the, public school system of that locality provided her

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. with the educational privileges which she enjoyed. She is a daughter of Enes Real. who died March 12, 1867, leaving a widow and eleven children. He was a native of Virginia and throughout his active career des tel his time and energies to farming. The cause of temperance found in him a warm advocate and he gave to the Republic- an party his political support. His widow is Mrs. Ruhama Ann ( Summers) Reed, and she now makes her home in Adams county, Ohio. Seven of her children are yet living, namely : William, who resides in Rice county, Kansas; Anna Florence, of Mis- souri : Mrs. Belle Smittle, of Adams county, Ohi : Charles, living in Missouri; Mrs. Laura Hooper, also living in Adams coun- ty : Fenton, who makes his home in Mis- souri: and Mrs. Ruth A. Sharpe. Those who have passed away are: Mrs. Jane Car- ter. Mrs. Ella Stewart, Mrs. L. u Secrest. and Townsend. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Sharpe has been blessed with four chil- dren: Eva Leona, who was born January 6. ISSO: Rov Oscar, born December 3. INgo: and Homer Daniel, born June 30, 1001. They also lost one child. Ora Enos. who died October 13, 1895, at the age of nine months.

After his marriage Mr. Sharpe located in Rice county, Kansas, and subsequently took up his abode upon a farm which he rented. In 1892 he purchased eighty acres of land on section 13. Raymond township, which he still owns. The following year he bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Chase, and is now en- gagel in general farming. His life has been quietly passed, but is characterized by de- Withn & upright principles, by fidelity to cluty and by close application to his business affairs. He has never sought or desired of- fice. yet he has been a member of the school 1 ard for nine years, and the cause of edu- cation ha- found in him a warm friend. He 1 tes independently, regardless of party af- filiations. In the Congregational church he holds membership. and his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a goud citizen, whose life is upright, whose

word is as good as his bond and win . at al times, commands the respect and ontalence of those with whom he is associated.

DAVID K. FORTN.A.

Among the most prominent and enter- prising business men of Rice county, Kan- sas, is David K. Fortna, who was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, January 20. 1851, his parents being Curtis and Fanny (Kaufman) Fortna, both natives of Penn- sylvania. The paternal grandfather of our subject was David Fortna, a native of Penn- sylvania, but of French descent. He was a miller by occupation and died in his native state. His children were: Curtis, the fa- ther of our subject; Henry ; Edmore: John : David, Jr. ; Cass; and Polly. The widest son, Curtis, was born and reared in Penn- sylvania, learned the miller's trade and worked with his father in the mills until he grew to manhead. when he engage! is freighting with horse teams, the city mest- of transportation at that time, and later settled on a farm, where he spent the remain- der of his life, dying in his native state. He was a quiet, industrious and honest farmer. caring nothing for political or public life. He married Miss Fanny Kaufman, a f .:- tive of Pennsylvania, but of German or Pennsylvania Dutch descent. Her ance i- were industrious and worthy farmx". a her parents were consistent member- i till Lutheran church. Unto Chris and Pay Fortna were born eleven children. a. lows: Felix; Curtis; Casmas; Kate: Fan- ny : Ann: Elizabeth, whodied at theage of fifteen years; David K., the bis . it- review ; John; Jacob and Abrahan . Fax: and her husband both died in Pennsylvania and were buried in the same grund.

David K. Firma, whose name intro- duces this review, was reared upon a farm and early became familiar with all the web. di plotting, planting and harvesting. He received a good education in the con and normal schools and remained in Meta-

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tive county until 1872, when he came west to Massillon, Ohio, where he remained un- til 1879, when he moved to Kansas, locating in Reno county, where he bought a farm and engaged quite extensively in farming and the raising of stock, mostly cattle and sheep, remaining in this business three years. In 1882 he sold his farm and moved to Chase, where he has since remained and engaged in different branches of business. Scon af- ter arriving in Chase he engaged with S. H. Chatten, as superintendent and manager of his hardware and lumber business, in which capacity he is now serving, having for twen- ty years had full charge of the business, as Mr. Chatten resides in Kansas City. Under Mr. Fortna's management the business has increased in volume and importance and Mr. Chatten has unbounded confidence in his in- tegrity and ability to conduct his business for him. In connection with the hardware and lumber business he handles all kinds of building material, fuel and coal. He has not confined his efforts entirely to that line of business, as he erected a large elevator and is one of the largest grain dealers in the town, buying and shipping large quantities of grain. He also bought and shipped most all of the live stock, cattle and hogs from this part of the county. At one time he also conducted a drug store and is actively iden- tified with the business and farming inter- ests of Chase and vicinity, being widely and favorably known and commanding the re- spect and confidence of his fellow men.

On the 27th of March, 1875. Mr. Fort- na was united in marriage to Miss Clara Wardell, a lady of intelligence and culture, born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and a daughter of George Wardell, a stone mason by trade. He and his wife were both mem- bers of the Methodist church, and died in Ohio. They were the parents of the follow- ing children: Clara, the wife of our sub- ject : Hattie, now Mrs. Mumaw: Victoria. who married F. Meese ; Melvin ; Mack : Lan- ra: Wert; and Cloe, the wife of Casper Belleville. The father by a former wife had two children. Lue and Jonas. The tinion of our subject and his wife was blessed with three interesting sons : Herbert, born in

1877; Dayton, born in 1882; and Frank, born in 1888, who are yet at home. Mr. Fortna is an active and consistent mem- ber of the Christian church, and the chil- dren are thus surrounded by all the hal- lowed influences of a Christian home. The wife and mother Fortna died in January, 1896, and on June 27, 1901, Mr. Fortna married Miss Mary E. Collins, of Stafford, Kansas.

Mr. Fortna is a self-made man, who, by his unflagging industry, good judgement, excellent business ability and straightfor- i ward dealing, has worked his way upward from a comparatively humble position to a place of prominence in business circles. He has accumulated a handsome competence, has a beautiful home in which are found all the conveniences and comforts of life, and has a fine farm and other valuable property which he rents, all the result of his own ef- forts. In his political affiliations he is a stalwart Democrat, doing all in his power to promote the growth and insure the suc- cess of his party, and although he does not aspire to political preferment, he was ap- pointed and served as a postmaster of Chase during President Cleveland's administra- tion. He is a member of the Fraternal Aid Society and is a loyal, enterprising and public-spirited citizen, taking an active in- terest in all measures for the advancement and progress of the community in which he lives and is held in the highest respect and esteem by all with whom he comes in contact both in his private and public life.

JAMES DYMOND.

James Dymond is one of the prominent early settlers of Rice county, Kansas, who. since March 3. 1877, has been identified with the interests of this portion of the state and has contributed in no small measure to its development and progress along material and substantial lines. He was born in De- vonshire. England. November 15, 1836. and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Greeslade) Dymond, who were also na-

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tives of the same county. In the year 1848 the father ler England and crossed the At- lantic o the new world, where he made prep- rations for the recession . I his family, who joined him the following year. They sel- tled in Bellevue. Sandusky emmix. O . where, for many years, they made their home. In 1885 the father came to Nal- sats and sent his last days in Sterling town- ship. Rice county, where he died at the age of ninety four years, being one of the all- est mes in the central portion of the state. Ile was a masen by trade and in business was known for his trustworthiness. His political support was given the Republican jkirty from the time when, in 1856, he cast his first presidential vote, supporting Fre- mont. He was reared in the faith of the Episo pal church. His wife, who died in 1885, was a member of the Methodist Eris- c pal cherch, and her earnest Christian life was well worthy of emulation. Twelve chil- dren were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Dy- mond. eight sons and four daughters, and three of the sons were loyal defenders of the U'nin during the Civil war. namely : James: John, who was a member of the Forty-ninth Ohio Infantry; and William M. The other children of the family were Anna. Richard. now deceased ; Samuel, Elizabeth, Frank, Alice. Alfred. Mary J. and Fred.

James Dymond spent the first twelve years of his life in the land of his nativity, and then bade adieu to the home and friends of his youth preparatory to accompanying his mother on her emigration to the new world. From that time forward he was reared in Chi: upon a farm, assisting in the labers of the fields and meadows through the summer months, while in the winter season he pursued such educational advan- tages as the public schools of the state af- forded. When the south attempted to over- throw the Union his patriotic spirit was arousol. and in August. 1861. he volun- teered. becoming a member of Company K. One Hundredth Ohio Infantry, under Cap- tain Nathaniel Haynes and Und Slagen. He participated in the lastties of Giving-

ten. Lookout Mountain, Kin

omal Rosecrans and General T With hi- resment he pricecial to took part in many light- and - high was als in the battle . il

the Potly contested engagements of the war, and at Lime Stone Stadler Was hundred Union men who were toast or . nets, For nine months he was treaftera. . l in southern prison pens, Being held in cap- tivity in Libby, Castle Thunder, Anderson- ville and Belle Isle. Fie weighed me hur- rel and seventy five pounds when captured. but so great were the rigors and hardships of prison life that his weight was reduced t. eighty pounds at the time of his exchange.

He was one of the last Union sinker. tale released. With a mest ... :

record he returned to his bene, inpu field of battle he has now they don't marked bravery and had always Lech boya to the stars and stripes-the cabien of the nation.

Mr. Dymond at the close of the war re- turned to Erie county. Oh, and im ISS was united in marriage to Bertha Selley, a native of Devonshire. England. let wh little maiden of two summers brought by her parents, Henry and Eliza- beth ( Ford) Selley, to the United Smrt. in 1850. The parents were 1 th notre- Devonshire. The mother died at the art fifty-one, while the father passed away at the age of sixty-five, his death occurring in Fremont county, Ohio. They were b th reared in the Episcopal faith. Of their fam- ilv of six children four are vet living. name- I: Mrs. Dynvad: Robert: Mrs. Cama Beckley: and Mrs. Amelia Williams. Em :- ma and Jessie are now deceased. The mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Dennal has Been Wessel with three children: Her. married Miss Minnie Gibson, and has one son. Hart. He resides in Washington town- Ship. Licita, wife of geoph Pears, wie resides met section 35. Atlanta Rise county: Zon . wh married a daugh- ter of Henry Wohlford, and has one child. Lucille. He lives in Sterling township.

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Mr. and Mrs. Dymond began their do- mestic life in Ohio, where they remained un- til March, 1877, when they came to Rice county, Kansas. Here our subject secured a farm, the land being wild and unimproved. He was one of the first settlers in this part of the township. To-day he owns one hun- dred and sixty acres of land on section I, Sterling township, and eighty acres in At- lanta township while his home farm is on section 36, Wilson township. The place is improved with a good residence and barn, a grove, and an orchard of five acres. He als owned a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Washington township that is sup- plied with all modern conveniencies and is now the home and property of Henry Dy- mond. His landed possessions aggregate two hundred and forty acres, and his prop- erty is a monument to his enterprise and thrift. He is straightforward in all his dealings and his efforts have been attended with a creditable degree of success, making him one of the prosperous farmers of the community. Socially he is connected with George Mead Post, G. A. R .. and his wife is a member of the Seventh Day Adventists' church. He is to-day as true to his duties of citizenship as when he followed the star- ry banner of the nation upon southern bat- tlefields and fought in defense of the Union.

REV. JOHN B. SCHLICHTER.

The honored subject of this review, in the exercise of the high functions of a holy office has accomplished much in the upbuild- ing of his fellow men, is a man of ripe scholarship and attainments, and one to whom specific recognition should assuredly be made in this connection. He is likewise identified with agricultural pursuits in Rice county and makes his home in Sterling. He was born in Waterloo county, Ontario, September 7, 1831, and on the paternal side is descended from Huguenot and Swiss an- cestry. The founders of the Schlichter family in America came from Switzerland, where they had been engaged in business as

foresters. The grandfather of our subject was a native of Pennsylvania and there car- ried on agricultural pursuits until about ISIO, when, on account of his loyalist views he removed to Canada. He reared four sons and one or two daughters. The youngest son, Benjamin, did not marry, but the others, Henry, Samuel and John, each had small families.

John Schlichter, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1794, and after arriving at years of maturity he wedded Elizabeth Bechtel, who was born near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, but before their marriage they went with their re- spective families to Canada. The lady was born prior to 1800, and the wedding took place about 1817. They reared eleven of their twelve children, three sons and eight daughters, and all were married and, with one exception, had families. Jacob, the eld- est son, had six sons and three daughters, while Samuel reared ten of his fourteen children, who were born of two marriages. The father died in Canada, at the age of sixty-three years, and his wife passed away at the same place, in 1875. Their remains were interred in the Mennonite cemetery near Roseville, in Waterloo county. They were prosperous farming people who lived conscientious, upright lives and commanded the respect of all with whom they came in contact. By trade the father was a miller and this exempted him from military serv- ice. On the maternal side the subject of of this review was of German lineage.

Rev. John B. Schlichter spent his youth in his parents' home and at the age of six- teen began learning the carpenter trade. He was the ninth in order of birth in a fam- ily of eleven children, and thus it became necessary that he should early provide for his own support. Only two of the large family, however, are now living, his sister, who is older than himself, being the other survivor. She is Mrs. Nancy Holman, the wife of Wendel Holman. After following carpentering for a time Mr. Schlichter realized the importance of education, and at the age of twenty he entered a college in Leoni, Michigan. Subsequently he re-

JOHN B. SCHLICHTER.

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

turned to Canada, where for several years he engaged in teaching school, but spent part of each year as a student in Oberlin College, at Oberlin, Ohio, under President Finney.

On the 12th of September, 1860, Mr. Schlichter was united in marriage to Miss Hanna Bristow, of Waterloo county, Can- ada, a daughter of John and Sarah (Streeter ) Bristow, both of whom were natives of Sussex, England, the former born in June, 1801, the latter on the 31st of May, 1800. They were married in Sus- sex, in 1830, and in 1835 went to Canada with three of their ten children, and seven chiMIren were added to the family circle in that country. They lost an infant son and the sen died at the age of five years, while another ser passed away at the age of twelve. Of their family but two are living, Mrs. Schlichter, and John Bristow, who is a resident of Middleville, Michigan. The par- ents were farming people and reared their children amid the scenes of rural life, im- pressing upon them lessons of industry and integrity. The mother died in September, 1858, and the father passed away in Sep- tember. 1881. They are now sleeping in the Elmyra cemetery, in Waterloo county. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Schlichter has been blessed with six children. three sons and three daughters: Lillie E., the wife of John Simms Simpson, a railroad official of Hutchinson, Kansas; Sarina E., the wife of Barber C. Truesdell, of Sterling, by whom she has one son; Morris A., who died at the age of fourteen years; Ella. wife of Eugene P. De Walt, of Newton, Kansas: George W., who is conducting the home farm: and Robert G., a railroad man living in Newton, Kansas. The parents have given their children good educational privileges, and the youngest daughter is a graduate of the Sterling high school and business college.

one hundred and sixty acres of land near Sterling and became one of the pioneer -et- ters of Rice county, beating here in May, 1872, where the family joined him the same month. They took up their abude i the little home which contained but all room, twelve by eighteen feet. At that time there was no roof or floor, windows ur doors, but these accessories were added as rapidly as possible. He now can a commodious and attractive residence eight rooms, a story and a half in height. Built of concrete stone, it was created in 1876. During the years of his residence in Kansas Mr. Schlichter has engaged in farming and preaching, making a specialty of horticulture, and through the raising of fruit he has added largely to his income. During the first ten years of his residence here he acted as a home missionary in the Congregational church and has organized several churches in this and adjoining coun- ties. The first church which he estab- lished was the one in Sterling, which he or- ganized in July, 1872, and it is new a most prosperous society. He supplied the pulpit for a time. He has labored carne-tis, zen !- ously and conscientiously for the

Christianity among his fellow men, and his example as well as precept has been a potent factor for good. In his political views he is a Republican and in served as superintendent of public instruction of Rice county. His has been an hen rable and upright life, commending hint to the confidence and good will of all, and his influence and labors have been of value and benefit to his fellow men.

C. D. WYNN.

C. D. Wynn is the owner of a desirable farm in Victoria township, Rice court. ' greater part of which is comprised in arable fields, which yield to the owner a golden tribute in return for the care which he be- Stows upon them. He was born in No umberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1856,

For some time Mr. Schlichter served as a missionary preacher in the Wesleyan Methodist church in southern Ontario. He came to Kansas in 1871, locating in To- peka, where he remained for a year. In the autumn of that year he filed a claim to . a sen of Albert Wynn, whose life record wi !!

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be found on another page of this volume. Our subject accompanied his parents on their removal to Peoria, Illinois, where he was reared to manhood and received his education. Being of a mechanical turn of mind he worked at different occupations in Peoria for some time. In 1873 he came to Rice county, Kansas, where he has since made his home, and he is now the owner of a farm of two hundred and twenty acres on section 32. Victoria township, where he is extensively engaged in agricultural pur- suits. His place is improved with all mod- ern equipments, including a good resi- dence. a large barn. windmills, feed lots, and many other improvements. His is one of the model farms of the township. In addi- tion to the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to this soil and climate he is also engaged in the raising of horses, cattle and hogs, and in both branches of his business is meeting with well deserved success.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 68

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