A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 7

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 7

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After the war. Judge Chase worked as a piano maker until 1877, when he went to Kansas and took up a soldier's claim in Ells- worth county, on which he farmed for about ten years and which he improved until it

was a good agricultural property. In 1885, he removed to Ellsworth, where he was en- gaged in real estate business until 1892, when he was elected for the first time to his present office. 1 which he has been four times re-elected and in which he is serving his fifth consecutive term. Politically he is a Republican, devoted to the principles of his party and working for their advance- ment at all times and against all opposition. He built his present comfortable residence in Missouri avenue. Ellsworth, in 1885. He is as prominent in Masonic circles as in po- litical circles. He was received as an En- tered Apprentice, passed the Fellow Craft degree and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Lily Lodge, No. 342, A. F. & A. M., of New York city : he is a past master of Ellsworth Lodge. No. 146. at Ellsworth: took the degrees of capitular Masonry and was exalted to the august de- gree of Royal Arch Mason in Ellsworth Chapter. R. A. M. : received the degrees of cryptic Masonry and passed the circle of Royal and Select Masters in Ellsworth Council. R. & S. M. ; is a member of Adon- iram Lodge of Perfection of the Princes of Jerusalem and of Indianapolis Chapter. Rose Croix. He is a member of the Indiana state con-istory, and November 13. 1873. was elected an honorary member of the su- preme council, northern jurisdiction, Uni- tell States of America, of Scottish rite Ma- sons. and he is an honorary member of Wichita Consistory, Sublime Princes of the Roval Secret. Ineffable degrees of the Scot- tish rite. He was a charter member and is a past commander of Ellsworth Post, No. 22. Grand Army of the Republic.

Judge Chase was married in Brooklyn, New York. January 3. 1865, to Maria Si- monds. a daughter of Joshua Simonds, who was himself a soldier in the war of 1812, and whose ancestors fought in the Revolu- tionary war. His father's uncle, Joseph Si- monds, serving as a midshipman under Com- m dore Perry during the war of 1812. A. Sidney and Maria (Simonds) Chase have one daughter, Marie, who is the wife of William P. Spicer, of Ellsworth : and Clar-

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ence, his son, is a member of his father's household. The Hon. Salmon P. Chase. who was the secretary of the treasury of the United States and chief justice of the Uni. tel States supreme court, was a representa- tive of one branch of the Chase family of which Judge A. Sidney Chase is a member.

ASBURY FLORA.

The life history of him whose name be- gins this review most happily illustrates what may be attained by faithful and con- tinted effort in carrying out an honest pur- prise. It is the story of a life whose success is measured by its usefulness, and it fur- niches an example of a man who has risen by his own efforts to a position of promi- nunce in the occupation which he has chosen as a life work.

Mr. Flora was born in Monroe county, Indiana. December 20, 1858. a son of die rge and Mary ( Butcher ) Flora, natives respectively of Kentucky and Tennessee. The paternal grandfather, Matthew Flora, was a native of Kentucky and a farmer by occupation, and his father came to the new wrid from Germany, becoming. a pioneer settler of Kentucky. Matthew Flora re- na ves to Indiana in 1824, where he entered land in in the government. His land was a heavy timbered tract, but he cut away the trees and as time passed placed his fields under a fine state of cultivation, there spend- ing his remaining days, his death occurring in 1862, at the ripe old age of eighty years. His children were: George, the father of our subject: William, who died in Indiana ; Minda, who became Mrs. Smith ; and Nan- cy. deceased. The parents were consistent and worthy members of the Baptist church.

George Flora removed with his parents to Indiana when twelve years of age, in 1824, where he grew to manhood and assisted his father in improving the homestead. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age. when he was married and began farm- ing for himself. He also worked at the car- penter's trade. He was of a roving dispo- sition and many times went from Missouri to Iowa and also returned to Indiana. His

constant change of residence deprived his children of receiving good education. but he was an industrious and enterprising man and was able to provide a good living for his family. While in Missouri his sons he- came old enough to take charge of his busi- 11( >> affairs and secured a small farm of one hundred and two acres in the river valley, but a succession of floods continually de- stroyed their crops, and in 1878 they deckled to come to Kansas. They accordingly sold their property in Missouri and located in Rice county, and on their arrival here their entire capital consisted of a team and wagon. During their first winter here they endured many privations and hardships, but in the following spring our subject and his brother Levi rented a farm and thus were able to make a fresh start. They cared for their parents during the remainder of their lives. the father dying in 1887 and the mother in 1886. Of the Baptist church he was a loyal and zealous member, and his wife held mem- bership in the United Brethren church. They were the parents of fifteen children: Cathi- erine, who was born November 22, 1837; and is the wife of William Marr; Lydia. born April 15, 1839, and is the wife of E. Thacker; Matilda A., who was born No- vember II, 1840, is the wife of J. Hayes ; Susan, who was born December 28, 1841. and died when sixteen years of age; Mary E., who was born March 19, 1843, and is the wife of G. Fivecoats; Daniel, born January 9, 1845, served through the Civil war, was with Sherman on his memorable march to the sea, and his death occurred in Iowa : Conna Ellen, who was born March IO, 1848, and is the wife of A. Murphy ; Sarah J., who was born December II, 1849, and became Mrs. A. Linebaugh; John, who was born August 28. 1851, and died in 1877. leaving a wife and one child : Levi, who was born June 17. 1853, and is a prominent farmer of Rice county; Lucinda Etta and Martha E., twins, born December 12. 1854, and the former is the wife of J. Mainard, and the latter is the wife of S. Day: Paul- ina H., who was born November 6, 1856. and is now Mrs. W. Drake ; and Asbury and Martisia, twins, the latter now Mrs. Ells-

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worth. All of these grew to years of ma- turity and nine of the number are still liv- ing

Asbury Flora, the subject of this re- view, accompanied his parents on their va- rious removals, and after coming to Kan- sas. in company with his brother Levi, he purchased a squatter's claim, on which he made a few improvements and later sold his share of the property to his brother, who still resides there. Our subject then went to Jefferson county, Kansas, where he was employed as a farm hand for two years, and then removed to Nodaway county, Missouri. In that county, in company with another gentleman, he rented a large farm, which they operated together for two years, but during that time Mr. Flora succeeded in spending his money as fast as he made it. On the expiration of that period he returned to Rice county and rented a farm, continuing the operation of rented land until 1887, when he was married and purchased eighty acres of raw prairie. He improved that property and made his home thereon until 1898, when he purchased the quarter sec- tion of land on which he now resides, known as the Handy farm. As time has passed he has added to his property until he now has two hundred and forty acres, all in one body. His fields are under a high state of cultivation and in his pastures are found a gocd grade of stock. For ten years Mr. Flora operated a thresher, but he now gives his entire attention to his farming opera- tions, in which he is meeting with a high and well merited degree of success.

For a companion and helpmate on the journey of life he chose Miss Emma Stroh- meyer. the wedding being celebrated in 1887. She was born in Meigs county, Ohio, Janu- ary 6, 1868, a daughter of Gottlieb and Sophia (Dohlmer ) Strohmeyer, both natives of the Fatherland, but their marriage oc- curred in Ohio. The father is a son of Fred Strohmeyer, who was born in Germany and was a member of a prominent family of that country. On coming to the new world he located in Meigs county, Ohio, where he fol- lowell agricultural pursuits. In 1876 he came to the Sunflower state, where he lo-

cated and improved a farm, but later sold his property and made his home with a son during the remainder of his life, dying in the faith of the Methodist church, in which he held membership. . His children were Fred, Mary, Gottlieb, Sophia and Henry. Gottlieb Str. hmever remained in Ohio until 1880, when he came to Kansas, securing a squatter's claim in Pioneer township, and he vet resides on that property. His efforts have been crowned with a high degree of success and now enjoys all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. His union with Sophia Dohlmer was blessed with four children, namely: Lizzie, the wife of E. Dexter; John, a resident of Oklahoma ; Emma, the wife of Mr. Flora ; and Charles, also of Oklahoma. The wife and mother was called to the home beyond in Ohio, in 1864, having long been a valued member of the Methodist church. The father was again married, his second union being with a Miss Aumiller, and they had six children: Cor- nelia, now Mrs. Doc Arnold; Ella, the wife of John Hare: George, who married Miss M. Holor, of Kansas, and now resides in Oklahoma: and Clarence, Ben and Lulu, who are yet at home. The mother of these children also passed away, and for his third wife Mr. Strohmeyer wedded a Miss Elam, the marriage being celebrated in Kansas. The union of our subject and his wife has been brightened by the presence of a daugh- ter, Ada, who was born February 28, 1896. Mr. Flora has given his political support to the Democratic party, but has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to give his time and attention to his business affairs. His career should serve as a lesson to the young. He began life under the most ad- verse circumstances. He was competent to make his own way in the world, and his success in life illustrates most forcibly the power of patient and persistent effort.

WILLIAM M. BENEFIEL.

William M. Benefiel, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising in King- man county, his home being on section 35,

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Kingman township, was born in Davis county, Iowa, June 30, 1852, and is of Scotch and Irish descent. His great-great- grandfather came to this country from Eng- land in Colonial times, while his great- grandfather, James Benefiel, was born in 1765 and served during the latter part of the Revolutionary war. Subsequently he removed westward and died in Putnam county, Indiana. He was a Methodist min- ister. His son, John Benefiel, the grand- father of our subject, was born in January, 1795, Kentucky probably being the state of his nativity. He removed from that state to Wayne county, Indiana, and later took up his abode in Putnam county, whence in 1849 he went to Iowa. The year 1858 wit- nessed his removal to Bates county, Mis- souri, but in 1860 returned to Putnam coun- ty. Indiana, where his death occurred in January. 1864. His second wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Montgomery, died in Hendricks county, Indiana, about 1870. Her ancestors came to this country from Ireland. Mr. Benefiel was a promi- nent and influential man in the various lo- calities in which he resided and was always a land-owner in those localities in which he made his home.

By his first marriage he had two chil- dlren : Alfred, who died in Texas in 1867. and Malinda, the wife of John Edwards, of Johnson county, Indiana. By his second marriage he had eleven children : Riley, who died in Nebraska about 1898: Theo- dore S., the father of our subject : Mary A .. who died in Davis county, Iowa : Nancy A .. who died in the Indian Territory about 1899: William, a practicing physician of Atwood, Illinois ; Lawson, who is located in Coffeyville, Kansas, and formerly operated a sawmill: Newton, who died in Putnam county, Indiana, in December. 1864, from the effects of a gunshot wound, and he was formerly a soldier in the Union army : Mar- tha, who died in Topeka, Kansas, Novem- ber 3. 1001: Ellen, who died in Putnam county, Indiana, about 1870: Benjamin S .. a farmer residing near Topeka, Kansas: and John, who died near Tuscumbia, Mis- souri, about 1896.

Theodore S. Benefiel was born in Wayne county, Indiana, February 9, 1828. He re- mained with his father until he had reached the age of nineteen years, at which time he was married, in Putnam county, Indiana, to Miss Mary J. Dunlavy, a daughter of Fran- cis and Mahala ( Stewart ) Dunlavy, and a native of Wayne county, Indiana. The Dunlavy family probably came originally from Spain, as the name was formerly spelled Don Lava, and from that country they went to Ireland. The great-grandfa- ther of Mrs. Benefiel came from Ireland to this country, and it is said that on leaving his native land his mother followed him to the ship and there tried to persuade him from making the journey, and the last he saw of her as the ship started she had faint- ed. Daniel Dunlavy, the grandfather of Mrs. Benefiel, was born January 19. 1765. and died in February, 1846. He was a Rev- olutionary soldier, and during the latter part of the war served under General Wayne. He married Martha Yeocum, and she died Au- gust 28. 1838, at the age of fifty-five years. Their son, Francis Dunlavy, was born in Kentucky, January 6. 1803. and in early life he followed the stone-mason's trade. while later he gave his attention to farming. He wedded Mahala Stewart, and her moth- er bore the maiden name of Jennings. The Jennings family came to America from Scotland. Mrs. Mahala Dunlavy died in Putnam county, Indiana. August 22. 1835. but she was survived by her husband until August, 1888, when he passed away in Johnson county, Indiana.

After his marriage Rev. Theodore Bene- fiel devoted his energies to agricultural pur- suits in Putnam county, Indiana, until 1849, when he removed to Davis county, Iowa, locating two miles south of Bloomfield, where he made his home until 1856, when he sold his property and became a resident of Bates county, Missouri, where he became the owner of about six or seven hundred acres. In 1858 he purchased a steam saw-mill on the Osage river and operated it until the war was begun, when he was c m- pelled to leave that section of the country on account of his strong Union sentiments-

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that district being largely filled with south- ern sympathizers. He located temporarily in Linn county, Kansas, and there enlisted in the Fifth Kansas Cavalry, with which he served for three years, participating in the battle of Helena, Arkansas, July 4, 1863; Pine Bluff, Arkansas, in October, 1863, and in numerous other engagements and skir- mishes, being finally mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in September, 1864.

During his military service his family had removed to Johnson county, Indiana, and there he joined them, but after a short time he went to Edgar county, Illinois, where he also remained but a brief period, his next place of residence being in Cam- den county, Missouri. There he entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church and remained until 1867, when he removed to Bates county, Missouri, where he owned a farm and in connection with its cultivation hie engaged also in preaching. In 1879 he took supernumerary relations as a member of the St. Louis conference. He continued farming, however, until 1881, when he sold his property in Bates county and came to Kingman county, Kansas. He was num- bered among the prominent and influential citizens of the former county, and in 1868 had been elected to represent his district in the state legislature for a term of two years. On coming to Kingman county he pre- empted one hundred and sixty acres of land, to which he has since added a quarter sec- tion. In 1885 he took a soldier's claim in Lane county, this state, but in 1889 returned to Kingman county. He has always been a man of much prominence, well fitted for leadership, and in 1894 he was elected to the Kansas legislature, giving an earnest sup- port to all measures which he believed would prove of public benefit. His wife died in 1885, and Rev. Benefiel has since married Miranda J. Tuggle. They now reside in Lamar, Missouri, to which place they re- moved in 1899. Rev. Benefiel is a member of the Odd Fellows society and of the Grand Army of the Republic. His life has been one of industry and his influence has ever been on the side of right, the just and the true. By his first marriage he had five

children: John F., a carpenter of Boise City, Idaho; Theodore S., a farmer and surveyor living in Oklahoma, southwest of Alva: William M., of this review; Mahala E., the wife of John T. Wolfe. a teacher of eastern Oregon; and Millard F., who is teaching school in Montrose, Colorado.

In his parents' home William Benefiel spent the days of his boyhood and youth and pursued his early education in the dis- trict school of Bates county, Missouri, while later he attended a high school, then the Greenfield Academy, and completed his ed- ucation in what is now the De Pauw Uni- versity, at Greencastle, Indiana, where he spent one year. Returning to Bates county, Missouri, he engaged in farming through the summer months and in the winter he taught school until 1881. On the 12th of March of that year, in Bates county, he was married to Miss Mattie B. Rawlinson, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, January I, 1853, but was living in Indianapolis, In- diana, at the time of her marriage. Her parents, her grandparents, her father's brother and three of her father's sisters came to this country from England in the same ship in the fall of 1852. Her parents both died during her early girlhood. Four chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bene- fiel : Bessie A., George J., Wilbur M. and Helen E.

After his marriage Mr. Benefiel re- moved to Kingman county, pre-empting a farm in section 23, Kingman township, where he engaged in farming and stock- raising until March. 1884. He then be- gan dealing in hardware and implements in the town of Bross, still conducting his stock business, and devoted his energies to the dual pursuit until the town of Bross was abandoned, and in 1887 he sold his store. He then returned to the farm, where he re- mained until' 1892, removing thence to Kingman, the county seat, and for four years engaged in the grocery business. On the expiration of that period he once more sold out and returned to the farm, but he retains his residence in Kingman, where his : family spend the winter months, passing the summer season upon the ranch. Mr. Bene-

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fiel owns and operates two hundred and forty acres of land on sections 26 and 35, and he also leases four hundred acres for grazing purposes. Ile cultivates two hundred acres of land, keeps on an average one hundred head of cattle, and part of the time feeds a number of head in the stalls. He makes a business of buying and feeding cattle and finds it a profitable industry. His farming interests are well conducted and his practi- cal methods and untiring labors have brought to him a good degree of success.

Since residing in Kingman county Mr. Benefiel has served as a justice of the peace and township treasurer, proving a capable and efficient officer in both positions. For eight years he was also a notary public, and from November, 1883, until the final settle- ment of the Osage trust lands in this county he was engaged in taking filings and final proofs of settlers for the United States land office. In his political views he is a Republi- can and has often been a delegate to county and congressional conventions. Socially he is connected with the Odd Fellow's Lodge of Kingman and with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has a wide acquaint- ance in his adopted county and enjoys the friendship and regard of all who know him.

JOSEPH W. HUGGINS.

One of the extensive farms of Ellsworth county is the property of Joseph W. Hug- gins, a man of industry and enterprise who has carried on agricultural pursuits and | operations by raising stock and he now stock-raising on section 24, township 16, range 7. He owns altogether twelve hun- dred and eighty acres of land and his pos- sessions are a monument to his enterprise, for all that he has acquired is the merited reward of his own persistent effort and honorable dealing. He was born July 15, 1850. in Perry county, Pennsylvania, a son of Lewis and Susan (Charles) Huggins, who were also natives of the .Keystone state. The father was an extensive land owner and lime manufacturer. but he was drowned in the Juniata river. in 1852, when our sub-

ject was only two years of age. In the fam- ily were ten children, but only three are now living: George, a resident of Williamsport, Pennsylvania; Lizzie, the wife of Henry Hain, who makes his home in Perry county, Pennsylvania ; and Joseph W., who was the ninth in order of birth. After the death of her first husband Mrs. Huggins was again married, becoming the wife of John Bair, who was also an extensive land owner of Perry county, and by that marriage she had two children, Horace and Albert, who are still living in Perry county. The mother passed away in 1884.

Upon the home farm Joseph W. Hug- gins was reared and in the district schools he pursued his studies. When he was only about fifteen years of age the care of the farm devolved upon him, for his elder broth- ers had gone to the war and he was thus left to cultivate the fields and manage the prop- erty. He continued upon the home place until 1879, with the exception of a period of two years. In that year, however, he sold out and came to Ellsworth county, Kansas. where he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land on section 24. His cash capi- tal at the time of his arrival here was seven hundred dollars, and of this he paid five hundred dollars upon the land, which he bought for eight dollars per acre. As he has found opportunity to make judicious invest- ments he has added to the place until his landed possessions are now very extensive, comprising twelve hundred and eighty acres. He first devoted his attention entirely to farming, but later extended the field of his handles from twd to three hundred head of cattle and feeds all of the grain which he raises. He has often been forced to buy also, a fact which indicates his extensive stock-dealing interests. He cultivates about five hundred acres of land. being one of the most extensive agriculturists on the river bottom. He is conceded to be one of the best corn raisers in this portion of the state. his cornfields giving an exceptional yield. Upon his land he has a good story-and-a- half residence, with a basement. built in 18go, and has a basement barn twenty-four

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

by fifty feet. There are also large corn- cribs. the latest improved machinery and all modern accessories for carrying on farm work along progressive lines. There is also an excellent and never failing spring of clear water, which is piped to various buildings in the yard and to the house. Careful and methodical in all his farm work, his home indicates his supervision and his thorough understanding of farming methods. He keeps a good grade of stock, which he ships, and for a number of years he has been rec- ognized as one of the most prominent agri- culturists of this portion of the state. For ten years he has also acted as agent for the Yingest estate, a tract of twenty-six hun- dred acres.

On the 20th of August, 1870, Mr. Hug- gins was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Hetrick, a daughter of Adam and Levina ( Warner) Hetrick. Mrs. Huggins was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, and with her father's family came to Ellsworth county. Unto our subject and his wife have been born eight children. four sons and four daughters, namely: Lizzie, the wife of Jacob Kuntz, a farmer of Ellsworth county: Wesley: Nelson ; Lucy, the wife of Bradford Hooper. a school teacher of Ells- worth county: John; Carry; Foster; and Gladys. In his political views Mr. Hug- gins is a Democrat where large issues are involved, but at local elections votes inde- pendently. He served for two years as clerk of his township, but has never been an office seeker. In educational matters he takes a deep and abiding interest and was one of the promoters of the construction of the schoolhouse in district No. 18. For more than fifteen years he has served as clerk of the school board and he labors ear- nestly and effectively to promote educational interests in this locality. The Huggins household is noted for its hospitality, a cor- dial welcome being extended to the many friends of the family at all times. He whose name introduces this review has been the architect of his own fortune and has builded wisely and well, so that he is now the owner of a model farm, which annually yields to him a splendid income.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 7

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