A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 70

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

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G. EDWIN BUSH. M. D.

One of the most exacting of all the higher lines of occupation to which a man may lend his energies is that of the physi- cian. A scrupulous preliminary training is demanded and a nicety of judgment little understood by the laity. Then, again, the profession brings one of its devotees into almost constant association with the sadder side of life,-that of pain and suffering,- so that a mind capable of great self-con- trol and a heart responsive and sympathetic are essential attributes of one who would essay the healing art. Thus when profes- sional success is attained in any instance it may be taken as certain that such a meas- ure of success has been thoroughly merited. Occupying a leading position in the ranks of the medical fraternity of Rice county, Dr. Bush is now enjoying a large and con- stantly growing practice in Geneseo and the surrounding country.

The Doctor was born in Northampton . county, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1865, and comes of a family of German extraction. His birth occurred near Klecknersville, his

este Bush, MA.

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parents being Jacob and Sallie ( Remaly) Bush, who were also natives of Northamp- ton county. The father was a successful farmer. actively identified with agricultural pursuits for many years. In his political views he was a Democrat and both he and his wife were members of the Christ Re- formed church. They had three children : William .A., who is now a well known con- tractor and builder of the Keystone state; Mrs. Sarah J. Wright, of Northampton county, Pennsylvania; and G. Edwin.

The Doctor spent his boyhood days upon his father's farm and lessons of in- dustry, honesty and perseverance were early impressed upon his mind and have borne fruit in later years. He acquired a good English education in the public schools and academy near his home and at an early age began teaching, first in the country scherds and later in a village graded school. Believing that he would like to make the practice of medicine his life work and de- vote his energies to the alleviation of human suffering. he began studying under the di- rection . f Dr. L. E. Surock, a well known and successful physician of his native county. Subsequently he entered the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons, of Balti- more. Maryland, where he was graduated with the class of 1888. and the same year he was a post-graduate of the Medico- Chirurgical College, of Philadelphia. He received his diploma on the 16th of March and not long afterward he began practice in Wilkesbarre. Pennsylvania, after which he removel & Skempton, that state. In 1890 he went to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and in 1802 he came to Geneseo, Kansas, where he has since remained, enjoying a constant- ly growing patronage of an important character.

On attaining his majority the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Martha L. A. Becker, who was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Sylvanus and Mary A. (Myers) Becker, the latter a daughter of Abram Myers. Mr. Becker is now deceased. The mar- riage of the Doctor and his wife has been blessed with two children: Eva May and J. Lee, aged respectively fifteen and thir-

teen years. They have a very beautiful home in Geneseo, one of the finest resi- dences of the town. It was erected at a cost of three thousand dollars and contains ten rooms with modern equipments and tasteful furnishings, indicating the culture and refinement of the owners.

In his political views the Doctor is a Democrat and has been an active and effi- cient member of the school board. Dur- ing President Cleveland's administration he was president of the pension board of examining surgeons for Rice county, and for ten years he has been the local surgen for the Missouri Pacific railroad. Socially he is a Mason. belonging to Ellsworth Chapter, No. 83, and to Ellsworth Coun- cil, No. I. R. A. ML, while in Wichita Con- sistory he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite. He also being to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, of which he has been medical ex- aminer for nine years. He is a member of the Lehigh Valley Medical As- ciation of Pennsylvania, and belongs to Christ Re- formed church. Whatever tends to promote the interests of his profession and place be- fore men the key to the mystery of that com- plex problem which we call Hie De veces tracts his interest and convention. As a physician and citizen he stands high in the community where he resides. and is justly entitled to mention among the re re-enta- tive residents of Rice county.

JOHN L. HATHAWAY.

John L. Hathaway. .. of Rice comty, wlin semel: the Civil war, and became prominently and actively Mentet growth and designet of to ing and st ck-mailing interests of the canty, was born in Washington county. Pennsylvania. March 15, 1843. his potent- leins Willem F. and Caroline ( Lacock) Hathaway. the former a native of New Jersey. and the latter i Pennsylvania, where they were married.

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But little is known of the grandparents more than that the Lacock family came from Ire- land to America and both families were til- lers of the soil. William F. Hathaway. the father of our subject, came from New Jersey to Pennsylvania when a small boy, and grew up in Washington county. where he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a livelihood, carrying on that business in that county until his death, which occurred in 1865. He was a plain, honest mechanic. In politics he was a Whig. a Know-Nothing and a Republican, but never aspired to po- litical preferment. He and his wife were consistent and worthy members of the Cum- berland Presbyterian church. She was called to her final rest in 1865, but a few weeks before her husband's death. They were the parents of six children: Henry, now of Lee county, Iowa: John L., of this review; and four daughters who died in childhood.

John L. Hathaway, the subject of this record, was reared at Clarktown in his na- tive county in Pennsylvania, was educated in the common schools, and remained under the parental roof, helping his father and working at the carpenter's trade until 1862, when he enlisted in Company D. One Hun- dred and Fortieth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, which was consigned to the Army of the Potomac, First Brigade, First Di- vision and Second Army Corps, with General Hancock in command. Mr. Hathaway saw hard service in long marches and skirmishing and participated in some of the most hotly contested battles, his first fight being at Chancellors- ville, where the troops were repulsed, and then on to Gettysburg. At the battle of Cold Harbor he was severely wounded, a minie ball passing through his right knee and one through the calf of the same leg. He was taken first to the field hospital and from there to Washington, D. C., and finally to the McClellan Hospital, Philadelphia, where he remained till after the close of the war. when he received an honorable discharge and returned to his home, but on account of his wounds it was two years before he was able to do any manual labor.

In 1867 Mr. Hathaway went to Iowa and engaged in carpentering and also did some farming. The following year he bought a small farm in Lee county, remain- ing there until the spring of 1878, when he sold out his interests there and moved to Kansas, Rice county, where he bought out a squatter and filed homestead papers on the land upon which he yet resides. When he settled there most of the government land had been claimed but few improvements made. He built a sod house and with char- acteristic energy and determination began the improvement of a farm. Like most of the pioneer settlers, he had but small means and met with many discouragements, some years the crops being very poor, but as they were not a total failure he took courage and by perseverance, unflagging industry and good management his labors have been crowned with success. His farm is situ- ated four miles west of Chase, and he has made elaborate and substantial improve- ments upon the place, including a commo- dious and convenient farm house. large barns and granaries and other outbuildings. He has a fine orchard and a beautiful grove of shade trees, and the farm is divided into pasture lands and fields for the cultivation of grain. He raises large crops of fine wheat which brings a high price upon the mar- ket. and also engages in stock-raising.

On the 14th of November. 1868, Mr. Hathaway was united in marriage to Miss Mary Clark, who was born in Pennsylvania, July 19, 1846, and is a daughter of Libbins S. and Pollie ( Evans) Clark, both of Penn- sylvania, where they were married and moved to Iowa, settling on a farm, where they spent their entire lives. He was a well known farmer of sterling integrity and hon- or, whose political affiliations were with the Republican party, and he filled some minor township offices. Both he and his wife were consistent and worthy members of the Cum- berland Presbyterian church, in which he was an elder for many years. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Jo- seph: Isaac: Martha, now Mrs. Clark: Ab- ner: Libbins: Mary, the wife of our sub- ject : Jennie: and Emma. now Mrs. Wolf.

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Unter eur subject and his wife were born the following children: William F., born Octo- ber 19, 1870, and a farmer by occupation: Newton C. born August 6, 1872, and i Macksmith by trade; Bart, born August 13. 18-5 : Fred, born April 5, 1882: and Frank, born December 30, 1884. the last three men- tioned being still under the parental to. i.

In his political affiliations Mr. Hatha- way is a stanch Republican and has filled many offices, being township trustee, asses- sor for five terms, justice of the peace for a number of years, and has served on the school board for fifteen years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Grand Army of the Republic. Both he and his family are consistent members of the Congregational church, and he is widely and favorably known as one of the enterpris- ing and substantial citizens of Rice county, henered and esteemed by all who know him for his sterling worth.

ZACHARIAH HAGER.

One of the fine farms of Rice county is that owned and occupied by Zachariah Hag- er. an honored pioneer settler whose splen- didly improved property is an indication of the honorable, active and useful life which he has led. He to-day has three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, which sur- rounds a commodious and comfortable resi- dence. Two large barns furnish shelter for grain and stock and the other necessary outhallings have also been erected. There are wind pomps, a fine orchard. beautiful grove and richly cultivated fields and every thing about the place is attractive in appear- ance aval indicates the careful supervision of an enterprising owner. Mr. Hager has been the architect of his own fortunes and has builded wisely and well.

A native of Fayette county, Pennsylva- nia, Zachariah Hager was born November 5. 1847, a son of Peter and Hulda (Van- sicklei Hager. The father was also a native of the Keystone state and his father was Peter Hager, Sr .. who was of Holland-Dutch

descent. He became one of the early set- Llers of Pennsylvania and that i love farming. His children were Thomas, Will- ium, Elisabeth. Am add Poe. ther died and the father afterward married again, by which union he had seven children: George, Adam, Caroline, Martha, Ann, Samuel and John. Of this family Ann be- came the white Di A. Patterson, the removal to Putnam county, Illinois, after .. mi volt to LaSalle county, that state. and then to Livingston county, where she died in Au- gust, 1901.

Peter Hager. the father of our subject, was born and reared in Pennsylvania and subsequently removed to Ohio, but before leaving his native state he wedded Hulda Vansickle, who was born in Virginia, a daughter of Lewis and Elean ; Dem) Vansickle, the former a native of England. the latter of Wales. They were married. however, in Virginia, where their best day- were also spent. At one time her father was very prosperous and owned the land upon which Jersey City is now located. during it for one hundred years. The last Me now expired and some of the heirs are trying to settle the title and get what is dix then it the land has become very valuable an titu" probably require much litigation and heavy expenditures to efect a settlement. After taking up his abode in Virginia Mr. Van- sickle became the owner of valuable property there and in Maryland. He conducted nay profitable speculations and thus bereme wealthy. His children were : Dal. v digi in the Obl D mimico : Zachariah, who als died in Virginia : Polly, the wife . i 1. Yeter: Betsey: Sophia: Ellen, the wife of W. Hager and Howda, the

Hager. The parents were members of the Dunkard church.

For some time Peter Hag the of our subject, carried on farming in Ohio and then returned : Panthati

he made his way to Hindi. in 18;I.

Set-

thing in La Salle county he there rem farm for a number of years and in :

purchased eighty acres of land. up he resbled until his children were gr had left home. In 1890 he - A piece por p-

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erty and retired from active farm labor since which time he has enjoyed a well earned rest .. He has now reached the ripe old age of seventy-eight years. He has lived the life of an upright, honest man and an energetic farmer and has thus won public confidence and regard. He had five children: Stephen, a resident farmer of La Salle county, Illinois : Albert, who is living in Kansas ; Zachariah ; James B .. of Stafford county, Kansas; and Josephine, of Edwards county, Kansas. The mother died in 1882 and the father after- wards married Mrs. Martha Patterson, a widow, with whom he is now living.

In taking up the personal history of our subject we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Rice county. Although a native of Pennsylvania he was reared in Illinois, having been taken to that state by his parents when about three years of age. He was in the family home in La Salle county until af- ter he had attained his majority when he started out upon an independent business career. He worked as a farm hand and in the coal mines to some extent and followed other employment that he could secure in order to gain a start in life. At the time of his marriage in 1870 he located upon a rent- ed farm, which he continued to cultivate for eight years, and in 1879 he came to Kan- sas settling in Rice county. He first pur- chased an eighty acre tract of land on which he made substantial improvements and there he resided until 1889. In the mean- time he had purchased another tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres, all raw prai- rie. and subsequently he sold his first farm. giving his entire attention to the second farm. To this he has added another quarter section so that he now owns three hundred and twenty acres, constituting the farm de- scribed above. It is pleasantly located eight miles from Chase and is a very desirable property. When he came to Kansas he was in limited financial circumstances and dur- ing the first few years had a difficult time to get along. He added some to his income by hunting and got also much enjoyment from the sport. All of the settlers were sim- ilarly situated financially but they made the

best of their opportunities and laid the foun- dation for the present prosperity and prog- ress of the county. In two successive springs hailstorms destroyed the small grain and the farmers underwent other hardships and trials. Some became discouraged and left the country but those who persevered found Kansas was and is a good place to live and that the man of determination and business ability has no cause to complain here.

Mr. Hager has been twice married. In La Salle county, Illinois, in 1870, he wedded Elizabeth Blackwell, who was there reared, a daughter of Joseph Blackwell, who was born in England but was married in Amer- ica. He devoted his life to the construction of public works and died in Utica, Illinois. His wife survived him and afterward mar- ried Joseph Hammer. By her first marriage she had four children: Jemimi, deceased ; Sarah A., the wife of A. Hager: Elizabeth, who became the wife of Zachariah Hager ; and Zeno, who is living in Oklahoma. By her second marriage Mrs. Hammer had five children : Isaac, Rachel, Katie. Jo- seph and Jasper.

By his first marriage Zachariah Hager had nine children. as fol- lows: Chauncey, who is living in the Okia- homa strip ; Ida M., the wife of D. M. Lantz : Luther, a blacksmith of Bushton, Kansas; Paulina. now Mrs. Strohmeyer: Lilbie, the wife of J. Bartlett, a blacksmith of Stafford county, Kansas: Zachariah, who is farming the old homestead ; Iva, Evalena and C lun :- bus. all at home. The mother was called to her final rest February 24, 1895. and on the 22d of October. 1898, Mr. Hager was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Jennie Brown, a widow, who was born in Missouri. November 26, 1860, and was first married in Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Brown died in Las Vegas, New Mexico, where he had gone for the benefit of his health. He was a railroad man, but became ill with consumption and the disease term- inated his earthly career. Mrs. Hager's parents were William and Sarah ( Dryden) Maxwell, both of whom were natives of Vir- ginia. The father was a carpenter by trade and was an early settler of Missouri, where he afterward engaged in farming. In his

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last year's he retired from active business one years, and his wife passed away in theo. Hie and enjoyed a well merited rest. He ani his wife both died in Missouri. Their children were Thomas W. ; Mattie, the wife of J. Meyers: Mrs. Mollie Maxwell: John; and Jennie, now Mrs. Hager. The mother was a deveted follower of the Methodist church, in which she long held membership.

In his political views Mr. Hager has al- ways been independent, veting for nomi- nees irrespective of party affiliations. He

was reared in that faith and on all matters connecting with the welfare ri suite and na- tien involving pofteal issttes he supports the Democracy, but at local elections where the fitness of the candidate for office is the only o Esfleratien he does not regard himself as i und by party ties. His time and at- tarde have been closely given to his farm week and his enterprise and energy have re- stitel in bringing to him richly merite I pres- perity.

WILBER H. WARNER.

Willer H. Warner, a resident of Victoria 1. washiip. Rice county, Kansas. is a well kn wn. intelligent and prosperous farmer. was early took up his almade in this section . i the state 1 cating in the county in 1879. Mon a tract of wi'd land. He was born at Three Rivers, Michigan, and represents a family noted for industry and integrity. His natal day was November 5. 1853, and he is a sncf Henry Warner. a farmer, who was left an orphan when six years of age, after which he was reared by his uncle. Thomas Pond. In the Buckeye state he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Stetler, who was born in Pennsylvania. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Warner removed to Michigan, taking up their abode near Three Rivers. where the father carried on agricultural pur- suits. He was a thrifty farmer and his in- dustry and good management resulted in the development of a splendid farm, which yielded to him a handsome income. In pol- itics he was a strong Republican, unswerving in his advocacy of the principles of the party. He died April 1. 1890, at the age of seventy-

When well advanced in life. She was a de tel and tender wife and mother, a consist- it mighter and was ieved by all who knew her. This vardiy couple were the parents of ten children, of whom seven are yet living, For san- mld three buighters, namely : Mrs. Ellie Ann Kern, of Flowerfield, Michigan ; Mrs. Hannah Matilda Kern, also of Flow- erfield ; William, a prominent citizen of Vic- toria township, Rice county; Wilber Henry, of this review: Anson L., of Centerville, Michigan: and Herbert E., who is living in Rice county. Those who have passed away are Ella, who died at the age of twen- ty years; Mrs. Mary A. Kerley, who was a resident of Akerley, Michigan ; and .ne who died in infancy.

Wilber IL. Warrer, whose name forms the caption of this review. was reared up- on a Michigan farm and was early trained to habits of industtry. economy and fair dealing. He attended the pubif and his knowledge was supplemented by experience in the practical affairs of The. by reading and observation. He remained at home until he was nineteen year. That. when he started out in life on his way ah- count. In Marcellus, Cass count . Mobi- gan, he was united in marriage to Miss Ruth A. Youells, a cultured lady. what him has been a faithful compani :: cool helpmate on the journey of life. She is a native of the Empire state, and at the air of nine years became a resident of Michi- gan, being reared and educated in St. 1- seph ounty. Her parents were Mmless P. and Venus Lewis (Andress ) Vondil .. both of whom were also natives of the Em- pire state, but the former is now deceased. They had three children: Peter T., who was a soldier ir the Civil war, and is now a resident of Michigan: Mrs. Warner: 1 Abraham, who was a soldier of the Twenty- fifth Michigan Infantry and served three- out the entire war. He died in May, 1898. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Warner has been blessed with six children. namely : Lewis H .. who is engaged in the grain busi- ness in Pollard for the firm of Coger & Dinsmore; Leslie Pierson, who is engaged

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in operating land belonging to his father in Victoria township: Elsie, the wife of James Batterson, of Mitchell township. Rice county; Charles Wilbert: Sarah Lu- ella ; and Ruth Alvaretta, all at home.

After his marriage Mr. Warner engaged in farming on his own account in Michi- gan until 1879, when he left his native state and removed westward to Kansas, set- tling in Rice county. Here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land and commenced to make a home in central Kansas. To-day he has one of the best farms in his township, a good resi- dence stands upon a natural building site and a grove and orchard are seen upon the place, together with good outbuildings, a : windmill and the latest improved machinery. The pastures are in excellent condition, and furnish a food supply for horses, cat- tle and hogs. In his political views Mr. Warner was a Republican until recent years, and he now gives his support to the Populist party. He belongs to the Wood- men of America, and is well known in the circles of the organization and in the county. He is a progressive man and throughout his life has recognized the value of per- sistency in business affairs, and has carried forward his work with determined and en- ergetic purpose until he is now numbered among the prosperous citizens of his com- munity.

ALBERT WYNN.

Among the honorable pioneer settlers of Rice county, Kansas, was Albert Wynn, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, who lo- cated in the west at an early day, and bore his part in the arduous work of reclaiming the vast prairies for purposes of civilization. He was of Scotch and English ancestry, his paternal great-grandfather emigrating from Scotland to America during the colonial days and settling in Connecticut. His son, John Wynn. Sr., the grandfather of our subject, was a bound boy during the Revo- lutionary war, whose master was a Tory. John grew to manhood in Connecticut, and

then came to New Jersey, where he married Miss Margaret Dalbier, a native of Eng- land. They moved to Pennsylvania, where he worked at his trade of shoe-making and also carried on farming. Both were mem- bers of the Primitive Baptist church, and both died in Pennsylvania. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: By- ron : Mathias; Samuel ; Polly, who married P. Wiser: John, Jr .. the father of our sub- ject ; Sarah, now Mrs. Vansant; and An- nanias.

John Wynn, Jr., the father of our sub- ject, was born in Pennsylvania, in which state he made his home during his entire life. In early life he was employed on pub- lic works and later bought a farm, which he cultivated until his death, which occurred in the fall of 1876. He was reared a Bap- tist. but became a consistent member of the Methodist church. His wife survived him and came to Kansas in 1878 and made her home among her children for a number of years, dying in McPherson county at the home of a son in July, 1891. She and her husband were the parents of nine children, namely: Sarah J., who married J. Houpt; Chambers, proprietor of a market : Stephen D., who died in Kansas, leaving seven chil- dren: Albert, the subject of this review : Samantha. now Mrs. Hendershot : Adam. who died and left six children; Mary, the wife of Levi Kaufman: Jemima, who mar- ried J. Shupeman, and after his death be- came the wife of William Brady: and Mar- tha, deceased. The mother of this family was a daughter of John and Margaret ( Fisher ) Snyder, both natives of Pennsyl- vania. Mr. Snyder was a lumberman and farmer by occupation and was drafted in the war of 1812, but furnished a substitute. He ran a sawmill, bought and shipped lum- ber down the Susquehanna river to mar- ket and was a very extensive dealer. In the early days he freighted from Pittsburg to Philadelphia, owning and running six six- horse teams. He was an enterprising, broad- minded and capable business man. widely and favorably known all over Pennsylva- nia, being rated among the solid business men of his day. In addition to his other

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 70

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