A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 73

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

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original pre-emption claim, the same having been an exceptionally good dwelling for that time, being two stories in height and sehe by twenty-four feet in dimension. was relegated porother uses when the father of our subject moved to the place a tante house from another farm in the ants. and this in turn gave place in the common- dious and attractive modern residence c'est- ed by our subject in 1898, the same being two stories in height and having ten spaci- ous rooms and having modern accessories and conveniences, making it one of the best farm houses in this locality.

As a stalwart Republican in his politi- ical proclivities, Mr. De Weese has taken a prominent part in public affair- . i cal nature, serving for eight years a- in- tice of the peace, while in 1901 he was elected trustee of Union township. Fic is public-spirited and progressive out ready to lend his influence in the press - tion of enterprises for the general god! For several years he served as a member the school board and in other ways has he shown his deep concern in the well being of the community, while in all the relations .i life his course has been such as : retain to him the esteem and confidence of these with whom he has been thrown in e- post. all honoring him for the integrity and in- dustry which have been the conservar- of his success in life.

Mr. and Mrs. De Weese became the par- ents of seven children, of whom Carence and Sherley died in childhood, the strait- ors being Arthur, Frederick, Bertha. 1.co and Ruth. In their pleasant home Mr. and Mrs. De Weese are ever ready to ffer the Hjust cordial hospitality and welcome to their many friends. and they are prominent in the social life of the community.

WILLIAM A. MADDOX.

More than twenty years have passed since Mr. Maddox took up his residence in Barber county, Kansas, of which we - www recognized as a representative citi en mal

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as one of its extensive and successful farm- ers and stock-growers, his finely improved estate of nine hundred and twenty acres being located in Cedar township. He is to be classed among the honored pioneers who have not only been eye-witnesses of the progress and advancement of this favored section of the state. but who have also taken an active part in the work of development and improvement. Throughout this score of years he has been prominently identified with the agricultural and stock interests, and thus his efforts have been crowned with success. He still continues his active labors, for indolence and apathy form no part of his nature. Great changes have taken place during his residence in the county. Wild lands have been transformed into beauti- ful homes and farms; villages and towns have sprung up; railroads, the telegraph, the telephone, and all other modern im- provements have been introduced : industries and commercial enterprises have been es- tablished. Thus the work of progress has been carried forward, Mr. Maddox lending his aid and influence as opportunity has of- fered, and in this way has been laid broad and deep the foundation for the present prosperity of the community. He is yet in the prime of vigorous manhood, and well deserves mention in this connection as one of the honored pioneers of the county.

Mr. Maddox claims Missouri as the state of his nativity, his family being one of the old established ones in that state, of which his grandfather was a pioneer settler. Our subject was born in Howard county, Mis- Sturi, on the 28th of October. 1856, being a son of James and Griselda ( Adams) Mad- dox. both of whom were born and reared in that state, the former being a son of Samuel Maddox, who located in Missouri at an early period in its history. He was in active service in the war of 1812, and he died in Howard county, Missouri, where he had been engaged in farming and stock- raising for many years. James Maddox was reared on the old homestead farm, in Howard county, and upon attaining years of maturity he married Miss Griselda Ad- ams. the daughter of William Adams, who

removed from Kentucky to Missouri and became a pioneer farmer of the latter state, many years later locating in Texas, where his death occurred. To James and Griselda Maddox were born six children, namely : Lena, deceased: William A., the subject of this sketch; Anna, deceased : Jessie and Jen- nie, twins: and Miller. James Maddox passed his entire life in his native county. where he died at the age of fifty-six years. He was a man of the highest integrity and commanded the respect of all who knew him. In politics he was a stanch advocate of the principles of the Democratic party. and his religious faith was that of the Cum- berland Presbyterian church, of which his widow also is a devoted member. She has now attained the Psalmist's span of three- score years and ten, and still resides in Howard county, Missouri.

William A. Maddox, to whom this sketch is dedicated, was reared on the old homestead farm in Missouri, and like the average boy so placed, he early learned the value of honest toil, contributing his quota to the work of the farm and receiving his educational discipline in the public schools. He thus waxed strong in both physical and mental vigor, developing a sturdy self-re- liance and maturing his judgment by the experiences in connection with practical du- ties assigned to him. He continued to be identified with agriculture and stock-raising in Missouri until the year 1882. when he determined to enroll himself as one of the pioneers of Barber county, Kansas, believ- ing that there were here presented excel- lent opportunities for attaining a defi- nite success through legitimate enterprise. Upon his arrival he took up a pre-emntion claim on the Osage Indian tract, the near- est railroad point at that time being Har- per, while practically nothing had been done in the way of reclaiming the land for culti- vation. Settlers were few in number and widely separated, while the few dwellings to be found were of the most primitive type. From the start he had implicit faith in the future of this section of the state, and the results have amply justified his confidence. That he has had the prescience and good

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judgment to discern opportunities presented and to take due advantage of the same i- evident when we take cognizance of the fine landed estate which he has accumu- lated and upon which he has made the best of improvements. His farm comprises nine hundred and twenty acres, most eligibily hne cated in Cedar township, and it is the pointed out as one of the most valuable places in the county, while on every hand are evidence of the progressive methods and excellent judgment which have been brought to bear in its improvement and management. The farm is well watered. being traversed by a creek which is iel by never-failing springs, and thus in addition to his agricultural operations, Mr. Mad- dox has devoted much attention to the rais- ing . i high-grade cattle and other live stuck, this department of his farming in- dustry having yielded him most satisfac- tory returns, while through his efforts much has been done to promote the stock inter- est- which have so important a bearing on the prosperity of this section. His home is a comfortable and attractive residence. and all other farm buildings are of sub- stantial order and well adapted for the uses for which they were designed. Mr. Mad- dox has on his place a well matured grove of black locust trees and also a good or- chard of ten acres, yielding a variety of fruits in season. He has done much to raise the grade of cattle and swine in this sec- tion, having the best thoroughbred types of the former and a fine herd of Poland-China swine.

Taking a lively and constant interest in all that concerns the advancement and mate- rial and civic prosperity of his county, Mr. Maddox has been active in public affairs of a l. cal nature, giving his political support to the Populist party, as the candidate of which he was elected to the office of town- ship treasurer, giving a most capable and discriminating administration, while for a number of years he has been a member of the school board of district No. 55. using his influence to bring the schools up to the highest possible standard. Of frank and genial nature. tolerant in judgment and hav-

ing naught but good-will for his it ' w men, Mr. Maddox has gained and retained a wide circle of friends in the community and is one of the popular men ci ty of which he is a pioneer.

On the 27th of March, 1889. Mr. Mad- dox was united in marriage to Miss Anna Gertrude Botleman, who was born in Union county, lowa, whence her parents removed 10 Kansas when she was a child. und here she was reared and educated. Sie i- a daughter of Hamilton A. and Margaret ( Shepherd ) Botleman, the former di phen: was born in Adams county, Ohio. Mrs. Botleman died in lowa at the age of twenty- six years, and her husband lived tata !!! the age of sixty-one. Of their five chii- dren one is deceased. Kittie, and these -11- viving are Edward, Mary, Anna G. { Mrs. Maddox, and Andrew. Mr. and Mrs. Maddox have five children. namech : Ir- ma Clare : Leatha Gertrude; James Hlamil- ton ; Edith Blanche : and Roland A.

AUGUSTUS B. REYNOLDS.

In the career of the honored proprietor of the Cedar Hill Ranch, one of the fine .. stock farms in Barber county, there are many salient points which render it impera- tive that he be accorded specific mentien is a work of this nature. He is a represents tive of families long and prominently iden- tified with the annals of American history. is himself one of the pioncer, of Barter county, having been the first settler in the township where is located his tiede im- proved ranch property, and through his able and discriminating efforts and genuine pub- lic spirit he has contributed in large incas- ure to the progress and material prosperity of this section of the state, while his upright life and unvarying courtesy have gained and retained to him unequivocal confidence and esteem in the county where he has main- tained his home for the past quarter . f a century. He stands as one of the represen- tative farmers and stock-growers of the county, and his name has ever s: 0 28 a

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synonym of inflexible integrity and useful manhood.

The old Empire state of the Union fig- ures as the native place of Augustus Bel- lamy Reynolds, since he was born on a farm near the picturesque little city of Glens Falls. Warren county, New York, on the 27th of October, 1827, the family be- ing one of distinction and long residence in that state, while representatives in the direct and collateral lines took prominent part in the early Indian wars, the war of the Revolution and the second conflict with the mother country, in 1812. James Green Reynolds, father of our subject, was a sol- dier in the war of 1812. serving under Gen- eral Wool. His mother was a member of the well known Green (or Greene) family of Connecticut, a number of whose mem- bers were valiant soldiers and officers in the Revolution. James Green Reynolds was twice married. his first wife having been Martha Durgee, of Attica, New York. and a member of one of the old families of the state. The two children of this marriage were James, who died in Wisconsin; and Martha, who died in the state of New York. After the death of his first wife James G. Reynolds consummated a second union. be- ing then wedded to Miss Catherine Ander- son, who was born in Scotland, whence, as a child, she accompanied her parents on their emigration to America, and she was reared in Canada and in St. Lawrence county, New York. She was a daughter of William and Catherine Anderson, of prominent and in- fluential old families of Scotland. Captain William Anderson gained his title from hav- ing long served as captain of vessels ply- ing Lake Champlain, and he was the owner of a line of boats there. James G. and Cath- erine ( Anderson) Reynolds became the par- ents of nine children, and of the number the subject of this review is now the only survivor, the others having been as follows : Lavina died in the state of New York: Bet- sev, who became the wife of a Mr. Smith, died in the same state, at the age of eighty years: Rebecca, the wife of Jabez Ham- mond. died in Ticonderoga. New York: William, who was one of the early settlers

in Rock county. Illinois, died in that state; Phoebe, who became the wife of Mr. Brown, died in New York: George died in Wiscon- sin; Catherine, who became the wife of Mr. Titus, likewise died in the state of New York; and Smith K. died in California, whither he had gone via the Isthmus route, as one of the argonauts of 1849. The fa- ther of these children died in Warren coun- ty, New York, at the age of sixty years, having been a successful farmer and stock- grower and a Democrat in his political pro- clivities. His wife, Catherine, passed away at the age of thirty-seven years, having been a devoted communicant of the Protest- ant Episcopal church, and a woman of gentle and noble attributes of character.

After the death of his mother Augustus B. Reynolds became an inmate of the home of his older sister, Mrs. Rebecca Hammond, of Essex county, New York, and was there reared to maturity, having excellent edu- ctional advantages in his youth and early giving inception to his active business ca- reer. He secured a clerical position in the mercantle establishment of Nichols, Bur- ton & Company, at St. Albans. Vermont, where he remained three years, and then ac- cepted a similar position in the dry goods house of the Saxe Brothers, in the same town. Still later he went to Montreal. Canada, where he was employed in one of the leading wholesale houses of the city. In 1853 Mr. Reynolds was married, and three years later he started for the west, mak- ing the trip by way of the Great Lakes, and in the following year taking up his resi- dence in Clinton, Iowa, where he was suc- cessfully engaged in the grain business un- til 1864, after which he was similarly en- gaged at Comanche, that county, until 1867, when he removed to Clay county, Illi- nois, where he followed the same line of industry until 1875, when he returned to New York, locating in Ticonderoga, where he continued to make his home until 1877. which represents the date of his arrival in Barber county, Kansas, as one of its first permanent settlers. Here he took up a claim in Cedar township, the same being an in- tegral portion of his present fine ranch

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property, which now comprises six hundred acres, Soon after his arrival Mr. Reynolds began the erection of his first dwelling .- a large sol house, to which he appropriately give the name of "Sod Castle." He site that in the early days the latch string of the case was always out, and that the hos- pitalities of the home were freely accorded ( "saint- and sinners alike." The results that have been accomplished within the lapse . i years scom almost incredible, and the magnificent ranch property of our suh. ject shows the discrimination, energy and. progressive methods brought to hear in its development and improvement. A large and attractive modern residence, good barns and other necessary buildings, well tilled fields and excellent pastures, all go to make up a med ranch home, and here Mr. Rest Is has ardine thigh prestige and marked suc-

stock out in amoral agricclasse. He hul from the start an implicit faith in the fu- ture of this section of the state, and the re- suite have more than justified his confidence. He has fell thousands of cattle upon his ranch and has purchased thousands of bushes i orn since locating here. this establishing a home market for the farm- ers, wie advancement has been thus abdul through his enterprise and public spirit. Mr. Reynolds is a man of unwavering integrity. is well known throughout the county and is home red by all with whom he has come in contac. in the various relations of life.

In the city of Hamilton, province of On- tario. Canada, in the year 1853, was sol- emnice! the marriage of Mr. Reynolds to Miss Margaret A. Holden, who has proved to him a devoted companion and helpmate during the half-century of their married life. She was born in Suffolk county, Eng- land, in 1833. the daughter of Joseph B. and Elizabeth S. (Whiting) Holden, both natives f that same English county and members of stanch old families, the latter having been born in one of the historic old abbeys of the county. Joseph Buxen Hel- den emigrated with his family to America in the year 1836. landing in New York city. and thence proceeding up the Hudson river.

Hle was a miller by vocation and finally lo- cated in the city of Rochester, where for many years he had charge of the largest mills in the city. He then removed plEng ilton, Canada, where he passed the remain- der of his life, attaining the advanced age of eighty years, his wife having passed away at the age of seventy-seven years. Both were communicants of the established church of England, and were folk of refinement and sterling character. Their free chil- dren are Mrs. Reynolds: and William al George C., who still reside in Hamilton. Ontario. . Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds five are living, namely : Holden A .. who resides in Kingfisher. ON ;- lahoma : Sarah, who is Mrs. Jarvis, of Ham ilton, Canada; Fred W .. of ORshema: George H. a prominent cattle-raiser of Barbar county: and Augusta, who is one of the popular and signally dighet touch". in the public schools of this e four deceased children are FREE. pl in Clay county, Illinois, at the age years : Harvey, who died in New York - at the age of nineteen: Jesse, why died in Barber county, Kansas, at the age of july. een, as the result of a snake 'ettel the ence S., who also is deceased. The children received excellent conceptual calvary and they have honored their parents by their worthy and useful lives, being held in the highest esteem by all who know them. The beautiful family home on Cedar Hill Ranch is a center of refined hospitality, even as was the original soll castle, and here the em- cious amenities of the best social intercourse are in distinctive evidence. Mr. Ren Mi- and his wife are communicants of the Pro- testant Episcopal church.

DAVID JACKSON.

David Tacksen, who carries on farming and stock raising in Cedar township. Bar- ber county. has beeen a resident of this portion of the state for ten years, but has been a representative of Kansas for almost twenty years. He was born in Laurel Com- ty, Kentucky, in 1863. His father. Elias

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Jackson, was a native of the same state, born in 1834, the son of Isaac and Mary ( Williams) Jackson, also natives of Ken- lucky. Elias Jackson was reared and edu- cated in the Bluegrass state, but after his marriage removed with his family to Mer- cer county, Illinois, settling near Aledo. This continued to be his place of abode for six years, and on the expiration of that pe- riod he removed to Keokuk county, Iowa, where he remained until his removal to Barber county, Kansas, where he was soon recognized as a leading, influential and honored citizen. Throughout his entire life he has carried on farming and his energy and capable management have en- alled him to gain a creditable degree of suc- cess. He has usually given his political support to the Democracy. Unto him and his wife have been born six children: Mrs. Elizabeth Aubrey, of Keithsburg, Mercer county, Illinois ; William, a resident of Cedar township, Barber county, Kansas ; Elijah of Woods county, Oklahoma; Mrs. Dolly Jenkins, of South English, Keokuk county, Iowa; David, of this review; and Mrs. Ruth Reed, of Crestville, Kansas.

On the old family homestead in Illi- nois and in Keokuk county, Iowa, David Jackson spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and the lessons which he learned in childhood have proved an important foun- dation for his success and honorable career in later life. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges, and to farm work he was trained, early becoming fa- miliar with the best methods of tilling the soil and cultivating the crops. On leaving Iowa he became a resident of Butler county, Kansas, being at that time a young man of twenty years. When twenty-five years of age he was united in marriage, in Sedgwick county, Kansas, to Miss Grace Elliott, a native of Iowa, who spent her girlhood days in Sedgwick county, her parents being T. L. and Jane Elliott. Her father is now de- ceased, but her mother is still living and makes her home in the Sunflower state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have been born five children .- Oliver D., Virgil E., Irene E .. Carl and Theodore C.

Mr. Jackson is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, while fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. He takes a public-spirited inter- est in everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of his adopted county, but the greater part of his attention is devoted to his farming and stock-raising interests. He owns four hundred and eighty acres of valuable land, which is well improved and supplied with all the equipments that indi- cate the owner to be a man of good busi- ness ability and enterprise. An orchard yields its fruits in season and a good grove is found upon the place. There are wind- mills, barns and cattle sheds and a com- fortable home. Mr. Jackson is successfully and extensively engaged in the stock busi- ness, raising, buying, feeding and shipping cattle and hogs.

JOHN V. MANUEL.

The state of Kansas with its pulsing in- dustrial activities and substantial develop- ment, has attracted within its confines many men of marked business ability and higi character, and in conserving her interests there has never been lacking the vital ele- ment contributed by those who are referred to as the young men in business. In this progressive age the handicap which the old regime placed on comparative youth is en- tirely removed, and, in fact, it may be said that in a large proportion of the important enterprises and undertakings which have made the nation what it is to-day, the young man has been the dominating factor. In the present connection we are permitted to offer a brief review of the career of one of the representative young business men of Kingman county,-one whose efforts have been directed with consummate tact and abil- ity and whose methods have been such as to gain to him unqualified confidence and es- teem on the part of those with whom he | has been thrown in contact. He conducts

ATV MANUEL +1

IMPLEMENTS

CHAMINON

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an iny ttatt enterprise in the thriving lit- the city of Cunningham, where he has a well equipped establishment devoted to the handling of agricultural machinery and im- piements, heavy and shelf hardware, guns and sporting goods, harness and saddlery. whips, rohes, paints, Bis, etc., the concern being recognized as one of the most im- portant mercantile houses in this section of the state.

John V. Manuel is a native of the state of Wisconsin, having been born in the city of Vonto, on the 25th of February, 1805, the son of R. C. and Mary ( Elkins ) Man- ud, la th of whom were born in the state of Vermont, where the former was engaged in the live-stock business until 1857, when he removed to Oconto, being one of the pioneers di that section of the Badger state. During the war of the Rebellion he held a government position, as purchasing agent. In 1870 he removed with his family from Wisconsin to Kansas, locating at Wake- fiehl, where he has since devoted his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits and stock- gr wing. being one of the influential citi- zens of Clay county. Of his five children three are living at the present time. namely : Harriet, who is the wife of M. N. Dodson. of Wyoming: Effie, the wife of E. G. Pritchard. of Wakefield, Kansas; and John V., the immediate subject of this review.

John V. Manuel was but a child of five years at the time of the family's removal to Kansas, and he was reared on the home- stead farm in Clay county, receiving his educational training in the public schools · i that I cality. He continued to assist his father in his business operations until he had attained his legal majority, when he gave inception to his independent career. De proceeded to Colorado, where he was Mentified with the stock-growing industry for a time. making no permanent location. Finally he came to eastern Kansas, where he entered the employ of W. L. Dunham. of Wayne, Illinois, an extensive importer of Percher n horses, retaining this incum- leney about two years. Thereafter he was variously engaged for a considerable period and then returned to his home and became associated with his father in the live-stock

business. In the interval of his abreuve from the homestead he had been for a time in Kingman county and become much in- pressed with the appearance of and prom- ising outlook for the thriving town of Cit. ningham. Finally he determined to locate here. which he did in the year 1895, en- gorging in the implement business. In the meneralle cyclone . i May, 1898, which so nearly obliterated the town of Cunning- ham, Mr. Manuel lost his entire stock, buildings, etc .. including his residence. which was entirely demolished, involving the loss of furniture, clothing and many relics and objects of priceless value to the owner. He facetiously stated to our re- porter that he saved from the wreck only a can of peaches and a saucer, which chanced to be in the cave where he and several of his neighbors had taken refuge.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 73

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