A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 76

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 76

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In 1881 Mr. Daniel located on a farm in Grant township, Jewell county, Kansas, renting the place for the first year and then purchasing the same, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres. He has added to his landed possessions until he now owns two hundred and eighty acres, all well im- proved. For nine years he lived in a house which covered a ground space sixteen by twenty-four feet in dimensions, and he then 1 built a more commodious residence. His barn was erected in 1888. He devotes his attention to general agriculture and stock- raising, and his career as a farmer and stock-grower in Kansas has been very suc- cessful.

One of the prominent representatives of the bar of Jewell county is George H. Bailey, whose marked ability in the line of his profession is indicated by the distinguished and representative clientage which is accord- ed him. His life is but another proof of the old adage-that the achievement de- pends upon the man. This is especially true in the legal profession, where influence or the fortunes of birth can have little avail in securing success, which must depend upon individual effort and merit.

Mr. Bailey was born in Pickaway coun- ty, Ohio, January 23, 1857, a son of George W. and Millie ( Merrill ) Bailey. His pa- ternal grandfather, John Bailey, was a na- tive of Virginia, and when a young man removed to Ohio, where his son, George W. Bailey, was born, being a native of Picka- way county. In 1862 the father of our subject removed to Piatt county, Illinois, and in 1883 became a resident of Jewell county, Kansas, whence, in October, 1900, he went to Grant county, Oklahoma, where he is now living. By occupation a farmer, he has devoted his entire life to that calling. His wife. also a native of the Buckeye state, is yet living.

It was in the district schools that Mr. Daniel received the nucleus of the practical education which he has completed by study and observation in active life. His battle with the world, alone and single-handed, except for the help of his good and hand- some wife, has continued since he was Upon the home farm George H. Bailey, of this review, spent his childhood days and in early life he began teaching, which pro- fession he followed at intervals for several twelve years old, and those who know him best know that he richly deserves the suc- cess he has won. Politically he has been a life-long Republican. He cast his first years, the remainder of the time being spent presidential vote for General Grant. He has |at farming. He studied for one year under several times filled the office of township Professor Stearns, at Lovington, Illinois,

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

and after coming to Kansas he continued his education in Campbell University, il Halten, Kansas, where he remained for a year. On the LIth of March, 1883, he took up his abude in Somalia, Republic comm. Kansas, where he followed farming for two vous Touching school in the winter season. is ENS= We come to Jewell county, where he has sexe mie his home. He purchased and improved land, but has continually en- gaget in professional werk since coming to this county. He was principal of the schools at Randall for several Terms and as an circater his ability was manifest 11 the excellent progress made in the schools. In 1890 he was elected county superintend- nichts for a term of two years and so capably filled the office that For the expi- ration of that period he was re-elected ir see mal form, serving four years. In iSon he was dettol county attorney, having pre- vissat sindhel and practical den. It was in November. 18og, that he was admitted : Die hard and since that time his rise in his profession has been rapid and satisfac- £ Has attained a high degree .

a representative of the legal fra- ternity. He established his office in Man- kao when there was already a large rep- rechtatt : i the profession here, and he is now accorded a leading place in their ranks. Hi- work has been of the most important character. connecting him with the leading suite wiel in the courts of his district. He has been retained as counted either for the defense : prosecution in almost every im- portant case that has come up in this county for the past ten years. It has been said that Jin. Nadler receives larger fees than any , ther traver in this Makes. He is a ther. Hugh scholar. has an active and onorchen- sive kow ale les of the principles . i law, and Studies each case thoroughly. He is well prepared not only to meet the expected, but are the unexpected, which happens quite as frequently in the courts as out . i them. His devotion to his client's interests is prover- bial, and he has been counsel in many im- portant cases in the federal and United State circuit courts as well as in the local courts. In argument he is clear. forcible and

Logical and his mind is anylytical and induc- tive.

Mr. Bailey was mitel in marriage to Miss Amelia A. Brechart, the wedding is

March 3. 1881. The lady is a i die Ohio and by her marriage sie bre me the mother of three children, In one dough ter, Nellie, died in TROR, at the ageof iter Iten years. The living childrenare the and Harry, aged respectively eighteen ... ' fifteen years ( 1902). The family is .ne af prominence in the community, and the pitality of the best homes is extended to them, while their own home is noted the cheer which ever abounds there. i. politics Mr. Bailey is rather indeji yet he may be said to be identified with the Populist party, while he al-andersen Democratic principles. However. a bitter partisan, and his attention is given not to securing political pred.com the advancement of his client - inte: gentleman of streng mental: attainments, his work . 1. of the legal iratemit comme spect and confidence of the . is recognized by the public

entage which is generousiy accorded him.

EDWARD C. HALL ..

No history of Burr Oak. Jewell o unt . would be complete without mention f 1.1. ward C. Hill, the postmaster .. ! of this thriving little city. He is a man of strong character, steadfast purpose an ! le orable principles, and his loyalty in citizen- ship is one of his marked character .. He was born in Iowa county, Wise ... May 27. 1859. his parents being : and Hlin Glo BERS a native of Crawford county, Pennsylva- na, removed with his parents t Obin at early age, the family locating in Lake cup- ty, in the Western Reserve. There he was reared until he had attained his majority. when he again started westward, and this time Wisconsin was his destination. There

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

he was living at the time of the Civil war, and in 1861 he enlisted as a member of Com- pany A, Forty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. When the hostilities had ceased and the stars and stripes were planted in the capital of the southern Confederacy he returned to the Badger state, but later re- moved to Fayette county, Iowa, where he resided for five years. On the expiration of the period he took up his abode in Jewell county, Kansas, in 1872, settling in High- land township. In 1883 he removed with his family to Burr Oak, spending his re- maining days in this town, where his death occurred in 1898. Throughout his business career he carried on agricultural pursuits, having taken an active part in reclaiming the wild land for purposes of cultivation. His wife was a native of the Empire state, and died in Burr Oak in the winter of 1900. Their married life covered more than half a century, and their mutual love and confi- dence increasing as the years passed by made their home life in many respects ideal.

The childhood and youth of Edward C. Hill were quietly passed. He was a youth of thirteen when he came with his parents to Jewell county, Kansas, where he has since made his home. He has therefore witnessed much of the growth and development ci this region and has borne a part in its pro- gress. He has been very prominent in the public and political affairs in this part of Jewell county, and for four years he was a postmaster at Esbon under the Harrison ad- ministration. In 1897 he was appointed postmaster at Burr Oak, and has since acted in that position, his administration being practical and entirely satisfactory to the con- stituents of the office. He also conducts a store in Burr Oak, and is broadly experi- enced in the mercantile business, having been engaged in this line since he was twen- ty-one years of age as bookkeeper, sales- man, and finally as owner. His first expe- rience in mercantile circles was in the es- tablishment of Mann & Gilbert, the owners of the first store in Burr Oak.

Mr. Hill was united in marriage. in Cloud county, Kansas. April 11, 1882, to Miss Margaret A. Johnson, who was born

in Monroe county, Iowa. Mrs. Hill is a most estimable lady and a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist church, in the work of which she takes an active part. Socially Mr. Hill is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, with the Odd Fel- low's and with the Knights of Pythias. He is now district deputy for the Odd Fellows, and in 1901 was delegate to the state grand lodge of the order. He is widely known in the organization as one of its leading rep- resentatives, and locally he is a prominent Republican and is now filling the office of mayor of Burr Oak, to which office he was elected in 1901. His business ability is shown in his capable management of his store, which is now the leading one in Burr Oak, and in the enterprising and efficient manner in which he conducts the affairs of the offices of postmaster and maycr.

ALBERT RAMAGE.

Industry, integrity and a careful atten- tion to details are elements which have contributed in no small degree to the well deserved success of the honored pioneer of Rice county, Kansas, whose name has been used as the title to this brief biographical sketch.

Albert Ramage was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, June 11, 1848, and was given a good common-school education and initiated by the usual hard process into the mysteries of farming. His parents, Jonathan and Eliza ( Wolf) Ramage, the former being of Scotch-English ancestry, and the latter of German-Irish. Both were born in Pennsylvania and were descended from that good old stock that has stood for success in all parts of our country. Mr. Ramage's father was a carpenter and cab- inet-maker by trade and was actively en- gaged in the work of his trades in Penn- sylvania until 1851, when, with his wife and all his children, he removed to Icwa, where he took up public land and improved a farm on which he lived until 1870. From 1870 until 1874 he resided on a farm in Daviess

MR. AND MRS. ALBERT RAMAGE.

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

e ung. Missouri, and in the year last men- tened he removed to Kansas and located a homestead in Union township, Rice county. He developed and improved the place. which continued to be his home until death claimed him, on the 4th of November, 1886. Politically he was a Democrat, but he was without political aspirations, and he was it worthy member of the Masonic fraternity. A man of charitable disposition, he was a good neighbor and steadfast friend. ever sympathizing with the afflicted and always ready to assist the needy. A strictly moral man, of sterling honor and integrity. his He was a living lessen in good to all who knew him. His wife survived him until 1893. and she died on her home farm in Nice county on March 11th of that year, after having been for many years a worthy and consistent member of the Methodist Episo pal church. Jonathan and Eliza Walter Ramage had ten children. com- corning whom the following facts will be i wil interesting in this connection: Har- riet was thrice married .- first to E. Eaton. send to William Tait, and Hastly t. Hier rge Witmer. She died at her home in Iowa, March 1, 1902. Catharine became the wife of Donald McKay, of Iowa. Fran- Marion resides in Jackson county, Kan- Benjamin F. died in Iowa, April 7. 1875. aged thirty-seven years. James l'. lives at Little River. Rice county, Kansas. Mary S. married H. R. Perine and died February 25, 1897. Jonathan J. lives in Sac county, lowa. Milton died at the age " I seven years. Albert is the immediate subject of this sketch. Samuel W. lives at Little River, Rice county, and of him recife mentin is made on another page. where may be found further genealogical record concerning the family.

Albert Ramage was taken from Penn- sylvania to Iowa by his parents when he was three years old, and lived with them there and moved to Kansas in 1875. He grew to mi nheod in Iowa and was a men- Per of his parents' household in Kansas un- fil 1876, when he went to Miss uri and married. after which he returned to Kan- :- and settled on the farm which is now his homestead. He improved a good farm 77

and added to its acreage until he ... : three hundred and twenty acres. He has a good residence and buildings, an orchard, grove- and every appliance and equipment necessary to good farming. Located four miles southeast of Little River, he gives attention to general farming and stock- raising, in which he has been street and he is one of the prosperous men . i . l. locality. Politically he is a Populist, with a leaning toward Democracy, and such i. the confidence his fellow citizens have re- 1h sed in him that they have called him to several local offices, all of which he has i filled with credit to himself and to the sit- isfaction of his townsmen. He has been township trustee, township assessor, clerk of his school district for twenty years, and has accepted other offices when urged to do so, but prefers to give his att . ! ! wholly to his home interests. He is a past master of the Ancient Free and Accepted the World.

On the 27th of January, 18%, Mr. Ramage married Miss Catharine Trotter, a lady of information and of a most pleasing personality, who came of old and honored Virginian stock. Mrs. Ramage was born in Missouri, September 24. 1858. a daugh- ter of Mark and Rebecca campinas ter, early settlers in Daviess county. Mis- souri. Her father, who was a farmer. was. though a southerner, loyal to the star- ar ! strikes at the time of our great internecine war and during most of that four years . i almost continual conflict was a gallant sol- dier in the federal army. He died in Mis- souri, deeply regretted by all who had known him. We enter the files memoranda concerning his children : Nancy J. is Mrs. W. P. Creekman Moore: Con- thia M. died in infancy : Azubia A. married Samuel W. Ramage: John E. is decurso !: Henry D. lives in Kansas: R. Catharine is the wife of our subject: Jonathan A. is deceased : Mary M. married Clinton Shaw : James M. lives in Missouri: Jeremiah S. lives in the west ; Ihele A. marie! Itt Hughes and is devised: Mark I.

Albert and Catharine (Trotter Ram :-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

age have had eight children, whose names, with dates of birth, are here given: Mark Field, December 29, 1876; Elmer Bertram, November 30, 1878; Frank Earle, January 3, 1883; Albert Ralph, December 25, 1884; Mabel Alice, October 4, 1886; Willard Chester, November 23, 1893; Charles Ed- mund, who was born May 12, 1896, died February 15, 1897 ; and Marion Leroy, who was born August 22, 1898, died March 9, 1899. In the sketch of the life of Samuel W. Ramage, brother of our subject, will be found further data regarding the Trotter family, the wife of our subject being a sister of Mrs. Samuel W. Ramage.

WILLIAM HARTLEY.

William Hartley is one of the enterpris- ing citizens and reliable farmers of Ottawa county that England has furnished to the new world, his home being in Blaine town- ship. He was born in Lancastershire, Eng- land, seventy-five years ago, and is a repre- sentative of a prominent and influential family of that country, its members being noted for their industry and honesty. His parents, Thomas and Mary ( Brobunck) Hartley, were likewise natives of Lancaster- shire, and there spent their entire lives, the father passing away at the age of sixty years while the mother reached the ripe old age of seventy-five years. Both were members of the established Church of England, and in the locality in which they resided they were honored tnd esteemed by all who had the pleasure of their acquaintance.

William Hartley, the immediate subject of this review, was reared in the land of his nativity, where he was early taught the rice . i industry as a preparation for the active duties of life. In his early He he worked at farming and many other occupa- tions, and for a time was also employed as a miner, having sunk many shafts. The carpenter trade also received a portion of his time and attention, he having built many houses, which. after their completion, were sold to the miners. In his native country.

at the age of twenty-five years, he was united in marriage with Dinah Sawrey, and for fifty years they have traveled life's journey together. The lady is a native of England, where she was reared and educated, being a daughter of John and Sarah Sawrey, na- tives also of that country. Six children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hartley, as follows : John, who is prom- inently engaged in the grain business in Minneapolis, Kansas : Mary Giles, a widow ; William, who makes his home in Blaine township; Agnes Marvin, also a resident of Minneapolis, Kansas: and Thomas and Di- nah, at home.

In 1870 Mr. Hartley came with his fam- ily to the United States, sailing from Liv- erpool to Castle Garden, New York, spend- ing eleven days at sea. He soon afterward made his way to Poplar Grove, Illinois, and after spending a few weeks in that locality came to the Sunflower state, securing a homestead claim in Blaine township. Soon afterward, however, he removed to Junction City, Kansas, where he remained for a short time and then came again to Ottawa county. The journey from Illinois to this state was made with a team and wagon, twenty-one days having been spent upon the road. Mr. Hartley is now the possessor of six hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land. on which may be seen all the improvements and accessories necessary for a well regu- lated farm, while his fields are under a high state of cultivation and are surrounded by many miles of beautiful and well kept hedge. His former abode was a substantial stone residence, twenty-eight by thirty feet. one and a half stories high, but during the pres- ent year ( 1001 ) he erected an attractive and commodious frame dwelling, in which he and his estimable wife now reside, enjoying the comforts and luxuries which years .f former toil have secured for them. Mr. Hartley is recognized as one of the leading and influential agriculturists of Ottawa county. He is a man of sterling rectitude of character and gives his support to all moral and educational interests. His life record is unclouded by wrong or suspicion of evil, and he has always clung to whatever

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

is of "god repute," his name king a -the- nvm i r all that is honorable and straight. Forward.

HIRAM P. WATTS.

For abmest a half-century Hiram Pat- ton Watts has been a resident of Kansas, having cante to this portion of the Union be- Fre the lander warfare. He was born in So tt county, Virginia, on the 6th of Sep- tember, 1832, and is a representative of an old family of English origin. His father, Fregh Watts, was born in Halifax o unty. Virginia, and loyally served in the Amer- ican army in the war of 1812. The fam- ily has ever been noted for patriotism and outrage. Joseph Watts was united in mar- riage to Mrs. Nancy Edens, who was born in North Carolina, and was a daughter of Joshua Speers, one of the heroes of the Ren lutionary war. The father of our sub- ject died in Scott county, Virginia, at the age of sixty-eight years. He was a farmer by occupation and in his political affiliations was a Whig. He held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, South, served as one of its class-leaders and took an active part in its work. The mother, surviving her husband for many years, died in Morris county, Kansas, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. She was a Methelist in religious faith. Joseph Watts was twice married, the mother of our subject being his second wife. By his first union he had six children, namely: William. Stanfield, Henry. Milton. Greenville and Kate. The mother of our subject was also twice mar- ried, her first husband having been Mr. Ellens. l when she has for children : Enoch, Alice. Sallie and Mick. Unto i. - seph and Nancy Watts were bra i ur chil- dren : Ruth. Hiram P .. Joshua and Mahala, but the subject of this review is the daily one now living.

Upon the old homestead pace in Vir- ginia Hiram P. Watts was reared, and there he pursued his education in a box schel- house, which was furnished with slab seats. ne und of the building being completed

occupied by an immense fireplace. In the year 1852 he emigrated west

up his abode in Andrew county. 3: near Savannah, where he rettet years. In 1855 he came to the terri ri et Kansas and secured a claim in Br .. ty, en Wolf river, near Jowa Bir. When the great excitement and tralie central over the admissionad Nause inte the Unis. he was ordered to leave the state by the Abolitionist, of Freesmilers, and for a time remained in Missouri, but in 1857 he re- turned to Kansas, establishing his home in Morris county. He was one Hit first set- tlers, and at that time the Indians were far more numerous in the district than the white man. Mr. Watts serural a 11 Noche girer, and we Faites

with pioneer interests and the week of ex- velopment and progress through that early period. The state was in its infancy; the city of Topeka then contained but three buildings, one of then being : C ferry boat conveyed presence's

river, and the inture city v

by miles upon miles of tobr lan prairie. Le Compton was then the seat of the - e government. As the years passed. how- ever, great changes occurred and the w ri of progress and improvement transformed the state into a district which compare- i- vorably with any of the newer -tiles Att of the Mississippi. Mr. Watts remained a resident of Morris county until 1885. com he sold his property there and came h Br- For county. Here he owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, which is well inger and is under a high state of cultural There is a fine grace and related

place, and one hundre!

have been dased under the plow and an- milly yields to him a good return. His Curtalle frame

STO windmill.

Mr. Watts Isiert

Art. welded Anna Thornberry, and re: them were I ra six children:

is living in Morris county. K.

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

The wife of Jan Lester: Amanda, the wife of Charles Horton, of Hazelton township. Barber county ; Henry, who makes his home in Mystic, Iowa: Nancy, the wife of B. L. Drake, a prominent stockman of Hazelton township: and William, who is also living in the same township. Two children of this marriage. Fannie and Maggie, are now deceased. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1885. She was a wor- thy woman, loved for her many excellent characteristics of mind and heart, was a de- voted wife and mother and a kind neighbor. In 1891 Mr. Watts was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Pattie Fos- ter. of Kentucky. She was reared and edu- cater in that state and belonged to a good family there, her father being John Gilmore.

In his political affiilations Mr. Watts was originally a Whig, but on the dissolu- tion of that party he joined the ranks of the Democracy, with which he has since af- hilated. For forty years he has served as justice of the peace, and his long continu- ance in the office is an indication of impar- tial rulings and fair judgment. For many years he has been a consistent and faithful member of the Methodist church, long serv- ing as an exhorter and class-leader. He gives his earnest support to educational, temperance and religious work, is frank and honest at all times, and the sterling qual- ities shown in his life record have ever been such as to win for him the esteem and re- gard of his fellow men.

JOHN EVANS.

Nature has been bountiful in the oppor- tunities which she has offered to man : every part of the country seems adapted especially for some line of work or activity that will yield a comfortable living to men of enter- prise and industry. Pennsylvania has her rich coal beds. Maine her pine forests. the south her cotton fields, the central states their wonderful agricultural possibilities, the west the rich mineral resources. Nature seems to have destined that the production

of salt shall be one of the leading industries of the region around Hutchinson, the salt mines furnishing an abundance of the min- eral. which is in demand in every part of the country where not only man, but also animal life in the higher forms exists. Mr. Evans is connected with this industry as foreman of the Riverside and New York salt blocks. owned by the Hutchinson Salt Company, and his thorough understanding of the business and his enterprise and re- liability well qualify him for the position in which he is now acceptably serving.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 76

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