A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 80

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

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On the 13th of April, 1889, Mr. De- Mott was united in marriage to Mrs. Minta Lucinda ( Richardson) Bernard, widow of Blan P. Bernard, who was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war and who died in Barber county, Kansas, leaving seven children. Mrs. DeMott was born in Malon county, Missouri, the daughter of William and Eliza J. Richardson, the former of whom is deceased, while his widow retains her home in Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. DeMott have two daughters, --- Bertha and Ella.

FRED BEELER.

Honored and respected by all, there is no man in Jewell county who occupies a | more enviable position than Frederick Beeler in business and financial circles, not alone on acount of the brilliant success he has achieved, but also on account of the

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honorable straightforward insiness policy he has ever followed. He possesses untir- ing energy, is quick of perception, forms his Pitts Tely and is determined in their execution. add this cause application to busi- ness and his excellent management have right & i'm the high degree vi prosper- ity which is to-day his.

Mr. Beeler was born in Linn county, of Frederick and Nancy ( Dollarhide) Becker, ban natives of Indiana. The fa- ther who was a farmer and stock-raiser by occupation, removed to Iowa in 1835, and there died of the 12th of February, 1895. Hle became quite wealthy and left his fam- ily in good circumstances, giving his chil- dren an excellent start in life. His wife survived him ver four years, passing away December 30. 1809.

In his native state the subject of this sketch was rural and educate, early he- coming familiar with every department of farm work. He was one of the first set- tiers of Jewel county, Kansas, having lo- cated here on the Ist of May, 1870, and with the development and prosperity of this region he has since been prominently iden- tified. During pioneer days he met with many interesting adventures peculiar to pelo bir a sadadle per protection against the Indians, who were then la stile. Mr. Beeler was married. in ISS, to Miss Eliza Sett a daughter of Wales and Margaret Scott. old and prominent resi- dents of Jewell county. Mr. and Mrs. Beeler have a family of four children, namely: Fred, Lester, John and Joe.

In' the fall after locating here, in 1870, Mr. Beeler pre-empted a tract of land, and at once turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. His life here is a story of Con- tinted success, and he is to-day a very rich man, probably the wealthiest resident of the ounty. He owns ninety-seven hun- tired acres . land in Jewell and Mitchell counties, and is known as the cattle king If this real y. mach of his time being de- voted to the rising of stock. Prosperity has attended his way of wasim et

This wealth has been acquired in the cattle and bog business. He has pot. However,

Fast National Bank of Jeweil Chy can Miteresied in the Jewell Lum. er Cmpod). Fie is an experienced financier and beans at great deal of money out of his private runds. Upright and honorable in all his diealings, he has never had a lawsuit, and he commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact, either in business of social Ine. His home is in Athens township, two and a half miles south of Jonia, and with possibly one exception He is to-day the most prominent and in- Quential man in Jewell county.

PHILLIP A. HAWK.

Phillip A. Hawk is a retired farmer living in Mankato. He is ais numbered anzug the Ways in live whe atdet in the defense of the Union during the civil war, and in days of peace he in - sven alike it- in this country. wie was born in Brown county. Ohio. May 23, 1844, his parents being James and Caroline & Nenelly Hav !. His father, also a native of the Buckeye bitte, rem ved 1 1 Salle county, ilinois, in 1852, and in 1876 went to Allamesoth, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1878. His wife, why was also born in Ohio, died in Illinois.

Upon the old home Phillip A. Hawk was reared, and more than thirty years ago he came to Kansas, crossing the Republi- can river into Jewell county on the 9th of November, 1870. Here he has since made his home, and the history of pioneer life is familiar to him from actual experience. He has killed buffaloes in this part of the state, and lived here at the time of the grasshopper plague, experiencing all the hardships and trials incident to founding a home on the frontier. He secure1 a claim containing a half section of land in Ionia Gunship, and this he still owns, although

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he is now living retired and has a nice home | Miss Anna N. Clark, a native of Pennsyl- in Mankato, where he also owns a valuable vania, and unto them have been born six children : Lora N., Frank A., Guy G., James C., Mildred and John R. W. His political faith is that of the Republican party and for one term of two years he served as township trustee of Ionia township. He is a man of sterling worth, genial in dispo- sition, courteous and cordial in manner and snel considerations and enlisted, at Otta- I of unfaltering honesty in business affairs. Such qualities have gained him warm friendship and high regard and among the leading citizens of Jewell county he is numbered. little tract of land of ten and one-half acres. In addition he has three hundred and twenty acres in Ionia township and his farming operations have been crowned with a high degree of success, owing to his in- dustry and skillful management. At the time of the Civil war he laid aside all per- wa, Illinois, on the 2d of August, 1862, as a member of Company G, One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Infantry, under Cap- tam Jonathan B. Mizner and Colonel A. B. Moore. The regiment proceeded to Louis- ville and joined General Buell's command. On the 7th of December, 1862, the One ISAAC W. TAPP. Hundred and Fourth Illinois was captured, but the men were soon paroled and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, and afterward to Camp Douglas, Chicago, where they guarded the prisoners during the winter of IN2 mal 1803. In the spring of the latter year they joined the troops of General Rosecrans at Nashville, the regiment being assigned to the Fourteenth Army Corps. From that time until the close of hostilities Mr. Hawk was constantly engaged in the most stren- 110 415 warfare, beginning with the battle of Chickamauga, in which he was wounded three times. He also participated in the en- gagements at Lookout Mountain, Mission- ary Ridge and the severe fighting connected with the campaign and the siege and cap- ture of Atlanta. After the fall of that city he went with General Sherman's army on the celebrated march to the sea. ending in the week's fighting which decided the fate of the south and led to the campaign which ended the war. He then started north, and at the battle of Bentonville, North Caro- lina, was dangerously wounded by a bul- let in the upper part of the leg, which to- tally incapacitated him for further service. He was then taken to the hospital at Mad- ison. Indiana, where he received an hon- orable discharge on the 26th of May, 1865, and with a most creditable military record for bravery and loyalty he returned to his home.

Mr. Hawk was united in marriage to

Isaac W. Tapp, who is extensively en- gaged in agricultural pursuits and stock- raising on his valuable and well improved farm in Union township, Kingman county, is a native son of the Hoosier state, his birth having there occurred in . Johnson county on the 2d of November. 1854, a son of Evan M. and Elizabeth (Prichard) . Tapp. The father, who is a veteran of the Civil war and a retired farmer on the old homestead which he pre-empted on sec- tion 19, Union township, was born in Holden county, Kentucky, March 3, 1824, a son of William and Mary Tapp, both na- tives of Culpeper county, Virginia. The grandfather was a farmer by occupation, and in an early day he removed to Ken- tucky. remaining in that commonwealth 1111- til 1832, when he took up his abode near Franklin, in Johnson county, Indiana. there clearing a farm of eighty acres. On that farm he spent the remaining years of his life, passing away in the faith of the Bap- tist church, of which he was a worthy and consistent member, while in his political views he was a stanch supporter of the Democracy. He became the father of seven children, namely: Richard T., who died in Indiana ; Sarah A., who became the wife of Cleavurs Swift. also of that state: Lucy, who married William Davenport and made her home in Indiana: Evan M .. the father of our subject ; Elizabeth, who became the

EVAN M. TAPP.

------ -- - -----

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wife of Charles Legan; and Mary, who married John Rephart, and they afterward moved to Jasper county, Illinois, where she died.

Evan M. Tapp, the only survivor of this once large family, was reared to years or OH !. turity in Johnson county, Indiana, there re- maining until he was twenty-six years of age. Being the eldest son at home he was early in life obliged to assist in the work of the home farm, and thus his advantages for securing an education were extremely limited and he cannot recall a time when he was permitted to attend school for a full week at a time. On the 20th of De- cember. 1848, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Prichard, a native also of John- son county, Indiana, and a daughter of Walker D. and Nancy ( Walker ) Prichard. When the trouble between the north and the south threw the country into civil war Mr. Tapp loyally offered his services in the defense of the starry banner, becoming a member of Company F, Fifth Indiana Cav- airy, entering the ranks as a private, but for faithful and meritorious service he was soon promoted to the position of corporal. From July until the following December he was engaged in scouting and skirmishing in eastern Kentucky, but in that month he was seriously injured by a horse falling upon him, which incapacitated him from further field duty and he was then trans- ferred to hospital service, serving in the medical purveyor's office. Receiving an honorable discharge on the 29th of June, 1865, Mr. Tapp then returned to his wife and children, who had remained at the old Indiana home, where he again took up the work of the farm as best he could in his disabled condition. From his injury in the back, received while in the army, he has ever since been a constant sufferer. In the spring of ISAS he sold his possessions . in the Hoosier state and removed to Jasper county, Illinois, where he purchased a small farm and there made his home for the fol- lowing four years, on the expiration of which period he returned to Jasper county. Indiana. there becoming the owner of a small farm. In 1883 he again disposed vi

his possessions and with his family and a son-in-law. W. C. Huston, came to Kan- sas, arriving in Hutchinson in the follow . ing September. Mr. Husten entered t dann on the northeast quarter of section 24. Rural township, which is now owned by W. T. Cannan, while Mr. Tapp became the owner of the land on which our sub- ject still resides, located on the Beatles quarter of section 10. Ilis first residence was a one-room half dugout, twelve by sixteen feet, with a shingle roof, and the lumber used in this dwelling was hauled from Hutchinson, a distance of fifty-five miles. During the following year he placed sixty acres of his land under cultivation. most of which he planted with corn, and also proved up the largest amount of culti- vated land of any settler in the neighbor- hood. His present residence was created in 1886, and here he has ever since made his home, although the place is now owned by his son, Isaac W .. the father being in- able to perform any active labor.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Tapp was blessed with eight children. five of whom passed away in infancy and in childhood, and those who still survive are: Isaac, the subject of this review: Emma, the wife of W. C. Huston; and Jennie, the wife of Elmer Bainum, of Alva, Oklahoma. The loving wife and mother passed away in death on the 9th of August, 1895, but in the hearts of her family and friends are enshrined many pleasant memories of her and her influence for good remains with these who knew her. The Democracy re- ceives Mr. Tapp's hearty support and co- operation, and his religious faith connects him with the Baptist church, he being an active worker in the cause of his Master. Isaac W. Tarp. the immediate subject of this review, was but twelve years of the when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois, where he spent the je !- I wing four years, and then, in his sixteenth year, he returned with the family to Indi- ana. Being the only son in the family and his father an invalid. the care of the house- Wald early fell upon his wang Shoulders. and he remained with his parents until

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March, 1883, when he came to Kingman county, Kansas, here pre-empting a farm on the s uthwest quarter of section 29. Rural township, but while cultivating his land he made his home with his father, who had become the owner of a farm in Union township. In 1887, after placing fifty acres of his land under cultivation, Mr. Tapp, of this review. add this tract to become the owner of his father's homestead farm, where he has ever since followed general farming and stock-raising, his place being stocked with a high grade of short-horn cattle. He is one of the most prominent and influential agriculturists of his locality, and his undertakings have met with a well deserved success.

On the Ioth of November, 1895, he was united in marriage to Evaline Pryor, who was born in Noble county, Ohio. In 1893 she came with her parents, Isaac and Mary (McConnell) Pryor, to the Sun- & wer state. Mr. and Mrs. Pryor now make their home in Alva, Oklahoma. Our subject and wife have become the parents of three children,-Hazel Dell, Claude and Iris MI. Mr. Tapp has been a life-long Deny erat and has served in all of the town- ship offices, while for ten consecutive years he was treasurer of the school board and still continues. In the fall of 1899 he was made the trustee of Union township, in which position he served for one term. In his social relations he is a member of Cun- ningham Lodge, No. 431, I. O. O. F., of which he is past noble grand, and has many times represented his lodge in the grand 1 diye. He also holds membership relations with the Modern Woodmen of America, of Cunningham.

B. L. DRAKE.

A fine farm of six hundred and forty acres in Barber county is the property of B. L. Drake, his home being on section 12, Hazelton township. He is one of the well known and successful cattle men of this portion of the state and his possessions

have all been acquired through his own ef- forts, showing what can be accomplished through determination, diligence and sound business judgment. Mr. Drake was born in Polk county, Kentucky, and represents an old Virginia family, noted for industry, hon- esty and courage. His father. Larkin Drake, was born March 16, 1829, in Taze- well county, Virginia, while the grandfa- ther of our subject was William Drake, also a native of the Old Dominion. whence he removed to the Blue Grass state and there spent his remaining days. The an- cestry of the family, however, can be traced still further back to three brothers who leit England and took up their abode in Virginia prior to the Revolutionary war.

Larkin Drake was reared to manhood under the parental roof in Virginia and Kentucky, and when he had attained to aluit age he was united in marriage to Ma- linda Lester, a daughter of Thomas Lester. She died in Kentucky on the Ith mi Oc- toler. 1658. Leaving two children. Beverly L., of this review, and Thomas, who is non deceased. The father was afterward again married and by the second union had two children. Mrs. Williams, who has now passed away, and John H., who is a resi- dient of Oklahoma Territory. The father died in Barber county on the farm which is now occupied by our subject, when sixty- three years of age. He was a Democrat in his political affiliations in early life and afterward became a Populist. He held membership in the Baptist church, served as its clerk and in other official positions, and was a man of unqualified integrity and honor, who commanded the esteem of all who knew him.

Beverly L. Drake was reared in Ken- tucky on the old family homestead and was early taught the value of industry and per- severance in the active affairs of life. His literary training was received in the public schools and in the year 1877 he came to Kansas, taking up his abode in Morris county, where for eight years he engaged in farming. In 1885 he arrived in Barber county and has now one of the best farms

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in bawelten township, comprising six hun- drel and forty acres of valuable land. It is well watered and excellently adapted for grain and stock-raising. His well devel- jeunes yield to him good harvests and he is known as one of the most successful cattle dealers in this portion of the state, being an excellent judge of stock, which enables him to make judicious purchases and sales. he keeps on hand from three to five hundred head of cattle and his ship- mients are extensive.

In 1883 Mr. Drake was united in mar- riage to Miss Nannie Watts, a daughter of H. P. Watts, one of the honored and prominent pioneers of Barber county. Three children have been born of their union, namely: Clarence Stanley, Maude Marie and Fannie Lucille. The family en- joys the warm regard of many friends throughout this portion of the state. Mrs. Drake is a member of the Methodist church and is a lady of excellent characteristics. Mr. Drake is well known for his sturdy honesty in business, his enterprise and his capable management and it is through these qualities that he has won an enviable posi- tion in trade circles. In manner he is cor- dial and genial and as a citizen he is inter- ested in all that pertains to the public wel- fare and improvement.

GEORGE W. SCOTT.

George W. Scott is numbered among' the veterans of the Civil war and is a lead- ing representative of the agricultural inter- ests of Kingman county. He was born near Mansfield. Harrison county, Ohio, in 1833, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. His father, James Scott, also claimed Harrison county as the place of his nativity, and he was there reared and married, choosing for his wife Miss Jane Scott, who was born near Steubenville. Ohio. She was a daugh- ter of Charles Scott. of Irish descent. U'nt .: Mr. and Mrs. Scott were born the i. lb wing children: Catherine, deceased : William, deceased ; George \\'., of this re-

view : David, who served as a soldier in the Civil war and is now a resident of Harri- SH Gm. GAS The father of these children was called to the home beyond at farmer, and in political matters he Was Ist « Whig and afterward a Republican. The The ther reached the age of sixty-four years, and both she and her husband passed away in the faith of the United Brethren church, of which they had been worthy and exem- pro1 members.

George W. Scott spent his youth and carly mask . d on his father's farm in Ohio. In 1861, at the breaking out of the Civil war, he loyally responded to the call of his country and became a member of Company B. Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serv- ing under Colonel Eckley and Captain Mat- thews. His military career covered a period of three years, and during that time he par- ticipated in the battles of Pittsburg Land- ing. Corinth, Iuka. Jackson and many others. His service extended as far south as the Gulf, and during the latter part of the siege he was detailed to drive a gov- ernment wagon to Savannah. After the corte di hostilities he returned to his ( .... home. but in 1865 he left that state for Illi- : is. locating near Bloomington, in Mc- Lean county. In 1877 he continued his wasteand harney to Kansas, locating on his present farm of one hundred and sixty heres in Vinita township, Kingman county, and there he is engaged in general farming and st ck-raising.

While a resident of Illinois Mr. Sont was united in marriage to Maria Goss, a native of Guernsey county, Ohio, and a daughter of Thomas Goss. Both he and his wife died in Illinois, and their son, Thomas. Jr., was a soldier in the Civil war. Three children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Scott .- Pierson, Walter and Mollie. The wife and mother was accidentally killed in 1896, and later the father married, in Kansas, Martha Lester, a native of Ohio. Mr. Scott is a member of Rankin Post. G. A. R., in which he maintains pleasant rela- tous with his old army comrades. His strong mentality, broad sympathy and char-

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ity and his social qualities have rendered him very popular and won him the respect and esteem of many with whom he has been associated in the active pursuits of life.

WILLIAM P. WALKER.

From the days of early pioneer develop- ment in Jewell county William P. Walker has been engaged in agricultural pursuits within four miles of Mankato, where he has a very fine farm of two hundred and forty acres. He is one of the citizens that the Empire state has furnished to Kansas, his birth having occurred in St. Lawrence county, New York, July 9, 1848. His fa- ther. Christopher Walker, was born in the same state and there resided until 1874, when he came to Jewell county, Kansas, where he has since lived, being one of the representative farmers of Limestone town- ship. He married Delila Frasier, a native of Vermont, who also survives.

On the old family homestead in the east William P. Walker spent his youth, and to the public school system of St. Law- | rence county he is indebted for the educa- tional privileges he enjoyed. He was only sixteen years of age, when, on the 2d of January, 1864, he offered his services to the Union and joined Company I, Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery, at New Haven, Connecticut. The regiment was as- signed to duty in the infantry service, First Division, Second Brigade, Sixth Army Corps, of the Army of the Potomac. Mr. Walker's service was in the defense of the city of Washington. The first hard bat- tle in which he took part was at Cold Har- bor. June 1, 1864. From there he went to Petersburg, the flag of his regiment be- ing the first that was planted in the captured city. He was also with Sheridan at Win- chester and in all the battles in the Shen- andoah valley. Although he enlisted late in the war he was in fourteen important battles and skirmishes, serving through the sanguinary conflicts that marked the clos- ing days f the Rebellion, and was present

at the time of Lee's surrender. At Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia, he was mustered out August 18, 1865. A brave soldier boy, his courage was equal to that of many vet- erans of twice his years.

The war being over Mr. Walker re- mained in New York until 1867, when he went to Illinois, where he remained for a year, living in DeKalb county. Subsequent- ly he resided in Newburg, Mitchell county, Iowa, and thence went to Bristol in the same county, remaining there for three years. In 1872 he came to what is now his | home in Jewell county, Kansas, thus be- coming one of the pioneer settlers here. From a tract of wild land he has developed a desirable farm of two hundred and forty acres, the rich fields returning golden har- vests for the care and labor bestowed upon them. In connection with the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to this climate he is also engaged in stock-raising. His home is situated in Limestone township, four miles southwest of Mankato. Ilis fa- ther and several brothers live near him, forming what is known as the Walker neighborhood. The subject of this review is familiarly known as Will Walker, and is accounted one of the most prominent agri- culturists of his part of the county. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to pub- lic office, and he has served acceptably as township clerk, treasurer, trustee and jus- tice of the peace, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. He has been the guiding spirit of the school board as well as in other township affairs, ever guarding the interests of the citizens with a zealous and watchful care. By his business ability and tact he has saved to the taxpayers a considerable amount of money. For nine- teen years he has served as clerk of the school district and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend.

Mr. Walker was united in marriage, in Iowa, March 23, 1870, to Miss Mariette Thompson, a native of Wisconsin, and unto them were born five children: Myrtle, Clarence, Viva, Louis and George Clifford. The mother was called to her final rest in

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March, 1800, and her ioss was mourned by many friends as well as her immediate iam- ily, for she possessed many admirable qual- ities of heart and mind. Mr. Walker holds membership in the Methodist church and is an earnest Christian gentleman. With the assitance of his neighbors he built the church of that denomination in his neigh- Torheed, and it was completed without debt. He is now serving as one of its stewards and in its work he takes a deep interest. Ile maintains pleasant relationships with his old army comrades through his membership with Mankato Post, G. A. R., of which he was formerly the commander. Enterpris- ing and successful in business, strong of purpose, fearless in defense of what he be- Heves the right, he is held in the highest regard and and may well be accounted a Moved citizen of Jewell county.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 80

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