USA > Kansas > A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II > Part 84
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AURELIUS RICHARDSON.
Aurelius Richardson, who is engaged in farming and stock-raising in Jewell coun- ty, was born in Davis county, Missouri. March 2. 1847, and is a son of Aurelius and Celia (Elliott ) Richardson. His father was born in Kentucky and removed to Illi- neis, whence he afterward went to Mis- suri. spending the greater part of his life in that state. In 1889, however, he went to Oklahoma, where his death occurred. and his wife, who was a native of Indiana. also spent her last days in that territory.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Aurelius Richardson in his youth. He worked in the fiells from the time of early spring
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planting until crops were harvested in the autumn and then entered the public schools, where he continued his studies until with the return of spring he once more resumed active farm work. Thus his time passed until he was seventeen years of age, when feeling that his country needed his services, lie enlisted on the 6th of August, 1864, at Eaglesville, Harrison county, Missouri, as a member of company E, Forty-third Mis- souri Infantrry. Before the regiment had left the state he was captured at Glasgow, Missouri, with General Price, on the 15th of October, and was sent to the parole camp at St. Louis, where he was exchanged, go- ing thence to Kansas City. From that time on he saw active service in the fierce and bloody warfare on the Missouri-Kansas border, and in 1865 he was mustered out at St. Louis.
Mr. Richardson continued to make his home in Missouri until 1867, when he went to York county, Nebraska, remaining there until 1869. In that year he took up his abode in Atchison county, Missouri, where he followed farming until April, 1874, the date of his arrival in Jewell county, Kansas. Here he has lived continuously since, and he is now a very prosperous farmer and stock-raiser. He makes a specialty of the breeding and raising of cattle. He is thoroughly conversant with the best methods of the care of stock and his dili- gence and careful management have brought to him excellent success. so that he is possessor of a very desirable income. His fine farm. comprising three hundred and twenty acres of rich land, is situated one mile north of Burr Oak and its neat and thrifty appearance indicates to the passer by the careful supervision of the owner. He has an unusually attractive home, displaying there the evidence of culture and refinement. Mrs. Richardson, who presides over this pleasant residence, was in her mai- denhood. Miss M. E. Bradbury, and their wedding was celebrated in Jewell county, June 29, 1875. The lady is a native of Ohio and by her marriage she became the mother of two children : Riley R. and Mrs. Alice Oglevie. To their children Mr. and Mrs.
Richardson gave excellent educational op- portunities, fitting them for life's practical and responsible duties. In his political views Mr. Richardson is a stalwart Republican and his influence is widely felt in political and public affairs. He has served as township treasurer and his co-operation is ever given to measures for the general good. He is a gentleman of fine personal appearance, of strong mentality, keen business discrimina- tion and of genial dsposition. These quali- ties have made him a favorite with many friends and in all circles, and Jewell county numbers him among her representative citi- zens.
J. A. FORD.
For more than twenty years J. A. Ford has been identified with the growth and de- velopment of Chikaskia township. Kingman county, Kansas. He is one of the old set- tlers who has been a leading factor in the progress of this section, and one who has lived to see the wisdom of his choice of a home.
The birth of Mr. Ford occurred on Feb- ruary 12, 1848, in Warren county, Indi- ana, and he is a son of Washington and Elizabeth (Thorp) Ford. The former was born near Chillicothe, Ohio, his family be- ing one of the most loyal ones of the state during the Civil war, two brothers serving through the struggle. Washington Ford was a farmer all his life. When grown to maturity he went. to Warren county, In- diana, and there married Elizabeth Thorp. who was a daughter of Isaiah Thorp, also a settler in Indiana from Ohio. The Ford family remained on the Warren county farm where our subject's beloved and hon- ored mother still resides. at the age of seventy years. His father died there near the age of seventy-eight years, having through life been a kind husband and a careful provider for the welfare of his chil- dren. He was a citizen who enjoyed the respect of his community. The children born to Washington Ford and wife were as follows : William I., deceased: John A ..
MRS. J. A. FORD.
J. A. FORD.
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James Harvey: George W .; Francis M. : Henry Jasper; Estella Caroline; Mary
hhwith: and Grace Udora. The timable mother of our subject is a consist ent member of the Methodist church.
The early life of the sons of farmers in a farming community is very similar, and our subject probably found many of the tasks set him by his excellent father very ir me, but thus he learned the details of agricultural life in the practical way which served to be of great benefit in later life. He attended school in this locality and gained a very fair education in all ele- mentary branches, while reading and ex- perience has done the rest.
In 1871 he went to Vermilion county, Minois, locating on a farm near Danville. and while there was united in marriage to the lady who has been his beloved com- pam : ever since and to whose econom- ical housewifery and cheerful assistance he ac rds much of his success in life. She was Miss Malinda Sherrill. and was reared in Indiana and Illinois, and was a daughter of W. O. and Nancy ( Redden) Sherrill. the latter of whom is a resident of Hoops- t n. Illinois.
In 1880 Mr. Ford and family left Ver- milion county and came to Kansas to found a new home. Those early days had many trials and deprivations for these settlers, but Mr. and Mrs. Ford are among the num- ber, who after the heat and brunt of the day, are permitted to see the successful re- sult vi their labors, and to enjoy a beauti- ful home, surrounded by all that nature can contribute in the way of delightful sur- " malings and generous tributes of the sail. Mir. Fort has accumulated three hundred and sixty fertile acres, which is well adapt- el to either grain or grass, containing springs of water that make his land favor- ¿Me for extensive stock farming, while his fruitful orchards and substantial buildings make this one of the exceedingly valuable farms of Chikaskia township, Kingman county.
Mr. and Mrs. Ford have borne together sorrow as well as joy, the hand of death having removed three of their family of children, two of these being infants, the 80
other, Inniss W., being a promising youth of eight years. The survivors of the fam- ily of children are: Mrs. Ella May Wrig. :. ot this township : Airs. Jacie Shatell, of War- ren county, Indiana : Mrs. Vianna Cottrell. of this township; Estella E., at home: Nola P. ; and John Jasper Osborn.
There is no doubt about the political sentiments of Mr. Ford, as he has been actively identified with the Republican party all his life. Ile has served most ac- coptably in a number of the township offices, and for nine years was a member of the scheel lard, doing all in his power to ad- vance the cause of education in his section. Fraternally Mr. Ford is connected with Spivey Lodge, No. 372, I. O. O. F. In the Christian church the family have long been worshippers.
Mr. Ford is a man gifted with great conversational powers and his knowledge of the needs and conditions of his adopted home are most interesting and his argu- ments convincing. In his pleasant, genial way he shows one side of his character. of- fering a delightful hospitality, indicative of true friendliness. In sickness and in death he has ever proved himself a true friend and at all times he is ready to assist his fel- low men. He is also a man of justice and judgment, and is at all times ready to up- hold the principles of highest citizenship. He is held in universal esteem in this town- ship, few men being more justly popular.
HENRY WISNER.
The subject of this sketch is a mem'ier of the well known and successful firm of J. N. & H. Wisner, proprietors of the Spring Brook Farm, which is located in Sharon township, Barber county, four miles north of the village of Sharon, and which is one of the finest places to be found in this favored section of the state. the es- tate having the notable area of four thou- sand acres of deeded land. well fenced and otherwise improved, and six thousand acres of leased range. All this implies that the firm is numbered among the most extensive
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cattle-growers in this section, the average herd numbering eight hundred head, so that the operations of the firmi are of wide scope and importance. The improvements on the place cost fully fifteen thousand dollars. Fifteen acres of the place are devoted to orchard and small fruits, while the attract- iveness . f the farm is increased by a grove of one hundred and sixty acres of native trees. Several large springs are sufficient to afford a continual supply of pure water for the fine creek which traverses the place. and it stands as one of the best cattle farms in the county, while five hundred acres are under effective cultivation, large yields be- ing annually secured in wheat, corn, alfalfa. etc. The residence is a large and attractive building of modern architectural design and conveniences, while other permanent im- provements are of the best order, including excellent barns, sheds, windmills, etc., and upon the place are found forty miles of fence. From these statements some idea may be gleaned of the extent and marked superiority of this great stock ranch and farm.
Henry Wisner is a native of the old Empire state of the Union, having been born in Warwick. Orange county, New York, on the 20th of August, 1824, the fam- ily having been long resident of that section and one of prominence in several genera- tions. The father of our subject was Will- iam R. Wisner, and he was born in the same house as was his son, and there continued to maintain his home until his death, at the venerable age of eighty-six years, he having been the son of William Wisner, who was one of the early settlers of Orange county and who was of stanch old German lineage. The maiden name of our subject's nb ther was Eliza Miller and she likewise was born in Orange county, being the daughter of David Miller, and she lived to attain the age of eighty-two years. Will- iam R. Wisner was one of the successful farmers of his native county, where he be- came influential in public affairs. having been in earlier years a Democrat in politics, but later giving his allegiance to the Re- pubican party, to whose cause he ever after- ward gave an unqualified support. He and
his estimable wife became the parents of ten children, and those living at the present time are as follows: John N., who is as- sociated with our subject in the ranching and cattle business, was one of the Cali- fornia argonauts of 1850 and was for more than twenty years identified with gold min- ing in the far west, having been associated with many of the most prominent operators in this line of industry; James still resides in Warwick, New York; Albert is a promi- nent real-estate man in the city of Chicago; Mary Ann still resides at the old home in Warwick, New York, and Fannie is the wife of John Buckbee, of Warwick. New York.
Our subject passed his boyhood in his native town, receiving his eary educational training in the public schools and supple- menting the same by a course of study in an excellent institution at Easthampton, Massachusetts. He came west to Ohio, in 1846, and three years later was graduated in medicine at Laporte. Indiana, and in ad- dition to being a successful practitioner of his profession he also attained a high re- putation as a lecturer on anatomy and physi- ology, receiving the highest commendation from the press and his professional con- freres.
On the 9th of February, 1847, Mr. Wisner was united in marriage to Miss Emiline Churchill, of Richfield, Ohio, and her death occurred a few months later. On the 15th of July, 1850, he consummated a second marriage, being then united to Mrs. Harriet Mark, of Pekin, Illinois, who bore him four children. two of whom are living .- Henry J .. of Chicago; and Charles H .. of Sharon township, Barber county. Kansas. The two deceased children were Fannie, who died in the city of Chicago, in the year 1864; and Albert J., who died at the age of twenty-seven years. The
mother of these children passed into the eternal life in 1874, in Chicago, where our subject was extensively engaged in the real- estate business until his removal to Kansas, in the year 1882, when he became identified with his present important enterprise.
The third marriage of Mr. Wisner was solemmized in the city of Chicago, on the
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Ist of March, 1875. when he was united to Mrs. Sarah E. Jackson, the widow of John A. Jackson. She was born in Pitts- field, Massachusetts, the daughter of Dry- den S. and Charlotte ( Garnett ) Rowe, representatives of prominent old families of New England. The father died in Tioga, Pennsylvania, at the age of eighty-six years, his devoted wife having passed away at the age of eighty. Mrs. Wisner received her early educational discipline in the city of Troy. New York, and eventually was ma- triculated in the Hahnemann Medical Col- ege, in Chicago, Illinois, where she completed the prescribed course and was graduatd with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. She has been exceptionally successful in the practice of her profession, and is known as one of the able homeopathic physicians and surgeons of Barber county. By her marriage she had one daughter, Hattie, who is likewise a graduate of Hahnemann Medical College, of the class of 1894, and who is now the wife of Dr. Henry J. Ravoll. . f St. Joseph, Missouri, where both are actively and successfully engaged in the practice of medicine.
Mr. Wisner maintains a public-spirited attitude and is known as one of the sterling citizens and influential men of this section of the state. In politics he gives his al- leg ance 10 the Republican party, and for fity years he has been prominently identi- fied with the Masonic fraternity. He is a man of fine presence and genial nature, and his home, presided over by his cultured and gracious wife, is a center of refined he -pitality.
JOHN B. PARHAM.
John B. Parham, who is a brakeman in the service of the Santa Fe Railroad Com- pany and makes his home in Newton, was born in Georgia, February 14, 1860. His father died in early manhood, and. being left an orphan at an early age, John B. Parham was reared by H. C. Boyle, who is now a resident of Wichita. Kansas, having re- moved first to La Salle county, Illinois, and thence to Wichita. in 1876.
The subject of this review was rural to farm life and received but limited edv- tional privileges. In the fall of 1880 he he- gan railroading at Valley Center and was in the track department until 1883, removing to Nickerson in the fall of that year. For about fifteen years he remained a resident . f that place, being employed in the railroad shops and later became a brakeman on the road. He was a yard switchman in the palmy days of Nickerson and was yard- master for eight years, but when it was de- cided to remove the railroad shops from that place he, too, left Nickerson, having to dispose of his property interests for almost nothing. He received scarcely anything for his pleasant cottage, which he had erected at a cost of one thousand de Bars, and his land only brought one-seventh of what he had paid for it. He was, however. soon settled in his own home in Newton, the place being at No. 230 West Eleventh street, where he has a pleasant and attractive residence with every evidence of culture and refinement.
On the 13th of February, 1881,-the lady's birthday .- Mr. Parham was unitel in marriage to Miss Ella Graham, a native ai Carroll county, Missouri, and a daughter of Charles and Sarah A. (Denniseen Grahamn. Her parents were both natives of the . and in that state were married, on the t -: 1 January, 1843. Her father was a mechimie and worked on the Ohio river. building steamboats. On coming west he located first in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and built a hat on which he went down the Mississippi river to Louisiana. After two years he returned to Iowa, thence went to Missouri and after- ward to Texas. His death occurred in Mis- sottri, however, about 1805. when he had at- tained an advanced age. He left a widow and four children, of whom three are yet liv- ing. Mrs. Graham makes her home with her daughter and is a well preserved and act- ive old lady i sagenf her years. Mr. and Mrs. Parham lost an infant sen, and their daughter, Inez Vivian, died when almt seven years of age. They now have me .... Cecil L., a young man of twenty years. Wh is employed as a brakeman on the Santa Fe
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Railroad. They also have an adopted daughter, Stella Erickson, who came to make her home with them when she was ten years of age. She pursued her education in the public schools and was graduated in the high school of Newton with the class of 1901. She is now successfully engaged in teaching and is a very popular and cultured young lady, having considerable talent in both instrumental and vocal music. The family home is a cosy and comfortable one, in which good cheer and happiness abound. and the members of the household, from the grandmother down to the young lady daughter, have many friends, who esteem them highly for their sterling worth. With- otit educational or pecuniary advantages to aid him at the outset of his career. Mr. Par- ham has steadily worked his way upward, and all that he has is the result of his hon- vrable and persistent labor.
NELSON ADAMS.
Hon. Nelson Adams was the first lawyer to locate in Larned, Pawnee county, where he is now serving as city attorney. In his profession he has long since left the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few. His nature is one that can never content itself with mediocrity, and by close and earnest study, thorough preparation and marked ability he has made his way steadily upward. He came to Larned in March, 1873. and has since been a member of the profession of Pawnee county. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, June 24, 1848, his parents being Peter and Mary (Timmens) Adams. His father removed to Indepen- dence. Missouri, and in that locality carried on farming and cattle-raising. His death occurred when he was eighty-four years of age, and his wife passed away at the age of eighty-two. They became the parents of eight children, namely: Colonel Wesley R .. who is a resident of Larned; Mrs. Ruth Gersey: William, deceased: John: David : Nelson: Mrs. Louise Morrison: and Thomas.
In his youth Nelson Adams entered the public schools and there pursued his studies until 1864, when, at the age of eighteen years, he enlisted in his country's service as a member of Company K. Eighty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he re- mained until the cessation of hostilities. He participated in the celebrated march with Sherman from Atlanta to the sea and was a brave and loyal soldier boy. After his re- turn home he pursued a business course in the commercial college at Dayton, Ohio, and afterward took up the study of law. Sub- sequently he located in Great Bend, Kansas, where he was admitted to the bar in 1873, and immediately afterward he came to Lar- ned, where he began practice, locating in the northeast corner of what is now the Larned Hotel. There were no office buildings in the town, but soon the work of construction was begun. Mr. Adams secured as a claim the southwest quarter of section 32. Larned township, which is now a part of the town, and thereon he erected a small residence. where Mr. Lloyd is now living, and he at once began the practice of his profession. first trying a civil suit to recover rent, the case being entered as Henry Booth versus George Odell. His early life was varied with the usual experiences that fall to the lot of pioneers. Many times the gun and pistol were used by the lawless element to enforce their wishes. His first regular office was in the J. H. Boyd block. He served as the first county attorney and the first city at- terney. filling the former position from 1886 until 1888. For four terms he acted as city attorney and at the present time he is occu- pying that office. He was also chosen a member of the city council and became its president. and has been a member and presi- dent of the school board. In 1876 he was elected on the Republican ticket to represent his district in the legislature and there he gave careful consideration to all questions which came up for decision, leaving the im- press of his individuality upon the laws of the state enacted during the session.
Mr. Adams was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Brachee and unto them were born three children: Wort. the eldest.
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served in the Spanish- American war as quartermaster and clerk of Company B, Twenty-first Kansas Infantry, in the Philip- pines, and he is now sergeant of Company D. Thirty-second Infantry, being stationed at Orian. Previously to this he was ap- pointed page of the United States senate by Senator Plumb, and being large of stature, he was transferred to and had charge of President Harris er's room for nine months. He then returned home and engaged in clerking until he joined the military service of his c estry. George, a printer and drug- gist. as entered the army, as a bugler, being attacked to Company B of the Twenty- first Kansas Infantry. Ross, the youngest son, who has engaged in clerking, has served a- c rp ral in the Spanish-American war and is now occupying that position in Company F. Forty-fourth United States In- fantry, at Panay island, in the Philippines. The sims seem to have inherited their fa- ther's military spirit and the family record for bravery is a very creditable one. MIr. Adams is a member of the post of the Grand Army of the Republic of Larned. He is an able representative of the profession which stands as the conservator of the human rights. Werty and justice, and his long resi- dance in Parece county has not only given him pre-eminence as a pioneer member of the leur Vonit also as one of its most capable, learned and efficient representatives.
R. R. STOUT.
R. R. Stout, whose home is an section 25. Colar powashin. Barber county, has : as been identified with the interests of Kansas. ing in 18to be back up his abient Karin. which was then but a small village. The state had not been admitted and in many sections the week of progress and civilization had not lean large tracts of land being still in p. s. of the government. Mr. Sont was l mn in Chatham county, North Carolina, March II. 1844. and his father. Jan Stort, was like- wise a native i that country The end St .
the grandfather, was born in North Caro- lina, and was of English lineage. HE- John learned the blacksmith trade and be- came a good mechanic, being able & evente almost any kind of iron and steel work. He married Jane Stout, who, though of the same name, was not a relative. She was born in North Carolina, as was her father. David Stout, who was of Welsh and Soutch descent. In the year 1859 John Stout, the father of our subject, left the old North state and emigrated westward to Indiana, settling in Hamilton county, where he re- mained for a year. and then came to Em- pria, journeying to this state with team and wagon and camping out along the way. He carried a gun and, being a good shot, was enabled to supply their camp table with game. On arriving at his destination he pre-empted a claim five miles west of Em- poria, and. in addition to the cultivation of his land, he worked at hi- trade appen his farm. He afterward renesed to Chase county, Kansas, settling near Strong Che. where he remained for seventeen years. Ch the expiration of that period he ren volt, Lyon county, Kansas, and remained a voi dent in that portion of the state pir'il h: : death, which occurred when he was . verti - one years of age. In politics he was a Re- millican, and in the Civil war on; Wasa stanch Union man. Prior to the Red he advocated abolition principios. with night he was born and reared in the south. His religious faith was that of the Sier wi Friends. His widow is now living with her son, R. R .. at the age of seventy-seven years. and is a well preserved woman, her thyskal and mental faculties being unimpaired. This worthy couple became the parents . i eight children, three of whom are living and the chlet .f wh m is the subject of this review. The others are Mrs. Amanda Varner. , i Lan county, Kansas, and Cicero, of Chern- kee City, Oklahoma. The five deceased chil- re: are as follows : Sarah A. R. xv. I- vid. M. M. and Phoebe Jane.
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