A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 88

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 88

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The birth of Mr. Fox was in Hillsboro,

MR. AND MRS. JAMES B. FOX AND SON.

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Highland county, Ohio, in 1844, and he was asn of John and Mary ( Ferguson ) Fox, the former of whom was a native of Penn- svivania, i English and Irish ancestry. The latter was a daughter of Isaac Fergu- son, who was also a native probably of Pen-shania of Irish ancestry. In 1844 Mr. and Mrs. Fox moved to what was then con- sidered the far west, the state of Iowa, lo- cating neat Oskaloosa, in Mehaska county. At that time the vicinity in which they set- tled, called the Spring Creek settlement, was wild anal uncultivated prairie. Mr. Fox was a timmer by trade, following this until his death: lain his death, in 1847, occurred before he had made much headway in the new home. The three children left father- less were Benjamin, Sarah W., and John B. The mother was married later to Robert McConnell and she died at the age of sev- enty-seven, on our subject's farm in this county. She was a good, Christian woman, noted for her kindness and unselfish devo- tion to others.

James B. Fox was reared on the farm in Iowa and the death of his father while he was still a child limited his educational advantages and early forced him to assume responsibilities. In August, 1862, he en- listed for service in the Civil war, enter- ing the Thirty-third Iowa Infantry, under those capable officers,-Captain J. M. Ball and Colonel S. A. Rice .- and took part in much of the most wearying campaigning of the whole war. His regiment at Helena, Arkansas, was under the command of Gen- eral Stedie. Inter under General Fisk, be- longing to the Fourteenth Brigade, and for a period this regiment was stationed at Memphis, Tennessee, at Cairo, Illinois, at Little Rock, Arkansas, and at New Orleans. Louisiana. Mr. Fox remained in the sery- ice with the close of the war, faithfully performing a soldier's duties, and he was discharged with an honorable record.

After the close of the war Mr. Fox re- turne ! to his home in Iowa, where he re- mained until 1872. when he moved to But- ler c. wy. Kansas, removing later into Bar- ber county, and in 1884 coming to Kingman county. Here Mr. Fox owns a fine farm consisting , i bottom land, which is well

adapted for the raising of both grain and cattle and which is particularly productive of fine fruit. Here Mr. Fox has a very comfortable home surrounded by groves for shade and orchards of wonderful fruitful- ness, and he has made here excellent im- provements in the way of barns and shel- ters, all of these testifying to his ability as a good farmer and successful stock-raiser. He has been very successful in all his op- erations and has some very superior cattle and stock, while his farm in every way compares favorably with any in the town- ship.

In 1866 Mr. Fox was married in But- ler county, Kansas, to Mrs. Lotta (Tim- mons ) Booker, the widow of James Booker, whose death occurred in 1872, leaving to his widow two children,-William J. Booker, of Colorado, and Mrs. Carrie E. Gillivan, of Ohio. Mrs. Fox was a daugh- ter of William Timmons, a much respected resident of Madison county, Ohio. where he died at the age of thirty-nine years. His children were as follows: Lotta, George. deceased. Edward, and Wesley, of King- man county. Mis. Fox was reared and edticated in her home in Madison county. Ohio, and came to Kansas in 1886. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fax. Royal Cecil, on January 13, 1887.

In political conviction Mr. Fox has been a lifelong Republican. He is an active and valued member of the G. A. R. and one of the leading members and generous sup- porters of the Christian church. Ilis char- acter is one which has won him the esteem of his community and he is an excellent representative type of the successful and contental ex -- Mier citizen of Kingman county.

LEWIS R. CADY.

Suck Honors as here is the pioneer in He dre tte eri of this sketch. who is a representative farmer and ja mint driver of Rice com. Kansas. Ne Cula at Fred at Little River, in the county mentioned, was Im in Recto- ty, Wisconsin. June 25. 1844. a son of Ly-

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man and Celia (Lezotte) Cady. His fa- ther was a native of the state of New York, and his mother was born in France, and they were married in the Empire state. Ly- man R. Cady was a descendant of an old and honored New England family which traces its lineage to Ireland and some mem- bers of which settled early in New York. Celia Lezotte was a daughter of Oliver and Elizabeth Lezotte. The father came at an early day from France to America an 1 made his home in the state of New York and served his adopted country in the war of 1812. Later he removed to Wisconsin, where he lived out the remainder of his days. In religion he was a devout Catholic. His children were named John, Lewis, Oliver, Celia. Elizabeth, Martha Emily, Jane and Mary. Lyman R. Cady had brothers and sisters as follows: A. B. Cady, who served his country through the war of the Rebellion with the rank of ad- jutant, and now lives in Oregon; Harmon Cady, of the state of New York; Benoni Cady, who is dead; Dr. R. C. Cady, who died in Nebraska; and Sarah, who is Mrs. L. Sabin.

Lyman R. Cady was born and reared in the state of New York. He was a shoe- maker by trade and conducted a boot and shoe store in Omro for twelve years. Late in life he became a farmer and cleared and improved a farm near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on which he died. He was a plain, honest man with no aspiration for public office or noteriety, but gave his time and atten- tion entirely to his home interests and pri- vate affairs. His wife, who survived him five years, was a consistent member of the Baptist church, as was also her husband. The following items concerning their chil- dren will be found of interest in this con- nection : Maria married P. Schaffer; Sarah married C. Clark; L. R. is the im- mediate subject of this sketch; Imogene married H. Beatte; Emily married J. M. McGuire: Daniel lives in Wisconsin; Stella married W. M. Samuelson; and Jo- seph lives in Colorado.

Lyman R. Cady was a member of Com- pany C, Fourteenth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and saw much hard

service in the Civil war, participating in many memorable and hotly contested bat- itles. At the battle of Corinth he received what was thought to be a mortal wound in the side of his head, but he was blessed with such a strong constitution and such splendid physical strength that after sev- eral pieces of bone had been removed from the wound he had sufficient vitality left to recover. After receiving an honorable dis- charge for disability he went home and there fully recovered his health, after which he rejoined his command and served with it continuously until the close of the war.

Lewis R. Cady was reared on his fa- ther's homestead in Wisconsin and early ac- quired a practical knowledge of farming and of the shoemaker's trade. Physically he was not a strong young man and he was not acceptable to the government as a vol- unteer soldier, but as a teamster he had much experience of war in Missouri, Ten- nessee and Mississippi. Returning to his home in Wisconsin he resumed his former occupations and after the death of his fa- ther cared for his mother during the re- mainder of her life. He worked at his trade during the winter months and ran a boat during the summer months, and for some years until 1878, when he went to Kansas, where. after spending some months in pros- pecting, he filed a homestead claim, in 1878, on land which is included in his present farm. He built a sod house and made some other improvements in order to hold his claim, and living a lonely bachelor life, be- gan farming in a small way, In 1880 he married and then began the struggle for worldly success in earnest. Though he long since provided a better habitation for him- self and family he retains the old sod house as a landmark on his farm to remind him of the happy days of his small beginnings. Not a very strong man. he developed the ability to manage well and, guided some- what by the counsel of his good wife, he gradually achieved a notable success. His farm is well improved and every acre of it is fenced with hedge and wire. He has a good orchard and the place is beautified with groves and trees. At this pleasant rural home, a mile southeast of Little River,

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he has done general farming and raised con- Sierabile stock and has prospered so we that he is regarded as one of the shi men of ai- toship. Politically he is a Repub lican, but he reserves the right to vote for my candidate regardless di party affilia- tion. He is one of those worthy members of the Masonic fraternity who endeavors to live up to the teachings of the order.

In 1880 Mr. Cady married Miss Jen- nie N. Putnam, a lady of much intelligence and culture, who has been to him a worthy companion and helpmeet. Mrs. Cady was born in Hardin county, Iowa, September II. 1849. a daughter of James D. and Dia- dema (Smith) Putnam, her father a na- tive of Kentucky, and her mother of Indi- ana. Mr. and Mrs. Putnam were married in Indiana and went to Arkansas, where they lived for four years. From Arkansas they removed to Illinois, where for a time Mr. Putnam was a merchant and later a farmer. From Illinois they removed to Iowa, and Mr. Putnam conducted a gen- eral store at Keokuk until 1879, when he went to Kansas and located a homestead in Ellsworth county. He improved a good farm and put it all under cultivation and Intilt on it a comfortable stone house, where he made his home until he removed late in life to Arkansas City, Kansas. Still later he made his home with his children until his death in 1897. Mrs. Putnam, now near- ly eighty years old, lives with a daughter in Oklahoma. Mr. Putnam was in his time meinly ag od business man, but a man of prominence, influential in the Democratic party, and while a resident of Illinois he filled several offices of honor and trust and many minor offices and was once elected county clerk of his county. From early in their lives he and his wife were worthy and consistent members of the Baptist church, to which faith Mrs. Putnam still adheres. Flowing is some interesting information concerning their children: Their son B. F. Putnam lives in Arkansas: Sarah E. died while young: Elizabeth A. married R. Wright : J. N. married L. R. Cady, the sub- ject of this sketch: W. B. is deceased : Rob- ert F. lives in Oklahoma: Daniel B. lives in the state of Washington ; Mary E. mar-

ried Rev. J. N. Kidd: Martha O. married Orlando Mccown: and Charles f. Lives in Kansas.

Lewis R. and Jennie N. (Putnam ) Cady have two children: Clara O., bor i July 9. 1883, and Lyman J., born July 4. 1888. Mrs. Cady is a consistent member of the Baptist church, toward the mainten- ance of which Mr. Cady is a liberal contrib- utor. He is known as a friend of popular education and all in all is a public-spirited citizen.

JOSEPH JAGGER.

Captain Joseph Jagger, of Blaine town- ship, Ottawa county, Kansas, whose post- office address is Minneapolis, and who has been prominent in local affairs since 1800. enjoys the distinction of being an English: man who fought for the preservation of the American Union in the Civil war of 1861-5.

Captain Jagger comes of a good all English family and was born in Yorkshire. July, 1820, a son of John Dowson Jagger. a cloth dresser and a man of honesty. in- dustry, morality and enterprise, who was of local importance and influence. Mr. Jag- ger's mother was Mary Bolon, asso a 1- tive of Yorkshire, and she died at the age of sixty-seven years. His father, who was a soldier under the Duke of Wellington in that great commander's operations against Napoleon, died at the advanced age er ninety-two years. They had two dangl. ters and three sons. Mr. Jagger - Brother Edward died in England in 1899. His sis- ter. Mrs. Fannie Rogers, a widow, lives in Buffalo, New York. His sister, Mrs. Sar: 1 Crossly lives at Leavenworth, Kansas. IF: brother John came to the United States ... the age of eighteen and settled at Alton, Illinois.

The subject of this sketch was carly co- ployed in the dyeing and finishing works of dress grands, in which business he became a foreman at the age of twenty-one. He was empi ved at such work in England until 1849. when he went to Belgium, being lo- catel near Brussels, where he followed his vocation. In 1854 he moved to France to

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follow his occupation and was located near Lille. In 1856 he returned to England ; in 1857 he came to the United States on board the City of Washington, one of the steamers plying between Liverpool and New York, arriving in New York thirteen days after his embarkation. He remained for a short time with his brother-in-law in Boston and after that lived for a few months in Canada. In 1858 he went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he remained for a few weeks, then moved up the Missouri river by boat to Leavenworth, Kansas. The country was then new and in many sections of the now populous state Indians were more numerous than white men and in nearly all parts buffaloes and lesser wild animals abounded. Mr. Jagger was em- ployed as occasion offered until the out- break of the Civil war, when he enlisted in a Kansas company which was organized to guard the fort at Leavenworth against an anticipated attack by rebels. August 27, 1861. he enlisted in Company A. Eighth Kan- sas Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel John A. Martin, afterward governor of Kansas. His company commander was Captain Abernathy. He served with that regiment for nearly two years and made a good rec- ord as a soldier. He was then discharged for promotion in the Twelfth Regiment United States Colored Troops, in which he served with great credit until January 20. 1866, winning the commendation of his superiors as a brave soldier and able offi- cer. He fought with his company in the battle of Nashville.

Captain Jagger was married during the war to Catharine Elizabeth Nall, a patriotic southern girl, who was born near Nash- ville, Tennessee, a daughter of William Nall, a native of that state, and a niece of two soldiers of the war of 1812. Mr. Nall, who was of English descent, married Isa- belle Laughlin, of Scotch-Irish descent, who was born in Indiana. He was a farmer and a man of enterprise and influence, a Republican and a member of the Baptist church. He and his wife both died in Ten- nessee, at the age of ninety and seventy- nine years, respectively. They had children as follows: John; Linden: Joseph; Rufus ;

William, who died at the age of six years; James, who lives at Gainesville, Texas; Andrew Jackson; Catharine Elizabeth, who married Mr. Jagger; Mary, who became Mrs. Taylor; and Frances, who became Mrs. Brown.

In 1866 Mr. Jagger took up a home- stead, to which he has added until he now owns three hundred and twenty acres. Now, at the age of eighty-one years, he is so well preserved that he appears to be fif- teen years younger and his military bear- ing is often remarked. He has been an ex- tensive traveler and a close observer and is a diligent reader of good literature, both English and French. His pleasant home is noted for its generous hospitality and he is honored as a pioneer, a soldier and that noblest work of God, an honest man. Mrs. Jagger, who has been to her husband a most worthy helpmeet, shares with him the hon- ors of his advancing years. They have four children, named as follows in the order of their nativity: Minnie E., who is a pop- ular and successful teacher, well known in the educational circles of Ottawa county; and Rufus Sidney, Joseph Frederick and George Charles, the last mentioned of whom is twenty-one years of age, are mem- bers of their father's household. Captain Jagger is a Republican, heartily in accord with the purposes and policy of his party. Joseph Frederick Jagger is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

ALBERT WAGNER.

A resident of Bennington township. Al- bert Wagner has for many years been prom- inently identified with the agricultural in- terests of his locality, and has contributed materially to the advancement and progress of the county through this channel. He is a well informed man. possessed of broad general information, and in his nature there is nothing narrow or contracted. He has a spirit that, while devoted to his commun- itv. is liberal enough to recognize and ap- preciate advancement and progress in any other part of the world. All who know

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him esteem him highly for his genuine worth, and it is with p'easare that we presen: the record of his life to our read- ers. Born near Berlin, in Prussia, on the 17th of October, 1838, he was reared as a shepherd boy, and his early edu- cation was received in his native coun- try. He is a son of William and Villa- melia ( Sents ) Wagner, who were also born near Berlin and were there married. The father was a son of William Wagner, Sr., also a native of that place and a weaver by trade. The Wagner family for several gen- erations have resided near Berlin and were among the higher class of German citizens. The grandfather of our subject served in the army with Bonepart for thirteen years, and after the close of his military career he located at his native place, where he reared his family and there spent his remaining days. He had two sons .- William and Fre lerick.

William Wagner, the father of our sub- ject, was a professional shepherd, and in m early life had charge of the flocks of a lord. receiving as his share of the pr fits one-half of the fleece. This proved a very remunerative business, and he con- tinted its operation for many years, but in 1856 he bade farewell to the home of his ruth and sailed for the United States. After his arrival in the new world he lo- etted in Wisconsin, where he purchased a small farm, and there spent his remaining days, having been called to the home be- vinden the 23d of January, 1874. He was a man of broad intelligence, was strictly fair and honorable in all his dealings and his life was above reproach. His wife sur- vived him for a number of years, passing away February 22, 1880. Both were con- sistent members of the Reformed church. All of their children came to America. namely: Fredericka, who became Mrs. D. Reberg, and her death occurred in Kan- sas: Albert., whose name introduces this review: Augusta, the wife of W. Rebery . Mrs. Wilhelmina Usadel: Crystal, now Mrs. F. Richter ; and William, who resides at Homestead. Wisconsin.

Albert Wagner spent the days of his boyhood and youth assisting his father in

the care of his large flecks of sheep, and when sixteen years of age, in 1855, he can.e to America with his sister. After their ar- rival in New York they continued the jour- Hey to Wisconsin, where our subject ar- rived without means, but he immediately sought employment as a farm hand, and for two years was employed as a day labor- er. After two years spent in that state work became scarce and in order to secure further employment Mr. Wagner removal to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and there he en- gaged in chepping cord wood. From that point he went to Illinois, where he was em- played as a farm hand until 1859, and in that year he came to Kansas, locating at Kiley City, there finding employment with a butcher, receiving in compensation for his services his board and washing. In the following spring he became a partner in the business and located at Junction City, where he remained for three years. In the mean- time, in 1863, he was married and pre- empted a claim near Solomon City, but after making some improvements thereon he abandoned the claim and in 1864 came to Inte Solomon valley, in Ottawa county. After the homestead law was enacted he filed a claim, and now has a well improved and fertile farm. When he came to the valley he was lord of all he surveyed, as at that time there was no one here to dispute his right, and he made a fine selection of land in the valley, which contained some native timber, and here he laid the founda- tion for his present prosperity. At that time many Indians inhabited this portion of the state. and, although apparently friendly, they were always ready to steal. Game . all kinds was plentiful, and wild beasts roamed at will over the country. After the che of the Civil war, however, emigrants began fucking to this fertile district, ar son the ch ice lands were claimed. In that early day their supplies were obtained at Junction City, it requiring over a week to make the journey, but as time passed the country became more thickly settled, and after the establishment of Salina and Junc- tion City the settlers were permitted to en- joy more of the conveniences of city life. Mr. Wagner has made many substantial

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improvements on his farm, and as the years passed lie was enabled to add to his landed possessions until his homestead now con- tains over five hundred acres, and in 1893 he purchased one hundred and thirty-five acres of land two miles west of Bennington, in River valley, and there he now makes his home. He has a fine two-story farm residence, large barns and outbuildings, a beautiful grove and orchard, and a large vineyard. In 1900 he also became the owner of three hundred and twenty acres, thus making his landed possessions to consist of ten hundred and forty-five acres, all in Ben- nington township. For many years he has manufactured wine for. home use. In addi- tion to the raising of the cereals best adapt- ed to this soil and climate he was also ex- tensively engaged in stock raising, but he now rents most of his land and is enjoying the rest which he has truly earned and so richly deserves. He is a stockholder in the Bennington Bank. Mr. Wagner is now classed among the wealthy and influential citizens of the county, but all that he has is the result of unremitting toil and perse- verance. He came to America a poor boy, a stranger in a strange land, and his lot seemed a hard one, but he heroically set to work to win for himself a name and place among the representative citizens of his adopted land, and success has abundantly rewarded his well directed efforts.

Mr. Wagner was first married in 1863, to Mrs. Maria Ulrich, who was born in Prussia. September 4, 1834. She was mar- ried in her native land, and with her hus- Land she emigrated to America, locating in Wisconsin, where her husband died. She afterward came to Junction City, Kansas, where she became the wife of our subject, and she proved to him a loving companion and helpmate on the journey of life, shar- ing with him in all the deprivations and hardships of frontier life in Solomon Val- ley. Death claimed her on the 22d of Feb- ruary. 1887, passing away at the age of fifty-six years. She was reared in the Lu- theran faith, remaining true to its teach- ings during her entire life. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner had no children of their own, but they reared two orphan children, one of

whom is married and for a number of years resided at the old homestead. Seven years after the death of his first wife Mr. Wag- ner was again married, Mrs. Emma Mei- rose becoming his wife. She was born November 9, 1857, in St. Louis, Missouri, a daughter of Leonard and Anna MI. ( Smith) Seiberth, the father a native of Bayern and the mother of Hessen, Germany. They were married in St. Louis, where the father was connected with the brewery business. His death occurred at the early age of thirty-four years, leaving a wife and four children,-Emma, who became the wife of our subject; Henry, who was killed in a railway accident; George, a resident of St. Louis, Missouri: and Otilla, widow of W. Scott. who was formerly a merchant of St. Louis and afterward of Seattle, Wash- ington, and after his death his widow re- turned to St. Louis. After the death of her first husband Mrs. Seiberth married William Zehms, a native of Germany, and he was also engaged in the brewery busi- ness in St. Louis, his death there occurring in 1894, leaving two children,-Augusta, now Mrs. E. Luebert, and William, a resi- dent of St. Louis. The mother was called to her final rest on the 15th of November. 1896. Mrs. Wagner became the wife of Henry Meirose in St. Louis, Missouri, but that marriage proved an unhappy one and separation followed. They had two chil- dren .- George, who was born May 7, 1891. and Martha. born on the Ioth of Decem- ber. 1892, and both are now living with their mother. By her marriage with our subject she has become the mother of two children .- Albert, born September 7. 1890. and Harry, born February II, 1901. Mrs. Wagner is a member of the Evangelical church. In his political relations Mr. Wag- ner is identified with the Democracy. The cause of education has ever found in him a warm friend, and for thirteen years he was a member of the school board, and has also filled other minor public offices. Hc is honorable in his business dealings, loyal in citizenship, faithful in friendship and his fidelity to duty in all the relations of life has gained him the respect and good will of all who know him.

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A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 88

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