A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 90

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 90

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Chi -- he Im was her Messed with one son : Claud, who was born August 24, 1869, and is now engaged in farming. He married Miss AAnna Humphrey, and they have two chil- dren. In his social relations Mr. Chisholm of this review is a Mason, belonging to the lodge in Chase. He is also a member of the Methodist church and his wife belongs to the Christian church. In politics he is a Democrat and takes an active and com- mendalle interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his community. He has filled some local offices, including those of township trustee and assessor, has been four times justice of the peace, and has also filled the position of school treasurer, dis- charging every duty with promptness and fidelity. He is a broad-minded, intelligent citizen. a conservative, reliable business man, and in all life's relations commands the confidence and regard of all with whom he has been associated.

FRANCIS P. MAGUIRE.

This progressive farmer and stockman is of Irish ancestry in both lines of descent. and was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, March 28. 1849. James M. Maguire. his father, was born in Richland county, Ohio. January IO. 1818, and was a place. tain and farmer.

James Maguire, the grandfather i the subject of this sketch, and the

James M. Maguire, came to America with his parents from Ireland when he years old. and grew to manhood and was married in Richland camp. 005. Mi- was an Irish gist whe, with her parents. the been a passenger on the same vessel that had brought over the Maguires. Except dur-

ing the two years spent in Pennsylvania. he lived in Richland county all his life. Jing near Ashland. The family of Magning is a wealthy one. and Mr. Maguire . ance-tr- owned large estates near Dul'in. uncle of our subject, who has recently vis- ited Ireland, believes that there is pr centy there to the value of at least a half a mil- 1b #: dollars, to which the Maguires of Amer- ica are entitled.

Grandfather Maguire had seven . of whom James M. was the fifth in easier of nativity. The following facts of cermming them will be of interest in this contexti :: David, who was a cettea speculator at Now Orleans. Lesistand died in ISSO, leaving a fair property, including eighteen hundred bales of cotton. Before the war of the Ke- bellion Hugh had Icated in South Car - lina, and some time after hostitties were ::: progress was impressol into the Checkmate service as a ship carpenter, and whit ri ing the wheel of a val was killed i . crashed by the machinery in which ;.. caught upon the anos tol starting boat. Sarah and Jane died in ti the latter in Virginia. Mary died in child- bol in Ohio. John N .. what is im- pressed into the Comiclente & # 8 ship carpenter, died in the sail of h.c. aring the Civil war. His wife. at New Orleans, heard of his illness to hastened to him, only to reach hin am death, and when she asked to -ce was ordered away by a Confederat.

who menaced her with a leveled but she ignored him and, in spin- threat, fulfilled her sad mission.

James M. Maguire was a member .. hvis father's henschel until he was rightout Har ol, then entered upon an app ship to the tracks

I .... Penalvania, and having mastered i worked at it i: out years, and during the ensuing ten years he divide: his time between his trade and piloting. fle was married at Pittsburg. Pennsylvania. alu: 1815. to Elizabeth Pluncatt, who was born in that city March 6, 1823. a daughter of Francis and Elizabeth Platt. - - ther of Irish, her mother & Grem

1310

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

traction. Mrs. Maguire's father came from Ireland at the age of six years, and became a publisher of books at Pittsburg, and his wife and their daughter, Elizabeth (mother of the subject of this sketch) were operatic singers of ability and reputation, the latter who had a remarkable voice and a very pleasing stage presence, having been prom- inently before the public for nine years. When Mr. Maguire gave up piloting and ship carpentering he removed with his wife and their three children to Richland county, ; Ohio, where he bought a farm of one hun- dred and nine acres, sixteen acres of which was cleared, on which they lived eleven years, Mr. Maguire working as a carpen- ter as opportunity offered, but gave his at- tention mostly to improving his farm. At the expiration of that time he removed to ! Warren county, Illinois, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved prai- rie land in the southeast corner, near the junction of that county with Knox and Ful- ton counties. Nearly all of that land was broken and put under cultivation by the sub- ject of this notice, and the father lived on it until his death, which occurred January IO, 1873, when it was a well improved and valuable farm. His noble and talented wife survived him until January 5. 1878. Mr. Maguire was an honest, upright man who discharged every obligation with the ut- meist fidelity and stood high in the esteem of all who knew him. In politics he was Democratic, and he was a member of the Catholic church. He had five children, four 1 of whom are living. His son, William, a | born in Tennessee about 1818. died in Ken- prominent farmer and stock-raiser, lives on section 22, Haven township. Francis P. is the second son. Michael, who was the last of the family to leave the home. was for eight years a guard on a steamboat plying on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, after- ward worked at carpentering, then located at Kansas City, Missouri, where he was em- pleyel in a marble works until his death. in 1879. For twenty-two years John has been a prosperous farmer in Pottawattamie county. Iowa. James is a farmer mer Sioux City, Iowa.

Until he was fifteen years old Francis

P. Maguire worked on his father's farm in Richland county, Ohio, and attended school near his home. He went with his father's family to Warren county, Illinois, and re- mained there until 1873. Then, in com- pany with his brothers. William and Mich- ael, and a neighbor, he went with a team to Reno county, Kansas, arriving October 6. He bought a soldier's claim to the land on which he lived for many years, the south- :west one-fourth of section 10, in Haven township, and his brother William traded the team for another claim, south of the one described, which is still his home. He and Michael returned to Illinois, Francis remaining on his claim, and in the spring of 1874 William returned, bringing Francis' team, but soon one of the horses died and the other was sold. Mr. Maguire, of this review, broke forty acres in the summer of 1874 and forty more in the summer of 1876. In the year last mentioned he went back to Illinois and worked in Fulton coun- ty until the fall of 1878. During the suc- ceeding three years he had a home under the roof of his brother William, and devoted himself to improving and cultivating his farm.

November 3, 1881, Mr. Maguire mar- ried, at Hutchinson, Kansas, Nancy A. Chrisman, a daughter of William S. and Elizabeth R. (Redmen) Chrisman. Mr. Chrisman lived in Kentucky all of his life, locating after his-marriage in Pulaski coun- ty, where he farmed until his death, which occurred about 1875. His wife, who was tucky, September 5. 1871. Of their twelve children Mrs. Maguire was the eighth in or- der of birth. The first, a boy, died in in- fancy. Susannah married the Rev. Joseph Ballou of the Christian church, who is preaching and farming at Stanford. Ken- tucky. Mary, who never married, died in Kentucky in March. 1893. Ducella lives at Hutchinson. Kansas. with her brother, Fran- cis R., who is a member of the real-estate firm of Moore & Chrisman. Isaac died in Kentucky aged seven years. Jennette died in Kentucky aged nineteen years. Lucy married Edward Capron, a mining man who

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

lives at Spokane, Washington. John, who is a jeweler and optician, lives at Ami-ten. Alabama. William died in infancy, and an- other of the same name died at the age of four years. All of Mrs. Maguire's broth- ers and sisters who grew to maturity were teachers, with the sale exception of leon. Lucy, now Mrs. Capron, was educated at Hutchinson, and was a teacher until her marriage, which was celebrated with that of her sister and Mr. Maguire. Nancy A. was educated in the public schools of Pulaski county, Kentucky, and taught two terms. of five months cach, in that case. In the spring of 1855. with her bir ther John and her sisters Duccla and Ines, she went to Hutchinson. Kansas, and in the fall of that ver recante a student at the state formal school there, but her studies were interrup- ted by the burning of the school building. After that she taught two years, then was for a year at the state university. at Law- rence. Kansas, and after that she taught three years, or, until her marriage.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ma- guire located on his farm, on which he Imilt a two-tom house in the winter of 1881. as well as a stable covering a ground space vi i fricen iy thing -two feet, the latter to water fra-two head of cattle which height in Tramidin commit. as a begin- ning to his successful career as a stock- ratser. He gradually enlarged his herd. angl sin hal about three hundred head of fine cattle, which were looked after by a hired herder, while Mr. Maguire continued to improve his farm. In 1883 Mr. Ma- guire bought a quarter section of new prai- rie railroad land in Castleton township, which in 1885 he fenced, using it as a pas- ture until 1896. when he played the south eighty acres, which he devoted to wheat- growing. Though he is now prospering well, he has not forgotten some of the hard- ships and discouragements of his early days in Kansas. In 1874. when he had a ut thirty-five acres of land under cultiva n. mostly devoted to corn, of which he had eighty-three shocks cut. and the rest . i which he was cutting, the grasshoppers do- scended upon his place in such numbers that

they literally drove him away. aol 1 0 ouly his fodder ant mis stapling about every growing theng cn the t' !! acres, from which he realized only two messes of roasting que be in- The hugs and chicken gurgel allem die of the insects until a or that the : all not touch then. In 1855 Mr. Magnire fenced his home farm with barbed wire. He set out on the place one hundred and fity fruit trees, and three years ago he built a thirty-by-forty-font lam and a muscle- sixteen-foot granary, the latter having a capacity of twelve hundred bushels, the im costing i ur hundred and twenty dollars. In 1080 he built a nine-room house af :11 (\- pense of eight hundred dollars, which has a good collar and is finished in .il. He ienced off several small enclosures, includ- ing a six-acre rve lot and an crehar !. pl not the least noteworthy of the import- ments on his farm was a good wind pump. In March, 2002. be purchased and removed to an unimproved farm of forty deres i in- ing the city of Hutchinson, on which he has created a ning room residence and two good barns, in addition to many other im- provenientes necessary for the convenience of a home and stock. He has twenty me head of a good grade of Shortkern catt'e and a herd of seventy -five recitorel i - land-China hogs. He began raising Plan! Chinas in a small way -achen cars des and has gradually increased his herd to its present dimensions goal is To 1 of the leading breeders of the state. hend is headed by the fansens "1 Kiem." sired by "Perfect I Know."

first and sweepstake prizes at the Omaha Exposition. Mr. Maguire . vearly skaties amount to about seventy-five head. which go to various print- in Kansas auml Ok !- homa, and he is megmiel as the best autor- itv on the breeding f P land China hog- in bis court of the -te. He is a member :d wis for the years a director of the Sex Swine Breeders Association, has been ir six years a member of the Improvel S. ck Breeders' Association and for a like pel of the Standard Breeders' Association: has been a member of the State Board of Agri-

1312

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

culture for five years and for four years . local correspondent for the agricultural de- partment of Washington, District of Column- bia. He is the owner of fifteen volumes of the Standard Poland China Record for the years 1887 to 1901 inclusive and for years has been the most active man in Kansas as an organizer of farmers' institutes and is a stockholder in the Central Fair Association at Hutchinson and in the town hall at Cas- tleton.

In politics Mr. Maguire is a Democrat, adhering to the principles of his party in all national controversies but believing in the theory that local offices should be filled with the best men available without undue regard to their political affiliation. He has been for sixteen years a member of the township school board, serving nine years as clerk and seven years as treasurer of that body. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church at Castleton and of the Fraternal Aid Association. He inherited much musical ability from his mother and her family and has been a choir singer for twenty-five years and for twelve years a. chorister of his church. Mrs. Maguire is also a musician of ability and during the first fifteen years of their married life the two taught chorus classes about four nights a week the year around, Mr. Maguire giv- ing the principal instruction, while Mrs. Maguire trained altos and sopranos. Mr. Maguire is also a teacher of the violin, which he has played at public entertain- ments for thirty-five years, and his wife, who is a thorough organist, has won con- siderable reputation as a teacher of that instrument. Their daughter Vida plays the organ and guitar and gives instruction on the last named instrument. Their daughter Lucy died December 12, 1890.

F. W. KOONS, M. D.

F. W. Koons, a leading physician and surgeon of Chase, Kansas, is a native of the state of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Wayne county, that state, on the 30th of March, 1872. He is a son of Simon W.

and Minerva (Grady) Koons, both natives of the Buckeye state, where they were mar- ried. The paternal grandfather, John Koons, was a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent, and was a farmer by occu- pation. He reared a large family of sons and daughters, and during the Black Hawk war he served under William H. Harrison. Simon W. Koons was reared in the state of his nativity, and there learned the car- penter's trade, following that occupation as a means of livelihood for many years and also engaged in teaching school. He remained in Ohio until 1877, when he came to Kansas, locating a homestead claim in Rice county, where he improved a good farm and where he vet resides. Since e an- ing to this state he has also worked at his trade and taught school, in addition to fol- lowing farming and stock-raising. In later life, however, his sons have had charge of the farm, and he has devoted his time to the operation of threshing machines, running two machines during the threshing season. He is an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party and takes a deep interest in the political issues and questions of the day, and yet has never been an aspirant for public honors. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Minerva Grady, is a daughter of John Grady, a native of Penn- sylvania and a descendant of an aristo- cratic Irish family. He subsequently lo- cated in Ohio, and in 18844 became a resi- dent of Kansas, purchasing a good farm in Rice county, where he successfully followed agricultural pursuits for many years. His death occurred in April, 1901. He was a member of the Reformed church. His chil- dren are: Minerva, the mother of our sub- ject : Lodema: William W .. now deceased ; Ida, now Mrs. E. M. Black; and D. W ., who resides on the old homestead. Six children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Koons, namely: F. W., the subject of this review: Nola, the wife of B. Burroughs ; Callie, now Mrs. W. A. Coldwater : Guy G., who is operating the home farm; and Lela and Bryson, who are yet at home. The par- ents are consistent and worthy members of the United Brethren church.

F. N. K Loone Kg.

1313

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

F. W. Koons, whose name initiates this review, came with his parents to Kansas when five years of age, and was reared bu manhood on a farm in Rice county, acquir- ing bis early education in the common schools. While on the home farm, and when vet in his 'teens, he began reading medicine. When twenty-two years of age he continued his studies under Dr. True- heart. of Sterling, who continued as his preceptor for two years, and during that time he accompanied the Doctor on many of his professional calls, thus largely adding to his knowledge. On the expiration ci that period Mr. Koons matriculated in the Kansas City Medical College, where he took three courses, and was graduated in that in- stitution in 1898. He soon afterward lo- cated at Conway, McPherson county, Kan- sas, where he engaged in the practice of his profession, remaining there until October,

sas. and immediately established himself in practice. He is a skilled and efficient rep- resentative of his chosen calling and faith- fuily performs each duty as it comes to him. He enjoys a prosperous and constantly growing patronage, which extends for many miles throughout the country. He owns a beautiful residence in Chase, and there hospitality reigns supreme.

In Rice county, Kansas, in October. 1899. was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Koons and Miss Alberta Talbott, a woman of refined taste and culture. She was born in Indiana, in 1876, a daughter of Albert R. and Sarah (Newman) Talbott, both natives of Indiana, in which state they were mar- ried. In 18844 they came to Kansas and for many years he successfully carried on farm- ing in Rice county, but he is now retired from the active cares of life, making his home in Sterling. While in Indiana he owner and operated a fleur-mill. He is of English descent. and his paternal grand- father was an English 1 nl. Three chil- dren were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Talhett. namely: Fannabell, who died when young : Aller, the wife of our subject: and Frank, who is engaged in farming in Okla- homa. The wife and mother departed this

life in Indiana, and Mr. Talbott was again married, his second union being with Julia Latham, and they have two children, -- Al- bert, a representative of the dental profes- sion, and May, yet at home.

In his social relations Dr. Koons is a member of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. . He is a man of scholarly thetes and. studious habits, and by his perusal of the leading medical journals and text books he keeps tis roughly abreast with the latest dis- coveries and the ries advanced in connec- tion with the science of medicine and is very successful in applying these to the needs of ins professional work.

HENRY P. MILLER.

The dairy interests of the country sur- To00. In that year 'he came to Chase, Kan- rounding Hutchinson, Reno county, Kan- Sas, are under-going rapid development -. and one of the most enterprising mit ters is Henry P. Miller, whose residence is at No. 20 East Tenth street, Hutchinson. Mr. Miller was born near Mount Clem- mens, McComb county, Michigan, June 4. 1850, a son of Daniel B. Miller, and a grandson of Simon Miller. Simon Miller. of Scotch descent. moved to Michigan with his family and was one of the pioneers in that state. Daniel B. Miller, who was born near Buffalo, New York, January 18. 182 !. was only a boy when his father removed to Michigan. He was twice married, first to Betsy Stone, which re hing senegal Clinton, who took up his life work in Tex nessee. Some time after the death of his first wife, about 1845, Mr. Miller was 11:"- riedl to Lois B. Tites, a native .f Ver. ment and a daughter . f R Ver rr! Marian (Lee) Titus, native- reagindo af Ver mont and New York. Robert Titus served his country in the war of IN12.

Daniel B. Miller des iel Himself in irming in Michigan until 1865, when he bought and improved a farm of one hun- Bed and sixty acres and there lived until IS-I. when he sold his land there and re-

1314

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

moved to Reno county, Kansas, within the borders of which he put up the first resi- dence. He made the journey from Illinois by wagon, bringing with him his family and their available household effects. 11c pre-empted the north one fourth of section 12. township 23, range 6, now in the very heart of the city of Hutchinson, and his son Henry P. Miller, pre-empted the southeast one-fourth of the same section, which lies wholly within the presents limits of Hutch- inson. The elder Miller engaged in farm- ing and later quite extensively in real-estate and loan operations. When he located at Hutchinson there was nothing there but wild prairie land, no town had been staked out and there was no indication that one ever would be at that point, but he lived to see a flourishing city grow up about him and profit legitimately by the enterprise which he had begun. He died December I, IS92. honored by all who had known him. In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party, but he was not active in political work.

Daniel B. and Lois B. (Titus) Miller had five children, who will be here men- ti ned in the order of their birth, and all 1mt oneif wh m survive. Their eldest son, Sidney Miller, is married and lives at Hutchinson, where he is in business as a huckster. Henry P. Miller, their second son, is the immediate subject of this sketch. Their daughter Elizabeth married M. L. Frase. of Newton, Kansas. Their daugh- ter Ollie is the wife of Charles Ramsey, of Kansas City. Their daughter Celeste died in Michigan. Henry P. Miller received a common-school education in Michigan and worked on his father's farm there and in Illinois, while later he came with him to Kansas, in 1871, and took up land at Hutchinson, as has already been stated. In 1872 he platted and added to Hutchin- son the tract which became known as the Miller and Smith's addition. For a num- lwer of years he farmed quite extensively and was an active dealer in real estate, handling both farm and city property. He owned one farm in McPherson county and three farms in Reno county, and erected

many buildings at Hutchinson. Later he sold all his farm and city property and in 1887 built his residence at Hutchinson, where for the past seven years he has been extensively engaged in dairying. Begin- ning with about a dozen cows he has in- creased his business until it now requires twenty cows, and many of them are fine pedigreed Jerseys, and all are high grade Jerseys. For some of them he has paid as high as one hundred and seventy-five dol- lars each. He does a profitable and grow- ing business in supplying milk to the city trade.

In September, 1872, Henry P. Miller married Alice Hobson, of Hutchinson, a daughter of B. J. Hobson, who was one of the pioneers of Hutchinson, but who was born in Virginia. Mrs. Miller's mother, Elizabeth ( Watson) Hobson, was a native of Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Hobson have five children, Daniel B., of Portland, Ore- gen : and Mary, Lois, Harry and Samuel, who are members of their parents' house- holl. Harry and Samuel are dealing in Belgian hares. They have made several sales and usually have from twelve to twenty fine animais on hand. Mr. Miller is a public spirited citizen who always does his part toward the development of local interests and who for his enterprise and his progressiveness, no less than for his hon- orable business methods, is held in high es- teem by all who know him.

SAMUEL CLUTTER.

In no department of human endeavor are character and business ability more essential to success than in farming. A good reputation is splendid capital in any business and to be a successful farmer one must develop ability not only to produce good crops and to market them advantage- ously but to handle a farm judiciously. In Kansas the era of scientific farming was ushered in some time ago and one of the best exponents of successful farming in Rice county is Samuel Clutter, of Little

1315

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

River. He is a native of Fairfield county, Who received a fair education in the com- When sono and has given his life to all Ht Mgent study of agriculture.

Mr. Clutter was born March 4, 1822, a son of Stephen and Sarah ( Tester ) Clut- ter. natives of West Virginia, but they were married in Ohio. Stephen Clutter's father was Samuel Clutter, and he married a Miss Workman. both of whom were born in Virginia. When quite young Miss Workman and one of her sisters were captured by In- dians, but some time afterward the former was restored to her parents, but no intelli- gence of the fate of her sister was ever re- ceived. Samuel Clutter was a farmer and mechanic, who without being "a jack of all trades" was able to do almost anything with tea is. Eventually he located in Hock- ing county, Ohio, where he lived out his days and died honored by all who had known him. His children were named : John, Margaret, Esther, Benjamin, Amos, Priscilla. Samuel, Nancy, Mary and Stephen. The latter was the father of the subject of this sketch.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A biographical history of central Kansas, Vol. II, Part 90

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