USA > Kansas > Barton County > Biographical History of Barton County, Kansas > Part 24
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WILLIAM H. BOWMAN
W ILLIAM H. BOWMAN was born Feb- 1847,
ruary 27, near Annapolis, Crawford County, Illinois. He was raised on a farm and came to Barton County in October, 1873. He located on the southeast quarter of section 34, township 15, range 20, which adjoins the townsite of Pawnee Rock on the east. Since that time he has added to his holdings at different times until he and his sons now own, 2,200 acres of land in the vicinity of Pawnee Rock. Mr. Bowman was married April 26, 1868, in Illinois to Miss Cacepine Schammahorn, and they are the par- ents of six children as follows: W. Walter, 13 years of age, is farming in Pawnec County about two miles from Pawnee Rock; Richard H., 36 years of age, is farming near town; John E., 32 years of age, lives in Pawnee Rock and is now mayor of the town; Earl J., 30 years of age, lives in town as does Ross G., 28 years of age, and Ivy Grace, 21 years of age. Mr. Bowman has deeded a great deal of his land to his children who have the active manage- ment of their father's holdings. In 1878 he,
together with his brother, Eli Bowman, and Aaron Garverick, built a flouring mill in Pawnee Rock and was in the milling and grain business, with the exception of one year, until 1887; he was elected as a member of the first city council of the city of Pawnee Rock and has served as a member of the school board. He now lives permanently in town and owns a modern six room residence, on north Main street and also owns other town property and is a stock holder and director in the Farmers' and Merchants' Statc Bank, and owns stock in the local Farmers' Elevator, the Farmers' & Merchants' Telephone Co., and the Electric Light, Ice & Power Co. He has always taken an active interest in the progress of Pawnee Rock and vicinity and has had a great deal to do with the upbuilding of the town and the de- velopment of that section of the county. In addition to his Pawnee Rock holdings and farming interests in this county Mr. Bowman also has property in other states, but lie always counts Kansas as his home and Pawnec Rock as his place of residence.
HENRY SMITH EVERITT
A MONG the first settlers of Barton County the name of Henry Smith Everitt, of "Evergreen Farm," eight miles west of Great Bend, should be enrolled, because he se- lected this for a residence place in September, 1874. He was born near Magnolia, Lasalle County, Illinois, on January 3, 1845, and until his eighteenth year assisted his father on the farm and attended the public schools of the neighborhood. In 1864 he enlisted for a term of three years as a private in Company H, 104th Illinois Infantry, and after a trying ser- vice of one year and six months was discharg- ed at the termination of the civil war. During that time he passed through the Atlanta cam-
paign and followed Sherman on his March to the Sca, and has preserved an interesting diary of the movements, marches, skirmishes and happenings of his command during several weeks of that period, and cherishes it as a sacred relic of the times. After his discharge he returned to his former home and resumed farming until coming to Barton County in 1874; when he bought three hundred and twen- ty acres from the Santa Fe Railway Company, and paid five dollars per acre, on eleven years' time. In 1909 he purchased an additional ad- joining forty acres at $50 per acre and at this time owns and farms three hundred and sixty acres. The whole is improved and in a high
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OF BARTON COUNTY, KANSAS
state of cultivation, and the residence, barn, and other buildings are ample for a farm of its size. Tree culture seems to have been an im- portant feature when this place was first set-
taken in infancy, and a daughter, Elizabeth Rebecca, wife of David Ewing, on June 29, 1911. William Everitt, who married Miss Myr- tle Lloyd, resides on the northeast quarter of
Home and Family of Henry S. Everitt
tled, and Mr. Everitt is now enjoying the fruits of his labor in a magnificent park which sur- rounds the home.
In February, 1869, Henry S. Everitt and Miss Elizabeth Ann Lewis, both of La Salle County, Illinois, were united in marriage at the bride's home in that county. Six children were born, but only two survive. Three were
the same section, and George Nathan Everitt, who married Miss Anna Christianson, resides in Comanche County, Kansas.
Mrs. Elizabeth A. Everitt, the mother and wife, departed this life on February 24, 1906, and is buried in the Everitt cemetery, near the residence.
ANDREW GEIL
T HE country home of Andrew and Eva Florence Wallace Geil, "Westlawn Farm," takes its name from the beauti- ful park and lawn which surrounds the resi- dence, a two story frame standing in the cen- ter, and is approached by pedestrians by a walkway bordered by sweet scented flowers, while rose bushes and ornamental plants and shrubs adorn the grass covered lawn. Two cir- cuitous driveways enter from either side and wind their way to the rear, and there become roads extending into the farm. In the rear are the barns, granary, tool sheds and other buildings, and windmills fanning the air. Then the farm is seen with its golden wheat and oats; its green corn, and meadows of alfalfa and native grasses, where horses and cattle graze, calves and colts, gamble, and fat swine mosey about. The gray coat of the house and the carmine of the outbuildings contrasts so well with the foliage of the trees and growing crops that they lend animation and enliven the picture. But when one enters and finds all the comforts of a city home he is impressed with the culture and refinement of the inmates,
and the success of their venture on a Kansas homestead.
The home place of Andrew Geil contains two hundred and forty acres and is in a high state of cultivation. The soil is good and it produces good crops. The buildings, imple- ments and stock on the farm are all in good condition and prove that the controlling spir- it has his soul in his work. He both farms and breeds stock, and has designed his farm with this end in view. He also owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Rozel, Paw- nee County, which is occupied by a tenant.
Andrew Geil was born in Keokuk County, Iowa, on February 2nd, 1860, and came to Bar- ton County, Kansas, in 1878, accompanied by his parents, Jacob and Louise Geil, who made their home on Walnut creek in Clarence township. He at first assisted his parents in their farm work, then was a renter and later purchased land. He was married on September 28, 1888, to Miss Eva Florence Wallace, form- erly of near Bedford, Iowa, and they are the parents of ten interesting children. They are all at home with their parents.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Home of Andrew Geil
WILLIAM OTTE
T HE home of William Otte is located one and one-fourth miles south of Heizer and the farm covers two hundred and sixty acres of choice farming lands. It was
prove the soil to be fertile and in a high state of cultivation, and that the ruling spirit is a past master of agriculture.
William Otte was born in Hanover, Ger-
Residence of William Otte and Family
originally high, rolling prairie, but has been transformed into one of the most habitable places in Barton County. The house, barn and other improvements are all modern and at- tractive, and there is sufficient timber to light the landscape with green. The growing crops
many, September 3rd, 1848, and came to Amer- ica in 1868, when he was twenty years of age, and settled first in Rock County, Wisconsin. He remained there four years and then went to Cedar County, Iowa, where he remained un- til he came to Barton County in 1878. He
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bought school land in this county and also took a homestead, a part of which is now included in the home place, which comprises 260 acres
they are the parents of seven children: Wil- liam, George, Henry, Warner, Anna Frederick, Bertha, all of whom are residents of the coun-
Early Home of William Otte
of land. He also owns 100 acres four miles northeast of Heizer, 400 acres in Ness County and some town lots in Heizer. Mr. Otte mar- ried Mrs. Alvina Jackal November 7, 1880, and
ty. Mrs. Otte was born December 16th, 1860, in Germany and is a kind mother and faithful housewife.
BOYD EVERS
Home of Boyd Evers
T HE Evers home, four miles northwest of the court house in Great Bend is one of the most inviting in the county. The grass plot in front of the house, the trees and
plants growing in the yard and the paint on the house and other buildings harmonize so well that it is a relief to the eye as one ap- proaches this model home. Much taste is dis-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
played within the Evers home. Mr. Evers is a successful farmer and his wife is a model housekeeper. The order and harmony extend to all parts of the farm. The fence rows are guiltless of weeds and the ground is free from litter and idle farm machinery. This seems to be a place with room for everything and everthing in its place. The soil which is nat- urally quite rich has been properly fertilized and cultivated and is in splendid condition af- ter twenty-seven years of continuous cultiva- tion. It was in March, 1884, that Mr. Evers homesteaded the eighty acres where his home place is located. It has been seven years since he purchased 160 additional acres at a price of $3,500. He bought this land on credit and paid for it with the crops he raised in the fol- lowing three years. The price of land has ad-
vanced so rapidly during this time that this quarter could be sold at any time for $16,000. This price has been refused by Mr. Evers be- cause he could not get another quarter equally as good for that money. This is the story that is true of many quarters in that neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Evers are both natives of Indi- ana, having been born, reared, educated and married in or near Rockville in that state. This probably accounts for their success in Kansas, because a Hoosier is not to be outdone no matter where he may be transplanted. They are the parents of five children. Otis married Miss Maud Barker; Kirby Evers who married Miss Lillie Essmiller; Alice is now the wife of Frank Westman and Mabel who resides at home. It will be seen from this that all the children are residing in this county.
J. P. DIRKS
F IFTEEN and a half miles southwest of
Great Bend and six and a half miles northwest of Pawnee Rock, in Pawnee Rock township, one of the finest wheat pro-
rooms and basement. A good barn, granaries, chicken houses, etc., are found on the place and it is one of the well improved farms of the neighborhood. The family is a popular one
Farm and Home of J. P. Dirks
ducing sections in the world, is one of the pret- ty farms in a pretty country. It is the prop- erty of Jacob P. Dirks, the eldest son of Su- san and Peter H. Dirks. Born February 12, 1875, and educated in the public schools, he early took to farming for himself. He was married on February 23, 1898 to Miss Lizzie C. Schultz of Clarence township. They are the parents of three children: Maggie, twelve years of age, Elmer Jacob, ten years and Pearl Lena, five years of age. They bought the land they live on, 160 acres, and on it have a one and a half story frame residence with eight
and merits its standing in the community. He rents and farms two hundred acres of land. Mr. Dirk's birth will long be remembered by those who came to this country with his par- ents because it is said they occupied a box car on a siding in Pawnee Rock at the time of his birth, and that he first saw the light in such surroundings. From that fact it was then argued that he would be a great traveler and never settle' down to a peaceful life, but he has and is one of the most contented in his community and rarely rides in anything faster than an automobile.
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GEORGE BAUER
G EORGE BAUER who lives four miles northeast of Pawnee Rock was born February 14, 1841, in the Province of Bavaria, Germany, and came to the United States with his parents in 1852. They at first made their home near Cincinnati, Ohio, where they settled permanently. He was educated in the public schools and found employment there until August, 1861, and then enlisted as a private in Company B, 25th Ohio Volunteers, and served four years, being discharged at At- lanta, Georgia, while on the March to the Sea under General Sherman. He was wounded in the left hip in the battle of Chickamauga and was in the battle at Mill Springs, where Gen- eral Zollacoffer was killed, also at Perryville, Kentucky, and numerous other smaller en- gagements and skirmishes. He was in the di- vision and corps commanded by Gen. Thomas and the brigade commanded by General Cook, and as they were fighters of note it is evi- dent that this soldiering experience was no child's play although Mr. Bauer is inclined
least boastful than many. George Bauer came to Barton County, Kansas, in the spring of 1876 and being an ex-soldier, entered a homestead of 160 acres. This he proved up and at a later period bought an additional eighty on the same section which makes a farm of 240 acres. It is in a high state of cultivation and improved with a one story frame cottage, containing nine rooms. A good barn, granary and other outbuildings are also found on the place. Tree culture seems to be a thankless task in this neighborhood and attempts in this line have heretofore been of no avail, but Mr. Bauer still hopes that his efforts will be crowned with success and that he may in time enclose his premises with a park. George Bauer was married to Miss Maggie Stump of Cowley coun- ty, Kansas, April 12, 1874. She died on August 26, 1905. Mr. Bauer has three living children as follows: Mrs. Ada Shorpy who lives with her father and cares for his home. Mrs. Emma Lamb of Pawnee county and Miss Laura Bauer residing in Larned, Kansas.
PAUL FRANCIS AND MELISSA ANN SCHNECK
T HE subjects of this sketch, Paul Francis and Melissa Ann Schneck, were mem- bers of the first party of emigrants to arrive on the townsite of Great Bend, and they possibly erected the first house. This little frame structure is shown as the "L" in the picture of their residence taken in 1871, and it first stood on a lot in the town. It has, however, quite a history, as it has made sev-
a short distance from the town experienced great fear. For this reason, Mr. Schneck for a long time kept a truck that conformed to the size of his little shack, and the rumor of a massacre in another part of Western Kan- sas otten drove the family and their house on wheels back to the settlement. The mules which brought this party from Illinois were the main dependence of the family, and when
Early Home of Paul Francis and Melissa Ann Schneck
eral journeys between the village and their homestead before becoming a part of its per- manent structure. These first settlers suffered many hardships and were persecuted continu- ously by bands of roving Indians, and those who attempted to work the land on claims only
not engaged breaking and cultivating the land helped to haul the material to build the pres- ent court house, the old Southern Hotel and the first Santa Fe depot. Mr. Schneck was lured by the game so plentiful at that period and made his pleasure a source of profit by
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
hunting buffalo, deer, antelope, prairie chick- ens, etc., and selling the meat and pelts. He often made trips extending over weeks, leaving his wife as the protector of the home and lit-
ruary 26th, 1911, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Great Bend by sorrowing but lov- ing friends. He was a noble comrade, faithful soldier and pathfinder and his good deeds re-
Present Home of Melissa Ann Schneck
tle ones, and this she remembers as one of her greatest trials; for it was during an absence of this kind that the death of little William Francis occurred on January 4th, 1872. He
deem his few faults.
Melissa Ann Fowler Schneck was born October 27, 1842, on a canal boat on the Mil- lionville river, Ohio, and is the daughter of
Harvesting Scene On the Schneck Farm
was encased in a coffin made by a willing car- penter and laid to rest by loving neighbors. Paul Francis Schneck served during the . civil war as a private in Co. H, 2nd Illinois artillery. He died in Great Bend, Kansas, Feb-
William and Mary Fowler of Perryburg, Ohio. The father was a miller and owner of a canal boat, but both parents died before Melissa was six years of age and she grew to womanhood in the home of an aunt at Florence, Michigan.
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171
On December 26, 1866, at the age of twenty-two she married Paul Francis Schneck, at Flor- ence, Michigan. She is the mother of nine children, six of whom are living: Mrs. James McDonald, six miles south of Stafford; Mrs. Lizzie Ruble, Great Bend; Mrs. Rosa Belle Land, Great Bend; Frank Schneck, farmer of near Larned; Bertie Lougee Schneck, farmer on home place and Miss Emma J. Schneck.
Early in 1867 Mr. and Mrs. Schneck left
Michigan for Quincy, Illinois, where they made their home for five years, or until August, 1871 when they came to the newly located town of Great Bend. They came overland in a wagon drawn by mules, and were accompanied by their three children, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis P. Frey and Thompson Frey. The homestead located by them is four miles northwest of the court house, is a part of their present well tilled farm, and is very fertile.
PETER J. DECKERT
The Home of Peter J. Deckert
T HE life story of Peter J. Deckert of "Silver Medal Farm," three miles north of Pawnee Rock if told in any other state or county would read like fiction. He was born April 8, 1872, in Russian Poland, and his father died shortly afterwards. In the spring of 1874 his mother was married to Peter H. Dirks now living in Liberty township and with them he came to the United States and Barton County, Kansas, in the spring of 1875. They at first were members of the Mennonite Colony which settled near Dundee, but in 1877 the step-father purchased a home near the western border of the county and it was there that young Peter grew to manhood on the farm, and received his education in the schools of that district. At an early age he learned the value of money and how to save it by passing through the hard times that followed, or really only began in 1893 when he had reached the age of twenty-one. There had been hard per- iods previous to that time but for four years there were almost complete crop failures and when in 1897 the good crops came Mr. Deckert had learned the lesson that was necessary to make him the practical farmer and prudent business man that he is today. Two good
crops enabled him to marry and purchase a quarter section of land and from that date he began to accumulate and lay the foundation for his present prosperity. Today he owns four hundred acres of the finest agricultural land in Pawnee Rock township and he has it in the best possible state of cultivation. His home is a three story frame with thirteen large airy rooms. It is well and modernly furnished, beautifully painted and surrounded by a grass plot in which there are set numerous trees, shrubs and plants. The barn is 30 by 46 and has a large hay loft and stall for all stock in use on the farm. There is a good granary, machinery shed and the other necessary oui- buildings, and three good windmills. There is also another two story, eight room tenant house with a good barn 40 by 60 with machine sheds and other buildings and this is occupied by his farm help. In the front is a blue grass plot and a number of evergreens. Peter J. Deckert and Miss Susan Ratzlaff of Pawnee Rock township were married November 9, 1893, and they have been blessed with the following children: Lyndon, 12; Erben, 9; Otto, 7; Ai- bin, 4; Louise, 2, and Ivan, an infant of two months, at this writing.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
WILLIAM VARNUM ADAMS
W ILLIAM VARNUM ADAMS was born in Armstrong County, Pa., July 22, 1366 He resided in his native state until 1904, at which time he came to Barton County, Kansas. He located on land south of the river which was purchased by his father, Captain James Adams, from D. N. Heizer, in 1884, in South Bend township, four miles south of the city of Great Bend and began the building of a home. How well he has succeeded is evi- denced by the fine improvements to be found there. This land which consists of 200 acres, is located in section 21, township 20, range 13. His residence which has recently been fin- ished consists of two stories with eleven
billiard room all of them being finished in keeping with the lower floor. The lower rooms are furnished with leather upholstered furni- ture of modern design and altogether Mr. Adams has a home of which he should be proud. The barn which is 32 by 40 with a loft capable of containing a great amount of hay is equipped with automotic lifts, has a cement floor and stall room for all the animals that Mr. Adams needs in his business. There are two large granaries and all the other out- buildings needed to make a thoroughly equipped farm. The place is equipped with an individual electric lighting plant, pressure water system and the live stock maintained by
Palatial Home of William Varnum Adams
rooms, exclusive of the garret and basement. It is built according to plans made by Mr. Adams and is one of the best arranged homes to be found in Barton County. The front and half of the south and north sides of the build- ing are enclosed by a cement floored porch with a roof like the roof on the building proper and known as a sweep design. The interior of the building is finished in stucco ceilings and walls with the wood work stained a light oak shade. The parlor and dining room open one into the other with a wide passage way on either side of which are heavy pillars. The kitchen and other rooms are well sup- plied with closets and pantries. On the upper floor are found the bed rooms, bath room and
Mr. Adams while not of the thoroughbred or fancy kind is ample for all needs. Mr. Adams was married in 1891 in Kittaning, Armstrong County Pa., to Mia Allie Phillips. They are the parents of five children: Frank, 20 years of age; George, 19 years of age; Willis, 17 years of age; John, 15 years of age; Hazel, 12 years. All the children are at home and are being educated in the schools of Barton Coun- ty. Mr. Adams has been a most successful farmer as he farms according to modern methods and to this fact and that he has taken the good years with the bad and made an average of them, without being discouraged he owes his success.
J. W. SODERSTROM
O F the men who came to Barton County in the early days, at a time when Indians and buffaloes disputed the encroach- ment of the white man, on what they consid-
ered their sole territory, none is better or more favorably known than J. W. Soderstrom. He was born in Altoona, Knox County, Illi- nois, in 1859, and came to Kansas with his par-
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OF BARTON COUNTY, KANSAS
ents-John Olaf, and Mrs. Louisa Soderstrom, in 1878, when he was eighteen years of age. The elder Soderstrom purchased land in Osage County, just west of the Osage Indian reserva- tion and J. W. remained there for ten years, spending part of the time on the farm and the
J. W. Soderstrom
remainder of the time he was following his trade of carpenter in different parts of that section of the state. He came to Barton Coun- ty in 1887, and bought land one and a half miles north of Hoisington. He remained on this farm for eight years and then moved to the town of Hoisington and in the fall of 1902
was elected to the office of county treasurer. He came to Great Bend in 1903 to assume the duties of this office and has remained here since that time. He served this term and gave way to Frank Millard who served two terms and he in turn retired in in 1908 in favor of Mr. Soderstrom who was again elected in 1907. He was re-elected in 1910 and is now finishing his second successive term. Mr. Sod- erstrom has always taken an active part in public affairs and in addition to the office he now holds he has been a member of the school board at district No. 97, a member of the council in Hoisington and in 1908 was deputy assessor in Great Bend. Mr. Soderstrom is the father of three children: Frank A., twen- ty-six years old, assistant cashier of the Peo- ples State Bank of Hoisington: Elma B, who graduated from the State University in 1905 and is now teaching in the schools of Hoising- ton; Winnie, fifteen years of age, a pupil in the Great Bend High school. Mr. Soderstrom is a member of the Great Bend lodge of Elks, the A. O. U. W. and wears a "25" year emblem of the Odd Fellows, having been a member of this order for twenty-seven years. In all his work for the public Mr. Soderstrom has al- ways given his best efforts from the time he was township clerk and trustee, to his present position as one of the most important officers of the county. His recollections of the early days would make a volume inasmuch as he was here at a time when the development of the county was just beginning and he has seen it grow from almost a barren waste to its present high state of cultivation and stand- ing among the counties of the state. During all this time he has always been found with the progressive and public spirited element and has been a sound, substantial citizen.
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