USA > Kansas > Cloud County > Biographical history of Cloud County, Kansas: biographies of representative citizens. Illustrated with portraits of prominent people, cuts of homes, stock, etc > Part 27
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He is a native of Platt county, Missouri, born August 13, 1840. His father was the Reverend Isaac Burns, of Virginia birth and Scotch origin. Reverend Burns was a pioneer of Missouri, settling at St. Joseph when that city was a village. He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church
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(North), and during the latter part of the 'fifties Missouri became an unde- sirable field for a non-sympathizing dispenser of the gospel. In the autumn of 1856 he was transferred to the Jowa conference and subsequently to Nebraska, where he had charge of the Tecumseh work, followed by various charges incident to the itinerant circuit rider. He was stationed at Falls City. DeSoto and later was made presiding elder with residence in Omaha, where he died in 1871. Mr. Burns' mother was Phoebe Persinger, of Dutch persuasion. She died one year later than her husband. The Persingers were early settlers in Virginia, where some of them were slaveholders.
Mr. Burns received a good education in the high schools of Nebraska and attended Scotts Academy, of Platt county, Missouri, for one year. He began earning a livelihood by teaching school and gave up this vocation to serve his country and enlisted in Company E, Twenty-fifth Regiment, Mis- souri Volunteers, under Colonel Seabody, serving three years and nine days. His company was in the battles of Shiloh. Pittsburg Landing, the siege of Atlanta and with Sherman at Savannah. The Twenty-fifth Regiment was merged into another company and took the name of the First Missouri Engi- neer Corps.
After the war Mr. Burns returned to DeSoto, Nebraska, visiting his father, who was stationed there. Soon afterward he went to Mills county, where he engaged in the saw milling business with fairly good success. Two years later he became interested with his father in mercantile pursuits at Aurora, on the Weeping river. One year later they removed their goods to Penn, Nebraska; the next spring Mr. Burns retired from the firm and emi- grated to Kansas, where he took advantage of his homestead right, and also pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land where the town of Rice now stands. The other tract of land he disposed of to the county and is now included in the county farm for the poor.
Mr. Burns filed on land where part of Concordia is now situated, which he platted as an addition. The original Town Company was more interested in building a town than increasing their bank accounts. Lots that sold for one hundred dollars would now bring from three to four thousand. They had never built a town before. Were they ever to build another they would in all probability profit from past experiences. Mr. Burns has been engaged in several enterprises. In 1871 he associated himself with W. T. S. May in the real estate business. In the early 'eighties he established a drug store in Seandia, remaining two years, returning to Concordia, selling the stock one year later.
Mr. Burns was married to Almira, daughter of Jacob Brisbine, in 1872. To Mr. and Mrs. Burns four children have been born : Arthur, an employe of the Natal Railroad Company in South Africa. He is a telegrapher ; received his education and entered upon his profession in Concordia. Clara B., wife of James MeCoy, a railway mail clerk, with residence in Kansas City. Robert William, with Rigby & Wilson, furniture dealers, of Con-
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cordia, where he has been a trusted and valued employe. Charles Frederick is a telegrapher, with residence in Kansas City. Mr. Burns votes the Repub- lican ticket.
LAWRENCE PATRICK LARSON.
The subject of this sketch is 1. 1. Larson, commonly known to his friends as "Pat" Larson. Mr. Larson is a contractor and builder and to his workmanship is accredited some of the best residences and business blocks in the city of Concordia. During his sojourn of sixteen years in that metropolis the following buildings are a few of those that evidence his supe- rior architecture: The Caldwell building, one of the most imposing in the , city: First National Bank, a finely constructed building; the postoffice, which is a plain but massive structure; the brick and terra cotta building, the lower floor of which is occupied by Layton & Neilson, druggists, and the Colson city : First National Bank, a finely constructed building; the postoffice, which buildings of the city.
Mr. Larson began to stem the current of life with no "stock in trade." but a pair of willing hands and is another of the many illustrations herein contained of how persistent endeavor will conquer all things sooner or later. Mr. Larson is a native of Germany, born in Frankfort-on-the-Main in 1800 His parents were Christian and Annie (Christie) Larson. His father gave up his sailor life to enter the German war in 1848, and was killed in battle after serving three years and four months. His mother died in Den- mark June 24. 1885. where the family had settled after peace was declared. The maternal ancestors were from Ireland and were a race of people who lived to an extreme old age. His grandmother passed the century mark and attained the age of one hundred and eight years; her brother reached the advanced age of one hundred and eleven years. Mr. Larson was the only child of his father's first marriage but by a second union one son was born.
Mr. Larson was thrown on his own resources at the youthful age of seven years, and through the aid of friends was able to obtain a common school education and later by their further kindness and by the stern efforts of himself he was enabled to secure a scholarship in the high school; by rapid advancement and their extended assistance he paid his way through the State university of Denmark for one year. Ilis extremely diligent application was observed by one of the professors who made it possible for him to take a four years course in classies. As Mr. Larson could not see his way to remain in the university for that length of time he took the four years course in two and one-half years, and often worked twenty-three ont of twenty-four hours.
His object was to prepare himself for an officer under the Danish government. In the meanttime he worked at the carpenter's bench the pro- ceeds of which assisted him in his school work. He graduated in 1878. at the age of eighteen years. After all the hardships entailed upon him as a
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young and penniless student working his way through the university, spending many sleepless nights conning and toiling over his books, when he came to enlist he was doomed to the disappointment of being pronounced physically unfitted for the service.
Smarting under this defeat of the expectation of his hopes be determined to bid his native land adieu and make for himself a home in America, and accordingly sailed for New York, landing in that city July 18, 1881. A few days later he went to Omaha, Nebraska, where he found employment as bookkeeper for the first half year and then obtained work with M. T. Murphy, architect; two months later he assumed the management of his mill retaining that position three years.
In 1884, he came to Concordia and during the summer finished the interior of Colonel N. B. Brown's handsome residence. In the autumn of that same year he secured the contract for building the fine dwelling of Mr. Steffen Christiansen, on of the pioneers of Cloud county, living two miles north of Jamestown, and while engaged in this work met Sena Peterson, whom he married December 8, 1886, locating in Concordia and entering the employment of Southworth & Smith. carpenters and builders, continu- ing as their foreman until the organization of the Citizens National Bank. when he was employed by them as superintendent of the Caldwell building : and after the masonry was completed he finished the interior. From this period he established himself as an architect, contractor and builder, fol- lowing that occupation until 1892.
During the latter year he emigrated to Colorado Springs, Colorado. and accepted a position with the Gillis, Wells & Leddy planing mills. Dur- ing his nine months' residence in Colorado Springs he erected some of the finest building's in that city, among them the famous Antlers hotel, the Huntley livery stables, the residences of Doctor Sollis and Doctor Drack, the two latter costing over two hundred thousand dollars each. He also built the Casino theater. The following spring he returned to Concordia, re-opened his shop and resumed contracting, which he has since followed.
To Mr. and Mrs. Larson have been born four exceptionally bright and beautiful children, viz : Rhoda S. A., Peter Montague, Mosette Ruth and Harry Eugene Z. Mrs. Larson is a native of Denmark, born near the town of Nestved, province of Sjalland. She came with her parents to America and settled on a farm near Jamestown, where they both died. Mr. Larson is a staunch Republican and has been a delegate for several years to con- ventions, but has never aspired nor sought for office. The family are men- bers of the Baptist church. Mr. Larson is a deacon and one of the most active members and pillars of that congregation. They occupy a pleasant home at 518 West Sixth street.
CAPTAIN BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ROSE.
B. F. Rose, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Ohio, born on the town site of the present city of Dayton in 1841. His parents were Thomas and Sarah (Irwin) Rose. His father was a native of Kentucky and his
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mother of Maryland. His paternal grandfather was an Englishman and emigrated to America when eighteen years of age. His paternal grand- mother was of Irish birth. His maternal grandfather was of Scotch origin and his maternal grandmother a German woman. Mr. Rose is one of seven children, three of whom are living, two sisters, one a resident of Illinois and the other of lowa.
Mr. Rose received a meager education in the common schools of Ohio and when sixteen years of age removed with his parents to La Grand, Mar- shall county, lowa. On the 17th day of September, 1861, he was nmistered into the U'nited States sery- ice at Davenport, lowa. He enlisted in Company B. Eleventh lowa Regi- ment, under Captain Charles Foster and Colonel Abram Hare. Captain Rose was a valiant and courageous soldier, as his successive promotions demonstrate. From a private he be- came a corporal, from a corporal to orderly sergeant and later was com- missioned captain over two lieuten- ants. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, first and second battles of Corinth, Inka, siege of Vicksburg, Resaca,, Nickerjack Creek and At- lanta on July 22. 1864, where he was CAPTAIN BENJAMIN F. ROSE. taken prisoner and detained two months and seven days. During this time he was so well fed ( ?) that his weight decreased from two hundred and forty-six to one hundred and fifty-one pounds.
He was released under a special exchange arranged for by General Sherman, and rejoined his company; as he walked through their camp grounds there was not a man in the company who recognized him. He was afterward acting major and on the march to the sea was in command of the regiment at different times. Was in command from Atlanta to Savannah, where he embarked on board a vessel, and going to Newport, South Caro- lina. he took up a march against the rebel fortifications at Pocotaligo, South Carolina, and while there was given leave of absence on account of illness and returned to his home. When resuming his place in the army he jour- neved by way of New York and Newbern, North Carolina, arriving at his command. which was stationed at Goldsboro, North Carolina, on March 27. 1865. from which place he was mustered out of the service, under general order from the war department. From there he visited Washington, Dis- trict Columbia, and was in that city when President Lincoln was assassi- nated.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
Returning subsequently to his home in lowa, he was married August 17. 1865, to Esther Coate, a daughter of Samuel T. and Harriet ( Anthony ) Coate, both natives of Ohio, and both ministers of the Christian church. Mrs. Rose is a sister of Elwood Coate, county treasurer of Cloud county. She is an amiable woman and president of the Woman's Christian Temper- ance Union of Concordia. To Mr. and Mrs. Rose three children have been born, but one of whom is living. Their first born, Clarence Elwood, was deceased at the age of eighteen months. Estella, a young woman of much promise, was deceased at the age of twenty years. The youngest son, Clin- ton Emmett, is one of the prominent educators in this part of the state. Although he is a young man but twenty-seven years of age, he has for four years occupied important positions in the Beloit high school. After having been employed as assistant principal two years he was deservedly promoted to the principalship, where he still continues and is recognized as an instruc- tor of superior ability. He received the foundation of his education in Con- cordia. After graduating from the high school he entered the State Uni- versity of Kansas and finished a course in that institution. He is acknow]- edged one of the best and most thorough mathematicians in the state. C. E. Rose was married to Minnie Agnetta Lawrence, who was a teacher in the Concordia city schools two years. She is a native of Pennsylvania. Maud Rader. a granddaughter of John and Jemima Wilkins, old settlers of Oak- land township, found a home with Mr. and Mrs. Rose when eleven years of age. remaining with them until her marriage to J. W. Scott. They are now residents of Blue Hill. Nebraska, where Mr. Scott secured a clerk- ship.
While in Iowa Mr. Rose engaged in various pursuits; was in the mercantile business at Quarry, Marshall county, Iowa, served as post- master in the same town and also as justice of the peace, township clerk, express agent, and bought grain. After selling out his business interests in Iowa Mr. Rose cmigrated to Kansas in 1882 and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Meredith township, Cloud county, where he resided several years, and later sold and purchased a quarter section adjoining, which he still owns.
In 18go he was elected to the office of clerk of the court of Cloud county. removed to Concordia and held that office with satisfaction to the public four years. Since that time he has been successfully engaged in mar- ble and granite works. In politics Mr. Rose is a Populist. Fraternally he has been a Mason since 1865 ; he has received the degree of Master Mason, Royal Arch Mason and Knight Templar. He is a member of the Order of Woodmen and the Grand Army of the Republic and has held the office of post commander. Mr. and Mrs. Rose are estimable people and among Con- cordia's most esteemed citizens. They own a comfortable and pleasant cot- tage, located on East Seventh street, where they expect to enjoy life the remainder of their days.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
W. C. WHIPP.
W. C. Whipp is one of the older residents of Cloud county, having. with his parents, located in the central part of the county in 1871. In 1879 he was appointed deputy registrar of deeds, and with his brother. C. W. Whipp, who was then registrar of deeds, founded the abstract business of Whipp & Company, which has ever since been conducted in that name. In 1885 he was elected registrar of deeds and served in that capacity till Jan- uary, 1890. During this time, in connection with D. M. Stackhouse, who was then county treasurer, and who purchased an interest in the business, they compiled a complete set of abstract books of the county. In the early part of 1880 E. C. Whitcher purchased the interest of D. M. Stackhouse and has continued a member of the firm. Mr. Whipp also retained his farm- ing and stock interests and now owns about five hundred acres of land.
Mr. Whipp is a native of Illinois, where he lived until 1867. After three years in lowa he came with his parents to Cloud county in 1871. . At that time there were only about a half dozen houses in Concordia. His father, Martin T. Whipp. a mechanic in his younger days, but later in life a farmer, was of German origin, born in Kentucky and reared in Illinois, in the same vicinity with Abraham Lincoln; his parents were born in Germany and reared in Maryland. Mr. Whipp's mother was a native of West Vir- ginia, where her ancestors had resided for many generations ; they were orig- inally of English origin. His parents died on the homestead in Cloud county, the father in 1884 and the mother two years later.
Mr. Whipp and Miss Jessie E. Banker, a daughter of Ezra B. Banker, were married June 21, 1883. at the Banker homestead in Cloud county, Kansas. They have three sons, respectively : Edward Bryan, aged eighteen ; Harry W., aged sixteen, and Russel Banker, aged nine years.
Mr. Whipp is Republican in principle and has been more or less active in local politics: he served about eight years on the city council. Ile has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows about twenty-five years, one of the encampment a number of years, a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Knights and Ladies of Security, and of the Ancient Order of Pyramids. He is one of the board of directors of the last named order. Mr. and Mrs. Whipp are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Concordia.
D. H. JUDY.
D. H. Judy is proprietor of the popular and leading millinery store of Concordia, and we may safely say one of the best appointed stores of Cloud county. This prosperous business was established in 1889 and since that time has been conducted continuously. with credit to himself and to the ben- efit and delight of the public at large. He carries a stock of twenty-five hun- dred dollars and has made for himself and family a beautiful home ; its mod-
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ern conveniences are in great contrast to many of the earlier homes of Kansas, which were built of sod or small dugouts scarcely large enough to hold the few worldly goods brought by the owners from their old eastern homes.
Mr. Judy is a native of Xenia, Green county, Ohio, born in 1838. His parents, Absalom and Martha ( Ford) Judy, were natives of Virginia and were farmers. Both the paternal and maternal grandparents were slave- holders, but disposed of them and moved into Green county, Ohio, in an early day. Subsequently Mr. Judy's parents emigrated to Indiana, where they died, his father in the year 1887 and his mother in 1896. Mr. Judy is one of ten children, five of whom are living, one brother near Ft. Scott, Kansas, and another at Abilene.
The subject of this sketch began his early studies in the country schools of Ohio and Indiana and later attended the graded schools of Fairview. While a mere boy he clerked in a store and when eighteen years of age left his home to make a career alone in the world. He returned to Ohio, where he worked on a farm in summer and attended the high school at Fairview during the winter season, and in this way acquired a good common school education.
In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company E. Thirty-sixth Indiana Regiment, under Captain S. G. Carney and Colonel Gross, commanding. Their service took them through Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Ala- bama and Georgia. His regiment showed great valor and bravery in some of the important battles, among them Shiloh, Perryville, Stone River and Lookout Mountain. His teri of service expired soon after the taking of Atlanta, covering a period of three years. After having been honorably mustered out of the army he went to Indiana and worked on a farm during the summer of 1865. His brothers, with the exception of two, were all soldiers of the Civil war.
While yet a pioneer state, Mr. Judy emigrated to Iowa; remaining but one winter. he removed to Missouri, where he taught school, his first and last experience in that vocation. In the autumn of 1866 he returned to lowa and in 1867 he engaged in the drug business in Johnson City, St. Clair county Missouri. Two years later he sold his drug store and after a brief sojourn in Ringo county, lowa, left there to explore the new country of the "great and only Kansas."
This occurred in 1870 and he settled at Clyde, where he occupied a posi- tion as clerk in the drug store of J. S. Burns, and later clerked in the dry goods store established by S. D. Silver until March, 1871, when Mr. Silver moved his stock to Concordia, then the beginning of this thriving city. S. D. Silver failed shortly afterward and the stock was bought in by R. E. Allen, of Leavenworth, and Mr. Judy remained with him in the capacity of head clerk for seven and a half years and during this period gained a large experience.
He then decided to open a business of his own, and in 1879 formed a
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partnership with P. Levereaux, in a general merchandise store, under the firm name of Levereaux & Judy. They transacted an extensive and pros- perous business for five years, or until Mr. Judy's health failed, and he sold his interest in favor of H. N. Hansen AAfter a rest from business cares of two years he took up a new field of work and opened a real estate, loan and insurance business, which he conducted successfully until the spring of 1889, when he sold and the following spring took a trip to the Pacific coast, and on his return opened his present business enterprise as before stated. a millinery store of vast resources.
Mr. Judy was married in October, 1871. to Lucy Short, of Washing- ton county, who was deceased in May, 1891. They were the parents of three children, two sons and one daughter: Hattie is a resident of Boston, Massa- chusetts. in the employ of a publishing company of that city. Charles . ... the oldest son, is a graduate of the Commercial College of Salina. He drew a claim at the opening of the strip in Oklahoma and is now a resident of that country and occupies a position in a large dry goods establishment of El Reno. Lora, the youngest son, is a student of the Great Western Busi- ness College of Concordia.
Mr. Judy was married to his present wife in December. 1893: Lizzie Page, a daughter of Owen Delaplaine, and the widow of George l'age. Mrs. Judy has readily and with rare intelligence adapted herself to the millinery business and its requirements.
Mr. Judy in his politics is a staunch and true Republican. He was pres- ident of the school board for more than seven years and during his reign all of the school buildings, with the exception of one, were erected. He was police judge of Concordia for a term of two years, has been city assessor for a period of fifteen years and is at this writing ( 1903) a member of the school board. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the oldest initiatory member and carries a veteran badge from this lodge. He is also the oklest member from the Rebekah Lodge and the only existing charter member residing in Concordia. He joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the year 1872. is the only one left of the original organiz- ers. and has seen the lodge grow to its present portions-one hundred and twenty-five members. Mr. Judy belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. also the Sons and Daughters of Justice and the Grand Army of the Republic post. He joined the latter society in Clinton, southwestern Missouri, in the year 1869.
Mr. Judy is an enterprising. public-spirited man in any cause of inter- est to the welfare and progress of the city. He never forgets where to put his hand when called upon to defray his share for improvements, likewise he always has a fund for the needy. does not proclaim his good deeds "from the house tops." but many live to bless his warm. generous and helpful words of comfort and also the more substantial aid in times of distress and want. He has walked over the site where Concordia now stands when it was a bleak and barren prairie and was forced to go to Lake Sibley for lodging.
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When on his first visit to Concordia J. M. Hagaman was running a ferry. The evening shades were gathering and his fears of being benighted occa- sioned repeated calls from Mr. Judy, which grew louder and more loud as he shouted and hallowed. until at last. not receiving a response, he gave up in blank despair and sought the protection of a friendly cottonwood, where he lay all night. The next morning about nine o'clock he again called Mr. Hagaman to come and ferry him across, whereupon he stuck his head out of the window of his cabin, and coolly remarked, "You're in a h-t of a hurry, there."
This same trip Mr. Judy saw two women fighting something with clubs, he knew not what, but went to their rescue, where he found them in a prairie dog den that was writhing with countless "rattlers" that had come to take up their abode with these animals, as is their habit. They killed thirty of them and left many on the field. The two frightened women to whom Mr. Judy lent his valuable aid were Mrs. Collins (then Mrs. Read) and her daughter.
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