Biographical history of Cloud County, Kansas: biographies of representative citizens. Illustrated with portraits of prominent people, cuts of homes, stock, etc, Part 29

Author: Hollibaugh, E. F
Publication date: 1903]
Publisher: [n.p.
Number of Pages: 938

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 29

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Their investment of seven hundred dollars each was wisely expended; their annual sales now reaching forty thousand dollars, often taking in from four to five hundred dollars in one day. The members of the firm have each drawn out two thousand dollars. The room they occupy is twenty-six and one-half feet in the clear by one hundred feet and is filled to the ceiling with everything imaginable that is good to eat, and the most epicurean appetite could be satisfied here. They employ four men steadily, with a larger force on busy days.

J. M. Harrison is a native of the Hoosier state, born in 1849. Con- cerning Mr. Harrison's war record there is a bit of interesting history which gives expression to the patriotism he evinced in early life. He was ambi- tions and sought for admission into the service of Uncle Sam twice ere he was accepted, owing to his extreme youth, but there were other things to be considered in the estimation of Colonel Straight, one of the men who dug out of Libby prison, for he remarked with considerable emphasis. "1 would rather have one little man than two drafted big men," and Mr. Harri- son was taken into the ranks of Company C, Fifty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, October 24, 1864. at the age of fifteen years, and is the youngest veteran living in Cloud county. Mr. Harrison's parents were William Henry and Mary A. ( Hanna) Harrison. The paternal ancestry are of the same lineage as the late ex-President Harrison. Our subject's parents still live where they settled-when there were but a few cabins where the beat- tiful city of Indianapolis now stands-in Noblesville, Indiana. Mr. Harri- son is the eldest of five sons, four of who are living, himself being the only member of his family who emigrated westward. Mrs. Harrison, before her marriage, was Miss Isabel Cochran. To their union ten children have been born, only four of whom are living. Their eldest daughter. Olive, the deceased wife of Arthur Carter, died, leaving a little son, now fifteen years of age; he is with his father in Neosho county, Kansas. The second daugh- ter. Lutitia, is the deceased wife of Owen Davis. the station agent at Rice; she left a little daughter, Estella, who is about eight years of age. Hattic is the wife of Ehner Shanks and resides in Marshall, Oklahoma. William Harrison is a member of the firm, bookkeeper and accountant. The son did not need to start at the foot of the ladder as his father before him had to dlo, but has grown up with the mercantile career, and being well adapted for the business, all the chances for success are on his side. However, he took his position in the firm without a dollar, but prospered with them. He was happily married to Flossie, one of the estimable daughters of A. B. Pennock. in January, 1903. and owns his home. a handsomely furnished cottage. Gertrude is a member of the Harrison & Messall millinery parlors, one of Concordia's recognized headquarters for fashionable and attractive millin- ery. The youngest child is Mabel, aged fifteen years. She is developing special musical talent and performs well upon the piano. The family are members and attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Harrison is a Republican politically. He takes an interest in mat-

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HISTORY OF CLOUD .COUNTY, KANSAS.

ters pertaining to the general welfare of the community and especially in educational affairs.

Walter Nelson, the junior member of the firm, enjoys the distinction of having been born and bred in Cloud county and having been reared in the city of Concordia. His father, Andrew Nelson, was associated with Mr. Benson, under the firm name of Benson & Nelson, and established a blacksmith shop in Concordia soon after the founding of the town. His par- euts, Andrew and Mary . (Roswell) Nelson, are still residents of Concordia, comfortably enjoying the returns of well-spent lives, having earned a com- petency. Our subject was born December 12, 1878. He received a high school education, graduating in 1897. He began his career as a clerk in the Concordia grocery and later in the grocery department of H. N. Hanson's general merchandising store. Young Harrison was employed in the former at the same time; they were close friends and realized their fitness for busi- ness association, and from this suggestion their present quarters developed and has proved advantageous to all concerned. Mr. Nelson is a young man of fine ability and a pleasing address that wins friends for him from people in every station of life, and these traits, coupled with the trinity of energy. industry and spirit, will make life a success. Mr. Nelson's parents are of Swedish birth. His mother's family located in the settlement known as "Gottland."

Our subject is one of three children, all sons: Albert is a mail clerk on the Burlington & Missouri Railway, running between Kansas City and Omaha. The youngest, George Nelson, is aged eight. Politically Mr. Nel- son is a Republican. He is a member of the Woodmen and Maccabee Orders.

A. R. MARCOTTE.

The success of Dr. Marcotte, a young practitioner of Clyde, evidences the tendency of the young man to lead in all the avocations of life. This is less conspicuous among the professions because less common, perhaps. but the pre-eminence of the young man is general in a positive degree, even in the province of medicine. Less than a half century ago none but the snowy heads of the old veterans of this calling would have been trusted to the administering of physics.

Although only practicing in his profession since June. 1902, Dr. Mar- cotte gives promise of becoming one of the leading M. D.s, and already commands the respect of the medical fraternity. He is a son of Dr. F. L. Marcotte, a leading physician of Concordia for many years. It was with his father that young Dr. Marcotte began the study of medicine.

He was born in Concordia in 1879. He was reared and received his early education in the high school of his native city. He finished a three- years' classical course in St. Viateur's College of Bourbonnais, Illinois, and and a four-years' classical course in St. Mary's College. After having read 17

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

medicine at different intervals in his father's office, Dr. Marcotte entered upon a course in the Kansas Medical College of Topeka, in 1898, and grad- uated in 1902. The following June he became associated in the practice of medicine with Dr. W. B. Beach, of Clyde.

Though his career has been brief he has won the confidence and good will of his patrons and is building up a substantial and lucrative practice.

Since the above sketch was prepared our subject's father, Dr. Frederick Louis Marcotte, has been deceased, and Dr. A. R. Marcotte has removed to Concordia, where he will succeed to his late father's practice.

Dr. F. I .. Marcotte was for many years a leading physician of Con- cordia and known to the people of Cloud county since 1879. He received the degree of bachelor of arts from St. Viateur's College, which is located at Bourbonnais, Illinois, where Dr. Marcotte was born October 3. 1857. Later he studied medicine and graduated in 1878 from the Northwestern University Medical School of Chicago, Illinois. After one year in Mateno, Illinois, where he began the practice of medicine, Dr. Marcotte removed to Concordia. Except four years spent in California he has practiced medicine there continuously since 1879, and was one of the most successful physi- cians of that city. His untimely death, which occurred in Leavenworth, March 17. 1903. was universally mourned.

DWIGHT M. SMITH.

The subject of this sketch, Dwight M. Smith, an attorney of Concordia, is a native of Victory, Ohio, born in 18;2. Since locating in Concordia ten years ago, Mr. Smith has been progressing steadily. He held various posi, tions prior to reading law. Was general manager of the Lombard Invest- ment Company and in 1892-3 was court reporter. Ile entered upon the study of law in the office of Pulsifer & Alexander. His choice of association was a wise one and lasting in its influence.

In 1900 he opened a law office and has been successful in his profession. The same year he received the nomination for county attorney by the Repub- lican party and was defeated by George M. Culver by a small majority. Mr. Smith is president of the Commercial chib of Concordia. His father. J. T. Smith. was formerly engaged in general merchandising, but is now in the real estate business in Norton, Kansas. Mr. Smith was married in 1900 to Miss Georgia Noll, of Marion, Kansas. She was a popular teacher in the primary department of the Concordia schools.

EDMUND A. BELISLE.

There are countless young men who start in business with a fair sized bank account to their credit, but totally inexperienced and a few years later ofttimes finds them bankrupt.

Then upon the other hand is the ambitious fellow who has a generous store of pluck. energy and brains; he begins at the foundation and is sur-

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

prised ere many years have elapsed to find himself with the essential ex- perience which he often combines with the proceeds of his savings and is far better equipped to succeed in the world of business than the former. To the latter class belongs E. A. Belisle, the subject of this sketch, who came to Concordia in April. 1878, and entered the employ of Mckinnon & Company as a hardware clerk. He remained with them eight and one- half years, or until 1886, when he associated himself with Cyrus Twitchell, under the firm name of Twitchell & Belisle. Two years later W. F. Groes- beck succeeded to the interest of Mr. Twitchell and the growing business was known under the name of Groesbeck & Belisle. The firm prospered and Mr. Belisle became proficient with all the details of their stock in trade and early in the 'nineties consummated a deal whereby he became sole proprie- tor. He has steadily increased his stock until his capital now invested is about eleven thousand dollars. Mr. Belisle has dealt extensively in farm implements and machinery; he is closing out the stock in this line, but will continue his well selected department of harness and vehicles. He makes plumbing and tinning a specialty and has practically placed all the pipes and other apparatus pertaining to the water works in every building in Con- cordia. Under his supervision the city's water works, which is second to none in the country, were placed in 1902. He also piped the Caldwell bank building and the Barons house for steam heat, both of which are a perfect success. Mr. Belisle's trade reaches beyond the limits of Cloud county; in the cornice line he has had patronage from Beloit, Smith Center and other places. He employs the services of four men. Mr. Belisle's interests extend further than Concordia, being a member of the hardware firm known as Belisle. Holcomb & Turner, of Ft. Cobb, Oklahoma. F. L. Holcomb, the second named in the combination, was formerly in the employ of Mr. Belisle, as bookkeeper, for a half dozen years or more, and David Turner is a well- known ex-citizen of Clyde. a son of the late David Turner, Sr. (see sketch).

Mr. Belisle is a Vermonter, born in Montpelier in October, 1852. He removed with his parents, in 1855, to Kankakee, Illinois, and lived in that city until emigrating to Kansas in 1878. His father, Onesine Belisle, died in Concordia about four years ago. The family settled near Aurora and lived there until the father's death. Mr. Belisle's mother is still living and makes her home with her children. Of his father's family of eight children ( three deceased), all are citizens of Cloud county, except one sister, who remains in Kankakee. Mrs. W. H. Fullerton, of Concordia, is a sister. His brothers are all prosperous farmers. Mr. Belisle was married in 1880 to Adeline Lavalle, a sister of Amedie Lavalle, a prominent hardware man of Clyde. Their family consists of eight children : Roy and Eddie A .. Jr., are two manly boys, who give promise of becoming influential men. The former clerks in his father's store, the latter is a student on his second year in the Great Western Business College of Concordia. Their second child is a daughter, Blanche. Ruby is a junior of the high school. The younger children are George, Daisy, Edith and Lucile.

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

Mr. Belisle is a staunch Republican and has never wavered from the principles of his party. He has contributed liberally to the growth and pros- perity of Concordia. both by industry and public spirit. He was a member of the council for one year under the reign of Mayor Messall and also for the same length of time during Mayor Stewart's term of office. He was an active member of the board of education for two years. Socially he is iden- tified with the National Association of Master Plumbers and also with the State Association. He has been through all the chairs of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Order of Elks. Hle is a member of the Woodmen, and of the Knights and Ladies of Security.

WASHINGTON GEORGE CARTNEY.

The subject of this sketch, W. G. Cartney, came to Concordia when the city was in its infancy. When it was a town of tents and shanties, Mr. Cartney pinned his faith unflinchingly to the future metropolis and as a result of this quality of stick-to-it-iveness he is in a prosperous condition financially and one of the leading business men of Concordia.

lle was a single man and had not yet attained his majority when he took Horace Greeley's advice, "Go west, young man, and grow up with the country." When he landed in the new town in March, 1871, it could easily be imagined Mr. Cartney was a very similar type at that period as is found in his son Walter of today.

Mr. Cartney had learned the carpenter trade before coming west, but accepted a position in the pioneer meat market of Bean & King and by so doing laid the foundation of a successful career. Mr. Cartney killed the sec- ond beef that supplied the trade of Concordia with meat. This historical event took place on the Sheafor claim, which is situated on Plum creek, and is now known as the Beauchamp farm, but owned by HI. A. Swift. Mr. King killed the first beef. In the latter part of the 'eighties Mr. Cartney and J. C. Paradis formed a partnership, which continued to exist for about twelve years. One year after they had mutually dissolved interests Mr. Cartney purchased the market and still continues to conduct the same. To his enterprise and fitness for the business the people are indebted for excel- lent services, as his refrigerators are always filled with the choicest of meats, that only an experienced caterer could furnish.

Mr. Cartney is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1852, but when a small boy removed with his parents to Ohio, where he grew to manhood, or until emigrating to Kansas. The origin of the Cartney name is Scotch. Our subject's grandfather was the emigrant to this country; he settled near Philadelphia and married into a Pennsylvania Dutch family.

Pierce Cartney, the father of W. G. Cartney, was a member of Com- pany E, Nineteenth Ohio Infantry, and gave his life for his country, not in battle, but from a fate that entailed untold suffering; he died in the Dan- ville prison as a result of privation.

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

Mr. Cartney was married in 1874 to Miss Abbie E. Mallory, who came to Kansas from New York, her native state. Their family consists of two children, Walter and Etta. Their son is now with his father in the mar- ket, but was previously engaged as traveling salesman for the S. S. Beef Company, of Kansas City. He was with this firm one and one-half years. The daughter is accomplished in music and elocution.

In fraternal relations Mr. Cartney has been a member of the Odd Fel- lows for a score of years, and is identified with the Woodmen of America, Pyramids, Sons and Daughters of Justice and of U. C. T.

Mr. Cartney is a genial man, reliable, honorable and public spirited; he is one of Concordia's most honored citizens and has a host of personal friends.

HONORABLE F. W. STURGES.

The author believes it is voicing the sentiment of the people to say not a man in Cloud county commands the confidence and regard of the people in a greater measure, nor is there one who, when selected by their ballots, has done more to merit the preferment tendered than Judge Sturges.

He is a plain, straightforward, honest man of unquestioned integrity, a forceful and eloquent speaker and stands pre-eminent among the attorneys of Cloud county. In politics he is a broadminded Republican. As judge of the Twelfth judicial district, elected in 1888, he served an eventful career of twelve years and was universally admitted to be one of the most impartial and unprejudiced judges Cloud county has ever had.

He was a partner with Judge Strain, one of Concordia's most prom- inent and esteemed citizens, in the practice of law until the death of that able jurist in January, 1880. The combination was a strong one and two more philanthropic, generous, honorable and capable men were never associated together in the city of Concordia. Judge Sturges is a native of Connecti- cut. He early drifted westward and in 1871 located in Concordia, where he has since been prominent in every worthy enterprise. In 1883 he was chosen to the legislature of Kansas and served one terin.

JAMES CLITHERO.

One of the pioneers of 1867 is James Clithero, now an esteemed citizen of Concordia. He settled in Elk township and homesteaded land adjoining the site of the present town of Ames. He remained through the Indian uprisings and was among the settlers concentrated at the claim of A. A. Bradford, where they joined their forces to protect each other, and while inmates of the little fort slept within, some one of the settlers was detailed to stand guard on the outside. "Jerry" was a colored man, whom Mr. Brad- ford had with him all through the war, and who followed his master on to the frontier. "Jerry" was a character true to his race and Mr. Clithero relates an incident of the darkey's valor.

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

Ile was selected from among the number to stand guard one night, and as he marched up and down the line with vigilant eye, ready to give the sig- nal of aların by firing his gun, the settlers, their wives and children peace- fully slumbered on. "Jerry" had performed his duty faithfully, but when morning dawned it was discovered the gun with which he had paraded all during the long hours of the night was unloaded, not a trace of ammunition in the formidable weapon that had served "Jerry," who was unconscious of the situation, just as well, inasmuch as the Inchans did not appear.

Mr. Clithero is a native of Lancashire, England, born in 1841. When a small boy he came with his parents to America and settled in Wisconsin. where his father had secured land ten years earlier and when that country was thinly settled. His parents both died in Wisconsin.

In 1866 Mr. Clithero was married to Miss Nannie MeEckron, a sister of the Honorable B. Il. MeEckron. Their family consists of three sons, all of whom are married and prosperous men. Mr. and Mrs. Clithero lost two daughters, aged thirteen and nineteen. Mr. Clithero is practically retired from business, but has been engaged in general merchandising in Concordia until recently. One of the sons is a member of the firm of Boyd & Clithero, grocers, of Concordia. G. G. Clithero is in the railway postal service and runs between Colorado Springs and Kansas City. A. B., the youngest son, is a farmer near Rice, Cloud county.

Mr. Clithero is an old veteran of the Civil war and enjoys the distinc- tion of having served almost four years, or all through the war. He enlisted in Company C. Fifty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Septem- ber 21. 1861, for three years; and when the term expired, re-enlisted for one year. He received a gunshot wound on Sunday, the first day's battle at Shiloh, which disabled him for six months ere he could shoulder arms again. His company was under Colonel S. D. Baldwin and Captain W. S. Swan, both of Chicago.

He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and actively inter- ested in the association. Mr. Clithero was identified with Clyde for many years. as his homestead was near that city, and was prominent in the organ- ization of the Presbyterian church there. which, after several years of strug- gle. is a monument of pride to its originators, and contains the only pipe organ in the county. Mr. Clithero and Mr. McEckron hauled logs to be sawed for the construction of the church. Mr. Clithero has been a citizen of Concordia thirteen years, where he and his family enjoy a comfortable liome.

THE GERMAN & LEWIS FURNISHING GOODS COMPANY.

The managers of this recently established up-to-date place of business are Roswold German and W. F. Lewis. A finer combination than the above named gentlemen would be difficult to substitute. Both obliging, attentive

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

to business and thoroughly competent, they are assured of success. They have each had practical experience in the lines they carry and will undoubt- edly remain leaders in men's furnishings. The elegance of the appoint- ments and the newness of everything gives the impression that the contents of the beautiful show cases of old English and plate glass have just come from the hands of the artist who designed and executed them. The whole interior of this "temple of fashion" is elegantly finished in white enamel and gold immaculate in its neatness and replete with everything that is required for the well-dressed man-for shoddy, inferior or shelf-worn goods are not allowed a place on the shelves of their store, and are justly entitled to the reputation they are rapidly gaining as being authority on the latest fads and fashions of men's hats, shirts and neckwear. Their modern wall show cases and latest designed window fixtures are superior to anything ever shown in Concordia. Their place of business is made very attractive at night by rows of incandescent lights that extend the whole length of their walls. This headquarters for men who appreciate reliable, correct attire was opened to patronage February 1, 1903.

Their general stock is supplemented by a suitatorium that is open for operation both day and night. German & Lewis do a thriving business in this line. To the traveling public this is an admirable feature, for they can send their clothes to be renovated and have them delivered with their call in the morning, or in suitatorium parlance, "Clothes pressed while you sleep." This firm are special agents for the Hawes celebrated three-dollar hats. They are also furnishing the suits for the ball players of the Great Western Business College, who play under the name of German & Lewis, as designated by wearing the name of the firm on their shirt fronts. The suits are of the same color and texture as the league uniform.

Roswold German, the senior manager of the business, was a commer- cial traveler for several years and carried the same line he is now interested in. He is also a tailor by trade and worked in Kansas City for a consider- able length of time, hence he understands what constitutes a well-dressed man. Mr. German has had a wide experience for a man of his age, for he is scarcely thirty in appearance; he has traveled over many European coun- tries, including France. Italy. Russia and others. Mr. German and his wife are both old residents of Kansas City, where they grew up together from playmates. They are the parents of a bright little boy, who appears in the illustration on the opposite page is demonstrating the correct thing in hats and shirts.

Will F. Lewis, the junior member. was a tourist in the commercial world, his special line being hats, and he. too, was a tailor and was engaged in that occupation several years, hence a fine judge of material.

Mrs. Lewis was Miss Marceline Martin, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Martin, of the Barons House. Their interesting little son, though scarcely eight months of age. attired in a pair of overalls, occupies an

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

important place in the engraving on the opposite page, seemingly saying, "Tall trees from little acorns grow."

Stranger things have occurred than that these two "young Americas" should succeed their fathers, or at least become partners in the enterprise.

OSCAR R. TAGGART.

Among the honored pioneers and citizens of Cloud county is Oscar R. Taggart, who came overland to Kansas in 1867, and in company with the late Judge Carnahan and William 11. Anderson, "bached" near Lake Sibley, where Mr. Taggart bought a settler's relinquishment and homestead land in Sibley township.

His farm being near the embryo town of Sibley, Mr. Taggart worked hard to secure for it the county seat. but after failing, he transferred his interests to Concordia, expecting to make his home there instead.

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Biographical history of Cloud County, Kansas: biographies of representative citizens. Illustrated with portraits of prominent people, cuts of homes, stock, etc, Part 29

Author: Hollibaugh, E. F Publication date: 1903] Publisher: [n.p. Number of Pages: 938

Author: Hollibaugh, E. F
Publication date: 1903]
Publisher: [n.p.
Number of Pages: 938