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 31
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
The following March he was again sent to Kansas to buy butter, eggs and poultry. He came to Concordia in 1888, and was at once attracted toward the town as an opening for a produce business. Mr. Stewart estab- lished himself in a cellar, under where the New York grocery now is, on a very limited capital; but his business increased and he soon located in larger quarters, and subsequently finding these too small he found more commodious ones, and later his enterprise assumed such proportions that he leased ground from the Union Pacific Railroad Company and erected a three-story brick building, where this concern transacts a magnitude of busi- ness that is surprising in a city the size of Concordia.
Mr. Stewart ships goods all over the United States, perhaps the bulk of which goes to the Pacific coast. During the winter and early spring months he ships into British Columbia and east to Boston, New York City, Albany, Troy, and many other eastern cities. He transacts over five hun- dred thousand dollars annually and employs in the produce house upwards of thirty men, makes his own tubs, boxes, etc. He employs about ten agents as buyers in various localities.
Within three years from the time of starting operations he built up a trade that footed two hundred and fifty thousand dollars annually. Thus as the world grows older and more progressive we see on every side proof of the assertion that the "self-made" man is the most prosperous and highly esteemed, and from this class many of the best citizens and leading men 18
292
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANS.AS.
of our country have been taken. Mr. Stewart is in sympathy with the Republican party, but too much occupied to give a great deal of attention to political matters. However, he was a valued member of the city council in 1893-4. and in 1898 was elected mayor of the city of Concordia serving two years.
In 1896, Mr. Stewart was married to Lillian, a daughter of the late Cornelius Archer, a well known citizen of Concordia. He was elected sheriff of Cloud county and served several years. The Archers came from Ohio to Kansas in 1872 and located on a farm five miles west of Concordia, where Mrs. Stewart was born the first year of their arrival. Mrs. Stewart's mother died in 1882, and her father in 1802. After his death she lived with a brother in Kansas City until her marriage with Mr. Stewart. Mrs. Stewart is an educated woman of refined tastes. She received her education in the Concordia graded schools and in the academy of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
The commodious and substantial home of the Stewarts is brightened by the presence of two children, a son and daughter: John Archer, aged three, and baby Margaret. Mrs. Stewart is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
"THE PICNIC."
In October, 1805. George W. Marshall and Harry Barton established "The Picnic," which at that time consisted of a stock of general merchan- dise. They discontinued a diversified stock and in 1901 removed a portion of their goods to their Delphos store, in which they became interested in 1800. and filled their present quarters with a line of gents' furnishings. They are stocked with the character of goods well suited to the trade, from the most fashionable dress suit to the goods of stronger texture for the laboring classes.
George W. Marshall, the senior member of the firm, has been identified with many business enterprises in Cloud county since his advent into the state in 1875. He first became associated with Mr. Hinman in a general store. Ile was the first president of the Concordia First National Bank, has been mayor of the city and has been connected directly or indirectly with almost every interest promoted in the city of Concordia. His home is one of the most modern residences in the city and the scene of many elegant social functions. Mrs. Marshall. before her marriage. was Josephine Truesdell, whose parents were among the early settlers of the county and established the first hotel, as mentioned in the early history of the new town. Her mother still lives in Concordia. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall are the parents of two sons. George and Joe.
Harry Barton, the junior member of the firm, was for years a com- mercial traveler for the well-known wholesale grocery house of Julius Kuhn, of Atchison. Kansas. Mr. Barton had the reputation of being one of the
293
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
most successful salesmen on the road and supplied almost every firm within the limits of his territory with goods. Mr. Barton married a Concordia young woman and soon afterward left the road and formed a partnership with Mr. Marshall. They are one of the solid firms of the city and their far-reaching enterprise is linked with the growth and progress of their town.
BERTHA A. MARLATT.
In reviewing the history of Cloud county. no name stands out more pre-eminently or more conspicuously among the educational workers than the name of Bertha A. Marlatt, the retiring county superintendent, who has been associated with the schools of Cloud county since her advent into the community in August, 1888.
When Miss Marlatt left her Ohio home, the place of her nativity, and drifted west- ward, she had mapped out for herself the career of a teacher, and accordingly began her first school work in Cloud county. After teaching successfully in several of the coun- try districts, Miss Marlatt taught a total of four years in the Glasco schools. She has twice been tendered a position in the Concor- dia schools, but was offered a higher salary elsewhere, and declined for that reason.
Miss Marlatt received her early educa- tion in the district schools of Ohio, and after going through the High school of New Lis- bon, took a two years' course in the Normal school of Canfield, Ohio. In 1898 she was MISS BERTHA A. MARLATT. elected to the office of county superintendent of Cloud county on the Republican ticket, was re-elected in 1900 and appointed to fill the vacancy from June until May, 1901. occasioned by changing the beginning of the term of office.
Miss Marlatt has made an exceptional record in application, never having lost an hour from indisposition, but at all times and under all circumstances has been found at her post of duty. She has never missed but one summer institute since coming to Cloud county, nor a Teachers' Association within the past eight years. She has been a member of the examining board for about six years, and also president of the Cloud County Teachers' Associa- tion. In 1901 she was elected secretary of the thirty-ninth annual Kansas State Teachers' Association that convened in Topeka, and also had that honor conferred upon her the present year. 1902. On Thanksgiving day. November 27, 1902, fifteen counties were represented in a teachers' association held at Clay Center, Kansas. Through the energy of Miss Marlatt, the banner offered for the largest number of representatives from any one county was
294
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
carried away by the fifty-en teachers in attendance from Cloud county. They also secured the association for the coming year; the first time in the history of its organization that the banner and the association have been given to the same county
The first two years of Miss Marlatt's term in office she visited almost every school twice, spending nearly a quarter of a day with each. The last two years, she has given a full one-half day, with but a few exceptions, and visited a number of them twice. During the first springtime of her office reign she spent from sis to nine bouts daily on the road. The roads were m an unusually bad condition, and not knowing how to reach the districts conveniently. made her duties exceedingly arduous. From January 9. 180g. until January o. 1003. she traveled with horse and buggy a total of ten thousand miles, which, at an average of five miles, including good and bad reads. makes two thousand hours spent in the buggy.
Miss Marlatt mstituted the district associations now held in various parts of the county, and they have been quite successful.
Sixteen new school houses have been created during her career in office. and in three of them furnaces have been placed, namely: District Nos. 75. 70 and 08. The Inghest per cent of attendance that has ever been attamed In the school of Cloud county was in 1901, very few falling below numery, and most of them ranging from mnety to one hundred.
Miss Marlatt is self-educated, paying her own way through school, and at a time and place when opportunities were not so great as those offered to young men and women of Cloud county at the present time. Hence she has not much patience with the student who says he can't go through school dependent at least partly upon his own resources. She lived in a berry country where many hands were given employment. The berries were picked and shipped to various cities. Miss Marlatt says she never looks upon a "berry patch" without recalling her childhood days, for in this humble pursuit she earned the means of educating herself. AMlxout this time she conceived the idea of going west. where the avenues of school work seemed more accessible. To carry out this plan required money. So, getting her courage together, she approached a good old Quaker neighbor who was pruning his raspberry bushes, and asked for the loan of forty dol- lars, saying she "wanted to go to Kansas to teach school." The old gen- tleman looked dubiously upon her as he replied : "Thee going out there? Thee will get scalped." But he granted the loan, and a few days later Miss Marlatt found herself in Concordia with but little more than a dollar of the borrowed fund left in her purse. She was among strangers, and far from home in the "will and wooly west;" but facing the inevitable, she dared not to do otherwise than succeed, and went to work with that reso- lution uppermost in her mind.
The world pays deference to the man or woman who succeeds in life solely through their own resources and attains position. This has been accomplished by Miss Marlatt, and is a fine example to the student strug-
295
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
gling for an education. As an official Miss Marlatt is admirably qualified by natural ability, and this, coupled with her broad fund of acquired knowl- edge, has done much in the way of promoting progressive projects. She is a woman of much strength of character, possessing a kind and genial disposition. The teachers find her sympathetic and generous, ever ready to extend to them helpful suggestions and encouragement when needed. The fact that she, herself, began at the bottom of the ladder and climbed persistently, but not without discouragements, has in all probability rendered hier more generous to the rising young teacher that comes under her juris- diction.
Miss Marlatt's father. William Marlatt, was a Pennsylvanian by birth. subsequently settling in Ohio, where he died in 1878. Her mother is of southern birth, having been born in the city of New Orleans, but came north during the war and located in Ohio. She still lives at the old home near Columbiana.
Miss Marlatt's sister Ella, who for several years was a resident of Cloud county, is married and living in Ogden, Utah. Miss Mary Marlatt. who has been associated with the schools of Cloud county for five years, and is also a very successful teacher, is a sister. She is at present engaged in district No. 8. Lawrence Marlatt, who for five years was in the employ of the Glasco State Bank, is a brother. He is engaged in the insurance business and resides in Glasco. Miss Marlatt is an active member of the Christian church, and the Concordia congregation owes much of its success to her zeal.
W. E. SHRADER.
The subject of this sketch. W. E. Shrader, came to Kansas with the tide of emigration that rolled into the state during the early 'seventies. He bought the relinquishment of a claim on Oak creek, where he lived from 1873 until the latter part of the 'eighties, when he sold the homestead and bought a farm on Wolf creek. Mr. Shrader has been successful. owning five hundred and sixty acres of finely improved land, is retired from the busy farm life and, with his wife. is enjoying the proceeds of their accumulated interests in a pleasant home, a brick cottage located on East Seventh street. Their three sons and three daughters are all married and have homes of their own. His sons are all practical farmers and stockmen, and as they add other lands and their herds increase, their property holdings will be numer- ou's as those of their sire. Mr. Shrader made every dollar of his present fine estate in Kansas and. although he has met with many reverses and was in straitened circumstances during the grasshopper raid, he prefers the Sun- flower state. Mr. Shrader was born and reared in Washington county, Ohio, near Marietta, the oldest town in the Buckeye state, but asserts he could not gain a livelihood there after having lived on the prairies of Kansas. However, there were times during his early career in the state when, had it
296
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
been possible to gather up his family and depart for fairer fields, he would have joyfully done so: but like most Kansans he was bound down and could not leave, for which condition he is now duly thankful. He is most happy that he continued in Kansas to raise cattle and hogs, having made the bulk of his property in stock raising.
Our subject was nurtured in the principles of Democracy and still clings to that faith. Socially he is a member of the Concordia encampment of Odd Fellows. The Shraders are attendants of the Cunited Brethren church, of which Mrs. Shrader is a member.
G. C. WILSON.
There are several first-class grocery houses in Concordia, and in refer- ring to the best of them the well-arranged store of G. C. Wilson would be included as one in the foremost rank. His methods of doing business entitle
THE UP-TO-DATE GROCERY ESTABLISHMENT OF G. C. WILSON.
him to a place among the most progressive. as his industry, perseverance and superior qualities have placed him in line with men of good citizenship. Mr. Wilson succeeded C. A. Betournay in the grocery business in the spring of 1900.
297
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
Mr. Wilson has been a resident in the state since 1884. He accepted a clerkship at Kirwin, Kansas, and six years later he entered the grocery department of H. C. Annan, of Beloit, as manager, and the length of time he was retained by Mr. Annan-seven years-is emphatic evidence of his reliability. But our subject was not satisfied to continue as an employe and established a business of his own. He purchased the J. J. Abercrombie stock, which he sold back to its former owner six months later and became proprietor of the Hugh. Gants grocery. One and one-half years later he dis- posed of this stock, removed to Kensington, Kansas, and engaged in gen- eral merchandising. After locating at the last named place Mr. Wilson's health became impaired and, selling his interests in that town, he returned to Kirwin in 1889. Although it is said "every move is equal to two fires." Mr. Wilson, owing to various circumstances, made several changes, but it remained for him to find a greater field, such as Concordia afforded, and where, from the very start, he proceeded to establish a reputation for enter- prise and fair dealing. He carries a full line of staple and fancy groceries and conducts a first-class bakery in connection which receives a large patronage. In this busy store five men are employed. A brother, Theodore L., a practical baker, is in charge of the bakery and has filled that position for one and one-half years. James Edward. another brother, is learning the trade with him.
Mr. Wilson's father, Peter Wilson, was of Scotch birth. He emigrated to the state of New York when quite young and lived there until his death in 1893. Mr. Wilson's mother was of German birth. She died in 1873- There were seven sons and two daughters in his father's family, all of whom lived to maturity. A sister died in 1894 and a brother in the spring of the present year ( 1903).
Mr. Wilson's family consists of his wife, one Janghter and two sons: Bernice, Lynn and Karl Marx. They occupy one of the pleasant and desir- able cottage homes on West Sixth street. Politically Mr. Wilson affiliates with the Republican party and socially he is a Woodman, a Maccabee and a member of the Sons and Daughters of Justice.
Mr. Wilson is entirely self-made, he has worked hard, attended strictly to business affairs, is kind, courteous and obliging, upright in all his dealings -qualities that are always winners, and our subject is no exception to the rule.
W. F. SAWHILL. M. D.
One of Concordia's most progressive physicians, Dr. W. F. Sawhill. hails from Philadelphia and opened an office for the practice of medicine in March, 1883. By his skillful methods and successful treatments Dr. Sawhill commands the patronage of many of the most prominent people of the city. He is not only one of the most competent practitioners but one of Concordia's most useful citizens as well, and prominent in public affairs.
298
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
lle is identified with the school board, a body he is qualified to render effi- cient service. Dr. Sawhill is a man of family and maintains a pleasant home.
ALFRED P. PENNOCK.
1. B. l'ennock, proprietor of the Concordia elevator, is one of Con- conthat's most esteemed citizens and business men. He was born in Barry county, Michigan, in 18.19. He is a son of Ozias and Mary Ann ( Rafler ) J'ennock. Ozias J'ennock was a native of Vermont, but engrated to Mich- igan in the early settlement of that state. He was seemingly fond of pioneer life for he emigrated to Allen county, Kansas, in 1859, and removed to Domiphan county in 1863. He subsequently returned to Michigan, where he died in 1808, followed by the wife and mother one year later. Mr. Pen- nock's mother was a native of Ireland and came to America with her par- ents when about five years of age.
Mr. Pennock received a limited education in the common schools of Michigan. He came to Kansas when the country was new and when there Were no schools, in 1857. He crossed the plains when but fifteen years of age, driving six yoke of cattle for the freighting company of Stebbins & Porter, who were well known in these days. He went through to Central City. Colorado, returning in 1865 to Doniphan county, and later, with his father's family, to Michigan, where he worked on a farm until 1870, and again came to Kansas and filed on a homestead in Aurora township, Cloud county, which he improved and lived on for five years. Retaining his home- stead he came to Concordia and began working at his trade, that of stone mason and plasterer, which he had learned during his last residence in Michigan. Four years later he entered the employ of William Blair, the min who established the elevator Mr. Perock now operates. He bought grain for him four years. Mr. Blair was succeeded by Glucose & Company. Mr. Pennock remained in their employ for one year and then established a grain business for himself in the town of Aurora. At the expiration of two years he, with his father-in-law, who owned a half section of land together, returned to the farm for one year, and in 1891 moved to Con- cordia. In 1802 he was appointed under sheriff and jailor, under Sheriff Archer. Two years later he bought the elevator and has since been success- fully engaged in the grain business. On Mr. Pennock's advent in Kansas he had practically nothing, but now owns two farms in Aurora township, one he purchased and the other is his old homestead. They are both finely improved. He has a handsome residence property on the corner of Broad- way and Eleventh streets, in the city of Concordia.
He was married in 1873 to Kesialı Prince. a daughter of E. L. Prince, a farmer of Aurora township, and an old settler who came to Cloud county in the early 'seventies. Mr. Prince left the homestead in 1876 and established a grain business in Jamestown, owning an interest in an elevator there. They
%
299
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
now reside in Concordia. To Mr. and Mrs. Pennock four children have been born : Ada, Florence, Alfred and Hazel, all educated in the Concordia schools. Mr. Pennock is a Republican in politics and was deputy sheriff, under John Wilson, the second sheriff of Cloud county, for four years. He has also served as constable of his township. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, Knights and Ladies of Security and Triple Tie. By his industry and integrity Mr. Pennock has accumulated a comfortable fortune. He possesses a kindly and benevolent disposition. Although an unpreten- tions, quiet man, he has a host of friends who appreciate his good qualities.
WV. H. L. PEPPERELL.
Few men in Cloud county have risen from obscurity and gained the prominence accorded W. H. L. Pepperell. The interesting story of his life strikingly illustrates what a man can ac- complish when he possesses ambition and the energy and the steadfastness of purpose to execute them. From poverty, a "little boot- black." as he is pleased to call himself, our subject has risen to prosperity, occupies a high standing as a citizen and is admired for the broad learning and scholarly attainments he has acquired -- from where and when it would be difficult to determine exactly-for he began his career ere his school days had fairly dawned. But with the same determin- ation that he has hewed down every obstacle in his patlı, he gained knowledge and ac- quired much of his book learning while in the employ of Mrs. Truesdell; furthermore it was of a practical kind. the quality that is a boon to the boy who turns pathfinder.
Mr. Pepperell was born in Plymouth, W. H. L. PEPPERELL. England, in 1862. In 1870 he came to America with his parents, who settled in Junction City, Kansas. As a mere child he evinced the same sort of emotion and ambition that beats in the breasts of more mature and restless humanity. His extreme youth nor the influence of his parents, who were in limited circumstances, did not prevent him from taking the "world by the horns." He learned through a traveling salesman, that a position awaited him at the "Truesdell House" in Concordia. The conditions were. a "rustler," and, in addition, could earn fees blacking boots, doing errands, etc. As a result of having fasted all day, Mr. Pepperell arrived in the new town of Concordia with twenty-five cents in his pocket. He left home with enough to pay his car fare from Junc-
300
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
tion City to Clyde and started to finish his journey on foot, but a kindly farmer gave him a ride in his wagon. Mr. Pepperell says shoukl he live a century he could never forget the appearance of Mrs. Truesdell, in her silken gown, as she summoned him into her presence. He had expected to be ushered into a hearing with a grim-visaged landlord instead of this gra- cious woman, who appeared to him like a queen. She was a handsome woman and her grace appealed to the little stranger, as she mapped out a routine of duties for him to perform. Late in the afternoon Mrs. Truesdell discovered a look of weariness on the boy's face and thinking he may not have dined. true to her kindly nature, ordered a hinch prepared for him. Mr. Pepperell asserts that was the most sumptuous meal he ever partook of in his life, not excepting the scores of banquets he has since attended. Ile found a home with Mrs. Truesdell, a home in all that the word implies. and for a half dozen years lost his identity and was known as "Billy" Trues- dell. In the meantime our subject had established a reputation for shrewd- ness, coupled with honor and integrity, the first requisites to success, and when the hotel burned down he was offered a clerkship. but refused a posi- tion with a salary to enter the law ofice of Laing & Wrong, that he might satisfy his longing for knowledge, an exceptional sacrifice for a penmiles Boy, but a wise one, for here he acquired his business education, and at the expiration of one year had gained enough knowledge to form an association with N. E. Carpenter, an attorney and justice of the peace, in the real estate business. From this period he began to rise and in 1882, before having reached his majority, he was elected chairman of the Democratic county con- vention, and turned down an appointment, under Governor Glick, because he had aspirations to become postmaster in Concordia. In 1884 he was elected a delegate to the national convention and also a member of the Dem- ocratic central committee, with which body he is still identified and has been secretary of for twelve years. This body comprises five counties. He became a candidate for postmaster in 1885 and, succeeding a hard fight, which continued through eleven months, Mr. Pepperell was placed in official position, under President Cleveland's first administration, and served with marked satisfaction for three years. Being among the following who believe "to the victor belongs the spoils." Mr. Pepperell resigned. under President Mckinley's reign, six months prior to the expiration of his term. He was again chosen a delegate to the National convention that convened in 1892 and nominated ex-President Cleveland the second time. No better evidence of the efficient service he gave the people could be given than his second appointment to the position of postmaster in 1803, with virtually no opposi- tion. and held the office another four years. His popularity among political circles is shown by repeated gifts of the people and those in office. July 1. 1898, he was appointed a director of the penitentiary by Governor Leedy and filled that office one and a half years. Mr. Pepperell also has an enviable fra- ternal record. He has been through all the chairs of the Ancient Order of
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.