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 35
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TAYLOR & AHLBERG.
The firm of Taylor & Ahlberg carry one of the best-selected stocks of footwear in northwest Kansas. The accompanying illustration shows the well-appointed interior of their exclusive shoe store, which would be consid- ered a first-class enterprise in a much larger city than Concordia.
The senior member of the firm is J. B. Taylor, who came to Concordia
INTERIOR VIEW OF TAYLOR & AHLBERG'S EXCLUSIVE SHOE STORE.
in the interests of the J. Green Lumber Company, and was with that concern four years, followed by three years in the grocery business with Peter Betournay. Severing his connection with these firms he bought grain for various dealers and for himself, and is still interested in that line. Mr. Taylor is a native of Stanford, Lincoln county, Kentucky, where he received
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IHISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KAN'S.IS.
a common school education, alternating his studies with farm work. He was married in 1884 to Mary J. ( Vaughn) Perkins, a daughter of Charles Vaughn, of lowa. where she was born. Politically Mr. Taylor is a Demo- crat and socially he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and Ancient Order of United Workmen.
.Since establishing their present business in Concordia in 1896. Taylor & Ahlberg have demonstrated their ability to cater to the needs of the pub- lic in their line and have built up a large patronage. Their store is on Sixth street, near the Bon Marche.
Alfred Ahlberg. the junior member of the firm, is a son of Charles Ahlberg and the youngest of a family of eight children. His father died when Mr. Ahlberg was a small boy, and his mother was deceased in 1885. Mr. Ahlberg was born in Northport, Sweden, in 1850. When thirteen years of age he apprenticed himself to learn the shoemaker's trade, which he acquired very thoroughly, serving twelve years, half of that time with- out receiving any remuneration for his labors. In 1885 he emigrated to America and after a residence of six months in Clay Center, Kansas, removed to Concordia, where he worked at his trade very successfully until 1896, when he formed his present association with Mr. Taylor. There is no better workman to be found than Mr. Ahlberg and his knowledge of footwear asserts itself in their large and superior class of goods. Mr. Ahlberg was educated in the common schools of Sweden. He is a quiet, unassuming business man, who has acquired a good start in life by his industry, integrity and personal efforts.
HONORABLE WILLIAM WILSON CALDWELL.
Prominent in the business circles of Concordia stands the name of W. W Caldwell, where for years he has been one of the most enterprising and public-spirited citizens. To him the city is indebted for several of its most pretentious structures, among them the Caldwell Bank building, Layton & Neilson block and the "Caldwell Hotel." The latter, just completed, is said to be one of the most elegantly equipped and appointed hotels in north- west Kansas. The emigrant of the Caldwell family was John Caldwell, who was born and reared in County Antrim, Ireland. Tired of the poverty and oppression which English rule produced in his native land. he sought the freedom of America and took passage for the United States in 1809. But persecution followed him into the New World, for in ISII he was taken from an American vessel by a British man-of-war and forced into severe service, as was the custom of those times. He deserted at Montreal one year later and enlisted in the United States army and served until the close of hostilities. He subsequently married Miss Mary McClure and estah- lished a home in Ross county, Ohio, where James, the father of our sub- ject, was born. His mother before her marriage was Miss Elizabeth Shep- ard. of Athens, Ohio. She also came of English stock. James Caldwell
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
moved to Iowa in the early settlement of that state, where W. W. Cald- well was born in Jefferson county. November 2, 1840. He grew to man- hood on his father's farm, combining the duties thereon with attendance at school in Agency City .. finishing his education by attending for one year the Denmark (Jowa) Academy.
He served in the civil war with II. B. Johnson's Independent Missouri
HONORABLE W. W. CALDWELL.
Battery. After the war clouds had passed over he began the study of law with R. H. Gilmore, of Keokuk, Iowa. In March, 1866. he removed to Savannah, Missouri, where he pursued his studies under the instruction of the late James W. Strong, of St. Joseph, Missouri. Mr. Caldwell was admitted to the bar in 1870 by Judge Isaac C. Parker, of St. Joseph. While in Savannah he served as deputy clerk of the circuit court and was elected mayor of that city. He came to Concordia in 1885, and for several years was associated with Hale H. Cook and F. S. Ellis under the firm name of Caldwell, Ellis & Cook. They had a large clientage in the courts through- out northern Kansas. In 1897 Mr. Caldwell organized the firm of Cald- well, Wilmoth & Ackley, and conducted an extensive commercial and cor-
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INTERIOR OF W. W. CALDWELL'S HANDSOMELY APPOINTED LAW OFFICE.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
poration practice. Since Mr. Ackley's death, in 1901, the firm has been Caldwell & Wilmoth. Mr. Caldwell organized the Citizens' National Bank of Concordia in 1887, and was president of that institution until its consolidation with the First National Bank of Concordia in 1898.
He is an ardent Republican in politics and has been a member of the Repub- lican state central committee, and chairman of the Republican state central com- mittee of Cloud county. In 1892 he was on the Republican national ticket for presidential elector and was a delegate to the national Republican con- vention which convened at Philadelphia, January 19, 1900. Mr. Caldwell has been twice mayor of Concordia and was the candidate in the last city election. He was defeated by S. C. Wheeler by one vote, after the hardest fought battle in the history of Concordia. Mr. Caldwell is a leader in politics, is authority on financial issues and one of the first to expose the fallacy of the free coinage of silver. He was an advocate of the main- tenance of the "existing gold standard" long before it was written in the St. Louis platform in 1896. Mr. Caldwell was married in 1869 to Camilla A. Kellogg, of Keokuk, Iowa. Four children have been born to them: E .W., of New York City, J. F., of Hastings, Nebraska, Mrs. J. P. Barrett. of Concordia, and Miss Edith, who lives at home. Eugene W. Caldwell, their eldest son, has attained success and prominence in the professional world. Although but thirty-two years of age he has spent a year on the continent, is lecturer at Bellevue hospital. New York City, and the author of a scientific work for the use of the medical fraternity, entitled. "The Practical Application of Roentgen Rays in Therapeutics." He is also director of the Edward N. Gibbs Memorial X-Ray Laboratory, and the Bellevue Hospital Medical College.
NOF & MOORE.
The cut on page 344 represents the enterprising livery firm of Noe & Moore, formerly known as the "Barons House" barn. (See sketch of S. H. Baron.)
Andrew Noe, the senior member of the firm became associated with C. D. Byrum in the livery business in 1899. In March, two years later. J. R. Ballard purchased the interest of Mr. Byrum and the firm became Noe & Ballard. They were successful and witnessed a steady growth until they received their share of the patronage. In the spring of 1903 Carl Moore bought Ballard's share of the stock and as Noe & Moore. the busi- ness will continue to progress, for both are favorably and well known. Mr. Noe, the senior member of the firm, has recently purchased the barn-which is a fine stone structure-of Mrs. F. E. Barons.
Mr. Noe is a native of Ogle county, Illinois, born in 1860. but has been reared in Cloud county, having settled on a farm with his parents, twelve miles south of Concordia, when he was but nine years old. His father, Samuel Noe, still lives on the farm. His mother died in 1899. Mr.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
Noe was married in 1883 to Etta, a daughter of Otis Kenworthy, a farmer of Smith county. They are the parents of two bright and beautiful chil- dren, Lila and Winona. Mr. Noe transcends from a race of divines, both his paternal and maternal grandfathers having been ministers.
Carl Moore, the other member of the firm, is the sheriff of Cloud county, serving his second term. Mr. Moore is one of the best known men in the com- munity. He was under sheriff during the two terms Morrisette was in office. Al- though born in Whiteside county, Illinois, in 1869, Mr. Moore may be considered a Kansas product, for he came to Cloud county with his parents when but two years LIVERY BARN OF NOE & MOORE. old. He is a son of C. F. and M. L. (Curran) Moore, both natives of Ohio, but settled in Illinois soon after the Civil war. His father bought land four miles south of Concordia, but in the latter part of 1880 sold his property there and purchased a farm two miles east of Con- cordia, where he lived until recently, when he removed to that city.
Mr. Moore became a voter about the time the Populist party was organized and has been an ardent supporter of its principles. He was elected to office by a majority of one hundred and fifty-four and led the ticket by eighty-eight votes. In the last election he was one of the two fusion candi- dates on the ticket elected. He had previously served two terms as constable of Concordia and was city marshal for about six months.
The combination of Noe & Moore assures their success, for both are popular and enterprising men. Their stock of roadsters and vehicles is up-to-date and will undoubtedly promote favor and continue to draw large patronage.
JAMES VOSS PRICE.
The subject of this sketch. James Voss Price, is the venerable father of Sylvester Baily Price, one of Cloud county's able commissioners. Mr. Price descends from an ancient and patriotic English family, a branch of which settled on the Little Peedee river in the state of North Carolina, prior to the period of the Revolutionary war. He is a grandson of the patriotic John Price who served all through the Revolution under General Marion. His father, John Lowry Price, demonstrated his valor by shouldering a
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
musket and rendering duty as a soldier all through the war of 1812, and was slightly wounded. He was born on the Little Peedee river but emi- grated to Barnes county, Kentucky, in the early settlement of that state and where James Voss Price was born in 1812. In December, 1852, he, with his family drove through the country to southern Illinois and arrived at their destination, what is now known as "Little Egypt," on Christmas day.
Our subject's maternal grandfather Voss. from whom Mr. Price received his Christian name, was also a soldier of the Revolution. The Voss and Price families settled in North Carolina and in the same community almost simultaneously. Like his distinguished ancestry, Mr. Price was a patriot. When Company H, Eighty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, was instituted he responded to the call for more troops by enlisting in their ranks August 12, 1862. He entered as second lieutenant and was promoted to first lieutenant, but after receiving his commission was compelled to resign on account of a crippled foot and ankle that would not admit of participat- ing in the march. The patriotism of the Price antecedents has been handed on down the line. The two sons of Mr. Price were both soldiers of the Civil war and members of the same company with their father.
Mr. Price began his career by working on a farm near Bowling Green, Kentucky, where for three years he received five dollars per month. He was next installed as overseer of the Mccutcheon plantation, a large south- ern estate in Logan county, Kentucky, for the remuneration of one hun- dred dollars per year, which was considered fair wages in those days of cheap labor. His services proved so satisfactory his employer offered to in- crease his salary to one hundred and fifty dollars per year if he would con- tinue in charge, but Mr. Price bought forty acres of land, married Febru- ary 10, 1835, and established a home. His wife was Lucinda Hall, whose people were among the earliest settlers in Sussex county, Virginia, and were slaveholders, she receiving two slaves upon her marriage with Mr. Price as a dowry from her father. To their union three children were born, all of whom are deceased. The wife and mother died in August, 1840. His second wife was Frances Jane Weathers, also of Virginia birth, and from one of the pioneer families of Dinwiddie county. Many of her father's peo- ple were in the confederacy, but the maternal side furnished several Union soldiers. Mrs. Price was a near relative of General Albert Sidney Johnson. who was killed in the first day's battle at Shiloh. By this union four chil- dren were born, two sons and two daughters. The eldest, Frances Ellen. is the wife of Doctor Dabney, of Denver. S. B. Price, whose biography follows that of his father, is the second child and first son. E. R. Price is one of the representative farmers in the vicinity of Hollis. The young- est child, Mary Melissa, is the wife of Fred Kunkle, and resides in Concor- dia. Mrs. Dabney is the original Fannie Price, for whom Mr. Carnahan named "Fanny" postoffice.
Mr. Price was a practical farmer all his life until he retired from labor to enjoy the ease and comfort due a well spent career of usefulness.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
He emigrated with his father's family to Illinois and bought a squatter's right in "Little Egypt," for which he paid one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, and where he resided until coming to Kansas in 1886. Thus it will be seen Mr. Price was a pioneer of two states and almost three, for Kentucky was yet in its infancy. He first settled in . Pottawatomie county, but in 1868 pushed further westward and located a homestead near where the town of Hollis now stands, where he continued to reside until he sold the farm in 1884.
Since the death of his wife in 1886, Mr. Price has lived wtih his chil- dren. He is now with his son, S. B. Price, in Concordia, and where likely he will spend the rest of his days. Before the organization of the Repub- lican party Mr. Price was a Whig. He has been prominent in politics and was personally associated with such men as John A. Logan and grows animated as he interestingly converses of the days when Stephen A. Doug- las aspired to the presidency. Those times of anxiety and factional strife seem as vivid in the mind of this aged veteran, over whose snowy head a
CONCORDIA RESIDENCE OF COMMISSIONER S. B. PRICE.
century has almost dawned, as if that memorable period were but yester- day. The fires of enthusiasm kindle within his breast and illumine his countenance as he intelligently narrates the proceedings of the Republican
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS. 347
state convention held in Decatur in 1860, when Richard Yates was nomi- nated for governor of the state of Illinois and Abraham Lincoln endorsed for president. Mr. Price was honored by the appointment of delegate to this distinguished body along with Griffin Gailin and John Russell.
Mr. Price is perhaps the oldest Mason in the county, and one of the few in the state who have been identified with the order since 1847. He was initiated into the mysteries of Free Masonry in Bowling Green, Ken- tucky. He has not lost his love and consideration for the order, but declin- ing years do not admit of his attending the lodge meetings.
SYLVESTER BAILY PRICE.
S. B. Price is another pioneer of Cloud county that has prospered and attained a prominent place in the citizenship of the community. He is a son of James Voss Price, of the preceding sketch and was born in the state of Kentucky in 1845. removed to southern Illinois in 1852, and as stated in his father's sketch, enlisted in Company H. Eighty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry. August 12, 1862, and served in his country's cause until October, 1864. when he was discharged for disability. llis brother, E. R. Price, served until the close of hostilities. They were in the army of the Tennessee, General John A. Logan being their corps commander and General MePherson division commander. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg. Franklin and the Red river expedition. They were subsequently transferred to the Sixteenth Corps and served in the extreme south. Their last duties in the army were performed at Mobile. Their company was mustered out of service at Montgomery, SYLVESTER BAILY PRICE. Alabama, and discharged in Chicago. MIr. Price came with his father's family to Kansas in 1866, and home- steaded land near the present site of Hollis two years later, where he married Miss Isabell S. Powell, formerly of Pike county, Illinois, reared a family of five children and became independent in his possessions of the world's goods. Fannie, their eldest daughter, is the wife of A. B. Cole, a successful farmer living near Hollis. Flora Lillian is the wife of Reed Scott, a contractor of Concordia. Florence Gertrude is the wife of Loren Ashcraft, a railroad man with residence at Wymore, Nebraska. James A .. their only son. is employed as clerk in the grocery of Price & Moore. He received a business education and training in the Great Western Business College of Concordia. He is a hard student and to his natural ability
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
extended travel has added experience which can be obtained from no other course. Blanche, the youngest daughter and child, is aged fifteen years. She is a pupil in the eighth grade of the Washington school. She exhibits a decided talent in music, being especially gifted in that accomplish- ment. Mr. Price retains his old homestead near Hollis, along with two other quarter sections. Ilis land is finely improved, with commodious resi- dence and one of the most modern and complete barns in the country. This valuable estate illustrates much more forcibly than words could do the tire- less industry and excellent management of its owner. In March, 1901, Mr. Price retired from farm life, bought the Haskell residence property on Ninth and Cedar streets and removed his family there. Shortly after this event Mr. Price became associated with A. R. Moore, under the firm name of Price & Moore, and purchased the Key stock of groceries. The principals in this combination are both well and favorably known, and have already built up a, prosperous business.
During the early settlement of the county the Price family endured all the incidents due to frontier life and for months were in constant dread of the savages who committed depredations in near by settlements, but the people of this locality fortunately escaped. The Wards that were massa- cred on White Rock came from southern Illinois, and from the same vicin- ity as the Prices, whose intentions were to join them on the White Rock, but hearing of the Indian uprising along that creek, they stopped in Law- rence township. Mr. Price was on horseback, carrying a plow share to a neighbor one day when he sighted three Indians mounted on their ponies, who were riding rapidly in his direction. The dismayed settler put the spurs to his horse and hurriedly gained entrance to the house of a neigh- bor by the name of Hodge. A moment later the savages came pell mell and suddenly halted at the door. Mr. Ilodge had told our subject when the command was given to fire he was to instantly respond. With an eagle eye and quivering with excitement, Mr. Price mistook a movement for a signal to fire and brought his gun into position, whereupon Mr. Hodge, with a sudden motion knocked the gun aside. The act was a bit of strategy on the part of the frontiersman, who was familiar with Indian character- istics. They saw the gun, thought there was more in reserve and beat a hasty retreat, as he anticipated they would.
During the uprising in 1868, William Christy, a brother-in-law (now of Concordia), loaded their wagons with household effects and started for a place of safety, he and his family going to the Lawrence homestead, where they found Mrs. Lawrence at home alone. His brother, Henry Christy, drove the oxen that were drawing the load of goods and when he reached the vicinity of Upper creek he discovered an object which he felt assured was an Indian, and, believing in the old adage, "He who runs away, will live to fight another day." turned the oxen loose, left the wagon and, with the swiftness of a hunted deer, flew on foot to Lawrenceburg. Upon reaching the Lawrence home he hurried the inmates of the little dwelling
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
into a skiff. Mrs. Lawrence, while making her exit, detained the frightened party by sticking fast in the mud. Mr. Christy pulled her out in due time, just as the supposed Indian rode up with the gun Henry had left on the prairie in his flight, and was picked up by this neighboring settler, who was watching for the appearance or movements of the Indians from this high point of land.
Mr. Price passed through the Otoe village in 1866 and ate dinner with the agent. The camp was deserted, the Indians being off on a hunting expe- dition. They visited the burial ground and found three cottonwood coffins on the top of oak trees. He and his comrades were boys, and, having a curiosity to know if the warriors' guns were buried with them. pried one end of the coffin off, but found nothing had accompanied the body to the happy hunting grounds. On this same trip Mr. Price and his two companions gave an Indian some tobacco for the use of his pony to ride to Marysville, twelve miles distant. The suspecting savage walked directly in front of them all the way, saying. "White man mean; can't trust him." When they arrived home they found the doors barred, in consequence of what proved to be an unfounded report that the savages were coming through on the war- path, and their reinforcement was gladly welcomed. But when they came, the family figured they had been hunted down and run in, as the mischievous boys led them to believe, and after listening to their hairbreadth escape, Ed. Powell, a brother-in-law, turned to his wife and hopelessly remarked, "Well, Margaret, hear that; no use staying here any longer. Let's go back." This circumstance he was often reminded of later.
Politically Mr. Price is a Republican and is one of the county commis- sioners. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and takes an interest in the organization of old veterans. Mrs. Price is a member of the Christian church and a very estimable woman.
J. D. FELL.
The subject of this sketch, J. D. Fell, came to Concordia about nine- teen years ago in the interests of the Howell Brothers' Lumber Company. In 1881 be removed to Colorado to assume charge of their yard there. They failed in July of that year and Mr. Fell returned and accepted the position that he has filled with recognized ability for about a dozen years- the management of the Chicago Lumber Company's Yards at Concordia.
Mr. Fell is a Canadian by birth. When four years old he removed with his parents to Ogle county, Illinois, where he received a high school education, alternating his pursuit of knowledge with work on the farm. for his father, Erastus Fell, was a tiller of the soil.
At the age of nineteen our subject began his career by working in a lumber yard. He was with a firm in Greenleaf, Kansas, prior to coming to Concordia. He has practically grown up in the lumber business and is a valued employe. In social and fraternal orders Mr. Fell is particu- 21
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
larly prominent, having made an enviable record, much to the delight and approval of his brother co-workers. In less than a year after he was initiated into the mysteries of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, he was elected presid- ing officer and served as outer and inner guard of the grand lodge for two years. There was no opposition to his further advancement, but Mr. Fell's duties would not permit of his serving in the capacity of presiding officer, consequently he retired in favor of a brother knight. He served one term as master workman of the Ancient Order of United Workman, three years as master of St John's Lodge No. 113, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, two years as commander of the Commandery No. 42, and during both of these years the commandery ranked first in the state. This honor was awarded them by Inspector E. W. Welling- ton, their present official, who ranks among the most proficient in the country. Mr. Fell now hokls the office of grand captain of the guard in the lodge of the Grand Command- ery. His promotion has been rapid. as he has only been a member of the order about three years. He is also serving at the present time as king of Concordia Chapter No. 45, and royal vizier of the Knights of Khorassan of Concordia. Mr. Fell is also a member of the Order of Elks, Zabud Council No. 4. Topeka, Kansas, Eastern Star, Woodmen, Degree of Honor and Royal Neighbors. Politically Mr. Fell is a Republican. He was elected a member of the Concordia board of education on the independent ticket and J. D. FELL. served one year.
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