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 40
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
day was hot and dusty and he was footsore, thirsty and weary. Fancy his chagrin and disappointment when preparing to rest and enjoy his lunch to discover that it had been stolen by some culprit the night before in Minneapo- lis : but he was more fortunate than the day previous and got a ride part of the way.
Mr. Kristofferson was married in 1875, and lived in a dugout for six years, where their first three children were born. He now owns five hun- dred and forty acres of wheat, corn and pasture land, and raises and feeds from eighty to one hundred head of cattle. He is grading his herd of short- horns into Hereford breeds. He also raises a great many hogs. In 1880 he built a handsome two-story residence of seven rooms. He has good barns, his buildings are all freshly painted and has ample sheds and shelter for all his stock. The west branch of Pipe creek runs through his farm and furnishes wood and water. This farm is one of the most finely cultivated estates on Pipe creek.
Mrs. Kristofferson was Agre Lena Peterson. She came to Chicago from Sweden when twenty-nine years of age and one year later to Kansas, where they were married. They are the parents of five children, four of whom are living. Hannah Mary, wife of Alto Bergstein, a farmer of Ottawa county, near Delphos. Adolph, the eldest son. is a student of the Commercial Col- lege in Concordia. He graduated in the common branches in 1898. Hulda Josephine. wife of Frank Hounte, a farmer living near Delphos. Edward, the youngest son is aged nineteen.
Mr. Kristofferson is a citizen who votes for whoever he thinks is the best man, but rather leans to the republican side. The family are members of the Lutheran church, but in the absence of a congregation in their neigh- borhood, they are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bethel and New Hope. Their family of children have had good educational ad- vantages and the daughters are both accomplished in music. The Kristof- ferson residence is surrounded by a beautiful lawn, and having water for irri- gating purposes, is set with flowers and shrubs of many varieties.
NATHAN DOAK.
Nathan Doak, the subject of this sketch belongs to that class of men that every community needs more of. Though not exercising an outward show, greatly benefits others within the range of his influence. and those who know Mr. Doak best speak most enthusiastically of his good qualities. He visited Kansas while in the employ of the government, removing the Sac and Fox Indians to the Creek Reservation in the eastern part of Indian Terri- tory.
Attracted by the possibilities of the great future for the state of Kansas he came to Cloud county, the following year. 1869, and homesteaded land in Arion township: he hewed logs, manufactured shingles, and built the best house above ground in the community. Mr. Doak was born in West Vir-
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
ginia. fifty-two miles from Parkersburg, on the Ohio river. in 1840. He lived in the place of his birth until he entered his country's service in August, 1861. He enlisted for three years in Company C, Seventh West Virginia Infantry. He was in the hospital from a flesh wound received in the battle of Chancellorsville, and was off duty from May until the following Sep- tember, and consequently was among the supernumeraries who were mus- tered out when his regiment was consolidated. They were under Colonel Joseph Snyder, and were constantly engaged in active service, operating principally in East Virginia. They took part in the battle of Gettysburg, Antietam, where his company lost heavily, Fredericksburg and many skirmishes. Mr. Doak enlisted in this company as a private and was pro- moted to Orderly Sergeant. In September. 1864, he re-enlisted in Com- pany C, Sixth West Virginia Infantry, under Captain Josiah Bee. He was elected Sergeant and later promoted to Second Lieutenant, receiving his commission just at the close of the war.
Mr. Doak's paternal grand parents came from Ireland to Pennsylvania, where his father, Hiram Doak, was born, and after his marriage with Eliza- beth Joseph, also of Pennsylvania, they settled in the part of the state since named West Virginia, where our subject was born. He was one of eleven children, seven of whom are living. His brother Almarine, was killed in the battle of Martinsburg. Virginia. George W., whose sketch follows, is a brother. There are two brothers and a sister in Osborne county, a sister in Nebraska, and Mrs Charles Dotson, of Concordia.
In 1873, Mr. Doak married a young woman who was reared in the vicinity of his Virginia home. She is a daughter of Zachariah Dotson, who died in 1863. The Dotson's were an old Virginia family. Her mother before her marriage was Eliza Eddleblute, a native of Pennyslvania. Mrs. Dotson was a very remarkable character, she came with her family of chil- dren and took up a homestead in Arion township in 1871. She was born in March, 1800, and died July 26, 189). Her life was a long and eventful one and had she lived until next March, would have been a centenerian. She was born one hundred and seventeen days after the death of George Washington, and while Governor Adams was President of the young Repub- lic, which then numbered but sixteen states. Since then the nation has been involved in eight wars, twenty-three presidents have been installed, and of that number, twenty have passed into the unknown realms.
During her thirty-seven years of widowhood, she had lived with an adopted daughter that she had taken in her heart and home when an infant but five months old. Between this child and her foster mother, a remark- able attachment developed. This daughter. Ellen Moran, is now living with Mrs. Truesdell, of Concordia. Mrs. Dotson was the mother of eleven children, the grand-mother of forty-seven children, and seventy-six great grand children. Three of her sons fought for their country and remained with the flag until the last. Three of her daughters married military men, soldiers of the Civil war. She sheared the sheep, spun the yarn, wove the
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
cloth and made it into garments for her children, thus within a few hours converting the raw material into clothing. She was a woman of far more than ordinary intellect and in her old age conversed intelligently of the prog- ress made and genius developed within the years of her eventful life, retain- ing all her faculties to a wonderful degree.
To Mr. and Mrs. Doak five children have been born. Their eldest child was the late Minor Doak, deceased September 8, 1902, at his home in Arion township. He was but twenty-eight years of age, a young man in the prime of life, honored and esteemed in the community, and his death was the occasion of universal sorrow. A wife and two children survive him. Mand, the oldest daughter, is the wife of Urey Pitts, of Woodward, county, Oklahoma ; Eliza, Eva and Walter. Mr. Doak is a republican politi - cally and works faithfully for the principles of this party. He is a member of the G. A. R., Concordia Post. Mrs. Doak is a member of the Christian church. Range Line congregation. Mr. Doak and his excellent family are interested in all educational and worthy enterprises, contributing liberally to the support of every cause pertaining to the good of their community. Mr. Doak's farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres of fine land, and he occupies a pleasant cottage home with his estimable wife, daughters and son. Mrs. Doak is a noble, motherly woman, retaining the true southern hospitality that more than a quarter of a century of western life has not obliterated, that gives one the assurance of a hearty welcome.
GEORGE W. DOAK.
The subject of this sketch, G. W. Doak. one of the enterprising and honorable citizens of Arion township, town seven, is an old pioneer of Kansas. He first settied in Osage county, and with his brother assisted in moving the Indians to the Creek reservation. In June, the following year began a residence in Cloud county, filing on the homestead where he now lives, before he had gained his majority.
Mr. Doak is a native of Virginia, born in 1849, and possesses the true southern hospitality. (For ancestry see sketch of Nathan Doak.) Mr. Doak is altogether a self-made man. He had but $2.50 left after filing on his claims. The first few years he lived in a dugout and subsisted principally on game. He has feasted on many juicy buffalo steaks. He owns at the present writing, two hundred acres of finely improved land. Ash Creek and a small branch of Wolf creek run through his farm. Mr. Doak gained his present good financial circumstances by raising. feeding and shipping cattle and hogs, but the last few seasons has turned his attention largely to wheat grow- ing. He has one of the best residences in the township, a commodious, well built eight room house.
Mr. Doak was married in 1876, to Alice E., a daughter of Alfred and Elizabeth (Garner ) Dotson. The Dotson's were old settlers. They came to Cloud county in the early part of the year, 1870, and settled on the west
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
branch of Wolf creek. They recently sold their land, retired from fari life and are living in Concordia. Mrs. Doak is one of a family of six girls and four boys. Two sisters are in the western part of the state. a brother and sister in Clay county, and the rest of the family reside in Cloud county. The Dotsons are of old Virginia stock. Mrs. Doak's grandparents from both sides of the house emigrated to Kansas, and both died in Cloud county. Her father was a soldier in the Civil war, a member of the Fourteenth Virginia.
To Mr. and Mrs. Doak three children have been born, viz: Watt V .. married Ora Bevin, a daughter of Lafe Bevin, one of the old residents of Arion township. Watt V. is a farmer and owns land adjoining his father on the west. He graduated from the Concordia high school in 1898. Daisy J., is a student of the Concordia high school. Nellie, is the wife of S. M. Steele. Mr. Steele bought a portion of his father's original homestead and is a farmer. Mr. Doak's political views tend toward populism. He has served as trustee of his township for several years. He is a member of the Select Knights of Concordia.
When Mr. Doak came to Cloud county and filed on his government lund it was rather a desolate outlook-a wild unbroken prairie as far as the eye could reach, but he set energetically to work and conquered the hard- ships which strew the pathway of the early settlers in any country, and has made for himself and his family an enviable home, where surrounded by peace and plenty he can enjoy the fruits of his labors. He is one of the most esteemed and usetul citizens of the locality in which he lives ..
JULIUS ALEXANDER BELO.
J. A. Belo, a representative farmer and stockman of Arion township. has achieved the competency he possesses by his own efforts and labor, and there is scarcely a day that he does not devote himself to toil; yet he is never so much engrossed or too busily engaged to meet friends or strangers with a courteous and hospitable bearing. He is a farmer of lifelong experi- ence and began his career as foreman of Robert Stewart's extended farm in Buchanan county, lowa, in 1876.
In the spring of 1878 he emigrated to Kansas and settled temporarily in Mitchell county, near Cawker City. In July of the same year he rented a farm in Cloud county, and the following autumn homesteaded forty acres of land adjoining his present home place. A year later he bought seventy acres one mile south, known as the Everett homestead. In 1887 he sold these two tracts and bought the farm of two hundred and eighty acres where he now lives, and which he put under a good state of improvement. In 1881 he proceeded to build a comfortable six-room residence and a small. but well-built. barn. He has considerable fruit. including apples, peaches. pears and grapes. His chief farm products are wheat, corn and oats. He keeps a herd of from fifty to eighty head of native cattle, among which are
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
some graded Polled-Angus, and feeds from fifty to one hundred and fifty fine-bred Jersey Red and Poland China hogs. In the summer of 1884 Mr. Beto farmed two hundred acres of land that was planted in corn : fifty acres of this ground grew corn that yielded eighty bushels per acre; on the two hundred acres he had a total yield of eleven thousand bushels. The shellers bid one cent per bushel, and at that figure their bill footed $110. The corn marketed from eighteen to twenty-three cents per bushel. In 1901 he had a field of wheat containing sixty acres that threshed twenty-eight bushels to the acre.
Mr. Belo was born on a farm near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in December. 1856. He is a son of John and Henrietta ( Trebom) Belo. John Belo was horn in Germany in 1837. emigrated to America in 1855, and settled in Wisconsin. In 1861 he emigrated with his family to lowa and bought tim- bered government land in Buchanan county for one dollar and a quarter per acre, which he cleared and improved and where he still lives. Mr. Belo is one of ten children. five of whom are living: Our subject: Edward. a stone mason of Jessup, lowa : Lena, wife of John Metchmier, a grain dealer of Jessup. lowa; John: and Telia.
J. A. Belo was married in February. 1881, to Susanna ( Burns) Sheri- (lan, the widow of Thomas Sheridan. She was born in Ireland. came to America with her parents when a child and settled in the state of New York. Mrs. Belo died April 13, 1884, three years after her second marriage, leaving one child ( and three by her first husband). John Edward, who is interested with his father on the farm and is a young man of good edu- cation in both English and German. In 1889 Mr. Belo was married to Mary Ann Driscoll. a native of Vermillion county, Illinois, and a daughter of Cornelius Driscoll, who became a farmer of Arion township. Cloud county, in 1878. Her parents were both of Irish birth. Her mother's brothers, General Humphries and Major Humphries, were distinguished offi- cers of the English army. Mrs. Belo's father was found dead from natural causes March 3. 1896, in the field where he was herding horses. Her mother (lied in May, 1900. Mrs. Belo is one of seven living children, all but two of whom live in Cloud county. Mr. Belo is a Populist, but formerly voted the Democratic ticket. He has served several successive years on the town- ship board. Himself and family are members of the Concordia Catholic congregation.
ORGANIZATION
OF THE
CLYDE TOWN COMPANY
While Clyde did not receive a great spontaneous growth so common to some new towns, its present proportions surprise the expectations of the little company of men that gathered in the old log store room of Herman & Davis to consult over the propriety of starting a town. A locality so in- viting surrounded by a rich and magnificent country convinced these citi- zens that a town of more or less importance was bound to spring up in some near locality. The only wonder is that the project was not begun sooner. Among the chief obstacles to overcome was the fact that the people in the vicinity were not of a speculative mind. most of them having come with the avowed purpose of homesteading claims by which they could acquire farms and they were generally poor: so much so that they could not even enter- tain the idea of buying land for a town site. Something must occur to con- vince them that such an action was almost imperative. To F. B. Rupe, the honor must be given for Jeading this enterprise. Early in September. 1866, Henry Simmons and William Peters came to Elk creek with a small stock of goods and desired to establish a business and intimated if there were a town-site they would build at least two houses. This seemed a gigantic thing-two houses, in addition to Cowell & Davis' store-and the fine new school house, would give it quite an appearance, and it spurred them to ac- tion : but they were doomed to disappointment, so far as the two houses were concerned. for Cowell & Davis bought the interests of these two men. However, the sensation had the desired effect. F. B. Rupe consulted C. J. Cowell and concluded to call a town meeting the next day, which was on the 6th of September. The meeting at first seemed a demoralized affair, with no general understanding. Some would talk encouragingly about the prospective town. others the reverse, and for a while it seemed the meeting was destined to be a failure. l'he Fowler boys returned to their home. dis- gusted, before the meeting was called to order, declaring "there would be no meeting. and no town." After much cogitation. F. B. Rupe. Edward Neely. A. W. Smith. B. V. Honey, William Page and J. B. Rupe associated them-
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
selves together in the storeroom of Cowell & Davis and prepared for action. On motion of A. W. Smith, Edward Neely was chosen chairman. The main object was a bargain with W. H. Page for the land. F. B. Rupe asked what he would take for it, whereupon Mr. Page replied, "If I sell it for a town site I will have to have a pretty price for it-$300 is my price." He had no sooner said this than F. B. Rupe remarked, "We will take you up." The tract of ground consisted of forty acres, and the company were rather surprised that Mr. Page considered this a big price. The hardest pari. being disposed of, a few regulations were agreed upon. One was that this $300 should be divided into ten shares, making $30 to the share. The first original shareholders were A. W. Smith, Edward Neely, F. B. Rupe, J. B. Rupe. Lew Fowler, John Fowler. Dave Heller, C. J. Cowell, Charles Davis and B. V. Honey. Others were added to the town company, some thinking it best. to lessen the amount for each share, by making more stock- holders. The ground was government land owned by W. H. Page as a homestead, and before much could be done it had to be proved up on, and the government paid. Luckily F. P. Rupe had a forty-acre land warrant which he handed over to Mr. Page and which satisfied the government for one-half the eighty to be proved up on to secure the south half. F. B. Rupe says he is out the amount of that land warrant. Of course the members of the company did not think they were such swindlers; but if it is true Mr. Rupe has reason to congratulate himself for contributing so much to so grand a result. This meeting had the effect of breaking the ice. There was no trouble in selling shares, as everybody seemed to have faith in the enterprise. Another meeting was held on December II. The land was (leeded and steps taken toward an organization. The first permanent of- ficers were Quincy Honey, president ; B. V. Honey, vice-president, John B. Rupe, secretary, and Charles Davis, treasurer. That an organization for a town site company had to be effected through a statute of the state, with a regular charter did not occur to these people. It was something beyond their comprehension and if it had been known, perhaps no one living in the county could have indited or written one. Not being a corporated body. and not understanding its powers, they were at a loss how to receive the deed from W. H. Page. To help them out of this dilemma a committee of three. consisting of F. B. Rupe, Charles Davis and W. H. Page, was ap- pointed to make arrangements whereby the land could be secured to the town site company. The meeting then adjourned until Tuesday evening, De- cember 18th. At this meeting it was agreed that three persons, consisting of J. B. Rupe. Lew Fowler and Charles Davis, should receive this deed. In this manner the first town-site company of Cloud county was organized. The whole transaction from beginning to end was illegal. but so long as the company, and seemingly everybody else were unconscious of the unlaw- fulness, people bought and sold stock without making any further inquiry. The town was given the name of Hamilton. One writer says it received the name of Shirley, but J. B. Rupe, who is responsible for the items of this
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANS.I.S.
data. asserts this is a mistake. The name was changed to Clyde some time in the spring of 1867. At this meeting a motion was carried by which it was thought the name was invalidated and necessitated balloting again, when Hamilton was disfavored and not proposed again. B. V. Honey proposed the name of Clyde. Charles Davis favored the name of Elkhart, but a ma- jority declared in favor of Clyde. By many it was supposed Mr. Honey proposed the name of Clyde at the instigation of David Turner, or that he must have had the town in the state of Ohio by that name in view. Mr. Honey revealed the fact later that neither was the case. He happened to see that name in a newspaper, was pleased with the appellation and suggested it for their new town. When the name was proposed, Mr. Turner re- marked, "That is the name of a river in Scotland." which perhaps was the first that any of the company knew. excepting Mr. Turner himself, that this was the name of a Scottish stream. In all probability, from those circum- stances must have originated the idea, that the town was named after that river. John Fowler was the only man that even favored the name of Shir- ley, but did not propose it is being known at this time that an opprobrium had been attached to this name.
EARLY CLYDE HISTORY.
In looking up the history of Clyde we find like all new towns it is not without its failures. Its business men did not all succeed. nor did they all by any means fail. Those who have achieved success have not done so with- out energy, enterprise and strict application to business. The store of Cowell & Davis was the oklest establishment in northwest Kansas, west of Clay Cen- ter. They became associated together under the firm name of Cowell & Davis in January, 1866. At this time the entire town-site could have been bought for a mere song, and the building of their establish- ment was not very extensive in dimensions: their entire stock finding ample room in a structure 14 by 18 feet. In May of the same year, Mr. Cowell's interest was pur- chased by R. F. Herman, who added a little more capi- tal and the concern became so important in the autumn CLYDE IN 1871. of 1867. they erected a build- ing 24 by 50 feet. With such rapidity did their business increase that the following year they were compelled to enlarge these quarters and a building 24 by 50 feet was added, giving them a store room of 48 by 100 feet. In 1872 Mr. Davis
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
purchased Mr. Herman's interest and carried on the business for many years with an immense increase of trade.
In August, 1871. F. K. Teeter who died in 1901, opened a stock of gen- era! merchandise and commanded his share of public patronage which rapidly increased with the population. In 1871, W. Burkall opened an extensive grocery store. In January, of the same year. A. G. Dersey opened a gro- cery and feed establishment. Mr. Dersey is one of the few pioneer mer- chants who still hold forth in Clyde. His business now consists of a stock of general merchandise.
T. T. Chinnock was the next merchant to locate. He opened a store in Clyde in 1872. He started on a somewhat limited capital, but developed a into a well selected stock of boots, shoes and groceries. In 1872, Bartlett & Crump opened a hardware store, the latter still doing business in Clyde, the former on the retired list. In July. 1872, J. H. Huff's furniture store opened and did a successful business, also carrying a line of undertakers goods.
In June, 1873, E. Gardner, who is still a resident of Clyde, but re- tired from business, established a general merchandise concern, and P. McDonald operated a drug store. M. Heller & Co., in October, 1873. erected a handsome building and launched out in general merchandising. In the latter part of 1873. H. A. Dobbs opened a general store with a tailoring department, and about this time James McIntosh opened a stock of drugs and groceries.
A picture gallery by Garraway & Taylor was established and several other interests of more or less importance, among them the Clyde Hotel, by J. H. Huff, and the Michigan Hotel, by S. E. Stilson, both of which were prosperous. H. Fisher, harness maker, L. M. Rockwell and J. Fred- erick, blacksmiths, the latter is still a resident of Clyde.
GENERAL GROWTIL OF CLYDE.
A more desirable city than Clyde could not be found, situated as it is on the banks of the Republican river, in a perfect bower of beautiful shade trees, and in the midst of one of the most magnificant farming countries in the world, it offers superior advantages. Unlike most western towns. Clyde never actually "boomed," but has experienced a steady and healthful growth. Prior to the building of the Central Branch Railroad through Clyde, in 1877, the growth of the town had been slow, but within a few years from that per- iod the population increased from a few hundred to eighteen hundred people.
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