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 44
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Our subject's father. Andrew W. Smith, was a frontiersman for many years. Leaving New York, his native state. he emigrated in an early day to Wisconsin and thence to Kansas in 1855. Mr. Rupe, in his "Early Recol- lections," says of him in substance: "To oppose border ruffianism and min- gle with the sense of danger incident to those turbulent times was a source of amusement to Andrew Smith. He was not created as a leader of men. but a fitting representative of an advanced portion of the masses, consequently he maintained fixed principles with honest convictions, among them the be- lief that right should assert itself even though it be in conflict with the laws of the country, and in accordance with these views would violate the well known
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fugitive slave laws with impunity. Many a southern darky has gained his freedom through Andrew Smith's connection with the underground railroad. He was a conspicious character in the early days of Kansas and came to the state with General James H. Lane, and Colonel E. G. Ross. He was a brave man, seemingly insensible to fear, even bordering on to recklessness, a trait that in all probability cost him his life. In October, 1886, Mr. Smith, in company with James Neely, and his son, the subject of this sketch, left the Elk creek settlement for the purpose of trapping. When about twenty miles west of where Cawker City now stands they were joined by a band of Otoe Indians. Mr. Smith was desirous of meeting a financial obligation and allowed the two young men to return home with a load of buffalo meat while he remained and trapped with the Indians and concluded with the re- mark. 'I'm going to pay that debt off or die in the attempt.' perhaps little thinking that this would be the last known of his earthly career. The Otoes declared he left them and was murdered by the Cheyennes, but suspicion pomted to them as being the guilty culprits who committed the dark deed, as the pony Mr. Smith had with him was afterwards seen in the possession of the Otoes."
Andrew Smith was twice married, his second wife being Miss Mary Morley, now the wife of John B. Rupe. To this union one son was born, Owen Smith, who lives in Clyde and is an employee in the office of C. H. Armstrong.
Uriah Smith, with Oswin Morley, narrowly escaped the fate of the Lew Cassel party. Only a few days prior to the time, and a short distance from where their massacre took place, near the head of Little Cheyenne, they were approached by three savages, followed by two others a few yards distant and still two more moving in that direction. Their attitude was that of hostile Indians with bows and arrows ready for action; but true to their Indian nature they determined to know the cost before acting. That each of the young hunters was well armed made the redskins cautious and it was observed by the boys that the redskins kept in the rear. Three of them were riding a short distance in advance of the other two and just before they reached their wagon the trio overtook them and shaking hands said. "Good Injuns."
One of the other two proved to be a chief and he did not extend a friendly hand but in broken English said, "The buffalo belongs to the In- dian." Mr. Smith told him to "puckachee." which they did not readily proceed to do. They presented a harrowing sight with their vivid war paint, a fantastic strip of hair through the middle of their heads, bows and arrows ready for use in one hand and reining their ponies with the other. Mr. Smith inquired. "Are you Otoes?" to which they replied they were; but our subject was familiar with that tribe and knew that they were not speak- ing truthfully. That their intentions were hostile could be discerned in the wicked gleam of their eyes, as they glanced from the guns in the possession of the two heroes to their own weapons. Anxious to avoid an encounter
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Mr. Smith said, "Good-bye," and started in the direction of their wagon, but the chief said, "No wait," to which the hunters replied, "No, we're in a hurry." Growing more bold, the chief answered, "No. you can't go." Not heeding the command of the Indians they bade them good-bye and started. The Indians then formed a line and followed. After advancing a few paces Mr. Smith decided whoever began first would have the advantage, and suit- ing the action to the word suddenly wheeled about, drew his gun, and in tones even a savage could comprehend ordered them to "puckachee." They were disconcerted by this act of bravery, but the chief however, looked him straight in the eye for a moment while the others pulled away in a westerly direction. Maintaining his ground Mr. Smith told him in the same impera- tive way to go, or he would shoot him. The old chief sullenly obeyed but they dismounted when about a quarter of a mile distant and held a council. The other Indians who were riding in the distance joined them and they dis- cussed the situation, doubtless concluded two or more of their number must succumb while securing the booty, and left the young huntsmen masters of the situation. While this council was taking place Mr. Smith told Mr. Mor- ley to get the team in readiness and while doing so, our subject stalked over in the direction of the warriors and stood leaning on the muzzle of his gun until they departed : singly riding away, reminding one of Goldsmith's lines : "He who fights and runs away, will live to fight another day; but he who is in battle slain, can never rise and fight again." These courageous youths resolved that they were on dangerous ground and retraced their journey homeward. They had nerved themselves up to the ordeal but when the danger had passed they were almost ready to collapse. The Cas- sel party were massacred a few days later near where this event took place and in all probability this same band participated in their foul murder, and had it not been for their daring, they too would have met a similar fate. and had they not returned home via the salt marsh to procure salt for curing their buffalo meat they would have met the Cassel party of hunters.
Mr. Smith arrived in Clyde on December 1, 1865, with the teams that brought the Cowell and Davis stock of goods for the first store in Cloud county. There were but three houses on the town site. They were of log and occupied by Moses and David Heller, Tom Hay, and a Mrs. Berry. Mrs. Smith, who was Miss Mary Sitton, died several years ago, leaving a family of seven children: Lillian, Nelson, Daisy, Leroy. Walter, Honor and Leslie. Mr. Smith is a farmer by occupation and owns a valuable es- tate just beyond the city confines of Clyde. Besides being a practical farmer, he is a successful horticulturist and owns one of the finest orchards in the county. He is a member and one of the most active workers in the Methodist Episcopal church.
JAMES W. BILLINGS
One of the old landmarks of Cloud county and a trapper of the "60's" J. W. Billings who came to Kansas in April, 1868, is a native of Michigan, born and reared on a farm situated near the lake. He is a son of Walter and
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Sarah ( Wilson ) Billings, both natives of New York, born near the city of Rochester. They settled in Michigan in 1835, an early period in its settle- ment and before there was a railroad in the state, traveling by the way of the lakes and Erie canal. The father died three years ago and his mother in 1881.
Walter Billings was a soldier of the Civil war, serving in the Eighth Michigan Cavalry. He was captured and placed in prison, and from there was taken to Florence where he was detained six months, and during that period contracted disease from which he never entirely recovered. He drove one horse from Michigan to Kansas a half a dozen times or more and "Old Bill" was as well known as any of the Billings family.
During the primitive days of Kansas J. W. Billings followed trap- ping. He associated himself with Sam Doran. Uriah Smith and Frank Rupe and arranged a bachelor home with all its comforts and dis- comforts. He followed trapping and hunting as a livelihood for several years. At first he sold to local buyers his numerous beaver, otter and coy- ate skins, later to New York, and more recently to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, which latter place he found to be the best market. He did not take up a homestead until 1875 and later sold eighty acres of his claim to procure a team, harness and wagon. The next year a prairie fire destroyed his team, harness and cow. leaving him nothing of his deal but the wagon.
He is still fond of hunting and fishing, but now it is for pleasure and luxury, while in the early days it was a matter of necessity to appease hun- ger. Ilis first buffalo hunt was in May, 1868. He was one of a party of eight who killed nine buffalo and one antelope the next day after staring out. In September of the same year, during one expedition, they killed and dried a load of buffalo meat which in those days was a royal banquet. They did not suppose the herds that numbered thousands could so soon be extermi- nated. He has also killed many elk. Mr. Billings has farmed. trapped, taught school and done almost everything but preach, and possessed the abil- ity for that calling had he ever been in a position where his services were needed. He is of a family of trappers, and has three brothers, all of whom but one are fond of the vocation. Politically he is a republican but does not aspire to office. Two of his friends labored the greater part of one night to induce Mr. Billings to allow his name to be brought up before the convention as a candidate for sheriff, but he absolutely refused.
Mr. Billing's enlisted December 10, 1861, at the age of sixteen years and served almost two years in Company B, 13th Michigan. He was then transferred to the United States Signal Corps, served until the close of the war and was honorably discharged before he had attained his twenty-first year. His regiment arrived just in time to witness the finale of the first bat- tle of Shiloh. They were at Perrysville and Stone River where they lost heavily and at Chickamangua where they only lacked one man of losing half their regiment. and of his immediate company of eighteen men, but four escaped. Mr. Billings enlisted as a private and was promoted to ser- geant. The captain of his company was wounded and Mr. Billings was
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTER, LEVEY THEEN FOUNDATIONS
DR. D. F. LAUGHLIN.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
placed in command, holding that position as a non-commissoned officer two months, at that time being but seventeen years of age. His company par- ticipated in the battle of Chattanooga and in the Atlanta campaign, and he was continuously in the service except a brief time when home on a furlough. He was a brave soldier, always at the front in the thickest of the fight; was never sick, wounded or in prison and seemed to lead a charmed life. He was in the employ of the government after the close of the war, his corps being sent to Texas and discharged at San Antonio in May, 1866. He served under Generals Buell. Rosecrans, Sherman, Thomas and Sheridan. Mr. Billings was also a member of the militia raised by the government to protect the settlers on the frontier. serving three months under the com- mand of Captain Sanders.
Mr. Billings was married, in 1875, to Miss Kate Prince, whose par- ents are residents of Concordia, and were among the early homesteaders of 1871 in Aurora township. Mrs. Billings has taught several terms in the best schools of the county; she was engaged in the primary department of the Jamestown school one year. She is an untiring temperance worker. At the Grand Lodge of Good Templars held at Scranton, in October. 1900, she was appointed Grand Superintendent of the Juvenile Templars of the Inde- pendent Order of Good Templars, and unanimously re-elected at Clyde and Delphos in 1901 and 1902 respectively.
To Mr. and Mrs. Billings three children have been born. Eugene, the eldest son is a resident of Clyde and employed as clerk in the L'Ecuyer gro- cery establishment ; he is married and has one child, a little daughter. Eunice. aged four years. Kate, is a prepossessing and intelligent young lady living at home, and Emory, the youngest son, assists his father on the farm. The family are members and regular attendants of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Clyde. Mr. Billings has served two years as commander of the Clyde Grand Army of the Republic Post.
"Jack" Billings, as he is known to all his friends, is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of the community in which he lives, and when he is spinning the hunting tales of pioneer days he seems to virtually live them over again, and as he rehearses these expeditions and adventures the suns of fifty-seven summers that have come and vanished for him, are forgotten- and he is "just as young as he used to be."-[Since the above sketch was compiled. Mr. Billings, who numbered his friends by the score, has been called to his "eternal home." He was one of the most companionable of ilien and a central figure in the group of pioneers, trappers and hunters of the ear- ly days. He was deceased early in May, 1903 .- Editor.
D. F. LAUGHLIN, M. D.
Doctor Laughlin is one of the pioneer physicians of Kansas. His advent in Cloud county in 1869 brought with it a blessing to suffering humanity. He is a conscientious practitioner, and in the quiet hours of the night dips 26
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deeply into the researches of science that he may devise a better or more speedy plan of restoring to health the hit of some patient he has been implored to save. In the year 1850. Doctor Laughlin came to Leavenworth, Kansas, from Washington, Ohio, where he had taken a collegiate course. The parents of Doctor Laughlin had planned a ministerial career for their son, but the young student had views of his own, coupled with a strong will to bear him out in the choice of his eb sen profession, that of a physi- cian To carry out his intentions he studied medieme clandestinely under Doc- tor Patterson, of Washington. Doctor Laughhn is a Latin and Greek scholar. a classmate for three sessions of J. Allen, D. D. of St. Louis, and James Maxwell, D. D., of Boston ; also William kirkwood. D. D., formerly presi- dent of Emporia College, was a fellow student During his residence in Leavenworth, Dr. Laughlin taught those classics in the basement of the Christain Church in that city, as a branch of Profesor Reeser's school. Mrs. I.red Herman and the late Mrs. Ed Kennedy of Clyde were among his pupils there Doctor Laughlin did not graduate from a medical college but gained his knowledge in connection with his collegiate course, and when convinced he was proficient, began the practice of medieme m Uniontown, lowa. For a ver prior to locating in Iowa, he was principal of the Parochial School in Summer, Illinois. Upon the discovery by his parents that their son would not comply with their wishes in regard to the ministry, Doctor Laughlin left home, thereby avoiding dissension and bitterness of feel- ing, as his father positively refused any assistance, although a man of wealth. The parents ambition for his son to become a member of the clergy 1.23 ton deeply rooted to be given over to the deares of his offspring, and thus, unless implicit obedience was adhered to, he resolved to retard the furtherance of his medical studies by withholding financial assistance, thus curtailing his dearest hope and ambition. But "like father, like son," he never swerved his chosen path and unaided financially, reached the goal of his ambition. In the year 1869, Doctor Laughlin removed to Cloud county, homesteaded a claim where he lived one year, and then went to Clyde and established himself in his profession; built up a practice on a foundation of stone and during this time thirty-seven physicians have come and gone like the tide of the sea. but his anchor is dropped in deep water.
The Wilson family, Doctor Laughlin's paternal ancestors, were of rugged mould. Judge Wilson, late of Concórdia, is a branch of the same family. There were nine children in his paternal grandmother's family. When not only very aged. but blind, Thomas Wilson edited a newspaper in the State of Pennsylvania; and at a time when the sum total of his fam- ily's ages-nine in number -- aggregated nine hundred years. The Wilsons are a family of remarkable longevity. Judge Wilson, well known to Cloud county people, is also of that rugged physique. Doctor Laughlin's father lived to see four score years and six. In religious persuasion they were staunch old school Presbyterian. Our subject's grandfather and his sister Ann, were attending school together, and fancying their master imposed
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· too strict a discipline upon his sister, declared to his mother, if it occurred again he would "thrash" the teacher. Directly afterward he had occasion to make his obligation good, which he did by inflicting upon the offender the promised flogging. Fearing severe rebuke and punishment at home lie boarded a vessel, leaving his native land, the "Emerald Isle." his home and his associates, and sailed for America. The Reverend Laughlin, for several years pastor of the Presbyterian church of Belleville, was of this same lineage.
Doctor Laughlin was married in 1858, to Esther Morrow, a sister of Senator Morrow, of Kansas. She was deceased in 1878. By this union three children were born. The eldest is Mrs. Frank Fessenden. whose home is Colorado: she is the mother of three children. The second daugh- ter is Mrs. Lillie Cavenaugh, of Lane county, Kansas. The youngest daughter is a professional nurse in Honolulu, and has had an interesting career. She received a business education and went to Portland, Oregon, to fill the position of stenographer; but deciding upon the occupation of nurse, entered a hospital where she underwent a thorough training and became very proficient. There was a demand for nurses in Honolulu and Miss Laughlin was sent a passport by Queen "Lill" during her reign to take charge of the Queen's Hospital. Doctor Laughlin was married in 1879, to Agnes Sexsmith, a New York woman of culture and refinement. They are the parents of one child, a daughter, who bears her mother's name. Agnes ; she graduated from the Clyde High School in 1900, and is now a student of the Emporia College.
Doctor Laughlin is a man of considerable literary talent and an indi- vidual who has delved deeply into the mysteries of science and possesses a mind well trained along those lines. He is an original, independent thinker, fearless in his oppositions to many conceded theories and is capable of dem- onstrating them with scientific principles. He is a lover of science and his ability is far above the average: many of his hours have been profitably spent in deep studies, both ancient and modern. Doctor Laughlin in pro- fessional and natural endowments is the peer of any man in the county. Mrs. Laughlin is a very estimable and cultured woman, a congenial com- panion who contributes to a perfect home life.
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BENJAMIN P. MORLEY.
The Morleys were a New England family. The paternal grand-par- ents settled in Ohio in an early day where B. P. Morley was born in 1835, and where he lived until coming to Kansas in July. 1863. Mrs. Morley was born in the state of New York but moved with her parents when an infant six months old to the state of Ohio, and settled in Ashtabula county, on the shores of Lake Erie, where her father operated a saw mill and woolen fac- tory near Kingsville. Mr. Morley obtained employment at her father's mill and this was the beginning of an acquaintance which brought about their
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marriage August 1. 1850. They emigrated to kansas in 1803, with their little fann'y of two children and stopped enroute at Junction City, where Mrs. Morley had a sister living. They visited her family while Mr. Morley Inc tel : homestead in Washington county. Returning to Junction City, he filed on Ins land and removed Ins family to their new western home. Mr. Morley's parents were filled with a desire to join them on the frontier and followed their son son afterward. Father Morley while driving up the cows one evening saw his first buffalo. He became very excited and though a pious man not given to profumity or rough language, shouted out, "Benja- min! come and bring your gun if you want to see the devil." There were two of them and the next day they killed them both, and feasted for days on hufal meat, that would have brought forth praise from the most epi- curcan taste.
The Morley lived in a leg house with the Brooks family while their hoe was in course of construction While unpacking dishes they moved the barrel containing them from its corner and there by coiled beneath it a huge rattler. Mrs. Morley made a hasty retreat, but upon being told the grise was full of them she chose the least of the two evils and returned. During the'r first autumn in Kansas the winds blew so furiously they were compelled to put up their hay at night and served midnight suppers for the hay maker . The following April, they attended divine services for the first time in the new settlement in an old log but where Clifton now stands. R. P. West ministered to the congregation; and he was described as dressed in blue denin overalls and a blue checkel shirt. The women of the congre- gation wore shawl over their heads; blankets and every conceivable sort of thing were donned as wraps. Mrs. Morley wore her usual "go to meeting clothes." and the settlers gazed at her with astonishment as if she might just have escaped from a menagerie, but withal they were an excellent people. This day is remembered by the pioneers as the "Black Sunday." On their return from church just as the team was being cared for an inky darkness " erspread the sky, the rain came down in torrents and necessitated the light- ing of candles, which were made of buffalo tallow. Almost every old set- tler has some particular kindness or incident to relate of R. P. West, whose name was a household word in every pioneer's home. The Morleys' little daughter was ill and they had resorted to everything their wits could supply, and had given up all hope of her recovery, when that good man visited their home and through his skillful efforts the child was saved.
When Mr. Morley had secured his homestead he did not have a dollar left, but those goodly settlers gathered together and helped erect their cabin. They were neighbors in the truest sense of the word, and when one killed a hog or a beef, each of the settlers for a radius of miles came in for his share. The Morleys came to Clyde in 1877, and in 1892, bought the Judge Borton residence. a commodious house of ten rooms.
Mr. and Mrs. Morley are the parents of eight children. They have bur- ied three sons; one an infant, one at the age of eleven years and one a young
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man of promise. Their eldest son, Charles. is a newspaper man and edited a paper in Clyde for several years. Ile is at present in the office of the Clyde Voice. William MI., is a resident of Omaha. Their three daughters are married. One is living in Omaha, one in Arkansas and the, other in Clyde.
Nirs. Morley's paternal ancestors were from England and emigrated to America in the early settlement of this country. She is a daughter of Martin M. and Esther Jeaneth ( Reynolds) Manning. The Reynolds were of Scotch origin. Mrs. Morley taught several terms of school in the early settlement of the country. The district then included a part of Washington. Clay and Cloud counties. Mr. Morley's father was Anson Morley. He was born April 7. 1798, in Barnstable. Massachusetts, and emigrated with his father's family to Ohio in early manhood. From Ohio he walked to the state of Vermont where he met and married Lorenz Cutting on October 30, 1822, and from this union ten children were born. They left Vermont in their early married life and settled in eastern Ohio where he cleared his land and tilled the soil for forty-one years. They came to Kansas in 1863, and settled in what is now Elk township. Mrs. Morley died March 15, 1877, and her husband January 29, 1885.
GEORGE H. WILKES, SR.
One of the many pleasant surprises that greet the visitor of Clyde is the comfortable hostelry which has been provided by George Wilkes, Sr .. the subject of this sketch. The Commercial Hotel was established in 18;0, by Dan Lussadder. It was then a small frame building 16 by 24 feet in dimen- sions and two stories high. Shortly afterward Mr. Lussadder was con- victed of murder and sentenced to six years' confinement in the peniten- tiary. The hotel then fell into the hands of Henry Huff, who served the traveling public until George H Wilkes. Sr., assumed proprietorship in 1878. Since that date it was un- COMMERCIAL HOUSE der his management. with the excep- tion of one year, until the death of his wife three years ago. when his son George H. Wilkes. Jr., assumed charge, keeping the house up to its usual good standard. During Mr. Huff's reign, six rooms were added, two on the first floor and four on THE COMMERCIAL HOTEL OF CLYDE. the second. In 1884, Mr. Wilkes built an addition of four rooms and made an entire change of the interior. 1 year later he increased the capacity of the hotel by the erection of a brick addition, including an office and four guest chambers with basement under the entire structure, and the following year
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