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 48
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
another thirty years and at the expiration of that time he "would not care who carried it afterward."
Mr. Doran was married in the year 1872 to Mary McDonald, of Repub- lic county, Kansas. Three children have blessed their union : Albert E., Arthur L. and Myrtle. The eldest is a farmer near Clyde. The second son is a bookkeeper located at Barstow, California. Myrtle is in the sophomore class in the Clyde high school. Mr. Doran owns a block of fruit and garden ground adjoining Clyde. In politics Mr. Doran is a Republican and cast his second vote for Abraham Lincoln, but was reared a Democrat. He is a Mason of over thirty years standing and also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has figured very prominently in the early and modern history of Cloud county, his serv- ices as superintendent of schools in earlier days is an important part of the history of Cloud county. Mr. Doran is well known and well respected by both colleagues and citizens.
. HONORABLE WILLIAM L. BRANDON.
No one in Clyde is held in higher esteem than W. L. Brandon, pro- prietor and operator of the Clyde elevator. In 1877 Mr. Brandon, accom- panied by a party of six relatives and friends, left their homes in Illinois to travel through Iowa, Nebraska and Kan- sas to look over the country with the in- tention of locating wherever they found the most interesting field. When they reached Clyde, they were pleased and im- pressed with that prosperous and thriv- ing little city and the opportunities offered in the various ave- nues of business, A PORTRAIT OF WILLIAM L. BRANDON AND AN ENGRAVING OF HIS and four of their ELEGANT HOME IN CLYDE. number remained.
One of them, Willis Brandon, the photographer, a cousin of our sub- ject, became a permanent resident. A brother, Washington Brandon, after a stay of two years removed to Wyoming. The other members of the party, 28
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
after a brief sojourn returned to their Pennsylvania home. Shortly after his arrival Mr. Brandon secured a position with the Clyde Mill Company as stationary engineer and remained from the time of its opening until it was burned in 1884. He then went into the elevator of Mel Roach as man- ager and engineer, and subsequently became interested in the elevator he now owns; but later sold to Mr. Brown and leased the Roach elevator, then owned by the Clyde State Bank. This enterprise was burned March 26, 1898. The fire originated from the machinery and consumed eleven thou- sand bushels of grain, engendering a total loss -- not one dollar of insurance. Mr. Brandon then bought the ground on which the elevator stood, of the Bank officials, and the following summer erected the elevator now owned by the Clyde Milling and Elevator Company, where he continued until May 1. 1901. In 1800 Mr. Brandon consolidated with the Clyde Milling and Elevator Company as a corporation and built the Clyde Mills. He sold his interest in 1901, and bought the Clyde Elevator, the property of Stanley Roach, where he transacts an extensive business under the name of the Clyde Elevator. The capacity is about twenty thousand bushels. The building was erected in 1880 by Captain Hanson and an addition, or the north wing. was built on in 1884.
Mr. Brandon is a native of New Castle, Pennsylvania, born in 1857. He attended the common schools in that vicinity and at the age of nineteen years came to Illinois, where he lived on a farm. Mr. Brandon's paternal grandfather moved from Kentucky to Pennsylvania in the early settlement of that state. The Brandons were originally from England. His mother's people, the Alexanders, were from Scotland and settled in Pennsylvania. Mr. Brandon's parents are both living in New Castle at the ages of seventy- six and sixty-eight years respectively. He is one of six children, four boys and two girls, four of whom are living. The youngest brother, Samuel F., died from a railroad accident at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. in 1892. Mrs. A. Morton, the ellest sister, died in Colorado in 1901. The youngest sister, Mrs. Joseph Harper, is a resident of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. His brother, Washington Brandon, is a resident of Hutchinson, Kansas, and another brother, Elmer, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Mr. Brandon was married in 1879 to Miss Eva Hay, a daughter of George W. Hay, one of the old settlers of Cloud county, and one of the first residents of Clyde. To Mr. and Mrs. Brandon have been born three children, two daughters and one son. Mildred, Amy and William. Mil- dred is the wife of A. C. Baker, of the Rock Island Elevator in Kansas City. They are the parents of two little sons, Willie and Burns, aged two and four years. Amy, a prepossessing and promising young woman, is a student of the Great Western Business College of Concordia.
Mr. Brandon bought the Kennedy residence in 1896. This is one of the most beautiful homes in Clyde: it has a frontage of two hundred and seventy-eight feet, surrounded by a Chinese Quince hedge, elegant lawn and fine shade trees. The residence is of the mansard architecture and was
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
erected in 188r. Mr. Brandon is active in politics and affiliates with the Republican party. He was mayor of the city of Clyde in 1896-7 and has been a member of the council for several years. He has been a director and stockholder of the Elk State Bank since 1896. He is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. The family are members of the Presby- terian church.
Mr. Brandon is a quiet and unpretentious man. but wields an extended influence among his fellow townsmen and is one of the solid men of Cloud county ; the kind that helps to forward every worthy enterprise not only by his counsel and advice, but by contributing from his stores of a worldly nature.
W. D. GROFF.
The Groffs are among the old settlers of Cloud county. V. H. Groff, a brother of the subject of this sketch came to Kansas in 1866, and took up a homestead on Upton creek, near the present town of Hollis, where he lived several years and was a comrade of such old hunters and trappers as Jack Bil- lings and Root Fos- ter. His wife died in December. 1900, his children were all married and living in homes of their own --- and in the autumn of 1901 he entered the Soldiers' Home at Leavenworth. His children offered him AN INTERIOR VIEW OF W. D. GROFF'S WELL APPOINTED JEWELRY STORE. a home but he pre- ferred that institu . tion. He contracted rheumatism from exposure while on hunting expedi- tions and is practically disabled. He is sixty-six years of age. The Groffs are Pennsylvania Dutch, having settled in Chester county in the pioneer days. but subsequently located near Harrisburg.
W. D. Groff came to Clyde in 1885. having previously lived in Illinois two years, and established a jewelry store in Clyde. With the exception of three years when his eyes would not permit of his working, he has been a jeweler forty-three years. During the interim mentioned he worked at carpentering until the death of Jeff Nye, with whom he was associated, and after various changes and vicissitudes he established a jewelry store, and by degrees has built up a successful business.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
Mr. and Mrs. Groff are the parents of nine children, six of whom are living, viz: William, a station agent at Dennison, Texas, Francis G. was water commissioner of Clyde for several years, but is now an employe of the Clyde creamery. Lizzie A .. unmarried and living at home. Jennie, wife of Charles Garwood, a farmer of Elk township. Sarah M., wife of G. M. Wheat, station agent on the Nelson branch at Gladstone, Nebraska. Samuel, a young man of seventeen, is on his second year in the high school.
Mr. Groff served in the Civil war in Company .A. Twenty-sixth Penn- sylvania Volunteers. Out of his regiment one hundred and twenty-seven, including himself, were captured at the battle of Gettysburg. He was paroled but not exchanged, consequently re-enlisted in Company A. two hundred and tenth Pennsylvania in September, 1864, served until the close of the war and was mustered out at Arlington Heights. Mr. Groff saw active service, was in both battles of Gravelly Run, Five Forks, Boydton Plank Road, Appomattox and Gettysburg, where the bullets rained like hail. His brother. V. H. Groff, was in the eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.
Mr. Groff and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is treasurer. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically Mr. Groff is a Republican. Mrs. Groff is an industrious woman and has been her hus- band's helpmate in the truest sense of the word. She is a dressmaker, car- ries on an establishment and is an artist in this line. As a jeweler Mr. Groff receives his share of patronage and carries a full line of goods such as are usually found in a first class jewelry store, consisting of silver and a full line of ornamental ware. As a citizen he is among the most highly esteemed in his town and a man who is interested in all educational and religious enter- prises and works faithfully for the interest of any cause pertaining to the welfare of his town or community.
HONORABLE LEWIS WETZEL BORTON.
The subject of this sketch, the late Judge Borton, was one of Clyde's most distinguished citizens. He not only reached the top round of the lad- der as a practitioner in the state, but also in the Federal courts. Judge Bor- ton was one of the "headlights" of the Democratic party. He represented the Eighty-first district in 1882-3, was a candidate for secretary of state in 1878. was attorney for the Missouri Pacific Railway and held minor offices, as mayor of the town, etc. He was a popular public official and ranked among the best legal authority of the state. Aside from being a man of ability and natural genius, he was possessed of an inexhaustible fund of humor and as big-hearted as he was genial. He was first and foremost in every movement for the best interests of Clyde, and through his associations with the outside world the town became widely known. Through his untir- ing efforts much credit is due for the bringing of the railroad into Cloud
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
county. In company with his wife's brother, James Law, who is a musi- cian, he would visit the country districts and hold mass meetings, make speeches, etc. He was not only a learned and eloquent man, but popular with all classes of people.
Judge Borton was born in Fairview, Guernsey county, Ohio, Septem- ber 1, 1831, and died March 14, 1889. at the age of fifty-seven years. His death was one of the most sorrowful events that ever took place in Clyde. Judge Borton was the fifth of nine children, six brothers and three sisters, viz : Reuben, Edward, William, Martha, J. Wesley Baker ( see sketch), Louisa and Vashti Caroline. Of the entire family only the two last named are liv- ing. both residents of California. The Bortons were all men of broad and progressive ideas, large experiences with the world and an inherent knowl- edge of human nature.
Judge Borton's grandparents, Benjamin and Charity ( Rogers) Borton. were born in Eversham township. Burlington county. West Jersey, eleven miles from the city of Philadelphia. His parents were James and Maria (Wilson ) Borton, who settled in Ohio, where they reared their family of children. They were of Quaker origin. Reuben Borton, a prominent man in milling and manufacturing, died at his home in Marion, Illinois, in 1889. Edward and William died in Ohio. The youngest brother, J. Wesley Bor- ton. was massacred by the Indians in California, May 3. 1864. He was one of a prospecting party who had pursued a band of Indians to recover their horses stolen by the savages, but gave up the chase and returned to camp, unpacked, unsaddled and lariated their horses about twenty yards distant and stretched themselves upon the ground. A few moments later they were startled by a deadly volley of about fifty shots poured in from all directions. Most of the party sprang to their feet, but J. W. Borton, who was lying at full length upon the ground did not arise : he had received a bullet through the chest. Four of the party were killed outright and another dangerously wounded. The others fled for their lives, as to linger would be certain deatlı, and their comrades were already fated. When Mr. Borton's body was found, a great New Foundland dog, true to the instincts of this noble animal, was stretelied by his master's side as if calinly resolved to share his fate.
Judge Borton was married to Miss Matilda Law, April 30, 1854. She survives him and lives on the farm along with her brother. Joseph Law, and her aged mother, who was Sarah Watkins before her marriage, and as a girl was known as "Sallie" Watkins. This interesting, vivacious and well preserved old lady, with a face as round and plump as many women fifty years her junior, and eyes that are bright as those in many youthful faces, is living with her daughter at the age of eighty-eight years, having been born March 15. 1814. "Sallie" Law was married to James Law in 1829. He was fourteen years her senior, and consequently was born in 1800. His father was Mathew Law and came to America under the English flag as a British captain. He was captured and surrendered by Cornwallis to Wash-
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
ington at Yorktown in 1,81. He was born in England but was reared in Ireland, and was a shipbuilder by occupation. He never returned to ling- land, but married an American woman and reared a family of nine chil- dren. Mr. and Mrs. Law reared to maturity ten of the eleven children born to them. The second youngest are twins. Joseph, who manages the farm for Mrs. Borton-his sister died unmarried at the age of thirty years. Another son. James W. Law. Jr. (see sketch), owns an adjoining farm. The daughters are Nancy Ellen, wife of S. Stiverson, of Clarinda, lowa. Laura A., wife of David May, of Kansas Chy. Mrs. Doctor Ransopher and Mrs. L. W. Borton, the latter two well known to all the old settlers of Elk town- ship. James Law. Sr., died December 7. 1878.
Judge Borton was admitted to the legal profession in 1855, and prac- ticed law successfully in the courts of Ohio until 1859. when he became interested in the alluring prospects for gold found in the Rockies, and he left his old home and located near the world famous Pikes Peak. During his ten years of residence there, his career was marked and he was prom- inent in legal circles and in politics. He was elected attorney of Gilpin county, but he decided to locate in Kansas, believing in the state's future greatness he cast huis lot here and no man worked more faithfully than he. It was said of him. he refused upon one occasion to buy a map of heaven because Clyde was not inscribed there.
It has been conceded that Judge Borton was the only individual who was ever rewarded by a spontaneous laugh from Jay Gould, the late great railroad magnate. Being a man of much local influence, he was invited by Jay Gould, who was touring the country in his special car, to join him in his journey through Republican valley and consulted the judge regarding some new railroad projects. There was in the party besides Mr. Gould, S. H. H. Clark. B. P. Waggener, Doctor Munn. W. W. Fagan, George J. Gould and other officials of the road. After the business transactions were disposed of. Judge Borton was invited to make the entire trip with them. From railroads the conversation drifted to other topics. Mr. Gould took no part in the subjects under discussion, or touched upon; finally the con- versation changed to humorous narratives and during this test Jay Gould sat unmoved as a sphinx, until Judge Borton related for the first time his original and famous story about the cheerful sod house settler who became so sore pressed by poverty that he resolved to abandon all attempts at living like a human being and get a buffalo hide and tail and run wild.
The recital of this thoroughly original and remarkable anecdote was irresistable and Mr. Gould's risibilities could not be suppressed upon this occasion and he fairly exploded with laughter. This was the first instance known to Gould's friends of his ever having taken interest in anything not pertaining to business, and through this incident Judge Borton gained the noteoriety of being the only man who ever produced from the great railway king an audible laugh. The judge was pleased over his vic-
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
tory, and after this event was frequently the guest of Jay Gould, often traveling with him when passing through northwestern Kansas.
The following is a true story, illustrating the tact and humor of Judge Borton : The judge and three comrades were touring the country districts in the interests of a railroad project during the early 'seventies. As the night was dark and Clyde several miles distant, the company of promoters secured lodging in the diminutive home of a settler whose one room was partitioned with blankets, as. was the prevailing custom in the new western country. All went well with the guests of the farm house, who arose the next morning with renewed vitality to pursue their intentions. In glanc- ing his eyes over the breakfast table, Fred Herman, who was one of the party, discovered that the ham and eggs were swimming in grease. a diet his dyspeptic constitution could not indulge in with any degree of comfort or happiness, hence in kindly, persuasive accents he requested the hostess to prepare for him some dry toast and a poached egg. The woman looked about in a bewildered manner, and a moment later disappeared from the room. Returning presently she hesitatingly remarked to Mr. Herman : "I cannot find one of them kind on the place." In an instant the quick intui- tion of Judge Borton was brought to hear upon the case and. with the tact that made him famous, the Judge, approaching the disconcerted landlady. said in rather confidential tones: "Just take a frying-pan, pour into it some hot water, break an ordinary hen's egg into it. and when cooked you can't tell it from the other kind." Their hostess is still a resident of Kansas. and not so far distant, but this article may be read by she who doubtless learned ere this. that "poached" eggs are a form of cooking rather than the product of a certain species of fowl.
HONORABLE JOHN F. RANDOLPH.
J. F. Randolph is one of those individuals who realize that "life is real." The contest for wealth and position grows more and more the object to be desired. and to gain a position in the world a man must possess both intellect and natural ability. In the struggle essential to success in life Mr. Randolph has not only benefitted himself, but others. The original name is Fitzrandolph. He is a grandson of Joseph Fitzrandolph who emigrated with the loyalists to Nova Scotia, where he subsequently became one of the foremost citizens of Highy county and for several years was a member of the legislative council of Nova Scotia. He owned a large tract of land called "Belle Farm." at Bridgetown, where he carried on general farming until his death, at the age of three score and ten years. He belonged to the denomination of Quakers or Friends. He reared four sons and a daughter. none of whom are living. The Randolphs are of distinguished ancestry. A relative, the Honorable A. F. Randolph, of Frederickton, New Brunswick, who died May 14. 1902. was held in great esteem and as a tribute to his memory, business was sus-
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
pended, flags flying at half mast and hundreds followed his remains to their last resting place and many distinguished people among his circle of friends were in attendance. Governor Snowball. who was absent from the city, sent as representatives, Private Secretary Barker and Captain Lister. A. B. C. A. F. Randolph acquired great wealth, rising from a clerk. In 1855 he established a small general merchandising business and from this date his rise was rapid and he became one of the most prominent men in business, political affairs and social circles. He was a leader among men and achieved the splendid result from a career that in the beginning was fraught with the usual vicissitudes that surround one's start in life.
J. F. Randolph, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Nova Scotia, born on a farm near the town of Bridgetown in 1849. He received his edu- cation in the common schools and finished an academic course in the acad- emy at Bridgetown. He moved to Boston in 1866, where he remained as clerk in a store until coming to Kansas in 1871. In company with some friends he came to Waterville, the terminus of the railroad, and westward to Clyde, when that town was in its miancy. Mr. Randolph enjoys the dis- tinction of having assisted in surveying the first railroad in the Annapolis valley in Nova Scotia, as well as the first streets in the town of Clyde, Kansas. Ile was one of the body of select men who served as the first board of council- men, has since been elected member of the council several times and was mayor in 1800. He has been associated with and owned several merchan- dising enterprises, among them an extensive furniture store, a shoe store and hardware business, and was once owner of the "Regulator," Clyde's most extensive department store. In 1873 he became interested in a general mer- chandising business at Kirwin, and in 1879, at Clayton and Norton, remor- ing his family to the latter place, but returned to Clyde in 1883. He was associated with R. F. Herman for several years and in the meantime turned his attention in sundry different directions; became a stockman and drove horses through from Texas. He has had a taste of western life in various capacities, among them the association of the cow-boy and buffalo hunts on the plain, in which capacity he acted for pleasure and profit. Being of a speculative and adventurous nature he drove through to the mountains and mining camps with wagon loads of supplies. Ile visited Denver in 1875, the Black Hills in 1877, and Leadville in 1879. When Mr. Randolph returned to Clyde in 1883, he opened a loan and real estate office. Land near Clyde was worth from eight to fifteen dollars per acre and money on real estate at that time was ten per cent and often times a commission added to that. Personal loans were three per cent per month.
Mr. Randolph was married in October. 1872, to Emma Kirkpatrick, who is conceded to have been the second white child born in the city of Leavenworth. Her father. James Kirkpatrick, assisted in laying out the city of Leavenworth, and was a pioneer of St. Paul, Minnesota. They were the first white settlers of St. Paul and owned the first store established there, where the older sisters and brothers of Mrs. Randolph were born.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
Mr. and Mrs. Randolph are the parents of four children, three of whom are living. Grace died at the age of two years; Blanche is a graduate from the Clyde High school; she is an accomplished young woman, possessing con- siderable literary talent. Frank is the wife of William Decker, of Hollis, Kansas. John F., Jr., assists his father in the office. He has not yet finished his education but was compelled to forego his school work on account of illness.
Mr. Randolph is a Mason of twenty-one years standing, and for the past five years has been high priest of the chapter and has filled the chair of master. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He takes an active interest in political affairs and is a member of the state central committee. On April 1, 1902, he received the appointment of deputy revenue collector and is a most efficient officer. He is a man who takes much interest in educational matters and has been a member of the school board in Clyde for the past eight years and holdls that office at the present writing. The Randolphs occupy the Rice residence, one of the most desirable prop- erties in Clyde. Mr. Randolph was with Mr. Rice on his Dennison, Texas. trip, and with that financier, who is mentioned elsewhere on these pages, took the toboggan slide financially. No man is more popular or more deserving of popularity among his acquaintances than Mr. Randolph, for he possesses those admirable personal qualities that make him friends where- ever known. His brothers and sisters are now residents of Boston, Massa- chusetts, which place he considers his family home.
JAMES L. DOSTER.
J. L. Doster, the subject of this sketch, is one of the most skillful engi- neers in the county. He has manipulated the engine of the Clyde City Water Works since their construction in 1886, which is a guaranteed recommend as to his ability. There are few avenues that require more skill or offer a surer opportunity for success than is found in the profession of engineering. Mr. Doster is an agreeable, intelligent, well informed man and rated among Clyde's most substantial citizens. The professor of the high school sends his engineering class to Mr. Doster for practical instructions, a pleasing feature to both Mr. Doster and the students. He assisted in erecting the water works and placing the machinery, under the general contractor, E. Suthin, whose employ he had been in for twelve years. Mr. Doster entered upon the career of a machinist, but on account of ill health was forced to abandon the occupation of his choice and learn the trade of stone mason, which he followed for several years and drifted back to his first ambition. He was with the Edison Electric Works of Topeka two years and in the employ of a mining company, "The Jolly Tar." located at Victor. in the Crip- ple Creek district. In the two years he was with this mining company he did not lose a day or an hour; worked Sunday and every day until rheu-
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