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 50
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GEORGE LEROY GREGG.
G. L. Gregg. "the old reliable" butcher and auctioneer, located in Clyde in 1879. After doing various things he engaged in the grocery business and in 1887, opened a meat market, which is one of the most complete es- tablishments in the city. He purchased the Taggart building formerly owned and built by the Turners, which he fitted up for a market with a re- frigerator and cold-storage department, having a capacity for nine beeves.
Mr. Gregg is one of the best known auctioneers of Cloud county. He cried his first sale in the autumn of 1882, for Mr. Culver, the father of George Culver, the county attorney, and has followed that occupation con- tinuously ever since, in connection with his market. In the winter of 1901- 02 he had an extended list of stock sales which covered a territory reaching over Cloud and adjoining counties. Ile is exceptionally well posted as to what stock is worth and invariably makes them bring the highest market price. Beginning with the twelfth of February. 1902. Mr. Gregg had a sale for every day up to March sixth. However from September until February he had numerous auctions-an average of two or three per week. His repu- tation in this line is increasing and his territory in this field is widening.
Mr. Gregg is of Irish origin. and was born in Steuben county, New York. in 1850. Ilis father. Robert Gregg, was born in County Sligo. Ire- land, but of Scotch parentage. His father's people removed to Ireland during the religions movements in Scotland and emigrated to New York when their son, Robert. was thirteen years of age. Mr. Gregg's mother was Sarah Harper. He is one of a family of eight sons and two daughters, eight of whom are living.
When four and one-half years of age he removed with his parents to Rock Island, Illinois. where he lived on a farm until coming to Kansas. He came without capital, but has forged to the front. accumulating a compet- ency, and owns some good property ; among which is a residence just com- pleted that is one of the most commodious and best furnished homes in the city and is in one of the most desirable locations.
Mr. Gregg was married in 1879. to Sarah Emma Brown, of Rock Is- land county, Illinois. Their family consists of two sons: George Raymond who has just maintained his majority is one of Clyde's brightest young men and will enter college the coming autumn ( 1902.) The other son is Whit- ney, aged three.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
Mr. Gregg has always supported the principals of the Democratic party. He is progressive in his views and is one of the substantial and prosperous business men of Clyde. Socially, he is a member of the order of Woodmen and the Triple Tie.
Addenda :- G. 1. Gregg has recently leased his meat market that he might give his entire time and attention to real estate and auctioneering. He has opened a neat and well appointed office in the building formerly oc- cupied by Doctor Gillespie, the dentist. Mr. Gregg is not only a "rustler," but a man to be depended upon as bringing the best possible results to any business transaction entrusted to him.
GEORGE F. JUNEAU.
One of the progressive and rising young business men of Clyde is G. F. Juneau, a buyer and shipper of butter, eggs, and poultry, both live and dressed. Mr. Juneau embarked in this enterprise in the month of January, 1901. and has been remarkably successful. He sells to John Stewart of Con- cordia. Mr. Juneau did not start under as many difficulties as Mr. Stewart. and had considerable more of this world's goods than he. Mr. Juneani's capital, however, was but $150. One year later he refused $5,000 for his pro- duce business which tells the story of his success.
He conducts his affairs in a way that brings the best returns, by sending wagons to buy at stations and inland towns. He also handles old iron. Mr. Juneau bought the old "Barons Reserve," one of the historical landmarks of Clyde. The abstract books show where this property sold at one time for the dimunitive sum of Stoo, and at another date it brought $20,000. Mr. Jun- eau bought it for a consideration of $857. It is one of the finest locations possible for his business. The original old hostelry is still on the ground. The new part of the building Mr. Juneau moved to the front of the wide lawn and converted it into a comfortable residence. The grounds have numerous fine shade trees and the property is one of the most desirable in the city. The block is intersected by the railroad making a lot on the north, 640 by 485 feet, and one on the south, 302 by 455 feet.
Mr. Juneau was reared in the forests of Wisconsin, on a farm in the Green Bay country. where he lived until sixteen years of age. He was born in 1866. When sixteen years of age he worked on the railroad as fireman, continuing three years. He was an engineer one year and served as brake- man two years, was then promoted to conductor on the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, where he remained until 1894, when he came to Kansas City as yard-master for the same company. He then entered the employ of the Rock Island Railroad as brakeman which brought him in contact with the city of Clyde. Mr. Juneau worked himself up from the foundation, serv- ing long and faithfully, day and night : ofttimes worked forty-eight hours without food or sleep. He is a thorough and practical railroad man and can run a train second to none.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
Mr. Juneau's parents live in Wisconsin, and are aged respectively sev- enty-one and sixty-nine years. His father is Maxim Juneau, a Canadian by birth. He came to Wisconsin when he was but twelve years of age dur- ing the pioneer days of that state. He is still a farmer and resident of that country. Mr. Juneau is a relative of the Juneau of Alaskan fame and for whom the town of Juneau was named. He is also a great-nephew of Solomon Juneau, the first mayor of Milwaukee. Solomon Juneau came to Milwaukee when there were but few white settlers and married an Indian squaw. How- ever, he was a good citizen and did much toward the upbuilding of that city. At the time of his death the city of Milwaukee erected a monument on the lake front to his memory at a cost of $40,000. Mr. Juneau descends from a very prolific race, he being one of sixteen children; but six of these are living, all in Wisconsin, except himself. AA maternal aunt living in Wash- ington county is the mother of eighteen children.
In 1898, Mr. Juneatt was married to Emma Giroux, one of Clyde's most accomplished and estimable young women. She is a daughter of Fran- cis Giroux. (See sketch of Joseph Giroux ). One daughter, Josephine. gladdens their home aged one year.
Mr. Juneau is a Democrat in politics. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Juneau is a member of the order of Macca- bees, Catholic Foresters, Ancient Order of United Workmen, of Clay Cen- ter. and of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen of Fairbury, Nebraska. Belleville and Clyde. Mr. Juneau's genial and sunny nature surrounds him with a host of warm friends and admirers.
JACOB SOHLINGER.
One of the old settlers of Cloud county and one of the few city residents who came to Clyde in the autumn of 1869, and when that town was on the frontier, is Jacob Sohlinger. He emigrated in company with Truellis Steph- ens who came to start a pottery and with whom he had worked in Missouri. In 1873, he started an establishment of his own which he conducted until after the railroad came into Clyde. having an extensive trade from the wide scope of country to the west. When the railroad came in. competition became heavy. coal was high and he discontinued business. W. B. Mosier conducted a business a short time after but he too gave way under the strong compe- tition. The ware was sold at eighteen cents per gallon and had been sold by Stephens at twenty cents. It was of a good quality, equal to any manu- factured at that time. One jugger and three turners were employed, also eight other workmen, Mr. Sohlinger being on the road and his own sales- man. In 1882, he entered the employ of Condon & Riley as traveling sales- man and later Riley Brothers, who established a biscuit factory. He is still on the road, and has been continuously with the exception of an interim of five years. He now represents the Clyde Milling Company.
Mr. Sohlinger is one of the veterans of the road and of the late Civil
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
war. He was a soldier in Company F. 115th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted with Captain A. J. Ware in Stark county, Ohio, August 1862. Cap- tain Ware died in Colorado a few years ago. Their second captain was W. A. Thompson ; they were most of the time under the command of General Thomas. Mr. Sohlinger was taken prisoner in Tennessee about the time of the battle of Nashville, but made his escape after nineteen days. Most of the time he was on detached duty; was in the engagements of Franklin and Nashville: did active service and was in many skirmishes while guarding bridges and railroads.
Mr. Sohlinger was born in New York. May 20, 1842. where he lived until the breaking. out of the war, when the family moved to Stark county, Ohio. He received his education in New York and Ohio. His father, John Nicholas Sohlinger, was a cabinet maker before the days of machinery. Our subject remembers when his father manufactured chairs by taking a piece of timber and with an adz chipped a horizontal surface, bored holes in the improvised board, inserted legs and called it a chair, for the simple reason one could sit down on it and it would not collapse. and looked more like fur- niture than a box. Mr. Sohlinger's parents were natives of Germany where they were married and came to America. A brother came with them and set- tled in Philadelphia, where he died. Our subject's mother was Margaret Andrews.
Mr. Sohlinger was married in 1872, to Jennie Blair, from the north of Ireland and of Scotch-Irish origin. Her death occurred at Clyde, leaving a de- voted husband and five children to mourn the loss of a wife and mother. John Alfred. the eldest son is manager of the Telephone Company and traveling salesman for the Parkhurst-Davis Company, of Topeka. He has been with them six years and two years prior filled his father's place on the road. He is a graduate of the Salina Commercial School, class of 1893. Daisy Ella. her father's housekeeper, is a graduate of the Clyde High School. Maggie Stella, the second daughter, is working for her brother in the central office of the Clyde Telephone Exchange; she is also a graduate of the Clyde High School. Myron Blair and Byron Clair, twins, who own and operate a gro- cery store are doing a thriving business receiving a justly deserved patron- age. These young men are honorable and honest in all their dealings, not forgetting the poor have needs. There is a strong personal resemblance be- tween these two brothers, who are popular in society and universally esteemed.
Mr. Sohlinger, like the rest of the early settlers, enjoyed the excitement of buffalo hunting. His companions were Decker, Ed Statt, Max Alwins. Smith and Lake. In Rooks and Graham counties buffalo were numerous and the sportsmen killed many of them, bringing the meat into camp, a trophy of their skill as hunters and brave men ; but two of this party survive, himself and Alwins. Mr. Sohlinger is a Republican all the time and a man must be thor- oughly mean if he does not vote for him, and yet he was born and reared a Democrat, but changed his political views while serving "Uncle Sam." He has
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
an honorable standing in the following social orders: The Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. the Mystic Shriners, Knight Templars, Woodmen, Anci- ent Order of United Workmen and the Grand Army of the Republic.
GEORGE MCBRIDE.
In no line of business or trade is the average purchaser more dependent upon the dealer, than in the purchase of a jewel or watch. Not one among a score of persons is competent to judge the value of either from its external appearance, hence the jeweler should be a man of unquestioned integrity such as George McBride. one of Clyde's enterprising jewelers has proven himself to be.
Mr. MeBride came to Clyde in September, 1898, where by honest deal- ing he has built up a prosperous business in his line. He is established in the front of the drug store of Doctor C. H. Angevine, where he carries an attract- ive and well selected stock of goods.
Mr. McBride is a native of Sangamon county, Illinois, where he was born in 1855. and reared on a farm. His parents were Jefferson and Ann ( Hesser) MeBride. The McBrides are of Scottish origin who settled in Kentucky in an early day. and when Jefferson MeBride was a lad of ten years he moved with his parents to Illinois. The Hessers were among the early settlers of Virginia. Mr. McBride began a career for himself at the age of eigliteen years. He came to Kansas in 1875. after having followed various vocations and located in Cloud county. In 1877. he bought a timber claim which he lived on and farmed several years, sold and became interested in a mercantile establishment at Simpson. One year later established a jew- elry business in Jamestown where he held forth until coming to Clyde.
He married in 1878. to Lillian Briggs formerly of Allamakee county. Iowa, near Spirit Lake. where she was born in 1862. When a child her parents removed to Michigan and settled in Wayne county, near Yipsilanti, and in 1871. emigrated to Kansas. Her father was Justus Briggs, a farmer and lived in the vicinity of Glasco near Courson's Grove.
Mr. and Mrs. McBride are the parents of two children: Mabel, wife of John Haves, a native of McDonough county, Illinois, who settled in Clyde in 1877. but returned to Illinois to locate in Kansas again in 1889. They settled in Edwards county where he with his father engaged in merchandis- ing and stock business. In 1889. they purchased the Commercial livery barn which they sold a year and a half later and engaged in the grocery business. Mrs. Hayes is a talented musician. Was organist of the Christain church at Jamestown when a mere child but fourteen years of age. Is at present organist of the Christain church in Clyde. She was deputy postmistress at Jamestown for more than two years, and was book-keeper at the "Regu- lator," Clyde's most extensive store at the time of her marriage. She is a graduate of the Jamestown schools. The son, Clyde, is a young man of nineteen years.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
Politically Mr. McBride is a Republican. He is a prominent Mason of fifteen years standing. Mr. Hayes is also a Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America. Has been through all the chairs of the Knights of Pythias lodge. The family are members and regular attendants of the Christain church.
HONORABLE G. W. BARTLETT.
G. W. Bartlett is distinguished as being a retired member of the Pio- neer hardware firm and Clyde's first mayor. He came to Clyde in the spring time of 1870, and assumed charge of the hardware business of Whitford & Perry, of Manhattan. In 1871 he formed a partnership with W. S. Crump, under the firm name of Bartlett & Crimp, successors of Whitford & Perry. Their capital was two thousand dollars, which made but a small showing. Hardware was high and freight one dollar and fifty cents from Atchison, hauled by teams and sometimes cattle.
Mr. Bartlett has been engaged in various enterprises. In the grocery business two years, in the drug store one year but has been practically retired for the past sixteen years. Bartlett & Crump erected a building on the corner of Washington and Green streets in 1873, which was burned to the ground January 23, 1886. They erected the block which bears their name in 1883. Mr. Bartlett owns some good residence property. The Bartlett home was the first to be built on Lincoln street. There were no near neighbors and they went "cross lots" to go down town. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett have seen Clyde grow to its present proportions. There was not a tree on the town site when they arrived, and the beautiful avenue of large soft maples that surround their residence was set out by their own hands. Mr. Bartlett was offered six thousand dollars for a corner lot on Main street without a build- ing on it.
Mr. Bartlett is a son of Milton and Ruth ( Bull ) Bartlett, both of Mass- achusetts. His paternal ancestry were of English origin : his maternal ancestors were from France. Mr. Bartlett is a native of Connecticut, born near Hart- ford in 1840. When fourteen years old he ran away from home and sought refuge with an uncle in Ohio, where he worked for one year at twelve dol- lars per month. He subsequently operated an agency for the Weed Sewing Machine Company. For several years he was in the employ of the Charles P. Colt hoop-skirt and corset manufactures and when they failed estab- lished a factory for himself at Vernon, Connecticut. He did a flourishing business until the hoop-skirt began to wane, when he suspended this enter- prise and took a position as traveling salesman for the Fickle & Lyon Sewing Machine Company. While in the state of Connecticut Mr. Bartlett says he did almost everything but manufacture bass wood hams and wooden nut- megs ; he even sold clocks.
Mr. Bartlett was married in 1860 to Eliza J. Perry, a daughter of Israel K. and Jane (Walker) Perry. They emigrated from Connecticut to Illi-
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
nois. where Mrs. Bartlett was born and three months later returned to their eastern home. In 1857 Mr. Perry came with his family to Topeka and in 1866 to Manhattan, where he became associated with A. J. Whitford until he retired from business in 1876. Mr. Perry was for years a member of the Congregational church. He was a man of high moral character, guided by the principles of justice and right. He died in Florida April 6, 1902. at the age of eighty-seven years. He was born in Manchester. Connecticut, in 1815.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett have been born two sons, Ralph W. and Charles P., both of whom are well-to-do and successful business men. Ralph W. is a resident of New Oxley, California, where he is engaged in the cattle business. Charles P. is a capitalist and real estate dealer.
W. E. RAY, A. M.
The subject of this sketch is Professor W. E. Ray. who, so far as the writer knows, is the only man in Cloud county entitled to the distinction of A. M. Professor Ray assumed the principalship of the Clyde schools in 1899, and as a disciplinarian and educator he is fast gaining wide-spread reputation. Under his management the schools of Clyde experienced a phe- nomenal growth of prosperity.
Professor Ray is a native of central Illinois, born in 1862. He began his career as a teacher in his native state. He received early educational advantages and being of a studious turn of mind made the most of his oppor- tunities. He was a pupil of the Northern Indiana Normal and took a post- graduate course in the State University of Nebraska, doing special work. Prior to that time however, he had filled various important positions and has been engaged in school work for fifteen years aproximately. He is from a family of educators, having two brothers engaged in teaching.
Mrs. Ray was Miss Calvin, of Junction City. She graduated from the Junction City high school, was a student of the Emporia Normal and one year in the State University. She taught three years in the graded schools of Junction City and four years in the Clyde schools ; two years in the gran- mar grade and two years in the high school. While in the State University. Mrs. Ray took a special course in music and also studied under Frederick Root of Chicago. She has a well trained voice.
Professor Ray has severed his connection with the Clyde schools, re- signing to accept a more lucrative position in the Thomas county high school of Colby, Kansas. This institution has been established six years and is fast gaining in popularity. The enrollment the present year (1902) is one hundred and fifty. Professor Ray will have four assistants and the depart- ment consists of high school work exclusively.
Professor Ray has been successful in Normal work; was one of the instructors in the Cloud county Normal the present summer and has been referred to as one of the most efficient in the state. The associations of Professor Ray in the Clyde schools were pleasant. and he admits he has not
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
enjoyed his school work anywhere more than in Clyde. Fewer men have exercised a greater individual influence or more directly inspired his stu- dents than this experienced educator. His loss to the Clyde schools will be the Thomas county high school's gain.
DENNIS BYRNE.
One of the pioneers of Shirley township is Dennis Byrne, who home- steaded a claim on Beaver creek, section 11 range 1. town 6, in 1800. . year and a half later he sold the homestead and contested the claim known as the "McNelly heirs" claim, which he won, and has since lived on until sell- ing to E. J. Turner in the spring of 1902, taking in exchange a stock of hard- ware and harness. Mr. Byrne, in connection with John Dowell, bought the first ferry that ran across the Republican river at Clyde, called the Clyde Ferry Company. It was established in 1871. There was a great deal of travel at that time and it proved a lucrative transaction. AAbout three years ago Mr. Byrne went into the watermelon raising business. The ground thus planted averaged per acre from twenty to twenty-five dollars.
Mr. Byrne was born in Pennsylvania in 1842, but was reared in the state of Ohio, where he worked in the coal mines most of the time until he enlisted to take part in the glorious struggle that redeemed our nation and of which like every old veteran he is justly prond. He entered the service in 1863. Company B. One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Ohio, under Colonel Howard Johns and General Burnsides. After seven months he enlisted in Company 1. One Hundred and Ninety-first Ohio Volunteers, un- der Colonel Kimberly, and served in the Middle Department of the Shenandoah, under General Hancock. Mr. Byrne participated in the siege of Knoxville, surrender of Cumberland Gap and several minor engagements. The last company were with the pioneer corps. Mr. Byrne served until the close of the war and was discharged August, 1865, at Winchester, Virginia. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic of Clyde, and was a charter member of both the first and present organization.
Mr. Byrne was married in 1872 to Etta Lamb. of Indiana. Her parents came to Kansas in 1872 from Nebraska, where they had lived a short time prior to coming to this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Byrne five children have been born: John F .. Dennis, Lemuel J. and two little daughters, AAllie and Olive. John F. served an apprenticeship under Mr. Turner, former proprie- tor of their present business. Dennis and Lemuel J. both assist in the store.
Mr. Byrne is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and one of the first to be initiated in the lodge at Clyde. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of eighteen years' standing. He is an independent in politics and votes for the man regardless of party. Mr. Byrne was county commissioner from 1893 to 1896 and was instrumental in getting the bounty of one dollar each placed on the wolf scalps. He has been road overseer and treasurer of his township.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
BAKER BORTON.
A conspicuous figure was the late Baker Borton, who died February 12. 1902. Mr. Borton was a native of Fairview, Ohio, where he was edu- cated in the common schools. When twenty-seven years of age he located on a farm near Morris, Grundy county. Illinois, where he resided eight years. He was ingenious and through necessity learned the carpenter trade, work- ing in that capacity for several years. The latter part of March, 1872. he came to Clyde for the purpose of farming, but circumstances were brought about that diverted his intentions and he followed that occupation but a short time. Mr. Borton was an active politician and for the first ten years of his residence in Cloud county he served as deputy sheriff. constable. United States deputy marshal and in 1888 he was elected commissioner of Cloud county and served two terms. In 1882 he opened a real estate and insurance busi- ness, becoming one of Clyde's most successful business men. He was a man of many sterling qualities, charitable and kind of heart he never oppressed the poor. He numbered his friends among all classes of people and the for- eign element, so numerous in the vicinity of Clyde, had great confidence in him. As if foreseeing the future need of a successor from the family cir- cle. Mr. Borton trained and educated his granddaughter, Ruby M. Cannon, for the position. After graduating from the Clyde high school in 1898 she entered the office as his secretary and during his illness of three years prior to his death she conducted the business. She is well qualified and very suc- cessful, retaining the old patrons and adding many new ones.
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