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 53
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
512
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
Mr. Page is a native of Meigs county. Ohio, and was born in the year 1820. His early days were spent on a farm. In 1860, he emigrated to Mis- souri, and one year later moved to lowa, Freemont county, where he enlisted in the 4th Regiment. Company AA. lowa Cavalry, under Captain Benjamin Rector, commanded by Colonel .A. B. Porter, of Mt. Pleasant, lowa. Cap- tain Rector died from illness in 1862, and J. B. Rust, second lieu- tenant of the company succeeded him. Colonel Porter resigned and was succeeded by Edward F. Winston, who was promoted from Cap- tain of Company B. to Captain of Company A. Mr. Page en- listed as a private and the last four years of the war was rewarded for valiant and fearless action by being promoted to a second lieu- tenancy. His company was ordered from Springfieldl. Missiori to join Gen- eral Curtis and his forces at Batesville, Arkansas, and while enroute were camped at Mammoth Spring. Arkansas, when the following exciting, thrill- ing and amusing incident transpired: One of the cavalry horses broke lose from its fastening and glad of its freedom galloped unrestrained, bringing up to the picket lines ; the night was very dark and the guard who had not long filled this post of duty, naturally fired upon the liberated steed. The report of his musket was heard in camp, as soldiers seem gifted by prac- tice with double vision and bearing and were immediately aroused to action : supposing it was an attack, the wildest confusion of orders and movements prevailed : horses were saddled, fire arms seized in a fever of wild excitement and haste, each captain forming his men in line on the spot that was near- est. making as many ranks as companies, and in the event of action would have in all probability been shooting over each other's heads. The buglers were ringing out a half dozen different orders and a hundred voices were shouting: "Put out the fires!" "Put out the fires!" In the meantime the guards nearest the picket line soon learned the cause of the alarm and after a half hour of bewilderment and uproar an understanding that an engagement at that time was not imminent was effected, and out of chaos quiet reigned again. Orders were given to imsaddle and the men gathered their scat- tered and battered accoutrements of war together. Upon this occasion a story was told of Colonel Porter which made him the subject of much mirth and was said to be the real cause of his retirement. The colonel, being sud- denly awakened, was very much excited by the commotion of a supposed charge by the rebel forces called vehemently for "Tobe." ( Bartleff. the chief bugler.) As "Tobe" appeared. bugle in hand, the Colonel cried : "Blow. Tobe, blow!" without specifying what order he should blow. "Tobe" stood embarrassed and bewildered, awaiting orders, when his commander shouted vorciferously, "Blow! why don't you blow?" "But what shall I blow?" cried the anxious trumpeter ? The colonel, fairly gasping for breath, screamed : "Blow? Blow your bugle, d- you."
At Cotton Plant. Arkansas, Mr. Page's regiment captured a few prisoners. One of the company soldiers was a Dutchman and when he returned to camp he seized one of the captives by the shoulder shaking
513
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
him vigorously, said, "Vat for you make war mit Sigel? You yust break up the best government vat never vas," and in withering tones and cutting sarcasm added. "you g-d d-n secesh." Mr. Page with his company saw service principally through Arkansas. At Mechanicsburg, about forty miles above Vicksburg, where they marched every Sunday, they upon one oeca- sion found the enemy very stubborn and made a severe saber fight. One of the heaviest charges made was at Bear creek. near Vicksburg, where one hundred and twenty men were detained to guard the road that General Johnston's army must pass and made a heavy fight with a loss of ten men killed on the field, several taken prisoners and only eight to return to camp. Mr. Page is justly proud of his war record, as he fought bravely for his flag and his country. After many years on his farm Mr. Page can look with pride at his trees, both fruit and ornamental, all put out by his own hands. His apple trees have yielded an abundant crop and his yard is adorned by numerous evergreens which add to its beauty. In later years Mr. Page has leased his ground consisting of two hundred and seventy-eight acres of excellent land. His erops are principally wheat, corn and oats. He has re- tired from actual farm labor, thus giving him ample time to attend to his orchard and poultry. Mr. Page is a true Republican and was elected county commissioner in the year 1870. He is a public spirited man, taking an active interest in all topics of the day as published in the leading news- papers.
Mr. Page's paternal ancestors were of French origin. llis father's ma- ternal ancestors, the Mosiers were from England, thus uniting French and English ancestry. Mr. Page is now enjoying a rest well earned after a busy life and his record is above reproach.
VALENTINE CHRISTIAN.
Valentine Christian is one of the oldest settlers who still reside on the land he homesteaded in October, 1870, and, although he and his family have passed many hardships since emigrating to Kansas, they have been happy and contented and are staunch friends of the "Sunflower state." For six months Mr. Christian did not possess a penny nor a postage stamp until through the vigilant eye of the great hearted "Unele" Heller, who always had the welfare of his fellowmen at heart and who not only gave words of consolation and comfort, but that which is of more value in such a time, his store of worldly nature. He had observed- our subject was not posting his usual quota of letters and perhaps suspecting the real eanse, this good man remarked one day, "Mr. Christian, you are not mailing many letters these days?" Our subject replied, "No sir, I have not got the postage." Whereupon "Uncle" Heller, with an expression of deep feeling and sympathy, said, "Do not re- frain from writing your friends for that reason; take all the stamps you want ; all I ask is you to pay me quarterly." Mr. Christian acted upon the generous impulse of "Uncle" Heller and at one time owed a bill for postage
514
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
of $1.50. Those were days when commodities were not taken in exchange for goods; for instance, Mr. Christian at this time took some eggs to town and could not get even one cent per dozen, the merchants preferring to credit him for pins and matches, than take eggs in exchange. His family at that time consisted of a wife and one child. They could not use the eggs, and his neighbors were likewise supplied so he threw them away.
Mr. Christian is a native of St. Joseph county, Indiana, born in 1845, and has been a farmer and stockman all his life. His father is Asa D. Christian and lives on the old homestead in the "Hoosier" state at the age of eighty-one years. The Christian ancestors were from Germany and set- tled in the Dutch settlement of Pennsylvania in a very early day. When Asa D). Christian was twelve years of age he emigrated westward with his parents, and barefooted drove and ox team into the wilderness of Indiana where they settled in the uninhabited timber region of that state. Ilis mother was Almira Fisher. Her ancesters were of Irish origin and among the first settlers of Cincinnati, Ohio, when the Indians were numerous and when they found it necessary to resort to all sorts of devices to protect them- selves against the pilfering, begging tribes that roamed the primitive forests. They split logs in half and stored their provisions in the hollowed interior, laid the two halves together, heaped brush and leaves over it, thus conceal- ing their meat and other articles of food, for when the Indians came they helped themselves to what ever they found in the way of catables. Upon one occasion their attention was attracted toward a bright, shining new hatchet that had been given Mr. Christian's grandfather, who was about twelve years of age. One of the Indians looked longingly at the little ax for a moment and then appropriating the coveted weapon walked unceremoniously away into the forest. A moment later the owner of the hatchet came in and when he learned what had taken place. quietly. but with determined look lifted a loaded rifle from the wall and deliberately followed intent on revenge. When but a short distance from their cabin he heard a pounding and suspecting the savage was trying the virtues of his new weapon. the boy slowly and quietly crept through the bushes, while with each succeeding stroke of the hatchet his blood grew hotter, and onward he went until rewarded by a glimpse of the savage who was astride of a log cracking nuts with the utmost satisfac- tion. The lad cautiously gained a large log at safe gunshot distance and drew a bead on his unsuspecting victim who was alone, having separated from his comrades. He would aim and then lower his gun debating if he should empty the contents into the red skin or spare his worthless life and while thus soliloquizing, the Indian cracked another nut and with such in- nate satisfaction that the youth was maddened beyond control, each walnut inciting renewed anger and finally drew down on the sights of the gun, he knew well how to use although a mere boy, and in another instant the In- dian was sent to the "happy hunting ground." The victor then proceeded to gather in his spoils, secured his hatchet and upon returning to the cabin his mother who had heard the report of his rifle inquired what he had done.
515
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
His father at once instigated a search and finding the body. immediately secreted the victim, for had the tribe discovered one of their number had been thus dealt with would have wreaked a terrible vengeance and in all probability have massacred the whole family. Mr. Christian's mother who died about sixteen years ago was the mother of thirteen children. eleven of whom are living. Mr. Christian is the eldest child. Edward C., a stock dealer in Scandia, is a brother, and Robert. a farmer of Elk township. Mrs. Frank Rupe and Mrs. Milton Garwood are sisters; the other members of the family are near the old homestead in Indiana.
Mr. Christian was married in 1871, to Laura Fitch. of Montpelier, Vermont, who died November 4, 1874, leaving two sons, Arthur, the eldest child is a resident of Holton, Kansas, and Valentine who farms with his father. Mr. Christian married his second wife. Jeanette Parker. in 1876. To this union seven children have been born, viz: Winifield and Clarence, the two eldest, are young men aged twenty-three and twenty-one years. Al- mira, the eldest daughter at the request of her grandfather was named for her maternal grandmother. The other children are. Francis, John, Eva and Imo.
Mr. Christian's farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres of land all under cultivation. Ile keeps a herd of finely bred Red-Poled cattle and among them are several pure blooded pedigreed animals. He has also dealt extensively in fine bred hogs of the Poland China breed. and during corn years raises and feeds from one hundred to one hundred and fifty head. Mrs. Christian has been very successful in poultry, raising from five to eight hun- dred in a season. She has tried various breeds but finds the Plymouth Rock the best farmer's bird and general purpose fowl. In the spring of 1902, she set sixty-six hens and sold nearly two thousand eggs for hatching, often gathering from the nests twelve dozen per day, which furnished many short orders.
Politically Mr. Christian is a Republican but not a radical politician. He is a well informed man, received a good common school education and having been a great reader has acquired a store of useful knowledge. He is a public spirited man and a most excellent citizen.
REVEREND JOHN BOGGS.
The late Reverend John Boggs was one of the most influential and best known men in the vicinity of Clyde. A learned and scholarly man whose brain was a veritable store house of knowledge. This reverend gentleman was born in the Baptist parsonage in the village of Hopewell, New Jersey, May 12, 1810. The town of his nativity is situated in the beautiful and fer- tile Hopewell Valley which is noted for its fine fruits and vegetables and celebrated for being the seat of Rugers College, Nassua Hall, Princeton Theological Seminary; and also renowned for the Revolutionary battles of Princeton, Trenton and Bond Rock.
516
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
Elder Boggs' father and grandfather both bore the name of John and were Baptist ministers. His grandfather was born in East Nottingham, England April 9. 1741, and was a captain in the Revolutionary war. In his earlier life he was a Presbyterian mmister but in 1771 he embraced the Bap- tist sentiments and in 1781 was ordained a minister of that faith at Welsh Tract. Delaware, where he died of paralysis in 1802; his wife who was Hlan- nah Furness before her marriage was born in 1737 and died January 31, 1788. John B., the second. and father of our subject as born at Welsh Tract. Delaware. January 20. 1770. For their son Joseph the fond parents had mapped out the career of a clergyman. "but John," they said. "was cut out for a farmer:" but Joseph became a lawyer and John developed into both an excellent farmer and a gifted dispenser of the gospel. Eller Boggs' paternal grandmother was Ehza Hopkins, the only child of an English Quaker family whose parents, Isaac and Margaret Hopkins, resided in Bur- lington county, New Jersey, from the time they came to America until their deaths, which took place during her childhood, leaving their daughter in the hands of an unworthy uncle who defrauded her of considerable property.
Charles Hopkins who was a pastor of a New York City Baptist church for many years was a cousin of Elder Boggs twice removed. W. C. Cooper, of Philadelphia, a brother of Commodore Porter, formerly of the United States navy, married Fannie Hopkins, a cousin of the same removal. Isaac Hopkins, a brother of Fannie Hopkins, was the father of seventeen children including three pairs of twins. Elder Boggs was three times married. His third wife was Mary Hunt; their two daughters, Elizabeth and Mary Jane established and were proprietors of the Ladies' Seminary at Hopewell. New Jersey, where their father was pastor for nearly forty years. Eller Boggs' mother was Hannah Dewess. Her father's house. Colonel Dewess, was the home of the Baptist ministers. She was distinguished for her many personal charms and amiability. She died May 5. 1827. of paralysis at the Baptist parsonage in Hopewell. They were the parents of six children, four living to maturity and rearing families.
Ekler Boggs served as chaplain of the one hundred and eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and from that period on labored in his "Master's vine- vard" until his advanced years would no longer permit ; and when his work was finished he undoubtedly received the welcome plaudit. "well done thon good and faithful servant. enter thon into the joys of thy Lord." Had El- der Boggs lived until the following September, the sixty-seventh anniversary of their marriage would have been celebrated. His aged wife survives him at the age of ninety-one years, but the sands of her life are almost run and a few years at the best can but elapse ere she will have gone to join her com- panion of more than three score years.
Elder Boggs was an extensive traveler. also a voluminous writer, and contributed many articles to the press. many of them of acknowledged worth. In 1888. he made an extended missionary trip through Nevada,
517
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
Wyoming, California, Oregon, Washington Territory and Colorado. He was loyal to Kansas and upon his return from his tour vigorously asserted, "there was no place like his cottage home in Kansas." Although Elder Boggs' farm is situated just over the line in Washington, his labors were al- most exclusively in Cloud county. Several years prior to his demise he had changed his religion to the Christian faith and established the Clyde congre- gation at the Boggs school house with the understanding that when a church was crected in Clyde the society would be transferred to that point. and in ac- cordance with his request this was done.
Mrs. Boggs lives with her daughter. Mrs. Lottie Hakes at the old home. "Tri Gable Cottage," as it is called is one of the most desirable homes in the vicinity, nestled in the midst of a perfect bower of trees and flowering shrubs that denote much care from the hands of its owners: a fine apple orchard that vielded two hundred bushels the present year. The proceeds of the sales of their crop of early cherries this year exceeded $30. The angel of death never having visited their family. Elder and Mrs. Boggs have three children, all of whom are useful, honest, and upright citizens.
JOHN NEWTON BOGGS.
J. N. Boggs the subject of this sketch is a son of the noted clergyman, Reverend John Boggs, whose history is given in detail in the preceeding sketch. He was born in New Jersey in the year 1832, was reared on a farm in Hamilton county. Ohio, and moved to Bartholomew county, Indiana, but later returned to Ohio. It is a well established fact that ministers are much like flocks of birds migrating from one place to another, never remaining any length of time in one location. Mr. Boggs received but a meager education in the country schools owing to his family moving to Bartholomew county in advance of even subscription schools. The scholars of today can never realize that in oklen times children walked miles over fields to some small building answering the double purpose of church and school house. Many of those scholars are today holding some of the greatest and loftiest positions that can be accorded to men and women.
Mr. Boggs was married in the year 1854, in Bartholomew county to Elizabeth A. Low and they began their first housekeeping in a very primi- tive way, taking their wedding journey in a "prairie schooner" enroute to Appanoose county, Iowa, and consequently were for many years a little in advance of the towns and cities of the plains. Wayne county, Iowa. ad- joined Appanoose and they made their home in the two counties until the spring of 1876, when they were attracted by stories of homes to be gotten by simply selecting one of their choice-the cost of the land office papers was the only price. In company with their seven children born in Iowa they came to Kansas and settled in Elk township. Mr. Boggs purchased the re- linquishment of David Brosseau, where a home had been started and a few acres of sod had been broken, homesteaded the land and bought the Antoine 31
518
"HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
Brossean farm adjoining, thus owning a half section of land which he has since divided with his children and is practically retired from farming.
Mir. Boggs served in company D. sixteenth lowa infantry, and although he has been practically disabled ever since he has never drawn a pension. Mrs. Boggs was called from her earthly home leaving seven children, viz : Aquilla, deceased in 1881 at the age of twenty-six years, unmarried. Free- man, an electric street car conductor at Houston, Texas. Joseph, a carpen- ter who resides in California. Allen, a farmer of Elk township. Kate, wife of A. M. Shriver, a farmer of Elk township. Joshua, owns a fruit ranch in California. Blanche is her father's house-keeper. Pinkney died in lowa.
Mr. Boggs had the misfortune to lose a good frame residence by fire in 1893, which was replaced in the autumn of that year by a six-room dwelling which narrowly escaped the same fate by a stroke of lightning in October, 1902. Miss Boggs raises a great number of chickens, hatching from two to three hundred annually, which is a profitable investment of one's labor and care for the little broods of downy puff balls. She is a devoted daughter, bestowing much of her time to the care of her father, brightening his declin- ing years, smoothing the tangks from his path. Politically, Mr. Boggs is a Republican. His family are members of the Christian church and active workers While on a visit to Bartholomew county, Indiana in 1857 Mr. Roggs connected himself with the Baptist church and upon his return to Wayne county, lowa, was one of seven, five females and two males, who or- ganized a Baptist congregation in a private residence. Mr. Boggs was elected clerk and served in that capacity until uniting with the Christian church several years later.
REVEREND LOUIS MOLLIER.
To no man is more credit due than to the Reverend Louis Mollier, of St. Joseph, Clond county, whose long life has been one of devotion to the best interests of his church and the people of his faith which is that of a Catholic. Reverend Louis Mollier was born in the diocese of Chambery, Savoie. France. the 29th of October, 1846. He came to Kansas in 1869 and settled in Topeka with the avowed purpose of devoting his life to church work. Through the influence of Bishop John B. Meige, who came first to America from Savoie, Father Mollier's birthplace, where they had been friends and brothers of their church, Father Mollier entered the seminary at Topeka and in April, 1873, was ordained a priest at the age of twenty-five years and immediately afterward was sent to St. Joseph by the Right Rever- end Bishop Fink, of the diocese of Leavenworth, Kansas; therefore Father Mollier bears the honor and fame of being the pioneer priest of northwestern Kansas. The first services were held at the school house, consultors were elected and active work begun. Father Mollier secured a room of Eli Lanoue until the parish was able to build a parsonage wherein to make his home, which was done in 1874. The missions extended from Washington to the
519
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
Colorado line and from Clay Center and Glaseo to the Nebraska line. His labors were not required any further west than Norton county, owing to the scarcity of inhabitants, but the field was a large one and the Holy Father traveled long distances, covering many miles on horseback over road- less. bleak and uninhabited prairies, minus landmarks of any description.
The villages dotted along the route were Clyde. Concordia. Elm Creek. Delphos, Clay Center, Straw- berry and Parsons Creeks, Palmer, Greenleaf, Beloit, Lawrenceburg, Cawker City, Jewell Ciy, Stockton and other places, making his start from St. Joseph. In many of these places his spiritual guidance was needed, and Father Mollier has been known on several occasions to travel a distance of one hundred and twen- ty miles to give church consolation to siek and dying persons. At the time Father Mollier came to western Kansas, Clyde was a very small vil- lage and Concordia numbered a pop- ulation of about three hundred. At that period the land office was the central attraction.
REVEREND FATHER MOLLIER OF ST. JOSEPH, KANSAS.
Father Mollier commenced the first church edifice at Elm Creek in 1874. which has recently been taken down. Mass was said at St. Joseph in a small school house until a church could be erected, and in this small edifice the good seeds were sown to ripen into bountiful harvests. Father Mollier began and had the St. Joseph and Concordia churelies under course of con- struction at the same time. The church at St. Joseph was erected at an expense of about ten thousand dollars and four thousand dollars for the edi- fice at Concordia. The money was obtained through his efforts, the parishioners cheerfully giving for the privilege of a place of worship to hold the increasing population. A part of the parsonage was built in 1875 and in 1885 an upright addition to the building was ereeted, which is now a com- modious and convenient residence.
The dimensions of the St. Joseph church are forty by one hundred feet, a fine building of which the town is justly proud. In 1880 Father Mollier built the Jamestown church and has erected mission churches at Greenleaf, Palmer, Clyde. Concordia and Clay Center. At the same time lots were secured at Beloit and Cawker City and building material put on the ground. The first school at St. Joseph was organized as district No. 35. The settle-
520
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
ment 1- made up from the French people who first located in Kankakee, Illi- Det, which is a French speaking town. A few families emigrated to Kansas. other- followed and through this medium, in turn, others came, thus making
A VIEW F TAF OM RON AND PARSONAGE AT ST JOSEPH NOSSAS.
almost a branch of kankakee. There is but one Protestant family in the entire parish.
In the year 1885, a new school building was constructed, two stories high, containing four rooms. At the present time three teachers are busily employed, but as the season advances a fourth one is added. Sister Euphra- sia, Sister Dorothy, and Sister Anthony are the present teachers. These kind, gentle, patient Sisters are of the St. Joseph order of Concordia. Sister Euphra- Sin teaches the French language, as many descendants of the French fami- lies are English speaking. The en- rollment of the academy in 1902 was one hundred and thirteen, and the previous year numbered one hundred and seventy-five pupils. The school is a parochial one and the Sisters are the only teachers employed. The parish consists of one hundred and sixty families and the population is nine hundred and eleven. The parish extends three miles north, four to the west. eight to the south and six miles east.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.