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 64
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Mr. Nowels was mustered out at Camp Chase, Ohio, October 2, 1865. He made a good record, never shirked duty nor joined the "condemned yank." After the war he returned to Ohio; a few months later he emi- grated to lowa and subsequently to Nebraska, where he worked on the first railroad bridge that spanned the Missouri river in that state and worked on the Union Pacific Railroad from Omaha to Ogden. He has traveled exten- sively over the United States and has visited every state in the union but three.
Mr. Nowels was married in Lawrence, Kansas, in 1871, to Alice Hill, who was formerly from Athens county, Ohio. She came with her parents to Kansas in 1868 and settled in Lawrence. Her father was a native of Wales. He settled in Ohio, where he lived until coming to Kansas. His residence is now in Lincoln county. Her mother died in 1887. Mrs. Nowels is one of eight children. One brother, George Hill, is living near Denver.
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Colorado: two brothers, Charlie and Ray, in Idaho; a brother, Ira, in Ore- gon, near The Dalles, and Frank, of Lincoln Center. The sister, Mrs. Phillips, resides in Lincoln county. By a second marriage there is one child. Pearl Hill.
To Mr. and Mrs. Nowels have been born three children, viz: Guy S .. a farmer living near Glasco: he married Hattie Elliott and they are the par- ents of one child. an infant. George W. is interested with his father and brother in farming. Mary 1. was for three seasons successfully engaged in the millinery business in Glasco. She with her two brothers attended the opening of the Oklahoma strip. They all registered, but none of them suc- ceeded in drawing a claim.
The Nowels took up their residence in Cloud county in 1890 and bought the Clinkbeard homestead, where they have prospered. They own two hun- dred and forty acres of land : the sons own an eighty adjoining, and all farm together. Their residence is a comfortable six-room house. Mr. Nowels keeps a herd of about seventy head of native cattle and has been very success- ful in hog raising, shipping about two car loads .per year. He has at all times supported the Republican party and is a strict partisan. He is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows of Glasco and of the Grand Army of the Republic. George is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Nowels and daughter are members of the Rebekahs. Mr. Nowels supports any enterprise that has for its object the well being of the community. He has met with more than an average degree of success in life and is a worthy citizen.
JOHN TALG.
It has been demonstrated by J. Talg, of Solomon township, that fruit of almost every description can be raised successfully and with profit in Cloud county, not only in abundance but of the finest flavor. Mr. Talg came to this county in 1880 and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in the hills that lie back of the Solomon river, built a comfortable dugout, which he still occupies, and proceeded to experiment in fruit raising. He has an apple orchard of four hundred trees that yield large and beautiful fruit, his crop in 1901 reaching three hundred bushels. He has six hundred peach trees, large orchards of pears and plums and a vineyard that yields quanti- ties of luscious grapes. Mr. Talg has a cellar filled with barrels of many varieties of wines and ciders. He is not only one of the most successful fruit growers of Cloud county but raises corn, and alfalfa, and keeps a herd of about thirty head of native cattle.
Mr. Talg is a native of Prussia, Germany, born in 1835. He left his Fatherland in 1872, just after the Franco-Prussian war, in which he served three years. He also took part in the campaign against Austria in 1866. His father, Andrew Talg. was a fisherman and died in Germany in 1855. Mr. Talg's mother was Mary Shoen, also of German birth. She died in
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1849. Mr. Talg is one of nine children, three of whom are living, a brother and a sister, both living in Germany: William, a shoemaker by trade, and Mary.
Mr. Talg, when a young man, learned the stone mason's trade. When thirty-seven years of age he emigrated to Baltimore, Maryland , where he worked at his trade until coming to Kansas in 1880: he returned to Prussia two years later ( 1874), and was married to Louise Mary Hill. Two children have been born to this union, viz: Augusta, wife of Fred Hill. a tailor of Chicago, Illinois, and William, who is associated with his father on the farm.
Mr. Talg is a Republican in politics. Both father and son are members of Lodge No. 214. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Simpson, Mitch- ell county. Kansas. The family are members of the Glasco congregation of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Talg has a stone barn-with a basement-27×27 feet in dimen- sions, built in 1888 .. While he lives in a dugout, it is modern and neat in ap- pearance. His buildings are freshly painted and everything bespeakes the German thrift.
JOHN BROWN.
John Brown, the subject of this sketch, living just over the line in Ot- tawa county is considered a factor of the Glasco community. He is a patron of long standing of their town and connected with them socially, hence the name of this worthy man would be conspicuous by its absence among the highly esteemed citizens of that vicinity.
Mr. Brown is a native of Lanarkshire, Scotland, born in the town of Airdrie in 1839. Her parents were Jolm and Christina ( Thompson ) Brown. His father was born June 13. 1808, in Linlithgow Parish, Scotland. He enlisted in the English army early in life, but his father objected to his be- coming a soldier and bought him off. He then learned the tinner's trade and later turned his attention to mining. He died February 21. 1860. Mr. Brown's mother was born in Sterlingshire Parish, Scotland, February 7. 1806. and died in July, 1889. at the age of eighty-three years. Mr. Brown is the fourth of a family of nine children, all were born in Scotland; five of that number are living.
Mr. Brown received a common school education in his native town and when he attained the age of twenty-one years, he emigrated to America. landing in Humboldt county, California on the 13th day of October, 1861, where he found employment in the Vance saw mill located at Eureka. Four months later he enlisted in Company A. Third California Infantry under Captain Thomas E. Ketchum and Colonel Pollick, spending four and one- half years scouting through California, Nevada. Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Dakota.
He is the original "John Brown and his 'little Injun'." Their company was divided into three squads of twenty-five men each ; one company re-
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maining in the temporary camp while the other three scouted and were re- lieved alternately by those in camp. Mr. Brown was with Ketchum's men who were the first to make an attack bringing in a dozen and a half prisoners, among them squaws and papooses. Their guide, Joe Bartlett. in advance, entered the red-woods and came on the "Ranchee." All were surprised Indians and soldiers alike, for they were not aware of being in such close proximity to each other. As the Indians were on a narrow trail traveling single file, the guide fired killing one of their number. The Captain stood at the ' Ranchee" until every man was stationed according to orders. Mr. Brown was the last man to come in line and he was ordered to fix bayonets in stand guard over the squaws and pripooses, while many of the Indian braves were wounded and diving. He walked to and fro that none might escape and while doing so discovered a fish basket moving away and upon examination found a little Indian boy concealed underneath it and brought him away captive. This father was dead and the mother dying. The little fellow was making his escape under an eel basket. The boy's parents were killed by the same bullet. The savage was running before his squaw that her body might serve as a shield to save him, but the same bullet dealt death to both. In this attack fourteen bucks and one squaw were killed.
The haversacks contained but a few day's rations but they shared them among their captives. The prisoners were divided among the men to take into camp, making seven to each man. The "little Injun," who was about ten years of age, was among those allotted to David L. Christ, and the little fellow woukl keep falling back among Mr. Brown's company, seemingly thinking he would find protection with him. Mr. Brown, touched by the child's preference, suggested an exchange of prisoners, which was granted, and he clung to Mr. Brown in an affectionate manner and seemed to enjoy a feeling of security under his care.
When the regiment arrived at their camp, Fort Baker, Mr. Brown took his little captive down to the VanDusen river, cut his hair, gave him a bath, and dressed him in an oldl fatigue dress altered for the purpose, providing him with bedding in a bell tent, and in a short time a remarkable attachment grew up between them. The "little Injun" evidently looked upon Mr. Brown as his benefactor and would follow him like an affectionate dog, ready to do his least bidding.
Frank W. Cole and Hank MeHirwon ( the latter now of Pender, Ne- braska ) each took an Indian boy, who were domiciled together. They brought them to Stockton where the troops were ordered to meet for a march to Salt Lake City. Mr. Cole gave his boy to a friend at Stockton; Mr. MlcHirwon and Mr. Brown took theirs with them via Captain Ketchum's ranch to San Francisco. They took them upon the boat for something to eat and the in- dians were spell bound by the glitter of the interior. It was like the "Tale of the Arabian Knights" to them and they could not eat. The next morning Captain Ketchum called. and ordered these boys left for the reason that they could not stand the march. There was nothing to do but obey orders though
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Mr. Brown's intentions were to keep his protege. He was already being civilized and could send him to the markets for fruit, etc. When the boy found they were to be separated he clasped Mr. Brown around the thighs, wept and wailed in a piteous manner and Mr. Brown was deeply grieved to leave him, and from this incident came the verse. "John Brown had a little Injun'," which was attached to the song. "John Brown's body." etc.
Mr. Brown experienced many hardships on this expedition and he often awoke to find several inches of snow on his blanket. This company es- tablished the noted Fort Douglas, near Salt Lake City, which has since become one of the famous forts of the country. Mr. Brown visited Fort Douglas in 1896, and remarked a great change.
After the war he was recommended by his Colonel and a comrade of his company to Ellis & Brothers, wholesale liquor dealers of Salt Lake City. also dry goods, groceries, etc., where he received employment, remaining one year. He then engaged in mining in the silver mines of the Little Cotton- wood Canyon. In 1868. during the excitement at Stillwater. he visited that locality but finding no inducements he entered the Green River country of Wyoming, where he opened a coal mine at Rock Springs station, nineteen miles distant, recorded it, but did not have the means to open the mine and returned to Green River, formed a company and manufactured adobe brick.
His next venture was at Fort Bridger, where he sunk oil wells at Quak- ing Asp Springs, and from there he engaged on the contract given by Brig- ham Young for the running of a tunnel through the Weber Canyon. In 1869. he located in Sand Springs, a station in Dickinson county, Kansas. and in 1870 homesteaded government land on Mortimer Creek, and one year subsequently removed to Ohio, where he worked in an iron factory at Salineville five years, and two years in an iron factory in Cleveland. Ile came to Ottawa county, in 1878, and bought the filing of a timber claim of Henry Sheets. There were no improvements and only two or three acres of ground broken. Mr. Brown improved this claim and has built for him- self a comfortable home. He owns one hundred and twenty acres of land. His chief products are wheat, corn and alfalfa.
Mr Brown was married June 19, 1867, to Elizabeth Hillhouse, a sister of Robert and John Hillhouse. She died February 15. 1897. at the age of forty-seven years. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living. Margaret, the eldest daughter, is an intelligent and excellent young woman and since her mother's death she has been housekeeper for her father and brothers. Christina is the wife of Moses Bucy. a farmer of cloud county ; they are the parents of one little daughter. Myrtle Elizabeth. John and William, the two sons, operate the farm, Mr. Brown having retired from active farm life. Nellie, married Thomas Stratton. a prosperous far- mer and stockman of Ottawa county: they are the parents of one child. a little son. Dean. Jeanette and Effie, the two youngest daughters live at home.
Mr. Brown is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the Grand 37
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Army of the Republic of Glasco. The sons. William and John, are members of the order of Woodmen of Glasco.
Mr. Brown has just completed one of the most beautiful and unique caves the writer has ever seen. It is an excavation in the hill side-a perfect arch chiseled out of the solid and vari-colored rock which forms the ceiling. walls and floor. The stone of various hues and quality is formed in layers or strata which are made more pleasing by the markings of the workmen's chisel. This cave is a gem in its way and it is doubtful if its equal coukt be found in any locality.
FREDERICK PETERSON BECK.
"Happy Home Farm," owned by F. P. Beck, is one of the finest stock and fruit farms in the country. Mr. Beck is a native of Denmark, born in Sleswig in 1857. He is a son of Peter Hanson Beck, who died when Mr. Beck was an infant six months old. His mother was Kjersten Hansen, also of Denmark. Mr. Beck is the youngest of three children born to this union-a brother, Hans Beck, whose sketch immediately follows and a sister Mary, who married Hans Broudelund (both are now deceased, the husband dying in New Zealand ). Mrs. Beck was three times married. Her second husband was Jacob Jorgenson, who died in 1886. To their union four chil- dren were born. three of whom are living, viz: Caroline, wife of Fred Thesman, a successful farmer of California ; he harvests many acres of wheat annually. Peter, a farmer of Solomon township: Jens, a butcher, living in Denmark. The third marriage was with Christian Hansen: no children were born to this union. The mother never having emigrated to America, died in Denmark in April, 1900.
When Mr. Beck attained his majority he began his career working by the month. When coming to America he had no capital. He first located in Mitchell county in the year 1877 and obtained work on the farm of Mathias Nelson. In 1873. he homesteaded land in the hills of Solomon township, as all the first, second and third bottom lands were taken by those who came earlier.
About this time he married, and took his bride to the little dugout he had prepared for her. Its dimensions were about 12x12-feet, minus both floor and windows. "Though poverty came in at the door." love did not fly out at the window. Perhaps none were more industrious and frugal than this worthy couple. Their beautiful country place bespeaks the result of hard- ships and many weary hours of toil. In 1890. Mr. Beck sold his homestead and bought his present farm which he has put in a fine condition.
In 1898, he erected a handsome imposing residence of eight rooms. This house is modern, completely finished and furnished. In 1894, he built a splendid barn. Mr. Beck has one of the best apple orchards in Cloud county, which is his especial pride. It consists of two hundred trees that are heavily loaded with the rarest fruit. This year ( 1901 ) the yield was three
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hundred bushels. Ile has been very successful as a horticulturist and sets out a few trees each year. His apple orchard presents a beautiful sight. loaded with the crimson and golden fruit. He also has large quantities of pears, peaches, apricots, cherries, etc.
Mr. Beck is a large wheat grower. Besides his home place he owns "Wheat Valley Farm, ' one of the finest in any land, opposite G. W. Hus- sey's place, and recently he purchased the "Oak Leaf Farm," a valuable estate consisting of two hundred and forty acres, which makes his landed possessions a total of five hundred and sixty acres. He keeps a herd of about twenty-five head of native cattle and in corn years from one hundred to two hundred head of hogs. Because of his love for horses, Mr. Beck has given special attention to the raising of horses and mules. He breeds roadsters of the Hambleionian stock and has some fine specimens in his stables.
Politically Mr. Beck is a populist and a prominent figure in the con- ventions of the county. He has held the offices of constable and road over- seer of his township and is a member of the school board. The family are members of the Lutheran church.
Mrs. Beck, who has been his true helpmate all through their married life, is a refined and gentle woman. She is a native of Denmark, where she grew to womanhood in the same locality with her husband, and where they were engaged to be married. Mr. Beck proceeded to America to prepare their home in the New Empire. Her father is Nicoli Henry Hanson. He came to America in 1884 and is now living with his daughter at the age of eighty-eight years. The Hansens are of German origin. Mrs. Beck's mother died in 1883. She is one of eight children, five of whom are living. Three are in Denmark. A sister, Maren Christine, is the wife of Hans Asmussen, a farmer of Solomon township.
To Mr. and Mrs. Beck eight children have been born, five of whom are living. Peter, twenty-two years of age is married and rents part of his father's farm. Henry, associated with his brother in farming. Christina deceased in 1899, at the age of fourteen years. Grief over the loss of this. daughter has broken the health of Mrs. Beck. Jacob, Willis, and Eliza- beth; the three latter at home.
HANS F. P. BECK.
H. F. P. Beck, like many of his countrymen, left his native land to se- cure a home in America. He was born in Denmark in 1853, and is a brother of Fred Beck. At the age of eighteen years he emigrated to this country and reached his destination, Solomon City with less than five dollars where he worked as a day laborer on a farm, on the railroad as a section hand, and in the livery stable of McGraff & Hollingsworth. In 1875. Mr. Beck bought the filing of the Kimball clain, which he homesteaded. About the only im-
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provements were a log house with a dirt floor, where they continued to live nine years and where six of their children were born.
Mr. Beck was married in 1877, to Karen Peterson, a young woman who came over from Denmark with Fred Beck, a brother of her intended husband. ller parents came to America in 1883. Her mother died twelve days after their arrival and her father four years later. Mrs. Beck is one of four chil- dren, three of whom are living. Jens Peterson, a farmer of Mitchell county. just over the Cloud county line, is a brother, and Mrs. Halder Ilalderson. who lives near Glasco, is a sister.
To Mr. and Mrs. Beck nine children have been born, seven of whom are living-all daughters, estimable and prepossessing young women. Martha, wife of Edmond Bennett, an Oklohoma farmer. Mary, wife of Herbert Dalrymple. Kjerstine, Anna, Emma, Serena and Rosa. Frederica, a young woman of nineteen years died in 1900.
Mr. Beck's farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres situated in the remote south-west corner of Cloud county. His land corners with both Mitchell and Ottawa counties. His chief products are wheat, corn and Kaf- fir corn, cattle and hogs. In 1886, he erected a large and substatianl stone residence. He built a barn in 1800. 20 by 36 feet in dimensions, with corn cribs on either side.
Mr. Beck is a Populist in politics. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen lodge of Glasco and the Royal Neighbors. The family are members of the Lutheran church.
PIERCE E. BUTLER.
Among the citizens of Celtic origin who have become thoroughly Ameri- canized and closely associated with the farming and stock raising indus- try in Kansas is P. E. Butler of Lyon township. Mr. Butler has also gained prominence at the bar as one of the able attorneys of Cloud county. He has fully borne out the reputation of that class of energetic men of Irish nativity who have risen conspicuously in business, social and professional circles.
Mr. Butler was born in Dublin, in 1838. His parents were Timothy and An ( Nolan) Butler, both born in the city of Dublin. In 184 ;. they emigrated to America and settled in Madison, Wisconsin, where Mr. Butler was educated in the common schools. His father died March 24, 1865: his mother died August 12, 1854. There was a family of nine children, all of whom died in infancy except three sons, two of whom were killed in the Civil war, John F. fell on the day of the assault on Vicksburg and George W. died at home from a gunshot wound received in the United States sery- ice. Thus Mr. Butler is the only remaining member of his father's family.
At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in Company F. One Hundred and Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry, serving his adopted country four years, two months and three days. His regiment was under the command of ser- era! noted generals-Halleck. McClellan and Grant. He was with Major
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N. P. Banks on Red River and Major General E. O. C. Ord at Mobile, Ala- bama. He was in the following regular engagements: Peach Orchard. Virginia; Port Hudson, Jackson, Champion Hills, Mississippi, Black River Bridge, and the assault on Vicksburg, September 22, 1863, and Fort Esper- anza, Texas; Mr. Butler always had a desire to visit Texas but not in that capacity. He had an arm broken and received a wound in the foot at Fort Blakely, Alabama. He witnessed the fall of Mobile.
Prior to the war Mr. Butler had read law in the office of George B. Smith .. After his return home he pursued his studies in the office of Welch & Kissam, attorneys of Madison, Wisconsin, at the same time teaching school. In 1869, he emigrated to lowa and one year later to Kansas where he secured his present farm, his original homestead. when there were but few settlers in the present community and where a few buffalo were still passing and numerous antelope.
Mr. Butler continued his pedagogical following which assisted him out of many financial straits. He taught two years in No. 47; this district was organized in 1873. They voted bonds and built a one thousand dollar stone school building. The first board of officers were D. J. Fowler, director : Thomas Butler, treasurer, George Billings, clerk. Mr. Butler taught three years in District No. 6, one year in No. 22, and one year in No. 58. In 1894. he was admitted to the bar of Kansas, and the same year received the nomi- nation from the Populist party for county attorney of Cloud county, but Mr. Butler was on the wrong ticket, and in 1901, when he ran for represen- tative. At both elections he polled a large vote but the party was not in favor.
Mr. Butler was married April 4, 1869, to Miss Mary E. Hughes, who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and emigrated with her parents to Wis- consin when she was ,seven years okl. Her paternal ancestors were of Irish origin, while her maternal ancestors were English. Her mother's father was a distinguished Episcopal minister.
To Mr. and Mrs. Butler have been born an interesting family of nine children, all of whom are living and occupy places of prominence. His daughters are exceptionally bright and intelligent women and very successful as educators. Mr. Butler has given his children the advantages for acquir- ing an education and they have improved them to the utmost. The children are: Josephine is the wife of Wilford Menard, and they reside in Chi- cago. She is a graduate from the Salina Normal school and was a success- ful teacher in this state and also in Michigan. Kate, the second daughter. has occupied a place in the eighth grade of the Concordia high school for a number of years. She taught in the country districts and one year in the Beloit schools and is one of the few teachers of Cloud county exempt from examination, holding a state certificate. Timothy J. holds a position in the census department. He was a student of the Agricultural College of Man- hattan one year, of the Madison Wisconsin University two years and gradu- ated from the law department of the Kansas University in 1899. He gradu-
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ated from the University of Washington in diplomacy and jurisprudence. While finishing a course at the Columbia Law School, he is filling the posi- tion in the census office with the ultimate intention of following the pro- fession of law. Margaruite, wife of Walter B. Davis, a Cloud county far- mer, was also a teacher. Frances, who has been a teacher for a period of five years, is now employed in District No. 58. Belle, a graduate of the Con- cordia High school, class of 1901, will follow in her sisters' footsteps and teach the present year. Rosa, a school girl in attendance at District No. 47. has given her attention to masie rather than teaching. Clara, graduated from the common schools in 1901, and is now a student of the Concordia high school. Eugene, a bright lad of twelve years, completes the family.
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