Biographical history of Cloud County, Kansas: biographies of representative citizens. Illustrated with portraits of prominent people, cuts of homes, stock, etc, Part 71

Author: Hollibaugh, E. F
Publication date: 1903]
Publisher: [n.p.
Number of Pages: 938

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 71

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On the ioth of June, 1879. the Bourne residence was torn down by a cyclone. Mrs. Bourne was alone with the children. The roof was taken off and a wagon load or more of rock from the gable end of the house came crashing; down on a bed where three of the children were sleeping. All es- caped with slight bruises, but the house was drenched from the rain and almost every dish was broken. This came at a time when their financial circumstances made the loss very seriously felt.

In 1893. Mr. Bourne purchased the Frank Wilson stock of goods at Cool. He was there four years and during the panic : people could not pay

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IHISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

their bills and he returned to his farm considerably crippled financially and has made what he now has practically since returning. He owns and oper- ates with his eldest son, a threshing machine. He is also somewhat of a chicken fancier and his Buff Plymouth Rocks took first premium at Del- phos and Beloit. Judge Rhodes who awarded the prizes, remarked they would take the premium any where in the state.

Mr. Bourne is a Populist in politics; takes an active interest in public affairs and for several years has been a member of the school board of Dis- friet No. 63. At the last election he was supplanted by Mrs. Bourne. - Ile is a member of the order of Odd Fellows and Knights and Ladies of Security of Delphos.

HONORABLE SIMEON OLIVER EVERLEY.

S. O. Everles is a progressive farmer and one of the most successful horticulturists in the country, producing as many peaches perhaps, as all the township combmed. Six mules down the Monongahela river, from the historical city of Morgantown, West Virginia, the seat of the State Univer-

A REMARKABLE KANSAS FAMILY.

sity, was where Mr. Everley was born in the month of May, 1846. His parents were Reason Howard and Leurena ( Morris) Everley. His father was of German and Irish origin and was born near Morgantown, Septem- ber 15. 1810. His mother was of Pennsylvania birth. Her parents were early pioneers of that state. blazed a road. and the lines of their land. They

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

were married in 1835. The mother died in 1882, after which the father came to Cloud county to live with his sons, and died March 9, 1887. Reason Howard Everley was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for fully half a century and a class leader for thirty years. His house was the tem- porary abode of the clergymen. All that is mortal of this good man lies buried in the quiet little cemetery within the shadow of Bethel church, Mere- dith township.

Mr. and Mrs. Reason Everley were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are living, R. C. Everley, a very excellent man, died in Cloud county, January 15, 1888, at the age of forty-four years, leaving a wife and seven children. He emigrated from Illinois to Cloud county in 1872. He was a pillar of the Bethel church, superintendent of the Sunday school, a promi- nent citizen and a man in the truest sense. lle was greatly missed in church work. He died ten months after his father. S. O. is the next oldest child. The third son, I. A .. is a farmer of Pennsylvania. Alonzo, who was a success- ful teacher for eighteen years is now engaged in farming and stock raising in Meredith township. Malinda, the eldest of the family, is the widow of Raleigh Waters, who died near Junction City. She and her family are now residents of Colorado. Huldah, the deceased wife of Henry Hilde- brand, died leaving four children. Eliza Jane is the deceased wife of the late H. C. Baker, a hardware merchant and ex-sheriff of Monongalia county, West Virginia. By their demise five children were made orphans. A. G., is a wealthy farmer and has lived in Illinois for more than thirty years. He has owned a half section of land near Salina for twenty years. Simon Elliott, is also an Illinois farmer. Mary E., is the wife of Benjamin Com, a farmer near Point Marion, Pennsylvania, in the vicinity of Mason and Dixon's line. Marion Evans is a farmer near Delphios, has a finely culti- vated tenor voice and is leader of Bethel choir. His wife was Rosa Lee Johns, a daughter of Frank and Matilda Johns, a prominent Pennsylvania family.

Mr. Everley's paternal grandfather was a slaveholder, but to those who desired freedom it was granted at the age of twenty-one years. One day he gave an old slave a new suit of clothes and his independence. The oid darkey was delighted at his owner's generosity but after wandering around for a few days he returned glad to forego the franchise granted and spent the remainder of his days in the household of his former master. The grandfather was a planter, distiller and horticulturist. Mr. Everley's father inherited the still house and operated it in his earlier life. At that time he was a Whig and later a Republican and anti-slavery man. He lived on a publie highway and kept an inn. Often the fugitive slaves, would make their flight under the cover of darkness, traveling all night pursued by their owners and many times his father has sent teams to carry them safely over Mason and Dixon's line. Our subject well remembers accom- panying them on some of these hasty departures. His father had inde- pendent views and the courage to assert them. Upon one occasion he was

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, RANSAS.

making a speech in the "talen Cie des bought a rope and hold it at - 100% threatening that it be trashed he speech they would hang lum Hedetied their, and went out with ins talk Heeft women In

prospective candidate during the Mckinley campaign To you were Spent in the Morgantown State University but he was presented Is alles trem tinishits the course He began his career as a school teicher, but later dug the "dists demands in the cal held of l'omsham and 18; & c me to Cloud county where a mother had peeled han, and took up at homestead In present tam Ten men were hunted and the

Pour to building a dugout on their own land they lived ais weeks under I shelter attended In a dozen bank They existel si vous then dogant but it was one Of the most comfortable dwellings of its kind in the community with a bond then and sonst In this humble alarde disme services were held Her first team were rich, and in the absence of a wagon they need an dul sed summer and winter In this solide, with a trunk converted into a cu they vitel their neighbors and attended church. Sometimes the met will take a suhlen start and over back ward its men

Mr and Mrs Fierles were marnel on thistous da. 1872, on her father's iam in Monongalit county, West Virginia They were partici- pants in a douade wedding, a brother being married the same day. Her father was Thomas Abraham Haldeman, for fifteen years a carriage maker of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. He served as justice of the peace there for even ven. Mrs. Everles was born on "Devant Dale Farm." March .1. 1854. She was the fourth child and the first girl to brighten her parents' home Her father was an ordamed deacon in the Methodist Episcopal church of Morgantown and held that office twenty-five years. Prior to that period he was a member of the Presbyterian church. He was born February 28. 1825, and died at the old home May 2, 1902, in his seventy-seventh year, and was hoid to rest four days later He was of German origin and one of eleven children. His mother was Siloam Shirer. Her father was a self-educated min. His parents were poor but he acquired a good education under miny difficulties. Mrs. Everley's mother was Maria Louisa Baldwin, born in Virginia. November 15. 1829: her father was in the war of 1812. She was a descendant of "Morgan the Indian fighter," who was her great- grandfather. In their family was the brave frontier man's saddle, covered with Indian skins. A murderous band of savages had committed a number of dastardly deeds and was awaiting Morgan and his company, to deal death to them and their families, but the whites escaped and captured the savages instead. and. perhaps as an example to other marauding bands.

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

skinned them, tanned their hides, and converted the leather into various things, among which was the saddle.

Mrs. Everley is one of a family of six children, five living and nearly all of an inventive turn of mind. Edward Allen Haldeman, a farmer of Meredith township, was born October 2, 1848 and is a mechanic by trade. Benjamin Franklin, born June 12. 1850, is a machinist in Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania, and is said to be the most proficient in the three cities of Pitts- burg, Allegheny and Birmingham. Among several inventions he has pat- ented a brake car coupler. Josiah VanKirk, born June 17, 1852, was an Ohio farmer and died March 22, 1579. Laura Jane, born December 25. 1857. is the wife of Wallace Blackburn, of Chicago, Illinois. Ella May, born August 23. 1860, is the wife of Grant Jacobs.

Mr. and Mrs Everley have a remarkable family. There is an even dozen, six sons and six daughters and there has never been a death in the family. The eldest chikl is Zora Louise, wife of George Casselman ( see sketch). Lila Inez is the wife of C. F. Willers, a farmer and fruit grower and owner of "Cottage Grove Farm" in Lyon township. They are the par- ents of one little son, Cecil Clayton. Mary Olive is a stenographer in the office of Abbey & Ellison, abstract lawyers and mineral water dealers of Abilene, Kansas. She first gradnated in the common branches and then taught three terms of school in Cloud county and one year in West Vir- ginia She graduated from the Allen Commercial College of Abilene and made a record as a student. She is also possessed of some literary talent. Albert Franklin Golden is the first son. Ile graduated in the common branches, attended the Manhattan Agricultural College in the winter of 1901-2 and has entered upon the avocation of teaching in the public schools. . Oliver Vinima and Howard Hakleman both finished the common school studies and assist with the work on the farm. The younger children are Laura May, Victor Coil, Loyal Leslie, Marion Lee, Opal Floy and Merl Gladys.

Mr. Everley is an Abraham Lincoln Republican, but after the Populist party was organized, he affiliated with them in its conception. His political career proper began with the organization of the Alliance party. He served several terms as chairman of the Alliance central committee. In 1890, he was elected representative for the sixty-second district, serving two terms. The first year Mr. Frey of Miltonvale, was his opponent ; the second year. Ed Hostetler, then of Jamestown, was his competitor, but was defeated by a majority of from three to four hundred. Mr. Everley was author of the fee and salary bills reducing county expenses. He has been justice of the peace of his district for eight years. While a resident of West Virginia, he was a member of a military company. Mr. Everley is an active and un- selfish worker for every worthy movement, and as a useful man in the community, enjoys and merits the highest esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Mr. Everley's farm consists of three hundred and twenty acres of

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

land. Hlis extensive peach orchard numbers four or five thousand trees. He also has a large phu orchard and many ther varieties of fruit. The family are earnest workers in the Methodist Episcopal church and Bethel owns much of its success to the Everler families.

Mrs. Everley is a bright, intelligent woman and possesses in a high degree the maternal elements that influence her children to become useful men and women. She is a woman of considerable literary talent. The touching poem which follows was written by her and dedicated to "The Mothers of Cloud County" whose sons nobly responded to the call for vol- unteers during the late Spanish- American war.

"As we listen for the tidings From the islands far away, We often think and ponder Of the boys so blithe and gay Who lightened all our burdens, Who multiplied our joys. And we pray that God will bless them, The Cloud county boys.

How our mother hearts ached, That warm, spring-like day. .As with kisses they left us So cager for the fray. AAnd as they left the town. With all its din and noise, We prayed that God would keep them, The Cloud county boys.

We think of them at morning, As their father plods along, How willingly they worked .And how cheery was their song! But when the day is ended, With its sorrows and its joys. We pray that God will guard them- The Cloud county boys.

We know they will be brave, And to their country true, As they fight for the flag Of the red, white and blue; But when the battle rages, And the result is on the poise, We will pray "Our Father spare them, The Cloud county boys."

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY. KANSAS.

And when the war is over. And our victory complete : When our hearts beat time To the coming of their feet : As they rehearse deeds of valor Worthy of great applause, Then will rejoice the mothers Of the Cloud county boys.

GEORGE C. CASSELMAN.

One of the most hospitable, and one of the most pleasant homes in the truest sense of the word, is the Casselman home in Lyon township, which has been acquired by the personal exertions and efforts of George C. Cassel- man, and is presided over by his accomplished wife who is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. O. Everley (see sketch).

Mr. Casselman is a native of Jones county, Iowa, born on a farm in 1870. In 1878 he came with his parents, Levi and Mary ( Parker ) Cassel- man, to the state of Kansas. His father was born in eastern Canada but a few years later came with his parents to the state of New York and set- tled near Tuscarora. After reaching manhood he made several changes, and finally drifted into Iowa, where he enlisted in Company C, First Iowa Cavalry, serving in the same regiment until July. 1865. They were with the troops of General Sheridan and General Custer through their carcer in Texas. After the war he returned to Iowa where he remained until coming to Kan- sas in 1878.

Mr. Casselman's paternal grandfather was a soldier of the Canadian rebellion of 1837, serving in the Canadian British ranks. He emigrated to Wisconsin in an early day and died there at the age of ninety-five years. The Casselmans, four generations removed, came from Germany and. are a long-lived people, several of them having almost reached the century mark. Mr. Casselman's mother, Mary (Parker) Casselman, was of Scotch origin. born in the city of Montreal, Canada. Her parents emigrated from Scot- land to Canada and thence to Wisconsin. She was twice married. Her first husband was John W. Cook, who was killed near Atlanta while serving under the United States flag. He was a sergeant and with a force of men was throwing up an embankment, when he was hit by a spent ball and died of the wound in 1864. By this marriage there were four children, three of whom are living, viz: Maggie, wife of William Sanford of Amber, lowa; Rosa, wife of Marion Bellows, a farmer near Oldham, Iowa, and Sewell, a resident of Newton, Kansas.

When Mr. Casselman's father came to Kansas he bought three hun- dred and twenty acres of nnimproved land of C. C. King. Ile built a house, dug a well, fenced the land and otherwise improved the place. In the winter of 1895 his residence burned and soon afterwards he sold two hundred and

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

twenty acres of the farm to his son. George C., the subject of this sketch, who at once began the erection of a commodious, two-story, nine-room mod- ern, stone residence, which stands on an eminence of ground overlooking the country for many miles. It is one of the most substantial buildings in that vicinity. While this was in course of construction Mr. Casselman with his bride lived in a dugout.

Mr. Casselman was married October 7. 1804. to Miss Zora Everley. They are the happy parents of two little sons, Floyd W., born in February. 1800, and Melvin 11., born in July, 1808. Mr. Casselman is one of three sons: Alexander, a farmer with residence near Medford. Oklahoma, and John W., a telegraph operator of Sions City, Nebraska. Mr. Casselman has just received a thoroughbred Shorthorn bull, and is building up a herd of Shorthorn and Hereford cattle. Stock raising and wheat growing are his principal industries.

Mr. Casselman is a staunch Republican. The Casselmans are members and ardent workers of the Bethel church society: he has been superintendent of the Sunday school for two years and is secretary of the board of trustees. He is a member of the Woodman order of Glasco lodge. Mr. Casselman is a leader in all public enterprises of his neighborhood and is recognized as a man of integrity.

BETHEL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The pretty little church known as Bethel, situated in one of the most pleasant and enterprising neighborhoods of Cloud county, was built by popu- lar subscription and donation. The ground was deeded by Cyrus and Eliza- beth Courtney. July 19. 1880, but the society had been organized by several of the leading citizens and their families as early as 1875.

R. C. Everley, Cyrus Courtney. F. A. Courtney, W. C. Scott and a Mr. Ostrander associated themselves together and organized a union Sabbath school at the old stone school house, which was built in the early seventies. Services were held. however, before the school house was built, in Coil C. Everley's lugont, located on what is now the farm of Ray King. The Sabbath school later was under the supervision of the Methodist society.

"Grandma" Allen, "Grandma" Cady, Mr. and Mrs. Barr and Cyrus Courtney, respectively, were teachers of the woman's Bible class. Much interest was taken and a large attendance resulted. They had no lesson helps : everybody went whether they were members or not. and many were con- verted in this way.

Reverend Stackhouse was the first pastor, followed by Reverend Reams and during the ministry of the latter the church was built and dedicated. The present Elder. Reverend Dearborn, had charge of the dedication serv- ices. The church is a stone structue, 36 by 18 feet, with a seating capacity of about two hundred. Aisles and pulpit are carpeted. They have a church

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IIISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

organ and excellent song services under the leadership of Marion Everley, who has occupied the place for many years.

This is the best known church outside of the cities in Cloud county. Its members dwell in unison and have exerted much influence for good over the community, and the result is evidenced in the school work. More teachers, more business and professional men have gone out from this district than any in the county. Of the fifteen teachers, several of them rank with the best. Among these are J. A. Everley. M. Bushong, and the late Frank Reppert, the latter being very successful. His memory is held sacred by the community of Bethel .. He died in 1900 and some of his work remained on the black board of the school house for more than a year. In 1897. the church was papered. screened and many other improvements made.

E. E. AND LEE LONG.

The Long Brothers Milling Company is composed of E. E. and Lee Long, who operate an extensive mill near the Cloud county line, situated on the old town site of Brittsville, which was named for its founder, Judge Britt, on whose land the town was located. Brittsville was once a flour- ishing town and trading post, but the line of railroad missed the little ham- let about one and one-half miles to the westward and the town of Simp: co. Mitchell county consequently sprung into existence. The old mill was erected in 1897, by Simpson, Shank & Long, and was operated by them until 1885, when Henry Long, father of the Long brothers, became sole proprie- tor and manager.

By the death of their father in 1900, Lee and E. E. Long became own- ers and partners in this paying enterprise. The present mill was erected in 1899, at a cost of about eleven thousand dollars. It is an imposing, three story frame structure, standing on the banks of the Solomon and embow- erel in the groves of that rich valley. The mill site is one an artist might revel in. The placid flow of the river, unbroken in its course, produces a dreamy and restful sensation until with a joyous bound it leaps merrily over the dam. The stately trees give a cool and welcome shade from the sultry suns of a summer day.

"Summer or winter, day or night. The woods are ever a new delight. They give us peace and they make us strong- Such wonderful balms to them belong. So living or dying I'll take mine case Under the trees, under the trees."

The mill lias a capacity of one hundred barrels of flour daily and con- tains all the modern improvements and appliances to lighten labor and do perfect work. This is the only mill in the Solomon valley at the present 41

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

writing ( October, 1901 ) that has the full sitter system. The leading brand of flour made at this mill is "The Eclipse," and a finer quality was never made into toothsome, wholesome bread, biscuits and cakes, the pride of the housekeeper who need never worry over the result of her baking and brew. Much of their product is sold to exporters. This is one of the best water powers on the Solomon river, with an absolutely tight dam. Their capac-

LING BROTHERS MILLS AND ONE OF THE FINEST WATER POWERS ON THE SOLOMON RIVER.

ity for grain is sixty tons and they have the only plant in the county where corn is received in the ear and reduced from this state to fine mcal. J. S. Brown. a man of extended experience. is the miller. Mr. Brown has spent many of the days and nights of his fifty-two years perfecting himself in the knowledge and details of his profession and his thirty years of successful management in this occupation attest his having accomplished what he in- tended. He has been in their employ more than two years.

The Longs own and operate a magnificent farm of four hundred acres, and in connection with their agricultural and milling pursuits they feed great droves of cattle and hogs during corn years. They also raise wheat exten- sively and have had some fine returns in this industry. These enterpris- ing men have an irrigating plant that furnishes 20,000 gallons of water per hour. propelled by a water wheel and distributed through pipes to various parts of the estate.

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANS.AS.

Their father, the late Henry Long, was a native of North Carolina and when a young man emigrated to Missouri, thence to California, in 1849 -- the gold seeker's year, and subsequently, via the Isthinus of Panama to South America, later returning to Missouri, where he married Sallie Long, who survives him and lives in the home of her sons. This worthy couple became the parents of eleven children, five of whom are living and are all residents of Cloud county. The daughters are, Myrtle, on her first year in the Man- hattan Agricultural College; Rena, graduated from the Emporia State Nor- mal and entered upon a career of teaching school, but on account of ill health was compelled to abandon that vocation ; Retta, the youngest daughter is the wife of Ira Foote.

The brothers, Lee and E. E. Long, came with their parents from Mis- souri to Kansas before they had reached the years of maturity, were reared on the farm their father bought of Judge Britt, in 1881. received a common school education and began their career as employees in the mill they now own, then operated by Simpson, Shank & Long. E. E. Long was married in 1899, to Miss Anna Conner, an accomplished and gracious woman, a daughter of Patrick Conner, an old settler of Ottawa county, Kansas.

The Longs have made for themselves a competency that brings to them all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life; among them is a con- modious and pleasant home situated opposite the mill site. The brothers differ in politics; E. E. is a Jeffersonian Democrat, while Lee is an ardent Republican. The mother lives with her sons and watches the growth of their business enterprises with true motherly ambition and pride. These pros- perous young men are held in high public favor and esteem, having earned a well deserved success in their undertakings. "Upward and onward" is their motto. They are citizens of whom any community may justly be proud in all the bearings of business and social life.

ARTHUR SELLECK.

Like many of the pioneers of Cloud county, Arthur Selleck, the sub- ject of this sketch, is reaping in peace and comfort that which was sown in hardship, bloodshed and misfortune. Many of the old settlers will remem- ber the brutal murder of his father. James Selleck, one of the most highly respected citizens of Solomon township in the spring time of 1871. which caused great excitement and indignation throughout the county at the tinie.

One Elmer Maxom was the guilty culprit, but this inhuman monster escaped punishment. James Selleck bought the relinquishment of his home- stead from one Castile, who was the step-father of Elmer Maxom. With these two men Mr. Selleck had been hunting, and presumably they discov- ered that he had money on his person. The Sellecks retired for the night when young Maxom, who was only twenty-two years of age, asked to be admitted and given a night's lodging. He was a neighbor and. supposing him to be a friend, the request was cheerfully granted and he was told to

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Biographical history of Cloud County, Kansas: biographies of representative citizens. Illustrated with portraits of prominent people, cuts of homes, stock, etc, Part 71

Author: Hollibaugh, E. F Publication date: 1903] Publisher: [n.p. Number of Pages: 938

Author: Hollibaugh, E. F
Publication date: 1903]
Publisher: [n.p.
Number of Pages: 938