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 79
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The prosperity of Jamestown, one of the best towns of its size in the state is due in no small measure to his business acumen and sagacity, for he uses his influence to induce the people to support their own market and pro-
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PORTRAIT OF F. A. LANE AND VIEWS FROM HIS ESTATE-ONE OF THE FIRST RANCHES IN THE WEST.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
motes projects that are of permanent value to the place. In a straight busi- ness way, he has assisted more of his friends and fellow citizens than any man in the community. In the great financial crisis Mr. Lane helped many a struggling man to withstand the storm and retain his credit, that would have otherwise gone to the wall. During the years of crop failures he fur- nished many of the farmers with seed oats, wheat, etc., and allowed them the privilege of repaying it whenever they were able. In this and various other ways he has proven himself a public benefactor.
Mr. Lane is of New England birth, having been born in Cambridge, Maine, in 1845. When thirteen years of age he removed to Cambridge, Massachusetts, and served an apprenticeship with an elder brother, who was a resident of that city, and who, as a contractor and builder, erected all of the Harvard University buildings. Mr. Lane worked with him until enlisting in the army in May, 1861. He was a member of the Tenth Maine, which was subsequently merged into the Seventeenth Maine. He served until May 22, 1865, and after receiving his discharge in Washington, Dis- trict of Columbia, he settled in Boston, Massachusetts, and later engaged very successfully in a general merchandise business at West Quincy. Massa- chusetts.
In 1873 he became interested in a wholesale commission house in Bos- ton ; but owing to the "panicky" times. did not prosper. In 1876 he decided to try his fortunes in the west and selected Vallisca, lowa, as a place of resi- dence; but two years later pinned his faith to Kansas, and the thriving little city of Jamestown, by investing his money in that locality, bought two hundred and forty-four acres of land, now included in his ranch, and one year later moved his family there. He worked with a will, is a rustler and prosperity has rewarded his judicious efforts. He is a shrewd manager, a tireless worker, and the outcome of his hustling qualities, coupled with his sagacious judgment is shown in the extent of his possessions and the mag- nitude of his personal interests.
His landed estate in Cloud county aggregates one thousand and forty acres of land. situated four miles northwest of Jamestown and is one of the finest ranches in the country. Mr. Lane has been engaged in stock raising and shipping ever since coming into the state. Besides farming and stock inter- ests he conducts a real estate and loan office. He loaned money when it was impossible to borrow it from the banks, hence did much towards the develop- ment of the Jamestown vicinity. He has perhaps loaned more money than any one man in the county. Mr. Lane opened the state of Kansas for the Burlington Insurance Company, and did an immense amount of business in that line for several years.
In his hands large financial trusts have been placed and faithfully guarded. He was receiver for the "Barons House" when it failed several years ago, and conducted that popular hotel with profit for seventeen months. He was receiver for the Exchange Bank of Jamestown, that failed in August, 1895; and also closed the business transactions of the Bank of 45
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
Jamestown. He is also interested in valuable mining stocks. He is vice- president of the Matchless Mining and Milling Company, whose head- quarters are in Denver. Their properties are on Farncombe Ilill, in the vicinity of Breckenridge, Colorado.
Mr. Lane is a son of Ammi and Eliza ( Whitehouse) Lane. His pater- nal grandfather was a sea faring man. and while on one of his distant voy- ages was lost and never heard from. Mr. Lane's father was a farmer and died in Maine in 1863. His mother died in Massachusetts in 1886. He is one of a family of six, three brothers and three sisters. Oscar is a resident and business man of Boston. America, resides in New Haven, and for years has been division superintendent of a railway there. Philena is the wife of A. S. Palmer, of near Taunton, Massachusetts. The youngest sister is Frances, the widow of E. E. Hall, who died in the "Barons House," Con- cordia. several years ago. Mr. Lane was married to Mary Persis Knight, at Marlboro, Massachusetts. An interesting little romance precedes their marriage. Mrs. Knight had a brother in the Army Square Hospital, Wash- ington, District of Columbia, suffering from a gun-shot wound received in the army. Mr. Lane was there from the same cause, and as if touched by some magic wand the cots of the wounded comrades were placed near each other. The sister came to nurse back to health her wounded brother, George Knight. Her ministrations did not cease with him, however, but were extended to others in that part of the hospital, among them the subject of this sketch. The acquaintance begun in this romantic way, resulted in their marriage very soon after the close of the war.
Mrs. Lane died in Quincy, Massachusetts, in April, 1870, leaving an infant son three months old. Frank E. Lane, whose sketch follows this of his father. While F. E. Lane was visiting his mother's people the past summer (1902) he found in their possession the melodeon his mother used to play. and brought the instrument home with him, as a relic of her belongings. It was constructed nearly one-half century ago.
Mr. Lane was married to Anna Stuart, in Waterville, Maine. She was a representative of the noted confederate Stuart family, of Petersburg, Virginia. the place of her nativity. Mrs. Lane was a devout southerner, always retaining her southern sympathies. During the siege of Petersburg, she, with other women, sought refuge in other quarters, and made the journey through the Union lines. She had many jewels, for the Stuarts were wealthy people. and during this exodus she carried the diamonds she had cut from their settings, under her tongue. and in this unique manner saved them from being confiscated. Mrs. Lane was a woman of culture and refinement. She finished her education in a northern college and subsequently removed to New York, where she met and was married to Mr. Lane. She always kept in touch with her southern home and the leaders of the South, having personal correspondence with Jefferson Davis, and other celebrated confederates. Mrs. Lane died in the Barons House, Concordia. in December 1887.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
Socially, Mr. Lane is a Mason, having joined Rural Lodge, of Quincy. Massachusetts, in 1878. Ile is a member of the Jamestown Knights of Pythias lodge, and the Grand Army of the Republic. Politically, he is a stal- wart Democrat and fervently expounds the principles for which the party stands. Mr. Lane's enterprises have been remarkably successful, and he is ranked among the most prosperous men in the county. He is public-spirited and generous, and has given liberally to everything that appeals to him as worthy.
HONORABLE F. E. LANE.
The subject of this sketch, F. E. Lane, the present mayor of James- town, is the only son of F. _ \. Lane, of the preceding sketch. He was born in West Quincy. Massachusetts, on the 16th day of October. 1869. His educational advantages were excellent; beginning with a three years pre- paratory course at West Newton, Massachusetts, in the English and Clas- sical College of that city, followed by a year at the Atchison ( Kansas ) Institute. In 1887 he became a student at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, pursuing courses in Belles lettres and law, and was graduated from that seat of learning in 1890. with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and was the same year admitted to practice before the the Indiana bar. In 1801 he went to Concordia, Kansas and was admitted to the Kansas bar, where he continued his practice, being associated with Honorable J. W. Sheafor.
Mr. Lane was married in Concordia in the fall of 1893. to Miss Stella Chapman, a daughter of E. E. Chapman, a merchant of that city. Mrs. Lane is a graduate of Baker University and is a lady of many accomplish- ments and talented in music. Mr. and Mrs. Lane are the parents of two bright little boys. Wilbur F., and Charles E., the former eight and the latter six years of age.
In 1895. Mr. Lane accepted a position on the Missouri grain inspection bureau. with headquarters at Kansas City, where he remained until the fall or 1896, when various interests again called him to Kansas. He located at Jamestown and again resumed the practice of law, giving his entire time and attention to his chosen profession, but does not avoid the duties of a public spirited citizen. He is well posted on current affairs and is a capable lawyer
In his political affiliations, Mr. Lane is a Democrat, and has been the recipitent of many honors in local politics. Fraternally, he is a member of Lincoln Lodge No. 27. Knights of Pythias, of Concordia, which order he joined in 1891. He has passed the chairs of his lodge and is the present representative to the Grand Lodge. He is also a member of Concordia Lodge No. 586, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Lane maintains a charming residence in Jamestown, where. with his wife and two little sons,-to whom he is deeply attached .- a happy home is represented.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
HONORABLE JOHN O. HANSON.
J. O. Hanson is the present postmaster of Jamestown, and one of the most efficient that city ever had. He is one of the old landmarks, having located a homestead two and one-half miles northeast of Jamestown, when that part of the country was almost unpopulated. The township was at that time Buffalo, but he is now located in the part included in Grant, and was one of the organizers of that township: the others were, John McCracken, Mr. Woodford and IV. T. F. Ansdell, in 1873.
Mr. Hanson was born in Copenhagen. Denmark, in 18.42. He emigrated to Amer- ica when a young man, and after a brief stay in the city of New York, removed to Chi- cago, and in 1871 came to Cloud county. and still retains and lives on the homestead he located at that time. With the organiza- tion of Jamestown he opened a furniture and undertaking business and was one of the first to erect a building in the town. He was prosperous until the hard years came, and having given credit to so many of his patrons. when the panic came he was forced to re- tire and was succeeded by Pence & White, HONORABLE JOHN O. HANSON. of Jewell City, who were succeeded by vari- ous others, who likewise nearly failed, until Mr. Ratliff embarked under more favorable auspices. Mr. Hanson farmed one year after going out of business and in 1896 traveled for an undertaking house until receiving the appointment of postmaster.
Mr. Hanson was married in 1870 to Caroline Hanson, a young woman from his own country, whom he met in' Chicago. They were both mem- bers of the same Baptist church in that city, and in this way formed an acquaintance, which resulted in their marriage. They are the parents of three. sons and one daughter. and have five children deceased, three of whom died with diptheria within a week, in Concordia, where they lived two years. Anna, the eldest daughter. is the wife of Reverend HI. P. Anderson, a Baptist minister, of Newell, Iowa. William F., is a jeweler and optician. He graduated from the Omaha Optical Institute in March, 1901, and has a stock of optical goods and jewelry in the postoffice building. Elmer is assistant postmaster at Jamestown. Eddie is the youngest son, aged six- teen. Mr. Hanson is a Republican in politics and has served several terms as mayor of his town. He had been a Mason for many years and has held the chair of Master of Jamestown lodge, but has withdrawn his membership.
Mr. Hanson occupies a comfortable home at the present writing, but in
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
the primitive days of Kansas, lived like most of the pioneers. He broke prairie and utilized some of the sod in building a place of habitation, which sheltered them until building a crude house of stone with dirt roof. While speaking of his career Mr. Hanson remarked in substance. He would not be brave enough to again undergo the hardships entailed upon him and his family to secure a homestead and recited a few of their many experiences :
Wife shaking with ague, no well of pure water, neighbors few and far between, no team but oxen, but better off than some of the settlers who drove an ox and a cow yoked together. He had ten acres of promising corn, and during the noontime hour, while resting and partaking of the frugal meal, he heard a great roaring, whirring noise, and upon looking for the cause found the "hoppers" had arrived in droves of millions, filling the earth, skies and every available space, and by two o'clock not a single vestige of vegetation nor a blade of his field of corn was left, not even leaving a small garden of thriving tobacco plants.
In his early life Mr. Hanson learned the carpenter's trade and upon the occasion of the following incident he was building a house for a neighbor, Mr. Iverson, who lived near the Republican river. Ile returned home one night after having walked from his place of labor. several miles distant, foot- sore and weary, to find his family for some unknown cause had deserted their home. The Indians had committed many murderous deeds, and from the appearance of things, the empty beds that had been slept in, the disorder generally prevailing. showed a hasty flight or exit had been made.
Mr. Hanson at once repaired to a neighbors and found the same con- dition existing there, beds vacated, clothes scattered about, etc. He then went to the camp of a brother-in-law, who had homesteaded one mile north, but were still living in their wagons. His kinsmen were new in the country. consequently greatly alarmed concerning the Indians, and had been told that when the savages made a murderous attack they dressed up in fantastic style and made a great noise. As they retired for the night they were serenaded in the distance by a pack of hungry, howling coyotes : imagined they were Indians and in their fright and excitement routed and gathered all their neighbors together for protection against the prospective attack. When Mr. Hanson arrived at the Christensons he found the fugitives congregated together and the men with their guns had established an arsenal. Although chagrined. Mr. Hanson was amused at their predicament. Another brother-in-law. James Nelson, however. saved his own life and the lives of his family perhaps. at the same time Miss White was captured, by pointing a rusty revolver at the savages.
Mr. Hanson has experienced many of the quicksands and vicissitudes of life, but is now on a solid foundation and lives in a comfortable home which he built in 1880, and made more commodious by an addition in 1886. He also owns the postoffice building and a stock of books and stationery, which nets him a considerable income. His sons are prepossessing and manly young men, who will evidently make a success in life, and like their father, gern ·citizens and honorable men.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
REVEREND C. E. CARPENTER.
A series of biographical sketches of the Jamestown citizens would not be complete without a tribute to the Reverend C. E. Carpenter, who has, per- haps, done more good in a spiritual way than any resident of their town. Hle tills an important work in many fields of labor. He is a faithful minister of the gospel and achieves much good in his modest, sincere, every-day life. He is one of the most useful individuals in the community. If there are "two souls with but a single thought, two hearts that beat as one," that are to be united in the holy bonds of matrimony. Reverend Carpenter's services are sought to invoke the divine blessing. It is he who is called to minister at the bedside of his fellow citizens in the closing hours of life, to soothe, comfort and alleviate the sorrowing friends and later to officiate at the funeral rites. There are few families in the town of community that have not been associated with Reverend Carpenter is one of all of these conditions and his readiness and willingness in performing these duties have endeared him to his friends. Reverend Carpenter is a native of the state of New York, born in Orange county in 1852. For ten years prior to coming 10 Kansas in 1878 he lived in Peekskill. on the Hudson river. After several years devoted to farming three miles south of Jamestown, he left the farm in charge of his son and for twelve years was identified with the Doctor Baker Medicine Company as traveling salesman. Two years he was employed on rural mail route No. 2. running out of Jamestown. September 1, 1903. he became associated in a general merchandise business under the firm name of Carpenter & Carroll. and being well and favorably known, they are building up an excellent trade. During the greater part of his life Reverend Carpenter has alternated his time with the ministry and evangeli- cal work. For two years he has filled the pulpits of Scottsville, Macyville and Fairview. He is not sectarian but worships with all denominations. Reverend Carpenter was married in 1872 to Miss Jennie Tompkins, of New York. Her father owned a farm along the Hudson, near Croton Landing, where Mrs. Carpenter was born. Their five children living are: Walter J., their only son, who is a rural mail carrier; Elizabeth, the wife of Frank Vincent a farmer three miles southwest of Jamestown; Flora, wife of Perry Grout. an employe in the store of John Lundblade; Alice and Wini- fred are young women at home, the former assists in the store.
JOHN O. STRAIN.
John O. Strain, the subject of this sketch, is a son of the late Judge Strain, who was one of the best known and most efficient jurists of Cloud county. Mr. Strain is the youngest of four brothers and was born in Mon- mouth, Illinois, in 1865. He came with his parents to Cloud county in 1871, and located in Concordia, where they lived until the death of his father, in January. 1880. His mother before her marriage, was Miss Nancy Y.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
Brown. After Judge Strain's demise she made her home with her son, the subject of this sketch, until her death, in February, 1896.
The eldest son, M. M .. occupies a position in the hardware store of his brother, John O. George is a salesman for the Monarch Manufacturing Company, and resides in Chester. Nebraska. J. A., who bears his father's name, has made a clerical record of considerable prominence. He was one of the charter members of the Presbyterian church of Concordia, and until recently was engaged in missionary work in Ecuador, South America. On account of failing health and a desire to educate his children, he recently returned to the United States and accepted a position as bookkeeper with the A. J. Harni Hardware Company of Atchison.
J. O. Strain was educated in the Concordia high school and lived on
INTERIOR VIEW OF JOHN O. STRAIN'S HARDWARE STORE.
his father's farm near that city, until coming to Jamestown in 1884. March I, 1888, he established a hardware and implement business in the latter named place, on a capital of one thousand five hundred dollars, and during the panic of 1893, practically lost everything he invested. About this time the strip was opened in the Indian Territory and many who owed him re- moved to that quarter and left their bills unsettled. He suffered financial losses but the business never completely collapsed : he managed to keep his head above the tide of misfortune and in 1896, began to prosper, increase and strengthen until he gained a solid footing once more.
In March of 1902, he formed a partnership with J. D. Hills, who, with his family. came from Carthage, Illinois, and became citizens of Jamestown. In February, 1903. the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Strain agam assuming full control. His stock consists of shelf and heavy hardware, farm imple- ments, wagons, buggies, pumps and machine oils. He operates a tin shop
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in connection, employing a competent workman and manufactures steel tanks. Ile is agent for the Acme, Champion and McCormick harvesting machinery: the Canton line of agricultural implements: the Mitchell, Bain, and Fish wagons: Canton, Rhodes and Carmine buggies ; Fairbanks, Dandy and Woodmanse windmills. Their trade in the latter line averages from two to three car loads annually. In 1901. they sold fifty-five harvesting machines ; their sales amounting to $60.000, and exceeded that number in 1902. Mr. Strain has been very successful in his sales of buggies the past year (1903), having sold about seventy-five vehicles.
In 1902 he bought the building and machinery of the Fitzgerald imple- ment house, who retired from that business. He established a branch store in Norway, Republic county, and since opening a business there, the first of the present year ( 1903) his trade has fully justified the movement. Mr. Art Ledbetter, formerly with him in Jamestown, has the management of the Norway store.
The late W. S. Tipton worked for Mr. Strain in the capacity of tinner for fourteen years, dating back to the opening of his hardware house in Jamestown. Mr. Tipton was an old resident of Cloud county. He died in December 1902, and was buried in the cemetery of Highland church, Sum- mit township, on Christmas day. The present tinner, Ed. Flannery, formerly of Beloit, was connected with the hardware house of W. T. Branch, of that city.
Mr. Strain was married April 8. 1891, to Miss Anna M. Wherry, of Smith Center. a daughter of D. G. Wherry. a Smith county farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Strain are the parents of three children: Elsie May, aged nine years; Helen, who was named for Helen Kellar, the blind girl, is aged seven, and John .A., a bright and interesting boy, aged three. Mrs. Strain served as mayor one term. as mentioned elsewhere in the history pertaining to James- town. She taught school successfully for several years; one year in Republic county and was a member of the faculty of the Jamestown schools in 1890.
Mr. Strain is a Republican and takes an interest in political affairs. He has been a member of the council, of the school board and has held various township offices for several years. They are members, regular attendants and among the most active workers of the Presbyterian church. The Strains are all men of high moral standing, industrious, enterprising and contribute to every movement instigated for the best interests of their town or county. Mr. Strain and his family occupy a pleasant home and are among the best citizens of Jamestown.
HONORABLE ANDREW R. MONTGOMERY.
One of the hale-fellows-well-met, of Jamestown, is A. R. Montgomery, the elevator man. He has been one of the most prominent citizens for fifteen consecutive years, with the exception of one year spent in Clyde, where he owned and operated the livery stable now owned by E. Peck. His first nine
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
years in Jamestown were associated with his brother James, in the mercan- tile business now owned by MeGaugh Brothers. In 1870. he bought the Pence & White stock of furniture and after a successful period of one year, sold to R. Y. Tidball. During this interval he went to Clyde.
In 1898, he built the large elevator where he now holds forth, and is one of the most entensive grain dealers in the county. Besides his grain interests he retails large quantities of coal, and buys and ships, horses. 1lis elevator has a capacity for twelve thousand bushels. In 1901, he handled about two hundred and fifty thousand bushels of wheat. He at all times pays the highest market price for grain and has made a success of this enterprise. Mr. Montgomery has handled horses and mules for ten years, averaging about one hundred head annually. He keeps a buyer out from August until May.
Mr. Montgomery is a native of Adams county, Ohio, born in 1858. His father is A. H. Montgomery, one of the reliable farmers of the Macy- ville locality, and an old settler of Cloud county. (see sketch.)
Mr. Montgomery was married in 1880. to Carrie Evans, of Ottumwa, Jefferson county, lowa. She was a daughter of the late Dr. Evans. To this union have been born six children, viz. : Mamie, the eldest daughter, has been a successful Cloud county teacher three years. She is a graduate of the Jamestown high school. Ethel, employed as a clerk by Mc- Gaugh Brothers, is also a graduate of the Jamestown high school. Richard, aged sixteen years is still in school and assists his father during vacation. Carrie, aged thirteen, a graduate of the Jamestown high school of June, 1902. and Lawrence, aged eight. The happiness of the family circle was shadowed by the death of a beautiful little daughter -- Merril, aged six years-in the autumn of 1902.
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