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 81
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Mr. Gould is a member in good standing of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, joining the order two years ago, also a member of the Sons and Daughters of Justice, the Pyramids and the Threshers' National Protective Association. a comparatively new order whose object is to elevate and better the conditions of dealers and operators. He is a good, fair and square Re- publican, and served as deputy sheriff with Morrisette, the last year of his term in office. He has ben a member of the council for two years, also served a term several years ago. Mr. Gould has been an indefatigable church and Sunday school worker and is a highly respected citizen. His sons are intelligent young men of excellent repute.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
WILLIAM R. ANSDELL.
William R. Ansdell, who came to Cloud county in the year 18to stands as one of the "tried and true," and after being weighed in the balance has not been wanting. Upon his arrival in the "garden spot of the workl." he selected the homestead whereon he now resides, but the home of then and now bears little resemblance. "The prairie shall blossom like the rose." is most surely fulfilled at the Ansdell farm. Mr. Ansdell's father, Freder ick F. S. Ansdell was a man well known to all the old settlers of the county as having established the first store in 1870, which was the only one in the vicinity until the city of Jamestown was founded, and as that seemed a good location for business he was one of the first to open an extensive general merchandise store: almost simultaneously Myron M. Strain and H. W. Hansen were competitors for the town and country trade.
F. F. S. Ansdell was a native of England and upon attaining his major- ity emigrated to America. He spent a few months in New York City where he met and married Miss Mary E. Patterson, and emigrated to Wisconsin when that state was sparsely settled: Indians committed many depreda- tions and wolves made the night hideous with their blood-thirsty howls. Here their eight children were born, grew and thrived making the silent woods ring with their glad and happy shouts, laughter and song. Five of these children are still living. Their nearest neighbor was six miles dis tant and as the telephone system was not in effect those days the women of the family could not hang over the back fence to have a bit of gossip nor could a choice morsel be transmitted over the phone.
In 1870, Mr. Ansdell decided to emigrate to Kansas for two reasons; the first one to secure more land for his three growing sons and to seek a more salubrious climate. He found a number of claims taken but only a few settlers living on them. Ilis two sons, William R. and Henry M., and Janie- Carter are the only citizens remaining that were in the township at the time of his arrival. Mr. Ansdell was one of the representative men of the county, but was not a politician. He was the second postmaster of Jamestown and also postmaster at Arena, lowa county, Wisconsin, during the war and until he removed to Kansas. Mr. Ansdell was the first station-agent at Jamestown. Was appointed and held the position several months without salary, m the meantime not selling many tickets. Several years afterward he put in at claim to the railroad company and they remitted the usual salary paid to agents without hesitation or comment. Ile was deceased in 1887. and huis wife in 1893.
William R. Ansdell was married in 1884, to Miss Ida E. Prince, of Com cordia, Kansas, who is a sister of Mrs, "Jack" Billings. They are the parent of six children, four of whom are living: Richard, a young man seventeen years of age is on his last year in the Jamestown high school prep. Fitory to taking a business course in the Great Western Business College, of Con cordia, Kansas, one of the most thorough schools in the state Fred, aged
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fourteen. George, nine years of age. and Margaret, a winsome little daughter of eighteen months, complete the family.
Mr. Ansdell owns two hundred and thirty-four acres of excellent land all first and second bottom. principally first, Buffalo creek intersecting the north eighty. His crops consist principally of wheat and alfalfa, seklom av- eraging less than twenty-five bushels of wheat to the acre. He considers alfalfa a leading crop as it brings him more remunerative and quicker returns than any other branch of farming in which he has experimented. After cutting and garnering three crops in one season he has had a field of ten bush- els per acre of seed which netted him four dollars per bushel. In politics Mr. Ansdell is a Republican. Ile has held a number of township offices and is now chairman of the central committee of the Republican party and has filled that office several terms at different times. He is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows of twenty-two years standing, a member of the Rebecca lodge, an Ancient Free & Accepted Mason of twenty-four years membership and belongs to the Beloit Commandery. Mr. Ansdell justly prides himself on his well improved acres even though it has taken years of toil to develop this fine farm with its comfortable house and commodious barn which have supplanted the primitive dugout and sheds. Mrs. Ansdell is a woman of education and culture and taught five years in the schools of Cloud county. Mr. AAnsdell and family are much respected. They have conquered i checkered fate and the road which they travel seems broad and easy in comparison with the rough and hilly one of the past.
MRS. JANET MCBRIDE.
The Commercial Hotel of Jamestown is appreciated by those who have had the good fortune to be numbered among its guests. The building was erected by J. E. Fitzgerald in 1880, to supply the needs of the new and grow- ing town, and was christened "The Pomeroy," in honor of James, the son of Senator Pomeroy, but was later changed to "The Commercial." The hotel was opened by a man named Norton, and after various changes and vicissitudes of land- lords and proprietors it fell into the hands of Mrs. McBride, the subject - of this sketch.
It had never before been a suc- cess, and when its present owner as- sumed control, the fortunes of this enterprise were at a very low ebb, and THE COMMERCIAL HOTEL. there was little to indicate the pros- perity and popularity it now enjoys. The neat and well appointed office, with its linoleum covered floor, was a dingy,
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dark room with smoke steeped walls and lighted by the glimmer of one small lamp. The present handsomely furnished parlor was of like character; instead of the rich velvet rug that now delights the eye, a hemp carpet strewn with ashes and coal dirt did duty as a covering for the floor : comfortable chairs have replaced the ordinary wooden ones, beautiful pictures decorate the walls, and the cheerless room that once passed under the name of "parlor," gives evi- clence of refined taste. The dining room contains a handsome vencered oak sideboard, bric-a-brac, elegant chandelier, soft carpet and rugs with bright papered walls as a background, are such as would adorn a home of refine- ment. The term "home" is applicable for the atmosphere of this little inn that seems to move along without the slightest friction, is permeated with a degree of rest and comfort not often found in hotels.
The patrons of the Commercial hotel must contrast with interest the present fitness of things as compared with the dining room under the previous management ; for the floors were bare, the two long, crude, homemade tables were covered with dingy red linen, and the same faded material served as curtains for the windows. The two lamps with their smoked chimneys. did not shed much radi- ance over the equally scanty repast. The present best guests' sleeping apartment was furnished with two beds, bare floor, and a huge pan filled with ashes served as a cuspidor. while the slum- bers of the commercial traveler, politician, can- dlidate, or whoever chanced to come that way. were disturbed by a surfeit of bed bugs grazing over their anatomy. The property was a perfect wreck with neither well nor cistern.
Mrs. McBride bought the hotel during the hard years of 1893-94. She began without capi tal and for two years or more encountered many obstacles, but she furnished her house by degrees and as her little daughters, three in number, grew large enough to lend their assistance, her burden- were lightened, for no mother was ever blest with more dutiful or more devoted children. Fron 1896 until 1899 the crew of the Missouri Pacific MISS GLORIA MI. B38PP pay car took their breakfasts at the Commercial hotel. Paymaster King ate his last Thanksgiving dinner there, and was lag01 with his compliments of the service and spread. Superintendent Luke was also a guest on this occasion.
Mrs. McBride was born in Scotland and came with her parents to Kansas. She was married in 1882 to John McBride, by whom she had three children. The eldest daughter, Ada Lucile, is the wife of L. A. Tabor. The Tabors came from the state of New York to Kansas and were banker, in Holton and Blue Rapids. Since the death of their father, Ira Tabor, the
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three sons. R. A. L. A. Ous and a sister, Mrs. Frank Scott, are associated together in a bank at Irving, Kansas. L. A. Tabor followed railroad office work for twelve years, but one year ago purchased a fine farm one unle cast of Irving, on the Big Blue river, and is an extensive wheat grower and stock raiser. The Tabers are all men of high honor, good business qualifications and strict integrity. Margaret and Gloria, the second and third daughters. sixteen and fourteen respectively, are excellent students and make the best of their educational advantages. They are both graduates of the common school branches. Gloria received a diploma which represented the highest honors in her class. Margaret is a faithful student and the possessor of an exceptionally bright mind, but the lack of physical strength has partly re- tarded her progress.
Mrs. McBride is of Scotch birth. Her parents were Andrew and Jane Downey ( Fram) Muir, who emigrated from Scotland, their native land. in 1805. They settled in Newcastle on the Beaver river, in the state of Pennsylvania. Two years later they removed to Sharon, Mercer county. An- drew Muir was born April 27. 1831. in Kirk Muir 1lill. Lanarkshire, and when twelve years of age removed to Chapel Hill, which was his permanent home, and where Mrs. MeBride was born and lived until coming to America. The annals of Scotland show that the Muirs were prominent in that country among the landed gentry. They de- scended from titled and wealthy noblemen and "Kirk Muir Hill" was named for them. In that historical place occurred the births of preceding generations, as far back as the records can be traced. They ow ned large landed estates, and were fine stockmen and horsemen. They are of the -ame lineage as John Muir, the noted Scotch Presbyterian clergyman. The Muirs were a re- ligious people, devoted to their church. Mrs. MISS MARGARET MCBRIDE. McBride's father was a ruling elder and led the choir in the most prominent church of Chapel Hill. He was a man of fine personality and a musician of considerable note. He was engaged in the coal mining industry and having followed that vocation since his youth, he was well fitted to operate with practical success. Mr. Muir super- intended a colony of over two thousand workmen and not having so many officials as there would be in a similar enterprise in this country, he paid the salaries to the emploves personally.
After locating in Pennsylvania he was with the Pierce Coal Mining Com- pany and for several years sunk shafts and opened new mines at both New- castle and Sharon. He later superintended the coke ovens of A. J. Egbert in Mercer and Venango counties. Mrs. McBride's maternal grandfather
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was an employe in the house of Butry and while with them in the West In- dies was kicked by a horse and died from the injury several months subse- quently. His pay went on and his wife continued to draw his salary until she married again. By her marriage to Mr. Wilson two sons were born ; the eld- est of whom learned the mining business from Mrs. McBride's father, suc- ceeded to his position when Mr. Muir left Scotland and was manager of the same coal colony until his death a few months ago. The other brother was a railroad conductor in Scotland.
Mrs. McBride is one of ten children, all are living and prosperous. There are six sons and four daughters. Five of her brothers are Rooks county farmers. The sixth lives near Portland, Oregon. One sister is a resident of Kansas City, one in Franklin City, Venango county, Pennsylvania, and the other near Jamestown. In 1878 the eldest son and brother. Andrew L .. emigrated west and located in Stockton, when that town consisted of but one cabin. Soon after he homesteaded there another brother followed. This induced the father, whose health was on the decline, to join his sons in the west ; he also secured land near Stockton, and lived there until his death, in January, 1887. The wife and mother survives and is a resident of Stockton.
Mrs. McBride is well deserving of the success she has attained and it has not been secured without heroic effort on her part, and she has exhibited genuine Scotch determination. The large shade trees and wide lawn, with its flowering shrubs and tall stalks of vari-colored hollyhocks nodding in the bright sunlight, add to the attractiveness of the place. Mrs. McBride makes the welfare and comfort of her guests her chief aim, and few cities of the population of Jamestown can boast of so well an equipped hostelry.
WILLIAM J. ION.
One of the most eccentric characters and interesting individuals of Cloud county is W. J. lon, of Grant township, whose farm lies on the northeast quarter of section 21. town 5. range 5 west. In the lon family William is an ancestral name, dating back many generations, and also a historical one, covering kings, poets and other great men. Mr. ton is a native of Merionethshire, Wales. Ilis birthplace was Castleton, where he opened his eyes to the light of day, October 29. 1846. Castleton derives its name from Wentlouge Castle, the present seat of Sir George Walker, a brother-in-law of Lord Tradegar.
When Mr. Ion was a small boy his father was deceased and his mother returned to the home of her parents. Her people were mechanics, and drift- ing in their footsteps, our subject began learning a trade in the iron works of Ebbwvale, when a youth of ten years. Subsequent to his mother's second marriage. home became distasteful to hini and the aspiring youth decided to forsake the parental roof and try his fortunes in America, where many of the same foreign birth had preceded him. With a wild stretch of im-
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agmation and only four cents in his pocket the venturesome lad of fifteen years arrived friendless and alone in the great metropolis. AAs he was brought face to face with the stern realities of his condition, the little stranger was plunged into deepest melancholy. llis sad face attracted the attention of a kind hearted physician, one of his own countrymen, whose sympathy brought valuable assistance. There was a transition in the sad faced boy as his benefactor led him to a good hotel, ordered food for the young emigrant, followed by a collection, whereupon enough money was received to secure him transportation to Pittston. Pennsylvania, where he was given employment in the coal fields. The realization of his hopes were not what he had contemplated. To a youth of his tender years, who knew no language but that of his mother tongue, the arduous life in the coal regions was disillusioning to his dreams of the New Workl, and had his finances been equal to his longing for a mother's loving care, the ties of home and associates, he would have indulged his heart's longings by re- turning to Wales.
"Breathes there a man with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath sandl This my own, my native land : Whose heart ne'er within him burn'd As home his footsteps he has turn'd From wandering on a foreign strand."
There was no alternative for Mr. Ion-by force of circumstances he was compelled to push on, and he joined the army, which proved one of the best trainings he could have had, for in the service he not only rapidly acquired the English language, but gained an insight into the manners and customs of his adopted country. Mr. lon enlisted in the regular army, served the term of enlistment, which was three years, and was discharged with the word "excellent" inscribed on his papers.
He enlisted in 1864 and was made a corporal of his division, which was Company E. First Battalion. Sixteenth United States Infantry, and was offered the promotion to orderly sergeant if he would re-enlist. The discipline Mr. Ion received in the service was equivalent to years of ordinary experience.
After his withdrawel from the army, Mr. lon located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and worked at blacksmithing with one of his countrymen for one year, when he removed to St. Clair county, Illinois, and resumed that vocation. He later settled in Ray county, Missouri, and worked in the mines near Camden for a brief time.
The fame of Kansas was being proclaimed throughout the world and our subject became ambitious to own and operate a farm, and forego a previous desire for the gold fields of Colorado. Hence. in 1869, he moved further westward. and upon reaching Topeka. he decided the state held
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forth wonderful inducements. While visiting the land office in Pottawat omie and Marshall counties, Mr. Jon met with parties who induced Inin to join them on a trip to Cloud county. This was in 1870, and his comrades were Columbus Hinman: J. F. Hmmmm, the late John Wilson, ex-sheriff of Cloud county, Reverend J. P. Sharp and Mr. Hatcher, who afterward became sheriff of Mitchell county. They drove overland with a two yoke Ox team and traveled as far west as Rooks county, looking over the land in Cloud, Mitchell, Osborn, Smith and Rooks counties, but found no country that surpassed Cloud county, where the most of the homeseekers in the party located, where three of them still remain-Ion, Hlinman and Hanmm-and where John Wilson died. While enroute to the country further west they camped on Mr. lon's present farm, the land that attracted Ins attention at the time they were quartered there, for it was beautifully situated in the magnificent Buffalo creek valley, intersected by that stream and covered with a luxuriant growth of grass. His comrades rather derided his choice of a claim, but after roaming around for a considerable length of time, he say nothing so near his ideal for a home, and notwithstanding the derision of his friends he returned the following spring, made entry upon this land and has never repented his choice of a homestead. Assisted by W. R. Ansdell. James Carter and James Kiggan. Mr. lon erected a cabin 13\13 feet in dimensions, with a roof of poles and Kansas soil. Mr. lon began making history early in life and continued long after this period, for like all the pioneers he met with reverses and hardships.
Mr. Ion descends from British stock. Both his paternal and maternal ancestors were reared in the highlands of Great Britain. His mother having mourned the death of her family, joined her som in 1879 and at the age of seventy-five years is a bright, vivacious little woman, who enjoys life with Mr. lon and the comforts of his home. She clings to the pleasant memories of her old associations and is fond of conversing in her native tongue, the Welsh language.
Mr. Ion was married October 19, 1881. to Miss Mmerva 1 .. Patty, whose father was of North Carolina birth; her mother was a native of Pennsylvania. They both drifted to Ohio, where they met, were married and later removed on a farm near Indianapolis, Indiana, where Mrs. lon was born. Mrs. Ion is a woman of more than average intelligence, a lover of literature, and manifests a marked interest in her husband's researche Four children came to brighten the Ion home, three of whom are long The eldest son, Il. M., graduated in the common branches and from the Jamestown High school. Ile is a remarkable student and mbert hi father's fertile mind. Iyor S., has more of a taste for athlete sport and although not of a studions bent, is a statistician and during the Spanish Anet can war, though a mere child, he memorized and could give the ch placement of every vessel or man-of-war that sailed the seas in the interest of the two countries. Their only daughter is Gwladys, a promising young gul ot htteen years.
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The educational advantages of Mr. Ion were very meager, though from childhood he longed for knowledge, craved an education, and had his carlier life admitted of an academic training, his extraordinarily retentive memory would have enabled him to distinguish himself. However, he has studied and read until his mind is a storehouse of useful, practical and historical knowledge. He is a rare conversationalist, and can entertain his listeners with an unlimited recital of poems, of which Burns is his favorite, bits of historical lore, and scenes incident to travel, as he can recall and relate in a graphic way all the incidents of his panoramic life and retains the coll- tents of every book he has read. either ancient or modern. He is interested in pre-historic lore. Evidences point to his farm having been a location where implements of war were manufactured. Flint is foreign to this lo- cality, where various varieties of arrow points are found. He also has a pre-historie hammer, and several have been found on his land. From these facts it is concluded the material was brought from other parts of the country to the "blacksmith" in that locality. Mr. Ion possesses many trophies and relies, some of which would be valuable acquisitions to the cabinets of the Smithsonian or Cooper institutes
Mr. Ion owns four hundred acres of land, two hundred and forty of which is fertile bottom land, and in a seasonable year, as in 1892, it produces fifty bushels of wheat to the acre, and fine corn. He is also an entensive stockman, raising both cattle and hogs. His cattle are of the Polled Angus breed. and at the head of his herd he has a fine pedigreed bull. Mr. Ion is a Republican, but admits having wandered away from the fold. He has filled minor offices and has been a member of the school board. He was reared in the Church of England. The lons have a commodious home, situated about two miles east of Jamestown, to the comforts of which their labors justly entitle them.
MARY E. McCALL.
The subject of this sketch, Mrs. Mary E. MeCall, is the widow of the late Honorable James H. MeCall, one of the very prominent men of Republic and Cloud counties. They settled near Seapo, in Grant township, Repubhe county, in the year 1872, before that village, a busy trading post, was virtually killed by the railroad making a new town, thus cutting off its traffic. Although residing in that county seven years, Mr. McCall was more or less associated with the people and interests of Cloud county, often visiting Concordia. He was a progressive man and most certainly demonstrated what can be accom- plished without capital. As a stepping stone to success he possessed those admirable qualities, pluck, grit and enterprise. "Be sure you're right, then go ahead," seenis to have been his motto and he followed it to the letter.
Mr. McCall was a native of New Athens, Ohio, but in his youth came with his parents to Illinois, subsequently entered Wilmington College of Pennsylvania, where he graduated. after which he returned to Illinois and
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
taught school for several years and later became superintendent of a coal mine. It was during this period of his life that he met and married Miss Mary E. Galloway, in 1870. She was a native of Green county, Ohio. The Galloway family were of Scotch-Irish origin. Mrs. McCall's parents are both deceased; her father in 1872 and her mother in 1809. Mrs. McCall is one of nine children, five sons and four daughters, six of whom are 'iv- ing, viz: The eldest brother was killed by lightning in the city of Jamestown on July 4, 1901, leaving a wife and four children. He had taken his team to the barn and seemingly was stricken down as he stepped to the door. J. M. Galloway of Clay Center. Robert 11., a farmer near Courtland was county clerk of Republic county four years. Her youngest brother. J. E. Galloway is in the Creek country, in Oklahoma. Her sisters are Mrs. Elizabeth R. K. Miller of Mercer county, Illinois, and Mrs. Belle Park of Republic county, Kansas.
When their first child was an infant six weeks old Mr. and Mrs. Mccall emigrated to Kansas. Of the four children born to them, but one, a son Thomas G., has lived to bless and brighten their home. He was married in 1900 to Marie Powell of Jamestown and they have since made their home with his widowed mother. This son has been a solace to her lonely hours from in- fancy to manhood. "The childhood shows the man as morning shows the dav."
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