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 85
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The most serious of all their experiences was when a long de of typhoid fever befell Mr. Kaad, leaving him in a helpless condition ir many weeks. There was not only a scarcity of food but their fuel was lm ited to green wood and cornstalks; a physician who drove out from til cordia charged fifteen dollars a trip. a fortune to them in euch cill For. following year they were more fortunate and built a stone house of afe roll IOX12 feet in dimensions and dug a well. having been carrying water half mile; but misfortunes still pursued them. The horse. \r Kami le migli died, he mortgaged his farm and poor crops compelled lum to continue To-
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mitting heavy interest by re-mortgaging until in the early nineties he re- leased it. and. although erop failures came, he has since progressed.
In 1898 among the improvements to his farm a comfortable eight room residence was built at a cost of twelve hundred dollars. The house is modern with closets in all the rooms and a good cellar. They have a well kept lawn with flowers and shade trees. In 1899 a barn. 20 by 36, was erected with a granary and she 16 by 36 attached on the west end.
Mr. Kaad is one of the honored pioneers of Grant township and after Years of toil and care he is enjoying the fruits of his labors and a pleasint home built through his own efforts and those of his frugal and industrious wife. lle has transformed a wild, unbroken tract into one of the most de- sirable farms in the locality of Jamestown and is counted one of the finan- cially well-to-do Danes of Grant township. Wheat growing is his principal in- (lustry. Mr. Kaad is "mixed" in politics and votes for the best man. He is public spirited and interested in securing for his children good educational advantages. The family are members of the Jewell county Lutheran church which he helped to erect by his influence. labor and financial support
EDWIN ADELBERT GOULD.
The subject of this article. Edwin Adelbert Gould, is commonly known to his friends and associates as "Del." and would scarcely be recognized by any other cognomen. He was born in Michigan in 1853. but was reared in the state of New York. He came to Kansas with his brother, March 15. 1870, and bought one hundred and twenty acres of school land paying four dollars per acre and borrowed the money to make the first payment. Being entirely without capital he railroaded several years instead of improving his farm. lle worked in various capacities, principally as brakeman on the train doing construction work and hauling material for the Scandia branch.
Mr. Gould was married on Thanksgiving day, 1885. to Lida F. Rogers, who was reared on the farm where she first saw the light of day in Wash- ington county, Ohio. Her mother died when Mrs. Goukl was a child and her father was deceased in 1886, and as fast as the children reached maturity they came westward. Miss Rebecca Rogers, an older sister came to teach school and was married in Kansas. The brothers are Avin. Joshua, I-aac, John and Fremont, residents, successful ranchmen and land owners of Co- manche county, Kansas, where the older brother owns twenty-seven quarter sections of land. The Rogers family are of Scotch origin. The mother was Mary Ann Teeples of English ancestry.
To Mr. and Mrs. Gould four children have been born, viz: Eva. the eldest daughter, a young lady of seventeen years, is taking the second year's course in the Concordia high school: she is a hard student, a bright young woman and has considerable musical talent. Walter is a student of the home school. "Prairie Gem." District No. 3.4. This locality affords one of the best school buildings in the county, a modern structure which affords a tower
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
with a bell and many improvements not usually found in country districts. The second daughter, Della R., is fourteen years of age, and Merril, Il youngest son, aged ten years.
Mr. Gould never received any legacies but thrift and enterprise, and is en- tirely self made. He has made rapid strides along the road of progress and has builded for himself and family an exceedingly desirable and pleasant home three miles northwest of Jamestown. He has added to his farm until it now consists of a half section of land and he would now refuse an offer of ten thousand dollars for the ground that was raw. uncultivated prairie but . comparatively few years ago. He paid twenty five dollars per acre ist till acres of the newly acquired land. Their first dwelling consisted of but one room. 14 by 16 feet in dimensions, one story high In 1899 a commodious farm house of ten rooms was created and its modern appointments bespeck the refinement of its matron. In 1800 a substantial barn was built. orchard is just beginning to bring its returns. The principal product of his farm is wheat, along with stock raising, cattle, horses and mules.
Mr. and Mrs. Gould enjoy and are worthy the highest esteem of the en tire community, where they have lent their support and influence to cer worthy cause that has been promoted for the elevation of mankind of to advance the educational interests of the community. They have an mer esting family of children and intend giving them every advantage pas de in the way of education and advancement.
Mr. Gould has affiliated with the Populists, but is now seeking a new party. He has held township ofices for several years and has been an eit cient member of the school board. He is one of the solid, prosperous met .i his township and his friends inchide the whole list of his acquaintances
CHRISTIAN H. ELNIFF.
It has been said biography yields to another subject in part of Iter ' and profit. Especially is this true of the foreign clement who have p gressed along the various lines of business since seeking b mes in America Many of them have gained wealth and position In taking ade mage . the opportunities afforded in the new world.
The subject of this sketch has adapted himself to the method toms of the American people, and is one of them in pinst, as well b adoption. Mr. Elniff is a native of Denmark, born In Schle w g. m . Had he been born two years later, would have been a formas salut like hundreds of Danes, the Elniff- came to this country rat of than the arms against their native land. When ten seurs stage Vi But with father's family, sailed for the United States, with kases their hedder nation. They came directly to Grant tound p. where the guardianel hundred and sixty acres of Normal School land 1 1 ( 1|| owned by Mr. Elniff, he having bought the tere te felic c. the estate prior to his father's death
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
Mr. Elniff's parents were Hans Christian and Catherine M. ( Maybol) Elniff. both natives of the Kingdom of Denmark. They owned a small tract of ground in their native country but the father supported his family prin- cipally by daily labor until coming to Kansas. Mi. Elniff is one of five chil- dren : four of whom are living. John is an architect of superior ability, and resides in Kansas City. Ile designed the handsome residence recently erected by O. W. Peterson. Fred H., now of Denmark, was a resident of Jewell county, just over the line from Cloud county, for more than a quarter of a century. He sold the farm and original homestead to Hans Nelson. He is now a retired farmer, with an income that enables him to live without labor. Anna, their only sister, has been twice married. Mr. Erickson died leaving her with several children. She is now married to J. M. Iverson, and lives in Denmark. Both her former and present husband were copper- smiths.
Mr. Elniff received a common school education in his native country but wirit he has acquired in English, has been gained in a practical way, for he started upon his career young in life. He bought the homestead in 1883. receiv- ing a bonded deed, until he had attained his majority. One hundred and fifty dollars, the sum total of hoarded wage money, was all the capital Mr. Elniff could command towards the purchase of a three thousand dollar farm with 110 improvements other than a dugout. But this was the consideration to be divided among five heirs. The papers were frawn up in the Danish language by themselves and nothing was expended in attorney's fees. Pro- vision was made for the parents in their life time to live on the homestead with the son who purchased it. It was also stipulated in the contract that a comfortable place be at once provided, for the father was afflicted with asthma, whereupon Mr. Elniff immediately erected the residence where he and his family now live. and was one of the first good dwellings in the neigh- borhood.
Mr. Elniff's friends considered him in the light of an inexperienced boy. and predicted a sudden collapse of his "castles." but he was steadfast in his purpose and did not build on the sand. He bought the farm on payment and by raising hogs and cattle, never failed to meet them as they fell due. The father died one year after his son had bought the homestead, and the mother was deceased in 1896. By industry and perseverance Mr. Elniff has met with well deserved success on this side of the Atlantic and stands today one of the most progressive farmers and stock men in Grant township. His farm consists of four hundred acres, and is a valuable. well improved estate, equipped with good. substantial buildings.
Mr. Elniff for the past few years has been growing wheat and alfalfa. The proceeds from the latter. in 1902, exceeding those of his wheat. He has a field of fifty acres of alfalfa that yielded largely, and sold for a good round figure. Forty acres of his farm is pasture, while the remainder is largely bottom land.
In 1885 he erected a barn 18 by 48 feet in dimensions with ten foot
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANS.A.S.
posts. In 1901 he built a basement barn 20 by 14 feet with sixteen Til posts, and in 1900 a commodious structure that includes a granary, imple ment shed, corn crib and wheat bins. The main building is 30 by 44 feet with nine foot posts. Through the center is a 14 foot driveway. This farm is one of the most complete in the county.
A reservoir 88 by 88 feet and seven feet in depth is stocked with Ger man carp. A net drawn through the water will bring up from two to this hundred fish. The reservoir is fed by water drawn from the well In "Jumbo" windmill. The wheel is a ponderous one, and if it were set upon a tower, instead of so close to the earth, it would be a landmark, such as are seen in Holland, and other European countries. From this pond of water. an ice house 15 by 17 feet in dimensions and eight feet deep is filled with clean cakes of well stored ice. Then there is a stone chicken house with plastered walls and a blacksmith shop equipped for his own convenience.
Mr. Elniff undoubtedly possessed the attributes necessary to building up a home in a new country, although for years the resources were not In any means varied nor was there an illusion of excellent prospects, except in a distant and uncertain future. There were repeated crop failures, and at one time Mr. Elniff became discouraged with drought. grasshoppers, and chinch bugs, and in 1880 left Cloud county, determined on finding a home elsewhere. After looking over the situation further west he returned with'n a month fully satisfied. no better place than Cloud county could be found. He worked very successfully for the Trower Brothers Commission Com pany, of Kansas City and St. Joe for sixteen months, but decided to give his time and attention to his farm and resigned that position.
On February 28. 1885. Mr. Elniff was united in matrimony with llena Amelia Ruud. a daughter of H. A. Rund, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Grant township. To Mr. and Mrs. Elif five children have been born, four of whom are living: Sophia Catherme, a young gu of sixteen years. The second daughter is Anna Christina. The third dangh ter Martha Helgelena, is named for both her maternal grandparents the fourth daughter, is deceased. William Richard, their only son, is a bright little fellow of three years. Mrs. Elniff is a gentle woman, devoted to her family and home. Her father left Norway, their native land, and con to America in 1868. Mr. Ruud had learned the tailor trade in Christian and was also night watch in the military service. Viter coming to America he worked on the railroad, doing construction work, and went as far west h California. Returning to Chicago, he sent for his family and m the meill time hearing of the new homestead law of Kansas, joined a company of met going to Junction City. the terminus of the railroad. From the print they walked over the country, and drifted into Cloud county. Mr Formeln, vl was one of the company and a bachelor, had a dugont on huis claim and of fered shelter for Mr. Rund and his family. Mr. Rund then sert 1of 1 Ch and the family accepted the proffered hospitality und'l enabled to cry dugout of their own.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
The family at this time consisted of but one child ( Mrs. Elmf), the other two having died of scarlet fever. The remaining five children were born in Kansas. The Ruuds experienced many hardships and were twice drowned out by the Hood. The first time their home was destroyed, provis- jons, articles of furniture, and clothing, floated around on the water. Mr. Rund rescued his family from drowning by pulling them through the one window of their dugout. They were visited by a second disastrous overflow in 1878, compelling the family to flee for their lives. There were a pair of twin children: Mrs. Rund taking one of them in her arms and Mrs. Elniff. carrying the other, waded through water which reached to their shoulders. Mr. Roud had been without a team for several years, and when the flood came upon them Mrs. Rund risked their own peril to cut the ropes that lariated a horse and some cattle. Through the shock of wheat that were floating all around them these terror stricken women waded to dry land.
Mr. Rund secured a voke of steers and just as he had succeeded in break- ing them for use, one was struck down by a bolt of lightning and instantly killed. He was then compelled to work for others and take breaking in es change. Thus he was handicapped for a considerable period. But the days of adversity passed and he now owns two hundred and forty acres of land and is in comfortable circumstances. He is one of the few who live on their original homesteads, many of them having been swept in by mortgage.
Mr. and Mrs. Rund have been unfortunate with their children. lla, a young girl, just dawning upon womanhood, died at the age of sixteen years; Anna died at eight years; Lucy, a very excellent young woman, died at the age of twenty-two: Albert, an exemplary young man of twenty six years, ched in the autumn of 1902: Anton, the only living child, except Mrs. Elniff. is unmarried and lives at home.
The subject of this sketch was a Republican in his early career, but he has developed into a reformer, and takes much interest in political issues. Hle has filled several minor offices, having served as trustee of his township two years, and as member of the school board. Himself and family are members of the Jewell county Lutheran church. Mr. Elniff is a public spirited man, and any enterprise for the benefit of the community receives his staunch support. He is an industrious, energetic, jolly, wholesouled fellow, who counts his friends by the score, and is deserving of the success which follows his undertakings. Ile began with neither capital nor influence, and. unaided. has forced his way to prosperity. From a tract of raw land a fine farm. well stocked. and supplied with all the latest improved machinery, sub- stantial buildings, windmills, etc., has developed. Thus is verified the old adage that "Nothing succeeds like success."
OSCAR W. PETERSON.
Oscar W. Peterson, one of the prosperous farmers of Grant township. came to Kansas in 1878 and bought one hundred and sixty acres of Normal school land five miles northwest of Jamestown, where he has built one of
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANS.A.S.
the most pretentious and desirable homes in this section of the country Peterson paid one-tenth of eight hundred dollars, the consideration to be paid for the land, which consumed all his capital save a wife, who was possessed of equally as much courage and ambition as himself, and two small children. Ile owned a span of mules but they were not paid for. Be- tween their first humble abode and the handsome residence that now graces the wide lawn there is a marked contrast.
The little house of sod with its board roof. dirt floor and no windows. sheltered them for months.
THE BEAUTIFUL. MODERN HOME GEO W LITE IN
Its furniture consisted of two chairs, a leaf stead brought through on the wagon from lowa and a few other artehe's ot home make. Here they underwent many hardships and were reduced in less than the price of a postage stamp. With his mules Mr. Peter- n 11 breaking among the neighbors and in this way earned enough to tale them over until better days dawned. While their larder was often reduced to small quantities and few varieties of food they did not actually suffer. Mr. l'eter son invested in one hundred and sixty acres of land adjoining his firm on the north but during the hard times had to surrender it, and also bet suppe real estate in Jamestown during the panic. He was lund Hungry sel wien he came to Kansas coveted all the land in sight.
Mr. Peterson was born in a suburb-now included in the city of things -in 1855, and when an infant six months old emigrated with his parents to eastern lowa and settled on a farm in Jefferson county. His father, Andres Peterson, came to Cloud county in 1884. and died near Jamestown in 1803 Ile was a native of Sweden and emigrated to America in 1852. This vite an | her two children died of cholera during the scourge in Chicago. He was then mar ried to Sophia Swanson, the mother of our subiect. To this marriage tour chil dren were born. A brother. Mfred, lives in Portland, Oregon med sister, Mrs. Johnson, of Phelps county, Nebraska. Mrs. Quick, of Thomas county, Kansas, was a daughter by & mother well riage of our subject's mother-but she was reared with the children of the second union and was a devoted sister.
Oscar W. l'eterson was married in 1826. 1, Mas E Single ferson county, Iowa, the place of her mtivity and where he gick i hood. Her parents were W. R. an IC. L. ICrer Li) Sp. 100
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HISTORY OF' CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
ched in 1897. Her mother still lives in Jefferson county. To Mr. and Mrs. Peterson six children have been born, two sons and four daughters. The eld- est daughter. O. Edna, is a teacher in the fourth grade of the Washington building in Concordia. She was a teacher last year (root) in the James- toman schools She is self-e located, graduated from a four years course in the Come reha high school and holds a first grade certificate. She possesses exceptional ability as a teacher and has achieved well deserved success. Flora 1. is living with relatives in love and his not been home but once in a period of four years. Lada M., an estimable young woman, is a dressmaker by trade but spends much of her time at home. Roy Ca, an industrious young man of twenty. assist with the farm duties. Ella I. a little daughter of twelve years, and Oscar W. Jr., nine years of age, are students of the home district an I have neither been abvent nor tardy during the present year nor all of last year (1001 ).
The commodious residence of nine rooms, built in 1902. 15 modern in design : nd architecture, with pantry, bath room, and closets, and is one of the best appointed houses in the vicinity of Jamestown. A model poultry house, built of stone and smoothly plastered, is in course of completion which is one of the most modern the writer has ever seen. No accessory of a per- icut country home will be lacking when the barn under contemplation is com- plated. The first story will be a basement of stone and the rock is on the ground ready for dressing. The lawn is wide and deep bordered by flowers and shade trees. Mrs. Peterson is a cultured woman and presides over their pleasant home with gracious hospitality. Mr. Peterson's judgment and good common sense, coupled with the same excellent qualities of his wife, have assisted him in gaining prosperity and the coveted beautiful country place where amid pleasant surroundings they may enjoy with ease and rest the home won by long years of activity. Mr. Peterson is a Democrat politically, has served as clerk and treasurer on the school board for about a dozen years. and has held various township offices. The family are members and active workers of the Jamestown Methodist Episcopal church congregation.
LEWIS GRAY.
The farm of Lewis Gray, one of the old settlers of Grant township, is situated about three miles northwest of Jamestown. Mr. Gray came to Kan- sas in January, 1872, without capital and located the farm where he now lives. Ile crossed the salt marsh the first Sunday in January and after homesteading his land had one hundred dollars in cash. He built a little dugout on the banks of Buffalo creek, where he was drowned out after "bach- ing" one year. He then removed his dwelling place about forty rods back and was again drowned out, the ground being covered with three feet of water. He had a stone crib 12 by 40 feet in the clear and six feet in height filled with corn, much of which was spoiled by the flood, involving a great loss. In 1892 he erected a stone house 30 by 17 feet .in dimensions, one and
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
one-half stories high. In 1900 added a frame part 25 by 18 feet. making a commodious and comfortable home.
His farm, with its freshly painted residence, latticed porches, good out buildings, including a new and modern poultry house, is an ideal one. Ils land is beautifully situated on both sides of Buffalo creek which gives him plenty of water and sometimes too much. Timber for fuel in the early days being quite an item prompted Mr. Gray to locate on Buffalo creek. His land is best adapted to wheat and alitalia, his chief products. He gives con- siderable attention to poultry, raising from three to five hundred chickens annually.
Mr. Gray was born in the western part of Pennsylvania, in 1842, where the earlier part of his life was spent in the oil region of Venango and .Alle- gheny counties. He had never tarmed until coming to Kansas but worked in the oil fields of his native state. His parents were William and Elizabeth Gray, natives of Prussia. His father died when our subject was eleven years of age and his mother about a quarter of a century ago. Mr. Gray was thrown upon his own resources by the death of his father and con- tributed to the support of his mother who lived and died in his home. It was not easy for a man to obtain a start by his own labors in the state where he was reared and this prompted Mr. Gray to come west. Ile is the only liv- ing member of a family of five children, four brothers and one sister, the lat- ter dying when an infant. William, the eldest brother died several years ago. He had lived in Kansas but left during the grasshopper year: hke many others, he could not see his way out and lost faith in the future of Kansas. Henry was a resident of Grant township and died in 1899, leaving a widow and two children, a son and a daughter, who reside on the farm. John, died at the age of twenty years from injuries received in an accident.
Mr. Gray was married in 1880 to Maggie Grayburn, of Pennsylvania, a sister of Mrs. Henry Gray. She came to Kansas with her mother and brother ( now deceased ) in 1878. To Mr. and Mrs. Gray four children have been born. The eldest died at three and a half years. Those living are. Clarence, aged twenty. Guy and Willie, aged sixteen and twelve years respectively. They are promising boys; the oldest practically operates the farm. Politically Mir. Gray is a Prohibitionist. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. of Jamestown congregation.
WILLIAM C. CHRISTIANSON.
W. C. Christainson, the subject of this sketch, is one of the carly po- neers of Grant township, and is one of the most progressive and prosperous farmers in the township. Mr. Christianson is a native of Denmark and was born in the year 1855. When ten years of age, he, with his father's family. emigrated to America and settled in Minnesota on a farm among the lakes; four years later they came overland to Kansas with os teus Their object was the same as that of thousands and thousands of others, to secure the re
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
land m the sunny state of Kansas. Stephen Christianson, his father, pos- sessed very little capital, but a large family of children, four sons and three daughters; however, a family of sturdy, helpful children was no drawback in the pioneer state. A correspondence with "Father" Nelson was the main- spring of their locating in his neighborhood. Reverend Nelson desired to settle the community with Danes of the Baptist church, he being a minister of that faith.
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