Biographical history of Cloud County, Kansas: biographies of representative citizens. Illustrated with portraits of prominent people, cuts of homes, stock, etc, Part 90

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 90

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

in the state- of New York, Massachusetts and Michigan. He died in 1857. Mr. Koster's mother was Elizabeth Ann (Greenleaf) Koster, whose father 1.2% an extensive land owner in Vermont, and subsequently moved to New Prospect, New Jersey, where Mrs Koster was born in March, 1815. She was a handsome woman, remarked for her leaty Mrs. Koster came with her family, as before stated, and took up a homestead in tottawa county, near the town of Lamar, where she thed in 1820. She was the mother of seven chil dren, five boys and two girls, all of whom but one are living.

Honorable John L. Koster, their eldest son, is a retired paper manu- facturer, prominent in business and social circles at Port Levelen. New York. where he reales. John 1. Koster served with distinction during the Civil wir in Company H. Twenty first Massachusetts Regiment, up to June 4. 1504. when he gave his right arm to his country's service. He had started on a promising career of newspaper work and paper manufacturing, but his father's early death changed his plans, and he enlisted in the "Fighting Regiment." as For calls it in his history. In the encounter at Cold Harbor, June 2. 1864 nearly seventy five of his depleted regiment went down. Following the war Major Koster worked seven years in the Boston postoffice. He then went to the granite hills of New Hamp- Shire, where he accepted the superintendency of paper mills very successfully until 1875. when they were destroyed by fire. While new ones were in course of construction, Major Koster came to New York and accepted the position of superintendent of the Herkimer Paper Company pulp works, where he held forth until retired from active business hie He was presidential elector of his state ( New York) in 1888, when Benjamin Harrison was elected, and has repeatedly been honored by his Grand Army associates by being sent as a delegate to national encampments. In 1800 he was elected member of the general assembly, and it was he who first introduced the bill for the removal of hats worn by laches at the theater. William Koster, the second oldest brother, died at the age of seventeen years, in Bondsville, Massachusetts. Elizabeth A .. wife of G. W. Shrover, a ranchman and well-known citizen of Ottawa county, near Lamar. George, a mining expert, located near King- man, Arizona. Isabella, the widow of A. I. Parker, is a resident of Minne- apolis. Kansas, and proprietress of the Parker House, one of the most desir- alle hotels in this part of the state. Too much credit cannot be given Mrs. Parker as a business woman in every way qualified for the place she occupies. Franklin Koster, the youngest son. is a successful ranchman and cattleman in the northeast corner of Ottawa county, where he owns a section of well improved land. and feeds and raises cattle extensively. He is a prosperous man and president of the Drovers Bank of Miltonvale.

The Kosters came west with neither experience nor capital. determined to make their way-to blaze the road to success, as it were. Mr. Koster re- lates how for a period of six years or more he struggled with destiny. As a "starter" his mother gave him four Texas steers. He did breaking and earned a horse: then traded his steers for another horse. thus giving him his

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

first team. something to be elated over in those days. Ten years later he added a quarter section to his homestead. and five years subsequently a section, and has continued in this ratio until he now owns the princely possession of three thousand acres, located in Cloud and Ottawa counties. He also leases eight thousand acres for pasture and farming purposes. Much of his land is adapted to the stock industry, and he has at this writing about two thousand head of Texas Pan Handle, four and five year old steers. In 1891 he shipped on the Kansas City market eleven hundred four year old steers that averaged fourteen hundred pounds, and made him a net profit of fifteen thousand dol- lars. As rapidly as he has accumulated money over and above a safe reserve, it has been invested in land and stock raising, and its effect has done much for the upbuilding of this locality. Ilis land is divided into three tracts, and each provided with modern buildings and improvements. Mr. Koster also has mercantile interests. He became associated with the Schuttler Mercantile Company in 1898, the firm then doing business in Miltonvale, but removed the store to Tulsa, Indian Territory, where they are making a success in merchan- dising.

Mr. and Mrs. Koster were married December 25. 1874. Mrs. Koster was Clara C. McCoy, a native of lowa. Her parents came to Kansas in

THE KOSTER HOME IN MILTONVALE.

1872 and settled on a homestead in Ottawa county, near Lamar. To this union have been born seven children, six of whom are living, viz: Cora M., the eldest daughter, was married April 29, 1902, to Brooks Johnson, a young business man of Tulsa, Indian Territory, and formerly of Mexico, Missouri. Mrs. Johnson is a thorough business woman and has charge of the Mercantile affairs in Tulsa. She graduated from the Salina Commercial Col-

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IHISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

lege October 24. 1800. Jessie K .. wife of W. 11. Shrover, a stock feeder all shipper, with residence in Miltonvale They are the happy parents of me child. a httle daughter. Eva May. Ella graduated from the Salina Commer- cial College m tomo. She is secretary of the Miltonvale Telephone Company. ( la, a student on last year of high school course in Miltonvale Jolm I. a young man of sixteen years, is a student of the Miltonvale high school, and is a valuable assistant to his father in the telephone operations. Tienrge M. a little son of four years.

Mr. Koster's daughters are talented in music, active in church work and a valuable dequestion to Miltonvale society. While not a man to squan ler his money in estentations living. Mr. Koster gives Ins children every ad- vantage that money can secure, and lives in one of the handsomest residences m the county, known as the "Banker Dava property," which he purchased in 1802, and has since made Miltonvale Ins home. The house is modern and contams eight room- The home is adaured for ns wide green lawn and beautiful shade trees . i soit maple and buy elder Mr. Koster is a Republican politics: has held the ffice of mayor in Miltonvale and served as council- man and on the school board. He is not only widely known as an able lisi ness man and a public spirited enten, but foremost in any enterprise pertain- ing to the best interests of his town of county. He is a man of resourceful energy and now here have we found a better demonstration of what a man with pluck and energy can do in Kansas. Mr. Koster is a prominent Mason and has been through all the chair of the Ancient Order United Workmen.

J. W. SHAY.

Among the men in the vicinity of Miltonvale who have accumulated a comfortable competency in a comparatively short time is J. W. Shay, of the firm of Shay & Me. Arthur, attorneys, collectors and real estate dealers. Mr. Shay came to Kansas in 1868 and settled in Lewisburg. Miami county, where he engaged in the milling business until 18 ;!. At the expiration of that time he came to Cloud county and homesteaded land six miles west of the cast corner of the southern line of the county He sold this land in 1882 and en- gaged in the milling business with the firm of Shay, Catlin & Angelo, who were succeeded in 1884 by Shay & Angelo, and continued until 1886, when the mill was burned to the ground. They ran until six o'clock and about mid- night the mill was a total wreck. only partially covered by insurance. The loss to the company was twelve thousand dollars. The mill was a good prop- erty, with a capacity of fifty barrels of flour per day and a grain elevator in connection. This loss crippled Mr. Shay financially and he was over two thousand dollars in debt, paying two per cent. interest on the greater part of it. In 1886 he established himself in the real estate business and since that time, by diligent application, he has acquired four hundred and eighty acres of land. which he has improved. built a handsome residence. good outbuild-

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

ings, and the farm is well supplied with implements and machinery. He also has a fine herd of about one hundred graded shorthorn cattle.

Mr. Shay is a native of Crawford county, Ohio, born in 1846. His fa- ther was Daniel Shay, a native of Virginia, and when a young man came to Ohio and gained a livelihood by farming. The Shays, as the name implies. are of Irish origin. Ths mother was Sarah Warden. Her people were from Virginia. Mr. Shay is one of eight children, six boys and two girls. He and a sister, Isabelle Bishop, of Jefferson county Nebraska, are the only surviving members. Mr. Shay served about four months near the close of the war. His four brothers were in the army. William was killed at Franklin, Tenn- essee. The other three died from one to five years later from diseases con- tracted during the service.

Mr. Shay was married in 1877 to Francessa Neill. They are the parents of five children : John. the eldest son, and Jesse are graduates of the Milton- vale school, and these two boys operate the farm. Fannie is a graduate of the Miltonvale school. George and James are both students of the high school.

Mr. Shay has always supported the principles of the Republican party. I le has filled the office of police judge and justice of the peace. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1882. Mr. Shay is an auctioneer and can get as much money out of a sale as any man in the county. The family are among the leading people, socially, of their com- munity.

JAMES McARTHUR.

The subject of this sketch is James Mc. Arthur, an attorney, the only man of his profession in the town of Miltonvale that has been admitted to the bar. He is associated with Mr. Shay in collection and real estate deals. under the firm name of Shay & McArthur. Mr. Me. Arthur is a native of Scotland, born in Paisley, now a suburb of Glasgow. in 1848. At that time there were a dozen miles between Glasgow and his native town, the space now being built up in a solid city. His father was John McArthur, a shawl maker, working in the factory at Paisley, where the celebrated Paisley shawls are manufac- tured. When Mr. Me Arthur was two years old he came with his father's family to America and settled in North Adams, Massachusetts, where his fa- ther died in 1857. His mother was Jane Gillespie. She was born near Edin- burg. Scotland. She died in North Adams in 1892. Mr. Mc Arthur is one of three living children : \ sister in Chicago and one in North Adams.

At the age of fifteen years Mr. MeArthur enlisted in the United States army in 1863, but was not accredited until 18044. His first regimental service was in the battle of the Wilderness, when he was but sixteen years old. He was slightly wounded at Cold Harbor. He was in the battles of Spottsylvania and with Sheridan on his famous ride. Ile saw active and hard service and after the first battle would have welcomed gladly a return home. After the war he returned to Massachusetts and subsequently to Wisconsin, where a sis-

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

ter had preceded him In 1823 & he read law in the office of George N. Cran - ford, of Omaha, Nebraska. Shortly afterward he entered the mail service ; was stationed in Texas, where he remained until 1882 and came to Clyde, where he formed a partnership with the law firm of Conforth & Gray. Early in the year 188; he was admitted to the bar in Concorda, and a few months later became associated with charles Proctor in the real estate business and was very successful.

Mr Me Arthur was married i Arconsim, in 1800, to Maria McDonald. a daughter of Edward and Human McDonald, of Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Their family consists of an interesting children Mr. Me Arthur is a Republican politically and is an active politician He was a candidate during his residence in Nebraska for representative of Ins desti ct, at the age of twenty six years. His opponent was elected by only four votes He is a member of the Lodge. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and of the Washington Chapter at Houston, Texas. At Me Arthur is a man of pleasing address, genial man- ner and a highly esteemed citizen

HONORABLE II J. PRENTISS.

The subject of this sketch i. H. J. Prentiss, the present mayor of Milton vare and dealer in gram and cod. Mr. Prentiss has been a resident of Mil- Female since the autumn of 1800 He was at that time manager for the Chieniga Lumber Company, Irning been transferred from their yards at Glasco to Miltonvale. was in their employ ito .: 1885 until 1895. when he be- came associated with Frank Stanton, in the Miltonvale Grain Company. In 1800 he bought the interest of Mr. Stanton. He loves anl operates the H. G. Light ele- vator, which has a storing capacity of five thousand bushels.

Mr. Prentiss is a son of Kentucky, born in Monterey in 1860, but was practically HANDSOME COTTAGE HOME OF HONORABLE H. J. PRENTISS reared in Frankfort. where he was educated in the com- mon schools and learned the trade of miller. In the autumn of 1884 he came to Kansas and after stopping in Centralia a few months, entered the employ of the Chicago Lumber Company at Belleville. Mr. Prentiss' father was Luther S. Prentiss. of Massachusetts, born in 1815. He was an engineer on a Missis- sippi river steamer. In 1849 he went overland to California, where he was

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

employed to put in mining machinery. He came to Kansas in 1888 and died in January, 1896.

Mr. Prentiss is one of eight children. three of whom are living: \ brother in Kentucky and a sister in Kansas City. His mother was Charlotte A. Ross, of Frankfort, Kentucky, born May 25. 1821, and died July 3, 1891.

The Prentiss and Ross families were slaveholders in Kentucky. Luther S. Prentiss was a Union man and after he freed his slaves they stayed with him. H. J. Prentiss learned his alphabet from a slave, who cut them on a shingle.

Mr. Prentiss was married in August, 1886. to Virginia A. Graber, of lowa. She was visiting an uncle when she met and was married to Mr. Pren- tiss. They have two daughters, Nora, aged twelve, and Ruth, aged ten. In 1901 Mr. Prentiss bought the residence property of C. E. McDaniel, one of the best homes in Miltonvale, a cottage of eight rooms, modern bath room and . water connections, a fine lawn and trees, irrigated from the well. Mr. Pren- tiss has thirty-three acres of ground with residence adjacent to Miltonvale. Politically he is a Democrat and has been a member of the council several times and served as police judge. He is a member of the Ancient Order United Workmen and has been through all the chairs of that order. being at present overscer. Ile is also a member of the Triple Tie.

WILLIAM AA. FARR. M. D.

Dr. Farr, one of the leading physicians of Miltonvale, was born in Shelby county. Missouri. near Leonard. in 1871. He is a son of Frederick M. and Frances A. ( Turner ) Farr. Doctor Farr's paternal grandfather was Benja- min Farr. Hle was educated for a Christian minister, but went to California from his Kentucky home during the gold excitement, and subsequently to Texas, where he died of yellow fever. The Turners were an old Virginia family who came to Missouri in an early day and where Frances Turner was born. Her father was a "Hard Shell" Baptist preacher, and combined preach- ing with farming.

Dr. Farr was educated in the country schools and after ten months in the Kirksville Normal School. he began a career in the country districts, teaching in winter and farming in summer. In 1895 he entered the University of Kansas City, continuing his farming operations in summer to increase his fund for school tuition. Ile graduated in 1898 and began the practice of med- icine at Clifton, Kansas, where he became associated with Doctor D. C. Ty- ler. a physician of long practice there, remaining five months. \ year subse- quently an opening was made at Miltonvale through the death of Doctor Fairchild, and Doctor Farr located there in 1899. He started in as a young physician. but is getting his share of the patronage as a general practitioner.

Doctor Farr was married December 27. 1899, to Nellie Sanders, a daugh- ter of W. C. Sanders, a merchant of Clifton, Kansas, formerly of Ithaca, New York, where Mrs. Farr was born and lived until fourteen years of age, when

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANS.S.

her parents came to thiton, Where her father engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, Doctor and Mrs. Farr have one club. William Frederick, born Decem- ber 21. 1001 Doctor Fare is a Democrat, Modern Woodman of America, a member of the order of Brotherhood of America and of the board of coun- cilmen. He's enjoying a lucrative practice in Miltonvale, where he has built and made a comfortable home.

J. W. HONEY

I. W Honey, algor of the Miltonvale Record, a newss little sheet, well patronized by business men through its advertising columns, is a Kansan by birth and breeding. He was born near Fort Files in 1865. His father. B V. Honey, was one of the state's old pioneers, settling near leavenworth in 1858, and a few years later located near Fort Riley, where he lived until 1868. In that year he came to Elk township and settled on Dry creek, subse- quently moving into Clyde, where he started a blacksunth shop and soon afterward en- gagel in the mercantile busmess and became a prominent merchant.

In the early days, before the founding of Clyde. Mr. Honey took an active part in church and Sabbath school work. B. V. Honey was an old Vermonter. He died in Clyde April 22. 1800, at the age of sixty- five years. He was twice married. His first MR. AND MRS. B. V. HONEY. wife was Martha L. Curtis, who died, leaving a daughter. In 1847 he was married to Miss Laura Morley, who survives him and lives alternately among her children, of whom there are six.

J. W. Honey came with his parents to Clyde when he was three years of age, where he was educated in the graded schools and lived until three years ago. Mr. Iloney is also a photographer and has a well patronized gallery in Miltonvale. He was married in 1889 to Edith N. Florer, who was born in Iowa, but has lived in Kansas since she was two years old. She is associate editor and assists in photography. To Mr. and Mrs. Honey have been born four children, two daughters and one son living, the eldest child being de- ceased.

Mr. Honey is a Republican and advocates those principles in his paper. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. and Mrs. Honey are members and regular attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Addenda-Mr. Honey has recently sold his interests in the Miltonvale Record.

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

S. V. FAIRCHILD, M. D.

The late Doctor S. V. Fairchild, one of Miltonvale's most prominent cit- izens, was born in the state of New York, June 26, 1853. and died November 26. 1898. Doctor Fairchild received his medical education early in life and came to Kansas to establish himself in his chosen profession. He was a hard student. attending medical institutes and colleges, thus keeping abreast with the times. He was a skillful physician, a big hearted man, and in sickness or adversity a true friend. Ilis many deeds of charity and kindness will live of the people of Miltonvale. His many deeds of charity and kindness will live in the hearts of the people as a monument to his memory for many years to come.

, His funeral was conducted by the Woodmen Lodge, of which he was a member. The march to the cemetery was led by the Woodmen on foot, then came the choir and hearse, followed by the Doctor's team with his lap robe. hat, badge and medicine case. The scene was an impressive and effective one. pressive and effective one.

WILLIAM ZAHN.

The first settler in Starr township was William Zahn, the subject of this sketch, who settled on a homestead where he now resides in 1867. During his early residence there his little sons would gain some high point of land from where they could look over the surrounding country and inquire of their father how much of the land within their vision he possessed. Mr. Zahn would reply, with a wave of the hand. "Just as far as you can see." and he indeed felt as if it were, for the idea that so wild a waste of boundless prairie could ever be desired by settlers, was foreign to him. They had no neighbors except an old trapper who lived in a dugout under a big oak, on the bank of the creek, by the name of Tiffany.

Mr. Zahn is a native of Prussia, Germany, born in 1825, and emigrated to America in 1850. He had served three years in the war cavalry of Ger- many and after coming to America received a position in the military riding school at Hoboken, New Jersey. Finding all the avenues of employment or business closed by competition he decided to come west. He was married in Germany and with his wife and three children emigrated to Kansas. At Junction City, the terminus of the railroad, he bought two yoke of oxen and not being accustomed to driving cattle, he secured the service of a driver. They arrived in Starr township in a snow storm on AApril 10, 1867. Mr. Zahn had preceded his family a few weeks prior, built a dugout and returned for them. Their dugout was built on the bank of the creek. \ short time afterward a cloud burst occurred and the inmates were compelled to make their escape through a window as the door opened out to the Blood. They waded in water waist deep to get to the upland, and many of their goods were floated away. They then built on higher ground. Early in the 'seventies they

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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.

we're again deluged by a flood, which did much d'image, carrying away their gianary The lowlands were a seething flood for miles. They had built a Stone house soon after their arrival and a son was sleeping on a straw mattress in the basement. The first approval he had of the overflow was the sensation of being carried around the room on his bed of straw. The cattle were swim- ming in the flood to places of safety, but none were last.

In 1870 Mr. Zahn erected a massive stone structure, 20140 feet in the char, with basement and two doors alone. During this period emigration was rushing in and this was headquarters for all manner of entertainment. dances, thenters and Fourth of July pienies were all heldl there. The Zahn settlement was designated as Zahnville and was the center of amusement. \ home talent the itried compris known, as "Pipe Creek Theatrical Troupe." gave some very interesting entertainments there. They had a good band. known as the "Zahnstille String Band." .Viter the theater the improvised stage and cats would be removed and dancing would follow. Everybody at- tended. "with his mother, and his sisters, and his cousins, and his aus." It was also the "halfway place" or un, for the settlers en route to Clay ten- ter, or Junction City. For several years these were their nearest trading places, often taking more than a week to go and come to Junction City over the roadless prairies and bridgeless streams.

The country at that time abounded with elk. deer and antelope and an occasional buffalo. Mr. Zahn trapped many beaver, otter and coyotes, making it a profitable industry for several years. They had many Indian scares. One day Charles and his sister remained at home with their father, who was ill. while the other members of the family were away, and about forty Indians pint in an appearance. Three of their number came inside and with their bowie knives began whittling the chairs. Mr. Zahn bravely arose and secured his gun, which he drew on them. Charles and his sister in the meantime had slipped out and notified the neighbors, who hastily gathered together and drove them away. Many Indians camped along the creeks, drying and curing their ments obtained on the hunt. Mr. Zahn underwent many rare experiences and struggled with destiny for several years While on his return home from Junction City with a supply of provisions he was caught in a deluging rain. While attempting to cross a swollen stream the vehicle was upset and the one hundred dollars' worth of groceries were swept away-a severe loss at that time. One hundred dollars at the present time would almost purchase the whole stock of many of the pioneer stores, but an ordinary wash tub held all of Mr. Zahn's purchases upon this event.

Mr. Zahn was married in Germany in 1848 to Henrietta Wenzel. Of their eight children but two are now living. William and Charles. Four lived in maturity. William. the oldest son, is a farmer and lives just over the line in Ottawa county, where he owns two hundred acres of land and raises stock extensively. Charles lives on the homestead with his father since the death of their mother in July. igoo. but owns one hundred and sixty acres of land which he homesteaded. adjoining his father on the north. It is a well watered

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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 90

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