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 91
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
farm with a variety of fruit trees which bear abundantly. In 1892 he was mar- ried to Margaret Emiline Diller, the daughter of Martin Diller. The Dillers were among the early settlers of Cloud county. He took a homestead near Meredith and died shortly afterward. A sister. Anna Zahn Stocks, died in the spring of 1882. leaving a husband and four children. A son, Otto Zahn, died about seven years ago, leaving a wife and six children. He ran away from home at the age of fifteen years, went into the army and later joined a scouting party in Colorado. The Zahn children were educated at home. The first school they attended was seven miles distant and while en route they were in mortal terror of Indians and the coyotes.
For several years the Zahns found wheat raising most profitable, but finally went back to corn again, which they have raised along with oats and barley. Several years their corn has yielded sixty-five bushels to the acre on the uplands and far better on the bottom land. In 1901. the poorest corn year that Cloud county has known for many years, they raised eight thousand bushels of corn on one hundred acres of ground. They have hauled corn to Clay Center, receiving only ten cents per bushel. They keep a herd of about eighty head of native cattle. It is natural to suppose Mr. Zahn, having had the choice of homesteads, would select a good one, and such is the case. It is one of the finest farms in Starr township. watered by Chapman creek, a never failing stream. The historical big stone house stands as a monument on a high prominence of ground and can be seen for many miles distant in either direction-a reminder of the much good cheer it brought to the early settlers. The Zahns are industrious, thrifty and honest German people. Mrs. Zahn was missed in the community where she had lived so many years and where many of the well-to-do people of the neighborhood have been recipients of her kindness in the early days. Many of the settlers were poor and her charity was never withheld. She gave with a bountiful hand.
JAMES HANSON.
James Hanson, the subject of this sketch, is one of the very first settlers of Starr township. Mr. Ilanson does not hoast of a line of distinguished an- cestry, nor coat of arms on the panel of his door. but lives in the original dug- out, which is a home in the truest sense of the word. The hopes of his life were frustrated in the loss of his wife, who died in 1873, leaving Mr. Hanson with six children that he has raised with much credit. The quaintly primitive (lugout, where he will likely spend his declining years, is a model of neatness and comfort. Picturesquely shadowed by a giant cottonwood planted by his own hand and under whose clustering branches, after the daily task set free. he enjoys life in undisturbed repose.
Mr. Hanson came to Clond county in 1870 and homesteaded the land where he now lives, one and three-quarter miles southeast of Miltonvale. He is a native son of Ireland, born in 1825. When forty-five years
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
of age he came to America, accompanied by his wife and five children. After Stopping brief interval in Indiana and Illmots he came to Cloud county, Kan s.s. having his family in lawrence, and after taking up las claun returned. bringing them back with him, teching as it he had the whole world to himself. He has always been a tammer and is well contented that he came to Kansas. He owns two hundred and sixty acres of land, but is practically retired, his som managing his attars Ur Hansson says the chief lesson of prosperity to a Farmer in Kansas was, it be raised a crop to save enough for the next year In the event of a drouth or other disaster This crops have failed but twice in the thirty two years of his your in kansas come by grasshoppers and the other In chinch bug- Is chef industry 1- Bing com, hogy, hopes and cattle. the latter of the native and Hereford breeds
Mr Hansen's parents were Forward and Mary ( McClean) Hanson. Loth natives of Ireland, al ded there Mr. Hanson was Buried to Ehza- beth Finns, who was also a native di Ireland, and to this union six chakren were Born, all of whom are living and Mr. Hanson says, "They are all doing well, and never voted the Populist ticket " The eldest daughter, Jane, is the wie es David Farge-on, a farmer of Cloud county. Mary, wife of Benjamin Harrison, a farmer of Nebraska; Witham, who owns a farm adjoining his father's. John lives with his father and operates the farm: his family consists of a wife and little daughter. Samson, who lives in Miltonvale, and owns some good property there, meloding the Burdick Hotel: Edward, a farmer and successful stockman of Oklahoma.
Mr. Hanson was reared in the Epicopal church, under the High Church discipline. Her a man of integrity and unquestioned honor, whose word could be taken anreservally He is proud of his children, loyal to his friends. and has many adurable characteristics scarcely known outside of the family circle. He is eccentric, but entertaining and humorous, possessing to the full- est degree the famous "mother wit" of his country.
JAMES IL. BURBANK.
One of the most highly esteemed families of the Miltonvale community is that of J. H. Burbank, an old resident of Cloud county and an old veteran of the Civil war, whose narrow escapes indicate he has participated in many battles. Mr. Burbank is a native of the Netherlands of Holland, province of V'erichland, born in 1838. He is a son of Hilbrand and Gertrude ( Molland) Burbank.
Mr. Burbank in his earlier life, was a sea-faring man: went on the water at the age of thirteen years as a sailor on a merchant ship. He came to .Amer- ica and found employment in the factories of Rhode Island and when the threatening war clouds began to gather he was one of the first to offer his serv- ices for the protection of the Ang of his adopted country. He enlisted the day following the date of the first call. April 16, 1861. in Company G. First Rhode Island Volunteers, which was the first regiment equipped that came to Wash-
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
ington, and the first regiment reviewed at Washington by Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Burbank enlisted as a private but was promoted to second sergeant in 1862, for gallant conduct. Hle served as first sergeant. as substitute for a pris- oner of war, but was non-commissioned. He was one of twelve men who were struck by fragments of an exploded shell. Two of the number were killed outright and Mr. Burbank was left on the field for dead, but revived and was gathered in with the wounded. Having been a sailor, Mr. Burbank re- sponded to the call for volunteers for the navy and served on detached service in that department for eleven months, and was an able assistant when heavy artillery had to be brought into action. He was allowed to select his men for service from his regiment. He was on board a gun-boat with Commodore Perry in the skirmish of Black Water, near Franklin, Virginia, and had his coat pierced in this engagement with thirteen bullet holes; his hat was shot off his head three times, the last time knocking it overboard. The fleet con- sisted of three gun-boats, under Captain Flusher. For service and gallantry at Black Water Mr. Burbank received a bronze medal from the navy depart- ment, in which he takes a pardonable pride. It is a star surmounted by an American eagle, the bird hokling two minature guns, a sword, and shot in his talons. On the star is engraved a woman with a shield representing victory. the vanquished foc departing from her.
Governor Sprague was with Company G as war governor. At the first battle of Bull Run his horse was shot out from under him. Their regi- ment commander was the gallant General Burnsides. Mr. Burbank has par- ticipated in many a hard fought battle and in many a long and weary march. One of the heaviest losses his regiment sustained was the blowing up of the mine at Petersburg. Of the eighteen of his immediate company but two com- rades besides himself escaped. Four thousand men were lost all because their leaders were not sustained by the officers of other commands.
Mr. Burbank returned home on a furlough in 1864 and was married to Mary A. Burns. One year after his return home from the war, Mr. Burbank came west and settled in Macon county, Missouri, and through correspond- ence with a friend, Charles Proctor, he came to Kansas. He came to better his condition and succeeded admirably, for he has made a home where, sur- rounded by his estimable family, he enjoys all the comforts of life and under no condition would he return to his New England home. He is a true and staunch friend of the great state of Kansas. \ trip made to the East did much toward making Mr. and Mrs. Burbank contented with their western home.
Mr. Burbank visited the B. B. and R. Knight cotton mills at Natick, the largest corporation in the world, where forty years prior he met the girl that later shared alike his joys and sorrows. While visiting his old New England home in 1901 he attended the reunion at Providence, Rhode Island, which was held that year, and while there met some of his old regimental comrades. He also met Captain Chase of his company, whom he had lost all trace of since he was wounded in the head and could not speak for seven months. Mr. Bur- bank mourned him as dead until they met in Providence that summer, and as they rehearsed those experiences that were amusing. they both laughed. but
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IHISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
the nest moment as they perhaps recalled some pathetic scene of suffering and privatt n. these scarred veterans and old comrades wept like children.
In 18 -- Mr Burbank with his excellent funky lecame residents of Cloud comty and be meste ble I land three and one halt miles southwest of Milton Cale, in Cuikland township, where he rares and feeds graded cattle. He has at present a fine herd of one hundred and twenty five head. The first residence of the Burbank in Kansas consisted of a basement, with root of boards, where they lived in true poneer style and m this humble dwelling the first school of the district was taught The Burbanks are the only residents of the dis- tret that were there at that time In UNNg they built a substantial stone barn. an I m ISSO erected a commotions two story residence of seven rooms, and Mr Burbank has provided sheds for his cattle to protect them from the wintry Storms and shelter for all his stock.
Mrs. Burbank is a native of Glasgow Scotland. Her parents died when she was a child and she came to America with an aunt who had raised her. She lived with this aunt until her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Burbank seven children have been born, five of whom are living: John, the oldest child and only son, operates the farm and shares equally with his father in the profits and losses of the farm and stock. He with his little eight year old daughter. tirace, Inve with his parents, his wife having died. Nelle, the eldest daughter. teiches the square mel. toloring system and is very successful. Anna, the second daughter, Is learning the tailoring system with the intention of teach- ing 1. Gertrude assists her mother with the household duties. Agnes, the youngest daughter, has been a teacher in the Cloud county schools for two years. She was principally educated in the home district. These daughters have been reared in the school of industry and are intelligent, industrious young women.
Mr. Burbank attilates with the Republican party, but is an expansionist and considers his country before any other issue. He voted for Bryan in his first campaign. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Mil- tonvale post, and is an active worker. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Burbank retains his New England thrift and the econ- omy of his fatherland, which has lanh him a home where he can spend his de- clining years in comfort and care. His wife and children have been true help- ers and to them is due a share of the credit for their comfortable home. He had led an honorable career of real service and well doing and is reaping the comforts of a well spent life. surrounded by an interesting family: his wife. who is a true helpmate and companion, a son, who is honorable and industri- ons, four daughters, who are excellent young women, and a grandchild, little Grace, who has won her way into the hearts of the household.
DAVID WESLEY WATSON.
The subject of this sketch is D. W. Watson, a successful farmer and stockman of Oakland township. He is a son of Thomas Watson, an early settlers of Clark county. Illinois, who died in 1876.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
D. WV. Watson came to Cloud county in 1870, with a capital of less than twenty-five dollars, built a dugout and for several years barely eked out an existence. In October, 1878, he was married to Clara E. Burkhart, daugh- ter of J. E. Burkhart, of Oakland township.
Mr. Watson's family consists of four children, two boys and two girls : Walter Erwin is married to Florence May Smith, and owns eighty acres of land adjoining his father : Florence L. Eola, deceased ; Clarence Eugene, aged sixteen : Ethel May, and Lena Hazel, bright girls of thirteen and five years.
Mr. Watson has a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, but at- tributes his success to raising cattle and hogs. He keeps a herd of about one hundred head of native cattle. He has been fortunate in all of his shipments and made large gains on all but one. His farm is one of the best in Oakland township, with a stock well that is inexhaustible. He is a quiet, unostenta- tious man, but a good citien and neighbor.
CHARLES PROCTOR.
The subject of this sketch is Charles Proctor, one of the old landmarks of Miltonvale who has gained prominence both in the business arena and in politics. Mr. Proctor was born in Joe Daviess county, Illinois, in 1835, where he was educated and as soon as he attained his majority he accepted a position as travel- ing salesman with the Manny Reaper Com- pany until he responded to his country's call for men at the breaking out of the Civil war. He served three years in the Twentieth Wisconsin Regiment. under Colonel Henry C. Bertram. On the 2d day of March, 1803. he was promoted from first sergeant to sec- ond lieutenant of his company, and serve 1 with distinction all through the war. His brother George was a member of the same company. Their greatest loss occurred De- cember 7. 1862. at Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Of the four hundred and eighty men of his regiment they lost two hundred and sixty- two. Of his immediate company of forty- eight men thirty-two were killed and wound- ed. Mr. Proctor was taken to Fort Smith CHARLES PROCTOR. from this battle as a prisoner and detaine 1 two weeks when he was exchanged. After this engagement they returned to St. Louis and down the Mississippi river to Vicksburg and then to Yazoo City, which they captured and on to New Or- leans and across the Gulf of Mexico to Brownsville, Texas, where they laid
HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
the mme multe and on Monte this company were engaged in the 1. Aug of Fort Morgan and again in the spring of tog in the city of Mobile. regards endure They were musterel out July 15, 1805 A younger brother, Hen schel a few months at the closing of the war a la ot only fifteen
Immediately after the war Mr. Proto Lasted im Macon City, Missouri.
no he engrated to Goud county, during a here af cattle though, and tank country was sparsely settled at il a une and the mulink was not altogether As Inis tratime of the nevie - casting here at that time
archi replied. "I would ble to kann where I would go to," eumong little ianth m the resources and development of the cantiy
In 1886 Ar T'router moved to Morale and engaged in the drug bus At the expiration at øge ver he tere the store for land in Ottawa come He then endneed a red estate and nurance larmes until elected clerk of ( load o unt on 1888, which since he heal until 1802. The official record was one of pride to his constituents and satisfactory to all regardless of parts affiliation. He what can ts commissioner from 18-8 until 1881. Her a man of unquestionable principles and who holds the administration of office a sacred trust.
Mr. Procter has acquired a competency of the world's goods. He owns eight hundred and forty acres of land. most of which he has accumulated since coming to Cloud county and feeds from one hundred to two hundred head of native cattle. The Proctors have a suburban residence near Milton- vale which they have improved and made a desirable home.
Mr. Proctor's parents were Abel and Mary ( Moffatt) Proctor. Abel Proctor was born in Vermont in 1800. He had one brother and three sisters. They were of English and Scotch ancestry. When Abel Proctor attained the age of twenty-one years he started off with a one horse vehicle and sold shoes through the south until he landed at New Orleans, from which point he secured the position as clerk upon a steamboat plying the Mississippi river. In June, 1827. he landed in Galena, Illinois, when the lead mines were flour- ishing and when the Indian was more numerous than the white man. He was married in 1820, 10 Mary Moffat, a native of Maine, and whose father was driven out of Canada by the British during the rebellion. The Moffats moved to Peoria. Minois, in 1823. and later to Galena. Mrs. Proctor died in 1865. Abel Proctor sold his interests in Illinois and settled on a farm in Wright county, lowa. where he died in 1888 at the age of eighty-eight years.
Charles Proctor was one of seven children, all of whom are living except the eldest sister, who died at the age of sixty-seven years. Catherine, widow
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
of Samuel C. Noland, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Elizabeth, wife of John M. Brooks, of Wright county, Iowa. George, a miner of Joplin, Mis- souri. Mary Ann, wife of Duncan Mckinley, of Iowa. Henry, a resident of Hampton, Franklin county, Iowa.
Mr. Proctor was married in 1859, to Caroline Hundley, a daughter of Josiah and Julia A. (Avery) Hundley, an old English family who came to New York in an early day and settled near Galena, Illinois, in 1826. The Moffat and Avery families were neighbors in Peoria in 1823. Josiah Hund- ley died in California, in 1851 where he had gone during the gold excitement of 1849. His wife survived him until 1896. She was born in St. Louis and the Averys were the only American family in the town at that time.
To Mr. and Mrs. Proctor three children were born, viz : Eva S., wife of James Neill (see sketch) ; Ada C., wife of A. J. Culp (see sketch) ; Charles A., a young man of nineteen years, associated with his father in farming and stock raising. Mrs. Proctor died in April, 1892, and in 1894 Mr. Proctor was married to Emily E. Hundley, a sister of his former wife. Mrs. Proctor, who is a most estimable woman, was a teacher in her earlier life but ten years prior to her marriage was engaged in the millinery business in Nesla, Potta- watomie county, Iowa.
Mr. Proctor is a staunch Republican and takes an interest in all legisla- tive affairs, but is practically retired from public life and devotes a greater portion of his time to the domestic felicity of his home. He is an active mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was the first commander of the Miltonvale post and is its present adjutant.
A. J. CULP.
The subject of this sketch is A. J. Culp, a prominent and successful far- mer near Miltonvale, Kansas. Mr. Culp is a native of Indiana, born near Logansport, in 1861. His father was Valentine Culp, a native of Prussia, Germany, and left his home country to escape entering the standing army. Valentine Culp was the only one of his family that ever came to America. He settled in Indiana, took up land and lived there until his death in 1879, followed by the death of the wife and mother, six weeks later. Mr. Culp's mother was Elizabeth Harkey, who came with her father's family to America and were among the early settlers of Olio and Indiana.
Mr. Culp's parents having died while he was yet in his minority, he was thrown upon his own resources and in order to acquire an education, had to work on the farm in summer and go to school in winter until he obtained the ability to teach, and thus he earned his way to the Valparaiso Normal School two years, and later, a commercial course in the Business College there. In 1885 he came west and had the good judginent to locate in Cloud county where he has taught in some of the best schools. Mr. Culp was a teacher in the gram- mar grade of the Miltonvale schools for four years and principal for one 52
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IHISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
year At the expiration of his school work in Miltonvale he became interested in farming and stock raising and gave up the vocation of teaching.
In they're purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land one mile west of Vilonsale: the same year he married Mas Adat Proctor, who was also a tlou county teacher for three years Mr. Culp was prepared for teaching in the Emporia State Normal She is a daughter of Charles Proctor. (see sketch and when he was elected to the office of clerk of Cloud county, she was Ins deputy during the term of four years She is a refined, gentle woman and possesses more than ordinary talent in art, and many of her paintings adorn the walls of their beating home Mrs. Culp inherited one hundred and thirty acres of land adjoining her husband's farm.
Mr. Culp remodeled, and expended about seven hundred dollars on their residence and has one of the most desirable country homes in the vicinity of Miltonvale He bought and fault up a herd of cattle by degrees until he now keeps an average of about sixty head He started in kansas with a capital of . bout eiglu hundred dollars. Mr. Culp has been a Republican from the first ballot. They are members of the Presbyterian church and take an active partoon church work
JAMES NEILL.
Among the old settlers who have witnessed the growth and prosperity of Cloud county is James Nell Like all the sons of "Uncle Bennie" as he was known to every citizen of Miltonvale and vicinity, he is a straight- forward, honorable man who numbers his friends among all classes of society. He is an honest, whole souled fellow, the warmest and truest of friends.
JAMES NEILL.
Mr. Neill is a prosperous farmer living one mile west of Miltonvale. He home- steaded land two miles west of his present farm which he sold in 1883. and became in- terested in a meat market in Miltonvale, where he continued ten years. Mr. Neill be- gan life without a dollar and experienced all the hardships of the majority of the early settlers. He was present at the birth of Miltonvale and has seen that little city flour- ish, and also during the panic, when on the downward slide. In 1884 he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land and in 1893 erected a residence and moved to the farm. He now owns four hundred and eighty-three acres of land.
Mr. Neill was born and reared in County Down, Ireland: born in 1850.
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HISTORY OF CLOUD COUNTY, KANSAS.
He is of Scottish origin on the paternal side, his grandfather four generations removed, was from Scotland. Many of the Neill descendants are living on the homesteads of their ancestors in the old country.
Mr. Neill was married in 1879. to Eva S. Proctor, daughter of Charles Proctor ( sec sketch). To Mr. and Mrs. Neill have been born seven children, all but one of whom are living. The eldest child, Fannie, is a teacher in the grammar grade department of the Miltonvale schools. She is a graduate of the Miltonvale high school, class of 1896. Harry is a student of the high school department of Miltonvale. Ada, Eula, Eunice and Mabel.
Mr. Neill is a Republican in politics and has been trustee of his town- ship almost continuously since 1876. He has been one of almost every con- vention audience held in Cloud county. Received the nomination for county commissioner in 1893, and again in 1902. being elected to that office from the third district. He has been a Mason for more than twenty years and was one of the charter members of the Miltonvale lodge. He has filled the chair of Master Mason.
JOSEPH ELIJAH BURKHART.
J. E. Burkhart is one of the oldest settlers of Oakland township. He came to Kansas in 1870, and bought property in Topeka. The following year he came to Cloud county and settled in the Solomon valley, where he took up a homestead in Oakland township.
Mr. Burkhart was born January 3, 1838, in Butler, Pennsylvania. In 1872, he was ordained as a clergyman in the United Brethren church, filling the pulpit for twelve years; many of the citizens of Oakland township have been members of his congregation. Under personal conviction Mr. Burkhart withdrew from the ministry, and from the church, and was dismissed at his own request. He has since become an agnostic, assuming thought is God. He is author of the following poem which was published in a standard work:
"A thinking man's akin to God, Great fountain of mind, A quenchless flame let nature laud All living men that's kind.
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