USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 27
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 27
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C. K. Mills was married to Mary Convoy who died in Allen County,
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Kansas, March 17. 1898. She was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, and was the mother of: Thomas Mills, who died near Edmund, Oklahoma, and left two sons; John Mills, of Oregon; James Mills, of Iola; Mary, wife of George Silvers, of Kansas City, Missouri; Lizzie, who married A. T. Kennedy; Agnes, widow of Frank Cain; Cristopher K. Jr., of Oregon ; Samuel Mills; Julia, wife of Edward Marsoth, of Iola; Kate, wife of Alfred Nelson, of Allen County; William Mills; Rosa, wite of James McKaughan, of Allen County, and Isabel, wife of William La Vell.
M RS. MARY M. BROWNING, of Savonburg, was born in Franklin County, Illinois, April 3. 1853. Her father, Colonel James J. Dowlins, was also a native of that State, and there married Susan Ann Hartley, who was born in Kentucky and went with her parents to Illinois when a maiden of twelve summers. The Colonel was a prominent and in- fluential citizen of his community, and for a number of years officially served as county clerk of Franklin County. When the Civil war broke out he resolved to aid in the preservation of the Union, and in August, 1861, enlisted in the Eighty-first Illinois Infantry, of which he was com- missioned colonel. After serving one year and nine months, during which time he had participated in the battle of Fort Donelson, and had sustained a severe wound in the head at the battle of Shiloh. he proceeded to Vicks- burg, where on the 22nd of May, 1863, he laid down his life on the altar of his country, a minie ball causing his death while his regiment was making a charge on the enemy's works. Thus fell one of the most gallant, brave and noble commanders in the Federal army. He was then but thirty-one years of age. He had the confidence and friendship of his superiors, and the love and respect of those who served under him. From the pen of R. M. Wheatley, of DuQuoin, Illinois, familiarly known as "Hardshell," came the following poem. "written in honor of James J. Dowlins of the Eighty-first Illinois Infantry, who fell on the 22nd of May, 1863, while leading his band in that memorable charge on the rebel works at Vicksburg:"
"Onward to victory," nobly he cried, "Onward to victory," onward till he died. In arms the rebel phalanx stood Behind their works of earth and wood.
"Give us vict, ry or give us death," Brave Dowlins cried with his last breath; And "Onward" was the last command That Dowlins gave his gallant band.
Through whizzing shot and bursting shell, Onward he charged until he fell; A fatal ball had pierced his head And made the gallant colonel dead.
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May holy reverence mark the grave Where lies Dollins, the leader brave; May holy angels guard his tomb And heavenly spirits waft him home.
Five children were left to.mourn the loss of the gallant colonel and three of the number are now living, as follows: Mrs. Browning, Mrs. Delilah A. Swafford, and Joseph L. Dolling.
The first named spent her girlhood days in her parents' home and in 1872 she gave her hand in marriage to Joseph B. Martin, a native of Illinois, who like her father had served as a soldier in the Civil war. He was a member of Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Illinois In- fantry, and died in 1879, from wounds received in the army. They had two children: John W., now a resident of McCune, Kansas; and Mrs. Ida May Smith, of Chanute, Kansas. Mrs. Martin was married to Joseph Browning, a native of Illinois, and by her second marriage had five chil- dren. of whom four are now living, namely: Mrs. Maud P. DeHart; Ida G., wife of Homer McCallen; and Fred and Fay who are with their mother.
In 1880 Mrs. Browning came to Kansas, and for some time resided on a farm at McCune. Later she purchased a farm near Chanute, where she remained for twelve years, and then sold that property. Coming to Savon- burg, she bought the City Hotel, greatly improved the building by erecting an addition, and gave her attention to the conduct of the hotel till about the first of the year 1901.
N ATHANIEL. T. HOLMES, who is numbered among the enterpris- ing young business men of Savonburg, has lived for little more than three decades, yet has attained a creditable degree of prosperity in com- mercial circles as the reward of well directed labors. Hs was born in Pax- ton, Ford County, Illinois, on the 24th of October, 1868, and is the fourth in order of birth in a family of -children. He is of Swedish parentage, his father, W. S. Holmes, being born in Sweden and came to America in 1852, taking up his residence in Illinois. There he married Miss Cora Matson. The mother died after the removal of the family to Kansas, and the father and one son are now in the State of Washington. One son, L. L. Holmes, is a resident of Iowa, but the other members of the family are living in Allen County. They arrived there on the 12th of March, 1870. when the subject of this review was only one and one-half years of age, and located upon a farm where the town of Savonburg now stands, and amid the scenes of frontier life Nathaniel T. Holmes was reared. He pursued his education in the common schools of the county until he had completed the curriculum and then spent two terms as a student in the Fort Scott College, On laying aside his text books he secured a clerkship in Charles Nelson's grocery store at Savonburg, remaining in the employ of that
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gentleman for five years. During that time he saved his earnings, and adding this to some borrowed money he purchased a stock of goods and embarked in business on his own account, The new venture proved suc- cessful from the beginning and in ninety days he was enabled to discharge his indebtedness. The secret of his success lies in his strict attention to business, his obliging manner and his honorable dealing.
Mr. Holmes votes with the Republican party and at all times stands ready to advance its welfare along legitimate lines or contribute to the support of his friends who are seeking office. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Savonburg. He speaks and reads his father's native tongue, is a well informed man and a reliable and progressive citizen.
P ETER M. LINQUIST, a farmer of Elsmore township, was born in Sweden on the 3rd of June, 1834, a son of James P. and Mary ( Pet- erson) Linquist. both of whom spent their entire lives in Sweden. The subject of this review remained in that country until twenty-three years of age, when hoping to find better opportunities than were afforded in the old countries of Europe, he crossed the Atlantic to America, arriving in Henry county, Illinois, in 1857. There he began working by the month for he had no capital, and it was necessary to depend upon the labors of his hands for his support. It was after his arrival in Illinois that he was married to Miss Edna Carlson, a Swedish lady, who came to the United States with her parents in 1852, locating in Illinois. Mr. Linquist re- moved to Warren county, Illinois, where he was employed for three years and then returned to Henry county, there purchasing a farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres, making it his place of residence for seven years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Moline, Illinois, and through the seven succeeding years was in the employ of the John Deere Plow Com- pany. The year 1879 witnessed his arrival in Kansas. He took up his abode in Elsmore township, Allen county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, and began the improvement of what is now one of the finest farms around Savonburg, supplied with modern accessories and conveniences. His fields are highly cultivated, and in ad- dition to the raising of grain he handles all kinds of stock.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Linquist have been born eight children, as follows: Rosa, wife of Olaf Swanson, now in Kansas City, Missouri; Emma H., wife of John Johnson; Nellie and Caroline, at home; Esther, who is engaged in teaching school in Savonburg; Peter S., George and David, who are still with their parents. The three last named possess considerable musical talent, a love of the art of music being a characteristic of the family. By his ballot Mr. Linquist supports the Republican party. He has filled the office of township treasurer for a number of years, and in November, 1900, was elected township trustee. His marked fidelity to the duties of citizen- ship is a guarantee of faithful service. Mr. Linquist's hope of benefitting
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his financial condition in America has been more than realized. Improv- ing his opportunities he has placed his reliance upon the substantial quali- ties of diligence and perseverance and has therefore acquired creditable success. .
W ILLIAM F. ENOS, who is engaged in blacksmithing in Savon- burg, is numbered among the native sons of Wisconsin who have sought homes in the Sunflower state. He was born in Evansville, on the 14th of November, 1847. His father, John Enos, removed from Indiana to Wisconsin and was married in that state to Miss Hulda Griffith. They spent their remaining days in the Badger state, being people of the highest respectability and held in warm regard by their many friends. Under the parental roof the subject of this review was reared, and in the common schools near his home he conned the lessons that gave him a knowledge of the branches of English learning. At the age of sixteen he enlisted in the naval service of the United States, taking passage on a vessel at Chicago on the 2nd of April, 1864. He served for nine monthis on the United States man-of-war Benton, in the Sixth Division of the Mississippi Squad- ron, and was then transferred to the warship Brilliant where he remained until honorably discharged at the close of the war. He was very young when he entered the service and as hostilities ceased not long afterward he did not engage in many important naval battles, but his bravery and valor were tested and found to be equal to that of many a time-tried veteran.
At the close of the war Mr. Enos returned to Wisconsin and began learning the blacksmith trade which he followed until twenty years of age. He then left the Badger state for the district west of the Mississippi river. removing to Iowa where he was employed for three years. On the expira- tion of that period he once more became a resident of Wisconsin where he followed blacksmithing until 1893, the year of his removal to South Da- kota. After a year devoted to farming in that section of the country he went to Crowley, Louisiana, where he was engaged in the cultivation of rice until 1896, when he came to Kansas and made his home at Stark till 1898. He has since been a resident of Savonburg and has con- ducted a blacksmithing and wagon-making establishment. He has a good location and enjoys a liberal patronage. He also conducts a farm and both branches of his business are proving to him a profitable source of income.
On the 26th of September, 1868, Mr. Enos was united in marriage to Miss Lucy W. Haywood. Unto them have been born eight children, as follows: William H., a resident of Joplin, Missouri; Cora M., the wife of Charles Benson, of South Dakota; Archie, who is employed in the shop of his father; Carrie B., the wife of John Benson, of South Dakota; Pearl, the wife of Perry Huff, of Savonburg; Edith, the wife of John Ridgeway; Katy P., who is in Louisiana, and Clarence and Raymond, who are still under the parental roof. A consideration of the political questions of the day
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have led Mr. Enos to give his support to the men and measures of the Re- publican party. He is now a member of Savonburg Post, G. A. R., and this relationship indicates the time when among the boys in blue he loyally served his country in order to perpetuate the Union. At all times his duties of citizenship are faithfully performed and he withholds his sup- port from no measure which he believes will contribute to the general good.
S TEPHEN H. WEITH .- Numbered among the most energetic and progressive farmers of Elm township is S. H. Weith, whose farm is supplied with all modern accessories and conveniences while the well-tilled fields give evidence of the careful supervision of their owner. As he is well known his life record can not fail to prove of interest to many of the readers of this volume.
Stephen H. Weith was born in Peoria county, Illinois, January 13, 1850. His father, George Weith, emigrated from Germany at the age of twenty-four years, and took up his residence in Peoria county, Illinois. It was in 1838 that he settled in that western country, then being filled np with some of the best blood of all nations whose posterity have made rich the pages of history in the professions, statesmanship, science and the mechanical arts. Our subject's father was offered a block of land, now almost in the center of the city of Peoria, for two months' work but de- clined, to give his labors to some enterprise then more promising of im- mediate reward. He located in Hollis township that county and engaged in farming and teaming.
George Weith married Elizabeth Walters who was born in Switzer- land. During her childhood the latter came with her parents to the United States and became settlers of Peoria county, Illinois. The union of this couple was productive of three children, John, Stephen and Rose. John Weith died in Iola, Kansas. He came to Kansas in 1870, was a black- smith-a fine mechanic-and was one of the worthy men of his adopted city.
George Weith was one of a family of five sons. Two of his brothers survive and are in the Fatherland. George died in 1853 and his widow be- came the wife of a Mexican soldier, Kobler, residing in Peoria county, Illinois.
Stephen Weith, the subject of this review, was thirteen years of age when his mother died. He was thus thrown upon his own resources at a tender age. All that he has achieved has come as a reward for his indi- vidual labors. In January 1877 he visited Allen county, Kansas, and the next month purchased a large tract of land in Elm township and soon thereafter began the work of developing a farm from the treeless waste of prairie. In the little more than a score of years which have elapsed since his advent to the county Mr. Weith has brought into existence fields and
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orchards and barus and a commodious residence and his is one of the attractive homesteads of the township.
As a companion Mr. Weith chose Ella Shanklin. The wedding oc- curred just before their removal to Kansas and their marriage has been blessed with the following surviving children: George, Archibald and Josie.
In politics Mr. Weith is well known as a Populist. He espoused the "cause of the people" in 1890 and has lent his influence in support of the principles enunciated by his party. He is one of the leaders of Elm township in that organization and has filled the office of Township Trus- tee and director of the school board.
Mr. and Mrs. Weith are members of the Presbyterian church of Iola and all who know them hold them in high regard.
R ICHARD R. CLAIBORNE, proprietor of the Iola Cider, Sorghum and Corn Mill and Vinegar Works, is a representative of one of the old and famous families of the United States, being lineally descended from William Claiborne, who was sent out by Charles I., King of England, as Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and who at one time ruled both Virginia and Maryland. This William Claiborne is styled by Chief Justice John Marshall, in his life of Washington, as "the evil genius of Mary- land," he having besieged Annapolis and driven Lord Proprietor Calvert out of the Province. His career in America was long and turbulent but he tri- umphed to the last, being sustained against all his enemies by Charles I., Cromwell and Charles II., under all of whom he held high office in the new world. He fell in battle with the Indians and his tomb may yet be seen at Wancock Hill, Virginia.
The descendants of William Claiborne became numerous in Virginia as they remained there for many generations without emigrating, filling many of the highest offices in the Commonwealth and intermarrying with its most distinguished families.
Richard Claiborne, our subject's paternal grandfather, was a Revo- lutionary soldier. He entered the Virginia line as a lieutenant, was aide- de-camp to General Greene during the whole of his southern campaign, and left the service at the close of the war, a major. He took up the prac- tice of law in Virginia, and when his cousin. Wm. C. C. Claiborne, was appointed by President Jefferson Governor of the Territory of Lousiana, then just made a part of the United States by purchase, he accompanied him to New Orleans as his private secretary. After the admission of the State of Lousiana he was appointed clerk of the District Court of the United States and continued to hold this position until the time of his death which occurred in 1819.
Richard Claiborne married Catherine Ross, a daughter of Brigadier General James Ross, of the Revolutionary army, and a grand-daughter of
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George Ross, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Their children were Guilford Green Claiborne, our subject's father, and Hen- rietta Virginia Claiborne, who married Preston Billings Elder, of Pennsyl- vania.
Richard R. Claiborne, the subject of this sketch was born at Colum- bia, Pennsylvania, September 7, 1838, and is the son of Guilford Greene Claiborne who was for many years a prominent official of the Pennsylvania railroad. When but eighteen years of age Richard R. Claiborne entered upon the active duties of life as Statistical Clerk in the Philadelphia custom house, an appointment made by direction of President Buchanan. He con- tinued in office during a part of the administration of President Lincoln and resigned to take the superintendency of the Linscott Petroleum and Coal Company at Athens, Ohio. This position he resigned to assume the manage- mient of the James River Granite Company, at Richmond, Va., resigning this latter position to engage in the coal business in Philadelphia. In 1870 he came to Kansas for the purpose of engaging in the cattle business. He located first in Neosho county, near the town of Osage Mission (now St. Paul) establishing an extensive ranch on Walnut creek. In 1882 he came to Allen county, purchased the J. W. Scott homestead in Carlyle township, and made his home there until 1890 wlien he came to Iola, purchasing the Cider and Vinegar industry then carried on by the firm of Potter & Mc- Clure, in the building now used by the Iola Creamery. He soon removed the machinery to block 115, where he erected new buildings, put in a larger plant and greatly extended the business. Under careful and intelli- gent management the industry grew rapidly and had already become one of much importance when, in 1898, the buildings and plant were totally de- stroyed by fire. Not daunted by this disaster Mr. Claiborne secured a tract of land just east of the city, erected there a new and larger plant, and is rapidly regaining the ground lost by this unhappy misfortune.
Mr. Claiborne was married in February, 1872, at Bridge Water, Mas- sachusetts, to Elnora Bartlett, a daughter of Joseph and Mary E. Bartlett. The two children of this union are Clarence Elder Claiborne, born in 1873, and George Ross Claiborne, born in 1876 and married in 1899 to Edith Emerson of Iola.
During the nearly twenty years Mr. Claiborne has lived in Allen county he has so conducted himself as to win the respect and the cordial esteem of all who have had either business or social relations with him. Of polished manners and excellent education, with a fine sense of personal honor, he has maintained the reputation of the distinguished name he bears and has made a record that well entitles him to a place among the representative men of Allen county.
H ENRY A. BROWN, M. D .- Men of marked ability, forceful charac- ter and culture leave their impress upon the world written in such indelible characters that time is powerless to obliterate their memory or
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sweep it from the minds of men. Their commendable acts live long after they have passed from the scene of their earthly careers. Dr. Brown is one of the strong characters who have become an integral part in the business life of Humboldt and has gained marked prestige as a representative of the humane calling to which he devotes his energies.
He was born May 15, 1851, near Burlington. Iowa. His father, Sydney Brown, was a native of Ohio, and married Miss Jane Hawkins, also of that State. A farmer by occupation he removed to Iowa in 1850 and operated a tract of land near Burlington for a few years. He then went to Cincinnati, Iowa, where he and his wife spent their remaining days, the father passing away in 1894, at the age of ninety-four years, while the mother was called to her final resting place in 1889, at the age of fifty-nine. They were the parents of four children: Mrs. Mariam Pritchard and Mrs. Rebecca Corder, who reside at Cincinnati, Iowa; Mrs. Isabella Atherton, of Hannibal, Missouri, and Henry A.
The doctor pursued his education in the common schools until twelve years of age, when he entered a drug store, where he was employed for some time. Resuming his studies 'he was graduated in the high school in Cincinnati, and with considerable knowledge of the drug business he de- termined to enter upon the study of medicine and make its practice his life work. He became a student in the office and under the direction of Dr. J. M. Sturdevant, and later entered the medical college at Keokuk, Iowa.
On completing his course in that institution he returned to his old home in Cincinnati, where he opened an office and began practicing in 1876, re- maining there until the spring of 1879, when he sought a new field of labor in Earlton, Kansas. He represented the medical fraternity of that city for ten years and in 1889 came to Humboldt where he has since resided, building up a large and constantly increasing practice. He exercises great fraternal delicacy in his work and has strict regard for the ethics of the professional code. His knowledge of the medical science is comprehensive and exact, and thus he has attained a prominent position in his chosen calling. His broad humanitarian spirit prompts his response to every call, no matter what hardships are entailed in making the visit. He never refuses to visit a patient even when he knows that no pecuniary reward may be expected, but he also has a large patronage from among the more substantial class of citizens in Humboldt and the surrounding country.
Dr. Brown has been twice married and by the first union had one daughter, Mrs. Ella Bordenkircher, of Chanute, Kansas. For his second wife the doctor chose Miss Minnie, daughter of Eli and Mary Neff, who are residents of Humboldt, Mr. Neff being one of the largest stock traders in both Allen and Wilson counties. The doctor is a member of various in- surance orders, and fraternal and medical societies. In politics he has al- ways been a stalwart Republican and has twice been elected and served as coroner of Allen County. He has, however, never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to give his attention to his business a ffairs.
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W ILLIAM DAVIS-Among the conspicuous characters and success- ful farmers of Allen County is William Davis, of Marmaton township. He has been in the county more than a generation, for he came to it in April 1878, and, as is well known, settled upon a piece of the dis- puted land. He aided for twenty years in carrying on an honest and ag- gressive legal fight for land which he believed the settlers were entitled to and only ceased when the court of last resort said he was in the wrong. His home place, the southeast quarter of section 19, township 25, range 21, presents such an appearance of unusual development as to warrant a passerby in believing it an old-settled, pioneer place. While it is a new farm practically, yet it is an old one for there hadn't been a plow stuck into it nor a post driven on it before Mr. Davis took possession of it.
Mr. Davis came into Allen County from Appanoose County, Iowa, to which point he went two years after the close of the Rebellion. He was born in Noble County, Ohio, May 21, 1844. His father, Elijah Davis, was also reared in Noble County, Ohio, but was born in Virginia. He was married to Mary Buckley in Noble County and died there in 1887 at the age of seventy-nine years. He was a successful and prosperous farmer, was identified with the Republican party and maintained himself. as a citi- zen, honorable before the world.
Our subject's paternal grandfather was Thomas Davis. He was a school teacher and farmer and was a native of the "Old Dominion', state. He died about 1854, aged seventy years and was descended from Scotch ancestry.
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