USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 35
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 35
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Mr. Smith has always been active in all measures taken for the up- building of Humboldt and is now a large stock holder in the Humboldt Brick Manufacturing Company. He has always been an active Republi-
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can and has taken a warm interest in the success of his party. Personally he has had no desire for office and his business has always occupied his entire time. He has served as Treasurer of the City of Humboldt for sev- eral years and is a member of the Knight Templars and other secret societies.
H ENRY EBERT .- One of the respected citizens and prosperous farmers of Allen county is Henry Ebert, who was born in Germany, on the 28th of January, 1839. His father, Frederick Ebert, was also a native of the same country and was there married to Amelie Snyder, whose birth occurred in that land. In 1849 they bade adieu to home and friends and with their family came to the new world, locating in Ohio. The father was a contractor and for a time was identified with business interests in Cincinnati, but subsequently removed to Illinois, making his home upon a farm there from 1857 until 1871, when he died at the age of sixty- five years. His wife, who was born in 1808, died in 1882, at the age of seventy -four years. They were the parents of two children, Augusta and Henry. The former married Albert Martin and is living in Decatur, Illinois.
Henry Ebert spent the first ten years of his life in the fatherland and then came with his parents to America. He learned the brass molder's trade and followed that occupation in Cincinnati until the removal of the family to Illinois. At the time of the Civil war and in response to the country's call for aid, he enlisted on the 15th of August, 1862, as a member of Company I, One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, with which he served until honorably discharged at the close of the war. He partici- pated in all the battles and engagements that his regiment had part in and was severely wounded at Vicksburg, May 19th, 1863, a ball shattering the front part of his lower jaw. In February of the same year he was pro- inoted to the rank of sergeant of his company and after his wound has suf- ficiently healed he returned to his regiment, October 21st, 1863. When hostilities had ceased he received an honorable discharge and with a credit - able military record returned to his Illinois home.
In 1882 Mr. Ebert came to Kansas and located on the farm which is still his home. It is the "Cottage. Corner" farin and is located in the southwest corner of Allen county. In his agricultural pursuits he has been successful and now owns a valuable and attractive property, its riclily cul- tivated fields indicating his careful supervision and enterprising spirit. He has also engaged in stock raising, which has been a profitable source of income to him, and to-day he is the possessor of a comfortable competence and is regarded as one of the leading farmers of the community.
Mr. Ebert has been twice married. While in Illinois he wedded Miss Ellen S. Neyhard, a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, and unto them were boru five children: Alvin H., who is residing in Rosedale, Kansas; Irvin,
.
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who is engaged in the plumbing and gas-fitting business in Chanute, Kan- sas; William A., who enlisted in Company F, Twentieth Kansas Volun- teers, and went to Manila where he was very severely wounded in an en- gagement. He was discharged in Manila, and is still in that city; Anna A. and Richard both died in infancy. The mother died September 24th, 1879 in Illinois. Mr. Ebert was again married, his second union being with Ellen Shaffer, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Peter H. Shaffer, who was born in the Keystone state in 1823. He married Sarah Grove, who died in January, 1900, at the age of seventy-six years, but Mr. Shaffer is yet living at the age of seventy-seven. They had two children: John, who is living on a farm in this locality, and Mrs. Ebert. By her former marriage she had one child, Frank. The children of the second marriage are Fred, Sadie, Bessie and Anna, all at home. The family is well known in the community and their friends are many.
J ESSE BARKER, foreman in the office of the Humboldt Union, was born in Keosauqua, Van Buren county. Iowa, July 21, 1850. His father, Jesse B. Barker, a native of Indiana, was married to Amelia Scott, a native of Missouri, who had moved with her parents to Iowa in an early day. The elder Mr. Barker is still living in Montana at the advanced age ot seventy-four years. Jesse Barker is the only living child of this union.
Mr. Barker had a common school education. At the tender age of ten years he began to learn the printer's trade. He worked two years and eight months in a printing office in his native city and then two years in Ottumwa, Iowa. His health tailing he went to Hancock county, Illinois, and, learning the carpenter's trade, worked at it for several years. He spent a few years on a farm and, in 1883, came west, locating in Anderson county. He was soon installed as editor of the Anderson County Demo- crat and for two and a half years resided in and near Garnett. An offer of a good position on the Humboldt Union caused him to leave Garnett in 1886 and he came to Humboldt taking charge of the mechanical depart- ment of the paper. His long connection with the newspaper business has given him a thorough knowledge of the work and he has the confidence and esteem of his employer.
Originally a Democrat Mr. Barker found himself out of accord with his party in 1890 and he allied himself with the Republicans. He has since been an active member of that party.
Mr. Barker has never married, but "while there is life there is hope" is the old adage. He is a Mason and a member of the Order of Eastern Star and has filled offices in both lodges.
AMES M. WALLACE, one of the highly respected citizens of Hum- boldt, was born in Springfield, Illinois, January 17, 1829. His father, John Wallace, was born in Georgetown, South Carolina, August 3, 1800,
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and moved with his parents to Illinois when but twelve years old. He was a wagon-maker by trade and followed that business in Illinois for many years. Upon reaching manhood's estate he was married to Miss Minerva Myers, a native of Davis County, Kentucky.
The schools of those days were of little consequence and the only edu- cation it was possible for a child to get was from the schools which were conducted by teachers who received their pay from the scholars who at- 1ended. These schools Mr. Wallace attended and received such meager instruction as they afforded. When sixteen years of age he was apprenticed to a carpenter and served with him for four years. Two years of this time he worked for his board and clothes and two months schooling each year. The early love for the carpenter's trade has never left him and although most of his life has been spent on a farm he has always worked more or less at the trade he learned in those early days.
October 19, 1849 he was married to Miss Mary Garver, a native of Pennsylvania, and to them has been born eight children. Seven of these children still survive: John J., David C., Emma A. Zigler, of Emporia; Charles S .; William C .; James A. and Mary C., all scattered about over Colorado, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas.
Mr. Wallace was living in Illinois when the war came on and although he had a large family he answered the call for troops, enlisting August 2, 1862, in Company C, 116th Illinois volunteers. He was elected a lien- tenant of his company and after a month's drill his regiment was sent to the front. They landed at Memphis, Tennessee, and were soon sent south to re-enforce troops that had previously been sent down into Mississippi. Mr. Wallace was taken sick on the march and he was sent to the hospital. Here he lay for a long time and when he had recovered sufficiently to travel he was sent back to Decatur with health shattered. Here he was given detached duty, enforcing the draft, arresting deserters and the like. This work continued until the close of the war and in 1865 he was mustered out. The year 1867 he came to Kansas to look up a location and finally located in Humboldt. He bought a farm five miles west of that city and returned to Illinois and brought his family out to their new home. In this vicinity he has lived until the present time. He improved that farm, which was a wilderness when he came here, until it is one of the best in
the county. His life has been filled with hard work and in 1896 he moved to Humboldt, determined upon a partial rest. His activity for the good of the city soon brought him in contact with municipal affairs and he was elected Police Judge. He is now mayor of the city.
Politically he has always been an ardent Republican and for many years was an active worker in the ranks of that party. He is a member of the Masonic order.
M RS. JENNIE JONES, wife of the late A. A. Jones, was born in Philadelphia, May 24, 1851. Her father, George Marshall, was also a native of that city, born April 27, 1826, and there he lived until after
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he had attained to man's estate. In early life he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for a number of years. He married Miss Naomi Thompson, who was born in England in 1830, and came to America withi her parents in 1844, being then a maiden of fourteen years. They took passage on a sailing vessel and encountered some very rough weather, sixty-six days having elapsed from the time they left the English port until they reached the harbor of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall were married on the 23rd of July, 1850, and in 1900 they celebrated their golden wedding. They are both well preserved people who look as if they might be spared for many years to come, and in that hope their friends all join. In 1852 Mr. Marshall removed with his family to Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio, and in 1854 journeyed still farther westward, locating at Grandview, Illinois, where Mr. Marshall worked at his trade of blacksmithing until 1870, when he came to Allen County, Kansas, and purchased a raw tract of prairie land six miles east of Humboldt. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon the place, but with characteristic energy he began its development and continued its cultivation for twenty-two years. He and his wife then removed to Humboldt and have since resided with their daughter.
Mrs. Jones is their only child. She spent her girlhood days under the parental roof and on the 24th of August, 1890, became the wife of A. A. Jones, who was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, and came to Humboldt in 1885. Here he built the elevator and feed mills and conducted an exten- sive business, buying and shipping grain of all kinds, and grinding feed. He was then one of Humboldt's enterprising business men, energetic, reliable and trustworthy. but death came to him very unexpectedly and his life's labors were thus ended February 27. 1893. As a citizen he was loyal and progressive. as a friend faithful and as a husband and father devoted and tender. He left a wife and the four children of his first marriage to mourn his loss. These are: Harry E., Cora Chester, who is attending the State University at Lawrence, Kansas, and Etta and Forest, who are now students in the schools of Humboldt. Mrs. Jones, her parents and the children are all living very happily together in a pleasant residence in Humboldt, and she takes as great interest in rearing the children as though they were her own. In addition to hier home in Humboldt she owns a good farm, and is one of the most highly esteemed ladies of the community.
W ILLIAM BRAUCHER, of Humboldt, Allen County, is a gentle- man whom the citizens of his county have delighted to honor. His character is a combination of traits that make true men and worthy citizens and his life has been an open book to the people of Allen County for nearly a third of a century. Mr. Braucher was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, January 24, 1845, and is a son of a pioneer to the Buckeye State. The latter was Joseph Braucher, born in Pennsylvania and a sou of
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German parents whose migration to the United States occurred about the opening of the 19th century.
Joseph Braucher married Julia Antoinette Hawley ( Halley), a native of New York and of English parents. He engaged in the dry goods busi- ness in early manhood and made merchandising his business through life. The scene of his business activity was in Ohio, and he retired when the infirmities of age were found to be creeping upon him. He died at the age of eighty years.
William Braucher attended the common schools until he was prepared to enter college. At sixteen he became a student at Wittenburg Lutheran College and there took up the study of the orthodox faith. The ministry was his ultimate goal. For a further preparation and following a com- pletion of the course in the Lutheran institution he entered a military . college in Cleveland, Ohio, and while there the war between the states was in progress. His enlistment followed in the course of time and his regi- ment, the 129th Ohio Volunteers, saw some of the real service in that struggle. It aided in the capture of Cumberland Gap and then re-enforced General Burnside at Knoxville and aided General Sherman in releasing Burnside after a twenty-five day siege.
Upon his return from his army service Mr. Braucher went into his father's store and remained three years Having accumulated a small amount of cash in the spring of 1868 he came into Allen County. He purchased a farm five miles south of Humboldt and entered upon a new and semi-strange experience. A new farm always furnishes ample oppor- tunity for the display of industry and art in its improvement and in these elements Mr. Braucher was not lacking. His soil was fertile and the in- dustry and good taste of its owner rapidly made the farm one of the attractive country homes in his township.
During the early years of his residence in Kansas Mr. Braucher was associated with G Y. Smith in the dry goods business in Humboldt. Mr. Smith, now located in Fort Worth, Texas, was one of the prominent merchants of Allen County and Mr. Braucher's connection with his store covered a period of over five years. Later he spent two years behind the counters of Hysinger & Rosenthal, another firm whose history covers many of the early and prosperous years of Humboldt's existence. In February. 1898, Mr. Braucher lost his wife and he rented his farm to which he had moved and returned to Humboldt soon thereafter. Seeing au opening he engaged in the furniture business but soon sold this and engaged in the hardware business.
In December, 1870, Mr. Braucher married Isabel Heath. She left three children, viz .: Joseph W., Edward Allen and Halley Heath Braucher. The first two are in Kansas City and the last named is with his father in Hum- boldt. In January, 1899, Mr. Braucher married Mrs. Margaret ( Bragg) Johnson.
In the matter of the conduct of public affairs in Allen County Mr. Braucher has always shown an active and intelligent interest. His rare judgment and his wise discrimination in matters of public policy make him
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an admirable public servant. He served Cottage Grove township in an official capacity and was elected County Commissioner for a term of three years. His political affilations are with the Republican party.
In his business and social relations Mr. Braucher is the prototype of honesty and sincerity. His practice of meeting his engagements promptly and otherwise maintaining his good name are matters of common report. He is courteous and affable and is without the objectionable qualities of manner too often present with the business and professional men of our day.
W P. McGREW .- Among the native sons of the Sunflower state · W. P. McGrew is numbered, while in the business circles of Humboldt he is recognized as an important factor. He was born in Doug- las county, Kansas, February 10, 1862. His father, William McGrew, was a native of Indiana and married Lucinda Dickey, who was also born in that state They arrived in Kansas in 1860, and the following year the father enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of the Eleventh Kansas Infantry, with which he was associated until victory crowned the northern arms and the sound of musketry was no longer heard in the land. He died in 1896 at the age of fifty-six years, and his widow is now a resi- · dent of Chetopa, Kansas
W. P. McGrew was the second in order of birth in their family of nine children, and learned the plasterer's trade under the direction of his father, following that pursuit for about sixteen years. He then went to the In- dian Territory, where he worked in a cotton gin in a custom mill for some time, after which he returned to Chetopa, Kansas, and entered into part- nership with Mr. Bartlett. They purchased a flouring mill which they still own and operate, the plant having a capacity of thirty barrels per day. Wishing to enlarge their business, in 1896 they purchased the mill site in Humboldt and built a large flouring mill with a capacity of fifty barrels per day and equipped with the latest improved machinery. In February, 1900, Mr. M-Grew came to Humboldt to supervise and conduct the inter- ests of the irm at this place.
Labet?5 In "as celebrated his marriage to Miss Cora Orm, a native of
£ Kansas, and a daughter of Robert Orm. They have two child?e Frite and Elinor. Already they have gained warm friends
id enjoy the hospitality of many of the best homes here. Sochy Mt. McGrew is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America anc he Ancient Order of United Workmen. while politically he is a Dem-
ocr~+ He had no special educational advantages and was without the
as· nce of influential friends in his early business career, but steadily he advanced step by step until he now occupies a creditable position on t e plane of affluence.
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WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
G EORGE W. HESS, well known and highly esteemed in Humboldt, and one of the recent additions to her citizenship, was born in Canton, Ohio, July 27, 1838. His father, Christian Hess, was born in Baden, Ger- many, and came to America with his parents when seventeen years of age. He was married to Barbara Shutt in Canton, Ohio, a lady born on the line between Germany and France. Christian Hess followed shoe- making and died in December in the year 1861, aged forty-eight years. His wife died in 1891 at the age of seventy years. Six of their children survive: Mary, wife of J. B. McBroom, resides in Defiance, Ohio; John Hess, of Defiance, Ohio; Sarah, wife of Joseph Blanchard, of Defiance: Frances, wife of W. St. Amont, of Defiance; Rosella B. Hess, of Defiance, Ohio, and G. W., of Humboldt.
For a number of years Mr. Hess was in the grocery business in Defi- ance, Ohio. While there he married Frances Kestler, born in Henry county, Ohio, and a daughter of Francis and Elizabeth (Fonder) Kestler, both German born. Mrs. Hess was born February 19, 1844, and was one of five children, viz: Elizabeth P. Sterns, of Belphis, Ohio; Adant Kestler of Nevada, Missouri; Margaret. wife of John Schwartz, of Defiance; Mary, wife of John Bohman, of Ludlow Grove, Ohio, and Mrs. Hess.
Mr. Hess came to Kansas in the spring of 1872 and took a claim in Butler county. At that time there were plenty of indolent and loafing In- dians in the county and they made regular pilgrimages about the country begging flour (not corn meal) and meat and in this way provided largely for their physical needs. In 1884 Mr. Hess sold his Butler county farm and moved into Allen county. He purchased a small farm joining the townsite of Humboldt and has builded up one of the beautiful and attract- ive country homes of the township. He devotes his time to the growing of fruit and "small farming." generally and everything is kept in perfect order.
Mr. and Mrs. Hess' family of nine sons is one of the remarkable cir- cumstances of their lives. They are Frank E., of Iola, Kansas; Joseph F., of Humboldt, Kansas; Charles A. and William A., of Humboldt, of the Hess Drug Company, (the latter is married to Maggie Heim); George J., of Telluride, Colorado; Heury J., of Iola; Frederick A., Walter I. and Lewis B. are at home.
Mr. Hess has demonstrated his business success has reared his large family, educated them liberally allt om-
petence sufficient to provide him against want in his declin. not
preached politics nor entered into serious advocacy of the cause any local politician but he does vote and, in national affairs, the Demoe, ific ticket.
.11,
OHN W. SAVAGE, of Humboldt, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsinad J October 25, 1842. He is a son of Charles Savage and Nancy Smith, the former of Geneseo county, New York, and the latter of Canada. The
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HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
parents emigrated to Milwaukee where the father was connected with the city's affairs, as an official for some years. The mother died in 1844 and the father two years later, They left several children four of whom sur- vive, viz: Mary A., Ruth E. and James E., all residents of Great Bend, Kansas, and John W., our subject.
Mr. Savage was sent to New York upon the death of his parents and grew up in the company of his relatives. He was educated in the common schools and, when the war began, enlisted in Company H, Second New York Infantry. He spent two years in that regiment and then enlisted in the Twenty-first New York Cavalry and served about two years in that command. He saw the war from first to last and was in many of its fiercest engagements. He was in the seven days fight on the Peninsula, the bat- tles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, the second battle of Bull Run, went through the campaign in the Shenandoah and was wounded on the 22nd of November, 1864, in the battle of Rhoads Hill. After the war he volunteered for service in the regular army and served thirteen months longer. He was discharged for disability.
In 1870 Mr. Savage moved to Illinois and was a resident of Lake county, that state, till 1877 when he came to Kansas. He settled first in Barton county, Kansas, and remained in the wheat belt seven years. In 1884 he came to Allen county and took up his residence in Humboldt.
Mr. Savage was married March 25, 1872, to Catherine Miller. She died February 8, 1897, leaving two children, Charles and Lizzie Savage. February 4, 1900, Mr. Savage was married to Ida M. Wilson, a Georgia lady.
In business circles Mr. Savage devotes his time to real estate and the execution of legal papers. He is serving Humboldt as Police Judge to which the people have chosen him. For fifteen years he has been Post Adjutant of Vicksburg Post Grand Army of the Republic. He is a Demo- crat, is a lover of his country and of the flag he helped defend. He served one year as Post Commander.
A DDISON SLEETH-The forefathers of the subject of this review were among the pioneers to America. They settled in the colony of Virginia, and did their share in the establishment of a civilization, the highest and most progressing and enduring of the age. The paternal great grandfather of our subject, like most of the other colonists, had been tanght to love liberty and justice, and when British tyranny and British encroachment became unbearable, and the colonies said they were, "and of right ought to be free and independent states," he enlisted in a Virginia regiment and served seven full years as ensign in our struggle for independence.
About the first of the 19th century a son of this soldier of "The Ameri- can Revolution" settled in Ohio, where John Sleeth, onr subject's father,
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was born. When he was six years old the family again moved west, locat- ing in Shelby County, Indiana, where he grew to manhood and married Rebecca Talbert, who was born in North Carolina and came with her parents to Indiana when a child. They were tillers of the soil, and brought up their children in the paths of sobriety and industry. Their children were seven in number and Addison, their second son, was born April 29, 1842. The mother died in Shelby County, Indiana, in 1983 at the age of sixty-five years, and the father died in 1889 at the age of seventy-four years. Their three sous and four daughters survive them and are still living.
Addison Sleeth spent his youth on a farm, attending the country schools during the fall and winter months, till he was eighteen years of age. Desiring the advantages of a higher education, he entered Asbury University at Greencastle, Indiana, but had been a student only a year when the Southern Rebellion threatened to overthrow the government. He enlisted in Company G, 52nd Indiana Volunteers, on the 28th of October, 1861, for three years. He then veteranized and served till the war closed. The regiment participated in a number of battles and skirmishes, beginning with the capture of Fort Donelson, in February, 1862, and ending with the capture of Mobile, in April, 1865. As a member of the regiment he traveled ten thousand miles during its forty-three months active service in the field. September roth, 1865, his regiment was mustered out of the service at Montgomery, Alabama. The war over, Mr Sleeth returned home and engaged in farming and teaching. He was married August 11, 1868, to Margaret Joyce and became a citizen of Allen County, Kansas, in the year 1874. Jn 1877 Mrs. Sleeth died leaving two children, Grace G. and John J. Sleeth. Both are well educated, the former having pursued some of the higher branches of learning, and the latter having completed a course in the Humboldt high school.
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