USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 36
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 36
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In 1878 Mr. Sleeth married his present wife, Phebe C., a daughter of S. M. and L. A. Partlow.
As a citizen of Kansas Mr. Sleeth is thoroughly representative and honorable. He goes through life without interference with the affairs of others and for thirty years has maintained himself blameless in the estima- tion of his fellow countrymen. In politics he is Republican and is a frequent attendant of county conventions in a delegate capacity.
E. H. LEITZBACH was born in Litchfield County, Connecticut, August 6, 1864. His father, N. Leitzbach, a native of Germany, emigrated to America in 1857. His mother, also a native of Germany, makes his descent distinctly German. Mrs. Leitzbach's maiden name was Esslinger. Three children were born to them: Anna, Augustus, a prac- ticing physician in Fairmount, Illinois, and the subject of this sketch. The elder Leitzbach was a cabinet maker by trade and followed this business for many years in his New England home.
E. H. Leitzbach attended the schools of his native city and when old
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enough entered the high school where he completed his education. After graduation at Winstead, Connecticut, he entered a furniture store where he thoroughly learned the business. Here he worked for three years and, in ' 1885, he came to Kansas. Purchasing a half interest in the Utterson & McLeod stock of furniture, he began a business which he has since conducted with signal ability and success. Three years after beginning business in Humboldt he purchased the remaining interest in the firm and has since conducted it alone. His thorough knowledge of the business and his untiring industry have combined to build up a business which is one of the largest of its kind in this part of the State. He is very popular with the people in the county and has always had the reputation of dealing with them in the fairest manner.
Mr. Leitzbach was married to Miss Ona Cox, of Elsmore, Kansas, in 1899, and their's is one of the handsomest homes in the county. Mrs. Leitzbach is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Cox, of Elsmore, and is a native of Allen County.
Politically Mr. Leitzbach is a Republican and has always been all active worker for party success. He has served two terms on the city council of Humboldt.
O SCAR C. BRETT -- One of the most prominent business men of Allen County is Oscar C. Brett. of Humboldt. From a modest beginning he has built one of the largest and most prosperous mercantile businesses in the county. Twelve years ago he purchased a small stock of goods ill Humboldt. In order to do this he was compelled to borrow $200. To the building up of this business he gave his entire time and the most patient industry. Gradually he saw his little business grow. Soon he was able to repay the borrowed money and add materially to the small stock. As his trade grew the stock grew. Soon he was able to occupy a larger store than the one in which he began business. A few years more found one store room too small for the needs of the establishment and an adjoining room was added. Today both rooms are filled with goods and his trade has reached proportions seldom attained in the smaller towns. His success has been largely due to industry, but to this he has added a ripe judgment and correct business methods.
Mr. Brett was born in Macon County, Illinois, April 29, 1863. His father was born in Virginia in 1822 and came to Illinois when but a child. Settling on a farm he followed that business the rest of his life. He was married to Miss Martha Cox and to them were born seven children, of whom James, Oscar, Grant, Otto, Julia and Grace still survive. The subject of this sketch was able to secure little schooling but the little he had was well learned. Until he was twenty-one years old he worked on the farm with his father. Coming to Humboldt he entered the large store of S. A. Brown & Co., where he worked for a year and a half. When the company
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burned out and discontinued business he went to Kansas City where he secured a place in the Boston Dry Goods Co.'s store and there he remained a year. City life was not to his taste and he moved back to Humboldt and engaged in farming. A single year sufficed in this business and he again moved into town and established himself in a small Racket business on the north side of the square. From this small beginning he has grown into his present immense establishment. While living in Kansas City Mr. Brett was married to Miss Jennie McKnight, a resident ot Humboldt. One child, a girl, Hazel, eight years old, was the result of this union.
Mr. Brett has always taken an active interest in politics and has con- tributed much toward the election of Republican candidates. Never an office seeker he has filled many positions under the city government of Humboldt and has been identified with every effort to aid the town and country. He is a member of the Masons, M. W. of A. and has filled different offices in each lodge.
AMES PEERY .- When Samuel Peery came to Vigo county, Indiana,
J in 1776, the country was a wilderness. The French colony which had settled there had few members but these were hardy pioneers and the soli- tude of the forest and inhospitable character of the savages did not deter them from founding a colony that eventually brought civilization to the country and cultivation to the soil. In this state four generations of Peerys were born.
George W. Peery, born in Marion county, Indiana, was married to Miss Margaret A. Myers, and to them ten children were born. In 1869 he moved with his family to Allen county, Kansas, where he died in 1891, followed in 1897 by his wife.
In 1868 James Peery, the subject of this sketch, born in Monroe county, Indiana, April 10, 1843, came to Kansas, settling in Jacksonville, Crawford county. Here he lived for five years, moved thence to Labette county and after a few years there removed to Missouri: In 1882 he re- turned to Kansas this time settling in Humboldt where he has since made his home. When he came to Humboldt he entered the mercantile busi- ness and has been engaged in some branch of that business since. He is one of the most extensive broom corn buyers and shippers in this part of the state and gives it his chief attention. He has been eminently success- ful in the business and has built up a large and lucrative trade.
Mr. Peery's early life was spent on the farm on which he was born. He lived with his father, getting such education as the limited facilities of that day and region afforded and when the war came on he enlisted in the Thirty-eightli Illinois Volunteers and served throughout the war. His regiment participated in many of the hardest fought battles of the war and he looks back over those days with great pride. He was in the battles of Corinth, Nashville, Perryville, Stone River and Murfeesborough. He was
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wounded at Liberty Gap, Tennessee, in one of the numerous engagements of his regiment. He was invalided the latter part of his service and was mustered out near the close of the war. Returning to his home he was married October 20, 1864, to Miss Carrie Anthony, of Paris. Illinois, and to them have been born ten children, four of whom are still living: George H., Maggie, Mabel and Everett.
Mr. Peery has always been a prominent Republican and has been several times honored by his party with important offices. During his residence in Crawford county he was elected County Commissioner and Trustee of his township, and he has filled the office of Justice of the Peace in Humboldt. In 1899 he was elected Mayor of Humboldt.
JOHN M. ASHBROOK was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, on the 26th of July, 1859. His father, Absalom Ashbrook, was a native of Pennsylvania and during his boyhood removed to Ohio with his parents. His second wife was Mrs. Frances ( Wesenhouver) Brinker, a native of the Buckeye state, and in 1876 he died, at the age of sixty-four years, leaving his wife and son, the subject of this review. In 1865 they came to Kansas, locating upon the farm to which Mr. Ashbrook has since devoted his energies, making it one of the valuable properties in Logan township.
In the spring of 1884 he was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Defen- baugh, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Henry Defenbaugh. During her early girlhood Mrs. Ashbrook's parents removed to Illinois. Her mother died in 1900 at the age of sixty-six years, but her father is still living at the age of seventy-three years.
When Mr. Ashbrook came to Kansas with his mother he purchased one hundred and sixty-six acres of land which his industry has improved until it has reached a state of commendable development. In all his work he has been successful and ranks among the progressive farmers of the county.
In his political affiliations Mr. Ashbrook is a Republican and has been honored with local positions of public trust. He has served as township trustee and for several years has been treasurer of his township. Socially he is a Workman, having filled a chair in the lodge. He belongs to the class of enterprising Americans who always constitute the substantial ele- ment in our population.
A NDREW WEDIN has resided in Allen county for thirty years and is one of the leading grocers of Humboldt. He was born in Sweden on the 5th of February, 1847, and is a son of Gustavus Wedin, also a native of that country, in which land he spent his entire life. His business was that of hotel keeping. He married Miss Charena Jones, and they became
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the parents of six children, five of whom are now living, three being resi- dents of America, namely: Peter, a resident farmer of Allen county; Eva Jarel, of Illinois, and Andrew. The father died in 1880, at the age of seventy-three years, while the mother passed away in 1889, at the age of seventy-nine years.
Andrew Wedin pursued his education in Sweden, attending the com- mon schools and spending one term in a college there. He came to Amer- ica in 1869, landing in New York on the 19th of April, when twenty-two years of age. After one year spent in Chicago, Illinois, and a short time passed in Iowa, he arrived in Humboldt in the fall of 1870, and with char- acteristic energy began life in the west. America offers a broad field to ambitious and energetic young men, and Mr. Wedin soon took his place among the leading business men of his community. He has been connected with the grocery trade since 1883, in which year he entered into partner- ship with F. W. Frevert. That connection was maintained for three years, when Mr. Wedin sold his interest to his partner and established an inde- pendent grocery and provision store in which he has since conducted a large and constantly growing trade, his business annually amounting to from sixteen to eighteen thousand dollars. He also owns a farm a few miles west of Humboldt.
Mr. Wedin was united in marriage to Miss May Johnson, a native of Sweden, who came to America in 1872. They had two children but both are now deceased. Our subject exercises his right of franchise in support of Republican principles, but otherwise takes no active interest in politics. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Odd Fellows Lodge, and in the latter has filled all the offices and served as representative to the grand lodge. He is deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of his community and has ever cheerfully given his support to those enter- prises that tend to public development. His name is synonymous with honorable dealing, and he has probably not an enemy in Allen county, for he is ever straightforward in commercial transactions and is most reliable and faithful in his friendships.
E LNATHAN N. WERT, of Humboldt, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 20th of Jannary, 1839, and was the third child born unto Richard D. and Amanda Wert. His father was born in Germany, March 10, 1810, and with his parents came to America in 1813, landing at Jersey City, residing there two years and subsequently removing to Cincinnati. In early life he learned the cooper's trade, but afterward engaged in farm- ing. In 1839 he married Miss Amanda Compton, a native of Ohio, and removed to Indiana, securing a homestead near Crawfordsville, where he inade his home until his death, which occurred in 1893. His wife passed away in January, 1865. They had six sons and six daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity.
E. N. Wert spent his youth in Montgomery county, Indiana, where he
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attended the common schools, after which he spent two years in Wabash College of that state. When the war broke out he enlisted in 1861 for three months' service as a member of Company B, Tenth Indiana Infantry, and participated in the battle of Rich Mountain. When his term had ex- pired he received an honorable discharge, but re-enlisted for one year's service in Company B, Sixty-third Indiana Infantry. He was detailed for duty in the secret service and received a lieutenant's pay. On the Ist of September, 1863, he resigned, but soon afterward was appointed recruiting officer and recruited sixty-four men, with whom he joined Company B, One Hundred and Twentieth Indiana Infantry, being assigned to the posi- tion of corporal. Successive promotions came to him as orderly sergeant, second and first lieutenant, and he was detailed to act as General Cox's body guard with the Third Division and Twenty-third Army Corps, thus serving until November 30, 1865, when he was discharged under general orders at David Island in New York harbor. He was ever a loyal soldier, true to the stars and stripes, but when the country no longer needed his services he gladly returned to his home and family.
Mr. Wert was married on the 22nd of January, 1860, to Elizabeth Copner, a native of Indiana. After following carpentering in the Hoosier state until the fall of 1867, he brought his family to Kansas, arriving in Humboldt on the 22nd of October. Here he secured a clerkship in the United States land office, under Colonel Goss, with whom he worked for three months. He then secured a homestead three miles north-east of Humboldt, residing thereon until December, 1869, when he returned to the city and entered into partnership with Messrs. Gilbert and Suits in the law and real estate business. This connection was maintained until 1873. when Mr. Wert sold out and became traveling salesman for the Singer Sewing Machine Company, which he represented on the road for ten years. He went into the livery business in Humboldt and traded his livery stock for a Woodson county farm which he moved to and operated some years. On selling that property he became owner of eight hundred acres in Gove county, Kansas, where he engaged in general farming and stock raising for four years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of his land, pur- chased property in Humboldt and has since made his home in this city.
On the 16th of August, 1869, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died leaving three children, but William and James are now deceased. Nettie, the only surviving child is the wife of John Dorn- burg, of Allen county. For his second wife he chose Frances E. Scan- lon, their marriage being celebrated September 19, 1878.
Mr. Wert has always been an active worker in the Republican party since attaining his majority. He was deputy sheriff for four years, filled the office of justice of the peace, and in both positions discharged his duties in a very commendable manner. He is a valued member of the Odd Fellows Lodge of Humboldt, in which he has filled all the chairs. He also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and was a delegate to thie national encampments in San Francisco and Columbus, Ohio. In his early life he twice sailed round Cape Horn as a cabin boy, the voyage, in those
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days of primitive navigation, consuming six months. He has visited every state and territory of the Union, gaining that experience and knowledge which only travel can bring. His has been an active, useful and honor- able life and now he is enjoying a well-earned retirement from labor, occu- pying a pleasant home in Humboldt, where he has the warm regard of a large circle of friends.
W ILLIAM J. CAMPBELL-In reverting to the settlers of the olden time who bared the breast and braved the storms of adversity in order that there might be a community of enlightened citizens instead of a . camp of government wards, our minds cling to the memory of those along the Neosho River, where the very first settlements were made. Conspicu -. ous among them was a young Kentuckian, full of life and hope and young in years, who wandered into Allen County as early as 1855. That date was almost, if not quite, the beginning of the era of white settlement in the county. There was then no Humboldt, no Iola, a trading post. perhaps, at Cofachique and a military post at Ft. Scott. At that time the Red Man roamed the prairie and forest at will and thought little of the encroachinent of his pale-faced brother. Our Kentucky pioneer dropped down upon a piece of land three miles southwest of Humboldt in the midst of a band of Indians. At first they swarmed about him thick out of curiosity and a de- sire to learn his intentions. Being convinced that his mission was a friend- ly one they became his fast friends and would have protected him with their lives. In this community and upon this claim did our subject, the late William J. Campbell remain till death.
We have referred to Mr. Campbell as a Kentuckian for the reason that his birth occurred in the State of Daniel Boone. He was born in Hopkins County, March 11, 1833. He was a son of William Campbell, a native of the State of Kentucky and was the youngest of six children. His educa- tion amounted to but the rudiments of English and his life till his emigra- tion westward was passed as a farm hand. It will be noticed that on com- ing of age he left his native State and went into Missouri, stopping near Mt. Vernon, Lawrence County. He remained there one year and continued his journey to Kansas. Alex. H. Brown, of Iola, is the only other settler, now in the county, who came the same year. Mr. Campbell was two years in advance of most of the Humboldt pioneers and his life spanned a period of two generations of western settlement and
development.
February 29, 1856, Mr. Campbell returned to Missouri and was married to Caroline Bashaw, a daughter of Thomas Bashaw, and a lady born in Caldwell County, Kentucky, August 27, 1840. The husband and child wife returned to his new possessions along the Neosho, in the wilds of Kansas, and settled down to the task of clearing up and improving their home. For two years during the period of the Rebellion Mr. Campbell was
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away from his farm and residing in Nebraska. While away he was engaged in freighting across the plains to Colorado, carrying supplies and provisions to Denver. Returning to Allen County in 1865 he took permanent posses- sion of his farm. Raising grain and hogs and horses was his chief busi- ness. A good horse was an object of adoration with him and he always owned them. Industry and steadiness were traits which characterized his every day life and in consequence his accumulations were certain and con- tinuons. He made his family comfortable while he lived and left them so at his death. He was devoted to his wife and children and their joys and sorrows were his own. He reared his children to habits of industry and to become persons of honesty and integrity. He enjoyed the society of his neighbors and friends and his hospitality was proverbial and unbounded. He took little interest in affairs not connected with his personal or family welfare and to talk and vote was as far as his interest extended in public matters. He was a Democrat of the old school and hewed to the line in State and National politics.
Mr. and Mrs. Campbell's surviving children are: Sarah J., widow of Archibald D. Young, whose two children are George W. and Gracie May; Mary E. Campbell; Lucretia (Campbell) Cox, wife of John F. Cox. a pop- ular clothier of Cherryvale, Kansas; and James Campbell, whose wife, nee Minnie Ladd, died February 27, 1900, leaving two children, Olive Blanche and Ralph Augustus
William J. Campbell was a strong robust man till late in life. A can- cerous trouble developed some years ago and grew slowly but surely, sapping his vitality at every turn and baffling the skill of the medical fraternity in their efforts to destroy it. The end came on March 10, 1900, and a good and trne man passed to his reward.
W TILLIAM H. ANDREWS-There is, in the anxious and laborious struggle for an honorable competence and a solid career of the business or professional man fighting the every-day battle of life, but little to attract the idle reader in search of a sensational chapter, but for a mind thoroughly awake to the reality and meaning of human existence, there are noble and immortal lessons in the life of the man, who, without other means than a clear head, a strong arm and a true heart, conquers adversity, and toiling on through the work-a-day years of a long career finds that he has not only won a comfortable competence, but also something far greater and higher .- the deserved respect and esteem of those with whom his years of active life placed him in contact.
Such a man and one of the leading citizens of Humboldt is William H. Andrews, who was born on Long Island, in Queens County, New York, on the 19th of September, 1829. His father, James Andrews, was also a native of Long Island and was there married to Miss Hulda Jackson, a native of the same locality. The former died in September, 1856, at the
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age of fifty-six years, but the mother long survived him, passing away in 1896 at the extreme old age of ninety-six years. They were the parents of seven children, all of whom are yet living. namely: Mrs. Margaret Bisley. of New York; Isaac R., who is living in Virginia; Mrs. Jane Alger, of New York, whose husband laid out Alger's addition to the city of Humboldt; William H., of this review; Lucy, who is living in Pennsylvania; James, a resident of Long Island; and Mrs. Sarah Merritt, who is also living on Long Island.
William H. Andrews spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and mastered the branches of learning taught in the common schools. When nineteen years of age he began to learn tlie carpenter's trade, which he followed in the Empire State until 1852 when he removed to Ohio, there following the same pursuit until after hostilities were inaugurated between the North and the South. A loyal advocate of the Union cause, he enlisted as a private in Company K, Nineteenth Ohio Infantry, and was afterward promoted sergeant of his company. He experienced many of the hardships of war, having participated in numerous skirmishes and several of the most hotly contested battles, including the engagements at Shiloh, Crab Orchard, Chicamauga and Mission Ridge. He was never captured or wounded but had many narrow escapes for he was always found at his post of duty, which frequently led him into the thickest of the fight. He received an honorable discharge, at Marietta, Georgia, October 17, 1865, for the flag of the nation had been planted in the capital of the Confederacy and the services of the loyal Union soldiers were no longer needed.
Mr. Andrews returned to his home in Ohio, but in April, 1866, came to Humboldt, Kansas, and has since been actively identified with its inter- ests along many lines which have contributed to the public good. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to public office, and he has filled various positions of trust. He has been police judge, was justice of the peace for several years and has been trustee of his township for twelve years. He has always retired from office as he has entered it-with the confidence and good will of the public. Whenever nominated, election has been accorded him and although he has always been a Democrat he has many friends in Republican ranks who give him their support.
In 1854 Mr. Andrews was united in marriage to Miss Adeline Redfield, of Ohio, who has been to him a faithful companion and helpmate on the journey of life. They have two sons: James H., who is now one of the leading musicians of Kansas City, and Orin S , who is a member of a New York City orchestra. The sons have exceptional musical talent, which, having been cultivated, has placed them in prominent positions in musical circles. Socially Mr. Andrews is a man of genial nature and one who is most appreciative of the amenities which go to make up the sum of human happiness. He has therefore identified himself with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Blue lodge, the Chapter and Commandery and he has filled one of the chairs in the Grand Chapter of the State. He is a valued
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