History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas, Part 39

Author: Duncan, L. Wallace (Lew Wallace), b. 1861. cn; Scott, Charles F., b. 1860
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Iola, Kan. : Iola Register
Number of Pages: 1066

USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 39
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 39

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Dr. Cope acquired his preliminary education in the common schools of Ohio and Indiana and afterward attended college at Mount Union, Ohio.

WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.

In 1870 he came to Kansas, locating in Linn county, where he was em- ployed in various ways until his return to Ohio. He then read medicine under Dr. B. A. Whiteleather, at Osnaburg, Stark county, Ohio, and attended a course of lectures at Cleveland. In 1878 he again came to Kan- sas and was a student in the St. Joseph, Missouri, Northwestern College, winning his diploma in that institution. He began practice in Wilson county and for seventeen years was a leading representative of the medical profession there. On the expiration of that period he came to Humboldt and has since enjoyed a large and constantly increasing patronage in this place.

In the fall of 1878 Dr. Cope returned to Ohio and married Miss Ella Pettit at New Lisbon. She is a native of the Buckeye state, and by her. marriage has become the mother of five children, namely: Edna, Florence, Elsie, Frances and Byron. The Doctor owes his success in life entirely to his own efforts. He scorned no service that would yield to him an honor- able living and thus prepared for professional life in which he has obtained an enviable degree of success.

S ALATHIEL M. IRWIN .- If "biography is the home aspect of history," as Willmott has expressed it, it is entirely within the prov- ince of true history to commemorate and perpetuate the lives and character, the achievements and honor of the illustrious sons of the nation; and if any stimulus is needed in this behalf, it may be found in the caustic words of Burke, that "those only deserve to be remembered who treasure up a . history of their ancestors." Each state presents with pride her sons and her jewels. She has nursed among her children those who have become illustrious in religion, in law, in oratory and in statesmanship, and whose exalted character and national reputation have shed more honor and glory upon the history of their native state than any beside. One of the most widely known and honored citizens of southeastern Kansas is Rev. S. M. Irwin. Thirty-three years have been added to the cycle of the centuries since he established his home in Geneva to minister to the spiritual wants of the congregation of the Presbyterian church.

He was born at South Salem, Ross county, Ohio, on the 23rd of No- vember, 1836, and is a son of William S. Irwin, whose birth occurred in 1812. When he (the father) liad arrived at years of maturity he married Miss Sally McMunn, a native of Ohio. At the time of the Civil war he served as captain of Company I, of the Sixtieth Ohio Volunteers, and in the course of his services he was captured at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, and sent back to Chicago where he remained until he was paroled. He then helped to organize the Second Ohio Heavy Artillery. He was cominis- sioned major of the battery and acted as commanding officer most of the time until the war was ended and he received an honorable discharge. Resuming the pursuits of civil life he engaged in the nursery business,

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dealing in fruit trees. On coming to Kansas he located in Neosho county and was elected to represent his county in the general assembly, having the distinctive honor of being the first Republican sent to the legislature from that county. He was a member of the house during the session in which Pomeroy and York had their trouble, and when John J. Ingalls was elected to the United States senate. His wife died in January, 1879, at the age of sixty-eight years, and is now survived by three of her six children, namely: Albert Irwin, a resident of Washington, D. C .; William N., who is first assistant in the pomological department at Washington; and S. M., of this review.

Rev. Irwin was reared on the home farm and the public schools and academy of his native town afforded him his early educational priv- ileges, which were supplemented by study in Hanover College and in which he was graduated in the class of 186t. He then engaged in teach- ing for two years, as principal of the high school of Hanover, and subse- quently entered the theological seminary at Princeton, New Jersey, where he remained until, having completed the three years' course, he was graduated in 1866. The following year he was ordained to the ministry at Deepwater, being located in Vernon county, Missouri, his first charge being the Little Osage church, and there he continued for a year, coming to Geneva in 1867. Since that time he has been pastor of the Presbyterian church and he is rich in the love, confidence and respect of his people, and his influence for good in the community is immeasureable. He has also been identified with educational interests in Allen county, having for six years been a teacher in the Academy at Geneva. His sermons are in- structive, forceful, logical and entertaining, and fail not to impress his hearers with his earnestness and with the truth of his utterances. He has preached in many of the churches in the surrounding country and for twenty-eight years he has had charge of Liberty church, now at Piqua.

Rev. Irwin was married in the summer of 1857 to Miss Louisa A. Hackman, of Washington, Missouri, and a daughter of J. F. W. and Juliana Hackman. They are the parents of nine children, of whom seven are now living, as follows: John M., a railroad agent at Westphalia, Kan- sas; William N., a resident of Geneva; Samuel J., who is a train dispatcher at Herrington, Kansas; Paul C., Julia L., Abram M. and Mary L., all at home. Mr. Irwin has a very pleasant residence and a fine orchard in Geneva. When he first came to this state he purchased two lots and a small dwelling and has kept adding to it until he has a comfortable home. He has bought the first forty blocks (save one lot) within the corporation limits of the town and afterward purchased tracts of forty-five acres on the east and forty acres on the west and at another time a tract of eighty acres in Woodson county, Kansas, so that his realty possessions are now quite extensive. No man has ever been more respected in Geneva and the sur- rounding country, or enjoyed more fully the confidence of the people,' or better deserves such respect and confidence than Mr. Irwin. The residents of southeastern Kansas recognize his merit and hold in the highest regard his services. He believes in a church true to the Master and aims to

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preach the whole truth whether men will hear or forbear. Many have reason to bless him for his influence in leading them to take cognizance of the soul's needs and to place their treasure in that country "where moth and rust do not corrupt and thieves do not break through and steal."

E DWARD D. CURTIS-A native of the Empire State, Edward D. Curtis, was born on the 2nd of September, 1860, the eldest in a family of ten children. He spent the first ten years of his life in New York, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Kansas, the family locating in Allen County. He remained at home until twenty-six years of age and in the meantime learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of years, eventually abandoning it for farming.

Mr. Curtis was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Estep, a daughter of A. J. Estep. Her mother. Mrs. Charlotte Estep, died in 1870, at the age of thirty-four years. She has a brother and sister, George and Charlotte, the latter the wife of J. H. Hobb, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he is engaged in the Stock Brokerage business. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have been born three children, May, Ivan and Madge

After his marriage in 1886, Mr. Curtis moved to Wichita, Kansas, and there engaged in the implement business for five years. On the ex- piration of that period he sold his store and returned to Allen County, where he engaged in farming until 1897. He then resumed work at the carpenter's trade in Iola, following that pursuit until he met with an acci- dent, falling from a building. Subsequently he conducted a feed store in Iola, but in 1899, disposed of that business and removed to his farm in Geneva township, where he has since engaged in raising grain and stock. Thirty-one years have passed since he came to the county and throughout the period he has been held in high regard for his many excellent qualities and sterling worth.

W ILLIAM J. PICKELL-We are now permitted to touch briefly upon the life history of one who has retained a personal associa- tion with the affairs of Allen County for a number of years. His life has been one of honest and earnest endeavor and due success has not been denied him. As proprietor of the elevator in Humboldt he is recognized as one of the leading business men of the community. The safe, conserva- tive policy which he has inaugurated commends him to the judgment of all, and he has secured a patronage which makes the volume of business transacted in his office of considerable magnitude.

Mr. Pickell was born in Canada, November 30, 1857, his parents being Moses and Mary (Mark) Pickell, the former a native of Canada, and the

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latter of England. During her girlhood, however, the mother accompanied her parents on their removal to the English province in the new world. By the marriage of this worthy couple they became parents of seven chil- dren, namely: Moses, who died February 26, 1901; Mrs. Elizabeth Beck, wife of A. W. Beck, of Iola; Mary J., wife of Dr. A. J. Fulton, of Iola; Mrs. Kate Thomas, of Iola; Anna, wife of L. H. Wishard, of Iola; and William J. The father was a millwright by trade and also followed blacksmithing. In 1858 he went to California, where he remained for eight years, working at his trade and operating a sawmill. In 1861 his family removed to northern Indiana and after his return from California Mr. Pickell took them to Kansas, arriving July 30, 1869, five miles east of Iola, where he purchased five hundred acres of land, owning the land joining the town of LaHarpe. His wife died in October, 1869 at the age of forty-two years. His death occurred in Allen County in 1871, when he was forty-four years of age.

William J. Pickell, whose name introduces this record, received but limited educational privileges, never attending school after he was eleven years of age. He was only fourteen years of age at the time of his father's death, and upon him devolved largely the responsibility of managing the family affairs. For twenty-two years he resided upon a farm, but coming to the conclusion that he could better his financial condition by entering . commercial life he went to Iola, where he was employed for six years by A. W. Beck, a dealer in farm implements and grain. On the expiration of that period Mr. Pickell traded his farm near LaHarpe for the elevator at Humboldt, and on the 14th of October 1897, removed his family 10 that place. There he began business on a small scale, buying grain and grind- ing feed, but his trade has rapidly and steadily increased, so that he now furnishes employment to from five to eight men. He buys everything the farmers have for sale, including hogs, cattle, corn, wheat, oats, hay and flax. He is the proprietor of one of the best business enterprises in his line in the State of Kansas.

On the 22nd of March, 1879, Mr. Pickell wedded Miss Jessie Weisner, a native of Greene County, Illinois, who came to Kansas in 1878 with her parents. Unto our subject and his wife have been born seven children: James Ralph, Catharine Maud, Archie Benson, Moses F., Ray Caswell, Mark Weisner and Loren Clifford. The eldest son has completed the high school course and for two years has been a student in Baker University at Baldwin.

Mr. Pickell votes with the Republican party, but aside from casting his franchise in support of its men and measures he takes no active part in politics, preferring that his attention shall be given in an undivided man- ner to his business affairs. He started out in life with a very limited capi- tal, but the years have brought him success as a reward for his efforts and prominence in commercial circles is assured and enviable.

I T' Dickey

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OHN P. DICKEY has been the architect of his own fortunes and lias J

builded wisely and well. His life affords an illustration of the viccisi- tudes of business under modern conditions; it emphasizes the importance of doing the right thing at the right time and it teaches a lesson of patience under difficulties and perseverance against obstacles,-a lesson that might be profitably followed by many.

Mr. Dickey was born in Scott County, Indiana, on the 26th of Febru- ary, 1824, and is a representative of one of the old families of the South. His father, Rev. John Dickey, was a native of North Carolina, and re- moved to Kentucky when ten years of age, being there reared to manhood. He was licensed to preach in the Presbytery of that State, and in an early day removed to Indiana, being the first Presbyterian minister ever installed in that commonwealth. He had charge of one church for thirty years and was one of the organizers and founders of the Presbyterian Academy in Hanover. Indiana. As an educator he possessed exceptional ability and throughout his life he devoted his time and talents to imparting knowledge to others or to preaching the gospel, carrying the glad tidings of great joy into many a household upon the frontier.

Rev. Dickey preached the first anti-slavery sermon and the first tem- perance sermon in the synod of Indiana. He was without college educa- tion or theological training, like Uncle Tom, of a meek and quiet disposi- tion, yet he was first and foremost in all the reforms of the day.

Mr. Beecher was a member of the same synod with Mr. Dickey. Harriet Beecher Stowe says the life of Rev. Mr. Dickey gave her the in- spiration for Uncle Tom's Cabin. He was the first installed pastor in the State, and probably the third minister in the State of Indiana.

When Birney run on the ticket for anti-slavery Mr. Dickey was the only one who cast a vote for him in Clark County, Indiana.

He married Miss Margaret Osbou Steele, a native of Kentucky, and they instilled into the minds of their eleven children lessons of industry, honesty and morality. The father died in 1849 at the age of fifty-nine years, and the mother passed away in 1847, when fifty years of age, Four of the children are yet living, namely: James, a resident of Iola; Mrs. Mary Haines, of New Albany, Indiana; William, now living in Oregon, and John P. of this review.

The last named was reared upon his father's farin during the early development of the State of his nativity. His educational privileges were those afforded by the common schools. He learned the carpenter's and wagonmaker's trades as a preparation for life's practical duties, and as a companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Martha E. Matthews, a native of Kentucky, the wedding being celebrated in New. Washington, Indiana. After the death of his first wife he was again married in 1865, his second union being with Miss Amanda D. Dickerson, a native of New York, and a daughter of John Dickerson. Her father was born in the Green Mountain State and when he had arrived at the years of maturity he wedded Miss Mary Bacon, a native of Connecticut. In 1864

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they came to Kansas, locating in Geneva, where Mr. Dickerson died in 1856, at the age of seventy-five years, while his wife passed away in 1885, when eighty-five years of age. In their family were six children, three of whom survive, namely: Mrs. Maria L. Williamson, who resides with Mrs. Dickey; Lewis I. Dickerson and Mrs. Dickey.

In the year 1857 Mr. Dickey arrived in Kansas, which was then a territory having not yet assumed the dignity of Statehood. He secured a claim on Martin Creek and there resided until his country's call tor aid prompted his enlistment as a member of Company D, Ninth Kansas Cavalry. He served for three years along the border of Missouri and Ar- kansas, escorting trains as they passed to and fro. His command was mostly engaged in guard duty, but occasionally met a band of bushwhack- ers, which would be followed by a skirmish. At the close of the war the subject of this review returned to his adopted State, locating in Geneva where he was identified with its building interests. He had the honor of building the first school house and the first church ever erected in Allen County, the location being in district No. I of Geneva.

In 1867 Mr. Dickey removed to his farm and has since carried on agri- cultural pursuits with marked success. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of rich and arable land and has developed a valuable property. In front of his commodious residence is a wide lawn on which stand beautiful shade trees protecting the home from the hot rays of the summer sun. His extensive barns and outbuildings furnish shelter for grain and stock. Wlien he arrived in Kansas he had only twelve dollars in money, and that served as a nucleus for his present comfortable compe- tence. His success was assured from the beginning because he possesses those qualities which contribute to prosperity. He has always been a staunch advocate of Republican principles, voting with the party since he cast his first ballot for General John C. Fremont. In all life's relations he has been found true to duty, whether it has been in the fields of indus- trial or agricultural business, in military circles or in the walks of private life. There has been manifest in his career a persistency of purpose that when guided by sound judgment never fails of reward.

C HARLES L. KNOWLTON was born in Clark County, Indiana, on the 23rd of June, 1849. His father, James H. Knowlton, was born in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, in 1810, and in 1836 became a resident of Hanover, Indiana, where he began the study of medicine. He was gradu- ated in the Cincinnati Medical College and entered the professional ranks where he soon won prominence, his skill and ability gaining him marked prestige. In 1838 he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Dickey, a native of Kentucky, who was born in 1814 and was a daughter of John and Margaret Dickey. Mr. and Mrs. Knowlton became the parents of six children, of whom three sons are now living: John D., Charles L. and

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Howard N. Two sisters, Olive and Emma, married George Tathamn, the latter becoming his wife after the death of her sister, and she, too, has passed away.

Dr. Knowlton continued to practice medicine in Indiana until the in- auguration of the Civil war. When rebellion threatened the destruction of the Union, from every walk of life there came men of loyal purpose and undaunted spirit who offered their services to the government, and among the Union troops of Indiana Dr. Knowlton was numbered, joining the Fifty- second Indiana Infantry, of which he was appointed assistant surgeon. He rendered great aid to the sick and wounded men of his regiment and served in that capacity until his own health failed, when he resigned and returned to his home. He afterward removed to Illinois where he engaged in prac- · tice several years and in 1866 he came to Kansas, locating in Geneva where he followed his profession through his remaining days, his death occurring in 1882. Seven years later his wife passed away, being then seventy-five years of age. Like many other energetic young men starting out in lite Dr. Knowlton had to depend entirely on his own efforts, and engaged in teaching school in order to obtain the money necessary to pur- sue his medical course. After locating in Allen County he became one of the leading practitioners and also one of the prominent citizens in other walks of life. He was a man of strong mentality, of marked force of char- acter and keen discernment, and his fitness for leadership led to his selec- tion for high official honors. He was once chosen to serve in the legislature and Allen County has never been better represented than by Dr. James H. Knowlton. He left the impress of his individuality upon the legislature of that period and upon many of the interests of Allen County, and by those who knew him he is remembered as a man who was fearless in con- duct and of untarnished reputation.

The first twelve years of Charles L. Knowlton's life were spent in town. He then accompanied his parents on their removal to a farmi. They had become residents of Illinois during his early boyhood and in the schools of that State he acquired his education, becoming familiar with all the branches of English learning that constituted the curriculum of public instruction. In 1867, when about eighteen years of age, he came with his parents to Kansas, locating in Geneva where he has since continued to make his home. For many years he was identified with the work of the farm. In 1872 he married Miss Emily Denney. a naitve of Ohio, who in 1859 came to Kansas with her parents, William and Emilin Denney. On putting aside the plow Mr. Knowlton became identified with commercial pursuits, establishing a general store in Geneva where he carries every- thing that is usually found in a first class establishment of the kind. This includes a stock of drugs. About the same time he began the practice of medicine. His father being a physician, he became familiar with the prin- ciples of the medical profession from association with him. As the years have passed he has continued his studies and is now well informed along that line. He controls quite an extensive practice in connection with his

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mercantile affairs and is the most active and enterprising business man in the little town of Geneva.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Knowlton have been born four children: Olive, who is a teacher in Allen County; Maggie and Daisy, who are successfully teaching in the schools of Allen County, and Frank, who is still under the parental roof. The family is one of prominence in the community, enjoy- ing the high regard of a large circle of friends and the hospitality ot the best homes in this locality. Mr. Knowlton has always taken a deep and abiding interest in political affairs and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, thereby being enabled to support his position by intelligent argu- ment. He always attends the County and State conventions and his opinions carry weight in party councils, yet he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He could undoubtedly win political lionors did he desire, but his business makes heavy demands upon his attention and he prefers to give his time in an undivided manner to the control of his mercantile and professional interests. His labors have contributed largely to the upbuilding of Geneva, and its commercial enterprise is due in no small measure to him. In business circles he enjoys an unassailable repu- tation for he follows correct methods and honorable principles and at all times he is possessed of that progressive spirit which seeks not alone his own good, but is alive to the advancement of city, county and State, and his place in Geneva would be difficult to fill.

M RS. CLARA M. MABIE is one of the highly esteemed ladies of Allen county and resides upon one of the fine farms of southeastern Kansas. She was born in the county which is yet her home, on the 2211d of April, 1862, and is a daughter of George and Mary A. Esse. Her parents are still living, their honte being in Geneva. Her father was born in France near the city of Metz, on the 12th of December, 1827. His father, John Esse, was a Frenchman, but his mother, Mrs. Mary Esse, was of German birth. When twelve years of age George Esse came to America and resided in New York until he had attained to man's estate. He was married there to Miss Mary Ann Ikins, an English lady who came to the United States in 1845. In 1867 they emigrated to Kansas, locating on a farm near their present home. There the father carried on agricultural pursuits for a number of years, but he has since disposed of all of his land with the exception of a small tract, not caring to be burdened with a greater amount. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Esse were born two children: Eugene C. and Clara, the former a resident of Iola.

Clara M. Esse spent her girlhood days under the parental roof and pursned her education in the public schools. When eighteen years of age she gave her hand in marriage to Edward R. Mabie, the wedding being celebrated on the 27th of May, 1880. Mr. Mabie was born in Southi Wes- ley, New York, August 25, 1838, was reared there and was graduated at

Golmund Co. Makes

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the high school in Albany, New York. When the country became in- volved in Civil war he joined the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh New York Infantry, at Rome New York, serving for three years. He partici- pated in the battles of Shiloh, Richmond, Antietam, Vicksburg, Atlanta and many others which led to the successful termination of the Rebellion. On one occasion he was wounded by a minie ball which grazed the back of his neck, and he incurred diseases that finally terminated his life.

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History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas, Part 39

Author: Duncan, L. Wallace (Lew Wallace), b. 1861. cn; Scott, Charles F., b. 1860 Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Iola, Kan. : Iola Register Number of Pages: 1066

Author: Duncan, L. Wallace (Lew Wallace), b. 1861. cn; Scott, Charles F., b. 1860
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Iola, Kan. : Iola Register
Number of Pages: 1066