USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 40
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 40
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Iu 1866 Mr. Mabie came to Kansas and secured a claim of eighty acres on Martin creek, two miles east of Geneva, where he resided until the time of his death. He added to his farm as opportunity offered until he became the owner of three hundred and twenty-five acres of land which he placed under a high state of cultivation. He erected thereon a good resi- . dence and barn and the home is surrounded by beautiful, native forest trees wliich protect it from the hot rays of the summer sun1. He also set out nine miles of hedge fence, and forty gates furnish entrance to his fields and pastures. His labors resulted in making his property one of the best farms in Allen county. He died October 20, 1899, at the age of sixty-two years. He was a loving and devoted husband and father, a faithful friend and a loyal citizen and thus throughout the community his loss was deeply felt.
Mr. and Mrs. Mabie were the parents of eight children: George E., Frank C., Harris R., Alice E., Maud P., Clara B. and Ed. T., seven of whom are under the parental roof. Mrs. Mabie, with the assistance of her eldest son, George, is conducting the home farm, which is kept up in the same excellent condition in which it was found when under the super- vision of the husband and father. Mrs. Mabie possesses excellent business and executive ability, in addition to those true womanly qualities which have gained her the high regard and friendship of many with whom she has been brought in contact.
C HARLES A. STEWART is a representative of one of Allen county's honored pioneer families, and is one of her native sons, his birth hav- ing occurred on the 5th of June, 1870. He was reared on the farmn which is now his home, the residence being situated within two hundred feet of his present dwelling. His parents were Samuel J. and Emina A. Stewart, and he is the eldest son of their seven children. During his youth he at- tended the district schools of the neighborhood, and in the summer months assisted in the plowing, planting and cultivation of the fields, early beconi- ing familiar with all the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which event in his life occurred on the 3rd of April, 1892, Miss Freelie E. Duncan becoming his wife. She was born in Indiana. and is the second child of John W. and Elizabeth Duncan, with whom she came to Kansas during her early girlhood. Her parents were also natives of the Hoosier state, and her
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mother bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Owen. In 1878 they came to Allen county, settling four miles south of Humboldt, where Mrs. Duncan still resides. Her husband died February 8, 1898, at the age of fifty years. During the Civil war he loyally served the Union as a member of an In- diana regiment. By their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Duncan became the parents of seven children, namely: O. P., who is living in Iola; Mrs. Stewart; Emmert, a resident of Oklahoma; Othella, wife of W. H. Booe, a resident of Fountain county, Indiana; Bertha, Bulin and Olin, who are with their mother.
Mr. and Mrs. Stewart began their domestic life upon a farm of seventy- seven acres, which he purchased, erecting thereon a cozy little residence, to which he has since added a stone addition. He has increased the beauty of the place by planting trees, has set out a nice vineyard, erected a good barn and other ontbuildings and now has one of the desirable farms in the southern portion of the county. The fields are under a high state of cultivation and their rich products find a ready sale on the market.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart has been blessed with four chil- dren, namely: Alma, Gladys, Harlan and Glenn. Mr. Stewart is a Re- publican, and though he never seeks office for himself he has just regard for the duties of citizenship, keeps well informed on the issues of the day, and attends the conventions of his party, doing all he can to support his friends and to secure the adoption of Republican principles. He started upon his business career as many others have done, without capital, and his earnest labor, guided by sound judgment in business affairs, has brought to him all that he now possesses, making him one of the substan- tial residents of the community.
F RANK S. DENNEY .- The Denney family is of English lineage and was founded in America by the great-grandfather of our subject, who was born in the city of London. While on the ocean, at the time of the Revolutionary war, he was captured and brought to this country and being well pleased with his new home he never returned to his native land. His son, James Denney, was born in Pennsylvania, and having arrived at years of maturity married Sarah Lucas, also a native of the Keystone state. Of their children William Denney became the father of our subject. He was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, August 23, 1823, and was married in Ohio in 1845, to Miss Emily Melick, a daughter of James and Anna (Duncan) Melick, the former a native of Kentucky. At an early day William Denney removed from the Buckeye state to Green county, Wis- consin, and in 1859 came with his family to Kansas, where he has since resided. Both he and his wife are yet living and have enjoyed a happy married life of fifty-five years. Their farm is situated on Indian creek, a mile northwest of Geneva. They are numbered among the honored pioneer settlers of the Sunflower state, having resided here for forty-one years, and
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they relate many interesting incidents of the early development of Allen county when its farms were in their primitive condition, when the now thriving towns and villages were unfounded and when the Indians were still very numerous. Great changes have since occurred and they have borne their part in the transformation that has been wrought.
Frank S. Denney, their sixth child, was born in Green county, Wis- consin, on the 28th of March, 1857, and was therefore but two years of age when brought by his parents to Allen county in the fall of 1859. The days of his youth were passed upon the home farm, and in the schools of Geneva he acquired his education. In 1884 he wedded Miss Alice White, of Colony, Kansas, a daughter of George and Mary White. Her father died in 1890, but her mother is still living. Mrs. Denney came to Kansas in 1881.
Three years previous to his marriage our subject entered a general mercantile store in Colony as clerk and held the position for seven years, after which the stock of goods was sold and he returned to the farm, pur- chasing one hundred and sixty acres of land a half mile south of Geneva. Here he has since made his home and is engaged in raising and selling cattle and hogs. He never sells any of his grain but feeds it to his stock, and is regarded as one of the prosperous stock raisers of this locality. He has been very successful and has made all that he has by his own industry and good judgment.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Denney have been born three children: Roy, Delta and Alta, who are still with their parents. The youngest is a bright- eyed little maiden of seven years and very small for her age, but she had the honor of winning the first prize at the Allen county oratorical contest held in Iola in January, 1900. The best talent of the county participated, including men and women, and there were twelve contestants, but Alta Denney was awarded the prize, an unabridged dictionary valued at ten dollars. Her parents certainly have every reason to be proud of her. The family is one of promince in the community and they enjoy the warm regard of many friends.
Z AR E. BENNETT-Inscribed on the roll of pioneer settlers of south- ern Kansas appears the name of Zar E. ' Bennett, who came to this county at a very early period in its development. He was born in western New York, June 15, 1853, and when five years of age came with his parents to this State. He belongs to a family noted for longevity. His father, Zar Bennett, Sr., is yet living at the age of ninety-three years, and is a resident of Iola. He was born in Connecticut, and after arriving at years of maturity wedded Sarah J. Hinman, of New York, whence they removed to the Sunflower State in 1858. Mrs. Bennett's death was occasioned by accident. Her clothing caught fire and burned her badly, and this, to- gether with the nervous shock, terminated her life December 25, 1898, when
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she was seventy-one years of age. They had three children: Zar E., Fred S. and Leslie, both of Iola.
The subject of this review was reared on the home farm and early be- gan work in the fields, assisting in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. When crops were garnered in the autumn he was allowed the privilege of going to school, but the educational advantages in Kansas at that time were rather meager, owing to the unsettled condition of the coun- try, but through study in the school-room and in his leisure hours, Mr. Bennett prepared himself for teaching and followed that profession for five years, thus gaining capital sufficient to enable him to get a start in life.
As a companion and helpmeet on life's journey he chose Miss Libbie M. Reno, a native of Indiana, the wedding being celebrated in 1875. The lady is a daughter of P. G. and Lucinda (Clark) Reno, the parents being natives of Indiana, whence they came to Kansas during the early girlhood of Mrs. Bennett. They have five children now living, namely: W. C., of Richmond, Kansas; Mary J., wife of M. M. Hart, of Iola: Mrs Eliza Cook, of Oklahoma; S. D., of Kingman, and Libbie M., the honored wite of our subject.
Although Mr. Bennett started out on his business career at the very bottom round of the ladder he has steadily worked his way upward and now stands on the plane of affluence. He has always followed farming with the exception of a short period devoted to conducting a meat market in Iola. in partnership with M. M. Hart, but not being satisfied with that enterprise he returned to his farm on Deer Creek. Subsequently he sold his land in the river bottom and purchased one hundred and fifty-three and a half acres on Martin Creek where he has developed one of the best farms in Geneva township. He has plenty of bottom land for cultivation, while his residence stands on an elevation, commanding an excellent view of the surrounding country. His home stands in the midst of richily cultivated fields and it is evident to the passerby that the owner follows progressive methods in his farming operations. Politically Mr. Bennett is a stalwart Republican and has twice served as trustee of Geneva township, leaving the office as he entered it with the confidence and good will of the public. The history of Allen County is familiar to him from pioneer days and his support and co-operation have been given freely to many measures which have contributed toward the general good and to the upbuilding and pros- perity of the county.
AMES W. HAMM, one of the enterprising young business men of J Humboldt, was born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1865. His father, William B. Hamm, was also a native of the Keystone State, and was a carpenter by trade, following that pursuit for many years in Pennsylvania. In 1878 he removed to Kansas, locating on a farm five ntiles northwest of Humboldt, in Woodson County, where he carried on
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agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1887, when he was fifty-five years of age. His widow still survives him and is now living in Humboldt. She bore the maiden name of Catharine M. Servey, is a native of Clarion County, Pennsylvania, and was married in 1852. By their union were born six children, one of whom died in childhood, while five are yet living, namely: Mrs. Mary Weckerly, of Yates Center, Kansas; John C., one of the leading attorneys of Evanston, Wyoming; Sadie, 110w Mrs. Kesterson, of Portland, Arkansas; James W. of this review and Albert, who is living with his mother.
James W. Hamm pursued his education in the public schools of Penn- sylvania until fourteen years of age and only attended school for six months after coming to Kansas. He was, however, an extensive reader of news- papers, and thus in the evenings, after the day's work was done, became familiar with the events that mark the world's history. He worked upon the home farm until 1886, when, in connection with his brother, J. C. Hamm, he purchased the Allen County Courant, a Democratic paper pub- lished in Iola. They continued to issue that journal for two years, when they sold the plant to A. C. and W. W. Scott, who removed it to Okla- homa and established there the Oklahoma Journal. After disposing of his interests in that journal Mr. Hamm spent some time in travel and was for a short time a resident of Evanston. Wyoming, but in 1890 returned to Humboldt, and in that year was married. After his marriage he settled on a farin north of the city, and there still resides, giving a part of his time to agricultural pursuits in connection with other business affairs. He was for some years general agent for the Page Woven Wire Fence Company of Adrian, Michigan. In 1897 he engaged in the ice business, erecting a small plant which he operated in connection with an ice house on the bank of the river, the building having a capacity of seven hundred tons, which he fills with ice sufficient to supply a large patronage. through the hot summer months. He has recently added to his manufacturing enterprises a sorghum mill and evaporator, which is operated by steam and has a capacity of two hundred gallons per day, also a hydraulic cider press, the naine of the firm now being Hamm Bros.
On the 22nd of February, 1890, Mr. Hamm was united in marriage to Miss Ella Works, a daughter of the pioneer R. M. Works. Three children have been born of this union: Robert, Helen and Mildred. Mr. Hamm votes with the Democracy, but takes no active part in politics. Socially he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The business interests of Humboldt are well represented by him, and whether in public or private life he is always a courteous, genial gentleman, well deserving the high regard in which he is held.
JOHN GRIMM, who follows farming in Geneva township, was born in Prussia February 5, 1839, a son of John H. Grimm, who died in the fatherland at the age of seventy-four years, while the mother also passed
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away in that country. Their two children, Henry and John, are both resi- dents of America. The latter was reared in the land of his nativity and after entering upon his business career secured a situation in an iron foundry where sheet iron was manufactured. He was thus employed until, according to the German laws, he had to enter the regular army. He was a member of a sharp-shooters company and remained in the service for seven years,. but as the country was then at peace the soldiers had little else to do but drill. One regulation of their army life was that they were required to learn to swim, spending an hour thus each day in summer months and continuing the practice until they were enabled to swim across the River Rhine, which is a mile and a half in width. Another regulation was that the soldiers could not marry until they had served their seven years in the army.
After being released from military service, Mr. Grimm was united in marriage, in 1867, to Miss Eliza France, and in 1871 they came to the United States, casting their lot with the citizens of Allen county, Kansas. At the time of their arrival Mr. Grimm's cash capital consisted of only a few dollars, but he resolutely set to work and when he had earned more mioney he rented a small farm, continuing its operation for six or seven years, when with the capital he had acquired through his own efforts he purchased a small farm, to which he has added from time to time until his landed possessions now aggregate one hundred and twenty acres. There were no trees upon the place, but now a beautiful grove surrounds liis farm. He has a good residence and barn, well tilled fields and a fine o1 chard containing seventeen varieties of apples.
Mr. Grimm served as justice of the peace of Geneva township for one term and then declined re-election. For about twelve years, however, he has served as school director, and the cause of education has found in him a warm friend. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and is very earnest in his advocacy of its principles. All that he is in life and all that he has acquired, are due to his own efforts. Though he came to America empty-handed, unfamiliar with the language of the people and their customs, he readily adapted him- self to his new surroundings, and to-day is numbered among the substan- tial citizens of his community.
G EORGE MCKINLEY, agent of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company at Humboldt, is a worthy citizen of Allen county whose business life has been passed within its borders. He was born in Fairfield, county, Ohio, December 8, 1861. He is a son of William Mc- Kinley who came to Allen county and settled west of Humboldt, on Owl creek, in 1880, and improved a bottom farm. His is one of the large bodies of cultivated land in the county and in his relation with his fellow countymen he has maintained himself with honor, dignity and uprightness.
William Mckinley was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1830, and
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was the son of an Irishman by the same name. His mother was Betty Herring, born also in Ireland. They came to the United States in 1820 and settled a farm in Ohio. They reared a family of five children to be- come industrious and honorable men and women. When William was married, January 20, 1858, he continued the occupation of his father and maintained a substantial and progressive establishment from the first. The proceeds of the sale of his Ohio home he invested in land and its im- provements near Humboldt and the same thrift and expansiveness which characterized him in the east lie has maintained in the west. Mr. Mc- Kinley married Grace Mounts and eight of their ten children are living: Mary, wife of Monroe Ashbrook; George; Alice, wife of Charles E. Reeber, of Independence, Missouri; William, of Carlinville, Illinois; Charles, of Hutchinson, Kansas; Scott, John and Joseph, the last two with the Wells- Fargo Express Company at Iola.
George Mckinley was almost grown when he came to Humboldt. His enviroment in early life was entirely rural and his education of the common school sort. When he decided his fate and selected his life work railroading was his choice. In 1884 he entered the office at Humboldt under the instruction of C. E. Blackmar and learned telegraphy. His first position was that of operator with the Santa Fe Company at Princeton, Kansas. He was employed at points on the system for some years and was then given charge of the Humboldt station. This position he has filled fourteen years and with what acceptibility his tenure of office will answer.
December 29, 1885, Mr. Mckinley was married to Flora Deffenbaugh, a daughter of Henry and Susan Deffenbaugh, of Peoria, Illinois. The children of this marriage are Susan, Benjamin and George Mckinley, Jr.
It would be a strange departure to announce the politics of the Mc- Kinleys as anything but Republican. They have ever maintained an interest in public affairs and their voices not infrequently respond to the roll-call in party conventions.
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JAMES M. YOUNG .- For twenty-two years James M. Young has re- sided in Allen county and his farm in Logan township is one of the valuable properties in that locality. He was born in Jackson county, Ind .. on the 5th of December, 1840, his parents being George W. and Susanna (Erma) Young, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Indiana. When a young man the father took up his abode in the Hoosier state and, when our subject was a lad of ten years, removed with his family to Iowa, where he made his home until the spring of 1857, when he came to Allen county, Kansas, here making his home until his death. Mrs. Young still survives and is living on the old homestead. They were the parents of nine children, and with two exceptions all are living in Kansas.
James M. Young spent the first ten years of his life in the state of his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa. He
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came to Kansas in the fall of 1878 and purchased a farm in the south- western corner of Allen county, in Logan township, on the southern boundry line and a mile from the western limit of the county. It was school-land and he became owner of one hundred and sixty acres. With characteristic energy he began its development and from time to time ex- tended its boundaries until his farm now comprises two hundred and forty acres, constituting one of the fine farms of Logan township. A nice resi- dence is surrounded by beautiful shade trees, sheltering the home from the hot summer sun; large barns and sheds furnish protection for grain and stock and all the modern improvements and accessories of a modern farmi are there found. He raises horses, cattle and hogs and feeds all of his grain to his stock.
While in Iowa Mr. Young married Miss Mary Esther Turner, a native of Illinois, and unto them have been born four children, two of whom are living. W. T. Young, the elder, married Florence Schooley and resides in this county, while Robert O. is at home and assists his father in the opera- tion of the farm. In politics Mr. Young is a Democrat, voting for the men and measures of the party, but never seeking or desiring office, as he pre- fers to give his time and attention to his business affairs. These have been carefully managed and his diligence and sound judgment have enabled him to accumulate sufficient capital to carry him through the evening of life, whether his remaining days be few or many.
C HARLES HOUSER-On scores of farms in Kansas are men who were educated in the trades. In many cases they are men who were high up in their occupations and able to command the best wages, but they preferred the free life of the farm rather than the uncertain, and oftimes precarious life in the factories. Among the men who left positions of trust and profit as a mechanic to found a home on the prairies of Kansas is Charles Houser, of Humboldt township. Born in Germany October 16, 1839, he came to America in 1864, and at once secured employment at his trade of cabinet maker. His ability soon secured him a good position with a railroad company in Buffalo, New York, where he worked for many years. In 1868 he moved to South Bend, Indiana, and worked at his trade there. Two years later he followed the great tide of immigration to Kansas, stopping at Humboldt. Here he resumed his trade, carefully saving his money and investing it in an 80 acre farm. For years he alternated with work on the farm and in the cabinet shops. He has added largely to his land holdings and now he has one of the splendid farms in the county. It consists of 320 acres of well improved land, with ample shed and stable room and a comfortable residence. The same careful attention to his work that made his services as a cabinet maker always in demand has been applied to the work of improving and cultivating his farm and it has brought him the success which such efforts always insure.
Mr. Houser has always devoted much attention to the raising of
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horses and in spite of the low prices which they have commanded for the past few years he succeeded in making the business profitable. To this has been added the raising of cattle and hogs.
When Mr. Houser came to America the civil war was still raging and he was offered $1,000 to go as a substitute for a man who had been drafted, but the five years he had spent in the army in his native country had left a distaste for army life which he could not overcome and the offer was de- clined. But he has great love for his adopted country and should they ever need his services as a soldier they will be cheerfully given.
Mr. Houser was married to Louisa Wolf in Buffalo, New York, in November, 1856. She is also a native of Germany. Five children have been born to them: Charles W., David M., Fred, Henry and Christiane.
Mr. Houser has always been an earnest advocate of Republican prin- ciples and has always affiliated with that party except that he is not in harmony with the prohibition law.
M ARTIN FEELEY, one of Allen County's most prosperous farmers,
was born in Lockport, New York, October 24, 1854. His father a native of Ireland, and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Cox, also a native of Ireland, came to America in 1845 and settled in Lockport, where they lived until Mr. Feeley's death in 1884, at the advanced age of sixty-nine years. Mrs. Feeley still lives in Lockport. Eight children were born to them: Daniel, of Indianapolis, Indiana; Mary O'Shaunecy; Jennie Johnston and Anna Riley, all living in Lockport and Martin. The other children are deceased.
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