USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 43
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 43
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Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Irene Blake on the 27th of December, 1896. She is a native of Bartholomew County, Indiana, and a daughter of Allen and Lettie Blake of that county, who came to Kansas with their family in 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one little daughter, Eva May, who is two years of age. He is a prominent church and Sab- bath school worker and is superintendent of the M. E. Sunday School of Savonburg, which position he has held for the past five years. Mr. Smith is a member of the Odd Fellows society in Savonburg and has filled all the chairs in the order. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America in which he has served as clerk for a number of years, and of the Royal Neighbors he is a representative. He is one of the prominent supporters of the Republican party in this portion of the State and a member of the county central committee. He keeps well informed on the issues of the day and is in hearty sympathy with the administration. He has entered upon a prosperous era in his business career, and although a young man he has already won success that would be creditable to one many years his senior. He is favorably located, his store being situated in the midst of a rich farming community. His genial manner, courteous and obliging dis- position have gained him the respect of all with whom he is associated, have made him many friends and won him a liberal patronage.
D R. WILLIAM LITTLEJOHN. whose prestige as a medical practi- tioner is an unmistakable evidence of his ability, was born in Scot- land, on the 20th of August, 1864. His father, James Littlejohn, was also a native of the land of hills and heather, as was his wife, who bore the
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maiden name of Elizabeth Walker Scott. The father was a minister of the old-school Presbyterian church, and devoted his entire life to that holy calling. In 1896 he came to America to visit his children who had pre- ceded him to the new world, and died in Missouri in the winter of 1899, at the age of sixty-nine years. His widow still survives him, and now re- sides in Chicago with her sons. They had eight children, of whom five are now living, namely: William, of this review; John Martin, a promi- nent medical practitioner of Chicago; James B., who held the position of surgeon under the British government five years; and David, who is also a member of the medical fraternity; and Elizabeth M., wife of Thomas Anthony, a resident of England.
Dr. Littlejohn, whose name introduces this record, was reared and educated in Scotland, and was afforded excellent educational privileges, studying both theology and medicine in the Glasgow University. He was ordained to preach the gospel in 1886, and in 1888 came to America, set- tling in Iowa, where he was engaged to fill the pulpit of some of the best churches in that state. In 1895 he came to Kansas to accept the pastorate of the church in Denison, Jackson county, where he remained for four years, on the expiration of which period he removed to Topeka. Having his degree of M. D. and his diploma from the Glasgow University, he then gave up the ministry and after taking a post-graduate course of study entered upon the practice of medicine in Topeka, where he remained three years. Since that time he has resided in Savonburg, and his patronage is all that he can conveniently attend to. His ability, both natural and ac- quired, well fits him for the responsible duties of one who devotes his life to the restoration of health and to the alleviation of human sufferings.
Dr. Littlejohn was married in Iowa to Miss Maggie A. Orr, of Medi- apolis, a daughter of William M. and Catherine Orr. The Doctor and his wife now have two children: Catherine Elizabeth and James Martin. They are members of the United Presbyterian church, and the Doctor belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors, at Savonburg. He is a man of scholarly attainments, of broad culture and of strong mentality, and his thorough preparation for his chosen calling well qualifies him for the successful practice of medicine,
TOHN O. NYMAN occupies a leading position in business circles in Savonburg. He was born in Clay county, South Dakota, on the 14th of June, 1873, and is the second son of August and Matilda Nyman, who are mentioned on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of C. W. Nyman. In 1877 he came with his parents to Allen county, being then but four years of age, and was reared on the home faim, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist.
Mr. Nyman entered upon an independent business career with little
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capital, becoming a real estate, loan and insurance agent at Savonburg, but his patronage has steadily increased, and he has conducted some im- portant real estate transactions and made some judicious and profitable investments for himself. His business qualifications are such that he has already won a good competence, and his friends predict for him a very suc- cessful future. He has become one of the directors and stockholders in the Savonburg State Bank, owns the building in which the bank is located, and has several lots in Savonburg, together with his residence.
On Christmas day of 1895 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Nyman and Miss Ella Morgan, a native of Kansas, and a daughter of George M. and Rebecca Morgan of Neosho county. They now have a little daughter of one year, named Ione. Mr. Nyman is prominent in fraternal circles. He belongs to the blue lodge of Masons at Savonburg, and has attained tlie thirty second degree of the Scottish Rite in the consistory at Fort Scott, Kansas, and is a member of Abdallah Temple, Leavenworth, Kan- sas, Ancient Arabis Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to Savonburg Lodge, No. 467, I. O. O. F., and Savonburg Camp. No. 1271. By his ballot he supports the inen and measures of the Republican party, believing that its platform contains the best elements of good gov- ernment. Almost his entire life has been passed in Allen county, and that many of his friends are numbered among those who have known him from boyhood is an indication that his career has ever been an honorable one.
A NDREW J. McCLUNG .- Virginia, which was the first settled colony in the new world, has sent forth its representatives to every state in the Union, its sons having aided in founding the many great common- wealths which go to make up the nation. Among those who claim the Old Dominion as the state of their nativity is Andrew J. McClung, an es- teemed resident of Allen county, his home being in Elsmore township. He was born in the Shenandoah Valley in Augusta county, Virginia, on the 28th of March, 1841. His father, Samuel McClung, was a native of Rockbridge county, that state, while the mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Haffner, was born in the Shenandoah Valley. For a number of years after their marriage they remained on the Atlantic coast, but in 1852 sought a home in the Mississippi valley, taking up their abode in Illinois, where they spent their remaining days, the father dying on the 3rd of April, 1891, when seventy-six years of age. His wife sur- vived him until 1896 and passed away at the advanced age of eighty-two years. They were the parents of four children of whom three are now living: Granville, who resides in Astoria, Illinois; Mrs. M. E. Merrill who resides near the same town; and Andrew J., who is the first in order of birth.
Through the first eleven years of his life Mr. McClung of this review
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remained in Virginia and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois in 1852. There he pursued his education in the common schools and after putting aside his text-books he entered the school-room as a teacher, following that profession through the winter months, while in the summer he engaged in farming for twenty years. He was united in mar- riage to Miss Epurvey Ward on the, 21st of April, 1862, a lady who is a native of North Carolina, born January 20 1841, and when a little maiden of six summers went to Illinois with her parents, Lindsay and Meca Ward.
After their marriage Mr. McClung and his bride began their domestic life upon a rented farm which he operated through the summer months, while in the winter he continued teaching. Until 1883 he was a resident of Illinois and that year witnessed his arrival in Kansas. He came with his family to Allen county, settling in Elsmore township where he con- tinued to operate rented land until 1896, when he invested his earnings in a tract of eighty acres a mile and a half east of the town of Elsmore. On this place he erected a pleasant and comfortable residence and a good barn. He has developed an excellent farm, and in connection with the raising of cereals best adapted to this climate he gives some attention to stock-raising. His methods are progressive and practical and a glance at the place indicates to the passerby the careful supervision of the thrifty and energetic owner.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. McClung have been born eight children of whom seven are now living, namely: Margaret, the wife of Thomas Hartley, a resident of Illinois; Henry, who makes his home in Kansas City, Missouri; Charles, who is living in Moline, Illinois; Edwin and George, who assist their father in the operation of the home farm; and Mary, the wife of Charles Roedel, near the old family homestead. The first member of the family was William, who died in 1894 when thirty-one years of age.
Mr. and Mrs. McClung are members of the Knights and Ladies of Security. In his political affiliations he has always been a stalwart Repub- lican. He was elected and served four terms as township trustee of Els- more township, and was appointed by the government to take the census of his township in 1900. He has ever discharged the duties of the offices which he has been called to fill in a manner with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. When eighteen years of age Mr. McClung suffered greatly from rheumatism and lost the use of his right arm. While this would have utterly discouraged many a man of less resolute will, he has worked steadily year after year making the most of his opportunities and to-day he is known among those whose labors have brought to them the comforts of life and won for them a place among the substantial citizens of the community in which they abide. Mr. McClung uniformly bears himself as a gentleman. Mentally he has grown strong through his wide reading. He has quick apprehension and readily comprehends all the business affairs with which he has to do. He is domestic in his habits and as a husband, father and citizen his example is well worthy of emulation.
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U. R. COURTNEY is one of the successful educators in Allen county · and throughout his entire business life he has devoted his attention to the work of the school-room. This profession ranks high among the call- ings to which men devote their energies. The student does not alone ac- quire a knowledge of the text-book placed in his hands, but develops the power of mental concentration which becomes an active factor in his later life and at the same time forms habits which color his future career. It is therefore of the utmost importance that the teachers should be people of sterling worth as well as of high mental qualifications, for the impress which they leave upon the minds and characters of their pupils is ineradi- cable. Very successful has Mr. Courtney been in his chosen calling and well he deserves representation in this volume.
A native of Indiana, he was born in Newton Stewart, on the 30th of July, 1867, and resided in that state until seven years of age when he re- moved with his parents to Illinois. There he resided for three years. He is the eldest son of Dr. Courtney of Leanna. In 1878 the father came to this state settling on a farm near Leanna, and the subject of this review completed his education in the public schools, and, at the age of nineteen, began teaching. He has since continuously followed that profession, with the exception of a period of one year wl en he was employed in the capacity of a book-keeper in a large hardware store owned by Mr. Bragg, of Hum- boldt. He has for some time been recognized as one of the most popular and capable teachers in the county, having been employed in many schools in this portion of the state. He has never failed to continue as a teacher in a given locality if he desired to remain there, for his services were ever commendable and received the support of the intelligent public. In 1892 he came to Savonburg where he engaged in teaching for four terms, after which he removed to Humboldt, as before stated. After a year, however, he went to Elsmore and was engaged in teaching in that locality for two years, spending one year in the city schools and one year in the Old Els- more district school. In 1899 he returned to Savonburg where he now resides, being employed as principal of the schools in this place for the year 1899-1900. He also possesses musical talent of a superior order and has given considerable attention to the teaching of vocal music, having had charge of some very large classes.
On the 20th of April, 1890, Mr. Courtney was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Williams, who was born in England and in 1886 came to the United States with her parents, James and Elizabeth Williams. Mr. and Mrs. Courtney have had five children, namely: Maud, Reginald, Ruby, Marie and Roy, but the last named died in infancy.
Mr. Courtney gives his political support to the men and measures of the Republican party and does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of Republican principles. He has given his entire time to his educational work, either as a teacher in the public schools, or as a teacher of vocal music and in both departments he is proficient, having ranked among the most successful teachers in this portion of the state.
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L INCOLN PINKSTON .- Since five years of age Lincoln Pinkston has been a resident of this state, and has been an interested witness of its growth, development and progress. He was born in Scott county, Vir- ginia, on the 27th of January, 1863, a son of J. W. and Rachel (Groves) Pinkston, natives of North Carolina and Virginia, respectively. In 1868 they left the Old Dominion for the Sunflower state, taking up their abode in Cherokee county. Mr. Pinkston secured a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. He engaged in its cultivation for fifteen years and then sold the property, removing to Texas, but not being pleased with the Lone Star state he remained for only a year, after which he returned to Kansas, settling in the southeastern portion of Allen county in 1884. There he bought two hundred and forty acres of land and began the development of the farm, but death ended his labors in 1894, when he was seventy-five years of age. His first wife had died many years before and he has been the second time married, his widow surviving him. He also left four children.
Lincoln Pinkston was reared in the state which he now makes his home and received limited educational privileges, yet by reading, ex- perience and observation he has become a well informed man and is familiar with all the questions of general interest. He remained with his father until the latter's death and afterward continued upon the old home- stead. He was married on the 15th of January, 1888, to Miss Ella Louisa Mashburn, a native of North Carolina, who came to Kansas with her parents when only two years of age. Her father, John Mashburn, was a native of North Carolina and came to this state in 1870, but is now living in Polk county, Missouri. Mrs. Pinkston is the eldest of ten children. By her marriage she became the mother of five children: Belle, Grace, Elnier, Robert and Roy, twins.
The subject of this review is now operating and managing two hun- dred and forty acres of land belonging to him and his heirs and has de- veloped it into a very valuable property. He handles cattle, hogs and horses, watches the market prices and sells to good advantage, thus an- nually augmenting his income. He is independent in politics, studies the questions and platforms and then gives his support to the principles which he believes contain the best elements of good government. His worth as a man and citizen is widely acknowledged and among the substantial residents of Allen county he is numbered.
O. H. SMITH, who is prominent in commercial and fraternal circles in the county of his adoption, his home being in Savonburg, was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, April 6, 1843, and upon a farm in the Hoosier State spent his boyhood days performing his share of the work in field and meadow. He acquired a good school education and remained with his parents until after he had attained his majority when he started
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out upon an independent business career, and as a companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Nancy A. Herbert, of Jolinson County, Indiana.
The young couple began their domestic life upon a farin which he had previously purchased in Dearborn County and there resided until 1884, his labors as an agriculturist being crowned with a gratifying degree of success. Having a family of growing sons he thought that he might secure better opportunities for them in the west where the population was not so great and competition in consequence not so marked. Accordingly he sought a home in Kansas, bringing his family to the Sunflower State in 1884. They located five miles north of Parsons, in Neosho County, where Mr. Smith purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of rich, arable land which he still owns, the tract constituting one of the valuable farming properties of the county in which it is located. He has excellent improvements upon the place and everything is in good condition. There he resided for eight years when, having acquired considerable capital through his labors as an agriculturist, he concluded to abandon the plow and enter into commercial pursuits. Accordingly he located in St. Paul where he and his eldset son established a grocery and queensware store in 1891, under the firm name of Smith & Son. They remained there for four years when they sought a broader field of labor by removing to Savon- burg in 1895. Here they enlarged their stock, adding general merchandise, and they now have one of the most extensive general mercantile establish - ments in the county, carrying a large line of goods, such as is demanded by the town and country trade. They also have a branch store at Elsmore and their business has now reached proportions represented by sales that amount to forty-five thousand dollars annually, the firm of Smith & Sons ranking high in commercial circles.
O. H. Smith is the owner of a nice residence on a pleasant corner in Savonburg and there he resides with his wife and the children who are still under the parental roof. Six sons have been born unto them; John H., who is now in partnership with his father; Frank E., who is also a member of the firm and has charge of the store in Elsmore; Lawrence O., who is a student in school; Charles Otto, at home; Oliver, who died at the age of four years, and Claudius, who died at the age of two. Mr. Smith takes a great pride in his family and has provided his children with excellent educational privileges, that they may be well fitted for life's practical and responsible duties. The eldest son is a graduate of the Sedalia Business College and the second son of the Fort Scott Business College.
In political views Mr. Smith is a stalwart Republican and has voted for each presidential nominee of the party since its organization, when John C. Fremont was placed at the head of the ticket. He is one of the oldest, if not the oldest Odd Fellow in the State, having joined the order in Indi- ana in 1856. Throughout the passing years he has been an exemplary member of the fraternity and his life shows forth its beneficent principles. Several times he was a representative to the grand lodge in Indianapolis, Indiana, and has filled every chair in his local lodge. He is conducting
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his business on systematic and methodical principles and an idea of the site- cess which has attended the enterprise is indicated by the greatly increased facilities. He is now numbered among the prosperous merchants of his community and his position is the just reward of meritorious and honorable effort which commands the respect and admiration of all.
In this connection it will be of interest to know something of the family of which Mr. Smith is a representative. His father, Richard Smith, was born at Thorpe Arch, Yorkshire, England, and when sixteen years of age he entered the English army, serving for seven years under Sir Arthur Wellesley. He participated in the battle of Waterloo. His command en- tered the engagement eight hundred strong and left the battle-field with only thirty-two survivors. Mr. Smith was one of those who fortunately escaped with his life. His son, O. H. Smith, is now in possession of his father's discharge papers, also a clothes brush which he carried through that war.
After retiring from the army Richard Smith determined to seek his home in the land of the free and bidding adieu to his native country sailed for America where he arrived in March, 1817. He was married in this country to Miss Mary E. Harbert, a native of Pennsylvania, and unto them were born ten children, four of whom are now living, namely: Richard H., a resident of Dearborn County, Indiana; Henry K .. who resides in Arkan- sas; Mrs. Maria L. Butt, of Shawnee County, Kansas; and O. H. Smith, the popular merchant of Savonburg.
N TEWTON L. ARD, one of the well known and highly esteemed citizens of Allen County, resides in Elsmore township, where he has a valu- able farm of two hundred and forty acres. He was born in Morgan Conn- ty, Missouri, July 3, 1845, while his parents, Charles C. and Susan (Borrow) Ard, were natives of Kentucky. On leaving that State in 1840 they emigrated westward to Missouri, where the father carried on farming for twenty-one years, and on the expiration of that period came to Kansas in 1861, settling on Big creek in Elsmore township. He was not long per- initted, however, to enjoy his new home for his death occurred in 1864, when he was forty-five years of age. His wife died the same year, and also at the same age. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom ten are now living.
Newton L. Ard, the third in order of birth, came to Kansas with his parents in 1861 After their death he remained with the other children, the family continuing together until all of the sons and daughters had attained an age where they were capable of caring for themselves. The subject of this review secured a claim near the old homestead and has since engaged in its cultivation.
As a companion and helpmiate on life's journey Mr. Ard chose Miss Saralı Ann Burns, their marriage being consummated on the 30th of March,
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1871. She is a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Kansas with her parents in 1860. They have had ten children, namely: Mark, Myrtle. wife of William Hoil; Olive; James; Elbert; Charles, who died at the age of seven years; Herschell; Hazel, Nellie and Edna.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Ard served in the First Brigade of the Kansas militia. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and in politics is a stalwart Republican. He is a recognized leader of his party and for several years he has served as trustee of Elsmore township. In 1894, when his district was strongly Democratic, he was elected county commissioner by a large majority, having been nominated for the office by his friends who knew that he was the only man in the district who could defeat the Democratic nominee. He served for three years, filling the office with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He is extremely popular and well deserves the high regard in which he is uni- formly held and at the same time justly merits the success that has come to him as the reward of his energy in business.
H IRAM A. MYERS has been a witness of the development of Allen County from its pioneer epoch, has seen its wild lands transformed into beautiful homes and farms, while the work of progress has been carried forward in city and village and the county has taken rank with the best in the State. His residence here dates from 1870, and thus through three decades he has been numbered among its worthy citizens.
Mr. Myers was born in Boone County, Indiana, March 10, 1841, and his parents, James and Evaline (Stoker) Myers, were both natives of Kentucky. When a young man the father removed to Indiana, where he was married, and in 1852 took his family to Iowa, coming thence to Kansas in 1857. In this State he settled in Jefferson County, where he died in 1882, at the age of seventy-nine years, while his wife passed away in 1890, at the ripe old age of eighty three. They celebrated their sixtieth wedding anni- versary, and at that time thirteen of their fifteen children were living. The following named were born unto them: Elizabeth A., wife of Frank John- son; Mary, wife of Horace Gibbs; Ellen, wife of Perry Dale; Sarah, wife of Thomas West; Eliza, who married Squire Burnes; Harriet, who wedded Thomas Pucket; Sophrona, wife of Alfred Quackingbush; Martha, wife of A. L. Rivers; Louisa, wife of James Clements; Flora and Reuben, both deceased; Jonathan, who was killed in the army; Thomas, now in Jefferson County, Kansas; H. A., of Allen County, and James of Ellwood, Kansas.
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