USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 52
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 52
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Under the parental roof Agnes L. Lightcap spent the days of her maidenhood, and in 1873 she gave her hand in marriage to A. Z. Funk, who was also a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, born in 1851. After their marriage they took up their abode on what is now the
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Eagle farmn and three years afterward moved to Elm township where Mrs. Funk is still living. Six children were born unto them: Lillian Steinmetz. Foster, John, Charles, Mrs. Clara Ayers, of Elm township, and Margaret. The family lived pleasantly upon their farm in Elm township and a fair degree of prosperity attended their efforts, but in 18gr the husband and father was called away, the community thereby losing one of its valued citizens. Since that time Mrs. Funk has managed the farm with the aid of her sons, who have entire charge of the cultivation of the fields and the harvesting and marketing of crops. Under the able management of the mother business affairs have been so conducted that the farm has annually increased in value and is now one of the most desirable and attractive places in the neighborhood. Considerable stock is raised, and everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance. The sons give their political support to the Republican party, which Mrs. Funk also endorses. For eighteen years she has been a member of the Evangelical Association and her many estimable qualities commend her to the good will and high regard of all. The family is one well known in the community and the mem- bers of the household have a large circle of friends.
W. D. Cox-From the earliest establishment of the town of Els- more, Mr. Cox has been a representative of its business inter- ests and through the conduct of its enterprises has contributed in a large measure to its substantial upbuilding, improvement and development. A native of Kentucky, he was born in Madison county, on the 31st of May, 1849, his parents being Robert and Jane (Adams) Cox, who were relatives of that State in which they spent their entire lives. The subject of this review was reared on the farm until he was twelve years of age, and in the winter time he attended the common schools of the neighborhood. He then beeame a student in the Richmond Academy, and after completing the course in that institution he was engaged in teaching in Kentucky, following that pursuit until 1870, when he left his native State and became a resident of Bloomington, Illinois. Throughout the succceding eight years he was a representative of the educational interests of McLean, Brown and Champaign counties and gained a very enviable reputation as the result of his ability to impart clearly and concisely to others the knowledge he had acquired.
On the 19th of March, 1878, Mr. Cox was married to Miss Gerty Smith, of Brimfield, Illinois, a native of that State. They were young and energetic and wished to gain a good home. Believing there was a better opportunity in the less thickly settled portions of the west, they started for Kansas on the 9th of April, 1878, arriving safely in Humboldt, Allen county. Mr. Cox soon purchased a farm of one hundred and seventy acres about five miles south of Humboldt, in Cottage Grove township, and there carried on agricultural pursuits, spending his time in the cultivation and
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operation of the fields throughout the summer months, while in the winter season he engaged in teaching. He resided upon his farm until 1886 when he sold that property and removed to Elsmore township, establishing a store on the old Humboldt and Fort Scott road. He also began buying grain and remained at that point for one year. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad was then built from Kansas City to Parsons and a town was laid out about two miles south of where Mr. Cox was living. This led to his removal to Elsmore. He moved his houses to that place and was the first man to embark in business there, opening a general merchandise store which he continued to conduct for five years when he sold his stock of goods and began dealing in hardware and machinery of all kinds. He also bought and sold grain, making extensive shipments of the farm products of the locality. Subsequently he admitted his son to a partner- · ship in the business and they added a stock of furniture and undertaking goods. Their store is complete for they carry all grades of goods such as are in demand by the town and country trade. The experience and mature judgment of the father, supplemented by the youthful energy of the son makes the firm a strong one. They deal quite extensively in flax, corn and all kinds of seeds and grains, and their business amounts annually to upwards of thirty thousand dollars.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cox have been born three children, a son and two daughters: Ona, the eldest, is the wife of E. H. Leitzbach, of Humboldt; R. E., who is a graduate of a business college in Kansas City, and a gradu- ate of an undertaking school of that place, is now associated with his father in business, acting as bookkeeper and contributing in a large measure to the success of the firm. Louise, the younger daughter, is yet a student in school. Mr. Cox holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of Ameri- ca and the Ancient Order of the United Workmen, both of Elsmore. His political support is given to the Democracy. Through the period of his business career Mr. Cox has ever directed his efforts along legitimate lines and has liad a strict regard for the commercial code. He is a man of un- flagging industry, strong resolution and keen discrimination,-essential qualities to prosperity. In all his dealings he is straightforward and hon- orable and thus he has commanded the confidence of his fellow men, winning not only success, but also that good name which is above riches.
W ILLIAM KENNEDY, who is residing in Elsmore township, Allen county, was born in McDonough county, Illinois, October 31, 1842, and is a representative of an old sonthern family. His father, John Kennedy. was a native of North Carolina, and in 1832 took up his abode in the Prairie State. He married Susan Conner and they had six children, of whom three are now living, namely: S. M., a resident of Illinois; William, our subject, and Mrs. Mary A. Toland, who resides in Wilson county, Kansas. The father, who was born in 1805, died in 1871; and the inother, whose birth occurred in 1808, passed away in 1855.
William Kennedy, the youngest surviving child, was reared to farm
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life in his native State, there remaining until 1870, when he came to Kan- sas and purchased a farm in Neosho county, upon which he made his home for eight years. He then sold the property and came to Allen county, securing a claim on the disputed land where he has since lived, hoping from year to year that the United States courts would decide the question of the property rights. He has here a valuable tract of one hundred and sixty acres and certainly deserves the title to the same. He also owns an- other tract of eighty acres in Allen county. In connection with the cultiva- tion of the fields he is successfully engaged in raising stock, feeding from one to two carloads of both cattle and hogs annually.
Mr. Kennedy was formerly a Democrat but now gives his political support to the Populist party. Socially he is connected with the Ancient order of United Workmen, belonging to the lodge in Elsmore. He was married in November, 1862, to Miss Louisa H. Wheeler, a native of Brown county, Illinois, and the eldest daughter of Charles T. and Elizabeth Wheeler. Her father died in 1894 at the age of seventy years, while his wife passed away in 1857, at the age of forty-two. They had twelve chil- dren, of whom five are now living, namely: Eliza, John, Charles and Louisa. Lee, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy died June 18, 1895, at the age of twenty-seven years. Our subject and his wife have the warm regard of many friends in Allen county and enjoy the hospitality of many of the best homes of the community.
E PHRAIM Gay is a prosperous farmer residing on the Allen county line, four miles east of the town of Elsmore. He was born in Guernsey county. Ohio, on the 20th of April, 1838, and his father, Ephraim Gay, was also a native of that State. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Waterhouse, was the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier. Ephraim Gay Sr. died in 1838, at the age of forty-seven years, and his wife, surviving him until 1878, passed away at the ripe old age of eighty- three.
The subject of this review was the youngest of their eight children. He left home at the age of sixteen years in order to make his own way in the world, going to Iowa, where he secured employment on a farm by the month. He remained in the employ of one man for two years, receiving thirteen dollars per month, and then engaged in the operation of rented land for a year. In the spring of 1860 he arranged to drive an ox team to Salt Lake City, and after arriving at his destination he and another young man purchased an ox team of his employer, secured a stock of provisions and started for California, arriving in September of the same year, after about five months spent upon the road. Mr. Gay followed farming on the Pacific coast for two years, and then engaged in teaming for one year, after which he went to Nevada, where he located a gold mine. He was offered seven thousand dollars for the property, but thinking to become a million-
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aire he refused to sell, but about that time the miners began to leave that portion of the country and he never realized anything from his property.
In the fall of 1865 Mr. Gay paid a visit to his mother in Ohio, remain- ing there for three months, after which he returned to Iowa and spent the summer. In the autumn of 1866 he came to Kansas, locating in Bourbon county, where he secured a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, -the first land which he ever owned. He made excellent improvements on the same, secured the title to the property, and resided thereon for fifteen years, after which he sold out and came to Allen county in 1884, purchasing a farm in Elsmore township. To this he has added until he now owns four hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land in Allen and Bourbon counties. He handles and feeds cattle and hogs, feeding all that he raises to his own stock. He is known as a wide-awake and enterprising farmer who gained very desirable success through his energy and perseverance.
In 1868, two years after arriving in Kansas, Mr. Gay wedded Mary Mason, with whom he lived happily for eight years, when on the 27th of November, 1876, she was called to her final rest, leaving her husband and three children, of whom two are living: Albert and Lilas, the latter the wife of Wesley Humphreys. For his second wife Mr. Gay chose Miss Martha . Mason, a cousin of his first wife. They were married July 27, 1879, and now have eight children: Myrtle, wife of Morris Davis; Gertrude; Louisa; Della; Charles; Willard; Wesley and Jennie. The family is one of prom- inence in the community, and the members of the household occupy a leading position in social circles, while in business circles Mr. Gay enjoys an unassailable reputation. In politics he is a Democrat.
W ILLIAM T. MCELROY-Indellibly inscribed upon the roll ol honor of the pioneers of journalism in Kansas, of the men who have given their best days to the citizen service of their State and of those who have been a prominent factor in both the internal and external affairs of Humboldt since the Rebellion is W. T. McElroy. An era of thirty-five years has passed into history since the March day that he landed stage-tired and weary, in the then metropolis of southeast Kansas and marked himself as a permanent settler. He was young in years and poor of purse but with a wealth of experience born of five years service in print shop and army. His ambition was, no doubt, to get an even start with the boys of the news- paper fraternity, in the new field and to found a periodical which should become a factor in promoting the welfare of the commonwealth. His early connection with the publication of the Humboldt Union as printer and pub- lisher, and, after nine months, as one of the proprietors, marked the begin- ning of the realization of this dream.
The Humboldt Union is one of the oldest papers in Kansas. It was established in 1866 by Colonel Orlin Thurston, who was superseded the following year by H. A. Needham and W. T. McElroy, as copartners. In
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1868 Mr. McElroy became the sole owner of the paper and has remained in connection with it since. The policy of the paper from the Ist of January, 1867, was Republican and its status toward the public has been that of a highly moral, clean and well written weekly.
Although Mr. McElroy came to Allen county from Ohio he was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, December 24, 1845. His father, William McElroy, was a shoemaker and was born in western Pennsylvania where his North-of-Ireland ancestors settled when Pittsburg was a village and when the Ohio basin was the frontier. Sarah A. White became the wife of the senior McElroy. Her people were English, coming to the United States from the city of Liverpool during the latter part of the eighteenth century.
The school privileges of W. T. McElroy were most limited and his knowledge of the common branchies, when lie had reached his fifteenth year, was very poor. In 1856 he went into Mahoning county, Ohio, where the first four years were spent upon the farm with relatives. At the age of fifteen he was attracted toward a print shop, being induced to that deter- mination by an uncle, William Ritezel, who was the publisher of the ·Trumbull County Democrat at Warren, Ohio. Our subject first entered the office of the Democrat at Warren and remained with it till the con- solidation of the Chronicle and Democrat when he was transferred, so to speak, as a part of the fixtures of the office.
While serving his trade he made three unsuccessful attempts to get into the army and, in 1864, did finally succeed in being accepted and was enrolled in Company D. 196th Volunteer Infantry. He was under General Hancock in the Shenandoah Valley and saw service in the field till some time in July following the close of the war. Upon being discharged in September, 1865, he returned to his old position in Warren, where he re- mained till the early spring of 1866 when, against the protest of his people, he cast his lot with Kansas.
July 2, 1868, our subject was married in Humboldt to Melissa M. Mc- Veigh, a daughter of Daniel McVeigh who came to Humboldt in 1866 from Iowa. Two daughters were the issue of this union, viz .: Anna M., wife of John B. House, of Wichita, Kansas, and Adele C., who is with her parents in Humboldt.
Mr. McElroy had not reached his majority when he came to Allen county and has, consequently. done all his voting in his favorite town. He imbibed Republican principles and sentiment in his youth back in the Western Reserve, and he has been steadfast in the faith. His voice and pen have added strength to the cause in Allen county and his honest and earnest connsels have effected much individual reform amongst the indiffer- ent and backsliders in the party. He has cast a vote at every general election since 1867 and has been Mayor of his town. He served as post- master under the administration of President Hayes and was appointed to the same position by President Mckinley in 1898. He has been a Master Mason since 1870 and is by inclination and training a Methodist.
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WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
H OMER P. FOWLER-In presenting herein the brief record of him whose name introduces this review it is not unfair to state that he is one of the younger and newer settlers of Allen county. He cannot boast of a pioneer history or relate what he did during the war, for he was only born just a year prior to the passage of the first acts of secession. When it is stated that he came to Allen county in 1879 it will be seen that he was only a boy when he took the initial steps which connected him, as a citizen, with the history of the county. In the twenty-one years which have ·elapsed since that eventful day in his life Homer P. Fowler has comported himself as an honorable, ambitious and industrious citizen. He has aimed to live right, he has striven to achieve success; and few can gainsay the accomplishment or achievement of his ambition.
Mr. Fowler was born in Harrison county, Ohio, February 2, 1860. He is a son of a soldier of the war of the Rebellion, Frank Fowler, who married Elizabeth Birney, a lady with Irish antecedents, of the vicinity of Dublin. There were four children born of this union of which number Homer P. was the oldest. The latter was educated liberally and prepared himself for a career as a teacher when he left his native State, enroute to Manitou, Colorado. He stopped over in Allen county, Kansas, and during his stay was so impressed with the outlook that he decided to remain. The first two years he lived a bachelor's life but in 1881 he returned to Ohio and married Rebecca J. Copeland who died in 1889, leaving two children, viz. : Nora E. and Frank W. Fowler. She lived an exemplary Christian life and was laid to rest in Moran cemetery. In 1890 Mr. Fowler married Mrs. Katie Berkihiser, of Moran, who has borne him two sons, Walter Marion and William Lindella.
Farming embraces the life work of our subject. He has encountered some of the struggles and difficulties which discourage some men in their effort to establish a home in a new country but he has not faltered nor fallen by the wayside. His success has come by industry, frugality and honesty, qualities which stand sponser for a good character, always.
In politics Mr. Fowler has played some part in the affairs of his adopt- ed county. In the first place lie is recognized as a genuine Republican. He has been honored with various offices in his township, served nine years as clerk of his school district and in 1897 was nominated for Register of Deeds of his county. He was elected by a large majority, carrying his own Populist township by a majority of thirteen votes. He was re-elected for a second term in 1899 and has made a careful, painstaking and efficient officer. In fraternal matters lie holds membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Maccabees. His name has been on the rolls of the Methodist church since his thirteenthi year and he is now Recording Steward of the Methodist congregation in Iola.
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J A. RUNDQUIST, who is a representative of the commercial interests, · in Elsmore, was born in Sweden on the first day of November, 1858,. and there resided until eleven years of age, during which time he began his education in the public schools. When a youth of eleven summers,. however, he crossed the Atlantic to America with his parents in 1869, the family locating at Fort Scott, Kansas. The subject of this review attended the public schools in that locality and learned to read and speak the Eng- lish language. In 1871 the family removed to Neosho county, locating on a farm, and to its development and improvement he devoted his time and attention throughout the summer months, while in the winter season he completed his education in the public schools.
In 1869 Mr. Rundquist came to Elsmore and entered the employ of W. D. Cox, as a salesman in his general merchandise store, remaining in his service for three years, when he accepted a clerkship with J. P. Decker with whom he also remained for three years. He afterward engaged in elerking for Lardner & Love Brothers for two years, and when they sold their store to the firm of Smith & Sons Mr. Rundquist remained with their successors by whom he is still employed. He is known as one of the most reliable and capable salesmen in the town, his honesty being above ques- tion, while his fidelity to his employers' interests has won him their un- qualified confidence, and his genial manner and obliging disposition have made him popular with the public.
Mr. Rundquist was united in marriage to Miss Emma Linquist, a daughter of J. A. L inquist and a native of Sweden. Their marriage has been blessed with six children, but only three are now living, namely: Albena, Abner and Agnes. The family occupy a pleasant home in Els- more, which is the property of Mr. Rundquist, and he also owns other real estate in the town, having thus made judicious investments of his capital.
A L. CAMPBELL is well known in commercial circles in Savonburg as · the popular proprietor of a leading drug store there. He was born in Bates county, Missouri, on the 11th of October, 1873, a son of Dr. J. T. Campbell, whose birth occurred in Bates county, Missouri, in 1843. Re- moving to Linn county, Kansas, he there engaged in the practice of medi- cine until his death, which occurred in 1888, when he was forty-five years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza Williams, a native of Bates county, Missouri, is still living, her home being in Pleasanton, Kan- sas. They were the parents of nine children, of whom two have passed away. The others are T. V., now of Galena; P. W., of Centerville, Kan- sas; Belle, wife of William Sharp, of Osawatomie, Kansas; A. L .; S. W., of Savonburg; and W. B. and Ethel, who are with their mother in Pleasanton.
During his early boyhood A. L. Campbell accompanied his parents on their removal to Linn county, Kansas, where he was reared and acquired
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This literary education. Through his own earnest efforts and diligent labor he acquired a knowledge of pharmacy and received a certificate to engage in its practice in 1896. He then opened a drug store in Savonburg, where by his close attention to business, his indefatigable industry and his court- eous treatment of his patrons he has built up a large and constantly growing business. He is a stalwart supporter of the Republican party, and is deeply interested in its success, but has never sought the honors or emoluments of office for himself. He belongs to Savonburg Camp, No. 1271, M. W. A., Parsons Lodge No. 527, B. P. O. Elks, and in social cir- cles he is popular and highly esteemed.
T HOMAS W. ROBERTS, one of the energetic young farmers of Els- more township, Allen county, was born in Washington county, In- diana, on the 3rd of August, 1857. His father, John L. Roberts, was also a native of the Hoosier state, and there wedded Miss Laura Edwards, one of Indiana's daughters. In early life John L. Roberts engaged in teaching school, but at the breaking out of the Civil war he put aside all personal considerations, donned the blue and joined the One Hundred and Seven- teenth Indiana Infantry, with which he saw some hard service during the winter of 1862-3. His regiment was in eastern Tennessee and marched all over that section of the country from Camp Nelson, Kentucky, to Cumber- land Gap, and to Greenville, Tennessee. They were only about half clothed and their food supply was cut down three-quarters. They were hemmed in in that district, being unable to communicate with the main branch of the army and thus were forced to undergo much suffering. In the spring of 1863 they marched back to Camp Nelson and by train Mr. Roberts pro- ceeded to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was honorably discharged by reason of the expiration of his term of service. In 1865 he removed to Illinois where he engaged in farming until 1876 and then went with his family to California, but after a year he returned to the Prairie state, re- inaining there until the spring of 1885 when he came to Kansas and pur- chased two hundred and forty acres of land two miles northeast of Els- more. There he resided until his death which occurred in February 1896, when he was sixty-three years of age. His wife still survives him and is now living on the old homestead with her son, Thomas W.
The subject of this review is the only surviving member of their family of six children. He has assumed the management and care ot the farm, making a good home for his mother and relieving her of all responsibility. He was reared in Indiana and in his boyhood days pursued his education in the common schools, while later he continued his studies in Ashbury University at Green Castle, that state. He afterward engaged in teaching, spending one year as a teacher in Illinois. After the death of his father he abandoned teaching in order to take charge of the farm which he has since successfully conducted. He raises cattle, hogs and horses and the well-
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tilled fields yield to him good harvests. There is a comfortable residence and modern improvements upon the place and everything about the farm: is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating his careful supervision.
On the 26th of October, 1890, Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Canaday, a native of Indiana. They have never had any children of their own, but have adopted a little daughter, In his political views Mr. Roberts is a Republican and he keeps well informed on the issues of the day. In farming, as in teaching, he has met with success and' is now numbered among the energetic and reliable agriculturists of his- community.
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