USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 53
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 53
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104
N ELSON F. ACERS, whose gradual retirement from active affairs in Iola removes one of the original and conspicuous characters of Allen county and the state of Kansas from the ranks of busy men, is a Kansan of thirty-five years residence, and a citizen whose history embraces not only chapters devoted to his public acts in Allen county but un-recorded pages. of history of his connection with public matters both state and national in. their character. He is a man whom a great political party has been pleased to honor with leadership and with one of the important public trusts of the state. His connection with state politics dates back almost a score of years and in the battles won by his party during this period are to be seen unmistakable traces of his political counsel and generalship.
Mr. Acers came to Kansas from Geneva, Illinois, in 1865. He was born in the latter state March 4, 1839, and is a son of the venerable Roswell W. Acers, of Iola, whose ninety-third birthday will ocenr in August 1901. The Acers are among the early Colonial families, their most remote Ameri- can ancestor having settled in one of the New England colonies, an emi- grant from Erin's Isle. The "Akers, Acres and the Acers" all emigrated from the same source and their kinship is undoubted. Which is the cor- rect and incorrupted spelling of the Celtic name is now indeterminable. John Acers, our subject's grandfather, was born in New Hampshire in 1771 whence he removed to New York, in Chautauqua, of which state Roswell W. Acers was born. John Acers married Malinda Spears and lived till 1864, dying in Kane county, Illinois, in his ninety-third year. Roswell W. Acers was his second child and was reared in his native county. He was a father's son, was schooled limitedly and became a farmer on begin- ning life independently. He was married to Juliette Spencer and left the Empire state about 1831. They settled in Kane county, Illinois, and were there residents upon the farm and in Geneva till 1867, when they followed their son, our subject, to Kansas.
Nelson F. Acers is the sole heir to his parents. His youth was passed upon his father's Kane county farm and the pioneer schools did the work of education for him in his boyhood. He studied law with Major J. H. May- borne in Geneva, Ill., and graduated at the Albany (N. Y.) Law Depart-
449
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
ment University. He was admitted to practice by the supreme court of the state of New York and when he was ready for business entered the office where he had first studied and took charge of his old preceptor's business, the latter entering the military service of the United States. This respon- sible professional and business arrangement was, most probably, what pre- vented his entering the army himself before the Civil war ended. He tried his first lawsuit in Geneva and practiced his profession there till late in 1865 when he set out for the west.
Just at the close of the war Mr. Acers set out for Kansas. He reached Weston, Missouri, (then the western terminus of railroads) by rail. From this latter point he walked in the direction of the capital of Kansas. When he arrived at his destination the state legislature was in session and, as clerical competents were needed to properly prepare the records of the pro- ceedings of the Senate, he was appointed first assistant secretary of that body. "Jim" Legate was in the state Senate then; Colonel Anthony was in the House and so were Jacob Stotler and "Jim" Snoddy. The legisla- ture was taken up chiefly, that session, with railroad land grants as a pre- liminary to the construction of the pioneer railroads of the state. Early in the spring of 1868 our subject came on down to Iola, a little hamlet of, per- haps, one hundred and fifty people. One of the first acts he did was to purchase four lots on the "Sleeper" corner where he erected a residence and inade arrangements for the reception of his family. He formed a part- nership with W. S. Newberry for the practice of law and took a leading place at the bar of eastern Kansas almost from the start. He was elected County Attorney in 1867 and, by re-election, served two terms. In 1874 he was named as the candidate of the "opposition" to the Republican ticket for Probate Judge and, contrary to his expectation and desires, he was elected. His first official act as Judge of Probate was to grant a marriage license to E. A. Barber of Humboldt.
The discovery of mineral water at Iola by the Acers was responsible, largely, for Mr. Acers' separation from the law. He conceived the idea of establishing a sanitarium here and did so with considerable degree of suc- cess. For some years the Iola Mineral Well was widely advertised and many patients went away from here with the song of its praise upon their lips. But for lack of local interest the sanitarium proposition failed of its true purpose and object. Succeeding this venture Mr. Acers was more and more of an interested participant in politics Formerly he was a Re- publican but in 1869 something happened in Allen county which caused him to change front and he ever afterward trained with the Democrats. In 1882 he was nominated by the minority party for Congress, in the second congressional district, but was defeated. In1 1885 he was appointed by President Cleveland Internal Revenue Collector for the district embrac- ing Kansas and the Indian Territory. In this capacity he served four years and when Mr. Harrison was elected his resignation was one of the first to reach the department, and he was the last to be relieved of duty.
Hiving an interest in some silver mining property in the west upou his release from official life Mr. Acers went thither to develop the same.
450
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
At the old price of silver bullion the property promised large returns and the placing of the wealth of its owners in the six figure column, but with! the rapid decline of that commodity the value of the property decreased to a non-paying basis and its operation was abandoned to others. In 1896 Mr. Acers returned to Iola and took an active interest in the campaign of that year. in the hope that the "16 to 1" plan would triumph. Since then he has devoted his energies to the real estate and loan business, and to the improvement of the family properties. The erection of the Odd Fellows Block in 1898 was due largely to his foresight and progressive spirit and in other matters where his town might be benefitted has he shown his un- selfish and disinterested hand.
September 23. 1863, Mr. Acers was married to Ellen A. Conant, a daughter of William Conant, of Geneva, Illinois. The Conants were Ver- mont people where, at Brandon, Mrs. Acers was born in 1840. Two chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Acers, viz: Miss Grace and Fred A., the latter being deceased.
W ILLIAM J. PRICE .- The reward for honorable toil follows surely and swiftly the efforts of our citizens and the fruits of legitimate endeavor come to us as a note of encouragement, as a token of appreciation for expended energy, and the ratio of such reward is in proportion to the magnitude of our endeavors. Illustrations occur daily in all lines of in- dustrial activity where men rise from comparative obscurity to affluence and semi-opulence in a decade or a score of years but seldom, does it seem, that we would find, in the field of agriculture, a success so pronounced as is brought to our notice in the sketch of William J. Price, our subject. The life of the farmer, as that of the merchant, is full of successes and failures and when we behold one who is conspicuously an example of thrift and well-doing we at once conclude that his business practices have been along correct principles and that prodigality and extravagance have had no part in his makeup. We present herein the history, in brief, of a self-made man, one born and reared to the farm work and to the experiences found in an humble and respectable country home. Born in the northernmost of the southern states, West Virginia, he was but a boy just entering his 'teens when the war between the states broke out. His native county was Marion and his birthday, September 26, 1849. He is a son of Eli Price and Amanda Troy, the former yet a resident of the state of his birth, West Virginia. He was born in 1822, passed his life as a modest farmer, and was widowered in 1883, his wife dying at the age of fifty-six years.
Six of the seven children of Eli and Amanda Price survive. The first death among the children occurred December 2, 1900, when the youngest was thirty-five years old. William J. Price is the first born. There seems to have been nothing unusual in his career as a boy, except that he appears to liave been a trifle more in earnest than the average country lad in ac-
451
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
quiring an education. His school days closed with a season in the State Normal School of West Virginia and for twelve years thereafter he was en- gaged in teaching school. Seven years was he surveyor of his county but notwithstanding these seeming advantages he was slow to prosper. Op- portunities in the old state appeared rare and no solution of the question of his ultimate welfare seemed better than a removal to Kansas. Hither he came in 1882 and made settlement in Bourbon county. He was a tenant for seven years and in that time laid the foundation for the prosperity he now enjoys. He purchased a quarter section of land on the east line of Allen county and took possession of it in 1889. He paid for this with the proceeds of his labor and added more land. His farm of four hundred and eighty acres, with a modern dwelling and large barn and yards of stock, and a credit commensurate with his needs tell the story of his achievements on a Kansas farm inside of twenty years.
In the case of nearly every successful Kansas farmer so with Mr. Price. He became interested in the cattle and horse business upon his advent to Kansas and in this he has acquired much of his financial independence. Some of his stock of various kinds is registered and other is eligible to reg- istration. His horse stock is his pride and his stalls contain animals which are a credit to the county and to his taste as a grower of the "prince of animals."
October 19, 1871, Mr. Price was married to Elizabeth Jackson who was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Price are the parents of thirteen children, viz: William H., Alpheus E., Clarence W., Ross L., Amanda Belle, wife of Arthur Stonehocker; Isaac L., Bessie A., Virginia E., Bertha Lee, George E., Maud Agnes, Ruth Cleveland and Florence Olive Price. A family group shows both children and parents, fifteen in number, a fact and circumstance both remarkable and unusual.
Mrs. Price is a daughter of Alfred Jackson and Parthena Showalter. Both were natives of Pennsylvania. The latter died in 1856 and the former is a resident of Boulder, Colorado. He was born in 1823 and is the father of three children.
Mr. Price takes a citizen's interest in public affairs in Allen county and has represented his party as a candidate for public office. He has no special desire for holding office but it was only to obey the commands of his party that he consented to run. He is convinced of two things: That he is on the right side politically and on the wrong side numerically. Al- though his ancestry answered to the Democratic roll call and were citizens of a semi-southern state their sentiments during the Rebellion were in- tensely union. Two uncles died in the service and other relatives rendered patriotic and agpreciative service in the cause of a union of the states.
Mr. Price affiliates with the Masonic fraternity. He was introduced to the mysteries at twenty-two years of age and holds his membership in Uniontown Lodge No. 115.
452
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
D ANIEL FREED-When one is forced to begin a business life empty- handed it is necessary to practice economy in order to gain a start, and to endure many hardships and trials. This demands conrage, and only people of resolute spirit are enabled to overcome the difficulties and obstacles in the path to progress and prosperity. Mr. Freed, however, is numbered among the representatives of that class. He was born in Han- cock county, Ohio, on the 13th of January, 1850, a son of John and Sarah (Dubbs) Freed, also natives of the Buckeye State. The father was an ag- riculturalist and died upon the old home farm in Ohio, in 1891, at the age of seventy-five years, while his wife passed away in June, 1900, at the age of seventy-seven years. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom five are now living.
Daniel Freed was the seventh in order of birth and was reared in Ohio, spending the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof. He pursued a common school education, assisted in the labors of field and meadow, and in his minority also learned the painter's trade. As a com- panion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Pleasant A. Huff, also a native of Ohio, their marriage being celebrated June 23, 1870.
In the following year Mr. Freed came to Kansas and preempted a claim of one linndred and sixty acres of land on the county line, it being located in the southwestern corner of the section on which the town of Savonburg now stands. He arrived in Kansas without capital. He had no money with which to carry on the work of improving his place or of supporting his family, but he possessed indefatigable energy and determina- tion. These are solid foundation stones of success, and upon them he has bnilded his fortune. As he found opportunity he followed the painter's trade. Many of the pioneer settlers of that day, being limited in financial resources, did not have their homes painted, but as the population in- creased new residences and buildings were erected and his patronage in the line of his trade grew and today it claims all of his attention. He still owns his farm, but the work of cultivating and improving it is carried on by those whom he employs. Many years have passed since he has known through personal experience what poverty meant, for his labors brought him a comfortable competence that enabled him to provide his family with all the necessaries and many of the luxuries of life. He now has a fine residence, a large barn and all the necessary outbuildings upon his place, everything is kept in good condition.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Freed has been blessed with four children: E. Wilbur, who is now in Oklahoma Territory; Alice D., the wife of C. W. Nyman, who resides near her father; Hattie Blanche and Henry Clinton, who are still under the parental roof. Mr. Freed has ever given his political support to the Republican party, never faltering in his allegiance to its principles. Socially he is connected with the Knights and Ladies of Securities and A. O. U. W. at Savonburg.
453
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
L T. DONOHO-For thirty years L. T. Donoho, one of the enterprising farmers of Elsmore township, has been a resident of Allen county. .He was born in McDouough county, Illinois, on the 29th of January, 1850, and is the youngest of seven children born unto J. M. and Emma Donoho. The father was a native of Tennessee and died in 1888, at the ripe old age of seventy-six years, while his wife passed away in 1886, at the age of sixty- eight years.
The subject of this review was reared upon a farm and acquired a com- mon school education in Illinois. He came to Kansas with his parents in 1870 and has resided in Elsmore township for more than thirty years. In the year of his arrival here he married Miss Letitia Harris, and after a ·quarter of a century of married life death came to her on the 25th of Sep- tember, 1895. She left a husband and nine children to mourn her loss, namely: Lillian, now the wife of William Jordan; Effie, the wife of Mont Kirby, of Oklahoma Territory; Ella, the wife of John Kirby, of Elsmore township; Ernest, Lawrence, Jennie, Cecil, Alice and Fred, all of whom are at home.
Mr. Donoho was reared to agricultural pursuits and in the early part of his business career followed farming, but finally sold his property and took up his abode in Elsmore, where he was engaged in merchandising for some time. In 1894 he was appointed postmaster of the town and served under the presidential administration of Grover Cleveland. On the expira- tion of his four years' terin he was succeeded by a Republican, but retired from office with a creditable record as an obliging, accommodating and faithful official. He then returned to his farm and assumed the cultivation of its fields and the raising of stock, to which work he has since given his attention, preferring it to any other occupation. In his political views Mr. Donoho is a Democrat and socially he is connected with the Fraternal Aid Society, of Elsmore. Throughout the long years of his residence in the county he has become widely known and his career will bear the closest investigation.
JOSEPH ERICSON-The name of Ericson is well known in connection with agricultural interests in Allen county and has ever been synony- mous with signal honesty in business affairs. Joseph Ericson, who now follows farming in Elsmore township, claims Illinois as the State of his mativity, his birth having occured in Knoxville, Knox county, on the 6th of November, 1827. His father, Ole Ericson, was born in Sweden in the year 1812, and having arrived at years of maturity, he was married in that country. His wife, Elna, was born in 1825, and in the year 1850 they came to the new world, attracted by the opportunities here afforded. Since that time they have been residents of Knox county, Illinois, their home being in Knoxville. The father has reached the advanced age of eighty- eight years and the mother is now seventy-five years of age. Their
454
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
family numbered nine children and three of the sons are now prosperous; farmers of Allen county.
Joseph Ericson, the fifth in order of birth, was reared iu Knox county and pursued his education in the common schools and worked for his. parents until twenty-one years of age and then secured employment as a farm hand, to which work he gave his attention through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he was employed in the coal mines. Through his industry, economy and determination he accumulated about six hundred dollars, and with this capital he came to Kansas, accompanied by his brother Eric. They made the journey in the spring of 1883 and our subject located first at Warrensburg, where he was employed in a store owned by Charles Nelson. About a year afterward he and his brother together purchased what is known as a "leagne claim" in Allen county, investing, all of their capital in that property. Soon, however they found that they could not secure a title without again buying the land. Thus- they lost all of the money which they had first put into the place, but they made arrangements to again pay the purchase price, and for seven years. Joseph Ericsou resided upon that farm, after which he sold his interest to. his brother and purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 12, town 26, range 20, on which he has since made his home, and today he owns in Elsmore township a valuable property of two hundred acres, conveniently located one mile west of the town of Elsmore, which furnishes him a good market for all that he has to sell.
Although Mr. Ericson started out upon his business career without a dollar and has had no assistance from wealthy or influential friends, he has- steadily advanced upon a successful career, his resolute spirit and unflag- ging energy standing him instead of capital. His property interests are now very desirable. A pleasant residence occupies a good building site and is surrounded with shade trees of his own planting. A school house is located at one corner of his farm and thus his children enjoy educational advantages near at hand. He raises hogs, cattle and horses, and to his stock feeds the most of his grain. His farming methods are progressive and he is quick to adopt all improved methods which will promote the productiveness of his farm or add to its value or convenience.
On the 11th of February, 1892, in Allen county, Mr. Ericson led to the marriage altar Miss Amanda Olson, a daughter of Nels and Anna Olson, both of whom were natives of Sweden. Mrs. Ericson was born in Ford county, Illinois, and by her marriage has become the mother of five chil- dren, but Elna and Arthur are now deceased. Those still living are Elmer, Josie and Juneta. A nephew, Eddie W. Miller, is also a member of the family. Mr. Ericson usually gives his political support to the Populist party, but votes for the men rather than the organization. For eighteen years he has been a resident of Allen county, known and respected as & man of sterling worth and ability, and as one of those who contribute to the general stability of the community he is numbered.
-453
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
OHN SWANSON, who follows farming in Elsmore township, was born in Sweden, December 5, 1850. His father, Swan Olson, is still a resident of Sweden, and there he reared his family, the subject of this :review remaining in that country until he was twenty-one years of age, when he crossed the Atlantic and took up his abode in Moline, Illinois, where he entered the employ of the John Deere Plow Company and re- mained for three years. At the expiration of that time he went to Iowa and for two years was employed as a farm hand, after which he re- turned to Moline and again entered the works of the Deere Company. He was employed for four years in the factory, during which time he won the confidence of Mr. Deere who manifested his appreciation of the faithful service our subject had rendered him by giving him employment at his home and there he remained for two years.
In 1876 Mr. Swanson was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Benson, a native of Sweden who came to America on the same ship on which her husband had made the voyage. He then rented a farm in Henry county, Illinois, and continued its operation for eight years, returning again to Moline, where he resided two years. Believing that he could more readily "secure a home for his family in the west he then came to Kansas, arriving in Allen county on the 8th of November, 1887. He purchased eighty acres ·of land two miles and a half west of Savonburg, where he still resides and has made himself one of the prettiest homes in the county, having erected a fine residence in the midst of a beautiful grove. The house is finished in an attractive manner on the inside and neatly furnished and an air of hospitality pervades it. Mrs. Swanson presides over the household affairs and is an excellent housekeeper. Mr. Swanson attends to the work of the fields and everything about the place is characterized by thrift and enterprise. When he left Sweden he had to borrow money of his brother and in Illinois he laid up $1300 which he brought to Kansas, and by his untiring diligence and capable management he has continually added to his competence which has now assumed very creditable proportions.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Swanson have been born seven children, three ·sons and four daughters: Alfred, Ansfred and Victor, who are at home and assist their father in the work of the farm; Almeda, who is in Kansas City; and Jennie, Minnie and Ester, who are still with their parents. In his political views Mr. Swanson is a Republican. His duties of citizenship are faithfully discharged and he is true to all responsibilities devolving upon him. Surely he had earned the proud American title of "self-made man" for having come to the new world empty handed he has worked his way upward, and as the architect of his own fortunes has builded wise- ly and well.
ISAAC N. O'BRIEN-Tireless energy, well directed by sound business judgment, has brought to Mr. O'Brien very gratifying success in the affairs of life. He resides in Humboldt township, where he owns and
456
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
occupies a fine farm. He was born in Pike county, Ohio, March 29, 1835, and was abont twenty-three years of age when he came to this State. His; father, Cornelius O'Brien, was born in the Buckeye State in 1808, and: having arrived at years of maturity he married Leah Newman, of Adams. county, Ohio. In the year 1857 he came with his son William to Allen county, Kansas, and preempted the quarter section of land upon which his son Isaac now resides. The country was wild and the Indians far out- numbered the white population. It required considerable courage for all- eastern man to settle among the red-skinned people, and also face the trials and hardships incident to life on the frontier, but for many years the father carried on farming and was regarded as one of the reliable citizens of the community. He died in 1872, at the age of sixty four years. His wife was born in 1807, and passed away in 1866, at the age of fifty-nine. They had but two children; William C., of Mound Valley, Kansas, and Isaac N.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.