USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 55
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 55
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
George H. Young received only such educational privileges as were afforded by the common schools of his native state. He was reared to man- hood under the parental roof, and on the 11th of March, 1841, was united in marriage to Miss Polly A. Ross. He owned a small farm in North Car- olina and continued its operation until 1860, when he started for Kansas, hoping to there secure a good location, but when he reached Kansas City he heard such discouraging reports concerning the droughts in the Sun- flower state that he purchased a farm in Cass county, Missouri, and there took up his abode. Afterward, however, he removed to Johnson county, Kansas, but returned to his farm in Missouri, where he remained six months, then came back to Kansas. In 1870 he came to Allen county and secured a claim comprising a quarter section of land in the southeast por- tion of the county. It was a tract of wild prairie on which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made, but he at once began its de- velopment and has made his home thereon for thirty years. He has suf- fered many trials since coming to the west. He lived in Missouri during a portion of the war period and was exposed to the attacks of the bush- whackers who twice robbed him of nearly everything he had and kept him in a state of constant fear and anxiety. During the war he joined the militia and aided in guarding the families on the border. He has per-
465
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
formed the arduous task of improving a new farm in Kansas, but now has a valuable property which supplies him with all the necessities and comforts of life.
In 1894 Mr. Young was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 3rd of September of that year, at the age of seventy-two. To them were born eleven children, nine of whom reached years of maturity, while eight are yet living, namely: Smith A., wife of James Davis, now of Wilson county, Kansas; Jasper L. I .. Martin G. and John R., all of Bourbon, Kansas; G. W., at home; J. B., in Nebraska; Charles Grant and Anna M., also at home.
Mr. Young cast his first presidential vote for William Henry Harrison and was a stalwart Whig until the organization of the Republican party , when he joined its ranks and has since followed its banners, giving his support to President Mckinley in 1896 and again in 1900. Everything pertaining to the welfare of the community receives his endorsement and co-operation. To the Methodist Episcopal congregation he gave a plat of ground, the society was organized and a good church was built in 1883, now having a membership of between seventy-five and one hundred. Mr. Young is a well preserved man, vigorous and energetic, with memory un- impaired and mind undimmed with the weight of years. His many friends join in the wish that he may be spared for some years to come, to be num- bered still among the respected and worthy citizens of Allen county.
D R. CHARLES S. RANNELLS has been engaged in the practice of medicine in Allen county for twenty-two years. He possesses a broad humanitarian spirit, a sympathetic nature and a strong mind, that in its power of analysis enables him to correctly and carefully diagnose dis- ease. These qualities have insured his success and won him prestige as a representative of the medical fraternity.
The Doctor was born in St. Louis county, Missouri, January 15. 1851, and is the eldest son of Dr. David Watson and Mary Eliza (Clarkson) Rannells, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The father located in St. Louis county, Missouri, at an early day, his home being within seven miles of the city of St. Louis, and for forty-five years engaged in practice there, being the loved family physician of many a household. He died in 1876. His wife passed away many years before, leaving for children: Charles S .; Sallie, wife of Rev. Penn Mead, of New York, now deceased; Catherine, who is living in New York with her sister, and David, a resi- dent of San Diego county, California.
Having acquired his preliminary education in the public schools, Charles S. Rannells afterward began the study of medicine under his father's watchful care and guidance, and subsequently became a student in the medical university of Baltimore, Maryland, in which institution he was graduated in the winter of 1876. He began practice in Baltimore, but
466
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
after a year returned to Missouri to visit liis father and practiced for one year in his old home neighborhood near St. Louis. In 1878 he came to Allen county, where he has since made his home, and for a number of years has been located in Savonburg. His practice extends into Neosho and Bourbon counties, and has now assumed large proportions.
The Doctor married Mrs. Mattie Ayers, widow of Benj. W. Ayers, and a daughter of Dr. G. G. Samuels, a native of Kentucky and one of the early settlers of St. Louis, where he met and married Adoline Butler, a representative of one of the old families of that city. Dr. Samuels died in 1895, while visiting in Arkansas, and his wife passed away many years be- fore. By her first marriage Mrs. Rannells had two children: Mabel, a popular young lady of Allen county; and Bennie, who is married and re- sides in Kansas City. Unto the Doctor and his wife have been born a daughter, Sallie M., now sixteen years of age, and a son, Charles, who died at the age of twenty months. His success in the line of his chosen profession has brought to Dr. Rannells a comfortable competence and en- ables him to supply his family with many of the luxuries of life. His man- ner is cordial and courteous, his actions sincere, and all who know him recognize his sterling worth.
H TENRY E. BLAKELY, who is numbered among Ohio's native sons, was born in Miami county, October 11, 1867, and is a son of George H. and Sophia Ann (Dillon) Blakely, both of whom were natives of Ohio, the latter being of Irish descent, for her grandparents were natives of the Green Isle of Erin. When the subject of this review was three years old his parents removed to Dunn county, Wisconsin, and there he resided for twelve years, attending the common schools and thus acquiring the founda- tion of his education. Subsequently the family became residents of Good. hue county, Minnesota, where he completed his schooling. He early be- came familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agricul- turalist, and in addition to working on the farm through the summer months he taught school for nine years in the winter season, thus supplementing the money earned at agriculture by a fair income from his professional labors.
While residing in Goodhue county Mr. Blakely was united in marriage on June 28, 1893, to Miss Effie M. Folsom, who was born and reared in that county and successfully followed school teaching until her marriage. Her parents were Abel B. and Nancy ( Wright) Folsom. Her father died in 1897, but her mother is still living and makes her home in Lewiston, Idaho, where she owns a good fruit farm. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Blakely has been blessed with two interesting little daughters: Frances F., who is now three years of age, and Bessie May, a baby of about eighteen months.
In the year 1896 Mr. Blakely came to the Sunflower State and has since been a resident of Elsmore. For three years he had charge of the
467
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
creamery business and then he embarked in the livery business which he conducted alone until the spring of 1900, when he sold a half interest in that enterprise to his father. Together they purchased Mr. Kenyon's livery stable which was added to their own enterprise and thus they are in control of an extensive livery establishment and a good business. Our subject started out in life empty-handed, his only capital being his earnest determination to succeed and by diligence and a resolute will he has steadi- ly advanced on the high road to success. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Elsmore, and in his political affiliations he is a Republican. He has filled the position of constable in his town for two years, making a creditable record as a public official.
G EORGE D. HILDEBRANT-Among the farmers of Allen county who have responded to the spirit of development and shared in the improvement and settlement of Iola township is George D. Hildebrant. He came west before Horace Greeley promulgated his famous advice to young men and the year 1857 found him in Linn county, Kausas. He roamed about over the western prairies and mingled with the Red Man and the pioneers and familiarized himself with the customs and practices of the frontier.
Mr. Hildebrant was born in Morris county, New Jersey, November 13, 1835. He was a son of Jacob Hildebrant, born in Hunterdon county, that State, in 1802 and who died at Paw Paw Grove, Illinois, in 1887. He was one of a large family of children of Jacob Hildebrant, an old German settler of East Jersey. The latter married Anna Slack.
The mother of our subject was Clarissa Emmons. She died in 1849 and is buried at Mendham, New Jersey. In 1850 our subject's father left New Jersey and brought his family westward into DeKalb county, Illinois. His sons and daughters were: Jerome, who died and left a family in New Jersey; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Valentine Wirick; Henry, of Paw Paw Grove, Illinois; Emeline, who married William Griffithi, of Ottawa, Illinois, and Jacob, of Aurora, Illinois.
George D. Hildebrant was reared and received a fair education about the town of Paw Paw Grove, Illinois. There was a Seminary at that point then and he attended it as a climax to his career as a school boy. He learned the trade of a carpenter by working with others, and until he be- came deeply absorbed in farming, he made this his vocation. His final entry into Kansas was made in 1871 when he stopped in Linn county. In 1874 he came over into Allen and invested his scant means in a quarter section of railroad land, in section 35, town 24, range 17. His improve- ment of it was at first exceedingly slow for he had no means save what his trade and a rented farm would furnish him. In 1876 he was enabled to move to his farm and to begin the cultivation of a small patch which he had fenced. With the lapse of years he has discharged all his early and
468
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
burdensome obligations, has added to his acreage largely and has reared a large family and surrounded himself with the comforts of a well- ordered home.
In 1860 Mr. Hildebrant was married in Illinois to Mariettta Firkins, a daughter of Asahel and Harriet Firkins. The children of this union are: James A. Hildebrant, who married Eliz Kidney; Ella, deceased, inarried H. E. Billbee and left a family of six children; William Hilde- brant, with the Santa Fe Railway Company at Independence, is married to Sadie Kidney; Jacob A. Hildebrant, with the Santa Fe Company at El Paso, Texas, is married to Minnie Reed; Charles Hildebrant, a Santa Fe man at Independence, Kansas; Clyde Hildebrant, with the Lanyon Zinc Company at Iola, is married to Myrtle Pinneger, Barney E., Garfield, Jesse and Clarissa Hildebrant, residing on the homestead.
In political action Mr. Hildebrant and his sons are Republicans. In the way of establishing his claim to such political brotherhood he cites the casting of his first ballot for the party's first presidential candidate, John C. Fremont. He had just returned to Illinois from his first Kansas trip in 1860 when the quadrangular campaign of that year was being fought and he voted for Lincoln. In all he has cast a dozen ballots for Republican candidates for President and has lost only three of the twelve. In religious matters Mr. Hildebrant is allied with the Methodists. He holds his membership with the congregation in Piqua and renders it his conscientious support.
A LFRED CUNNINGHAM, who for thirty years has been a resident of Allen county, was born in Moultrie county, Illinois, in 1836. His father, Hiram Cunningham, was born in Virginia, and was reared upon the farm. In early manhood he removed to Kentucky, but after two years became a resident of Moultrie county, Illinois, where he soon after- ward married Miss Amanda Wood. Her people were from Kentucky and were representatives of one of the old families of South Carolina. Hiram Cunningham served in the Black Hawk war under Captain Alfred Hawes. He made farming his life work and died.in Illinois, at the age of fifty-five years. His wife, long surviving him, departed this life at her home in Moultrie county in 1896. They were parents of the following named: Owen, who died on the home farm in Illinois, leaving a wife and one child; Crawford, who died in Iowa; Samnel and Newton, who reside in Illinois; Jasper, who was a twin brother of Newton and died in infancy; Columbus, whose place of residence is unknown, and Alfred, our subject.
When Mr. Cunningham was only two years old his parents removed with their family to Macon county, Illinois, but when he was fifteen years of age returned to Moultrie county, Illinois. His educational privileges were such as the subscription schools afforded (for there were no public schools in that part of Illinois) at the time. He was reared to farm labor,
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
early becoming familiar with the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. As a companion and helpmeet on life's journey he chose Miss Armilda Swimm, who was driven from Kentucky by Morgan's men during the Civil war. They were married in Saybrook, McLean county, Illinois in April, 1866. Her father, Robert Swimm, was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, in 1812, and was a son of Hiram Swimm, a Maryland farmer who was killed while serving his country in the war of 1812. His children were Michael, John, Taylor, Ace, Robert and Barbara, who became the wife of Dan Hamm. All are now deceased. Robert Swimm married Sarah Riggs, and Mrs. Cunningham was the eldest daughter of their six children. Ambrose, tlie eldest son, died of consumption; Matthew is still living in Fleming county, Kentucky; Eliza A., is the wife of Robert Vanosdell, of Ottawa, Kansas; Margaret is the wife of Judas Bandro, of Purcell, Indian Territory, and Samuel M., who died at the age of twenty- five. The father of this family departed this life in Fleming county, Ken- tucky, in 1848, but the mother is still living, making her home with her daughter Margaret in the Indian Territory. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham had three children, but Lela, who was born March 8, 1882, is the only one now living. The sons, Corlus B. and Ora D., died when four years of age.
Mr. Cunningham came with his family to Kansas in 1870, arriving in Humboldt on the 9th of October. He was then thirty-six years of age, strong and vigorous, with a realization that life was not all sunshine, and willing to bear his share of hardships if he could ultimately secure a good home for himslf and family. Grasshoppers, fire and pestilence have injured his income and taught him patience and endurance. In the spring after his arrival he rented a small farm of Mr. Smith of Salem township, and there lived for two years, after which he took up his abode on the farm which he yet owns. He purchased the property in 1871, and with charac- teristic energy began its development the following year, breaking about five acres of land where his house stands and laying the foundation for the building. He also planted a small orchard. In 1871 he purchased about sixty head of cattle, but soon afterward had his hay supply destroyed by a fire which started near Big Creek, and burned its way up into Anderson county. At the end of the third day the wind changed and the fire was thus driven back in a northeasternly course along the track west of that over which it had first swept. It traveled at a fearful rate and nothing could withstand its fury. Mr. Cunningham only escaped by running with the fire and jumping into the creek. He hurried on to his home, where his wife lay ill. In the woodyard was a small bare spot around the wood pile and there he carried Mrs. Cunningham on a feather bed, laying her on the wood and thus escaping the fury of the fire.
Malaria was prevalent in those early days and Mrs. Cunningham was forced in the fall of 1862 to return to Illinois to recover her health. Her husband remained in Kansas, built a new home for them and received her again the following spring. Though he was met with difficulties, Mr. Cunningham has persevered and prosperity has now rewarded his labors.
470
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
Aside from farming he has been very successful in the raising of hogs and has thus added materially to his income. He is now one of the prosperous residents of his community.
Since 1874 Mr. Cunningham and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are active in its work. Their well spent lives have gained them high regard and they now enjoy the esteem and friendship of a wide acquaintance.
A LFRED W. JORDAN-In the history of a man who has devoted his entire life to business, there is little to awaken the interest of the reader in search of a sensational chapter, but Carlyle has said that "biogra- phy is the most profitable of all reading," for therein are set forth the methods which have been followed to win sucesss or which have lead to failure. The careful student may therefore learn valuable lessons from such a career as Mr. Jordan's for he is one who has worked his way upward, conquering all obstacles and advancing steadily on the highway of prosperi- ty by means of determined purpose and ceaseless energy.
Born in Jasper county, Missouri, June 4, 1850, Mr. Jordan is the second child of Gustavus and Elizabeth (Clay) Jordan. His father was a native of Virginia and at the age of fifteen left that state, removing with his parents to Kentucky where he spent the succeeding twenty years of his life. During that period he was married to Miss Clay, a native of the Blue Grass State. When twenty years had passed he returned to Virginia, later took up his abode in Tennessee, thence went to Arkansas and later to Jasper county, Missouri. The year 1863 witnessed his arrival in Kansas. He first settled on the banks of the Osage river in Anderson county, and in 1866 came to Allen county, locating on Big creek, where he spent his re- maining days, his death occurring in 1875, when he was seventy-six years of age. His wife passed away in 1877, at the age of forty-five years. Of their eight children five are still living: Mary, wife of D. R. Chappel, of Neosho county; A. W., of this review; Amanda, wife of Thomas Edwards, of Neosho county; Julia, wife of William Evans of the same county; and George, also of Neosho county.
Mr. Jordan of this sketch came with his parents to the Sunflower State in 1863, and to Allen county in 1866 and in the common schools acquired his education. He assisted his father until attaining his majority and then began farming on his own account. That he has labored untiringly and guided his labors by sound judgment is indicated by the fact that he is now the owner of three hundred and eight acres of valuable land, constituting one of the finest stock farms in Kansas. It is well improved with a fine residence, a commodious and substantial barn and all necessary outbuild- ings and a beautiful grove surrounds his home. His feed lots adjoin a large body of fine timber and there is plenty of running water upon the place. Each winter he feeds cattle and hogs in large numbers and these he ships
+71
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
to market in Kansas City. He raises grain in considerable quantities and this he feeds to his stock and also buys large quantities from his neighbors, thus furnishing a market for the corn raised in this locality.
On the 29th of April, 1880, Mr. Jordan was united in marriage to Miss Clara Kerr, a native of Indiana, who came with her parents to Kansas in 1879. They now have six children, namely : Rettie, Una, Anna, Dailey, Pearl and John. In the community they have many warm friends, being highly esteemed for their sterling worth. In his political views Mr. Jordan is a staunch Republican and always supports that party by his ballot although he has never sought office, preferring to give his attention to his business affairs in which he has met with signal success. His life has ever been upright and his name is synonymous with honorable dealing, his word being as good as his bond. Diligence and enterprise have rendered his life of much avail in the business world and his handsome property stands as a monument to his earnest effort.
OHN T. WOOD, the proprietor of the Iola Horse and Mule Market, was J
born in Edgar county, Illinois, on the 13th of May, 1865. His father became a resident of that county in 1845, and taught the first school within its borders. For some years he was identified with educational interests there and also was prominent in public affairs. He held some county offices, and was widely and favorably known throughout Edgar county. In liis business affairs he prospered and having gained a comfortable com- petence was well able to start his son in business, but possessing a con- mendable spirit of self-reliance, John T. Wood resolved to make his own way and show to the world that a young man could gain success withont assistance. In the family were three sons, of whom our subject is the middle. The first owns and operates a stock ranch in Reno county, Kan- sas, and the younger brother, Walter Wood, has a farm in Allen county. The brothers are all men of sound business sagacity and great traders.
In the common schools John T. Wood acquired his education and was early trained to habits of industry upon his father's farm. It was therefore with a practical experience of agricultural labors that he came to Kansas, but with no capital. He arrived in the state in 1887 and entered upon his business career here by working for fifty cents a day. He afterward at- tended the Normal Institute and obtained a teacher's certificate. For nine years he performed the labors of the school room and was regarded as a very capable educator, but the natural tendency of the family began to strongly assert itself and abandoning the teacher's profession he took up his abode upon a farm, raising, buying and shipping stock. He is an ex- cellent judge of stock and his efforts in this direction have been attained with prosperity. From time to time he has made judicious investments in real estate until his landed possessions now aggregate five hundred and thirty acres in Elm township, constituting a well improved farm.
472
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND'
In December, 1891, Mr. Wood was united in marriage to Miss Blanche Allen, a native of Michigan, who in 1880, accompanied her parents on their removal from Chicago to the Sunflower state. Mr. and Mrs. Wood now have two children: Roscoe and Edna, aged respectively seven and six years. As every true American citizen should do Mr. Wood keeps. well informed on the political issues of the day, and believing that the. platform of the Republican party contains the best elements of good govern- ment, he gives to it a loyal support. He has held the office of trustee in Elm township, but seeks not public office, preferring to devote his ener- gies to his business affairs. He has always depended upon his own. resources and his life record illustrates most forcibly what can be accom- plished through determined purpose and indefatigable energy, when guided by practical business sense.
P ETER C. JACOBSON is one of the worthy residents of Allen county that Denmark has furnished to the Sunflower state. Of Danish birth his natal day was August 26, 1836. His parents, Peter J. and Cory Jacob- son, were also natives of Denmark, the former born in 1801, and the latter in 1798. They spent their entire lives in the land of their birth and are now deceased.
Until twenty-five years of age Peter C. Jacobson remained in Den- ntark, and then, in 1861, came to America, locating first in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he worked at the shoemaker's trade. He afterward followed that pursuit in Madison, Wisconsin, until the 16th of April, 1862, when he joined the Union army as a private of Company A, Twenty third Wisconsin Infantry. With that command he served for three years and two months and participated in many of the most hotly contested engage- ments of the war, including the battles of Haines Bluff, Arkansas Post, Grand Gulf, Black River Bridge, Champion Hills, Jackson and the siege of Vicksburg, which resulted in the capture of that city after forty-three days of siege. He was also in the battles of Port Gibson, Sabine Cross Roads, Appaloosa, Fort Blakely, Spanish Fort, Mobile and many other engagements of lesser importance. After three years of service he was mustered out at Mobile, having been one of the loyal defenders of his adopted land. He was only slightly wounded, his injuries never keeping him away from the field of duty.
On receiving an honorable discharge Mr. Jacobson returned to Madi- son, Wisconsin, but soon afterward located in Green Bay, that state, where he resided for seven years. During that period he was married to Mary Jenson, a native of Denmark, and they have five children: Charles C., at home; Sarah A., wife of Charles E. Foster; Benjamin F., a resident of Can- ton, Illinois; Marion W. and Ida M., both at home.
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.