USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 56
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 56
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After his marriage Mr. Jacobson removed to Helena, Arkansas, where he remained for three years, working at his trade. In 1873 he came to
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Kansas, locating first at Osage Mission, where he followed farming until 1874. That year witnessed his arrival in Allen county, and after three years spent on a farm west of Savonburg he removed to the farm which is now his home and on which he has erected a good residence. He has also made other substantial improvements. During President Cleveland's ad- ministration he received an appointment to the position of railway postal clerk and served in 1897 and 1898 on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad and on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway. Since that time he has continuously and successfully engaged in farming. In America lie has found the opportunity he sought of advancing to a position of affluence, and as the result of his own efforts he now has a comfortable property. He belongs to the Grand Army Post at Elsmore and in his political affiliations is a Populist.
D R. JOHN COURTNEY has been engaged in the practice of medicine in Allen county for twenty-two years. The world has little use for the misanthrope. The universal truth of brotherhood is widely recognized, also that he serves God best who serves his fellowmen. There is no pro- fession or line of business that calls for greater self-sacrifice or more devoted attention than the medical profession, and the successful physician is he who through love of his fellowmen gives his time and attention to the re- lief of human suffering. Dr. Courtney is one of the ablest representatives of this noble calling in his adopted county.
A native of Kentucky he was born in Pendleton county, January 30, 1836, and is of Irish lineage. Thomas Courtney, his grandfather, was a native of Ireland, and when a young man crossed the Atlantic, becoming a resident of Pennsylvania. By trade he was both a glove-maker and tailor. Michael Courtney, the father of the Doctor, was born Penn- sylvania, in 1794. and married Leanna McMurray, who was of Scotch parentage. They became the parents of seven sons and three daughters, and four of the sons served their country in the Union army, one laying down his life on the altar of freedom, while the others returned to their homes. One of these, Thomas, is now living in Indiana, while Marcellas is a resident of Arkansas. About 1850 the family removed to Indiana where the father of our subject died in 1875, at the ripe age of eighty-one years.
Dr. Courtney was a youth of twelve years when he accompanied his parents to the Hoosier state, acquiring his education in the common schools there and in the high schools at Leavenworth and Huntingburg, Indiana. From the former he was graduated, and after completing his studies he engaged in teaching until the Civil war, when he enlisted as a private in Company E, First Indiana Cavalry. After remaining twenty months with that command he received a commission as second lieutenant in Company E, Forty-fourth United States Colored Infantry, with which
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he served for seven months, when, the war having ended, he received an honorable discharge. He was in several skirmishes and battles, and at the engagement at Peach Orchard had his horse shot from under him.
After the war Dr. Courtney took up the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Vanduron, of English, Crawford county, Indiana, and in 1865 he located for practice in Newton-Steward, that state, where he re- mained for ten years. On the expiration of that period he went to Ma- coupin county, Illinois, where he practiced three years, and in 1878 he came to Kansas, locating in Cottage Grove township, on the present site of the town of Leanna, which was named in honor of his mother. He pur- chased forty acres of land, erected a good residence and has everything about his place in excellent condition, his home being surrounded by beau- tiful shade trees that stand guard over a well-kept lawn. From the time he located here up to the present, he has enjoyed a large and important practice. Thirty-six years experience have given him a high degree of skill and he holds enviable prestige in the ranks of the medical fraternity in Allen county.
The Doctor was married September 24, 1865, to Miss Martha Jane Foster of Tennessee. She was born in Jackson, that state, a daughter of William P. and Charlotte Foster, who removed to Indiana at the time of the Civil war, for they entertained strong sympathy for the Union cause and it was therefore unsafe for them to remain in the south. Mr. Foster died in 1881, at the age of eighty-one years, and his wife passed away in 1894, at the age of eighty-seven. Of their twelve children only four are now living, namely: Mrs. Courtney; Elizabeth, wife of J. A. Kellans; Mary, wife of Hiram Langford, and Welcome Foster, all of Newton-Stew- ard, Indiana. Unto the Doctor and Mrs. Courtney have been born four children, three of whom survive, as follows: U. R., a teacher of Savon- burg, Kansas; O. D., who is cashier of the State Bank of Savonburg, and A. Dieskau, a student in the normal school at Emporia. The family is one of prominence in the community, the sterling worth of its representatives gaining them the warm regard of many friends. In politics the Doctor is an unwavering Republican. believing fully in expansion and the protection of the American flag for which he fought on southern battle-fields, and which he is proud to know now floats over some of the islands of the sea as a symbol of protection and humanity.
T HOMAS HOGAN was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, December 27, 1852; and now resides in Cottage Grove township, Allen county, being numbered among the successful farmers and early settlers of Kansas. His father, John Hogan, was a native of the Green Isle of Erin, and with his parents came to America, the family locating in Illinois near Ottawa. After his first marriage he removed to Wisconsin, where his wife died, and in the Badger state he wedded Margaret Marshall, a native of Canada, our
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subject being a son of the second marriage. The father was a farmer by occupation and after his removal from Wisconsin followed that pursuit in Douglas county, Kansas, from 1857 until the time of his removal to Leaven- worth county, this state, where he spent his last days, dying in 1878, at the age of seventy-six years. His wife passed away in 1864, at the age of forty-eight years. They had five children: Thomas P .; Catherine, wife of James Doyle; James T., and Carrie, wife of Thomas Hiland.
When only four years of age Thomas Hogan of this review was brought to Kansas by his parents and was reared to manhood in Douglas and Leavenworth counties, acquiring his education in the common schools. In 1874 he started out to make his own way in the world, journeying west- ward to California, where he worked for a time upon a farm, but wishing to see more of the country he visited Oregon, Nevada, Arizona and Wyom- ing, whence he went to Colorado, where he worked in a mine for some time. Believing that he could meet with better success in the Sunflower state he therefore returned to Kansas, where he has since made his home. In 1879 he married Miss Margaret Hiland, and to them have been born seven children, as follows: Thomas F., Anna C., Lizzie May, Catherine, James T., Charles L. and Nellie Laura.
In 1894 Mr. Hogan came to Allen county and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in East Cottage Grove township, seven miles southeast of Humboldt, where he now has a highly improved tract of land. The home is surrounded by fine forest trees and his fields are under a high state of cultivation, yielding to him good crops which materially enhance his income. He does not belong to that class of farmers who are continu- ally talking about hard times, but has faith in the power of honest labor in bringing success to the individual. Industry has been the strong element in his own prosperity and while he has worked hard to attain success he is now in possession of a good home, a fine farm and a desirable income. He has never taken any very active part in politics, usually supporting the Democracy, but believing that the country is now in a prosperous condition he does not desire any change in the political administration.
JOSEPH THUNEY is of French birth, but has been a resident of Amer- J ica from the age of seven years, and is in full sympathy with the insti- tutions of this country. He was born in Loraine, France, on the 18th of March, 1838, his parents being John B. and Anna (Ferry) Thuney, of French nativity. They crossed the Atlantic to the new world in 1845, taking up their residence in Brown county, Ohio, upon the farm which the father made his home throughout his remaining days. He died in 1886, at the age of seventy eight, and his wife passed away in 1894, when she had reached the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten. They had six children, of whom five are now living, namely: August and Julian, who are residents of Brown county, Ohio; Joseph; Adeline, wife of Victor
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Petard; and Charles and Josephene, who make their home in Brown county, Ohio.
Joseph Thuney was the third in order of birth. He was reared on the home farm, receiving the advantages of a common school education. At the age of seventeen he became an apprentice at the carpenter's trade. After completing his term of service he was employed as a journeyman for a number of years, and being a good workman was always able to secure a situation. When he had accumulated about sixteen hundred dollars he decided to marry, and on the 16th of April, 1869, was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary A. Miller, one of the accomplished young ladies of Brown county, Ohio. Her parents were Jacob and Matilda (Schler) Miller. Her father was a native of Germany, and during his boyhood came to the United States where he met and married Miss Schler, who was born in Pennsylvania. They had seven children, of whom six are living, all be- ing residents of Brown county, Ohio, with the exception of Mrs. Thuney. These are Josephine, wife of Benjamin Farris; Frank; Henry; Susan, and Matilda, wife of John Evans.
After his marriage Mr. Thuney continued to work at the carpenter's trade until 1880, when he resolved to turn his attention to agricultural pur- suits and believing that he could find better opportunities in the west where land was cheap he came with his family to Kansas in 1880 and purchased a tract of one hundred and forty- three acres in Cottage Grove township, five miles southeast of Humboldt He has since resided thereon and has made it one of the finest farms in his section of the county, everything being kept in good condition. His knowledge of carpentering has enabled him not only to erect a pleasant residence and one of the best barns in the county, but also to keep everything in good repair, and now in their attractive home, he and his wife are enjoying the fruits of their toil, for she has been to him an able assistant.
Mr. and Mrs. Thuney are the parents of three sons and four daughters, namely: Frank E., who is now in the United States civil service, being stationed in the custom house at Burlington, Vermont, and having worked his way steadily upward so that at the present time only one outranks him; Matilda, wife of George Reynolds, of Salem township; John and Louisa, at home; Edward and Belle, twins; and Stella, who completes the family circle. Mr. Thuney is a Democrat in his political faith, and for a number of years has served as township treasurer, his long continued serving in- dicating the capable manner in which he is now discharging his duties. He is a man of genial manner and kindly disposition and is a popular citizen of the community in which he makes his home.
TOHN RAISH has been a resident of Allen county for twenty-one years J and may therefore be said to liave attained his majority as a citizen of this locality. He is widely known as one of the prosperous and reliable
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citizens of Salem township. He was born in Bedford, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1840, and is a son of Michael and Tracy (Sromanger) Raislı, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father came to America in 1839, and from Pennsylvania removed to Quincy, Illinois, where for a number of years he occupied a position as salesman in a large store. He died in 1859, at the age of forty-seven, and his wife, long surviving him, passed away at the age of seventy-five. They were the parents of nine children, five of whom reside in Quincy, Illinois.
John Raish spent the greater part of his youth in Quincy and was educated in the schools of that city. On putting aside his text books he dearned the tinner's trade, which he followed until his removal to Kansas, arriving in Allen county on the 22nd of November, 1879. Here lie pur- chased two hundred and forty acres of raw prairie land, with money saved from his earnings in the tin shop. His place is pleasantly and conven- iently located in Salem township, five miles east of Humboldt and is one of the most desirable farms in that part of the county. All modern acces- sories and conveniences have been supplied, including a good residence, a large barn, fine slade trees and an excellent orchard.
The lady who has for a number of years been to him a faithful com- panion and helpmate on life's journey was, prior to their marriage Miss Johanna Wacklin. She was born in Germany and when fourteen years of age came to the new world with her parents, Daniel and Minnie ( Kornut) Wacklin. The marriage of our subject and his wife was blessed with five children, but only one has been spared to theni, Daniel A., who is married and resides on a farm near the old homestead.
In his political views Mr. Raish is a Democrat, who keeps informed on the issnes of the day and takes an active part in politics. He is now serv- ing as a member of the county central committee and does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. His business career has been one marked by unfaltering purpose, guided by sound judg- ment, and his record stands in exemplification of what may be accom- plished in a country where opportunity is open to all.
D. MENDENHAFT is the owner of one of the best farms in Cottage
L. . Grove township. He has here one hundred and sixty acres of splendid land pleasantly located six miles southeast of Humboldt. His residence is surrounded by large forest trees which throw their grateful shade on the house and lawn. The soil is rich and productive, and he never fails to raise a crop, annually securing good harvests of wheat, corn, oats and flax.
Mr. Mendenhaft was born in Columbia, county, Pennsylvania, on the 17th of October, 1827. His father, Eli Mendenhaft, was also a native of that county, there spent his entire life, and when death claimed him his remains were interred in one of its cemeteries. He passed away in 1888 at
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the advanced age of eighty-four years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Davis, was also a native of the Keystone State, and died in 1874, at the age of seventy-nine years, seven months and thirteen days .. They had four children: Carlton, now of Brooklyn, New York; Arminta M. and Elizabeth, both of Pennsylvania and L. D., of this review.
Mr. Mendenhaft, whose name forms the caption of this article, was the eldest. In his youth he became familiar with the milling trade, mastering the business in all its departments, and he also learned the tanner's trade, which he followed for some years. He was married to Miss Sarah J. Lemon, of Rhorsburg, Pennsylvania, Jannary 1, 1857 and for some years they re- sided in New York city during the period of the Civil war, he having charge of a large rice mill there, cleaning rice for the United States army. He then returned to Pennsylvania, and was made manager of the extensive mills of A. Pardee & Company, continning their operation for nine years. On the expiration of that period he removed to South Bend, Indiana, where he engaged in milling for two years, and traveling for years, his attention being given to the dressing of millstones. In 1880 he removed with his family to Humboldt, Kansas, and tiring of the milling business, which he had so long followed, he purchased a farm in Cottage Grove township. He- had had no experience as an agricnlturist, but he soon mastered farm work and is today one of the most successful and enterprising representatives of farming interests in Allen connty.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mendenhaft have been born two children: Ario, C. M., is now living at Channte, Kansas; Estella, became the wife of Edward Rush (who was killed in a balloon ascension at Grenola, Kansas, October 8, 1898), and has since married Burt Lackey, of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mr. Mendenhaft is in politics a Republican, and has labored earnestly to elect his friends, but has never sought official preferment for himself. He is now seventy-three years of age, but possesses the vigor and energy of a much younger man and is still concerned with the active affairs of business life.
A NDREW P. WISBORG-Perhaps more failures in business life occur from a lack of persistency of purpose than from any other cause. It is this which renders effort futile and labor nnavailing, but Mr. Wisborg is one who has followed a given task, having always devoted his energies to farming, and thereby he has won success.
One of Allen county's native sons, he was born March 26, 1861, on the farm which is now his home, and is the only child of N. P. Wisborg. His father was widely and favorably known in Allen and Neosho counties. Born in Denmark, he came to America in 1858 and settled in Allen county, twenty miles southeast of Iola on Big creek, where he purchased two hun- dred and seventy-two acres of land. There he successfully followed farm- ing for many years. His military experience covered three years' service
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in the army of his native land and three years in the Union army as a mem- ber of Company G, Nineteenth Kansas Cavalry. He participated in all of the engagements in which his regiment took part and was ever found at his post of duty, loyally defending the starry banner of the Nation. At one time he served as trustee of Cottage Grove and was also postmaster of Odense. He married Anna Hill, a native of Denmark, and died in 1897, at the age of sixty-seven years. His widow is a resident of Savonburg. He was a man of sterling worth, most highly respected, and the community mourned the loss of one of its valued citizens when he was called from this life. In all life's relations he was upright and honorable and his example is in many respects well worthy of emulation.
Andrew P. Wisborg remained at home until his father's death with the exception of a very brief period. He attended the common schools and early became familiar with all the duties that fall to the lot .of the agriculturalist. He was married on the 7th of October, 1886, to Miss Anna Erickson, who was born in Illinois and came to Kansas with her parents. She died in October, 1889, leaving two chil- dren, Mary and Anna. On the 2nd of October, 1895, Mr. Wisborg was again married, Miss Mattie Roberts becoming his wife. She was born in Neosho county and the marriage was therefore of a native son and daugh- ter of Kansas. Her father, William Roberts. was born in Illinois and came to this State in 1870, locating in Neosho county. His wife bore the maiden name of Nancy Hinshaw and was a native of Virginia. They were the parents of nine children, eight of whom are living, namely: Mattie, Etta, Judson, Walter, Ella, Andy, Mamie and Morton.
Mr. Wisborg is now extensively and successfully engaged in farming. He has two hundred and seventy-two acres of land, well adapted to stock- raising purposes, for there is much water and timber upon the place. A large barn and other outbuildings also furnish shelter to the stock and that branch of his business is quite profitable. His home is a pleasant residence on the bank of Big creek.
Mr. Wisborg was elected constable of his township and served for one terni.
TUSTIN O. HOTTENSTEIN-While gratitude is a characteristic of the
human race-and it ever will be- the American people will never fail to hold in grateful remembrance those brave and loyal soldiers who fought for the preservation of the Union and aided in preserving intact the greatest republic on the face of the globe. Among the boys in blue Mr. Hottenstein was numbered, and in days of peace as well as in days of war he has ever been found as a faitlıful citizen.
He was born in Cook county, Illinois, March 11, 1837, and is a son of Philip S. and Elizabeth (Burns) Hottenstein, the former a native of Penn- sylvania, and the latter of Canada. The mother was driven from her home
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by the British when she was only four years of age, during the battle of Lake Erie. The parents of our subject were married in Michigan and unto them were born six children, but the only survivor of the family is Justin O. (Colonel J. A. Hottenstein, now deceased, was a brother of our subject. ) The father, who was a soldier in the Black Hawk war, died in 1842, and the mother, whose birth occurred in 1809, passed away February 7, 1881, at the age of seventy two years.
When only eighteen months old Mr. Hottenstein, the subject of this sketch, was taken by his parents to Indiana, but after five years spent in that State the family returned to Illinois, where he remained until the in- auguration of the Civil war. In the meantime Mr. Hottenstein had ac- quired a common school education and had become familiar with the work of the farm. He watched with interest the progress of events in the South and resolved that if an attempt at secession was made, he would strike a blow in defense of the Union. Accordingly on the 21st of April, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Twentieth Illinois infantry, was made sergeant and was afterward, April, 1863, promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. He served until 1864, and was then honorably discharged, on account of disa- bility, from wounds received in battle. Among the most important engage- ments in which he participated were those at Fredericktown and Charleston, Missouri, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth and Britan's Lane, (at which latter place five hundred Union soldiers fought eight thousand Confederates) and Fort Gibson. He was under fire for twenty-one days, including the battle of Bayou Prairie and the battle of Raymond. May 12, 1863, at the last named he sustained a gun shot wound, the bullet piercing his lung and coming out under his left shoulder. He lay for days (was picked up after two days and bunched with the wounded) without medical aid among the dead and wounded, but was ultimately given medical atten- tion. He was taken prisoner May 24th and escaped July 9th and went to Vicksburg. He furloughed home for recuperation but as soon as lie was able rejoined his regiment and participated in the fight at Kennesaw Moun- tain, June 23, 1864. His wound incapacitated him for further duty, and on the 25th of June, 1864, he was honorably discharged from the service. During much of the time that he held the rank of sergeant he was in con- mand of his company and his own personal bravery inspired his comrades to many deeds of valor.
Mr. Hottenstein was married while home on his furlough, on the 6th of April, 1864, to Miss Lois M. Smith. She is a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Ira W. and Lois (Beckwith) Smith, both of whom were born in 1810. The father was a native of Vermont. Mi. and Mrs. Smith had five children, Mrs. Hottenstein being the fourth in order of birth. By the latter's marriage she has become the mother of six children, namely: Mrs. Addie B. Maxwell, of Kansas; Mrs. Nellie Payn, of Illinois; Mrs. Ida E. Crawford, of Ohio; Russell W., Fred J, and Archie P., at home.
In 1867 Mr. Hottenstein came to Kansas where he secured a home- stead of eighty acres five miles east of Humboldt. He has since resided upon his farm but has extended its boundaries until it now comprises four
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hundred acres, constituting one of the valuable and attractive country seats in Salem township. Everything is arranged for comfort and convenience. There is a good residence, a large barn and other substantial outbuilding>. He raises much stock and is numbered among the prosperous farmers of the State. He has depended upon his own exertions for a livelihood since he was fourteen years of age, and therefore deserves great credit for his suc- cess. In his social relations he is a Mason, while politically he is a Demo- crat. His attention, however, has been chiefly given to his farm, which is a monument to his enterprise, diligence and capable management.
W ILLIAM D. JEWELL .- For thirty years Mr. Jewell has been a resident of Allen county and in the active pursuits of business has gained a competence that now classes him among the substantial citizens in this portion of the state. He was born in Allegany county, . New York. July 7, 1831, and is a son of Sias and Charlotte ( Davis) Jewell, the former born at Scipio, New York, was a weaver by trade, following that vocation during the period of his residence in the Empire state. He wedded Miss Davis, a native of Massachusetts, and in 1833 they removed to Michigan, where Mrs. Jewell's death occurred a short time after their arrival. Mr. Jewell purchased land in Michigan and engaged in farming for a number of years, and afterward resumed work at his trade. He was again married and was the father of five children; two by the first union and three by the second. Mary Jane, an own sister of our subject, is now the wife of Syl- vester Wood, a resident of St. Joseph county, Michigan. The father of our subject died in that state in 1865, at the age of eighty-three years.
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