USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 75
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 75
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The mother of Judge Dutro was Elizabeth Neff who died in Wood- son county in 1873. Her other children are: Sarah, wife of W. F. Marple ; Frank, of Adair county, Iowa, and an ex-soldier of the Rebellion ; Elmer, of Leadville, Colorado; Charles, of Canon City, Colorado; Susan, who married Enoch Newcomb, of Garden City, Kansas ; Mary P., of Amer- ican Falls, Idaho, and Elizabeth, widow of Thos. H. Lamborn, of Wood- son county.
Judge James Dutro was reared and educated in Bureau county Illi- nois. His education was of the intermediate or common school sort. When the Rebellion broke out he entered company C, Sixty-six Illinois volunteer infantry, Col. Burge's "Western Sharpshooters." He served his full en- listment of three years and was at home on a recruiting expedition when
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This time expired. From the date of his discharge till he left Illinois Mr. Dutro's business in the main was farming. He was elected tax collector in Bureau county and served one year. In 1870 he left, started on his west- ward trip to Kansas. He paused on his journey in Missouri and entered the county of Woodson the spring following as before related.
Judge Dutro has been more or less mixed up with the politics of Wood- son county for many years. His sympathy and affection have always been with the dominant or Republican party and his counsels have had their weight and influence in determining the policy and management of local campaigns. In 1884 he was appointed a county commissioner to fill a vaeaney and Sheriff Keck made him his deputy in the office during his official term. In 1895 he was elected probate judge and in 1897 was re- elected to the position. In 1899 he was chosen a justice of the peace of Center township and in 1901 was again elected to the same office. In January, 1899 he was appointed by Gov. Stanley a member of the Board of Managers of the State Soldiers' Home and was reappointed to the same board in 1901.
Judge Dutro was married February 14, 1864, int Bureau county. Illinois, to Phebe S. Brown, a daughter of Nathan Brown one of the pioneers of that county. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dutro, viz: Otis W .; Arthur L .; Pauline D., wife of Carlos B. Randall. of Ameriean Falls. Idaho, and Mary Edith, who is Mrs. Jesse Camac. of Yates Center.
Judge Dutro is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias and a Red Man and a Past Commander of Woodsou Post 185. G. A. R.
SAMUEL J. COPE.
The life record of Mr. Cope demonstrates that Kansas has opportuni- ties for the man of energy and determination, for all that he possesses has been gained through an active and honorable business career in this state. He is now successfully farming in Woodson county, his home be- ing in North township. He was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, January 31, 1846, a son of Jeremiah and Anna (Graff) Cope, both ratives of the Keystone state. The father was born in Philadelphia and became a cabinet maker by trade, following that pursuit for many years in order to provide for his wife and children-thirteen in number. He died in Pennsylvania in 1896, when about seventy years of age, and his wife passed away in 1878. when she had completed half a century.
Under the direction of his father Samuel J. Cope learned the cabinet- maker's trade and later he also mastered the business of carpentering, fol- lowing his dual occupation for about twenty-five years. He spent several years in the building business in Oil City, Pennsylvania. In 1871 he was mited in marriage to Miss Susan Wilcox, a native of that state, and after
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five years' residence there they concluded that in order to get a home' of their own they would have to go where land was cheaper. Therefore in: 1876 they came to Kan as settling in Woodson county, where Mr. Cope rented a farm for a year after which he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie about eight miles northwest of Yates Center. Here he now resides and to-day he has a beautiful place of two hundred and forty acres, all well improved although not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made when he took possession. His cabin home has been replaced by a good residence, a barn has been built and other modern accessories have been added. When they first came to the county Mr. Cope could stand in the cabin door and see the deer cross backward and for- ward over his land.
In 1879 Mr. Cope coneluded to try the mining country and went to- Colorado, spending nine years in the wilds and among the blood thirsty Indians of the divide of the Rocky mountains, devoting part of the time- 10 mining, while during the remainder of the period he worked at car- pentering. He also spent five years in the operation of a sawmill whieh he had purchased, but not securing gold as readily as he had anticipated when he went to the mountains he returned to his farm and began its improvement, with the result that he now has one of the most desirable properties in his township. He is a lover of fine horses and only keeps the best grades, which may also be said of his cattle and other stock.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Cope has been blessed with eight children, vet living, namely : Anna, the wife of Asa Miller: Alice, wife of Ernest Farris; Jennie, who married Charles Maclaskey ; Foretta, wife of Charles Newman : Judge and Clint and Lottie at home with their parents. In his political affiliations Mr. Cope is a Populist and fraternally he is an Odd Fellow. On entering upon his business career he borrowed the money with which to purchase his tools. Such a condition is in strong contrast to his finaneial standing to-day and yet his present enviable position is not the result of inheritance or fortunate environment but has been wou through earnest, honest persistent effort.
GEORGE W. LEE, M. D.
From no professional man do we expect or exact so many of the cardinal virtues as from the physician. If the elergyman is austere we imagine that his mind is absorbed with the contemplation of things be- vond onr ken; if our lawyer is brusque and crabbed, it is the 'mark of genius; but in the physician we expeet not only superior mentality ard comprehensive knowledge but sympathy as wide as the universe. Dr. Lee ir large measure meets all of these requirements and is regarded by many as an ideal physician. He is indeed the loved family doctor in many a
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household and the value of his service to the community cannot be over- estimated.
The doctor was born at Markham, Illinois, December 4, 1867, a son of Thomas and Martha (Hall) Lee, natives of Illinois and still residents of Markham. They had nine children of whom our subject is the fifth in order of birth. He attended the district schools in his youth and was rear d upon the home farm, working in the fields from the time of early spring plowing until crops were garnered in the late autumn. In the winter he pursued his education and when he was prepared to take up the higher branches of learning he entered the college at Jacksonville. When his literary course was completed he began the study of medicine under the threction of Dr. T. M. Cullimore, of Jacksonville, and in 1892 he was graduated in the Marion Sims Medical College in St. Louis, Missouri. He afterward continued his studies in the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, at Keokuk, Iowa, and completed a course in that school with the graduating class of 1894.
In Meredosia, Illinois, Dr. Lee began practice but after a year came 10 Kansas, locating in Yates Center in 1895. Soon, however, he came 10 Toronto, where he has since remained. He is local surgeon for the 1. T. & S. F. R. R. Co., having served the company in that capacity for abont three years. His knowledge of the science of medicine, combined with a pleasing personality inspires a feeling of confidence and his patients un- ¡formly praise his gentleness as well as his skill, which is the secret of the large patronage which he has secured since coming to Toronto.
On the 16th of September, 1897,, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Lee and Miss Minnie Kaltenbach, a most estimable young lady of Toronto. They now have a wide acquaintance in the city where they reside and the hospitality of the best homes is cordially extended them. The doctor is yet a young man, ambitious and energetic, and a successful career the future undoubtedly holds for him,
JOHN A. SEATON.
For a comparatively brief period John A. Seaton has resided in Wood- son county, but already he has formed a wide acquaintance and won the regard of the best people of the community. His life has been one of marked activity in which he has faithfully performed public service and successfully carried on business enterprises. He is now extensively en- graged in farming and is the owner of a large and valuable tract of land in Everett township.
Mr. Seaton was born in Green county, Pennsylvania, October 30, 1840, and was the fifth in order of birth in a family of eight children, of whom six are yet living. The father, James M. Seaton, was also a native of Green county, and in early manhood married Miss Sarah Roberts, of
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Washington county, Pennsylvania. He made farming his life occupation, and in 1849 emigrated westward, first taking up his abode in Des Moines eounty Iowa. His death oeeurred in Newton, Jasper county, Iowa, when he was eighty-five years of age. and his wife passed away some time prev- icus, at the age of seventy-three.
When a lad of nine years John A. Seaton aeeompanied his parents on their removal to the Hawkeye state and upon the home farm he was :cared, receiving practical training in the work of the fields and the care of the stock. In the common schools of the neighborhood he obtained his education and to his father he gave the benefit of his services until he attained his majority. About the time he reached man's estate the Civil war was inaugurated and the country was calling for aid to preserve the Union. In October, 1861, he enlisted among the boys in blue of company B, Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry for a term of three years and was soon at the front, fighting the battles of the country. He participated in the engagements at Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka and the battles and skirmishes of the campaign of 1862, and at the battle of Raymond. Mississippi, he lost his leg on the 12th of May, 1863, and 12 days later he was captured and re- maind in captivity for 8 weeks, although paroled on day of eapture. His injury, however, was so great that he could not be moved. On the 5th of October, 1863, on account of the loss of his limb, he was honorably dis- charged and returned to his home.
In the following spring Mr. Seaton was married and in the fall of that year he was nominated and elected to the office of county clerk by the Re- publican party. By re-election he was continued in the position for four vears, and in the spring of 1864 he was given other official duties, being appointed by the governor to enroll the county militia. On his retire- ment from offiee he purchased an interest in the Townsend harness busi- neses and engaged in the harness business under the firm name of Town- send & Seaton. Six months later he sold his interest in the store and re- moved to a farm near Newton on which he lived for three months-sold this and moved to Kellogg, Iowa, where he was engaged in the insurance and real estate and milling business for a number of years. He was ap- pionted special agent for the American Fire Insurance Co. of Chicago, and was its traveling representative for 13 years. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to farming and stock-raising and also en- gaged in shipping stock. In 1886 he became the special agent of the Northwestern Live Stock Insurance Co. of Des Moines, Iowa, for south- western Iowa, and held that position nearly 8 years, doing a very large busi- ness for his company. In 1897 he engaged again in business with his old friend and former partner, Col N. Townsend in the town of Newton in real estate loans and insurance. In 1898 he disposed of his possession in Iowa and eame to Woodson county, Kansas, arriving in the month of May. Here they purchased four hundred and eighty acres of land near Vernon and have developed one among the best farms of the county, have erected a
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large residence, built in modern architectural style, and have also built a large barn. Their residence is the most attractive home in the northern part of the county and stands as a monument to their business life. Since coming to Kansas Mr. Seaton has given his entire time and attention to farming and stock-raising and intends to make a specialty of handling registered shorthorn cattle and registered Poland China hogs under the firm name of Jno. A. Seaton & Sons. They also put up and ship large quantities of hay each year.
On the 14th of April, 1864, was celebrated the marriage of John A. Scaton and Elma Bevan, for a number of years one of the leading teachers of Jasper eounty, Towa. She was a daughter of Stacy. and Jane Bevan, who came to Iowa in 1855. Mrs. Seaton is a most estimable lady and pre- sides with gracious and charming hospitality over their home. They be- came the parents of te nchildren, but lost three in infancy. The living are: James E., at home ; Elvin R., an attorney at law in Hubbard, Iowa ; Charles D., who is engaged in teaching school in Woodson county ; Sarah, wife of R. W. Nesmith, of Neosho Falls; R. K., A. G. and Mary E., all with their parents.
Mr. Seaton has always been a staunch Republican, in sympathy with the party that stands for the protection of American liberties, rights and industries and upholds the flag wherever it is planted. With the savings of his army life he entered upon his business career and by judicious investment and capable management he has increased his capital as the years have gone by until his possessions now rank him among the men of affluence in his adopted county, but the fact that he has won suc- eess is not all that gains him respect for his life has ever been upright and honorable, his public duties faithfully performed and the obligations of private life honorably met.
FREDERICK H. BAYER.
FREDERICK H. BAYER, a resident of Center township, Woodson county, is a native of New York city, his birth having there occurred on the 21st of April, 1863. His father, John H. Bayer, is one of the pros- porous men of Woodson county, having accumulated much real estate and other property, which indicates that his career has been a busy and use- ful one.
Frederick H. Bayer is the eldest of four children, and has practically spent his entire life in Woodson county. He was educated in the country schools, and remained at home until twenty-five years of age. He worked in the fields under the hot summer sun and assisted in the improvement of the farm throughout the period of his minority. On the 19th of Octo- ber. 1887, Mr. Bayer was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Seitz, a daughter of Jacob Seitz, who came to the United States from Prussia and
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located in Woodson county, Kansas. before the Civil war. When the country became involved in hostilities he joined the army and aided in up- holding the Union. He died in 1873, at the age of forty years, leaving the following children: Mrs. Bayer, William, Annie and one now deceased. Mrs. Seitz afterward married Ferdinand Schade and unto them were born four children: Ferdinand, Henry, August and John. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bayer has been blessed with six children, namely: Dora. John, Henry, Charles, Edgar and Clarence.
Mr. Bayer purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in West C'enter township, a tract of unimproved prairie. He at once began its cultivation and has wrought a great transformation in its appearance. He has also added to his realty holdings until his landed possessions now aggregate six hundred and forty acres of land in addition to the first pur- chase. The raising of hay claims much of his time, and the sales of the product materially increase his financial resources. Mr. Bayer votes with the Republican party, thus giving evidence of his political belief, and socially he is connected with Center Lodge, K. P., being an exemplary member of the organization.
SAMUEL H. WRIGHT.
Although Samuel H. Wright was a resident of Kansas but a brief period, he was rich in the qualities which in every land and every clime command respect and confidence and was, therefore, not long in winning the high regard of his fellow townsmen, so that his death came as a loss to the entire community. He was earnest and zealous in his support of every measure which he believed would prove of public benefit, and his life, ever honorable and upright, was an incentive for good to the young, an inspiration to his associates and people of mature years.
Mr. Wright was a native of the state of New York, born in Ontario county on the 9th of December, 1817. His father, Samuel Wright, sr., was born 1794 in Columbia county, N. Y., and was a descendant of the colonial Wrights who came to America to establish homes prior to the war of the Revolution, and who, throughout the early history of our country took an active part in its develpment. In the county of his nativity the sub- ject of this review was reared, there remaining until 1836, when he went tu LaGrange county, Indiana, where he made his home until 1855. This latter year he removed to Jasper county, Iowa, where he maintained his residence till 1891, this year disposing of his property interests and com- ing to Kansas and settling in Woodson county.
Throughout his entire business career Mr. Wright was identified with agricultural pursuits and while in Iowa he was also connected withi the Jasper County bank, at Colfax, and was interested in the creamery there. He was considered one of the best judges of horses and cattle in
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the state and did much to improve the grade of such stock in that state. For nineteen years he was a director and the president of the Jasper County Agricultural Society and made it a paying institution. On coming to Woodson county he purchased a farm of four hundred acres on the west line of Center township to the supervision of which he devoted his re- maining years.
Mr. Wright was twice married. He first wedded Elizabeth Tone, who died in 1844, and in 1858 he married Sarah Newhouse, a daughter of Andrew Newhouse, a native Virginian. Mrs. Wright was born September 28, 1828. and of her parents' children two survive-Mrs. Mary Coldren. of Topeka. Kansas, and Milton Newhouse, of Lake Charles, La. To Mr. and Mrs. Wright were born the following children, viz: Mary, wife of S. W. Bayless. of Lake Charles, Louisiana; S. Edward, of Jasper county, Iowa : Ella. of Lake Charles. La., who married Harry Fullington, and Sedgwick M., born December 8, 1868. The last named was married August 25, 1890. to Ehina B. Curl and has two children-Gordon C. and Beatrice M.
It was on the 23d of July. 1899, that Samuel Wright was called to his final rest. He was then in his eighty second year. Death thus brought 1. a elose a long, useful and honorable career. His character was above re- proach and his word was as "good as his contract." In early life he became a member of the Presbyterian church, and the principles of Christianity ever permiated his relations with his fellow men. He con tributed liberally to religious work, nor did he neglect his duties of citizen- ship but loyally supported those public measures which he believed would hert promote the welfare of the nation. He kept well informed on political issues and was at one time a candidate on the Greenback ticket for con- gress. but later became a Republican. He took a commendable pride in his home. desiring that everything around him should be in good order. He was an exemplary citizen, a reliable and progressive business man, a faithful friend and a loving and considerate husband and father. Such a. record is better than countless wealth.
CHARLES H. BAUERSFELD.
A highly improved farm of two hundred and forty. aeres in Belmont township, Woodson county, is now the property of Mr. Bauersfeld and has been acquired entirely through his own well directed efforts since coming to America. He was born in North Housen, Prussia, Germany. February 1, 1857, and is a son of a shepherd, Frederick Bauersfeld, who came with his son to the United States and died in 1881, at the age of sixty- two years. He was twice married, his first union being with Hennah Rumpf, by whom he had four children: Wilhelmina, wife of Hermann Kemmerer, of Missouri; Johanna, wife of Frederick Becker, of Germany : Indowina, wife of Charles Lieberman, of Cass county, Missouri. For his
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sceond wife the father chose Mina Mollenhour, a resident of Woodson ecunty. Their children are: Wilhelmina, wife of Charles Weide ; ( harles H., of this review ; Gunther, of Woodson county ; Theresa wife of William Weide, and August, who is living in Yates Center.
Charle . H. Bauersfeld was reared and educated in his native land and there remained until twenty-four years of age. He also learned the. weaver's trade there but did not follow it after his arrival in this country. In 1881 he arrived in Woodson county and located in North township, where he resided for six years after which he spent nine years on an- other farm. On the expiration of that period he went to Yates Center, where he engaged in the milling business for a year and a half. In 1897 he took up his abode upon his present farm on section thirty-five, town- ship twenty-five, range fourteen, and is now devoting his energies to the- operation of his farm of two hundred and forty aeres, which is now well improved, being supplied with modern accessories, good buildings and the' best equipments for making of farm work a suceess.
Mr. Banersfeld was united in marriage to Miss Eva Switzer, who was born in 1864. and is a daughter of Henry Switzer, of Coffey county, Kan- ras, but formerly a resident of Pennsylvania. Four children graee the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bauersfeld: Minnie, Harry, Leonard and Ollie. The parents enjoy the warm regard of many friends in this part of the county and are widely known. In the early days of his residenee in this country Mr. Banersfeld was a Republican but afterward became a Popu- hst during the reform movement in Kansas. In this country where op- portunity is not hampered by caste or class and where ability is recognized and labor brings reward. he has steadily advanced until he is now numbered among the prosperous and progressive agriculturists of his adopted county.
MALEN PARRISH.
MALEN PARRISH. who is engaged in farming in Center township. Woodson county, has been a resident of this locality for a quarter of a century and his entire life has been passed in the Mississippi valley, his birth having occurred in Scott county, Illinois, on the 7th of January, 1840. His father. Henry Parrish removed to that state about 1830 from Tennessee, his home having previously been near Nashville. where he was born about 1811. He earried on agricultural pursuits throughout his business career and died in 1846. His wife bore the maiden name of Arminta Bennett, and after the death of her first husband she became the wife of John Redshaw. By her first union she had three children, but Henry and Nancy, the eldest and the youngest, died in Scott county, Illi- nois, leaving our subject the only survivor. The mother passed away in Woodson county in 1896, at the age of seventy-seven years, and her seeond husband died in the same county in 1899.
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"The boyhood days of our subjeet were fraught with toil performed uuder the direction of a stepfather who was very exacting in his re- mands, but after acquiring a fair English education in the public schools and attaining his majority Mr. Parrish left home and began the battle of life unaided. His possessions consisted of a cow and a team of horses which he had borrowed and which he continued to use until he was able to purchase a team of his own. He has always carried on agricultural pur- suits and is an energetic farmer. As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life he chose Miss Harriet Marden, a daughter of Colby Marden. a Canadian, who settled in Illinois at an early day and married Lucy Moore. a native of Vermont. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Marden
were : Ann Cumby, of Scott county, Illinois; Sarah, the wife of George ('unningham. of the same county ; James, of Pope, Arkansas; George, of -Jacksonville, Ill., and Mrs. Parish. The marriage of our subjeet and his wife was celebrated on the 1st of January, 1862, and was blessed with four children : Mary E. Reed, of Gunnison, Colorado. and Dora, wife of James Dawson, of Springdale, Washington; Harriet F., wife of Frank Wagner, of Iola. Kansas, and L. B., who is with his father.
Ill health was the immediate occasion of Mr. Parrish becoming a resi- dent of Kansas. He visited the state on a prospecting tour, and being pleased with Woodson county and its prospects he located on section twenty, township twenty-five, range sixteen. He sold his property in Illinois. purchased this tract and has sinee been identified with the farm- ing interests of Woodson county, carrying on his work in an energetic manner that finds its reward in the gratifying success which has crowned his consecutive endeavors. For twenty-five years he has been an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity and his son has taken the Royal Arch degrees. Since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864 he has never failed to support the leading candidates of the Republi- can party with the exception of the year 1884. He is a citizen of worth. giving a loyal support to measures of public benefit and the integrity and fidelity of his chaacter have made him a man whom to know is to respect and honor.
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