USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 78
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 78
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A native of Indiana, Mr. Inge was born in Parke county, that state, on the 21st day of November, 1838. His father, Chesley L. Inge, was a native of Virginia and was married there to Miss Frances M. Lipscomb, also a native of the Old Dominion. They removed to Parke County, Indiana at an early day, and in the midst of the green woods the father entered land from the government and transformed it into a good farm
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and home for his family. There he resided until 1873 when he came to Kansas, taking up his abode in Neosho Falls, where he died the following year, at the age of seventy-five. His wife survived him until 1878 and died at the age of seventy-four. They were parents of twelve children, four of whom are now living: William, a resident of Parke County, Indiana : James, of Missouri; Chesley, of Kansas City, has .; and D. R .. of this review.
Mr. Inge, whose name begins this article, was the ninth in order of birth in his father's family. He was reared upon a farm in his native county and received such educational advantages as were afforded by the common schools of those days. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age and then started out in life on his own ac- count. He was married in 1861 to Miss Susan Ships who has indeed been 1 ) him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey. She was a cative of Pennsylvania, and in 1858 became a resident of Indiana, her parents having both died in the Keystone state. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Inge has been blessed with four daughters. Mary M., wife of Daniel Phillips, of the city of Oklahoma ; Lenora, wife of Joseph Wilson, a lumber merchant of Neosho Falls: Luella, wife of E. A. Stillwell, cashier of the Neosho Falls bank, and Cora, wife of William Shockey. assistant cashier of the Neosho Falls bank.
After his marriage Mr. Inge operated his father's farm for three years and then removed to Illinois, where he rented land and engaged in farming for two years. Believing that he would have better opportunities in the newer and less thickly settled West, he came to Kansas in 1866, locating In the northwest corner of Allen County, where he and his brother George together purchased a section of land, going in debt for the greater part of i :. He turned his attention to the stock business. buying, feeding and shipping stock on a small scale until he became established, and as the years passed he extended his operations, becoming one of the large cattle dealers in the county. By hard work and close attention to business he scon had his farm paid for and also extended the boundaries of his property by additional purchases. There is no man in Allen County that has handled more cattle than Mr. Inge. He continued to reside upon his farm until 1895 when he took up his abode in Neosho Falls and turned his atten- ton to banking, establishing the Neosho Falls bank with a capital stock of five thousand dollars. He was chosen president of the bank and also one of its directors, while E. S. Stillwell became the cashier. He yet remains at the head of the institution which is regarded as one of the reliable and influential concerns of the county. He also handles some cattle, buying and shipping when he finds a favorable opportunity, but at the present time ne is largely retired from active business life save for the management of his real estate investments. He owns twelve hundred acres of land in Allen and Woodson Counties and has six business buildings in Neosho Falls besides two residence properties. When he was married his cash
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capital did not consist of one hundred dollars, but by unabating industry and determined purpose he has steadily added to his aeeumulations until he is now one of the wealthiest citizens of Woodson County. He has figured quite prominently in loeal polities and is an influential member of the Republican party. having supported its principles throughout his entire life. He was elected to serve as county commissioner of Allen County and filled that position for one term with eredit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He was then re-elected for a second term but soon re- signed, in order to remove to Neosho Falls. Socially he is connected with Neosho Falls lodge, K. of P. Thoroughness characterizes all of his efforts, and he has ever conducted his business with a strict regard to a high standard of commercial ethies. The sueeess of his life is due to no inherited fortune or to any suecession of advantageous eireumstances, but to his own close application, tireless industry and sterling integrity.
GEORGE W. TROUT.
GEORGE W. TROUT, a wide-awake, enterprising and prosperous farmer of Everett township, Woodson County, was born in Lasalle County. Illinois, January 27, 1850. his parents being John and Abbie Susan (Angel) Trout. The father was a native of Ohio and in the spring of 1876 he eame to Kansas, purehasing land south of Neosho Falls, where he has sinee carried on farming.
Our subject is the eldest of three brothers. He came to Kansas with his father when twenty-six years of age and soon afterward rented the old Major Snow farm, which he operated for five years. He had previously purchased one hundred and sixty aeres of land of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad Company on the prairie. but as he did not have the money to improve the farm he had to cultivate rented land until he had aequired capital sufficient to enable him to begin the development of his own prop- erty. At the end of five years he took up his abode upon his own place, three miles south and two miles west of Neosho Falls, on the east line of Everett township, and has sinee developed a fine farm, on which he has erected a niee home, good barns and outbuildings and has planted a nice orehard and a grove, which surrounds his residence and protects it from the hot rays of the summer sun. He carries on general farming and stock raising and all that he has is the outcome of his close application to business. his industry, capable management and honorable dealings.
After he had been in Kansas for a year Mr. Trout returned to Illinois and was there united in marriage to Miss Eliza Skinner, a native of Douglas County, that state, the wedding being celebrated Mareh 26. 1877. Her father, James Skinner, was killed by lightning in Anderson County, Kas., in 1868, but her mother is still living in La Salle County, Illinois. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tront have been born ten children : Alice, the wife of
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Walter Dersham. who resides in this locality ; Harvey, Clara, Wiley, John, Ray, Glenn, Edith and Urvin. It is rather remarkable, and a fact for congratulation, that in so large a family no deaths have occurred. With the exception of the eldest daughter all the children are still with their parents. In politics Mr. Trout is a Republican and by his ballot supports the men and measures of the party, but has had neither time nor inclination to hold office himself, his attention being fully occupied with his business affairs, which have resulted prosperously so that he is now one of the substantial farmers of his adopted county.
PETER SMITH.
The horologe of time has marked off a long period since Peter Smith first came to Woodson County, and thirty-six years have been added to the cycle of the centuries since he took up his abode upon his present farm on section twenty-two, township twenty-five, range sixteen. He has become a successful farmer and stockman, and is to-day the owner of four hundred acres of the rich land of Southeastern Kansas.
Mr. Smith was born in Prussia, near the little village of Drosam, March 26. 1834, and is a son of Peter Smith, Sr., a farmer, who spent his entire life in Germany. His widow married Peter Yogem, who brought the family to the United States in 1842, locating in Wisconsin near the town of Hartford, where he and his wife spent their remaining days. The children of her first marriage were Margaret, who became the wife of Henry Soras and died in Milwaukee. Wis., and Peter. By the second marriage there are also three children, Anna, who married Tom Shoe ; Susie and Mary.
Peter Smith of this review spent the first eight years of his life in the fatherland and then accompanied the family on the long voyage across the Atlantic to the new world. Reared in Wisconsin he there remained until nineteen years of age, after which he spent two years engaged in farm work in Putnam County, Ill. He then came to Kansas, attracted to the state by the report that land could be obtained here at a nominal price. One of the pioneers of Woodson County, he settled first in Everett township, where he secured a homestead, and in 1865 he came to his present farm which has been his place of abode continuously since. He has trans- formed the wild land into richly cultivated fields and the track of the shining plow has been followed by fields of grain that, ripening under the hot summer sun, has yielded abundant harvests, bringing him a good profit for his labors. His four hundred acres of land now constitutes a valuable property improved with all modern aceessories and conveniences, sup- plied with good machinery and substantial buildings and giving him a good return for his labors.
Mr. Smith has been twice married. In Woodson County in 1859
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HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
he wedded Henrietta Steffen, who died in 1879, leaving the following children: Frank, of Woodson County; Charles, of Osage County, Kas. : Henry and John, both of Woodson County; Matilda, wife of Edward Kinmonth, of Kansas City, Mo .; Augusta, wife of Frank Englebright, of Woodson County ; Louise, wife of John Schoepflin, of Woodson County, Kas., and Mary. For his second wife, Mr. Smith chose Catherine Beer, whom he wedded in 1880. The children of this union are Annie, Peter, hebecca and Fannie. Prior to the time when she became the wife of our subject Mrs. Smith had married John Richard, now deceased, and they were the parents of six children, Fred, of Woodson County; Maggie, wife of George Smith, of Iola; Samuel, of Woodson County; Rosa. wife of Charles Smith ; Lydia. wife of Bert Wagner, of Buffalo, Kas., and Walter, who is living in Woodson County.
Mr. Smith's labors as an agrienlturist have never been interrupted since coming to Kansas save by his service in the Civil war. When the destruction of the Union was threatened by the rebellion in the South he joined the Second Regiment of Kansas Cavalry under Colonel Cloud. and became a member of Company C, commanded by Captain Barker. This regiment served in Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky, parti- cipating in the battles of Prairie Grove, the capture of Fort Smith, Flat Rock, Kentucky and Flat Rock. Ark. At the last named he was taken prisoner and sent to Tyler, Tex., where he was incarcerated for nine months or until the close of the war, when he returned to Kansas with an honorable record as a defender of the Union. In the discharge of his duties of citizenship he has always been as true and faithful as when he followed the starry banner upon the battle fields of the South. He gave his political support to the Republican party until 188-' when new issues having arisen he became a supporter of the Greenback party and is now allied with the People's party. He does all in his power for the normal growth and progress of the county along substantial and beneficial lines, and his life is in harmony with his professions as a member of the Church cf God. A farm hand for several years after his arrival in Kansas, he new stands upon the plane of affluence and not only deserves recognition as a successful man. but as one whose success has been so worthily achieved that his business record is deserving of emulation.
CHARLES F. HARDER.
CHARLES F. HARDER, of Yates Center, was born in the village cf. Jagzow, Kreis, Anklam, Germany, November 18, 1844. His father, Charles H. Harder, was also a native of the same country and in early life was a shepherd but afterward became proprietor of a hotel. He spent eight years in Kansas in the latter portion of his life and died in 1883, at the age of eighty-four. In his family were thirteen children, those
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wow m the United States being William, of Milton. Oregon ; Ferdinand, a resident of Portland, Oregon; Albert, of Iola. Kas. : Henrietta, the wife of August Meyer, of Lake View, la., and Charles F.
The subject of this sketch acquired a good education in the schools of Germany, and at the age of twenty years he left home, starting out to make his own way in the world. Believing that vetter opportunities were afforded young men in America, he sailed for the United States in 1864, and located first in Livingston County, Ill., where he remained until coming to Kansas in February, 1869. Taking up his abode in Woodson Connty he was at first employed by the month as a farm hand. but after- ward secured a homestead of his own which he owned until the time of his marriage, when he disposed of that property and removed to his wife's farm. He has since engaged in the raising of stock and grain and in his pastures are seen good grades of cattle. horses and hogs, while his fields give promise of bounteous harvests.
In September, 1869, Mr. Harder was united in marriage to Mrs. Theresa Stockebrand, a daughter of Marquis Brockmann. whose family numbered five children, only two of whom came to the United States. Her people resided in the city of Kiel. in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Mrs. Harder was first married to August Stockebrand, a brother of William and Ernest Stockebrand, and by her first union she had five children. August. Mary, the wife of Lonis Brodmann ; Henry; Annie, wife of John Donner- berg, and Emil. All are residents of Woodson County. Five children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Harder. namely: Angusta, the wife of William Lauber: Martha, wife of Henry Kruger: Franz and Lizzie, at. home, and Pauline, wife of William Toedman.
Since becoming an American citizen Mr. Harder has supported the Republican party when questions of state and national importance have been involved, but at local elections. where no issue is before the people, sometimes votes independently. He is a local preacher and a member of the Evangelical association with which his family are also connected. For more than thirty years he has resided in Woodson County and is thor- oughly identified with his region, its interests and upbuilding. ever lend- ing his aid to all measures for the public good. From the little German Fome he came to America. and in the land of the free he found the op- portunity he sought to work his way upward to a position of affhence.
HENRY H. McCORMICK.
Among those who have been called to public service in Woodson County is Henry H. McCormick, who for two terms filled the office of county clerk. being one of the most capable officials that ever occupied the position. He is now a leading representative of commercial interests in Yates Center, where he is engaged in the hardware business. Since 1868
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he has been a resident of this portion of the state, having come to Kansas; From Morgan County, IH., where he was born on the 29th of August, 1851. Ilis grandfather, James MeCormiek, was born in Kentucky and was a descendant of one of the- old families of Virginia. He had a brother who served in the Mexican war.
James William McCormick, the father of our subject, was born in 1817, in Kentucky, where he spent his boyhood days. He afterward be- came a resident of Maysville, O .. and removed thence to Morgan County, HI1., at an early period in i's development. He followed farming and the' milling business in that state. In 1868 he removed to Kansas and settled on a homestead in Owl Creek township, Woodson County,. where he resided until a few years before his death.
Mr. McCormick entertained sympathy for the Union cause, and was. an outspoken abolitionist but was too old and infirm to join the army. Al- though his educational advantages in youth were limited, he was a man. of strong convictions and outspoken in defense of everything in which he believed. He kept well informed on the issues of the day and was thus enabled to support his position by intelligent argument. His death oc- curred in Iola, Kas .. in 1895, when he had attained a ripe old age. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah Ruth Rannels, and was a daughter of Mr. Rannels, of Paris, Kentucky. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McCormick were born five children: James W. G .. of Arkansas; Carrie, widow of Nathan Kinney, of Iola: Henry H .; Ralph L .. of Morgan County, Ill .; and Sarah A., wife of H. E. Van Deman. of Parksley, Virginia.
Henry H. McCormick was seventeen years of age when he came with his parents to Kansas. He acquired his early education in the district schools, afterward studied in the Geneva academy, and completed his course in the State Agricultural College of Kansas. He subsequently engaged in teaching school for four years, completing his educational labors at Geneva .. He then engaged in farming and dealing in cattle. making a specialty of Short Horn cattle. His attention was devoted to farm work until the fall of 1891 when he entered upon the duties of the position of county clerk to which he had been elected November of that year. He filled the position so aeeeptably that he was re-elected for a second term, and when the time expired he retired from office with a most creditable record.
Mr. McCormick afterward engaged in the hardware business as the successor of W. A. Snover. He conducted the business in Yates Center three years and then removed to Chanute, Kas., where he carried on businss in the same line for a year. He then disposed of his store and re- turned to Woodson County, ereeting in Yates Center the McCormick block, in which he is now condueting a hardware store, enjoying a large and well merited patronage.
On the 22d of February, 1881, Mr. McCormick was united in marriage to Miss Jennie DeWitt, a daughter of Capt. G. DeWitt, of Allen County,
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one of the early settlers and prominent citizens of that portion of the state. Unto Mr.and Mrs. McCormick have been born the following named children : Florenee A .. Lewis H., John Knox, Nellie C., Myrtle M .. Vera Irene and Henrietta. The family is one widely and favorably known in the com- munity. Mr. McCormick has an extensive acquaintance and is recognized as a local leader in the ranks of the Republican party. doing all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. His private life and his publie career are alike commendable and many are the friends of Henry H. MeCormick.
RICHARD KIMBELL.
RICHARD KIMBELL, who is now engaged in the breeding and sale of fine horses in Yates Center, was born in Oxfordshire, England, April 19, 1848, and is a son of Richard and Emma Freeman Kimbell. both of whom spent their entire lives in England and are now deceased. The father was a farmer by oceupation. In their family were four children. our sub- ject being the only son. Two of the number remained in England but one sister. Mrs. Wilkes, is now living in Wildomar. Cal. After the death of his first wife the father was again married. and by that union there were seven children, one of whom is in the United States-Mrs. Clarke, of Los Angeles. Cal.
Upon the family homestead in England, Richard Kimbell. of this sketch spent his youth. He acquired a good English education and at the age of twenty-five years he bade adieu to friends and native land prepara- tory to becoming a resident of America. Sailing from Liverpool on a west- ward bound vessel he landed at New York city and thence made his way to Kane County, Ill .. where he engaged in farming. In 1877 he came on a prospecting tour to Kansas and being pleased with the country and its prospects he decided to locate in this state. Accordingly he arrived in Woodson County, in February, 1878, locating in Liberty township, where he rented land for thirteen years. He then purchased property and con- tinned farming and stock raising until 1900 when he sold his farm and came to Yates Center. Here he is engaged in handling fine horses, of which he is an excellent judge. so that he makes judicious purchases, and in consequence ready sales as he plaees his horses upon the market. His business methods will merit the closest inspection, and his well known probity has been an important factor in his success. He has excellent accommodations in the way of stables for his horses in Yates Center, and the business which he has carrried on for some years is proving profitable.
Ere leaving England, Mr. Kimbell was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Louise Hartley. a daughter of Henry and Caroline Hartley, late n' Stratford on Avon Warwickshire. Their children are: Edward R., a
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farmer of Woodson County, who married Louisa B. Smith; Harry H., of Yates Center ; Caroline E .. wife of Carl Reynolds, of Savonburg, Kas., and Fannie L. Mr. Kimbell usually votes with the Democratic party but is not greatly interested in polities. He is now a Past Master Mason, and is also' a valued member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. and the Order of Red Men. The hope which led him to come to the United States has been realized in his increased fortune and he has found here a pleasant home and friends of worth whom he prizes, while at the same time his friendship is greatly prized by then.
ALBERT SCHNELL.
ALBERT SCHNELL, deceased, was one of the substantial citizens and enterprising farmers of Woodson County. and his death, which occurred' in 1900, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for such eiti- zens the community can ill afford to lose. His was an honorable and up- right citizen and thus his memoir merits a leading place in this volume.
Albert Schnell was a native of Germany, born March 15, 1849, and a son of Henry Schnell, who was twiee married, his first wife being the mother of our object, and brother. John. The surviving members of that family are all residents of Du Bois county, Indiana.
During his youth Albert Schnell accompanied his parents to the new world and was reared in Du Bois County, Indiana. His education was acquired in his native tongue, and before attaining his majority he left home in order to earn his own living as a farm hand. He was employed in that way for a number of years, but after his marriage rented land and began farming on his own account. It was on the 27th day of February, 1872. that he was joined in wedlock to Miss Lucy Sawyers, a daughter of James Sawyers of Seott County, Illinois, but formerly of Tennessee. Her mother bore the maiden name of Rachel Davis, and by her marriage to Mr. Sawyers she had two daughters and a son, the latter being Joseph Sawyers, of Seott County. while the sister of Mrs. Schnell is Ange- line Sawyers. There were, however, some half brothers and sisters, three of whom are yet living.
Mr. and Mrs. Schnell began their domestie life at Oxvil.e Scott County, Illinois, renting the Sawyers' farm for six years. after which they came to Kansas, settling in Center township, Woodson County, in Feb- ruary, 1878. Here Mr. Schnell purchased eighty acres of land and began its cultivation and improvement. His resources then were quite limite !, hut as the years passed his labors brought to him a good financial return, and he inereased the boundaries of his farm by the additional purchase of one hundred and sixty aeres of land. He engaged in the raising of grain and stock and placed his farm under a high state of cultivation. He also ma te many excellent improvements in the way of buildings, and while at
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a mighbor's barn raising on the 18th of May, 1900, he was killed by a falling beam, his death coming as a great shock, and an irreparable loss to his family.
Four children had been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Schnell, namely : Rachel. the wife of Filmore Withers, of Yates Center, Kas .; Mary. John and James, who are still with their mother, the family yet occupying the olá homestead left them by their father. Mr. Schnell was well known as a staunch Republiean, attended many of the conventions of his party and did al in his power to secure the adoption of its principles. In business le was energetic, reliable and progressive, and in all dealings was the soul of honor. His prosperity resulted from his persisteney of purpose, his in- defatigable industry and his honesty, and the untarnished name which he left to his family is more desirable than the wealth of the millionaire.
DAVID PHILLIPS.
Through more than a third of a century David Phillips has resided in Southeastern Kansas. When a young man he came to Woodson County, and as the county has grown, developed and improved he has given his aid and co-operation to the movements which have advanced the general wel- fare and promoted the public prosperity and progress. He has been identi- fied with its farming and industrial interests and in public office has mani- fested his loyalty to the public good by the faithful manner in which he has discharged the duties devolving upon him. Such in general has been his life work. but it is a pleasure to enter into a more detailed account of his career, knowing that it will be received with interest by his many friends and acquaintances throughout this portion of the state.
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