USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 79
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 79
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
Mr. Phillips was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, March 2, 1846. His grandfather, James Phillips, was probably born in the same state and was of English lineage. By occupation he was a farmer, and he died about 1865, at a very advanced age. His son, Charles L. Phillips, the father of onr subject, was born in Sussex County, New Jersey. in 1807, and there spent his entire life, dying in 1875. He married Anne Gillespie, wbo was of Scotch lineage, and died in 1900, at the age of eighty-three years. Her mother was a member of the Dunnings family, prominent in Revolutionary times. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips became the parents of eleven childen. namely : Miranda, deceased, wife of John M. Danolds; George W., who served as a soldier in the Civil war and is now postmaster at Branchville, New Jersey ; David : Elmira and Henry. who are living in Sussex County, New Jersey ; Andrew. of Morristown, that state; Louise, wife of Julius Clark, of Leonia, New Jersey : Jessie, who died in that state; Belle, wife of William DeWitt, of Sussex County: Carrie, wife of E. Hopkins, of New- ark. New Jersey, and Charles, of South Branch, New Jersey.
David Phillips was reared to farm life and pursued his education in the schools of the neighborhood and in the Beemer high schools, after
676
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
which he continued his studies in Claverick, New York, on the Hudson river, and at New Milford, Pennsylvania. He was twenty-one years of age when in 1867 he left his home in the East in order to try his fortune beyond the Mississippi, and in April of that year he arrived in Woodson County, locating in Owl Creek township with his cousin. James W. Phillips. He afterward purchased land on the creek and there carried on agricultural pursuits until his removal to Neosho Falls to assume the duties of sheriff of Woodson County to which office he was elected in 1869. Previous to this time he had taught two terms of school. one in Neosho Falls, being the last teacher to conduct the school alone. He was installed as sheriff and capably discharged the duties of the office for one term, after which he served as under sheriff for Win. Cozine while the county seat was located at Defiance. Upon leaving the sheriff's office he became a teacher and mer- chant in Defiance, and in 1887 he engaged in the dairy business, which he has since followed. In 1893 he removed from his farm on the old town site of Defiance and took up his abode at Yates Center.
On the 3d of April, 1878. Mr. Phillips was married to Emma Austin, who came to Woodson County in 1877 from Cortland, N. Y. She was horn there in 1846, and is a daughter of Alvah Austin. The only sur- viving child of Mr. and Mrs. Phillips is a son, Wendell, who was born December 5, 1875. The family are Episcopalians in their religious faith, and in his political belief Mr. Phillips is a Republican. He was formerly a recognized leader in the ranks of his party in Owl Creek township, served there as trustee, and has always kept well informed on the issues of the day, political and otherwise. He is now accounted one of the highly re- spected residents of Yates Center, a man whom to know is to respect.
FRANK H. BERNDSEN.
FRANK H. BERNDSEN, who for twenty years has followed farm- ing in Owl Creek township, Woodson County. was born in Holland, September 26, 1844, and is a son of Herman H. and Elizabeth (Sherman) Berndsen, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father died in 1854, at the age of thirty-five years, and his wife passed away in 1853, when also thirty-five years of age. They were the parents of seven children, but only two are now living. the younger being Mrs. Mary Iming, of Illinois.
Frank H. Berndsen was brought to America by his parents in 1847, when only three years of age, the family locating in Illinois, where he was reared and educated. He learned to speak, read and write both the English and Germany languages, and in early life became familiar with the work of the farm. In 1865, when twenty-one years of age, he responded to the call of his adopted country for aid, enlisting as a member of Com- pany F, One Hundred and Fiftieth Illinois Infantry with which he served until the close of the war.
677
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
After receiving an honorable discharge he returned to his home and with the money he had saved in the army he began merchandising in Damiansville, Ill., where he carried on business for ten years. That gave him his start in life and since then he has steadily advanced on the high road of prosperity. In 1881 he came to Kansas and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land upon which he now resides, the place being located a mile south and one mile west of Piqua, in Owl Creek town- ship. The land is rich and productive and everything upon the farm is in good condition. In addition to the raising of grain he engaged in stoek raising. making a specialty of eattle, horses and hogs, and for these he finds a ready sale on the market.
While in Illinois, Mr. Berndsen was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Stroad. a native of Germany, and after they had resided in Kansas for eight years she was called to her final rest, dying on the 5th of September, 1886, at the age of thirty-two years. leaving to the eare of the husband their six children, namely: Harman H., Benjamin H., John H., Frank H., Fred J .. and Anna E. On the 13th of September, 1887, Mr. Berndsen was again married, his second union being with Gesina Heidothing, a native of Germany, a widow with one daughter, Agnes Eixler. They are well known in the community where they reside and are highly esteemed by their friends. Mr. Berndsen is a Democrat in his political views and is a member of the Catholic Mutual Benefit association, in which he carries one thousand dollars insurance, while two of his sons each carry a like amount. He has found Kansas not only a pleasant place of residence but a profitable field of labor, giving a free return for unflagging industry when guided by sound business judgment.
THOMAS T. DAVIS.
In business eireles in Yates Center the name of Thomas T. Davis is a familiar one, for through fifteen years he has been proprietor of a meat market here and is accounted one of the reliable merchants of the place. He was born in Wales, July 20, 1862, and when three years of age was brought to America by his father, who with his family left Wales for the new world and took up his abode in Braidwood, Will County, Ill., where he yet makes his home. He is a coal miner by oeeupation. He married Ann Gwynn, and unto them were born the following named: Thomas T. ; Mary A. ; Margaret, of Braidwood, Ill., Mary A., wife of Thomas Huf- ford, of Holdridge, Nebraska ; Elizabeth and William, of Braidwood.
Mr. Davis, of this sketch was reared in his parents' home in Braidwood and attended the public schools there, acquiring a good common school edneation that well fitted him for the practical duties of business life. When about fourteen years of age he began earning his own living as a farmì hand, being thus employed until eighteen years of age when he
678
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
began working in a meat market in Braidwood. His first independent venture was the opening of his market in Yates Center. He came here in August, 1886 and purchased the meat market belonging to G. W. Stewart and once the property of the firm of Taylor & Stewart. Since that time he has carried on business with ever increasing success. He at first had but limited capital, but his trade constantly grew and his earnest desire to please, his courteous treatment. his reasonable prices and his honorable dealing have secured to him a continuance of the liberal patronage which was soon accorded him.
Mr. Davis was married in Yates Center, November 29,1889 to Miss Hester, daughter of Enoch MeB. Newcom, of Garden City, Kas .. but formerly of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Davis now have two living children, William T. and Leoti. In his political views he is a stalwart Republican. having been reared in that faith by his father, who warmly espoused the party. Mr. Davis has served as a member of the city council of Yates Center and made a commendable record as a city official. Socially he is identified with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and is now past chancellor of Yates Center lodge. As a business man, citizen and public officer he takes high rank. He is a man of pleasing personality, sympathetic and helpful, and his friends are many and steadfast.
LOGAN W. WRIGHT.
LOGAN W. WRIGHT was born in Pettis County, Mo., on the 19th of January, 1863, a son of Thomas J., born in Ky .. January 8, 1840, and Martha ( umbree) Wright, born March 4. 1839. They were married May 18, 1856 in Cooper County Missouri. Mr. Wright died March 13, 1873. and his widow is now living in Los Angeles county, California.
Of their six children, Logan W. Wright is the second in order of birth. On his father's farm he followed the plow, assisted in the planting and also aided in harvesting the crops when the summer's sun had ripened the grain. The educational privileges which he enjoyed were those afforded by the common schools. In 1882 he came to Woodson County, locating on a farm, and during the greater part of the time which has since elapsed he has followed agricultural pursuits. although for a brief period he was connected with mercantile interests in Iola.
On the 12th of September, 1880, Mr. Wright was joined in wedlock tc Miss Mary Purcell, who was born in Benton County, Missouri, February 4, 1865, and is the only danghter of J. M. and Incinda Purcell. now of Piqua, Kas. The young couple began their domestic life upon the farm where they resided until 1889. In that year they removed to Iola, where Mr. Wright became interested in the grocery business as a member of the firm of Munger & Wright. After about four months he purchased his part- ner's interest and conducted the enterprise alone for a short time, when
6,9
"WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
he sold out to the firm of Purcell & Sou. During this period Mrs. Wright carried on a millinery business in Iola, but after a year her health having failed she was compelled to sell Fer stock, and they returned to the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have one child. Lillie, an interesting young lady of eighteen years, who is now in school, and will soon complete her ednea- tion. Their home is pleasantly situated two miles west of Piqua, where Mr. Wright is now engaged in farming and stock raising. He has eighty acres of well improved land, and to its further development he is giving his attention, the place yielding a good competence in return for his labors.
FRANK H. WRIGHT.
One of the enterprising, practical and intelligent young farmers of Woodson County is the gentleman whose name begins this review. He was born in Blanchester. Clinton County. O., on the 31st of May, 1866, a son of John M. and Elizabeth ( MeAdams) Wright. the former a native of the Buckeye state, while the latter was born in Indiana. The father's death ocenrred in Ohio. in 1876, when he had attained the age of sixty- three years, nine months and twenty-seven days, but the mother is still liv- ing at the age of seventy-seven years, her home being in Morrowtown. O.
Their only child is Frank H. Wright. As his parents were in limited financial resources, he had to begin to earn his own livelihood when ten years of age and has since been dependent entirely upen his own efforts. He worked at whatever he could get to do until fifteen years of age when he entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the millwright's trade. He had to furnish his own tools and carried the hod for a time in order to get the money with which to make the purchase. Possessing considerable natural mechanical ingenuity and applying himself closely to his work. he soon mastered the business, became an expert in that line and after two years was made foreman. Since that time he has had no difficulty in command- ing good positions and high wages in that line. He has constructed mills in about twenty different states of the Union, including Indiana, Illinois, Towa and Kansas. The last work of the kind which he did was in putting in the machinery of the Iola Brick Plant. No. 2.
Mr. Wright also learned the miller's trade and at one time was half owner in a large flouring mill in Indiana. In 1890 he came to Kansas and purchased an interest in a mill owned by D. W. Finney, at Neosho Falls, but after a year he sold ont and returned to Warsaw, Indiana, where he entered a drafting office. Again in 1893, however, he came to Neosho Falls and operated Colonel Parsons' mill. He became one of the best draughts- man in that service and commanded large wages. but becoming tired of that life he concluded to try farming. and in 1895 purchased one hundred and thirty-five acres of heavy timber land. three miles above the Falls on the river bank. Not a tree had been cut or a furrow turned at the time
680
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
he came into possession of the place, but by indefatigable energy and close- attention to business, he has transformed the place into one of the best" farms in the valley. Already he has cleared one hundred and ten aeres, which he has under cultivation. He has previously raised corn and po- tatoes, but now as the stumps have been eleared from many of the fields. he will utilize the land for wheat raising. He has employed as many as seventy-five men in a single day in cutting timber and preparing the land for the plow, giving careful direction and supervision to their labors. Many good po: itions have been offered him in the line of architeet work and setting up machinery, but all of these he has declined, having resolved to give his undivided attention to the work of the farm.
Mr. Wright was married in Marion County, Indiana in 1888, to Miss Eliza Winslow, a native of Granit County, Indiana, and a most estimable- lady. Their union has been blessed with one child, Hugh M., born De- cember 23. 1890. In his political views Mr. Wright is a Republican, and while he keeps well informed on the issues of the day he has never been an aspirant for office. His busines claims his undivided attention, and his fine farm is a substantial monument of his enterprise and thrift. Few men starting in life at the tender age of ten years and receiving no assistance whatever as the decades have passed have achieved as creditable success as Mr. Wright has done.
GEORGE MENTZER.
The veteran soldier who risked his life in defense of the flag, all things else being equal. takes high rank as a citizen. This may be partly because of the quality of the patriotism of the American publie, but there is another reason for the pre-eminence of the veteran. The man who has the form of character to win distinction as a faithful defender of his country possesses the resourceful perseverance so necessary to success in other fields, and this is abundantly verified in the life of George Mentzer, who loyally followed the starry banner during the Civil war and is now one of the enterprising and prosperous agriculturists of Woodson county, where he has made his home sinee 1869.
A native of Stowe. Massachusetts, he was born June 12, 1838, and is ; son of Phillip A. and Orinda (Miles) Mentzer. The father, a native of Germany, died in Massachusetts in 1844, and his widow was buried by the side of her husband on the old home place in the Bay state. They had ten children, but only three are now living: Rufus, of Ft. Morgan, Colo- rado; Mrs. Sarah A. Green, of Boston, Massachusetts, and George of this review.
The last named was reared in his native village until sixteen years of age, when he emigrated to Illinois and beeame a farm hand, being employed in that capacity for about two years. He then went to Chicago,
68%
WOODSON COUNTIES. KANSAS.
where he secured a situation as clerk in a groeery store, also acting as as- sistant in a butchering establishment. Upon leaving the city he returned to Massachusetts to visit his mother and while there he learned the trade of a comb maker, the combs being manufactured from the horns of cattle. He also improved his literary education by attending school. He was still in his native state when the Civil war broke out and there he enlisted as a member of company C. Twenty-fourth Massachusetts infantry, which was sent to Annapolis and on to North Carolina and thence to South Carolina. being discharged in front of Petersburg, Virginia. Among the important engagements in which he participated were the battles of Roanoke Is- land, Newberne, White Hall Goldsboro. Kingston. Bermuda Hundred and Petersburg. He did duty in front of the Rebel fort which was blown up by a Pennsylvania regiment. In all of his three years' service he was never wounded. but was always found at his post of duty faithfully de- fending the starry banner-the emblem of an undivided union.
When the war was ended Mr. Mentzer returned to Massachusetts and spent the succeeding winter in Boston, after which he turned his attention to farming. He then again made his way to Illinois, where, prior to the war, he had aided in establishing the first hotel in Kewannee. He re- mained a resident of Henry county and was engaged in the butchering business until 1869, when he came to Woodson county, Kansas, settling on seetion six. Center township, where he has since made his home, his labors being given to the improvement of his farm. He now has a rich tract of land. the alluvial soil yielding good harvests for the work bestowed upon it.
In Henry county, Illinois, Mr. Mentzer was united in marriage to Miss Emeline Minnick, a daughter of John Minnick, a Pennsylvania German. who had a family of five daughters and one son. The wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Mentzer was celebrated on the 1st of January, 1867. and they are now the parents of eight children, as follows: Charles O., who married Nettie Wells: John F., who married Anna Wells; Susie May : Henry A. : Phillip E., who is now a student of the State Agricultural College of Kan- sas : Ernest E .: Clara E. and Clarence A. Although the Mentzer family have usually been Republicans, George Mentzer cast his first presidential vote for the Democratic nominee in 1860. and is now a Prohibitionist. He believes most firmly in the abolishment of the liquor traffic through aets of legislation, and he is the type of citizens who support all measures to advanee the moral welfare of the community.
GEORGE GROGMAN.
The history of mankind is replete with illustrations of the fact that it is only under the pressure of adversity and the stimulus of opposition that the best and strongest in men is brought out and developed. Per-
1.52
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND'
haps the history of no people so forcibly impresses one with this truth as; the annals of our own republic. If anything ean inspire the youth of our country to persistent, honest and laudable endeavor it should be the life record of such men as he of whom we write. Thrown upon his own re- sources at the early age of twelve years he has since depended entirely upon his individual labor for whatever he has had or enjoyed in life, and now in return for his diligence and enterprise he is enjoying not only the material reward but also the esteem and confidence of those among whom he has lived and worked. As proprietor of a hardware establish- ment in Piqua and as postmaster of the town, he is well known to the eitizens of Woodson county.
Mr. Grogman was born in Baden, Germany, on the 14th of November, 1850, and is a son of Henry Grogman, who in 1852. started with his family for the United States . On the Atlantic the wife and mother died, leaving' five children, three of whom are yet living-Henry, who is married and lives in Piqua : John W. and George, also of the same place. Landing at New York the father and his children continued their journey across the country until they arrived in Clinton county, Illinois, where Mr. Grog- man died a few years later.
In Clinton county, Illinois and in St. Louis, Missouri, the subject of this review spent the days of his boyhood and youth. Having no one to assist him his advantages were necessarily limited, but he was ambitious- to learn and while elerking in stores in St. Louis through the day, he de- voted his evenings to study in night schools. For thirteen years he held the position of foreman of the registry division in the St. Louis post- office and then resigned on account of ill health. He thus had in charge one of the most important divisions of the postal service, and his long con- tinuation in the po ition proves conclusively his fidelity to duty and his extreme faithfulness.
In 1888 Mr. Grogman came to Piqua, Kansas, and purchased of John J. Harrison a hardware and implement business, which he has since con- ducted. He also buys grains and seeds and both branches of the enter- prise are proving profitable. His business methods are such as to increase his patronage and his trade has steadily grown. Difficulties and obstacles in his path have seemed but to serve as an impetus for renewed effort and his determined. resolute will has stood him instead of capital.
In St. Louis, Missouri, on the 17th. of November, 1874, Mr. Grogman was united in marriage to Miss Carie Spoeri, and unto them have been born eight children: Helen, the wife of Joseph Spiegelhalter, of St. Louis; William E., of Humboldt, Kansas; Frank; Julia, who is living in St. Louis ; Dora : Lulu ; Ollie and Florence. The family have a wide acquaint- anee in Piqua and the members of the household occupy an enviable posi- tion in social cireles. In his political views Mr. Grogman has always been a stalwart Republican, attends county conventions and is active in the work of the party. For the past ten years he has continuously served
683
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
as postmaster of Piqua. his experience in St. Louis well qualifying him for the position which he is now so acceptably filling. Trustworthy in public office and reliable in business he enjoys publie confidence in a high degree and the warm personal regard of many friends.
EDWARD GRUBBS.
A life of indefatigable industry has brought to Edward Grubbs the competence which now classes him among the substantial citizens of Wood- son county. He was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, on the 10th of December. 1832, and represents one of the old families of that state. His father, John M. Grubbs, was also born there, and the grandfather. EG- ward Grubbs, Sr., was a native of Virginia, whence he removed to the Hoosier state during the period of its primitive development. There he reared his family and after arriving at years of maturity, John M. Grubbs married Eliza Lunger. a native of New Jersey. In 1854 he removed to Iowa, but after a year returnd to Indiana. While upon the trip he ws taken ill and died soon after reaching his old home, passing away in 1856, at the age of fifty-five years. His wife died in 1858. Eleven children, all sons, were born unto them, the subject of this review being the second in order of birth.
Edward Grubbs was reared in Indiana and acquired a common- school education. As a companion and helpmate for the journey of life he chose Miss Susan Brown, their marriage being celebrated September 10, 1851. She is a native of North Carolina. Her parents died when she was very small, so she never learned anything of the family history. She was taken to Ohio by a family named Tuttle and afterward went to live with a family by the name of Bonham with whom she remained until she attained to womanhood.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Grubbs secured employment on a farm, the former working in the fields, the latter performing the duties of the household. After a year thus passed they went to live with his grandfather, Edward Grubbs, with whom they remained a year, when our subject rented a farm in Ohio. operating it for two years. In 1854 he re- moved to Iowa, and in 1859 went to Pike's Peak, Colorado, to engage in mining. but not finding that a profitable venture he returned to Iowa in July of the same year, continuing to make the Hawkeye state the place of his abode until 1860. In that year he again went to Indiana and for a vear worked as a farm hand, after which he leased and operated a farm for five years, but believing he could improve his financial condition in the west where lands were cheaper. he went to Bates county, Missouri, in 1868, working there by the month for a year and a half.
In the fall of 1869 Mr. Grubbs came to Woodson county and se- opred a homestead of eighty acres on Cherry creek. For fourteen years
684
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
he cultivated the fields and improved the place also engaged in stock- raising. He then traded that farm for some timber land on the Neosho river, one mile northwest of Neosho Falls, where he now owns a valuable tract of one hundred and twenty-five acres. The rich, alluvial soil pro- duces excellent crops in return for his cultivation, and his wheat and cornfields form a most attractive feature in the landscape. He raises about thirty-five bushels of wheat to the acre. Upon the place is a good residence, substantial barn and other modern improvements, and every- thing about the place indicates thrift and progress. At one time he was in debt two thousand dollars, but he raised corn. cleared off the indebted- ness through the sale of that product and is now in very comfortable cir- cumstances.
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.