USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 80
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 80
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Grubbs have been born seven children, namely : Bailey G., who is now living in Oklahoma territory: Eliza, wife of J. D. Newcomb, of Oklahoma : Ward Beecher, who is living in Cherokee county : Mrs. Pearl Jones, who resides in Neosho Falls: Emma Stovall. who died in Oklahoma, leaving five children : Insetta and Lanra, who died in infancy. If the parents both survive until September. 1901, they will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage. They are people of genuine worth, of high moral character and are justly entitled to the esteem in which they are held. Years of earnest labor. eventually crowned with prosperity-such is the epitome of the life of Edward Grubbs. and in this respect his career is certainly worthy of emulation.
WILLIAM KEES.
WILLIAM KEES. a well known representative of the farming inter- ests of Woodson county, residing in Neosho Falls township, was born in Washing county. Pennsylvania, February 4, 1833, and has the distinction of being descended from two Revolutionary heroes, both his paternal and maternal grandfather having served in the war of independence. The former owned the land upon which the town of Mckeesport. Pennsyl- vania, was built, and the place was named in his honor. David Kees, the father of our subject, was also a native of the state and there resided until 1858, when he removed to Iowa, where he spent the residne of his days. He was called to his final rest in 1895. when he had attained the very venerable age of ninety-two years. His wife had passed away in 1888. when eighty-four years of age. They were the parents of six children. four of whom are yet living: David Jr., surgeon of the Civil war; Wil- liam; John, a druggist in Creston, Ia., and Catherine, of Agency, Ia.
William Kees, the second in order of birth pursued his education in the schools of his native state and resided with his parents until they were called to the home beyond. He accompanied them to Iowa in 1858 and cared for them throughout their declining years, rendering them filial
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devotion in return for what they had done for him in youth. He was married in 1871 to Miss Emily MeKeown, a native of Bradley county. Tennessee, born in 1847. Her father, I. L. MeKeown, was a native of North Carolina and married Matilda Reynolds, whose birth occurred in Tennessee. to which state her husband had removed in early manhood. They had three children: Sarah A .; Mrs. Kees, and Livonia Watkins, who is now living in Agency, Iowa. The father, who was born in 1818, is still living in Agency at the age of eighty-two years, making his home with his daughter. His wife died in 1895, at the age of seventy-one years. They had been residents of Iowa since 1865 . Mr. MeKeown served for three years in the Union army with a Missouri regiment and was on one occasion badly hurt by being thrown from his horse in battle.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kees continued to reside on the old homestead farm in Iowa until after the death of his parents. When the father passed away our subject inherited one of his farms. His own health having become impaired his physician advised him to seek a change of climate where he would not have to undergo the rigorous winters of Iowa and accordingly he came to Kansas, settling upon the farm which is now his home. He sold his property in Iowa and purchased here two hundred and forty acres of land, pleasantly and conveniently situated about two and a half miles north of Piqua. His health has greatly im- proved and in his business affairs he has prospered, his time being given to general farming and stock-raising. The fields are well tilled and bring to him a good financial return for his labors, and the pasture lands af- ford excellent grazing opportunities for stock.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Kees has been blessed with three chil- dren : Lois. now the wife of Albert Bailey, of Allen county; Arthur and Ethyl, who are at home with their parents. The son has charge of the farm thus relieving his father of much care and responsibility. The family have a wide acquaintance in the county and the parents and chil- dren enjoy the high esteem of many friends. Mr. Kees is a Democrat in his political affiliations and the support which he gives to the party arises from a belief in its principles and not from a hope of the rewards of office holding.
MICHAEL REEDY.
The late Michael Reedy, whom, as a citizen and gentleman, all Wood- son county was pleased to honor, was one of the historic characters of the county which he helped to settle and where he spent nearly thirty-five years of his useful and honorable life. Although of humble origin and with discouragements and adversities surrounding him in early life he was born to surmount them and to lead in the march of progress and not only "to be but to do" in the acts of men.
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It has been said that Michael Reedy came to Woodson county shod with one boot and one shoe. If this is true he was even fortunate then. for he walked from Kansas City to Woodson county in consequence of his great poverty. It is indicative of his character to state that what he was seeking was the opportunity to build a home and win an honorable exist- ence for his family by the sweat of his face. It was in June, 1857, that he reached his destination, filed on his homestead in section seventeen and thereby began his civil connection with the affairs of Woodson county. He was directed by a countryman of his native land to the Owl Creek settlements, upon reaching Wyandotte with his family, and he left the latter at the mouth of the Kaw river while he should be absent on his long lonely and important journey.
Michael Reedy was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1834. In 1847 his father Michael Reedy, brought his family to America and stopped for a time in Steuben County. New York. He worked at common labor about Campbelltown for many years and late in life went with his children into Bureau county, Illinois, and there died. His five sons and two daughters were: John, of Tiskilwa, Ill .; Mary, deceased, who married Michael O'Brien, an old citizen of Woodson county ; Michael, our sub- ject ; Thomas. who died in Ottawa, Ill .; Ellen, who became the wife of John Elmendorf and resides in Humboldt, Kansas; James, died in Tis- kilwa, Ill., and William, died in same place.
The marriage of Mr. Reedy occurred, first, at Campbelltown. New York. His wife was Mary Whalen, born in County Limerick, Ireland. She shared her husband's hardships and was an invaluable aid and sup- port in his pioneer years in Woodson county. She bore him ten children and died in February, 1876. The children surviving are: Ella, widow of Michael Crahan : Elizabeth : Willam : James; Mary, wife of Thomas Landers; Kate, wife of John Smith and Michael. In April 1877 Mr. Reedy married Ella, a daughter of Thomas and Johanna (Kissane) Col- lins. The parents were both born in Ireland and their chldren were: Nike, Dan, Tim, Thomas, William, Mary, Kate. Margaret, Johanna and Ella. By his second marriage Mr. Reedy was the father of three children, surviving: Thomas. John and Myrtle.
When Michael Reedy undertook to establish himself as a settler in Woodson county none, perhaps, did so with greater financial embarrass- ments that he. He possessed the proverbial poor man's "ox team" and with it and the most primitive accompaniments, he began the work of improving and developing a Kansas farm. His success was at first some- what varied but as nature became subdued the soil yielded abundantly to his industrious touch and he made rapid strides toward financial inde- pendence. Periodically he annexed, by purchase, tract after tract of land until his domain was nearer the area of an old English estate than a Kansas farm. He was ever and always a man of business. His industry was as marked when in the enjoyment of affluence as when he was pushed
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WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
along by the demands of necessity. His success never "turned his head." He was the same common, approachable and sympathizing farmer in the height of his achievements as when a modest tiller of the soil in the early days of Kansas. He took an interest in things political as well as material, and was one of the chiefs of Democracy in Woodson county for many years. Hewas named for county commissioner and was elected. as a Democrat, in 1865. He served one term and acquitted himself with honor to the county and with credit to himself. In 1871 he was one of three candidates for the legislature and was defeated by a small plurality.
Mike Reedy became a permanent settler in Woodson county in 1858 and from that date until his death, January 13, 1892, he was a loyal, devoted and God-fearing Ameriean. He loved Kansas, her institutions and her people. He reared his family well and taught them to practice industry and to love virtue and honor. His life was not full of years but was filled with good deeds, when it was ended, and none that knew him but regretted his taking away.
LOUIS C. NEIMANN
LOUIS C. NIEMANN, who is engaged in general merchandising and in shipping and dealing in grain at Piqua, Kansas, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, November 6, 1861. His father, Frederick A. Niemann. was a native of Prussia and on coming to America engaged in merchandising in St. Louis in which city he passed his remaining years. His widow, nee Johanna Lemke, is the wife of Benjamin Koetter resides in Clinton county, Illinois. Her children are: Julius: Louis C .; Lizzie, wife of Joseph Kreimer. Maggie, wife of George Kuhn; Annie, wife of George Dulle, and Teresa. widow of Christian Dummert, of Clinton county, Illinois.
Louis C. Niemann spent the first fourteen years of his life with his mother and went then to live with an uncle, H. H. Heimann, at Aviston. Ill. He remained with that relative until he had attained his majority after which he started out on an independent career. In 1884 he came to Wood- son county, Kansas, and located in Piqua, joined in forming the firm of Markns and Niemann which was succeeded by the firm of Niemann and Grogman. At present Mr. Niemann is conducting his business alone and is enjoying a prosperous era. He makes extensive purchases and his ship- ments of grain and produce are large and contribute much toward his merited suecess.
May 18. 1886. Mr. Niemann was married in Humboldt, Kansas, to Maggie Santen, a daughter of Mrs. Annie Santen, and unto them have been born five children, Annie and Frances, alone surviving. Mr. and Mrs. Niemann are well known in the Piqua community and their circle of friends is enlarging as the number of their acquaintances increase.
Mr. Niemann gives his undivided attention to his business affairs,
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knowing that persistent purpose and diligence form the basis of prosperity, and by adherence to correct business principles, he is providing well for his: family and is gaining a comfortable competence which classes him among: the well-to-do citizens of his adopted county.
WILLIAM F. MARPLE ..
WILLIAM F. MARPLE, who follows farming iu Woodson county, owning and operating one hundred and sixty acres of land in Center township, was born in Ohio county, West Virginia, on the 26th. of June, 1833. His father, David Marple, was born in Frederick county Virginia, and was of English lineage, his ancestors, however, having resided in the Old Dominion through many generations. David Marple followed farm- ing as a life ocenpation. He married Elizabeth Watkins, who is still living. at the age of eighty-eight years. her home being in Bureau county, Illinois. In their family were eight children ,five of whom are yet living, our sub- ject being the elde t.
Upon a farm William F. Marple was reared, and through the sum- mer season he worked in the fields while in the winter months he pursued his education in the district schools. He was in California from 1853 until- 1856, crossing the plains from Omaha, Nebraska, but returning by the water route to New York. While on the Pacific coast he engaged in min- ing and had many interesting experiences but obtained little gold. In 1864 he went to Montana, where he engaged in prospecting, remaining there for eighteen months. With the exception of those two intervals passed in the west and northwest, he resided during the years of his man- hood in Bureau county, Illinois, until his removal to Woodson county in 1872. He brought with him a team, wagon and a few cows, together with his household effects, and locating on a tract of land he began farming. During ten years of his residence in the county he engaged in the hard- ware business. chiefly in Yates Center, and in 1890 he took up his abode on scetion eight, township twenty-five, range fifteen, where he has since made his home. He has here one hundred and sixty acres of land, which is now under a high state of cultivation.
In 1859, in Bureau county, Illinois, Mr. Marple was married to Miss Sarah F. Dutro. a daughter of George Dutro, and their children are: Eva, wife of E. M. Kirkbridge, of Sedalia, Colorado; Annie, wife of Fred Shenk, of Yates Center: Emma, wife of F. E. Wharton, also of Yates Center; Frank, who is living in the same place : Joseph R .; Andrew G., and Edna, who are still with their parents. Mr. Marple has the home farm under a high state of cultivation. He is a very thrifty agriculturist, recognizing the fact that diligence is the foundation of all prosperity. In politics he has been a Republican since casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont and his faithful and capable manner of discharging his duties of citizenship renders him one of the valued residents of the community.
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JAMES M. PURCELL.
JAMES M. PURCELL, whose beautiful home in Piqua stands as a Monument to the enterprise, industry and business ability of the owner, is now actively connec'ed with commercial interests of the city as a dealer in hay and grain. He is also a representative of its real estate interests, and through the promotion of his own industries he has also advanced the general welfare, for the prosperity of every town and city depends upon its commercial activity. An honored man and a leading and influential citizen, he well deserves mention among the representative residents of Woodson county.
For nineteen years he has made his home in this section of Kansas. coming hither from Missouri. He was born in Marion county, Illinois. on the 26th of October. 1842. His grandfather - Purcell, was of irish lineage and some of his sons served in the battle of Tippecanoe and i. the Indian warfare for they were early settlers of the Mississippi val- ley when the red men still held partial dominion in the middle portion of the country. Andrew Purcell. the father of our subject, was born in Indiana, near Vincennes, and became a farmer by occupation. He spent the greater part of his life in Indiana and Illinois. but died near Perry, Oklahoma, on the 15th. of November, 1900, at the age of eighty-nine years. While in central Missouri, he served for some time as a mail con- tractor. In ante bellum days he was a staunch Whig, and when the Re- publican party was organized he became one of its most loyal supporters. continuing to advocate its principles until his demise. He wedded Mary Ray, whose father was from Kentucky. Mrs. Purcell died in Piqua, Kan- sas. July 3, 1890, at the age of seventy-five years. Her children were: Angeline, deceased wife of Marion Rives : James M. : Sarah, wife of W. M. Robinson. of Oklahoma ; Mary A .. wife of Andrew Johnson, of Oklahoma ; George. of Sedalia, Missouri.
James M. Purcell spent the first eight years of his life in the state o ' his nativity and then accompanied his father on his removal fron Illi- mois to Fort Madison, Towa. In 1853 the family went to Benton county, Missouri, and subsequently Mr. Purcell was a resident of Pettis county, that state. His educational privileges were somewhat limited, but in the broader school of experience he has learned many important lessons of great practical value in the business world. Entering upon an inde- pendent career he began farming on a small scale, but gradually extended the field of his operations. In 1882 he came to Woodson county, locating two miles west of Piqua. He purchased almost a section of land here, and throughout the entire period of his residence in Kansas has engaged in the stoek business. the enterprise bringing to him a high degree of suc- coss. A: his financial resources have increased he has added to his origi- ral purchase until he now owns eleven hundred and eighty-seven acres, about half of which is devoted to the raising of hay. For six years he has been extensively engaged in shipping and dealing in hay, and was the
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organizer of the Purcell Hay & Grain company, of Piqua, doing a large' business in handling that product. He also owns much property in Piqua .. eluding both improved and unimproved property and deals in real estate, making judicious investments and profitable sales. His business policy has ever been such that purchasers in any line of his business become constant patrons.
On the 29th. of January. 1863, Mr. Purcell was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda J. Ferguson, a daughter of Isaac S. Ferguson, who was a Kentucky farmer and married a Pennsylvania lady-Maria Wolf. They became the parents of four children, of whom two are now living: Mrs. Furcell and John, the latter now a resident of Benton county, Missouri. Ento Mr. and Mrs. Purcell have been born the following named: Mary, now the wife of Logan Wright: Shelby, who married and resides in Hannibal, Missouri ; George, who wedded Mary Long; James, of Piqua, and J. B.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Purcell's patriotism prompted his en- Listment in the Union army, and in February, 1862. he joined company E, of the Seventh Missouri State Militia. He aided in recruiting the' company and after serving for six months was honorably discharged on account of physical disability. After recovering his health he re-enlisted as a member of company I, Forty-fifth Missouri infantry, under Colonel Weir, of Boonville. The regiment operated against Price in Missouri and later went to Nashville, Tennessee. where Mr. Purcell was engaged in guard duty. At Jefferson, Missouri, he very narrowly escaped being wounded or killed, having a boot heel and a button from his coat shot away. He continued at the front until the war was over, when, the country no longer needing his services, he returned to his home. He now belongs to the Grand Army Post. at Neosho Falls, also to the Fraternal Aid Association and to the Methodist Protestant church, being class leader of the congregation. As a citizen he is loyal to every measure which he be- lieves will prove of general good and does everything in his power to benefit his city. In business he is most straightforward and reliable, fol- lowing upright principles not because he believes that honesty is the best policy, but because he believes in doing right for right's sake. He is certainly a man of firm purpose and nothing can deter him from follow- ing what he thinks is the correct course. Among his friends and family he is considerate, social and kindly and his home is not only one of the finest in Piqua, but also one of the most hospitable.
WILLIAM REEDY
WILLIAM REEDY, of the firm of Lauber and Reedy, general mer- chants in Yates Center, Kansas, is a son of the late Hon. Michael Reedy and was born in Woodson county December 8, 1860. He represents one of
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
the prominent and pioneer families of the county for his father made the preliminary arrangements for his permanent settlement here in June, 1857. (See history of Michael Reedy.) The days of his youth and early man- hood were passed amid rural surroundings and in the free and healthful atmosphere of the farm. His education was confined to attendance upon the country school with one term at the Boys' School in St. Paul, Kan- sas.' His initial efforts were put forth, on taking up the responsibilities of real and serious life toward the promotion of the affairs of his father's large estate and a decade measured the time passed in rural pursuits after attaining his majority. July 22. 1892. he was nominated by the Demo- ciats and Peoples' party of his county for clerk of the district court and at the November election was chosen by the people by a majority of six votes. In 1894 he was renominated and was re-elected this time increasing his majority one vote. He carried his home township by eighty majority each election and his candidacy was sufficiently strong throughout the county to overcome the Republican majority which was well known to the county in those days. The four years he served as a public officer marked Mr. Reedy as a faithful and competent official. He gained an ex- perience and an acquaintance which has served him in good stead as a private citizen.
Mr. Reedy engaged in the cattle business with Wm. H. Lauber on re- turning to civil life and their brief experience in this venture netted them a profit reasonable and commensurate with an earnest and honorable effort. In 1898 the same firm engaged in mercantile pursuits in the county seat and in 1901 it dissolved partnership, Mr. Reedy retiring.
June 22, 1892. Mr. Reedy was married to Julia E. Feeney, a daughter of Martin and Bridget (Connell) Feeney, well known farmers of Wood- son county. The issue of this union is a son, John Martin Reedy, born November 3, 1893.
As a business man and as a citizen Mr. Reedy is regarded highly in Woodson county .. He has spent every year of his life within the borders o' his native county and it is with pride that the old citizens have watched his onward and upward business and social trend. His business methods are honorable, his views on moral questions are liberal and in his political affiliations and adherence he is as Democratic as modern Democracy can make one.
THEODORE M. SLACK.
1 xelf-made man who has been the architect of his own fortunes and has builded wisely and well is Theodore Slack. who follows farming one mile north of Piqua, in Neosho Falls township. Woodson county. A native of Ohio. he was born in Henry county, that state, March 1, 1847, a son of Philip and Catherine (Woolet) Slack, the former a native of New York
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and the latter of Maryland. When a young man the father went to Ohio. He was a mason by trade but in the Buckeye state he turned his attention to farmning. following his trade only after work of the farm was over for the season. In 1866 he removed to Illinois, and in 1884 came to Kansas, settling in Woodson county on a farm north of Piqua, where his death oc- enmed in 1894, when he was seventy-five years of age. His wife still sur- vives nim at the age of eighty-four years. They were the parents of two sons, the brother of our subiect being James Slack.
Theodore M. Slaek, of this review, came to Illinois with his father in 1866 and remained with him until twenty-four years of age, when he started out upon an independent business career. For ten years he en- gaged in the operation of rented land, came to Ottawa, Kansas, in 1880. and to Woodson county in 1883. and then made his first purchase, be- coming owner of a tract of eighty acres. As the years have passed he has added to this and his landed possessions now aggregate three hundred and twenty acres. He began with a tract of raw prairie, which he has culti- vated and improved until it is one of the most productive farms of this portion of the state. He has a good residence on the place and has erected a very large barn in which he can store a large amount of hay and which affords ample shelter for his stock. He handles horses, mules and cattle . and realizes a good profit from his sales of stock. His corn and wheat erops also bring to him good returns and a bearing orchard keeps his table well supplied with fruits in season.
In Illinois Mr. Slack was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Beeler, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Vinton R. and Mary (Ross) Beeler. Her father was born in Maryland but when a young man went to Illinois where he met and married Miss Ross, a native of that state. Unto our sub- iect and his wife have been born six children : Mary C., wife of Benjamin Draper. a resident of Woodson : Elmer, at home: John, who married Mary Heath and resides in Allen county ; Charles. George and Arthur, who are also under the parental roof. In his political affiliations Mr. Slack is a Re- publican and is a wide-awake and progessive citizen, interested in all that effects the progress and prosperity of his township, county. state and nation. He is a very energetic farmer, reliable in all business transactions. With the exception of a small amount of money which his wife inherited from her father he has made through his own efforts all that he now pos- sesses. Instead of being content with conditions as they are. he is always seeking to improve his farm and his progressive methods and untiring labor have made his place one of the most attractive and desirable in the country.
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