USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 81
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 81
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HARVEY W. FERREE.
The qualities of character which connand respect and esteem were strong within Harvey W. Ferree and therefore his death was the occa-
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sion of deep regret in the community in which he lived. He became a resi- dent of Woodson county in 1879, locating first on a farm six miles east of Yates Center but after six months he took up his abode in the same town- ship, southeast of the county seat, on section three, township twenty-six, range sixteen. He came to Kansas for the purpose of securing cheap land and thus more readily obtaining a good home, making his way to this state from Adams county. Illinois.
Mr. Feerree was born in Richfield township, that county, December 7, 1854, and was a son of the Rev. Samuel G. Ferree who in early life was a farmer but afterward became a minister. He went to Illinois at an early day and spent his active life in Adams and Pike counties. For three years he was in the Union army during the war of the Rebellion as captain and chaplain in a regiment of Missouri volunteers. He died in 1898, at the age of sixty-nine years. He was descended from an old Pennsylvania family of French lineage. The mother of our subject, prior to her mar- riage, was Almira Cleveland and was a representative of a New York family. Her children were Harvey W. and Wesley Lincoln, the latter a resident of Bureau county, Illinois.
In taking up the personal history of our subjeet we note that he spent his early life upon the home farm and pursued his education in the common schools with later opportunities for preparing for business life as a student in the Gem City Business College, of Quincy, Illinois. After leaving that institution he entered the serivee of the Wabash Railroad Company as relief man and afterward secured a position with the firm of Jansen & Company, of Quiney, Illinois, with whom he remained for a year. He was afterward in a partnership for a brief period, and in 1879 he came to Kansas. devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits until 1884, when he took up his abode in Humboldt and became bookkeeper for Harry Bragg, the well known hardware merchant, with whom he re- mained in that important capacity until his death.
On the 28th. of February, 1876, Mr. Ferree was united in marriage, in Quincy. Illinois. to Miss Josie Hughes, a daughter of Colonel David W. Hughes, a native of Ohio, now residing in Vandalia, Missouri. He wedded Mary E. Easterday and Mrs. Ferree is their only child. She was born December 23, 1850. and by her marriage became the mother of the fol- lowing children: Marvin E., born December 31. 1877; George W., who was born Jannary 31, 1880, and wedded Mary Beckett; Margaret, born June 15, 1882; Mary A., born October 30, 1884: Leon J., born September 29, 1887 : Ray and May. born May 1, 1890, and David H., born Angust 5, 1892.
In his political affiliations Mr. Ferree was a Republican but took no part in political work, aside from voting for the candidates of his choice. his time being fully occupied with his business affairs. His reliability, and his fathfulness in every walk of public and private life won him the friend- ship of many. the regard of all, and his death, which occurred November 28, 1895, was deeply and widely mourned.
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JOHN LIGHT.
JOHN LIGHT, who is numbered among the early settlers of Woodson county and is one of the honorable patriots of the Civil war, was born in Germany, June 5, 1832. His father. John Light, was also a native of that country and there married Lizzie Meidendal, who died in Germany in 1861 at the age of seventy-four years. The father crossed the Atlantic in 1862, locating first in Chicago where he died at the age of eighty-two years. He has two sons and one daughter living: Frederika, who makes her home in Cook county. Wilhelm and John, of this review.
The last named resided in the fatherland until twenty years of age, and acquired his education in accordance with the laws of his country. Be- lieving that the New World would furnish better opportunities to a young mian impatient for advancement, he then crossed the briny deep in the fall of 1855, locating in Chicago. Soon afterward he secured a situation as a farm hand and was thus employed in Illinois for two years. In 1857 he came with Godfrey Weide to Kansas and through the succeeding year re- sided near Leroy, in Coffey county. In 1858 he came to Woodson county with ten dollars and purchased two hundred and forty acres of land on Turkey creek. Here he has made his home continuously for forty-two years, and in connection with farming. is engaged extensively in the rais- ing of sheep and cattle. At the time of the Civil war, however, he put aside all personal considerations to aid his country in the struggle to preserve the union, joining company G, of the Fifth Kansas volunteer cav- alry. He remained at the front as a loyal soldier for three years and two months, and participated in the battles of Helena. Pine Blun and Little Rock, together with many other engagements of lesser importance. He then received an honorable discharge at Leavenworth in 1864 and returned to his home in Woodson county.
Mr. Light kept bachelor's hall till 1871, at which time he was married to Miss Minnie Miller, a native of Germany, who came to America in 1867 and resided in Iowa until 1870, when she came to Woodson county. Her death occurred in 1877, and a husband and three children were left to mourn her loss; the latter being, Ed, Bertha and Willie Light. For seven years subsequently to his wife's death, Mr. Light remained unmarried, but in 1884 was joined in wedlock to Elizabeth Klinkinburg, a native of Ger- many, who came to America in 1882 and has since been a resident of Kan- sas. They now have two children, namely : Emil and Frederick.
In his political affiliations Mr. Light is a Republican and has filled the office of treasurer of his township. He is deeply interested in the suc- cess of the party, but has never aspired to official honors and emoluments, content to devote his time and energies to his business affairs in which he has met with signal success. He is familiar with the history of Kansas from its territorial days; has lived through the periods of hard times -- the drouth of 1860; the period of the Civil war, and through the grass- hopper scourge from 1868 until 1873, but with marked perseverence he
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Mas continued his labors and success has crowned his efforts. As one of the honorable pioneers and leading farmers of Woodson county, he certainly ·deserves mention in this volume.
FRED H. CONGER.
Nature has provided bonntifully in all sections of the country op- .portunities for the acquirement of wealth by men who have the deter- mination and energy to labor with determined purpose. Kansas is pre- eminently an agricultural state; its broad prairies afford excellent oppor- tunity, the rich land serving as fields and meadows while the verdant pas- tures make stock-raising a profitable industry. It is along the laiter line particularly that Mr. Conger has won his prosperity. He is one of the leading stock-raisers in southeastern Kansas and his herd of shorthorn cat- tie is unsurpassed.
Mr. Conger was born in Galesburg. Knox county, Illinois, on the 1st oi April, 1859, a son of Laurin C. and Amanda (Hasbrook) Conger, both natives of New York. The father was a farmer and stock raiser and handled large herds of cattle. In an early day he removed to Galesburg. Illinois, becoming one of its early settlers, and he witnessed its development from a mere hamlet to a thriving and prosperous city of large dimensions. In the spring of 1875 he went to Carroll county. Missouri, and was engaged in the stock business in that state until his death, which occurred in 1893, when he was seventy-three years of age. His wife passed away in 1889, at the age of sixty-five. They left two sons. one of whom is Seth B. Conger, now of Galesburg. Illinois.
Fred H. Conger pursued his education in the common schools and completed it by his graduation in Avalon College, in Livingston County, Missouri. He was reared to farm life and assisted in the labors of field and meadow on his father's farm until his marriage. in 1882. In the fall of 1883 he removed to Chillicothe. Mo., where he engaged in the dry goods business as a member of the firm of Stevens. Conger & Butts. the connection being maintained for ten years-an era of prosperity in his business career. Wishing. however, to seek a new location and enjoy the sunny clime of the Pacific slope he sold his interest in the store and removed to Los Angeles. Cal., where he conducted a fruit farm and carried on business as a dealer in buggies. He was there located for two and a half years. on the expiration of which period he disposed of his property and being con- vinced of the superiority of Kansas over many other portions of the country he came to Woodson County in 1895. settling in Yates Center. where he has one of the most delightful residences in the city. It is well located in the central portion of the town and is a very attractive home. Mr. Conger has also purchased a large ranch of eleven hundred and sixty acres. four miles northwest of Yates Center. on Owl Creek, where he
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handles a large number of cattle annually, only shipping such stock as he las himself fed. He also has a very valuable herd of registered Short. Horn cattle, equal to any to be found in the Sunflower state. He has greatly" improved his ranch by the election of large and substantial buildings and now has one of the best equipped ranches in the county. After his mar- tage. when he embarked in the dry goods business he had only a limited capital, but in commercial lines he laid the foundation for his present pros- perity, which has come to him with the passing years as the reward of his enterprise, unflagging industry and straight-forward business methods. He now has extensive realty possessions in Wood on County and is ranked. among the men of affluence in this part of the state.
On the 20th of December, 1882, Mr. Conger was united in marriage- le Miss Anna Gunby, of Chillicothe, Mo .. a daughter of W. E. and Susan V. Gunby, of that city. They have but two children, Marguerite and Lauren, both of whom are students in the schools of Yates Center. The ( onger household is noted for its pleasing social functions, and our sub- icet and his wife occupy a very enviable position in social circles. In polities he is a Republican.
GEORGE H. NOTEMAN.
Among the prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Everett township, Woodson County is numbered, George H. Noteman, who has been the ar- elitect of his own fortunes and has builded a substantial structure. Thrown upon his own resources at an early age, resolution, perseverance and above all earnest labor have enabled him to conquer fate and advance steadily to the plane of affluence. Born in Otsego County, New York, om the 27th of June, 1830, he is a son of George and Mary ( Adams) Noteman. both of whom were also natives of the Empire state. The father died at the age of seventy-eight years, and the mother passed away when eighty- eight years of age. They had three children, of whom two are now living : Thomas C., a resident of Illinois and George H.
The latter remained in New York until twelve years of age and then entered the employ of a man with whom he went to Illinois and who was to pay him ten dollars per month in compensation for his services. After ten months. however, his employer turned him off and would not pay him a cent, cheating him out of the entire amount. On foot he then started back to New York. He was arrayed in a pair of trousers, a shirt, sealskin cap and a heavy pair of boots, and the time was the month of August, 1859. On the way he was taken ill with chills, but he pressed on though foot-sore and weary, walking the entire distance back to his old home.
Mr. Noteman then continued in the east until 1860. when he went to Wisconsin, and the following year he was united in marriage to Miss E. L. Burdick, a native of New York. He lived in the Badger state for
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Awo years and about that time entered the service of his country. Feeling " his duty to support the Union cause, he enlisted in Company I, of the Twenty-third Illinois Infantry and remained at the front for two years, displaying his bravery on a number of the fields of carnage. On leaving his Wisconsin home he went to lowa, where he purchased forty acres of land, which he operated for five years. when he became a resident of Illinois. The year 1874 witnessed his arrival in Kansas. He first settled in Ottawa, but after five years he returned to Illinois, remaining upon his father's farm for fifteen years.
Again Mr. Noteman came to Kansas in 1895, and this time he located in Woodson County, purchasing two hundred and forty acres of rich farm- ing land which he at once began to operate. In connection with the raising of cereals he has also followed stock raising, his place being well adapted for this. He began with some good grades of Herefords, Short Horn and Durham cattle and now has as fine a herd as can be found in Southeastern Kansas. His stock is always in good condition, fat and ready for the market and always commands good priccs. There is a small creek running through his place on the north and west of his barn and feed lots, and a grove also affords shelter for his stock. The farm is pleasantly located two niiles west of Neosho Falls on the east line of Everett township, and through the labors and improvements of Mr. Noteman has become a very valuable property .
Unto our subject and his wife have been born four children, of whom three sons are now living: Charles F., who resides upon a farm near his father, owns farm of 160, aeres: George C .. who is connected with the business of manufacturing and handling steel wire in Cleveland, O .; and Norman L .. who is now located in Detroit, Michigan. In his political views Mr. Noteman is a Republican. He keeps well informed on the issues of the vlay, but has never been an aspirant for political office, as his attention is fully occupied by his business affairs, whereby he has demonstrated the power of integrity and industry in acquiring prosperity ..
GEORGE HILL.
Wealth does not always command respect for its possessor for the American people are very apt to take into consideration the manner in which the fortune has been won and to pass judgment upon the business methods which have been followed in the acquirement of success. The record of George Hill, however, is one which will bear the closest inves- · tigation, and in Southeastern Kansas no man is more worthy of con- fidence and esteem than the gentleman whose name introduces this re- view as his career has ever been in harmony with the strictest ethics o' industrial and commercial life. He came to this portion of the state in 1869. from Dane County. Wisconsin. where he had resided for ten
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
years. He went to the Badger state with his father, John Hill, from Norfolk, England, where he was born May 19, 1843. The father died in Dane County, in 1899. at the age of eighty-three years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Cooper, passed away many years previous, leaving three children, of whom two are yet living-G. and Annie, the latter the wife of John Barber, of Denver, Col.
George Hill was a little lad at the time the ocean voyage was made that brought the family to the new world. This was in 1854. and from that time until the inauguration of the Civil war he remained in Dane County. Aroused by the attempt of the South to overthrow the Union, he offered his services to the government and enlisted as a member of Company G, Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry as a private. His regiment formed part of the famous "Iron Brigade," composed of a Michigan and an Indiana Regiment, in addition to the Second and Third Wisconsin regiments. Mr. Hill participated in the first battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861, and was there wounded. his injuries necessitating his- retirement from active service for a short time. He was not again with Ins regiment until the spring of 1862, when MeClellan began his advance against Richmond. Mr. Hill was also wounded in the second battle of Bull Run and later was wounded in the first day of the engagement at Gettysburg. He was in some of the preliminary fighting leading up to the battle of Chancellorsville. and then after three years of faithful service, was mustered out with his regiment in 1864.
Upon returning to the North Mr. Hill began work at the carpenter's trade. In 1867 he went to Topeka, Kas., and in 1869 came South to Woodson County. He soon afterward secured a claim in Woodson County, upon which he resided some years, when he located upon sec- tion twenty-nine, Belmont township, where he has since made his home. His landed possessions now aggregate twelve hundred acres of land. When he came to this portion of the state his cash capital was only seven dollars and a half, but with characteristic energy he began the work of farming and also extended the field of his labors by raising and dealing in stock. In both branches of his business he has prospered. and his business methods have ever been most straight-forward and honorable. fis stock dealings have been very extensive, and he is now numbered among the leading stockmen and agriculturists in this part of the Sun- flower state.
On the 9th of June, 1872, in Wilson County, Mr. Hill was joined in wedlock to Miss Lien Rhodes, a daughter of Samuel Rhodes, who came to Kansas from Illinois. Their marriage has been blessed with the fol- lowing children: Sadie, now the wife of Stanford Eagle; John, who married Effie Rowten : Bersie, wife of Silas Lance; Ina and George, who are yet at home. In his political views Mr. Hill is a Republican and has served as trustee of Belmont township, but official honors have had little attraction to him, his time being largely occupied with his business in-
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terests. in which capable management and persistency of purpose have played an important part. enabling him to advance steadily upward until he stands on a commanding position on the heights of affluence.
OLIVER EASLEY.
More than a third of a century has passed since Oliver Easley came to Woodson County, entering a tract of land from the government in Owl Creek townshp. He now resides in Behnont township and as the result of his long years of identification with the agricultural interests of this part of the state he is the possessor of a valuable and highly improved tract of land.
Mr. Easley has always resided in the Mississippi valley, and the enterprising spirit which has promoted the rapid growth and develop- ment of this section of the country has been manifest in his business career. He was born in Fulton County, Illinois, April 15, 1839, and is a son of Isaac Easley. a millwright by trade, who settled in Illinois many years before the birth of our subject, having gone to that state from l'reeport, O. His birth occurred, however, in Virginia. Becoming a pioneer settler of Illinois, he there spent his remaining days, his death occurring in Fulton County about 1860, when he was fifty-five years of age. He was one of four brothers, the others being John, Thomas and Stephen, and all resided in Fulton County, at Ipava, a place which was formerly known as Easleytown. Isaac Easley was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Norris, who died at a comparatively early age. In the family were ten children, and those who reached mature years and reared families of their own were: Albert; Oscar, now deceased ; Eliza, who married William Knock; Edith, deceased wife of Isaac McCarty ; Mrs. Mary A. Dougherty, and Frank, of Woodson County.
The home farm was the scene of the labors and joys of Oliver Easley in his youth. His educational privileges were somewhat limited, but his training in the work of the fields was not meager. After reach- ing man's estate he married Miss Emma E. Stafford, the wedding being celebrated on the 20th of September, 1860. The lady is a daughter of Thomas Stafford, who removed to Illinois, from Providence, Rhode Island, and had four children; Eliza, deceased wife of Samuel Larkin; George, a resident of Quincy, Illinois; William, who is living in Ver- mont, Illinois, and Mrs. Easley.
Our subject and his wife continued to reside in the Prairie state until 1865, when they came to Kansas, locating first in Bourbon County, where they remained for a year and then removed to Vernon County, Mo., when. in 1867, they came to Woodson County. Kansas. In 1875 Mr. Easley located on West Buffalo creek, owning land on sections twenty- eight and thirty-three, township twenty-six, range fifteen. His farming
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interests are profitably conducted and his place, neat and thrifty in ap- pearance. indicates the supervision of a careful and progressive owner.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Easley was blessed with seven children : Chester, who married Linnie Cowan and is living in Wilson County, Kansas; Annie, wife of Frank Powell, also of Wilson County; Osro, of the same county, who married Annie Surprise; Clarence; Wil- liam, of Topeka, Kas., who married Selecta Dick; Sarah, wife of Frank Thorn, of Liberal, Kas., and Ethel, who completes the family. The members of the household have uniformly commanded the-respect of those with whom they have come in contact and Mr. and Mrs. Easley enjoy the warm friendship of their neighbors and of a large circle of acquaintances. In early days the Easleys were Whigs and when that party passed out of existence and the new Republican party was formed they became supporters of that organization. Oliver Easley has by his ballot indicated the same political preference, and while he is not an active politician or an office seeker, he never fails to attend the elec- tions and thus support his political principles and the men who represent them. He has contributed in a quiet but effective way to the general progress and upbuilding of Woodson County during the thirty-four years of his residence here and is one of its worthy citizens.
JOHN C. CULVER.
Among the strong earnest men whose depth of character and fidelity to duty win the respect and awaken the admiration of all with whom they come in contact is numbered John C. Culver, the capable, efficient and trustworthy treasurer of Woodson County. As a citizen he has borne himself above reproach and as a friend and neighbor he enjoys the good will and confidence of all with whom he is associated.
Mr. Culver was born September 27, 1860, his parents being Charles and Bertha (Van Loon) Culver. The father was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in the year 1815, and was reared in the Empire state, where he was married prior to his emigration westward. On leaving New York he took up his abode in Porter County, Indiana, and was a resident of Valparaiso until 1871, when he came to Kansas, and the suc- ceeding year located in Woodson County, where he spent his remaining davs, his death occurring in Perry township in 1893. In his family were ten children, all of whom are yet living, namely: Mrs. Amanda E. Wass. of Yates Center : Elijah C., of Boone. Ia .. who was a soldier in the Civil war: Mrs. Nettie T. Green, of Wichita, Kas .: George B., who is living in Chanute, this state: J. Grant, whose home is in Atchison. Kas .; Mrs. Sarah Stradley, of Des Moines, Ia .; Mrs. Jennie Holt, of Woodson County ; Mrs. Mary Berry, of Minneapolis, Minn .; John C. and Willard A., who are residents of Woodson County.
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John C. Culver was only twelve years of age when he accompanied his parents and their family to Woodson County. His early educational privileges were supplemented by study in this locality ,and in the State Normal school at Emporia, where he was graduated in the class of 1883. Through the succeeding decade he was identified with the educational in- terests of the county, and his successful work as a teacher was followed by one term's service as county superintendent. For seven years he was cashier and bookkeeper in the Yates Center bank and through that business connection extended his acquaintance, making many friends by hus uniform courtesy to the patrons of the institution. He is now ex- tensively interested in farming and stock raising, being the owner of a valuable tract of land of two hundred and forty acres twelve miles south- east of Yates Center. In 1897 he was elected treasurer of Woodson County and filled the office so acceptably that he was re-elected for a second term in 1889. To fill the position one must have strong business ability, clerical accuracy and withal must be a man of unquestioned integrity. In all of these particulars Mr. Culver is well qualified for the office which he is now so acceptably filling.
In 1885 Mr. Culver was united in marriage to Miss Cora Jewett, who gave him one son, Carl. In May, 1895, he was again married, his second union being with Belle Tacket, daughter of Mrs. H. Waymire, of Yates Center. They, too, have one son, Herbert M. Mr. C. is justly proud of his two sons. Mr. Culver is a man of genuine worth, entirely free from ostentation or display. Socially he is connected with the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Red Men, and is an ex- emplary representative of those organizations which are based upon beneficence and the brotherhood of man. His political support is given the Republican party, ubt when a candidate for office he received a vote far in excess of his party's strength for men of different political faith de- posited their ballots for John C. Culver, having faith in his unimpeachable business methods. His name stands as a synonym for fidelity to duty as 116 trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed.
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