USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 82
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 82
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HARRISON C. ROLLINS.
HARRISON C. ROLLINS, who is engaged in the loan business in Yates Center, Kas., is a native of Kentucky. He spent his early boyhood under the parental roof until his removal to Kansas whither he came in 1882. For three years he followed agricultural pursuits in Wyandotte County and made some money in the venture. In 1886, however, he ro moved to Yates Center and entered into relations with J. C. Gray in the real estate and loan business, this connection being maintained until 1887 when he succeeded Mr. Gray in the business, and has since car- red on operations along that line alone. He has won a profitable busi-
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noss, and is ever found reliable and trustworthy in all transactions. His political support is given the Democracy. In 1893 he was appointed by Grover Cleveland to the position of postmaster at Yates Center in which capacity he capably served for four years, since which time his attention has been closely devoted to his business affairs in which he is meeting with good success.
HENRY CLAY HURT.
A native of Illinois, Henry C. Hurt was born in Menard County, February 28, 1842, a son of Jolin M. Hurt. a pioneer of Sangamon County, Illinois. The latter was born in Carter County, Kentucky, and was a son of Hurt, also the father of ex-treasurer R. A. Hurt, of Woodson County, Kansas. He removed from Warren County, Kentucky, to Illinois, taking up his abode near Springfield. A lawyer by profession, he was admitted to the bar after his marriage. and on the day of his admission he had twelve cases for trial. No dreary novitiate awaited him. From the beginning he was successful, and in the early days in Illinois was the associate of such distinguished jurists and states- men as Governor Richard Yates. Sr., William Herrington, William Butler, Colonel Williams and Abraham Lincoln, all then practitioners in the courts of Illinois. Mr. Hurt became quite prominent in political affairs in Menard County and for many years was almost continuously in office. He served through a long period as justice of the peace and was also county sheriff. During the Civil war he was a strong supporter of the I'nion cause and his first experience with army life came in 1862 when with Governor Yates and others he went to Fort Donelson to assist the wounded after the battle at that place. This experience and the scenes upon the battlefield so aroused his patriotism that he returned to Illinois and raised a company for service which was mustered in as Company K. One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was elected major of the regiment and was afterward promoted to the rank of colonel. The One Hundred and Sixth formed a part of General Steele's army, with which Colonel Hurt was in active duty until his death. which occurred just as the army was going into winter quarters at Pine Bluff. Ark. Thus he gave his life in defense of the Union, of which he was a most zealous and loyal advocate. In his early political convic- tions he was a Whig and afterward joined the Know Nothing party. When the Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery he joined its ranks
Colonel Hurt was united in marriage to Margaret Boyd. who was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, and died in Illinois in 1900. at the age of seventy-nine years. She was a daughter of John Boyd, one of the first settlers of Menard County. Illinois, and by her marriage she
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Feccame the mother of nine children: Henry C., of this review : Mary, wife of E. F. Glascock, of Menard County ; William, of Kingfisher, Okla- homa ; Anna, wife of Thomas Turner, of Emporia. Kansas; Charles, who is living in Omaha, Nebraska; David and George, who are living in Menard County, Illinois; Laura, wife of William Turner, also of that County, and Joseph, who makes his home in Menard County.
Mr Hurt, the well known agriculturist of Center township, Wood- son County, was born in Athens, Illinois, and in his boyhood and youth his time was quite equally divided between the farm and town life, the family living in Athens and Petersburg at different times. He acquired & fair English education and in his youth worked upon the home farm so that practical experience well fitted him for similar duties in later years. He was married September 15. 1863, to Caroline Rankin, a daughter of W. L. Rankin, a native of Kentucky, who became a cattle- man and farmer of Illinois. He wedded Mary Ellen Sudduth. who dicd in 1857, leaving four children: Thomas J., of Nebraska; Benjamin, who died at Chattanooga, Tennessee, while serving in the Union army during the Civil war; Lee, of Northwestern Iowa. and Mrs. Hurt, who was born November 14, 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Hurt have but two children. John M., who was born October 16, 1865, married Cora Walker and now resides on the old homestead, and William is living in Terre Han',. Indiana.
After his marriage Mr. Hurt remained in Illinois until 1872, when ! removed with his family to Page County, Ia., and in 1880 he can to Woodson County, where he engaged in the land business for four years. He purchased a tract of land on section twenty-six, towns' twenty-five. range fifteen, where he now owns three hundred and twen' acres of land, and to the cultivation of the fields he now devotes his ti- and attention with excellent success. He likewise handles cattle. his business is annually bringing to him good returns-the sure re- ward of earnest labor. The political situation of the country is a matter of interest to him-as it should be to every true American citizen-and be indicates his preference by voting for the men and measures of the Republican party, which he has supported since casting his first presi- dential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He has never sought office, however, his business affairs claiming his consideration and time.
ALEXANDER W. MARKHAM.
The futility of effort is manifest in the business world. It is said that ninety-five per cent of the men in business meet with failure and the cause of this is not so much lack of industry or of close application as of sound business judgment. When labor is directed by keen business rdiscernment it never fails to win prosperity. and a proof of this is found in
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the life record of Alexander W. Markham, who came to this county in 1872 mn very limited circumstances but is to-day numbered among the men. of affluence in his community.
Mr. Markham removed to Kansas from Johnson County, Missouri,- where he was born January 8, 1842, a son of Charles Markham. His pater- Gal grandfather was a native of Scotland and his grandmother was a native of England, and on coming to America located in Madison County, Ken- tucky. He had a family of six sons, namely : Hiram, Tira, John T., Reu- ben, Charles and Elijah. The first two remained in Kentucky but the. others removed to Johnson County, Missouri, at an early epoch in its- development. Charles Markham was born in the Blue Grass state about 1822 and was a life-long farmer, following his chosen pursuit with good success. During the Civil war he was an advocate of the Union cause, although his brothers sympathized with the South and some of them had sons in the Confederate service. His death occurred in Johnson County, Missouri, July 26, 1877. In early manhood he married Sarah Andrews. who died in the spring of 1900. Their children are Nancy J., who is the widow of Thomas Palmer and resides in Barry County, Missouri; Alexander W .; Henry, of Johnson County, Missouri; George, of Barry County, that state; and Robert who is also living in the same county.
Mr. Markham of this review spent his boyhood and youth in the county of his nativity and obtained a country school education. In Feb- ruary, 1862, he entered the Union army. becoming a member of Battery L, Second Missouri Light Artillery, with which he served for eighteen months. spending the entire time in his native state. On the 4th of January, 1864, he again offered his services to his country and was as- signed to Battery L. Second Missouri Volunteers. with which he served in Missouri until the war ended when the company was sent to the Powder River country, in Montana, in order to fight the Indians. There Mr. Markham remained for seven months when the order came to be noustered out, having been a member of the army for four years and six months.
Upon his return home he engaged in farming but was afflicted with rheumatism for a year. having incurred the disease while in the northwest protecting the border against the Red men. Hoping that his rheumatism might be cured in a warmer climate he came to Southern Kansas and has since resided in Woodson County. He arrived on the 15th of April, 1872, and purchased of a Mr. Clark a claim comprising the north half of the southeast quarter of section twenty-two, township twenty-five, range sixteen. He moved his family into a small log cabin in which there was no board floor, and has witnessed all the changes which have occurred in the county during more than twenty-eight years. He has made farming his life work and his diligence, persistence and good management have made him the owner of a valuable property.
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Mr. Markham was married in Warrensburg. Missouri, March 27. 1864, to Susan Wade, a daughter of Joseph M. Wade, one of the first settlers of Johnson County, Missouri, who came from Virginia. He wedded Mary Tomblin, formerly of Pennsylvania, and their children were: Mrs. Markham, who was born October 24, 1845; John, deceased; Joseph, of .Johnson County, Missouri; Martha. wife of Nicholas Rogers, of Kansas City; Sarah wife of William Eaton, of Oklahoma; James, of Kansas City, Missouri. The father was engaged in the manufacture and laying of brick and did much of the early brick work in Warrensburg, Miss ouri. He died in 1895, at the age of eighty-one years. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Markham has been blessed with nine children: Charles, who died at the age of seventeen years: James R., who passed away at the age of two years; Mary C .. wife of Walter J. Cox, of Iola, Kansas, by whom she has two children: Eva and Nona: William L., of Thomas, Oklahoma : John K., Yates Center, Woodson County; George K., who is living in Allen County : Henry E .. a telegraph operator in Wilson County. Kansas: Anna and Martha, who are still with their parents.
On attaining his majority Mr. Markham became a stalwart sup- porter of the Republican party and is recognized as one of the local kaders, although he is not an aspirant for office. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Center Ridge Baptist church, in which he is hold- ing the office of deacon. He is deeply interested in the work of the church and is a citizen whose devotion to the public good is above ques- tion and who has ever been found where duty and obligation have called him, whether fighting for his country or in the walks of business and pri- vate life.
William L. Markham was married to Miss Mary Leonard by whom she has twin boys. Freddie and Eddie.
George K. Markham was married to Miss Nellie Kilby
HERMANN FUHLHAGE.
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A quiet but steadfast persistence marks the German race and has been a potent element in winning suecess for its representatives. This na- tional trait is manifest in the career of Hermann Fuhlhage, now a well known and progressive farmer of Belmont township, who has made his home in Woodson County sinee 1867. He was born in the village of Hase- . b ck, Lippe-Detmold, Germany, February 16. 1839, and is a son of Her- mann and Dorothy (Ricks) Fuhlhage. Te former was a farmer by oceupation and his forefathers had resided in that loeality for many genera- tions previously. He had seven children, namely: Wilhelmina, who he- rame the wife of Cyrus Houseman and died in Germany; Lena, who married Conrad Tasehe and also died in the fatherland; Fritz, who de- parted this life in Germany: Charlotte, who married Ernest Obermeyer
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and died in Germany ; August, who died in Wisconsin ; Hermann, and Wil- liam, who is living in Woodson County.
Hermann Fullhage attended school until fourteen years of age, and. when a youth of seventeen he began working at the brickmaker's trade which he followed in several German states, being identified with that line. of enterprise for ten years. In that time he had managed to save a few hundred dollars, but believing that better business opportunities were afforded in the new world he resolved to seek his fortune in America. Accordingly he bade adien to home and friends, and in April, 1867, sailed from Bremen to New York, where he landed after a voyage of thir- teen days. His destination was Kansas for he had friends living in this county, and in due time he arrived at his journey's end. He took up his abode on Cherry creek in Everett township, secured a homestead of eighty acres and for fourteen years there resided, during which period he de- veloped a fine farm. In 1881 he came to Belmont township where he pur- chased the southwest quarter of section thirty-one. Continually he has added to his landed possessions as his financial resources have increased until to-day he owns almost one thousand acres, in five different farms on which he keeps large herds of cattle and other stock.
Mr. Fuhlhage was not married when he came to Kansas, and for two years after his arrival he kept bachelor's hall. On the 28th of June. 1869, he wedded Bertha Pribbernow, a niece of the late Christian Pribber- new. of Owl Creek township. Both of her parents died in Germany. Her mother bore the maiden name of Bertha Buz, whose eight children grew to maturity but only three are now living, one brother of Mrs. Fuhlhage's. Charles Pribbernow, being a resident of Wisconsin. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fuhlhage: Wilhelmina, wife of J. W. H. Pyke, of Yates Center: August, who married Myrta Doebert and is living in Woodson County: Charles, who died at the age of fifteen years; Henry, Emma, Frank, Emil and Clara, all of whom are at home. and two who have departed this life.
Mr. Fuhlhage is a Republican and cast his first presidential vote for Grant in 1868. He served for four years as justice of the peace, and for twenty years has been a member of the school board. The cause of education has found in him a warm friend, the cause of justice an able exponent, and in all life's relation he commands confidence and respect by his fidelity to duty.
ISAAC J. CAMAC.
ISAAC JESSE CAMAC, who is engaged in the harness business in Yates Center, is a representative of that class of men who form the bulwark of the nation-men who in the active business affairs of life are energetic and progressive, who are loyal to the duties of citizenship and are faithful
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to the obligations of home and social life. He has made his home in Kansas sinee 1871, coming to this state from Illinois. He was born, however, in Randolph County, North Carolina, November 19, 1846, a son of Dixon Camac, a farmer, who died in Ottawa, Kas., in March, 1889, at the age of seventy-five years. He too was a native of North Carolina and was of English deseent. In his politieal affiliations he was a Democrat. He married Nancy Gaddis, who died in Windsor, Illinois, in 1865, and is survived by five of her eight children, namely: Martha, wife of J. B. Holmes, of Stafford, Kas .; Rebecca. wife of Harvey Rodgers, of Ottawa, Ias. ; Isaac J., who was the fifth in order of birth in the family; Maggie, wife of Lewis Heshman, of Ottawa, and Dovie Ann, wife of- Pey, of Franklin County. Kas.
Mr. Camae spent the greater part of his youth in Illinois and was reared as a farmer boy until twenty years of age. when he began learning the trade of a harness maker and saddler, serving an apprenticeship in Windsor, Illinois, after which he was employed as a journeyman for two years. He then spent four years as a farmer, half of that time being passed in Putnam County, Missouri. the other half in Franklin County, kansas. He removed from Shelby County, Illinois. to Franklin County, and on his retirement from agricultural fields he began business in Ottawa as a dealer in harness and saddlery. In 1884 he removed to Eminence township, Woodson County, where he farmed seven years and then came to Yates Center in 1891. Here he purchased the harness and saddlery establish- ment formerly owned by Fred Wachtman, and has since been sole pro- prietor. He enjoys a large and lucrative patronage, having been well equipped by previous experience for the business when he began opera- tions at this place. He carries a large and well selected stock of goods such as is found in a first elass establishment of the kind and his business is eonstantly growing in volume and importanee.
On the 2d of April, 1868, in Windsor, Illinois, Mr. Camac was united in marriage to Miss Victoria York. a daughter of John York, a native of North Carolina. He was a tailor by trade and spent his last days in Ottawa. Kas. In his family were four children, of whom three are vet living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Camac have been born eight children : C'era, wife of W. M. Patterson, of Rose, Kas .; John, a farmer of Woodson County ; Nettie, wife of W. M. Hartshorn, of Ottawa. Kas .; Isaac J., Jr .; May, a teacher in Woodson County; Winnie, who is a graduate of the high school of Yates Center ; Blanche and Katie. The family is one of prominenee in the community, the members of the household occupying an enviable position in social cireles. Mr. Camac cast his first presidential vote in 1876. supporting R. B. Hayes, and since that time he has been n stalwart Republican, heartily endorsing the men and measures of the party. He belongs to the subordinate lodge and the Rebekah depart- ment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also holds membership with the Knights and Ladies of Security. In the Odd Fellow's lodge he
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has filled all of the chairs and has served as representative to the grand lodge. Such in brief is the life history of one who has been an energetic and straight-forward business man and has walked worthily in all life's relations, thereby commanding uniform respect.
PLEASANT M. RHODES.
Farming and stock raising claim the attention of Pleasant M. Rhodes, who resides in Everett township, Woodson County and who is now classed among the well-to-do citizens of the community, a position which he oc- eupies as the direct result of his individual efforts in the active affairs C. life. He was born in MeLain County, Illinois, November 10, 1838, a son of James S. and Elizabeth (Adams) Rhodes, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Kentucky. The father removed to Illinois, living there with the first six families who located in the county. The Indians roamed in large numbers over the prairie, and the land was in its primi- tive condition, little indication being given of the development and progress which were so soon to bring wonderful transformation. In 1855 Dr. Rhodes removed with his family to Towa and there engaged in the practice of medicine. He also carried on farm work and engaged in preaching the gospel as a minister of the Christian church. He led a very active, use- ful and honorable life, and died in 1897. at the age of eighty-four years, respected by all who knew him. His widow still survives him and is living in Winterset. Ia., at the age of eighty-two years.
Mr. Rhodes of this review is one of a family of eight children. six of whom are yet living. He spent his youth upon a farm and in town, and pursued his edneation in the common schools, supplemented bya high-sehool course. Up to the time of his marriage he remained with his parents, but in 1861 completed his arrangements for a home of his own by winning as a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Miss Mary Elizabeth Clark. a native of Ohio. The young couple began their domestic life upon a rented farm which Mr. Rhodes operated until August, 1862. when his patriotic spirit prompted his enlistment in the Union army. He joined company A, Thirty-ninth Iowa infantry and served for three years as a private soldier, participating in several important engagements, including the battle of Polk's Crossroads, Sugar Valley, Small Creek and the four days' engagement at Kingston, North Carolina, together with many others cí lesser importance. At Shady Grove, Tennessee he was eaptured, but soon afterward was paroled and sent to St. Louis , Missouri, to await exchange.
At the close of the war Mr. Rhodes returned to his home, and for several years eontinned the eultivation of rented land until he had acquired capi- tal sufficient to enable him to purchaseproperty. He then bought land and was engaged in the eattle commission business for a number of years with excellent success. following that pursuit in Iowa until 1897, when he sold
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his property there in order to seek a milder climate, hoping to benefit his wife's health thereby. With his family he spent one year in eastern Oregon, after which he came to Kansas and purchased four hundred acres of prairie land about seven miles east and north of Yates Center, where he has erected an attractive residence and built a good barn. He has also added other substantial improvements and now has his entire farm under fence. He has led a very busy, active and useful life, idleness and indolence having no part in his nature. His reputation as an auctioneer is equal to that of any man in the county. He has engaged in that business for twenty years and has cried as many sales as any one of his age. He is well known as an auctioneer in many counties in Iowa, as well as in southeast- ern Kansas. Since locating in this state, has resumed stock dealing and expects to handle all of the stock which his farm can support.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes have been born five children, namely : Carpenter E., who follows farming near his father's home ; Mrs. Mary Etta Blohm. a widow, who with her children, Edna, Willie and Donald, aged re- spectively fourteen, twelve and eight years and now in school, is living with her father; William Estell, at home: Lillian May Grout, in Madison County, Iowa and Myrtle Edith, who is still with her parents. The family is one of prominence in the community and the members of the household have many friends, which is an indication of their sterling worth. Mr. Rhodes is a stalwart Republican in politics and has done considerable cam- paign work in Iowa, laboring earnestly for the interests of the party. While in that state he served as justice of the peace, and to those who are at all familiar with his upright career it is needless to say that his duties were faithfully discharged.
DAVID ASKREN.
One of the honored pioneer settlers of Woodson County is David Askren, who for forty-two years has resided within its borders. Few of the residents of this portion of the state can claim as long continuous connec- tion with it. Great changes have occurred in this period as the work of improvement and progress has been carried on, transforming the raw prairie into fertile farms, replacing cabin homes with commodious dwellings and adding the commercial and industrial interests and the evidences of civilization known to the older east. Mr. Askren can relate many interesting incidents of pioneer days when they coped with the hardships and trials ( I frontier life to make homes in the west, and no history of this portion of the state would be complete without the record of his life.
He was born in Logan County. Ohio. January 1, 1831. His father, Isaac Askren, was a native of Pennsylvania but in boyhood removed to Ohio where he was reared to manhood and married, Miss Elizabeth Spry, a native of Maryland, becoming his wife. In 1853 he removed with his
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family to Iowa, where his remaining days were devoted to agricultural pur- smits. his death occurring in 1892. when he was seventy years of age. His wife died in 1888, at the age of seventy-six. They were the parents of seven children, but only three are now living-David, who is the eldest, and Isaac and Mary, who are residents of Iowa. One of the sons, John, died in the army during the Civil war and was buried in the cemetery in Iola. Kansas.
Reared to farm work and educated in the common schools, thus passed the boyhood days of David Askren and when he had become a man he married Miss Charlotte Alexander, the wedding being celebrated on the 13th. of February, 1855. The lady was a native of Ohio. The young couple began their domestic life in Ohio but in 1859 came to Kansas and Mr. Askren pre-empted the farm of one hundred and sixty acres upon which he has resided for more than forty years. He has remained in the Sun- Hower state through the period when the commonwealth was infested by grasshoppers and suffered from drouths. and though these entailed great hardships upon the settlers never but once did he become discouraged and wish to leave Kansas. During the great drouth of 1860 he determined to return to Ohio, and several years later when he had saved money enough he started with his family for their old home. They traveled by wagon as far as Illinois. There on account of illness Mr. Askren left his family and proceeded alone to the Buckeye state, but had been there only a short time when he became homesick for Kansas. However, he wrote his wife that she might come on to Ohio and they would sell their Kansas farm and make a home in their native state, but she replied that she was as near Ohio then as she ever wanted to be; that she desired to return to Kansas and that the children were crying to go back. Mr. Askren says that he never in his life received a letter which was as welcome and which did him as much good. Accordingly he rejoined his family and they returned to hansas, where he has since remained and is now one of the prosperous, con- tended farmers and valued citizens of Woodson County.
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