USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 88
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 88
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In his political views Mr. Agnew was a stalwart Republican and his- fellow townsmen, recognizing his ability called him to the office of town- ship trustee, in which he served for several terms. He was prominent in leal political circles and was usually a delegate to the county conven- tions of his party where his opinions carried weight. as his judgment was known to be sound and reliable. He died December 19th., 1891, and his wife passed away on the 20th. of February, 1896. Their children were: William F., of Woodson County; Walter Jr .; Elizabeth J. and Rosa M.
Walter J. Agnew secured his preliminary education in the district schools and supplemented it by study in Sanders' Normal, at Fort Scott, Kansas. He was trained to the work of the farm in his youth, and on attaining his majority became associated with his father in business. He has always resided on the old homestead farm, and continued his busi- ness connection with his father until the latter's death. He has since managed the property and the well tilled fields and thrifty appearance of the place indicates his careful supervision and commendable business methods.
On the 29th. of December, 1897, Mr. Agnew was married to Miss Anna E. Bigelow, a daughter of Edwin W. and Margaret (MeGavran) Bigelow, who came to Kansas in February, 1882, from Dupont, Indiana.
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Her father was born in Clinton County, New York, and died in Woodson County, Kansas, at the age of sixty years. His children are: Edwin T., of Smithfield, Nebraska : Ray, wife of G. W. Simpson, of Council Grove, Kansas; William M., of Hoyt, this state: L. C., of Beckhan, Oklahoma; Charles H .. of Elwood, Nebraska : Mrs. Agnew, and Nelson L. and Mar- garet, both of Woodson County. One child graces the union of Mr. and Mrs. Agnew, Clarence Eugene, who was born April 8, 1899, and is the light and joy of the household. The Republican party receives the en- dorsement of Walter Agnew through his ballot at the polls, and he keeps well informed on the issues of the day, but does not seek office, as his time is occupied with his farming interests, whereby he is acquiring a gratify- ing measure of success. The family is one of prominence in the com- munity, honored and respected for the possession of qualities of sterling worth.
MELVIN E. HUNT.
No more capable officer has ever filled the position of sheriff in Woodson County than Melvin Ellison Hunt who for two terms acted in that capacity, discharging his duties without fear or favor. He is now extensively engaged in dealing in stock and is accounted one of the en- terprising and prosperous business men of Yates Center.
A native of the neighboring state of Missouri. Mr. Hunt was born i !! Schuyler County, on the 2d. of April, 1852, a son of Jesse Hunt, one of the pioneers of that locality, who was descended from a prominent family of Virginia. One of his brothers went to Idaho at a very early lay and there reared his family including a son who is now governor of that state. Jesse Hunt was born in Louisville, Kentucky, about 1816, and in 1842 removed to Schuyler County, Missouri, where he spent his re- maining days, following the dual pursuit of farming and stock raising. He was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, however, for his death occurred in 1854. In Tennessee he was united in marriage to Miss Martha E'. Hale, who died in Schuyler County, Missouri, in 1886. Her father, William Hale, was one of the most extensive slaveholders of eastern Tennessee. He was a native of Virginia and had several sons and daughters, the most of whom spent their lives in Tennessee and Ken- tuckv. Unto Jesse and Martha (Hale) Hunt were born the following children : James, who died in Jasper County, Missouri: Elizabeth, de- ceased wife of Wesley Redifer, her death occurring in Dallas County, Missouri : Hulet, who died in Schuyler County. Missouri; Martha. the wife of William MeVey, of that county: Minerva, wife of J. B. Mud, of the same county; Jesse, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church located in ---- , Missouri : Melvin E., of this sketch, and George, who is living in Woodson County.
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Melvin E. Hunt was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads. His educational privileges were limited and experience has been his most ef- ficient teacher, her lessons proving of value to him in the practical affairs of life. At the age of seventeen years he started ont to make his own way in the world, working on ranches and farms, first in Missouri and later in Clay County, Texas. Returning to the former state he then en- gaged in farming and stock-raising on his own account, and in 1884 he came to Woodson County, arriving in the month of March. He first lo- cated in Liberty township, where he engaged in the raising of stock and grain. following those pursuits until elected to the office of county sheriff. when he removed to Yates Center. In 1895 he defeated the Re- publican candidate for that office by three hundred and seventy-five votes, and in 1897 he was again elected by an increased majority, a fact which clearly indicates that his duties had been discharged most accepta- bly, promptly and faithfully. His record on retiring from office was as spotless as when he entered it and four years of creditable service were added to his life's history. On the 1st. of January, 1900, he retired from office and resumed his former business of dealing in stock, of which he is such an excellent judge that his labors have been crowned with a very gratifying degree of success.
Mr. Hunt was married in Schuyler County, Missouri, March 8. 1872, to Cordelia V. Huff. a daughter of George Huff, who throughout the greater part of his active business career resided in the vicinity of Rock Island. Illinois. After his death his widow married Charles Shaw. By her first marriage she had two children-Mrs. Hunt and George. the latter a resident of Pratt County, Kansas. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have been born three children: Willard E., who married Blanche Hyde and is now with the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company : Charles. of Yates Center, and Marvin, who is still with his parents.
In his social relations Mr. Hunt is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias and an Odd Fellow and in the last named organization has taken all the degrees. He has been a staunch Democrat in politics since casting his first presidential vote for Samuel J. Tilden and has always taken a deep and abiding interest in the success of his party and in the promotion of public interests intended for the general good.
HÒN. JOHN H. BAYER.
In no other phase of life can a man better demonstrate his fealty to his country and his loyalty to its interests than in the political arena, for therein is invested the vitality of a nation's power, the mainspring of its internal machinery and the keynote to its progress and prosperity. Among the patriotic citizens of Woodson County who have been closely identified with the Republican party through many years none is better
9. У% Bayer
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known or more highly appreciated than the Hon. John H. Bayer, who has twice been elected to represent his district in the general assembly and has filled other official positions. He believes that it is the duty of every American citizen to give his time and attention to public interests and to assist, as far as it lies in his power to do so, in promoting those measures and movements which promote the general good, and thus he has long been an active factor in the ranks of his party in Woodson County.
Mr. Bayer, moreover, is a very successful, enterprising and progres- sive business man, connected with the agricultural and stock-raising in- terests of Woodson County. His landed possessions are quite extensive and his home farm is one of the best improved properties in this section of the state.
It is the province of the biographist to trace his career through successful phases down to the present day and therefore we note that his birthplace was in the province of Hanover, Germany, his natal day be- ing April 14. 1836. His father, John A. Bayer, was a wagonmaker, who was born in Saxony, the family home having been near Leipsic through many generations. Becoming a resident of Hanover, he there spent this remaining days, dying at the age of sixty-four years, when our subject was a youth of only thirteen years. The mother hore the maiden name of Sophia Wiettege and died in 1847, leaving two children, John A. and John H. By, a former marriage the father had a family of seven chil- dren, one of whom, Annie, is the wife of Conrad Herder, of Woodson County.
When only eight years of age John H. Bayer, of this review, began to earn his own livelihood. In the summer he worked hard and in the winter season he attended school. He secured in advance the money necessary to pay his passage to America, and in 1851 he sailed from Bremen on the Humboldt which safely reached the harbor of New York. Mr. Bayer landed in the New World with less than a half dollar in money and that was stolen from him, so that he began life in America absolutely penniless. Money, however, cannot make success altogether. It requires determination, energy and hard work and in those qualities Mr. Bayer was rich. He entered the employ of his brother-in-law in the butchering business and remained in New York until July, 1854, when he want to Charleston, South Carolina, where he clerked in a grocery store. In 1856. however, he returned to New York and sailed for England to visit his brother Godfried Bayer. For six months he remained in that country and then returned to the United States. For four years he was in the employ of Asa T. Child, a farmer at Woodstock, Connecticut, and upon leaving that position he embarked in the butcher business on his own account in New York, in 1860, successfully conducting the enter- prise until 1865.
In the fall of that year Mr. Bayer arrived in Woodson County and located on section twenty-three, township twenty-five, range sixteen. He
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has become one of the leading and successful farmers and cattle raisers of the county and is now making a specialty of short horn thoroughbred cattle, having some very valuable stock. His home farm comprises five hundred and two and a half acres of land, all in one body, and in addi- tion to this he owns other farming land in the county. His investments have been judiciously made and he is now in possession of very desirable realty which is constantly increasing in value.
Before leaving the east Mr. Bayer was married in April, 1862, to Miss Dorothea Teleke, also a native of Hanover, Germany. She died in 1876 and is survived by four of her seven children. In September, 1877, Mr. Bayer was again married, his second union being with Augusta Staub, a daughter of Frederick Steffen. who died in Prussia. In 1858 Mrs. Bayer came to Kansas and since 1877 has resided in Woodson County.
Mr. Bayer became familiar with American politics while residing in the fourth ward of New York city the methods of the Democracy there disgusted him and he allied his interests with the Republican party, casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln and since sup- porting its candidates. He has always taken a deep interest in political affairs in Woodson County and his loyalty to the party and his fitness for public office has won him political honors. In 1877 and again in 1880 he was elected county commissioner. and at the latter election received the unanimous vote of his township, a fact which indicates high standing where he is best known. During the second term he was chairman of the board and made a record for honesty and fairness that has never been surpassed by any incumbent in the office. In 1890 Mr. Bayer was chosen by the Republicans to represent the district in the state legislature and was elected, but was unseated by a Populist house. His fellow citizens at the next election again placed his name on the ticket and he received a pronouncd majority. He served on eight committees, was one of the working members of the assembly and succeeding in securing the pas- sage of a bill for the establishment of a park in Neosho Falls. He is identified with two organizations indicating his interest in fine stock- the Improved Stock Breeders' Association of Kansas and the Central Short Horn Breeders' Association of the United States. His religious belief is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. He has led a busy, useful and honorable life, and over his public career and private record there falls no shadow of wrong.
ALFRED A. KECK.
ALFRED A. KECK is an honored veteran of the Civil war. an en- terprising agriculturist and merchant. and a leading and influential citi- zen of North township. Woodson County, who in every relation in life has been found true to duty, whether that duty has been armed resist-
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:ance to the foe of the Union of the more quiet labors connected with the support of his family and the faithful discharge of his obligations to his ›country in times of peace.
Mr. Keck was born in Davis County, Indiana, March 2, 1837. His father, Philip Keck, was a native of Tennessee and married Orpha Kutch. a native of Indiana; parents both dead. He had gone to the latter state with his parents when a youth of thirteen years and there he spent his remaining days. his death occurring in 1857, when he was forty-three years of age, his wife long surviving him, passing away in 1887, at the age of seventy-four years. Of their family of eight children. six are yet living: Alfred A., John, Christian. Nelson. Wilson and Levrinda. The daughter is now the wife of Elmer Walker.
Upon a farm Alfred A. Keck was reared and in the labors of field and meadow he assisted throughout the period of his youth. As is the usual maanner of young men when they start out in life for themselves he sought a companion and helpmate for the journey, and on the 4th. of June, 1857, was united in marriage to Miss Martha MeCarter, a native of Indiana. Her father, Moses McCarter, was a native of Tennessee and wedded Miss Sarah Ketchum. a Kentucky lady and in an early day re- moved to Indiana, where both Mr. and Mrs. McCarter spent their last days. They had eight children, but only three survive, namely : Mrs. beck. William and Mrs. Nancy Leggerwood.
Mr. and Mrs. Keek began their domestic life upon a rented farm and he continued the cultivation of the soil until the country became in- volved in war, when with patriotic spirit he offered his services to the government, enlisting as a member of company B. Fifteenth Indiana in- fantry, on the 14th. of June. 1861, responding to the first call for troops to serve for three years. On account of disability he was discharged September 25, 1861, but the following year. he again joined the army, becoming a member on the 1st. of September, 1862. At the second en- rollment he was made a member of company I, Twenty-seventh Regi- ment of Indiana Volunteers, and with that command served until almost the close of the war, being honorably discharged on the 25th. of March, 1865. He saw some hard service and participated in a number of hotly erntested battles, including the engagements of Antietam, Chancellors- ville, Gettysburg. Resaca, Dallas, Peach Tree Creek and others. At the battle of Antietam he was wounded in the legs, was shot through the left arm in a skirmish in front of Atlanta and received a slight scalp wound by the bursting of a bomb shell at Kenesaw mountain.
When the war was ended Mr. Keck returned to his wife and two children, whom he had left in order to do battle for the Union. and once more resumed his labors on the home farm. He remained in Indiana until October, 1882, when he came to Kansas, taking up his abode at his present place of residence in North township. Woodson County, where he owns two hundred and forty acres of land twelve and a half miles
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northwest of Yates Center. Here he engaged in general farming and stock-raising. making a specialty of the sheep industry, and continued' in the stock business until 1887. In that year he was elected and assumed the dutie .: of the office of sheriff of Woodson County, in which capacity he served for two terms in a most acceptable and creditable manner. On his retirement from office he returned to his farm, and has since super- vised its cultivation and improvement. In 1894 he was appointed post- master of Keck, which position he still holds in the present year, 1901. Purchasing a small stock of goods he has since engaged in general mer- chandising in conection with the management of the post office, and his: grocery sales now amount to about three thousand dollars annually.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Keck have been born seven children, all yet liv- ing, namely : John P. and Wilson E., who are now residing in Indiana ; William T., in Chicago, Illinois: S. Grant, who is in business in Yates: Center ; Hester A., wife of A. J. Smith, of Oklahoma; Donna C., wife. B. J. Colman, of Kansas City, Missouri, and Herschel A., at home, his time being devoted to the cultivation of his father's farm. The family residence is a beautiful home situated on an eminence which commands an excellent view of the surrounding country. A fine grove of native forest trees surrounds the place and the Keck dwelling is regarded as one of the most attractive features of the landscape in this part of the county.
In his political views Mr. Keck has always been a Republican. un- wavering in support of the principles of the party, and on that ticket he has been elected to the offices which he has so acceptably filled. In addi- tion to the office of sheriff he has served for two terms as township trustee and for two terms has been justice of the peace of North township. He has been re-elected to every office in which he has served-a fact which is unmistakable evidence of his capability and trustworthiness. Honorable in business, reliable in office and faithful in friendship, his record in private life equals in fidelity his career as a soldier when he wore the blue uniform of the nation and fought to sustain the central government.
THOMAS W. PLUMMER.
THOMAS W. PLUMMER, whose business activities have largely connected him with the substantial improvement and upbuilding of the west, has for sixteen years engaged in handling real estate in Yates Cen- ter and is one of the well known and reliable business men of the city. He is a native of Lincolnshire, England, born July 8, 1839, but since early youth has been a resident of this republic. His father, John B. Plum- iner, was also a native of the "Merrie Isle" and there married Mary E. Wilkinson. He was a farmer by occupation and in 1846 he came with his family to the United States, locating in Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
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where he resided until 1859, when he went to Prairie du Chien, that :state, there spending his remaining days, his death occurring in 1890, when he had reached the ripe age of four seore years. In his family were sixteen children, nine of whom are yet living: Emma, now Mrs. 'Shipman, a widow, of New York city; Thomas W., of this review; John W .. who resides in Wilmington, North Carolina: Mary, wife of Dr. Stiger, of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin ; Ellen, wfe of George M. Rising, of Minneapolis, Mnnesota; Edward, of Augusta. Wisconsin : Harry W., of San Francisco, California, and Sarah W., wife of M. J. Scanlon, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and John W. Plummer, of Wilmington. North Carolina.
Thomas W. Plummer was but seven years of age when he bade adieu to the land of his birth and came with his parents to the new world. He pursued a common school education in Wisconsin and at the age of seventeen years left the parental home, going into the pineries where he was engaged in cutting. sawing and hauling logs for two years. On the expiration of that period he went to Grand Haven, Michigan, and worked on the construction of the Milwaukee & Grand Haven Railroad for two years, acting as time-keeper and book-keeper for tthe contractor. In the meantime his parents had removed to Prairie du Chien, Wiseon- sin. and he there joined them, being at that place at the time of the inauguration of the Civil war. He had watched with interest the dis- turbance in the South and the growth of the spirit of rebellion and resolved that if an attempt at secession was made he would strike a blow for the defense of the Union. Accordingly, in April. 1861, he enlisted in Company C. Sixth Wisconsin Infantry, under Colonel Lys- ander Cutler, and was mustered into service at Madison, Wisconsin, on the 16th of July, the regiment being attached to the Army of the Poto- mae at Washington. where he remained until the spring of 1862, with MeClellan's forces. He then went South with General MeDowell's army and was in the engagements at Slaughter Mine and Gainesville, was also ili the second battle of Bull Run, South Mountain. Antietam, Frederieks- burg, Fitzhugh Crossing. Chancellorsville, Mine Run and the Wilder- ness, after which his company went up the James river to Petersburg. Mr. Plummer was commissioned second lieutenant at Arlington Heights was made first lieutenant and was promoted captain on the Potomac river just before the engagement at Chancellorsville, while in 1864 he was breveted major and commanded his regiment a part of the time.
Major Plummer left the army on the 16th day of July. 1864, and returned to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, where he engaged in the stock business for some time. His residence in that city covered alto- gether an aggregate of fourteen years. On leaving there he entered the service of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, then constructing its line, being employed as bridge foreman. He followed the line out to Ogden, Utah, and then returned to do bridge work, in the capacity of
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f. reman, on the St. Paul & Duluth Railroad, being thus engaged for- more than a year. He next went to the Red River of the North and for' a time followed the business of trading with the Indians. after which he came to Kansas, locating in Woodson County, where he carried on: farming until 1876. That year witnessed his removal to Texas and lo- cating near Dallas, he furnished wood and. ties, under contract to the T. & P. R. R. Co. and Co'ton Belt Railroad Company. In 1881 he- returned to Woodson County, where he again engaged in farming for two years and then sold his land and took up his abode in Yates Center, where for sixteen years he has conducted real estate transactions, hand- ling some valuable property. He has a comprehensive knowledge of realty values and of favorable locations, and is thus competent to advise' his clients to their best advantage.
Major Plummer was married in Woodson County in December, 1878. to Miss Mary F. Hamilton, daughter of Alexander Hamilton, and their children are Bernard W., Mary Lenore and Claire S. The Major was. reared in the Democratic faith, cast his first presidential vote for Ste- phen A. Douglas and was a Democrat until 1901. Socially he is iden- tified with the Order of Red Men and with the Grand Army of the Republic, and as a citizen he is as loyal to his country and her bes interests as when the tocsin of war sounded and he went to the front as one of the boys in blue, to return with the rank of major as the recognition of three year's faithful and loyal service.
HARVEY SURPRISE.
HARVEY SURPRISE, who is engaged in general farming in Em- inence township, came to Woodson County in the spring of 1870 and purchased a claim on West Buffalo creek. where he has since made his home. His father, Peter Surprise, was born in Canada, in Angust, 1793, and after an active business carcer is still living at the remarka- ble age of one hundred and seven years. In 1819 he removed to the state of New York and the next year went westward to Chicago. In 1836 he removed to Lake County, Indiana, which was his place of abode for a long period. He married Rosanna Taylor, and fourteen children were born unto them. nine of whom reached years of maturity. Sarah, the oldest, is the deceased wife of Steward Stillson; Elizabeth, married a Mr. Coe and after his death, wedded a Mr. Harding; Harvey is the third of the family; Henry, Oliver and William, whose births occurred in the order mentioned, are all residents of Lake County, Ind., Lavina is the wife of Leander Vandecai, of Woodson County; Melvina, twin sister to Lavina, is the deceased wife of William Wheeler; Armina is the wife of James Rosenbower. of Lake County, Indiana; the other mem- bers of the family died in childhood.
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Harvey Surprise, was born December 25, 1835, in New York, and the following year the family removed to Lake County, Indiana, where he was reared and made his home until 1852. when he crossed the plains to California, where he engaged in prospecting, spending four years on the Pacific coast. In 1854, he started to return on the steamer "Yankee Blake" which ran on a rock off the coast about one hundred and eighty miles south of San Franciseo. With others, Mr. Surprise was picked up by a coast boat and taken baek to San Francisco, after which he remain- ed for two years longer in California in order to recuperate from his losses sustained in the wreck. Finally by ship he made his way to New York, crossing the Isthmus of Panama. After his return home he was employed as a farm hand by the month. but when he felt that the duty to his country was stronger than any other life. he put aside all business and personal considerations. enlisting August 10. 1862, as a member of Company I. Seventy-third Indiana Infantry, being mustered in at South Bend. The regiment was first ordered to Kentucky, where it received the guns and then went to Lexington. Mr. Surprise first met the enemy in this locality but the first regular engagement in which he participated was at Perryville, Kentucky and later he took part in the engagement at Murfreeboro, Tennessee. In tthe spring of 1863 his regiment started on a raid under Colonel Straight, going as far as Kome, Georgia, before captured by General Forest and his men. Mr. Sur- prise was parolled at Rome but was in the hands of the rebels until exchanged at City Point, Virginia. He then returned to Indiana and after a ten days' furlough aided in the capture of General Morgan in Ohio. Subsequently he guarded prisoners in Indianapolis until the fall election of 1863. when the regiment was sent to Nashville to do guard duty. The following spring they were ordered to Decatur. Alabama, where they were engaged in fighting bushwackers. On the 8th of July, 1865. Mr. Surprise received an honorable discharge at Indianapolis.
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