USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 89
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 89
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Through the summer he followed farming in Indiana and in the fall of that year came to Kansas, loeating in Coffey county, where he resided until the spring of 1870, when he removed to Woodson County. He owns land in sections twenty-eight. twenty-six and thirty-five. Emi- nene township and a traet in Belmont township, the whole aggregating two hundred and eighty aeres. His farming interests are well con- dueted and his labors bring to him a good financial return.
Mr. Surprise has been twice married. On the 6th of March, 1859. he was joined in wedlock to Miss Juliet Burch, who died in 1874, leaving the following children: Rose. now the wife of John Homan, of South Omaha, Nebraska: Henry, of Woodson County, and Peter, of Okla- homa. On the 3d of February. 1875, Mr. Surprise was again married, his second union being with Mary Chapell. a daughter of Miranda ( Read) Chapell by her first marriage, who came to Kansas from Otsego County. New York. in the spring of 1870 and here spent her remaining
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days. The children of Wm. Chapell were: George, of Neosho County, Kansas: Dwight, who is also living in that county; Charles, of Q. Okla- hema, and Nellie, wife of Joseph Rininger. The father of this family was born in Chenango County, New York, September 26, 1813, and hi- wife in Brookfield, that state. July 1, 1824. Both have now passed away. The children of the second marriage of Mr. Surprise are: Anna, wife of Osro Easley, of Rest, Kansas; Nellie, wife of George Reagon, of Woodson County : Moses N., Lovisa, Lillie P. and Juliet, who are with their parents.
Mr. Surprise was reared in the faith of the Whig party of which his father was a supporter and on attaining his majority he became a Republican and has never wavered in his allegiance to the party or to any cause which he believes to be right and just. displaying the same fidelity which he manifested when he fought in defense of the Union on the battle fields of the South. Woodson County gained a valuable citizen when he east in his lot wth her residents and throughout the community his worth is indicated by the high regard in which he is held.
FRANK J. DUMOND.
FRANK J. DUMOND, of Rose, is the eldest son and child of the late John W. Dumond, an honored pioneer of Woodson County. who located a claim in Eminence township in 1866, only five years after the admission of the state into the Union and while this portion of Kan- sas was still largely unimproved. Here he died about seven years later. The subject of this review was born October 20, 1867, and his home has been within the confines of Woodson County continuously since. He was reared on the farm owned by the family and attended the common schools, acquiring a good English education. After attaining Ins majority he engaged in farming for ten years, finding that a profita- ble labor. He was thus engaged until 1896. when he began dealing in hay at Rose, and during the past five years he has done much of the shipping of this commodity at this point. His business affords a good market to the hay producers of this section of the county as well as brings to him a good financial return. He attends strictly to his busi- ness and his close application and energy have gained for him a place among the prosperous business men of the region.
On the 25th of January, 1890, Mr. Dumond was united in marriage to Miss Cora E. Thorpe, who died in August, 1893, leaving one child, Gertrude M. In May, 1900, he was again married. his second union be- ing with Miss Jane A. Gregg, a danghter of James and Elizabeth (Auld) Gregg. They have a pleasant home and many friends in Rose and through- ont Woodson County. In his social relations Mr. Dumond is a repre-
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sentative of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Having spent his entire life in the county his his- tory is a familiar one to his fellow townsmen, and that he has their high regard is an evidence that his career has been dominated by prin- ciples and practices which command respect.
ENOCH T. THOMPSON.
ENOCH T. THOMPSON. a well known and highly esteemed resi- dent of Toronto, who is now engaged in the furniture business, was born in Madison County, Ohio. on the 13th of May, 1836. His father, Daniel Thompson, was born in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, and there spent the days of his boyhood and youth. His father was John Thompson who with his family removed to Madison County, Ohio, in the year 1812. The father of our subject was then single. He made a sash for the first glass window used in London, Madison County, and was an active factor in business there for many years. His death occurred in 1873 when he was sevety-nine years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Dorothy Thomas. was a daughter of Enoch Thomas, who removed from Virginia to Ohio and there he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1849. The mother of our subject survived her husband seven years and died in 1880. Their children were: Elizabeth, the deceased wife of Daniel Freeman, who at her death left one son. J. C. Freeman, James, who died in 1878; Sarah, the deceased wife of Edward Stutson; Char- Ictte, the widow of E. W. Ogilvie: Dorothy. the deceased wife of Uriah Wilbur: Enoch T., of this review; and Mrs. Eliza Taggart, whose hus- band is deceased and who resides in Topeka, Kas.
Enoch T. Thompson was reared on his father's farm and aided in the development of the fields and in the operation of a saw mill. He also worked at the carpenter's trade, displaying considerable mechanical in- genuity in the use of tools. As a companion and helpmate on life's jour- ney he chose Miss Mary C. Settle and his choice was ratified by marriage on the 26th of December. 1861. The lady was a daughter of Meredith Settle who removed from Virginia to Ohio. In the year 1876 Mr. Thomp- son left his home in the Buckeye state and took up his abode in Allen County. Kansas. Since the fall of 1880 he has made his home in Wood- son County. first locating three miles north of Toronto where he was en- gaged in farming for three years. He then removed to the city where he worked at the carpenter's trade until 1886, since which time he has been engaged in the furniture business, as the successor of Martin Lock- and. He carries a large and well selected stock of furniture and un- dertaker's goods to meet the varying tastes of his patrons. His business policy is one which awakens the commendation and confidence of all, and his reasonable prices, his uniform courtesy and his fair dealing have
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won him a very large patronage, and he is now enjoying a gratifying success. He is also interested in the Toronto Gas & Mining Company.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson has been blessed with three children : Viola, the eldest, is now the wife of Rev. N. L. Vezie, of Iola. James married Miss Clara Baker and Edward married Miss Elsie Sam- ple. The mother of this family died in 1884, and in 1886, Mr. Thomp- son again married, his second union being with Mary G. Heagy, a dangh- ter of Charles Starratt. By the second marriage there are two children : E. Gertrude and John.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Thompson manifested his loyalty to the Union by enlisting in February, 1865, when 27 years of age, becom- ing a member of Company C, One Hundred and Ninety-first Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry. He saw service in the Shenandoah valley where he was lceated with his regiment at the time of General Lee's surrender. On the 27th of August, 1865, he received an honorable discharge and re- turned to his home. He cast his first presidential vote for Abrahan Lineoln and has since been a stalwart advocate of the Republican prin- ciples. but he has never been an aspirant for political office, giving his time and attention to his business affairs whereby he has advanced stead- ily on the road to prosperity.
WILLIAM C. WILLE.
A representative of the real estate interests of Yates Center and Woodson County, William C. Wille has contributed in large measure to the growth, improvement and upbuilding of this section of the Sun- flower state. Possessed of fine commercial ability, aided by the exercise of sound judgment and indomitable energy, he has not only won success for himself but has aided materially in the growth and prosperity of the city. He has been a resident of the county since the spring of 1874, coming to the state from Iowa. He is, however, a native of Chicago, Illinois, where he was born February 13, 1851. His father, Henry Wille, was born in Hanover, Germany in 1795 and came to the United States in 1848, locating near Chicago. He engaged in farming in Cook County, Illinois until 1855 when he removed to Linn County, Iowa, eoming thenee to Woodson County. Here he spent his last years, passing away in 1887. He was first married in Germany and by that union had two children. Henry and George, residents of Linn County, Iowa and Yates Center, respectively. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Caro- line Fusterman, and died in Wichita, Kansas, in July, 1897. The child- ren of the second marriage. seven now living are William C .: Aaron, who is living in Northeastern Nebraska : Louis, of Red Oak, Iowa; and Callie, wife of Superintendent Tracy, of the Fort Scott & Wichita railroad.
When about five years of age Mr. Wille accompanied his parents on
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their removal to Iowa where he was educated in the public schools and worked upon his father's farm. On attaining his majority he started out in life on his own account, and in the spring of 1874 came to Woodson . County, locating first in Kalida, where he engaged in the hotel business. In 1879 he removed to Toronto, where for eleven years he was engaged in the conduet of a harnes and saddlery store. Coming to Yates Center, he is now one of the most prominent representatives of the real estate business in the city. A casual observer can form no conception of the important position held by the active, enterprising agent, devoted to the work of buying and selling real estate, establishing valnes and otherwise stimulating property holders to the great improvements it lies within their power to make. Mr. Wille is one of this class and the judicious principles which he upholds in his transactions, the care with which he investigate points comee ed therewith are scenring to him a large and well deserved patronage.
In 1881 Mr. Wille was married to Miss Margaret Stewart, a daughter of William Stewart. of Yates Center, and formerly from Southern Ohio. They have two children. Jessie and Calvin Stewart. In his political affil- jations Mr. Wille has always been a Republican, and in 1889 was elected county treasurer which position he filled so acceptably that he was re- elected in 1891 and therefore filled the office for four years. For two years he was deputy county clerk and has also been deputy register of deeds, while for twelve years he has been a notary public. Socially he is a representative of the Masonie fraternity and is also member of the Odd Fellows society and the Knights of Pythias lodge. He is influential in politieal and fraternal circles and is widely recognized as a diligent. en- terprising and progressive business man.
WILLIAM J. MITCHELL.
The laws of nature have provided that labor always brings change, that effort is always followed by result. and therefore when labor is well directed and effort carefully planned the outcome is most desirable. Toil thus becomes a marketable commodity of value and brings, in measure, that for which every business man is seeking-wealth. William J. Mitchell Is of the class of representative farmers whose energies have been so prose- ented along well defined lines of activity that he is now in possession of a handsome competence, being the owner of one of the fine farms of Wood- son county.
A native of Ohio, he was born in Adans County, March 30, 1841. a son rf William and Nancy ( Johns) Mitchell, also natives of the Buckeye state. The father devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and died in Ohio in 1885, at the age of seventy-six years. His wife departed this life many years previously, being called to her final iest in 1854. at the age of forty-
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three. They were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are yet Lving, William J. being the fifth in order of birth. He spent his youth on the old homestead farm in Ohio and at the age of eighteen began learning the blacksmith's trade, which he followed in his native state until twenty-six' years of age. In 1868 he removed to Livingston County, Illinois, where he- was engaged in the work of the smithy until 1881, when he came to Kansas, settling in Coffey County. There he purchased eighty acres of land upon which he resided for three years, when he sold that property and came to Woodson County. Here he has made his home continuously since. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in North township and in connection with blacksmithing carried on farming. As his financial re- ·sources increased he added to his property until his landed possessions now aggregate four hundred and eighty acres. A good house and barn are among the features of the place and neatness and thrift characterize the farm in every department. In connection with blacksmithing and the pro- duction of grain he has also extensively and successfully engaged in rais- ing cattle for the market and now has a large herd upon his place. His farmi is pleasantly and conveniently situated thirteen miles northwest of the county seat and he has postoffice facilities at Keck.
In 1865 Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage to Miss Maria Carlisle, & native of Ohio and a daughter of John and Miriam ( Vincenhaler) Carlisle. The father was a native of Virginia, the mother of Ohio and both died in the Buckeye state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have been born four chil- dren : Silvia, wife of J. T. Parkinson, who is residing in Port Orchard, Washington ; Ora, wife of J. F. Miller ; Effie, a teacher of Woodson County, and Maude. who is also engaged in teaching in this county. They have also lost two children-Samuel, who died in Illinois at the age of twelve years, and Harman, who died in the same state when nine years of age.
Mr. Mitchell exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of Democracy and by his fellow townsmen has been elected to pub- he offee. He served for one term as township trustee, and at this writing is capably filling the position of township treasurer. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree, and in all walks of life he is known as a man of honor and reliability.
WILLIAM P. TAYLOR.
Real estate business is a most important factor in the material pros- perity of a community. A casual observer can form no conception of the important position held by the active, enterprising agent, devoted to the work of buying and selling real estate, establishing values and otherwise stimulating property holders to the greatest improvements it lies in their power to make. Mr. Taylor is one of this class. The judicious principles which he upholds in his transactions, the care with which he investigates
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WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
points connected therewith, are seenring for him a large and well deserved patronage, and the firm of W. P. Taylor & Son is now a prominent one in this line in Yates Center.
William P. Taylor was born in Fayette County, Ohio, near Washing- ton Courthouse, March 9, 1839. His father, William R. Taylor, was born near Frankfort, Kentucky. in 1798, and throughout his active business life carried on farming. He passed away in 1875, at the age of seventy-six years. In his political views he was a war Democrat and always supported the principles of the Democracy, but two of his sons. who served in the Union army became Republicans. The mother of our subject hore the maiden name of Mary Hoppas and was of German hirth, a daughter of John Hoppas. who was also a native of the fatherland as was his wife. Mrs. Taylor died some time prior to her husband's death, passing away in 1851. Her children were Naney, deceased wife of Jacob Drook: Robert. who has also departed this life : Mary J., deeeased wife of William Ebright : John H .. oi Williamsfield. Illinois : Samuel S. of Neosho, Missouri: Rosetta, wife of Eli Reece, of Clifton. Illinois : Isaac B .. who died in Indiana : Willam P. and Jacob A .. hoth of Woodson County.
In his youth and early manhood Mr. Taylor was identified with agri- cultural pursuits. He was only about two years of age when his parents re- moved from Fayette County, Ohio, to Grant County, Indiana. and there le was reared. early becoming familiar with the duties and labors of the felds. for the family resided upon a farm. While working for an unele in Jay County, Indiana, he offered his services to the country as a defender of the Union, enlisting as a member of the Twenty-fourth Indiana battery. which was attached to the Twenty-third corps of the army of the Ohio. With his command he participated in the battles of Marhorn. Kentucky. Towden. Tennessee. the seige of Knoxville and the seige of Atlanta and the Atlanta eampaign. After the fall of the city his battery went with Generals Schofield and Thomas in pursuit of Hood and thus he participated in the engagements at Franklin and Nashville. He then went to Louisville. Kentucky. where the battery was divided among four forts and there held until August 5, 1865. when the war having ended Mr. Taylor was mustered out. On many a hotly contested field he has displayed his loyalty and his bravery, and to his home he returned with a most creditable mili- tary record.
Once more in the north he began farming in Lake County, Indiana. and the following year was there married. He continued agrienltural pur- suits there until 1869. when on the 11th. of October, he started for Wood- son Countv. Kansas. driving across the country and reaching his destination on the 14th. of November. He loeated first in Belmont township, where he followed farming and stock raising until the spring of 1875. He then went to Defianee. and a year later removed to Yates Cenfer and erected the fifth building here-the Commercial Hotel, which he condneted successfully for seven years. For two years he engaged in merchandising with his son.
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Jacob E., after which he served as justice of the peace for four years, and since that time he has been connected with the real estate business as. the senior member of the firm of W. P. Taylor & Son. Prosperity has at- tended his efforts, and the important transactions which he has conducted have brought to him a good return and at the same time have been of value- in improving and upbuilding the city. They also conduct a loan business.
In the year 1835, in Lake County, Indiana, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Sievert, a daughter of Adolph Sievert, and they now have four children : Jacob E .. who is associated with his father in busi- ness, and who married Laura, daughter of Editor Buck, deceased ; Gussie; William A., who is in 'he employ of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company and wedded Mabel Harding. and Gertrude, who completes the family. There is one grandchild, Perine Taylor, born to Jacob Taylor and his wife. Mr. Taylor of this review cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lin- coln and has since supported the men and measures of the Republican party. He helongs to the ,Grand Army of the Republic, has taken the de- gree of Master Mason and is connected with the Triple Tie. Through almost a third of a century he has resided in Woodson County and has watched with a deep and abiding interest its progress and improvement. sharing in the work of advancement as opportunity has offered, and finding in its business opening the field of labor which he sought., thereby provid- ing for his family a comfortable competence.
JAMES L. MARTIN.
As a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family of southeast- orn Kansas. as a capable and faithful public official and as a leading and re- hable business man of Yates Center. James L. Martin is deserving of men- tion in this vohime, the purpose of which is to perpetuate the life records of those who have contributed to the growth, improvement and stability of this section of the Sunflower state. He is now a member of the well known firm of Martin & Orendorff. of Yates Center, and is a recognized leader in his line of commercial activity in the county seat.
The Martin family is of English lineage and was founded in America hy Richard Martin, the grandfather of our subject. who with three of his sons crossed the Atlantic to Canada. His children were James, Isaac, Jonathan, Freeman, William, Ezra and Anson, all of whom resided in the United States, were married and reared families. Of this number Wil- liam Martin now resides in Fort Scott, Kansas. Freeman Martin. the father of our subject, was married in Ogle County, Illinois. in 1847 to Matilda Cox, a native of Connecticut, and a danghter of William Cox, and in 1866 they came to Kansas locating in Osage township, Allen County. when not a single house stood between their home and the residence of Judge Brown on Rock ercek, east of Iola. Mr. Martin secured a homestead claim and re-
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WOODSON COUNTIES, RANSAS.
sided on the Orage until 1885, when he removed to Osborn County, Kansas, where he remained for four years. In 1892 he removed to Bronson, Kansas, where his death occurred in October, 1899, when he was seventy-six years of age. His wife passed away in the same city in July, 1899, so that after traveling life's journey together for fifty-two years they were not long separated in death. They had six ehildren : Albert E., of Bronson, Kansas; James L., John M., also of Bronson ; Lucena M., wife of Tillman Birnbaum of Iola; Harriet C., wife of Dr. Albert Allen, of Ottawa, Kansas, and Fannie T .. who resided in Bronson.
Mr. Martin, whose name begins this record, was born in Ogle County, Illinois, April 2, 1859, and was therefore only about seven years of age when he came with his parents to southeastern Kansas. He pursued his education in the common schools and when sixteen years of age entered upon his business career as a clerk in a store in Osborn, Kansas. He subse- quently entered the employ of J. Bishop, of Neosho Falls, with whom he re- mained as a most competent and trusted salesman for fourteen years, after which he was elected to the position of register of deeds of Woodson County in 1895, for a term of two years. On the expiration of that period he was again chosen to the office and in 1900 he retired from office as he had entered it-with the confidenee and good will of his constituents and the public gen- erally. He then became a member of the firm of Martin & Orendorff, deal- ers in dry goods and clothing at Yates Center, and is now enjoying a good and growing trade, having the best equipped establishment of the kind in the city.
On the 5th. of September, 1880, Mr. Martin was joined in wedlock, in Ozborn, Kansas, to Miss Jesse A. Crampton. a daughter of Charles W. Crampton, a native of Connectient. He became a resident of Troy, New York. and was married there to Mary J. Harris. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin are three in number: Mary E., Charles F. and Edgar P., all vet with their parents. Like the other members of the family Mr. Martin is a Republican in his political views and socially he is connected with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a gentleman of good habits, upright principles and manly conduct, who in the quiet but useful and essential walks of business life has gained the respect of his fellow men and won the friendship of many by reason of his genuine but unostentations worth.
CYRUS B. GOODALE.
In the period of twenty-three years in which Cyrus B. Goodale has resided in Woodson County he has worked his way upward from a humble financial position to one of affluence and is today enrolled among the well- to-do and progressive agriculturists of the community. His home is in Lib- erty township where he has a valuable farm property supplied with all modern improvements and accessories.
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HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
Mr. Goodale is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Kane County, that state, September 14, 1856. His father, John W. Goodale is & native of New York, while his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Brackett. is a native of Vermont. In the year 1840 John Goodale removed to Illinois and secured a claim long before the land came into market. In- dians were still in the neighborhood and the locality in which he settled was still a frontier region giving little promise of the wonderful develop- ment soon to occur. He was a carpenter by trade and followed that pursuit to some extent but always lived upon his farm where he could raise cattle and hogs and thus add to his income by the sale of his stoek. He and his wife are now living retired in Aurora, Illinois at the ages of seventy-six and sixty-six years respectively. They had nine children, of whom all are living, namely : Frank, Don, Cyrus B., Emma, Mrs. Katie Boon, Mrs. Lizzie Hadden ; Mrs. Ella Robbins. Webb and Burt, all of whom are resi- cients either of Illinois or Dakota, with the exception of our subject.
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