USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 91
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 91
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In his youth William Stange learned the trade of carpentering and cabinet making under his father's direction, and was employed along those lines in Germany until 1852. when he came to the United States. He spent five years in the state of New York and was largely engaged in the manu-
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facture of brick molls. In 1857 he left the Empire state with a capital of about five hundred dollars and started out to seek a home in the west. He spent two months in Chicago and then seeing an advertisement in the paper which led him to come to Kansas, he made his way to Woodson County with his brother Henry, loeating first on Cherry creek, where he secured a preemption claim. He has since remained a permanent resi- dent of Woodson County, and in 1872 he took up his abode on section six- tren, township twenty-five, range sixteen, where he has since made his home. In his labors he has won prosperity and is now the owner of four hundrd acres of valuable land in a body, all under a high state of cultivation and well improved buildings. fences and well tilled fields are all unmistak- able evidence of the enterprise and thrift of the owner, whose unflagging industry had enabled him to gain a place among the men of affluence in the county.
On the 12th of June, 1868. in Woodson County, Mr. Stange was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Pribbernow, a daughter of Christian Pribber- now, who settled in Owl Creek township in 1867, coming to this country from Prussia. His wife was in her maidenhood, Annie S. Busz, and like her husband she has passed away. In their family were seven children, six of whom are yet living. Two children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Stange: William C. and Henry Carl. both of whom are residents of Woodson County.
Mr. Stange cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and remained a supporter of the party until 1900, when he left its ranks owing to the faet that he could not endorse the expansionist policy of the present administration. He and his family are members of the Evangelical church. His hope of bettering his financial condition in the west has been more than realized for here he has not only found a good home, but has gained a very desirable competence and has won many warm friends among the class of people who have regard for uprightness and honor.
DAVID T. SHOTTS.
Almost a quarter of a century has passed since David T. Shotts took up his abode in Owl Creek township, Woodson County, since which time he has carried on farming in this portion of the state and is classed among the enterprising practical and wide-awake agriculturists. He is a native of Chillicothe. Ross County, Ohio, born January 2, 1843, and belongs to an old Pennsylvania family. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Shotts, was of German lineage and was born in the Keystone state where he married a Miss Toops. He subsequently removed to Ohio, following farming in Ross County until his death. In his political views he was a Democrat. He was the father of eight children, three of whom are yet living. To his
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family belonged Daniel Shotts, the father of our subject, who was also a native of Ross County, Ohio. where he spent his entire life, passing away in 1849. He married Phoebe Bishop, who also died in the '40s. They were the parents of four children: Rufus, of Fayette, County, Ohio; David F .; Jacob. of Champaign County. Illinois. and Peter, who is also living in that state.
Before he was ten years of age Mr. Shotts of this review went to live with his paternal grandfather and in his youth he procured a common school education. He assisted in the cultivation of his grandfather's farm until the breaking out of the Civil war, when feeling that his country needed his services he joined Company A. Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, July 21, 1861. The regiment was commanded by Colonel Stanley, and was attached to the Second Brigade. Second Division of the Fourteen Army Corps. He first met the Rebels at Bowling Green. Kentucky, and the first regular engagement in which he participated was at Stone river. He afterward took part in the battles of Chickamauga, Nashville and Chattanooga, after which the regiment wen to Augusta, Georgia, where Mr. Shotts was dis- charged. He entered the service as a private but when mustered out held the rank of sergeant.
. Mr. Shotts then returned to his native county, and the following year, 1865, removed to Champaign County. Illinois, where he remained for thir- ten years, following the occupation of farming. On the expiration of that period he came to Kansas and has since been a resident of Woodson County. He located on section twenty-seven, township twenty-five, range sixteen. He had visited the state the previous year and in February. 1878, took up his permanent abode here, settling on the farm he has since made his home. Here he owns and operates one hundred and sixty acres of land, and in addition has eighty acres on section twenty-one, Owl Creek township.
While residing in Champaign County, Illinois, Mr. Shotts was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Bell, the wedding being celebrated on the 17th of August, 1871. Her parents were Thomas and Berilla (McAllister) Bell, who removed to the Prairie state from. Warren County, Indiana, in 1866. Her father was born in Pike County, Ohio, and died in Champaign County, Illinois in 1897, at the age of seventy-eight years. His widow still resides in that county, at the age of seventy-five years. Mrs. Shotts is their eldest child, and the other members of the family are: Charles, of Champaign County ; Lavina. wife of Jesse Stout, of the same county ; Oliver, Samuel and Frank, all of Champaign County. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shotts have been born six children, namely: Carrie, wife of Theodore Bayer ; Samuel, Lavina, Clinton, Eugene and Ada, who are still with their parents, the family circle yet remaining unbroken by the hand of death.
Although reared in the Democratic faith by his grandfather. Mr. Shotts cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln and has since been an advocate of the Republican party. He has never been an active
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political worker, however, for his farm labors have fully occupied his at- tention and providing for his family through agricultural pursuits has buen a matter of greater interest and importance to him than the honors of public office. He has made his farm to bloom and blossom as the rose, adding substantial buildings, the latest improved machinery and modern accessories, while in his fields the work of cultivation has brought forth rich fruits.
STANFORD EAGLE.
STANFORD EAGLE, who owns and operates a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres of land in Belmont township, is a native son of Woodson County and a representative of one of its pioneer families. His father. Thomas J. Eagle, cast in his lot with the early settlers here in 1869. He was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1843 and was a son of John Eagle and a brother of Worth Eagle, of Woodson County. Thomas J. Eagle was a young man when the Civil war was inaugurated and with pa- triotie spirit he responded to the president's call for aid, enlisting in a regiment of Ohio volunteers. He was afterward transferred to another regiment and served as a private until the cessation of hostilities and the declaration of peace. the Stars and Stripes having been victoriously planted in the capital of the southern Confederacy. In the fall of 1869, Mr. Eagle came to Woodson County and settled in Eminence township, where he se- 'eured a tract of wild land which he improved. transforming it into a very valuable farm, supplied with all modern accessories and conveniences such as are found upon the model farms of the twentieth century. In 1896. however, he put aside agricultural pursuits and removed to Topeka, Kansas. where he is now residing, filling the position of secretary and treasurer of the Adventist church. He married Rebecca Jane Kahl, a sister of Samnel Kahl, of Woodson County. and by this union were born five children, as follows: Stanford, of this review; Oliver, of Wilson County, Kansas; Arthur, who is living in Neosho County. this state: Daisy, wife of Walter Jefferson, and Fay. who is in Union college. at College View, Nebraska.
Standford Eagle was born in Wayne County, Ohio, May 29, 1867, and was only two years of age when brought by his parents to Woodson County, where he was reared amid the scenes of rural life, bearing his share in the work of the farm as he became old enough to handle the plow and manage the other implements of agriculture. His preliminary educa- tion, acquired in the common schools. was supplemented by a course in the Central Business College, of Sedalia. ... Issonri, after which he began farm- ing. For some time he rented and operated his father's land and thereby he acquired the capital with which to purchase his present farm, of which he became the owner in 1900, buying the property of Jacob Strock. The place comprised one hundred and twenty acres of land on the southwest
HISTORY OF ALLEN AND
quarter of section twenty-seven, township twenty-six, range fifteen and is- a monument to the enterprise and labors of the owner who acquired it through his own efforts.
Mr. Eagle was united in marriage, in Yates Center, December 11, 1893, to Sadie, a daughter of Ceo. Hill, one of the early settlers of Woodson C'onnty, and unto them have been born two children, Kyle and Avice. Long residents of the county, Mr. and Mrs. Eagle have a wide acquaintance and a large cirele of friends among the better class of people. In his political preferences he is a Republican. his views being in harmony with the politi- eal faith of the family. Mr. Eagle has witnessed much of the growth and progress of this portion of the state through thirty-two years' residence bere, and is justly accounted one of the worthy early settlers ot Woodson County.
JEFFERSON HUFF.
On the roll of successful farmers and stock raisers in Woodson County a pears the name of Jefferson Huif, whose agricultural interests are ex- tensive and profitaole. His life history began in Perry County. Indiana, on the 23d of July, 1838. His father, William Huff, was a native of Kentucky, and in early life learned the cooper's trade. He married Miss Jennie Taylor, also a native of the Blue Grass state, and about 1830 he removed to Indiana, where he made his home until 1839 and then went tc Arkansas. His death there occurred February 7. 1841, when he was forty-seven years of age. His wife survived him until 1867 when she, too, departed this life, being then fifty-seven years of age. They were the par- ents of two children, but our subject is now the only survivor of the family.
. Jefferson Huff was only a year old when taken by his parents to Ar- kansas where he remained until after the father's death when the mother returned with him to Illinois, locating in Richland County where she re- mained for eleven years. In 1852 she went with her son to Perry County, Indiana. She gave him a good common school education, and he remained with her until his marriage when he established a home of his own and his mother then lived with him until her death. They were never sep- arated until she was called to the home beyond.
It was on the 3d of May, 1860, that Mr. Huff was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Howard, a native of Du Bois County, Indiana. No- vember 9th, 1881, he reached Woodson County, Kansas. settling in the eastern part of the county, where he remained two years. He then pur- chased two hundred and forty acres of raw land in Toronto township, lo- cated thereon and has developed one of the best farms in the county. There is a fine grove of native forest trees surrounding his residence and barns, presenting a most beautiful appearance. His hedge fences are cut
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
low and are always well trimmed and the farm has every indication of thrift, neatness and comfort. It comprises five hundred and sixty acres of rich land, and in addition to the sale of his grain crops Mr. Huff annually places on the market hay which brings him a return of about five hundred dollars. He also handles from fifty to one hundred head of cattle annually, and in the various departments of his farm work is meeting with very gratifying prosperity.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Huff has been blessed with nine children, namely : George Monroe. Elizabeth Adeline, Andrew Julius, Charles Wm., Dettie Loretta, Margaret Rosetta, Mary Louisa, Ellen Ann, and Katie Lee. Andrew J. was elected to the office of distriet elerk in 1896 and served in that office for four years. Mr. Huff has filled the position of treasurer of Toronto township, and is recognized as a wide-awake progressive and public-spirited citizen. He belongs to Woodson lodge. No. 121, F. & A. M .. and the warm regard of his brethren of the fraternity is extended him, while in ail life's relations he is esteemed for his genuine worth.
FRED A. DUMOND.
One of the native sons of Woodson County, who has been an eye wit- ness of the growth and progress of this section of the state from an early period in its development is Fred A. Dnmond, a progressive farmer of Eminence township. He was born on the family homestead, November 26. 1872. and is a son of John W. and Adaline (Darst) Dumond, pioneer settlers of the community. The father was born in Seneca County. Ohio, in 1838. and was a son of Jackson Dumond. He came to Woodson County at the beginning of the '70s, locating in Eminence township, where he scenred a claim. With characteristic energy he began its development and continued its cultivation until his death. which occurred October 24, 1873.
John W. Dumond was married in Lake County. Indiana, to Miss Ada- line Darst, who was born in Benton County. Ohio, December 7, 1846, a danghter of Abraham Darst. By this marriage three sons were born- Frank. Edward and Fred A. After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Dumond, on Christmas day of 1874, gave her hand in marriage to Daniel V. Dow, who was born in Addison County, Vermont, in 1832. and died in Woodson County. Kansas. in July, 1885. When a young man he left Ver- mont and started in a southwesterly direction. For a few years he resided in Texas, whenee he was forced to flee at the outbreak of the war of the Re- bellion on account of his sympathy with the North. He made his way to the Union lines and enlisted in the First Arkansas Infantry, but was soon transferred to the hospital corps as hospital steward. serving in that de- partment until honorably discharged at the close of the war.
Mr. Dow then returned to Vermont but had been in the west too long to remain satisfied with the slower and more conservative methods of the
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east and accordingly he came to Kansas, securing a claim in township twenty-five. range fifteen, in Woodson County. He became one of the well known and valned residents of the county and was a successful farmer. In an early day he held the office of county surveyor and laid out the town of Toronto. also did much of the work of that character in the vicinity of Neosho Falls. He served as trustee of his township and always gave a loyal and unfaltering support to the principles of the Republican party, in: which he most firmly believed. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dow were born two children, Susie A., wife of Forest Ruehlen, by whom she has one child, Ernest : and Estella C., who is with her mother. When Mrs. Dow came to' Woodson County. in 1866, Indians were still in the neighborhood, but committed no depredation and were usnally friendly to the settlers. They eamped among the farms and roamed to and fro over the country on visits to neighboring tribes.
Fred A. Dumond, whose name introduces this review. has spent his entire life in Woodson County. He was reared upon the home farm for though his father died during his early infancy he remained with his step-father and was trained to the practical work of the fields and meadows through the summer months while in the winter season he pursued his edu- cation in the district schools. When he hegan business on his own account it was along the line to which he had been reared and he is now successfully farming on section twelve, township twenty-six, range fifteen, where he owns and operates two hundred acres of valuable land, the greater part of which is under a high state of enltivation. He is also engaged in dealing in hay, which is a good source of revenne and largely increases his financial resources.
On the 31st of December, 1899, Mr. Dumond was nnited in marriage to Miss Alice, daughter of Samuel Kahl. one of the early settlers of Emi- nenee township. and they have now a little daughter, Esther May, who is the life and light of the household. Mr. and Mrs. Dumond have many friends in his native county and he is justly classed among the progressive young farmers, whose well directed labors bring to them creditable success.
CHAUNCY W. LANKTON.
The subject of this review is a self-made man who without any extra- ( dinary family or peenniary advantages at the commencement of life has battled earnestly and energetically, and by indomitable conrage and in- tegrity has achieved both character and fortune. By sheer force of will and untiring effort he has worked his way upward and is numbered among the practical farmers of Everett township, Woodson County.
Mr. Lankton was born in Allegany County, New York, April 27, 1834, his parents being Joel and Sarah (Evans) Lankton. The father was born in the Empire state in 1799 and became a local minister in the Methodist
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Episcopal church, preaching for many years. He was also a carpenter by trade and while not in the pulpit worked at the bench. In 1839 he re- moved to Morgan County, Illinois, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1855, when he was fifty-five years of age. His wife passed away many years before, being called to her final rest in 1841. when thirty-six years of age.
Chauncy Lankton, their sixth child, was a little lad of five summers when his parents went to Illinois. Schools in the west were very primitive at that time and his educational privileges were necessarily limited. At an early age he began work at the carpenter's trade under the direction of his father and followed that pursuit throughout a long period. He was married in Illinois and there remained until 1879 when with his family, he came to Kansas, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land two miles north and one mile west of the present site of Vernon, in the fall of that year. The improvements on the place were meager, but with char- acteristic energy he began the development of his farm and has since erected a good residence and a large barn, has planted a fine orchard and has everything in good condition. the place being particularly neat in ap- pearance. They did not have three hundred dollars when they came here, and through their energetic efforts they have advanced until they are now the possessors of a handsome competence, sufficient to provide them with all the necessaries and many of the luxuries of life.
In 1857 Mr. Lankton was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda Rhea, who was born in Illinois, while her parents were natives of Kentucky, removing to the former state at an carly day. Mr. and Mrs. Lankton became the parents of three children: Fletcher H., who is a printer by trade and is now foreman of the Daily Drovers Telegram office, in Kansas City, Missouri ; Adda L .. wife of C. B. Norton, a resident farmer of Everett township, and Lydia, wife of R. E. Dickinson, now the owner and proprietor of a harness shop in Leroy, Kansas. The family are well known. and their friends and acquaintances in Woodson County are many. Mr. Lankton is independent in his political views, voting for the men whom he thinks best qualified for office without regard to the party affiliation of candidates. Such is the life record of one of the enterprising agriculturists of Woodson County, whose place in business circles is the reward of his own honorable labors.
CLAUS PETERS.
CLAUS PETERS has fully tested the opportunities which America offers to her citizens for he came to this country empty-handed and by dili- gence and enterprise has risen to a position among the leading, influential and successful farmers of Woodson County, his home being on section fourteen. Owl Creek township. He was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Ger- many, June 3, 1833, and is a son of Henry Peters, a farmer, whose ancestors
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for many generations had been farming people of Schleswig-Holstein. He wedded Mary Rogers and both parents spent their entire lives in the father- land. Their children were: George, who died in the old country ; John. who also died in Germany ; Claus, and Christiana. who when last heard from was living in the fatherland.
In early life Claus Peters learned the carpenter's trade and served for a year and a quarter in the Danish army. In 1866 he determined to come to America, hoping thereby to improve his finaneial condition. Ac- cordingly, in September of that year, he took ship at Hamburg for New York and from the coast proceeded westward to Leavenworth, Kansas. He was a poor meehanie looking for a home and he put up a little frame house, twelve by fourteen feet, after which he worked by the day in order to get the funds necessary to carry on the work of development upon the claim which he had entered. The early years of laborious effort, however. were the forerunner of a more prosperous period. On the 7th of September, 1867, Mr. Peters was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Kose, who was born in Sehleswig-Holstein. She died November 18, 1899. The children of this marriage were: Mary, who died at the age of eighteen years; Maggie, wife of August Goedeke. of Oklahoma, and Henry, born September 7, 1875.
In connection with general farming Mr. Peters and his son have handled cattle and hogs and have found this a profitable industry. They now own four hundred and five acres of valuable land on sections, fourteen, nineteen and twenty-three, and the farm is well improved with all modern accessories and with substantial buildings.
Mr. Peters takes little part in campaign or politieal work of any de- scription aside from casting his vote for the men and measures of the Re- publican party. In religious belief he is a Lutheran and has served as one of the officers of the church. He has also rendered financial aid to the building of St. Paul's Lutheran church on Owl creek, and has done mueh for the upbuilding of the church and the spread of Christian truths as taught by that denomination. His life has indeed been a busy, useful and honorable one, and this record is such a one as to justify the confidence and esteem in which he is held by friends and neighbors.
JOSEPH J. ALLEN.
From the age of sixteen years Joseph J. Allen has depended upon his own resources for a livelihood, and that to-day he is numbered among the well-to-do agriculturists of Woodson County is due to his energy. careful management and untiring labor. He was born in Venango County. Penn- sylvania, upon a farm in Irwin township. his natal day being July 31, 1847. The family is of Seotch lincage and was founded on American soil by James Allen, the grandfather of our subject. who came from the land of hills and heather to the new world and spent the remainder of his life upon a farm
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in Venango County, Pennsylvania. He was a soldier of the American Revo- lution, loyally aiding the colonies in the struggle for independence until the British army was driven from the land. He reared a family of four sons and three daughters, as follows: Robert; Joseph A .; Mary, the wife of Patrick Davidson; Naney, wife of Jesse Carroll; Margaret, the wife of James Osborn; William and James.
Of this family William Allen was the father of our subject. Also a native of Venango County, Pennsylvania. he was born in 1813 and spent his entire life in that loeality. He married Miss Martha Simcox, also a native of the Keystone state. Her father was a farmer by occupation and was numbered among the heroes of the Revolutionary war. Mr. Allen passed away in 1862, but his widow is still living at the venerable age of eighty-four years, her home being still in Venango County, Pennsylvania. This worthy couple were the parents of four children: Mary, the wife of J. A. Glen, a resident of the old home county in Pennsylvania; James P., who is also living in the same county ; Ellen A., wife of Kerr Graham, de- ceased, and a resident of Cripple Creek, Colorado, and Joseph J.
In taking up the personal history of Joseph J. Allen we present to our readers the life record of one who owes advancement entirely to his own well directed efforts. He was reared in Venango County amid the oil fields oº Pennsylvania, and in the schools near his home acquired his education, not yet sixteen years of age when he began to earn his livelihood by hoeing corn and through many years his career has been one of activity in the busy places of life. For ten years he was employed in the oil country and then turned his attention to merchandising which he followed for twelve years in Mechanisesvlle, Pennsylvania, meeting with gratifying success in the undertaking. Favorable reports of Kansas and its opportunities caused him to leave the east and seek a home in the Sunflower state, so that in 18- he located on section five. Center township, Woodson County, owning the northern half of the seetion. His farming interests have been well conductcd and the arable land, highly cultivated, has yielded to him an ex eellent return for his labor.
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