USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 92
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 92
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On the 1st of June, 1876, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie A., daughter of Abram Hunsberger. Her father was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and now resides in Barkeyville. His life has been devoted to mercantile business. He married Miss Catherine Barkey, and unto them were born nine children. namely: Lizzie A .; Mary, who died in childhood; Naney, the wife of F. B. Sterrett. of Venango County, Pennsylvania ; Sarah J., wife of L. Loucks, of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania ; Henrietta, wife of E. Loucks of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania : William H .: Charles Forney, of Venango County ; Maggie M .. wife of Frank Stowe, of Tennessee, and Mrs. Allen. Unto our sub- ject and his wife have been born two children, Ollie M., wife of Drum- mond S. Bell, of Woodson County, and Florence E., who died at the age of ten years.
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In his political views Mr. Allen is a Republican and takes an active interest in local politics. For six years he has served as elerk of the board of Center township, and his long continuation in the office stands in unmistakable evidence of his fidelity to duty. He belongs to. the Methodist Episcopal church and is a representative of that class of eitizens who sup- port all progressive measures for the general good and thus promote the welfare of the entire community.
JOHN PRINGLE.
It is always of interest to review the history of a successful man. It is the nature of man to rejoice in victory, and he who has conquered fate and fortune may well be proud of the fact. John Pringle is now one of the well known and well-to-do agriculturists of Woodson County, his home being in Eminence township, but when he came to the county he was in limited circumstances and all that he has since achieved is attributable to his own efforts. A native of Scotland he was born in Dalry, Ayrshire, May 26, 1844, a son of Andrew Pringle, a farmer, whose ancestors had resided in the county of Ayr through many generations and had there been interested in the tilling of the soil. On the maternal side Mr. Pringle is a representative of the well known Parker family of Scotland. The parents of our subjeet had four children who reached mature years, namely : James, John, Robert and Andrew. The last named is now deceased, and James is a resident of Scotland, while Robert is living in Arizona.
John Pringle was reared in the land of hills and heather and ac- quired a common school education. At the age of twenty-five years he bade adien to home, friends and native country and crossed the Atlantic to the United States. His brothers, Robert and Andrew, had previously come to the new world, the former being located in Kansas, while the latter was a resident of Texas. In 1871 John Pringle arrived in Woodson County and seeured a claim in Perry township on section eight. township twenty-six, range sixteen. He was then in limited finaneial circumstanees, but he found that success rewarded earnest and persistent effort. He possessed good health, a strong constitution and a laudable ambition, and with these to aid him in the place of capital he began life in Kansas. From the beginning success has attended his efforts. His home is now on the southwestern (marier of section twenty-four, Eminence township, and in addition to this he owns land on seetion twenty-five, of the same township, and eleven hun- dred and twenty acres in Belmont township.' For ten years he was identi- fied with the stock raising interests of Gila County, Arizona. where lie still has interests.
Ir Woodson County, in November, 1882, Mr. Pringle was united in mar- riage to Miss Emma Launders, a daughter of Wm. Launders, who was 1 orn in Illinois. Their marriage has been blessed with the following child-
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ren : Elizabeth, Janet, Emma. Andrew, Margaret, Robena. Wm. and James. Mr. Pringle is not aetively interested in politics. preferring to give his time and attention to his business affairs. His resolution and his deter- mined purpose, combined wth unflagging industry, have formed the rounds of the ladder on which he has climbed to prosperity. His many admirable qualities. his genial manner and his sterling worth have also made him popular, and few citizens of the community have more friends than John Pringle.
AMOS WRIGHT.
The name of Amos Wright is inseparably connected with the business history of Neosho Falls for he is a very prominent factor in the industrial and commercial activity of the eity, and his life history cannot fail to prove of interest as he is numbered among the class of honored self-made men who owe their prosperity and advancement entirely to their own efforts His record should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragment to others showing, as it does, what may be accomplished through determined effort. resolute will and sound business judgment.
Mr. Wright was born on the 29th. of March, 1852, in Illinois, and is a son of Amos and Sarah Wright. The father died during the early boyhood o' our subject, who was the ninth in a family of eleven children. He re- mained at home with his mother and assisted in providing for her support as well as his own. They lived upon a farm, where the children were reared. and owing to the limited family finances which necessitated his re- maining upon the farm. Amos Wright of this review had but limited school privileges. In 1869 he became a resident of Kansas, locating near Iola, in Allen County. His mother died December 26, 1899, at the age of eighty- eight years.
On the 1st. of July. 1875. Mr. Wright was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Roush, a native of Indiana, and they began their domestic life upon a rented farm, our subject continuing to operate rented land until 1890. when with capital acquired through his industry and economy he purchased one hundred and twenty aeres. In 1895, however, he sold that property and eame to Neosho Falls. where he built a sawmill and began the manufacture of lumber. Subsequently he established a cider mill and mo- lasses factory. both of which he still operates, doing therein a business amounting to six thousand dollars annually . In July. 1900. he established his lumber yard with a stock worth eight thousand dollars, and now has one of the best equipped yards in Woodson County. having large sheds and a fine office and all modern accessories for carrying on the enterprise. During the first six months his sales amounted to eight thousand dollars and his pat- ronage is constantly increasing. Mr. Wright is certainly a man of very re- sonreeful business ability, for in addition to the concerns already mentioned
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he is conducting a large farm, raising hogs, cattle, corn, wheat and oats on an extensive scale.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wright have been born three children, all residents: of Neosho Falls: Robert A. : Sarah E., wife of Frank L. Best, and William IT. The sons are also married. The members of the family are well known and highly esteemed. In his political affiliations Mr. Wright has always been. a Republican and has served as township clerk. but the honors and emoln- ments of office have had little attraction for him. He is identified with a. number of civic societies, including the Masonic, the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He certainly deserves great credit for what he. bas accomplished, and his worth as a man and citizen are widely asknowl- edge.
FRANK HAYS.
One of the prominent citizens of Woodson County, numbered among the later arrivals, but now actively connected with agricultural interests. is Frank Hays, who owns and operates more than five hundred acres of land. He is a native of Macon County, Illinois, born September 19, 1856, being the only son of John and Hannah (Parker) Hays. His father was born in Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Ohio, later to Indiana, and finally to- Macon County, Illinois. where he took up his abode about 1840. He was twice married and the children by the first union are: Ebenezer, of Madi- son County, Iowa ; Thomas, also of the same county ; Cynthia, wife of Isaac Skillman of Oregon, and four who passed away. After the death of his first wife the father married Hannah Parker, who is still living in Macon County, Illinois. By her first marriage to Hezekiah Hays. a brother of her second husband. she had three sons: Vincent T., of Macon County, Illi- nois : Hezekiah, who is living in the same locality, and James F., of Madison County, Iowa.
Throughout his life Frank Hays has resided upon a farm. He ac- quired a common-school education and was well trained in the work of plowing. planting and harvesting. On the 19th. of January, 1876, he was united in marriage to Julia, daughter of Alexander Brett ,and a sister of Oscar C. Brett, of Humboldt, Kansas. They now have four living children : Iva, wife of Asa Nourse, of Woodson County ; Ray, Ira and Irl. Roy, the third child. died at the age of one year.
On the 17th. of March, 1880, Mr. Hays disposed of his interests in T'linois,, and severing the connections which bound him to his old home came to Woodson County, where he first located on the old D. P. Durning farm, on the county line. He afterward purchased a traet of one hundred and sixty aeres on section three, Perry township, becoming the owner in 1883 and taking up his abode there in 1886. He has since added to the original
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Fract until he now owns five hundred and seventy acres. controlling the en- tire amount himself. He is a man of excellent business ability and execu- tive force, fully capable of managing his extensive property interests. He votes with the Democracy, but takes no active part in polities as his time is occupied with his duties as a farmer and stock-raiser. He has practically made all that he now possesses since coming to Kansas. a faet which indi- "eutes that he has led a very busy, active and useful career, and proving the potency of energy and diligence in achieving success.
SAMUEL KAHL.
SAMUEL KAHL is the owner of one of the finest farms of Woodson County, and the place is a monument to his enterprise, thrift and indomi- table perseverance. It is located on section thirty-one. Eminence town- ship, where stands a commodious and modern residence. in the rear of which are seen substantial barns and outbuildings that in turn are surrounded with well tilled fields.
Mr. Kahl was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, April 9, 1844. and is a son of William Kahl and a grandson of Jacob Kahl, who was born in the latter part of the seventeenth eentury and was a soldier in the war of 1812. His children were Adam, John. Peter and the father of our sub- ieet, together with two daughters, Rebecca and Hannah. William Kahl was a native of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, whence in 1852 he removed to Ohio, where he died at the age of seventy-eight years. He became one of the well known and prominent citizens and successful farmers of Ash- land County, that state. In early life he supported the Whig party and on its dissolution became a Republican, but was never an office seeker. He married Sarah Bittinger. a daughter of Jaeob Bittinger. a blacksmith and farmer, who was also numbered among the defenders of his country in the war of 1812. Mrs. Kahl passed away in 1889. Her children were Samuel ; Rebecca. wife of T. J. Eagle, of Topeka, Kansas: Sarah, wife of John Springer, of Ashland County, and Christiana, wife of Emanuel Treace, of Ashland County, Ohio, also Jacob Kahl, of Ashland County, Ohio.
The educational privileges granted to Samuel Kahl of this review were rather meager. For some time before he attained his majority he earned his own living, working by the month as farm hand in Ohio. In 1867 he mar- ried Rebecca Baron. a daughter of Jacob Baron, of Ohio, and in April, 1869, they came by rail to Woodson County, unloading their goods at Neo- sho Falls. Soon afterward Mr. Kahl selected the farm upon which he has made his home continuously since, on section thirty-one, township twenty- six, range sixteen. of the Osage creek lands. There have been times since when drouth, flood and pestilence scourged the land and it seemed that he would have to give up the attempt to make a home here, but he had no money with which to pay the expenses of a return journey to his old home. and
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summoning all his courage and fortitude to meet the conditions, he labored on and in course of time the farm yielded abundantly. He now yearly harv- es's large crops and also adds materially to his income by the sale of cattle, for through a number of years he has been engaged in raising, feeding and shipping stock and has considerable local prominence in this direction. He- keeps on hand high grades of cattle and has done much to improve the- stock raised in the county, his labors thus proving of great practical bene- fit for he who introduces a better grade of cattle thereby adds to their market value and thus indirectly promotes the general prosperity. His ranch now comprises five hundred and forty acres and he personally superin- tends the operation and conduct of his farm, which in all its departments indicates the careful : upervision of a progressive owner.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Kahl has been blessed with three children : Ida M .. wife of Frank Parsons: Alice, wife of Fred Dumond. of Woodson County, and Inez, at home. Mr. Kahl is one of the leading advocates of the Republican party in this locality, having staunchly upheld its principles and policy since casting his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant in 1868. He manifested his loyalty as a citizen of the Union at the time of the Civil war, enlisting in 1864 as a member of the Ninety-sixth Ohio volunteers, and when that regiment was consolidated with the One Hundred and Sixty- third regiment of Ohio, his enlistment was construed as being with the fatter. The command did duty at Petersburg and Richmond and aided in the capture and destruction of the Weldon Railroad. After six months' service he was honorably discharged. Ile has always been as true and. loyal to his dutics of citizenship in times of peace as when he followed the starry banner of the nation through the south. His forceful indivi- duality has left its impress for good upon Woodson County, and it is with pleasure that we present his record to our readers.
SAMUEL L. PATTERSON.
Woodson County is very fortunate in having for her officials men of high character and genuine worth, capable in business, prompt in action and reliable and trustworthy in the performance of duty. On the roster ap- pears the name of Samuel Patterson, who is now serving as county sheriff, and who well deserves mention in this volume as one of the leading and in- fluential citizens of southeastern Kansas.
Mr. Patterson is a native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where his birth occurred July 8, 1865. The family is of Irish descent and was established on American soil by the grandfather Patterson, who in the year 1839 brought his family to the United States. locating in Pittsburg, where he spent the residue of his days. He was a harness-maker by trade, and by following that pursuit provided for his family. John F. Patterson, the father of our subject, was born in Ireland in 1835, and was therefore
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only four years of age when an ocean vessel brought the family to the New World. He was reared in the Keystone state and at the time of the Civil war he manifested his loyalty to the government by joining the Seventy- eighth Regiment of Pennsylvania volunteers with which he served for three years, meeting the enemy on many a southern battlefield. He married Josephine Cox and in 1871 came with his family to Kansas, locating in An- derson County, where he made his home until 1888, when he came to Wood- son County. spending his last days in Toronto township, his death occurring in 1896. His wife was called to her final rest in 1898. Their children were: George, of Arkansas; John, who was the first marshal of Yates Cen- ter, and died in Woodcon County : Mary, wife of James Wilkins, of Web- ster County, Missouri; SamuelL., of this sketch; Susan. wife of Murray Coff, of Denver. Colorado; Robert, of Woodson County : Alexander, of Illi- mois : Mathew, who is also living in this county, and Emma, wife of Charles Newton. of Mason City, Illinois.
Throughout the greater part of his life Samuel Patterson has resided in Kansas and is imbued with the true western spirit of progress and en- terprise. He came to Woodson County when twenty-two years of age and for one year was engaged in clerking for E. B. Rall, of Toronto. He then embarked in merchandising on his own account ,and after nearly a year traded his store for a farm in Barton County, Missouri, operating the same for about twelve months, when he resumed merchandising at Iantha, Missouri. Four months later, however, financial reverses overtook him and he turned his attention to blacksmithing, which he there learned and fol- lowed during his two years' residence in Fantha. Going to Toronto he built a shop and there worked at his trade until July, 1899, when he was called to public office.
The political faith of the Pattersons is Republican, and like the other members of the family our subject allied his interests with the "Grand Old Party." casting his first presidential vote for Benjamin Harrison in 1888. While residing in Toronto he was elected and served as city marshal, and that service proved an excellent training school for his present official duties. In 1899 he had three competitors for the nomination for sheriff, but he was the fortunate candidate and won the election by eleven votes, thus be- coming the successor of M. E. Hunt.
In January, 1888, in Woodson County, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Patterson and Miss Verda Ledgerwood. a daughter of S. M. Ledger- wood. of Lamar, Missouri, but formerly of Dubois County. Indiana. Their children are Francis, Ferne and Pearl. Socially Mr. Patterson is connected with several fraternal organizations. He belongs to the lodge and Rebekah department of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also identified through membership relations with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. Fearless in the discharge of his public duties, showing no favor in the performance of the tasks which devolve upon him, he is a faithful custo-
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dian of the public peace and of the law, and has made an enviable record in office.
ABRAHAM B. MILLER.
ABRAHAM B. MILLER, one of the veterans of the Civil war, and an upright, honorable citizen of Everett township, Woodson County, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, on the 21st. of December, 1839. a son of Benjamin and Susana ( Yoder) Miller, both natives of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. When a young man the father removed to Ohio, where he engaged in farming. He was accidentally killed in 1840, by a falling tree. but his wife still survives him and is living in Indiana at the very ad- vanced age of eighty-eight years.
Of the three surviving children born to his parents Abraham Miller is the second in order of birth. He resided in the Bnekeye state until four- teen years of age and then accompanied his mother on her removal to Howard County, Indiana, where he remained until the country became in- volved in Civil war over the slavery question and the attempted secession of the southern states. Prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he enlisted at the president's call for three hundred thousand men, joining company E. Eleventh Indiana cavalry, with which command he participated in some of the most hotly contested engagements of the war. inelnding the battles of Nashville and Tuscumbia, Tennessee, the latter occurring on Christmas day of 1864. He enlisted as a private but was soon afterward promoted to the rank of first sergeant of his company.
After receiving an honorable discharge from the service Mr. Miller re- turned to his home in Indiana, and on the 4th. of November, 1865, was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Raray, a native of Franklin County, Ohio. born November 22. 1844. Her parents, Daniel and Melvina (Searfos) Raray, removed to Indiana in 1844, and her father is still living at the age of eighty-five years .but his wife passed away in 1875, at the age of forty-two. They were the parents of seven children, of whom Mrs. Miller is the second, and five of the family are yet living.
After his marriage Mr. Miller began his domestic life upon a rented farm which he operated until 1868, when he came to Woodson County. se- enring a farm on Cherry creek. He called his homestead Miller's Grove and established a postoffice there to which he gave the same name. For six years he served as the postmaster. For seven years he resided upon the farm, but on account of the grasshoppers he sold the property and returned to In- diana, where he continued through the twelve succeeding years, when on ac- count of his health he went to Arkansas, spending six years in that state. On the expiration of that period he returned to Woodson County in 1892. purchasing eighty acres of rich land, comprising one of the most attractive of the smaller farms of Everett township. its location being two miles north- west of Vernon.
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The home of Mr. and Mrs. Miller has been blessed with eight children, ramely: William O., who is living in Parsons, Kansas; Tudie, who became the wife of James Ledbetter, and died in 1896; Abraham L., who is the railroad agent at Lyndon, Kansas; Fred. who is in the railroad employ at Parsons; Daniel B., located in Hailey, Idaho; Carl, who is located in Hailey, Idaho; Jesse and Chester, twins. at home, and Grace, the only daughter, a beautiful young lady who is living with her parents. The family have a wide acquaintance in the community and the hospitality of the best homes is extended to them. In political affiliations Mr. Miller is a Republican.
GEORGE W. McGILL.
GEORGE W. McGILL is numbered among the worthy citizens that the Keystone state has furnished to Kansas. He was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. July 6, 1846, and is a son of the well known Thomas McGill, who settled in Woodson County in 1876. When our subject was about ten years of age he accompanied his parents from his native state to LaSalle County, Illinois, and resided there for twenty years . He pursued his educa- tion in the district schools of the neighborhood and on attaining his ma- iority started out upon an independent business career, since which time he has been dependent entirely upon his own resources. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Jennie Harlan, the wedding being celebrated in LaSalle County, October 21, 1868.
The lady is a daughter of Arthur Harlan, and Thankful ( Thrasher) Harlan, and was born in Putnam County, Illinois, September 16, 1850, Arthur Harlan was born near Connersville, Indiana, in 1829, and his wife was a native of the Empire state. Arthur Harlan spent his last days in Belle Blaine. Iowa, where he died in the year 1889. He was the father o seven children, six of whom are yet living: Belle, wife of Thomas Mc- Gill. of Rock Island, Illinois : Jennie, wife of our subject ; Monroe, of Eagle Grove, Iowa; Ernest, who is living in Davenport, Iowa; Sadie, wife of Clinton McCormick, of Belle Plaine. Iowa, and Aaron, who is a resident of Clinton. Iowa. Melissa, who was the sixth in order of birth, died at the age of two years.
Mr. and Mrs. McGill began their domestic life upon a farm in Illinois, and there remained for about eight years, on the expiration of which period they came to Kansas and have since been residents of Woodson County, being located at the present time upon a farm on the southwest quarter of section two. township twenty-six, range sixteen. Mr. McGill gives his attention exclusively to general farming and is a man of diligence, per- severance and good business management and judgment. His political preference is indicated by the ballot which he always deposits on election day in support of the men and measures of Democracy, but the honors and
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emoluments of office have no attraction for him, his farm work claiming all of his time. He finds thereby that he can gain a good return for his investment and is accordingly classed among the substantial agriculturists ot the community.
FERDINAND H. SPENCER.
A well known and respected farmer of Liberty township, Woodson County, Ferdinand H. Speneer, was born in Monmouth County, New Jer- sey, May 22, 1838, and was the sixth in order of birth in a family of seven children, born to John L. and Elizabeth (Tantum) Spencer. The father was a native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and after residing in New Jersey for some time removed to Illinois in 1839, there following the occupation of farming until his death, which occurred in 1867, when he was sixty- seven years of age. His wife survived him until 1872, and passed away at the age of seventy-three years. Of their children five are yet living, namely : Mrs. Hettie M. Dey, now of Morrisonville. Illinois : William T., who is living in Jerseyville, Illinois ; Martha R., of St. Louis, Missouri : Ferdinand H., and Samuel H., of Yates Center.
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