History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas, Part 94

Author: Duncan, L. Wallace (Lew Wallace), b. 1861. cn; Scott, Charles F., b. 1860
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Iola, Kan. : Iola Register
Number of Pages: 1066

USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 94
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 94

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.

was there in the employ of the same firm with which he had been connected in Chicago. He aided in packing the first cattle ever thus prepared for the market in this state. Well pleased with the country. the elimate and the people, he decided to remain in Kansas and took up his abode in Woodson County, purehasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres two miles south of Neosho Falls. To this place he removed with his family in 1869, and greeted a commodious residenee. Mr. Parks has given considerable atten- tion to the raising of stoek, and has resided continuously upon his farm with the exception of a period of four years ,during which time he resided with his family in Indianapolis. Indiana, in order that his children might en- ioy better educational privileges. During that time Mr. Parks worked for his old employers in the packing house, but after four years he returned to lis Kansas home and resumed his farming operations, his labors being crowned with a merited degree of suecess.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Parks has been blessed with four ehil- dren : Frank. who resides upon a farm near his father : Nellie and Edward, at home. and Belle, wife of Charles Williams, of Arkansas. Socially Mr. Parks is connected with the Masonic lodge at Neo ho Falls, and in polities he is a stalwart Repuhliean. For four years he served as trustee of Neosho township. proving a eapable officer. His life indicates the power of industry in the business world. for without influential friends or pecuniary ad- vantages to aid him he has steadily worked his way upward and now stands among the men of afflutenee in his adopted eounty.

CHARLES F. DIVER.

The life of Charles F. Diver has not been one of unvarying monotony. circumscribed by the narrow confines of a certain locality. where habits of thought. action and life scarcely change with the passing years. He has traveled over much of the globe, has visited many foreign ports and is largely acquainted with the beauties of his native land. He is a man of broad mind, having that knowledge and culture which only travel can bring, and in southeastern Kansas he ranks among the representative citizens.

Mr. Diver was born in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, December 16, 1849 and is the son of the Rev. Charles F. Diver, also a native of Philadelphia. The paternal grandparents of our subject both died when about eighty years of age, the maternal grandparents at the age of ninety-nine, so that he comes from long-lived aneestry. After arriving at years of maturity the Rev. Charles F. Diver wedded Miss Mary Hestem, of Chester Valley, Pennsyl- vania. She belonged to a wealthy family. her father being interested in one of the extensive banking institutions of Philadelphia, in connection with be- irg the proprietor of a large flouring mill. For many years Rev. Diver engaged in preaching in Philadelphia. and his labors in behalf of Christian- ity were very effective. He died October 14. 1884. at the age of seventy-four

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ycars, and his wife passed away many years previous. They were the par -- ents of five children : Joseph, who was a soldier in the Civil war and died. after his return from the army ; Walter, Euphemia and Mary, who reside in Philadelphia, and Charles F.

The last named is the fourth child of the family. He remained at home. until fourteen years of age and then enlisted in the American navy, serving for five years. Ile was first on the Sabian gunboat and was then transferred to the Hartford under Admiral Bell. He participated in the battle of Fort Fisher, where his lieutenant was killed, Mr. Diver standing by his side at the time be was shot. He has visited most of the ports of the world, has sailed in the China sea and visited Manila long before Admiral Dewey en- tered that bay. He learned much of the various countries on the globe, of their peoples and custom", his experience proving a good school.

After his retirement from the navy, Mr. Diver returned to Philadelphia, where he was engaged in merchandising for about four years, when he went to Illinois, carrying on general merchandising in a small town called Fox Station. There he also remained for four years. In 1878 he came to Kan -- sas and turned his attention to farming, renting land for four years, after which he purchased three hundred and thirty aeres upon which he now resides. This is fine bottom land and he has developed and improved one of the finest fruit farms in Woodson County. On the place he has a com- modious and attractive residence surrounded by a beautiful lawn of blue- grass and shaded with stately trees. In connection with general and fruit farming. he also engages in the raising of stock to some extent.

While in Illinois, Mr. Diver was united in marriage to Miss Anna Cook, of Chicago, daughter of Dr. J. A. and Mary ( Harris) Cook. The wedding was celebrated November 22, 1878. After residing upon their Kansas farm for some years Mr. Diver removed with his family to Fort Scott in order to educate his children and later returned to Philadelphia in order that they might enjoy educational facilities in that city. where about a year was passed. On account of failing health, he was advised by his physician to go to Colorado, where he was engaged in manufacturing during his four years' stay in that state, meeting with excellent success in his undertakings. The elimate there. however, did not agree with him, and he once more took up his abode upon his Kansas farm, where he is still living in very com- fortable circumstances, his pleasant and attractive home being supplied with all modern conveniences and accessories.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Diver have been born eight children, namely: Walter, who is connected with Roland's book store, of Lawrence, Kansas; Dwight. Effel, Charles. Lawrenee, Warren, Dorothy and Anna. all yet at home. The family is widely and favorably known in Woodson County, and the circle of their friends is extensive. In his political views Mr. Diver is a Republican, but aside from voting for the candidates of the party he takes no active interest in polities as a worker in campaigns or as an aspirant for office. In his business he has ever carried forward to successful completion

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whatever he has undertaken, and his life stands as an exemplification of the potency of industry, persisteney and honesty in the active affairs of life

GEORGE K. FOOTE.

GEORGE K. FOOTE, one of the reliable, practical and progressive business men of Yates Center, was born in Henry County, Kentucky, on the 9th of September, 1849, a son of Kirchelow and Barbara (Boyd) Foote. the former a native of South Carolina, the latter of Virginia. The tilling of the soil and the raising of crops occupied the father's attention throughout his business career, and in Kentucky, in 1878 he departed this life, being then seventy-nine years of age. His wife survived him until 1885 and was "called to the home beyond at the age of seventy years. They were the parents of four children, namely: Mrs. Julia Stark. of Louisville, Ken- tueky: Mrs. Harriet Foree, of Henry County, that state: George K., and Mrs. Alice Downing, of Frankford. Indiana.

George K. Foote, the only son, was reared on the homestead farm. and It the common schools of the neighborhood he mastered the branches of learning which form the basis of all knowledge. He remained with his parents and assisted in the operation of the farm until twenty-seven years of age. when he was married. On the 19th of October, 1875. he wedded Miss Elliott Woodside, a native of Henry County, Kentucky, and a dangh- ter of William B. Woodside, who was born in that county, August 22, 1822. He was educated in the common schools and when a young man engaged in teaching for a number of years. On the 8th of February. 1849. he was united in marriage to Marian May Thompson, a native of Henry County. In 1853 they removed to Misconri, but after four years returned to Ken- ticky. continuing there until 1871 when they eame to Kansas, locating in Eminence township, Woodson County. There the father engaged in farm- ing until 1899 when he and his wife removed to Yates Center, where his death occurred. January 21, 1900, when he was seventy-seven years of age. They were the parents of six children : Elliott, wife of Mr. Foote : William D. and O., who are living in Cowley County, Kansas: Richard W., of Au- gusta, this state: Forrest, now in Colorado Springs, and Mamie, at home with her mother. in Yates Center. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Foote has been blessed with three children: Teon. Minnie and Tecora, all at home.

After his marriage Mr. Foote rented a farm in Kentucky for four years, during which time. as the result of his hard labor, he accumulated five hundred dollars which he brought with him to Kansas in 1879, invest- ing it in eighty aeres of land in Eminence township Woodson County. The tract was raw prairie. entirely destitute of improvement. but with char- acteristie energy he began its development and soon transformed it into pro- cinetive fields. He also added to the farm as he found opportunity until it now comprises two hundred and forty aeres of land. He erected thereon a

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comnnodious residence, well arranged and built in modern style. He also built a large barn and the necessary outbuildings, planted a fine orchard. and a grove of forest trees, which surrounds his house and barn, bestowing a grateful shade in summer. In addition to the development of the fields he- engaged in raising cattle and became one of the leading cattle men of his township. He continued his farming and stock raising operations until the- spring of 1901, when he purchased property in Yates Center, removed to: the city and is now engaged in business there in connection with his son, as a dealer in feed and coal.

In his political views Mr. Foote is a Democrat who manifests his poli- tical preference by support of its candidates at the polls. He has never. sought office for himself as his time has been fully occupied with business interests that have brought to him a handsome competence. making him one- of the prosperous citizens of southeastern Kansas. He still owns, and now rents the farm upon which he acquired his capital and which was the scene of his honorable and useful labor for many years.

THOMAS HOUSTON DAVIDSON.

THOMAS HOUSTON DAVIDSON was born near New Castle, Pa., February 2, 1816. died at Kalida Farm, Woodson County, Kansas, February 2, 1889.

His father, James Davidson, was in early life a surveyor, but after- wards became a prosperous farmer and sheep raiser in Western Pennsyl- vania, in the early part of the century. He was one of the stalwart, sub- stantial and patriotic citizens of the Republic. He served as captain in the war of 1812.

In a large family of children. Thomas ff. Davidson was, after the education of that period. prepared for mercantile life. He successfully con- ducted general merchandise ventures at Enon Valley, New Brighton and Jamestown, Pa. He was located at the last named place when the the news of the firing on Fort Sumter was flashed throughout the country. He was fired with a patriotic zeal to emulate his father and to offer his services as a volunteer on the first call of President Lincoln for troops. Two things, however. prevented this: he was a few months past the "age limit" of forty-five years, and in addition to this fact he could not, in the early days of the war. have passed the rigid physical examination then required. While he was a hale and robust man all his life, with a splendid constitu- tion, still in his younger days. while assisting at a "barn raising" he had, in his effort to prevent a serious accident which threatened to result in in- inry and even death to several persons, thrown himself into the breach, and, ly an exhibition of physical strength which seemed almost increditable at the time. received all the injury himself, escaping with a broken leg and a sight rupture. The latter injury, though apparently insignificant, re-

WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.

mained with him throughout the balance of his days, and. though it gave him no special inconvenience, it was sufficient, nevertheless, to catch the attention of the medieal examiner, and, when taken in connection with his age, bar him from enlistment in the volunteer army.

So pei istent was he, however, that be made a trip to Washington, sought and obtained a personal interview with President Lineoln, convinced him of his physical soundness and his physical endurance, and received a promise from the President that he would make an exception in his case and assign him to a captaincy at an early date. This, however, never came about, and the war came to conelusion withont his having seen service, exeept as a member of the "Home Guard."

In 1866, with the re'urn of peace, Mr. Davidson was siezed with a desire to escape from the elose confinement of the store room. and naturally, in common with many other men at that time, turned his face toward the rising young commonwealth of Kansas. He disposed of his mereantile busi- ness in Jamestown and, with his family, resolved to become a pioneer in the development of the border state.

He arrived in Kansas on the second day of August, 1866, and im- mediately purchased a farm near Ft. Seott, in Bourbon County. Here he re- ided for four years. During this time he was actively engaged in farm- ing. A few weeks after his arrival came the great "grasshopper raid" so memorable in the early history of the state. This did not diseonrage him, however. and while the state was recovering from the effects of this "dis- astrous visitation." he and his son James resolved to "file on" some suit- able government land within easy reach of the farm at Ft. Scott.

They carried out this resolve in the winter of 1866-1867, the son tak- ing what is now the east half of the present town site of Girard, the present county seat of Crawford County : the father taking the elaim adjoining this or the south. A town company from Ft. Seott "jumped" the son's elaim and laid out the town of Girard. Then followed the contest so famous in that section of the state, between the railroad land grants and the settlers. which ended so disastrously to so many of the Crawford County settlers, the Davidsons among the number.

After having spent much time and money on the improvement of these claims and then losing them, Mr. Davidson resolved to seek a location, and an opportunity for investment farther west in the state. After prospecting for a location for some time, he moved with his family to the little town of Chellis, in Woodson County. This was in the spring of 1870. In Sep- tomber of that year he purchased a controlling interest in the town site of Chellis and on September 24 changed its name to Kalida-a Greek word, meaning beautiful-certainly a most appropriate name-for a more beautiful site for village. town or city it would be impossible to find in any state in the Union.

Here he lived for nearly a third of a century, to the date of his death in 1889. Besides his town interests he became a stock raiser of great mag-

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nitude and was known far and wide as a most successful trainer of oxen, through skill which he had acquired when a boy on his father's farm in Western Pennsylvania. Many a yoke of oxen trained by him became com- petitors of the "iron horse" in the "freighting business" on the Western plains.

His chief ambition in the early days of his settlement of Woodson County was directed toward the improvement of Kalida. He "laid off" more town lots, broadened its streets, and laid the foundation for a met- ropolis, had not fortune ruled to the contrary. In 1873 Woodson County became involved in a "county seat war." with Kalida as the strongest con- testant in the field. Kalida won. but within less than four months a new election changed the location to Defiance, three miles east of Kalida.

Mr. Davidson always stoutly insisted that there were enough illegal votes cast in the election of February, 1874, to entitle Kalida to a majority of the bona fide votes of the county, if the same could be determined. Many prominent citizens shared his views. He may have had some knowledge of "irregularities" on election day, and naturally sought some explanation for the defeat of Kalida, but the fact remains that the figures at this day, as shown by the official election returns. would hardly warrant, necessarily, the conclusion which he drew. In the election of November 3, 1873, the wote was as follows: Kalida, 530: Defiance, 506; total, 1,036; majority for Kalida. 24. In the election in question-that of February 23. 1874- the vote was Kalida, 491: Defiance, 643; total. 1.134; a majority for De- fiance of 152. In this election it appears that Kalida was 49 votes under her previous vote and Defiance 137 votes above. The total vote east at the second election was but 102 votes above that of the first. However. whether irregularities existed or not, after that second eleetion both Kalida and Defiance were short-lived towns.

The following year Kalida dropped out of the fight. and a contest among the villages of Defiance. Neosho Falls and Yates Center (the latter located in the geographical center of the county) took place. in which none of the places received a majority of the votes cast, the vote being as follows : Neosho Falls. 301 : Defiance. 235: Yates Center. 335 ; total, 871. This neces- stated a final election in September 1876. in which Yates Center was the victor. receiving 488 votes to Neosho Falls, 426, the total vote cast being 914.

Thus ended Woodson County's "county seat war," and with it ended the dream of Kalida. "The Beautiful."

One year later both Defiance and Kalida were moved bodily to Yates Center, but Kalida still lives in the name "Kalida Farm," now one of the most beautiful of the prairie farms of the Sunflower state. made so by the persistent and indomitable energy of its owner. Thomas H. Davidson. He had nothing of the "sour" in his disposition ; he yielded gracefully to the popular will and went incessantly to work to develop a beautiful farm on the ruins of his town.

There are a few men in a county whom practically everybody knows.

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Thomas H. Davidson was one of these. He took a commendable interest in human affairs, and his Republicanism, and his support of "this or that" which was known to be of good report, were markedly well known. Dur- in g the life time of Kalida he encouraged its churches, its schools and public enterprises by substantial service and aid. He served for years as a member of the school board of the Kalida school district, and was an elder in the United Presbyterian church from the date of its organization in Pittsburg, Pa .. in the 50's to the time of his death. He was the promoter of the Woodson County "Advocate." published at Kalida. He was one of the most honored and respected justices of the peace Woodson County ever had. His knowledge of law was something remarkable, and especially so since he had acquired it by self education. He could have prepared himself and plead a case before any court in the country. He was a director of the Charter Company of the Ft. Scott & Wichita railroad of the early 70's. He was a splendid scholar, a deep thinker. and a diverse reader. He was what even in this day would be styled a highly cultivated and educated gentle- man. Mathematic- was his special delight, and what to many were problems of difficulty, to him were but self evident truths. Up to the hour of his death he took an active interest in everything which tended to the public good. He brought to Kansas in cash what even today would be called a small fortune and sacrificed it all in the interest of the public enterprises in which he put his heart and soul. When he died he was in but comfortable circumstances so far as this world's goods were concerned, but in good deeds, lofty thoughts. kind acts and high ideals, he bequeathed to his family and the community in which he lived a rich inheritance. He ever frowned on evil and encouraged good, and in memory he lives today as a splendid type of our Scotch-American citizenship-an ideal type of those rugged pioneer days when the foundation of our commonwealth was laying broad and deep.

Mr. Davidson married Miss Anna M. Mehard. and his widow now oc- cupies the Davidson homestead in Woodson County. The Mehards were also among the early families of Pennsylvania. James Mehard, Mrs. David- son's father, was of Scotch-Irish descent. He married Christian Orr, who bere him nine children. Of this family, Mrs. Davidson is the sole survivor. In the Mehard family were found successful farmers, able ministers, a mechanic, and a college professor.

The union of Thomas H. and Anna ( Mehard) Davidson produced seven children, five of whom survive and are residents of Kansas: James, the ac- tive head of the family in Woodson County: Marguerite; Elizabeth, a teacher in the Topeka High School ; Wm. M., Superintendent City Schools, Topeka, Kansas, and Samuel, who represents the Columbus Buggy Com- pany as a traveling salesman. James Davidson, the oldest son. has passed an active life in Woodson County, and is one of the successful farmers of the state. While he is a farmer, still his success in other directions as well has brought to his efforts ample reward. He is the planner and projector of

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the massive architectural attractions for which the Davidson homestead is 1:oted far and wide.

WILLIAM LYTLE.

A commodious and attractive residenee standing in the midst of fine forest trees is the home of William Lytle. It is located on the bank of Cedar creek in Toronto township, Woodson County, and in its neat and thrifty appearance the farm indicates the careful superintendence of a pro- gressive owner.

A native of Randolph County, Indiana, Mr. Lytle was born November 6. 1845, a son of George and Mary (Toles) Lytle, both of whom were natives of Virginia. When young people his parents removed to Indiana and were married in that state, with whose history they were familar at an early period in the development and improvement of that portion of the country. Mrs. Lytle died in Indiana, when sixty years of age, and Mr. Lytle, long surviving her, passed away at the age of seventy-four. They were the parents of ten children, William being the eighth in order of birth. With his parents he remained until eighteen years of age, and in the meantime he attended the common schools. He then went to Warren County, Iowa, where he worked in a brick yard for two years, and in 1868 he came to Kansas, settling in the southeastern part of Woodson County, where he homesteaded eighty aeres of land, giving his attention to its improvement.

Having thus made preparations for a home of his own Mr. Lytle was united in marriage to Miss Mary Burger on the 17th of January, 1871, and found a faithful companion for life's journey. She is a native of Iowa. an accomplished lady who came to Kansas with her brother, Dr. Burger, and for four years prior to her marriage she engaged in teaching school in Woodson County. They have never had any children, but have lived happily together for thirty years, their mutual love and confidence increasing as the years have gone by.

After Mr. Lytle had secured his title to his homestead he sold the property and came to Toronto township, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land where he now resides, seven miles northeast of Toronto on Cedar creek. where he has made a good home, his beautiful residenee proving one of the most charming features in the landscape. He was at one time cmite extensively engaged in the stock business. but failing health in later years has prevented him from handling the large number of cattle which annually claimed his attention at an earlier period. In 1896 he was elected evunty commissioner and served in that capacity for three years as a capable and trustworthy offieer. He has also served as clerk of Perry township. Starting out in life for himself when a boy of eighteen years, dependent entirely upon his own resources, he has labored energetically and per- sis tently and has always been enabled to provide his wife with a good

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home and surrounds her now with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. His has been an honorable success, and today he is one of the highly respected citizens of his adopted county.

WILLIAM M. WEIDE.

Few of the native sons of Woodson County can claim forty years residence within its borders, but William M. Weide was born here in pioneer times, his natal day being March 23, 1861, and from that time to the present he has continued his home within the borders of the county-a worthy representative of its farming and stock raising interests. He is the youngest of the four children of Godfrey Weide, who came to America from Germany in 1857, and took up his abode in Woodson County-during the territorial days of Kansas. Upon the home farm our subject was born and reared and the schools of the neighborhood afforded him the educa- tional privileges which he enjoyed in his youth. He lived with his parents until twenty-three years of age when he was married.

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History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas, Part 94

Author: Duncan, L. Wallace (Lew Wallace), b. 1861. cn; Scott, Charles F., b. 1860 Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Iola, Kan. : Iola Register Number of Pages: 1066

Author: Duncan, L. Wallace (Lew Wallace), b. 1861. cn; Scott, Charles F., b. 1860
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Iola, Kan. : Iola Register
Number of Pages: 1066