USA > Kansas > Woodson County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 95
USA > Kansas > Allen County > History of Allen and Woodson counties, Kansas > Part 95
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That important event in his life occurred in 1884, the lady of his choice being Miss Thersa Bauersfeld, a native of Germany who, in her girlhood, was brought from the fatherland to the new world in 1880, the f. mily settling in Woodson County. Mr. Weide had one hundred and sixty acres at the time of his marriage. and upon the farm the young couple bogan their domestic life. As the years have passed he has increased his acreage until he now owns a valuable traet of four hundred and eighty aeres divided into fields which are richly cultivated and into pastures which are well stocked. He has about eighty head of cattle and horses sufficient to do the farm work, and before many years shall have passed he will be accounted one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of this part of the siate. He has already gained a position in agricultural circles which is en- viable. and the years are continually adding to his prosperity as the direct result of carefully directed labor.
There are seven children in the household of Mr. and Mrs. Weide. namely : Elmer, Albert, Arthur, Amanda. Wallace. Martha and Freddie, all of whom are yet under parental roof. the family circle being unbroken by the hand of death. Mr. Weide has never figured in politics, preferring to devote his attention in undivided manner to his business interests, which have been so conducted as to bring to him a ready financial reward.
JOSEPH N. SHANNON.
Man's success is not reckoned entirely from the amount of real and personal property which he has acquired. as he is also judged by the use he makes of his wealth and the manner in which it has been gained. These
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three clements enter into the judgment which the publie passes upon every citizen, and in the case of Mr. Shannon the judgment which has been given is a very favorable one. He is held in the highest regard by all who know him for his career has ever been in harmony with sterling principles, and his public and private career are alike above reproach. He i, now residing in the town of Vernon, which is a monument to his enter- prise and progressive spirit, for he was its founder.
A native of Wyth County, Virginia, he was born July 7, 1849, and is. a son of Thomas and Matilda (Brown) Shannon, both natives of the Old Dominion. the latter born in Wyth County. Thos. Shannon was a mer- chant and farmer who carried on agricultural pursuits on an extensive seale, but his farm lay in that region over which the contending armies in the Civil war passed, and the place was left in ruins. Selling the land, he was forced to take his pay in Confederate money, which became worthless, and he thus lost the earnings of many years. In 1865 he removed his family to Attica, Fountain County, Indiana, arriving there with only money enough to pur- chase a cow. He had been one of the leading influential citizens of the community in which he resided in the South. For many years he served as justice of the peace and. as chief justice of the board of justices, he had to attend all the courts of the county and officiate therein. After removing to I:diana he lived in Fountain County for eight years and, in 1873 came to Kansas, and pas ed his remaining years with his son Joseph on the farm. now partially the townsite of Vernon. Here he died in 1874, at the age of 58 years. his wife passing away in 1883, at the age of seventy-three. They were the parents of five children, three of whom yet survive, namely : Joseph, George and Mrs. Mary Bates, the last two named now living in Anacortes, Washington.
Joseph N. Shannon was the third member of the family. He attended the common schools and later pursued a high school course in Attica, In- diana, after which he engaged in teaching school for two years. He then came to Kansas with his parents and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land from the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad Company. He still owns this valuable property. For two years after his arrival in Woodson County he engaged in teaching school. and then returned to In- diana for his bride. There on the 10th of January, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Claypool, of Fountain County. Through the five succeeding years he was identified with the educational interests of this county and then entered into partnership with A. Van Slike, under the firm name of Van Slike & Shannon, dealers in hardware in Yates Center. For four years they successfully carried on business and then Mr. Shannon re- turned to the farm. In 1886 he laid off the town of Vernon and embarked in general merchandising, building up a large trade which necessitates his carrying an extensive stock of goods. His patronage has steadily increased, and his sales bring to him a very gratifying income. He also began dealing in hay and the two lines of business bring him in thirty-five thousand1 dol-
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS
tars annually. In addition he owns sixteen hundred and twenty acres of land near Vernon, of which he has about two hundred and fifty acres under cultivation. while the remainder is pasture and meadow land. He handles large numbers of cattle, horses and mules, buying, feeding and shipping, and this forms an important branch of his businesss. Mr. Shan- non's labors have not only proven of great benefit to himself but have been of valne to the farming community around Vernon. furnishing a market for produce and stock. He has won the distinction of being what the public calls "a self-made man." He came to Kansas with little capital and with an invalid father and mother to support, but with undaunted courage he undertook the task and has found that industry and determination can successfully cope with an adverse fate and in the end gather the rich treasures of success.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Shannon has been blessed with six children. as follows: Myra E .. wife of William H. Roberts. of Perry, Oklahoma : Arthur C .. Thomas W., who is operating his father's farm; Nelson C., who is clerking in his father's store: Mary E. and Harold E., at home. Al- though he has led a very busy life, Mr. Shannon has always found time t: devote to the higher. holier duties of life affecting the welfare of man. Long a faithful member in the Methodist Episcopal church, he has been particularly active in Sunday school work, realizing the importance of icaining the young. He has therefore taken a deep interest in establishing and conducting Sunday schools throughout the county. organizing many schools at one time making Woodson County the banner county in this re pect in Kansas. He was influential in organizing the Methodist Episcopal church in Vernon. and the house of worship was erected largely with funds which he provided for the purpose. In his political views he is a Re- publican. The measure of his work in the world cannot he estimated until his influence had ceased to be felt in the lives of those with whom he has come in contact, but it is well known that he has been a potent factor in business, and in the material prosperity of the county. and that his labors lave been a source of inspiration and encouragement to many in the line of moral progress.
JACOB FRY.
A good farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section thirty-two Eminence township is the property of Jacob Fry and is an indication of the manner in which he spends his days, his time being occupied with the labors of field and meadow. He came to Woodson County in 1879 from Berks County, Pennsylvania, which was the place of his birth. There he first opened his eyes to the light of day September 20. 1845. His grand- father. Jacob Fry, spent his entire life in the Keystone state and died when our subject was a small boy. The latter is a son of Henry Fry who
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was reared in Berk: County, the family home being a short distance north- east of Reading. The father was a laborer and spent his entire life in his native state, dying in 1876, when he had reached the very advaneed age Di ninety-three years. His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Moser, and was a daughter of Charle . Moser. Both the Mosers and the Frys were Pomisylvania-Germans, the respective families being founded in the Key- stone state at an early day. Mrs. Fry passed away prior to her husband's cl mise, her death occurring in 1873. This worthy couple were the parents of the following children: Betsy, deceased wife of M. Otthias; Polly, who is the widow of Christian Lang and resides in Pennsylvania ; Catherine, wife o? Charley Ridenour of Burks county; Sarah, deeeased wife of Ephraim Long: Hannah, who is the widow of John Wise and resides in Philadelphia ; Charles, of Missouri ; Matilda, deceased wife of Louis Dona- man : Jacob, of this review ; Caroline, who has passed away, and Rebecea, wife of Alfred Oswald, of Yates Center.
Jacob Fry. whose name begins this record spent his early youth in his native county, and at the age of twelve years began work in the rolling mill. He remained with one company for eighteen years and learned roll- ing and puddling, hecoming an expert in those lines. He then left the iron fields and spent two years as a farin hand in Huntington County, Penn- sylvania. after which he came to Kansas in 1879, took up his abode upon his farm in Woodson County. and has since given it his attention.
While in Pennsylvania, in 1862. Mr. Frye was joined in wedloek to Miss Amanda Webb, of Merztown, and their marriage was blessed with the following ehildren: Ella, who became the wife of David Hicks, of Colfax. Washington, but is now deeeased : Charles; Daniel ; Matilda, wife of John Owens, and Susic wife of Otto Brett, of Chanute, Kansas; Mary, wife of David Hicks, of Yates Center; Frank, Lonise and Henry, who are still under the parental roof. In his political views Mr. Fry is a Democrat, but has never been an office seeker. His life has been one of marked in- dustry and to this he owes his prosperity. Dependent upon his own re- sources from the early age of twelve years he has worked his way eon- tuously upward, overcoming all obstacles by determined purpose and reso- lute will.
ENSIGN MORSE.
Few of the farmers of Perry township, Woodson County, have so long resided in this locality as Ensign Morse, who came in 1869 and has since been identified with agricultural interests in this community. He is there- fore numbered among the pioneer settlers and has witnessed the ehanges which have been wrought so rapidly as to make the transformation seem almost phenomenal.
Mr. Morse is a native of New York, his birth having oceurred in Oswego
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WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
County, in the town of Hastings, July 3, 1835. The family were originally from Connecticut. His grandfather, Benjamin Morse, was a soldier of the war of 1812, and spent the greater part of his active life in Windsor County, Vermont. In 1833 the family was founded in New York. Daniel Morse, the father of our subject, was born in Windsor County, Vermont and, be- eoming an agriculturist, followed the tilling of the soil for a livelihood until his labors were ended in death in Allen County, Kansas, in 1880. In the Empire state he married Christine Mosier, who died in Oswego County, New York. in 1850. The children of this marriage were: Hepsibeth, deceased wife of James McKee: Freeman, who died in Grand Rapids, Michigan ; Wearham, of Oswego County, New York, and Ensign.
The last named was reared in the county of his nativity until twenty- one years of age. He then learned the carpenter's trade but followed it for only a short time when he began work on the New York & Erie canal as a driver on the tow-path. He was promoted to a position in which he was re- sponsible for the operation of the craft and was given fifteen dollars per n:cnth and later twenty dollars. From his wages he managed to save enough to engage in the same line of business on his own account, pur- chasing a half interest in a small boat called the Austria. The investment proved profitable and subsequently he became half owner of a larger boat, the Manchester, which he operated until 1868, when he disposed of that business.
The following year Mr. Morse came to Kansas on a prospecting tour. He started on the 12th of July and, being pleased with the country, in August he purchased a claim from John Hanks, a cousin of Abraham Lin- ecần, who, although a man of means, had "taken it up" and built a small shanty upon it. Into this Mr. Morse moved his family. He entered and proved up one hundred and sixty acres on section thirty-four, Perry town- ship. and his home is now on the southwest quarter of the same section. For about ten years after coming to the county he had difficulty in meet- ing his expenses, for crops were poor, advantages few and railroad facilities did not offer ready access to market. As time passed, however, his financial resources inereased and today he is the owner of a valuable farm of three hundred and eighty acres, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation. About 1871 Messrs. Morse, Sharp, Dana and Redfield were the only men who owned deeded land in school district No. 21. The "home- steaders" voted bonds to the value of a thousand dollars to build a school house, and Mr. Morse, owning a half section of the deeded land, was assessed one-half the taxes necessary to support the school. This tax he was not able to stand long and he was forced to sell his half section, but as the years have passed he has prospered and his labors have brought to him a rich return.
On the 1st of February, 1861, in Oswego County. New York, Mr. Morse was united in marriage to Miss Martha, a daughter of George White, who had formerly resided in Onondago County. He married Margaret Rice and they became the parents of five daughters and a son: Mary, now the
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widow of Jacob Kilts, of Oswego County, New York ; Chloe, wife of Barney Kilts. also of Oswego County ; Martha; Elizabeth, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, wife of Cassius Brown ; George of Oswego County, and Lois, widow of Richard Clapp, of Sioux Falls. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Morse has been blessed with six children : Milo, who died when seven years of age : Bertram D., born May 11, 1869; Alphonso. who died in 1898, at the age of twenty-five years; Minnie, who died at the age of five; Manzel E., who de- parted this life when four years of age, and Jessie, who was born September 20, 1878, and is the wife of George L. MeCarter, of Wilson County, Kansas.
In polities the early Morses were Democrats but their views on the slavery question led them to espouse the cause of the Abolition party, and later to join the Republican party, of which Mr. Morse of this review was an advocate until the Streeter campaign, when he joined the Union Labor forces and since that time he has allied himself with the Populist party. He has served as justice of the peace and constable of Perry township and has ever been found a loyal and public-spirited citizen, willing to co-operate in any movement for the general good. The power of diligence and persistency in the active affairs of life is indicated by his career for those qualities have enahled him to rise from a humble financial position to one of affluence.
FREDERICK KLUCKHUHN.
The fatherland has been a liberal contributor to the citizenship of America and the sons of Germany do credit to their native land and to their adopted country. As his name indicates, Mr. Kluckhuhn was born 111 Germany, having first opened his eyes to the light of day in Lippe-Det- mold, September 21. 1827, his parents being Court and Louisa (Littleman) Kluckhuhn. The father was a farmer by occupation and lived and died in Germany, where his wife also spent her entire life. They reared three child- ren to maturity. namely : Frederick ; Ernest, who died in Woodson County in 1891, and Wilhelmina. who married Adolph Stark of Lippe-Detmold.
In the schools of his native land Mr. Kluekhuhn of this review pur- sued his education and when twenty-one years of age he became a member ot the German army, serving for one year. In early life he learned the brick maker's trade and followed that pursuit for twenty-six years before coming to America, being master of a brick yard for a long period. He was also married in the fatherland. on the 1st of April, 1863, the lady of his choice being Sophia Bergman, a daughter of Frederick Bergman.
In 1870 they sailed for the new world, making the voyage from Bre- men to Baltimore, whence Mr. Khuickhuhn proceeded across the country to Woodson County, where he joined the German settlement residing on Owl creek. For twelve years he resided in Center township and then removed 10 Belmont township where he has since lived, his home being on section fourteen, where he has five hundred and twenty-six acres of land.
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS.
In Kansas Mr. and Mrs. Kluckhuhn have reared their family of five children, namely: Julia, wife of Angust Fell, of Toronto township, Wood- son County; Augusta; Mary, wife of Noah Rogers, also of the same county ; Frederick and Martha, who are still with their parents. Our sub- ieet and his wife belong to the German Evangelieal ehureh. In America he has found the business opportunities he sought and has never had occasion tu regret leaving the little German home across the sea to identify himself with this republic. His labor has been rewarded with competenee, and his worth is recognized and acknowledged in the warm regard of the many friends he has made in his adopted eounty.
GEORGE W. ROGERS.
Well known to a large circle of acquaintances in Woodson County as a valued citizen, honored veteran of the Civil war, and as an enterprising farmer. George W. Rogers well deserves representation in this volume and we herewith present his record to our readers. He was born in Shelby County, Illinois, October 13, 1839, and represents an old southern family. His grandfather, Thomas Rogers, resided in Tennessee, but at an early day removed to Indiana, taking up his abode there about 1823. He married Sooky Jennings. and unto them were born five sons and three daughters, of whom Andrew J., William and Josiah all reared families in Illinois, while James and Thomas reared families in this state. The daughters were Patsy, who became the wife of William Daniels and at her death left five children, residents of Missouri and Kansas ; Fannie, who became Mrs. Fan- ning, later Mrs. Phillips and after the death of her second husband mar- ried Jonas Daniels, her last days being passed in Missouri, and Millie, who became the wife of Cyrus Daniels. She was a second time married and died in Illinois.
Andrew J. Rogers, the father of our subject, was born near Beards- town, Illinois, and was a farmer and blacksmith. He died in Missouri in 1896. at the age of eighty-six years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Nancy Sherrill, departed this life in Illinois. Their children were : Franeis, who entered the Rebel army and lost his life in the service; Martha J., widow of Henry Thomas and a resident of the Chickasaw Nation of the In- d'an Territory ; James, who died in the army ; George W .; William A., of Chico, Texas ; Mary, wife of William Daniels, also of the Chickasaw Nation ; Louisa. widow of James Thomas, of Chieo, Texas; Naney, wife of Jacob Painter. of Wilson County, Kansas.
George W. Rogers spent his hoyhood days in Illinois and Missouri, his father removing to Laelede County, Missouri, in 1853. There he re- sided for six years and with some members of the family he came to Kansas, locating first in Belmont township, Woodson County, upon seetion twenty- three. This was in the year 1859. In Angust. 1861, he enlisted at Leaven-
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worth, Kansas. in company E, Fifth Kansas cavalry under Colonel Powell Clayton. The regiment was attached to the western department and saw service in Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana. He participated in the battles of Pine Bluff and Helena and in many lesser en- gagementy, first meeting the enemy in battle at Dry Wood creek, near Fort Fort. In 1864 he re-enlisted at St. Charles, Arkansas, and served until the close of the war, reaching home on the 17th. of July, 1865.
After his return home Mr. Rogers secured a homestead-a place now owned by Reuben Moore-and since that time has resided within the boundaries of Behnont township. He is the owner of the south half. of the southeast quarter of section fourteen and the north half of the north- east quarter of section twenty-three Belmont township, where he carries on farming operations and finds in the cultivation of the soil a profitable labor.
On the 31st. of May, 1866, Mr. Rogers was married in Wilson County, Kansas, to Miss Julia A. Daniels, a daughter of Reuben Daniels, who was born in Shelby County, Illinois, and wedded Mary A. MeGuire, of Tennes- see. They had six children : William, John, Jarett and Aley, now deceased ; Mrs. James Wicks. Mrs. Rogers and Jemina, who has also passed away. Mrs. Rogers was born March 4. 1844, and by her marriage has become the mother of five children, namely: Noah, who wedded Mary Kluckhuhn and is living in Woodson County ; Charles, who married HattieDupuy and is living in Woodson County : Maggie, Warren and Willard, who are still at home.
Mr. Rogers believes sincerely in Republican principles and has been honored with several public offices to which he has been elected as a Re- publican. He has served as township trustee and treasurer, also township clerk and as clerk and treasurer of the school board. On the field of battle he was a fearless and loyal soldier and in all the relations of life he is as true and faithful to his honest convictions and to the trust reposed in him.
ADOLPH TOEDMAN.
ADOLPH TOEDMAN. one of the leading stock-raisers of Woodson County, was born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, March 24, 1855, and has been a resident of southeastern Kansas since the age of eleven years. His father, Adolph Toedman, Sr .. was also a native of Lippe-Detmold, born in 1823, and there he married Louisa Goedeke. In his native land he accumu- lated some property and on coming to America was enabled to gain a good start in business life and thus provide for the support of his wife and their six children. He arrived in Woodson County in 1866 and settled on Owl creek, four miles east of Yates Center. He made improvements upon a tract of land of eighty acres on section eight, Center township, which tract is still in possession of the family. He made his home in that neighborhood throughout his remaining days and in addition to the development and culti-
Fng bler, Taler - = ings
WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSA -
vation of his land he engaged extensively and successfully in raising sheep, cattle and horses. This proved a profitable enterprise and his stock brought good priees on the market. As his financial resources were aug- mented he added to his land and by judicious investments eventually be- ci me the owner of eleven hundred and sixty acres. He was a man of ex- cellent business and executive ability. his judgment being rarely at fault, and his success stands in unmistakable evidence of his well directed labors and keen discrimination. as well as his conseentive endeavor.
In 1882 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife and a decade later he passed away, leaving to his family a valuable estate. Their children are Adolph: Henry, of Woodson County. born in 1858; Louisa, the wife of Luther C. Baker. of Allen County. Kansas : Fred. Ernest J. and William. al' of Woodson County.
Adolph Toedman, the eldest of the family and the immediate subject of this review. has spent almost his entire life in Woodson County. He was reared amid the wild seenes of the frontier and acquired his education in the Toedman school house. For nearly five years he was employed as a farm hand in the county and then joined his father and brothers in business-the association with the latter being since continued. They have carried on farming and stock-raising and the eattle. horses and sheep seen in their stables and pastures indicate a thriving and prosperous business. Already the possessors of a fine property, they are continually adding thereto, and they belong to the class of enterprising. aetive and energetie men who pro- mote the general welfare as well as individual property and advance the public good. They give their political support to the Republican party and the subject of this review takes quite an active interest in political anestions. although office holding has no attraction for him. His church agricultural eireles where his word is regarded as strictly trustworthy. this relationship is with the Evangelical denomination. He is widely known in having been proved through years of an honorable business career.
HENRY H. WINTER.
HENRY H. WINTER is an example of the self-made American citi- zen. His history is an exemplification of the progress that an ambitious man can make in a country of unbounded opportunities. His singular suc- cess is due to his own energy and the high ideal which his laudahle an- bition placed before him. Snecess in any walk of life is an indication of henest endeavor and persevering effort. characteristies that Mr. Winter pos- sesses in an eminent degree. He is entirely free from ostentation and dis- play. and though he is now numbered among the most substantial citizens of Woodson County, he is a man of the people and the humblest person of up- right character may claim him as a friend.
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