USA > Kansas > Atchison County > History of Atchison County, Kansas > Part 72
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came to Atchison county, Kansas, and bought eighty acres of land near Huron, Kan., in Lancaster township. He farmed this place until his death in 1886. In addition to his farming he was an extensive breeder and feeder of cattle. His wife was also born in Ireland, the date of her birth being December 25, 1830. She died in 1902. They were married in Ireland and three children were born to them there. After coming to America five other children were born. Both parents were members of the Methodist church.
James L., Jr., the subject of this sketch, grew up in Lancaster township, and attended school in district No. 44. He remained at home with his par- ents until they died. He then bought 320 acres in Kapioma township and built an unusually fine residence at a cost of about $4,000. The interior is finished in white oak, and a cement basement underlies the house, and all modern conveniences have been installed, including hot and colt running water. He keeps all of his buildings painted and in repair so that everything around the place presents a fresh and orderly appearance. Horses are Mr. Arm- strong's hobby, and several times he has won prizes at the Effingham fair with his Percherons, and now has four thoroughbred Percherons, registered. He is a shareholder in the Muscotah elevator. He is unmarried and has a man and his wife, who care for the household. Mr. Armstrong is a member of the Christian church and has affiliated himself with the Republican party. He is a member of the Percheron Society of America. He has received as high as $600 for Percheron horses bred on his place.
JOHN FERRIS.
A man's usefulness in his community need not necessarily be confined to working entirely for his own individual aggrandizement, and there are fre- quently found conspicuous examples of good citizenship who are broad- minded and enterprising enough to extend their activities outward, so as to embrace the well-being of their fellowmen. John Ferris, banker and prosper- nus farmer, of Center township, Atchison county, is a shining example of broad and upright citizenship, with whom family, church and social ties have been preeminent during his long residence in the county. Successful as a farmer and stockman, his ambitions have led him into banking pursuits with considerable success to his credit. His deeply religious nature having en- dowed him with a love for church work, many fruitful years of his life have
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been devoted to Sunday school and church work, which have wen bno Figh esteem and infinite respect among the people of his neighborhood
The twenty-eight years of Mr. Ferris' residence in Center township have been productive of much material good on his part, and he is rated as one of the really successful men of the county. This period marks lis rise from comparative poverty to a position of affluence and prestige, attained by few citizens. Mr. Ferris saw opportunity and embraced it, and has made good in more ways than one.
John Ferris is a man whose pluck and industry have brought him out of a long struggle with high honors. Starting out in life as a poor boy, he worked long and hard, until now he lives in comfort and security. Mr. Ferris was born at Sharonville, Ohio, November 25, 1860, and is a son of Peter and Het- tie (Phares ) Ferris, who were the parents of seven children, as follows : John, the subject of this sketch; Joseph, Winchester, Kan .; Alice, wife of W. T. Birt, Topeka, Kan. ; Louvinca, wife of F. L. Stephens, Topeka, Kan. ; Thomas, Mt. Pleasant township, Atchison county ; Peter, farmer, on old Eastman place, Center township, Atchison county, and Mrs. Della Coppinger, deceased. The father was born August 8, 1839, in Sharonville, Hamilton county, Ohio. He was a son of John and Rebecca (Myers) Ferris, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio as early settlers, in 1804. The father of John Ferris, sub- ject of this sketch, was reared on the farm in Ohio. He came to Kansas in 1878, and settled in Osborne county. Two years later, after being starved out by the ravages of the grasshoppers and the hot winds, which burned up his crops, he went to Rawlins county, Kansas, where he preempted 640 acres of land. He did not live there, but came to Nortonville, Kan., and began work as a laborer and farmer.
In 1887 he came to Center township, where he rented for five years. He then rented 640 acres south of Nortonville. In 1892 he and his son, John, the subject of this sketch, bought 160 acres in Jefferson county. Then, for a number of years, they bought and sold farms in Atchison and Jefferson coun- ties, until 1903, when they bought the farm of 215 acres, which John and his father are working. This land is located in Center township and includes the northwest quarter of section 3 and the southwest quarter of section 34," and includes ten acres of natural timber. He has thirty acres of alfalfa and fifty acres in corn each year. Mr. Ferris also devotes considerable attention to his stock. He keeps only graded animals on his farm, and makes a specialty of feeding hogs and cattle for the market. He started out with little capital. and had to begin as a laborer at day wages, but he saved his earnings and
IIISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY
invested them wisely. and, now; besides being a substantial farmer, he is a shareholder and president of the State Bank of Cummings. Mr. Ferris is un- married. His mother was born in Little Rock, Ark., in 1840. She is a daughter of Joseph and Matilda (Todd) Phares. The father came from New Jersey, and the mother from Tennessee. In politics, Mr. Ferris has identi- fied himself with the Republican party. He is a member of the Pardee Meth- odist Episcopal Church and takes an active part in its organization. He is a steward, and for many years has been superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellow: lodges of Cummings. Mr. Ferris is a con- spicuous example of the self-made man. His career proves the possibilities of a man, who, though handicapped by lack of capital, is willing to work con- sistently and save judiciously.
MARCUS J. LAIRD.
The history of the Laird family in Kansas begins three score years ago, in the old days when the first sturdy pioneers were coming from the older states to find new homes in the unpeopled waste of Kansas, and to break the way for others who have since followed in increasing numbers. It is a long reach which witnesses the transformation of a wilderness of prairie and woods to a beautiful, productive landscape of peace and plenty, but Marcus J. Laird and his wife have been fortunate in growing to maturity with Atch- ison county. Few families in this county can claim an older lineage than the Lairds or Cummings families, and no family is more respected than that of Marcus J. Laird. His father, J. B. Laird, was one of the earliest pioneers of Atchison county, and on the other hand the father of Mrs. Laird was another pioneer. William Cummings, who founded the town of Cummings, thus leaving a monument which will perpetuate his name for all time to come. Through the medium of these historical annals of Atchison county these pioneers will be duly honored and this volume is dedicated to their ever- lasting memory in order that the story of Atchison county might be trans- mitted truthfully and accurately to posterity.
Marcus J. Laird has been successively, farmer, merchant and postmaster, and is proud of the fact that he is a native born citizen of Kansas, and a son of one of the earliest pioneers of the State. Like a good many men who have
Britamon Laird
m & Lain.
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HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY
been reared to farm life, after a successful career as niercham and public official, he has returned to the farm where living is sure and certain and a competence is the inevitable reward of years of labor.
Marcus J. Laird was born August 26, 1860, in Center township, Atch- ison county, and is a son of James B. and Marinda (Martin) Laird, who were the parents of fourteen children as follows: Mary died in infancy ; Thomas died in infancy ; James W., Jackson county, Kansas; Marcus, the subject of this sketch; Abraham, Jefferson county, Kansas ; Mrs. Emma Leland, Atch- ison, Kan. ; John, deceased : Ulysses, deceased; Rose, wife of C. Barnes, Chase county, Kansas ; Robert, Jackson county, Kansas; Paul, a teacher, Durant. Okla. ; Mrs. Amanda Hanson, Nortonville, Kan. ; Mrs. Mabel McDonald, Muscotah, Kan., and Frank, Seattle, Wash. James B. Laird, the father, was born in Zanesville, Ohio, June 13, 1834, and was a son of Thomas and Elton (Saffle) Laird, both natives of Pennsylvania. The Lairds are of Scotch descent. James was brought up on his father's farm, and when he was thir- teen years of age his parents removed to Livingston, Mo., where he grew to manhood. He then went to Buchanan county, Missouri, where he was mar- ried to Marinda Martin, the wedding taking place at DeKalb, Mo., in 1854. Marinda (Martin) Laird was born August 1, 1836, in Morgan county, Indi- ana. She is a daughter of Hanson and Mary (Holman) Martin. Her father was a farmer in Kentucky before coming to Atchison county, Kansas, in 1856, where he died in 1878, and the mother died in 1840, at the age of thirty years.
James B. Laird and his bride came to Kansas in the fall of 1854 and set- tled in Mt. Pleasant township, Atchison county, where they homesteaded 160 acres of prairie and timber land. They drove from Missouri in a covered wagon pulled by oxen. Atchison, Kan., had but one house at that time; it had been moved there from Missouri. James Laird built a sawmill on his farm the first year he was there and sawed 1,000 feet of lumber, but a flood swept it all down into Crooked creek. They built a log cabin on the place. and the first child, Mary, was born there. The fact that Mt. Pleasant, which was only three miles away, provided a nearby market, helped the Lairds out considerably. They farmed the homestead until 1860, when they sold it for $900 and moved farther west and bought 276 acres in Center township. This property became the old home place and the Lairds owned it for many years.
James B. Laird moved to Cummings and conducted a general merchandise store for a few years preceding his death, in 1802. The widow returned to the farm with the children, where she brought them up and educated them. In 1900 she left the home place and has since lived with her children, and at
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HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY
present she lives with Marcus, the subject of this sketch. Marcus J. Laird grew up on the home place and attended school in district No. 36, Center township, and at the age of sixteen he left home and worked as a farm hand for about a year, and later rented ·land from his father. In 1883, at the age of twenty, he bought sixty acres in Center township and farmed it a year when he traded it for a stock of merchandise at Cummings and was in partner- ship with Nelson Cox there for five years. Selling his interest in the business he rented land and farmed for a while. In 1892 he bought the place which he now owns and has increased the original eighty acres to 104. He has always kept good stock on his place and takes pride in keeping his animals up to standard. In 1884 Mr. Laird married Britamore Cummings, who was born August 20, 1866, in Center township, Atchison county. She is a daughter of William and Sarah (Quiet) Cummings. Her father was a founder of Cum- mings, Kan., and was a native of Pennsylvania. He came to Kansas in 1855 and engaged in farming. He died July 27, 1900, at the age of eighty-six. The mother, Sarah, was born in Illinois and is now living in Kansas City, Kan. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Laird, as follows : James \V., Kansas City. Mo. ; Meda B., wife of L. Reynolds, Center township, Atchison county, Kansas ; Anna McKanna, living at home Edith Hammer, Effingham, Kan. ; Blanche, a teacher, living at home. Mr. Laird is a Republican. He was postmaster of Cummings for thirteen years. He is a member of the Baptist church and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Ancient Order of United Workmen.
ALLEN T. BILDERBACK.
The history of the Bilderback and Johnson families in Kansas goes back to the old freighting and pioneer days when the hardships of the first setters were many and conveniences were few. The father of Allen T. Bilderback. whose name heads this review, was one of the early stage coach drivers whose route took him on many journeys from Kansas to Denver, and other Colorado points. Aaron Bilderback drove a stage coach from Atchison to Denver and Central City. Colo., beginning in 1864. for several years, until he finally set- Mul on a farm in Center township, Atchison county. Jesse R. Johnson, grand- father of Mrs. Bilderback, had the honor of assisting in establishing the first Methodist church in Kansas, and Methodism is said to have had its origin in the State from a Sunday school which was started in his home at Oak
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Mills, nearly sixty years ago. From this small beginning it upcar religious denomination had its inception in the new State of Kansas.
Allen T. Bilderback, with whom this review is directly concerned, is a native born Kansan, a man of good education, who has been useful as an edu cator and farmer during his residence in his native county. He was born in Center township July 21, 1878, and is a son of Aaron and Sarah (Jones ) Bilderback, who were the parents of two children: Allen, the subject of this sketch, and Leslie, who lives in Atchison. The father was born in Indiana September 17, 1843. When a young man he came to Kansas in 1855, and freighted across the plains to Denver. The trail extended from Atchison to Denver, and Aaron Bilderback drove a stage coach and a prairie schooner. He later bought forty acres of land just south of Cummings, Atchison county, where he remained a few years. In August, 1881, he bought the farm which his son now owns. He improved it and lived there until his death, January 4, 1890. Allen Bilderback's mother was born in Mt. Pleasant town- ship, Atchison county, in 1855. She was a daughter of Vincent Jones, an early settler in Kansas. She died in 1885, at the age of thirty years. Both parents died when Allen was very young, and he was brought up by his uncle, Gabriel T. Bilderback. He attended school in District No. 36, Center town- ship. and later attended the Atchison county high school at Effingham. At the age of twenty-one he began teaching in District No. 19, Mt. Pleasant township. In 1902 he went to Granada, Colo., where he started a livery busi- ness. Three years later he returned to Atchison county and taught school again. After a term of teaching, he took charge of the old home place and engaged in farming. He now owns 149 acres and has graded stock.
On March 28, 1906. Mr. Bilderback married Edith E. Jones, who was born November 15, 1884, near Mayetta, Jackson county, Kansas. She also was a teacher before her marriage, having taught for a number of years in Jackson county, Kansas. She is a daughter of Samuel R. and Sarah J. (Johnson) Jones. The father was born in Miami county, Ohio, and came to Atchison county in 1856, settling near Oak Mills. For a time he farmed there, at first using oxen, and lived in a log cabin. A number of years later he moved to Jackson county, Kansas, where he died January 23. 1916. His wife was born in Virginia, a daughter of Jesse and Nancy ( Davis) Johnson. Her father was born in New York April 11, 1819, and came to Kansas in 1851. settling rear Oak Mills, and helped organize the first Methodist church in Kansas. For some time a Bible class met at his house, and when it grew to a membership of forty, a Methodist church was organized by Rev. Bowen. That was the origin of Methodism in Kansas. Jesse Johnson died in 1904.
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HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY
and his wife died in 1907, at the age of eighty-three. Mr. and Mrs. Bilder- back have three children, all living at home, as follows: Allen, Jr., born March 18, 1907: Sarah Naomi, born July 27, 1909, and Lucile Elizabeth. born June 8. 1913. Mr. Bilderback is a member of the Methodist church, and now holds the office of trustee. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and is president of the farmers' institute at Cummings.
WILLIAM M. NITZ.
America is proud of her citizens of German birth, and glories in their accomplishments, their successes, and affluence, wherever they are located. It is an undisputable fact that the farmers of German birth or ancestry in Kansas today are rated as among the most prosperous of this great common- wealth. Atchison county has its quota of successful German agriculturists, and William M. Nitz, of Center township, is one who is deserving of special mention. It is a noteworthy rise from a poor German immigrant hoy to be- come one of the large landed proprietors of the county, but Mr. Nitz has accomplished all this. His 400 acres or more of land in Center township were all obtained by hard labor, economy, intelligence and good financial judgment. The rearing of his large family of nine children, and their gift to the county and country as sturdy and upright citizens, is alone a matter for praiseworthy mention.
William M. Nitz was born in Germany, March 26, 1864, and is a son of Ludwig and Johanna Louisa (Linstad) Nitz, who were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are living. The father was born in Germany, in August, 1836, and left his native land in 1883 with his wife and one child, coming to America. He came west and worked a year as a laborer, and then bought eighty acres of land in Doniphan county, Kansas, where he farmed until 1911. He then removed to Kansas City, Mo., where he and his wife now live. His wife, the mother of William Nitz, was also born in Germany, in 1845. William N. Nitz immigrated to America when he was fifteen years of age. He worked in Pennsylvania as a farm hand for a year, then he came to Doniphan county, Kansas, where he also worked as a farm hand. He then rented land in Lancaster township, Atchison county, for two years, when he returned to Doniphan county, where he bought eighty acres of land. In 1902 he sold out and bought 307 acres in Center township. This farm was
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HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY
poorly improved, the house and barn being old and dilapidated. Mr. Nitz proceeded to rebuild and improve the buildings. He is now located in section II, and owns 427 acres of land. He is a fancier of good mules and keeps graded stock on his farm. Mr. Nitz, together with several other farm- ers in his neighborhood, hold stock in a thresher outfit which they operate jointly.
In 1890 Mr. Nitz married Miss Lena Lawson, a native of Kansas, born February 27, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Nitz are the parents of eleven children : George, born January 12, 1893, farmer, Center township; Charles, born No- vember II, 1891, on his father's farm of 120 acres; Otto, born August 28, 1894, living at home; Johanna and Nava, deceased; Edward, born June 26, 1898, living at home : Oscar, born January 28, 1903; Irvin, born October 22, 1906, and Ida, born March 5, 1913, living at home, and two children died in infancy. Mr. Nitz is an independent in politics and he and his wife are mem- bers of the Lutheran church, as are Charles and George. Though Mr. Nitz could not read or write the English language very well when a young man, he has always been a student of new conditions, and was quick to learn the customs and language of his adopted country and has proved himself to be a useful member of his community. Of late years he has become very pro- ficient in reading English and keeps abreast of the times by reading the daily newspapers.
HENRY GLATTFELDER.
Henry Glattfelder, farmer, Center township, Atchison county, Kansas, was born in the township where he now lives, September 16, 1871, and is a son of Henry and Margaret (Kuntz) Glattfelder. They were the parents of seven children : Elizabeth married J. Meyers, died in Atchison, Kan .; Maggie married widower of her deceased sister, and he is a baker and merchant, Atchi- son ; Anna, wife of J. Kuhn, Atchison, Kan .; Fannie married H. H. Severs, Manning, Iowa : Mary married M. L. Dilgert, Atchison ; Bertha married W. A. Dilgert, Mt. Pleasant township, and Henry, the subject of this sketch. The father was born in Switzerland, January, 1827. He came to America and settled in Atchison county, on a rented farm in Mt. Pleasant township. He worked this from 1863 until his death in 1871. The mother was also born in Switzerland, December 18, 1832, and died in Atchison, Kan., in 1904.
Henry Glattfelder, the subject of this sketch, attended the district schools
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HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY
of Center township, and grew up on his mother's farm and began farming for himself when he was twenty-two years old. He bought 125 acres of land in Center township, and now owns 130 acres. He has made many improve- ments on his place since taking possession of it, and keeps graded stock. In 1894, the year in which he started out for himself, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Cline, a daughter of Peter J. and Bersheba Cline. Mrs. Glattfelder was born March 21, 1877, in Mt. Pleasant township, Atchison county, Kansas. Her father was a native of Iowa, and her mother of Mis- souri. To Mr. and Mrs. Glattfelder have been born six children: Leona, Ellsworth, Harold, Kennith, Lucile, all living at home. One child, Henry, is deceased. Mr. Glattfelder is an independent voter. He attends church but does not profess any creed. He is a practical farmer and is a liberal giver to all movements for the benefit of the community. Never has Mr. Glatt- felder allowed his selfish interests to stand in the way of the community's prog- ress and he has proven himself a patriotic citizen of the commonwealth.
THOMAS W. TUCKER.
Thomas W. Tucker, live stock dealer, Effingham, Kan., is a native of Atchison county, and has lived all of his life in Benton township. He was born on a farm three and one-half miles northeast of Effingham, November 27, 1872. His parents were J. Martin and Polly (Cummings) Tucker, both of whom were born in Crawford county, Indiana. J. M. Tucker was the son of Sloan Tucker, also a native of Indiana, who emigrated to Kansas in 1860. When he attained young manhood the father of Thomas W. rented land for a few years in Doniphan county, and then bought a farm in Atchison county. He prospered and became the owner of two farms in Benton township, aggre- gating 280 acres. When old age came he and Mrs. Tucker retired to a home in Effingham, where they spent the remainder of their days in peace and com- fort. J. M. Tucker was born in 1831 and died in 1896, and his wife was born in 1838 and died in October, 1910. Mr. Tucker served in the Kansas State militia during the Civil war. The following children survive J. Martin and Polly Tucker : John R., a farmer living west of Effingham ; Mrs. C. C. Ander- son, of Atchison, Kan. ; Thomas W. ; Albert, a resident of Atchison.
Thomas W. Tucker attended the Maple Grove school when a boy and lived on the home farm, assisting in its operation, until he attained the age of
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HISTORY OF ATCHISON CORSTY
twenty-two years. En 1894 he engaged in the hvery business in mffoghan: and continued operating the same until 1898, when he sold out and spent one year cultivating the home farm. After his marriage in 1898, he removed to the Noffsinger farm, east of Effingham, and managed it for six Mehrs, re- turning to Effingham in 1905. While on the farm he became interested in the buying and selling of live stock, and since taking up a permanent residence in Effingham, he has devoted his entire time and attention to this business with signal success. His live stock dealings embrace the purchase and ship- ment of over seventy-five carloads of stock yearly, which is no inconsiderable item and involves transactions requiring capital of several thousands of dol- lars. He is also interested in real estate and farm lands and has made several profitable deals in this line. Mr. Tucker owns one of the best residences in Effingham and is the owner of some town lots.
He was married in 1898 to Miss Maude Noffsinger, who was born and reared on a farm, four miles southeast of Effingham, a daughter of Peter and Margaret Noffsinger, residing on their home place, east of Effingham. Both Peter and Margaret Noffsinger are deceased, Mrs. Noffsinger dying in September, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Tucker are the parents of two chil- dren : Ramona, aged fifteen years, and Maurice, aged eleven.
Mr. Tucker is a Republican in politics and is prominent in the affairs of his party, at present being the central committeeman of the Effingham pre- cinct, being a part of the county organization. He and his family are mem- bers of the Christian church. He is fraternally affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen, and the Knights and Ladies of Security.
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