USA > Kansas > Cherokee County > History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative citizens > Part 30
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HOMAS HAYNES. Old England, the little island upon whose possessions the sun never sets, has a number of representatives in Cherokee County, and as a rule they are classed among her most thrifty citizens. The biographer is privileged to present here the name of one who, although born under the Union Jack, received the bap- tism of fire in the Civil War, which made him forever a "child of the republic." Thomas Haynes is a farmer who has for the past 27 years resided in section 35, township 32, range 23, in Ross township. He was born in Shrop- shire, England, March 29, 1834.
William and Hannah Haynes, his parents, were both natives of the same English shire: The father, who was a cooper by trade, died in middle life, in 1839; the mother lived to the old age of 84 years. They reared a family of five children, of whom Margaret, the eldest, is
now deceased ; Hannah still resides in England ; Mary, also, is deceased; John resides in Mc- Lean County, Illinois ; and Thomas is the sub- ject of this review.
During the boyhood and early manhood of Thomas Haynes, there was small chance for him to procure an education, owing to the fact that his father died when he was but five years old. He early became inured to toil and hard- ship of the severest kind, and it was the hope of bettering his condition that led him, when but a lad, to embark for America. Here he secured work on a farm, and was engaged at that occupation when the war cloud burst upon the country in 1861 ; at that time he was near Bloomington, Illinois. He was among the first in his neighborhood to enlist, and became a private in Company B, 52d Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf. He was mustered in at St. Joseph, Missouri, and arrived at the front in time to participate in the fight at Fort Donelson. The bloody battle of Shiloh followed. In both of these the subject of this sketch took the part of a soldier, after which, on account of failing health, he was detailed as a driver in the am- bulance corps. In this position he continued with the Army of the West in its different operations, finally winding up with Sherman in his memorable "March to the Sea." His health now became so much impaired that it was necessary for him to return from the front, and he spent the remaining few months of the war in a hospital at Coney Island, New York. He rejoined his regiment but a few days be- fore the final discharge of its members at Louis- ville, Kentucky, July 3, 1865. He now draws a pension of $17 per month.
Returning to Bloomington, Illinois, he re- mained in that vicinity for about II years, thence moving, in 1877, to Cherokee County, Kansas. During the first year he rented a farm in Ross township, and then purchased the place on which he now resides. It contained 160
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acres, only 25 of which had been broken, and on it was nothing but a small box house -- no fences, no trees,-in fact the splendid farm property which he now possesses is the product of his own brawn and brain. His first crops were corn and flax, but he later branched out and took up the line of the diversified farmer, in which he has made so signal a success.
The marriage of the subject of this sketch was consummated in October, 1866, when he was wedded to Sarah Buzard, a native of Ohio. To them were born seven children, as follows : William, who died, aged 17 years ; Clara (Mrs. Ernest Thatcher) ; John, a farmer of Ross township, Cherokee County; Anna, who mar- ried Jacob McCune, a farmer now residing near Kansas City; Sarah Agnes (Mrs. Fred Green), of Scammon, Cherokee County; Frank, a farmer of Lola township, Cherokee County; and Howard, who now manages the home place, his father having retired from active work about five years ago.
The life of Mr. Haynes during his resi- dence in the county has been that of a quiet and industrious farmer. He has never aspired to office. but in politics votes the Republican ticket. He and his wife are consistent and worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in the large circle of their ac- quaintance they are held in the highest regard.
LEM LISLE, deceased, formerly county treasurer of Cherokee County, and for many years one of its most prom- inent citizens, located here as one of the early settlers, and for 18 years was identi- fied with its agricultural, business and political life. Mr. Lisle was born February 8, 1824, in Wayne or Holmes County, Ohio, and died at Los Angeles, California, December 9. 1887.
Mr. Lisle received the best mental training
the local schools afforded, and in 1846 began farming in his native State. Two years later, he removed to Berlin, Holmes County, Ohio, where he embarked in the grocery business, which he continued until the discovery of gold in California aroused the adventurous spirit of the youth of the land; in 1850 he sold his grocery and went to the West. There he en- gaged in mining for two years, and then re- turned to Ohio, where he bought 80 acres of good land in Allen County. This continued to be his home until 1856, when he moved to Lima and was there engaged in the mercantile busi- ness until 1868.
Deciding to select a permanent home in the West, Mr. Lisle removed to Kansas City, and a year passed before he had definitely settled upon a locality which he considered most desir- able. In the fall of 1868 he returned to Ohio, settled up his affairs, and came back to Kansas in the spring of 1869, locating on the "Mili- tary Road" in Cherokee County, not far from Baxter Springs. Mr. Lisle was a man of cau- tion and excellent judgment, and, after a care- ful survey of the country, he purchased a sec- tion of land in Shawnee township, where all the desirable conditions of fine prairie land and good water supply were combined. Here he conducted a large stock farm for six years, dealing principally in Texas cattle, buying, feeding and selling. When ready for the mar- ket the cattle were driven to Carthage, Mis- souri, whence they were shipped by railroad: This business was very successful, as were all of Mr. Lisle's enterprises, managed as they were with the greatest good judgment and fore- thought. In 1873 his Republican friends in- sisted upon his accepting the office of county treasurer, and he served in this capacity four years and four months,-up to 1878. He served also as councilman at Columbus, and was always actively interested in the success of his party.
ABIEL SAMUEL DENNISON
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After closing his service as treasurer, Mr. Lisle devoted his attention to the buying and selling of real estate, and improved about 12 different farmns. At the time of his decease, he left four fine farms. He was largely interested also in lead mining at Webb City and Galena, being one of the first investors upon the discov- ery of ore there.
Mr. Lisle was a Mason, a member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Columbus and the Commandery at Oswego, and with his wife was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. As an Odd Fellow lie was very prominent, and liad the honor of instituting Lodge No. 56, at Co- lumbus.
At the age of 20 years, Mr. Lisle was first married to Lamenta Steel, of Wayne County, Ohio. She died at Lima, Ohio, in 1867. The second marriage of Mr. Lisle took place Feb- ruary 16, 1869, when he wedded Anna Jen- kins, of Lima, Ohio, who still survives, and is one of the most highly esteemed ladies of Co- lumbus. The death of Mr. Lisle left her with many business responsibilities. With remark- able ability she has successfully handled them. For about 10 years she conducted the four farms which came into her possession, and then disposed of two of them; she still manages the other two, which are located within 10 miles of Columbus. She also retains her interests in the mines at Galena.
For a number of years it had been Mr. and Mrs. Lisle's pleasant custom to winter in Cal- ifornia and, as the climate seemed to agree with them, he was making preparations to es- tablish a permanent home there, at the time of his death.
Mrs. Lisle has probably traveled more ex- tensively than any other resident of Cherokee County. She has made 20 trips across the continent, and has enjoyed all the advantages which wealth and leisure afford in her own country. She has also extended hier travels
through England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy, Switzerland and Russia, and is one of the few American ladies who have penetrated to the northernmost city of Hammerfest, and rounded the North Cape, in the "Land of the Midnight Sun." It is gratifying to her, own people and to the city of her residence espe- cially, that one who has enjoyed such unusual opportunities to see the finest and best things of other lands, should prefer to return to the old home, and pass the evening of her life among old surroundings, satisfied with the re- spect and affection of old friends.
A BIEL SAMUEL DENNISON, of Columbus, whose portrait accompa- nies this sketch, is a son of Alvin and Rhoda Dennison, and was born on his father's farm, in the town of Floyd, Oneida County, New York, November 24, 1828.
On his father's side he is descended from William Dennison, who came from the north part of England, and settled in Roxbury, Con- necticut, in 1631, and on his mother's side from George Potter, who emigrated from England. and settled in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, in 1638.
His ancestors on both sides fought in Crom- well's army in England ; in this country fought for the English King in the French and Indian wars; against the King in the War of the Revolution, and the War of 1812; and for the Union in the War of the Rebellion.
He attended district school until 14 years old, then went to the Whitstown Seminary three years, after which he taught district school four years, returning home every year until 21 years old to work on the farm during harvest.
When about 21 years old, he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Babcock, who
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resided in Oriskany, Oneida County, New York. After studying with the doctor about a year and a half he attended one course of lec- tures at the Albany Medical College. Dr. Bab- cock was a popular doctor, and had a very large practice, conducted by himself and a Dr. White, assisted by one or more students. On entering the office as a student, he was immediately sup- plied with a horse and sulky, saddle-bags, medi- cine, tooth instruments, and put on the road to practice medicine, and kept on the road every day, including Sundays.
In the summer of 1851 his healthi failed: he was weary in body and mind, with symp- toms of the dreaded disease consumption. Rest and change of climate were prescribed, and a trip to Chicago recommended. In September, 1851, he traveled from Rome, New York, by passenger boat on the Erie Canal to Buffalo, from Buffalo to Detroit by lake steamer, from Detroit to New Buffalo by the Michigan Cen- tral Railroad, then by steamboat to Chicago.
Chicago was then a city of from 25,000 to 30,000 people, with mostly wooden houses, lo- cated on a mud flat, from six to eight feet above the waters of the lake. The streets in many places were almost impassable, loaded teams often being stuck in mud holes in the business streets; there were no railroads, the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad being then in process of construction, running a few miles north by west, but not in condition to do much business ; there was no good money, the money then used in Chicago having only a local value ; times were hard and trade poor, and everybody wanted to sell out at almost any price, a lot near the lake front 100 by 120 feet being offered him for $100.
Mr. Dennison remained in Chicago about two weeks and then traveled from Chicago by stage to Rockford, which town he made his headquarters for about a month, visiting Janes- ville, Belvidere, Dixon and other towns. Dur-
ing this period he hunted and got lost on the . vast unsettled prairies, fished in Rock River and other streams, and had a splendid time, being greatly improved in health.
Here was a fine looking, fertile country, with a healthy climate, that produced wonder- ful crops, but there was no market for anything, no railroads, or any prospect for railroads, no navigable rivers and no canals. Some grain three years old was still in stacks, not worth threshing and hauling to market.
The people had no money, lived in poor houses unsuitable for that harsh climate with very little furniture, wore poor clothes, but had plenty to eat, such as they raised. When they needed salt or medicine, two or more farmers clubbed together, hauled loads of pork or, wheat to Chicago, camped out on the trip, and sold pork from one to two cents a pound, wheat at about 30 cents a bushel, the trip consumed from five to eight days.
From Rockford to Galena, Illinois, he trav- eled by stage, the last day of the trip being election day. Galena was then famous for its lead products, but it had seen its best days, and the production of lead was decreasing rapidly.
As Mr. Dennison could not figure out any speedy outlook of prosperity for Chicago, or the country tributary to it, he concluded to visit the Sunny South.
Here was the mistake of his life, but con- sidering the experience and information he then possessed, no other conclusion could be reached. His own native country in a hundred years had made very slow progress, notwithstanding it had a navigable river (the Mohawk), later the Erie Canal, and still later the New York Cen- tral Railroad. The building of railroads at that time progressed very slowly. Capital avoided railroads. He could not foresee that Chicago and the country tributary thereto would in a few years be literally covered with railroads, and the country built up as by magic.
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Mr. Dennison journeyed on a Mississippi River steamboat to St. Louis and found that city a dead town. Alton was then claiming to be the coming city.
After staying in St. Louis about a week, he went on to New Orleans by river steamer. New Orleans was a live, prosperous city. The amount of property in cotton and sugar piled on the river front was astonishing. Business was rusliing. He accepted a position as pro- fessor of mathematics in the Franklin High School, corner of Royal and Esplanade streets, at a big salary, and remained in that position until the school closed for the summer vacation.
Immediately on the closing of the school, he accepted a position in a drug store at an in- creased salary, soon received an offer of a better salary in a wholesale drug house, and in about three months received an offer of a larger sal- ary in a wholesale cotton and sugar house, first as shipping clerk, afterwards as cashier. He remained with that house until August, 1853, when the yellow fever drove him, and every other person that could get away, out of the city. He went to St. Louis, and soon en- gaged in the manufacture of hardwood lumber with William Martin, their saw-mill being lo- cated in North St. Louis. He continued in that business until March, 1857, when he took a railroad construction contract on the Keno- sha & Rockford Railroad, for grading and rock excavation near Rockford, and for building culverts and bridges from Harvard, Illinois, to Rockford, Illinois, with headquarters at Rock- ford, Illinois, and then at Poplar Grove, and Chemung, Illinois. He completed this work in June, 1859, after experiencing a great deal of trouble because of the financial crash of 1857. The railroad company failed to pay the money due for construction and finally Mr. Dennison settled with it by taking its securities, mostly farm mortgage bonds, at 80 cents on the dol- lar. He took another railroad contract for
grading in Minnesota, with headquarters at Winona, but sold out this contract before it was completed in order to take another contract on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad in the State of Mississippi. Here was the second great mis- take of his life, leaving the North to go South.
In the fall of 1859 he took a contract for grading and furnishing ties on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad with headquarters at Baldwin. Guntown, Booneville and Corinth. He finished1 this work in April, 1861, after experiencing serious trouble, owing to the disturbed condi- tion of the country caused by the commence- ment of the Civil War. He had agreed to take a contract to build a railroad from Meridian to Vicksburg, but it was impossible to perform the work. All the energies of the people were used in preparing for war to whip the Yankees and Abolitionists. It became necessary to get out of the country as soon as possible, or join the Southern army to fight the North. He went north, arriving at Cairo, Illinois, about the time the Northern forces took possession of that place. He purchased a fractional half-section (338 acres) of raw prairie land, half a mile east of Hoyleton, Washington County, Illinois. He fenced it and put the land under cultivation, bitilt two houses on it, divided it into three farms, and in the summer of 1864 sold the last farm.
On November 9, 1864, Mr. Dennison mar- ried Philena J. Chubb, and immediately settled in Bloomington, Illinois, where he remained about one year, without engaging in any regu- lar business. In November, 1865, he moved to Lawrence, Kansas, where he remained until February, 1867. At the time he moved to Lawrence, Kansas City had one railroad, the Missouri Pacific,-with its depot in the south part of the city. The Kansas Pacific Railway, commenced at Wyandotte (now Kansas City, Kansas), and ended at Lawrence. While in
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Lawrence Mr. Dennison was engaged in build- ing. In February, 1867, he moved to Baxter Springs, Cherokee County, Kansas. The move from Bloomington to Lawrence was made to avoid the wet, cold climate of the former place, and the move from Lawrence to Baxter Springs was made to avoid the cold, harsh winters of Northern Kansas.
At first in Baxter Springs he engaged in the real estate business, buying lots, erecting build- ings and selling the same. He also engaged in the drug business with G. G. Gregg.
In May, 1869, Mr. Dennison was chosen president of The Joy City Town Company. composed of G. Vanwinkle, J. E. Slater, A. S. Dennison, W. H. Hornor, G. G. Gregg. Will- iam Street and William Armstrong of Chero- kee County, Kansas, Almond Botsford of the State of Ohio. David Philips of Kansas City, Missouri, and J. B. Grinnell of Iowa. This company purchased the squatter right (no other title could be obtained at that time) to about 2.000 acres of land at the cost of about $20,000. for the purpose of building a town about six miles west of Baxter Springs. The Missouri River. Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad had located its road to Columbus, Kansas, and it was in- tending to build the road south from Columbus through these lands to reach the Kansas State line in the valley of the Neosho River, to re- ceive from the United States the only north and south right-of-way through the Indian Terri- tory. granted by the Indians to the United States by treaty. This great prize the United States offered to the railway running north and south through the State of Kansas, that first reached the south State line of Kansas in the valley of the Neosho River. The Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad, running from Kansas City, Missouri, south and the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, running from Junction City south were competing for this right-of-way, the former leading. Unex-
pectedly, the Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad Company located its road from Co- lumbus to Baxter Springs, arriving at Baxter Springs and the State line first with weeks of time to spare. The United States decided that Baxter Springs was in Spring River Valley, and the road lost the right-of-way. The cov- eted right-of-way was awarded to the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway that reached the State line at Chetopa. That road enjoyed the mo- nopoly of the only north and south railroad through the Indian Territory for many years.
The town company lost its prospective profits and some of its capital. The railroad company, by losing the right to reach the Gulf of Mexico, was only a short road from Kansas City to Baxter Springs, and in a short time went into the hands of a receiver, then was sold at master's sale on mortgage foreclosure.
In January, 1874, Mr. Dennison was ap- pointed under-sheriff of Cherokee County by Sheriff Alfred Palmer, and in 1876 was re- appointed for another term.
In 1877 he ran for the office of sheriff, and with the entire Republican ticket was defeated. Soon after the election, it was rumored that fraud in two wards of Empire City was the cause of the loss of the election. The election was contested and he lost. The Republican County Central Committee, believing fraud had been perpetrated, insisted the case of the sheriff should be appealed forthe purpose of exposing the fraud. The case was appealed, but the cost of bringing a large number of witnesses to court was so great that a change of venue was taken, so the depositions of the witnesses could be taken, and it required about the remaining term of the office to take the depositions, so the case was dismissed. The proof, however, showed to the satisfaction of the people of the county that the ballot-boxes in which the voters' ballots were placed in the first and second wards of Empire City were, after the election
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was closed at night, while the judges of the election were at supper, changed for similar boxes that had been stuffed.
In 1879 he was elected sheriff, and re- elected in 1881. On November 22, 1875, he was appointed United States Circuit Court Commissioner for the district of Kansas, which position he held about seven years, and then re- signed, not having time to attend to the duties thereof.
On June 29, 1878, he was admitted to the bar of the District Court of the Eleventh Judi- cial District of Kansas.
On the 14th day of April, 1877, Dr. Will- iam Street of Baxter Springs and A. S. Denni- son bargained with Egidius Moll, for the west half of the southeast quarter, and the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 14, township 34, range 25, in Cherokee County, for the consideration of $10,000. This pur- chase was the commencement of the organiza- tion of the Galena Town & Mining Company, composed of W. H. Fairbanks, S. H. Sanders and John M. Cooper, who founded the city of Galena.
In March, 1881, Mr. Dennison moved from Baxter Springs to Columbus, and in a few months thereafter built a residence on a IO-acre lot in Salamanca township, a quarter of a mile west of the west line of Columbus, and has resided there (23 years) up to this date.
Since 1884 he has been engaged in the real estate and loan business and the practice of the law.
Politically he is a Republican, and has often served as chairman of the Republican County Central Committee. His fraternal associations are with the Masons, Odd Fellows, and Knights of Pythias. In religious connection he is a Congregationalist. He was the organ- izer, in its present form, of the Old Settlers'
Association of Cherokee County, Kansas. and was its president for several years.
Mr. Dennison has had seven children in his family, of whom Eva, Clarence, Ernest and Ralph died in infancy and in early childhood ; Nina, Samuel and Rhoda survive. Nina is a successful teacher ; Samuel is engaged in min- ing in Arizona, and Rhoda is married and re- sides in Arkansas.
D ANIEL WINTER, M. D., one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Columbus, of the Homeopathic school, has been a resident of Chero- kee County for more than 20 years. Dr. Win- ter was born in the principality of Waldeck. Germany, in 1833, and is a son of William and Henrietta (Meisner) Winter.
The parents of Dr. Winter came to Amer- ica in 1843 and settled in Fairfield County, Ohio, where William Winter followed his trade of gunsmith until 1852, when he moved to Shelby County, Illinois. He did not live to establish himself there, however, his death oc- curring six weeks later, at the age of 63 years. His wife, who was also a native of Northern Germany, died at Columbus, Kansas, in 1884. aged 88 years. Dr. Winter has two brothers,- Rev. E. A. Winter, a minister in the Lutheran Church, who is now in Oklahoma; and Ferdinand, who is a farmer in Fairfield County, Ohio.
Dr. Winter was educated in Ohio and was subsequently engaged in teaching for some years prior to taking up the study of medicine. which he did about 1849, at Lancaster, Ohio, with Dr. Sachse, a noted German physician of that day. In 1885 he began the practice of medi- cine, which he has followed continuously with the exception of three years, until the present
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time. After his removal, with his parents, to Shelby County, Illinois, he practiced very suc- cessfully until he came to Columbus in 1884.
Prior to leaving Ohio, Dr. Winter was mar- ried to Isabel Hiestan, who was born in that State, of German ancestry. They have five children, namely : W. F. E., of Columbus, who follows the trade of a carpenter; Mrs. Henri- etta Harvey, of Columbus ; Albert, of St. Louis, who is in the employ of a manufacturing com- pany : Louis H., of Galena, Kansas, a stenog- rapher by profession ; and Mrs. Emma A. Sam- uelson, of Dietz, Wyoming. Three children are deceased.
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