USA > Kansas > Cherokee County > History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative citizens > Part 55
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of their 14 children to maturity, and six still survive, all being residents of Illinois except the subject of this sketch, a sister living in Kansas City, and a brother residing at Coving- ton, Kentucky.
A. C. Johnson grew to manhood in Illinois and as his father was in comfortable circum- stances, was afforded the advantage of an ex- cellent education, including a collegiate course at the Wesleyan University at Bloomington, where he remained until within three months of graduation. In that institution he had some noted schoolmates, including Bishop Hartzell. who is now in Africa, and Ex-Governor Fifer. of Illinois. After leaving school, he was en- gaged in farming and stock-raising in McLean County until the fall of 1892, when he removed to Chicago and embarked in the shoe business, at one time having three stores under his con- trol. In 1895 he came to Cherokee County and located in his present home, which was form- erly the property of a Mr. Townsend. Here Mr. Johnson has spared no expense in im- provements, and has made this one of the most attractive homes in the county. The residence is situated in the midst of a park of three acres, which has been improved with a well selected grove of beautiful trees, the varieties including hard maple, ash, elm, catalpa, syca- more and mulberry, while an artificial lake, well stocked with fish, is not the least orna- mental feature of the landscape. The home is one suited to a man of Mr. Johnson's literary tastes and acquirements. He carries on a gen- eral line of farming, and feeds a large number of hogs, which finally find their way to the large city stockyards.
In Illinois, Mr. Johnson married Laura Elberta Sells, who was born near Columbus, Ohio, and is a daughter of Joshua S. Sells, a cousin of the Sells brothers, the well known showmen. They have three children, namely : Elmo J., who is engaged in the shoe business
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in Chicago and in other enterprises; Edden M., who is in the shoe business in Texas; and Clara, a young lady living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been deeply bereaved by the death of a daughter, Grace, aged 20 years, and of a son, Forda, aged 15 years. The fam- ily belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, Mr. Johnson is identified with the Democratic party.
5 ON. GEORGE H. WILSON, judge of the Probate Court of Cherokee Coun- ty, and one of the prominent and sub- stantial citizens of Columbus, was born in Anderson County, Kansas, in Decem- ber, 1866, and is a son of John and Pruda A. (Towsley) Wilson.
John Wilson was born in Steuben County, New York, of Scotch parentage on the paternal side, and of Irish, on the maternal. He settled in Johnson County, Kansas, in 1856, and nec- essarily was identified with the border troubles of those early days. He removed to Anderson County and later settled at Cherryvale, Mont- gomery County, where he died at the age of 74 years. His occupation was farming, but the exigencies of the times brought him, more or less, into the prominence of public life, al- though he never accepted political office. Judge Wilson's mother was born in Michigan, and was married there to John Wilson in 1859. Her parents died in her infancy and her only brother has also passed away, although she still survives, at the age of 74 years, a resident of Kansas City, Missouri. The half brothers and sisters of Judge Wilson reside in various parts of the country, his father having married thrice, but the three other members of his par- ents' family are : Albert L., who is an attorney at Kansas City: May, who is a stenographer in that city; and J. A., who is a resident of
Cherryvale, and a traveling collector for the McCormick Harvester Company.
Judge Wilson was reared and mainly edu- cated in Anderson County, Kansas, but has made his own way in the world since he reached the age of 15 years. He was 19 years old when he went to Montgomery County, and, while studying law, he served a three year's appren- ticeship in a newspaper office. He continued his law studies until 1889, when he was admit- ted to the bar at Independence, under Judge John N. Ritter, who was a resident of Cherokee County where he served as judge of the District Court from 1889 to 1891.
Judge Wilson practiced at Cherryvale until 1895 when, dissolving partnership with his brother there, he moved to Cherokee County, and opened a law office himself at Empire City, Kansas, and practiced law there until Decem- ber, 1899, when he moved to Columbus, and served as Probate judge 13 months, being ap- pointed to succeed Judge Sapp. He then en- tered upon the law practice again with C. W. Smith, at Columbus, under the firm name of Smith & Wilson. This partnership continued one year, being dissolved in January, 1902. In 1900, when a candidate for Probate judge, he met defeat at the polls, but was elected in the fall of 1902. He served for four years as city attorney of Empire City, and in 1901 was ap- pointed city attorney of Columbus, and served as such until the November election of 1902. His present position as judge of Probate is one for which he is eminently qualified.
In 1900, Judge Wilson was married to a daughter of Rev. W. H. Mulvaney. Rev. Mr. Mulvaney is now presiding elder of the Em- poria District. He was formerly pastor of the Columbus Methodist Episcopal Church for six years, and is now a resident of Emporia. Mrs. Wilson graduated from Baker University at Baldwin, and later taught private classes of vocal and instrumental music at Columbus.
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She is a lady of great musical talent and intel- lectual strength, and is prominent in social cir- cles. Judge and Mrs. Wilson have one son, Marion M., born at Columbus in 1902.
Like his father, Judge Wilson is identified with the Republican party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge at Ga- lena ; Lodge No. 3. Knights of Pythias, at Ga- lena ; and the camp of Modern Woodmen of America, at Columbus ; while Mrs. Wilson be- longs to the Order of the Eastern Star and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ILLIAM OSCAR KENNEDY, one of the prominent farmer-citizens of Cherokee County, owns a fine farm of 78 acres in section 18, township 33, range 25, in Shawnee township. He was born in Clinton County, Indiana, Oc- tober 17, 1849, and is a son of William A. and Sarah M. (Foster) Kennedy.
The father of Mr. Kennedy was born in Warren County, Ohio, February 7, 1817, and was an early settler, with his parents, in In- diana. He learned the carpenter's trade, but devoted the greater part of his life to agricult- ural pursuits. Shortly after the birth of the subject of this sketch, he sold his property in Indiana and moved to Kansas, and on Novem- ber 7, 1866, located in Cherokee County, as one of the pioneers. He was a man of unusual physical vigor until within a few years of his death, which occurred on February 5, 1894. He had been one of the leading men of his lo- cality, and for two years served as treasurer of Shawnee township. He married Sarah M. Foster, a daughter of Greer Foster, who was born in Pennsylvania. Their three children were,-Melissa E .. now deceased, who was the wife of Sylvester Altic; James Greer, whose tragic death occurred in the last battle at Nash-
ville, during the Civil War; and William Os- car. Both parents were good, Christian people, and were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which the father had been a class leader for years. The family is of Scotch-Irish extraction, and was founded in America by James Kennedy, who settled first in the State of New York, and took part in the War of 1812.
William Oscar Kennedy enjoyed the best educational advantages offered by the district schools of his day and locality. His present fine farm was taken up as a claim by his father, and it has been his home all his life, although he has visited many portions of Missouri, In- diana, Illinois, Texas and the Indian Territory at various times. He has made a specialty of raising horses, and has met with good success in this industry. His land is fertile and pro- duces abundantly, but he makes hay, corn and oats his main crops, feeding the greater part of what he raises.
On March 30, 1876, Mr. Kennedy was married to Amanda A. Weaver, a daughter of James Weaver, of Shawnee township, and they have two children,-Charles E., of Silver City, New Mexico; and Ernest Greer. For over 35 years, Mr. Kennedy has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been an official during much of this time. In politics, he is a Prohibitionist. He was elected township clerk on the Greenback ticket, and served two years. Fraternally he is a member of Crest- line Lodge, No. 139, Ancient Order of United Workmen, an organization with which he has been connected for 20 years, and in which he has passed all the chairs.
Mr. Kennedy is one of the old settlers, and remembers the time when Shawnee township had neither church nor schoolhouse and few settlers to ask for the privileges of either. He has passed through many exciting times, and belonged to the old Land League. Despite
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strife, greed and injustice, Cherokee County has arisen in might and beauty, and her present status in the State is due to the preponderance within her borders of just such honorable, just and fearless men as the subject of this sketch.
OHN LUNDIN, one of the prominent farmers and extensive stock-raisers and cattle dealers of Cherokee County, is also one of the capitalists of Lyon township, where he owns 760 acres of improved land, and resides in a beautiful home in sec- tion 2, township 34, range 23. Mr. Lundin was born in Wermland, Sweden, December 6, 1850.
Until Mr. Lundin reached the age of 16 years, he attended the public schools in his native place, and then came to the United States in company with his half brother, An- drew Swensen, landing in New York. He was ready for any kind of honest work by which he could make a living, and in Mercer and Henry counties, Illinois, he secured employ- ment, first in railroad construction, and later as a farm hand. For two years (1870 and 1871) he worked in Henry County, for $21 a month. He came to Columbus, Kansas, in 1872. For several winters he had work with Scammon Brothers, and spent his summers on neighboring farms. He then took up a claim located about one mile from his present farm. Here he broke the prairie and made some improvements, and then sold out in order to go to California. From 1875 to 1881, he was in the West, buying and selling horses on his own account, and was also employed on the big cattle ranch of Sawyer Brothers. After his return to Cherokee County, he first pur- chased a half section of land, and now owns 760 acres in Lyon township, situated as fol- lows: 520 acres in section 2, 80 acres in sec-
tion I, and 160 acres in section 9, all in town- ship 34, range 23. This land is all finely im- proved, and he conducts it mainly as a stock farm. He keeps 200 head of cattle, 20 horses, six mules, and 100 head of hogs, and feeds and ships extensively. Mr. Lundin has, probably, the finest residence in Lyon township. He has also built two substantial barns, and has miles and miles of good fencing, and two or- chards. Considering that Mr. Lundin has made all this property through his own industry and good management, he is justified in tak- ing considerable pride in his success.
In 1884, Mr. Lundin was married to Han- nah Larson, who was born in his native place in Sweden, April 28, 1854, and came to Amer- ica, with her parents, in 1879. She is a daugh- ter of Lars and Elsie Larson. The three chil- dren of this marriage are: Edith May, a high- school graduate; Maud Elizabeth, a high-school graduate and a teacher; and Helen Anna, a student in the high-school,-all intelligent and accomplished young ladies. The family be- long to the Christian Church. Politically, Mr. Lundin is a Democrat, and has served in various township offices ; he has been township treasurer, and a school officer for the past 19 years.
He belongs to the Settlers' League, and to the Anti Horse Thief Association. He is one of the highly esteemed men of Lyon township, whose sterling qualities command the respect of his fellow citizens.
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RS. MARGARET T. BULGER, who is residing on her fine farm in section 34, township 34, range 23, in Lyon township, is the relict of Philip Bulger, for many years one of the most prominent farmers in the western section of the county.
Philip Bulger was born in County Wex-
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ford, Ireland, April 25, 1844, and is a son of James and Katherine Bulger, both natives of Ireland. His parents came to this country, and both died at Springfield, Illinois, where they are buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Four chil- dren were born to them, all of whom are now deceased. They were,-Philip, Patrick, Mary and James.
Philip Bulger was about five years of age when his parents brought him to this country. They located first in Delaware, but later moved to Sangamon County, Illinois, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Philip moved from there to Christian County, Illinois, where he first met the subject of this sketch. There he followed farming for a time, and was later engaged in the grain and feed business on ex- change in St. Louis. He came West to Chero- kee County, Kansas, in 1886, and purchased three 80-acre tracts in Lyon township, which thereafter constituted his home farm. He added to the original purchase until he had 520 acres, built fine barns and other necessary buildings, and set out an orchard of 1,000 trees, making it one of the best improved farms in the county. Although a man of good busi- ness ability, he had his pleasures, to which he gave much attention. He had a natural love for poetry, and writing was his favorite past- time. He was gifted as a poet, and the writ- ings left behind him, if gathered together and published, would make a good-sized voltime. He was an ardent admirer of William Jennings Bryan, who was the subject of two of his poems. In 1892, he wrote a poem on Christo- pher Columbus, his first voyage, the discovery of America, and the Declaration of Independence. This he read from the grand stand at Columbus, Kansas, where the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America by Columbus was cele- brated on the Fourth of July, of that year. The purport of this stirring poem is shown in the last stanzas :
These lines are compos'd from mem'ry Of periods to and fro,
To put into song the story Of four hundred years ago,
And with much show of sentiment In an epic here to mix,
The days of that found Columbia
With seventeen seventy-six.
Another, "Bulger's Comment on Burns," we consider of such merit as to be given in full. It follows :
Rich are the fields of Illinois, And fair are the fields of Kansas. Could Burns tell of a fairer land Than I've written in these stanzas? He tells us of the woods and flowers In the song about his "dearie"-
I wonder how he'd wrote that song Had he lived on a Kansas prairie.
He tells us of the crystal streams And the groves around Montgomery, And of the beautiful castle high And where water never was "drumbly." These are the scenes of that great song, Where the poet loved to "tarry," And where he coined the precious gems For his lovely "Highland Mary."
No one but this Ayrshire bard Where his like lands of the fairy, Could e'er entwine such laurels grand, As his wreath for "Highland Mary."
I need not tell in this comment For it is well known in story, That he who ploughed in Scottie's fields Was plowing for fame and glory.
This one of his many gems, I refer to in these stanzas, And I wish I could such garlands twine To crown the poet of Kansas. When God shall close the end of time, And with fire consume the prairie, Till then will live the famous lyre From the ploughboy to his "dearie."
Philip Bulger was first united in marriage with Mary E. Kenehan, a sister of the subject of this sketch, who was born in Butler County, Olio, and died at St. Paul, Minnesota, August
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27, 1883, at the age of 31 years, eight months and four days. Three children were born to them : James J., of Columbus, who is an at- torney-at-law; Thomas, who lives at home; and Katherine, principal of the Melrose School. In February, 1884, Mr. Bulger married Mar- garet T. Kenchan, who was born March 8, 1855, and is a daughter of Martin and Ellen (Davy) Kenehan.
Martin Kenehan and his wife were natives of Ireland. At an early day they came to America, and located at Springfield, Illinois, where the latter died in 1858. Mr. Kenehan enlisted in the Union Army and at the expira- tion of his term reenlisted. He died as the re- sult of a sunstroke received while on a hard march, shortly after his second enlistment. He followed farming as a vocation throughout his life. He and his wife were the parents of five children, namely: Daniel, who is interested in mining at Galena; Mary E. (Bulger) de- ceased; Patrick, deceased; Margaret T .; and Thomas, who lives near Galena.
Mr. and Mrs. Bulger became the parents of five children, as follows: Nellie, a student at the Cherokee County High School in Co- lumbus; Philip; Robert; Anna; and Lillian. Mr. Bulger died October 30, 1902, and his death was mourned as an irreparable loss to the community. He was a Republican in poli- tics for some years, and then became an enthu- siastic Bryan Democrat. He served as town- ship trustee, and as a member of the School Board for some years. Religiously, he was a devout Catholic.
h ON. W. B. GLASSE, who since the fall of 1902 has been judge of the Eleventh Judicial District of Kansas, comprising Cherokee County, is one of the leading men of this section of the State.
He was born in Harrison County, Ohio, Au- gust 21, 1840.
On both paternal and maternal lines, Judge Glasse comes of pioneer ancestry. His paternal grandfather brought his family from Pennsyl- vania to Ohio in 1802, before it had been made a State, and located about 50 miles north of the Ohio River, in what was then the outer- most settlement. There he lived until his death. The father of Judge Glasse was the eldest son of this pioneer family, and his life was spent on his lands located near the dividing lines of Tuscarawas and Carroll counties. On the ma- ternal side, Grandfather Rouse brought his family to Belmont County, Ohio, from Mary- land, about 1809. He assisted in building the first church in the wilderness of Belmont County. Later the family settled in the vicin- ity of the Glasse homestead, in Carroll County. Of Judge Glasse's two brothers, one died in young manhood, and the other, Jacob Glasse, has been a farmer in Johnson County, Missouri, since 1867.
\V. B. Glasse was educated in the common schools of his own locality and at the Hagers- town Academy, and began to teach school in his early manhood. The Civil War found him ready to lay aside the hopes and ambitions which he had been cherishing, and on August 2, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, 126th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., in which he was later commis- sioned sergeant. Hardships and exposure brought on a state of health which caused his discharge at Martinsburg, West Virginia, in 1863, but in 1864, he returned to the service, as Captain of Company B, 170th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served through the succeeding four months.
In the fall of 1866, he went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he pursued the study of the law, and taught school at intervals, until the close of the college term in 1868. He then came West and spent a short time in Jolinson
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County. Missouri, and in 1869 settled at Os- wego. Kansas, where he was admitted to prac- tice. During his residence here, he became a prominent man of affairs, and was elected in the fall of 1880 to the State Senate from La- bette County. His abilities were soon recog- nized and made him an acceptable partner of some of the leading jurists of the State. In the fall of 1869. he formed a partnership, which continued for four years, with J. J. Brown, now of Spokane, Washington. This was fol- lowed by association, for nine years, with Hon. H. G. Webb, who was formerly judge of the Eleventh Judicial District. After the dissolu- tion of this partnership, in 1883. Judge Glasse practiced alone for two years, and then entered upon a partnership with Hon. Nelson Case, which continued for eight and a half years, and was terminated by Judge Glasse's removal to Columbus. In June, 1893, he entered into busi- ness with C. D. Ashley, at Columbus, a part- nership which continued for two and a half years. Judge Glasse again practiced alone until 1900, when he became associated with Col. R. W. Blue, and this connection was continued until Judge Glasse was elected to the bench. His long career has brought him the emolu- ments of successful business, and the valued confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. He is noted for just those qualities which bring honor upon his position,-profound legal knowledge, unerring judgment and rigid im- partiality in the consideration of judicial ques- tions.
Judge Glasse married a Miss Fuller, who belongs to a prominent Michigan family, and they have five children, viz: Amy; Carey S .; Paul. a student of law ; Millie ; and Helen. The religious association of the family is with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Fraternally, Judge Glasse belongs to the Masons, the Ancient Order of United Work- men and the Grand Army of the Republic. Per-
sonally, he is very popular, his circle of friends extending through a large section.
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OSEPH H. COOPER, who is the capa- ble manager of the grocery depart- ment of the large general store of John M. Cooper, at Baxter Springs, is well known throughout Cherokee County. He was born in Pike County, Illinois, Septem- ber 5, 1843, and is a son of Isaiah and Eliza- beth (Sigsworth) Cooper.
Captain Isaiah Cooper, father of our sub- ject, was born in Virginia, June 18, 1817, re- moved to Pike County, Illinois, in youth, and there married Elizabeth Sigsworth, daughter of Joseph and Anna (Jorden) Sigsworth. Captain Cooper gained his title through valiant service in the Civil War. He was captain of Company K, 99th Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf., and lost an arm at Black River Bridge, and was subsequently honorably discharged on account of disability. Prior to the opening of the war, he operated a large flouring mill and was a merchant at New Salem, Illinois. After the war he engaged in farming until 1867, when he removed to Cherokee County, Kansas, engaged for a short time in merchandising near Baxter Springs and then engaged in farming. His death took place on February 8, 1895, and that of his wife, on January 16, 1884.
Our subject was educated in the public schools of Pike County, Illinois. He worked on his father's farm from the age of 18 years until February 18, 1865, when he enlisted in the Union Army, as a recruit for one year in Com- pany D, 7th Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf., and was mustered out of the service on July 9, 1865. He was the third member of his family to give loyal service to liis country, his father and brother, John Milton, having also proved their loyalty.
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On October 10, 1867, Mr. Cooper came to Baxter Springs and for two years engaged in farming and freighting, and then accepted his present responsible position as manager of the large grocery department in the general store of his brother, John Milton Cooper.
On December 3, 1877, Mr. Cooper was united in marriage with Anna West, who is a daughter of John West, of Indiana. They have four children : Lillie May, who married Caleb Shinn, of Peoria, Indian Territory, and has three children,-Charles, John and Joseph ; Edna Bell, who married Charles Stroup, of Baxter Springs and has two children,-Emma and Clarence Herbert; John M., Jr., a farmer living six miles west of Baxter Springs; and Joseph H., Jr., who resides at Baxter Springs.
While Mr. Cooper has been a loyal member of the Republican party for years, he has led too busy a life to consent to accept political promotion. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He belongs to that class of honest, upright citizens whose ability and character form the foundations upon which the commercial prosperity of a city stands. He bears a name which is held in honor and esteem in Cherokee County.
HARLTON E. MIDDAUGH, de- ceased, one of the prominent business men of Columbus, for two years its mayor and for a long period one of its most progressive citizens, was born Sep- tember 22, 1835, in Monroe County, New York, in what are now the suburbs of Roches- ter. His death occurred on April 10, 1903, at his home in Miami, Indian Territory.
In Monroe County, New York, he married Martha A. Curtice, who was born in that county in 1836, and died in Miami, Indian Ter- ritory, on April 30, 1898. They had three children, viz .: Carl A., who is cashier of the
Columbus State Bank; Anna, wife of W. C. Lykins, of Miami, Indian Territory, who was interested with Mr. Middaugh in the mercan- tile business; and Mrs. Mabel W. Milligan, who also resides at Miami.
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