USA > Kansas > Cherokee County > History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative citizens > Part 71
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In 1856 Mr. Buzard married Rachel Le Page, who was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, and died in May, 1894, being the mother of the following named children: Elizabeth, wife of William Beebe, of Oklahoma ; Catherine, de- ceased, who was the wife of Peter Yordy : Mary, wife of Samuel Baker, who operates the Buzard farm: John, deceased; William, of Crawford township: Susan, wife of Daniel McCune, of Lyon township; Ellen, wife of Emanuel Sweet, a miner at Mineral; Thomas, a farmer of Sheridan township; and an infant, deceased.
Mr. Buzard has always voted the Demo-
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cratic ticket, and has filled some of the local offices. He takes an interest in local matters, and his judgment is considered of value in connection with public improvements, and other movements in the township. As one of the old settlers, he has watched the wonderful develop- ment of this section of Kansas, and at all times has done his share in making Ross township an important portion of Cherokee County. His children have been reared in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which their mother was a consistent member.
ILLIAM R. NASH, a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser of Neosho township, owning 160 acres situ- ated in sections 15 and 16, town- ship 34, range 22, belongs to that class of citi- zens who have done much to improve and de- velop this portion of Kansas. He was born September 15, 1852, and is a son of Judah and Helen M. (Smith) Nash, residents, at that time, of Licking County, Ohio.
The Nash family is of English extraction, and was founded in America in colonial days. It is one which has always been noted for its loyalty, and has numerous prominent repre- sentatives all over the country.
When the subject of this sketch was about two years of age, his father bought a farm in Delaware County, Ohio, which he operated six years. Judah Nash was a native of New York, and moved to Ashtabula, Ohio, with his pa- rents, when young. When the Civil War broke out, he was a resident of Champaign County, Ohio, and in the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Company E, 95th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served until the spring of 1862, when he was struck by a piece of shell and also shot through the wrist with an ounce ball, which injured him so severely that he was in the hospital for a long period. He lost the use of his arm, but
believed he would recover, and so refused his proffered discharge until 1864. He was a loyal soldier and became an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Politi- cally, he was a Republican. He understood the trade of gunsmith, which he followed in Ohio. Later, he became a farmer, and settled on a farm in Crawford County, Illinois, in the fall of 1870. In 1876 he came to Cherokee County, Kansas, and died at Baxter Springs, August 17, 1885, aged 54 years. Prior to his death, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The mother of William R. Nash was born in Licking County, Ohio, and now resides at Baxter Springs, in her 70th year. The six children of the family were: William R .; Al- bert R., of Neosho township; Helen Gould, of Oregon ; Charles F., of Baxter Springs ; Dora, residing with her mother, in Baxter Springs; and Frances, of the same place.
The subject of this sketch accompanied his parents to Crawford County, Illinois, in 1871, but later spent a year in Ohio. After staying one year in Illinois, he returned to his native State where he remained until 1879. Since then he has been a resident of Cherokee County, and at one time owned three farms near Baxter Springs. He has resided on his present farm since 1895. He is largely interested in the breeding of good cattle and stock, raising an- nually 40 head of cattle, 20 head of horses and mules and 100 head of hogs. He is a large dealer also in hay, having a hay press which, handles about 1,200 tons annually.
In 1875, Mr. Nash was married to Char- lotta Jane Miller, who was born in Illinois, January 17, 1855, and is a daughter of John and Sarah Miller. A family of nine children resulted from this union, namely: Frederick ; Mrs. Edith Tiney, of Oklahoma; Mrs. Minnie North, of Neosho township: Charles; William Albert; Arthur; Edward; Everett and Ida.
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L ALEXANDER CALDWELL, one of the leading business men of Galena, where he is engaged in a livery busi- ness, is also one of the best known stock-raisers of Cherokee County. Mr. Cald- well was born January 9, 1853, and is a son of Robert and Lucy ( Wallace) Caldwell.
Robert Caldwell, father of our subject, was born at Belfast, Ireland, and came to Canada prior to his marriage. In 1850 he removed to the United States, settling at Ogdensburg, New York, where our subject was born, three years later. Robert Caldwell was a scholar and for a number of years followed the profession of teacher. He was the first teacher employed in Winchester township, County Dundas, Can- ada. After his removal to Ogdensburg, he en- gaged in merchandising. He married in Can- ada and became the father of nine children, of whom four sons are the only survivors, viz : James, who is a farmer in Arenac County, Michigan; Robert, who has been a member of the Dominion of Canada Parliament for the past 30 years ; L. Alexander ; and George, who is a resident of Detroit, Michigan.
L. Alexander Caldwell received a good, common-school education in the public schools of Ogdensburg, completing his schooling when 19 years of age. He served an apprenticeship to the carriage-maker's trade, worked a short time as a journeyman and then located at Sag- inaw, Michigan, where he conducted a large establishment, from 1881 to 1885, employing 22 men. In the latter year he moved to Stand- ish, Arenac County, Michigan, where he en- gaged in a lumber business until 1895, and then went to the South, where he lived from 1896 to 1900, engaged in a tea and coffee business at Newport News, Virginia.
In June, 1900, Mr. Caldwell came to Ga- lena, Kansas, where he embarked in a livery business and became interested in stock-raising. The latter enterprise is conducted with a part-
ner and they make a specialty of raising stand- ard horses only from registered stock. They own some very valuable animals, with unques- tionable pedigrees, and among these may be mentioned : "Elnora C," by "Shadeland On- ward," record 2 :181/4 ; dam by "Rushville" by "Blue Bull" (75). Her first offspring was "Enora's Pride." a gray filly by "Pridewood," record 2:1414, he by "Manager," record 2 :061/2. She is a very promising filly and now can trot a 2:20 gait, as a two-year old. Her second foal, "Doctor Knox,"-also owned by our subject,-is by "Anteross," he by the great "Electioneer." The mare "Enora C." is now in foal by "Heirloom," record 2:1134, dam "Hope So" by "Blue Bull" (75), he by "Strathmore." The progeny of "Enora C." up to 1904 have earned an aggregate of $92,000 in stakes and engagements. This animal is con- sidered by competent judges to be the best bit of horseflesh ever brought into Cherokee County. She is handled by an experienced and skilled horseman in addition to the care given by Mr. Caldwell, whose experience enables him to guard his valuable property well. The sani- tary conditions and modern improvements in- troduced into his livery barn, which is located on the corner of Fifth and Short streets, make the best kind of a home for his large number of horses. His business is a large one and he is prepared, with animals and vehicles of every description, to meet all demands.
At Saginaw, Michigan, Mr. Caldwell mar- ried Emma Dangharty, who was born at Belle- ville, Ontario, and they have one daughter, Lil- lian, who is one of the accomplished musicians of Cherokee County, and teaches all kinds of instrumental music. She graduated from the public schools of Saginaw, Michigan, and is a graduate in music from Professor Markshaus- en's conservatory, at Saginaw. She has taken a prominent place in the social and musical cir- cles at Galena. In addition to hier great musical
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gifts, Miss Caldwell has been endowed with wonderful artistic talent, and many valuable works of her brush are to be seen in her own and other homes. She is the center of the beau- tiful home which is located at No. 816 Short street.
Mr. Caldwell is one of the popular citizens of Galena and deservedly so, for he has shown public spirit and civic pride ever since locating here. He has accepted no public office, but while living in Michigan, for a period of 10 years, he served during six of these as sheriff of Arenac County, being elected to the office by the Democratic party.
ACOB BUERGIN, a well known farmer of Ross township, residing on his farm in section 26, township 32, range 23, was born in August, 1866, in Woodford County, Illinois, and is a son of Frederick and Gertrude Buergin, both natives of Germany.
Thinking that in America there might be opportunities awaiting a young man, that would never come to him in the "Fatherland," Frede- rick Buergin came to this country and located in Woodford County, Illinois. There a farm was bought and he became an American farmer and merchant, for he also owned a general store, and attended to it along with his farming. When the son, Jacob, was five years of age, the family moved to Cherokee County, Kansas. This section of the State was at that time a boundless prairie with dwellings widely scattered here and there, and no fences to speak of. Very little of the land was then under cultivation, as the farmers were learn- ing, by experimenting, how to bring the best results from the new prairie. On this wild and unbroken prairie in Ross township a farm
of 160 acres was bought, a substantial and com- fortable farm house and out-buildings were put up, and the family enjoyed a more comfortable home than many who became settlers at that time. Here they lived, and Frederick Buergin continued his farming until the day of his death, which occurred in 1897 ; his wife passed away six years later, in 1903. They were mem- bers of the German Lutheran Church, and were highly esteemed in the county. There were but two children in the family: Kate, wife of Frederick Hiller, of Ross township; and Jacob. who is the subject of this review.
Jacob Buergin has always resided at home. His mental training was obtained in the local schools of Ross township, and his life has been one of peace and contentment. He has always been faithful in the performance of his duties, which, although they may have been lowly and humble, are yet the necessary part of a well- ordered farm life. In 1893 he was united in marriage to Carrie Naffziger, of Ross town- ship, a daughter of John Naffziger. They have four children,-Gertrude, Esther, Fred and Ruth.
The subject of this sketch is what might be termed a rock-ribbed Jacksonian Democrat. He takes a keen interest in the success of his party. but has never aspired to nor held office. His time has always been taken up with the multi- farious duties on the farm. He owns 80 acres of the old home place, near Columbus, where he now resides amid the friends of his youth, and where he will in all probability pass the remainder of his days, as he is not of a roving disposition. The excellent character which he sustains in Cherokee County is one which may well be emulated by any young man who is starting in life. Steady, persistent industry, coupled with upright dealing and a courteous bearing toward all men, will always bring their reward in the end.
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€ LBERT A. ELLIS,* residing on the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter and the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 15, township 33, range 25, in Shawnee township, is a prosperous farmer and a man of recognized business ability. He comes of a prominent family, which has been established in this coun- try since the Revolutionary period and is of English extraction.
Mr. Ellis is descended from Isaac Ellis, who was born in England and came to this country prior to the Revolutionary War, in which he served, and located in North Caro- lina. His son, Samuel Ellis, the grandfather of our subject, participated in the American Revolution as well as in the War of 1812. He was wounded at the battle of Cowpens, South Carolina, and carried an English bullet in his shoulder the remainder of his life. He re- moved to Tennessee, thence to Kentucky. Illi- nois and finally to California, where he died in 1849, aged 84 years. He married Mary How- ard, a native of Scotland.
Elbert Ellis, father of our subject and youngest son of Samuel and Mary (Howard) Ellis, was born in Burke County, North Caro- lina, in 1795, and spent the most of his boy- hood years on the home farm in Buncombe County. He lived there until 12 years old, then removed with his parents to Jonesboro, Wash- ington County, Tennessee, where he grew to manhood. He was married in Cocke County, Tennessee, in 1827, to Temperance Driskill, who was born in that county in 1805 and was a daughter of Richard and Amanda (Young) Driskill. Mr. Driskill being dead, Mr. Ellis took the management of the estate of 360 acres, residing with his wife's mother. Upon the lat- ter's death, he purchased the interests of his co- heirs, and thereafter followed farming and stock-raising. Politically, he was a Whig. He
and his wife became parents of 14 children, as follows: Mary, deceased in 1887, who was the widow of James Breeden, a Confederate sol- dier who died in a Federal prison in 1864,-he was a Unionist at heart but was conscripted into the Confederate Army, was captured by the Union soldiers and died the day before the proof of his Northern sympathies reached his captors ; William H., who died in Butler, Mis- souri; Martha Louisa, residing in Tennessee. who is the widow of William B. Reams, who was killed by a Confederate in December, 1863 : Elizabeth, widow of Drewry Dawson, now liv- ing in Cocke County, Tennessee ; Lucinda, the wife of Alexander Fowler, of Cocke County, Tennessee: Patrick Howard, deceased; Sarah Ann, who died at the age of 14 years ; Richard Driskill, of Shawnee township, Cherokec County ; Catherine Jane, who married Isaac Fowler, deceased in 1871, and later married J. L. McMillan of Shawnee township, Cherokee County ; Dorcas M., whose first husband, Will- iam Kelley, was a Confederate and was killed at Vicksburg, subsequently married Pleasant Poe, a Union soldier now deceased, and lives in Jefferson County, Tennessee ; Elbert A., whose name heads this record; Samuel Jefferson, a record of whose life appears elsewhere in this work; Moses L. of Shawnee township, Cher- okee County ; and one who died in infancy. Mr. Ellis was a Primitive Baptist, and Mrs. Ellis a Missionary Baptist. She died in Shawnce township in January, 1888, aged 83 years.
Elbert A. Ellis was born in Cocke County. Tennessee, November 26, 1840, and was reared at home. He received such education as the public schools afforded, but through his own research and reading has provided himself with a liberal education. He knew President An- drew Johnson very well, as that gentleman was an intimate friend of his father. On June 22. 1862, he enlisted in Company C, 8th Reg ..
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Tennessee Vol. Inf., at Camp Nelson, Ken- tucky, and spent eight months in service in Eastern Kentucky, then went to Tennessee under Burnsides. He served in the 23d Army Corps under Scofield, and continued with his regiment until July 7, 1864, when near Atlanta he was wounded by the concussion of a shell. He was obliged to remain in the hospital for three months; upon reentering the service he was placed in the 11th Regiment, Tennessee Vol. Cav., being made 2d lieutenant of Com- pany G, but before he saw much service was taken captive by Breckenridge's command and held until the war was over, being released under parole on February 22, 1865. On June 8, 1864, Mr. Ellis was wounded by a spent ball at Burnt Hickory, and on the 14th of the pre- ceding month was wounded by a piece of tim- ber cut from a tree by a cannon ball. All told, he participated in 33 engagements, in which ar- tillery was used. He returned liome at the close of the war and continued there until 1882, when he came West to Cherokee County, locating in Shawnee township. Here he rented different farms which he cultivated and in 1893 pur- chased his present farm in section 15. He is engaged in the pursuits of general farming, and his principal crops are wheat, oats and corn. He stands well in the community and is a good, substantial business man.
On June 22, 1865, Mr. Ellis was united in marriage with Darthulia Smith, a daughter of David Smith, of Cocke County, Tennessee, and they have five children, as follows: Elizabeth, wife of C. M. Hudson of Texas; Julia, de- ceased, who was the wife of Jolin F. Kiser; Samuel J., of Shawnee township, Cherokee County ; James, deceased at the age of 19; and Sarah Jane, wife of Edward Smith of Empire City, Cherokee County. Mrs. Ellis died in 1878, aged 34 years, and in 1880 he formed a second union with Tennessee Harrison, by
whom they had a son, Herman. His second wife died in 1883, and he formed a third union with Frances Lenora Easterly, a daughter of Philip Easterly of Cocke County, Tennessee, and they have five children : Otia Bell; Philip Alexander ; Montie T .; Edna M .; and Ura B. Mrs. Ellis belongs to the Lutheran Church. Mr. Ellis is a Republican in politics, and in Ten- nessee served as deputy sheriff and as justice of the peace. He was a member of the Masonic lodge at Knoxville, Tennessee : he is a member of Crestline Lodge, No. 476, I. O. O. F., has passed through all the chairs and is now deputy grand. He belongs to the Rebekahis, was a member of the G. A. R. post at Crestline until it disbanded and is a member of the Sons and Daughters of Justice.
B ENJAMIN L. MURPHY,* one of the prosperous business men of Weir City, engaged in the manufacture of ice, was born in 1869 in Perry County, Illinois, and is a son of James B. and Martha (Moore) Murphy.
The late James B. Murphy was a well known citizen and substantial farmer of Chero- kee County, in which he settled in 1884. He was a native of Illinois, where he grew up to be a successful agriculturist and continued farming operations after coming to Kansas. His death occurred in 1889 at the age of 68 years. He was a strong Democrat and some- thing of a political leader. His educational and oratorical talents caused him to be much in demand as a campaign speaker and he was well known over various sections of the State. He married Martha Moore, who was born in Tennessee and still resides at Cherokee, Craw- ford County, Kansas, at the age of 72 years. They had 12 children, the survivors being :
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Maggie, who married Edward Crowley, and has four children,-Vinnie, Edna, Ruby and Agnes; Joseph S., who married Blanche Ke- nair. and has four children .- Rosa, Ralph, Lloyd and Ray; Benjamin L., of this sketch ; and Samuel, who married Maggie Durshane, and has two children, -- Minnie and Douglas.
Benjamin L. Murphy accompanied his par- ents when they came from Illinois to Kansas, in 1884, and he followed farming in Cherokee County until 1892. Then, in partnership with his brother-in-law, Edward Crowley, he en- tered into the ice business, under the firm name of Crowley & Murphy, at Weir City, Kansas. The business until 1901 was the buying and selling of ice, but at this time their territory had extended and their patronage grown to such extent and volume that they felt justified in forming what is now the Scranton-Murphy Ice Company, the officers being : L. G. Scran- ton, W. L. Weir, Edward Crowley and Benja- min L. Murphy. They erected an artificial ice plant, 84 feet long, 44 feet wide and 17 feet high, with cold storage capacity of 15 tons every 24 hours. This enterprise met with suc- cess from the very first, the plant being the pioneer in this line in this section.
In 1890, Mr. Murphy married Nannie North, who was born in Cherokee County, Kansas, and is a daughter of William North, who was a soldier of the Civil War, a member of the Federal Army. William North came to Cherokee County in 1871 among the early settlers, and followed farming until his death, at Weir City. He married Lucretia Longer, who still survives, aged 64: her mother is still living, at the age of 84 years. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy have two children : Clarence and Lena, both born at Weir City.
Mr. Murphy stands high in the business world of Weir City and is connected with one of the most prosperous business concerns of this section.
A LEXANDER WALKER,* one of the most popular and best known men in Cherokee County, was born in Wash- ington County, Illinois, May 12, 1854. He is an extensive farmer and land owner, his present holdings aggregating 340 acres, about 160 of which comprise the home farm in section 24, township 32, range 21, in Sheridan township.
Nicholas Walker, his father, was a native of Johnson County, Illinois, and was a son of William Walker, of the same State. Nicholas Walker's wife, whose maiden name was Mar- garet Rule, was a native of Tennessee, having been born near Marshall. Nicholas Walker grew to manhood in Washington County, and followed the occupations of farming and stock- raising, and by his success proved himself to be a born farmer. In later years he became pos- sessed of considerable property, among his ac- quisitions being an extensive farm and a large stone quarry. In 1866 he came to Kansas, lo- cating on 160 acres of land in Sheridan town- ship, Cherokee County, and one year later moved his family to the new home in the West. The country was wild, unbroken prairie and bottom land, but a log cabin and stables were built, and the family proceeded to make the place habitable. From time to time more land was added to the original purchase, until he became possessed of 810 acres in Cherokee and Labette counties. Many improvements were made and all but 160 acres was sold before his death, which ocurred in Labette County, April 12, 1888; his wife survived him some five years, dying in February, 1893. He voted the Re- publican ticket but took no active interest in politics, although always interested in anything pertaining to the welfare of his township or county. The family numbered 14 children, six of whom grew to maturity, as follows : Dempsy R., a farmer of Labette County, Kansas ; Alex- ander; Martha, wife of Matt. Nissley, both of
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whom died of fever in 1877; Kate, deceased; Margaret, wife of Aaron Greenfield, of Mc- Cune, Kansas; and Nicholas, who lives at Sherman City, Kansas.
Alexander Walker received his education in the schools at Sherman City. The first 29 years of his life were spent with his father on the farm. During youth and early manhood he worked on the farm and dealt in stock to some extent.
In February, 1881, Mr. Walker married Estella Montagne, of Washington County, Illinois, a daughter of Captain Montagne, who died shortly after the Civil War. Of the seven children born to this union, three are living, as follows: Fred, a farmer who is married and lives in Sheridan township; Annie, who died at the age of three years; Wayne, who died at the age of 14 months; Bertha and Harry.
In 1881, Mr. Walker bought 160 acres of wild land, only 27 acres of which were broken, the only building on the place being an old log cabin. Ten years were spent making improve- ments on this place, which he then sold and pur- chased the 160 acres where he now lives and a 40-acre tract in Labette County. All of the land is improved and under cultivation. Of another 160-acre tract owned by our subject, IIO acres are in pasture and low land. Mr. Walker manages his land himself, and each year raises many bushels of wheat, corn and oats, besides raising large quantities of hay, having 60 acres devoted to meadow. Besides general farming, he is interested in the shipping of stock, of which he buys large numbers, be- sides raising graded stock. The shipping point for all the stock and products of this farm is Sherman City. Having inherited the instincts of the true farmer, and having become pos- sessed of the real knowledge of farm manage- ment in his earlier training, our subject has all the qualities of the successful farmer of to-day.
His close attention to business, his upright
dealings and his exemplary life in the com- munity have won him more than ordinary re- gard. He has made true friends and many of them, and he is held in the highest esteem by all whom he meets. He is a Republican and a member of the A. H. T. A.
OHN R. BURROWS,* a representa- tive farmer of Lola township and prominent in the affairs of his neigh- borhood, is a son of one of Cherokee County's Civil War veterans, George R. Bur- rows, who has also been a leading spirit among the agricultural class of the county for some 35 years. They came to the county from Ohio, where John R. Burrows was born in Washington County, November 6, 1862. He now resides in section 22, township -, range -, in Lola township.
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