History of Labette County, Kansas, and representative citizens, Part 48

Author: Case, Nelson, 1845-1921, ed
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 846

USA > Kansas > Labette County > History of Labette County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 48

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In 1858 Mr. Edwards was united in mar- riage with Verona Palmer, by whom he has two children : Grace and Myra. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, and a Knight Templar. Politically, he favors the Democratic party.

€ S. ELLIS, a well known citizen of Parsons, Labette county, Kansas, is president and general manager of the Parsons Natural Gas Company. He was born in Pontiac, Michigan, but left his na- tive county when a small boy,-his parents hav- ing moved to Coldwater, Michigan, where, in the course of time, he engaged in the produce business. He was married in 1878, at Cold- water, and in 1879, went to West Superior, Wisconsin, and devoted himself to real estate and loan transactions with much success. He mainly followed that line of work until 1893. at various places. In 1881, he went to Fargo, North Dakota, and resided there three years. Later he moved to Lisbon, North Dakota, and while there served one term as judge of the probate court. In 1887, he returned to West Superior and resided there until 1893, when he moved west. to Oswego, Kansas, and be- came identified with the Deming Investment

Company. Upon the organization of the Par- sons Natural Gas Company, in 1897, Mr. Ellis became its president and manager and main- tains an office in the city of Parsons.

In 1878, Mr. Ellis was united in marriage with Alice Kearney, of Eaton Rapids, Mich- igan, and they have the following children : Florence, Alice (Lamb), and Lewis. Political- ly, the subject of this sketch is a Republican. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M .; the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows; the Ancient Order of United Workmen; and the Knights of the Maccabees. At Lisbon, North Dakota, he served in the city council and as clerk of the board of education.

ARRY H. LUSK, who has been prom- inently before the public eye of La- bette county, Kansas, for many years, is postmaster of the city of Parsons and is also editor and owner of a weekly and a daily paper published in Parsons. He is a man of great enterprise and public spirit,-being one of the most prominent residents of the county. Through the medium of his publica- tions, he lends his hearty support to all public improvements and measures tending toward the general welfare.

Mr. Lusk was born at Edinburg, Indiana, April 14, 1857, and when a child went with ' his parents to Illinois, where he received a common school education. He left home at the age of fourteen years to make his way in the world, and what success he has since at- tained is the result of his own efforts. He lo- cated at Olney, Illinois, and owned, edited and published the Olney Ledger for six years, after which he removed to Parsons, Kansas, in 1878. He purchased the Parsons Sun, then a struggling weekly journal, issued irregular-

COL. ELIAS BRIGGS BALDWIN.

EVELYN B. BALDWIN.

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ly. Infusing his great energy into the work, he placed it upon a paying basis, and two years later established a daily paper; both of them he has since continuously owned, edited and published. He received the appointment of postmaster of Parsons from President Harri- son, in 1889, and served in that capacity for five years and eleven days. He was again ap- pointed to that office by President McKinley, in 1897, and has served up to the present time. He has engaged more or less in politics, hav- ing served as chairman of the Labette county Republican central committee, and as chair- man of the Republican congressional commit- tee of the Third District of Kansas. Mr. Lusk has been fairly successful financially and po- litically.

OL. ELIAS BRIGGS BALDWIN, one of the early pioneers, and a prominent citizen of Labette county, Kansas, resides at Edna. He bears a most honorable record for service during the Civil War, and his extended business career, unblemished by a single act of dishonor, be- speaks the character of the man. He was en- gaged in farming in Elm Grove township for many years, and is still the owner of large landed interests. He was born in Dutchess county, New York, June 17, 1834, and is a sun of Jacob and Abigail (Briggs) Baldwin. The ancestry of the Baldwin family can be accurate- ly traced through Richard Baldwin, an Eng- lishman, back to the sixteenth century. In 1639, three brothers came from England to America, one stopping in New Jersey, another in Virginia, and the third, James Baldwin, from whom Col. Baldwin is directly descend- ed, settled at Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Jacob Baldwin was born near Hopewell, 24

Dutchess county, New York, December 25, 1807, and was reared on a farm. He loved books, was a great reader, and took an active interest in current politics. In January, 1833, at her home, he was united in marriage with Abigail Briggs, a daughter of Elias and Kath- erine (Campbell) Briggs. The Briggs family was a very wealthy one, and owned large es- tates in Dutchess and Columbia counties. She was one of 10 children, the others being as follows: Nancy, Athalina, Amy, Sarah, Kath- erine, Melissa, Robert E., Walter M., and Caleb C. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin resided in Dutchess county until 1838. They then moved to Victory, Cayuga county, New York, and in 1858, to Hale, Illinois, where Mr. Baldwin died in October, 1893. She died at Kirkwood, Illinois, January 25, 1888, at the age of sev- enty-five years and six months. They were the parents of 15 children, of whom 12 grew to maturity. They were as follows: Elias Briggs, the gentleman whose name heads these lines; Elisha Jacob, who was born June I, 1836, and resides at Carthage, Missouri; Phile- tus Robert, who was born February 26, 1838, and lives in California; Charlotte Josephine (Hall), of Kirkwood, Illinois, who was born December 12, 1839; Frances Jerlene (Bruyn), of Chicago, who was born October 13, 1841 ; Daniel P., who was born May II, 1844, and was killed at the battle of Resaca (Georgia), May 14, 1864; Sarah Melissa, who was born March 3. 1846, and died at the age of one year ; Miletus Oscar, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, who was born August 23, 1848; Charles Ham- ilton, deceased, who was born November 18, 1849; Noah Augustus, who was born Septem- ber 18, 1851, and is an editor, at Fairview, Iowa; George W., of El Reno, Oklahoma, who was born September 20, 1853; Hattie Minora (Durand), of Topeka, Kansas, who was born

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September 24, 1854; Elmer Arthur, an attor- ney-at-law, of Omaha, Nebraska, who was born October 9, 1856; and two others, twins, who died in infancy.

Elias Briggs Baldwin attended the public schools at the academy at Red Creek, New York, and in 1854, at the age of twenty years, went to Rhode Island, where he attended the Providence Conference Seminary, and also studied medicine. He taught school in Rhode Island and Connecticut, and for a time worked as bookkeeper in a wholesale grocery house at Providence. In 1857, he went to Auburn, New York, and studied medicine, and in 1858 jour- neyed west to Aurora, Illinois, where he taught for five terms, in Clark Seminary. Then the Civil War broke out, and he was one of five brothers who tendered their services to their country, although but two of them were ac- cepted,-the subject hereof, and Daniel P., who lost his life in battle. The former enlisted, April 13, 1861, was elected captain of Com- pany C, 36th Reg., Ill. Vol. Inf., and was mustered into service in August, 1861, under Col. Greusel. He went with his company to Missouri, and served in the Department of the Southwest. In February, 1862, he was made quartermaster at Springfield, Missouri, relev- ing Gen. Sheridan. He served as captain un- til August, 1862, when he was promoted to be lieutenant-colonel of the 8th Reg., Mo. Vol. Cav., in the Third Division, under Gen. Her- ron. He served as provost marshal of the di- vision until June. 1863, when his health failed, and he returned to Aurora, Illinois, and was engaged in mercantile pursuits for one year. As his health failed to improve, he removed to a farm he had previously purchased in Clinton county, Iowa, and on this he resided for four years. In the fall of 1868, he moved to Ot- tawa, Franklin county, Kansas, where he

stayed until May, 1869, and then located at Chetopa, Labette county. In May, 1870, he removed to the farm he still owns in Howard township, in sections 1 and 2, township 35, range 18, east, and resided there until 1884. He was then elected clerk of the district court, at Oswego, and served in that capacity two successive terms. He returned to his farm in the fall of 1894. He and his sons, together, own more than 500 acres of valuable farm land. In the fall of 1900, he removed to Edna, which had long been his postoffice address, and there purchased lots and built a comfortable home.

Mr. Baldwin was married in Naperville, Illinois, in September, 1861, to Julia C. Cramp- ton, who died in Iowa, in November, 1866,- leaving three children, as follows: Evelyn B., Milton N., and Barton L. Evelyn B., a gentleman in whom Labette county takes great pride, is famous throughout this country by. reason of his Polar expeditions with Peary and others. He is now associated with W. A. Zeigler, a capitalist, and has fitted out an ex- pedition, which started in search of the north pole in July, 1901. He is recognized as a re- markable man; he is practical in his methods of procedure, and expects success to attend his efforts. Milton N., the second son, is a nurs- eryman of Princeton, Illinois. Barton L. re- sides at Sapulpa, in the Creek Nation.

Mr. Baldwin formed a second matrimonial alliance by wedding Lydia A. Gibbs at Boston, Massachusetts, in 1867. She is a daughter of Alpheus and Sophia Gibbs, and was born in Bridgton, Maine, in 1837, whence she removed to Massachusetts, with her aunt when she was ten years of age. Her grandfather Gibbs was a native of Massachusetts and of English par- entage,-two brothers of the family having come to this country shortly after the May- flower brought the Pilgrims. He and his wife

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were among the earliest settlers of Bridgton, Maine. Alpheus Gibbs died in the West at an early age, and his widow died in Maine. They had four children: Aaron, a retired farmer of Bridgton, Maine; Charles B., who is in the ice business at the same place ; Lydia A .; and Mary (Gleason), a widow, res.ding also at Bridgton. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin have had two children: Edwin M., who died at Os- wego, at the age of twenty-one years ; and Julia A., wife of O. W. Ball, manager of C. M. Condon's mercantile interests at Oswego, Edna and Cherryvale,-they have two children, Charles Edwin and Geraldine. Politically, Col. Baldwin is a Republican, and cast his first vote for John C. Fremont. He has served as justice of the peace and held other township offices. Fraternally, he is a member of the G. A. R., and was commander for six years, at Oswego and Edna. He was made a Mason in Illinois in 1861, and is also a member of Chetopa Lodge, A. O. U. W .; and the Select Knights, of Parsons. In religious belief he is a Methodist.

On preceding pages of this publication, in connection with this biography, are shown por- traits of Col. Baldwin and his eldest son, Eve- lyn B.

D R. W. A. HAZLETT, a rising young dentist of Oswego, Labette county, Kansas, located in the city in March, 1895. He has a large number of patrons, and is a skillful and thorough op- erator. Dr. Hazlett was born in Jackson county. Ohio, February 13, 1873, and is a son of Eli Hazlett. He received his early educa- tion in the schools of Warrensburg, Missouri, where his mother had taken up her residence. He attended the state normal school at War-

rensburg, and took up the study of dentistry under the preceptorship of Dr. Griggs and Dr. Cress, of Warrensburg. He also attended the Western Dental College, at Kansas City, Mis- souri, and graduated from that institution in the spring of 1895. Dr. Hazlett at once began the practice of dentistry in Oswego, Kansas, where he now lives, and has gradually worked up a patronage which would do credit to an older man.

Dr. Hazlett was united in marriage, Feb- ruary 27, 1900, to Elizabeth I. Longwell, of Hillsboro, Illinois. This estimable lady is very popular in the social set of Oswego. The sub- ject of this sketch is a member of the M. W. A .; A. O. U. W. and K. of P. Politically, he is a Republican.

N. UTTERSON, mayor of the city of Oswego, who conducts a large un- dertaking and furniture establishment in that city, carries a very extensive line of high grade stock, and commands the patronage of the leading citizens of his section of the county.

Mr. Utterson is a native of Scotland, his birth occurring in Edinburg November 15, 1849. He was reared and schooled in his na- tive city, and took up the trade of a cabinet- maker when about sixteen years of age. He came to America in 1869, at the age of twenty years, and was located in Chicago for one year. He then moved to Fort Scott, Kansas, but after a stay of a few months went to Humboldt, Kansas. There he followed his line of busi- ness until October, 1890, when he settled in Oswego, Labette county. He began the un- dertaking and furniture business in 1870, man- ufacturing all of his own furniture. Upon locating in Oswego, he purchased a store,

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which he remodeled and restocked, and in con- nection with this has conducted a repair shop. He has been favored with a large patronage, and his business has been a success in every way.

In 1873, Mr. Utterson was united in mar- riage with Anna McLeod, a native of Edin- burg, Scotland, and they are parents of three children : David, Charles, and Nellie, who died at the age of eighteen years. Fraternally Mr. Utterson is a Mason, and has risen to the rank of Knight Templar. He is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star lodge; Mod- ern Woodmen of America ; Ladies and Knights of Security; Sons and Daughters of Justice ; and Home Builders. Politically, he is a Re- publican, and was a member of the school board of Oswego for a period of six years. April 2, 1901, Mr. Utterson was elected mayor of Os- wego, and took the oath of office, April 5th fol- lowing.

J ACOB BRASCHLER, who is a native of Switzerland, has for the past ten years made his home in Osage town- ship, in section 10, township 32, range 18, east, Labette county, Kansas, where he is well known as a man of good judgment and sound principles. He is a son of Jacob and Mary Braschler, who were also natives of Switzerland.

Jacob Braschler, Sr., was a farmer in Switzerland, and he and his wife were the parents of 14 children, named as follows : Susie, Elizabeth, Regala, Conrad, Henry, Bar- bara, Lucetta, Susannah, Elsbach, Jacob, Mary, Segula, and two who died in infancy.

Jacob Braschler was reared and schooled in his native country, and set sail for the United States, in 1858. He landed at Gal-

veston, Texas, and remained in the state of Texas for four years. He then went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he lived two years. Thence he journeyed to Franklin, Missouri. After living there a short time, he located at Lawrence, Kansas, and then moved to Johnson county, Kansas, and remained there until 1879, when he settled in Labette county. He took up the farm, where he now lives, and for the past ten years has carried on general farming and stock raising. He reached Kansas with very little money, and his success has been en- tirely of his own making. He now has one of the best farms in the township, and is well up in agricultural matters.

Mr. Braschler is a member of the Republi- can party. He is a leading member of the German M. E. church, and takes an active in- terest in all church affairs. Mr. Braschler has numerous friends in Labette county, who respect him for his many good qualities. The subject of this sketch was married December 6, 1860, in Franklin county, Missouri, to Mary Cappes, a native of Pennsylvania. Unto them were born ten children, of whom nine are still living. Their names are : Matilda, Emma, Lewis, Annie, Helen, Louisa, Lydia, Edward, Albert, and Mattie, who died when six days old.

D R. LEE WILLIAMS. This gentle- man is one of the most prominent and successful physicians of Oswego, Labette county, Kansas, where he has resided since 1878. He was born at Pleasant Hill, Miami county, Ohio, in 1850, and is a son of Isaac Williams. Isaac Williams was also a native of Miami county, Ohio, where he fol- lowed the occupation of farming, and died at an early age.

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Dr. Lee Williams received his primary ed- ucation at Pleasant Hill, and assisted his fa- ther in farming until he took up the study of medicine. He began his medical studies with Dr. S. W. Keister, and later took a lecture course at the Louisville ( Kentucky) Medical. College. His last course, he took at the Ken- tucky School of Medicine, at Louisville, Ken- tucky, where he was graduated in the class of 1877. He commenced practice in Oswego, Kansas, in 1878, and has remained there ever since. He is an excellent physician, and has a large practice in Oswego and the surround- ing country. He has been very successful in his chosen profession, and Oswego people place much confidence in him, and speak only in the highest terms of his ability.

Dr. Williams married Lucy Davenport, in 1870, and they have one child,-Cora Lee. Dr. Williams was one of the original stock- holders in the First National Bank of Oswego, and also of the Oswego State Bank, and for a number of years has been a director in both in- stitutions. He is president of the board of ed- ucation, having held that office for six years. He is a member of Adams Lodge, No. 63 A. F. & A. M. In politics Dr. Williams was formerly a Republican, but now votes the Democratic ticket. He takes an active interest in the welfare of Oswego.

E DWARD L. SKELTON, an extensive real estate owner of Parsons, La- bette county, Kansas, established, built, and still owns the Parsons Foundry & Novelty Works, though he does not operate them, and is proprietor of a gen- eral repair shop for guns, bicycles, etc., on Forest avenue. Mr. Skelton was born at Lock-

port, Will county, Illinois, March 3, 1854, and is a son of George and Elizabeth ( Pitch) Skel- ton, both of English nativity.

George Skelton was born in Lincolnshire, England, March 15, 1833. He came to Amer- ica in 1852, sailing from Hull, having previ- ously married the mother of Elizabeth Pitch, who was also born in Lincolnshire, April 9, 1833. Upon their arrival in the United States, they located in Lockport, Illinois, where they lived for about ten years. In 1862, they re- moved into another county, but still contin- ued to reside in Illinois until 1869, when the father and Edward L. moved farther west, and located in Labette county, Kansas. Octo- ber 30th of the same year, the elder Mr. Skelton purchased from Mr. Axton a claim in North township, in sections 26, 31 and 30, township 31, range 20. They brought with them six horses, and in the winter of 1869 and 1870 the son remained on the claim and "bached," while the father returned for the rest of the family. In the spring of 1870, the sub- ject hereof met them at Fort Scott, Kansas, and they proceeded overland to their future home having traveled by rail as far as Girard, Kansas. George Skelton died in the fall of 1886, but his widow is still living. She re- sides in Newburg, Oregon, on a fruit farm. Six children are still living, namely: Edward L .; George P., now of Pendleton, Oregon, but formerly postmaster of Pilot Rock; Mary (Alexander ), of Parsons; John, owner . of a cattle ranch in Oregon; Anna ( McIntosh), a resident of North township, whose daughter, Rose, is now deceased; and Charles, a farmer residing with his mother in Oregon.

In December, 1880, Mr. Skelton was united in marriage with Artie M. Story, a daughter of Joseph Story, one of the pioneer settlers of Kansas. Six children blessed this union, three

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of whom are deceased. Those still living are : Eva May, a graduate of the Parsons High School; and Nellie and Lena, both of whom are students.

Edward L. Skelton attended the common schools of Illinois, and of Labette county, Kan- sas. He was one of the first pupils to attend school in Franklin District, No. 55, North township, where his father helped to erect the first school building, which was made of black walnut boards. When Mr. Skelton reached his majority, he purchased land in sections 37, 21 and 20. He killed his first deer near Lenn 'Steele's sawmill on the forks of Labette creek. At that time Martin Davis was his nearest neighbor. Long before the town of Parsons was laid out. Mr. Skelton and Charles Ander- son, with two mules, broke the first sod upon the site of that city, on the same ground where the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway shops are now located. Mr. Skelton also helped rip- rap the pond back of the shops, then purchased his claim and paid for it in three years. Quite recently he exchanged this farm for city prop- erty. He was a member of the Settlers' Pro- tective Association. Removing to Parsons in the early "seventies," he soon after com- menced work for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company, and assisted in plac- ing and installing machinery. Later, he did similar work in Denison, Texas, and spent one winter on the transfer gang.

Returning to Parsons he opened a gun shop over Lenn Steele's blacksmith shop, having learned the trade with a Mr. Piatt. He subse- quently returned for a brief time to service on the railroad. In 1879, he established and built the Parsons Foundry & Novelty Works, which he operated in a very successful manner for eleven years, using at first a threshing machine engine for motive power. This plant is locate:1 on the corner of Grand avenue and Twenty-

first street, on lots 18 and 19, block 51. The main building is 30 by 60 feet, in dimensions, and is a two-story brick structure. The foun- dry proper, is a frame building, and has the same dimensions, while an additional shed has been erected, 30 by 60 feet in size. The black- smith shop in the rear has dimensions of 14 by 60 feet. In this factory novelties and archi- tectural work were manufactured from the founding of the plant. At a later period, more attention was given to the machine depart- ment and Mr. Skelton engaged to do the ma- chine work for the Parsons & Pacific Railway at Parsons. Thus from a small beginning, the plant was gradually enlarged to its present di- mensions, and from 12 to 14 experienced work- men are now required to fill all orders. Of late years, the plant has been leased to Mr. Edgar, as the business was too confining, and the health of Mr. Skelton was somewhat im- paired.

After recuperating for about two years, Mr. Skelton engaged in real estate dealing, and has built up quite a little business in that line. While operating the foundry, his business had been so successful that he was enabled to build nine different houses. He was one of the men who believed in the advancement of Parsons, and at the present writing owns and rents a large number of houses in the city, having speculated in real estate quite advantageously.

Mr. Skelton was not satisfied, however, ex- cept when working at his chosen calling,'and after dealing in real estate a couple of years, he opened a repair shop in 1899, for guns, bicycles, etc., at No. 1808 Forest avenue. This he conducts at the present time, employing two competent workmen as assistants. In his po- litical views, Mr. Skelton has always been a Republican. He has served as councilman from the Third Ward, for four years. He affiliates with the I. O. O. F. and K. of P.

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lodges,-having filled all the chairs of both. He has attended the sessions of the grand lodge of the former on three different oc- casions. Mrs. Skelton is a member of the auxiliary lodges of both organizations. Mr. Skelton is also a member of the Modern Wood- mien of America. He has been a member of the Parsons fire department for many years, and at the present time is assistant chief. The family favor the Christian church, and are among the most prosperous and prominent cit- izens of Parsons.

D R. CHARLES ROCKHOLD has been prominently identified with the af- fairs of Parsons, Kansas, where he located in 1872. He has been most successful in the practice of the medical pro- fession, and enjoys a lucrative practice in Par- sons and vicinity.

Dr. Rockhold was born in Wayne county, Iowa, and at the age of nine years moved with his parents to Mercer county, Missouri. He attended a district school in Wayne county, Iowa, and received his tuition in the higher branches at Grand River College, in Grundy county, Missouri, having taught school for one year previous to entering that institution. In 1862, he enlisted in Company B, of what was called the Revanna Battalion, and served for a period of six months. He studied medicine at the Keokuk Medical College in Iowa, and was graduated in 1864. His first practice was in Wayne county, Iowa, where he remained but a short time, and afterward in Saline county, Missouri, where he successfully prac- ticed for seven years. In September, 1872, he located at Parsons, Kansas, and engaged in the practice of medicine, and has thus contin-

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History of Labette County, Kansas, and representative citizens, Part 48

Author: Case, Nelson, 1845-1921, ed Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Chicago, Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 846

Author: Case, Nelson, 1845-1921, ed
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 846