USA > Kansas > Labette County > History of Labette County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 58
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Mr. Willis was married to Sarah J. Brad- ley, a native of Bond county, Illinois. She was born in 1836, and died in 1890. Her fa- ther, William Bradley, was born in North Car- olina, in 1815. and died in Decatur county, Iowa, in 1891. Mr. Willis had II children by this, his first marriage. They were: Mary (Wilson), of Union county, Iowa, whose chil- dren are,-Lyman, Laura, Homer, Mattie,
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Stella, Harry, and Clarence ; William.deceased ; John, of Adams county, Washington, the fa- ther of the following children: Chloe, Addie, Roe, Dean, Claude, and Hazel; Etha (Waln), of Holyoke, Colorado, whose children are,- Royce. Bruce, Floyd, and Joseph; Lucy (Kelly), of Adams county, Washington, whose children are,-Gilbert and Fay; Sarah (Bryant), of Labette county ; James, of Ad- ams county, Washington ; Irna ( Hoffman). of Cedar county, Missouri,-the mother of Neva and Veta; Ada, deceased; Hattie (Bicknell), of Adams county, Washington, whose children are .- Floyd and Forest; and Annie, deceased.
Mr. Willis formed a second union, in 1895, by wedding Mrs. Ary Christie, widow of An- drew J. Christie, who was born in Indiana, and died in Kansas, February 15. 1890. Mrs. Chris- tie was born in 1833 in Mercer county, Ken- tucky. Her father, John Rynerson, was also a native of Mercer county, and was born in 1806. He died in Hendricks county. Indiana, in 1865. He married Elizabeth Cunningham, who was born in 1808, in Mercer county, Kentucky, and died, in 1849, in Hendricks county, Indiana. They reared the following offspring: Will- iam, James and Christopher, deceased; Ary, the wife of Mr. Willis; Jane: Mary, deceased; Elizabeth (Moon), of Hendricks county, In- diana; Sarah, deceased; Mattie (Cooper), of Hendricks county. Indiana : and Laura (Goss). deceased. Mrs. Willis, before her marriage to our subject, had reared 10 children, namely : John, deceased, whose children are .- Cosalia, Effie, Isaac, and Ary; William, deceased ; Jen- nie (Potter), of Cherokee county, Kansas, whose children are,-Josie (Tower), of Pu- eblo, Colorado, Emma (Wadsack), Flora, Charles. Ary, Clara, Laura. Obad, Fred, Homer, and Irne; Wilson, deceased; Elisha, of Labette county, whose children are -Grace
(deceased), Daisy, Lizzie. William, Ernest, Raymond, Roy and May; Sarah (Kenworthy), deceased, whose children were,-Pearl, Frank, Charles, Florence (deceased), Clara, Em- ma (deceased), and Enoch; James, of Labette county ; Albert (deceased), whose children were .- Sophia, Albert, and Sam- uel; Fred, who served in Company F, 34th Reg., U. S. Vol. Inf., 8th Army Corps, in the Philippine Islands; and Mary (Hag- gard), deceased, whose children were,-Rich- ard, Harmon and Earle. Mr. Willis has been township trustee three terms, and justice of the peace and school director for fifteen years.
HOMAS F. STICE, who lives on the southwest quarter of section 27, Os- wego township, Labette county, Kansas, is not only engaged in agri- cultural pursuits but in coal operating as well. There is a good vein of coal underlying his land, first discovered more than thirty years ago, and he still mines considerable coal. Mr. Stice was born in Madison county, Illinois, in 1858, and is a son of Shadrach and Lena (Hanes) Stice, and a grandson of Charles Stice.
Shadrach Stice was born in Greenwood, Kentucky, where he spent the early part of his life, and where he was married. He then moved to Madison county, Illinois, and several years later went to Scott county, Illinois, where he and his wife lived the remainder of their lives. He died at the age of fifty-six years, and she at the age of fifty-two years. His union with Lena Hanes resulted in the birth of the following children : William, who died from the effects of measles contracted while in the army. during the Civil War; John,
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deceased; Mary (Killebrew), deceased ; Mar- garet (Handback) ; Martin, deceased; Nancy, deceased; Samuel, deceased; George W .; Thomas F .; and James.
Thomas F. Stice spent most of his boy- hood days in Scott county, Illinois, and at an early age learned the trade of a machinist. He worked in a machine shop for two years, after which he returned to the farm. In March, 1880, he traveled west, and located in Oswego township, Labette county, Kansas, where he purchased 280 acres of land. Coal was discovered on this property more than thirty years ago, and at a former period con- siderable coal was mined and sold. After Mr. Stice came into possession, he again began the development of the coal banks, and at the pres- ent time markets a good deal of coal. His 280 acres are in one body, and underlying the property is a vein of coal running from 12 to 24 inches thick. He follows modern ideas in his farming, and has been very successful. Mr. Stice, besides farming, is also agent for the Page Woven Wire Fence Company, and has done considerable work in putting up wire fences. This has amounted to 12 miles since January I, 1901. He has also purchased. in section 35. Oswego township, a farm of 42 acres, which is devoted to wheat. He is char- acterized by amiable traits, stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens, and has many friends throughout the county.
Mr. Stice was united in marriage, in 1881, with Lucy Caldwell, a daughter of James and Melissa Caldwell, of Montana township, La- bette county, and they became parents of the following children: Fred, who died at the age of two years; Ada; Edward; Nora and Dora, twins; Carl; Pearl; Clyde; Margaret and Marie, twins, both of whom are deceased ; Blanche; and Omar. Fraternally. Mr. Stice
is a member of Oswego Lodge, I. O. O. F .; and of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a strong Republican, in politics, and an ac- tive worker in the party. He has served in an official capacity for a period of twelve years. having held the offices of township trustee, treasurer and clerk.
A LFRED BICKNELL, a prosperous and well known farmer, residing in section 17, Liberty township, Labette county. Kansas, has been one of the progressive and influential workers in the county, where he located in 1867, and has materially assisted in its growth and develop- ment. He was born in Knox county, Indiana, in 1829, and is a son of Mumfred and Nancy (Ashby) Bicknell.
Mumfred Bicknell was born in 1796, in North Carolina, and died in 1853, in Knox county, Indiana, where he had lived for a num- ber of years. He married Nancy Ashby, a na- tive of Mercer county, Kentucky, who was born in 1798. She also died in Knox county, Indiana, in 1876, having been the mother of the following children, namely: James ; Christiana; John; Josephus; Samuel; Alfred ; Mumfred; Austin; David; William, deceased ; and George W.
Alfred Bicknell, whose name appears at the opening of these lines, received his mental training in his native county, where he lived until 1862. In that year he enlisted in Com- pany C, 80th Reg., Ind. Vol. Inf., and served in the 23d Army Corps, in the Army of the Ohio. He was mustered out in 1865, having fought valiantly for his country. After the close of the war, Mr. Bicknell returned to Knox county, Indiana, where he remained two
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years, and then moved to Labette county, Kansas, where he has since resided. He is engaged in general farming, an occupation he has followed all his life. He has a thorough knowledge of farming matters, and has been very successful. He has a large, well ap- pointed farm, which is kept in excellent con- dition, and presents a fine appearance.
Mr. Bicknell was wedded to Mary Ellen Fitzpatrick, a native of Knox county, Indiana, who was born in 1836. She is a daughter of John and Sarah (Pender) Fitzpatrick. John Fitzpatrick was born in North Carolina, in 1790, and died in Knox county, Indiana, in 1845. His wife was born in Pennsylvania, in 1810, and died in Knox county, Indiana, in 1885. They reared the following offspring : James, Pleasant, Lucinda (Davenport), Thomas, John, Obid, and Daniel, deceased; Jane (Chancelor), of Knox county, Indiana; Mary E., of Labette county; Charlotte, de- ceased; Nancy (Richie), of Colorado Springs, Colorado; William S., of California; Sarah, of Sullivan county, Indiana; and Thompson, deceased.
Mr. Bicknell and his wife are the parents of II children, who are as follows: Joseph and Nancy, deceased; William; George W .; Morton; Marion and Grant, deceased; John; David E .; Judson; and Charles. William, who lives in Fort Scott, Kansas, married Sophia Jewell, and has the following children : Arthur; Myrtle; William; Hazel; and Blanche. George W., who resides in Ne- osho, Kansas, married Maggie Moore, and has the following offspring: Clyde; Alice; Amy; Ella; Fred; Pearl; Homer; and Walter. The name of Morton's wife was Lizzie MacIndoo, and she bore him two chil- dren,-Maud and Mont. John lives in La- bette county. David E., who lives in Spo-
kane, Washington, married a Miss Goodman, and has one child,-Thelma. Judson, who lives in Labette county, married Dora Hoffman, and has two children,-Fred and Fern. Charles, who resides in Adams county, Wash- ington, married May Willis, and has two chil- dren,-Floyd and Forrest.
Mr. Bicknell is a member of the G. A. R., and he is highly respected in the community, where he is considered one of its best citizens. He has many warm friends.
OHN A. FLORA, a prominent busi- ness man and farmer, who has been one of the leading citizens of Labette county, Kansas, is at present living in section 24, Liberty township. He has been a resident of Kansas since 1862, and has been largely identified with the growth and develop- ment of Labette county since 1868. Mr. Flora was born in Harrison county, Indiana, in 1845, and is a son of John and Amanda (Lentz) Flora.
John Flora was born in Susquehanna coun- ty, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and died in Barthol- omew county, Indiana, in 1867. He married Amanda Lentz, who was born in Connecticut in 1808, and died in Bartholomew county, In- diana, in 1861. This union resulted in the birth of six children, namely: Volney, who lives in Hugo, Colorado; Josephine (Beau- champ), who lives in Paola, Kansas; Cath- erine (Muth), deceased; Daniel, who lives in Pueblo, Colorado; Margaret (Beauchamp), who lives in Denver, Missouri; and John A., the subject of this sketch.
John A. Flora was ten years old when his parents moved to Bartholomew county, Indi-
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ana, where he received his primary education, and also attended Hartsville University, at Hartsville, Indiana. In 1862, Mr. Flora en- listed in Company C, 6th Reg., Ohio Vol. Cav., and was transferred to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he was assigned to special scout duty. Mr. Flora served as a scout in Colorado, the Indian Territory, Kansas and Nebraska dur- ing the war, and took part in many skirmishes with the Indians. He did valuable service, and was mustered out in 1865. In that year he located in Lyon county, Kansas, where he remained for three years, when he removed to Labette county, and settled in Oswego. There he leased and conducted the Condon Hotel for a period of twelve years. Since that time he has lived in section 24, in Liberty township.
Mr. Flora was united in marriage with Mary Shults, who was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1850. She died in Lyon county, Kansas, in 1873. Three children resulted from this union, whose names are: Clarence, who lives in Independence, Kansas; Harriet (Gray), who lives in St. Louis, Missouri, and has two children,-Carl and Russell; and William, who lives in Carthage, Missouri, and has two chil- dren,-Harriet and Frances. Mr. Flora formed a second union by wedding Mrs. Ida C. Smith, in 1879. She was born in Indi- anapolis, Indiana, in 1845. She has two chil- dren by her first marriage, namely: Peter W. Smith, who lives in Joplin, Missouri, and has one son,-Earl; and Lena (Clark), who lives in Oswego, Kansas, and has one son,-Elmer.
Mr. Flora is a faithful adherent of the Re- publican party, and the citizens of Labette county have shown their confidence in him by electing him register of deeds,-an office which he filled in an able manner. Mr. Flora is a member of the G. A. R., and of the M. W. of A.
D R. JAMES W. HENDERSON, one of the leading physicians of Labette City, Labette county, Kansas, is a highly respected citizen of that town. He enjoys a lucrative practice, and is known throughout the county. Dr. Henderson was born in Posey county, Indiana, in 1846, and is a son of William and Mourning ( Ballard) Henderson.
William Henderson was born in Virginia, in 1804. and his death occurred in Posey coun- ty, Indiana, in 1849. His wife was born in Clinton county, Ohio, in 1814, and died in 1892, at Amo, Indiana. They reared two chil- dren: James, the subject of this sketch, and Sarah (Phillips), of Indiana.
Dr. James W. Henderson was but four years old when his mother moved to Clinton county, Ohio. In 1852 she went, with her family, to Hendricks county. Indiana, where the subject hereof received his early educa- tion. He graduated from the Indiana Medi- cal College, at Indianapolis, in the class of 1876. From 1881 to 1884 Dr. Henderson was superintendent of the Indian schools of Pawhuska, Oklahoma. In 1884 he moved with his family to Labette county, Kansas, and located in Labette City, where he has since re- sided, and has practiced medicine continuously. He is an honest, upright and intelligent citi- zen, and has done much to better the condition of his town and county.
Dr. Henderson was united in marriage with Sarah Van Dyke, who was born in 1849, in Fillmore, Indiana. Her father was Quinton Van Dyke, who was born in 1812, in Ken- tucky, and died in 1884, in Tuscola, Illinois. His wife was Lucinda Brinton, a native of Kentucky, who was born in 1812, and died in Indiana, in 1870. They reared the following children,-Louisa (Ellis), deceased; Lorenzo,
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of Huron, Indiana: John, of Tuscola, Illinois; Wallis, of Indianapolis, Indiana; Nelson and Mary, deceased; Jennie, living in Ottumwa, Iowa; Sarah; and Clara (Coughlan).
Dr. Henderson and his wife have had three children, namely: Lena M., deceased; Mabel R., of Labette City; and Chester, deceased. Dr. Henderson is a Republican, in his politi- cal belief, and fraternally, is a member of La- bette Lodge, No. 488, I. O. O. F .; Modern Woodmen of America; and Daughters of Re- bekalı. He is medical examiner for several insurance companies.
ARRY W. STARNES, a well known young druggist of Altamont, Labette county, Kansas, was born in Labette county, in 1872, in the northeast quar- ter of section 34, Mount Pleasant township. He was the only child of James and Elizabeth (Ingersoll) Starnes. James Starnes was born in Greene county, Indiana, in 1845, and is liv- ing in Colorado. His wife was also a native of Indiana, and was born in 1852; she died in Labette county, Kansas, in 1873. Harry W. was the only child resulting from this union.
Harry W. Starnes received his mental training in the schools of Mount Pleasant township, and in the high school at Oswego, Kansas. He learned the printer's trade, and worked at it for seven years before he began the study of pharmacy. He has been in the drug trade in Altamont for eight years, having a large and flourishing business. Mr. Starnes has been secretary of the Republican county central committee, and has also been city clerk and treasurer of Altamont. He has always been one of the active and zealous workers in the county, and is highly respected by all his
fellow citizens. Mr. Starnes married Susan Dodd, who was born in Indianapolis, Indi- ana, in 1876.
A RATUS R. BRADFIELD, one of the leading business men in Altamont, Labette county, Kansas, is engaged in the hardware trade. He was born in Coles county, Illinois, in 1860, and is a son of J. P. and Martha J. (Carnell) Bradfield.
J. P. Bradfield was born in Indiana in 1834, and in 1850 moved to Coles county, Illinois. In 1872 he moved to Labette county, Kansas, and settled in Montana township. In 1874 Mr. Bradfield embarked in mercantile pursuits, and continued thus until 1896, when. he began farming, his present occupation. He married Martha J. Carnell, who was born in Indiana, in 1836. She died at Montana, Kansas, in 1881. They reared the following children, namely : Henry, of Parsons, Kansas ; Rachael (Peak), of Parsons ; Samuel, deceased ; James, of Montana, Kansas; Aratus R., the subject of this sketch; Aggie (Barnes), of Augusta, Kansas; Joseph, living in New Mexico; Nel- lie, deceased; and Minnie (Kiter). of Parsons, Kansas. Mr. Bradfield married a second time, and the latter union resulted in the fol- lowing offspring: Cleo, of Montana, Kansas ; John, deceased; Carlos; and Flora, of Mon- tana, Kansas.
Aratus R. Bradfield, whose name appears at the opening of this sketch, lived in Coles county, Illinois, until 1872, and attended the schools of that county. He assisted his father in farming for ten years, and in 1874 began his mercantile career, by assisting his father in their general store. In 1881 Mr. Bradfield went to Colorado, but remained only one year,
DAVID V. REED.
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returning to Labette county in 1882, where he began farming. He continued at this occupa- tion until 1889, when he engaged in the imple- ment business in Montana, Labette county, and continued thus for a period of ten years. His next move was to Altamont, where he now resides, and is engaged in the hardware and implement business. He has a large number of patrons, with whom he deals honestly and fairly. His reputation as a man of just busi- ness methods has long been established in the county. Mr. Bradfield has a large, well stocked store, which is considered one of the best in the county.
Mr. Bradfield married Lucy Ammonds, in 1882. She was born in 1859, in Greenville, Illinois. They have had three children,-Clif- ford, deceased; Arthur M., of Altamont; and Edith C. Mr. Bradfield is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors.
D AVID V. REED, one of the hardy pioneers of Labette county, Kansas, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, located upon his present farm in 1867, and has since engaged in general farming and fruit growing. He was among the very first to settle in this section and has witnessed the wonderful growth and develop- ment of the county since that period. He has prospered with the county, and is now reck- oned as one of the most substantial and influ- ential men in the community. He was born in Union county, Ohio, in 1842, and is a son of James and Asenath (McWilliams ) Reed.
James Reed was born in Union county, Ohio, in 1814, and died there in 1845. His wife, Asenath McWilliams, was born in Ohio in 1818, and died in Wilson county, Kansas, in 1887. 29
They reared six children, as follows: Joseph, deceased; Enos, of Douglas county, Kansas; Marcenas, deceased; Almeda ( Molesworth), of Labette county, Kansas; David V., the sub- ject hereof ; and James, deceased. Mrs. Reed married a second husband, Thomas Long, by whom she had seven children: Mary, de- ceased ; Jolin, deceased; Samuel, of Montgon :- ery county, Kansas ; Arabella, deceased ; Eliza, deceased; Flora (Handley), of Montgomery county ; and Brumfield, of Wilson county. Kansas.
David V. Reed lived in Union county, Ohio, until 1850, when he moved to Lucas county, Iowa, and received a common school education in that state. In 1862, he enlisted in Company K, 34th Reg., Iowa Vol. Inf., and was in the battles of Vicksburg, Mobile, and many others. He was captured by the Confederates at Sterling Plantation, and taken to Tyler, Texas, where he was incarcerated for a period of ten months. In 1864, he was exchanged, and three days afterward partici- pated in the battle of Sterling Plantation. He was mustered out in 1865, and returned to Lucas county, Iowa. There he remained on a farm until 1867, when he moved to. Labette county, Kansas, and located upon his present farm on section 18, Liberty township. He has since engaged in general farming and stock raising, and has made a specialty of fruit growing.
Mr. Reed was united in marriage with Mary E. Collins, who was born in Grundy county, Illinois, in 1842, and is a daughter of Theron and Garetta (Van Dolson) Collins. Her father was born in Dutchess county, New York, in 1810, and died at Parsons, Kansas, in 1884. Her mother was born in Albany county, New York, in 1813, and died at Par- sons, Kansas, in 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Collins
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were parents of the following children: John, of Whatcom county, Washington; George, of Pawnee county, Nebraska; William, of Green- ville, Texas; Edward, of Whatcom county, Washington; Mary E., of Labette county, Kansas; Margaret (Wood), of Parsons, Kan- sas; Catherine (Irwin), of Spokane, Washing- ton; and Sarah, of Labette county, Kansas. Mr. Reed is a man of pleasing personality, and has many warm friends in Labette county. Politically, he is a Republican, having cast his first vote while in the army for Abraham Lincoln, and having voted with that party ever since. He is a member of the Anti-Horse- thief Association.
R UFUS DEGARMO, who was for many years a prominent farmer of Labette county, Kansas, is now living in re- tirement in the city of Oswego, Kansas. He was born in Ulster county, New York, in 1821, and is a son of Elias and Clem- ma (Powell) De Garmo.
Elias De Garmo was born in Dutchess county, New York, in 1788, and died in Rochester, New York, in 1876. He married Clemma Powell, who was born in Dutchess county, New York, in 1789, and died there in 1828. They reared the following offspring : John, Lydia, Mary, and Anna, deceased; Han- nah (Albertson), of Sterling, Illinois; Rufus; and Peter and Jane, twins,-the former of La- bette county, Kansas, and the latter deceased.
Rufus De Garmo received his education in Monroe county, New York, and at the age of twenty-three years went to Sterling, Illinois. He was clerk of Whiteside county, Illinois, from 1851 to 1857, and in 1861 removed to Shelby county, Illinois. In 1864 he enlisted
in the 149th Reg., Ill. Vol. Inf., and was made quartermaster sergeant of the regiment. He served until the close of the war, and was mustered out at Camp Butler, Illinois, in 1866. He then lived in Shelby county, Illinois, until 1882, when he removed to Oswego, Labette county, Kansas. There he resided until 1884, and then moved to Coldwater, Kansas, where he was located for eight years. During this time he served as city clerk, for six years; as police judge, two years; and as justice of the peace, two years. In 1892 he returned to La- bette county, Kansas, and is now living in re- tirement at Oswego. He was a good business man and a successful farmer, and has always stood in high favor with his fellow citizens.
Mr. De Garmo was first married to Laura M. Wilber, who was born in Peterboro, New York, in 1822, and died in East Troy, Wiscon- sin, in 1850. This union resulted in one son, Charles, who was president of Swarthmore College, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from 1892 to 1899. For the past two years Charles De Garmo has been a professor at Cornell University, and occupies a prominent position in educational circles. Our subject formed a second union by wedding Lavina Miles, who was born in 1827, and died in 1898, at Os- wego, Kansas. Three children were the off- spring of the second marriage: Caroline M. (Wiley) ; Alice (Smith) ; and Lida, who is at home.
REDERICK BOSTELMANN, a well known and highly esteemed resident of Walton township, occupies a promi- nent place among the well-to-do farm- ers of Labette county, Kansas. He was born in Germany in 1844, and received his intellect- ual training in the schools of his native coun-
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try. He followed farming during his early manhood, and in 1866, when twenty-two years of age, came to America. He landed at Bal- timore, Maryland, and subsequently traveled inland as far as Ohio. Some time later he came west, to Iowa, where he remained for several years. In the fall of 1871 he located permanently upon the farm which is now his home. This farm comprises the northwest quarter of section I, in Walton township, and is a tract of as finely cultivated land as can be found in the county. This land Mr. Bostel- man has spent the past thirty years in culti- vating and improving. He carries on general farming, and raises all sorts of grain, some stock, and various kinds of fruit.
Mr. Bostelmann frequently refers to inci- dents of his experience in getting to Kansas, which was then but sparsely settled. While living in Iowa he was an employee on the Rock Island Railroad, and this fact enabled him to travel by rail as far as Omaha, Ne- braska. From that point the trip down the Missouri river to Kansas City, Missouri, was made on a flat boat. The rest of the journey was pursued via Fort Scott to Labette county. In the fall of 1870, when Mr. Bostelmann first arrived in the county, he was accompanied by August Hoffman. They "bached" on the former's claim. Mr. Hoffman had purchased the adjoining claim, but still they "bached" together in a 12 by 14 feet box shanty. While away at supper on an adjoining claim, their shanty was set on fire by a posse of 16 men, who, it is thought, wanted to frighten Mr. Bostelmann and his partner away. They did not accomplish their purpose, as the former was not so easily scared, but at once set about to build a log cabin, which soon replaced the box house. The guilty parties were brought to justice, which soon settled all trouble.
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