USA > Kansas > Labette County > History of Labette County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 60
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William Sullivan was taken to the home of Leonard Hagan, then of Illinois, where he was reared as a son. His primary education was obtained in the district schools. In 1870, he accompanied Mr. Hagan to Osage Mission, Kansas, which then formed the nucleus of im- migration in this portion of the state. There he attended for some time the Indian school under the direction of the Jesuits, and was later sent to St. Louis, where he served an ap- prenticeship with a drug firm. When eighteen years old, he was placed in St. Mary's College near Topeka, Kansas, where he took a com- plete course in chemistry and botany, and also studied Latin and German. Returning to Osage Mission he was employed as a clerk in a drug store for two years. In the fall of 1879, he located in Parsons, Labette county, where he worked in a similar capacity for Silas Cary for a brief period. Mr. Sullivan then opened a drug store of his own, under the Eclipse office, where he carried on busi- ness for two years. He removed his drug store, from time to time, to different parts of the city, and enjoyed a very fair patronage. In 1892, he was enabled to erect a double building, 70 feet by 40 feet, in dimensions, and one story high, at No. 2128 Johnson avenue. For the past two years, Mr. Sullivan's drug
store has been located in a part of this build- ing, and is a model of neatness.
While at Osage Mission (now St. Paul), Kansas, Mr. Sullivan formed the acquaint- ance of a Jesuit missionary, Father Colleton, who in his travels had previously visited Bax- ter Springs. At that place, he stopped with the family of Capt. Highland, with whom a boy was living, whose personal appearance greatly resembled that of William Sullivan. Father Colleton spoke of the remarkable like- ness between the two boys, and an investiga- tion revealed the fact that they were brothers. Guided by Father Colleton, William Sullivan went to see his brother, and finally induced James to locate in Parsons, Kansas, where he also engaged in the drug business. James Sullivan died in Parsons about 1897, leaving a son, Frank, who still resides in Parsons with his mother, and is employed in the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway yards.
William Sullivan was joined in marriage with Miss M. J. Mills, an accomplished daugh- ter of Lafayette Mills, who, like himself, was a pioneer resident of St. Paul, Neosho county, Kansas. Eight children were born of this union, namely: Gertrude, William L., Leo, Fay, Louis, Irene, Clarence, and Joseph. Fay and Irene are deceased. The eldest child, and only living daughter, is attending the high school; the younger boys are also students. William L., who is fifteen years of age, is his father's able assistant in the drug store.
Mr. Sullivan is a man of decided views, but is temperate and gentlemanly in his expression of them. Although a Catholic, he entertains liberal ideas on religious subjects. In politics, he votes a straight Democratic ticket. Fra- ternally, he is a member of the A. O. U. W., and carries insurance in that order. He casts the weight of his influence in behalf of the wel-
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fare of his community, and is earnestly inter- ested in local matters. He enjoys the reputa- tion of being a model citizen of Parsons, where he was among the first to establish a prosper- ous drug business.
S. TRAXSON, one of the fore- most farmers living in Canada township. Labette county, Kan- sas, has been a resident of the county since 1882. He was born in England, in 1846, and at the age of thirteen years, went to sea, and was a sailor for four years. He was afterward a miner for two years, and next served on the London police force, for five years. When Mr. Traxson was twenty-seven years old, he came to America, landing at Gal- veston, Texas. He then located at Bryan, Texas, where he followed the occupation of a farmer for two years. After two years' resi- dence in Dallas, he located, in 1876, at Gra- ham, Texas, where he was engaged in farming and stock raising for six years.
Mr. Traxson moved to Labette county, Kansas, in the fall of 1882, and after spend- ing a short time in Oswego, settled in Canada township, on the northeast quarter of section 18. This has been 'his home ever since, and he has made extensive improvements on the place. He built a large frame house of ten rooms, in 1898, and his farm is one of the finest in the county. Mr. Traxson is a con- scientious worker and takes great pride in mak- ing his home attractive, and raising the high- est grade of products.
The subject hereof has two brothers and two sisters living, whose names are as follows : George, Moses, Elizabeth, and Mary. Moses is in this country and the others live in Eng-
land. Mr. Traxson was united in marriage with Elizabeth Mapes, who was born in Nor- folk, England, in 1848. They have reared eight children, namely: William, who is a farmer in Canada township; Ernest, deceased; John and Fred, who are at home; Elizabeth, deceased; Agnes; Rose; and George.
Mr. Traxson is a member of the Populist party. He has served one term as treasurer of Canada township, and was for some time on the school board. He belongs to the Anti- Horsethief Association, Valeda Camp, No. 150. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist church.
HESTER A. KEYSER, a resident of Canada township, Labette county, . Kansas, and one of the leading farm- ers in the southwest portion of the county, was born in Hancock county, Ohio, in 1859. He is a son of J. B. and Margaret (Ryan) Keyser.
J. B. Keyser is a real estate dealer in Mis- souri. He married Margaret Ryan, and they have five children : Charlotte J., deceased ; Cal- vin L .; Chester A .; Clarissa E., deceased; and Cassius J. Mr. and Mrs. Keyser were bothı born in Pennsylvania.
Chester A. Keyser lived in Hancock coun- ty, Ohio, until he reached the age of twenty- four years. He then removed to Platte county, Nebraska, where he farmed until he located in Labette county in the fall of 1883. He made the trip from Nebraska by wagon, and after reaching Labette county settled on a farm in Canada township, in section 2, town- ship 34, range 18. He then spent six months in Ohio, and from there went to Colorado, where he lived for six months. His next lo- cation was Gentry county, Missouri, where,
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with his brother, Calvin L., he was engaged in stock raising until the fall of 1891. Unfortu- nately, this last move was an unsuccessful one, and after his finances had been reduced to the lowest ebb, he returned, in the fall of 1891, to his farm in Canada township. Eight years later, Mr. Keyser located on his home farm, which is the east half of the northwest quarter of section 10. He also owns the northeast quarter of section 4, Canada township. His new residence was built in 1900. Mr. Keyser is engaged in general farming.
The subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Sarah Haggerman, who was born in Ohio, in 1860. They have had two children, namely : Dona E .; and Don C., de- ceased. Mr. Keyser is a Populist, in political views. He takes an active interest in local politics, and has served two terms as trustee of Canada township. He is now serving as clerk of that township. He has been a mem- ber of the school board for six years, and is still a member of that body. Mr. Keyser be- longs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and is also a member of the Anti-Horsethief Association, Valeda Camp, No. 150. He is well known in Labette county, and is respected as one of its foremost citizens.
€ D BERO. JR., the well known dealer in books, periodicals, stationery and sporting goods of all kinds, is located at 107 South Central avenue, Parsons, Kansas. He is a son of Ed Bero, Sr., and a brother-in-law of E. B. Stevens, the well known banker of Parsons. He was born July, 1867, at Omaha, Nebraska.
Ed Bero, Sr., a prominent contractor of Parsons, is a Populist, in politics, and has
served in the city council. In 1872, the family moved to Columbus, Kansas, where they re- mained three or four months, and then locat- ed at Parsons, Labette county, where they have since had their home.
Ed Bero, Jr., attended the common schools, and left them at the age of fourteen years, to enter the employ of W. L. Bartlett & Company, as a grocery clerk. He remained with the firm ten years, and then on December 1, 1890, opened his present business. O. H. Stewart was with him for eighteen months as a silent partner, after which Mr. Bero continued the business alone. He has worked up a first class business, and is up to date in every particular. He enjoys a lucrative patronage, and is a fa- vorite dealer with all.
Mr. Bero was united in marriage with Ger- trude Barton, a daughter of James Barton. one of the pioneers of the county. His mother still resides on the outskirts of the city, at 3200 Forest avenue. Fraternally, Mr. Bero is a member of the A. O. U. W. ; he is a Democrat, in politics, and in religious views is very liberal. Mrs. Bero is a member of the Fraternal Aid.
ILLARD F. SMITH, manufacturer of, and wholesale dealer in, coal miners' supplies, is probably best known by reason of his invention of the M. F. Smith Double and Single Post Drilling Machine, which is widely used in the various mining states of the West. He is a practical man, and has met with success in his business ventures.
Mr. Smith was born June 13, 1851, in Logan county, Ohio, and is a son of John Milton and Jemiah (Sudith) Smith. John Milton Smith was a native of Virginia,-of
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Scotch-Irish descent. He was a millwright by trade, and at an early age went with his wid- owed mother to Logan county, Ohio, where he assisted in clearing a farm. He moved from Ohio to Missouri and resided in different cities in the latter state, and in Iowa. He was also in the mill business in Texas, in 1860, and molded the first cook stove made in that state. He was a molder by trade, having for- merly operated a foundry in Ohio. In the vicin- ity of Jefferson, Texas, in 1860, his mother was killed by an explosion. In March, 1861, he moved to Jefferson county, Kansas. Previous to this he had been employed at Independence, Missouri, by Overfelt & Dodd, Southern symp- thizers, and being a Northerner he was com- pelled to seek safety in flight. He had owned and operated mills at Eddyville and Ottum- wa, Iowa, and was an able mechanic in every line, but paid particular attention to the mill- wright work. He died at Cedarvale, Kansas, in June, 1886, at the age of seventy-seven years. He and his wife were parents of three children : Dulcina (Sproul), of Cedarvale, Kansas; Millard F .; and Jesse F., a farmer living near Cedarvale.
Millard F. Smith attended the common schools until he was thirteen years of age, after which he was obliged to clothe and support himself. He worked in a woolen mill at Grasshopper Falls, Kansas, now called Valley Falls. He was left in Wilson county, in 1870, and was employed in the grist-mills owned by Beam & Sons. He purchased a farm in Wil- son county, which he rented, and in 1871 located at Parsons, and was employed by G. W. Chess, who built the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway shops. His first work there was in guarding around the machine shops, and he helped Foreman Burns to carry the first ladle of iron in the shops. He had begun to
work as fireman when a lad of but fifteen years, and by 1870 was a good engineer. In the early "seventies," he ran the engine, in the old Parsons flour mill, owned by Knox, Chess & Matthewson, and then went to Lake City, Colorado, where he operated a shingle-mill and sawmill by contract, until 1877, for Gibert, Hall & Company. In the fall of 1877, he re- turned to Parsons, and ran a flouring-mill en- gine for one year. He returned to his farm in August, 1878, and remained there the fol- lowing winter. He then engaged as en- gineer for the National Mill & Elevator Com- pany, of Parsons, for eighteen months, and in 1882 bought a patent-right for Nebraska and Dakota, of a rotary pump, which did not prove a success. In Plattsmouth, Nebraska, he worked in a foundry and was also fireman on the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, from Plattsmouth to Omaha and Hastings. He also put the machinery into a grist-mill in that city. In March, 1884, he returned to Parsons and engaged with the Parsons Coal Company,-putting in machinery and running their engines at the Daisy Shaft, Weir City, at which work he remained for three years. It was while there he invented the Smith coal mining drill and brass checks, of which he has since manufactured many thousands, selling them in Indiana, Indian Territory, Arkansas and Colorado. In 1889, the Smith Manufac- turing Company was organized in Parsons, with Mr. Smith as president and general man- ager, a position he held until 1895, when he withdrew, taking with him the iron and brass departments. The company still turns out the woodwork, handles, etc. The plant was de- stroyed by fire in 1894. Mr. Smith now owns the building which he occupies, and manufac- tures Smith drills and coal miners' supplies. He is the only manufacturer of brass checks
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with raised figures. He owns all the machinery and employs five men. He also handles coal, and is the only dealer in Parsons who sells Piedmont blacksmithing coal, in car lots. He has two natural gas engines, one of 11/2, and the other of 4 horse power, which run the machinery. He is the inventor of various nov- elties, among which is the Eclipse Embroidery Frame and Embroidery Hoop Holder, adjust- able to chair, table or bed rail, and used to hold embroidery and fancy work.
Mr. Smith was united in marriage, at Par- sons, Kansas, in May, 1885, with Matie A. Lamb, who was born in Schenectady, New York, in 1868, and they have three children : Cora W., Vesta, and George M. Politically, Mr. Smith is a Prohibitionist and a Republi- can. He is a member of Lodge No. 117, A. F. & A. M., of Parsons; and Lodge No. I, A. O. U. W., of Parsons. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Smith purchased the A. G. Harris house, at No. 2115 Forrest avenue, where he now resides.
D R. W. A. HUFF, a well known physi- cian residing in Altamont, Labette county, Kansas, has for many years been one of the prominent men in the county. He is a skillful physician, and his patronage is large and lucrative. He was born in Breckinridge county, Kentucky, in 1847, and is a son of Lewis and Polly (Haynes) Huff.
Lewis Huff was a native of Ohio county, Kentucky, but spent his active career in Breck- inridge county, in that state, where he died in 1867, at the age of sixty years. He married Polly Haynes, who was a native of Ohio coun- ty, Kentucky, and who was born in 1812. She
died in 1895. They reared three sons and three daughters.
Dr. W. A. Huff received his primary educa- tion in his native county, and began the study of medicine under his brother, Dr. J. B. Huff, of Breckinridge county, Kentucky. He also took a course of lectures at the University of Kentucky, where he graduated with the class of 1869. He began the practice of his chosen profession in Hancock county, Kentucky, where he remained until 1882, and then moved to Piqua, Woodson county, Kansas, where he practiced until 1889. In that year, Dr. Huff moved to Altamont, Labette county, where he has since resided. Since his residence in La- bette county, he has become very well known throughout this section, and is considered one of the best physicians in the county.
In 1867, Dr. Huff married Sarah Pate, a native of Breckinridge county, Kentucky, and their union resulted in three children, namely: Minnie (Parks), of Neosho Falls, Kansas; Elmer E., who resides in Webb City, Missouri ; and Alberta. Dr. Huff is a mem- ber of the A. F. & A. M., and of the Fraternal Aid. He is a Democrat, in politics. He was one of the first trustees of the Labette County High School, at Altamont.
B ENJAMIN S. STONE, a pioneer settler of Labette county, and one of the best farmers in his district, re- sides in section 21, Fairview town- ship, Labette county, Kansas. He was born in Switzerland county, Indiana, February 19, 1840, and is a son of Benjamin F., and a grandson of Benjamin Stone, the latter a na- tive of Pennsylvania.
Benjamin F. Stone was born in Ohio, in
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1815, and moved with his parents from Ohio to Switzerland county, Indiana, when but a boy. In the early part of his life he fol- lowed the trade of a carpenter, but subse- quently carried on farming. In 1842 he moved to Hancock county, Illinois, in 1849 to Muscatine county, Iowa, and in 1864 to John- son county, Nebraska, where he died, Novem- ber 10, 1900, aged eighty-five years, seven months, and ten days. He married Mary Latta, who was born in 1816, and died in 1860. They reared the following children : William G .; Benjamin S .; Sylvester; Moses; Joseph; Margaret (Laflin) ; Jennie; and Belle, deceased. Mr. Stone married the sec- ond time, and by this union reared four chil- dren. Politically, he was a Democrat, and served as a justice of the peace for some time. He was a lieutenant of the Ist Reg., Illinois Militia, in the Mormon War.
Benjamin S. Stone received his mental training in the schools of Muscatine county, Iowa. He learned the trade of a carpenter, which he now follows in connection with farming. In 1861 Mr. Stone enlisted in Com- pany C, Ist Reg., Iowa Vol. Inf., and was in the Army of the West for three months. He then reenlisted in the 44th Reg., Iowa Vol. Inf., and was with the 16th Army Corps, un- der Gen. A. J. Smith. He enlisted as a cor- poral, and when he was mustered out, Sep- tember 15, 1864, he was a sergeant. In 1866 he left Iowa and settled in Labette county. Kansas, making the trip by wagon, and reach- ing his destination in November. He first located in Oswego township, where he built one of the first log cabins in the county, as there were but three others in the village of Oswego. He remained in Kansas nine months. when he returned to Muscatine county, Iowa, and in 1875 again settled in Kansas, locating
in Fairview township. In 1882 Mr. Stone bought his present farm, the southeast quar- ter of section 21, and has lived there ever since.
In 1862 Mr. Stone was wedded to Cor- nelia Lake, of Muscatine county, Iowa, and they have been blessed with four children, namely: Mary (Swanwick), who has four children; Cora (Paxton) ; W. Benjamin; and Josephine. Mr. Stone is a member of the G. A. R., Post No. 150. He is a Republican, in politics, and has served as school director for twelve years. He has done much to assist in the advancement and progress of Labette county, and is highly respected by all his fel- low citizens.
A I.EXANDER M. HARSHAW, one of the representative farmers of La- bette county, Kansas, owns and lives upon a well improved farm of 160 acres in Fairview township. He is engaged in general farming,-guided by modern ideas,- and has been very successful.
Mr. Harshaw was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1849, and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Emerick) Har- shaw. Robert Harshaw was born in Ireland in 1810, came to this country with his parents, in 1825, and located in Butler county, Penn- sylvania. He lived in that county until 1860, and in that year moved to Martin county, In- diana, where he lived until his death, in 1890. He married Elizabeth Emerick, who was born in 1819, and died in 1892, and they reared the following-named eight children : George: John: Alexander M .; Robert J. ; Margaret : M. Elizabeth : Anna; and Sarah.
Alexander M. Harshaw received his mental
J. CHRISTIAN APPICH.
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training in Butler county, Pennsylvania, and Martin county, Indiana, whither his parents had moved. After reaching his majority, he returned to Butler county, Pennsylvania, and in the spring of 1875 went west to Colorado. In the fall of the same year he settled in Fair- view township, Labette county, and purchased the south half of the northeast quarter, and the north half of the southeast quarter, of section 29, where he has since been located. He has made most of the improvements upon the place and has it under a high state of cultivation, having developed it into one of the best farms of the township. He is a man of estimable character, and a true friend and good neigh- bor,
In 1878 Mr. Harshaw was united in mar- riage with Ida Scott, a native of Illinois, and they have two children: Roscoe, born in 1884; and Grace, who was born in 1890. Fra- ternally, he is a member of the Oswego Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; the Knights and Ladies of Security ; and the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. He is independent in politics, favoring a protective tariff, free silver, and prohibition. He was treasurer of the township in 1899 and 1900. The family belong to the Methodist church.
CHRISTIAN APPICH, owner and proprietor of the largest and best meat market in Parsons, Kansas, has also the distinction of being the oldest butcher in that place. He is a German by birth, having been born at Rottenburg, Germany, in 1844. His parents, J. C. and Anna Appich, both of whom are deceased, never left the fa- therland. They were the parents of the fol- lowing nine children: Christopher, J. Chris- tian, Jacob, John, Andrew, William. Frank, 30
Fredericka, and Caroline. Andrew was killed during the Franco-Prussian War. Jacob is a retired butcher of Washington, District Co- lumbia, where John is still a prosperous baker. The others are married and live in their native land.
In 1864, Mr. Appich came to America, in company with his brother Jacob. He had re- ceived a practical education in Germany, where he had also learned the butcher's trade. After landing in the United States, the brothers proceeded to Washington, District Columbia, where a butcher shop was established by them, in which the subject hereof worked for some time. He subsequently went to St. Louis, Mis- souri, where he remained a couple of years, and afterward proceeded to Fort Scott, Kan- sas, on a prospecting tour. Having saved a few hundred dollars, it was his desire to go to New Orleans, but he abandoned the idea on account of the prevalence of yellow fever in that city, and finally decided to locate per- manently in Kansas.
In 1869, before the city of Parsons was founded, he located in Labette county, at a little village then called Ladore, formerly known as Fort Roach. He followed his chosen calling for a couple of years in the employ of Conrad Hingle, now a retired butcher of Par- sons. In 1871, Mr. Appich assisted his em- ployer in moving the butcher shop from La- dore to the present site of Parsons. It was the first shanty placed there, and was located the third door west from the corner of John- son and Central avenues. Mr. Appich contin- ued to do business there as a journeyman, for about one year, and afterward worked in a similar capacity for Dent & Coon. In the fall of 1873, he decided to embark in business for himself, and accordingly opened a butcher shop on Central avenue, leasing the plot of ground
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and erecting his own building thereon. He did a prosperous business for four years. He then sold his business, at a very fair profit, to Mr. Flickery, for whom he bought and butchered stock for more than two years. Subsequently, he worked for Mr. Ratliff, an Englishman, at similar work, and afterward, for J. L. Harvey, there being four butcher shops then in the fast growing town of Par- sons.
By this time (1883), Mr. Appich had saved a considerable sum of money, with which he purchased a lot and, erecting a build- ing, again engaged in business for himself on the west side of the railroad track. In 1892, he had the misfortune to lose his shop by fire. but still owns the lot. Undaunted, he found a more desirable location, directly across the street from his present shop, where he rented a building and again engaged in business; at the same time, he began the erection of the building he now occupies, which was completed in 1893. This building is a large and impos- ing structure, located at 1920 Johnson avenue. It is 75 by 25 feet, in dimensions, and con- tains two stories and a basement. The upper story is rented out for office rooms. The re- mainder is occupied by Mr. Appich, who has the entire basement fitted with meat choppers, sausage grinders, etc., all operated by steam. He employs five workmen, has the largest and best equipped meat market in the city, and handles all kinds of fresh meat, poultry, fine sausages, bacon, fish, etc., and also the famous "Armour" bacon and hams.
Mr. Appich owns a fine residence at 1521 Washington avenue. He was united in mar- riage with Lizzie Merchant, of Parsons, a daughter of Francis Merchant, a French- man, who was a baker by trade, and kept a restaurant. Mr. Merchant was a finished
linguist and spoke seven different languages with fluency. The mother of Mrs. Appich was of German birth, while Mrs. Appich, her- self, was a native of Booneville, Missouri, where she was born in 1854.
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