USA > Kansas > Labette County > History of Labette County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 63
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Up to his twelfth year, W. H. Lewis had been well schooled in London. When he at- tained the age of twenty years, he bgan his railroad career as a clerk in the office of thie Illinois Central Railroad Company. When the Civil War broke out, he promptly responded to President Lincoln's call for volunteers, and took an active part in many battles of that fierce conflict, among them some of the very first engagements, and also some of the last.
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In 1861, he enlisted in Company B, 72nd Reg .. Il1. Vol. Inf. His regiment participated, with the 2nd N. Y. Vol. Inf., in the Little Bethel fight, and assisted in carrying off the field the first United States officer wounded, who was Lieut. Grebble, of Philadelphia. After the siege of Vicksburg, he was detailed to serve in the Army of the Tennessee with McPher- son, who was afterward killed, Mr. Lewis as- sisting the general from the field after the fatal shot. He afterward accompanied Gen. Sher- man on his famous "March to the Sea," hav- ing as his partner and bunk-mate, G. W. Whittle, afterward a well known evangelist. Al- though Mr. Lewis took part in many engage- ments, he was not wounded, but his health was impaired.
Returning from the war, he resumed rail- road work as agent at Mattoon, Illinois, on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad, now included in the "Big Four" system. He re- mained at that point for sixteen years, as both freight and passenger agent. Resigning, he went to New York, and worked in the same capacity for the Delaware & Hudson Company, at Schenectady, until October, 1881, when he again went west and assumed his present po- sition at Parsons, Kansas.
Mr. Lewis has entire charge of all business transacted at the new depot. He has one as- sistant, E. N. Pace, who is night agent, Mr. Lewis being held responsible for the proper management of the ticket department. By his fidelity to the company, his courteous and obliging attentiveness to patrons of the road, and his strict discharge of the duties imposed upon him, Mr. Lewis has commended himself to the officials of the road, and to the traveling public in general.
November 24, 1868, W. H. Lewis was united in marriage with Maria E. Beach, a
sister of the wife of Charles V. Lewis, of Bal- timore, previously mentioned in this sketch. Mrs. Lewis was born at East Bloomfield, New York, December 31, 1840, and is a daughter of Hunn and Ann ( Welfare) Beach, both of whom died while Maria was very young. She was reared in Canandaigua, New York, by her grandparents, and while on a visit to some rel- atives in Illinois she made the acquaintance of Mr. Lewis, who after a brief courtship per- suaded her to become his wife, instead of re- turning to the East. Mrs. Lewis has three sisters, namely: Mrs. Sarah Lewis, of Balti- more, Maryland ; Mrs. Julia Sampson, wife of the editor of the Salina Journal, at Salina, Kansas, one of the oldest newspaper men in the state; and Mrs. Carrie Pettit, wife of Dr. Pettit, of Florida.
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have reared two sons, Herman C. and William B., both of whom were born in Mattoon, Illinois. The former married Ella Holloway, and resides in Se- dalia, Missouri, where he is cashier on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway. William B., also a railroader employed on the same system, is now serving as a switchman in the yards at Parsons, and still makes his home with his parents. Like their father, the sons vote the Republican ticket, and never swerve from absolute party fidelity.
Mr. Lewis is a charter member of the A. F. & A. M., of Mattoon, Illinois, of the Knights Templar, of Parsons, of which he is a past eminent commander; and also Abdallah Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the G. A. R. of the same place .- his eldest son affiliating also with the Knights Templar.
His interests having been identified with those of Parsons since 1881, Mr. Lewis early in the history of the city purchased land and
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built a fine residence. · Some time later, how- ever, this residence was sold and is now oc- cupied by William McKee, the druggist. Mr. Lewis afterward purchased the Lee Clark property, at 1720 Morgan avenue, which is an attractive and pleasant home. He joins with his family in worshiping at the Presbyterian church, and, being charitablly disposed, assists all worthy enterprises.
OLIN HODGE, one of the best known citizens of Canada township, Labette county, Kansas, is located in section 25, township 33, range 17, where he took a claim in 1869. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1841, and is a son of C. and Jane (Clark) Hodge.
C. Hodge was born in Scotland and was a mason by trade. His union with Jane Clark resulted in the birth of 12 children, of whom but two are now living, namely: Colin; and W. C., a farmer living in Canada township, west of his brother's place. W. C. Hodge served in the Civil war, in Company A, 3Ist Reg., Ill. Vol. Inf., and came to Labette coun- ty in 1870. He married Lizzie Michals, a na- tive of Pennsylvania, and they had five chil- dren : Mary A .; Colin O .; Jane; William W .; and Fannie.
Colin Hodge was twelve years of age when he came to America, in 1853. He landed at New Orleans, and immediately thereafter lo- cated in Illinois, and resided there until the Civil War was in progress. He enlisted in Company I, 22d Reg., Ill. Vol. Inf., and served about three years, when he re-enlisted in Com- pany A, 2d Reg., U. S. Vet. Vol. Inf., and was discharged on February 10, 1866. He was in battle at Belmont, Missouri, and at Stone
River ; he accompanied General Sherman in his memorable march, and was shot on two dif- ferent occasions. He then returned to Illi- nois and lived there until 1869, when he came to Kansas, on foot. He located in Labette county in October of that year, and took as a claim the southeast quarter of section 25, township 33, range 17. He built a cabin, 14 by 16 feet in size, and has made all the im- provements on the claim. He was engaged in farming in a successful manner for many years, but now rents out most of his land.
Mr. Hodge was united in marriage with Susan J. Smith, who was born in Troy, Ohio, in 1851. In politics, he is a Republican, and has served as justice of the peace; he has also been township treasurer, and was clerk of the district court for one term. Fraternally, he Is a member of Oswego Lodge, No. 63, A. F. & A. M., Modern Woodmen of America, and the Grand Army of the Republic.
W. YOUNG is one of the leading ag- riculturists of Labette county, Kan- sas, and is located in Canada town- ship, in section 36, township 33, range 18. He was born in Adair county, Missouri, in 1864, and is a son of Solomon and Nancy ( Peters) Young.
Solomon Young was born in Harrison county, Indiana, in 1807, and is a farmer and wagon-maker, residing in Canada township, Labette county. He was united in marriage with Nancy Peters, who was born in Tennes- see, and they became the parents of the fol- lowing children: Benjamin, Louisa, Cather- ine, Ann, and S. W.
S. W. Young was virtually reared in Kan- sas, having been brought to Labette county,
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in 1871, by his parents, who located in Can- ada township, about three miles west of his present home. He lived with his parents un- til he reached the age of twenty-one years, and in 1885 located in Clark county, Kansas. In 1886, he returned to Labette county, and con- ducted a meat market at Mound Valley until 1891. He then purchased and moved upon his present farm in section 36, Canada township, where he is engaged in general farming. He also runs a thresher, and deals, to a large ex- tent, in stock. He is a prosperous man and a good business manager, and is meeting with deserved success.
March 5, 1885, Mr. Young was married to Ardy Hall, who died in Clark county, Kan- sas, June 9, 1886. No children survived. Mr. Young married, secondly, Etta Stonecipher. who was born in Adair county, Missouri, in 1874, and they have two children: Zona and Clifford. In politics, he is a strong supporter of the Republican party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Mound Valley Lodge, No. 967. In religious views, he is a Methodist, but not a member of the church.
OUIS PETERSON, a well known farmer of Howard township, La- bette county, Kansas, is living in the southeast quarter of section 8, town- ship 35, range 18. He was born in the southern part of Denmark, on an island, in 1849. He is a son of P. Peterson, a farmer of Denmark, who married Anna Nelson, and reared two children : Louis and Trinnie.
Louis Peterson lived in Denmark until 1869. When he was twenty years old, he came to the United States, landing at Portland. Maine. From there he went to Wisconsin,
where he lived one year. In 1870, he removed. to Iowa, and made that place his home until his final removal to Kansas. In the spring of 1872, he located on his present home farm, built a cabin, 14 by 16 feet, in size, and began the improvement of his land. He has carried on general farming, and is considered a pro- gressive farmer. He has a comfortable home, and is well-to-do.
Mr. Peterson was united in marriage with Mrs. Thompson, who is now deceased. They reared four children, namely : Maggie (Woods) ; Fred A., deceased; Dora (Bow- man) ; and Belle L. Mr. Peterson's present wife's name was Mary J. Schloat. To them have been born four children, namely : O. A .. Bertha, Louis, and Jessie C.
The subject of this sketch is a member of the Populist party. He has served as treas- urer of his township, and has been a member of the school board for sixteen years. Fra- ternally, he is a member of the Anti-Horse- thief Association.
6 IV. CHRISTMORE, a well-to-do farmer living in section 2, town- ship 35, range 18, Howard town- ship, Labette county, Kansas, was born in Frederick county, Virginia, in. 1837. He is a son of John and Rachel (Wright) Christmore. John Christmore was a native of Virginia, as was his wife, and he. died at the age of fifty-five years. He and his wife were the parents of ten children, but two of whom are now living,-G. W., the subject of this sketch; and B. J., of Virginia.
G. W. Christmore lived in Virginia for a number of years. He carried on farming in his native county. In March, 1871, he removed to Kansas, where he bought his present home-
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farm for $100. After entering this land, he began to make improvements and to cultivate the soil. He is a very successful agriculturist, and his home is a very comfortable one. He is engaged in general farming.
He married Elizabeth Findley, who was born in Virginia, in 1849, and they have reared four children: W. B., a farmer in Howard township, who married Anna Nevill, a native of Virginia, and has two children, Blanche and Ivan; Newton, who lives at home; J. Frank, also a farmer of Howard township, who mar- ried Mattie Bean, of Rice county, Kansas, and has four children,-Esther. Irene, Bryan, and Enid; and William, who lives at home.
Mr. Christmore is a stanch Democrat in politics, and has served on the school board in his township for a number of years. He is a member of the United Brethren church.
R. ROTER, secretary and manager of the Cold Storage & Crystal Ice Company, of Parsons, Kansas, whose portrait is herewith shown, is a thoroughly self made man. His history reads as an unbroken chapter of results successfully achieved as, step by step, his genius and energy have pushed him to the front. Mr. Roter was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1851, and is a son of J. H. and Margaret (Elderbrook) Roter. The father now lives in the suburbs of Cin- cinnati, the mother having died May 1, 1901. They reared six children, namely: L. R .; John F., of Topeka, a Santa Fe Railway em- ployee ; Sophia ( Vandolah), a widow, of Dills- boro, Indiana; Louise, now Mrs. John Currey, of Indianapolis; Dora (Younger), of Butte, Montana; and Harry, a citizen of Dillsboro, Indiana.
Mr. Roter attended the district schools of Indiana, and when a youth of seventeen years went to Titusville, Pennsylvania. where he also attended school; he then clerked in a wall- paper and house furnishing store. In 1878, he went to the oil regions in the vicinity of Bradford, Pennsylvania, and with a small cap- ital entered into business for himself. Al- though his cash capital was limited, his ample stock of pluck and energy carried him safely through, as his success in business dates from I878.
He was engaged in the grocery business at Bradford, Pennsylvania, until 1881, with sat- isfactory results. He then moved to Abbots- ford, Wisconsin, and conducted a very flour- ishing general merchandise store until 1897, when he moved to Parsons to accept his pres- ent important position as secretary and mana- ger of the Parsons Cold Storage & Crystal Ice Company, of which W. J. Wade, of South Mc- Alester, Indian Territory, is president, and William Busby, of Parsons, is vice-president and treasurer. The plant has a capacity of 50 tons of ice per day, and is located one mile from the retail office, corner of Central and Washington avenues and just north of the city limits.
Ten men are employed at the plant during the summer months, and about five in the win- ter season. Ten or II men are also occupied in distributing the product of the plant, making in all, a force of about 20 men at the cold stor- age room of the plant. The plant was estab- lished in 1888, by Mr. Lewis. It subsequently went into the hands of Kimball, Edwards & Busby, and later was transferred to the present control. The retail room and office at 200 Central avenue, is 25 by 60 feet, in dimensions, and here Mr. Roter is in charge, assisted by John I. Russell, assistant secretary and general
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office man. Mr. Roter travels somewhat; the company has had no difficulty in disposing of its product without employing regular travel- ing salesmen.
Mr. Roter has been twice married. July 24, 1878, Alice B. Thompson, daughter of Rev. J. B. Thompson, of Butler, Pennsylvania, became his wife. She died in 1883, leaving one daughter, Edith B., who is now attending Ar- mour Institute at Chicago. She is preparing for kindergarten work as an instructor. Four years after the demise of his wife, in 1887, Mr. Roter was married to Cora Thompson, sister of his first wife, and a native of Delaware, Ohio. Her college education was obtained at Butler, Pennsylvania. Two children have blessed this union, Bessie P. and Charles A.
In politics, our subject is a Republican, and served his party as village treasurer at Abbots- ford, Wisconsin. He is quite prominent in fraternal circles; he was made a Mason at Colby, Wisconsin, and served as junior warden and senior warden, after which he was chosen worshipful master of the lodge; he became a Royal Arch Mason at Chippewa Falls, Wis- consin. He is also a member of the M. W. of A. In his religious belief, he favors the Pres- byterian church.
€ MORY H. BREIDENTHAL. This gentleman has been one of the public spirited farmers of Labette county, Kansas, since 1878. He resides on the north half of the southeast quarter of sec- tion 33, township 34, range 19, in Elm Grove township. He was born in Sibley county, Minnesota, in 1860, and is a son of M. Breid- enthal.
M. Breidenthal was born in Bedford coun-
ty, Pennsylvania, in 1819. At the age of twen- ty-one years he engaged in the foundry busi- ness, and in 1847 entered the transfer business at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. At one time he had over 100 head of horses in use. In 1878, he located in Elm Grove township, Labette county, Kansas, where he resided until his death, which occurred April 7, 1884. In poli- tics, he was formerly a Republican, and after- ward a Greenbacker. He married Henrietta Young, who was born in Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania. They reared: Henrietta, Anna, Ella, John W., Emory H., and Charles.
Emory H. Breidenthal received his early mental training in the common schools of his native county, and at the age of eight years moved with his parents to Indiana, where he completed a common school education. In March, 1878, he located in section 23, town- ship 34, range 19, in Elm Grove township, Labette county, Kansas, where he lived until 1890, when he located on his present farm, on the north half of the southeast quarter of sec- tion 33. He carries on general farming and stock raising. Mr. Breidenthal is well liked in his vicinity, and his assistance is always sought in any enterprise which tends to benefit the community in which he resides.
Mr. Breidenthal married Ella Bickham, who was born in Fairmount, Ohio, in 1862. She is a daughter of Rev. T. D. and Anna ( Masters) Bickham. Rev. Mr. Bickham was born in Pennsylvania, and for many years' conducted a nursery business in Ohio. He lo- cated in Kansas, in 1869, and resided here until his death. His widow is now the wife of S. M. Stansbury. Mr. and Mrs. Breiden- thal had the following children: Otto and Mary A., deceased; Oren; Hazel; and Leslie.
Mr. Breidenthal is a member of the Peo- ple's party. He has served as clerk of his
L. R. ROTER.
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township, for one term, and has been a mem- ber of the school board for three years. Re- ligiously, he and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
John W. Breidenthal, his brother, was state bank inspector from 1893 to 1901, and was nominated by the People's party and the Dem- ocratic party for governor of the state of Kan- sas, but was defeated by a comparatively small majority.
ARVEY SIMMONS. This gentleman is one of the well known farmers who live in Howard township, Labette county, Kansas. Mr. Simmons was born in Carroll county, Ohio, December 19, 1847, and is a son of a Methodist clergyman, whose name was Daniel Simmons.
Daniel Simmons was born in Ohio, in 1818, and his death occurred in 1900. Be- sides attending to his ministerial duties, he was also a farmer. He married Levina Allbaugh, who was born in Ohio, in 1821, and they reared the following children : O. W., S. B., Harvey, Sabina, Alice, Amanda, Elma, and Phœbe A.
Harvey Simmons received his primary ed- ucation in his native county, and when he was eight years old his parents removed to Martin county, Indiana, and settled near the White River. This was Mr. Simmons' home until 1872, when he began to work for himself. He farmed for a while, and on May 22, 1876, set out for the west. He went, by wagon, from Indiana to Labette county, Kansas, and was four weeks in making the trip. He located on his present farm in Howard township, in sec- tion 25, township 34, range 17, in September of that year, and entered his claim at Inde- pendence, Kansas. There was a 10-by-12-foot cabin on the place, but no land had been broken.
Mr. Simmons set to work and soon had much of the land in a state of cultivation. He has made extensive improvements and his farm is one of the best in the township. In 1899, he erected a five-room frame house. He carries on general farming and stock raising.
Mr. Simmons was united in marriage with Rebecca Sibert, who was born in Ohio, in 1849. This union has resulted in the birth of nine children, whose names are as follows : Levina, Charles, Daniel, and Jolin A., all de- ceased; Hattie, of Coffeyville; Ivy M., de- ceased; Katie; Ida, who is at home, and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Simmons is independent in politics, and has held numerous township offices. He be- longs to the Farmers' Alliance, and to the Anti-Horsethief Association. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist church. He is a man of honor and principle, and his friends are many.
AMES A. TOWNSEND. Among the many, prominent farmers residing in Howard township, Labette county, Kansas, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He located there in 1877, and has been one of the most influential citi- zens in the township. Mr. Townsend was born in Clark county, Indiana, in 1845, and is a son of Isaac Monroe and J. Ann ( Harris ) Townsend. .
Isaac Monroe Townsend was born in Clark county, Indiana, and was a cooper by trade, also following farming. He married J. Ann Harris, who was born in Kentucky, and they reared three children : James A., Hulda C., and Elam B.
James A. Townsend lived on his father's farm, which was near the Ohio river, for a
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number of years. He decided to try his luck in the West, and in 1876, set out for Kansas, mak- ing the trip by wagon. He used four horses, and was thirty days in completing the journey. In 1877, he bought his present home farm, which is the southwest quarter of section 30. He has lived on that place ever since, and has made extensive improvements on it. He entered the claim in 1877, at Independence, Kansas. He carries on diversified farming, and has been very successful.
Mr. Townsend was united in marriage with Miss E. A. Gossett, who was born in Clark county, Indiana, and they have been blessed by the birth of seven children, namely: Mel- lie, Allen E., Annie, Pinkney, Eden, Luella, and Jessie. Our subject is a member of the Republican party. He belongs to the Meth- odist Episcopal church.
P HILIP GERS, who is serving as coun- ty commissioner of Labette county, Kansas, is a well known farmer of Howard township. He was born in Germany in 1856, and is a descendant of one of the oldest German families, his ancestors being traced back, in Germany, as far as 1685. Before that time they were residents of France. Mr. Gers is a son of Philip and S. (Dierstein) Gers, who make their home with him.
Philip Gers, Sr., was born in Germany. He married S. Dierstein, and they reared seven children : Philip, Sophia. Kate, Henry, Charles, Minnie, and G.
Philip Gers, whose name appears at the opening of this personal biography, was reared and educated in Germany, and in 1862, started on the voyage to America. He landed at New York, and thence went to Fort Wayne, Indi-
ana, where he lived until 1871, and then moved to Kansas. After a short residence here, he went farther west, to Colorado, and on to Cali- fornia, returning to Kansas in 1879, when he bought his home farm in section 3, township 35, range 18, in Howard township, Labette county. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and is very successful. He is a man of thrift and energy, and his success has been due entirely to his own efforts. The citizens of Howard township and Labette county have shown their confidence in him by electing him to the office of county commis- sioner. This office he has filled ably, and to the satisfaction of all.
Politically, Mr. Gers is a Populist, and is serving his second term as county commission- er. He was trustee of Howard township for a period of six years. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Valeda Lodge, No. 7511. Religiously, he is a member of the German Reformed church. Mr. Gers is a public spirited man, and takes a deep interest in all measures designed to promote the welfare of the township and county in which he lives.
YRON COOK is a prominent farmer and an extensive land owner of Elm Grove township, Labette county, Kansas. He has been en- gaged in general farming and stock raising for many years, and has been a resident of this county since 1871. He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1853, and is a son of Reuben Cook.
Reuben Cook, a farmer by vocation, was born in Pennsylvania. He married Deborah H. Brown, a native of Pennsylvania, and they reared the following offspring : Kersey ; How-
MR. AND MRS. JOHN E. DICKERSON.
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ard; Walter B .; Mary, deceased; Millard; Myron; Clifford; Anna M .; and Alice B.
Myron Cook lived in his native state until March, 1871, and followed farming. He then located in Elm Grove township, Labette coun- ty, Kansas, in the northeast quarter of section 16, township 35, range 19. On the premises was a cabin, 10 by 12 feet, in size, and five acres of the land had been broken; all the other improvements have been made by Mr. Cook. He entered his claim and resided on the prop- erty until 1884, when he located on his present farm, the northwest quarter of the same sec- tion, which gave him the north half of that section. He has made many important im- provements on both farms, and now has one of the most valuable tracts of farming land in his section of the county. He deals in stock, in addition to following general farming, and has a cattle ranch of 12,000 acres 75 miles northwest of his farm.
Mr. Cook was united in marriage with Mary F. Leib, who was born in York county, Pennsylvania, in 1854, and they have reared three children: Edgar S., Jessie A., and Clifford. In politics, he earnestly supports the principles of the Republican party. Fraternally, he is a member of Edna Lodge, No. 345, A. F. & A. M .; and Edna Lodge, No. 1636, M. W. of A. His family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
OHN E. DICKERSON. This gentle- man is one of the most prominent and highly respected farmers living in Ne- osho township, Labette county, Kan- sas. He was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1852, and is a son of J. Dickerson. The latter was born in Pennsylvania, in 1803, and
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