USA > Kansas > Labette County > History of Labette County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 65
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A UGUST NELSON, whose portrait is shown herewith, first came to La- bette county, Kansas, in 1889, and is one of the best known agricultur- ists of Mound Valley township. He superin- tends the work upon his 240 acres of land, al- though he is absent much of the time in con- nection with railroad contracts. He was born in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1853, and is a son of Christian Nelson.
Christian Nelson still lives in Sweden, and is a mechanic by occupation; he followed the business of a brick manufacturer during his active years. He was the father of three sons and one daughter; the daughter is deceased. The sons are as follows: Fred, who is a fore- man on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Rail- way, and is at present in Texas engaged in the contracting business with his brother August ; Gustav, who lives in Sweden; and August.
August Nelson served his apprenticeship under government contractors in Sweden, as a stone and brick-mason four years, without pay; he was employed in the construction of government buildings. In 1883 he went to South America and worked for the Argentine Republic as a mechanic in brick and stone work. He came to the United States in 1884, and first worked at Chicago for one year. In 1886 he entered the employ of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company as a me- chanic, and three months later was made a foreman. For the past two years he has been in Texas, engaged in building piers and abut- ments for large bridges, and has a force of 40 men under his supervision. His headquarters at present are at Denison, Texas, but, gener- ally, are at Parsons, Kansas. He is directly under A. B. Manning, of the building and bridge department of the road. He has had wide experience in this line of work, and is without a superior in the handling of men and material. He located in Labette county in 1889, and bought a farm south of Mound Val- ley, where he resided a couple of years. In 1891, he purchased his present fine farm four miles north of Mound Valley, in section 14, township 32, range 18; the land had been taken up by Mr. Stotts. Mr. Nelson has built a modern 10-room house and, about eight years ago, put up a fine barn. He has about 70 head of cattle, and intends to handle Here- ford cattle more extensively. He superin- tends the work upon the farm of 240 acres, although he does none of it, as he is away on his railroad business much of the time. Wheat is his staple crop. He has a farm of very at- tractive appearance, by reason of its many fine fruit and shade trees, and it is one of the best cultivated pieces of land in this section.
Mr. Nelson was united in marriage with
32
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Ann Lester, who was born in this country, and they are the parents of two sons, Paul and Wilhelm. In politics, the subject of this sketch is a Republican. Fraternally, he be- longs to the Parsons Lodge, A. F. & A. M. In religious views, he is a Lutheran, and his wife is a Methodist.
EORGE SELLMANSBERGER. To be able to look back over almost a third of a century spent in active usefulness in one locality, is, indeed, an enviable experience; and such is the privi- lege of the subject of this sketch. George Sellmansberger is a pioneer farmer of Walton township, Labette county, Kansas, where he is now spending the sunset of life in ease, hav- ing passed the eighty-first milestone of his ex- istence. He was born in Germany, in 1819, and came to America when thirty-two years of age. Locating in the state of Minnesota, he there followed agricultural pursuits until 1869. Desiring to locate in a milder climate, Mr. Sellmansberger then came south to Kan- sas. The trip was made overland in a wagon, and consumed about a month's time. Upon his arrival in Labette county, he took up a claim comprising the south half of the north- west quarter of section 25, in Walton town- ship. This farm was the scene of many a hard year's toil before it reached its present state of cultivation. It is still the home of its aged and honored owner, whose activity would shame the indolence of many a younger man.
He married Theresa Holtzheuar, who was born in Germany, in 1820. They reared a large family composed of 12 children, as fol- lows : Elizabeth; John; Mary; Joseph;
George; Robert; Benjamin; Godfrey ; Theresa ; Mary (2d) ; Rudolph; and John (2d). John and Rudolph are engaged in mining; George and Godfrey are farmers,-the latter having charge of the home place, for his father. Jo- seph has also followed agricultural pursuits, and owns the southeast quarter of section 27, Walton township, Labette county. Mr. Sell- mansberger has made a close study of the most practical and approved methods of farming, and is now reaping the harvest of his hard work in the possession of a sufficiency of well tilled land, and a comforting bank account. Although virtually retired from active pur- suits, he still takes a great interest in municipal affairs, and is a public spirited citizen. He is independent, in politics ; he and his family are members of the Catholic church.
EVI CORRELL, a prominent and suc- cessful farmer living in section 27, Walton township, Labette county, Kansas, is one of the leading busi- ness men of the county. He has one of the finest and best improved farms within its lim- its, and keeps abreast of the times as to all modern improvements used in tilling the soil. Mr. Correll was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1845, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Floyd) Correll.
Jacob Correll was born in Pennsylvania, and was a tailor by trade, although he fol- lowed farming the greater part of his life. He married Catherine Floyd, who was also a na- tive of Pennsylvania, and they reared eight children : Abraham; Daniel; Samuel; Levi; Maria; Amanda; Catherine; and David.
Levi Correll moved with his parents in 1854 to Iowa, where lie attended school and,
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later, to Clinton county, Iowa, where he was engaged in farming for some time. In 1876 Mr. Correll moved to Kansas, and after look- ing at numerous farms finally decided on his present place, which he accordingly bought. It is the northwest quarter of section 27, Wal- ton township, and is one of the finest farms in the county. Mr. Correll has a thorough knowl- edge of farming matters, and takes great pride in the care and management of his property. He is a thrifty, industrious man, and has al- ways been a careful and steady worker. The attractive appearance of his home speaks well for his untiring efforts.
Mr. Correll was united in marriage with Kate McCoy, who was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1847. She is a daughter of Pat- rick McCoy, and came to America when she was twenty-one years old. Mr. Correll and his wife have had eight children, namely : Albert, who works on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway; J. Charles; Joseph F .; Daisy E .; Christopher C .; Mack; George W .; and Clarence, deceased.
Mr. Correll is a Republican, in politics, and has served as trustee of Walton township one term, and as clerk of the school board for a number of years. Mrs. Correll is a member of the Episcopal church. Mr. Correll has re- cently erected a fine, new, nine-room house, which is an attractive addition to his farm. He is very popular in the community, and is a kind and helpful neighbor.
NDREW W. MEADOR, a highly re- spected citizen and farmer of Labette county, Kansas, has been living for the past few months in section 20, North township. He was born in Sumner
county, Tennessee, in 1841, and is a son of Christopher and Vermilia (Snider) Meador.
Christopher Meador was born in Virginia, in 1800, and was a farmer all his life. His wife was born in Virginia, in 1810. They reared the following children, namely: Will- iam; Elmore; Sarah; Rose; James; Elizabeth ; Henry; and Andrew W.
Andrew W. Meador lived in Tennessee until the beginning of the Civil War, when he enlisted in Company D, 52d Reg., Ky. Mounted Infantry. He served eighteen months, during which time he saw hard, ac- tive service. After the close of the war, Mr. Meador located at Franklin, Kentucky, where he lived until he moved to Kansas, in 1872. He spent the winter of 1872 and the spring of 1873 in Parsons. His next move was to Ne- osho township, where he lived until 1877. He then sold his farm, and went to Montana, where he operated a brick yard for one year, and then returned to Labette county. He rented the old Taylor farm in North township, and lived there for fifteen years. In 1895 Mr. Meador moved to Parsons. In 1890 he bought his present home in section 20, North township, where he has since resided, and has successfully carried on general farming.
Mr. Meador married Eliza Payne, who was born in Sumner county, Tennessee, in 1839. She is a daughter of J. C. and Jane (West) Payne. J. C. Payne was born in 1812, and he and his wife were natives of Tennessee. They reared the following children, namely: Eliza, the wife of Mr. Meador; Mary; William; Franklin; Sarah; Fmma; and Robert. Mr. and Mrs. Meador have been blessed with eight children, namely: Minnie L., wife of Will- iam Wood, now living in Parsons; Mattie, who married William Morning, a carpenter of Parsons ; Robert, who married Rosa Williams,
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of Parsons; Lizzie, the wife of Lee Jackson, living in Kentucky; Charles, a carpenter ; Mil- lie; and Joseph and Walter, deceased.
Mr. Meador makes a specialty of raising poultry and small fruits, in which he is very successful. He is a Republican, in politics, and has served on the school board in North township for four years. He is a member of the G. A. R., Parsons Post, No. 81. Relig- iously, he is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Meador is well known in Labette county, where he has many warm friends.
AMES H. WHEAT, highly respected as one of the most prominent and able farmers in North township, Labette county, Kansas, is living in the east half of the northwest quarter of section I. A man of honest, upright principles, he has won many friends in the community. He was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, in 1848, and is a son of V. G. and Dorothy M. (Johnson) Wheat.
Dr. V. G. Wheat was born in Ken- tucky in 1810, and died in that state in 1867. His birth and death took place in the same house. His wife, Dorothy M. Johnson, was also a native of Kentucky. She bore him the following children: T. B. J., a resident of Parsons, Kansas ; James H., the subject of this sketch; Anna; S. A .; O. P., deceased; and A. V. and W. W., of Liberty township.
James H. Wheat was reared and educated in his native state. He lived in Kentucky un- til he was twenty-four years old, during which time he attended school and assisted in farm- ing. In 1872 Mr. Wheat left Kentucky, and located at Parsons, Kansas, making the jour- ney with his brother, A. V. Wheat, on horse-
back. They were twenty-one days on the way. After reaching Parsons, Mr. Wheat en- gaged in farming, which he followed for nine years, and afterward kept a shoe store, until 1885. He then sold out his business, and lo- cated on a farm six miles east of Parsons. After living on this farm for six years, he bought his present farm,-the east half of the northwest quarter of section I. There he has- resided ever since, engaged in general farming. Being a thrifty and energetic worker, he has made many improvements on the farm, and has been very successful with his crops and stock.
Mr. Wheat was married, in 1884, by the Hon. Nelson Case, to Eva L. Bronson. She was born in Laporte, Indiana, and is a daugh- ter of Denison and Dora (Martin) Bronson .. Denison Bronson was born in Laporte, and. his wife was born in Buffalo, New York. They were the parents of six children, namely : Eva L., the wife of Mr. Wheat; Mattie; Frank; William; Louis; and Albert. Mr .. Wheat and his wife have been blessed with eight children, namely: Dora; Agnes; Den- ison; Louis; Naomi; Dorothy; Orville; and. Andrew. They are all living.
Mr. Wheat is an active worker in the town- ship, and has served on the school board. He. is a Democrat, in politics. He belongs to the- Anti-Horsethief Association. Religiously, he- favors the Christian church.
L EONARD ULLERY, the leading gardener of Labette county, Kansas, is well known in the county, and in those surrounding. He has been in the gardening business all his life, and is thor- oughly conversant with the business in all its-
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different phases. Although most of his time is given to business, he manages to find leisure to assist in any work which is for the good of the community. Mr. Ullery was born, May I, 1838, in Indiana, where he lived until he was twenty years of age. He learned gar- dening when a youth, and also farming. In 1858 Mr. Ullery moved to Carroll county, In- diana, where he farmed until 1863. From Carroll county he moved to Pike county, Illi- nois, where he bought a farm, on which he lived for fourteen years. He sold this farm in 1877, and moved to his present home in North township, Labette county, on the north half of the southeast quarter of section 17.
Mr. Ullery was married, in 1863, to Eliza- beth Wagner, who was born in Clinton coun- ty. Indiana, and is a daughter of David and Esther (Wolf) Wagner. Her parents were both natives of Ohio, and they reared the fol- lowing children: Leonard; Elizabeth, the wife of Mr. Ullery; John; and Barberina. Mr. Ullery and his wife are the parents of five children, as follows: Samuel, a carpenter, of Parsons, Kansas; Catherine; Mary; Susie; and Hannah. Mr. Ullery is a Republican, in politics. Religiously, he is a member of the German Baptist church.
1 SAAC N. BIGGS, living in section 22, Fairview township, Labette county, Kansas, is one of the prominent farm- ers of the county. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1842, and is a son of Zachariah and Annie (Elliott) Biggs.
Zachariah Biggs was born in 1813, and was a native of Henderson county, Kentucky. He died, in 1853, in Ross county, Ohio, where he held the office of justice of the peace for
twenty years. He married Annie Elliott, who was born in Piketon, Ohio, in 1821, and is now living in New London, Ohio. They were the parents of the following children: Sarah J., Rebecca (Ross) and Robert W., deceased; Isaac N., the subject of this sketch; William H., of Danville, Illinois; Frances (Newman), of New London, Ohio; Sanford, of Clay coun- ty, Missouri; and Zachariah, deceased.
Isaac N. Biggs lived on the farm with his parents until 1862, when he enlisted in Com- pany I, 60th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and was at- tached to the Army of the Shenandoah. He took part in the battles of Cedar Creek, Har- per's Ferry, and in several skirmishes. He was taken prisoner at Winchester, paroled within three months, and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio. He was mustered out at Chicago, in 1863, and reenlisted in Company I, 7th Reg., Ohio National Guards, on the call for 100-day men. He was mustered out at Camp Denison, Ohio, at the expiration of his term; again en- listed, in Company I, 185th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served utnil October, 1865. He was finally mustered out at Lexington, Kentucky, and returned to Ross county, Ohio. Shortly after his return from the war, Mr. Biggs moved to Madison county, Ohio, and, in 1868, to Sangamon county, Illinois, where he remained until 1880. In 1880, he moved to Labette county, Kansas, and settled on a farm in Neo- sho township, where he lived until 1884. He has since made his home in section 22, Fair- view towship, where he has been engaged in general farming. He deals honestly with all men, and is highly respected by his fellow, citizens.
Mr. Biggs was united in marriage with Elsie Shenaman, who was born in Ohio, in 1848, and died in 1897. She was a daughter of Abraham and Elsie (Miller) Shenaman.
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Abraham Shenaman was born in Wooster, Ohio, in 1810, and his death occurred in Lyon county, Kansas, in 1857. His wife was also a native of Wooster, Ohio, and died in 1867, at the age of fifty-five years. They reared the following children, namely: Samantha J. (Barber), of Decatur, Illinois; Ellen (Dick- erson), of Illiopolis, Illinois; Albert, deceased ; Elsie, who was the wife of Mr. Biggs; Will- iam, of Bay City, Michigan; Francis, of Illi- opolis, Illinois; and Charles S. Mr. and Mrs. Biggs were the parents of four children, name- ly: Ivie L. (Deathrage), of Labette county ; Floyd E., of Minneapolis, Minnesota ; Charles R .; and Harry, of Labette county. On August 8, 1900, Mr. Biggs contracted a second mar- riage, by wedding Mrs. Beatrice Francisco.
Mr. Biggs belongs to the Republican party. He has been a member of the school board for the past six years. He is a member of the Christian church, of Oswego.
A LBERT SYKES, who settled in La- bette county, Kansas, in 1872, is one of the most prominent and progressive farmers in Oswego township, where he is located in the southeast quarter of section 8. He was born in Oswego county, New York, April 13, 1817, and is a son of Daniel and Orpha (Lumbard) Sykes.
Daniel Sykes was born at Pawlet, Rutland county, Vermont, December 6, 1785, and in 1810 moved to New York State, and settled in Oswego county on a farm. He resided there until 1852, and then moved to Kenosha coun- ty, Wisconsin, where he died, April 13, 1863. January 21, 1810, he was united in marriage with Orpha Lumbard, who was born in Mas- sachusetts, January 17, 1787, and died in Wis-
consin, in 1864. They reared the following children : Elvira and Loren, deceased ; Byron, who resides at Green Bay, Wisconsin; Albert; Sumner, of Labette county ; and Milo, Bloomer and Eliza (Boyd), deceased.
Albert Sykes lived in Oswego county, New York, until 1841, when he became a sailor on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, and was after- ward advanced to be first mate. In 1843, he went to Lake county, Illinois, and purchased a farm, but after a short time rented the farm, and returned to the lake as first mate of a vessel. In 1850, he formed a company, and on May 15 of that year started for California, where he arrived in the following August. He remained there until 1855, and then left San Francisco, by the Nicaragua route, for New York, where he arrived in May, 1855. He went directly to his farm in Lake county, Illi- nois, which he soon after sold, and moved to Bremer county, Iowa, where he purchased 1,400 acres of land. He resided there until [872, when he moved to Labette county, Kan- sas, and settled on his present farm,-the southeast quarter of section 8, Oswego town- ship. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising and has been very successful.
In 1860, Mr. Sykes was united in marriage with Emily Higgins, who was born in Warren county, Pennsylvania, in 1835, and is a daugh- ter of Eugene and Susan (Smith) Higgins. Her father was born in Vermont, in 1813, and at an early day moved to Warren county, Penn- sylvania, where he lived a short time.
In 1837 Mr. Higgins located in Chautau- qua county, New York. In 1851, he moved to Bremer county, Iowa, and from 1868 to 1878 lived at Carthage, Missouri. Thence he moved to Scott county, Arkansas, where he lived until his death, in 1883. His wife was born in 1814, in Saratoga, New York, and died
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at Carthage, Missouri, in 1871. They reared IO children, namely: Emily (Sykes) ; Har- riet, Amanda and Hubert, deceased; Horace, of Jasper county, Missouri; Horatio, of Delta county, Colorado; Mary, deceased ; Antoinette (Montague) ; Ida (Winkler) ; and Susan (Montague).
Emily Higgins, wife of Mr. Sykes, was but two years of age when she was taken by her parents from her native town to Chautauqua county, New York. At the age of sixteen years, she moved with her parents to Bremer county, Iowa, and there taught school from 1851 to 1860. By her union with Mr. Sykes, she had the following children: Harry D., deceased; Ernest, of New Orleans, Louisiana ; and Bert, of Oswego, Kansas. Harry D. was a prominent business man, of Enid, Oklahoma, at the time of his death, on September 4, 1894. He was for a time a bookkeeper in an Oswego bank, and in 1888 went to Galveston, Texas, where he was identified with the Santa Fe railway. In 1893, he went into the banking business at Enid, Oklahoma, and thus con- tinued until his death.
ARMON FRANCISCO. deceased, an early settler and highly respected farmer of Fairview township, Labette county, Kansas, was born in Cayuga county, New York, in 1831, and died in La- bette county, Kansas, in 1893, at the age of sixty-two years. His death was much re- gretted by all, as he was a man of honest and upright principles, and worthy of the highest esteem. He was well known throughout the county, and was a public-spirited citizen. Mr. Francisco was a son of David and Percis (Morley) Francisco.
David Francisco was born in 1790, in New York, and served through the War of 1812. His death took place in Cayuga county, New York, in 1843. His wife was born in New York, in 1792, and died in Cayuga county, in 1856. They reared the following children : Warren, Hiram and Julia (Crowfoot), de- ceased ; Mandania (Olmstead), of Patriot, In- diana; John, Jane (Ford) and David, de- ceased; Cordelia (Knapp), of Syracuse, New York; and Harmon, whose name appears at the opening of this sketch.
Harmon Francisco moved to Jefferson county, Indiana, at the age of sixteen years, and engaged in the clock and jewelry business. In 1859, he bought a farm in Monroe county, Indiana, and lived on it until 1883. During sixteen years of that time he was in the light- ning-rod business. In 1883, he moved with his family to Labette county, Kansas, and set- tled in the southwest quarter of section 22, where he carried on farming and stock rais- ing until his death, which occurred in 189 ?. In politics, Mr. Francisco was a lifelong Dem- ocrat, and took an active interest in that party's success.
Mr. Francisco married Mary Smith, who was born in 1843, in Montgomery county, In- diana. She is a daughter of Anderson Smith, who was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia. in 1815. When the Civil war broke out, Mr. Smith was living in Monroe county, Indiana, and there enlisted in Company G, 38th Reg., Ind. Vol. Inf. He was attached to the Army of the Tennessee, and died while attending the sick at Nashville, Tennessee. His wife, Ros- anna May Smith, was born in Virginia, in 1816, and moved with her parents to Monroe county, Indiana, in 1832. She died in Labette county, Kansas, in 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Smith reared three children: Mary, wife of the sub-
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ject of this sketch ; and Alexander and Edgar, deceased. In politics, Mr. Smith was a Re- publican. He was an active member of the Christian church all his life.
Mrs. Francisco is living on the old home- stead in Labette county. She has a wide
of friends in the community, where she is universally loved and admired.
OHN S. RUDE, a prominent farmer residing in section 26, Liberty town- ship, Labette county, Kansas, has for many years been one of the leading agriculturists of the county. He is a man of strict integrity, sound principles, and upright character, and is greatly esteemed by his fellow townsmen. Mr. Rude was born in Franklin county, Indiana, in 1829, and is a son of Will- iam and Sarah (Steward) Rude.
William Rude, the father of John S., was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, in 1804, and died in Paris, Illinois, in 1883. He married Sarah Steward, who was born in 1806, in New York, and died in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1882. They reared the following offspring : Elmira (Martin), of Indianapolis; John S., the subject of this sketch; James A., of La- bette county ; Laura (Zink), of Marion county, Indiana; Mary (Haugh), of Paris, Illinois; Gresham, William and Louisa, deceased; Em- ily (Barker), of Marion county, Indiana, and Margaret, deceased.
John S. Rude moved to Marion county, Indiana, in 1841, and worked in the lumbering business until 1863, when he enlisted in Com- pany B, 29th Reg., Ind. Vol. Inf., and served in the army for two years. He was mustered out in 1865, at Chattanooga, Tennessee. He then returned to Marion county. Indiana. Mr.
Rude had previously learned the blacksmith trade, but while in Marion county he operated a sawmill, from 1850 to 1862. He moved to Labette county in 1871, and settled on the farm where he now lives, in section 26. He has a large, attractive farm, and is considered one of the most prosperous farmers in the county. By hard work, thrift, and good man- agement, alone, has he reached the goal of success.
Mr. Rude was united in marriage with Elizabeth Roberts, who was born in Kentucky, in 1843. She is a daughter of Thomas Rob- erts, who was born in Kentucky, in 1810, and died in Marion county, Indiana, in 1860. His children were: Richard, deceased; Dudley; John, deceased; and Ellen (McClain), of Iola, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Rude are the parents of two children, namely: Charles, of Osborn, Missouri, whose children are,-Willard, Oran, and Ethel; and Leonard, of Labette county, who has two children, named Hallie, and Leon- ard, Jr.
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