USA > Kansas > Labette County > History of Labette County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 69
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Mr. Clark was reared in his native state, and attended school until he attained the age of eighteen years. After leaving school, he worked as clerk in a store for some time, pre- vious to entering upon a railroad career. July 4, 1877, Mr. Clark left Missouri for Parsons, Kansas, where his uncle, J. W. Boggs, had a position waiting for him in the car shops, and
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there the subject of this sketch commenced at the bottom of the ladder. He first worked as a car cleaner; there were at that time from eight to ten men employed in the car repairing department,-in striking contrast to the 28 now required to perform the necessary work. Mr. Boggs, who was himself in charge of the repairing department, and was the first re- pairer in Parsons, died in Portland, Oregon, in 1898.
After some time, Mr. Clark was advanced to do car repairing, and on October 7, 1887, he was still further promoted to be foreman of the repairing department, succeeding Mr. Eubank,-this position he maintains to the present day. He superintends all necessary re- pairs, having 12 expert machinists, as repair- ers. He has able assistance in the services of A. Falconer, foreman of the wrecking crew. He has a thorough knowledge of the require- ments of his position, which he has filled in such an eminently satisfactory manner, and his success goes to show his superior executive ability. His wide knowledge of railroad affairs enables him to carry on all necessary work with a nicety excelled by few.
In 1885 Mr. Clark was joined in wedlock with Allie M. Wanless, an only child of J. A. and Theodosia E. Wanless, of Leavenworth, Kansas, where Mrs. Clark's birth occurred, May 23, 1864. Her father died when she was but three years old. He was a graduate of West Point, was a captain in the regular army, and traveled much over the western country. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark, namely: Grace T., Allie B., Thomas A., Helen E., and Orville Paul. They have a comfortable home at No. 605 South Twenty- first street, to which they have added many improvements and conveniences. Fraternally, Mr. Clark is a member of the A. F. & A. M.
lodge at Parsons, having been made a Mason as soon as he reached his majority. He also affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, while his wife is a member of the Knights and Ladies of Security. Both unite in relig- ious views and attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Realizing that intemperance is the greatest evil of mankind, Mr. Clark is a thor- ough Prohibitionist. and uses his influence and best efforts in furthering the interests of that party in his locality. No one in Parsons is more highly respected and esteemed, and every whit of this respect is fully deserved.
ILLIAM F. THRALL, postmaster at Mound Valley, Labette county, Kansas, and editor of that substan- tial paper, the Mound Valley Her- ald, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1853. He is a son of Rufus and Mary (Wood- ruff Thrall.
Rufus Thrall was born in New York, and his wife was also a native of that state. At present they are living in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the former has reached the age of seventy-four years. Two other children be- sides William F. are living : Mrs. C. B. Wood- ruff, of Joplin, Missouri; and Mrs. N. S. Gan- dy, of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
William F. Thrall received his mental train- ing in Decatur, Illinois, to which place his par- ents moved when he was quite young. In 1873 Mr. Thrall moved, with his parents, to Os- wego, Labette county, Kansas, where he entered the office of the Independent, and learned the trade of a printer, and remained there nine years. He then moved to Idaho, where he worked at his trade for two years, after which he returned to Labette county, and located at
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Mound Valley. There he purchased the Mound Valley Herald, and has edited and published that paper ever since. He engages one printer, but personally manages and edits the paper. It is the only paper in Mound Valley, and has a large circulation. Mr. Thrall is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and is well equipped for conducting a newspaper of this kind. He is a very prominent man in the town, and is highly esteemed by all. November 19, 1897, Mr. Thrall was appointed postmaster of Mound Valley, and in connection with that of- fice handles stationery of all kinds.
Mr. Thrall was united in marriage with Mary Martin in 1878. She was born in Ray county, Missouri, in 1861, and is a daughter of Scott and Catherine (Shartzer) Martin. Her father is of Scotch descent, and was born in Virginia. He was a wagon-maker and blacksmith by trade, and died at the age of thirty-eight years. Mrs. Martin was born in Kentucky, but was reared in Virginia, and died in Oswego, Kansas, aged fifty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Thrall have one daughter, whose name is Vonie. She was born in Hailey, Idaho, November 29, 1883, on Thanksgiving day.
Mr. Thrall is a member of several fraternal organizations, among them the I. O. O. F., A. O. U. W., and M. W. of A. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Thrall has assisted largely in the growth and develop- ment of Mound Valley, and no public enterprise is completed without his assistance.
J OHN A. CRAFT. This gentleman has been one of the well known farmers in Osage township. Labette county, Kansas, for a great many years, hav- ing located there in the fall of 1869. He lives
in section 10, township 31, range 18, where he carries on general farming. Mr. Craft was born in Ontario county, New York, near Canandaigua Lake, in January, 1845, and is a son of William and Eliza Ann (Boone) Craft.
William Craft was born in 1810, and was of English and Scotch descent. In 1873, he moved to Labette county, where he followed the occupation of a farmer. His death oc- curred at the advanced age of eighty-three years. He married Eliza Ann Boone, and they were blessed by the birth of 10 children, two of whom died in infancy. The names of those surviving are: Charles ; Phœbe; Delilah Eliza- beth; Martha Jane; Mary Ann; John A .; William H., whose farm is across the road from that of John A .; and Mrs. Henrietta Pond, a twin of William H. Her husband is a blacksmith, of Dennis.
John A. Craft was but eight years old when his parents moved to Michigan, where the father farmed. Mr. Craft attended the common schools three months out of the year, and remained at home until he was twenty- three years old. He served three months in the employ of the government, in the Pioneer Corps, during the war. He assisted in build- ing bridges and in other necessary work,- making his headquarters at Chattanooga, Ten- nessee. Mr. Craft was married in 1867, after which he moved to Labette county, Kansas, and located near Parsons. He first secured a railroad claim, and in 1872 traded it for his present farm, which is the southeast quar- ter of section 10, township 31, range 18. This. land had been preempted by Harvey Hart, and but ten acres had been broken. Mr. Craft and the other settlers, in 1869, did their trading at Lahette City and Montana, and they were often troubled by claim jumpers. Mr. Craft
W. H. McKEEHEN.
JOHN H. McKEEHEN.
G. M. McKEEHEN. MRS. MARY M. McKEEHEN.
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raises considerable fruit, and has a large, well kept farm. He is a careful and painstaking worker, and his farm presents a neat and thrifty appearance. It is surrounded by a fine hedge fence, which Mr. Craft set out.
Mr. Craft was united in marriage with Sarah Augusta Barton, who was born in Octo- ber, 1845, in New York, and is a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Newman) Barton. Her father was an Englishman, and a harness- maker, by trade. Mrs. Craft was one of a family of ten children and was reared in Mich- igan and Illinois, where her parents had moved. The subject of this sketch and his wife have been blessed with two children: Mary Addie and Elmer Eugene. Mary Addie (Scott) married a farmer of Osage township, and they have four children,-Charles, Alon- zo, John Lowell, and Ernie. Elmer Eugene lives in Erie, Neosho county, Kansas, and is in the publishing business. He married Ethel Neal.
Mr. Craft is an independent voter, and al- though always interested in the politics of the township, he has refused proffered offices. He was formerly a member of the Anti-Horse- thief Association. He belongs to the A. O. U. W. lodge, of Dennis, and also to the Fra- ternal Aid of that place. He is very well known in Labette county, where he is admired for his honest, upright character. Religiously, he fa- vors the Missionary Baptist church.
OHN H. McKEEHEN, one of Labette county's early settlers, was born in Carter county, Tennessee, in 1846, and is a son of W. W. and Nancy (Douglas) McKeehen. They were natives of Tennessee, and were of Scotch descent. They 34
reared 10 children. Two of them are in Wash- ington,-G. W. is a carpenter; William is a railroad employee. E. B. is a professional man and trader, in Tennessee. The others, who are daughters, live in Tennessee.
John H. McKeehen received his mental training in his native state, where he lived un- til he reached the age of twenty-two years. At the time he located in Labette county, May 12, 1869, he had but one suit of clothes and $19.50 in money. He settled in Osage town- ship in the northeast quarter of section 14, township 31, range 17, being one of a party of three who settled in that section. Mr. Sparks lives on the southeast quarter of the section, and W. A. Collins, the third of the party, has left the county. Mr. McKeehen worked and boarded at different places until his marriage, when he located permanently. He first built a box house 12 by 16 feet, in size, which is now used as a kitchen. He erected his present house in 1891, and in 1900 built a new barn, corn-crib and granary. When he settled on this farm there was little timber; one elm sprout, which escaped the plow, is now a large tree. Mr. McKeehen has about five acres of orchard and forest trees. The yard is studded with flowers and vines, and a few hives of bees supply honey. Mr. McKeehen has rented some additional farming land since his sons have grown to manhood. He takes great pride in his farm, which presents a very neat and attractive appearance, and speaks well for its owner's thrift and energy.
Mr. McKeehen was united in marriage with Mary M. Rinker, who was born in Indi- ana, in 1857. She was one of seven children. Her mother is yet living, but her father died several years ago. Three children have re- sulted from her union with Mr. McKeehen, namely: W. H., G. M. and Jessie A. In
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politics, Mr. McKeehen is an independent voter, although he was raised a Republican. He has served as trustee of Osage township five terms, which shows the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens. He is now treasurer of the school board in District No. 102. He is a member of the Christian church, at Cherryvale. He has the advantage of liv- ing on the free mail delivery route. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. McKeehen and their two sons, W. H. and G. M., accompany this sketch.
AMES SHONE, blacksmith, foreman on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, residing at Parsons, Kan- sas, was born in Manchester, Eng- land, in December, 1847, and has lived in many parts of the United States. He is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Chisnall) Shone, the former of Welsh, and the latter of Scotch de- scent.
Samuel Shone was a blacksmith by trade. He came to the United States about 1850, landing at Galveston, Texas, where he followed his trade for a year or two. While there, the family suffered an attack of the yellow fever, and James was one of the victims; no case, however, proved fatal. The prevalence of this dread disease in the South caused the family to remove further north. They traveled by steamboat to Cincinnati, Ohio, and thence went to Springfield, Massachusetts, where the elder Shone worked in the Springfield Armory. They next went to Meriden, Connecticut, where they remained a short time. From that place, they moved to Hamilton, Canada, where the father was employed, about a year and a half, in a wrench and vise factory. In the late "fifties," he went to St. Louis, Missouri,
where he followed his trade successfully for many years. His death took place in that city, in 1870, when he had passed his forty-ninth birthday. His widow survived him until 1888, when she died at the home of her son, James, at the age of sixty-four years. One of her sis- ters, Mrs. Margaret Howarth, of Manchester, England, is still living, and is eighty-six years old.
Mr. Shone is the eldest of five children. The others are: Samuel, George, John, and Maggie Elizabeth. Samuel was born in Eng- land, and is a blacksmith foreman on the Mis- souri, Kansas & Texas Railway, at Denison, Texas. George was born in Springfield, Mas- sachusetts, and is a competent master mechanic on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, resid- ing at Alamosa, Colorado. John was also born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and is round- house foreman at Parsons, Kansas. Maggie Elizabeth, the only sister, resides at Nevada, Missouri; she is the wife of Engineer Jen- nings, who is also employed on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, having a run on the branch leading to Eldorado Springs. The me- chanical ability of the father was transmitted to the sons, all of whom are good mechanics and railroad employes.
In 1862, while living in St. Louis, Mis- souri, James Shone became an apprentice in the shops of the old Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, where he served for four years, mainly under Master Mechanic Charles Williams, finishing, however, under C. T. Ham and Harry Elliott. Completing his apprenticeship, he accepted a position as blacksmith on the old North Mis- souri Railroad at St. Charles, Missouri. A few months later, he obtained a more lucrative position on the Cairo Short Line, upon which he worked until 1877. Later, he worked on the M. O. P. R. R. He then went west, to
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Parsons, Kansas, where he has remained ever since.
September 21, 1871, he was joined in wed- lock with Mary A. Moore, the ceremony being performed at the home of the bride in Canton, Missouri. Mrs. Shone is of Scotch-Irish
descent. She was born in St. Louis Mis- souri, in 1852, and is a daughter of Robert and Mary (Moore) Moore. Her parents, al- though having the same name, were not re- lated to each other. Her father died in Febru- ary, 1897, and her mother is still living at Canton, Missouri, aged seventy-five years. Mrs. Shone is the eldest of six children. The others are: Mrs. Lizzie Alderton, and Mrs. Nellie Marks, both of Canton, Missouri; Rob- ert, a blacksmith, of Los Angeles, California ; Mrs. Lydia Marks, also of Canton, Missouri; and Mrs. Mattie Meal, of Sugar Loaf, Colo- rado. Mrs. Shone was reared and schooled in St. Louis, Missouri, where the family lived for many years. They formerly lived upon and owned the land which is now occupied by the new union depot, of that city, but subsequently moved to Canton, Missouri.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Shone has been blessed with four children,-three daughters, and one son, namely : Mamie E., Nellie, Alice, and George. Alice died in infancy, and George, who was born in 1881, was accidental- ly drowned when twelve years and five days old. This was a sad blow to his fond parents, whose hopes are now centered in their two eldest daughters, who still brighten the home fireside. The three ladies of the household are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. In their religious views, they favor the Baptist church.
Mr. Shone was made a Mason at Parsons, and now affiliates with the blue lodge, chapter and commandery, of that city. He is also a
member of the Fraternal Aid and of the A. O. U. W. In politics, he is a stanch Republican, and has served on the school board, and takes a decided interest in educational matters. Upon his arrival in Parsons, lie engaged, at once, as a blacksmith on the Missouri, Kan- sas & Texas Railway, under W. T. Small. He was promoted in January, 1883, to be fore- man of the blacksmith shops under Master Mechanic Joseph Haines, and has held that position up to the present time. Mr. Shone has charge of all blacksmith work, and of the locomotive department from Parsons to Han- nibal, Missouri. and from Franklin Junction to St. Louis. He has charge of a force of about 25 men, ten of whom are expert blacksmiths. He succeeded D. K. McPherson, and the position was previously filled by only three or four fore- men, who served short terms before McPher- son's incumbency. In the successful perform- ance of his various duties, Mr. Shone has at all times shown rare skill and judgment, and in all his dealings he is keen, accurate, and upright. His pleasant, sociable manners have made him a prime favorite on the road, and he has the esteem of all who know him. He has a com- fortable home at No. 1926 Stevens avenue.
H MBROSE MCELROY SOURBEER, foreman of the brass foundry of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway machine shops, in Parsons, Kansas, in which all the brass work of the entire system is molded, was born in the town of Safe Har- bor, on the Susquehanna river, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1846. He is a son of Jonas and Ingerber Theresa (O'Connor) Sour- beer.
Jonas Sourbeer was also a native of Penn- sylvania, of German descent. He never moved
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west, and died in 1887. His family consisted of eight children, namely: H. C., Ambrose McElroy, Henrietta Delia, William Bigler, Ann Elizabeth, Charles Elam, Maud Frances and Rebecca. H. C. is a resident of Parsons, and a dealer in poultry, feed products, etc .; he is one of the early residents of Parsons, but has been absent at times. Henrietta Delia (Carroll) resides in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. William Bigler is a bookkeeper at a small town near St. Louis, on the Iron Mountain Railway. Ann Elizabeth (Hoke), Charles Elam and Maud Frances (Wells) are also residents of Harrisburg, and Rebecca is deceased.
The subject hereof received his mental training in the common schools of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. His first work was as a helper in the rolling mill at Safe Harbor, when a boy. In 1863, he enlisted in Company H, 50th Reg., Penn. Vol. Inf., as a pri- vate. He afterward enlisted in Company D, 195th Reg., Penn. Vol. Inf. He was in the 8th Army Corps, under General Sher- idan, in the valley of the Shenandoah. He was mustered out of service in the fall of 1864, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. More fortunate than many of his comrades, he served his country without receiving the slightest wound.
Mr. Sourbeer left home and went to Har- risburg, and soon after, to Indianapolis, where he remained one year. He then returned to Harrisburg, and, in 1866, found employment in the foundry. In the fall of 1868, he went to Leavenworth, Kansas, and completed his ap- prenticeship as a molder. Up to 1873, he was employed in Wilson, Estes & Fairchild's fot1 . dry. July 24, of that year, he arrived at Par- sons, Kansas, where he began work for Qualey Bros., who built the railway shops. He worked for them one year, and then entered the employ
of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company, as a brass molder. He took charge of the brass foundry, then employing from two to four men, and has since been the head of this department. He has now a force of 12 men, including helpers. All the brasses of the system are made here, about 2,500 pounds, per day, being turned out. Journal brasses for coaches, etc., are polished at the foundry, but the locomotive brasses are finished and polished at the machine shop.
Mr. Sourbeer and his wife have two sons and a daughter, who are grown to maturity. Their daughter, Minnie Theresa, is at home. Jonas Newton stays at home, and is engaged as a molder at the brass foundry, and Frank Louis, also at home, is a machinist. Mr. Sour- beer owns a comfortable home at 1630 Chess. avenue. He keeps one or two horses for his own use, and for the convenience and pleasure of his family.
In politics, Mr. Sourbeer is a Republican, and is held in high esteem in the councils of his party. He has served six years as alder- man from the First Ward, in which he has always resided, and has declined a nomination for mayor. He takes an active interest in fraternal societies, and is a member of the A. F. & A. M .; I. O. O. F .; A. O. U. W .; M. W. of A .; and of the G. A. R., in which he has served three terms as commander of Antietam Post, No. 64, of which John Lyle is the present commander. In his religious opinions he is very liberal.
Mr. Sourbeer was married in Leavenworth, Kansas, to Jennie C. Graff, who is one of a family of several children. The couple chanced to meet at the home of an uncle who was in the government employ at Fort Leavenworth. Mrs. Sourbeer is a devout member of the Epis- copal church.
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WILLIAM SLAUGHTER.
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ILLIAM SLAUGHTER, a highly respected farmer, and well known resident of Fairview township, La- bette county, Kansas, where he lives in the southwest quarter of section 6, is a native of Charlottesville, Virginia, where he was born in 1826. He received his primary ed- ucation partly in his native state and partly in Ohio, to which state his father moved in 1831. In 1850 Mr. Slaughter moved to Tazewell county, Illinois, and was a resident of that com- monwealth until 1874. He then moved to Labette county, Kansas, and located on the first farm he looked at, which was the south- west quarter of section 8, in Fairview town- ship. He carried on farming there until the spring of 1901, when he moved to the south- west quarter of section 6, where he now lives. He sold the southwest quarter of section 8, and also the south half of the northwest quar- ter of section 8, and bought the south half of the southwest quarter of section 6, the north half of which he already owned. He has had a very successful agricultural career, and is considered one of the best farmers in this sec- tion of the state.
Mr. Slaughter has been married three times. By his first wife, whose name was Sarah Hudson, and who died in 1858, he has a daughter, Mary (Webster), who lives in Illi- nois. By his second union, with Elizabeth Cassady, there was one child, who died. Mrs. Slaughter died in 1874. His third wife's name was Amanda Baker. She died in November, 1890, leaving no children. Since then our subject's brother, Joseph J. Slaughter, and his family, have made their abode with him. Jo- seph J. Slaughter served four years in the Civil War, with the 115th Reg., Ill. Vol. Inf., un- der Colonel Cook. William Slaughter's brother, John, was also a soldier in the Civil
War, and died in the army. Joseph J. Slaugh- ter settled on a farm in Elm Grove township, Labette county, in 1881. He remained in that township until 1890, when he moved to Fair- view township, and has since lived with his brother.
William Slaughter, the subject of this sketch, has always been a strong Republican. He served as supervisor of Tazewell county, Illinois, and was treasurer of Labette county in 1890 and 1891. He has served Fairview township as trustee on five different occasions, and has discharged his official duties with dig- nity and with credit to the community. His portrait appears on a page in proximity to this.
C. COWDEN, for many years chief dispatcher and train master of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, was born at New Bedford, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, in 1853. He has been trusted and honored with the supervision of many important details of the business.
Mr. Cowden went from Indiana, where he had been engaged in railroad work as operator, etc., to Atchison, Kansas, and later (July 2, 1881), to Labette county, Kansas, where he entered the service of the "Katy" road. It was then operated by the Missouri Pacific Railway Company. He was first assigned, for a short time, to Northern Kansas, on the Missouri Pacific Railway, then to Parsons, where he opened the dispatcher's office, the work up to that time having been done from Denison, Texas. Some years previous, an office had been started at Parsons, but it had been aban- doned, and Mr. Cowden was thus the starter of the present office. He was assisted at that
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time by Mr. Gay. The construction work was then completed south of Denison, and Mr. Cowden and Mr. Gay worked as "trick" dis- patchers, needing no chief, and having none at that time.
Five years later, Mr. Cowden assumed the arduous duties of chief dispatcher, and also those of train-master over the Kansas City and Neosho Division, often remaining at the office the major part of the week, or all of it, having his meals brought to him. He left the service for four months, and then again accepted the chiefship, which he held until the fall of 1893, when he resigned, and has since worked the day trick, from 8 A. M. until 4 P. M. He is re- lieved by W. G. Koch, and Mr. Koch by E. M. Gates, whom Mr. Cowden relieves while fillling the position of chief and trainmaster. Mr. Cowden hired the brakemen and operators employed on that division.
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