USA > Kansas > Labette County > History of Labette County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 78
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Benjamin F. Briggs received his primary
education in the public schools, and then took an academic course in Lockport, Illinois, to which town he removed with his mother at the age of fourteen years. He undertook to learn the art of photography at the age of sixteen years, but after reading some of Pow- ell's "Explorations of the West," he decided to go West. He left home at the age of sev- enteen years in company with Rev. John Al- den, in July, 1871, the latter having accepted a call to preach at Santa Rosa, California. They visited the cities and points of interest en route to San Francisco. From there Mr. Briggs went to Portland, Oregon, and entered the employ of the Oregon & California Rail- way Company, being in the train service for a short time. He was then clerk at the Inter- national Hotel until November 1, 1872, when he returned to his home at Lockport, Illinois, by the way of San Francisco, arriving home in December, 1872. In February, 1873, he went to Denver with his brother, Frank, and engaged in the grain and commission busi- ness until October of that year. They then closed out, Frank going to Solomon, Kansas, and our subject to Chicago, Illinois, where he attended the University of Chicago for three months. He began firing an engine on the C. R. I. & P. R. R. between Chicago and Davenport, Iowa, and fired the famous Silver Engine of America engine for Engineer Thomas Shehan. He was in the railroad employ for three years and was offered a po- sition as engineer, but left at the time of a strike, removing to Kansas. He located in Labette county in 1876, purchasing a farmi near Parsons, and successfully engaged in farming and stock raising until 1896. He then sold out and moved to the city of Par- sons, where he has since been engaged in the
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real-estate business. He formed a partner- ship with Mr. Carringer, who after a time de- parted from the city. He subsequently became a partner of W. T. Terril, but this partner- ship was dissolved in July, 1900, since which time Mr. Briggs has continued alone. He has a very large business in loans, real estate and insurance, and enjoys the confidence of the people to a marked degree. He has done all possible to further his business interests and has prepared himself for the legal pro- fession, and expects to be admitted to the bar soon.
Mr. Briggs was united in marriage in La- bette county, Kansas, February 20, 1879, with Alice Burkette, who was born in Indi- ana in July, 1859, and is a daughter of S. M. and Elizabeth Burkette. She came to this county with her parents in 1879, they locating on a farm south of Parsons. She was one of five girls, as follows: Alice Edith, wife of J. C. Bertsch, a retired farmer, by whom she has one daughter, Bertha; Nevada; Emma (Giltner), who resides near Parsons, and has five children,-Oscar, Frank, Marvin, Clem- ent and Ora and Dora, wife of Richard Bald- ridge, who conducts a meat market at Par- sons,-they have one daughter, Jessie. Mr. and Mrs. Briggs have five children, namely : Arthur, aged twenty years, attended Lawrence University one year, and is now teaching school; Clifford A., aged eighteen years, who assists in his father's office; Rena, aged seven- teen years; Joseph E., fourteen years old ; and Alice Gertrude, two years old. In poli- tics, he is a Republican. He is a man of domestic inclinations, preferring home and family to evenings spent at lodge. Although his father was a Baptist deacon, he and his family are members of the Presbyterian church at Parsons.
HARLES W. MAIER, probably one of the best known citizens of Par- sons, Kansas, and third vice-grand master of the Brotherhood of Lo- comotive Firemen, has held that important position since December 23, 1894, having been successively re-elected to that office every two years.
He was born at Lincoln, Logan county, Illinois, in 1862, and is a son of Adam and Johanna (Crean) Maier, both residents of Kansas City, Missouri. Adam Maier was born in 1838, was reared in Germany, and came to America when a young man. He was a farmer during the active period of his life.
In November, 1866, the family removed to Kansas, and located in Allen county, where Charles W. Maier went to school as soon as he was old enough, but continued only a few years. His first work here was on a farm, and at the age of fourteen years he commenced the butcher's business, taking another man's place in a shop at lola, Kansas. There he worked until 1875, when he quit his trade and farmed till 1882. He came to Parsons, Kan- sas, about April 1, 1882, and entered the em- ploy of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Rail- way Company. He worked in the car de- partment, and helped in repairing, picking up wrecks, etc.
July 25, 1883, Mr. Maier entered the lo- comotive department of the company as a helper and wiper. September 6, 1883, he was promoted to be a fireman, first worked for Engineer Glenn Ewing, in the yards. He next worked for Engineer Jake Reilly, on the road, and later was fireman on a passenger engine, eighteen months, for Senator John Reilly, and eighteen months for Engineer George Lyons, deceased. He was promoted
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to be an engineer, June 16, 1889. His first work as an engineer was to run an extra for a time; he then pulled regular freight on all the divisions out of Parsons, but mainly to Muskogee, Indian Territory. Subject ran an engine until December 23, 1894, and has an enviable record during the entire time of his railroad service. Very few engineers can boast of having filled all the posts from a humble beginning to the position of engineer, with- out sustaining injury or loss of time.
December 26, 1894, Mr. Maier began traveling in the interests of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen,-having joined that order, September 6, 1884. He has faithfully served the order, having passed through the chairs. He was master of Great West- ern Division, Nc. 24, of Parsons, and, for four years, prior to 1894, was grand trustee. During the four years he held that office there came into the treasury of the order nearly $4,- 000,000. His careful and successful work for the good of the order made him available for advancement, and he was elevated to his present position as third vice-grand master, re- ceiving his orders from Grand Master Sar- gent of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Fire- men. John J. Hannahan, of Chicago, is first vice-grand master, Charles A. Wilson, of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, is second-vice grand master. These officials and Mr. Maier have 40,000 men to look after in the various lodges. They travel over the whole area of North America, and are mainly engaged in lecturing, and in organizing new lodges of the Brother- hood of Locomotive Firemen. Mr. Maier trav- els fully 50,000 miles per year, but makes his home at Parsons, preferring it to any other lo- cation. He is away from home about five- sixths of the time, and returns to his family, for two or three days about the first of eachi
mouth. He has two brothers, John A. and George E., employed as engineers on the Mis- souri, Kansas & Texas Railway, and residing at Parsons.
Mr. Maier was married in Allen county, Kansas, to Ida A. Wise, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of John L. Wise, originally from Vermont; both parents are dead. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Maier : Frank, a clerk in Mr. Talbot's book store; Jessie (Baker), of Kansas City; Adam; George; Lawrence; Harry, aged seven years; and Ida Katherine, deceased. Mr. Maier owns a fine home at No. 1714 Clark avenue, which he built and also a farm in the edge of Neosho county. He is entirely a self-made man. He is a hard student and a great reader, covering a wide range of literature. Politics have not diverted much of his time from study and reading. He is, in the main, a Democrat, although not radically partisan. He mani- fests a great interest in fraternal orders, and may be found in the councils of the B. of L. F., Select Knights, A. O. U. W., B. P. O. E., and K. of P., all of Parsons. He favors the Catholic church in his religious convictions.
ILLIAM M. HOLT, one of the prominent and sturdy farmers of Labette township, Labette county, Kansas, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, in 1824, and is a son of Jacob and Amy ( Ward) Holt, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania. The great-grandfather of William M. came from Germany to the United States, and followed farming. As both grandfather and father were also farmers, it is but natural that the subject hereof should follow in the footsteps of his ancestors. In
MR. AND MRS. W. ORA DUDGEON AND FAMILY.
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early boyhood he evinced a love for farm work, and coupled with it the convenient auxiliary trades, those of carpenter and cabinetmaker, which he followed until he located in Kansas, in 1870.
Mr. Holt entered his present farm land at Independence, Kansas, and has resided on the same ever since. He has one of the best im- proved farms in Labette county. His resi- dence, a two-story, ten-room, frame structure, together with the splendid barn and other buildings on his farm are monuments of his own handiwork. He has built well, and in his declining years is reaping the harvest of the seed planted and sown by a careful hand and a studied purpose.
William M. Holt was the fifth in a family of eight children. They were,-George, Jacob, Elizabeth, Louisa, William M., Solomon, Fred- erick and Samuel.
Mr. Holt chose for his life companion, Nancy Fetrow, who was born in Pennsylvania, in 1835. They reared the following children : Jacob, who lives at home and follows the blacksmith trade; Elizabeth; Anna; John; William; Samuel; and Lizzie. Our subject is a Republican, in politics, and in religion, a member of the German Lutheran church.
ORA DUDGEON, a successful coal operator and farmer, located on the northwest quarter of sec- tion 27, Oswego township, La- bette county, Kansas, is a native of Fulton county, Indiana, and was born in 1865. He is a son of William Dudgeon.
William Dudgeon was born in 1827, in Pennsylvania, and at an early period settled in Ohio, where he remained several years.
He then went to Fulton county, Indiana, where he lived ten years, after which he moved to Marshall county, Indiana. In 1883, he located in Oswego township, Labette coun- ty, Kansas, where he carried on farming until his death, in 1896. He married Miss McEl- lavey, who is a native of Pennsylvania, and now lives in Oswego, Kansas. They reared the following offspring: Joseph; Mary (Zink), deceased: Daniel; W. Ora, the sub- ject of this sketch; Hugh; and Marion.
W. Ora Dudgeon was reared and schooled in Marshall county, Indiana, and Labette county, Kansas. He began his business career as a farmer, and in 1896 leased the property on which he now lives. Coal veins, averag- ing 14 inches thick, are found in various places on this land. Mr. Dudgeon operates a coal bank, and mines the coal by plow and scraper. The coal is found at a depth of from 10 to 12 feet. He has been very successful in this line, and in 1898 bought the property. He also carries on general farming.
Mr. Dudgeon married Elizabeth Kastor, in 1896, and they have two children, William and Charles. The subject of this sketch is a member of the Populist party. He is also a member of Red Bud Camp, No. 91, Wood- men of the World, of which he is banker. A picture of Mr. and Mrs. Dudgeon and their family accompanies this sketch.
VAN O. ELLIS, an attorney-at-law and general practitioner in Parsons, Kansas, is a native of Greene county, Indiana, where he was born in 1855- He is the eldest son of Ira and Mary F. (Fer- guson) Ellis, respected and worthy residents of Neosho county, Kansas. Ira Ellis was born
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in North Carolina, in 1827, and his wife is a native of Indiana, where her birth took, place in 1833. This aged and honored couple reared a family of seven children,-the youngest, who is now twenty-six years old, having charge of the homestead farm. They are as follows : Evan O .; J. F., a tinner in Blue Mound, Illi- nois ; Sarah, for several years a superintendent of schools in Kansas, and now attending col- lege at Franklin, Indiana; Etta, wife of L. S. Hewitt, of Neosho county; Fanny (Radcliff ) and Errett.
Mr. Ellis attended the public schools of Christian county, Illinois. In 1882 his parents settled on a farm in Neosho county, Kansas, close to the Labette county line, upon which they still reside. The first manual labor of Evan O. Ellis was performed on his father's farm. When thirty years of age, he chose for himself a professional career. Entering the law office of J. L. Dennison, in Erie, Kansas, he commenced the study of law, and one year later, in 1889, was admitted to the bar of Neosho county. Immediately afterward, other matters claimed his attention, and he deferred practicing his chosen profession for several years. In April, 1889, he was appointed dep- nty sheriff of Neosho county, under Sheriff S. L. VanSandt, and filled that position very creditably for three years under that gentleman, and for one year, under his successor, C. W. Bennett. Since then Mr. Ellis' interests have been principally in Labette county. In the spring of 1894, he engaged in building bridges on the railroad and the following year ( 1895), he opened a law office in Parsons, at No. 1900 Johnson avenue, where he has since been en- gaged in practice.
Mr. Ellis' marriage with Anna Springer, of Illinois, resulted in the birth of three chil- dren,-Bessie, Paul and Harry, aged, respec-
tively, thirteen, nine and seven years. Around their fireside at No. 611 Lincoln avenue hap- piness reigns supreme.
Mr. Ellis has met with unqualified success in the practice of his profession, and has always been ready and willing to further, in any pos- sible manner, the progress of the flourishing city in which he has become so prominent. He votes a straight Republican ticket, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Knights and Ladies of Security; his wife is also a Royal Neighbor. They are de- vout members of the Christian church, of which Rev. C. E. Pile is pastor. They enjoy the esteem, confidence and affection of a wide circle of friends.
TEPHEN CONNOLLY. This gentle- man is one of the thrifty and prosper- ous farmers of Labette county, Kan- sas. He has a fine farm in section I, Labette township. Mr. Connolly was born in Ireland, in 1846, and is a son of James and Mary ( Manning) Connolly.
James Connolly was born in Ireland, where he carried on farming all his life. His wife was also a native of Ireland, and they reared the following children: Mary; Peter; James; Patrick; William; John and Martin, deceased ; and Stephen.
Stephen Connolly, at the age of fifteen years, sailed for America, and landed in New York. He went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he made his home until 1871. During this time he worked at different tasks, but learned no "trade. In 1871, he removed to Labette county, Kansas, and located on the northwest quarter of section I, in Labette township, which has been his home since that
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time. He has made many improvements on the place, and it is now one of the best and most substantial farms in the county. In 1873. Mr. Connolly erected a large, two-story, frame house, of eight rooms, which adds greatly to the general appearance of the prop- erty. He also owns a farm of 160 acres in section 36, Walton township. He has a thor- ough knowledge of agriculture, and is engaged in general farming and stock raising.
Mr. Connolly married Margaret Keif, who was born in Ireland in 1843. They have reared four children, namely : Mary, who married Henry Gars, a farmer of Labette county ; Margaret : Anna; and James W.
Mr. Connolly is a member of the Demo- cratic party, and takes an active interest in the affairs of the county. He belongs to the A. O. U. W., Lodge No. I, of Parsons. Mr. Connolly is a man of firm principles and purpose, and is one of the most loyal and upright citizens in the county. He has many warm friends, and is well known.
OLOMON TAYLOR, a resident of Labette township, Labette county, Kansas, was born in Virginia, in 1845, and lived there until after the Civil war. Previous to this time he followed the carpenter's trade, for a short time. In 1865, he moved to LaSalle county, Illinois, where he followed farming for twelve years.
In 1877, Mr. Taylor left LaSalle county, going direct to Labette county, Kansas, and located on his present farm, where he has re- sided since that time. Mr. Taylor has im- proved his property with such care and dili- gence, that he has one of the best farms in the township.
Daniel Taylor, the father of Solomon, was born in Highland county, Virginia, in 1809. Ile was a stock raiser, and also followed the carpenter's trade. He married Polly Nicely, who was also born in Virginia. They were blessed with II children, viz: Eli; Elizabeth; Jacob; Frances; William; Nancy; George; Solomon; Joseph; Mary E. and John. Eli; Frances; Jacob; Elizabeth; Nancy and John are deceased; William resides in West Vir- ginia, George is a farmer in Labette county, Kansas. Mary E. (Sidmore) is a resident of Iowa.
Solomon Taylor was united in matrimony with Emma Ables, who was born in Michi- gan in 1850. They have eight children living : Angeline; Mary E .; Eli, a Populist, who is at home, and is now serving his second term as clerk of Labette township; Alice; Fred : Will- iam; Daniel; and Clarence. Three,-Charles, Theodore and Richard, are deceased.
In his political views, Mr. Taylor inclines to the support of the Populist doctrines. He has been treasurer of his township two terms, and has served as a member of the school board for the past eighteen years. He is a member of the Anti-Horsethief Associa- tion. The family belong to the M. E. church.
J S. ADAMSON, an enterprising and progressive farmer of Labette town- ship, Labette county, Kansas, is a pioneer settler in the township and ranks among the foremost citizens of the coun- ty. Mr. Adamson was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1843. He is a son of Enos and Sarah (Burgen) Adamson.
Enos Adamson was born in 1821. He came from good old Tennessee stock, and followed
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farming and stock raising. His wife was born in Virginia, in 1820. They reared a family of eight children, as follows: J. S .; Dennis, of Nebraska, deceased; Thomas, also of Ne- braska; Nancy J .; Ella, cf Iowa: Enos, Jr., of Parsons, Kansas; Letty, of Iowa ; and Lee, of Nebraska.
J. S. Adamson followed farming during his early manhood, and also learned the car- penter's trade. He left Jasper county, Iowa. where the family then lived. in 1869, and lo- cated upon the farm which is still his home. This farm is the southwest quarter of section 12, Labette township, where Mr. Adamson carries on general farming. His marriage with Elizabeth Knous, who was born in Penn- sylvania in 1868, resulted in the following six children: Cora: Charles; Edward; Ada; Daniel: and Archie. The eldest child is de- ceased. Charles resides in the state of Colo- rado, while Daniel is serving at the present time in the United States Army, being a mem- ber of the 40th Regiment.
In politics, Mr. Adamson is a Republican. He has served his party as justice of the peace of Labette township, and has also served on the school board. He is a member of Anti- Horsethief .Association. He is a sturdy, hard- working man, and is well liked by all who know him.
L ESTER OLDS, a resident of Neosho township. Labette county, Kansas, has for a number of years been one of the most influential farmers in the county. He was born in Delaware county, Ohio, in 1839, and is a son of Benjamin and Abigail (Washburn) Olds.
Benjamin Olds was born in Pennsylvania. For many years he was a minister of the Gos-
pel, but later became a farmer. He made the first pair of pegged shoes ever made in Ohio, as he was also a shoemaker by trade. He mar- ried Abigail Washburn, who was a native of New York. They reared the following chil- dren, namely : James, Henry, Luther, Abner, Sanford, Jane and Miles, all of whom are de- ceased; Lester, the subject of this sketch; Charles, deceased; Mary ; and Walter, who is a lawyer, living in Chicago, Illinois.
Lester Olds, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in his native state, where he remained until he reached the age of twenty- one years. In 1861 he went to Illinois, but returned to Ohio, and in 1862 enlisted in Company D, 12Ist Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and was assigned to the Army of the West. He took part in the battle of Perryville, and in several skirmishes. Mr. Olds was honorably discharged in 1863, after which he returned to his home in Ohio. His next move was to Mahaska county, Iowa, where he engaged in the stock business, and remained there until 1866. He sold out his business in Iowa, and returned to Ohio, where he lived until 1872. His final move was to Labette county, Kan- sas, where he settled in Neosho township, in the south half of the southwest quarter of section 31. He has resided there ever since, and has carried on general farming. He is a man of honest, upright principles, and has won the confidence and respect of all in the community. He is always willing to assist in any public enterprise that is for the good of the com- munity, and his advice is often sought in such matters. His farm is one of the best in the county, and he has bright prospects for the future.
Mr. Olds was united in marriage with Elizabeth H. Porter, who was born in Dela- ware county, Ohio, in 1846. The subject of
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JOSEPH P. WILLS.
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this sketch is a Republican in politics, and has served as trustee of Neosho township one term. He was also a member of the school board for a number of years. Mrs. Olds belongs to the Methodist church.
OSEPH P. WILLS, deceased, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, settled in Labette county, Kansas, in 1879, and followed farming in a suc- cessful manner until his death in 1895. He was located in the northeast quarter of section 29, Oswego township. Mr. Willis was born in New York City, in 1829, and was a son of John and Nancy ( Partridge) Wills.
John Wills was born in London, England, in 1803 and was a shoemaker by trade. He lived in New York City for a period of nine- teen years, and in 1848 located in Chicago, where he followed his trade until 1870. He then moved to Tennessee, near the city of Knoxville, where he died in 1872. His wife, Nancy Partridge, was born in 1805, and died in New York City, in 1845. They were par- ents of four children : Samuel, deceased; Lottie, deceased: Mary, deceased ; and Joseph P., the subject of this sketch.
Joseph P. Wills lived in New York City until 1848, when he removed with his parents to Chicago, Illinois. He was a sailmaker by trade, and when he arrived in Chicago went into the sail, awning and tent business, for him- self, and continued thus until 1872, when his health failed and he sold out his business. He moved on a farm near Knoxville, Tennessee, and lived there until 1876, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1877, he was married and then moved to Sherman, Texas. There he lived
until 1879, when he settled in Labette county, Kansas. He purchased property in the north- east quarter of section 29, Oswego township, where he was engaged in farming and stock raising until his death occurred. He was a man of high character and enjoyed the utmost esteem of his fellow citizens. He was a Re- publican, in politics, and was treasurer of Os- wego township for two terms.
Mr. Wills was united in marriage with Eliza M. Jones, a daughter of Ross and Mar- tha ( Whitehead ) Jones. Mr. Jones was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, March 21, 1823. In 1828 he moved to Warren county, Ohio, with his parents, and lived there on a farm until 1840. He then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he ran the first engine on the Little Miami Railroad. His run at that time was between Cincinnati and Springfield, Ohio. He worked on this road until 1844, when he ' was married to Martha Whitehead. He lived in Cincinnati until 1850, when he moved to Franklin county, Indiana. There he cultivated a farm until 1873, when he returned to Cin- cinnati, and died there in 1878. He and his wife were the parents of the following chil- dren : Eliza M .; Ada (Elliott) ; John, de- ceased ; Nettie (Thomas) ; Lucinda (Cadu- gan) ; and Oscar.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Wills became par- ents of four children, as follows: Florence (Dudley), who has one daughter, Pearl; Lot- tie ( Hayden), who has two sons,-Ralph W. and Archie R .; Clarence; and Nettie.
By a former marriage, Mrs. Wills had a son, T. L. Sturgeon, whose father, Thomas R. Sturgeon, of Louisville, Kentucky. died in 1867. Thomas R. Sturgeon was a soldier in the Union army, and received injuries in the war, from which he never recovered.
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EWIS WILLIAMS, who owns the largest and finest nursery in Southern Kansas, is a highly re- spected citizen of North township. Labette county. He has been in the nursery line in this county a number of years, and, does a large and flourishing business. His partner is E. P. Bernardin. Mr. Williams is a native of St. Thomas, Canada, and was born in 1840. He is a son of George and Anna (Nichols) Williams, who were natives of Canada.
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