USA > Kansas > Labette County > History of Labette County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 79
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Lewis Williams lived in Canada until 1860. At the age of twenty years, he attended a college near Cleveland, Ohio, where he re- mained two years. In 1862 he returned to Canada, where he taught school for two years, and then went to Michigan, and settled near St. Joseph. There he sold trees until 1870, when he decided to try his fortune in the West. Accordingly Mr. Williams settled in Kansas, in the town of Chetopa. He engaged in the nursery business in that place, and in 1880 moved his stock to North township, a quarter of a mile south of Parsons. There, he has since resided. As before stated, he has the largest and finest nursery in Southern Kansas. His farm is located in the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 30. The home place takes up 120 acres, and Mr. Williams rents 180 acres. E. P. Bernardin is his partner in business, and they have been unusually suc- cessful. The packing house is of stone, 100 by 50 feet, in dimensions, and the implement house is 20 feet by 50 feet in size. They also have two large cellars. They increase their stock each year, and if the present growth con- tinues, the nursery will be, in a few years, the largest in the state. Mr. Williams has devoted his whole attention to this business, and it has only been through careful manage-
ment and close application to his duties, that he has reached the goal of success. His home is one of the finest in the county.
Mr. Williams is independent in politics. He belongs to the A. F. & A. M., Lodge No. 73, of Chetopa. He also is a member of the Knights and Ladies of Security. Parsons Lodge, No. 162. Mr. Williams is unmarried. He is a man of genial and attractive per- sonality, and his friends are legion.
RS. MARY YOUNG, widow of the late Robert Young, is one of the well known and highly esteemcd residents of North township, La- bette county, Kansas. She resides in the west half of the northwest quarter of section 31, where she carries on general farming, assisted by her sons, Robert and Michael.
Robert Young, her deceased husband, was for many years one of Labette county's most prominent and influential farmers. He was a man of intelligence and strong character, and his death was greatly lamented by all whu knew him. He was a native of Ireland, and followed farming all his active life.
Mrs. Mary Young, the subject of this sketch, was born in Ireland, in 1831, and came to America in 1856. She first located in In- diana, where she lived until 1888. She then moved with her husband to Labette county, and settled at her present home, in section 31. She has lived on this farm ever since, and, be- ing a woman of sound judgment and execu- tive ability, has carried on farming successfully, as did her husband before his death. She has a wide circle of friends in the community in which she resides, by whom she is held in warm regard for her many charitable acts. Mrs.
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Young was married to Robert Young in 1880. They reared the following offspring : Thomas, deceased; William; Henry; Mary; Robert and Bridget, deceased; Anna; Mary (2); and Robert and Michael, twins who as- sist their mother on the homestead. Mr. Young died in 1889. Mrs. Young and her family are devout members of the Roman Catholic church.
E VI ADAMS is extensively engaged in general farming in Labette township, Labette county, Kansas, and is one of the most reliable citizens of that prosperous community. He comes from Penn- sylvania ancestors, both his parents having been natives of that state. He is a son of Rullif and Elizabeth (James) Adams. His father was a farmer, by occupation, and was born in 1785 ; his mother was born about 1795. They reared a family of seven children, only two of whom are now living. The only one living besides Evi, who is the youngest mem- ber of the family, is Ziba, who is seventy-seven years old, and is a resident of Ohio. William was past eighty-three years of age, at the time of his death, in Ohio, May 15, 1901. The others deceased are Lucinda, Clarinda, Fisher, and Elizabeth.
Evi Adams was born in 1834, in Delaware county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and lived until 1878. At that time he came west and has since made his home in Labette county, Kansas. The same year he purchased the farm which has been his home for nearly a quarter of a century, and where he still resides. He has made farming his life work. He has been twice married. His first wife bore him two children,-Abner and Alma. Abner mar-
ried Belle Braden, of Kansas, who has six chil- dren living: Quincy, James W., Anna D., Alice, Alma, and George R. Alma married Hill, of Labette county, Kansas, and has six children: Sylvester, Wellington, Etta, Ada D., Grace, and Leaffa. Sometime after the demise of his first wife, Mr. Adams married Mary Ann Cross, a daughter of Benjamin and Ruth ( Bowen) Cross. Mrs. Adams' father was a native of Virginia, and was a prominent farmer of that state ; her mother was an Ohioan by birth; she bore her husband four children. The eldest of these is the wife of Mr. Adams and was born in Franklin county, Ohio, in 1841. One sister, Elmira, is deceased. Two brothers are still living, Basil and George, both of whom follow agricultural pursuits in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have reared one son, William E., who resides upon the home farm, and superintends all manual labor, thus remov- ing the burden from his father, who is spend- ing his closing years in ease and comfort. The family attend divine services at the Methodist Episcopal church, of which all are members.
Mr. Adams' strict attention to business has secured for him a fair share of this world's goods, while his uprightness in all dealings has won him the respect of every one who knows him. In politics, he acts with the Re- publican party.
A M. HARRY, agent for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company, at Mound Valley, Kansas, was born in Fremont, Illinois, May 13, 1863. He is a son of John A. and Susan ( Whitaker) Harry.
John A. Harry was born at Hagerstown, Maryland, and is a farmer by occupation. He
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is at present living near McCune, Kansas. He married Susan Whitaker, who was born in Kentucky, in 1828, and they reared the fol- lowing offspring: Horace, deceased; Laura, who married M. H. Woodard, a farmer near Parsons. Kansas; W. D., who is a farmer near McCune: O. C., who is employed by the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company. and lives in Corrigan, Texas; A. M., the sub- ject of this sketch : F. O., who is a farmer near McCune; W. M., ticket agent at Joplin, Mis- souri, for the Missouri Pacific Railway Com- pany.
A. M. Harry, whose name heads this sketch, lived in Illinois until 1883, when he located in Labette county. He settled near McCune, where he carried on farming for four years. After leaving the farm in 1877, he spent six months in Parsons, Kansas, and then worked as agent at Stark, Moran, and Kincaid, for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company. He took charge of the station at Mound Valley in 1888, and has been there since that time. He bought his present home in 1890, and in addition to this place owns an- other house in Mound Valley, which he rents. He also owns a farm in Mound Valley town- ship,-the northwest quarter of section 18, township 33, range 18, which he also rents.
Mr. Harry married Fannie A. McEwen, who was born May 30, 1873, in White county, Illinois. She was a daughter of J. C. and Olive A. (Wright) McEwen, and died in April, 1899. J. C. McEwen was born in In- diana county, Pennsylvania, in 1823, and was a farmer by occupation. His wife was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1835. They reared: Dr. W. W .; Maggie, deceased ; John H., who is a farmer living in Illinois: and Charles E. and Fannie A., deceased. Mr. Harry and his wife had one child .- Zelda G. j and participated in II important engagements.
In politics, Mr. Harry is a Democrat. He belongs to the M. W. of A., Lodge No. 967. of Mound Valley. He always lends his sup- port to any measure which is for the good of the township in which he resides.
RS. MARY J. HARMON, widow of L. H. Harmon, is located in the southeast quarter of section 28, township 34, range 21, in Richland township, Labette county, Kansas, and since the death of her husband has had the entire management of the farm. She has a thor- ough knowledge of business affairs, has met with marked success, and has greatly enhanced the value of her property by many judicious improvements.
L. H. Harmon, deceased, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1836, and was a son of Eli and Anna Harmon. He was one of nine children, among them being Wesley, de- ceased, whose family now resides in Seattle. Washington ; Melissa (Dunseth), of Portland, Oregon ; and Diana (Williamson ), whose hus- band is a druggist at Horton, Kansas. The remaining members of the family are deceased. When a boy, Mr. Harmon moved with his par- ents to Grant county, Indiana, where he at- tended the common schools, and remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-one years. He then traveled quite extensively, and returned home in 1861, to enter the army. He enlisted for three months in Company H, 8th Reg., Ind. Vol. Inf., afterward known as the "Bloody Eighth." He became second lieuten- ant, and then, first lieutenant, having reenlisted for three years' service. He was'at the fall of Vicksburg, and in the Shenandoah Valley,
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He received a flesh wound at Shenandoah, Virginia, and was in the hospital at New Orleans for one year as a result of ill health caused by his experiences in the South. On March 10, 1870, he moved with his family to Labette county, Kansas, and located in the southeast quarter of section 28, township 34. range 21, in Richland township, which had been filed upon by Charles Hitchborn. In June, 1870, the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway was put through, dividing the farm and leaving 102 acres on the west side, which Mrs. Harmon owns, the remainder being owned by J. M. Morgan. Mr. Harmon died in 1878, and his widow has since managed the affairs of the farm. During the last ten years she has made many great improvements, including the construction of an immense barn to take the place of the first one which had been blown d. wn by a severe storm. She has also remod- eled the residence and the outbuildings. The latter are finely situated on a convenient rise of ground, and face the main road running east and west. The drives from the road are bordered by large and handsome trees, and the location is all that could be desired for a home.
In 1863 Mr. Harmon was united in mar- riage with Mary J. Seegar, who was born in Indiana, in 1843, and is a daughter of Jona- than and Mary (Hendricks) Seegar. She is of Scotch-Irish descent. Jonathan Seegar followed farming throughout his life, while four of his brothers were physicians; he was called to his final rest in 1872. Mrs. Harmon is one of eight children. The only other liv- ing member of the family is Jasper N. Seeger, who owns and resides on the old homestead in Indiana. Mrs. Harmon is a cousin of the wife of the late Bishop Wiley. the well known Methodist minister. Mary J. Seegar was sent to Columbus, Ohio, in early
childhood, because of the death of her mother, and was there reared by an aunt, up to the time of her marriage. Mrs. Harmon and her hus- band were the parents of four children, as follows: Anna M .; J. S. ; Otto E. ; and Grace. Anna M. (Bishop) lives in Oklahoma, where her husband is in the general merchandise busi- ness; they have four children .- Florence, Merle, Robert and Grace. J. S. married Jen- nie Harper, has one son, Elwin, and lives in Labette county. Otto E. is at home and is preparing to take up the study of medicine,- having already completed a course in phar- macy. Grace (Clark) is the widow of a drug- gist of Joplin, Missouri, who died recently, leaving one daughter. In politics Mr. Har- mon was a Republican, and held numerous township offices. He was a Mason, and his widow is a member of the Eastern Star lodge at Chetopa. Religiously, she is a Methodist, and helped to build the church at Chetopa.
R OBERT A. HILL, who comes of one of Labette county's best known fam- ilies, is a leading agriculturist of Richland township, where he culti- vates a half section of land. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, March 4, 1861, and is a son of J. F. and Mary ( Kearney ) Hill.
J. F. Hill went to Ohio as a young man, and there married his first wife and reared their children. After locating in Labette county, in 1870, he taught school several years, and was also a member of the county board of examin- ers. He later moved to Oswego and did a large business as pension attorney. He first married Mary Kearney, who died in Ohio when Robert A. Hill was about four years of age, leaving three sons older than him, namely :
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Dr. J. B., of Oswego; J. R., who studied law under Judge Case, and died while county at- torney; and W. S., of Great Bend, Kansas, who is a teacher and photographer and handles different specialties. J. F. Hill was married a second time, in Illinois. He wedded Nan Clara MacRoberts, who died leaving a daugh- ter, Mrs. Lizzie Barry, of Phoenix, Arizona. In the summer of 1900, he married a third time, and is now making his home at Phoenix, Ari- zona. He was a prominent citizen and busi- ness man, while a resident of Labette county, where he located in the fall of 1870, with his four sons. He purchased land in Richland township, in sections 9 and 10, township 34. range 21, and owned land amounting to as much as one section, which is under the man- agement of Robert A. Hill.
Robert A. Hill was reared in Kansas, and attended Fort Scott Normal School several months, but has spent his life thus far mainly on the farm in Richland township. He has remodeled the home residence, and it presents a very neat appearance. He purchased 160 acres of land, including the old homestead, and also owns some bottom land farther east. He leases the balance of the estate of his father and oversees the work upon it. His father set cut several miles of hedge, and also a fine grove in front of and around the home dwelling. Mr. Hill also has 50 or 60 bearing pecans,-all of which make it a pretty, picturesque and finely improved home farm. He is an excellent manager and is meeting with deserved success.
Mr. Hill was united in marriage with Lizzie J. Bentley, who came from Michigan, and is a native of New York State, and they have two children, Forest Fletcher and Gertrude Hazel. The marriage ceremony was performed by Judge Case, who has long been an intimate friend of the family. In politics, Mr. Hill is
a stanch supporter of Republican principles, and has held various township offices such as those of trustee, treasurer and clerk. Fra- ternally, he is a member of the lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, at Che- topa. In religious views, he is a Methodist, and helped to build the church which now stands on the Hill farm.
e EORGE A. OLMSTEAD has been one of the prominent farmers of Rich- land township, Labette county, Kan- sas, since 1871. He is at present liv- ing in Richland township, in section 2, town- ship 34, range 21. He is a son of Job and Clarissa Olmsted, and was born in McHenry county, Illinois, in 1850.
Job Olmsted was born in Ohio, and in 1871 removed to Labette county where he died in 1873, aged sixty-six years. Mr. Olm- sted and his wife were the parents of four chil- dren besides the subject hereof, namely : Levi, who lives in Michigan, but will soon move to California; Albert, who died in California, September 15, 1900, at the age of sixty-four years; James, who is in Indiana, engaged in getting out material for cooperage, and who at one time purchased 2,200 acres of timber land in Arkansas; and Jane (Finch), who lives in San Diego, California, and is the only sister of George A.
George A. Olmsted was reared in Illinois until he reached the age of eighteen years, when he went to Michigan. He worked in that state until his removal to Labette county, which was in 1871. When he arrived in Os- wego, he had but six dollars in money. He worked on the farm located in section 2, which was taken up by Albert Olmsted, who had
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been in Bourbon county, Kansas, during the war, and moved to Kansas in 1866. He built the house which now stands on the farm, but the subject hereof erected a fine barn. As the buildings are located on a small hill the view is very pretty, and, altogether, the farm is one of the most attractive in the county. Mr. Olmsted moved to Newton county, Missouri, in 1880, where he remained ten years,-hav- ing rented land. He then returned to Labette county, which has been his home ever since. He now owns 280 acres of land, including 40 acres of timber. He has a splendid orchard, containing three or four hundred trees bearing fruit.
Mr. Olmsted was wedded to Fannie Green, who is a daughter of John Green, a pioneer of Labette county. They reared six children, namely: Fred, deceased; Albert; Rosa; Lena; Annie; and Roscoe. In politics, Mr. Olmsted was reared a Republican but is now an independent voter. He has never cared to ac- cept public office of any kind. His wife is a member of the Methodist church.
EORGE H. SPANGLE, a prosperous and progressive business man of Che- topa, Labette county, Kansas, is a member of the jewelry firm of J. B. & G. H. Spangle, which was established in 1882. He is also part owner and manager of the Chetopa Telephone. Company, and elec- trician of the Chetopa electric light plant. He is a man of recognized ability, and has many stanch friends throughout the county. He was born in Jasper county, Indiana, in 1859, and is a son of J. B. and Emily A. (Packer) Spangle.
J. B. Spangle and his wife are natives of
Ohio where they were married. When George H. was a small boy, they moved to Mis- souri, and in 1879 came to Parsons, Labette county, Kansas. They had one daughter, who died in 1892. The father is a member of the firm of J. B. & G. H. Spangle.
George H. Spangle, after coming to Par- sons, engaged in the jewelry business for him- self, and upon removing to Chetopa he and his father established their present business in 1882, buying out the interests of R. G. Bishop. In 1883, they built a building 24 by 50 feet, in dimensions, and have since put in a fire-proof vault; they have also a burglar- proof safe. George H. Spangle and R. B. White are partners constituting the Chetopa Telephone Company, the former being man- ager. They put in an exchange in 1896, the first switch-board having 25 numbers; at the present time there are 103 numbers. Mr. Spangle puts up the instruments, rewinds the drop, superintends the working of the line, and does general repair work. The central office is in block 34, Chetopa, and they give night and day service. There are toll lines connecting Oswego, Labette, Parsons, Mon- tana, Altamont, Mound Valley, Independence, Cherryvale, Coffeyville, Erie, Caney, Tyro, Chanute, and Galesburg. They own the toll line from Chetopa to Coffeyville, connecting Bartlett, Edna and Valeda. They also own a half interest in the line from Chetopa to Col- umbus. Mr. Spangle is also electrician for the electric light plant put in at Chetopa in 1887, and now owned by R. B. White, and has shown unusual ability in that capacity. In his store, he carries a most complete line of jewelry of all kinds, and diamonds and watches, and makes a specialty of high class repair work. At the rear of the store he has a shop for his electrical work, and has arranged
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many conveniences, such as burglar and fire alarm connecting the store with his home, and a device for demagnetizing watches. He is a practical optician, having graduated from the Detroit Optical Institute, in the department of ophthalmic refraction, in 1895. He purchased a Geneva retinoscope at a cost of $85, by the means of which instrument a perfect test can be had for fitting glasses to the eyes.
Mr. Spangle was united in marriage with Clara Evans, a native of Ohio, who owns some real estate in Chetopa. In politics, he is a strong supporter of the Democratic party. He is liberal in religious views.
EORGE W. SALTZMAN, a highly re- spected farmer living in section 2, Labette township, Labette county, Kansas, was born in Defiance county, Ohio, in 1853. He is a son of Louis and Nancy ( Harpson) Saltzman.
Louis Saltzman was born in Wayne coun- ty, Ohio, in 1825, and is still living. He mar- ried Mary Harpson, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, and they reared the following children, namely: Mary, George W., Ellen, Sallie, and Louis W. Mr. Saltzman has been a farmer all his life.
George W. Saltzman received his mental training in the common schools of his native county, where he lived until he reached the age of twenty-one years. He had assisted his father in farming and, after he became of age, he went to Illinois, where he followed that occupation until his removal to Kansas. In 1883, Mr. Saltzman settled on his present farm in section 2, Labette township, Labette county, and there he has been a tiller of the soil for many years. He is a hard worker, is
thrifty and energetic, and now has one of the finest farms in the county. A man of honesty and integrity, he is greatly esteemed by all.
Mr. Saltzman married Ellen Atchley, who was born near Trenton, New Jersey, in 1858. She is a daughter of George Atchley, who was born in New Jersey, in 1833. Mr. Atchley married May Applegate, a native of New Jer- sey, who was also born in 1833, and they were the parents of six children: John, a butcher at Parsons, Kansas; Sarah; William, Jennie, and Edward, deceased; and Ellen. Mr. Saltz- man and his wife have four children, namely : Jennie, Clara, Mary, and Frank.
Mr. Saltzman is a member of the Populist party. He is now serving his fourth term as treasurer of Labette township. He is treasurer of the school board and has served thereon a number of years. Mr. Saltzman belongs to the Anti-Horsethief Association, and is treas- urer of his post. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Knights and Ladies of Security.
AMUEL W. GUTHRIE, a veteran of the Civil War, and a prominent farmer residing in section 33, Fairview town- ship, Labette county, Kansas, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1845, and is a son of John and Rosanna (Stoody) Guthrie. John Guthrie was a na- tive of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and was born in 1818. He died in Vermilion coun- ty, Illinois, in 1885, his wife's death having occurred in 1845. She was born in Washing- ton, Pennsylvania. They reared but one child, -Samuel W.,-the subject of this sketch.
Samuel W. Guthrie was eight years old when his parents moved to Ashland county, Ohio. In 1858, they moved to Vermilion coun-
MR. AND MRS. JACOB S. STARE.
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ty, Illinois. Mr. Guthrie obtained his school- ing both in Illinois and Ohio. In 1864, he enlisted in Company F, 5Ist Reg., Ill. Vol. Inf. His regiment was attached to the Army of the Cumberland. He was wounded at Franklin, Tennessee, and was in the hospital for four months. He was then transferred to the 4th Reg., Veteran Reserve Corps, and was sent to Rock Island, Illinois, to do guard duty. He remained there until September, 1865, when he was mustered out. He then returned to Vermilion county, Illinois. There he re- mained but a short time, when he went to Car- thage, Missouri. In Carthage Mr. Guthrie was engaged in the milling business until 1874. when he returned to Vermilion county, Illinois, and was married. In 1875, Mr. Guthrie moved to Douglas county, Illinois, and lived on his farm there until 1891. In that year he settled in Labette county, in section 33, Fairview town- ship, where he has since lived. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and has been very successful. He is a man of thrift and energy, and his farm is generally im- proved, and presents a fine appearance.
In 1875, Mr. Guthrie married Alice M. Gray, who was born in Vermilion county, Illi- nois, in 1861. She is a daughter of William and Sarah (Harman) Gray. William Gray is a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, and was born in 1816. In 1845, he moved to Clinton county, Indiana, where he worked at his trade, that of a cooper, and at farming. In 1859, he settled in Vermilion county, Illinois. At the present writing he is living in Sidell, Illinois, where he is engaged in farming. His wife, Sarah (Harman) Gray, was a native of Ham- ilton county, Ohio, and was born in 1822. She died in Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1894. Mr. Guthrie and his wife have reared the fol- lowing offspring: Harvey, deceased; Mary 39
(Mills), of Vermilion county ; Alfred W. and Lizzie (Wilson), both of Vermilion county ; Sarah, deceased; and Clara, of Vermilion county.
Mr. Guthrie has been a member of the school board for a number of years and is an active member of the church known as the So- ciety of Friends.
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