USA > Kansas > Labette County > History of Labette County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 88
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Madison Sharp removed with his parents to Illinois, when a small boy. This was during the Blackhawk War, in which his father took part. There, Madison was reared, and he re- mained at home until he reached the age of twenty-two years. He then removed to the southeast corner of Macoupin county, where he farmed until 1865. In that year he went to Texas. In August, 1867, in company with 80 others he removed to Kansas, and first located at Chetopa. He lived for two years in Neosho county, and meanwhile took a claim in Neosho Grove township, Labette county,-in the north- east quarter of section 13, township 34, range 19. He made several improvements on this land. In 1869, he moved to Labette county, and lived on his claim until 1898. He then built his present home in Hackberry township in the southwest quarter of section 18, town- ship 34, range 20. His daughter, Martha J., had proved this quarter section. Mr. Sharp was one of the first settlers to build in the township, at the time when there no other houses in sight. Mr. Sharp now owns and manages over a section of land. He carries on diversi- fied farming, and raises a high grade of cattle and hogs. He is a thrifty and conscientious farmer, and always finds time to assist in any public enterprise, which is for the good of the community.
Mr. Sharp was united in marriage with Mary Thomas, in Illinois. She is a native of Tennessee, and is now seventy-eight years old. To this union have been born eight children, namely: Martha Jane (Peters), who lives in Indiana; Thomas J., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Elsie; Isaac, who is a railroad man in Texas; Walter, who lives in Labette county; James, who lives near his father's farm; Mary (Taylor), of Georgia; and Amanda (Perkins), of Labette county.
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In politics, Mr. Sharp is a Republican ; although he has always taken a deep interest in the political, affairs of his county, he has de- clined to accept public office. He is a member of the Anti-Horsethief Association. In re- ligious views, he is liberal.
OHN L. HUMPHREY, who was one of the earliest settlers of Labette county, Kansas, is one of the most highly respected citizens of Mound Valley township. He is an influential meniber of the community, and has always been fore- most in advancing the interests of the county. He was born in Harrison county, Olic, in 1845, and is a son of William and Jane (Law) Humphrey.
The ancestry of the Humphrey family is traceable back to Cromwell. William Hum- phrey was born in Ireland, came to America when a boy and located in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1820. He was a Free-Soiler and a strong anti-slavery man. He died in 1884. His wife was of Scotch-Irish parentage and died in Ohio in 1896. They reared nine chil- dren, as follows: Elizabeth; Thomas, a pros- perous farmer, who died in Saline county, Missouri, in 1886; Margaret (Patterson), deceased, whose husband is one of the Rea Patterson Milling Company of Coffeyville, Kansas; Mary, wife of William Patterson, a feeder and stock dealer, now residing in Fair- mont Park, Kansas City, Missouri; Catherine, wife of Dr. William Foster, a very successful physician, of Superior, Nebraska : John L., who was named after his grandfather, a de- scendant of the great financier, John Law; Martha (Spiker), who resides near the old homestead in Ohio; Ellen, wife of A. C. Bir-
ney, who lives south of Mound Valley; and Annie (Haverfield), whose husband owns a planing mill and lumber yard at Jewett, Ohio.
John L. Humphrey was reared in Ohio and attended the State Normal School. He had de- cided when a boy to go west, to Kansas, and this decision was carried into execution, in 1869. He arrived in Labette county, Kansas, early in 1870, looked over the county, and then went to Missouri and taught school for a time. He permanently located in this county in October, 1870, settling in Mound Valley township, in the southwest quarter of section 26, township 32, range 18, which he preempted. He came alone, but in the fall of 1871 re- turned to Ohio, and was married. He resided upon his preemption until 1885, and then came to his present location, the north- east quarter of section 35, township 32, range 18, in Mound Valley township. He built his fine home of 12 rooms, and two stories high. It is complete in all its details, finely arranged, and equipped with bath room and many modern conveniences. He purchased this quarter sec- tion of Charles Herstrom, a blacksmith, now deceased. At one time Mr. Humphrey owned five quarter sections and an 80-acre tract, and did an extensive stock raising and feeding business. He has disposed of part of this land, and now owns three quarter-sections, and car- ries on general farming and stock raising. His place is well stocked with hogs, cattle and horses.
In 1871, Mr. Humphrey was united in mar- riage with Virginia S. Spiker, a daughter of William and Eliza (Fincal) Spiker. She was the youngest of six children, four of whom arrived at maturity, namely : Sarah Ann (Bargar), of Ohio, whose husband died in 1900; Emma ( Birney), who died at Washing- ton, Iowa; Marion, who lives in Ohio; and
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Virginia S., who was born in 1849. Mrs. Humphrey's great-great-grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War and her grandfather took part in the war of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey became the parents of the following children : William, who is in the hardware busi- ness at Mound Valley, married Victoria Wal- lis, and has two children,-Harry and Shirley ; Marion, who died young; Sunshine; and Thomas Paul who is attending school. Politi- cally, Mr. Humphrey is a supporter of the Peo- ple's party, but prior to 1890 he was a Repub- lican. He was township treasurer one term, and in 1892 was elected to the state legislature, and served one term. Fraternally, he is a member of the A. O. U. W., of Mound Val- Jey. His wife is a member of the M. E. church.
P B. DARLING, an old settler of La- bette county, Kansas, erected the first house on the prairie in southwestern part of Osage township. He was born August 29, 1835, in Jackson county, Ohio, and is a son of James H. and Rachel ( Howe) Darling.
Timothy Darling, the grandfather of P. B., was born October 22, 1779, and died December 26, 1830, aged fifty-one years, two months and four days. His wife, Elizabeth (Cook) Dar- ling, was born September 6, 1782, and died November 11, 1839, aged fifty-seven years, two months and five days.
James H. Darling was born December 30, 1813, and died at the home of his son Charles, November 26, 1895, aged eighty-one years, ten months and twenty-six days. He enlisted in Company G, 73rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. His wife. Rachel ( Howe) Darling, was born
February 16, 1812, and died in Labette coun- ty, April 25, 1892, aged eighty years, two months and nine days. P. B. Darling is the oldest child living. Charles lives north of his brother, P. B. Rothburn lives near Cherry- vale; Clark, Lind, Neal and William come next in order. Melinda lives in Jackson coun- ty, Ohio. John and Amanda, who were twins, were born August 13, 1834, and died, respect- ively, August 19 and 20th, 1834. Macilla L. was born September 5, 1843, and died March 13, 1845. Tacey B. (Dove) was born Aug- ust 15, 1837, married December 25, 1853, and died November 29, 1856.
P. B. Darling, the subject of this sketch, remained at home until his marriage, and in January, 1869, moved to Labette county, Kansas. With his wife, Mr. Darling left Knox county, Illinois, September 16, 1868, and visited somewhat in Iowa and Missouri, en route. They were ferried across the Missis- sippi river at Burlington, Iowa, and then drove direct to Ottumwa, going through the Soap Creek hills to Kansas City, Missouri. From Missouri, they were accompanied by Perry O. C. Nixon, and after ferrying over the Mis- souri river, they came to Osage, where they stopped with Mr. Nixon's brother at Osage Mission. There Mr. Darling left his wife for a while, and in November, 1868, took up a claim in the township where he now resides,- his wife joining him shortly afterward. He took up 40 acres in section 6, township 32, range 18, and three 40-acre tracts in a direct line west, across the road, in section I, town- ship 32, range 17. He was involved in litiga- tion with the railroad company for seven years. Mr. Darling first built a box-house, which is now used for a kitchen. It was made of wal- nut lumber, at $40 per thousand, and was
DR. C. S. BENDURE.
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hauled from Osage Mission. Mr. Darling had a yoke of steers and one horse, and both he and his wife worked in the field. They broke about 15 acres, and planted sod-corn, turnips and wheat. In the spring of 1871, he set out the first orchard, and some of the trees are still standing there. He now has five or six acres of fruit, and over two miles of hedge, eight acres of meadow, and the front of the place is ornamented with cedar tress. Mr. Darling has refused an offer of $7,000 for the farm. It presents a fine appearance, and is splendidly managed and kept up. Mr. Darling is a hard worker and takes great pride in his home, and his present success has only been reached after years of untiring labor and careful attention. Mr. Darling worked on the railroad during a season of 1871.
May 4, 1859, Mr. Darling married Nancy M. Sinclair, who was born October 27, 1840, in Vinton county, Ohio. She is a daughter of William and Jane (Dawson) Sinclair. Her father died when she was quite young, and her mother departed this life, in Ohio, in 1871. . Two of Mrs. Darling's brothers are deceased ; Mrs. Catherine Nixon and Mrs. Martha Snook, her sisters, are living on the old farm in Ohio; and another sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Cassill, is in Davis county, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Darling have been blessed with seven children, namely: Frances (Oli- ver), of Cherryvale; Tony A., a United Brethren preacher, now located at Toronto, Kansas, who is married and has four children ; Thomas, who lives near his father; Daniel H., also a resident of Labette county; Tacy P. (Emels), of Cherryvale ; Eunice (Cooper), of Cherryvale; and Phenis T., deceased.
Mr. Darling is a Republican in politics, and has served several years as justice of the peace and as notary public. He was formerly
a school director. Mr. and Mrs. Darling be- long to the M. E. church. Mr. Darling is highly respected in the county, where he has many warm friends.
D R. C. S. BENDURE, one of the fore- most citizens of Hackberry township, Labette county, Kansas, whose por- trait is herewith shown, has met with great success in practice at Bartlett, where he has been located since 1889. He was born in Marshall county, Indiana, in 1860, and is a son of W. H. Bendure.
WV. H. Bendure was born in Xenia, Ohio, and is a carpenter by trade, although he has also engaged in farming and has conducted a general merchandise store. He now resides in Oklahoma. He married Rebecca J. Stal- lard, who was born in Indiana, and they have reared the following children: Ollie; C. S .; C. B .; Rosa; N. F .; A. E .; and W. V.
Dr. C. S. Bendure resided in his native county until he reached the age of ten years, and then in 1870, came to Kansas, with 'his parents, and located in Neosho county. There he resided until 1880, when he moved to Elk county, Kansas, read medicine with W. H. Smethers, M. D., and resided there for two years. In 1882, he entered the university at Kansas City, Missouri, and later the College of Physicians and Surgeons, from which he graduated. In 1883, he began practice at Sedan, Kansas, and continued there for one year. He next located at Harts Mills, Kan- sas, where he was married, and, in 1885, went to the Indian Territory, where he practiced for four years. This change of location was the result of the loss by the Doctor of all his effects, including his residence, through a cloud-burst.
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Deeming the prospects brighter in Indian Territory, he concluded to move there, and engage in farming, in connection with his pro- fessional work.
In 1889, Dr. Bendure came to Bartlett, La- bette county, Kansas, and in a short time had a well established and constantly growing prac- tice. He is a wide awake and energetic man, has kept informed as to the advance made in medical science, and is thoroughly up-to-date in his treatment of all cases. He is a man of pleasing personality, a clever conversationalist, and has formed many lasting friendships in this county.
Dr. Bendure was united in matrimony with Margaret E. Ashmore, who was born in Illi- nois, in 1865, and is a daughter of R. N. Ash- more, of Elk county, Kansas, of which county the latter was probate judge for seven years. This union resulted in the birth of three chil- dren, as follows: Harl W .; Harvey L .; and William N. In politics, Dr. Bendure is a Popu- list. Fraternally, he belongs to Bartlett Lodge, No. 458, I. O. O. F .; Barlett Lodge, No. 5774. M. W. of A .; Bartlett Lodge, No. 441, A. O. U. W .; Bartlett Lodge, No. 65, S. & D. of J .; Lodge No. 1721, Royal Neighbors; and Bart- lett Lodge. No. 99, Anti-Horsethief Associa- tion. He is also a member of the Southeastern Kansas Medical Association. Religiously, he is a faithful member of the Methodist Episco- pal church.
B. RAMSEY, a well known farmer residing in Osage township. Labette county, Kansas, was born in Law- rence county, Illinois, in 1837. and is a son of Aaron and Elizabeth ( Barber) Ramsey.
Aaron Ramsey was born in Indiana, and
died in Wabash county, Illinois, in 1842. His father, Allen Ramsey, served under General William Henry Harrison, and helped to hold the fort against the Indians during their out- break. He was born in Scotland. Elizabeth (Barber) Ramsey, the mother of J. B., was born in Tennessee in 1796, and was of Welsh descent. Unto them were born eight children, all but two of whom are deceased. The sur- vivors are: Mrs. S. J. Miller, who lives in Howard county, Indiana, and J. B., the subject of this sketch.
J. B. Ramsey was reared in Indiana, where he followed the trade of a carpenter. He bought 40 acres of land in Indiana, but sold it upon his removal to Kansas. He located his farm in Osage township, June 22, 1880, but had been in the county about one year previous to that date. He had about $500 in cash. He bought 80 acres of land from Henry Todd. In 1883 he moved his family to Cherryvale, where they lived eighteen months. In the meantime he rented the farm. He returned to the farm, where he built a substantial house of nine rooms, with a surrounding porch. The farm was partly hedged, and Mr. Ramsey set out a hedge row, which divides the fields, and also set out an orchard. He carries on gen- eral farming and stock raising, and is consid- ered one of the best farmers in the county.
Mr. Ramsey married Sarah Hall, in 1863, and she died in Indiana, in 1864, leaving one son : Thomas O., who lives four miles north- west of his father's farm,-he married Ella Hughes, and they have two children, Carl and Inez. Mr. Ramsey married, secondly, Nancy A. Beaver, who was born in Rush county, In- diana, June 5. 1847. They became the parents of four sons and two daughters, namely : Mina; G. Rolla: Walter; J. Fletcher : Bessie : and LeRoy H. Mina (Burtle), who was born
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in Indiana, now lives in Wichita, Kansas, and is the mother of three children. G. Rolla was born in Indiana, and married Leatha Robb; lie is a tinner in Wichita. Walter, who was born in Indiana, married Attie Miller; he is a carpenter, and lives in Wichita. J. Fletcher was born in Labette county, and is engaged in the restaurant business in Wichita. Bessie is deceased. LeRoy H. is at home.
Mr. Ramsey votes the straight Republican ticket. He was formerly a member of the Good Templars. Mr. Ramsey belongs to the M. E. church, and is a sincere Christian.
OHN B. OLIPHANT, one of the most prosperous farmers of Osage town- ship, Labette county, Kansas, has been located here since 1867, and is one of the earliest settlers. He owns 240 acres of fine farm land, and is engaged in general farm- ing and stock raising. Mr. Oliphant was born in Johnson county, Missouri, near Warrens- burg, in 1847, and is a son of Felix E. and Ann R. (Williams) Oliphant.
Felix E. Oliphant was born in Tennessee, and was of Scotch descent. He went to Mis- souri at an early day, and at one time owned 300 acres of land there, the consideration for which was 121/2 and 25 cents per acre. He did not like the surroundings during the war, and in 1865 sold his fine farm and left the country of southern sympathizers for Kansas. He moved to Doniphan county, Kansas, where he bought land, but later sold out, and in the spring of 1867 came to Labette county. He took as a claim in the northeast quarter of section 7, township 32, range 18, in Osage township, where he lived until his death, in 1888. His widow is still living on this prop-
erty, and is now past seventy years of age. He was an old-line Whig, and later a Republican upon the organization of that party. Mr. and Mrs. Oliphant became the parents of 10 chil- dren, of whom eight are now living, as fol- lows: S. D., who resides in Labette county; John B .; L. D., of Joplin, Missouri, who is en- gaged in mining; J. F., who purchased a farm in the same section as John B. Oliphant, in 1896; C. M., who is engaged in the elevator business in Barton county, Kansas .; Joseph B., of Galena, Kansas, who is engaged in mining; and Mary (Tussing) and Susan (Barnes), widows, residing in the northern part of Osage township.
John B. Oliphant was reared in Missouri, and began to shift for himself at the age of sev- enteen years. He adopted the occupation of a farmer, and has followed it with success 11 his life. He came to Osage township, Labette county, July 7, 1867, and filed on the north- west quarter of section 6, township 32, range 18, but obtained a conveyance of the north 80 acres only. He later bought the 80 acres directly east and recently purchased the north half of the northeast quarter of section I, township 32, range 17,-making a farm of 240 acres. It is one of the finest in the county, but little of it being waste land. He first built a box-house, of native lumber, sawed from the timber along the creek, and erected the pres- ent large, seven-room, frame house in 1892. He also has large and substantial barns and outbuildings. He set out a hedge and also many fruit trees. In 1894 he set out an or- chard of 20 acres, which has done exception- ally well. During his first year on the farm he raised sod-corn, and then sowed wheat and planted corn. He hauled his first crop of wheat to Labette city, where it was sold for $2.40 per bushel. He engaged in stock rais-
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ing, and for some years raised horses, having at one time as many as 25 fine animals.
Mr. Oliphant was united in marriage with Hattie Boutillier, who is of French descent, and was born on the Isle of Jersey. She moved to lowa with her parents when about two years old, and lived there for twenty years, and then came to Kansas, in 1870. They are the parents of the following children : W. J., who is on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Rail- way; F. L., who mined for some years, and is now at home, in partnership with his brother, W. J., in a threshing outfit; Charles; Sylvia, a widow; Alma; Maggie; Ollie; and Ruby. Politically, Mr. Oliphant was a Re- publican for many years; he cast his last Re- publican vote for James G. Blaine. Since that time he has been independent, and has voted the Union League ticket. He has served as township trustee. Formerly he belonged to the A. O. U. W. His wife is a member of the Methodist church, and Mr. Oliphant helped to build the church near his home.
S W. GUTHRIE is one of the most prosperous farmers of Canada town- ship, Labette county, Kansas, and is located in sections 25 and 36, town- ship 33. range 17. He was born in Jefferson county, Indiana, in 1843, and is a son of A. C. and Ann ( Wilson) Guthrie.
A. C. Guthrie was born in Indiana, and at an early day applied himself to agricultural pursuits, which he followed all his life. His union with Ann Wilson resulted in the birth of six children, as follows: Mary Ann ; Eliza- beth ; Sarah: S. W .: Ruhamah, deceased ; and William.
S. W. Guthrie was reared in Indiana and
remained at home until the Civil War was in progress, when he enlisted in the 132d Reg., Ind. Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war. He then returned to Indiana and resided there until 1870, when he came to Kan- sas. In October, 1870, he came to Labette county, but did not locate upon his present farm until 1871. He then built a cabin, 12 by 14 feet, in size, and made many important im- provements on the farm. His nearest trading points were Oswego and Mound Valley. He has made a great success in general farming and stock raising, and now owns 480 acres in sections 25 and 36, township 33, range 17, in Canada township. In politics, he is a stanch Republican, and takes an active interest in both national and local affairs. He is a man of excellent business qualifications, is honest and upright in his dealings, and has many true friends in his community.
P HILIP WOOLLARD, a successful farmer living in the southeast quarter of section 3, township 34, range 18. in Canada township, Labette county, Kansas, is a native of Cambridgeshire, Eng- land. He was born in 1843, and is a son of. Henry and Keziah ( Hopkins) Woollard.
Henry Woollard was born in England, and was a butcher, by trade. He married Keziah Hopkins, who was also born in England, and they reared three children: Philip: Henry; and Elizabeth ; the two last named live in Eng- land.
When Philip Woollard was twenty-one years old, he came to the United States. He landed in Canada, and from there went direct to Nebraska, where he lived for six months. He then went to New York, and lived in vari-
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ous places in the eastern part of that state for a period of five years. In 1867 Mr. Wool- lard located in Jackson county, Illinois, where he leased a farm, on which he lived for five years. He then removed to Labette county in 1881, and staid in Mound Valley township for three months. He then rented a farm in Howard township for two years, and settled on his present farm in 1884. Mr. Woollard has a thorough knowledge of farming matters. and his farm is one of the best in the township.
The subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Margaret J. Bradley, nec Steele. who was born in Tennessee, in 1845. They are the parents of four children, namely : Philip; Henry : Elti; and M. J.
Mr. Woollard is an independent in poli- tics. Religiously, he is a member of the Meth- odist church.
H. STUART, a highly respected farnier of Canada township, Labette county, Kansas, has a well improved farm in section 4, township 34, range 18. He was born in Barre, New York, February 28, 1837, and is a son of Albert and Helen (Spencer) Stuart.
Albert Stuart was born in New York, in 1805. He was a sailor on the Great Lakes early in life, and later followed the occupation of a farmer. He married Helen Spencer, who was born in New York. They reared one child, C. H., the subject of this sketch.
C. H. Stuart removed to Ohio when a youth. His father farmed several years in that state. When nineteen years old, the son went to Illinois, where he enlisted, in 1861, in Company K, 42d Reg., Ill. Vol. Inf. He saw hard service throughout the war, and took
part in the battle of Stone River, where he was under fire for six days. He was in all the en- gagements in which his company and regiment participated. He received an honorable dis- charge from the army, at Atlanta, Georgia. He then returned to Illinois, and left that state, for Kansas, May 4, 1870. Three other men accompanied him (among them being Ed. Rosboro, now deceased, of Elm Grove town- ship), and the trip was made by wagon. Mr. Stuart located on his present home farm, in 1870, and after building a cabin, 14 by 18 feet in size, broke eight acres of ground, and be- gan his career as a farmer in Labette county. He has been highly successful, and has a large and well improved farm. Lately he has erected a spacious, two-story, frame house, which adds greatly to the general appearance of his prop- erty. Mr. Stuart carries on general farming.
The subject of this sketch was united in marriage with J. Maria McClellan, who was born in New York. They have reared two children, namely : Alexander T., who enlisted in the late war, in Company I. 13th Reg., U. S. Vol. Inf. : and Olive E. F. Mr. Stuart is a member of the Populist party. He be- longs to Valeda Camp, No. 150, Anti-Horse- thief Association ; to the Masonic order. Mound Valley Lodge, No. 218; and to the G. A. R. Post. of Mound Valley. Mr. Stuart is well known in Labette county, where he has many friends.
M. PITT, a well-to-do and influen- tial farmer of Canada township, La- bette county, Kansas, has been located in this county since 1869. and is one of its most progressive citizens. He was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, in 1844, and is a son of D. M. and Amanda ( Rhoades) Pitt.
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