USA > Kansas > Labette County > History of Labette County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 89
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HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY
D. M. Pitt was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, and was a farmer by occupation. His union with Amanda Rhoades resulted in the birth of three children, as follows: Eliza- beth ( Hill); S. M .; and Amanda.
S. M. Pitt went to Missouri with his par- ents in 1851, and located in Adair county, where he lived for the following fourteen years. In 1869 he came to Kansas, by wagon, the trip consuming a period of six weeks. He arrived in Labette county in February, 1869, and took up a claim since owned by him in sec- tion 29. township 33, range 18, in Canada township. He built a cabin 12 hy 14 feet, in size, and improved his claim. He now owns an entire section of land .- the west half of sec- tion 29. and the east half of section 30. He carries on farming in a modern manner, and has one of the best improved farms in the town- ship.
S. M. Pitt was united in marriage with Miss N. L. Steele, who was born in Tennessee, in 1860, and they are parents of six children : Laura: Thomas; Estella; Cora; Pearl; and James. Mrs. Pitt met with a sad accident in a runaway, which resulted in her death, in 1897. Mr. Pitt is a Populist, in politics, and is a member of the Anti-Horsethief Associa- tion. The family adheres to the doctrines of the M. E. church.
B OWEN C. HEATH. This gentleman is numbered among the many prom- inent agriculturists of Howard town- ship. Labette county, Kansas. He resides in the northeast quarter of section 25, township 34. range 18. Mr. Heath was born in Jennings county. Indiana, in 1864. and is a son of B. C. and Sarah (Neal) Heath.
Bowen C. Heath, Sr., was born in Indi- ana. He married Sarah Neal, who was a na- tive of Kentucky, and . their children were: John; Maggie; Henry; Edward; Mattie; James; and Bowen C., the subject of this sketch.
Bowen C. Heath was reared and educated in his native state, where he lived until he lo- cated in Kansas. He came to Labette county, in 1892, and settled on his present farm. He has been a farmer all his life, and consequently his training has made him thoroughly con- versant with all matters pertaining to the till- ing of the soil. He is a thrifty and energetic worker, and keeps his farm in fine condition.
Mr. Heath was united in marriage with Addie Vawter, who was born in Jennings county, Indiana, in 1865. They have reared the following children, namely: William; Sarah; Roy; Ruth; and Fern.
The subject of this sketch is a member of the Democratic party. He belongs to the M. W. of A., Edna Camp, No. 1636; and to Edna Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 438. Religiously, Mr. Heath and his family are attendants of the Methodist church.
A MASA FOX is a prominent farmer of Hackberry township, Labette county, Kansas, who has been located in the southwest quarter of section 35, township 34. range 20, almost continuously since 1869. He was born in Wayne county, Michigan, in 1828, and is a son of A. Fox.
A. Fox was a sailor and ran on the first steamboat on Lake Erie. He married Sibyl Bell, who was born in Vermont, and they reared five children. Those living are : Daniel, who resides in Chetopa, Kansas; and Amasa.
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Amasa Fox lived in Wayne county, Mich- igan, until he was twenty-three years of age, and then located in Kane county, Illinois. There he was engaged in farming until 1869, when, accompanied by his wife, he journeyed to Labette county, Kansas, by wagon,-the trip consuming four weeks. He located in the southwest quarter of section 35, township 34. range 20, in Hackberry township, which has since been his home with the exception of about three years spent in Washington. He was ac- tively engaged in farming for many years, but at the present time rents his land. He was a very successful business man and laid by a handsome competency.
Mr. Fox was united in matrimony with Martha Rumsey, who was born in Delaware county, New York, in 1834, and is a daugh- ter of E. S. Rumsey, who was born in New York and was a farmer by occupation. Mr. Rumsey married Chloe Du Bois, also a native of New York, and they reared 20 children. Those now living are: Annis; Margaret ; Ebenezer : James; Martha; Mr. Fox's wife, Emma; and Harrison. Mr. and Mrs. Fox have had seven children : Luella, deceased ; Francis I .; Charles E .; Daniel W., deceased ; Katie : Ernest; and Lne. In politics, Mr. Fox is independent. He and his wife are Metho- dists.
J. SMILEY, deceased, was a promi- nent resident of Howard township, Labette county, Kansas, and lived in the northwest quarter of section 19. township 34, range 18. He was born in War- ren county, Indiana, in 1843, and his death oc- curred in Labette county, March 26, 1892.
L. J. Smiley was reared and schooled in his native county. He remained in the state of
Indiana until he removed to Labette county, which was in March, 1883. He located on the farm in section 19, township 34. range 18. and since his death it has been successfully managed by his wife, who carries on general farming. Mr. Smiley was a man of honest and upright principles, and his loss was deeply felt in the community. He married Mary E. Lemming, who was born in Warren county, Indiana, in 1851. She is a daughter of John and Isabelle (Waggaman) Lemming. John Lemming was born in Indiana, in 1827, and followed the occupation of a farmer all his life. He married Isabelle Waggaman, who was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1830. They reared two children: Charles and Mary E.
Mr. and Mrs. Smiley were the parents of II children. Those living are: Anna Belle; Clara; Mary ; Myrtle; Lulu; Ida ; Grace; and John, who assists his mother in farming. Mrs. Smiley is a woman of many estimable qualities, and is a kind and charitable neigh- bor. The family favor the United Brethren church in their religious convictions.
OHN W. MASON, a highly respected farmer living in the southeast quarter of section 25, township 34, range 18. in Howard township. Labette county, Kansas, is a native of Dearborn county, Indi- ana. He was born in 1835, and is a son of Nicholas and Mary ( Overly ) Mason.
Nicholas Mason was born in Westmore- land county. Pennsylvania, and followed the occupation of a farmer. He wedded Mary Overly, who was also born in Pennsylvania. After their marriage they went to Indiana, in the fall of 1819. They reared the following
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HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY
children, namely : Isaac E., Nicholas; Jo- seph ; Margaret ; Lydia ; and John W., the sub- ject of this sketch.
John W. Mason was reared and schooled in his native state, and while there learned the trade of a stone-mason, which he followed most of the time during his residence in Indi- ana. He removed to Labette county, Kansas, November 8, 1882, and located in Edna. where he lived two years. He then settled in Canada township and lived there six years. He bought his present farm in 1892, and has followed farming on that place ever since. He is well known and highly esteemed as one of the best farmers in the township. A man of upright principles, hie treats all his fellow men honestly and considerately,-dealing with all in a straightforward manner.
Mr. Mason was united in marriage withi Margaret Weslow, who was born in Germany, in 1834. They have been blessed with seven children, namely: Harman, deceased ; Joseph, who lives at home : Charles ; Eugene E. ; Mary ; Anna; and Cora.
Mr. Mason has always voted the Demo- cratic ticket, and takes an active interest in local politics, although he has never aspired to office. He belongs to the Methodist Episco- pal church.
J ACOB BROWN. a veteran of the Civil War, and a well known farmer of Canada township. Labette county, Kansas, resides in the southeast quar- ter of section 10, township 34. range 18. He was born in Jackson county, Indiana, in 1832, and is a son of Joseph Brown.
Joseph Brown was born in Virginia, and was a cabinetmaker by trade. He married Elizabeth Phisler, who was a native of Indi-
ana, and they reared 10 children, Jacob being the only one now living.
Jacob Brown was reared and schooled in his native state. He enlisted in 1862, in Com- pany K, 67th Reg., Ind. Vol. Inf., and served six months. He was discharged at the end of that time on account of sickness. He has never regained his health since then. In the winter of 1882 Mr. Brown removed to Labette county, Kansas, and located on his present home farm in Canada township. In 1892 he built a six-room, two-story frame house, which has added greatly to the appearance of his home. He carries on general farming and is very successful. He is an honest man, with good principles, and is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens.
Mr. Brown was married to Elizabeth Han- cock, who was born in Jackson county, Indi- ana, in 1844. To them have been born five children, namely: Lorinda, who married Otis Koons, a farmer in Labette county; Charles and A. J., who are farmers in Canada town- ship : E. B., who lives at home ; and H. H., who is farming in Canada township. Politically. Mr. Brown is a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
® B. LOWE, a well known resident of Howard township, Labette county, Kansas, is living in the northeast quarter of section 25. township 34. range 17. He has lived on that farm since 1881. Mr. Lowe was born in Grimes county, Texas, in 1839, and is a son of Nellie Gran- tham, who was born in Georgia. She is now ninety-eight years old, is hale and hearty, and is living with the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Lowe lived in Texas for a number of years, and while there followed farming. He
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decided to try his fortune in Kansas, and ac- cordingly, set out for that destination, with but $400 in his possession. He is now worth many times that amount, but this end has been reached only through hard work and much economy. Mr. Lowe bought 80 acres of land in Howard township, in the northeast quarter of section 25. township 34. range 17, and this he keeps finely improved. He has been very successful since locating in Kansas, and each year finds an increase in his profits. He built his present house in 1892, and has set out a good orchard. He carries on general farm- ing.
Mr. Lowe married Maria Anderson, who died in 1885. They reared: William J .; San.uel; Granville; Monroe; Mathew ; Mary E .; Eliza; and six others, who died young. Mr. Lowe married, secondly, Mary C. Scott, who was born in Texas in 1862. She came to Kansas in 1869.
Mr. Lowe is a Republican in politics. He belongs to the Odd Fellow's lodge, No. 835, of Coffeyville ; and is a member of the Anti-Horse thief Association, Valeda Camp, No. 150. Religiously, he is a member of the Baptist church.
P ETER M. NEVIUS, living in section 20, township 34, range 18, in How- ard township, Labette county, Kan- sas, is a well known farmer in this section, and came to this county in 1875. He was born in Bureau county, Illinois, in 1837, and is a son of David and Elizabeth (Griner) Nevins.
David Nevins was born in New Jersey in 1797, and was a carpenter by trade. He mar- ried Elizabeth Griner, who was born in Penn- sylvania in 1801, and they reared the follow-
ing children: Garret, deceased; G. G., who is a retired farmer in Kansas; Catherine, de- ceased; William H., who is a carpenter in lowa : Peter M .; Brown, deceased; and Elias. deceased.
Peter M. Nevius spent his early life in Illi- nois, and in 1865 removed to Kansas, and lo- cated in Linn county, where he farmed for a period of ten years. In 1875 he moved to La- bette county, and on March 1, 1876, bought his' present home farm. He has made exten- sive improvements on the place, and has lived there ever since. Mr. Nevius has a thorough knowledge of farming, and is a man of sound judgment and much executive ability. He has taken great interest in his work, and his home presents a neat, well-kept appearance.
Mr. Nevius was united in marriage with Martha Robinson, in 1858. She died in 1867. They reared two children: J. D., who is a clerk in one of the government depart- ments at Washington, District of Columbia; and James, who resides in Edna, Kansas, and is a stone mason by trade. Mr. Nevius mar- ried, secondly, Lydia Brock, who was born in Iowa. Four children have been the result of this union, whose names are: Mabel; Nellie; Winona ; and Percy D. Mr. Nevius is a Re- publican in politics. He belongs to the Seventh Day Adventists' church.
EORGE F. SCHMIDT, who has been a resident of Howard township, La- bette county, Kansas, since 1882, is one of its best known farmers. He was born in Noble county, Indiana, in 1864, and is a son of F. P. and Jenette ( Walker) Schmidt.
F. P. Schmidt was a native of Germany,
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HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY
and immigrated to the United States when fourteen years old. He located in Indiana, where he became a farmer. He married Jen- ette Walker, who was born in Indiana, and they reared but one child, who is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Schmidt moved with his son to Labette county, and died here February 10, 1890. Mrs. Schmidt makes her home on the farm with her son.
George F. Schmidt was reared and schooled in Illinois. He removed from his native county to Ford county, Illinois, and later to Clay county ; he lived in that state nine years. October 19, 1882, in company with his par- ents, he located in the west half of the north- west quarter of section 25, township 34, range 18, in Howard township, Labette county, Kan- sas. He carries on general farming and has been very successful. His farm is well im- proved, and shows the thrift and energy of its owner.
Mr. Schmidt was married to Ellen Thomas, who died in 1894. He married, secondly, Mrs. Nevada Ivory, who was born in Iowa, in 1865. They have one child,-Errett. Mr. Schmidt is a Republican in his political affilia- tions. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and belongs to the Anti-Horsethief Association. He attends the Methodist church. He has many warm friends in the county, and is a progressive and well informed citizen.
E H. MAH.AN. Prominent in agri- cultural circles in Labette county, Kansas, is the gentleman whose name appears at the opening of these lines. He resides in Canada township, in the north- east quarter of section 11, township 34, range 17. Mr. Mahan was born in Allegany county,
New York, in 1852, and is a son of S. W. and Saralı (Cranble) Mahan. His parents reared four children: W. H .; V. D .; Frank, de- ceased; and E. H., the subject of this sketch.
E. H. Mahan received his early mental training in his native county. When he was twenty years old he went to Michigan, where he ran an engine for five years. In 1875, he went to Texas, and that state was his home until his final removal to Kansas. He located in Howard township, Labette county, in 1889, where he carried on general farming and threshing for two years. He then bought his present farm in Canada township. He carries on general farming and threshing. He is now having erected an eight-room, brick house, of two stories. His farm is well improved, and presents an attractive appearance, to which the new house will add greatly.
Mr. Mahan was united in marriage with Miss H. A. Ellwood, whose death took place in 1879. He next married Miss H. A. De- Voss, who was born in Marion county, Ohio, in 1856, and they have six children, namely : Ernest; Irene; Elmer; J .; P. C .; and Esther.
In politics Mr. Mahan is a Republican, and, while he does not aspire to office, he takes a deep interest in local affairs. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, Coffey- ville lodge. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, of Liberty. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Ma- han is well known in Labette county, and is a loyal and upright citizen.
sketch.
E. FITCH. Among the many suc- cessful farmers living in Howard township, Labette county, Kansas, is the gentleman whose name heads this He is living in section 29, township
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34, range 18, where he carries on general farming. Mr. Fitch was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, in 1848, and is a son of Nathan and Mary (Fitzgerald) Fitch.
Nathan Fitch was born in Kentucky, and was a farmer during all his active life. He mar- ried Mary Fitzgerald, who was also a native of Kentucky, and to them were born: Sam- uel H., who is a farmer in Cass county, Mis- souri; John, of Clay county, Missouri; Eve- line, who lives in Kentucky : Lavina, who lives in Missouri; S. E .; and David, Robert and Mary, deceased.
S. E. Fitch was reared and schooled in his native state. He grew to manhcod there, and followed the occupation of a farmer. When he was thirty-five years old he removed to Kansas, and in 1885 settled in Labette county. He bought his present farm in How- ard township in 1889, and there has carried on farming ever since. Mr. Fitch is well known in agricultural circles in Howard township, and is one of the best farmers in that vicinity.
Mr. Fitch married Fannie Wallingford, who was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, in 1850, and they have reared four children : Charles, who lives in Valeda, Kansas; Lulu F .; Mary ; and Walter.
In politics, Mr. Fitch is a Populist. He has served as trustee of the township for two terms, and has been a member of the school board for a number of years. He is a mem- ber of the Anti-Horsethief Association. The family belong to the Methodist church.
O TIS C. KOONS. Among the well known and highly respected farmers of, Labette county, Kansas, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is living in the east half of sec- tion 23, township 34, range 18, in Howard
township. He located there in the fall of 1900. Mr. Koons was born September 30, 1858, in Clark county, Indiana, and is a son of David S. and Sarah (Nugent) Koons.
David S. Koons was born in Indiana, in 1832, and followed the occupation of a farmer all his life. He died March 20, 1900. He married Sarah Nugent, who was born in Clark county, Indiana, in 1830, and they reared the following children: Otis C .; Eva: Maggie, deceased ; Isaac M .; and Bertie C.
Otis C. Koons received his mental training in the common schools of his native county. He followed farming while there until he reached the age of twenty-two years, when he removed to Labette county, Kansas. In the spring of 1881 he located in the southeast quar- ter of section 14, township 34, range 18, in Canada township, where he lived for sixteen years. He moved to the town of Edna in 1897, and three years later located on his pres- ent farm in Howard township. He carries on general farming and stock raising, and rents a part of his land.
Mr. Koons was united in marriage with Lorinda Brown, a daughter of Jacob Brown, who is a prominent farmer of Labette county. She was born in Jackson county, Indiana, February 10, 1861.
Mr. Koons is a Republican, in politics. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist church. He is a public spirited man, and is highly spoken of by all his friends and fellow citizens.'
A S. DRESSER, who has been located in Labette county, Kansas, since 1873, is a prominent farmer of How- ard township. He was born in Ohio, in 1842, and is a son of Alanson and R. (Saw- yer ) Dresser.
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HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY
Alanson Dresser was born in New York State and followed the trade of a millwright. He married Miss R. Sawyer, also a native of New York, and they reared three children, as follows: A. S .; Lucia; and Adelia.
A. S. Dresser lived in Illinois until he was nine years old. He was then taken by his par- ents back to Ohio, where he lived until he reached the age of sixteen years. He spent the following three years at Flint, Michigan, after which he moved to Iowa. Returning to Michigan, in 1865, he spent three years there. and then went to the oil fields of Pennsylvania. He came to Kansas in 1870, and lived one year at Lawrence. He was afterward located, until 1871, at Parsons and Coffeyville, the lat- ter town having at that time but two or three houses. He came to Labette county in the spring of 1873, and settled on his present farm in Howard township, which has since been his home. His farm was wholly unimproved, no ground having been broken, and he moved the first house on the premises, from Parker, d distance of 10 miles. He made many improve- ments on the farm, and engaged in general farming and stock raising with marked suc- cess. He is an enterprising and progressive citizen, and has hosts of friends throughout this part of the county.
Mr. Dresser was united in marriage with Miss A. Dye, a daughter of R. and P. (Rice) Dye. Her father followed the occupation of a farmer all his life. Mrs. Dresser was born in Genesee county, Michigan, in 1849, an.l was one of 10 children, as follows: George ; William: Charles; Minerva ; Edward: Oliver : Almeda: Alfred: Sarah; and Hattie. Mr. and Mrs. Dresser have 10 children, namely : Guy : R. Dallas; Lucia R. : Frank T .: Herbert W. : Lillian M. : Hattie A. : Edith G .; Rennie
B .; and Bayard. Mr. Dresser is an earnest advocate of the principles of the Republican party.
ARRY H. MITCHELL, justice of the peace in Howard township, Labette county, Kansas, resides in section 8, township 35, range 18. He was born in Polk county, Iowa, August 8, 1869, and is a son of Thomas and Ann C. ( Mattern) Mitchell.
Thomas Mitchell was born in Claremont, New Hampshire, in 1816. He died July 15, 1894. at Mitchellville, Iowa. He was a Re- publican, in politics. Mr. Mitchell married Ann C. Mattern, who was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. They reared four children : Harry H .; John; Maud; and Alice, deceased.
Harry H. Mitchell, whose name opens these lines, lived in his native county until he re- moved to Kansas. He had farmed with his father in Iowa, and after moving to Kansas, continued in the same occupation. He set- tled in Howard township, Labette county, Kansas, on his present farm, in 1896. There he carried on general farming, and has been one of the most influential men in the town- ship. He is a man of good business ability, and his services are always in demand when any public enterprise is in progress.
Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage with Agnes Mullenix, who was born in Illinois, in 1878. Mr. Mitchell is a Republican, in poli- tics, and takes an active interest in local af- fairs. He is justice of the peace of Howard township, and fills the office with much credit to himself and satisfaction to his fellow citi- zens. He is a member of Crystal Lodge, No. 313. A. F. & A. M., of Mitchellville, Iowa;
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and Modern Woodmen of America, Valeda Lodge, No. 7511,-holding the office of banker of his lodge. He is president of the Anti- Horsethief Association, Lodge No. 150. Mr. Mitchell is a very popular man, and is highly esteemed in Labette county.
D ANIEL LAUGHLIN,*one of the lead- ing agriculturists of Mount Pleasant township, Labette county, Kansas, is a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and was born in 1838. He is a son of William and Sarah ( Nisbett ) Laughlin.
William Laughlin was born in Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania, in 1808, and died in Clay county, Indiana, in 1885. He mar- ried Sarah Nisbett, who was born in Alle- gheny county, Pennsylvania, and died in Clay county, Indiana, in 1866. They reared the following children, namely: Margaret (Ter- ril), of Labette county; Daniel, the subject of this sketch; James, deceased; and Eli E., of Labette county.
Daniel Laughlin lived in the state of Penn- sylvania until he was fourteen years old, when he moved to Clay county, Indiana, with his parents. In 1861 he went to South Park, Colorado, and in 1862 enlisted in Company M, Ist Reg., N. M. Vol. Cav. He was am- bushed and wounded by the Indians at Fort Wingate, New Mexico, and was mustered out at Fort Sumner, New Mexico, in 1863. He then returned to Kansas, where he settled on a farm in Johnson county, and in 1869 located in Labette county, where he now resides. He is living in section 22, Mount Pleasant township, where he carries on farming and stock raising extensively. He thoroughly understands the
tilling of the soil, and is a thrifty and consci- entious worker.
Mr. Laughlin was united in marriage with Hannah Smith, a daughter of William Smith. She was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, in 1850. William Smith was born in 1818, and his death occurred in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1900. Mrs. Smith, who was a Miss Wheller, was born in Ohio, in 1820, and her death oc- curred in 1852. Mr. Laughlin and his wife have been blessed with five children, namely : Jessie, deceased; Clifford, of Labette county ; William, of Kansas City, Missouri; and Effie and Goldie, of Labette county.
Mr. Laughlin has been treasurer of Mount Pleasant township for four terms. He is a public spirited citizen, and is highly respected throughout the community.
P ROF. H. W. TODD,* the efficient su- perintendent of the Oswego schools, is regarded as one of the most intel- lectual men in the county. He holds a very responsible position, which he fills with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the community in which he resides. Prof. Todd was born in Cook county, Illinois, in 1869, and is a son of Edward P. Todd.
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