USA > Kansas > Marshall County > History of Marshall County, Kansas : its people, industries, and institutions > Part 92
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99
On December 30. 1903, the Rev. Gustaf Nyquist was united in mar- riage to Louise Lofgren, who was born in Riley county, this state, May 5. 1883, daughter of Charles and Alida (Sellberg) Lofgren, natives of Sweden, who settled in this state years ago, and to this union five children have been born, namely: Joy, born on July 7. 1907: Harold, April 18, 1909; Lowell, June 30, 1911 : Noble, January 13, 1913; Earl, January 24, 1915, and Floyd, April 11, 1917.
WILLIAM B. HUNT.
Genesee county. New York, recognized as one of the greatest agricul- tural counties in the United States insofar as the richness of the county is concerned, was the birthplace of William B. Hunt, one of the most prosper- ous and progressive farmers of Blue Rapids township, Marshall county, where he is the owner of four hundred acres of splendid land, which is im- proved with the best and most modern of buildings. His birth occurred on May 6, 1854. he being the son of James and Esther ( Bond) Hunt.
James Hunt was born in Somersetshire, England, on February 4, 1826, and was the son of Thomas and Jane Hunt. Thomas and Jane Hunt were also natives of that section of England, and there they received a limited education in the public schools of those times, and there they grew to maturity and were later married. They reared their family of children and they died in that country many years ago, after a life of usefulness, highly respected by the entire community. James Hunt received his education in the schools of his native country, and there he was united in marriage, on May 15. 1852, to Esther Bond, who was born in Devonshire, England, on December 1, 1834. and was the daughter of Thomas and Annie Bond. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hunt continued to live in England until the spring of 1853, when they decided that they would leave that country and seck a home in America, where they believed their opportunities would be greatly enhanced. On completing the ocean voyage, they landed at Quebec and then proceeded to Genesee county, New York, where they established a home on a farm. In that county they made their home until 1871, when they came
MRS. ELLA L. HUNT.
WILLIAM B. HUNT.
961
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
.
to Kansas, and here purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land of the railroad company in Blue Rapids City township, Marshall county, at eight dollars per acre. This farmi he developed and improved and he became a successful farmer and stockman, and one of the influential men of the county. He and his wife were always held in the highest regard and esteem and were among the active people of the social life of their home district.
To James and Esther Bond Hunt were born the following children : William B., Emma, Frank, John. Charles, Thomas, Esther, James and Syd- ney. Emma is the wife of William Means and is now a resident of North Yakima, Washington; Frank L. is a resident of Anthony, Kansas: John lives at Manhattan, Kansas : Charles is a resident of Ottawa, Kansas: Thomas is now deceased: Esther became the wife of James Means: James lives at Pond Creek, Oklahoma, and Sydney is a resident of California.
James and Esther Hunt were active members of the Episcopal church and always took much interest in all church work and were prominent in the community. They were a highly respected people and because of their pleasing qualities and high regard for others, they made many friends. They devoted their lives to their home, their children and the interests of the community, until the time of their deaths. the father dying on November 17, 1907, and. the mother on July 1, 1912.
William B. Hunt received his education in the schools of New York state and there received a splendid education. He was reared on the farm in his native state and at the age of seventeen years, came with his parents to Kansas in 1871. Here he engaged in general farming with his father, with whom he remained until he was twenty-four years of age, when he engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself.
On March 24, 1878, William B. Hunt was united in marriage to Ella L. Ham, a native of Brooklyn, New York, where she was born on July 29, 1861, being the daughter of Ezbon and Harriett E. Haseltine. Her father was born at Kinderhook, New York, in April. 1820, and the mother at Bath, Maine, in November, 1838. They were married in the state of their nativity, where they lived for a number of years, when they came to Kansas and established their home on a farm in Marshall county, where they became prominent in the affairs of the community. To them were born the follow- ing children : Ella, now the wife of William B. Hunt: Edgar S., of Arkan- sas : Charles E., of Blue Rapids City township, Marshall county; Carrie M. Blair, of Elm Creek township, where Mr. Blair is one of the successful farmers of the district, and Frank Alonzo, a resident of Center township.
(61)
962
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS,
Mr. Ham died September 3. 1898, and some years later, Mrs. Ham was united in marriage to James R. Mc. Atee, of Blue Rapids.
To William B. and Ella L. Hunt have been born the following children : Esther B., Harriett .\., James E., William W., Jennie, Frederick Robert, Stuart L., and Louis Engene. Esther B. Lewis is a resident of Rock Island, Illinois : Harriet A. Axtell resides at Blue Rapids, where Mr. AAxtell is one of the prominent dealers of the county: James E. is engaged as farmer near Prince Albert, Canada; William W. is a successful farmer of Blue Rapids City township: Jennie Christianson resides in Waterville township, where her husband is successfully engaged in general farming: Frederick Robert and Louis Eugene are at home and Stuart L. is a student in Manhattan College. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt are active members of the Presbyterian church and have always taken much interest in all church work and are prominent in the social life of the community in which they live and where they are held in the highest regard and esteem.
Politically, William B. Hunt is identified with the Republican party and since reaching his majority, he has taken the keenest interest in the civic life of his township and the county. For a number of years he has served as township clerk and has been a member of the County Fair Associa- tion. He is a most diligent worker and uses his best efforts in carrying out the wishes of the people. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is one of the active participants in the work of the local order.
In 1892 Mr. Hunt erected a house, which he remodeled in 1916, mak- ing it one of the most modern eight-room houses in the township. He has installed every modern convenience, having a furnace. bath, water, sun- porch, and was the first in the county to place in the home the Delco lighting system. The house is most beautifully situated, a mile south of the town of Blue Rapids, on the Marysville and Blue Rapids road, and overlooks the beautiful valley of the Blue river. No more ideal place could be found for a country home, and the view presents some of the most magnificent scenery of the district. His barns and out-buildings are modern and are kept in the highest state of repair. The farm buildings are so arranged that they present the most satisfactory arrangement and convenience for the care of the stock and grain of the farm. His cement silo is the only one of the kind in the township, and is modern and substantial. Mr. Hunt is a most progressive man, and conducts his farm according to the latest methods of farming. His fields are under the highest state of cultivation, and during the growing season of the year they present a pleasing sight with the golden grain, waving in the light of the Kansas summer sun. Every detail of the
963
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
farmer's art is known to him, and his excellent tract of land is recognized as one of the finest in the county. He keeps a splendid lot of stock and his herd is one of the finest in this section of Kansas. He operates his farm with the most improved machinery and is a firm believer in modern and up-to-date methods.
Mr. and Mrs. Hunt are intelligent, well read and cultured. One of the greatest pleasures of Mr. and Mrs. Hunt, is that derived from entertaining their friends. Their lives have been most active ones, and by their own efforts they have risen to places of prominence and influence. They are de- voted to their children and have reared a splendid family of boys and girls, who are assuming responsible places in their home communities.
THE LAMB FAMILY.
John Thomas Lamb was born at Tobinsport, Perry county, Indiana, December 13, 1844. He was the ninth child in a family of thirteen children of his father, Dorastus Lamb, who married Elizabeth Miller, who was born on March 29. 1804. To them were born seven children, four sons and three daughters, all of whom are now dead.
Elizabeth Batt was born on July 10. 1823, and was married to Dorastus Lamb on December 27. 1840. Their first son, Ezra, was born July 20, 1842, and John Thomas Lamb, their second son, was born on December 13. 1844. All of the brothers and sisters are now deceased, except Nora Lamb Lewis, who married William Lewis at Seneca, Nemaha county, Kansas, October 16. 1873, and resided on a farm in that county until March, 1875: then moved to Blue Rapids, Marshall county, and resided there until October I, 1900, her husband having charge of a meat-market there. He sold out and moved to Manhattan, where he was custodian at the Agricultural Col- lege for about fourteen years, and on January 15, 1914, they moved to their fruit farm near Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where they still reside.
John Thomas Lamb received his education in the local schools of his home community, for fifteen years; he then went to Illinois, for one year, near Equality; then to Memphis, Tennessee, and enlisted in Company K, Sixth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, November Ist, 1862, and was discharged on November 5th. 1865, as corporal, at Selma, Alabama; he then returned to his home in Indiana. In the spring of 1866 John Thomas Lamb and his two sisters, Nancy Newberry and Nora Lamb, left Tobinsport, Indiana,
964
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
and reached Atchison on the first day of April. It took them three days to reach Marshall county, near Vermillion, as they had to come by team, there being no railroad then. He bought eighty acres of land at that time in section 9, township 4, range 10, and later purchased another eighty acres from his brother, Zopher Lamb, who came to Marshall county in January, 1866. and purchased this one hundred and sixty acres for himself and his brother. John.
John Thomas Lamb was a home-loving man, and the members of his own family knew him best, but above all, the testimony can be given to him by all who knew him, that he was a true Christian, a constant reader and teacher of the best literature obtainable, a good neighbor and loved to visit the school located just east across the road from his family residence, being the school district named for him, "Lamb District No. 134." Messrs. Wat- kinson, Charles Grable and John Thomas Lamb were the three first school officials of this school district and he was treasurer thereof for over twelve years. Thereafter, he and his wife, Elizabeth, loved to watch the school children play, bringing back to their minds the youthful days of their school- life in comparison to the advantages the children enjoy today. And they always at Christmas time took the children apples by the bucketful and shared the joys of their Christmas tree or entertainment and exchanging of presents, making the days happier for the children as well as enjoying the joy, peace, and happiness, themselves. He was a soldier and a lover of liberty. On May 9th, 1916, the members of Allison Circle, of Vermil- lion, Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, presented a silk flag to the Lamb School in memory of Comrade and Sister Lamb. The ladies were accompanied by several of the veterans and friends, and quite a number of the patrons of the school district were also present. Miss Buckles. the teacher, had prepared an appropriate program of recitations and songs. The flag was presented by Mrs. Samuel Arnold, who also conducted with the Presbyterian minister, the funeral services, as leader of the members of Allison Circle at Vermillion, for Mrs. Elizabeth Gray Auld Lamb, on November 16th, 1914. The Lamb children thanked the ladies for the honor and respect shown the memory of their father and mother, and Mr. Charles Wallace, district clerk for many years, and still clerk, paid tribute to the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Lamb and talked patriotism right royally, also. All joined lustily in three cheers for Old Glory, May 9th, 1916.
In politics, he was a Republican from childhood until death, and a very diligent worker at all times for the cause in his community and fre-
965
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
quently was their delegate. In church societies he was a true believer and often declined to join any particular society, because of conscientious scru- ples, as he would not confess any particular faith that was not in him. His reason forbade him to accept some of the doctrines, nevertheless he always helped, financially, any and all church societies, as all were working for the betterment of humanity, and provided for his wife and three daughters to attend church, Sunday school and young people's church societies, of which they frequently were delegates. He lived a good Christian life daily ; he had formulated his own high ideals and had the courage to live up to them, regardless of the cost. True enough, we do not find that very often, but there are not many of them who exist. His three daughters are indeed proud of the fact, and will try and observe and do likewise. In business affairs he always worked for the benefit of the community in which he lived, and was president of the Vleits Bank for a number of years. By occupation he was a farmer, and was always planning that his wife and three daughters might enjoy the home prepared by a devoted husband and kind and loving father. He always took an active part in the affairs of the com- munity in which the family lived. The father and mother moved on to the present home as soon as they were married, Friday, February 14th, 1873, and lived on the same farm all their lifetime. Their eldest daughter, Ora Adelia Lamb, was born on July 2, 1874; their second daughter, Emma Lydia Lamb, was born on March 24, 1876; and their youngest daughter, Julia Effa Lamb, was born on April 4th, 1879. The three children were educated at the Vermillion city school until No. 134 Lamb School was organized and completed ; then the last days of school life were spent there. Later, after receiving their county diplomas (three to the eldest daughter, Ora) they were sent to Marysville, to the normal and Ora attended the Holton College (Campbell University) for a business education for two years about 1889 and 1891 and prepared herself for the business world. She taught school for two years south of Marysville, and then worked for J. A. Broughten for over twenty years as stenographer, in his law office, combining the work with the telephone work as collector and bookkeeper for the past twelve years for the Marysville Telephone Exchange Company, and previous for W. W. Hutchinson and W. C. Evans, now deceased, in the same capacity.
Emma Lydia Lamb also taught school near home and later went to Rawlins, Wyoming, about May 27th, 1903, the time of Marshall county's flood. Later, in 1904, she made a trip through Yellowstone Park, Salt Lake,
966
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
Utah, and down the Columbia river to California and returned home again via Denver, Colorado, about July 5th, 1904.
Their youngest daughter, Julia Effa Lamb, was married at the home of her parents to Clarence D. Steele, a young farmer of more than ordinary ability, February 14. 1910. They now live on the home place with her sister, Emma, since the death of their parents. He is an ideal farmer, with the latest methods, such as mogul tractors, and has the management of the three hundred and twenty acres of land, that John Thomas Lamb had arranged to be closely together, as he had by industrious and continuous labor saved and provided for his wife and three daughters a comfortable home and plenty of funds to start life much easier than he and his wife. The parents had saved and done without many of the comforts of life that the children might enjoy the blessings given by our gracious God. and the freedom of our country. The father bravely helped to give them as a legacy, with the two hundred acres of Marshall county's valuable land, free and clear of all incumbrances, that they might have the same industrious habits as their parents, is a legacy that they may be proud to inherit and rekindle the fire of patriotism in our hearts for the defense of liberty and justice today.
In later life he enjoyed much happiness in his home, with his family. until sickness brought sadness at times, but the constant thought of others. which he had cultivated in youth, made it much easier for his family in caring for him, especially his daughter. Emma Lydia Lamb, who was his constant nurse for many years and took such good care of him, as she worshipped her father, until he was called by death on August 12. 1913. His wife, being deaf, and eldest daughter, Ora Adelia Lamb, working in Marysville as stenographer, and the youngest daughter, Effa. being married and having her own home to care for, the greatest responsibility rested with his second daughter. Emma Lydia Lamb. who devoted her time and life work in caring for her father at home. He often remarked. "It will not be for lack of care, if I do not get well." But his long-continued sickness finally took him away from this material condition, and the children will always remember their father kindly, and try to live as he did. All who knew him best always spoke very highly of his business integrity and pleas- ant manner.
Elizabeth Gray Lamb, (ncc Auld)' was born on April 2nd. 1848. in Ohio, near Deersville, Harrison county: her mother, Eleanor Alexander. was born on April 10th, 1820, in Ireland, and was one year okl when her
967
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
parents came to Ohio, near Deersville, Harrison county. Eleanor was mar- ried to James Auld in 1838; to this union there were eight children born, four of whom died in infancy. She was left a widow in 1853. She and her four children, Mary, Elizabeth, Martha and James, came to Kansas in 1858. in company with two other families, the Strongs and the Bradfords. A few years after she was married to Harrison Foster and lived east of Frankfort, now called the Van Vleit farm, west of Vleits, Kansas. Her husband died in a short time, and she was left with her above named chil- dren. Later, she married Francis Austin, and was living west of Frank- fort when her daughter, Elizabeth Gray Auld, was married at their home to John Thomas Lamb on February 14th, 1873, and immediately they moved to their home on his farm near Vermillion two and one-half miles northwest thereof, and both resided thereon until both were called by death from the activities of life here below. They were both active in the social and relig- ious life of their community. Their influence had much to do with the high standard of morality in the district in which they lived, and they were held in the highest regard by all who knew them. They became prominent in the agricultural life of Marshall county, owning at the time of their demise two hundred acres of land, part of which one hundred dollars per acre could not purchase.
Elizabeth was a youth-keeping woman, with her strength, ambition, enthusiasm and culture. In the larger. better life, and in the uplift and progress of this wonderful age, she had her opportunities. In the buoyancy and optimism which she brought to her work, she renewed her glad days of her girlhood. While young, she came with her widowed mother, two sisters and a brother to Frankfort about 1858 and was one of the early pioneers of Kansas. She held membership in that vast army of noble inen and women who by sacrifice, toil, and perseverance transformed Kansas into the peaceful, intelligent, healthy, law-abiding commonwealth that we view today. What an honor to be numbered among the pioneers of Kansas. It was her privilege to usher into the world the new-born babe; to admin- ister to the sick, to help clothe and feed the needy: to build schools. She saw the modern home of others supplant the log cabin ; the overland express take the place of the ox team. She often assisted when a child, in hauling wood and timber at their home. The night concert of the coyote has been replaced by the marvelous Victrola. In 1858 she found Kansas a wilder- ness, lying in undisturbed virgin sleep, waiting for the coming of the cun- ning hand of industry to blossom in plenty: she was a forerunner, ever
968
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
marching onward to the light; never shirking and never turning back. She was one whose faith was indexed by her works. The year the grasshoppers visited Kansas, 1874, their eldest daughter was born. But, being an excel- lent woman of high intelligence and courage and always taking an active part in the incidents of the early history of Marshall county, and being highly respected by all the early settlers, they all worked together, and their lives were characterized by self-sacrifice, she with her husband, denying themselves many comforts and much that their friends thought necessities, that they might preserve intact the property accumulated by their industry and devote the same to the use of their three daughters. In addition to the property given, the personal efforts of their lives were untiring for their country, their home and liberty. These three children are always striving to make happy their three children. of their own household, but never for- getting the children of society-many of these are grown-up children, who have been dwarfed by circumstances or by economic conditions, so that they have found but little of cheer and much of misery in life, and always made them a little better off by considering them a little.
Her ambition was that her three daughters might be useful citizens and they are trying to obey, as Ora .Adelia is now one of the progressive and successful business women of Marysville, and the efficient bookkeeper, stenographer and collector for the Marysville Telephone Exchange Com- pany, as she attended Campbell University at Holton and then in 1892 took a post-graduate course at Campbell, preparing herself to work as stenog- rapher and bookkeeper. She has purchased a comfortable home just east of the Catholic church grounds (one block therein), within the city of Marysville. Ora is improving her permanent home, and enjoys her city life, but still loves her farm home. being the home her father and mother started. Her sisters, both now reside thereon, and all three sisters aim to perpetuate their parents efforts to maintain this home and add thereto in honor of their parents. It would have been hard to find a more happy family until death came and claimed the father ; then the mother's desire was to be with her husband. as the three children were all grown, and by their father's and mother's careful training-spiritual and moral-and business, our mother felt satisfied that her work here on carth was completed. The mother will be missed in the community in which she lived so long, over fifty-six years near Frankfort, where she first settled on a farm. and the present \'leits, not known then, and was always highly respected and greatly loved by all who knew her. She was a member of the Church of God, now our Presby-
.
969
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
terian church in Vermillion, and was always a faithful worker for religion, regardless of church denomination, as all goodness and practical piety make for the betterment of the community in which we live.
The Farmers' Union, now located in Vleits, was first organized at Lamb School house and named "Lamb" for Mr. and Mrs. Lamb.
Emma Lydia Lamb, second daughter, lives on the home place with her sister, Julia Effa Steele, and husband. They farm three hundred and twenty acres of land, and raise wheat, corn and alfalfa in large quantities and many other smaller products for the feeding of their chickens, which they raise in large quantities, both for the sale of the eggs and the young chick- ens, having two large and commodious hen-houses therefor. They also raise nice stock. substantial, medium-grade mules, horses, cattle and hogs. They are successful and progressive farmers in the true sense of the word- farmers-as in this day and age, to be a successful farmer means the com- bination of culture and strength, all of which the two daughters, and the youngest daughter's husband have obtained by education and their strong physical life; by inheritance the two daughters are strong physically, and by culture, intellectually.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.