USA > Kansas > Marshall County > History of Marshall County, Kansas : its people, industries, and institutions > Part 95
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HENRY SCHULTE.
It is well to note the elements of success in the lives of representative citizens of any country, and especially of those who had to do with the early history and the future growth and prosperity of their home community. Among these representative men of Elm Creek township. Marshall county, is Henry Schulte, who was born in Oldenburg, Germany, on November 25. 1857, and is the son of Arnold and Elizabeth (Dwelkotte) Schulte. These parents were also natives of Germany and there they spent their lives; the father died in 1906 at the age of ninety-three years, and the mother died in 1878 at the age of forty-three years. They were the parents of ten children, five of whom are now living, Henry being the fifth born. Arnold Schulte was a successful farmer as was his father, Arnold Schulte, before him. Mr. and Mrs. Schulte were devout members of the Catholic church and were highly respected in the community in which they lived.
Henry Schulte was educated in the schools of his native land and there he grew to manhood. At the age of sixteen years, in 1874, he decided to seek his fortune in America. On his arrival in the United States he located at Cincinnati, Ohio, and worked in that vicinity for eight years as a farm hand. He then purchased a dairy, which he operated until 1883, when he sold the business and came to Kansas. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Elm Creek township and engaged in general farming. There was an old house on the place, in which he lived for some years. He had
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gone in debt for his farm, and was determined to make good. Being a hard worker and possessed of excellent business judgment, he was on the way to success. In 1893 he built a splendid seven-room brick house and in 1912 a large and modern barn. The latter structure is conveniently arranged for feeding and has a hay mow that will hold over sixty tons of hay. In 1916 he built a large barn for the housing of his stock. This building is one of the best of its kind in the community. He takes the greatest interest in the upkeep of his farm and buildings, and is considered one of the most suc- cessful of the general farmers and stockmen in the county. He keeps only the best of cattle and hogs, and each year he has many fine animals to put on the market at the highest prices. He has increased his original farm until he is now the owner of seven hundred acres of most excellent land, the greater part of which he has in a fine state of development.
In 1883 Mr. Schulte was united in marriage to Tressia Cohorst, who was born in Oldenburg, Germany, on October 27, 1865. In her native land she received her educational training and there she continued to live until she was eighteen years of age, when in 1883, she came to America with her parents. Fredinald and Fredricka (Wassenberg) Cohorst. The family, on their arrival in the United States came to Kansas, where the father estab- lished a home for his family on a farm in Elm Creek township, Marshall county, and there he engaged in general farming, with success, until the time of his death some years ago; the mother is still living in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Cohorst were always held in the highest regard by the people of their home township.
To Henry and Tressia Schulte have been born the following children : Henry, Fredia. Ferd. Joseph, Frank and Aloysius. Henry A. is now a suc- cessful young farmer and stockman of Elm Creek township: Fredia is the wife of Joe Lubeke, who is engaged in farming on Mr. Schulte's farm in the township ; Ferd is deceased : Joseph, after completing his education entered the First National Bank of Marysville, and is now the assistant cashier ; Frank is at home and Aloysius is attending Benedict's College at Atchison, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Schulte are active members of the Catholic church and are among the most prominent and popular residents of the township, where they are held in high regard and esteem. They have by their genial personality and consideration for the interests of others, won for themselves a high place in the estimation of the people of the district. They have ever taken much interest in the affairs of the community, and have always advo- cated and practiced a high standard of living. They have had much to do with the high standard of social conditions that exist in Elm Creek town-
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ship, and they have supported those enterprises that would tend to advance the best interests of the county.
Mr. Schulte is a man of broad views and excellent judgment and abil- ity, and while he has never been a seeker after office, his advice is often sought on matters that pertain to the public welfare. He is an advocate of good roads and the best schools. He believes it the duty of all men to use their best efforts in the selection of the best officials to administer the affairs of the county and the state. Politically, he is an independent, and has served his township as trustee and treasurer, and has been road overseer, all of which positions he has filled with distinction. He gave the same care and attention to the affairs of the township that he gives to his own business. He and his wife have a pleasant home and an ideal family. Mr. Schulte is an active member of the Catholic Men's Benevolent Association, and is de- voted to the cause of Christianity and morality.
OLIVER R. MANLY.
Oliver R. Manly, a well-known young farmer of St. Bridget township, this county, was born in Missouri on August 27, 1889, son of Allen and Emma (Steadman) Manly, the former of whom was born in Ohio and is now living in Barber county, this state. Allen Manly was the eldest of seven children born to his parents and was married twice, his second marriage having been without issue. To his union with Emma Steadman eight chil- dren were born, of whom the subject of this sketch was the sixth in order of birth, the others being as follow: Joseph, who is living in Barber county, this state: Mrs. Sadie Abernacky, of Wichita; Mrs. Audrey Boden, de- ceased; Mrs. Maggie Smith, of Springfield, Missouri; Lonnie, of Barber county ; Anna, who also lives in Barber county, and Charles, who is working for his brother, Oliver R. Manly, in this county.
Reared on a farm, Oliver R. Manly has been engaged as a farmer all his life and early discerned the possibilities of modern methods applied to agriculture, being an ardent advocate of progressive methods in tilling the soil. In 1911 he came to Marshall county and has since made his home here, being now engaged in farming the old James W. Manly farm in St. Bridget township, the place belonging to his brothers-in-law, his labors co-operating with theirs in bringing that place to its highest development and most profit- able cultivation.
On October 17, 1916, Oliver R. Manly was united in marriage to Mrs.
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Sadie (Manly) Rodgers, who was born in Murray township, this county, November 11, 1879, daughter of James W. and Mary A. (Ford) Manly, the former of whom was a son of Beveridge and Sidney ( Bowes) Manly, pion- eers of Marshall county, further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. James W. Manly was born in Ohio in 1852. In 1875 he married Mary A. Ford, who was born in Livingston county, Illinois, April 14, 1855. They settled in this county and at the time of his death in 1915 James W. Manly was the owner of a fine farin of two hundred and forty acres in St. Bridget township, where his widow still makes her home, being tenderly cared for there by her daughter, Mrs. Oliver Manly.
To James W. and Mary A. (Ford) Manly five children were born, namely: Mrs. Lillie Pattridge, of Murray township, this county; Sadie, the wife of Oliver R. Manly, the subject of this biographical sketch: John H., who is assisting in the farming of the home place in St. Bridget township: James R., of Marysville, 'and Robert Elmer, who is also at home assisting in the management of the farm. In 1900 Sadie Manly married George Rodgers, who was born in Monmouth, Illinois, March 2, 1880, son of Duty and Mary (Bowes) Rodgers, natives of Illinois, who came to Kansas in 1882 and settled on a farm in Murray township, this county. George Rodgers died on May 20. 1915, leaving a widow and one child, a daughter. Rachel, who was born on February 8, 1903.
THOMAS H. SKALLA.
Thomas H. Skalla, a pioncer of Blue Rapids township, Marshall county. and for many years one of its highly respected citizens and successful farm- ers, was born in Bohemia on December 25, 1841, and he lived in that country until 1867. In his native land he received his education in the public schools and became identified with the farm life. His parents were also natives of that country, and Mr. Skalla remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age, when in 1863 he was united in marriage to Teresie Hromatke, who was born on December 3. 1843. After their marriage they established their home amid the scenes of their early life, and there they lived for four years. They were progressive young people, and their desire was to reach a higher plane, than that to which they had been accustomed. With this desire in view they decided to seek a home in America. On their arrival in the United States they at once came to Iowa, where they lived in Lynn county
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MR. AND MRS. THOMAS H. SKALLA.
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for three years. They then moved to Riley county, Kansas, where they homesteaded eighty acres of land in 1870. They built a log cabin and pro- ceeded to develop their new farm. They met with much success and made many valuable improvements on the place and there they resided for ten years, after which, in the year 1880, they came to Marshall county, and estab- lished their home in Blue Rapids township. Here they purchased a farm, which at that time was undeveloped and unimproved, but which in time they made into one of the fine farms of the county. They increased their land holdings and in time became the owners of over four hundred acres of splen- did land. all of which was placed under high cultivation and well improved. The tract was later sold to the children, all of whom were helped to good farms of their own.
To Thomas H. and Teresie Skalla were born the following children : Joseph, Thomas, John, Julia, George, Jennie, William, Emma, Amiel, Fred and Clara. Joseph is a successful farmer ; Thomas is a prominent farmer of Blue Rapids township: John is a merchant of Blue Rapids and is meeting with much success: Julia Lamb resides in Blue Rapids township, where her husband is a successful farmer and stockman: George is also a well-known and progressive farmer of Blue Rapids township: Jennie Dobrorlmy resides in Cottage Hill township, where her husband is meeting with success on the farm: William is in Colorado: Emma Woriechek is a resident of Cottage Hill township where she and her husband are among the prominent people of their community: Amiel is engaged in general farming and stock raising in Blue Rapids township: Fred is at home; and Clara Nowak resides in Blue Rapids township, where Mr. Nowak is engaged in farming with success.
Mr. and Mrs. Skalla are active members of the Catholic church and have reared their family in the faith of that denomination, and they are among the highly respected people of Marshall county, where they have lived for so many years, and where they have had so much to do with the general development of the district. Their lives have been active ones, and their early days on the plains were full of adventure and hardships. They made the journey from Iowa with horses and wagon and were twenty-eight days on the way. Blue river at the time they crossed it, was so low that their seven-year-old boy was able to cross without any assistance.
On their arrival at their new farm in Marshall county, Mr. Skalla built a residence in which the family lived for some years. He built a log cabin in Riley county. The only tool that he had was an ax, and his only assist-
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ance was his team of horses. He and his wife were determined to have a home of their own and their efforts were crowned with success. Today they are among the substantial residents of the county and are now enjoying their lives on the farm where they have lived for the past thirty-seven years.
GODFREY H. NELSON.
Godfrey H. Nelson, former treasurer of Lincoln township, the first man to settle in section 23 of that township and the owner there of one of the best quarter-section farms in Marshall county, is a native of the kingdom of Sweden, but has been a resident of this country since 1874 and of Kansas since 1876, being thus very properly regarded as one of the real pioneers of Marshall county, the development of which he has watched since the days of the open range and to which development he has added his full share as a citizen, for years having taken an active and influential part in the public and general affairs of the community. He was born on October 2, 1853, son of Carl August and Mary Nelson, also natives of Sweden, who spent all their lives in their native land, and he remained in his native land until he was twenty-one years of age, when he came to this country and two years later settled in Marshall county. Four sisters and one brother of Mr. Nelson pre- ceded him to this country, namely: Albertina, wife of Claus Anderson, who is a pioneer farmer in section 22 of Lincoln township, this county; Albin, of Chicago: Mrs. Henricka Anderson, of Chicago: Mrs. Mena Chinland. also of Chicago, and Mrs. Selma Nelson, of South Bend, Indiana.
It was in 1874 that Godfrey H. Nelson left his native land and crossed the ocean to the United States, landing here practically penniless. For a short time after his arrival in this country he was engaged as a teamster at Providence, Rhode Island, working for the B. B. Knight Manufacturing Company, beginning that employment at a wage of one dollar and fifty cents a day. Presently that wage was reduced to one dollar and twenty-five cents and then was cut to one dollar, which Mr. Nelson regarded as insufficient and he made up his mind to come West. Borrowing enough money to take him to Chicago, he remained in that city for six months, working at odd jobs until in October, 1876, when he came to Kansas, with a view to joining his sister. Albertina, and her husband. Claus Anderson, who had a short time before settled in the eastern part of Marshall county, in what then was Noble township, but which later was created into Lincoln township. Mr. Nelson
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missed his train at Atchison, but through the kindness of Superintendent Downs, of the railroad company, was enabled to ride to Vermillion on an extra train. Upon his arrival at Vermillion he walked out to his brother-in- law's farm through the lush grass of the open prairie and the prospect both pleased and amazed him. The broad prairie, with the grass waving in the fall breezes like the waves of the ocean, presented to him a new and novel view and he was deeply impressed by the sight, as well as convinced that land that could produce grass in such amazing luxuriance could be converted into the most wonderful farms. Until the June following his arrival in this county Mr. Nelson remained with his brother-in-law, working for his board, and then he took employment with Capt. Perry Hutchison at Marysville and was thus engaged for more than three years, during which time he aided in the construction of the elevator. After his marriage in 1880 Mr. Nelson rented a farm in Rock township and there made his home for three years, at the end of which time he bought the farm on which he is now living, a quarter section in section 23 of Lincoln township, paying ten dollars an acre for the same, established his home there and has ever since resided on that place, which he has improved and brought up to a degree of cultivation ex- celled by no other farm in the county. Upon taking possession of that farm Mr. Nelson was the first settler in the section in which his place lies. He put up a small house, twelve by sixteen feet, and started out in a modest way, for he had gone heavily in debt for his farm, having saved but four hundred dollars at the time he bought it, but he prospered from the very start and now has a fine home and a well-improved farm and he and his family are very comfortably situated. Mr. Nelson has traveled quite a bit not only in the United States, but in Canada, and he is always glad to get back to Marshall county, regarding this as one of the best agricultural regions in the entire country. Starting on his unbroken farm heavily in debt and facing responsibilities that might have daunted a less stout-hearted man, Mr. Nelson now does not owe a dollar and has a fine piece of property in Vermillion and now lives as a retired farmer, and believes that any other man can do as well with Kansas land if he tries.
In February, 1880, Godfrey H. Nelson was united in marriage to Augusta Johnson, who also was born in Sweden, in 1848, and who came to this country in 1871, and to this union three children have been born, Effie, who is at home: Mamie, who is now engaged as a stenographer in Kansas City, Missouri, and Everett W. Nelson, who has ever been a capable assistant to his father in the management of the home farm and who recently was appointed postmaster of Vermillion, which important public office he is now
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filling. The Nelsons are members of the Swedish Lutheran church and for years have taken a proper part in the various beneficences of the same, as well as in the general social activities of their home community. Upon becoming a citizen of this country Mr. Nelson affiliated with the Republican party and continued thus to affiliate until the memorable campaign of 1896, when he became an ardent supporter of Mr. Bryan and has ever since con- tinued a Democrat, long having been regarded as one of the leaders of that party in this county. For four years he served as treasurer of Lincoln town- ship and for twenty-two years as a member of the school board. For four years he was committeeman from his precinct and a member of the Marshall county Democratic central committee. Fraternally, Mr. Nelson is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Knights of Pythias at Vermillion. In the local lodge of the last named order he has filled all the chairs and is a past representative of that lodge in the grand lodge of the state.
NELS E. JOHNSON.
The late Nels E. Johnson, an honored veteran of the Civil War and for years one of the best-known and most substantial farmers of Lincoln town- ship, this county, was a native of the kingdom of Sweden, but had been a resident of this country since he was ten years of age. He was born in the old province of Skane, in the southern part of Sweden, November 21, 1842, and was ten years of age when his parents came to this country, in 1852, locating at Galesburg, Illinois, where his father died in the following year, 1853, and there he was living when the Civil War broke out. On August 22, 1862, he then being under twenty years of age, Nels E. Johnson enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company F, Seventy-seventh Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served with that command until he was seriously wounded at the battle of Arkansas Post. He was removed to a hospital at St. Louis and there, May 30, 1863, was honorably dis- charged, on a physician's certificate of physical disability.
Upon recovering from the effects of his wound Mr. Johnson returned to Galesburg, Illinois, and was there employed as a clerk in a furniture store until he presently formed a partnership in the grocery business and was there engaged in that business until 1883, when he disposed of his interests in Illi- nois and came to Kansas, arriving in Marshall county in the spring of that year. Upon coming to this county Mr. Johnson bought a quarter of a section
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of land in Lincoln township, proceeded to improve the same and there he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring on March 14, 1915.
Nels E. Johnson was twice married. In 1877 he was united in mar- riage to Matilda Lindquist, who died in 1881, and in 1889 he married Hannah Grans, who was born in Rockford, Illinois, March 8, 1871, daughter of G. A. and Anna S. Grans, natives of Sweden, who came to the United States in 1868, settling in Illinois, where they remained until 1882, when they came to Kansas and in 1884 settled in Lincoln township. G. A. Grans became a substantial farmer in Lincoln township and there spent his last days, his death occurring on December 27, 1906. His widow, who was born on January 27. 1831. is still living.
To Nels E. and Hannah (Grans) Johnson three children were born, Sigel R .. born on October 1, 1890, who married Ethel Samuelson and is liv- ing on the old home place in Lincoln township and are the parents of one child. Ruby, born on March 2, 1917 ; Norman V., May 10, 1893, a farmer of Rock township, this county, who married Luella St. John and has one child, a daughter, Irene May, and Clayton, March 13, 1907. Some time after the death of her husband Mrs. Johnson left the farm and moved to Vliets, where she is now living.
GEORGE VAN VLIET.
George Van Vliet, a member of one of the pioneer families of Marshall county and a substantial landowner of this county, present proprietor of the old Barrett farm in Vermillion township, he and his family making their home there in the first frame house erected in Marshall county, is a native of the Dominion of Canada, but has been a resident of this county since 1869 and has therefore seen the development of this region since the early days of its settlement, a development to which he has contributed no small share. He was born in the city of Montreal, Canada, September 22, 1854, son of Hiram and Elizabetlı (Hodgson) Van Vliet, who also were born in Mon- treal, the former of German parentage and the latter of English descent, who later came to Kansas and settled in Marshall county, becoming early recognized as among the most substantial and influential residents of the Frankfort neighborhood, and here they spent their last days.
It was on Thanksgiving Day, 1869, that Hiram Van Vliet and his fam- ily arrived at Frankfort, seeking a new home in this county. After looking about a bit he bought a quarter of a section of land in section 19 of Noble
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township, paying fifteen hundred dollars for the same, and there he estab- lished his home, one of the first settlers in that part of the county, and there he remained for twenty years, or until his retirement from the farm in 1889 and removal to Frankfort, where he died in 1898. Hiram Van Vliet and wife were the parents of four children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth, the others being Dr. John Van Vliet, now deceased, who for years was a well-known physician at Wheaton, this state : Mary, who is still living on the old home place in Noble township, and James. who also lives on the old home place.
George Van Vliet was fifteen years of age when he came to Kansas with his parents in 1869 and he was from the very beginning of his residence here a valuable factor in the labors of developing and improving his father's farm in Noble township. In 1882 he bought a farm northeast of Frankfort and after his marriage in the summer of 1884 established his home there. living there and in Frankfort until January, 1911, when he moved to the old Barrett place at the village of that name, and has since occupied the old Bar- rett home, the first frame house erected in Marshall county. Upon taking possession of that historic old house Mr. Van Vliet moved the same up on the hill. built a modern porch and an addition to the house and otherwise remodeled it and now has a very comfortable liome. That house was built by Albert Barrett, founder of the village which bears his name and for many years one of the foremost citizens of this part of Kansas. It was constructed throughout of walnut and oak and when erected became a social center for all the countryside in that part of the county. Mr. Van Vliet has been quite successful in his farming operations and is now the owner of more than seven hundred acres of excellent land, including a quarter of a section sur- rounding his home place, a half section on Irish creek and two hundred and forty acres northeast of Frankfort.
On July 30. 1884. George Van Vliet was united in marriage to Phoebe Barrett, youngest of the eight children born to Albert G. and Mary (Mc- Keever) Barrett, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in Indiana, who came to Kansas in 1855 and located in Marshall county, among the very earliest residents of this county. Albert G. Barrett was a mill man and upon coming here established a mill at Barrett, the settlement which sprang up around the same being the first considerable settlement in this part of the state. His mill was the first saw- and flour-mill in northeastern Kan- sas and the settlers for many miles about patronized him. Further mention of the life of this enterprising pioneer and useful citizen is made elsewhere in this volume and it is not necessary here to enlarge on the same, it being
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