USA > Kansas > Marshall County > History of Marshall County, Kansas : its people, industries, and institutions > Part 99
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
Henry Bottger has been twice married. It was on December 31. 1860, that he was united in marriage to Alcelia Jane MeLaughlin, who died on
1028
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
December 13, 1873, leaving four children, John and George, who are now living in Oklahoma: Fred, who is at home with his father, and Mrs. Mary St. John, who is living on a farm in Rock township, five miles northwest of Vliets. On August 24, 1881, Mr. Bottger married Mary Jane Ballard, who died on November 26, 1913, without issue. Mr. Bottger is a member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Vliets and of the local lodge of the Free Masons, in the affairs of both of which organiza- tions he takes a warm interest. He is now the oldest inhabitant of Vliets and is held in high esteem there and throughout the county generally.
CHARLES H. TARVIN.
Charles H. Tarvin, one of the well-known and successful men of Marys- ville township, Marshall county, was born in Kentucky on November 9, 1863, being the son of G. W. and Anna S. ( Hicks) Tarvin.
G. W. and Anna S. Tarvin were born in Kentucky, he on September 14, 1824, and she on July 25, 1828. They received their education in the common schools of that state and were reared on the farm. After their mar- riage they established their home on a farm, and there Mr. Tarvin engaged in agricultural work until April, 1865, when the family immigrated to Kan- sas. Here he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Marysville township, Marshall county, and engaged in general farming and stock rais- ing until the time of his death on December 11, 1905, his wife survived him until April 15, 1915. They were good Christian people and were devout members of the United Brethren church, of which Mr. Tarvin was a minister for over fifteen years. He always took much interest in local affairs and lived a progressive life. He was identified with the Republican party and served his township for a number of years as a justice of the peace.
G. W. and Anna S. Tarvin were married in their Kentucky home on October 14, 1850, and there they lived for fifteen years, when they and their family came to Kansas. They were the parents of seven children as follow : L. S., who is a minister at Mankato, Kansas; Mattie H. Randolph resides at Marysville, Kansas, where her husband is city clerk; Willie G. died at the age of two years: John M. resides at Blue Rapids, Kansas, where he is a well-known and successful stockman: Charles H., the subject of this sketch; Sallie H. and George W., now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Tarvin had much to do with the moral and social development of the communities in which
1029
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
they lived and were held in the highest regard and esteem. Their lives were devoted to their family and the good that they might do among the people of their home district. They were strong advocates of the best schools and the moral training of the young, and their influence had much to do with the high standard of living in the township.
Charles H. Tarvin was but two years of age, when his parents left their home in Kentucky and came to Kansas, and located in Marysville town- ship, where he grew to manhood on the home farm, and received his educa- tion in the local schools. At the age of sixteen years, he started out for himself, and for five years he worked as a farm hand in the states of Wash- ington, Oregon and Idaho. He then returned to Marshall county and rented the farm of his father for two years. He then purchased forty acres of the place, on which he lived for twenty years. At that time his father died and Mr. Tarvin came into control of the home place, where he has since lived. He now owns three hundred and twenty acres of excellent land, which is well improved. He does little of the active work on the farm, but rents the place to his son, and devotes his time to his extensive interests in the buying and the selling of stock.
In 1889 Charles H. Tarvin was united in marriage to Cora C. Tays, the daughter of Dr. R. L. and Laura (Barnes) Tays. Doctor Tays was born in North Carolina on October 25, 1850, and was reared on a farm in that state and received his elementary education in the local schools. He later studied medicine and was engaged in the practice from the time he was twenty-one years of age until the time of his death on April 30, 1916. He practiced for some years in the state of Missouri and in 1883 came to Kansas, locating in Herkimer, where he died. He was a man of pleasing qualities and made many friends. He was a member of the Masonic order and became a past master. Politically, he was identified with the Republican party and served his county as coroner for some years. Mrs. Tays was a native of Missouri andi grew to womanhood on the home farm and received her educa- tion in the local schools. She was an active member of the Methodist Epis- copal church and took much interest in all church work, and she and Doctor Tays were prominent in the social life of the community for many years. Her death occurred in 1878. where the family was living at the time. They were the parents of three children as follow: Cora, the wife of Charles H. Tarvin : William Lee, in the United States army and one that died in infancy.
Cora (Tays) Tarvin was born in the state of Missouri on December 18, 1872, and received her education in the common schools. Mr. and Mrs. Tarvin are the parents of six children as follow: Earl D., born on Novem-
(66)
·
1030
MARSHALL COUNTY, K.INS.AS.
ber 17, 1889, and is now an electrician at Marysville; Tays R., January 15, 1891 : Monarie, February 13, 1892; Merle G., April 12, 1896; one that died in infancy and Teddie McKinley, January 25, 1900. The children are all at home with the exception of the first named.
Mr. and Mrs. Tarvin are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which they have long been members. They take much interest in moral and social development of their community and are held in the highest regard and esteem by all who know them.
Politically, Charles H. Tarvin is identified with the Republican party and is one of the progressive and prominent men of that organization in Mar- shall county. He served for eight years as township trustee of Marysville township, and his official life was one of honor and respect. He is a man of much ability and the affairs of the township were conducted in a most business-like and practical manner.
FRANK LARKIN.
Frank Larkin, one of the well-known and successful farmers and stock- men of Richland township, Marshall county, was born in Will county, Illi- nois, on August 2, 1860, and was the son of Charles and Mary (Austin) Larkin.
Charles and Mary ( Austin) Larkin were born near Kent, England, and there received their education in the public schools and there grew to maturity. They later came to America and located in Illinois, where they resided for many years. Their birthplace was at Kent, the father having been born in 1832 and the mother on April 2, 1830. Charles Larkin was reared on a farm and engaged as a farmer in his native country until 1850, when he decided to come to America. After a residence of some years in Illinois, he came to Kansas in 1868, and here he remained for twelve years and was engaged in general farming. He later located in Nebraska, where he con- tinued his work as an agriculturist. In ISSo he came to Richland town- ship. Marshall county, and established his home on the farm that the son, Frank, now owns. It was here that he engaged in general farming for some years before his death. His wife died on January 10, 1898. When Charles and Mary Larkin first came to Kansas they located in Greenwood county, where they experienced many of the hardships of the early pioneer. There were no bridges over the streams, and during high water, when they could
1031
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
not get to the mill, it was necessary for them to grind their corn in the coffee- mill. This was but an illustration of the many devices that they had to use in order to live in the new country in that early day. They secured five hun- dred acres of good land. They later sold one hundred and sixty acres of the land for two hundred dollars and traded a Canadian horse for one hun- dred and sixty acres. They then located in Nebraska, where they home- steaded land and remained for some time. After coming to Marshall county, they purchased land in Richland township for five and eleven dollars per acre.
Charles and Mary Larkin were the parents of the following children : Mary, William, Charles (1), Alvin, Frank, Louise, Emma, Charles (2), Albert and Edward. Mary, now deceased, was the wife of Ed. Goodsale, a successful farmer, and they were the parents of ten children, all of whom are now living: William H. is a resident of Seattle, Washington, and is married and he and his wife are the parents of seven children ; the first-born Charles died in infancy ; Alvin is a resident of Dickerson county, Kansas, and is a laborer : Louise, now deceased, was the wife of J. Volle and was the mother of two boys; Emma is deceased : Charles (2) is married and lives at Beattie and is the father of four children, three of whom are living; Albert and Edward are deceased.
Frank Larkin was but eight years of age when his people located in Nebraska and there he attended district school and grew to manhood. At the age of seventeen years he began freighting between Table Rock and Pawnee City, Nebraska, and engaged in this work for two years when engaged in the dray business and transfer at Pawnee City, where he remained until 1884. He then came to Marshall county, and established his home on the old home farm of his father, which he purchased, and is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of splendid land, all of which is nicely improved. Here he has done much in the way of general improvement ; the house has been rebuilt and other substantial improvements have been made. Here he is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and has a fine bunch of Shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs and Percheron horses, all of which are graded stock. As a farmer and stockman he is recognized as one of the successful and progressive ones of the township.
On November 3, 1883, Frank Larkin was united in marriage to Lizzie B. Goodridge, who was born in Pawnee City, Nebraska, on July 9, 1866, being the daughter of Frank J. and Estelle (Carey) Goodridge, who were natives of Maine and the state of New York, respectively. Frank J. Good-
1032
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
ridge came to Nebraska when he was but sixteen years of age and later engaged in freighting from Denver to St. Joe, Missouri, making the trip through the old trail that passed through the farm now owned by Frank Larkin. These trips were made with oxen, and many hardships were encountered in the long and slow journey. Mr. Goodridge died in 1911 at the age of sixty-six years; his widow is now living at Pawnee City at the age of seventy-two years. ' They were the parents of ten children, two sons and three daughters now living.
To Frank and Lizzie B. Larkin have been born the following children: Walter, Roy E., Stella, Murray, and twin girls that died in infancy. Walter is now deceased: Roy E. is engaged in general farming near Mina, Marshall county : Stella is the wife of H. Sturrat, and they live near Mina and are the parents of three children. and Murray is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Larkin are members of the Christian church and are prominent in the social and the religious life of the community.
Politically. Mr. Larkin is identified with the Democratic party and has always taken much interest in local affairs and has served as a member of the school board and as road boss of his township. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and Mrs. Larkin is a member of the Knights and Ladies of Security and the Eastern Star. They have a beautiful home and are devoted to their family and are interested in all that tends to the bet- terment of their home community.
LOUIS J. WAGNER.
Louis J. Wagner, a well-known and successful farmer and stockman of Summerfield. Marshall county, was born in Franklin county, Indiana, on February 8, 1871, being the son of Jacob and Eliza ( Crusa) Wagner.
Jacob Wagner was born in Germany in 1840 and there received his edu- cation in the public schools and grew to manhood. As a young man he came to the United States and located in Indiana, where he was married. He and his wife established their home in Franklin county, Indiana, where they con- tinned to reside until 1880, when they came to Kansas. Here Mr. Wagner purchased two hundred and forty acres of land, which is now owned by the son, Louis J. The tract at that time was wild prairie and unimproved. A frame house was built and the task of development was at once begun. After four years of active life on his new farm, Mr. Wagner died in 1884. Eliza
1033
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
Wagner, who was born in Indiana in 1840, is now living a retired life in Summerfield, Kansas. She and Mr. Wagner were the parents of the fol- lowing children: Harry, Louis J., Charles P., John, William and Edward. Harry is now deceased: Charles P. is engaged in general farming and stock raising on his excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Richland township: John also owns a farm in Richland township, of one hundred and sixty acres and is a well-known farmer and stockman; William is engaged in the jewelery business at Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and Edward lives at Sum- mmerfield.
Jacob Wagner was twice married, and to his union before he married Eliza Crusa, were born three children as follow: Todd, Katherine and Addie. Todd resides in Des Moines, Iowa: Katherine Mertes, resides in California and Addie Poffenberger lives near Fairbury, Nebraska.
Louis J. Wagner was five years of age when his parents left their home in Indiana and came to Kansas. Here he received his education in the dis- trict school and grew to manhood on the home farm, where he remained until 1910. He then moved to Summerfield, Kansas, where he engaged in the buying and selling of stock, and is now one of the largest buyers and sellers of stock in the county. Some years ago he purchased the old home farm of two hundred and forty acres which he now owns, and where he has made many substantial improvements. He now has his farm rented and devotes liis attention to the buying of stock. He is also the owner of a one-half interest in the pool hall at Summerfield, as well as other property of value.
On September 20, 1898, Louis J. Wagner was united in marriage to Dora Hungate, the daughter of Dallas and Hattie (Nance) Hungate. Mr. and Mrs. Hungate were born in Illinois, where they received their education, grew to maturity and were married. They then left their home in that state and located in Missouri, and later took up their residence in Nebraska, where they lived for a time before coming to Marshall county. Here they estab- lished their home in Summerfield in 1909, and are still residents of that place.
Lonis J. and Dora Wagner are the parents of two children. Famie, born on February 8. 1901, and Cecil, born on June 8, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Wag- ner are active members of the United Presbyterian church and have long been prominent in the social life of the community, where they are held in the highest regard and esteem by all who know them. Mr. Wagner is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and has ever taken an active interest in the civic life of the township and city. He is identified with the Repub- lican party and is now representing his ward in the city council. Few men
1034
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS,
are better known throughout the county than Mr. Wagner. His business of buying stock takes him to all parts of this section, and by his business- like methods he has won the confidence and respect of the business men and farmers of the district. His life has been an active one and he has accom- plished much that is worthy of notice. By hard work and hustling qualities he has risen to a position which places him as one of the substantial and suc- cessful men of the county.
CHARLES A. SPRATT.
Among the busy men and successful residents of Blue Rapids township, Marshall county, is Charles A. Spratt, the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, and one of the finest gravel pits in the state of Kansas. He was born in Buchanan county, Iowa, on December 7, 1865, and is the son of Otis and Esther (Hardick) Spratt.
Otis and Esther Spratt were born in England, and there they received their education in the public schools, grew to maturity and were married. They continued to reside in the land of their nativity until 1855, when they decided to come to America. After their arrival in the United States they at once proceeded to the state of Iowa, where they established themselves on a farm and there they continued to live until 1879, when they came to Mar- shall county, Kansas. They settled on a farm five miles west of Oketo, on the old Indian Reservation, which they developed and improved, and where they lived for many years. They were a most estimable people and were held in the highest regard by all who knew them.
Charles A. Spratt received his education in the schools of Iowa and in Oketo township, and grew to manhood on the home farm, where as a lad he assisted his father with the farm work. He remained at home until 1890, when he came to Blue Rapids township, where he purchased his present farm, which he has developed and improved and where he is engaged in general farming and stock raising with much success. He is a great fancier of fine horses, high-grade Jersey cattle and good hogs, and his place is at all times well stocked with these animals. He has among the animals on the farm some of the finest in the county, and is recognized as one of the best stockmen of the district.
In 1886 Charles A. Spratt was united in marriage to Ida Bickell, daugh- ter of John Bickell and wife, prominent residents of the county. To this
1035
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
union three children were born: Mrs. John March, Ralph and Benjamin. The two former are residents of Blue Rapids township and the latter is living in Idaho. Ida Bickell, who was a woman of unusual attainments and greatly admired by all, died in 1893. On November 1, 1900, Mr. Spratt was united in marriage to Roseman Summers, and to this union two children have been born, Cecile, who.was born on April 22, 1904, and Iris, whose birth occurred on July 4, 1905. Mrs. Spratt was born at Chanute, Kansas, on April I, 1881. She was left an orphan at a young age, and was reared by Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Roush, of Chanute, who came to Blue Rapids township in 1897. She received her education in the schools of Chanute and at Blue Rapids, and has spent her mature life in the community where she now resides and where she and her husband are among the worthy and prominent people. They are active in the social life of their home district and are earnest members of the United Brethren church, to which they are liberal supporters and in which they are active workers. Few people of the township take greater interest in the educational and moral development of the district.
Politically, Mr. Spratt is a member of the Republican party, and while he has never aspired to office, he has always taken the greatest interest in the civic life of his home township and county. He is most progressive and is an advocate of substantial public improvements and is a supporter of the best schools. He has long been a member of the Marshall County Fair Asso- ciation, and has given his best efforts to its. success.
On his farm Mr. Spratt has a splendid gravel pit of some forty acres in extent. The pit is one of the most valuable deposits of clean, pure gravel in the state. He ships to all parts of the state in carload lots, and employs a number of men in the pit at all times. The product is most valuable for concrete work, building material and high-grade road work.
JAMES E. KEEFOVER.
Among the well-known and successful farmers of Walnut township, Marshall county, who have met with much success in his chosen profession is James E. Keefover, who was born in Monongalia county, West Virginia, on May 30, 1869, and is the son of George and Ann (Freeland) Keefover.
George Keefover was born on March 27, 1820, and was a native of the state of Pennsylvania, where he received much of his education in the public schools. He later attended school in Morgantown, Virginia, and taught
.
1036
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
school in that state, and was there married. Mrs. Keefover was born in Virginia in 1846 and died in 1890. In 1869, Mr. and Mrs. Keefover left their home in Virginia and came to Kansas and here with their five children, they established their home in Brown county. They remained in their new home but a short time when they came to Marshall county, and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres in section 31, Walnut township. A slab house was built and in this the family lived for a time. The first winter was a hard one and the little family suffered many hardships and privations. The winter was a hard one and the house was but rudely constructed and was a . poor shelter from the strong winds that blew across the wild waste of prairie. Such a life demanded the determination of the strongest men and women, and Mr. and Mrs. Keefover had come to Kansas in order to obtain for them- selves a home, and they exerted every effort to that end. In the spring of 1870 Mr. Keefover engaged in the breaking of his land preparatory to the planting of his crops. He had no horses and oxen were used to do his work and for ten years he used these animals. He later traded a part of his oxen and seventy dollars in money for the one hundred and sixty acres of land where the son, James E., now lives. He continued to live on the old home- stead for many years, but later moved to Waterville, where he operated a feed store until the time of his death in 1904. Mr. Keefover was three times married, twice in West Virginia and then after he came to Kansas. He taught school in Walnut township and was a man of much ability and great force of character.
James E. Keefover was but a babe when his parents left their home in Virginia and came to Kansas, where he received his education in the public schools and grew to manhood on the home farm, where as a lad and young man he assisted his father with the farm work. He later rented one hun- dred and sixty acres of his present home place of two hundred and forty acres of his father, after which he purchased the tract of the estate. Here he has made many valuable and substantial improvements and today has one of the ideal farms of the township. James E. Keefover is one of a family of six children, the others being : Jasper. a successful farmer of near Barnes, Kan- sas: Caroline, who was the wife of Frank Jacques, is now deceased, and at her death she left to mourn her husband and two children : William J., a suc- cessful fariner, of Oketo: Thomas W., a well-known farmer, of near Axtell, and Frank A., of Tacoma, Washington.
James E. Keefover married Lenora Scholfield. the daughter of John A. and Sarah (McCurdy) Scholfield. natives of Steuben county, Indiana, where
1037
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
they received their education in the public schools, grew to maturity and were married. In 1865 they left their home in Indiana and came to Waterville, Kansas, where Mr. Scholfield was engaged in the feed business. His wife died in 1871 and Mr. Scholfield is now residing at Waterville at the age of sixty-eight years.
To James E. and Lenora Keefover have been born the following chil- dren : Walter, now twenty-four years of age and at home: Epha H. Hearn. now twenty-three years of age and resides near Afton, Kansas, where her husband is a successful farmer; Myrle is twenty years of age and at home : Harry J. is a student in the high school at Waterville : Claude, aged sixteen, Thelma, aged ten, and Vern, aged eight, are at home and all attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Keefover have a well-established home and are prominent members of the social life of the community and are held in the highest regard and esteem by all who know them. Mr. Keefover has never been' an office seeker, yet he has always taken the keenest interest in local affairs.
OSCAR W. H. ZIMMERLING.
Oscar W. H. Zimmerling, one of the best-known and most progressive young farmers of Franklin township and the local agent for Marshall county for the Haynes Automobile Company, is a native son of Marshall county and has lived here all his life, a continuous resident of the farm on which he still makes his home, one of the pioneer farms of Franklin township. He was born on that farm on June 20, 1884, son of Ernest Zimmerling and wife, pioneers of this county, further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume.
Reared on the home farm in Franklin township, Oscar W. H. Zim- merling received his schooling in school district No. 104 and remained with his father, a valued assistant in the labors of developing and improving the home farm, until his father's death, after which he inherited a quarter of a section of the old home place and has continued to make his home there. Since coming into possession of the farm Mr. Zimmerling has made numer- ous important improvements on the place and now has one of the best-kept and most skillfully cultivated farms in that part of the county. In addition to his general farming he has for some years given considerable attention to the raising of high-grade live stock and has done very well. In 1916 Mr. Zimmerling accepted the local sales agency for the Haynes Automobile Com-
·
1038
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
pany for Marshall county and is doing very well along that line, having been quite successful in extending the sales of this make of car throughout this section. Mr. Zimmerling is a Democrat and has ever given his thoughtful attention to local political affairs, but has not been a seeker after public office
On November 25, 1915, Oscar W. H. Zimmerling was united in mar- riage to Clara Brandt, who was born in Rooks county, this state, November 19, 1893, daughter of Fred C. and Louisa M. (Jesberg) Brandt, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Kansas, who were the parents of nine children, of whom Mrs. Zimmerling is the eldest. Fred C. Brandt was born in Germany on December 16, 1854, and was for years a well-known farmer in Rooks county, this state. He died in 1910 and his widow, who was born in Lee county, this state, on January 25, 1865, is now living near St. Joseph, Missouri.
Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerling are members of the Evangelical church at Marysville and take a proper interest in church work, as well as in the general social activities of the community in which they live and are helpful factors in the promotion of all worthy causes designed to advance the common wel- fare. Mr. Zimmerling is a member of the local lodge of the Knights and Ladies of Security and takes a warm interest in the affairs of the same.
FRANCIS J. MARKSMAN.
Francis J. Marksman, a well-known farmer of Vermillion township, this county, is a native son of Marshall county and has lived here all his life. He was born at Frankfort on July 27, 1878, a son of John and Mary ( Rooney) Marksman, early settlers in Marshall county, the former of whom is now living at Kansas City, Missouri, where the latter died in 1914.
John Marksman was born in Tipperary, Ireland, in 1844 and remained there until he was eighteen years of age, when, in 1862, he came to the United States, locating in New Jersey, and shortly afterward enlisted as a soldier of the Union for service during the Civil War as a member of the Sixty-ninth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war. During that service he was severely wounded during the battle of Cold Harbor. Upon the completion of his military service Mr. Marksman went to Ohio, where he remained until 1869, when he came to Kansas and began to work for the railroad company at Atchison, where he remained until 1871, when he came to Marshall county, having
1039
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
been made foreman of the railway section at Frankfort and in that village he made his home, engaged in railway work seven years, at the end of which time he bought a tract of one hundred and twenty acres in Vermillion town- ship and there established his home. He was a good farmer and gradually increased his land holdings, with the assistance of his sons, until he became the owner of six hundred acres of well-improved land. In 1912 he sold forty acres of his farm and retired from active farming, he and his wife moving to Kansas City, Missouri, where Mrs. Marksman died on December 22, 1914, at the age of sixty-nine years. She was an earnest member of the Catholic church, as is Mr. Marksman, and their children were reared in that faith. Of these children the subject of this sketch was the sixth in order of birth, the others being as follow : Jolin, a farmer, now living at Watson- ville. California; Katherine, who, as Sister Ignatia, is now a teacher in a parochial school at Topeka; Mary, who is a trained nurse, now engaged in that humane profession at Kansas City, Missouri; Anna, who as Sister Hya- cinthia, is a Sister of Charity at Leavenworth; James, who died in infancy ; Ella, who married M. Ahern and is now living in Chicago; Margaret, who was graduated from St. Margarets at Kansas City and is now a trained nurse in that city; Elizabeth, who is keeping house for her father at Kansas City, and Joseph, living on the home farm in Vermillion township, who married Nellie Shyne, who also was born in this county, and has one child.
Francis J. Marksman, who is the owner of a tract of eighty acres, was reared in Vermillion township, having been but an infant when his parents moved there from Frankfort. and received his schooling in district No. 98. From the days of his youth he was a valued assistant to his father in the labors of the home farm and upon his father's retirement in 1912 he and his brother, Joseph, assumed the management of the place and successfully oper- . ated the same. Francis J. Marksman is a member of the Catholic church. In his political views he is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to local civic affairs. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the local council of the Knights of Columbus and takes a warm and active interest in the affairs of the same.
Mr. Marksman was married to Miss Tresa Deneke, of Beloit, and they are now living on his own farm.
1
1040
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
F. A. TRAIN.
One of the substantial and busy men of Blue Rapids, Marshall county, is F. A. Train, the president and manager of the Blue Rapids Lumber Company, which he organized in 1903. He was born at Clinton, Iowa, in 1865 and is the son of George and Mary Train.
George and Mary Train were natives of Alsace-Lorraine, France, and Wittenburg, Germany, respectively. They spent their lives in their places and there received the greater part of their education. They later came to the United States and were for many years residents of Iowa, where they died some years ago. The father came to this country in 1841, at the age of thirteen years, and for some years lived in Canada, after which he was a resident of the state of Illinois, where he lived before moving to Iowa.
In the schools of Clinton, Iowa, F. A. Train received his education and there he grew to manhood. At the age of nineteen years he was employed by the Foster Lumber Company at Fostoria, Pottawatomie county, where he remained for four years. In 1888 he engaged in the work in Colorado, when after a year in that state he came to Kansas and was at Belleville for fourteen years and had charge of the business of the Chicago Lumber and Coal Company. He then came to Blue Rapids in 1903 and organized the present lumber company with a capital of eight thousand dollars, which today has a working basis of over sixteen thou- sand dollars. They carry a full line of lumber, coal and building mate- rial, and are doing an extensive business.
F. A. Train was united in marriage in 1885 to Alice G. Stevens, of Fostoria. Kansas, and to this union six children have been born: Frances M .. L. B., B. F., William R., Louis B. and Leola. Frances M. Tablow is a resident of Stillwater, Oklahoma: L. B. is in the lumber business at Pomona, California: William R. and R. F. are with the Boise-Payette Lumber Company of Boise City, Idaho; Louis B .. of Hayward, in the lum- ber business, and Leola E. Reese resides in Blue Rapids. Since coming to Blue Rapids. Mr. and Mrs. Train have taken an active interest in the social and the civic life of the town, and are among the prominent resi- dents of that city, and are active members of the Episcopal church.
Politically. Mr. Train is identified with the Republican party and has served as mayor of his home town for a term of two years, and is now a member of the council and had served in that capacity for eight years. up to May. 1917. He has given much thought and attention to his official
IO11
MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
life, and his highest aim has always been to give his best services to the community. Being a man of excellent judgment and much experience, his services have been most valuable to the city in the many improvements that have been made during the past few years.
Fraternally, Mr. Train is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and has reached the Chapter degrees and is a member of the Knights Templar at Marysville. He is also a member of the Knights and Ladies of Security, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America. He takes much interest in the work of the societies of which he is a member and has long been one of their most active workers.
F. A. Train is one of the most hustling of the business men of his home town and is recognized as one of the most progressive and success- ful residents of the district. He is a man of pleasing qualities, and because of his business-like methods he has met with the success that he deserves. He came to Blue Rapids but a few years ago, yet in the time that he has been here, he has won the confidence and the respect, not alone of the business world, but of the entire community. Politically, socially and finan- cially, he has met with success, and is today held in the highest regard by the community.
0 016 089 391 6
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.