USA > Kansas > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery County, Kansas > Part 60
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Resuming peaceful pursuits, Mr. Howe took a position in a mill at Newburn, Indiana, but, in the autumn of 1866, he started west, stopping. as previously stated, at Breckenridge, Missouri, where his relatives lived. His trip to Kansas was made in a wagon, in company with two others. and he began the life of a carpenter in Montgomery county. For many years of his life he has been identified with commercial pursuits. in some capacity. . For twenty years, he was a,traveling salesman, for five years a salesman in the New York Store, in Independence, Kansas, and the same number of years, in a like capacity, with the mercantile house of Henry Baden, and, finally, as proprietor of the New York Store, of Independ- ence. two years. Removing his stock to Blackwell, Oklahoma, he disposed of it and returned to Independence, where he opened a clothing store, the firm being J. W. Howe & Company, which changed hands, by sale, in two years, and Mr. Howe again engaged in the novelty business, which he sold to the DeBard Dry Goods Company, in 1901.
The politics of Montgomery county has known John W. Howe as a factor for many years. He became a Republican before he left the mili- tary service of the United States and has carried the standard of that party aloft in every campaign-since the war. While he has made no loud
J. W. HOWE
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
demonstration nor claimed credit for particular victories, he has Jent his interest and enthusiasm in a quiet and modest way, which is always potent in the general result. In 1902, he was nominated by his party, as a candidate for County Treasurer, and was elected by a majority of four hundred and sixty-nine votes; his term of office beginning in Octo- ber, 1903.
In the month of May, 1873, Mr. Howe married Lillian Watts, a daughter of David C. Watts, of Anadarko, Oklahoma. Mr. Watts came originally from Ohio to Missouri, thence to Independence, Kansas, where he was known, for some years, as a merchant. One child, Birdie, consti- tutes the family of Mr. and Mrs. Howe.
In 1902, Mr. flowe engaged in the real estate business in the county seat and in the sale and exchange of property-here and elsewhere, has experienced a gratifying interest and demand for realty listed under his special favor.
While a traveling salesman, he became a member of the United Com- mercial Travelers of America and is now secretary and treasurer of the order. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Knight Templar Masons and a prominent participant in the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic, of his district.
CHRISTOPHER C. KINCAID-Christopher C. Kineaid, general merchant of Cherryvale and president of the Montgomery County Na- tional Bank. is one of our oldest citizens, in point of continuons resi- dence. He has seen Cherryvale grow from a single business building to a thriving, busy little city, with all the modern institutions which go to make urban residence desirable.
Trumbull county, Ohio, was the place of Mr. Kincaid's birth and February 28, 1847, the date. He is the son of Robert Kincaid and Mary Pierce. natives, respectively, of Virginia and Connecticut. The father was a farmer and a leading citizen of the county.' He and his wife were active members of the Methodist church and were widely known and es- tremed. The father lived to see his eighty-sixth year, dying July 24, 1902, the wife having passed away the preceding year, at the age of seventy- four. Of their six children, the three now surviving are: Christopher, Cornelia, Mrs. O. B. Percival, Trumbull county, Ohio; and Maggie J .. Mrs. 1. J. Ray, of Redlands, California.
To a good ordinary education, Mr. Kincaid was engaged in adding higher scholastic training, at the Western Reserve Seminary, when the torsin of war sounded its lond alarm throughout the land, calling every patriotic citizen to enlist in the service of his country. His young heart beat with enthusiasm, but not until he had passed his sixteenth birthday, was be able to pass muster. In the spring of 1863, he entered the army,
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as a private in Company "D," Second Ohio Cavalry, and from that time to the close of the struggle, was an active participant in many of the ex- citing experiences of the war in the Shenandoah Valley, under the dash- ing Sheridan. He well remembers seeing Gen. Sheridan on that ride from Winchester, made memorable by Buchanan Reed's immortal poem, "Sheridan's Ride." To Sheridan's immortal ery of "Come on, boys. we're going back," he turned with the rest and gallantly followed Old Glo- ry back to victory. He was with his regiment at that last dramatic scene, when it sat in the saddle across the pathway of the beleaguered Lee and saw that proud chieftan lower his colors to the invincible Grant. After participating in that sublime pageant, the Grand Review, the regi- ment received its discharge at Columbus, Ohio, the date being September 11, 1865.
A veteran, but not attained to legal manhood, Mr. Kincaid took up the thread just where it had been broken at the Western Reserve Semi- nary and continued his studies. However, school life had lost its charms, and after one feri, he came west to Kansas and began his business ca- reer. I'ntil 1871, he clerked in a general store in Linn county, and then came out to Independence, continuing in the same line for three years. This brings us to the date of his coming to Cherryvale, 1874. where he set up business for himself, in a small frame bilding. This was the begin- ning of what has proved to be a long and successful business career. The little frame, in time, gave way to a more pretentious brick, two sto- ries, and the first of its kind in the village, and the same which Mr. Kin- raid is now using. He has here, one of the most complete stocks of gen- eral merchandise in the southern part of the county and caters to a very large trade, six clerks being employed. Mr. Kincaid has identified hin- self closely with the growth of the city, and has always felt a pardonable pride in the fact that he was the first incumbent of the mayor's chair. His interest in the city ceased not, with his retirement from office, but has been continuous through the years which have seen so much of splendid development. He subsequently served in the common council and was treasurer of the city. In addition to his mercantile interests, Mr. Kin- vaid is at the head of one of the best financial institutions of the county. the Montgomery County National Bank, and is president of the Fairview Cemetery Association. In the social and religious life of the community. Mr. Kincaid and his family have been most prominent. He and Mrs. Kin- raid are leading workers in the Methodist church, he being one of the trustees. His fraternal relations are prominent with the Masons-Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery-and in the exclusive social order. the Mystic Shrine. He is a charter member and has filled all the chairs of the local lodge, 1. O. O. F., and is, of course, a Grand Army man, of which noble organization he has served as post commander. Though well qualified to fill any office in the gift of the party, Mr. Kincaid has never
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
sought political preferment, contenting himself to cast his vote for pros- perity and progress, as set forth in the platforms of the Republican party.
Mrs. Kincaid, prior to her marriage, was Miss Lou Marshall. She is a native of Leavenworth, Kansas, and is the daughter of Moses and Lavinia Marshall, formerly of Illinois, and now honored residents of Cherryvale, where Mr. Marshall's ninety-two years distinguishes him as the oldest man in town. To Mrs. Kincaid have been born three children. Of these, Robert M. was the eldest ; Mand K. married C. R. Shanton and lives in Columbus, Kansas; Blanche M., an accomplished musician. a graduate of music at Emporia, resides at home. Robert, the eldest, was a boy of unusual promise, when death claimed him, on the 17th day of January. 1890, the result of an accident by drowning. With a number of companions, he had spent the afternoon skating and. loath to lose any of the splendid sport while it lasted, tarried late with a companion. Suddenly the ice broke under him and before succor could reach him. he sunk to his death. He was of a vivacions temperament. deeply relig- ions and studious, and most popular among his playmates, and his un- timely death was felt almost as a personal loss by every citizen in Cher- ryvale.
ELIAS M. INGMIRE-Elias M. Ingmire, one of the class which has been aptly styled. by a prominent writer, as "Knights of the soil," resides on one of the best farms in the county, four miles from Coffeyville. in Fawn Creek township. Since his coming to the county. in 1890. he has shown excellent citizenship and is much esteemed by all who know him.
Mr. Ingmire belongs to the "immortal few." now fast passing away. who fought. bled and all but died, that future generations might have an undivided country. Not old enough to secure his acceptance, as a sol- dier, in 1861, his persistence succeeded in landing him in the ranks before his sixteenth birthday, the date of his enlistment being February 22. 186%. Company "H." of the Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. en- rolled him, as a private soldier, and he served until the close of the war in the army of the center. His service was active and strenuous, until the 30th of May. 1864. when. at the battle of Dallas, Georgia, he received a grievous wound, by the bursting of a shell. This finished him as a fight- ing man, and, after a period in the hospital. he was sent to Indianapolis. where he put in the remainder of his service, as a member of the invalid corps. His discharge dated the 17th of April. 1865.
After the war. Mr. Ingmire joined his parents in lowa, whither they had removed. during the struggle, from Hocking county, Ohio. It was in Muskingum county. Ohio, that the birth of our subject occurred. the date being December 13. 1847. His father, Franklin Ingmire, had come to the "Buckeye State" from Maryland. as a young man, and had there married
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Catherine Gibbons. She became the mother of: John, who died in 1862; Hester, also deceased; William, a farmer near Coffeyville; Maggie E .. now Mrs. Green; Ida, wife of Ed Forshe, and Thomas, both residents near Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1864, the parents settled in Colfax, Iowa. where they continued to reside until their demise. The mother died in 1865, at about forty-five. the father in 1885, at seventy-five years.
Mr. Ingmire remained under the home roof for a number of years, engaged in farming. In 1872, he and a brother resolved to see what Ne- braska had in store for enterprising youths, and, with nine head of good horses, made the trip out to near David City. They were unfortunate, however, in arriving just in time to get the full benefit of the grasshopper scourge, and the following year. returned to Iowa, feeling themselves fortunate in the possession of a poor old "plug." Nothing daunted by this reverse, Mr. Ingmire again began at the bottom of the ladder and was soon on the upgrade to comparative prosperity. This time he made sure of the matter by taking unto himself a helpmeet, and who has, in- deed, been a splendid partner of all his joys and sorrows. Mrs. Ingmire was Gertrude H. Dee, prior to her marriage day, May 18, 1876. She was born in Hancock county, Illinois, and is the daughter of Jackson and Eliza (Cain) Dee, natives of Vermont and Pennsylvania, respectively. The parents married in Illinois and, in 1877, moved to Jasper county. lowa, where Mr. Dee died, on the 5th of September, 1902, the wife still being a resident of Colfax. In their family were fifteen children, the namesof those reared being : Josephine. Mrs. Berkley ; Gertrude, Mrs. Ing- mire: Eva, Mrs. English; Harriett, Mrs. Gray; Grant, and Mrs. Jessie Nichols; Clarkson and Francis are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ingmire fol- lowed farming, with success, in lowa, until 1890, when they sold out and came to their present farm. They have here, one hundred and eighty-five acres of fine creek bottom, with an elevation for their residence and barns, and near which is a beautiful artificial grove. The intelligent methods employed by Mr. Ingmire have resulted in the production of one of the finest farms in the county, and he takes a pardonable pride in maintaining it so.
Children have been born to Mrs. Ingmire, as follows: Adelbert Eldora. born May 9, 1877, has been a trusted employee of the Missouri Pacific railroad for several years; Merle Ernest, born December 17, 1878; Carroll Ryan, born September 27, 1880. These boys are all of splendid capabilities and of fine moral character, a credit to their training. In a social way, Mr. Ingmire is a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post 153, of Coffeyville: a Mason, a member of the A. H. T. A. and of the Triple Tie, and both he and his good wife are members of the Knights and Ladies of Security. In his younger manhood, while in lo- wa, Mr. Ingmire took an active part in local official matters, but has left
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the holding of office here to others, contenting himself in the support of the Republican ticket.
MARION E. KELSO-Marion E. Kelso, who lives in one of the handsomest residences in the county, on a beautiful elevation overlooking the rural village of Havana, and one and a half miles from that place, is another of the "elect of '71," though he was but seven years of age when his parents settled in the county. He is one of the thrifty farmers of the county, controlling 1.146 aeres, and his place is the embodiment of neatness and rural elegance, and bespeaks the careful management of a master husbandman.
The father of Marion E. Kelso, Thomas Kelso, was a native of Vir- ginia, where he was reared to young manhood. Thence he migrated to Johnson county, lowa, where he met and married Sarah Welch, and where he continued to reside until 1868, and where his wife died in 1865. She left him with a family of six children, of whom our subject is the only one living. The father came to Kansas in 1868, and settled, first, in Lyon county, thence, in a short time, to Neosho county. where he located near the Osage Mission. He was attracted to Montgomery county in the year of the great influx, namely, 1871, and filed on a claim upon a part of which our subject now resides. For a number of years prior to his death, in 1892, Mr. Kelso was in poor health and thus Ma- rion, very early, became his father's "right hand man." They spent two years together at Eureka Springs in the vain hope of improving the fath- er's health. and, with this exception, Marion Kelso's residence in the county has been continuous since his seventh year.
Our subject was born in Johnson county, Iowa. on the first of De- cember, 1864. Deprived of a mother's love and care when but a babe in arms, he grew to sturdy manhood under the father's care and, in the meantime, secured a good common school education. August 11. 1887. the marriage of Mr. Kelso and Miss Belle Lamb was celebrated. Mrs. Kelso is a native of Montgomery county, a daughter of Elroy and Mary Lamb, and has borne her husband seven children, as follows : Pearl, Thom- as, Iva, Lesley, Zora, Floyd and Ernest.
In the cultivation of the homestead of three hundred and forty acres, Mr. Kelso finds ample opportunity to demonstrate his ability as an agrienlturist, his other holdings being rented. His bandsome and modern residence is built against the bluff and commands a most beauti- ful view of all the surrounding country.
In the social life of the community, Mr. and Mrs. Kelso and family are helpful factors. Their influence is wielded at all times in the interest of better conditions in the matter of the educational and civic life of the community, and they are liberal supporters of good schools. good
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
churches and good government. Their place is secure in the hearts of a host of friends, whom they delight to honor in their regal and hospitable home.
Himes
HYWOODRING-H. Woodring, grain dealer and buyer of Elk City, needs no word of introduction to the citizens of Montgomery county, for he has always been here ; at least, so long that the "mind of man runneth not to the contrary." There are comparatively few now living in the county who relate occurrences personally observed as far back as the spring of 1871, but our subject is one of these few, and a continued resi- dence since that date, together with a life that has been an open book to all, has made him a person of much interest and of much personal popularity
Mr. Woodring's ancestors were Holland Dutch, his paternal grand- parents, John and Christina ( Wolf) Woodring, having come to America in 1778. They reared a family of twelve children, all of whom, save the father of Mr. Woodring, lived to an advanced age. On the maternal side, the grandparents, Christian and Margaret ( Miller) Hahn, were of German and Scotch descent, respectively, the latter living to the remark- able age of ninety-eight years.
Our subject's parents were Jacob and Mary A. (Hahn) Woodring. Jacob Hakn>was born in Pennsylvania, and his wife in Kentucky. Jacob was a man of fine qualities, a member of the United Baptist church, and ?W) and any of good influence in his community. Mrs. Woodring is remembered as a superior woman, a most devont member of the Methodist church, and 7 of great devotion to her family. She died, at the home of her son in Elk City, February 10, 1878, at the age of seventy-seven years. The husband had preceded her, August 28, 1852, at the age of fifty-four. The family born to them consisted of ten children, but three of wbom survive: George, who lives at Lonisburg, Tennessee, aged eighty years ; Dr. W. W. Woodring, of Mt. Pleasant, Utah, aged sixty-three; and the subject of this sketch.
11. Woodring was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, January 29. 1836. In youth, he learned the painter's trade, which, with farming and grain buying, has constituted his occupation during life. He lived in Kentucky and Boone county, Indiana, until his removal to Montgomery county, in 1871. In 1864, he enlisted in Company "B," One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. This regiment was a part of the Army of the Potomac, his company arriving in time to participate in the spectacular fight of Winchester, where Black Jack Logan did such valiant deeds of heroism and saved the day. The rest of his service was in the guarding of commissary supplies at Stevenson's Station, Virginia. His discharge dated August 14, 1865.
C. L. BLOOM.
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Upon his arrival in Elk City our subject opened a butcher shop, but after seven months took up a claim, seven miles northwest of the village. A five-year period here was followed by a year on a farm a mile north of town. lle then came to town and began the business which he has since followed, that of handling all kinds of grain. During 1898-99, Mr. Wood- ring resided at Parsons, having been appointed Assistant State Grain In- spector, with headquarters there. In local affairs, he has been a promi- nent fartor, having served as Mayor, Councilman, and in several other responsible offices. In social and religious lines, he is equally prominent. He is trustee of the Masonic Lodge, Sergeant Major of the G. A. R., and he and his entire family are valued workers in the Christian church, of which he is a deacon.
Mrs. Woodring was Miss Melissa J. Cooper, her marriage having been an event of April 3, 1806. She was the daughter of Burnside and Eliza (Bennett ) Cooper, of Thorntown, ludiana. Six children have been born to the union : Effie, Mrs. J. J. Carroll, of Neodesha, one child, Faye : Dollie, deceased at three years; Claudine, wife of S. H. Piper, an attor- ney at Independence, two children : Alpha W. and Genevieve; Lida C., at home: Grace E., Mrs. A. B. Shaffer, of Elk City, one child : Alberta ; Harry II., the youngest, is a bright student of the high school.
It is not too much to say that Mr. Woodring and his family consti- tute an important factor in the life of Elk City, exerting an influence which cannot be overestimated in its power for good.
CAMDON L. BLOOM-One of the conspicuous developers of the min- eral resources of the southwest. and more particularly identified with the gas and oil development of southern Kansas, is Camden L. Bloom, of Inde- pendence, President of the Independence Gas Company. His geological researches for the past fifteen years have led to a quite thorough perfor- ation of the earth's crust from Paola, Kansas, where he began work in 1887, all the way down to the Indian Territory and Texas, and have re- vealed to him the hiding places of many of nature's resources and have been instrumental in the establishing of a new article of domestic com- meree in the west.
Mr. Bloom is a scion of the Pennsylvania Blooms, having been born and reared in the "Keystone State" till nine years of age. His birth or- curred in Clearfield county, March 14, 1868. His father was Amos W. Bloom, a native of the same state, a farmer by occupation and now a citizen of Miami county, Kansas. The latter married Rebecca MeCracken and Camdon L. is the third of their ten children. The parents left their native state in 1877, and in their removal to the west stopped three years in Fulton county, Indiana. From that point they migrated to Bollinger county, Missouri, whence they came, in 1880, to Miami county, Kansas.
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
The common schools knew our subject only till his sixteenth year, when he became connected, as a hand. with the operation of a gas drilling machine. As he learned the business he became more interested in the possible results of experimenting with the innermost parts of the earth and eventually acquired a drilling-rig and began operations for himself. Asamemberof the firm of MeBride & Bloom. he contracted much develop- ment work in Miama county, where the gas agitation first struck Kansas. Ninety per cent. of the drilling done there was by this firm and, toward 1888, the firm transferred its chief operations to the vicinity of Neodesha, where they drilled the two wells which proved that to be a gas and oil field of value. In 1889, Mr. 'Bloom 'became identified with Montgomery county. His firm was associated with the people of Coffeyville, investi- gating the gas resources of that locality and finally took up their prop- osition and did the development work necessary to carry it out success- fully. The Coffeyville Gas Company was organized with C. L. Bloom as President and the city plant partially constructed and set in operation. In 1892, McBride & Bloom came to Independence, still retaining their holdings at Coffeyville, and began drilling for gas around the county seat. They were the pioneers in this field and, after great mental, physical and financial exertion, opened up the strong gas pressure of the Bolton field, assuring the future of Independence and insuring the material indepen- denee of its benefactors.
With the discovery of gas came the rush of enterprise to Montgomery connty. The cotton twine mill. the paper mill and the Midland Glass Company all located in Independence and Mr. Bloom performed his mod- est part in the work of their location.
In the Bartlesville oil field McBride & Bloom did the first work of development for Cudahy of Chicago. The Cudahy Oil Company also de- veloped some territory in the Creek Nation through this firm. Mc- Bride and Bloom hold leases of Indian lands near Bartlesville, Indian Territory, and its seant development has proven the real value of the field.
Ir October, 1895, Mr. Bloom married in Kansas City, Missouri, Mrs. Bello Steele, a daughter of A. T. Spaulding. Helen Louise, a daughter, was born October 6, 1899.
Mr. Bloom has united with the Knights of Pythias and Elks fraterni- ties and is a Modern Woodman, a Workmau, a Maccabee and, in politics, a Democrat. He was elected as councilman from the 4th ward in the spring election of 1903.
WILLIAM II. ALLIN. In the opening of this personal record we are pleased to present the name of the splendid citizen and substantial farmer, William H. Allin, of Fawn Creek township. His identity with
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IHISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Montgomery county interests dates from March, 1880, when he purchased a traet of one hundred sixty acres of land four miles west of Coffeyville up- on which he has since made his home. By nativity he is of the east but by training and inclination of the west and his sixty-five years of life have been filled with achievements of an industrial and civil nature.
January 31, 1838, in Knox county, Ohio, William H. Allin was born. He is of pure English origin, his parents, William and Mary S. (Ban- bury) Allin, having been born in Devonshire, England, the father in 1807. and the mother in the year 1813. They were married in England and in 1835, came across the Atlantic to the United States and settled in Knox county, Ohio. The father was a local preacher and followed the oecu- pation of a farmer. He took his family to Johnson county, Iowa, to settle, in 1851, where he passed the remainder of his life as a farmer and grower of stock. He died there in 1880-July, and his wife survived him till January 1896, dying in Pasadena, California, while on a visit to her children. Ten children were born to this venerable couple, nine of whom vet live and are: John, Mary J. Robertson, William H., Thomas B., Richard H., Samuel E., Elizabeth A., Dunbar, Martha A., Harrison, Letitia G. Willis and Jabez W. Allin.
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