USA > Kansas > Nemaha County > History of Nemaha County, Kansas > Part 39
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Miss Mattie Trees, who is living at the family home in Sabetha, was born September 24, 1860, in Clermont county, Ohio, and attended the district schools of Ohio and Brown county, Kansas, until she was sixteen years of age. She then began teaching in district No. 20, of Rock Creek township, Nemaha county, and taught in the district schools for six years. She also taught the Spring Grove school and spent six years in the school rooms of Brown county. In 1889, she began teaching the fifth and sixth grades of the Sabetha schools, and worked her way up- ward to a high school position. She retired from her profession in 1906, and has since devoted her attention to the care of her parents and look- ing after her property interests, which are considerable, and include Sabetha property and 280 acres of land in Brown and Nemaha counties. For a more extended account of the great educational work accom- plished by Miss Trees in behalf of the youth of Nemaha county, the reader is referred to the chapter on "Schools and Education."
Joseph J. Buser .- The business success achieved by Joseph J. Buser, manager of the Buser Auto Company, Seneca, Kans., is a strik- ing illustration of what can be accomplished by the individual who sees opportunity in his home community, and is able to grasp it and work his way upward to wealth and prestige. Mr. Buser is a native born Kansan, and is a son of pioneer settlers in Nemaha county. Few were the luxuries and even comforts of his boyhood; schooled in the hard life of the frontier era of Kansas development which enabled him
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to build up a magnificent physique ; broadened by practical experience, he is one of the leading figures of Nemaha county, because of his ac- complishments and citizenship.
Joseph J. Buser was born on a pioneer farm in Capioma township, Nemaha county, February 5, 1869, and is a son of Peter and Mary Eliz- abeth (Wempe) Buser. Peter Buser, his father, was born in the city of St. Louis, September 27, 1839, and was a son of Peter and Cath- arine Buser, natives of Germany, who immigrated to America and set- tled in St. Louis, Mo., in the thirties. Peter Buser, the grandfather, lost his life by accident in 1869. His widow married a Mr. Burns, who lived in southwestern Illinois until their removal to Nemaha county, Kansas in 1875. Both died in this county. Peter Buser removed with his family to Nemaha county, Kansas, in 1867, and purchased a half section of land in Capioma township for $2,000. He developed his large farm, and was an extensive breeder and feeder of hogs. He prospered until his untimely death at Sabetha, Kans. His death was caused by a runaway team on the streets of Sabetha, March 24, 1885.
Peter Buser was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Carty who bore him one child, namely: Mrs. Catharine Wahlmeier, of Jen- nings, Kans., who was born February 16, 1863, at Mud Creek, Ill. His second marriage took place August 22, 1865, at St. Labora, Ill., with Mary Elizabeth Wempe, and this union was blessed with the following children : Mary, born February 14, 1867, at Mud Creek, Ill., and mar- ried June 6, 1889, in Capioma township to Antone Wahlmeier; Joseph John, the subject of this review; Peter Paul, born January 25, 1871, in Capioma township, married November 23, 1893, to Mary Fox, and is a partner in the Buser Auto Company; Anton F., born November 20, 1872, married at Marysville, Kans., November 29, 1905, to Katie Schmidt, and is engaged in the oil business at Wichita, Kans .; Clement A., born January 2, 1875, married to Anna Stein, May 8, 1900, at Sen- eca, Kans., and is associated with the Buser Auto Company ; John B., born March 30, 1877, and is engaged in business with his brother, Anton, at Wichita; Henry J., born July 14, 1879, married at Axtell, Kans., to Libbie Byrne, engaged in the oil business at Wichita; Mrs. Elizabeth Rochel, born November 28, 1881, married January 26, 1904, at Capioma, and is residing on a farm in Capioma township; Dan G., born February 19, 1884, married at Germantown, Kans., June 6, 1905, to Ida Wintersheet, and is engaged in the oil business at Halstead, Kans. The mother of these children was born at Tentopolis, Ill., December 19, 1845, and died in Capioma township, December 4, 19II. She was a daughter of Herman Henry Wempe, a native of Germany. (See history of the Wempe family under the biography of Anton Wempe.)
Joseph J. Buser lived on the home farm, and assisted in the culti- vation of the family estate until he engaged in the general merchand- ise business for his mother at Fidelity, Kans., in the spring of 1892. On
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May 1, 1895, he came to Seneca, Kans., and bought a half interest with Hon. Andrew J. Felt in a bakery business. This partnership continued until the fall of 1896, when he purchased his partner's interest, and conducted the bakery business alone for some time, then consolidated with Christ Schmitt and John Meinberg. This partnership continued until the spring of 1897 when Mr. Buser sold his interest in the bakery to Schmitt and Meinberg. In the fall of 1897, he started the Leader dry goods store in the Stein building, with a stock of goods valued at $2,800. In the fall of 1904, he engaged in the clothing business and started a clothing store in the Ford building with Ben J. Stein as man- ager. In the fall of 1906, Mr. Buser purchased the general store of P. L. Gibson at Denton, Kans., and operated this store for four months, and then sold the business to Buser and Stein. During that samnc fall, he sold his clothing store for $14,000, but continued as owner of the Leader store until December 8, 1905, at which time he sold this estab- lishment to C. R. Bricker for $14,450. In the spring of 1907, he pur- chased the Westhoff stock of goods and moved it to the old Leader building, which he owns. October 25, 1911, he again sold the Leader store to Honeywell and Stein for $24,000. January 12, 1912, he pur- chased the garage, formerly operated by George Adams. Some time later, he took in his brother, Clement A., as a partner in the business. The concern is now known as the Buser Auto Company. They handle the well known and standard makes of automobiles such as the Oak- land, Hudson, Dodge Bros., and the Maxwell. The garage building is a substantial brick structure 44x100 feet in dimensions, and is requires a considerable staff to care for the extensive business carried on by this enterprising firm.
In addition to his automobile business, Mr. Buser is a large land owner, his holdings being located in western Kansas; he is a share- holder and a director of the First National and State Savings Banks in Seneca. In October of 1912, Mr. Buser, J. E. Stillwell, and 'L. D. Allen. and Peter P. Stein purchased the controlling interest, formerly owned by Jacob E. Cohen in the First National Bank of Seneca. Mr. Buser is proprietor of the local opera house, and owns several business buildings on the Main street of Seneca, besides residence properties in the city. He is one of the substantial and wealthy men of Nemaha county.
Mr. Buser was married, May 28, 1885, by Rev. P. Boniface, O. S. B., at Seneca, Kans. to Katie E. Stein, born May 13, 1870 in Seneca, a daughter of Mathias and Elizabeth Stein. (See biography of Peter P. Stein.)
Mr. Buser has taken a more or less active part in Democratic poli- tics, and is one of the "wheel horses" of his party in Nemaha county. He was a candidate for the office of county commissioner in 1913, and made a strong race for the office. He and Mrs. Buser are members of Sts. Peter and Paul's Church, and are liberal contributors and supporters of this denomination. Mr. Buser is a charter member of the Knights
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of Columbus and the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association. Prob- ably no citizen of Nemaha county is better known or more highly esteemed for his many excellent qualities, genial disposition and uni- versal kindness than the gentleman, of whom this brief review is writ- ten. His career is a living epitome of what a single ambitious citizen can accomplish in his home community if the right effort is put forth. Joseph J. Buser did not look beyond the borders of his home county for opportunity, such as many are wont to do-he found it awaiting him right at home-and took advantage of his opportunity with a keen- ness of perception and the necessary energy and ability to make good
John McManis .- Civic pride and good management is evident in the conduct of municipal affairs at Goff, Kans., the third largest city of Nemaha county. The citizens of Goff are enterprising, industrious, and are imbued with that pull together spirit which goes a great way in making a substantial municipality. In such a community one can naturally expect to find a wide awake and hustling executive who has the best interests of his city at heart. Goff is fortunate in having as mayor, John McManis, manager of the Goff Grain Company, a business man who finds time to devote his attention to civic affairs in his home city, and is an excellent city official.
John McManis was born at Lamoille, Ill., August 31, 1873, and is a son of Hugh and Elizabeth (Hedge) McManis, who were the parents of four sons and six daughters. Hugh McManis, the father of John, was born at Kempville, Canada, February 20, 1845, and died at his home west of Lamoille, Ill., May 9, 1906. He immigrated to Illinois when a mere lad with his mother, who first located at 'La Salle, Ill., and later made a home at Lamoille. When the Civil war broke out, he proved his loyalty to the Union by enlising, August 25, 1861, as a volunteer soldier in Company B, Fifty-second Illinois infantry, and served throughout the war, and was given an honorable discharge when his company was mustered out, July 6, 1865. The command to which Mr. McManis be- longed was assigned to duty with the western army, and the famous battles in which it was engaged are recorded in history. Company B took part in the famous "March to the Sea" under General Sherman. He returned home after his war service and settled down to peaceful pursuits. On April 15, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza- beth Hedge. Of the ten children born to this union, nine are living, as follows: Mary, Nellie, Frank, Bessie, Lucile and Catherine, Mrs. Thomas Huffman, living on a farm near Erie, Ill .; John, with whom this review is directly concerned ; James, an engineer by profession, located at St. Paul, Minn. Mrs. McManis, mother of John; was born at La- moille, Ill., in 1850, and resides on the old home place in Bureau county, Illinois.
John McManis was reared on the farm and attended the public schools of Lamoille, Ill. On December 1, 1893, he began working for a grain elevator concern at Whiting, Kans. Six years later (1899), he
JOHN McMANIS. Mayor of Goff, Kansas.
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came to Goff and became manager of the Goff Grain Company, in which concern he is a stockholder. Mr. McManis has prospered in Kansas, and besides his business interests he has property in Goff and owns 160 acres of farm land in Thomas county, Kansas.
He was married in 1903 to Miss Grace Berridge, born at Goff in 1881, and a daughter of Henry and Anna (Hopkins) Berridge, who were early pioneer settlers of Nemaha county, her father following the trade of stone mason at Goff for some years. Three children have been born to John McManis and wife as follows: Geraldine, Helen and Mar- garet.
Mr. McManis is a Republican in politics and is one of the leaders of his party in Nemaha county. He has twice been elected mayor of Goff, the first time in 1904, and during his term as mayor the cement walks were laid on the city streets. He was again elected to the office in 1915, and is also serving as township treasurer of Harrison township. During his last administration Goff citizens installed an electric lighting system. He is affiliated fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Burnett G. Firstenberger is one of the youngest bankers of north- ern Kansas, and is the youngest banker in Seneca at the present time. His success has been marked and he has shown capabilities for bank- ing, and ability for handling financial matters which have placed him in the front rank of banking men in his section of Kansas.
Mr. Firstenberger was born in Seneca, Kans., May 22, 1886, and is a son of George and Jennie (Lount) Firstenberger. George Firsten- berger, his father, was born at Galion, Ohio, in 1860, and is a son of Christopher and Barbara (Ziegler) Firstenberger, natives of Germany, who emigrated from their native land to America in 1850, settling in Ohio where Christopher followed his trade of shoe maker. Christopher Firstenberger enlisted in an Ohio infantry regiment during the Civil war, and served his adopted country bravely and well. He and his wife died in Ohio. George Firstenberger began his career as a clerk in a dry goods store in his home town of Galion, and remained there until 1882, when he came to Seneca, and took a position with his brother in the dry goods store. He followed his vocation of salesman until his retirement in 1912, and is now making his home with his daughter and son in Seneca. Four children were born to George and Jennie Firsten- berger, as follows: Lount, deceased: Burnett G., subject of this review : Mildred, born April 20, 1888, housekeeper for her father and brother; Doris, deceased. The mother of these children was born at Barrie, Ontario, Canada, in 1861, and was a daughter of Gabriel and Harriet (Burnett) Lount, natives of Canada. Harriet Burnett was a daughter of Aaron and Hannah (Plaxton) Burnett, natives of Kent and York- shire, England, who immigrated to Canada. Aaron Burnett came to Sen- eca, Kans., from Canada in 1870, and engaged in the lumber business at a time when Seneca was but a small village. He died here in 1891 at the
(25)
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age of seventy-one years. His wife, Hannah, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1820, and died in 1902. Their daughter, Harriet, wife of Gabriel Lount, is also deceased. Jennie E. (Lount) Firstenberger came to Seneca with her mother in 1870, and died in 1898. She was educated in Bethany College, Topeka, Kans., and was well versed in music.
Burnett G. Firstenberger was educated in the public schools of Seneca and the high school of Sacramento, Cal., where he made his home with his grandmother for one year, after which he returned to his home in Seneca. His first work was as carpenter's helper, but he was soon after employed as bookkeeper in the First National Bank of Seneca. He was ambitious to advance himself and was willing to study; acting upon this resolve, he pursued a special course in abnking and banking law, thus fitting himself for the post of cashier of the State Savings Bank, which position was tendered him in 19II.
Mr. Firstenberger is a Democrat in politics and is at present treas- urer of the city board of education. He is a member and clerk of the Congregational church.
Horace M. Baldwin .- The legal profession is one of the oldest of the learned arts and offers a vast field for advancement to the ambitious disciple of the law creeds. A knowledge of law nowadays is indispen- sible to the business or financial man; and a really able, conscientious and capable attorney is certain of recognition and the security of a com- petence. A leading member of the Nemaha county bar is Horace M. Baldwin, county attorney, Seneca, Kans. Mainly through his own efforts and the development of inherent ability, combined with a profound knowl- edge of the law has resulted in Mr. Baldwin taking front rank among the attorneys of northern Kansas.
Horace M. Baldwin was born at Monmouth, Ill., October 29, 1859, and is a son of John H. and Anna (McKeowen) Baldwin, who were the parents of five children, as follows: Carrie, at Monmouth, Ill .; Horace M., with whom this review is directly concerned; Mrs. Mary Mixner, Bridgeton, N. J .; Wilbur, deceased; Elbert, deceased. John Baldwin was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1829, and learned the trade of mason in his youth. He was a son of Johnson and Hannah (Speakman) Baldwin, natives of Pennsylvania, who were tillers of the soil. The Speakman family is of old Quaker stock, whose origin in America began with the advent of the William Penn colony at Phila- delphia in 1682. John Baldwin migrated from his native heath to Illi- nois in 1850 and worked at his trade of mason until his retirement to a comfortable home in Monmouth, in 1914. He became an extensive con- tractor and worked at his vocation until he was past four score and five years of age- a remarkable record. Mrs. Anna (McKeowen) Baldwin, mother of Horace M. Baldwin, was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Daniel McKeowen, whose wife was a Bogart, and both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers in Illinois.
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Horace M. Baldwin attended the public schools of Monmouth, Ill., and in 1876 matriculated at Monmouth College, graduating from this institution in 1880 with the Bachelor's degree, and later receiving the degree of Master of Arts. He taught for one year in the district schools of his native county, and then went to Chicago, where he was employed by the Rissler & Reitz wholesale saddlery company for one year. He then returned home and began the study of law in the office of Stewart & Grier, and was eventually admitted to the bar and came west to At- chison, Kans., where he opened an office with a law partner, the firm name being Bailey & Baldwin. In 1893 he went to Hill City, Kans., and took charge of the legal business of a wealthy land owning client (J. P. Pomeroy). He remained in Mr. Pomeroy's employ until 1898, and then opened a law office at Kansas City, Mo., remaining in that city until 1906, at which time he located in Seneca.
Mr. Baldwin is a Republican in politics and has always been active in political affairs. While practicing at Atchison he served as police judge for a term. He was the nominee of the party in Nemaha county for State representative, but was defeated by only eight votes. In No- vember, 1914, he was elected to the office of county attorney on the Re- publican ticket, receiving a handsome majority.
Mr. Baldwin was married in 1884 to Miss Harriet Waste, and two children have blessed this union, namely: Burdette, deceased, and Clifford.
Mrs. Baldwin was born at Galesburg, Ill., and is a daughter of Or- son and Elizabeth (Miller) Waste, the former of whom was a native of Vermont and the latter a native of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Baldwin studied at Knox College, Galesburg, Ill., and taught school for one year pre- vious to her marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin are active members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church of Seneca, and Mr. Baldwin is a steward of this church. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and is master of the Seneca lodge of Masons. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the National Union and is a member of the alumni association of his alma mater.
Richard D. McCliman .- Faithfulness to duty on the part of public officials is always appreciated by the people, and an official who re- gards his office other than a sinecure, is recognized as honest, capable, and well meaning. In Richard D. McCliman, postmaster of Seneca, Kans,, the patrons and citizens of Seneca have a capable and conscien- tious public servant, whose sole interest is to see that the affairs of this important government office so close to the masses are running smoothly and for the sole convenience of the patrons of the office. Credit is due Mr. McCliman for the efficiency and general courtesy with which the postoffice business is conducted.
Richard D. McCliman was born in Green county, Wisconsin, April 9. 1852, and is a son of John and Talitha (Dixon) McCliman who were
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the parents of six children, as follows: Richard D., subject of this re- view and the eldest of the family ; Lenda, died in infancy ; John E., living in Wisconsin; Mrs. Elmeda Brandon, Albia, Iowa; Mrs. Margaret Brandon, a widow living in Monroe county, Iowa; William, died at the age of one year. John McCliman was born in Pennsylvania in 1822, migrated to Wisconsin, cleared a farm in Green county and lived there until his removal to Iowa where he died in 1911. John McCliman was a son of John and Margaret (McMillan) McCliman, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter a native of Scotland. The mother of Richard D. McCliman was born in 1824 in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Johnathan and Mary (Boyer) Dixon, and she died in 1914.
Richard D. McCliman learned the carpenter's trade in his youth in Franklin, Pa., where the family resided for twenty years. He worked at his trade in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Iowa and mi- grated to Nemaha county, Kansas, in 1878. He bought eighty acres of land in Capioma township, farmed it for a short time and then sold it previous to his removal to Seneca in 1898.
While residing on his farm he had become interested in Democratic politics and became well known over Nemaha county, to such an extent that he was elected to the office of county treasurer in 1897 and held this important position for five years. Previous to serving as county treasurer, Mr. McCliman served two terms as a member of the State legislature, sessions of 1891 and 1893. At the expiration of his term of office he engaged in the real estate business with fair success. In January, 1915 he was appointed postmaster of Seneca,-an appointment which met with general satisfaction on account of the long and faithful record of the recipient as a party worker and as an upright and com- petent citizen.
Mr. McCliman was married in December, 1874, to Miss Jennie Battin, of Franklin, Pa. This marriage was consummated in Grant county, Wisconsin. No children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McCliman.
Mr. McCliman is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Knights and Ladies of Security.
Melville R. Connet .- Nearly two decades have passed since Melville R. Connet left his native State of Indiana to find fortune and prestige in Kansas. It is evident that he has been successful and has risen dur- ing that time to a position of prominence and affluence in Nemaha county. He has become a thorough Kansan and imbued with Western ideals since deciding that Kansas was the land of opportunity for him and his. His reputation as a financial man and banker is second to none in the county and northern Kasas.
Melville R. Connet, cashier of the National Bank of Seneca, Kans., was born in Monroe county, Indiana, September 5, 1859, and is a son of Nelson and Mary (Rose) Connet, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, .
MELVILLE R. CONNET.
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respectively. John Nelson Connet, born June 23, 1830, in Green county, Pennsylvania, was the son of Isaac Connet, a native of Pennsylvania, and who was descended from colonial ancestry. The Connet family is an old pure American family, who can trace their ancestry back to early settlement and Colonial days of American history. Mrs. Mary Emily (Rose) Connet was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, and her parents were among the early pioneers of that section of Ohio. Isaac Connet moved his family from Pennsylvania to Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1852, when John Nelson Connet, father of the subject, was twenty-two years old. John Nelson Connet married there, and in 1857, migrated from Ohio to Stanford, Monroe county, Indiana, where he followed farming until his migration to Kansas in 1886. He settled at Baileyville,. Kans., and operated a store in partnership with his son. He died at Bailey- ville, September 19, 1889. John Nelson and Mary (Rose) Connet were the parents of five children, as follows: W. Homer, Axtell, Kans .; Martha Ann, wife of Dr. Gaston, both deceased ; Melville R., with whom this review is directly concerned ; Fred M., Iola. Kans .; Frank B., Kan- sas City, Kans. By a second marriage of Nelson Connet with Mrs. Mary Richey, there were two children, as follows: Ralph A., Kansas City, Mo., and Carrie, a teacher in the Kansas City, Mo., public schools.
The grandfather of Melville R. Connet was Isaac Connet, born near Prosperity, Pa., March 12, 1805, and was a cooper, farmer, sawyer and miller. He located in Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1852. He died near Urbana, Champaign county, Illinois, in 1865. Isaac Connet was a son of James Connet, a native of Pennsylvania, and became a weaver by trade. He was a son of James Connet, born in 1730, and who was a resident of Essex county, New Jersey.
Melville R. Connet was educated in the public schools of Monroe county, Indiana, and followed farming until 1882. He came alone to Kansas in 1877, and located in Nemaha county, where he farmed for five years. He then engaged in the general merchandise business at Baileyville, Kans., for one year, after which he located in Seneca, where he operated a furniture business for twelve years. He disposed of this business, and for five years was engaged as traveling salesman, from 1895 to 1900. He took up life insurance in 1900, and sold insurance successfully for two years. In October, 1902, Mr. Connet's banking career began with the organization of the Bank of Kelly, in which he took a prominent and active part, and became cashier of the bank. He ·resigned his position as cashier in 1906 and again engaged in life in- surance work until October, 1912. He then entered the National Bank of Seneca as cashier. In addition to his duties as cashier he conducts a fire insurance and loan business, which is profitable.
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