USA > Kansas > Reno County > History of Reno County, Kansas; its people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 28
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JOHN H. CAMPBELL.
John H. Campbell, son of James M. and Sarah A. (McDonald) Camp- bell, was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, April 5, 1855. His father was born in Fayette county, Virginia (now West Virginia), February 13. 1829. When a youth the father lived at Harper's Ferry, and began rail- roading as a brakeman in 1850 on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad between Wheeling and Washington, D. C. He was fireman on the locomotive that pulled the first train over the mountains in 1852; a few months later he was made an engineer. Railroading was very difficult in those days, the moun-
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tains were crossed by a system of switchbacks, a slow and tedious manner of travel compared to the finely-equipped trains pulled by the massive engines of the present day.
The growing bitterness on account of the agitation of the slavery ques- tion between the North and the South was intensified by the John Brown affair at Harper's Ferry in 1859. Even at that time there was talk of secession and disunion by the radical southern leaders, and those who were not in sympathy with this radical sentiment found their environment any- thing but pleasant. James M. Campbell was a strong Union man, and, with a desire to find a location in a community more in harmony with his senti- ments, moved to Illinois in the later fifties. In 1878 he came to Reno county, Kansas, and homesteaded eighty acres of land in Salt Creek township, and bought one hundred and sixty acres adjoining, which he farmed until he retired. in 1875. He then removed to Hutchinson, where he lived at 426 Tenth avenue, until his death, on February 2, 1916. He was a member of the United Brethren church and is independent in politics.
The paternal grandfather of John H. Campbell was John Campbell, who was a pioneer settler in Greenbrier county, Virginia, and built one of the first houses erected in that county. He was a farmer and stock raiser. He married Elizabeth Kesler, a daughter of Jacob Kesler, whose mother was of German descent. The paternal great-grandfather was also a native of Virginia. He was captured by the Indians and used as a pack carrier for two years before he made his escape from his captors. Sarah A. ( McDon- ald ) Campbell was born in Virginia in 1832. She was the daughter of John McDonald. John H. Campbell's brothers and sisters are : Joseph W., a farmer in Reno county, born in Hampshire county, Virginia, June 5. 1853 : James C., a farmer in Reno county, born in Lee county, Illinois, in 1859. was formerly a building contractor in Hutchinson, Kansas, and Aurora, Illi- nois: P. L., born in Lee county, Illinois, in 1861, is a grocery merchant in Hutchinson; Jacob L., born in Lee county, Illinois, died in infancy; Lacey Ann, born in Lee county, Illinois, in 1870, died in Reno county, at the age of fourteen years.
John H. Campbell was educated in the district schools of Lee county. Illinois, and was kept at work on his father's farm when not in school. In 1877, soon after attaining his majority, he came to Kansas and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land, in section 21, township 25, range 12, in Rose valley, Stafford county; it is now a part of Union township, Staf- ford county. He arrived in Hutchinson on an emigrant train June 11, 1877. The water through which the train had to pass at that time was up to the
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axles of the cars and the streets of Hutchinson were flooded, so that it was necessary for him to take a boat to reach the Reno House, where he put up for the night. Next morning he crossed Cow creek bridge, which was anchored with chains, and found enough grass on the other side to provide his three horses with their morning feed. Finally, after these and many other discouraging experiences, he reached his intended location and estab- lished a temporary home. He began the improvement of his land, and some time later added to his cares by the purchase of the southwest quarter of section 21, township 25, range 12, in Stafford county. In the first township election held in the township in which Mr. Campbell located, his house was used as the voting place. In lieu of a regulation receptacle for the deposit of votes an old copper kettle was used as a ballot box. Several years later this kettle was taken to St. Johns, the county seat of Stafford county, and kept as an interesting historic relic.
Mr. Campbell engaged in farming quite extensively, adding to the improvement and value of his lands from year to year. In 1886 he engaged in the grain business in Stafford county and devoted his attention to this line of business largely until 1892. In the early part of 1893 he went to Kansas City, Missouri, to engage in business with the Jones Dry Goods Company, in which he was a stockholder. In this business he had charge of the furniture, carpets and draperies department for about ten years. In 1902 he retired from the firm on account of his health. During the time he was connected with this firm the business increased rapidly from year to year, as indicated by the fact that the number of employees of the house had increased from thirty-two to one thousand and thirty-six in that ten-year period.
For four years Mr. Campbell was in the wholesale carpet business at 181 North Main street, Hutchinson, as a member of the firm of Fontron, Leigengood & Campbell, who bought the business and were the successors of Wall & Wall. Then, after traveling for one year, he engaged in the grocery business with his brother, P. L. Campbell, for four years. He was then engaged in the lumber business for two years, to 1913, when he retired. During these years, in which he had been engaged in various business enter- prises, he had been uniformly successful and made large investments of his accumulated profits in lands. His holdings in real estate at the present time are: Three hundred and twenty acres in Lane county, one hundred and sixty acres in Coffey county, four hundred and eighty acres in Stafford county, one thousand six hundred acres in Hamilton county-a total of two thousand and eighty acres of Kansas lands. In addition to this he is the
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owner of valuable real estate in Hutchinson, including his fine residence at 28 Sixth avenue, West. He was a member of the school board, of Stafford, Kansas, and is a member of the First Christian church, of Hutchinson. His political affiliation is with the Republican party.
John H. Campbell was married on December 24, 1882, in Reno county, Kansas, to Mary M. Warnock, daughter of Lewis W. Warnock. Mrs. Camp- bell was born in Missouri, February 9, 1862, and died in Hutchinson, Kan- sas, May 22, 1911. Her father was a farmer and died in Reno county, Kansas, in 1895. He was a member of the United Brethren church, and a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell was the parents of the following chil- dren : Leona A. married Paul R. Hunter, a printer in Hutchinson ; Irving M., in the furniture business in Silvia, Reno county; Maud M., married Mike T. Bell, a farmer in Coffey county; Jennie M., married Joseph Ray, a sheet metal worker and plumber, in Stafford, Kansas; Sarah, "Sadie" A., married Joseph Thomas, salesman in the Hutchinson supply store; William C., a farmer in Stafford county, Kansas; Andrew, attending school in Hutchinson.
Mr. Campbell is one of the live. progressive citizens of Hutchinson, a man of upright character and strict integrity, a capable business man and socially agreeable; he commands the confidence and respect of the com- munity of which he is an honored citizen.
REV. WILLIAM M. FARRELL.
Rev. William M. Farrell, son of William F. and Margaret (Cunning- ham) Farrell, was born in Kentland, Indiana, May 12, 1876. His father was born in Urbana, Ohio, in 1840, and died in Independence, Kansas, in 1881. He was freight agent of the railroad which passed through Kentland. Mrs. Margaret Farrell was born in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1855, and is now living with her son in Hutchinson. The only daughter, Elizabeth May, was born in Kentland, Indiana, June 12, 1878; she married Harry F. Sinclair, engaged in the oil business at Tulsa, Oklahoma.
William M. Farrell received his education in the parochial schools of Independence. Kansas, which he attended for two years, receiving instruc- tion in that institution under the management of the Jesuits during the years 1887 and 1888. For six years after leaving that institution, 1889 to 1895, he was employed as a clerk in M. J. Paul's wholesale grocery com-
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pany, of Independence, Kansas. His early ambition was to adopt the cleri- cal profession as his life work and his plans were all formed with that pur- pose in view. Having to depend largely upon his own effort to secure means to obtain the necessary education to fit him for his chosen profession, he engaged in such employment as he could find. In his six-years' service with the wholesale grocery company he demonstrated the fact that he was possessed of excellent business qualities, and gave promise of great success in business lines, but his ambition was in a different direction. He left his business employment and entered the St. Benedict College, at Atchison, Kan- sas, and after four years in that institution graduated with a diploma in the classical course. He then entered Kenrick Seminary, in St. Louis, Missouri, graduating after two years in philosophy. He then went to Rome, Italy. and spent four years as a student in the North American College of that city, studying theology, at the propaganda school of theology. He graduated in theology with two degrees, Bachelor of Arts and Professor of Theology, in 1905, and was ordained. December 16, 1905, at the Capranica College, by Cardinal Respighi, Vicar General of Rome. After a tour of Europe he returned to America and began his clerical work, January 15, 1906, in the diocese of the cathedral of Wichita, Kansas, where he remained for two years and six months. While there, in addition to his pastoral duties, he was the editor and publisher of the Catholic Advance, which was the official organ of Wichita, Concordia and Leavenworth, Kansas, and of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Reverend Farrell came to Hutchinson, July, 1908, and continued the publication of the Advance for a year at this place. He then became pastor of St. Teresa's Catholic church, at 205 Fifth avenue, East, which was at that time a small frame building, with a seating capacity of about one hundred and fifty. The energy and earnest devotion which he applied to his work, and the faithfulness with which he discharged his pastoral duties, brought new life and spirit to his charge and the congregation increased in numbers to such an extent that the little frame church was of insufficient capacity to accommodate the worshipers. A larger and more commodious building was a necessity, and steps were taken to secure it. In this project the pastor, by his business experience and good judgment, was well fitted to take the lead. A collection to secure the necessary funds was started, September 1, 1909, and the cornerstone of the new building was laid with due ceremony in May, 1910. The building was completed and dedicated May 18, 1911. an occasion of happiness and rejoicing for this congregation, when they could look upon the completion of a work for which they had unitedly and gen-
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crously contributed. The completed building is an imposing structure of brick and stone, of artistic architectural design, with all modern appoint- ments and conveniences. The interior finish is modest and tasteful, in har- mony with the general design and character of the building. The auditorium has a seating capacity of about six hundred.
There are two missions connected with the parish of St. Teresa's Catho- lic church, one at Nickerson, the other at Castleton, both in Reno county. The latter has about one hundred communicants.
In addition to his labors in the pastoral charge of this church and its allied missions, Reverend Farrell is assistant chaplain of the state reforma- tory at Hutchinson. He is also actively identified with every civic move- ment that has for its object the uplift of humanity and the benefit of the community of which he is an honored citizen. He is a member of the Hutch- inson Commercial Club, and contributes of his influence and energy in the promotion of every enterprise that tends to the increase and development of Hutchinson. a city in whose continued growth and prosperity he has unbounded confidence. His fraternal association is with the Knights of Columbus. of which he has long been a prominent member. He is inde- pendent in politics, giving his support to the candidate whom he considers best fitted for the office to which he aspires, regardless of the political faith to which the candidate subscribes.
SAMUEL S. GRAYBILL.
One night at a banquet in Topeka, Samuel S. Graybill, present popular postmaster at Hutchinson, this county, was introduced as toastmaster of the occasion as "the man who knows more men in Kansas than any other man in the state;" and this prandial compliment was well deserved and probably within the exact limits of the truth, for there are mighty few persons of consequence in Kansas with whom Mr. Graybill is not, at least, on speaking terms, and with most of whom he enjoys an intimate acquaintance. This unusually wide acquaintance is based upon his many years as a stockman, during which time he traveled widely and constantly over the state buying cattle, and upon his long connection with state political circles, during which time he has missed very few occasions for mingling with his fellows at such times as politicians are wont to foregather. His jovial, whole-souled man- ner of greeting his fellow men has made Mr. Graybill not only one of the
Du & Gray bier
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best-known men in the state, but one of the most popular, and it is but fitting and proper that some extended mention be made of him here in this history of the county in which he has so long resided and in the affairs of which he takes so deep an interest.
Samuel S. Graybill was born in Juanita county, Pennsylvania, Novem- ber 29, 1860, son of Amos and Mary (Shelley) Graybill, both natives of that same county, the former of whom, born in 1828, died in 1900, and the latter, born in 1835, died in 1912, both having spent their last days in Kansas.
Amos Graybill was reared on a farm in Juanita county, Pennsylvania, his parents devout Mennonites and earnest-minded people, one of whose sons, William, was a bishop in the Mennonite church. In his native county Amos Graybill married an earnest Mennonite maiden, Mary Shelley, and settled down on a farm nearby his father's home, where to him and his wife ten children were born. In 1874, attracted by the many flattering reports emanating at that time from Kansas, Mr. Graybill sold his place in Pennsyl- vania and with his family emigrated to this state. He bought the relinquish- ment of a homestead right in Harvey county and there made his new home, farming the place quite successfully until 1884, in which year he and his wife retired from the farm and moved to the town of Newton, where they spent the rest of their lives in pleasant comfort. The sons of the family were not particularly attracted to life on the farm and all engaged in busi- ness in Newton.
Samuel S. Graybill received his early education in the public schools of his home neighborhood in Pennsylvania and at the academy at Port Royal, that state, and was preparing to enter the Pennsylvania State Normal when his plans were interrupted by the removal of the family to this state in 1874. The year following his arrival in Kansas, 1875, memorable as "grasshopper year," he worked on the railroad section, afterward assisting in the develop- ment of the homestead place until 1879, in which year he went to Newton and for a year clerked in a grocery store. He then transferred his services to a Newton druggist and for thirteen years was engaged as a drug clerk, acquiring in that time a thorough acquaintance with the drug trade. In June, 1893, Mr. Graybill left Newton and came to this county, locating at Hutchinson, where he has ever since made his home. For the first year after arriving in Hutchinson. Mr. Graybill clerked in the drug store of Charles Winslow, after which he engaged in business for himself, opening a drug store at the corner of Main and Sherman streets, which he conducted with much success until 1897, in which year a severe attack of pleurisy left
(19a)
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his health so unsettled that he decided to get out of the store and into the open and to this end went into the live-stock business, buying and selling cattle, in which business his son presently became associated with him and they bought cattle from all parts of southwestern Kansas, shipping the same to Kansas City and Wichita, building up an extensive business in that line. In the spring of 1913 Mr. Graybill was appointed by Governor Hodges as a member of the Kansas state live stock commission and served in that capac- ity until the time of his resignation, in September. 1914, to accept the appointment as postmaster of Hutchinson, in which important public capac- ity he is now serving.
For years Mr. Graybill has been active in the ranks of the workers in the Democratic party, not only throughout this section, but in the state at large. and is one of the best-known politicians in the state. He has attended every state convention of his party since the year 1890 and is consequently one of the most familiar figures present at those biennial functions. For nine- teen consecutive years he was precinct committeeman in his home precinct and was secretary of the Reno county Democratic central committee for six years : a member of the Democratic state committee for eight years and attached to the executive committee of the same for six years. He was a delegate to the Democratic national convention at Denver in 1908. He has attended every Democratic congressional convention ever held in the seventh Kansas district and for six years was chairman of the congressional district committee of his party. When the commission form of government was adopted in the city of Hutchinson, Mr. Graybill was made commissioner of health and public buildings and it was during his incumbency in that office, and under his direction. that the great convention hall in that city was erected.
On April 7. 1886, Samuel S. Graybill was united in marriage to Minnie Kirlin, who was born in Anderson, Indiana, daughter of Cyrus Kirlin and wife, who moved from their Indiana home to Newton, Kansas, when their laughter. Minnie, was five years of age, the former spending the last ten years of his life in Mr. Graybill's home in Hutchinson, where he died at the age of ninety years and four months. To Mr. and Mrs. Graybill two chil- dren have been born, Preston B., born in 1800, who, after a course in the Kansas StateAAgricultural College, married Bertha Templin, in November. 1014, and is now engaged in the dairy business on one of his father's farms near Hutchinson. and Marguerite, born in 1892, who, after being graduated from the Hutchinson high school, took a course in the University of Kansas.
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The Graybills have a very pleasant home at 334 Sherman street, east, built 111 1907.
Mr. Graybill is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the con- sistory of the Scottish Rite at Wichita. He has been thrice past eminent counsellor and has been honored in having held every chair in every degree of his home lodge, a distinction held perhaps by but one other Mason in Hutchinson.
MORRISON H. BROWN.
Morrison H. Brown, son of Dr. Felix G. and Elizabeth A. (Wake- field ) Brown, was born in Washington county, Kentucky, July 24, 1871. His father was born in Indiana, January 6, 1843, and was reared and cdu- cated in Taylorsville, Kentucky, by his maternal uncle, John Wakefield. He attended medical lectures in St. Louis, Missouri, and graduated there in 1868. He began his practice as a physician in Washington county, Ken- tucky, remaining there until 1885, when he removed to Hutchinson, where he continued to practice his profession until his death, which occurred on April 29, 1901. Before he went to St. Louis to attend medical college, Felix G. Brown was engaged for some time in teaching school in Kentucky. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, and of the Modern Woodmen of America ; also a member of the Hutchinson Commercial Club. His church relationship was with the Southern Methodist church ; his political affiliation was with the Democratic party. In the early part of the Civil War, Doctor Brown enlisted as a soldier in the Union army and served ninety days.
Elizabeth A. ( Wakefield ) Brown was born in Washington county, Kentucky, October 8, 1851, and is still living in Hutchinson. She was the daughter of John H. and Roxy ( Weathers) Wakefield. Her father was born in Nelson county, Kentucky, about 1829, and died in Washington county, Kentucky, in 1891. He was a farmer, a Methodist and a Democrat. Her mother was born in the same county of which her father was a native, November, 1837, and died in Washington county, Kentucky, March, 1904. Her only other son, William Ernest, was born in Washington county, Ken- tucky, October 21, 1876. He is a traveling salesman for the Wheeler & Motter Mercantile Company, of St. Joseph, Missouri, and has offices in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
Morrison H. Brown was educated in the grade and high schools of Hutchinson, and then took a position as salesman in stores in Hutchinson.
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He was employed for some time in the store of P. Martin Dry Goods Com- pany, and afterward was with the Rosabangh-Wiley Dry Goods Company. In 1909 he accepted a position with the Ely & Walker Dry Goods Company, of St. Louis, Missouri, as traveling salesman, in which capacity he is still employed, with offices in the Rosabaugh-Wiley building, Hutchinson, Kan- sas. Mr. Brown is a member of the Elks, and of the Hutchinson Commer- cial Club. His political affiliation is with the Democratic party. He has resided at 551 Avenue, East, for many years, and is building a new home there at the present time.
Mr. Brown was married at Great Bend, Kansas, May 23, 1900, to Julia H. Wesley, daughter of Paul V. and Susannah (Godby) Wesley. Mrs. Brown was born in Paintsville, Kentucky, March 16, 1878. Her father was born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, March 31, 1849, and died at Great Bend, Kansas, where he was pastor of the First Methodist church, in September, 1884. Her mother was born in Casey county, Kentucky, March 28, 1846, and is still living in Great Bend, Kansas.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown. They are Eula Elizabeth, born in Hutchinson, February 7, 1902, and Wesley Ernest, born in Hutchinson, June 22, 1907.
PARKE SMITH.
Parke Smith, son of Albert G. and Anna (Parke) Smith, was born in Putnam county, Indiana, July 25, 1875. His father was born in Ohio, May 9, 1847, and was a principal of the high school in Greencastle, Indiana, for several years. In 1878 he moved to Medicine Lodge, Barber county, Kan- sas, where he engaged in the business of farming and stock raising. In 1884 he removed to Arizona, where he continued in the same line of busi- ness. He died in Pratt county. Kansas, January 25, 1886. He was a mas- ter Mason, and an active member of the Methodist church, being county superintendent of Putman county Sunday schools. Politically, he was an advocate of the principles of the Republican party and gave his support to candidates of that party, being elected superintendent of Putman county schools.
Anna ( Parke) Smith was born in Putnam county, Indiana, June 15, 1855. She was the daughter of James and Mary J. Parke. Her father owned two hundred and eighty acres of land in Putnam county. Indiana, and
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was by occupation a farmer. He died about 1882. Her mother was born about 1829, and is still living in Hutchinson. She is one of the oldest mem- bers of the Methodist church, in which she has long been a faithful wor- shiper.
The brothers and sisters of Parke Smith are: Goldwin, born in Putnam county, Indiana, October 26, 1878, died on July 25, 1896, from the effects of becoming overheated in riding a bicycle; Mary Alvesta, born in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, September 6, 1880, died on October 12, 1881; Roy, born in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, October 14, 1882, is in business with the subject of this sketch, in the "Brunswick Smoker," 211 North Main street, Hutch- inson: Junita, born in Tombstone, Arizona, November 23, 1884, married George Lynch, who is engaged in the general mercantile business in Gales- burg, Illinois.
Parke Smith. was educated in the public schools of Hutchinson and attended the high school for two years. He then held a position in the store of J. H. F. Plate, grocer and baker, for three years; afterward in the grocery business with Kanage & Smith Brothers, for two years. In 1898 and 1899 he was in Arizona, as secretary of the Erie Cattle Company. Returning to Kansas, he was engaged in the restaurant business for nearly two years in St. Johns, Kansas, and afterward in the same line of business in Hutchinson for four years. In 1907 he engaged in the tobacco and cigar business, opening a store at 211 North Main street, known as the "Bruns- wick Smoker," which he has continued to the present time. Before coming to Hutchinson, Mr. Smith moved with his father from Putnam county, Indiana, to Medicine Lodge, Kansas, in 1878, and to Tombstone, Arizona, in 1884. He is a member of the Hutchinson Commercial Club, and also a member of the Elks lodge in Hutchinson. Politically, he affiliates with the Republican party, and, withal, he is a very pleasant and capable business man, with a willingness at all times to aid and encourage every enterprise that tends to the development of the industrial interests of the community of which he is a citizen.
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