USA > Kansas > Shawnee County > History of Shawnee County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 22
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
Mr. Mills was married May 2, 1854, to Isabella McPherson, whom he survived. Three of their children died in infancy, and Mr. Mills desired to be laid to rest with them and his wife in the quiet cemetery at Howell, Michi-
286
HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
gan. The three survivors of the family are: Mrs. George J. Crossman, of Cleveland, Ohio; and Arthur M. and William W., who are now at the head of The Mills Dry Goods Company.
The late Mr. Mills was a member of the Presbyterian Church for 50 years. In all that goes to make up a good man, that builds character, that leaves a lasting influence to benefit others, Mr. Mills was an exemplification. Personally he was a man of gentle dignity, kind and generous, and those who found in him an employer found also a benefactor.
ABRAM HAMMATT.
ABRAM HAMMATT, deceased, formerly chief clerk of the Supreme Court of Kansas, and one of the prominent and highly esteemed citizens of Topeka, was born at Howland, Maine, May 19, 1844, and was a son of William C. Hammatt. His death took place at Aiken, South Carolina, May 24, 1880.
Mr. Hammatt belonged to one of the old Puritan families of New England, his forebears having come to American shores in the "Mayflower," landing at Plymouth Rock. William C. Hammatt was long a prominent citizen of Maine, an extensive farmer, a large lumber dealer and still later, a government official.
The late Mr. Hammatt was educated in his native State, where he en- joyed academic and collegiate advantages and in 1869 graduated from the law department of Yale. Following his graduation, he made a pleasure trip abroad and upon his return he located for the practice of the law at Ottawa, Kansas. In the latter part of 1870 he settled permanently at Topeka, and was appointed chief clerk of the Supreme Court, a position he filled for the succeeding 10 years of his life. He was an intimate friend of all the judges. Mr. Hammatt was a man of superior education and more than usual native ability. When occasion demanded he showed powers as an orator and his complete perception of law and jurisprudence made his Su- preme Court service one particularly satisfactory.
Mr. Hammatt married Maria B. Crosby, who is the daughter of John Crosby, one of the prominent men of the State of Maine. Mrs. Hammatt still survives, with two sons, Theodore D. and Daniel C., both of whom are connected with The Crosby Roller Milling Company, which operates the largest mills in Shawnee County, located at Topeka, the former as manager and the latter as secretary of the company. Both are enterprising and popu- lar business men. Mrs. Hammatt continues to reside in her beautiful home
.
-
HON. DANIEL MULFORD VALENTINE
289
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
at No. 602 West 10th avenue, Topeka. Socially, the family has always stood very high here.
While Mr. Hammatt was a stanch Republican, he was in no sense a politician. His education and travel made him a man of culture and he was deeply interested in the welfare of Topeka, not only in a material sense, but in its development into a city of beauty and intellectual prominence. It was his wish that his remains should rest with those of his ancestors, in his native State, and the desire was carried out. Personally he was a man of winning manner and he left not only his family to mourn his loss, but many friends and associates who continue to recall him affectionately.
HON. DANIEL MULFORD VALENTINE.
HON. DANIEL MULFORD VALENTINE, ex-justice of the Supreme Court of Kansas and one of the State's eminent men, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, is a native of Ohio, born in Shelby County, June 18, 1830. He is a son of John W. and Rebecca (Kinkennon) Valentine.
In his youth the subject of this sketch enjoyed academic schooling and when he began to teach school in 1851 he also began to devote his spare time to the study of the law. In 1854 he removed to the West and spent five years in Adair County, Iowa, during which time he completed his law studies. He served that county in 1855-56 as surveyor and also taught school one year. He was admitted to the bar in 1858, and served during that year as attorney of Adair County. During his residence there he had made many friends and a fair professional and political outlook was offered, but he thought a better field was open in Kansas. He spent one year at Leaven- worth and then removed to Franklin County, which county he was elected to represent in the Legislature in November, 1861. He served during the fore part of 1862, and the character of his services to the citizens of the county was so highly esteemed by them that he was elected in November, 1862, to the State Senate, in which he served throughout the year 1863 and the fore part of 1864. While residing in Franklin County, he first practiced alone; later he formed a partnership with W. W. H. Lawrence. After a time he was again alone but soon associated himself with Joel K. Goodwin, with whom he was in partnership at the time of his election as judge of the Fourth Judicial District.
In November, 1864, he was elected judge of the Fourth Judicial Dis- trict and filled that office during the following four years. In November, 1868, he was elected an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Kansas for
14
290
HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
a term of six years, and was three times reelected,-in 1874, 1880 and 1886, -his term of office extending to 1893. He moved to Topeka in March, 1875, and has lived ever since in the house in which he then established his home.
During the 24 years that Judge Valentine was an associate justice of the Supreme Court, he prepared and delivered 1,572 opinions, and in the amount of work performed, as well as in the number of years of service, he holds the record among Kansas jurists. He has served his State with rare fidelity. He has won the approbation of the bar by a work of the greatest value to the profession,-a complete digest of the decisions of the Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal of Kansas. Since his retirement from the bench, he has continued his legal associations in Topeka and is the senior member of the firm of Valentine, Godard & Valentine.
In 1855, Judge Valentine was married to Martha Root, who is a daugh- ter of Judge Azariah Root, formerly of Adair County, Iowa. They have a family of five sons and four daughters, namely: D. A., clerk of the Supreme Court of Kansas; Eva (Mrs. A. A. Godard), of Topeka; J. W., a lumber dealer at Admire, Kansas; Harry E., an attorney at Topeka; Martha, who lives at home; Elsie (Mrs. James F. Merrick), of the city of Mexico; Ralph E., a land agent at Topeka; Lillian, who has a position in the Kansas State House; and Louis F., who is engaged in newspaper work in Clay County, Kansas.
In all his public career Judge Valentine's conduct has been governed by principles of equity and justice. He has always upheld the right, has never been accused of partiality and has a record that holds out a stimulus and example to those, who in turn will be called upon to assume equal re- sponsibilities.
WILLIAM S. BERGUNDTHAL.
WILLIAM S. BERGUNDTHAL, mayor of the city of Topeka and one of her most distinguished citizens, is the largest real estate dealer in this section of the State. Here he has resided since 1884 and during this period has always identified himself with the best interests of the city and its people.
Mr. Bergundthal was one of four children born to Benedict and Sarah (Powell) Bergundthal, and was born in Ohio on June 24, 1855. Some years after his birth the family moved to Indiana, and he was educated in that State at Columbus. He came West to Topeka, Kansas, in November, 1884, and embarked in the lumber business as chief clerk for Jonathan Thomas, with whom he remained for nearly 16 years. In the year 1900 he succeeded
291
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
to the real estate and loan business conducted by Mr. Thomas. His activity and enterprise at once placed him in the front rank of real estate men in Eastern Kansas and there he remains at the present time. He was elected mayor of Topeka on the Republican ticket in April, 1903, and has given the city an honest business-like administration, the progress made during his term being most notable. Prior to his election to that office, he served a term of two years in the Common Council.
Mr. Bergundthal was married to Leonora Neely, a daughter of Moses Neely, by whom he has two children : David C. and Mary W. He and his family reside in a handsome home at No. 1134 Jackson street and move in the best social circles. Fraternally our subject is a prominent Mason.
HON. ALSTON W. DANA.
HON. ALSTON W. DANA, presiding judge of the Third Judicial Dis- trict and formerly the junior member of the well-known law firm of Bergen & Dana, is one of the prominent and representative men of Topeka. Judge Dana was born at Mount Holly, Vermont, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Chilson) Dana.
The parents of Judge Dana were natives of Vermont. The father was a farmer in the environs of Mount Holly, a man able to afford his family of eight children only the advantages of the common schools. Five of his children still survive.
The future Kansas judge obtained his early education in the common schools of his native locality and then entered Goddard Seminary, at Barre, Vermont, where he prepared for college, and was graduated at Tufts College, Boston, Massachusetts, in 1884, with the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. He then became principal of Goddard Seminary where he had previously spent four years, and remained there from 1884 until 1887, when he came to Topeka. Here he read law in the office of Waters & Chase and was admitted to the bar in 1889. For several years he was a member of the law firm of Tillotson & Dana, and later formed a law partnership with Judge Abram Bergen, which continued until January, 1905, when he took his seat as pre- siding judge of the Third Judicial District, to which he was elected in No- vember, 1904. This elevation to the bench is considered, by Judge Dana's many friends, as a just recognition of his high abilities.
In 1895 Dudge Dana was united in marriage with Kate J. Whiting, who is a daughter of Chauncy C. Whiting, a prominent pioneer of Topeka, and one of the city's capitalists, at one time president of two banks and formerly
292
HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
sheriff of Shawnee County and United States marshal. Judge and Mrs. Dana have two children,-Grace and Marion. They are members and liberal supporters of the Presbyetrian Church.
Politically Judge Dana has always been identified with the Republican party and has taken a prominent part in its deliberations. On many occa- sions he has been a delegate to both State and congressional conventions. Fraternally Judge Dana is a 32nd degree Mason and is also a member of the Elks.
FRYE W. GILES.
FRYE W. GILES, deceased. Among the cities of Kansas, Topeka, its beautiful capital, rears her lofty spires and encourages education, commerce and industry to a greater degree than any of her sister municipalities, and yet but a few decades cover the span of her existence. When Frye W. Giles and six other pioneers laid out what then seemed an impossible city, scarcely any one would have had the courage to confess the hope that was in his mind, and yet, that would scarcely have come up to the present realization.
Frye W. Giles, one of these original pioneers, was born in Littleton, New Hampshire, May 30, 1819. He was reared and educated in his native locality, and on attaining manhood embarked in a mercantile business, which absorbed his energies for 20 years. In 1854 he came to Kansas and soon became interested in agricultural pursuits. Shortly after Topeka was recog- nized by the government, he was made the first postmaster of the place, and held that office for a long period. He was one of the progressive men of his
day, one who naturally dominated in public affairs and subsequently he be- came connected with various pioneer business enterprises and then engaged in banking. He accumulated a large fortune and lived retired during the last years of his life. Mr. Giles died June 9, 1898, and his remains were laid to rest in the Topeka Cemetery. He never ceased to be interested in the material development of the city which he had assisted to lay out and through his long life was ready to promote her welfare in all possible ways. He was a stanch Republican and he was equally firm in his devotion to the principles of the Masonic fraternity.
On July 10, 1844, Mr. Giles was married to Caroline A. Fellows, who is a daughter of Moses Fellows, of Salisbury, New Hampshire. She was born in 1821, and still survives, Time having touched her very gently. She still occupies her old homestead at No. 113 West Eighth avenue, where she has lived continuously since 1859. This is the oldest residence in Topeka, one which, before inevitable decay accomplishes its ruin, should be pictured
AVERY WASHBURN
295
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
and preserved as a city landmark. Mr. Giles was a consistent member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, to which he liberally contributed. Mrs. Giles is also a member and her benefactions in the cause of religion and charity proclaim a gentle heart and a true Christian spirit.
AVERY WASHBURN.
AVERY WASHBURN, one of the pioneer citizens of Shawnee County, has resided continuously on his farm in Topeka township, in section 35, town- ship II, range 15, since 1857, except 12 years spent in the East, and in ad- dition to farming has at times engaged in business in the city of Topeka. He was born on a farm in Safford, Connecticut, October 23, 1818, and is a son of John Elithorpe and Lovina (Avery) Washburn.
The Washburn family has been established in the United States for many generations. Our subject's great-grandfather, Solomon Washburn, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He married Mary Warner, who died in 1816, and they reared II children, who lived to an average age of 86 years. One of these children was Nathan, grandfather of our subject, who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution. He participated in the battle of Bunker Hill, and other notable ones, and with Washington's army endured the privations and hardships of wintering at Valley Forge, when the soldiers were but half clothed and many were without shoes. He married Annan Elithorpe, who lived to reach the age of 92 years, and they were parents of six daughters and one son.
Jolin Elithorpe and Lovina (Avery) Washburn became parents of eight children, two of whom are now living, namely: Avery ; and John Randolph, who is 84 years of age and lives in Connecticut, in which State he has served nine terms in the Legislature. The father, who was born May 19, 1788, in Connecticut, died October 2, 1858, and his wife, born August 13, 1787, died May 4, 1829.
Avery Washburn was reared on a farm in Stafford, Connecticut, where he attended the common schools, and later attended select school in New York State, also taking one term in Middlebury Academy. He left home for New York State at the age of 19 years and there worked upon a farm. He engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods and continued for a period of 25 years, also being identified for a number of years with the First Na- tional Bank of Brockport, New York, 17 miles west of Rochester. He came West to Topeka, Kansas, in 1857, and pre-empted a quarter-section of land in section 35, township II, range 15, in Topeka township, but returned to
296
HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
New York State in the fall of the following year to look after his extensive business interests. He again came to his farm in Shawnee County in 1869, and has resided continuously upon it ever since. He has farmed this place with a great deal of success, and also served as cashier of the Kansas National Bank of Topeka for four years. He is a man of unusual business ability, and has achieved a high degree of success. When he first came to this county it was in a primitive state, and the east line of the Pottawatomie Indian reser- vation was just one mile west of his claim. He has seen the community develop into one of the richest in a State which is destined to become one of the very foremost in point of wealth and resources. He has served as treas- urer of a number of the organizations of his township. During the Civil War he served as a provost marshal's officer, and is a member of the G. A. R. and the Sons of the American Revolution. He assisted in the construction of school buildings in his district, and in the erection of the new Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a member.
Mr. Washburn was united in marriage with Castorn Gordon, who was born in Vermont, March 10, 1820, and is a daughter of William and Martha (Gary) Gordon, and granddaughter of James Gordon. The last named came from Scotland with General Burgoyne and served in Washington's army, be- coming one of the early pensioners in this country. Three children have been born to our subject and wife: Lovina, deceased at the age of three years; Cornelia, who died at the age of six years; and Frank Monroe, who lives adjoining and has four children,-George Avery, born March 1, 1889; Ellwood Gordon, born July 8, 1893; Frances E., born April 8, 1898; and Mary C., born September 11, 1903. A portrait of the subject of this sketch appears on a foregoing page.
JOSEPH C. WILSON.
JOSEPH C. WILSON, who was one of Topeka's most esteemed and valued citizens for many years, died at his home here on September 18, 1895. Mr. Wilson was born near Richmond, Indiana, October 29, 1845, and was a son of Jonathan and Drusilla (Cox) Wilson.
Mr. Wilson was reared on his father's farm, one of a family of five children. After finishing the common school course, Mr. Wilson was grad- uated from the High School at Richmond, where he resided until 1869 when he came to Kansas. In 1874 he became a resident of Topeka. In the same year he was appointed clerk of the United States District Court, under the late Judge C. G. Foster, whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Wilson continued to faithfully fill the duties of this position until the time
297
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
of his decease. He was a man of estimable character, trusted by business associates, respected by his fellow-citizens and dearly beloved in private life.
In 1869 Mr. Wilson was united in marriage with Anna J. Morris, who is a daughter of Exum Morris. They had seven children, five of whom are residents of Topeka : Eleanor (Mrs. J. B. Furry), Helen, Morris N., Doro- thy and Ruth. Joseph C., Jr., is a prominent business man of St. Louis, Missouri, and Mabel (Mrs. C. M. Butlin), is a resident of the city of Mexico. The family home is at No. 516 Topeka avenue. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wilson came from old and most highly regarded families who belonged to the Society of Friends and they reared their children in the same simple faith.
Politically, Mr. Wilson was a stanch supporter of the Republican party. He was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
AUGUSTUS L. ENTSMINGER.
AUGUSTUS L. ENTSMINGER, proprietor of the "Silver Lake Fruit Farm," was born December 25, 1834, in Seneca County, Ohio, and has been a resident of Silver Lake township, Shawnee County, since December, 1873. He is a son of Joseph L. and Abigail ( Randall) Entsminger.
The father of Mr. Entsminger was born in Pennsylvania and the mother in Connecticut. The father was an agriculturist and went from his native State first to Virginia and then to Sandusky County, Ohio, where he died in 1858. The mother survived until 1866 and both are interred near their old home. Of their six children, our subject was the only one to come to Kansas. The family record is as follows: Stephen, who served in the Third Regiment, Ohio Vol. Cav., in the Civil War as a private until he suffered the loss of three fingers, deceased in December, 1902, aged 71 years; Augustus L., of this sketch; William, who served as a private in the Third Regiment, Ohio Vol. Cav., deceased in 1897; Alice (Mrs. Peter Plantz), deceased in 1893; Sarah (Mrs. Stanton Huffman), who resides in Sandusky County, Ohio, and has five children; and Martha (Mrs. John Timmons), who resides at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and has six children.
Augustus L. Entsminger obtained his education in the Sandusky County schools and spent three years learning the carriage-maker's trade. Then with the intention of fitting himself completely as a machinist, he went into the blacksmithing department. Here he found that the work was affecting his eyes, but he continued, with many interruptions, to follow one or the other trade until 1879. In 1860 he visited Kansas and bought a preempted
298
HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
claim of 120 acres on Mission Creek. After living on it for two weeks he went back to Ohio and in 1861 enlisted in Company E, 49th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. On account of his training as a machinist, he was soon transferred to the car department of the Army of the Cumberland, with headquarters at Nashville, Tennessee, where he remained three years and was there mus- tered out on August 1, 1864. It was then his desire to return at once to Kansas, but as affairs were still in a disturbed condition he was not given transportation and therefore went to Ohio instead.
In the following spring Mr. Entsminger settled down on his farm on Mission Creek, spent one summer there and then removed to Topeka, where he entered the employ of William Boyd as a machinist, receiving wages of $5 a day. From the fall of 1865 until the fall of 1866 he was a partner with Mr. Boyd, when he returned to farming, locating on what was known as the Dick Clark place, where he remained from May until December. In May he paid the sum of $442 for this land and in December he sold the same for $1,500. He then bought another quarter section from a man named Petapher. From this place, in December, 1874, he removed to his present farm, where he purchased 83 acres. He has since devoted his attention to raising cattle and to fruit culture, growing every choice kind that the climate permits. His early output is sold at Topeka, but the bulk goes to the West.
Mr. Entsminger has been wonderfully successful in his projects and owns a very valuable property. It has a historic interest also. Here might be seen until recently the remains of a double log house built in 1847, in which M. B. Bobein, a Pottawatomie half-breed Indian, kept tavern in the very early days. It was on the stage line and in its day sheltered many distinguished guests. At one time Mark Twain made it his resting place for a time, and it was within its picturesque old kitchen that Horace Greeley wrote one of his New York Tribune letters, in praise of Kansas. It remained standing until last year and many an interesting tale its walls could have told had speech been given them.
Mr. Entsminger was married, first, August 11, 1859, to Caroline Wark- ley, in Seneca County, Ohio, who was a daughter of Peter Warkley. She died August 28. 1870, and was buried in Silver Lake Cemetery. The two children of this union were: Ambrose H., who is supposed to have been lost in the great flood at Galveston, Texas; and Arthur D., of Silver Lake, who married Clara Hansford, daughter of Eri Hansford, and has two chil- dren,-May and Carl. Our subject was married, second, on June 13, 1871, to Mary A. Mills, daughter of William Mills. She died June 28, 1875, leav- ing a daughter,-Mary Maud. The latter became Mrs. Wilcox and has one son, Augustus, who lives with his grandfather and is a bright, manly
HON. ALBERT HOWELL HORTON
301
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
lad of eight years. Mr. Entsminger was married, third, on June 23, 1881, to Clara E. Munn, daughter of John and Phoebe (Homan) Munn.
Mr. Entsminger is the only raiser in Shawnee county, of Red Polled cattle, of which he has a herd of 48 head. There are many registered, full- blooded animals and present a magnificent appearance.
Politically, until the last presidential election, Mr. Entsminger was a Democrat. He is a justice of the peace and has long been a member of the School Board. He has been a member in good standing so long in the Odd Fellows that the time has almost arrived for him to be presented with the veteran's jewel. He is a member of the Baptist Church.
HON. ALBERT HOWELL HORTON.
HON. ALBERT HOWELL HORTON, deceased, late chief justice of the Supreme Court of Kansas, and one of the eminent jurists of the State, was born March 12, 1837, near Brookfield, New York, and was a son of Dr. Har- vey A. and Mary (Bennett) Horton, who were of English ancestry and Pur- itan stock.
Judge Horton, after previous literary preparation, entered the Univer- sity of Michigan in 1855, prepared for the law and was admitted in 1858 to the bar of the State of New York. In the following year he offered his pro- fessional services to the residents of Atchison, Kansas, where, in the next year, he was appointed city attorney, to fill a vacancy, and was elected to the office in 1861. That his abilities were far beyond the ordinary must have been the case, else he had not been chosen for the bench by Governor Charles Robinson, after serving in his previous position only from April to Septem- ber. He served through three terms as judge of the Second Judicial District and then resigned the honorable position in order to devote his time more closely to an increasing private practice.
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.