USA > Kansas > Shawnee County > History of Shawnee County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 27
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
350
HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
and when the Civil War broke out he was the proprietor of a flourishing busi- ness. In 1863 he enlisted for service in the Second Regiment, Kansas Artil- lery, under Capt. Ross Burns, and participated in the famous battle of the Blue. He remained at his gun with several of his comrades until they were captured by the force under General Price. Afterwards he managed to escape but not until he had endured terrible suffering from hunger and thirst. In a local history the dreadful sufferings endured by these brave Kansans are set forth with a vividness which calls for all the control years of peace have brought to enable their fellow-citizens to forgive the treatment accorded them by the Confederates. The noble monument in the Topeka Cemetery was erected by Mr. Gage as a tribute to the men who fell in the battle of the Blue, and Mr. Gage himself wrote a history of the event which stands out in Kan- sas history to the honor and glory of the citizenship of the State. The cost of this monument was $10,000. It was unveiled on Memorial Day, 1896, and General Caldwell, now United States consul at Vera Cruz, delivered the prin- cipal address. The press all over the country made extended mention of this unusual proof of loyalty and brotherly love, but no region could truly appre- ciate the gift as did Topeka, where Mr. Gage had been so long known and so universally honored and beloved.
For 15 years Mr. Gage continued in the brick business, during which time he acquired much property in the city, which subsequently brought him large returns. At the opening of the Pottawatomie reservation, he secured a valuable farm of 160 acres, and later another valuable farm on which is situated Gage's Lake, both of which he held until his death. The latter proved very valuable on account of the discovery of bituminous coal in large quantities. He owned several business blocks on Kansas avenue and was the largest taxpayer in the county, during his latter years occupying his time mainly in looking after his investments. In all his dealings he proved his honorable, upright character and a man was never found to question his word. He died on May 19, 1899.
Guilford G. Gage was united in marriage January 9, 1868, with Louisa Ives, who was born in Allegheny County, New York, and is a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Nicholas) Ives, her father having been a native of Penn- sylvania. One child, a danghter, was born of this union, but died at the age of one year. Mrs. Gage resides alone in her handsome home at No. 409 Van Buren street.
Mr. Gage was a prominent member of the Masonic order and of Lincoln Post, No. 1, G. A. R. Topeka and its citizens individually have much reason to recall this honorable, estimable and useful citizen. All his life he was simple in his tastes and unostentatious in manner. When wealth came to him, he soon found avenues for its judicious distribution and civic movements for
LEVI M. DECKER
353
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
improvement, and charitable and philanthropic enterprises of all kinds felt his guiding hand and profited by his benevolent impulses. He was chairman of the board of trustees of Christ's Hospital, contributing liberally to its sup- port during his life, and at his death willed it the sum of $1,000. He gave to the city what is known as Gage Park, covering 80 acres. He had planned to give to The Jane C. Stormont Hospital a sum of money to aid it in its great work, and after his death Mrs. Gage in 1899 caused to be erected what is now known as the Gage annex, at a cost of $15,000.
Mr. Gage was a self-made man and was proud of the fact, proud of hav- ing been able to grasp opportunities and to be indebted to no one but himself for his life's success. With his noble battle comrades, this soldier, too, sleeps under the granite shaft he built.
LEVI M. DECKER.
LEVI M. DECKER, one of the prominent farmers and well-known, sub- stantial citizens of Shawnee County, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, resides on his well-improved farm in section 13, township 12, range 16, in Tecumseh township. He owns a large amount of land in this county, in Tecumseh and Dover townships and in and about Topeka, aggregating 280 acres. Mr. Decker was born near Paterson, New Jersey, January 5, 1837, and is a son of Martin W. and Mary (Bailey) Decker, who lived to the age of 85 and 78 years, respectively.
The Deckers came originally from Holland and were long established in Bergen County, New Jersey. By his first marriage Martin W. Decker had four children and eight by the second, the latter being: Mrs. Annis Maybe, deceased; Mrs. Elizabeth Wichem, deceased; John, deceased; Mrs. Rachel Holdrum, of New Jersey; Levi M., of this sketch; and Silas, Thomas and Mrs. Mary Jackson, of New Jersey.
Levi M. Decker remained on his father's farm in Passaic County, New Jersey, until he was 23 years old and then went to Clinton County, Ohio, where he engaged in farming for seven years. During the Civil War he was a member of the State militia and assisted in driving the raider, Morgan, across the border. In 1866 he came to Kansas and bought his present home place, a tract of 160 acres which had been preempted by another party who had built a cabin but had done no clearing. The farm was still unbroken prairie, in its virgin state. Mr. Decker took possession of the cabin and broke the land with oxen and as soon as possible placed it under cultivation. He has improved his home place, made it one of the valuable farms of the
17
354
HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
township and erected a convenient and attractive residence. He has added to his possessions until he owns 280 acres, distributed somewhat as follows: 160 acres in section 13, township 12, range 16, and 40 acres in section 7, township 12, range 17, all in Tecumseh township; 80 acres in Dover town- ship and more than 70 lots in the city and environs of Topeka. For the last IO years he has directed his attention mainly to raising corn, hogs, cattle and horses.
In 1859 Mr. Decker was married to Mary Ann Hook, who was born in Ohio and was a daughter of Joseph and Rebecca Hook. She died on the home farm in Tecumseh township on May 12, 1885, aged 46 years. The eight children of this union are: Emma, who lives at home; Elvie, wife of Edward Reed, of Morris County, Kansas; Melvina, who lives at home; Alvin, of Kansas City; Mrs. Viretta Cox, a widow, of Monmouth township; and Louis, Nora and Myrtle. By a second marriage Mr. Decker has another daughter, Elsie, who also lives at home. Mr. Decker has been a life-long Democrat and cast his first presidential vote for James B. Buchanan.
HON. MARTIN MOHLER.
HON. MARTIN MOHLER, formerly secretary of the Kansas State Board of Agriculture, was born March 20, 1830, in Cumberland County, Pennsyl- vania, and died at Topeka, Kansas, March 20, 1903.
In his youth Mr. Mohler had more than the usual amount of boyish enthusiasm to secure a good education, this seeming to him the goal toward which he must direct every effort. Fortunate circumstances gave him an opportunity to enter Northwestern University, at Evanston, Illinois, where he finally graduated, one of the three members of the second graduating class of that institution. His home remained in Pennsylvania, and thither he re- turned, with the idea of devoting his future to educational work.
Time brought changes and other interests came into his life, and in 1871 he removed from Pennsylvania to Osborne County, Kansas, where he secured a half-section of land. This was early in the settlement of that part of the State, conditions were hard and the rewards of toil were only won through the greatest effort. The work by which Mr. Mohler transformed his wild tract of land into what seemed then a garden spot doubtless aroused the deep interest in his mind which later brought him so prominently forward and identified him so closely with agricultural matters.
Mr. Mohler held several positions of trust in Osborne County, and he resided there until he was appointed to the State Board of Agriculture in
355
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
1888. He then moved to Topeka, where he resided until his death, serving through two subsequent terms. During his administration as secretary, he aroused great public interest in the study of soils, seeds and climate and it is undoubtedly due to his efforts that Kansas stands to-day as one of the greatest agricultural States of the Union. The sixth biennial report, issued under his direction, was awarded a medal and diploma at the paris exposition, in 1889, as the best of its kind in the world.
Mr. Mohler is survived by his widow and by two daughters and two sons, namely : Margaret L., wife of W. A. Neiswanger, manager of The Capitol Real Estate Company, of Topeka, with offices at No. 116 West Sixth avenue; Laura M., wife of Rev. H. C. Buell, of Willmar, Minnesota; Jacob C., assistant secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, residing at No. 1224 Fillmore street; and Frank M., a student, who resides with his mother in the family home at No. 1611 Warren street. Mrs. Mohler is a daughter of Christiana C. Hoover, of Pennsylvania, a farmer by vocation, now deceased.
Mr. Mohler was a member of the Presbyterian Church and one whose life was in consonance with his professions. He was a Mason and had other fraternal associations, being a man of social instincts. He was also one whose culture, education and refinement impressed his companions as did his strong personality and sterling attributes.
HON. MILTON BROWN.
HON. MILTON BROWN, one of the most prominent members of the bar of Kansas, and formerly a member of the State Senate from the 38th Sen- atorial District, is a citizen for whom Topeka entertains high regard. Mr. Brown was born May 12, 1854, at Raysville, Henry County, Indiana, and is a son of Milton and Sally Brown.
Mr. Brown comes of Scotch-Irish ancestry and of forefathers distin- guished for their military prowess. On the paternal side, both grandfather and great-grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War, the latter yielding up his life in the cause. During the Civil War, not only did his father and four brothers serve in the Union Army, but his mother became one of the leading spirits in the Sanitary Commission and devoted her personal services to the care of sick and wounded soldiers. She was honored by the Governor of Indiana with a commission for her invaluable services, but still dearer to the heart of this noble woman was the tender regard and esteem accorded her by the hundreds of weak and wounded soldiers to whom she ministered
3,56
HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
as long as life held and whose last messages were whispered into her sympa- thetic ear. Old veterans all over the land can be found who show enthusiasm when the name of "Aunt Sally Brown" is recalled to their memory. The father of Mr. Brown was prominent in Henry County politics and at the time of his death, May 12, 1876, was county recorder.
The subject of this sketch was the youngest member of his loyal family. During the last years of the war, he took "French leave" and joined a com- pany at Camp Morton, where he acted as a drummer-boy and entertained the hope of becoming as useful in the Union cause as others of his family. His hope was dissipated as soon as his capable and careful mother discovered his whereabouts. When his father was elected recorder of Henry County, the main duties of the office fell upon Milton, and when the father died, he was appointed to fill out the unexpired term and was subsequently appointed dep- uty clerk of the Circuit Court and later elected clerk of the same. He had been admitted to the bar in 1876 after several years of preparation under Hon. Jehu T. Elliott, and soon won deserved recognition in his profession and as a political factor. In 1878 he was sent as a delegate to the Republican State Convention at Indianapolis and served also as secretary of the Henry County Republican Central Committee.
In 1884 Mr. Brown came to Kansas, locating upon a homestead in what is now Gray County, where he remained until the following year, when he removed to Garden City and entered upon the practice of his profession. From the very first his ability as a lawyer was recognized and he has been concerned in some of the most important litigation in the State. In this connection mention may be made of the case of Mrs. Lease, whose removal from office as a member of the State Board of Charities his pleas secured, and of the occasion when he, as attorney for the Great Eastern Irrigation Company, won the decision against the Amazon Ditch Company as to the right of priority to water from the Arkansas River. Both of these celebrated cases are so familiar to residents of Topeka as to scarcely need mentioning. Mr. Brown in innumerable cases has proved himself a man of intellectual power and is justly ranked with the State's eminent professional men.
Thus well equipped for a very successful political career, he was elected in 1892 by the Republican party to the State Senate from the 38th Senatorial District, a district which includes 19 counties. As a statesman his career was satisfactory in every way and during his senatorial career he was a leading figure both in debate and in the committee room, working strenuously for his section and constituents.
On July 16, 1878, Mr. Brown was married to Emma Cotteral, and three children were born to them. In religious connection he is a member of the Christian Church. His fraternal associations embrace the leading secret
357
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
organizations. As a Mason, he is a Knight Templar and a member of Isis Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of the Maccabees.
Since June, 1899, Senator Brown and family have resided at Topeka, where he is absorbed in a large law practice. He is a director and general counsel of the Kansas Fire Insurance Company. Still in the height of his intellectual power, with friends and admirers on every side, he occupies a very prominent place among the leading men of Kansas and many political and professional possibilities are within his grasp.
1
JOHN FREDERICK STANTON.
JOHN FREDERICK STANTON, Kansas State architect, one of the leaders in his profession with years of exacting experience behind him, has been a resident of Topeka since 1887. Mr. Stanton was born July 29, 1862, at Manchester, New Hampshire, and is a son of John M. and Meribah F. (Pike) Stanton.
Mr. Stanton is a descendant of the early New England settlers, his ancestors having come to this country from England in 1636 and located at Salisbury. His father was born at Brookfield, Maine, and his mother at Plymouth, New Hampshire. After completing common and high school courses at Manchester, he took a special course in civil engineering under Joseph B. Sawyer. While interested in this line, before turning his attention to the particular field of art in which he has been so successful, he served two years as assistant city engineer at Manchester, and later was for some time connected with the engineering department of the Stark Corporation in the same city.
With the idea of supplementing his engineering knowledge he took a course of study in architecture, combining both the technical and practical phases of the profession. Later a partnership was formed with W. M. Butter- field and Mr. Stanton began the practice of architecture as a profession; dur- ing the following three years they designed some of the best public and private buildings in the State.
In 1887 Mr. Stanton came to Kansas and located at Topeka, taking charge of the office work for J. G. Haskell, at that time the leading architect in the State. For six years he occupied this position and then became a partner. The firm of Haskell & Stanton during the following two years
358
HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
planned many of the best buildings erected, not only in Kansas, but also in Nebraska, Oklahoma, Indian Territory and Missouri.
In 1895 Mr. Stanton was appointed superintendent and assistant State House architect, having in charge the work of finishing the rooms on the first and second stories of the Capitol Building at Topeka.
In 1897 when the Populist party came into power, he was removed for political reasons and immediately entered upon the independent practice of his profession, which he successfully conducted until July, 1899, when the Republican party again took control of State affairs and Mr. Stanton was appointed State House architect. During the succeeding four years he suc- cessfully filled this important position and completed the magnificent State Capitol Building. In July, 1903, the State Executive Council appointed him State architect, having in charge the architectural work for all of the various State institutions. This work he so satisfactorily conducted that later when the Legislature changed the law, vesting the appointive power in the Governor, he was, in 1905, again appointed for a term of two years, by Governor Hoch, the appointment being one of the most popular made.
Mr. Stanton was married at St. Joseph, Missouri, on the 24th of Novem- ber, 1892, to Julia M. Lamb, a daughter of William P. and Margaret Lamb. They have one child, a beautiful little girl named Mildred who with them enjoys the comforts of a substantial home at No. 1211 Western avenue, Topeka. Politically, Mr. Stanton is a stanch Republican and served two terms as president of the Topeka Republican Flambeau Club.
GEORGE W. CRANE.
GEORGE W. CRANE, president and manager for Crane & Company, one of the largest printing houses at Topeka, was born August 25, 1843, at Eas- ton, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Dr. Franklin L. and Mary Elizabeth (Howell) Crane. The Crane family is of Puritan ancestry and Revolutionary stock.
In the spring of 1855, Dr. Franklin L. Crane removed from Easton, where he was established in a good dental practice, to Topeka, Kansas, where he soon became identified with public affairs. He was made secretary of the Topeka Town Association and it was mainly through his good taste and artistic ideas that the present beautiful city enjoys its distinction for wide streets and boulevards, the work of surveying being under his charge. Dur- ing the Civil War he served as a private soldier in Company E, 11th Reg., Kansas Vol. Inf., and later as hospital steward, his admirable work while he
359
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
had charge of the smallpox hospital at Hildebran's Mills being still recalled.
George W. Crane has been a resident of Kansas since March, 1865. Because of the death of his mother in his infancy, he was placed in the care of Canadian relatives, with whom he remained during the period of his school days. His brother, Jesse H. Crane, was operating a store at Fort Larned, Kansas, where he was post trader, and George remained with him for one year and then came to Topeka. For some three years he engaged at market gardening, but in 1868 he embarked in the business which has proved such a great success financially and has given him a very prominent place in the business world. In partnership with J. Y. Byron, he entered into the busi- ness of bookbinding and blank-book manufacturing, and in the following year he became owner of a one-third interest in the Daily Commonwealth. This journal was issued under the company name of Prouty, Davis & Crane and Mr. Crane was its manager. Everything was in a promising condition when the firm lost all it possessed by the burning of the Ritchie Block in No- vember, 1869. This disaster, so soon after assuming new responsibilities, was very serious to the members of the firm, but with courage and energy they succeeded in resuming business some months later. The fall of 1873 wit- nessed another disastrous fire in Topeka, during which the Commonwealth Building was completely destroyed and a second time was Mr. Crane forced to begin at the bottom.
Only a man of much courage and many resources could so soon have recuperated; in a comparatively short time he was again at the head of a business which he managed alone until he had expanded it to such proportions that outside help was needed. Thus came about the founding of the George W. Crane Publishing Company, in 1888. At great expense improved ma- chinery was installed and a modern plant for doing all kinds of printing on a large scale was placed in operation in the Keith Block, one of the newest and best equipped business structures of the city. The building was 50 by 135 feet in dimensions, four stories high, filled from basement to attic with the company's plant. The fire demon for the third time assailed Mr. Crane's business, this handsome building being totally destroyed in February, 1889. This loss was more serious than any other, the value of the property loss, above insurance, being $135,000.
The word discouragement is not found in Mr. Crane's vocabulary. With wonderful philosophy he accepted the facts and with customary enterprise set about to again build up his business. A corporation was then formed under the name of Crane & Company, Mr. Crane was made manager, and now is at the head of one of the largest business houses in his line, including publish- ing, book-making and commercial printing, his trade extending all over Kansas and through adjacent States. The perfection of the work of this
360
HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
house secured it the contract for furnishing a large part of the books used in the public schools. Tenacity of purpose is a marked characteristic of Mr. Crane and this he carries into business, political and social life. He has settled convictions to which he firmly adheres and his fellow-citizens know that when he is convinced of the justice of a movement, no outside influence can move him.
In June, 1870, Mr. Crane was married to Ella Rain, who was a daughter of Silas and Minerva Rain. Mrs. Crane died in April, 1881, survived by two children : Frank S., who is cashier and superintendent for Crane & Company ; and Edna, who married Charles L. Mitchell and died at Morenci, Arizona, August 25, 1904. In 1882, Mr. Crane was married at Elkhart, Indiana, to Fannie Kiblinger, a cousin of his first wife.
Politically, Mr. Crane has always taken a lively interest in city and State affairs, voting constantly with the Republican party, but he has never con- sented to hold office. In 1893 he was nominated by his party in the Legisla- ture for the office of State printer, one for which he is eminently qualified; he lacked only one vote of election. Mr. Crane has set an example of the conquest over misfortune by the exercise of individual energy, and has shown in a remarkable degree his capacity to mold circumstances and to grasp success out of the ashes of defeat. .
E. P. KELLAM.
Among the prominent business men of Topeka, who stood at the head of commercial life here for some 40 years, was the late E. P. Kellam, who died very suddenly on February 5, 1896, of neuralgia of the heart, superin- duced by weakness from a former illness and also from grief felt over the death of his beloved kinsman, the late T. J. Kellam. The latter, of whom a sketch will be found in this work, died on February 4, 1896, and E. P. Kellam passed away on the following day. Both were men of importance and sub- stance and Topeka was doubly bereaved.
E. P. Kellam was born at Irasburg, Vermont, February 28, 1832, and was a son of Sabin and Lydia Kellam, being one of 10 children born to his parents. His boyhood and early youth were spent in his native environment, where he received excellent educational advantages; and in young manhood he went to Boston to enter upon a business career. In 1857 he came to Topeka, and his subsequent life was spent in this city. With his cousin, the late T. J. Kellam, our subject was interested in charitable movements of various kinds. He is remembered as a man of strict integrity and independent
HON. JOSEPH BENJAMIN BURTON BETTS
363
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
views. The services at his funeral were conducted by Rev. Dean Bodley, of Topeka, who preached the sermon. Rev. Percival McIntire, of Chicago, was also present.
Mr. Kellam was married December 31, 1862, to Orpha Beulah, daughter of Pearl De Wolfe. She still survives and makes her home in one of the handsomest residences of the city at No. 415 Topeka avenue, where she is spending the twilight of her life in comfort and ease. Mr. Kellam's son, E. B. Kellam, lives at Cottonwood Falls, where he is connected with a tele- phone company. Mr. Kellam was a Mason and was buried with Masonic honors.
HON. JOSEPH BENJAMIN BURTON BETTS.
HON. JOSEPH BENJAMIN BURTON BETTS, an influential member of the Kansas State Senate and a well-known business man of Topeka, who is reputed one of the largest contractors in the State, was born February 22, 1851, in Morgan County, Illinois. He is one of a family of 10 children born to his parents, Joseph B. and Susan ( Wiemer) Betts.
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.