USA > Kansas > Shawnee County > History of Shawnee County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 35
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In 1904 Mr. Corning started a general job printing office at No. 833 Kansas avenue and continues interested in it. During the fall of 1901 he started a paper at Enterprise, an independent journal called the Enterprise Star, its policy leaning toward Populism. Since 1890 he has resided perma-
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nently at Topeka. Mr. Corning has had four noted public discussions : one with Senator Kelly, at McPherson, in 1888; the second with Joseph Ady, at Newton, in the same year; the third with Mr. Ady at Burlington; and twice in 1890 and 1891, with F. B. Dawes, Attorney General of the State.
HON. MATTHEW R. MITCHELL.
HON. MATTHEW R. MITCHELL, M. D., one of the citizens of Topeka, whose distinguished services during the Civil War of themselves justify a claim to prominent mention, without considering his political and professional eminence, was born Nevember 10, 1835, in Logan County, Ohio, and is a son of Matthew and Margaret S. (Speer) Mitchell.
The parents of Dr. Mitchell belonged to the substantial agricultural class of Ohio. Of their II children, seven still survive, the three who became residents of Kansas being our subject and a brother, William S. (a retired farmer of Olathe, Johnson County), and a sister Elizabeth (widow of Thomas Hutchinson, of the same place).
Matthew R. Mitchell was educated at the academy at Northwood, Ohio, and then entered Jefferson College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in June, 1862. On the 25th of the following September, he enlisted for a term of service in the Civil War, becoming a member of Com- pany B, 88th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under command of Colonel Neff. When it became public policy to enlist colored troops, Mr. Mitchell was commissioned a Ist lieutenant and two weeks later was appointed adjutant of the 27th Reg- iment, United States Colored Troops, under Colonel Blackman and Lieu- tenant Colonel Donaldson. He served as adjutant until August 1, 1864, when he was wounded before Petersburg, being shot through the face. On account of being so seriously injured he was given a furlough of two months. When he rejoined his regiment along the Weldon Railroad, he found that he had been promoted to the rank of captain during his absence, under Gen- eral Butler. This resulted in his participation in the memorable siege of Fort Fisher when the colored troops gave such a good account of themselves. In June of that year he was commissioned major and with this rank he was mustered out at Smithfield, North Carolina, in September, 1865. Major Mitchell saw much hard service and took part in all the dangerous fighting in front of Richmond and at Petersburg, and endured the four days and four nights siege at Fort Fisher.
After his return from the army, where he had made a brilliant record, Major Mitchell began the study of medicine, reading under Dr. Clason, Dr.
COL. ALEXANDER SOULE JOHNSON
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Sullivan and Dr. Fulton, and then entered the Cincinnati Medical College, where he was graduated in 1868. At this time this institution had a faculty of distinguished and able men, including Dr. Blackman, Dr. Wright, Dr. Graham, Dr. Parvin, now of Philadelphia, subsequently of Jefferson Medical College, and a prominent author, and Dr. Barthelow, the author of "Medical Therapeutics," all of whom gained the esteem of Dr. Mitchell and gave him great encouragement.
Dr. Mitchell located at Fairmount, Leavenworth County, Kansas, and during his seven years of residence there became one of the leading citizens, and was elected to the House of Representatives from the 24th District. In 1875, after the expiration of his legislative term, Dr. Mitchell located at Topeka and this city has been his place of residence ever since. For nine years he has been health officer here, a position of grave importance, and has filled the duties with complete efficiency.
He was married on March 10, 1868, to Mary M. Fulton, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, who is a daughter of Dr. Abraham and Lucretia (Huntington) Fulton, the former of whom was one of Dr. Mitchell's early preceptors. They have three children : Porter M., Clara and Stella.
Politically, Dr. Mitchell votes the Republican ticket. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and is ex-commander of Blue Post, No. 250, Topeka. He is an elder in the United Presbyterian Church.
COL. ALEXANDER SOULE JOHNSON.
COL. ALEXANDER SOULE JOHNSON, whose portrait is shown on the oppo- site page, was born in that part of the Indian Territory which is now Wyan- dotte County, Kansas, on July 11, 1832, and died at Dallas, Texas, December 9, 1904. He was born in Topeka, in the State whose first white child he was and where he lived 72 eventful and useful years. In his funeral sermon Dr. Evans said: "A great and good man has passed away. He was a pioneer. He was one of the prophesies come true of her destiny. He was her first son. It is unnecessary to review the life of Colonel Johnson with a desire to mag- nify his name. But to impress upon those who hear this his manly characteris- tics, his unimpeachable honesty, his spirit of fairness and justice, we will go back over the span of his life and tell its history from his deeds."
The story of his life runs parallel with that of his loved State and little in connection with its settlement, growth, progress and prosperity can be mentioned without reference to him and to his influence. "He was born brave," one who knew him said, which was a necessary birthright in a country
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overrun by savages. His parents were Rev. Thomas and Sarah (Tittle) Johnson. All the immediate family of Sarah Tittle, living in a border settle- ment of Kentucky less than a hundred years ago, were massacred by Indians under their famous chieftain Tecumseh, she alone escaping. It was a strange fate that later sent her, wife of the Virginia Methodist preacher, a missionary with him to the Shawnee tribe that had bereft her of kindred. With Christian fortitude and courage they lived and labored among this people. In 1837 the Shawnee Methodist Mission was moved to what is now Johnson County, Kansas, named in honor of Rev. Thomas Johnson. Under his supervision the Shawnee Manual Labor School was established, where the Indians were taught helpful and practical knowledge and, by precept and example, the ways of peace. He conducted this school more than a quarter of a century and here his son Alexander studied much besides books during his earlier years, later entering Central College at Lafayette, Missouri, and completing its course.
In 1851 Alexander S. Johnson became partner in the firm of J. Riddels- berger, Westport (now Kansas City), Missouri, then the foremost forwarding and commission house in that section of the West. His business success was notable but a fortunate circumstance turned him from a counting room career. When the Territory of Kansas was organized, he and his father were elected members of the Territorial Council, which body chose Rev. Thomas Johnson its first presiding officer. In 1886 Colonel Johnson was elected to the State Legislature from Johnson County. These were the only offices held by him under the State, inclination leading him in other directions. He was superin- tendent of Shawnee Mission from 1858 to 1862 when it was abandoned, later becoming the home of the family by grant from the United States gov- ernment to the estate of Rev. Thomas Johnson.
When Civil War was declared, both father and son espoused the Union cause which resulted in death of the former, he being killed on New Years Day, 1865, while defending his home from Rebel Raiders. The latter organized a company of volunteers which became part of the 13th Kansas Militia, of which he was appointed lieutenant-colonel, and served his country with great bravery and distinction.
In early manhood young Johnson studied surveying and as United States deputy surveyor surveyed the Indian lands of Johnson County. Knowledge and experience thus gained proved stepping stones to his appointment in 1866 as land commissioner to the Fort Scott & Gulf road; in 1870 surveyor and appraiser of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe land grant, and subsequently its land and tax commissioner, which positions he held until his resignation in 1870. During these years with the Santa Fe, its three million acres were opened for settlement and sold under the management of Colonel Johnson.
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As means to an end, he conceived and perfected the road's display at the Cen- tennial Exposition, repeating the object lesson at the Atlanta Exposition. The land department became famous the world over, its lieutenants every- where telling of "homes for millions" upon the fertile soil of Kansas. Ere long the "Great American Desert" became a tale of the past. An army of peaceful invaders turned the soil, sowed and planted and lo! what had been a desolate waste was converted into teeming fields, attractive homesteads and prosperous communities. The successful issue was due to Colonel John- son's great business and executive ability, backed by his "unimpeachable honesty, his spirit of fairness and justice." To his credit and that of his assistants be it said that throughout their handling of the land grant not one lawsuit resulted. When the stupendous task was accomplished and the inti- mate relationship of 20 years was sundered, his "boys" paid tribute to their chief in service of silver and words of gold. The speaker said: "During all these years of our association with you in this work, which we have seen crowned with triumphant success, we have perhaps succeeded in bringing to view almost every phase of your character and I speak for all when I say it never has been unfolded to your reproach. If we looked for business industry, we found you at your desk. If we looked for friendship, we found kind counsel. If we looked for truth, we found you scorned falsehood and misrep- resentation. If we looked for charity, we found you considerate of other industries. If we looked for honor, we found you unmoved by every bribe of interest. If we looked for constancy of friends, we found you defending your 'boys.' If we looked for the broadest manhood, we found in you a Christian gentleman." Thus spoke those who had known Colonel Johnson day by day through many trying years and their words of commendation and affection voiced so long ago are a fitting memorial now to him who is no more.
Colonel Johnson moved to Topeka in 1870 and immediately became iden- tified with the Methodist Church and active in all interests pertaining to the city's welfare. He was one of those instrumental in establishing Topeka's water service and Edison electric plant, serving on each board of control. For 18 years he was vice-president of the Central National Bank and one of its directors. He was president of the Topeka Club from its organization and a member of the State Historical Society and of the Old Settlers' Asso- ciation. He was a Knight Templar from early manhood. Unassuming to a degree, he never sought personal aggrandizement; instead he forgot self in remembering others. He was a rarely attractive and lovable man, his sweet and gentle nature suggesting one familiar only with the amenities and refine- ments of a retired and peaceful life, not a son of the border, born among Indians and reared amid scenes of strife.
In 1852 Alexander S. Johnson married Prudence C. Funk, of Maryland.
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Four children were born to them, of whom but one is living-Mrs. Charles E. Fargo, of Dallas, Texas. In 1887 he married Zippie A. Scott, of Man- chester, New Hampshire, who survives him.
Colonel Johnson was especially a domestic man, an ideal host and his beautiful home in Topeka was an appropriate setting for the genial, courtly gentleman whom to know was to love loyally. In his passing Kansas lost her oldest and one of her most distinguished sons.
SAMUEL J. YAGER.
SAMUEL J. YAGER, who has been a resident of Auburn township, Shaw- nee County, since 1866, and owns a well-improved farm of 240 acres, situated in section 23, township 13, range 14, was born in Oldham County, Kentucky, March 13, 1834, and is a son of Willis and Nancy (Overstreet) Yager.
Jesse Yager, the paternal grandfather, was born in Virginia, of German ancestry. He moved to Kentucky, where his son Willis was born. The latter died at the age of 35 years. The mother of our subject was a native of Old- ham County and died in Shawnee County, aged 65 years. Her father, Sam- uel Overstreet, was a soldier in the War of 1812. The father of Samuel J. Yager died when the latter was but two years of age, leaving five children, viz : John, deceased; Mrs. Elizabeth Fields; Willis, deceased; Samuel J., of this sketch; and Mrs. Martha Netherton, deceased.
After the death of the father, the mother took her little ones to Johnson County, Indiana. In 1864 our subject visited Shawnee County for two months and was so pleased with the appearance of the land that in 1866 he came here and settled permanently, buying 240 acres of land, only 40 of which had been fenced and cultivated. Mr. Yager has placed his land under cultiva- tion and has made many substantial improvements here, including the build- ing of a fine brick dwelling and all necessary barns and outbuildings. He devotes his land to growing grain and stock. Two of his sons are located in the neighborhood, each owning farms of 80 acres.
Mr. Yager was married in 1864, in Indiana, to Magdalene M. Terrill, who was born near Middleton, Ohio, in 1845, and is a daughter of Hampton and Hannah (Aten) Terrill, whom she accompanied in childhood to Indiana, which was her father's native State. Mr. and Mrs. Yager have four children : Willis H .; Sybil Maud, wife of Harry Wright of Topeka ; Jesse M. and Gar- rett A.
Politically, Mr. Yager has been identified with the Republican party ever since the administration of James Buchanan for whom he cast his first
PERRY T. FOSTER
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presidential vote. He has been an elder in the Presbyterian Church at Au- burn for many years and ever since settling here has been one of the trustees. He has also taken a deep interest in the Sunday-school and has served as its superintendent. Mr. Yager is a man of sterling integrity, one who enjoys the esteem of his fellow-citizens to a marked degree.
PERRY T. FOSTER.
PERRY T. FOSTER, a pioneer citizen of Shawnee County, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, has a fine farm of 100 acres four miles southwest of Topeka in Topeka township, which his father owned before him. He was born on a farm in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, September 11, 1834, and is a son of Robert and Nancy (Meyler) Foster.
George Foster, grandfather of our subject, was born in England, and at an early age accompanied his father to the North of Ireland, then in later years came to America alone, settling in Pennsylvania. His foot was crip- pled by an accident and remained so throughout the remainder of his life. He died in Pennsylvania, leaving the following children: Robert, Thomas, William, James, George, Mary and Isabelle.
Robert Foster, father of our subject, was born in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, in 1796, and was a farmer and stock-raiser throughout life. He tried three times to enlist in the Union Army during the Civil War, but was rejected because of advanced age. In 1864, he accompanied his son to Kansas and took up the claim in Topeka township, Shawnee County, on which our subject and his son now reside. He lived there the remainder of his days, dying at the age of 70 years, one month and one day. He was married in Pennsylvania to Nancy Meyler, who was born at Utica, New York, and died on the home farm in Shawnee County at the age of 79 years. They reared the following children: Mary, deceased; Jane, deceased; Lov- ina, deceased; Nancy, of California; Lorinda, of Denver, Colorado; Free- man R .; Perry T., whose name heads this sketch; and Merriman, who was in the IIth Pennsylvania Regiment during the Civil War, serving for two years until discharged by reason of disability. Freeman R. Foster, who served in the same company and regiment as our subject during the Civil War, was a member of the Kansas Legislature two terms. He came to Shawnee County in 1854 and assisted in laying off the city of Topeka, in which he owned some 30 lots. His death resulted from an accident on his farm, caused by a team running away.
Perry T. Foster was reared on the home farm until he was 22 years of age, then came West in 1856, to Jefferson City, Missouri, by rail, thence
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by boat to Leavenworth, Kansas, and by team to the southwest quarter of section 24, township 12, range 15, in Topeka township, Shawnee County, which adjoins his present home. He built thereon a log house, II by II feet in dimensions, fenced the prairie and began its cultivation. There were still buffaloes in this country and he had the pleasure of a hunt in which he killed one of a herd. He continued farming and also engaged in the butcher busi- ness until the outbreak of the Civil War when he returned to his Eastern home, enlisting August 2, 1862, in Company B, 137th Reg., Pennsylvania Vol. Inf., under Capt. Dillon Walker and Colonel Bosworth. The regi- ment was attached to the Army of the Potomac, and Mr. Foster participated in engagements at South Mountain and Antietam. In the latter engage- ment while forming in line in double-quick time, he stepped into a dugout and injured his foot which has been crippled ever since, an injury very like the one sustained by his grandfather. He was sent home and was hon- orably discharged in February, 1863. He remained in Pennsylvania until 1864, and then, accompanied by his wife and his parents, he came West to his Kansas home, living in the cabin until the following winter, when he sold the property and moved to the claim taken up by his father. This has since been his home. He has erected a modern house for himself and one for his son, and has made all the improvements on the place.
In December, 1861, Mr. Foster married Lucinda Thompson, who was born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1841, and is a daughter of John and Betsy (Casler) Thompson, the former a native of Crawford County and the latter, of Utica, New York. Three children have been born to them: Robert J., who has four children,-Francis R., Ina, Estella and Marie; Alice, who married George Robinson, of Wabaunsee County, and has a daughter,-Myrtle; and Lena P., who married Paul E. Dallas, of Wabaunsee County, and has a daughter, Mabel, and a son not yet named. Mr. Foster is one of the substantial men of his community and has many friends of many years standing.
HERBERT HACKNEY.
HERBERT HACKNEY, president of The Topeka Milling Company, belongs to that body of progressive and far-sighted business men who have brought the great industries of the United States to almost absolute perfection. Mr. Hackney was born in England in 1850 and is a son of George and Martha (Jepson ) Hackney.
George Hackney, father of our subject, was born May 26, 1826, in
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Cheshire, England, and is a son of John and Hannah (Simm) Hackney. He is one of a family of 15 children and, as far as he has been able to trace, is the only survivor. He was educated in England as a mechancal engineer and was employed on the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway. In 1852 he came to America in the "Sarah Sands," which was the first screw steamer to cross the Atlantic. She was subsequently lost, burned while car- rying troops to Australia.
On April 5, 1848, George Hackney was married to Martha Jepson, who was born in Cheshire in 1827, and they had three children, the two survivors being Herbert, of this sketch, and Carrie Elizabeth, who is the wife of Clar- ence Skinner, of Topeka. Mr. and Mrs. Skinner have one daughter,-Addie. After coming to America, George Hackney lived for three years in New York City where he followed his trade, in 1855 removing to Milwaukee, and continuing to work as a mechanical engineer. From Wisconsin he moved to Topeka, Kansas, in 1877 and for 13 years had charge of the mechanical department of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway from Chicago to California. During his residence in Chicago, he was chairman of the com- mittee of three members which was appointed by the mayor of that city to study the subject of elevated railroad terminals. The committee was composed of practical men and they traveled all through the East and studied the sub- ject in all lights at different points. As a result, Chicago has one of the best elevated railroad terminal systems in the world. Mr. Hackney retired from active life in 1893 after years of work and responsibility.
George Hackney has the distinction of having built the first three loco- motives ever constructed in the State. The first one was named for Colonel Holliday, who was then president of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Rail- way Company; the second was named for C. C. Wheeler, general manager of the road, and the third for W. B. Strong, also at one time president of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company. In association with Levi Z. Leiter, P. G. Noel, George Lake and a fifth man, Mr. Hackney built the first roller mill in the State, which is now operated by our subject. Mr. Hackney is the only survivor of this body of business men.
During the winter seasons Mr. Hackney resides in Topeka, but his summers are spent on his finely improved farm of 15 acres in Highland Park. In a remarkable degree he retains his faculties and is a most interesting and entertaining host. Among the many treasures which his home contains is a picture which was painted by his only daughter, of an old church of Cheshire, England. It possesses great interest for him as the original dates back to the time of Cromwell and in it his father and mother were married and in its shadow they lie buried. It is known as Asbury Church. Near it he first met his wife and they were married there and the baptismal rite was there
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administered to Herbert Hackney, our subject. In 1854 Mr. Hackney was admitted to membership in the Masonic fraternity in New York and ever since he has performed the duties and lived up to the obligations of a Master Mason.
Herbert Hackney attended school in Wisconsin until he was 13 years old and was then apprenticed in a machine shop, where he remained until he had completed every detail of the work and was a finished machinist. In 1870, at the age of 28 years, he was manager of a large iron and steel plant at Youngstown, Ohio, of which Brown & Bonnell were proprietors. His prac- tical knowledge of iron and steel includes every part of the business from the mining of the iron ore to the finished product. At this time he managed 3,500 men, a fact indicative of the reliance placed in him by his employers. He has been connected with iron and steel manufacturing in Ohio, Illinois and Oregon and in Wisconsin. His experiences covered so wide a territory and his positions were of such responsibility that his knowledge of the business has been gained in the best and most complete way.
In 1887 he became assistant superintendent of the machinery department of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway and continued until 1892, since which time he has devoted his time and close attention to his present business. This enterprise known as The Topeka Milling Company, is operated by Hackney & Company, the officials being: Herbert Hackney, president and treasurer and George W. Hackney, his son, secretary and manager. The business of the company is the manufacture of the famous "Ralston Health Flour," "Ralston Health Pancake Flour," "Ralston Health Buckwheat Flour," "Blue Cross Health Breakfast Food" and "H. H." patent flour, pre- parations that through excellence of quality have found a market all over the world.
This mill was built in 1882 and it has a daily capacity of 650 barrels of flour, 1,000 barrels of corn meal and 18,000 packages of cereals. This institution employs eight travelling salesmen and the goods are shipped to all parts of the United States. In this line the products of The Topeka Milling Company are of the very highest class manufactured in the world, having absolutely no superior. Since Mr. Hackney and son have taken charge of this business, they have been vigorously pushing to the front as American manufacturers.
Mr. Hackley was married, first, in Milwaukee to May L. Todd, and they had two children : George W. and one deceased. Mr. Hackney was mar- ried, second, in Chicago to Anna S. Norton. He is a member of the Commer- cial Club of Topeka and has always been active in furthering the city's interests since he has located here.
George W. Hackney, junior member of the firm, was born in 1877 at
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Milwaukee. His education was received in the public schools and at North- western University, Evanston, Illinois. After leaving school, he was em- ployed by the World's Fair Company and then joined his father at Topeka. He is a practical business man, like his father and grandfather, and gives his undivided attention to the advancing of the interests of this large enterprise, thoroughly believing in the value of modern advertising. The offices of the company are situated on Jefferson street, while the mill property is on Adams street. It is thoroughly equipped with every kind of modern device and improved machinery that will contribute to the purity of the goods pro- duced so that they may be just what they are claimed to be-health foods.
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