USA > Kansas > Shawnee County > History of Shawnee County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 46
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
In 1877 he was selected by President Hayes as United States Minister to Chili, and he was commended by the government upon his diplomatic attitude during the troubles at the time of the Chili-Bolivia War. In 1881 he was honored anew by being appointed by President Garfield to the Brazilian mis- sion and during this period he cast credit upon his country by his tact and wisdom in assisting in securing peace between Chili, Peru and Bolivia, also receiving the public acknowledgments of the government of Chili in this connection. This important post our subject resigned in 1885 and again took up his residence at Topeka. Later he represented his district several times in the State Senate, but mainly devoted his time to looking after his large property interests, being connected with a number of successful enter- prises in other parts of the State.
In 1870, while a resident of Leavenworth, Governor Osborn was mar- ried to Julia Delahay, who was a daughter of Hon. M. W. Delahay, one of the early judges of the Federal Court. Their only child and son, Edward D. Osborn, was born in 1871 and, after a thorough preparation for the legal profession, was admitted to the bar in 1895. He is one of the prominent mem- bers of the Kansas bar, in practice at Topeka, being a member of the well- known law firm of Harvey & Osborn. For a number of years the delicate state of Mrs. Osborn's health demanded a change of climate, and to prolong a tender and beautiful companionship travels were made in many lands. The frail life ended in 1892.
The death of Governor Osborn came, perhaps, just as he would have chosen, among the associations of his youth, where silently he had builded
576
HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
future hopes which it is possible scarcely reached to the heights of the reality. His personal friends were numbered by the score, his genial nature and abso- lute sincerity endearing many to him through his whole career. He rests in an honored tomb in the capital city of Kansas.
REV. NORMAN PLASS, D. D.
REV. NORMAN PLASS, D. D., president of Washburn College, Topeka,. was born at Claverach, New York, May 4. 1860. His father, who died in 1889, was Gilbert Plass, an extensive land-owner in Columbia County, New York. His mother, who is still living at Hudson, New York, was Mary (Benedict) Plass, of New England descent. The name was originally Van der Plasse, and the family belonged to the nobility of Holland. Among the ancestors are Martin Van der Plasse, the Dutch artist, and Dinghen Van der Plasse, who fled to England among the Protestant refugees, and introduced starching into that country at a time when the English greatly admired the white and stiff garments of the Dutch, but did not know how to produce them. The first settlers of the name came to New Amsterdam, now New York City, in 1673.
Dr. Plass was married June 18, 1884, to Jessie Charlotte Wheeler, of Williamstown, Massachusetts, who is a lineal descendant of Rev. Peter Bulke- ley, founder of Concord, Massachusetts, and from Rev. Charles Chauncey, D. D., second president of Harvard College. They have had four children : Harold, born July 16. 1889, who died in 1896; Helen Mary, born December 18, 1892; Raymond Benedict, born February 1, 1898; and Katharine, born May 21, 1904.
Dr. Plass was prepared for college at the Hudson Academy, Hudson, New York, from which he entered Williams College in the autumn of 1878, and graduated in the spring of 1882, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Among his instructors at Williams were Mark Hopkins, the famous educator, and G. Stanley Hall, now president of Clark University. In the autumn of 1882 he entered Yale University, where he pursued courses in the Divinity School and in other departments. In 1886, he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. In 1885, in recognition of scholarly work accom- plished since graduation, he received at Williams College the degree of Mas- ter of Arts. He was further honored by Williams, at the commencement of 1904. by having conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity.
Dr. Plass was ordained to the Christian ministry in 1886. He has held
577
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
pastorates, in the Reformed (Dutch) Church, at Schodach, New York ; and in the Congregational Church at Detroit, Michigan; Lincoln, Nebraska; Medina and Cincinnati, Ohio; and Barrington, Rhode Island. He has also been State superintendent of the Rhode Island Anti-Saloon League, and was superin- tendent of the Anti-Saloon League of Greater New York, and assistant State superintendent from 1897 to 1899. In the year 1900, he was in the field for the national Congregational Home Missionary Society.
In the autumn of 1901 he was elected professor of Theism and Christian Evidences, and Financial Agent, of Washburn College, Topeka. The fol- lowing commencement he was elected to the Presidency of the college, in which position he has since continued to serve. Under his administration the college has greatly prospered. (See article on Washburn College).
Dr. Plass is a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity; The American Eco- nomic Association; the American Academy of Political and Social Science; the National Economic League; the Constitutional League of the United States ; the National Geographical Society ; is a counsellor of the Evangelical Alliance of the United States, and a member of the Kansas Academy of Sci- ence, and the Commercial and Fortnightly clubs of Topeka.
He is the author of two volumes, published by Revell-"Buds that Bloom on Bonnier Banks," in 1900; and "How Christmas was Kept in Heaven," in 1902.
A. W. SHERER.
A. W. SHERER, who has been connected for some years with the auditing office of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company at Topeka, has been a resident of the State since the age of seven years. He was born in Strafford County, New Hampshire, September 20, 1878, and is a son of Charles G. and Flora A. (Craig) Sherer.
Mr. Sherer comes of Revolutionary stock on the maternal side, and his grandmother Craig, who resides with her daughter, Mrs. Charles G. Sherer, is a cousin to one of the noted military men of that day. Charles G. Sherer was born April 30, 1845, in Deering, New Hampshire, and was educated in the schools of that locality. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he determined, although opposed by his parents, to become a soldier, and finally became a member of Company D, Seventh Reg., New Hampshire Vol. Cav., in which he served from 1861 to 1863, taking part as a member of this regiment in the famous Wilson raid. In the spring of 1864 he reenlisted in Company C. First Reg., New Hampshire Vol. Cav., and served until the close of the
578
HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
war, being honorably discharged July 12, 1865. His father, who was also in the service, died of ship fever and was buried at sea.
After the close of the war, Charles G. Sherer returned to New Hamp- shire and learned the carpenter's trade and then spent one season in New Mexico in the employ of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company. In 1886 he came to Topeka and joined his family, who were established at Oakland, and continued to work at his trade. He has served in office in Topeka, having been street commissioner and road overseer under Mayor Bing- ham. He is a member of Topeka Post, No. 71, G. A. R. of which he is past commander, and is also a member of the Sons of Veterans and of the Knights and Ladies of Security. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
On June 11, 1873, in Lowell, Massachusetts, Charles G. Sherer was. married to Flora A. Craig, and they have had four sons, three of whom still survive : A. W., Frank G. and Albert. Frank G. is a veteran of the Spanish- American War. He served in Troop B, 15th United States Cavalry, in the Philippine Islands for two years, being then discharged on account of dis- ability.
In 1886 A. W. Sherer came to Kansas with his mother and maternal grandmother. After completing a good common-school education, he re- ceived a certificate from the Oakland School, being then about 14 years old. For a time he worked in a nursery and then in a grocery adjacent to the woolen mill in Oakland. On May 15, 1898, he entered the employ of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company, in the passenger depart- ment ; beginning as ticket boy in the auditor's office, he has climbed to his present position through his own efforts. He has always been interested in military matters and has served seven years in the Kansas National Guard, entering as a private and now ranking as chief musician and quartermaster sergeant in the local company. He has the honor of being division com- mander of the Sons of Veterans of the Division of Kansas. He is eligible to membership in the Sons of the American Revolution. His fraternal con- nections include membership in Orient Lodge, No. 51, A. F. & A. M .; the Knights and Ladies of Security; Calla Division, No. 8, Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias; and Modern Woodmen of America, in which he has served as assistant chief forester under Chief Forester L. N. Penwell, of Topeka. He has served as assistant marshal of Oakland under Deputy Sheriff Wilson and Sheriff Lucas.
Mr. Sherer was married December 25, 1901, to Marie Belle Duree, of Shawnee County, and they have a bright little daughter of eight months bearing the name of Frances Arvilla, named for her paternal great-grand- mother and grandmother and her maternal grandmother. Mr. Sherer is pre-
579
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
paring a very cosy home at Oakland where he has lately invested in some very desirable property and now owns some six lots in the town, including a fine orchard.
Mr. Sherer is one of the active Republicans of Topeka and does his full share in furthering the interests of the party in Oakland. Both he and his wife belong to the Presbyterian Church.
VERY REV. FRANCIS M. HAYDEN.
VERY REV. FRANCIS M. HAYDEN, rector of the Church of the Assump- tion, of Topeka, is one of the city's representative men and one of the most able, intellectual and courtly members of the Roman Catholic clergy in the State of Kansas. Father Hayden was born at Roscommon, County Roscom- mon, Ireland, November 3, 1852.
His early education was pursued with the idea of his dedication to the church, and after coming to America, in 1869, his studies were continued with this end in view. After his graduation, with high honors, at the Semi- nary of St. Vincent, at Latrobe, Pennsylvania, he was ordained priest at St. Michael's Seminary, at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, by Rt. Rev. Bishop Domenec on May 17, 1875.
Father Hayden's work has been almost entirely confined to Kansas. The annals of the development of this great State would be incomplete indeed, without extended mention being made of the great work done by the faithful, persevering Catholic clergy, and among these the esteemed subject of this review must take a prominent place. His first charge was at Leavenworth, and then the young priest came on his first mission to Topeka. Young, zeal- ous and self-sacrificing, he next accepted the little Catholic mission at Solo- mon City, in Dickinson County, a center at that time for a large territory of scattered Catholic families. When he parted from this congregation, it was no longer counted a mission, for his vigorous labors had resulted in the build- ing of a fine church edifice and the cementing of bonds which make it a happy and prosperous parish. His four years of arduous but successful work at Kansas City, where he established St. Bridget's parish, opened the way for his transference to the deanery of Topeka, in 1887.
Here Father Haden entered upon congenial work. He faced debt and parish difficulties of various kinds but these only aroused his latent energies and his strong guiding hand was soon evident in the progress made here, both materially and spiritually. His school, under the charge of the Sisters of Charity, has been considered so highly educational that many careful parents,
580
HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
outside the Catholic Church, have selected it in preference to others as a splendid institution in which to have their children fitted for High School.
On May 17, 1900, a notable event took place in the church of which Father Hayden is pastor, this being the celebration of his sacerdotal "Silver Jubilee." It was an event which will never pass from the minds of those who were permitted to take part in it. While high dignitaries of the church as- sisted in the exercises and rich gifts were presented, Father Hayden's heart was most touched by the love and esteem shown him not only by those to whom he had so faithfully ministered, but by those who were not of his relig- ious faith but who honored him as a noble man.
Father Hayden's worth and work will stand for years as his monument. His life, that of a true, cultured Christian gentleman, has not been lived in vain. The material progress he has inaugurated has been remarkable, but none can adequately tell of the influence exerted by the high standards he has held and the Christian example he has set. A father to his people, a priest and all that is priestly, he is broad-minded enough and tender-hearted enough to extend his loving care and interest to all who need it.
ALBERT NEESE.
ALBERT NEESE, one of the leading citizens of Richland, merchant and banker and the owner of much valuable city property, was born in Cham- paign County, Ohio, February 21, 1860, and is a son of David and Mary E. (Hullinger) Neese.
The parents of Mr. Neese, who now reside at Richland, were also natives of Ohio. They had these children : Albert, of this review; Frank, who died in Colorado, in 1896, aged 37 years; Laura, who is the wife of P. D. C. Vannice, of Richland; and a child who died at the age of six years.
Mr. Neese came to Monmouth township, Shawnee County, with his parents when 12 years of age and worked on the farm until he was 18 and then kept books for the Lawrence Plow Company, of Lawrence, for three years, during which period he was a stockholder in the company. After with- drawing, he came to Richland, in 1882, and started into the mercantile busi- ness with his brother Frank. The latter's health gave way and he went to Colorado, since which time our subject has continued alone, operating the largest store in the county outside Topeka. He also conducts one of the 20 private banks in the State, having operated it for 20 years, starting before the present banking laws were passed. On March 1, 1905, the capital of his bank was increased to $10,000. He owns a great deal of city real estate, in-
ROSWELL L. COFRAN
583
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
cluding a hotel and business blocks and is one of the dominating factors of the town, enterprising, progressive and prosperous.
Mr. Nesse was married in September, 1894, to Ella Sullivan, who was born in Douglas County, Kansas, and is a daughter of John and Ann Sullivan. They have two children : Helen and Georgia.
Mr. Neese takes only a local interest in politics, voting the Democratic ticket. He is a Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge at Overbrook, the Com- mandery at Topeka and the Shrine at Leavenworth.
ROSWELL L. COFRAN.
ROSWELL L. COFRAN, thrice honored by election to the highest municipal office in Topeka, is one of the city's leading business men and for years has been closely identified with the city's advancement and commercial pros- perity. Mr. Cofran was born in 1845, at Wheelock, Vermont, and is a son of John and Nancy (Hoyt) Cofran.
Mr. Cofran's life until the opening of the Civil War, in 1861, was spent mainly in securing an education, his studies including academic and univer- sity courses. Although but a youth, he entertained such loyal sentiments that when the Sixth Vermont Regiment was formed, he enlisted as a mem- ber of one of its companies, in which he was promoted to be a corporal, and gave his services all through the struggle until 1863.
In 1870 Mr. Cofran first became a resident of Topeka. His natural inclinations led him to learn the trade of machinist and he was employed for six years in this city in the Topeka Foundry (now known as the Western Foundry). Mr. Cofran showed a natural aptitude for such work and his close application to his duties and ready comprehension of the details of this line of industry soon gave him a just reputation as a careful and reliable workman. In 1876 he became the proprietor of the Western Foundry, since which time the success of this plant has been assured. In connection with the foundry, he owns a large machine shop which is thoroughly equipped with modern machinery, and a blacksmith shop and a brass foundry. The trade of this large concern extends all over the West and Southwest and even into Mexico.
In addition to managing this important and constantly expanding busi- ness, Mr. Cofran has been very prominently identified with political affairs here and is an acknowledged Democratic leader. In 1885 he was elected mayor of Topeka for a term of two years, in 1889 he was reelected mayor and again
584
HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
in 1891. Each time his opponent was Hon. D. C. Metsker, who was elected to the office in 1887 but was defeated two years later by Mr. Cofran.
In 1881 Mr. Cofran was married to Caroline Fritchie, of Topeka, and they have two daughters and one son, namely: Grace, Maud and Roswell L., Jr., all living at home. Mr. Cofran belongs to the Masons and has taken all the degrees up to and including the 32nd. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., B. P. O. E. and K. P. His portrait accompanies this sketch.
HON. DEWITT C. NELLIS.
HON. DEWITT C. NELLIS, for many years a very prominent member of the bar in Kansas and at one time judge of the 17th Judicial District, is now retired from professional work.
Mr. Nellis was born January 2, 1849, at the family home in Mont- gomery County, New York, and comes of a family of seven known genera- tions as follows : William Nellis, born in 1688; Andrew Nellis, born in 1715; Philip Nellis, born in 1746; Peter Philip, born in 1783; James, born in 1816; Dewitt C. Nellis, born in 1849; and Luther McAfee Nellis, son of our sub- ject, born in 1875. Among the Palatines who first emigrated from their German homes to New York were Christian, William and Johannis Nellis, all members of the Lutheran Church, and from them are descended all of the Nellis family in America at the present time.
Philip Nellis, great-grandfather of our subject, was born December I, 1746, in New York State. He married Elizabeth Dietz, who was born in the province of Cherry Valley, New York, June 10, 1752, and was of Palatine parentage. After marriage they located in the township of Manheim, within the present limits of Herkimer County, New York. During the Revolution- ary War, Philip Nellis served in the Continental Army as a minute man in what was called the Palatine Regiment, which in the battle of Oriskany, August 6, 1777, sustained the loss of many brave men and officers, and in which General Herkimer was mortally wounded. Mr. Nellis received a bullet wound in his left shoulder which made him a partial cripple the remainder of his life. He was in the battle of Saratoga, September 19, 1777, and in other important engagements during the remainder of the war. He also was with a company organized for repelling Indian incursions of the Mohawk Valley, and was detailed for a short time on duty on the Hudson River. He was one of the boatmen to convey General Washington across the Hudson at a time when the army was suffering greatly by reason of the scarcity of food supplies. It was in the night time and the light from the torch used in
585
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
the boat attracted a large sturgeon, weiging about 20 pounds, which flopped into the boat by accident as it threw itself about in the water. The General looked at it calmly and smiled, seeming to regard it as a good omen for the supplying of food to his soldiers. After landing, the fish was quickly prepared and cooked and was as quickly eaten by the hungry soldiers. Philip Nellis and his wife, with the five children who were then born, were driven from their home at the burning of Palatine Church Settlement by the Indians, who plundered the valley and destroyed everything except the Palatine Church, every vestage of the personal property of the pioneers being burned or carried away. This old stone church in Palatine township, built in 1770, was one of very few buildings that escaped burning by the Indians of John Johnson's army during this raid of October 19, 1780. It stands on the border of the road over which the invading army moved. For generations it was an un- solved question why it escaped burning. Some 20 years ago visitors from Canada, bearing the name of Nellis, visited relatives near St. Johns- ville, Montgomery County, New York, and from them it was learned that the church was protected by a British officer, who had prom- ised his friend, Henry Nellis, that no harm should come to it. Henry Nellis who was the wealthiest of the Mohawk Valley Palatines, had contributed toward the erection of the church. At the outbreak of the Revolution, he went to the place now known as Brantford, in Ontario, Canada, while five of his brothers served in the patriot army. The Palatine Church is still standing and used for worship. Philip Nellis and his family later returned and erected a new home at Stone Arabia in the township of Palatine, and there lived the remainder of their lives, Mr. Nellis dying in November, 1818, at the home of his son, Peter Philip, and Mrs. Nellis on January 12, 1825, at the age of 72 years and seven months. They were parents of II children.
Peter Philip Nellis, the grandfather of our subject, was the seventh child of his parents and was born September 17, 1783, in the new home . erected after the Indian invasion. At the age of five years he began attend- ing a German school in Palatine township, Montgomery County, New York, and for four years studied in the German language, which his parents used exclusively during their lives. At the age of nine he entered an English school and by the time he was 15 had well mastered both languages. At that age he was confirmed a member of the Palatine Lutheran Church. On January 25, 1806, he married Margaret Spraker, one of a family of 10 girls and one boy born to her parents. She was a daughter of John Spraker, and a grand- daughter of George Spraker. In 1808, accompanied by his parents and his own family, Peter Philip Nellis moved to Herkimer County, New York, locating in Fairfield township. In 1835 he again moved back to Montgomery County (25 miles) and bought his father-in-law's farm "Oswegatchie," where the
586
HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
Nellis family still claims its headquarters. He died November 11, 1872, aged 89 years, one month and 25 days, and his wife died January 25, 1864, at the age of 80 years. They had lived together as man and wife for more than 60 years.
James Nellis, father of our subject was born in Fairfield township, Herki- mer County, New York, April 2, 1816, in the house built by his father in 1808. He received a good education and was a man of accomplishments, be- ing an especially fine singer. He was married January 25, 1842, to Mary Magdalene Van Wirt, who was one of the finest soprano singers of her time in that section of the State. She was born in 1821, and was a daughter of Daniel Van Wirt, son of Christian Van Wirt, who was born in 1770. The latter was married December 4. 1790, to Magdalene Van Gochnat, a daughter of John Eberhardt Van Gochnat, who resided three miles west of Johnstown, New York. Christian Van Wirt was one of the board of trustees of the Lutheran Church at Johnstown, when it was incorporated December 16, 1810. He died March 26, 1847, and his wife died on June 7th of the same year. James Nellis and his wife became parents of nine children. Mrs. Nellis died March 20, 1886, aged 64 years, eight months and II days, and was survived about two years by her husband, who died February 24, 1888, aged 71 years, 10 months and 22 days. Both were devout Christians and active members of the Lutheran Church at Palatine, New York.
Dewitt C. Nellis was reared in his native county, and attended the Oswegatchie school until he arrived at the age of 15 years, then passed the regents' examination and began an academic course at Canajoharie Academy. He spent seven years at that institution and at Fairfield Collegiate Institute. At the age of 19 years, he began teaching school at Ford's Bush, New York, and taught there for three years in the school at Stone Arabia. He read law for six months with Colonel Spraker at Canajoharie, and on July 31, 1871, started for Kansas. He taught school here and pursued the study of the law at Topeka two years, being admitted to the bar on February 21, 1873. He had read law in the office of Martin, Burns & Case, prominent members of the bar, and was well equipped to enter upon his professional career. Prior to his admission to the bar, during the winter of 1872-73, he taught school at 'Tecumseh for a term of four months. On April 26, 1873, he was appointed county attorney of Ellis County, Kansas, having moved to Hays, on March 6th of that year. He was elected to that office four successive terms, serving in all for a period of eight years. He became a member of the English Lutheran Church at Topeka, April 7, 1872, and for two years was a scholar and teacher in its Sabbath-school. At Hays he assisted in the organization of the Congregational Church in 1873, and two years later, when the field was practically abandoned to the Presbyterians by this church, Mr. Nellis became
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.