USA > Kansas > Shawnee County > History of Shawnee County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 50
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The parents of Professor Popenoe were born in Ohio and resided there until 1861, when they removed to a farm near Bloomington, Illinois. Four of
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their family of six children grew to maturity, viz : E. A., of this sketch; Lucy, who resides with her parents; Fred O., a business citizen of Topeka; and Willis P., Jr., who died of yellow fever in Mexico in 1894. The last named, who was a well-known resident of Topeka, was superintendent of the State Agricultural Fair one year and was secretary of the Kansas Horse Breeders' Association.
The subject of this sketch grew up on his father's farm and possibly this very fact explains the deep interest he has always evinced in everything pertaining to agriculture and the success he has attained in his scientific inves- tigations. In 1869 he came to Topeka and in 1870 he entered Washburn Col- lege, where he pursued his studies until he was graduated in 1876, and then entered the educational field as a teacher and continued as such in Topeka, being principal of the Quincy and later of the Harrison School, until Septent- ber, 1879, when he was elected to the chair of botany and horticulture in the State Agricultural College at Manhattan. Owing to the unprecedented growth of the school, he later divided his labors and had in charge horticulture and entomology. In 1894 he took his present position. His work has been 'of the greatest importance to the State and he, possibly more than any other man in Kansas, has demonstrated that to be a true agriculturist one must also be considerable of a scientist. He has been a member of the State Board of Agriculture ever since 1876, with the exception of two years when he was not in political sympathy with the State administration. Since 1888 he has been manager of the State Experimental Station of entomology. For 10 years he has filled the office of secretary of the Kansas Academy of Science, of which he was president one year. He is a life member of the State Horti- cultural Association, a member of the American Pomological Society, of the American Association of Economic Entomologists, of Washington, D. C., and of the Entomological Society.
Professor Popenoe is very well known through Kansas, having visited nearly all the counties on lecturing and investigating tours. He is familiar with the State's natural resources, climatic conditions and social features. During a long season, when he served as State inspector of nurseries, his contributions to the various agricultural and horticultural journals laid the foundation for various legislative measures. He owns a fine farm of 187 acres in section 14, township 12, range 15, in Topeka township, where he him- self broke some of the land and planted extensive orchards. He conducts the estate mainly as a dairy farm. It is an ideal rural home and came into his possession in 1899. Here he has a fine chance to carry on his experiments, watch the growth of his herd of Jersey and Shorthorn cattle, and enjoy the treasures of a magnificent library of more than 2,000 volumes, made up of all that is best in literature and in science. He has probably the finest herbarium
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and choicest collection of insects indigenous to Kansas, to be found in the State.
Professor Popenoe was married in 1883 to Carrie G. Holcomb, who. was born at Decatur, Illinois, and is a daughter of Myron and Dorcas C. (Winchell) Holcomb. Four sons have been born to them: Charles H., a student at the State Agricultural College; Herbert L., a student at Washburn. Academy ; Edwin A., Jr., preparing to enter Washburn; and Willis Parker, a lad of seven years.
Politically, Prefossor Popenoe is identified with the Republican party in. which he is as active as is consistent with his public duties. Fraternally, he is a Mason and is master of Lafayette Lodge, of Manhattan, Kansas. He is an. enthusiast in his work and has brought honor upon his name and State through the vast extent and the thorough accuracy of his scientific researches.
GEORGE O. WILMARTH.
GEORGE O. WILMARTH,* chief of the Fire Department of Topeka, is one of the pioneers of this city, where he has resided since 1859, and is the second oldest fire chief in the United States at the present time. He is one of the city's most popular and efficient public servants, and has speaking acquaintance with more of the citizens, possibly, than has any other man.
Mr. Wilmarth was one of two children born to Otis and Julia Wilmarth. He was born April 23, 1843, in Rhode Island, where he was reared and received a good education in the public schools. In his native State he engaged in the mercantile business for a number of years, and in 1859 he came West to. Topeka, Kansas. Here he engaged in the mercantile business until 1872, when he was made chief of the Fire Department, a position he has since filled. At that time the department was small and its work inefficient. He has de- voted the best years of his life to developing a fire department of which the city may well feel proud. His efforts have been appreciated and he to-day occupies an enviable position in the public esteem. He has four engine houses and a force of 39 men under his charge. He has made a thorough study of the fire systems of the various cities of the country, and has been quick to suggest such improvements as were desirable, with the result that Topeka has the best service of any city in the State. Mr. Wilmarth is the second oldest chief in the United States, the oldest being Thomas O'Connor, of New Or- leans. Louisiana.
Our subject was married to Mary A. Starkey and they have a son, Charles B., a successful fruit-grower of California. Mr. Wilmarth is a member of
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the Masonic order ; Knights of Pythias; Odd Fellows; Red Men; and United Workmen. In politics, he is a stanch Republican. He and his wife are mem- bers of the First Congregational Church, and reside at No. 1101 Eighth avenue.
HON. JOSEPH REED.
HON. JOSEPH REED,* one of the best known citizens and most popular public officials of Topeka, who has with dignity and efficiency filled many hon- orable offices, was born at Portland, Maine, December 10, 1848, and is a son . of Joseph and Catherine J. (Webster) Reed.
The Reed family is one not unknown to fame in the United States, many of its members having attained prominence in various walks of life. Our sub- ject has every reason to feel proud of belonging to that branch of the family which produced one of Maine's most exalted and disinterested statesmen, the late Hon. Thomas B. Reed, his cousin and intimate personal friend. The parents of Judge Reed were both born in Maine and the father conducted a real estate office at one location in the city of Portland for 47 years. The mother died in 1861, survived by the father for 20 years. The three surviv- ing brothers of Judge Reed are all prominent and successful men in their different localities: John B., a broker and capitalist at Portland, Maine; George W., a journalist of Topeka ; and Thomas T., who is in the real estate business at St. Louis.
Joseph Reed was reared in the quiet old city of Portland and was given a liberal and thorough education in the schools there. He read law under the .. direction of Albert Merrill, of Portland, and was admitted to practice in June, 1871. Late in the same year he visited Jewell City, Kansas, but pros- pects did not seem bright enough to induce him to locate there and he re- turned East as far as Chicago, reaching that city in 1871 on the day before what was then the greatest conflagration of modern times had laid the city in ashes and prostrated every business. He remained there, however, until 1878, when he returned to Kansas and settled at Topeka where he has con- tinued in the practice of his profession ever since.
The young lawyer was not averse to entering into politics, his family being rather noted successes in that line, and he was soon elected a justice of the peace, an office lie held for nine years. From 1887 to . 1889 he was assistant city attorney and in 1888 he was elected police judge, an office he filled for 11 months. On March 9. 1889, he was appointed com- missioner of elections, an office he held until a Populist Governor was elected, when he was succeeded by Frank Harrold. He served also as assistant city
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attorney for one year and as deputy county attorney for the same length of time. His private practice has been along all reputable lines and he stands high with his professional brethren both in city and county.
Judge Reed has been twice married, first on December 14, 1872, to Almira Toops, who is a daughter of Charles and Serepta Toops. They had five children, viz: Joseph, Jr., an engineer on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway; Edna Ione, wife of William T. Dawson, a prominent farmer of Oakland, Kansas; Corliss, a railroad engineer in Chicago; Roscoe, a me- chanic in Topeka; and Catherine A., an accomplished musician and teacher of music in this city. The mother of this family died October 19, 1889. In March, 1901, Judge Reed was married to Mary Nina Reid, of Topeka, who is a daughter of John and Mary E. Reid, the latter of whom was once matron of the State Penitentiary at Sing Sing, New York, and the former peniten- tiary commissioner of Illinois. One son has been born to this second mar- riage, Thomas B., a manly youth of 13 years. The only grandchild that Judge Reed has is little Estella Irene Dawson, only child of his eldest daugh- ter. Judge Reed and family occupy a very pleasant home at No. 1936 Kan- sas avenue, Topeka.
For many years Judge Reed has been a Mason, and is a member of Orient Lodge, No. 51, A. F. & A. M., of Topeka, and belongs also to Shaw- nee Lodge, No. I, I. O. O. F .; Knights of Pythias; and Capitol Lodge, No. 3, Ancient Order of United Workmen.
JAMES HAYES.
JAMES HAYES,* one of the leaders among the florists of Topeka, a pio- neer in the business and the proprietor of several first-class greenhouses, was born February 2, 1847, in the North of Ireland. John Hayes, his father, was a gardener by profession, and he and his wife passed their lives in Ireland.
Our subject is one of a family of eight children, four of whom reached maturity and two still survive, viz: James, our subject; and John, who is gardener for O. D. Munn, proprietor of the Scientific American, and the owner of a very large estate. One sister, Mary, left a daughter, Rebecca and a son, formerly in the greenhouse business, who is now in the employ of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company.
James Hayes attended school until about 15 years of age, since which time he has been more or less connected with his present line. He grew up under his father's tuition as a gardener and then was apprenticed for seven years, afterward spending three years as private gardener for a nobleman
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on the latter's large estate in Ireland. After leaving his own country, he spent two years in England and then came to America, making the passage on the vessel "Palmyra." It was a strange coincidence that the lady whom he . afterward married also crossed the ocean on that vessel, although they did not become acquainted until at a later date, at Boston, Massachusetts. The year following Mr. Hayes' marriage in Boston, he moved with his wife to Hoosick Falls, New York, where he worked as a private gardener until 1884, and then removed to Greenwich, Connecticut, and from there in. 1886 to Baltimore, Maryland.
The spring of 1887 was a particularly depressing and backward one in Baltimore and the city in its March slush and mud presented anything but an attractive appearance to one who delighted in beautiful landscapes. On the . Ioth of the month, when he reached the "Sunflower" State, and in the rapid train was rolled swiftly into the city of Topeka, his wearied eyes were greeted by bright, warm sunshine and a balmy air was blowing over the blooming peach trees. His heart warmed to Topeka and an interest was aroused which has never left him and which resulted in the establishing here of his extensive business. It was founded with a capital of $3,000. A purchase of two acres was first made, to which he has added until he owns seven acres of very valu- able land. He started in with two houses but now owns several more, located about a quarter of a mile from Washburn College. Where his beautiful home and his greenhouses now stand was a stretch of virgin prairie. At that time one could drive from his place in a direct line to the Capitol Building, while now the intervention of streets and avenues make it much longer. All these changes have come under his own eye and many of the improvements in this section have been the result of his public spirit and business enterprise.
Mr. Hayes has two greenhouses 75 by 18 feet in dimensions, which are utilized exclusively for carnations, and also another, 120 by 12, for carnations, but at the present writing (April, 1905) it is filled with bedding plants and lace ferns. This house was constructed for roses, but Mr. Hayes has since added another house, 120 by 21, exclusively for roses, during their season, at a cost of $1,500, its equipment being modern and complete. There are 12 . runs of four-inch pipe, which cost 18 cents a foot ; air pressure is used to keep the plants clean, the air tank being three feet under the surface, and he operates his own system of water-works. Another greenhouse 75 by 12 feet in dimen- sions he uses for smilax and lace ferns and has also established a reputation for growing American Beauty roses. He makes a specialty of roses and car- nations, but has also a collection of all other greenhouse flowers and is ready on all important occasions to supply quantities to meet every demand. The beautiful floral decorations used on the occasion of the inauguration of Gov- ernor Hoch and which aroused such universal tributes of admiration, were .
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supplied by Mr. Hayes. He also supplies the flowers for funeral decorating, a notable example being the obsequies of Senator Plumb, whose body lay in state at the capitol. The business is conducted both wholesale and retail, the latter department at No. 107 Eighth avenue being managed by the son of ยท our subject, who is also a practical florist.
Mr. Hayes was married, as noted above, to Mary Stevenson, who was born in Ireland, and they have three children: Mary, Walter and James. Mary is the wife of Benton Holloway and resides very near her maiden- hood home. Walter manages the retail business; James, Jr., also assists, both sons being interested in only less degree than the father. Mr. Hayes no longer does any of the hard work, but still oversees and advises, enjoying the beau- tiful results of his care and patience as much as he did in boyhood. The busi- ness has expanded to great proportions and is one of the most commendable industries of Topeka.
Mr. Hayes has been prominent in Masonry for many years, is a Knight Templar and has received the 32nd degree. Mrs. Hayes is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and of the Triple Tie Benefit Association. Mr. Hayes belongs also to the Elks, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and to the Knights and Ladies of Security. Both he and his wife belong to the Protestant Episcopal Church.
When Mr. and Mrs. Hayes first settled in Topeka, they accommodated themselves in a four-room house. This gave way to a comfortable modern home but the latter was destroyed by fire in 1896. A small amount of insur- ance was realized and Mr. Hayes immediately rebuilt, erecting one of the finest homes in Topeka, which is not only notable on account of its attractive- ness, but also for its solid comfort. Few homes west of College avenue can compare with it. Personally, Mr. Hayes is of genial presence and hearty manner, has a wide circle of warm friends and admirers and is entitled to all the good things which life can yet bring him.
GASPER CHRISTOPHER CLEMENS.
GASPER CHRISTOPHER CLEMENS,* who occupies a leading position as a member of the Topeka bar, is a notable example of the self-made man. He was born April 23, 1849, at Xenia, Ohio, and is a son of William E. and Eliza J. (Barnes) Clemens.
The father of Mr. Clemens was born in Virginia, and the mother in Kentucky, the latter being a daughter of Henry Barnes, who was a lieutenant .of dragoons in the War of 1812. William E. Barnes was a pioneer in Ohio,
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where he was first a farmer and latterly a merchant. Both he and wife were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Family misfortunes brought about conditions which threw life's responsi- bilities upon our subject when he was a lad of 13 years. With only a rudimen- tary education, but with a far-reaching purpose to attain success, the child took up his burden, working at first as a laborer in a brick-yard during the day-time and spending his evenings in study. He thus mastered the English common branches, unaided and alone and, still ambitious, secured for himself an enviable classical education.
In 1886 he began teaching a country school and in the following year took up the study of the law, providing for his necessities by continued teach- ing, and on January 5, 1869, he was admitted to practice by the Superior Court of Ohio. He practiced in his native city for a period of 14 months, but March, 1870, found him established at Topeka. Here he at once entered upon a successful and lucrative practice which he has maintained and increased up to the present time. That all of his energies have not been devoted to the practice of his profession was demonstrated by the issuance of a valuable work published in 1877, which is entitled "Corporate Securities," the only work on that subject extant. It has been most favorably received by the best law authorities of the country and has met with a heavy sale. It was favorably reviewed by law publications, meeting hearty commendation from the Ameri- can Lare Review and the Chicago Legal News, the standard journals of law.
Mr. Clemens has not sought political favor, his tastes being literary and professional. The deep scholarship which he possesses he has secured by his own efforts, but in addition to this he combines the practical qualtities and the professional ability which have brought him ample success and a large measure of public esteem.
MYRON HOLCOMB.
MYRON HOLCOMB,* a well-known citizen of Shawnee County, who has been superintendent of the large farm of his son-in-law, Professor E. A. Popenoe of the State Agricultural College, for the past six years, is also a survivor of the great Civil War. Mr. Holcomb was born in Greene County, Ohio, April 27, 1829, and is a son of Alonzo and Lucy (Morgan) Holcomb.
Mr. Holcomb's ancestors came from Wales and settled in New England at a very early period. The family has been one noted for its loyalty and patriotism. James Holcomb, the grandfather, fought through the Revolu- tion, and the same spirit led our subject and other members of his family to offer their lives and services in 1861-65. Alonzo and Lucy (Morgan) Hol-
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comb had seven children, namely : Irene, deceased; Malinda, of Shawnee. County ; Zanthus, deceased; Myron, of this sketch; Ludolphus, member of a battery of artillery from Illinois in the Civil War, now in a soldiers' home in that Stae; Henry C., of San Francisco; and Cornelia, of Topeka.
Our subject was 18 months old when his parents removed to Sangamon County, Illinois, and he was reared there on a farm until he was 24 years of age, when he went to Macon County, in the same State. In 1862 he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company E, 116th Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf., under Capt. Lewis J. Eyman and Colonel Tupper. The regiment was. sent to the Army of the Tennessee and saw hard service. Mr. Holcomb par- ticipated in the battles of Arkansas Post, siege of Vicksburg and the Atlanta campaign. After a furlough of 60 days, he rejoined his regiment at Raleigh, North Carolina, took part in the triumphant review at Washington, D. C., and was honorably discharged after almost three years of soldierly service. His record shows that on all occasions he proved himself obedient, cheerful and brave.
After the close of his army life, Mr. Holcomb went to McLean County, Illinois, where he worked at the carpenter's trade until 1869 and then moved with his family to Topeka. Here he continued work at his trade, entered later. into contracting and building and prospered in a material way. For the past six years he has been superintendent of Professor Popenoe's large estate, the duties of the latter making his continued residence impossible. This farm consists of 187 acres and is mainly devoted to dairying, although not exclu- sively so. Under Mr. Holcomb's careful supervision, every department of the farm is fully developed.
In 1852 Mr. Holcomb was married to Dorcas C. Winchell, who was born in Franklin County, New York, January 8, 1828, and is a daughter of Elijah. and Dorcas Winchell. They have four children, viz: O. A., of Topeka, whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume; Carrie G., wife of Pro- fessor Popenoe; Elizabeth, wife of Benjamin Ost, of Los Angeles, California ; and Mina E., wife of E. G. Miner, of Topeka.
Mr. Holcomb is one of the old and stanch Republicans, voting first for the Know Nothing candidates in the early days, but ever since steadfastly upholding Republican principles. He has never accepted political office, but has always done the full duty of a citizen. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
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