Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 103

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 788

USA > Kansas > Jackson County > Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 103
USA > Kansas > Jefferson County > Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 103
USA > Kansas > Pottawatomie County > Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens > Part 103

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).

Mr. Good removed from Clay to Putnam County, Ind., he accompanied them and resided there until he located in Kansas. While a resident of the lat- ter county, he became acquainted with the lady who was destined to become his partner through life, and their marriage was celebrated in Putnam County in 1856 on the 12th day of November. The maiden name of Mrs. Good was Sarilda J. Rogers. She was a daughter of Sanford Rogers, and was born Oct. 19, 1840, in Hendricks County, Ind., and lived there until fourteen years old, when she accompanied her parents to Putnam County, in the same State, where she finished her education, and remained until her marriage as stated above.

Mr. and Mrs. Good began housekeeping on a farm in Putnam County, Ind., and continued to make that their home, being employed in agricul- tural pursuits until 1870, when they emigrated to Kansas. Mr. Good took up a homestead of eighty acres, and set to work to improve it. His first care was to provide a dwelling for his family. That be- ing done, he at once began breaking up the soil and putting in a crop. By persevering industry he soon had his place fairly well improved, and then he enlarged his farm by buying the rest of the quarter section adjoining his homestead. He con- tinued to improve his place, each year adding some- thing new, until now he has a productive and finely cultivated farm with all necessary buildings, fences, a good orchard and first-class stock. All the work required to bring the place up to its present con- dition was performed by Mr. Good himself, with- out aid from anyone else, and is an illustration of what can be accomplished by pluck and persever- ance.

Mr. Good has been too busy to pay much atten- tion to politics, but he does his duty as a free man by casting his ballot for his favorite candidate, and has himself held the office of constable for four years. Ilis political principles coincide with those of the Democratic party, to which he adheres.

To our subject and his wife have been born ten children, of whom seven have survived the ills of childhood, and are at present pursuing their way in life, doing their duty in all relations to the best of their ability, being Mary A. (Mrs. C. Carlson). Lewis, Martha JJ, is Mrs. C. Whitber, George,

774

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Cynthia, Henry and Elmer. The younger four are yet under the parental roof and assist to keep Mr. Good from feeling his loneliness, caused by the death of his wife in 1880, as much as he otherwise would, were it not for the comfort and cheer which their presence brings to the home. Mrs. Good de- parted this life, as indicated above, Sept. 13. 1880, but her loving family are comforted by the sweet thought that "their loss is her gain." She was a faithful Christian woman, and the entire family are held in high regard by their neighbors and ac- quaintances.

ARRY HAGAMAN, Cashier of the Onaga Exchange Bank, also conducts a thriving insurance business at this place, and is num- bered among its energetic young business

men. The bank is under the proprietorship of Messrs. George Trout and Lewis B. Leach, and is one of the most reliable institutions of its kind in Pottawatomie County. It was established in 1883 by Ilenry Storch, and on the 11th of July, 1887, passed under its present management with a capital of $40,000. This has since been increased to $60,- 000. Mr. Hagaman has been cashier of the bank since 1886, operating for one year under Mr. Storch. The business career of Mr. Hagaman in Onaga, commenced as clerk for the firm of Storch & Landon, general merchants. in September, 1884. He had then but recently been graduated from the Business College at Emporia, although he had prior to this officiated as clerk three years in Carterville, Southwest Missouri. He is a native of Minnesota, having been born in Albert Lea, Sept. 14, 1865. His father, Francis M. Hagaman, was a native of New York State, and traced his ancestry' to Hol- land. He was born near Amsterdam, and his mother having died when he was nine years old, he left home, and from that time was dependent upon his own resources. He made his way subsequently to Michigan, and later to Wisconsin, where he learned the trade of a blacksmith. In one of these States he was married to Miss Jennie Brownsill.

The mother of our subject was a native of Eng- land, and emigrated with her parents to America

when a child of nine years. She subsequently lived in Michigan and Wisconsin until her marriage. Afterward the Hagaman family lived for a time in the Badger State, and later removed to Stephenson County, Ill., where the father followed his trade until the outbreak of the Civil War. Then in 1862 he raised Company I, which was made a part of the 14th: Illinois Cavalry, and assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Hagaman received a Captain's commission, and participated with his regiment thereafter in many important engage- ments until on account of illness he was obliged to return home. Later, however, he rejoined his regi- ment, and after serving two and one-half years, was given an honorable discharge. He suffered a broken nose, but otherwise escaped unbarmed, and was never captured by the enemy. Upon retiring from the army, he repaired to Minnesota, following his trade at Albert Lea, until 1884. That year he went to Canon City Col., where his death took place at the age of sixty years. He was a life-long Democrat, politically, and a warm defender of the principles of Masonry with which he became identified many years prior to his decease. The wife and mother is still living, making her home with her son, Vernon, at Carterville, Mo .; she is now fifty-seven years old, a lady of many estimable qualities and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The subject of this sketch was the third of a family of four children, and also the eldest of two sons. All are living and three are married. Harry, like his brothers and sisters, was well reared and educated and began laying his plans for the fu- ture early in life. He was bright and ambitions and found friends wherever he went. On the 11th of September, 1889, he was married, in Sherman Township, Pottawatomie County, to Miss Effie Carl. This lady was born at Crown Point, Ind., June 13, 1868, and was the daughter of Nathaniel S. and Mary (Norton) Carl who, for the past five years, have been living on a farm in Sherman Township. Mr. Carl besides engaging in farming has operated considerably as a railroad contractor. Mrs. Hagaman completed her studies at Wyanet, Ill., and since coming to Kansas employed herself as a teacher in the public schools, mostly at Wa.

775

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

mego. Both she and her husband are popular in social circles. Mr. Hagaman, politically, is a sound Republican and socially, belongs to Onaga Lodge, No 68 K. of P. in which he is Post Chan- cellor and member of the State Grand Lodge. He bas filled all the other Chairs of his Lodge and has a fine understanding of the working of the Order. of whose principles he is a warm admirer.

SHOMAS O'CONNOR. In common with other countries, Ireland has contributed her full quota to the population and develop- ment of the Great West. Her sons have been found almost uniformly thrifty and industrious, and some of the finest farms in Pottawatomie County have been opened up by them from the primitive soil. The subject of this sketch. one of the leading farm- ers of Clear Creek Township. was born in County Kerry, Jan. 18, 1845, and is the son of Mortimer and Ellen (Carroll) O'Connor. The father was likewise a native of County Kerry, and was for many years engaged successfully as a merchant in the old country. He came to America in 1878, and settled in Kansas with his son, our subjeet, and died in Pottawatomie County in 1888, in the sixty- eigth year of his age. The mother is still living. and makes her home with her son Thomas.

The parents of Mr. O'Connor had a family of six children, only two of whom are living-Mary, the wife of Daniel Heffarman, of Peabody, Mass., and Thomas, our subjeet. The latter was eighteen years old when emigrating to America, and settled in Peabody, Mass., where for fifteen years he was engaged in teaming and as a currier. In the mean- time he was married, and having become the head of a family was anxious to provide for his chil- dren in a manner better that he could do in the older States. Accordingly, in 1878, he set out for Kansas, and upon his arrival in Pottawatomie County, purchased the west half of the northeast quarter of section 21, in Clear Creek Township, whereon he has effected the usual improvements, and of which he still retains possession, He has a good story and a half house, a large barn, and the other necessary buildings. Most of the land has

been brought to a good state of cultivation, and besides this Mr. O'Connor owns eighty aeres else- where on the same section, and the same amount on section 22. He keeps large numbers of live stock, and is usually successful as a grain-raiser, and with other crops.

Mr. O'Connor was married in Peabody, Mass., in June, 1872, to Miss Honora Cummings. Mrs. O'Connor is likewise a native of County Kerry, Ireland, and is now the mother of nine children, viz .: Nellie, Mortimer, Richard, Honora, Thomas, Mary, John, Edward and Bessie. Mr. O'Connor takes an active interest in the establishment and maintenance of schools, and is Clerk of the Board in Distriet No. 74. Both he and his estimable wife are devout members of the Catholic Church. They have pleasant home surroundings, and are held in high esteem by their neighbors.

UGUSTUS F. HISER. Peaceful as are the Germans under some circumstances, the training of the youth is such as to make their spirit essentially martial and warlike. This is conspicuously shown in the statues and other decorations of the German capital, which is the Mecca toward which all their eyes are turned, and which is to the entire Empire a type of the grandeur and glory they desire. This has been especially true since the days of the first Napoleon, and every true German from that day to the elose of the Franco-Prussian war, looks forward with ardent desire to the days when the Empire should be revenged for the indignities they have suffered at the hands of France. Though almost from in- fancy his home has been in America, he of whom we write looks back upon his German ancestors with pride, and himself possesses the courageous spirit of the race which would lead him to "do and dare" in military life, should the need arise.

Before outlining the history of our subject, a few words regarding his progenitors will not be amiss. Ilis father, Henry Hiser, was born in Asa- back, Hanover, Germany, Dec. 18, 1823, whence the family afterward removed to Holzhausan, Hesse. Germany. There Henry Hiser was married to

776

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Sophia Shafer, a native of that town. The father of Sophia (Shafer) Hiser was a soldier in the Ger- man army for eighteen years and served through two two wars. While fighting against Napoleon, at Wa- terloo, he was onee wounded in the foot by a sabre cnt. lle moved his family to America in 1852, and settled in Virginia, where his death occurred June 28, 1866. He had two sons, both of whom were in the Confederate Army during the late war. One of them, Augustus Shafer, was discharged and came to Kansas in 1870. dying in Wilson County, in 1872. The other, Fardnond Shafer, is now living in Charleston, S. C.

The parents of our subject were married in 1848, and some four years later came to America with the bride's father, settling with him in Vir- ginia. In the spring of 1860 they moved to Ohio, and three years later changed their place of abode to Illinois, whence, in 1870, they came to Kansas and settled in Louisville Township, Pottawatomie County. In 1880 they removed to Oregon, but in the fall of the same year, returned to this State and located in Belvue Township. There the mother died Dec. 29, 1884. The father is still living on the old homestead, and his present age is sixty- seven years. Of the six children born to them five still survive.

Augustus F. Hiser, of whom we write, is the eldest of the parental family, and was born in Holzhausan, Germany, April 29, 1849. Having come to Amer- ica at a very early period of his life, his education has been obtained here and it is as thorough as the common schools will afford. He began life for himself when twenty-five years of age. His first experience in this State was in 1869, when he ob. tained work on the Union Pacific Railroad, which was then building the round house at Wamego. He has been a fireman both on a locomotive and stationary engine. He started in life empty hand - ed and now owns a fine property in Louisville Township, Pottawatomie County, where he carries on general farming and gives some attention to raising horses. cattle and hogs. The estate com- prises 270 acres of improved land on section 24, about fifty acres of it being in good timber. All of the improvements on the place have been made by Mr. Hiser, as it was wild and unbroken land

when he took possession of it. He held the office of School Director five years and was twice elected Justice of the Peace. He is now serving his second term. He was married Sep. 17, 1874, to Mrs. Mary L. Vieu.

LFRED M. FOWLER. Among the citi- zens of Jefferson County few are more pleasantly located or more prosperous than this gentleman, whose home is in Kentucky Township, where he owns a large and valuable farm, having marked improvements, and where he is extensively engaged in the stock business and farming. He is one of the oldest settlers of this State, to which he came with an ox team in the fall of 1859, having to piek his way through the timber and across the trackless prairie, where the tall wild grass grew as high as the top of the bows of the wagon, and where the direction was casily lost. Like that of early settlers in his State, his home was devoid of the comforts which now surround him, and his success has been purchased by much toil and frequent privations.

Edward Fowler, the grandfather, and Mathew Fowler, the father of our subjeet, were both born in North Carolina, and at an early period in the history of Kentucky, the former settled on a farm in that State, which he improved and operated until his death. Mathew Fowler was also a farmer and a hunter, as were all the pioneers in the Ohio Valley, and he likewise engaged in flat-boating, acting as a pilot on the Green, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans, whence he would return to his home on foot through swamps and canebrakes. On his twenty-ninth trip to the mouth of the Mis- sissippi, in the year 1833, he lost his life. In try .. ing to stop a boat he caught the limb of a tree, which sprung with him, and as he let go he struck the edge of the boat and injured his back so that lie died soon after he was taken home. In polities he was a Demoerat, and in religion he was a Bap- tist.

Our subject was but four years old when his father died, and he and the other children were reared by the mother. She bore the maiden name

777

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

of Lydia Bush, and was born in Virginia, as was her father, Henry Bush, who moved to Kentucky in an early day, there continuing his occupation as a farmer and a hunter. In 1850 Mrs. Fowler moved to New Albany, Ind., where she remained nntil ber death. Like her deceased husband, she was a member of the Baptist Church. The parental family comprised seven children, the third born having died in infancy. Landon B. is now living at Payson, Ill .; he was in an Illinois regiment from the beginning till the close of the war as bridge carpenter. Parmelia, now Mrs. Sheffler, is living in Indiana; Mrs. Margaret J. Cattrell lives in New Albany, Ind .; William N. lives in Harri- son County, Mo., and during the war belonged to the Missouri militia. The next in order of birth was our subject. The youngest member of the family is Mrs. Nancy Spenser, of New Albany.

The subject of this sketch was born in Hart County, Ky., April 7, 1829, and lived there until of age. His schooling was obtained at the sub- scription schools in a log house, and was some- what limited. When sixteen years old he left home and began working on a farm by the month, continuing so employed until 1849, when he jour- neyed to Indiana by team and found employment in the shipyards at New Albany. After five years spent in this occupation he returned to his native county and then went to Bowling Green, where on Feb. 9, 1854, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Crow. He bought a farm of 230 acres in that county ( Warren) and operated it until the lat- ter part of May, 1858, when with two yoke of oxen he started Westward, crossing the Mississippi at St. Louis and the Missouri at St. Charles. Buying a farm in Harrison County, Mo., he operated it until the fall of 1859, when he determined to become a citizen of Kansas,

Leaving his former place of residence on the 7th of October, Mr. Fowler started with an ox-team, heading for Lawrence, but was unable to keep the direction across the prairies, owing to the lack of way-marks, and the great height of the prairie grass. On the morning of October 17, he had reached the hill north of the present site of Perry, whence he was able to determine his future course, and whence he made his way, the same day to his ob-

jective point, crossing the Kaw at Lecompton. For three years he occupied rented land, and then pur. chased a tract about two and a half miles from the eity, which he improved and cultivated until the spring of 1865, when he came to Jefferson County, Kentucky Township.

Mr. Fowler belonged to the Kansas State Militia during the war, and was actively engaged during the Quantrell and Price raids, taking part in the contest against the latter near Westport. On the morning of August 22, 1863, he heard firing, and in company with A. B. Wade and Whit Thurbor started for Lawrence, leaving home without arıns. Quantrell's forces were making their raid on Law- rence, and on the approach of the three comrades fired at them, and caused them to whirl back across the bridge, whence they witnessed the raid, the burning of the town, and saw Jim Lane's house set on fire. Mr. Fowler then joined Gen. Lane's reg- iment in pursuit of Quantrell.

On moving to this township, Mr. Fowler bought 205 acres of land and began its improvement. the first dwelling of the family being an old log house on the banks of the Kansas. In 1869, he put up his present residence which was the first brick house between Lawrence and Topeka. He now has a barn 34x56 feet, and granaries, cribs, etc., suf- ficiently numerous and commodious for the work of the farm. A fine windmill and tank supply liquid refreshment to the herds which are bought, fed, and shipped in large numbers. Mr. Fowler breeds full blooded Poland-China hogs, and raises from seventy-five to 150 per year. Three teams are required to carry on the work of the estate, which now comprises about 400 acres on the Kan- sas bottom land where wheat and corn are the principal grain crops. The estate is neatly fenced by hedge and wire, and contains an orchard of about ten acres, while walnut groves furnish re- freshing shade for stock and human beings.

The parents of Mrs. Fowler were James and Jennie (Rector) Crow. The father was born in Tennessee but settled in Warren County, Ky., and there engaged in farming, becoming quite well-to- do. He was mysteriously killed for some old feud. When found where he had been chopping, the top of the tree lay on him, but it was evident that he

778

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

had been killed by an ax and placed in that pecu- liar position.

Mr. and Mrs. Fowler are the parents of eight children. James M. is farming in this township, is married, and the father of a family. Alice, who died at the age of twenty-four years, was the wife of Charles Hoffman. George W. is in the employ of the Northern Pacific Railroad, at Minneapolis, Minn. Lucy J., who died when twenty-four years old, was the wife of Mathew Jones. Woodford is assisting in the management of the home farm, and is quite prominent among the young men of this county. Gertrude is at home. Bourbon is attend- ing the Gem City Business College at Quincy, Ill. Thomas P. is at home.

Mr. Fowler has always taken an interest in edu- cational matters, and has been School Director for fourteen years. He is active in political affairs, giving his vote and influence to the Democracy. He stands well in the community as an honorable and intelligent man and a reliable citizen. Ilis wife belongs to the Baptist Church, and her good qualities are recognized by a high measure of re- gard.

T. SMITH. The gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch first set fout upon the soil of Kansas in 1876, and two years later established himself as a farmer in Mill Creek Township, purchasing 160 acres of land on section 2. He has wisely maintained his resi- dence upon the same place since that time, and by the exercise of industry and economy has built up a fine homestead, bringing the land to a very pro- ductive condition and erecting substantial modern buildings. His land lies in the bottoms, and is well-watered by the Vermillion River. It is con- sidered one of the finest tracts in Pottawatomie County. It bears little comparison to its condition when taken in hand by Mr. Smith, who commenced at first principles in the construction of a farm, and whose labors have uniformly met with success.

In reviewing the personal history of an individ- ual the mind involuntarily reverts to those from whom he drew his origin. The subject of this sketch is the offspring of excellent ancestry, being

the grandson of Thomas G. Smith, a native of Skaneateles, N. Y., who was descended from old Yankee stock, and who settled in the Empire State during the pioneer days of Onondaga County. Thomas G. upon reaching man's estate, which he attained in his native county, occupied himself as a foundryman, and finally became owner of an iron manufactory, giving employment to a large number of men. He also had an interest in the Erie Canal, and was connected with other enterprises which resulted in his becoming quite wealthy. He likewise owned large tracts of land in the vicinity of Bethany, Genesee Co., N. Y., to which he finally removed and there spent his last days, dying at the house of one of his younger sons. of whom he had five. He was then sixty-eight years old.

The paternal grandmother of our subject bore the maiden name of Burist. She was born and reared in the same town as her husband, and was likewise descended from a highily respecta- ble family. She accompanied her husband to Genessee County, and survived him three years, dying at the age of sixty-eight. She was a lady possessing all the Christian virtues, a devoted wife and mother, a kind and hospitable neighbor, and universally beloved. Besides the five sons already spoken of there were four daughters. The eldest son and second child was George B., the father of the subject of this sketch, who was likewise a native of Skaneateles, N. Y., and born Sept. 13, 1815. The brothers and sisters of the latter all lived to mature years, married and reared families. The youngest, Leonard T., is one of the prominent railroad men of Leavenworth, Kan., and occupies a leading position among the stock-raising interests of this State. Indeed, the entire family are well- to-do, stirring business men and good citizens.

George B. Smith was a lad of thirteen years when his parents removed from Onondaga to Gen- esee County, N. Y., settling near Bethany, where he attained to his majority. Subsequently he es- tablished himself in Linden as a foundryman, and associated himself with a partner. Under the firm name of Smith & Bosworth they conducted an ex- tensive business for eighteen years. Mr. Smith retired in 1863, and afterward made his home in Linden, He was the owner of a large farm near

779

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

the town. He departed this life on the first Sunday in November. 1865. He was a man of decided views, an active local politician, belonging to the Democratie party, and exercised no small influence in his community.

The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Betsey E. Stewart. She was born at Bethany Center, N. Y., about 1830, and died on the old home farm near Linden, N. Y., in August, 1870. Her parents were James and Elizabeth Stewart, the former of whom was a native of Seotland and the latter of Ireland. Both emigrated to the United States early in life, and they were married in Genesee County, N. Y. The father carried on farming near Bethany Center, becoming the owner of 320 acres of land, from which he built up a valuable estate. There he with his excellent wife spent his last days, passing away before attaining to an advanced age. The property which they left continues in the possession of their descendants. Both were active members of the Presbyterian Church, and they were greatly respected in their community. Grandmother Stewart was especially beloved for her amiable traits of character and her many virtues.

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.

Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 103

Author: Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros. Number of Pages: 788

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 788