Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 13

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 13
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 13
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 13

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. and Mrs. Monroe are the parents of eight children : II. Willis now lives in Soldier Township, where he owns and operates a farm, he spent one term at Baker University at Baldwin. Douglas C'o.,

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Kan .; George Payson lives at home, he was also in attendance at the Baker University in Baldwin during a term; Florence Pearl, a young lady at home, spent a full year in attendance at the same institution and is fitted for teaching; Emma Ruth- ena and Delia Miriam are attending school at their home; Royal Nutter and Julia Anna follow in the family line, and Ira James Young, the baby, com- pletes the circle.

Mr. Monroe is a pronounced Prohibitionist, but votes the Republican ticket, as he believes the Re- publican party is doing great service for the cause of temperance. He joined the Masonic order when twenty-two years old and is now a member of Lodge No. 250, at Whiting. The family are Methodists, Mr. Monroe having united with the church at the age of twenty years, and Mrs. Monroe at the age of fourteen. They carry out in their daily walk and conversation, the Christian virtues in which they believe, and assist as much as possible in good works, spending their lives in usefulness and a grateful appreciation of the blessings which they possess.

During the life of Mrs. Monroe's grandfather Young, the effects of Gov. Wentworth of New Hampshire, were confiscated and sold at anction, and Mr. Young got twelve plates, one of which is now owned and carefully preserved by Mrs. Monroe. She also has in her possession a tablecloth and towel that her mother made from flax some fifty years ago; they are of a pretty lace pattern and beautifully made.

ORTIMER Z. JONES, County Surveyor of Jackson County, residing in Holton, is a fine representative of the sons of the brave, sterling. self-sacrificing pioneers of Kan- sas who laid the foundations of this noble Com- monwealth. His native ability, well-trained mind and excellent business habits amply qualify him for the office whose duties he has discharged so sat- isfactorily that he has been twice re-elected to it since he accepted the position in 1885.

June 22, 1850, was the date of the birth of our subject in the town of Rockport, Parke Co., Ind.

Harlan Jones, his father, was a native of Alabama, and a son of George Jones, who was also a Soutli- erner by birth. The grandfather of our subject removed from Alabama to Ohio about 1815, and was an early pioneer of Warren County, where he resided till 1850. In that year the old man went to Indiana to make his home with his children in his declining years, and his death occurred in 1855.

The father of our subject learned the trades of a cooper and briek and stone mason. He removed to Indiana in 1850, and worked at the cooper's trade till 1855, when he came to the Territory of Kansas, moving his family and household goods with ox-teams. He located in Leavenworth County, making his home on the tract of land where Oak Mills now stands. Ile early identified himself with the resolute, fearless men who were fighting against slavery, and as an ardent Free- State man he was obnoxious to the people among whom he had settled, who were strongly pro-slavery in their sentiments, and he was forced to leave the territory, being driven out just previous to an election. Ile went to Missouri, and after living there three months,. courageously ventured to re- turn to Kansas, and made a claim to some land near the present site of Winchester, in Jefferson County. That claim was soon jumped by border ruffians, and he was obliged to seek another loca -. tion. He then boldly returned to Leavenworth County, where he bought a claim, only to be swin- dled out of it in the operation, and in the spring of 1857 he came to what is now Jackson County. There were no houses where Holton now stands, and the surrounding country was but very little settled. He took up a tract of Govern- ment land in Cedar Township, and built a log cab- in, in which he resided with his family till the fall of the year, when he went to Atchison County to secure work as a stone-mason, and he was thus em- ployed there till the fall of 1858, when he returned to his elaim, which he had entered in the meantime. There were no railways here for some years there- after and no markets, and at times corn sold as low as ten cents a bushel. Mr. Jones continued to carry on his trade, building up a large business. He erected some of the first brick and stone

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buildings in Holton, and superintended the im- provement of his farm, residing on it till his death at the age of fifty-six, April 12, 1869. A valued citizen was thus lost to his community, one whose genuine worth of character had commended him to the confidence of his fellow-men, and won him the respect of all with whom he associated. As a noble pioneer of Jackson County, his name is in- terwoven with its early history, and will ever be held in honor as that of one who aided in its up- building. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Ruth Hannah Zell, and she was born in Clarksburg, West Va. She still makes her home on the old homestead in Cedar Township, and is held in high regard by all who know her. She bore to her husband ten children, nine of whom are now living, as follows: Sarah, who married Walter Parmenter; Joanna, who married Colum- bus C. Crane, and is now deceased; Samuel; Mary, who married Robert Page; Rhoda; Narcissa, who lives at home with her mother; Albert: Mortimer; Samantha, who married George Brasbridge; and L. Frank.

Mortimer Jones was five years old when he ac- companied his parents to their new pioneer home on the wild prairies of Kansas. He attended the first schools that were taught in the territory, and by diligent study and much reading, became a fine scholar, and at the age of twenty sought to utilize his education by teaching. As soon as large enough he had begun to assist his father on the farm, and gained a good, practical knowledge of agri- culture. After his marriage he purchased a farm joining the old homestead, and was industriously engaged in tilling the soil till 1885, when he was called to his present position as County Surveyor, to which he was re-elected in 1887, and again in 1889, and when he assumed the duties of his office * he came to Ilolton to make his headquarters in this city, and has resided here ever since.

Mr. Jones bas established a pleasant home, and to the wife who adds to its pleasantness by looking carefully after the comfort and happiness of its in- mates, he was united in marriage in 1879. Mrs. Jones's maiden name was Maggie McClure, and she was born in Ireland, near Londonderry, com- ing of an honorable family, her parents, Thomas

and Isabella McClure, both natives of County Derry. being descendants of those sterling Scotch people of the Presbyterian faith, who colonized the North of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have three chil- dren living-Mabel, Agnes and Nellie.

Mr. Jones is held in high personal consideration, as he is in every sense a true, manly man, whose habits and conduct in life are above reproach. While a resident of Cedar Township he took an important part in the administration of its govern- ment. and was Township Trustee for three years, served as Township Clerk, and in 1880 was Census Enumerator of that township. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are ever found among the foremost in deeds of charity, acts of kindness, and in all good works. He was formerly a teacher in the Sunday- school connected with his church. and Superintend- ent thereof. He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Grant, and has stood with the Republicans in politics ever since he attained his majority.

NG INLEY M. SMITH. For the past nine years, Mr. Smith, who was formerly one of the leading farmers of Jackson County, has been a resident of Garrison, and is familiarly known to a large portion of its people. Ile is a native of Morrow County, Ohio, and was born Feb. 11, 1836. Ilis father, William Smith, was a native of Berks County, Pa., and was born Sept. 4, 1809. The latter, when a mere lad, became a resident of Ohio, and in 1842, having become the father of a family, re- moved to Morrow County, that State, and there spent the remainder of his days, passing away on the 12th of August, 1883. Hle was a farmer by oc- cupation. fairly well-to-do, and in politics a mem- ber of the Republican party.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, was Ne- hemiab Smith, a native of Scotland, who crossed the Atlantic at an early day, and located in Penn- sylvania. Subsequently he removed to Morrow County, Ohio, where he prosecuted farming suc- cessfully, and died at an advanced age. William Smith was married in early manhood, to Miss Eliza- beth Speck, a native of Guernsey County. Ohio,

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and born Oct. 8, 1813. Her parents were Augustus and Elizabeth Speck, the former of whom was a miller by trade, and spent his last years in Guern- sey County, dying when quite aged. Mrs. Speck is still living and makes her home in Morrow County, Ohio. She is a lady of many estimable qualities, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To her and her husband there was born a family of twelve children, three of whom are deceased, namely : Sarah, who died when two years old; Thomas, who died at the age of ten years, and Au- gustus, who departed this life when a promising young man aged twenty-one years and eight days. The survivors are Cynthia, Finley M., Mary F., Julia A., John, Leander, Clifford, Belle, and Olive.

The subject of this sketch was the third child of his parents, and spent the years of his boyhood and youth in Morrow County, Ohio. He was reared amid the quiet seences of the country, his life pass- ing in a comparatively uneventful manner, until the outbreak of the Civil War. In July, 1861, he en- listed as a Union soldier in Company M, 3d Ohio Cavalry, which was assigned to Wood's Division in the 4th Army Corps. He was mustered into service at Monroeville, Huron County, and his regi- ment was soon sent to the front, where he partici- pated in the battle of Pittsburg Landing. Shortly afterward he was taken ill and sent home on a thirty-days' furlough. Ilis furlough extended an- other thirty days, and his army life came to a close July 3, 1862, when he received his honorable dis- charge at Camp Chase. In the meantime he had been promoted to Corporal.

Upon retiring from the army, Mr. Smith returned to his native county, sojourning there until the spring of 1866. Then, coming to Kansas, he lo- cated in America City, remaining there until 1868. We next find him in Jackson County, where he homesteaded land and lived upon it until 1880. That year he sold out, and purchased property in Garrison, of which he has since been a resident. He belongs to the G. A. R., also the K. of P. No. 15, at Holton, in which he is a charter member.

Christmas Day, 1856, was happily celebrated by Mr. Smith, by his marriage with Miss Permelia Sut- ton, at the bride's home in Ohio. Mrs. Smith was born Feb. 26, 1835, in Washington County, Pa.,

and is the daughter of John and Permelia Sutton, who were likewise natives of the Keystone State. Mr. Sutton departed this life about 1872. The mother died in Morrow County, Ohio, about 1850. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith there have been born six children, the eldest of whom, a son, Francis M., is a carpenter and farmer combined, and makes his home in Washington County, Idaho; Isaac R. is a hardware merchant in the same county; Clara L. and Nettie B., are at home with their parents. One child died in infancy unnamed, and Charles resides with his parents.

E DWIN M. RANDALL, SR. No finer specimen of a farmer can well be found than the above-named gentleman, and he is not only a model agriculturist but a self-made man, having begun life for himself at the early age of ten years, with only his native talents and the ednea- tion which it was possible to obtain in the common schools in the '30's, as the capital from which his varied intelligence and fine property have been de- rived. lle has exhibited a most decided ability in business management, and a determined perse- verance, and notwithstanding the temptations by which he has been surrounded, has built up a fine moral character.

Our subjeet is descended from a fine English stock in the paternal line, and the blood of tal- ented and patriotic ancestors in both lines of de- scent has not deteriorated since his progenitors fulfilled their duties as citizens and soldiers a century ago. Nehemiah Randall, the great grand- father of our subject, was a brother of the great- grandfather of Samuel J. Randall, of Pennsylvania, whose talents are so well known in our day. He eame to America from England just before the French and Indian War, and took part in that con- test under Gen. Braddock. receiving a death wound in the battle of Ft. DuQuesne. His son, Gershom, was born in Massachusetts, and owned a farm where the city of Northampton now stands. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. The next in direet line was another Nehemiah, who was born in Massachusetts in 1784, and who made farming

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his occupation in life. In Vermont, in 1810, he was married to Miss Sarah St. Clair, a native of New Hampshire, and the couple made their honie in the Green Mountain State until 1827, when they removed to Orleans County, N. Y., and resided there during the succeeding twenty years. They removed to Ohio, and in Wellington, Loraine County, Nehemiah Randall died, in 1848. The same year the widow returned to New York, and a few months later removed to Will County, Ill., where she died, in 1852. To this couple seven children were born, four of whom are now living. our subject being the youngest member of the family.

The maternal grandfather of our subject was James St. Clair, of New Hampshire. One day, when about nineteen years of age, he was plowing in a field, when some men with arms in their hands passed him on their way toward Boston. He inquired their mission, and they replied that they were going to fight the English. Ile at once said: "Wait until I unyoke my cattle, and I will go with you." Hastily disencumbering the oxen of their yoke, and leaving the plow in the furrow, the young man accompanied the others, and as he had no gun, the commander of the party told him to wait a few moments at Lexington while he pro- cured one for him. This was in the month of April, 1775, and while waiting for the arms which were promised him, the battle opened, and at the first fire eight men were killed near where young St. Clair was standing. Snatching a gun from one of the fallen Colonists, he entered at once into the contest, and continued to battle for his country during the seven years of the Revolutionary strug- gle, among other trying experiences being those of the terrible winter at Valley Forge.

The descendant of such ancestors might well be expected to prove more than a drone, and one is not disappointed in following the history of the gentleman whose name initiates this sketch. His birth took place in Orleans County, N. Y., .Inly 18, 1830, and after obtaining such schooling as was possible prior to his tenth year, he began working on a farm. When sixteen years old. he left his native State, and spent two years in Ohio, following this by a thirty years' residence in Win- 1

nebago County, Wis. His settlement at his pres- ent place of abode was made Feb. 19, 1878, since which time he has been a continuous resident in Wamego Township, Pottawatomie County. Four hundred aeres of land on section 11, all improved and in a body, comprise the estate of Mr. Randall, and all the improvements are due to himself. All necessary farm buildings are to be seen, and all are ' sufficiently large for the purposes to which they are devoted, and are well designed, conveniently dis- posed, and substantially constructed. Mr. Randall is much interested in stock-raising, and keeps ex- cellent breeds. He has twenty-two fine Percheron horses on the place, which are his personal property, and the imported stallion, "Vulcan," which cost $2,500, and is owned by a stock company. His Poland-China hogs are as fine as any in the State, and the drove at this writing comprises seventy head. Forty-three head of graded Short-horn cattle are also to be seen on the place. The resi- dence of Mr. Randall is not only well built and of pleasing architectural design, but is well furnished, containing, among other means of culture and en- joyment, one of the finest libraries in the county. It consists of a large and well-selected list of miscel- laneous volumes, among them being a fine edition of Bancroft's History of the United States, and many other historical works.

The marriage of Mr. Randall took place on the 16th of March, 1856, and the lady whom he chose as his bride was Miss Lucretia C. Steele, who was born Feb. 9, 1833, in the Old Bay State. She is the third of eight children born to Elijah and Emily (Ward) Steele, who were also natives of Massachusetts. Her father was a farmer, and was a participant in the War of 1812. He was gathered to his fathers in December, 1860. Ilis widow still survives, and has reached the advanced age of eighty-five years. Mrs. Randall received a good education, and taught school in New York State. To herself and husband four children have been born. Ida A. is the wife of Frank F. Wood, and their home is with our subject. Lillian C. married Elmer B. Green, and they reside in Louisville. Edwin M., Jr., married Miss Jennie Sweet; he is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and located at Osage City, Kan. Frank W. is a youth

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in his sixteenth year, and is attending the High School in Wamego, going thence to and from his paternal home. Ile is a promising youth, and is one of the best historians for his years in the county.

Mr. Randall was Township Supervisor for a number of years while living in Wisconsin. He is deeply interested in educational affairs, and has always been a member of the School Board. He is now serving as School Treasurer of District No. 79. He takes an active interest in politics, and has always been identified with the Democratic party. He is a temperance man, and favors prohibition. He affiliates with the Masonic order, and is a mem- ber of the Blue Lodge, in Wamego, and of Berlin Commandery, No. 18, Green Lake County, Wis. He served as Royal Arch Captain in the Chapter of Wisconsin. Mr. Randall and his entire family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is Steward in the organization, and has been Class- Leader for several years. Ilis son-in-law, F. F. Wood, is Superintendent of the Wamego Methodist. Episcopal Sunday-school, and Mrs. Wood teaches a class in the same. The family are regarded with an esteem which is bestowed upon few, and exert a wide influence for good in the realms of mental and spiritual culture.

OIIN V. ROWLES. Pottawatomie County has been the home of this gentleman from his seventeenth year, when he accompanied his parents to this State, from Columbiana County, Ohio, which was the place of nativity of both himself and them. The father, Eli M. Rowles, is still living in this county, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and belongs to the Republican party. Ile is the son of John Rowles, one of the first settlers in Columbiana County, Ohio. The mother of our subject died at an advanced age in the Sunflower State. She was christened Sarah, and her parents were John and Elizabeth Young, her father a native of Germany, who in his early life om'grated to America. Ilis occupation was that of a farmer, and he was a soldier during the War of

1812. Hle died in Ohio at the age of seventy-two years. Our subject is the first born in a family of five children, his brothers and sisters being named, Florence, Frank E., Harry A. and Laura A., and all being still alive.

John V. Rowles was born March 20, 1853, and was educated in Columbiana County, Ohio, and reared on a farm. After having accompanied his parents to this State he was engaged in farm pursuits until 1883. when he began a mercantile business in Laclede, which he is still carrying on and in the conduct of which he exhibits a prudence and wise judgment which does him credit. His pleasant and affable manners are appreciated by his customers, who find him strictly honorable and upright in all his dealings.

The most important step in the life of our sub- ject was taken Dec. 2, 1878, when he was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Wade. The young and charming bride was born in Kentucky, Dec. 10, 1860, and is a daughter of James and Americas Wade, who were also natives of the Blue Grass State. They came to Kansas about the year 1871 and lo- cated in this county, where they still live. Mr. Wade is a minister of the Baptist Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Rowles four children have been born; Elmer W .. Bertha and Leslie are still living. Clar- ence E., the second born, died at the age of two years and one day.

Mr. Rowles is a sturdy Republican and exerts all his influence for the party of his choice. He has been Clerk of Center Township for two terms and proved a trustworthy and efficient officer.

G FORGE H. MACKAY is a man of enviable ability, of deep and varied intelligence, and of high culture, and is a worthy descend- ant of an honored and honorable family. He is engaged in the practice of the legal profession in St. Mary's, and is a member of the law firm of Mackay & Hagen, Among the members of the legal profession he holds a high rank for his thorough understanding of law and equity, and for his wise discrimination and keen observation regarding points at issue. Ile has served in several public

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offices, some of them of more than loeal import- ance, and has filled every office with pronounced ability.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was Eneas Maekay, who was born in Scotland and who served in the British army as a Captain of Infantry. He took part in the battle of Bunker Hill, immedi- ately after which he resigned his position in the British army, being convinced of the righteousness of the cause of the Continentals, and located in Boston, where he married Miss Mary Hawley, a na- tive of the Old Bay State. During the Revolu- tionary struggle he was offered a position upon Gen. Washington's staff by the General himself, but re- fnsed on the ground that he had served under the Queen of England up to the time of that struggle. Soon after his marriage he removed to New York, where he remained until his death, teaching school for many years, and educating his three sons in all the dead languages.

Hay S. Mackay, son of the above named, and father of our subjeet, was born in New York City, and was reared and educated in that eity, where he practiced law for more than sixty years. He was a man of high and varied mental attainments and an eminent juror. He married Miss Clarissa M., eldest daughter of Dr. George Rogers, of North- hampton, Mass., who for many years practiced medieine in New York City, and spent his last days in Brooklyn. Mr. Maekay died in the spring of 1872, at the age of eighty-four years, his death being the result of an injury received two years previous. Ilis widow departed this life in the fall of the same year, the family, which included twelve children, having been unbroken until the death of the father. Three only of the family are now living.

for about a year. He then, by the advice of his physician, came to this State, and was admitted to the bar in Shawnee County in April, the month of his arrival, entering the legal office of J. B. John- son, of Topeka. In the fall he came to this city and formed a partnership with Horace H. Hagen, a connection which still continues.

At the home of the bride's father, William Jaek- son, a dry-goods merchant in New York City, the rites of wedlock were celebrated Feb. 16, 1869. be- tween Mr. Maekay and Miss Mary A. Jackson. The groom was bereft of his companion October 6, of the same year, and about three years later, on the 22d of November, 1872, he married Miss Kate M., daughter of the Hon. Henry Smith, at that time Speaker of the Legislature of New York. With this lady Mr. Maekay lived until 1882, when a separation took place, and the couple were divorced three years later.

Mr. Maekay was the attorney for the Board of Coroners for New York from 1861 to 1868, and from 1868 to 1871 was United States Internal Revenue Assessor. In 1872 he became a member of the New York Legislature, remaining in that body four years. Ile also served as a member of the Common Couneil, and of the School Board of New York City. While in Winona, Minn., he was local Judge from 1878 to 1880.

B. SMYTII, M. D., is not only a skillful and successful physician, but he is a com- petent business man, and is classed among the prominent financiers of Jackson County. His office and home are in Holton, where he is very pleasantly situated and enjoys the respect and confidenee of a wide circle of friends and ac- quaintanees. Ross Township, Jefferson Co., Ohio, is the place of his birth, and Oct. 28. 1844 the date of that event. Ilis father, William Smyth, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., a son of one William Smyth, a native of Ireland, who came to America with his wife and five children, and first located in Westmoreland County. He subse-

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Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 13

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

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