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 14
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 14
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 14
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George H. Mackay, of whom we write, was reared and educated in his native city, New York, where his birth took place April 8, 1836. Having obtained a fine edueation in other branches, he took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1863, prae- tieing in New York nntil the Centennial year, when he removed to Winona, Minn., where he continued the praetiee of his profession until the spring of 1881. when on account of ill health he returned to . quently removed to Jefferson County. Ohio, and his native State, and in the capital made his abode , there spent the remainder of his life. He was a
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weaver by trade, and also carried on agricultural pursuits, improving a good farm.
The father of our subject was but a boy when his parents removed from his native State to Ohio, and there he was reared to a vigorous, self reliant manhood in their pioneer home. He was a natural mechanic, and he built a woolen mill on Town Fork of Yellow Creek, and for some years was successfully engaged in the manufacture of cloth. He afterward converted his factory into a grist- mill, which he operated some time. In 1851 he sold his property there and took up his residence in Ashland County, where he bought a farm, and gave his attention to cultivating the soil in that place until his removal to Carroll County, whence he came to Kansas in 1870 to make his home in Holton. For a short time after his arrival he was engaged in the grocery business with his son-in- law, N. L. MeGrew. He then retired from active life, and spent his remaining years free from care and in the enjoyment of an ample income, which he had secured by unceasing industry and sagacious management of his affairs. His death occurred in this city in the pleasant home that he had provided for himself and family Ang. 11, 1889. His amiable wife had preceded him in death, dying Jan. 22, 1876. Her maiden name was Mary Storey, and she was born in Westmoreland County, Pa. Hler father, John Storey, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was a pioneer of Jefferson County, Ohio, where he improved a farm, and passed his remain- ing days. The maiden name of his wife was Sarah George. The following are the names of the six children born to the parents of our subject: Sarah, wife of N. L. McGrew; Alice Anna, wife of Harlan McGrew; Marcus M .; John H .; William A .; M. B.
The latter, of whom we write, was five years old when his parents moved to Ashland County, where his boyhood was passed in laying the solid founda- tion of a liberal education in the district school. At the early age of sixteen he commenced teaching, and afterward further advanced his education by attendance at the excellent academy at Savannah, where he pursued a thorough course of study. Ile continued teaching in Ashland and Richland Coun- ties two years, and at the end of that time entered upon the study of medicine with Dr. C. B. Iler-
rick, of Mansfield, and subsequently attended lec- tures at the Homopathic Hospital College in Cleve- land, from which institution he was graduated with honor in February, 1868. He opened an office in Leesville, where he built up a large practice, continuing there until 1871. In that year he left his native Ohio and came to Kansas, where, as he foresaw, intelligent men of his profession are in demand, and establishing himself in the young and enterprising, and growing city of Holton, he has ever since been a successful practitioneer here. He is well-grounded in medicine, and is a fine repre- sentative of the Homœpathists, being conceded to be one of the leading physicians of that school in Kansas, and his fame has brought him a large number of patients not only in Holton but far be- yond its limits. He possesses a clear, discriminating mind, and a great aptitude for business affairs, to which he devotes a part of his time, he having ex- tensive financial interests. He is one of the largest stockholders in the Holton Electric Light Company, and as its president he has materially assisted in placing it on a solid foundation, his name giving prestige and weight to the company. In politics, the Doctor uses his! influence in favor of the Re- publican party. Socially, he belongs to Ilolton Lodge, No. 34, I. O. O. F., and to Jackson Lodge, No. 1764, K. of H.
Dr. Smyth was very happily married in 1867. to Miss S. J. Mercer, a native of Ashland County, Ohio, and a daughter of Abner and Thankful (Crabbs) Mercer. She is an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which she is an esteemed member. She possesses in a full measure the art of making home cheery and attractive, and cordially seconds her husband's genial hospitality. To them have been born four children, namely: L. D., Helsey E., Mary K. and Jay B.
W ILLIAM ROSS FISHER, capitalist, en - gaged in the loan and brokerage business in Holton, and a Director of the State Bank in this city, is an extensive dealer in horses and mules, holding public sales in this and surrounding counties, and he is pronounced the best judge of a
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horse in all Jackson County. He is well and favora- bly known in business and financial circles through- out Kansas, and even beyond the borders of the State. He is a veteran of the late war, though when he enlisted he was just seventeen years old, but notwithstanding his youth he fought bravely in many important battles, and proved himself to possess true soldierly qualities.
Mr. Fisher was born Jan. 23, 1847, Arrington, Morgan Co., Ohio, being his birthplace. Cyrus P. Fisher, his father, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, a son of one of the pioneers of that county, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and was of Ger- man antecedents. He served in the Mexican War. and was quite a prominent man in Harrison County, serving as Justice of the Peace some years, and there his death occurred.
The father of our subject was bred in the county of his nativity, and early learned the trade of a machinist, which he followed some years. He is a man of versatile genius and invented and patented a method of retarding the bloom of fruit trees, and thus earned the title of King of Frost. He has lately invented an improved ehurn. which is likely to be of monetary value to him when it is thrown on the market. He was married in Carroll County, in the town of Leesville, to Miss Temperance Crooks. a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Will- iam Crooks, who was born in Ireland, and emigrat- ing to this country became a pioneer of Carroll County, Ohio. Mr. Fisher settled in Morgan County after his marriage, and there built the New Eagle foundry at McConnellsville, and carried on the manufacture of sorghum-mill machinery and threshing machines for some years. In 1860 he removed to Carroll County and devoted his time to farming on his father-in-law's farm, which he bought at a later date, and made his residence there until 1889, when he came to Holton to live with his son, our subject. Though he has passed the milestone that marks the seventy-fourth year of a busy and honorable life, he is still hale and healthy, sound in mind and body, and his inventive talent has not become rusted by age. but he still interests himself in making ingenious contrivances. In 1881 his life was saddened by the death of his amiable wife, who had been for many years a true help-
mate and companion. Four children were born of their marriage, three of whom are now living- William R .; Joseph, in Pittsburg, Pa .; Amanda P., the wife of Theodore Wingett, of Washington, Pa., now living in the Indian Territory.
In his native State William Fisher grew to an active. manly, self-reliant manhood. Remaining with his parents until 1863, in that year he entered upon a mercantile life as clerk in a general store in Leesville, Ohio, at a salary of $13 a month for one year, Amos Carr being his employer. In January. 1864, his military career began, as he then enlisted in Company D, 80th Ohio Infantry, for a term of three years or until the war should be bronght to a close. His regiment was ordered to Vicksburg, and thenee to Huntsville, Ala., where he and his comrades guarded the railway during the summer. He then went with Gen. Sherman on his famous campaign to Atlanta, and took part in many of the important battles fought on the way, and after the battle of Peachtree Creek returned with his regiment to Resaca and did garrison duty until fall, and then started with Sherman's command on the march to the sea, and from Savannah went with the wagon train to Goldsboro as guard. Mr. Fisher was there injured and was laid off for a short time and, then, detailed to care for the cattle, went with the command to Washington, and there took part in the grand review, and in the parade he rode a steer that had been with the army from Nashi- ville. After that he was sent to Little Rock, Ark., and being unable to do any heavy duty he was de- tailed to care for the Colonel's horses. He was dis- charged with his regiment in August, 1865, and returning home started in the livery business in a small way in Leesville. That led to his dealing in horses and mules, and also in sheep and hogs, and he continued his dealings in live stock and resided there until 1871. He then came to Holton and es- tablished himself in the livery business, but at the end of a year and a half he returned to Lees- ville and conducted the livery business in that city the ensuing seven years. In 1879 he onee more took up his residenee in Holton, and has lived there continuously since. For seven years he had a livery establishment here, and, then, selling it, he com- menced buying and shipping horses and mules. and
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has held many publie sales in this and surrounding counties, and is doing a large and profitable busi- ness in that line, besides doing an extensive loan and brokerage business.
The marriage of Mr. Fisher with Miss Mary A. McGrew was consumated May 1, 1869, and they have two children living-Bert C. and Ivan L. Bert is engaged in the livery business, and Ivan is interested in breeding and training fast horses, and is the owner of "Scott Wilkes," the noted swift pacer.
Endowed by nature with an indomitable will and great decision of character, large forethought and sagacious judgment, our subject has built up a handsome fortune by the exercise of those gifts, and while doing so has been no unimportant factor in bringing about the financial prosperity of this city and county. Personally, he is popular and well liked, winning to himself many fast friends by his pleasant social qualities and true manliness of char- acter. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Holton Lodge, No. 46; and the memory of bis army days is preserved by his connection with the G. A. R., which he joined in Ohio; he is also a member of the I. O. O. F. at Holton, Kan.
ILLIAM A. BLOSSOM, a prominent far- mer and stock-raiser of Franklin Township, Jackson County. resides on section 35, where he has a good farm of 282 acres of excellent land, comfortable, well-finished buildings, and a handsome residence. Ilis birth took place on his father's farm in Pittsfield, Rutland Co., Vt .. July 21, 1834, and he grew to manhood on the home acres, learning many lessons of practical value, be- sides those taught in the little red school-house, where, sometimes a master, and other times a ma'am, instilled the rudiments of the "three R's" into the craniums of the tow-headed farmer boys.
When our subject became of age, he concluded to try city life, so he packed up his belongings and traveled to Boston, where he secured work in a hardware store, and remained some time in the eapacity of clerk, then returned to his home in Ver- mont. In 1856 he turned his face toward the set-
ting sun, and bidding farewell to the picturesque Green Mountain State, took up his abiding place in the fertile meadow-lands of Cass County, Iowa. There he obtained work by the month of a farmer, and remained in that State until the fall of the same year, when he went to what is now Jackson County, but was then Calhoun County, and took ur a claim on Cedar Creek, in what is now Cedar Creek Township. That claim he sold in the fall of 1857, and then took up one on section 35, which he has retained to the present time, and on which he now lives. His land lies partly in Franklin and partly in Cedar Township. Since becoming a resi- dent of Kansas, he has given his attention to farm- ing and stock-raising, except about three years, when he was fighting his country's battles in the Civil War.
The summer of 1862 was a gloomy one for the friends of the Union, although the youth and man- hood of the North had hastened to respond to the cry of danger which resounded through the hills and valleys of the New England States, and rolled in ever-increasing volume over the prairies of the West, until it reached the golden shores of the far California, and echoed among the snow-capped mountains, at whose feet rolls the famed Oregon, yet the flag of treason floated proudly to the breeze and tauntingly waved its ominous folds at the very gates, so to speak, of the Capital itself. Our sub- ject was not one to shirk his duty, so when the call for more defenders was flashed from the citadel of the sorely pressed Government, he eagerly re- sponded, "here am I, send me." He enlisted Aug. 22, 1862. in Company B, 11th Kansas Infantry. which was soon afterward changed to a cavalry regiment, and served to the close of the war. Dur- ing the march on the "Shelby raid," he was injured by the kick of a horse. His left leg was found to be fractured, and he was incapacitated for service for a considerable time. Upon his recovery he rejoined his command, and strove by his valor to revive the drooping courage of all loyal hearts. He was mus- tered out of service at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., and at once returned to his farming operations at home.
Mr. Blossom was married to Miss Sallie E. Fogle, Jan. 4, 1864, in Kansas City, Mo. She was born in Marion County, Ky., on Dec. 16, 1844, and is a
John Gibbard
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lady of superior intelligence, and charming domes- tic accomplishments. The union has resulted in the birth of eight children, of whom five are liv- ing. They are named respectively: William A .; C'zarina, Laura M., Freddie O., Maud A .; and those deceased, are: Charles O., Robert S., Della
M. Czarina is the wife of Augustus Fink, and resides in Jackson County. They are an estimable family, who occupy a high place in the esteem of the community in which they live. Mr. Blossom is a member of Will Mendell Post, No.46, G. A. R. Politically, he adheres to the principles of the Re- publican party. Mr. and Mrs. Blossom are members respectively of the Congregational and Methodist Churches.
The parents of our subject were William R. and Czarina (Cole) Blossom. The former a native of Pittsfield, Mass., and the latter probably of Ver- mont. They were married in Pittsfield, Vt., and resided in that place during life. The minister who performed the ceremony that united their destinies, was the Rev. Mr. Parsons. The parents of Mrs. Will . iain A. Blossom were Joseph B. and Eliza ( Riney) Fogle, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Vir- ginia, respectively. After marriage they settled in Marion County, Ky., but subsequently removed to Missouri, where they passed the remainder of their lives in Independence. In the summer of 1860, Mr. Blossom crossed the plains to Denver, Colo., where he spent a few months, and then re- turned to Jackson County. Mr. and Mrs. Blossom are thoroughly American in their views and feel- ings, and have good reason to rejoice in their stain- less ancestry, and covet no man's "noble" lineage, since there is no higher nobility than that of good character.
OHN GIBBONS. A volume of this kind which includes biographies of residents of Jackson County, would be incomplete without a sketch of the above named gen- tleman, whose home is in Netawaka, where he owns much valuable property and where he is well and favorably known. He is now retired from active
business life, but the older citizens of the place are well acquainted with his manly character, good citizenship, and thorough work at his trade. He is a native of Taunton, Somersetshire, England, where he was born Ang. 6, 1822. He never had any schooling except once in a while going to Sun- day-school, and his attendance there ceased when the teacher whipped him without sufficient cause. He was talking with his brother Bob, when the master, who was somewhat out of humor, came along and struck him over the back with a rattan. The lad told his brother he "didn't feel it" but the injustice which he did feel prevented his further attendance at the school.
Mr. Gibbons was a lad of nine years when he began to learn the trade of a blacksmith, and at the age of twenty-three he went to the city of London, where he spent several years laboring at his chosen employment. He then went to Ports- mouth in the government employ as "Blacksmith to the Queen." While in that city in 1850 he was married, and a short time afterward came with his wife to America, landing in Boston, but soon mov- ing to Taunton, Mass., where he was employed in the Taunton Locomotive Works. While there he helped to build the first locomotive that was brought across the Mississippi River, and which is now preserved by the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company in their yards in St. Lonis.
After the breaking out of the Civil War, Mr, Gibbons was employed by the Bridgewater Iron Works Company, who were heavy contractors for the Government. About the first work he did for them was to make the stern and stem posts and some of the turret work of the original " Monitor" which was invented by Erickson, and which won the victory over the Rebel ram, " Merrimac." A enrious incident occurred in connection with the latter boat. Mr. Gibbons happened to be present at her lannehing several years before the war, and had helped to work over the old iron of which she was made. He also made the posts for the " Dicta- tor " and " Puritan," built by John Roach. The stem posts of these vessels took a bar of iron 5x11 inches and thirty-seven feet long. Our subject continued engaged on Monitor work until after the war was over, when for several years he worked on
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the large Panama steamers of the Vanderbilt line, assisting in the construction of nine of them. IIe also helped in making the gun that Erickson in- vented for the Government.
The eldest son of our subject was suffering from that dread disease-consumption-and for the ben- efit of his health, in the year 1868, the family moved to Kansas. Mr. Gibbons let a contract for the building of a house in Netawaka, which was the fourth erected in the village and was put up in less than twelve months after the first one had been raised. The change of climate proved ineffectual in saving the life of the son, John, who was re- moved from the sorrowing family circle in 1869.
Mr. Gibbons, immediately upon coming to Netawaka, began to work at his trade of black- smithing, and continued it for many years. In 1869 he bought a farm on section 15 adjoining the town plat, and his sons carried it on while he con- tinued to work at his trade. In 1877, he made a contract with the Government agent and became blacksmith for the Kickapoo Indians. Purchasing 140 acres of land, a large share of which was under cultivation, he built a good house, set out over 400 apple trees, and with his family resided on the estate for eleven years. In 1884, he sold out and moved to town, where he owns three business houses and ten lots, the harness shop which his son Charles carries on, and his own shop and residence. As has been already stated, Mr. Gibbons is now retired from active business life. having his shop open only for the repairing of pumps.
The lady whom Mr. Gibbons brought to Amer- ica with him as bis wife, bore the maiden name of Maria Hibbs, and their marriage took place in the Kingston Church in Portsmouth, an edifice that is noted in the history of England. Mrs. Gibbons was a daughter of Jolm Hibbs, of Langton, Dor- chestershire, who came to America the same year. She bore her husband four children, three of whom now survive. Maria is the wife of Thomas Ber- ridge, an Englishiman, who is now engaged in mer- cantile pursuits in Goff, this State; their family comprises six children. Frank is engaged in farm- ing near Netawaka; he married Miss Libby.daughter of Dr. Paddock. James is a commission merchant of Kansas City, is married and has two children.
Mrs. Maria Gibbons departed this life in Boston in the year 1856.
The second wife of our subject, with whom he was united in 1857, was Mrs. Mary Ann Simpson, a widow with one son, Stephen, who now lives in the West. Her union with Mr. Gibbons has resulted in the birth of six children. Fostina, a young lady, now lives at St. Joseph, Mo .; Fannie is the wife of Henry Bibb, formerly of Netawaka and now of St. Joseph, and is the mother of four children; Mary Ann married Edward A. Meade, of Liberty Township, this county, where he owns and operates a farm, they have three children ; Ezra is unmarried and is now living in the Black Hills, S. Dak. ; Charles is unmarried and carries on the harness shop here; Emma is at home.
The subject of this sketch is a son of John and Prudence (Stook) Gibbons. His paternal grand- father was James Gibbons, a cloth-dresser of Devon- shire, and his maternal grandfather, John Stook. was of Ilaul's Parish. Mr. Gibbons has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for the past forty years, and affiliates with the St. Marx Royal Arch Chapter in Taunton. Mass., and the Polar Star Lodge, No. 130, at Netawaka. In politics, he is independent, voting for the candidate whom he thinks best fitted for the position. He was educated in the tenets of the Episcopal Church, and carries out in his life the principles of right living, thereby gaining the respect of acquaintances and fellow- citizens.
A lithographie portrait of Mr. Gibbons is pre- sented on another page.
F6 REDERICK IIARTWICK is one of the most successful farmers and live-stock feed- ers of Pottawatomie County. where he has lived since the spring of 1857. During his early years he witnessed, and as his age would permit, participated in, many of the hardships of those days, and relates incidents of that time with great inter- est. As an example he speaks of the time when the family had to grind corn in a coffee mill to make bread with which to sustain life; and when after the total failure of crops in 1860, it was necessary
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to obtain aid from the National Government, and from sister States, and the following winter being a severe one, the people had to shovel roads through the snow drifts to Atchison, where provisions had been sent for them. The suffering people endured a great deal that winter, though other years gave them also many weeks of hard times as well as pleasures, and developed in the citizens a true hos- pitality and good fellowship, which is nowhere else so strong, true, and tried, as on the frontier.
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The parents of our subject were Michael F. and Anna (Strunske) Hartwick, who were born and reared in Prussia, about twenty-four German miles 1 from Berlin. After the birth of four children, our subject, William, Ferdinand F., and Herman F., the parents determined to make a home in America, and on April 18. 1856, took passage on a sailing- vessel at Ilamburg, and after a voyage of six weeks, landed in New York City. They went at once to Monroe, Green Co., Wis., where, in the fall their oldest child, William, was removed from them by death. In the spring of 1857, with two cows, two yoke of oxen, and a wagon, they came overland to this county, camping by the way, and reaching Lone Tree Township, in July. There the father filed a pre-emption claim for 160 acres on section 12, where the parents of our subject have ever since resided. The family was very poor, and it was some time before the father could save money enough to pay for his claim, but he finally suc- ceeded in doing so, and in acquiring other prop- erty. and is now the owner of several hundred acres.
The subject of this biography grew to man's es- tate in Lone Tree Township, and after becoming of age began farming for himself, and has since made quite a fortune. He first purchased 160 acres and has increased it to 400, his home farm in Mill Creek Township being supplied with a very fine set of farm buildings, all well built of stone. Mr. Hart- wick endeavors to keep abreast of the best thought of the times in every matter connected with the 6 THOMAS J. MORROW. This gentleman is one of the prosperous and energetic residents in St. Mary's, Pottawatomie County, where he has lived since 1885. and formerly carried on a drug business, which ran from $12,000 to $15,000 per year. He was born in Randolph County, Mo., May 25, 1850, and until about eleven years old, his home was on a farm. His early schooling was in the district schools. and he afterward attended the Magee College, at College Mound, Mo., and still management of his land, and so derives a fine in- | later the State Normal School at Kirksville. IIe come from his estate.
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