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 15
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 15
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 15
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The first marriage of our subject took place in this township, the bride being Miss Sophia Nicholas of Germany, who accompanied her parents to this county about two years before her marriage. she 1
being then a young lady. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas are now living in Center Township, on a farm. Mrs. Hartwick died at her home in this township, Feb. 6, 1886, being then past thirty-eight years of age. She was the mother of nine children, two of whom died in infancy. The living are all now at home. They are named respectively: Anna M. M., Ida T., Lena F., Ilerman F., Lizzie M., Edward F., and Robert F.
Mr. Hartwick contracted a second matrimonial alliance, taking as his wife, Mrs. Sophia Shenke, nee Hinsman, who was born in Prussia, in the year 1856. Her father died in the Fatherland in 1864, and in 1886 the widowed mother and the daugh- ter came to the United States, and to Kansas, where not long afterward the marriage of the daughter to Mr. Hartwick took place. Mrs. Hartwick had two children by her first husband, William Shenke, who died in Germany. The two daughters, Mary and Emma M., are still living with their mother.
Mr. Hartwick is a Republican, and has held the minor offices in his township. He and his wife be- long to the Presbyterian Church, as did also the first Mrs. Hartwick. Mr. Hartwick is well esteemed by his fellow-citizens for the intelligence and en- terprise that he manifests in his private affairs, and in his duties as a citizen, and for his good char- acter and kindly nature.
engaged in business at College Mound until 1875, and six years later removed to Kansas City, con- tinuing the same pursuits in that city until his re- moval to St. Mary's, where he has prospered in his financial affairs, and has gained many friends by
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his fine character, mental attainments. and business honor and ability. He is a member of the Demo- cratie Central Committee of this county, and of that of the city also.
The marriage of Mr. Morrow was celebrated at the home of the bride's father, Dr. W. T. Lowrey, at College Mound, Mo., Jan. 25, 1875. The bride was Miss Willie T. Lowrey. a native of Macon County, where her parents long resided. Her father was a very prominent man, and widely known throughout the State, and her brother, Prof. T. J. Lowrey, is Dean of the engineering faculty of the Missouri State University, at Columbia, Mo., where he has been about fifteen years. Her grandfather, Dr. J. J. Lowrey, of Howard County, represented his district in the State Legislature. Both Mrs. Morrow's parents departed this life in Missouri.
The subject of our sketch is the oldest of four children born to John S. and Nelsena S. (Riehard- son) Morrow, both of whom were born near Dan- ville, Ky., and made an early settlement in Macon County. There the mother died in 1871, at the age of forty years, and the father still lives, having reached his threescore years and ten. Both parents were lifelong members of the Presbyterian Church. The paternal grandparents were also natives of the Blue Grass State, and the grandfather, Jesse Mor- row, removed to Missouri when quite old, and there he and his wife spent their last days. Of their family, several of the children still live in Missouri. One of them, William Morrow, was the first Sheriff of Macon County, and served in that capacity many years. Another son, Jefferson Morrow, has been Treasurer of the same county for eight years.
R OBERT LITTLE is one of the oldest and most respected settlers of Jackson County, which has been his home for nearly twenty years. He was born in Hendricks County, Ind., Jan. 23, 1819, and is a son of Alex and Rachael (Robinson) Little. Both the parents were members of old Virginia families, and they re- moved from Mercer County, Ky., to the Hoosier State in 1811. There the father "fit Injans" many a time, and there both parents departed this life.
Our subject remained in his native county until the age of twenty-five years, acquiring on the par- ental acres a practical knowledge of farm life, and such education as was possible to be obtained in the schools of that day and from his parents.
Leaving his boyhood's home and taking to him- self a wife, Mr. Little went onto a farm, which he operated until 1860, when he came to the Far West. The family spent a year in Circleville, Kan., during which time our subject purchased 160 aeres on section 32, Netawaka Township, this county, to which a short time later the family re- moved. At the date of its purchase by Mr. Little, not a furrow had been turned on the place, and an old log cabin was the only improvement. An addition was made to the cabin, and in it the fam- ily lived for several years. In 1869 one of the best houses then in the vicinity was erected, and became their home, and in this commodious dwelling the family still lives. In the early days of their resi- dence here, Atchison was their only market, and Capt. Little has more than once hauled corn to that city, thirty-four miles distant, and sold it ,for twelve and a half cents a bushel.
The land which Capt. Little took in its primitive condition, now forms a well-tilled acreage, upon which are the usual improvements made by an en- terprising agriculturist. It is well fenced with wire, rail and hedge, and finely set with native cedar and Norway pine, and other ornamental shade trees, and in addition has a large grove of black walnut, cottonwood, soft maple, etc. The apple orchard consists of about 500 trees, most of them now bearing, and some of them are the oldest trees in this part of the county. The peach orchard is extensive, and while some of the trees therein are very old, others have been quite recently planted. Grapes and a variety of small fruits are also in cultivation. Capt. Little feeds all his corn, generally shipping his own stock.
The estimable lady who has shared in the scenes of pioneer life, in the earlier struggles and later prosperity of Capt. Little, is a daughter of Alex- ander and Adeline (Vermillia) Worth, who were early settlers in Indiana, whence they had come from New York State. She was born in Morgan County, Ind., which adjoins the county in which
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her husband first saw the light, and she was christ- ened Mariah. Mr. and Mrs. Little are the parents of six children. Mary Aun first married John Myers, formerly of Ohio, who died while on a trip to the mountains. The widow, who was left with two children, subsequently married Isaac Iloover, whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this work ; Harriet A. is the wife of A. J. Best, a physician at Centralia, and they have four children. Mr. Best is a native of Nova Scotia, and was formerly a resident in this township; Lawrence A. has a wife and six children, and is engaged in agricultural work in Straight Creek Township; Alice is the wife of Angelo Nichols, formerly of this township, and the mother of two children. Their present home is in Holton, where Mr. Nichols carries on the watch making and jeweler's trade; Charles E., an educated pharmacist, is in the drug business in Circleville; he has one child. Emma Belphene is the wife of Isaac N. Askins, of this township, and formerly of Ohio; they have one child.
Capt. Little votes with the Republican party in all matters of National import, but in local affairs gives his suffrage to the best candidate, irrespective of party lines. Mrs. Little belongs to the Metho- dist Church, and is a highly esteemed member. The many sterling qualities in the character of Capt. Little, and his intelligent and enterprising management of his estate, give him a high rank in the opinion of his fellow-citizens, and they also manifest for him the respect which is due to his years.
W ILLIAM U. GARD, whose home is on sec- tion 5, Pottawatomie Township, belongs to the pioneer element of Kansas, and has a large fund of reminiscences of the time when the Indian and buffalo made things lively for the ad- venturous settlers who braved the hardships and dangers of a new country in order to open up to posterity new avennes to fame and fortune. He was born in Grant County, Wis., Nov. 22. 1851. His father, David Gard was a native of Washington County, Ohio, and a pioneer of Grant County, Wis. For a period of twenty years he worked in the lead mines in the vicinity of Galena, Ill., but
made his home in Grant County, Wis. He brought his family to Kansas in 1857, and settled in Potta- watomie County on the farm where our subject now resides. The mother of our subject was Mary Cook, a daughter of Uriah Cook, who settled in Potta. watomie County in 1855, among the Indians and wild animals. The parental family consisted of nine children, of whom six survive namely: Re- becca, Mrs. Duncan; Mary J., Mrs. Spaulding ; Lot, William U., Charles E., and Rachel, Mrs. Mack. David Gard died July 4, 1886, in Galena, Ill., while there on a visit. His wife had preceded him to the better land about two years, her death occurring in March, 1884.
John R. Gard, brother of our subject, was a mem- ber of Company F, 4th Wisconsin Infantry, and was killed in Baltimore, Md., about June 12, 1861. llis regiment had been detailed to preserve order in that city at the time of the riots there in 1861, which have since become historical, and he met his death in the line of his duty.
William Gard was only six years of age when huis parents took up their residence in Kansas. His early experience was the usual one of the youth of the time and embraced many thrilling en- counters with the red men of the forest and the wild animals of the plains. His educational ad- vantages, as may well be supposed, were of a some- what limited character. nevertheless he managed by dint of industry and close application to acquire a fair knowledge of the necessary branches of a good English education. An extensive course of reading and a wide knowledge of men and close attention to business affairs have combined to make him one of the most intelligent farmers to be found in the county.
The marriage of our subject to Miss Mary J. Mow- der was celebrated on the 20th of February 1879. Mrs. Gard is a daughter of Henry and Anna (Gam- ble) Mowder, of Shannon Township, Pottawatomie County. She is a lady of intelligence and prac- tical ability and highly regarded in the community in which they live. They are the parents of five children, whose names are: Lillian E., Florence M., William W. and Charles C. (twins), and Philip D.
The farm of Mr. Gard is one of finest and best improved in Pottawatomie County, and embraces
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240 acres of land, all under good cultivation. In addition to his farm work, Mr. Gard is extensively engaged in the business of stock-raising, in which he has been eminently successful. As a man and a citizen he stands high in the esteem and good will of his fellowmen, and has beld the position of Township Clerk for the past four years. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., and also of the Re- publican party.
ARTIN S. COMBS. Although not a long- time resident of Belvue Township, Mr. Combs has fully established himself as one of its worthy citizens, and one of the most intelligent members of the farming community. He owns and occupies 190 acres of good land on section 5, where he makes a specialty of thor- oughbred cattle and swine. He usually keeps from seventy-five to 100 head of each. His operations are conducted in that systematic and business. like manner which seldom fails of success. Mr. Combs has never sought notoriety, being content to pur- sue the even tenor of his way, and without seeking office gives his unqualified support to the Repub- lican party. Ile has been for some years a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The native place of Mr. Combs was in Butler County, Ohio, and the date of his birth June 12, 1840. Ilis father, Andrew B. Combs, was born in New Jersey about 1817, and is of Scotch extrac- tion. When a young man he emigrated to Ohio, where he engaged in farming, and died at the age of sixty-five years. He was a man of decided views and opinions, and a stanch supporter of the Demo- cratic party. He was married in early life to Miss Martha Pryor, who was born in Richmond, Ind. Her father, William Pryor, was a prominent lawyer of that State and one of the leading lights in the Republican party. To Andrew and Martha Combs there was born a family of five children, all of whom are living, and who bear the names respect- ively, of Elizabeth, Joseph, Jonathan, Martin and Wilson.
The subject of this sketch was the fourth child of his parents, and was reared and educated in his
native township, living on the farm with his par- ents and attending the district school. He sojonrned in the Buckeye State until the spring of 1870, then coming to Wabaunsee County, Kan., purchased a farm and lived there until 1881; then selling out he established himself as a grocer at Wamego, where he operated until 1887. That year he sold out his store and purchased his present farm. Be- fore leaving his native State he was married, April 11, 1861, to Miss Johanna Skelman. This lady was born in Ohio, and departed this life at her home in Wabaunsee County, May 5, 1878. There have been born to them eight children, viz: Albert, An- nie, Andrew. George, Thomas, Nettie, James and Alvina, all of whom are living. Mr. Combs on the 57th of October, 1886, contracted a second marriage with Mrs. Mary Regnier. This lady was born in Cooper County, Mo., May 10, 1853, and is the daughter of Northeast and Mary (Johnson) Davis, who were likewise natives of that State. Of this union there are four children, viz: Charles, Lewis, Laura and Richard.
R ICHARD M. COOK, a pioneer of 1858. coming to Kansas in the prime and vigor of early manhood, has since been closely identified with the upbuilding of Jackson County, and has been especially prominent in se- curing valuable educational advantages for the youth within its borders, and in otherwise elevating its social and moral status as well as in advancing its material prosperity. The breaking out of the war found our subject warmly in sympathy with the Union eause, and as soon as he could, he hastened to join the ranks who were fighting for the honor of the old flag, inheriting from his Revolutionary grandsire the patriotic blood that bade him do or die for his country. To-day he is conducting a flourishing flour and feed business in Ilolton, and is one of our most respected and trusted merchants.
Mr. Cook spent his early life in New Brunswick, N. J., where he was born Oct. 4, 1836, coming of good old New England stock. His father, James Cook, was born in Vermont. Ilis grandfather was likewise a native of New England, and he did
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gallant service in the Revolution. He was a farmer and spent his last years among the granite hills of New Hampshire, where he was prominent in public life and served in the State Legislature.
The father of our subject was young when his parents moved to New Hampshire, and there he grew to man's estate. Ile went to New Jersey after attaining his majority, and was married in that State to Maria Merrill, a native of that commonwealth. She was a daughter of Richard Merrill, who was born on Staten Island, N. Y., his father spending his entire life on that island, where he carried on farming. The grandfather of our subject was also a farmer. During the war of 1812 he served as bugler. After that he moved to New Jersey, and settled a half mile from New Brunswick on a farm that he had inherited from his father, and there hie passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1865 at the remarkably advanced age of one hundred years. After marriage the parents of our subject made their home on a farm three or four miles from New Brunswick, and resided thereon till 1854, when they sold the place and moved to Wisconsin. They settled in Green County. in Jordan Township, twelve miles from Monroe in a westerly direction. At that time Wisconsin was still in the hands of the pioneers, and for a time Warren, Ill., was the nearest railway station. Mr. Cook bought a tract of wild land, partly timber, and soon erected suitable buildings. improved a part of the land, and was living there at the time of his death, which occurred in February, 1861. He was a man whose sterling personal attributes, practical industry, and excellent habits won him the respect of his fellow- men. The mother of our subject makes her home in Abilene with her daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Sisson.
Richard Cook of this biographical review passed the early years of his life in his native State, and he was in his eighteenth year when he accompanied his parents to Wisconsin. He remained with them in their pioneer home in that State till 1858, and then he too became a pioneer, starting in the spring of that year for the Territory of Kansas, making the journey with an ox-team. Jolin Dixon accompanying him.(He is now a resident of Grant Township.) They cooked and camped on the way, and after traveling two months arrived in that part
of Calhoun County now included in Jackson County. At that time there was one store with a small stock of goods and a few houses where the thriving city of Holton stands to-day. Mr. Cook made a claim to a tract of wild prairie five miles west and three miles south of town, joining the reservation. Ile built a cabin and broke a few acres of land, but being a single man he did not settle on it then. In the fall of 1860 he made a trip aeross the plains with an ox-team, leaving Leavenworth the 22nd day of October, with six pair of oxen and a load of freight, and on the 22nd day of December, he arrived in Denver. After disposing of his freight he returned to Kan- sas, and in the spring of 1861 again journeyed across the plains. At that time buffaloes were plenty and he saw them in large numbers. In July, he came back to Jackson County, and in August he enlisted in Company C, 7th Kansas Cavalry, for a term of three years, and did faithful service in Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama, fighting bravely in many a hardly con- tested battle. He remained with his regiment until the expiration of the term of enlistment, and was then honorably discharged, and returned to his home in this county. He had previously entered his land from the Government, and when he came back from the seat of war he settled on it, and at once set about the task of developing a farm, and was a resident there till 1870. Disposing of his property at a good price, he then came to Holton to reside. He had been elected Connty Superin- tendent of Schools in 1868, and was re elected in 1870 and 1872, serving continuously six years, and in 1884 he was again elected to that respon- sible office. From 1874 till 1884 he was engaged in teaching, and in the latter year opened his flonr and feed store, which he has so successfully managed since that time.
Mr. Cook was happily married in 1867. to Miss Lucinda E. llarris, a native of Wiseonsin, and to them have come three children : Harry, Emma and Kate.
Our subject is a gentleman of culture and of progressive and enlightened views, and, as we have seen, has been a public benefactor, inasmuch as he has done a great deal, not only in directly educating
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the young of Jackson County, but also in securing them the advantages of an excellent school system. As an upright business man, he has the trust of all with whom he deals; as a citizen, he is greatly es- teemed, and in his domestic relations he is all that a devoted husband and wise father should be. A Republican always, he gives his earnest support to the policy of his party, firmly believing it the best for the guidance of National affairs in the in- terests of the people. His fellow-citizens have called him to other offices of trust besides that mentioned, and while a resident of Grant Town- ship he served two years as Trustee. and was also Township Treasurer of Franklin Township. Since coming here, he has been a member of. the City Council.
ACOB MORROW. This gentleman was not twenty years of age when he became a resi- dent of Jackson County, and his experience has extended from the troublous days of the '50's, through the period of the anti-slavery and pro-slavery difficulties upon the border, through the years in which this section was sparsely settled by the whites and when wild game and sav- ages were plentiful, through seasons of drought and devastation by rapacious insects, to the more pros- perous years when settlements were rapidly spring- ing up and the country taking on a more civilized beauty from the cultivated fields, beautiful groves and tasty dwellings that marked its surface. Be- ginning with the labors which he undertook in his father's assistance, Mr. Morrow has borne a full share in the work of developing the resources and elevating the standard of citizenship and morality in this county, and can fcel a just pride in the pros- perity and advanced civilization of his chosen home and his own share in that result.
The parents of our subject were John and Mary (Stookey) Morrow, the former a native of Lancas- ter County, Pa., and the latter of Germany. They were living in Winfield County, Ohio, when on Oct. 17, 1836, a son was born to them, who was christened Jacob, and who is the subject of this this sketch. Sixteen years after his birth the family removed to Platte County, Mo., where they
resided four years, thence in the spring of 1856 coming to what was then Calhoun County, Kan., and settling one mile east of Holton. There the parents remained until the death of the father. which occurred early in the winter of 1872. After his death the widowed mother lived with her chil- dren, and departed this life at the home of a danghter in Ringgold County, Iowa.
Jacob Morrow, the subject of this sketch, was the fourth in a family of nine children, and having accompanied his parents to this county remained with them until his marriage in March, 1859, His bride was Miss Louisa Wayant, who was born in Franklin County. Pa., May 29, 1841, her parents being Jacob and Margaret (Besore) Wayant, who were also born in the Keystone State, and who came to Kansas in the early winter of 1856, and the following spring located in this county, in what is now Garfield Township. There the mother died in 1869, the husband and father surviving until 1870, when he too departed this life. Mrs. Morrow has borne her husband four children-Samantha J., who is the wife of D. W. Cozad; John, who died when a little over three years old; Jacob Jr .; and one who died in infancy.
After his marriage Mr. Morrow settled about one mile east of Holton, where he remained until the spring of 1866, when he changed his location to a point west of the same village. After a short sojourn there be settled on section 23, Garfield Township, where he still lives and where he owns 250 valuable acres, upon which excellent buildings have been erected and other fine improvements made. He gives his attention to farming and stock-raising, and exhibits an intelligence and a desire to keep abreast of the best thought of the times in both lines of work, which redound to his credit and place him among the better class of ag- riculturists.
Mr. Morrow has an honorable record as a sol- dier, having spent some of the best years of his manhood in the service of his country and having performed the duties of campaign life in a faithful and efficient manner. He was enrolled as a member of Company B, 11th Kansas Infantry, in the fall of 1862, and a year later the command was mounted, serving until the close of the war as mounted in-
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fantry. While in the army our subject was quite seriously injured by being run over by a wagon. When mustered out of the service he returned to his home and tock up again the arts of peace, and has since continued uninterruptedly at his work.
Politically Mr. Morrow is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and endeavor in their daily life to carry out the princi- ples of the Gospel. Since the day of their union Mrs. Morrow has, in her own department, ably as- sisted her husband by her forethought and wise economy, and her prudent counsel and words of encouragement have been highly valued by him. The couple have a wide circle of acquaintances and many friends in the section where they have so long made their home.
b AMILTON H. BRADY. Of the represent- ative citizens of Jackson County, few are more widely known, and none more highly respected than this gentleman, who has been successful both in the profession of a teacher and in the occupation of a tiller of the soil. He lives on a pleasant farm, which he purchased in 1882, and which, although in good condition at the time of purchase, has been still further improved through the labor of the owner and operator. Mr. Brady was engaged as a teacher for twelve years, during which time he taught 108 months, making a total of nine years of constant labor in that profession. IIe gained a wide-spread reputa- tion as a good instructor and disciplinarian, having taught in various counties and States.
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