Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 17

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 17
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 17
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 17

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).

ILLIAM GRAY. The prosperity of Jack- son County is due in a large measure to those sturdy pioneers, who, coming here from older States, have battled with all the hard- ships incumbent upon frontier life, and after ex- perimenting with the soil and ascertaining to what it is most adapted, have devoted their time to es- tablishing pleasant homes, and placing themselves in independent financial circumstances. Mr. Gray has had his full share of the difficulties incident to such an existence, and has spent much of his time and money in developing his homestead. Upon his arrival in this county he thought he could succeed in raising wheat, but a few expensive trials taught him differently. The speculation, however, cost him a considerable amount of money. On the other hand, he has found many grains which can be raised admirably in this soil. and to the cultiva- tion of these he devotes the most of his large farm.

The father of our subject was likewise William Gray, a native of Kentucky. Ile married Mary Groce, daughter of David Groce, who came at a very early date from his home in Kentucky to Clark County, Ind. William Gray, Jr., was born in Bloomington, Ind., Sept. 17, 1831, and passed

the first seventeen years of his life in farm work and school duties. He received a good, practical education, and attained a considerable reputation among the people of that neighborhood as a "cham- pion" speller. In those days spelling matches were a common occurrence and were attended by farmers for miles around. The fortunate winner would be envied by his school-mates and praised by the visitors, and this honor usually fell to the lot of our subject. who seldom failed to "spell the school down.".

At the age of seventeen years, Mr. Gray went to Bedford, Lawrence County, the same State, where he was occupied for a period of three years at the tanner's trade. He later removed to Chestnut Hills, where he followed the same business for a period twenty years. He had in the meantime taken upon himself the responsibility of a home, having been united in marriage with Elizabeth Norman, Jan. 24, 1860. Mrs. Gray was the daughter of Peter and Nancy (Hays) Norman. natives of North Carolina and Illinois. In 1869 Mr. Gray sold out his business, having resolved to locate in the West. and engage in agricultural pursuits, althoughi for many years he had done no farm work. He came alone to Jackson County in the fall of that year, and selected a suitable location for a home on the southwest quarter of section 8, Whiting Township. Here he brought his family in 1870, leaving them first with friends in the village of Whiting, while he came on to the farm and erected a house, 16x22 feet, which was considered at that time quite a large building. Mr. Gray was enabled to purchase good teams, as well as the farming implements necessary to the cultivation of the estate.

Prosperity has attended Mr. Gray in all his efforts, and he is now well situated financially. To his original purchase he has added 160 acres, now in a good state of cultivation. On his first pur- chase there is an old Indian field of about twelve acres, which had been cultivated by the red men for many years. Having been reared in a wooded country, Mr. Gray considered timber essential to a good farm, and accordingly was careful when lo- cating his claim to select land with plenty of trees. He has thus not only had sufficient wood for his own use, but has sold some, and given liberally of

190

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

his bountiful supply. Most of his estate is under cultivation, some of it, however, being devoted to pastures. In the spring of 1871, he set out about 300 apple trees, which are in splendid bearing con- dition. With peaches he was not so successful. Smaller fruits, grapes, berries, etc., grow and bear well, and are a perfect success. There is also a large grove containing over 300 evergreen trees, being the only thrifty grove of the same in Whit- ing Township. They are Scotch pine, about as high as the house, eight inches in diameter on an average, and add very materially to the attractions of the homestead. Of the many varieties planted by Mr. Gray, the Scotch pine were the only sur- vivors. The beautiful catalpa, with its wealth of foliage and blossoms, may be found amid other shade and forest trees. In the midst of the wide- spreading lawn stands the residence, comprising one and a half stories, attractive without and re- plete on the interior, with evidences of the taste of its inmates. In the rear are quite a number of sheds and stables, which are essential to a modern stock-farm, and to this business Mr. Gray has devoted his attention and labor for many years. He is particularly interested in cattle and hogs, often carrying 100 head of the former and as many of the latter.

In politics, Mr. Gray is a supporter of the prin- ciples of the Republican party, while socially, he belongs to the I. O. O. F., being a member of Jack- son Lodge, No. 214, at Whiting. He is one of the most influential members of the Christian Church, at Whiting, and was largely instrumental in build- ing the church edifice in that town, at a time when he was financially embarrassed. The church cost over $3,100, and is one of which the village itself, and more especially the members of that particular denomination, may well be proud. As is usual in such cases, a few were obliged to defray most of the indebtedness incurred in its erection.

The home of our subject is made happy by the presence in it of an amiable and charming wife, together with several. children, the most of whom have reached years of maturity, and are an orna- ment to any society. Josephine has received a splendid education, having attended the University at Holton and the Atchison Institute. She was

fitted to teach, and followed that profession for five years, and until failure of health compelled her to cease the arduous labors incident to the life of a good teacher. David P. married Rosa Cordon, and resides on a farm of his own located about six miles north of Holton. He and his excellent wife are the parents of one child. Mary received her education at the Campbell Normal University, and makes a specialty of music, in which she is quite proficient. Kitty also was a student at the Camp- bell Normal University, and is at present at home. William Alva is a young man at home, and assists his father in the farm work. Thus happily situ- ated, and surrounded by all the good things of this life, our subject has every reasonable prospect of passing the declining years of his useful exist- ence in the enjoyment of such comforts as fall to the lot of men.

ICHAEL J. KAVANAGH. Arong the prominent representatives of the press in Pottawatomie County, may be mentioned the gentleman with whose name we intro- duce this sketch, and who is the able : 1 [efficient editor of the Butler City News, a pape. published in Blaine, in the interest of the Republican party. Although yet in his early manhood, Mr. Kavanaglı, by sturdy industry and honorable dealing with all men, as well as by the constant practice of a ready tact and political shrewdness, has reached his pres- ent enviable position, not only as a newspaper editor of rare ability, but as a gentleman possessing many admirable traits of mind and heart.

Not only has Mr. Kavanagh become prominently identified with newspaper interests, but has devoted considerable time to farming, and is now the owner of 160 acres of valuable land in Pottawatomit County, which he has improved from season to season, embellishing it with farm buildings and planting out fruit and shade trees.

Of Irish descent, our subject inherits the bold, sturdy characteristics of his race, and was born in New York City, July 17, 1864, to Michael J. J. and Rosanna (Carey ) Kavanagh, natives of Dublin, Ireland, and emigrants in early life to the land be-

٠٠

Mars A. C. Merritt

193

"PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

yond the waters, the resort of so many of their nationality. Their marriage was celebrated in Al- bany. N. Y., after which they removed to Milwau- kee, Wis., and later to Madison. the father being a dry-goods merchant. For a time they sojourned in Lenox, Mass., and afterward removed to New York City, which continued to be their home until 1879, when they decided to seek a home in the Far West, as Kansas was then, and, indeed, is yet con- sidered by the people along the Atlantic Coast. Upon coming to Kansas they located in Pottawato- mie County, upon a farm near Blaine.

Of the ten children born to the parents of our subject, one alone survives-the gentleman of whom we write. He was educated at De LaSalle Institute, in New York City, and was bred to mer- cantile pursuits. The date of his arrival in Blaine was July 1, 1880, and there he soon became inter- ested in farming. In 1886 he leased a page of the Olsburg News Letter, which he edited in the inter- ests of the people of Blaine and vicinity, and which was bright, newsy, and filled with items of interest and instruction. So favorably was it received, and so much encouragement was given our subject that he resolved to publish it separately, and accord- ingly, in May, 1889, issued the first number of the Butler City News, which has a constantly increas- ing list of subscribers, and is recognized as an influential organ of the Republican party in Potta- watomie County. Mr. Kavanagh is a member of the Pottawatomie County Editorial Association, also of the Northwestern Editorial Association, and has before him the prospect of attaining eminence in his particular line of work. He finds his relig- ious home in the Catholic Church, which was also the religion of his parents and ancestors.

ON. ALBERT C. MERRITT. No more popular man can be found in Pottawatomie County, than the Hon. A. C. Merritt, joint proprietor of the Louisville Roller Mill, and interested with his partner, Jacob W. Arnold, in the grain business in Wamego. He is widely known for the ability with which he has filled public offices, and especially as a member of the State

Legislature, to which he was elected on the straight Democratic ticket, by 125 majority, in a. district that usually gave five times as great a majority in favor of the candidates of the Republican party. The good judgment and straightforward dealing of Mr. Merritt are shown in the conduct of his busi- ness affairs, and are even more conspicuous during his incumbency of any public office, while his af- fable manners and varied knowledge, justly entitle him to the popularity which he enjoys, not only in this county, but wherever he is known.

The parents of our subject were natives of the Empire State. in which they were married, and where they resided until 1833. They then removed to Cass County, Mich., and there resided until death. The father, William R. Merritt, was a farmer and general merchant, and he survived un- til 1885. The mother bore the maiden name of Adelia Keeler, and her death took place in 1880.

Hon. Mr. Merritt was born in Cass County, Mich., March 9, 1849, and is the eighth in a family of ten children. He received a common-school education in the district schools, and grew to manhood in his native State, remaining under the parental roof un- til he was of age. He then began life for himself on a farm, his father furnishing him a team and giving him one-fourth the crops. After carrying on the home farm for a year, he bought a place, making a partial payment on it, and operating it for four years. being able to pay the balance due on it at the end of two years. It was a heavily timbered farm, and he cleared off thirty-five aeres of it him- self. During three years of this time he also car- ried on the home farm. Selling out at the expira- tion of the time noted. he went to Bristol, Ind., and spent six months working in his father's store there.

During the Centennial year, Mr. Merritt came to this State, and locating in Louisville, bought a half- interest in the mill property in company with his brother, J. S. Merritt. The partnership continued until the fall of 1884, when our subject bought his brother's interest, and was the sole proprietor until the spring of 1888, when his present partner, Hon. J. W. Arnold, became a half-owner. J. S. Merritt died in 1885. The mill was erected in 1865, re- modeled in 1879, again in 1881, and 1888-89. It

194

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

is now a full roller system, and has the most mod- ern of improved machinery, giving a capacity of seventy-five barrels per day. It is furnished with both steam and water power, the latter, a twenty- two foot head_being the best water power in the county. "The mill is doing a splendid business, and since it was last remodeled, has run continuously night and day, employing a force of five men.

At the home of Almiron Storey, in Cass County, Mich., Aug. 1, 1871, the gentleman of whom we write, was united in marriage with Miss Elvia J. Storey, daughter of the host. Mrs. Storey was the second in a family of three children, and was born Jan. 25, 1850, in the county in which her mar- riage took place. Her father, a prominent farmer of Cass County, was gathered to his fathers in 1872, and the widowed mother now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Merritt. The happy union of our subject and his wife, has been blessed by the birth of two children, only one of whom is now liv- ing, Myrtle, who was born in Louisville, Aug. 22, 1877. By her mother, who is an intelligent and re- fined lady, the daughter is being instructed in all womanly graces and virtues, while all possible edu- cational advantages are given her. Mr. Merritt belongs to the A. F. & A. M .. in Wamego, and to the I. O. O. F. in this place, being Treasurer in the latter order. He is at present a member of the City Council, and Treasurer of the School Board. and has frequently served as Mayor of this eity. He is much interested in politics, and until the year 1888, had always voted the Democratic ticket. Now he is strongly in favor of Prohibition. Ile still agrees with the Democratic party on the tariff question, but left their ranks because of their stand in regard to the liquor traffic. In 1883, he re- presented the 56th District in the State Legislature. In 1885, R. S. Hicks, who was a short time before elected to the Senate, moved away, and Mr. Merritt was nominated in his place. Although this county generally gives from 600 to 800 Republican majority, Mr. Merritt carried it by a majority of ninety-one, after running without a canvass. This cireumstance proves his unbounded popularity, and his high repute among even his political opponents. Both Mr. and Mrs. Merritt are members of the Con- gregational Church, and teachers in the Sunday-

school department. Mr. Merritt is also Superin- tendent of a Mission Sunday-sehool six miles distant, and is a Trustee in his ehureh.

Among the portraits of influential residents and representative citizens of Pottawatomie County, we are pleased to present that of Mr. Merritt, who, by his honorable and successful career, has won the highest regard and unlimited confidence of his as- sociates. Beside his portrait, appears that of his wife, whose interests are identified with his own.

6 HOMAS J. CHIEVIS, a member of the firm of Green, Chevis & Co., extensive dealers in hardware, having a well-appointed, well- stocked store in Holton, has for many years been a resident of Jackson County, and has vigorously aided in promoting its social, political and material advancement. He was for a long time identified with its agricultural interests, developing and im- proving a fine farm in Garfield Township. A Ken- tuckian by birth, our subject was born Aug. 21, 1830, in the town of Carlisle, Nicholas County. His father, the Hon. Thomas M. Chevis, was born in Spottsylvania County, Va., Oct. 2, 1806, a son of Thomas M. Chevis. The grandfather of our subjeet was an opulent Virginian planter and slave- owner. He sold his plantation in the Old Domin- ion, and removing to Kentucky with his family and slaves, was a pioneer of Nicholas County, where he bought a tract of land, which be cleared and im- proved into a farm, upon which he lived till the close of his life.

The father of our subject inherited slaves from his father, besides other property. He also became a pioneer, removing with his family to Clay County, Mo., in 1835, and subsequently locating on the Platte Purchase, as one of the first settlers of the village of Barry. He entered land from the Government, and bought other tracts, and became a large land-owner. Barry is located on the county line between Platte and Clay Counties, and by a special aet of the legislature his residence was de- elared to be in Clay County. He engaged in the mereantile business, besides superintending the im- provement of his farm, which he worked by slave

195

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

labor, although he never bought or sold a slave. He was a man of prominence, both in business cir- cles and in public life, and he filled many offices of trust, and was a resident of Barry until his death.

From an obituary taken from a local paper we extract the following: "Judge Chevis was one of those kind of men whose place in society is very difficult to fill, he having lived for many years an exemplary Christian life, being a member of the Christian Church at Barry, Clay County, Mo., for many years, and one of the working members, hav- ing been an Elder for fifteen or twenty years, and always at his post. The Judge was a farmer by profession, a kind, affectionate husband and indul- gent father; affable, kind and agreeable with all his neighbors and acquaintances. To know him was to admire and esteem him-he was upright and honorable in all the walks of life. He died as he had lived, with an unshaken faith in the merits of a crucified Redeemer, in whom he had long since put his trust. Retaining to the last moments of his life the use of his reasoning powers, calling his deeply afflicted wife and children around his dying bed, he commended them to the protection of the Saviour, and offered up a prayer in their behalf, requesting them to prepare to meet him in Heaven. Then closing his eyes, his soul took its flight into the spirit land, to enjoy blessings consequent upon a well spent life, where sickness, sorrow, pain and death are feared and felt no more.

"The Judge leaves a kind, affectionate wife and four children to mourn, but not as those who have no hope, for their loss is his gain. Judge Chevis was born in Spottsylvania County, Va., Oct. 2, 1806, emigrated to Clark County, Ky., and thence to Clay County, Mo., in 1835, where he has resided ever since up to the time of his death. He was a member of the County Court of Clay for a number of years, and was honored with a seat in the Leg- islature of Kentucky, and filled several civic offices with credit to himself. But his lahors are over, he has passed away. His voice will no longer be heard in the church nor in the civil walks of life, but his memory will live in the breasts of all those with whom he had to do. Hle bore his affliction with that Christian fortitude which marked his whole life. He has, we believe, received that wel-

come .Now thy labors are o'er, come up and enjoy the rest prepared for the righteous from the be- gining of the world.'

"'God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.'

'Let angels before him prostrate fall And crown him Lord of all.'"

The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Annie C. Hughes, and she was a danghter of David Hughes. She was born either in Bourbon or Clark County, Ky., and died at the home farm in Barry, Mo.

Thomas Chevis, of this biography, was reared in Missouri, and received his education in the local schools that were taught on the subscription plan, and in the William Jewel Academy at Liberty. At the age of seventeen he entered his uncle G. L. Hughes' drug store in that town, and clerked for bim five years. At the expiration of that time he became a clerk in a dry-goods store in Liberty, re- taining that situation four years. We next hear of him in St. Louis, where he obtained a situation as 1st Clerk on a steamer plying between St. Louis and Keokuk. He was thus engaged five seasons, and in 1854 again accepted a position in a dry- goods store in Clay County, Mo., in the town of Barry, continuing as clerk there two years. His next important step in life was his marriage, in September, 1856, to Miss Anna Woods, a native of Howard County, Mo., and a daughter of Adam C. and Mary ( Wilson) Woods. Their pleasant wedded life has been blessed to them by the birth of six children : Mary A., wife of J. W. Lewis, of Jackson County; Martha J., wife of Simeon Woods, of Holton; Susan W., wife of Isaiah Berket, of Jackson County ; Charles A., Thomas M., and Anna.

After marriage our subject settled down to the life of a farmer, buying a farm in Platte County, three miles west of Barry, and he was prosperously ' engaged in farming there until 1871. After dis- posing of his property in Platte County, Mr. Chevis came to this State, and to Jackson County, and purchased a farm in what is now Garfield Town- ship, three miles east of Ilolton. lle carried on agricultural pursuits in that place with good finan- eial success for several years. Deciding to make

196

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

his home for the future in Holton, he sold his Gar- field Township property at a good advance, it hav- ing greatly increased in value under his skillful management, and in 1884 he took up his residence in this city. He was soon appointed Deputy County Clerk, and served a little more than a year with entire satisfaction to all concerned. In 1886 he accepted a position as clerk in a hardware store, and in 1888, in the month of December, formed the partnership indicated in the opening lines of this review. The firm carries an excellent stock of hard- ware, has its full share of patronage, and has ac- quired a high reputation for honorable dealings in business circles.

Mr. Chevis is a stalwart Democrat in his political belief, and gives hearty and liberal support to his party. He is connected with the A. F. & A. M., a member of Holton Lodge, No. 42. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and contrib- ute generously to its support, and are always found among the foremost in any good work in which they interest themselves. Mr. Chevis is considered a man of sound sense, as well as of moral rectitude, and one who can be depended upon as entirely trustworthy, and as a steadfast friend, than which no higher praise can be given.

E DWIN M. SHERMAN. The farming and stock-raising interests of Lone Tree Town- ship recognize a worthy representative in the subject of this notice, a pioneer of 1870 who came to the Sunflower State in November, that year, and settled upon his present farm which comprises the east half of the northeast quarter of section 4. Thrifty, industrious and enterprising, he battled with the usual difficulties of life in a new country during the struggling days of Kansas, and has con- tributed his quota to her growth and prosperity. He feels a commendable pride in this great common- wealth, whose sons have nobly stood by her side through sunshine and storm and who to-day have reason to congratulate themselves upon their citizenship.

We find by glancing at the parental history of Mr. Sherman, that he is the son of Abner M. and

Mary S. ( Manchester) Sherman, the former of whom was a New Englander by birth and descent, and the latter a native of New Brunswick. Abner Sherman was born in Vermont, May 11, 1800, and was reared among the hills of the Green Moun- tain State. Being of an ambitious east of mind he turned his eyes toward the far West at an early date, resolved to cast in his lot with the venturesome spir- its who were migrating hither. He selected his lo- cation in Winnebago County, Ill., and remained a bachelor until nearly thirty-eight years old. On the 2d of March, 1838, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Sophia Manchester, who was her husband's junior by nearly twenty years, having been born March 20, 1820. They settled on what is now part of the township of Rockford, Ill., where the elder Sherman had secured 160 acres of land. Hc carried on farming in Illinois until about 1863 and was recognized as one of the leading citizens in his community, being honest, industrious and a life-long member of the Baptist Church. He came to Kansas in 1870, and died in Lone Tree Township, Potta- watomie County, Sept. 6, 1883, when past eighty- three years old. His wife Mary is still living and is in the seventieth year of her age; she makes her home with her daughter in Lone Tree Township. She likewise has been a life-long member of the Baptist Church.

Edwin M. Sherman is the youngest of the three surviving children of his parents, the other two being James E. and Mrs. Kate Tunison, wife of Wardell W. Tunison, a resident of Lone Tree Town- ship. Edwin M. was born in Winnebago County, Ill., March 8, 1845, and was there reared to man's estate, assisting his father on the farm and acquiring a practical education in the common school. He was but a youth of seventeen years upon the breaking out of the Rebellion and on the 9th of August, 1862, enlisted in the Union army as a member of Company H, 74th Illinois Infantry, which he soon joined in Kentucky and soon afterward participated in the battles of Champion Hill, Stone River, Chat- tanooga, Missionary Ridge and Chickamauga. He was with the detachment that was sent to the relief of Burnside at Knoxville, and subsequently participated in all of the engagements of the Atlanta campaign, his corps being the one which tore up

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 17

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

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