Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 19

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 19
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 19
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 19

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The father of our subjeet was John Kelly, Sr., a native of New York State, who removed to Penn- sylvania when a young man, and there spent the remainder of his life. He was a shoemaker by trade, which he followed during his years of aetive labor. He was married, in early manhood, to Miss Elizabeth Bliss, whose family was originally from the New England States, but later settled in Penn- sylvania. John, Jr., was the second of four chil- dren born of this union, and spent his childhood and youth in a comparatively uneventful manner under the home roof. Then departing from the family hearthstone he eame to Kansas, and is the only member of his family residing in this State, the others remaining in Pennsylvania. The wife of Mr. Kelly was, in her girlhood, Miss Elizabeth

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Swan, a daughter of Levi Swan. a native of Ohio, and a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Kelly was born Feb. 25, 1843, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of eight children, viz .: Orpha, Clara, Olive, Mary, William, Walter and Eva. Charles is deceased, dying in infancy.

UGUST F. KOLTERMAN. The birth of this gentleman took place in Pottawatomie County, and his whole life has been con- nected with the interests of this section, of which he is now one of the most progressive and prosperous farmers. He resides in Mill Creek Township, where he owns 700 acres of valuable land, the home farm comprising 400 acres located on section 9. It is well supplied with living water, is well stocked, and furnished with a complete and well-built set of farm buildings, and the whole estate is conducted in accordance with the intelli- gent understanding and approved methods of the progressive agriculturist.

The father of our subject was W. F. Kolterman, a native of the Province of Pomerania, Prussia, where his birth took place Jan. 23, 1822. There he was reared as a German farmer boy, following the occupation in which his father had been en- gaged. He lost his mother while he was very young, and his father before he had reached man's estate. Having reached years of maturity, he was united in marriage with Miss Hannah L. Brunkow, who was born and reared in the same Province with himself. After the birth of three children- Christopher, Sophia and William F., Jr .- Mr. and Mrs. Kolterman emigrated to the United States in 1856, landing in New York City some weeks after leaving the German port. They at once journeyed Westward, and reaching Monroe, Wis., sojourned there a year, thence coming to this State, their journey being made by ox-team, and requiring some weeks' time. They brought with them a couple of cows and some household goods, and during the trip camped by the wayside for their needed rest and refreshment.

On reaching this county, Mr. Kolterman took a pre-emption claim of 160 acres on section 18, Mill

Creek Township, where he began farming as one of the first settlers of the township. Even the county was still new and sparsely settled, but he lived to see it all converted into pleasant homes, with towns and villages springing up in their midst. He improved a large amount of land, and before his death had become the owner of more than 1,400 acres. He was not only hard-working and energetic, but eautious and prudent, and to these qualities were due the large measure of suc- cess which resulted from his labors. He was an excellent citizen, loved and respected by all who knew him for his manly and upright character. He was a stanch Democrat, and during his life held some of the minor offices. He and his wife belonged to the Lutheran Church, and were among the or- ganizers of the society in this part of the county, and Mr. Kolterman had been an official member most of the time, holding the office of Elder at the time of his death, Sept. 15, 1882. Mrs. Kolter- man is still living on the old farm, and is quite active for one so old, her birth having taken place May 6, 1824.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kolter- man, Sr., after their arrival in this State. He whose name initiates this notice is the first of these, the others being Ernest and Pauline (twins), and Lizzie, all still living and married, as are two of those who were born in Germany. The eldest child, Christian, died soon after the parents came to this State, and before he had passed the years of childhood.

Our subject first opened his eyes to the light Nov. 11, 1857, on his father's homestead in Mill Creek Township, where he remained until he be- caine of age. He was married in Nemaha County, to Miss Minnie A. Brunkow, who was born in Prussia, July 3, 1862, and came with her parents- William F. and Caroline (Zabel) Brunkow-to the United States in 1869. The parents, who are now quite aged, are living in this township, where the father has been successfully engaged in farming. Mrs. Minnie Kolterman was reared in this county, and was the recipient of the best educational ad- vantages to be obtained here, as well as excellent home training. She has borne her husband three children : Emma L., born March 22, 1886; Otto E.,

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July 29, 1887, and Ella A., May 19, 1889. Im- mediately after their marriage, our subject and his wife settled at their present place of residence, and there the happy family are enjoying the comforts of life and the frequent companionship of their friends.

Mr. Kolterman is a believer in and supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. He has been Township Trustee and has also held other offices. He and his wife belong to the Lutheran Church, and not only by the members of the congregation, but by their fellow-citizens in general, they are held in excellent repute.

S IDNEY W. MARTIN. There is not a more beautiful homestead within the limits of Whiting Township, Jackson County, than that belonging to Mr. Martin. The fine residence stands upon a rise of ground command- ing an ample view of the outlying towns of Neta- waka, Hiawatha and Whiting, and in point of architectural beauty, is scarcely equaled by any- thing in its vicinity. It is two stories in height, with double bay windows on the east, and 130 feet of porch, handsomely finished, the whole involving an outlay of 83,000. This beautiful home forms the nucleus of 550 acres of valuable land, all under cultivation, and largely adapted to the raising and feeding of cattle, horses and swine, Mr. Martin keeping of these usually 100 of the first mentioned, 75 of the second, and 250 of the third. He has been greatly prospered in his under- takings, and is looked upon as one of the leading men of this county.

A Kentuckian by birth, the subject of this sketch was born in Estill County, that State, Nov. 2, 1846, and nine years later, in 1855, came with his parents directly to Kansas. First repairing to Louisville, they journeyed thence by a river steamer to St. Louis, and from there overland to Buchanan County, Mo., where they sojourned three months. They then removed to a point four miles west of Atchison, Kan., taking possession of a place which the Mormons had held, but were forced to leave. Atchison at that time consisted of one store, and a

small number of other buildings utilized as saloons. The Martin family lived there until Sidney devel- oped into manhood, during which time he acquired his early education, under the imperfectly con- ducted school system of that time and place.

Mr. Martin was married, in the twenty-second year of his age, at Atchison, Feb. 20, 1868, to Miss Molly White. The bride was the daughter of George B. and Mary E. (Lindsey) White, both natives of Kentucky, and the father born in Wood- ford County. He, too, left the Blue Grass regions at an early day, removing to Missouri, where he lived for a period of twenty years, from 1843 to 1863. Ile then took up his residence in Atchison, where he lived until 1887.

The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Martin was Richard Lindsey, of Carroll County, Ky. Her paternal grandparents were William and Mildred (Blackburn) White, of Kentucky, the former of whom was a son of John White, of Henry County, that State. The Blackburns were a noted family, possessing more than ordinary intellectual abilities, and furnishing one Governor and one Senator, besides numerous other officers to the State.

The parents of our subject were Jackson II. and Polly ( Walters) Martin, the latter the daughter of Sampson Walters, and the former the son of Rob- ert Martin, who descended from one of the "first families of Virginia." Sidney Martin, while a young man, being of an adventurous spirit, had a great desire to fight the Indians, and in 1862 went with the Twoshaw expedition, taking along a lot of goods which he traded for furs, using an ox- team for transportation. Subsequently he hauled goods to Denver, Col., and then returned as far as Ft. Kearney, where he entered the employ of another firm and returned to Denver, this trip occupying most of the winter. In 1864 he made another trip to Denver, in the employ of one G. T. Smith, a hardware merchant at that place. On account of a sick child Mrs. Smith could not go in the stage, and her husband got ready a team and employed Mr. Martin to drive through. At the time of starting they had no intimation of any Indian troubles, but when reaching Big Sandy Creek, they met the Blue River ranchmen, hasten- ing to the settlements with their families, and

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reporting that the savages were on the war path. Mr. Martin and his charges staid over night with a family, leaving by daybreak, and the following night learned that the family was murdered after they had left. While on the road that morning he had met a young man who lived near them, whose body was afterward found a few hundred yards away. Mr. Martin and his party, however, did not see any Indians, and the next day arrived at Ft. Kearney. On their way thither they overtook a train with eleven men and two women, from Council Bluffs, and as the scare was assuming large proportions they remained with the train until reaching their destination.

The next day was Sunday, and Mrs. Smith, who was a conscientious Presbyterian, would not allow her escort to drive on that day; the re- mainder of the train, however, continued on their · way, and Mr. Martin and his charge started out Monday morning long before daylight, with a good team and a light wagon, and overtook the caravan which had pursued its way on the Sab- bath. Mr. Martin stopped to water his horses at a ranche on the way, and while leaving it saw the wagons ahead on fire, and the Indians on the bluffs. They had descended on the train in the night, and killed the eleven men, taking the two women captives. There was a slough, and Mr. Martin drove down that for quite a distance, and in a short time discovered that the red ruffians had set fire to the ranch which he had just left, killing the proprietor. The Indians were behind him, so he put his horses to their best efforts, driving past the place where the men of the caravan had been killed, and to the next ranch whose buildings had also been burned. At the next ranch he found the people all safe, and remained with them that day. At night soldiers from the fort came to protect them. The telegraph had announced that Mrs. Smith and her friend were captured by the Indians, and their driver killed. They met Mr. Smith on the last coach that went through after the sick child had died, and finally arrived in Denver safe and sound.

The following winter Mr. Martin sojourned in Denver, as the Indians were still roaming over the country, bent on mischief. In the spring of 1865.

he made a trip to Julesburg with Government sup. plies. The next season he went into Montana Ter- ritory, where he sojourned four months, in the meantime visiting Virginia City and other points. He has thus been the eye witness of many thrilling scenes on the frontier during the Territorial days.

In 1867 Mr. Martin returned to Atchison, Kan., from Ft. Benton, and the following year was mar- ried. Soon afterward he came to Kansas, settling in Straight Creek Township, Jackson County, of which he was a resident ten years, and opened up a farm from the wilderness. He effected good im- provements, and lived there until 1878, when he purchased that which he now owns and occupies. He is looked upon as one of the representative men of Kansas. A Democrat in politics, he was born and bred in the principles of his party, and is a man of decided views -- one who is not usually turned from his convictions. He has been promi- ment in local affairs. and at one time was the' can- didate of his party for Sheriff. He has for many years been identified with the Masonie fraternity, and with his estimable wife is a member in good standing of the Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have no children of their own. but their household includes an adopted son, Robert, a nephew of Mr. Martin, who was born in Atlanta, Ga., Dee. II, 1868,

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ENRY W. SHOVE. Operating upon the caution conveyed in the maxim that "a rolling stone gathers no moss," this hon- ored old pioneer of Grant Township, still continues his sojourn upon the land which he pre- empted from the Government in January, 1858. The appearance of the country around him at that time was anything but prepossessing, being a wild and uncultivated stretch of territory. traversed mostly by Indians and wild animals. It required a man of dauntless courage to make up his mind to thus settle in the wilderness, but Mr. Shove was equal to the emergency, and pitched his tent when there was not a neighbor in sight, in the spring of 1859. The years which followed were replete with all the hardships and privations incident to life on

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the frontier, but a course of patience and persever- ance, yielded its legitimate reward, and Mr. Shove is now numbered among the most prosperous citi- zens of this part of the county. He has added to his landed possessions until he is now the owner of 530 acres, the greater part of which has been brought to a good state of cultivation. Mr. Shove in 1877, erected a fine residence, while he has a good barn and all the other outbuildings required by the enterprising and progressive agriculturist. He makes a specialty of stock-raising, and in this as in all his other enterprises, has realized hand- some returns.

For some years after coming to this region the nearest market to Mr. Shove's land, was at Atchi- son and Leavenworth, to which he transported his produce by the slow methods of ox-teams. He steadily maintained his ground through the politi- cal troubles which followed his settlement here, and he may be pardoned for the feeling of satisfaction which he entertains, in view of the fact that he has always had faith in the future of Kansas. He crossed the Mississippi from Illinois, where he had settled from 1853, and to which he had emigrated from Michigan. Prior to this he had been a resi- dent of New York State, and to that region he had emigrated from England in 1851.

Mr. Shove was born in County Surrey, England, on the 30th of April, 1830, and emigrated to Amer- ica shortly before reaching his majority, sailing from London, Feb. 23, 1851, on the "Governor Hinckley," and landing in New York City after a voyage of six weeks and six days, during which he encountered some severe winds. Young Shove was the eldest son, and was the first member of his father's family to seek the New World. It was proposed that he should come over and see the country, and if favorably impressed, return and ac- company the family over, which he did, returning in the spring of 1854, with the parents, brothers and sisters and a brother-in-law, with their children, there being twenty persons in all. They located first on a farm in Avon, Lake Co., Ill., where they lived for some years. Finally, in 1858. Henry W., ventured across the Mississippi to Pottawatomie County, this State, and was joined here by his parents, in 1864. The latter, however, finally settled at Hickory

Point, Jefferson County. The father, Henry Shove, died there in 1866, at the age of sixty-three years. He was born in Erith, Kent County, England, but afterward lived for some time in Surrey County, where he farmed. He was the son of Henry Shove, Sr., a blacksmith by trade, who spent his entire life in his native England, dying when about eighty years old. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject, was the son of an English gentleman closely allied to the nobility, a "Lord of the Manor," who, on account of drinking heavily, made way with his property, and died comparatively poor.

The mother of Mr. Shove bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Woodman. She was born and reared in Surrey County, England, and was the daughter of William Woodman, who married Miss Ann Par- sons. Her parents spent their entire lives in Sur- rey County, Mr. Woodman living to be eighty years old, while his wife died in middle life, aged forty-five years. Both were members of the es- tablished Church of England, and the offspring of excellent old stock, which produced many notable characters. Mrs. Elizabethi Shove is still living, making her home with her children in Pottawato- mnie County, this State, and notwithstanding she has attained to the advanced age of eighty-one years, she is yet active and intelligent, with a good memory, and able to relate many an interesting tale of the years gone by.

The third in a family of ten children, Mr. Shove was the eldest son of his parents, whose household included four sons and six daughters. All came to the United States, and all the survivors are mar- ried and have families of their own. The eldest daughter died when thirty six years old; Henry W. was reared to farm pursuits, but likewise learned the trade of a carpenter, and being a natural me- chanic, became very skillful at this business.

After a residence of seven years here, Mr. Shove was married Dec. 30, 1865, in Waukegan, to Miss Elizabeth James. Mrs. Shove was born in Pem- brokeshire, Wales, Feb. 7, 1838, and is the dangh- ter of the Rev. George and Martha ( Lewis) James, who were likewise natives of Wales, and both re- presentatives of old and excellent families. Af- ter the birth of eight children, Mr. and Mrs. James set out for America, on the 5th of April, 1851, tak-

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ing passage on the sailing-vessel "Fairfield." under command of Capt. Loveland. They landed in New York City after a voyage of twenty-one days, and soon afterward located upon a farm in Warren Township. Lake Co., Ill. There Mr. and Mrs. James spent the remainder of their lives, the mother dying Oct. 3, 1870, at the age of seventy years, (having been born in 1800), and the father, Feb. 22, 1872, at the age of sixty-seven. Both were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. James had officiated as a lo- cal preacher, from the time he was a youth of nine- teen years, until his death.

Mrs. Elizabeth Shove was one of a family of eight children, all of whom, with the exception of the eldest son, are still living, married, and have families. She was thirteen years old when her par- ents landed in this country, and remained with them until her marriage. Of her union with our subject, there have been born seven children, two of whom are deceased, one, an infant who died un - named, and Henry II., who died when thirteen months old; Jessie M., and Anna E., have been teachers in the public schools of Pottawatomie County, and the former is quite profficient in music, also teaching this art; May M., George A., and Raymond J., are at home with their parents.

Mrs. Shove is a consistent member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, of which also Mr. Shove is a regular attendant. The latter, politically, affili- ates with the Republican party. He has served two terms each as Township Treasurer and Trustec, and otherwise has kept aloof from the responsibili- ties of office.

ACOB HIXON. This gentleman, who is a worthy and substantial citizen of Franklin Township, Jackson County, makes his head- quarters at a well-regulated farm on section 11, where he has 160 acres of choice land with . good improvements. He has been a resident of Kansas for the last twenty-five years, having come to the young State in the fall of 1864 and set- tling in the spring of 1865 upon the land which con- stitutes his present farm. He has been engaged in agricultural pursuits his entire life and is greatly

interested in fruit raising, in which he has been uni- formly successful, and on account of efficient ser- vices is the Vice President of the State Horticul- tural Society.

Mr. Hixon was born in Washington County, Pa., June, 6, 1824, and when about six years old was taken by his parents to Carroll County, Ohio. He lived there until reaching his majority and then going into Jefferson County, that State, worked out by the month about two years. When approach- ing the twenty-fourth year of his age he was mar- ried in the last mentioned county. Feb. 20, 1849, to Miss Cassandra Stonebreaker. This lady was born in Jefferson County and was there reared to womanhood. The newly wedded pair lived there one year, then removed to Ashland County where Mr. Hixon operated on rented land for about seven years. Then leaving Ohio he moved to Putnam County, Ind., and operated his own land until com- ing to Kansas. There were born to him and his esti- mable wife five children, the eldest of whom, John S., lives on the homestead; Samuel died Dec. 30, 1882, at the age of thirty-one yeurs; he was well educated and a promising physician of Onarga, Pottawatomie County. Columbus M. lives in Idaho, and Sarah A. in Holton; Homer L. died Dec. 31, 1870, when about eight years ok. Mrs. Cassandra Hixon departed this life at her home in Franklin Township, Sept. 24, 1885. She was a consistant member of the Presbyterian Church and a lady possessing all the Christian virtues, a devoted wife and mother, beloved by her family and respected by her neighbors.

In politics, Mr. Hixson is a sound Republican, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church. He has held the office of County Commissioner five years; he officiated as Township Trustee four years, also as Township Treasurer and Clerk. He has traveled quite extensively from Oregon to Louis- iana and during the winter of 1888-89 spent sev- eral months on the Pacific Slope. He has been within the boundaries of thirty-four or thirty-five States in the Union, and is a man who has kept his eyes open to what is going on around him in the world, becoming thus well informed, and is one with whom an hour may be spent in a pleasant and profitable manner. IIe has a comfortable home, a

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well regulated farm with plain buildings, but all that a reasonable man can require in the way of this world's goods.

Mr. Hixon contracted a second marriage in Carroll County, Ill., Ang. 14, 1889, with Mrs. Mary E. Updegraff. Mrs Hixon has four children by her first husband, William Updegraff. Frank M., Wil- liam A., Eva E., Joseph D., all living.

OHIN G. LONGENECKER. The subject of this sketch is one of the substantial and reliable farmers of which Kansas is justly proud. He was born in the old Keystone State in Lancaster County, Aug. 16, 1848, and reared on his father's farm where he received a fair edu- cation in the common schools of the State. His father was a farmer and our subject followed the same occupation on his father's broad and fertile acres till he decided to move to the Western coun- try of which he had heard such glowing accounts.

When Mr. Longenecker reached the age of twenty-three years he concluded to try his fortune on the sea of matrimony, hence he led to the altar a blooming and beautiful young maid named Bar- bara Brubaker. The ceremony which sent them afloat upon the bosom of marital bliss was per- formed in Lancaster County, at the home of the bride on the 21st of December, 1871. Mrs. Longe- necker is a native of the same county as her hus- band and was also reared on a farm and educated in the common schools.

The young couple resided in the home of Mr. Longenecker's parents until the spring of 1880, when they removed to Jackson County, Kan. and located on section 35, Franklin Township, where they have since resided. Mr. Longenecker, owns 160 acres of fine land located in Franklin and Cedar Townships and also owns eighty acres in Garfield Township. He has made all the usual improvements to be found on a good farm. The fam- ily dwelling is a comfortable and cozy residence and is the abode of thrift and content.

Eleven children have come to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Longenecker, of whom two have passed away, but nine are left to comfort their parents' hearts and

eheer them in time to come when old age will steal their strength away and compel them to look to others for the services of affection which they are now glad to give to their loved ones. The names of their children are as follows: Irwin, Anna, Emma, Maria, Lizzie, John, Levi, Katie and Mary. The two who have gone before are: Christian and Laura. In politics Mr. Longenecker is a Republican but owing to the principles of his church which forbids taking much interest in poli- tical affairs, he is not an active party man. Both husband and wife are members in good standing in the Old Mennonite Church, and are highly esteemed in the community for their " work's sake."

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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 19

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

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