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 23
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 23
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 23
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Mr. Fortune is a member of Lodge No. 122, I. O. O. F. of Louisville. He takes an active interest in politics and votes the Democratic ticket.
OHIN J. DAVIS is one of the pioneers of Pottawatomie County, having located on his farm in 1:69. At that time he had no nearer neighbors than the few settlers who lived from two to three miles away, but game and Indians were frequently seen and served to vary the monotony of the lonely life on a new farm. Mr. Davis was born in Utica, N. Y., Sept. 5, 1841. When he was but a small child his parents re- moved to Racine, Wis .. and continued to reside there until the time of their death, which occurred when our subject was only four years of age. Da- vid and Elizabeth Davis, the parents of our sub- jeet having been laid to rest, the little orphan was kindly cared for by friends and taken to Dane County, Wis., where he grew to be a youth of nineteen years. The friends who reared him were farmers, and he learned many valuable lessons from his contact with farm life.
The black war cloud which loomed above the horizon in the fall of 1860, grew in density and volume throughout the winter of 1860-61, until it completely overcast the political firmament of the Union. The first flash which indicated the begin- ning of the storm shot athwart the sky from Ft. Sumter, and immediately the mass of gloom which hung above the nation like a heavy pall, resolved itself into two mighty forces contending for the mastery. What the issue would be no one was wise enough to foretell, and our subjeet did not wait to see which side would conquer, but threw himself into the struggle to battle for the right as he was given to see the right. Although but a youth of nineteen, he enlisted in Company E, 8th Wisconsin Infantry,
and set forth to fight for the honor of the old flag. His regiment carried a live eagle with them known as "Old Abe,' and it accompanied them every- where. They were successively attached to the armies of the Mississippi, Tennessee, the Cumber- land and the Gulf. They took part in the battles at Corinth, Fredericktown, Island No. 10, New Madrid, Corinth, second engagement : Shiloh, reach- ing the field as the battle was almost finished; Farmington, Inka Springs, Champion Hills, Vicks- burg and Nashville. They were through the eam- piagns of Richmond, Louisiana and up the Red River. On that expedition our subject was twice taken prisoner, the first time at Bear Creek, where while fighting gallantly he was surprised by the enemy and detained a few hours, when he was res- cued. The next time was at Iuka; at night the Confederates were not able to guard their prison- ers closely, owing to the fact that they were re- treating, and Mr. Davis watched his chance and, without saying farewell, quietly slipped off. If in the future he should chance to meet his captors, he will take pleasure in making amends to the best of his ability for his lack of courtesy at that time. However, his haste to be off may, perhaps, be ex- ensed, considering the circumstances. Mr. Davis was in the army from Ang. 23, 1861, to Septem- ber, 1865, a little over four years.
When our subject was mustered ont of service he returned home and attended school during the fall and winter. In the succeeding spring he went to Kansas City, Mo., and secured work at running a steam sawmill. While in that business he was injured, and was obliged to leave it. He then went to Coatsburg, Hancock Co., Ill., where he re- mained a short time, then leaving, he removed to Kansas and located on the farm where he is at pres- ent. He took up raw land and has made all the usual improvements since that time. In doing the work required he was obliged to depend upon himself, as he was not able to hire it done. He has a good honse, first-class barn and an orchard of 600 trees. In addition to this he has a fine lot of excellent shade trees, which are not only of great use to the cattle, but are an ornament to the entire place.
The marriage of Mr. Davis' and Miss Laura A. Newton was celebrated in Olathe, Kan., Aug. 28,
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1873. They have become the parents of five chil- dren, whose names are: Edna L., James L., F. Arthur, Lydia A. and Frank. Mrs. Davis was born in Wisconsin in 1843, and lived in that State until 1871, when she came to Kansas and engaged in teaching. She is a fine, intelligent woman, an affectionate wife and mother, and a good neighbor, always ready to respond to the call for help from whatever source it may come.
Mr. Davis assisted in organizing the district in which he resides and was its first Treasurer, hold- ing the office for ten successive years. He has no political aspirations, however, and prefers to let others fill the positions of honor and emolument. He is a man of splendid ability, and has demon- strated the fact by the management of his place. He has now a well-cultivated estate of 255 acres of land and is spoken of by all who know him as a man of sterling integrity, unimpeachable veracity, and a generous friend in time of need.
ILS PETER JOHNSON ranks high among the influential Swede settlers of Pottawat- omie County, being, with one exception, the owner of the largest amount of landed property belonging to any citizen of Blue Valley Township. His estate is pleasantly located on section 12, and comprises 1,700 acres of fertile land, 600 of which are located on the wide and extensive bottoms of the Blue, while the entire tract is in a good state of cultivation and embellished with farm buildings of a modern type. Probably the most attractive spot on the farm is the site of the residence, a stone structure, built in 1866, and surrounded by a beau- tiful lawn, with evergreens and other trees, while in the distance may be seen the orchards and groves. The pastures are admirably adapted to the wants of the fine stock with which the place is stocked. He usually feeds from 200 to 250 head of cattle, principally Short-horns ; twenty-five head of horses, grade Normans, and owns two shares in the Blue Valley Stock-Breeder's Association. Not only is this the result of Mr. Johnson's unaided efforts, but even his education has been principally self-ob-
tained, and proves what can be accomplished by unremitting energy and careful business manage- ment.
The ancestral history of our subject is quite fully given in the personal sketch of his brother, John A. Johnson, also a prominent citizen of the same township. Of Swedish birth, Mr. Johnson was born in Linkoping, Nov. 30, 1828, and as it was prior to the time of free schools, his education was limited, and his youth was passed in a compara- tively uneventful manner. His early religious training was received from his mother, with whom he remained until twenty-one years old, and then was employed by a minister, whose estate he man- aged until 1852. At that time he took the most important and wisest step in his life, determining to come to America, and to seek within her almost boundless borders a home for himself and family. In company with his brother, and his wife, with whom he had been united in marriage only a few weeks, lie sailed from the port of Gottenberg, May 12. 1852. embarking on the sailing-vessel "Virginia," and landing in New York City after a voyage of six weeks and four days.
In Galesburg, Ill., our subject established a home, buying a house in partnership with three of his countrymen. He was employed on various farms in that vicinity until 1856, when he came to Kansas. His brother, John A., had preceded him here and located on the Blue. In the spring of that year our subject, accompanied by his wife and child, took passage in a prairie-schooner, drawn by two yoke of oxen, and thus started on their long trip. The Mississippi was crossed at Okowanka, and the Missouri at St. Joseph. Had he not been a foreigner he would doubtless have had difficulty in getting beyond the latter city, as it was in the possession of people of Southern sympathies. They presumed he was a Democrat, as were most of the foreigners at that period, and allowed him to pass on. He made his way, with Isaac Walker and sev- eral other old settlers of Marshall County, to Bar- ret's Mill, where he left his team and family and started out on foot to look for his brother. Ile accidentally met the latter as he was coming out of his shanty, which he had built on a part of his present possessions. He found it very difficult to
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bring his team and wagon down to his present place, as he was compelled to traverse seemingly perpendicular bluffs, and often was obliged to lock all the wheels of his vehicle. However, he was successful in pre-empting his homestead of 160 acres, which he did May 22, 1856, the day Law- rence was first burned. This claim he purchased in 1859. His was the first Swedish family in Kan- sas, his brother being a single man at that time. Mrs. Johnson enjoys the distinction of being the first Swede lady in the entire State.
When Mr. Johnson located in Blue Valley Town- ship, wild game was plentiful, and he had great sport in hunting turkeys and other small game. He has watched with keen interest the growth and de- velopment of the surrounding country, and has been an important factor in its progress. He was impressed with the beauty and fertility of the Blue Valley, and the farm which he selected has become so endeared to him by associations that he says nothing could induce him to leave it. He has added to its money value every year, and has im- proved it, having all modern conveniences that are now found on well-regulated estates. He owns 600 acres of land located near Garrison, 160 acres near Olsburg, while the balance of the 1,700 is situated in Blue Valley Township. In early days the pioneers went to the river ports to trade, the trip occupying a week. Corn was hauled to Marys- ville, and by this means Mr. Johnson paid for the land he purchased in 1859.
In the spring of 1864 Mr. Johnson left home and family, joined a Kansas regiment, and went out on the plains after the Indians. In October they were sent against Price, going as far as Kansas City, when they ascertained that he had been conquered. He was mustered out at Leavenworth. In politics he is a Republican, first, last and always. Of the Lutheran Church at Mariadahl he has been Deacon and Trustee for many years, and was one of the charter members thereof. He is a stockholder of the Bank of Randolph, and has been School Treas- urer for six years, assisting to build the third school-house in this county. He is also Supervisor of Roads.
The wife of our subject is of Swedish birth and parentage, having been born in Linkoping, that
country, Oct. 2, 1829. She was in youth Sophia Ole- son, and was married to Mr. Johnson April 12, 1852, only a short time prior to their departure for the United States. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, namely : Emma, John W., August, Alma, Victor E., Matilda and Otto. Emma became the wife of J. O. Maxwell, a farmer in Blue Valley Township. John W. is a farmer by occupa- tion, and owns 200 acres of land ; he married Alma Burklun. August is on the home farm; Alma is the wife of the Rev. C. E. Elving, of Omaha, Neb .; Victor E. married Alice Peterson, and is now cash- ier of the Bank of Randolph; Matilda and Otto are under the parental roof. Oct. 2, 1889, a reunion of the Johnson family was held at the home of our subject, celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of his mother's arrival in Kansas. He being the oldest member of the household was president of the oc- casion. The representatives of this family in Pot- tawatomie County now number more than seventy, and all of them are influential citizens and worthy members of society.
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P. BISHOP has a very pleasant and attract- ive home on East Fifth street, in IIolton, which he erected in 1869. He has long heen a resident of this city, coming here when it was in its infancy, and has been an active factor in promoting its development. He was for a period of fourteen years prosperously engaged in the drug business here. He has also been exten - sively identified with the agricultural interests of Jackson County for a long time, improving no less than four fine farms, three of which are still in his possession, and under his excellent management have become valuable property.
A native of Washington County, Ohio, April 12, 1829, was the date of his birth. His father, Gilbert Bishop, was born in New York, Jan. 19, 1802. His father, bearing the same name as him- self, was also a native of the Empire State, and was one of a family of nine sons and one daughter. The grandfather of our subject was reared in his native State, and early learned the trade of a car- penter. He was one of the first settlers of Ohio,
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locating fourteen miles from Marietta. He took up a tract of timber land in the primeval forests of that region, and besides working at his trade cleared his land and improved it into a farm before his death. He reared three sons and five daughers to good and useful lives.
The father of our subject was ninetcen years old when his parents removed to Ohio, and he ac- companied them, and after his marriage there, bought a tract of forest-covered land in Washing- ton County, and for a time devoted himself to its clearance and to its cultivation. But after the death of his wife he turned his attention to the study of medicine, and attended medical lectures at Cincinnati two winters. He became a successful physician and surgeon, and practiced many years in Hocking, Muskingum and Monroe counties, Ohio, where he was considered one of the leading members of his profession. In 1845 he removed to Logan, Hocking County, and, opening an office there, for more than thirty years he engaged in his calling in that place till his busy career was cut short by the hand of death in March, 1876. His face and form were familiar in many a household where he was the venerated physician and friend, and his removal from the scene of his labors was mourned by many, while the memory of his honorable, well- spent life is warmly cherished by all who knew him. Our subject was early called to lose the loving care of a mother, as she died in 1834, while yet young. Her maiden name was Harriet Ford, and she was born in Washington County, Ohio. Her father, Judea Ford, was a native of Massachusetts, and a pioneer of Washington County, where he cleared a farm, whereon he died in the fullness of years.
Ile of whom we write early sought to gain an education, attending school whenever opportunity offered in the newly settled country where he was reared, for, in his youth. Ohio was still in the hands of the pioneers, and schools were held in the primitive. rudely-built log houses, with puncheon floors, chimneys on the outside and built of sticks and earth, slab benches with wooden pegs for legs. and greased paper inserted in the openings from which a log had been removed. admitting the light. After his father's removal to Logan, our subject attended the village school, and later worked on a
farm and in the woods getting out ties, hewing and sawing lumber, etc. He made his home in Logan until 1866, when he and his wife came to Kansas with a team, bringing with them a part of their household goods. They located in Holton, which then had about 250 inhabitants, and the surrounding country was but thinly settled, the nearest rail- way station being at Atchison. Mr. Bishop at once established himself in the drug business in company with J. L. Williams, buying out the first drug-store ever opened here. Later he bought out his partner and continued in thebusiness until 1880, having in the meantime greatly extended it, and then sold stock and leased the building. Mr. Bishop had previously invested a good deal in land, and since retiring from the drug business he has devoted himself to improving farms, and still owns three of the four that he has developed since that time.
May 1, 1859, Mr. Bishop took an important step in life, whereby he secured a faithful wife, who has devoted herself to his interests, and has greatly aided him in the establishment of their commodious, comfortable homc. Mrs. Bishop's maiden name was Catherine Scanlin, and Ireland was her place of birth; she came to this country when she was six months old.
A perusal of this brief biography will show that Mr. Bishop has met with unqualified success in life from a financial point of view, and he has won an honorable place in the business circles of this county, and among his fellow-citizens, by whom he is well regarded, as he possesses those traits of character that mark an honest man, one who is kind and considerate in his dealings with his neighbors, and is open handed and liberal with his means.
NDERS VICTOR JOHNSON. There are within the limits of Blue Valley Township. few men more widely or favorably known than the subject of this notice. He is in- dependent, financially, and has been prominent in local affairs. holding the various offices and other positions of trust and responsibility. He has a beautiful home, presided over by a very intelligent
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and accomplished wife, and is the owner of 665 acres of land in Blue Valley Township, besides 160 acres near Garrison; his residence is on section 2.
In the biography of J. A. Johnson, on another page of this volume, may be found a sketch of this branch of the Johnson family who for generations back were born and reared in Scandinavia. An- ders V., now a man of fifty years, was born Sept. 20, 1839, in Linkopingslan, Sweden, and enjoyed the advantages of the first public schools in his na- tive country, which were opened when he was a lad of nine years. He assisted his father on the farm until he was sixteen years old, and meanwhile com- menced an apprenticeship at the shoemaker's trade, but as he did not like this he only followed it one year. Afterward he resumed farming, remaining a resident of his native country until the spring of 1859. At this time, when twenty years of age, he determined to emigrate to America, going first to the port of Lubeck, Germany, on the steamer " Bore," and thence by cars to Hamburg, where he boarded a sailing vessel the " Donan," which after a voyage of forty-six days landed him safely in New York City. In the meantime the voyagers encountered severe storms, by which they were driven so far north out of their course that they could see the sun for twenty-one hours in succession, and al- though it was in the month of July, they were ob- liged to wear their overcoats.
From the metropolis Mr. Johnson proceeded by rail to Leavenworth, Kan., and thence by team to his brother's place on the Blue River. He en- gaged by the month at farming, and in the spring of 1860 entered a claim of 160 acres of his present farm by means of a land warrant. This was located on Shannon Creek, and Mr. Johnson at once be- gan the improvement of his purchase, building first a log house. He cultivated part of the land, but during 1862-63 added to his cash income by freight- ing, making two trips to Denver and the mountains with ox-teams. In the fall of 1862 he worked in the Russell Gulch Mines for three months. A year later he was in the State militia, doing guard duty at Manhattan after the burning of the city of Law- rence. In the fall of 1864 he was with the State troops two weeks during Price's raid, going as far as Kansas City. Later he turned his whole atten-
tion to farming, in which he was thereafter uni- formly successful, and by degrees increased his landed possessions, until he became one of the lead- ing land-owners of his township. He has laid over 600 rods of stone fence, has planted forest and fruit trees, erected buildings, and effected all the other improvements naturally suggested to the mind of the enterprising farmer. His land lies along the Shannon Creek, being thus well watered and amply supplied with timber.
Mr. Johnson put up the first residence on the Shannon in 1867. He has a commodious barn and other necessary outbuildings, a windmill, water- tanks, a tenement house and the latest improved farm machinery. His land is mostly devoted to live stock, including graded Short-horn cattle, of which he feeds from one to two cars each year, and two car loads of swine. lle makes a specialty of graded Norman and Cleveland Bay horses, having eighteen head in all. He is a prominent member of the Blue Valley Stock Breeder's Association and at present the Secretary.
Mr. Johnson was married in St. George, Pot- tawatomie County, Aug. 15, 1867, to Miss Maria L. Simkins. This lady was born in Columbiana, Ohio, Aug. 12, 1846, and is the daughter of the Rev. J. W. Simkins, a native of LaFayette County, Pa. The paternal grandfather was Daniel Simkins, who was born in Wales, and who upon emigrating to America settled first in Pennsylvania, whence he removed later to Columbiana County, Ohio, set- tling upon a farm where he spent his last days. His son, J. W., fitted himself for a teacher, which profession he followed principally during his after life, although he learned brick-laying, at which he occupied himself during the summer seasons. He left the Buckeye State in 1862, coming to Kansas and purchasing a farm in the vicinity of St. George. He also followed teaching here for a number of years, and from early manhood officiated as a min- ister of the Christian Church, laboring thus in the Master's vineyard for a period of forty years. He is still living and is now seventy-eight years old, and still owns his farm near St. George where he resides. He has been prominent in local affairs, serving as County Assessor two years, County Commissioner two years, was Justice of the Peace
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several years, and usually voted with the Republi- can party. His sympathies are now with the Pro- hibitionists.
The mother of Mrs. Johnson was in her maiden- hood Miss Prudence Blackburn, likewise a native of Columbiana County, Ohio. Her father was Samuel Blackburn, a native of Ireland, and who when a child emigrated to America with his par- ents, they settling in Maryland. Samuel when a young man emigrated to Columbiana County, Ohio. Ile participated in the War of 1812, and after it was ended returned to the farming and blacksmith- ing pursuits in which he had been bred. When an old man he went to live with his son in Meigs County, and there spent his last days.
Mrs. Prudence (Blackburn) Simkins, was born in 1812 and became a bride in 1830. She and her husband celebrated their Golden Wedding nearly ten years ago. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Simkins nine children, the eldest of whom, a son, Al- bert, is employed in the office of The Mail and Ex- press in New York City; during the late war he was connected with the United States Treasury De- partment at Washington, having first served as Private Secretary under Salmon P. Chase. Mar- garet died when about forty-six years old ; Mannassa was Superintendent of Schools in this county four years, but is now deceased; Fanny, Mrs. Carson, lives in Cincinnati, Ohio; Lizzie, Mrs. Tinker, is a resident of Brooklyn, N. Y .; Maria L., Mrs. John- son, was the next in order of birth; Emma, Mrs. Hartwell, lives in Meriden, this State: Charles died when two years old; Mary died when six years of age.
Mrs. Johnson was reared in Cheviot near the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, and acquired a very good education in the public schools. She came to Kan- sas with her parents in 1862 and soon afterward began teaching, at the age of sixteen years. She fol- lowed this professsion in Jefferson, Pottawatomie and Davis (now Geary) counties, until her marriage. She first taught in the old log school house, into which light was admitted by a row of window panes running the length of the room, and when the Indians frequently rode up and looked through, frightening both teachers and scholars. They. never, however, offered any violence, but would
frequently remark to the neighbors "white squaw, heap children," evidently under the impression that all the children were her own and that she was keeping house. Later this remark was partially verified, as of her union with our subject there were born six children, viz: Stanley who died when sixteen months old; F. Lelia, Leslie, Mertyn and Elwyn, twins; the latter died when five years old; Carol. They have also an adopted child, Le- nore. The eldest daughter was for a time a stu- dent in Campbell University at Holton, where she paid considerable attention to the art of painting, and Leslie is now attending that institution.
Mr. Johnson during the early days was an expert with his rifle, and frequently went out hunting, and upon one occasion killed five buffaloes. He hauled the shingles for his house from Atchison in 1867. He always maintained a warm interest in the growth and development of the county, and es- pecially encouraged the building of school-houses and the employment of the best teachers. He has been the clerk of his school district since 1863. He also officiated as Justice of the Peace two years; Towship Trustee five years; Township Treasurer eight years and Township Clerk two years. He assisted in the building of four churches at Ols- burg, including the Methodist, of which denomina- tion he has been a member since early manliood. Politically, he is a live Republican and active as a temperance worker.
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