Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 24

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 24
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 24
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 24

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OHN THORNBURROW is one of the large land-owners of Jackson County, and an old resident of Netawaka Township, where he took up a claim in 1858, beginning his resi- dence upon it in the year 1861. He is a son of Edward Thornburrow, a practical farmer. and game keeper for Lord Lonsdale, in Westmoreland, Eng- land, where our subject was born June 28, 1833. He received a limited education in the common schools of that county. and a practical training in the occupation which his father so well understood. He was in the twentieth year of his age, when he left his native country for a home in America, his first headquarters in this country being Blooming-

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ton, Ill., where he worked in the brickyards, fol- lowing it by working in the mines at LaSalle, Ill.

After having spent two years in the United States, Mr. Thornburrow returned to England for a few months, during which time he was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of George and Hannah Burn, of his own shire. This was in 1855, and returning to America, accompanied by his wife, Mr. Thornburrow lived in LaSalle until 1858. The couple then came to Kansas, and after filing upon a claim went to Kickapoo, where Mrs. Thorn- burrow was taken sick, and where she died a short time after their arrival. She left no children, two whom she had borne, having died in their infancy.

Our subject remained near Leavenworth about two years, and Jan. 1, 1860, married, his second wife being the daughter of William Thorp, of Prestwitch, near Manchester, England. In 1861 they came to the claim in this county, which con- sisted of the northwest quarter of section 7, Neta- waka Township, and in proving up on it, Mr. Thornburrow bought a warrant for $160 with which he paid for his land, receiving his patent from the Government. Our subject has since added to his landed estate 1,300 acres in the neighborhood of his home, and all well-fenced. Having made the cattle business his principal occupation since com- ing here, Mr. Thornburrow devotes the greater part of his land to pasture and meadow, raising grains only for family nse and for feeding, and also buy ing large quantities from his neighbors.

On his places our subject has two dwellings, one of them being his own fine residence on the origi- nal homestead. The tenant houses are substantial frame buildings, and his own dwelling is a two- story structure, 28x28 feet, with six foot porches running on two sides. The latter was begun in the year 1861, and rebuilt in 1879, together with a barn, 34x54 feet, with stables, which is built on a side hill, the main building being eighteen feet high, with a mow for fifty tons of hay, granary for 1,500 bushels of grain, and stall room for twenty two head of horses. Apple and other fruit trees have been set out around the dif- ferent houses, and such other improvements made as one would expect from a prosperous and enter- prising farmer. Mr. Thornburrow has always aimed

to get the best Durham stock, his experience being that the cattle of that breed are the most profitable to raise. He has always fed and shipped from two to six car-loads per season.

Mrs. Mary Thornburrow, the second wife of our subject, departed this life in March, 1869. She had borne six children, all of whom survived to mourn her loss: Edward W. is unmarried, and lives on a farm near Goff, in Nemala County; Mary A. is the widow of M. Scott, of this county, who died March 23, 1887, leaving one child, Jen- nie E., aged three years; Robert is married, and lives on his own farm, which adjoins that of his brother near Goff; Samuel, who is unmarried and at home, owns a farm in Nemaha County; Eliza- beth Ann, a finely educated young lady, is still at home; John, who was the youngest child of Mrs. Mary Thornburrow, died at the age of five years.

The third wife of Mr. Thornburrow, bore the maiden name of Ellen Whimple, and was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y. She departed this life in 1872, leaving one son, Clyde C., who is attend- ing the business college in Lawrence, and who in- tends to complete the course of study there.

In politics, Mr. Thornburrow is a Republican. He was reared in the faith of the Episcopal Church. A high degree of business prosperity has attended his efforts in life. As a man of uprightness and morality, of intelligence and kindly spirit, Mr. Thornburrow is regarded with respect by his fel- low-citizens, who look upon him as one of their most reliable and substantial associates.

ARRIS J. THOMPSON. The gentleman whose name is here presented is one of the leading men of Shannon Township, where he owns 960 acres of land, embracing the whole of section 29 and one-half of section 19, the family residence being on the latter section. He was an old settler of Jackson County, having lo- cated in that county in 1868 when he first became a citizen of Kansas. He was born in West Groton, Tompkins Co., N. Y., Feb. 7, 1828, and resided in the home of his childhood until his twenty-seventh year. He attended the schools of his native place,

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but was sent to Ithaca, N. Y., to complete his cdu- cation. When it was finished he entered the ranks of the teachers, and taught school during the fall and winter seasons, but kept on working at the farm in vacations, until he was twenty-six years of age.

November 15, 1853, is a day long to be remem- bered by our subject, as upon that day he was wedded to Miss; Lucinda Owen. After his mar- riage he removed to Locke, N. Y., and engaged in the business of general merchandising. He next removed to Milan, Livingston Co., Mich., in 1864, and engaged in the milling business. Subsequently he went to Norwalk, Townsend Station, IIuron Co., Ohio, where he was occupied in milling and wood- bending for two years. Nov. 3, 1868, after casting his ballot for Gen. Grant, our subject started with his family for the West, going from Cincinnati to St. Louis via boat, and thence by rail to Grasshop- per Falls, now Valley Falls, Kan. Immediately after his arrival he set up in the business of general mer- chandising, and also took up 160 acres of land in Jefferson Township, near Circleville. This was raw land, with no houses within many miles. In 1869 he moved upon the place, and built a shanty 12x18 feet in which to shelter his family until he could improve the land and build a better house. Energetically be set to work and broke up the sod, planted a crop, set out trees for shade and shelter, planted orchards of various fruit trees, such as apple, peach, pear and cherry, and also put in a stock of small fruit, including a large supply of strawberries, and in general made all improvements that are usually found on the most enterprising farms. He also leased and improved 160 acres, building good stables and, corn-cribs on each place, and also engaged in the business of stock-raising. Ile made a fine farm of it, and resided there till 1880, when he disposed of his entire lot of stock, machinery, and everything, even to an ox-team. Included in the sale were 100 head of fine horses and the same number of hogs, showing that he had prospered during the time that he had been on that place.

Upon leaving the farm in Jefferson Township, Mr. Thompson went to Holton and engaged in the livery business, which he carried on in connection

with the farm that he had just moved from. In 1884 he removed to Pottawatomie County, and bought a large farm of raw land, with no fences, in the neighborhood. During the years that have elapsed from 1884 to 1889, he has made surprising progress in the way of improving his place. He has 600 acres under plow, and expects to break the balance of his land, some 360 acres, in 1890. He has all the place fenced and cross-fenced, and had this year (1889) corn rows that were a mile long. He purchased the fine farm residence that he now lives in, and has a comfortable and elegant home. His farm is one of the finest and largest in the township. His land is all tillable, and to guard against the possibility of a drouth, he has put up a windmill that will supply all the water needed on the large estate.

Mr. Thompson has no political aspirations, and is not a member of any party, but votes as his judgment dictates. Mrs. Thompson was born in Venice, Cayuga Co., N. Y .. Dec. 29, 1831. When only one year old her parents removed to Genoa, N. Y., which they made their home till 1850. She was educated in the schools of Milan and Groton, and accompanied her parents to Dryden in 1850, where she remained till her marriage. She taught school from the time she was thirteen and one-half years of age up to the time of entering the home of her husband, and attended school during the vaca- tions. She is a bright attractive lady, and has kept up her reading all through the years of her life since coming West. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomp- son have been born two children: Frank H. and Ione, both of whom are at home with their parents.

Daniel Owen, the father of Mrs. Thompson, was born in New Jersey, in March, 1800, and accom- panied his parents to Genoa, N. Y., when quite young. He grew to manhood in the latter place, and there married his wife, Miss Elizabeth Johnson, of Locke, N. Y., who was also born in the year 1800. They resided in that place till 1850, when they removed to Dryden, N. Y., and remained till 1869, when they once more changed their resi- dence, and settled in Groton, Tompkins County, where they now live at the age of eighty-nine years. They are devoted members of the Bap- tist Church, and have been in that communion

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for many years. They are highly respected peo- ple, and have many warm friends in the neighbor- hood. Mr. Owen keeps in vigorous health, and as an instance of his vitality it may be stated that in 1887, when he was eighty-seven years of age, he walked two miles to the polls, and having expressed his political preference by depositing his ballot, walked back home.

Jacob H. Thompson, the father of our subject, was born in Lansing, Tompkins Co., N. Y., in 1804, and grew to man's estate in his native place. He learned the carpenter's trade, and worked at it till he was twenty-eight years old. During the time that he was engaged at the trade he built some of the finest houses of that date in the city of Au- burn. He was united in marriage with Mrs. Susan Allen, nee Sellen, about November, 1826, and re- moved afterward to West Groton. They lived in the same house in that place during all the rest of their lives, and were finally removed from it by the messengers from the other world. The father departed for the better land in 1876, but the mother continued to reside in her earthly home till about 1880. They were consistent Christian people, and members in good standing of the Christian Church. Mr. Thompson, who is the sub- ject of this sketch, and his family, occupy a lofty position in the regard and esteem of the people of their community. and are in every respect worthy of the confidence which is reposed in them. Mr. Thompson is a man of whom it can be truthfully said, that "his word is as good as his oath."

C HARLES E. MORRIS, who is now filling the office of Sheriff of Pottawatomie County, is one of the most highly respected citizens of the county, where he has resided for almost a score of years. He settled in Lone Tree Township, in March, 1870, taking up a homestead of raw land, reclaiming it from its primitive condition, and making of it a beautiful and highly productive estate. When he first came to his homestead, most of the things necessary to sustain life and furnish a home were brought from Wamego, twenty-five

miles distant. His rural estate is now marked by all the improvements which an enterprising farmer could desire, and is a home both attractive and comfortable. When elected to the position which he now holds, two years since, Mr. Morris removed to Westmoreland, where he now resides.

The birth of Mr. Morris took place near Chicago, Ill., Feb. 7, 1849, and his early life was spent in Ogle County. His father died when he was but five months old, and his mother was taken from him when he was but seven years of age. Not hav- ing the advantages of early schooling, such as are common to most boys, he has, by his individual efforts, obtained a good practical education, and overcome the deficiences of his early years. Though "only a boy," Mr. Morris had a patriotic spirit, and at the early age of fifteen years entered the Union army, his enlistment dating from Oct. 9, 1864, and he being enrolled in Company K, 2d Illinois Light Artillery. He was sent to the Western Di- vision, his first active service being at Memphis, after which he continued to faithfully discharge his duties until Aug. 14, 1865, when he was dis- charged at Chicago.

Returning to Ogle County, Mr. Morris remained there until 1868, in the spring of which year he went to Marshall County, Iowa, and two years later came to Kansas, as above stated. He had not long been a resident of this county ere obtaining companionship in the person of Miss Susie M. Baker, with whom he was united in marriage Jan. 25, 1872. The lady, who has been his capable and loving associate in home life, was born and reared in Adeline, Ill., and is the daughter of William C. Baker, a farmer there. To Mr. and Mrs. Morris seven children have been born, of whom one has been taken from them by death. The survivors are : Alice, Melva, Katie, Henry, Mary and Donald, who will receive the best educational advantages which the loving desires and worldly means of their parents can compass.

Mr. Morris is a man of thorough business ability and energy, and is highly respected by the people of the county. He filled the office of which he is now the incumbent in a creditable and acceptable manner during his first term, and was re-elected, in 1889, by the handsome majority of 935 votes. He

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has held every township office, except that of Just- ice of the Peace, serving as Trustee for a number of years. He helped to organize School District No. 53, and was Treasurer of the same for eleven years. He holds membership in the social orders of the 1. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W.

The parents of Mr. Morris were Charles E. and Lucinda (Warner) Morris, both of whom being na- tives of the Empire State. They went to Michigan in the early part of the century, and in that State the father died, the mother departing this life a few years later in Illinois.

H. WILLIAMS. In this gentleman, Jack_ son County has one of its representative citizens and business men, one who has passed much of his life within its borders, has witnessed its development, and since attaining manhood has been influential in promoting its welfare. From his pioneer home in this part of Kansas, he went forth to battle for his country when he was scarcely nineteen years of age; and since the close of the war he has been variously identificd with the interests of the county, and for several years actively aided in maintaining law and order in the responsible position of Sheriff. Since 1888, in company with W. H. Webster, he has been successfully engaged in the real-estate and insurance business, representing some of the leading insurance companies, with his office and home in Holton.

Sept. 27, 1843, our subject was born in Union Township, Morgan Co., Ohio, to .J. W. and Eliza (Mckeever) Williams, natives, respectively, of Belmont County, Ohio, and County Derry, Ire- land. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Richard Williams, was a Virginian by birth, and a son of William Williams, who was a farmer and spent his last years in Morgan County, Ohio. The grandfather of our subject removed from his na- tive State to Ohio, and was a pioneer farmer of Belmont County, and later of Morgan County, where his death occurred. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Clark Mckeever, was a native of County Derry, Ireland, and his father was a native of the same county, being a descendant of Scotch

ancestry. He visited America, but returned to Ireland to die in his old home. @ The grandfather of our subject located in Westmoreland County, Pa., after;coming to this country,; and from there removed to Ohio, and was a pioneer settler of Morgan and Hocking counties. In 1857 he came to Kansas Territory, and bought Government land in Donglas Township. Jackson County, at the gen- eral land sale. This venerable pioneer of the county resided on his homestead until his death, in 1889, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. The maiden name of his wife was Jane Wallace. She died in 1859.

The father of our subject was bred to a farmer's life in his native State, and shortly after his mar- riage there he bought a tract of partly-improved land in Union Township. In the log house that stood on the place our subject was born. Mr. Williams resided there until 1856, busily engaged in improving and cultivating his land, which be then sold, and the two ensuing years lived in Hock- ing County. At the end of that time he left Ohio and came to Kansas to cast his lot with its pioneers, the removal being made by cars to Cincinnati, and thence by the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers to Leavenworth, and from there by team to Jackson County, arriving here on the 7th of April. He bought a tract of prairie land in what is now Douglas Township, and after building a comforta- ble dwelling he entered upon the work of breaking and cultivating the soil, and in the busy years that followed he developed a fine, well-tilled farm that compared favorably with others in the township, and he was numbered among the most substantial and worthy of the early settlers of that place, who contributed so largely to its growth and prosperity. In 1889 he rented his farm, and is now living in honorable retirement in Holton, where he and his wife have established a pleasant home, in which they can enjoy the competence that they have gathered together by their united toil.

The subject of this biographical review was fourteen years old when he came to this State with his parents, and he remembers well the incidents of pioneer life here. Jefferson City, Mo., was the nearest railway station for a time, and in this wild, sparsely settled region deer, wild turkeys and other

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game still lingered, and a few miles to the west buffaloes roamed at will over the uncultivated prai- ries. Our subject resided with his parents until he was eighteen years old, when he became a sol- dier, enlisting Aug. 18, 1862, in Company B, 11th Kansas Infantry, for a term of three years, or until the close of the war. He was sent with his com- rades to Arkansas and Missouri, and they fought nobly in the battles of Ft. Wayne and Cane Hill. In 1863, Mr. Williams was discharged on account of disability and returned home. But after he was sufficiently recuperated he enlisted again, in the spring of 1864. He was, however, rejected after examination, which showed that the brave young soldier was still suffering from the hard life that he had led while in the army. Disappointed in his desire to serve his country further, he resumed farming, and was thus engaged until July, 1865, when he enlisted in company B. 17th Kansas, for a term of 100 days, to assist in quelling disturbances on the Kansas and Missouri border. After that experience he returned to Douglas Township, and carried on agricultural pursuits there until the following year, when he married and came to Hol- ton, and for a time was a clerk in a general store. Ile then served four years as Deputy Sheriff, and in 1873, so well had he performed the duties of that subordinate position, he was given the com- pliment of election to the higher office of Sheriff of the county. He was re-elected in 1875, and his whole course of discharging the onerous labors of that important office was marked by fearlessness, discriminating tact and a true sense of his obliga- tions to the public as an honest, faithful official. He subsequently became interested in the drug business in this city, and carried it on until 1885, when he sold out his stock, and in 1886 he went to California, and for six months was engaged in the real-estate business in Pasadena. Returning to this State and city, he formed a partnership with W. H. Webster, and they have since continued together in the real-estate, abstract and insurance business, representing some of the leading compa- nies of the United States. They transact a large amount of business in these various branches, and are among the first firms in their line in the county.

Mr. Williams has been married twice. His first

marriage was to Miss Mary A. Graden, a native of Buchanan County, Mo., and a daughter of Jacob and Lavina Graden. She died in 1874, leaving one child, Francis E. The maiden name of our subject's present wife was Hattie L. Jones, and she was born in Bureau County, Ill., a daughter of William H. and Hannah (Banister) Jones. This union has been productive of three children to our subject and his wife-Bessie M., Fred A. and Evelina.

Mr. Williams always takes a deep interest in all that pertains to his adopted city, and has ably as- sisted his fellow-citizens in advancing all enter- prises looking toward its development in various ways. At one time he was Mayor of Holton, and under his skillful direction the city made rapid progress and many wise improvements were intro- duced. In politics, a stanch Republican, his in- fluence and means are generously placed at the disposal of his party. Socially, he belongs to Will Mendell Post, No. 46, G. A. R., is connected with Friendship Lodge, No. 15, K. P., and belongs to Holton Lodge, No. 1769, K. of H. Mr. Williams' versatile talents and excellent business qualifica- tions have given him a place among the leading citizens of the city, and his liberal, kindly disposi- tion and true courtesy have won him many warm friends among an extensive acquaintance.

G EORGE G. WHEAT, ex-County Superin- tendent of Pottawatomie County and a prom- inent citizen therein since 1880, was born in Delaware County, N. Y., Dec. 17, 1857, and was a resident of the Empire State until he came here. He finished his education at the Delaware Literary Institute, after which he spent two years in the profession of teaching in that county. Coming to this county, he stopped at Louisville, and there continued his professional labors until 1884, when he was elected Superintendent of Public Instruction in this eounty. Having filled his term with credit to himself and in a manner acceptable to the people, he was, in 1886, re-elected to the office. He re- moved to Westmoreland, bought a pleasant site, and built a good home on Second and Cochrun

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streets, purchasing lots also on Main Street. He in- tends to make this place his future home, and has already become thoroughly identified with its interests, having been, in 1888, elected to the Mayor- alty. Since the expiration of his county super- intendency, Mr. Wheat has resumed his professional labors, and is meeting with marked success in his chosen vocation.

The Hon. George Wheat celebrated his marriage at the home of the bride, in St. Mary's, May 19, 1885, the lady of his choice being Miss Eva S. Jenner, daughter of Dr. J. F. Jenner. Two chil- dren have been born to the couple, one of whom still lives-George Frederick. Mrs. Wheat was born in this State, Oct. 26, 1863, and made her home at St. Mary's, her birthplace, until her mar- riage. Her education was completed at Washburn College, Topeka, and she is accomplished, cultured and refined. Her father is an old resident of St. Mary's, whose sketch occupies another page in this volume.

The Hon. Mr. Wheat belongs to the A. O. U. W. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school of this place for the past four years. As will be seen from the date of his birth, Mr. Wheat is still a young man, and should life and health be spared him, much may be expected in the years to come, his education, manly character and courteous man- ners, fitting him for extended usefulness and an in- fluence far beyond the school-room. In his chosen field he is capable of mueh good, in molding the characters of the rising generation by his precept and example, and their minds by his clear and forcible explanations and demonstrations of the branches of the curriculum.

The father of our subjeet was George W. Wheat, whose birth took place in Delaware County, N. Y., on All Fool's Day, 1821. His occupation was that of a farmer, and he lived on the old homestead which his father, Silas Wheat, had cleared up, and which was his home until his death, in 1888, at the advanced age of ninety-six years. George W. Wheat married Miss Alice E. Gay, born in the same county, and they reared a family of seven boys, all of whom are still living, our subject being the fourth in order of birth. William D. is en-

gaged in the pursuit of agriculture in this county ; Silas C. is principal of the schools in Madison, N.J .; Walter D. was graduated from Williams College, in 1886, and is now teaching in New Jersey ; J. E. is in business in Los Angeles, Cal .: Frank I. was graduated from the Madison University, at Boston, and is now completing a theological course in the same institution; Charles S. lives on the home- stead of his parents.

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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 24

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

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