Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 25

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 25
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 25
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 25

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R. J. W. STEWART. There are few of the old residents of Olsburg and vicinity who deserve more honorable mention than Dr. Stewart, one of the pioneers of Kan- sas, and one who has especially distinguished him- self as a temperance advocate. As a physician and surgeon he is in the enjoyment of a good practice, which he secured at an early stage by his faithful attention to the duties of his calling, and knowl- edge of his profession. For many years he has been prominent in local affairs, voting the straight Republican ticket, and giving his support to the measures calculated for the general welfare of the people. He was Justice of the Peace at one time, and while a resident of Washington County, offi- ciated as Clerk of Lincoln Township two years.

A native of Jefferson County, Ind., Dr. Stewart was born near the city of Madison, Nov. 16, 1829, and has consequently just reached his threescore years. His father, George A. Stewart, was born near Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio, Dec. 13, 1802, and his paternal grandfather, William Stew- art, was born in Virginia. The latter upon leaving the Old Dominion, removed to Kentucky, and from there to Ohio, settling on the Little Miami River, where he entered land and prosecuted farming. Later he donated his property to the Shakers, among whom he became a preacher and lived at Shaker- ville for seven years. Finally, becoming dissatisfied he purchased a farm near Dayton, upon which he resided until 1818, and then removed to Jefferson County, Ind. There he once more entered land and became well-to-do. Finally, however, he re- turned to Ohio, settling in Adams County, where he spent his last days. Ile served as a soldier in the

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War of 1812. He married Miss Sarah Raburn, a native of Kentucky, who died of cholera in 1838.

The paternal great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of Scotland, and a soldier in the Eng- lish army. He came to America during the early Indian troubles as Braddock's Adjutant General, and when returning to civil life, settled on a farm in Virginia. Upon the outbreak of the Revolution- ary War, he joined Washington's army, and served until the independence of the Colonists was estab- lished. He died in Virginia leaving only one son, William. The family trace their ancestry back to Mary, Queen of Scotts, and were lineal descendants of Walter and Alex. Stuart, who were beheaded.

George A. Stewart, the father of our subject, lived among the Shakers seven years. Ile accom- panied his father's family to Indiana in 1818, and entered land, clearing a farm of 160 acres near Madison. In 1836 he removed to the vicinity of Logansport, where he farmed until the spring of 1838, then going into Miami County, took up a claim on the Five Mile Indian reservation. In 1841 he sold this and removed to Wabash County, where he improved a farm of 160 acres, and died in 1881. He was a Class-Leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church for over thirty years. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Anna Wilson. She was born in Kentucky, and was the danghter of William Wilson, & native of Vir- ginia, who served in the War of 1812. He settled in Kentucky at an early day, but later removed to Montgomery County, where he engaged in farm- ing. He spent his last days in Jefferson County, Ind., dying in 1834. Mrs. Anna Stewart became the mother of six children, and died at the home- stead in Wabash, Ind., in 1878. The eldest son, William, and his sister, Mrs. Mary C. Jack, are residents of Wabash County, Ind .; Jeremiah Wood, our subject, was the third in order of birth; Sarah, Mrs. Wheeler, lives in Marshall County, Kan .; Annette, Mrs. Riddle, lives in Blue Rapids, this State; Henrietta, Mrs. Baker, resides in Wabash County, Ind.

Dr. Stewart was a lad of twelve years when he accompanied his father's family to Wabash County, Ind., where he assisted in clearing the farm, and pursued his studies in a log school-house. When

sixteen years old, he began an apprenticeship at carpentering and cabinet-making, which he fol- lowed four years at Chili, and later, from 1852 to 1854, we find him in Kokomo, where he operated as a builder and contractor. Then returning to Wabash, Ind., he changed liis occupation and be- came a clerk and book-keeper in a mercantile house. In 1857 he began the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. T. C. Hunter, a homeopathist, with whom he remained one year, then prosecuted his studies by himself while he ran a boat on the Wabash and Erie Canal, during the summer sea- son. He employed the winter months in study with some of the leading physicians of Wabash.

Thus occupied until 1863, Dr. Stewart then sold his canal boat and began the regular practice of his profession in Texas, Ohio. In the fall of 1864, he returned to Wabash, and sojourned there until 1870, practicing medicine. Determining now to cross the Mississippi, he set out overland by team, and coming to Washington County, homesteaded land which he improved and which his boys when old enough, began operating, while the Doctor fol- lowed his profession. He framed the petition for the post-office, and named the town Koloko. In the fall of 1881, the doctor removed to Olsburg, and entered into the practice which he still prose- cutes. In 1884 he purchased the city hotel, which he conducted until the fall of 1889. He is now running a livery barn, and is considerably inter- ested in full-blooded Poland-China swine, being very successful as a breeder. He has erected a neat residence in Olsburg, which he expects to make his permanent home.

Dr. Stewart was first married in Chili, Ind., Sept. 25, 1851, to Miss Martha Iliff, a native of Henry County, that State. Her father was the Rev. James Iliff, who was a minister of the United Brethren Church, and for several years the Auditor of Henry County. Of this union there were born two children, the eldest of whom, Charles M., is a telegraph operator at Conway Springs, in Sumner County, a stock-holder in a sugar factory, and also engaged in the livery business. George A. is in the employ of his brother Charles, at Conway Springs.

On the 6th of March, 1856, the Doctor contracted

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a second marriage, at Texas, Ohio, with Mrs. Clar- issa J. Allen, a native of Mantua, Ohio. Her par- ents were Richard and Julia (Miller) Curtis, who were natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts, re- spectively. Richard Curtis departed this life in Feb. 14, 1849, when the wife of our subject was but ten years of age. He was a farmer by occupa- tion, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a Class-Leader at the time of his death. Julia Miller was the descendant of a fam- ily who came over on the Mayflower, and trace their ancestry to Holland. Six children were born of this marriage, the eldest of whom, a daughter, L. May, is the wife of William N. Ash, and carries on a millinery and dressmaking establishment at Olsburg; Anna W. died of scarlet fever when past four years of age; Walter A. is the manager of his half-brother's livery barn at Conway Springs; Molly; Nellie, and Ira, are at home with their par- ents, and are being given good school advantages. Miss Molly is attending the State Agricultural Col- lege at Manhattan,

NDERS KNUDSON. This gentleman bears the distinction of being one of the pioneer settlers of Blue Valley Township, and by a course of industry and prudence lives in independent circumstances. He is widely and favorably known throughout this part of Pot- tawatomie County, where he has hosts of friends. He has been a useful citizen in all respects, and since a child has been connected with the Swedish Lutheran Church, in which he still continues an active member and one of its chief pillars at Ols- burg. He may be properly termed a self-made man-one who has worked his way from the foot of the ladder to an enviable position socially and financially. Ilis property includes a fine farm of 400 acres on sections 12 and 1, where he makes his home, and which is numbered among the most valuable estates of the county.

In reviewing the antecedents of our subject we find that his father was Knud Olson, a native of Norway and a farmer by occupation. He was a very industrious and enterprising man, becoming

well-to do and the owner of two farms. The mai- den name of the mother was Barbara Halverson. She died in 1843. Five of their children are liv- ing: Thore is a resident of Wisconsin; Ole is still living in Norway; Anna, Mrs. Gulbrand, resides in Minnesota; Halvor died in Kansas about 1874; Au- ders, of this sketch, is the youngest. He was born in Urdal, Preslejeld, Walders, Norway, June 18, 1831, and there spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, attending a common school. He re- mained under the home roof until a man of twenty- three years, then purchased a small farm, which he operated for a time, then sold out and purchased a larger farm in the same neighborhood. He oper- ated this until 1857, then selling out resolved upon emigrating to America. Setting ont from Bergen, on the sailing-vessel "Ganger Rolf," he landed in Quebec. Canada, and thence coming into the States, made his way to Manitowoc County, Wis., where he sojourned one year. Thence he came to Kan- sas, settling three miles south of Atchison, where he worked in a sawmill until the spring of 1862. He then came to Blne Valley Township, and early in the following spring homesteaded 160 acres of the land which he had settled upon. The follow- ing winter he went back to Atchison and worked in a sawmill until he could make money enough to locate upon his land. Ile was one of the first homesteaders in Pottawatomie County. He put up a log house on Shannon Creek, where he could have plenty of water and timber, as these were the essentials in a new country.

Our pioneer proceeded with the improvement of his property during the progress of the Civil War, but in the fall of 1864 joined the State Militia dur- ing Price's raid. He, however, was on duty only a short time. The log house in due time gave way to the present commodious stone residence, and by degrees Mr. Knudson put up additional buildings and gathered together the best improved machinery. The entire farm is devoted to stock- raising-indeed is considered one of the best stock farms in the county. In the spring of 1883, on account of failing health, Mr. Knudson rented his farm and removed to Wisconsin. There he pur- chased a farm near Rice Lake, of 160 acres, in one of the most beautiful districts of the Badger State,

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and where he lived until the fall of 1888. He then returned to his Kansas home, which he prefers to any other spot on earth. He is one of the promi- nent stock men of Northern Kansas, and a member of the Blue Valley Stock Breeder's Association.

Mr. Knudson before leaving his native country was married, in Walders, April 8, 1854, to Miss Moret Oleson, who was born in Walders, Sept. 9, 1834, and is the daughter of Ole Tollefson. The father of Mrs. Knudson was a farmer in his native country, whence he emigrated to America about 1867, and settled in Minnesota, where he died about 1880. The mother, Ragnild Ericksdatter, died in Norway. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Knudson three children: Ole, who was accidentally drowned in Cornaban Creek when fifteen years old; Knut, who died at the age of seventeen, and Bar- bara, who died in infancy.

Upon becoming a voting citizen Mr. Knudson identified himself with the Republican party, in the success of which he has always maintained a warm interest. He has held the offices of School Director and Road Supervisor at different times. He is a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church, at Olsburg, and has assisted in the erection of four different church edifices. He has watched the growth and development of Pottawatomie County with the interest of a native-born citizen, and has been no unimportant factor in bringing it to its present position. In his church he has officiated as Deacon for several years.

W ILLIAM BENTLEY, a prominent and prosperous farmer who resides on section 24, Rock Creek Township, Pottawatomie Co., Kan., has a well-cultivated farm comprising 200 acres of land lying on sections 24, 23, and 26. Hle was born Aug. 18, 1831, in Coshocton County, Ohio, and was taken by his parents to Pike County, Ill., in the same year. He was reared in the latter county, and received a good practical education in the public schools. In 1856 he re- moved to Iowa, where he learned the trade of a plasterer, and worked at it in Wapello County six years, making his home during that time in Ot-

tumwa. While a resident of that place, he mar- ried Miss Malinda C. Shaul, March 15, 1857. Three years later he engaged in farming, following that occupation in connection with his trade, until the time of his removal to Kansas, which was in the fall of 1873.

Upon the arrival of Mr. Bentley in Pottawatomie County, he purchased land entirely uncultivated, and commenced farming operations, striving to make his improvements permanent as much as it was possible, but of course much that is done on absolutely new ground, is of necessity of a tempo- rary character. However, as rapidly as his means would permit, Mr. Bentley put everything on a permanent and substantial basis. Hle has now all the improvements demanded by the most enlight- ened spirit of the age, and has at various times added to the size of his place, until it now numbers as above stated, 200 acres. He has a fine apple orchard. and as good and productive a farm as can be found in the township.

Mr. Bentley has been honored with the position of School Director, Township Clerk, and Road Overseer. The latter office has been held by him for some five or six years. He does not desire office, but in the above cases has consented to serve his neighbors in the positions to which they elected him. His political sentiments are in accordance with the Republican party, with which he votes. He and his family are members in good standing of the Christian Church, and are highly respected, and cordially liked by neighbors and friends. Mr. and Mrs. Bentley have become the parents of the following children, viz: Frank H., at present a farmer; William H., who is a resident of California; O. Lafayette married Miss Carrie Atkin, a daugh- ter of William Atkin, and they are the parents of one child, Alta Irma; C. C. married Miss Kittie Robinson, and resides on a farm; one daugh- ter, Hattie A., and Albert. Gideon Bentley, the father of our subject, was born in New York, and there married Miss Harriet Wheeler. Not long after marriage he removed with his family to Ohio, and after a residence of a few years in that State, removed again and located in Illinois, where he re- mained until the close of his life.

Mrs. Malinda (Shaul) Bentley was born in Hamil-

George Lay Dolman

J . Dr. Polman

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ton County, Ind., Dec. 1, 1835, and is the daugh- ter of Emmon and Sarah (George) Shaul. Mr. Shaul was a farmer, and when Malinda was seven years of age, he removed to Knox County, Mo., and in 1846 went to Iowa. He located two miles from Ottumwa. and resided there until after the marriage of his daughter, Malinda. Emmon Shaul was born in Harrison County, Va., July 2, 1802. Mrs. Sarah (George) Shanl was born in Chillicothe, Ross Co., Ohio, Jan. 17, 1814. The date of their marriage was Jan. 28, 1832. They lived a num- ber of years in the State of Indiana, and after the emigrations mentioned above, made their final change to Kansas in 1873, locating in Pottawatomie County, where they at length ceased from their earthly pilgrimage after a long life of usefulness, the father passing away Jan. 31, 1875, and the mother, Dec. 12, 1885.

G EORGE T. BOLMAN, whose portrait ap- pears on the opposite page, occupies a beautiful home just outside the limits of Netawaka, Jackson Co., the grounds around it comprising twenty acres of valuable land. He is an "old salt" and has a wide knowledge of the wo ld, his voyages having included ports in almost every part of the habitable globe. For the past decade he has lived in this township, where he has been engaged in handling corn and other grains, and where he has traded a great deal with Indians on the Kickapoo Reservation. He possesses all the bluff heartiness and kindness of heart, which are characteristic of the better class of sailors, and can " spin a yarn " in a most entertaining manner, his own observation and experience having shown him much that is stranger than fiction.

Born in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, and left an orphan at an early age, our subject went to Plain- field, N. J., to the home of his guardian, Mahlon Vail, and from there at the age of twelve years, shipped as cabin boy on a voyage to the West Indies. After his return from that trip, he attend- ed school for some time. Yielding once more to the fascination of the " boundless deep" he again sought an ocean life. At the age of nineteen he

held the position of second officer on board the bark " Rebecca," which was the property of M. N. Freeman & Co., the guardian of young Bolman being one of the company. The young man con- tinued his seafaring life in his guardian's interests until he was twenty-two years of age, in the mean- time making voyages to the principal ports in Australia, Peru, Africa, the West Indies and Europe. When twenty-four years old he became Master or Captain of a sailing vessel, and has since made trips around the world, following the sea for almost a quarter of a century.

While in command of the brig "Lola" and when thirty-seven years old, Capt. Bolman was wrecked in the Gulf Stream. The vessel was loaded with lumber, and during a gale became water- logged and capsized, 300 miles from land. The crew consisted of the captain, mate and eight men; the captain's wife was also on board, having ac- companied him for pleasure. It was night and the captain was in his cabin, when the vessel went over and at once filled with water, cutting him off from the gang-way. Mrs. Bolman being unconscious the captain held her in his arms for about two hours, while they were dashed back and forth against the walls of the cabin, sometimes under water and sometimes above it. At length the masts broke from the ship and it righted, leaving the main deck about a foot out of water. Four of the crew had been swept away during the storm and now the remaining ones helped to get the captain and his wife on deck, where seven days and nights dragged slowly by. They had neither food nor water and were almost without clothing, having only their night garments on when the gale struck them. Fearing the men would resort to cannibal- ism in the desperate strait to which they were re- duced, the captain secured knives which might be used as weapons, and gave the men to understand that the first one who proposed such a thing. would himself be meat for the rest. After being tossed at the mercy of the wind and waves for seven days, a sail was espied and a flag of distress raised. The hope of rescue which had sprung up in the breasts of the ship-wreckedl party was changed to despair when the vessel passed without discovering their signal ; however it was accidentally seen by one of

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the crew when several miles from the wreck, and changing her course the steamer " Gueen " picked np the sufferers and kindly ministered to their needs, though the only clothing they could furnish Mrs. Bolman was a suit of man's attire. The rescuing vessel was bound for Queenstown, Ireland, where the survivors of the wreck were landed.

Having abandoned a seafaring life, Capt. Bol- man rented a farm near Leavenworth in the fall of 1861, and operated the same for a twelvemonth. He then purchased a piece of land in Douglas County, and while there, took a trip southward, during which he was lost on the prairie and without food for four days. During the same year he came to Netawaka, where he has since resided, with the exception of the year 1883, which was spent in Leavenworth. In addition to his beautiful home on the outskirts of the town, Capt. Bolman has about $7,000 in bank stock.

Capt. Bolman is a son of Charles Edward and Clara (Collins) Bolman. The former was a lawyer of some prominence aud was a son of Dr. John Bolman, an early settler of Novia Scotia, with the early history of which he is closely identided. The Nova Scotia Gazette of Aug. 8, 1782, contains an account of an event of importance in the history of Lunenburg. On the 1st of July, 1782, that city was surprised by the appearance of six vessels under the command of one Capt. Stoddard, who, after landing ninety men, proceeded to devastate the town, destroying property to the amount of £12,000. They were only deterred from burning the place by receiving a promissory note for the sum of £1,000, payable one month after date to the order of Capt. Stoddard. This note was signed by P. De La Roche, Casper Wollenhaupt. and John Bolman. The citizens of Lunenburg naturally re- fused to pay the note, and a protest, published by the signers of the bond, was all the privateers ever saw in payment thereof. The maternal grandfather of our subject was a refugee from the colonies to Nova Scotia and represented that Province in the Assembly. He married a Miss Bass, who belonged to a prominent family there.

Capt. Bolman was married March 29, 1863, to Miss Jane E. De Wolf. Her father, James De Wolf, of Nova Scotia, was a merchantman of the high

seas, and her paternal grandfather was a wealthy ship-owner. Captain and Mrs. Bolman have four children two of whom were born in Leavenworth and two in Netawaka. Angeline and Emma De Wolf attended the schools at Netawaka, and later took a two years' course of study at Leavenworth. The first born son, Edward DeWolf, died at the age of twelve years; Walter Vail is now a promising lad of twelve years.

Capt. Bolman is a member of Polar Lodge, No. 130, A. F. & A. M. He joined the Masonic fra- ternity in Nova Scotia, after having been around the world, and on his second cireumnavigation he visited many lodges in the countries where he touched.

R REDERICK BICKHART. This gentleman bears the distinction of being one of the early pioneers of Kansas, to which he came in 1857, locating in Franklin County. Six years later he removed to Pottawatomie County, and se- curing a tract of land in Green Township, estab- lished himself upon it and built up the homestead which he now owns and occupies. It is pleasantly located on section 17, and embraces 172 acres of choice land on which the proprietor has effected good improvements, and which is the source of a comfortable income.

Mr Bickhart was born in Montgomery County, Pa., March 26, 1826. His father, John Bickhart, was a native of the same county, where he spent his entire life and departed hence at the age of fifty- five years. He traced his ancestry to Germany. He married Miss Katherine Smith, a native of his own State, and who, surviving her husband many years, died in Pennsylvania, aged seventy-five. There were born to them seven children, three only of whom are living-Elizabeth, Sophia and Fred- erick. The deceased are, Sarah, Maria, Katherine and Henry. Frederick was the third child and was reared on a farm in his native county, where he at- tended the common school and was trained to those habits of industry and economy which have been the secret of his success in life. Upon reaching his majority he left the parental roof and emigrated to Wayne County, Ohio, where he engaged in farming

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and remained until 1856. Then pushing ou further Westward he crossed the Mississippi and established himself in Jones County, Iowa, where he sojourned one year, coming thence to Kansas.

The subject of this sketch, after spending nearly thirty-four years in single blessedness, was married in Green Township, Jan. 17, 1870, to Mrs. Sarah Kershaw. Mrs. Bickhart is a native of Lancashire, England, and was born Sept. 27, 1833. To this worthy couple there was born one child, a daughter, Elizabeth, who is now an interesting young lady of eighteen years. Mr. Biekhart cast his first Pres- idential vote for Lincoln, and maintains his alle- giance to the Republican party.

OHN W. ESTEP. The headquarters of Mr. Estep comprises a well-regulated farm, 160 acres in extent and pleasantly located on sec- tion 2, Belvue Township, Pottawatomie County. It is devoted to general agriculture and the proprietor is a man of note in his community, serving as Justice of the Peace and otherwise iden- tified with its best interests. He was a Constable in Fayette County, Ohio. and was also Deputy Sheriff of that county for a period of nine years.

The subject of this sketch was born in Columbia County, Pa., May 26, 1827. He is the offspring of an excellent family, being the son of Rev. Jacob Estep whose birth took place in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1791. When a youth of eighteen years he, in 1809, emigrated to the Keystone State where he sojonrned for a number of years, then returning to Ohio, died there in 1832. He was for many years a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Estep family traces its ancestry to England.

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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 25

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

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