Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 27

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 27
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 27
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 27


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M ERRITT.N. HARTWELL, is a son of George W. Hartwell, one of the old settlers of Spring Creek Township, a sketch of whom appears on another page in this ALBUM. He is one of the most energetic and en- terprising men of his township, a citizen promi- nent and influential and the owner of a valuable farm comprising 320 acres on section 15. He is the youngest of the three children of the parental family and was born near Robinson, Crawford Co., Ill., Nov. 2, 1852.


Mr. Hartwell was trained from boyhood to habits of industry and economy, and acquired a practical education in the common schools. He accompanied the family in their various removals, first to Han- coek County, Ill., and then in 1869 to Kansas, mak- ing the latter journey overland, crossing the Mis- sissippi at Quincy and the Missouri at St. Joseph. He worked with his father until reaching his majority then commenced farming for himself on rented land, operating in this manner until 1880. That year he purchased eighty acres of his present farm, then a tract of wild land upon which no im- provements had been made. A course of prudence


and industry brought their legitimate reward and he added to his landed possessions so that he now has the half of section 15, well watered by Bluff Creek, with convenient springs and a good supply of native timber. Half of his farm is rich bottom land, highly productive and valuable.


Mr. Hartwell has erected good buildings and is supplied with all the necessary machinery for carry- ing on agriculture in a systematic and profitable manner. He is considerably interested in live stock, keeping graded Short-horn and Hereford cattle, feed- ing about one car annually. From 1882 to 1884 he engaged to some extent in buying and shipping stock to Kansas City. He is also interested in horse flesh, keeping sixteen head of graded Clydes and Hambletonians. Mr. Hartwell in addition to his own farm also operates that of his father, thus having under his charge a whole section of land. He is a regular " chip off the old block," and what- ever he undertakes is carried through with that perseverance and energy which is a characteristic of the family.


The subject of this sketch was married at the home of the bride on Bluff Creek, Spring Creek Township, Nov. 6, 1873, to Miss Phebe E. Pace, who was born in lIenderson County, Ill., July 23, 185I and came to Kansas with her parents when sixteen years old. Of the four children born of this union only two are living, Clyde M. and Earl F., the second and fourth. Lucy M. and Gwyn G. died at the ages of three and two years. Mr. Hartwell votes the straight Republican ticket and is quite prominent in public affairs, being sent as a delegate to the county conventions and serving as Clerk of the School Board in his district. He was Constable one year, Township Treasurer for three years and is the present Road Supervisor in his district. Mrs. Hartwell is a member in good stand- ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.


ASPAR SALZER. This gentleman is one of those sturdy and decided characters, who are willing to suffer for opinion's sake and to devote their time and energy to a cause which they consider just. He came to Kansas in the year


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1855, and during the troublous times of that dec- ade experienced the trials and the dangers which befell the Free State man, and a few years later he spent many long months in the service of the I'nion. Enterprising and energetic in bis work in life, he has been financially prospered, while his manly character and sturdy uprightness have won for him a high degree of respect wherever he is known. Hle is now living in Wamego Township, Pottawatomie County, where he owns 220 acres of land in three bodies, of which sixty acres are under the plow. Ile keeps on hand eight horses, forty- five head of cattle and twenty of logs. A fine orchard of 100 bearing fruit trees is a source of pleasure and profit, and the home is supplied with all the needful conveniences in the way of out- buildings, and is marked by a general air of neat- ness and thrift.


Our subject is of German birth and parentage, and the place of birth of both himself and parents was Wurtemburg. His father, who also bore the name of Caspar. was a farmer, and in accordance with the custom in the Fatherland served sometime in the German army. In 1806 he participated in the war between Austria and France, and spent six years altogether in army life. The mother, whose maiden name was Anna Maria Salzer, bore her hus- band six children, two only being now alive. The subject of this sketch was the fifth in the parental family and was born Nov. 1, 1823. Ile grew to manhood in his native Duchy, and for eight years during his boyhood pursued his studies in his na- tive town. Beginning life for himself at the age of seventeen years he served at the trade of a stone mason for three years, following his apprenticeship by working at his trade until 1845, when he de- termined to seek a home across the Atlantic. Bid- ding adieu to his native land he took passage for New Orleans, La., where he landed December 26, and where he remained until the following July, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and spent the three fol- lowing years there, working at his trade. This was followed by work on a farm in Jo Daviess County, Ill., for an equal length of time. Ile then made his way to this State, which was then a Territory. and during the five years which followed, his home was in Leavenworth, although during the time he


was frequently obliged to keep in hiding on account of his stand among the Free Soilers. The trade which he had so thoroughly mastered was his occu- pation, and not long after he came to Leaven worth, he and Angust Kesler took a contract to build a stone house in that city. The firm went upon a bond for a friend to secure a mortgage ou a team, which was in the possession of Mr. Salzer, when the Missourians came and took it from him. Mr. Sal- zer was personally acquainted with "Jim" Lane and other leaders on the border. On one occasion while he was hiding in the brush, the border ruf- fians ordered Mrs. Salzer to leave by the following day, threatening to burn her house if she did not do so. Gen. Lane made an opportune appearance before their threat was carried into execution, and the "rutlians" were driven from town.


In 1860 Mr. Salzer changed his residence to this county, locating in St. George Township. In 1862 his name was placed on the muster roll of Com- pany K. 11th Kansas Cavalry, and for three years he served in the Union army, being always on duty and conducting himself as a faithful and valiant soldier should, and as might be expected of a na- tive of the Fatherland, where a warlike spirit and martial hearing are instilled into every youthful mind. During his army life Mr. Salzer took part in the battles at Maysville, Ark .; Cane Hill, Prairie Grove, Van Buren, Lexington, Mo., the Little Blue, Big Blue and West Port, and was occupied seven months in guarding the border of Kansas. In 1865 the regiment was ordered to Ft. Laramie, Wyo., in the vicinity of which they were skirmish- ing with Indians for a few months.


Upon receiving his discharge in September, 1865, Mr. Salzer returned to his farm in St. George Township, whence he removed to his present loea- tion in the spring of 1867, there being a few im- provements upon the place when he took possession of it. In 1870 he built a substantial stone resi- dence, and during the grasshopper season of 1874 erected a stone barn and other needful buildings.


The wife of Mr. Salzer bore the maiden name of Theresa Berhalter, and she and her parents were natives of the Duchy of Wartemburg. Germany. She is a daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann ( Bren- ner) Berhalter, who died in their native land, the


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father in 1875 and the mother in 1882. The oc- cupation of Mr. Berhalter was that of a tailor. Their family consisted of six children, and their daughter Theresa, who was born Sept. 7, 1833, was the fifth in order of birth. She came to America in 1853, making her home in Savanna, INI., and there on the 30th of August, 1855, her marriage with our subject took place. To Mr. and Mrs. Salzer nine children have been born, eight of whom now survive. Mary is wife of Christ Walter, and they live in Pottawatomie Township, having five children. The eldest son is Jacob, who is yet un- married; Caroline is the wife of Henry Puhr, of St. Louis, Mo., and they have two children. The circle is completed by Kate, Annie, Henry, Albert and Andrew ..


Mr. Salzer is a member of Wamego Post, G. A. R. He always votes the Republican ticket. He has been a member of the School Board and served in a creditable manner. He belongs to the Lu- theran Church and his wife is an equally devout Catholic. They have a wide circle of acquaint- ances who bear for them a merited degree of respect.


AMUEL M. STOVER, a veteran of seventy-one years and a man of strong mental and physical makeup, is conspicu- ous among the elder residents of Wamego as being the subject of a personal history of more than ordinary interest. He was born in Washing- ton County, Md., April 11, 1818, and was the fifth in the family of eleven children, the offspring of Frederick and Lena (Sellers) Stover, who were likewise natives of Maryland, and there spent their entire lives. Frederick Stover was of Dutch descent and born in 1786. He learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner early in life, which he followed mostly thereafter. and departed hence in 1865, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. The mother survived her husband seven years, dy- ing in 1872. Five of their children are living and located mostly in Hagerstown, Md.


The subject of this sketch started out in life for himself at the age of twenty years, equipped with a common-school education, habits of industry and


economy, and the resolution and perseverance, which all through life have been the leading traits of his character. He learned the trade of a white- smith and brass founder, also tinsmithing and coppersmithing, and in 1840 left his native place, and for a year worked both in Chambersburg and Bedford, Pa. Then returning to Maryland he so- journed for a short time and later emigrated to Ohio, making his home for a year in Mt. Vernon, and following his trade. Afterward, returning to Maryland, he opened a tin store in Hagerstown. In 1857, he removed his stock to Williamsport and operated there, successfully, for a period of nine- teen years. He came to Kansas in 1876, establish- ing himself in Wamego, where he has since carried on his old business and become a fixture among the respectable elements of the community.


Mr. Stover, while a resident of Hagerstown, Md., was married April 30, 1844, to Miss Chris- tiana, daughter of John andRosina Sebear. who were i atives of Wittenburg, Germany. Mrs. Stover was born on the same day and year as her hus- band, in Hanover, Pa. Only two of the five chil- dren born to them are now living: Emma A. married Richard H. Parcell, who served three years in the late Civil War, as a member of Thompson's Independent Battery of Pittsburg, Pa., and died in 1871, leaving two children. His widow lives with her parents. William married Miss Fanny Griswold and lives in Wamego. He has one child Wilford, aged three years. Mr. and Mrs. Stover are prominently connected with the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Stover is an Elder. He was at one time. in Maryland, a member of the I. O. O. F. He also belonged to the Sons of Temperance and the Good Templars.


Mr. Stover upon becoming a voting citizen first identified himself with the Old Line Whigs. and upon the abandonment of that party cordially en- dorsed the Republican principles. He was a strong Union man during war times and living in the neighborhood of Hagerstown, Md., had some peculiar experiences with the soldiers of both armies. He had, prior to this time, been for three years crippled with rheumatism, but such was the excitement under which he then labored that his affliction left him and has not since returned. In


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the meantime, while suffering from this aggrava- ting ailment he became addicted to the opium habit, and at one time in twenty-four hours used enough of this drug to kill sixty-four men. He finally became convinced that he must abandon it, and by sheer force of will accomplished this, break- ing off entirely. This as may be supposed, re- quired no little effort, and illustrates the amount of resolution possessed by Mr. Stover, which faculty has been many times in his life made of inestimable service to him. He owns and occupies a comfort- able home and is fully established in the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens.


AMES WILLIAM SHINER exerts consider- able influence in both social and political circles of Pottawatomie County, and is especially prominent in newspaper work. He graduated in the "art preservative" when a mere lad, and has devoted all of his mature life to this vocation. He is a leader among the Republi- cans of his community, besides being identified with the I. O. O. F., Knights of Pythias, and A. O. U. W. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Congregational Church, and contribute liberally of their time and means to the upbuilding of that cause.


A native of the county of Wayne, Ind., our subject was born in Dublin, June I, 1850, and when eight months old was taken by his parents to Whiteside County, Ill., where they lived for three years. Finding the country settled up a little faster than suited their tastes, they launched what is commonly called a "prairie schooner " and em- barking in it with their camping outfit, and house- hold goods, finally arrived after fair sailing at what is now Tama County, Iowa, then peopled mostly by the Mosquaka Indians. In that county the fa- ther homesteaded a claim ; their nearest neighbor, with the exception of Tobias R. Shiner, was twenty- six miles distant. The nearest postoffice, market and flouring-mill, was located sixty miles away. In the winter of 1857-58 a terrible snow-storm made the roads impassible for many weeks, and the father of our subject, as well as his uncle, had


neither flour, meal, nor salt in their cabins for a period of six or eight weeks; during that time our subject, a lad of seven years, made himself useful by grinding corn in the end of a log, and some- times, with the assistance of a hatchet, would break two grains into three pieces.


In 1861 Steward B. Shiner, the father of our sub- ject, removed with his family to Waterloo, Iowa, where until his death in 1864, he was engaged in the furniture business as a manufacturer and wholesale dealer. He also held many offices of trust in that and other communities where he re- sided. He was born in Virginia about 1827; in 1848 he was married to Maria Jane Davenport, who was born in Ohio in 1830. After their mar- riage in the Buckeye State they removed to Wayne County, Ind. James W. was the eldest of their family of seven children. Col. Davenport, the great uncle of our subject, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was at one time proprietor of Rock Island, where he was killed by robbers.


The education which Mr. Shiner received in the log school houses of Iowa, has since been supple- mented by a systematic course of reading, so that lie is a well-informed man, a pleasing conversa- tionalist, and an entertaining companion. In 1861 he apprenticed himself to W. H. Hartman, editor and proprietor of the Waterloo Courier, a weekly newspaper. In 1868 he left that office, and, with J. A. Cole, commenced the publication of a weekly paper, the Recorder, at Jesup, Buchanan Co., Iowa. After being connected with this paper six months. he resumed his former position as foreman on the Waterloo Courier. In 1870 the Grundy County Aryus, published by Rea & Moffit, was placed un- der the management of our subject, and for nine months following this he was engaged in furthering its interests. Again returning to Waterloo, he ac- cepted a position as a type setter at fifteen cents per 1,000 ems.


The 6th of January 1871, was the date of Mr. Shiner's arrival in Kansas, and he soon became foreman of the Leavenworth Commercial job rooms, a position held until 1875, when, in company with E. C. Laithe, he made arrangements for the publi- cation of the Holton Recorder; the first edition of which was issued March 2, 1875. On the 9th of


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March, 1875, Maj. M. M. Beck purchased Laithe's interest in the Recorder, and is yet proprietor thereof. In 1882 Mr. Shiner was foreman of the Salt Lake Tribune job rooms, and during 1884 lived in Amador County, Cal. May 6, 1885, the first issue of the Westmoreland Recorder, in which he has a half interest. was published. It is Republican in polities, and is an authority in matters political.


Mr. Shiner was married May 30, 1873, to Ella Modora Page, only child of Henry H. and Maria (Jacobs) Page, natives respectively of Maine and New Hampshire. At the age of nine years she accompanied her parents to Independence, Iowa, and later to Waterloo, where she met Mr. Shiner. They have four children: Ed. Clayton, Bessie Augusta. Jo Melancthon and Frank Stewart. They are bright, intelligent children and are receiving good educations.


W. F. Hill, Associate Editor of the Westmore- land Recorder, was born April 10, 1856, and is a son of Samuel and Winnifred Hill, natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. They were married in 1855, and moved the same year to Monroe County, Iowa, where the subject of this sketch was born. The following year they removed to Ringgold County, Iowa, where they purchased a farm upon which they resided for twenty-three years. The father served two and one-half years in the Civil War. In 1879 they located in the town of Goshen, where Mr. Hill died Nov. 11, 1884.


During the winter terms W. F. Hill attended the country school in the district where he lived, and at the age of twenty entered the lowa City Acad- emy, where he remained one term. The ensuing year he entered the State University of Iowa, and was a student there three years. It took him about six years to obtain this schooling, as it was neces- sary for him to teach or do other work about half the time to pay his expenses.


The marriage of our subject to Miss Hattie Ap- plegate occurred May 20, 1884, and after that event they located at once in Douglas, Butler Co., Kan., where Mr. ITill was assistant principal of the city schools for two years, while Mrs. Ilill taught the primary department. In 1886 they moved to Havensville, Pottawatomie County, and here also Mr. Hill was for two years principal of the schools,


while his wife had charge of the intermediate de- partment. In 1888 they moved to Westmoreland, where Mr. Hill was principal of schools for one year, and then bought a half interest in the West- moreland Recorder, and in conjunction with J. W. Shiner he still edits and publishes that paper. Mr. and Mrs. Hill are members of the Methodist Epis- cal Church. They have one son, Forrest Vincent, born Aug. 9, 1889.


G EORGE URQUHART is an old settler, a substantial farmer, and an honorable man, residing on section 4, Rock Creek Town- ship, Pottawatomie County. He has an excellent farm of 200 acres of good land all well-improved and cultivated. Its present fine condition is en- tirely owing to his own efforts, as there was not a furrow turned, nor the beginning of a building on the place when lie took possession nineteen years ago.


Our subject belongs to that famous race which claims such spirits as Bruce, and Wallace, "Bobbie" Burns, and Sir Walter Scott, as their representa- tives. He was born in the Highlands of Scotland about the year of 1825, in the village of Scotts- burn. Parish of Logieeaster, or Ross Shire. and continued to reside in his native place until 1851, when he emigrated to America and settled in Grundy County, Ill., where he resided during most of the time until 1870. A portion of the time spent in America, previous to becoming a citizen of Kansas, was spent in the counties of La Salle and Williamson in Illinois, but the greater portion was passed in Grundy County, as mentioned above. While a resident of the latter county, Mr. Urquhart was united in marriage with Miss Mary Cameron, of the same county, the ceremony taking place on the 17th of April, 1857.


In 1870 Mr. Urquhart and his family removed to Kansas, stopping for a brief period in Topeka, then moving to Pottawatomie County, and locat- ing on their present place. Our subject took up a homestead of eighty acres, which he afterward in- creased to 120, and subsequently enlarged his farm still further by the purchase of eighty acres


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adjoining, thus making his place the size it is at present. Not being able to build a house, Mr. Urquhart excavated a cellar which he walled up with stone and roofed with boards, and in that place the family lived about five years. . In the meantime Mr. Urquhart busied himself plow- ing the land, planting and reaping the crops, build- ing fences and providing shelter for what stock he was able to purchase from time to time, and in other ways providing for the immediate wants of his family, and securing money to build a substan- tial and comfortable dwelling. As above stated, when five years had come and gone, he found him- self in a condition to carry out his cherished plan of building a house that would be a credit to his enterprise and a permanent home for his family, so he proceeded to put his scheme into execution, also planting a second orchard, the one first put out having been destroyed by fire. The result of his labor is to be seen by any one passing by, in the good family residence, fine young orchard now iu bearing, neat fences, durable shelter for his stock, and all the other evidences of a fine farm in first class condition.


Mrs. Urquhart is a lady excellently well fitted to be the wife of a man of Mr. Urquhart's energetic disposition, as she is competent to take care of her part of the domestic machinery, and has been an able and willing assistant to her husband in all his efforts to improve their temporal condition. Much of their success is due to her unflagging industry and cheerful disposition. She is a native of the Highlands of Scotland, having been born in Argyle- shire. She crossed the stormy Atlantic, and landed in the port of New York just four days prior to the landing of him who was afterward to be her husband. The date of her arrival in this coun- try was Sept. 4, 1851, while that of Mr. Urquhart was September 8, in the same year. Miss Cameron accompanied her parents to Grundy County, Ill., and remained with them until leaving to be mis- tress of a home of her own. Her people are still residents of that county, and are highly respected and loved for their kind hearts and industrious habits.


Mr. and Mrs. Urquhart have had their hearts cheered and their home brightened by the advent


of three children, all girls: Jeannette, the widow of E. Enzor, is at the home of her parents with her two children, Cynthia B. and Mary C .; Ann, Mrs. H. Eversmier, is living at present in Washington County, Kan .; and Hectarina, who is still at home. Mr. Urquhart and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and are regular and devoted attendants upon its services. Mr. Urquhart is a stanch Republican in politics, but will not consent to take any office. He and his family are among the most highly respected and popular people of the township, and are worthy of all the esteem and good wishes that they receive. They are an in- telligent family, Mr. Urquhart being especially well- read in all matters of history and current literature.


ERMAN FIEGENER. The community of Spring Creek Township includes numbers of young and enterprising men upon whom is falling the mantle of their fathers, which they are bearing in a most praiseworthy manner. The subject of this sketch, who has just passed the thirty-first year of his age, is a citizen of rare promise and already well-to-do, owning 240 acres of prime land on sections 8 and 9, and in connec- tion with this also operates his father's farm of 120 acres. He was born in St. Louis, Mo., Sept. 16, 1858, and lived there until a boy of seven years, at the expiration of which time his parents came to Kansas, making the journey by boat to Atchison. and thence hy team to Pottawatomie County in the spring of 1865.


Young Fiegener was thus reared on the frontier, acquiring at an early age those habits of industry which have been the source of his later success. He grew up strong and vigorous, making himself generally useful on the farm from the time he was ten years old, driving oxen, plowing, etc. During those early years the country around presented a vast plain, over which deer and other wild animals roamed in unrestrained freedom, and where the foot of the white man seldom passed. Young Fie- gener attended the primitive schools, where he acquired a very good education. At the carly age of nineteen years he took charge of his father's




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