Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 30

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 30
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 30
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 30


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he conducted till 1885, and in that year once more established himself in business in llolton, forming a partnership with John Kaul, and opening a gro- cery store, which they have successfully managed ever since, making money and building up a first- class trade.


One of the most important events in the life of our subject was his marriage, Jan. 1, 1869, to Miss Mary Tabler, a native of Illinois. Like all true wives she makes her husband's interest her own, and strives in every way to further them, and their neat, cozy home with its comfortable appointments, is the abode of a genuine, heartfelt hospitality, as all who cross its threshold are made to feel. Mr. Gardiner early showed that he had in him the ele- ments of a good citizen, by his patriotie course in shouldering arms for the defense of his country during the late war, and in all the relations of life he has borne himself as becomes a man, honor and integrity being his guiding principles. He is a member of Holton Lodge, No. 46, A. F. & A. M., and the G. A. R. He is numbered among the active members of the Christian Church. of which he has been an Elder, and is a worker in the Sun- day-school.


E DWARD T. FROWE. This gentleman, who makes a specialty of sheep-raising, is oper- ating a fine farm in Louisville Township, Pottawatomie County, which he is renting from the Hon. J. W. Arnold. Though a renter his circum- stances are by no means poor, as he owns valuable property elsewhere. Since coming to Kansas over a decade ago, he has been interested in the fleecy flocks, and has found the business very profitable. He handles Merinoes, and now owns 300 individ- ually, beside having an interest in the wool pro- duced by others.


John Frowe, a native of England, who came to America in 1829, was the father of our subject. His first settlement in the United States was at Ge- neva, N. Y., where he carried on his trade, that of & carpenter and joiner, later engaging in farm pur- suits, and living in Illinois from 1849 till the date of his death in 1877. His wife, and the mother of


our subject, was Mary A. Wood, who was also born in the mother country, and who died in 1874. Their family, of which our subject was the young- est member, comprised nine children.


Edward T. Frowe was born at Seneca Falls, N. Y., Feb. 22, 1844, and was therefore five years of age when the family removed to Illinois. There he acquired a fundamental education in thie com- mon schools. and became astudent in the Rockford High School. The breaking out of the Civil War interrupted the studies of many an enthusiastic and loyal-hearted youth throughout the Northern States, and often parental influence was insufficient to detain the young patriots, various schemes being resorted to by them to compass their enrollment among the defenders of the Union. No more loyal spirit was to be found in the State of Illinois than that of our subject, who could not long resist the call to arms, and who, the day following his eight- eenth birthday, was enrolled as a member of Com- pany B, 18th Wisconsin Infantry, his enlistment taking place at Milwaukee.


Our young recruit was sent to Pittsburg Land- ing, and during the trying years which followed participated in many heavy engagements and hard marches. The first battle in which he was engaged was on the famous field of Shiloh, and he afterward participated in the siege of Corinth and the battle there, and all the campaigning which his regiment did. He was present at the battle of Jackson, Miss., May 14, 1863; at Champion Hill two days later, and throughout the siege of Vicksburg, which ended by the capitulation of that city, July 4, 1863. He suffered much from sickness contracted in the field, and was forced to remain in the hos- pital at Memphis for some time, rejoining his regi- ment at Huntsville, Ala., in January, 1861, and again taking up the duties of active campaign life. Mr. Frowe was in the engagement at Altoona, Ga., Oct. 5; 1864, and accompanied Sherman's army throughout its grand march through that State to Savannah, and to Columbia, S. C., being among the first of the troops to enter the latter city. Go- ing on to Fayetteville, N. C., and his term of ser- vice expiring, he was ordered to Wilmington, and there discharged, and after being paid off at For- tress Monroe, returned to his home in Illinois. The


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enthusiasm with which he had entered the service had resulted in a faithful and gallant discharge of every duty which devolved upon him as a soldier, and though "only in the ranks," his record is one of which any man might well be proud.


After returning to his home Mr. Frowe again took up his studies for a time, following which he worked on bis father's farm for two years. During the succeeding five years he rented the home estate and cropped it himself, after which he bought half of the place and remained upon it one year longer. In March, 1877, he came to Kansas, and spent ten months at Wamego, after which he removed to Shawnee County, and for three years rented and operated the farm owned by T. D. Mills. In July, 1881, he bought land six miles north of Alma, in Wabaunsce County, where he lived about seven ycars, and where he now owns eighty acres, and his wife 160 acres, all improved. In September, 1888, Mr. Frowe took charge of the farm of the Hon. J. W. Arnold, of Louisville, and on this estate, one and a half iniles from town, he now lives. Though the most of the years of Mr. Frowe's life have been spent in agricultural pursuits, that is not the only occupation in which he is capable of engaging, nor the only one in which he has been successful. Dur- ing two years of his residence in Illinois he was en- gaged in teaching in the public schools.


Mrs. Frowe bore the maiden name of Caroline Farley, and the rites of wedlock were celebrated between herself and her husband on the day be- fore Christmas, in the year 1868. Her parents, James and Ellen (Taylor) Farley, were natives of Virginia and of England respectively, and were married in Ohio, in 1827. The mother died in 1879; the father is still living at the ripe age of eighty-five years. He was a miller, a brick manu- facturer, and during a part of his life was engaged in mercantile pursuits, the later years of his active life being spent as a farmer. Mrs. Frowe is the youngest in a family of thirteen children, and was born in Washington County, Ohio, Feb. 18, 1849. She received a good common-school education, and excellent training at the hands of her worthy par- ents.


Mr. and Mrs. Frowe are the parents of four chil- dren, three now living: Eugene L., who was born


Feb. 28, 1872, is attending Washburn College at Topeka. Arthur L. was born Jan. 2, 1874; and Edward M., Sept. 29, 1876. They are attending the Louisville School, and will receive other ad- vantages hereafter.


Mr. Edward T. Frowe has been a member of the School Board in both Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties. He is much interested in the political issues of the day, and votes the Republican ticket. He is a firm temperance man, and a strong advo- cate of the same virtue in others. He belongs to the O. P. Morton Post, No. 37, G. A. R., of Wa- mego. 'Both Mr. and Mrs. Frowe are church mem- bers, he belonging to the Baptist Church, and she to the Christian, and both are and have been active workers, especially in the Sunday-school. Mr. Frowe was Clerk of the Auburn Church, in Shawnee County. While in Illinois he served as Superin- tendent of a Sunday-school for eight years. In Shawnee County he held a similar position for two years, and here he has been Superintendent of two schools at the same time. The history of his life, and the position which he has filled and does fill, are sufficient indication of his character and attainments, and it is needless to say that he is held in high repute by his fellow-citizens, and that his wife shares in their good will and kind regard.


W ILLIAM W. ALLEN. In contemplating the lives of men, the success of some and the failure of others often arouses a momen- tary wonder. It is well, especially for the young, to pause occasionally and inquire the reason of this difference, and investigate those peculiar char- acteristics which insure prosperity to the fortunate individuals possessing them. The life of Mr. Allen, although vet in its early prime, is an inter- esting study for all, and is by no means to be over- looked among the biographies of the men of prominence in Pottawatomie County. He is Cash- ier of the Bank of Olsburg, also a member of the firm of W. A. Allen & Son. Ile is on a solid basis, financially, and is doing considerable business in real-estate. He and his brother are the owners of landed property to a large extent, and are of an


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eminently business turn of mind, which goes far toward accounting for their success.


Of Irish-Canadian descent, the father of our sub- ject, William A. Allen, was born in the Province of Ontario, Canada, in 1838, while the paternal grandfather, Howard M. Allen, was a native of Ireland, and learned the trade of a blacksmith. lle worked at his trade after coming to the United States, but later removed to Canada. For some time this continned to be his home, then he pur- chased a farm in the vicinity of Adrian, Len- awee Co., Mich., clearing it and in various ways effecting its improvement during his lifetime. There he passed to rest. The great-grand father of our subject was John Moore, a farmer and mill- owner in the Emerald Isle; after residing for a few years in New York, he started back to his old home to collect rents, but was drowned on the way.


The youth of W. A. Allen was passed princi- pally on his father's farm in Lenawee County, Mich., whither he had accompanied his parents from Canada. After attaining to years of matu- rity he resolved to locate in the West, and there- fore, in the fall of 1856, made the journey to Kan- sas overland. He did not, however, come direct to Kansas, but stopped on the Missouri River, where he was employed during the winter season in chopping wood and in various other pursuits, whereby an honest penny could be obtained. The following spring he located in Jackson County, this State, near Elk City, taking a claim of 160 acres, and proving it up by means of land-war- rants. This he continued to operate until 1860, when he returned to Michigan, remaining there during the ensuing winter.


In the summer of 1861 the need of the nation for brave and courageous defenders of her honor, called forth all Mr. Allen's patriotism, and he ac- cordingly enlisted in the 6th Michigan Battery, with which he served until the close of the conflict. lle came to Kansas in the spring of 1866, locating on his present farm, and has since that time met with almost unvaried success. Ile now owns 240 acres of land adjoining Holton, and is interested in the banking business both in Olsburg and Holton. Upon his election to the position of County Treasurer in 1874, he removed to Holton, and for four years


discharged the duties imposed upon him to the general satisfaction. In 1888 he established the Exchange Bank, which is a private bank under the control of Newman & Allen, and the latter is cashier. He is also on the Board of Directors of Campbell Normal University at Holton, and was active in its ercetion in 1881. Politically, he is a strong Republican, and, religiously, is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married, in 1858, Miss Mary E. Patton, a native of Virginia and born in 1838. Of their fifteen chil- dren eleven grew to years of maturity, namely: Emma, Mrs. Keller, of Junction City; E. M., banker and partner of our subject; Augusta J., Mrs. Spangler of Westmoreland; William W., our subject; Mary C., at home; John Ralph, a drug- gist at Westmoreland; George H,, in the Bank of Olsburg; Ida, Otto, Nellie and Jessie, at home.


Our subject was a mere child when he accompa- nied his parents to Kansas in 1860, having been born in Blissfield, Lenawee Co., Mich., Nov. 23, 1862. He was reared on the home farm. and divided his time between labor on the homestead and study in the schools. After being graduated from Holton High School he became a student dur- ing the first year of school at Campbell Normal University, in 1882, and finished the business course there. In the fall of 1883 he came to Ols- burg and started the Bank of Olsburg, which was a private bank, managed by himself and brother, E. M., together with his father. They erected the bank building, and started in the banking, insur- ance, real-estate and brokerage business, in which success has crowned their efforts. The bank is now firmly established and does a good business. Our subject owns one-fourth of a block in Olsburg, on which in 1888 he built a handsome, commodious residence, which is universally conceded to be the finest as well as the most elegantly furnished house in western Pottawatomie County.


The wedding of our subjeet was celebrated on the 22d of November, 1883, when Miss Susie Drake became his wife. She was born in Jackson County, Kan., Nov. 23, 1865, and is the daughter of George W. Drake, an old settler of Kansas, and one of the most prominent and influential men of Jackson County. He is said to be the wealthiest


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man in that county, and is certainly one of the largest landholders and richest men in the Sunflower State. Mrs. Allen received a good education, and is refined, accomplished, and amiable, being wel- comed into the best society of the community.


OHN D. HARMS, Treasurer of Spring Creek Township, Pottawatomie County, is one of the honored pioneers of this section and well-to-do, owning 412 acres of good land, having his residence on section 34. Self-made in the strictest sense of the term, he has made his way up from a modest beginning to an enviable position among his fellow men. He has been a Director in his school district for the past eight years and is one of the pillars of the Congregational Church at Bluff Creek, in which he has officiated as Deacon and Superintendent of the Sunday-school and con- tributed to its best interests a liberal support. A man of decided views and more than ordinary in- telligence, he is looked up to in his community and has exercised no unimportant influence in further- ing its best interests.


A native of the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, Germany, Mr. Harms was born Aug. 28, 1836, and was there reared to manhood on a farm, receiving excellent school advantages. When a lad of thir- teen years he, in 1849, went to sea as a cabin boy and worked his way up to the position of Master. He has circumnavigated the Globe, rounding the Cape of Good Hope twice and Cape Horn once; sailed to every country except Australia and Japan, and in 1854 was in Russia at the time of the Crimean War. He followed the sea ten years, be- coming an able and experienced sailor and sailing in German, Holland and American vessels. On his last trip he landed at Savannah, Ga., in 1859, and then determined to quit the sea, and engaged as clerk in a grocery store until the outbreak of the Rebellion. Being then in the midst of the great excitement which ensued he resolved to get away on board a vessel, but did not succeed. The following summer he was drafted and forced into the Rebel service, being assigned to Company F, 1st Georgia Infantry. He was mustered in at


Savannah and kept there and at Ft. Pnlaski, on guard duty until the bombardment of the fort when he was taken prisoner Nov. 12, 1862. He was then sent north to Governor's Island and kept until July 6, following, being well treated, and sent thence to Ft. Delaware, where he suffered many hardships and privations together with ill treat- ment.


In August, 1862, Mr. Harms, with others, was exchanged and after a furlough of sixty days re- joined his regiment and was present at the bom- bardment of Ft. Sumter and Battery Wagner. Later he was sent to Atlanta and in May, 1864, was stationed at Lost Mountain, [serving as Second Sergeant. On June 15, he was again captured by Gen. Schofield's command and sent to Rock Island, Ill., where he remained until October following. When the President issued a call for volunteer troops from Rock Island prison to fight the Indians on the plains, Mr. Harms on the 6th of that month enlisted in Company F, 2d United States Infantry, and was mustered in at Rock Island. In the spring he was sent with his comrades to Ft. Leavenworth and thence to Ft. Dodge, March 1, 1865. IIe assisted in erecting the fort at that place and per- formed guard duty for the stages and trains. On the 6th of October the troops were ordered back to Leavenworth to be mustered out. When about half way there the order was countermanded and they were sent to Cow Creek Station where they remained about three weeks. Here Mr. Harms sought recreation in buffalo hunting, laying low thirteen monarchs of the plains with his rifle. The regiment was finally mustered out at Leavenworth, in 1865, and Mr. Harms received his honorable discharge.


Proceeding now to Manhattan, Kan., Mr. Harms engaged as a farm laborer in the vicinity of the town until the fall of 1868. He then changed his residence to Spring Creek Township, Pottawatomie County, where he worked on the farm until the spring of 1870. Then having saved what he could of his earnings, he purchased the improvements on a claim and homesteaded a part of the land which he now owns and occupies on section 34. The country was then wild and new with a cabin here and there, and, like his neighbors, Mr. Harms began


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at the foot of the ladder, taking up his abode in a log house and proceeding with the cultivation and improvement of his property. A course of plodding industry bore its legitimate fruits and he added gradually to his possessions, also branching ont into stock-raising. The whole 412 acres is all enclosed and the farm is embellished with fine modern buildings. The land is well watered by Buckswart Creek, along which is a fine growth of timber. Mr. Harms has a good orchard and other fruit trees and makes a specialty of grain and stock- raising, also carrying on dairying to a considerable extent. The homestead is located about five miles from Fostoria.


Nearly twenty-three years ago Mr. Harms was married at Manhattan, on the evening of Dec. 25, 1866, to Miss Caroline Bush. This lady was born in the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, and emi- grated to America in 1861, settling in Savannah, Ga. She remained in the South until the close of the war and had the honor of waiting upon Gen. Sherman, when he was stationed with his troops in the city. Of this union there has been born one child. a son, Charles D, Dec. 2, 1867. He is a bright and promising young man and has been given a good education, attending Campbell Uni- versity at Holton, during the winter of 1884-5.


The father of our subject was Henry Harms, a native of Germany, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He married a maiden of his own Prov- ince, Miss Margretta Tyler, and there were born to them six children, viz: Henry who is deceased; John D., our subject; Minnie, Johanna, Mata and Gretta. John is the only one emigrating to America, the others remaining in their native land.


LEX RYBERG, Postmaster of Olsburg, Pottawatomie County, and dealer in har- ness and saddlery, is one of the most popu- lar men in his community, more than ordi- marily well educated and intelligent and who by his sterling traits of character has established himself in the esteem and confidence of all who know him. He was born on the other side of the Atlantic in Engleholm, Skaane. Sweden, July 17. 1854, and


was reared in his native town, receiving good school advantages.


When a lad of fifteen years young Ryberg com- menced his apprenticeship at the harness trade in his native town, at which he served three years, ac- quiring a practical knowledge of the business. He worked at his trade in different parts of Sweden until the spring of 1882, and then resolved upon emigrating to America. IIe repaired to Copen- hagen, Denmark, and in April embarked on a steamer at Liverpool which landed him safely in New York City. Thence he proceeded to the town of Wilcox, Pa., and worked in a tannery until July. He then secured employment at his trade, and for about two years thereafter was in the em- ploy of one firm. At the expiration of this time repairing to Smithport, be operated a shop for him- self one year and until the spring of 1885.


We next find Mr. Ryberg in New York City, but not securing a desirable situation he only remained there one month, setting out then for the far West. He reached Olsburg. Kan., in May, 1885. and es- tablished himself in the harness business which he has since prosecuted. He has acquired a good knowledge of the English language by his own efforts and is well informed upon the general topics of the day. He purchases hides and from these manufactures the articles in harness and saddlery which command a ready sale. He owns his store building and residence. In August, 1888, he re- ceived his appointment as Postmaster, and in the discharge of his duties is acquitting himself with credit.


Mr. Ryberg was married in Olsburg, Oct. 1, 1885, to Miss Annette Ilaff, who was born in Viken, Skaane, Sweden, Nov. 9, 1858, and came to Amer- ica with her parents in 1871. Of this union there have been born three children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Anna, died when nine months old. The others are Amanda O. and Agnes O. Mr. Ryberg is an active member of the Swedish Lutheran Church, in which he has served as a Deacon and is one of the chief pillars. Politically, be is a sound Republican.


Mrs. Ryberg was the daughter of Andrew Haff, a native of Sweden and a contractor and builder. Ile emigrated to America in 1871, locating in Wil-


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son County, Kan., and purchasing 160 acres of land, upon which he operated for a time, then sell- ing out removed to Neosha County. In 1882 he came to Pottawatomie County and purchased a tract of land adjoining Olsburg where he effected good improvements and also operated as a carpen- ter. His death took place in February, 1889. Hle was a local preacher of the Swedish Lutheran Church. The maiden name of the mother was Oliva Anderson; she likewise was a native of Skaane, Sweden, and died in Kansas in September. 1871. The father of our subject was Charles Peter Ryberg, likewise a native of Sweden, a wood turner by trade and a prominent member of the Swedish Lutheran Church. The mother, Mrs. Anna Sophia Ryberg, was born in Engleholm, Sweden, and still lives at the old homestead and is now sixty-five years old. The parental family consisted of four children of whom Alex, our subject, was the eldest. Mary and Amanda died at the ages of twelve and eighteen years respectively. Charles P. is a resident of Pennsylvania.


O-


AVID HOMEWOOD. Among the many intelligent and progressive farmers in Pot- tawatomie County, none stand higher in the esteem of their neighbors than does he who is the subject of this sketch, and whose home is on section 25, Louisville Township. Al- though the farm which he operates has not so large an acreage as many in the county, it is thoroughly tilled, well stocked with horses, cattle and hogs, and furnished with all modern improvements which will enhance the comfort of those who occupy it, and add to the value of the estate.


Our subjeet is a son of Thomas and Mary (Munn) llomewood, both of whom were born in Kent, England, and were there nnited in marriage. About the year 1830, they came to America, but after a residence of three years at Rochester, N. Y., returned to the mother country, where they re- mained. The death of the mother took place in 1881. The father has now reached the ripe age of eighty-seven years, and is still active and capable


of attending to his own business, that of managing a farm upon which he has long lived. The pa- rental family consisted of thirteen children, eight of whom still survive.


David Homewood, of whom we write, was the seventh child in the parental family, and was born in Kent, England, in January, 1834, and received a fair education in his native land, whence at the age of twenty-one years, he came to America. Af- ter landing on this side of the ocean, he went at once to Winnebago County, Ill., where he spent a year in tilling the soil, and then learned the trade of a carpenter, at which he worked for ten years. During the years 1862-63, while hostilities were going on between the North and South, he spent seven months laboring at his trade in Memphis, Tenn. He then returned to the Prairie State, where he continued to make his home until 1882, at which period he came to this State and bought a farm, which is now occupied by C. D. Rinehart. About three years later he removed to his present location, where he has ninety acres of valuable land.


At the home of the bride's father, M. M. Van- dercook, in Rockford, Ill., Nov. 29, 1866, Mr. Homewood was united in marriage with Miss Kate Vandercook. The father of the bride died in 1873, and her mother is now living in Chicago, and is an active and well-preserved lady, eighty-three years of age. The parental family was a large one, com- prising ten children, six of whom are now living. Mrs. Homewood was the ninth in order of birth in the family, and her natal day was Aug. 21, 1844. She is a finely educated and refined lady, and for three years prior to her marriage, had been engaged in teaching, being highly successful in that pro- fession. She has borne her husband four children: Edgar B. was born Dee. 28, 1867; Esto, July 4, 1876. and died Feb. 5, 1879; Ethel May, was born June 7, 1879; and Fannie Elizabeth, Dec. 20, 1884. The children are well educated, and are being given every opportunity and facility to attain to useful manhood and womanhood.




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