Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 35

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 35
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 35
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 35

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

306

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

within its walls, and while the classics, arts and sciences receive due share of attention, the students are thoroughly instructed in the common English studies and in all that goes to fit one for a business life.

Prof. Hoenshel and Miss Abbie Moss were uni- ted in marriage in 1872, and three children have been born to them: George, Ernest and Charles L. Mrs. Hoenshel is a native of Birmingham, Iowa, and a daughter of Charles L. and Anna (Barnes) Moss. The name is spelled by other members of the family, Morse, and they have a common ancestry with Prof. Morse, the great inventor of telegraphy. The Professor and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he having connected himself with that denomination in 1870, and they have the religious welfare of the community at heart.

HOMAS O'CONNER. In common with other countries, Ireland has contributed her full quota to the population and develop- ment of the Great West. Her sons have been found almost uniformly thrifty and industrious, and some of the finest farms in Pottawatomie County have been opened up by them from the primitive soil. The subject of this sketch, one of the leading farm- ers of Clear Creek Township, was born in County Kerry, Jan. 18, 1845, and is the son of Mortimer and Ellen (Carroll) O'Conner. The father was likewise a native of County Kerry, and was for many years engaged successfully as a merchant in the old country. He came to America in 1878, and settled in Kansas with his son, our subject, and died in Pottawatomie County in 1888, in the sixty- eighth year of his age. The mother is still living, and makes her home with her son Thomas.

The parents of Mr. O'Conner had a family of six children, only two of whom are living-Mary, the wife of Daniel Heffarman, of Peabody, Mass., and Thomas, our subject. The latter was eighteen years old when emigrating to America, and settled in Peabody, Mass., where for fifteen years he was engaged in teaming and as a currier. In the mean- time he was married, and having become the head

of a family was anxious to provide for his chil- dren in a manner better than he could do in the older States. Accordingly, in 1878, he set out for Kansas, and upon his arrival in Pottawatomie County, purchased the west half of the northeast quarter of section 21, in Clear Creek Township, whereon he has effected the usual improvements, and of which he still retains possession. He has a good story and a half house, a large barn, and the other necessary buildings. Most of the land has been brought to a 'good state of cultivation, and besides this Mr. O'Conner owns eighty acres else- where on the same section, and the same amount on section 22. He keeps large numbers of live stock, and is usually successful as a grain-raiser, and with other crops.

Mr. O'Conner was married, in Peabody, Mass., in June, 1872, to Miss Honora Cummings. Mrs. O'Conner is likewise a native of County Kerry, Ireland, and is now the mother of nine children, viz .: Nellie, Mortimer, Richard, Honora, Thomas, Mary, John, Edward and Bessie. Mr. O'Conner takes an active interest in the establishment and maintenance of schools, and is Clerk of the Board in District No. 74. . Both he and his estimable wife are devout members of the Catholic Church. They have pleasant home surroundings, and are held in high esteem by their neighbors.

ANIEL MILLER. The farm property of Mr. Miller, who is a first-class agricultur- ist, comprises 300 acres of ¡choice land, finely located on section 13. Franklin Township. Here he has expended much time, labor aud hard cash in bringing the soil to a good state of cultivation, and erecting the necessary buildings. He has always had abundant faith in the future of Kansas, and while many have been coming and going, he has maintained his residence here since the spring of 1870, and appearances would indicate that he has put in his time to good advantage.

Mr. Miller was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, March 18, 1830. He spent the years of his childhood and youth in the place of his birth, ac-

307

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

quiring his education in the district school, and becoming familiar with farming pursuits. During the Civil War he was a member of Company E, 160th Ohio Infantry, with the 100-days' men, but was never called into active service.

After the close of the war Mr. Miller, leaving Ohio, crossed the Mississippi into Iowa County. Iowa, where he engaged in farming five years. We next find him located on a part of the land which he now owns and occupies. He brought with him his wife and family, having been married, in Muskingum County, Ohio, Oct. 1, 1857, to Miss Keziah Bradford. This lady became the mother of eleven children, and departed this life at her home in Franklin Township, in Angust, 1883. The sons and daughter of Mr. Miller are named re- speetively : William D., Mary E., John W., Maria, Susan M., Charles W., Martha J., Eva M. and Ilarry V. Two died in infancy.

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married in Coshocton County, Ohio, in 1884, was formerly Miss Nancy E. Underwood. She was born Feb. 8, 1855, in Ohio, and is the daughter of Lewis and Luey A. Underwood, the mother being deceased. Of this union there has been born one child -- Alice M. Mr. Miller, politically, is a straight Republican, and belongs to the Baptist Church.

G EORGE MOHLER. The city of St. Mary's is noticeable for its large number of stirring business men in the prime of life, many of them having scarcely attained to the age of forty years. They have been almost uniformly the sons of self-made men, who in their youth were trained to habits of industry and imbued with those princi- ples of honor which have made of them solid building stones in the social structure, and inti- mately identified with the growth and prosperity of the place which they have chosen for their home and the investment of their capital.

Mr. Mohler was. born in Cumberland County, Pa., Nov. 28, 1849, in the vicinity of Boiling Springs, where he lived until a youth of eighteen years. In the meantime he attended the common school, mostly during the winter season, and when

forming his plans for the future he finally decided to seek a country beyond the Mississippi. Accord- ingly, in 1868, he eame to Kansas, sojourning the first year in Topeka and employing himself at what- ever he could find to do. In April. 1868, he changed the field of his operations to St. Mary's, and after working in a lumber-yard one month se- cured a job as general helper at the depot. IIe saved what he could of his earnings, and a year later purchased a team of cheap horses and a dray, and did general hauling for about four years. Ile then sold out the business which he had thus built up, and renting the toll-bridge across the Kaw River, attended to the business connected therewith about two years.

At the expiration of this time Mr. Moliler re- turned to St. Mary's and opened up a little grocery store. Two years later he admitted a partner to the business, and they put in a stock of general merchandise, continuing together in trade about four years. The partner, Mr. A. B. Pool, in the meantime had purchased a ranch of 300 acres in Kaw Township, Wabaunsee County, and the two dissolved partnership, Mr. Mohler taking the ranch and Mr. Pool the stock of merchandise.

Mr. Mohler now removed to the ranch and lived there five years, dealing chiefly in cattle. In November, 1885, he returned to St. Mary's and purchased a stoek of groceries, re-entering the marts of trade, in which he continued until Janu- mary, 1888. Then selling out he purchased his present business, and has sinee dealt extensively. in dry-goods, clothing and general merchandise of this description. He carries a stock of from $10,000 to $12,000, and is in the enjoyment of a lucrative trade. He still owns the ranch, which is now well improved. having upon it three frame houses, together with other necessary buildings and the requisite farm machinery. It is consid- ered one of the finest estates in this part of Kansas. Mr. Mohler has been prominent in local affairs, serving as Township Assessor two terms, and he has also been a member of the City Council. In politics he supports the principles of the Republi- ean party.

The 8th of September, 1875, marked an interest- ing period in the life of Mr. Mohler, as he was at

308

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

that date married in Pottawatomie County, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Hyman and Catherine (Funk) Hallock. Mrs. Mohler was born in Story County, Iowa, in 1853, and her parents were na- tives respectively of Madison County, Ohio, and the vicinity of Baltimore, Md. The mother re- moved with her parents to the Buckeye State when a mere child. She was the daughter of Henry and Harriet E. (Smice) Funk, who after the marriage of their daughter in Ohio, removed first to Illinois, and from there to Iowa. In 1868 they came to Kansas, and the father homesteaded a tract of land in Lincoln Township, Pottawatomie County, where he opened up a good farm, where he and his wife still live. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Mohler came to Kansas quite late in life, and died when ripe in years.

To Mr. and Mrs. Mohler there have been born seven children-George W., Lillian F., Selby II., Henry S., Lulu J., Norton H., and Jessie D. (the latter of whom died when ten months old). Mr. Mohler is a member in good standing of Pottawat- omie Lodge, No. 52, A. F. & A. M., while he and liis estimable wife belong to the Congregational Church.

M ICHAEL HOFERER, a wealthy and in- fluential resident of Pottawatome County and occupant of one of the finest residen- ces in Wamego Township, was an active participant in the trying scenes connected with the Anti and Pro-slavery contest which earned for Kansas the name of " The Bloody Ground." The sturdy perseverance, habits of thrift and industry, and strong determination of the German character, are exemplified in his life, and he has won merited success in the estimation of his fellow men and in financial prosperity.

The father of our subject was Michael Hoferer, a native of Baden, Germany and a wheelwright by trade. His mother was Catherine ( Fouchs) Hoferer, a native of Alsace, which was the home of the couple during their entire married lives. The father died in August, 1863, and the mother Feb. 2, 1885. They were the parents of eight children,

of whom our subject is the eldest. He was born April 8, 1828, in Alsace, and was well educated in both German and French. At the age of fourteen he began to learn the trade of a carpenter and mill- wright, and finished the same in the Fatherland.

When about twenty-six years old, Mr. Hoferer determined to try his fortunes in America, and crossing the Atlantic landed in the metropolis, whence he went to Ohio, in which State he remained about a year. He then spent several months in New Orleans, returning to the Buckeye State and making his home in Hamilton, Butler County, until February, 1857. when he became a citizen of Kan- sas. The day after he reached Leavenworth he helped to elect the first Free Soil Town Conneil. He also voted for the Wyandotte Constitutional Convention, and in November cast his vote against the Lecompton Convention. During all the bor- der troubles he was a partisan of the Anti-slavery side, and to the best of his ability served the cause of freedom. He made one of a party of about twenty-five men who went to Kickapoo and cap- tured a cannon, which they brought back to Leavenworth.

After spending about two years and a half in Leavenworth, Mr. Hoferer came to this county and settled on a piece of Government land which is now owned by Mr. Schotz. But four white fam- ilies were then settled near Wamego, and the Pot- tawatomie Indians at that time and for several years following lived here. In the fall of 1861, Mr. Hoferer moved to the place which he now oc- cupies on section I, where he owns 435 acres of finely improved land. Of this acreage. 380 is un- der the plow and seventy of the same is devoted to the raising of wheat. Mr. Hoferer has twenty-two horses, 110 head of cattle and forty head of hogs at this writing. ITis beautiful residence was built in 1886 at a cost of $2,000, and the other buildings upon the estate include all necessary outhouses, well built and sufficiently commodious.

The first marriage of our subject took place Sept. 5, 1861, the bride being Miss Mary Derosier, a na- tive of this Territory and one of the Pottawatomie maidens, who had been well educated and trained to the arts of civilization at St. Mary's Mission Schools. Upon his marriage Mr. Iloferer was

309

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

adopted into the tribe, and through his wife he and his children became entitled to land in the Indian Territory, 1200 acres now being held by them. Mrs. Hoferer died in November, 1869, having borne her husband three children. Michael J. en- tered the priesthood of the Catholic Church and is now a teacher in Marquette College at Milwaukee, Wis. Mary is the wife of Frank Schroeffer, and lives east of Wamego; their family comprises four children. Catherine is the wife of Gerald Caruth- ers and their home is in San Antonio, Tex.

The second matrimonial alliance of Mr. Hoferer was consummated Feb. 6, 1871, and the bride was Miss Barbara Schroeffer, a native of Austria, where her eyes opened to the light Feb. 6, 1848. This estimable lady acquired a good education in the common schools. The union has resulted in the birth of five children: Annie, August, Charles, Carolina and Aloyse.

Both Mr. Hoferer and his present wife are mem- bers of the Catholic Church. Mr. Hoferer is now a director of School District No. 79, and has been connected with the School Board for many years. He has always taken a great interest in politics and from being a Free Soiler during his early citizen- ship in the United States, was for many years iden- tified with the Republican party. At present he is a strong advocate of the platform of the Union Labor party.

ARTIN THOMPSON. A visit to St. Mary's, Pottawatomie County, and a trip through its business establishments, shows much to admire in buildings, stock and management, and the business enterprise of its citizens is noticeable and commendable. Among these business enterprises, none is better worthy of mention than the milling establishment of Messrs. Thompson & Jenner. A substantially constructed frame building, with all the modern machinery for a first-class flouring-mill, and with a capacity of about seventy barrels per day, is, under the excel- lent management of our subject and his partner, being tested to its full capacity, and already prov- ing one of the most successful enterprises in the city. The building was erected in 1889, and work

therein begun on October 4th. Mr. Thompson is a practical miller, having learned his trade in Chi- cago, and worked at it in that city for a number of years. afterward spending four years in the same business at Atchison, Kan., an cqnal length of time at Rosswell, and having since about the year 1877 been employed at his trade in this city.

Mr. Thompson has seen more of the world than most men, his early life being passed mostly at sea, and his voyages including many ports in var- ious parts of Europe and America. He was born on the Atlantic Ocean. about 220 miles off St. John's. N. S., June 26. 1839. His father, Henry Thompson, was from early boyhood a seafarer. and his wife spent much of her time at sea with him. At the time of the birth of our subject she had been on an eighteen months' voyage. The parental family comprised nine children, two of them having been horn at sea-Charles and our subject. The mother bore the maiden name of of Mary O'Neal, and was a native of Hull, England, to which place the father retired about ten years years before his death, which event took place there Aug. 6, 1864, when he was almost eighty-nine years old. There the mother also died about the year 1869, aged eighty-four years. Henry Thompson. the grandfather of our subject. spent the most of his life also as a sailor. He was probably born in London, and the ancestry is traced to Belfast, Ire- land. The paternal ancestors were all members of the Lutheran Church. The maternal grandfather of our subject was born in England, and traced his descent from the North of Ireland, and this family were Presbyterians.

The boyhood of our subject was spent in Hull, during his school days, and he afterward went to sea with his father, passing about fourteen years of his life as a seaman. Ile made many trips to the United States and Canada, and also visited every part of the Atlantic ocean, as well as sailing through the Black Sea. Almost all the ports of Europe were visited by him, and he gained an excellent knowledge of the manner of life in various parts of the world. In the spring of 1857, he abandoned the seafaring life, and became a citizen of the United States, his business life from that time hay- ing been as noted above.

310

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Mr. Thompson was married at Lawrence to Miss Sulia, daughter of John Estus, a native of Frank- fort, Ky., and a lady of many womanly virtues and Christian graces. They have one son, Walter I. Mr. Thompson was reared to a belief in the tenets of the Presbyterian Church, while his wife belongs to the Baptist denomination.

LBERT D. SMITH, M.D., a leading young physician and surgeon of Wamego, not only occupies a high position among his professional brethren, but socially is one of the prominent citizens of bis town. Intelligent and well-informed, he is a buyer of books, and is not only thoroughly posted in the matters pertain- ing to his profession, but is a reader and thinker generally of no mean talents. He is prominently connected with the Kansas State Medical Society, and the Pottawatomie County Medical Society, being in the latter, one of the committee on sur- gery. Ile is President of the Board of Pension Examiners, is a member of the I. O. O. F., at Wamego, and also connected with the A. O. U. W In politics, he is a sound Republican.

Dr. Smith was born in Jefferson County, Ind., July 12, 1855, and is the son of Milton L. and Martha JJ. (Deputy) Smith, who were likewise na- tives of the Hoosier State. There also they were married, and of that State are still residents. Mil- ton Smith has been an active man in local politics for many years. The parental family included two children only : Mary E. and Albert D., the for- mer the wife of Dr. T. R. Cave, of Bird City, Kan .; they have four children.

The subject of this sketch received his early education in his native State, and when twenty- two years old entered the University at Louisville, Ky., where he took a full medical course, and from which he was graduated with honors in 1881, in a class of 263 students. lle entered upon the practice of his profession in Gentry County, Mo., where he resided four years. In May, 1885, coming to Kansas, he established himself at Wamego, and male such good headway in his profession that the following year he was appointed Assistant Sur-

geon of the Union Pacific Railway Company, which position he has since held.

The marriage of Dr. Smith with Miss Narra E., daughter of Alexander Robinson, of Scott County, Ind., was celebrated at the bride's home April 27, 1881. The parents of Mrs. Smith were natives of Indiana, and are now deceased. She was born in Scott County, Ind., Dec. 11, 1859, and received a fair education in the common schools, remaining with her parents until her marriage. Of this union. there have been born two children-Ronald R., Aug. 26, 1882, and Guy E., Aug. 20, 1884.

- -

S WAN ANDERSON. This gentleman is the honored pastor of the Swedish Mission Church at Balla Guard, and is also a suc- cessful grain and stock raiser of Pottawa- tomie County. His pleasant and well-improved farm comprises 200 acres, and is located on sec- tions 35 and 36. Blue Valley Township. It is fenced into pastures of convenient size, and sup- plied with an abundance of water and timber, be- ing especially valuable as a stock range. Mr. Anderson also owns a small farm in Jackson Town- ship, Riley County, which he rented upon becoming pastor at Balla Guard in 1884. In his ministerial labors the Rev. Mr. Anderson not only presents to his flock the precepts of the Gospel, but sets before them a worthy example of a "godly walk and con- versation," and in his quiet way exerts an extended influence for good.

Andrew Nelson, the father of our subject, was born in Sweden, and was a farmer in good circum - stances. His death took place in his native land Nov. 9, 1862, he being then fifty years of age. The mother, also a native of Sweden, bore the maiden name of Ingeborg Larson, and she passed from earth in 1887. Both parents were members of the Lutheran Church. Their family consisted of three sons and one daughter, the latter, Jennie, being now deceased; Jonas and Gustav are farmers in their native land.

Swan Anderson was the oldest in the parental family, and was born in Markarydsokn, Kronebor- slan, Smaaland. Sweden, Aug. 5, 1844. His school

311

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

privileges during his boyhood, were rather limited, but with a desire for information, he has improved every advantage afforded him, and while princi- pally self-educated, possesses greater knowledge than many whose schooling was more extended than his own. Having reached the years of man- hood, Mr. Anderson purchased a farm, and fol- lowed agriculture until 1819, when selling his property in his native land, he embarked for Amer- ica. On June 6, he left Malmo for Quebec via Copenhagen and Liverpool, and crossing into the United States, went at once to Chicago, where he arrived out of funds. Securing work in a brick- yard in McHenry County, Ill., he labored there until November, and then went to Memphis, Tenn., via St. Louis, Mo., and during the winter was em- ployed in cutting barrel staves near Brownsville. In the spring he rented land and raised cotton, and a year later changed his location to Boone County, Mo., where he chopped timber and prepared rail- road ties. There he remained until the fall of 1874, when he entered the Swedish College at Keo- kuk, Iowa, and for a year devoted his energy to the study of theology, etc.

Mr. Anderson remained in the vicinity of his Alma Mater, working at various trades, and preach- ing some, until the spring of 1877, when he became a resident of this State. his first location being in Rock Township, Marshall County, where he worked upon a farm. In December of the following year he came to Randolph, Riley County, and purchased forty acres of land in Jackson Township, upon which he made the usual improvements, and which he operated, also having charge as pastor of the Swedish Mission Church at Randolph, until his re- moval to the place which he now occupies, and which he purchased upon accepting the pastorate of the Balla Guard Church. Beside his duties as pastor of the congregation and in connection with them, Mr. Anderson has acted as superintendent of the Sunday-school. In politics he is a true Re- publican.

Mr. Anderson was married in his native land in the year 1865, to Miss Anna Larson, who was a native of the same country, and who was removed from the family cirele by death in Marshall County, Kan., in 1878. The union had resulted in the

birth of one daughter. Lottie M., who still lives at home. After remaining a widower for several years, our subject contracted a second matrimonial alliance, the ceremony taking place at Randolph, Riley County, April 5, 1884, and the bride being Miss Emma C. Swanson, who was born in Linkop- ingslan, Sweden, and who came to America in 1881. Two daughters, Esther A., and Alice E., have been born to this union.

B ENGT BERG, Superintendent of the Or- phans' Home in Blue Valley Township, Pot- tawatomie County,holds a high rank in the esteem of his fellow-men as one who pos- sesses a character above reproach, a kindly nature, and a wide knowledge of men and affairs. He is a Swede and a son of Andrew and Eliza (Nelson) Berg. His father was born in Vescherad, Varm- land, Sweden, and when a young man learned the blacksmith and carpenter's trades, working at them on a large estate. Later he was engaged in mining iron ore, and in 1870 came to McPherson County, Kan., and resided with his children until his death. The mother was born in Nodmark Soken, Varm- land, Sweden, and after coming to America resided with one of her sons in MePherson County. In 1882, she was bitten by a rattlesnake and died of the wound sixteen hours later. She was the mother of four children: Nels, a farmer in McPherson County; Bengt, of whom we write; Christine, now Mrs. Highland, of McPherson County, and Joanna. who died when two years old.

'The subject of this biography was born near Philipstad, Varmland, Sweden, June 13, 1839, and received the advantages of the common schools during his early boyhood. When twelve years old he began working in the mines, helping his father in drilling and blasting out ore 600 feet below the the surface. He labored in the mines there until the year 1866. when he went to Karm Island off the coast of Norway, and found employment in the copper mines there, which were owned by a French- man. Mr. Berg did well and made money, sending the most of it home to assist his parents in paying for a small place which they had purchased. From

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 35

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

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