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 36
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 36
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 36
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Karm he went to Varrets Island, in Hardonger Fjord, where he was also engaged in mining, tak- ing out sulphur and copper ores in the Verdigris mines, which were owned by an English company.
In the spring of 1869 Mr. Berg went to Bergen, thenee by steamer to Newcastle, England, by rail to Liverpool, and thence on the steamer "Austria" traversed the briny deep. landing at Quebec, Can- ada, after an ocean voyage of ten days. He went at onee to Moingona, Iowa. via Chicago, having just $1 left when he reached his destination in the Hawkeye State. He spent two weeks in the employ of the railroad as a section hand, and then went to Benton County, working as a harvest hand during the summer, and in the fall coming to Kansas Having reached Salina, he journeyed on foot from that town to where Lynnsburg now stands, and re- mained in the vicinity a month, then beginning work on the railroad at Broekville.
Mr. Berg filed on a homestead claim in McPher- son County, six miles from Lynnsburg, in the spring of 1870, and putting up a sod house entered upon the life of a farmer, being obliged, however, to work outside to obtain money with which to improve his farm. For about two years and a half he mined coal at Carbondale, Osage County, and then taking up his permanent abode on his homestead, turned his whole attention to agricul- ture, and brought his place to a high state of culti- vation. Upon receiving the appointment to the position he now holds, he sold his farm in McPher- son County, and now owns . 105 acres of land adjoining Olsburg.
When the Lutheran Evangelical Conference of Kansas began the organization of the Orphans' Home, Mr. Berg received the appointment of Su- perintendent, and six months later, in December, 1880, took charge of the Institution. He,and his amiable wife having charge of everything con- nected therewith. The farm adjoining the Home consists of 282 acres, bordering on the Blue, one- half of it being excellent farming land. The buildings are located on Shannon Creek, the main edifice being four stories high with a ground di- mension of 40x40 feet. Under the intelligent control of Mr. and Mrs. Berg, everything about the institution is in good shape and the work there
conducted is an honor to Pottawatomie County. Thirty-four orphans from various States have their bodily wants supplied and their minds and hearts cultivated in the institution, the present Board of Directors of which are: John Aronson, Charles Swanson, G. O. Maxell, Rev. Jolin Seline, Rev. John Halkom, John Homberg and Rev. John Bon- ander. The inmates are now attending the district school, but it is the intention of the Directors to employ a teacher and start a school for them in the near future.
The wife of Mr. Berg bore the maiden name of Miss Anna Pearson, and she was born in Upland, Sweden, coming to America in 1872, with her father, Andrew Pearson, who is a prominent farmer in MePherson County. The rites of wedlock between Mr. and Mrs. Berg, were celebrated in Lynnsburg, Feb. 16, 1876. They have no children of their own, and the love and care which in other circumstances would have been bestowed upon their own offspring, are now given to the children who might otherwise be homeless and friendless, and who are made to miss parental training and affec- tion as little as possible.
Mr. Berg is not only doing good work for his church at the head of the Institution, but also serves as a Deacon and Superintendent of the Sun- day-school. In polities he is faithful to the inter- ests of the Republican party and as a citizen is intelligent and enterprising.
R. ISIDORE ALBERT, a leading physi- cian and surgeon of Olsburg, Pottawato- mie County, although having only recently located at this place, has already made for himself many friends. He possesses a classical education and a thorough understanding of his profession, and it is predicted that in the near fu- ture he will reap the success to which he is entitled.
Within the dominion of the Czar of all the Rus- sias, Dr. Albert was born, near the city of Warsaw, April 23, 1841, and was the second in a family of three children, the offspring of Berthold and Anna ( Albert) Albert, who were of German ancestry, and the father born in the Fatherland. The elder
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Albert, after being engaged in the timber business on the River .Memel, removed to the vicinity of Warsaw, and was occupied as before until failing health induced him to take up his residence near Rigan, on the borders of the Baltic Sea, in hopes that by bathing there his health would be restored. This hope, however, was in vain, as he died there about 1868. He was a capable business man and a member of the Jewish Church. The mother's an- cestors were from Germany, but she was born in Russia, from which her parents had removed, and she died at Lethaum, in 1881.
The subject of this sketch was given a good ed- ucation at bome under private tutors, and when fifteen years old was taken by his father to Ger. many, where he completed his studies in the gym- nasiums at Koenigsburg and Berlin, becoming familiar with the languages-German, French, Eng- lish, Hebrew, Greek and Latin. Subsequently he spent considerable time in travel. He was twenty- seven years old at the time of his father's death, and being without means to continue his studies he went to Elbefield, Germany, and engaged as a pri- vate instructor in the languages, by which means he was enabled later to resume his studies. After- ward he traveled extensively over various parts of Europe. In the spring of 1872 he emigrated to America, and from New York City proceeded to Boston, where he engaged as a private tutor until 1874.
Resolving now to become a physician, young Albert, in 1874. entered the Boston School of Med- icine, through which he worked his way and was graduated on the 6th of March, 1877. He then entered upon the practice of his chosen profession, and remained in Boston until the spring of 1878. We next find him returning to Europe, and from Southampton he proceeded to Paris, visiting the Exposition, and there met some of his old friends and relatives from Russia. Ile sojourned in Paris until the fall of that year, and obtained valua- ble experience as a physician and surgeon in the hospital Hotel Dieux. He came back to America in the fall of 1878, crossing the Mis- sissippi and locating in Clinton, Iowa. A year later he returned to Russia and entered the St. Petersburg Medico Surgical Academy, from which
he was graduated in the spring of 1881. Soon afterward he was appointed chief physician to a regiment in the Russian Army, in which capacity he traveled over the whole of his native Empire.
Dr. Albert was married near the city of Warsaw, Russia, Sept. 15, 1882, to an accomplished Russian lady, who died eighteen months later. She left one child, a son. Elias, who died at the age of seven months. In April, 1889, the Doctor was compelled to leave Russia for political reasons, and fleeing to Germany.remained there until the following August. He then returned to the United States, remaining for a time in New York City, but knowing that it would require years perhaps to establish a practice there, he determined to seek a home west of the Mississippi. Coming to Pottawatomie County, Kan., he located in Olsburg, where his rare schol- arship and his knowledge of his profession furnishes the entree to the best circles, socially and profess- ionally. He was obliged to leave much valuable property in his native land, including an immense library, which he prized very highly and which he will scarcely be able to replace. The Doctor is fully in accord with American institutions, but has not identified bimself with any political party. voting independently and aiming to support the men whom he considers best qualified for office.
ESLEY LEWIS. This gentleman has been a resident of Kansas for many a year, and more than twenty of them his home has been in Pottawatomie County. He is deserving of credit for the manner in which his time has been spent and for the energy and perseverance he has shown in the labors of life. In 1857, he came from Des Moines, Iowa, to this State, on foot and empty handed. Ile now owns 170 acres of land, in Louis- ville Township, and all improved except fifty acres of timber that is more valuable than fields would be; and is in possession of a good share of this world's goods.
Mr. Lewis is a son of Sylvester and Anna (Smith) Lewis, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ohio. The father was a farmer during his earlier years, and in 1848. joined the
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throng who were seeking a fortune in the newly dis- covered gold fields of the coast, and going to Cali- fornia, he was engaged in mining the precious metal for twenty-two years. Upon his return from the Golden State, he settled in this county. and remained till his death in 1876. His wife, the mother of our subject, had died in 1840, in the Hoosier State to which the family had removed from Ohio but a short time previous. Their family comprised six children, of whom our subject, the third in order of birth, is now the sole survivor.
Wesley, of whom we write, was born in Ashta- bula County, Ohio, April 22, 1838, and was two years old when his parents removed to Indi- ana, where he lived until seventeen years of age, receiving a common-school education only. At that period of his life, he started out for himself, his first occupatiou being work in the mines of Col- orado, which he continued for one year. When he came to this State, he was accompanied by an elder brother, Lester, and his first settlement was in Wabaunsee County. where he stayed about ten years, changing to this county in 1867. During four years of the Civil War, Mr. Lewis did arduous and hazardous service for the Union cause, first as a teamster and later as a wagon- master, operating in this State, Colorado, New Mexico, Arkansas and Missouri.
In 1859, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage with Miss Louisa, daughter of Jude and Catharine (Sheror) Bourssa. The parents were natives of Canada, and their daughter was born in this State. Mrs. Lewis died in February, 1861, leaving a daughter. Laura, who is now the wife of Frank Gilbert, of Louisville Township, and the mother of child. Having remained a widower until 1866, Mr. Lewis remarried, his second bride, being Miss Matilda Bergerron, whose parents, Francis and Josephine Bergerron, were born in Canada and Indiana, respectively. After twenty years of mar- ried life, Mr. Lewis again became a widower, his companion being removed from him by death in 1886. Of the twelve children borne by Mrs. Ma- tilda Lewis, seven are now living. They bear the names of Lester, Ivy. Josephine. Charles, Omer, Flora and Edward.
Mr. Lewis is conservative in "politics and votes
the Democrat ticket. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. at Louisville, and holds the exalted rank of Noble Grand. Ile is a member of the Congrega- tional Church. Kindly in all the domestic rela- tions of life. he is an especially tender parent and his heart is bound up in his motherless children. He is intelligent and well read, with pleasant, affable manners, and his character as a citizen and a Christian gentleman is above reproach.
TEPHEN HARRIS is the owner and oc- cupant of a beautiful and valuable farm lying on the Blue Valley bottom lands, two and one-half miles from Garrison, Pottawatomie County. Bordering on the Blue, it has ten acres of valuable timber, and is well adapted both for grain and stock raising,in which occupation its owner is engaged. The estate is enclosed and divided by neat hedges, the beautifully situated dwelling is surrounded by a fine yard and accom- panied by an excellent orchard, and the entire place shows taste and thrift on the part of the occupants. The estate comprises sixty-five aeres, fifty of which are broken, and all the improve- ments have been made since Mr. Harris purchased it in 1883.
The owner of this comfortable rural home was born near Allegheny City, Pa., Oct. 30, 1859, and is the son of George and Elizabeth (Dodd ) Harris, natives of Kent, England. (For further history of the ancestry and family, see sketcli of Ezekiel Har - ris, which occupies another page in this ALBUM.) Mr. Harris was reared on a farm within sight of the Alleghany River, and received the advantages of the common school, obtaining therein a good edu- cation in the ordinary branches of study. IIe was in his thirteenth year when he accompanied his parents to Kansas, and his life since that time has been spent on the Blue, where the country pre- sents a vast differences in appearance from what it did when our subject first saw it. Then deer and other game abounded, and young Harris indulged, to some extent, in hunting, one of his early ex- periences being that of bringing a deer to the ground.
When fifteen years old, Mr. Harris began working
E. Waller
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out by the month, continuing so employed until he reached the age of twenty years, when he rented a farm on section 36, Blue Valley Township, which a few years later he purchased for $35 per aere, and has since brought to its present state of improve- ment. The entire acreage is on the bottom, and the land is among the most fertile in the State.
At the home of the bride in Green Township, on April 19, 1888, the rites of wedlock were celebrated between Mr. Harris and Miss Jennie Fleming. She is a daughter of Alex and Susanna (Carnahan) Fleming, old settlers and prominent farm residents of Green Township. Her birth took place in Alle- ghany County, Pa., and she accompanied her par- ents to Kansas when a child, receiving her education in this State, finishing her studies at the Man- hattan High School and the State Agricultural College at the same place. She taught several terms of school, her first work in that profession having been when she was nineteen years of age. Educated, refined and possessed of womanly vir- tues, she looks well to the ways of her household, and is highly esteemed by neighbors and acquain- tances. Her happy union with Mr. Harris has been blessed by the birth of one child-Ina May.
Mr. and Mrs. Harris are active and prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Garrison, Mr. Harris being a charter member member therein. He is now filling the office of Trustee. In his political views he favors the prin- ciples of the Republican party, for which his vote is ever cast. He has served a term on the jury, and as a private individual and a citizen is held in high repute by his fellow-men.
h ON. ELIJAH WALKER has been Notary Public for a period of twenty-four years, and has since 1873 been engaged in the brokerage and insurance business in St. George. He has served his township and county in various ways, particularly as Representative of the Sixty-eighth district. The 12th of October, 1878, he was nominated on the eighteenth ballot as Representative, and was duly elected over both Democrat and Greenback candidates. Politically,
as may be presumed from the previous statement, he is a strong Republican, and is numbered among the most influential members of that organization in the county. Besides the positions mentioned he has been Road Overseer, was Secretary of the County Fair Association for six years, has served on the school board, and was Township Trustee two terms. In 1880 he was commissioned by the United States Government to take the census of Blue and St. George townships.
Mr. Walker comes of substantial New England ancestry. his father, Lucius Walker, being a na- tive of Orange County, Vt., and born July 6, 1796. By occupation he followed the pursuits of agricul- ture. At Corinth, Vt., he was married, Jan. 27, 1824, to Lydia A. Sanborn, a native of New Hamp- shire, and born Oct. 15, 1802. After their mar- riage they lived in Vermont until 1837, when, coming West, they sojourned until 1850 in La- grange County, Ind., whence they removed to Elkhart County, the same State. Then, selling his farm, he removed into Bristol in 1862, and there passed to his final rest, Jan. 11, 1880. Mrs. Walker died the same year, surviving her husband only eleven days.
Of the twelve children which comprised the family of Lucius and Lydia Walker, eight are now living, three having participated in the Civil War. In the State of Vermont our subject, the seventh child in order of birth, was born Jan. 3, 1835. Educational advantages were not good at that time, consequently he received only a limited schooling. The breadth of knowledge to which he has since attained is the result of continued self-training. Careful, systematic reading and self-culture have not only atoned for lack of early educational facil- ities, but have widened his influence and extended his powers.
When a youth of sixteen our subjeet received a serious injury, being accidentally kicked by a horse. In 1852 be entered a store in Elkhart, Ind., as clerk, and remained with the same firm three years. Thence he entered a store in Des Moines, Iowa, taking a position as clerk and receiving a compen- sation of $50 per month. In 1857 he resolved to emigrate to Kansas and build up a homestead there. Accordingly,he came to St. George with a cash capi-
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tal of $270, of which $200 was lost by being loaned to a man who failed to repay. Upon his arrival here he was employed by the Government in chopping wood at 81 per cord. This, however, he continued to do for only one month. On the site of Manhat- tan he hoed corn, took a claim, slept in a dugout from May until November. and for four months of this time was sick; then, with ten cents in his pocket, he came to St. George and worked in a saw- mill for one winter. Soon afterward he was elected Registrar of Deeds for Pottawatomie County, being the first person to hold that office in the county, and serving from 1858 until 1861, when St. George ceased to be the county seat.
His military career is a part of his history of which Mr. Walker is justly proud. The 22d of August, 1862, was the date of his enlistment in Company C, 9th Kansas Cavalry. In 1863 the company was ordered to Ft. Gibson, Indian Terri- tory, and for bravery in the battle of Cabin Creek he was appointed Sergeant. Thence the regiment proceeded to Honey Springs, Ark., where there was another engagement. Afterward he returned home and was sent to the hospital at Kansas City in the fall of 1863, where he remained until January, 1864. He was then further promoted by Gov. Crawford, being commissioned Second Lieutenant and recruiting officer for the 16th Kansas Cavalry, Mareh 1, 1864. Again failing health compelled him, after recruiting for several months. to return to the hospital, this time being sent to the general hospital at Ft. Leavenworth. In the spring of 1865 he was detailed into the mustering office at Ft. Leavenworth, where he remained until the expira- tion of his term.
Upon receiving an honorable discharge at the close of the war, Mr. Walker opened a general mercantile store in St. George, in partnership with J. S. Betts. As it was about the time of the build- ing of the Union Pacific Railroad through this sec- tion of the country, the firm did a big business. After continuing six months Mr. Walker sold out his interest to his partner, and in July, 1866, re- ceived the appointment of railroad agent here. In 1868 he obtained permission to build a depot here at his own expense, and utilized it as a warehouse, buying grain until 1872. He was also one year in
the mercantile business with L. W. Crowl. He was appointed agent, in 1873, for the National Land Company and Union Pacific Railroad to sell their lands, and has since that time been largely inter- ested in the real-estate and insurance business. Since 1884 he has been agent in Pottawatomie County for the German Insurance Company of Freeport, Ill.
A charming home is not the least among the possessions of Mr. Walker. He was united in mar- riage, Nov. 29, 1864, with Elizabeth C. Gillaspie, daughter of George W. Gillaspie, who came from Kentucky to Kansas in 1854. Mrs. Walker was born July 27, 1839, in Kentucky. Of her union with Mr. Walker four children have been born, namely : Oma, born Oct. 16, 1867; Stella, Sept. 17, 1871; Lucius A. and Lydia S. (twins) June 7, 1875. They are receiving exeellent training both at home and in the schools of the community, and are growing up to be worthy men and women. Mrs. Walker and Stella are members of the Christian Church, while Mr. Walker, socially, belongs to the I. O. O. F. They are a happy, hospitable family, and it is always a pleasure to spend a few hours in their cozy home.
In connection with this personal sketch we pre- sent a lithographie portrait of Mr. Walker.
AMES D. CHADWICK, one of the leading contractors of Pottawatomie County, hand- ling principally building stone, has the repu- tation of being one of the finest men in his community. He is of English birth and parentage, and the son of a wealthy Lancashire contractor, who frequently urges him by letter to return home to England, and take possession of his heritage, but he has a genuine love for his adopted country, and prefers here to remain. He has become closely identified with the interests of Northern Kansas, and no man in his community is held in more gen- eral respect.
A native of Lancashire, Mr. Chadwick was born April 17, 1844, and was the elder child of his father's first marriage with Mary Grider. Both parents were natives of Lancashire, and the father
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a stone contractor, who, although now seventy-six years old, is quite vigorous, and holds the office of Superintendent of Public Buildings in Burnley, England. The mother died in her native Lanca- shire, in middle life. The elder Chadwick was subsequently married to Elizabeth Hartley, of Lan- cashire, and they became the parents of seven chil- dren. James D. grew to manhood in his native shire, receiving a good education, which was largely directed towards architecture and civil engineer- ing. He was under the instruction of his father for eleven years, and then spent two years in the office of one of the leading surveyors and archi- teets of Lancashire. He began operating on his own account at the age of twenty-two years, and five years later, in April. 1871, crossed the Atlan- tie, and landing in New York City remained there a few weeks, then set ont for the Farther West.
Coming now to Wamego, Mr. Chadwick so- journed here a short time, then making his way to St. Louis, Mo., secured a position, and employed his talents in connection with the building of the great bridge across the Mississippi at that point. Upon leaving St. Louis, he repaired to Indianapo- lis, where he was engaged as foreman and stone- cutter on the Marion County court-house, and was thus employed four years. From there he went to Terre Haute, and engaged in business with his brother, Edward D., who is now Superintendent of the Terre llaute Stone Company. He was thus oc- cupied three years, then met with an accident which disabled him for some time. Finally, re- turning to Wamego, he purchased a half-interest in a farm near the town, and engaged in agricul- tural pursuits for four years, recovering his health. His tastes, however, inclined him to resume his pro- fession, and accordingly he established his present business in Wamego, which he has conducted suc- cessfully now for a period of seven years.
Mr. Chadwick was married Nov. 12, 1868, in Burnley, England, to Miss Margaret, daughter of John and Charlotte Folds. Mrs. Chadwick was born Jan. 12, 1846, in Lancashire, of which place her parents were natives, and the father a success- ful manufacturer of Burnley. Of this union there have been born six children, five of whom are liv- ing, namely : Mary B., John H., Nellie, Annie, and
Edna. Mr. Chadwick has been prominent in local affairs, representing his ward in the City Council, and officiating as a member of the School Board. He was the architect of the present fine school building, which was erected under his supervision in 1885, and is the present City Engineer of Wa- mego. Politically, he usually votes the straight Republican ticket, and maintains a warm interest in the success of his party. He belongs to Wamego Lodge, No. 85, A. F. & A. M., in which he has filled all the offices with the exception of Master, which he declined to assume. Ile is also identified with Kaw Valley Chapter, No. 53, in which he has held the office of Iligh Priest, His younger chil- dren are being given a good education. Miss Mary has completed her studies, having been graduated from the Wamego High School in 1886.
E DWARD M. ALLEN, Notary Public and Assistant Cashier of the Bank of W. A. Allen & Son, is one of Pottawatomie County's most energetic citizens, shrewd in busi- ness, well posted on all important topies relating to political questions or general items of interest. Ile is a splendid conversationalist, sometimes amusing and sometimes instructive, but always entertaining. He is one of the partners in the Bank of Olsburg. and for such a position is eminently qualified both by natural endowments and by careful business training. He is now the owner of one-fourth of a block pleasantly located in Olsburg, and on it has erected one of the most substantial and comfortable residences to be found in the township. Not only is the exterior pleasing and attractive to the eye. but within is everything calenlated to make earthly happiness complete. The mistress of this pleasant home is a young lady of culture and refinement, with whom Mr. Allen was united in marriage in Olsburg, May 6, 1886. IIer maiden name was Ben- teen Johnson, and in Blue Valley Township, where she was born, she also passed the years of childhood and girlhood. Her education was commenced in the common schools of Olsburg and completed at Manhattan College, where she became especially proficient in musie and art.
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