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 41
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 41
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 41
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104
Mr. Shehi took up the business of brick-making near Monmouth, and after continuing so engaged for two years, began farming, following the latter employment until the spring of 1860, when with his brother, George W., he started for Pike's Peak. They remained at the gold fields but one month, the illness of the brother compelling their return to the States, which they reached by northern Kan- sas. Being pleased with the appearance of this section, in July Mr. Shehi located a part of his present possessions, and building a shanty re- mained here until October, when he continued his journey to his native State. He purchased his land with the Government warrant received by his fa- ther for services during the war of 1812. Having spent the winter in his native State, he brought his family to his new home the following spring, and
has since accumulated the fine property before mentioned and made all the improvements thereon, having first endured the trials of pioneer life, do- ing the work upon his farm for some time with oxen and hauling all needful supplies from Leaven- worth. Ile has made as many as twenty trips to and from Illinois, and brought down many a buck in the early days here, having also killed buffaloes on the plains. In partnership with his brother George W., he has been extensively engaged in buying and shipping stock, and both are well- known among stockmen and shippers.
Mr. Shehi has been twice married, the first al- liance having been contracted in Galesburg, III., in October, 1855, with Miss Ethelda M. Shute, a native of Clinton County, N. Y., who departed this life in 1883. Eleven children were born to this marriage. Martha died in Illinois in infancy; George is now a conductor on the cable railroad in Los Angeles, C'al., and IIenry is farming in this township; Winfield is in the livery business in Fos- toria ; James S. is farming on the paternal estate; Mary is deceased; Fannie is the wife of Mr. Edwards of Wamego; John and William are at home; Merrit is deceased; Celia is at home.
The second marriage of Mr. Shehi took place in Westmoreland, in December, 1884, the bride being Mrs. Theresa Price, who was born in Alsace, France, Sept. 22, 1845, and came to Ohio with her parents, Michael and Mary ( Walcor ) Kalhofer, both of whom were French. Her father had been in the army of Napoleon Bonaparte. He located in Stark County, Ohio, and became very well-to-do. Both he and his wife were Catholics. Their family consisted of five children : James and Jane, now living in Stark County; Mary, at Marysville, Cal., and Anthony, at Colorado. Theresa Kalhofer was married at Ft. Wayne, Ind., Nov. 30. 1863, to Lot Price, a carpenter, who was born in Mifflin County, Pa. They came to Topeka in 1869, and later to Wamego, this county, where Mr. Price departed this life in 1882, leaving a childless widow to mourn his loss.
While in Illinois in 1862, Mr. Shehi enlisted in the 83rd Illinois Infantry, but was refused on ac- count of asthma. He has ever been a stanch Re- publican and has served as delegate to county and
346
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
State conventions. Since becoming a resident of Kansas he has been prominent in the public affairs of the county and has held various offices. In his township he has served as Trustee two terms and has been Treasurer for an equal number; has been a member of the School Board, etc. In the fall of 1873 he was sent as a representative to the State Legislature, serving during the two sessions in 1874, taking part in the discussions before the Legislative body and being a member of several important committees. lle was one of the first six who cast their votes for Harvey for United States Senator. In the fall of 1875 he was elected County Sheriff and re-elected in 1877, moving to Louisville during his incumbency of that office, the duties of which he discharged for four years. On Sept. 22, 1877, he was accidentally shot by the Dis- trict Clerk, the bullet passing through his lungs and entering the right breast where it is still lodged. The accident was a very close call for Mr. Shehi, but he recovered from the wound in a short time. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. at Westmoreland. He is the soul of hospitality and his house is ever open to friends and to those who have been less fortunate in life than he, and all who enter its walls und choice entertainment for body and mind. Winning friends wherever he goes by his geniality, his intelligence, and his interest in what is best in public movements, he holds a proud position among the citizens of Kansas.
ENRY W. VOGE. The worthiest and most intelligent portion of mankind are they who maintain the laudable ambition of leaving to their descendants an honorable name. Here and there the biographer encounters an individual who has been enabled to look upon life in its proper light, who has done what he could both in prosperity and adversity, and whose name will be held in kindly remembrance long after he has been gathered to his fathers. These thoughts involuntarily arise in reviewing the career of Mr. Voge, which has been one praiseworthy in the ex- treme, filled in with kindly deeds, and with that
close adherence to the principles of truth and in- tegrity, without which no man's life can approach perfection. For the past few years he has followed milling for an occupation, and is proprietor of the finest mill and elevator combined, in Wamego and vicinity. He commenced the battle of life depend- ent upon his own resources, equipped only with a practical education, and the qualities of industry and perseverance which are usually the essentials of success. After having amassed a fortune in the coal mines of Staunton, Ill., he withdrew his inter- ests in that section, and invested in property in Pottawatomie County, Kan., and has provided admirably for his family, having set his house in order for any emergency.
The youngest child of his parents, Henry W. Voge was born March 21, 1837, in the Duchy of Brunswick, Germany, and there grew to man's estate, receiving a thorough education in the mother tongue. After leaving school he learned the trade of a stonecutter and mason, at which he occupied himself until coming to America. He crossed the Atlantic in June, 1856, when a youth of nineteen years, landing in the city of New Orleans, whence he proceeded to Belleville, III., where he worked in the coal mines and continued to reside thirteen years. A part of this time he operated as agent for the German Mining Com- pany, selling coal in St. Louis, and afterward carry- ing on business for himself.
On the 1st of June, 1869, Mr. Voge transferred the scene of his operations to Staunton, Ill., open- ing the first coal mine in that region. Later he opened another on the line of the Wabash Rail- road, associating himself in partnership with Will- iam B. Panhorst, now deceased. This partnership continued until April, 1877, and thereafter Mr. Voge operated the mines alone until 1880. That year he commenced developing two other mines, one at Staunton and one at Gillespie, working them successfully until 1882. Then changing his occupation, somewhat, he leased a 300-barrel flour- mill for one year. In 1883, coming to Wamego, he built the mill which he now owns and operates at a cost of $50,000, and which stands to-day un- incumbered. The first foundation stone was laid on the 28th of June, that year, and on the 17th of
347
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
January following, the mill was in operation. The building comprises three stories and a basement, occupying an area of 40x70 feet. It is equipped with the latest-improved machinery from the large foundries of E. P. Allis & Co., of Milwaukee, Wis., at a cost of 823,600. Its capacity is 200 barrels per day. It runs continuously and has a fine trade. This mill is located on Lincoln Avenue, the main street running diagonally from the Union Pacific depot.
Mr. Voge gives his exclusive attention to his business, which fact has been the secret of his success, although his health for the past two years has been far from robust. He gives employment to eight men, and deals in all kinds of grain. The great elevator, with a capacity of 30,000 bushels, is situated on the east side of the mill, and is run by a separate engine. It is an enterprise reflecting not only great credit upon its projector, but is duly valned by the people of Wamego and vicinity.
One of the important events in the life of Mr. Voge was his marriage, which was celebrated on New Year's day in 1858. The bride was Miss Caroline Timpner, who was a native likewise of Brunswick, born and eared not far from the chil- hood home of her husband. Mrs. Voge was the eldest daughter of Ludwig Timpner, a prominent man in his community, and who, with his excellent wife is now deceased. Of this union there were born six children, of whom only one survives, a daughter, Johanna Wilhelmina, the wife of August Sievers, and living in Staunton, Il .; she has three children. Mrs. Caroline Voge departed this life at her home in Staunton, Ill., Oct. 28, 1878.
Mr. Voge contracted a second marriage, June 29, 1879, with Miss Lena J. Fritz, who was born in St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 7, 1854. Her parents were natives of Germany, and emigrated to America in 1848. They located first in St. Louis, and then removed to Staunton, Ill., where the father still resides. Mrs. Fritz died when her daughter Lena was a child of seven years. Mrs. Voge is a well- educated lady, and is now the mother of four chil- dren-Henrietta L. J., Charles W. A., Tina A. S., and Amalia E. I. Their education is being care- fully superintended by their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Voge are members in good standing of the
German Lutheran Church, contributing liberally to its support, and being among the chief pillars. Mr. Voge is in fact the head of the congregation. Politically, he is a sound Republican, taking an active interest in State and National events. He is serving his second term as a member of the City Council, and is closely identified with the social and material interests of Wamego.
Beginning business for himself at the age of nineteen years, with a capital of $200, the present status of Mr. Voge illustrates in a marked degree the industry and good judgment with which he has operated all through life. In addition to his mill property, he owns a valuable farmi of 240 acres in Madison County, Ill., besides three residences in Staunton and that which he occupies in Wamego; also twenty-two lots centrally located. To his daughter in Illinois he has given an abundant por- tion. His farm embraces a valuable coal deposit.
The father of our subject was Frederick Voge, who married Miss Johanna Opperman, and both were natives of Brunswick, where they spent their entire lives. The elder Voge was a shipper, and in good circumstances. Ile departed this life in JJune, 1871, at the age of seventy-seven years. The mother died in April, 1870, aged seventy-six.
E DGAR LEWIS. The business interests of Wamego find a stirring representative in Mr. Lewis, who came to the place in May, 1888, and purchasing the business of Leach Bros., deals in books, stationery and notions, carrying a fine, well-selected stock of all the articles in this line. He is still a young man, having been born May 10. 1861, in Decatur, Ill., and starting out in life on his own account when a youth of eighteen years. After being married he opened a store of general merchandise at Laclede, which he conducted one year, then sold out and was variously occupied thereafter until embarking in his present enterprise. He was married, Sept. 16, 1886, to Miss Mary Ann Elizabeth, daughter of James L. Prunty, the latter a prominent citizen of Wamego and a mem- ber of the Iron-Clad Lumber Company.
The subject of this sketch is the son of the Rev.
348
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
H. R. Lewis, a minister of the Presbyterian Church who has followed his calling continuously for a period of forty-eight years, a career almost unprec- edented in the annals of the West. The elder Lewis was born in Seneca County, N. Y., Oct. 25, 1821, and completed his theological studies under private tutors. He pursued his ministerial labors in the States of Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Mis- souri.
The mother of our subject was Mrs. Priscilla A. (Hainline) Lewis, a native of Kentucky, where she was reared to womanhood and married. There were born to her and her husband six children, only three of whom are living-Ennis, Edgar and Emma. The former is married and a resident of Kentucky; Edgar attended the common schools during his younger years in Iowa and Kansas, and availed himself of every opportunity of becoming generally well informed. He is the Master of Ex- chequer in the K. of P. lodge at Wamego, and also belongs to the A. O. U. W. In polities he is con- servative and not ashamed to he called a "mug- wump"; Emma married D. W. Stutsman, M. D., and resides at Bonaparte, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are the parents of one child, a son, James Leroy, who was born March 6, 1888, at Wamego. The little family occupies a neat home in the cen- tral part of the city and are held in high esteem in their community.
ON. DEWITT C. LOCKE. The scenes trans- piring during the early days of Kansas and while it was still a Territory, had the effect of developing many heroie spirits, and to them this now prosperous commonwealth is in- debted for her present position as one of the wealth- iest States in the Union, and one whose history from the beginning has furnished a tale more thrill- ing than fiction. The subject of this notice first pressed the soil of the Sunflower State, then a Ter- ritory, in the spring of 1858, locating in what was then Calhoun, but is now Jackson County, with his brother John, two and one-half miles southwest of Circleville. He sojourned in that region most of the time until 1866, and for one and one half
years was employed as clerk in a store in Holton.
During the year above mentioned Mr. Locke purchased land on seetion 2, Franklin Township, of which he has since been a resident, and during the twenty-three years of his sojourn here he has fully established himself in the esteem and confi- dence of his fellow-citizens. He owns 320 acres of land in Franklin and Garfield Townships, making his residence in the former. He has erected sub- stantial modern buildings and gathered around himself and his family all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. His hospitable home is the frequent resort of the best people of the county, and a place where good cheer abounds and where is extended to both friends and strangers a courte- ous and hearty welcome.
Mr. Locke was first married, in Circleville, this State, to Miss Margaret R. McComas, a native of Missouri. She became the mother of two children, William E. and Lizzie M., and departed this life at her home in Franklin Township, in 1873. In 1875 Mr. Locke was married a second time in Garfield Township, to Miss Betty R., daughter of N. D. Lewis, who was one of the earliest settlers of Jack- son County. The Lewis family removed hither from Missouri in 1854. Mr. Lewis was born in Pennsylvania and his wife, Mary Reid, in Ohio. The latter died in Garfield Township, but Mr. Lewis is living and a resident of Denver, Colo. Of this union there were born three children-Effie B., Clara E. and Nona L.
After occupying other positions of trust and re- sponsibility, Mr. Locke, in the fall of 1868, was elected to represent the Democrats in the Kansas Legislature, and served one term. During the troublous times of the Civil War he was enrolled in the State Militia and assisted in driving the rebel Gen. Price from the soil of Kansas. Ile has taken an active part in political affairs, and has al- ways kept himself thoroughly posted in regard to State and National history. Both he and his wife are prominently connected with the Presbyterian Church, attending services at Holton.
Mr. Locke was born in Corinth, Orange Co., Vt., Dec. 26, 1835. His parents were John and Sarah (Thurston) Locke, who were likewise natives of the Green Mountain State, and born respectively in the
349
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
town of Corinth, and Orange County. For about sixteen years after their marriage they lived in Corinth and then removed to Chelsea, Vt., where they spent the remainder of their days. Their fam- ily consisted of six sons and eight daughters, of whom DeWitt C. was the second son and fourth child. Eleven of these are living.
ON. JOHN H. KELLER, a prominent mem- ber of the Kansas bar, is actively practic- ing his profession in Holton, in partnership with C. W. Noble. He is a conspicuous figure in public life, and has been no less distin- guished as a statesman than as a lawyer. He was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Nov. 16, 1831. His father, Samuel Keller, was a native of Lancas- ter County, Pa., coming of an old family that came to America with William Penn, and were among the first settlers of the Keystone State. John Keller, the grandfather of our subject, was born and reared in Pennsylvania, and removed from there to Ohio in 1802, and was one of the first pioneers to settle in Tuscarawas County, where he bought 200 acres of forest-covered land between Bolivar and Zoar, pleasantly located on the east side of the Tuscarawas River. He improved a good farm, and died there about 1833.
The father of our subject was quite young when his parents removed to Ohio, and there he was reared and married, Eva Snelbaker becoming his wife. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1810, a daughter of John Snelbaker, a native of Berks County, the same State. He removed to Ohio, and was a pioneer of Stark County, and died there in the home of the parents of our subject. After marriage, Mr. Keller bought a tract of timber land, adjoining the old homestead, and his first work was to build a log house, in which humble dwelling the son of whom we write was born. Ile sold that place in 1845, and removed to Bolivar, where he engaged in the grain business some years. In 1850 he went to Stark County, and investing in a farm there, engaged in agricultural pursuits, making his home there until his death, June 11, 1886, at the advanced age of eighty . four years. His wife died
on the homestead, Jan. 25, 1879. She was a not- able housewife, and in her early years used to spin and weave all the cloth with which she clothed her family, and she did her cooking before the fire in the huge, old-fashioned fire-place. She was the mother of thirteen children, eleven of whom grew to maturity.
Our subject early became a student in the pub- lic schools of his native State, and like other farmer's boys, he was required to assist in the la- bors of the farm, and when his father was in the grain business he helped him in that. At the age of sixteen he began to learn the trade of a carriage- maker, serving an apprenticeship of two years. After that he did journeyman work in Circleville, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton, Ohio, and sub- sequently in Terre Haute, Ind., being engaged in that manner about seven years. He then returned to Ohio, and was employed in buying timber for a furniture company in Cleveland, continuing at that until 1855. In that year he resolved to try life further Westward, and embarking on a steamer as the most expeditious method of travel in those days, he traversed the Ohio, Mississippi and Illi- nois rivers, penetrating to the interior of the Prai- rie State as far as Peoria, then a town of but a few hundred inhabitants. After a short time there be proceeded to Washington, in Tazewell County, and established himself in the furniture business in that city. Three years later he removed to Peoria to advance his legal education, lie having previ- ously hegun the study of law, and entered the law office of Powell & Wheat, and in 1860 he was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court. He commeneed practicing in Peoria, and carried on his profession there and in the surrounding county. He next visited St. Paul, Minn., and after a few weeks stay there he returned to Ohio for the first time since leaving it in 1855. In the fall of 1865 he started West, with the intention of settling in Missouri, but after visiting different places; he con- cluded not to locate there, but to see what the young and vigorously growing State of Kansas held for him, and in the month of July be came here, and immediately opened a law office in IIol- ton, and has practiced here ever since, gaining a large clientage, and winning his way to the fore-
.
350
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
most rank among his professional brethren in this part of the West. In 1869 he formed a partner- ship with M. L. Snyder, which was discontinued in the fall of that year, and our subject practiced alone until 1875, and then went into partnership with W. H. Dodge for two months. After that he and his son were together until 1882. In that year the son went to Dakota, and located at Elk Point. In 1885 Mr. Keller and Mr. Noble formed their present partnership. They do an extensive busi- nesss in the courts of this section of the State, and have met with more than ordinary success finan- cially and otherwise.
Mr. Keller is endowed with fine intellectual gifts, and his clear, comprehensive, analytical mind, backed by a strong will and industrious habits, has brought him to the front in various capacities, and has gained for him an enviable reputation in pub- lic life. While a resident of Tazewell County, 1Il., he was often called to positions of prominence by his appreciative fellow-citizens. He served as Deputy Sheriff of the county, discharging the duties thus devolving upon him with characteristic fear- lessness, promptitude and fidelity. In 1867, a little more than a year after his settlement here, he was appointed Probate Judge to fill a vacancy, and served one year. In the fall of 1878 he was once again called from private life to public office, being elected a representative to the State Legislature. In the senatorial contest he cast his vote for John J. Ingalls, and was one of his stanchest supporters. He was placed on the committee that was appointed to investigate the charges of bribery in that same memorable contest, also serving on the commit- tees for the revision of the laws and municipal cor- porations, and on other committees, where his cool judgment and wise counsels were greatly valued by his fellow-members. Our subject has also mingled much in the civic life of this city, and has borne an honorable part in its government since its or- ganization as a municipality, and before, as he was a member of the Board of Town Trustees. He was a member of the first City Council, has served sev - eral terms since, and is a member of the present Board of Councilors. Ile was at one time Com- missioner of the Circuit Court of the United States, and has been a Notary Public since 1868. Politi-
cally, he was in early life a Whig, but since the formation of the Republican party he has been one of its strongest adherents. Socially, he is promi- nently identified with the I. O. O. F., was a charter member of Holton Lodge, No. 34, and has repre- sented it at the Grand Lodge. Mrs. Keller, who is a woman of fine Christian character, is an exem- plary member of the Presbyterian Church.
RA J. MARTELL. This gentleman is said to be one of the best educated men in Pottawato- mie County. He owns eighty acres of good land in Belvue Township, besides city property in Topeka, and has various other interests which yield him a comfortable income. He is a lover of fine horses, and has about ten head of good trotting stock. He is a native of this county, and was born Nov. 26, 1858. For a man of his years, he has made good headway in all respects, and is looked upon as one of the leading men of his county.
In noting the parental history of Mr. Martell, we find that his father, William Martell, was a na- tive of Canada, born in Montreal in 1816. About 1849, he came to Kansas and secured 320 acres of land on section 22, in Belvue Township. A man of enterprise and energy, he was prosperous from the start, and is now the owner of 1,060 broad acres, upon which he carries on general agriculture, realiz- ing handsome returns. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party, and is a member of the Cath- olic Church. The Martell family is of French extraction. Mrs. Sophia (Wilmett) Martell, the inother, is a native of Wisconsin, and the daughter of Hadna Wilmett, who was likewise born in the Badger State. Mr. Wilmett removed from Wis- consin to Cook County, Ill., and thence to Council Bluffs, Iowa, dying there about 1845. To William and Sophia Martell, there was born a family of ten children, namely: Frank W., William, who died in Belvue Township, at the age of thirty-eight years; Oliver, Charles, Ira; Hattie, who died in Belvue at the age of twenty-six; Sophia, Jerome, Ambrose, and John.
Ira J. Martell was the fifth child of his parents, and spent his early years in the place of his birth,
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.