Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 42

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 42
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 42
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 42


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S.B. Teintes


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attending the common schools. Later he entered St. Mary's College, from which he was graduated in 1874. He was a boy more than ordinarily bright and intelligent, fond of his books, and still keeps up the habit of reading, which he contracted dur- ing his younger years. He worked on the farm with his father until 1881, and in the meantime served as Township Trustee. In 1882, he repaired to Topeka, where he sojourned two years, and was variously occupied. Then returning to Belvue, he engaged in the grain and stock business, but in 1886, went back to Topeka, and took the position of clerk in the Santa Fe office of the Santa Fe Rail- road. In 1887, he resigned his position to embark in the insurance business. He is now engaged in selling goods on the road in Missouri and Iowa. Mr. Martell manages to be at his headquarters in Belvue Township during important elections, and gives his support to the Democratic party. He was reared in the doctrines of the Catholic Church, of which he is a devout member.


AVID B. KITTS. A volume which in- cludes biographies of residents of Potta- watomie County, would be incomplete without a sketch of the life of this gentle. man, who is the oldest citizen of Westmorland and has spent both time and money for the benefit of the city, and early in the history of this county, became identified with its agriculturists, assisting in the development of Lincoln Township.


The natal day of Mr. Kitts was April 11, 1821, and his birthplace Chester County, Pa., where his childhood was spent until the age of four years. His parents then removed to the city of Philadel- phia where the greater part of his education was obtained, it being finished in Hannibal, Mo., where his father subsequently located. After completing his schooling he engaged in brickmaking until the great gold excitement in California.


Partaking of the fever which attracted so many to the Pacific Coast, in 1850 our subject made the overland trip, being four months en route and spending the first few months after his arrival in Sacramento County. In 1851 he went to the


northern county of California, where he spent two years in command of thirty men scouting and patrolling the country. He subsequently engaged in mining, merchandising and brokerage, returning East by water to New Orleans and up the Missis- sippi River to Iowa, where he arrived in February, 1860. Settling in Ottumwa, he resumed his former occupation of brickmaking, furnishing the material for the early built prominent buildings of that town making 4,000,000 bricks.


On the account of the health of his wife, Mr. Kitts removed to this county in 1866, and engaged in farming in Lincoln Township, improving new land, and living thereon until 1872, when he re- moved to this city, or rather to this town site. He built the first house on the site, buying the eighity acres on which he now lives, and which has since been added to the city. He engaged in mercantile business on State between Third and Fourth Streets, and continued so occupied until 1879, when he re- tired from active business, looking only after the interest of his place.


Mr. Kitts was first married in 1845, his bride being Miss Susan George. who lived but three years after marriage. He was subsequently united with Miss Jane George, who was spared to him but seven months. His present wife was in her maid- enhood Miss Susan Armer, the ceremony that united them taking place at Ottumwa, Iowa, Sept. 26, 1861. They have four children: Harvey M., Joseph, Allen and Susan M. The latter is now the wife of O. J. Washburn, of Topeka.


John Kitts, the father of our subject, was by oc- cupation a general superintendent of omnibus lines, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. He married Miss Ilannah Gill, who bore him a family of five children. He died at Hannibal, Mo., in 1844, his widow surviving until the following year when she too passed away.


David B. Kitts, has served in various publie ca- pacities, and has been interested in the advance- ment of various works of importance. He served as Justice of the Peace for four years, and has also been Township Trustee. Township Assessor, City Assessor and Street Commissioner. Ile was also the second Mayor of Westmoreland. first filling a vacancy and then being elected, and also served on


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the Council for three years. He gave a whole block of land to the county upon which to erect a court-house, and also contributed $100 cash for the erection of the same. He gave the ground upon which the Methodist Episcopal Church stands and donated lots for the parsonage to the Congrega- tional Society. He is a member of the former church, and assisted in organizing the first society of that denomination in this city. Of the social orders, he belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the Ma- sons, having for four years held the chair in the lat- ter society. As will be seen from the above facts he is liberal and public spirited and a fine represen- tative of the Western citizen. His name is a syno- nym of honor, uprightness, intelligence, liberality and true manhood. A lithographie portrait of Mr. Kitts will be found on another page.


- LPHEUS W. McCOIN, D D. Pottawato- mie County is honored by the residence within its bounds of this gentleman, who, for his character and ability, is held in high esteem by all who know him. He was the recipient of a most excellent education, and the years which have passed since his college days have added to his intelligence and understanding. He is well versed in all the important topics of the day, bringing to their consideration an accurate judgment, a keen comprehension, and a just esti- mate of right and wrong. His pure life wields an influence for good which is felt beyond his own home, and his pleasant and courteons manners and kindly consideration for others win him many friends.


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He of whom we write was blessed in being the son of parents of a considerable degree of culture and of the highest moral principles. His father, William McCoin is an honored minister of the Methodist Protestant denomination, and is now laboring in Emporia Kan., his age being about eighty years. lle is of Scotch extraction, and was born in Guilford County, N. C., whence in 1859 he went to Hall County, Ga., where he remained some seven years. He then removed to Greenwood County, Kan., and in 1879, to the place where he now resides. His wife bore the maiden name of


Elizabeth Piggott, and she was born in Davidson County, N. C., in the year 1811, her death taking place in Greenwood County, Kan., in 1868. She was a daughter of William and Elizabeth ( Welborn) Piggott, who were natives of the same State in which she was born. Her father was a Justice of the Peace for many years, and a man of much intelli- gence and prominence. Both parents were mem- bers of the Methodist Protestant Church, and lived to an advanced age. The family, of which our sub- ject is the second child, comprised eleven brothers and sisters, named respectively: Susannah J., Al- pheus W., Yancey L., William A., Frances N., Columbus F., Julius S., Amanda E., Luvinai, Surena E., and one who died in infancy. Yancey died at the age of thirty-nine years, Luvinai at the age of twenty, and Columbus at the age of thirty.


The Rev. Mr. McCoin was born in Davidson County, N. C., Jan. 14, 1830, and after receiving a fundamental education in the common schools, took up the higher studies in Yadkin College. Entering that educational institution in 1858, he attended until the Civil War began in 1861, and then went to Georgia, where he was engaged in pedagogical labors until 1872. All his spare moments had been devoted to a preparation for the ministry, and at the date last mentioned he was licensed to preach. He was Secretary of the Annual Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church, which was held at Atlanta the next year.


At that time Mr. McCoin came to Lyon County, Kan., and after remaining there about a twelve- month went to Emporia, and joined the Annual Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church, being ordained an Elder in the Conference that was held in Americus, Lyon County. He was then given the Emporia Circuit, and remained on it until 1876. The next year he was sent on the Louis- ville Circuit of Pottawatomie County, but owing to depression of the times, caused by the failure of crops, etc., the citizens were unable to support a church there, and our subject therefore turned his attention to teaching until 1882. He is now en- gaged in farming and stock-raising on the 160 pro- ductive acres on section 32, Center Township, where he now lives.


On Sept. 1, 1863, the rites of wedlock were


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celebrated between the Rev. Mr. MeCoin and Mrs. Ann Eliza (Holliday) Jones, widow of James Jones, by whom she had bad two children-Mattie R. and James R., both still living. She is a daugh- ter of Robert Holliday, a native of Ireland, who came to the United States when a child, and spent the remainder of his life in Georgia, dying when about seventy years of age. Ile was a large slave-owner and quite wealthy, and was a member of the Pres- byterian Church. Mrs. McCoin was born in Fay- etteville, Fayette Co., Ga., and is a lady of culture and refinement. To her and her present husband three children have been born, all living, who are named-Ilallie D., John W. and Pearl E.


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Mr. MeCoin is a stanch Republican, and while not desiring office. has been induced to accept sev- eral minor positions. In his ministerial and pedagog- ical labors, he has made excellent use of his talents, and established a fine reputation, while in the work which he has recently adopted he finds both pleas- ure and profit, and a pleasing relief from the many years of brain work which his professions entailed upon him, the mental and spiritual nature finding sufficient stimulus, and the intervals of active out- door occupations being abundantly filled with read- ing and study.


HARLES H. WILLIAMS, dealer in hard- ware, has been in business in Holton for many years, coming here in the first decade of the growth of the city, and he is classed among its prosperous merchants who have been active in developing its commercial interests, and may take an honest pride in his part in promoting its progress.


Ile is a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, born in the town of Zanesville, Oct. 17. 1836. 1lis father, Asher Williams, was born in Crawford County, Pa., and was there reared to man's estate. He learned the trades of chair-maker and house- painter, and in 1835 left his native State and sought a home in the wilds of Ohio, and was one of the early settlers of Muskingum County, locat- ing in Zanesville, where he followed his trades till the spring of 1845. His next move was to Adams- ville, in the same county, where he continued em-


ployed, as previously mentioned, for some years. In 1857 he took up his abode in Cambridge, Guernsey County, where he was engaged in the manufacture of chairs many years, and there' his life was brought to a close in 1880 at a ripe old age. The maiden name of the mother of our sub- jeet was Janet Hubbell, and she was born in New York. a daughter of Jedadiah Hubbell, who is snp- posed to have been a native of the same State. He removed from there to Pennsylvania and lived in Meadville till he emigrated to Ohio in 1833 and became a pioneer of Zanesville, IIe was a paper- maker by trade and was employed in a mill there, and there his last days were passed. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Davis, and she was born in Boston, Mass., and died in Zanesville. The mother of our subject is now living in Cam- bridge, at an advanced age.


He passed his early life in his native State, re- maining with his parents till he was seventeen years old. At that age he went to Zanesville to learn the trade of a carpenter, and was bound out for that purpose for a period of four years, but he was taken sick a little more than a year after that, and was obliged to go home without having served out his apprenticeship. In September, 1855, he went to Chicago, then a small city with but little prom- ise of its present importance and size as the second city in point of population in the United States. Hle worked at carpentering there till the fall of -1856, and then returned to Ohio, and on the last day of the year was married to Mary E Bradford. In January, 1858, Mr. Williams removed to Cam- bridge and remained there till the following April, and then came to Kansas, traveling by rail to Wheeling, and thence coming by the Ohio, Missis- sippi and Missouri rivers to Leavenworth, and there chartered an ox-team to carry him to his destination across the open prairies, and on the journey passed by Holton, which then comprised three or four dwellings and one store. He made a claim to a tract of land in what is now Grant Township. and ereeted a frame house 14x16 feet in dimensions for a residence. There were no rail- ways west of Jefferson City, and the river towns were the nearest markets and depots of supply. Mr. Williams broke a few acres of his tract of wild


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prairie, and in the following winter found work at various employments, and at one time worked on a sawmill on Banner Creek. The following year he carried on his trade, and in the spring of 1860 came to Holton and was engaged at it here.


In September, of that year, Mr. Williams re- turned to Ohio, and in September, 1861, enlisted in Company B. 15th Ohio Infantry, and he served till he was incapacitated by a severe wound re- ceived in the heat of battle in June 1864. He had proved himself to be possessed of true soldierly valor, was cool and courageous when facing the enemy, and always faithful and orderly in the dis- charge of his duty. He bore a creditable part in many important engagements, among which we may mention the siege of Corinth, battles of Shi- loh, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, and from the latter place he went with the troops that engaged with the rebels at Straw. berry Plains, and he was then transferred to the 64th Indiana Regiment. He was dispatched to Dandridge. East Tenn., with his comrades, and from there was sent to Knoxville, where he was detailed to work on a bridge, and did detached duty till April, 1864, and then joined the com- mand at Cleveland, Tenn., whence it was sent with Gen. Sherman on the Atlanta campaign. Our subject took part in all the battles from there to Pine Knob, and while bravely fighting the foe in the latter engagement he was wounded and was sent to the hospital at Nashville. From there he went to Jeffersonville, Ind , and was discharged from the hospital in that city and then reported at Camp Denison, and after that was ordered to Todd's barracks, Columbus, where he was honor- ably discharged Sept. 13, 1864, as his term of ser- vice had expired. In the fall of the same year Mr. Williams assisted in putting in machinery in a paper-mill at Zanesville, and in the winter manu- factured chairs in Cambridge with his father. In 1866 he came to Ilolton once more and was busily engaged at his trade till the fall of 1869. He then went into the lumber business, continuing in that until March 20, 1889. He had engaged in the hardware business as early as 1876, and carried on both branches together. and at the same time had sold agricultural implements. At


the present time he confines his business to the sale of hardware. He has a commodious store, neatly appointed and well stocked with the best of every- thing in his line, and he has a large and profitable trade.


Mr. Williams' first wife died early in 1878, leaving behind her the memory of a good life. He was married to his present estimable wife, Mrs. Anna (Fesler) Williams, widow of the Rev. Mr. Williams, Dec. 20, 1878. Mrs. Williams had one child, Howard, by her first marriage.


Mr. Williams is a member of the G. A. R., be- longing to Will Mendell Post, No. 46. He is also connected with the A. F. & A. M. as a member of Holton Lodge, No. 42; and he belongs to Friendship Lodge, No. 1769, K. of H. In matters of general advancement and improvement Mr. Williams is earnestly interested,and he is conceeded to be a thoroughly good citizen, a kind and oblig- ing neighbor, and an exemplary man in every re- spect both in business and private life. He and his wife are sincere Christians and active workers in the church, he being a member of the Methodist society and she belonging to the Presbyterian con- gregation.


ASPER WHIMS, a prominent citizen of Westmoreland, where he is now living re- tired from active pursuits, has an honorable record as a soldier, a teacher and a journal- ist, as well as in several departments of public life. He was born in Beaver County, Pa., March 12, 1840, obtaining his education at Hookstown Acad- emy, and remained in the Keystone State until about twenty-two years old. He then entered the Union army as a member of Company H., 140th Pennsylvania Infantry. Among the most terrible conflicts in which he participated were the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Po River, the Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court- house. At the latter engagement he was seriously wounded, losing an arm, the limb being am- putated on the field by Dr. John Wishart, of Pittsburg, Pa. Mr. Whims was sent to Emory Hospi- tal at Washington, D. C., and thence to the Cam- den Street Hospital at Baltimore, Md. Becoming


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convalescent he was sent to Philadelphia, where he was honorably discharged Dec. 14, 1864, his eu- rollment having dated from Aug. 12, 1862.


Returning to Beaver County, Mr. Whims again took up his studies and then engaged in teaching for a year. Following this was a service of four years as Clerk of the Circuit Court of Ilancock County, W. Va .; this being succeeded by two years experience as traveling agent for a New York pub- lishing house. Again entering the field of peda- gogy, Mr. Whims spent three years in professional labors in the East, and then came to Kansas, reach- ing this county, June 18, 1880, and serving as principal of the Westmoreland school for one year, and two years elsewhere in this county. He was then clected Justice of the Peace on the Republican ticket and subsequently re-elected, his entire period of service being five years.


The first newspaper published in this city was instituted by Mr. Whims and others, under the name of the Westmoreland Weekly Period. The proprietor continued his journalistic efforts three years, and then sold the sheet to Messrs. Shiner and Codding, who changed the name to Recorder.


At the home of the bride in Hancock County, W. Va., Aug. 14, 1862, the interesting ceremony was performed which transformed Miss Sarab A. Flower into Mrs. Jasper Whims. Miss Flower was born in the county where her marriage took place, her natal day being June 20, 1836, and that county being her home until the family moved West. Seven children have been born to her, four of whom still survive. These are: Alexander K, now in California; Frank L., living in Atchison ; Anna M. aud Newton MeLain.


The parents of our subject were Caleb and Rachael (Kerr) Whims, both of whom were born in Beaver County, Pa., which was their home until death. The birth of Mr. Caleb Whims took place May 12, 1802, and that of his wife Nov. 19, 1803. They reared a family of nine children, our subject being the sixth in order of birth. The occupation of Mr. Whims was that of a farmer, and his death took place in April 18, 1874. The mother sur- vived until 1885, she having a short time before her death visited her son Jasper, in this place.


Alexander Flower, the father of Mrs. Jasper


Whims, was born in Eastern Pennsylvania in 1799, and at the age of thirteen was taken to Beaver County, where he grew to manhood, marrying Miss ,Margaret Wilson, born in Belmont County, Ohio, 1801. They spent the most of their lives'in West Virginia, where Mrs. Flower died May 8, 1880, and her husband in 1883. Mr. Flower was a farmer and miller by occupation, and both he and his wife were members of the Christian Church.


Mr. Jasper Whims is a member of Westmore- land Post, No. 151, G. A. R. Ile belongs to the Christian Church, in which he has held the differ- ent offices, having been Sunday-school Superinten- dent for three years. He is highly spoken of by all, and is respected for bis mental attainments and genial nature, as well as for his upright character and useful life.


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OHN LAUER. This gentleman represents in a marked degree the sterling worth and respectability of Clear Creek Township, Pottawatomie County. He is influential and well-to-do, the architect of his own fortune, a man looked up to in his community and one emi- nently deserving of the esteem in which he is held by his fellow-citizens. He carries on farming suc- cessfully and owns the north half of section 34, the greater part of which he has brought to a state of cultivation, the remainder being devoted to pasturage.


The Province of Alsace Lorraine, the disputed territory between France and Germany during the Franco-Prussian War, was the carly tramping ground of our subject and where his birth took place Jan. 25, 1830. Ile lived there until a young man of twenty-three years, then, not satisfied with his condition or his prospects, emigrated in 1853 to America and settled in Southern Indiana. He lived there until after the close of the Civil War, then in 1870 crossed the Father of Waters and located in Brown County, this State. Ten years later. in 1880. he changed the scene of his labors to Pottawotamie County. Ile has been greatly prospered in his labors since becoming a resident of this county and latterly has made a specialty of stock-raising, also buying and feeding. He averages 100 head of cattle, from


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thirty to thirty-five head of horses and over 100 head of swine. His operations are carried on with that systematic thoroughness which has gained him the reputation of being one of the best farmers in this section of country.


The residence of Mr. Laner is situated just with- out the corporate limits of the town of Blaine. where his children have the advantages of good schooling and the churches. Mr. Lauer in early manhood learned the barber's trade in the old country, which he followed in Indiana and after coming to Brown County, Kan. While a resident of Southern Indiana he was married, June 10, 1859, to Miss Maggie L., daughter of Peter Mashinot, who was born in France. The children born of this union are named respectively: Nicholas, John, Fritz, Anna, Louisa, Maggie, Peter, Antone, Jose- phine, Lizzie, Emma and Philip. Five of them are married ; the others are at home with their par- ents. Louisa is the wife of Herman Knitter, and Maggie married Elmer Fifield.


The parents of our subject were Philip and . Emma (Schneider) Lauer, likewise natives of Alsace Lorraine, the father a weaver and manufacturer of fine underwear and similar goods. Four of their children came to America-John, Nicholas, Peter and Mary Ann. All but John are deceased. Mr. Lauer and all his family are connected with the Catholic Church.


RVING SNOOKS. There are few more popu- lar men in Belvue Township, Pottawatomie County, than he with whose name we introduce this sketch. He is comparatively young in years, having been born Dec. 6, 1855, in Snyder County, Pa. He came to Kansas with his parents in 1871 and lived with them for ten years thereafter, when he purchased property in Belvue and is engaged in farming. He has just been elected one of the Township Trustees and is a member in good stand- ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The in- dications are that he has entered upon a most praiseworthy career and he has hosts of friends who are watching him with kindly interest.


The father of our subject was Jolin G. Snooks, likewise a native of Pennsylvania, who, after com-


ing to Kansas. lived for a time in Belvne and then removed to Topeka, of which he is now a resident. He is a farmer by occupation and politically, a sound Republican. He became connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church many years ago and has attained to the age of sixty-three years. The paternal grandfather, Abraham Snooks, was a na- tive of New Jersey, whence he emigrated early in life to Pennsylvania where he carried on farming and spent the remainder of his days.


The maiden name of the mother of our subjeet was Sarah J. Price. She was born in Pennsylvania and is still living, being now about sixty years old. The parental family consisted of three children- Irving, Mary A. and Charles L., who are all living. Irving, like his brothers and sisters, was reared upon the farm and attended the common sel:ool. He was trained to those habits of industry and economy which have been the secret of his success in life. When approaching the twenty-sixth year of his age, he was married, Jan. 15, 1881, to Miss Emma L. Case. This was the first wedding in Belvue. Mrs. Snooks was born in Pennsylvania Jan. 4, 1858, and is the daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Stephenson) Case, who were likewise na- tives of the Keystone State. Mr. Case was a farmer by occupation and died in Pennsylvania about 1879. Mrs. Case subsequently came to Kansas and died at the home of her daughter in Pottawato- mie County, in 1886, aged sixty-six. Mr. and Mrs. Snooks are the parents of four children-Thirza, Albert S., Sadie and Clinton N. Sadie died at the age of about two years. Mr. Snooks and his little family occupy a neat home and enjoy the friend- ship and acquaintance of the best people of their community.




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