Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 49

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 49
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 49
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 49

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).

After his marriage in 1830, in Columbiana County, Ohio, our subject learned the trade of brick-laying, and also prepared himself for the pro- fession of a teacher. In the former occupation he was engaged for twenty years, and in the latter, fifteen years. In 1854 he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, but eight years later, in 1862, came to Kansas, locating on a farm just east of St. George. He was actively engaged in farming from that time un- til 1880. He taught school in Pottawatomie County for seven successive winters. In the fall of 1880, October 29, he moved to St. George and has sinee resided in this village. Of all the citizens of Pottawatomie County none are more highly re- spected than this worthy couple, and few are better known.

Of the eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Simkins, five are now living, and of them their

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parents are justly proud. The eldest, Fisher A., was born July 23, 1832, and married Elizabeth Taylor. by whom he has four children. He held a clerkship in the Treasury Department at Washing- ton from 1861 to 1880, but is now a resident of New York City, and is connected with the " Mail and Express," a paper published in that city. Margaret Jane married Nathan Armstrong, and be- came the mother of two children. She died June 26, 1881. Fannie is the wife of Scott H. Carson and resides in Cincinnati, Ohio. They have three children. Mr. Carson is in business with the Cin- cinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad. Eliza- beth Ann, the wife of Charles A. Tinker, lives in New York City, and has a family of three children. Her husband is General Superintendent of the West- ern I'nion Telegraph Company. Maria Louisa mar- ried A. V. Johnson, who is a farmer near Olsburg. They have four children. Emma Luella became the wife of B. F. Hartwell and lives in Meriden, Jefferson Co., Kan. They have one child. Mr. Hartwell is in the saddle and harness business.

It has been said that " a man in real earnest is a power to be respected." The life of this veteran soldier in the warfare of life is characterized by self-sacrificing devotion to his family, his country, and above all, to his Maker. Self-praise or self- laudation is entirely foreign to his nature. Of con- vincing logie, clear-headed, and kind-hearted, he has been a tireless worker, and now, in the evening of his days, when he is nearing that other home. whose beauty cannot be told, he looks back upon a life, which, although not free from mistakes, has been guided, nevertheless, by love toward mankind and humanity at large.

W ILLIAM E BROWN is junior member of the firm of Hedge & Brown, hardware dealers in Whiting, Jackson County, and is one of the best business men among the younger citizens of the community. The firm is now carry- ing as large a stock as any similar institution in the county, having three floors entirely devoted to their use, and conducting the establishment in a manner which indicates their keen observation and

intelligent perception of business details and the needs of the community. In addition to their store and stock they own a quarter section of land on which they feed about 100 head of cattle, and they also ship grain in considerable quantities. They also have $600 worth of stock in the Maple Grove Creamery Company located at Whiting.

Mr. Brown was born in Susquehanna County, Pa., July 11, 1856. In his early boyhood his parents removed to the vicinity of Binghampton, N. Y., where he received a good common-school educa- tion and whence at the age of fifteen he accom- panied his parents to Kansas. His father settled six miles north of Whiting, in Brown County, where our subject lived for eight years, in the meantime attending the Northeastern Normal School. In 1879, in partnership with Mr. Hedge, the store was opened with a stock of hardware and and agricultural implements, buggies. etc., and their present prosperity has resulted from their fine business qualities and honorable dealing.

He of whom we write is the oldest son of M. Brown, who now resides in this village and holds the office of Township Trustee. The father was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, and came to America when nine years old with his parents, Michael and Elizabeth Brown. The grandparents spent the remainder of their lives in Montrose, Susquehanna Co., Pa. Mr. Brown afterward lived in Binghampton, N. Y., where he married Miss Catherine Manning, and with his family, which then consisted of a wife and nine children, he came to Whiting, March 5, 1871. He located in Brown County, with his trading point in this place, where a few years since he took up his abode. Mrs. Brown died at the age of fifty-four and her body reposes in the Wheatland Cemetery near their old home in Brown County. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church. She was a kind mother and consistent Christian, and is held in fond re- membrance by her loving children and bereaved husband. She was always greatly interested in ed- ucational matters and succeeded in giving each of her surviving children an excellent education.

W. E. Brown was united in marriage Oct. 17, 1885, with Miss Mattie, daughter of R. M. Gilmore of Lewistown, Pa. The bride was born in Mifflin

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County, and is an educated and refined woman. having many friends in the community. She is a member of the Rebecca Lodge and of the Presby- terian Church. To herself and husband two chil- dren have been born, Walter and Bernice E. Mr. Brown is a member of the I. O. O. F. in all its bran- ches-the Subordinate, the Camp and the Rebecca, and was a charter member of each. He has passed through the chairs in each branch and is a member of the Grand Lodge and Grand Encampment, hav- ing been elected a representative to the latter and having attended a session at Topeka, Kan., this year (1889). In politics be is a Democrat and has run on the ticket of his party for County Clerk, the nomination being a decided honor for so young a man. He has been Township Clerk and in every department of life is exhibiting the manly character which deserves and wins respect and friendship.

ILLIAM O'SHEA, of Clear Creek Town- ship, Pottawatomie County, came to Kan- sas in September, 1878, as a member of the St. Louis Colony, and became a settler of that county. He purchased the southwest quarter of section 5, Clear Creek Township, and settled upon it, where he has since remained. He commenced at the foot of the ladder, and has slowly but surely climbed up to a good position, socially and finan- cially. He invested a part of his surplus capital in additional land, purchasing the northeast quarter of the same section, eighty acres of which he has brought to a good state of cultivation, and the re- mainder is devoted to hay and pasture. He is largely interested in live stock, having numbers of cattle, horses and swine, making a specialty of the latter. He has always put his own shoulder to the wheel, and to this day, works "like a Turk" -- is in fact a genuine "hustler."

A native of County Tipperary, Ireland, famous in song and story, Mr. O'Shea first saw the light many years ago, but in 1854, while still a lad, crossed the Atlantic and took up his abode in the State of Connecticut. Three years later he sailed for Australia, visiting Melbourne and New Zea-

land, and remained in that part of the world for a period of twelve years, principally engaged in mining. There, it is hardly necessary to say, he met a cosmopolitan population, and was always ready for every emergency. 1Ie led the variegated life of the miner, digging and starving, finding and feasting, and joining in the occasional frays against the natives.

Finally, in 1869, Mr. O'Shea returned to his na- tive Ireland, and was married on the 28th of Oc- tober to Miss Mary Ann Lonergan, of County Tipperary. This maiden was one of his playmates when he was a boy, and he returned to her after wandering over the world fifteen years. They soon sailed for the United States, Mr. O'Shea set- tling again in Connecticut, but subsequently going to St. Louis, Mo., and from there, in 1878, he sought the State of Kansas.

To Mr. and Mrs. O'Shea there have been born nine children: Mary R., Katie, Agnes, William, Richard, Lucy, James, Cora and Dwyer. Mrs. O'Shea is an intelligent and well-educated lady, and is officiat- ing as Clerk of the School Board of her district. She has been a most efficient helpmate to her hus- band and has assisted him in the accumulation of his property. Mr. O'Shea was born and reared in the doctrines of the Catholic Church, to which he still loyally adheres, and in politics, is a Democrat.

Patrick O'Shea, the father of our subject, mar- ried Catherine Roach, a maiden of his own county of Tipperary, and set out for America in advance of his family, but did not live to reach his destina- tion, dying and being buried in mid-ocean. The mother spent her entire life in her native county, dying in 1882, at a ripe old age.

OHN C. LATTA. Among the sons of the Keystone State, who at an early date cast their lot with the people of Northern Kan- sas, came Mr. Latta, who is looked upon as one of the most worthy citizens of Franklin Town- ship. He first opened his eyes to the light in Westmoreland County, Pa., June 10, 1840, and grew to manhood on his father's farm, attending

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the district school, and making himself generally useful about the homestead. He lived in Penn- sylvania until November, 1879, in the meantime having been married, and then started with his wife and family to the far West. Coming to Kan- sas, le established himself in Jackson County, and the following spring settled on section 12 of Frank- lin Township, of which he has since been a resi- dent. He learned the art of farming during his early manhood, and has followed this vocation thus far in life. He owns and operates 121 acres of good land on section 12. On the 3d of Dec- ember, 1882, his house and nearly all its contents were destroyed by fire, but he soon rebuilt.

Mr. Latta, at the age of twenty-four years, was married in his native county, Oct. 13, 1864, to Miss Susan C. Bair, who is likewise a native of Westmoreland County, and born July 11, 1843. The household circle was completed by the birth of nine children, viz .: Herbert C., Thomas C., John C., Morris C., Alexander C., Raymond C., Edgar C., Luella C. and Anna C. Mr. Latta upon becoming a voting citizen identified himself with the Democratic party, of whose principles he is a stanch supporter. Mrs. Latta is prominently con- nected with the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Latta being now a member contributes his full quota to its support. His religion is to follow the precepts of the Golden Rule, and judging from the manner in which he is spoken of by his neighbors, it is safe to say that he is one of those endeavoring to do unto his neighbor as he would be done by. Mrs. Latta is a lady highly esteemed in her com- munity, being a devoted wife and mother, and a kind and hospitable neighbor.

The parents of our subject were Thomas and Sarah (Kilgore) Latta, likewise natives of West- moreland County, Pa., where they were reared. married and died. The mother departed this life when a comparatively young woman, in 1853. Mr. Latta survived his wife a period of twelve years, dying in 1865. Mrs. Latta is the daughter of Jonathan and Harriet ( Brinker) Bair, who were also natives of Westmoreland County, Pa., where they spent the greater part of their lives, and where the father died in February, 1859; the mother is still living, making her home in West-

moreland County, Pa. There were born to them ten children, of whom Mrs. Latta was the fourth. She spent her girlhood days under the home roof, remaining with her parents until her marriage.

ACKSON & GRAHAM, editors of the St. Mary's Star, representing the principles of Democratic party in and around St Mary's, are young men of enterprise and energy who are starting prosperously in life's career, and have every prospect of attaining success in worldly affairs, while at the same time they are prominent in social and religious circles of Pottawatomie County.

The senior member of the firm is Perry L. Jack- son, a native of Louisville, Pottawatomie County, and born Sept. 18, 1867. His parents were Paris M.and Sabina (Lebow ) Jackson,natives respectively of Missouri and Kansas and at this writing re- siding in Laclede, this county. Attending the common schools of his district, our subject was early initiated into the pursuit of knowledge as well as into the practical work of a farm. He fol- lowed agricultural pursuits until March, 1889, when he became associated with Mr. Graham and purchased the St. Mary's Star, which they now publish. The paper is a five-column quarto, and is devoted to the interests of the Democratic party.

Clinton W. Graham is the junior partner in the firm of Jackson & Graham, and is the able assist- ant of his partner in all the labor connected with the office. His parents were James and Azzie (Jackson ) Graham, natives of Ireland and Missouri. Our subject was born in Louisville, Pottawatomie County, Jan. II, 1868, and received his education at the schools of Louisville and at St. Mary's Col- lege in St. Mary's. His father was the editor and publisher of a paper at St. Mary's, and thus at a very early age Mr. Graham hecame initiated into the duties incumbent upon a practical printer, as well as the responsibilities connected with editorial duties. When less than twenty years of age he commeneed to devote his entire time to the trade in which he became proficient. Later he worked in an office at Leavenworth, also at Atehison and

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St. Joseph, and thus learned the business in all of its details. After thus thoroughly preparing him- self for active work in a printing office, Mr. Graham became associated with Mr. Jackson, and they suc- ceeded the former editor of the Star, James Gra- ham. They are regarded as men of influence, especially among the young men of the community. and are possessed of such energy and perseverance as will surely bring in the end their own reward.

NDREW SCHWARTZ. This gentleman is the owner and occupant of a valuable estate in Mill Creek Township, Pottawa- tomie County, the same comprising the east half of section 16, which has been his home since the spring of 1869. The place was new and unbroken when he came to the county, and by the unbounded energy of its owner has been brought to a fine condition of productiveness and improve- ment, and is now a home of which any man may justly be proud. It is well watered by French Creek, and is supplied with all needed conveniences for the carrying on of the work in which its owner is engaged.

Mr. Schwartz is a native of Wurtemberg, Ger- many, and his natal day was July 14, 1831. He was brought up to the trade of a baker. which his father and grandfather followed before him. When eighteen years old he set out alone for the United States, taking passage at Antwerp on the sailing vessel " The Lady Isabella," and after a somewhat stormny voyage of twenty-eight days, landed in New York City, Nov. 4, 1848. He soon afterward went to Cass County, Ill., and there followed his trade for several years. He next spent some time in Otoe County. Neb., being quite poor when he went there and making his start in life in that county and State. He claims that his success is due in a great measure to the confidence of men who assisted him in times of need, while he in re- turn would do them a favor. After a few years in Nebraska, Mr. Schwartz moved to Holt County, Mo., where he lived on a farm for five years. Ile owned eighty acres in that county, whence he came to his present place of residence, and the hard

work and persevering energy of those earlier years were repeated in this State until success crowned his efforts and his home became the comfortable and valuable estate which it is to-day.

The father of our subject was Melchor Schwartz, who followed his trade in Wurtemburg, his native Kingdom, until 1857, when he came to the United States and afterward sojourned with his son, our subject, in Missouri and Kansas, for fourteen years. He then lived with his oldest daughter, Mrs. Cath- erine Hann, in Mason County, Ill., where he died Oct. 13, 1887. He was born Nov. 29, 1803, and from boyhood was a hardworking and in- dustrious man. Before he left Germany he had lost his property and he was assisted to this country by his son. The mother of our subject was born in Wurtemburg in 1798, and her death occurred there Jan. 7, 1853. Iler maiden name was Chris- tina Bauer, and she was a lifelong member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Of the family. which was quite a large one, two sisters and our subject are all who now survive, and they with their father came to the United States. The pater- nal grandfather of our subject also bore the name of Andrew, and his whole life was spent in Wurt- emburg, where he died when past middle age. All of the old stock belonged to the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

In Cass County, Ill., in 1856, Mr. Schwartz cele- brated his marriage with Miss Dora Seyfer, who was born in Wurtemburg, Feb. 15, 1836. She came to the United States with her parents- Frederick and Frederica (Dephu) Seyfer -- landing in New York City in August, 1848, and going at once to Beardstown, Ill. Three months later the mother died in the prime of life, and the father lived with his children until his death which took place in IIolt County. Mo., in 1880, when he was eighty-nine years old. He and his wife belonged to the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Schwartz remained with her father until her marriage, acquiring many housewifely qualities and graces. To herself and husband eleven children have been born. Dora is the wife of Wesley Gurtler; (see biography.) Henry has been twice married, his second wife being Miss Mattie Day, and their home in Onago, where he is engaged with Gurtler Bros. ; Philip married Miss

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Mary Moll and their home is on a farm in this township; George W., Edward, John, Frank, Anna, Emma, and Lydia are yet at home. The parents have been called upon to part with one daugliter. Caroline, formerly the wife of Daniel Honstead, who is now living in Clay County.

Mr. Schwartz was formerly a Douglas Democrat and had the pleasure of hearing that statesman and Abraham Lincoln debate. Ile is now a sound Re- publican. He and his wife belong to the Evangeli- eal Association and are highly esteemed citizens in the section in which they have made their home.

W ILLIAM A. MARSHALL. This name is familiar to most of the residents of Straight Creek Township as belonging to one of its representative citizens. He makes a science of farming, his operations being carried on in that systematic manner that seldom fails of suc- cess. He owns 405 broad acres of fertile land, which, under his careful management, has become the source of a handsome income. His surround- ings are those of a man enterprising and industrious, more than ordinarily intelligent, and one who is in all respects a leading member of his community.

The offspring of an excellent old family, the subject of this sketch was born in Fayette County. Pa., March 27, 1832, but when fourteen months old was taken by his parents to Wood County. W. Va., where they sojourned five years. Next they sought the prairies of Illinois, locating in Newton Township, Whiteside County, of which they were residents three years. From there they removed to Rock Island County, locating on a farm in Canoe Creek Township, where they spent their last days. William A. lived in Rock Island County, Ill., until coming to Kansas, in November, 1873, settling in Straight Creek Township, Jackson County, where he has since lived. Mr. Marshall was accompanied to the Sunflower State by his wife and two children, having been married, in Morrison, Ill., April 5, 1860, to Miss Rachel E. Miller. This region of country, sixteen years ago, was thinly settled, and Mr. Marshall commenced at first principles in the building up of a homestead. He endured the

usual difficulties of life in a comparatively new settlement, but being largely possessed of the qual- ities of industry and perseverance, labored on from year to year until he found himself upon solid footing. In addition to bringing his land to a good state of cultivation, he has erected good buildings and availed himself of improved machinery in the cultivation of the soil. Stock-raising enters largely into his operations.

There have been born to Mr. Marshall and his es- timable wife three children, only one of whom is liv- ing, a daughter, Edith J., who is the wife of Alonzo A. Stokes, of Spring Creek Township, and the mother of one child, a son, Fred. W. Their eldest born, Samuel M., died in infancy ; Frederick L., a prom- ising young man of twenty-one years, went to California for his health, and died in San Bernardino County, Jan 26, 1884.

Mr. Marshall, while a resident of Rock Island County, Ill., held about all the offices wichin the gift of his township, from Supervisor down. In Jackson County, Kan., he came within five votes of being elected Commissioner. Ile has for the last three terms been a Trustee of Straight Creek Township. Mrs. Marshall, a very estimable lady is a member in good standing of the Presbyterian, Church.

The parents of our subject were Josiah H. and Jane (Houston ) Marshall, both natives of Pennsyl_ vania, the father born in Huntingdon County, and the mother in Fayette County. They had a family of twelve children, William A. being among the younger members. Isaiah HI. Marshall served as a soldier in the War of 1812, being a member of Capt. Canon's company, which was raised in Fay- ette County, Pa. He enlisted when a youth of nineteen years, and was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant. At the battle of Blue Rock, the Captain being shot, he was promoted to the Colonelcy of the regiment on account of efficient service in the field. Prior to entering the army he had commenced the study of law, and after the war closed he pursued his studies until being admitted to the bar. Ile practiced afterward in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Illinois. Soon after coming to the Prairie State, however, he abandoned his profession and turned his attention to farming.

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He was a prominent man in his community, and was chosen the first Supervisor of Canoe Creek Township, Rock Island County.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was John Marshall, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, and quite an extensive land owner, even before coming to America. He immigrated hither when a youth of nineteen years, in time to enlist on the side of the Colonists in the Revolutionary War. serving to its close in a Pennsylvania regiment, and being pro- moted to be Captain. When the conflict had ended he purchased real estate in Huntingdon and vicin- ity, where he spent the remainder of his life. In his youth he was hound out to a physician by the name of Stewart, and became interested in the study of medicine. Dr. Stewart came to America, and young Marshall followed him soon afterward. Ile was a man of more than ordinary qualifications and occupied a high position, belonging, in com- pany with other revolutionary officers, to the fa- mous "Cincinnatus Society." He died in his prime, at the age of forty-three years, at the residence of his son Isaiah, in Huntingdon, Pa.

Mrs. Marshall is the daughter of Samuel and Rachel (Thompson ) Miller, who were both natives of Pennsylvania, and who spent their last years in Newton Township, Whiteside Co., Ill., to which they removed about 1839. She was born in Cum- berland County, Pa., March 19, 1837, and was about two years old when her parents left the Keystone State. She was reared to womanhood in Illinois, and there made the acquaintance of her future husband. They have traveled together for over twenty-nine years, and been of mutual assist- ance on the journey of life. Now, sitting under their own vine and fig tree, they have reason to be fairly well satisfied in the position where they have placed themselves in their efforts to live worthily and do good as they have bad opportunity.

W ILLIAM F. DIXON, of Netawaka Township Jackson County, has been engaged in farm- ing and fruit-growing all his life, and finds both pleasure and profit therein, his especial delight being in horticulture. He is a great advocate of

fruit as a diet and adduces his own freedom from illness for a period of forty four years, during which he has eaten much fruit, as a proof of his right judgment. ITis large orchard and nursery are an attractive feature in the landscape, and the guests under the hospitable roof of the home find the deli- cate flavor of the fruits "pleasant to the taste," six months in the year as they are brought fresh from the parent stem.

This county became the home of Mr. Dixon in 1880, and for six years prior to that date he had been a dweller in Sedgwick County, whence he had moved from Brown County, where he had made his abiding place for four years and to which he had come from his place of nativity. This was Brown County, Ohio, where he had lived till 1871, obtaining a good education in the common and High schools and beginning his work as a horticul- turist. On coming to this township Mr. Dixon bought 120 acres of land, of which he subsequently sold forty acres, placing the residue under good cultivation and setting out a vast number of trees. There are over 400 apple trees, 300 apricots, 500 plums, 400 peaches, and about twenty acres of small fruits, including three acres each of straw- berries and blackberries, and eight acres of rasp- berries. The peaches raised by Mr. Dixon are of a fine variety and sell for as high as $2 per bushel. Ile raises them every year, cutting the roots on one side of the trees in the fall and bending them to the ground, where they are covered with straw, stalks and manure. About the Ist of May the cov- ering is removed and the trees restored to the per- pendicular. and they never fail to requite this care by a bountiful yield. The nursery of our subject contains about 1,000 apple, 1,500 Mariana plums, and 1,000 cherry trees, together with .. 000 stands of grapes.

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Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 49

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

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