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 53
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 53
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 53
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When Mr. and Mrs. Van Brunt left Leavenworth to proceed to what was to be their home, they had
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about a ton of household goods and provisions, which they were unable to get hauled that distance for less than $80. Our subject, however, was equal to the emergency, and disposed of her gold watch, thus getting enough money to buy an ox- team. With this they proceeded forward with their household furniture and provisions, and at the end of the journey had a team with which to commence operations on the land. The years spent upon the farm in Pottawatomie County were full of labor, but were crowned with success. In 1864 they sold it and removed to another farm in the same county. Our subject bought a farm of 160 acres on sections 7 and 9 in Rock Creek Township, and set to work with her accustomed energy to improve and make it a pleasant home. A more convenient house was erected, an orchard was set out, plough- ing, planting and reaping followed one another in. quick succession, barns were built in which to store the grain, fences were made, and the value of the estate greatly increased.
Since 1872 Mrs. Van Brunt has managed the farm alone, and when she found herself in a suffi- ciently prosperous condition, financially, she erected a good frame house, also a stone fence about a large part of the homestead. She has a fine orch- ard of superior fruit, good granaries, and abundant water for stock. 100 acres of the farm are under cultivation, the rest being in timber and pasturage.
In 1873 Mrs. Van Brunt received her commis- sion as Postmistress at Westmoreland, and removed there the same year. One year later she opened a store for the sale of merchandise, and although start- ing with a capital of only $75, by good management and wise economy, she has built up a flourishing trade. In fact, her business increased to such an extent, that in 1879 she gave up the post-office and devoted her entire attention to her business affairs. At present she is actively engaged in the store, and carries the largest stock in the central part of the county. She is a good financier, and her thriving trade has enabled her to discount all her bills and keep her stock in first-class condition. In her es- tablishment she keeps dry-goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, clothing, notions, tinware and erockery.
Finding that her business grew so rapidly as to
render more assistance necessary, our subject asso- ciated with herself Mrs. Louisa B. Schuyler, a lady who removed to Kansas in 1884, and who assists Mrs. Van Brunt to handle her increasing trade pleasantly and profitably. We present on another page of this volume a fine portrait of Mrs. Van Brunt who certainly occupies the front rank among the pioneers and foremost residents of Pottawatomie County.
ON. ORRIN J. GROVER, President of the Onaga City Bank, established this institution in June, 1886, with a capital of $35,000, and assisted by his son, George, as cashier, is operating it on a firm basis. He is likewise en- gaged in the real-estate and loan business, and is senior member of the lumber firm of Grover & Gillett. This latter enterprise was established in 1877, and purchased by the present firm in 1883, and is also the source of a handsome income. Mr. Grover, in addition to his other interests, holds the office of City Treasurer, in which position he is serving his third term. He is thus intimately iden- tified with the most important interests of his adopted town, and is looked upon as one of its lead- ing men.
Coming to Pottawatomie County in June, 1859, Mr. Grover thus looked upon Kansas during its Terriorial days, and has witnessed its remarkable growth and development under the adverse cir- cumstances which at that time were assailing the infant commonwealth. He has since that time been a resident of the county, and mostly of Mill Creek Township. He first purchased land on either side of French Creek, occupying a part of section 15, where he began making improvements and gradu- ally drifted into stock-raising. He prosecuted this industry successfully and extensively for some years. He took up his residence in Onaga in 1883, although still retaining possession of considerable land, owning 480 broad acres on French Creek.
The subject of this sketch was born in Ellery Township, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., on the 14th of Au- gust, 1827, and is the son of George Grover, whose father, Walter Grover, was a native of New York State and of English descent. The paternal great-
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grandfather served as a captain in the Revolu- tionary War. Walter Grover followed the occu- pation of a farmer and married a Miss Howard, who was a native of New York State. He died in Chautauqua County when quite aged. Albert Grover later went to Pennsylvania, and spent his last days in Crawford County, that State, dying at the advanced age of ninety years.
George Grover, the father of our subject, when reaching man's estate was married to Miss Martha Baker, of Genesee County, N. Y., and they located in Chautauqua County, where they lived for some years. Thence they removed with their family to Ohio, and later to Branch County, Mich. From there, in 1859, they came to Kansas, settling in Mill Creek Township, Pottawatomie County, where they spent their last days. George Grover died in 1878, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. The wife and mother survived her husband ten years, dying in July, 1888, when eighty-four years old. She was a woman of many estimable quali- ties, and a conscientious member of the Presby- terian Church. George Grover, politically, affili- ated with the Democratic party.
The subject of this notice attained to manhood in Branch County, Mich., and was there married to Miss Eliza Booth. This lady was born in New York City, May 10, 1830, and was the daugh- ter of William Booth, who, with his estimable wife, was born and reared in England. After living for some years in New York City, they likewise re- moved to Michigan, settling first in the northern part of the State. Later, they changed their resi- dence to Branch County, and finally returned Eastward as far as Northern Indiana, settling at Holmesville, where they spent their last days. Both lived to be about sixty years old.
In the spring of 1852, Mr. Grover, in company with others, set out across the plains to California, leaving Michigan on the 2d of March and landing at their destination, Nelson's Mines, on the Feather River, August 22. They had made the journey with ox-teams, and when at their journey's end only three of the original party had kept together. These began mining, and Mr. Grover remained in that region until November, 1855. Later, for two years be was engaged in the manufacture of build-
ing materials, sash, doors, blinds, etc., at Wilton, Iowa. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Grover six children, two of whom died in infancy. The survivors are recorded as follows: Orrin W. married Miss Ellen Davis, and is engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising in Mill Creek Township; Mary is the wife of D. S. Baker, a furniture dealer of Onaga; Ella married J. W. Dunn, a teacher in the schools of Louisville, this State; George mar- ried Miss Maude Ingoldsby; he has been already mentioned as the cashier of his father's bank.
After filling many other positions of trust and responsibility, Mr. Grover, in 1861, was selected by the Republicans of Pottawatomie County to represent them in the Kansas Legislature. He was re-elected in the year 1863, and two years later was chosen as Senator from Pottawatomie and Jackson Counties. In 1867-68 he filled the same position. He served most of the time as Chairman of the Agricultural Committee. In 1874 he was sent back to the Lower House. In 1883 he was again returned, and served on the Ways and Means Com- mittee with great credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He has been a Republican of the first water since the organization of the party, in 1856. In 1868 he was a member of the Board of Regents of the State Agricultural College, at Manhattan, which position he held for two years. In 1874 he was made a member of the Board of Directors of the State Penitentiary, serving six years, and was Chairman of the Board for three years. It will thus be seen that he has had very little time to be idle. He is well-balanced mentally-a man whose judgment can be relied upon, and whose opinions are held in general respect.
OIIN C. MOLL. The development of Pot. tawatomie County has been decidedly fur- thered by natives of the German Empire, many of whom settled in this State in the '50's, and bore a noble share in the hardships. pri- vations and dangers of those early years; and to their efforts is due much of the prosperity and civilization which bless the present residents. He
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whose name initiates this sketch is one of those who made his home in the almost trackless wilderness in the summer of 1857, and whose dauntless spirit and unbounded industry and perseverance have re- ceived a merited reward, not only in the sight of a thoroughly cultivated and well settled section of country about him, but in a fair share of those fertile acres, and their accompanying crops and stock. The present home of Mr. Moll is on sec- tion 33, Mill Creek Township, and the estate is the second tract of land which be has improved and made valuable since he came to this county.
He of whom we write is a native of Ohmden, Wurtemburg, Germany, and was born June 20, 1828. He is a son of John G. and Dora (Schmidt) Moll, who lived and died in their native Duchy of Wurtemburg, the father departing this life in 1847, when sixty-five years old, and the mother in 1850, at the age of sixty-three. The father was a farmer, and the subject of our notice spent his early years in the rural home, at a suitable age being set to learn the trade of a weaver. He busied himself with that employment in his native land until twenty-two years old, when he left Havre de Grace on the sailing-vessel "Cordelia" for the United States. They left the French port on the 10th of April, 1851, and landed in New York City on the 1st of May, during their voyage encountering a storm of three days' duration, but escaping any serious damage therefrom.
After landing in the American metropolis, Mr. Moll went on to Indiana, where he lived during the following six years, the first four years of that time being spent in the employ of Mr. George Wolver, who had helped him to come to this coun- try, and the labor of the first year going to pay his passage money. The last two years of the time . spent in Warren County, Ind., were upon a farm rented from his former employer, Mr. Moll having married and set up his own household. In August, 1857, as before stated, Mr. Moll became a resident of this State, taking a homestead on section 21, this township, which he improved and operated until 1866, reclaiming it from the primitive con- dition of unbroken prairie land to a state of high productiveness, and from it coming to his present home to improve and cultivate a second
large tract. Ilis estate is well watered by Mill Creek, is well stocked and furnished with all the necessary and adequate buildings in the way of · barns, granaries, etc., and a residence which is com- fortable, commodious and well-built, and on its broad acres the fortunate owner is successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising.
The wife of Mr. Moll bore the maiden name of Johanna M. Brook, and she was born in Germany, Sept. 17, 1829, coming to the United States with a brother, Jacob, when she was a young woman, and living in Warren County, Ind., until after her marriage. The happy union of Mr. and Mrs. Moll has resulted in the birth of three children. The parents met with a sad bereavement in the loss of their son George, a bright and promising youth of seventeen years. The other two children, though married, are living quite near their parents. Mary is the wife of Philip Swartz, and their home is on a farm belonging to Mr. Moll. William mar- ried Miss Maggie Grim, who died at the birth of her first child, who is now also dead; he was sub- sequently married to Miss Anna Beckley, and their home is in Onaga, where he is engaged in stock- buying.
Mr. Moll has been Township Treasurer, and has also held other public offices. He gives his suf- frage to the Republican party, having a firm faitlı in its principles. During his more than thirty years of residence in this county, he has been one of its best and most thrifty citizens, and is justly held in high esteem by those who know him. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Asso- ciation.
AMES F. WHEELER. Few of the residents of Jackson County have had more varied experiences than those which have fallen to the lot of this gentleman. Of an adventur- ous disposition, and an inquisitive nature, he has travelled over many countries, but has found none which offers better opportunities than that in which he has made his home. His large stock-farm is one of the best in the county, a specialty being made of cattle, of which he buys and feeds large num- bers every year, keeping a good grade of stock. He
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usually sells several thousand dollars worth each year, besides raising and shipping hogs, a venture which has repaid him financially.
Mr. Wheeler, whose native place was Dane County, Wis., was born April 10, 1838. At that time the county was wild and uncultivated, inhab- ited principally by savages. The nearest neighbor to the Wheeler family was distant six miles. His parents, Daniel and Emily B. (Piteher) Wheeler, were both natives of New York State. In his youth, onr subject had no opportunities whatever for an education, even in its rudiments, and his present information on all important topies is the result of assidnous study and careful reading for many years.
At the age of eigliteen years, Mr. Wheeler con- cluded that he wanted to see more of the world than was contained within the narrow confines of home. After leaving the paternal roof, he remained in De Kalb County, Ill., for one year. In 1857, accom- panied by two other young men, he started over- land for the frontier districts of the West. Upon reaching Lexington, Mo., he paused in his west- ward course, and sojourned in that place and viein- ity for one year, going thence to Putnam County, Ind., where he likewise remained one year. The following summer he returned to Platte County, No., all this traveling having been done by means of a wagon. In 1861 he made two trips with an ox-train to Golden City, Colo., making the two journeys in one season in the interests of John Fer- rier. Their train comprised ten wagons with ten oxen to each wagon. The ensuing summer was passed in Missouri, and in the fall of 1862, he started for Ft. Laramie with Government supplies for use in the fort. That winter he operated be- tween Ft. Kearney and Laramie, and in the spring of 1863, returned to Atchison.
Soon afterward Mr. Wheeler started for Ft. Lyon, Colo., with Indian supplies, but was left at Ft. Larned to guard part of the goods. Returning that fall to Atchison, he left there for Denver, where he remained until the following spring. The trains in which he traveled consisted usually of large wagons, having a capacity of five tons, with boxes fourteen feet long. three and one-half feet wide, and four deep. Six yoke of oxen were usually employed with each wagon. Twenty six wagons
made a train, while accompanying each expedition were twenty-six drivers, a wagon-master, an assist- ant wagon-master, one extra hand, and one night herder. These latter usually rode on horseback.
The train was divided into four "messes," one of the drivers being detailed for cook, while the other members of the mess did the remainder of the work, such as greasing wagons, herding cattle. getting wood and water. The cooking utensils were tin plates, tin eups, a Dutch oven. frying-pan, and camp-kettle. At night they slept in, or under the wagons. For the arms and equipments of the train, each man was furnished by the Government with one or two revolvers and a large knife, which they carried in their belt. A case of Enfield rifles was also furnished by the Government, which, if necessary, were distributed among the men.
In June, 1865, in the capacity of wagon-master, Mr. Wheeler took charge of a train at Ft. Leaven- worth, in the interests of Schrewsbury, Slummins & Co., of that city. Its destination was Ft. Lyon, whither it was taking Government supplies. West of Larned the Indians were troublesome, and they were obliged to drive the wagons two abreast, thus delivering the goods safely, and returning to Leavenworth in August. Unfortunately, at this time Mr. Wheeler was incapacitated for work by a long and serious illness. during which he remained in Platte County, Mo. On his recovery to health, he went to Montana in company with Mr. Heath- erly. Mr. Wheeler being assistant wagon-master. Later he took a train with Government supplies to Ft. Collins, this work being done in the interests of a Mr. Howe. This was about the time the Indian massacres occurred along that route. His next ex - pedition was intended to reach Denver, but after leaving Atchison, they encountered heavy snow storms, and at length, the depth of snow rendered further progress impossible, and they were there- fore compelled to retraee their course to Atchison.
The first venture of our subjeet for himself, was in 1866, when with a train of his own, containing about 100 men, he started for Virginia City, Mont., going via the Bozeman route. The Indians made several raids on them, but they met with no loss of life. Upon arriving at their destination. Mr. Wheeler located a ranch in the Beaver Ilead Val-
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ley, in the spring of 1867. He started a farm there, but the grasshoppers took all he raised, and conse- quently the attempt was unsuccessful. In 1867 he took his outfit and started with a train for goods at Ft. Benton on the Missouri River, whence he re- turned to Virginia City in July, with his goods. Ile had in the meantime bought his partner's interest. Later he made a second trip to Ft. Benton, and again brought back fruit to Helena and Virginia City.
In the antumn of 1868,our subject sold out his in- terests and rode with a company of thirty-five men 900 miles on horseback to get to the nearest point in the Union Pacific Railroad. He was next em- ployed in Atchison County, in breaking land with a team of twelve oxen. In the fall of 1870, on the 9th of November, he was united in marriage with Miss Alice Carrie Wade, whom he had met prior to his last trip to Colorado. Mrs. Wheeler is the daughter of Squire Wade, and his wife, Cecilia Hudson. The latter died when her daughter, Alice, was a babe of less than two years. Mrs. Wade was the daughter of William Wade, formerly of Ken- tucky, and later of Cole County, Mo. She married Squire Wade, the son of William and Mary Wade. Some of the Wade family took part in the Mexi- can War. After marriage our subject removed to the vicinity of Whiting, Kan., and, in the spring of 1871, located on section 22, where he built a shanty and during that summer herded cattle, which he had brought with him from Atchison. After spend- ing the winter in Atchison, he returned to his claim in the spring, and camped near Netawaka, where he again herded cattle for two summers,
In the fall of 1873, Mr. Wheeler settled on his present home, which is situated on section 10, be- ing then wild, unimproved land. He soon pur- chased his claim and commenced its cultivation. He now has a pleasant homestead, having added 720 acres to the original purchase. This is all on- der cultivation, being under the plow or in pasture, and the entire amount fenced. On the farm is a fine orchard of 125 apple trees, in good bearing condition, and success has also been achieved in the raising of smaller fruits. In 1879, a fine residence was erected ou the homestead, which was two stories in height, and 24x16 feet in size, There is
a substantial barn with other suitable outbuildings.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler have been born two children, both daughters, the eldest of whom is Emma D., a young lady of considerable artistic skill, and quite proficient with the pencil and brush. Their home is decorated with some very creditable work, the results of her efforts, and among them special mention belongs to a fine landscape of the Yosemite Valley, and also portraits of the members of the family. She is a graduate in music at the Campbell University in Holton, Kan. The younger daughter, Edna D., is being educated for a teacher, having quite an ambition in that direction. She is now attending school at Whiting. Mrs. Wheeler is a member of the Baptist Church, toward thic ad- vancement of which Mr. Wheeler is ever ready to contribute liberally of his means. He is, politic- ally, a Democrat, and has served successfully as Township Trustee for three terms.
ON. PETER DICKSON. This name is fa- miliar throughout the length and breadth of Jackson County, as being that of one of its oldest and most honored pioneers. He came to Kansas in 1856, before it had been ad- mitted into the Union as a State and has since been closely identified with its most important in- terests. He was born in New York State Jnly 17, 1834, and was the son of Peter and Charlotte (Hackett) Dickson, who were natives of Scotland.
The parents of Mr. Dickson came to America in 1830. The father was a carpet manufacturer by trade and a stanch Presbyterian, in the doctrines of which church he had been carefully trained from childhood. The mother was one of the old Scotch Covenanters. Peter Dickson, Sr., was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, keeping himself posted upon the leading events of the day and tak- ing an especially active part in politics. He spent his last years in Wisconsin, departing this life in 1873. The mother died in Wisconsin in 1855. The paternal grandfather was William Dickson. a linen- maker by trade and a native of Scotland, who . spent his last years in that country.
Peter and Charlotte Dickson were the parents of
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six children, all of whom lived to mature years. The eldest son, William, served as a soldier in the Mexican War and later in the Civil War; he is now a resident of Iowa. Thomas, likewise a sol- dier of the Union Army, died in Wiseonsin; Gil- bert was killed in the Mexican War; Peter, our subject, was next in order of birth ; John is a well- to-do farmer of Grant Township, Jackson County; Alice became the wife of George M. Lowery, of Clinton, Mass., and died some years ago.
The Dickson family emigrated from the Empire State to Wisconsin in 1850, settling in Lafayette County. The father entered a traet of land from the Government from which he improved a farm and which constituted his home until his death, in 1873, at the age of seventy years. The mother had passed away prior to the decease of her hus- band, when about fifty years old. Peter, like his brothers and sisters, were reared on a farm and re- ceived his early education in the common school, enjoying advantages far inferior to the young people of the present day. The country was wild and new and the children were required to be use- ful about the homestead as far as was possible. Young Dickson, however, was always a student and read at night by the open fireplace and this together with his habits of thought and observa- tion, conspired to make him a thoroughly educated and well-informed man.
In 1856, when a youth of nineteen years, young Dickson left the parental roof, starting out for him- self in the world. Coming to Jackson County, Kan., he took up a traet of land in Grant Town- ship, of which he has since been a resident. He was the first Free Soil settler on Banner Creek and an active participant in the troubles which then distressed the unhappy Territory. He was stren- uousty opposed to slavery and enlisted under the banner of John Brown, being with him in many of the scenes which followed prior to his arrest and detention at Harper's Ferry.
In 1860 Mr. Dickson engaged as a wagon-master for the Government and was thus occupied until 1868, engaged principally in freighting supplies across the plains from Ft. Leavenworth and fre- quently went with his train from there to Fts. Riley and Kearney, Denver, Col., Ft. Laramie and Wind-
gate and as far as Salt Lake City. At the expiration of his serviees in that capacity he became a Gov- ernment Surveyor and operated thus until 1874. That year he was elected County Surveyor of Jackson County, which office he held for a period of ten years. He gradually went up step by step until in 1884 he was chosen by the Republican party as their Representative in the Kansas Legislature, serving one term. In 1888 he was elected one of the Trustees of Grant Township, which office he still holds.
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