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 58
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 58
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 58
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To Mr. and Mrs. Brown there has been born a family of seven children, viz: William S. and George M. who are farming in Liberty Township; Laura Ellen, the wife of James Dick, of Jackson County ; Samuel C., Green C., Mary Jane and John T., who are at home with their parents. Mrs. Brown is a consistent member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Brown, politically, supports the principles of the Independent party. He officiates as School Director in his district and during the late war served in the State Militia seven months. He has abundant faith in the future of Kansas and has never failed to raise a crop each 'year, a fact which he doubtless owes to his wise management.
The marriage of Samuel Brown with Miss Nancy Pope, a native of Indiana, was celebrated at the bride's home in Missouri, July 24, 1860. Mrs. Brown was the daughter of George W. Pope, a native of North Carolina who came to Kansas in 1860, settling in what is now Straight Creek Town- ship. Thence he removed to Jefferson Township, where his death took place in 1876, at the age of seventy-five years. He was a commissioned officer in the Indian War under Gen. Harrison. The mother is still living and is now aged eighty-four.
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Both united many years ago with the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Pope was a highly respected citizen, a man of good habits and it was said that he did not have an enemy in the world. The pa- rental household ineluded six children, of whom Mrs. Brown was the fourth in order of birth.
OHN H. REED. Among the many attraet- ive farms in Jackson County, that occupied by our subject presents an air of thrift and careful tillage, which does credit to its owner and manager. The eighty aeres which comprise it are located on seetion 10, Jefferson Township, and are marked with such improvements as are usually made by a man of progressive ideas and enterpris- ing methods. If the estate is not so large as many in the county it is a home of comfort and abund- ance, and one of which any man might well be pleased to be the owner. It has been in possession of Mr. Reed but ten years, and when purchased by him was in the wild and primitive condition of the native Kansas prairie, and he has labored . under some disadvantage, as his health was injured in the I'nion service, but perseverance and good manage ment have accomplished the end which he had in view and brought the estate to its present fine con- dition.
The parents of our subjeet were Daniel and Polly (Burrows) Reed, the father a native of Ver- mont and the mother of Rhode Island. Daniel Reed was a farmer, and as early as 1839 took up his abode in Winnebago County, Ill., among the first settlers there, buying a elaim which he improved and made his home during the remainder of his life. lle was a prominent farmer of his county and a leader in polities. Prior to 1852 he was a Demo- erat, but from that time on he was a Republican, and was one of the founders of that party. He was never a candidate for office nor could he be pre- vailed upon to run for any position. Though a quiet and reserved man by nature, he possessed strong convictions, and was ontspoken in his con- victions, these qualities giving him his prominent place among the citizens. His death occurred Jan, 1, 1857, at the age of sixty-five years. His wife,
whose death had preceded his, it having occurred. Oet. 23, 1855, when she was fifty-five years old, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in her early life an active and devoted worker in the cause of Christianity. Their family consisted of nine children, five of whom are still living, our sub- jeet being the only one who resides in this State. John Burrows, the maternal grandfather of our subjeet, was, like his daughter, a native of Rhode Island, and was for a number of years engaged in the real-estate business in New York. He was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War.
The gentleman whose name initiates this sketeb was born in Steuben County, N. Y., in 1830, and remained with his father on the farm until twenty- one years of age, receiving the training of the common schools and of one term in a graded school. Upon leaving the parental fireside on attaining his majority, he began a mereantile business at Peca- toniea, Ill., which he continued until 1857, when the financial crash of that year ruined him. He then went to Linn County, Iowa. where he bought a farm and made that his home until the spring of 1862, when he enlisted in the 18th Iowa Infantry, being enrolled as a private, but having risen to the rank of Sergeant before his discharge a year later. The only important battle in which he took part was that in Newtonia, Mo.
After receiving his discharge, Mr. Reed returned to Lynn County, Iowa, and resumed farming, con- tinuing this occupation there until the spring of 1867. lIe then went to Union County, and began railroad work as a foreman, about six years being spent by him in that county, when his location was changed to Lavette County, Kan., his occupation remaining the same. In 1879 Mr. Reed came to this county and purchased and began the improve- ment of the land which he now occupies, and where he has earned the reputation of a first-class farmer.
Mr. Reed has been twice married. The first ceremony took place in the fall of 1853, and the bride was Miss Lydia A. Losee, a native of the Empire State. She was removed from her mourning family by death in the fall of 1867, aged thirty-two years. She was a member of the Baptist Church and a woman whose excellent qualities were felt throughout the home. She had borne five children.
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Of these Henry Herbert, Nellie May, and Emma Alice died in childhood. Marion L. is now a fore- man on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. Franklin Sherman is at home and occupied in farm- ing.
On the 14th of June, 1868, Mr. Reed contracted his second matrimonial alliance, the bride being Miss Matilda A. Wheaton, of Ohio. This union has resulted in the birth of six children, named respectively : Eva Julia, Charles Ross, Alta, Bertie, Nelson Tice and Cora.
Mr. Reed belongs to the G. A. R., A. F. & A. M., and the Farmers' Alliance. IIe is well posted in re- gard to the political issues of the day, and has always taken an active part in politics, and being a good talker he exerts quite an influence over those who are less well informed than he. He is a man of in- telligence on all current topics, and is always ready and willing to bear his part in all enterprises which are for the common good. These characteristics of mind and will make him a leader in his locality, and his character is given its deserved measure of respect. He is a self-made man, and the comforta- ble financial standing which he now enjoys is the result of his labors since coming here. Mrs. Reed is a member of the United Brethren Church, and has a deservedly high reputation wherever she is known.
LFRED NEWMAN, one of the oldest set- tlers of Jackson County, came to this re- gion as early as 1858, while Kansas was still a Territory. He was born in Wind- sor County, Vt., in 1824, and is the son of John and Mary (Bryant) Newman, who were natives re- spectively of Vermont and New Hampshire. The maternal grandfather, Mathew Bryant, was born in England, and crossed the Atlantic in time to assist the Colonists in their struggle for independence, doing valiant service as a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War. He was a man of large intellectual capacities, well-educated, and the master of seven languages.
John Newman, the father of our subject, was a farmer by occupation, and a leading member of the Baptist Church, with which his estimable wife
was also connected. They spent their last years in Vermont. They were the parents of six chil- dren. Alfred was reared on a farm in the Green Mountain State, pursuing the common branches of study in the district school, and becoming familiar with the art of agriculture as proseeuted in New England. When twenty-one years old, he com- menced working ont, and on the 10th of Novem- ber, 1851, took nuto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Helen C. Cady. Mrs. Newman was born in Windsor County, Vt., in April, 1831, and was the daughter of Elias H. and Sarah (Cooley) Cady, the father a native of Cornish, and the mother of Charleston, N. H. Mr. Cady was a carpenter by trade, and later operated as a contractor and builder. He also carried on merchandising. The family was of English descent.
Immediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Newman took up their abode in Manchester, N.H., where Mr. Newman entered the employ of the Manchester Manufacturing Company, with whom he continued six years. At the expiration of this time, he determined to seek the Far West, and coming to Kansas, pre-empted 160 acres of land in Jefferson Township. He proceeded in true pioneer style to improve his property, and lived upon it until 1884. His first trading-place and mail sta- tion was at Atehison, forty-two miles away. Upon selling out, he removed to the vicinity of Circle- ville, purchasing forty-one acres of land adjoining the town, and upon this has established a comfort- able home. To him and his estimable wife there have been born four children, one of whom, a daughter, Myra, died in infaney; Flora I. is the wife of William Sager, a farmer of Clifton Town- ship, Washington County; Charles T. and Effie M. died when young. Mr. and Mrs. Newman are mem- bers in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Newman has officiated as Class-Leader and Steward. During the Civil War, as a member of the State militia, he took part in the defense of the border against the rebel raider, Price, heing in active service several weeks. He was the Postmaster of Ontario for fifteen years. Politically, he is a sound Republican, and keeps him- self thoroughly posted on State and National events. HIe has abundant faith in the future of Kansas, and
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keeps himself closely identified with its most im- portant interests. To the parents of Mr. Newman there were born six sons: Edward enlisted as a Union soldier, and died in Baltimore while on his way to the front; he left a wife and two children in Vermont. William and George are residents of Marshall County, this State, the former located near Blue Rapids. Albert, the twin brother of Alfred, was a surgeon in the Union army during the late war, and is now living at Lawrence, Kan .; Dennis is a resident of Texas.
ASHER II. BROUS. The surroundings of a family are usually indicative of their char- acter and taste. The Brous residence, finely situated amidst the agricultural dis- tricts of Blue Township, Pottawatomie County, is a stately-looking, square, two-story stone edifice near the Blue River, in the midst of a natural grove and with its surroundings invariably attraets the atten- tion of the passing traveler. It is neatly and taste- fully furnished and the indications are that the domestic life of the occupants has been made pleas- ant by all the accessories which refinement and education demand. It is a home indeed pleasant to look upon and one whose builder deserves ample recognition in a work designed to perpetuate the names of the leading men of Pottawatomie County.
Born in the little town of Easton, Pa., Oet. 26, 1817, Mr. Brous has thus arrived at the ripe age of seventy-two years. He is the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Gransbeek) Brous, and is descended on his father's side from a German ancestor, who sometime during the 16th century sold his mill property in the Fatherland and with his family set out for America on a sailing vessel. His money was put on board in a chest, but he died at sea before reaching the promised land and the chest being lost or stolen, his wife and two sons were sold for their passage. Adam, one of the sons, was fated to go to Virginia; Henry, the other son, was sold to a man living about nine miles above Philadelphia, for whom he worked on a farm until he was twenty- Mr. Brous was six years of age when his father one years old. Then obtaining his release, he , moved into the city of Philadelphia where he made
settled near the city of Brotherly Love and was married, but to whom it is not known, as there were no records kept in those days. His son Henry, father of our subject, married Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Gransbeck, a native of Hesse, Germany, who was sold by the Prince of Hesse- Cassell as one of the Hessian soldiers to the British and sent over to aid in subduing the colonists. Not liking his servitude he deserted and joined the forees of Gen. Washington in New Jersey. He died when about seventy-five years old in Philadelphia. His wife survived him, living to be ninety-nine years old, and died in the same house.
Henry Brous, one of the children of the above- mentioned pair and the father of our subject, was born and reared near Philadelphia and received a limited education in the common schools. Ile po- sessed, however, a natural talent for mathematies and succeeded by his own efforts in acquiring suffi- cient knowledge to make of him a more than ordi- narily intelligent citizen. Ile learned the trade of cabinet-making, at which he became an expert and followed this till his death, in 1855, at the age of seventy-eight years. The wife and mother passed away in 1843, at the age of fifty-five years.
The record of the nine children born to Henry and Elizabeth Brous is as follows: Evelina married William Shaleross, a coach-maker, and died in Philadelphia in 1859, leaving two children; her husband is also deceased. Elizabeth married Ilenry Stanwood, a coach-trimmer, who is now deceased, and she died in 1857, leaving four children; Lewis worked at his trade of a carpenter until old age compelled him to retire and he is living in Phila- delphia; he married Miss Mary Dobson and they have one daughter living. Henry became a ma- chinist and draftsman and died in North Carolina in 1847 ; Emma married James Wagner, a carpen- ter, who died in Raleigh, N. C., leaving no chil- dren ; she is deceased. Charles married Miss Emma Campbell and occupied himself as a carpenter until his death in Philadelphia in 1886; he left no chil- dren surviving. John. a machinist of Philadelphia, is married and has a family of three children ; Wes. ley died when four years of age.
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his home thereafter for twenty-six years. After leaving school he began to learn cabinet-making, serving four years under the instruction of his fa- ther. For the next four years he worked in a car- penter shop. Later he became a member of the firm of Knight, Van Kirk & Co., who were engaged in the manufacture of all the materials for umbrel- las and parasols except the stretchers and ribs. The main factory was in Philadelphia and they had a salesroom in New York. A year later, however, Mr. Brous severed his connection with this firm and engaged in the manufacture of gas fixtures in New York City. Two years later he removed his stock to Chicago, Il1., where he soon sold out. Then en- tering the employ of Hutchinson & McFarland, he began selling similar goods for them. He con- tinued to reside in Chicago until 1855, then com- ing to Kansas settled on his present place, consisting of 170 acres of land on the east side of the Blue River, opposite the city of Manhattan, in Pottawattomic County. Upon this land he has since lived and built up one of the best farms in this region.
The wedding of Jasher II. Brous and Miss Martha Brennan was celebrated at the bride's home Oct. 26, 1848, but the young wife died eight months later in the same city. On Oct. 10. 1850, Mr. Brous contracted a second marriage with Miss Josephine, daughter of Rezin and Maria ( Robert- son) Arnold. Mrs. Josephine Brous was born in Cadiz, Ohio, Sept. 30, 1825. Her father was a na- tive of Fayette County, Pa., and her mother was born in Leesburg, Va. The Arnold family was originally from England and members of the first colony that settled in the Keystone State. Her ma- ternal great-grandfather was a Scotchman. Mr. Arnold served under Gen. Harrison in the War of 1812. Josephine was the eldest in a family of eleven .children. Marion was a member of the Ist Ohio Light Artillery commanded by ex-Sen- ator Dorsey, and served all through the late Civil War, and never was wounded. He is living in Manhattan, and is the employ of the E. B. Purcell Mercantile Company. Ile married Miss Mary Bow- den, and they have one child. William S. died in California about twenty years ago, leaving a wife and three children. Maria L. is the wife of Dr.
Whitehorn, a practicing physician of Los Angeles, Cal., and they have two children. Laura married D. W. Lane, a carpenter, and they live in Bala, Riley County, this State; they are the parents of four children. Benton is unmarried and working as a carpenter in St. Louis, Mo .; Amanda is a teacher in the public schools of Manhattan ; Robert during the late Civil War served as a member of Company G, 11th Kansas Infantry and died in the army at the age of twenty-four years. His remains fill a soldier's grave in the cemetery at Springfield, Mo. Jolin served in Company F, 6th Kansas Cavalry, and died from the effects of fatigue after a four days' battle; James is unmarried, is a mechanical engin- eer, making his home in Leadville, Col .; Charles, unmarried, is a master mechanic in the employ of the Denver & Colorado Railway Company.
The elder Arnold understood the art of powder- making and during his service in the army was sent home to Cadiz, Ohio, where he manufactured powder and sent it forward for the use of the troops. He came to Kansas in 1855, settling first in Manhattan. He spent his last years in Blue Township, dying at the advanced age of seventy- two. The mother also died sometime afterward, and was sixty-seven years of age. The eight chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Brous are recorded as follows: Harry A. unmarried, is a prominent physi- cian of Philadelphia, Pa .; Alfred H. is a rising young lawyer of Manhattan, Kan. ; Wilber J. married Miss Carrie Enoch, is the father of two children and op- erates as a druggist in Armourdale, this State; Frank D. is with his brother, Wilber; Louis P. is an architect and Florence J. is a teacher, both of whom are in Armourdale; Addie and Clarence are both deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Brous are members in good stand- ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which Mr. Brous has been connected for the long period of fifty years. Although a steadfast Republican Mr. Brous has taken no part in politics otherwise than to serve occasionally as a delegate to the county conventions. His sons are capable and fine-looking men and bis daughter is more than or- dinarly fair and intelligent. They have all been well educated and no doubt will follow in the footsteps of their honored parents as good and useful mem-
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bers of their community. The family occupies a high social position and has contributed in no small degree in encouraging the varions enterprises calenlated to benefit their community, socially, morally and financially.
S AMUEL RUDY. A well-regulated farm of 298 acres indicates in a marked manner the industry and perseverance which have been the leading features in the makeup of Mr. Rudy. He is one of the honored pioneers of Soldier Township, Jackson County, of which he has been a resident for the past twenty-four years. He was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1834, and is the son of Rudolph and Elizabeth ( Harrold- son) Rudy who were natives of Germany. The parents emigrated to America during the early set- tlement of Muskingum County, Ohio, where they located and were numbered among its leading pioneers. The father secured a tract of land from the wilderness from which he built up a comfort- able homestead and there spent the remainder of his days, dying at a ripe old age, in 1881. The mother also died at the homestead, some years before. Both were devout members of the Roman Catholic Church.
To the parents of our subject there was born a family of eight. children, six of whom are living. John died in Ohio, leaving a family; Elizabeth is the widow of Samuel Fairbanks of Soldier Town. ship; Ellen is the wife of Samuel Aux of Ohio; Samuel was the fourth in order of birth; William is a resident of Manhattan, this State; Maggie is the wife of John Conkling of Mexico, Mo .; Thomas is farming in Soldier Township.
Mr. Rudy learned the art of farming early in life and acquired his education in the common school. Ile left home prior to reaching his ma- jority and for a number of years was employed as a farm laborer. When twenty-eight years old he was married April 8, 1862, to Miss Mary Francis. Mrs. Rudy was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, and is the daughter of Joseph and Elizabetlı (Wilkins) Francis who were natives of Virginia, whenee they emigrated at an early day to the
Buckeye State. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Rudy settled upon a rented farm in Ohio, where they sojourned until June, 1864. The Civil War being then in progress Mr. Rudy, laying aside his personal plans and interests, proffered his services in defense of the Union, enlisting in Company D, 159th Ohio Infantry. He was required to serve, however, only three months, returning then to his farm and his family.
Mr. Rudy remained in Ohio until the spring of 1866 and then coming to Kansas took up his abode in Soldier Township and for six years thereafter farmed on rented land. At the expiration of this time he purchased ninety-two acres on section 20 and later added to his landed possessions, bringing the whole to a good state of cultivation. Ile is now well to do, with a sufficiency of this world's goods to insure him against want in his old age. When becoming a voter he identified himself with the Republican party of whose principles he is still an ardent supporter. He is a member in good standing of the G. A. R., at Soldier, and a man universally respected wherever known.
HOMAS P. RUDY. The farming and stock- raising interests of Soldier Township, Jackson County, recognize in Mr. Rudy one of its leading men, a citizen well-to-do, liberal and public-spirited and who is widely and favorably known among the people of this region. He is a man of decided views, a stanch supporter of the Re- publican party and has held the various offices of his township, discharging the duties of each with that eare and fidelity which are among the leading traits of his character in all his transactions. He makes his headquarters on a well-regulated farm, occupy- ing a portion of section 22. He is the owner alto- gether of 645 broad acres which are finely adapted to the care and feeding of stoek, of which Mr. Rudy ships from twenty-five to fifty carloads an- Dually.
A native of Muskingum County. Ohio, Mr. Rudy was born Sept. 24, 1842, and is the son of Rudolph and Elizabeth (Highholster) Rudy, who were natives of Germany and spent their last years
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in Ohio. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and remained a resident of his native State until a man of thirty-seven years. Then, in 1862, coming to Kansas he entered a tract of land in Soldier Township, Jackson County, and commenced in true pioneer style to improve a farm. He was prospered in his labors and subsequently added eighty acres to his real-estate possessions and continued to buy land until he has become one of the leading land-holders in the county. His career has been that essentially of a self-made man and is worthy of emulation by those who com- mence in life dependent upon their own resources.
The subject of this sketch was married Aug. 7, 1862, to Miss Louisa Francis, who was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, Sept. 16, 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Rudy came to Kansas after their marriage. There have been born to them eight children, the eldest of whom, a son, Joseph E., is now a pros- perous farmer of Soldier Township. Rose is the wife of Jack McDonald of Jackson County; Mary is the wife of George Faidley of Illinois; Samuel, Pearl and T. Arch, are at home with their parents. Alice died when nine years old and an infant died unnamed. Mr. Rudy cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln, being then a member of the Re- publican party of whose principles he has since been an ardent supporter. He has held the various township offices, but has little ambition for the honors and emoluments of public life, preferring to give his attention to his legitimate business.
E ZRA S. JOHNSON. This gentleman repre- sents farm property to the amount of 450 broad acres, finely located on sections 24, 27 and 28, in Vienna Township. He came to this section in the spring of 1878, and after taking up a tract of land improved the farm and occupied it many years. Then retiring from active labor he removed to Onago, where he occupies a neat resi- dence and is surrounded by all the comforts of life. He still has the supervision of his farm, which yields him a handsome income.
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