Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 59

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 59
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 59
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 59

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).

Mr. Johnson has been a permanent resident of Kansas since 1872. He for a time lived in the vi-

cinity of Highland, Doniphan County. He came to the Territory in 1859, and in October, 1861, re- turned to Illinois. During the Civil War he attempted to enlist in the army, but on account of a frozen foot was rejected. He was born in Bond County, that State, Sept. 24, 1838.

The subject of this sketch was well reared by his excellent parents. His father, James Johnson, was born near Nashville, Tenn., and was the son of Charles Johnson, a native of North Carolina. The latter, it is believed, emigrated to Tennessee when a young man, and was married to Miss Polly Hus. ton. After the birth of several children he, in 1817, emigrated to Illinois, settling on what is now known as Looking Glass Prairie, on Shoal Creek, Bond Connty. The country was then new and unbroken, and they were the earliest settlers. Grandfather Johnson and his wife endured all the hardships and privations of life on the frontier, but succeeded in their efforts at building up a home. Mr. Johnson, after a few years began to feed and breed cattle at the time when the city of St. Louis was a hamlet called Choteau. Charles Johnson eventually became a large land-owner and lived to see the country slowly settling up with a prosper- ous and intelligent people. Both he and his excel- lent wife lived to be ripe in years. Mr. Johnson was a Methodist in religion and a Whig in politics.

James Johnson, the father of our subject, was the fourth in a large family of children, and was reared to manhood in Bond County, Ill., to which he went when, probably, a boy of ten years. Later he returned to Tennessee and was married, in Dixon County, that State, to Miss Elizabeth Volentine. This lady was born and reared in Dixon County, of North Carolina parents who had emigrated to Tennessee about the time of their marriage. Her father, Benjamin Volentine, was a farmer by occu- pation, and died in middle Tennessee, when about sixty years old. He had married Miss Jane Mc- Masters, who survived her husband and in the spring of 1851 removed to Bond County, Ill .; she died four years later, at the advanced age of eighty- four. Both she and her husband were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

After his marriage James Johnson returned with his bride to Illinois, and theybegan life in true pio-

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neer style on a new farm. In the spring of 1849 Mr. Johnson was seized with the California gold fever and set out accompanied by others with ox- teams to cross the plains. His was one of the first trains to make the journey, and they arrived at their destination after five months of tedious travel, landing in Sacramento City. Mr. Johnson had left Illinois greatly impaired in healthi, but instead of recuperating as he hoped. he died three weeks after reaching his destination. He was in the prime of life, aged only forty-two years. He was known as a good citizen and a worthy member of his com- munity. The wife and mother is yet living, and makes her home with her daughter, Miss Mary Johnson, in Ilolton. She is now eighty-one years old, and retains her membership in the Presbyterian Church, with which she united some years ago. Formerly, for the long period of forty years, she belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Johnson is a lady greatly beloved by her friends and children, being of that cheerful and genial dis- position which invariably commands respect and affection.

The subject of this notice was the third child of his parents, whose family consisted of two sons and three daughters, all of whom are living. Ile was a lad of eleven years at the time of his father's death, and assisted his mother as well as he could during the struggles which followed. The latter kept her children together and gave them a good, practical education. They are all living: Ora fol- lowed the profession of a teacher for over thirty years ; she is now the proprietor of a large millin- ery store in Greenville, Ill. Mary J. likewise fitted herself for the profession of a teacher, and con- ducted her first school before reaching the fifteenth year of her age; she followed teaching for many years. E. S. was the next in order of birth; Charles B. is a prominent physician and surgeon of Cham- paign, Ill .; he served as a soldier in the Union army three years during the late war, having enlisted when but seventeen years old. Emina C.is the wife of B. D. Williams, a stockman of Highland, Doniphan County, this State.

The subject of this sketch was married, in l'ot- tawatomie County, Kan., Feb. 20, 1884, to Miss Lizzie St. John, Mrs. Johnson was born in Marion

County, Ind., May 11, 1850; she came to Kansas with her parents in 1868. Her father, James St. John, is a cousin of the ex-Governor of that name, and is a prominent farmer of Louisville Township. Mrs. Johnson pursued her first studies in the com- mon schools of Indiana and completed her education in Kansas. Subsequently she taught school for some time before her marriage. No children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, but they have an adopted son, Eddy H., who was born Feb. 2, 1881, in New York. They are prominent members of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Johnson, in pol- ities is a sound Republican. Socially, he is Noble Grand in Subordinate Lodge, No. 234, I. O. O. F. at Onaga.

EREMIAH CHUBB. This name is familiar to most of the older residents of Douglas Township, and is recognized as belonging to one of its most substantial citizens. Mr. Chubb is a thorough-going farmer, taking a just pride in what he has accomplished by persevering industry and good management. He has one of the most valuable farms in his township, whereon he has erected first-class buildings-indeed the best in the county, being of modern architecture, conveniently arranged and well-suited to the gen- eral purposes of agriculture. The dwelling is a tasteful and commodious structure, and with the main barn, invariably attracts the attention of the passer-by. Mr. Chubb makes a specialty of live- stock, feeding annually large numbers of cattle and swine, from which he realizes handsome re- turns.

The subject of this sketch was born in Daupbin County, Pa., Oct, 14, 1832, and was reared there on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools. When a youth of sixteen years he com- menced learning the trade of a carpenter, which he followed afterward for many years, traveling about considerably, and in the meantime working as opportunity presented. He finally resolved to seek his fortunes in the far West, and in 1857, coming to Kansas, "squatted" on a tract of land before its survey by the Government. When the land came

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into market he purchased it, and then having se- cured the title to his property, returned East, and remained a short time among the friends and ac- quaintances of his childhood.

We next find Mr. Chubb in Mobile, Ala., where he sojourned until the outbreak of the Civil War. Soon afterward he returned to his native State and joined the State Militia, with which he remained one month. In 1865 he returned to Kansas, and followed carpentering until 1874. That year he purchased 300 acres of land on section 21, Douglas Township, Jackson County, from which he con- structed his present fine farm. The residence, mostly of his own architecture, is large and commo- dious, finely finished with hard wood, and conve- niently arranged for the comfort of the family. The homestead is considered one of the most attractive and valuable in Jackson County. Since his first purchase Mr. Chubb has added a quarter- seetion to his possessions, and is now the owner of 480 acres adjoining the Pottawatomie Reserve, and seventeen miles from Topeka, the capital of the State.

Mr. Chubb came to Kansas with a capital of $300, and like the wise man of Scripture, has added to his talent tenfold. He raises each year a large quantity of corn, all of which is fed to his stock. He was first married in Iowa, in 1868, to Miss Sarah Mitchell, whose acquaintance he had made in Pennsylvania, and whom he followed to Iowa, whither she had removed with her parents. Her father, Mathew Mitchell, is still living and a resident of the Hawkeye State. Of this union there was born one son, Harvey G., and the wife and mother died at her home in Topeka, April 23, 1872.

On the 22d of October, 1873, Mr. Chubb was married the second time to Miss Kate Alkire. This lady was a daughter of Michael Alkire, of Ohio, a Captain in the Union army, and who emigrated to Kansas in 1865. He carried on farming and handled large numbers of sheep and great quan- tities of wool. Ile is still living, being now a resi- dent of Colorado and engaged in mining. Of this union there have been born four children, namely : Franklin C., Ada B., Arthur A. and Walter B. Mr. Chubb is naturally of a very industrious and enter-

prising disposition. and is quite skillful as a me- chanie, and plans his own buildings, besides doing much of the work upon them. Socially, he be- longs to the I. O. O. F., and with his estimable wife, is a member in good standing of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. Politically, he affiliates with the Republican party. He has served as Township Clerk two terms, and is the present Town- ship Treasurer. During his residence in Topeka, he served as a member of the City Council, and was Chairman of the Purchasing Committee which bought the first team for the fire department in that city.

The father of our subject was Henry Chubb, a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent, a weaver by trade, and who also engaged in farming. He spent his entire life in his native State, dying in 1874. He married Miss Nancy Miller, a daughter of John Miller, a Pennsylvania farmer, and there were born to them eleven children, of whom Jere- miah was the sixth in order of birth. Of this large family seven children are living. three mak- ing their homes in Kansas and the others in Penn- sylvania.

OIIN ARNOLD. The pioneer clement of Garfield Township, Jackson County, recog- nizes in Mr. Arnold one of its most worthy representatives. He came to the Sunflower State as early as 1857, while it was yet a Territory, settling first among the wilds of Leavenworth County, in the spring of the year. He remained there, however, only a few weeks, then changed his residence to Jackson County, settling on see- tion 27, Straight Creek Township, where he lived until 1865. That year he removed to Garfield Township, of which he has since been a resident. He secured land on section 6, and added to his possessions, until he is now the owner of 400 broad aeres, 320 of which are in Straight Creek Town- ship and the balance in Garfield Township; the lat- ter comprises the homestead. A fine set of buildings graces the home farm, while there are fruit and shade trees, a goodly assortment of live-stock, im- proved machinery, and all the other appurtenances usually accompanying the well-regulated country

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estate. Mr. Arnold is looked upon as one of the most liberal-minded and public-spirited citizens of his township. In politics he is a sound Repub- lican, and in religion belongs to the Lutheran Church.

The native place of Mr. Arnold was in the King- dom of Bavaria, Germany, and the date of his birth Sept. 6, 1831. He lived there until a boy of thirteen years, and then emigrated with his parents to America, they settling in Westmoreland County, Pa. Young Arnold sojourned in the Keystone State until reaching his majority, completing his education in the common schools and becoming familiar with farming pursuits. In the meantime he had made one visit to the West, looking over a portion of the State of Iowa, but only remaining about six months. Then, returning to Pennsyl- vania, he continued there until 1857, when he came to Kansas as already stated. His subsequent move- ments have been heretofore mentioned. In West- moreland County, Pa., Mr. Arnold was married, in July, 1855, to Miss Anna M. Hunker. Mrs. Arn- old was a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, and by her union with our subject became the mother of six children. She departed this life at the homestead, in Garfield Township, Sept. 25, 1872. Their eldest daughter, Adeline, is the wife of Will- iam Strowig, of Wabaunsee Connty, Kan .; Leonard lives in Straight Creek Township; the two younger children, Grant and Frank, remain at home with their father. John, the second son, died in Gar- field Township when a promising young man of twenty-three years; Mary C. is the wife of San- ford Eubanks, of Straight Creek Township.

C LAYBURN C. PIGG. This gentleman, a Kansas pioneer of 1866, came to Jackson County in the spring of that year, and the following year purchased 120 acres of land on sec- tion 24, Cedar Township. This was but slightly removed from its primitive condition, but under the wise management of the present proprietor has become a well-cultivated farm, from which he har- vests a good income. He has been more than or- dinarily fortunate, having had full crops each year

with the exception of 1874, suffering that year a failure ..

There were no public roads in this township when Mr. Pigg came to Jackson County, and he has thus been a witness of the remarkable changes which have made Kansas one of the most prosper- ous commonwealths west of the Mississippi. After farming continuously for ten years he engaged as a general merchant in the small village of South Cedar, adjacent to his farm. After one year, how- ever, his stock and store were destroyed by fire which resulted in considerable loss, there being very little insurance. Mr. Pigg then went back to his farm to which he has since given his undivided at- tention. He is a member in good standing of the G. A. R., and politically a sound Republican, favor- ing prohibition.

The subject of this sketch was born in Warren County, Tenn., Feb. 28, 1837, and was reared on a farm, acquiring a common-school education. When he was two years old his parents leaving the South emigrated to Moultrie County, Ill., where they lived ten years. They then removed to Sul- livan County, Ind., and after a residence of eight years there pushed on further Westward, across the Mississippi into Ringgold County, Iowa. There Clayburn C. developed into manhood, and upon leaving the home roof went to Missouri where he remained until the outbreak of the Civil War. . In the meantime, in 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth C. Smith, danghter of John R. Smith of Pennsylvania. Mr. Smith, upon leaving the Keystone State, removed first to Ohio, then to Illinois, later to Iowa, from there to Missouri, and finally to Jackson County, Kan., where his death ocenrred in October, 1886. He followed farming and milling through life. He was the son of Dan- iel Smith, a native of Germany, and a powder- maker by trade. Grandfather Smith, upon emigrating to America, settled in Pennsylvania where he spent the remainder of his days.

At the time of his marriage Mr. Pigg was en- gaged as a farm laborer in Missouri, and during the early part of the war, in 1861, being a Union man, he was compelled by the rebels to leave the State or lose his life. He returned to Iowa, where he re- mained until 1863, then went back to Missouri and

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enlisted in Company L, 7th Missouri State Militia, in which he served one year. He then veteran- ized in Company H, 13th Missouri Veterans, and served until the close of the war, being engaged in many battles. He was twice captured, once at Independence and once near Lexington, but only remained a short time with his captors, and until he and they were retaken by his own men. Mr. Pigg received his honorable discharge at Rolla. Mo., and returned to Iowa, where he remained un- til coming to this county.

Clayburn Pigg, Sr., the father of our subject, was a native of Virginia, whence he removed to Tennessee when a young man, and was there mar- ried to Miss Lucinda Wamack. Grandfather Wamack was a native of Germany, whence he em- igrated to America at an early day, settling in Tennessee, where he spent his last days. To the parents of our subject there was born a family of eight children, Clayburn, Jr., being the youngest. To him and his estimable wife there have been born the following children : Lucinda, Martha, John R., William C., Thomas A., James R., Emma M., Ransom. Elsie M. These, with the exception of two, are all living. Lucinda died in 1881, when twenty-three years old, and Charles H. died at the age of eleven months, in 1873.

NDREW BUMGARDNER. In a commu- nity of intelligent men the casual observer would, perhaps, detect little difference in their daily lives and experiences, although the world over it is impossible to find two individ- uals exactly alike. Each one, however,performs some share, either for good or evil, and he of whom it can be said, he has done good and not harm to his fellow-men, is worthy of having his name perpetu- ated as one of the builders of the social structure which will exist after he has departed.

The subject of this notice, one of the worthiest citizens of Liberty Township. Jackson County, has been no unimportant factor in aiding both its moral and material interests. He is a inember of the farming community and a leading land-owner, having 460 broad acres, which have been brought

to a thorough state of cultivation, and whereon have been erected substantial buildings. The career of the proprietor has been one marked by great perseverance and industry, and in his later years he is in a condition to take life easily with- out apprehensions for the future.

Mr. Bumgardner was born in Clark County, Ohio, Feb. 15, 1831, and when a boy of eight years went with his parents to Warren County, Ind. He there developed into manhood, remain- ing a continuous resident of that county with the exception of six months spent in Ford County, Ill., until reaching his majority. In the meantime he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until after his marriage. Aside from this, he has been a life-long agriculturist.

In August, 1880, leaving Indiana, Mr. Bumgard- ner came to Kansas and purchased land on section 23 in Liberty Township, of which he has since been a resident. Stock-raising forms a leading feature of his operations, an industry in which he has been very successful. He was married, in Paxton, Ill., June 2, 1861, to Miss Sophia E. Straight. Mrs. Bumgardner was born in West Virginia, Dec. 7, 1835, and is the daughter of Jesse B. and Ada (Ilenry) Straight, who were natives of Marion County, W. Va., whence they removed to Paxton, Ford Co., Ill., and from there to Indiana, settling in Crawfordsville. There the mother died about 1886. The father is still living, at an advanced age. They had a family of nine children, six of whom are living.

To Mr. and Mrs. Bumgardner there have been born eight children, four of whom were taken from the household circle, each when about two years old, dying suddenly of croup. The sur- vivors are: Edward, Jesse B., Henry L. and Nel- lie. Mr. Bumgardner, upon becoming a voting citizen, identified himself with the Republican party, of which he has since been a strong sup- porter. Aside from holding the offices of Town- ship Treasurer and Trustee, he has mixed very little in public life. He and his wife, and all their children, are connected with the Methodist Epis- copal Church, attending services at the Bateman . School-house. Mr. Bumgardner has been Steward most of the time since coming to Kansas. A peace-

FARM RESIDENCE AND DAIRY OF HENRY NIEHAUS, SEC. 15. WHITING TOWNSHIP, JACKSON CO. KAN.

L.R.

FARM RESIDENCE OF A. BUMGARDNER, SEC.23. LIBERTY TP., JACKSON COUNTY, KAN.

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able and law-abiding citizen, he is the friend of education and progress, and is uniformly found on the side of those enterprises calculated to benefit the people-socially, morally and financially.

The parents of our subject were David and Sarah (Schoonover) Bumgardner, the father a native of the Old Dominion and the mother of Ohio. The latter died in Warren County, Ind., about 1867. David Bumgardner spent his last days in Ambia, Benton County, that State, passing away about 1886. There had been born to them a family of six children, of whom Andrew was the eldest.

In connection with this sketch we present a litho- graphic view of the home of our subject.

ENRY NIEHAUS. A very attractive farm is one situated a mile due north of Whiting, Jackson County, and the property of the the gentleman above named, who makes a specialty of raising and feeding cattle. The estate comprises 200 acres and the portion which is de- voted to the cultivation of crops has been brought to a fine state of productiveness. The entire aereage is fenced, about four miles of fencing being used on the place for boundaries and divi- sions. The land is exceptionally well watered, a spring upon it being of sufficient capacity to sup- ply the needs of the farm and 100 head of cattle the year round. The residence is a large, substan- tially constructed and neatly designed frame build- ing, 24x34 feet, and in its appropriate setting makes a fine appearance from the road. The forest trees, mostly of the poplar species, supply refreshing shade and occupy a space of about one acre, while about fifty apple trees and an adequate number of pear, cherry and peach trees, grapes and berries of various kinds, furnish an abundance of fruit.

Mr. Niehaus is a native of Hanover, Germany, and the son of another Henry Niehans, who late in life came to this State, where he died in 1877. Our subject was born July 1, 1844, and in his youth learned the trade of a cabinet-maker. He married Miss Ellen, daughter of William and Char- lotte (Muller) Lohmeyer, the former a Hanoverian

farmer. In the year 1870, Mr. Niehans emigrated to America and taking up his residence in Chicago, followed his trade there for about six years. He then with his family, which consisted of his wife and a little son, came to Kansas and settled upon eighty acres of land which he purchased of Mr. Weaver, and which forms part of his present estate. This land was already broken and he set about its more thorough cultivation, subsequently adding an eighty and a 40-aere tract adjoining, and bringing the whole to its present fine state. For a number of years past he has not only fed all the corn he could raise, but has also bought large quan- tities to supply the needs of the cattle and other stock upon the place. On his feeding lots he has erected ample sheds and stables, which prove adequate for the feeding of 100 head of cattle and hogs; and their never failing supply of water, from the crystal spring is another prime factor in his success. Mr. Niehaus has $500 worth of stock in the creamery, which was started in Whiting a few months since.

He, of whom we write, is a Republican, and takes an intelligent interest in political affairs. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. They have but one child-Henry, a lad whose estimable and devoted mother is instilling into his mind the best principles, and whose parents are giving him every advantage to obtain an ex- cellent education.

A lithographie view of the residence of our sub- ject may be found on another page of this volume.

OIIN THOMAS, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Pottawatomie County, has been a citizen of this State since 1875, when he came from Indiana and se- cured eighty acres of land in Mill Creek Township, subsequently obtaining an additional eighty, and improving the whole and making thereon a very comfortable home. The farm is well watered by good springs and is a fertile and productive tract of land. Mr. Thomas is of English descent, his grandfather having come from the mother country to America during the War of 1812, as barber to

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an English General. After the war he married a Pennsylvania lady of the old Holland stock, who after his decease married again, her second husband being a Mr. Gray.

To this couple was born a son, Samuel, the place of his birth being Ross County, Ohio. He learned the trade of a shoemaker but before many years abandoned this occupation and acquired the coop- er's trade under his step-father, Mr. Gray. In his native county he was married to Miss Asenath Odel, who was born in the Buckeye State, Jan. 13, 1800, and was a daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Odel, who after having lived many years in Ohio, in their later life moved to Warren County, Ind., dying there when about four-seore years of age. After his marriage Samuel Thomas continued to reside in his native State until after four children had been born to himself and wife, when they went to Warren County, Ind. There our subject was born Dec. 25, 1829. The parents purchased a new farm in Adams Township, being among the early settlers in the county, and after having made some improvements upon the land and lived upon it for a tinie, they removed to the town of Independence, where the father followed his trade until his death, Feb. 8, 1843. At the time of his decease he was about forty-six years old. His widow survived until September, 1873, when she died in Pine Vil- lage, being then about three-score and ten years old. Both the parents were members of the Meth- odist Church and took an active part in every good work, their home being a stopping place for the itinerant ministers for many years.

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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 59

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

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