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 60
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 60
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 60
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Our subject is one of a family of seven sons and six daughters, of whom seven reached mature years and married. Of the entire family, only five sons and four daughters are now living. The early years of our subject were spent on his father's farm and his education was obtained in the district schools. He was married in his native county to Miss Eliza A. Taylor, an intelligent and estimable lady, who was born in Sussex County, Del., March 24, 1833. Mrs. Thomas is a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth ( Wadkins) Taylor, who were natives of the same State in which she first saw the light, and were members of Pennsylvania families of the old lolland stoek. After the birth of two children,
of whom Mrs. Thomas is the eldest, Robert and Elizabeth Taylor moved to Ross County, Ohio, and there the mother died Nov. 30, 1844, at the age of thirty-four years. The father afterwards went to Indiana, and in Warren County married his second wife, Mrs. Agnes Worley Timmons, nee Smith. Mr. Taylor and his second wife subsequently located in Tippecanoe County, where the former followed his trade as a carpenter until his death at the age of forty-four years. Ilis second wife survived him some years.
The rites of wedlock between our subject and Miss Eliza Taylor, were celebrated Feb. 15, 1855, and their union has been blessed by the birth of thirteen children: Elizabeth, James, Franeis and Arthur died while quite young; Mary A. is the widow of John F. Gibson and lives in this township on a part of her father's farm; Eliza J. is the wife of George W. DeGraw, a farmer in this township; Charles E. married Miss Nellie Porter and their home is on a ranch in Arapahoe County, Col .; David S., owns a claim in Colorado on which he is living; John II. is still at home; William E. is a telegraph operator; Albert C., Emma, and Hattie A., com- plete the group around the family hearth.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas take quite an active inter- est in everything which will tend to the improve- ment of the township, and in the education of their children have done all that parental love and pride could compass and their means would allow. Mr Thomas is a Republican. Intelligent, enterprising, kindly, and of good principles, he is regarded with respect by neighbors and fellow-citizens, and his wife shares in their good will.
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W ESLEY GURTLER, senior member of the firm of Gurtler Bros., at Onaga, has as- sociated with him his brother Peter and his brother in-law, Henry Swarz, and they are con- ducting a thriving trade in. hardware. This busi- ness enterprise was established July 20, 1886, and from a modest beginning has grown to lively pro- portions. It occupies part of a convenient business block on Leonard Street. They came to Onaga from Garrison, where they had established their
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first store and where they did business three years. Wesley was formerly a farmer of Mill Creek Town- ship, in which he settled in 1869, and where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1883. He came to Kansas from Ohio, in which State he set. tled after having crossed the Atlantic from the Kingdom of Bohemia, where his birth occurred Oct. 17, 1853.
The father of our subject was John Gurtler, like- wise a native of Boliemia, and who served as a soldier in the regular army of his country for the long period of eleven years. Later he was married to Miss Barbara Velber. The wife and mother was likewise born and reared in Bohemia. After the birth of two children, Wesley and Margaret, the parents in the latter part of 1853 set out for Amer- ica on a sailing-vessel and after a voyage of four- teen weks landed in New York City. Thence they came directly Westward, locating in Van Wert County, Ohio, where the father carried on farming until the outbreak of the Civil War. At the first call for troops he enlisted in Company K, 46th Ohio Infantry, and under the command of Col. Alexander went South and fought under Gens. Sherman and Grant three years. He then veteran . ized and served another year, being in all the en- gagements of his regiment and signalizing himself as a brave and efficient soldier, and was frequently offered promotions, but on account of his limited knowledge of the English language he invariably declined. He was always to be found at his post, and he received an honorable wound at the battle of Shiloh.
Upon receiving his honorable discharge at the close of the war, John Gurtler returned to his farm in Ohio, sojourning there until in March, 1869. Then deciding upon a change of location he dis- posed of his interests in the Buckeye State, and coming to Kansas secured land in Mill Creek Town- ship, taking up his abode thereon on the 8th of March. This land lay on section 8. and was wild and uncultivated. Mr. Gurtler improved a fine farm, building up a good homestead, where he spent the remainder of his days. He departed this life in 1880, at the age sixty-two years. He was a prominent member of the Evangelical Association, and politically, an ardent supporter of the Repub-
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lican party. The mother is yet living. being now -seventy-two years old and makes her home with her children at Onaga; she likewise belongs to the Evangelical Association.
Wesley Gurtler was reared in Ohio and accom- panied his father' family to Kansas in 1869, since which time he lias has been a resident of Pottawato- mie County. He was married, in Mill Creek Township, to Miss Dora Swarz. Mrs. Gurtler was born in Illinois, Oct. 8, 1856, and is the daughter of Andrew and Dora (Seyfer) Swarz, natives of Germany, who came to America in their youth, and who were married in Illinois. They lived there on a farm until after the birth of three children. then removed to Nebraska City, Neb., from which they went to Holt County, Mo. Thence, in 1870. they came to Kansas, locating in Mill Creek Town- ship, where the father purchased 320 acres of land on section 16. Ile improved a valuable farm upon which he now lives, and with his estimable wife has attained to about the age of threescore years. Both are members in good standing of the Evan- gelical Association.
Mrs. Gurtler is the eldest living of her parents' eleven children. She attended the common school and was reared under the home roof, remaining there until her marriage. She is a prime house- keeper, industrions and frugal, and has been the efficient helpmate of her husband in all his worthy undertakings. There have been born to them three daughters-Eva. Rachel and Cara. Mr. Gurtler, politically, like his father before him, votes the straight Republican ticket, and has been Township Treasurer for three terms. He and his wife re- main loyal to the religious faith of their forefathers.
Le A FAYETTE ELLIOTT, a leading land- owner of Soldier Township, possesses the warrantee deed to 600 broad acres, 400 of which lie in Soldier Township. A man of ster- ling qualities, he is looked upon as one of the lead- ing members of his community, where he has made for himself a good record, and gained the confidenee and esteem of those around him.
The subject of this sketch was born in the State
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of Kentucky, June 15, 1833, and is the son of Lo- renzo and Margaret (Rhodes) Elliott, who were likewise natives of the Blue Grass State. The pa- ternal grandfather, Samuel Elliott, also a native of Kentucky, was a farmer by occupation, and spent his last days in Indiana. Grandfather Lewis Rhodes was also born and spent his entire life in that State. Lorenzo Rhodes, leaving his native State early in life, emigrated in 1834, to Harrison County, Ind., where he lived for a short time, then removed to Parke County. There La Fayette was reared to man's estate, receiving his education in the primi- tive schools. He remained under the parental roof until reaching his majority, and was then married, in 1850, to Miss Naney A. Crooks. This lady was born in Ohio, and is the daughter of Thomas J. Crooks, a native of that State. The mother died in Indiana, and the father is still living. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Elliott settled in the State of Indiana, where Mr. Elliott farmed on shares four years.
We next find him in Keokuk County, Iowa, where he purchased a farm, and made his home for a period of twenty-five years. In the meantime he became the owner of 420 acres of land. In 1882, leaving Iowa, he removed to Livingston County, Mo., and a year later to Platte County, that State, where he also sojourned one year. We next find him in Atchison County, Kan., where he purchased 126 acres of land which he still owns, and he lived there until 1889, then coming to Jackson County, purchased the place where he now resides.
Mrs. Naney A. (Crooks) Elliott, departed this life in 1857, at the early age of twenty-four years, leaving two children. William, the elder, is a resi- dent of Freeport, this State; Margaret is the wife of J. O. Stephenson, of Haverhill. Mr. Elliott, in 1857, contracted a second marriage with Miss Lo- vina Wymer, a native of Ohio. Of the twelve chil- dren born to them, the following are living: Sarah C. is the wife of T. F. Gaston, of Havensville, Kan. ; Nancy Ellen married Thomas Widgins, of Jackson County; Oliver, Edward, George, Viola, Ralph, Albert, and Daisy, are at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott are members in good standing of the Dunkard Church. Mr. Elliott, politically, gives his support to the Democratic party. His
career affords one of the many illustrations of the self-made man, who commenced the battle of life without other resources than industry, energy and perseverance, and he has made for himself an hon- orable record in all respects, and one worthy of emulation.
G ARTON C. PRUETT. This gentleman has been one of the business men in the town of Circleville, Jackson County, for a number of years and has won an excellent reputation for his correct business methods and good character and has made many friends by his agreeable and manners and conversation. He is now engaged in the livery business, owning the only stable in the place, in which he now has about $1,000 in stock. He was born in Carroll County, Ky, in 1838, and is the son of John and Malissa (Taylor) Pruett, who were also natives of the Blue Grass State. Both were members of the Christian Church and took an active part in Christian work. The occu- pation of the father was that of farming and he spent his entire life so engaged in his native State. He was quite active in the field of politics and was a prominent man in the community. The family comprised, with our subject, the following-named children: Adeline is the wife of Ansel Rogers, of this county; Wiley also lives in this county, and is engaged in farming; John B. is now a retired physician of this place; Malissa was the wife of William Ourbrook, but is now deceased.
The subject of this biography was reared on a farm and left home at the age of eighteen to en- gage in farm labor for himself. After a time spent in that work he learned the art of taking ambro- types, and carried on that business until 1861, when he enlisted in Company H, 17th Kentucky In- fantry, as a Second Lieutenant, having recruited most of the company. He served in the Union army about two years, and on account of ill-health resigned after the battle of Shiloh. Returning to his native State he again engaged in agricultural pursuits, conpling with that occupation the business of buying stoek and horses for the Government and a personal business of buying tobacco. He was thus engaged until he came West in 1876, and choos-
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=
ing Circleville as his place of residence, opened a meat market which he carried on for ten years. He then undertook the business which he now con- ducts, and in which he is well patronized and pros- pering.
At the home of the bride's father, John Butler. of Kentucky, the marriage ceremony was per- formed between Mr. Pruett and Miss Rosanna E. Butler. The date of the happy event was July 10, 1862. The union has been blessed by the birth of four children-John, Lizzie, Alfred W., Grover C. Of these John and Alfred are deceased.
Mr. Pruett gives his suffrage to the Democratic party, in whose principles he has firm faith. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church and take an active part in Christian work.
OBERT KLEIN. The sons of the Father- land are found all over the Great West, which owes its growth and prosperity largely to their thrift and industry and their reliable qualities as steady-going and substantial citizens. Mr. Klein is a leader among his country- men in Straight Creck Township, Jackson County, of which he has been a resident for the past seven- teen years, having come to this region with his family in 1872. By a course of unflagging indus- try and perseverance, he lias accumulated a fine property, including a well-developed farm, 382 acres in extent and finely located on section 28. The land has been brought to a high state of culti- vation and embellished with first-class buildings. Mr. Klein has been greatly prospered as a tiller of the soil and after a few years devoted to general farming turned his attentiou more particularly to stock-raising, in which industry he has acquired an enviable reputation. As a business man. no less than a farmer, he is A No. 1, and among other im- portant interests, holds stock in the State Bank at Holton.
A native of the Province of Silesia, Germany, Mr. Klein was born April 9, 1841. Hle there spent the years of his boyhood and youth and when twenty-four years old resolved upon emigrating to America. Embarking at Hamburg on a sailing
vessel, he landed in New York City seven weeks later, and thence made his way direct to Marshall County, Ill. There he entered the employ of the late Washington Cook, with whom he remained three years. In the meantime, with the prudence which had distinguished his ancestors, he saved what he could of his earnings and was enabled to rent a farm which he operated three years.
At the expiration of this time Mr. Klein, in Jan- uary, 1872, came to Kansas with his family and settled in Straight Creek Township, of which he has since been a resident. While in Marshall County, Ill., he was married in January, 1869, to Miss Louisa Kessler. This lady was likewise a na- tive of Germany, and born in the Province of Ba- varia. She became the mother of one child, a daughter, Mary A .. and died in Straight Creek Township, Aug. 9, 1885.
Mr. Klein contracted a second marriage in St. Louis, Mo., July 1, 1886, with Miss Agnes Sholz. who was born in Germany, Oct. 26, 1846, and came to America with her father when twenty-eight years old. Mr. Klein upon becoming a naturalized citizen allied himself with the Democratic party, of whose principles he is a stanch supporter. He has held some of the school offices of his district, but has no ambition for public preferment, being unwilling to spoil a good farmer by attempting to become an office-holder. He and his wife are prominently connected with the German Catholic Church, attending services at Holton. They have one of the most desirable homes in Straight Creek Township and occupy no secondary position among its best people.
W ARD S. HOAGLIN, who for several years filled the office of Probate Judge of Jack- son County, is a native of Steuben County, N. Y., where his birth took place Feb. 26, 1829. His father, John Hoaglin, was a native of Holland, and came to this country with his parents in child- hood. His mother, Rachael Campbell, was born and reared in this country, but is descended from the old Scotch family of Campbells. John Hoaglin was a quiet, unasuming and good man, and a mem-
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ber of the Methodist Church. His wife was a woman of a great deal of natural force of char- acter, and a prominent member of the Methodist Church, with which she had been connected from childhood. She was, indeed, a superior woman, and has been remembered with a peculiar degree of reverence by her children, especially by the one of whom we write, who always speaks, and hears others speak of her, with a great amount of pride that she was his mother. Eight sons and three daughters were given to this lady, all of whom have met with unusual success and have made their homes in the Western States.
After receiving a common-school education, Ward S. Hoaglin was left to himself to secure a better one if he wished, and desiring to do so, he exerted himself and husbanded his re- sources to that end. Ile entered the academy at Plattsburg, N. Y., from which he was graduated in 1852, after which he went to Winnebago County, Wis., where for two years he was engaged in lumbering and several other enterprises, and at the same time was studying for the profession of the law, spending the moments which most young men would have devoted to recreation in this way. lle also assisted his brother's son, John M. Hoaglin, who has since become one of the most prominent educators in that country, in his studies. Going from that place to Jo Daviess County, Ill., he continued his study of the law in connection with other business operations. Here he became acquainted with and married Miss Virginia Fitz- simmons.
About this time the question as to whether Kan- sas should be a slave or a free State began to strongly agitate the people, and in the fall of 1856 Mr. Hoaglin decided to come to the Territory, but did not carry out his decision until the follow- ing spring. Hle first took a claim and made his home at the place that is now called Circleville, where he remained until June, 1859, when he moved to Ilolton, the county seat. Being a Re- publican and strong in his political views, he soon became prominently identified with the Free State party, and was intimately connected with all its leading movements and many of the warm advo- cates of these measures, among whom were John
Brown and James II. Lane. He was a member of nearly all the Republican conventions from that time up to 1876. He still continued the study of the law, and in 1860 was admitted to the bar.
When Mr. Hoaglin came to the county, the Re- publicans were greatly in the minority, and had but a poor chance for representation by men of their own party. But, in 1858, our subject was in- duced to run for Probate Judge, and as the strength of the Republican party bad somewhat increased, after a close race he was elected by a majority of one-the decisive vote having been cast by a man of the opposite party whom he had chanced to be- friend at an early date. Judge Hoaglin was elected three consecutive terms, each time by a gradually increasing Republican vote. In 1863, besides fill- ing the office of Probate Judge, he was also Dep- uty County Treasurer. In 1864 he resigned his seat on the bench, and then filled the office of County Attorney for a term or two. Since that time he has never really aspired to any official position, but has served on the School Board and as one of the County Board of Examiners all the time.
When the war broke out, in 1861, Judge Hoag- lin enlisted in the United States service to help crush out the rebellion, but was rejected on account having a fractured limb that somewhat disabled him for active field duty. This did not deter him, however, from doing the utmost in his power, and he organized a company of militia, of whichi he was commissioned captain, and wben, in 1864, Gen. Price made his raid, the Judge participated in the battle of Westport, and aided in driving the rebel general from the borders of Kansas.
Since the war Judge Hoaglin has given his time almost exclusively to his profession, and has be- come one of the most successful criminal lawyers in this part of the State. As a speaker he is forci- ble and argumentative in style, the pointedness of his remarks never failing to affect a jury and give him promise of success, even in doubtful cases. The logical force of his addresses is aided by the flashing of a keen black eye, that gives emphasis to his words and makes it no light thing to compete with him or throw him off his guard. Judge Hoaglin's first wife died in Holton, Aug.
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5, 1874. Ilis second marriage was to Minerva Brown, a native of Indiana. There were six chil- dren by the first marriage and two by the second. Livingston, the eldest, is engaged in the hardware business at Scranton, Kan .; Ward is a doctor, and located at St. John; Rosa married M. A. Funchess, and lives in Netawaka; Susie is County Superin- tendent of Schools in this county; Jolin resides in Kansas City, Mo .; Mary, Claude and Maud (the two latter children of the second marriage) are still at home with their parents.
Judge Hoaglin and his wife are both influential members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He helped to organize the society at Holton, and by his influence and liberality has contributed greatly to the upbuilding of the church. He has been con- nected with the Union League, Odd Fellows, the higher order of Masonry, and the various temper- ance societies. He is a man who possesses force of character and a great amount of enterprise, and the people look upon him as one of their most re- liable and substantial citizens. His social qualities are almost unlimited, and he is impulsive and strong-willed, proving a bitter enemy, but a warm and generous friend under all circumstances, and one of the most noble-hearted of men.
C HRISTIAN MILLER is a well-known and highly-respected citizen of Mill Creek Township, Pottawatomie County, where he has lived for a score of years, and where he now owns a fine farm. The estate lies on section 30, and consists of 160 acres, less what the railroad and school-house have taken out. The place is well improved, well stocked, and is well watered by Mill Creek. Among its improvements are an ex- cellent stone house and stone barn, and its fine condition is due entirely to its enterprising and in- dustrious owner, who was quite poor when he took possession of the unbroken land.
The father of our subject was Mathias Miller, a native of Wartemburg, and a farmer by occupa- tion. He married Miss Maria Shumacher, who was born in the same kingdom, and like her hus- band was a descendant of old and respected Ger-
man stock. After their marriage they remained in their native land for some years, and the father served his country as a regular soldier. In 1846 the parents and the younger children came to the United States, and settled in Milwaukee County, Wis., where the last years of the parents were spent. The mother died in 1879, ripe in years, her birth having taken place in 1796. The father was born in 1802, and departed this life in 1881, being nearly four-seore years old. Both were all their lives active members of the Protestant Church.
Mr. Miller, of whom we write, was born in Hidem Himer, Wurtemburg, Germany, July 18, 1819, and was reared and educated in his native kingdom, learning the trade of a wool-earder, weaver, and dyer. In 1844, two years before the departure of his parents from the Fatherland, he set out to the United States, going from his native place to Bremerhaven, and thence taking passage on the sail-ship "Charlotta," under command of Capt. Wyman. After a stormy passage of forty- eight days, during which the passengers suffered much from a scarcity of food and water, they landed in New York, somewhat over due. They set foot upon the American shore June 18. and three days later Mr. Miller arrived in Philadelphia, where he followed his trade for two years. He then went back to Germany to rejoin his parents, but found upon reaching there that they had sailed for America some days before. He at once turned baek, and crossing the ocean on a faster vessel than the family, he arrived in New York City in advance of them, and there awaited their coming. accompanying them to Wisconsin. They reached Milwaukee Sept. 10, 1846, and in that city our subject worked at his trade for some time. He subsequently purchased 160 acres of land, and operated it for a year, but at the expiration of that period sold out and again took up his trade. lle gave his attention to weaving near the Cream City until 1869, when he took up his residence in this State, where he has been so successfully em- ployed in agricultural pursuits.
Mr. Miller was married, in Milwaukee, to Miss Magdalina Wagner, who was born in the same vil- lage in which her husband first saw the light, her natal day being April 27. 1823. She grew to wo-
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manhood in her native kingdom, and accompanied the father of our subject to this country. Her father, Michael Wagner, was a miller, and lived and died in the fatherland, departing this life when quite old. Her mother bore the maiden name of Regina Frenglen, and she also spent her entire life in her native land. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller[seven children have been born, two of whom, Christian A. and Jolin, are deceased. Franklin married Miss Josena Koentz, and lives in Onaga, where he is carrying on a hardware store in company with his next eldest brother, Washington, who is still un- married. Paulina is the wife of Nicholas Hirsch, and they live on a farm in this county. Christian is at home, and assists in cultivating the farm, as does the youngest son, Jacob. Mr. Miller and his sons are all sound Republicans.
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