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 62
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 62
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 62
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ENRY STANLEY. This gentleman is the owner and occupant of a pleasant farm in Jefferson Township, Jackson County, and is an old settler of this State, to which he came in 1859. The determined perseverance and willingness to labor, together with the adventurous spirit, which are leading characteristics of the pio- neer, are an honest inheritance from a father who assisted in opening up the frontier in more than one part of our country, and it is not strange that the subject of this notice should have borne his share in a similar work here.
Bothlı lines of descent of the gentleman of whom we write are English, both his grandfathers having come from that country to the Colonies. The pa- ternal grandfather was killed during the Revolu- tionary War, and the maternal grandfather, Nathan Basham, having emigrated to the Colonies prior to that struggle, also took a part therein. Virginia became the home of both families, and both Page Stanley and his wife, Winnie Basham, were born in Bedford County. The father of our subject, the aforesaid Page Stanley, was reared on a farm, having very limited educational advantages. He participated in the War of 1812, and was present at the famous battle of New Orleans. Shortly after his marriage he took up the pioneer work in Campbell County, Tenn., where he improved a farm, upon which he lived until about the year 1830, when he again went to the frontier, as the country about him was becoming too well settled to longer bear that name. Putnam County, Ind., was his next location, and there, from amid the heavy timber, he made a productive and attractive farm, which was the family home for about nine years. He then came farther West, and once more numbering himself among the first settlers of the section in which he decided to locate, continued
the pioneer labors in which he had so long been en- gaged, taking his part in the improvement and de- velopment of Dallas County, Mo. In all the trials and privations of pioneer life the mother of our subject had borne her part with the same spirit of faith in the future civilization and the same willing- ness to undergo the dangers and arduons labors which are ever its forerunners. Both the parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and took an active part in church work, and they reared all their children in the Christian faith, all becoming members of that church. The parents departed this life in Missouri, where their third season of pioneer enterprise had been spent. Their family comprised nine children, and though all grew to maturity, our subject is the only one still living. William, Horace, Nathan and Archibald, each died in Dallas County, Mo., leaving a family ; John, who died in the same county, was unmarried and had been a soldier in the Mexican war; Polly was the wife of Thomas Doak, Nancy the wife of Russel Sharp, and Elizabeth the wife of Samuel Pharis.
The subject of this sketch was born in Campbell County, Tenn., March 12, 1826, and had very lim- ited educational advantages, as his early years were spent under the parental roof, and most of the time in a new country. He assisted in the im- provement of the home farms in the wilderness of three States, and at the age of sixteen years be- came his mother's support, as his father was at that period called from earth. Mr. Stanley remained with his mother until his marriage in 1846, and continued to reside in Dallas County, Mo., until 1849, when he removed to Ray County, in that State, and for several years worked at the carpen- ter's trade. In the spring of 1859 he came to this State and bought a raw claim of 160 acres on Elk Creek, Nemalia County, which he improved and made his home for four years. He then traded for the farm upon which he now lives, and which com- prises sixty acres, near Circleville-a farm well fitted and well managed, and affording a very com- fortable home and sustenance to the family which occupies it.
The lady who in 1846 became the wife of Mr. Stanley was Miss Sallie Ann, daughter of James
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and Ruth Campbell. She was a native of Missouri, and her parents had been born in North Carolina. Mrs. Stanley departed this life in 1863. after hay- ing borne five children, of whom we note the fol- lowing: Edwin is engaged in the ministry in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is now located in Montana; Laura E. is the wife of L. D. Hart, now Clerk of Pottawatomie County; J. Alice is the wife of Albert Chamberlain, and their home is in Montana; John Green is now living in Circleville; William B. is mining in Utah.
Mr. Stanley was a second time married. the lady with whom he was united being Miss Lutitia Bax- ter, a native of Tennessee. This union has resulted in the birth of the following children: Bessie, Julia May, Stella, Maud, Lulla, Allen and Henry.
Our subject is a decided friend of education, and his own limited schooling makes him the more anxious to bestow the best advantages upon others. He has held school offices, and filled his positions in an honorable and prudent manner. He has ob- served closely, and his desire is to keep up with the progress of the time in every worthy way. Ile is liberal and publie-spirited, and has contributed generously to eburch and benevolent institutions. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church Sonth, and has for thirty years been an ordained minister, and takes an active part in the work, hav- ing done a great deal in various ways for the eause of Christianity. llis wife is a member of the same church, and so also was his deceased partner.
S TEPHEN A. EYTCHISON, a worthy resi- dent of Mill Creek Township, Pottawato- mie County, has a good farm, eighty acres of which is his own property. Upon this homestead he was born April 14, 1860, and is thus still on the sunny side of thirty. A life-long resident of this section. he has become elosely iden- tified with its material interests and is looked upon as one of its chief landmarks.
The father of Stephen A., was William P. Eytchi- son, a native of North Carolina and born Sept. 22, 1816. He was of English deseent and the son of Jesse Eytehison, likewise a native of North Caro-
lina, whose father did good service in the Revolu- tionary War. It is supposed that the latter subse- quently spent his days in North Carolina. Jesse Eytehison was the owner of a plantation which de- scended to him from his father, who had been a large slaveholder. Jesse Eytehison was married in his native State to a Southern lady and after the birth of several children they, in 1823, leaving the South, emigrated to Indiana loeating in Madison County. It is possible that the first wife of Jesse Eytchison died in North Carolina and if so, he was a second time married to an Indiana lady. He was an early pioneer of Madison County and improved a large farm from the wilderness. He there spent the remainder of his days, dying about 1855, when ripe in years. His last wife survived him until nearly sixty years old and died leaving no ehil- dren.
William P. Eytchison, the father of our subject, was a boy of seven years when his father's family removed to Indiana where he grew to man- bood and married Miss Elizabeth Moler. This lady was born in Gallia County, Ohio, Oet. 18th, 1820. The young people began the journey of life together on a new farm in Madison County. Ind., where were born all of their children with the exception of the two youngest. Later they re- moved to Missouri, where Naney was born, and afterward to Kansas, and became the parents of one more son, Stephen A., the subject of this sketeh. In 1855, the family, erossing the Mississippi from Indiana, settled in Marshall County, lowa, and the following year moved to Missouri, locating twelve miles from St. Joseph. Thenee in May, 1857, they came to this State and landed in Mill Creek Town- ship on the 15th of that month. The father en- tered a elaim on section 23, lying on either side of French Creek, a little stream of water which added greatly to the fertility of the soil, and at one time was the owner of 240 acres. The country abounded with wild game and Indians, and the nearest market was across the Missouri River. The sturdy pioneer proceeded as before, opening up a farm from the wilderness and here spent his last days, passing away April 20, 1878.
William P. Eytchison, was a man highly respected in his community and well known to a large pro-
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portion of its people. He was a stanch supporter of Republican principles and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which for years he was Class-Leader. His wife is yet living, being now sixty-nine years old, and is quite active in mind and body. She has for years been an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church which she joined upon first coming to Kan- sas. Of the nine children born to her and her hus- band, six are still living. William and Elsberry, served during the late Civil War in a Kansas regi- ment; William died at Ft. Smith, Ark., from illness contracted in the army. Elsberry lived to return home although greatly broken down in health.
Stephen A. Eytchison has spent the greater part of his life at the homestead which he now occupies, growing up among the people who have learned to respect him for his sterling worth and integrity of character. Politically, he is a Republican of the first water and an active, local politician. He has fulfilled all the duties of an honest man and a good citizen, with the exception that he still remains un- married. As a farmer, he is progressive and suc- cessful and keeps well posted upon the matters pertaining to his vocation.
OMER HEATHMAN. The history of the Sunflower State is inseparably connected with that of its pioneers. They were a peculiar race of men, possessing more than ordinary courage and hardihood, and came to this region expecting to endure many hardships and privations. They had their full measure of these and also the dangers attendant upon the political issues of that time when Kansas was made a battle- field in determining the question of freedom and slavery. Mr. Heathman pressed the soil of Kansas in 1857 while it was still a Territory, and has been a resident of Jackson County for the long period of thirty-two years. The scenes which he has wit- nessed, the changes and the vicissitudes through which he has passed, it properly written up would make a tale more strange than fiction. As having
made for himself a worthy record, he is deserving of more than a passing mention in a work designed to perpetuate the names of the early settlers of Jackson County.
The subject of this sketch, a native of Medina County, Ohio, was born Oct. 18, 1831, and is the son of George and Elizabeth (Curtis) Heathman, who were natives respectively of Maryland and Connecticut. The father served in the War of 1812, and was by occupation a farmer. The pater- nal grandfather, George Heathman, was of Scotch birth and ancestry and emigrated to America in time to do valiant service as a soldier in the Revo- lutionary War. He fought in the battle of Brandy - wine and was wounded in the leg by a bayonet. After the war he settled on a farm in Maryland, where he lived a number of years, then emigrating to Ohio located among the earliest pioneers of Me- dina County. He became a prominent man and there spent his last days.
George Heathman, the father of our subject, spent his boyhood and youth on his father's farm and obtained his education in the primitive schools of Maryland. He was married in his native State and shortly afterward removed to Medina County, Ohio, being like his father also one of its pioneers. He improved a farm from the wilderness, sojourn- ing in Medina County until 1839. That year he removed to Hancock County and again taking up new land built up a homestead which he occupied until 1852. Then pushing on further Westward he settled in Allen County, Ind., where he remained until his death which took place in February, 1864, after he had arrived at the advanced age of seventy- three years. The wife and mother survived her husband until 1869, dying at the age of seventy- seven. Both were members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church and the father was active in the Master's vineyard, being an ordained minister .. Ile was greatly assisted in his pious labors by his esti- mable wife, who was a devoted Christian. George Heathman was likewise a leading man in politics, belonging to the old Whig party. He was person- ally acquainted with the Mormon, Joseph Smith, and was strenuously opposed to that religions sect, especially their practice of polygamy.
To the parents of our subject there was born a
JEREMIAH S. FORCE.
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family of nine children, the record of whom is as follows: Lorinda became the wife of Erastus Root and settled in Trumbull County, Ohio; David and Hiram both died in Wisconsin about 1884; Elias died in Dayton, Ohio; Bradley is a farmer by oc- cupation and a resident of Rush County, this State; Amanda married David Brundage of Allen County, Ind., and is now deceased; Homer, of this sketch, was the next in order of birth; Erastus is conduct. ing a hotel in Jackson County, Kan. ; Mary became the wife of Mathias Markly and died in Hancock County, Ohio.
The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days under the parental roof on the old homestead in Ohio, and when twenty-one years old started out for himself and began operating on rented land in Hancock County, that State, being thus occupied four years. He then removed to Whitley County, Ind., where he farmed one year on rented land, then coming to Kansas pre-empted land in Jefferson Township, Jackson County. Two years later he rented a mill of Rufus Oursler, which he operated until 1868, and which was the first mill in the county. There came to this mill people from 100 miles away. When withdrawing from the milling business Mr. Heathman returned to his farm upon which he lived until 1872. Removing then to Holton he operated a mill there for six years, after which he returned to Circleville and operated a mill until 1885. In 1888 he put up the Windsor Hotel where he now officiates as "mine host." He has become widely and favorably known to the people of this region and is popular both with his fellow citizens and the traveling public.
Mr. Heathman was first married Feb. 10, 1852. at the bride's home in Ilancock County, Ohio, to Miss Sarahı A. Woolheater, a native of that county. They became the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living: George is a harness-maker of Blue Rapids, this State; William, a tinner by trade, sojourns in llolton ; Jane is the wife of C. A. Cooper, of Marshall County; Lincoln is farming in the vicinity of Circleville; Ella is the wife of Frank Newell, of Denver, Col .; Frank and Flora are at home with their father. Mrs. Sarah Heathman departed this life in 1883.
Mr. Heathman in 1885 contracted a second mar-
riage, with Miss Anna D. Brown, and to them there has been born one child, a daughter, Laura. Mr. Heathman takes an active part in politics, voting the straight Republican ticket and has held the office of Township Trustee. He has some town property besides his hotel and lives comfortably, without undne anxiety for the future. Ile served in the State Militia during the late war.
EREMIAH S. FORCE. The results of indus- try, economy and perseverance, find no bet- ter illustration in the career of any citizen of Lone Tree Township, Pottowatomie County, than that of Mr. Force, who is a plain, hard-work . ing. painstaking and economical farmer and one who by his sterling worth of character long ago es- tablished himself in the confidence and csteem of his fellow-citizens. A pioneer of 1871 he settled in Lone Tree Township when his neighbors were few and far between, homesteading the north half of the southeast quarter of section 4, and subsequently purchasing the northeast quarter of section 9 ad- joining that which he now owns. He has 160 acres under cultivation with a fine orchard, a grove of forest trees, a comfortable dwelling, a good barn and other buildings required for the general pur- poses of rural life. The fields are largely enclosed with hedge fencing which presents a beautiful ap- pearance especially in the summer season. Mr. Force has served a thorough apprenticeship at farming and by the exercise of industry and sound judgment has met with success.
The subject of this sketch was born in the town- ship of Burford, Canada, May 15, 1824, and re- mained in the Dominion until a youth of eighteen years. He then came over into the States, settling first in Momence, Kankakee Co., Ill. He employed himself at farming pursuits and sojourned in the prairie State until coming to Kansas. About the time of reaching his majority he was married in Kankakee County, Ill., Aug. 31, 1845, to Miss Caroline, daughter of Jacob lless. Mrs. Force is a native of the same place as her husband and was born Sept. 16, 1827. There have been born of this union the following children, viz: Jacob R.,
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Jeremiah Nelson, Herbert, Clarence, James, Jane. Elizabeth, Carrie, Ida and Tennie. Jane died in Pottawatomie County when twenty-eight years old. The others with the exception of the young- est son are married and comfortably settled in life with their families around them. The family oc- cupies a high social position and numbers its friends and acquaintances by the score in Potta. watomie County.
The father of our subject was Reziah Force, a native of New Jersey, but who went to Canada with his parents when a boy and was impressed into the British service in the War of 1812, before reaching manhood. He learned the trade of a car- penter which he followed in the Dominion many years. He joined his son in the United States and in Pottawatomie County in 1881, in the eighty . sixth year of bis age. He was a good man in the broadest sense of the term, highly respected and a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. The mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Scran) Force was born in Burford, Canada. and died in Kankakee County, Ill., some years ago. The parental family consisted of fifteen children. All are deceased ex- cept five.
A portrait of Mr. Force may be found on another page of this volume.
C HARLES W. KUNKEL. This peaceable and law-abiding citizen pursues the even tenor of his way on a good farm occupying a part of section 5, Kentucky Township. Jefferson County. During the earlier years of his residence in the Sunflower State he experienced more than the usual hardships of life on the frontier, but by the exercise of great energy and perseverance has become well-to-do. and been enabled to surround himself with all the comforts of life. The close of the war left him greatly crippled financially, but after years of labor and waiting he attained to a solid footing, and has sufficient of this world's goods to insure him against want in his old age.
A native of Lycoming County, Pa., Mr. Kunkel was born March 14, 1831, and enjoyed very lim- ited educational advantages during his youth, only
attending school three months. Ile assisted his father in clearing the farm, and remained under the home roof until reaching his majority. He then be- gan work as a carpenter, which trade he followed until the spring of 1858 in his native State.
At the date above-mentioned Mr. Kunkel made his way to Kansas, journeying from Pittsburg to Wyandotte by boat, and thence by stage to Le- compton, then the capital of Kansas. Locating there, he operated a rope ferry on the Kaw River in the interests of his brother for two years. Next he engaged in farming on Prairie Creek, and after- ward farmed until the fall of 1863. In the mean- time the city of Lawrence was overrun by the rebel element, which threatened its entire destruction.
Finally, determining to assist in the preservation of the Union, Mr. Kunkel enlisted in Company C, 15th Kansas Infantry, being mustered in at Leaven- worth, and was sent to different places after bush- wackers and after Price, in the fall of 1864. He participated in the battle of Lexington, Mo., and the following spring was taken ill and sent to the hos- pital at Paola. He remained there until the close of the war, after which he was sent to Leavenworth and mustered out in May, 1863.
For seven years after his army experience Mr. Kunkel was unable to do a day's work, and is still suffering from the effects of disease contracted therein. In the fall of 1865 he purchased forty acres of his present farm, for which he paid $12 an acre. Later, he added to his landed possessions at an increased price. His farm lies on the Delaware Bottoms, and comprises a fine body of fertile land, embellished with modern improvements, including a neat and tasteful residence. During the earlier years of his sojourn in Kausas he hunted deer and wild turkeys, and lived in a log cabin. He makes a specialty of fine stock, including graded Norman horses, of which he keeps about ten head, mostly roadsters.
Mr. Kunkel was married in the county of his birth, Aug. 2, 1855, to Miss Anna McCoy, who was born and reared in the Keystone State. The four children of this union are recorded as follows: Lucy, the eldest, completed her studies in Baker University and the Normal School at Emporia, and now ocenpies herself as a teacher. Robert M. is
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at home with his parents; John W. is in the em- ploy of his uncle, a coal dealer of Kansas City; Gayl remains with his parents. Mr. Kunkel was was the first School Director in his district, and served until 1888, when he resigned. He is a mem - ber and Trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Thompsonville, while his son, Robert M., is Superintendent of the Sunday-school. Mr. Kunkel is in favor of a third political party, if necessary, and has, accordingly, identified himself with the Prohibitionists.
E DGAR S. LEWIS. Among the many fine farms in Pottawatomie County. none are more pleasantly located or bear the appear- ance of greater prosperity than that which is owned and occupied by the above-named gentleman, and which is situated on either side of Red Vermillion Creek in Vienna Township. The residence is lo- cated on section 7, and is accompanied by all nec- essary and adequate outbuildings. The cstate now consists of 440 acres of well-watered and fertile land, and is well-stocked with Clydesdale horses and good breeds of cattle and swine. Mr. Lewis has lived on this farm since 1865, and was one of the first settlers in the township, where he has met with marked success in his chosen vocation. He has experienced and witnessed all that is known to the pioneer settler, having come to this county when it was an almost unbroken wilderness, and when for all his marketing he had to go to Atchi- son, Leavenworth and Ft. Riley, the latter being the best market for corn, etc. On a piece of raw land Mr. Lewis set up his bachelor's home, and at once began to make improvements on the estate, to which he subsequently brought a bride.
He was born in Pharsalia, Chenango C'o., N. Y., Nov. 19, 1842, and was reared in his native State, chiefly in Tioga, obtaining a good education in the common schools. He came from his native State, to Atchison, Kan., and thence by teams to this county and township, where he now has so fine a property. His marriage took place in what is now Lincoln Township, the lady with whom he was united, being Miss Minnie Michael, who was born in Bruceton, Preston ('o., W. Va,, Dcc, 16, 1858,
but whose education and training were principally obtained in this State. This estimable lady has borne her husband six children, who form an inter- esting group around the family fireside. They bear the names of Jennie A., James B., Lena A., Edgar E., Annie L., and Jessie V.
The parents of Mrs. Lewis, Benjamin and Sa- mantha J. (King) Michael, belonged to good old West Virginian families, and were reared and mar- ried in their native county ( Preston), where they lived until 1860, when they removed to Wayne County, Ohio. where they sojourned about six years. They then came to Valley Falls, Kan .. and lived on a farm there until about the year 1871, when they came to this county, and located one of the first homesteads in Lincoln Township. It is situated ou section 1, and there Mr. and Mrs. Mich- ael are still living, the father having now reached his threescore years and ten, and the mother being about ten years younger.
Jephtha Lewis, the father of our subject, was born in Rhode Island, and is a son of an English conple who spent the latter years of their life in New York State. He grew to manhood in Rhode Island, going thence to the Empire State, and in Chenango County, married Miss Abigail Griswold, who was born in Vermont, of New England parent- age, and had accompanied her parents to New York State in her girlhood. After his marriage, Jephtha Lewis began life as a farmer and dairyman, remain- ing in Chenango County until his death, which oc- curred in 1849, when he was in middle life, he having been born in 1794. The mother of our sub- ject was his second wife, and bore him four chil- dren. The first wife had been Miss Betsey Sabin. also a native of New York State, who had left six children. After the death of Jephtha Lewis, his widow in 1850, removed with her family to Tioga County, and there the children grew up. In 1865 the widowed mother came to Kansas with her son, our subject, and died here in January, 1888, being then nearly eighty years of age. She passed away in the faith of the Congregational Church, though formerly a member of the Baptist denomination, as was her husband, who had filled the office of Dea- con.
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