Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 64

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 64
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 64
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 64

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. Watkins had earned the ill-will of the South- ern sympathizers as the leader of the twenty-one

504

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Yankee families in his neighborhood, and as the nominee on the Union ticket for the Representa- tive of his district. For three years be carried in his pocket a pass known as the "death warrant " and on several occasions, when arrested, chewed and swallowed it. The Rebel army under Price and the guerrillas under the nortorions Sam Hil- derbrand, had threatened to kill every Yankee sym- pathizer and our subject had been taken out of his house by Shelby's men, who held three revolvers to his head while the house was plundered and robbed of its stores and valuables. But finally owing to his unflinching nerve and his wife's de- votion they let him off with his life. On one oc- casion, when working in the field, a stranger rode up and entered into conversation, making inquiries about Hilderbrand, of whom Mr. Watkins, of course, denied knowledge. During the conversa- tion a neighbor passed riding a very fine horse, and later the stranger rode off in the same direction. He overtook Mr. Watkin's neighbor and relieved him of his steed, proving to be the noted guerrilla himself. A requisition was served on our subject requiring him to report to Col. Carlin of the 38th Illinois Infantry ; this he did, explaining to the satisfaction of the Union officer his innocence of any share in the transaction.

At another time Mr. Watkins was captured by the Union troops, who beld him prisoner for a few hours, and until their forces were in the midst of a skirmish with the Rebels; in the conflict be was al- lowed to escape. He was away from home much of the time, on account of his business, grafting trees, etc., and on another occasion was taken by the same foree of United States Cavalry, but was released without molestation. However, matters at last became so serious that he left his home, and seeking refuge in the woods, was for five weeks not heard of, and finally was given up as lost. In the mean time he had escaped on horseback to St. Louis, and there took the train for Pike County, Ill. To that county his two eldest sons, James and John F., had previously been sent to avoid con- scription by the Rebels, who were foreing into their ranks everyone able to carry a gun. His friends in Illinois insisted that he should remove the rest of his family from the dangerous locality

where they still resided, and he accordingly re- turned to Missouri and succeeded in effecting their removal to the Prairie State.

Mr. Watkins remained in Illinois for a few years, coming to this county in February, 1868, and pur- chasing a half section of land on the Kickapoo Reservation which was just coming into market. One half of his purchase lay on section 4 and the remainder on section 32, Whiting Township. Later in the same year he came again with his son James, and they built a good frame house, to which in the following March he moved with his wife and three children. When they took possession of their Kansas home, the land was unbroken prairie, but is now in a fine state of cultivation, the home quarter- section having a good residence and two barns upon it, and about five acres of ground devoted to fruit trees, mostly apple. It is surrounded by a neat feneing of hedge, 240 acres have been added to the original purchase, and eighty acres of this are now under the plow, the balance being fenced for pasturage. Our subject was the first man to intro- duee Short-horn cattle into Jackson County, and has sold many thorough-breds for breeding pur- poses. He furnishes the pedigree on all his stock. having no animal in the herd, whose pedigree he cannot trace back to the imported.

The marriage of Mr. Watkins took place in January, 1843, the lady who has been for upwards of forty years his cherished companion having borne the maiden name of Abbie C. Bean. She is a daughter of James and Martha (Cotting) Bean, and her grandfathers were Nathaniel Bean and William Cotting. They were of English origin, and the Cottings were residents of Barton, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins have had seven children. six of whom now survive. James, the eldest, and one of the managers of his father's estate, is married and has four children. John F. is also married, has four children and is now farming in Pike County, Ill. Mary S. married George E. Davis, who is now living in Ft. Paine, Ala. Mrs. Davis died in Chicago in 1872, leaving two children, one of whom, Amy, died at the age of sixteen years, and the other, Abbie E., named for her grand- mother Watkins, lives with her father in Alabama. Martha married Alex. S. Hatch, of Pike County,

505

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Ill., and now lives in Wallace, Kan., their family consisting of two sons. Lizzie F. married Charles H. Todd, of Minneapolis, Minn., now of New Richland, Wis., and they have two children. George A. assists in the management of his fa- ther's property and lives on one of the farms; he is married and has one child. Fred is a young man, now at home assisting his father.

Mr. Watkins was educated to a belief in the Democratic party, and in 1860 voted for John C. Breckenridge. He soon regretted that action, adopted a different political faith, and has since been a stanch Republican. He has served as Com- missioner, being elected on the Republican ticket, and has filled two terms in the Legislature, those of 1877 and 1881. In the Assembly of 1877 he voted for the Prohibition Act. Mrs. Watkins is a member of the Methodist Church, and both she and her husband have many friends with whom their cultured minds, refined manners, and upright characters are known and valued.

Mr. Watkins is of Welsh and English ancestry, tracing the parental linc in America to his great- grandfather, Abner Watkins, who first settled in Massachusetts, whence the family subsequently moved to New Hampshire. The next in the direct line was Jason Watkins, and following him was an- other Abner, the father of our subject. He mar- ried Desdemona Fisk, the daughter of Ebenezer Fisk, of Wilmot, N. II., and the niece of Levi Woodbury, Secretary of War and of the Treasury during Jackson's second administration,

In connection with this personal biography we present a lithographie portrait of Mr. Watkins.

AMES S. T. MILLIGAN is pastor of the North Cedar Reformed Presbyterian Church, located in the southeastern part of Gar- field Township, Jackson County. He is a man of broad culture and fine scholarship, and is widely known and respected for his attainments and for his pure and useful life, which has un- doubtedly wielded a great influence for good in his community. Hle was born in Ryegate. Caledonia Co., Vt., on the 26th of August, 1826,

and is a son of the Rev. James Milligan, D. D., who was for some years located in that village. When our subject was twelve years of age his father removed to New Alexandria, Westmoreland Co., Pa., and was afterward settled over a charge in Eden, Randolph Co., Ill., where he elosed his pastoral labors, His death took place some years later at the residence of our subject, in Southfield, Oakland Co., Mich.

The gentleman of whom we write accompanied his parents from his place of nativity to Westmore- land County, Pa., from which they removed when he was seventeen years old. He remained behind them in that county until he was twenty-two years of age. He attended the common schools until he was fifteen years old, although at the early age of six years he was able to read Latin and studied the classics under the tuition of his father, who was finely educated and an able instructor. When sixteen years old, young Milligan began the work of school teaching, and passed five winters in Pennsylvania thus engaged, spending the summers in work upon a farm. He then entered the Re- formed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, and began his special preparation for the ministry under Dr. J. R. Wilson. He had been in attendance but one winter when the semi- nary was moved to Logan County, Ohio, and there carried on in connection with Geneva Hall College. He continued in the Institution after the change of location for three successive seasons, in the mean- time being graduated from Geneva Hall College, and for two years occupying a position as teacher of philosophy and natural science.

Upon the conclusion of his theological studies, Mr. Milligan was licensed to preach in the Rc- formed Presbyterian Church, and after spending a year in the itineraney, was settled in Southfield, Oakland Co., Mich., for nearly nineteen years. His removal from that place was in the spring of 1871, when he came to this county and settled in what was then Cedar. and is now Garfield Town- ship. In the fall of that year he organized the North Cedar Church, with a membership of sev- enty-four, which represented about twenty fami. lies, At the present time (1889) the membership is about 130. For two years the society worshiped

506

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

in a tabernacle, and the third year erected a church, 45 x 63 feet, in which they continued to mcet until Oetober, 1883, when the edifice was blown down and destroyed. The summer of 1884 found them installed in a fine wooden structure of tasty architectural design, and here the prosperous congregation still conducts its services of prayer and praise.

The Reformned Presbyterian Church is strictly Calvinistic in doctrine and strictly Presbyterian in government; faithful in matters of discipline; and in worship adhering strictly to the Scottish method, which includes the use of an inspired .psalmody. They believe in the supreme authority of God's law, and in Christ's kingly authority over nations, and while carefully obeying the Divine command to "be subject to the higher powers," they protest against the non-recognition of Divine authority in the government.

Since coming to this county, Mr. Milligan has operated the farm on which he resides, and the 260 acres of land which comprise the estate are carefully and intelligently tilled and well-improved. The dwelling and other buildings are both ade- quate and - substantial, and everything bears an air of neatness and order that impresses the be- holder with the belief that the place is controlled by a master hand. The internal arrangement of the residence is in keeping with its surroundings, and displays the good taste and good judgment of the housekeeper who presides over it.

In Logan County, Ohio, on the 16th of June, 1853, Mr. Milligan was united in marriage with Miss Jane T. Johnston, whose fine personal character and mental attainments had won his deep regard. Miss Johnston was born in Harrison County, Ohio, Aug. 24, +833, and was graduated from the Geneva Fe- male Seminary in the April preceding her twentieth birthday. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Milligan has resulted in the birth of eleven children: Mary E., James R. J., Knox M., Margaret J., Samuel C., Elizabeth R., Sarah C., Anna A., Edith B., and a son and a daughter who died in infancy. Mary E. is the wife of the Rev. D. D. Robertson, pastor of Ohan Church, Scotland. James is a clergyman, and is now in charge of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Allegheny City, Pa. The culture of

the parents has been transmitted to the children through their excellent home training and the edu : cational facilities which have been bestowed upon them. and they are well fitted for usefulness in their day and generation.

W ILLIAM A. DODSON is one of the fore- most men in Franklin Township. Jackson County, and resides on section 36, where he has a fine farm with first-class improvements, commodious and convenient outbuildings and a handsome residence. His estate comprises 320 acres of land, a portion of which is located in Franklin Township, and the remainder in Grant Township. He takes a lively interest in all matters tending toward the improvement and growth of his neighborhood, and is always counted on to do good work when any measure, having for its object the public welfare, is brought before the people for their consideration. His voice is always on the side that he believes to be just, without regard to its popularity, and his advice is much sought by those who are best acquainted with his integrity and honesty of purpose.

Mr. Dodson was born July 18, 1843, near Athens, Tenn., and was taken by his parents to Buchanan County, Mo., when only six months old. He grew to manhood in that county, receiving a good common-school education, and at the same time learning the details of farm work. In the spring of 1863, when nineteen years of age, he accompanied his father to Jackson County, Kan. They located in what is now Garfield Township, and there the mother died in 1875. The father of our subject is Alfred Dodson, a native of Ten- nessee and a resident of Garfield Township, this county. The mother was Elizabeth (Patty ) Dod- son, also a native of Tennessee. The parental family consisted of six children, of whom our sub- ject is the second in order of birth.

In 1864 our subject purchased eighty acres of land in Cedar (now Garfield) Township. In 1865 he freighted commissary stores across the plains to Ft. Laramie, Wyo., working for the Government. Such expeditions were extremely hazardous, as it

507

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

vas during the period of the Indian depredations and wars against the early settlers and mineral seekers of the Rocky Mountains. Mr. Dodson was near by when the dastardly and famous Platte Bridge Massacre occurred, in which sixty brave soldiers were snatched away from the main army and cruelly scalped and burned. Many times he barely escaped capture by these savage foes, and passed through many dangers and risks of life.

The marriage of our subject occurred on Feb. 24, 1870, in Cedar Township. the bride being Miss Mary E. Bradshaw, who was born near Humans- ville, Polk Co., Mo. They took up their resi- dence on the 80-acre farm previously bought, where they lived until 1878. Then removing to Franklin Township, they located on their present homestead. Mrs. Dodson is a lady of rare intelli- gence and a capital manager in domestic affairs. It is largely due to her wise economy that our sub- ject owes his present prosperity. They are the parents of four children, namely : Dora M., Jessie A., Fannie F., and Walter W. The parents have been members of the Christian Church from youth.

Mr. Dodson began life with no means except what he carried in his head and hands, but by a judicious use of both divisions of his "capital," he has been rewarded most bountifully, and has wronged no man in so doing. On the contrary, he has frequently helped others less able than he to help themselves. Ile was elected Trustee of Cedar Township, serving in 1874-75, and also took the cen- sus. In 1881-82, desiring to make a change and to rest from the arduous duties of farm life, he teamed with mules in the mountains of Colorado, making his headquarters on the Green Horn Mountains at the mining camps of Rosita, Custer County. Dur- ing the time he was in Colorado he retained his home in Franklin Township, and had his farm carried on as usual.

In 1878 our subject commenced to make a specialty of thorough-bred Short-horn cattle, of which he raised as fine specimens as can be seen anywhere, all recorded in American Short-horn herd books. Recently he concluded to part with them, so in the latter part of 1889 he had them almost all closed out. They numbered at one time

forty-eight head. At present his stock consists of good grade cattle, hogs and horses. He was twice offered by his friends the candidacy for the office of County Treasurer, also other prominent offices on the Democratic ticket, but not being an aspirant for office and preferring the more quiet duties of farm life, he declined.

BEL W. CHABIN, the editor and proprie- tor of the Onaga Democrat, is numbered with the rising young men of Pottawatomie County, while the paper to whose interests he is devoting the best years of his life, is one of the leading Democratic organs of the community, being frank in the expression of its sentiments, out- spoken in its convictions, and working with all the enthusiasm engendered by a worthy cause for the elevation and success of the Democratic party. Consequently it stands high in the ranks of that organization, and is proportionally feared by the opposition, at the same time being admired for the firmness and steadfastness with which it adheres to its principles.

Upon coming to Pottawatomie County in 1882, our subject first located in St. Mary's, and pur- chased an interest in the Star, a work for which he was naturally adapted, and for which years of train- ing in printing offices had still more thoroughly qualified him. The Star was published very suc- cessfully for two years, and then Mr. Chabin changed his headquarters to Onaga, and purchasing the Onaga Journal, a Republican paper, changed its name to the Onaga Democrat, and at the same time changed its political affiliations. It is a six- column quarto, giving considerable space to general topics of interest, both local and national, and in connection also there is a fine job office, which turns out first-class work and has a growing pit- ronage.

The parents of Mr. Chabin, Sumner and Lizzie C'habin, were natives of Maine, and in that State, passed their entire lives; their son, Abel W., was born in that State, in Skowhegan Jan.23, 1851, and when only four years old, lost his mother. The orphaned child was taken into the family of his uncle, of the

508

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

same name as our subject, and was reared as one of them. Two years after his adoption he accompan- ied his unele and other members of the household to the West, where they settled in Shelbyville, Shelby Co., Ill., the elder Chabin engaging in gen- eral mercantile business. The lad he had adopted was given early educational advantages, until he had reached the age of sixteen years. Then feeling desirous of learning a trade whereby he might be- come independent, he entered a printing office at Shelbyville, and after two years of assiduous labor there. went to St. Louis, and worked in a job office there for another two years. He was, however, indueed to resume work in his former position at Shelbyville, and until his marriage was prosper- ously engaged there.

The marriage of our subject was celebrated Jan. 31, 1875, the bride being Julia Pollard, daughter of Michael and Margaret Pollard, and born in LaSalle, III. Nov. 16, 1850. Soon after his marriage Mr. Cha- bin, in company with his wife, left for Colorado, and located in Denver, working at his trade. He dates his residence in Kansas from the year 1882, when he came to Pottawatomie County, and as before mentioned, became identified with the interests of the Star. Religiously, Mrs. Chabin is a member of the Catholic Church, and stands high in the social cireles of the community. They have a group of four bright children, who are receiving the benefit of a good. practical education in the schools of the vicinity. They are named as follows: Harry, Al- bert, Nellie and John. They have inherited the amiable qualities of their mother, with the sturdy perseverance of their father, and bid fair to attain success in life.

ON. WILLIAM R. BENTON, the recently elected Representative to the Kansas Leg- islature from Pottawatomie County, is rec- ognized as one of its ablest men. By occupation he has been a farmer and stock-raiser, and is well-to-do, owning a fine tract of land in Lone Tree Township. He is of stanch New Eng- land stock and was born in Livingston County, N. Y., Aug. 9, 1836, living there until approach-

ing man's estate. His parents were Eben and Lo- vinia (Freeman) Benton, the father a native of Connecticut and the second cousin of Senator Thomas II. Benton, late of Missouri, whose career reflects such credit upon himself and should be a matter of pride to his descendants. The family was first represented in America by three brothers who crossed the Atlantic during the Colonial days and settled, so tradition says, one in New England, one in Baltimore, Md., and one in North Carolina.

The subject of this sketch comes from the New England branch of the Benton family. Ilis fore- fathers were noted as oystermen, and became prom- inent in and around Baltimore. Eben Benton when a young man emigrated to Western New York, and was there married. He followed the peaceful pursuits of agriculture his entire life and lived to the advanced age of eighty-one years, passing away in 1881. He was thus born in 1800. His wife, Lovinia, was born in New Jersey, and is yet living, making her home with her son, our subject. The parental family consisted of nine children, six of whom are now living, and located in Kansas. Maine, New York and Pennsylvania. William R. spent his boyhood days on the farm, becoming familiar with the arts of sowing and reaping, while at the same time he received an excellent educa- tion, completing his studies in the academy. Ile was naturally bright and observing, fond of his books, and thus obtained a useful store of infor- mation. Soon after leaving school he began teach- ing and has followed this profession in the district, schools of Pottawatomie County at intervals for fifteen years.

Upon the opening of the Civil War Mr. Benton enlisted as a Union soldier in Company E, 62nd Illinois Infantry, in December, 1861. He was with Grant at Vicksburg and was captured by the ene- my at Holly Springs. Shortly afterward, however, he was paroled and subsequently rejoined his regi- ment at LaGrange, Tenn. His command was transferred to Arkansas, and his regiment assisted in the capture of Little Rock. Mr. Benton after- ward joined the campaign in Northern Arkansas, and at the expiration of his two year's term of en- listment, he, in January, 1863, veteranized, and served until after the surrender of Lee's army. He

509

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

was obliged to accept his discharge in August, 1865, on account of disability. During his army life he served in various positions of trust and re- sponsibility, being Quartermaster and also Sergeant of his regiment.

Upon leaving the army Mr. Benton returned to Western New York and engaged in the drug trade. which business he followed until 1871. That year his attention was attracted to the Western country, and coming to Kansas he homesteaded the south west quarter of section 12, in Lone Tree Township. from which he improved a good farm, and which he lived upon for a period of eighteen years. He has one of the most attractive homesteads in this part of the county, sixty acres of the land being under a thorough state of cultivation, with an or- chard of six acres, neat and substantial buildings and everything about the place indicating the en- terprise and industry of the proprietor. Mr. Ben- ton keeps a goodly assortment of live-stock, and has the requisite farm machinery for carrying on agriculture in a systematic and profitable manner.

While having much to absorb his attention in the cultivation of his land and the building up of a homestead, Mr. Benton has always maintained an interest in the prosperity of his adopted county, socially, morally and financially. He is the friend of education and progress, and since coming to Kansas has been recognized as one of the most in- telligent and useful men of Lone Tree Township. Ilis course was watched, not only by the citizens of his own township, but by those of the county at large, and in 1875 his name was brought forward as a suitable candidate on the Republican ticket for the State Legislature, and he was elected with little opposition. He made an active and useful mem- ber of the General Assembly, serving on some of the most important committees, including the edu- cational, county seats and county lines. He retired to his farm at the end of his term, but in Novem- ber, 1888, he was re-elected, and is now a member of the committees on Engrossed Bills, Education and Educational Institutions. He was a member of the first and last committee that waited on the Gov- ernor at the last session. Personally he has many warm friends in Pottawatomie County, and is con- tributing his full quota to the building up of her

most important interest. Politically, he is a sound Republican, and in religious matters is prominently identified with the Congregational Church at Wheaton.

The marriage of W. R. Benton and Miss Adella M. Fowler was celebrated at the bride's home in Livonia, N. Y., June 14, 1866. There have been born to them six children, whose names are as fol- lows: Alice L., Francis H., Ettie F., Delia F., . William E., Nellie May. Of these Ettie F. is de- ceased.

AMES J. BOUTON. No young man in the town of Perry is more popular or has started ont in life with finer prospects than Mr. Bouton. He furnishes a shining exam- ple of that which may be accomplished by energy and perseverance, and is looked upon as one of the leading citizens in a community of people more than ordinarily wide-awake and intelligent. He conducts a well-regulated livery and feed stable on Elm Street and by his straightforward business methods, as well as by his courteous treatment, of all with whom he comes in contact, commands the respect of all who know him.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 64

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

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