Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 66

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 66
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 66
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 66

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Feb. 11. It is the New England Courant. printed and sold by Benjamin Franklin, in Queen Street, where "advertisements are taken in." Among the items is one that states that the best New Philadelphia bolted "flower" would be sold at twenty-eight shil- lings per 100 pounds. It also contains a speech delivered by King George to his Parliament, Oct. 11, 1722, in which he speaks of the conspiracy then being concocted against him. It is needless to say that these relics are highly prized and carefully preserved.

LLEN MESKIMEN. This gentleman ranks among the most prominent and successful farmers and live-stock dealers in Potta- watomie County, and is one of those who have acquired a good financial standing by hard work and good management since coming to this section of country. He was very poor when he came to this county ahout twenty years ago, and on May 10, 1870, filed a claim on 160 acres of land on section 8, Vienna Township. He afterward secured eighty acres as a tree claim, and now has the whole in a fine condition. It is well-watered by Stafford Creek, and is finely adapted to stock-rais. ing, and with its good buildings and well kept herds makes up one of the finest stock farms of the vicinity. Everything about the place indicates the character of its owner, and even his domestic tastes and habits may be read by the passer-by, in his home surroundings.

Mr. Meskimen came to this township and county from Guernsey County, Ohio, where he was born March 14, 1843. His father, Abraham Meskimen, was a native of Maryland and his grandfather, Abraham, Sr., was the first of the name in Amer- ica. He came from Ireland about the beginning of the seventeenth century and having run away from home was sold in New York City to a Mr. Free to pay for his passage, working until he be- came of age for him. He subsequently married Mr. Free's daughter and from them all the Meskimens of the United States are descended. Although Abra- ham Meskimen. Sr., came from Ireland he was a son of Scotch parents. To him and his wife twelve children were born, and one of them was the father

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of Abraham Meskimen, Jr., and the grandfather of our subject. He lived and died in Maryland where he was occupied in tilling the soil until late in life.

The father of our subject grew to man's estate in Maryland, and was married in Ohio to his cousin, Amelia S. Meskimen, and their married life was begun in Guernsey County, where all their chil- dren were born. In 1849, the husband and father with his eldest son, William, left Ohio for Missouri, with the intention of securing more land for his children who were growing to manhood. While com- ing up the Missouri River and when near Lexington. Mo., he died very suddenly of cholera and was laid to rest on the banks of the river under the boughs of a cottonwood tree. He was born Feb. 26, 1798, and his death took place May 14, 1849. He had always been a farmer and had improved a good home in Ohio, which previous to his departure for Missouri he had sold. His widow repurchased the old homestead and there reared her children. She is yet living, an active and intelligent okl lady, and is now making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Barbara Ronines, in Clark County, Ill. She was born June 20, 1808, and is therefore now past four-score and one years of age. She is a member of the Christian Church, and is well beloved by many beyond the home circle.

The parental family was made up of nine sons and five daughters, and five sons and four daugh- ters lived to manhood and womanhood. William and Ira settled in California early in 1849 and be- came rich in the mines. Some years after they went to the coast; they were murdered for their gold by Spaniards. Our subject and his brother David were in the Union Army during the late Rebellion. Allen Meskimen enlisted on Sept. 17, 1861, as a member of Company H., 40th Ohio Infantry, and after three years of service was honorably dis- charged, and on the 1st of January, 1864, re-en- listed as a veteran, being subsequently transferred to Company 1,51st Ohio Infantry, receiving his final discharge on the Ist of November. 1865. For some years he was under the command of Gen. Garfield. Ile took part in many of the most bloody engage- ments of the war, among them being Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge and Kenesaw Mountain. During the latter engagement, June

20, 1864, he was injured by a shell from the ene- my's guns, receiving no other injury during his army life except a serious shock from a piece of shell striking his belt at the battle of Nasliville. In addition to the heavy engagements above men- tioned, Mr. Meskimen took part in many minor affrays and hard marches, together with the usual picket and camp duties which belong to the soldiers life. When discharged he ranked as Corporal in his company and left the service with the con- sciousness that he had discharged every duty which was required of him, in a creditable manner.

Not long after his return to his home, Mr. Mes- kinmen was united in marriage with Mrs. Cath- erine Malone nee Banker. The ceremony took place in 1866, in Guernsey County, Ohio, where the bride was born Aug. 16, 1840. She was the daugh- ter of Jacob and Mary C. (Good) Banker, and her mother was a cousin of Gen. George Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Banker were natives of Maryland and Virginia, respectively, and were married near Zanesville, Ohio, beginning their wedded life on a farm in Guernsey County, where both subsequently died. Mrs. Banker was born Feb. 11, 1805, and died Sept. 12, 1877. Mr. Banker was born Aug. 23, 1799, and departed this life Aug. 20, 1881. Both were devoted members of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Meskimen was the eighth child in a family of four sons and six daughters and lived under the parental roof until her first marriage. Reuben I. Malone, with whom she was then united, was a member of Company H, 40th Ohio Infantry, during the Civil War, and was taken prisoner at Mission Ridge and was sent, as a prisoner, to Libby, later to Belle Isle, and finally to Andersonville, where he died from starvation, April 15, 1864, after having been in prison seven months. Ile left one child- George J. Malone -- who married Miss Nancy R. Smith and lives on a farm in this township.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Meskimen has re- sulted in the birth of two children. Mary E. is the wife of B. E. Tryon, a teacher of instrumental music; their home is in Onaga and they have one child-John C. Henry H. is still at home and is his father's valued assistant in cultivating the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Meskimen attend the Baptist Church. lle is a member of Custer Post, No. 39, G. A. R.,

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in Onaga. In polities, he is a Republican. He has served his fellow-citizens in the capacity of Treas- . urer in the township. As a citizen, Mr. Meskimen is interested in every movement which will tend to advance the welfare of the community, and as a neighbor, he is social and kindly; and both he and the members of his household are highly regarded by those among whom their lot is east.

LLEN C. COCHRAN. late a highly re- spected resident of Pottawatomie County, died at his residence at Westmoreland, Kan., at the age of fifty-five years. He was one of the first settlers of Westmoreland, and a successful merchant, who. step by step grew up with the town and surrounding country, and at the time of his deeease was the largest dealer in the city. His life had been so ordered, both in social and business circles, as to commend him to his fel- low-citizens as one eminently worthy of their eon- fidence and esteem. Mr. Cochran, on the morning of the day of his decease, went to his store looking hale and hearty, and apparently in good spirits. He returned to dinner and supper in a similar con- dition. After supper he went back to his store as usual. and after waiting upon numerous customers, seated himself at his desk, when suddenly he was prostrated upon the floor, by a stroke of paralysis. He was carried to his residence in a state of uneon- sciousness, and placed upon the bed, where he ex- pired about 1 A. M.

Allen C. Cochran was born in Hamilton County, Ind., Aug. 5, 1833. When two years old, his par- ents removed to Shelby County, Ill., and from there later to Wapello County, Iowa, where young Allen grew to mature years and completed his edu- cation. There also he was married to Miss Mary Shaul, May 30, 1856. In the fall of 1857, Mr. and Mrs. Allen came to Kansas, landing here on the 7th of November. They located on Cross Creek, at Buck's Grove, Jackson County, and lived there for a period of twelve years. Mr. Cochran took up a tract of wild land, put up a log house, and gradu- ally gathered around himself and his family, the comforts of life. The trip from Iowa was made

overland with a team, occupying three weeks. The nearest depots for provisions were Leavenworth and Atchison, to which they went twice a year in the fall and spring, the journey occupying two weeks. Their nearest mail station was at Grass- hopper Falls, thirty miles away. All kinds of wild game were plentiful, and buffaloes were frequently seen along the Blue River. Mr. Cochran brought his land to a good state of cultivation, and put out fruit and forest trees. besides effecting other good improvements. When the post-office was estab- lished at Bucks Grove, he was appointed Post- master, which position he held until the time of leaving. For some time after settling there. they had only two neighbors for miles around.

Selling out in 1869, Mr. Cochran and his family removed to Westmoreland, purchasing a small place and putting up a store, the first building of the kind in the town. He, likewise, was the first actual settler on the present town site, sojourning in a tent on the prairie, until he could provide a better shelter. Ile was likewise the Postmaster for two terms. In due time he purchased eighty aeres of land adjoining the town limits, and laid out Coehran's first and second additions.

The first stone house ereeted in Westmoreland, was put up by Mr. Cochran in 1876, on the corner of State and Fourth Streets. He was thus one of the leading men of the community which gradually grew up around him, and as time passed on, held many positions of trust and responsibility, serving as Justice of the Peace and in the minor offices. At the time of Price's raid, he was a Lieutenant in the Home Guards. When a youth of seventeen years, he identified himself with the Methodist Epis- eopal Church, and later officiated for many years as Class-Leader, Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and in other official eapaeities. He and his estima- ble wife were among the first in forming the first class of a Methodist society in Jackson County. Their home was the headquarters of the ministers. and their hospitable doors were always open for every good purpose.

Mrs. Mary (Shaul) Cochran was born in Indiana, May 6, 1838, and when fourteen years old. re- moved with her parents to Wapello County, Iowa. Moses Shaul, the father, was a farmer and carpen-

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ter combined. Upon leaving Iowa, he removed to Jackson County, Kan. His wife, Mrs. Rachel ( Ben- nett) Shanl, died in Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Cochran were born the following children, six of whom are living, viz: Laura A., Mrs. William Grutzmacher, of Westmoreland; James P., Francis H., Willie E., David O .. and Richard E .; Charles died in 1883; Susan and Clara died when each about one year old. Mrs. Cochran is a lady greatly respected in her community, possessing more than ordinary in- telligence, and all the qualities of a Christian wife and mother.

SRAEL MCCOMAS, who is one of the leading citizens of Jackson County, owns and occupies a fine farm consisting of 280 broad acres in Jefferson Township. This estate has been changed by its owner from the primitive condition of raw prairie to a highly improved and productive acreage, and is a standing monument of the success which may attend the labors of a poor boy if he is endowed by nature with determination, per- severance, and a willingness and strength to endure. Mr. McComas is financially self-made, having started in life empty handed at the age of sixteen years. He is a son of Sanders W. McComas, de- ceased, who was one of the first settlers in this township, his arrival here having been on April 16, 1855, and his dwelling the first erected in the township.

The father of our subject was a native of Vir- ginia and a son of Moses and Lucy ( Knapper) McComas, who were Scotch-Irish, and early settlers in the Old Dominion. Moses McComas was a farmer and during the Indian war served under Gen. Harrison. Sanders McComas was reared on his father's farm, and was in the army during the Mormon war. He was married to the mother of our subject about 1835 and left his native State in 1842, to take up his residence in Platte County, Mo., where he pre-empted and improved a farm, upon which he lived until he came to this county as above stated. The mother of our subject died in 1847, and the father subsequently married Mrs. Nancy MePike, nee Boydston, a native of Ten.

nessee. By his first marriage he became the father of four children. Benjamin J. died at the age of forty, leaving a widow and three sons; David, who was a member of the 5th Kansas Infantry during the late war, died in 1866, also leaving a family ; Cynthia is the wife of Archibald D. Abel of this township. To the second marriage six children were born. Chloe is now the wife of James Wil- son of Texas; Lucy is the wife of James Baxter of this county; Sarah is the wife of James Burnison of Pottawatomie County; Louaria, now deceased, was the wife of James Moore of this county ; Thomas is deceased; Burke is the wife of Joseph Stauffer.

The father took an active part in politics and was frequently solicited to become a candidate for office. He was for many years Constable and Deputy Sheriff in Missouri, and held numerous township offices. His vote was given to the Dem - ocratie party. Ile belonged to the A. F. & A. M., and to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. During his pioneer life he underwent many hard- ships in common with others of that class, but his house was ever open to the friendless and dis- tressed, and new-comers found in him a hearty friend. He was noted for his generosity to the poor, and as a man of progressive ideas, inter- ested in education and every good work, and out- spoken in his opinions. He was not only self-made in a financial sense, but was also self-educated. He endured some of the trials which the "bloody days" of Kansas brought to the lot of its resi- dents and was ever ready to answer a call of duty.

Our subject, Israel McComas, the third in the parental family, was reared on the farm in Platte County, Mo., receiving such an education as could be obtained at the subscription schools in a new conntry, and laboring as hard as his years would allow between the terms of school. He not only helped to improve the farm there, but also the one in this county to which his father removed. In 1860, he went to Pike's Peak with an ox-team, but returned in the fall of the same year, and in the following spring was united in marriage to Miss J. E. Horn, a native of Clay County, Mo. Three children resulted from their union, one of them 1 being deceased. Mildred .l. is the wife of Lyman

Im. What mal.

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Allen of this township, and Anna is still at home. The first wife of our subjeet died in 1864.

Mr. McComas was again married in February, 1866, his bride being Miss Martha E. Johnson, a native of the Buckeye State. Iler father, Samuel Johnson, was born in New York and came to this county in 1861, dying the same year. This union has resulted in the birth of seven children. Naney is the wife of John Eaelen of this county; Edna is a musie teacher, still making her home under the parental roof; Frances is the wife of F. M. Myers of this county; Hattie, Marquis M., Maud and Katie, complete the group.

Mr. MeComas is a Republican and much inter- ested in the suceess of the party principles. He has filled the office of Township Treasurer. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and both are among the well- esteemed members of the community. Mr. Me- Comas has made a specialty of stock-raising and feeding. He attributes his snecess to hard work and good management, and all who know his life coneur in this opinion.

OIIN W. WILHOIT, M. D., whose office is at St. George, Pottawatomie County, is a young man of fine education, with a thor- ough understanding of the principles of Therapeutics, and a frank and manly bearing which prepossesses one in his favor. He belongs to an educated and cultured family. of the region south of the Ohio River, where culture and refinement seein inbred, and his ancestry is not shamed by his own courteous manners, and excellent character. In the line of his chosen work, he already exhibits a keenness of perception, and an accurate judg- ment of symptoms and constitutions, which would do credit to one of much larger experience, and his fine practice is a legitimate result therefrom. He is the only physician located at St. George, and his practice extends to within two miles of Manhattan, and one and a balf miles of Wamego.

The parents of Dr. Wilhoit were James A. and Matilda A. (Boggs) Wilhoit. The former was a native of Kentucky, and in that State spent his life

engaged in the peaceful occupation of farming. He served as Justice of the Peace for twenty years, and was highly respected by his fellow-citizens. His death took place Ang. 26, 1873. The mother was born in Virginia. and is still living, her home being at Olive Hill, Ky., and her age seventy years. To this worthy couple eleven children were born, eight of them being now alive. One of the sons, E. B. Wilhoit, has been an attorney at Grayson, Ky., for twenty years. During the late war he served three years in the Union army as a member of the 22d Kentucky Infantry. At the elose of the war he was appointed Assessor and Collector of Internal Revenue at his place of residence. He has also served as County Attorney one term, and was ap- pointed Judge of the district, pro tem. He is both a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and fills the position of Vice-President of the Grayson Bank. Another son, James B., is also an attorney at Grayson; George W. is a teacher in Carter County; two daughters were also engaged in the profession of teaching.

Dr. Wilhoit was born in Carter County, Ky., Aug. 9, 1853, and after completing the course of instruction in the district schools, attended the State Normal School at Carlisle for two terms, and subsequently entered the Central Normal College at Danville, Ind., early in December, 1881. He had previously taught school in his native State for eight terms, having charge of his first school three terms in succession. He also served as county examiner of teachers in his native county. In 1880 he com- menced the study of medicine under Dr. L. Prich- ard of Grayson. His first course of lectures was taken in 1882, at the Louisville Medical College, after which he practiced in Nebraska for a few months. llis course of medical instruction was completed at the Northwestern Medical College in St. Joseph, Mo., in 1884, prior to which time, on May 4, 1885, he had located in Westmoreland, this county. From there he removed to St. George in 1886, and during the period of his residence here has become well and favorably known.

The lady whom Dr. Wilhoit chose for his com . panion in life, was one whom he had known from infaney, and with whose noble qualities of heart and mind he was well acquainted. She was Miss Jennie Armstrong, and was descended, like himself,

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from prominent families of Virginia and Kentucky. Her parents are James H. and Eliza A. (Watson) Armstrong, the former a native of West Virginia,and the latter a member of the well-known Watson fam- ily of the Blue Grass State. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong took place in Kentucky, and they still reside there, Mr. Armstrong holding a promi- nent position among the residents of Carter County, where he has held many responsible public offices. Among others he has served as Clerk of the Court, and later as Deputy Clerk; has been Sheriff two terms. and has held the position of County Super- intendent of Schools. He owns a large farm of 1,000 acres near Olive Hill. To himself and wife eleven children have been born, of whom Mrs. Wil- hoit is the fourth in order of birth. Her eyes opened to the light in Carter County, Ky., April 1, 1858, and she received a good education in the schools of the county, and a careful training in womanly graces at home. In 1881, she came West to visit an uncle, John Howerton, of Rossville, Shawnee County, and on Sept. 22, 1882, she was there united in marriage with Dr. Wilhoit. The happy union has been blessed by the birth of three children: James C. came to gladden their hearts July 15, 1884; Della was born April 23, 1886, and Lyda M., Jan. 31, 1887.

Dr. Wilhoit has always been a Republican. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., at Grayson, Ky .. and is a member of the Pottawatomie County Medical So- ciety, of which he was an organizer. He is now the Director of the School Board in St. George. Mrs. Wilhoit is a member of the Christian Church, and both are highly respected in this locality.

Accompanying this sketch, the reader will find a portrait of Dr. Wilhoit.

ON. ROBERT P. HAYNES. There is prob- ably not a more popular man or liberal- minded citizen in Jefferson County than he with whose name we introduce this bio- graphical outline. His wealth and influence have been directed into worthy channels, and he has thus been enabled to be of great service among the va- rious interests which have resulted in the growth

and development of the county. He has been a resident of Perry since 1888, and while giving his attention largely to the practice of law also prose- cutes a thriving business in real estate. He is a very active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church-in fact one of its pillars. A shrewd and far-seeing business man, he has been usually success- ful in his undertakings and has learned much from a broad experience of life in its different phases.

A native of Virginia, Mr. Haynes was born Dec. 9, 1821, and lived there until approaching man- hood, pursuing his early studies in the subscription school. He can distinctly remember the last visit of LaFayette to America in 1824. He remained under the home roof until reaching his majority, then engaged as a farm laborer in Montgomery County, Ohio. Later he purchased land in Green County, that State, and putting up a log cabin cleared a farm of 110 acres from the wilderness. He added to his landed possessions nntil he became the owner of 400 acres, and finally began dealing in live stock, buying and shipping horses and cat- tle. He also operated a flouring-mill in Green County, and dealt in grain to a large extent, buy- ing for the Government. In the meantime, having a good knowledge of common law, he became Jus- tice of the Peace, and in addition to his other in- terests engaged in general merchandising.

In the spring of 1867 Mr. Haynes, leaving Ohio, made his way to Davis County, Ind. In the former State be witnessed the operation of the first rail- road. At the time of going to Indiana venison was plenty and other wild game abounded. Mr. Haynes located in Davis County, and purchased 320 acres of land in the vicinity of Washington, the county - seat, lying between the two White Rivers. Here also he prosecuted farming and stock-raising, mak- ing a specialty of blooded cattle. In the meantime he employed his leisure hours in the study of law, being ambitious to fit himself for the bar and was admitted as a barrister to the County Court in 1869. While in Indiana he had been under the instruction of Judge Pierce.

Mr. Haynes, in 1871, after having filled many positions of trust and responsibility, was elected to represent the people of Davis County in the Indi- ana Legislature and served one term. During this

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time he was a member of several important com- mittees, including Rights and Privileges of the In- habitants of the State of Indiana, Appropriations, Public Expenditures and Canals. Later he was elected a member of the State Board of Agriculture as the successor of Gov. Williams, officiating as such five years, and serving as Chairman of the Executive Committee. Later he was a member of the Executive Committee of Perdue College at Lafayette, Ind. In the meantime he was sent to Canada by the State to purchase fine stock with which to stock the college farm, and was connected with the interests of this institution for five or six years thereafter, having, with the members of the Executive Committee, upward of $350,000 under his control. At the same time he was Secretary of the State House Commission and wrote the con- tract for the erection of this building.

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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 66

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

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