Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 68

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 68
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 68
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 68

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).

He of whom we write was born Dec. 22, 1851, and with his brother Christopher-now deceased- and his sister Wilhelmina-wife of John Zabel, of this township-came to America with their parents in 1853, and a few years later accompanied them to this county. After the death of his father, he remained with his mother whom he has helped care for ever since her first widowhood. Ilis marriage occurred in this township, his bride being Miss Amelia Nicholas, who was born in Germany, July 6, 1858, her place of birth being some miles from the city of Berlin. She came to the United States with her parents, August and Caroline Nicholas, in

FARM RESIDENCE OF C. FREDERIKSEN, SEC . 5. WHITINGTP. JACKSON CO.KAN.

FARM RESIDENCE OF WM KOLTERMAN, SEC. 7. MILL CREEK TP., POTTAWATOMIE CO, KAN.

FARM RESIDENCE OF JOHN BÖH, SEC. 10. LINCOLN TP., POTTAWATOMIE CO.KAN.

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1874. and has since lived in this State. Her par- ents are now living in Center Township. this county, with their son, William F. Nicholas. The father is seventy-one years old. and the mother is past sixty-six. Both are members of the Lutheran Church. From these worthy parents _ Mrs. Kol- terman received an excellent training. and devel- oped into an intelligent aud eapable womanhood. She has borne her husband seven children, all of whom still remain under the parental roof. They are named. respectively: Alana, Paulina, Emma. Amelia. Frank, Martha and Matilda.

Mr. Kolterman has borne his share in township work in various offices. He is a strong Democrat in polities. Both he and his wife belong to the Lutheran Church and are worthy followers in the footsteps of their honored parents.

In connection with this sketch of the life of Mr. Kolterman, a lithographie view of his home and sur roundings is presented.

OHN BOH. The results of perseverance and industry nowhere present a finer illustration than in the career of Mr. Boh who is one of the most prosperous farmers of Lincoln Township, Pottawatomie County, where he has delved from the soil a fine home and a competence. He came to the township in 1868 and homesteaded eighty acres of wild land. having no capital but his good name and no resources but the qualities of industry and perseverance with which he had been amply endowed by nature. His land lay as the Indians had left it-without fences, buildings or other improvements-and he necessarily began in a modest manner the task which lay before him. One after another he brought the acres to a state of cultivation, made fences and erected buildings and in the meantime provided for his family. A few years of arduous labor served to place him npon a solid footing and in time he began to extend his possessions. He is now the owner of 1,200 broad acres, over which roam numbers of fat cattle and upon which he has erected substantial modern build- ings. The humble dwelling which first afforded him a shelter has been supplanted by a fine resi-

dence, flanked by a large and convenient barn and other outbuildings. He has gathered together the latest improved machinery and eonduets his farm . ing operations after the most approved methods. Experience has been his best teacher and although , he has worked very hard he ean count every dollar as honestly earned and ean look the whole world in the face " for he owes not any man."

The subject of this sketch was born on the other side of the Atlantic in the Duchy of Holstein, Ger- many, Oet. 5, 1835. Upon emigrating to America in 1867 he spent about one year m Moline, Ill., and from there came to the Sunflower State. His father. IIons Boh, was likewise a native of Holstein and earned his bread by the sweat of his brow. He lived to be about sixty-three years old, spending his last days in Germany. The mother, Mrs. Catherine (Doze) Boh, likewise a native of Holstein, there spent her entire life. passing away many years after the death of her husband and when quite aged. Both were members of the Lutheran Church. Their family consisted of four sons and four daugh- ters, all of whom lived to mature years. John was reared and educated in his native Province and was there married in March, 1863, to Miss Helena Master. Mrs. Boh was born and reared not far from the childhood home of her husband, of poor but respectable parents who spent their entire lives in their native Holstein. "Mr. and Mrs. Boh re- mained there until after the birth of two children and then accompanied by Mr. Boh's brother, Car- son, they set out for America on a sailing vessel bound from Hamburg to New York City. They landed in the metropolis after a voyage of thirty- five days and proceeded directly to Moline III. Their subsequent movements we have already indicated.

Eight children have been born to our subject and his excellent wife, the eldest of whom, a son Frederick, is in the employ of Mr. T. I. Eddy. of Havensville. Mary is the wife of George W. Hoff- man and they live on a farm in Lincoln Township: Caroline is the wife of Seph Collins; Louisa married George Harris; Anna is the wife of Owen Harris and all of these reside on farms in Lincoln Township; William, Jesse and George are at home with their parents. After becoming a voting citizen, Mr. Boh

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identified himself with the Republican party, but aside from serving as Township Treasurer he bas had very little to do with public affairs. Besides his uninenmbered farm property, he is a stock- holder in the Citizens' State National Bank at Havensville.

A lithographie view of Mr. Boh's residence is shown on another page.

C HRISTIAN FREDERKSEN. One. of the finest and most highly-improved farms in all Jackson County is that owned and op- erated by the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, and who, although he cherishes a fond recollection of his native country, Denmark, is yet a loyal and patriotic American at heart, sympa- thizing with every movement calculated to advance the interests of his adopted home. He is earnestly in favor of all enterprises intended to improve and benefit Jackson County, and has not himself been tardy in promoting its growth. He has by careful experiments discovered many varieties of fruits and trees which can be easily cultivated in that soil. and has found some varieties, to which, on the con- trary, the soil does not seem to be adapted. His beautiful homestead, a view of which may be found in connection with this sketch, is particularly at- tractive during the heat of summer, when the thick foliage of the trees offers a cool retreat from the heat of the sun.

As before stated, Mr. Frederksen is a native of Denmark, his birth having occurred Nov. 1, 1839. Amid the rugged scenery of that peninsula he passed the years of his boyhood, receiving a good common-school education in the Danish language. At the age of seventeen years he commenced to learn the trade of a carpenter, serving an appren- ticeship of two years, after which he began to op- erate as a tiller of the soil, and was thus engaged, though not uninterruptedly, for five years. He entered the Army of Denmark June 2, 1862, and when his country became involved in a general Eu- ropean war, which was commenced in February, 1861, he took part as a brave and patriotic Dane in the fighting with Prussia and Austria. He partici-

pated in the battle of Duble Fort, March 17, 1864, then in an engagement at the same place April 8, also in various skirmishes that were going on dur- ing the same year. He was honorably discharged on the 17th of August, 1864.

After a short experience in agricultural pursuits Mr. Frederksen left his native land, and for two and one-half years resided in Greenland, working at his trade. But the bleak and desolate land, with its cheerless landscape and dull, gray sky, held few attractions for him, and he accordingly resolved to come to the United States, and see what this country offered him. After locating here he worked first in the South, and in March, 1870, bought a piece of land of which he had already broken forty acres. Going to the South in the winter he was employed in the public works, and each spring returned to his farm. Upon his orig- inal purchase he ereeted a comfortable house, with other outbuildings, fenced the entire tract of land, and improved a portion of it, selling the farm after- ward at a total loss of $700.

In 1879, our subject, after having farmed for several years in this neighborhood, purchased eighty acres where he now lives, being the northi half of the southeast quarter, on section 5. Then it was wild prairie land, wholly uncultivated, and in a primitive state of nature. Now it is highly improved, fenced with good hedges, and on it has been erected a comfortable house, with outbuild- ings. The residence is one and a half stories in height, with a portico in front, and represents the unaided efforts of our subject. Altogether it is one of the most substantial residences of the county. The orchard consists of about 200 apple trees in good bearing condition, also peach, plum, and cherry trees, with grapes and small fruit in abundance. About 2,000 forest and shade trees . form an attractive grove, and contain Russian mul- berry, which he considers a very good tree, catalpa, box elder, ash, cottonwood, elm, walnut, and other species.

The estate itself is largely devoted to stock- raising, Mr. Frederksen having about thirty head of Durham cattle, with perhaps the same number of hogs. l'pon his arrival in this county he had about $500. which represented the earnings of

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years, but it was lost, and he was compelled to be- gin once more at the foot of the ladder and work his way gradually and slowly to independence.

Always prominently identified with the Re. publican party. Mr. Frederksen supports it by his influence as well as by his vote. Though he is no aspirant for public office, he has, nevertheless, held the position of Road Overseer, and there, as else- where, faithfully discharged the duties devolving upon him. He belongs to Jackson Lodge, No. 214. I. O. O. F., at Whiting, and with his family is a consistent and active member of the Lutheran Church in that town. ITis family comprises his wife, who was Miss Martha Martinsen, and their five children, who are named respectively: Con- radine. the eldest, who is a bright girl of nine years; Christine, Fred, James and Clara. Mrs. Frederksen is the daughter of Erick C. Martinsen, a native of Denmark, where she likewise was born. She was united in marriage with our subject March 30, 1879, and has since devoted her life to the wel- fare of her family. She does not, however, neglect social duties, but pleasantly entertains those who come under the home roof. Rich and poor alike find in her a sympathizing friend in time of trouble, and like her of whom the wise man of old spoke, "her price is far above rubies."

C HARLES SHEDD, of the firm of Shedd & Marshall, Lumber, Grain & Coal Dealers at Whiting, Jackson County, is one to whom that town, and the country adjacent to it owes much of its present prosperity. With faith in the agricultural resources of his chosen home, he showed "his faith by his works" in the dark days of its his- tory, and has been rewarded by personal success, and by seeing the country develop into a prosper- ous region. In conducting his business affairs, he has manifested excellent judgment and discern- ment, and the strictest integrity, and as a private citizen, his standing is among the best.

Mr. Shedd is a native of Hillsboro, N. H .. and born Sept. 22, 1837, receiving an academic educa- tion in his native town, and fitting himself for the profession of teaching. At the age of nineteen, he

began his professional labors in his home district, conducting the school there for two terms, follow- ing which, at the age of twenty, he went to Griggs- ville, Pike Co., Ill., where he taught for three years. He then engaged as a clerk in the clothing busi- ness conducted by Messrs. C. F. Gibbs & F. J. Rider, and continued so employed until the year 1869, at which period he came to this county.

Whiting was then a station only in name, the first house being put up that year by a Mr. Figgot, to be used as a store by a Mr. Hendricks from Vir- ginia, who had purchased 1,000 acres of land in the neighborhood, and built a $7,000 house. This gentleman failed in business before his store was opened, and the building was bought by A. D. Stone. who, in company with Mr. Shedd, opened the first stock of goods in the town in November. 1869. The firm of Stone & Shedd continued in business for two years, theirs being the only store and house in the place during that period. They then sold out to a Mr. Westlake, and our subject took a trip East, visiting his old home and his par- ents, and remaining East about a year.

On his return to this county in 1872. Mr. Shedd entered into a partnership with William Marshall, and began buying grain. The connection of Shedd & Marshall has continued ever since, and the firm are the principal dealers in lumber and grain in their city. On the 4th of July, 1873, they opened a stock of merchandise in a little room, 8x14. that Mr. Shedd was then using for a railroad office, he being depot and freight agent, a capacity in which he acted for eight years. For more than a month this room was occupied, and the sales averaged $75 per day. Messrs. Shedd & Marshall erected a build- ing 18x30 feet, in which they moved their stock in Angust, and to which a year later they added forty feet, their business requiring more commodious quarters.

About this time the grasshoppers invaded this region, and so devastated the farm lands, that the farmers werc almost penniless, and for two years the firm of Shedd & Marshall supplied them with nec- essary goods on credit, and though sometimes it seemed as if the farmers would never be able to pay, the dealers lived on corn bread, and pinned their hopes to the future, Their faith was re-

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warded, better times came, and nineteen-twentieths of their creditors have paid up in full to the firm which befriended them.

In 1881, the firm removed the frame building which they were occupying, and on its old site erected a large and finely finished two-story stone structure, which would be an ornament in any town. It is 28x80 feet in dimension, with 18-foot ceilings in both stories, with a good cemented floor under the entire building. This large edifice was carried full of goods on all three floors for several years, the stock running as high as $30,000 in value. In August, 1888, Messrs. Shedd & Marshall disposed of their stock of merchandise to Renard & Vickers, receiving 1,000 acres of land, and the balance in cash. The firm now owns about 3,500 acres, all under improvement, using about 1,300 acres as feeding ground for a berd of 500 head of cattle; the balance of their landed estate is rented. They also carry on the lumber, grain and coal business as before stated, and have a good trade in cach line. Mr. Shedd is President of the Whiting Exchange Bank, in which he individually owns a half-inter- est, and which is the only banking institution in the northern part of this county, and does a fine business.

The subject of this brief sketch, is a son of Levi and Jane (Hosley ) Shedd, both of Hillsboro, N. H. His uncle, Gen. Samuel Andrews, lives in the house where President Pierce formerly resided, and has one room furnished just as it was in his day. The July before Mr. Shedd was born, his father finished a large barn, and filled the mow with hay, stowing it in bents. The barn being 100 feet long, the back bent has been in there since the barn was erected fifty-two years ago. When Mr. Shedd vis- ited bis old home a few years since, he got a few handsful of the hay from that bent, which be has preserved in a fine case, it being a matter of great curiosity, and probably the only instance of the kind in the world. Another relic much prized by Mr. Shedd, is a cane made by his uncle, John S. Shedd, from the jaw of a sperm whale captured in the harbor of New Bedford, Mass., by a party of which the uncle made onc.

The marriage of Mr. Shedd took place March 19, 1874. and his chosen companion was Miss Mary,

daughter of Stephen and Maria (Hay ) Hayes. This union has been blessed by the birth of two children : Hattie A., a miss of fifteen, and Jane Lotta, the baby. Mrs. Shedd is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is instilling into the minds of her daughters the best principles, and they are also receiving, as their age will admit, the educa- tion and practical training which will fit them to follow in her own footsteps.

Mr. Shedd is a Democrat, but was elected the first Trustee of the town, which is largely Repub- licau, and was continued in the office for six years. He is a member of the Whiting Lodge, No. 250, A. F. & A. M., and has been Master since its organ- ization in 1884. The order is in a flourishing con- dition, and has recently fitted up its hall in elegant shape, having a banqueting room and kitchen at- tached. The ladies of the vicinity are very en- thusiastic in its work, and assist in many ways in building up the lodge. The town of Whiting boasts of some beautiful homes, and Mr. Shedd has one of the finest. His residence is two stories high 24x28 feet, with an L 16x18, the entire edifice be- ing finished in an artistic manner, and the family living therein in comfort and elegance.

LBERT A. GREENE. Noticeable among the pioneer settlers of Jackson County the name of Mr. Greene should occupy no im- important place, as he came here in 1867, settling in Jefferson Township. He purchased 160 acres of wild land, and improved the farm which he still owns and occupies, and where he has pros- pered as a tiller of the soil. He was born in Rhode Island in 1825, and is the son of Caleb and Sarah (Garduer) Greene, who were likewise natives of that State.

Caleb Greene was a farmer by occupation, and the son of David Greene, a native of Rhode Island and a soldier of the Revolutionary War. The family is of English descent, and Caleb Greene was nearly related to the famous Revolutionary hero, Gen. Greene. The Gardner family traced its an- cestry to England. To Caleb Greene and his ex-

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cellent wife there was born a family of ten children, all of whom lived to mature years: Patience be- came the wife of Edward Reddy, and is now a widow, living in Rhode Island. Ahbie married Thomas Summers, and died in Jefferson Township. Jackson Co., Kan., in 1889; her linsband was one of the earliest settlers of this township. Sarah Ann married William Carpenter, of Rhode Island, and is now deceased; Hannah married Champlain Watson, of Rhode Island, and is also deceased ; Lydia is living in Rhode Island; Thomas A. is a resident of Lawrence, this State; Caleb, Jr. served as a soldier in the late Civil War, and died in his native Rhode Island; Alexander lives in the latter State; Albert A., of this sketch, was next to the youngest; William is a merchant of Hill City. this State. The mother was a member of the Baptist Church, and died at her home in Rhode Island when fifty-eight years old. Caleb Greene was a Free- thinker, very conservative in his ideas, and a man of much natural ability. Ile was plain and out- spoken, thoroughly honest, and respected by his fellow-men. He lived to the ripe old age of sev- enty-two years.

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, receiving limited educational advantages. Ile com- menced the battle of life for himself at the age of sixteen years, working out on a farm at $5 per month, and was occupied as a farm laborer for eight years. He then commenced farming on rented land. at which he continued for a period of seventeen years. At the expiration of this time be set out for the West. crossing the Mississippi into Nodaway County, Mo., and purchasing 300 acres of wild land on the Platte River. IIe farmed upon this for two years, then, coming to Kansas, purchased 160 acres of raw land, two miles south of what was then the hamlet of Circleville. A year later, however, he sold out and purchased another tract of unimproved land, on section 4, in Grant Township, where he made his home for seven years, and which is now one of the best improved farms in the county. He has, altogether, opened up seven farms from the primitive soil, planting orchards upon each of them, and effecting the other ordinary improvements. He has thus cultivated, at different times, an extensive area, upon which

he planted 5,000 apple trees, besides trees of the smaller fruits. It is conceded that he has done perhaps more than any other man in this region in encouraging fruit growing, as he was the first to forward this industry among the people of the new State.

When first leaving Jackson County, Mr. Greene settled near Garrison, Pottawatomie County, where he purchased 500 acres of land, which he devoted to stock farming, and upon which he lived three years. Then going into Phillips County, he pur- chased 1,300 acres, which was also largely devoted to stock-raising, and where he set out another or- chard. We next find him in Lawrence, intending to retire from active labor, and purposing to give his attention to the education of his children, and there he still lives, occupying the old John Spear's residence.

Mr. Greene was married Jan. 21. 1844, at the bride's home in Rhode Island, to Miss Susan Ann Watson. This lady was born in Rhode Island, and is the daughter of Thomas Watson. likewise a na- tive of that State, and who distinguished himself as a soldier in the War of 1812. To Mr. and Mrs. Greene there was born a family of fifteen children, ten of whom lived to mature years; John W. was married and settled upon a farm in Cloud County, this State, where he died in 1881, leaving a wife and two children; Letitia is the wife of Hezekialı Fremyre, of Nodaway County, Mo .; Miranda W. married David Stewart, of Phillips County, this State; Thomas W. is operating as a carpenter in Lawrence: Oren B. is mining in Montana; Horace F. is farming in Douglas County, this State, as also is Albert A., Jr .; Edwin A. is farming in Potta- watomie County; Addie married Joseph R. Mc- Bride, who is mining in Lucas County, Iowa ; Walter L. is studiously inclined, and intends in the near future studying for the law.

Self-educated and self-made, Mr. Greene has by his own efforts raised himself to a good position socially and financially. lle is well informed on the leading questions of the day, and has an excel- lent, knowledge of common law. His judgment is frequently called into requisition by his neighbors and friends, and is usually found to be correct. As a judge of real estate he has few equals. Liberal

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and public-spirited, he is ever found upon the side of those enterprises calculated for the best good of the people. He is the friend of education and temperance, and religiously, like his honored sire, is a Freethinker, having made a study of theology since early life. His motto has been, " Industry, economy, punctuality and honesty." He considers these the fundamental principles which will safely guide every man through life.

Mr. Greene is one of the leading land-owners of Jackson County, having 2,440 acres of choice land, mostly improved, besides other valuable real estate, including property in the city of Lawrence. He has always been deeply solicitous for the wel- fare of his children, it being the leading desire of his life to give them such an education as will fit them to become good and useful members of so- ciety. It may be safely said of Mr. Greene that he will leave to his posterity the heritage of an irre- proachable name-a name which will be held in kindly remembrance long after he has been gatlı- ered to his fathers.

IRAM SHERMAN. Among the well-regn- lated homesteads which have been built up by the intelligent farmers of Sherman Township, Pottawatomie County, that be- longing to the subject of this notice is worthy of more than a passing mention. If the character of the man can properly be determined by his sur- ronndings, Mr. Sherman is, in all respects, one of the leading men of his township, and one who has contributed his full quota to its material interests. The fine body of land upon which he has lived and labored since the spring of 1871, comprises 240 acres, pleasantly located on section 34, and well watered by Indian Creek. Stock-raising forms a prominent feature of Mr. Sherman's operations, he having a fine assortment of cattle, horses and swine. He makes a specialty of good breeds, believing that these are far more profitable in the end, and he has done much to encourage the raising of fine stock in this region.

Mr. Sherman came to Kansas from Black Hawk County, lowa, where he had prosecuted farming

for a period of fourteen years. He had removed from Indiana to Iowa, and to Indiana from Seneca County, Ohio. He was born in the latter county, Nov. 3, 1827, and is the son of Japhet Sherman, who was a native of Rhode Island.

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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 68

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

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