Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 71

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 71
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 71
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 71

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. May is a member of the I. O. O. F., the A. O. U. W., the (. A. R., and the Farmers' Alli- ance. He never seeks office but has accepted a public position in educational matters and as Clerk of his school district or School Treasurer has served his neighbors for seventeen years. In poli- tics he is a Republican. He is a prohibitionist and decidedly opposes the re-submission of the prohibi- tion question in the State. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is at present one of the Stewards and for many years was Trustee and Sunday-school Superintendent.

B II. BRADSHAW, farmer and breeder of Durham cattle and Norman horses, near Denison, Jackson County. is a native of Kentucky and was born Sept. 1, 1822 in Adair County. In 1848 he moved to Vernon County, Mo., and was one of the Board of County

Commissioners who located in the county seat at Nevada. He was for six years Justice of the Peace and for four years was County Judge. He came to .Jackson County, Kan., in 1862, and located on North Cedar Creek, his present home. He now has 200 acres under cultivation and well-improved. He was married in 1843 to Miss Belinda Collins, a native of Virginia. They have eight children, namely: LaFayette, Mary, Henry, Jasper, Sarah, Lucretia, Jane and Bainbridge, Jr.

In the temperance movement Mr. Bradshaw has taken an active part. While a resident of Missouri he was District Deputy, Grand Master of the I. O. G. T. Lodge, and for two years lectured and instituted lodges. During the Grange movement he was District Deputy Grand Master, and organ- ized and instituted all the granges in Jackson County, Kan. Ile is an active member of the Christian Church, of which he has been an Elder for the past twenty years.

R EV. FATHER PETER A. KRIER, pastor of St. Mary's, was born in Germany March 9, 1845, and lived there with his parents, Peter and Kate (Munhoven) Krier until thirteen years old. He then entered Lutzenburg College where he staid seven years. He next started for America and on the 10th of September. 1865, landed in St. Louis, Mo., where he continued his studies until December, 1868, going thence to Mil- waukee, Wis., and from there to Woodstock in 1869.

After completing his studies in 1871, Father Krier was sent to Cincinnati, Ohio, to take the Professorship of St. Xavier College, which he held until 1874. Then returning to Woodstock he began the study of theology and in 1877 was sent to Washington, Mo., as assistant parish priest, where he remained one year. Then returning to Cincin- nati he became Associate Chaplain and Priest of the German Literary Society and later was sent to Osage County, Mo., as Superior of several parishes in which capacity he served seven years. Later he had charge of St. Joseph's Church at St. Louis. Then coming to St. Mary's, Aug. 24. 1888. he

555

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

assumed charge of his present parish which now aggregates a membership of 1,500 with a school of over 200 pupils and which he has built up from a very small beginning. He has done mueb hard work, building up a number of other parishes. erecting buildings and establishing schools which are now in a flourishing condition.

The paternal grandfather of our subject and his son, Peter. Sr., as also Peter, Jr., were born in the same house. The mother, Mrs. Katie Krier, was born in the Province of Lorraine, France. The parental household consisted of six children, three sons and three daughters. The sons all beeame priests. The mother died March 9, 1865, aged fifty-seven years. The father died Nov. 4, 1871, at the age of sixty-seven. They spent their last days at the old home and their remains were laid to rest in the cemetery of their ancestors.

C HARLES E. BETTS. It has been twenty- two years since Mr. Betts first settled in Kansas, to which he came poor in purse, having only the qualities of resolution and perse- verance with which to begin the battle of life on the frontier. We find him now numbered among the prosperous men of Rural Township, Jefferson County, and the owner of 225 acres of well-devel- oped land on section 28. In addition to general agriculture he makes a specialty of potatoes, raising on an average from 100 acres a erop of from 15,000 to 20,000 bushels per year. He seems to have dis- covered the secret of cultivating this indispensable vegetable and has realized handsome returns.

Ross County, Ohio, was the early tramping ground of our subject, and where his birth took place in 1863. Ilis parents, George W. and Jennie (Timmons) Betts, were likewise natives of the Buckeye State, and are now residents of Kansas City, this State. The father has been Clerk of the court of Wyandotte County for a number of years. He served as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War. The paternal grandfather was a native of Maryland, and was a drummer in the War of 1812. Prior to this, in 1800, he had made settlement near Chillicothe, Ohio, during the Ter- 1

ritorial days of that now prosperous common wealth. He prosecuted farming and milling extensively, and became well-to-do, spending there his last days.

The father of our subject, after coming to Kan- sas occupied himself as a farmer several years before being elected to office. About 1867 he took up his abode in Edwardsville, where Charles was educated in the public schools. At the age of fourteen years he engaged as a bookkeeper at the stock yards, and officiated in this capacity also for the firm of T. A. Seott & Co. for eight years. He was also engaged as a bookkeeper in Denver. Col., three years. Later he was Deputy Clerk of Wyandotte County, this State, under his father. He was married, in 1884. to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of J. C. and Rosa Grinter, of Wyandotte County, who had settled there during the pioneer days. Of this union there has been born one child only-Sibyl Dodana. Mr. Betts, politically, votes the Republican ticket, and is an honored member of the Knights of Pythias.

The maternal grandfather of Mr. Betts was Stephen Timmons, a native of Maryland. and born on the Chesapeake Bay. He carried on farming extensively, and for the long period of fifty-four years officiated as a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife was Lydia Cartwright, who removed to Ross County, Ohio in 1800 during its Territorial days. The father of our subject served as a soldier in the Civil War.

W ILLIAM H. SMITH. Among the many fine farms in Jefferson County, that of the above-named gentleman is noticeable for its marked improvements, pleasant location, and general air of good management and order. It comprises 118 acres on section 2, Kentucky Town- ship, is fertilized by Spring Creek Branch and is three and a half miles from Perry. The residence is a handsome stone structure built from rock which was quarried on the farm, and is accompanied by substantial and adequate farm buildings of various kinds. Eighty-five acres of land are under the plow and the remainder is devoted to pasturage. as Mr. Smith is engaged in stock-raising and feeding.

556

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Ile breeds full-blooded Poland-China hogs, has a small herd of full-blooded Short-horn and Durham cattle, and ten head of farm horses.

Before beginning a brief outline of the history of our subject, it may be well to devote a few words to his ancestry and parentage. His paternal grandfather, Peter Smith, was born in the Old Do- minion and owned and operated 300 acres of land there. He was a Revolutionary soldier, was of English descent, and for years was a Class-Leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church. His son Jacob, the father of our subject, was born in what is now Mineral County, W Va, and he also fol- lowed farming. lle cleared and operated a farm of 140 acres in that county, where he resided until 1862, when he moved to Illinois and near Vandalia. in Fayette County, improved another farm. There he died in 1887, at the age of sixty-six years. Like his father he belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church and was a Class-Leader for years. His wife was a native of the same county as himself, and bore the maiden name of Susan Grimm. She was left an orphan when a child. She survived until 1888, when she followed her husband to the silent tomb. The family consisted of seven chil- dren, our subject being the first-born. All are still living except Emma, the sixth child. Susan M., (now Mrs. Peters,) Charles, John, and Joseph, are living in Fayette County, III. Alice, (now Mrs. Boles) lives in Lawrence, Kan.

The subject of this brief sketch first opened his eyes to the light May 10, 1842, near Keyser, Min- eral County, W. Va. He was reared on a farm, and attended the subscription schools which were in the old-fashioned log school house with slab benches and greased paper windows. He pursued his studies and assisted in carrying on the work of the farm until twenty years of age, when he took up arms in defense of the Union.

In December, 1862, Mr. Smith became a member of Company C, Ist Virginia Cavalry, and was mus- tered in at Wheeling, W. Va., the regiment forming a part of the Army of the Potomac. He partici- puted in the engagements at Withville and Lynch- burg, and then went back to the Shenandoah Valley, where under the gallant Sheridan be was present at the battles of Winchester, Martinsburg, and Cetlar

Creek, and engaged in skirmishing every day until they reached Stanton, where they had a heavy skir- mish. Their next engagement was at Moorefield, Va., and subsequent to this contest Mr. Smith acted as Corporal under Gen. Custer. He was present at the siege of Richmond and at Appomattax Court House, and acted as scout at the battle of White Sulphur Springs. Here he received a flesh wound in the hip from a rifle ball, which laid him up for a while, but he recovered in time to participate in the Grand Review. He was mustered out of service at Wheeling, June 15, 1865, having escaped serious injury, although he had three horses shot from under him and had holes shot through his blouse on more than one occasion.

Having won an honorable record in the ranks, and happy in the consciousness that he had done all that was within his power to preserve the I'nion, Mr. Smith on receiving his discharge went to Illi- nois to join his father. He engaged in an agricul- tural life. renting land in the Prairie State until 1868, when he came to this State by team, crossing the Mississippi River at Alton, and the Missouri at Booneville, and making his way to this county. He rented land on Buck Creek, npon which he re- sided until 1881, when he moved to the estate which he now occupies and which he had purchased in 1873 at $7.50 per acre. He made valuable im- provements upon the place, among them being a large frame dwelling which two years later was burned to the ground with all its contents, leaving the family with but the clothes on their backs. Notwithstanding this set-back. the industry and energy of Mr. Smith have been crowned with suc- cess and his labors are meeting with a substantial reward.

At the home of the bride in Fayette County, Ill., March 8, 1866, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Martha Lewis. She is a native of Marion County, Ohio, and the daughter of an old settler in the Buckeye State, and had accompanied her wid- owed mother to Illinois. She is a lady of noble Christian character and many domestic virtues. Her union with Mr. Smith has resulted in the birth of four children : Cora. who is now in Lawrence, and Manrice, Jennie, and Jesse, who are still at home. Mr. Smith is a prominent and very popular gen-

557

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

tleman, with the good breeding of a true Virginian and the genial nature which always wins friends. He is now serving his second term as Trustee of Kentucky Township, is also filling the office of As- sessor and is Treasurer of the School District. He is a true-blue Republican and has been delegate to county conventions. Twice he has served on the petit jury. Mrs. Smith belongs to the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, and shares with her husband in the esteem of their neighbors and associates.

C ARLTON PECK. This well known resident of Grant Township, Pottawatomie County, may usually be found at his snug homestead on section 26, this comprising eighty aeres of prime land well improved, while he also has a good farm of 120 aeres in Soldier Township, Jackson County. Ile eame to Pottawatomie County in 1866, taking up a tract of wild land which now shows the effect of his industry and perseverance. He emigrated hitber from Lake County, Ill., in 1864, after having been a resident of the Prairie State for fourteen years. He was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., May 22, 1837.

The parents of our subject were George B. and Labina (Pelton) Peck, natives of Connecticut, where they sojourned until approaching mature years. They emigrated to the Empire State, each with their parents, where they were married and settled upon a farm in Herkimer County. Thence in 1851 they removed to Lake County, Ill., where the father prosecuted farming for many years. They spent their last days in Waukegan, the father dying in 1880, at the age of seventy-four and the mother in 1884, when seventy-eight years old. Their lives have been spent quietly and uneventfully, distin- guished by traits of . honesty and uprightness and the industry by which they lived comfortably and at peace among their neighbors.

The subject of this sketeh and his twin sister, Caroline, were the younger of his parents' three children, the eldest being a son. Curtis, who is mar- ried and in the employ of a railroad company with headquarters at Ft. Scott. Kan .: Caroline is the wife of Harvey Meltimore. Carlton attained to

his majority in Lake County and was there married to Miss Elizabeth Shove. This lady was born in England, Jan. 29. 1843, and is the sister of Henry W. Shove who is represented elsewhere in this vol- ume. Mrs. Peck spent her girlhood days under the parental roof, accompanying the family to America and remained with them until her mar- riage. Of this urion there have been born ten children, one of whom, a little son, George, was taken from the household circle at the age of ten months. The survivors, Emma, Justin, Ernest, Leon, Adolph, Ottie, Alice, Jonathan and Earl are usually at home with their parents, although Justin has been a great traveler and has visited a large portion of the Western country. Mr. Peck, although keeping himself well posted npon matters of general interest, carefully avoids the responsibilities of office, having little to do with public affairs, further than giving his support and influence to the sup- port of the Republican party. He is one of the most thorough and careful farmers of Pottawatomie County and a representative citizen.

AMES LAWLESS. It is seldom the lot of the biographer to meet as genial and intelli- gent a gentleman as he with whose name we introduce this sketch. Wide-awake, en- terprising and industrious, he is also the possessor of fine tastes and a keen intellect and is well- posted on the current topies of the day. Ile is in good cirenmstances, comfortably situated on a well-reg- ulated farm of 110 aeres on seetion 15, while he owns twenty acres on section 17, Kentucky Town- ship, Jefferson County. With the exception that he still remains a bachelor, he is performing all the obligations of an honest man and a good citizen.

Mr. Lawless, the only child of his parents, was born in Frankfort, Ky .. June 27, 1850, and when a boy of seven years came to Kansas with bis mother and stepfather. They made the journey by river to Kansas City. Mo., thence overland to Jef- ferson County. The population of Kansas City did not then exceed 500 souls, and the streets were just beginning to be graded. They arrived in the Kaw Valley in March, 1860, and shortly afterward

558

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

secured a tract of land in Kentucky Township at a time when wild game abounded, and their neigh- bors were few and far between. There were no schools in the township for five years thereafter. Later subscription schools were established and young Lawless pursued his first studies in a log cabin. Ile was at an early age set to work on a farm and thus acquired those habits of industry and frugality which have enabled him to enter up- on a more than ordinarily prosperous career.

In 1867 young Lawless entered St. Mary's Col- lege where he pursued his studies one year. After- ward he remained upon the home farm until 1875, then purchased eighty acres of his stepfather. In 1876 he went with the latter to Pottawatomie County, where they purchased a quarter section of land in Emmett Township. This they operated as a ranch until 1879, then selling out returned to Jef- ferson County. Mr. Lawless located at Newman, and improved his farm of 132 acres. He also purchased a store in the town and engaged in gen- eral merchandising. In October, 1884, he became agent for the Union Pacific Railroad, Company, at Newman, and was also appointed Postmaster there. It will thus be seen that he had but few idle moments, he carrying on his farm, store and attending to the business of the post-office until Oct. 1, 1888. He then severed his connection with the railroad company and about that time also dis- posed of his goods, and turned all his attention to farming. He, however, continued in the post-of- fice until September, 1889.

The farm of Mr. Lawless is thoroughly im- proved, neatly enclosed, divided with substantial fencing and embellished with modern buildings. It is pleasantly located along the Kansas River and very productive, yielding corn and wheat es- pecially, in abundance. While in business at Newman. Mr. Lawless also dealt considerably in grain, graded cattle, swine and high grade Norman horses. Although meddling very little with poli- ties he gives his support to the Democratic party, and is prominently connected with the Catholic Church, to which he gives a liberal support.

The father of our subject was James Lawless. Sr., a native of County Louth, Ireland, and the youngest of seven brothers. The paternal grand-

father was John Lawless, a highly educated, cult- ured and wealthy man who spent his last years in Ireland. James Lawless received a classical edu- cation, and started out in life well equipped with this world's goods. He was married in his native Ireland to Miss Mary O'Brien, likewise a native of County Louth, born in the town of Drouheda. Her father, Thomas O'Brien, was a well-to-do farmer of County Louth, and married Miss Annie Conlen. They emigrated to America in 1852, set- tling in Kentneky, where they sojourned four years. They then returned to their native land where they spent the remainder of their lives.

In 1849, the father of our subject started for America, intending to engage in the mercantile bus- iness in New Orleans. He fell a victim to cholera on board the vessel, and received an ocean burial. The mother pursued her journey, landing in New Orleans and thence went to Frankfort, Ky. She was married a second time in the course of a year. She is still living, making her home on a farm of eighty aeres in Kentucky Township, this State.

G EORGE W. WHITE, an old and honored resident of " Jackson County, is a native of Philadelphia, Pa., where his birth took place Nov. 13, 1807. He is the son of John and Martha (Jeffries) White, who were born in Penn- sylvania and New Jersey respectively. The father of our subject was a sailor, and his father, Jesse White, also a native of New Jersey, was a farmer, and a soldier in the Revolutionary Army. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Edward Jeffries, who was born in England and came to America prior to the Revolution, during which he served with the Colonists.

The subject of this biography was reared in his native city, and at the age of twenty years accom- panied his parents to Huron County, Ohio, where they settled on a farm, which they made their home until their demise. Mr. White remained with them until twenty-five years of age, when he was married and moved to Tazewell County, Ill. There he ob- tained some Government land, upon which he made his home until 1836, when he removed to Polk

--------

559

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

County, Ark., and improved a farm, upon which he resided about ten years. The Mexican War being then in progress, he was enrolled in Company B. 2nd Arkansas Infantry, in which he served one year. Returning then to his home, he remained until the following year (1848), when he removed to Dade County, Mo., and there lived and labored until the war troubles early in the '60's clouded the horizon, and endangered the lives of those who were as outspoken as was Mr. White, in his views regarding the rights and wrongs of the questions at issue. Being run out of Missouri on account of his views, in 1861, he came to this county, where he has since resided. Mr. White at one time owned 400 acres of land in Cedar Township, which he had partially improved, and which he has given to his children. He is now living in Jeffer- son Township.

The first wife of Mr. White bore the maiden name of Margaret Minter, and she was a native of Ohio. She bore her husband twelve children, and lived to encourage him, and bestow motherly care upon her children until 1862, when she was called from earth. Of her family, John M. is now living in Shawnee County ; Webster. in Colorado; Henry C., in this county; George V., also in this county ; Margaret is the wife of Robert Owens, of this county ; Julia is the wife of J. L. Herron. of To- peka; Phelie E. is the wife of William Harrison, of this county; Delpha is the wife of Washington Marshall, of Leavenworth County, Kan.

After having remained a widower for a number of years, Mr. White remarried, the lady whom he chose for his companion being Mrs. Sarah Herron, a widow whose maiden name was Glass, and who was a native of Ohio. The rights of wedlock were celebrated between them in 1878. Mrs. White has six living children by her former husband: Mary Ann is the wife of Nathan Leggett, of Ohio; Sarah Jane is the wife of Joshua Graham, of Los Angeles, Cal. ; Martin is living in Buchanan County, Iowa; Isaac resides at Kelly Station, Nemaha Co., Kan., Matilda is the widow of Daniel Andrews, and lives in Buchanan County, Iowa; Maria is the widow of Perry Harrington, of Ashtabula County, Ohio.

" Mr. White was an old-line Whig, and is now a strong Republican. His first vote was cast for

Henry Clay. He has been a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church for forty-five years, and has held the office of Class-Leader. His present wife is also a member of that denomination. with which she has been identified sinee childhood. It has been the intention of Mr. White to rear and educate his children according to the laws of Chris- tianity, and his prayers and labors in their behalf have been answered, and their useful lives do honor to the name they bear, and give their father just canse for a loving pride. Mr. White has ever been outspoken in behalf of what he considered right, while manifesting a spirit of charity toward those who are in the wrong. He is interested in all wor- thy enterprises, and during his long life has assisted to the best of his ability in the upbuilding of the communities in which he has resided. He can look back over a life well spent, and when the Master calls, can go to his grave

"Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch around him And lies down to pleasant dreams."

W ASHINGTON ADAMS, who now resides in Kentucky Township, is an old pioneer of Jefferson County to which he came in 1859 and in whose development he has ably assisted. His fine farm consists of 260 acres on sections 8 and 18, and bears such improvements as are usually made by an enterprising and pro- gressive farmer; and is a home of which any man not desirous of an unusually large share of this world's goods might well be pleased to be the owner. Mr. Adams and his worthy wife have a large circle of acquaintances and many warm friends to whom their virtues are well known.

Before giving an outline of the life of our sub- jeet, a few words regarding his ancestry will not be out of place. His grandfather was Thomas Adams, who was born in Pennsylvania, going thenee to North Carolina, and later to Kentucky where he car- ried on a farm. Ile was a Revolutionary soldier dur- ing the entire seven years of that struggle. His son William, father of our subject, was born in North Carolina, and was engaged in the American

560

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

army in the war of 1812, entering it from Ken- tucky where he then lived. He participated in the battle of the River Thames, the burning of Malden, etc. About the year 1820, he removed to Missouri, living in different counties and finally locating in De Kalb County, where he died at the age of sixty- six years. His wife, whose maiden name was Anna Todd, also died in that county and State. She was born in the Blue Grass State, and was a daughter of Peter Todd, a native of Pennsylvania, and au early settler in Kentucky. The parental family comprised nine children : Griffin died in infancy ; Peter lives with our subject; Eli resides in De Kalb County, Mo. : Betsey A. and Mary A. are now de- ceased; W. P. died in Oregon; Franklin died in St. Joseph, Mo .; Martha J., now Mrs. Birge, lives in Oregon.

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 71

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

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