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 72
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 72
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 72
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The natal day of Washington Adams was Nov. 18, 1828, and his birth-place was Howard County, Mo., where he was reared on his father's farm, receiving such educational facilities as were to be had at that period in that section, which were very limited compared with those of the present day. At the age of eighteen, young Adams started in life for himself by renting some land in De Kalb County, on which to carry on the pursuit of agriculture. A few years later he bought eighty acres with a Mexican Land Warrant, and this he improved and operated until he came to Kansas, when he sold it. His journey to this State was made by wagon and team, and he drove his cattle, the crossing of the Missouri being made on a flatboat at St. Joseph and the valley of the Kansas being reached in due time.
Mr. Adams bought out a elaim consisting of 160 aeres on seetion 14. and engaged in farming there until 1865, when he purchased a quarter section of raw land where he is now living and settled on it when his log house was the only one in the neigh- borhood and none stood between it and Oskaloosa. The original purchase has been added to and the fortunate owner has successfully carried on his life work upon it to this day. During the late war, Mr. Adams was in the Kansas Militia and saw ac- tive service at the time of Price's raid. In the fall of 1864, he was taken sick at Camp Grand and was sent to the Shawnee Hospital and thence home.
The marriage of Mr. Adams took place in An-
drew County, Mo., May 31, 1846, his chosen com - panion being Miss Louisiana Garrett. She was born in Pulaski County, Ky., on the seventh day of August, 1830, and was the recipient of the usual training of a farmer's daughter, whose education at that period included many useful arts unknown to the later generation. She attended school in a log schoolhouse with dirt floor and slab benches, at the age of seven years was able to spin, and at eleven could "do her stent" at weaving. During their early life in this State she nobly assisted her hus- band and never murmured at her privations or. hardships. She prepared the cotton and flax which they raised, spun and wove it and made their eloth- ing with her own hands, not considering it amiss even to assist in the cultivation of the raw material. In common with other pioneers, she and Mr: Adams saw some days of short rations and many a time their only sustenance was furnished by corn meal and molasses. Their home has been blessed by the birth of three children: Cyrena is now the wife of Joseph Gilstrap and their home is in Chautauqua Co., Kan .; Emma is the wife of Rich- ard Duree, who is farming on our subject's estate; Zurilda married Charles Bower, a farmer in Ken- tucky Township.
The grandfather of Mrs. Adams was Benjamin Garrett, a native of North Carolina, where he was reared to manhood on or near the Dan River. He emigrated to Kentucky when a young man, and married a daughter of William Caldwell, who was born in America of Irish descent, while his wife, a native of Ireland, came to America when quite young. Grandfather Garrett and his wife had eight children, four sons and four daughters. He was a farmer through life, with the exception of a few years when he was engaged as a miller. He died quite suddenly over fifty years ago. His son, Jolın, the father of Mrs. Adams, was born in Kentucky, and there labored as a tiller of the soil. Thence he moved to Jackson County, Mo., in 1837. The following year he changed his location to Buchanan County, still continuing his agricultural pursuits. In 1857 he came to this State, locating in Kaw Township, this county, where he subsequently died. His religious belief was that of the old school Bap- tist Church. His wife, formerly Miss Lydia Bus-
MRS. A. E. PIERCE.
THOMAS PIERCE.
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ter, was born in Kentucky. her father, John Buster, being one of the pioneers of the Blue Grass State, to which Le came from North Carolina, the place of his nativity. . Mrs. Garrett departed this life in Missouri, after having borne eleven children. Wil- liam C. is now living in Idaho; he was born April 23, 1823, in Kentucky, and has followed the occu- pation of a farmer through life. He accom- panied the family to Missouri in 1838, was married in 1840, and commenced the work of the ministry in 1842. This he has continued up to the present time, a period of forty-eight years. In the prose- cution of this work he has traveled more thousands of miles than he is years old. He has never ex- acted a salary for his services. Samuel and Par- melia arc deceased; Mathew F. lives in Topeka; the next in order of birth is Mrs. Adams; Mar- garet and Angeletta are dead; John B. is living in this township; Robert II. lives in Winfield; Bailey M. died of exposure during the late war, and Bracken M. of consumption soon after its close. The last four named belonged to the 11th Kansas Infantry, Company D., and the two who are now living served three years each.
Mr. Adams votes the straight Democratic ticket. Hle has taken quite an interest in educational mat- ters throughout his life and has filled the office of School Director. Ile has served on the jury sev- eral terms. Both he and his wife are prominent and active members of the Baptist Church at Evans Creek.
h ON. THOMAS PIERCE, a veteran of sixty- seven years, came to Kansas in time to as- sist in laying out Pottawatomie County, and is one of its largest land-owners, hav - ing over 800 acres in this and Riley Counties. Ile makes a specialty of graded stock, and has contrib- uted in no small degree to the material interests of this region.
Mr. Pierce was born in Richland County, Ohio, Ang. 22, 1822, and is the son of Thomas and Jane (Pitt) Pierce, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and the latter born in Armstrong County. Thomas Pierce, Sr., emigrated from his native State to Ohio in 1808, and died there at the age of fifty-six
years. The mother died in Ohio, aged sixty-four. She was the daughter of Joseph Pitt, likewise a native of the Keystone State, where he spent his entire life. The parental household consisted of twelve children, only six of whom are living, viz .: Joseph. Thomas, Elizabeth, Jacob, Susan and Nancy. The deceased are John, Phebe A., James, Archibald, Samuel and one who died in infancy, unnamed.
Thomas Pierce, Jr., our subject, was the sixth child of his parents and was reared on a farm in his native county, receiving the advantages of the common school. He lived in the Buckeye State until 1857, then coming to Kansas Territory, set- tled on 160 acres of good land on sections 20 and 21, in Green Township, Pottawatomie County. He chose the land on section 21 for his homestead and erected good buildings, be- sides effecting other useful modern improvements. In the mean time he was recognized as a valued addition to the community and after holding other positions of trust and responsibility, was elected on the Republican ticket to represent his county in the first Kansas Legislature. He has raised himself to his present position by the exercise of industry and perseverance and is a man looked up to in his community as one who has been identified with its most important interests.
A short time before reaching his majority Mr. Pierce was married in Lima, Ohio, March 16, 1843, to Miss Anna E. Carrey. Mrs. Pierce is a native of the Province of Hanover, Germany, and was born Jan. 22, 1822. Her parents, Henry and An- nie Carrey, were likewise natives of Germany, and emigrated to America in 1838. They located in Columbus, Ohio, where the father was occupied in farming and where with his estimable wife he spent his last days. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are the parents of one child, a son, Lorenzo Dow, who was born April 8, 1844. He lives near the homestead, with his wife, who was formerly Miss Mary A. Springer, and who has borne him six children.
Our subject and his wife are among the most honored of the pioneers of Pottawatomie County, and their portraits, which appear elsewhere in this volume, are indeed worthy of a place in a work designed to perpetuate the memories and deeds of
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the pioneers of Kansas. To whatever station in life Mr. Pierce has been called, he has discharged his duties with honor to himself and with an hon- esty of purpose worthy of the highest commenda- tion. As a legislator he was incorruptible and always voted as his conscience dictated, and was in favor of all measures tending to the advancement of his State.
- ORACE J. BUTLER. In the spring of 1889 Mr. Butler embarked in the grocery busi- ness at Ozawkie, Jefferson County, and is now numbered among its prosperous busi- ness men. He is comparatively young in years, having; been born in May, 1850, and is a native of Henry County, Ind. Ilis boyhood and youth were spent on a farm in his native township where he attended the district school and was trained by his excellent parents to habits of industry and prin- ciples of honesty. He is the son of William and Priseilla (Dennis) Butler, who were natives re- spectively of Virginia and Henry County, Ind. The Butler family removed to Indiana at an early day and there the father of our subject was married and with his excellent wife is still a resident of Henry County. They reared a family of seven children, five of whom are living. The parents were reared in the faith of the Society of Friends and continue members of that church.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was James Butler, likewise a native of the Old Dominion, where he was reared in the Society of Friends. He was married in his native county to Miss Martha Johnson whose youthful training had been similar to his own, morally and religiously. They emi- grated to Indiana at an early day, settling among the earliest pioneers of Henry County, where Grandfather Butler cleared a farm from the heavy timber and near which afterward grew up the town of Louisville. Ile and his excellent wife sojourned there until they were called hence at a ripe old age. They died as they lived, firmly rooted in the faith of the Quaker Church.
On the maternal side of the house, Grandfather Benjamin Dennis served as a soldier in the War of
1812. When he was a mere child his parents joined the Shakers, among whom he was reared until reaching manhood. Upon leaving home he made his way to Richmond, Ind., where he married Miss Clarkie Pool, a native of Virginia and a mem- ber of the Friends' Church with which he later also united. They reared their family in the above- named county and there spent their last days upon the farm which they had cleared from the wilder- ness. The great-grandfather, Benjamin Pool, was for many years one of the most wealthy and influ- ential men of Richmond, Ind., where he located at a very early day with the settlement known as Quaker City. He was an earnest adherent of this peculiar sect, laboring earnestly for its advanee- ment and died at the ripe old age of ninety years.
Mr. Butler came to Kansas on an investigating tour in the fall of 1870, then returning to his na- tive State remained there until. 1879. That year found him again west of the Mississippi and in the summer of 1880 he located in Ozawkic and engaged in the drug business which he prosecuted for about eighteen months. He then embarked in the gro- cery trade. In the fall of 1879 he was wedded to Miss Eveline, daughter of James and Nancy (Cur- rent) Keener. Mrs. Butler was born in Clay County, Ind., in 1865 and came to Kansas with her parents in 1869. Of this union there is one child, a son, Dennis. Mr. Butler belongs to the Friends' Church in which he was trained from his boyhood up. He is recognized as a worthy citizen and has been chosen for the Township clerkship.
R OBERT H. KEENEY. In noting the prac- tical farmers of Mill Creek Township, the name of Mr. Keeney can by no means be omitted from the list. He is the owner of 120 acres of land, forty of which lie in Nemaha County. His homestead is on section 3, where lie has brought the soil to a good state of cultiva- tion and made the usual improvements suggested to the mind of the thrifty and intelligent farmer. The land is well watered from living springs, and more than ordinarily fertile. It came into posses- sion of the present proprietor soon after his arrival
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in Kansas, in 1876. He landed here poor in purse from his native State of West Virginia, he having been born in Kanawha County, March 1, 1834.
The father of our subject was S. J. Keeney, likewise a native of West Virginia, and who spent his entire life in Kanawha County, engaged as a farmer and lumberman. He died when sixty-three years old. He was an honest, hardworking man, upright in all his transactions, and a consistent believer in the doctrines of the Baptist Church. The mother bore the maiden name of Amelia Gate- wood. She, likewise, was a native of Kanawha County, and died of consumption about 1854, when probably fifty years of age. She was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The subject of this sketch was the eldest child of his parents, whose family included six sons and four daughters. With one exception all lived to mature years, and all but one were married. Eight are still living. Robert H., remained with his father until reaching man's estate, and became in- terested in the coal mines of his native county, in which he officiated as overseer. Later he was for a time on a section of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad. He was careful and conscientious in the discharge of his duties, as well as being a skilled mechanic, and commanded the best of wages. He remained there in the employ of different compan- ies until coming to Kansas, and then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits.
Emigrating from his native county to Ohio, Mr. Keeney was married in that State to Miss Julia Kelley. Mrs. Keeney was a native of the same county in West Virginia as her husband, and was born in 1839. She is descended from a good fam- ily, being the daughter of Jacob M. Kelley, a well- to-do farmer, who came to Kansas in 1878 and acquired 300 acres of land in Mill Creek Township, Pottawatomie County. He died there at his home in 1886, at the age of seventy-six years. He was a man of good business abilities, and for some years in his native State was Superintendent of a coal mine. In religious belief he was a Baptist, a good and conscientious man, who sought to fulfill faithfully all life's duties. Mrs. Keeney's mother was, in her girlhood, Miss Elizabeth Carr. She is still living, making her home with her son William,
in Mill Creek Township, and is now sixty-six years old. Her life has been such as to draw around her many friends, and she has been for years a consist- ent member of the Baptist Church.
After his marriage Mr. Keeney remained a resi- dent of his native county until the death of his wife, which occurred in January, 1876, at the age of thirty-six years. She was a member of the Baptist Church and the mother of eleven children, two of whom, Elizabeth and Jacob, are deceased. Jacob died when five years old. Elizabeth was married to Albert Rebone, who died leaving four little daughters. Edward married Miss Molly Burdette, and they live on a farm in Nemaha County, this State. George and Mack, twins, remain at home with their parents. Mellie is the wife of F. HI. Bonjour, and they live on a farm in Mill Creek Township. Charles H., Stires J., Sally, Renben and Lewis are at home with their father. Mr. Keeney, since the death of his wife, has exer- cised great care in the training and education of his children, to whom he has been a good father. Politically, his sympathies are with the Democratic party. Socially, he belongs to Subordinate Lodge, No. 234, 1. O. O. F., in which he has filled all the chairs and Rebecca Lodge, No. 81. Mr. Keeney is a skilled mechanic, and for years was a pilot on the Kanawha and Ohio? Rivers.
ENRY KIRBY, a kindly and genial old gen- tleman, and one of the most highly-re- spected residents of Kentucky Township, was one of the early settlers of this region, and by a course of industry and prudence has been enabled to surround himself and his family with all the comforts of life, and may usually be found at his pleasant homestead on section 5. IIe lives simply, and is in possession of the gem con- tentment, the secret of happiness. Ilis abode is simple, and his course in life has been such as to gain the esteem and confidence of all who know him.
The subject of this sketch was born in Marion County, Ohio, May 1, 1822, and was there reared on a farm, obtaining a limited education in the
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district school. He was at an early age trained to habits of industry and economy, and assisted his father on a farm until a young man of twenty years. Then leaving the home roof. he repaired to Upper Sandusky, which was not far from his home, as the old farm joined the reservation. lle em- ployed himself as a elerk two years, and afterward engaged on a railroad as a stationary engineer. Failing health compelling him to abandon this. he. in 1856, returned to farming pursuits, which he prosecuted in his native State until the spring of 1857.
In the year above mentioned Mr. Kirby cast his eyes toward the farther West, and started for Kan- sas, making his way by rail and river to Wyan- dotte County. Here also he continued farming, and in due time purchased a tract of land, which he operated until 1865. In the meantime, during the progress of the Civil War, he was in the State Militia, and assisted in driving the rebel raider, Price, from the frontier. In the spring of 1865 he changed the scene of his operations to Jefferson County, and purchased a small farm in the vicin- ity of Indian Mills, upon which he sojourned five years. Next he purchased a farm on the Delaware River, where he effected good improvements. Then selling out, he operated as a renter on an adjoining farm for three years, and during the grasshopper plague. Afterward, selling out once more, he pur- chased 200 acres, which he improved with good buildings, and which he occupied until 1887. He then traded with his son, Virgil, for his present place, this comprising twenty-eight acres. upon which he raises corn, potatoes, ete. He loans money to some extent, but in the main takes life easily, having sufficient to maintain him comfortably in his declining years.
Mr. Kirby was married in Wyandot County, Ohio, in 1844, to Miss Elizabeth Hunter. Mrs. Kirby was born in Lancaster County, that State. Of her union with our subject there are six chil- dren, all living, viz: Sophronia, married to a Mr. Kirby, and residing in Perry; Elizabeth, the wife of N. M. Brown, a prominent farmer of Kentucky Township; Zelinda, Mrs. Draper, of Fairview Town- ship; Virgil, Thomas and Martha. Virgil Kirby was born in Wyandot County, Ohio, Dec. 17. 1854.
and was a child of three years when the family came to Kansas. He was married, in May. 1883. in Ken- tucky Township, to Miss Carrie Fribley, a native of Illinois. Thereafter he operated on rented land until purchasing his father's farm. He has three children - Dallas E., Mary O. and Willard C. Thomas married a Miss Angie Garrett, of Mis- souri, and is living on a farm near Perry; Martha married Horace Binns, and lives in Kansas City, Kan. Mr. Kirby, politically, is a sound Repub- lican, and belongs to the Farmers' Alliance. He has officiated as Road Supervisor and School Di- rector, and is prominently connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Thompson ville.
The father of our subject was John Kirby, a native of Halifax, Va. His paternal grandfather, Obadiah Kirby, was born in Scotland, and emi- grated to Ameriea early in life, following there- after his trade of a blacksmith,and likewise engaging in farming. John Kirby left the Old Dominion in 1818, and settled in Highland County, Ohio, where he lived one year, and then removed to Marion County. He there improved a farm of over 600 acres, and there spent the remainder of his life. He was a Whig, politically, and a Quaker in re- ligion. . His wife, Willmuth ( Moore) Kirby. like- wise a native of Virginia, died in Obio before the decease of her husband; she also was a Quaker in religious belief. There was born to them twelve children, viz: Samuel, who is farming in Missouri; Virgil and Obadiah, deceased; Henry, the subject of this sketch; Ruth, a resident of East St. Louis, Ill .; Moses, a resident of Missouri ; Jacob, in Iowa; Mary, John, Benjamin and Adeline, deceased; and Eliza, who is living in Decatur, Ill.
G EORGE R. SHARP. Among those who came to Kansas during the days of her pio- neership was Mr. Sharp, who has made for himself an honorable career as a man and a citizen. He occupies the office of Postmaster of Circleville and has held other positions of trust and responsi- bility since his sojourn here, officiating as Trustee of Grant Township for three years and serving as Justice of the Peace two years. He is an active
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member of the Republican party and exercises no small influence in political circles, being a man who keeps himself well posted and one whose opinions are generally respected.
A native of Clinton County, Ohio, Mr. Sharp was born May 17, 1841, and is a son of William D. and Ann (Bowman) Sharp, who were both natives of Pennsylvania. The family emigrated to Ohio in 1849. taking up a tract of land where the father prosecuted his farming until his death, in 1854. He was then only thirty-nine years old. The mother afterward returned to Pennsylvania and died there in 1857. William Sharp was a man of decided views and opinions and took an active part in poli- tics, voting with the old Whig party. The parental household included eight children all of whom lived to mature years. Anna M., unmarried, is a resident of Blue Rapids, this State; Joseph B. went to Ohio where he now lives; William D. is a resi- dent of Marysville, Kan .; George R. is the next in order of birth; Aldus is conducting a hotel and livery stable in Blue Rapids ; John B. operates as a carpenter and builder in Kansas City; Almira be- came the wife of John T. Rodgers and is deceased; Lydia is the wife of Dan Longnecker of Pennsyl- vania. The paternal grandfather was George Sharp, a native of Virginia, a farmer by occupation and who spent his last days in Ohio.
The subject of this sketch spent his early years on the farm and acquired his education in the com- mon schools of the Buckeye State. When reaching his majority he left the parental roof and com- menced farming on his own account, remaining a resident of his native State until 1868. That year he set out for the farther West and coming to Kan- sas commenced renting land in Jackson County. A few years later be established a restaurant and con- fectionery store in Circleville which he conducted until 1888, when he sold out. In the spring of 1889 he was appointed Postmaster by President Harrison, taking charge of the office on the 22d day of April.
On the 30th of December, 1880, Mr. Sharp was united in marriage with Miss Emma E. Bronson, at the bride's home in Jefferson Township. Mis. Sharp was born in Dodge County, Wis., Feb. 2, 1850 and is the daughter of E. A. and Elviria Bron-
son, who are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Sharp there have been born two children, sons : Scott Hopkins and Lester Earnlee. They also have an adopted daughter. Eva Myrtle. Mrs. Sharp is a member of the Christian Church and a lady highly respected in her community. The family occupies a snug home in the north part of the city and num- bers its friends and acquaintances among the best people.
S AMUEL M. TEETER is one of the best known men in this section, having been engaged for eighteen years in the practice of veterinary surgery in Pottawatomie County. His home, which is located on section 14, Sherman Township, has been occupied by him since 1879, and is a well arranged farm, well- watered, well-stocked and well-adapted to stock farming. He came to this county in 1871, and has since made it his home, being successful in his business, and having won for himself a wide repn- tation and a large practice in his chosen calling.
The natal day of our subject was Aug. 8, 1845, and his birthplace Morrison's Cove, Bedford Co., Pa., the family being of old Pennsylvania stock and Holland ancestry. His father, David B. Teeter, was a native of the same county as himself, as was also his grandfather. John Teeter, whose parents were among the early settlers there. The first of the name in this country were six brothers. who emigrated from Germany at a very early pe- riod in the history of the States. John Teeter, the grandfather of our subject, learned the trades of a carpenter and a shoemaker, but never followed either for any length of time, giving most of his active life to the pursuit of agriculture. He died in Bedford County at the age of sixty-three, after having accumulated considerable property. Ile had been twice married, two children having been horn by his first wife and twelve by his second. The mother of this large family bore the maiden name of Susannah Burger, and she died in Iowa at the age of seventy-one. She and her husband were lifelong members of the German Baptist Church.
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