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 73
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 73
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 73
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David B. Teeter was the first born of the twelve children of his father's second marriage, there
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being five sons and seven daughters, all of whom lived to be quite old, and all married but one, who is now living in Nebraska and is seventy-five years old. David Teeter grew to man's estate in his native county, and became master of the trades of a carpenter, a wheelwright and a cabinet-maker, and labored at them for more than forty years. He was married, in 1836, to Miss Margaret Mack. and in October, 1847, with his wife and family, re- moved to Jefferson County, Iowa, when that county was new and but little of the territory within its bounds was broken. In 1874, he came to Kansas and made his home on a farm in Wamego Township until his death, April 9, 1883. He was quite ripe in years, as his natal day was Feb. 27, 1809. He was a man of excellent education, and spent some years as a teacher in both German and English. He also possessed a large amount of practical knowledge, and was a useful and honored citizen wherever he lived. He had held many local offices in his township, and was an active member of the German Baptist Church, and a Dea- con therein for forty years. In politics he agreed with the Democratic party. His widow is still living, and is now nearly seventy-three years of age, and an active and energetic old lady, with a sound mind and a strong body. She also belongs to the German Baptist Church.
The parents of Mrs. Margaret Teeter were Chris- tian and Mary (Shearer) Mack, and her father was born in Franklin County, Pa., whence he went to Maryland when quite young, and there became of age and married his wife, who was a native of that State. Mr. Mack was of Holland ancestry while the Shearers were of Swiss descent. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Mack lived on a farm in Maryland for some years, and Mr. Mack followed his profession of a veterinary surgeon. They later removed to Franklin County, Pa., where they so- journed eight years, thence going to Bedford County, where Mr. Mack engaged in farming, and also in veterinary work until his death, which took place when he was past three score years and ten. He had been a man of remarkable physique, and very strong and vigorous. His wife survived him, and in 1865 went to Iowa, whence in 1874 she came to this State, departing this life in Wanego
Township Dec. 8, 1878, when she was ninety-one years and nearly six months old. She and her husband were members of the Lutheran Church. Their daughter, Margaret, who became the wife of David Teeters, was born in Antietam Valley, Md., May 1, 1827.
The family of which our subject makes one was comprised of ten sons and two daughters. Six sons are now deceased, two of them having died in infancy. The surviving members of the family are: George, who carries on a restaurant in Onaga; Elizabeth, who is married and lives in Wamego Township; our subject; and Joseph, who is mar- ried and living in Wamego ' Township on his mother's farm.
Samuel M. Teeter was but an infant when his parents removed from his place of birth to Jeffer- son County, Iowa, where he grew to manhood, ob- tained his education and was married, his life in that county covering a period of twenty-four years. There he received a part of his education in the work of a Veterinary Surgeon, although it has been chiefly secured by practical application under the tutorship of James Cowen, a prominent veteri- narian.
Our subject was married at the seat of justice in Jefferson County, Iowa, to Miss Emma Snook, who was born in that county, Feb. 5, 1847, and who was well reared by her excellent parents, with whom she remained until her marriage. She is the youngest of twelve children, nine of whom grew to maturity, and married. Her parents, Jacob and Sarah ( Price) Snook. were descended from old Pennsylvania families, and were born, reared and married in Tioga County, Pa., where they began their wedded life on a farm. After the birth of three children they came to Iowa, in 1842, settling on an unbroken tract of land in Jefferson County, which Mr. Snook improved and where he is now living, still smart and active, at the age of eighty- five years. His wife died in the fall of 1872, when about sixty years old. She was a worthy member of the Methodist Church, as is her bereaved hus- band.
To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Teeter eight children have been born: Maggie is the wife of Ilarvey Winstead, a farmer in Sherman Township. The
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group that still lingers around the home fireside is composed of Charles S., David S., Adeline, John J., James E., Joseph K. and Ella, all possessing vigor- ous and active minds, and making up a group of more than usual interest. Mr. Teeter is a Demo- erat. Ile has held some of the local offices, and filled the positions in a creditable manner. Both he and his wife belong to the German Baptist Church, and their many sterling qualities are not without their influence upon those by whom they are surrounded.
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2 HIOMAS K. AITKEN. Among the many excellent citizens of Jefferson County, the above-named gentleman deserves prominent mention for his ripe intelligence, his manly charac- teristics, and his mechanical skill. IIe is a resident of Valley Falls, where he is engaged in the practice of dentistry, also finding time for artistic work in metal, aside from dental work.
Dr. Aitken is a son of William K. Aitken, a na- tive of Edinburgh, Scotland, who was a dentist, and possessed an ingenuity which enabled him to make anything in wood, leather or metal. He was the first manufacturer of mineral teeth in Scotland. In 1856 this gentleman came with his family to the United States, locating in Sacramento, Cal., hauling his family and goods with ox-teams from Florence, Iowa, to that city. While crossing the plains they were unmolested by Indians.
In the spring of 1857 Mr. Aitken brought his family back as far as Salt Lake City, where he learned that the freighters who had his goods in transit were snow bound at Devil's Gate, in the Rocky Mountains. He pushed on to find them, and when his family, with twelve or fourteen other people, reached Ilam's Fork, they were overtaken by fifty Mormons, and fonud fifty already there, guarding Devil's Gate. They were permitted to pass on through the gap, but the Mormons followed and refused to let Mr. Aitken have his goods. IIe proceeded to Ft. Laramie, where the United States officer tendered him a position as trainmaster, but refusing the offer, he went to Leavenworth, where he disposed of his team and wagon, The loss of
his goods, which he was never able to recover, no doubt hastened his death, by leaving him handi- capped in his struggle for support in a strange land.
From Leavenworth Mr. Aitken proceeded to Weston, Mo., where he built a fine house for a farmer, the job being the first of the kind he had ever undertaken. There our subject learned how to drop corn and cover it with a hoe. In the fall of the same year the family went to St. Louis, where the father engaged at dentistry with Dr. Westerman, and where our subject and his sister Cecelia attended the city schools. In the fall of 1858 the father opened an office of his own, and practiced his profession until 1861, when he re- turned to his native land. His son and daughter, who were the only survivors in a family of six children, accompanied him and remained with him until his death, which occurred Feb. 24, 1862. at the age of forty-five years. His body was laid to rest beside that of his sisters and brothers, who had died in Scotland prior to his visit to America. While traveling in the United States, he had been correspondent of the Edinburgh Scotchman, to which publication he sent interesting accounts of his experiences.
In 1862, Miss Cecelia Aitken returned to the United States The subject of this sketch came again to the United States in 1865, the announce- ment of the declaration of peace at the conclusion of the Civil War being made to those on board the vessel by a steamer which they met. Young Aitken attended the St. Louis Normal School for a time, and then took up the study of his deceased father's profession, being graduated from the St. Louis Dental College in 1867. The following year he located in Valley Falls, where he has since lived, and where he has built up a large practice.
Dr. Aitken has inherited in a high degree the mechanical skill which his father possessed, and is especially capable in metal-plating, displaying a high degree of artistic talent, as well as mechanical skill therein. He has a high reputation in the pro- fession, and is Vice President of the Kansas State Dental Association. In 1883, he was elected an honorary member of the Kansas City Dental So- ciety, and he was one of the faculty of the Kansas
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City Dental College. Ile lectured in the latter institution that year, being demonstrator of the continuous gum. He belongs to the Masonic fra- ternity.
.
Mrs. Aitken bore the maiden name of Susannah M. Wolff, and the rites of wedlock were celebrated between her and Dr. Aitken, April 6, 1867. She is a daughter of John Wolff, deceased, and was well reared by worthy parents, through whose efforts she acquired much useful knowledge and an estimable character. She is a member of the Luth- eran Church. She has borne her husband four children : William K., Florence H., Celestia V., and Wallace A. The eldest son is now a student in the Kansas City Dental College.
W ILLIAM SUPPLE, Postmaster of New- man, Jefferson County, likewise conducts a store of general merchandise and offi- ciates as agent of the Union Pacific Railroad Com- pany. He is in good circumstances, being the owner of 150 acres of well-developed land on sec- tion 17, Kentucky Township, which under his sup- ervision yields him a generous income.
Mr. Supple is a native of the city of Frankfort, Ky., and was born Feb. 4, 1854. He crossed the Mississippi with his parents in his infancy, they lo- cating in Kansas City, Mo., where William attended the subscription school and sojourned until 1860. The family then set out, with ox-teams, for Kaw Valley, occupying three days in the journey.
The father of our subject was Patrick Supple, a native of County Meath, Ireland, a well-educated man who learned civil engineering and likewise understood farming. When a young man of twenty-five years, he, in 1849, emigrated to Amer- ica and in Frankfort, Ky., engaged as an engineer in a woolen factory. He sojourned in that region for a period of eight years and then, having been mar- ried in the meantime, set out with his little family for the Far West. In the vicinity of Kansas City. Mo., he purchased land and was variously occupied in order to make both ends meet. He operated a sawmill in the bottoms, upon the present site of the stock-yards and remained there until 1860,
Then coming to Jefferson County, Kan., he located a claim in Kentucky Township and thereafter en- gaged in farming until 1876, in the meantime be- coming well-to-do. That year, renting the farm for three years, he removed to Emmett Township, Pottawatomie County, where he conducted a ranch until 1879. He then returned to his old farm where he spent the remainder of his days, depart- ing this life in April, 1887, at the age of sixty-two years. During the Civil War he was a member of the State militia and assisted in driving the guer- rilla, Quantrell, from the soil of the Sunflower State.
The maiden name of the mother of Mr. Supple was Mary O'Brien. She was born in County Louth, Ireland, and is the mother of James Lawless of Kentucky Township, who is represented else- where in this volume. Of this union there were born five children, viz: William, our subject; Ann, (Mrs. Montague) of Emmet Township, Pottawato- mie County ; Mary, (Mrs. Sheridan) of St. Mary's, Kan .; Katie, at home with her mother; and Julia, who died when eight years old.
Mr. Supple remained a member of the parental household until a young man of twenty-four years and was about six years old when the family jour- neyed overland, with an ox-team, to Jefferson County, Kan. They were among the very first set- . tlers on the Kaw bottoms. They had much diffi- culty in making the journey, bringing with then their household effects and live stock. William ac- companied his father to Pottawatomie County, re- maining with him there two years. Then purchasing the ranch of his father and brother, he engaged in buying, feeding and shipping cattle, having from 100 to 150 head annually. He transformed the ranch of 160 acres into a well-regulated farm and remained there until the spring of 1884. Then selling his stock, he took a trip to the Southern part of the State, including Reno County, where, in 1883, he and his brother had purchased a section ach of land. Their intention had been to engage in the stock business there, but not liking the coun- try in that region they abandoned the enterprise.
L'pon returning home, Mr. Supple purchased 200 acres of land in Chase County, but upon this he never lived. He went back to his place in Pot-
RIVER SCENIE.
STOCK FARM & RESIDENCE OF J. M. GRINTER, SURVEY 17. KENTUCKY TP., JEFFERSON CO. KAN.
NEWMAN. STATION
UP.RR
RESIDENCE & PROPERTY OF WM. SUPPLE NEWMAN, KENTUCKY TP., JEFFERSON CO. KAN.
LUCY WOODRUFF.
RESIDENCE OF CHARLOTE WILLETS & SONS, NEAR NEWMAN, KENTUCKY TP JEFFERSON CO.KAN.
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tawatomie County and afterward selling out, set- tled on his father's farm in Jefferson County, re- maining there until the father's death. He then purchased, in the fall of 1884, that which be now owns in the vicinity of Newman. lle removed to this in 1887 and has effected modern improve- ments, having now a very desirable homestead. lIe has erected most of the buildings upon it and has modern machinery and all the other conven- ienees required by a first-class farmer. This also is largely devoted to live stock. In April, 1889, Mr. Supple purchased a stoek of merchandise from Mr. R. E. Gilluly, also the store building, enlarg- ing both and has now a large and well-selected stoek of goods in convenient quarters for doing business. He was appointed to his present office as Postmaster, in October, 1889. In addition to his property already mentioned he has 200 acres of land in Chase County, this State, and is consid- erable interested in Norman and Percheron horses.
Mr. Supple was married Nov. 27, 1888, in St., Mary's, Kan., to Miss Mary McGovern. This lady was born in Pennsylvania, Jan. 1, 1869, and re- moved to St. Mary's, with her parents, when about ten years old. Of this union there has been born one child-William P., who was born Dec. 27, 1889. Mr. Supple, politically, is a sound Demo- crat, and during his residence in Pottawatomie County, officiated as Justice of the Peace four years. He has also been Road Supervisor. He is a promi- nent member of the Catholic Church at Newman, and in the community is held in general respect.
In connection with this sketeh may be found a lithographie engraving of Mr. Supple's residence, and also of his store.
W ILLITS BROS. These enterprising young farmers of Kentucky Township are known to the larger portion of its people, and make their headquarters at a fine farm of 150 aeres on seetion 15. This land was secured by their father, Thomas Willits, during the early settlement of Jefferson County, and sinee his death the two sons have operated successfully, and instituted valn- able improvements, besides clearing a debt of
$1,800. They have ereeted convenient modern buildings, and availed themselves of the most ap- proved machinery. It is now considered one of the finest farms on the Kansas bottoms, very fertile and admirably adapted to grain and stock-raising. Of the latter they keep a fine assortment, but are especially interested in fine horses, being able to ex- hibit some of the best animals in this part of the country. Among them is the famous "Baywood," who is considered the fastest stallion raised in the State of Kansas.
Baywood was sired by Blackwood Mambrino, and he by Protos, the son of the noted mare Pro- tine, with a record of 2:18, when five years old. Protine was sired by Glenwood, record 2:27. Glen- wood and Protine were sired by Blackwood, with a record of 2:31 at three years old. Blackwood was sired by Alexanders Norman, and he was the sire of Lnla, record 2:142. Blackwood Mambrino's dam, was Nel Johnson, sired by Mambrino Boy, record 2:26, sired of the dams Axtel and Allerton ; Axtel, 2:12, fastest stallion in the world; Allerton, 2:18, three years old. Baywood's dam was Lucy Wood- ruff, by Hiram Woodruff, sired by Vt. Hero, record 2:30, the greatest Morgan horse. Luey Woodruff's dam, Luey, was owned by Grandfather Willits, and brought to Kansas by his son, Thomas. Lucy Woodruff is now in the possession of Willits Bros. She was foaled in 1874, and is a very valuable animal. Baywood's first race was won at Bismark, this State, in 1888, when he was three years old, three straight heats, record 2:40}. The next week at Topeka, he won a race in 2:38}. The next week at Council Grove he won over the field three heats, record 2:37. lfe made his mile wben three years old in 2:31, the last half at 1:13. On the 22d of August, 1889, he trotted at Abilene, win- ning the first heat in 2:34, the third in 2:31, and the fifth in 2:294. Two weeks later at Kansas City, he started in the four-year-old raee, taking second money, being beaten hy Tornado, the only horse who ever came in ahead of him. In 1889, at To- peka, he won the fourth and sixth heats, average time 2:33}. lle is the finest built equine in the State, with temper as gentle as a lamb, and is valued at over $4,000.
Grace W., bred the same as Baywood, won her
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first race when two years old, at the Kansas llorsc Breeder's Association at Bismark, in 1886, dis- tancing the field in 2:55. Willits Bros. sold her when three years old, for $1,000. Silkwood, the full brother of Baywood, is a pacer, and won three races in California and Los Angeles, Cal., with a record when three years old, at 2:254. The broth- ers sold him when a year old. Woodruff, bred the same as Baywood, suffered a broken leg. Willits Bros. also own a number of other well-bred fillies. The younger brother, Lincoln B., is a prominent member of the Kansas State Horse Breeders' Asso- ciation.
Thomas E. Willits was born in Wayne County, Ind., in 1826. His father, Brady Willits, likewise a native of that State, removed to Mercer County, III., at an early day, in 1836, where he engaged in farming, and also made a specialty of fine horses. Ile owned the mare, Lucy, who is the grand-dam of Baywood; Grace W., and Silkwood. The latter pulled a buggy of 600 lbs., without any prepara- tion, a mile in four minutes. She was foaled in Kentucky, of Messenger and Bellefounder Bluff stock.
The Willits family is of English descent. The paternal grandfather of the brothers, died in New Boston, Mercer Co., III., about 1873. Thomas was reared there from the age of ten years, and engaged in the mercantile business for several years. He then went on to a farm, where he remained until the spring of 1865, and then came overland to Kan- sas, locating first near Rising Sun. IIe operated there on rented land until the fall of that year, then purchased that which his sons now own and occupy. Ile was in fecble health, and much of the labor and responsibility of improving the new farm devolved upon the mother and the two boys. Thomas Willits departed this life Sept. 10, 1881. He served as Justice of the Peace for a number of years. He was a Universalist in religious belief, and in politics. a Republican.
Mrs. Charlotte I. Willits, the mother of the broth- ers. was born in Connecticut, and emigrated with her father's family to Illinois during the pioneer days of Mercer County. Grandfather Ives took up lind there, and farmed until his death. Mrs. Willits lives at the old homestead with her sons,
she having with them an equal interest in the prop- erty and the business. Eight children were born to her and her husband, viz: Emery I. and Lin- coln B., the subjects of this sketch ; Etta, Mrs. Fris- bie, living in Kaw Township; Rosa, Gertrude and Maude at home; two are deceased. Emery I. and Lincoln B., were both born in Mercer County, III., the former Oet. 4, 1858, and the latter Nov. 6, 1860, upon the day on which Abraham Lincoln was first elected President of the United States. They accompanied the family to Kansas in the spring of 1865, traveling with a team and wagon, crossing the Mississippi at Burlington, and the Missouri at St. Joseph, thence proceeding to Kan- sas River. They were at an early age trained to habits of industry, and secured a practical edu- cation in the district school. Both vote the straight Republican ticket. Emery is the Road Supervisor in his district, and a member of the Farmers' Alli- ance. Lincoln B. is Clerk of the School Board. They occupy a high position. socially, and their home, which is represented by a lithographic en- graving on another page, is one of the most attrac- tive within the limits of Kentucky Township.
AMES M. GRINTER. Even iu the West, where young men occupy so many promi- nent positions, there are few who are so well situated. or have displayed so much energy in affairs as the gentleman above named, who owns and occupies a fine estate in Jefferson County. llis father, J. C. Grinter (whose sketch appears on another page), is the second oldest settler in this State, and our subject was born in Wyandotte County, and reared on his father's farm, near Ed- wardsville. The natal day of our subject was Nov. 4, 1861, and his boyhood and youth were advan- tageously spent in acquiring knowledge, not only in the schoolroom but amid rural scenes. He en- joyed most excellent school privileges, and his keen intellect took a firm grasp on the topics pre- sented to his consideration.
At the age of eighteen years, Mr. Grinter en- tered his father's store in Perry, as a clerk, and
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remained there two years, after which he returned to Wyandotte County, and began farming on his father's estate, engaging also in the stock business. He bought eighty acres of land near Edwardsville. eleven miles from Kansas City, and also a 35-acre tract near Muncie, eight miles from Kansas City. In 1887 he sold his eighty acres and purchased a farm in Kentucky Township, Jefferson County, and the following spring located upon it. It was bare of improvements when purchased by him, having not even been fenced, and has been improved at a cost of about $5,000. The commodious and at- tractive residence was designed by an architect in Kansas City, Kan., and covers a ground dimension of 36x56 feet. It is represented by a view else- where in this volume. The barn is 38x60 feet, with an extension of 12x60 feet; the hog sheds cover 8x100 feet; and a potato cave is 18x100 feet. A windmill and tanks supply the needed amount of water, and the whole estate, which now comprises 290 acres, is neatly fenced.
The land borders on the Kansas River, and Mr. Grinter raises some fine crops. About 100 acres are devoted to corn and sixty to potatoes, and dur- ing the last five years he has raised about 150 bushels of the latter to the acre, shipping them to Texas, Colorado, etc. He also raises wheat, and deals to a considerable extent in stock. He feeds fifty to 100 cattle per year, and raises from 100 to 200 head of hogs. His stock is all fine, including some thorough-bred Short-horn cattle and good breeds of draft horses and mules, four teams being used in carrying on the estate. Mr. Grinter drives a beau- tiful span of Arabians, valued at $400. The suc- cess he is meeting with in his chosen vocation is but another proof that a well-trained mind and a good supply of book lore. if properly applied, are powerful factors in the fortunate termination of agricultural enterprises, as well as such business affairs as are conducted in the towns.
The wife of Mr. Grinter was in her maidenhood Miss Elizabeth Timmons. and the rites of wedlock were celebrated between them in Kansas City, Kan., Feb. 2, 1887. The bride was born near Green- land, Ohio, March 17, 1868, and accompanied her father to Kansas in 1871, completing her educa- tion in Kansas City, and growing to a refined and
cultured womanhood. Her father, the Hon. J. F. Timmons, has served three terms in the Kansas Legislature, and is engaged in extensive farming operations near Edwardsville, where he owns over 500 acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Grinter are the happy parents of one son, William H. H. Mr. Grinter is a Democrat in politics, and has served as a delegate to county conventions. He stands high in the regard of the citizens of this locality, and it is safe to suppose that he will ere long be one of the most influential residents where he has already taken a high rank for one so young.
RTHUR D. HAYNES, who is now devot. ing his attention to farming on his large estate one mile from Perry, in Jefferson County, was for a number of years en- gaged in the practice of law in that city, and held the offices of Notary Public and Justice of the Peace. He had a large practice, and his thorough legal lore and brilliant pleading have won him fame and fortune. His landed estate comprises 430 acres in one body, on sections 15 and 16, and bordering on the Delaware River. One hundred and thirty acres are under the plow, and 300 acres are timber land. The entire estate is fenced and otherwise improved, having a beautiful walnut grove and a fine brick residence, which was erected in 1886 un- der the supervision of a Topeka architect.
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