Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 74

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 74
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 74
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 74

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Mr. Haynes is of honorable English ancestry, tracing his paternal descent from a colonist of 1640. His great-grandfather, James Haynes, was born in the southern part of New Hampshire, and was a trooper in the Revolutionary Army, obtaining a grant for 500 acres of land for his services, the most of the estate still being held by the family. David Haynes, the grandfather of our subject, was also born in the Granite State, and carried on ag- ricultural pursuits. He was a private in the war of 1812. His son, David, Jr., engaged in farming on the home farm of 100 acres in Grafton County. N. H., and resided there seventy-five years, and is still a resident there. He is a Republican in poli- tics and belongs to the Free Will Baptist Church.

David Haynes, Jr., married Miss Sarah G. Gale,

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who was also a native of the Granite State, and whose father, Stephen Gale, owned a farm in Graf- ton County, and also worked at his trade of a black- smith. He represented his district in the legisla- ture seven years, and was also Justice of the Peace during a long period. The wife of Stephen Gale was Miss Sanborn, whose father was a Drum Major in the Revolutionary War. Mrs. David Haynes, Jr., died in her native State after having borne two sons, our subject and Albyn. The latter enlisted in 1861 in the 12th New Hampshire Infantry, be- coming a member of the Union Army when but sixteen years old. Ile died of measles in McClel- lan's camp on the Potomac River.

A. D. Haynes, our subject, was born in Alexan- der Township. Grafton Co., N. H., his natal day being May 6, 1838. He was brought up on the farm, and after acquiring a fundamental education entered the New Ilampton Academy when sixteen years old, and attended there four and a half years. being valedictorian of his class when graduated . In the fall of 1858 he entered Dartmouth College, in Hanover. N. H .. and prosecuted his studies there two years, after which he taught for a year at West- port. In September, 1860, he entered the Depart- ment of Law in the University at Ann Arbor, Mich., and in March. 1862, was graduated with the degree of L.L.B. He then continued his legal studies under Austin F. Pike of Franklin, N. H. and was soon afterward admitted to the bar of his native State.

In July, 1863, Mr. Haynes came to this State, but considering the country too rough to make it his home he left it two weeks later, and went to Min- nesota, selecting the town of Hastings on the Mis- sissippi River, for his location, where he engaged in the practice of his profession, and also in the work of pedagogy in the public schools for two years. In May, 1866, he opened an office in this place, which was then what JJames Russell Lowell would call "a flourishing village of two houses." Not being able to obtain board here Mr. Haynes took up his abode in Lecompton, whence he walked back and forth to his office. lle bought the land upon which he is now living, and being troubled with malaria on the river. moved on to his farm in 1869, still continuing his practice in Perry. He has now

almost retired from Jegal work and is carrying on the business of farming and stock-raising. He.ships cattle and hogs of his own raising, and has about twenty head of excellent farm horses. Three teams are employed in the work upon the estate, which is so improved as to make two different places.

At the home of the bride in Lecompton, Sept. 25th, 1867, Mr. Haynes was united in marriage with Miss Amelia F. C. Hoad, a thoroughly culti- tured and accomplished lady, who was born in Maine; but who had lived in this State for some years, and was educated at Leavenworth and Beth- any College. She is a thorough musician, and pre- vious to her marriage was a popular and successful teacher of the art of music. She is the mother of six children: Marcus. Hugh, Sarah G., Arthur, Susan and Elaine, all of whom are at home. She is a daughter of Francis and Susan Hoad of the Pine Tree State, who came to Kansas City in 1854, and a short time after settled at Auburn. After living there a few years they moved to Leavenworth, where Mr. Hoad entered the army as hospital Stew- ard, serving till the close of the war. Ile then moved to Olathe and then to Lecompton, where for a time he carried on a fruit farm. later engaging in hotel keeping. ITis death took place in Lecompton, where his widow still resides.

Mr. Haynes is a Democrat and an earnest advo- cate of the party principles. He held the position of Notary Public for twelve years. and has made many friends in the community. Mrs. Haynes is a highly regarded member of the Presbyterian Church.

ENRY ROSS. The subject of this notice first struck the soil of Kansas in 1868, set- tling in Fairview Township, Jefferson County, of which he has since remained a continuons resident. That venture proved to him a fortunate one, and he is now quite independent, financially, being the owner of 199 acres of good land, 159 lying on section 22 and forty acres on section 15. A man of more than ordinary intelli- gence, he has ever been the friend of progress, and warmly interested in educational matters, donating

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an aere of ground for school purposes in his district and assisting materially in the ereetion of the school building. He has likewise served as a Di- rector most of the time since he has lived here. Politically, he is a sound Demoerat.

In noting the personal history of Mr. Ross we find that he is the representative of an old Ken- tneky family, being the son of Robert Ross, who was born in Whitley County, that State. The pa- ternal grandfather, Anguish Ross. was a native of Seotland, whence he emigrated to America in time to participate as a Sergeant in the War of 1812. He was one of the pioneer settlers of Whitley County, and although farming successfully, tra- veled around considerably looking the country over. lle also served as Justice of the Peace for many years. Finally, selling out his interests in the Blue Grass State, he removed to Missouri, and made his home with his son-in-law until his death.

Robert Ross was reared to manhood in his na- tive county, where he was married. Subsequently he removed to what is now Seott County, Tenn., and located on a farm nine miles from his former home in Kentucky. He was a great hunter, killing bear, deer. ete., and likewise engaged snecessfully in farming and stoek-raising, becoming well-to-do. He died in Tennessee in 1864 at about the age of sixty years.

Mrs. Sally (Gray) Ross, the mother of our sub- jeet, was born in Ireland, and was the daughter of John Gray who, upon emigrating to America, set- tled upon the State line between Kentucky and Tennessee where he engaged in farming. Both he and his wife fell victims to the small-pox very near together, in the spring of 1864. The father was a member of the Baptist Church. The par- ental household ineluded eight children, viz : Henry. our subject ; Louisa, who lives in Kentucky ; Emily, Mrs. Creekmore, a resident of Tennessee; Sophro- nia, Mrs. Chitwood, also of that State; Armilda and Sylvia, who died, the former in childhood and the latter after marriage: Marion, a merchant of Tennessee, and Belle Ann.

The subject of this sketeh was born near Wil- liamsburg, Whitley Co., Ky., April 4, 1823, and was taken by his parents to Tennessee when an in- fant. He was reared and educated in Scott County,

pursuing his studies under the subseription plan in the old-fashioned log school-house, and remained under the parental roof until a young man of twenty years. On the 11th of January, he was united in marriage with Miss Lneinda Elswiek. This lady was born in Scott County. Tenn .. Sept. 25. 1822, and was the daughter of Jonathan Els- wiek. likewise a native of that State, where he spent his entire life, engaged in farming. He, however, only lived to be middle-aged, dying when his daughter Lueinda, was a child. Grandfather .Jacob Elswiek was also a farmer by occupation and died in Tennessee. The mother of Mrs. Ross bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Richardson ; she also was born in Tennessee, and was the daughter of Thomas Richardson, who carried on farm- ing successfully and died there. Mrs. Elswiek was a member of the Baptist Church, and died in her native State about 1885. There were born to her and her husband four children, only two of whom are living-Andrew, a resident of Kentucky Town - ship, Jefferson County, this State, and Lueinda, Mrs. Ross. Naney and Charity died after they were married.

After his marriage Mr. Ross purchased his fath er's farm in Tennessee, where he engaged quite ex- tensively in the raising of grain and cattle. During the war he was a member of the Home Guards, and met the enemy in battle at Brimstone. During Burnside's expedition, he went out with the sixty day's men-a company of 300. Later he volun- teered in Company A, which was assigned to guard duty in the rear of the army, and engaged in several skirmishes. This was in 1863. The boys served ninety days, but were only paid for sixty days.

Mr. Ross in the fall of 1866 made a flying trip to Kansas and purchased a elaim in Fairview township. He could not make arrangements, however, to set- tle upon it until the spring of 1868. It looked then as if he had unlimited room and eattle range for years to come. Very much to his surprise. however, settlers began coming in, and the land was soon all taken up. He began at the foot of the ladder, taking up his abode in a log house, and commeneed farming with one filly. Next he se- cured a yoke of oxen, and gradually climbed up

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until he found himself on the highway to prosper- ity. The log house in due time gave way to a convenient modern residenee, and other buildings were erected suitable for the shelter of stoek and the storage of grain. There was considerable elearing to be done on some of the land, but it has now been brought to a good state of cultivation, and presents the picture of a comfortable home- stead. Mr. Ross for many years engaged quite ex- tensively in the raising of grain and stock, but has now practically retired from active labor, renting his land. He is a good judge of horse flesh, and is the owner of some fine animals.

Eight children were born to Mr. and Ross, viz: Nelson died when about thirty-five years old, after his marriage; Bettie A. is the wife of S. S. Brown, and resides in Crook County, Ore .; Sarah, Emily and James are deceased; John E. is farming in Fairview Township, Jefferson County; Andrew J. is proseenting agriculture in the vieinity of Pan- handle, Tex .; Naney J. died when about twenty- one years old.

ON. EDWARD M. HUTCHINS, who, at one time, represented Jefferson County in the State Legislature, is now occupied in mereantile pursuits, being a member of the firm of Coy, Hutchins & Co., dealers in clothing and furnishing goods at Valley Falls. He is a prominent man in his community, identified with its most important interests, and Viee-President of the Delaware Bank. He is also interested in farm- ing and stoek-raising, feeding and shipping annu- ally a goodly number of eattle.

Mr. Hutehins came to this seetion of the country in 1856 from Buchanan County, Iowa, and pur- chased 160 acres of the Delaware Trust lands, two miles east of the present site of Valley Falls, whereon he settled and effected the improvements naturally suggested to the man of intelligence and enter- prise. Of this he is still the possessor, while he has 720 acres, all in one body, and which is utilized as a stoek ranch. There is upon this a plentiful sup- ply of timber and a stream of hving water, includ- ing one mile of a creek. There has been built upon

this property fourteen miles of feneing, besides good barns and other necessary buildings.

In 1874 Mr. Hutchins removed to Valley Falls and proceeded to invest a portion of his eapital in the building up of the city. He put up a large briek and stone livery stable on Sycamore street, which he condueted sueeessfully ten years, then selling out, in 1886, turned his attention to mer- eantile pursuits and banking. He was instrumen- tal in the organization of the Delaware State Bank, whose doors were open in the summer of 1889. In the meantime, Mr. Hutchins, in the spring of 1888 was elected Mayor of Valley Falls, serving one term. He is a member of the Masonie frater- nity, in which he has taken the Chapter degrees. He cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fre- mont, and remains a stanch supporter of the Re- publican party.

The native place of Mr. Hutehins was Caledonia County, Vt., and the date of his birth, Oet. 22, 1832. His father, John N. Hutchins, (now de- ceased) was a native of Haverhill, N. H., and for many years during his early manhood he ocenpied himself as a boot and shoe dealer. Edward M. was reared in the town of Greenboro and com- pleted his edueation in Phillip's Academy at Peach - am. When twenty-one years old he set out to see something of the world, making his way to Illi- nois, and halted in the town of Woodstock, where he entered the employ of George W. Bentley as a clerk. He sojourned there one year, then, in 1854, erossing the Father of Waters, took up his abode in Buchanan County, Iowa, and established a store at Greeley's Grove, twelve miles north of Independence. He there made the acquaintance of Miss Polly M. Coy, to whom he was married May 28, 1856. He came to Kansas in the fall of that year and coneluding to make his home in Jefferson County, was joined by his wife the following spring. He has since continued a resident of the Sunflower State and has abundant faith in its fu- ture. His family comprises, besides his estimable wife, a son, Willliam E., who was born July 6, 1865. Their only daughter, Ida A., who was born in No- vember, 1858, died at the interesting age of four- teen years.

The paternal grandfather of our subjeet was Will-

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iam Hutchins, a native of New Hampshire and of Scotch ancestry. The mother of our subject was Eliza W. Clark, daughter of Edward Clark, a sol- dier of the Revolutionary War, who received an honorable wound at the battle of Bunker Hill. Grandfather Clark was a native of Massachusetts and was the father of three sons and three daugh- ters. Grandfather Hutchins was the father of eleven sons and two daughters. Edward M., in 1887, visited the battle-ground of Bunker Hill, and in a company of five, who viewed it with great in- terest, was the only one having the honor of be- ing a descendant of a Revolutionary soldier.

HARLES L. THOMPSON, proprietor of the Indian Mills at Thompsonville, on the Del- aware River, is one of the old settlers of Kentucky Township, Jefferson County, and a man, who, by his industry and fine business talents has gained a competency, being now independent. He is intelligent and well-informed, courteous and agreeable, and counts his friends by the score in Northern Kansas.

The mill property of Mr. Thompson embraces sixty acres of land, comprising the oldest mill site in the State of Kansas. The first building was put up in 1834 by Michael Rice, an Englishman, and a millwright from Independence, Mo., who built the mill for the United States Government in order to grind corn for the Indians. It was erected under the supervision of Mr. Cummings, the Indian Agent for the Delawares, and was thus operated for a number of years. Finally it was partially aban- doned and lay idle until along in the '40's when it was fitted up by some straggling Mormons who manufactured flour after a fashion until early in the '50's.

Finally becoming reduced in numbers by an epi- demic, the Mormons departed, leaving a few graves marked by stone slabs on the banks of the Grass- hopper River. In 1856 the mill was rebuilt by a half-breed Delaware Indian, Everette by name, who put in and operated machinery for sawing lumber. A year later, while hauling dirt to re- pair the dam, the Delaware was killed by the cav-

ing in of the bank. His remains were buried on a point of the hill west of the mill on the land now owned by Mr. Thompson.

This mill property then passed into the hands of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, and went into a state of dilapidation. It was finally deeded to Tom Kirby, who retained possession until its pur- chase by C. L. Thompson about 1868. Mr. Thomp- son put up the present mill building in 1874, and in 1884 introduced the roller process, and the mill now has a capacity of 125 barrels per day.

The subject of this sketch was born in Sterling. Worcester C'o., Mass., June 27, 1832, and his early education was completed by an attendance of three months in the district school. When a lad of four- teen years he went into a cotton factory which turn- ed out Lancaster ginghams at Clinton, Mass., and worked his way up to the position of assistant overseer. He remained there for a period of seven years. Later he ran a milk wagon one year. He then rented a mill on the Nashua River, which he operated until 1857. That year he resolved upon coming West, and made his way to St. Louis by rail. Thence he proceeded by a river steamer to Leaven- worth, Kan., and went on foot from there to Law- rence, arriving at his destination in the month of April. Those were the most trying times on Kansas soil when every man went armed. Mr. Thompson em- ployed himself at whatever he could find to do. and finally began teaming to the river. The fol- lowing year he located a claim in Douglas County, upon which he labored until 1860 with poor suc- cess, not being able raise anything. Finally leaving his farm he went to the mountains with an ox-team. reaching Denver after a journey of six weeks. From there he proceeded to Golden City and after- ward he returned to Lawrence and to his farm. He was now successful in his agricultural opera- tions, and in the fall of 1862 was employed by Gen. Babcock and others who were engaged to fur- nish meat for the United States army for two years.

During the winter of 1863-64 Mr. Thompson filled a contract for furnishing meat to the refugee Indians at Ft. Gibson. Ile experienced great dif- ficulty in procuring the animals for slaughter, and in getting his provisions across the plains. The following summer he returned to his farm, but in

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the spring of 1865 sold this and purchased a saw- mill in Jefferson County, which he operated until 1868. Ile then purchased his present mill site, which was far from being as valuable as it is at the present time. In order to obtain the necessary water-power he was obliged to raise the dam, which could not be accomplished without backing the wa- ter so as to damage the Metzger mill, two miles above him. He was obliged to purchase this latter and was thus left without money to repair the first.

Mr. Thompson then engaged in saw-milling until 1874, when he erected the present mill and dam. and which, with the machinery, is as fine a piece of mill property as lies in the State of Kansas. The main building is three stories in height with a basement, and occupies an area of 40x60 feet. It is equipped with the latest improved machinery. The dam has been raised over ten feet, making a fine waterfall. This mill is patronized by a large part of this and adjoining counties.

. Besides his mill property Mr. Thompson has im- proved fifty acres of land in the vicinity of Thomp- sonville, of which he was the first permanent settler. It was through his influence that the post- office was located here, and which has proved a great convenience to the people of this region. The Thompson residence is finely located on a rise of ground, commanding a fine view of the sur- rounding country, and situated eighty feet above the Kansas River. The barns, cattle-sheds and other outbuildings are finely adapted to the gen- eral purposes of farm life. Mr. Thompson has four other dwelling houses in that vicinity. He is con- siderably interested in stock-raising, mostly mules and swine.

In Concord, Mass., on Aug. 15, 1856, the sub- ject of this notice was joined in wedlock with Miss Ann Muirhead. This lady was born in the town of Lubec, Me., and was the daughter of John Muirhead, a native of Scotland, who, after emigra- ting to America, settled in the Pine Tree State and operated as a hotel-keeper and liveryman. Ile died in Maine. llis wife, Mrs. Nancy ( Romans) Muirhead, was likewise a native of Scotland, also spent her last years in Maine. Mrs. Thompson was the eldest of ten children, and was reared and educated in her native State. She is now the

mother of six children, four of whom -- Carrie, Charles E .. Albert E. and Frank A. are deceased. Maude M. and Una B. are attending the High School at Lawrence. Mr. Thompson, politically. is a Republican of the first water. IIc assisted in building the first school-house in his district, and is serving his second term as Treasurer.

The father of our subject was Sumner Thomp- son, likewise a native of Sterling, Mass., and born March 25, 1803. The paternal grandfarther, Thomas Thompson, was likewise born in Sterling, and occupied himself in farming. The great- grandfather was Benjamin Thompson, a native of Osborn, Mass., a shoemaker and farmer combined, and who distinguished himself as a soldier in the Revolutionary War.

Sumner Thompson farmed in the Bay State un- til 1857, then selling out came to Lawrence, Kan. He remained only one summer, however, then re- turned to Massachusetts, where he sojourned until 1860. He then came back to Lawrence, where he lived until 1880, and then took up his abode with his son, Charles L., with whom he now lives. Ile was married in carly life to Miss Eliza T. Divoll. Mrs. Thompson was born in Leominster, Mass., and was the daughter of David Divoll, likewise a na- tive of the Bay State, and a farmer by occupation. She died at her home in Lawrence, Kan., in Febru- ary, 1880, at the age of seventy four years.

ARKUS SIGRIST. A little over cighteen years ago, in August, 1871, Mr. Sigrist came to Jackson County, and secured a tract of wild land on section 25, Liberty Township, from which he proceeded to build up a homestead. His persevering labors have met with marked success. as he has now a well-regulated farm, 160 acres in extent, whereon he has erected the necessary buildings, planted trees, gotten to- gether a goodly assortment of live stock and farm machinery, and is now comfortably situated, with sufficient of this world's goods to relieve him from the fear of want in his old age. He has just passed his fifty-seventh birthday, having been born Oct. 16, 1832, in Switzerland.

yours Truly Ce Brielml

Nancy EBrill

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Mr. Sigrist spent his early years amid the beau- tiful scenery of his native country, enjoying the advantages of the common school and being trained in those habits of industry and economy which have been the secret of his success through life. He was married in his native canton Nov. 26, 1866, to Miss Margaret Aebli and lived there until March, 1870, then decided upon seeking his for- tune in the New World. He first set foot upon American soil in the city of Boston, Mass.,and thence proceeded to Dubuque, Iowa, with his little family, and for a year thereafter employed himself at whatever he could find to do. In the spring of 1871 they removed to Valley Forge, Kan., and six months later to the new farm, which then hore lit- tle resemblance to its present condition.

There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sigrist three daughters and two sons. The eldest, a daugh- ter, Margaret, died in Switzerland in infancy: Markus. Jr,; Henry, and Betty, the youngest born, remain at home with their parents. Maggie died at the homestead in Liberty Township when an interesting child of nine years.

LEXANDER H. BRILL, M. D., of Louis- ville, Pottawatomie County, is the only resident physician in that thriving town and has a large practice both there and throughout the surrounding country. He has had long experience in his chosen work, his life as a practitioner having extended over almost a quar- ter of a century, and the thorough knowledge of Therapeutics with which he began has been broad-' ened and deepened by continued study, observa- tion and investigation in the later discoveries and theories of the science of medicine. A careful use of the knowledge which he has acquired and an acute judgment in diagnosis, have led to a nicasure of success both gratifying and honorable, and al- though the retirement of Dr. Brill from practice, which he is now contemplating, will be regretted as a loss to the community it can only be regarded as a necessity due to his long-continued usefulness and arduous labors.

Dr. Brill is descended in both lines from Ger-

man ancestry. His father, John L. Brill, was born in Pennsylvania and in 1812 settled in Guernsey County, Ohio, be being then quite young. In the Buckeye State he was married to Miss Elenor Shively, a native of Virginia, their union resulting in the birth of eleven children, nine of whom are now living. After many years of happy married life, in death they were not long divided, both be- ing called from earth in the year 1886.

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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 74

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

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