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 77
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 77
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 77
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Ozawkie Township has a fair representative of native-born Englishmen who comprise a portion of its most thrifty element. Mr. Harding, likewise a native of the mother country was born in the town of Mokelsfield, Cheshire, in September, 1826, and there spent mostly his boyhood and youth. His parents were James and Eliza ( Yates) Harding who were natives respectively of Cheshire and Notting- hamshire. In September, 1842, the family set out for America, embarking at Liverpool on the sailing vessel "Captain Henry," of New York, which, after a voyage of six weeks landed them in the city of New Orleans. Thence they made their way up the Mississippi River to St. Louis and from there pro- ceeded to Adams County, Ill., where they took up their abode. The father died there in 1856 and the mother in 1860. Both while in England, had been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. There had been born to them three children only, of whom Elijah was the youngest.
Mr. Harding came to Jefferson County, Kan., in the spring of 1854, making the trip overland by wagons from Adams County, Ill. Ile was accom. panied on his journey by William Tillitson and his
family with whom he lived until the spring of 1855. Ile then entered 160 acres of Government land adjacent to his present farm. He worked out by the month and in time had enough money to commence farming on his own account. His land was in a wild and uncultivated condition and the nearest market was in Platte County, Mo., near Ft. Leavenworth. Indians were quite numer- ous at this time but did not molest the settlers. Mr. Harding kept bachelor's hall for a number of years in a round-log cabin with a elapboard door destitute of a lock. This swung on wooden hinges. The Indians frequently visited him, often spending several hours. He carried on the improvement of his property and in due time was married, about 1868. to Miss Wilson, who lived only a short time. His second wife was Mrs. Lydia Reynolds, who by her former husband had become the mother of seven children. Of her union with our subject there were born three children-Eliza, Gilbert and Noah. Mrs. Lydia Ilarding departed this life in May, 1882. The first wife of Mr. Harding was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while his second wife belonged to the Christian Church.
The present wife of our subject was Mrs. Anna Hudson. They were married Jan. 15, 1886, and have had no children.
M. FOWLER is one of the successful men of Jefferson County and highly respected and popular in both social and financial eir- cles. His valuable and finely improveil es- tate is situated on section 36, Kentucky Township, and comprises eighty acres, eighteen of which are set with thriving fruit trees. At present Mr. Fow- ler is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, devoting considerable attention to the potato crop. but it is his intention to enter the horticultural field and give his time to fruit growing.
The ancestral history of our subject may be found in the sketch of his father, A. M. Fowler, which fills another page of this volume. He is the eldest of eight children, and was born in Hart County, Ky .. March 22, 1855, being brought to Kansas by his parents when two years old. He was
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reared on a farm near Lawrence, and was an eye- witness of the raid on that city during the border troubles. He received excellent advantages in the way of schooling and home-training, and is a well- informed and upright man. In the spring of 1865 a removal to this county was made, and the young man assisted his father to improve the land on the Kansas River that comprised their new home.
Mr. Fowler attended the Agricultural College at Manhattan during the fall of 1881 and the spring of 1882, and then entered into partnership with his father in the cultivation of the paternal acres. About two years later he located upon the estate which he now occupies. and where he has so prac- tically and successfully conducted his enterprises.
An important step in the life of Mr. Fowler was taken on the first day of March, 1883, when in Medina, he became the husband of Miss Mary Shepherd, an intelligent and estimable young lady, whose father, the late Charles Shepherd. was a pio- neer citizen of this county. The mother of Mrs. Fowler is now the wife of J. P. Kunkle, whose sketch is found elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Fowler was born in Kansas; she has borne three children.
Mr. Fowler is a Democrat, and has represented his township in county conventions. He has been School Director three years, and faithfully and efficiently discharged the duties of that officc. No young man in the county has a larger circle of friends than Mr. Fowler, aud his wife also is held in high estimation by her neighbors and associates.
RANK VAN GAASBEEK, one of the most prominent and successful farmers of Dela- ware Township, is likewise a man of more than ordinary intelligence, having sprung from a fine old family, well educated and inclined to lite- rary pursuits, and having for their associates such men as Washington, Lafayette and others of their stamp in the olden times. His homestead is pleas. antly located on section 17, and the family occu- pies a high social position.
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The subject of this notice was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, Sept. 21, 1836, and is the son of
Peter Van Gaasbeek, long since deceased. The latter was born in Ulster County, N. Y., near Kingston on the Hudson River, half way between Albany and New York City, Oct. 29, 1787. He was of Holland ancestry and a farmer by occupa- tion. He married Miss Phebe, daughter of Will- iam Dunham, a full-blooded Yankee. She was born near South Danvers, Mass., March 8, 1792. They became the parents of eleven children, six of whom are living, viz: George. Saloma (Mrs. Masters), Lewis, Catherine (Mrs. Shepard), Lovina (Mrs. Woodard), and Frank. George is a resident of Delaware Township; Saloma lives in Jackson County; Lewis, Catherine and Lovina live in Wabaunsee County.
The Van Gaasbeek family emigrated to Dane County, Wis., in May, 1852, locating eighteen miles northeast of Madison, where the father died June 15, 1854. The mother passed away Nov. 5, 1857. Frank received his early education in the primitive schools of Wisconsin, remaining there until 1866, then coming to Jefferson County, this State, he settled on land which he now owns and occupies, but which was then destitute of any im- provements whatever, and the country around abouuded with wild animals. He has labored diligently, as may be supposed, to bring it to its present condition, and is now surrounded with all the comforts of life.
In Wisconsin, on the 26th of March, 1857, oc- curred the marriage of Frank Van Gaasbeek with Miss Eudora Pelton. Six children were born of this union, four of whom are living, viz: Carrie, Della, Hattie and Lou. The eldest born, a son, Herschel, died at the age of ten years. Another child, a danghter, died in infancy; Carrie is the wife of Simon Shumway, of Delaware Township, and the mother of one child, a son, Frank; Della and Hattie employ themselves as teachers. The youngest daughter is at home with her father. The mother of these children departed this life April 27, 1877.
Mr. Van Gaasbeek is a sonna Republican, polit- ically, although no office seeker, and meddles very little with public affairs. He is a member in good standing of the Masonic fraternity. In his farm- ing operations he makes a speciality of Hambleton-
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ian and Morgan horses, being able to exhibit some very fine animals.
The paternal grandmother of Mr. Van Gaasbeek was a sister of Judge Hasbrouck, whose house was the headquarters of Gen. Washington at Newburg during the Revolutionary War. This house was built by Jonathan Hasbrouck, father of the Judge, in 1750, and is now the property of the State of New York, being utilized as a storehouse for relics of the wars of the Revolution and 1812, and the Mexican War.
OW CLAWER. We find this worthy res- ident of St. Clere Township, Pottawatomie County, comfortably situated on a good farm embracing a part of section 2, where he carries on general agriculture and makes a specialty of Poland-China swine. His farm is en- closed with good fencing and the land is in a highly productive condition. There is an orchard of 100 trees, and trees of the smaller fruits furnish the family with the luxuries of the season. Mr. Clawer makes no pretentions to elegance in his style of living, simply being surrounded with the comforts of life, keeping ont of debt and living at peace among his neighbors.
He of whom we write is a native of the Buckeye State and was born in Hancock County, Nov. 28, 1845. He was there reared upon a farm and attended district school, mostly during the winter season. When a youth of eighteen years he set out to see something of the Great West and spent four years tłrereafter among the mines on the other side of the Rocky Mountains. Then returning to Ohio, he so- journed there for a time and we next find him in Colfax County, Neb. From there, in 1869, he came to Kansas, visiting Pottawatomic County, but only staying a short time. lle made another visit to his native place, but in the spring of 1870 came back to Kansas and purchased the ninety acres of land included in his present farm. He commenced the improvement of his property and was prospered in his labors so that in due time he added to his possessions by the purchase of 200 acres adjoining, at a time when thic country around
was peopled principally by Indians and wild ani- mals. St. Mary's was the nearest market and at Circleville was the most convenient mill.
Mr. Clawer has about 125 acres of his land un- der the plow, the balance being in meadow land, pasture and timber. His career has been one no- ticeable for industry and economy and he occupies a good position among the representative men of his township. After becoming a resident of St. Clare Township, Mr. Clawer was married, at the bride's home in April, 1869, to Miss Dora, daughter of James and Amanda (Wardell) Anders. This lady was born in Belmont County, Ohio, and came to Kansas with her parents when about twenty years old. She departed this life Oct. 13, 1889, at the early age of twenty-eight years, leaving one child, a son, Ross. The parents of our subject were John and Mary (Thomas) Clawer who were natives of Ohio, the father born in Pickaway County and the mother in Ross County. Their family consisted of five children, all natives of Ohio, but of whom there are living only two -- Dow and Susanah. John Clawer and his good wife are still living. making their home with their son Dow. They came with him to Kansas in 1870. In Ohio they belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
C HARLES J. SWANSON. No resident of Pottawatomie County better deserves men- tion in a volume of this description than he whose name heads this sketch. The position which he occupies is not due alone to his successful man- agement as a farmer and business man, but to his general intelligence, firm principles, and Christian integrity. His honorable record as a soldier dur- ing the late Civil War is an added reason for the respect he receives from all true patriots.
The energy and uprightness of Mr. Swanson are inherited from an honored ancestry, both parents having been descended from worthy Swedish fami- lies. The father, Swan Johnson, was a farmer in good circumstances, who in 1868, emigrated from Sweden to America, and settling in Porter County, Ind., lived there until his death in 1874. The
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mother, Eliza Johnson, moved, in 1885, from the Hoosier State to Kansas, and died in 1885. She was the second wife of her husband, to whom she bore eight children. They are: Charles J., our subject; Swen A., who lives in Porter County, Ind .; Christine C., of Morris County, Kan .; Johanna, who lives in Brookville, Kan .; Anna S., whose home is in Belvue Township; Lena T., whose home is in Morris County; Emma, who lives near Nickerson, Kan., and Tilda, who resides in Riley County. The first union of Swan Johnson had been blessed by the birth of two children, John and Caroline, both now living in DeKalb County. Ill.
Charles J. Swanson was born near Oscarhamn, Sweden, April 30, 1837, and remained under the parental roof until seventeen years old, then came to America. Leaving Gottenburg on the sailing vessel Ilarrison in company with his half-brother John, he landed in Boston after a tedious voyage of seven weeks, and proceeded directly to Chicago, eight days being consumed in the trip between these two cities. This was in 1854, before the time of rapid transit.
The first winter after coming to America, Mr. Swanson was engaged in chopping wood in Porter County, Ind., and in the spring, returning to Chi- cago, found employment with the Michigan Cen- tral Railroad. During the early part of 1856 he went back to the Hoosier State and worked on a farm for a couple of years, and in the winter of 1859-60 attended school for two months in Chi- cago, which comprises all the education he received from the schools of America. However, he has obtained a good English education through a sys- tematic course of reading on all topics of general interest. For a year he worked for a street car company, then, in June, 1861, offered his services in the cause of the American Union. The quota being filled, his services were not accepted, although he offered himself both as an infantry and cavalry soldier. Then going to DeKalb County, III., in August, 1861, he was enrolled in Company E, 105th Illinois Infantry, and being mustered into the service at Chicago. at once was ordered South.
The command was engaged in guarding railroads and in other duties in Kentucky and Tennessee
until the spring of 1864, when they joined Sher- man and marched through Georgia to the sea. Mr. Swanson participated in a number of the most no- table conflicts of the Civil War, as well as in num- erous minor engagements, where the dangers were as great and the risks as numerons as in other hat- tles more famed in history. The first great conflict in which he engaged was at Resaca, and following this were Pumpkin Vine Creek, Burnt Hickory, Peach Tree Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, and the siege of Atlanta, whare he was under fire for over a month. After the occupation of the latter city they marched toward Savannah, engaging in a battle at Sandersville, then returning to Raleigh. participated in the battles of Averysboro and Ben- tonville. At the close of active campaign life the command marched to Washington, and after taking part in the Grand Review, was mustered out of service. Mr. Swanson was honorably discharged in Chicago, June 7, 1865. During the last year of his army life Mr. Swanson held the office of Corpo- ral, and is proud of the fact that his service was in the brigade commanded by Gen. Harrison, and that his soldierly duties were performed under the direction of the present President of the United States.
Resuming the duties of civil life our subject worked at the carpenter's trade in DeKalh County, Ill .. for a year, then spent two years on a farm in the same county. Later he purchased an 80-acre farm in Porter County, Ind., operating and im- proving it until 1870, when he sold and came to Kansas. For three years he was engaged in break- ing the prairie and running a threshing machine, and at the end of that period was enabled to per- chase eighty acres of land in Blue Valley Town- ship, paying $1,200 for the same. Soon afterward he bought forty acres adjoining for $750, later added another forty, so that he is now the owner of 160 acres of fertile land on section 15. It is finely located on the Blue River bottom, is well improved, feneed in fields of a convenient size, with a well constructed dwelling. house, 18 x 32 feet in size in the main part, with an addition 16x18 feet; a barn 30x60; a wind-mill and the various ont-buildings needed by one engaged in grain and stock-raising. Mr. Swanson also owns
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yours truly & sauce m. Ayers
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120 acres of prairie land, pleasantly located about four miles from Olsburg.
The marriage of our subject took place in Blue Valley Township, March 15, 1874, the bride be- ing Miss Josephine Johnson, an excellent lady, who was born in Linkoping, Sweden. Their union has been blessed by the birth of six children; Charles O. A., Matilda V., Albin S., Emma L., Alma W., and Elfie C.
Politically Mr. Swanson is a true-blue Republi- can. He has been School Treasurer for four years, has held the position of Township Clerk for a term, and has also served as Supervisor of Roads, trans- acting the duties of the various positions in a cred- itable and satisfactory manner. He is a member of the Blue Valley Stock Breeders' Association, and a Director of the Orphans' Home. He is an active member of the Lutheran Church at Mariadahl, his wife sharing with him in the respect of its mem- bers.
SAAC M. AYERS. This sturdy veteran who is approaching the seventy-ninth year of his age, possesses unusual energy for one of his years and is affectionately regarded as one of the old landmarks of Rock Creek Township, Jefferson Connty, and one who has assisted largely in its growth and development. Ile was born in Eastern Maryland Feb. 22, 1811, and in 1813 was taken by his parents, John and Dorcas (Morris) Ayers to Brook County, that State. About two years later they made another removal to the vicinity of Wheel- ing. W. Va., and in 1819 they emigrated to Adams County, Ohio.
In the Buckeye State, John Ayers farmed on rented land many years. Both he and his wife were born in Maryland. The former died in Ohio in 1832, and the latter followed her husband two years later, in 1834. Both were consistent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church and died in that faith. Isaac M. Ayres was the fourth in their family of nine children. His maternal grand- mother, Hannah Morris, was born in Virginia where she spent her entire life, dying at the advanced age of eighty years.
The subject of this sketch was married in Adams
County, Ohio, Dec. 31, 1835, to Miss Ilannah, daughter of John Hamlin, a native of that State. Mr. Ayres farmed in Adams County until the spring of 1854 and then removing to Russellville worked at carpentering until the spring of 1857, when he decided to seek his fortunes west of the Mississippi. He made his way to Cineinnati by wagon and thence by a river boat to St. Louis, Mo. From there they traveled overland to Springfield, Mo., where they sojourned until the following Oc- tober. Then getting ready once more his prairie schooner Mr. Ayers, with his wife and seven chil- dren and his household goods made his way to Kansas and spent the first year thereafter one mile north of the present site of Ozawkie. In the spring of 1859 be removed to the land which he now owns and occupies. This comprises 126 acres and when coming into the possession of Mr. Ayers there was upon it only a little log cabin. He had one neigh- bor about three-quarters of a mile south and another one and one-half miles west. The three families constituted the population of that neighborhood. The nearest markets were at Topeka and Valley Falls and sometimes the settlers hauled grain and hay to Leavenworth. The only piece of timber on the farm at that time, aside from what was used in the construction of the cabin, was a hickory rail fastened to one end of the cabin upon which Mr. Ayers hung his harness.
Notwithstanding the cheerless outlook Mr. Ayers began the improvement of his land, meeting with success in his labors. About 1862 he planted an orchard of apple and peach trees, having about fifty of the first mentioned and 330 of the latter. The farm is now all enclosed with good fencing and mostly under cultivation. In the meantime, in 1869, Mr. Ayers purchased lots and built in Topeka, taking up his residence there for three years. In the spring of 1872 he returned to his farm but in 1882 removed to North Topeka and engaged in the coal business, also buying property in Topeka.
Mr. Ayers when a youth of seventeen years con- nected himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church and for several years in Ohio officiated as Class- Leader. Upon his first removal to Topeka he joined the United Brethren Church, and also ofli-
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ciated there as Class-Leader, during the entire time of his residence. Upon going to North Topeka he resumed relations with the Methodist Episcopal Church of which his wife is also a member. She departed this life June 26, 1885, leaving six sur- viving children, viz: Alson T., James W., Sarilda, who was first married to a Mr. Pierce, by whom she became the mother of six children and who is now the wife of Louis Ankeny; Sarah, ( Mrs. George Ready); Eliza, who was first married to Albert Deaver, and who then married James Mott; Ar- mantha; and Mrs. Francis Mott. Two children died in infancy unnamed. Francis M. died when a promising youth of seventeen years, and Jenevery died at the age of fourteen.
On the 1st of September, 1887, Mr. Ayers con- tracted a second matrimonial alliance with Mrs. Amelia E. (Fisk) Bartlett. This lady was born in Connecticut, where she was reared and married to Charles N. Bartlett, a native of the same State. They came to Kansas in April, 1877, locating at Salina; later they removed to Clay County, then to Junction City and finally to Topeka. Of their union fourteen children were born, six of whom, all sons, died in infancy unnamed. The others are named respectively: Minnie M., Ruth A., Edith A., Susan F., Frederick H., Mary J., Willie M., and James Arthur. Mr. Bartlett died in Topeka Oct. 10, 1881. Ile was a member of the Baptist Church, with w. ich he became identified in his native State.
The parents of Mrs. Ayers were Ira and Anna (Lillabridge) Fisk, both natives of Connecticut, where they spent their entire lives. Mr. Fisk died in February, 1877, at the age of sixty-nine years. Mrs. Fisk survived her husband almost five years, dying Dec. 6, 1881, at the age of seventy-four ; she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The maternal grandparents were Rufus and Irene (Scripture) Fisk, natives of Connecticut The Fisk family is of Irish origin, and was founded in Amer- ica by three brothers who came from Ireland. The father of Mrs. Ayers was a second cousin of the father of Jim Fisk, who was killed in New York City. Mr. and Mrs. Ayers have an adopted son, Charles Bartlett, whom they have adopted by law. He is now (1890) three years old.
Mr. Ayers during the season of 1889 ploughed
and cultivated forty acres of corn, besides doing other work on the farm. His coal business in To- peka is managed principally by his stepdaughter, Minnie M.
Elsewhere in this volume may be found a litho- graphie portrait of Mr. Ayers.
ILLIAM McCOY. Few, if any, residents of Jefferson County have a more beauti- ful home than this gentleman, who owns a ane farm in Norton Township, and a quarter-sec- tion in Atchison County, just across the road from the rest of his estate. He is the fortunate possessor of one of the loveliest building sites imaginable, and he has so improved it as to have made one of the finest places in the county. The house stands forty rods from the road, down to which there is a beautiful drive, leading directly along the crest of a sloping ridge, and on either side of this roadway are rows of soft maple trees and well-kept hedges. The house stands facing this drive, with the land falling away from it in every direction except the front, and the barns and other outhouses, which are numerous and well-built, all stand lower than the dwelling. The house and barn are surrounded by a variety of trees and shrubs.
The gentleman whose name initiates this sketch is one of a family of fifteen children, ten of whom grew to maturity, and is the youngest member, except his brother, Joseph, who was killed at the battle of Antietam, at the age of twenty-two years. The parents were John and Elizabeth ( Beal) Me- Coy, and the ancestral lines were from Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively. Our subject is a native of Harrison County, Ohio, was born on a farm near Cadiz, Oct. 6. 1838, and accompanied the members of the family to Central Ohio when he was eight years of age. On the 9th of Novem- ber, 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Tirzah Borland, of Franklin County, Ohio. who was his cherished companion and devoted helpmate until May 3. 1875, when she was called from time to eternity.
The tidal wave of indignation which swept over
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the North when Ft. Sumter was fired upon, and roused a patriotic fervor in the breasts of young and old, was felt by Mr. MeCoy, and he enlisted in Company D, 95th Ohio Infantry, serving in Kentucky about five months, and while there tak- ing part in the battle at Richmond. This was the only serious contest in which he was engaged, as he was discharged for general debility in January, 1863, and after returning to his home was unable to work for a year. At the battle of Richmond he was captured, with the most of his regiment, but made his escape the following night with a num- ber of comrades, who broke for the woods and succeeded in escaping recapture. There were three of the McCoy brothers in the service, and only one returned from the army in as fine physical condition as when he entered.
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