Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 86

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 86
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 86
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 86


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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Finally, in the spring of 1869, he determined upon seeking his fortunes in the West, and believ- ing that Kansas afforded a large field for his ambi- tion, he made his way hither, arriving in Topeka on the Ist of April: Later he repaired to Law- rence, where he was first engaged as clerk in an hotel. For two months thereafter he devoted his spare time to the study of chemistry, and subse-


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quently resumed teaching, which he followed until 1877. In the meantime, during the winter of 1874-75, he held the position of Principal of the 5th Ward school in Lawrence. He took a promi- nent part in the institute and teacher's associations in Douglas County, officiating as President and teacher combined.


In November, 1875, Mr. Spangler accepted the Principalship of the Perry schools, which position he held until 1877. He had prior to this been given a five-year State certificate. During the ยท year last mentioned he associated himself in part- nership with Dr. Surber, and they purchased the drug stock of Mr. A. F. Gratigny. They operated together, however, only one year, and then Mr. Spangler became sole proprietor, and with the ex- ception of eighteen months, has conducted the business singly and alone. He keeps a well- selected stock of drugs and chemicals, also school books and stationery. His success is due to his energy and strict attention to business. He began with a capital of $100, and now operates with a stock of 84,500, utilizing two store buildings. He is the oldest continuous druggist in the town.


Mr. Spangler was married in Douglas County, Kan., in 1872, to Miss Nancy A. Messenhimer. This lady was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Kansas with her parents about 1860. Her father, 1Ienry Messenhimer, was a prominent farmer of Douglas County. Five children have been born of this union, viz. : Charles W., Orville E., Mabel, Manford and Myra. Mr. Spangler was a member of the School Board one term, and is serving his third term as Justice of the Peace. He was Mayor of the city one year. He is an active member of the 1. O. O. F., at Perry, being the permanent Secretary and Past Noble Grand. He is the Acting Scribe of the Encampment at Lawrence, and Grand . Marshal of the Grand Encampment. Ile belongs to the State Pharmacutical Association, and has presided at three of their meetings. In his church he officiates as Class-Leader and Trustee, and is Superintendent of the Sunday-school. He possesses good literary abilities, and is contributor to a number of Pharmacutical journals. He became associated with the Perry News, a weekly paper published in Topeka. in 1888, prior to which time


he had done much journalistic work and had. become very popular. Politically, he is a sound Republican, prominent in his party, officiating as a delegate to the county, State and congressional conventions, and being Chairman of the Repub - lican Central Committee for several years ..


A lithographie portrait of Mr. Spangler appears on another page of this volume.


R UFUS STANTON TURNER. This hon- ored pioneer of Jackson County came to this State in 1879, and for many years was a resident of Jefferson Township, occupy- ing the farm which he had built up from a wild tract of land, located on section 14. After a series of years spent in ardnous labor he has wisely de- cided to retire, and may be found amid the com- forts of a pleasant home in the city of Holton.


A native of Middlebury Township, Schoharie County, N. Y., the subject of this sketch was born in the year 1822, and is the son of James and Linda (Lloyd) Turner, the former a native of Schoharie County, N. Y. and the latter in Albany County, that State. The paternal grandfather, Joseph Turner, was born in Connecticut and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. By occupation he was a farmer and shoemaker combined. On the mother's side Grandfather Benjamin Lloyd, was born in the State of New York, and for many years operated as a stage-driver before the days of railroads.


James Turner was reared to agricultural pur- suits, which he followed all his life. IIe died Jan. 7, 1863, at the age of sixty-eight years. The mother survived her husband many years, passing away Jan. 7, 1879. She was a lady of many estimable qualities and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The elder Turner took an ac- tive part in politics. Liberal and public-spirited, he was a friend of education and encourager of the enterprises calculated to elevate the people.


To the parents of our subject there was born a family of thirteen children, of whom, Rufus Stan- ton was the eldest; Benjamin F. is a retired farmer in New York State; Joseph has also retired from


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active labor and makes his home in Livings- ton, N. Y .: Catherine E. became the wife of Dr. Buck, of Schoharie County, N. Y., and is now de- ceased; Young died in 1865; Harriet A. married Sanford Row, of Schoharie County, and is now deceased; Loren and Amos are farming in Scho- harie County ; Almira is the wife of Wetsel Roe of that County ; Ezra is farming there; Sarah A. is the wife of Orin Macky, of Ulster County, N. Y .; George died in early childhood; Mary (Mrs. Thorn,) lives in Schoharie County. Rufus, our subject, remained at the homestead assisting in the labors of the farm and attending the common school. principally in the winter season. At the age of nineteen years he left home and making his way to Calhoun County, Mich., engaged as a farm laborer, remaining there one year. There also he was married, Sept. 12, 1841, to Miss Adeline Lay.


Mrs. Turner was born in Niagara County, N. Y., and is the daughter of Daniel and Anna (Brown) Lay. After his marriage Mr. Turner purchased a farm and continued a resident of Michigan until 1844. Then, selling out, he returned to his native county, where he rented a farm one year, then purchased a farm, which he occupied until the spring of 1849.


Next Mr. Turner took charge of a tannery, which he conducted until 1852. That year he removed back to Michigan and purchased another farm, re- maining there until 1855. We next find him in Noble County, Ind., where he purchased land which he improved and upon which he lived until 1879. That year he came to Kansas and secured a farm of 160 acres, upon which he operated success- fully until his retirement. During the Civil War, Mr. Turner enlisted iu an Indiana regiment and served five months. He is a member in good standing of the Christian Church, as is also his estimable wife. Mr. Turner is a Republican, politi- cally, and takes a warm interest in the success of his party. He has contributed liberally to its support and is numbered among its chief pillars.


There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Turner six children, the eldest of whom, Marcus B., served in the Union army ; Julia A. and Cynthia J. are deceased; Orlena is the wife of William Heffner, of Jefferson Township; Adella G. married Alonzo Friend of


this township; James W. is also farming there. Besides their own children, Mr. and Mrs. Turner have reared two grandchildren-William T. Green and Evan A. Turner, of Jefferson Township. Mr. Turner commenced in life at the foot of the ladder, dependent upon his own resources,and has attained to hiis present position, socially and financially, . unaided. His career has been one eminently cred- itable to his energy and industry and he occupies no secondary position among the leading men of his township.


Le ORENZA D. GRINTER is a native of Kansas and a prosperous farmer in Jefferson County, bidding fair to become one of its leading citizens, when a few more years shall have added their experience to the fund of knowledge which he already possesses. He is a son of J. C. Grinter, whose sketch occupies another page, and was born near Edwardsville, Kan., Dec. 12, 1868. His boy- hood and youth were passed on his father's farm, and in the enjoyment of excellent educational ad- vantages, and in the fall of 1887 he came to this county with his father, beginning work for himself the following year as an agricultorist, on some of his father's land adjoining Perry, and also in part- nership with his brother, J. M. Grinter, engaging in grain and potato raising. In the fall of 1889 he took possession of his own farm, which comprises eighty aeres of tillable and fertile bottom land in Rural Township, where he is now engaged in gen- eral husbandry. Good buildings have been erected and other improvements made upon the place, which is well-fenced, and conducted in a manner extremely creditable to the good judgment and industry of its young owner.


In Kansas City, Kan., Aug, 17, 1889, the rites of - wedlock were celebrated between our subject and Miss Kate Davis. She was born in Kentucky Township, this county, March 27, 1873, and was educated in the public schools of Perry, where her agreeable manners and active mind were recog- nized and appreciated. Her father, George Davis, was born in Shelby, N. Y., and was a farmer in his native State, whenee he removed to Michigan, con-


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tinuing his agricultural pursuits for some time. In the early days of life west of the Mississippi he came out on the plains and began freighting, finally locating at Winchester, Kan., and subsequently coming to this county. He served in a Kansas regiment for three months during the Civil War. IIe improved a farm of 160 aeres in Kentucky Township and resided upon it until 1884, when he rented it and moved to Perry. He is a sound Re- publiean in politics. The mother of Mrs. Grinter was, in her maidenhood, Miss Lney Van Guilder, and her birth took place in Tompkins Center, Mich. She belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and carefully instilled into the minds of her chil- dren the principles of morality and right living. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are the parents of five chil- dren. Mrs. Cora Durbin and Mrs. Stella Leach are living in Perry. Mrs. Hattie Saylor lives in Fairview Township. Mortimer is still at home.


Mr. Grinter is a Democrat, having a firm belief that the principles of that party will best advance the interests of the Nation. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and no young people in the county are more popular or give promise of greater usefulness in life than do this young couple.


NDREW M. RUSSELL. The subject of this sketeh is one of those busy gentlemen who find time for many business and social duties, illustrating the prineiple that the busiest man is the one who has the most leisure. Not only so but he is a man with a history, a highly educated and useful member of society, and one who has accomplished much good in the cause of education and the service of the Union. He is now engaged in the jewelry business in Valley Falls, where he has also been a teacher in the city schools for eight years.


.


Prof. Russell is one of two children born to Warren and Polly Ann (Evans) Russell, and is the only surviving member of the family, his brother having died in infaney and his parents some years sinee. His father was a native of Cattaraugus County, N. Y., was a farmer, and died in the Union


army after three months' service during the Rebell- ion. Mrs. Warren Russell was born in Ohio, and was a daughter of Andrew Evans, formerly a noted dairyman of the Western Reserve, and living in Geauga County, Ohio. Near the town of Huntsburg in that county, April 7. 1847, our subjeet first opened his eyes to the light. In 1852 his parents removed to Cedar County, Iowa, settling on wild land, where for a short time they lived in a small log cabin. Lumber to build an addition to the house was hauled from Muscatine, thirty-two miles distant, and there they also did their trading. haul- ing hogs and farm products to that point. the only means of transportation in all that section being by wagons or water.


Young Russell enlisted in Company I, 35th Iowa Infantry, and served three years and one day dur- ing the Civil War. Among the battles in which he participated were those of Raymond, Miss., the first and second battles at Jackson, the charge on Vicksburg made May 18, 1862; the second charge upon and siege of the same place some time later; Ft. DeRussey, Marksville, Henderson Hill ; Campte ; Pleasant Hill, La .; the seventeen days' fighting on the retreat from that place to Alexandria; the five days' engagement ending at Bayou DeGlaize, Tu- pelo, Little Hatchie; Oxford, Miss .; Little Blue, Mo .; Nashville, Spanish Fort, ete.


At Henderson Hill the brigade to which Mr. Rus- sell belonged, during the night surprised and eapt- ured every rebel except Col. Moore, of the 2d Louisiana Cavalry, who crawled out of the window, slid down a back porch, and escaped through the guards, clothed in his night shirt. This capture was due to a strategy of Mr. Russell, who with two companions went ahead of the brigade, and meeting a rebel courier halted him and called for the countersign. The rebel demanded to know who was hailing him and was answered "The advance guard of Gen. Warren," (a rebel general from whom they expected re-inforcements) and the countersign was readily given. The courier was then escorted as a prisoner to the Union com- mander Gen. Joe Mower, who proceeded to capture all the rebel picket posts between them and the fort by pretending to be Geu. Warren's advance guard, giving the countersign and capturing one after an-


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other without a shot being fired. In taking the fort the rebel color bearer assaulted the Union color bearer, who in self-defense ran his antagonist through with the spear of his staff, killing him.


Mr. Russell devoted much of his time to scouting and on one occasion was two days and two nights in the Confederate lines, during much of that time joking with them, inquiring for "Massa Jeff's army and passing himself off for a rather silly boy be- longing to the "poor white trash." He had been detailed to find the hiding place of the guerrillas, who were catching and hanging Union scouts, and had changed clothes with a negro cook, who had escaped from his master, and from whom he ob- tained all the information possible. He rowed across the Black River, hid his boat in a clump of willows and took the Jackson road, inquiring at every house for Massa Jeff's army. About 3,P. M., he was approached by some of the guerrillas, who asked him where he was going, and being told for what he was hunting took him to their eamp in a cane-brake, where they had much fun, as they sup- posed at his expense. They thought him one of the poor whites who lived near Thompson's plan- tation, as he had learned from the negro all about the neighbors there. During the night he left the camp, taking the Captain's horse, which stood sad- dled and tied near, and covering the picket with a revolver which he found in the holster on the sad- dle, took him a mile away and tied him with a sus- pender to a tree. While making his way back to the river, the horse fell in descending a hill and broke its neck, the rider fortunately escaping ser- ious injury. After possessing himself of the two revolvers which were in the holsters, he rowed across the river and walked to the Union camp. two and a half miles distant, where he reported his discovery and was at once sent back with a regi- ment of cavalry only to find that the guerrillas had evacuated their camp.


Mr. Russell and Mr. C. S. Bell gave valuable as- sistance to Gen. Grant in planning the second bat- tle of .Jackson, Miss. Bell was a Lientenant on Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's staff, and at the same time a scout for Gen. Grant. He would often carry Jolinston's orders to the Union lines where Mr. Russell would meet him, copy the orders and


carry them to Gen. Grant, who would thus be en- enabled to read them before they were received by Jolinston's men, and in this way the Union General was enabled to checkmate the movements of the Confederacy.


After the war was over and Mr. Russell mustered out of the service, he returned to his home and at- tended the State University at Iowa City, Iowa, and the Iowa State Agricultural College at Ames. He then taught five months, and in 1867 crossed the plains to Omaha and Cheyenne City, where he worked on the grading of the Union Pacific Rail- railroad. While there he discovered a thief in a erowd, and pretending to be a similar character, the man, who was stealing money, revolvers, etc., gave Mr. Russell such information regarding his own movements and plans as enabled the losers to recover their property and capture the thief, who in trying to escape was lynehed.


In the fall our subject returned to Omaha with 600 California ponies, and broke and sold them, disposing of some of them in Omaha and others at the Wabaunsee Agency. He then spent a short time in car building in Omaha, following which he worked for the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad, in East Leavenworth, for a few months. Thence he went to Brookfield, Mo., and from March until September was fireman on the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, afterward running an engine a month.


Returning to Iowa Mr. Russell taught school in his home district during the winter of 1868-69, and in the spring entered the Iowa Agricultural College, attending until fall, when he returned to his home and again taught school. In the mean- time he learned the jewelry trade and made his college expenses by doing work for the students. In 1870 he tried farming. planting and tending a crop, but sold out and went to West Branch, Iowa, where he established the West Branch News, a sheet which he carried on for nearly two years. In 1872 he removed to Muscatine County, and re- suming his pedagogieal labors in September, taught a six-months' school. He came to Jefferson County, Kan., March 24, 1873, stopping at Perry where he taught school until 1878, carrying on his jewelry business nights, mornings and Saturdays, During


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


the last year of his residence in Perry he was prin- cipal of the city schools. From that place he re- moved to Boyle Station, where he taught two years, and whence he came to Valley Falls in 1880. He taught one term at Nichols Station, and entering the Valley Falls schools in the fall of 1881, con- tinued his connection with them until the spring of 1889, adding to his reputation as a thorough in- structor. During his residence in Valley Falls he has also been carrying on a jewelry shop, and has been more or less connected with the newspapers.


Prof. Russell has been Notary Public for the last fourteen years, and while a citizen of Perry was Clerk of Kentucky Township. He is a member of the G. A. R., the A. O. U. W., the I. O. O. F., the S. of V., the I. O. G. T., the L. of G. A. R., and the Select Knights. He was Chancellor Commander of the K. of P. when it surrendered its charter and now carries a card from the Grand Lodge of that society. His wife, his two eldest daughters and himself are members of the Congregational Church. On the 19th of February, 1870, the rites of wedlock werc celebrated between Prof. Russell and Miss Martha M., daughter of Morgan Counts, deceased. Mrs. Russell is a worthy companion for a gentle- man of her husband's intellect and energy, and is highly esteemed in the community for her many graces of mind and heart. She has borne six chil- dren, named respectively : Rosetta A., Clara E. J., Mary A., Nellie M., Dick C. M., and Grace; the last named has been removed by the hand of death.


S AMUEL HI. CURRY, who was born in Bloomington, Monroe Co., Ind., Jan. 19, 1856, has a high standing among the young farmers of Jefferson County. and is ac- quiring an excellent foothold in the world, his pres- ent landed estate being 134 acres in Norton Township. His early boyhood passed in a city of excellent educational institutions and among stu- dents, he would have been dull indeed had he not in those years become observing and intelligent, and with a removal to Kansas and the passing of bis youthful years where he had so good an oppor- tunity to learn that it is push and enterprise which


makes its mark in the Western country, it is not to be wondered at that Mr. Curry should prove ener- getic, progressive and intelligent in the manage- ment of his business, and should make many friends in the surrounding country.


The gentleman of whom we write is the son of D. S. and Margaret (Fullerton) Curry, and both ancestral lines were from South Carolina. The Curry family are of Scotch-Irish stock, and the progenitor of the line in America came from the North of Ireland several generations ago. They were of the Covenanter faith. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Samuel and Sarah (Smith) Curry, and his maternal grandparents, An- drew and Sarah (Servis) Fullerton. The father of our subject was a blacksmith in Indiana, whence be removed to Winchester, Jefferson Co., Kan., when his son S. H. was a lad of twelve years. He undertook work at his trade there, and also bought a farm, which he subsequently sold, purchasing within a half mile of Nortonville, and removing his family to this locality.


On that farm our subject lived until his marriage in 1877, when he bought eighty acres adjoining his present home, upon which he put many im- provements and where he lived two years. He then purchased his present farm and has brought it to a high state of cultivation, and has good improve- ments upon it. On May 11, 1886, a storm arose which theatened their safety, and they all took to the cave; the wind entirely destroyed the house and barn, necessitating their rebuilding from the foundation, and Mr. and Mrs. Curry had to buy everything and begin housekeeping anew,as all their household stores and furniture were destroyed. They escaped personal injury, however, and they have now a very comfortable house and are pleas- antly located. They keep eight cows, furnishing milk to the cheese factory in the town a mile dis- tant.


On Christmas Day, 1877, Miss Manda Oiler, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of An- drew Oiler of that State, became the wife of our subject, to whom she has borne seven children: Addie Belle, Frank A., Maggie J., Ella M., and Charles Clayton, and a pair of twin hoys unnamed. The growing intelligence of the children is being


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directed into worthy lines of thought and aspira- tion, and their estimable mother is instilling into their minds high principles of morality and right living. Mr. Curry is a Republican and was nomi- nated on that ticket for Trustee. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church.


HOMAS W. MARSHALL. This gentleman is one of the old settlers of Jefferson County, to which he came in the year 1858, settling on a quarter section of land in Norton Township, which is still his home. He has endured many of the toils and privations which are attendant on life in a new country, but has been more fortunate than many pioncers in being able to keep his family from the extreme want which was in some cases endured year after year. He has not only displayed excellent ability in the management of his agrienl- tural interests, but has ever shown himself a thor- oughly reliable citizen and an individual of honor and uprightness, and as such he is regarded with high esteem by his fellow-citizens.


The natal day of our subject was Nov. 27, 1823, and he is a son of Elias and Frances (West) Mar- shall, and in both lines descended from old Vir- ginian families. llis mother was a daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Kinsley) West, and his father was a son of Martin Marshall, all of the Old Dominion. Until the age of seventeen years his life was passed in Surrey County, N. C., which was the place of his birth, and he was reared on a farm, receiving such school privileges as the county afforded. He then accompanied his parents to ' Platte County, Mo., their first settlement being made near Weston, and a removal afterward being made to the vicinity of St. Joseph. They became citizens of Missouri in 1840, and in .Inne of that year young Marshall saw "Old Joe Rubadonx " digging a water way for a mill race from the creek to the river, there being no houses there at that time.


At the home of the bride's father, William Mc- Veigh, in 1846, Mr. Marshall was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Ann Mcveigh, a native of the Hoosier State, whence she had gone to Missouri


with her parents. In 1858 Mr. Marshall removed with his family to Kansas, having traded his Mis- souri land which was valued at $1,800, for the quarter section on which he settled, and which he began to improve. The family lived in a log cabin which was heated from a little fireplace, where the cooking was also done, until a more comfortable and commodious dwelling could be obtained. In 1860 a frame dwelling was erected, and in 1882 a still better and more modern one, in which Mr. Marshall now lives. In 1860 Mr. Marshall failed to raise a crop, and, like his neighbors, found it hard to get along the next season, but he succeeded well from that time until 1874, when there came another total failure eaused by droughts and grass- hoppers. Mr. Marshall thinks there was very little of the corn for the grasshoppers when they arrived. The next spring the rapacious insects took 125 acres of grain off his hands, but he managed to raise about a third of a crop of corn, after plant- ing three or four times. Notwithstanding these discouragements, his life on the whole has been prosperous, and his estate has generally yielded him a comfortable income. He has added 120 acres to his original purchase, has put out about three miles of hedge, and has about four miles of wire fence; he built a nice barn in 1881, and has all other necessary buildings.




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