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 87
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 87
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 87
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The lady who had stood by Mr. Marshall's side during his days of trial, and to whom he owed the comforts of home, was removed from him by death in 1879, and her remains now repose in the Wise Cemetery at Winchester. She was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, a devoted wife and mother, and is lovingly remembered by her family and many friends. She bore eleven children, eight of whom now survive, one of the others having lived to be eight years of age. Sarah E. is the wife of William Adams, a farmer of Jackson County, and the mother of five children; Lucy Jane married Taylor Stallions, a Jefferson County farmer, and they have six children; Mary Ellen is the widow of Joseph Adams, by whom she had four children, and her home is on the old home- stead; Celia West is the wife of Austin Harvey, a farmer of Jefferson County : Ida S. married Ulys- ses S. Grant Robinson ; Melvina married W, I.,
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Foster, who works in the bridge works at Leaven- worth; Frank, with his wife and child, lives on a fine farm in Jackson County; Washington, the second child and oldest son, owns and operates a fine farm in Norton Township, and has a family of five children.
After the death of the mother of his children and the companion of his early years, Mr. Marshall married Mrs. Orrilla Lillie, who had been his neigh- bor for years, and who had lived here since 1857. Mr. Lillie died in 1872, leaving four living chil- dren: David W., Harry and Charley (twins), and Freddy. David is located on a farm near his old home, is married and has two children: Harry is doing business in Winchester; Charley and his wife live on a farm in Iowa, and Fred remains with his mother.
Mr. Marshall is a believer in and a supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. His wife is a member in good standing of the Baptist Church. He was a Baptist for forty-three years, but at the present writing is not connected with any con- gregation.
OHN ANDREW MARTIN. The results of industry and perseverance have been finely illustrated in the career of Mr. Martin. who . from a tract of wild land-eighty acres in extent-has constructed one of the neatest farms within the limits of Rock Creek Township, Jef- ferson County. It is finely located on section 10, enclosed with substantial fencing and embellished with suitable buildings, including a comfortable dwelling. with stable, corn-cribs, and the other structures required for the shelter of stock and the storage of grain. Mr. Martin raises cattle, horses and swine in goodly numbers, choosing the best breeds, his horses being blooded Normans, his cattle Short-horn, and his swine the Poland-China. He came to Kansas without money or other worldly possessions excepting a very cheap suit of clothes, and from this small beginning has made for him- self a home and a competence. As a citizen and neighbor, his career has been such as to gain him the unqualified respect of all who know him.
The subject of this sketch was born in Mon-
roe County, Ky., on the 5th of October, 1840, 0.1 a farm owned by the master of his parents, Nicho- las and Phebe (Funsyer) Martin. In the fall of that year John P. Martin removed to Morgan County, Mo., taking with him all his slaves, and soon afterward died, leaving two daughters. The parents of John A. were left as slaves to the daughter, Gabriella, who was subsequently mar- ried, and with her John A. lived until the fall of of 1861. He then ran away, coming to Kansas in the spring of 1862, and sojourned in Delaware Township until 1865. Then, the war having closed, he returned a free man to Missouri, and remained there until the spring of 1871. His parents in the meantime came to Kansas, in 1862, and are now living in Fairview Township.
Mr. Martin was married, in Jefferson County, this State, Nov. 1, 1877, to Miss Missouri A., daughter of Alexander and Jane (Georgie) Laff- erty. Mrs. Martin was born in Clinton County, Mo., Feb. 1, 1850, and came to Kansas with her mother in 1863. The latter is still living, in Jef- ferson County. Her father was taken to California by his master, and never returned.
To Mr. and Mrs. Martin there have been born five children, viz: Azalia, Gertrude, Alpha M., John E. and Benjamin L. Our subject and his wife are members of the African Methodist Epis- copal Church. Mr. Martin, in 1864, although not an enlisted soldier, assisted in driving the rebel general, Price, from the soil of Kansas. He is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and has served as a Director in his school district. In poli- ties he is a sound Republican.
e HARLES DAVIS. There are few men com- mencing at the foot of the ladder in life dependent upon their own resources who have made a more admirable record than Mr. Davis, whose industry and perseverance have placed him upon a solid footing, socially and financially. Ile has for seventeen years been a resi- dent of Rock Creek Township, and has reason to be proud of the result of his labors as a tiller of the soil, His early education was extremely lim-
Gov. W. Gray
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ited, but his natural shrewdness and good sense have enabled him to transact business successfully. In addition to general agriculture, he is largely interested in live stock. His farm property is finely located on section 10.
Mr. Davis was born on the line between Bour- bon and Scott Counties, Ky., Feb. 16, 1836, and was reared there on a farm. His father, James Davis, was born in Maysville, Ky., and spent his last days in Bourbon County, passing away when a comparatively young man, and when his son, Charles, was a mere babe. The mother. Rosanna Mackenters, was also a native of Kentucky, and died when her son Charles was three years old. The latter was reared by his maternal grand- mother. Mrs. Naney Mackenters, and spent his boyhood days on a farm and riding race horses for his uncles until 1856. For about two years thereafter he worked on a farm continuously. In 1858 he removed to Erie County. Ohio, where he continued as a farm laborer until the winter of 1860. Ilis next removal was to Cooper County, Mo.
We next find Mr. Davis in Shelby County, Ill., and on the 12th of August, 1861, the Civil War being in progress, he enlisted as a Union soldier in Company M, 3d Illinois Cavalry. He served until the close of the war, receiving his honorable dis- charge at Springfield, Sept. 5, 1864. He had en- dured all the hardships and privations of a soldier's life, and participated in some of the most import- ant battles of the war. He was with the troops of Gen. Sherman at the siege of Vicksburg, and was also in the battles at Arkansas Post, Arkalana and Guntowns. He was at Memphis, fighting Gen. Forrest, but notwithstanding the active engage- ments at that point escaped without a wound.
In September, 1864, Mr. Davis came to Jeffer- son County, Kan., and for six years thereafter farmed on rented land at a time when his neigh- bors were few and far between. In the winter of 1871 he purchased forty acres of prairie land, upon which be built a cabin, and occupied it, with his little family, several years. Ile was prospered in his labors as a tiller of the soil, and added by degrees to his landed possessions until he had 116 acres in the home farm, besides 276 acres in one body and 160
acres in another in Ozawkie Township. He came to Kansas with a capital of $500, and like the wise man of Scripture has been enabled to increase his talent tenfold. His homestead is embellished with substantial buildings and an orchard of about 200 trees. He feeds to his cattle a large proportion of the grain raised upon the farm.
Mr. Davis was married in Shelby County, Ill., Aug. 6, 1863, to Miss Sarah M., daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Miller) Cooper. Mrs. Davis was born in Illinois, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of eleven chil- dren, viz: James H., Jane, Thomas H., Charles W., Rosanna, Emma L., Sarah S., John F., George E., Louis R. and Nettie M., all of whom are liv- ing, making the most interesting and intelligent family group. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, attending services at Blue Monnd. Mr. Davis, politically, is a Republican, and belongs to the A. O. U. W. and the Farmers' Alliance.
G EORGE W. GRAY, one of the old citizens of Jefferson County, owns and occupies a good homestead on section 7, Rural Town- ship. He came to Kansas in April, 1855, settling first on 160 acres of wild land near Lecompton. This he improved and lived upon twelve years. and then selling out, purchased that which he now ocenpies. This comprises 117 acres, which he has improved from its primitive state, so that it has become one of the most desirable farms in the county.
A native of Fleming County, Ky., Mr. Gray was born Feb. 16, 1831, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Seamonds) Gray, who were natives of Greenbrier County. Va. The father made a com- fortable living as a farmer in the State of Ken- tucky, of which he was a pioneer settler, removing thither as early as 1814, after having served in the War of 1812. He attained to the advanced age of eighty-six years, dying in Kentucky in 1882. The mother died Fel). 28, 1868, aged seventy-one years. Both parents were members in good stand- ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the
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father was particularly zealous in the cause of re- ligion, and later became a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church South. Politically, he was during his earlier years an old-line Whig, and after the abandonment of this party he identified himself with the Republicans. He was somewhat prominent in local affairs, holding the minor offices.
The parental family was completed by the birth of nine children, seven of whom are living: David S., in 1859, was murdered along the Kansas Bottoms, in Jefferson County ; Olivia E. became the wife of William E. Christy, and is now de- ceased ; Frances is the wife of George W. Seever, of Montgomery County, this State; John M. is a resi- dent of Kentucky; America is the wife of Richard Hockins, of the same State; George W., of this sketch, was the next in order of birth; Fielden W. lives in Kentucky; Harrison Madison is a resident of Labette County, this State; and Elizabeth M. lives in Jefferson County.
Mr. Gray spent the first twenty-one years of his life under the parental roof, receiving excellent school advantages. Upon reaching his majority, he started out for himself,and engaged as a farm laborer in his native county. Prior to this he had been en- gaged in teaching school. In 1852 he was joined in wedlock with Miss Elizabeth A. Markwell, a na- tive of Kentucky and the danghter of Lewis and Elizabeth (Davis) Markwell. Two years later Mr. and Mrs. Gray left the Blue Grass regions, seeking the country west of the Mississippi, and locating in Platte County, Mo. Mr. Gray farmed there one year, then came to Kansas, and before settling down to business joined the State Militia and par- tieipated in the battle of Byron's Ford, near Inde- pendence. He was also in the fight at Westport. In the meantime he was promoted to be Quarter- master Sergeant. After being mustered out he returned to his family in Jefferson County, and in 1867 settled upon his present farm.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gray are re- corded as follows: Llewellyn J. died at the age of twenty-seven years: Elias M. is farming in Rural Township, Jefferson County ; Frank, who possessed rare musical tastes and was engaged as a musie teacher, died at the age of twenty-three years; Molly E. is a teacher in the graded schools of Os-
kaloosa, this State; Kate is attending the National Commercial College, at Kansas City, Kan. Mr. and Mrs. Gray are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Gray officiates as Steward. He keeps himself well posted upon politi- eal affairs, voting the straight Democratic ticket, and is quite prominent with his party in this sec- tion, having officiated as Chairman of the Demo- eratie Central Committee. Ile has twice received the nomination of his party for the State Legisla- ture. Ile was for one year the Trustee of his na- tive township in Kentucky. He gives much at- tention to the edneation of his children, taking pride in their acquirements and encouraging their progress. He is looked upon as a liberal and pub- lie-spirited eitizen and a self-made man-one who has worked his own way up to a good position, so- cially and financially.
The paternal grandfather of our subjeet was David Gray, a native of Virginia, and the son of John Gray, who was born in Scotland. The latter emigrated to America in time to have a hand in the Revolutionary War, in which his son, David, also served as a soldier. The mother of Mr. Gray was of French and German deseent.
The parents of Mrs. Gray, Mr. and Mrs. Mark- well, were natives of Fleming County, Ky., and he followed farming during his entire life. IIe was Justice of the Peace for a long term of years, and, according to the then existing laws, became Sheriff, being the oldest Justice of the Peace in the county. He was an ardent Democrat, and had two sons in the Confederate Army.
Elsewhere in this volume may be found a lithio- graphie portrait of Mr. Gray.
ON. ROBERT R. CHRISMAN is a promi- nent capitalist and financier of Holton, where he is extensively engaged in dealing in real estate, and is influential in promoting the development of the city. He was born near St. Mary's Church, Chester Co., Pa .. April 3, 1820, a son of Jacob Chrisman, a native of the same county, and of German antecedents. He was there reared to the life of a farmer, and died on
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his farm in that section of the country in 1825. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Mary Moyer. She was also a native of Chester County, of German lineage. By the untimely death of her husband she was left a widow with three sons and five daughters. She was a smart, capable woman, and managed her affairs prudently, and reared her children to useful lives. She con- tinued to reside on the home farm a few years after her husband's death, but her last years were spent with her oldest son in the same county, her death occurring in 1862.
The subject of our sketch was about five years old when he was deprived of a father's care. At the age of twelve years the sturdy, wide-awake, self-helpful little lad left his mother's home to earn his own living, going to a neighboring farmer's and assisting in the farm work for his board and clothes and the privilege of attending school three months each year. He lived with that man four years, and then boarded with his mother for a time and pursued his education, attending school and working about until he was nineteen years old, when, well equipped for the profession of a teacher, he commenced teaching in Berks County, and after that taught a part of each year in Chester County, and he also engaged as a clerk, for nearly a year, in a general store. In 1845 he went to Pottsville and obtained a position as shipping clerk for Hay- ward & Snyder, iron and coal dealers. Nine months later he left their establishment there and went to Danville. Columbia County, in their interest, and was there some fifteen months. At the end of that time he proceeded to Philadelphia, and the ensuing five years he was employed in shipping coal from that and neighboring ports, and later he became a clerk in the iron works at Jersey City. In 1856 he engaged in the iron business on his own ac- ceunt, leasing a boiler factory in Jersey City, and one year later he formed a partnership with Alex- ander C. Durbin, continuing in Jersey City till 1863, when he sold his interest in the business, and took up his residence in Philadelphia. In 1865 he removed to Harrisburg, where he bought an inter- est in the Central Iron Works, and was engaged in business in that city till 1878. In that year he sold his property and share of the business and
went to MeKeesport,where he was engaged as mana- ger of the mills of the National Tube Company, retaining that position till 1887. In the spring he came to Holton, and has resided here since, and by his judicious investment of his capital and dealings in real estate actively aiding the development of the city and fostering all schemes for its advance- ment. Besides other valuable property he has shares in the State Bank, and is accounted one of the most substantial moneyed men of the county.
Mr. Chrisman has established a very pleasant home here, and to the wife who presides over it so graciously and seconds his boundless hospi- tality he was united in marriage in 1850. She is a native of the city of Cork, Ireland, her maiden name was Martha H.Garde,and she came of French- Huguenot ancestry. IIer pleasant wedded life, with our subject, has been blessed to them by the birth of the following children, of whom five are living : Mary C. the wife of H. M. Stewart of Hol- ton ; Carrie H. the wife of Joseph H. Stone of Mc- Keesport, Pa .; Jessie C., wife of William H. Laff- erty of East Pittsburg, Pa .; Mattie G. and Rob- ert R.
Mr: Chrisman is a fine example of a self-made man, as he owes his present high social and bnsi- ness standing solely to his own unaided efforts, as, endowed with an indomitable will, executive tal- ent of a high order, combined with method and shrewdness, he has made his way from poverty to affluence. In all these busy years devoted to money making he has kept his life free from blame and his reputation unsullied both in publie and private life, his strength and nobility of character withstanding all temptations to depart from the path of rectitude that he had marked out. He ever champions all righteous causes, and is an especially earnest advocate of temperance, and showed his true colors when, as a member of the Pennsylvania State Legislature he voted in favor of the local option law in opposition to free whis- key. He is a sound Republican, and in his native State was active in political and public life. Ile served as a member of the School Board in the city of Harrisburg, and was President of the Board one year. entering heartily into all plans for im- proving the educational facilities of that city. In
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the fall of 1874 he was elected to the Pennsylvania State Legislature, and was a member of that honor. able body two years, his whole course throughout his term of service showing him to be aetnated by a lofty publie spirit that songht only the good of the people and State, regardless of personal or party issues. He and his family are among the most valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Holton, and by word and aet are known to be sincere Christians.
AMUEL S. WILSON. The farming com- munity of Kaw Township, in Jefferson County, numbers among its most highly respected residents the subject of this bio- graphical outline, who came within its borders during the pioneer days. He owns and operates a well-developed farm of 130 acres, occupying a part of section 17. and while prosecuting agriculture successfully, has proved a useful factor in the com- munity. As a member of the School Board for many years, he has been instrumental in furthering the cause of education, and is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, officiating as Steward, Class Leader and Trustee. He is a man of independent views, politically ; usually however, giving his support to the Democratic party. Soci- ally, he is connected with the 1. O. G. T. and the Sons of Temperance. He is also Chaplain of the Farmers' Alliance at Grantville. The first twenty years of his life were spent on a farm in the vicinity of Lebanon, Marion Co., Ky., where his birth took place May 24, 1835.
Until at the age above mentioned. young Wilson assisted his father on the farm and in a sawmill. His education had been only such as was to be ob- tained in the primitive schools of his native town- ship. His mind, however, was inelined to seek for something better than he had hitherto known, and he resolved to try his fortunes in another section of country than the Blue Grass State. Accordingly, in the fall of 1855, although Kansas was only a Territory, he determined to emigrate hither, and accordingly, accompanied by his father, he set out overland with a team, crossing the Ohio River at
Louisville, the Mississippi at Hannibal, and the Missouri at Kansas City, Mo., on a flatboat. Thenee he came to the Kaw Valley, after being about five weeks on the road, landing in Kaw Township on the 28th of October. He made his home for a time with his father, then took up a claim upon which he effected some improvements, but sold later. Afterward he dealt considerably in land, his specu- lations proving quite profitable. Indians still roamed over the country, and wild animals were plentiful. His was the first plow which disturbed the soil between the two muddy creeks, forty acres of which he broke, in 1856. This he planted to sod corn, and harvested thirty-three bushels to the acre-the biggest crop of corn raised in this manner which lie ever produced. For some time he had a hand in the building of most of the log houses in the township. He was a member of the State militia during the border troubles, and assisted in driving the rebel, General Price, from the Territory.
In 1861 Mr. Wilson purchased the land which constitutes his present homestead. It then em- braced the present site of Kaw City, the business part of which gradually removed to other points. Mr. Wilson began at first principles in the con- struction of a homestead, breaking prairie, making fences and putting up buildings. He has met with many reverses, but by great industry and the practice of a close economy, has his property free from incumbrance. He has found stock-raising profitable, and has fed a number of cattle each year. He has been fond of good horses. He is at the present time farming on ouly a moderate scale.
After settling in this State, Mr. Wilson was first married May 15, 1861, to Miss Nannie E. Latimer. This lady was born in Perryville, Boyle Co., Ky., and died at her home in Kaw Township in 1870, leaving two children, George P. and Anthony S. The elder son owns and operates a farm in the vicinity of Great Bend. Anthony S. is a civil engineer by profession, but is now engaged in the grocery business at Sea Ilome, Wash. Mr. Wilson on the 4th of April, 1872, contracted a second marriage with Miss Carrie Rice. This lady was born in Carter County, Ky., and died at the home- stead in Kaw Township, June 4th, 1882. The four
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children born of this union were named respectively Ada, who died in 1888; Charles B., Gilby K , and Samuel E., who are at home with their father.
The subject of this sketch is the son of Rev. Anthony S. Wilson, who was born in Washington County, Ky., in 1797. The paternal grandfather, Josiah Wilson, was born near Georgetown, Md., and early in life learned the art of surveying. He emigrated to Kentucky in the early days, when peo- ple were living in forts or stations, on account of the Indians. He first located at Herod's Station, and afterward on Pleasant Run, where he surveyed his own farm of 1600 acres and there spent the re- mainder of his life. He followed his profession in connection with agriculture until his decease; he traced his ancestry to Ireland.
Anthony Wilson was reared in his native State, and served as a private in the war of 1812, partici- pating in 1815, when a youth of eighteen years, in the battle of New Orleans. Later he prosecuted farming in Kentucky until the Spring of 1855. That year he set out for the West, coming to Kansas and prospecting for a location. The outlook in the Kaw Valley seemed more desirable than anything he hal yet discovered, and he accordingly took up a claim, to which he brought his family in the fall of that year, and was one of the first men to settle *in Kaw Township. His land lay near Calhoun Bluff, and he succeeded in transforming it into a good farm. Later, his attention was directed to religious matters, and he joined the Southern Methodist Episcopal Conference. being ordained as a minister. He organized the Methodist Epis- copal congregation here and preached the first ser- mon which was delivered in the township, the meeting being held in his own house, which was also open for church work and religious meetings.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, still exists in Kaw Township as a denomination, al- thoughi, of course, the most of its early members have passed away. Mr. Wilson was appointed to preach at different places, but on account of his age, they were as near his home as possible. In 1862, having changed his views somewhat, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in which his ministerial labors continued until his death, in 1861. He was a man of sterling worth, and was
greatly respected by the people of his community.
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