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 89
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 89
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 89
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the Civil War, and is now living in South Birming- ham, Mass .; James died at the age of sixteen years; George, his twin brother, was engineer on a railroad in California and has been lost trace of.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Reckards are more than or- dinarily intelligent and well read, and possess a high degree of culture combined with the refined and pleasing manners of the truly courteous. They are so fortunately situated as to be able to indulge their hospitality and benevolence, and to take a part in such movements as tend to the uplifting and progression of society. Mr. Reckards is a thorough Republican and year after year is sent as a delegate to the county convention. He has served as School Director with the same good judg- ment which has characterized his management of his private business interests. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Lodge, No. 6, at Lawrence, and is President of the Farmers' Alliance at Olive Branch. Mrs. Reckards belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
T. BROWN, M. D. Among the educated citizens of Jefferson County this gentleman deserves mention as one thoroughly in- formed in academical studies and in the learned profession which he chose as his field of la- bor in life. His fine mental qualities were combined with a considerable degree of physical force and he was thus enabled to undergo the arduous duties which his skill brought to him, without losing his own health or energy. He is one of the leading citizens of Nortonville and occupies a position of prominence, not only because of his cultured mind and fine professional skill but on account of his moral and Christian character as well.
Dr. Brown was born in Sparta, Randolph Co., Ill., March 2, 1838, and after obtaining a common- school education, took a more advanced course at the Union Academy, at Sparta, an institution which is under the auspices of the United Presbyterian Church. IIe was fitted for a teacher and began pedagogical labors at the age of seventeen years. In 1856 he went to LaCrosse County, Wis., where
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he continued his former profession until 1860, when he entered the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, and took up the studies in the medi- cal department.
The war breaking out while he was on a visit to Sparta, III., the young student enlisted in Com- pany I, 22nd Illinois Infantry, abandoning his studies to serve his country. The first fight in which he participated was a night raid on Charles- town. Mo., where a few hundred prisoners were captured, that being considered a "big thing" at that time. Following this he was present at Belmont, on the Mississippi River, under the command of Gen. Grant, and at New Madrid, Island No. 10, Farm- ington, the Siege of Corinth, Iuka; again at Corinth on the 3d and 4th days of October, 1862; Stone River, Murfreesboro, the Tullahoma campaign, Chickamauga and Resaca. At the last named battle Mr. Brown lay under heavy artillery during the firing, receiving injuries which impaired his hearing and he is now almost entirely deaf in his right ear. He was present at the battle of Buzzard's Roost, but not as a participant, his regiment hav- ing been detailed at division headquarters, and standing with Gen. Newton on a high point of land from which they could see both lines spread out like a panorama. This was the finest view of a bat- tle which Mr. Brown had during the war, and gave him a better idea of the plan of a contest than could be gained while taking part in the thick of the fight. During the last year of his service he was detailed as Hospital Steward of his regiment, and a part of the time was at brigade headquarters. The regimental term of service having expired they were sent to Camp Butler, Springfield, III., and there mustered out of the service July 7, 1864.
In the fall of that year Mr. Brown returned to Ann Arbor, and resumed the studies which had been interrupted by the call to arms, and the fol- lowing spring was graduated from the medical de- partment and began practice in his native place. On the 1st of October, 1864, he had been united in marriage with Miss Rebecca J., daughter of Jacob R. and Nancy (McKinley ) Rogers, of Penn- sylvania. Mr. Rogers died in the Keystone State. and his widow removed to Wisconsin, when her daughter, Rebceca, was small, rearing and educat-
ing her there. On account of the health of his wife Dr. Brown removed from Sparta, Ill., in 1866, and opened an office at West Salem, LaCrosse Co., Wis.
There he practiced until 1869, when he moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, but the health of the wife failing still more. they went to the mountains hop- ing for her improvement there, and on returning to the States they settled in Olena, Henderson Co., Ill. The love and the skill of Dr. Brown could not save the life of his companion, and she breathed her last in Olena in January, 1872.
In April, 1873, Dr. Brown contracted a second matrimonial alliance, being on that occasion united with Miss Amanda J. Lorimer. She is the daugh- ter of the Rev. William Lorimer, a minister of the United Presbyterian Church, and is the sister of the Rev. S. W. Lorimer, of Gladstone. Her father was a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, and her mother, whose maiden name was Emily Mitchell, was born in Jefferson County, of the same State. Dr. Brown remained in Olena until the fall of 1874, then with his wife and one child removed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he practiced his pro- fession until 1880. While there three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown and they were bereaved of their second born.
The next removal of Dr. Brown was to Norton- ville, Kan .. where he sojourned but a short time and then located at Garnet, Anderson County, where he practiced his profession several years. He then moved to Emporia and after practicing there for a time came again to Nortonville, opening an office here in 1887 and establised a fine practice in partnership with Dr. Webb. The connection con- tinned until the fall of 1889, when our subject withdrew from active practice and entered the dry- goods business in connection with his drug store. The previous spring he had been ejected in a most brutal manner from a railroad train while on his way home from Atchison. He had bought a ticket, but through the mistake of the agent was given one on a different road from that whose train he boarded, and without noticing the error he had handed it to the conductor. Without passing half a dozen words about the matter, the official pulled Dr. Brown from his seat and with the help of the
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brakeman threw him from the train. One of the brakemen got off the car, and kicked and pulled him to make him get up, which he was unable to do. The train went on, leaving the Doctor lying on the ground, and he was afterward picked up by passers-by and taken to his hotel. He has sued the company for $20,000, with a good prospect of getting it, although the money will be but poor compensation for his injury, as he will probably be crippled for life.
Dr. and Mrs. Brown now have four children living, one having been born in Nortonville. The eldest is William M., a lad of sixteen, and follow- ing him are Morrow D., Emilia Lori, and Gretta, the baby. Dr. Brown belongs to Monitor Post, No. 278, G. A. R., at Nortonville. In politics he is a straight Republican. He is a total abstainer from the use of liquor and tobacco, and is a mem- ber of the United Presbyterian Church. His pa- rents belonged to that denomination, as did his ancestry in Scotland, even back to the martyr, John Brown, of Haddington. Mrs. Brown is also a United Presbyterian by education.
The gentleman, of whom we write, is a son of David Brown, a native of South Carolina, who went to Kentucky in 1809, when a lad of nine years. Ile received a collegiate education and en- gaged in teaching, subsequently removing to Ran- dolph County, Ill. Just before starting for the Prairie State he was united in marriage with Mar- garet, daughter of James and Elizabeth Morrow, of South Carolina. The Morrow stock came from County Down, Ireland, and were of Scotch de- scent. The father of our subject was the son of Isaac and Nancy (Means) Brown, and the grand- son of a Revolutionary soldier who lost a leg in the service of the Colonies.
HOMPSON GAY is one of the live young farmers of Kentucky Township, Jefferson County. who possesses a large fund of energy and ambition, and will no doubt soon rank as one of the leading agriculturists of this section. Ilis father, William Gay, is now living near Oska- Joosa, and is a prosperous landowner and agricul-
turist, and is well-known as one of the pioneers of the county. William Gay was born in the Buckeye State, and there operated a farm, which he left to take up his abode near Fairfield, Jefferson Co., Iowa, where he rented and worked a farm until 1866, when he came to this State. Here he opened up a rural estate, and now has 170 acres of well- improved land, forming a very pleasant home. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Jourden, was born in Ohio, and departed this life at the family residence in this county, after having borne her husband six children, our subject being the second born. Emma, now Mrs. Hippoman, lives near Oskaloosa; J. M. and Mary B. (Mrs. Hackett) are living in this township; Ellen is married and lives in Oskaloosa; Pauline V. remains with her father.
The subject of this biography was born in Ohio in February, 1852, and was a child of four years when his parents removed to Iowa, where he attended school and received the training of a farmer's son until they became residents of this State. Young Gay remained an inmate of the par- ental household until he had attained to nineteen years, and then began life for himself by working by the month at farm labor. In February, 1870, he went to Girard, Neosho County, and secured similar work there for a few months, and then re- turning to this county, was united in marriage on the 28th of August, 1870, with Miss Mary, daugh- ter of John Sample, a pioneer of Kentucky Town- ship, where Mrs. Gay first opened her eyes to the light.
In the spring of 1873, Mr. Gay took up a claim in Cowley County, on which he lived until the following year, at which time he removed to Cher- okee County, and renting land there, operated it during the next four years. The spring of 1878 found him again a resident of this county, and the occupant of rented land, upon which he pursued his agricultural labors for three years, after which he purchased sixty-one acres of excellent land on the Delaware River. This estate is now his home, and is thoroughly improved and furnished with the modern conveniences for the carrying on of the work conducted thereon and for the household economy.
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Mr. Gay rents some adjoining acres, and culti- vates forty-five acres of corn land, raises large droves of hogs, and successfully manages the lands under his care. He keeps two teams constantly employed in his farm work. Mr. and Mrs. Gay have no children of their own, but have adopted two, who are being given all the advantages that would have been bestowed upon their own off- spring had Providence sent them. The children are named Frank and Allie I.
Mr. Gay served as Supervisor of Roads three years, and performed his duties in an acceptable manner. He is a Republican. The Farmers' Alliance claims his allegiance. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a general favorite in the neighborhood, where his ability and uprightness are well known.
D AVID L. DAVIS was born in Platte County, Mo., Sept. 28, 1842, and was reared on a farm, receiving such advan- tages as the section afforded in acquiring an education. While visiting his brother William, in Jefferson County, Kan., he made the acquaint- tance of Miss Margaret Coppinger, whose fine qualities of mind and heart and domestic virtues, won his regard and led him to desire her as a com- panion in life. His wooing having proved success- ful, on Feb. 14, 1867, he received a valentine in the shape of a bride, and with her returned to his native State. Mrs. Davis is a daughter of W. H. Coppinger, one of the oldest settlers in Jefferson County.
Mr. Davis remained but a short time in Missouri ere returning to Kansas and identifying himself with the agriculturists in the county in which he had found his bride. They settled in Jefferson Township on a tract of land, which he has brought to a fine state of cultivation, and furnished with excellent improvements, and where he is carrying on the occupations of farming and stock-raising. He has added forty acres to his original purchase, has the entire estate fenced with hedge, has set out an orchard of 250 trees, which are all in fine con- dition, and a variety of smaller fruits. He has a
good barn, outbuildings of various kinds and a fine residence, which was erected in 1883.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis are the happy parents of six children, and mourn the loss of one. The eld- est living of these is now a bright young man of twenty years, and still makes his home under the parental roof; he has a good common-school edu- cation, as have the younger members of the family, in accordance with their years. Following John on the family roll is Walter H., who is also a young man, the list being completed by Emma, Shelton J., Freddie Lee and Rebecca Fay.
In his political views, Mr. Davis agrees with the Democracy, and exercises the elective franchise in behalf of the ticket of the Democratic party. He has been elected Constable, and has served a num- ber of years. He belongs to the Farmers' Alliance and the A. F. & A. F., his membership in the latter fraternity being in the Blue Lodge at Winchester. For fifteen years he has been a member of the Christian Church, and his wife also holds member- ship in the congregation at Winchester. A practi- cal and thrifty farmer, an intelligent and reliable citizen, and a Christian gentleman, Mr. Davis stands well in the regard of his fellow-men, and his wife also has many friends.
C APT. CHARLES McCOY. Too much honor cannot be given to the men who sprang forth at their country's cry of need, and who during many weary months, were engaged in arduous and dangerous duties in her behalf, and who cheerfully sacrificed the comforts of home to brave suffering and death for principle's sake. It is a special pleasure to record the successes of such a man in his business affairs, and to note the esteem in which he is held, and the influence for good which he possesses. Capt. McCoy is one of those patriotic and reliable citizens, and Jefferson County is fortunate in numbering him among her residents. Ile now owns 326 acres of land in Kentucky and Fairview Townships, which bear marked improve- ments, and where he is conducting the stock and dairy business very successfully.
Before entering upon the life of our subject, we
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will devote a brief space to the family history. The McCoys are of Scotch-Irish deseent, and the grandfather, John McCoy, coming from Ireland, his native land to the United States, located in Penn- sylvania. His son, Hugh Edward, was born in Cam- bria, in that State, and adopted the business of a fuller. He ran a fulling-mill for some years, and then engaged in school teaching, prose- cuting that profession during the remainder of his active life. He removed to Lycoming County, Pa., and remained there until his death when about seventy-six years of age. His widow is now living in that county with her son Andrew, and has reached the ripe age of seventy-eight years. Her maiden name was Margaret Reeder, and she was born in the county where she now resides, be- ing the daughter of Andrew J. Reeder, an early settler there, a native of Bucks County and of Ger- man deseent.
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh McCoy were the parents of eleven children. John enlisted in 1862 in the 11th Kansas Infantry, and served until mustered out on account of physical disability ; he now resides in Col- orado. Andrew, a twin of John, lives in Lycoming County. Pa. Robert, who now lives in Tyron, Pa., has a gallant war record, having enlisted on April, 23, 1861, in the 11th Pennsylvania Reserves for a three months service, and re-enlisted for three years; he was wounded at Gaines Mills, and taken a prisoner, but exchanged soon after. On the 1st of November, 1861, he was commissioned First Lieutenant, and on the 21st of the following April was promoted to the rank of Adjutant, and on Oct. 25, 1863, became Major, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, March 8, 1864. He was mustered out with his regiment June 14th, of that year, and retired as Brevet Colonel and Bre- vet-Brigadier General. He has sinee filled many prominent State offiees in Pennsylvania. Anna, now Mrs. Kunkel, lives in Kentucky Township. Peter, whose home is in Saunders, Neb., entered the Union Army in 1862 as a member of Com- pany I, 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. Henry belonged to the same company and regiment as our subject, having enlisted Aug. 12, 1861. They were taken prison- ers at Petersburg, June 22, 1864, and while being
taken from Richmond to Andersonville, they es- eaped from their captors, but in erossing the James River on a plank, Henry MeCoy was drowned, go- ing down before the eyes of his brother, who was powerless to save him. Silas is engaged in business in Kansas City, Mo .. Allen, who is now living in Texas, enlisted in Company I, 61st Pennsylvania In- fantry, in 1862, when he was a mere boy; after serving three years he was mustered out at Wash- ington, D. C., and being robbed of all his money, re-enlisted in Hancock's Veteran Corps for a year. Hiram is now living in Fairview Township, this county, and Milton in Kansas City, Mo.
Capt. Charles McCoy was born near Loretta. Cambria Co., Pa., May 6, 1840, and was a lad seven years of age when his parents removed to Lycoming County. He enjoyed the facilities of excellent common schools, and when ten years old began spending his summers in farm work, When eighteen years of age he was apprenticed at the car- penter's trade in the home county, and after follow- ing that employment two years, entered a sash door & blind factory at Picture Rock, Pa. Hence he returned home and with three brothers bought 170 acres of land and engaged in farming. At the breaking out of the Civil War all entered the Union service except Andrew, who having a crippled arm was unfitted for a soldier's life and attended to the farm while the others were absent.
The enlistment of Capt. McCoy took place Aug., 12, 1861, and he became a member of Company F', 106th Pennsylvania Infantry, and was mustered in at Philadelphia. The regiment was sent to the front and their first serions work as soldiers was during the siege of Yorktown. Following this eame a long list of heavy engagements in which Capt. MeCoy did gal- lant service, the list comprising Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Peach Orchard, Savage Station, Glendale, Malvern Hill, the second Bull Run, Chantilly. Antetiam, Fredericksburg, Chaneellorsville, Gettys- burg, Mine Run, Spottsylvania, Talapotomy, Cokl Harbor, North Anna, and Petersburg. Having entered the ranks as a private our subject was first promoted to the rank of Corporal, and then to that of Ist Sergeant, after the battle of Fredericksburg. He was commissioned First Lieutenant April 23, 1865. On June 8, 1865, he was promoted to the rank
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of Captain, taking command of the company in which he had enlisted. He was never off duty un- until he was taken prisoner, except when on a ve- teran furlough thirty days.
When taken prisoner at the battle of Petersburg, Capt. McCoy was sent to Richmond and then to- ward Andersonville, the captives going by train to Lynchburg and then on foot to Danville, sixty miles distant. On the way, he, with his brother and one other prisoner, managed to escape, and at the suggestion of the Captain they hid under the wil- lows in the water until the soldiers broke camp in the morning, when they started toward the James River. They attempted to cross the stream, and as the brother of the Captain was unable to swim, he tried to cross by the aid of a plank, but lost his balance and was drowned as before mentioned. The others then hunted around till they found a skiff in which they crossed, and they then made their way to the South Fork of the Potomac. A week after their escape they were retaken by guerrillas, and were sent to Harrisonburg and turned over to the Rebel army proper, and the Captain was then sent to Andersonville. He was confined in the pri- son pen there until October and was then sent to Millen and thence to Savannah. At that time there was a special parole granted for 10,000 sick prisoners, and Capt. McCoy was so successful in feigning illness that be secured a parole and was one of those who were sent North on transports to Annapolis. A month later they were exchanged, and the Captain as rapidly as possible made his way to the front, rejoining his regiment at Appomattox Court House on the 11th of April and taking com- mand of the Company. He was mustered out at Washington after the Grand Review on Munson's Hill, June 30, 1865, and returned to his native State.
Capt. McCoy again took up the business of farm- ing in partnership with his brothers, and in the spring of 1866 began boating, being Captain of a canal boat on the Pennsylvania Canal during the next two seasons. In the spring of 1868 he came to this county by rail, and buying eighty acres of raw land at $13 per acre, began at the bottom of the agricultural ladder in Kansas. The fine estate which he now owns is supplied with excellent and
adequate buildings, there being two residences. on it, and large sheds, cribs, etc., a windmill and tank supplying water for all farm and household por- poses, and groves and orchards furnishing refresh - ing shade and appetizing fruits, and also adding beauty to the homestead. Considerable grain is raised on the place, of which 160 acres are in bot- tom land, and Capt. McCoy also feeds cattle and Poland-China hogs, and has use for three teams of excellent draft horses in carrying on his business.
The marriage of Capt. McCoy took place in To- peka, Kan., May 17, 1870, his bride being Mrs. Mary E. Banning. She was born in Chariton County, Mo., and is a daughter of Colby Lane, a Missouri farmer. She has two children by her first marriage: William H., is married and lives near Lawrence; Mollie, now Mrs. Ross, lives in Douglas County. Her happy union with Capt. Mc- Coy has been blessed by the birth of four chil- dren, all yet at home, and bearing the names respectively of Arthur, Harry, Maggie and Nellie.
In politics Capt. McCoy is a Prohibitionist and one who never scratches his ticket. He has been a member of the School Board for years, and being well posted, as well as deeply interested in the cause of education, he is an efficient school officer. His gal- lant service in behalf of the Union insures him the respect of all who love their country, and his ex- cellent principles, energetie and industrious life, and interest in everything which will advance the best interests of his fellow citizens, add to the es- teem in which he is held.
REDERICKO MORELLI, whose rural home in Jefferson County, is a well-de- veloped traet of land, bearing marked im- provements and occupied by a family of more than ordinary ability and talent, is a descendant of an ancient Italian line. In remote times a noble Count of the land of blue skies and balmy air, be- came the founder of a family which, more than 500 years ago, made their abode in Canton, Ticino, Switzerland. In the same Canton the Cri-
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moni family has also lived for hundreds of years and thus the maternal ancestry of our subjeet is an equally ancient one with that from which he takes his name.
Going back two generations in the paternal ge- nealogy we find Josephe Morelli, a stonemason and the owner and operator of a farm. He pos- sessed high musical talents and traveled through- out Italy playing the violin in concerts, until he was fifty or sixty years old. He died at the age of eighty years. His son, Chiprianna, acquired his father's trade and became a contractor and builder. After the French took Algeria, he went to Africa in 1833, and there engaged in contracting for the French Government. His family remained at the ancestral home in Switzerland and he made trips back and forth. His death occurred in Algeria in 1855, when he was fifty years of age. He was at- tended at his death-bed by his son Fredericko, and (lied cheered by the consoling rights of the Catho- lie Church, of which he was a devout member.
The maternal grandfather of our subject was Dominico Crimoni, a large and wealthy landowner, Mayor of the city in which he lived, and the in- cumbent of other positions of responsibility and prominence. His daughter Regina became the wife of Chiprianna Morelli and the mother of eight children. She has now reached the advanced age of about ninety years and still occupies the home farm in Switzerland. Her sons and daughters are widely scattered: Joseph is living in Wisconsin; Fredericko, in Kansas; Alander in Monte Video, South America; Mrs. Mary Criminoni and Marie remain in Switzerland; Peter and John are carrying on the stonemason's trade in Monte Video, Sonth America; and Lewis remains among the Swiss hills.
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