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 91
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 91
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 91
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Godfrey Smith, the grandfather of our subject, was of German descent, and was an early settler in Kentucky, where he was engaged in tilling the soil. During the Revolutionary War he participated as a member of the Colonial army. His son, Jonathan, was born and reared in Kentucky. and when a young man located in Scioto County, Ohio, where he married and became a prosperous farmer. When he was getting on in years he sold and removed to Eastern Kentucky, where he spent the last years of his life. He was a consistent member of the Bap- tist Church. His wife. in her maidenhood Mary Andre, was born in Ohio, and was a daughter of Peter Andre, a Frenchman who bought land on the French grant in Scioto County, and there made his home until death. Mrs. Mary Smith departed this life in Kentucky. Of the children born to her seven grew to man and womanhood. Of these, Peter is now dead; Godfrey living in California; Mrs. Mary Irwin in Salina, Kan .; Mrs. Sophia Col- lie in Grantville, Kan .; Mrs. Laura Chick in Cal- ifornia; and Mrs. Nancy Caseboldt in Kentucky.
Powellsville, Scioto Co., Ohio, was the birth place of Rezin Smith, the second of the family above noted, and his natal day April 15, 1824. His
childhood was spent on his father's farm, and he had all the advantages that could be derived from the common schools of that period, which were held in log houses, furnished with slab benches and the other primitive belongings of the frontier schools, which were _ kept up by subscription. At the age of twelve years he began working in the mines, doing what he could there without neglect- ing his home dutics, and when he became older con- tracting to take out ore by the ton.
"In 1850, Mr. Smith went to Cleveland with the intention of starting for California via the Isthmus, but finding that the tickets were sold six months in advance he returned to his home and waited un- til the winter of 1852 before starting for the Pacific coast. He left New York Jan. 15 of that year, and landed at San Francisco Feb. 15, the journey being performed as he had anticipated. On ar- riving in the Golden State he at once began pros- pecting in the mines, working at Eldorado and Placerville, and proving much more fortunate than many who were trying their fortunes in that section. After a sojourn of three years he returned to the parental home and, his parents having returned to Boyd County, Ky., he began farming for himself in earnest. He also followed coal mining and at one time owned a mine. He was a practical miner, understanding how to operate gold, silver, iron or coal mines.
In 1864 Mr. Smith sold his property in the East, went to Kansas City, Mo., and thence made his way to Topeka, where he engaged in coal min- ing for two years. during that time being a mem- ber of the Topeka Militia. In 1866, he came to Jefferson County and took possession of the prop- erty which he had purchased a year before, and where he has since been engaged in general farm- ing, raising cattle, hogs and grain. He also raises road horses of good grade and pedigree. In carry- ing on his estate he keeps three teams employed.
The lady to whose housewifely skill Mr. Smith owes the neatness and order of his home, was born near Knoxville, Tenn., bore the maiden name of Ruth Hopkins, and became his wife in Aslıland, Ky., in 1860. Their happy union has been blessed by the birth of nine children-Albert, George, Robert, Charles, Eddie, Ethel, Eva, Jennie B. and Harry.
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The last two named have been removed from them by the hand of death : Albert is a graduate of the medical department of the Missouri State Univer- sity, and is practicing his profession at Oska- loosa; George is farming at home; Robert resides at Grantville; Charles is farming at home. The other surviving members of the family are still inmates of the parental home, pursuing such studies and occupations as are suited to their years and will fit them for usefulness in the future.
Mr. Smith has served his fellow citizens several terms in the capacity of School Treasurer, and has also held the office of Township Treasurer several terms. He has been a Republican until recently but is now to be found in the ranks of the Demo- cratic party. Mrs. Smith is a member in good standing of the Christian Church.
ERDINAND TESKE is one of the most prominent German residents of Pottawat- omie County, and more particularly in the Township of Mill Creek where he owns a fine property and has been well known for some years as a public servant. Ile is now holding the office of Justice of the Peace and performing its duties in the same capable manner that he has exhibited in the discharge of other public responsibilities. His estate consists of 360 acres of well-watered land, bearing a fine set of stone buildings, and stocked in the best and most complete style. It has been gained by the hard work and constant persevering industry of Mr. Teske, who came to this State in 1869, with but fifty dollars with which to begin his life in a new and strange land, but with the better capital of unbounded grit and a thorough understanding of his trade of blacksmith- ing, at which he has had a business covering a radius of twenty miles.
Mr. Teske was born in the Province ofPommern, Prussia, June 26, 1834, of a respectable ancestry and parentage. His father, C. Frederick Teske, was a school-teacher and also a tailor. He took part in the French and Russian War in 1812 and '13, and was with Napoleon at the battle of Water- loo. His death took place in his native land at the
age of sixty years, his father, Chris Teske, surviv- ing him, and reaching the advanced age of ninety years. Frederick Teske married Miss Mary Hart- wiek. an estimable German lady, who lived to be seventy years old. Both she and her husband were active members of the German Lutheran Church. Their family comprised eleven children, of whom three sons and one daughter are now living, all having their homes in this State. One of the sons, William Teske, was in the army at the time of the Franco-Prussian War and was killed at the battle of Sedan.
The subject of this notice was reared to man- hood in his native land, and in his youth received such educational advantages as the schools of the vicinity afforded. At the age of seventeen years he set out to learn the trade of a blacksmith, and for three years worked for his board, as is the cus- tom of that country, following his apprenticeship by journeyman work. Finally determining to try his fortunes in the New World, he took passage May 4, 1869, on the steamer "Bavaria," under command of Capt. Swiver, from Hamburg to New York. landing at the desired port within two weeks. He came at once to this State, and securing eighty acres of Government land on section 30 of the township before mentioned, at once began work at his trade in connection with improving his home- stead. He was soon doing well at the former and through his work at the anvil and forge he has made the most of his money, and by judicious in- vestment of the same, is now in possession of a fine property and in circumstances of ease and comfort. Ilis farm is a well-watered one and with its present improvements and stock is an estate of which any man may justly be proud.
Mr. Teske was married in his native province to Miss Fredericka Fischer, who was born in Prussia, Sept. 29, 1836, and is a daughter of David and Lonisa (Bartel) Fischer. Her father was a farmer, and both parents were native Prussians and spent their entire lives in their own country, dying when quite ripe in years. Both were members of the Lutheran Church, and their daughter was reared to habits of usefulness, receiving a good education in the schools of her own land, and careful training from her parents, with whom she remained until
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her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Teske are the happy parents of one daughter, Augusta.
Mr. Teske has occupied a leading position among the men of his own nationality since he came to the county. He has been Township Treasurer and held other offices besides that of which he is now incumbent. He votes with the Democratic party. Both he and his wife belong to the Lutheran Church and are active in the good work of that organization.
W ILLIAM F. HARMON. The old settler of Kansas is naturally regarded with more than ordinary interest, and those who come after him will in future years peruse his record and cast a thought backward to the times which tricd the souls of men on the frontier. Mr. Harmon, in common with his brother pioneers during their first settlement in the Sunflower State, encountered many difficulties and hardships, but possessed the perseverance and resolution necessary to success, by which he was in time rewarded. Hle is now the owner of a comfortable homestead on section 25, Sarcoxie Township, having by his industry and frugality accumulated a sufficiency for his declining years.
Mr. Harmon was born nearly forty-seven years ago, in 1843, in Athens County, Ohio. His father, Robert Harmon, was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother, who was born in Ohio, bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Fuller. Robert Harmon learned carpentering during his early manhood and followed this in connection with farming the most of his life. He died in his prime in Ohio when his son, Richard F., was only twelve years old, thus leaving the latter entirely orphaned, as his mother had died at his birth. William F. Ilarmon was reared by his maternal uncle, Resolved Fuller, from a child of six years, he having prior to this time lived with his paternal grandfather. At the age of eleven however, he commenced to look out for himself. Prior to this, he in 1850, went to Iowa with an uncle, sojourning in Dallas County and the city of Des Moines two years. Then, returning to his na- tive State, he sojourned there until 1862. The
Civil War now being in progress, he enlisted in the gunboat service and for three months was on board a ship. Finally, on becoming ill, he was obliged to accept his honorable discharge.
Returning to Ohio, young Harmon, now only twenty-one years old, soon again enlisted in the Union service, becoming a member of Company C, 148th Ohio Infantry, in which he served 128 days, participating in the battle of Petersburg. The war now having ended, he returned to his old haunts in his native county and attended Franklin College one year. At the expiration of this time he came to Kansas, and in this county engaged in teaching the first school in the district where he Dow resides. In the meantime he purchased eighty acres of wild land upon which he operated nine years, bringing it to a good state of cultivation and erecting thereon suitable buildings. In the fall of 1874 he sought the Pacific Slope and engaged in Inmbering in California, for seven. and one-third years. Next he returned to Jefferson County and purchased 100 acres of land, that comprising his present homestead.
Mr. Harmon was married to Miss Alice E., daugh- ter of James A. Mood, a native of Virginia. The result of this union was two daughters: Hattie, a tele- phone agent at Lawrence, and Myrtle, who remains at home with her parents. Mr. Harmon, politically, is a decided Republican. He held the office of Township Trustee at one time, and is a member in good standing of the G. A. R. All of his property has been accumulated since coming to the West. He is a self-made man in the broadest sense of the term, one who has climbed up to his present posi- tion unaided, save by the gifts with which nature endowed him.
L YMAN H. BOUTON, the Postmaster of Williamstown, Jefferson County, and also conducting a store of general merchandise at that point, has his residence in Perry, a very at- tractive home, nicely located. He made his way to Kansas from Illinois in the spring of 1857, dur- ing the territorial days of the Sunflower State, journeying by rail to St. Louis and Jefferson City,
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Mo., and thence by boat to Wyandotte. From there he traveled overland by team to Clinton, Douglas Co., and located there among its earliest pioneers. Wild game and Indians were plentiful, border ruffians also. Mr. Bouton located at Clin- ton, where he began blacksmithing, and he also purchased a tract of land upon which he made some improvements. For a time he was in the grocery trade and later, during the Civil War, served in the Kansas Home Guards. In the spring of 1877 he disposed of his interests in Douglas County and changed his residence to Perry, this county.
In reverting to the antecedents of Mr. Bouton we find that his father, Seth by name, was born in Oswego County, N. Y., and was the son of Seth Bouton, Sr., who was of French descent. The great-grandfather was a native of France, whence he emigrated to America in time to take a hand in the Revolutionary War on the side of the colo- nists. At the close of that memorable struggle he settled in Oswego County, N. Y., and there spent the remainder of his life.
Seth Bouton, Jr., when a young man emigrated to Ohio, and entering a tract of Government land in Summit County, cleared a farm from the wilder- ness. He lived there until 1847, then pushed on further Westward into Cook County, Ill., opening np a farm there also, upon which he resided until his death. This event took place in 1882, after he had attained to the advanced age of eighty years. He had become blind about two years prior to his decease. He was married in early manhood to Miss Sarah Pool, a native of Norwich, N. Y., and the daughter of Michael Pool, who was a fifer in the Revolutionary War. Grandfather Pool settled in New York State where he followed black- smithing, but later removed to Ohio and died there. The mother subsequently made her home in Cook Connty, INI., where she passed to her final rest.
To the parents of our subject there was born a family of nine children, of whom Lyman II. was the eldest. Charles is a resident of Hudson, Ohio. William and Jahill died in the army during the late Civil War. Louisa is deceased ; Cynthia, Mrs. Truer, is a resident of Iowa; Elizabeth, Mrs.
MeLaughry, lives in Cook County, Ill .; Jane, Mrs. Hawkins, makes her home in Linn County, this State; Almina is deceased. Lyman H., of whom we write, was born in Virgil, Cortland Co., N. Y., March 4, 1825, and lived on a farm with his parents until a youth of seventeen years. He was four years old when the family removed to Ohio, and when approaching manhood commenced an ap- prenticeship at the carpenter's. trade at Penin- sula. Four years later he established a shop at one of the locks on the Ohio Canal, in Summit County, where he sojourned until 1849. Next he removed to the vicinity of Cleveland and engaged in black- smithing until 1855. His next removal was to Clinton, Ill., whence two years later he crossed the Mississippi and hecame a resident of Kansas.
After taking up his abode in Perry Mr. Bou- ton engaged in blacksmithing two years and then purchased a half interest in a drug store in com- pany with W. H. Spangler. The two gentlemen operated together until 1882, when Mr. Bouton sold his interest in the business to his partner, and established himself as a general merchant in Wil- liamstown, where he enjoys a leading patronage. He carries a large stock of general merchandise, including drugs, and also deals in wood and rough lumber. With him is associated his son, Lyman Bouton, Jr., the firm name being L. H. Bouton & Son. They likewise operate quite extensively as buyers and shippers of live stock and grain, and Mr. Bonton is the station agent of the Union Pa- cific Railroad Company.
The family residence in Perry is a neat and tasteful structure, and with its surroundings forms a very attractive home. It lies between three and four miles from the business place of Mr. Bouton, a distance which he quickly traverses by rail. He is one of the leading men of his vicinity, and is closely identified with the most important inter- ests both of Perry and Williamstown.
The marriage of Lyman H. Bouton and Miss Vira A. Snow, was celebrated at the bride's home in Cleveland, Ohio, Sept. 12, 1847. This lady was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of Barzilla Snow, likewise a native of the Empire State and who removed to Ohio at an early date, becoming prominent among the politicians of
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Cuyahoga County. He operated as a farmer and likewise served as Justice of the Peace. In his younger years he served as a fifer in the War of 1812. The maiden name of his wife, the mother of Mrs. Bouton, was Mary Grenell. Their dangh- ter Vira, was given a good education and occupied herself as a teacher prior to her marriage.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Bouton resulted in the birth of eight children. The eldest, Edwin, is farming near Williamstown; Viola is the wife of Lewis Baldwin, and they reside in Hickory County, Mo .; Lyman has already been spoken of as the partner of his father; Rose is following dressmak- ing in Topeka; James J. is conducting a livery business at Perry ; Carrie, Agnes and Albert re- main at home with their parents. Mr. Bouton is an active member of the Republican party, and has served on the School Board of his district. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., and is a favorite both in social and business circles. He has always believed in the future of Kansas, upon whose soil he has accumulated a competence, and will be enabled to enjoy the comforts of life in his old age.
S AMUEL HOSLER. Among the many at- tractive rural abodes in Jefferson County, that of our subject is not the least interest- ing, bearing, as it does, a fine large dwell- ing, adequate outbuildings, a thrifty apple orchard and other marks of intelligent and capable over- sight. It is located in Norton Township, and is the home of one who had an extended practical knowledge of agriculture before he purchased it, and who notwithstanding the hardships caused by grasshoppers and drought, has built up an excel- lent financial standing, and is living in comfort and security from anticipations of future want.
Mr. Hosler comes of a long line of Pennsylva- nians, his parents, Jacob and Polly (Everett) Hos- ler, having been natives of the Keystone State, and for a number of years residents in Hocking County, Ohio. In the latter county our subject was born Dec. 24, 1826, and was reared on a farm, carrying on a farmer's occupation there for a num- ber of years. His father was a brickmason and
was absent from home a great deal, and Samuel being the eldest of eleven children, was obliged to take his father's place as much as possible, and so became the head of all the farming operations while still quite young.
At the age of twenty-one years the gentlamen of whom we write was married to Miss Rebecca Holler, who bore him four children, three of whom are now living. Of these, Clara married John C. McCoy, now a farmer of Valley Falls, Kan., and formerly of Ohio; they have one son. David owns and operates a fine farm in Greenwood County, and has a wife and three children. Caroline is the wife of Joseph Rawn, who lives on a fine farm near Valley Falls, and they have four children. Mrs. Rebecca Hosler was removed from her family by death, in the Buckeye State, and subsequently Mr. Hosler was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Shellender) McNelly and grandaughter of Valentine and Irene Shellender.
After his marriage Mr. Hosler removed with his family to McDonough County, Ill., renting land near Bushnell, on which they remained two years, and where he raised enormous crops of grain. He then, in 1871, rented on the Seventh Day Land and lived among people who worked on Sunday and rested on Saturday, believing the latter to be the Sabbath of the Lord and the day which all Christian believers should observe. There they re- mained six years, and during the dry season of 1877, Mr. Hosler traveled by the place where he nów lives and his eye was attracted by the stream of water which fertilized the land, and after a short negotiation he purchased the quarter section, paying $2,000 for the same. One of the reminders of his early life, which is to be seen upon the farm, is a horse which was brought by Mr. Hosler from the State of Ohio.
The living progeny of Mr. and Mrs. Hosler comprises six boys and one girl, and they have lost two children who died in infancy, and a daughter aged seven years. The eldest son, Jacob, owns and operates a fine farm in Smith County, Kan., is married and has one child. Daniel and his wife live on the Orendorf place near the Hosler home- stead, and Rufus lives with them and farms with
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his brother. Samuel, a young man, is yet at home, as are his younger brothers, Calvin V. and Luther, and Minnie Belle, the youngest of the family. The latter had a twin brother who died in infancy.
In politics Mr. Hosler is a sturdy Democrat. The family were raised to a belief in the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church, and their lives are up- right and useful, their duties performed quietly and cheerfully, and many friends appreciate their good qualities and rejoice in their prosperity.
OSHUA R. VAN DRUFF, now deceased, was a most worthy citizen and had many warm friends in Jefferson County, being esteemed and respected by all who knew him. He was one of the old settlers of the county, of which he first became a resident in 1858, and to which he returned in 1868 after having spent a few years in the Northwest. He then located a mile west of Valley Falls, and during the remainder of his life was engaged in tilling the soil, holding a rank among the most progressive and financially suc- cessful agriculturists of the section. His death took place on the farm. March 30, 1885, his sor- rowing family having the sympathy of a large circle in their sad bereavement.
Mr. Van Druff was born in Greene County, Pa., March 31, 1837, and was & son of Henry and Olive (Rinehart) Van Druff. His father was also a native of Greene County and lived near Waynesburg, where he was engaged in tilling the soil until too old for active employment. The mother departed this life some years since. The parental family comprised nine children, of whom six now survive. They are Mrs. Elizabeth Chaffin, Mrs. Minerva Marchant, Mrs. Matilda Lippincott, Mrs. Orpha Smith, Maria and Mrs. Margaret Zimmerman. One son, Henry C., died from the effects of a wound received in the Union service during the late war; another son, John, went to California in 1851, and as the family never heard directly from him they supposed him to be dead.
The subject of our sketch was reared upon the home farm and educated in the common schools. Ile worked for a few years at the trade of a car-
penter, and spent a few years in the gold mines of Idaho and Montana, whither he went in 1864, and where he made considerable money. The greater part of his life, however, was spent in agricultu- ral pursuits.
In Jackson County, Kan., ten miles west of Val- ley Falls, on March 22, 1863, Mr. Van Druff was united in marriage with Miss Mary Lynch. The bride's mother, whose maiden name was Malinda Tansy, died when her daughter, Mary, was quite small, leaving two danghters, of whom Mrs. Van Druff is the elder; the other, Mrs. Sarah Chilson, now lives in Oregon. Mr. Lynch subsequently married Miss Martha Whitecotton, who bore him eight children. Of the latter five are now living. They are Mrs. Ann McReynolds, Amos, Sylvester, William and John. One died in infancy, Jane, at the age of twenty-two years, and Elsie, Mrs. Ben- nie, at the age of twenty years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Van Druff seven children were born, who bear the names respectively of William H., Maria F., Marion C., George II., Annie M., Lucius M. and Edith Belle. Maria married Charles Swisher, of Salina, Kan .; Marion is de- ceased. On Nov. 18, 1886, Mrs. Van Druff re- moved to Valley Falls, where she has since lived, educating her children. She is a member in good standing of the Congregational Church and a lady of more than ordinary intelligence. A loving and efficient helpmate during her husband's life, she is striving to fill his place as well as her own in the management of her worldly affairs and the train- ing of the children who are left to her care, and admirably is she carrying out his wishes and con- tinuing the work which he had begun.
DE WITT WALSH, one of the most success- ful farmers of Kaw Township, Jefferson County, is likewise a representative of one of its most prominent families. He owns and operates 480 acres of land, embracing the northwest quarter of section 11, the southwest quarter of section 2, and the southeast quarter of section 3. He was born at the city of Newburg, on the Hudson River in Orange County, N. Y.,
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Nov. 28, 1849, and when an infant was taken by his parents to Mississippi, where he lived until four years of age. Next the family removed to Macomb County, Mich. Four years later the boy returned to his grandmother at Newburg, N. Y., where he was given superior school advantages. When a youth of fifteen years he entered Reed's Preparatory School at Stockbridge, Mass, where he prosecuted his studies two years. In June, 1868, he went out with the surveying expedition of Kaw Township, at a time when they considered them- selves very fortunate in not being attacked by the Indians. There probably was a reason for this, however, as they were under an escort of United States troops.
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