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 93
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 93
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 93
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104
Lieut. Evans was a participant in the conflicts of the noted Price raid and in other stirring events of the Rebellion. In 1861, he with forty men made a raid on Barry, Mo., which was then one of the main points of the Confederate forces in that section,
715
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
There he captured nearly fifty head of horses, which were taken to Kansas City and the owners notified to come and take the oath of allegiance and get their animals, which the most of them did. During the late war he was engaged in the Quarter- master's department at Leavenworth during a considerable time, and there are few who have con- tributed more amply than he in every possible avenue of assistance to the cause with which he sympathized.
The debt claim of our subject against Kansas Territory for loss of property during the border troubles, was issued in his father's name, he being a minor. He entered the Union army during the late war, was First Lieutenant of Company A., 2d Kansas Infantry, a regiment of thirty days' enlist- ment, and he still preserves the commission which he then received, as well as those of Third and Second Lieutenant which he received at other periods. The first Sharp's rifle he ever owned was given him hy John Brown, whom he believes to have been a sin- cere Christian. The first small arms he ever car- ried were of the variety known as horse pistols, and they also were secured from "John Brown of Os- awatomie." The first oath ever used by Lieut. Evans was on the occasion of his being brought in front of a cannon when a prisoner.
Mr. Evans was for a time in the employ of Fuller, McDonald & McKey, Government Supply Agents, at Ft. Gibson, and then engaged in agricultural pur- suits for several years, after which he entered into a mercantile business in Oskaloosa, this county, continuing the latter until 1875. At that period he became a traveling salesman for the boot and shoe house of Buck, McCown & Co., of St. Joseph, Mo., and for eight years was on the road, next en- gaging in general merchandising in Valley Falls, in January, 1883. Three years later he sold out to Evans & Kemper, and engaged in the sale of gro -. ceries, which he still continnes. He took up his residence in Valley Falls in 1879, and here he owns a magnificent residence which was erected at a cost of over $5,000, and ninety acres of valuable land adjoining the town.
The marriage of Mr. Evans took place Jan. 6, 1865, his bride being Miss Josephine R. Coy. Their happy union has been blessed by the birth of
four children : Joseph A., Elizabeth Maude. Sarah Pearl and Polly Ruby. The son married Mary A. Armstead and lives in this place. The subject of this sketch has never been an office seeker and is not identified with any religious body although he contributes liberally to the support of the Gospel and to benevolent institutions.
S TEPHEN H. DUNN, the oldest settler of Valley Falls who still lives here, was born in Miami County, Ohio, Jan. 27, 1821. His father, Joseph Dunn, now de- ceased, was a native of Carlisle, Pa., was a brick- layer and plasterer, and lived on a farm, where he of whom we write spent the first sixteen years of his life. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Hendershott; she died during the infancy of her only child, and the father subsequently mar- ried her cousin, Elizabeth Dilts. This lady was a daughter of Jacob Dilts, who brought his family from Cynthiana, Harrison County, Ky., to Piqua, Miami Co., Ohio, in an early day.
The education of Stephen Dunn was acquired in an old-fashioned school-house built of logs, the spaces between them chinked and daubed, one be- ing left ont for windows; the seats were made of split poles, the desks of puncheon pins, and the place was heated from a huge fire-place in one end of the room. After completing his course of study, young Dunn served an apprenticeship of four years at the blacksmith's trade at a point on the Miami River between Piqua and Sidney. In February, 1843, he went to Goshen, Ind., where he worked at his trade until fall, when he returned home for a sojourn of a few weeks, afterward spending a short time in Goshen, whence in December of the same year he went to Manoquet, Ind. There he worked at his trade in the employ of Harris & Co., who were building mills and woolen factories, until 1847, when he returned to Goshen. Thence he went to Bristol, Ind., in 1848, and thence to West- ern Missouri in the fall of 1854, being then on his way to Kansas.
Mr. Dunn was an anti-slavery man, and was anx- ious to help to bring Kansas into the Union as a
716
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
free State. He and his brother-in-law, J. D. Adams, made a prospecting trip in the winter of 1854-55, arriving near where Valley Falls now stands, on the 10th of December, and when there was not even the beginning of a village there. Mr. Adams remained in the Territory, but Mr. Dunn returned to Western Missouri and worked at his trade there until the following spring, when he took up his permanent residence in Jefferson County, arriving near what is now Valley Falls, on March 16, 1885. As work at his trade was at that time limited in the vicinity, Mr. Dunn worked at various things during the first year, after which he had plenty to do in the shop. In 1865, he started a livery stable also, which he carried on until 1873, and which proved a source of prosperity. On the 1st of No- vember, 1879, he abandoned the arduous labors of his trade. and engaged in the confectionery busi- ness, which he still continues, now running a lunch stand in connection therewith.
During the Kansas troubles in the fall of 1855, Mr. Dunn went to Lawrence, and assisted in pro- tecting that city from the invasion of the border ruffians, and the following May took part in the defense of Topeka against the same lawless horde. In 1864 he became a member of Company I, 18th Kansas militia, and followed Price to Wyandotte. His patriotism has always been of the stanchest na- ture, and he espoused the cause of the Abolition- ists when such espousal endangered the personal safety, and the financial interests of citizens in this section of the country. He has always been a Re- publican, and while not an office-seeker, assists the party whenever the needs of the country demand his suffrage and his voice. He was Chairman of the first Board of Trustees of Valley Falls, is a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the Congrega- tional Church, to the latter of which his wife and daughter Annie also belong.
On Jan. 20, 1845, the marriage of Stephen Dunn and Sarah Adams, of Goshen, Ind., was celebrated, and they shared each other's joys and sorrows until July 20, 1879, when Mrs. Dunn was removed by death. She had borne three children-Lucilia E., Mary E., and Homer A. The eldest daughter be- came the wife of James Fisher, by whom she had six children, two of whom, Milo W., and Frank J.,
.
are now living. Mr. Fisher was killed on the rail- road, and his widow subsequently became the wife of Marens Hatch. The second daughter, Mary, married John Albert Rodehaver, of Downs, Kan. In 1873, Mr. and Mrs. Dunn adopted a child who is called Annie, and who is now a young lady eigliteen years of age. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Dunn remained a widower until June 4, 1884, when he became the husband of Mrs. Jane M. Sanderson.
The subject of this sketch has six half-brothers and three half-sisters, of whom we note the follow- ing: William C. is now living in LaPorte, Ind .; Mrs. Catharine Webster in Marshalltown, Iowa; James in Terre Haute, Ind .; Mrs. Rachael Taylor in Southern Kansas; Charles has not been heard from for ten years, and it is not known whether he is living or dead; Henry died in the United States service during the late war; Jacob was drowned in the Skunk River, Iowa, when about twenty-three years old; George died in Cynthiana, Ky., leaving a family; Jemima, who was the oldest of the girls, died in LaPorte, Ind., after reaching womanhood, the father having removed to that place about the year 1852.
OSEPH A. KESTER. The mercantile in- terests of Onaga are admirably represented by this young and enterprising citizen who deals extensively in drugs, books and sta- tionery, having his headquarters at the intersection of Third and Leonard streets. He established his business in July, 1885, and has built up a lucra- tive trade, numbering among his friends and pa- trons the best people in this part of the county. Prior to this he was for some time engaged in the drug business at Leavenworth, after having served five years as a traveling salesman for the whole- sale house of George A. Eddy in Leavenworth. In his younger years he was a resident of Cameron, Mo., where he acquired his first experience as a salesman and made of pharmacy a practical study. He has a thorough understanding of the business and is careful and conscientious both in his busi- ness habits and private life.
The subject of this sketch was born in Holmes
717
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
County, Ohio. Nov. 23. 1852, and is the son of Joseph Kester, Sr., who was born in Pennsylvania and came of substantial Dutch ancestry. The sen- ior Kester emigrated to Ohio when a young man, and located in Holmes County, where he was mar- ried to Miss Susan Hulterbaum. This lady was of German ancestry and parentage, but born in America. After marriage and the birth of their only child the father, in 1853, crossed the plains to California and spent seven years in the mining regions. He returned by the water route and sub- sequently followed the trade of a cooper in Ohio. After the death of the mother, which occurred there, Mr. Kester emigrated across the Mississippi into Missouri, where his death took place in 1873 when he was forty-eight years old. Both parents were members of the Christian Church.
Young Kester accompanied his father to Miss- onri being then only thirteen years old. Two years later he commenced paddling his own canoe, and has piloted it safely to the present time. He worked first for a farmer near Cameron, Mo., and attended school during the winter season, doing chores for his board. In this manner, and by en- ploying his leisure time in reading he attained a good practical education. When a youth of seven- teen years he entered a drug store in Cameron and was employed as a clerk until 1871. That year he came to Kansas and, for sometime, was employed in a drug store at Leavenworth. Later, he went into the Southern part of the State. He came to Onaga in 1884, and by hard work and good man- agement established himself in a paying business. While sojourning in Leavenworth, Mr. Kester was married Jan. 18, 1882 to Miss Minnie Van Doren. This lady was born in that city in 1861, and is the daughter of W. S. and Tanda (Allen) Van Doren, who were old residents of that city. The mother died there in middle life. Mr. Van Doren is still living. He was engaged in the real-estate business for some years in Leavenworth and Kansas City. Later, he removed to Colorado, where he now re- sides and has attained to the age of about fifty-seven years. He has long been a member of the Chris- tian Church to which his estimable wife also he- long.
Mrs. Kester was educated in the public schools
of Leavenworth and made her home with her par- ents until her marriage. Both she and her hus- band are prominent in the social circles of Onaga, and their modest home is the frequent resort of its best people. Mr. Kester votes the straight Repub- lican ticket and has been a member of the City Council.
HILIP A. BOWER is engaged with his sister in carrying on a hotel at Medina, and also occupied to some extent in farming and stock-raising. He has lived in this section since 1866, and no more "jolly old settler" can be found than this active, intelligent, and en- terprising gentleman. For a number of years he was engaged in freighting in the Rocky Mountain regions, where he became well known as "Sandy" Bower, and where he made the personal acquaint- ance of Kit and Fred Carson and other noted sconts, and many prominent travelers. Among the latter was Horace Greeley who says of him in his "Travels in the West," "of all the ten-horse teams and bell arrangements, Sandy Bower's is the finest."
The family from which onr subject is descended was of German stock and three generations of them were born in Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Allbright, was a native of Berks County, and his father, Wilhelm, of Lycoming County. The former was a farmer, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. His death occurred in Union County, Pa. Wilhelm Bower was a farmer. a carpenter and a millwright, and engaged in contracting, mostly in bridge work. He built the first bridge at Harper's Ferry. He was a member of the Lutheran Church and a Demo- crat in politics. He married Miss Mary Swisher, a native of the same county with himself, and a daughter of Philip Swisher of Virginia, who began farming in Lycoming County in 1782. Mrs. Bower's grandfather was Abraham Swisher, a native of England, who on coming to America settled in Loudoun County, Va., and became a prosperous citizen. Ile subsequently removed to Northumber- land County, Pa., and was drowned in the Susque- hannah River six weeks after he arrived. Both the parents of our subject died in their native State.
718
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
Their family comprised ten children, of whom our subject is the eldest. Callie is living in Medina and with her brother's assistance is keeping a hotel; Perry lives in White Pigcon, Mich .; Mary died at the age of seventeen years; Warren is living in State Center, Iowa; Maggie died when eighteen years old; Eveline died in Kansas; Espy and Abelive in California; William died when three weeks old. Perry and Warren served four years each during the late war, the former as a member of the 1st Michigan Infantry and the latter of the 92d Illinois.
The subject of this biography first opened his eyes to the light near Muncie, Lycoming County, Pa., Oct. 18, 1829. He was reared on the farm, obtaining a common school education and forming a part of his father's household until twenty-one years of age, when he rented the farm for three years. In 1854 he went to New York City and thence via the Isthmus of Panama to California, going on to Sacramento after reaching the coast. He engaged in driving freight teams, first in the employ of others, and later driving teams of his own, across the mountains to the mines, and to different Territories. He was exposed to constant danger, had several skirmishes with the Indians, and for eight years never slept in a bed. He hauled the first steam boiler to Virginia City, requiring a ten-horse team to accomplish the feat as the boiler weighed 9,800 pounds.
In driving through the narrow and steep passes in the mountains, freighters were obliged to have their teams belled in order that one might wait for another, and avoid accidents where it was impossi- ble for teams to pass. It was frequently necessary to lift the wagons to one side in order that a train or stage might pass and such an incident befell our subject when he met Horace Greeley. Such inci- dents are generally the occasion for much friendly witticism and hilarity and served to promote a gen- eral feeling of good fellowship among all but the most haughty and distant. The renowned journal- ist was quick to perceive and enjoy every scene and incident which would give him a better insight into the character and a better understanding of the life, in the distant West, and Mr. Bower remembers with pleasure their meeting on the mountains.
Our subject spent but a short time in the mines
but followed freighting almost exclusively. until 1862, when on account of his father's death he was obliged to return to Pennsylvania, where he took charge of the old homestead, operating it until 1866. He then came to Medina and purchased 160 acres of raw land at $18 per acre, upon which he erected buildings and made other improvements. In 1877 land sharks attempted to beat him out of it and he became so disgusted with the controversy that ensued that he let the land go and came back to Medina, where he has since been taking charge of the hotel in partnership with his sister, and as before stated, paying some attention each year to agricultural pursuits, principally to the raising of corn and stock.
Mr. Bower is a Democrat and a firm believer in the principles of the Democratic party. He is a member of the School Board and has for years been actively interested in educational matters. He possesses a wide fund of information and is an acnte observer of men and manners; and many an interesting anecdote and tale of adventure can be related by him, his own experience having given him a large store from which to draw. He has never married, but otherwise performed his duties as a citizen and member of society in a manner which wins him many friends.
R EV. JOSIAH TERREL. The first man to settle upon the present site of Perry de- serves more than a passing mention; and especially so in this case, as the subject of this notice was one worthy of all respect. As a pioneer preacher of Kansas he saw much hardship and privation, being the third minister of the United Brethren denomination to settle in the State. He was born in Virginia Aug. 23, 1804, and when a child of seven years was taken by his parents to Champaign County, Ohio, they settling there in 1811. He was the sixth in a family of thirteen children and was reared on the frontier, obtaining his education mostly around the evening fireside, and being fond of books, thus acquired a very good fund of general knowledge.
The subject of this notice was the son of Enoch
719
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
Terrel, a native of Wales, who in emigrating to America was accompanied by his father, then a hale and hearty old man, whose age numbered one hun- dred years. He lived four years thereafter and was then gathered to his fathers. Enoch Terrel, locating in Virginia, followed farming there until 1811, then removed with his family to Champaign County, Ohio, settling among the Indians in the wilderness. He engaged in farming and milling and became well-to-do, at the same time exerting no small influence in his community. A part of the old mill which he operated is still standing, almost the only relic of a bygone age. He served as an officer in the War of 1812, and at one time while in the service was nearly frozen to death. He was for many years a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and finally died, in 1817, from the effects of an injury received in his mill.
Josiah Terrel assisted his father in farming and milling until his death and remained with his mother until reaching his majority. He was then married to Miss Sarah Provault, a native of Ohio, and of German descent. Soon afterward they re- moved to a farm in Indiana where Mr. Terrel was converted to religion in a singular manner while hauling a load of hay. Within three days he began exhorting and in 1834 was licensed to preach in the United Brethren Church, leaving his farm to do so. He preached at Nauvoo, Ill., in the temple after the Mormons had left and was instrumental in rousing the people against the followers of Joe Smith, denouncing them from the pulpit. At Nauvoo his first wife died. Ile possessed a fine intelleet and aside from being a successful public speaker, was straightforward in bis dealings and conscientious in his life.
Mr. Terrel's life was often threatened on account of his ont-spoken doctrines. Later, in Missouri and Kansas, he became Presiding Elder. At one time his jurisdiction extended nearly over the whole State of Illinois. In the meantime he lived at Blandinsville, until 1853, and was there a second time married, to Miss Mary Mayhew. This lady was born in Ohio and was the daughter of Laban Mayhew, a native of Kentucky, who moved first to Southern Ohio, then back to his native State
and finally to McDonough County, Ill., where he engaged in farming until his death; he was of French descent.
In the spring of 1853 we find Josiah Terrel in Missouri and for two years thereafter he was estab- lished at Carthage, officiating as a missionary sent by the Illinois Conference. Later he was County Superintendent of Jasper and Barton counties, and was also Postmaster. Ile secured eighty acres of land, but gave most of his attention to his clerical duties. Through him the Western Conference was organized and the first meeting thereafter held at his house was presided over by Bishop Bright. He came to Kansas as a missionary and first established a church at Mound City, preaching the first sermon at Ft. Scott, also organizing a church there. He was elected Presiding Elder at the first Conference held in Kansas, in 1858. Upon one occasion he was nearly frozen to death on horseback, being found on the prairie, benumbed and almost speech- less. He was Presiding Elder for eight years, then having suffered a stroke of paralysis retired from the ministry. In 1864 be purchased property in Lecompton and he had other property which he had accumulated while traveling around. His wife was an excellent manager and attended to the farm in his absence.
The Lane University at Lecompton while not organized by him was established largely through the instrumentality of Mr. Terrel. He started in the drug business in that place, conducting it suc- cessfully and was also Postmaster. In 1866 he removed to Perry and was the first man to engage in the drug business there. He also organized a United Brethren Church, throwing his own house open for religious meetings of all kinds. From 1878 he lived retired from active business.
The second wife of Mr. Terrel died in Perry in December, 1867, at the age of forty eight years, and he was a third time married to Mrs. Minerva McBride. This lady was born in New York State and is still living, making her home in California with one of her daughters. Mr. Terrel spent the last three years with his daughter, Josephine, Mrs. J. R. Pendroy, and departed this life Sept. 14, 1887. His remains were laid to rest in the Perry cemetery, which he had assisted in purchasing and laying out.
720
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
He passed away honored and revered and his name will be held in kindly remembrance for many years to come. Politically, Mr. Terrel was a sound Re- publican and preached the abolition of slavery from the pulpit.
Of the first marriage of Mr. Terrel there were born seven children, viz: Enoch, William, Rebecca, John, Josiah, Sarah and Benjamin. The boys, with the exception of the last mentioned, who died at the age of two years, all served as soldiers in the Union Army. Of the second marriage there were born two children only: Josephine, (Mrs. J. R. Pendroy) a sketch of whom will be found else- where in this volume, and Mary, (Mrs. Gilfillin ) of Perry
OSEPH S. BLAYLOCK. Among those who looked upon Kansas in its pioneer days was Mr. Blaylock, who came to Pottawatomie County when Indians were more numerous than whites, and when the present flourishing little village of St. Clere liad not yet come into exist- ence. He could go west to Vermillion Creek, about ten miles away, without seeing a single house or a fence, and he could go eastward about eight- een miles, passing only one house and no fences. He came to this region poor in purse but strong in courage and resolution, believing that from the primitive soil he could hew out for himself a home and a competence. In this he has succeeded beyond even his expectations, being now the owner of a farm of 560 acres, besides seventy-five acres of valuable land adjacent to the town of St. Clere, also a num- ber of village lots and a business building in which he carries on a lucrative trade in general merchan- dise, and where he makes his home. He has been the privileged witness of the remarkable changes occurring in the Sunflower State during a period of nineteen years, and has reason to feel that he has performed no unimportant part in its growth and development.
A native of La Salle County, Ill., Mr. Blaylock was born Sept. 26, 1849, at the parental homestead, and pursued his first studies in the district school. He lived in his native State until a young man of twenty years, then in the winter of 1869-'70 came
to Kansas and located in Augusta, remaining in that part of the State until 1872. We next find him in Pottawatomie County in the employ of a cattle man herding caatle, at which occupation he was employed three years. He then worked on a farm two years. The next interesting and import- ant event in his life was his marriage, which oc- curred Oct. 9, 1876, in Grant Township, the bride being Miss Lurinda C., daughter of Abner and Elizabetlı (Gavin) Dooley. Soon after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Blaylock established themselves on a rented farm, where they remained two years. Then they removed to a farm of 160 acres one and one- half miles northwest of St. Clere postoffice, and which Mr. Blaylock had purchased prior to his marriage. They lived here until 1881, then changed their residence to the village, where Mr. Blaylock engaged in general merchandising until June, 1886, when he sold his stock and for two years thereafter was engaged as a traveling sales- man. At the expiration of this time he returned to St. Clere and established himself in his present bus- iness. He still retains possession of his farm, which is operated by hired men.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.