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 94
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 94
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 94
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To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born four children, viz: Joseph L., Laura, Chester and Francis M. Mr. Blaylock gives his support to the Republican party, and has been quite prominent in local affairs. He was elected Township Trustee in the fall of 1886, and has been elected each successive year, and is still holding the office. He was appointed County Commis- sioner in 1885, serving one term. He and his wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Socially Mr. Blaylock belongs to Circleville Lodge, No. 20, A. F. and A. M.
The father of our subject was Joseph M. Blay- lock, a native of Tennessee who, when a young man, emigrated to Illinois when the present flour- ishing city of La Salle was but a fort, and when Indians were quite numerous in that section of country. People hauled lumber from Chicago with which to build their houses at a time prior to the building of railroads through this section. He went to La Salle County a young man, and in due time was married to Mrs. Jane (Northrup) Har- rington, who was born near Gallipolis, Ohio. The
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father of Mrs. Blaylock died when she was quite young, and she removed to Illinois with her mother. They located near the fort at La Salle before the Black Hawk War. Mrs. Northrup died there at the age of fifty years. To Joseph and . Jane Blay- lock there was born a family of four children, of whom Joseph S. was the oldest. All of these are living, two in Illinois and one in Benton County, Ind. The mother departed this life in 1872, aged about fifty-five years. The father is still living on the old farm in Illinois.
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Mrs. Blaylock was born in Grant County, Ind., and came to Kansas with her parents when a child; they are now residents of Osage County. Mr. Blaylock has been Postmaster since Hayes' admin- istration, with the exception of a short time while a traveling salesman.
P RANCIS M. STARK. This stirring young business man of Perry, Jefferson County, is well known as the son of N. J. Stark, who is represented elsewhere in this volume. He is "a chip of the old block," and is quite extensively engaged as a lumber dealer, having purchased the interest of his father in the business early in 1889. He was born in Inghamn County, Mich., Jan. 19, 1853, and lived there with his parents on the farm until a lad of thirteen years.
Young Stark accompanied his father's family to Illinois in 1866, and attended school in Henry County one year. Later, he attended the public schools of Lawrence, Kan., after which he engaged in farming for a time, and then removed to Perry. When twenty-two years old he assumed charge of his father's farm of 120 acres in Rural Township. He was thus occupied for four years, and then. removing to Perry, purchased a stock of queens- ware and groceries, and conducted a thriving trade, in company with a partner, under the firm name of Stark & Martin.
In the spring of 1885 Mr. Stark disposed of his interest in the above business and purchased an in- terest in his father's lumber business. He became sole proprietor on the 1st of January, 1889. He is already the owner of other valuable property,
having a half block of ground on each side of Front Street, where he has put up an office, sheds, and other necessary buildings. He keeps a full supply of building material, including hardware, nails, lime, cement, etc. He owns his residence and a block elsewhere in the town of Perry.
Mr. Stark was married in Perry. April 9, 1875, to Miss Etta F. Armstrong. Mrs. Stark was born in Indiana County, Pa., Feb. 21, 1858, and is the daughter of J. D. Armstrong, likewise a native of the Keystone State and one of the earliest settlers of Jefferson County, Kan. He is now engaged as a gardener in the vicinity of Perry. Mrs. Stark was given a fair education, completing her studies in Maplewood Seminary, at Leavenworth. Subse- quently she engaged as a teacher, having charge of of her first school at the age of seventeen years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Stark there have been born three children - Nathan, Guy and Victor. Mr. Stark is a sound Democrat, politically, and like his honored father, a member in good standing of the Presbyterian Church. He has been a member of the City Council two years, Township Clerk one year, Clerk of the school district three years, and has officiated as City Treasurer for the past seven years. It cannot be denied that he has made for himself an admirable record.
HARLES M. JOHNSON. Among those whose industry and energy have secured them a competence, and who are in posses- sion of a fair supply of this world's goods, may be properly mentioned Mr. Johnson, who owns and occupies a snug farm of seventy-seven acres, on section 12, Kentucky Township. Besides this, he is the owner of 217 acres on section 7. He has good improvements, and prosecutes farming after the latest improved methods, assisted by modern machinery, and all the other appliances necessary to successful agriculture.
A native of Macoupin County, Ill., Mr. Johnson was born near Virden, May 21, 1853, and when five years old was brought by his parents overland to Kansas. They journeyed with a team of horses
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and wagon, via Quincy and Kansas City, and thence by the Santa Fe trail to Willow Springs, Douglas County, where they settled when the country was new and Indians plentiful. In 1860, however, they returned to Illinois, and after the outbreak of the Civil War, young Johnson en- deavored at two different times to gain entrance into the ranks of the Union army, the first time when a boy of eleven years. He, of course, was rejected. In 1864 he went to the home of his grandfather, where he remained a year; then re- moved with his father to Shelby County, where the latter had contracted to furnish a railroad and sawmill with timber. Charles M., at the age of twelve, chopped two cords of wood in a day. Ilis advantages for an education were quite limited, but be kept his eyes open to what was going on around him, and at an early age was generally well informed.
In the fall of 1865 Mr. Johnson came to Kansas the second time overland with a team, via Oqnawka and St. Joseph, Mo. He located at Willow Springs, Douglas County, and later accompanied his father to Cedar County, Mo., remaining there from the fall of 1868 until the spring of 1869. He then started out in earnest to paddle his own canoe, and, coming to Jefferson County, this State, without a cent of money, found employment on a farm, where he sojourned three years and in the meantime attended school three months. In the spring of 1873 he went down into Western Texas, where he engaged as a cowboy, driving cattle on the trail to Western Kansas. In 1073 he engaged on a ranch in Texas, remaining there until 1876. He then began driving cattle to Wyoming, and in the fall of that year returned to Kansas.
During his sojourn in Texas Mr. Johnson had some thrilling experiences. Upon one occasion, he and a company of five others were arrested, Feb. 12, 1875, on account of illegal cattle driving, and on the 18th were taken out in the night by a vigi- lance committee, and, with the exception of Mr. Johnson, and another man who was shot, they were all hung. During the hanging, Mr. Johnson, aronnd whose neck his captors had put a rope, made a break for freedom, being shot at in the meantime, three of the balls passing through his
clothing, and one striking his heel. Ile made as good time as he could, jumping over a man who was shot in his path, and finally gained the moun- tains, where he found shelter with a friend, Tom Gamble, and was befriended by Lieut. Dan Roberts, Captain of the Rangers, with whom he remained until the sitting of court, when he had to stand a trial for cattle stealing. . At the trial no charges were preferred against him, and he was accordingly set free. He remained in that region eighteen months; then sojourned for a time in Wyoming, after which he quit the plains, taking up his abode within the bounds of civilization. During his experience as a cowboy, he became ex- pert in the use of the lasso, being able to hobble the wildest Mexican cattle.
In the fall of 1876, Mr. Johnson located on rented land in Kentucky Township, where he op- erated three years. In 1879 he purchased 217 acres on section 7, which was partly improved, and where he prosecuted agriculture until 1886. He then purchased that upon which he now resides, and where he has erected fine_improvements. The land is amply watered with creeks and springs, and Mr. Johnson has set out forest and fruit trees, which, with his neat residence and other buildings, makes a very attractive home. He feeds abont sixty head of high grade cattle, has eight liead of draft horses, and a goodly assortment of swine.
Mr. Johnson was married in Kentucky Town- ship, Dec. 28, 1877, to Miss Alice Demarec. This lady was born in Indiana, and came to Kansas with her parents in 1868. The latter, William and Lu- ticia Demaree, are residing at Meriden. Of this union there have been born four children, viz., Nova, Clara, Amos and Myrtle. Mr. Johnson served as School Director in his district until re- signing, and he belongs to the Farmers' Alliance with headquarters at Thompsonville. Politically, he is independent, and is frequently sent as a dele- gate to the county convention.
The father of our subject was James Johnson, a native of Maine, and the son of Travis Johnson, who was likewise born in the Pine Tree State, and was a carpenter by trade. James Johnson, after settling in Macoupin County, Ill., followed car- pentering, and put up many of the most important
.
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buildings of that region. Grandfather Johnson was of Seotch descent, and at one period of his life belonged to the United States Navy.
James Johnson, in 1858, leaving Illinois, eame to Kansas, locating on a farm in Douglas County. - Two years later, on account of the drought, he re- turned to Illinois, but in 1865 came back to Kansas, and rented another farm in Douglas County. Fin- ally, he removed to the vicinity of Ottawa, where he is now living on a small farm. In 1862, during the progress of the Civil War, he enlisted as a Union soldier. in Company B, 122nd Illinois In- fantry, serving until taken prisoner at Trenton, Tenn. by the rebel, Gen. Forrest. He was paroled and sent home, and never exchanged. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The maiden name of the mother of our subjeet was Martha Jackson. She was born in Macoupin County, Ill., and was the daughter of Brice Jack- son, one of its earliest pioneers, and who was of Seoteh-Irish deseent. He followed farming, and spent his last days in Illinois. The parental family was completed by the birth of nine children, of whom Charles M. was the eldest. Mary, Mrs. Stanard, is a resident of Ottawa ; Arthur sojourns in Jefferson County; Lueretia (Mrs. Ferrel) and Rozella live near Ottawa; John makes his home in Meriden; Henry lives near Ottawa; Ada is a resident of Kaw Township; Lulu remains at home with her parents.
OHN R. PENDROY, proprietor of the Stark Hotel at Perryville, has been a resident of Kansas for a period of twenty-two years. He was born in Greene County, Ohio, on the 22d of December, 1837, to Ellis and Mary (Ellis) Pendroy, the former of whom was born in the same county as his son, and the latter born in Ten- nessee. The paternal grandfather was a native of Kentucky, and of Irish deseent. Ellis Pendroy spent his entire life in his native State, dying when his son, John R., was an infant. The mother sur- vived her husband until 1861, passing away at the age of fifty years. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. There had been
born to them four children, the eldest of whom, a son, Eli, died at the age of forty years, in Indiana; James Lewis resides on a farm near LaFayette, that State; Joseph died in LaFayette when thirty- five years old ; John R. was the youngest ehild.
Mr. Pendroy, until a youth of sixteen years, re- mained under the parental roof attending the dis- triet school and assisting his mother on the farm. Then starting out for himself, he engaged as a farm laborer in Ohio for three years, and later emigrated to Indiana, engaging in Tippecanoe County as a farm laborer for two seasons. We next find him West of the Mississippi in Leavenworth, this State, to which he came in 1860, during its Territorial days. A few weeks after his arrival here he joined a band of men bound for Denver, Colo., crossing the plains in twenty-seven days. He engaged in mining in that region until in September, 1862. Then deeiding to join the Union Army, he enlisted in the 3d Colorado Infantry, serving until June, 1865, after the close of the war. He saw some hard service at one time, marching on foot from Montgomery, Colo., to Ft. Leavenworth, a distance of 738 miles. Then he went with his regiment through Missouri to Iron Mountain, where they camped for a time, and were then ordered to St. Louis, Mo. At that point they were consolidated with the 2d Colorado Regiment, and mounted as envalry. going thenee to Sedalia, Mo., and engaged in seouting. Mr. Pendroy subsequently joined in the pursuit after the Rebel general, Priee, and par- tieipated in the battles of Lexington, Big Blue, Westport, Mine Creek and Newtonia, and followed Price to the Arkansas River, and on the return march went up through the Cherokee Nation. They were short of provisions, having for ten days nothing to eat except beef, which they obtained along the route. Upon reaching Ft. Seott, they obtained provisions. From there they proceeded to Ft. Leavenworth, where they remained several weeks, and then the regiment was ordered to Ft. Riley, and a month later, to Ft. Ellsworth, in the pursuit of Indians. Next they went to Ft. Larned, where they remained for some time engaged in scouting until receiving their discharge June 9, 1865.
After retiring from the service, Mr. Pendroy re-
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paired to Atchison, and was given the position of foreman of public works, under James Auld, re- maining there one year. Next, coming to Jeffer- son County, he located at Perry, where he was variously occupied a few months, and then pur- chasing a grocery store, conducted this three years. Later, he engaged with the Union Pacific Railroad Company as a foreman, which position he still holds in connection with running his hotel.
Mr. Pendroy was married at Perry in 1868, to Miss Josephine M. Terrel. This lady was born in Iroquois County, Ill., Feb. 4, 1850, and is the daughter of the Rev. Josiah Terrel, a pioneer min- ister of Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri. Of this union there have been born three children, the eldest of whom, Mary Capitola, is an accomplished musician, having a certificate from Bethany College at Topeka: Jessie died at the age of nine years; and Anna Moore. Mary and Anna are at home with their parents. Mrs. Pendroy is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and zealously devoted to her religious duties; also a prominent member of the Woman's Relief Corps of the G. A. R., a delegate to the National Convention at Column - bus, Ohio, in 1888, and was for two years President of that society in Perry. At present she is a mem- ber of the Council of Administration. Mr. Pend- roy, politically, is a sound Republican, prominent in the councils of his party, and is a member in good standing of the G. A. R. He was for ten years a member of the City Council at Perry. His real estate in town consists of six acres, which is laid out in town lots.
R ICHARD F. BROWN. An Eastern man traveling through this State would be much impressed with the fact that many of the most flourishing business establishments and best improved farms are owned and controlled by young men, and that these are not the only in- dications of their character and usefulness. They also fill many public offices, and take a prominent part in the upbuilding of the West in every worthy way. The subject of this sketch is one of these enterprising young men, who is recognized as the
leader in Township Kentucky, Jefferson County, in progressive farming and stock-feeding, and in social and religious work.
Mr. Brown was born near Venice, Butler Co., Ohio, March 26, 1854, and is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Val. Brown, whose sketch fills another page in this volume. He was brought up on his father's farm there until sixteen years old, when he accompanied his parents West, the journey being made by rail to Medina in the spring of 1870, and the following three years being spent by our subject in labors upon the new home farm. During this time he came near having a sunstroke, and was incapaci- tated for labor for several months, and when, in the fall of 1873, he entered the scientific depart- ment of Lawrence Univerity, he found that his health would not permit him to long continue his studies. He therefore left the University and en- gaged as clerk in a general store in Medina until spring, when he returned to the farm, the next fall making another attempt to carry out the desire of obtaining a more thorough education, by enter- ing McCauley' Business College at Lawrence, and being graduated from that institution three months later.
Mr. Brown then returned again to his home, and remained until spring, when he entered the dry- goods house of Bosworth & Robbins, in Topeka, in the capacity of clerk, and continued in their employ during the next two winters, spending the summers on the farm. Miss Francis M., daughter of the Hon. John W. Brown, of Shawnee County, had won the regard of our subject by her cultivated mind and womanly graces, and his wooing having proven successful, they were united in marriage Dec. 24, 1879, the ceremony taking place at the home of the bride in Auburn, Shawnee County.
The father of Mrs. Brown was born in Zanes- ville, Ohio, and is a blacksmith by trade. He moved from his native State to Missouri, where he engaged in farming, from that State changing his residence to Kansas in the spring of 1851, being therefore one of the very earliest settlers in this State. He improved a farm near Auburn, and became a prominent citizen of Shawnee County, and the possessor of a comfortable fortune. He was for some time extensively engaged in stock-
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dealing in that county, and was well-known as one of the most intelligent, honorable and publie-spir- ited citizens within its borders. During the late war he served the country at the time of Price's raid. He was the Superintendent of the first Sun- day-school organized in Shawnee County, and was a member of the Legislature two terms. His wife was in her maidenhood Miss Elizabeth Perkins, a native of North Carolina. Both are still living in Shawnee County, and have hosts of friends, the cirele extending far beyond the limits of the county. Mrs. R. F. Brown was educated at the State Normal School at Emporia, and is an accomplished lady, and one whose amiable charac- ter exerts a powerful influence on those whom she meets. To her and her husband one child has been born -- Earl G.
In the spring of 1880, the gentleman of whom we write engaged in farming on his father's place, and after two years thus employed re-entered the employ of Bosworth & Robbins, at Topeka, where he became head elerk in the silk department, and where he remained until the spring of 1884. He then returned to Thompsonville, and took up his abode on section 9, where he is now residing. He operates 320 acres of his father's estate. 160 of which are now under the plow, and devoted to corn and wheat crops. He keeps an excellent grade of English draft and Norman horses, two or three teams being used in the work of the estate, and having nine head on hand. He feeds about three carloads of cattle per season of his own rais- ing, and is also engaged extensively in shipping hogs. The place is supplied with excellent im- provements, including a windmill, barns, granaries, cribs, etc., all of which have been made under the supervision and with the assistance of our subject. The residence is well built and well furnished, and under its hospitable roof the visitor finds not only good cheer for the outer man, but the "feast of reason and the flow of soul" which makes a true man.
Mr. Brown belongs to the Farmers' Alliance of Thompsonville, and is now Door Keeper of that body. lle has been delegate to the county con- ventions of the Republican party, and displays the utmost activity and energy whenever the interests
of the party are to be advanced, ever supporting it by his vote and by all his influence. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and helped to build the edifice in which the society is now wor- shiping. He is now Trustee and has been Superin- tendent of the Sunday-school, and Assistant C'ho- rister. In the conduet of his business affairs he is discriminating and enterprising, and bids fair to become one of the most prosperous agriculturists of this section. He practices dehorning of cattle, and all modern methods in which his judgment and observation concur. With a good education and more than ordmary ability, he endeavors to keep himself acquainted with the progress of the world in current events, in science, and in art, and so round and complete his character and acquirements instead of becoming the man of one idea who is to be found in some rural residences, as well as in many city homes. It is needless to say that both Mr. and Mrs. Brown are regarded with high res- spect and sincere friendship by their neighbors and associates.
AMES UNION CAWOOD. Among the pleasant homesteads of Clear Creek Town- ship, Pottawatomie County, that of Mr. Cawood deserves special mention as illus- trating the enterprise and industry of the proprie- tor. It comprises the southwest quarter of section 6, a fertile tract of land under a thorough state of cultivation and improved with good buildings. Mr. Cawood is the architect of his own fortune, having begun life in a modest manner and with limited means. He is now well-to-do, with a suf- ficiency of this world's goods to fortify him against want in his old age.
The subject of this sketch is the scion of an ex- celleut family, being the son of James R. and Mary E. (Sharpe) Cawood, both natives of ('lai- bourne County, Tenn. The father was reared to agricultural pursuits, and at the breaking out of the Rebellion enlisted as a Union soldier, and served until the close of the war. He spent his last years in Claibourne County, Tenn., and de parted this life Sept, 20, 1889, He was an honest,
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industrions and useful citizen, and a man who, without making any great stir in the world, still exercised a sensible influence upon his fellow- men. His wife, Mary Ann, was the daughter of Isaac Sharpe, likewise a native of Claibourne County, Tenn., where her death took place Aug. 12, 1883.
To the parents of Mr. Cawood there was born a family of eleven children, namely: Adeline, Rachel, Emma, Semmie, Sallie, Love, David, James Union, Nellie, Peter and Stephen. Seven of these are living, and residents of Lower California and Kansas.
Mr. Cawood, like his parents, was also born in Claibourne County, Tenn., Feb. 15, 1862. He spent his early years in his native county, acquir- ing a common-school education, and being trained to habits of industry and economy. He left his native State when a young man of twenty years, coming to Kansas in February, 1882, settling first in Brown County. He was favorably impressed with the Sunflower State, and decided to locate here permanently. There was, however, still an attraction in the vicinity of his childhood home, and early in 1884 he returned to Tennessee, and in February of that year was united in marriage with Miss Martha Yoakum. Soon after their mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Cawood set out for Kansas, and Mr. Cawood secured the land from which he built up his present farm in Clear Creek Township. He has made good headway during the last five years, and is numbered among the representative men of his community. He does not meddle much with public affairs, but keeps himself posted upon mat- ters of general interest to the intelligent citizen, and votes the straight Republican ticket.
W. BALSLEY, M. D. Among the profes- sional and business men of Oskaloosa, Jef- ferson County, a prominent place is filled by this gentleman, who is a wide awake business man, a well-versed and successful physi- cian, and an honorable and patriotic citizen. He has not only had a large practice in his profession, but has held official positions in various social or-
ders, and is a worker in the ranks of his political party, and in the religious body to which he be- longs.
Dr. Balsley was born in Zanesville, Ohio, Nov. 14, 1843, and is a son of Jacob and Nancy (Hood) Balsley. His paternal grandfather, Christian Bals- ley, was born in Germany and came to America before the Revolution, in which struggle he partic- ipated as a patriot soldier. He settled in Penn- sylvania, and died in 1816, at the advanced age of ninety-five years. The paternal grandmother, Esther Thorpe, was the second wife of the grand- father, sometime after whose death she married a Mr. McCowen, whom also she survived. Her death occurred in Zanesville, in 1858, when she was seventy-six years old.
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