Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 98

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 788

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 98
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 98
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 98

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).

Mr. Butts was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., Aug. 4, 1832, to William and Eliza (Truesdell) Butts, natives of the same county, where the fa- ther was engaged in farming. The parental family comprised three sons. of whom our subject is the first born; John W., the second son, is still living in the Empire State, and the youngest, Walter D., died in Valley Falls when a young man. Amid the usual surroundings of a farmer's son he of whom we write grew to manhood, acquiring an education in the common schools of his native county, and then engaging in school teaching in his native State for four terms. In the spring of 1856 he removed to Adrian, Mich., and thence to Valley Falls a year later, taking up his abode here when there were but three or four houses in the place, and while Indians were still in the neighbor- hood, although the villagers were unmolested by them.

The Cataract House. the first regular hotel in Valley Falls, was erected by Mr. Butts, who was engaged in hotel keeping for three years, after which he operated a farm until the spring of 1872. He then entered the employ of the Sante Fe Rail- road and with the exception of the four years in which he served as Postmaster under a commission

from President Cleveland, he has since acted for the road. In 1867 he was nominated on the Demo- cratic ticket to a seat in the Legislature, and al- though the district was largely Republican, he was elected to the office, running far ahead of his ticket. The following year he was re-elected and also in 1870 and '71, and in 1878 again represented the county. During several years of its early history he was one of the commissioners of Jefferson County, and he has also been a member of the Council and Mayor of Valley Falls. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Congregational Church.

The marriage of Mr. Butts occurred May 28, 1855, his bride being Miss Cordelia E. Waltermire, a daughter of David Waltermire and a grand- daughter of David Waldermeyer, as the name is spelled in Germany, the ancestral home. To our subject and his estimable wife eight children have been born, all of whom died when quite young, except Halleck D. and John W., who still survive.

W ILLIAM CAMPBELL. A career of in- dustry and perseverance has resulted in placing the subject of this notice in pos- session of a 200-acre farm finely situated on section 2 in Ozawkie Township. The land has been brought to a high state of cultivation and the farm is embellished with substantial modern build- ings. Mr. Campbell came to Kansas in 1878 and locating at once in Jefferson County, purchased 160 acres of his present farm, upon which was a small frame house and a little spot of ground un- der the plow. He was one of those men, however, who had come to stay and he bent his energies to the task of constructing a homestead with results of which he has reason to be proud.

Mr. Campbell was born in County Donegal, Ire- land, in 1844, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Blackburn) Campbell, likewise natives of County Donegal, where the father spent his entire life, dying in June, 1868. Both parents were reared in the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church to the faith of which they adhered through life and in which they reared their children. The mother is

745

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

living in Ireland. The paternal grandfather, Sandy Campbell, was likewise a native of County Donegal and a member of the Presbyterian Church. He died in Ireland when well advanced in years. The maternal grandparents were also natives of County Donegal and members of the Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Campbell lived in his native county until June, 1868 and then emigrated to America, making the voyage on the steamship "Hibernia" and land- ing in the city of Montreal, Canada. Thence he proceeded to New York State and from there to Philadelphia, Pa., where he was employed in the locomotive shops until 1878. In the meantime, in 1875, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary J., daughter of George and Jane (Blackburn) God- frey. Mrs. Campbell was born in Pennsylvania and there reared to womanhood. She is now the mother of two sons-John and Oliver. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Blue Mound and Mr. Campbell belongs to the Farmers' Alliance. He is also connected with the A. O. U. W. at Valley falls. Honest and upright in his dealings, he is a man respected by his neighbors and is fully worthy of representation in the BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM Of Jefferson County.

Z ACHARIAH GRAGG, the pioneer settler on Cedar Creek, is the owner of a fine farm of 800 aeres of land in Jefferson County, where he is engaged in farming and stoek raising. He raises IIambletonian, Clydesdale, and Norman horses, graded Short-horn cattle, and Poland- China and Jersey-Red hogs. His pleasant abode is situated on section 20, Delaware Township, and the fine property which he owns has resulted from the industry and good management of himself, his wife and family, as he had no financial assistance in building up his fortunes.

The birth of our subject took place in Clay County, Mo., May 12, 1833, and he is one of ten children born to William and Kitty (Jones) Gragg. The father, who is now deceased, was born in East- ern Tennessee and was an early settler in Ray County, Mo., and later a resident of Clay County.

His occupation was that of a farmer. His grand- father Sollers was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The mother was a native of Virginia. Of the children born to her, five are now living: they are Mrs. Sallie Ann McDaniel, Mrs. Elizabeth Hub- bard, our subject, John and William, Three of the deceased children-Henry, Mrs. Martha Rogers and Mrs. Kittie A. Piper-left families when called from time to eternity. One son, James, was a mute and was killed by the ears while walking on the track, the sad event oeeurring in Iowa when he was forty-one years of age.

The gentleman of whom we write was reared on a farm and received but limited sehool privileges, his studies being carried on in subscription sehools which were held in the old-fashioned log school house whose description we have so often read, and which was presided over by persons well-versed in the art of administering corporeal punishment, making up in this respect what they laeked in book lore. The early years of Mr. Gragg were spent in hard work and he soon learned self-reliance and habits of industry. He spent one year on the Kiekapoo Reservation in Brown County, and in 1855, settled where he now lives, on what was at that time wild land, where Indians were numerous and wild beasts frequently seen.

The savages would often come during the night and ery out for the " white man get up and give meat and water to the big Indian," but aside from begging they never gave Mr. Gragg any trouble. One year a large lion lived in the vicinity and Mr. Gragg had a fine view of it on one occasion. He rode toward it, when it turned and came to meet him, and he retreated to the wagon; the beast was proceeding on its way when Mr. Gragg repeated his maneuver when it again turned toward him and he returned to the wagon and allowed it to go on its way unmolested. This incident occurred when he and others were en route to Missouri to work in the harvest fields there. During his early residence here his milling was done at Platte City, Mo., and Leavenworth was his market town.

On July 16, 1854, Mr. Gragg contracted a mar- riage, which resulted in the birth of one child who died in infancy, and in January, 1856, the loving wife breathed her last. Mr. Gragg con-

746

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

tracted a second matrimonial alliance in March, 1857, his companion being Roxillana, daughter of Jefferson Ferrell, who bore him nine children. The surviving members of this family are Mary E., George H., Dudley, and Laura. Mary E. married Jesse Taylor of Delaware Township and is the mother of six children-Bertha, George, Charles, Frederick, Lloyd, and an infant daughter. George married Ada Strong, who bore him one daughter, Flossie A .; death having removed his first com- panion, George Gragg married Miss Tavia Mitchell; their home also is in Delaware Township. Dudley married Miss Emma Bales and he also lives in the township wherein his father resides. The mother of the family above noted departed this life November 22, 1878.

The lady who now presides over the household of Mr. Gragg became his wife on Jan. 14 1880. HIer maiden name was Isaphine Boies and she is a daughter of John Boies, who resides near Topeka. The happy union has resulted in the birth of one chill, who died in infancy. Mrs. Gragg is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church South at Gragg's Chapel. Mr. Gragg belongs to the Masonic order and the Masonic Alliance.

LEXANDER FORSYTH is a worthy vet. eran of three wars, having participated in the Civil War, and that with Mexico in our own land, and in the noted contest in the Crimea. He is a well-known and highly re- spected citizen of Valley Falls, Jefferson County, of which thriving town he became a resident on Dec. 24, 1877, and where, with the exception of one year spent in California, he has since lived. He is a member of the G. A. R., and both he and his estimable wife belong to the Congregational Church. He has never sought office, although dur- ing the late war he held the minor positions of Corporal and Sergeant, and was elected First Lieu- tenant, an office which he declined to fill. During two years he was a member of the police force of Valley Falls.

The parents of our subject were .James and Jane (McChesney ) Forsyth, who were born in Scotland

and came of an honored lineage in that land. The father was born in Edinburgh,and after becoming a citizen of the United States, fought for his adopted country in the War of 1812, holding the rank of Colonel of Sharp-shooters.

The gentleman whose name initiates this sketch, is the youngest of fifteen children born to his parents, his natal day having been on the 11th of July, 1813, and his birthplace near Pough- keepsie, N. Y. He was reared in his native place, and educated in the subscription schools in the the old-fashioned log school-house, and acquired the trade of a stone-mason. When a young man he came West into Indiana, and worked at his trade in various places until the breaking out of the Mex- ican War, when he enlisted in the 18th United States Light Infantry, being enrolled in 1846, and serving for two years and eight months. During this service he took part in the famous battles of Buena Vista, Matamoras, Monterey. and Vera Cruz. Subsequent to this experience Mr. Forsyth visited the ancestral home in Scotland, and other points of interest in the land of his progenitors, and while there enlisted in the 93d' Highland Regiment, in which he served three years and fifty days during the Crimean War. There he took part in some of the most famous battles of history, among them being those of Inkermann and Balaklava; and helping to dig the tunnel and blow up the fort at Sebastapol.

Ilaving returned to his native land, Mr. Forsyth entered the Union Army in 1861, as a member of Company K, 11th Wisconsin Infantry, and once more bore a gallant part in scenes of conflict on many a hard fought field. Among the battles in which he participated, were Pilot Knob, Little Rock, Po- cahontas, Batesville, Port Hudson. Port Gibson, Cape Girardeau, Ft. Helena, Jackson ( Miss.), Jack- son (Tenn.), Vicksburg. Chattanooga, and others. Mr. Forsyth fought under Gen. Logan, and was in the first charge on Chattanooga. He was captured in Mississippi, and taken to Libby Prison, where he was confined three months, and was then released, as the war had ended, meanwhile. He received a wound in the right leg below the knee, and is now drawing a pension on account of it.

After the war, Mr. Forsyth bought a farm in

747

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Livingston County, Mich., where he occupied him- self with agricultural pursuits until 1872, at which time he became the first settler in Barton County, Kan. Indians and wild animals were numerous around him, and all his surroundings were of the most primitive character for a time. Ere long, however, there were neighbors within some miles and life was less dreary and toilsome. The first 4th of July celebration in the county was held at his home in 1873, and citizens came from a dis- tance of thirty and forty miles to attend it. Dur- ing the first year of Mr. Forsyth's residence in the county he devoted himself entirely to hunting buffalo, and made money at that pursuit. He then engaged in farming, and continued thus occupied until 1877, when he took up his abode in Valley Falls. ·

The marriage of Mr. Forsyth and Miss Maria Havens was celebrated May 1, 1853. The bride was born in Bath, Steuben Co., N. Y., Aug. 9, 1818, and is a daughter of Peleg Havens. now deceased. She has ably assisted her husband in his toils and struggles, has encouraged him in all his efforts to acquire a competence, and in every department of life has shown herself a true helpmate. Four chil- dren have blessed their happy union: Hattie L., born March 3, 1854; Mary M., Ang. 7, 1856; Abraham and Ida S., Sept. 29, 1858. Hattie married John Ratz, of Valley Falls; Mary is the wife of James Barngrover, of Ellenwood, Kan., and the mother of three children-Myrtle, Charles and Cassius M .; Abraham and his wife Mary, live in Los Angeles, Cal .. their family consisting of two children, Anna and Elmer; Ida is the wife of Henry Dengle, of White Church, Kan., and the mother of four chil- dren.

M ILES S. HOOVER is dealing in hardware and furniture in St. Mary's, Pottawatomie County, and successfully conducting a business which he entered into in Decem- ber, 1888, when he bought the hardware business. His stock is valned at about $7,000, and comprises a general and well assorted line of goods in both departments, and Mr. Hoover takes high rank among the younger business men of the city, bis

good judgment in the selection of his stock, his honorable dealing and his affable manners in the conduct of his business, alike entitling him to re- spect.

Although his birth did not take place here, Mr. Hoover is decidedly a Kansan, as this State has been his home for a period antedating his second birthday. He was born in Indiana County, Pa., July 22, 1854, and in the spring of 1856 his parents removed to Osage County, Kan., and settled upon a wild piece of land. In the entire neighborhood there were but three or four cabins occupied by whites, and the chief inhabitants were Indians. The trading was done at Leavenworth and Kansas City, where the produce was sold and whence supplies were hauled back in the wagons which had carried the crops thither over a distance of eighty-five miles. But a few miles west of his boyhood's home buffaloes were found in large herds, and deer and antelope were plentiful still nearer their door. Our subject killed the last two deer that were killed in that vicinity, about the year 1869. The school facilities were meager, the first school house near them having been a little frame structure, and but few even of those were to be found.

The father pre-empted 160 acres of land, and our subject helped to break the prairie and im- prove the farm, and has seen the country change from a bleak wilderness to a highly improved and fine section, its expanse diversified by cultivated fields, green pastures and waving trees, and with flourishing towns springing up on it here and there. The parents of our subject still live on the land which they have highly improved, and where our subject remained until he began his business enter- prise in this city.

David and Mary JJ. (Jamison) Hoover were natives of the Keystone State, and were reared and married there. They belong to the Methodist Church. Samuel Hoover,grandfather of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania, where he spent his entire life. He was the son of a German, who on coming to the United States located in the Key . stone State and there remained until his death.

At the home of the bride in Burlingame, on Dec. 18, 1879, Miles S. Hoover was united in marriage

748

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

with Miss Laura M., daughter of Joseph and Ann Gibson. The happy union has been blessed by the birth of four children-Laura L., Denah I., Web- ster J. and Bertha E. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hoover belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are highly valued members of the congregation and general favorites in society.

Mr. and Mrs. Gibson, parents of Mrs. Hoover, were natives of England, where the father learned the potter's trade. Mr. Gibson served the United States government through the entire Civil War and his death, which occurred in New Jersey when his daughter, Laura, was a mere child, was caused by exposure and illness during his army life. His widow subsequently married Samuel Begent.

AMUEL A. DICK. The hero of many thrilling scenes in the Wild West among the California mines at an early day, Mr. Dick has had an ample experience of life in its various phases, and has learned well from what he has observed in the world around him. He is one of the leading men of Fairview Town- ship, a well-to-do farmer, owning and operating 160 acres of land, eighty acres being on section 27, and eighty on section 28. Further reference is made to the family in the sketch of his brother, W. S. Dick, which will be found on another page in this ALBUM.

The fifth in a family of ten children, Mr. Dick was born in Pulaski County, Ky., Dec. 30, 1830, and there spent the days of his boyhood on a farm, receiving only limited school advantages. In fact he probably attended school, which was conducted on the subscription plan, only about one year alto- gether. He remained under the parental roof until past nineteen years old then determined to start out in the world for himself, his objective point being the gold regions of California. He had no means, so he made arrangements with a man to give him one-half the proceeds of his first two years' labor for his transportation, and took his turn at driving and whatever else was required on the journey.

The party proceeded by boat to Arrow Rock,

Mo., where they on April, 22, 1850, started over- land on the long, tedious journey. Mr. Diek drove every fourth day. They went through the northern part of Kansas, striking the Platte River near Ft. Kearney, supposing they were at the head of the tide of emigration going thitherward, but found upon their arrival at Ft. Laramie 13,000 men ahead of them. Taking the North Platte ronte, they crossed the Rockies at South Pass, made the desert journey in safety and arrived at Hang- town on August 7. They began prospecting, but in a few days proceeded to Georgetown, where they re- mained until February, 1851. Thence they went to Eldorado canyon, remaining until September, and then Mr. Dick settled with his companion by paying him $600.

Mr. Dick now proceeded to Big Bar, on the American River, and in partnership with twenty- two men purchased a claim, each paying $500. In November he sold out and going to Saeramento engaged in freighting to the mines until March of the following year. We next find him in the vicinity of Los Angeles, Cal., on a farm, and in June following he drove a team back to Sacra- mento with a load of baggage, and upon his arri- val there superintended a job of mining at Surrey- ville, which occupied him until February, 1853. He then rented a farm on the Sacramento River, but taking the chills and fever was obliged to leave there, going in the spring of 1854 to Santa Cruz, where, in addition to farming, he engaged in lum- bering. Later he mined some at Vocano, but made Santa Cruz his headquarters, running a sawmill part of the time.

Up to this time, until about 1857, Mr. Dick had made very little clear money, but he now com- menced teaming on his own hook and averaged a profit of $7 per day. He thus operated until the fall of 1859, thien turned his footsteps toward his old home via the Panama route and New York city. He greeted his friends after an absenec of nine years and six months to a day. He purchased a farm of 262 acres in Pulaski County, where he prosecuted agriculture and stock-raising. During the war he officiated as a constable and was Cap- tain of a company of home guards. They were rough times in Kentucky in those days, but Mr.

749

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Diek, by virtue of his experience on the Pacific slope, was equal to the emergency.

In the spring of 1870, starting out once more from the Blue Grass regions. Mr. Dick removed to Platte County, Mo., where he carried on farming until the fall of the year. In August he came to Kansas, and purchased eighty acres of land in Fairview Township. Jefferson County. Subse- quently he added another eighty acres and has in- stitued all the improvements which we now behold. His place is watered by Big Slough and Evans' Creek, the land being very fertile. He has two orchards, various other trees of the smaller fruits and comfortable buildings. He makes a specialty of wheat, and also feeds goodly numbers of cattle and swine, besides raising horses and mules.

Mr. Dick was married in Casey County, Ky., Feb. 8, 1860. to Miss Serena J. Stewart. Mrs. Dick is a native of the same county in Kentucky as her husband, and was born Nov. 13, 1833, a night made memorable by a remarkable fall of meteors. Her father, Gooldman Stewart, was born in Casey County, Ky., in 1807, and removed to Pulaski County, where he carried on farming for a time. Later he returned to Casey County, and from there in 1865 emigrated to Andrew County, Mo. He sojourned there, however, only one sum- mer, changing then his residence to Platte County. In 1882 he came to Kansas and purchased a farm adjoining the town of Winchester, where he spent his last days, dying in August, 1888. He was a good citizen and a member of the Christian Church.

"He married for his first wife Miss Nancy Wiles, a native of his own State, and who died in 1835. Of his first union there were born four children, the eldest of whom, George B., died when fifty- eight years old; Thomas J., who was in the Mexi- can War under Gen. Scott, is a resident of Sarcoxie Township, Jefferson County; Serena, Mrs. Dick, was the third child : Bethany married a Mr. Dick, and lives in Rural Township. There are only two children living of the second union, Isaiah C., of Winchester. this State, and Mary A., (Mrs. Dr. Chilton), of Missouri.

Eight children have come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Dick: Mary A. taught school for a time, but is now a leading dressmaker of Topeka;

Leecy was also a teacher for a time and is now dressmaking with her sister; Elizabeth is at home with her parents; George B. has visited California, but is now at home; William G., who also made a trip to the Golden State, is now "holding down" a claim in Oklahoma; Valentine N., who has also been on the Pacific Slope, is a resident of Nemaha County. Neb .; Henry M. and Selecta are with their parents. Mr. Dick is a strong Democrat, politi- cally, and with his estimable wife belongs to the Seventh Day Adventists at Ozawkie. He has been a member of the School Board for about ten years. served as Justice of the Peace four years and was Township Clerk one year. In California he killed a bear and a number of deer. Mrs. Diek is a very intelligent and pleasant lady, thoroughly in sym- pathy with her husband in all his worthy under- takings. The family occupies no secondary position in the community.

ALLECK D. BUTTS, Cashier of the Dela- ware Bank at Valley Falls, is regarded as one of its most promising young men, be- ing intelligent and enterprising and giving his strict attention to business. Valley Falls is his native place and the date of his birth was July 24, 1861. Of his father, Hon. William C. Butts, a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.

Mr. Butts spent his boyhood years under the home roof, receiving careful parental training and attending first the common schools. Later he en- tered the State University at Lawrence, where he continned until 1880. He commenced his business career at the early age of nineteen years and en- tered upon his position in the Valley bank as Cash- ier. Prior to this he was engaged somewhat in farming pursuits, and was station agent in the em- ploy of the Union Pacific & Santa Fe Railroad. He resigned that position in order to enter upon his present one. He has been a member of the City Council and is serving his third term as City Clerk. He is also Superintendent of the City Water Works. He has thus entered upon a career of usefulness and considering the responsible posi- tions in which he has been placed, it is quite evi-

750

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL. ALBUM.

dent that he enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.

The subject of this sketch was married Aug. 9, 1883,at the bride's home in Lawrence, Kan., to Miss Emma J., daughter of Erastus D. Ladd. Mr. Ladd spent his last years in Lawrence, dying about 1872. He was prominent in the ranks of the Knight Templars, a lawyer by profession, and offi- ciated as Justice of the Peace. Mr. and Mrs. Butts are the parents of one child, a son, Captain Todd, born Aug. 12, 1888. They occupy a neat home in the western part of the city and also a good social position among its leading people. Mr. Butts is a Royal Arch Mason in good standing and a warm defender of the principles of the fra- ternity. He was named by David L. Lakin, now of Topeka, for himself and Gen. Halleck, he being a great admirer of the latter, and a strong Unson man.

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.

Portrait and biographical album of Jackson, Jefferson and Pottawatomie Counties, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, Part 98

Author: Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros. Number of Pages: 788

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 788