USA > Kansas > Marshall County > Portrait and biographical album of Marshall County, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 14
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During the earlier years of his life Mr. Cranston was employed in a woolen mill, which was at that time a more remunerative occupation than farm. ing, but he also looked after his farming interests. and eventually gave it his exclusive attention when its superior profitableness was assured. His con- nection with the woolen industry was begun in Ohio, and continued in Iowa. In every depart- ment of life in which it has been his lot to be en- gaged. whether of a business or social nature. it can be truthfully said of him. that he has been found faithful. In the exercise of his right of suffrage he casts his ballot with the Republican party. but would not hesitate to vote for the oppo- sition if he deemed the best interests of the times demanded it. Mr. and Mrs. Cranston are repre- sentative and earnest members of the Christian Church, and are widely known for their generous benevolence and sincere Christian lives.
R RANK STOEIIR. Among the many enter- prising foreigners to whom Marshall County owes so much of its development, is the above named gentleman, who occupies a fine farm of 240 acres, situated on section 15, Logan Township. Ile was born in Byron, Germany, in which country he was reared, receiving a thor- ough education under the compulsory laws of that
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empire. Ilis parents. Mathew and Mary (Swibrie- ger) Stochr. were born, reared, married, reared a family of seven children and died in the German Empire. They were members of the Catholic Church, as were their ancestors so far as known. Our subject left his native land for the United States in 1857. taking passage on the old sail-ship " Moskonoma," and after a voyage of sixty-six days, landed at New York, Sept. 14. There he clerked in the store of his uncle, Joseph Shouley. about three years, thence coming direct to Illinois in ISGO.
After the breaking out of the Civil War. he, in common with many hundreds of his countrymen, felt the desire to assist in the preservation of his adopted country. and in August, 1862, enlisted, being enrolled in La Salle County, as a member of Company G, 57th Illinois Infantry. lle served faithfully and gallantly until the close of the war. Among the most noted engagements in which he took part were Corinth, Altoona, Jacksonville.Columbus, Resaca. Kingston, Chattanooga, Stone River, and many others, and he also took part in the march to the sea under the gallant Gen. Sherman. lle was one of the fortunate in these many conflicts, receiv- ing but a flesh wound which was not sufficient to disable him. After taking part in the Grand Re- view at Washington, he went to Springfield, Ill. where he received an honorable discharge and thence returned to his home in La Salle Couny. There he married Mary Piergue, a native of Muhlbach, Transylvania. She was born .une 6. 1846, a daughter of Lawrence and Mary (stru- ble) Piergue. Mr. Stoehr and wife resided in Illinois for seven years after their marriage, and thence removed to this State, where he bought 160 acres of open prairie, which comprises a pat of his present highly improved farm. Their farily con- sisted of the following children : Mary. wie of Au- gust Fisher; Lena, wife of John Pauls; osephine, Frank, Martha. Lawrence, Ilenry, Anna Flora and Edith, living; and Elizabeth and an infant de- ceased.
Mrs. Stoehr is the daughter of Awrence and Mary (Struble) Piergne, who came fom France to America in the fall of 1847. Thy were on the ocean ninety days, a part of the the being lost in
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a storm. They landed at New York and thence came directly to La Salle County, Ill., where the father was engaged in the bakery business many years. The family consisted of six children, of whom five are still living. The father was for many years a soldier in the French army. He died in La Salle County, Ill., where the mother still lives, making her home with her son in Ottawa. She is a member of the Catholic Church, in which faith her husband died.
Our subject and his family are members of the Catholic Church. He belongs to Lyon Post, No. 9, G.A.R .. at Marysville. He is a man of worth in the community, active. honorable, intelligent and hospitable, and enjoys the respect of his fellow- citizens. Politically he is a stanch Republican.
INFIELD MI. NEEL. The men who care the most for outside show, are not those who can always be depended upon as pos- sessing those solid and substantial traits of charac- ter most needed in the building up of a community. A quiet and law-abiding citizen, Mr. Neel lives in a modest homestead on section 13, in Logan Town- ship, where he has a well-tilled farm and sufficient of this world's goods for all the ordinary comforts of life. He is the offspring of a substantial ances- try and was born in Fayette County, Pa., Oct. 1, 1852.
When our subject was but an infant, his parents, Samuel and Martha L. (Yarnell) Neel, decided upon ¿ change of location, and accordingly gather- ing together their household goods, made their way to Switzerland County. Ind .. where they sojourned for a peiod of nine years. Their next removal was to Newport, Ky .. and later they took up their residencein Hancock County, Ill., where our sub- ject was røred to man's estate. There also he was married Ot. 15, 1874, to Miss Huldah, daughter of David ald llarriet (Cole) Simmons. This lady was born in Athens County, Ohio, and the newly wedded pair hade their home in Hancock County, Ill., until 187; That year our subject came to this county, anl in 1880 he purchased his present
farm of eighty acres. which occupies the southeast quarter of section 13. He put up the dwelling and other buildings, has most of the land fenced, and an orchard of apple-trees, together with grapes and the smaller fruits. The land is highly product- ive, and yields to the hand of industry a generous income.
The four children born to our subject and his estimable wife were named respectively Harriet, Nellie, Frank and Martin. Although not a member of any church, Mr. Neel believes in the maintenance of religious institutions, and is a teacher in the Sabbath-school at Herkimer. Ilis parents preceded him to this State, and the father died in Marysville
Township. in October, 1880. The mother is still living. Their family consisted of four children, of whom Winfield M. was the youngest. Samuel Neel was a native of York County, Pa., while his estimable wife was born in Lancaster County, that State. The parents of Mrs. Neel were natives of Ohio, where her grandfather, Simmons, died. The grandmother later removed to Illinois, and died at the home of her son, the father of Mrs. Neel. The latter came to Illinois during its earliest settlement, and is still living in Hancock County. llis wife died there. On her mother's side, the grandfather of Mrs. Neel, Samuel Cole, died in Hancock County, Ill., when well advanced in years. Grandmother Cole died in Ohio.
RA F. McMILLAN, Superintendent of the Marshall County Poor Farm, is a young man well dowered with firmness, activity and saga- cious enterprise, which traits have already secured him an honorable position among the leading agri- culturists of this vicinity, and amply qualify him for the responsible office that he is filling so satis- factorily to all concerned.
Our subject is a native of New York, Sept. 10, 1856, being the date of his birth. IIis parents were likewise natives of the Empire State, his father, Ebenezer J. McMillan, born Dec. 2, 1825, and his mother, Frances ( McDonald ) McMillan, born in the year 1827, her death occurring Jan. 31,
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1889. They spent many years of their wedded life in the State of their nativity, but in 1867 they came as far west as Illinois with their family, and for a few years were residents of McHenry County, that State. In 1878 they once more took up the westward mareh, and came to Kansas to live, where the mother died, as above stated. The father makes his home with the subject of this sketch.
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The subject of this brief biographical review was the second of six children, and his early years were spent on his father's farm, where he gained good practical knowledge of agriculture in all its branches. He received the preliminaries of his education in the local public schools, and further fitted himself for the duties of life by pursuing a good course of study one winter at Spring Arbor, Mich. As soon as old enough to decide on a vo- cation, he adopted the calling to which he had been bred. as the one most suited to his tastes, and the success that he has achieved proves the wisdom of his decision. In 1877 and 1878 he abandoned agri- culture for awhile, and engaged in the mercantile business in Illinois. In 1884 he and his wife went to Oregon for one season, but, not caring to settle there, they returned to Marshall County, where they have ever since remained. March 1, 1888, he took charge of the Marshall County Poor Farm, which comprises 640 acres of arable land, 300 acres of which are under good cultivation, and under the admirable management of our subject yield abun- dant harvests. The farm-is well stocked with stoek of good grades, carrying seventy head of cattle, sixteen horses. and forty hogs. As Superintendent of this farm, Mr. McMillan is found to be the right man in the right place, as under his super- vision the farm is kept up to a high standard, and everything is neat and orderly, the work being performed systematically, and the poor people under his care are treated with kindness. tempered by firmness where needed, and they find in him a true friend.
Mr. McMillan was united in marriage to Miss Belle Smith, March 2, 1881, and to them have cone four children-Robert G., Myron L., Millard J. and Sarah L. Mrs. McMillan is a daughter of the late Thaddeus O. Smith, of Frankfort, Kan .. who died in 1887. Her mother still lives, making
her home in Colorado. Mrs. McMillan was the ninth in order of birth of ten children. and she was born in Missouri, Feb. 1, 1864.
Mr. McMillan is a frank, open-hearted man, pos- sessing ready tact and an obliging manner, which have won him many friends. He has mingled in public life, and has proved an efficient civic official. For two years he has served as Clerk of Elm Creek Township. He is active and influential in politics, and labors for the interests of the Republican party.
ILLIAM II. COLGROVE. Among the substantial farmers who are carrying on the development of the agricultural dis- triets of this county, we may mention the subject of our sketch, who owns and occupies a farm of 160 acres on section 11, Marysville Township. He is the son of Andrew Colgrove, who was born in Woodhall, Steuben Co., N. Y. His mother was Miss Almira Baxter, a native of the same town. Upon their marriage they settled in their native place, afterward removing to Randolph County. Ind., remaining there for several years. Thence they removed to Ohio, and after several years resi- dence in the Buckeye State, repaired to Florida, Mo .. where they remained about six years. Cross- ing the Mississippi River into Pike County, Il .. they remained several years, and then spent four years in Bureau County, of the same State. 'They then removed to this county, where the fatherdied in January, 1883. The parental family conisted of nine children, three of whom died in inaney. Those who grew to maturity were Mary M, Cyn- thia L., James F .. William H., Emma T., and Ella R. Mary is the wife of Randolph Robbs, lving in Gage County, Neb .; Cynthia became the wife of John Bell, and died in Wilson County, his State, in 1885; James F. is a resident of Gage County, Neb .; Emma is the wife of Thoma Richards. of the same county; Ella is the wife o' John With. also of Gage County, Neb.
The subject of this sketch was bor near Roches- ter, Ohio, April 11, 1858, coming wth his parents to this county. At the residence @ the bride, in
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Marysville Township, June 2, 1881, occurred his marriage to Miss Martha M. Bigham, daughter of Andrew Bigham, whose biography will be found on another page in this volume. Mrs. Colgrove was born in Ogle County, Ill., Oct. 15, 1861. She has borne her husband four children -Charles A., Sylvia M., Addie G., and Erskine.
In addition to the cultivation of his farm, most of which is now improved, Mr. Colgrove gives considerable attention to corn shelling and wheat threshing, possessing machinery of the latest and most approved models for carrying on this indus- try. In politics, Mr. Colgrove is a stanch Repub- lican, never failing to cast his vote in the interest of that party. lle is an energetic and reliable citi- zen, and gives his influence to the support of every measure for the good of the community.
ENRY FARRAR. After the 'labors of a long and well spent life, this gentleman has wisely retired from active duty, but retains possession of his old homestead, which is located one mile southeast of the city of Beattie. Near the city he owns ten acres of good ground with a fine residence. His farm property consists of 960 acres, located in Guittard and Rock townships. His career is a fine illustration of the self-made man, who through his own industry and energy has arisen from humble surroundings, to an enviable position, socially and financially, among his fellow- men. The habits which enforced economy taught him in his boyhood, proved of great service to him in his later years, and were, in fact, partially the secret of his success.
A native of Yorkshire, England, onr subject was born March 20, 1815, and when a little lad of five years set out with his parents in April, 1820, for America. They landed in Dearborn County, Ind., where his father, Jonathan Farrar, purchased a tract of wild land and commenced building up a farm from the wilderness. Not being satisfied with his progress financially, the father shortly afterward, leaving Indiana with his little family, emigrated to Cincinnati, Ohio. Here also he only
sojourned briefly, removing thence to Columbus, and later to Madison County, Ohio. There our subject spent his years from the age of twelve un- til reaching his majority, in the meantime acquir- ing a practical education in the common school. He remained under the parental roof until his mar- riage, which occurred in 1837, the bride being Miss Malinda Chenoweth. Afterward he em- ployed himself in farming pursuits in Madison County, until his removal to Marshall County, Kan.
There were born to our subject and his estima- ble wife ten children, seven of whom are living. The eldest, a daughter, Mary Jane, is now the wife of Owen Thomas, a farmer of Guittard Township, Horatio N. is a resident of Murray Township; Thomas J. lives in Rock Township, and Jonathan in Noble Township. Margaret is the wife of J. D. Crooks, and with her sister, Isabel (Mrs. F. M. Durkee) resides in Guittard Township; William is a resident of Oketo. The wife and mother died in Madison County, Ohio, about 1856.
Mr. Farrar continued a resident of the Buckeye State until 1874, in the meantime becoming the owner of about 600 acres of land, near London, the county seat. There as here, he was prominent in local affairs, serving five years as Assessor and Treasurer of his school district and occupying fre- quently other positions of trust and responsibility. A part of his land had been cleared at the time of purchase and the balance he cleared himself. He built up a fine homestead upon which he lived until resolving to seek the farther West.
Our subject was married a second time, Sept. 30, 1858, to Mrs. Rachael (Gregg) Seal and of this union there were born two children: Romeo, who operates a farm on section 36 in Guittard Town- ship, and Spurgeon, who remains at home with his parents. Mrs. Farrar was born in Belmont, Ohio, Sept. 10, 1830, and is the daughter of Jesse and Catherine (Daniels) Gregg, the former of whom was a tailor by trade and also the owner of a farm. They lived in Belmont until their daughter Rachael was a young lady of eighteen years, and then re- moved to Madison County, where she was married to Jolin W. Seal and became the mother of one child, Eva. The latter is now married to John
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Warner, of Guittard Township, this county. Mr. Seal died in Madison County, Ohio, about 1855.
In 1874 Mr. Farrar, leaving the Buckeye State. came to this county and settled upon the land which he had purchased the year before. It was in its primitive condition, and his first business was the erection of a dwelling, which he and his family occupied until able to abandon it for a more modern residence. The story of his labors is similar to that of the other persevering and en- terprising men around bim, and the result of these labors much the same, illustrating in a marked de- gree the results of energy and perseverance. The farm is now largely devoted to the raising of grain and stock and is the source of a reasonable income. Besides this property Mr. Farrar was the owner of two sections, which he has divided among his chil- dren. He lived on the farm until April, 1880, then put up his present fine residence. He is a man liberal and public-spirited, taking a genuine interest in the prosperity of his adopted county, and uniformly supports the principles of the Re- publican party.
- RED BRUCKER. Many of the men who are now quietly located in the rural dis- tricts, have seen much of life, and been over a goodly portion of the world. The subject of this notice, who is pursuing the peaceful occu- pation of a farmer on section 4, Balderson Town- ship, was born in what was then the Province of Alsace, France, Nov. 6, 1838. Ile was the fifth child of his parents, Christian and Lena (Berischi) Brucker, further mention of whom will be found in the sketch of Henry Brueker, on another page in this volume.
Our subject attended the common schools of his native place, where he was reared to manhood, and served an apprenticeship at the trade of blacksmith, which he followed four years. He then entered the French army as a member of the 87th Infantry, in which he served two years, going with it into Africa, and fighting two battles, the first near _11- giers, close to the desert of Sahara. The second
was sixty miles north of the desert, and the French army was victorious in both instances. It is doubt- ful if ever in the history of that army there was greater bravery displayed in the conduct of its offi- cers and men. They endured much suffering upon the burning sands of an alien soil, but they were inspired by lofty ambition, and thus accomplished their purpose. Young Brucker bravely endured the vicissitudes of war with his comrades, and was ever to be found at his post. Later, for four years he served on garrison duty in France. Finally he received his honorable discharge, and returning home to his native Province, followed his trade there one year.
In 1866 Mr. Brucker set out for America. board- ing a sailing-vessel at Havre, which, after a voyage of two weeks, landed him safely in New York City. Thence he proceeded to Lee County, Ill., of which he was a resident three years. In 1869 he came to this county, and here he has since made his home. lle was married in Gage County, Neb., March 4, 1871. to Miss Emma, daughter of Lud- wig and Minnie (Heiss) Zimmerman, who were natives of Prussia. The father of Mrs. Brucker departed this life April 3. 1889, in Gage County, Neb. The mother is still living. being now seventy- five years of age, and makes her home in Nebraska. The parental family included five children, of whom Mrs. Brucker was the fourth in order of birth. She was a native of the same Province in Prussia as her parents, and born June 6, 1851.
To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born eight children, viz .: William C .. Mary L., Albert J., Emma A., Augusta, Minnie C., Fred- erick H., and Ludwig O. Mr. and Mrs. Brucker were carefully reared in the doctrines of the Luth- eran Church, to which they still loyally adhere. The real estate possessions of Mr. Brucker com- prise 240 acres of prime land. all of which has been brought to a good state of cultivation. He has two houses with their adjacent buildings, and makes a specialty of stock-raising, keeping usually about twenty head of cattle, a number of horses, and sixty head of swine. After becoming a voting citizen, Mr. Brucker identified himself with the Republican party, but later wheeled over into the ranks of the Democracy. lle is a wide-awake and
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enterprising citizen, and takes an especial interest in the education of his children. "Little Fred Brucker," as he is familiarly known, is a universal favorite, ever ready to oblige a friend, and very slow in making enemies. Progressive and intelli- gent, he has become thoroughly identified with the institutions of his adopted country, and stands sec- ond to none among those who have been foremost in developing the resources of this part of the county.
ILLIAM BELL. One of the most beauti- ful farms in Guittard Township belongs to the subject of this notice. It is finely lo- cated on section 34, and embraces 320 acres of land, which, at the time Mr. Bell settled npon it, nine years ago, was only partially improved. It has now been brought to a fine state of cultivation, and embellished with good buildings, which, to- gether with the live stock, machinery and modern appurtenances, presents one of the finest estates in this region. The proprietor is one of the most substantial citizens of this part of the county, a man who is looked up to in his community, and who has been largely instrumental in forwarding the various enterprises set on foot for the general good of the people. Industrious, economical and thrifty, he presents an example worthy of emulation.
Mr. Bell was born in Madison County, Ohio, March 5, 1828, and there spent the early years of his life until reaching man's estate. He was mar- ried Sept. 11, 1855, to Miss Margaret Amos, a na- tive of his own county, and carried on farming in the Buckeye State until the spring of 1880. He then decided upon a change of location, and com- ing to this county, purchased the farm which he now owns and oecupies, in the fall of the year, tak- ing possession in March, 1881. While a resident of his native county, he was for the long period of twenty years, Clerk of Oak Run Township, and before leaving, in 1880, was the appraiser of the land subjected to revaluation for taxation. He east his first Presidential vote for Winfield Scott, and is a stanchi supporter of Democratic principles.
To our subjeet and his excellent wife there were born seven children, only five of whom are living : Martha J., the eldest, is the wife of H. Jones, of Beattie; Joseph W., Lizzie A., Frank J. and Benja- min M. are at home with their parents. Mrs. Margaret (Amos) Bell was born Sept. 21,1829,and is the daugh- ter of Robert C. and Elizabetli (Wilson) Amos, who were natives of Maryland, and who after their mar- riage removed, about 1822, to Madison County, Ohio, where their daughter, Margaret, was born. To Mr. and Mrs. Amos there were born eight chil- dren, only two of whom lived to mature years, these being both daughters. Elizabeth married Joseph Bell, a brother of our subject, who contin- ues a resident of Madison County, Ohio. Mrs. Elizabeth Amos died when comparatively a young woman. in September, 1842. Mr. Amos survived his first wife eighteen years, his death taking place in 1860.
James D. Bell, the father of our subject, was a native of Virginia and born in 1802. When a lad of six years his parents removed to Ross Connty, Ohio, where he developed into manhood, and mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Dewey, of Carlisle, Cumber- land Co., Pa. After their marriage, they settled upon a farm in Madison County, Ohio, and reared a family of seven children. Both died in 1843, the father Jan. 1. and the mother March 27. They were excellent people, and members in good stand- ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
E DWARD CAIN, one of the most extensive farmers of Guittard Township, owns and operates 440 acres on seetion 17. Through his careful cultivation of the soil, and his excellent management, this farm has obtained the reputation of being one of the most valuable and productive throughout this region. A pioneer of Marshall County, Mr. Cain came within its limits as early as 1859, in company with Mr. Fitzgerald, but did not settle here at that time, although he purchased 160 acres of land. He and Mr. Fitzgerald returned to the county in 1865. our subject then bringing with him his family, and he has since here sojourned.
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The first dwelling of our subject, after his ar- rival in the far West, was a small log house. After starting out for himself, he was employed as a deck hand and watchman on the Missouri River. from St. Joseph to Kansas City, and while thus employed, saved his earnings in order to invest in land. Most of this time he was on the "Major" and the "Emily," and he was mostly under one captain and one mate. When commencing the improvement of his land. he labored early and late to bring the soil to a state of cultivation, and in making fences, put- ting up buildings, and setting out fruit and shade trees. In the meantime he assisted in the organiza- tion of the township and school districts, and dis- charged the duties of most of the local offices of the township. The present year (1889), he har- vested about eiglity acres of corn, twenty acres of millet, and eighteen acres of oats. He was one of the six or eight persons instrumental in the organ- ization of the Catholic Church, at Beattie, mention of which is made in the sketch of Father Schmick- ler, which will be found elsewhere in this volume. He assisted by his money and labor, in the erection of the church edifice, and has been one of its most efficient members. IIe and Mr. Fitzgerald trans- ported nearly all of the material required, from the depot to the building site, and he has naturally taken a warm interest in the prosperity and ad- vancement of the society.
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