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 15
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Mr. Cain was born in County Meath, Ireland, in 1826, and lived there until a man of twenty-six years. l'pon coming to America, he settled first in Massachusetts, where he spent five years. then in 1857, removed to Illinois. and from there to Lea- venworth, Kan., in the spring of 1858. lle was married, Dec. 22, 1861, at Atchison, Kan., to Miss Johanna Fitzgerald, and they lived there until coming to this county. The five children born of this union, are all living. namely : Patrick. James, Mary, John, and Peter. With the exception of the eldest, who is learning telegraphy, they are all at home with their parents, and are being given the advantages of a modern education. The second son, James, is farming on his own account, having seventy-five acres of corn, and twenty-five acres of flax. Mr. Cain has distinguished himself as a suc- cessful stock-raiser, having about 100 head of cat-
tle, and fifteen head of horses, besides numbers of swine. From this industry alone he realizes a handsome income. The enforced economy of his younger ycars, though severe at the time, proved an excellent schooling, and has been of inestimable value. constraining him to live within his income, and adjust his wants in proportion to his means. This has been the secret of his success, and enabled him to lay aside something for.a rainy day.
Mrs. Cain was born in County Limerick, Ire- land, about 1832, and when coming to the United States with her parents, settled first in Baltimore. Thence they removed to Chicago, and finally to this county, where the young people formed the acquaintance which resulted in their union for life.
RED BRUCKER. Pleasantly located on section 26, Balderson Township, is a quar- ter section of land which comprises the home of our subject. His father was Philip Brucker, a French farmer, and his mother Lena Ollenbaugh, also a native of France, where they remained during their lives. They were married in 1827. The mother died on the 1st of January, 1842, the father surviving until March, 1865. They had a family of four children, of whom our subject was the youngest. His birth took place Jan. 1, 1842, in the south of France, where he grew to manhood. In 1862 he came to America, landing at New York. whence he went direct to Lee County, Ill., where he lived six years. He then in 1868 came to Kansas, settling in this county. In 1871 was celebrated his marriage to Mary Stallen- work an estimable young lady. To them have been born five children-Mathew, Minnie, Lena, Annie, and Philip, (deceased).
Mrs. Brucker is the eldest of her parents' chil- dren, five of whom are now living. She was born in Prussia in 1853, her parents Mathew and Theresa Stallenwork, emigrating to this country the follow- ing year, and in 1867 removing to Kansas. She is a consistent member of the Catholic Church.
Mr. Brucker takes an active interest in politics
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yours Truly J. M. means
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and is a strong adherent of the principles of the Republican party, never failing to cast his vote in its interest. lle is a member of the Lutheran Church and has been Secretary of that body. The 160 acres of land, which he now owns and occupies, was raw prairie, when he came here. Now, 100 acres are in a high state of cultivation and pro- ductiveness, there are five acres of orchard, and many improvements, including house, barns, and other buildings, all added by himself. He is car- rying on his agricultural work very successfully, and in addition to the production of grains, raises every year some cattle and some horses, and keeps about forty head of hogs. He is an independent, enterprising man, a good citizen, entitled to and receiving the respect and esteem of his neighbors and fellow citizens.
OHN W. MEANS. The phenomenal growth and development of Marshall County, has been solely due to the men who first established themselves within its borders, and who steadily adhered to their original purpose of making it a permanent abiding place. Avoid- ing the fate of the "rolling stone which gathers no moss," Mr. Means has proved one of the brightest examples of enterprise and perseverance within its limits. His large and well cultivated farm, embracing nearly 400 acres of valuable land, and the buildings which he has erected upon it, are sufficient indica- tion of the spirit of progress and the resolute will which have characterized his labors. Ile has one of the best residences in the township-a neat, commodious and tastefnl structure, replete with modern conveniences and furnished in good style. The outbuildings and farm machinery are what would reasonably be expected from a man of his calibre. He makes a specialty of stock-raising, chiefly Norman and Percheron horses, and in addi- tion to his other interests, handles harvest ma- chinery to quite an extent.
Our subject was the eldest son of his parents, and was born in Ray County, Mo., Dec. 6, 1835. llis father, James C. Means, was a rative of Chris-
tian County, Ky., and married Miss Elvira Mc- Williams, who was born in Illinois; when about four years old she went with her parents, who set- tled in Lexington County, Mo. After marriage the father of our subject settled in Ray County, and then removed to Buchanan County, where he died in 1851. The mother is still living and makes her home with our subject. The parental house- hold consisted of twelve children; two died in in- fancy, while six daughters and four sons grew to maturity. Of these eight are now living.
The subject of this notice was about thirteen years old when his parents took up their residence in Buchanan County, Mo., where he lived until twenty-one years of age, and was there married on the 16th of December, 1856, to Miss Lucinda F., daughter of William E. and Janira (McBride) Riley. The parents of Mrs. Means were natives of Kentucky, and were married in Boone County, Mo. Thence they removed to Callaway County, Mo., and from there in 1843 to Buchanan County, of which they remained residents for thirty years. The mother died in 1872, and Mr. Riley afterward came to this county, in 1879, settling in Elm Creek Township, where he now resides.
To the parents of Mrs. Means there were born fourteen children -seven sons and seven daugh- ters-twelve of whom lived to mature years. Lu- cinda F. was the third in order of birth, and was born in Boone County, Mo., Aug. 5, 1839. She is now the mother of eleven children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Nancy E., is the wife of Charles Bras, of Elm Creek Township; William E. married Miss Emma Hunt, of Blue Rapids Township, and they live in Marysville; James W. marrried Essie Hunt of Blue Rapids City; Nellie A., is the wife of S. J. Frazier, of Vermillion; Sarah J. is the wife of L. H. Calkins, of Marysville; Eva B. married Charles Mayor, of Elm Creek; Charles G., Benja- min F., Edgar W., Edna F., and Lucy M. remain at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Means have eighteen grandchildren.
Mr. Means was County Assessor for two years before the county was divided into townships. He has served as Township Trustee and Justice of, the Peace, and was Postmaster of Elm Creek for a per- iod of seven years. Politically, he was formerly a
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Republiean, bnt is now in sympathy with the Union Labor party. Both he and his wife are active members of the Missionary Baptist Church, in which Mr. Means has officiated as Deaeon for nearly twenty years. He is the friend of education and of progress in all its forms.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Means set- tled in Buchanan County, Mo., but in the fall of 1860 came to this county. where he secured 160 acres of land on section 35, and lived there five years. He then purchased his farm on section 26, where he has since lived. 1Je may be most prop- orly classed among the earliest pioneers of Elm Creek Township, as he put np the first house within its limits. He has been permitted to watch the growth and development of one of the richest sections of the Great West, and may properly feel that he has borne no unimportant part in bringing it to its present condition. As a representative of the worth and ability of this part of Kansas, we are pleased to present to our readers a fine portrait of Mr. Means.
R EZIN CLARK, a prominent farmer of Mar- shall County, Kan., is a son of John and Lucinda (Jennings) Clark, natives respect- ively of Ireland and Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. John Clark were married in Ohio, at the home of the bride's parents in Hancock County. and made that county their place of residence for some years. subsequently removing to Allen County, Ohio, where Mr. Clark spent the rest of his earthly pil- grimage. leaving, at its elose, his aged companion to pursue the remainder of the journey alone, yet not altogether alone, for the One whom they both so faithfully worshipped has said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." The family of this worthy conple embraced ten children of whom our subject was the fifth. He was born in Allen County, Ohio, March 24. 1852, and was reared to manhood on his father's farm, remaining under the parental roof until the spring of 1871. In that year he started ont in the world to do for himself, and after "spying out the land" somewhat, decided
to settle in Center Township. As a nueleus for fu- ture operations, he purchased eighty acres of fine land and at once set to work breaking up the tough prairie sod preparatory to the regular plowing and planting, reaping and gathering into barns, which fill up the measure of the ideal life of the tiller of the soil. As a matter of course, the first buildings erected by him were designed and constructed ae- cording to the severest principles of economy. but in due course of time these homely structures were replaced by others more in accordance with the principles of art, and also more roomy and conven- ient. Other improvements were made as rapidly as possible and our subject was enabled to increase the size of the farm year by year, until he now owns a well-tilled place of 360 acres of good land. located on seetion 25. In addition to the usual routine work of the farm, Mr. Clark has been quite success- ful as a stock-raiser. and has placed some fine animals on the market for which he has received highly remunerative priees.
Wishing to secure for his children better edu- cational advantages. and desiring a change in his own mode of life, Mr. Clark removed to Frankfort during the year 1888, and engaged in a general mereantile business. He has not, however, entirely given up the farm but operates it pretty much as usual, finding it an excellent summer residence for his family.
Mr. Clark was married Ang. 15, 1873. in Mar- shall County, Kan., to Miss Jane Ewart, a Scottish lass, whose birth occurred Aug. 24, 1855. Mrs. Clark possesses all the sterling virtues of her race, and is withal a graceful, charming woman, whose acquaintance is much sought for and whose friend- ship is highly prized. Sinee her marriage she has become the mother of seven children of whom two died in infaney. The living are: Alvin, Warren, Clara, Charles and Elsie.
Mr. Clark is a wide-awake, go-ahead, public- spirited man, right in the prime of life and bound to make a success of whatever he undertakes. Politieally, he falls into line with the Democratic party, but has no time to spare for any party work. lIe is contented to fulfill his duties as a citizen in private life. leaving to others the honors and emol- uments of publie office. Although deelining the
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responsibilities and, sometimes, embarrassments of office, he does not refuse to assist, according to his ability. in everything tending to promote the best interests of the community in which he resides. He keeps himself well informed on all subjeets of general interest, taking especial pride in the pro- gress of his native land. Mrs. Clark is a conscien- tious member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
B R ENJAMIN J. HAMMETT departed this life at his home in Elm Creek Township, May 6, 1874, leaving to his widow and family a fine, large property, embracing 960 acres of land besides property in Marysville. Mrs. Hammett since the death of her husband has managed her farming and business interests with more than ordinary ability, being a very capable and intelligent lady and possessed of business qualities in a marked degree. She has an extremely pleasant home which she maintains in a manner in- dicative of refined tastes and ample means, and she occupies a leading position in the community.
Mrs. Hammett was born in the North of Ireland, March 18, 1827, and is the daughter of Mathew and Eleanor (Monteith) Robb, whose native place was near that of their daughter. The parents there spent their childhood and youth and after marriage sojourned there a few years, the father being en- gaged as teacher in one of the high schools. Ile was a man of excellent education and a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin. The confinement of the schoolroom greatly impaired his health and lie finally engaged as private tutor in the family of an Episcopal clergyman, where his duties were less onerous and he enjoyed more leisure and exercise.
In the spring of 1831 the Robb family decided to seek their fortunes in America and after an ocean voyage of eight weeks on a sailing vessel landed in New York City. Thenee they proceeded to Franklin County, N. Y., where the father pur- chased a farm, paying therefor $1,000, but on ac- count of an imperfect title it proved a total loss. He was then obliged to return to his professional life and engaged as a teacher and book-keeper
until about 1837. Then leaving the States he went into the Dominion of Canada with his family, pur- chasing another farm. but the air of the Dominion did not restore his health which completely failed and the mother was obliged to raise the family and look after its financial affairs.
In 1853, the Robb family returning to the States, located in Ilenry County, Ill., but only lived there one year. Then going South they purchased a farm nine miles from Little Rock, Ark., where the parents spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in the fall of 1856 and the mother in June, 1862. They were the parents of a large family of children. nine of whom lived to mature years and of whom Rebecca was among thie elder members.
Mrs. Hammett was nearly five years old when her parents emigrated to America, and she went to Illinois about six months prior to the removal of the family to that State, remaining with her sister until her marriage, which took place near Chilli- cothe, in Peoria County, April 20, 1853. Her husband, Benjamin J. Hammett, was born near Bowl- ing Green, Ky., and emigrated to Illinois the year prior to the Black Hawk War, locating in Peoria County. where he engaged in mercantile pursuits at Chillicothe.
Mr. and Mrs. Hammet after their marriage resided in Chillicothe, Ill., until their removal to this State Aug. 23, 1859. They left there on the 20th of April and first went to the Rocky Mountains over- land where Mr. Hammett intended to engage in mining. Circumstances, however, prevented their remaining and they then came to this county, lo- cating in what is now Elm Creek Township on the Big Blue. By purchase and preemption Mr. Ham- mett secured six quarter sections of land and there- after gave his attention fully to agricultural pursuits.
Seven children were born to our subject and his estimable wife but the first born, a son, died in in- fancy. Paul A., Charles A., and Lyman II. are engaged in farming for themselves in Elm Creek Township. Olive B., Benjamin J. and Eleanor A., yet remain at home with their mother. Mrs. Hammett was trained in the doctrines of the Epis- copal Church, with which she united when a maiden
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of sixteen years, but on coming to Illinois joined the Presbyterian Church. The Hammett home- stead stands out prominently in the landscape of Elm Creek Township, and comprises one of its most delightful pictures. The dwelling and the main barn are solid stone structures, built in that substantial manner which would seem to insure their existence for a century. There are fruit and shade trees in abundance, live stock and farm ma- chinery and all the other appliances of the well- regulated rural home. It is the frequent resort of the best people of the county, to whom the Hlammett family is widely and favorably known as occupying no secondary position in the social circle.
RANK G. STETTNISCH. This well-known German farmer of Herkimer Township, is located on a well-regulated farm of 308 acres, occupying a part of section 29, and where be has brought the soil to a good state of cultivation. He possesses in a marked manner the characteris- tics of his nationality, thrift, industry and persever- ance, which qualities have enabled him to obtain a competence for his old age. As a citizen he is con- sidered a man of strict integrity, one who pays his honest debts, and makes a specialty of attending to his own concerns.
The opening years in the life of our subject, were spent in the town of Sonnanburg, Province of Brandenburg, Germany, where he was born Dec. 4, 1855. His parents were Charles and Caroline (Kruschel) Stettnisch, whose ancestors had been na- tives of Germany for centuries, and whose grand- parents died there at about the age of ninety years. In the summer of 1867, August, the oldest brother of our subject, emigrated to America, and located in this county. In 1868, he was joined by the par- ents and the remaining seven children. The mother died in November, 1869. The father is still liv- ing, making his home near Marysville. Both were members of the Lutheran Church, in Germany.
The subject of this sketch was reared to man's estate in this county, and in Nov. 22, 1879, was married to Miss Mary, daughter of Ernest and
Elizabeth (Fink) Heitfeld. The parents of Mrs. Stettnisch were also natives of Germany, and born in the Province of Hanover. They likewise became identified with the Lutheran Church in early life. They came into this county in 1868, and are still living in Herkimer Township. Mr. and Mrs. Stett- nisch are the parents of six children, viz: Henry, Lena, Frank. Amelia, Sophia, and Charles. One son, Ernest, died when quite young. True to the teachings of their early years, Mr. and Mrs. Stett- nisch are also members of the Lutheran Church.
At the time of the purchase of the present farm by our subject, the only building upon it was a small frame house. He has erected a good stable, corn-cribs, wagon-sheds, and other needed struc- tures, and has the land all fenced and brought to a productive condition. His apple orchard comprises about fifty trees. Upon becoming a voting citizen, Mr. Stettnisch identified himself with the Repub- lican party, but lately votes the Democratic ticket. He has very little to do with public affairs, and pursucs the even tenor of his way as a law-abiding citizen, keeping out of the courts, and maintaining the good will of those around him.
B D ENJAMIN W. SMITH. There is probably no more popular man in his community than Mr. Smith, who is numbered among the leading land owners of Richland Town- ship. He is peculiarly genial and hospitable in his make-up, while his striet integrity and upright character, have gained for him the good will of all who know him. . He is a life-long farmer. and op- ates 240 acres of finely improved land on the north- east quarter of section 17. The whole has been brought under good cultivation, is fenced and cross-fenced, and embellished with neat and sub- stantial modern buildings. Mr. Smith has by his own exertions acquired a good fund of practical knowledge, and is a man with whom an hour may always be spent pleasantly and profitably.
Our subject was born in Clinton, Summit Co., Ohio, Sept. 22, 1839, and is the son of Freeman O. Smith, who was likewise a native of the Buckeye
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State, and born about the middle of January, 1814. The mother of Benjamin W. was, in her girlhood, Miss Mary Wholf, a native of Shippensburg, Pa., and who went with her parents to Ohio, when a maiden of fifteen years. She was born in 1814, and died in 1877. After marriage the parents of our sub- ject settled in Summit County, Ohio, and the father was employed on a canal boat, and finally became captain and owner of a boat, making his head- quarters in Clinton. About 1845, onr subject, leaving his native State, removed with his parents to what is now Lot's Grove, in . Worth County, Mo., and there spent his boyhood days on a farm. Ile acquired a practical education, mostly by his own exertions, and later in the town of Allen learned wagon-making, at which he worked for a number of years. Finally his parents removed to Gentry County, Mo., in 1876, and there the mother died. The father is still living there. He was the first man to put up a house in Lot's Grove, this being erected in 1845, before the land had been surveyed, and while the country was overrun with Indians.
Amid these wild scenes our subject developed into a strong and vigorous manhood, and when ready to establish a home of his own he was united in marriage with Miss Celia J. Gibson. The young people had their first home at Allendale, where our subject worked as a wagon-maker and a carpenter, and also operated a sawmill for some years. About 1865 he removed to Blanchard, Page Co., Iowa, which remained his home until 1883. In the mean- time he turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits, making a specialty of live stock, raising cattle and swine, and shipping to Chieago. In March, 1883, he came to this county and purchased a tract of raw prairie, from which he constructed his present homestead. He set out fruit and forest trees and shrubbery, which have grown and flour- ished, his orchards supplying the family with lus- cious fruits. and his forest trees making a pleasant shade in summer, and serving as a protection from the blasts of winter. He has a windmill, and the other machinery required for the successful prose- cution of farming, and keeps himself posted in re- gard to the modern methods of cultivating the soil to the best advantage. He has declined the
responsibilities of office with the exception of one term, when, much against his will. he . was pressed into service as Township Treasurer. He finds his religious home in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Mission Creek, and operates as Steward and Superintendent of the Sunday-school.
To Mr. and Mrs. Smith there have been born nine children, seven of whom are living: James F. married Miss Fannie Glick, and is located on a farm three miles west of his father; George S. is a resident of Balderson Township; Walter L. remains with his parents; Dora R. is the wife of Perry Graham, a farmer of Richland Township; Arthur D., Wesley T., and Uberto M., continue to reside under the parental roof. All the children of Mr. Smith are well educated. George S. completed his studies in College Springs, Iowa. He has been for some time engaged in farming. The family occu- pies a high social position in their community, and their home is the resort of its best people.
AVID CRAIK. The well-cultivated farm belonging to Mr. Craik, indicates in a for- cible manner his character for enterprise, prudence and industry. He has never been afraid to put his hand to the plow and in the accumulation of his possessions has labored early and late, but if choosing so to do might now justi- fiably retire from active labor. Ilis carefully cul- tivated fields make a beautiful picture in the landscape, while he has a neat and substantial dwelling and all the other comforts of modern rural life. His property embraces 160 acres pleas- antly located on section 30. and eighty acres on section 19.
A native of Staffordshire, England, the subject of this sketch was born March 5, 1825, and is the son of David and Elizabeth (Piggott) Craik, who were natives of the same shire as their son. llis parents were reared, married and spent their entire lives near the place of their birth. The mother died when a young woman, in 1832. The father lived to be ripe in years, passing away in 1875. Of the seven children born to them, four
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are now living, and David was the fourth in order of birth. The boyhood and youth of Mr. Craik were spent in the Old Country, he in the meantime receiving a fair education and acquiring those habits of industry and frugality which have greatly aided him in achieving success. When a young man of twenty- four years he resolved to seek his for- tune on another continent, and accordingly crossed the Atlantic, landing safely in New York City; thence he proceeded at once to De Kalb County, Ill .. where he scjourned one year. then removed to Jo Daviess County. of which he was a resident five years. His next removal was to Ogle County. where he lived until 1870. That year he came to Kansas, locating in Washington County, whence he removed, in 1871, to his present farm where he has since lived.
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