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 16
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The 18th of October. 1855. marked a memora- ble epoeh in the life of our subject, namely. his marriage with Miss Martha Ann, a daughter of .James and Delinda (Boone) Craig. Mr. Craig was born in Ohio, while his wife was a native of Mis- souri. and the daughter of Col. Nathan Boone, who was the youngest son of Daniel Boone. the pioneer and Indian fighter of Kentucky. Col. Boone was stationed at Ft. Leavenworth while attached to the regular army. He owned a farm near Ash Grove, Mo., where he died in 1857, while home on a furlough. James Craig was a mill operator and the owner of mill property at Hanover, Jo Daviess Co., Ill .; both he and his wife are deceased. He was captain of a company of volunteers in the Black Ilawk War. Of the thirteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Craik eleven are living and named respectively, David J., Luella E .. Emma A .. Orpha I., Josephi W., Lionel L. G .. Grace A., Charles W .. Frank A., Florence O. and Jesse A. Albert B. died in 1874, and Cora H. in 1872.
The farm of Mr. Craik comprises 240 acres, all in one tract and all in a highly productive condi- tion. The residence was erected six years ago. Mr. Craik has cultivated his own land with the help of his sons, and makes a specialty of stock- raising. keeping usually eighty-seven head of cat- tle. seven head of horses and forty head of swine. He has been an active man in politics. Ile was first a Free Soiler, then a Republican, later a Green-
backer and now (1889) votes the Union Labor ticket. He is Treasurer of Balderson Township, and has officiated as Road Overseer and a member of the School Board. He is identified with the I. O. O. F., the Grange and the Alliance, in both of which he has held the various offices. In religious belief he is an Episcopalian. Mrs. Craik belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, while David and Luella are members of the Christian Church.
OIIN HUNT. The genial countenance of Mr. Hunt has been familiar to the citizens of Marysville Township for, lo. these many years. His life occupation has been mainly that of a farmer, but since 1879 he has officiated much of the time as a minister of the United Brethren Church. He takes a bright and cheerful view of life and is peculiarly adapted to his pious calling, presenting the truths of religion in the happy and attractive manner which has for the young, especially. the best results. Providence has blessed him with a contented disposition and a fair share of this world's goods, with the faculty of making the most of life under all circumstances and being able to extract therefrom a large amount of enjoyment. He is one of those men seeking to do good at every opportunity, never turning any needy from his door, and has thus made a good record for himself among his fellow-men.
Mr. Hunt was born in Lincolnshire, England. Nov. 19, 1831, and with the exception of two years spent in Nottinghamshire lived there contin- uously until 1853. Then a young man of twenty- two years, he. determined upon emigrating to America, and after a six weeks' voyage landed safely in New Orleans. Thence he proceeded to New Albany, Ind., where he was variously en- gaged and where he remained about three years. We next find him established on a farm in Morgan County, Ill., where he operated upon rented land until 1866. That year he changed his residence to Clark County, Wis., and for four years thereafter was employed in the lumber regions. Finally, in October, 1870, he crossed the Mississippi and com-
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ing to this county resumed farming on rented land for six years. Hle then purchased 160 acres on section 6 in Marysville Township. where he put up a residence and has since remained. He was pros- pered in his farming operations and has always managed to make a comfortable living for himself and his little family.
In Lincolnshire, England, our subject was mar- ried to Miss Charlotte Cox, who was born there not far from the early home of her husband. She bore him two children, Sarah and George, and ac- companied her family to America, but died on the Ohio River ten days after landing at New Orleans. The bereaved husband took the remains to Evans- ville, Ind., where they were consigned to their final rest. Mr. ITunt was destined to a still further affliction in the death of his two children, who were taken away three days after the deccase of the mother and were laid by her side in the cemetery at Evansville.
Mr. Hunt contracted a second marriage at Jack- sonville, Ill., with Miss Sylvia Miller, who was born in Morgan County, Ill., and was of German parentage. She became the mother of eight chil- dren and departed this life at the homestead in Marysville Township, this county, May 7. 1875. Their eldest daughter. Mary L., is the wife of Mathias Stuffell; John W. married Miss Lavina Gough ; Emma is the wife of Allen ITall; Sarah A., Charlotte, Samuel. Jacob and Sylvia, remain at home with their father. Mr. Ilunt. politically, is a straightforward Republican, a man of decided views and one who upholds his principles with all the natural strength of his character. It is safe to say that he has no enemies, as he has the happy faculty of making everyone his friend. and the still rarer one of treating courteously the stranger who comes to his door and perhaps has a favor to ask of him.
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F6 INLEY McDONALD. Among the many nationalities represented in America, the Scotch have ever taken the foremost rank for their many virtues. Clannish they may be in their devotion to those of their own race and kin-
dred, yet they are ever kindly in their intercourse with all with whom they meet, proving excellent neighbors; of strict integrity and with their sterner traits of character adorned by the domestic virtues. as the rough surface of their native land is by the blossoms of the gorse. A worthy repre- sentative of this land and people is the gentleman whose name heads our sketch and who has been a resident of this county for the past quarter of a century.
He was born in Rosshire, Scotland, Jan. 12, 1811. His parents were Jolin and Ann ( Mckenzie ) MeDon- ald. both natives of the shire in which their son was born. The father died in Scotland at the age of eighty-four. The mother coming to America after his death, in 1857, breathed her last in Marys- ville Township, this county, in the year 1869, also at the age of eighty-four. Our subject was the oldest of a family of seven children. At the age of fourteen he engaged in fishing for a livelihood and followed that business in connection with trad- ing until the year 1854, when he came with his family, which included a wife and six children, to Montreal, Canada. They crossed the Atlantic in a sailing vessel "John Howard," which took eight- een days in the passage. They tarried in Montreal but six weeks when they came to Stark County, Ill. Here Mr. McDonald bought a farm at Elmira, at which place they lived until the spring of 1864. when he sold his farm and removed to this county. Selecting Marysville Township as his location he preempted eighty acres and homesteaded 160 acres of land, lying on sections 2 and 11, the homestead being on the latter section. Mr. McDonald has erected excellent buildings upon his land and accu- mulated property until he is now the fortunate possessor of about 800 acres of land all lying in Marysville Township. He gives his attention wholly to farming and stock-raising, having large herds of both horses and cattle.
At Inverness, Scotland, Dec. 25, 1842, Mr. McDon- ald was united in marriage to Miss Janet Ross, daughter of James and Ann ( Campbell) Ross. Mrs. McDonald was one of a family of eleven children, being the seventh in order of birth. Her parents died in Scotland both having attained only to the age of fifty-five. Mrs. McDonald's birth took
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place April 2. 1819. She is the mother of twelve children, named respectively : Annie died on Sept. 20, 1889. she was the wife of C. A. Imbert, her home was in Victoria, British Columbia; she left eight children. Her husband was a soldier in the late war and was at one time county clerk of Mar- shall County, Kan .; Belle is the wife of Alexander Campbell, now District Clerk of Marshall County; Bettie is the wife of Henry Saunders, a farmer of Marysville Township; William married Lola Parks, and is a farmer of Marysville Township; James is single and lives at home ; Mary is the wife of Al- exander Inglis. they are farming in Pawnee County, Neb .; Jolin married Elizabeth Dunant, and resides in Marysville Township; Maggie is single, and at home. Collin died in Illinois in his fifth year : Donald. Jesse and Christine are single and at home.
Like the majority of his countrymen Mr. McDon- ald takes a warm interest in the education of the young and has held the office of School Trustee for over twenty years. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. McDonald is a believer in and a supporter of the principles of the Republican party. 1Ie is one of the wealthiest and most influential citizens of the township. both he and his wife being held in high esteem as worthy descendants of two of the most prominent of the Scottish families.
P ATRICK FINNIGIN. The biographer, in his migrations, has not been permitted to meet a more whole-souled, genial and hos- pitable gentleman than Mr. Finnigin. He may be designated as one of those willing to "live and let live," and evidently extracts as much en- joyment from entertaining his friends, as they in turn experience in sojourning under his hospitable roof. He is numbered among the representative farmers of Guittard Township, where he has a fine body of land, 280 aeres in extent and pleasantly located on sections 15 and 22, the residence being on the former.
Mr. Finnigin is aceredited with being the heaviest tax payer on stock in his township. He makes a spec-
ialty of high grade Short-horn cattle and Poland- China and Chester-white swine, often keeping as many as 250 of the former and 300 of the latter, and which it is hardly necessary to say yield him hand- some products. In looking after his various interests he is absent from home most of the time. but super- intends the operations of the farm, and each year manages to add something to its beauty and value.
Our subject was born in County Antrim, Ire- land, Feb. 16, 1848, and lived there until a young man of twenty years. He in the meantime acquired a limited education in the common schools, and was taught those habits of industry and economy which have been the basis of his success in life. Upon coming to America he at once sought the Great West and located in the vicinity of St. Joseph, Mo., Thence he came to this county in 1871. He pur- chased eighty acres and confined his attention to this until about 1879. when he purchased the bal- ance of his present large farm. The improvements which we notice upon it to-day are largely the re- sult of his own industry and enterprise. He has set out forest and fruit trees, including an apple or- chard of five acres. and has availed himself of mod- ern machinery. including a windmill, and for the last few years has made a specialty of stock.
In the establishment of the Catholic Church of Beattie, Mr. Finnigin bore an important part, assist- ing in the erection of the church edifice. and the purchase of ground for a cemetery, and he has al- ways taken a warm interest in its prosperity and advancement. He was married in 1874 to Miss Mary Ann Fitzgerald, and they became the par- ents of three children, only one of whom is living, namely a daughter, Charlotte, who remains at home with her father. Mrs. Mary Ann Finnigin departed this life at the homestead in 1879.
Our subject contracted a second marriage in 1880 with Miss Catherine Loob, a native of Indi- ana, and at that time a resident of St. Bridget Township. Her father, Thomas Loob, was a native of Ireland, and upon coming to this county, en- gaged in farming, and is still living in this State. Of this marriage there have been born four children, three of whom are living, namely: Thomas Will- iam, Ilenry J. and E. Nora. The mother of these children departed this life Aug. 23, 1889. The
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RESIDENCE OF J. G. BINDER, SEC. 28. WALNUT TOWNSHIP.
RES. OF E.C.MCKELLIPS , SEC. 28. WALNUT TOWNSHIP.
RESIDENCE OF GEO. TILLMANN, SEC.25. LOGAN TOWNSHIP.
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Finnigin homestead is regarded with an admiring eye by the passing traveler and is a fine illustration of the results of energy and perseverance. The pro- prietor is amply worthy of a record in the volume designed to perpetuate the names of those who came as pioneers to this county, and to whom it is in- debted for its present position, socially, morally and financially.
OHN MOSHISKEY, proprietor of the Marysville Nursery, is a Russian gentle- man of superior education, and has been very successful in his present enterprise. Hle owns in all 360 acres of valuable land, twenty- five acres of which is devoted to the smaller fruits, and sixty acres to an orchard of 6,000 trees, em- bracing the larger fruits. He has altogether about 100,000 trees and is giving to this industry his en- tire attention. His land occupies a portion of sec- tions 10 and 11, and has been subjected to a thorough process of cultivation. Upon it he has erected good buildings, and he has the modern con- veniences and implements which enable him to ob- tain the best results from his labors. Personally he is a man held in high respect by the people of Elm Creek Township, as combining the best elc- ments of good citizenship.
Mr. Moshiskey was born in the Czar's dominions, Feb. 28, 1848, and lived there until he was about twenty-one years of age. He was given excellent educational advantages, attending for three years the Imperial Petrowski Academy at Moscow. He was an ambitious youth and believed that he could make better progress, socially and financially, on the other side of the ocean, and accordingly in the fall of 1868 set out on a Hamburg steamer for America. After a safe voyage, he landed in New York city, whence he proceeded to Chicago, and two days later to Gilman. Iroquois Co., Ill. In the latter place he entered the employ of W. H. Mann, a nurseryman, with whom he remained two years, and in the meantime made the acquaintance of an- other man in the employ of this gentleman, and
the three formed a partnership with the view of establishing a nursery in Doniphan County, Kan., about four miles from Troy. Our subject remained a member of the firm two years, then coming to this county established the Marysville Nursery, of which he became the sole owner two years later, since which time he has operated it alone. It would seem that he had chosen that to which he is fully adapted, as he has been very successful, and ob- tained an enviable reputation in this line.
In the fall of 1882 our subject was married in Elm Creek Township, to Miss Magdalena Muller, who was born in Pfalsburg, which was then a province of France, but now belongs to Germany. This union resulted in the birth of three children-Emma. Peter and Vera. The home of Mr. Moshiskey is all that could be desired in point of taste and comfort. The buildings are substantial and commo- dious, finely adapted to the general purposes of rural life. Our subject takes a warm interest in political affairs on both hemispheres, watching not only the progress of his own country towards freedom and enlightenment, but identifying himself fully with the institutions of his adopted country. He votes independently and has served as Township Treas- urer two terms, besides holding the office of School Treasurer two terms, and serving as a Director in his school district. He occupies no secondary po- sition, socially or financially, among the leading men of his township. Mrs. Moshiskey is a mem- ber of the German Lutheran Church.
ILTON C. BRAINARD, senior member of the firm of Brainard & Hedge, lumber and grain merchants, Oketo, is classed among the shrewd, progressive and enter- prising business men, who are ably sustaining the great commercial and agricultural interests of Mar- shall County. He is a native of the State of New York, born in the town of Leyden, Lewis County, Nov. 14, 1842. His parents were Lorenzo and Emeline (Grant) Brainard, who, after their mar- riage, settled in Lewis, their native county, and there lived many years. They subsequently re-
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moved to Saratoga Springs, N. Y., and amid the beautiful scenes of that famous resort the fathers's life was brought to a peaceful close, and thus passed away an honorable and upright man. The good mother still lives, making her home in Saratoga, N. Y.
Our subjeet received a substantial education in the publie schools of his native State. and was thus well prepared for any career he might choose to adopt. In the year 1869 he went to Troy, N. Y., where he was employed in a foundry for the ensuing twelve years. In 1881 for various reasons he determined to change his environments and condition. and from the rich soil of Kansas, gain not only a generous subsistence for himself and family. but also build up a handsome competence. Coming to Marshall County in that year. he turned his attention to farming, buying a farm in Marysville, which he af- terward sold, and in the following year purchased another, from whose rental he obtains a good in- come. Besides that place he owns 160 aeres of choice land in Balderson Township. Ile has been well prospered since taking up his residence in this great and growing State. and even as in his agrieul- tural ventures has met with signal success in the lumber and grain business. he having formed a partnership in October, 1888, with Mr. Morgan Hedge, and in March, 1889, removed with his fam- ily to Oketo. The firm has already established a large and flourishing trade on a solid basis, and has extensive dealings in this part of the State.
Mr. Brainard was united in marriage to Miss Mary Barringer, in Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y., and to her cheerful co-operation he is mueh indebted for the comforts and luxuries of a eozy. happy home. She is the second of a family of six chil- dren born to James and Jane ( Roberts) Barringer, natives of New York, her birth occurring in Troy, N. Y. Hler parent came to Marshall County from their native State in 1872. and located in Marys- ville, where the mother died. The father resided in that township till 1883, but is now spending his declining years with his daughter and our subjeet. Mr. and Mrs. Brainard's marriage has been blessed to them by the birth of the following four children : Emma, Clara, Della and Iennie.
The life career of our subject thus far, show-
ing him to be a man of practical ability. sound sense and good moral principles. justifies the high opinion in which he is held by all with whom he has dealings socially or in a business way. He is a man of earnest, intelligent convietions, and inter- ests himself in all that concerns the welfare of his fellow-men. As a member of the School Board at one time he did all that he could to forward the cause of education. Religiously, he and his amia- ble wife are esteemed members of the Baptist Church; politically, he is a strong Republican.
6 HORNTON H. EDMUNDSON. Notwith- standing the advantages upon which the present generation prides itself, the press, the telegraph and the railroad, so shortening and almost annihilating distanee, that the Atlantic and Pacific slopes seem but next-door neighbors, there remains in the mind of the average Eastern man much ignoranee as to life in the West. Instead of the poor buildings, the wagon tracks and eow paths, the unkempt citizens and the inactive business life, which he expected. the Eastern visitor in our West- ern States finds well-made streets, good buildings, well-dressed citizens and great business activity, and the general appearance of progress. prosperity and the best eivilization.
Prominent among those who contribute to these results in Home City, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, who carries on a flourishing trade in hardware in a store well stocked with fine goods in that line, and who is also Postmaster of the city. He was born in Allegheny County, Pa., June 25, 1850 (for history of his parents see sketeh of Cyrus Edmundson on another page in this ALBUM). IIe received a good education in the com- mon schools of his native county, remaining under the parental roof until the fall of 1870. when he came to this State with his brother-in-law, William B. Mitchell. The following spring his father came to this eounty. and our subjeet then returned to the parental roof, where he remained until his mar- riage, which took place May 7, 1876. The young couple settled in Franklin Township, where Mr. Ed-
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mundson engaged in farming, following this occu- tion until 1885, when he came to Home City, and ยท established himself in his present business. Ile owns 160 acres of land situated in Franklin and Center townships, in addition to his large stock in trade.
The wife of our subject bore the maiden name of Alpharetta Crane, and is the daughter of Roh- ert and Sarah (Deeds) Crane, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Her parents first settled iu Miami County. Ind., where their daughter Alpharetta was born, Sept. 17, 1859. Thence they removed to Iroquois County, Ill .. and from there to this county, where in 1869 they settled in Center Town- ship. There they remained until 1886. when they removed to Marysville. where they still reside. They have a family of six daughters and four sons, of whom Mrs. Edmundson was the fourth. Mr. and Mrs. Edmundson are the parents of three bright children-Harvey T., Nettie M. and Wal- ter H.
Mr. Edmundson received the appointment of Postmaster April 11, 1889, and assumed the duties of his office on May 1, succeeding J. B. Wuester, and is fulfilling his duties to the entire satisfac- tion of the patrons of the office. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace for four years, serving with ability and exhibiting excellent judgment in the settlement of cases within his jurisdiction. He is an active Republican, having been a member of the Central Committee of Franklin Township since 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Edmundson are among the most highly respected citizens of the township, be- ing persons of great intelligence, cultivated man- ners and sterling worth of character.
HARLES L. CHAFFEE. That America now proudly boasts of being one of the greatest nations of the earth, is due in a large meas- nre to the enterprise, intelligence and unremitting perseverance of those who are now passing away. That America will ever attain the lofty eminence of greatness, from whose pinnacle she can look down on other kingdoms and empires, with the su-
preme conviction that here is the greatest nation on which the sun shines, and here the happiest, most contented men and women, will depend on our youth who are now entering upon the responsi- bilities of life, which they can make dark or bright, prosperous or degraded. Did the future of our loved country rest entirely in the hands of young men, similar in thought and character to our sub- ject, but little concern might be occasioned about its prosperity. For by their own might and the power of their upright lives, such a good influence would be created that the downfall of the Repub- lic would be utterly impossible. It is a matter in which we may take just pride, that so many of the young men of the present day are of that character and disposition which will fit them to take the reins of government and wisely rule over the thousands and hundreds of thousands of men and women who people our vast country.
Charles L. Chaffee, of whom we write is a pro- gressive, energetic farmer of the modern type, aet- ive and peristent in accomplishing whatever he attempts, and already owns 320 acres of land on section 17, Franklin Township. He was also unusu- ally fortunate in the selection of a life partner, his wife having been Miss Ruth E. Elliott, daughter of James M. and Helen (Shaw) Elliott (for their history see sketch of J. M. Elliott). Mrs. Chaffee was born in Bradford County, Pa., Oct. 10, 1865, and passed her childhood and youth in the home of her birth, and learned those lessons which are so useful to the wife and mother. She was united in mar- riage with our subject in Oketo, March 11, 1886, and is the mother of one child, a daughter, named Allie V., and born Aug. 5, 1889.
Born in Bradford County, Pa., Aug. 2, 1864, Charles L. Chaffee is the son of Charles Chaffee, of Bradford County, Pa., now deceased. Among the six children in his father's family he was the youngest, and was educated in the common schools, and also had a course of training in the Marysville High School. lle came to Marshall County, Kan., in 1884, and located in Marysville Township, which was his home for about one year, thence in the spring of 1886, settling in Franklin Township, on section 17, his present farm. IIe has given his at- tention wholly to farming and stock-raising, and in
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