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 17
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political matters is in sympathy with the principles adopted by the Union Labor party. Although young in years, Mr. and Mrs. Chaffee are well- known and higlily esteemed by a large circle of acquaintances, and have before them every pros- pect for a happy, useful and prosperous life.
ON. WELLINGTON DOTY. It is said that some men achieve greatness and others have greatness thrust upon them. Some are born to till the soil, while others seem better fitted to control the minds of their fel- lows. The name with which we introduce this sketch is widely and favorably known to the peo- ple of this county, especially those of Balderson Township, within whose precincts he has sojourned for the last three years, and in addition to culti- vating one of its best farms has made a specialty of politics, keeping himself thoroughly informed with regard to the events of the day and age. The labor question has been a prominent one, and he has distinguished himself as in sympathy with the "hewers of wood and drawers of water." Nature has given him more than ordinary intelligence and a mind to comprehend those things pertaining to the moral and intellectual needs of mankind.
The subject of this biography was born, in Carroll County, Ill., Dec. 5, 1848, and is thus in the prime of life. His father, Timothy Doty, was born in the Dominion of Canada, whence he emi- grated, a young man, to Illinois, and was married there to Miss Jeanette Craig, a native of Charles County, Mo. They settled in Carroll County, Ill., where they still live. Nine of the eleven children born to them are still living and making their homes mostly in this country.
Young Doty attained to manhood in his native township. becoming familiar with farming pursuits. After leaving the district school he studied two years in Mt. Carroll Seminary, and also at Fulton. In 1866 when a young man of twenty years he started to see something of the world, and in due time found himself in New Orleans, La. He was absent from home two years, then returned. and in
the spring of 1872 made his way into Northern Kansas, reaching this county on the 19th of May. He occupied himself at brick making until purchas- . ing from the Government a tract of land in the Otoe Indian Reservation, and two years later he moved upon it.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Sarah, daughter of Mark and Julia (Johnson ) Kelly was celebrated at the bride's home in Oketo Township, Ang. 25. 1874. The parents of Mrs. Doty removed from New York City to Ogle County, Ill., and from there, in 1871, to this county, where the father died in 1887. His widow is still living and a resident of Oketo Township, this county. Mrs. Doty was next to the youngest in a family of eleven children, and was born in Ogle County, Ill., Sept. 13, 1858. She is now the mother of four children-Bertha May, Ivy Hattie. Pearl and Ter- rance J. Mr. Doty has for many years taken an active part in politics and is one of the leading lights therein, along the northern line of this county. He was elected to the State Legislature in the fall of 1888, by a fusion of the Democratic and Union Labor parties, and in due time seenred the passage of a bill in the House. reducing the salaries of the county officers. He is Treasurer of the School Board of his district, and has officiated as Road Overseer and Constable. Socially, he be- longs to the Oketo Lodge 8474 K. of L., in which he bas held all the offices. He has eighty acres of land in a productive condition, and all the stock which the farm will sustain, together with the ma- chinery required. He is accredited as a man hon- est and sincere in his convictions, and one not easily diverted from the course of duty.
ELS P. CHRISTIANSON. The develop- ment of this county has been largely the work of those of foreign birthi, and none have been more hard-working, active and thrifty than the Danes. Not only has the county been benefited by their industry but their own worldly prosperity has been advanced more rapidly than could have been the case in their native land. Con-
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spicuous among this class is the gentleman whose name heads our sketch, and who now occupies a fruitful and attractive farm on section 18, Logan Township. He was born in Denmark, Sept. 25. 1844, being reared upon a farm and educated in the country schools of his native land. In 1866 he came to the United States, occupying three months in the voyage and landing at New York. Thence he went to St. Joseph, Mo., where lie en- gaged in farming for four years. From there he removed to this county, homesteading 160 acres on the southwest quarter of section 18, upon which he built a small frame house. He afterward bought the southeast quarter of the same section, thus making a fine farm of 320 acres. The land is all under cultivation or in pasture; both quarters are enclosed by fine hedge fences, and on cach is an excellent orchard. Mr. Christianson is now build- ing a large, well-arranged and pleasant dwelling. When he landed in St. Joseph. Mo., he was bur- dened by debts, but by strict attention to his call- ing, persevering industry and good management, he has attained to success and prosperity, being relieved from debt and the possessor of one of the best farms in the vicinity, from which he can se- cure a competence, and upon which he can live at ease in his declining years.
Our subject was married to Caroline, daughter of Andres Peterson, a native of Denmark, in which country her parents died. Her brothers, Peter and Andrew, are engaged in business in Oketo Township, where they own and operate a flourmill; her sister Mary has just come from Denmark to make her home in America. To Mr. and Mrs. Christianson have been born three children- Christian, Cary M. and James P., all living.
The father of our subject was Christian Nelson, the change in name from Nelson to Christianson being made at baptism in accordance with the Danish custom, which uses the father's given name with the affix "son" as surname to his male off- spring. The father died in Denmark and the mother of our subject is now living in Brown County, Kan.
Mr. and Mis. Christianson are members of the Lutheran Church, in which they were reared, and of which their ancestors, so far as known, were members. Mr. Christianson is now secretary of his
church, in which he has held other offices for years. Ile is a worthy citizen of his adopted county, and enjoys the hearty esteem of his neighbors and fel- low-citizens. In politics he is a stanch Republican.
OHN SANDERSON, a general farmer and stock-raiser, located on section 29, Center Township, has for many years been identi- fied with the foremost interests of Marshall County, and besides accumulating a handsome property of his own, has not forgotten to cultivate tliose social qualities which make a man popular among his fellow-citizens. Earnestly endeavoring to forward any movement which tends to elevate society, public-spirited, generous, and charitable, he has the esteem and confidence of the entire com- munity. l'pon his estate he has erected a comfort- able home, wherein the visitor receives a hospitable welcome, and can pass hours in social intercourse with this pleasant family. Mrs. Sanderson nobly assists her husband in every effort he makes to ad- vance his interests, and is by no means to be over- looked in studying the elements which contributed to his success.
Upon his arrival in Marshall County, in the spring of 1873, Mr. Sanderson purchased 160 acres on section 29, which he has improved and cultiva- ted each succeeding year, and has at last brought it within the ranks of the ideal farms. While mainly devoted to his farm, he has become a promi- nent factor in church and political work, in the former affiliating with the Baptist denomination, and in the latter supporting the principles of the Republican party.
A son of John and Martha (Finley) Sanderson, the former born in Berwick, England. and the lat- ter in Dublin, Ireland, our subject combines many traits of his Irish and English ancestry. For a few years succeeding the marriage of the parents of our subject, they continued to reside in the Old World, hut afterward emigrated to the British possessions across the ocean, and made their home near Peter- borough, Canada, where the father engaged in farm- ing. They were both young at that time. He
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passed to rest about 1883, but his widow, the mother of our subject, yet survives, making her home in Toronto, Ontario. They had a family of seven children, of whom four were sons and three daughters, our subject being the eldest born. Peter- borough, Canada, was his birth-place, and the date thereof June 26, 1849. Sharing in the joys and sorrows common to childhood in any land, he at- tended sehool during the winter season, while the summer was spent in farm labor. Being the oldest son of a large family, he early learned to assume the responsibility of many tasks seemingly beyond his ability and strength.
Upon attaining the age of twenty-three years, he left the parental home, embarking upon the great sea of life alone. For a few months after settling in Kansas, he "paddled his own canoe" with suc- cess, but becoming weary of the solitary voyage, chose as a companion, Miss Hannah Parker, with whom he was united in marriage, Dec. 9, 1871. in Center Township. Mrs. Sanderson was born near Peterborough, Ontario, Dec. 28, 1847, and was the daughter of Martin and Hannah (Agatt) Parker, natives of England. These worthy people had ten children born to them, six daughters and four sons. They passed the greater part of their lives in Can- ada, and there died.
The three children of our subject and his wife- Martin Wilber, Alfred H., and Minnie Pearl, are the objects of the most devoted love on the part of their parents. They are giving them every oppor- tunity to become well educated, and are preparing them for future prominence, among the other resi- dents of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Sander- son are highly esteemed, and are welcome guests in the most exclusive homes of the county.
MOS W. KIRKWOOD. Before entering upon the life of our subject, a few words in regard to his parents will not be amiss. Ilis father, Thomas Kirkwood, was a na- tive of Pennsylvania. His mother, in her girlhood Miss Jane McCormick, was a native of Ohio. Their first home after marriage, was in Fayette County.
Ind. Thence they removed to Grant County, the same State, and then to Delaware County, also in In- diana, where the father died in 1850. The mother still survives him at an advanced age. The pa- rental family consisted of fourteen children, eleven of whom are at present living. our subject being the seventh of this number.
The subject of this sketch was born in Grant County, Ind., May 15, 1838, and was about thir- teen years of age when his parents removed to Delaware County. In this county he grew to man- hood, receiving a good common-school education. He was reared on the farm, and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits, except during the Civil War. Animated by the spirit of patriotism that thrilled the hearts of so many of Indiana's sons, he entered the ranks of his country's defend- ers. Aug. 9, 1862, being enrolled in Company B, 84th Indiana Infantry, and serving with distinction until the close of the war. He was a member of the 4th Army Corps, and made one of the conquer- ing band in the Atlanta campaign, and the mnemor- able march to the sea. He was engaged in the battles of Franklin, Nashville, Resaca, and many others. At the close of the war he returned to Delaware County. Ind., and engaged in that em- ployment, which became his life work. After a two years' residence, he went to Iroquois County, 111., where he was married, Sept. 5. 1869, to Miss Mary Slaughter, daughter of William L. and Isa- belle (McLean) Slaughter, who were natives of Ireland. Mrs. Kirkwood was born in Jefferson County, Ind., Sept. 13, 1846. The newly married couple made their home for a time in Iroquois County, Ill., when he sold out and removed to this county in 1884, locating on section 25, Marysville Township, where he owns 160 acres of fertile land. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkwood are the parents of six liv- ing children, and have two deceased. The living are: Charles N., Loura J., William M., Robert L., Millie I., and Selina 11.
Mr. Kirkwood was Highway Commissioner of Prairie Green Township, Iroquois Co., Ill., for nine years, Trustee of the Township Board for seven years, and a school official. He is a member of Marysville Lodge No. 91, A. F. & A. M. Marysville Chapter No. 29, and was formerly a
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member of Mt. Olivet Commandery No. 38, K. T. Politically, his influence is east with the Repub- liean party, of whose principles he is an earnest advocate. He takes a deep interest in all matters pertaining to educational work, in this regard be- ing a worthy son of his native and adopted States, both of which hold such high rank in school work. He is a man of a genial nature, and a reliable and enterprising citizen.
C YRUS EDMUNDSON. In all the vast army of agriculturalists who occupy millions of acres in our broad land, there are few who have not at some period of their lives, been en- gaged in other pursuits. It is seldom we meet one, who like our subject, has spent his years from boy- hood nearly to the age of threescore years and ten in the occupation of farming.
ITis father, Isaac Edmundson, was a native of New York, and his mother, in her maidenhood, was Miss Rebecca Sinclair, a native of Pennsylvania. The parents settled in Allegheny County, Pa., and were residents there until their death. They had five children. two sons and three daughters, our subject being the third child. He was born in Elizabeth Township, Allegheny Co., Pa., July 17, 1823, and he grew to manhood upon his father's farm. He remained upon the homestead until the spring of 1860, when he removed to Fayette County, Pa., where he bought a farm, upon which he continued to reside until the spring of 1871. He then sold his Pennsylvania home and came to this county, settling on section 34, Franklin Town- ship. Here he owns a thoroughly cultivated farm of 150 acres, upon which he has made excellent improvements
In his native county of Pennsylvania he became acquainted with Miss Lavina Burkhart, a very estimable young lady, to whom he was married, May 18, 1847, and who has borne him nine chil- dren. Of this family, Wilber and Ella died in in- fancy. The survivors are Eveline, Thornton II., Julia, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Virginia and IIomer B.
Mrs. Edmundson was the second in a family of i
four sons and five daughters. She was born in Butler County, Pa., March 5, 1831, and was the daughter of Mathias and Julia Ann (Sansom) Burkhart. He father was a native of the county in which his daughter Lavina was born, and her mother of Armstrong County, the same State. Iler parents made their last settlement in Allegheny County, Pa., where the father died in 1862; the mother is still living.
Mr. Edmundson has always taken a warm inter- est in educational matters, and has served upon the School Board, managing the affairs with excellent judgment. Ile is a stanch Republican, taking an active part in the ranks of the party which he honors by his adherence. Both he and his wife are honored members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been a Class-Leader for many years. He is a man in high standing in the community, of marked intelligence and uprightness of character.
HOMAS CUNNINGHAM. One of the most attractive homes in Logan Township, is that owned and occupied by the above-named gentleman. The house is a large, substantial frame structure, in the midst of a grove of large shade trees, having an excellent driveway outlined hy trees connecting it with the road. Near by is an orchard of 160 apple and forty peach trees, together with pear, cherry and crab trees, while a good vineyard and a collection of small fruits add beauty to the scene and contribute of their abundance to the family wants. Barns, eorn-cribs, hog-pens, and all necessary farm buildings are conveniently lo- cated upon the premises, and thoroughly cultivated fields are separated by good fencing.
The subject of our sketch is a native of County Louth, Ireland, where he lived until nine years old when his parents, Hugh and Margaret ( McGowen) Cunningham, went to Durham. England, where they remained five years, whence they removed to Man- chester, where the father eventually died. Our sub- ject learned the trade of cotton spinning, which he followed for a few years. Ile then enlisted in the
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British army, serving two years and nine months in the ranks. At the conclusion of his service in 1852 he came to the United States, engaging in wool spinning in Windsor, Conn. Ilere in May, 1854, he was married to Mary, daughter of William and Catherine (Dugan) Nagle. In 1856 he re- moved to Sycamore, DeKalb Co., Ill., where for four years he worked as fireman on the Galena di- vision of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, being then promoted to engineer. ,He then went to Chicago and ran a stationary engine three years. Thence in October, 1869, he removed to Kansas, where he homesteaded a farm of 160 acres on sec- tion 21, Logan Townsbip, where he now lives, bav- ing 130 acres under the plow. He had but one horse when he came here and no means with which to improve the wild land which he had taken. He was obliged to leave his family in a sod house and hunt work to provide for their wants and make a start in life. He worked at whatever he could get to do until be could accumulate sufficient means to begin improvements upon his place. He engaged in railroading, and helped to grade the St. Joseph and Western Railroad, from Hiawatha to Hast- ings, Kan, By hard work and good management he has been raised above the hardships of his early years in the West, to a position of comparative ease and substantial prosperity, with the prospect of being able to spend his declining years in rest and quiet.
The parents of our subject and his ancestors, as far as known, were natives of County Louth, Ire- land, and members of the Catholic Church, to which he and his family also belong. His mother makes her home with him, having now attained to her ninetieth year. A brother, Mike, is now living in Washington. Ile served eleven years in the British army, and after coming to America spent four years and three months in the service of his adopted country, being a member of the 52d Illi- nois Infantry during the late Civil War. A brother, Barney, was also enrolled among the defenders of the Union, and received a wound at Ft. Donelson, dying in St. Louis from it. The parents of Mrs. Cunningham, and her ancestors, were natives of County Tipperary, Ireland, the town of Golden. They also were communicants of the Catholic
Church. To Mr and Mrs. Cunningham have been born thirteen children : William JJohn and Mary have been taken from them by death ; the survivors are: Kate, now Mrs. Stephen Fay ; William, Hugh, Mar- garet ; Ellen, now Mrs. John Cox ; Barney, Thomas, James, Alice and Mary.
The citizens of the township have shown their confidence in the ability of our subject by giving him the position of School Director for two years, and of Road Overseer for six years, and in both capacities he has served them well. He is a man of energetic habits and great determination, as his life well shows, and has just cause to be proud of his business success. He is possessed of a quick intel- ligence, a fair share of the wit for which his coun- trymen are so justly noted, cordial manners and fine moral principles.
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ARSHIALL GRIFFEE. The parents of our subject were Thomas and Rachael ( Adkin- son) Griffee, natives of Virginia and early settlers in Kentucky. In 1835 they re- moved to Warren County, Ill., where they spent their last days. Our subject was born in Breckin- ridge County, Ky., May 2, 1827. He was first married, in 1850, to Miss Jane Claycomb, a native of Kentucky. who bore him nine children, six sons and three daughters. She was a consistent mem- ber of the Christian Church. She died July 7, 1869, and our subject, sometime later, married Miss Martha Pedigo, a native of Kentucky. Mrs. Martha Griffec is the mother of seven children, four sons and three daughters. Of the entire family fourteen still survive. In January, 1874, Mr. Griffee removed to Iowa County, lowa, where be resided for four years. He then removed to this county and bought a fine farm, where he now lives. It consists of 280 aeres on section 24, Walnut Township. When Mr. Griffee took possession of the place the improve- ments were very poor; now it is in a high state of cultivation, with adequate and substantial farm buildings, with three good residences occupied and owned by himself and two sons, and all now well im- proved to the extent of 600 acres. With the excep-
Yours July & Hutchmine
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tion of a short time during his residence in Illinois. when he bought and shipped stock, our subject has made farming his exclusive business, having been reared to that employment.
Our subject entered the Christian Church at the age of sixteen years, and he has held the offices of Deacon and Elder for many years. His wife is a member of the same body. During their residence in Iowa, the family were connected with the Free- Will Baptist Church. While a resident of Illinois our subject held the office of Road Commissioner, and since coming to this county has held the offices of Justice of the Peace and Township Trustee. He and all his sons are ardent adherents of the princi- ples of the Republican party. Mr. Griffee is a man of financial ability, fine character and courteous manners, and thoroughly worthy of the esteem in which he is held by his fellow-citizens.
UDGE EDWARD HUTCHINSON is a gen- tleman of distinguished ability, whose past is full of honor and whose future is rich with promise. So closely is his history interwoven with that of Marshall County, that it would be im- possible to write a concise account of the growth and development of the latter, without prominent mention of the former.
Judge Hutchinson was born Jan. 23, 1847, in Pomfret, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and was the young- est child of Calvin and Sophia (Perry) Hutch- inson. A full sketch of his ancestors is given in the biography of his elder brother, the Hon. Perry Hutchinson. Our subject received his academic education at the Fredonia Academy, near his home. while his collegiate education was obtained at Adrian College, Michigan, where he was gradu- ated in 1870. When a student there he also at- tended law lectures at the Michigan University in Ann Arbor. After his graduation he came to Marysville, Kan .. in July, 1870, where his brother Perry was then living. In October of that year, at the first term of court held after his arrival in this State, he was admitted to the bar. llis home has ever since been in Marysville. where he has
been actively engaged in the practice of his pro- fession, with the exception of the term which he served on the Bench of the State. At the general election held in 1884, Mr. Hutchinson was elected Judge of the District Court for the Twelfth Judi- cial District; and served a full term of four years, retiring with the good-will and esteem of his fel- low-judges and the members of the Bar with whom he had been brought in contact, and with the deserved reputation of an upright and able jurist.
Before his elevation to the Bench, Mr. Hutchin - son had held minor positions of trust and responsi- bility. He had been Justice of the Peace, City Attorney and County Attorney. and had dis- charged the duties intrusted to him with a fidelity and ability which won the good-will of his fellow- citizens. Since his retirement from the Judiciary, Judge Hutchinson has resumed the practice of his profession in Marysville.
May 25, 1871, at Xenia, Ohio, Judge Hutchin- son was united in marriage with Miss Priscilla F. Watts, who was born in Richmond, Ind., Feb. 26, 1847, and who is the daughter of Dr. J. S. and Margaret Watts, the former a prominent physi- cian of that city. During the war Dr. Watts was surgeon of the 4th Michigan Infantry. He was one of the original abolitionists, and was the only man in his county who voted for James G. Birney for President. His house was one of the stations of the celebrated " underground railroad," and he assisted many a poor hunted slave to escape to Canada. He died in the beginning of the year 1889, at the age of sixty-seven years. His de- mise occurred in Richmond, Ind., where he had practiced medicine in his youth and where he was located in 1849, when it was decimated by the cholera. Later he removed to Ohio, thence to Michigan, but went back to Indiana several years before his death. His wife is still living at. Rich- mond, Ind., and is now sixty-five years of age.
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