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 18
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Judge Hutchinson and his wife are the parents of nine children, all still under the parental roof. They are named respectively, Ralph W., Mabel I., Ben C., Roy J., Linna L., .Hattie M., May S., Florence and an infant. Both parents and their eldest daughter are members of the Presbyterian
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Church at Marysville. of which the Judge has been an Elder. Politically he is a strong Republican ; he is likewise a member of the Masonic fraternity. belonging to Marysville Lodge No. 91, A. F. & A. M., of which he is Past-master; to Marysville, Chapter, No. 29, R. A. M .. of which he has been High Priest for ten years; and to Iliawatha Com- mandery, No. 13, K. T. He is also a member of Marysville Lodge of Perfection, No. 10.
Judge Hutchinson, in the course of his practice at the Bar and on the Bench, justly acquired the reputation of being a trustworthy lawyer and up- right judge, and. being now in the prime of life, has before him the reasonable prospect of reaching a still more exalted station and of receiving honors such as are in the power of his many friends to be- stow upon him.
The ALBUM of Marshall County would be in- complete without the portrait of a man of such eminent ability as Judge Hutchinson, hence it is with pleasure that we direct the attention of the reader to a fine portrait of him to be found in this volume.
OBERT SHIELDS. In reviewing the ca reer of the prominent and successful men of Marshall County, none are perhaps more deserving of special mention than the sub- ject of this notice. We find him occupying a pleasant home in the city of Beattie, while be em- ployes himself in superintending the operations of his extensive farming lands, which comprise 640 acres lying on sections 28, 34 and 35, in Guittard Township, and forty aeres in Rock Township. He also has valuable city property. aside from his resi- dence and grounds. Stock-raising forms a leading feature in his farming transactions, and in this in- dustry he aims to excel, keeping at the head of his herd as choice animals as he can procure. Socially, morally and financially he is looked upon as one of the leading men of his community.
Mr. Shields was born in Fayette County, Ind., Aug. 24, 1823, and lived there until 1870. Ilis early years were spent at the homestead of his par-
ents, assisting in the various employments of the farm, and obtaining a practical education in the common schools. He chose agriculture for his calling in life, and while yet a youth commenced dealing in live stock, and gaining the experience which has served him so well in his later years. Upon reaching man's estate he became prominent in local affairs, officiating as Township Supervisor. and holding a leading position with the Agri- cultural Society of his native county.
Remaining a resident of Indiana until middle age, Mr. Shields, in 1869, crossed the Mississippi, and coming to Vermillion, this county, purchased 100 head of cattle, also a tract of land, and put up the first store building in the place. in partnership with J. N. Huston, now United States Treasurer. This structure was raised upon the same day as the depot. Mr. Shields afterward turned his attention to agricultural interests, and in due time was the owner of 400 acres of land in Noble Township. besides about 1,000 acres in this vicinity. After a few years' residence in Vermillion, he, in the year 1872, removed to Beattie, when it was a very small hamlet of about half a dozen houses. He at once proceeded with the improvement of his land, at a time when there were no bridges built or roads laid out, and it is hardly neccessary to say he was the encourager and supporter of the various enterprises calculated to build up the county. His enterprise and industry not only resulted in his own financial success, but was the means of at- tracting to this region other men of his own stripe, and thus practically began the prosperity of this section of Marshall County.
Among the men now living. who commenced fighting the battle of life in a new country along with Mr. Shields, are: II. Newton. Messrs. Fitz- gerald and McCoy, and A. J. Brunswick. and there are only two ladies living who were residents of this region at that time. Mr. Shields was largely instrumental in securing the construction of the railroad through this place, and securing the loca- tion of the depot at this point. He spent many days visiting railroad officials in different towns, and interviewing the prominent men having a voice in the matter. At the same time he officiated as a member of the School Board, which established the
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present large and flourishing school, and superin- tended the construction of the building. He also gave his support and encouragement to the build- ing up of both church societies and editices, and in short has let pass no opportunity to assist the pro- jects calculated for the general advancement of the people. Liberal minded and public spirited, he uniformly votes with the Republican party, but has never sought office. having his time fully em- ployed in looking after the varions interests already mentioned.
In Fayette County, Ind., Jan. 9, 1866, occurred the marriage of Robert Shields with Miss Margaret Bulkley, of Connersville, that county. Mrs. Shields was born in that county, Oct. 22, 1829, her childhood home being within four miles of that of her husband. Her father, Nathan Bulkley, was a general mechanic, and employed considera- bly in a woolen factory. Mrs. Shields received a good education in the common schools, and em- ployed herself as a teacher about twelve years prior to her marriage. Nathan Bulkley was born near Roxbury, N. Y., May 1, 1804, and lived there until attaining man's estate. He was married, in Fayette County, Ind., to Miss Rebecca Reid, who was born March 21, 1803, and was a cousin of the father of Whitelaw Reid, who is well-known to the people of the United States as having commenced his newspa- per career with Horace Greeley, founder of the New York Tribune, and after Mr. Greeley's death suc- ceeded to its proprietorship, which he still retains. Mr. and Mrs. Bulkley removed to Indiana prior to their marriage, and were among the pioneer settlers of Fayette County, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The mother was for many years a member in good standing of the Christian Church.
The father of our subject was Ralston Shields, a native of Franklin County, Pa., and who lived there until 1818. That year he visited Fayette County, Ind., and decided upon locating there. Then, returning to his native State, he was married to Miss Anna, daughter of William Hluston, and returned with his bride to Indiana, where he opened up a farm from the wilderness, near which subsequently grew up the flourishing town of Con- nersville. Ile was successful as a tiller of the soil. and succeeded in building up a good home, where
he spent the remainder of his life, but died while in his prime, in 1858. The mother survived her husband until July 15, 1888, dying at the advanced age of ninety-one years, in Fayette County, Ind. Of the five children comprising the parental family, four are still living: Robert, our subject, being the eldest; his brother James is a resident of San Francisco, Cal .; Benjamin and Margaret live on the old home farm in Fayette County, Ind. Mrs. Shields has two sisters and two brothers living, Jonathan. occupying the old Bulkley homestead; and Thomas, living two miles south of Beattie. Her sisters, Amanda and Mary, are residents of Indiana. Mrs. Shields is prominently identified with the Christian Church.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Shields have spent consid- erable time and money in traveling, largely in connection with some important project relating to the social or moral welfare of their community. The County Agricultural Society is largely in- debted to Mr. Shields, both for its existence and its prosperity. He, with his compeers. Perry Ilutchinson and Mr. Koester, labored assiduously during the first years of its organization in keep- ing it alive and before the people, inciting them to put forth their best efforts in the way of exhibits, and stimulating their ambition to develop the ag- ricultural resources of Marshall County. Mr. Shields was at one time Mayor of the city of Beattie, and President of the Board of Trade. No man has taken a warmer interest in its prosperity. and none have contributed more effectually to this end.
OHN H. OTTO. To many the life of an agriculturist is very humdrum and unevent- ful. 'Tis true that few startling events oc- cur in his life, that his days are devoid of the tumult and whirl which make up the life of his city brother, but neither is his ear shocked by tales of crime. his eyes startled by sights of distress. until, as is too often the case, his senses become dulled. his sympathies deadened, and he looks upon everything about him as only the means by which
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he is to get gain. In calmer ways the farmer walks. renewing his bodily vigor from day to day. with healthful, if hard toil under a free sky in the pure air. his senses regaled by the sight and smell of green things growing. Abundant opportunity has he for the exercise of the sterling qualities of true manhood. Nowhere is a larger field for persever- ing industry, honesty, kindness, and pleasing social qualities. A worthy example of this nature is to be found in the subject of our sketch, who is a prosperous farmer of Marysville Township.
Mr. Otto was of German parentage. his father, llenry, and mother Mary (Lambert) Otto. having been natives of that country. They emigrated to America in 1855, settling on the Fox River, near Appleton. Wis., where they lived for some eleven years. They then removed to Richardson County, Neb .. where Mrs. Otto died in November, 1876. Three or four years after her death, her husband came to Republic County. Kan., where he made his home with a daughter, Mrs. Anna M. Ayers, until his death, which occurred June 18, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Otto had a family of four children, two sons and two daughters, of whom our subject was the youngest. He was born near Appleton, Wis., Dec, 21, 1857. Ile was quite young when his par- ents went to Nebraska, where he grew to manhood upon his father's farm, receiving as good schooling as could be obtained at that time, and in that sec- tion. After his mother's death, and when abont eighteen years of age, he operated his father's farm for two years. Hle then spent one season in the Black Hills country, returning home on account of sickness. Ile again took charge of his father's farm, which he purchased in the spring of 1881. He sold out in the fall of the same year, and in the succeeding spring came to this county, where he purchased 160 acres of land on section 18, together with fifteen acres of timber land. Since that time he has been a resident of Marysville Township, giving his attention wholly to farming and stock-raising. In Pawnee City, Neb .. July 16, 1882, was celebrated his marriage with Miss Kate Christner, daughter of Moses and Mary (Nichols) Christner, natives of Pennsylvania. They had removed from Somerset County, Pa., to Richardson County, Neb., in 1879. and in the latter county they still reside. Of the
family of seven sons and six daughters, Mrs. Otto was the eleventh. She was born in Somerset County, Pa., July 11, 1860. She is a most estimable woman, proving a worthy helpmate to her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Otto are the parents of three bright chil- dren-Irving L., Nettie J .. and Clayton.
Mr. Otto is a strong adherent of the principles of the Union Labor party. He is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and with his wife has high standing in the community in which he resides.
TTO HOLLE is owner and occupant of a fer- tile and well-cultivated farm of 240 acres lying on section 20, Logan Township. The broad acres are well fenced. being divided into fields mostly under the plow, and in meadow. On the farm is an orchard of about 150 trees, while barn, windmill, and other outbuildings, show its owner to be a progressive and enterprising farmer. A fine large frame house affords a comfortable home for the happy family. All of this is the result of hard work and good management by Mr. Holle and his wife, both of whom are justly proud of their success in the West.
Our subject was born in Prussia, there reared and educated under the compulsory laws, which secure such excellent foundation for the work of later years. He served two years in the German army, and came to the United States in the spring of 1866. He had embarked on the sail-ship "Co- lumbus," which occupied six weeks in her voyage across the Atlantic. Landing in New York, Mr. Holle went directly to Will County, Ill., where he worked as a farm hand for a period of two and a half years. Thence he came to this county, and homesteaded his farm, on which he kept bachelor's hall about three years, living in a dug-out. Ile then built a frame house, to which he brought his bride, and in which they resided until about seven years ago, when the present structure was erected.
The parents of our subject were natives of Prus- sia, where the father, Henry Holle, died. The mother, Dora (Rise) Holle, came to the United States with our subject, and died in Marysville, at
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the home of her daughter Mary, wife of Fred Miller, of that city. Both parents were members of the Lutheran Church, of which our subject and his family are also members.
The wife of our subject was a Prussian, bearing the maiden name of Clara Smith. Her parents, Mathias and Julia Smith, emigrated to the United States, and died on a farm three miles south of Marysville. They were members of the Catholic Church. Mr. and Mrs. Holle are the parents of six children-Martin, Clara M., Lovisa, Fred Will- iam, Katie, and Edward.
Mr. Holle is a man of intelligence, uprightness, industry, and ability. and with his estimable wife commands the hearty respect of the entire commu- nity.
ILLIAM RAEMER, a son of Fred W. Rae- mer (a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume), is numbered among the rising young business men of Herkimer. He holds the office of Constable, and since February, 1889, has been engaged in the lumber business at this point and at Bremen. being associated in partner- ship with W. HI. Koeneke and Mr. Carl Menier. They handle from 35,000 to 40,000 feet of lumber annually at Herkimer, and 12,000 to 15,000 at Bremen. Our subject is also agent for the Hart- ford Fire Insurance Company. He is only twenty- six years of age, having been born Sept. 21, 1863, and has already made fine headway on the road to prosperity.
Mr. Raemer was born at his father's homestead on section 12, Logan Township. and was reared on the farm and educated in the district school. In March, 1888, he began clerking in the office and attending to the lumber business of Mr. Koeneke, and gave such good satisfaction that less than a year later he was promoted to a partnership in the business. He was married, July 1, 1888, to Miss Emma, daughter of John and Catherine (Neidell) Krug, who was a native of Allegheny County, Pa. Mrs. Raemer came to this county with her parents about 1878, where her father engaged in farming
and died a few years later. The mother is still living and a resident of Washington County, this State. The parents were born, reared and married in Hessen, Germany, and trained in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church, to which they belonged. Our subject and his little family occupy a snug home on the edge of the village, and number their friends among its best citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Rae- mer are members of the Evangelical Church, and our subject, politically, is a sound Republican.
E DWIN S. ROWLAND. Some of the most successful farmers of Walnut Township are those who came to Northern Kansas in their young manhood, among whom was the subject of this notice. With wise forethought he set about the establishment of a home before assuming the responsibilities of a family, and homesteaded eighty acres of land which he has improved into a first- class farm, making fences, putting up buildings, planting forest and fruit trees and gradually accu- mulating the comforts and conveniences which have so large a share in the happiness and welfare of humanity. For a number of years he operated simply as a tiller of the soil, but now makes a specialty of fine stock, including Clydesdale horses and Short-horn cattle, and is able to exhibit some of the finest specimens of these to be found in this part of the county.
A native of New York State, Mr. Rowland was born in Suffolk County, March 6, 1847, and there spent his boyhood and youth, receiving a practical education in the common school. Ile worked with his father on the farm and acquired those habits of industry which have proved the basis of his success in life. His parents were Sanford and Mary (Thompson ) Rowland, natives of Long Island. The father was owner of a sailing vessel the "Dover," which was chiefly used in the oyster busi- ness on the American coast, and of which he was commander. He was lost at sea off Fire Island Inlet, where his ship grounded on a bar and where he perished March 2, 1854.
The paternal grandfather of our subject spent many years of his life on Long Island, where lie
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was married, reared his family and died. The ma- ternal grandparents likewise died on Long Island, in the village of Patchogue, where they had been reared. Our subject left his native State when a young man and after coming to this county was united in marriage to Miss Catherine, daughter of John and Catherine Binder, who was born in Iowa. The parents of Mrs. Rowland were natives of Ger- many, and further notice of them may be found in the sketch of J. George Binder, a brother of her father. Of her union with our subject there have been born three children-William, Albert and James Franklin. Mr. Rowland is a stanch sup- porter of Republican principles. He has always maintained an interest in local affairs and officiated as Township Clerk one term.
John Binder departed this life at his home in Waterville Township, this county, Feb. 15. 1888, after a residence of twenty-one years, having come here in 1869. He at that time homesteaded eighty acres on section 2, Waterville Township, where they reared their family of seven children and where the mother still lives. Mis. Rowland was their third child. She was carefully trained in all housewifely duties, received a common-school edu- cation and remained under the parental roof until her marriage.
UGO ROIIDE, general farmer on section 10 in Logan Township, takes great pride in the development of this country, and the fact that he as one of the early settlers of this part of the county, has been a witness to much of that progress. He was born in Prussia. Dec. 9, 1855, the son of Charles and Ernestina (Werdeich ) Rohde. In the summer of 1857 the family emi- grated to the United States, landing in New York, and thence going to LaSalle County, III. In 1868, they came to this county where the father pre- empted eighty acres on section 9. Logan Township. and after improving it took a homestead of eighty acres on section 10, where the parents lived until their death. Though for so short a time in America, the father displayed all the patriotism of a native
American, and upon the breaking out of the Civil War in 1861, he enrolled himself as one of the supporters of the Union, enlisting in Company I, 24th Illinois Infantry. He served faithfully for fifteen months, being promoted from the ranks to the position of Sergeant, when he was discharged on account of disability, having been ruptured. Ilis death took place June 18, 1884, at the age of sixty-two years, being the result of the injury re- ceived in the service. The mother survived until the 8th of December, 1887. when she too was called from earth. Both parents were reared in the Lu- theran faith, to which the ancestry, so far as known, were attached. They were natives of Prussia, where their ancestors had lived for generations. There they were married and there the family of five children was born. The elder and third of the children died in their native land and the sec- ond child, after their removal to America (in Illi- nois), leaving only our subject and a sister, Minnie, wife of Ernest Lange, furniture dealer in Marys- ville, to represent the family.
Our subject was in his thirteenth year when his parents removed to this county and well remem- bers when his father took up the homestead, then wild land and which he assisted in improving and upon which he now resides. He lias a comfortable frame house, a substantial stone barn and other im- provements upon this place, and the land under thorough cultivation. He is also owner of 160 aeres on section 16, about fifty acres being under cultivation, the balance in pasture and meadows. lle devotes his attention to general farming but keeps good grades of stock, his horses being three-fourths Norman.
Our subject was married in Washington County, Kan., to Sophia, daughter of William and Char- lotte (Broekmeyer) Phiele, a native of St. Louis. Mo. Her parents were natives of Ilanover, Ger- muany, being members of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Rohde has become the mother of three chil- dren, Carl, Bertha, and Paulina.
Mr. Rohde is a member of the Turner Lodge of Marysville, of the A. O. U. W., and of the Druids Society of Marysville. He has held the office of Constable one year, acted as enumerator during the census taking of 1880, and is now and has been for
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several years, Justice of the Peace of the town- ship. Ile is a man of strict integrity, upright character, and good judgment, thoroughly deserv- ing the rank which he occupies in the respect of his fellow citizens.
P ETER COHRS. Few people realize the immense strength and importance of the German element in this county ; they come hither in large numbers, and financially as well as numerically, form a part of the community by no means to be overlooked. Taking hold of every department of labor, making themselves in- dispensable in the development of every publie en- terprise. and becoming identified with our enstoms and institutions, they command at once the wonder and admiration of other foreigners, who perchance lack their business capacity and financial ability.
Not the least among these progressive Germans, may be mentioned the gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch. He is the owner of a splen- did farm of 160 acres, whose fertile soil yields bountiful harvests, and whose broad acres are yearly made beautiful by the ripening sheaf, the blooming flowers, and the blushing fruits. Upon his home- stead he has erected a pleasant, roomy dwelling, prominent among others in his vicinity. His barn is well painted and commodious, while the corn-cribs, granaries. and other ontbuildings are of the best, and materially assist in promoting the interests of the farm. Naturally he feels proud of his well- improved estate, for it is the result of his own un- aided efforts. It is almost entirely fenced and in good cultivation.
Personally, our subject is one of the most promi- nent men in his township, has served as Road Commissioner, and in various ways advanced the interests of his county. He is publie-spirited, con- servative and careful, guarding with a watchful eye and a vigilant brain those public affairs and national interests, which should be first in the thoughts of every patriotic citizen. In company with many others of German extraction, Mr. Cohrs and his family are faithful attendants at the ser-
vices of the Lutheran Church, as well as regular communicants of that denomination. They are rearing their children in the faith of their ancestors, and molding their characters so as to fit them, relig- iously and socially, for positions of responsibility and honor awaiting their future years.
The parents of our subject were Hans Henry and Catherine Cohrs, natives of Hanover, and of German ancestry as far back as the family record extends. In Hanover the parents lived and there passed to rest in 1853, the father first, and the mother sur- viving him only one week. Their son, Peter, our subject, was born March 15, 1847 in the same pro- vince which was the life home of his father and mother, was educated under the laws of compul- sory edneation, and was one in a family of four children, two of whom are now living. Early left orphans and thrown upon the mercies of a thought- less world, these children were separated, a brother, llenry, and a sister, Dorethe, coming to the United States several years before our subject himself be- came a resident of the "land of the free."
With careful insight into the future, and a vivid realization of what the New World held for him over and above the opportunities presented in the Fatherland. Peter Cohrs decided to make his home in the United States; flattering reports from that country having been sent back by his relatives who had preceded him thither. When the Civil War had been brought to a termination, he saw bright prospects for the future in the reunited country, and accordingly, in 1865, embarked from Bremen on a sail-ship, the "Helena," which landed him in New York, July 5, fifty-three days after taking passage. He came immediately to Cook County, Ill., where he worked as a farm-laborer five years, with the exception of two years spent in Kansas. He, however, did not find his ideal home in Cook County, and being pleased with the soil and appearance of Kansas, came to this State in 1870, and bought his present farm located on sec- tion 29 in Herkimer Township. Marvellous changes have since then been wrought by the all powerful hand of man. Then the landscape presented a wild aspect, with a rank growth of weeds, while all around was uncultivated, unattractive and unim- proved. Now the beholder's eye is pleased with
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