Portrait and biographical album of Marshall County, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 21

Author: Chapman Brothers (Chicago), pub
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 770


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 21


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96


One of the noticeable features on the farm of Mr. Scheibe is the commodious stone dwelling, which bids fair to stand for a century. He has also a frame barn. graneries, sheds, corn-cribs, and other buildings, and the whole premises has about it the air of thrift and plenty which is almost in- separable from the industrious German farmer. The land is nearly all enelosed with fencing, and 120 acres is highly productive. The balance is in pasture and meadow. The present dwelling stands npon the site of one which was torn down by a tornado. Much of the material was used in re-


212


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


building, although it cost Mr. Scheibe about $500 to reconstruct. This disaster occurred in the spring of 1878, when the house had only been built about one year.


Our subject came to this county without means, and thus began at the foot of the ladder in the ac- cumulation of his possessions. He was married, Jan. 20, 1870, to Miss Minnie, daughter of Henry Bren- neke, who, like himself, was of German birth and parentage. and who came to the United States with her father and mother in 1863. They at once located in Illinois and lived four years, then moved to this county, and here Mr. Brenneke died in 1874. The mother, whose maiden name was Maria Hill, is still living and makes her home in Logan Township with her son. They were born in what was then the Kingdom of llanover, Germany, and reared in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church, to which they loyally adhered.


The parents of our subject were also Lutherans in religious belief, to which church be and his fam- ily belong. His household circle was completed by the birth of seven children, the eldest of whom, a daughter. Anna, is the wife of Reinhart Froh- berg. a resident of Bremen. Christina, Herman. Bertha. Carolina, Sophia, and Albert Adam are at home with their parents. Mr. Scheibe makes a specialty of live-stock, keeping chiefly good cattle and Clydesdale horses. He uses several teams in the operation of his farm, and each year adds something to his worldly possessions. He mixes very little with politics. but gives his support to the Democratic party. A peaceable and law-abid- ing citizen, he is contributing his full quota to the moral and financial welfare of the township, and is held in high esteem by his neighbors.


W ILLIAM LEWIS. Those who have been residents of Kansas for the past twenty years or more, have witnessed great and startling changes in the aspect of the landscape and the face of the broad prairies. Where onee stood the lonely cabin of the pioneer are now busy, bustling cities. Instead of the camp fires of the


Indians gleaming in the distance, are now the brilliant lights devised by the ingenuity of man. Desert traets have been made fertile, and raw prai- rie has been caused to bear bountiful harvests of grain.


Mr. and Mrs. William Lewis have been inter- ested lookers-on in these great revolutions. and have contributed their full quota of earnest en- deavor to produce the happy results that have been achieved. They have labored, in company with their neighbors, to cultivate and improve the wild land, and are now in possession of a fine estate. comprising 400 acres. in Marshall County, and located on section 26. Franklin Township. Mr. Lewis also owns a small tract of land in Ottawa County, this State, and some property in England. the land of his nativity. Upon their home farm there has been erected a comfortable residence, fur- nished with excellent taste and surrounded by the buildings necessary to successfully carry on a large farm.


Coming to the State of Kansas in 1869, our sub- ject and his family first made their home in Hia- watha for one year, where Mr. Lewis followed the occupation of a butcher, which he had become familiar with in England. Leaving that trade, he came to Franklin Township, and bought eighty acres of land, the nucleus of his present farm. This has subsequently been enlarged to its present pro- portions, and is well stocked, Mr. Lewis making a specialty of Durham cattle. In this he has been usually prosperous, but has not neglected his farming interests, and has sowed and reaped the har- vests with unremitting industry. Nor has he over- looked the importance of his duties as a citizen, but has served with satisfaction in several local offices, and has endeavored by his vote to assist into official positions those whom he deems most worthy to be entrusted with the responsibilities thus devolving upon them. In matters of national importance he votes the Democratic ticket, being a strong supporter of their platform. He has dis- played his interest in educational affairs by serving as School Director, and was of assistance in ele- vating the standard of education in his district. He has also occupied the position of Township Trustee, and has served as Constable and Road


213


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Overseer. Ile is notably, in public and private life, a careful man, thoughtful, energetic, and in- fluential-a man whose word is always to be relied upon, and thus is an honor to his township and to the country of his adoption.


Both being born in England in 1841, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis grew to years of maturity amid the familiar scenes surrounding their parental homes, he assist- ing his father in his occupation as a butcher, and she making herself useful in her home, and learn- ing those lessons of industry and economy which were so helpful to her in after years. Mrs. Lewis was Miss Maria Brewitt, a native of Lincolnshire, and was married in Yorkshire, Oct. 28, 1863. For six years succeeding their marriage, Mr. Lewis and his wife made their home in England, when, in 1869, they took passage for the United States, landing in New York, and thence coming immediately to Hiawatha, Kan.


In time the household circle was increased by the presence of nine children, two of whom were taken away from their happy home before they had reached years of maturity. Their living children are: Robert J., Mary A., George W., Thomas H., Emma J., Jonathan and Dick. All are at home with their parents.


R M. CHAFFEE. Pleasantly located on a farm of 334 acres of improved land on section 13, of Marysville Township, is one of the most attractive homes of this county. The house is a well-built frame of home- like aspect, and comfortable surroundings. In it resides the subject of our sketch, his estimable wife and three bright children.


His father. Charles Chaffee, was borne in Greene County. N. Y., and died in Bradford County, Pa., June 12, 1889. Ilis mother was Adeline Horton, a native of Pennsylvania. The parental family consisted of six children, of whom our subject was the fifth. He was born in Bradford County, l'a .. Oct., 23, 1853. growing to manhood in his native county. Ile was reared on a farm. receiving a thorough common school education. In 1878 he


came to this county where he engaged in teaching for three years. He then settled on the land where he now resides. He was married at the residence of the bride's parents, J. M. and Helen V. (Shaw) Elliott, of this county. on March 28, 1873, to Miss Adelia Elliott. The three children born of this union are Ilelen A., Wilmot M. and Beryl.


Mr. Chaffee gives his entire attention to farming and stoek-raising, and is a very active and progres- sive farmer. He takes a great interest in all edu- cational affairs. and has held several school offices, discharging his duties with ability and judgment. In politics Mr. Chaffee is an earnest advocate of the principles of the Republican party. The life of Mr. Chaffee shows in a marked manner the suc- cess which is to be earned by the honest and enter- prising. in a quiet rural life.


OSEPH STEIILIK, late of Logan Township, departed this life Dec. 14, 1888. at the age of fifty-four years. He died in the faith of the Catholic Church. in which he had been reared, and to which he gave a life-long allegiance. His widow and her children are still living on the farm which the father opened up from an unbroken tract of land, and of which the second son, Frank, has the management. The latter is a young man highly respected in his community. moral, upright, and industrious, and is the chief counselor and sup- port of his widowed mother, whose affairs he man- ages in a most wise and judicious manner.


The subject of this sketch was born in the King- dom of Bohemia, where he spent the opening years of his life, and until reaching man's estate. Ile was occupied mostly in agricultural pursuits, and in due time was married to Miss 'Tresse Vavruaska, a native of his own Province. and like himself, a member of the Catholic Church. In the summer of 1870, they set out for America, and after a safe voyage, landed in New York City early in August. Thence they came directly to Logan Township. this county, where Mr. Stehlik homesteaded eighty acres of land on section 18. Upon this he made some improvements, then sold out and purchased


214


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


160 acres. where his family now live. and which oc- cupies the northeast quarter of section 19. Of this only about ten acres had been broken. Mr. Steh- lik put up a good frame house with a stable, wagon sheds. corn-cribs. and other necessary buildings, fenced the land. and brought the soil to a good state of cultivation. Here he spent his last days. and left to his family a competence.


Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Steh- lik. and named respectively: Joseph, Frank. West- ley, Mary, Anna, Jobn. and Adolph; they are all living, making their home with their mother. The family is greatly respected in the community on account of their moral worth, industrious habits, and general reliability.


ENRY SCHELL, a soldier of the Union Army during the late Civil War, and now a well to-do farmer of Elm Creek Township. is comfortably located on section 11. where he has 160 acres of choice land which. by a course of careful cultivation has yielded him such returns that he is now, financially, comparatively independ- ent. A native of France, he was born in Alsace- Loraine, Sept. 27, 1827. and lived there until a man of twenty-eight years.


Receiving a common-school education, young Schell after completing his studies, occupied him- self variously until the age mentioned and then set out for America. He landed in New York City, and thence proceeded to"Cincinnati. Ohio. where he was employed on a river steamer as cook and in different capacities. Finally deciding to seek the farther West, he came into Doniphan County, this State, and purchased 160 acres of land on Inde- pendence Creek, five miles from the town of Doni- phan. Two years later, however, not being satisfied with the outlook. he sold out and established him- self in Rock Creek, Jefferson Co., Neb., where he lived one year. In 1860 he came to this county and homesteaded 160 acres on section 11, in Elm Creek Township. of which he has since been a resi- dent.


Right in the midst of his early improvements,


Mr. Schell found himself in sympathy with the Union cause. and during the second year of the war enlisted. in 1862. in Company B, 9th Kansas Cav- alry in which he served three years. While on the march he sustained a severe accident, having his right shoulder broken and receiving other serious injuries. He refused, however, to be permanently relieved from duty, and as soon as sufficiently re- covered rejoined his comrades in the field and remained with his regiment until the expiration of his term of service, when he received his honor- able discharge.


After retiring from the service Mr. Schell came back to his farm in this county and has since unin- terruptedly followed agricultural pursuits. On Dec. 25. 1861, he was married to Mrs. Nancy ( Jackson ) Ricker, widow of Peter Ricker. Mrs. Schell was born near Rockford, Ind., March 13, 1828, and by her first marriage became the mother of five children, four of whom are living, viz. : Alonzo. Harvey, Ed- ward and Lizzie. Of her union with our subject there have been born three children. William. Henry, and Amanda. The first mentioned died when 'a promising youth of sixteen years. Mr. Schell, po- litieally, is a sound Republican but aside from serving as Overseer of Highways, has had very little to do with public affairs. As one of the old soldiers he is identified with Lyons Post. No. 9, G. A. R .. at Marysville.


OSIANI M. HAMMETT. This gentleman is a most worthy representative of the agri- cultural interests of Marshall County, and he is a citizen who is held in high repute. lle located in Elm Creek Township in 1870, and purchased 160 acres of land on section 20. where he has effected fine improvements. Perhaps the most noticeable of these is the substantial stone dwelling, together with other needed buildings and a goodly assortment of fruit and shade trees, which give to the place the air of comfort and plenty always delightful to look upon. The Hammett fam- ily occupies a high position in Elm Creek Town- ship. and Josiah M. is a brother of Benjamin J.,


215


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


now deceased, and whose biography appears on an- other page in this volume.


A native of Bowling Green, Ky., our subject was born Dec. 30, 1818, and is the son of William and Anna (Oliphant) Hammett, who settled there soon after their marriage. Thence they removed to Warren County, but later emigrated to Illinois, and settled near Chillicothe, in Peoria County, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Josiah M. was one of the younger children of the seven born to them, and was nine years old when the family removed to Illinois. He lived at home with his parents until a young man of about twenty years. and up to this time had assisted his father on the farm both in Kentucky and Illinois. He afterward was engaged in buying and shipping produce on the Illinois River for a short time. and then took charge of an hotel in Sparland. Marshall Co .. Ill. Aside from these brief interruptions, he has given his attention wholly to farming since boy- hood, and consequently has a thorough acquaint- ance with this vocation.


In Peoria County, Ill., our subject was first mar- ried to Miss Rachel Frazier, a native of New York State. and they settled near Chillicothe, where they lived with the exception of the time spent at Spar- land, until coming to this county, in 1866. Here Mr. Hammett secured land on section 20, Elm Creek Township, where he has since lived. Of this union there were born ten children. viz: George T .. Benjamin A., Edgar, who died in infancy, Francis W .. Cornelius O., Lillias V., Mary E., Albert D .. William P., and another child who died unnamed in infancy. Mrs. Rachel (Frazier) lIammett de- parted this life at the homestead in Elm Creek Township, in June. 1884. She was a lady posses- sing many excellent qualities, was a devoted wife and mother, and greatly beloved by her family and friends, by whom her name is held in affectionate remembrance.


Mr. Hammett contracted a second marriage in Marysville, this county, June 20, 1886, with Mrs. Minerva (Carnrike) McMahon, daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Click ) Carnrike, and widow of Perry McMahon. who died in Ft. Wayne, Ind., June 20, 1872. The present wife of our subject was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Sept. 25, 1844, and came


to this county with her brother in 1886. Her par- ents were natives of New York and Ohio, respect- ively, and are now deceased. She is a member in good standing of the Presbyterian Church.


Our subject. politically, is in sympathy with the U'nion Labor movement. He has been quite promi- nent in local affairs, and in the fall of 1888 was elected Justice of the Peace, the duties of which office he is discharging in a manner reflecting great credit upon himself, and with satisfaction to his fellow-citizens.


L YMAN H. HAMMETT, a son of the late Benjamin Ilammett, of Elm Creek Town- ship, has for the past four years occupied a part of the old homestead on section 20. and is the owner of 240 acres of thoroughly cultivated land, He has recently erected a very neat and substantial dwelling, replacing the one which was destroyed by fire on the 6th of February. 1888. In addition to general agriculture he makes a specialty of stock-raising and sells considerable wood. Al- though perhaps not the hero of any very thrilling event, he maintains a worthy position as a member of the community, and does honor to the race from which he sprang.


Our subject was the third in a family of six chil- dren born to Benjamin and Rebecca (Robb) Ham- mett, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. He was born at the homestead, a part of which he now occupies, Sept. 6, 1860, and here he has spent the greater part of his life. He was re- quired at an early age to make himself useful, and received a careful home training with a practical education in the common school. He remained a member of the parental household until after pass- ing the twenty-fifth year of his age. and was then married. Dec. 23, 1885, to Miss Lettie M., daugh- ter of Joseph M. and Catherine (Hoskins, Callen, of Sparland, Marshall Co., Ill. The newly wedded pair commenced the journey of life together upon the site of their present dwelling, and Mr. Ham . mett is making of agriculture a success.


The wife of our subject was born in Sparland.


216


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


Ill., March 8, 1866, and of their union there are two children-Maude and Vernon. Mr. Hammett takes an active interest in politics, and in former years affiliated with the Democratic party. He is now in sympathy with the Union Labor movement. In the Presbyterian Church at Marysville he is an active member and Deacon. Active, energetic and public-spirited, he occupies a position in the front rank among the representative men of his commu- nity. and gives his uniform support and encourage- ment to the projects calculated to advance the interests of the people. Mrs. Hammett is a mem- ber in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal C'bureb. They have a very pleasant home and hosts of friends. Mr. Hammett is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Lodge No. 91, Marysville.


OHN REITER. The Reiter farm makes a very handsome picture in the landscape of Elm Creek Township, being located near its northwest corner on section 7. In all its appointments there are evidences of thrift and in- dustry which characterize the proprietor. The buildings are comfortable and substantial, and everything about the premises is indicative of comfort and plenty, from the well-fed live stock to the household. comprising the father and children, who form a group of more than ordinary intelli- gence. The family met with a great affliction in the death of the wife and mother, Mrs. Catherine (Brandenberger) Reiter, who departed this life on June 29, 1887. and. who was deeply mourned, not only by her immediate family, but by a large cir- cle of friends. Mrs. Reiter was a lady possessing all the womanly virtues, and set before her household a high example of devotion to their best interests and the affectionate care which seemed to be the controlling impulse of her life. Her name will be held in tender remembrance until she is joined by her loved ones in another sphere.


The subject of this sketch is a native of Ger- many, and was born Sept. 5, 1833. He attended school from the time he was a lad of six years un-


til fourteen years old, and afterward served an apprenticeship of six years at the blacksmith trade.


Then a young man of twenty years, dissatisfied with the prospects held out to him in his native land, he embarked on a sailing vessel for America, and landed in Philadelphia, Pa., whence he soon repaired to New Jersey. He was there employed on a farm for two months, then returning to Penn- sylvania and working in the mines near Pottsville two months. We next find him in the city of New Orleans, La., where he sojourned until the spring of 1854, engaged as a wood-cutter. His next ob- jective point was Vicksburg, Miss., where he was employed in a soap factory two months. Then returning to Louisiana, he was engaged on the levee two months, after which be proceeded to Memphis, Tenn., and worked in a sawmill one month. St. Joseph, Mo., was his next stopping place, and from there he emigrated to Omaha, Neb., looking for work, but not finding it at that point. He then returned to St. Joseph, and afterward made his way to Leavenworth, this State.


Our subject then hired ont as a teamster to go across the plains, and from there went to Salt Lake City, and during the summer of 1858 was employed by the Government at Ft. Supply a year. the Fort being located forty miles south of Salt Lake City. We next find him established on a tract of land in Elm Creek Township, of which he has been a resident since 1859, and during this time has devoted his attention mainly to the improvement and cultivation of his landed possessions. In the meantime, in 1862. he removed to section 7, and has now 440 acres of land, embellished with good buildings; he has fenced and cross-fenced his fields, planted fruit and shade trees and added from time to time to the value and beauty of his prop- erty. Hle has for some years been one of the School Directors in his district, and with his family belongs to St. Gregory's Catholic Church, in Marys- ville.


To Mr. and Mrs. Reiter there were born eight children, viz: Jacob, who married Miss Katie Armstrong, and is a farmer in Logan Township; Elizabeth the wife of Albert Maeska, who is also a farmer in Logan Township; Katie A., Martin, Nicholas, George. Josephine and John reside with


P


RESIDENCE OF GEORGE GEBBIE SEC, 4. CENTRE TOWNSHIP


RESIDENCE OF JOHN REITER, SEC. 7. ELM CREEK TOWNSHIP.


219


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


their father at the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Reiter were married in Marysville, this county, Feb. 9, 1861. Mrs. Reiter was also a native of Germany, and born March 17, 1843. She was thus at the time of her decease in the prime of life, only a little over forty-four years of age.


In politics Mr. Reiter is, and always has been, a a stanch supporter of the principles of the Repub- lican party.


We invite the attention of our many readers to a handsome lithographie view of the home and sur- roundings on the farm of Mr. Reiter, which is one of the most beautiful and picturesque homesteads in Elm Creek Township.


G EORGE GEBBIE, a general farmer and stock-raiser on section 4, in Center 'Town- ship, Marshall County, may be classed prominently among those men, who from humble beginnings have worked their way toward the top rounds of the ladder of success, and while gaining an independent footing financially, have not neg- lected to cultivate the social qualities, which endear a man to those with whom he is thrown in daily contact. A devoted father, a tender husband, a faithful friend, he has many warm admirers among his neighbors, who know him to be generous to the needy and charitable toward the erring.


Of Scotch ancestry, Mr. Gebbie is a native of that land famous for its sturdy sons and fair daugh- ters, and was born Nov. 22, 1839. In the land of the thistle and the gorse he grew to a robust man- hood, developing a strong and athletic frame dur- ing those years of rugged exposure. Before, however, a quarter of a century of years had passed over his head, he wisely concluded that if the future held for him any great good he must seek it in another land. Scotland was the land of his youth, and to him the dearest of all lands, but the road to prosperity there was almost as insurmount- able as were her rocky crags and lofty peaks.


Before leaving forever his native country, that "peerless jewel of the sea," Mr. Gebbie had taken unto himself a helpmate, who has during all the


succeeding years been to him of inestimable value, far more precious than gold and jewels, and who has by a life of purity and goodness, exemplified the words of that wise man of old concerning the worth of a good woman, who looketh well to the ways of her household. She became the wife of Mr. Gebbie June 6, 1862, and has been his faithful companion during all these ensuing years. Her maiden name was Mary Bain, and she was born in Scotland, Oct. 17, 1842, and is the daughter of Alexander and Mary (Findley) Bain, the latter of whom has resided with the family of our subject ever since the marriage of her daughter. Unto our subject and his wife seven children were born, thus recorded: Belinda, Thomas, Ocelia, Geanie, Alexander, Lillie. Nettie H. Belinda, an aecom- plished young lady, married Martin J. Bender, and resides in Center Township. Ocelia is the wife of John J. Hall, and they also reside in this township. The remaining children are all at home, and are naturally the object of their parents' most devoted care and affection, which they fully reciprocate. Among the refined and pleasant young people of this county, it would be difficult to find any more loveable in disposition, more refined in taste, or more noble in ambitions than the children of these worthy parents.


Believing in the efficiency of education to remedy the great and increasing evils of this day, Mr. Gebbie has shown his interest in the development of the mind by serving with his characteristic abil- ity as School Director. Indeed so satisfactorily has he filled this position that his fellow citizens liave re-elected him to the responsibilities of the office many succeeding years. Politically, he is independent, and casts his ballot in local elections to assist into office the man he considers best qualified to hold the position in question. Deeply concerned also in things spiritual, Mr. Gebbie and his wife are identified with the Christian Church, the principles of which they earnestly believe in, and steadfastly adhere to.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.