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 22
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Upon coming to America our subjeet was accon- panied by his wife and one child, and when the ship came to anehor in the harbor of New York, they proceeded directly to Peoria, Ill., where they lived six and one-half years, and where Mr. Gebbie
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was engaged in mining. Not finding that pursuit lucrative or pleasant. he emigrated to Kansas in the spring of 1871, coming to Marshall County, and locating on section 1 of Center Township, where he homesteaded the first forty aeres. included in his present possessions. le has erected a neat and cozy residence, a fine view of which appears else- where and which is filled with evidences of the taste of the inmates. He has increased the acreage of his farm to 240, and gives his attention almost exclusively to farming and stock-raising. In the success he has met with, he has received the co- operation of his noble wife, and it is in no small measure due to her earnest efforts in his behalf and her ambition for the future of her offspring, that our subject has attained financial independence, and is enabled to not only provide handsomely for his children, but has sufficient to secure the old age of himself and his beloved companion from penury.
HOMAS C. RANDOLPH. Although yet in the prime of life this gentleman is a "veteran" of the late Civil War. He served with faithfulness and courage during almost the entire period of national strife, having enlisted in June, 1861. and served until mustered out at Har- risburg, Pa. Hle is also a well-known and successful teacher, and was for many years in the front rank in that profession. Consequently he is highly inter- ested in the cause of edneation, and does whatever lies in his power to advance the standard of learn- ing, and promote the character of the school sys- tem. In fighting for his country, endangering life itself for the Union. and in rearing the children entrusted to his care, to take their places in the world as honorable men and women, well-fitted by thorough instruction to cope with all the trials awaiting them. he has discharged his duty to so- ciety, and merited the cherished encomium, " well done."
Ile of whom we write was born in Butler County, Pa., in the town of Portersville, on the 24th of Jan- uary. 1845. to Dr. W. J. and Margaret S .; (Christy ) Randolph, also natives of Butler County. There
they were married and lived until the latter part of the war, removing then to Buford, S. C .. where the mother died in 1864. Dr. Randolph removed from South Carolina, in 1870. to Riley County, Kan., which is his present home. He was a sur- geon during the Rebellion, and is an able practi- tioner, having had in youth a thorough medical education at the Cleveland Medical College, where he was graduated.
Dr. Randolph and his wife had a family of ten children, of whom four died in infancy or child- hood. Of the remaining six who lived to matur- ity, the subject of this sketch was the eldest. The early portion of his life was quietly and happily passed in Butler and Lawrence counties, Pa .. and there he attended the country schools of those days, but was allowed a better education than was common at that time, as he was for one and one-half years a student at New Wilmington, Pa.
About this time the clouds of the coming tem- pest were beginning to gather over the country. and in common with other patriotie boys onr sub- ject was intensely interested in the vital questions then agitating the minds of all loyal citizens. When finally the storm burst with all its force on the devoted heads of the patriots. he, although only sixteen and one-half-years of age, was fired with a desire to serve his nation. and preserve it from disruption. Accordingly he enlisted in Company F, 100th Pennsylvania Infantry, and was a brave soldier until peace came again to his country. Among the general engagements in which he parti- cipated were the following: Fredericksburg, siege of Vicksburg, siege of Knoxville, battle of the Wil- derness, Spottsylvania. Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and numerous others. He was an active partici- pant in the mine assault of Petersburg, and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant during the latter part of the war. He was mustered out at Harris- burg, Pa., and then returned to his old home in Lawrence County, Pa.
Our subject was now about twenty years old, and the fall following his return home. attended the Commercial College at Pittsburg, Pa. He was a student there nearly six months, but left to make his home in South Carolina, where he engaged in planting cotton in the Sea Islands for two years.
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This was an oeeupation not entirely suited to his taste, and he therefore removed to the vieinity of St. Charles, Mo., where he was a teacher for seven years. In this, as in everything else he attempted, he was successful, as he thought whatever is worth doing at all. is worth doing well.
Again ehanging his location, in 1875 Mr. Ran- dolphi came West to Marshall County, Kan., and purchased forty acres on seetion 7, Franklin Town- ship, whieh lias sinee been his home. Besides look- ing after his farming interests, he has devoted some time to teaching since residing in Kansas.
The faithful companion, the thoughtful wife, the devoted mother, through all these years, was in her girlhood Miss Mattie H. Tarvin, with whom our subjeet was united in marriage in Marysville, Kan., April 1, 1877. She is the daughter of George W. Tarvin (see sketch elsewhere in this work), and was born in Campbell County, Ky., Aug. 24, 1855.
Their family eirele has been enlarged by the birth of six children, herewith enumerated: John P., Annie M., Geraldine, Ralph, Thomas C., Jr., and William G. Thomas C. died when about nine months old.
Mr. Randolph, in his political affiliations is allied with the Republican party, and has been Clerk of his township. Ile and his wife are sincere mem- bers of the Methodist Church, and try in every way possible to increase the happiness and comfort of those around them, never allowing the hungry and needy to be turned away empty-handed, when they are deserving of aid. Mr. Randolph is a member of Lyon Post No. 29, G. A. R., and com- mands universal respect among his comrades.
SAAC B. HOLLOWAY, veterinary surgeon, was one of the earliest settlers of this eounty as well as one of its most prominent and favor- ably known citizens. He has devoted considerable time and attention to the study of medicine, and is one of the most successful veterinary surgeons of this part of the State. In all respeets he is worthy of more than a passing mention in a book purport-
ing to contain the life histories of the representa- tive eitizens of Marshall County. It was the earnest labor of such men as Mr. Holloway, that has con - tributed in a material degree to make this county one of the foremost in all the length and breadth of the State.
Mr. Holloway was born near Toledo, Ohio. Feb. 5, 1841, and there enjoyed the years of boyhood after a manner similar to other boys of the day, as- sisting in the farm work and studying the "three R's" for a few months of the year. When fifteen years of age he came to Kansas, accompanying "Father Henry," who was a missionary among the Indians, and with him our subject remained a time. Three years after his own removal from Ohio his father. Noah Holloway, and step-mother. Mary A. (Hall) Holloway, followed the "star of Empire" in its westward course and located in Doniphan County. Kan., which was their home for a short period. Loeating in this county in 1860, on sec- tion 35, the father here passed the remaining por- tion of life allotted to him, passing to rest Feb. 11, 1878. The step-mother lives with her son Jacob. (See sketeh elsewhere in this volume.)
As he approached manhood, Isaae B. Hollo- way was possessed of a laudable desire and deter- mination to make a home of his own, and entered 160 acres of land on section 35, where he now lives. With praiseworthy perseveranee and unremitting industry he has labored from daylight to darkness, through the short, cold days of winter and the long. enervating heat of summer, always animated by his hopes of future eomfort and competence. He now is the fortunate owner and manager of a well-im- proved and earefully cultivated farm of fertile soil, on which each year the grain springs forth abund- antly. Upon his estate he has ereeted a good frame dwelling, a fine stone barn, besides eorn-cribs, and all other outbuildings necessary to a well-regulated modern estate. His farm is chiefly fenced, and has an orchard containing about seventy-five trees of choiee apples. He also pays considerable attention to stock-raising, and makes a specialty of Clydes- dale horses, of which he has some splendid speci- mens.
Not unaided has Mr. Holloway been in attaining this pleasant result, but has for many years had the
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assistance of her to whom he was married Jan. 7, 1863. Her maiden name was Margaret Bartlow, her parents being James F. and Rebecca ( West) Bartlow, natives of Campbell County. Ky. Leav- ing that State in 1858 they came to Doniphan County, Kan., and later. in 1860, located in this county, in Herkimer Township, where the mother passed away in April, 1864. The father lives near Waterville, this county.
The happy home established by our subject was not without the music of childish voices. for he and his wife became the parents of two children, Harry D. and Hattie, the latter now Mrs. Frank Maxwell. (See sketch of James Maxwell). In political affil- iations Mr. Holloway is a Democrat. and has held the office of Clerk of the township, besides other local offices.
By parental ancestry Mr. Holloway is of Welsh origin, the grandfather being supposed to be a na- tive of Wales or of direct Welsh descent. Our subject is also of English descent, his maternal grandfather, Thomas Hunt, probably being a native of England. Amanda (Ilunt) Holloway, the mother of the subject of this sketch died in 1843, in Ohio. The ancestors of our subject on both sides were members of the "Shaker" community in Ohio and died in that faith.
Many and varied are the transformations that have been witnessed by the pioneers of this part of the West, and much food for reflection may be furnished by conversation with those brave fore- runners of civilization, who left happy, comforta- ble homes in the East, to prepare a way for coming generations in the grand Western country. Mr. Holloway well remembers when these beautiful prairies were the abiding places of buffalo, wild turkey, deer, elk, antelope, wolves, and various kinds of wild game , including the Mexican lion. This part of the State was then the home and hunt- ing grounds of Indians, some civilized, some sav- age. On the night of the birth of Mr. Holloway's eldest child, hundreds of Indians were in the vicin- ity of the house, but they were not hostile and did no harm. The Otoes, Omahas, Shawnees, Pawnees. and other tribes were here for some time after onr subject located in this township. Many times were the families, alone and unprotected. frightened by
the sudden appearance of the "red man". with his implements of warfare. This was peculiarly the case between the years of 1861 and 1865, the per- iod when our Union was threatened with destruc- tion, and the Republic was tottering on the proud pinnacle of glory, where a happy, united nation had placed it. The Indians, participating in the national excitement, would often invade peaceful communities and create havoc, leaving behind them only the ruins of hitherto quiet, happy homes. The family of our subject was unusually fortunate. nor was their neighborhood molested seriously. At one time a group of savages came to the door of the house when Mr. Holloway was absent, and demanded something to eat. This demand was immediately gratified as far as possible. and they departed peacefully. Amid all these troubles and excitements onr subject did not once forsake his new home, but remained and assisted to make the county a beautiful one, noted as one of the most fertile and most carefully cultivated of any in the State of Kansas.
Le OUIS HANKE. The West affords many examples of what are styled self-made men, but none more striking than is our subject, who landed in America at the age of twenty-one years, his worldly possessions being limited to his clothing and the sum of one and one-half cents. His capital consisted of an education obtained un- der the noted system of Prussia, a healthy body, and an abundance of physical energy and deter- mination. IIe is now in possession of 320 acres of land in a high state of cultivation, upon which are the usual improvements made by an enterprising and progressive farmer, and notwithstanding the fact that he has as security for another been a loser to the extent of 85,000, his finances are upon a good basis.
Onr subject was born in Prussia April 2. 1836. In the year 1858 he came to America, the voyage, which was made on the sail ship " Leotine," oecu- pying five weeks. He landed at New York, in August and spent a couple of months in the em- ploy of a gardener near that city. He then went
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to Buffalo, near which place he worked upon a farm during the winter, receiving the compensation of 86 per month for his labors. In the spring of 1859 he removed to Platt County. Mo., where he worked by the day. He there joined the Home Guards in 1861, and later became a member of the State Militia. In the fall of 1886 he came to this county and with money which he had saved while in Missouri, he bought 160 aeres of land adjoining the same amount which he had homesteaded, and lying on seetion 17 Walnut Township.
The parents of our subjeet, John and Anna (Korff) Hanke, were of Prussian birth and anees- try. The father died in his native land and the mother eame to America and breathed her last in Marysville. Both parents were members of the Catholic Church. The wife of our subject, in her maidenhood was Miss Caroline Meisner, to whom he was married in this eounty. Dee. 16, 1872. She is of Prussian birth and ancestry. She is a mem- her of the Lutheran Church as were her parents. She is the mother of five children-Anna, Mary. John, Emma, and Katie, all living and brightening the home fireside.
Mr. Hanke has served as Justice of the Peace in this county for four years, and has also occupied the positions of Road Overseer and School Director. lle is a progressive and enterprising farmer, a thoroughly reliable citizen, and an honorable man. deserving of the suecess which he has attained.
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OHN L. JOHNSON. The best thing which ever befel Marshall County, was the class of men who settled within its borders. The elements may be favorable, the air pure, the streams clear and the land fertile. but unless there are moving spirits to take advantage of these. agri- culture would necessarily be a failure. Among those who the most readily availed themselves of these adjunets to successful farming, Mr. Johnson may be most properly numbered, as he occupies no secondary place in the farming community. A lifelong experienee at this business has given him
a full knowledge of it, which he has turned to the best aeeount. He owns 160 acres of the best farm- ing land in Elm Creek Township, finely located on section 24, and with the exception of two years spent in conducting a livery stable in Marysville, he has given to it his time and attention sinee 1881. He has brought the soil to a high state of cultivation, erected good buildings, planted forest and fruit trees, and surrounded himself and his family with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
A native of Seandanavia, Mr. Johnson was born in the southern part of Norway, near Begron, Mareb 1, 1849. He lived there until a youth of eighteen years, then set ont for America, landing first in the city of Quebec, Canada. Thenee he emigrated to Madison, Wis., and was a resident of the Badger State probably one year, working in a livery stable, and was employed in a hotel about one year. Ile then worked in a plow factory some two years, but later was again employed in an hotel for some time.
From Wisconsin Mr. Johnson went southeast- ward into Stephenson County, Ill., where he worked on a farm about one year. Subsequently he was employed in a livery stable at Freeport, and a year later, 'crossing the Mississippi, came into .Jewell County, Kan., where, in 1871, he took up a claim. Not being satisfied, however, with the outlook in that region, he only staid there a short time, and we next find him on a farm in the vicinity of Atchison, where he was employed one season. Then returning to Jewell County, be made some improvements on his claim, and finally emigrated to this county, and for the next seven years was employed in a flouring-mill. At the expiration of this time he purchased 160 acres of land on seetion 24 in Elm Creek Township. where he has sinee, with the exception of the two years spoken of, made his home. After selling out his livery stable in Marysville. he conducted a similar establishment in Frankfort, this county, for about one year, and then was satisfied to return to his farm.
Our subjeet was married in Marysville, this county, Oet. 16, 1875, to Miss Charlotte Anderson, a native of Sweden. They are now the parents of two bright children, a son and a daughter, Fred M.
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and Elnora E. In addition to general farming Mr. Johnson is considerably interested in stock-rais- ing, in which he has been very successful. Both he and his wife are prominently connected with the Baptist Church. Politically, Mr. Johnson supports the principles of the Republican party.
The father of our subjeet was Peter Johnson, a native of Norway, of Scotch descent, his father being a native of Scotland, and was there married to Miss Martha Olsen, a native of the latter coun- try. Ile died in Norway in 1849. The mother is still living at the old homestead in Norway, and is now quite well advanced in years. They were the parents of two children only, of whom our subject was the second born. The other was a daughter.
LEXANDER M. STALEY. The biogra- pher in his migrations seldom encounters a more hospitable and pleasant home than that which has been built up by Mr. Staley and his agreeable life partner. Avarice and greed are unknown to them, and they extend both to friend and stranger that cordial welcome which is one of the evidences of good birth and breeding. The snug farm of eighty acres is under a good state of cultivation, and embellished with comfortable buildings. Mr. Staley secured possession of this in 1882. and has since given to it his best efforts, making a vast improvement in its original condi- tion ; he came to Waterville, however, ten years previous. The homestead is pleasantly located on section 31, Ehn Creek Township.
A native of Allegheny County, Pa., our subject was born Sept. 10, 1834, and is the son of Jacob and Margaret (Miller) Staley, who were likewise natives of that county, and the mother, the daugli- ter of Gideon Miller, an old and well-known resi- dent. In 1844, when our subject was a lad of ten years, his parents removed to Crawford County, Ohio, where Alexander M. sojourned until 1853. Then setting out for the farther West, he crossed the Mississippi into Linn County, Iowa, where he was joined by his parents a year later.
Our subject still having a desire to see some-
thing of the farther West, finally went to Colorado, and during the second year of the war, he, in Octo- bor. 1862, enlisted in Company A, 2d Colorado Cavalry, was promoted to Sergeant, and remained in the service of his country until August, 1865. The war being then ended, he returned to Iowa and resumed farming.
In September, 1868, Mr. Staley visited Ohio and was there married to Miss Anna E., daughter of Maitland and Magdalena (Seery) Wiltse. Imme- diately after marriage they went to Tama County, Iowa, remaining until June, 1872, then came to Waterville, remaining until 1875, then farmed four years and returned to Waterville, and in 1882 came to his present farm. Of this he took possess- ion in March, 1882, and here he has since lived. Among other improvements noticeable, is the sub- stantial stone dwelling, which forms a safe and comfortable shelter from the storms of winter and the heat of summer. The barn and outbuildings bear fair comparison with those of his neighbors, and there is about the place a general air of comfort and solidity which speaks well for the proprietor.
There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Staley two daughters-Verona M. and Grace E. Our subject and his wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Staley. socially, as an ex-soldier, belongs to Robert IIale Post No. 328, G. A. R., in Blue Rapids. He votes the straight Republican ticket. and served one term as Justice of the Peace. Aside from this he has avoided the responsibilities of office.
RVINE C. HINER, of Logan Township. is numbered among its younger and most enterprising farmers and has made many friends since establishing himself here, in 1888. The farm he is now operating is owned by his mother-in-law. It comprises 120 acres. He was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, July 22, 1851, where he obtained the rudiments of his education and later officiated as pedagogue of the district school. In the meantime he did not aban- don his studies and subsequently pursued them in
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Mt. Union College, Stark County, taking a course in the law department which he contemplated mak- ing his profession in life. He entered upon his career as an attorney in Canton, Ohio, after having been admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court at Columbus, May 24, 1880. He followed his prae- tice in Canton until the summer of 1888. and on the 5th of June, that year, started for the farther West, arriving in this county in due time.
In Paris, Stark Co., Ohio, Mr. Hiner was married in 1874 to Miss Maude, daughter of Benjamin and Amanda II. (Martin) Estep. Mrs. Iliner was born in Findley, Ohio, and when less than a year old moved with her parents to Paris, where her father died in the year 1882. The mother subsequently joined her daughter and is now living with our subjeet. Mr. Hiner employs himself as a teacher during the winter season and superintends the op- eration of his farm all the year round. Hle sought the West on account of ill health and finds himself greatly improved.
The parents of our subject were Henry and Emily (Irey) Hiner and they were born in Ohio, where the mother died in 1871. His father is still living in Canton, that State. They became members of the Friends' Church early in life, in the faith of which our subjeet was carefully reared. Henry ITiner was married to Mrs. Mary Barton after the death of his first wife and there were born three children, .Joseph, Ada and Ida, the latter two being twins. Of the first marriage there were born five children, namely, Arvine C., our subject. Cicero. Elizabeth, Eden and Ilarrison. The paternal grandfather, John Iliner, was a native of Pennsylvania and spent his last days in Paris, Ohio. Grandfather Dawson Trey, was likewise a native of the Keystone State and died in Columbiana County, Ohio.
To the parents of Mrs. Iliner there were born five children, of whom she is the eldest and of whom four survive. Her maternal grandfather, Rudolphus Martin, was a native of Maryland and was married in Pennsylvania to Rahama Uncles, a native of Pennsylvania. They removed to Ohio and died in Paris of which they had been residents many years. Her paternal grandfather, Henry Estep, was born in Germany and was of pure Ger- man stock. He married Abigail Anderson, a native
of Ireland, and died in Delphi, Ind. Grandmother Estep died at Evansville, Ill.
Mr. and Mrs. Hiner are the parents of two sons, Ernest C. and James M. Mr. Hiner, while a resi- dent of Ohio, identified himself with the Knights of Pythias and the Chosen Friends. Politically. he is a Democrat.
HARLES KERSCHEN. It is not alone to Eastern men that we are indebted for the upbuilding of the West. To her broad prairies have come many from over the seas. Germany has sent of her sons many who entered fully into the pioneer work, and many others who have invested their savings in the fertile acres of the West. Among the latter class is the subject of our sketch, who was born in Luxemburg, Germany, May 19, 1831. He was reared to manhood in his native country, learning the weaver's trade, which he followed for over twenty years. He then en- gaged in farming. which occupation he has contin- ned until the present time. He found a fitting companion in Miss Helena Klein, to whom he was married Dec. 19, 1862. Miss Klein was a native of the same duchy as her husband, her birth hav - ing taken place .July 27, 1825.
Mr. and Mrs. Kerschen remained in their native country until the year 1873, when they emigrated to America with their family, which consisted of two children, their eldest son, Charles, having died while an infant. After a voyage of fifteen days they landed in New York, then came directly to Marshall County. Kan., where Mr. Kerchen pur- chased eighty acres of land, upon which they set- tled, on section 18, Marysville Township. Mr. Keschen has devoted his attention wholly to farm- ing and stock-raising, adding to his property until now he owns 200 acres mostly improved, upon which he has erected good buildings and made other improvements.
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