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 23
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Of the two children who were brought to Amer- iea only one survives. Peter G. passed from earth Sept. 16, 1886, at St. Joseph, Mo .. at the early age of twenty-one. He was a graduate of Writner's
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Business College, of St. Joseph, Mo., and had been engaged in teaching for three years. He was pre- paring to return to the parental roof when, three days before his intended departure, he was stricken by the illness which terminated so fatally. His was a life that not alone his parents, but the world could ill afford to lose, as his mental attainments and fine character gave promise of a life of great usefulness. He was a devout member of the Cath- olic Church. Nicholas S .. the surviving son. has a thorough common-school education, having at- tended school for sixteen years. He is a very in- telligent young man, a worthy representative of the parental virtues.
Mr. Kerschen is a believer in and a supporter of the principles advocated by the Democratic party. The entire family are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Kerschen is a man of upright, honest character, and in looking back over his life he may well feel a just pride at the position he has won in the esteem and confidence of honest men and the respect of all good citizens.
AMES D. NEWTON. Among the pioneer settlers of this county Mr. Newton deserves more than a passing notice. We first find him here in 1875, and he soon afterward became interested in the stone deposit, which is located on the farm now owned by Mr. Fitz- gerald. He associated himself with partners, and under the firm name of J. D. Newton & Co. was instrumental in the development of the quarry, of which he is now the proprietor, and in the operation of which he gives employment usually to half-a- dozen men. The quarry is located two and one-half miles south of the city of Beattie, and promi. ses in the near future to become of considerable importance. Mr. Newton possesses the industry and perseverance necessary to success, and has all the qualities of an honest man and a good citizen.
A native of Jefferson County, N. Y., our sub- ject was born Aug. 23, 1846. and lived there until a young man of twenty-two years. Hle pursued his first studies in the common school, and com-
pleted his education in Ives Seminary at Antwerp. Later he officiated as a pedagogue two terms, and then leaving the Empire State, made his way to Iowa, where he sojourned six months. We next find him in Pawnee County, Neb., to which his father had eome in 1869 and purchased a farm. James I). remained a member of the parental house- hold until the children were grown, having, by the death of his father in 1870, assumed many of the responsibilities of the head of the household. After this, crossing the line, he came over into Kansas and located on a traet of land two and one- half miles north of the infant town of Beattie. He carried on farming there for a number of years.
In 1879 Mr. Newton removed to the city and engaged as a stone mason, which occupation he followed for about six years. In the meantime he was concerned in the erection of some of the most important buildings in the city, and later became interested in his present enterprise. Ile associated himself in partnership with Mr. Cornell, and under the firm name of J. D. Newton & Co. they pros- ecuted an extensive business, shipping between 800 and 900 car-loads of stone per year. In Jan- uary, 1889. Mr. Newton withdrew from the firm and is now carrying on business alone. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party. He has served as Township Trustee and Assessor for four years, and was Justice of the Peace two years. He declined a re-election on account of his pressing business affairs, which prevented him from giving proper attention to the duties of the office. Socially. Le belongs to the A. O. U. W., and Lodge No. 259, A. F. & A. M., at Beattie.
The marriage of James D. Newton and Miss Eliza Gates, was celebrated at the bride's home at Antwerp, N. Y., Feb. 20, 1871. This union re- sulted in the birth of six ehildren, two of whom are deceased. The survivors are named respect- ively : Adamantha, Amber, Emmit and Mabel. These remain at home with their parents, and are being given the educational advantages which will make of them good and intelligent citizens. Mrs. Newton was born in Antwerp, N. Y., Feb. 19, 1850, and remained there until her marriage. Her fatlier, Robertson Gates, was born at Champion, Jefferson Co .. N. Y., Dec. 25, 1801, and for many
RES. OF A.J. PALMER, SEC .36. WATERVILLE TOWNSHIP.
CITY RESIDENCE
RESIDENCE OF C.G. BEACH, SEC. 17. BLUE RAPIDS CITY TOWNSHIP.
RES. OF JOHN DAWKINS, SEC. G. BLUE RAPIDS TOWNSHIP.
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years was occupied as foreman in a large foundry in Jefferson County. He was married, in 1833, to Miss Eunice Lynde, a native of his own county, and who was born Sept. 25, 1809. The parental family consisted of nine children. eight of whom lived to mature years. The mother passed away April 10, 1878, and the father in October, 1879. They spent their entire lives in their native State.
Samuel Newton, the father of our subject, was born near the city of Ottawa, Canada, April 7, 1818. When a youth of seventeen years he emi- grated to Jefferson County, N. Y., where he met and married Miss Sylvia Hines. He made his home there until 1869, on a farm near Antwerp. Finally selling out, he sought the farther West, and died near Pawnee City, Neb., in 1870. leaving a family of seven children, one of whom died soon afterward. James D. was the eldest child of the family. Those surviving are residents mostly of Kansas and Nebraska. The mother is still living . at the old homestead in Clay Township, Pawnee County.
C HARLES L. WATSON. Perhaps the lead- ing characteristics in the make-up of this gentleman are. his love of home, his regard for his family and the industry which has sur- rounded them with all the comforts of life. Ile has been a life-long farmer and has 160 acres of well developed land on section 5, which he secured as a homesteader in 1866. He has since given to this his best efforts, bringing the soil to a productive condition, making fences, erecting buildings, plant- ing shade and fruit trees, and effecting the im- provements naturally suggested to the careful and industrious individual. He believes in extracting all the good from life possible and has mixed with his labors a large amount of enjoyment.
In reverting to the antecedents of our subject. we find that he is the son of John P. Watson, a native of the city of Hull, England. He emigrated to America early in life, and settled in Pennsyl- vania, where he was married to Miss Elizabeth L. Sweeney, who was probably born in that State. It is believed that they settled in Lycoming
County after their marriage, but later they re- moved to Carlisle County, Ohio, where they lived nearly seven years. Their next removal was to Ogle County, Ill., where they sojourned until 1867. and that year came to Kansas, settling in Oketa Township, this county. The father followed farm- ing, and died Feb. 9, 1879; the mother departed this life Dec. 23, 1882. They were the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are living.
The subject of this sketch was one of the elder children of the parental family, and was born in Lorain Township, Carlisle Co., Ohio, April 15, 1839. He was about four years old when his par- ents removed to Ogle County, Ill., and settled in Monroe Township, where he spent his boyhood and youth and developed into manhood. He ac- quired his education in the common schools and assisted his father on the farm until the spring of 1866. He was married Feb. 22 that year to Miss Sarah, daughter of Charles H. and Margaret (Spiel- man) Travelute. The father of Mrs. Watson was a native of Germany and of French ancestry. Upon emigrating to America they settled in Penn- sylvania, and later emigrated first to Mason County, Ill., and then to Ogle County, where the family lived for many years. In the spring of 1866 they came to Kansas, and are now residents of Oketo Township. The household consisted of eight children, of whom Mrs. Watson was the fifth in order of birth. She first opened her eyes to the light in Mason County, Ill., May 20, 1849. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Watson settled on the 160 acres of land which our subject had homesteaded the previous year, in a log house, which they occupied about eight years. Mr. Wat- son then rented his land and removed to Van- couvers Island, B. C., where he lived another eight years, and then returned to this county. Ile now erected a good frame house upon his farm, and has since given to it his undivided attention, mak- ing a specialty of stock-raising.
To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born five children, namely: George B., Dora I., Grace V., Margaret I. and Florence M. Mrs. Wat- son deserves praise no less than her husband, for the manner in which she has stood by him through storm and sunshine, encouraging him in his worthy
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efforts and conducting her household affairs with that good judgment and economy which has had no small influence in the happiness of the home and the success of our subject. Mr. Watson, politically. was formerly identified with the Democratic party, but now votes the Union Labor ticket. He is a man who does his own thinking, believes in the rights of labor, and belongs to the A. O. C. W.
OSEPH B. WUESTER, is one of the rising young men of this county, prominent in the community in which he dwells, the owner of valuable property in this county, and carrying on the business of a general merchant at Home City. He is of German descent, his father, Abraham and his mother. Margretta, (Bower) Wuester, both having been natives of the Father- land. After their marriage they settled in St. Louis, from there they removed to St. Joseph, Mo., and thenee emigrated to this county in 1858. On ac- count of sickness they remained in this State but about a year, returning to St. Joseph for a two years' sojourn. They then returned to Kansas, settling in what is now Guittard Township, where they still reside. They had a family of nine chil- dren of whom our subjeet is the eldest living. He was born in St. Joseph, Mo., Sept. 1, 1858, and was about two years of age when his parents returned to this State, where he grew to manhood upon his father's fårm. He received a good common- school education. making the most of the advan- tages of the county. Ile remained at the parental fireside until his twenty-second year, when at Frank- fort. Kan., May. 1, 1880, was celebrated his mar- riage with Miss Rosa Schwarz, the only child of Gotleib Schwarz. The parents of the bride were natives of Germany, who had emigrated to Amer- ica in the winter of 1869, settling in Center Town- ship, this county, where they still reside. Mrs. Wnester was born in Germany, Sept. 1, 1855. She has become the mother of three children-Lottie and Joseph W., now living, and William. who died at the age of five years.
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City, in the spring of 1884 and carries a fine stock of general merchandise and is proving himself a man of excellent business ability. In company with Gregg Bros. of St. Joseph, Mo., he operates an elevator having a capacity of 12,000 bushels. In addition to these business enterprises, he is a partner in the State's Bank at Summerfield, Kan., and is the owner of 320 acres of land in Franklin and Center townships. He was appointed Post- master under Cleveland's administration. and held that office until the spring of 1889; he has held some of the school offices of the township, and is a man of prominence in the community. Few young men of Northern Kansas can show a better record of financial success or excel him in the character- isties of true manhood. Mr. Wuester is a devout member of the Catholic Church, while his wife worships with the Lutheran Church.
OHN TALBOT, a plain, straightforward man, reliable, industrious and well-to-do, may be usually be found at his well-regu- lated farm on section 8, which is mainly devoted to stock-raising. The land is highly pro- duetive, the dwelling is built in a modern style of architecture and the barn and other outbuildings are neat and convenient structures, amply adapted to the purposes of general agriculture. The proprie- tor holds a good position socially and financially in his community, and deserves honorable mention among the men who have assisted in the develop- ment of Marysville Township.
In reverting to the parental history of our sub- ject, we find that his father, Charles Talbot, was a native of London. England, where he was reared to man's estate and married Susannah Key. After marriage they settled in London, where they lived until about 1849, then emigrating to America located on a farm in South Grove Township, DeKalb Co .. Ill. They lived there until the spring of 1866. then coming to this county, settled on a farm on seetion 8, in Marysville Township, where the father prosecuted agriculture until his death, which occurred in 1879. The mother died
Mr. Wuester began mercantile business at Home ! at the old homestead two years later. They were
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the parents of eight children, of whom John was the fifth in order of birth. He likewise was born in London, Sept. 19, 1844. His father and older brother came to America that year, and two years after, the balance of the family came. Ile followed them two years later and attained his majority in DeKalb County, Ill. He accompanied his family to this county in the spring of 1866, but having a erop to gather in DeKalb County, returned to Illinois, where he stayed about one year, and finally rejoined the family in this county, settling on the land which he had previously homesteaded. This comprised eighty aeres on seetion 32, in Oketo Township, where he lived abont ten or eleven years, and until after the death of his father. He then removed to Maryville Township, of which he has sinee been a resident, and now owns 120 acres of land.
While a resident of DeKalb County, Ill., our sub- jeet was married Sept. 6, 1866 to Miss Eveline Taylor, and of this union there are three children living. namely: Walter, Edith and Lillie. The wife, and mother of these children died at the homestead in Oketo Township, June 5, 1873. Mr. Talbot was married to his present wife May 6, 1874. She was Mrs. Nancy C. Johnson -- her maiden name being Parish; she is a native of Kentucky.
Mr. Talbot, politieally, is a straight Republican. lle is a man making very little stir in the world, but pursues the even tenor of his way, doing a friend or a neighbor a favor as he has opportunity, and giving his influence to those enterprises having for their object the general good of the people.
HOMAS L. HOLLOWAY. It will read- ily be coneeded to have been a most fort- unate occurrence when about thirty years ago the Holloway family became settlers of this State, and contributed of their labors and efforts to develop the vast resources of Marshall County. There were three brothers of this family who eame to Kansas with their parents in 1857, leaving their former Ohio home, and loeating in Doniphan County, Kan., which was for a short time their so- journing ground. One son remained in the East.
and one sister living in the State of Ohio. Coming to Marshall County about 1859, the family entered Government land, where the subject of this notice now resides, on section 35, in Herkimer Township. Their first tome (a log cabin) was the second house on Horse Shoe Creek, and was beautifully located in a picturesque, romantic spot, but at that time was lonely, the only sounds being the frequent and mournful cries of wild animals, and the only lights visible at night when clouds obscured the moon and stars, were the camp fires of distant In- dians. The latter, however, were, as a rule, not unfriendly, though occasionally threatening the settlers with all the horrors of an Indian War.
Born Nov. 11. 1838, in Henry County, Ohio, to Noah and Amanda B. (Hunt) Holloway, our sub- ject was early deprived of a mother's loving and ever-watchful care. Later, his father was married a second time, his wife being Mrs. Mary Sanford, whose first husband, Franeis Sanford, died in Ohio. She still lives with her son, Jacob, in this county, but the father passed away Jan. 29, 1879. The boyhood years of our subject do not present any striking facts for the biographer to record, as they were passed in a comparatively uneventful manner under the parental roof. Reaching manhood, he commeneed to prepare for a home of his own, and chose to share it with him, Mrs. Bell Whitehead, daughter of Thomas N. and Mary A. (Anderson) Pace, who had previously been married to John H. Whitehead, of St. Joseph, Mo., and had one eliild by this union, a son, Thomas J. Our subject and his wife were married in St. Joseph, and their union has resulted in the birth of three children, namely : William L., Hettie A. and Cora L.
The owner of the old home farm comprising an area of 249 acres of land, our subject is fi- nancially independent, and is able to give his ehil- dren the advantages of which he was deprived. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace for six years, and in politics affiliates with the Republicans. Ilis farm is in good condition, with a comfortable frame residence, stone and frame barn, and all the outbuildings essential to the successful develop- ment and carrying on of a modern farm. Sur- rounding the house are many natural shade trees, whose lofty branches serve as a protection
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against the too friendly beams of the summer sun. and also break the severity of winter winds and Manitoba breezes. The buildings are erected close to the banks of the Horse Shoe Creek, and all along the water's edge is a heavy growth of timber, whose giant boughs arch downward as though to kiss the murmuring water below. The family thus pleasantly located, are among the most highly re- spected in the entire county. and their past history has been such as to richly merit the confidence they enjoy.
Every soldier's life is divided into two separate and distinct periods-the time of peace and the time of war. Having already considered the life of Mr. Holloway under the former. let us append a few facts concerning the latter. When the hideous reality of war broke out in all its fury over the country, Mr. Holloway was among the first to enlist and offer his life as a sacrifice for the preservation of the Union. He enlisted in Com- pany H, 2d Kansas Cavalry, Dec. 9, 1861, and served until March 14, 1865. Among the engage- ments in which he participated were the following: Nutona. Cone IIill, Prairie Grove, Van Buren, Little Rock. Prairie Dam, Camden and Saline River; all in Arkansas. Our subjeet was so fort- unate as to receive only one wound, caused by being thrown from a horse in the charge at Dripping Springs. Ark. He then had two ribs broken, which disabled him for some time. He was discharged as a Corporal, and is now Second Lieutenant of Com- pany G, 3d Regiment Kansas National Guards, of Marysville; he belongs also to Lyons Post No. 9, G. A. R., of Marysville. In these various organiza- tions he is a prominent member, and is intimately associated with whatever has a tendency to improve the social condition of those around him. freely assisting all charitable and philanthropic attempts to benefit humanity at large.
Concerning the father of Mr. Holloway, who was by name Noah Holloway, and who married Amanda Hunt, it is recorded that he was a native of New Jersey, and that he was brought by his parents, Jacob and Hannah (Cora) llolloway, to Pennsyl- vania, when he was only nine months of age, and thence accompanied them to Ilamilton County, Ohio, when that State was yet a territory and Cin-
cinnati a mere unimportant village. The family lo- cated about nine miles from the latter city, and about fifteen years later the grandfather of our subject sold his possessions. and invested his money in the town of Shakerville. Warren Co., Ohio. being desirons of developing the interests of the Shaker Church. There the grandparents spent their last days, and there Jacob Ilolloway lived to be eighty-four years of age, having been born on the 26th of October. 1767. His wife died at the age of ninety-one. Her maiden name was. Hannah Cora, born Oct. 7, 1772. Noah Holloway and wife ( whom he had married Dec 21, 1883) left their old home and located in Northern Ohio. Another generation further back we find mention made of Jeremiah Holloway, who was a brave pa- triot in the Revolutionary War, and helped to frce his country from the tyranny of foreign rule.
C LARKSON HOLTON. Among the pioneer settlers of Marshall County none probably have had a wider or more varied experience than Mr. Hoiton and his excellent wife. They came to the frontier soon after the Indians had left it and experienced all the hardships and privations of life in a new settlement. But many and great as these were, they were never so numerons or ex- tended that Mr. and Mrs. Holton could not tender the hospitalities of their humble dwelling to some one worse off than themselves. They became noted for their kindness of heart and for the fact that no one who was needy was ever turned empty from their door. This quality has clung to thiem through all the years which have followed, and few sojourners in this part of the county are un- acquainted with the sturdy old veteran and his faithful and affectionate partner. They are now sitting under their own vine and fig tree, and while reviewing the toils and sacrifiees of their earlier years and comparing them with the blessings of the present, they feel amply repaid for all which they have endured. Not only are their children located comfortably around them, but they have a number of bright and interesting grandchildren
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whom they look upon with pardonable pride. If the sunset of their lives is not cloudless and serene. it will not be because they have not the best wishes of a host of friends.
The branch of the Holton family from which our subject sprang was represented in New England at an early day. Ilis parents, Jeptha and Nancy (Clausen) Ilolton, were natives of New Jersey, where they were reared and married and after- ward settled in Plainfield. The mother died in Plainfield, N. J .; the father subsequently re- moved to Illinois, where he spent his last days. The father was a hatter by trade, and the parental household included six children, four danghters and two sons. Clarkson was the second child and was born near Plainfield, N. J., Nov. 20, 1815. He too learned the hatter's trade and remained a resident of his nattve State until nearly thirty years of age. He followed his trade until 1854, then leaving New Jersey, struck out for the West and purchased a farm in Tazewell County, Ill. Ile occupied this until February, 1870, and then came with his family to this county. lIere he home- steaded eighty acres of land on section 22 in Elm Creek Township, of which he has since been a resident.
After coming to this State Mr. Holton worked one year at grading on the St. Joseph & Grand Island Railway. He has, however, given the most of his attention to farming and stock-raising. Ile has been very successful as a tiller of the soil and added eighty acres to his first purchase, upon which he has made good improvements. Ile com- menced life in this county with very little means, having only a few household goods, a team of mules and twenty-five cents in cash. Brave must have been the spirit which bore up under the out- look in a region thinly settled and with few of the conveniences of modern life. A few years of in- dustry and perseveranec. however, materially changed his condition and placed him upon solid ground.
Mr. Holton was first married in Plainfield, N. J .. Oct. 29, 1836, to Miss Rachel O'Connor, who was born in New York City and who became the mother of one child. The latter, a daughter, Rhoda S., was first married to William Morrison, who died
in New York City, and she was then married to William Fitzgerald, of Blue Rapids City, this county. Mrs. Rachel (O'Connor) Holton died in Tazewell County. Ill., Jan, 25, 1857.
Our subject contracted a second marriage in Tazewell County, Ill, Jan. 24, 1861, with Miss Harriet, daughter of Christopher and Mary (Mar- tin) Wentz. The parents of Mrs. Holton were na- tives of Chester and Lancaster counties, Pa., respectively, and the father in his younger years was proprietor of an hotel and kept a livery stable. They finally removed to Mercer County, where the mother died. Mr. Wentz, later removed to Tazewell County, Ill. where he spent his last days. Mrs. Holton was the sixth in a family of eleven children and was born near New Castle, Pa .. March 13, 1823. Her marriage with our subject resulted in the birth of three children, the oldest of whom, Mary A., died at the homestead in Elm Creek Township, Nov. 18, 1882, when an interest- ing young woman of twenty-one years. William A. married Miss Girolda G. Sheets, and they reside in Elm Creek Township. They have two children, John A. and Mary M .; Christopher O. died in in- fancy. Mr. Holton politically in former years affiliated with the Republican party but now votes independently. Mrs. Holton is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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