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 24
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C HARLES PRITCHARD. Side by side in their influence upon the future life of the young, stand the home and the school. Not for mental training alone is the latter responsible but for much of the moral as well. By example the youth are guided more even than by direct instruc- tion, and in view of this faet the daily walk and con- versation of the teacher is a matter of grave impor- tance. It gives us pleasure to sketch the life of one whose mental attainments and upright charac- ter so well fitted him for the position he occupied during many years, that of instructor of the youth.
Mr. Charles Pritchard was born in Riehland County, Ohio, Dec. 27. 1844. There he grew to manhood, obtaining a good common school educa-
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tion. With this and a capital of $10 and an old watch. he was prepared to begin life for himself on attaining his majority. Going to Woodford County, Ill., he entered upon the profession of teaching, and at the end of seven months he re- turned home possessed of 8123. During the fol- lowing two years he worked his father's farm and during both winters taught school. In 1868 he came to Kansas and during the winter and sue- ceeding summer taught in the Emory district. The following winter the Beattie distriet secured ' his serviees. He then worked for a time on the St. Joseph & Grand Island Railway. Hle next worked for Dr. Sheldon, of Beattie. and taught in district 39. Following this came two winters of professional work in Gage County. Neb. The year 1873 found him teaching in Deer Creek district of this county. In the summer of 1874 he began farming on a homestead which he had taken on seetion 28, Balderson Township. and during the same year he re-engaged as teacher in distriet 39. In 1875 he taught two terms of school while carrying on his farm, and in the winter of the same year tanght the Elliott distriet. In the sum- mer of 1876 he devoted himself entirely to his farming and during the winter returned to his la- bors in district 39. He then gave up the active work of the teacher's profession and devoted his attention to the pursuit of agriculture. He re- mained upon his homestead until March, 1884, when he took possession of his present home on section 18. Balderson Township. this land having been derived by purchase from his wife's father. It is all under cultivation and well supplied with farm buildings. Mr. Pritchard now has twenty- three head of cattle, nine head of horses and thirty- three head of hogs, and earries on successfully the business of farming. The farm upon which he lives comprises 1643 acres and is held in his own name.
On the farm where he now lives, but at that time the residence of the bride, was celebrated his marriage to Miss Mary Rigg, daughter of Silas and Sarah ( Morris) Rigg. The parents were na- tives respectively of Illinois and Virginia. The family consisted of ten children, five of whom are now living. Mrs. Pritchard was the eldest child.
having been born March 16, 1851, in Indiana. When she was about two years of age her parents had removed to Black Hawk County, lowa, whence three years later they came to Adams County. same State. After a sojourn of ten years they emi- grated to Kansas and settled upon the farm which their daughter now occupies with her husband. Here the mother died in September, 1875. The father is now living in Morton County. Kan. Mrs. Pritchard has borne her husband three children, Alice Faye. Sarah Claire and Charles Lloyd.
Our subject is the son of John Pritchard, a na- tive of Derbyshire, England, who with his father, Charles Pritchard. emigrated to America in 1818. first settling in Bedford, Pa. From there they went to Richland County, Ohio, where they bought 240 acres of Government land and established a new home. Of this land 160 acres are still in the possession of the family. Going back another generation in the paternal line, we find William Pritchard, a native of England, who became a preacher when fifty-seven years of age. The ma- ternal grandfather of our subject was Thomas An- drews, a native of the North of Ireland. who emigrated to America, settling in Ohio. and died in the year 1840. His wife, Anna (Kitheart) An- drews was a native of Pennsylvania and died in 1860. Their daughter Sarab. a native of Ohio, was married in that State. Jan. 4. 1844, to John Prit- chard, father of our subject, and in that State spent the remainder of her life, dying July 11, 1850. Mr. John Pritchard later married Esther Fletcher, also a native of the Buckeye State. He died in December, 1875, his wife surviving him about five years. The parental family consisted of three chil- dren, all the result of the first marriage. Our sub- ject was the eldest of the family, having a sister. Anna Mary. wife of John W. Kinton, of Richland County, Ohio, and a brother, Thomas, also living in that county.
Our subject and his wife are active members of the Presbyterian Church of North Marysville, in which he is ruling Elder. Mr. and Mrs. Pritchard have been members of the Grange and Good Tem- plars lodges, and both have held official positions in each of the organizations. Mr. Pritchard takes an active interest in politics and votes the Repub-
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lican ticket. For three years he has been Justice of the Peace in Balderson Township. As might well be expected of a retired teacher, he takes an act- ive interest in educational affairs and for many years has held a position upon the School Board. During his professional career Mr. Pritchard was accustomed to open his school with scripture read- ing and prayer. At Beattie he was told by the School Board and Roman Catholics then living there, that he could read the Bible from 4 P.M. until 9 A.M. if he chose. but they forbade him read- ing it in school hours. In accordance with the ad- vice of the County Superintendent he thereafter refrained from doing so. Mr. and Mrs. Pritehard are among the most highly esteemed residents of the township. and are people of more than ordinary intelligence, of hospitable and kindly manners and active in all good works.
LONZO A. GERHART. As the tide of emigration moves toward the setting sun, new villages spring up where once was the boundless prairie. and thriving towns ap- pear upon the site of the old hunting grounds of the Indians, while the timbered forest disappears before the powerful hand of man. Wonderful changes have been witnessed by those who came to Kansas in the days of its infancy as a State, and great improvements have been made by their un- flagging industry. Even those more recent settlers have materially assisted to change the face of the country. as they have established pleasant homes and bustling, noisy cities. The natives of the State of Ohio have not been in the rear of the on- ward march, but were in the front ranks of the early settlers.
Among those who have been prospered in their labors, not the least worthy of mention is he of whom we write, Alonzo A. Gerhart, who came to this State and county in 1880. Though compara- tively speaking he is a recent settler. yet he took up land in an almost primitive condition, and has changed it to a productive, valuable farm.
There reside in lowa an old eonple, venerated by
their friends and respected by all who know them. They are in the twilight of life which has been passed by them in earnest efforts to make a home and rear their children so that they might reflect credit upon their parents throughout their life. These people are Aaron Gerhart and his wife Anna (Davis) Gerhart. The former was a native of the Keystone State, but when a boy came to Ohio, where he married Anna Davis. Six of their chil- dren lived to years of maturity. After a long residence in Ohio, they came to lowa, where in Jones County, the father is still managing the in- terests of his farm.
Among the children born to Aaron and Anna (Davis) Gerhart, the one in whom we are particu- larly interested is Alonzo A. He was born in Knox County, Ohio, Nov. 29, 1849, and here he remained with his parents until he was four years of age, then went to Iowa in company with them on their removal. In this then frontier State, he grew to man's estate, receiving a good, practical education in the schools of his district. He early learned to make himself useful on the home farm, and became so proficient as a farmer, that he chose agriculture as his life occupation. Time has proven this to be a wise selection. A mere glance at his comfortable, well-kept farm shows that the leading spirit of the place is one who understands his chosen calling.
That Mr. Gerhart has such a pleasant home is due not alone to his efforts, for he has had for nearly twenty years the active cooperation of an intelligent. practical, and amiable wife, whose maiden name was Eva Glick. To her he was mar- ried Dec. 11, 1870, and for ten years thereafter they worked together on their lowa homestead. But such enthusiastic reports were brought to their ears of the wonderful soil of the growing State of Kansas that they were indueed to remove hither. This was their first residence in the State and so comfortably are they settled, that we may reason- ably trust no further removals will be deemed prudent.
To. Mr. and Mrs. Gerhart have been born four children, namely: George A., Anna, Ira, and Ern- est, all of whom are yet under the parental roof, and form a happy, united family. Mr. Gerhart
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votes with the Republican party, with whose prin- ciples he is in cordial, hearty sympathy. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and was Clerk of the township for one year; he has served as Road Overseer. and is at present Clerk of the School District. He was also School Director for one term, and was of considerable aid in securing the services of good instructors, and placing the school in fine condition.
Mrs. Gerhart was born in Indiana in 1852 and is the daughter of Gideon and Minerva ( Wholf) Glick. Gideon Gliek was born Feb. 11. 1822, in Ohio; Minerva Glick, born Aug. 3, 1827, in Penn- sylvania. They moved to Iowa when their daugh- ter, Eva, was only three years old, and remained there until in 1880 when they changed their home to Kansas, and at this time reside in Richland Township. Mr. Glick is engaged in farming. Mrs. Gerhart was one of six children, two girls and four boys, all living.
LMERON BROOKS. The deliberate and cautious man, although making less stir in the world than the more breezy and pugnacious, usually wins the day. These qualities have been among the leading character- . isties of Mr. Brooks, who, following their direction in his business affairs. may be accounted as having made of life a success, morally and financially. He is liberal and publie-spirited to a marked degree. and is numbered among the most useful men of his community. Ile has been prompt to meet his obligations, and his word is considered as good as his bond. A farmer all his life, he has a thorough understanding of agricultural pursuits, having fol- lowed them successfully for many years on his present homestead. which is finely located on sec- tion 24 in Elm Creek Township. In addition to the thorough cultivation of the soil. he has erected first-class buildings, surrounded his dwelling with fruit and shade trees. and his family with all the comforts and conveniences of modern life.
A native of the town of Hornby, Steuben Co .. N. Y., our subject was born July 18, 1829, and
was the third in a family of four children born to Sylvester and Prudency (Peck) Brooks, who were both natives of Connecticut. They lived in that State for a time after their marriage, and then emi- grated to Steuben County, N. Y., afterward chang- ing their residence to Genesee County, where the mother died many years ago. Sylvester Brooks is still living, and has attained to a ripe old age.
Our subject was about eleven years old when his parents removed from Steuben to Genesee County, N. Y,, where he developed into manhood and engaged in farming. He lived there until the fall of 1870, then decided to seek the Farther West, and coming to this county, located, in the spring of 1871, at his present farm on section 24, Elm Creek Township. The first busy years were employed in effecting improvements as rapidly as possible. besides the added labor of sowing and reaping the grain in its season, and raising the pro- visions for household consumption. Mr. Brooks in due time added to his landed possessions. and is now the owner of 240 acres, which is largely de- voted to stock-raising. and mostly operated by other parties. It is the source of a handsome in- come. and yields ample returns for the labor lc- stowed upon it. Mr. Brooks erected on his fine homestead a commodious farm residence, which is represented by a view on another page.
The marriage of our subject and Miss Lydia A. Kenyon was celebrated in Youngstown, N. Y .. Oct. 14, 1851. Mrs. Brooks was born in Mexico, Os- wego Co., N. Y., May 8, 1831, and is the daughter of Stanton Kenyon, who, with his estimable wife. spent his last years in Genesee County. Their family consisted of six children, of whom Mrs. Brooks was the second-born. To her.as to her mother before her, there have been born six children. the eldest of whom, Sarah E .. is the wife of John Les- lie, of this county; Frank married Miss Anna Miller, and lives in Elm Creek Township; Harvey A. married Miss Jennie McMillin, and is occupied at farming in this county; Myrtie is the wife of An- drew MeMillin. of Waterville Township; Bert H. married Miss Anna Thomas, and Fred remains at home with his parents.
Both our subject and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Epis-
RES. AND QUARRY OF I.H.CHAPMAN. OKETO CITY KANSAS.
OLD HOUSE
RESIDENCE OF ALMERON BROOKS, SEC. 24. ELM CREEK TOWNSHIP.
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copal Church. in which Mr. Brooks has been Class- Leader for many years, both in New York State and Kansas. In politics he is a decided Prohi- bitionist. but, aside from holding the offices of Township Treasurer and Trustee, has declined of- ficial responsibilities. He keeps himself well posted upon current events, aud is a man possessing a fine fund of general information, making him thus a very pleasant companion, from whom something ean always be learned.
RVING II. CHAPMAN, who is known through- out Marshall County as one of its keenest and most enterprising business men, having been variously identified with its interests since pioneer days, and by his energy and business talent given an impetus to its growth, is a leading citizen of Oketo. This town is indebted to him for its origin, as he laid out and platted the first site on his farm Jan. 7, 1881, and though for certain reasons the greater part of the town has been erected on an ad- dition, vet he will always have the honor of having been its originator, and its history will form a part of his own. Ile is prosperously engaged in the hardware business here, and has a neat, well-ap- pointed store, well stocked with a large and varied assortment of hardware of all kinds, and has an ex- tensive and lucrative trade.
Our subject is a son of the Hon. Samuel E. and Harriet (Barnes) Chapman, natives, respectively, of Stillwater and Batavia, N. Y., the father subse- quently becoming a prominent lawyer and States- man in Wisconsin. After marriage they began their wedded life in Rochester, N. Y., whence they removed to Black River Falls, and later to Laporte, Ind. Mr. Chapman was there engaged as a car- penter and builder, and erected the first court house in that city. Ile finally went with his family to Waterford, Racine Co., Wis., where he resided the remainder of his life. Ile devoted a part of his time to the flouring business, and erected a flour, grist and saw mill, which was managed principally by other hands, while he attended to his profes- sional duties as a lawyer, He was one of the lead-
ing members of the bar in Racine County, and such was the confidence of the people in him, that they elected him twice to represent them in the State Legislature, aud the honor is due to him of having been the originator of the present homestead law of Wisconsin, and of having been instrumental in securing the passage of the bill through the Legis- lature. He died deeply lamented and universally respected in 1872. while his amiable wife survived him but a few years, dying in 1877.
Samuel Chapman and his wife had a family of nine children, of whom our subject was the second, and he was born in Laporte, Ind., July 28, 1836. When he was a year old his parents removed to Waterford, Wis., and there amid pioneer scenes he grew to a stalwart, capable manhood. As soon as he was old enough, in company with another, he took almost the entire charge of his father's mill while the latter was attending to his law business. In 1855 he met with a painful accident in the mill by coming in contact with a circular saw, whereby all the fingers of his right hand were cut off. But such was his purity of blood and perfect state of health, that the wound was entirely healed in six months.
Mr. Chapman's marriage with Miss Susan HI., daughter of Richard and Sarah Foat, natives of England, was duly solemnized July 4, 1857. She was born in New York, Aug. 3, 1838, and under the parental roof received that wise training that made her equal to the cares and responsibilities that have devolved upon her in after life since she has been called upon to fulfill the duties of wife and mother. Six children have been born of her wedded life with our subject-Chauncey I., El- mer G., Samuel E., Walter F., Gertrude I., and Bertie E.
Mr. Chapman continued in business in Wisconsin with his father until 1866. For some time his at- tention had been centered on Kansas, and being nmuch impressed with the vigor of the young and rapidly growing State, its fine climate, its won- derful and varied resources, and other natural ad- vantages, with characteristic enterprise, he resolved to invest his capital here, and make this State his permanent abiding place. In the month of June, of the year just mentioned, he put his resolution
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into execution, and coming to Marshall County, settled in Oketo Township. Ilere was a fine op- portunity for him to establish himself in the milling business, of which he has such thorough practical knowledge, and he built a dam across the river, and erected a sawmill during the winter of 1866-77. He had just completed it, when a rise in the river swept a portion of the dam away, and with it car- ried the mill about half a mile down the stream. Not discouraged by this ill stroke of luck, Mr. Chapman soon after formed a partnership with Joseph Guittard. and rebuilt the dam and mill, which now stands at Oketo. They continued to- gether in the milling business ten years. and at the expiration of that time, Mr. Chapman bought bis partner's interest in the concern, and operated it himself very profitably until 1887, when he sold out to Anderson & Co. In 1884 he began to work a stone-qnarry at Oketo, and still continues that enterprise, from which he derives a good annual income. A man of many resources, he has not confined himself to any one business, and with his other interests, managed a farm in this county, un- til the spring of 1889, when he sold it at a good price. He established himself in the hardware busi . ness in March, 1889, fitting up his commodious store with a very fine stock of all kinds of hard- ware. and he already commands a good trade.
Since coming here to reside, Mr. Chapman's hon- orable, conscientious course as a business man, his far-seeing business policy, enterprise and tact, have rendered him a great addition to the citizenship of the town and county, and it is to the influence of such men of fertile brain and liberal spirit that they are indebted for their high standing and pros- perity. We have already referred to his work in founding Oketo, and be was also instrumental in having a post-office established here, and for a number of years served with entire satisfaction to . the whole community as Postmaster. He was ap- pointed Notary Public in the seventies. and has since filled that office with ability. A man of en- fightened views, well understanding the value of a good education in any walk in life. he has always taken a marked interest in local educational mat- ters, and has exerted his influence to secure good schooling for the youth of the town. He has long
been identified with the Republican party, but is now a prominent supporter of the Union Labor party. earnestly sympathizing with the views of its founders, and heartily approving of its platform.
Our readers will notice with pleasure the valu- able addition to the ALBUM in a view of the pleas- ant home of Mr. and Mrs. Chapman. given ou an- other page.
ACOB E. ANDREWS. The welfare of every community is dependent upon the liberality and public-spiritedness of its leading men- those who are willing to contribute a fair share of their time and means to the encourage- ment of those enterprises caleulated for its advance- ment. Mr. Andrews has made for himself a good record in this respect, and is looked up to as one whose place, were it made vacant, could not be readily filled. Quiet and unobtrusive in his hab- its, he has nevertheless exerted no small influence in the affairs of his township, and the fact that be is spoken well of by all who know him, is sufficient indication of his true character. We find him com- fortably located on section 25, Elm Creek Town- ship. where he, in 1882, purchased a quarter section of land which he has brought to a good state of cultivation, and improved with comfortable build- ings. His course has been that of an honest, up- right citizen, one who is prompt in meeting his obligations, and endeavors to do unto his neigh- bors as he would be done by.
In noting the parental history of our subject, we find that his father, Ernest Andrews, was a native of Germany, where he lived until reaching man- hood, and was married to Miss Christina Markley, who was probably born in his own Province. Upon cmigrating to America, they established themselves in Liverpool Township, Medina Co .. Ohio, where the father engaged in farming, and where both par- ents spent the remainder of their lives. Ernest Andrews departed this life June 11, 1877. The wife and mother survived her husband a little over three years, her death taking place July 11, 1880. Their family consisted of seven children, of whom Jacob E. was the fifth in order of birth. He first opened his eyes to the light in Liverpool Township,
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Ohio, Nov. 8, 1857, and was there reared to man's estate. acquiring his education in the common schools. He lived at home until a youth of seven- teen years, then starting ont for himself, sought the farther West, traveling through lowa and Minnesota, and returning home after an absence of two years. He then remained there until coming to this county, in 1882, and here he has since lived.
For his wife our subject sought a maiden of his own township in Ohio, Miss Johanna Weidner, to whom he was married there, Dee. 24, 1878. Mrs. Andrews was born in Liverpool Township, Jan. 13, 1855, and is the daughter of Charles and Chris- tina (Wortwin) Weidner, the latter of whom died in that township in the summer of 1887. Of this union there have been born four children-Rob- ert G., Clara, Maude, and Carl, who are all at home with their parents, and are being given the educa- tion and training suitable to their station in life. Mr. Andrews is a progressive man in his ideas, and believes in education, and all other advantages which will secure for the young, that which will make of them worthy and useful members of so- ciety. He east his first Presidential vote for Gar- field, and maintains his allegiance to the Republican party.
0 WEN THOMAS. The subject of this notice ocenpies a leading position among the prom- inent farmers of Guittard Township. ITis homestead embraces 240 acres of finely enltivated land, lying on section 35, the residence being on the northeast corner. It is largely devoted to stock raising and bears evidence of being under the supervision of a thorough and skillful agricul- turist. Mr. Thomas in addition to being a first- class farmer is a wide-awake business man and in company with others contemplates in the near fu- ture the establishment of a canning factory at Beattie.
Mr. Thomas is a native of the Buckeye State and was born in Fayette County, June 18, 1835. Ile has spent the greater part of his life in his native State having come to this county in 1883. Ile acquired a practical education in the common
schools and worked with his father on the farm until reaching his majority. He was then married Feb. 16, 1859, to Miss Mary J., daughter of Henry Farrar, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. This union resulted in the birth of nine children. eight of whom are living. The eldest, a son, Byron, is a resident of Chicago, Ill., in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. He married a Miss McLean, who is now deceased and to them there was born one child-a daughter, Fannie. Minnie is the wife of T. F. Jones, of Omaha, Neb .; Georgia, Nattie, Walter, Farrar, Mary and Glen remain at home with their parents. Mr. Thomas has given his children the advantages of a good education, believing this to be a legacy better than money and which cannot be taken from them.
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