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 30
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Mrs. Ockerman, after the death of her husband, remained a resident of Iowa for some time, then returned to this county and began farming on the
old homestead, having to begin anew. She effected good improvements on the place, carried on agri- culture successfully, and reared her family. It was difficult at times to make both ends meet and keep the wolf from the door, but being industrious and an excellent manager she succeeded, and con- tinued there until 1879. In the meantime she pur- chased a loom, and in addition to her household duties, and the general oversight of the farm, spun and wove, working sometimes the greater part of the twenty-four hours.
In the year above-mentioned Mrs. Oekerman dis- posed of her farm property and removed to Frank- fort, where she put up a residence. She occupied this a number of years, and then, at the solicitation of her daughter. Mrs. Tilley, sold her town prop- erty, and took up her abode with the latter in Rock Township, where she now makes her home. She owns a 40-acre farm, well improved, in Ver- million Township. She has four children living, the eldest of whom, Mary II. (Mrs. Milliken ), is the wife of the County Surveyor, and resides in Marys- ville. Emma is the wife of R. H. Tilley, of Rock Township, and who is represented elsewhere in this volume. Josiah D. is traveling in the West. Will- iam H. is attending the Kansas City Dental Col- lege. Mrs. Ockerman is a lady of very decided. views and opinions, and her sympathies, politi- cally, are with the Union Labor party. She has been for many years a prominent and active mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Little Timber school-house. Mrs. Ockerman was born in Bartholomew County, Ind., Oct. 15, 1826. She was reared there on a farm until reaching womanhood, and there also was married. She has been the wit- ness of many and great changes, and has watched the growth and development of the Great West with that warm interest which none but the inteli- gent mind ean feel. Kansas, now a prosperous commonwealth, bears little resemblance to the wild frontier, upon which she settled with her husband, and endured the trials and tribulations usnally encountered by those who ventured to this region soon after the Indians had left it. She is one of the oldest residents of Marshall County, and after her and her husband Ockerman Creek was named. She has many friends among the people of this
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county by whom she is held in deep respect. not only on account of her age, but the excellent qualities of her character.
The father of Mrs. Ockerman, was John M. Her- ron, a native of North Carolina, who, in addition to farming pursuits, operated as a blacksmith and wheelwright. He removed to Kentucky, where he sojourned a number of years, then crossing the Ohio River, settled in the forests of Bartholomew County, Ind., where he engaged at his trade a few years, and then removed to Tippecanoe County. In the latter he entered a tract of land, and in addition to farming engaged in the manufacture of chairs, wheels, etc., and made all his own farm im- plements and fixtures. In 1854 he came to this State with his family, and locating upon a farm in Vermillion Township, labored until advancing age caused him to retire, when he took up his abode with his daughter Polly. In 1862 he returned on a visit to Indiana, where his death occurred in Tippecanoe County, when he was over seventy years old. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Ock- erman was John Herron, who was of English de- scent, and who served in the Revolutionary War, receiving wounds which crippled him for life.
OHN T. WATT. Among the men who have been instrumental in forwarding the agri- cultural interests of Marshall County, Mr. Watt has occupied a prominent position. He is a thorough and skillful farmer as a glance at his fine homestead will at once indicate. He owns and occupies 160 acres, comprising a portion of sections 1, 8, and 9, Richland Township, to which he removed Oct. 1, 1883. This was then a tract of wild land without any improvements whatever, and it is hardly necessary to say that no small amount of time, labor and money have been expended in bringing it to its present condition. The greater part has been thoroughly cultivated, and produces in abundance the rich crops of this region; the bal- ance is good pasture. Mr. Watt has put out an orchard of 400 apple trees, and a quantity of forest
trees, which form a fine windbreak. lle has feneed and cross-fenced his land, erected substantial build- ings, and gathered together the modern machinery required in developing the soil to the best advan- tage. In addition to general farming, he makes a specialty of stock-raising-horses, cattle and swine -and feeds the most of the fifty acres of corn which he usually plants. Ile puts in about thirty acres of oats, fifteen acres of flax, and has fifteen acres of fine meadow land, which produces a choice quality of timothy hay. The improvements on his farm have been effected in six years' time, mostly by the proprietor alone, he hiring help only about six months during the entire period.
Mr. Watt was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, March 17, 1840, but when he was an infant of three months, his parents removed to Jefferson County, where he was reared to man's estate, and received a good practical education in the common school. About the time of reaching his majority. the Re- bellion having broken out, he enlisted as a Union soldier, July 12, 1861, in Company A, 32d Ohio Infantry, which was assigned to the army of the Cumberland, and first sent into Virginia. Ile first met the enemy in actual conflict at the battle of Green Briar, in the Alleghany Mountains, when there were about 5,000 troops on each side, the Union boys being under the command of Gen. Mil- roy. He also fought along the valley of the Shen- endoah in many skirmishes, and was at Vicksburg and Port Hudson. At, Harper's Ferry, after three days' fighting, he was captured with 5,000 others, but with them was soon paroled and sent to Chi- cago to be exchanged. Later our subject went with his regiment to the vicinity of Vicksburg, where Grant was operating and again to Port Hudson. He participated in many of the important battles which followed, namely : Franklin, Wilson Creek, Jackson, Miss., Champion Hills, Black River, and was present at the siege of Vicksburg. After the capture of the city. they set out and marched 400 miles to Meridan, Ga., destroying everything along the railroad lines. and some days marching twenty hours out of the twenty-four. After returning from Canton, Miss., they were seven days without rations, living on parched corn until a train of sup- plies could reach them from Vicksburg. They
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captured a number of rebels, among them being one Jeff Davis, although not the leader of the Con- federacy. Their next expedition was up the Ten- nessee River, and they afterward joined Sherman on his mareh to the sea as far as Atlanta.
Mr. Watt, when in the vicinity of Kenesaw Mountain, was sent out scouting with an Indian, and received fifteen bullet holes through his clothes, while his left arm was broken, and one of the large arteries partially severed. Prior to this, while scouting in the Alleghany Mountains, he was sepa- rated from his regiment for six weeks, but received no bodily injury. After being wounded he was sent to Rome, Ga., where he remained four weeks, then went home on a furlough. When starting to rejoin his regiment, he was sent to Chattanooga, and thence to New Berne, N. C., whence he pro- ceeded to Washington, and was present at the Grand Review at the close of the war. Shortly af- terward he received his honorable discharge at Co- lumbus, Ohio, and was mnstered out in Louisville, Ky., after having given to his country a faithful service of four years and three months. He has not yet entirely recovered from the effects of army life and his wounds.
After retiring from service, Mr. Watt lived one year in Carroll County, Ohio, then removed to De Kalb County, Mo., where he became owner of 120 acres of land, three miles from Marysville, the county seat. In connection with farming, he oper- ated as a contractor and builder in Marysville, Plattsburg, St. Joseph, and Northern Kansas, and was thus employed until coming to this connty. Here he has been Township Clerk, and a member of the School Board, besides occupying other posi- tions only given to the useful and efficient citizen. He votes the straight Republican ticket, and be- lieves in "the Union forever."
While a resident of Marysville, Mo., our subject was married Oct. 18, 1870, to Miss Naney J., Mc- Claren, and of this union there have been born four children, all of whom are living-Grace. Bertha, Bessie, and a babe unnamed. Mrs. Watt was born in Carroll County. Ohio, July 31, 1850, and when a young lady, removed to Missouri to keep house for a brother. She lived there until the time of her marriage. Her parents, John and Auna Mc-
Claren, were natives of Virginia and Ohio, and are now deceased; she was the fifth in a family of eight children.
James Watt, father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, and was married in the Key Stone State, to Miss Maria Thomas. Shortly afterward they removed to Carroll County, Ohio, and then to Jefferson County. where they spent the remainder of their days. living to a ripe old age, the father dying in the spring of 1882, at the age of seventy- two, and the mother three months later, at the age of seventy. The latter was born in 1812, and was the daughter of William Thomas. Mr. Watt so- cially belongs to the Masonic fraternity, also to the A. O. U. W., the G. A R., and the Pilgrim Knights. By a conrse of general reading he has kept himself well informed in regard to current events, and is in all respects a representative citizen.
HOMAS McMAHAN, of Irish-American parentage, is a leading, influential. and re- spected citizen of Marshall County, which has been his home for a period of nearly twenty years. He is the son of John and Sarah (Lon- don) McMahan, the former a native of Ire- land, and the latter of Northumberland County, Pa. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. John Mc- Mahan located in Northumberland County, Pa., where for many years they were valued and indus- trious members of the community. They afterward removed to Bradford County, Pa., where they both passed to their final rest. In their family of eight children our subject was the eldest, and, as is the nsnal experience with the eldest child in a large family, he was never allowed to lapse into idleness. but was a constant example to the younger children of thrift. prudence and industry. The date of his birth was March 26, 1832, and he was born during the sojourn of his parents in Northumberland County, Pa. ITis father was a contractor, but also owned and operated a farm. Here the son grew to manhood, learning to make himself useful at what- ever needed his attention, and helping his father in every way possible. When a small boy his
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father and mother removed to Bradford County, Pa., where he continued to live until 1871, com- ing then to Marshall County, accompanied by his wife and four children.
The first home of Mr. and Mrs. McMahan was in the same location as their farm of the present, being situated on section 18, Franklin Township. lle is the fortunate possessor and cultivator of 167 acres of land, comprising as fine land as is to be found in the West. He has made some good im- provements on his home place. He has received the assistance of his wife in all his efforts to ad- vance his interests and to provide for his children. He was married, in Bradford County, Pa., Dec. 23. 1856, the wife being in her youth Miss Jemima Elliott, daughter of Joseph S. and Jemima (Hor- ton) Elliott. (For further account of the life of her parents see sketch of J. M. Elliott, elsewhere in this volume.) Mr. and Mrs. Elliott were the parents of nine children, of whom Mrs. McMahan was the eighth in order of birth. She was born in Bradford County, Pa., April 6, 1837, and lived in the home of her birth until her marriage.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of seven children, two deceased. Below they are enumerated: The eldest died in infancy ; James E., Mattie E., Thomas W., George C., John V. and Maud I. Mattie was snatched from the loving par- ents by the hand of death, dying in the springtime of life, at the age of twenty years. She passed away in Franklin Township, Nov. 19, 1881, just when the carefully-nourished bud was blossoming into a lovely rose. Truly, there is "no home, how- e'er defended, but bas one vacant chair." Though gone before these many years, she is still sincerely mourned for by those who held her dear. The other daughter is receiving a good education in the district school, and is being fitted to be an orna- ment to society, which her refinement and accom- plishments will permit her to adorn. The sons are all residents of this county. One son, James E., has located the "Ilome City" Nursery on his father's farm.
Our subject in his political affiliation is in sym- pathy with the Union Labor party, and has held various offices in his township, among them being Town Clerk for two terms, and also School Treas-
urer for six years. The people have thus endeav- ored by every possible means to display their confidence in him. In the Masonic fraternity he is a valued member and active worker. Mrs. Mc- Mahan is in her belief a Christian Scientist, and is known for miles around as possessing admirable traits of character and wonderful strength of mind. In the best social circles of the community our subject and his wife are honored guests, while in turn they welcome their many friends under their own hospitable roof.
ENRY BRENNEKE, general merchant, grain and live-stock dealer of the town of Bremen, is widely and favorably known as locater and chief support of the place where he re- sides, as well as a man of means. Ile is one of those whose present prosperity has been attained by untiring industry under the most discouraging circumstances, and whose life presents a stirring example to those who are just beginning a career.
The parents of our subject, Henry and Mary (Hille) Brenneke, were natives of Germany, where five children were born to them, our subject first seeing the light in Hanover, June 28, 1847, and receiving a good education under the compulsory laws of his native land. The eldest son, Christ, came to the United States in 1861, and as soon as he had earned sufficient money sent for his father and family to come to him. They embarked on the sail ship "Adler" and after a voyage of seven weeks, landed May 31, 1864 at New York City, whence they came directly to Cook County, Ill., finding that their son, Christ, had died a month before their arrival. An older daughter of the family,Johnnah, wife of Henry Poppe, had come to America and was at that time living in Illinois, her husband being in the army. Left without money, and with no accquaintances near, ex- cept the friends of the deceased son and brother, the father, mother and children, hired out to work by the day or month, as they best could. A daughter, Mary, wife of Frederick Germer, was yet in Germany, and as soon as sufficient money had
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been earned for the purpose, she was sent for; and with the arrival of herself and family, the parental family were reunited. Our subject was about seventeen years of age when he came to America, and for three years worked upon a farm in Illi- nois. After the return of his brother-in-law, Mr. Poppe, from the service, the two came to Kansas to look up a location for the family. The follow- ing year all came to this county, locating on Moun- tain Creek, this being in April, 1867. Here our subject took a homestead of 160 acres on section 6, where Bremen is now located. The father located in another part of the township, but spent his last days with our subject, dying July 13, 1874 aged sixty-four years. The mother still lives, making her home with our subject.
Here in 1872 the marriage of our subject took place, his bride being Mary, daughter of Henry and Eva (Vogel) Schneck, a native of Wurtem- burg, Germany, where her parents and ancestors were born and reared. Mr. and Mrs. Brenneke have lost two children-Henry and Caroline-and five still live to gladden their lives. The surviv- ors are named respectively. Herman, Frederick. Wilhelmina, Anna and Maria.
Our subject still owns his original homestead, including the town site, which was platted in 1886, on which he has a good frame residence and other buildings, a store and a grain office; he also owns eighty acres of his father's home farm. Mr. Bren- neke has a partner in the mercantile business, Mr. Otto Peieker, and the firm usually carry from $4,000 to $5,000 worth of goods. The grain and live- stock business is carried on solely by Mr. Brenneke. The town of Bremen owes its existence to the efforts of our subject, who, now as the only general merchant and grain and stock dealer in this place, is the chief business support of the town and its contributory districts.
Mr. Brenneke and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, the same faith having been held by their ancestors for generations back. For sev- eral years our subject has held the office of Trustee in that church. He is a man of independent politi- cal views, voting for those whom he considers most capable of administering the offices to which they are nominated. For three years past he has
served as Postmaster of this place. He is one of the charter members of the Bremen Farmers' Mu- tual Insurance Company, of which body he has been Secretary for about twelve years. He has served as Clerk of the School Board during a per- iod of eighteen years. He is possessed of the sterling traits of character that make a man a power in a community, and is one whose presence seems indispensable to the town in whose development he is so deeply interested, and to whose growth he so largely contributes.
OSEPH MANNING. In the front ranks of those who were attracted to Kansas by ru- mors of its vast wealth of soil, and its appar- ently unlimited resources, was he of whom this brief notice is written. He is located on sec- tion 18, Franklin Township, which has been bis permanent residence since 1883. Both the father and grandfather of our subject were by name John Manning, the father of our subject, a native of Clermont County, Ohio, where he married Miss Ursula B. Morgan, also a native of the same State as himself. Living in this, the home of their youth, until 1850, they resolved to seek pastures new, and accordingly repaired to Appanoose County, Iowa, which, with the exception of four years in Lee County, the same State, has since been their home. There the father passed away from earth, leaving his wife and family in good circumstances. The mother of Joseph Manning yet survives, residing in Appanoose County, Iowa.
The home circle of Mr. and Mrs. John Manning, Jr., was enlarged until in time eleven children clustered around the fireside, and among these our subject was the fourth in order of birth. He was born in Franklin Township, Clermont Co., Ohio, on the 20th of November, 1837, and lived in his birthplace until he was about thirteen years of age, when he accompanied his parents to Iowa. This was his home until 1870, but in the meantime sev- eral important events had occurred in his life. About the time he became of age the topic of slav- ery was one of all absorbing interest, and a nation
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was threatened with extinction and ruin. Popular feeling was aroused to a fever heat, and enthusiasm for the national canse was unbounded. In his quiet country home our subjeet had ample time to reflect on these vital questions, and when the call for more soldiers came he responded at once to the ap- peal. He was for three years a faithful and cour- ageous soldier. having enlisted in Angust, 1862, in Company I, 36th Iowa Infantry, and escaped with_ out any severe injuries being received in serviee.
When Mr. Manning's term of service had expired he returned to his old home in Appanoose County, Iowa, and soon afterward married. lle was very fortunate in his selection of a life partner, his wife being Miss Maria I. Holshonser, to whom he was united in the bonds of wedlock Dec. 31, 1865. HIer parents were Milus A., and Caroline (Atkinson) Holshonser. the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter supposed to have been born in Ind- iana. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hol- shonser settled in Putnam County, Ind., which was their home until 1850, when they came to Wa- pello County, Iowa; after a five years' sojourn in the latter county they again removed, this time locating in Appanoose County, Iowa, where Mrs. Holshouser died in 1861. At the present time her husband yet survives. To Mr. and Mrs. Holshou- ser was born a family of eight children, of whom Maria I. (Mrs. Manning) was the fourth. Her birth- place was Putnam County, Ind., and the date of her birth Ang. 30, 1849.
Remaining in Iowa for only a few years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Manning were induced to remove to Kansas, and preempted a homestead of 160 acres in Marshall County on section 18. Franklin Township. The ensuing five years were passed in the busy pursnits of agriculture in this then new country, but the charms of old friendships, and the ties of old associations drew him back to the home in Appanoose County, where the family remained until 1883. He dates his permanent resi- denee in Kansas from that year, as he then removed to Marshall County, where he has a good farm now well improved and earefully cultivated.
During all these years of labor, Mr. Manning bas been greatly assisted and cheered by the faithful, ever devoted wife, and has also enjoyed the eom-
panionship of his children, of whom there were born six, namely: William A., who died in infancy ; Nevada A., who was removed from the loving par- ents and friends by the angel of death, waiting to lead this fair flower of earth to gardens of unfad- ing glory. Her death occurred in Appanoose County, Iowa, Feb. 14, 1882, when she was four- teen years of age. The living children are: Ed- ward A., Gertie M., Mary E. and Clyde C.
Mr. Manning affiliates with the Republican party in matters political, and has held several of the township offices. Together with his wife, he has been a consistent member of the Methodist Church, which he has assisted in every way possible, both by the example of an upright life, and by giving it financial aid. They are also welcome additions to the social circles of their vicinity, and being now in life's prime, will probably devote the re- mainder of their lives to the cultivation and im- provement of their property and the education of their children.
G EORGE HAHN. This county is indebted to the lands across the sea for many of her mnost enterprising citizens. Not the least among them is the above named gentleman, who resides upon a well-tilled farm on section 34, Franklin Township. He is a native of Germany, in which country he was born May 2, 1838. being the son of Christian and Catherina (Patzke) Hahn, both of whom lived and died in their native land. The parental family consisted of thirteen children, of whom our subject was the third. He passed his boyhood upon his father's farm, and at the age of sixteen found employment as clerk in a general store. This position he occupied for three years, when he returned to the farm, remaining until the age of twenty-four. Believing that the New World afforded a better field for the energies of a young man, he came to Ameriea, landing in New York the 2d of August, 1862. From that city he went direct to Detroit, Mich .. in or about which place he remained until 1865, when he went to Livingston County, Mo. Here he remained for a
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year, employed for the greater part of that time in running a sawmill. lle next crossed the plains to Denver. Col., driving a mule team and making one round trip, which consumed about two months. lIe then returned to Denver and entered the em- ploy of a stage company, being on the route from Denver to Living Springs, for over a year. At the expiration of this time he started a hay ranch, four- teen miles west of Living Springs, Col. He lived upon this ranch about nine months, when he returned to St. Joseph, Mo., where he remained for over a year, suffering from rheumatism, which had taken so firm a hold upon his system that he was unable to work. As soon as he had sufficiently recovered to engage in light employment, he accepted a po- sition as bar-tender, and after the expiration of a year, entered upon the work of traveling agent for a wholesale wine, liquor and grocery house of St. Joseph. He remained in the employ of this estab- lishment for about eighteen months, leaving it to accept the position of travelling agent of an agri- cultural implement house, which he retained for nearly three years. In 1871 he visited his native land, remaining about six months. During this time he was married, and returning to America, he settled in St. Joseph, Mo., where, ably assisted by his wife, he operated a milk dairy for a period of eight years. In 1879 he sold out and opened a flour, feed and commission store, in which business he continued successfully until 1883. At this time he sold out his business and came to this county, settling upon section 34. Franklin Township, where he owns 160 acres of well-tilled land. Since his settlement in Kansas, he has given his attention to farming, in connection with which he makes a specialty of raising Poland-China hogs.
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