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 36
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Our subject now returned to his old haunts in Logan County, Ill., where his mother still so- journed, but he determined to seek his permanent home in the farther West. Ile accordingly came to Kansas in 1867 to look over the country, and re- moved here two years later. He remained a single man until April 7, 1874. and was then married to Miss Lavina Wolfgang, of Rock Township, this county. Mrs. Hund was born in Jefferson County, Pa., Sept. 12. 1852, and is the daughter of Jacob
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Wolfgang, who came to Kansas in 1870, and set- tled in Rock Township, where he now resides. To him and his excellent wife, Mrs. Sallie (Schwartz) Wolfgang, there were born seven daughters and one son, and six of the children are still living, making their home mostly in Kansas.
Jacob and Mary (Laux) Hund, the parents of our subject, reared a family of five children, and the father died in his native land, Germany, as before stated. The mother eame to this county with her son Henry, our subject, making her home thereafter with him, and died Ang. 15, 1882, at the age of seventy-three years.
C HRISTEN JOHNSON. In driving about the agricultural districts of this county, one finds few homes which excel, or even equal that of our subject, in beauty and appearance of comfort. It is situated on section 16, Walnut Township, and comprises 160 highly cultivated acres. The dwelling is a large neatly painted frame strneture, situated about 100 yards from the road to which it is connected by a fine drive-way. The door yard contains a number of beautiful flower beds with walks leading through and around them in different directions, and displaying much taste in its arrangements. Everything about the home is in a perfect state of order and neatness, and pre- sents a very attractive appearance.
Mr. Johnson is a native of Denmark, having been born Aug. 5, 1845. He was reared in his na- tive land and edneated under its compulsory laws, and there learned the blacksmith trade. He came to the United States on the steamship "Peruvia," making the voyage in about twenty-one days, hav- ing left Liverpool the 16th of May, 1866, and ar- riving in this country July 17. They were obliged to remain off New York harbor six weeks on ac- count of cholera on shipboard. Of the 700 emi- grants on board, 120 died on the trip. After landing Mr. Johnson came at once to Doniphan County, Kan., where he worked as a farm hand until 1873. He then went to Toledo. Ohio, where he was employed on a railroad for several years.
He there married Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Miller, a native of Bavaria, Germany. In 1878 they came back to Doniphan County, where our subject rented a farm, upon which he lived for four years. He then removed to the farm where he now resides. It was at that time open prairie, but has been brought to a high state of cultivation and improvement.
Mr. Johnson is a member of the Lutheran Church, to which he had become attached while yet in his native land. His wife was reared in the same faith. His father, Christen, and his mother, Nicolin (Hemming) Johnson, were members of the same church, and they with their ancestry, so far as known, were natives of the same place. Mr. Johnson is a supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He is much pleased with his suecess since coming to Kansas, a success which well illustrates his energy of character, persevering industry and business ability. His early educa- tion was very thorough, and he speaks and writes five different languages with readiness.
AMES S. MAGILL. This gentleman is the oldest living resident, excepting one. in the northern part of the county. Francis Linn having been in Marysville one month prior to the arrival of Mr. Magill, who, having taking a pre- emption claim, located five miles north west of what is now Marysville, reaching the Big Blue River, July 8, 1856. The subject of this sketch was born in St. Mary's County, Md., May 1. 1821, residing there until 1845, having in the meantime received his education at the common schools, but finishing it at Charlotte HIall.
At the early age of fifteen years he left his home to become a clerk in the mercantile business, fol- lowing that vocation until he was twenty-one. For the following three years he served as Deputy- Sheriff and Constable. employing his leisure time in the study of law. In 1845, Mr. Magill removed to Georgetown, S. C., and again entered the mer- cantile business, and there on May 11, 1847, he married Miss Ella M., the youngest daughter of
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Capt. J. 11. Christian. Mr. Magill remained in Georgetown until the fall of 1848, when he re- moved to Savannah, Ga., continuing in the same line of business until 1851, when he located at Marietta, Ga., in that year and engaged in busi- ness until the spring of 1853, when he returned to Savannah, and accepted a position as clerk and book-keeper in a commission house, remaining with this firm until May, 1856.
The Western fever, which was then raging at its height, found in him a victim, and upon severing his connection with the commission house he started for Kansas, having been for two years deprived of the society of his family. He came to Atchison with a colony of South Carolinians, and upon his arrival found Gen. Marshall with four or five men.
The wild condition of that country may be un- derstood when it is noted that it was necessary for the colonists to travel in company, it being very unsafe to eross those broad prairies alone, if one had any valuables in his possession. That same fall Mr. Magill took up 160 acres of land, and made the usual improvements. flaving an oppor- tunity in 1860 to dispose of it, he did so and re- moved to Marysville. Marshall County having been recently organized he was elected District Clerk of the County, a position whieb he held until January, 1861, when he entered upon the practice of his profession. In 1866 he was elected County Treasurer, filling that office for two terms ; with this exception he has followed his profession. At various times he has served as Justice of the Peace, City Clerk. Poliee Judge, and one term as Coroner. Mr. Magill was one of the thirteen original stock-holders who located the town tract, and still owns part of it.
The country having been mostly settled by Southern men, and these becoming scattered at the breaking out of the war, it was impossible to have a quorum from 1862 until 1886, when a sufficient number were enabled to be present to proceed to business. There is yet serious trouble in collecting what they had early let go by default.
Mr. Magill has built a number of residences in the town and is considered a public-spirited citizen, a man whose influence is given for the benefit of the community where he resides. Mrs. Magill
followed her husband in 1858, bringing with her one child, but leaving the eldest at school. Of the ten children born to them, but six are living- Katie D., Mrs. P. H. Peters, now a resident of this city, who has two sons-William J. and Magill; Loyal S., who married Miss Mary Rozine. and now a resident of Hanover, this State; Hettie A., Mrs. Daniel N. Kelly, of Marysville, who has three sons-Roy, John J. and Harry; Harry W. and Nellie P., who are members of their father's house- hold; and James S., Jr. The children deceased, died in infancy.
Miss Ella M. Christian, wife of the subject of this sketch was born in Georgetown, S. C., Oet. 6, 1831, and there made her home until her marriage. Capt. J. II. Christian, her father, was a native of Massachusetts, being reared as a sea-faring man, and the last twenty years of his life was engaged in steamboating on the various rivers near South Car- olina; at the time of his death, being master and owner of one and part owner of another vessel. He was married in Georgia to Miss Catherine Fry, and reared a family of four children-Eliza, who married a Mr. MeWilliams, now deceased ; lienry R. at present is one of the agents of the Ocean Steam- ship Company, Jacksonville, Fla .; Benjamin is deceased; and Ella the wife of our subjeet. Capt. Christian died in 1847, aged about sixty.eight years; his wife removed to Kansas and died in 1867.
Mathew Magill, the father of James S., was born in St. Mary's County, Md., in 1783. He married Miss Dorotha Jarboe, and they had a family of seven children (both parents dying when our sub- jeet's father was only three years old.) Mathew Magill was a farmer in St. Mary's County, follow- ing that voeation until his death in 1837. His wife survived him, dying in 1846. Of the children. John F. remained in his native town engaged in teaching and farming, and died at the ripe old age of seventy-two years; Susan A., who remained un- married, also continued to reside in her native county, and died at the age of seventy ; William H. left St. Mary's County in 1839 at the age of nine- teen years. Ilis whereabouts is unknown; Benja- min remained near home, having married and reared four children, and died there; Charles A.
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removed to Savannah. Ga., engaged in the commis- sion business and died in that city; Ignatius, who filled the position of station agent at Monk's Cor- ners, S. C., died at that place. Consequently the subject of this sketch is the only one of these seven children now living.
ARTIN V. B. HALL. one of the oldest settlers of Wells Township, is a native of Kane County, Ill., and was born Feb. 17, 1837. Ile was the son of Hiram and Eliza- beth Hall, his father being a native of Pennsyl- vania, and his mother of Virginia. The Hall family are undoubtedly of English descent, while his ma- ternal ancestors are probably German. Our sub- jeet was the second in a family of four children. When about three years old his parents removed to Nodaway County, Mo., where he was reared and received such education as the common schools af- forded.
In 1858 Mr. Hall, in company with William Trosper, came to this county, where he took up a claim of 160 acres of land, about one and a half miles west of the present city of Frankfort. These primitive acres were improved by their owner, who made them his home until 1862. He then returned to Missouri for a sojourn of two years, thence re- turning again to this county, where for several years he occupied rented land. In the fall of 1872 he settled on his present location, and is now loca- ted on the northwest quarter of section 22, Wells Township, where he has a cozy and pleasant home. Mr. Hall has been a hard-working and industrious man, and like all early settlers in a country, has had his share of hardship and privation. The first winter spent here after his marriage, he and his wife lived for three months on corn coffee and hominy.
November 24, 1858, Mr. Hall was nnited in mar- riage with Miss Anna J. Trosper, the record of which event is said to be the first made in Marshall County. Miss Trosper was born in Nodaway County, Mo., .Jan. 4, 1844, and was a daughter of William and Sarah Trosper, the former a native of
Kentucky, and the latter of Illinois. Her mater- nal grandfather, Samuel Ferguson, was a soldier in the Black Hawk War. Her father was twice mar- ried. His first union resulted in the birth of six children, four of whom are living, Mrs. Hall being the eldest. The others are: John S., now at Bige- low, Kan .; Robert, and Emily J., wife of J. J. Roper, of Washington. By his second marriage, Mr. Trosper became the father of three children, two of whom are now living-Sarali M., the wife of Samuel Strange, of Marysville, and Amanda, who is living at Bigelow, Kan.
Mr. Hall, politically, is a Democrat, and a hearty supporter of the party measures. He is now serv- ing his second term as Trustee of Wells Township with credit not only to himself, but to his constit- uents. Ile has served as Constable for three years, and was for several years Clerk of the township. Mrs. Ilall is a member of the Christian Church, and an active member of society. As an upright and worthy man, and a reliable citizen, Mr. Hall is hon- ored by the community in which he lives, and can, with his wife, enjoy the fruits of their labors in the consciousness of having assisted in the develop- ment of a great and growing State.
G EORGE J. WINKLER. Before entering upon the life of our subject a few words in regard to his parents will not be amiss. George J. Sr., and Tillie Winkler, were natives of Germany, from. which country they emigrated to America in 1852, settling in Westmoreland County, l'a., where they breathed their last. They had a family of three sons and two danghters, of whom our subject was the fourth child and third son. He was born in Germany, Dec. 12, 1842, and was con- sequently about ten years of age when he came to America. He grew to manhood in Westmoreland County, making that county his home until his re- moval to Kansas, May 6, 1878. In March. 1865, he enlisted at Pittsburg, and served in the Union army until the latter part of July. After being mustered out of service he engaged in farming. In May, 1878, he came to this county, living in
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Marysville for a year and then locating on seetion 3. Marysville Township, where he is now living, occupying a finely improved farm of 160 acres.
While residing in Pennsylvania, Mr. Winkler was married to Miss Margaret McCauley, who died in December, 1869, leaving one son, George E., who was educated in the common schools of Pennsyl- vania and this State, and also attended for a time the State Normal at Fort Scott, and the State Ag- ricultural College at Manhattan. Ile has been a teacher for the last five years. His present wife is Mary Jane, daughter of Jacob and Rosana ( Wills) Karns, of German ancestry. She was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Aug. 12, 1845. She is a very bright and intelligent woman, well fitted to discharge the duties of wife and mother and to do what woman can to elevate and brighten the lives of those about her. Cordial and kindly to the stranger within her gates, Mrs. Winkler's generous nature finds its chief expression in her efforts to make her home one to which her children in after years may look back as the most attractive spot on earth. Her marriage to Mr. Winkler took place in Westmoreland County, Pa., July 4, 1872. To them have been born seven children-Anna B., Rosana M., John F., Catherine M., Agnes A., Elizabeth J., and Lena M.
Mr. Winkler was formerly a member of the Democratic party but has lately identified himself with the Union Labor party, and both he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic Church.
OSEPH C. DICKEY, junior member of the -- firm of MeCurdy & Diekey, liverymen, is one of the most extensive farmers of Water- ville Township, where he has held many offices of trust and responsibility. He is possessed of more than ordinary intelligence, and is one of those stirring, energetic characters who prefer a life of activity to one of indolence. He started in life poor in purse, and by a course of economy and prudence laid the foundations for a snug fortune and enough to ensure him against want in his de- clining years. He established his present busi-
ness several years ago, and at the same time has carried on his farm of 190 acres, a valuable piece of property lying adjacent to the town limits.
Jefferson County, Ohio, is the native place of our subject, and the date of his birth May 25, 1838. His father, William Dickey, was a native of Pennsylvania, whence he emigrated to Ohio when a young man, settling in Jefferson County. Later he removed to Coshocton County, where his death took place about 1877 at the age of seventy- five years. Ile was a farmer, merchant and ear- penter combined, and although never becoming wealthy, accumulated sufficient to keep him in com- fort during his old age. He had served in the War of 1812 during his younger years and was Justice of the Peace for a long period. Religiously be belonged to the Associate Reformed Church.
Mrs. Elizabeth (Beaston) Diekey, the mother of our subject, was born in Baltimore, Md., and died in 1867 at the age of fifty-five years. The paren- tal household included ten children, seven of whom are living. Joseph C., when quite young removed with his parents from Ohio to Ft. Wayne, Ind., where lie learned blacksmithing and worked at his trade twenty years. Soon after the outbreak of the rebellion he enlisted in April, 1861, in Com- pany F, 12th Indiana Infantry, with which he served one year and was then made a member of Company D, 129th Infantry. Shortly afterward he was promoted to First Lieutenant and two years later was tendered a captain's commission, with which rank he served until the close of the war.
Mr. Dickey followed the fortunes of his com- rades in the camp and on the field, and participated in many of the important battles of the war, among them that of Winchester, Va., and was at the bat- tle of Resaca, Buzzard Roost, Kenesaw Mountain. Peach Creek, Good Hope Church, Jonesborough, all through the Georgia campaign, being at Frank- fort and Nashville, and Kingston, North Carolina, and in other minor engagements and skirmishes. He was captured near Harper's Ferry in 1861 and confined in Libby and Salisbury prisons for a period of seven months, being then paroled, then enlisted in the 129th Indiana and continued till the close of the war. Ile was mustered out of the
RESIDENCE OF GODFREY LODHOLZ , SEC. 26. RICHLAND TOWNSHIP
RESIDENCE OF PETER JONES , SEC. 8 . GUITTARD TOWNSHIP.
RESIDENCE OF DAVID HEISSE, SEC . 2. ROCK TOWNSHIP.
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service at Washington and received his honorable discharge. Then returning to Manchester, Ind .. he sojourned there until 1868, and that year came to this county.
For a period of ten years thereafter Mr. Dickey worked at his trade and in the meantime established himself in the esteem and confidence of his fellow- citizens. During the administration of President Garfield, he was appointed Postmaster of Water- ville and has served as County Commissioner two terms. lle was at one time Clerk of the School Board two terms, and served as Mayor one term and member of City Council two terms. In Ma- sonry he has attained to the Royal Arch degree. He is also identified with the G. A. R. and the A.O.U.W. In politics he uniformly supports the principles of the Republican party.
Our subject was married in 1863 to Miss Cathe- rine, daughter of Lewis M. Stewart, of South Whitley, Ind. The three children born of this union were named respectively, William L., who is in Kansas City, working at the tinsmith business; Ray and Daisy are at home.
OBERT W. SMITH. For a period of of twenty-three years Mr. Smith has wit- nessed the growth and development of Northern Kansas, and has been no idle wit- ness of the changes which have transformed the wide frontier into the abode of a civilized and in- telligent people. There is no individual without an influence, wherever he may be; he is either as- sisting in the general advancement of his commu- nity, or retarding its best interests by his lack of enterprise. Mr. Smith most decidedly belongs to the former class, having contributed in a marked degree to the development of Marshall County.
A pioneer of 1866, Mr. Smith emigrated to this region in the fall of that year, and settled in Clear Fork Township, of which he has since been a resident. His native place was in Armstrong County, Pa., and he was born Dec. 30, 1838. His parents were Robert and Sarah ( Wray ) Smith, the former likewise a native of the Keystone State, and
the paternal grandfather was born in Ireland. On his mother's side Grandfather Wray is supposed to be of Scoteh-Irish origin. Robert W., our subject, was the second child of his parents, and spent his boyhood and youth at the homestead in his native county, where his father owned a farm, although he was likewise engaged in mercantile pursuits, having his business at Elder's Ridge.
Young Smith pursued his early studies in the common sehools and completed them in the acad- emy at Elder's Ridge, and afterward for a time of- ficiated as clerk in his father's store. Naturally intelligent and observing, he has always kept him- self posted upon matters of general interest, and has qualified himself for the transaction of all ordinary business. After about six months spent in general merchandising on his own account at Elder's Ridge, he, in the spring of 1860, decided to cast his lot with the pioneers of Northern Kan- sas. He accordingly packed up his stock of goods, and crossing the Mississippi, established himself as a general merehant at Barrett, where he carried on business for nearly two years. Barrett at that time consisted only of a corn and sawmill com- bined, and, as may be supposed, there was little call for his merchandise. He accordingly com- menced the freighting of goods between important points in the West, and in the pursuance of this business traveled over the Rocky Mountains. being thus engaged until the fall of 1866. He then es- tablished himself on a tract of land near Barrett, whence he removed to his present place in 1870. The country around was thinly settled, and the land which he acquired possession of was compara- tively without improvement. It has required the labor of years and the outiay of hundreds of dol- . lars to bring his farm to its present condition, provided, as it is, with substantial buildings, and the land brought to a good state of cultivation. In addition to this property, Mr. Smith has a half interest in 647 aeres in the county.
Mr. Smith came to this region a single man, and here found a wife and helpmate, being married in September, 1867, to Miss llenrietta Edgar. This lady was a native of Knox County, Ill., whence she came to Kansas with her parents, in 1860, the same year as her husband. To them have been
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born six children, viz: Harry, William F., Sarah, James, Edgar and Robert. Mr. Smith, politically, votes the straight Republican tieket, and, as one of the pioneers of the county, is prominently iden- tified with the Old Settlers' Association.
Mrs. Smith was born in Knox County, III., March 5, 1841, and is the daughter of Thomas and Martha Edgar, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. She lived there with them until a young lady of nineteen years, and then came to this county. The parental family consisted of seven children, five of whom are living: Mary, Mrs. Hopkins, a widow; llenrietta, Mrs. Smith; Jane, the wife of James Smith, of Topeka; Will- iam, and Rebecca, Mrs. Frederick Brown, of this county. The father of Mrs. Smith settled in Clear Fork Township, improving a farm, where he spent the remainder of his days, passing away in 1885; the mother is living at the old home in this town- ship.
OHN JOERG. Among the many elements which tend to the prosperity of our land, the vigor and energy of her German citi- zens have borne a prominent part. A fine example of these qualities is found in the subject of our sketch. Mr. Joerg was born in Kreuznach, Germany, April 27, 1849. When three years old his parents went to Milwaukee, Wis., where our sub jeet grew up and obtained his education.
John Joerg, Sr., the father of our subject, was a farmer, and during his later years he lived a retired life at Marysville. He died in 1884, aged seventy- eight years. His wife was Miss Catherine Schild, who bore him six children, five of whom are now living. She now lives in this city, eighty-one years old.
Until the age of eighteen our subject lived upon his father's farm, six miles south of Milwaukee. He then learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked in Milwaukee for about six years. He then went to Chicago where he remained nntil 1871, when coming to Kansas he continued at his trade at Blue Rapids for one year. Returning to Milwaukee he remained a year and in 1874 moved
to Marysville, starting a steam furniture factory, the first ever here. Ile brought two car-loads of machinery and gave employment to fifteen men. In this business he continued three years, when he sold out and engaged in other business. At one time lie was contractor and builder, having con- tracts for building all the best houses in the town, putting up twenty-one. About 1884 he put up a good building and started a grocery store at the corner of Broadway and Sixth street, where he now has one of the largest groceries in tlie city. also carrying on general jobbing business in poul- try and eggs, buying as much as any man in the city of Marysville. Since quitting the furniture business Mr. Joerg has been a very successful bus- iness man, having added to the size of his grocery and building. Ile now owns four good buildings, three fine residences and other city property.
Our subject married Miss Agnes Ranksch, of this city, Dec. 13, 1875. They have three children, all living: Jennie Elinora, Albert Jolm and Minda Katie, all of whom are at home and will receive good educations, and all the advantages for culture. Miss Ranksch was born in Pennsylvania, in 1855, and is the daughter of George Ranksch, who came to Marysville in 1871, and here died in June, 1889. The mother also died here.
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