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 40
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and continued its publication for several years. eventually selling to Thomas Hughes, who changed the name of the sheet to the Marshall County News. This paper still continues under the charge of George T. Smith, to whose sketch we refer for the history of that publication. On Dec. 22, 1871, Mr. Peters celebrated his marriage to Miss Katie D. Magill [see sketch of James S. Magill]. and in 1875 be, with his wife, removed to Atchison, Kan., where he owned a third interest in the Atchison Daily Patriot On account of ill health he was able to continue his work in Atchison for but a short time, and selling out he returned to Marysville, where he engaged in different mercantile pursuits for a time. In the spring of 1877 he removed to Sherman, Grayson Co., Tex., where he engaged in newspaper work. His first enterprise here was in connection with J. Martin in the publication of the Sherman Register. Continuing but a year, he established the Courier - Chronicle at Sherman, which publication he continued for several years, building up a healthy circulation for the sheet. which was made the finest paper in the county. llis health having again failed, Mr. Peters was obliged to give up his newspaper work, and ob- tained the position of superintendent of the tele- graph line from El Paso to Ft. Worth, Tex. This telegraph line was worked in connection with the building of the railroad, and Mr. Peters went into El Paso on the first train after its construction. It had been thought that the travel over this line would be beneficial to our subject. but it proved of no permanent avail, and he returned to Sher- man, retiring from business. Notwithstanding his ill health, the citizens desired his services, and elected him Mayor of the city. Before the expira- tion of his term of otlice he passed from earth, his death occurring Sept. 30. 1883, of consumption. from which he had suffered for three years.
Mr. Peters was a prominent Mason, holding the highest office in the Knights Templar degree, hav- ing been the founder of A. F. & A. M. Lodge No. 91, of Marysville, in which he took great in- terest. He was a member of the Episcopal Church, of which his widow is a communicant. He was a prominent man in the ranks of the Democratic party. never failing to cast his vote in its interests.
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Ile was a man of more than ordinary ability, of most exemplary character, and among his towns- men the first word has yet to be spoken against him. In their bereavement his widow and chil- dren can point with pride to the record he has left behind him.
Mrs. Peters was born in Marietta, Ga., Oct. 25, 1852. and when her parents removed to Kansas she remained in her native State to complete her education. She graduated at the lligh School at Savannah, Ga .. and followed her parents to this State in 1865, remaining with them until the time of her marriage. To her have been born three children, the little daughter living but three weeks and the two sons remaining to comfort her in hier widowhood: William James was born Dec. 10, 1873, and Magill Clark, May 26, 1876. Both are at home, where they will receive every advantage of education and training. The elder is now en- gaged in the office of the Marshall News, fitting himself to follow his father's footsteps in journal- ism. Though her married life was chiefly spent in Sherman, Tex., Mrs. Peters expects to make Marys- ville her future home, to which measure she has been led on account of the health of her younger son. She is now preparing to build, and will soon be occupying a substantial and attractive home. She is a lady of intelligence and culture, hospitable and generous, and a true gentlewoman.
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MOS FLIN. Though not an old settler of Kansas, the above named gentleman has known much of the hard work and priva- tion consequent upon life in a new coun- try, having been reared among the pioneer settlers of Indiana, and being a member of a family which suffered much at the hands of the red men. His grandfather, James Flin, was killed by the Indians, while working in his field in Virginia. A daugh- ter of the family also suffered death at their hands. The savages took our subject's grandmother, his father, who was then five years old, and his father's two sisters -- Polly and Chlora-captives. They
were taken to the wilderness of Kentucky, where the children were kept in captivity until grown. The mother died in captivity, dropping dead while carrying a load of wood to cook dinner. she being compelled to do the drudgery which Indians im- pose upon their squaws. Her daughter desparing of release, became the wife of an Indian, by whom she had one child.
John Flin, our subject's father was given a gun by the Indians when he became of age and thus made one of themselves. He shortly afterward made his escape and returned to his native State. llis two sisters were afterward rescued by Daniel Boone, an account of which event will be found in the various printed biographies of that noted pio- neer. John Flin, while in the employ of the Gov- ernment, as a spy. was again made a prisoner by the Indians, who on the eve of a battle left him guarded only by squaws. It was their intention to burn him at the stake after the battle, but he suc- ceeded in making his escape during the night, aided by some friendly squaws. He afterward became Government Interpreter for Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.
Our subject married Agnes Priest, who with her parents were natives of Virginia. Fourteen chil- dren were born to them, our subject being the fourth in order of birth, and the others being named, respectively : James, John, Jeremiah, George, Millie, Elizabetlı, Benjamin, Adam, Peter. Obadiah. Chapman, Isaac and Elijah. James is now living in Delaware County, Ind., he is a farmer by occupation, has a wife and family, and is now eighty years of age; John is a plasterer in Marion, Grant Co., Ind, and has a family; Jere- miah died in 1881, in Wabash, Ind., he was a plasterer and brick-layer, he left a family; George died in 1883 in Delaware County, Ind., where he had followed the trade of a plasterer, he also left a family ; Millie was the wife of Henry Diek, a black- smith, she died in Delaware County, Ind., in 1885, leaving a grown family; Elizabeth was married three times; her last husband, Harris Benjamin, met his death by an accident in a sawmill, where a piece of scantling flew back and broke his neck. This sad event took place in Miami County, Ohio, in 1883: be left a family, his widow has since died in Ohio;
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Adam died in June. 1888, near Oregon. Holt Co., Mo., where he was engaged in farming; Peter lives in Marion, Grant Co., Ind., he is a money broker, is married, but has no children; Obadiah is engaged in farming at Marion, Grant Co., Ind., he is married and has a family; Chapman is engaged in the same employment at the same place. he is a widower with a grown family; Isaac is engaged in farming at Albany, Ind; Elijah is a carpenter, and makes his bome in Grant County, Ind., with his children. his wife being dead.
Our subject was born in Miami County. Ohio, about seven miles east of the town of Troy. on May 27. 1816. Ile was reared upon a farm, and attended the subscription schools of the neigh- borhood. As soon as he was large enoughi to set out in the clearings, he was obliged to go to work. When twenty years old, he went to Springfield. Ohio. to learn the tanner's trade under John Hays. He remained there four years, and then started a tannery for himself in Delaware County. Ind. In 1840 he was married to Harriet, daughter of Mieh- ael and Elizabeth Wolf, the ceremony taking place on the last day of April. Mr. Wolf was a farmer, and he, and his wife and daughters, all were natives of the Buckeye State. In the fall of 1870, Mr. Flin came to Marshall County. and settled in Ver- million Township, where he now resides. He bought 320 acres of land. eighty aeres of which he has since sold to his son. Harmon B. He has been a very hard working man during his long life, is a successful farmer, and well deserves the prosperity which has attended him. In addition to his fine farm he is the owner of a house and two lots in Frankfort.
Mr. and Mrs. Flin are the happy parents of the following children. All are married except one, and doing well in life. Francis Marion lives in Wells Township, he married Susan Stonebaker, and has a family of seven children; Mary Eliza is the wife of George Stump, of Vermillion Township, and is the mother of seven children; Agnes is the wife of Aber Jobes, who is engaged as a teamster in Win- chester, Randolph Co., Ind., she has two children; George is engaged in farming in Center Township, he married Martha M. Campbell, who has borne him six children; Matilda is the wife of John Os-
burn, a trader and speculator in Frankfort, she has three eliildren ; Harrison is living on eighty aeres of the home place, his wife, formerly Miss Lydia Vaughn, has borne him three children; the youngest son, John, is still at home.
Mr. Flin is a man still well preserved in health and strength. He is a member of Frankfort Lodge, No. 67. A. F. & A. M. in which he holds the office of Tyler. Politically, his adherence is given to the Democratie party, and he has frequently been a delegate to the county and other conventions. Ile has served three terms as School Treasurer, ful- filling his duties in a satisfactory manner. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. He is a man of gentle manners, fine char- acter and a citizen who is held in high esteem by neighbors and acquaintances.
L OCKWOOD ROGERS. Besides being a prominent lumber merchant of Vermillion, and one of its most stirring business men, Mr. Rogers is considerably interested in farming. and owns a quarter section of improved land in Noble Township. He established himself at Ver- million in the spring of 1883. and purchasing this lumber-yard enlarged it, adding the necessary build- ings and is now in the enjoyment of a lucrative business. He has a fine residence adjoining, and is the owner of seven lots, eligibly situated and de- sirable. He keeps a full stoek of all the material in his line and numbers his patrons for miles around.
Our subjeet was born in the vicinity of Brook- lyn, Province of Ontario, Canada, Jan. 9, 1835, and was reared to farming pursuits, acquiring his edneation in the district school. Ile remained un- der the parental roof until a man of twenty-five years, and during the latter part of this time man - aged his father's farm. When commencing life for himself he entered the employ of the Grand Trunk Railway, remaining in the Dominion until 1862. That year he emigrated to Lee County, Ill .. but only sojourned there about two months. Then returning home he worked thirteen months for his
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father, after which he sought Lee County, Ill., again, where he employed himself at farm work and in drilling wells. In September, 1869, he crossed the Mississippi, taking his machine with him into Kansas, shipping his drill to Frankfort and coming through with a team, crossing the Mississippi at Rock Island and the Missouri at St. Joseph, arriving in Frankfort safely after a journey of three weeks and three days. He still has the team which brought him hither. He began drilling in Frankfort, and was occupied at this one year, then secured a claim of 120 acres in Wells Township. Four months later he sold this and purchased a half seetion of school land in Noble Township, for which he paid 83 an acre. Later he purchased another farm upon which he made good improvements, erecting a frame dwelling and the necessary outbuildings. HIe operated this himself until 1883. In the mean- time he was visited by the grasshopper plague three seasons, and finally sold the place for $5,000, after which he came to Vermillion.
Mr. Rogers was married in Frankfort, in 1871. to Miss Ella P. llarris. This lady was born in Lee County, Ill., acquired a good education and em- ployed herself as a teacher in Kansas prior to her marriage. She became the mother of three chil- dren, and died in April, 1886. One child, Ralph Leroy, also died that year. The survivors, Joseph L. and Effie B., are at home with their father. Mr. Rogers assisted in the organization of Noble Town- ship, and was its first Treasurer. He is at present the School Treasurer of his district. He served as School Trustee seven years, and as Township Trus- tee two terms. Politically he is a stanch Republi- can, and has frequently been sent as a delegate to the county conventions. In Canada he served as Assessor when but twenty-three years old. In connection with his lumber business he is also agent of the Phoenix Fire Insurance Company, of Brooklyn. During the cold spell of January, 1888. Mr. Rogers met with a serious accident by being knocked or kicked In the head either by a horse or some person. He entered his lumber yard and re- members nothing which transpired afterward. When regaining consciousness he was lying in his barn covered with blood. He succeeded in making his way to the house and under excellent treatment
partially recovered, although one side of his face is partially paralyzed, and his taste, sight and hear- ing considerably impaired.
Joseph L. Rogers, the father of our subjeet, was born near Poughkeepsie. N. Y., of which State the paternal grandfather, Gilbert Rogers, was also a native. The latter when reaching manhood emi- grated to Canada, and located in Prince Edward County, where he was among the earliest settlers. and spent the balance of his life engaged in farm- ing pursuits He was of English deseent, and the family traced their ancestry back to the landing of the Mayflower. Joseph L. was reared to farming pursuits and was at one time the owner of 200 acres of land which he improved from the forest of Ontario, Canada. He married Miss Phebe Bow- erman, a native of New York State, and whose father. Israel Bowerman. was also born there and carried on farming. Later he removed to Simcoe County where he operated as a miller,and lived to be ninety years old. lle was a devout Quaker, and of- ten officiated as a speaker in his church. The pa- ternal great-grandfather of our subject emigrated from London, England. Grandmother Rogers was of German descent, and died in Canada in 1853.
To the parents of our subject there were born nine children: Wilson P. died in Omaha, Neb., in 1886; Walter died in Canada; Laura M., Mrs. Mc- Brian, is a resident of Ontario, Canda; Ralph died at the age of twenty years; Royal occupies the old homestead in Ontario; Phebe, (1st) is deceased; Walter, (2d ) remains in Canada; Phebe, (2d) Mrs. McChester, also lives there.
OHIN D. GRIFFIN, Esq. Among the promi- nent self-made men of this township, we find the above-named gentleman. Mr. Grif- fin began life without any capital but fine. mechanical perceptions, good business habits and a more than average amount of intelligence, and at the present day he is considered one of the most rapid workmen in Northern Kansas. Belonging to the better class of Irish-Americans, Mr. Griffin en-
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joys the respect and confidence of the community wherein he resides, to an unlimited extent.
John D. Griffin, whose home is on section 8, township 5, range 10. is a native of County Kerry, Ireland, where he was born Feb. 8, 1831. As will be remembered, this county was the terminus of the first Atlantic cable, and Mr. Griffin saw a por- tion of this cable. which parted in mid-ocean. His father, David Griffin, of Listowel, County Kerry. Ireland, was born in County Limerick in 1805, and his mother, who was Johanna O'Connor, was a na- tive of the former county. Four of their thirteen children are living, the subject of our sketch being the eldest. The others are Patrick, Kate and Jo- hanna, both girls being unmarried.
In 1849 Mr. Griffin reached Dunkirk, N. Y., where he devoted his time to the acquirement of the cabinet-maker's trade. Three years later lie came to Cleveland. Ohio, and engaged in pattern- making and car-work. In 1860 he removed to Fre- mont, Ohio, and entered the shops of the Lake Erie & Louisville Railroad Company, remaining there nine years. At the expiration of this time he came to Kansas, and finally located in Vermil- lion Township, this county, three miles north of Vermillion Station. In 1875 he became the owner of his present farm, which was then a tract of wild land with only a small log cabin upon it. In fact. at that time the improvements in this locality were but few. Scarcely a fence offered any obstruction to the hurried flight of deer, wolves and other wild game which might be pursued by the hunter, be he Indian or white man. Mr. Griffin at once en- tered upon the following of his trade, and nearly every house in the neighborhood offers a tribute to his fine workmanship.
Mrs. Griffin. nee Margaret Kelley, daughter of William Kelley, deceased, was born in County Kil- kenny, Ireland, and came to America with her par- ents when a child. Mr. Kelley made his home at Syracuse, N. Y. Miss Kelley was married to our subject Oct. 12, 1856. and of the ten children born to them four are living-Maggie. John E .. Agnes and Katie. One daughter. Alice. was drowned in Irish Creek by slipping from a log which served as a bridge across the creek. She was fifteen years of age. One son, David. lived
to be six years old. His son, John E., is a railroad bridge-builder. and lives in Cairo, Ill .. where he is the overseer of 100 bridge carpenters, receiving 8125 per month.
Mr. Gritlin has been for the past eight years Justice of the Peace, and bis administration is marked by a fine sense of justice and a high grade of intelligence. The entire family are devoted communicants of the Roman Catholic Church.
R. JAMES TYLER, Veterinary Surgeon, is the owner of forty acres of choice land on section 20, in Rock Township, where he has a snug home, and officiates as Town- ship Trustee. He is a man who has seen much of frontier life, having been on the plains many years at different times during his younger manhood. He has made a study of his profession, and is consid- ered an expert. His patronage is not confined to the limits of his township, his business extending throughout this part of the county.
Of Southern antecedents, our subject was born near Glasgow. Howard Co., Mo .. Feb. 16. 1847, and reared there on a farm. In the meantime he worked at blacksmithing considerably. and grew up with only the education acquired in the log school-house of those primitive times. When a lad of fourteen years he. in 1861. accompanied his par- ents to Illinois. where he attended a free school, but his active temperament led him to seek the employments which would exert his muscles rather than his brain. When a youth of seventeen he accompanied his father to this State, assuming charge of the farm belonging to the latter, and was thus occupied until 1866.
Young Tyler. in June of the year mentioned, set out on an expedition across the plains, driving cat- tle to Denver. Ile then engaged in freighting be- tween Julesburg and Ft. Laramie. He encountered Indians frequently, and at one time was attacked by them on O'Fallon's Bluffs, and later in the Black Hills, while hauling cord wood. He had a consin with him, and their only weapons were the wood, so they made their escape by running. Their
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teams were saved. The following year our subject was appointed a wagon boss, which position he oc- cupied a number of months, after which he opera- tell as blacksmith for the train, shoeing cattle, and followed this three years in the employ of Maj. Biggers, of St. Joseph. In the fall of 1868 he re- turned home, and soon afterward set out for North- ern Kansas. A dugout sheltered him that first winter, and he operated his father's land with two breaking teams of oxen, working steadily until the fall of 1869. Then going into Washington County, he homesteaded land in the vicinity of Waterville, but changed his location later to Frankfort, where he proved his claim and improved his property, and sold out in the spring of 1870 for $1,000. Thence he removed to his mother's place, where he prosecuted farming until 1872. That year he pur- chased eighty acres of land on section 28, Rock Township, but two years later sold this also. He purchased his present homestead in 1878, and in connection with his profession has been busily en- gaged in effecting the improvements which have made it so pleasant a resort for his family, and also for his friends.
In 1875 our subject began his researches into veterinary surgery, which he prosecuted four years, and in the meantime practiced with Dr. Keeper, of Frankfort. He carries on general farming on a small scale, but has an extensive practice. llis home lies four and one-half miles north of Frank- fort. He has an abundance of fruit and shade trees around his home, and the buildings, without being pretentious, are of sufficient size and char- acter for the needs of those who sojourn there.
A marriage ceremony performed at the bride's home in Waterville Township, in 1874, united our subject with Miss Kate A. Mullender. This lady was born in Cuba, N. Y., Nov. 11. 1855, and is the daughter of John M. Mullender, who is now a prominent farmer living near Waterville. The family came to this county in 1868. To the Doctor and his estimable lady have been born five chil- dren, namely: John, Charles, George, Monroe and Martha. The Doctor, politically, is an uncompro- mising Democrat, and for five years served as a Justice of the Peace. IIe has been for the past eight years a School Director in his district, and is
connected with the Masonic fraternity at Frank- fort. Ile is frequently sent as a delegate to the Democratic county convention, being a man who has considerable influence in local politics.
The father of our subject was Pleasant Tyler, a native of North Carolina, and the son of Joseph Tyler, who was likewise born there, and occupied himself as a farmer and mechanic. lle was the owner of a plantation, and during the War of 1812 served as a private. Finally he removed to Virginia, where he followed his trade a few years, then changed his residence to the vicinity of Evansville. Ind., where he engaged in farming and became well-to-do. The great-grandfather, Charles Tyler, of North Carolina, was an own brother of ex- President Tyler. The family is of Scotch descent. Charles Tyler was the owner of a large plantation, embracing 1,000 acres of land, operated by 400 slaves. Ile was a man of more than ordinary ability, and possessed of a fine education.
The father of our subject was a child of four years, when he removed to Indiana with his par- ents, where in due time he learned blacksmithing, and engaged in that business in Evansville. He finally decided to seek his fortunes on the other side of the Mississippi, and made his way to llow- ard County, Mo., where he was one of the pioneer settlers, being the first to locate at Cross Roads, where he purchased land. put up a shop. and be- came well-to-do. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War he, being a Union man, was obliged to leave that section, leaving his tarm and his black- smith shop to the mercy of the lawless hordes who ravished the country. lle first went to Sedalia, and changing from master to man, engaged in blacksmithing six months, then, in 1861, made his way to Mason County, Ill., and established himself on a rented farm. He remained there only one year. however, and we next find him in Menard County. engaged as a blacksmith, and later in To- ledo, where he remained until 1864. On the 3d of March, of that year, we find him in Atchison, Kan., and soon afterward on a rented farm near Lancas- ter. Next he purchased a lot, and established himself in town at his trade.
In 1868 the father of our subject came to this county, and homesteaded land in the vicinity of
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Waterville. In the latter place he put up a shop, and occupied himself at whatever his hands could find to do, as a blacksmith and general mechanic. He was an expert with tools, and could manufacture most anything desired. Hle departed this life in 1870, at the age of fifty-nine years, firm in the faith of the Christian Church, and believing in the correctness of the principles of the Republican party.
The mother of our subject was, in her girlhood, Grace J. Lasater, who was born in Blount County, Tenn., and was the daughter of Jonathan Lasater, a planter of some means. The latter left the South at an early day, and established himself in Henderson County, Tenn., where he opened up a farm and spent his last days. Ile traced his an- cestry to England. The mother of our subject re- ceived a good education, and was a lady of more than ordinary abilities. She proved up the home- stead, and lived there until 1876, then coming to Rock Township, took up her abode with her son, our subject. and died in December, 1886, at the age of seventy years. The parental household in- cluded eight children, of whom Francis M., Jona- than, Margaret, John and Hugh are deceased. The survivors are: Mary, a resident of Waterville; James, our subject; and Luella. Mrs. Keefover, of Waterville.
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