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 43
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Our subject was the tenth child of his parents, born in the State of Illinois. of a family of eight sons and three daughters, all of whom, with one exception. lived to become men and women. Ten were married, and nine are yet living. John R., in common with his brothers and sisters, was given a practical education in the common school, and at an early age evinced more than ordinary skill in the handling of tools. He was bright and ambi- tious, and about the time of reaching his majority, desiring to add to his store of knowledge, entered the High School at Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he pursued a course of study, and later attended a commercial college in Chicago. On the 3d of October, 1864, the Civil War being in progress, he enlisted as a I'nion soldier in Company K, 95th Illinois Infantry. which some months later was transferred to the 17th regiment, on account of the
expiration of the term of enlistment of most of the members. Mr. Livingston served until October, 1865, and was then given his honorable discharge. He met the enemy in several battles, the most im- portant being the seige of Spanish Fort, but he es- caped withont injury.
After leaving the army, Mr. Livingston returned to his native county. Then in 1870, with $2.50 in his pocket, he set out on horseback for Northern Kansas, putting up with friendly families at night, and making the entire journey in this manner. For some time after his arrival here he occupied himself as a general mechanic at Seneca, and hav- ing good business qualities, soon found himself on the road to prosperity. In due time he established himself as a general merchant, and built up a good patronage.
After removing to Axtell. our subject was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth R. Shumway, who was born in Fond du Lac County, Wis. Of this union there was born one child, Rena E., who is now at home with her father. Mrs. Elizabeth Livingston de- parted this life Ang. 8, 1880. She was the dangh- ter of Erastus and Eliza (Carter) Shumway, the latter of whom is deceased; the former is living and a resident of Wisconsin. Their daughter Eliza- beth was but a child when her parents came to this State, and was born March 6, 1858.
Mr. Livingston, politically, is a leading Repub- lican, and takes an active part in local politics, fre- quently serving as a delegate to the County and State conventions. Ile is intelligent and well read, and keeps himself posted in regard to events of general interest.
G EORGE D. SWEARINGEN. On the cor- ner of Eighth & Elm streets, Marysville, stands a large, square house of fine archi- tectural design and pleasing proportions. In this elegant home lives the subject of our sketch. one of the representative farmers of the township. Will- iam D. Swearingen, the father of our subject, was born in Pan Handle, Va., in 1800. There he lived until his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Swearingen,
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when he settled in Pennsylvania, near his wife's home. He spent his life as a farmer and miller, living to about the age of seventy-five. Ilis wife survived him until 1885. They had a family of six children, all living except one, Jessie Florence, who died when an infant. The surviving children are: Rebecca, now Mrs. William McLeary, of Un- iontown. Pa .; our subjeet, George D .; Daniel, also of Uniontown; Elizabeth, wife of the Rev. William Wallace, living near Waynesburg, and William, also living at Uniontown.
The subject of our sketch first saw the light in Fayette County, Pa., March 8, 1825. In this county he lived until his maturity, attaining a good pract- ical education at the common schools, after which he learned the trade of a tailor in Uniontown, the county seat of his native county. There he cast his first vote, and there he remained until 1848, working at his trade. Hle then spent a year in Farmington, in the Alleghany Mountains, and then opened a shop in Hopwood, where his parents lived. After spending a year in this village he removed his shop to Brucetown, where he remained one year, then to Brandonville, W. Va., where he continued until 1857, building up a fine trade. Here be mar- ried Lucinda Shaffer, Dec. 16, 1851. In 1857 he removed with his family to St. Joseph, Mo., where leaving them he came to this county and took up a claim some distance from other settlers, near where Frankfort now stands. Returning to his family he remained until New Year's Day, 1858, when he came back to build a cabin, which he got under roof by February, 5. He then paid another visit to his family, but early in March helped to move the family of James Grimes, who had taken up a claim and built a cabin near his own. In April the two men moved the family of our subject, since which time he has been a constant resident of this county. He began breaking his land and put in a crop of sod corn. Exposure and hardship brought on the ague, from which he suffered for eighteen months. His crops were lost on account of his ill- ness, but he continued his labors and succeeded in making the improvements common to the more in- telligent and active farmers, including a floor in his cabin, which many of the settlers did not have.
In February, 1860 Mr. Swearingen sold the farm,
and being appointed Deputy Sheriff, moved to Marysville; he served two years, when the people showed their approbation by electing him to the office of Sheriff, which he held for four years. Ile was also appointed Treasurer of the county, mak- ing the first record of taxes, this being while Kan- sas was still a Territory. At the expiration of his term of office he engaged in freighting to the mountains, making his first trip across the plains with five outfits, and then taking ten-four yoke to a wagon-occupying on an average about four months to a trip. In Western parlance an outfit consisted of a wagon, or several wagons trailed to- gether, and drawn by several yoke of cattle or span of mules, the number varying according to the number of wagons and the route.
Mr. Swearingen saw considerable trouble with the Indians, but was one of the fortunate men who never lost by them. During his first trip he was held in Denver ten days by an Indian raid, which cleaned out everything on the Platte River. He carried on the business of freighting successfully for four years, and turned his attention to stock dealing, buying in the spring and selling in the fall. Finding this business profitable he continued in it until 1870, when he built the Sherman House, which is still the leading hotel in Marysville. He managed the hotel for ten years, when he quit the business, retaining the ownership of the property, however, until 1885. He had previously bought a farm of 240 acres, lying on sections 5 and 8 of this township, only part of which was broken. Out of this he has made one of the finest farms in the vicinity, bringing the land to a high state of pro- ductiveness, making the usual improvements and putting out a large number of fruit and forest trees, as well as erecting a large, fine stone house. On this farm he spends the greater part of his time, having a tenant on it, but going out to it daily from his city residence.
The wife of our subject was born in Chambers- burg, Pa., Nov. 11, 1831. She is a daughter of Jacob Shaffer, and when a young lady moved to Virginia, living in Brandonville until the time of her marriage. Her union with Mr. Swearingen has been blest by the birth of four children, three of whom still live; Sarah died in infancy. Elizabeth,
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now Mrs. William P. Tinkham, is the mother of three children; Belle is at home, and George P., a conductor on the Union Pacific Railroad, makes his home at Ilanover. The latter married a Miss Dick- son and has had two children. of whom but one survives, a daughter, Blanche.
Mr. Swearingen is a straight Republican. Though he does not seek office he has been elected to the City Conneil, and is willing to serve the people as a member of that body. He was a charter member of the I. O. O. F. lodge in Virginia, and was also a charter member of that order in Marysville. Ilis family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. of which he is an attendant and supporter. Mr. Swearingen is a man of strict integrity in both business and social life. honest in all his transact- ions, of great ability, and is held in high esteem by his townsmen who consider him one of the sub- stantial men of the place and the promoter of the welfare of both city and county.
SAAC N. GRIFFIS. Among the earliest set- tlers of this county must be mentioned Mr. Griffis, who established himself in what is now Blue Rapids Township as early as 1857. There were then coming to this region people from most every section of the country. They blended won- derfully well in their interests and labors, there be- ing a common bond of sympathy in those times, each man making his neighbor's interests his own. The early home of Mr. Griffis was in Butler County, Ohio, where he first opened his eyes to the light Oet. 20. 1836.
The Griffis family were among the earliest pio- neers of the Buckeye State, where David, the father of our subject, was born and reared to manhood. There also he was married to Miss Lydia Park- hurst a maiden of his own county, and of Frenell descent. The Griffis family traced its aneestry to Wales. David, Sr., the paternal grandfather of our subject, served through the Revolutionary War, from the beginning to the end, and for many years received a pension from the Government. lle fought in all the prominent battles, including
Lexington and Bunker Ilill. Grandfather Park- hurst was a missionary Baptist preacher, and emi- grated to Ohio at an early day, where he spent the remainder of his life.
The subject of our sketch about 1852 made his way to Bartholomew County, Ind., where he re- sided about four years. In 1855 he crossed the Mississippi and established himself on a traet of land in Wayne County, Iowa, where he also so- journed a number of years. It is hardly necessary to say that his school advantages were limited, but he was naturally bright and observant, and made the most of his opportunities for aequiring useful knowledge, both from books and keeping his eyes open to what was going on around him. Although mostly reared to farming pursuits, he for a short time was employed in a grist and saw-mill.
In 1863, Mr. Griffis leaving the Hawkeye State, came to this county and settled upon a portion of the land which he now owns and occupies. It was very slightly improved and he labored in true pio- neer style thereafter for many years in the cultiva- tion of the soil, and gathering around himself and his family the ordinary comforts of life. The orig- inal dwelling, now a venerable looking log cabin, bears the marks of several bullets, the relies of a skirmish between one of the early sheriffs and his posse of men. who attempted the capture of Ben- son and Lovell. desperate characters whom they undertook to arrest, but who finally got away.
On the 20th of April. 1864. the subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Mrs. Helen .J. MeDermott. This lady was born in Wisconsin, and became the mother of five children, four of whom are living, viz .: Marietta V., Spencer, Al- bert and Chloe. Lydia died when seven months old. Mrs. Griffis was born in Jefferson County, Wis., Jan. 11, 1843, and is the daughter of Daniel and Anne (Sweet) Woodin, who were natives of Vermont, and whose ancestors were among the early New Englanders. Mrs. Woodin died when her daughter, Helen, was but ten years old, and the following year her father went to California, since whieli time he has not been seen by her. Mrs. Griffis was reared in the family of Joseph Lang- don. one of the earliest settlers of this county, of which she has been a resident since a child of eleven
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years. She was first married to Patrick MeDer- mott, and they became the parents of one child -- Florence -- who is now the wife of De Witt Griffis. Mr. McDermott departed this life in 1863.
Mrs. Griffis has been the witness of some thrill- ing scenes during her life on the frontier, at a time when wild animals were plentiful, and Indians like- wise. When a child of thirteen years in going af- ter the cows, she was chased by the Indians, who probably had in view her capture. It is safe to say she did not allow the grass to grow under her feet upon that occasion, and outrunning her pur- suers reached her home in safety, and afterward was careful about getting very far away from it alone.
The property of Mr. Gritlis embraces 320 acres of land which he has brought to a good state of cultivation. The labor of fencing his fields, plant- ing fruit and shade trees, erecting buildings and gathering about himself and his family the com- forts andconveniences of modern life, kept him bus- ily employed for many years, and he is now in a condition to rest upon his oars. lle joined the Republican party many years ago, and is a member in good standing of the Christian Church. He believes in the maintenance and establishment of schools and frequently serves as Director in his dis- trict. In fact he has, without question. performed all the duties of an honest man and a good citizen, and long years ago established himself in the con- fidence and estcem of his neighbors.
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L LOYD K. KISTLER. The model farmer, the public-spirited citizen and Christian gentle- man,is admirably illustrated in the subject of this biographical outline. Providence has blessed him with a competence, and he has responded to the various calls upon him in aiding worthy ob- jeets, and is looked upon as one of the men in his community whom it could not well do without. Ilis native place was Perry County, Pa .. and the date of his birth Sept. 16, 1847.
Our subject comes from Pennsylvania stock from "away back." His father, David Kistler, was a na-
tive of the same connty as his son. and born in May, 1827, being a little over twenty years of age at the time of the latter's birth. He is still living and a resident of Perry County, where ne has fol- lowed agricultural pursuits all his life, and much of the time taught school during the winter season. He has held some of the minor offices and aecumu- lated considerable property. Upon the organiza- tion of the Republican party he identified himself with it. He is a strong temperance man and was an ardent advocate of the Prohibition amendment to the Pennsylvania State constitution. In relig- ious matters, he is identified with the Lutheran Church.
John Kistler, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Bucks County, Pa .. in Janu- ary, 1800, and died Jan. 30, 1887, in Loysville, Pa. He followed farming all his life. His father was a native of Switzerland, and emigrated to America in time to serve as a soldier in the Revo- lutionary War. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Susannah Rice; she was born in Perry County, Pa., about 1828, and died in 1863. Grandfather George Rice was a native of Juniata County, Pa., and traced his ancestry to England. His brother John served in the War of 1812, under Capt. Rogers. A cousin of his was the last survivor of those who participated in Perry's victory on Lake Erie. He died near Shelby, Ohio, a few years ago, at the age of ninety years. The Rice family are noted for longevity. the most of them reaching the age of eighty years and upwards.
To David and Susan Kistler there were born six sons and two daughters, namely: Lloyd K., our subject; John L., Samuel .J., George R., Sarah E., David A., William A. and Susan R. Lloyd K., like his brothers and sisters, was reared in his na- tive county, and received an academic education. In 1864, when not quite seventeen years old, he enlisted as a Union soldier in Company F., 208th Pennsylvania Infantry, which was a part of the Army of the Potomac, and served until the close of the war, and participated in two regular engage- ments: the recapture of Ft. Steadman, March 25, 1865, and the taking of the works at Petersburg, April 2, 1865. Afterward he returned to his native county, resumed his studies, taught school and
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farmed until 1868; then going to Louisa County. Iowa, he occupied himself as a teacher the follow- ing year, and in 1869 came to this county, of which he has since been a resident. His finely cultivated farm embraces 160 acres of land, upon which there are substantial buildings and all the other applian- ces necessary for the prosecution of agriculture after the most approved methods. The present residence was erected in 1886.
Mr. Kistler makes a specialty of live-stock, feed- ing nearly all the grain he raises. He has held some of the minor otlices, and is a member in good standing of the Lutheran Church. He is likewise identified with the G. A. R. Post. No. 260 at Wa- terville, and in polities is a strong Prohibitionist. He was married, Feb. 23, 1871. to Miss Arabella A. Smiley. This lady was born in Carlisle, Pa., July 22, 1851, and is the daughter of Samuel and Sarah A. (McMurray ) Smiley. The male members of the McMurray family participated in all the wars of this country from 1812 down. Mr. and Mrs. Kistler are the parents of three children, all sons, namely: Charles R., Benjamin F. and George R. B.F.is attending Midland College at Atchison, Kan .; C. R. and G. R. are at home with their parents.
S AMUEL SMITH MARTIN. Something over thirty-two years ago the subject of this notice found his way to this county, and settled in the wilds of Rock Township, where he sojourned from 1857 to 1859. There were few evidences of civilization, the cabins of the settlers being few and far between and the outlook was anything but inviting. Partly on this account Mr. Martin in the year last mentioned returned to Indiana, whence he had come, and lived there for a period of ten years. lle then ventured out to the frontier again and has since been a resident of Rock Township. Hle is the owner of a good prop. erty, embracing 240 acres of fine farming land. pleasantly located on section 7. and which with its buildings and appurtenances forms one of the most attractive pictures in the landscape of this region.
Mr. Martin has had an ample experience with
the dangers and difficulties of pioneer life. He comes of a hardy race and first opened his eyes to the light near Wilkesboro, N. C .. Oct. 10, 1834. A year later his parents emigrated to the wilds of 1 Indiana at a time when deer and wolves were plen- tiful besides coons and other wild animals. The coon hunting especially formed one of the best- appreciated recreations of the young people of that region. The advantages for education. as may be supposed, were extremely limited, the schools be- ing conducted on the subscription plan, in a log cabin furnished with seats and desks made of slabs, with puncheon floor and greased paper for window panes. At the age of seven years our subject was partially orphaned by the death of his father. but he remained at home with his mother until she, too, passed away.
In the spring of 1856 Mr. Martin, leaving Ind- iana, set out for the farther West with a team, crossing the Mississippi, and in due time established himself on a traet of land in Story County, lowa. Hle lived there and in Marshall and Hardin coun- ties, until the spring of 1857. Not satisfied then with the outlook in the Hawkeye State, he decided to try the climate of Northern Kansas and jour- neyed to this county by team as before. He pre- empted land paying therefor $1.25 per acre, made some improvements and lived upon it until 1859. Then returning to his old haunts in Indiana he farmed on rented land until the fall of 1869. Ilis next movement was to come back to this county, when he located on his present farm where he has made all the improvements which are now to be seen. The cyclone of 1876 made way with most of his buildings, but he replaced them and since that time has been uniformly prosperous. He has added to his first purchase eighty acres and now has ample facilities for the cultivation of his land, which is abundantly fertile. The farm embraces sixty acres of native timber and is watered by the west fork of the Vermillion. There are groves and an orchard in good bearing condition besides trees of the smaller fruits, a comfortable dwelling and the outbuildings required for the shelter of stock and the storing of grain. Mr. Martin keeps good grades of cattle, swine, horses and mules, and uses three teams in the operations of his farm. The
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story of his early toils and struggles is similar to that of so many whose lives have been faithfully recorded in this volume.
The 15th day of April, 1861, was made memor- able in the life of our subject by his marriage in Wells County, Ind., with Miss Syrilda Edmunson. This lady was born in Rush County, Ind. ller union with Mr. Martin resulted in the birth of ten children, the eldest of whom, James M., remains at home with his parents. William A. married Miss Lulu Rakestraw and is farming in Roek Township. John F. is at home ; Rena A., Mrs. Brooks; Martha I. married William Taton and they reside on a farm in Guittard Township; Mary J., the twin sister of Martha, is the wife of William Bond, a barber of Sheridan, Mo .; Naney I. remains under the home roof. Jehu A., Andrew J., and Emmett C. are all at home.
Politically, our subject affiliates with the Repub- lican party. lle has been a Deacon and Elder in the Christian Church for many years and is one of its chief pillars. In the early days he assisted in the organization of Roek Township, and was active in the establishment of schools besides assisting in the erection of school buildings. He has had little desire for the spoils of office and aside from serving as Constable at one time, has declined the respon- sibilities of public life.
The father of our subjeet was Hon. Benjamin F. Martin, the son of Rev. Robert Martin, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, where the latter engaged in farming, and as a minister of the Baptist Church. He carried a musket in the Re- volutionary War, and died in his native State. His son, Benjamin F., was bred to farm pursuits, which he followed during his life long, and during his early manliood owned a farm in his native county. He served in the War of 1812, and afterward emi- grated to Wayne County, Ind., where he settled among its earliest pioneers. Later he removed to Whitley County, where he cleared a farm from the forest and spent his last days. In the meantime he became well-to-do, was the owner of a large traet of land, and was a successful dealer in cattle and sheep. He was prominent in politics, and at one time represented his county in the Legislature. Ile was also Judge of the county court several terms.
He died at the age of fifty-five years in the faith of the Baptist Church, religiously, and a member of the old Whig party, politieally.
The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Sarah Roussean. She, likewise, was a native of North Carolina, as was Grandfather Rousseau, the latter being a planter and well-to-do. lle was of French deseent and served in the Revolutionary War. He emigrated to Indiana with his family and died in Whitley County, Ind., in 1855, at the age of seventy-seven years. lle was an active Whig. politieally, and in religious belief a Dunkard. Mrs. Sarah ( Rousseau) Martin departed this life in 1855, at the age of fifty-five years. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and the mother of nine children, who lived to mature years. Naney is .now deceased; Diana is a resident of Whitley County, Ind .; Benjamin F. and David II. are de- ceased; Reuben died in infaney; James L. is a resident of Polk County, Mo .; Samuel S., our sub- jeet; Hiram Il. lives in Mo. William R. lives in Arkansas, near Fayetteville.
M ERRILL S. SHEPARD. This gentleman belongs to the firm of Wilson & Shepard, livery men of Marysville. Mr. Shepard was born in Westfield, Mass., Feb. 20, 1845, and there lived until the year 1871, when he located in Marysville. His early education was obtained at the High School, after which lie at- tended the academy in his native town. Ilis first venture in a business line was to enter his father's whip manufactory, and for a period of two years before he came to Marysville he was in business for himself. Different occupations have absorbed his time, mostly in the way of stoek -dealing since leaving a purely mereantile line of business. Ilis stoek shipments have been mainly to Kansas City, Mo., and Chicago, Ill. At present Mr. Shepard is associated with C. B. Wilson in the livery business, and is the manager, devoting his time and energy to the establishment and growth of a successful place of business.
Mr. Shepard married Miss Lettie Montgomery,
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of Marysville. Feb. 11. 1872. They have had foni children, three of whom are living-Hallie, Frank S. and Katie. Mrs. Shepard was born in Hanover, Ill .. and is a danghter of Abel Montgomery, who was a business man of that city. and at one time kept an hotel. Mr. Montgomery moved to Hiawatha with his family. His wife was Miss Polly Paddock. At the time of his death he was pro- prietor of the Blue Valley livery stable. His wife is also dead.
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