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 45
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Removing to this county in the spring of 1860, our subject engaged in selling general merchan- dise, he and Gen. Marshall, being among the first who supplied freighter's outfits. His first store was located on the Big Blue, where the bridge now stands, everyone at that time being obliged to ford
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the stream. At that point the business of the vi- cinity was done for three or four years, when the town was started a half mile east. Mr. Waterson then removed to Broadway, where he sold goods until 1870. Then erecting a double brick store. he occupied one part of it until the Ist of January. 1889, when he sold his stock, retaining the build- ing. together with several fine business blocks on Broadway, and other city property. For a num- ber of years he sold agricultural implements as well as general merchandise. At various times he bought land, much of it being a short distance west in Washington County. For several years he carried on farming, owning one farm of 400 acres near town. and renting 1000 acres.
There was no local government in this section when our subject arrived, as it had not then been declared a Territory. The Kansas and Missouri border war was in progress and there was a great deal of excitement. The Territorial treaty was ratified during the summer of 1854, and the first Congressional election held in the fall. On March 30, 1855, a Territorial election was hield and our subject was elected to the First Territorial Legis- lature. The first session was held in July, 1855. near Ft. Riley. at a place called Pawnee City. This being far west of the center of civilization, the body was thereby greatly inconvenienced, but soon had a good house in which to stay. Our sub- ject arrived on Sunday afternoon and found men engaged in cutting trees, drawing and sawing them. On Monday the Legislature met in the brush for preliminary work. but in the afternoon had a capi- tol building, 20x30 feet, with doors, roof, windows and floor complete. Our subject was a member of the committees on Corporation, Judiciary and oth- ers. The session lasted only for a short time and but one bill was passed. This bill was to remove the Capital from Pawnee City to the Shawnee Man- ual Labor School in Doniphan County, that being the only place capable of accommodating the mem . bers. The Legislature had a rather boisterous ses- sion, as the Governor had been angered by the change in the place of meeting, and he vetoed the first bill passed. Mr. Waterson was returned to the Legislature in 1857, the body meeting at the same place. Being personally acquainted with the
Governor he was appointed by the Legislature to confer with him in regard to the change of the Capital.
Our subject was the first Justice of the Peace ap- pointed in the Territory, being elected at a meet- ing of early settlers in Wathena, Doniphan County, and appointed by the Governor. His jurisdiction extended from the Nebraska line to the southern boundary of Kansas, and from the Missouri River to the Colorado line. Subsequently there were two other citizens appointed to the office of Justice of the Peace in that territory. After receiving his commission he asked the Governor what law he should use, as there was none in the Territory. The Governor asked what State he was from, and then told him he could use either the Ohio or the Missouri law. 1Ie counseled with Judge Woodson at St. Joseph, Mo .. and finally decided to use the old Missouri Territorial law. Mr. Waterson served as Justice of the Peace until the State was divided into counties. Having held court he was familiarly known as Judge Waterson.
Mr. Waterson was first married to Miss Jane Moore, who died while young, leaving two chil- dren, both now deceased. One of these. James, grew to manhood, married and settled in this State, and at his death left three children. Our subject again married, his second wife being Miss Caroline llall, who accompanied her husband to Kansas. She left three children to mourn her loss. The third wife of our subject was Mrs. Rebecca M. Boyd.
The people displayed their confidence in Mr. Waterson by choosing him to occupy the responsi- ble position of Mayor of Marysville for several terms. Ile was not an active politician. but was prominent in Democratie circles, having voted with the Democratic party from Jackson to Cleve- land. Ile was a man of eminence in Marysville, not only on account of his many years of life and service in the State. but on account of his abilities and upright character.
The following clipping from the Marysville News. published the day after the death of this pioneer and time scarred warrior, will be appre- ciated by the readers:
"Ile was very successful in his business pursuits
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and amassed a very handsome fortune, amounting to well upwards of $100,000. He was always a liberal. public spirited man, and worked for what he believed to be the best interest of the city. He always contributed liberally to charitable purposes, and was always willing to aid and encourage his unfortunate fellowmen. He was a man who car- ried his age well, and was unusually smart and ac- tive for a man of nearly eighty years of age, but for the past year his friends have noticed that his physical strength was failing. Ile realized this himself, and had his business matters all shaped up according to his desires, so that there would be no likelihood of any complications after his death. On last Sunday while at the dinner table he was stricken with paralysis on the left side, and this was followed Wednesday by another stroke which com- pletely paralyzed his whole body, and he lay in a comatose state until 2:20 yesterday, when he died. The deceased was a man of good moral character, and was always identified with the moral element of the community. His death removes a good citizen. an old land mark. An honest, upright man has gone to enjoy his reward free from the trials and turmods of this world."
We are pleased to present to the readers of the ALBUM a fine portrait of this honored citizen, whose familiar face and friendly voice will no more greet old and young. rich and poor. with a smile of sym- pathy or a word of kindness.
OHIN TURNBULL. Six years since, the subject of this notice came to this county and purchased eighty acres of land on sec- tion 7, in St. Bridget Township, from which he proceeded to build up a homestead. The in- dustry with which he has labored is apparent in the many improvements he has effected and the general air of comfort and plenty which surrounds him and his family. Besides fencing the land and bringing the soil to a good state of cultivation, he has erected the necessary buildings, and has planted several hundred fruit trees and as many forest trees. He is considerably interested in stock-rais- ing, and has a goodly assortment of domestic ani- mals-cattle. horses and swine.
A native of bonny Seotland, our subject was born in Roxburghshire, April 26, 1844, and is the
son of John Turnbull, who spent his entire life in the Land of the Thistle. Upon reaching man's estate our subject was married, in his native shire, in 1873, to Miss Margaret Cook, who was born and reared not far from the carly home of her husband. A few months after their marriage the young people set out for America, and coming di- rectly Westward, settled eight miles south of Pawnee C'ity, where Mr. Turnbull prosecuted farm- ing until coming to this county, in 1883. The six children were born in this State and are all liv- ing. The eldest, a daughter, Jane, has completed her studies, and with the others-John, James, William, George and Robert-remains at home with her parents. Mr. Turnbull takes no active part in politics, otherwise than casting his vote in support of the Republican party.
S IDNEY WALTER. No visitor to this county will long be ignorant of the name and person of the gentleman whose cogno- men heads this sketch, he being well known throughout this section as farmer, stock-raiser and breeder, and occupying a well-improved farm of of 420 acres on section 14, Marysville Township. His father was Jacob Walter, a native of Wells, England. The maiden name of his mother was Sarah Clark, she being a native of Madison County, N. Y. Mr. Jacob Walter first settled on the Mau- mee River, where Toledo now stands, and thenee removed to Oakland County, Mich., where he and his wife both died. They had a family of nine children, of whom our subject was the fifth. being born in Oakland County. Mich., July 10. 1842.
Our subject was reared to agricultural pursuits, his father being a farmer, and in his native county followed his father's occupation. The call of Presi- dent Lincoln for 75,000 men to repossess the forts, places and property seized from the Union, found earnest response in the breast of young Walter, who in May, 1861, enlisted in the Union service, being assigned to Company F, of the 5th Michigan Infantry, in which he served as Corporal. At the battle of Fair Oaks he was wounded by a falling
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tree which had been ent by a shell, having four ribs broken in his left side. He was taken prisoner, but remained in the hands of the enemy but a short time when he was recaptured. llis wound proved a serious one, and for three months he was entirely paralyzed in the lower limbs. Being unfitted for the service he received a discharge in October, 1862, but upon his restoration to health in June, 1863, he re-enlisted in Company L, 10th Michigan Cavalry, filling the office of first Sergeant, and later receiving the commission of Second Lieutenant. He was in the siege of Yorktown, took part in the fierce contest between fighting' Joe Hooker and Gen. Johnston, at Williamsburg, and in the battle of Greenville, E. Tenn., where Morgan was killed, as well as in less important affrays. Mr. Walter also took part in the Sherman raid in the memora- ble pursuit of Jeff Davis. He considers his sever- est war experience to have been at the time of the assasination of President Lincoln, when he engaged in the pursuit of the assassin. Being honorably discharged from the service in December. 1865, our subject returned to his home, and early in Jan- uary of the following year went to Grenada. Miss .. with the intention of making that place his home. On his journey South Mr. Walter fell in with two men from Vermont. These men being killed by Forester's band Mr. Walter considered it unsafe to remain in that section and departed to Canada, where he engaged in the oil business for three years. He then came to Clinton, Iowa, where he was fore- man in a match factory. He loaned the parties $3.000 and took the insurance for security. In Oc. tober, 1871, he was burned out, and being insured with the Chicago companies which were crippled on account of the great fire, he obtained no insur- ance. Undismayed by this loss of all he possessed he set to work to repair his shattered fortunes, and coming to this county he located and engaged in farming.
Mr. Walter was married in Ft. Huron, Mich., July 15, 1868, to Miss Maria F. Goring, a native of Lincoln County, Ontario, where she was born Sept. 22, 1842. This estimable young lady is a daughter of Francis A. Goring, of Ontario. Mr. and Mrs. Walter have one child-Lottie Matilda.
Since coming to this county Mr. Walter has de-
voted his attention wholly to farming and stock- raising, has made good improvements on his place and earries on the stock business very successfully, turning off about 300 head of fat cattle yearly. lle has been School Trustee for many years, working faithfully for the improvement of the schools. At the present time he occupies the position of Town- ship Clerk. Ile is a member of Lyons Post No. 9, G. A. R. In religious views he is in harmony with the noted Col. Robert Ingersol.
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ARRY HUMFREVILLE, M.D., local sur- geon for the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company, and a leading practitioner at Waterville, has established a good practice in this part of the county with a prospect of contin- ued success. He is only thirty-five years old, hav- ing been born June 28. 1854, and his native place was Miami County, Ohio. His father, William T. Humfreville. was a native of Dayton, that State, and born in August, 1813.
William T. Ilumfreville was a man of more than ordinary abilities and good business capaci- ties, and was nearly all his life successfully en- gaged as a contractor and builder at Piqua. Ohio. He was liberal and public-spirited, and became prominent in his community, taking an active interest in its educational matters. He served for a time in the Union army during the Civil War. He was successful in the accumulation of property. and from early manhood was a devoted member of the Baptist Church, taking an active part in its support. In Masonry he had attained to the Royal Arch degrees. Ile held many of the minor offices. Ile is now deceased.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was David Humfreville. a veteran of the War of 1812. who afterward enjoyed a pension and received a land grant from the Government for his services. The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Harriet Licklider, of Beavertown, Ohio, and the daughter of Jacob and Susan Licklider, who were natives of Virginia. To the parents of our subject there were born six children, all of whom
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lived to mature years. Harry, our subject, was the youngest born. He was reared at Piqua, in his native connty. and received a good education. being graduated from the High School in 1870. When little more than a boy he learned telegraphy, which he followed a few years, then turned his at- tention to the study of medicine. He pursued his studies in the office of Dr. W. C. Parker, of Piqua, and in 1875 was graduated with high honors from the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville.
Dr. Humfreville commenced the practice of his profession at Versailles, Ohio, where he was lo- cated about eighteen months, and then removed to Shelby County, that State, where he followed his practice until 1880. That year he came to Kansas and located in Waterville, where he has since re- mained. Ile stands high among the medical men of this section, and is a member of the North Kan- sas Medical Association, also member and Seeretary of the Marshall County Medical Association. In 1889 he was appointed the health officer of Mar- shall County. Ile is an active member of the Epis- copal Church, and a liberal contributor to ehureh and charitable institutions. Socially, he is eon- nected with the Masonic fraternity, having been the Master of Sutton Lodge No. 85, at Waterville, for several years. He is the friend of education and progress, genial and courteous in his demeanor, and has made many friends since his residence in this county.
On the 1 1th of September, 1880, Dr. Hnmfreville was united in marriage with Mrs. Hannah Bronson, an accomplished und educated young lady of Shelby County, 'Ohio, and the daughter of Josiah T. and Teachoup. To the Doetor and his amiable wife there have been born two children-William J. and Johnie T.
LEX CAMPBELL, Clerk of the District Court of Marshall County, was first the incumbent of this office from 1862 to 1873, and after the lapse of a few years was re-elected Jan. 1. 1889, for the two years' term which he is now serving. He was born in the Highlands of Scotland, Dee. 31, 1833, and lived
there until a youth of sixteen years, acquiring a practical education in the common schools. Ile then crossed the Atlantic, and took up his residence in Guelph, Upper Canada, where he was employed as a clerk in a store until the spring of 1852.
Our subject, now leaving the Dominion, crossed the lake to Cleveland, Ohio, and thence made his way to Chillicothe, Ross County, where he became the employe of Frazier & Co. and remained there until 1859. One of the firm then came to Leaven- worth, this State, accompanied by our subject as clerk, and with whom the latter remained until the establishment was destroyed by fire in March, 1860. Mr. Campbell thien eame to Marysville, this eounty, and changing his occupation somewhat, established himself on a tract of land on the Big Blue, four miles north of town, taking up a homestead claim of 160 aeres. After building a cabin he proceeded with other improvements as rapidly as possible, and remained there two years, suffering in the meantime from drouth which considerably crippled his farming operations.
In March, 1862, Mr. Campbell was appointed by Judge Horton, Clerk of the District Court, and in order to enter upon the duties of his office, re- moved to Marysville. He served his term, and at the general election which occurred in the fall of that year, he was chosen for the same office, which he filled with credit to himself and in a manner sat- isfactory to the people, as his re-election for four consecutive terms amply indicated. Upon with- drawing from the office he engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1872 he put up a fine briek residence on Elm Street, which he now occupies with his family. He is a man of sterling worth and has hosts of friends in this county. He uniformly votes with the Republican party, and is a consist- ent member of the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Campbell while residing in Canada, was married May 2, 1855. to Miss Ann MeLeod, and they became the parents of three children, the eld- est of whom, a daughter, Effie, became the wife of William Henry, of Marysville, and they have three children, Bertha, Mamie and Effie; Mary Ann re mains at home with her parents; John married Miss Gladys Rice, and they have two children; he is the assistant of his father in the office of the latter.
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Mrs. Ann (McLeod) Campbell departed this life at the family residence in Marysville at the early age of thirty years.
In December, 1864, our subject contracted a second marriage, with Miss Belle McDonald. Eight of the nine children born of this union are now living. The deceased. a daughter, Ettie. became the wife of H. C. Harvey, and died in Kansas City, March 12, 1889, when twenty-three years okl. The survivors are Benjamin, Christie, Alex, Ir., Frank, Jessie. Katie, Belle and Ettie. They are all at home with their parents and will receive the training and education suited to their position in life. Mrs. Belle (McDonald) Campbell is the sec- ond daughter of Finley McDonald, of whom men - tion is made in the sketch of R. McDonald elsewhere in this ALBUM. She was born in Rosshire, Scot- land, and was brought to America by her parents when a child. The mother of Mr. Campbell died in Scotland many years ago. ITer maiden name was Henrietta Cameron. The parental household included six children, of whom our subject and his brother Donald are the only survivors, and he and John are the only ones who came to Amer- ica.
R EUBEN FULLER, Postmaster. Swede Creek. Among the many citizens of Kan- sas who, beginning life with no capital but that bestowed upon them by nature, have achieved financial success. the gentleman whose name heads this sketch deserves mention. He is one
of the first settlers of Cottage Ilill Township, where he now owns eighty acres of well-improved land on section 26. He has been owner of a much larger estate. but is now living a rather retired life and enjoying the prosperity which he has achieved.
Mr. Fuller is a native of Nantucket Island. where his birth took place July 27, 1830. His fa- ther. Thomas Fuller, was born at Barnstable, Mass .. in 1796, and died on Nantucket Island in 1841. lle spent the most of his life in whaling. During the war of 1812 he was engaged in the service against the land from which he traced his descent. In the sixteenth century, three brothers named Fuller had
emigrated from England to America. and settled respectively in Maine. New Hampshire and Massa- chusetts. To the latter was born a son, Joseph, who was the grandfather of our subject. He served in defense of his country in the Revolutionary War. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Sophia Cash. She was a daughter of Ren- ben Cash, of a well known Nantucket Island fam- ily. On the Island she was born in 1800, and there she died in 1879. Thomas and Lydia Fuller became the parents of two children, Reuben and Caroline, the former of whom is the ouly surviv- ing member of the family.
Reuben Fuller was reared and educated on his native island and in early life worked at the car- penter's trade. In 1859 he went West and soon settled upon the land where he now resides. In 1850 he married Miss Elmira Andrews, of Nan- tucket. She passed from earth in 1857, leaving two children, Reuben A. and Herbert S. Seven years after her death our subject married again. the bride in this instance being Miss Angeline Nichols, of Tazewell County, Ill. The result of this union has been two children, Fannie and Edwin N.
Our subject has been for many years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and takes an active part in all its work. He is a stanch Repub- lican and never fails to exert his influence in be- half of the principles with which his judgment coincides. He is a public-spirited citizen and a leader in every elevating movement in his town- ship. As neighbor, citizen and man, he is highly spoken of by all who know him.
C ORNELIUS ALSPACH. Among the well- regulated farms of Murray Township, that belonging to the subject of this notice, is worthy of more than a passing mention. being a lasting monument to his industry and perseverance. By his good management, prudence and economy, he has accumulated that which will defend him from want in his old age, and which has placed him in a leading position among his fellow-citizens.
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The 200 aeres of land have all been brought to a fine state of cultivation, and besides this property. Mr. Alspach owns eighty acres on section 33. St. Bridget Township.
When our subject took possession of his present farm in 1878, it was an unbroken tract of laud with- out fences or other improvement. Its condition to- day indicates in a marked manner the persistence with which he has labored. Hle first homesteaded eighty acres, which he improved and lived upon until coming to his present place. Ile was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, June 15, 1844, at the pa- rental homestead in Bloom Township, where he lived until reaching his majority, and then emi- grated to Kansas.
The parents of our subject were John H. and Elizabeth ( Hindhaugh) Alspach, who were natives respectively, of Pennsylvania and Ohio. The grand- father left the Keystone State early in life, and fol- lowed farming in the Buckeye State until his death, which occurred when he was about eighty years old.
The parents of our subject after their marriage, remained residents of Fairfield County, Ohio, and there were born to them eight children, of whom Cornelius was the sixth, and he was about five years old when his mother died. Ilis father was subsequently married to Miss Melinda Rockey, a maiden lady, by whom he had eight children. They are yet living on the old farm where they have sojourned for the long period of thirty years. Mr. Alspach is now seventy-seven years old, while his wife is several years younger. Both are mem- bers of the German. Reformed Church.
The subject of this sketch received careful train- ing at home, but conned his lessons mostly in the chimney corner, as the schools at that day in his native county were few and far between. He came to Kansas a single man, but not long after reaching his majority, was married in this county, Sept. 20, 1874. to Miss Barbara Wolfgang. This lady was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Jefferson County, in 1858. Her parents were Jacob and Sarah (Swartz) Wolfgang, and they emigrated to Kansas in 1870, settling in Rock Township on a tract of unimproved land, from which the father constructed a good homestead, and where both par-
ents are now living. Their daughter Barbara, was carefully reared, and received a common-school education; she lived with her parents until her marriage. This union resulted in the birth of eight children, viz: Priscilla M., Sarah B., Della R., Cor- nelius F., Nellie P., Alta B., Charles M .. and a babe unnamed.
Mr. Alspach is the Superintendent of a Sunday- school in his neighborhood; although there is no church in the vicinity. He is a sound Democrat, politically, and has held the office of School Treas- urer for the last nine years. His wife has in all respects been liis suitable companion and helpmate, and they number their friends and acquaintances among the best people of the county.
AMES WARREN STOWELL, proprietor of the Starr Stowell Dairy, and an expert at dehorning cattle, has likewise attained an enviable reputation as a breeder of fine Holsteins, and is recognized as a business man of the first water. He has made a great many friends since locating in this county, and has one of the pleasantest homes within its limits. His domestie affairs are presided over by a lady of excellent education and fine intelligence. one who is amply fitted for the position which she occupies as the wife of a leading citizen. Their home comprises a well-regulated farm of 160 acres, embracing a quarter of section 35, township 3, range 10.
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