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 46
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A native of Madison County, N. Y., our subject was born near the city of Hamilton, Dec. 17, 1850. In the winter of 1856 his parents removed to Ogle County, Ill., making the journey by rail, but the year following pushed on further westward into Wisconsin, locating in Richland County, where our subject was reared upon a farm. He was pressed into service at an early age. driving a yoke of oxen at the plow when a lad of seven years. As may be supposed his education was limited to an attend. ance of a few weeks each year at the district school. which was conducted in the typical log school with puncheon floor and desks and seats of slabs. From that time until reaching manhood, he assisted his
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father in clearing three farms. When a youth of eighteen years he went into Sauk County, Wis .. where he worked in the hop yards one season. The following spring he returned to Richland County and embarked in business for himself by setting out thirteen acres of hops upon forty acres of land which he owned. He prosecuted this business suc- cessfully until the crash of 1872 and then retired. Subsequently he resumed general farming until February, 1878, when he repaired to Ogle County. Ill., and farmed there one year. He still retained possession of his Wisconsin land.
In the spring of 1879 Mr. Stowell repaired to Atchison, Kan., whence he drove through to Ver- million. this county, and located in Noble Town- ship, an entire stranger. He rented land the first season. and in August following, having disposed of his Wisconsin property, purchased the land which constitutes his present farm. It was then in its wild state, and he commenced at first princi- ples in its improvement and cultivation. He made fences and put up the necessary buildings, planted an orchard of 150 trees, and instituted the other conveniences necessary to his wellbeing and that of his family. He had at the beginning a capital of 82, and contracted to pay $5 an acre for his land. It is now unimcumbered, and in 1889 he purchased the adjoining eighty acres, for which he paid $17.50 an acre. In early manhood he learned the trade of a stonemason, at which he works as opportunity occurs. During the past two years he has dehorned 7,000 head of cattle and has 5,000 engaged for the fall of 1889. He has also prac- ticed considerably as a veterinary surgeon.
Mr. Stowell established his dairy in 1884, and ships his butter principally to Atchison. He has twenty-five head of Holstein cattle and other val- vable animals, including a jack, "Mammoth Tom," from which he breeds a fine quality of mules, hav- ing now about seven head. He uses three teams in his farm operations, and has seven head of horses.
Our subject was first married in Wisconsin, in September, 1870. to Miss Sarah J. Harris, who was born in Ohio and died in Wisconsin in 1871. There was one child born of this union, a son, Si- mon, who is now farming in Colorado. Mr.
Stowell contracted a second marriage, Aug. 26, 1873, with Miss Anna B. Seckler, who is a native of Northumberland County. Pa., and born March 29, 1852. The five children of this union are named respectively : William B .. Charles H., Amy B .. Nellie M. and LeRoy D. Mr. Stowell is the School Treasurer of his district, and has served as School Director three terms. He has also been Road Supervisor two terms, and occupied this office in Wisconsin one year. Socially. he belongs to the A. F. & A. M. at Vermillion. Lodge No. 320. In politics he sympathizes with the Union Labor party.
R ALPH COMPTON, the present Township Clerk of Wells Township, is a native of England, having been born in Northum- berland County, Feb. 20, 1835. He was the son of John and Mary Compton, and was reared to manhood in his native conntry, receiving a common school education. Upon reaching man's estate he went to Scotland and for a time was ticket agent on a railway. Following this, for a number of years he was a railway station agent. On May 3. 1860, he celebrated his marriage to Margaret H. Inglis. an estimable young lady who was born in Scotland in 1838. The union resulted in the birth of eight children-John, William, Ma- tilda, James, Thomas, Robert, Mary M .. and Anne. all living except the last named.
In the spring of 1869. Mr. Compton with his family emigrated to America, taking passage at Glasgow on the steam vessel "St. Patrick." After an ocean voyage of nineteen days they landed at Quebec, Canada, where our subject left his family for a short time, while he came West to secure land. He chose Kansas for his future home, and homesteaded cighty acres of land on section 10, Wells Township, which by dint of energy and perseverance he has converted from a wild prairie into an attractive and thoroughly tilled farm. IIe has added to his original acreage until he is now the possessor of 480 broad acres. There were just eight buildings in Frankfort when he came to this section, and the present condition of the county is
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a standing monument of the energy of the pioneers among whom he is classed.
Mr. Compton is a Republican in his political views, but generally votes for the best man irre- spective of party. He has served several years as Township Clerk and identifies himself with all the progressive enterprises of the community. Ile is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is now serving as Superintendent of the Sunday- school in whose working he is greatly interested. He is a man of judgment and intelligence, a kindly neighbor, and a citizen who is held in high repute.
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G USTAF RUDEN. The career of this gen- tleman furnishes a fine illustration of what a man may accomplish by perseverance and industry. Ile is of Swedish birth and parentage, and left his native land poor in purse, with com- paratively little experience of the world, and en- tirely dependent upon his own resources. He labored many years after coming to the West be- fore gaining a financial foothold, but he is now numbered among the most successful men of this county. In connection with operating the City Feed Mill at Axtell, which he established in 1885, putting up the building and creating the business from the beginning, he is also operating a large farm of 260 acres in Murray Township, on sections 5. 6, 7, and 18. This is mostly under cultivation, and is fairly well improved.
Mr. Ruden became a resident of this county in 1871, coming here from Kansas City, Mo., after having been a boatman on the Missouri River for a year. Prior to this he had lived in Rockford, Ill., one year, in which place he settled, upon com- ing to America. in 1869. He was born in West Yealing, Sweden, Jan. 8. 1848, and is the son of Johonas Johnson, a farmer by occupation, and who still sojourns in his native land. The latter is now about seventy years of age, and is living with his third wife. His first wife, the mother of our sub- ject, died when Gustaf was a boy of seven years.
In early life our subject learned the tailor's trade, and remained a resident of his native place
until a young man of twenty years. Not making the progress which he desired, financially, he re- solved upon emigrating to the United States, and accordingly set out in May, 1869, on an ocean steamer. and after a voyage of eighteen days landed safely in New York City. His subsequent move- ment we have already indicated. He was married in Murray Township, this county, Sept. 15. 1878 to Miss Emily Johnson, a native of his own coun- try, and born in Smolen. Oct. 12, 1857. The par- ents of Mrs. Ruden were Juhan and Benedicta (Munson) Pearson, who are still living in Sweden at the ages of sixty-seven and sixty-two years re- spectively. Mrs. Ruden lived with her parents in Sweden until approaching womanhood, and then came to America with some of her friends and kinspeople in the summer of 1878. Most of the time since she has been a resident of this county. Of this marriage there have been born five chil- dren, namely: Ada M., Anshalm, Elmer, Carl O. W .. and Effie, V. C. Mr. and Mrs. Ruden are members in good standing of the Lutheran Church and our subject, politically, is a sound Republican. They have a very pleasant home, and count their friends by the score.
ILLIAM SCHMUCKER. The above named gentleman, who is one of the successful business men of Frankfort, where he is en- gaged in general merchandising, has had some ex- periences which are more interesting to relate than pleasant to experience. But before entering upon a brief outline of them, a few words regarding his parental family will not be amiss. His father was Samuel Schmucker, who was the son of the Rev. John Nichlas Schmucker, a Lutheran minister, whose father had emigrated from Germany to America, and settled in Shenandoah County, Va., prior to the Revolutionary War. The mother of our subject was Rebecca Trook, who. like her parents, was a native of Shenandoah County. where she is still living at the age of eighty-two. When our subject was five years of age, his father, who was a farmer, died, leaving three children to the
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mother's care. She afterward married Emanuel Rhinehart, by whom she had six children. The children of her first marriage were John N .. Will- iam and Sarah, and those of ber second marriage were Mary C .. Ada. Amanda and John C. A .; two others died in youth. Mary C. is the wife of David B. Shirks, who operates a foundry in Elizabeth- town. Pa .; Mrs. Ada Wood is a widow. living on a farm near New Market. Pa .; Amanda. who resides in the same place. is single; John C. A. is employed in a glass factory in Pittsburg. Pa., and is unmar- ried.
William Schmucker was born in Shenandoah County, Va., April 13. 1828, and passed his life until the age of twelve upon a farm. At that time he was sent to learn cabinet-making under an uncle. the Rev. George Schmucker, with whom he remained a year. He next worked on a farm for a year, and then went to Freeden's Church to learn the shoemaker's trade. After serving an appren- tieeship of four and a half years he went to his grandfather's in Shenandoah County, and set up as a journeyman shoemaker. On Oct. 2, 1855, he mar- ried Sarah, daughter of Thomas Corbin. of Shen- andoah County. Mr. Sehmucker folowed his trade until the breaking out of the Civil War, when. be- ing a member of the Virginia militia, he entered the army of the Confederacy. He served in Com- pany A. 5th Virginia Infantry. under the renowned Stonewall Jackson, and participated in the battles of Chancellorsville and the second Bull Run. In the latter he received a severe wound in the left forearm from a Federal bullet. His heart was not in the cause of the South, and on the night of June 13. 1863. while his eommand was near Frederieks- burg. Va .. he and a comrade named Jacob Doll de- serted. They had previously told several of their comrades of their intention, and quite a number were anxious to accompany them; but as too great a number would defeat their purpose, Mr. Sehmucker would not agree to the companionship of any others. On the night above mentioned, Doll and himself having permission to go beyond the lines to a small ereek to fill their canteens. eon- eluded to take advantage of this opportunity and bid farewell to the Confederacy. They therefore took to the woods, and as rapidly as possible left
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their eamp behind them. They had gone but a mile or two when they stopped to rest and began to talk over their chances of escape to their fam- illes and the protection of the Stars and Stripes. Mr. Schmucker had previously told his comrade that if he ever did desert he would make a success of it, but now he remarked that he would give $1,000 to be back in camp, as their chances seemed so poor. During the night the two comrades were within a mile or two of camp. and had to be ex- tremely eautious and alert. Once during the night they almost came upon a cavalry pieket guard. but perceived him in time to eseape recapture.
They were obliged to remain in the brush or woods during the daytime, traveling mostly by night and avoiding the roads and open country. as "eonscript hunters" were patrolling the entire seetion. They were guided by the moon and stars. When they lay down to sleep Mr. Schmucker would put his walking stiek on the ground so that it pointed toward the north star, that upon awakening they might know in which direction to pursue their journey. They depended upon the wives of the poorer farmers for their meals. the men being ab- sent from those homes, while among the rich. who were able to purchase exemption from service. they were liable to betrayal. They bought food as often as they could with safety, and in as large quantities as they could obtain, paying for it in Confederate money. They had no other currency. but were well supplied with this.
They were one day at the edge of the timber, when Sehmucker climbed the fence to look over the open strip in front. A man was approaching with a gun. and he and Doll ran back into the woods, jumped a drainage ditch and hid in the brush. The man, who was accompanied by a darkey boy and a small dog, soon came into the timber. The dog ran to the ditch and began bark- ing. and the darkey said, " I seed 'em right here. massa." The comrades expected to be discovered, but the man gave up the search. They did not venture from concealment, however, until night. After a tiresome experience they reached the Shenandoah River, which they crossed at a ford. Early in the morning they met a negro with a drove of cattle, and asked him if there were any
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"conscript hunters" in the neighborhood. He said yes. and told them to go down by the miller's, as the miller was all right and would not disturb them. The darkey agreed to get them some bread and meat, and see that the road was clear. While making their way toward the top of a hill where he had gone they were warned to go back, but they did not understand his signal. They presently eame across a man driving a wagon, and though he showed no disposition to interfere with them they again sought shelter. Crossing a strip of timber, they eame unexpectedly to a road. and saw a man driving an ambulance from one direction and a confederate officer on horseback coming from another. They were immediately discovered, and the officer cried out, " Here, you fellows, where are you going? Come here, or I'll bring you." Mr. Schmucker replied, "If you have any business with me, you are as near to me as I am to you," and he and his companion started to run. The officer fired two shots at them with his revolver, but they succeeded in getting once more into the timber. They soon came to a field where a darkey was plowing corn. but passed on through a strip of timber until they came to a road. This they fol- lowed to a branch. where they saw a man fishing, and again took to the timber.
The following day they came across a man to whom they told their story. He proved friendly, and directed them how to continue their journey. About noon they came to a house, where the peo- ple were about to sit down to dinner. They asked if they could get a bite to eat, and were invited to come in. They hesitated to do so, but were in- formed there was no danger, and found that the occupants were l'nionists. One of the women ex- pressing the opinion that they were deserters. Mr. Schmneker replied, "No, ma'am, we are exempt from the Conseription act. I am a shoemaker. and shoemakers and blacksmiths are exempt." There was an old man here, to whom they gave $10 to show them over the road seven miles. He said to them, " I cannot take yon home to stay. but I will take you to another Union man where you will be safe." When they got close to the Shenandoah River, their guide said he would go on ahead, and if there was no danger he would come back in sight
and signal them. They, however, saw no more of him. After dark they went down the mountain to near the river's edge, and in the morning at- tempted to eross. As neither of them could swim, they tested the depth of the water with poles. Mr. Doll got beyond his depth and was in danger of drowning, but was helped out by Mr. Schmucker reaching a pole to him. Two men appearing upon the opposite bank, a parley was held with them, and $2 apiece promised them if they would get the fugitives safely across. The men piloted them to a bar some distance down the stream, where they crossed in safety. During the day they came across a negro who had been shearing sheep, and gave him a dollar apiece for half of his dinner. One day, while in the woods, Schmucker remarked remarked to his comrade, " There are more rocks around here than I have ever seen." The words were hardly spoken when bang, bang, went the gun of a cavalry picket in front of them. The fugitives took to their heels, while the picket after firing started for camp.
Finally, after thirteen days and nights of wan- dering, and having traveled over 300 miles to go a distance of eighty, Mr. Schmucker reached his home at about 11 o'clock at night. He conecaled himself on top of the spring-house, and when his wife came out to milk in the morning made his presence known to her. Learning that a sick sol- dier was at the house, she was cautioned to secrecy regarding his own presence, and he then concealed himself in an underground apple-house. Here a change of clothing and food were brought him by his wife. He remained around home five days. learning that within a week after his desertion his description was in possession of the conscript hunt- ers all through the State. One night when about home he went to the house to see his mother. While there a scratching sound was heard at the door. as of some one trying to open it. Being sus- picious of every noise, and fearful of capture, Mr. Schimneker jumped into a chest to conceal himself. The disturber was found to be only the family cat. On the fifth night he left home, and going to his old employer near Freedens Church, he told him of his desertion, and was concealed by him. Ile was then within lialf a mile of a Confederate camp-fire.
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His former employer gave him provisions and ac- companied him 500 yards, being enabled by his knowledge of the country to find secluded routes, though at one place he came upon a soldier, who asked him some questions and wanted to take him to camp. Our subject declined to go. and jump- ing a fence, soon placed himself out of immediate danger.
After becoming foot-sore from travel and en- during many privations. he finally came across a picket of Federal cavalry. He informed them that he was a deserter from the Confederate army, and was taken before the Deputy Provost Marshal, Michael Graham. and by him to General Milroy, by whom he was subjected to close questioning. Being asked what were the intentions of the Con- federacy, he replied, "To take Winchester within ten days." That city was taken by them thirteen days afterward. and at Strawsburg they came near capturing Gen. Milroy. His papers fell into their hands, among them Schmucker's statement, which had been taken down in full, and which was pub- lished in the Richmond Sentinel.
After taking the oath of allegiance to the United States Government, Mr. Schmucker was given his freedom. Ile went to Martinsburg, Frederick Co., Va., and began work at his trade. His wife and child joined him soon afterward. and the family crossed the Ohio. They located at Fairfax, Ohio, where they remained seven years. our subject be- ing employed in shoemaking. In 1869 he came to this county and purchased from a railroad company a tract of seventy-two and three-fourth acres, near the town of Frankfort. After two years' residence in the country, he left the farm in charge of his son, and removing to town resumed work at his trade. He continued in shoemaking nearly ten years, giving employment to a number of men and carrying on the business on an extensive scale. lle subsequently sold out and engaged in the busi- ness in which he is now occupied.
Mr. and Mrs. Schmucker have had five children born to them. The oldest, Martin Luther, being in poor health. removed to Woodville, Jackson Co., Ore., in the hope of recovery, and is now engaged iu farming there. Emily died about four years ago; she was the widow of Jasper Williams, who
died of consumption in Los Angeles, Cal .: they left four children. Tena C. is the wife of Henry Cæser, a farmer living four miles northwest of Frankfort; she is the mother of four girls. Mary died when four months old. and the fifth child when but two days old.
Mr. and Mrs. Schmucker are worthy members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Schmucker is now a Republican. He has held no office except that of Supervisor, being content to keep out of active political life. He is a member of Frankfort Lodge No. 67, A. F. & A. M .. By the residents of Frank- fort and vicinity he is recognized as a successful business man, and an honorable and upright citi- zen.
R EV. ORLANDO B. WATKINS, a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church. is also fond of agricultural pursuits, which The has been for some years prosecuting successfully at a good farm on section 9. in Wells Township. He is a Kentuckian by birth, and is still in the prime of life, having been born March 22, 1847, in Henry County. His parents were Felix G. and Eliza Watkins, also natives of the Blue Grass State, and his paternal ancestors were of German descent. On his mother's side he is of Welsh-English extraction.
Grandfather Evan Watkins served as a soldier in the War of 1812. There were born to Felix and Eliza Watkins. the parents of our subject. seven children, only four of whom are living, viz: Marian E .. the widow of Mr. Roys, of Washing- ton County, Ind .; Anne, Mrs. Blice, of Washington County, Ind .; William E., of Doniphan County. this State; and Orlando B., of this sketch. The family removed from Kentucky to Washington County, Ind .. when Orlando B. was a child of two years. and he was there reared to man's estate. His education was conducted in the district school. and was supplemented by improving his leisure hours with his books at home.
In due time young Watkins developed into a pedagogue, and followed this profession for a period of twelve years. He was married in Indiana,
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Sept. 22, 1868, to Miss Rebecca A., daughter of Alexander and Phobe Mckenzie. To them was born a daughter, Laura B., deceased. Mrs. Rebecca Watkins departed this life April 17. 1871. Mr. Watkins was again married, to Miss Ilannah Mc- Kinzie, March 13, 1872. Mrs. Watkins, like her husband, is a native of Indiana, and to them there have been born six children, only two of whom are living-Minnie L. and Balma M. The deceased are Rebecca A., Ula, Emma C. and Felix A.
Mr. Watkins, in the fall of 1869, came to this county and took up a homestead claim in Center Township. upon which he resided two years, not proving it up. He then prosecuted farming on rented land during the seasons of sowing and reap- ing, and added to his income by teaching in the winter. Ile finally secured the farm which he now occupies, and upon which he settled in the spring of 1880. The years since that time have been in- dustriously occupied in bringing his land to a state of cultivation and erecting upon it the necessary buildings. lle is now comfortably situated in all respects, and feels repaid for his earlier toils. His political sympathies are with the Union Labor party, and he is likewise a Prohibitionist.
ENNIS RYAN. In addition to being one of the best farmers of Murray Township. Mr. Ryan has signalized himself as a stanch advocate of temperance in all its forms. refraining from the use of tobacco in any shape and never partaking of ardent spirits of any kind. These excellent habits, coupled with those of industry and perseverance, have elevated him to an enviable position, socially and financially, among his fellow men. The biographer found him snugly located on a well-regulated farm of 160 acres, occupying the northwest quarter of section 13, well watered and fairly improved.
Mr. Ryan located on this place in 1874, when it bore a wide contrast to its present condition, being then a raw prairie, unfenced and without any im- provements. It has taken years of labor and an outlay of hundreds of dollars to build up the
homestead which he now enjoys. Upon coming to Kansas, in 1868, he located first in St. Bridget Township, where he resided until 1874. during which year he acquired his present property. Prior to this he had been a resident of Fletcher, Miami Co .. Ohio, where he lived until 1857. He was born in County Tipperary, Parish of Uskane, Ire- land, Oct. 20, 1820, and is the offspring of pure Irish stock. His parents. John and Elizabeth (McLoughlin) Ryan, were also natives of County Tipperary, and had a family of six sons and seven daughters, all of whom came to the l'nited States, some at one time and some at another. The parents likewise crossed the Atlantic, and settled in Miami County, Ohio, joining their son Dennis. our subject, who had preceded them a few years. When the father was about sixty-four years old they removed to Shelby County, Ohio, and later to Randolph County, Ind., where he died at the age of seventy- four years. The mother died in Shelby County, Ohio, at the advanced age of ninety years. Both were members of the Roman Catholic Church.
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