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 47
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The subject of this sketch was the second child and eldest son of his parents, and attained to man's estate in his native county. Afterward he went over into England, settled in Lancashire, and was there married to Miss Jane Howe. This lady was, like himself. a native of Parish Uskane. County Tipperary, Ireland, and born in 1830. Her parents were Patrick and Catherine (Flannery ) Ilowe, na- tives of County Tipperary, where the father died in the prime of life. Mrs. Ilowe later emi- grated to America, and settled in Fletcher, Ohio. where she died when quite aged. Both she and her husband were members of the Catholic Church.
Mrs. Ryan was a mere child at the time of ber father's death, and she accompanied her mother and the other children to Lancashire, England, where she lived until her marriage. After the birth of one child Mr. and Mrs. Ryan, in 1855, came to the United States, embarking at Liverpool and landing in New York City after an eight weeks' voyage on the steamer " Albert Gallatin." Thence they proceeded directly to Miami County, Ohio, where they sojourned until coming to this State. To them have been born eight children, one of whom, a son, John, born in England, died
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in Ohio when about six years old; William died in infancy. The survivors are Katie, at home with her parents; Eliza, the wife of Jolin O'Neil, of Beattie, and engaged in the hardware trade and as a grain dealer; Thomas, who operates the home farm ; James, a grain dealer of Summerfield; Mary occupies herself as a teacher in this county ; Dennis, Jr., married Miss Annie Randall, and they are living on a farm in St. Bridget Township. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan are members of St. Michael's Church, and our subject, politically. is a sound Democrat.
B BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MARKS. The biographer finds in the farming commu- nities some of the most intelligent men of the age-men who, practically independent of the rush and turmoil of a business life, have time for the interchange of thought and the perusal of books and newspapers, by which they keep them- selves posted upon current events. Among these may be mentioned the subject of this sketch, who is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, a com- prehensive reader and one who has given much time and thought to the problem of life. He takes an active interest in the welfare of his community and is the uniform supporter of those enterprises calculated to benefit the people in any way.
Mr. Marks has been a resident of this county since 1879. Ilis well-improved farm of 200 acres on section 7, Rock Township, is largely the result of his own industry and perseverance. He is an Ohio man by birth and first opened his eyes to the light in Delaware County, that State, Jan. 26, 1850, where he grew up on a farm and attended the common school. In 1859, the family emigrated overland by team to Grundy County, Ill .. and soon after- ward Benjamin began working on a farm. When twenty-two years old he commenced renting land and also operated a threshing machine. Ile con- tinned a resident of the State of Illinois until 1879.
In the meantime, in the fall of 1877, Mr. Marks had visited this county, and purchased his present farm of 160 acres-railroad land for which he paid $4.371 per acre. It was a tract of wild prairie
without buildings or fences, and after making all his arrangements he. in the fall of 1879 returned and located upon it and commenced the improve- ments, which have made of it one of the most de- sirable homesteads in this part of the township. Mr. Marks has set out an orchard of 330 apple trees and 150 peach trees, besides groves of forest trees and grape vines and cherry trees. In fact it is acknowledged that he has as fine an assortment of fruit trees as there is in the township. Ninety acres of his land are under the plow, and since his first purchase he has become the owner of forty acres adjoining, for which he paid $7 per acre. He landed in this county in 1879, with a cash capital of $15. It must be acknowledged that he has done bravely and his success is due simply to his perseverance and industry. He has a goodly as- sortment of live-stock, fattens swine on a small scale and utilizes two teams of horses in the opera- tion of the farm. There are springs of living water on the place, and besides fruit raising, Mr. Marks has been quite successful in the cultivation of flax. He is a Republican, politically, and has been Township Clerk four years, besides serving as Church Trustee. He is prominent in party poli- ties and for the last two years has been sent as a delegate to the county conventions. The Metho- dist Episcopal Church at Little Timber recognizes Mr. Marks as one of its most useful and efficient members.
Eli Marks, the father of our subject, was the son of John Marks and both were natives of Vir- ginia. The latter emigrated to Ohio at an early day and settled in Ferry County, where he so- journed a few years and then removed to Grundy County, Ill., and there spent his last days. Eli Marks was reared to manhood in his native State, and later carried on farming in Delaware County, where he became owner of fifty acres, which he cleared from a forest. He removed to Grundy County, Ill. in 1859, making the journey overland with a team. Purchasing 105 acres in the vicinity of Morris, he made good improvements and lived upon the farm which he built up until 1883. 'Then selling out, he came to this county and pur- chased 320 acres on sections 17 and 18, Rock Town- ship. He is now successfully engaged in farming
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and stock-raising. Politically, he is a staneh Re- publican, and religiously, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Mary A. (Irvin) Marks was likewise a native of Ohio, and the daughter of Richard Irvin, who prosecuted farming during his younger years in the Buckeye State, and emigrating to Wisconsin, settled near Watertown, where he died. Mrs. Marks is still living, and is now sixty-one years old. She has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for a number of years. The nine children of the parental family are recorded as follows: Elisha is the postmaster of Garrison, Pottawatomie Co., Kan., where he also officiates as Notary Public; Benjamin F. is the second child; Elizabeth. Mrs. Button, resides in Beattie; Eliza, Mrs. Wing, isa resident of Rock Township; Lovina, Mrs. Bauman, is a resident of Beattie; Perry is farming in Rock Township; Almira is the wife of F. James, a farmer of Rock Township; Charles and Irvin remain at home with their parents.
W ILLIAM S. BOYD. There came to North- ern Kansas during the period of its early settlement, men from three points of the compass-North, East and South -- and among them Mr. Boyd, a pioneer of 1870, who emigrated hither from the Blue Grass State. He was well fortified with those qualities of character most needed in assisting to develop a new section of country, and both by birth and early training was prepared to enter upon the task before him with the resolution and industry which could only insure success. He is now looked upon as one of the leading farmers of Wells Township, and may usually be found at his well regulated homestead on section 32. He is the owner of 210 acres of choice land, comprising the homestead proper, while he has 160 acres in Riley County. The story of his early experiences in this region is not unlike that of those whose labors and struggles have been recounted on many pages in this volume.
Mr. Boyd is a gentleman in the prime of life,
having been born Sept. 8, 1840, in Bath County, Ky. He was next the eldest in a family of eight children, the offspring of Samuel G. and Roxalina Boyd, the latter of whom is now deceased. The parents were both natives of Kentucky, and the record of their six surviving children is as fol- lows: Sarah is the wife of S. Evans, and remains a resident of her native State of Kentucky; William S., our subject, is the second born; Martha, Mrs. Montz, is a widow and is a resident of Lyon County, this State; Melissa J. married William Fenwick, and is living in this county; Mary is the wife of William Irvin of Marshall County, Kan .; Alonzo is a resident of California; Jemima and George W. are deceased. The wife and mother de- parted this life in 1862; the father is still living.
Young Boyd remained in Kentucky until reach- ing man's estate, being reared to farm pursuits and acquiring his education in the common schools which were conducted in a manner quite different from that of the present day. Being naturally intelligent he gained much information from read- ing after his school days were over, and has always kept himself fairly well posted upon current events. Ile sought the Far West in 1865, coming to this county, and working for a short time on the farm of John D. Wells, in what is now Wells Township. Then desiring to see something more of the Great West, he set out across the plains hauling freight with an ox-team, in company with Robert Smith, William Wells and others. They left Marysville, July 4. 1865, making their way to Denver, then returned, occupying about two months for the round trip. Mr. Boyd visited Denver upon sev- eral occasions afterward, and in the winter of 1865 and 1866 was at Ft. Laramie.
About 1867, Mr. Boyd in partnership with William Fenwick, purchased 120 acres of land, but shortly afterward disposed of his interest to his partner, and for sometime thereafter farmed on rented land. In 1870 he homesteaded eighty acres of that which he now owns, and subsequently added to his possessions 160 acres more, which comprises the homestead. lle endured the usual hardships attending life npon the frontier. and labored early and late for a series of years in gathering around himself and his family the ordi-
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nary comforts of life. He was one of the first settlers in his neighborhood, and to those who came in afterward, his example of thrift and indus . try proved an effective stimulus.
After having laid the foundation of a home, Mr. Boyd on the 5th of May. 1874, took unto himself a life partner-Miss Laura B. Pollitte, the wed- ding being celebrated at the home of the bride in Louis County. Ky., of which she was a native. Of her union with our subject there were born ten children, viz: Lilly B .. John A., George L., Omar S., Charles A .. Eva May, Willie Frank, Lena A. Emma N. and an infant son who is not yet named.
Mr. Boyd was the first regularly elected Treasurer of Wells Township, and has served some years as School Director and Clerk. He is a strong Probi- bitionist, politically, with Democratic proclivities. He finds his religious home in the Methodist Epis- copal Church, in which he is a leading light, serv- ing as Treasurer and Trustee, and contributing liberally of his means to its support.
OSES T. BENNETT. There is probably not within the limits of Waterville Town- ship, a man who is held in more general respect than Mr. Bennett. He is of that solid, substantial and reliable character which at once impresses itself both upon friend and stranger as belonging to a man who can uniformly be trusted. In addition to this are his lifelong habits of industry which have made him practically inde- pendent, financially. and enabled him to build up one of the most valuable homesteads in this part of the county. He is one of its largest land owners and most extensive farmers. and has borne no un- important part in the development of the rich resources of Northern Kansas.
The subject of this sketch was born in Lamoille County, Vt., Nov. 14, 1831. and is the son of Otis Bennett, a native of the same place. The latter. in 1835, leaving the New England hills, sought the prairies of Illinois, but only sojourned in that State one year. Next, in 1836, he crossed the Missis. sippi into Iowa, took up a tract of land and formed
many plans for the future. He was cut down in his prime, however, dying in Clinton County, about 1845. In his native State of Vermont he had been engaged as a clothier, but was fond of agricultural pursuits and later abandoned his trade and gave his attention to farming. Ile accummulated con- siderable property and left his family in comforta- ble circumstances.
Mrs. Nancy (Thurston) Bennett, the mother of our subject. was born in Westminster. Mass .. on on the 28th of September. 1809. and is still living. To her and her husband there were born four children, of whom Moses T., our subject. was next to the youngest. One of the others is living and located in Carroll County, Ill. Our subject re . ceived a fair education, and followed farming and teaching in the Green Mountain State until the removal of the family to Illinois. In 1849 we find him in Carroll County, that State. and he made his home there and in Clinton County, Iowa, until 1860. That year he came to this county and es- tablished himself on a tract of land embracing a portion of section 30 in Waterville Township, where he has since made his home. It is hardly necessary to say that the face of the country at that time bore little resemblance to its present condition. Mr. Bennett, like most of the men around him had many difficulties to contend with on the frontier, and began practically with nothing. By keeping one aim and object steadily in view he in due time was established upon a sound basis, and while suc- cessful, financially, his course was such as to estab- lish himself in the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. His possessions aggregate 500 acres of land, all of which he has brought to a productive condition, and upon which he has erected suitable buildings, gathered together the farm machinery necessary for the systematic prosecution of agricul- ture, and has all the other appurtenances of the modern country estate. Groves of shade trees and an abundance of fruit trees, both large and small, embellish the homestead and serve to ensure the comfort of the proprietor and his family.
The 25th of September, 1859, witnessed the mar- riage of our subject with Miss Matilda Tracy, of Clinton County, lowa. This lady is the daughter of William and Levina (Coy) Tracy, who were Eastern
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people, and spent their last years in Iowa and Kansas. This union resulted in the birth of ten children, viz .: Miriam A., Jennie E., James F., Harrison E .. Alfred W., Sarah L., Nancy M., Aldelia V., Albert T. and Charlotte L. They are all living with the exception of Nancy M., who died at the interesting age of fourteen years.
Mr. Bennett for several years has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a liberal contributor to its support. He cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont, and is one of the most earnest supporters of the Republican party. He has uniformly given his support to those enterprises calculated to benefit the people, socially, morally and financially. In 1865 he was elected Superintendent of Public Instruction of Marshall County, and later served as County As- sessor for several years. He was likewise for some time a member of the Board of Trustees of Water- ville Township, and has also officiated as Justice of the Peace and Township Clerk. He is a man of decided views, and when once his mind is made up is not easily turned from his purpose. Among those whose names will be held in kindly remembrance after they have been gathered to their fathers, Moses T. Bennett will occupy no secondary posi- tion.
AMES L. HAYES, the leading general merchant of Axtell, is likewise one of the prominent and representative men of the county. He settled at this point in 1882, and was for a time in partnership with C. D. Rus- sell, the latter withdrawing in the fall of 1888, when Mr. Ilayes became sole proprietor and has since conducted the business. He has built up a Incra- tive patronage and is a favorite both in social and business circles.
For ten years prior to becoming a resident of Axtell, Mr. Hayes was employed with the United States Express Company as messenger, having his headquarters at Detroit, Mich. He had been a res- ident of the latter State since a child of seven years. He was born in Franklin County, Pa., Dec. 24, 1847, and is the son of Andrews llayes, a far-
mer who died in Mercersburg, at the age of sev- enty-eight years. The mother, Mrs. Mary E. (Osbrough) Hayes, died in Petersburg, Mich., at the age of seventy-two. Beyond the fact that they were universally recognized as excellent and worthy people, our subject knows comparatively little of the history of his parents. They were members of the Presbyterian Church, and the father during his later years was identified with the Republican party.
The subject of this notice was one of the younger members of a family of thirteen children, seven of whom are living and all married. He received a good practical education in Monroe County, Mich., where he attained to his majority, in the meantime being engaged in farming pursuits until a youth of eighteen years. Later he became interested in mercantile business, and was engaged in this for some time in Monroe County, and until securing the position of Express Messenger. In addition to his store and stock, he is the owner of a good farm of 320 acres, in Murray Township, this county. He is also a stock holder and Director in the Ax- tell Butter & Cheese Factory, which was organized in May, 1889. Energetic, public-spirited and lib- eral, he is numbered among the most useful men of the community, and is selfmade in the best sense of the term, having been thrown upon his own resources early in life, which developed within him those qualities most essential to success.
While a resident of Monroe County, Mich., our subject was married in Petersburg, to Miss Mary E. Taylor. This lady was born in llillsdale. that State, on the 26th of July, 1853, and is the daugh- ter of the Rev. W. S. Taylor, who is yet living, at the age of sixty-nine or seventy years. In his more vigorous manhood he officiated as a minister of the Presbyterian Church, and has not yet laid en- tirely aside his pious duties. The mother of Mrs. Hayes died when she was quite young. Mrs. Hayes completed her education in Trumansburg, N. Y., and at Monroe Seminary in Michigan. She re- ceived careful home training and developed into an attractive womanhood. Of her union with our subject there have been born five children, two of whom are deceased, viz: Virginia, who died at the age of nine years, in October, 1888, and an infant
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who died at birth. The survivors are C. Harry. Bessie and a babe nnnamed. Mrs. Hayes was reared in the doctrines of the Congregational Church, to which she loyally adheres. Mr. Hayes politically, is a sound Republican.
E LI GIERHART CARNEY, the subject of this sketch, was born in Licking County, Ohio, Jan. 16, 1839. His father, James Carney. was born and reared and married in Ohio, his wife being in her girlhood Miss Louvesia Gier- hart. a native of Fairfield County, Ohio. There were born to them five children: Daniel, who died in infancy; John H., who resides in Nataskala. Ohio; Eli G., our subject; Sarah A., the wife of Frederic E. Bitsberger. of Ft. Wayne, Ind .; Elizabeth, the wife of Henry Dellinger, of Alle- gan, Mich. Mr. Carney's father died when he was about five years old ; his mother died at Fi. Wayne, Ind .. Jan. 1, 1885. She was a lady possessing many excellent qualities, and in religion a Presby- terian. E. G., as he is more familiarly known, worked as an apprentice to the smith trade in Lieking and Franklin counties, from the time he was fifteen until he was in his twentieth year. lle then moveil to Fairfield County, where he followed smithing eleven years. He was married to Miss Catherine Alspach, the daughter of Mr. John D. Alspach. June 24. 1860. He moved to Marshall County. Kan., landing in Frankfort, Nov. 9, 1871. A few weeks later he bought a claim of John Ryan, on section 6, township 3, range 10, in what was then known as Guittard Township; he moved upon this claim and followed farming, smithing and raising Poland-China swine for several years, when he disposed of that farm and bought the one he now resides upor, on seetion 3, township 2, range 10, Murray Township. consisting of 280 acres. He has brought this farm from the state of nature up to its present state of cultivation, and its pro- ductive soil has given him the reputation of being one among the largest and most prosperous grain raisers in the eastern part of the county. He has a
fine grove and a pleasant place. and bis large red barn has become quite a noted landmark for the traveling public.
The Kansas City. Wyandotte & North-Western Railroad right of way, cut off about three acres off of the northeast corner of Mr. Carney's farm, but the company more than repaid the damage by giv- ing him a grain switch, making his one among the pleasantest and most valuable farms in the north- east portion of Marshall County.
Mr. and Mrs. Carney have had born to them eight children: Mary Emma, who died in infaney; John H. married Miss Nannie Brolyer. owns and resides on a farm adjoining his father's. Alta M., Eli E., Charles C., Olliver O., Alice M. and Maude, reside with their parents. Mr. Carney is not identi- fied with any religious organization. His excellent wife has been identified with the church the greater portion of her life. Politically, Mr. Carney is a Democrat, having cast his first vote for Stephen A. Donglas.
S AMUEL H. PETERS, editor and proprie- tor of the Frankfort Sentinel. traces his ancestry to Prussia, where bis forefathers lived at Frankfort on the Rhine. Mem- bers of the Peters family came to America at an early day, and were engaged with the American forces during the Revolutionary War. in the defense of the principle that "all men are created free and equal, and have an inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." His paternal grand- father was a hotel keeper at Columbia, Lancaster Co., Pa., where George W., the father of our subject, was born. George W. Peters first engaged in the lumber business and afterward followed cabinet-making in Unionville, Center Co., Pa. In 1867 the family came West and settled at Al- bany, Nemaha Co., Kan. Near that place Mr. Peters bought land and became a large land-owner. lIe combined the business of farming and hotel- keeping and was for a number of years the host of the Albany House.
His wife, Susannah Hopper, was of English an- cestry. She died in 1882 in Nemaha County, after
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which her husband returned to Center County, Pa .. where he is now living. The parental family consisted of six children: Justin was drowned while the family was living in Pennsylvania: Elizabeth died when about twenty years old. also in her native State. Addie B. died in St. Joseph, Mo., in 1883, where she was engaged in the millinery business; she was unmarried. Emily, widow of N. Slosson, lives in Sabetha, Kan., and has one child; Vima is the wife of Alonzo Hook, a hard- ware merchant in Sabetha, and has one child living.
Samuel HI. Peters. the gentleman of whom we write, was born at Lewistown. Mifflin Co .. Pa., July 6, 1848. His boyhood was passed in Center County, where he received a common school educa- tion. At the early age of sixteen he entered the Union army, enlisting in Company G of the 51st Pennsylvania Infantry, this being in 1864. He participated in the engagements of Hatcher's Run, the siege of Petersburg, Fort Steadman, and in the breaking of the Confederate lines at Fort Hell, on April 2, 1865. He was discharged in June, 1865, and after being mustered out entered the Normal School at Unionville, Pa., where he continued as a student until the spring of 1867. Ile then followed his parents to the West.
In May, 1872, he was married to Miss Cherrie llealy, daughter of William and Jane Healy, who were natives of Ireland. After his marriage Mr. Peters settled in the western part of Brown County, where he remained about ten years en- gaged in the pursuit of agriculture. In 1883 he came to Frankfort, and engaged in the sale of ag- ricultural implements, in which business he contin- ned four years. On May 15, 1886. he established the Frankfort Sentinel, an eight column folio. which has attained a good circulation and gives promise of a more extended circulation in the fut- ure. Mr. Peters and his wife have been blessed by the birth of three children. George W., Bert J. and Kay T.
In his political views Mr. Peters is Anti-monop- oly, with Union Labor leanings. He has been del- egate to county conventions and was Secretary of the County Central Committee of his party. Two terms in the Frankfort City Council have
been served by him in an acceptable manner, and he has been School Director a number of terms. He is a member of Henderson Post. No. 53. G. A. R., in which he has held the office of Adju- tant. Mrs. Peters is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Peters is proprietor of Sentinel Hall, the only public hall in the city of Frankfort. Ile is a man of good business ability, honorable in his dealings and intercourse with his fellowmen, and a public-spirited citizen who is interested in every movement which tends to the upbuilding of the city he has made his home or of the contributory country.
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