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 48
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AMES F. ENSIGN. Few men have proba- bly seen more of life on the frontier than Mr. Ensign, who can relate many an inter- esting tale of his early exploits during the first settlement of this State. After many thrilling experiences he finally settled down upon a snug farm in Blue Rapids Township. where he now re- sides, his farm embracing forty acres of land on section 2.
Of New England birth and parentage, our sub- ject first opened his eyes to the light March 17, 1819, in the State of Connectient. His parents were Ariel and Roxie (Humphrey ) Ensign. of Simsbury, Conn., and one of his ancestors, Col. Humphrey, served as an officer in the Revolutionary War. About 1634 one James Ensign left the Mas- sachusetts Colony and settled in Hartford, Conn., and from him sprang in a direct line the subject of this notice. The family was of clean, Puritan stock, and possessed in a marked degree the pceu- liar characteristics of that sect.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was one of the leading members of the Presbyterian Church at Simsbury, a man of note in his community, and possessed of great wealth. He wore the old Conti- mental dress in Hartford as late as 1824, and our subject, when a lad of five years. remembers seeing him thus attired. His son, Ariel, the father of our subject, obtained a good education and was at one time Principal of the seminary at Sims-
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bury. Later he confined himself to mercantile pursuits. He compiled the first directory for the city of Hartford. James F., our subject, was reared in that city mostly, having left home at the age of ten years, and taking up his abode with an old gentleman, Thomas Belden. Later he became an inmate of the family of Dr. Sylvester Wells. After the death of the latter he lived with a maiden lady, Miss Elizabeth Judd. We next find him in the employ of Col. Totten. of Washington College. Next he repaired to New York City, and afterward lived on Brooklyn Heights for a period of thirteen years. At this latter place be was manager of a boarding-house, and accommodated some of the leading men of that day.
On the 22d day of April, 1857, Mr. Ensign crossed the Missouri River at St. Joseph, having walked from Iowa City to that point. He located first at Monrovia, where he sojourned about two years, in the meantime purchasing a team of Texas steers and doing general hanling from Leavenworth to Lawrence and Topeka. At that period occurred the troubles prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, and Mr. Ensign became acquainted with many of the leading celebrities. He prosecuted this freighting business about six years, going some- times as far as Denver, Col. In the course of his travels he encountered many desperate characters, Indians as well as white men, and at times was re- quired to exercise much tact and ingenuity to keep out of trouble.
In 1868 occurred the marriage of our subject with Miss Elizabeth Waters, of Ilolton. Jackson Co., Kan., and there was born one child, a son, Charles. Our subject was afterward married to Miss Mary J. Comer, of this county. Mr. Ensign has always taken an active interest in politics and keeps him- self well posted on State and National affairs. He usually votes the straight Republican ticket, but in local politics aims to support the best man for of- fice. He has a fine little home, comprising fifteen acres of land within the limits of Irving, bis house having been built about four years ago.
Mr. Ensign during the first years of his sojourn in this State. made the acquaintance of the cele- brated Jim Lane, Redfield and others. Upon one of his freighting trips he and his team were confis-
cated for the use of Col. Furnes' regiment of Indians. He was returning from the Indian Terri- tory when he met a Cherokee and family getting away from the Nation. Upon inquiry Mr. Ensign learned that the Indian had been driven from the Territory, being compelled to leave a large herd of cattle belonging to him. Our subject prof- fered to go back with him and help drive the cat- tle into Kansas, upon the condition of receiving half of them for his labor. The Indian agreed to this proposition and they started. They were soon overtaken by a squad of Indians from the regiment of Col. Richey. They tied Mr. Ensign's hands behind him, placed a rope about his neck and hur- ried him off to Ft. Scott, where he was placed in a guard tent and compelled to keep the streets clean, and do other menial work, for about six weeks. His release was finally obtained by Col. Phillips who had known him prior to this time. After obtaining his liberty, Mr. Ensign found that the Indian in whose company he had been, bad killed another Indian before leaving the Territory, and it was inferred that our subject had assisted him in the murder. Col. Phillips, however, vouched for his innocence, and he was thus saved from further outrage.
R. GRABILL M. FUNCK. As early as 1878, Dr. Funck located in Marysville, and is therefore the oldest resident den- tist of this city. Dr. Funck was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., Feb. 21, 1851. Ilere his early manhood was passed, and his education received within its precincts; Shirleysburg Academy hav- ing the honor of claiming his last scholastic days. He then accepted a position as teacher, and followed that vocation until he came West, in 1876, when he took up the study of dentistry at Beatrice. Gage Co .. Neb., under instruction of his brother Dr. I. W. Funck. Two years were passed in study and practice at Beatrice, and then Dr. Funck concluded to locate in Marysville. He occupies a fine office in the Exchange Bank Block, and is our most prominent dentist. His practice extends over the
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entire county among the better class, and to the excellent character of his work can this fact be at- tributed.
Dr. Funck was united in marriage to Miss Mary Spanogle, of Pennsylvania, on May 14, 1879. Four children have been the fruit of this union, three of them living-Katie, Harold, and Mary. Miss Spangole was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., in January, 1848, and resided there until the time of her marriage. Her father, the Rev. John Spanogle, was a minister of the Brethren Church. Both of her parents are deceased. Abram L. Funck, father of Dr. Funek, was born in Huntingdon County, in 1810. His youthful days were passed on a farm, but upon arriving at a suitable age, he entered a blacksmith shop, remaining there until later in life, when he retired to a farm. Abram L. Funck mar- ried Miss Catherine Winters, and was the father of four children, three of whom are still living : Dr. I. W., of Beatrice, Neb .; Mary A., wife of Eli Ma- semore, who is living at the old homestead, and the subject of our sketch.
While not an active politician, Dr. Funck ac- cepted, from the Republican party, an opportunity to serve the city as Alderman, and which he has done one term most acceptably to the community. It would be better perhaps for our citizens, if more men of such pronounced sterling worth could be induced to serve in official capacities. Mrs. Funck is a member of the Brethren Church. Dr. Funck is a member of the Order of Modern Woodmen.
W ILLIAM A. EWING. Among those who looked upon the country in Northern Kan- sas during its primitive days, Mr. Ewing's name can scarcely be properly omitted. We find him here in 1870, at which time he homesteaded eighty acres of land on section 32, Wells Town- ship, upon which he established himself, and where he has since lived. In the great change which has passed over the face of the country and transformed it from the wild frontier into the abode of a civil- ized and intelligent people, Mr. Ewing has borne no unimportant part. Every man who opened
up a farm in this then wild region. contributed his quota to the general development of this see- tion of country, and his name should be preserved and handed down to posterity. Mr. Ewing was fairly prospered in his efforts as a tiller of the soil, and in due time added forty acres to his first pos- sessions, all of which he has brought to a good state of cultivation, and has now a well-regulated farm of 120 acres, upon which he has erected a comfort- able dwelling, and the outbuildings required for the shelter of stock and the storage of grain.
Pennsylvania contributed freely of her sons in the settlement of Kansas, as well as other portions of the Great West. The subject of this sketch, a native of Perry County, that State, was born March 22. 1827, and is consequently still in his prime. His parents were Ralph and Anne Ewing, both likewise natives of the Keystone State, and his pa- ternal grandfather, it is believed, carried a musket in the Revolutionary War. He is supposed to have been of Scotch-English ancestry. William A. was reared to manhood in his native county, where he acquired a limited education, but was trained to habits of industry and economy, being taught at a very early age, to make himself useful about the homestead. He remained a member of the parental household until a man of twenty-seven years. and was then married to Miss Rebecca N. Marshall, a native of his own State.
In due time the household circle of William and Rebecca Ewing, was completed by the birth of twelve children, seven of whom are living, viz: Lizzie A., Laura M., Anna L., Sadie, Grant, Ira, and John. They remained residents of Pennsyl- vania until 1855, when he removed to Illinois, and in the spring of 1870, to his present home in Kan- sas, then the parents and children came to this county, and entered upon the pioneer life which we have already deseribed. Mr. Ewing, like his neighbors, had many difficulties to contend with during these years, among them, grasshoppers, prairie fires and failure of crops. It took a large amount of courage and perseverance to overcome them, but the men of those times were not easily given to discouragement, and the most of them persevered, and finally met with their reward. The farming community necessarily confined their at-
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tention to their own concerns. amid the various political agitations through which Kansas passed, and Mr. Ewing should be proud of the fact that. although much of his time was absorbed in the till- ing of his fields, he still gave his influence in favor of freedom, and was one of the most loyal adher- ents of the Republican party. He has never sought office. but has in his sphere contributed his full quota to the welfare and advancement of his com- munity.
W ILLIAM A. BROOKS, one of the younger farmers of Rock Township, and only a lit- tle over twenty-six years old, is numbered among its most enterprising men. He came to this county in 1877 without a cent, and is now the owner of a good farm eighty acres in extent, finely located on seetion 22. It is conceded by all that he is highly deserving of his prosperity on account of the sterling worth of his character, and the ge- nial qualities which constitute the thorough gentle- man.
A native of McCordsville. Hamilton Co., Ind., our subjeet was born May 11, 1857. and spent his early life under the home roof, assisting his father, who was a miller, operating a saw, grist and card- ing-mill. of which he was owner. William A. ob- tained a limited education in the primitive log school-house with its puncheon floor and slabs for seats and desks. Ile also became familiar with farming pursuits during those early days and so- journed in his native county until twenty years of age. He then set out for Northern Kansas. and coming to this county was employed by his father one year and then purchased the land upon which he operated until 1880. That year he bought his present farm, for which he paid $3.50 an acre and which proved a very fortunate investment. He labored under great difficulties at the start, being without capital, and the improvements upon his farm testify with what industry and to what good advantage he has spent his time. In addition to the cultivation of the soil he has set out groves and an orchard, feneed his fields, made a fish-pond which is stocked with German carp. and is rapidly
bringing about the improvements which will make it one of the most desirable homesteads in this part of the county. It lies about six miles from Frank- fort. Mr. Brooks feeds most of his corn to his live stock, consisting of Clydesdale horses, graded cattle and Jersey-red swine.
One of the most interesting and important events in the life our subjeet was his marriage, which oc- curred in Waterville, this county, Nov. 10, 1881, the bride being Miss Lottie Mullender, who was born near Cuba, N. Y. Mrs. Brooks is the daughter of John and Jeanette ( Loveridge) Muliender, who settled at Waterville in the pioneer days. The fa- ther was a farmer by occupation and the mother was a well educated lady who taught school before her marriage. Of this union there have been born three children: Norman, Glenn and Jeanette. Mr. Brooks politically is a strong Republican. and in his religious views he coincides with the doctrines of the Methodist Church. at Little Timber, of which he and his estimable wife are members in good standing and in which he offieiates as Class- leader. He has served as Constable two terms but eares little for the responsibilities of office.
N. Brooks. the father of our subject, was born in North Carolina, and was the son of John Brooks, also a native of that State. They emigrated to the wilds of Hamilton County, Ind., at an early day, where grandfather Brooks became well-do-do and spent his last days. N. was a child of four year when leaving his native State, and as we have already stated, became prominent in Ilamilton County, Ind., as a miller. In 1863 he enlisted as a Union soldier in an Indiana regiment and going South endured many hardships and privations which undermined his health and from the effects of which he has never recovered. After spending some time in the hospital he was given an honora- ble discharge, and returning to Indiana purchased eighty aeres of land near McCordsville, where he engaged in farming. In 1877, with the hope that a change of climate might be beneficial to his health. he came to this county and located in Rock Township. where he operated on rented land four years. lle then purchased a farm of eighty acres in Center Township. which he conducted until 1887, then renting it to another party, removed to
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Oketo, where he is now successfully operating a meat market. He is fifty-three years of age, a Republican in politics and a conscientious member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Julia Barnes Brooks, the mother of our subject, is still living at the age of fifty one years, and like her husband belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was born in Indiana. where her father carried on farming and spent his last days. There are living only four children of the nine originally comprising the parental family. Of these William. our subject, is the eldest; Clara. Mrs. Farrar, is a resident of Murray Township; Ehner is a barber by trade and lives in Oketo, of which Frank is also a resident.
OHIN S. SMILEY, of Summerfield, is fami- liarly known as the proprietor of the town site, and has been closely identified with its growth and development. Ile is recog- nized as one of its most stirring business men and one of the most valued members of the community. A native of Butler County, Ohio, he was born Oct. 28, 1833, and when a small boy came to Illi- nois with his parents, John and Hannalı (IJarrell) Smiley. They settled on a farm six miles north- west of Monmonth, Warren County. The family consisted of the parents and twelve children, ten of whom came West. Two children had been mar- ried and remained in Ohio.
In Warren County our subject was reared to man's estate, and acquired his cdneation in the dis- triet school. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-seven years of age, assisting the father in operating the farm, then purchased eighty acres of land two miles southwest of Biggsville, upon which he operated five years. In 1860 he was married to Miss Mary McDill, daughter of Dr. A. MeDill, one of the most prominent physicians of that part of the county. Mr. Smiley then sold out to good advantage and purchased a quarter section of land adjoining his father's homestead, and upon which he sojourned six years. Then selling out once more he crossed the Mississippi and estab-
lished himself on a farm of 265 acres in the vicinity of Holden, Johnson Co., Mo. He lived there two years, then sold at an advance of $2,000. Soon afterward, in January. 1882, he came to this county and purchased a farm of 530 acres, upon which was a fine large house. He has effected other im- provements, and now has one of the nicest homes in the country, the residence being surrounded by trees and shrubbery, the most of which have been planted by himself.
Until the completion of the Kansas City, Wyan- (lotte & Northwestern Railroad. Mr Smiley was obliged to travel thirteen miles to market. This road was completed to the farm of Mr. Smiley in February, 1889. He sold the company seventy acres of land and presented them with the right-of- way upon the condition that they should locate their station on his farm. Where in December, 1888, there was not a building, there is now (1889) a flourishing little city of about 500 inhabitants with probably 100 buildings. Mr. Smiley has sold some thirty lots from Smiley's Addition, through which run Pearl and Minnie streets, and he has donated ten lots, upon one of which, will be erected this fall(1889)a school-house at the cost of $3,500. This building will front on Main Street and be located between Minnie and Pearl streets. As may be surmised, the streets were named after Mr. Smiley's two youngest daughters.
To our subject and his estimable wife there were born seven children, all of whom are natives of Illinois, where they received their early education and training under the benign influence of the United Presbyterian Church, in the moral atmosphere of Monmouth, which is appropriately called the Maple City on account of the maple trees planted along its streets. Adjacent to this city is the picturesque Cedar Creek, a favorite resort of its people and of which a poet has sung as follows:
"Above the dam thy waters In lazy silence lay, Then from the summit leaping Are broken into spray.
Then spray and sunlight meeting Embrace in colors bright, Then o'er the waters spanning Is an arc of brilliant light.
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Then the over-hanging branches Will meet above thy bed, And the sunlight searce ean kiss you Through the foliage overhead.
'Tis there in summer hours The children love to go And bathe within thy waters Or watch their rugged flow."
The children of Mr. Smiley are more than ordi- marily intelligent and have become good and use- ful members of society. Edmond J. a member of the dry-goods firm of Smiley & MeLennan, is mar- ried, has three children and lives one mile west of town. William A. lives on a farm presented hita by his father, and which adjoins their homestead. He is married and has two children. Fanny is the wife of Granville Ruff of Lamar, Neb., who is ac- eounted as one of the leading merchants of the place ; they have one ehild. Eva, Harry, Minnie and Pearl remain at home with their parents. Mr. Smiley, politically, is a stanch Republican, and his family all belong to the United Presbyterian Church.
OHN H. TROUT, senior member of the banking firm of J. H. Trout & Co., at Ax- tell, became connected with this institution in October, 1883, when it was known as the Exchange Bank. The institution was organized by Cone Bros., of Axtell, in that year. and in June fol- lowing Mr. Trout became chief proprietor, and the present firm was formed. In addition to his connec- tion with the bank, he is Treasurer and Director of the Axtell City, Town and Improvement Company, and the Axtell Butter & Cheese Association, botli of which were organized in May, 1889. Aside from the interests above mentioned, Mr. Trout owns a large landed estate in Nemaha and Marshall coun- ties, Kan. He was born in Tremont Township, Tazewell Co., Ill., Feb. 26. 1839, and lived there until coming to Kansas and establishing himself at Axtell. His father, Michael Tront, was a native of Tennessee, and of substantial Dutch stock, and re- mained a resident of his native county until 1828. Then emigrating to Illinois, he located in Tremont
Township upon a tract of Government land, and commeneed its improvement and cultivation. In due time he was married to Miss Naney A. Laek- land, whose parents had emigrated to that region during the spring of 1829. They were likewise natives of Tennessee, and spent their last years in Illinois.
In due time Michael Trout became the owner of a large tract of land, and built up a fine homestead where he spent the remainder of his days, although being taken away in the prime of life, in 1844, when only forty-two years old. His wife survived him twenty-two years, remaining at the homestead and dying in 1866, when about fifty years old. She lived a worthy and consistent life, and was a member in good standing of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. Michael Trout, politically. was a stanch Whig, and a prominent man in his township, where he held the various local offices. He sat as a juror when Lincoln was a law practitioner, and became acquainted with many eminent men.
The subject of this sketch was the eldest of three children born to his parents, one of whom, Will- iam H., was married and died in Tazewell County. Ill .. when about thirty-three years old. He was a prominent citizen and a successful business man. Minerva, the only daughter. became the wife of James Colttingham, a farmer of Tazewell County. John H. acquired his education in the common school, and when reaching man's estate was married, Jan. 29, 1864. to Miss Mary E. Talbot. This lady was a native of his own township, and born Dec. 2, 1845. Her father, Seth Talbot, Jr., was one of the pioneer settlers of Tazewell County, to which he removed after his marriage with Miss Emily M. Richmond. Both Mr. and Mrs. Talbot were na- tives of Massachusetts, They are still living and spend most of their time in traveling, Mr. Talbot having been very successful financially and aceu- mulated a fine property. Both are seventy-seven years old, but are remarkably healthy and active. Mr. Trout is a silent partner in the banking house of J. H. Trout & Co. His father was a sea eaptain and a very prominent and popular man in his pro- fession.
Our subject and his wife after their marriage lived on a farm until coming to Kansas. In his
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stock operations Mr. Tront makes a specialty of Short-horn cattle and Hambletonian horses. He is a man possessed of great energy and perseverance and is rapidly accumulating a fortune.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Trout. one of whom, a son, Seth died young. The eld- est danghter, Mary E., is the wife of W. P. Stanley, a resident of Alma, Colo., where Mr. Stanley is en - gaged in the lumber business. The younger, Cla- rissa W., is at home with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Trout attend the Unitarian Church, and Mr. Trout, politically, gives his support to the Repub- lican party.
AN. C. AULD. For many years prior to the Civil War, Kansas was the scene of riots, turmoils and violent conflicts, ter- minating oft-times in bloodshed. People flocked hither from all States and from remote dis- tricts, being gathered together to solve that mo- mentous question, "Shall Kansas be a free or slave State?" Ile of whom we write was one of the many who came in the interest of his native land, aiming by his vote to assist that cause which ma- ture consideration had convinced him was the right one.
Coming to Marshall County in 1855, Mr. Auld pre- empted a claim of 160 acres, the site of his present farm, though it seems at a casual glance to be as widely different as is possible, then wild and de- serted, the abode only of the wild beasts of the earth or the fowls of the air, or by the more to be dreaded Indians, prowling in unfrequented spots, and ready to spring on the unwary traveler. Now the eye is pleased with the order, beauty and air of prosperity visible on every hand, with the forest trees, whose branches toss to and fro with a rhythmic melody all their own, with the waving grain singing a song of its own, which tells of bountiful barvests and well-stored graneries, with the well-kept lawn, showing the master hand over it, and with the residence surrounded and filled with every evidence of comfort and even luxury.
To the original claim of 160 acres was afterward added 640 acres near it, thus making a total of 800
acres, of which our subject gave 100 acres to each of his three daughters, and apportioning the remainder, share and share alike, among his sons. The latter are farming together and have never divided the land, while the father lives with his bachelor boys, Jobn and Dan. H. In youth a man of delicate constitution, with sensitive lungs, responding read- ily to the insidious attacks of disease, Mr. Auld has by proper exercise, care and prudence, correct habits and a systematic life, attained to the ideal of robustness, and is rugged and hearty for one of his advanced years. The beard once brown, is now whitened by the snows of many winters, but the heart retains its cheerfulness, the brain its active- ness and the hands their nimbleness of former days. He likewise is the fortunate possessor of a good memory, remembering with all the vividness of to- day, events happening long years agone. He is considered authority in dates, seldom forgetting even seemingly trivial occurrences.
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