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 51
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When a boy of twelve, Isaac Walker was par- tially orphaned by the death of his father, and in addition to looking after himself thereafter, assisted his mother in rearing the other three children. He worked on a farm at $6 per month. and at the age of sixteen years operated as a full hand. When twenty-four years old. he became interested in millwrighting, which he followed three summers, and subsequently operated as a carpenter, contractor and wagonmaker. He remained in his native State until the spring of 1848, then emigrating to Fulton County, Ill., established a wagonshop at Ipava, which he conducted successfully for four years. Then purchasing eighty acres of land, he put up a mill on the creek, and unfortunately sunk the most of his money therein.
In 1855, leaving Illinois, our subject, with a cap- ital of $10 in his pocket started overland for Bir- mingham, Iowa. There he engaged as a millwright in the biggest and best mill in the State at that time. In the spring of that year his family went back to Ohio, and he joined them there in the win- ter, remaining until April, 1856. Then setting out once more for the farther West, he journeyed to
St. Joseph, Mo., by boat, and at that point pur- chased an ox team, and started overland for this county, being two weeks on the way, and having no gnide or compass. He frequently had to stop and build a bridge in order to get across the streams. Locating near the present site of Barrett, Kan., he took up a claim and engaged in farming. When the new survey was made he was deprived of his timber and broken land.
In 1857 Mr. Walker established himself npon a part of the land which he now owns and occupies, when his nearest neighbor was nine miles away southward. The nearest point east was Seneca, the nearest west, Marshall, and the nearest north, Otoe. Indians, deer, wild turkeys, wolves and other game was plentiful. Mr. Walker was in fact the first settler of the township, and the first in the northi- east quarter of the county, and it is probable that he is the oldest one living now within its limits. There was, when he first settled here. not a road near his place to any point. After providing a shelter for his family, he commenced breaking the soil with ox teams, and proceeded with the im- provement of his property as well as he could under the circumstances. He was a natural mechanie, fortunately, and in addition to his other employ- ments built for Frank Marshall the second ferry boat in the county. His own dwelling, a log struc- ture, was the first put up in Rock Township. Ile has now a substantial residence, part frame and part stone, and six miles of wire fencing, together with the outbuildings and machinery necessary for the prosecution of agriculture after the most ap- proved methods. The land is well watered, and a good spring forms one of its invaluable adjuncts. There is a timber tract of seventy acres. which, as the country grows older, increases in value.
Our subject proceeded with the improvement of his property until after the outbreak of the Civil War. Ile was an Abolitionist by nature, and in September following, determined to proffer his services to aid the preservation of the Union and the extinction. if possible, of slavery. He accord- ingly enlisted in Company D, 8th Kansas Infantry, and was mustered into service at Leavenworth, with his regiment as Home Guards. There they remained until January of the year 1862, when they
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were ordered to Kansas City, at which point Mr. Walker had the misfortune to break his ankle, and was confined in the hospital two months, during which time he suffered greatly, so much so that at times it seemed as if he must die. In March, how- ever, he had recovered sufficiently to be sent home, where he was confined to the house several years. For several years afterward he could only get about with the aid of crutches. He did not receive his final discharge until 1882, and is now on the pension roll. The hospital surgeon kindly declared that "he was not fit for the service or anything else."
In Harrison County, Ohio, occurred the marriage of Isaac Walker and Miss Winnefred Barrett, May 4. 1842. Mrs. Walker is the daughter of David Barrett, a native of Chester County, Pa., the son of Arthur Barrett, who was also born in that county. and learned the trade of a weaver. The latter emigrated to Frederick County, Va., where he engaged in farming until 1803, then selling out, moved to Ilarrison County, Ohio. He became well-to do, and gave each of his sons a farm. He was a Quaker in religious belief, and traced his an- cestry to England, which was the native place of his father, Ralph Barrett.
David Barrett was three years old when he went to Virginia with his parents. He accompanied them to Ohio in 1803, and followed farming the remainder of his life, mostly on his own land of 160 acres. which he cleared from the wilderness. He was a Quaker in religious belief, and departed peacefully hence at the age of sixty-five years. Ile had married in early manhood Miss Winnefred Kirby, who was born in Carrolls Manor, Md., and was the daughter of Thomas Kirby, a native of Ireland. The wife of the latter was Winnefred Carroll of Ireland, a cousin of Charles Carroll, who was granted a charter to land in Maryland, but set- tled in Carrolton, whence he first removed to Vir- ginia, and then to Pennsylvania. He was acciden- tally killed by the upsetting of his wagon while on his way to Harrison County, Ohio. The wife and mother died in the Buckeye State; she likewise was a Quaker in religious belief. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom William. Elizabeth, Uriah and David are deceased. The survivors are
Thomas and Albert, residents respectively of Rock and Vermilion townships, this county; Sarah, liv- ing in Ohio; Ruth, living in Vermilion Township, this county; Winnefred, Mrs. Walker; Joseph, of Clear Fork Township, and John, of Center Town- ship.
Mrs. Walker was born near Cadiz, Harrison County, Ohio, Iune 11, 1323. ITer infant eyes first opened in the wilderness, and her earlier years, until reaching middle life, have been mostly spent amid similar scenes and surroundings. She thus grew up to a self-reliant and independent woman- hood, admirably fitted for the duties before lier. Of her imion with our subject there have been born six children, viz .: Thomas B., deceased, David B., Rebecca J., Ruth, Sarah and Mary B. Thomas enlisted in September, 1861, before reach- ing his eighteenth year, in Company D, 8th Kansas Infantry, with his father. He died of measles at Iowa Point on the Missouri, Dec. 29, following. Ilis remains were brought home, and filled the first soldier's grave in this county. The second son, David B., enlisted in the 13th Kansas Infantry, in September, 1862, and served eighteen months, when he was honorably discharged. He is now one of the prominent farmers of Rock Township, and the owner of 320 acres of land. A sketch of his life will be found elsewhere in this work. Rebecca, the eldest daughter, is the wife of Theodore Hughes, a prominent farmer of Center Township; Ruth died at the age of four months; Sarah remains at home with her parents as their stay and comfort in their old age; Mary B. is the wife of Andrew Shearer, a prominent farmer of Rock Township, and who is represented elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. Walker, politically, was, while in Ohio, one of the strongest Abolitionists of his day, and as- sisted many a fugitive to escape, by way of the underground railway, for which he was dubbed "nigger thief," etc. He remained a Republican until the administration of President Hayes, then identified himself with the Greenbackers, and is now in sympathy with the I'nion Labor party. He officiated as School Director for a period of twenty- five years and then resigned. He gave the name 10 Snipe Creek, Mosquito Creek, and the west fork of the Vermillion. No man stands higher in the
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esteem and confidence of the people of this county, with whose most important interests he has been identified, since the time the attention of the enter- prising emigrant was called to the desirability of Northern Kansas as a place of abode.
The father of our subject was Aaron Walker. a native of Philadelphia, Pa., and the son of Ebenezer Walker, who was born in Wales, and spent his en- tire life in agricultural pursuits. After emigrating to America he located in Philadelphia. Ile was married in Wales to Diana Walker, who, like him- self, was a Quaker in religious belief, and they set- tled upon a farm in the vicinity of the Quaker City, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Their son, Aaron, was reared to farming pursuits, and when a young man grown, emigrated to Red Stone Creek in the western part of the State, where he cleared a farm and was married. Later, in 1812, he emigrated to Ohio, and located on the Ohio river among the earliest pioneers of Jefferson County. He bought land but only remained there about one year, removing to Harrison County, where he opened up a farm in the wilderness and spent the remainder of his days, dying in 1832. He had been reared in the Quaker faith, but changed his views somewhat in later life.
Mrs. Rebecca (Brown) Walker, the mother of our subject was born in North Carolina, and was the daughter of a Captain Brown, whose native place was England. The latter emigrated to America prior to the Revolutionary War, and set- tled upon a farm in the vicinity of Raleigh, N. C. During the struggle which ensued, he served as a Captain on the side of the Colonists under Gen. Morrison, during which time he laid in the swamps to such an extent that he was seized with rheuma- tism, from which he suffered greatly afterward. Upon leaving the army, he settled in Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Harrison County, Ohio, and died there. The mother of our subject spent her last days in Nodaway County, Mo., dying there at the home of her daughter, in 1881, when nearly ninety years old. Her mother had likewise lived to attain about the same age. Isaac remembers distinctly the time when his mother spun linen and wove the cloth for the family apparel.
The father of our subject was twice married,
there being of the first marriage one child, Jesse, who is now a resident of Fulton County, Ill. Of the second marriage there were five children, viz .: Nathan, who died at the age of sixteen years; Isaac, our subject; Anna, Mrs. Hunter; Mary, Mrs. Wyatt, of MeDonough County, Ill .; and Rebecca, Mrs. Davidson, of Worth County, Mo.
ENRY A. ROGERS, a promising young farmer of Noble Township, a hustler from "away back," owns and operates 160 acres of land on section 25, and also in connec- tion with this, operates his mother's farm of 480 acres on section 36. Of Canadian birth and ante- cedents, he has, notwithstanding, become thor- oughly Americanized, is in full sympathy with American institutions, and is a stanch supporter of Republican principles. Few men of his age have attained to as enviable a position, socially and financially, as in business circles, he is accounted one of the leading young men of Noble Township.
In noting the parental history of our subject, we find that he is the son of Wilson P. Rogers, who was born in Picton, Canada, and spent his boyhood and youth upon a farm. Upon reaching manhood he entered the employ of the Grand Trunk Rail- way Company, and by faithful attention to his duties, worked his way up to the position of pas- senger conductor, running between Buffalo and De- troit. For twenty years he was in the employ of this comyany. and then, in 1882, severed his con- neetion with it, and transferred his services to the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company becoming foreman of their running and construc- tion department, and having under him a force of 200 men. These were employed mostly in the re- moval of buildings and similar work, and were called the "destroying angels."
In 1884, the father of our subject made another change, and resigning his position, engaged with the Lake Shore Road as a passenger conductor, but a year later took up his abode in Noble Township, this county. He had as early as 1869, purchased 320 acres of land, and later added to it a like
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amount, making a farm of an entire section. upon which his family located several years prior to the time of his leaving the railroad service. In the meantime it had been undergoing cultivation and improvement. The elder Rogers was a first-class financier, and had enjoyed the advantages of an excellent education and extensive travel. He, however, became broken down in health, and re- paired to the farm, finally, with the expectation of there spending his last days. The habits of long years, however, had become so thoroughly fixed, that he was impelled to return to his old occupa- tion. and being proffered a position as general freight solicitor with the Union Pacific Railroad, repaired to Omaha to take charge. Upon his ar- rival there he was taken ill at the Cousins Hotel, and died July 24, 1886, at the age of fifty-five years.
Wilson P. Rogers was a man of genial tempera- ment, and stood high in the favor of his employers, who treated him more as a friend and companion, than a subordinate. He, too embraced Republican principles, and was an active worker for his party. The paternal grandfather of our subject, was Joseph L. Rogers, who was born in the vicinity of Pough- keepsie. N. Y., from which he removed to Canada with his father, Gilbert Rogers, who was likewise a native of the Empire State. They located in Prince Edward County, where they were among the pioneer settlers, and began farming upon a tract of wild land, enduring all the hardships and privations incident to that kind of a life. Prosper- ity attended them. and they became well-to-do. Joseph L. finally removed to Ontario County, where he purchased 200 acres of wild land. He opened up a farm from the forest, and likewise acquired a good property. He was one of MeKenzie's staneb- est followers during the Canadian Rebellion.
The Rogers family originally emigrated from England to America in the "Mayflower" in 1620. The maiden name of the paternal grandmother of our subject was Phebe Bowerman. daughter of Rev. Israel Bowerman, and like him was a native of New York State, where he was owner of a large amount of land. Later he carried on milling in Simcoe County, Canada, and was engaged in vari- ous active business enterprises, running a grist. saw
and carding mill, and giving employment to a large force of men. His father emigrated from London, England, at a very early date, and the family dur- ing those days was identified with the Friend's Church.
The maiden name of the mother of our subject. was Mary A. Sullivan. She was born in Kingston, Canada, where she was reared to womanhood. She. in 1878, accompanied her family to Kansas, locat- ing at the homestead, where she now resides, and where she has 160 acres of valnable land. She is the mother of eight children, the eldest of whom, Phebe. Mrs. Havens, is residing in Vermillion; Mary E., Mrs. Gillies. is a resident of Jackson, Mich .; Mahala remains with her mother: Belle is the wife of M. B. Hall, of Vermillion; Joseph L. is farming in Noble Township; Ilenry A .. our sub- jeet, was the next in order of birth; Lockwood, is also a farmer of Noble Township; and Annie B. is living with her mother. Lockwood was born in Toronto, Canada, Feb. 18, 1866, and came to Kan- sas with the family when a boy of twelve years. lIe is represented elsewhere in this volume.
The subject of this sketch was born in Toronto, Canada, Sept. 12, 1860, where he commenced at- tending school, but when seven years of age, ac- companied the family to Point Edward Island. where he lived until ten years old, receiving excel- lent school advantages. Then, in 1870, he came to this county. and made his home with his uncle. Lockwood Rogers. employing himself in herding cattle, sometimes having charge of as many as 150 on the open prairie. He was in the saddle every day for two years during the summer season. In September, 1872. he returned to Point Edward. and remained there three years, attending school in Sarna. In the fall of 1875 he returned to Kansas, locating in Noble Township, purchased his teams, and began improving the land. having to break all of it. He proceeded with this work until he had opened up a good farm, upon which he erected suit- able buildings, including one of the largest barns in the county. This embraces an area of 32x182 feet. He soon commenced dealing in cattle, ob- taining his stock from the Michigan graded Dur- ham.
Mr. Rogers, in 1884, met with a sad disaster in
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the destruction of his barn by fire when it was filled with grain, and contained twenty-four head of cat- tle, and eleven head of horses, all of which were destroyed, involving a loss of $8,000, without in- surance. In the spring of 1884 he started anew. but in the fall of that year lost 110 head of swine. He did not, however, suffer himself to be discour- aged, but began over again, erected another barn. and is practically upon his feet again. His land is very fertile, and watered by a branch of the North Fork. The land is all feneed, and adjoining the buildings is a fine apple orchard and trees of other fruits, besides a good grove of forest trees. Mr. Rogers takes pride in the quality of his corn and hogs, the latter being Berkshires of good grades. He also keeps a goodly assortment of cattle, be- sides ten head of draft horses, utilizing two teams in the operation of his farm.
In 1882 Mr. Rogers repaired to Ft. Gratiot, Mich .. and engaged in the locomotive department of the Grand Trunk, but returned to his farm in the spring of 1883. He prosecuted agriculture until the spring of 1889, then leaving bis farm in charge of his brother, Lockwood, repaired to Hor- ton, Brown Co., Kan., and engaged as a gunsmith and jeweler, at which he had had limited experience, but soon picked it up. He associated himself with a partner, but in July, 1889, disposed of his inter- est in the business to the latter, and returned to his family. In politics he is a sound Republican, and socially, belongs to the K. of P., at Vermillion, in which he passed all the chairs.
G EORGE R. KISTLER. One of the most popular men in Cottage Hill Township, as well as one of its most intelligent citizens, is the above-named gentleman, who is the owner and occupant of a fine farm on section 32. It con- sists of 160 acres of carefully cultivated land, and bears all the adequate and comfortable buildings usually erected by an enterprising and successful farmer.
The owner of this beautiful place is the fourth in a family of eight children born to David and
Susanah (Rice) Kistler. (For his ancestry see sketch of L. K. Kistler, which occupies another page of this ALBUM.) Ile was reared to agrieul- tural pursuits, and received a thorough common- school education in Perry County, Pa., where his youth was passed. After having followed farming for some time in the Keystone State, he, in 1879, turned his face westward with a view of improving his financial circumstances. Marshall County, Kan., was selected as his place of settlement, and a lo- cation made where he now resides. During his residence in Perry County, Pa., Mr. Kistler was united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. Leppard; she was a daughter of John and Catherine (Fin- kenbinder) Leppard, and was born in Pennsyl- vania. Mr. and Mrs. Kistler have no children, but have reared two-Samuel J. and Tessie Lamoreaux.
Mr. Kistler is an active member of the Lutheran Church, in which he is held in high esteem. Polit- ically, he is a strong Prohibitionist. He has held the office of Township Assessor to the general satisfaction of the public. His marked intelligence. genial nature and upright character win the respect of all with whom he comes in contact.
6 HEODORE C. CASTERLINE is one of the oldest settlers of Murray Township and of this county. He resides on seetion 36, on school land which he purchased in 1869. His com- fortable home is well located, his 240 acres are fertilized by living waters. and finely improved, and the place is justly considered one of the finest farms in this section. Mr. Casterline has been a very hard-working man, and has seen many hard- ships, but bis labors have been well rewarded.
A few words in regard to the ancestors of our subject will not be out of place. His grandfather, Joseph Casterline, was one of the noble army of Frenchmen who accompanied Gen. Lafayette to America to give their services to a land and people in whose desire for liberty they sympathized. After fighting through the Revolutionary War, Mr. Jo- seph Casterline, took up the life of a farmer in New Jersey. There he owned 600 acres of land,
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upon which he lived for many years, rearing a family of twenty-one children. His wife, whose maiden name was Penrinah Searing, was an Ameri- can, and died of old age. Her husband lived also to an advanced age. being ninety-eight years of age at the time of his death. The youngest mem- ber of the numerous family above-mentioned was Samuel Casterline. father of our subject. IJe was reared upon his father's farm in New Jersey, and was there married to Lydia H. Skellinger. She was a member of a prominent New Jersey family. and a native of that State. Samuel Casterline and wife remained in Morris County, N. J., upon the old Casterline homestead until the year 1868, when they removed to Kansas, settling upon a farm in Murray Township. Here they still own a small place, upon which they are spending their last days in comfort and quiet. They are both quite old, and highly esteemed in their community.
Our subject, Theodore C. Casterline, is the sec- ond of seven children, having been born in New Jersey, July 7, 1844, and remaining with his par- ents on the old Casterline homestead till he became of age. Animated by the same spirit which had brought his paternal grandfather across the seas to fight for liberty. he enlisted in the Union army at Jersey City, being enrolled in the 1st New Jersey Cavalry, Col. Janeway commanding. and in Capt. Robins' Company, G. The regiment went at once to the front, taking part in the terrible battles of the Wilderness, in Sheridan's raids, and in the cam- paign around Richmond. Our subject participated in many skirmishes and raids that gave the regi- ment sharp and short fighting, as well as in the larger engagements. At the battle of Lee Mills he was wounded in the right foot. the wound confin- ing him to the hospital for three months, and dis- eases contracted in the army adding to the time of his confinement. During the Sheridan raid he had one horse shot under him. After his hospital ex- perience he returned to his regiment, and at the expiration of two years received an honorable dis- charge at Trenton, N. J. Mr. Casterline retains his old army carbine as a memento of his war ex- perience.
Our subject was married in his native county to Miss Sarah Van Orden, who was a native of Sus-
sex County, N. J., where she was born Feb. 12. 1848. The bride's parents were natives of llol- land. and she was left motherless at an early age. Her father, a respected citizen and a man of ripe years, is yet living, in Hamburg, N. J. Mrs. Caster- line was educated in the common schools, and is a bright, intelligent lady.
Mr. Casterline has held several township offices, among them that of Township Clerk. In politics he is a sound Republican. The family are attend- ants at the Methodist Church, Mrs. Casterline being a communicant. Mr. Casterline is a worthy de- scendant of his paternal ancestry. He is a reli- able citizen and enterprising farmer, and. with his wife, commands the hearty respect of the inhabi- tants of the entire section.
OHN P. SHEEHAN, of Vermillion Town- ship, is numbered among its most successful farmers and stirring men-one whose de- meanor indicates that he has seen much of men and has kept his eyes open to what is going on around him in the world. He was born in the city of St. Louis, Mo .. in June, 1863, and is the son of Michael and Ellen (Dasey ) Shechan. the former a native of County Cork, Ireland, and the latter born in County Mayo.
The father of our subject came to America with his parents when quite young. They landed in Boston, Mass., but afterward removed to St. Louis. Mo., where Michael was married in 1847, and fol- lowed steamboating thereafter for a number of years on the Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio rivers. There were born to the parents, in St. Louis. four children-Patrick, John P., Bernard and Ellen. The eldest horn is still unmarried, and remains at home with his parents. Ellen is the wife of Peter Car- ney. a farmer of Noble Township, and they have three children. Bernard remains at home with his parents.
In 1881 the Sheehan family came to this county, and the father of our subject purchased 316 acres of land on section 31. in the southeast corner of Vermillion Township-this being the greater part
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