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 53
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The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Phebe A. Taber. She was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., about 1815, and remained a resident of her native State nearly her entire life, dying about 1881. Her death occurred in Marshall County, Kan. Her parents, William and Mary Taber, were natives of Rhode Island, and of stanch old Puritan stock. To Thomas and Phebe Vickery there were born five children, three daughters and two sons, viz: Hannah, Pleg T., our subject, Fletcher, Mary and Emma. Our subject remained a resident of his native State until a youth of eighteen years, then removed to Lee County, Ill., where he fol- lowed farming until 1875. That year he came to this county and settled upon his present farm. He went to Illinois without means, and in addition as- sisted his mother in the support of the family. His career should be an encouraging example to every young man desirous of attaining to a good position in the world, and illustrates in an admirable manner the results of resolution and persever- ance.
Mr. Vickery, politically, is a sound Republican, but has no desire for the responsibilities of office, and when named for various places of public trust which he could have filled most acceptably, he has invariably deelined. He is considerably interested in blooded stock, and has some fine specimens of graded cattle and horses. He has been the uniform supporter and encourager of all the enterprises set on foot to advance the interest of his township, and is looked upon as one of its best men. An active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he was largely instrumental in the erection of the church building, and probably has given as much for benevolent purposes as any man of means in this part of the county.
On the 25th of December, 1865, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Theresa A., daughter of Jackson and Hanna.i (Zeisloft) Thomas, who
were originally from Pennsylvania, then removed to Illinois, and are now living in this State. Mr. and Mrs. Viekery are the parents of four children, viz .: Laura, Bertie. Fletcher and Lowena. Mrs. Vickery is likewise a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject, socially, has at- tained to the Master's degree in the Masonic frater- nity, and also belongs to the I. O. O. F. His brother, Fletcher, during the Civil War served in the 75th Illinois Infantry, and died in the service in August, 1864, at Nashville, Tenn.
HEODORE E. KAUFOLD occupies a nicely improved and fertile farm of 160 acres, on section 15, Murray Township, among the advantages of which is one of great importance to farmers of the West, namely, excellent water. He is the son of George H. Kaufold, who was born in Saxony, Germany, in the year 1801, and while yet a single man, at the age of thirty-three, emi- grated to the l'nited States, settling near Carbon - black, Pa. There the father began life as a black- smith, which trade he had learned in his native land. When in middle life he purchased land, and was occupied in farming until his death, in the fall of 1885, he then being nearly eighty-four years old. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, and in polities a stanch Democrat. The mother of our subject was a native of Lorraine, France, and the daughter of a paymaster in the French army. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Sancy. She had come to the United States when nine years old. and afterward lived always in Pennsylvania, where she still resides on the Kaufold homestead at the age of seventy-two.
Our subject was born at Carbonblack, Pa., March 3. 1854, and was the seventh in a family of nine children. He was reared upon a farm, remaining with his parents until the age of twenty-three. Hle then went to the oil regions and interested himself in the oil fields, making his headquarters at St. Jo- seph, Pa., from 1876 to 1881. He then came to this State, first settling in Brown County, and then removing to this county, where he has resided since
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1883. He was married in Seneca, Kan., to Miss Mary J. Wheeler. a native of Hancock County, Ill .. where she first saw the light Sept. 22, 1861. She was the daughter of P. L. Wheeler, who re- moved from Illinois to Missouri, making his home near Plattsburg for a time, and later locating in Marray Township, this county, where he now re- sides. Mrs. Kaufold was reared at home, receiving good educational and musical advantages. On attaining her majority she became a teacher in the public schools. and also gave instruction in the science of music. She is a woman of intelligence and refined character. She bas borne her husband two children-Helen L. and Mabel C., both of whom yet brighten the home fireside.
Mr. and Mrs. Kaufold are among the most active citizens of the township, taking a prominent part in every enterprise which tends to the improvement of the country. or advancement of its inhabitants. Mr. Kaufold is an independent voter.
JAMES M. BURKE. The biographer finds in Mr. Burke one of the most popular men of his township. Genial and obliging, he is ever ready to confer a favor, is intelli- gent and enterprising. and is a renter of the farm property where he prosecutes agriculture success- fully, and enjoys a comfortable income. He de- votes considerable attention to the breeding of live stock, which yields him handsome returns. As a member of the community he occupies no second- ary position, and is always to be found on the side of those projects calculated to advance the interests of the people.
The Burke family flourished in the Old Domin- ion, probably during the Colonial days. The par- ents of our subject settled in Greene County, Pa .. after their marriage, and in that county James M. was born Nov. 3, 1856. Ilis father, Cornelius J. Burke, was born in Westmoreland County, Va., in 1820. He moved to Pennsylvania about the time of reaching his majority, and lived there until 1872. Thence he came to this county. and died in
1887. Ile was a life-long farmer, in easy circum- stances, financially. Politically, he was a stanch Republican. During the first year of the war he enlisted in Company A, 144th Pennsylvania In- fantry, in which he served three years. At the battle of Mine Run, Va., he received a wound which necessitated the amputation of his right leg, and he was consequently retired from the service. Ile participated in the battle of Gettysburg, and had his clothing perforated by fifteen balls, al- though his person was not injured. He was like- wise in the battle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania. Court House, and at Fredericksburg.
The paternal grandfather of our subject. like- wise named Cornelius, was born in Virginia, of parents who emigrated from Ireland to America at an early day. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Elizabeth Flick. She was born in Greene County, Pa., in 1826, was of German ex- traction, and is still living, making her home in Waterville. Of her union with Cornelius Burke there were born seven children. viz .: William L., Fanny, James M., Catherine, George, John C .. and Ross D.
The subject of this sketch was the third child of his parents, and was born on the farm in Greene County, Pa., near which he attended the common school, and remained there until a youth of sixteen years. Then, in 1872, he accompanied the family to this county, and settled with them in Cottage Hill Township. He taught school for twelve years thereafter, and since that time has given his sole time and attention to farming. For a man who started in life without capital it must be admitted that he has done well, as he is still young in years. He has been prominent in local affairs, holding various positions of trust and responsibility. In 1887 he was elected Trustee of Cottage Hill Town- ship, was re-elected in 1888, and still holds the office.
On the 5th of October, 1875, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Fanny, daughter of Benjamin F. and Jane (McCutchon) Jacobs, who came to Kansas from Iowa in 1871, and were orig- inally from Virginia. They settled in Johnson County, lowa, and there Mrs. Burke was born Aug. 25, 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Burke are the parents of
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four interesting children, viz .: Elsie W., Frank B., Harry and Raymond. Our subject, politically, is a sound Republican, and in his religious belief adheres to the doctrines of the Methodist Episco- pal Church.
ON. FRANK SCHMIDT, the founder of the banking firm of Schmidt & Koester, came to Marysville with the early settlers in 1860, bringing with him a general stock of merchandise, in which branch of trade he was emi- nently successful. In 1870 he established the Ex- change Bank, the oldest bank now in Marshall County.
All his public and personal relations have been in the highest degree honorable. As a State Sena- tor for Kansas, general merchant, banker, and worker in public or private relations, he is an earnest, honorable man, acting upon his own con- victions, always ready to do a large share for the good and advancement of Marshall County.
Mr. Schmidt is now in his fifty-seventh year, and a man of plain life and taste in general, but in building up his elegant and elaborate homestead, as well as his large property possessions, he has displayed unusual genius. He is quiet and simple in his tastes, and has kept his heart warm for the welfare of his family, teaching the maxims of living a good and nseful life.
Three of his sons are now identified in the man- agement of the Exchange Bank.
Charles D. Schmidt was born at Marysville; he has been for years in active business as the Cashier of the Exchange Bank, and his relationship with the depositors, customers and friends of this bank has always been most cordial.
George Philip Schmidt was born at Marysville. After completing his studies in the public school he entered in the service of the Exchange Bank where he now holds the responsible position of book-keeper.
Alexander Schmidt has for the past two years been corresponding clerk in the Exchange Bank.
Charles F. Koester came to Marysville in .860
and is one of the early settlers, and is now forty- eight years old; in 1862 he was elected Registrar of Deeds and held the position for four successive terms, after which he was twice elected County Treasurer; in 1876 he was a member of the Kansas State Centennial Commission to Philadelphia; he has been for several terms Mayor of the City of Marysville; was identified in the mercantile busi- ness with the Hon. Frank Schmidt, and afterwards became associated with the Exchange Bank, with whose interests, property and growth, since 1870, he has been connected, and with splendid success. This institution is solidly entrenched in the confi- dence of the business and farming community, and has done much to enable them to reach the advanced position they enjoy.
W ILLIAM HILL. Among the younger mem- bers of the business community of Axtell, there is probably a no more stirring or worthy representative of its best interests than the subject of this sketch. lIe operates a general meat market, of which he became proprietor in Septem- ber, 1887, having succeeded Mr. G. W. Bush, who purchased the building and business of the original proprietor. Mr. Hill, was the employe of Mr. Bush four years, and then succeeded to the business.
Onr subject was born in Venango County, Pa .. in June. 1862, and is the son of John Ilill, likewise a native of the Keystone State. The latter learned blacksmithing early in life, which he followed a number of years, and finally established a shop. which he condneted successfully for a long period, especially during the late Civil War. At its close he emigrated to Illinois, about 1866, and located at Kickapoo, Peoria County, where he purchased 136 acres of land, and began farming. About 1880, leaving the Prairie State, he came to Kansas and purchased 320 acres of unimproved land. This he brought to a good state of cultivation, erccting substantial buildings, then selling out purchased a home adjacent to the city limits of Axtell, where he is now spending his declining years amid all the comforts of life. He is aged abont sixty-seven,
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and since reaching his majority has been a stanch adherent of the Democratic party. He was born Jan. 6, 1824.
The father of our subject was married in Penn- sylvania, to Miss Jane Hilburt, who was born in France. and reared in Pennsylvania, and who is still living. The parental family included thir- teen children, nine sons and four daughters, five of whom are deceased, and of whom William is the fourth son. He was reared in Peoria County, Ill., and received his education at Kiekapoo. Ile came to the farther West a single man, but in 1887 was married in Axtell, to Miss Mary O'Laughlin. This lady was born in Nemaha County, March 12. 1866, and is the daughter of John and Mary (Ragan) O'Laughlin, the former of whom was an American- born citizen, while the mother was a native of Ire- land. They came to Kansas in their youth, settling in Nemaha County, where they were married, and began the journey of life on a farm, Both are now deceased, dying when ripe in years. Each had been married prior to their union with each other, and were the parents of children. They were greatly respected in their community, and were in the enjoyment of a fair share of this world's goods.
Mrs. Hill was the only child of her parents, and was reared and educated in her native county, re- maining under the home roof until after the father and mother had passed away. Of her marriage with Mr. Hill, there has been born one child only, Elsie M. Both are members of the Catholic Church, and Mr. Hill votes the Democratie tieket.
John O'Langhlin was born Dec. 24, 1796, and was married to his first wife June 23, 1817. lle was the father of nine children. He settled in Ind- iana in 1814, and resided there until 1839, follow- ing the occupation of farmer, miller, and distiller. Later he removed to Louisa County, Iowa, where he resided until 1848, and during which time he improved two farms. That year he changed his residence to Des Moines County, where he im- proved a large farm, and traded in farm produce along the Mississippi River, from Burlington to New Orleans. In the year 1854 he came to this State, and was the means of forming a large set- tlement along Turkey Creek, Nemala County, Finally, about 1857, he removed to Ash Point.
where he spent the remainder of his days. His was a very active life, he being engaged in various en- terprises, following mercantile business, conducting an hotel. and entertaining travelers principally ou. the old and direct California mail route, between St. Joseph and the Pacific. He enjoyed an exten- sive acquaintance, and was universally esteemed. being generous and liberal, and encouraging the various enterprises calculated for the good of the people.
AMES TILLEY, Among the representative farmers of Marshall County, and those who with little or no capital have attained a mer- ited and substantial financial standing, and have assisted largely in the development of the ag- ricultural resources of the county, the above named gentleman is by no means the least. Ile has been a resident here since 1870, and has passed through hardships ineident to pioneer settlement. He has suffered by one cyclone, one severe and a number of minor hail-storms, but by industry and push has prospered. llis original farm in the county consisted of eighty aeres, which he homesteaded on seetion 10, Wells Township, and to which he has added until he now possesses 240 fertile aeres. During the first few years of his residence here, he dug cellars and wells, and otherwise added to the little he could gain from his homestead, and is now enjoying the well-earned fruits of his hard labor in earlier years.
Mr. Tilley was born in England, April 6. 1833. and is the son of James and Maria Tilley. When he was about three years old his parents emigrated to America, bringing with them two children. our subject and a sister. The parents settled in what was then known as Upper Canada, but is now called Ontario Province, their home being east of To- ronto. The parents are still living in Canada and are both ripe in years. The parental family was a large one, of whom the following survive: Mary J., James, Maria, Richard, William. Edward. John, Elizabeth and Mary A.
The subject of this sketch was reared to man- hood in Canada. The educational advantages
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were not such as the youth of this day and age re- ceive, but he improved those which were afforded him. In Canada, March 27, 1855, he was united in marriage with Margaret Watt, a native of Lower Canada, or what is now known as the Prov- ince of Quebec. To Mr. and Mrs. Tilley have been born four sons-Richard II., John J., William E. and Samuel W. In 1870 Mr. Tilley and his family removed to this county, settling where he has since resided.
Mr. Tilley has served as Constable, and in other minor offices of the township. He is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The esteem in which he is held by his neighbors is well shown by his having served for nine successive years as their School Director, beside other odd terms. As an upright man and public-spirited cit- izen he is well-known to the citizens of the township, by whom he is held in high respect.
ENRY H. McKANNON. a veteran of over seventy-three years, is numbered among the pioneer settlers of this county, and is enjoying the comforts of a rural homestead pleasantly located on section 12, Wells Township. He was born in Franklin County, N. Y., April 13, 1816, and is the son of Edward and Catherine Mc- Kannon, who were natives of Ireland. They emi- grated to America early in life, and settled in New York State. Their family consisted of two sons only, of whom Henry Il. is the only survivor.
The subject of this sketch attended the district schools of his native township, which were con- ducted in a log schoolhouse after the imperfect methods of that time. He was trained to habits of industry and economy, and spent three years learning the trade of a tanner and currier. This, however, did not exactly agree with his tastes, and he went back to his farming pursuits, which he has followed the greater part of his life. When a young man of twenty-two years he was married, in New York State, June 17, 1838, to Miss Mary Welsh, with whom he has now lived for the long period of over fifty-one years. Mrs. McKannon was
born in Clinton County, N. Y., Dec. 17, 1821. She has borne her husband nine children, four only of whom are living, viz: Mary M., the wife of lliran LIastings, of Frankfort, this county; Charles C., also a resident of that place; Martin O., living in Pottawatomie County; and Harriet, Mrs. Merrill, a widow, living in Grand Island, Neb.
Shortly after the close of the war, Mr. MeKan- non emigrated with his family to Illinois. and lived in Grundy County several years. Thence, about 1872, he pushed on further westward across the Mississippi, and coming to this county, home- steaded eighty acres of land on section 12, Wells Township, and this has since been his home. Upon this land when it came into his possession not a fur- row had been turned, neither had there been any other attempt at improvement. Ile put up a frame house, one and one-half stories in height, occupy- ing an area of 16x24 feet, and this was carried away by a cyclone. Ile also suffered from the grasshopper plague, hail, drought and other draw- backs, but amid all these hindrances, he did not allow himself to be discouraged, as he had come to stay, and prepared himself for every emergency. He has now no reason to regret that he adhered to his first intention. Upon becoming a voting citi- zen, he identified himself with the Democratic party, whose principles he still upholds. Both he and his excellent wife are members in good stand- ing of the Christian Church. He may be most properly numbered among the self-made men and pioneers of Marshall County , whose names are de- serving of being handed down to posterity.
E LIJAH BENTLEY occupies an honorable position as a member of the farming com- munity of Marshall County, and having lived here most of the time since the fall of 1868, and not only witnessing its growth, but having had a hand in developing its rich agricultural resources, he may be denominated one of its pioneers. He is now actively carrying on his calling in Oketo Town- ship, owning a quarter of section 4, which he has improved from a tract of wild prairie into a very
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desirable and highly productive farm. Mr. Bent- ley is a veteran of the late Civil War. and distin- guished himself in battle, so as to win promotion from the ranks to be corporal of his company.
Our subject is a Canadian by birth, born in the Province of Ontario, in the month of February. 1840, the fourth of the six children of Wilson and Mariam (Jackson) Bentley, likewise natives of Ontario, and life-long residents of that part of Canada. The family on the father's side was of Quaker stock. (See sketch of subject's brother Samuel on another page of this work.) Elijah Bentley took up his residence in the "States" in 1860. when he was twenty years of age, eoming at that time to Parke County, Ind., where he was em- ployed as a elerk by Col. Benson. He had received a common-school education in Canada, and having a bright, observing mind, was well equipped men- tally for his encounters on life's battlefield. In the first eall for troops by our Government to defend the Stars and Stripes, he, though of alien birth, was one of the first to respond, enlisting in April. 1861. in Capt. R. R. Stewart's cavalry company, at Terre Haute, Ind., for a term of three months. In July. of the same year, he re-enlisted, and the entire com- pany was assigned to the 1st Indiana Cavalry. un- der Gen. Rosecranz, in West Virginia. and played a eonspieuous part in the battles at Carinfax Ferry and Walnut Knob, and in the skirmish at Galla Mountains, and subsequently went to Fayetteville, Ky., with Gen. Benham. From there our subjeet and his comrades were dispatched to Wheeling, W. Va., and in the spring of 1862 they erossed the Alleghany Mountains under Gen. Fremont, and fought with Stonewall Jackson's rear guard at- Strawsburgh, and continued skirmishing with that army all the way to Cross Keys, onr subjeet's com- pany forming a part of Gen. Fremont's body guard. Mr. Bentley was present at the battles of Cedar Mountain, and the second Bull Run. Placed under Gen. Sigel's command. his company, in charge of Col. Dahlgren, dashed into the city of Fredericksburg prior to Burnside's attack, and our subjeet was one of the fifty of his party that were taken prisoners by the rebels. After that oceur- rence he was made one of the body guard of Gen. Howard. In the battle of the Wilderness Mr.
Bentley fought under Gen. Joe Hooker, and he did good service at the battle of Gettysburg. 1Ie sub- sequently did guard duty thirty-two miles below Washington City, on the Potomae River, in the winter of 1863. He engaged in all the battles in which the army of Gen. Grant finally brought up before Petersburg. Va. Our subjeet was honorably discharged July 3, 1864, with the rank of corporal, which he richly deserved for his daring conduet on many a hard-fought battlefield. After his expe- rience of life in the army Mr. Bentley returned to his old home and friends in Canada, and remained there till the month of October, the same year, when he shipped at Kingston, Canada. for Toledo, Ohio, in the vessel "Gold Hunter," belonging to his brother and uncle. From Ohio he proceeded to Iowa City, Iowa, and thenee made a trip across the plains to Empire City, Col., and there engaged in mining and in freighting. In the summer of 1866 he was engaged in the exciting work of prospeeting for mines in the rich mineral fields of Colorado. In the fall of 1868 Mr. Bentley retraced his steps aeross the plains, having resolved to settle down to the more peaceful and quiet pursuits of farming. and seleeting Marshall County as a suitable place for location, he took up his abode ten miles east of Marysville. Afterward he secured a traet of land, under the provisions of the homestead act, five miles northeast of Marysville, and he then took a quarter section on the Otoe Reservation. In 1881, accompanied by his family, he went on the long and tedious journey overland to the southwestern corner of New Mexico, where he remained two years. Satisfied with his experience of life in that part of the country, he then returned to Marshall County, and has been a valued resident of Oketo ever since. He has a good farm of 160 aeres of well-improved land, under fine tillage, and supplied with an excellent set of neat buildings, and every- thing needful to carry on agriculture after the best methods.
To the wife, the home-maker, who renders his home comfortable and attractive, Mr. Bentley was united in marriage Feb. 27, 1870. Their happy wedded life has been blessed to them by the birth of five children, of whom three are now living: Alice, Samuel and Wilson. Mrs. Bentley's maiden
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