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 54
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name was Sydney White, and she is a daughter of the well-known Judge Robert White. the present I'nited States Commissioner at Marysville.
Mr. Bentley has seen much of the rough side of life, and has experienced many vicissitudes. But his strong physical frame is well fitted to battle with danger and hardships, and through all he has borne the same warm, cheerful spirit and unsullied reputation that have endeared him to those about him, and won their confidence and respect. He is a whole-souled, manly man, genial and happy in disposition. large-hearted and hospitable; he is a tender husband, an indulgent father, a kind neigh- bor, and withal is a strong-minded, forceful man, whose influence is wholesome and good in his com- munity. He keeps alive the memories of his days and nights on the battlefield by his connection with the G. A. R., he being a prominent member of Oketo Post, No. 477, holding the office of Quarter- master. He is a Director of the School Board, and has been for three years. He is an honored mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. He is an active man in politics, and always votes with the Repub- lican party.
W ILLIAM J. GRANGER, editor and pro- prietor of the Frankfort Bee, has one of the best equipped county offices in the State of Kansas. The motive power is steam, and the job and power presses are all of improved make. The paper is a six-column, weekly quarto, Republican in politics, and the official paper of Marshall County. It is not only a typographical success, but is an ably edited and interesting sheet.
Mr. Granger was born July 2, 1860, near what was then known as Lafayette, Doniphan Co., Kan. The town has since passed out of existence, having been killed by the present town of Troy. He was the son of Dr. William and Fannie (Gorsline) Granger. His paternal grandfather, .James Granger. was born in Yorkshire, England, and is still living at the advanced age of ninety-six years. in Otisco, Mich. He came to America in 1828, landing in New York City, and shortly afterward removing to Michigan, where he has since lived. He has
several times crossed the ocean on visits to his English home and relatives. The paternal grand- mother of our subject died when about thirty-five years of age. His father was born in Yorkshire, England, and was but five months old when his parents emigrated to America. His boyhood was spent on a farm in Michigan. where he received a common-school education. At the age of fifteen, he left his home, and attended the Whiteside Semi- nary. New York, where he took a collegiate course. After graduation he spent one year as an instructor in his Alma Mater, this being before he was twenty years of age. He next attended. and was gradu- ated from the Philadelphia Eclectic Medical College. After his graduation he and a Dr. Brown went to Saratoga Springs, N. Y., where they opened an in- firmary and water cure establishment, patients re- ceiving the eclectic treatment. After continuing this for sometime, Dr. Granger sold out, and went to Columbia Center, Herkimer Co., N. Y. Here, in the fall of 1858, he married Miss Fannie Gors- line, a lady of refinement and education, who had received her collegiate instruction in Whiteside Seminary.
After his marriage, Dr. Granger practiced for a short time at Columbia Center, but being desirous of a wider field for his energies and his professional skill, he came to Kansas. He settled in the then town of Lafayette, where, in connection with his practice, he followed raising and trading in live stock. He had considerable of this class of prop- erty in Clay County, Mo., when the war broke out. Being a Union man, he was compelled to abandon his Missouri property, all of which he lost. Shortly after the breaking out of the war, he removed to Centralia, where he practiced his profession for two years. He then removed to Circleville, where he died in the fall of 1865, at the age of twenty-seven. Dr. and Mrs. Granger were the parents of two chil- dren : Minnie, who died when about eight months old. and William, our subject.
After the death of her husband. Mrs. Granger turned her attention to teaching, as a means of sup- port for herself and son. She taught over thirty terms during her widowhood. Near Circleville, in 1872. she married her second husband. Edwin Flagg. He is a farmer, and their residence is two
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' and a half miles south of Frankfort. One child, Elizabeth Flagg, now a girl of thirteen years, is the result of this union.
When the gentleman of whom we write was twelve years of age, he began learning the printer's trade. lle continued in the office but a few months, when he returned to farm life. herding cattle and working by the month. When about sixteen, he went to Topeka. and entered the office of the North Topeka Times, where he spent two years learning the mysteries of "the art preservative of all arts." He then returned home, and a short time afterward started, in the town of Irving, a paper which he called the Irving Citizen. This was in May, 1879, and he carried on the paper until October of the same year. when he removed his outfit to Atchison, and started the Atchison Public Ledger. After running this paper eight months, he sold it to A. E. Davis & Son, and feeling the need of a better edu- cation, determined to devote the little money he had accumulated to the purpose of securing it. He therefore went to llillsdale, Mich., where he spent two and a half years as a student of the Hillsdale College. Being graduated in the fall of 1883 he resumed newspaper work. finding employment in Chieago. He was the editor of the humorous paper called Cheek. while that sheet was in exist- ence. After its collapse, he edited the Chicago Crumbs, another venture in humorous literature, which had but a brief existence. He was next em- ployed to edit and manage the Daily Times, at Ra- cine, Wis. After a few months at that place, lie became an editorial writer on the Republican Leader at LaCrosse, Wis. Owing to the rigorous climate, his health began to fail, and he determined to re- turn home. He did so, and in the spring of 1885, became connected with the Centralia Journal, which he soon afterward bought. He condueted this paper until August, 1888, when he sold it, and the following month bought the Frankfort Bee, of L. C. McCarn.
At Centralia, Kan., on Feb. 28, 1886, Mr. Granger celebrated his marriage with Miss Cora E. Moren, of Iowa. ller parents, Joshua and Caroline Moren, were natives of Ohio, and are now residing near Wirt, Ringgold Co., Iowa, where Mr. Moren is en- gaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Granger have
had two children born to them: Cyril, the first born, died Jan. 15, 1887, at the age of six months; Esmeralda is yet in her infancy. Mr. Granger is a Republiean, and has been an active and useful mem- ber of his party. He was Chairman of the Repub- lican Central Committee of Nemaha County, in 1886, and Secretary of the committee in 1887. and has served as delegate in the Republican conven- tions of both Nemalia and Marshall counties. lle is at present Secretary of the Republican County Central Committee, of Marshall County. In 1888 he was urged to become a candidate for the Legis- lature, but declined to accept the nomination or en- ter the political race, preferring to give his entire attention to his paper. He wields a ready pen and is a fearless advocate of all measures which his judgment approves, and prompt in condemnation of wrong doing and corruption. That his sheet is a popular one. the circulation which it has attained proves conclusively. In addition to the printing plant, Mr. Granger is owner of a farm of eighty acres of fine land south of Frankfort, together with quite a number of horses and cattle. He is a mem- ber of the Centralia Lodge. A. F. & A. M. His religious faith and practice coincide with that of the Congregational Church, of which his wife is a worthy member. His native wit, excellent educa- tion, and upright character fit him for a life of usefulness, and his position as editor of so promi- nent a paper as the Bee, affords abundant oppor- tunity for the exercise of his talents, and exertion of his influence for good.
EUBEN B. RUNDLE. Among those cul- tivating a portion of the soil of Murray Township to good advantage, may be numbered the subject of this notice, who owns and operates a well-regulated farm of eighty acres on section 3. IIe took possession of this in March, 1880, when it had been subjected to very little improvement, and its present condition indi- cates in a marked manner how well he has spent his time for the last nine years. Prior to his removal to this county he had for eighteen years been a
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resident of Washington County, Iowa, to which he removed in the spring of 1861. Ilis native State is Ohio, and he was born near the town of Mans- field, Richland County, Nov. 22, 1829. He lived there until about 1858, and then removed to Bu- rean County, Ill., where he sojourned until cross- ing the Mississippi.
In noting the parental history of our subject we find that his father, William A. Rundle, was a na- tive of New York State, and there spent the early years of his life. There also he was married, to Miss Susan Bumpus, who, like her husband, was a native of the Empire State, and of German ances- try. The paternal grandfather of our subjeet emi- grated from Germany when a single man, and set- tled in New York State, where he carried on farm- ing and spent the remainder of his life, dying at the ripe old age of eighty years.
William A. Rundle. the father of our subject, was the third child in a family of five sons, and remained a resident of his native State until after his marriage and the birth of two sons. He then emigrated to Richland County, Ohio, and improved a farm from the wilderness, where he spent his last days, dying at the age of sixty-one years. He was a man greatly esteemed in his community, being industrious and enterprising, and one who exer- cised a good influence upon those around him. The wife and mother passed away about two years prior to the death of her husband. She was in all re- spects a suitable companion and helpmate, and a member in good standing of the Christian Church. The father of our subject served in the War of 1812, and uniformly voted the Democratic ticket. Grandfather Reuben Bumpus was for four years a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
The subject of this sketch was the fifth son in a family of seven sons and three daughters, all of whom but one lived to mature years, and nearly all of whom are married and have families of their own. Reuben B. was reared a farmer's boy, and received a common-school education. On reaching man's estate he was married, in Licking County, Ohio, to Miss Elizabeth Sanders. This lady was born in England, in 1831, and came to the United States with her parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Sanders, about 1834. The family located in Licking County,
Ohio, where the father operated successfully as a farmer, and where he died in 1882, at the age of about sixty-five years. The mother is still living, and makes her home with her daughter Margaret, in Licking County, Ohio; she is approaching the one hundredth year of her age. She came of Scotch ancestry, and both she and her husband were mem- bers of the Church of England.
Mrs. Rundle was carefully reared by her excel- lent parents, and lived with them in Ohio until ac- companying her husband to Illinois. They are now the parents of six children, the eldest of whom. J. Sanders, married Miss Mary Trustler, and lives in Mitchell County, this State, on a farm. Edward is a resident of Summerfield, and is employed as agent for a hardware and machine company. Allen re- mains at home, and attends school during the win- ter season. Mary is the wife of John Allender. and they reside on a farm in Murray Township. Belle became the wife of O. W. Shumway, who is now deceased, and she lives at Hiawatha. Laura is teaching southwest of Marysville. Mr. and Mrs. Rundle attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, and aim to guide their lives by the precepts of the Golden Rule. They are genial. kindly and hospit- able, and number their friends by the score in this county. Politically, our subjeet is a sound Re- publican.
G EORGE B. IIELEKER. Among the lead- ing business houses of this section, the es- tablishment of Heleker Brothers, general merchants, has early found a place. The business was but recently established, and already enjoys a successful and rapidly growing trade, and older firms are finding in it a formidable competitor. The firm organized as grocery and queensware dealers
in August, 1888, having purchased the stock of Taylor & Legere, who had been carrying on that business for a number of years. Early in June of the present year, 1889, they bought the stock of Blair & Clark, dealers in general merchandise, and combined the different departments. The firm now carries nearly $15,000 worth of stock, consisting of
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groceries, queensware, dry goods. clothing, hats and caps, boots and shoes, furnishing goods, fancy goods and notions. They occupy two large rooms in the First National Bank building. the groeery and queensware department fronting on Walnut street, and the other departments on Fourth street. The firm is made up of Messrs. George B .. Arthur A. and Charles 11. Heleker. all equal partners. They are young men of steady habits, methodical and prudent, diligent in business, and giving evidence of good breeding in the courtesy and gentlemanli- ness of their demeanor. They are also fortunate in having the advice of their father, who, now well advaneed in years, can speak from a long and suc- eessful business career. The firm has evidently a bright and prosperous future before it.
The members of this firm trace their descent from Abram Heleker. one of the old Knickerbocker settlers in New York, who emigrated from Holland in 1650. Their grandfather, Abram Heleker, was a farmer and contraetor and builder. His home was on the Hudson River, within two miles of Peekskill, the farm having been the home of the Ileleker family from a date preceding the Revolu- tionary War. As contractor, he erected a number of buildings in Peckskill and vicinity, and assisted in building the Hudson River Railroad, having a sub-contract for grading and rock work. Jacob L. lIeleker, father of our subjeet, upon attaining to manhood, became a contractor for railroad and public work. at which he continued for about twenty years. In 1850, he moved to near White Plains, where he lived until 1877. He then came to this county, and located on a farm about four miles southeast of Frankfort, where he still owns a large traet of land. lle has now retired from active business, and with his wife is living in Frank- fort. He was married at Rhinebeck, N. Y., to Miss Eliza Kipp, who was like himself a descendant from an old Dutch family. She was raised near Rhinebeck. She bore her husband five children, all boys. Of these children, John J. died in June, 1877, in Paradise Valley, Humboldt Co., Nev., leaving a wife, formerly Miss Dora Stebbins, and two children to mourn his loss. Abraham died at five years of age, and the remaining three sons compose the firm above mentioned. Mr. J. L.
leleker and his estimable wife are prominent and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Heleker is an active worker in both church and Sunday-shool.
George B. Ileleker, of whom we write, spent his boyhood near White Plains. Westchester Co., N . Y., in the home where he had been born, that event having taken place Sept. 30, 1861. lle was the recipient of the educational advantages of both common and private schools, and became thor- oughly acquainted with all the English branches. When sixteen years of age, he came to this country with his parents, and for two years worked upon his father's farm. He then taught school three years near Frankfort. He afterward took charge of the high school department of the Marysville school, which he held during the years of 1884-5 and 1885-6. lle then assumed the principalship of the Hanover public school, which he retained until the spring of the present year. 1889. He then engaged actively in the work of the firm, which had been previously carried on mostly by his brothers.
Our subject is above the medium height. rather slender, but well proportioned, is a deeided blonde, having liglit eyes, hair and mustache. He is of a quiet nature. a man whose strength of character is shown in a life of well grounded moral and re- ligious principles. and the accomplishment of a great deal without noise or self-assertion. In poli- ties his adherence is given to the Republican party. He is a member of Star Lodge No. 69, A. F. & A. M. at Hanover. and also of Little Blue Camp, No. 771, Modern Woodmen, in the same town. The remaining members of the firm are in many respects like their brother, and all are unmarried.
W ILSEY C. LANE. The career of this gen- tlemen presents an interesting array of in- cidents, which have harmonized quite well with his aetive and stirring temperament and jov- ial disposition. Ile is one of those who look upon the bright side of life usually, seeking to make the most of his opportunities, extending its courtesies to those around him, and keeping his eyes open to
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what is going on in the world. He was trained to agricultural pursuits from boyhood, and is famil- iarly known as the proprietor of the Lane Blooded Stock Farm. He makes a specialty of English thoroughbred horses and is an expert horseman, in connection with which industry he has become widely and favorably known throughout this reg- ion. He also breeds full-blooded eattle and swine, and takes an active interest in all matters pertain- ing to live stock, encourging the introduction of better breeds of the domestic animals. He is lib- eral and publie spirited, and may usually be found at the front in all publie enterprises, including the Agricultural Fair Association, which has received substantial aid from him.
During the late Civil War Mr. Lane made a de- cided effort to assist in the preservation of the Union. First he raised a company of which he was elected Lieutenant, but a man who had as- sisted him in this, desired the position, and refused to go as a private. Mr. Lane accordingly volun- teered to change places with him and resigned bis commission. At the examination, however, he was rejected on account of having lost two fingers. Later, in 1863, he erossed the plains with an ox- team, and after five months' travel landed in Mon- tana and went to work in the mines. The result of his labors not being satisfactory, he repaired to Salt Lake City, and again volunteered as a Union soldier. The only pay proffered him was the spoils of war, and these he refused to accept. Later in Nevada, he attempted to enter the army as a teamster, but there seeming to be no need of his services, he finally gave up the idea of following a soldier's life.
Mr. Lane now proceeded to San Francisco, Cal., by team, and thereafter for about eighteen months was employed in a quartz mine. Later he began breaking rock at $40 per month, and worked his way up to the position of Superintendent at $100 per month. He remained on the Pacific Slope un- til the fall of 1865, then set out on his return to Ottumwa, making the trip by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and New York City. HIe engaged in the grocery trade until 1870, then removed his stock of goods to Pawnee City, Neb., but soon af- terward sold out, and in the fall of that year es-
tablished himself in the livery business, at which he was successful. In 1881 he purchased a second barn, and in dne time had thirty-five head of horses, with all the necessary vehicles. He also became owner of a good residence nicely located. In 1885, however, he sold out and came to this eounty, lo- cating where he now lives. His homestead em- braces a well-cultivated farm of 160 acres, embrac- ing the north west quarter of section 26. Upon it he has erected a neat and substantial dwelling. with a barn and other necessary outbuildings. has an abundance of fruit and shade trees, and all the conveniences of modern, rural life. His cattle are all thoroughbred Short-horns, and the only pedi- greed animals in this township. At the head of his herd, forty in number, is the celebrated "Yora Polk." His swine are the Poland-Chinas. His English running horses are numbered among the finest animals produced in the county. Among them is the thoroughbred "Eclipse," sired by ".Col. Elsworth," dam "Minnehaha." This animal has taken the first premiums at the different fairs in this region and won first money in six races. "Bes- sie L.," sired by "Eclipse," has taken six first premiums; "Maude L.," an English thoroughbred, has also made a good record. Mr. Lane has a goodly number of two-year-olds, one-year-old and colts of the same stoek.
The subject of this sketch was born in Erie County, Pa .. Jan. 18, 1835, and when nine years of age removed with his parents to Morgan County, Ill., and thereafter lived in the vicinity of Wav- erly, Ill .. and at an early age engaged as clerk in a store. He had received very limited advantages, having no schooling to speak of, and was obliged to make his own way in the world, almost from childhood. After being occupied two years as above mentioned he embarked in business for him- self, going out into the country and purchasing wool, from the sale of which he realized very good profits. In 1854 he took charge of a general store at Clares Grove, in Menard County, Ill., which he operated one year. In 1855 he crossed the Mis- sissippi, and at Dahlonega was employed as clerk in a general store four years.
In the meantime our subject was married, Jan. 16, 1859, to Miss Elizabetli A. Rickett, who was
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born in Gallipolis, Ohio. The year following he commenced farming and followed the trade of ma- son and plasterer, which he had learned early in life under the instruction of his father. This oc- cupied him until the outbreak of the Civil War. His subsequent course we have already indicated. To Mr. and Mrs. Lane there have been born three sons: George M., Fred C. and Lysander D., all of whom are at home with their parents. Mrs. Lane is a very estimable lady and a member in good standing of the Christian Church. Our subject. politically, votes the Democratie ticket, and so- cially. belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the K. of P. at Vermillion. In the latter he has held the office of Chancellor Commander.
The father of our subject was M. M. Lane, a na- tive of New York State, and the son of Emor Lane. who was born in England and emigrated to Amer- ica in time to participate in the War of 1812. He was located for a time in New York State, but later removed to the vicinity of Kalamazoo, Mich .. where he spent his last days. The father of our subject was the eldest of a family of twenty-one children, and was reared mostly in Pennsylvania. Early in life he learned the trade of a brickmason and plasterer, and located at Erie, where he oper- ated as a contractor and builder and remained un- til 1844. He then removed to Morgan County, Ill., settling in Waverly, but after a few years crossed the Mississippi and established himself at Ottumwa, Iowa. In this latter place he engaged in general merchandising and lived there until 1881. He is now living on a small farm in the vicinity of Ottumwa, and has arrived at the advanced age of eighty-one years. Politically, he is a Democrat, and religiously, belongs to the Christian Church, in which he has been an Elder for a number of years. lle also holds the office of Justice of the Peace. He was for twelve years the Postmaster of Dahlonega, Iowa.
Mrs. Caroline ( Wooley) Lane was likewise a na- tive of New York State, and the daughter of P. S. Wooley, who was also born there. He served in the War of 1812 and was wounded in the hip. By trade he was a wheelwright and carpenter, and af- ter the war closed removed to Erie County. Pa., where he cleared a large tract of land and spent his
last days. His daughter. Caroline, was reared to womanhood in the Keystone State. She accom - panied her husband to Iowa, and died there in September. 1888, at the advanced age of eighty- three years. The parental household included six children. namely: Lysander, a resident of Wapello County, Iowa; Wilsey C., our subject; Amanda. a resident of Colorado: Perry and Mary deceased, and Morgan, a practicing physician of Waynes- ville, Mo .; the latter during the Civil War enlisted in the 18th Jowa Infantry at the age of fifteen years as drummer boy. and received his honorable discharge at the close of the war as Drum Major.
AVID SMITHI, of Murray Township, is numbered among its leading land owners, being the proprietor of 480 broad acres, 320 of which, comprising the homestead, being located on section 11. Ile has lived on this farm since 1863, redeeming it from a wild and un- cultivated tract of land, bringing the soil to a good state of cultivation and erecting upon it neat and substantial buildings. His career has been marked by that persistent industry and resolution which seldom fail of their reward.
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