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 56
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In all of those general engagements, and in all their marches and toils, Mr. Hartman took his part, aud was fortunate in escaping wounds, but was a victim of rheumatism contracted by exposure. For many months he had no use of his right arm, which has ever since been in a measure disabled from use, his shoulder being drawn out of place. He was mustered out of service at Springfield, Ill., June 18. 1864.
On leaving the army, he returned to Sycamore, and in the latter part of the year, with his old Captain, A. A. Buck, and Jonathan Dowe, raised a company under the last call for troops. He was mustered into service at Camp Butler, Chicago, Ill., as First Sergeant of Company F. 147th Illinois Infantry, Col. H. F. Sickles, commanding. The party was sent South, and were with the force that destroyed the rebel prison pen at Andersonville, Ga., their headquarters being at Americus, one and a half mile distant. At the close of the war, they were engaged in gathering up arms and munitions of war of both sides, and were thus employed until January, 1866. On the 24th of that month, they were mnstered out at Savannah, Ga., and return- ing to Springfield, Ill., were paid off and discharged on February 10.
Mr. Hartman's first employment on leaving the army, was carrying on the home farm of his father on shares. The following year he was married,
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and went to farming on a rented place with his wife's father. The next year they went to Black Hawk County, Iowa, where he continued farming. In 1869, Mr. Hartman and his wife having decided to try their fortune in the new State of Kansas, made settlement in Washington County, near the site of the present city of Hanover, about ten miles west of Marysville. There he took up a claim of 160 acres on which he lived until 1871, when he traded for the press and outfit of the Western Inde- pendent of Hanover. That paper he published for nearly five years, when his health failing, he sold it and went back to Illinois for a few months. Re . turning to Hanover, he began work as a painter, turning his hand to one employment, failing an- other, with true American grit and enterprise. IIe made his home in Hanover for about three years, when in 1879 his health again failing him, he came to Marysville. He, however, again took up the painting business, which he followed until 1885, when he was finally compelled to relinquish it alto- gether. During this time his wife, who had learned the trade of a compositor in Hanover, was working in the News office. They, together determined to buy an office, and establish a paper of their own. This they did, their paper being an organ of the G. A. R., and known as the Bugle Call. This they carried on for a year, when the sheet was enlarged, and the name changed to the True Republican, af- ter the paper on which Mr. Hartman had learned his trade.
Having always been in sympathy with the Green- back and Union Labor ideas, Mr. Hartman natur- ally became an advocate of the policy of the latter party on its formation, and his was the first paper in the State to publish its platform. At the State Convention at Abilene, Kan., the True Republican was made the official organ of the Industrial party of the State of Kansas, as it was then called. The party being disbanded, and the present Union La- bor party formed, the paper has since occupied the position of the leading organ of that party in Northern Kansas.
Mr. Hartman has recently wisely discarded the patent inside, and now prints his paper entirely at home. It has the confidence of the people in the county and vicinity, for whom it caters, and is well
patronized by the merchants and business people of the county. Attached to the publishing depart- ment is a complete jobbing office, in which Mr: Hartman has all he can do. All the work in the office is done by himself, wife and daughter Mag- gie. The paper has a good circulation, is well edited, is a model of typography, and is published at the low price of $1 per year.
On Oct. 9, 1866, Mr. Hartman was united in marriage with Miss Lucretia B. Thayer, daughter of Oliver and Betsey (Williams) Thayer, both of whom are now living in Floyd County, Jowa. Mrs. Hartman was born in DeKalb County, Ill., Aug. 3, 1848. Her marriage has been blessed by the birth of three children, namely: May, wife of Lewis Scott, now principal of the school at Axtell, this county, and formerly for five years principal of the Marysville school; Maggie, unmarried, who is a teacher, and also assists her parents in the office ; and Wallace D., both the latter living with their parents.
Mr. Hartman is a member of Lyon Post No. 9, G. A. R., of which he is Past Commander, and of the Modern Woodmen of America, Camp No. 514. While living in Hanover he was a member of the City Council for three years, and was also City Clerk for about the same length of time. Since removing to Marysville, his time has been wholly given to his business. He is regarded by his fel- lowmen as a plain, straightforward man, and a good citizen.
OHN CALDWELL is the owner and occu- pant of a valuable farm, in Vermillion Township, just southwest of the town of Frankfort. Though small, being comprised of ninety-four acres only, the farm is an extremely fine one. It contains all the improvements needed by a progressive and successful farmer, including a handsome stone residence. The owner of this beautiful place is of Irish descent. though his par- ents, John and Sarah (Reed) Caldwell, were na- tives of the Keystone State. The father was a blacksmith and in addition to working at his trade,
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followed farming. The mother was a widow when she was married to our subject's father, and had one son. Robert Reed, who died in 1882. The parental family consisted of nine children. of whom our subject was the fifth in order of birth : Samnel M., living near Mansfield, Ohio, is engaged in blacksmithing. He is married and has one living son. Eliza R., was the wife of James Davidson, a farmer in Richland County, Ohio, where she died, leaving three children; Ankrum died in Ilarrison County, Ohio, in 1885, leaving a wife and four children to mourn his loss; he was an agriculturist. William 11. is engaged in farming in Cadiz Town- ship, Harrison Co., Ohio ; he is married but has no children. Isaac S. died in Harrison County when nearly twenty-one years of age. James S. has not been heard from for several years. David is a farmer and resides near Antrim, Ohio; he is married and has three children. Albert H. lives near Antrim; he is a minister of the United Pres- byterian Church; he is married.
John Caldwell, our subject, was born May 3, 1827. in Harrison County, Ohio. He was reared on a farm, receiving but limited educational ad- vantages, but making the best use possible of the opportunities he had. He remained with his par- ents until thirty-two years of age. In Allen County, Ohio, he was married to Jane MeKee, the ceremony taking place Feb. 22, 1860. The young couple removed to Harrison County, where they remained for two years. They then returned to Allen County, where our subject followed farming. until 1873. In that year he came to Kansas, and settled six miles north of Frankfort, where he bought 160 acres of land, and afterward added another quarter section. In 1886 he sold out and removed to Frankfort, where he lived the life of a retired farmer for a year or so. He then pur- chased the place upon which he now resides. Mr. Caldwell enlisted in Company E., 52d Ohio In- fantry, under the last call for troops in the late Civil War, but was discharged by reason of the close of the war, before he had an opportunity to enter active service.
To Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell four children have been born. The oldest child, Sadie, became the wife of Victor Perry, and resides in Custer County,
Neb. Martha died in infancy ; William R., and Emmett L. are at home; they have also an adopted son. Howard C., who is seven years of age.
Mr. Caldwell is a believer in the principles of the Democratic party and never fails to support its candidates. He has been a hard worker and proved himself a successful farmer. As an honest, up- right man and a good citizen, interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the community, he commands the respect of all who know him.
W ILLIAM CRAGLE. The German clement of Waterville Township, has performed no small part in its growth and development and has been especially efficient in carrying forward its agricultural interests. The subject of this notice owns and ocenpies one of the best farms within its limits. and has the reputation of being an honest and upright man and a thorough gentleman. He was born in Luzerne County, Pa .. Nov. 16, 1826, and is the son of Adam Cragle, whose native place was Mauch Chunk, that State. The latter was a lifelong farmer, and died in Luzerne County in moderate circumstances. The Cragle family is of German origin.
The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Mary Gearhardt, was likewise a native of the Keystone State, and by her union with Adam Cragle. became the mother of twelve children, six sons and six daughters. These were named re- spectively : Hettie, Jacob, Daniel, Saloam, Adam, Ann, William, Isaac, Susan, Priscilla, Arabella and Anthony. William, who is the seventh child, was reared on the farm in Luzerne County, where he lived until a young man of twenty-four years. He then entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, with which he was connected for a period of fifteen years. At the expiration of this time he came to Kansas, and secured the south- west part of section 7, and is now the owner of 310 acres of land, a part of which lies in Washing- ton County. When they first settled here, their nearest postoffice was cighteen miles,and their place for milling purposes was fifty miles away. Ile has
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accumulated his property solely by his own indus- try, having received no financial assistance from any source.
Our subject was married in his native State July 23, 1848 to Miss Amanda, daughter of George and Amelia ( Kremer) Sleppy, of Wilkesbarre, Pa. Mrs. Sleppy was born Nov. 23, 1808, and was about three years younger than her husband, who was born in Nov. 1805. They were the parents of nine children, viz .: Amanda, Alvin, Hendrick, Adeline, Laura, Nelson, John and Susan. Our subject and his wife have no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter named Nellie. Mr. and Mrs. Cragle are members in good standing of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, of which our subject has been identified for the long period of forty years.
OHN II. REITZEL. That in which Mr. Reitzel. of Waterville, probably takes the most pride in connection with his career, is the record of his service in the Union army during the late Civil War; and he may be properly classed among the old veterans who covered them- selves with glory. He has since been following the peaceful pursuits of agriculture, and is now lo- cated on a well-developed farm of 240 aeres in Waterville Township, in which he is recognized as a leading citizen. He has been successful finan- eially, is liberal and public spirited, and a promi- nent member of the Lutheran Church. In the sketch of Martin Reitzel, his brother, which may be found on another page in this volume, is noted the parental history.
The subject of this sketch was born in Hendricks County, Ind., May 23, 1843. He was the eighth in a family of ten children, the offspring of David and Deborah ( Marshall) Reitzel, and was reared on a farm, acquiring a common-school education. He worked with his father until after the outbreak of the Civil War, and then, a youth of nineteen years, enlisted in Company C, 70th Indiana Cavalry, Benjamin Harrison commanding. He participated in all the battles in which his regiment was en- gaged, being at Russellville, Ky., Resaca, Cassville,
New Hope Church, Lost Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta and Savannah, these all in Georgia, besides Benton- ville in North Carolina. lle served until the close of the war, was mustered out at Washington City, and received his honorable discharge at Indianapo- lis in June, 1865. Although experiencing many hairbreadth escapes, he was never wounded or cap- tured, but returned a broken down man, who will never fully recover his former health.
After retiring from the service Mr. Reitzel re- turned to Hendricks County, Ind., where he fol- lowed farming until 1870. Then coming to this county, with very little capital, he entered upon the career which soon ensured his prosperity and success. By hard work and good management he has become well-to-do, and has that which will fortify him against want in his old age. His farm is largely devoted to stock raising and is improved with good buildings, the residence being put up in 1884.
The 29th of September, 1867, was a day made interesting in the life of our subject by his mar- riage with Miss Emily A., daughter of David and Mary (Zehrung) Defabaugh, of Hendricks County, Ind. The parents were originally from Pennsyl- vania, and are now in Cass County, Mo. Of this union there have been born six children. viz: Ed- ward O., Minnie E., David A., Charles A., Walter M. and Harry C. Mrs. Reitzel is a devoted mem- ber of the Lutheran Church. Our subjeet, politi- cally, is a stanch Republican, and has held some of the minor offices. lle belongs to the Evangelical Church, in which he has been an officer for many years. He is an active member of the G. A. R., at present officiating as Chaplain of Waterville Post No. 260.
B ENJAMIN TILLMANN. Wherever the German citizen abides, there is usually a well-cultivated farm, numbers of fat cattle and horses, plenty to eat, drink and wear, and all the other evidences of thrift and prosperity. Although not himself a native of the Fatherland, the parents of our subject were born there, and
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emigrated to America about 1849, locating in Dodge County, Wis., where they lived until 1861. They then came to this county and settled on a tract of land embracing a portion of section 19,in Marysville Township, where the father spent his last days, de- parting this life Dec. 28, 1887. William Tillmann was one of the earliest pioneers of this county, and made for himself a good record as a steady, industrious and upright citizen. The maiden name of the mother was Mary Ann Tillmann. They were natives of the same Province, where they were married, and where they lived until emigrat- ing to America. Their family consisted of nine children, one of whom is deceased. Four sons and four daughters are living and residents of Kansas, Washington and Wisconsin.
The subject of this sketch was born in Dodge County, Wis., April 26, 1858. He was a mere child when his parents came to this county, and knows no other home. He received a practical ed- ucation in the common school. and at an early age became familiar with farming pursuits. Since the death of his father he has had charge of the farm, which now embraces 240 acres of fine land, the greater part of which is under a good state of cnl- tivation, and yields ample returns.
Mr. Tillmann was married, Sept. 15, 1879, to Miss Marcia E. Goddard, of Smith County, Kan. She is the daughter of N. A. Goddard, of that county. Politically, Mr. Tillman is a sound Republican, and by the perusal of the weekly newspaper and other literature keeps himself posted upon matters of general imformation. Ile is a favorite in the social circle, and is of that courteous and obliging dispo- sition which has gained for him hosts of friends.
LBERT GALLATIN BARRETT. Henry Lee's famous saying regarding George Washington, might well be paraphrased to suit our subject, who has been "first" in many respects in this section of country. Ile was one of the first settlers of this county, to which lie came with a Quaker colony in 1855. IIe established
the first flouring and saw mills in Northeastern Kansas, to which people came from Nemaha, Wash- ington, Pottawatomie and other counties, as well as from Southern Nebraska. The first schoolhouse in the county was built on land given by him and Thomas Warren, and to the subscriptions raised by his neighbors Mr. Barrett added enough to make the amount needed to erect a building. The handsome stone edifice now standing in District No. 1. marks the site of the original building. The first Fourth of July celebration held in this county was given by our subject at Barrett, July 4, 1857. The station. which was named for him. was the principal trading point in the township until the town of Frankfort was started, and our sub- ject's home was, in early days, and for a number of years, the stopping place for travelers. Mr. Barrett has been prominent in county affairs since his arrival in Kansas. He was the first School Di- rector in the county, and held the office for eight years. He now occupies a large two-story frame residence at Barrett Station, the location being that npon which he first settled after reaching this State. As one of the wealthy farmers of Vermillion Town- ship, this sketch finds an appropriate place in a a volume of this nature, and the conspicuous place he has had in local history gives it added interest.
David Barrett, the father of our subject, was a native of Frederick County, Va., and of English descent. The mother, Winnefred Kirby, was born in the old Carroll mansion in Maryland, being a descendant of a cousin of that Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, whose signature is so prominent on the Declaration of Independence. After his marriage, David Barrett and his wife removed from Virginia to Ohio, where the father was engaged in agricul- ture. They had a family of ten children, the old- est of whom, William, was born in 1808, and lived to the age of seventy, leaving a wife and four grown children when he passed from earth. He was a farmer and resident of Barrett. One of his daugh- ters married G. W. Moffitt, whose sketch may be found on another page of this work. Thomas is now living in Rock Township, with a wife and three bright children. [See his sketch elsewhere in this book.] Elizabeth was the wife of Benjamin Hughes; she died in Monroe County, Ohio, in
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1852, leaving ten children to the bereaved bus- band's care. Uriah died in Vermiliion Township. Nov. 18, 1885. leaving a wife and six children. [See sketch of Mrs. Uriah Barrett. which occupies another page.] Sarah is the wife of Isaac Allen, a retired farmer, whose home is at Freeport, Ohio; she is the mother of four children. Ruth is single, and resides with our subject. David died in Har- rison County, Ohio, in 1883, leaving a wife and six children. Joseph is engaged in agriculture near Barrett, is married and has eight children. John is a farmer of Center Township, is married and has seven children. The mother of our subject was. before her marriage, a Catholic, and later joined the Quakers. and the father was, during his entire life, a Quaker.
Our subject was born in Harrrison County, Ohio, July 18, 1815. He was reared upon his father's farm until the age of eighteeen, when he went to work as a millwright, contractor and builder. Ile followed this business in his native State until the year of his removal to Kansas. In his native county, in the year 1843, our subjeet celebrated bis marriage to Miss Mary, daughter of William and Phoebe MeKeever. She was born near Lawrenee- burg. Ind. Her parents were natives of Pennsyl- vania, and of Irish ancestry. To Mr. and Mrs. Barrett have come eight children: Jane is the wife of Everett Love, station agent on the Southern "Pacific Railroad at Caliente, Kern Co., Cal .; they have a family of eight children. William is living in the southeast corner of Wells Township, near Barrett's Station; he married Miss Rena Mont- gomery, and is the father of one child. Winne- fred is the wife of William Holtham, a merehant of Frankfort. Thomas died when a year old. Cyrus, who ocenpies the adjoining farm to that of his parents, married Mary C. Comstoek, and has five children. David and Arthur died in in- fancy. Phobe is the wife of George Van Vliet, a farmer living northeast of Frankfort, and has two children. [See sketch.]
Mr. Barrett was by birthright a Quaker, but for- feited his membership by marrying outside of the Church. Neither he nor his wife is identificd with any denomination. Ile is a member of Frank- fort Lodge No. 67, A. F. & A. M. He had been a
Republiean up to the year when Peter Cooper was a candidate for President, since which time he has been identified with the Union Labor Party. Ile was for eight years Chairman of the Republican County Central Committee, and has been a dele- gate to a number of Republican State and County conventions. He is now Chairman of the County Central Committee of the Union Labor Party. In addition to the offices mentioned at the beginning of our sketch, Mr. Barrett has served as a member of the County Board, was County Treasurer from 1878 to 1882, and served two years as Township Clerk. It will thus be seen that our subjeet is a man of intelligence and character such as com- mands the respeet of his acquaintances and neigh- bors, and that his abilities have been frequently ealled into play in their behalf. Though seventy- six years of age, he does not look to be over sixty. as he is still active and energetic in movement, with vigorous mind and bright memory. The in- habitants of Barrett eannot expect to retain him in their midst for many years longer, but when he is called from earth, he will long be remembered for what he has done.
R. CHARLES A. COLE. The medical profession of Marshall County, finds in this gentleman one of its most worthy representatives, while he also carries on a drug store in Axtell, of which he has been a resident sinee August 1, 1881. He first connected himself with Thomas Hynes, in the drug trade, and they operated under the firm title of Cole & Hynes one year, until July 1, 1889, when Dr. Cole became the sole proprietor. He has a large practice, while his drug business is, in addition, the source of a good ineome. Dr. Cole eame to Axtell as he ex- presses it, "worse off than nothing," but he has now a comfortable supply of this world's goods. He was graduated from the Hospital Medical Col- lege, of St. Joseph, Mo., Feb. 26, 1881, and began the practice of his profession in Axtell. IIe eame to the West in Mareh, 1871, and located in Hia- watha, this State, of which he was a resident nine
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years, employed as clerk in a drug store, and there became familiar with the business. He was born in Bronson Township, Huron Co .. Ohio, May 13, 1854, and is the son of John Cole, an Ohio farmer, who was born upon the same homestead as his son, in April. 1824.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was Le- man Cole, a native of New York State, and of Ger- man descent. He was there reared and married to Miss Hannah Willisson, and they. joining a colony, settled in Huron County, Ohio, in what was then known as the Western Reserve, when the country was a wilderness. The grandfather improved the farm already spoken of; where his son John and our subject were born and where he spent the remain- der of his days, as did likewise the father of our subject, who died in 1862, at the age of sixty-five years. Grandfather Cole served as a minute man during the Revolutionary War. The grandmother, after the death of her husband, removed to St. Jo- seph, Mo., and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. G. A. Wells, at the age of seventy-five years. Both were members of the Old School Baptist Church.
Jolin Cole was reared in his native county, and married to Miss Alma Foote, who was born in Au- burn, N. Y., and was of English descent. She was left an orphan at an early age, and reared by friends of her parents. After their marriage the parents of our subject continued to live on the old farm in Huron County for the long period of forty years. Then, deciding to seek the farther West, they left Ohio on March 1, 1871, removing to Hiawa- tha, Kan. The mother only lived a few months thereafter, her death taking place in September, 1871, when she was only forty-two years old. She was a lady of many excellent qualities, and a con. sistent member of the Baptist Church. The father of our subject is still living and makes his home with his son, Charles A., being sixty-five years old. He is likewise a member of the Baptist Church, and, politically affiliates with the Democratic party.
The Doctor attained to his majority at Hiawatha, Kan., and in 1875 was married in St. Louis, Mo .. to Miss Belle T. Smith, who was born there Oct. 9, 1864. She was the daughter of a Mr. Thorborn who, during the Civil War, enlisted in the Union
army, and was never afterward heard from. His daughter, Belle T., was born in St. Louis. Mr. Thorborn was a non-commissioned officer. Mrs. llannah Thorborn, after his death, was subsequently married to Lemuel Smith, who legally adopted her daughter, Belle T., and thus her name was changed to that of Smith. Mrs. Smith died in Doniphan County, this State, to which she came with her hus- band during its earliest settlement. Mrs. Cole completed her education by a year's attendance in Highland University, several years prior to her marriage. She is now the mother of one child, a son, Albert T.
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