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 57
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Doctor and Mrs. Cole are regular attendants of the Congregational Church, of which Mrs. Cole is a member in good standing. Our subject, like his honored father, votes the straight Democratic ticket, but has very little to do with politics, preferring to give his best efforts to his profession.
C LINTON J. PLANCK. Among the younger men of Waterville Township, none occupy a more enviable position, or have made bet- ter use of their time than Mr. Planck. He com- menced at an early period in his life to work for wages, and at once began saving his money until, in 1880, he had enough to purchase 160 acres of fine farming land on section 18, Waterville Township, where he now resides. To this he has since given his undivided attention, and has illustrated in an admirable manner the results of energy and perse- verance. Now, although only twenty-six years old, he has obtained a fine start and is already in good circumstances.
Our subject was born in Lewis County, N. Y., May 1, 1863, and is the son of Josiah Planck, like- wise a native of the Empire State, and born in 1821. The latter became a well-to-do farmer and spent his entire life in his native State, dying in 1873. Hle was a good man in the broadest sense of the term, and for many years prior to his death was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was married in early life to Miss Catherine Herning, who was born in Susquehanna
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County, Sept. 26, 1821, and still survives. The parental family consisted of five children, viz .: Juliet, Imogene, Ella, Alice and Clinton J. Our sub- ject was the youngest of the family, and lived in Lewis County, N. Y., until ten years old, then came with his mother and her family to this State, loca- ting in Irving. A year later they removed to Waterville, this county, where our subjeet com- pleted his education in the common school.
On the 26th day of September, 1883, Mr. Planck was united in marriage with Miss Minnie H., daughter of John T. and Lucy ( Rider) Maycroft, of Washington County. The father of Mrs. Planck was a native of England, whence he emigrated about 1832 to America, being then a child. He married a lady who was born in Vermont, in 1847. They became the parents of four children, viz .: William II., Minnie II., James T. and Alice M. Mrs. Planck's great-great grandfather was born on the Mayflower on her voyage to United States and was landed at Plymouth Rock with the Pilgrims. Mr. and Mrs. Planck have one daughter, Elsie May, who was born May 29, 1884. Politically, Mr. Planck is a stanch Republican. The Methodist Episcopal Church, of Waterville, recognizes in him and wife its most active and useful members.
AMUEL R. KOCH, who prosecutes farming in a modest manner on section 4, Blue Rapids Township, came to this county when a young man, and has seen much of pio- neer life. He was born in Cumberland County, Pa., Aug. 1, 1841, and is the son of Lewis and Mary Koch, who were natives respectively of Maryland and Pennsylvania. The family traces its ancestry to Germany. After having come to the West and sojourning for a time in Iowa, the father of our subject, in June, 1860, brought his family to this county, and at once entered 156 acres of land including the present farm of Samuel R. It was then in a wild and uncultivated state mostly, only about eighteen acres having been broken, and there stood upon it a small log shanty 10x12 feet in di- mensions. As soon as possible the father put up a
more commodious dwelling, and here he spent the remainder of his days, his death occurring in 1866.
The elder Koch became well known in this sec- tion of the country, and was universally respected. He was a Democrat in polities, was liberal and pub- lic-spirited, and a strong advocate of the establisli- ment of schools as early as possible in those pioneer times. He had been trained in the doctrines of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, to which he adhered during his entire life. The mother survived her hus- band for many years, passing away on the 11th of January, 1885, at the old homestead; she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The subject of this notice was a youth of nine- teen years when he came with his father's family to this county, and he assisted in the development of the farm and the building up of the homestead. He had left his native State in 1846, accompanying the family to Illinois, and two years later they re- moved to Clinton County, lowa, where they lived until coming to this county. Like his honored father he possessed in a marked degree the elements of industry and perseverance which have enabled him to succeed amid difficulties and maintain his po- sition as a man among men. Ile has been for some years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has ofliciated as Class-Leader and Su- perintendent of the Sabbath-school, while he is fre- quently employed as an exhorter during protracted meetings. lle has always been warmly interested in the temperance movement, and some time since allied himself with the Prohibitionists. He has been content to live without making very much stir in the world, pursuing the even tenor of his way as an honest man and a good citizen, and earning the respect of his neighbors.
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OHN B. KRILEY. The three Kriley broth- ers of St. Bridget Township, have been no unimportant factors in its growth and devel- opment, and they are all, who live in St. Bridget Township, represented in this work. The subject of this notice is the owner of a snug home-
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stead of eighty-five acres. and has a third interest in a quarter-section with his brothers-Andrew and Frank. This land adjoins his farm on the south. He makes a specialty of fruit growing, having about 110 apple trees, besides mulberries, cherries, apricots. grapes, and a goodly assortment of the smaller fruits. In addition to these 1.000 forest trees serve to further embellish the homestead, forming a grateful shade in summer and a protec- tion from the blasts of winter. The entire premises are indicative of enterprise and energy.
The subject of this sketch is the son of F. J. Kriley, a native of Germany, who upon coming to America, settled in Pennsylvania. Our subject was born in Butler County, that State, May 1, 1842, and lived with his parents there upon a farm until a youth of eighteen years. Then with the natural desire of youth for change he repaired to the town of Butler, in the same county,and served an appren- ticeship at shoemaking. Later in 1865 he went into the oil regions, but only staid there thirteen weeks, as he could not endure the atmosphere. Then returning to Butler County he resumed his early occupation of farming, staying there two years and three months. We next find him in Pitts- burg, Pa., where for four years he was employed in the gas works as a fireman. He continued a resi- dent of the Smoky City until 1878, and that year made his first trip to the farther West,landing in this county. Two months later, however, he returned to Pittsburg. In the meantime he had purchased the eighty-five acres of land constituting his pres- ent farm, but which at that time lay in a state of nature. In February following he returned to Kansas, bringing with him his family, consisting of his wife and four children.
Our subject was married in Clearfield Township. Butler Co., Pa., Feb. 18, 1869, to Miss Mary, daughter of Claude and May (Gallagher) Marshall. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Kriley was Claude Marshall, of Alsace-Lorraine, then partly a Prov- ince of France, but which now belongs to Germany. The maternal grandfather was Peter Gallagher, a native of Ireland. Grandmother Josephine (Gunn- bert) Marshall was likewise a native of France. Upon coming to this county with his family, Mr. Kriley at once commenced the improvement of his
land, putting in a crop the first year with sucess- ful results, and has uniformly been prosperous in the cultivation of the soil. He has, however, lost considerable stock. Two seasons, just as he was about to ship a fine lot of swine, they were stricken with cholera and nearly all died. Ile has also met with the misfortune of losing a good many horses and cattle. He is a man, however, who permits no small matter to discourage him, and will labor on just as industriously as ever.
To Mr. and Mrs. Kriley have been born four sons and four daughters, viz .: Emma Frances, William M., Philomena, Annie Elvira, Lawrence, Bernard, Nicholas and Cecelia. Mr. Kriley uniformly votes with the Democratic party, and for the past nine years, nearly from the time of his arrival bere, has been the School Treasurer of his district. Both he and his wife belong to St. Bridget Catholic Church. They are people highly respected among their neighbors, and number their friends among the best citizens of the township.
R RANK THOMANN. Among the business men of the thriving young town of Summer- field, none better deserve mention than the above named gentleman, junior member of the firm of Wuester & Thomann, druggists. He had no educational advantages, having received but two months' schooling. and since the age of seven- teen has been working for himself. His success is due wholly to his natural abilities and enterprising nature. The railroad track was laid in Summer- field on the 3d of February, 1889, and about a fortnight later the firm of Wuester and Thomann began the erection of a fine frame building, 22x50 feet. It was completed within a month and sup- plicd with a well-assorted stock of the goods usu- ally found in a first-class drug store.
Our subject is a native of France, and accom- panied his parents, Jacques and Victoria (Bishop) Thomann, from Alsace to Kansas, when about nine years of age. The parents settled on section 31, Richland Township, June 3, 1857, on land which still belongs to the family. The father died about
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eight years after coming to America, and the mother still lives in Richland Township with her oldest son. The parental family consisted of three children, of whom our subject is the youngest.
At the death of his father Mr. Thomann began farming and buying stoek. He became very sue- cessful, and in the year 1884 moved into Beattie and engaged in grain dealing, in addition to his stock business. He continued to carry on the for- mer business until he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law in his present occupation. Mr. Wuester is a practical pharmacist, having graduated before the Kansas State Board of Pharmacy.
On March 11, 1883, our subject was united in marriage to Charlotte, daughter of Abram and Margaret (Bauer) Wuester, the parents being na- tives of Germany. This union has been blessed by the birth of two children: James Abraham, who died at the age of three years, and Wilbert, whose child life gladdens the liome.
Mr. Thomann is not a member of any church. though he and his wife were both baptized in the Catholic Church. IIe is a member of the Masonie lodge at Beattie, and of the Chapter at Marysville. He carries $2,500 insurance in the Masonie North- western Aid Association, located at Chicago, Ill .; he is also a member of the A. O. U. W., Lodge No. 168, of Beattie, in which he carries $2,000. Po- litieally, his adherence is given to the principles of Democracy. He is a man of upright character and cordial manners, and is held in high respeet by his fellow citizens. Our subjeet is President of the State Bank of Summerfield.
Z EPHANIAH K. MASON. Among the na- tives of the far Eastern States who now take rank among the prosperous farmers of this State, is the above named gentleman, a gen- eral farmer, occupying land upon seetion 33, in Murray Township. His father, Luther Mason, was a native of New Hampshire, and when of age re- moved to Waltham, Mass. There he began work in the woolen mills, becoming at length overseer of a large part of the business. There he married
Angeline Kidder, a native of Maine, who when grown to womanhood had come to Waltham, and entering the cotton mills, became an expert opera- tive. Mr. and Mrs. Mason continued work in the mills for some eight years, during which time four children were born to them. In 1858 they removed to Dubuque County, Iowa, and there began farm life, having purchased land in that county. Mr. Mason became a very successful farmer, and ranked among the best of Dubuque County's citizens. He was a member of the Baptist Church, in which denomination he was a Deacon, and one of the chief pillars of the society to which he belonged. Ile was of independent politics. In the year 1884, when sixty-one years of age, he was gathered to his fathers. His wife some time later removed to Greeley, Colo., where she now lives with her children. She is now abont sixty years of age, and even at this age an active member of the Baptist Church. The parental family con- sisted of seven children, five sons and two daugh- ters. One daughter died in childhood. and two other children in later years. Of the four surviv- ing children, all are unmarried except our subject.
Zephaniah Mason was born in Waltham, Mass., April 21, 1857. Ile was but an infant when his parents removed to Iowa, and in that State he was reared, obtaining a good education in the common schools. He learned the business of farming with his father. Removing with his mother to Greeley, Colo., he lived there for four years. In the year 1880 he purchased 240 acres of raw land in this county, which he had has improved and upon which sinee 1885 he has made his home. He has erected excellent buildings, and made all adequate improve- ments for the earrying on of a successful agricultu- ral life.
The wife of our subject was born in Dubuque, Iowa, in October, 1859, and is the daughter of James and Margaret (Wilson) Wilson, who now reside on a farm in that county. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were born and reared in Ireland, emigra- ting to America in 1857, sinee which time they have been residents of Iowa, where Mr. Wilson is a very snecessful farmer. They are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. Their daughter Elizabeth received the best of training from her parents, and
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obtained an excellent education at Epworth, Iowa. In due time she became the wife of Lewis K. Mason, brother to our subject, to whom she bore one son, James L. The husband having died in June, 1884, the widow sometime later became the wife of our subject. The result of this nnion has been one son, Walter L.
Mr. Mason is a man of independent politics, casting his vote for the man whom he considers most efficient and best able to advance the inter- ests of the country in national and local affairs. Both he and his wife are attendants of the Pres- byterian Church. Mrs. Mason is a woman of more than ordinary intelligence, well fitted to make a happy home and train her family to useful man- hood. She shares with her husband in the respect of the community in which he, as a man of integ- rity, reliability and enterprise, takes a high rank.
Le EROY W. LIBBY. Though occupying the position of Mayor of Marysville, and being a prominent dealer in agricultural imple- ments, a visitor to this city would have his atten- tion first drawn to Mr. Libby as a breeder c Here- ford cattle and fine roadster horses. One half- mile southeast of the city lies a fine farm of 600 acres belonging to our subject. On this farm Mr. Libby now has about 200 head of cattle and 100 head of fine horses. At the head of the latter is a Hambletonian stallion. The brood mares are nearly thoroughbred stock, from which are being bred a fine line of strong roadsters. He now has sixty- five head of colts sired by this horse. At the head of his cattle stands a fine thoroughbred Remus bull, and eighteen other thoroughbreds.
Our subject is the only living representative of Charles Libby, who died in California about 1852. His wife, Lucy Ann Doane having previously died, our subject was left an orphan at less than five years of age. lle was born in Maine Jan. 25. 1847. Spending his youth in his native State, he was graduated at Kents Ilill College in 1869. Immediately after his graduation he came West, locating in Marysville, September 16. Here he en-
gaged in teaching for a year, following which for two years he acted as salesman and book-keeper for Capt. P. Hutchinson. He then with W. II. Smith organized the firm of Smith & Libby, grocerymen, which was well-known all through the country. Starting without means, by active attention to business they succeeded, and continued togetlier for six years, when our subject engaged in the sale of agricultural implements. He also bought a quarter-section of land, and began in a small way the stock business, which he is now carrying on. Taking raw land. by his own efforts he put it into tame grass and pasture. making one of the best farms and stock ranges in the county. Mr. Libby now lives in the city, leaving his farm in the care of an overseer.
. In the year 1872 the subject of our sketch went to Maine, where on May 30th was celebrated his marriage to Miss Abbie E. Manson, of Rockland. The newly married couple came immediately to Marysville and established a home to which have come five sons and five daughters, all living.
Mr. Libby has been County Commissioner for six years, belongs to the Democratic party, is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias, and also of the A. O. U. W.
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FRANK PEABODY is of English extrac- tion on both his father's and mother's side, and descended from families whose mem- bers took an active part in behalf of the cause of American freedom, during the Revolution and the War of 1812. The Peabody family came to America in the early part of the eighteenth century and settled in New England. In that State, John, the grandfather of our subject was born, and there his son, Jonas Il., father of our subject, first saw the light in 1798. Jonas Pea- body passed his youth in his native State, thence removing to Rochester, N. Y., where he lived until 1846. At that time he removed to Clark County, Ill., where he died the following year. Ile was a
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cooper by trade, following that occupation during his entire life and being in comfortable cireum- stances. lle was a strong advocate of temperance. and devoted much time to lecturing on that sub- ject. For many years he was a member of the Universalist Church. Mary Howe, the mother of our subject, was the daughter of Nathan Howe, of New England. She died in New York State in the year 1839, while yet a young woman. She was the mother of five children-James II., Mary J., S. Frank, Eleanor and an infant unnamed.
The subject of this sketch was born in Rochester, N. Y., April 24, 1836. His early life was spent at Clarendon, Orleans County, where he received an academie education. He began teaching while young and followed the profession until 1861, in the meantime having followed his parents to Illi- nois. At the breaking out of the Civil War he en- listed in the Union Army, heeoming a member of Company E. 62d Illinois Infantry. In 1864 be re-enlisted in the same company and regiment, in which he served until February, 1865, being then First Lieutenant of the company. The 62d was attached to the 7th army corps, and served in West Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. During the war Mr. Peabody took part in many hard-fought battles. He contracted an illness, from the effects of which he still suffers, and by reason of which he draws a pension. At the elose of the war, be- ing honorably discharged from the service, he went to Cedar County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming and in mercantile pursuits until the year 1874. Ilis he th being very poor he determined to try a different elimate, in the hope of staying the hand of disease. He therefore went to Colo- rado, where he devoted himself to wool growing and sheep ranching for six years. He then returned as far east as Waterville, Kan., where he has since resided. Being in rather frail health he is not en- gaged in any regular business. though he does some money loaning. He is possessed of consid- erable means, all of which is the result of his own exertions and good management.
On April 25, 1866, Mr. Peabody was married to Miss Helen A. Jackson, of Cedar County, Iowa. This estimable young lady was a native of Ohio, and daughter of James and Elizabeth ( Rabey)
Jackson. Both her parents were born in England, but have been residents of America since their childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Peabody have been blessed by the birth of three children-Mary J., Blanche and Ned.
The gentleman of whom we write has been for twenty years a member of the A. F. & A. M. fra- ternity: he also belongs to the G. A. R. He is a stal wart Republican. His wife is an honored mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a man possessed of business ability, intellectual ac- quirements and pleasing address, and his standing in the community is unquestioned.
W ILLIAM M. SPEAK, a farmer of Murray Township and a well-known auctioneer of this county, is the descendant of an old and honored Virginia family. His great-grandfa- ther was a Revolutionary soldier, who fought as a private during the entire contest. At the conclu- sion of the war he settled in Lee County, Va., upon land which he had obtained from the Gov- ernment for services rendered during the Revolu- tion. IIis son, Charles Speak, married a Virginia lady and settled upon the same land, where he and his wife died at a very advanced age. They were buried at Speak's Chapel, an old Methodist Church that had been organized by the family of that name, the family being quite numerous. Charles Speak was a patriot in the War of 1812. His son, Andrew, the father of our subjeet, was born and reared on the ancestral acres, being one of a family of two sons and several daughters that were born to Charles Speak and wife. After at- taining to manhood, Andrew Speak married Miss Lavina Chance, a native of the same county with himself. She was like himself a Virginian of sol- dierly blood. Her father, while serving as a soldier in the War of 1812, was run over by an artillery wagon and received such injuries that he was dis- charged for disability, and though he lived to be quite old, the injuries eventually caused his death. Andrew Speak lived in Lee County, Va., until the close of the late Civil War, during which, though
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opposed to slavery, he had preserved a state of true neutrality. Ile had voted for union at every election, though he did not wish to fight either for or against slavery, and during the war had gone into Kentucky to be under the protection of the United States Government. In 1864 he secured from a Confederate officer a pass for his wife and five children in order that they might come to him. The mother and children had nothing on earth exeept what they could carry in their arms, and they were obliged to walk the entire distance from their Virginia home, not even being able to stop at a friendly inn by the way, so complete had been the ruin of the family finances. Settlement was made near Williamstown, Grant Co., Ky. The father now resides in Gallatin County, and is seventy years of age. His first wife had died in Virginia before the war broke out. He was again married, and after the death of his second wife was married to the lady with whom he now lives. The family were always opposed to slavery, for the suppression of which Andrew Speak had voted when but one other man in the connty voted that way. Unlike many anti-slavery men, he is a sound Democrat in politics. He is a worthy member of the Methodist Church.
The subject of this sketch was born in Lee County, Va., near Cumberland Gap, Dee. 14, 1848, where he was reared by his parents. He accom- panied the family, in the trying journey to Ken- tueky at the close of the Civil War, and two years later he left his home to try his fortunes in the West. His father not having recovered from the finaneial distress into which the war had thrown him, our subjeet had but a few dollars with which to lay the foundation of his fortunes, and was obliged to walk nearly half way from his Ken- tucky home to Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., where he found employment in driving Government teams from that place to Ft. Hall, on the Snake River in Idaho Territory. He spent eight years in the States and Territories of the Pacific Slope, engaged after leaving the Government employ in the varied oceu- pations of a miner, stage driver and cattle rancher. .While employed as a Government teamster, he be- came familiar with the country and with its people, both savage and civilized. Ile often came in con-
tact with the turbulent Indians during his Western life and went through many trying experiences. In 1871. while on the Sweet Water River, near South Pass, Wy., he and two companions were at- tacked hy redskins and he was passed by as dead by them. He, however, made good his escape, and for two nights and three days had nothing but a raw jack rabbit to sustain life. He never after- ward heard of his comrades, who, he supposes, met their death at the hands of their savage foes. Mr. Speak made a fortune in the Rocky Mountains, but lost it and returned east of the mountains, set- tling in Brown County, Kan., where he lived for three years. In Hiawatha, that county, he was married to Miss Matilda Overfield, a native like himself of Virginia, having been born in Barber County, that State, June 7, 1857. In the fall of 1877 Mr. Speak located a farm in this county, and the following spring took possession of the place
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