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 58
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which he has since made his home. The land was unbroken and he had but little means to improve it. He went to work with a will, and after having worked hard all day for the maintenance of his family, he would follow the plow in the evening, actually breaking forty aeres of land after dark during the summer. In October, 1878, he took up aetive farm life, and has since made of his home what it now is, an expanse of fertile fields, which amply rewards him for his labors. The place is well watered, contains excellent farm buildings, and the entire 240 acres which he now owns is un- der hedge fence. The residence is situated on the northwest quarter of section 2, Murray Township, and is both comfortable and attractive.
Mrs. Matilda Speak is the daughter of Wesley and Rachael Overfield, both natives of Virginia. In 1871 her father came with a family of eleven children to lliawatha, Brown County, where he owns three-quarters of a section of well-improved land. Mrs. Speak lived at home until her mar- riage. She is the mother of four children, two de- ceased, Nora L. and an infant. The living children are Frederick and Nellie M., both at home and bright attractive children.
Mr. Speak is a sound Democrat, and is Chairman of the Township Central Committee. He is a mem- ber of the Masonie Order, Blue Lodge No. 234
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Axtell, also the A. O. U. W., No. 202 Axtell. In both orders he has held official positions, and is now Junior Warden in the Masonie order. Both he and his wife are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a popular man in his seetion, being possessed of high principles, more than ordinary intelligence, and cordial, kindly manners.
OHIN PAUL. The broad prairies of the Mis- sissippi Valley afford numerous illustrations of the success which attends honest and and persistent industry when coupled with prudence and good judgment. One of these ex- amples is to be found in the person of our subjeet, who owns and occupies a fine farm on seetion 9, Cottage Hill Township. It consists of 160 fertile aeres, which have been thoroughly improved by their owner, and upon which he has erected all the necessary farm buildings, making a home of which any man might well be proud. Mr. Paul is not only a successful farmer aud financier, but a man of high standing among the citizens of the county.
Our subjeet's father, Jesse Paul, was born in Northumberland County, Pa., and there spent his life. He was a farmer by occupation, and before his death had accumulated considerable means. Politically, he adhered to the principles of Repub- lieanism. From early manhood he had been an active member of the Presbyterian Church. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence and weli posted on all the leading topics of the day. His deathı occurred Jan. 18, 1887, he being about sixty-six years of age. The family are of English extraction. The grandfather of our subject was Jacob Paul, of Pennsylvania. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Sarah Hammor. She is still living, and has passed the age of sixty. She was a daughter of John Hammor.
The subject of this sketch was born in Northum- berland County, Pa., Dee. 24, 1849, and was the eldest in a family of seven children. He received a common-school education, and in the intervals of study was occupied in such of the work of the home farm as his strength would admit. In 1877
he journeyed westward, and selecting Kansas for his future home, he homesteaded the land upon which he now resides, and which by industry and perseverance he has brought to its present fine con- dition. He purchased 160 acres of land, which he highly improved, and then sold. The marriage of our subjeet took place Feb. 23, 1871, the bride being Miss Kate, daughter of Augustus and Annie (Klingaman) Garber. One son, named Clarence H., has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Paul.
Mr. Paul is a member of both the A. F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F. fraternities, and has high stand- ing in both orders; he is also a member of the A. O. U. W. He is a believer in and a sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. As a man of intelligence, moral prin- eiples and publie spirit, he enjoys the respeet of his fellow-citizens.
E LIJAH P. BILLINGSLEY, Notary Public, Insurance and Collection Agent, dealing in real-estate, and also a loan agent, located at Axtell in September, 1885, and was in partnership with his brother, Andrew M. until March, 1887. Since that time he has been sole proprietor of the business and very successful. He has been a resi- dent of this county since 1878, having removed here from what is now known as St. Bridget Town- ship. For some time after coming to the county he was engaged as a teacher.
Mr. Billingsley came to Kansas in 1872, settling first in Jewell County, where he became a victim of the grasshopper plague, which visited that region in 1873 and '74. In the fall of 1874 he re- moved to Jefferson County, Iowa. In connection with teaching he also operated as a farmer a num- ber of years, and until coming to Axtell.
Our subject was born in Harrison County, Ohio, Sept. 15, 1845, and is the son of Samuel K. Billings- ley, who was born in Belmont County, that State, and whose father, William R. Billingsley, was a native of Virginia. The family was represented in the Old Dominion, prior to the Revolutionary War,
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and was of Scotch and Welsh ancestry. William R. was a Quaker in religion and a farmer by occu- pation. He emigrated to Ohio in his youth and was married in the latter State. to Miss Sarah Jones. They settled in Belmont County, in an almost unbroken wilderness and endured all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. The grandfather transformed a portion of the forest into a good farm, and there spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1871, when about seventy-six years old. His wife had preceded him to the silent land but a short time; she also was a Quaker in religious belief.
Samuel K. Billingsley, the father of our subject, was born and reared in Belmont County, Ohio, and was married in Harrison County, to Miss Rebecca F. Knight. This lady was born in St. Clairsville, Ohio. Her father, John Knight, served as a sol- dier in the War of 1812, and died when Rebecca was an infant. She was his only child. and was reared by her mother and step-father in Harrison County, mostly. The father of our subject was a man of considerable force of character, and ac- quired a good education. He taught school during the winter seasons after his marriage, at $10 per month, and in summer occupied himself at farming until after the outbreak of the Civil War. On Aug. 12, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, 98th Ohio Infantry, under the command of Capt. Butt, a min- ister, and was promoted to Second Sergeant. Soon afterward this regiment was sent into Kentucky after the Rebel General Bragg. They remained in the Blue Grass region for some time, and then set out on a forced march to the vicinity of Perry- ville, in which battle our subject participated and narrowly escaped with his life. He was for some time assigned to special duty as guard of supplies and was many times a target for the enemy, but is proud of the fact that he has never deserted his post, although a comrade frequently sought safety in flight. His health finally failed, and in June, 1864, he was obliged to accept his honorable dis- charge on account of disability.
Returning to his home in Harrison County, Ohio, the father of our subject lived there until April, 1866. and then accompanied by his family crossed the Mississippi into Jefferson County, Iowa.
and purchaseil a tract of land near the present site of Glasgow. He there spent his remaining days, his death taking place Aug, 26, 1871, when fifty-two years old, he having been born in 1819. He was a Methodist in religion, and for a score of years officiated as a Class-Leader, and occupied other positions of importance. He identified him- self with the Republican party after its organiza- tion and occupied most of the local offices. Socially, he belonged to the I. O. O. F. Will- iam F. Billingsley, a younger brother of our subject, occupies himself as a farmer and teacher in Adams County, Iowa; Samuel C. operates as a farmer near Marysville, Kan; he married Miss Caruthers; - Levi K. is a minister of the Methodist Church, and is located at Lenexa, Kan.
The mother of our subject survived her hus- band a few years and died Sept. 26, 1874, when about fifty-two years old. She likewise was a member of the Methodist Church; Elijah P., our subject, was the second son and child in a family of eight children, comprising seven sons and one daughter. He received a practical education in his native county. but did not begin teaching until after his removal to Iowa. He was married in- Mt. Pleasant, that State, Dec. 18, 1870 to Miss Mary L. Coffin. Mrs. Billingsley was born near Salem, Iowa, May 5, 1853, and is the daughter of Cyrus and Hannah (Cook) Coffin, natives, respec- tively of Indiana and Ohio, and both descended from good old Quaker stock. They were early residents of Henry County, Iowa, and were married at Salem, after which they settled on a farm. In the latter part of the '50's they removed to Kansas City, Mo., where the father conducted a hotel. Later, he sold out and established himself in Olathe, Johnson County. this State, where he prosecuted farming and died about 1863. Later, the mother with her six children returned to Henry County, lowa, and about 1868 Mrs. Coffin was married to her second husband, J. B. Smith. They are living in Villisca, Montgomery County, where Mr. Smith is employed as a brick-maker.
Mrs. Billingsley pursued her studies both in Iowa and this State, and remained with her mother until her marriage. Of her union with our sub- ject there have been born three children -Adelphua,
RESIDENCE OF MARTIN L.REITZEL , SEC.15. WATERVILLE TOWNSHIP.
RESIDENCE OF D. C. GRIFFIS , SEC. 15. CLEAR FORK TOWNSHIP.
TENANT- HOUSE.
RESIDENCE OF JOHN SCHUBKAGEL, SEC . 30. VERMILLION TOWNSHIP.
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Myrta and William, who areall at home with their parents. Socially, Mr. Billingsley is a member of Subordinate Lodge, 1. O. O. F., in which he has passed all the chairs and has been sent as repre- sentative to the State Grand Lodge, held at Wichita. He is liberal and public-spirited and operates as Secretary of the Axtell Town Improve- ment Company. He served as Justice of the Peace two years, and as Police Magistrate the same length of time. Politieally, he is a sound Republican. His various interests have led him into eontaet with a large number of the business men in this vieinity, among whom he bears an excellent reputation.
LBERT C. AXTELL. Besides being a member of the firm of Ely Bros. & Axtell, dealers in hardware, lumber, coal, etc., this gentleman is also associated with the firm of W. A. Walker & Co., lumber and hardware merchants at Bailey ville, Kan. Mr. Axtell has been in business at Axtell for the past eight years and for five years was a member of the firm of A. C. and J. Axtell, dealers in lumber. He and Mr. J. Ax- tell established the second lumber yard in the city.
For four years prior to this time our subject had operated as a farmer in Rice County, Kan. He came to this State from Iowa, having been located near Grinnell, Jasper County, where he lived nearly six years. Before crossing the Mississippi his home had been in Warren County, IN., where he was reared from childhood in the vicinity of Roseville. His native place was in Mercer County, Pa., and he was born Dec. 25, 1846.
The father of our subjeet was Joseph Axtell, a native of Pennsylvania, a farmer by occupation and an old settler of Mercer County. He was married in that county to Miss Eliza Conditt, who was his second wife. They lived in Pennsylvania until the birth of all their children, of whom Albert C. was the youngest. While on the journey from Penn- sylvania to Illinois, Joseph Axtell was stricken down with typhoid fever and died at Danville when about fifty-one years old. The mother and children proceeded on their journey and settled
near Roseville, where a few years later the mother died when past middle life. She was a member of Congregational Church while the father of our subject was a Presbyterian.
Mr. Axtell from a boy has been familiar with farm life. After the death of his mother he was reared by an older brother. When reaching man's estate he was married at Deer Park, McDonough Co., Ill., Dec. 23, 1869, to Miss Cynthia A. Walker. This lady was born on the 14th of October, 1843. and was the daughter of Andrew H. Walker. Her paternal grandfather was Alex Walker, a native of Christian County, Ky. The latter in early life studied medicine, although it is not known that he became a practitioner. Ile spent his entire life in Christian County, and died there when quite aged. Ile was born July 12, 1765, and was the seion of an old Presbyterian family in which church he was carefully trained and of which he became a mem- ber early in life. lle traced his ancestry to Scot- land and Wales. Ile was twice married, both wives being Kentucky ladies and both are now deceased. The first was Mary M. Hammond, and the second Margaret Coumbs. The latter died in Illinois. Among the children of the first marriage was the father of Mrs. Axtell.
Andrew H. Walker, was one of the younger members of a family of ten children and received an excellent education for those times. After leaving school he entered upon the study of law and was admitted to the bar, together with two brothers who became prominent attorneys. One of the younger brothers also officiated as a minister of the Presbyterian Church. Andrew, however, became greatly averse to the many contests in- volved in the practice of law and abandoned it. Later he taught school and operated as a farmer. HIe emigrated with three brothers from Kentucky to McDonough County, Ill., arriving there in 1830. One of the brothers set out the group of trees which later became familiarly known as Deer Park. Andrew H. settled on a traet of school land, from which he improved a farm, and where he spent the remainder of his days, dying Jan. 6. 1866, at the age of seventy-eight years. He had been born in Adams County, Ohio, and was mar- ried at Camp Creek, MeDonough Co., Ill., to Miss
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Jane L. Campbell. This lady was born in Tennes- see. and when quite young emigrated with her par- ents to McDonough County, Ill., of which they were early settlers. She died at Deer Park, Oct. 29, 1845, when comparatively a young woman.
Mrs. Axtell was one of the younger of the five children born to her parents- two sons and three daughters - four of whom are living. One daughter, Margaret A., became the wife of Isaae Michaels, and died in Missouri. Alex A. is a resident of Little River, this State; Joseph G. is farming near Salisbury, Mo .; Mary I. lives in MeDonough County, Ill .; Mrs. Axtell attended school at Prairie City, Ill., and also at Mon- mouth, Ill. She then began teaching, which profession she followed until her marriage and in which she was popular and very successful. She taught in the high school! at Macomb, Ill., and was prominent among the educators of that region; she is a lady of fine intelligence and many accomplish- ments. Of her nion with our subject there have been born six children, one of whom, Clarence, died in infancy. Myron W., a promising youth of seventeen years. has already become a teacher; Maggie M., May L .. Walter R. and Mary L. are all at home with their parents. The children have been well educated and are more than ordinarily bright and interesting.
The first wife of Joseph Axtell, the father of our subject, was Miss Eunice Tuttle, who was born and reared in Pennsylvania, and who became the mother of five children-Mary, Thomas, Sarah, Elizabeth and Ruth. They are all deceased. Of the second marriage there were born twelve chil- dren, viz .: Eunice, Bathsheba, Samuel, Pliny, Clarinda, Amy, Linus, Caroline, Permilla, Sarah, Zenas, and Albert.
.P ETER JONES. A fine farm of 400 acres. lying on sections 7 and 8, in Guittard Township, and under a good state of eul- tivation, speaks well for the industry and perseverance of Mr. Jones, who with his own hands mnost effectively redeemed a goodly portion of
his land from a state of nature. From a modest position in life he has arisen socially and financially, and is numbered among the prominent and well- to-do men of this township. Of English parent- age and descent, he was born in 1833, in Ilerford- shire County, England, and lived there until a young man of twenty-two years. In 1855 lie emi- grated to America. and for a time thereafter was a resident of Saratoga County. N. Y. Later he emi- grated to Champaign County, Ill., and from the Prairie State about 1858 changed his residence to Nemaha County, Kan. Thence in the fall of 1858 le came to this county, locating in Guittard Town- ship, of which he has since been a resident.
There was then but one building in Seneca, and none from the present place of Mr. Jones to Marys. ville. He first purchased 160 acres of land, and for a number of years labored amid the disadvant- ages of life on the frontier, hauling his produce to the river and transporting therefrom his necessary household provisions. Mr. Jones assisted in the organization of Guittard Township, and was among the first to assist in the establishment of a school. He was instrumental in the erection of the first school building put up in this part of the county. lle has steadily avoided the responsibilities of office, although keeping himself well posted in re- gard to a fairs of general interest, and since Le com- ing a voter has been a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party.
Mr. Jones, after coming to this county, was mar- ried. Sept. 30, 1862. to Miss Emma, a daughter of Joseph Totten, a sketch of whom appears on another page in this volume. Mrs. Jones was born in August, 1847, in Illinois, received her edu- cation in the common schools, and remained a member of the parental household until her mar- riage. Of her union with our subject there were born five children. all of whom are living: May E., John P., Oliver G., Albert L. and Arthur T. They form a bright and interesting group, and are all at home with their parents. The Jones' farm is devoted to general agriculture and stock- raising, and in its buildings and appointments bears fair comparison with its neighbors. Their residence is a very convenient and comfortable one, and is represented by a fine engraving on
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another page. The proprietor is a man who per- haps has made little stir in the world, being noted chiefly for his reliable qualities as a citizen, and one who has uniformly signalized himself as a man interested in those projects calculated for the gen- eral good of the people.
C HARLES H. TRAVELUTE, a retired farmer of Oketo Township, was closely connected with the great agricultural interests of Mar- shall County for several years, and developed one of its finest farms, which is still in his possession. He is a man of superior intelligence and educa- tion, and of high personal reputation, and his fel- low-citizens have delighted to honor him hy electing him to responsible public offices, and in whatsoever position he has been called on to fill, he has acted with characteristic discretion and wis- dom, and so as to serve the best interests of county or township.
Our subject was born Aug. 25, 1818, in Baden, Germany, a son of Andrew and Eve Travelute. His father was born near Strasburg, on the Rhine, and was of French descent, while his mother was a native of Baden. They came to America in in 1832, and the father, who was a blacksmith by trade, turned his attention to farming in Pennsyl- vania. His death occurred in 1852, and his wife survived him only two years, dying in 1854. They had six children, of whom the subject of this biog- raphy is the only one now living. He was well- educated in the Fatherland, and is conversant with both the German and English languages. At the age of fourteen he accompanied his parents to this country, and since then has known no other home. When he was twenty years old he began life for himself, and for two years was engaged in working in some iron-works in Pennsylvania. He then adopted the calling of a farmer in that State, con- tinuing thus employed till 1842, when he settled on a farm in Mason County, Ill. In 1851 he went to live in Ogle County, that State, and in 1866 he made still another move, and from that time has resided on his present farm on section 31, Oketo
Township. He was one of the pioneers of the place, and his 340 acres of land have been reclaimed from the wild prairies by his patient, well-directed toil, and he has made all of the various fine im- provements, including a neat and commodious set of farm buildings, having erected his cozy, comfortable dwelling seven years ago. He has re- tired from active farming, having, by the aid of his faithful wife, accumulated a competency, whereby they are enabled to pass their declining years in ease and comfort in their pleasant home, free from care and hard labor.
When Mr. Travelute entered the married state, Nov. 22, 1840, it was his good fortune to secure a wife of great worth, one who has been to him a help- mate and companion in very truth during the period of nearly half a century that they have journeyed over life's road together. She is an active, capable woman, of great force of character, has always been a great worker, and is a fine manager, her do- mestic machinery always running smoothly. She has been all that a wise and affectionate mother can be to her children, and they owe inch to her coun- sel and training. Her maiden name was Margaret Spealman, and she was born in Wittenberg, Ger- many, which was also the native place of her parents, John and Mary (Shrink) Spealman. (See sketch of her brother, Henry Spealman, on another page of this volume.) IIer father was a black- smith by trade, but after his emigration to America with his family, in 1832, he devoted his attention mostly to farming, buying a farm in Pennsylvania two years later. He subsequently sold that place, and removing to Illinois, died there in 1855, his wife dying in 1867. They had five girls and two boys, and Mrs. Travelute was the fifth child. She was born in Wittenberg, Nov. 7, 1818, and ob- tained all her education in her native land and language. She was married to our subject in Penn- sylvania, and the result of their happy union has been eight children, as follows: Andrew J .; Maria, Mrs. Benson; Melinda, Mrs. W. W. Watson; Mary, Mrs. Butterfield; Sarah, Mrs. C. L. Watson; Effie, Mrs. G. C. Butler; Margaret, who is deceased ; and Charles F.
Mr. and Mrs. Travelute are thoroughly respected by all in the community for those sterling traits of
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mind and heart that place them among our most desirable citizens. While laboring to accumulate a competency for themselves and family. they have faithfully contributed their quota towards the up- building of the county, and the township is partly indebted to them for its standing and prosperity. Mr. Travalute has played an important part in the public life of the township and county in various official capacities. Ile has been a member of the School Board for a number of years, and has also served as Road Overseer. He was County Asses- sor one year, and performed the duties of the same office for the township for three years; he held the position of County Commissioner one term, and has been Justice of the Peace. He is a mem- ber of the Grange, and also of the sons of Temper- ance. He has been very active in politics, and was for many years associated with the Democratic party, but now uses his influence in favor of the Union Labor party. He and his wife are sincere Christians, and are numbered among the most val- ned members of the Presbyterian Church, he bav- ing served as Elder of that church for twelve years, and as Steward for more than twenty years.
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ELSON T. WATERS. The subject of this sketch was born in Berkshire County, Mass., July 21, 1833. Ile obtained a good practi - cal education at the common schools, after which he was on the farm until twenty years old. When twenty-one he went to Ohio, where he drove a four-horse peddler's wagon for three years. He then came to Illinois, locating at Loda, as a farmer. There be lived for twenty-five years. During the later years he engaged also in business as a stock dealer. In 1879 he came to Kansas, locating in Nemaba County, stopping near Oneida, where he bought raw prairle land, improved it and made a home, where he lived until 1882, when he sold and came to Beattie. Here he bought out J. J. Shel- don's lumber yard, and has continued in that busi- ness since.
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