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 61
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To Mr. and Mrs. Leavitt have been born ten children: Walter now living in Colorado; Lucy and John. The deceased are, Grace, Elvira, James, Maggie. Mary, Nellie and Horace. Mr. and Mrs. Leavitt are also rearing a motherless child, the daughter of Henry Walrath, who is now residing in Nebraska. Her name is Cora W. Leavitt, she having taken the name of her adopted parents.
Mr. Leavitt was for a time postmaster at Barrett, which was the first office opened in the southern half of Marshall County. He is a Republican in political views. but sometimes votes for the man, irrespective of party. Mrs. Leavitt is a devoted member of the Baptist Church, and the family takes quite an interest in the social affairs of the
locality. Mr. and Mrs. Leavitt have an extended acquaintance, and are held in high repute for their upright characters and useful lives.
YLVESTER M. KEIPER. A fine large farm, 400 acres in extent, amply supplied with buildings and machinery, and in a high state of cultivation, illustrates the industry and energy which form the leading charac- teristics of the subject of this notice. His land is finely located on sections 3, 9 and 13, in Rock Township, and forms one of the most desirable estates within its limits. Five teams are used in its operations and it is largely devoted to stock- raising, embracing about thirty head of cattle and the cows required in carrying on a dairy, the pro- duct of which is shipped to St. Joseph, Mo. Mr. Keiper has usually about 100 head of swine, sixty head of horses and mules, including an imported Clyde stallion, eight years old, and weighing 1,600 pounds. His other horses are Clydesdale and Morgan.
The Keiper family flourished for several genera- tions in Pennsylvania, where John Keiper, the father of our subject, was born in Leliigh County, in 1818. The paternal grandfather, likewise John Keiper, crossed the Atlantic from Germany with his parents when a child of four years, and with them settled in the Keystone State, near Allen- town. In the latter place, John, Sr., learned shoe- making, and carried water for the soldiers during the Revolutionary War. IIe spent his last days with his son, John, Jr., in Mahoning County, Ohio, dying at the age of seventy-six. The latter followed blacksmithing, and put up the first shop at Canfield in Mahoning County, which he conducted for a period of twenty-five years. He was a skilled mechanic-in fact was a leading blacksmith of that region. Ile lived there until 1864, then emigrating to Marshall County, Ind., purchased 160 acres of timber land and proceeded to clear a farm from the wilderness. In this he was assisted by his children who carried on the farm while he followed his trade. They cleared 130 acres, where the father
RESIDENCE OF JOHN MASSEY, SEC. 22. CENTER TOWNSHIP.
RESIDENCE OF S. M. KEIPER , SEC. 3. ROCK TOWNSHIP.
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lived until 1870, then coming to this county, pur- chased 160 acres of land on section 9, Rock Town- ship. This was a good property, and Mr. Keiper effected additional improvements. In May, 1879, a cyclone swept through that region, taking in its path the Keiper homestead and injuring John Kei- per, so that he died a few days later, at the age of fifty-eight. IJe was a member in good standing of the Episcopal Church.
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Mrs. Rebecca (Shock) Keiper, the mother of our subject, was born in Venango County, Pa, and was the daughter of Andrew Shock, a native of Ger- many, who emigrated to America early in life and settling in Pennsylvania, engaged in the manufac- ture of gloves. He was an expert at the business, manufacturing his gloves principally from the skins of wild animals, and doing his own tanning. Finally leaving the Keystone State, he joined his son, the father of our subject, in Indiana and died at the home of his oldest son, near Goshen, Elk- hart County, at the age of seventy years. The mother of our subject departed this life in Marshall County, Ind., April 15, 1870, at the age of forty- six years. She was a lady of many estimable qualities and a member of the Episcopal Church. The six children of the parental houshold were named respectively, Margaret, Mrs. Barmore of Denver, Col .; Charles a resident of Beattie; Sylves- ter M., our subject; Walter and Fremont. deceased, and Louis, who lives at Silver City, New Mexico.
The subject of this sketch was born at Canfield, Mahoning Co., Ohio, April 25, 1849, and lived in his native town until a lad of fifteen years, ac- quiring a good education and completing his stud- ies in the academy at that place. He went with his parents to Indiana and assisted in the opening up of a farm, dealing in lumber, cutting saw logs and hauling them to mill with an ox-team, and at the same time farming on a small scale. Ile lived in Indiana until 1870, then concluded to seek his for- tunes on the other side of the Mississippi. We find him in this county in the spring of 1870, aud on the 21st of April following he purchased a claim of eighty acres, paying $50 down and re- homesteading it. Ile built thereon a house and commenced breaking the ground with oxen. Wild animals were plentiful-deer, prairie chickens and
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wolves-and the settlers frequently got together and hunted the latter. There were also strolling bands of Otoe and Pottawatomie Indians.
Mr. Keiper was prosperous in his farming opera- tions, and sold out after obtaining a clear title to his land. In the meantime he had saved enough money to purchase 240 acres of his present farm, for which he paid $900. He took possession of this in 1878, and in due time purchased 160 acres adjoining for $680, which he declares was the best in- vestment he ever made. It lay then a stretch of wild prairie with not even a switch upon it. He put up a house and commenced breaking up the ground, but the year following his dwelling was destroyed by a cyclone. Later, he put up the present residence, which is 28x32 feet in dimensions and which is represented by a fine view on another page, and afterward built a barn occupying 30x 50 feet. Other buildings followed as time passed on, and Mr. Keiper also got together a collection of good farm machinery, including a windmill, besides setting out forest and fruit trees, of which he has an abundance including two orchards and two groves. With the exception of thirty acres, all the land is under the plow. lle has sixty acres in tame grass and the land is amply watered by a large spring. The homestead lies two and three- fourths miles from Beattie.
In Beattie our subject was married March 14, 1872, to Miss Laura Scholz. Mrs. Keiper is a na- tive of Germany and came with her parents to America when quite young. Of her union with our subject, there have been born three children -- Mary, Fred and John-all of whom are at home with their parents. Mr. Keiper votes the straight Republican ticket, and is quite prominent in the councils of his party in this region, frequently being sent as a delegate to the county conventions. IIe has officiated as School Director and Road Sup- ervisor and is a man whose opinions are generally respected.
The father of Mrs. Keiper was Charles F. Scholz and he was born in Breslau, Prussia. There, dur- ing his younger years he operated a mill on a large seale; building his mill and a dam and giving em- ployment to thirty men. He served in the regular army four years, and was the owner of a fine prop-
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erty. lle finally concluded to come to America, and crossing the Atlantic in 1858, proceeded westward to Ft. Madison, Iowa, and engaged in farming along the Mississippi. A year later he came to St. Joseph, Mo., and in the spring of 1859 brought his family to this county, which he had visited the previous fall. They located on Snipe Creek. where they were the first settlers, the father entering 160 acres of land and tilling the soil the best he could under great difficulties. lle did not succeed in raising a full crop until 1861. Perseverance. and industry, however, met with their reward, and in due time, in ad lition to the cultivation of his first purchase, Mr. Scholz added to his possessions from time to time until he be- came the owner of 1,500 acres, all of which he brought to a good state of eultivation, and erected thereon substantial buildings. He died in 1878 at the age of sixty-seven. He was a Greenbacker.
The maiden name of the mother of Mrs. Keiper was Emily Munsche, and she, like her husband, was born in Breslau, Prussia. Grandfather Munsche was likewise a native of that city, and occupied himself as a tanner. Mrs. Scholz died Oct. 7, 1889, at the age of sixty-nine years. She was a faithful wife and mother, and a member in good standing of the Lutheran Church. The parental family in- cluded nine children, seven of whom are living, viz: Charles, Minnie, Annie, Robert G., Laura, Bertha and Louis. Alvina and Louise both died at the age of thirty-two.
OHN MASSEY. One of the most prominent - men in Center Township, and one who occu- pies a front rank among the citizens of the eonnty, is he whose name initiates this sketeh. 'He is a farmer and stockman, having at present 430 acres of highly prodnetive land, on section 22, although he formerly owned a much larger tract. Upon this land he has made fine improvements, the buildings being substantial and adequate. llis house, a frame structure, is one of the best build- ings in this section, and is represented on another page of this work by a fine engraving.
James Massey, the father of our subject, was born in Ireland, of English descent. His mother, Jane Alderdice. was born in County Armagh, Ire- land, where she was married to Mr. Massey, and where they lived until 1848. Ilaving resolved to seek a home across the waters, they left Belfast in July on a sailing vessel and after spending six weeks on the broad Atlantic, landed at Quebec, and continned their journey to Adams County, Ohio, where Mr. Massey had relatives. They lived near Winchester, in that county, about two years, then in the spring of 1851 removed to Mercer County, Ill. Here they toiled and labored in company with other bold and sturdy pioneers, until eighteen years had come and gone; then journeying westward, they settled upon a plain in Osage County, Kan. After one year's residence there they removed to this county, settling in Center Township, on section 14, where the father died about 1879. The mother still survives at an advanced age. Both were members of the Episcopal Church. Their family consisted of five children, three sous and two daughters.
Our subject was the oldest member of his father's family, and was born in County Armagh. Ireland, Aug. 10, 1839. Ile came with his parents to this country and lived under the parental roof most of the time until he came to Kansas. In the spring of 1864 he entered the Union army, enlisting at Aledo, Mercer Co, Ill .. and was enrolled in Company F, 140th Illinois Infantry. His enlist- ment was for the period of 100 days, which he afterward extended to six months. At the expira- tion of this term of service he returned to Aledo. and about a year afterward engaged in the grocery business, in which he continued nutil Jan. 1869. Preempting a claim in Osage County, Kan., he re- mained thereon about one year, and was at the same time engaged in the lumber business. In 1870 he came to this county, settling on section 22 in Center Township, where he has sinee resided.
At Atchison, Kan., July 19, 1869, was celebrated the marriage of our subject to Miss Sarah E. Allen, daughter of O. C. and Johanna (Osborn) Allen. The bride's parents were among the early settlers of Knox County, Ill., whence they removed to this county, about the year 1864, and settled in what is
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now Vermillion Township. They are now residents of Marysville. Mrs. Massey was born in Hender- son, Knox Co, Ill., June 20, 1846. She is the mother of nine daughters-Albertha, Mary B., Lillie M. and Minnie E. (twins), Julia, .Jennie, Jessie, Josie and an infant unnamed.
Mr. Massey has held the office of Clerk of Cen- ter Township and Township Treasurer, discharging the duties of both positions in a very creditable manner. He is an ardent Republican, whose first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln. Both he and his wife are members in high standing of the Methi- odist Episcopal Church. Mr. Massey combines the best traits of the two races from which he de- scended, being a man of quick perceptions, active wit, firm principles, energetic, reliable, and in all respects worthy of the high esteem in which he is held.
F6 RANCIS J. KRILEY. The 80-acre farm owned by the subject of this sketch is con- sidered one of the finest tracts of land in St. Bridget Township. Just across the road from the homestead lies a quarter section owned by himself and his two brothers, which is mostly devoted to pasturage. The first mentioned is embellished with a modest, but substantial frame dwelling, one and one half stories in height with suitable outbuildings, shrubbery and fruit trees, the latter embracing an orchard of thirty apple trees which are just begin- ning to bear. Not far away is a grove of over 1,500 forest trees, planted by the hand of the present proprietor. The family of our subject includes his amiable wife and one son, Francis J., who was born June 22, 1889.
The subject of this sketch was born April 1. 1853, in Butler County, Pa., and is the son of Fran- cis J. Kriley, the latter a native of Germany, whence he emigrated when a boy of twelve years, settling in Butler County, Pa., where he spent the remainder of his life. The maiden name of the mother was Savinah Bedillion, who was born in Pennsylvania. Our subject remained with his par- ents until twenty-six years of age and then, in com- pany with his brothers, John and Jacob, started for
Kansas. He entered the employ of the Grand Island Railroad Company, with which he remained until the 3d of July, 1880. We next find him in Central City, Col., near which he went into the woods and was employed in getting out timber. When reaching that place he had only $10 in cash, and he paid out $3 of this for the first night's lodging. He was fairly prospered in his labors, making some money, and sojourned in that region until 1882. Then returning to this county he pur- chased a quarter of section 4, in St. Bridget Town- ship, upon which he immediately settled and remained until the 24th day of December. 1885. Ile boarded with his brother, who lives on section 4, until the winter of 1886. In the meantime he had for a period of eight years been corresponding with one of his childhood friends in Pennsylvania, and now reparing to that State was married, Jan. 4, 1887, the bride being Miss Fanny Mangel. The young people immediately set out for the West, ar- riving in this State, May 6, and commenced house- keeping Nov. 21st, following.
Mrs. Kriley is the daughter of Claude and Mary (Gallagher) Mangel. The paternal grandfather, Claude Mangel, Sr., emigrated with his family from France when Claude, Jr., was but a boy. They settled in Pennsylvania where Miss Fanny was born. The maternal grandfather was Peter Gallagher, a native of Ireland, and supposed to have been born in County Galway. He was mar- ried after coming to the United States to Miss llan- nah Seypher, of Pennsylvania, who lived to be ninety-two years old, and died in May, 1888. Grandfather Mangel was eighty-four years old at the time of his death. Mr. Kriley usually votes the Democratie ticket, and with his estimable wife is a member in good standing of St. Bridget Cath- olie Church.
NDREW P. KRILEY. Although only a resident of this county since 1886, Mr. Kriley has made for himself a good record, and in company with his brother is en- gaged in farming on section 9. He was born in Butler County, Pa., Sept. 16, 1855, and is the son
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of F. J. Kriley, a native of Germany, and mention of whom is made in the sketch of F. J. Kriley, Jr .. which will be found on another page of this vol- ume. Ile lived with his parents in Pennsylvania, until reaching his majority. receiving such educa- tional advantages as the public schools afforded. Later he attended the Normal School for a num- ber of sessions, after which he employed himself as a teacher three terms in Pennsylvania and one term in Pawnee County. Neb. This is across the line from Marshall County, Kan,, to which place his brother Frank had preceded him. After teaching seven months in Nebraska, in the meantime making his home over the line in this county, he. in the spring of 1880. went in company with his four brothers to Colorado. Mr. Kriley remained in Colorado until 1886. but in the meantime his brother Frank and himself, purchased the quarter section of land upon which they now live. A year or so later the two, in company with their brother John, purchased another quarter section adjoining, which the three operate together, and which yields them handsome returns.
On the 1st of July, 1884, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Lanra, daughter of Edwin and Annette ( Barton) King. The father of Mrs. Kriley was the son of Richard King, of Cleve- land, Ohio. Edwin King sojourned in the Buekeye State until after his marriage, then removed with his family to Iowa, and from there to Kansas. Ilis next removal was to Colorado, where he settled with his family, including six children, and in that State our subject met his future bride. They soon returned to this county.
Mr. Kriley, since returning to this county, has, with the assistance of his two brothers, put up the house in which he now lives, and which is a neat frame structure, one and one half stories in height. Under it is a good stone foundation and a cellar. The house is similar to that of F. J. Kriley, and neither of the boys paid out a dollar to a carpenter, or to any other workman. in the erection of the two buildings. There are good stables and outhouses, and our subject has about sixteen apple trees, 150 peach trees, thirty mulberry trees and about 700 forest trees. He has two good wells upon his place. which are usually well supplied with water,
besides having running water in his pastures. The eastern line of the farm is enclosed and provided mostly with hedge fencing.
Mr. and Mrs. Kriley are the parents of two eliildren, Judd Francis and Bessie. Politically. our subjeet votes with the Democratic party, while both he and his wife belong to St. Bridget Catho- lie Church.
OSEPII E. LEMONS is the owner and ocen- pant of a fine farm of 160 acres on section 10. Wells Township, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising. The estate is well improved and under excellent cultivation and its owner is carrying on a successful business, Mr. Lemons is a native of Crawford County, Wis., and was born Oct. 3, 1842. He was a son of Jacob and Gertrude ( Wells) Lemons, the father a native of North Carolina and the mother of New York.
Jacob Lemons was a soldier in the Black Hawk War, and was an express messenger. In a Macki- naw boat he rowed on the Mississippi River from Prairie du Chien to St. Peters at the time of the Bad Ax fight. He was one of the first soldiers in Prairie du Chien, and took a squad of men into the woods on what is now known as the Minnesota River, where they cut timber with which to build Old Fort Caranford, at Prairie du Chien. It is said that when he went to that place a white man would not dare show his face from behind the bluffs. He was the father of a large family, as fol- lows: Rebecca, wife of Oscar Ward; Jacob; Susan. wife of John B. Covel; Joseph E .; Theodore; Car- oline; Walter; Moses, and David. The latter was a soldier in the late Civil War, and died of chronic diarrhea.
Joseph E. Lemons, of whom we write, was reared in his native county and State, receiving but a limited education. Ile improved such advantages as he had, however, in the way of schooling and reading, and gathered quite a fund of general information. In Angust, 1861, he enlisted in the Live Eagle Regiment (8th Wisconsin Infantry). his name being on the muster-roll of Company F.
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Hle participated in the battles of Inka, Fredericks- town, Mo., and others, and many skirmishes of minor importance. In October. 1862. he received an honorable discharge. and returned to his native State. There he was married in September, 1863, to Miss Emma Wells, who bore him three children: Stephen J. is still living, and JJane and Orpha are deceased. Mr. Lemons was married a second time, Nov. 10, 1872, the bride being Miss Ellen Gilbert- son. The result of this union has been five chil- dren-Lottie, Etta, Burton, Mabel and Walter.
Mr. Lemons' principal business in life has been farming, though he has been able to turn his hand to other work. as circumstances indicated was best. While in Wisconsin he was for two years under contract to furnish railroad ties to a company. In the spring of 1880 he removed to Brown County, Kan., where he remained about three years. Dur- ing the first year he had a contract to furnish water for the St. Joseph & Western Railroad Com- pany from St. Joseph to Grand Island. The next two years he spent in the grocery business at IIia- watha. lu the spring of 1883 he came to this county, and settled where he now resides.
Mr. Lemons gives his political adherence to the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity at Frankfort, and also of the A. O. U. W. He has served as School Treasurer of District No. 45 for several years. As an enterprising and progressive citizen, and a man of honor and integ- rity, Mr. Lemons is esteemed by the community.
OHIN B. WEBSTER, late of Blue Rapids Township, and who departed this life Oct. 3, 1886, was one of the early pioneers, and one of the most highly respected residents of this county. Hle was born in Bath County, Ky .. Feb. 22, 1824, and was the son of Samuel and Anne (Robbins) Webster. lle remained a resident of his native State until some years after his marriage, which occurred Oct. 14, 1849, the maiden of his choice being Miss Susan. daughter of Thomas and Amanda Wells.
Mr. and Mrs. Webster emigrated from the Blue
Grass region across the Mississippi in 1864, in or- der to establish a new home in Northern Kansas. Mr. Webster took up a tract of land and labored upon it early and late in true pioneer style, and in due time received his reward in the produce of his fertile fields and in being able to gather around him all the comforts of life. Ile was a man who made many friends, and by his upright character enjoyed in a marked degree the esteem and confi- dence of his fellow citizens. Ile was a kind and affectionate husband, and a man whose loss was sensibly felt. Politically, he affiliated with the Democratic party. Ile was quite prominent in local affairs, and at one time was the candidate of his party for Representative, but was defeated on account of the party being in the minority in the county.
Mrs. Susan ( Wells) Webster was. like her hus- band, a native of Bath County, Ky., and was born Jan. 3. 1834. Of her parents a sketch will be found on another page in this volume. Iler mother was a lady of more than ordinary worth, and we append the notice of her decease which was published in one of the local papers at the time, and which indicates the estimation in which she was held by the people among whom she settled in the pioneer days.
" On the night of May 15, 1886, Mrs. Amanda Wells, wife of Thomas and mother of the Hon. J. D. Wells, departed this life. In the history of pioneer life in Marshall County no woman has left a more noble record. No hand was ever extended to her for help that went away empty. A mother to the motherless, a friend to the friendless, her house was a home to the homeless, and her sympathy and kindness as boundless as the sufferings and wants of humanity. The memory of those kind words and acts every old settler of Marshall. County will hold sacred through life. She came to Kansas from Kentucky in 1858, and lived on the place where she and her husband settled until the seventy-seventh year of her age. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Mr. Campbell from the residence."
Mrs. Webster was reared to womanhood in her native county, and received a common-school edu- cation, which, however, did not approach that en-
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joyed by the young people of the present day. Soon after reaching the fifteenth year of her age she was married, and lived with her husband in Kentucky until coming to the West. She had re- ceived careful home training, and was well-fitted to enter upon the duties and difficulties of pioneer life. She assisted her husband in the building up of their home, and since his death has remained at the homestead, where she is spending her declining years. Her farm embraces 470 aeres of choice land. embellished with substantial buildings, & goodly assortment of live stock. and machinery and all other appliances of the modern homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Webster have had no children.
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