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 63
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
192
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
Allen Fairchild, a farmer living half a mile east of Barrett Station, in Wells Township: she is the mother of one child. Martha is the wife of Simon Massey, a blacksmith in Barrett, and has two chil- dren. James, Margaret, William and Joel are un- married and reside at home.
Mrs. Mills is a consistent and worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Mills is a Republican in politics; he is a member of Hender- son Post, No. 53. G. A. R. In his prime he was possessed of rugged strength, and now shows little of declining energy, the lack of sight being the only noticeable physical weakness. Ile is a man of intelligence and an abundant supply of good com- mon sense. and is a thoroughly respected citizen.
ILLIAM D. WARNICA, whose home is on section 14, Wells Township, is one of the earliest settlers of that locality, to which he came in 1869. He was born in the town of Barry, Canada, Dec. 19, 1848, and was a son of Joseph and Melvina (Denure) Warnica. The father was of German descent and the mother a native of New York State.
Joseph Warnica removed from Canada to Kent County. Mich., when our subjeet was about eight years of age. He settled six miles south of Grand Rapids. In the year 1861 he enlisted in the Union Army, and his family last heard of him in 1866. lle had been mustered out of the service and was on his way home. All trace of him was lost at Columbus, Ohio. and it is supposed he was there murdered for his money. Ilis widow continued to reside in the State of Michigan until she sold her home and followed her son to this county. ller death took place in Wells Township, Oct. 11, 1876. She was a member of the Christian Church. She was the mother of ten children, seven of whom are now living: Peter is in Texas; Joseph G. is in Oklahoma, I. T .; Melvina, wife of O. Crandall, is in Colorado; William D. and George A. are in Missouri; Calvin is in Wells Township, this county; and James H. is in Morris County. this State.
The gentleman of whom we write was reared to
man's estate in Michigan, whence be came to Marshall County, as before stated He filed a claim on a homestead of eighty acres, which he re- claimed from its primitive condition into a well- improved farm. He subsequently purchased forty acres, and by dint of his energy and economy has placed himself on a firm financial basis. Wolves, deer and other " varmint" were plentiful when he came, and he has experienced the nsual hardships and privations of pioneer life.
September 3, 1873, Mr. Warnica celebrated his marriage to Anna Osborn. She was born in Iili- nois, and was a daughter of Robert and Betsey Osborn. Her parents were early settlers of this county, and now reside in Frankfort. Mr. and Mrs. Warnica are the happy parents of fonr chil- dren-Victor L., Alphonso. Bessie and Robert.
Mr. Warnica casts his vote with the Republican party. Though his educational advantages in youth were rather limited, and he is practically self-educated, he is much interested in the schools. and is serving as Director of District No. 109. An upright and moral man, and a public-spirited citizen, Mr. Warnica merits and receives tl.c re- spect of his fellow citizens.
ILLIAM CASSIDY. The successful man in a community is always an object of more or less interest, and if his course has been marked by honesty and uprightness, he secures for himself that genuine deference and respect which is of more value than wealth. Mr. Cassidy during the period of nineteen years. at which time he com- menced with modest means, has accumulated a fine property, embracing a well-cultivated farm of 423 acres, with the residence on section 9. Ile bears the reputation of having been a most useful mem- ber of the community-one who has given his in- fluence in favor of the establishment of schools and churches. and all the enterprises calculated to ad- vance the people, socially. morally and financially. He has been a School Director in his district since first coming to Rock Township. in 1870. He has likewise officiated as Road Supervisor, and has been
493
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church, to which he tenders a liberal support. Politically, he is a leading Republican.
The Cassidy family originated in Ireland, and during the last century has been located mostly in the northern part of Erin, where William Cas- sidy. Sr., the father of our subject. was born. Ilis paternal grandfather, John Cassidy, a native of the same region. was a substantial farmer, and a mem- ber of the Old-School Presbyterian Church. Will- iam, Sr., owned a farm in his native county, where he lived until 1830, then, emigrating to America, located in the vicinity, of Pittsburg, Pa., and was employed in the iron furnaces, and in the manufac- ture of charcoal. After a time he purchased fifty- eight acres of land in Butler County, upon which he operated in 1860. when he changed his residence to Allegheny, where he now (1889) lives at the age of seventy-three years. Ile is a Republican, politically, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.
The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Elizabeth Reid. She was the daughter of Will- iam Reid, and like him was born in Scotland, and was reared upon a farm in the Lowlands. Grandfather Reid finally removed to Ireland, where he parchased land, and carried on farming until his death. He likewise was a member of the Presbyte- rian Church. His daughter Elizabeth was educa- ted in Ireland, and died in Pennsylvania at the age of seventy years. Of her union with William Cas- sidy, Sr., there were born seven children, the oldest of whom, a son, John A., is a resident of Pittsburg, Pa. William. our subject, was the second born; David lives in Pittsburg; Margaret is deceased; Eliza J., Mrs. Reid, is living in Australia; Leab and Samuel are deceased.
The subject of this sketch was born in Allegheny City, Pa .. Feb. 17, 1845. He lived there until ar- riving at the age of maturity. receiving his educa- tion in the common schools. In the meantime he learned the tanner's trade, and remained a member of the parental household until reaching the twenty- enird year of his age, then operated a fruit and vegetable farm until 1870. Deciding to seek his fortunes in the West, in the spring of that year he came to Atchison by rail, and in due time emigra-
ting to this county, purchased eighty acres of rail- road land at $6.50 per acre. He commenced the improvement of his property with a breaking team of oxen, and was successful from the start. He gradually added to his real estate 240 acres on sec- tion 8, 100 acres on section 7, and three acres on section 6. From his little capital of $400 he has built up a goodly estate, and furnished an example of prudence and good management most worthy of emulation.
The first purchase of land by Mr. Cassidy in this county, was without any improvements whatever. He has expended a large amount of time and money in the erection of buildings-a honse and barn, together with the other necessary structures -and has accumulated the machinery requisite for the most profitable cultivation of the soil. He has a geared windmill, which he utilizes as required about the premises. He has set out forest and fruit trees, grape vines included, and has a milkhouse provided with all the conveniences for dairying. His live-stock embraces ninety-three head of graded Short-horn cattle. a goodly rumber of Poland- China and Jersey . Red swine ( three cars of which he ships annually ), and graded Norman and Clydes- (lale horses. three teams of which he uses in his farm operations.
Mr. Cassidy was married Dec. 27 1869, in Ilar- risburg, Pa., to Miss Anna J. Stevenson, who was born near Philadelphia, Pa., July 22, 1849. Mrs. Cassidy is the daughter of Alexander Stevenson. who with his father, Joseph Stevenson, was born in Scotland, where the latter occupied himself as a manufacturer and bleacher of linen, and where he spent his entire life. Alexander emigrated to America when a young man, and locating in Phila- delphia engaged in the dry-goods trade, wholesale and retail, at which he continued until his death. in 1857. at the age of thirty-two years. In religion he was a seceder.
The mother of Mrs. Cassidy, whose maiden name was Mary Russell, was a native of Scotland, and the daughter of Samuel Russell, who was in the employ of the Government until emigrating to America. Here he engaged in farming near the city of Philadelphia until his death. Mrs. Mary Cassidy departed this life near the Quaker City, in
494
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
1863. There were only two children in the family -Samuel R., a resident of Atchison, and engaged in the furniture business; and Anna J. The wife of our subject was reared on her grandfather's farm near Philadelphia, receiving good school advan- tages, and remaining there until her marriage. She is now the mother of seven children, viz .: Samuel S., Sarah E., Mary J., Walter B., Willie R., David A., and Margaret M. They are still at home with their parents, and comprise a bright and interesting group, of which the parents may well be proud. A fine engraving of their pleasant home and sur- roundings appears on another page of the ALBUM.
C HARLES B. WILSON. The agricultural interests of Marysville are well represented by the above-named gentleman, who is a large stock-raiser, and a member of the firm of Jo- seph Wilson & Son. These gentlemen own a large farm of 900 acres near this place, and with a great deal of pride and pleasure exhibit to the vis- itor some of the finest cattle and horses to be seen within the country around. Their stoek, which is registered, embraces a number of full-blooded Short-horn cattle, and two Imperial Percheron stallions, also an Imperial mare, "Flora." In addi- tion they have fifty head of high-bred mares, and also a large number of young stock. all finely bred. The stock farm of Wilson & Son is considered one of the finest in the county, feeding on an aver- age about 400 cattle every year.
The buildings, yards and fences on the farm of our subject are all in fine order, and everything in connection with the estate shows the busi- ness-like management of the firm. It is really a treat to the stranger to view the handsome horses, sleek and well-fed cattle, which range at will over its ample pastures. A visit to Marysville is incom- plete without viewing these noble animals.
Mr. Wilson is also the senior member of the firm of Wilson & Shepard, livery men of Marysville, who handle all classes of live-stock, horses, cattle and hogs, and also deal in grain. Mr. Wilson, how- ever, makes his home upon the farm. Charles B.
Wilson was born in Boston, Jan. 15, 1854, where the first seven years of his life werc passed. His next residence was at Malden, five miles from Bos- ton. Later he made his home in Maine, and finished his education at Brunswick, that State, pre- paratory to entering Bowdoin College. However, after passing his examination he took the Western fever, and spent the next year in Indiana. His life now was mainly ont of doors, most of the time be- ing spent in hunting, in company with his father. (For sketch of his father see that of Joseph Wil- son, on another page in this ALBUM.)
May 20, 1873, Mr. Joseph Wilson arrived in Marysville, and purchased a farm, which was con- sidered improved for that time, and here he and his son established the Blue Valley Stock Farm, above described. Mr. C. B. Wilson married Miss Hattie Montgomery, a sister of Mrs. M. S. Shepard, Jan. 19, 1876. Miss Montgomery's native place was Hanover. Ill. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Masonic order. Past Master of the Marysville Lodge, Past High Priest of Marysville Chapter, and is also a member of the Hiawatha Commandery. It may be of interest to note that Mr. Wilson is one of the few 32d degree Masons in this vicinity. In politics he is a Republican. using his influence to angment the best interests of the party, but is not in any sense of the word an office seeker. He pos- sesses great executive ability, is highly respected, and considered one of the most prominent men of the city and county.
NDREW SHEARER. Among the straight advocates of the Union Labor movement there are few having more sound, practical ideas than Mr. Shearer, who is a well-in- formed man of more than ordinary ability, accept- ing life as it is and striving to make the best of it. Hle is of substantial Seoteh ancestry, from " away back," and was himself born in the Land of the Thistle, which he left, however, when a young man and has become fully identified with American in- stitutions. He is an old time resident of Rock Township, his home lying on section 19, where he
495
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
has 200 aeres of valuable land. He occupies a high position in both social and business eireles, and is looked upon as a representative citizen who has contributed his full quota in advaneing the interests of his adopted eounty.
The childhood home of our subject was in Lan- arkshire, near the city of Glasgow, where he was born Mareh 10, 1850. He was reared upon a farm, receiving good school advantages, and when six- teen years old began an apprenticeship at the car- penter's trade, which he followed four years. Then in October, 1870, he set sail for America, with his father, on the steamer "Columbia," of the Anchor Line which, two weeks later, landed them safely in New York City. Thenee they proceeded to Can- ada, but not liking the outlook in that region, three weeks later returned to the States and set out on their journey to Northern Kansas.
The father of our subject secured a traet of land in the vieinity of Frankfort, this county. and An- drew assisted in its cultivation and improvement until reaching his majority. He then homesteaded eighty acres of land in Roek Township, section 10, which he oceupied five years, then sold and pur- chased 160 acres of raw land on section 22. This he improved and occupied until 1883, then traded it for his present farm, upon which he has effected fine improvements, has feneed the land and brought it to a good state of cultivation. There is an abundance of native timber and the soil is highly produetive. It lies on both sides of Vermillion Creek and is seven miles from market. Mr. Shearer makes a specialty of live stock, to which he feeds the most of his grain, having high-grade Norman and Hambletonian horses, Poland-China swine and Short-horn cattle. He uses two teams in his farm operations, and realizes handsome returns. He is prominent among the agrieulturists of this section and has offieiated as a Direetor in the Vermillion Valley Farmers Association Fair, and is frequently one of the judges in the awarding of premiums.
In 1880 Mr. Shearer was united in marriage with Miss Mary B Walker. the ceremony being per- formed at the bride's home in Roek Township. This lady is the daughter of an old and well-known resident, Isaac Walker, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. Four children
have been born of this union, viz : George W., David W .. Herbert W., and Winnifred W. Mr. Shearer has frequently served as a delegate to the county eon- ventions of his party and attended the National Convention at Cineinnati, Ohio, in February, 1887, when the party was formally organized. He has been a School Director in his distriet for many years, and served as Commissioner of Ilighways and Township Clerk and Treasurer, each one year. He was formerly a member of the Grange and of several temperanee organizations, and the Knights of Labor. He was member of the Greenback party, and cast his first Presidential vote for Horace Greeley. Ile was at one time a member of the Central Committee of the Union Labor party and stumped the county at two different times. It is his opinion that farming in Northern Kansas is not very profitable at the present time, most of the farmers laboring under a mortgage eaused by an arbitrary shrinkage of values and excessive inter- est, a high rate of transportation and the big salary paid to officials.
The father of our subjeet was James Shearer, likewise a native of Lanarkshire, Scotland, and born in 1810. The paternal grandfather was Archibald Shearer, an honest yeoman of the same place who there spent his entire life. The maternal great-grandfather of our subjeet was forced into the British service during the American Revolution- ary war, and died of dysentery while on ship eross- ing the ocean. James Shearer prosecuted farming in Seotland until emigrating to America in 1870. Soon after landing he set out for Northern Kansas and homesteaded eighty aeres of land in Roek Township, this county. He was prospered in his labors as a tiller of the soil and is now the owner of 400 aeres of land which is valuable and well improved. In religious views he leans to the Presbyterian faith in which he was trained, but occasionally attends the Methodist Episcopal Churel.
The subject of this sketeh has left the religion of his youth and is a pronounced freethinker on religion.
Mrs. Mary ( Marshall) Shearer, the mother of our subjeet, was born in Linlithgowshire, Scotland, and was the daughter of James Marshall. a native
496
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
of the same place and a blacksmith by trade, which he followed there all his life, operating as a master mechanie. Mrs. Shearer is now seventy-four years old, and the father of our subject seventy-nine. They are the parents of nine children of whom Agnes and Archibald are deceased. James is a resident of Rock Township. Andrew, our subjeet. was the fourth child; George, who was a farmer in Rock Township, died Sept. 19, 1889; Annie, (Mrs. Douglas) is also a resident of this township; John is a resident of Wells Township; Thomas died in infancy; Mary, (Mrs. Boggs) lives in Guittard Township.
RANK W. HUTCHINSON, son of Perry Hutchinson, of Marysville, whose sketel appears on another page in this work, was born in Palo, Linn Co., Iowa, Aug. 2, 1857. When two years of age his father removed to Marysville. where our subject attended school until the age of sixteen. He then entered the Highland (Kansas) School, from there went to Poughkeepsie, N. Y .. where he graduated from Eastman's Business Col- lege. Returning to Marysville. he kept his father's books, and managed his lumber yard until twenty- one years old. About that time he had three ears run over him, the injuries laying him up for some time; and also while at Marysville, a horse that he was riding, reared and fell backward. and so severe were the injuries thereby occasioned, that our sub- jeet was in a state of unconsciousness for seven weeks, and only regained his strength very slowly.
In the spring of 1879 our subjeet eame to Beattie, and established a grocery store. by the burning of which, two months later, he lost every dollar he had. But undeterred by disaster he again started in business, soon building up a good trade, and has sinee been blessed by continued prosperity, now having the leading grocery store in the town. Marel 4, 1889, he received his commission as Post- master, and took possession Mareh 9. He has also been to some extent engaged in buying and ship- ping grain. Mr. Ilutehinson is a man of ability and sterling character, well liked by his fellow-
townsmen and one who has made for himself a position and record of which any young man may be proud.
Our subject was married Feb. 2, 1878, to Miss Dorcas Carson, of Marysville, who died Nov. 20, 1883. Dee. 2, 1884, he took for his second wife Miss Emma Brumbaugh, of Peoria, III. Miss Brumbaugh was born at Valparaiso, Ind., in 1864, the family afterward removing to Peoria, where she lived until 1881, and then came to Kansas. Mr. Hutchinson votes with the Republican party, but has never been an office-seeker, the position which he holds coming to him through the good will of his townsmen, and their feeling that by him the publie would be well served.
On another page of the ALBUM will be found a lithographie engraving of the pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson, where they welcome and hospitably entertain their many friends.
ILLIAM MEINECKE. Among those who have suffered the hardships and discour- agements of pioneer life. endured with pa- tience the many trials and discomforts ineident to the development of a home on the frontier, and enjoyed the successful outcome of labor in a pleas- ant home and fine farm, we mention the name of William Meinecke, and herewith place on record a few important facts concerning his busy and pros- perous life.
lle of whom we write was born of thrifty Ger- man parentage, near Bremen, in the Province of Hanover, Germany, and the date of his birth was Nov. 16, 1847. He is thus now in the prime of an honorable and useful eareer. and surrounded by a happy family and pleasant friends, is in an enviable position. and seems to have everything essential to life's happiness. His father was the first German settler in his community, and his son is accorded the respeet due a pioneer who has battled success- fully with the nnenItivated soil, and has caused the "wilderness to blossom as a rose."
The residence of our subject and his estimable wife is represented elsewhere in the ALBUM by
.
F. W. HUTCHINSON CROCERY STORE.
F. W.HUTCHINSON. CROCERY STORE
POST OFFICE
RES. & BUSINESS PROPERTY OF F. W. HUTCHINSON, BEATTIE. KAN.
RES. OF WM MEINECKE, SEC. 36. HERKEMER TP.
499
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
a fine view, and is a fine, commodious one, at- tracting the attention and admiration of the passer- by, who invariably pauses to view the beautiful surroundings and remark upon the air of taste, culture, and prosperity visible everywhere on the farm. The house stands back a short distance from the road, with which it is connected by a long, in- viting driveway, lined on either side by forest trees, whose lofty branches droop over the secluded path, and wave and rustle in the summer breeze, or bend with the weight of the winter snow and ice. Imag- ining ourselves to pass along the drive-way and beneath the shade of the trees, we come first to the residence, neatly painted and attractive without, and within furnished with every evidence of taste and comfort; thence we proceed back to the barn, also commodions, and kept in excellent repair, and well stored in the winter with grain; standing there, we see near us a windmill. which supplies the farm with a never-failing abundance of water, and turn- ing in another direction, we notice a large stone building, used as a milk and fruit house. Around us are green meadows and pastures, in which stock are grazing, for Mr. Meinecke is interested in stock, and has some good grades on his farm. As we no- tice all this, we are compelled to pause and admire the master hand which has devised all these com- forts, and examine the principal elements in the character of the owner, who now lives in the pleas- ant consciousness that he has his farin all paid for, and owes no man.
Glancing more closely at the personal history of Mr. Meinecke, and at the record of his ancestry, we find that his father and step-mother, Henry and Minnie (Shotte) Meinecke, came to the United States when their son, our subject, was six years of age, and located in Cook County, Ill., where they lived on rented land until 1861, a period of nine years. Not feeling entirely satisfied with the prospects for the future there, and Kansas being then the El Dorado of thousands of people, they joined the ranks of emigrants, and once more seek- ing a new home, located in Marshall County, this State. Their journey to Kansas had been made by rail to St. Joseph. Mo., where the father bought a yoke of oxen and a wagon, and proceeded thus to his frontier home. He supported his family the
first winter of his residence in the county by haul- ing corn from Brownsville to Rock County, a dis- tance of at least 100 miles. The only pay he received was the profit on the corn, a mere pit- tance, but it kept hunger from the door until something better was offered to them.
Henry Meinecke first preempted a claim on some land, which upon coming into market was bought by a speculator. Then he took another homestead of 160 acres. At the home thus es- tablished, and improved by his hard labor and unremitting, persevering toil, the father passed to rest in April, 1864. A few years after this event the stepmother married Henry Frederick, and is now a resident of this township. Henry Meinecke had been during his lifetime an active member of the Lutheran Church, of which his ancestors were also members, and in which his family was reared.
The early years of our subject were spent upon the home farm, in the midst of the hardships of pioneer existence, and there he grew to a hardy, robust manhood. He experienced dangers and ex- ercised self-denials, in common with all other resi- dents of the county. On one occasion there was a general failure of erops, a statement which can be realized in all its horrors only by those who have suffered its realities, and our subject was sent to Marysville to procure provisions. When he arrived in that city he had 85, received from the sale of a load of hay, but could not find a sack of flour or meal in the whole village. Yet he endured these struggles with all the courage and liope natural to youth, and after the death of his father worked by the month until he had saved enough money to start out for himself and "paddle his own canoe." ffe first took up a claim of eighty acres, later sold it, and finally became possessed of his fine farm of 126 acres, for which he paid $1,200. and 103 aeres which he bought of the railroad for $6.25 per acre. Besides having paid for this, he has bought good grades of stock, and has been enabled to lay aside a neat surplus.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.