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 66
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James E. and Emily C. Ball were the parents of two children-Charles H., the eldest, was born April 28, 1855, and died Oct. 3, 1879. unmarried. lle was a bright boy, and ambitions to learn, and over-study at school when he was about thirteen
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years old, produced chronic ill health, which ter- minated his life at the age of twenty-four years. The other child, Marrietta S., was born Dec. 28, 1859, and is now the wife of Charles H. Ekins, one of the enterprising merchants of Blue Rapids.
Since coming here Mr. Ball has been a member of the Blue Rapids City Council, but has no desire for office, and avoids it as much as possible. lle is a Republican in polities and a stanch supporter of the party. He is a member of the Congregational Church of Blue Rapids, of which for years he has been a Deacon. The people among whom his life has for now nearly a score of years been passed, speak of Mr. Ball in high terms. He is classed among the best of the old settlers, of whom the "Genesee Colony" of which he was a member, gave a goodly number to the country.
SC RED VEITH. Although twenty-four years have passed since the close of the Civil War. its incidents and experiences are still fresh in the minds of those who suffered its vicissi- tudes, and upon whom it left its lasting imprint. The subject of this sketch, a man of fine abilities and large experience, in remembering the events of his past life frequently recalls the horrors of Ander- sonville, in which he suffered to such an extent that he will probably never entirely recover from the strain, both mental and physical, which he en- dured during the awful season of his captivity. He is of French birth and ancestry, and after giving his faithful service to his adopted country, chose farming for his vocation, and is now finely situated on a good farm of 120 acres on section 20, Rock Township. He also has 160 acres of land on sec- tion 7. As a citizen and a member of the commu- nity he is held in high esteem.
Our subject, a native of Baldenheim, France, was a Christmas gift to his parents, having been born Dec. 25, 1843. He was reared in the town and at- tended the public schools from the age of six years until thirteen, becoming familiar with both the French and German languages. When a lad of eleven years he, in 1855, emigrated with his par-
ents to America, leaving the port of Havre in April, embarking on a sailing-vessel and landing in New York City after a voyage of thirty-three days. They encountered two severe storms in the mean- time, during which the waves ran high, and to an inexperienced voyager, threatened serious danger. From the metropolis the family proceeded to Chi- cago, Ill., later spent one month in Lake County, then went into DuPage County, where the father engaged in farming and Fred attended school two years. He remained under the parental roof until after the outbreak of the Civil War, and on the 29th of February, 1864, enlisted in Company E, 55th Illinois Infantry, which was mustered in at Chi- cago.
From Chicago our subject repaired to Springfield, Ill., where his regiment remained three weeks, and was then ordered to Alabama. Shortly after- ward they proceeded toward Chattanooga, joining Sherman's army and marching with him through Georgia. Mr. Vieth was present at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, June 27, 1864, when the Union arms were defeated. The siege of At lanta opened on the 22d of July, and a portion of the 15th Army Corps, to which the 55th regiment belonged was captured by the enemy. Mr. Veith, with his comrades was taken first to Atlanta, then sent to Griffin Fort, and later to Andersonville, where their only bed was a blanket and their only shelter the sky. He was confined there two months when Sherman appeared with his troops and an ex- change was effected.
Our subject now joined the command of Gen. Sherman, with whom he went from Atlanta to the sea, skirmishing along the way until reaching Sa- vannah, Ga. Thence they proceeded by boatto Beaufort, S. C., after which they turned toward Raleigh, still skirmishing. After a time they jour- neyed to the National Capital, where our subject was present at the Grand Review as one of "Sher- man's bummers." Three weeks later he was sent to Parkersburg on the Ohio, and from there by boat to Louisville, Ky., where they were stationed for a time as guard, then proceeded by boat to Little Rock. sojourning there until August. Our subject was mustered out and received his honorable dis- charge at Chicago on the 25th of that month, after
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having served eighteen months. He experienced many hair-breadth escapes, and was frequently in the thickest of the fight with his comrades falling around him, but escaped unharmed.
Upon leaving the service our subject returned to DuPage County, Ill., and engaged in farming on his father's land. Ile had forty acres of his own adjoining, and lived there until twenty-eight years of age. In February, 1872, deciding to seek his fortunes in the farther West he came by rail to this county, and locating in Marshall County, Kan., farmed on rented land two years. He purchased his present place in 1874. He first visited Kansas in 1870 and purchased 160 acres of railroad land south of Frankfort, for which he paid $7.50 per acre, and which he sold in 1883. In 1874 he pur- chased a claim for $600 and lived upon it two years before homesteading it. He effected good im- provements, setting out forest and fruit trees and erecting buildings. A cyclone in 1879 destroyed the buildings. The family sought shelter in the cellar and no lives were lost.
The present homestead of our subject is located six miles north of Frankfort, and presents a series of well-cultivated fields with good buildings and machinery, including a wind-mill and water tanks, forest and fruit trees in abundance and the usual appurtenances of the well-regulated country estate. He has erected a commodious residence, which is represented by a fine view elsewhere in this ALBUM. The land is mostly devoted to grain and stoek, Mr. Veith feeding cattle and swine in large numbers, and in this way utilizing the most of his produce. His household consists of his wife and six children. He was married in Naperville, DuPage Co., Ill., Oct. 9, 1871, to Miss Saloma Sweikert. a native of France, who came to America with her father in 1870. The children born of this union were named respectively, Lena, Sally, Emma, Mary, Bertha (de- ceased), and Fred, Jr.
Our subject, politically, gives his support to the Union Labor party. In former years he was a Re- publican. He holds the office of Justice of the Peace, and belongs to the G. A. R. at Beattie. The father of our subject was Jacob Veith, a native of a Prov- ince formerly belonging to France, but now to Ger- many, and was born in 1805. He learned the trade
of a weaver and served two years in the Frenel army, participating in several battles. Later he established himself upon a small farm in connection with which he also followel his trade until set- ting out for America in 1855. After landing he made his way to Du Page County, Ill., establishing himself on a rented farm where he remained until 1863. He then purchased forty acres of land in the vicinty of Downer's Grove, made good im- provements and still resides there. He has been retired from active labor for some years, and has reached the advanced age of eighty-four. Politi- cally, he is a member of the Union Labor party and, religiously, he is a Lutheran.
Mrs. Saloma (Hertzel) Veith, the mother of our subject, was a native of the same Province as her husband, and was born in 1816. Her father, Fred- erick Hertzel served in Napoleon's army, and dur- ing the Russian campaign was run over by horses and seriously injured. He, however, recovered, and after the war was over returned to his native Province, and followed the trade of a shoemaker un- til his death. Mrs. Saloma Veith departed this life in Downer's Grove in April, 1887. The parental family included six children, viz .: Saloma (Mrs. Coonman) and Ursula (Mrs. Leahman ) of Du Page County, Ill .; Fred, our subject; Jacob, a farmer of Du Page County : Lena (Mrs. Conrad ) of Shelby County, Iowa, and Leah (Mrs. Wohlhueter) of Minnesota.
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W ILLIAM J. ROMMEL. Among the self- made men of Waterville and vicinity, Mr. Rommel deserves more than a passing men- tion. Ile is recognized as one of its most enter- prising citizens, one who has been foremost in all good works, jealous of the reputation of his adopted town, and giving his aid in advancing its interests whenever opportunity occurs. He com- meneed in life at the foot of the ladder, and by a close application to business, with the exercise of industry and economy, has become well-to-do. He possesses business qualifications of a high order, is careful and accurate in his transactions, prompt to
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meet bis obligations, and in all respects presents an example worthy of emulation. He is at present engaged in the drug trade, and has bis home in the south part of town. His family consists of his wife and six children, the latter named respectively Harry G., Otto H., Lena, Gertie, Lizzie and Nel- lie L.
A native of Gasconade County, Mo., our subject was born Aug. 13, 1850, and is the son of Jacob Rommel, who was a native of Germany. The latter emigrated to America in 1838, and settled in Penn- sylvania. where he lived until 1846. Ile then deter- mined to seek his fortunes beyond the Mississippi, and accordingly gathering together his family and household effects, moved overland to the wilds of Missouri. He thereafter spent the remainder of his life in Gasconade County, engaged in the fruit and nursery business, of which he made a great success. He departed this life in 1881, at the age of seventy-nine years. He bad in early manhood learned the draper's trade, at which he worked in early life. He was a man very popular and highly respected in his community, and belonged to the Masonic fraternity. To him and his wife, Cathie- rine, there were born six children, of whom our subject was the youngest.
Mr. Rommel received his education in the com- mon schools of his native county, and completed his studies in the city of St. Louis. He remained a member of the parental household until reaching his majority, and then repairing to Wathena, this State, commenced clerking in a drug store and was thus occupied for a period of five years. In 1875 he came to this county, and soon afterward established a drug store at Waterville, which he bas con- ducted successfully until the present time. He keeps a full stock of the articles in his line of trade, and has built up a large and lucrative patronage. Ile has very little to do with political affairs, but is a well informed man with decided views, and uni- formly gives his support to the Republican party. He has been for many years a member of the Ma- sonie fraternity, and also of the I. O. O. F.
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The marriage of our subject with Miss Katherina Quandt, of Hermann, Mo., was celebrated at the bride's home, May 15, 1875. Mrs. Rommel is the daughter of John and Mary Quandt, who were
natives of Germany, and are now residents of Hermann, Mo. She was born July 21, 1856, and re- mained with her parents until her marriage, acquir- ing a common school education, and becoming familiar with those housewifely duties which fitted her for her position in life as the wife and help- mate of a good man.
P REDERICK W. RAEMER, a leading Ger- man citizen of Logan Township, has been a lifelong farmer and owns a well-improved homestead on section 12, Logan Township, adjoin- ing the village of Herkimer. In referring to bis early history we find that he is a native of Prussia, born in Bonefeldt, one of the Rhine Provinces, July 28, 1830. His parents were Jobn W. and Albertenia Elstodorf Raemer, natives of the same Province. Living in a country which believes in compulsory education, our subject attended school during his younger years and thereafter employed himself in agricultural pursuits until a man of twenty-six. Tben, in 1856, resolving to seek his fortunes on the Western Continent, he secured . passage on board a sailing vessel, "The Sovereign of the Sea." early in June, which landed him safely in New York City after a voyage of thirty-five days. Thence he proceeded directly to Wisconsin, where he worked on a farm until the spring of 1860. His father and stepmother, the latter Mar- garet (Reinharth) Raemer, emigrated to America about 1858, and likewise located in the Badger State. In June, 1860 they all came to this county overland by team, locating upon land now occupied by our subject, and where they spent their last days. Mr. Raemer's own mother died in Prussia. All were members of the Evangelical Church as are our subject and his family.
Upon coming to this county Mr. Raemer found wild animals plentiful, together with a great many Indians. The land was in its original condition, very few white men having ventured to these parts. Our subject added to the original homestead, and has now a fine farm of 310 acres, embellished with a commodious stone dwelling, a large barn and
RESIDENCE OF FREDR.W. RAEMER, SEC.12. LOGAN TOWNSHIP, MARSHALL CO.
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various other outbuildings. This farm is consid- ered one of the best in Logan Township. Besides this Mr. Raemer owns 160 acres, embracing the southeast quarter of section 2, ninety acres of which is under the plow and the balance in pasture.
Our subject was married in Wisconsin, Oct. 12, 1859 to Miss Sophia, daughter of William and Mary A. Tillman, who were likewise natives of Prussia, and members of the Evangelical Church. Of this union there have been born ten children, eight of whom are now living. The eldest, Mary A., is the wife of Martin Schrieber, of Logan Township; William lives in Herkimer, and is rep- resented elsewhere in this work; George, Bertha, Frederick, Anne, Martin and Albertina, are at home with their parents. The deceased are Charles and Sophia. Mr. Raemer served two terms as Treasurer of Marysville, during the time it was a part of Lo- gan Township. Ile is looked upon as a representa- tive citizen who has contributed his share in the building up of Logan Township and the advance- ment of its material prosperity. Politically. he originally was a Republican, but is now independ- ent in his views.
We call the attention of our many readers to a handsome lithographic view of the fine farm of Mr. Raemer, in another part of this volume.
W ILLIAM J. CAMPBELL. This gentle- man, who is City Marshall of Axtell, is also engaged in operating the Hulburd elevator at Axtell, of which city he has been a res- ident for the past year, having located here in 1888. Prior to this he resided on his farm of 160 acres in Nemaha County, upon which he settled in 1882. It was at the time of purchase mostly un- improved, but is now all under the plow and em- bellished with good buildings. Personally, Mr. Campbell is a favorite both in social and business circles, being liberal and public-spirited, prompt to meet his obligations and a true gentleman in all the relations of life.
The subject of this notice was born in Prairie Township, Mahaska Co., Iowa, Sept. 12, 1857,
and lived in Union Township mostly until 1882, receiving a practical education and being bred to farm life. His father, John Campbell, was a na- tive of Pennsylvania and of Scotch-Irish ancestry. His paternal grandfather was James Campbell, who was born east of the Alleghany Mountains in Penn- sylvania, and, like his son, was a lifelong farmer. After his marriage he settled in Beaver County, where he spent the remainder of his life, and died at the advanced age of eighty-one ycars. The grandmother, whose maiden name was Rebecca Morrow, was a native of Ireland, but was brought to America by her parents when a child. She sur- vived her husband and died at the age of eighty years. Both were members of the United Presby- terian Church.
The father of our subject was one of a family of four sons and four daughters, and was born and reared in Beaver County, Pa. Ile grew up amid the peaceful pursuits of farm life in the Keystone State, and after reaching manhood was married to Miss Mary Mitchell, a native of his own county and of Irish descent on her mother's side. Her parents were Matthew and Nancy (Smith) Mitchell, the former a native of Pennsylvania and of Irish descent. He followed farming all his life, but when about sixty years old emigrated to Mahaska County, Iowa, and with his wife made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Campbell, until his death, which took place at the advanced age of ninety years. The mother lived to be eighty-nine; both were members of the Presbyterian Church.
The parents of our subject remained residents of Beaver County, Pa., until after the birth of their first child, Mary B., and then resolved to seek the West. They crossed the Mississippi early in the fifties, settling in Mahaska County, Iowa, and endured the usual hardships and privations incident to frontier life. Mr. Campbell improved a good farm in Prairie Township, which he sold and later purchased a farm in Union Township, where he lived until 1882. Then selling out, he came with his family to Nemaha County, this State, locating in Marion Township, where he has a well- developed farm, and is in the enjoyment of a com- fortable income.
Mr. Campbell, our subject. atter leaving the
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primary school, pursued his studies in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he completed his education. He came with his father's family to Nemaha County, this State, and in due time was married, March 17,1889, to Miss Ella Petre, who was born there in 1868. Her father died when she was a mere child. The mother is yet living, making her home in Axtell, and is sixty years of age. They came to Kansas during the early settlement of Nemaha County. being among its leading pioneers. Mrs. Campbell was about twelve years old when coming with her mother to Axtell, and grew up an intelligent and attractive young woman. receiving her education in the common school. Mrs. Campbell is a mem- ber in good standing of the Congregational Church. Our subjeet votes the straight Republican ticket, and is fulfilling the duties of his office as Marshal in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to all concerned.
ILLIAM H. ALLENDER. In point of location, fertility of soil and natural ad- vantages generally, the farm of Mr. Allen- der is not excelled by that of any man, probably, in Murray Township. It embraces 320 acres of thoroughly cultivated land lying on either side of Little Vermillion Creek, on section 9, and became the property of our subject in 1872 while in its original condition. It has only been brought to its present state by the most arduous labor and good management, and as it lies to-day there is no pleasanter picture in the landscape of this region.
Mr. Allender came to Murray Township in 1870 from Rush County, Ind., when he first opened his eyes to the light in Posey Township, March 14, 1843. His father, Garland B. Allender was a native of Kentucky, and the son of George and Elizabeth (Christman) Allender, who when he was a lad of nine years, removed, about 1827, to Indiana, locat- ing in what is now Posey Township, Rush County. They settled in the unbroken wilderness, from which they built up a comfortable home and there spent the remainder of their days, dying when
quite aged, the grandfather when eighty-two years old and the grandmother when about seventy-six; both were members of the German Baptist Church, in which they had been reared from childhood.
To the paternal grandparents of our subject there was born a family of fourteen children, of whom Garland B., the father of our subject, was among the younger. The ten daughters and four sons lived to become men and women, and with the ex- ception of two. were married and comfortably set- tled in homes of their own. In the settlement of the estate Garland B. became the possessor of the homestead, and there he spent his entire life. He was born in 1818, and departed hence March 4, 1878. being accidentally killed by a locomotive as he was walking on a track near his home. The wife and mother survived her husband nearly eleven years, her death taking place in August, 1889, when she was over sixty-seven years of age, having been born April 16, 1822. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The subject of this sketch was the second of fif- teen children, seven sons and eight daughters, only a part of whom lived to mature years. He was taught to make himself useful at an early age, and received a practical education in the common school. He remained a resident of his native county until attaining his majority, and came to this State a sin- gle man. 1Ie was first married, in Murray Town- ship, this county. to Miss Mary J. Shockley. This lady was born in Hancock County. Ind., Oct. 6. 1848. and was the daughter of Samuel Shockley, further mention of whom is made in the biography of David Smith, which will be found on another page of this volume. Mrs. Allender was reared to womanhood in her native county, and came to Kansas with her mother in 1861. Of her union with our subject there were born two children- Samuel and John II., who remain with their father. The mother of these children died in her prime at the homestead in Murray Township, June 29, 1878.
Our subject contracted a second marriage, Oct. 17, 1880, at Seneca, Kan., with Miss Lodema Lane, who was born in Hocking County, Ohio, Oct. 14, 1845. and is the daughter of Samuel and Luranah (MeVicker) Lane, who were natives of Pennsylva- nia. Iler father was a farmer by occupation and
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emigrated to Ohio early in life, settling in Ilocking County, of which he and his excellent wife are still residents. They are widely and favorably known in that region, having lived on the same farm for the long period of fifty-five years. Mr. Lane is now eighty-seven years old, while the wife and mother is two years younger.
Mrs. Allender was reared under the parental roof and remained at home until 1873. Then starting out for herself, she made her way to Nemaha County. this State, where she supported herself as a seamstress until her marriage. Of this marriage there have been born six children, four of whom are deceased. Ellen and Mary (twins) died in 1884 of diphtheria, when about three and one-half years old, and were buried on the same day side by side. The other two deceased children were Sarah E. and an infant. The survivors are Josie and Louisa, who remain at home with their parents. Mr. Al- lender, politically, is a straight Republican and has held the various local offices. IIe is a man held in high esteem and one whose opinions are generally respected.
ANIEL M. MABIE, editor of the Beattie Star, was born in Rockford, Ill., Sept. 5, 1842, and is the son of Giles and Lucy (Case) Mabie, both natives of New York. Giles Mabie was a millwright by trade, and when a young man in pursuit of employment went to Pennsylvania, where he was married. He followed millwrighting for many years, in the meantime re- moving to Rockford, Ill., where he became super- intendent and business manager of John H. Manny's Mower and Reaper Works, and in the interest of that concern went to Europe in 1855, returning in 1857. The father of our subject shortly after his return to the United States, emi- grated to Iowa, and is now living in Cedar Rapids, where he is still engaged as a mechanic, although within a few months of being ninety years of age. The wife and mother died in 1888 at the age of eighty-four years. They were the parents of three children-Alonzo, who is an expressman of Mason
City, Iowa ; Marilla, the wife of James Anthony, a brick-mason of Cedar Rapids ; and Daniel M., our subject.
The subject of this sketch was the youngest child of his parents, and received his education in his native city. Afterward he spent several years travelling, both in the United States and in Europe, and has visited the latter country twice, the first time in company with his father. Upon returning home that time he escorted his mother to Europe, and staid there with his parents, principally in Paris and London, until their return. In Paris he attended the Ecole St. Genevieve, where he acquired a thorough knowledge of the French language. Upon his return to America he accompanied his parents to Iowa, and in 1859, entered the office of II. A. and G. D. Perkins in Cedar Falls, where he learned printing. The outbreak of the Rebellion found him employed at this. and upon the news of the fall of Ft. Sumter the "Pioneer Grays" of Cedar Falls, of which he was a member .. tendered their services to the Governor of the State, April 15, 1861, which were accepted. They were as- signed to the 3d Iowa Infantry, and mustered into service May 22, having enlisted for three years.
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