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 67
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In this regiment our subject engaged in guarding the Hanibal & St.Joe Railroad and fighting the guer- rillas, Quantrell, Martin, Green and Price, and all the bushwhacking rebels in that dangerous region. Illustrating the haste with which they were put into the field, Mr. Mabie tells of their going into their first fight with old Springfield muskets, no haversacks and no cartridges boxes or accontre- ments of any kind. Each man was provided with five cartridges which he carried in his pocket, and most of which were wet during the rain. Later on they were better armed and the regiment did ac- tive service in the Army of the Tennessee, taking part in the great battles of Shiloh, during which they were in Hnrlbert's Division which did the bloody fighting at Peach Orchard, and held the day against thirteen charges by the Rebels. They also participated in both the sieges of Corinth, and in the seige of Vicksburg, and at the battle of Jackson. Miss., and many others, fought in that immediate region.
The term of enlistment of the regiment expired
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in May. 1864, but prior to that Mr. Mabie had veteranized, re-enlisting in January of that year at Vicksburg. After the usual veteran furlough, the 2d Iowa Infantry, with which the survivors of the original regiment were consolidated, joined Sherman's army at Huntsville, Ala., whenee they went to Rome, Ga., and fought at Eutaw Bridge, and in the seige and battles around Atlanta. Here Mr. Mabie was captured, July 22, 1864, on the ground where Gen. McPherson was killed, by whom he was standing at the time. For two months he en- dured the horrors of the prison stoekades at An- dersonville, and was then exchanged at Rough and Ready Station. Rejoining his regiment he took part in the historie march to the sea, participating in all the battles on the way, and after reaching the coast under the intrepid Logan, of whose gallant eorps the regiment was a part.
Upon the return of peace this regiment was sent to Washington with others, and took part in the grand review which celebrated the elose of the war. Mr. Mabie was mustered out at Lonisville, Ky., and was discharged at Davenport, Iowa, July 19, 1865. In all his four years and three months' service he was never wounded nor did he suffer a day's sickness, although exposed to all the hard- ships encountered by the gallant corps of which his regiment was a part. He returned to his trade in Cedar Falls in the same office which he had left to enter the service of his country. After two years, changing his oeeupation somewhat, he engaged as a general salesman in the windmill and pump busi- ness for a Rockford, (Ill.) firm. Thus four years were spent in traveling in most of the Western States. Finally abandoning that, Mr. Mabie, in company with his father engaged in the manufae- ture of the above-named commodities at Clinton Junetion, Wis. They prosecuted this a little over two years at that point, then removed their shops to Dixon, Ill.
In this latter place Mabie & Son prosecuted their business three years, then removed to Moline, Ill., where they operated a shop three or four years, and then through the raseality of a man, whom they had trusted, they lost their patents and every- thing else. Our subject then went back to print- ing, book-binding and publishing, which he carried
on in Moline for a period of six years, and assist- ing in the establishment of a daily paper called the Republican. From Moline he removed to Marysville, this county, in October, 1884, and thereafter for two years was variously occupied. In November, 1886, he took up his residence in Beattie as manager of the Beattie Star office, which he purchased in December, 1888.
This journal was established in 1883, its first issue being on September 22, under the name of the Beattie Boomerang, Jaek Seott, proprietor and editor. About a year afterward it was purchased by Mr. Swan, who dropped the word Beattie, mak- ing it simply The Boomerang. Mr. Swan sold out to Jeff Tucker, who changed the name to North Star. Mr. Tueker sold to W. W. Brooks, who called it simply The Star. The next change was into the hands of Cowan & Keiper, who bought it at a sheriff's sale in October, 1886. The Rev. J D. Crooks then became editor and D. M. Mabie pub- lisher. Mr. Crooks continued the paper about three months when the entire management devolved upon Mr. Mabie. In December. 1887, Mr. Cowan purchased Mr. Keiper's interest, becoming sole proprietor and nominal editor with Mr. Mabie still in the office, until its purchase by the latter at the time mentioned.
The Star office is as well equipped for business as any establishment of the kind in this part of the country, and it enjoys a good run of patronage, both in job printing and in advertising. The paper has a large circulation, which is rapidly increasing. At the time of its purchase by Cowan & Keiper there were 250 subseribers, but inside of six months he had increased that number three-fold. He likewise enlarged the paper from a five to a six- column quarto. It has a marked influence in the northeastern part of the county.
The marriage of Daniel M. Mabie and Miss S. A. M. Park ocenrred May 13, 1870 in Belvidere, Ill. Mrs. Mabie was born in Poplar Grove, Ill., Feb. 22, 1848, and is the daughter of Simeon and Angeline (Chesley) Park, who were natives of New York. The father is now deceased and the mother resides in Marysville, Kan. This union has been blest by the birth of seven children, all of whom are under the parental roof. They are
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named respectively : Lola L., Stella E., Avah P. Percy G., Ora P., Raymond E. and Alonzo R. Mr. Mabie is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also of the I. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W. A stirring, wide-awake man whose varied experiences in life have brightened his faculties, he makes his in- finnce felt in the community where he resides. Politically, he is a sound Republican.
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S AMUEL B. WATTERS, senior partner of the firm of Watters Bros., is also a leading man among the farming and stock-raising inter- ests of Blue Rapids City Township. He re- sides two miles north of the town, where they have a valuable farm, the cultivation of which they carry on in a very successful manner, and which yields handsome returns. He is a Western man by birth and education, his native place being in Fayette County, Ind., where lie first opened his eyes to the light, June 19, 1836.
The early surroundings usually have a decided ef- fect npon the after life of an individual, and de- termine in a large degree as to whether he shall become a worthy member of society, or a drawback upon its best interests. The Watters family were people honest and upright, and traced their ances- try to some of the best families across the waters. The parents of onr subject were Thomas and Mary A. (Bundrant) Watters, the former a native of South Carolina, and the latter of West Virginia. Thomas Watters was of Scotch-Irish descent, while the mother of our subject traced her forefathers to England. Her father, Thomas Bundrant, served as a soldier in the Black Hawk War, and spent his last years in Indiana.
About 1840, when Samuel B. was a little lad four years of age, the Watters family emigrated across the Mississippi to Iowa, while it was yet a Territory. They settled on a tract of land in Washington County, where Samuel B. was reared to man's estate, and received his education in the dis- trict school. This, however, was principally con- ducted in the winter season, and in the summer his
services were required in opening up and cultivat- ing a new farm. He thus obtained a thorough ex- perience in agricultural pursuits. The family sojourned in the Hawkeye State until after the death of the father, which occurred in 1855. The mother, later, with her children came to the Terri- tory of Kansas. and for six years they resided in Jackson County. In 1868 they changed their resi- dence to Marshall County.
In the meantime, in 1866, Mr. Watters home- steaded eighty acres of land in Republic County, this State, but owing to the unfriendly attitude of the Indians of that section, he withdrew from it. In 1873, in company with his brothers, Charles W. and Joseph W., he rented the farm where they now live. and which they purchased about, 1878. They have since prosecuted agriculture and stock-raising very successfully, and are recognized as among the leading men of their township. The home farm comprises eighty acres. Mr. Watters is quite prom- inent in his community, and for several years was Township Clerk, a position which he filled with credit to himself, and in a manner satisfactory to his fellow-citizens. He has for several years been a member of the School Board, and in political matters has uniformly given his support to the Re- publican party. He has been frequently solicited to accept the more important offices, but invariably declines, being a modest man, and preferring to give his time and attention to his legitimate busi- ness. With one exception he has performed all the duties of a good citizen. Ile is still a bachelor. Charles W. married Emma J. Oswalt; they have four children living-three sons and one daughter. Joseph W. married Mattie A. Stout; they have three children-two daughters and one son. All the brothers are stanch Republicans. Charles W. enlisted June 14, 1864, in Company D, 20th Kan- sas regiment; that was in the State service. About June 28, 1864, he enlisted in the 17th regiment, rendezvoused at Fort Leavenworth. Owing to a misunderstanding between the Government officers and the Adjutant-General of Kansas, the men from Jackson County were sent home, immediately after which Mr. Watters rejoined the 20th regiment, and served until the regiment was disbanded, Oct. 30, 1864. He participated in the Price raid at West-
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port and Little Blue, now in the suburbs of Kansas City, Mo. Charles W. is now a member of Robert llale Post, No. 328, G. A. R., at Blue Rapids, Kan. The other brother, Joseph W., was for a time a member of the Kansas National Guards, and was discharged Dec. 31, 1888, with the rank of Second Lieutenant.
E DWIN M. BRICE, editor of the Blue Rapids Times, has been a resident of that place for twelve years past. He is a native of Eng- land. born in Nottingham, April 24, 1842. Hle learned the trade of a printer in his native land, and in 1861, in consequence of ill health made a trip to the United States on a visit. Liking the country. after a short sojourn he determined to make this his home. He entered the Union army in 1862 in the 85th Ohio Infantry, and after leav- ing the service made Chicago his home, and was living there at the time of the great fire, being connected with a newspaper. This establishment being burned out and Mr. Brice not being in vigor- ous health, he determined to try out-door life. and bought a farm in Lorain County, Ohio, on which he staid two years, then selling out and making a visit to his native land. Returning after a few months' absence he came to Kansas and entercd into partnership with C. E. Tibbitts, founder and proprietor of the Blue Rapids Times, the connee- tion continuing for one year, when Mr. Brice be- came sole proprietor of the office, and remained so until Jan. 1, 1888. when he entered into partner- ship with Edward Skinner, the firm being Brice & Skinner.
Our subject is a member of the Knights of llonor, and of Robert Hale Post, No. 328, G. A. R. of Blue Rapids. lle has been a member of the City Council in Blue Rapids, and in 1889 was elected Mayor of that city. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church.
The Blue Rapids Times was established by C. E. Tibbitts in 1871. on the laying out of that city by the "Genesee Colony." He was its owner until Mr. Brice bought into it. as already stated, in 1877. The paper is Republican in politics, but not vio-
lently partisan. It is a "clean" paper, edited with- out any attempt at sensationalism, or catering to the instincts of a certain class of readers, and is therefore held in high esteem in the intelligent community where it is published. The office is well stocked with every facility and convenience for business. The presses are run by steam, and the quality of the job work thrown out is equal to that done in the large cities. The paper is one of the best published in Northern Kansas, and is en- tirely printed at home, and the favor with which it is received shows that the efforts of the editors to make a first-class family paper are appreciated by their constituents, their circulation constantly increasing.
6 HOMAS CORPSTEIN. As a rule the men who have been most successful in life, are those who were at an early age thrown upon their own resources and obliged to look out for themselves. The career of the subject of this no- tice is an admirable illustration of what a man may accomplish by persevering industry and frugality. The German element all over the West is composed of such men, and to them the great commonwealth of Kansas is largely indebted for her present pros- perity.
The early home of Mr. Corpstein was on the other side of the Atlantie, in the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, Germany, where he was born Dec. 21, 1836. His parents, Joseph and Catherine (Hoschett) Corpstein, were likewise of German birth and an- cestry, and when Thomas was a lad of six years he was placed in school, and in accordance with the laws and customs of his native land continued there until fourteen years old. After coming to Amer- ica he learned to read and write in English, mostly through his own efforts. This, however, was after becoming a man grown, as he emigrated to America in 1857, when having nearly attained his majority.
The voyage to the United States was accom- plished on a sailing-vessel bound from Antwerp to New York City, where it landed forty days from the time of starting. From the metropolis Mr.
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Corpstein made his way to Brown County, III., and resided in that locality five years, working mostly on a farm. He then determined to see something more of the Great West, and accordingly started for the Rocky Mountains, and for eighteen months thereafter was engaged in mining. Having done fairly well financially, and being desirous of look- ing upon the old faces on the other side of the water, he visited his native land, remaining there over two years.
Upon returning to America, Mr. Corpstein re- sided for a brief time in Illinois, then went again to lowa. and thence emigrated to Minnesota. Later we find him in Missouri, where he staid two years. He has thus seen a goodly portion of the Western country. lle came to this county in 1872, and as he has since made his residence within its limits it is fair to suppose that he is better snited with this region than any which he has yet seen.
Mr. Corpstein upon coming to this county re- sided for a short time in Waterville, then rented a farm in Waterville Township, which he operated for a number of years. Then, in 1880, he located upon his present homestead, which is 120 acres in extent, and which was then comparatively destitute of improvements. He has thus done much pioneer labor. but in looking upon his fertile fields and the comforts which surround him he feels amply repaid for his toil and sacrifices. This year, 1889, he has built a handsome new home for himself and family.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Anna Catharine Behm took place in Maryville, Nodaway Co., Mo., April 13, 1871. This lady was born in Wisconsin, Sept. 5, 1850, and is the daughter of Frank and Gertrude Behm, the latter of whom is now deceased. Both parents were natives of Luxemberg, Germany, whence they emigrated to America in 1848. They lived in New York City about two years, then removed to Wisconsin, where they re- sided eight years. From there they went down into Missouri, and later, in 1877, came to this county, of which they are now residents. Their family consisted of seven children, five of whom are liv- ing, viz: Anna Catharine, Mrs. Corpstein; Annie, Peter, Lena and Louisa.
Politically, Mr. Corpstein is identified with the Democratic party. Both he and his excellent
wife were reared in the doctrines of the German Catholic Church., to which they still loyally adhere. They make no pretensions to elegance in their style of living, but have an abundance to eat, drink and wear, and have laid up something for a rainy day.
We take pleasure in drawing the attention of our many readers to a fine lithographic view of the old homestead and the new residence of Mr. Corpstein, and the farm, on another page of this volume.
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G EORGE T. SMITH, editor and proprietor of the Marshall County News, of whom we now present a brief sketch, was born in Armstrong County, Pa., June 13. 1853, and spent his boyhood days on his father's farm. His edu- cation was received in the common schools of the county and in the Elders' Ridge Academy. After leaving the academy he taught school during the winter seasons. passing his summers on the farm, until 1874. In that year he came to Marshall County, Kan., stopping on the Vermillion, where he engaged for a few months in farming; later in the fall he found his way to Marysville, and soon accepted a position in the County Treasurer's office as Deputy, where he remained for four and one-half years. He also served as Deputy in the County Clerk's office for two years.
Jan. 1, 1881, Mr. Smith bought an interest in the Marshall County News with C. E. Tibbetts, its publication being continued under the firm name of Tibbetts & Smith for one year, when the latter purchased his partner's interest, and has been sole proprietor ever since. The Marysville Locomotive, founded by P. II. Peters, was merged into the Marshall County News in 1870 by Hughes & Mc- Chesney, the latter retaining an interest but a brief time. For the last ten years it has been the prin- cipal Republican paper of the county.
In August, 1877, Mr. Smith was united in mar- riage to Miss Kate L. Alleu, of Clear Fork Town- ship, this county. Their union has been blessed by the birth of four children, all of whom are still living-Ora Allen, Robert S., Veda and Ena. Miss Allen, the wife of Mr. Smith, was born in
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Aledo, Mercer Co., III., Aug. 1, 1858, and is the daughter of O. C. Allen. [For his biography see sketch elsewhere. For a sketch of Robert Smith, father of George T. Smith, see sketch of W. H. Smith on another page in this ALBUM]. Al- . though Mr. Smith is not an office-seeking politi- cian, he has been an active Republican worker, and used the influence of his paper for the advance- ment of the principles of that party. Mr. Smith was appointed Postmaster in September, 1889, and took possession of the office Oet. 1, the same year.
RED W. STOHS. Among the prosperous German residents of Marshall County, the gentleman with whose name we preface this sketeh, as representing the worth and thrift of his native land and the money-making capabilities of his adopted country, is worthy of considerable mention in a volume of this character.
A native of the Province of Pomerania, Ger- many, our subject was born April 12. 1849, and was educated there under the law of compulsory education. Thus he was fitted to cope with the world by a thorough training in youth, and was also skilled in farm labor, as in the intervals of school life he was no idler among the busy throngs of laborers.
As he was emerging from youth into the pride of manhood, our subject came, in 1867, to the L'nited States with his parents. John and Caroline (Kat) Stohs. They took passage from the port of Bremen in the sailing vessel " Republie," on the 3d of May, 1867, and in June, after a voyage of five weeks, the ship was anchored in New York harbor. Reaching that city penniless and without friends, the promised land of plenty seemed to recede further into the boundless realm of the future, as they beheld all around them happy homes and cheerful faces, themselves friendless and homeless. Unable to proceed further on their journey, they staid on Ward's Island for six weeks, until they received funds from a brother-in-law, Fred Minge, which sufficed to pay their railroad fare to Chicago, but left them $100 .in debt. This amount had
been sent some time previous to its reception, but was delayed a week en route. Coming immediately to Cook County, Ill., the father and sons went to work to make money, first to discharge the indebt- edness and afterward to lay the foundation of a home. On the 8th of July, 1868, the father became overheated in the field while at work, and died from sunstroke within an hour after his first seizure. Thereafter for a period of two years our subject and his brothers worked as farm laborers until they had earned sufficient funds to enable them to come to Kansas.
In 1870 Mr. Stohs removed to Kansas, taking up a homestead of eighty acres and working on the railroad to make the money wherewith he might improve the claim. While he was thus engaged, another man " jumped the claim." and our subject lost his first elaim. In August, 1871, hie engaged as a farm laborer with Herman Lutjemeier, and continued with him until the death of the employer in 1876.
Mr. Stohs has been for more than ten years the husband of a lady universally esteemed and possessed of great amiability and sweetness of dis- position and character. Her maiden name was Sophia Lutjemeier, and she is the daughter of Mr. Stohs' former employer. Mr. and Mrs. Stohs were united in marriage Feb. 20, 1879, and soon after this important event our subjeet began to im- prove the farm left by his father-in-law. They have a pleasant, commodious rural home, a view of which is presented on another page of this work; he also has a large, conveniently-arranged barn, all fitted out with reference to storage of grain and shelter of stock. Besides these, there are other buildings essential to the proper conducting of a farm. The farm comprises 320 acres, in which the mother-in-law has a dower. Mr. Stohs has another farm of 200 acres, and 151 acres of land in Logan Township; also 160 acres on section 29, which he purchased prior to his marriage. All this land has been accumulated by unremitting labor and earnest efforts, when others, more indolent and less ambi- tious, " slumbered and slept." Nor has he been selfish in his interests, for he takes an active part iu all affairs conducive to public welfare, and is recognized as a man of sterling worth and integ-
RES. OF LUDWIG MERKLINGHAUS, SEC. 1. BALDERSON TOWNSHIP.
RES. OF FRED. W. STOHS , SEC. 21. HERKIMER TOWNSHIP
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rity. His fellow-citizens are cognizant of his worth, and have shown their esteem for him by bestowing upon him the office of Justice of the Peace of llerkimer Township. 1Ie was elected in the spring of 1889, and is therefore serving at the present writing.
The mother of our subject, with whom he crossed the ocean, has again married, her husband being Henry Dirking, and they are residents of Logan Township, this county.
In the happy home of our subject, and clustered around the winter fireside or playing in lively groups during summer days, are five children, who are named respectively: Augusta, Minnie, Adolph, Frederick and Ilerman. These children are bright and active, full of fun and frolic, the idols of their home and loved by their playmates. They are receiving good educations, and are being prepared for whatever station in life they may be called upon to occupy. Mr. Stohs and wife are prominent and consistent members of the Lutheran Church. in which faith they were reared by their parents, who were also associated with that denomination. Liv- ing as consistent Christians and active laborers in the vineyard, our subject and his wife are now in the prime of an existence devoted to the best in- terests of their township and county, and by their upright lives have added to the reputation of Marshall County, and gained an enviable character as worthy members of the community.
Mr. Stohs is, and always has been, a stanch sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party, and is a man whose counsel is sought in the interest of his party in this part of the State.
UDWIG MERKLINGHAUS, one of the most substantial young German farmers of Balderson Township, was the first postmaster appointed for the new post office of Stolzenbach, and is the owner of a fine farm, pleasantly situated on section 1. He has a good stone dwelling, which is represented by a view on another page, within which is a nice little family; so far in life his lines seem to have fallen in pleasant places. He is the
offspring of excellent German ancestry and was born in Prussia, Oct. 2, 1853, where he spent the carlier years of his life and obtained the rudiments of a good practical education.
The parents of our subject were Peter and Annie (Schoneshofer) Merklinghaus, likewise natives of Prussia, where they were reared and married, June 14, 1844. In 1865 they emigrated to America and established themselves in LaSalle County, Ill., where they sojourned three years. At the expiration of this time they crossed the Mississippi and came to this county, of which they have since been residents, the father being now seventy-one years old and the mother sixty-four. Of the four children born to them only two are living-Ludwig and John.
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