Portrait and biographical album of Marshall County, Kansas : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 68

Author: Chapman Brothers (Chicago), pub
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 770


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 68


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


Our subject was reared to farm pursuits from boyhood. He came to Kansas with his parents, arriving here March 13, 1869, and settling on the present homestead of our subject, which had been purchased from the Government. It was near the Otoe Indian Reservation, and of which the Indians were then in possession, and where they remained for ten years thereafter. The agency was located two miles west.


Mr. Merklinghans remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which occurred Jan. 25, 1880, the maiden of his choice being Miss Lydia Wolfgang. She is a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Schwartz) Wolfgang, who were natives of Penn- sylvania, and who are now living three miles south- east of Beattie. They are the parents of eight children, of whom Mrs. Merklinghaus was the sixth in order of birth. She was born in Pennsylvania Sept. 8, 1861, and remained a member of the par- ental household until her marriage. Of this union there have been born two little girls, Minnie and Emma. Our subject and his wife are regular at- tendants of the German Evangelical Church. Mr. Merlinghaus has been Treasurer of the School Board four years and held the office of Postmaster the same length of time. He keeps himself well posted upon political affairs and except in the local elections, votes with the Republican party. His farm embraces 160 acres of land, ninety of which are devoted to grain and other produce, while the balance lies in pasture. A goodly number of horses, cattle and swine are kept upon the place.


530


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


The father of our subjeet served two years in the 28th Infantry of the Prussian Army. One of the much-prized family relies is a copy of the Golden Bible, presented by King Frederick III. of Prussia, to the maternal grandfather of our subject at his Golden Wedding, celebrated in the Evangel- ical Church in Seelscheid, Germany, June 12, 1857.


HOMAS BARRETT. He who has been for- tunate in so directing his course in life as to gain the esteem and confidence of his fellow-men, and who has been endowed by nature with those qualities which have enabled him, by the exercise of thrift and industry, to gain a com- petence for his declining years, living honestly and uprightly through all, is worthy of more than a passing notice. It is such men as these that the biographer of Marshall County has sought to se- leet in representing its best elements and perpetu- ating the names and deeds of those who have been instrumental in its growth and development. Mr. Barrett was pointed out as one of these eminent characters whose name it is desirable to hand down to future generations.


The possession of a homestead and a long resi- dence in one locality, invariably carries with it a dignity and importance scarcely secured by other means. We find Mr. Barrett pleasantly located at a well-regulated rural homestead, embracing 160 acres of land on section 30, in Rock Township. Although a veteran of eighty years, he possesses the same genial and companionable disposition which gained for him so many friends during his younger manhood. Ile is consoled in his old age by the companionship of one of the most estima- ble ladies-one who possesses culture and refine- ment, and whose best thoughts are given to her home and her family. Their hospitable roof is frequently the resort of hosts of friends, who are accorded that hearty welcome which is so pleasant to meet.


The subject of this sketch was born near Cadiz, Harrison Co., Ohio, on the 11th of December, 1809, and distinctly remembers many of the incidents con-


nected with the War of 1812, which occurred when he was a lad three years of age. He grew up on the frontier at a time when wild game was plen- tiful, and at an early age was set to work as- sisting his father in building up the homestead. llis early studies were pursued in the primitive log school house, embracing a few weeks attendance during the winter season of each year. He remained at home until a man of twenty-five years, when he was married and began life for himself on a rented farm. Ile thus operated for a period of twelve years in different parts of the county, paying out during that time the sum of $3,000 in rent alone.


In the meantime our subject had become promi- nent in the affairs of his native county, and one of its most esteemed citizens. He was now appointed Superintendent of the County Infirmary, which position he held for a period of seven years. He then operated a rented farm one year, and in the spring of 1857 decided to seek his fortune in the farther West. After his arrival in Iowa, he pro- ceeded by boat down the Mississppi to Keokuk, where, prior to this time, he had purchased 160 acres of land near Newton, Jasper County. He now located upon this and commenced making im- provements. He was one of the first settlers of that region, but the climate appearing too severe, although the country was in other ways very desir- able, he, in the spring of 1865, sold out and started overland by team for Kansas.


After a journey of three weeks with horses and oxen and driving some cattle besides, our subject with his family crossed the Missouri River at Ne- braska City, on a steam ferry. Thence he came to this county and purchased eighty acres of land in Vermillion Township, one and one-half miles from the present site of Frankfort. He commenced the improvement of his purchase, but lived there only one year, then sold out to his brother, and pur- chased 240 acres of wild land east of Frankfort. This also he only occupied one year and after the railroad was surveyed through the place, sold out, and in the spring of 1868 changed his residence to what was then Vermillion, but now Rock Town- ship. His land lay along the banks of Vermillion Creek, and he proceeded to cultivate the soil, set out forest and fruit trees, build a house, barn and


531


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


other needed structures,and now has one of the most desirable farms in this part of the county. His land is largely devoted to the raising of grain and stock, to which it is admirably adapted and is now carried on by a son, Uriah, who possesses much of the enterprise and ability of his honored sire.


In Cadiz, Ohio, Mr. Barrett was married Jan. 22. 1835, to Miss Susannalı, daughter of Thomas Parry. Mr. Parry was born in Virginia and is the son of Llewellyn Parry, a native of Pennsylvania, and of Welsh descent. Hle farmed in the Keystone State during his early manhood, then removed to Virginia and finally to Ohio, and from Ohio to Indiana, where he died. Thomas accompanied the family to the Buckeye State and followed carpen- tering in Cadiz, operating likewise as a contractor and builder. He also owned a farm upon which he lived three years, then sold out and removing to Huntington County, Ind., entered 320 acres upon which he labored until his death.


The mother of Mrs. Barrett was, in her girlhood, Miss Sarah Chew. She was born in Virginia, which was likewise the native State of her father, Will- iam Chew, who emigrated to Ohio and settled near the present site of Cadiz, during the pioneer days. IIe prosecuted farming there for a time, then sell- ing out removed to Richland County, where he opened up a farm and spent his last days. Ile was of Welsh descent. Mrs. Parry after the death of her husband, made her home with our subject, un- til her death which occurred in August, 1879, after she had reached the advanced age of eighty-five years. She was one of the typical wives and mothers of the olden times, and a conscientious member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.


Mrs. Barrett was the eldest child of her parents, whose family consisted of one daughter and six sons: John is a resident of Lucas, Ohio; William is deceased; James continues a resident of the Buckeye State; Alfred sojourns in this county ; Amon is in Ohio, and Llewellyn in Nebraska. Mrs. Barrett was, like her husband, born in Cadiz, Ohio, Jan. 29, 1817, and lived in the town until fourteen years old. Her parents then removed to a farm, and she continued under the home roof until her marriage. She has been the faithful and devoted companion of her husband for over fifty years, the


anniversary of the golden wedding occurring in 1884, and which was celebrated with due ceremony. The eight children born of their union were named respectively : William, Uriah, Sarah, James, David, Albert. Emily, Elizabeth. Uriah during the Civil War enlisted in Company I, 10th Iowa Infantry in the fall of 1861, and served three years, participat- ing in all the battles in which his regiment was en- gaged, and aside from the hardships and privations incident to life in the army, escaped unharmed. He makes a first-class farmer and a highly re- spected citizen. James now (September, 1889) makes his headquarters at Callaway, Neb. Emily is the wife of Harvey Fry, who has secured 320 acres of land in Oklahoma, and they are at present so- journing there.


David Barrett, the father of our subject, was born in Chester County, Pa., in 1780. The pater- nal graudfather, Arthur Barrett, likewise a native of that county, learned the trade of a weaver du- ring his younger days, but later removed to Fred- erick County, Va., and located upon a farm, although he worked at his trade as the opportunity occurred. From the Old Dominon after a few years he emigrated to Harrison County, Ohio, in the spring of 1803, and selecting a section of land five miles from the present site of Cadiz, established himself there for the remainder of his days. He was prospered and accumulated a good property ; in religious belief he was a Quaker. The great- grandfather of our subject was Ralph Barrett, a na- tive of England, who crossed the Atlantic during. the Colonial days.


The father of our subject removed with the fam- ily from Virginia to Ohio, in 1803, and thereafter assisted in the cultivation of the land belonging to his father. In due time he became owner of 160 acres, upon which he put up a log house, which was finally succeeded by other and better buildings, and there he spent the remainder of his life, dying at the age of sixty-five years. Ile was reared in the doctrines of the Quaker faith, to which he strongly adhered. lle married Miss Winnifred Kirby, a native of Carroll, Md., and the daughter of John Kirby, a native of Ireland. The latter married Miss Winnifred Carroll, a native of his own country, and after coming to the United States


532


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


they located first at Carroll's Manor, Md. Later they removed to Pennsylvania, where Grandfather Kirby died. The grandmother subsequently removed to Ohio,and died there about 1818 at the age of eighty-one years; they were Catholies in religous belief.


To the parents of our subject there were born eleven children, of whom William, Elizabeth, Urialı and David are deceased. The survivors are Thomas, our subject; Albert G., a resident of Barrett; Sa- rah, Mrs. Allen, of Ohio; Rutli, living in Vermill- ion Township; Winnifred, Mrs. Walker, a resident of Rock Township; Joseph, who is farming in Clear Fork Township, and John who sojourns in Centre Township. Mr. Barrett voted for William H. Harrison in 1840, and has cast his ballot every four years since that time. He was in former years a Republican but his sympathies are now with the Union Labor party. He has been an active worker in educational matters in his township. and has served as School Director for many years, and Road Supervisor.


OSEPH C. RODKEY, a representative farmer and stockman of Blue Rapids City Township, owns and occupies a valuable farm, compris- ing about 380 acres on sections 34, 35 and 26. It is all under excellent cultivation, and sup- plied with adequate and substantial buildings. Mr. Rodkey is a native of Huntingdon County, Pa., born Sept. 2, 1828. Ile was the son of John and Esther Rodkey, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter probably born in Pennsylvania. Hle is the tenth child in a family of eleven children, of whom the following survive: Jacob, now living in Wichita, Kan .; Susan, the widow of Michael Thompson, of Andrew County, Mo .; Samuel lives in Indiana; Margaret, wife of Mr. Rushing, in Wichita, Kan .; and our subject.


John Rodkey died when his son Joseph was quite young, and a short time afterward his widow re- moved with her children to Miami County, Ohio. There onr subject grew to manhood, being reared upon a farm, and receiving but limited educational


advantages. Ilis schooling consisted mostly of what he could obtain during three winter months, and he could not attend regularly even during this time. Mr. Rodkey has been all his life a reader, and aimed to keep himself well posted on general topics. He is a well informed man, and self-edu- cated to a large extent.


In Ohio, May 13, 1849, he was united in mar- riage with Frances Dohner, a native of Pennsylva- nia, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Long) Dohner. To Mr. and Mrs. Rodkey have been born ten children, seven of whom are now living: John resides in Rooks County, Kan .; Esther, the wife of John Wilson; they live in Whitley County. Ind. Clayton lives in this county; Lincoln also lives in this county ; Anna, the wife of John Koutz, in Smith Connty, this State; Lucinda J., the wife of George Layton, of this county; and Grant, still under the parental roof. Lodiska became the wife of C. Bar- rett, and after his death she married Charles Knowlton; she died in the fall of 1883. Florence grew to womanhood, and died aged twenty, in the spring of 1881; Davis was the fourth child, and died at the age of seventeen months. After his marriage, Mr. Rodkey resided for a short time in Ohio, whence he removed to Huntington County, Ind., being a pioneer there. He settled in the woods, and cut the first stick of timber on his place for clearing purposes. Like most pioneers, . he had many hardships and privations to endure. In the fall of 1880, he removed with his family to this county, and settled upon the land where he still resides.


During his residence in Indiana, Mr. Rodkey was strongly identified with the support of the schools, and officiated on the School Board. His children are quite well educated, and a number of them have been engaged in the profession of teach- ing. He is a Republican in politics. Both he and his wife are members of the Universalist Church, and active participants in all enterprises which have for their object the elevation of society. He is a public-spirited citizen, favoring and supporting all enterprises which tend to advance the interests of the vicinity. When he started out after his mar- riage, he and his wife together had about $750, and some years later together they inherited about


533


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


$1,800 more. He may well be considered a self- made man, and may justly rejoice in the success which bas attended his efforts. Though past the prime of life in years, Mr. and Mrs. Rodkey are still capable of an active participation in its labors and pleasures, and are enjoying the fruits of a life spent in usefulness and well-doing. They have many friends who esteem them very highly, and they gain the respect of all who know them.


LDUS SHARP, proprietor of the Arling- ton Hotel, at Blue Rapids, has lived in Kansas since 1867, when with his brothers, Joseph and William, he came to Jackson County, from Pennsylvania. He was born in Lan- caster County, Pa., Sept. 15, 1845, his parents be- ing William and- Ann(Bowman) Sharp. The family came originally from Scotland, the great-grand- father of our subject having come from that country a great many years ago, and settled in Virginia, where he was married and where his children were born. His son, George, grandfather of Mr. Sharp lived in Virginia until some years after his mar- riage, as his children were born there. Ile then re- moved to Lancaster County, Pa., where he stayed . for some years, and when somewhat advanced in life went to Highland County, Ohio, where his daughter, Phœbe, wife of Abraham Conard, was then living. In all of these places be worked at the trade of a miller, and he lived to an old age, dying when nearly ninety years old. His wife was Phobe Downing, who survived him three or four years, and was about seventy-five years old when she died. Besides the daughter mentioned, they had other children. Jane, who was married to Samuel Thomberg in Ohio, reared a large family and is still living; Sarah, another daughter married James Everhart, and lived in White County. Ohio; Ellen married a Mr. Fletcher and died comparatively young; Eliza married an Episcopal minister named John Boyd, and now lives in Ohio; Joseph went to Indiana at an early day, and settled near the site of the present city of Kokomo; IJannah mar- ried Jacob Conklin, and died near Indianapolis,


In.l. The remaining child was William, the father of our subject.


William Sharp was born in Virginia, Dec. 20, 1813, and when still a young man removed to Lan- caster County, Pa. In that county he was mar- ried on May 29, 1834, to Miss Ann Bowman, and there all his children but one were born. Later, he removed with his family near Lexington, Highland Co., Ohio, where he lived the rest of his life, dying in 1853, in his fortieth year. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Ann Sharp returned to Lan- caster County, Pa., with her four youngest children, and there she made her home the rest of lier life, dying at the age of forty-five. This worthy couple had nine children. The eldest, Josiah, died in in- fancy; Ann Maria is living at Blue Rapids with her brother; Joseph B. is a farmer in Highland County, Ohio; William is a resident of Blue Rapids. Both of these brothers were in the Union army during the Rebellion, enlisting Sept 9, 1861, in Com- pany A, 48th Ohio Infantry; Joseph being dis - charged for disability in the spring of 1862, while William, after serving three years and nine months was discharged because of becoming partially blind. George is living in Jackson County, Kan .; Elmira was the wife of Lewis Rogers and died in Harrisburg. Pa .; Aldus was the next in order of birth; then Lydia, who was married to Daniel Longenecker of Lancaster County; John was the child born in Highland County, Ohio, and is now residing in Kansas City, Mo.


Aldus Sharp was quite young when he lost both his parents, and he was brought up on the farm of an uncle. When sixteen years old he be- gan working out, being employed for different persons until he was about twenty-one years of age, when he went Ohio, on a visit to his brothers, William and Joseph. A few months after the brothers came to Kansas, arriving in Jackson County in the fall of 1867. There Mr. Sharp and his brother, Joseph, rented a farm on which they lived for a couple of years, when Joseph went to the vicinity of Topeka, where he took up a home- stead. Our subject went to the city of Topeka and worked for about a year. He then went to Texas, and during the winter worked in a store, the following spring coming back to Kansas with a


53.4


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


herd of cattle. For two or three years thereafter he was engaged in hauling produce from Jackson County to Topeka, and in buying and selling stock. Being married about this time, he removed to Blue Rapids, arriving here March 12, 1874. Here he built a barn and engaged in the livery business, carrying that on for seven or eight years exclusively, and always since being engaged in it. In 1882 he rented the La Belle House, and for the first time engaged in the business of keeping a hotel. This house he kept for two years and eight months, and then bought the brick hotel, known as the Arlington, on the other side of the Square, which he has ever since conducted.


November 26, 1873, Mr. Sharp was united in marriage with Miss Mary Susan Smith, daughter of Peyton T., and Lucy H. (Bates) Smith, the former a native of St. Charles, Mo., born in 1820, and the latter born in Virginia in 1823. Mrs. Sharp was born in Ray County, Mo., April 21, 1850, and in that county she was married. Mr. and Mrs. Sharp are the parents of two children-Lucy May, born April 29, 1875 and George S., Nov. 6, 1877.


Peyton T. Smith, the father of Mrs. Sharp, was a son of James W. Smith, who died in Jefferson, Tex., Dec. 26, 1852, aged sixty-three years; Lucy H. his wife, died at the same place, Nov. 4, 1857, aged sixty-eight years. They had five children- Joel W .. who died in June, 1848, in Ray County, Mo .; Powhattan, who died in Tarrant, Tex., Nov. 30, 1864; Sardinia H., who is the widow of William Perry, and lives in Jefferson, Tex .; James A., who is a resident of Colorado, and Peyton T., who is the father of Mrs. Sharp.


Peyton T. Smith was born May 3, 1820, in St. Charles, Mo., was brought up to farming, and has followed that vocation all of his active life. He is now living retired on his farm at Richmond, Ray Co., Mo. He was married on June 19, 1843, at the place where he has ever since made his home, to Miss Lucy Il. Bates, who was born in Halifax County, Va .. Aug. 12, 1823, and is now therefore, sixty-seven years of age. They had five children, of whom one died in infancy. The survivors are: Cleopatra S .. who was born May 19, 1844, married Henry C. Smith, Dec. 6, 1870, and now lives at Millville, Ray Co., Mo .; James W., who was born


May 7, 1848, married Jeannie Bates, and is a drug- gist and physician at Richmond. Mo .; Mrs. Sharp; Nannie, who was born May 22, 1852, and is the wife of Charles A. Burns, a liveryman of Blue Rapids.


Mr. Sharp has been Constable and City Marshal of Blue Rapids, but is not looking for office. Own- ing the property in which he does business, he is enabled to give the best of accomodations possible, and his house is a favorite resort for the travelling public. He has admirable facilities for commer- cial trade, having fine sample rooms and an excel- lent livery in connection with the hotel, which is kept in admirable style, being pleasant and home- like in all its appointments. In its management he is ably assisted by his wife, and the success they are meeting with is well deserved.


ILLIAM A. TATLOCK, a practical and skillful farmer, has a farm on section 34, Oketo Township, that, in point of cultiva- tion and improvement, is classed among the best in this part of Marshall County, and under his wise management it yields him a good annual in- come. October 5, 1839, our subject was born in the pioneer home of Miles and Margaret (Cam -* eron) Fatlock. His father was a native of North Carolina. and was a carpenter by trade. In early life he went to Indiana and was there married. He subsequently moved to Iowa, and there died in 1853, his death depriving his community of a good citizen and neighbor, and his family of a kind father and husband. llis wife survived him till 1881, when she too passed away. To that worthy couple were born four children, of whom our sub- jeet was the eldest.


Mr. Tatlock was three years of age when his parents became pioneers for a second time, mov- ing to Iowa and casting in their lot with the early settlers who had preceded them to that State. He received a fair education, which he has sinee sup- plemented by intelligent reading, and is a man of good general information. Having the misfortune to lose his father when a boy, from the age of fif-


535


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


teen till he was thirty years old, he managed the business for his mother, carrying on her farming interests with admirable judgment and sagacity. In the spring of 1872 he came to Phillips County. Kan .. having become convinced that he could prosecute his calling to still better advantage on this fertile soil and under these sunny skies. He subsequently came to Marshall County and located on his present farm. He has 118 acres of as rich and productive land as is to be found in this sec- tion of the county, and 100 acres of this is under a high state of cultivation. The buildings are neat, commodious and well kept. his cozy and sub- stantial dwelling being erected in 1880. Fifty fine apple trees, plums, cherries and grapes furnish an abundant supply of delicious fruit, both for home consumption and for market. Our subject may well be pleased and proud of the great change that he has wrought by years of patient and hard labor in this place since it came into his possession, he having made every improvement and by wise man- agement converted it into a valuable piece of property. He engages to some extent in the stock business and has nine head of fine horses and thir- teen cattle of good grade.


March 27. 1872, was an auspicious date in the life of our subject, for he was then united in mar- riage to Miss Leonora Bunner, a daughter of Reu- ben and Emeline (Salladay) Bunner, farmers of Van Buren County, Iowa. The father is eighty years of age, and the mother is seventy-five years. Mrs. Tatlock is the fourth child in their family of four daughters and six sons, and she was born in Ohio, in 1840. She is a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, is true to the faith, and an earnest Christian. To her and her husband have been born two sons, Ralph E. and Arthur G.




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.