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 69
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Mr. Tatlock is a man of good natural ability, which is re-enforced by strong common sense, so that he manages his affairs sagaciously and well. He is shrewd in his dealings, though never taking unfair advantage in a bargain, and the property that he has, has been obtained by honest toil, and he well merits the respect shown him by his fellow- citizens His desire to promote the prosperity of his adopted township is strong. and he has been especially active in educational matters, having
been a member of the School Board for twelve years and is Treasurer of that honorable body. He has been connected with the Masonic fraternity in times past. He is influential in politics, and gener- ally works for the Republican party, though he supported the Union Labor ticket last year.
REDERICK WESTERMANN. Although now in life's prime and in the meridian of
an existence when " coming events" have not yet "cast their shadows before," nor has the hope of youth faded into the reality of age, he of whom we write this brief life history is yet in the possession of what might be a matter of pride to others older than himself. He is not one of those world-wearied, battle-scarred toilers in the warfare of life, but having recently put the armor on, views with courage the coming conflict. Much more fortunate financially than many young men, he now owns one of the finest farms in the whole county, embellished with a beautiful residence, a stone barn, granary and other buildings. Protect- ing the family from the heat of summer and the winds of winter, is a fine grove of natural forest trees on all sides of the house and barn, while there is splendid shade for the feeding lots near the barn. Breaking the monotony of the scenery for miles around and presenting a pleasant contrast to the waving corn and ripening wheat, is this well-improved and cozy homestead. The estate comprises 440 acres of fine land, formerly the prop- erty of the father of our subject but now his indi- vidual possession. Though prevented by poor health from an active participation in the cultiva- tion of the land, Mr. Westermann oversees the whole property and makes it a financial success.
Frederick and Sophia (Shotte) Westermann were natives of the province of Hanover. Germany, and there were reared and married. In the fall of 1853 they came to America, landing in New York and coming thence directly to Cook County, Ill. In that county their son, our subject, Frederick, was born, Oct. 7, 1854, and was also educated in the place of his birth. He was the second in order of
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birth of the four children born to Frederick Wester- mann, Sr., and his wife. When a lad he removed with his parents in 1868 to Kansas, coming with them to this county and locating on section 34 in Herkimer Township, which is the present home of our subject. The father bought 440 aeres, which he improved and made his home until his death, Sept. 5, 1871. His widow survives him, and makes her home with our subject, her son, Frederick, in - this county.
Among the most important events in the life of Frederick Westermann may be mentioned his mar- riage, which occurred May 19, 1876, in this town- ship. His wife was in youth Miss Henrietta Senger, daughter of Charles and Ilenrietta Senger, and a native of Prussia. She was born on the 4th of May, 1858, in Prussia, where her parents were also born and reared. Mr. and Mrs. Senger were members of the Lutheran Church, as are our subject and his wife. Four children complete the family cirele, whose names are herewith given, Alphons, Frederick, Ernest and Henry. Two chil- dren have been called away, Thomas and Mattie.
Mr. Westermann has been prominently associ- ated with the political history of his county, and in casting his ballot aims to support the man best qualified to fill the position, but in matters of na- tional importance he votes the Democratic ticket. He was Township Treasurer for two years, and in other ways has aided the township in which he makes his home. He is a general farmer, and is one of the most thorough-going and successful in all the county, keeping pace with all the improve- ments in agricultural matters, while upon his farm are all the modern implements and machinery which indicate the progressive farmer.
OHIN B. PRICE, of Blue Rapids, has been a resident of that flourishing little city for thirteen years past. He was born in Brec- onshire, Wales, Oet. 10, 1848, his parents, John and Jane (Jarman) Price, both being natives of the same place. The father followed the occu- pation of milling, also carrying on a farm. a
foundry, and a machine shop. He was a man of considerable note, was a Magistrate, Justice of the Peace, Rate Collector, etc. He believed in the liberty of conscience, and strenuously opposed pay- ing tithes to support the Church of England, he be- ing a member of the Congregational Church. Being implicated in some measures of opposition to the Es- tablished Church of England, he thought best to sell his property and come to America in search of a home where he and his might enjoy the liberty of conscience, which he felt was in a measure denied him in his own country. He accordingly disposed of his property, and in 1866, with his entire family. all of his children having been born in Wales, emi- grated to the United States.
Deeiding to try his fortunes in the West, Mr. Price came as far West as Newton, Iowa, where he located and engaged in farming. He remained there until 1873, when he sold out and removed to Arvonia, Osage Co .. Kan., where he still lives. He is engaged extensively in farming and eattle raising, owning about 700 acres of land on the Marais des Cygnes River. He and his wife are now sixty-seven years of age, both having been born in 1822. They are the parents of eight children : Mary, who died in Arvonia, Kan., was the wife of John Jones, a farmer at that place; our subject was the next eld- est; William F. the third child, is a resident of Blue Rapids, where he is engaged in the foundry business; Margaret is the wife of Lewis Humplı- reys, a wealthy farmer and merchant of Arvonia; Thomas B. is a teller in the United States National Bank at Topeka, Kan .; Ed H. is a stock-raiser and dealer at Arvonia; Evan H. is a bookkeeper for the Union Stock Yards Company of Chicago, Ill., and Jennie H. is married and lives at Topeka.
John B. Price, the subject of this notice, was eighteen years of age when his parents emigrated to America. He went with them to Newton, Iowa, and in 1870, having attained his majority, he re- moved to Pella, Marion Co., lowa. where he em- barked in the foundry and machine shop business. This he carried on for three years when his establish- ment was totally destroyed by fire, he losing prop- erty worth $12.000, without a penny of insurance. This was the product of his own skill and energy, and its loss was a serious blow. Not dismayed,
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however, by the misfortune he removed to Center- ville, Appanoose Co., Iowa, and started in business again. He built the shop which is now owned by the Appanoose County Manufacturing Company, in which he carried on a general foundry and ma- chine shop for three years. Ile then sold out and came to Blue Rapids, where he has ever since lived. Here he purchased a site, built a shop and embarked in the same business, in partnership with his brother, W. F. The connection continued until the summer of 1889, when Mr. Price sold his inter- est to his brother, being himself interested in a number of valuable patents, principally inventions of his own.
March 17, 1870, Mr. Price was united in mar- riage with Emma E. Kelly, a daughter of James M. and Caroline R. (Lockwood) Kelly, then of Newton, Iowa, to which place they had removed from Bucyrus, Crawford Co., Ohio. Mr. Kelly is now living at Herrington, Kan., his wife having died at Centerville, Iowa. Mrs. Price was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, in 1853. She and her husband have two children : Lee L., who is a machinist, now working in Concordia, Kan., and John B., who is under the parental roof.
Mr. Price has been a member of the City Coun- cil of Blue Rapids. Ile belongs to the Masonic fraternity, also to the I. O. O. F., and K. of P. He is a thorough mechanic and a man of considerable inventive talent. Plain, blunt and straightforward in manner and speech, open and honest in his deal- ings with his fellowmen, he commands the respect and good will of the people who know him.
OHN A. LOBAN. Among the representa- tive citizens of Marshall County, who have gone to their final rest, prominent mention belongs to the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch, and who, during the period of his residence here, became identified with the chief interests of Blue Rapids. He was a leading merchant of the latter city, where he died Ang. 27, 1886, aged thirty-eight years, seven months and twenty-six days, having been born
Jan. 1, 1848. His ancestors on the paternal side were of Scottish origin, and on the maternal side were of English descent. His father, Alexander Loban, was born in Scotland in 1820, and after his marriage came to America, settling in Buffalo, N. Y. He was a cabinet-maker, and followed that occupation until his death, which took place May 4, 1851, at the early age of thirty-one years. He was a man of a kind but firm disposition, upright and honorable in his life, and a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife was Mary Wills, who died of that dread disease, cholera, Aug. 1, 1849, at the early age of twenty-two years, she having been born in 1827. Her death greatly affected her husband, who never fully recovered from the shock he received. Shortly after her death he made a visit to his old home in Scotland, leaving his infant son with a sister of his deceased wife. Before going he had made a will, in which he directed that his son John A should be edu- cated in Scotland. After a few months stay in his native land, however, he determined to change this provision, but on his return to America he was suddenly taken ill, and died before his determina- tion could be carried into effect.
The subject of this sketch was, in accordance with the provisions of his father's will, sent to the latter's native land in charge of the sister of his father. He was educated in Scotland, and lived there and in other foreign lands until he reached manhood. Prior to the age of twelve, his home was in the city of Inverness, Scotland, with the aunt who took him to Scotland, and who had come to America for him in obedience to the request of her deceased brother. She afterward became the wife of William McIntosh, and with him lived in Inverness until her death. Two of her sons are now residents of Pueblo, Colo. The lad had an uncle in Scotland who was a lawyer, and who en- deavored to persuade John A. to adopt the legal profession, but the law did not suit his ideas, and he took his own course by going to sea when quite young. He first visited German ports, and later went to Australia and other distant lands, circum- navigating the globe. When quite young he had spent some time in a store in Inverness, Scotland, and also in London, and in those cities he received
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his mercantile training. The great love he cher- ished for a sister of his mother, was the principal cause of his return to the United States. This aunt, Mrs. Fannie Trout, was then and is now liv- ing in Buffalo, N. Y., and with her our subject made his home for some years. She proved herself a mother to young Loban, who cherished her mem- ory with filial affection until his dying day.
On his return to the United States our subject entered a business college in Buffalo, studying at night, while working as a clerk in the large dry goods establishment of Adam Meldrum & Co. }le likewise kept books there for another firm. At this time he also studied German, in which he became quite proficient, and which he afterward found of great help to him in his business. lle re- mained in Buffalo until the spring of 1870, when he determined to try his fortunes in the new State of Kansas. He therefore removed to Leavenworth, and for a few months clerked in a dry-goods store. In the fall of that year he came to Blue Rapids, and opened a small grocery store. The business constantly increasing, and thereby necessitating larger quarters, Mr. Loban bought a lot adjoining the northwest corner of the square, and on it erec- ted a substantial stone building.
In the spring of 1872, shortly after removing to his new building, Mr. Loban formed a partnership with Mr. A. E. Sweetland, under the firm name of Loban & Sweetland. The firm to-day, under the same name, transacts the largest mercantile business in Blue Rapids. The new firm found their busi- ness growing, and they still further increased it, adding a line of dry-goods and taking into the firm as junior partner, Mr. Lovell, who, however, went out after a short time. The original firm continued the business, enlarging their facilities by buying the corner building adjoining them. This structure had been put up at the same time as their own, and by cutting through the partitions they made an elegant] and commodious store, the only double store building in Blue Rapids City. The business constantly increased, owing in a great measure to Mr. Loban's business qualities. IIe devoted much time and attention to his store, but also found time to take an active part as a good citizen, in the management of municipal affairs.
He was for two terms a School Director, was several times a member of the City Council, and at the time of his death was City Clerk. Ilad he not died so early he would undoubtedly have attained as high a position in public life as he had made for himself in business circles. His death was sudden and unexpected, after a brief illness of about thirty-eight hours, and was caused primarily by a severe attack of cholera-morbus.
Jolin A. Loban was united in marriage on Ang. 29, 1872, with Miss Jennie M. Darling, daughter of Lyman W. and Elizabeth (Cure) Darling. The father was a native of Otsego County, N. Y., and the mother of Northamptonshire, England. Mr. Darling now makes his home with Mrs. Loban, and is seventy-two years of age, having been born June 30, 1817. llis wife died Dec. 20, 1882, in Otsego County, where she had gone on a visit to a daughter. At the time of her death Mrs. Darling was aged seventy years, four months and four days. Mrs. Loban was born Jan. 12, 1855, in Elyria, Ohio, and was a young lady of sixteen when she came to Kansas with her parents, who settled in Blue Rapids in the house where she now lives. This house has ever since been her home, she and her husband having made an addition toit after their marriage. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Loban was blessed by the birth of tive children. Two are deceased, namely : Edna Elizabeth, who was born Nov. 27, 1873, and died Dec. 20, 1879, and Olive M., who was born March 16, 1884, and died two days later. The survivors are : Albert L .. born Feb. 5, 1877; Ralph H., April 1, 1881, and Roy Alexander, Feb. 17, 1886.
Mr. Loban was well-known in Blue Rapids, not alone as a merchant, but as a public-spirited citi- zen. He was honest in his business transactions, upright in his intercourse with his fellow-men, and irreproachable in his private character. His un- timely death was not only an irreparable loss to his sorrowing wife and bereaved children, but was a public misfortune regretted by hosts of friends, to whom his sterling worth had greatly endeared him. Ile was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Blue Rapids, of which he was a Deacon, and was also greatly interested in Sunday-School work, being Superintendent of the school at the
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time of his death, and for several years teacher of the Ladies' Bible Class. Giving liberally of his means in support of church work, and leading an honorable and consistent Christian life, his sudden death did not find him unprepared. Those warm friends who yet mourn his untimely death, and miss his familiar face in the daily walks of life, will gladly welcome the fine portrait presented else- where of him whose life record we have given, but whose nobility of character and sweetness of dis- position can be realized only by those nearest and dearest to him.
AMES FITZGERALD. Well would it be for our country if every " oldest settler" had the record of fine character and financial success of the subject of this sketch, whose home is just outside the city limits, west of Beat- tie. The main business part of the city is built upon land preempted by Mr. Fitzgerald in 1859, said land comprising 160 acres on sections 21, 2 and 9. In August, 1866, the subject of our sketch came here to live, residing for nine years in a building opposite the Catholic Church. In 1872 he agreed with Mr. Watkins, who lived just west, to give the railroad every other city lot if a depot was located here, the railroad company to plat a quarter- section, and in order to secure this end, he visited St. Joseph to present in person to the railroad officials the offer of himself, H. C. Smith, and Mr. ITamil- ton, and arguments at his command in favor of his project. He sold village lots on what he still owned, and bought more land outside, so that he now owns 500 acres near the town. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. In 1875 Mr. Fitzgerald built a fine large stone house, which has a beautiful lawn surrounding it and good stone walks, the stone being supplied from a fine quarry on his own land, which is still in operation through another party. We invite the attention of our readers to a fine engraving of this attractive resi- dence.
Mr. Fitzgerald was born in Ireland in 1829. When twenty-two years old he came to America,
first settling in Maryland, where he remained for six years, becoming a citizen of the United States. Ile spent two years in Chicago, and then came to Kansas, in 1858, locating in Atchison, where he re- mained until after the war. Ile married Miss Mary Nolan, of Baltimore, Md., who is still living.
Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald are the parents of eight children, of whom six are still living. They are named respectively : Patrick S., Ellen, Katie, John, Rose, and William F. All still make this their home, with the exception of Patrick S., who mar- ried Miss Florence Patterson, of this city, and re- sides at St. Joseph, Mo. One of the original members of the Catholic Church of this city, Mr. Fitzgerald aided largely in its organization in 1868. Mr. Fitzgerald has stood by the church, assisting to build in 1881, doing his duty as far as he was able, and living to see the society grow from eight families to a flourishing organization of fifty.
Our subject has been an active business man, not looking for political offices, but has served the town- ship as Trustee for two terms. He now votes with the Republican party, though formerly a Democrat. Mr. Fitzgerald has done much to make the town of Beattie what it is, both as regards business and church work, and well deserves the respect of every resident of this thriving place.
HOMAS J. THOMPSON. Although a resi- dent of this county only a comparatively brief time, Mr. Thompson is already num- bered among its prominent citizens, being a man active in all good works, liberal, public spirited, and ever ready to do his part toward the advance- ment of the interests of the community, socially. morally and financially. He is a man of progres . sive ideas, keeps himself thoroughly posted in re- gard to events of general interest. and is one with whom an hour may always be spent pleasantly and profitably. He represents valuable farm property to the extent of 120 acres, rich bottom land, lo- cated on section 7 and uniformly fertile.
The subject of this notice was the third in a fam-
.
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ily of ten children, the offspring of Samuel and Jane (Atkins) Thompson, the former of whom was a native of Loudoun County, Va. The paternal grandfather, Samuel Thompson. Sr .. was a native of England and was born four miles from the city of London. By occupation he was a millwright and gardener. and remained in his native country until after his marriage. Then emigrating to America he located in the Old Dominion, and spent the remainder of his life in Loudoun County.
The father of our subject also learned millwright- ing and followed carpentering likewise. He was married in his native county, but about 1820 emi- grated to Ohio and located in Belmont, where he followed carpentering for a time and then re- moved to Guernsey County. He was afterward a resident of Knox and Champaign counties, and in 1849, leaving the Buckeye State, removed to Illi- nois and purchased, at $2.50 per acre, 160 acres of land in the vicinity of Winona, Marshall County. Not yet satisfied with his migrations, he moved across the Mississippi into Dade County. Mo., where he engaged in farming until his death, which ocenrred in 1869 when he was sixty-six years old. Politically, he was an adherent of the Democratic party.
Mrs. Jane (Atkins) Thompson, the mother of our subject, was likewise a native of Loudoun County, Va., and the danghter of Abraham Atkins, who was also born there. The great-grandmother of our subject, whose maiden name was Mary Baker, was a native of Scotland. Grandfather Atkins served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and afterward carried on farming for a time in the Old Dominion. Later he went into Ohio, where his death took place. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Atkins made her home with her grandson, Mr. Thompson, our subject, and died in 1871 at the age of seventy-five years. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The parental family consisted of the following children, the eldest of whom, Elizabeth, is now Mrs. Steward, of Dade County, Mo .; Susan, Mrs. James, lives in Belmont County. Ohio; Thomas J., as already stated, was the next in order of birth; Abraham is deceased; Samuel is a resident of Mar- shall County, Ill .; Frances A., Mrs. Graves, re-
sides in Ford County, that State; Isaac is deceased ; David is a resident of Ford County, Ill .; Charles lives in Thomas County, Kan .; Martha, Mrs. Love, resides in Joplin, Mo .; Emily is - deceased. Sam- uel during the late Civil War enlisted, in 1861. in Vaughan's Battery, and served three years. Charles enlisted in 1863, in an Illinois regiment, serving six months. David was in the same regiment.
The subject of this sketch was born near Mor- ristown, Belmont Co., Ohio, Dec. 4, 1825, and there spent his boyhood and youth upon a farm. His education was obtained mostly in a log school house during the winter season, he studying chiefly the Bible and the spelling book. He assisted in developing the homestead and accompanied the family in their various removals to Guernsey, Knox and Clark counties. At the age of thirteen years he commeneed working out on the farm, and was thus occupied until a young man of twenty-three. Later he assisted his father in dairying. In 1849 he purchased a farm near Wenona, Marshall Co., Ill., but soon afterwards traded it for 203 acres near Henry, Marshall Co., Ill., where, however, be only lived a few years. In 1855 he purchased a farm in Bennington Township, Marshall Co., III., which he improved, this embracing 240 acres. Here he made a specialty of live stock and was success- ful thereat.
When removing to Illinois, the Thompson fam- ily found wild game in abundance. Our subject continued dealing in live stock, buying and ship- ping to Chicago, and also raised full-blooded Short- horn cattle and Poland-China swine. In the meantime he became prominent in the affairs of his community, and was especially interested in the organization of the Wenona Union Fair, which embraced five counties and continued in existence for fifteen years. During this time Mr. Thomp- son officiated frequently as one of the committee in awarding premiums, and was otherwise promi- nent in connection therewith. He served as As- sessor twenty-one years in Bennington, and oeeu- pied all the other Township offices, including that of Supervisor.
In the fall of 1880 Mr. Thompson, disposing of his interests in the Prairie State, came to this county, and locating at Beattie engaged in buying
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and shipping stock to Lincoln, Neb. In August of the following year he purchased his present farm, to which he removed and upon which he has effected some excellent improvements. setting out the fruit and forest trees. repairing the fences and buildings, and bringing the whole premises to a condition suggestive of prosperity. He has not more than two acres of waste land in the whole farm, which is watered by the West Fork of the Vermillion and is highly productive. Mr. Thomp- son makes a specialty of graded Short-horn cattle and Jersey-red swine, with which he is in the habit of carrying off the blue ribbons at the county fairs. In horses, he has nine head of graded Hambletonians and roadsters. In Illinois he furnished over thirty- two men for service, in Bennington Township, Marshall County, for the Union army.
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