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 71
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 received a practical education in the schools of his native county and began teaching when a youth of seventeen years. He took up the study of medicine about the time of reaching his majority, and later entered a rising medical college at Columbus, from which he was graduated Feb. 25, 1878. In the meantime he had already com- menced the practice of his chosen profession, and for a time was located in Lancaster, Ohio.
Soon after being graduated Dr. Strayer left his native place and proceeding to Illinois, established himself at Curran, Sangamon County. But he soon became homesick, the town being new and the country practically undeveloped. so he returned to Ohio, and remained there until 1880, at which time he became associated with the Medical Library above mentioned. In 1882, coming to Beattie, this county, he entered into partnership with another physician, but they only operated together a few months, since which time Dr. Strayer has conducted his business alone. He is a member of the North- crn Kansas Medical Society, which includes in its ranks some of the best physicians in the State.
The father of our subject was Abraham W. Strayer, a native of Pennsylvania, and of German parentage and ancestry. He became familiar with mercantile pursuits in his youth, and by the death of his father, was thrown upon his own resources when quite young. Later, he emigrated with a brother-in-law to Ohio, and settled in Fairfield Couhty, where he attained his majority. Ile was married to Miss Ellen M. Cross, a native of Vir- ginia, and of English descent. Mrs. Strayer went to Ohio with her father, John Cross, when quite young, and was reared to womanhood in Fairfield County, on the farm of her parents, who died there. After marriage the parents of our subject settled in Royalton, of which they were residents many years, and where the father died in 1866, when fifty-two years old. He was engaged in mercantile pursuits during his younger years, and
later learned the trade of a saddler and harness- maker. Religiously, he was a Methodist, and po- litically, a sound Republican. The mother is yet living, and makes her home in Royalton, Ohio, and is now seventy-five years old; she also is a Methodist.
The subject of this sketch was the youngest in a family of five sons and three daughters. He re- ceived a careful parental training, and like his father before him, is an ardent supporter of Re- publican principles. He takes an active interest in local matters and gives his encouragement to the enterprises calculated to benefit the community. He has been an Odd Fellow for many years, and is at present a member of the Encampment at Barnes, and belongs to the Blue Lodge, A. F. & A. M. at Axtell, in which he is Senior Warden, and with which he became identified three years ago. Ile has never sought office, preferring to give his time and attention to the duties of his profession.
AVID HI. MILLER, of Blue Rapids, is, although a young man, one of the earliest settlers of Marshall County, having lived here for over thirty-one years. His par- ents, Henry H. and Sarah A. (Johns) Miller, came to Kansas from Richland County, Wis., locating in what is now Blue Rapids City Township, Aug. 1, 1858. His grandfather, Henry Muller, as the name was then spelled, came from Germany many years ago, and settled in Indiana, which was then on the frontier. There he lived until he came to Kansas with his son, Henry H. He died in Blue Rapids about the year 1870, being nearly one hun- dred years old. He was during his active life a farmer, but was past labor when the family came to this county. Ilis wife, Sarah Bowers, died about the year 1863, at the age of seventy-five. They had a family of six children, four of whom came to this county, and one son, Absalom, died here. Another son, Samuel, is now living in Iowa, and a daughter, Saralı, is the wife of Andrew Scott, of this township.
Henry H. Miller, the father of our subject, was
552
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
born in Indiana, and in that State in his youth fol- lowed the occupation of farming with his father. Early in the nineteenth century he removed to Wisconsin, and in Richland County, of that State. he was married to Sarah A. Johns. He followed agriculture in Wisconsin, and upon coming to Kansas took up a homestead of 160 acres on what is now section 31 in Blue Rapids City Township. On this place he lived until 1864, when, being a man of a venturous spirit, he went to Northern California and Oregon prospecting for gold. He spent several years in that region, being deter- mined not come home until he made a success, but did not liye to attain his wishes. At the time of the Modoc War, he and his partner were working near the Lava Beds, where the treacherous red- skins, under the notorious "Capt. Jack."made their stand, and the two men were captured by the sav- ages. The only news ever received by their fam- ily was through the Government report of Gen. Canby, which states that the captives were tor- tured to death by the red ,fiends. Mr. Miller was an honorable man, industrious and hard-working, but of a roving disposition, as shown by his going into that wild country. His wife was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Nov. 26, 1839, and went to Wisconsin with her parents when a young girl. By her union with Mr. Miller she became the mother of five children, one of whom, Melissa Alice, died in infancy, and one, Samuel B., at the age of fifteen. Those now living are: David II .; Anna S., wife of Frank Brooks, a farmer of Elm Creek Township; and Joshua P., who is engaged in the grocery business in Blue Rapids.
David H. Miller, the subject of this sketch, was born in Richland County, Wis., Sept. 19. 1856, and was therefore not quite two years old when he was brought to this county, where. with the exception of a year in Wisconsin, he has spent all his subse- quent life. Ile attended the district schools here, and when a lad began working on his father's farm. He was but a boy when his father left home, and being the oldest of the family, he soon learned what hard work was, having at an early age to take the principal care of the place. Ile passed through all the hardships seen in this sec- tion from Indians, drought and grasshoppers. When
still a child a couple of squaws attempted to steal him, but, just as they had got him on a pony, his mother seized him. and after a struggle succeeded in keeping her child. There were numerous alarms of Indian raids during the first year's residence of the family in Kansas, but they never suffered any loss from them.
Mr. Miller continued to live on the farm with his mother and stepfather until he was of age, when he began working in the mill of Perry Hutchinson, at Marysville, in this county. Ile re- mained in this employment six months, and then returned to farming. Being married the follow- ing year, he rented a farm of M. L. Duncan, which he operated for two years. He then purchased a quarter section in Wells Township, which he farmed for five years. This land, which he still owns, was fertilized by running water, and is now in a thorough state of cultivation and furnished with good and adequate buildings. In November, 1886, Mr. Miller removed to Blue Rapids, and in co- partnership with his stepfather, M. L. Duncan, and J. H. Barlow, engaged in the milling business, the establishment being known as the Gem City Roll- ing Mill. He has charge of the mill as Superin- tendent.
December 24, 1878. Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Chloe Fisher, who was born in Wilson, Niagara Co., N. Y., Jan. 27, 1858. Her parents were John S. and Salome ( Pomeroy ) Fisher. The father was a native of England. who had come to America with his parents when he was but eight years old, and the mother is of New England stock. Both are now living in Blue Rapids. (See sketch.) Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of three children-Melissa Duncan, Henry Pomeroy and Ruby.
Mr. Miller is a member of the Baptist Church, and while living on his farm was a Deacon of the Elm Creek Church. Mrs. Miller holds member- ship in the Presbyterian Church. IIe is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Blue Rapids Lodge No. 169. During his residence in Wells Township, he held the office of Treasurer, but since coming to Blue Rapids has had no pub- lic position, his time being fully occupied in his business. Mr. Miller is well known to all the people
553
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
of this part of the county, where, it may be said, his entire life has been passed. He bears the repu- tation of being an honest, upright and trustworthy business man, and a good citizen, and as such, is esteemed by everyone who knows him. On another page will be found a further account of the bnsi- ness in which Mr. Miller is now engaged, and which is one of the principal industries of Blue Rapids.
E DWIN S. ROWLAND. Some of the most successful farmers of Walnut Township, are those who came to Northern Kansas in their young manhood, among whom was the subject of this notice. With wise forethought he set about the establishment of a home before assuming the responsibilities of a family, and homesteaded eighty acres of land which he has improved into a first- class farm, making fences, putting up buildings, planting forest and fruit trees, and gradually accu- mulating the comforts and conveniences which have so large a share in the happiness and welfare of humanity. For a number of years he operated simply as a tiller of the soil, but now makes a specialty of fine stock, including Clydesdale horses and Short-horn cattle, and is able to exhibit some of the finest specimens of these to be found in this part of the county.
A native of New York State, Mr. Rowland was born in Suffolk County, March 6, 1847, and there spent his boyhood and youth, receiving a practical education in the common school. Ile at an early age acquired those habits of industry which have proved the basis of his success in life. His parents were Sanford and Mary (Thompson) Rowland, na- tives of Long Island. The father was owner of a sailing vessel, the "Dover," which was chicfly used in the oyster business on the American coast, and of which he was commander. Ile was lost at sea off Fire Island Inlet, where his ship grounded on a bar and where he perished March 2, 1854.
The paternal grandfather of our subject spent many years of his life on Long Island, where he was married, reared his family and died. The maternal grandparents likewise died on Long
Island, is the village of Patchogue, where they had been reared. Our subject left his native State when a young man and after coming to this county was united in marriage to Miss Catherine, daughter of John and Catherine Binder, who was born in Oskaloosa, Mahaska Co., Iowa, June 4, 1857. The parents of Mrs. Rowland were natives of Germany and further notice of them may be found in the sketch of J. George Binder, a brother of her father. Of her union with our subject there have been born three children : William, Albert and James Franklin. Mr. Rowland is a stanch supporter of Republican principles. He has always maintained an interest in local affairs and officiated as Township Clerk one term.
Jolın Binder departed this life at his home in Waterville Township, this county, Feb. 15, 1888, after a residence of twenty-one years, having come here in 1869. He at that time homesteaded eighty acres on section 2, in Waterville Township, where they reared their family of seven children and where the mother still lives. Mrs. Rowland was their third child. She was carefully trained in all housewifely duties, received a common-school edu- cation and remained under the parental roof until her marriage.
ARLAND MCGREW, of Blue Rapids, has lived in Kansas about a score of years, hav- ing come here in 1870, locating first in Holton, Jackson County, where he arrived Oct. 9, of that year. Ile was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, June 30. 1828. IIis grandfather, Nathan McGrew, removed from Westmoreland County, Pa., to Ohio. at an early day. The Mc- Grews were from Ireland, and the grandmother, whose name was Blackburn, was of Scotch ancestry. The grandparents were married in Pennsylvania. and as stated, located in Ohio, where both spent the rest of their lives. Their son, also named Nathan, was the father of our subject. He was quite young when the family removed to the then new country, Ohio. There he endured the usual hardships encountered by the early settler in that
·
554
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
heavily wooded country, where they had literally to hew out a home from the wilderness. His father was a miller. and the first building he put up after his emigration, was a mill on Cross Creek, in a part of which building they lived until they had a house built. On this same stream the grandfather built three mills, selling out and again building. Nathan McGrew also learned the trade of a miller, and worked at that occupation all his life. He died Sept. 19, 1854, aged fifty-seven years. He was a man who never pushed himself forward in public life and never held public office, but attended strictly to his business, and was accounted one of the best millers in that part of the country. Ile was of Quaker descent, but later in life became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife was Angelina McManama, who came from Loudoun County, Va., where she was born. Her ancestors had come from England with one of the colonies settled in Pennsylvania by William Penn. She lived ten years after her husband, dying in Har- rison County, Ohio, in the house of her son llarland, Feb. 18, 1864. She like her husband was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a good wife and a devoted mother. Both she and her husband were highly esteemed and respected by those who knew them. They had six children, one of whom was killed by a falling log, in his sec- ond year. The others lived to maturity : Nathan is now living in Holton, Jackson Co., Kan., where for many years he carried on a large grocery ; Harland was next in order of birth; John was a teacher and died unmarried in Jefferson County, Ohio; Matilda also died unmarried in the same county ; Samuel came to Marshall County in 1872, and died in Blue Rapids the same year. He was a Union soldier, and served for four years in the 40th Illinois Infantry, and his death was hastened by the hardships endured in the service. Ile was Sergeant and Color Bearer of his company, and was a gallant soldier. His children, and his widow, who was remarried, all live in Massillon, Ohio.
Harland McGrew was brought up in Jefferson County, Ohio, and received his education in its district schools. He learned the trade of milling with his father, for whom he worked until he was twenty-four years old. About this time he went
into partnership with his brothers, Nathan and Samuel, in a flouring mill on a fork of the Yellow Creek, in Jefferson County. They carried on this business for a number of years, when selling out, they bought another mill, in Carroll County, Ohio, which they operated about six years. On Samuel's enlistment he sold his interest to his brothers, who continned the mill for some time. The one which they had sold in Jefferson County not proving successful under its new management. it was put in the market, and the McGrew brothers bought a half interest in it. They carried on both mills for about a year, when they again sold the Jefferson County mill. llarland had a short time before sold his interest in the Carroll County mill to his brothers. This was in the early part of 1862, in which year our subject went to Springfield. Ohio. and there carried on a mill for other parties for a year. His brother had sold a half-interest in his mill, and the new firm removed it to the railroad at a place called Bowerstown. There Harland took charge of it for them, running it for over two years. In 1865 he bought a mill at Sherrodsville, Carroll Co., Ohio, which he kept until 1870.
Our subject then sold out and determined to try his fortunes in the new State of Kansas. The first year here he ran a mill at Holton, and on coming to this county, in 1871, he took charge of the flouring mill on the east bank of the Blue at Blue Rapids, then owned by Olmsted Bros. & Co. In that position he remained for nearly eleven years, having entire charge of its operation. In 1882 Mr. McGrew went to Frankfort for a few months, and from there, being in failing health just then, he went to Jackson County, where he was in the grocery business with his brother for a year. On his return to Blue Rapids, in the fall of 1884, he kept a flour and feed store for a few months, and then returned to the mill in which he had passed so many years. From there he went into the mill at Clifton, Washington County, which he ran for a year, when it burnt down, and he came back to Blue Rapids, where his family still lived.
On coming back to Blue Rapids, Mr. McGrew and Jacob H1. Barlow bought the mill on the west bank, now known as the Gem City Mill, and the water power. It had originally been built for a
555
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
paper mill, but they determined to make it a first- class flouring mill, and to get money for that pur- pose sold a half interest in it to Levi Forbes, who died before the papers were signed, and whose heirs declined to carry out the contract. They then sold the half-interest to M. L. Duncan and David II. Miller, the connection continuing as Barlow, McGrew & Co., for over a year, when Mr. McGrew sold his interest to M. L. Duncan. The new firm then formed retained Mr. MeGrew as miller, and in that capacity he is still employed.
February 28, 1855, Mr. McGrew was married to Miss Ellizannah Smyth, who was born in Jeffer- son County, Ohio. Feb. 24, 1836. Her parents were William and Mary (Story) Smyth, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Ohio. Mr. Smyth was brought up to farming, but went to Mississippi to take charge of a plantation for his brother, who was a planter, and not liking the work, gave it up and returned to Ohio, where he bought a woolen mill, which he carried on many years. Ile later converted it into a flouring mill, which he sold in 1850 to the father and brother of Mr. Mc- Grew. He then went to Ashland County, Ohio. where he bought a farm, which he operated for a number of years, when he sold it and bought another, which he also sold in a year. Ile then re- moved to Carroll County, Ohio, and bought a half- interest in the mill in that county, owned by his son-in-law, our subject, and with him he remained until they all came to Kansas in 1870. On coming to this State he bought property in Holton, Jack- son County, but has not engaged in any active business. His wife died in Holton, in 1876, aged about sixty-six years, and he is yet living there, and has attained to almost eighty years. Mr. and Mrs. McGrew have three children: Malissa Ann, born Sept. 9, 1857, is the wife of William Caul- kins, of Marysville, this county ; Sarah Jane, Nov. 19, 1862, is married to George B. McC. Reed, and lives in Holton; Ida May, born Oct. 17, 1866, is the wife of William J. McNab, a merchant of Blue Rapids.
Mr. McGrew has been a member of the Council of Blue Rapids. He belongs to the Masonic fra- ternity, and is a member of Blue Rapids Lodge No. 169, of which he has been Junior Warden, and is
now Schicr Steward. Ile and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Blue Rapids, of which he is Trustee. Mr. McGrew is a well- known citizen of the county, especially to the people of Blue Rapids and the surrounding country, and they speak of him as an upright and straight- forward man. of unimpeachable character, who has fairly won the goodwill which they bear him as a man and a citizen.
AMES W. WATTERS, late a highly re- spected resident of Wells Township. was born in Iowa, Sept. 13. 1845, and departed this life at his homestead on section 6, May 17, 1881, being thus cut down in the prime of life. He was the son of Samuel and Frene Watters, and was reared in his native county, receiving a fair education in the distriet schools. He came to this State about 1869, settling first in Washington County. where he sojourned one year, then coming to this county, located on a tract of land in Wells Township, homesteading eighty acres, upon which not a furrow had been turned. By perseverance and industry he brought his land to a good state of cultivation, and has left to his family that which will maintain them comfortably.
Mr. Watters was a kind man in his family, and among his neighbors was held in the highest es- teem. Politically, he was a sound Republican, and in religious matters a conscientious member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was married Feb. 14, 1866, to Miss Eliza Williams, who was born in Washington County, Ohio, Dec. 26, 1843. The parents of Mrs. Watters were llenry and Jane (Johnson) Williams, who were natives of Pennsyl- vania, and early pioneers of Washington County, Ohio. They had a family of six children, of whom the following survive, viz: Nancy, the wife of Ira Adams, of Washington County, Iowa; Henry, Eliza, and John.
Mrs. Watters was a maiden of sixteen years when her parents removed from Obio to Iowa, where they spent the remainder of their days. She at- tended school during her childhood and youth, and
556
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
became familiar with all the useful housewifely duties, being thus able to assist her husband in his efforts to obtain something for the future. Of their union there were born five children, namely : Jennie, who is a teacher in the public schools: Au- gustus, Oscar, Ora, and Walter, the latter four re- maining at home with their mother. Mrs. Watters, like her husband, identified herself with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church some years ago. She is managing the homestead in a praiseworthy manner, and enjoys the respect of her neighbors.
ANIEL LOCKE, who owns and manages a farm on section 29, Balderson Township, has always followed the occupation of a farmer, to which he was reared. He now has 160 acres of fine land, all but thirty of which are under the plow. Among the prominent features of this estate, is a fine young orchard of 150 trees, including apple, cherry, apricot and a generous collection of small fruits in addition. He not only carries on a successful farm but handles consider- able stock.
Our subject is a native of Devonshire, England, where he was born Nov. 24, 1844. While he was yet an infant his parents removed to Canada, in which country he obtained most of his youthful training and education. When he was sixteen years old the family went to Illinois, and that was the home of our subject for over twenty years. He began life for himself at the age of twenty- two, engaging in the occupation in which he had previously been his father's able assistant. Nov. 16, 1868, he was married to Miss Elizabeth J. Smith, of Ogle County, Ill., and immediately returned with his bride to Champaign County, settling upon the farm of his father. After three years sojourn he bought 160 acres in the same county upon which he lived for three years. Removing to Ogle County, he sojourned five years, and then returned to Cham- paign County, where he staid two years. In 1882 he removed to this State, and settled upon the farm, where he now resides. The land was raw prairie when he took possession, and in the short period of seven years he has brought it to its pres-
ent state of cultivation and productiveness, and erected a dwelling, barns and other adequate build- ings.
The father of our subject was William Henry Locke, a native of Devonshire, England, and his mother. Hannah (Escott) Locke, a native of Som- ersetshire, England. They were married in their native country, and resided upon a farm there until 1846, when they came to America. After landing in New York they proceeded immediately to Canada, where they remained until 1862, and then removed to Champaign County, Ill. In that home the mother died Oct. 17, 1874, at the age of sixty- eight, and the father June 1, 1884, at the age of eighty-four. The family consisted of twelve chil- dren, eight of whom are now living. Our subject was the tenth child in order of birth.
Mrs. Locke was the sixth child of Thomas and Jane Smith, of Ogle County, Ill., (for history of her parents see sketch of Thompson Smith). She was born in London, Canada, May 14, 1846, and was reared in Ogle County, where she received a good education in the common schools. She is a lady of intelligence and genial manners, a notable housekeeper to whose splendid management is due much of the prosperity of the family, as well as the comfort and order of the household. Mr. and Mrs. Locke have six children-Franklin T., born Aug. 20, 1871; Willis D., Nov. 12, 1873; Hattie, Feb. 11, 1875; Julia H., Nov. 28, 1876; Thomas S., April 5, 1878; and Elmer H. July 14, 1879. All are still clustered about the home fireside, forming a bright and attractive circle whose growing intel- ligence and educational advancement is watched with delight by the parents.
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.