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 79
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
616
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIICAL ALBUM.
A brief description of his farm buildings may not be out place. The house, which is built of stone. of pleasing design and finely finished, is 30x40 feet, two story and cellar; and contains eight rooms. The main barn is 26x30 feet, with L's 24x26 feet, and contains threshiers and other other farming implements. The granary is 18x35 feet, solidly built of stone, as are all the outbuildings.
ATRICK A. BRENNAN. The history of one of the leading farmers of Logan Town- ship, and who is pleasantly located on sec- tion 34, is in its main points as follows: Mr. Brennan was born in Ireland, and when a mere boy was brought to America by his parents, John and Johanna (Whalon) Brennan. They landed in New York City, whence they proceeded to Rhode Island and lived there nine years. At the expira- tion of this time they emigrated to DeKalb County, Ill., where the father carried on farming until 1868. In the fall of that year they came to this county, and our subject, then being a man grown. secured his first landed possessions by homesteading eighty acres on section 2, Walnut Township. He carried on the improvement and cultivation of his land, and occupied it until 1881. Then selling out, he purchased 240 acres, occupying a portion of sections 27, 34 and 35, in Logan Township, where he now lives.
In 1882 Mr. Brennan repaired to Marysville and engaged in the agricultural implement trade in company with a partner, under the firm name of Dow & Brennan. Two years of this experience sufficed him, and he then went back to the farm, to which he has since given his undivided attention. lIe has put up a good frame house, together with barn, stable, etc., planted a grove of forest trees. and has a fruit orchard of about six acres. His property has been accumulated solely by his own exertions. as he commenced in life without means, and with comparatively little business experience. He knows how every dollar of his property has been earned, and is consequently well fitted to take
care of it. lle has very little time to give to out- side matters, but keeps himself posted upon current events. and usually votes the Democratic ticket.
One of the most interesting and important events in the life of our subject was his marriage. which took place in Illinois, the bride being Miss Mary, a sister of Patrick Farrall, whose sketch appears on another page in this ALBUM. Of this union there have been born eight children living, viz .: Mary, John, Thomas, James, William, Martin, Katie and Hannah. One daughter, Anna, is deceased.
The parents of onr subject came to this county a few years after his arrival and the mother died in 1885. The father is still living and makes his home with our subject. The family it is believed for several generations were natives of Ireland, and connected with the Catholic Church. Mr. Brennan, aside from holding the office of Clerk in Herkimer Township two terms. has meddled very little with public affairs, preferring to give his time to his farming interests.
ETER CRUSA. one of the old and repre- sentative farmers of Richland Township, came to Northeastern Kansas as early as 1869, and secured 160 acres of land, oe- cupying a part of sections 4 and 5. He labored in true pioneer fashion for a number of years, bring- ing it to a state of cultivation and erecting upon it the necessary buildings. It is now highly pro- ductive and valuable, and yields to the proprietor a generous income. Mr. Crusa stands well among his neighbors and fellow-citizens as a man deserv- ing of their highest esteem.
A native of Indiana, our subject was born in 1842, and lived there until coming to Kansas. He acquired his education in the common schools. and lived with his parents on the farm until leaving his native State. His father. Frederick Crusa, died in Indiana on Christmas Day, 1886. His wife. Louisa. is still living there. The parental household con- sisted of five children, four of whom are living in this county, namely : L. J. ; Peter, our subject; Eliza Mrs. Wagner, and Lewis, Lewis Crusa owns a farm
617
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
on section 6, in Richland Township, where he has lived for eight years. Our subject came to Kansas in advance of the family. and lived here many years before he was joined by any of them. Fred- crick Crusa, the father of our subjeet, was a native of Germany, where he was reared and married. ITpon coming to America he located near Brook- ville, Ind., where he improved a farm from the timber and constructed a comfortable home. Our subject has made of farming an art and a science, taking advantage of the new inventions of the age, and keeping himself thoroughly posted upon mat- ters of general interest connected with agriculture. He inherited from a substantial ancestry those solid and reliable traits of character which have enabled him to succeed financially, and secure the esteem and confidence of his fellow-men.
X AVIER GUITTARD. This gentleman is familiarly known to the people of this region as the youngest son of George Guittard, Sr., in honor of whom the township where he now lives was named. The latter was one of its early settlers and the first Postmaster. His family con- sisted of three sons-George, Jr., Joseph and Xavier. The mother, in her girlhood, was Miss Madaline T'homan. The parents emigrated from Philadelphia, Pa., by rail to St. Louis, Mo., whence they embarked on a river steamer to St. Joseph, Mo., and from that point proceeded with an ox team to this county, involving a journey of fifteen days, and settling in the wilderness in advance of civilization.
In making his journey from St. Louis to this county, the father of our subjeet, at Ft. Laramie, in company with a partner, undertook the trans- portation of a load of provisions. There were wild tales of Indian atrocities, and the partner be- coming frightened by the tales told him, withdrew from his contract, leaving Mr. Guittard to make his way alone. The latter, upon his arrival in this county. took up a claim of 160 acres, and the sons acquired land adjoining, to the extent of three
quarters of a section. Prior to this venture, how- ever, the elder Guittard visited this country, first in 1856, and again in the spring of 1857. 1Ie brought his family in the fall of the latter year. Their nearest neighbors for some time were Gen. Frank Marshall, at Marysville, and a Mr. Doyle, at Seneca, the first mentioned being located seventeen miles and the latter twenty-two miles away, and there was no physician nearer than the Missouri River. People in those times were obliged to keep on hand a supply of quinine, even if they had no flour.
When our subject, with his parents, came to this region, Indians were plentiful. including bands of Otoes, Pawnees, Kickapoos and the Kaws, or Pot- tawatomies-tlie two latter tribes being the most treacherous of any. The men of the Guittard household, put up a log house 20x22 in dimensions. and other structures of the same material for the accommodation of their limited supply of live stock. They then commenced breaking the ground around them, and sowed wheat. oats and barley, and put in other crops. The nearest market was at St. Joseph, 110 miles away, to which they made the journey in a slow and tedious manner, with oxen, and where they purchased the provisions necessary for the family. Their house for some years was one of the stage stations on the old over- land route, and one John Hockerty ran a weekly mail and stage from St. Joseph to Salt Lake City. In 1859 this was operated by Maj. Russell Waddle & Co., of Leavenworth, they making the trip weekly and taking in Leavenworth and Pike's Peak. In 1861 there was run a daily line by one Ben Holliday, of New York City, between St. Joseph and San Francisco, changing their four-horse teams once in ten or fourteen miles. In 1863 the route was changed somewhat, and finally, in 1865, was moved south on the Kansas Pacific Railroad.
The father of our subject assisted in the organi- zation of the county, and was appointed a Commis- sioner, in which capacity he served until the county was divided into four townships, fifteen miles square, which were named respectively: Marys- ville, Blue Rapids. Vermillion and Guittard. Mr. Guittard was made Deputy Sheriff, and was instru- mental in the organization of the first school dis-
618
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
triet, which embraced a territory nine miles square, having within its limits but a few families. He donated the site for the schoolhouse. the logs to build it, and the money to finish it, and also fre- quently boarded the teacher, in order that the school should be kept up. He was prosperous in his efforts at building up a homestead, living to put up a substantial frame dwelling and under this roof spent his last days, his death occurring in March, 1881.
George Guittard, the father of our subject, was born in France, March 5, 1800. IIe lived there until a man of thirty-three years, then set out for America with his wife and family. The former, in her girlhood, was Miss Madeline Thoman. Their children were all born, like the parents, in France, Xavier, our subject being the youngest. After an ocean voyage of 103 days, they settled in the city of Baltimore. Md., where they sojourned three years; thence they removed to Philadelphia, Pa., where the father was employed at his trade-the printing of calico-in the factories of the Quaker City. They removed to New York City in 1851, and to New Jersey the following year. In the latter State the father opened up his own factory, which he operated until the panic of 1854. In January, 1855, he returned to Philadelphia, where he remained working at his trade until December, 1857. The wife and mother is still living, making her home with her son Xavier, our subject. and if living nntil Oct. 16, 1889, will have attained the eighty-seventh year of her age.
The subject of this notice was born in France, May 21, 1831, and remained a member of the par- ental household until coming to this county. He selected for his portion, at the time his father and brothers took up land, the southwest quarter of section 4. in Guittard Township, and upon this he has since lived. It is hardly necessary to say, it has been greatly changed from its original condition, and financially Mr. Guittard has experienced a change fully as great. Ile is now the owner of the whole of section 4, and has effected first class im- provements including a good house, 38x43 feet in dimensions, and divided into twelve comfortable rooms. Ilis main barn occupies an area of 30x100 feet, and another one is 30x50 feet in dimensions.
The live stock and machinery is amply indicative of the progress and enterprise of the proprietor. The land has been brought to a high state of cul- tivation, and the whole estate is not only a credit to him who has built it up, but a source of pride . to this part of the county.
Considering his enterprise and value as a citizen, it is not surprising that Mr. Guittard has been called upon to fill the various offices within the gift of the people. He has officiated as Township Commissioner, Trustee, Treasurer and Clerk, hold- ing the latter office seven years, and has officiated as School Director for the past fourteen years. Po- litically he votes with the Democratic party, and socially is the Master of Guittard Grange, No. 569.
Since 1860 our subject has been the Postmaster of Guittard, receiving his commission from Abra- ham Lincoln. Mail only comes to this place twice a week from Beattie. In the early days it was brought daily on the overland route by stage, this vehicle transporting mail frequently to the value of $35,000 to 840,000, and from six to seven pas- sengers. Its arrival was quite an event, and formed one of the few occurrences, which served to en- liven the monotony of pioneer life. The Guittard family have performed no unimportant part in the settlement of this county, and are widely; and fa- vorably known to most of its prominent residents.
-
ERNER KREBS resides on a pleasant farm located on section 24, Balderson Township. Ile is a native of Prussia, where he was born Nov. 21. 1840. 1Ie not only obtained a com- mon school education under the compulsory laws of his native land, but completed a thorough High School course. At the age of twenty-two years he entered the Emperor Alexander Garde Grenadier. No. 1. Company 3, in which he served from 1862 to 1865. In 1866 he re-entered, serving in the same company and regiment in the war with Aus- tria, which took part in the battle of Koeniggraetz in Bohemia. He has the record of being a good soldier. IIe left the Empire in 1867 and crossed the Atlantic to New York. After a short sojourn
619
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
in Brooklyn, he went to Alleghany County, Md., to visit his brother, Rev. Hermann Krebs. After a short stay he went to La Salle County, Ill., where for a year he elerked in a store. In 1868 he eame to this county and took a homestead on Mission Creek. In 1870 he removed to his present loca- tion, where he obtained eighty acres of land, all raw prairie. Nearly all of it is now under eultiva- tion and upon it are being made various improve- ments. Mr. Krebs devotes his entire attention to his farm. In Dec. 1875, he went back to LaSalle County, Ill., where he remained some eight months, since which time he has been a continual resident here.
The father of our subject was during his life a man of considerable note. He was born in Bar- men, Prussia, March 18, 1803. He studied for the ministry and was graduated from the University of Erlangen. From 1829 to 1841, he preached in Berges Gladbach. From 1841 until his death, which occurred June 20, 1864, he preached in Hornrath, where he was buried. ITis death occurred in a hospital in Godesberg, where he had gone for treatment for dropsy. Hebrews xiii, 7. His wife, Caroline Frederika (Esch) Krebs was also a native of Prussia. She was born May 19, 1807 and died March 24, 1854. John x1, 25 and 26. The par- ental family consisted of eleven children, nine of whom are now living, our subject being the eighth in order of birth. In 1860 the father paid a visit to the United States.
Our subject celebrated his marriage on July 5, 1879, the bride being Eliza, daughter of Bernhard and Elizabeth (Pfetzing) Mueller. Mr. Mueller was born in Fulda, Hesse-Darmstadt.and his wife was a native of Berge in the same Grand Duchy. They spent their entire lives in their native land, where Mr. Mueller died in 1853, and his wife in 1856. They were the parents of three children, two of whom are now living. Mrs. Krebs was the second child, her birth having occurred Jan. 14, 1837. She was first married to John H. Duver, who died in 1876. Oet. 4, of the next year, the widow came to Home City, in this county, where later she was married to our subject. By her first husband she had three children, who grew to maturity. Mr. and Mrs. Krebs have one child, August, born June
:
16, 1881, who is already a very ereditable performer on the accordeon, showing evidence of a decided musical talent.
Mr. Krebs takes great interest in the polities of bis adopted country and votes the Democratic ticket. Both himself and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, among whose ministers his father had held such high rank. He has been School Director and faithfully discharged the duties of the office. He is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, of a kind and tender hearted nature, industrious habits and high principles.
6
R OLLIN S. FILLMORE, M. D. In the per- son of the subject of this biography we have emphatically a self-made man. Or- phaned at an early age by the death of both parents, he secured his education by his own unaided efforts. The struggles of his early life, which he met and overcame with true Ameri- can courage, were the means of making him self- reliant, and were of inestimable value in the development of his character. He is held in high esteem by the people of Blue Rapids, among whom he has lived for the past six years, both as a citizen and a physician and is rapidly rising in his profess- ion.
Dr. Fillmore was born in Elkton, Washington Co .. Ill., Dec. 22, 1854. His paternal ancestors were of English descent and Puritan stock. John Fillmore and his wife, Abigail Fillmore, were mem- bers of the Massachusetts colony in the seventeenth century and their son, John Jr., was born in Bos- ton, Mareh 19, 1702. In a direct line from him the subject of this sketch is descended. This latter John went to sea and was captured by a pirate named Phillips, but he and two others turning about captured the pirate vessel and brought her into Boston, where Phillips was hung and John and his companions were rewarded.
John Fillmore was married three times, having two children by his first wife. By his second, formerly, a Miss Day, he had thirteen children.
620
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
His third wife was a widow Roach, and this union was without issue. Nathaniel. a son of the second wife, was the progenitor of this branch of the family and the great-great-grandfather of Rollin S., our subject. He was born in Franklin, Conn. March 20. 1740. and served in three campaigns in the French and Indian War, entering the army when a youth of sixteen years. He was at one time dis- abled and left in the forest six days without food, but making a fire, roasted and ate his shoes and a part of his blanket, thus saving his life. lle was finally rescued and afterwards settled in Benning- ton, Vt. Later, he became an officer in the army, and fought the battle at that place. He was the father of six children. his son, Simeon, being the great-grandfather of Dr. Fillmore.
Simeon Fillmore was born Dec. 13, 1768, and was twice married, first to Susannah, daughter of Joseph and llannah Glezen, who was born May 7. 1766. and she was the maternal ancestor of this family. This couple had five children, the second of whom, named Sherlock, was the grandfather of him of whom we write. Sherlock was born Jan. 1, 1793,and was married Jan. 9, 1817 to Lois Slosson.at Clarence, N. Y., where he continued to reside until his death. He had a farm near the village and raised sheep. He was somewhat prominent in lo- cal affairs and a Notary Public. He was twice married, but there were no children of the second union. His wife, Lois, was the danghter of John and Judith Slosson. and was born Jan. 29, 1798. They had five children: Euphemia, who died un- married; Rollin, who is the father of Dr. Fillmore; Myron, a miller of Michigan; Henry, a veterinary surgeon at St. Cloud, Minn .; and Emory, who died in 1866 at the age of thirty-three, in Quincy, Mich.
Rollin Slosson Fillmore, Sr., father of the sub- ject of this biography. was born in Clarence, Erie Co., N. Y., June 24, 1819. There he spent his boyhood mainly, pursuing his carly studies, and later he completed his education in the city of Buffalo. While still a young man he began teach- ing school and afterward studied medicine, and was graduated at Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y. in 1846. After some years spent in the practice of his profession in his native State he removed to
Elkton. Ill., where he followed his calling for sev- eral years, and was appointed Postmaster of that place under the administration of President Fill- more, who was his second cousin.
In 1857 the father of our subjeet removed to St. Cloud, Minn,, where he practiced until his death, March 3, 1859, when in the fortieth year of his age. Had he lived longer he would, undoubtedly, have become famous. He possessed considerably liter- ary genius, being a frequent contributor to the medical journals, and was considered a practictioner of advanced ideas. He was married at Belleville, Ill., to Mrs. Emily (Boyakin) Rider, a sister of Coroner W. F. Boyakin, of this county, under whose name a history of the family appears on an- other page in this ALBUM. Mrs. Emily Fillmore was born in Giles County, Tenn., Oct. 27, 1827. In due time after the death of Dr. Fillmore she became the wife of James Steele, a farmer near Nashville, Ill., and died Sept. 8, 1863, when nearly thirty-six years old. Of her union with Dr. Fill- more there were born two children-Emily E. and the subject of this sketch. Emily is unmarried and lives in Belleville, Ill .; she was reared and educated by an aunt with a view of devoting her life to for- eign missions, but the precarious condition of her relative prevented her from undertaking her especial life work. She is now one of the promi- nent educators of Southern Illinois, Of the third marriage of Mrs. Fillmore there was born one child -Emily Louise, who is the wife of David Holliday and lives in Coulterville, Ill. ; her father is deceased.
Rollin Sherlock Fillmore. was three years old his father removed to St. Cloud, Minn., where he remained until the latter's death, three years later. lle afterward spent a short time in Michigan with an uncle, then repaired to the home of his grand- father, Sherlock Fillmore, at Clarence, N. Y. Sub- sequently, going to Belleville with his mother, he, after her marriage to Mr. Steele, removed with them to Nashville, Ill., at which time he was in his seventh year. He remained a member of the fam- ily until after the death of his mother, which oc- curred in 1863.
In due time after the above-mentioned event young Fillmore returned to Belleville, and making his home with an aunt, attended the district school
621
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
until about nineteen years old. For three years following he worked on the farm in summer, sav- ing his wages to pay his tuition in the High school, which he attended during the winter at Belleville, and to which he walked four miles and back each day. In this way he spent three' winters, and by constant study and reading during his spare mo- ments he became thoroughly well informed. He taught school and worked on a farm until he had accumulated enough to enable him to pay for his board while attending the Normal school at Val- paraiso, Ind. Hle paid his tuition acting as night watchman.
Dr. Fillmore was graduated from the business department of the above-mentioned institution in due time and afterward taught school near Belle- ville for three years. In this way he earned and saved his money to pay his way through the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, having years before determined to become a physician. He had kept this object in view with the same determination which had characterized his efforts in gaining a classical education, and for years had been reading medicine while in the Normal at Val- paraiso, and while teaching. He was thus well pre- pared for his medical studies, and in March, 1883. was graduated from the Missouri Medical College.
At Fayetteville, Ill., in the summer of 1882, Dr. Fillmore began the practice of his profession under the oversight of his Professor in college, and after being graduated, established himself at Saline, Ill. Thence, in September, 1883, he came to Blue Rap- ids, where he has since lived. He soon attained to an enviable reputation as a practictioner, and his devotion to his profession has gained him the con- fidence of a large number of patrons.
On the 21st of December, 1885, Dr. Fillmore was united in marriage with Miss Ada Lonise, daughter of Matthew and Jennie (Dimmock) Burn, of Til- sonburg, Canada. Mrs. Fillmore was born in Til- sonburg, Dec. 22, 1863. Of her union with our subject there is one child, a daughter, Louise Eupheme. They occupy a snug home in the west part of the city and enjoy the friendship of its best people. Both the Doctor and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Baptist Church at Blue Rapids. The Doctor possesses
considerable musical talent, and for the last five years has been the Chorister of his church, also a Trustee.
Besides the routine of his practice. Dr. Fillmore is filling various other important positions. He is Past Dictator in the K. of H., Examining Physi- cian of the M. W. of A., Surgeon for the U. S. Mutual Accident Association of New York, and Examining Surgeon of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York City. He is also Medical Examiner of the Connectient Life Insurance Com- pany of Hartford, Conn., and President of the Building and Loan Association, a branch of the parent society of Minneapolis, Minn. He is like- wisc Vice-President of the Marshall County Medi- cal Society and is Assistant Surgeon of the Third Regiment, K. N. G., commissioned by Gov. Mar- tin ia 1885.
b OMER T. REED, late a resident of this county, and numbered among its most highly respected citizens, was a native of Connecticut. and born Sept. 23, 1829. llis parents were David and Electa Reed, the former a native of Connecticut. The parental family in- cluded nine children. Homer T. crossed the Mis- souri at an early day, and settled in this county among its first pioneers. with whom he lived and labored until departing this life Oct. 5, 1885.
In Iowa, on the 3d of May, 1864, Homer T. Reed was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Emma, daughter of Enoch and Sahra (Gates) Fobes. This lady was born in Ontario County, N. Y., Oct. 3, 1833. Enoch Fobes was a native of Massachusetts, and his wife, Sabra. was born in New York State. The Fobes family was promi- nent in New England during the Colonial days, and traced their ancestry to Scotland and England. Grandfather Perly Gates carried a musket in the War of 1812.
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.