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 83
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Mr. Eames, a short time prior to his death, de- sired that his daughter, Harriet, should be given to his only sister, Mrs. Brooks, of Rock Island. This lady was a remarkably bright character, possessing much intellectual ability and great energy, and was emi- nently fitted for the charge which she assumed in the rearing of her niece. With her, Miss Eames resided until a maiden of sixteen years. in the meantime receiving good educational advantages. She, however, desired to rise higher in the scale of knowledge, and with this end in view, engaged in teaching during the summer season, and with the money thus earned was enabled to attend the Rock Island Seminary. where she continned until eigh- teen years old, becoming fitted for a teacher of the higher branches.
Leaving Rock Island, Miss Eames now repaired to Iowa City, Iowa, and for four years thereafter was one of the most popular teachers in the Odd- Fellows Seminary, following this profession until twenty-two years old. On the 25th of February, 1856, she was united in marriage with Mr. Charles Porter, in Iowa City, Iowa. Mr. Porter was a native of Lee, Berkshire Co .. Mass., and was the son of Ebenezer and Eunice (Yale) Porter, who were descended from highly respectable and well- known old families of the Bay State. Ebenezer Porter was a man of sterling character, highly
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honored and respected by all who knew him. His wife, Eunice, was a lineal descendant of John Yale, the founder of Yale College. She was not only a woman of fine intellectual attainments, but of a remarkably sweet and lovable disposition and her family were noted for their culture and refinement. The Yales were among the most prominent people of New England, even back to its earliest Colonial history.
Ebenezer Porter and family removed from Lee, Mass. to Lorain County, Ohio, when their son, Charles. was eight years old. Charles Porter re- eeived the benefits of a good education, and after leaving school became connected with the Ohio Stage Company. and it was in the interest of this company that he came west to Iowa City, and there he met his future wife. After their marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Porter continued to reside in Iowa City, where their son, George Dana, was born, Jan. 1, 1857. In 1858 they went to Lorain County, Ohio, and settled near Elyria, to take care of Mr. Porter's father, who was then eighty-three years old and quite feeble. They ministered tenderly to his necessities until his decease at the advanced age of ninety-two years. Later, Mr. and Mrs. Porter removed to Elyria, Ohio, where the death of Mr. Porter oceurred, Jan. 15, 1871.
Charles Porter was a man of fine intellect and kindly disposition, and was greatly beloved by all his friends and acquaintances. He prospered finan- cially and left a competence to his family. Dur- ing their stay near Elyria, at the home of Grand- father Porter, their daughter, Jennie Gardner, was born at the old homestead three miles east of Elyria. She is now the wife of lIon. James Law- rence, of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Lawrence was Attorney-General of the State of Ohio during the incumbency of Governor Hoadly. Shortly after the death of Mr. Porter his widow and children removed to Cleveland, where the latter were edu- cated. The daughter, Mrs. Lawrence, was gradu- ated from Miss Salisbury's school. The son learned the profession of an architect in the office of Mr. Ireland, in Cleveland. Early in life he had a desire to engage in trade on the lakes and soon beeame mate on a lake sailing vessel. His mother desiring that he should change his vocation, pur-
ebased the ranehe in Blue Rapids City Township, Kan., which she now owns. For about two years her son conducted this as a sheep ranche, then be- coming tired of this occupation journeyed to the Pacific coast, and is now a resident of San Diego, Cal. His tastes for a seafaring life continued to abide by him and he has become the owner and captain of a sailing vessel. plying in the trade along the coast and also to the South Sea Islands, the Shetland Islands and Japan, which trade he finds profitable. Mrs. Porter was married to Al- bert Gilchrist in 1879.
After her son left the ranche, Mrs. Gilchrist came hither, began improving and stocking the place with cattle and horses, and employed men to carry it on. For eight years she traveled back and forth between the ranche and Cleveland, Ohio, and dur- ing the year 1888. remained most of her time here, returning to Cleveland for the winter. When she first took charge of the ranche it had only a straw shed and a one-room shanty. With the energy and ability, which she had inherited from her ancestors, she at once set about vigorously the im- provement of the place. She has now a commo- dious residence of cleven rooms, and on the lower floor is a well-equipped creamery with all the mod- ern machinery requisite, including a supply of spring water conveyed in pipes wherever re- quired. There are four or five barns on the place, besides granaries, corn cribs and feed rooms. The main barn stands about 200 yards from the resi- dence and is a large structure, 150 feet in length, with ample accomodations for the storage of grain and hay and the shelter of stock.
In addition to the above conveniences there are upon this ranche, seven springs of living water, from which a windmill pump conveys water to the several tanks conveniently located for stock pur- poses. East of the residence and close at hand there is a beautiful park, several acres in extent, with a splendid turf of blue grass. Meandering through the park and hear the buildings is a never failing stream of cold spring water. A large num- ber of natural forest trees serve to adorn and beautify the place, besides 2.000 trees, which were planted under the direct supervision of Mrs. Gil- christ, and which add beauty to the surrounding
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landscape. There are also orchards of apple and peach trees in bearing condition, besides trees of smaller fruits.
This estate comprises 800 acres and lies three and one-half miles from Blue Rapids, and eight miles from Marysville, the county-seat. Mrs. Gil- christ is now breeding high-grade Percheron horses, Short-horn cattle and Poland-China swine. This year she has raised 5,000 bushels of corn, over 2,000 bushels of oats and large quantities of liay and millet. About three-fourths of the estate is devoted to pasturage, upon which graze herds of high-bred horses and cattle. About 300 acres of the ranche is high, rolling prairie; the balance is fine, smooth upland and bottom land.
We invite the attention of our many readers to an excellent portrait of its energetic and handsome owner. Too much credit can not be given to Mrs. Gilchrist for the bravery and determination which she has displayed in the building up and beautify- ing of this property.
OJIN SCHUBAKAGEL. This prominent stock-raiser and farmer resides in the south- eastern part of Vermillion Township, own- ing 240 acres of fine land in the southeastern part of section 30 and northwestern part of section 31. Hle makes a specialty of breeding Poland- China hogs and Short-horn cattle, having about 150 head of the former and a good herd of the lat- ser. If he has any ambition beside the attainment of financial prosperity and leading a life honorable, pure and upright, it is that he may some day be the owner and manager of a large breeding farm, and he certainly is making a creditable beginning toward obtaining the object longed for. His land is suited for a model farm, such as Mr. Schu- bakagel makes of it, being beautifully situated and well watered, while the soil is fertile and yields bountifully to the kindly touch of man. Mr. Schubakagel also claims to be the owner of the finest herd of blooded Poland-China hogs in this section of the State, but while mainly interested in stock-raising he does not neglect the general man-
agement of the agricultural department of the estate. He owns and occupies a cozy home, de- lightfully situated, and it is represented on another page of this volume by a fine engraving.
A personal history of our subject would be very incomplete without considerable mention of his wife, who is ever ready with kind words and care- ful hands to promote the happiness of the home. Quick in decision, fruitful in resources, full of ani- mation and energy, she impresses a stranger as cap- able of managing affairs of large moment. while among her friends for miles around she is recog- nized as a kind-hearted, amiable and generous woman, hospitable to all who come under her roof and charitable toward the erring and distressed. She is an essential factor in the family cirele, whose interests are ever uppermost in her mind and to whom she is devoted with her whole heart and soul.
The subject of this biographical notice was born July 17, 1848, in Carroll County, Md., his parents being William and Sarah (Buchen ) Schubakagel, the father a native of Germany, while the mother was born in Maryland, of German parentage. The ma- ternal grandfather served in the Revolutionary War, dying in 1851 at the age of ninety-five years. William Schubakagel learned carpentering in his boyhood and youth, a trade he followed during the earlier part of his life, but in his later years he en- gaged in the pursuit of agriculture. He was twice married, his first wife being Sarah Buchen, who became the mother of five children, namely: William; John, of whom we write; Sarah, David; Margaret, who died when a year old. The eldest, William, is a merchant and is engaged in business in Baltimore, Md. He was married twice, his first wife being Miss Johana Woolston, who died without leaving any children. By his second wife William has become the father of two children. The eldest daughter and third child, Sarah is also a resident of Baltimore, and is the wife of John lluston, a merchant in the Monu- mental City; they have one child living. David is unmarried and is engaged in farming near Gil- more City, Iowa.
Again uniting his interests with those of another, Mr. Schubakagel chose as his wife
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Margaret Wizner, by whom he had nine chil- dren: Christopher; George. who died in infancy; Jane, Kate, Josephine, Margaret died in infancy. Naney, Henry and one who died in infancy. Christopher is at present residing on his father's farm in Livingston County, Ill .; Kate became the wife of George Beaver, to whom she bore two children and then died at the early age of twenty-two years. Josephine married George Smith, a machinist re- siding in Baltimore, and was removed by death from her home at the early age of twenty-five years. Jane, Nancy and Henry are living at home with their parents.
John Schubakagel, the second son in his father's family, lived with his parents until he became of age and began life for himself as a renter near Canton, Fulton Co., Ill. Afterward he rented land and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Mc- Lean County, the same State. By prudent manage- ment he was enabled to save enough money to buy land in Livingston County, and was a resident of this and Fulton County for about twelve years.
The beauty of Illinois scenery, the fertility of her soil and the advantages of her cities, did not suffice, however, to keep John Schubakagel within her limits. Kansas presented such an opening as an older State never could grant, and therefore in 1879, our subject wended his way Westward and purchased land, his present place of 240 acres. on which he moved in March, 1879.
Mention has already been made of the wife of Mr. Schubakagel, with whom he was united in mar- riage Feb. 23, 1879, in Livingston County, Ill. Her maiden name was Lydia Stafford. and her birth occurred Jan. 7, 1861. ller parents, Washington and Elizabeth (Leckliter) Stafford, were born Sept. 5, 1820, and Feb. 5. 1823, respectively, and were natives of Virginia. To Washington Stafford and his wife were born ten children, seven now living, of whom the record is as follows: James William, born Nov. 30, 1843; John Wesley. Feb. 12, 1849; Mary Lonisa, Jan. 17, 1852; Matilda Catherine, March 2, 1856; Lydia Eliza- beth, the wife of our subject, Jan. 7. 1861 : George B. McC .. Jan. 27, 1864; and Mazy Jane, July 18, 1865. The others died in infancy. The father and mother are still living in Livingston Co., Ill.
The oldest of their children, James W., was united in marriage with Kate Hartman, and lives in Wil- berger Co., Tex .. where he owns and operates a farm. He and his wife have a family of six children- John Wesley resides in Ringgold County, Iowa. where he is engaged in farming. He became the husband of Miss Maggie Ridell, by whom he has two children. Joseph is engaged in mining in Col- orado, and resides there with his wife. who was formerly Lizzie McDowell, and by whom he has four ehildren. Mary L. is a resident of Livingston County, Ill., and is the wife of George Flurer, a farmer of that county; they are the parents of three children. Matilda married Charles Foltz, a farmer of Marshall County, and they have five children ; George B. MeC. lives in Livingston County, III., and selected as his life partner Libbie Weller; Mazy Jane lives at home and is unmarried.
Our subject and his wife have had four children born to them, one of whom, Jane Elizabeth, died when three months old; William G., John and Ida M., are at home, and are naturally the objects of loving interest and devoted care on the part of their parents. The family are regular attendants of the Methodist Church, to which they belong. while in political sympathies Mr. Schnbakagel is a Prohibitionist. Socially they are welcomed into the most refined circles of their community, where they are valued for their many honorable and worthy traits of character.
C HARLES MILLER, a progressive farmer and worthy citizen. has been for many years closely identified with the most important interests of Marshall County, and now owns and manages a farm of eighty acres on section 4, Blue Rapids City Township. Besides this, he is the owner of 160 acres of good farming land in Pratt County, Kan., which he has recently sold. The land he now occupies was first preempted as a claim. and was in a primitive condition when purchased. Only a few years prior it had been the scene of In- dian wars and meetings, where they followed the pleasures of the chase, or clustered in solemn debate
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around the camp fire. The land was uncultivated. not a furrow having been turned upon it. But un- daunted by hard labor, undeterred by thoughts of hardships, Mr. Miller pursued the busy pathway of life, and now enjoys the fruits of well-directed efforts.
The parents of him whose sketch is herewith out- lined, were Charles and Mary A. Miller, both na- tives of Germany. In 1830, a few years prior to the birth of their son, our subject, his parents emi- grated to America and in 1832 located in Madison County, Ill., where they were pioneer settlers, and where Charles Miller was born April 9, 1839. In that county they made a home out of the raw prai- rie, and surrounded by friends and all the comforts of life, passed their declining years happily, and at last passed thence to another, better home.
The second son born to Charles Miller and his wife, our subject was reared to manhood amid the pioneer scenes of Illinois. Upon attaining to years of maturity, he was happily married, March 6, 1860, to Belle A. Traver, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Ebenezer Traver, of Madison County, Ill. They have become the parents of nine children, whose records are as follows: George E., William L., Frances. Mrs. Garrett, a widow; Lillie. wife of Bur- ton Newman; Cecelia, wife of Edward Ham: Ber- tie R., Lizzie M., Maud, and Flora.
For the ten years following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Miller resided in Illinois, where he was engaged in farming. In the autumn of 1870, he started to Marshall County, Kan., accompanied by his wife and their four children. They traveled the entire distance overland, having two span of horses and two wagons, a few household utensils and farming implements. When night overtook them, they would stop by the road, prepare a frugal meal, and then lie down to rest under the broad eanopy of heaven. The trip consumed four weeks, and after their arrival at their destination, Mr. Miller pursued various employments in Blue Rap- ids Township.
Preempting a claim of eighty acres in the spring of 1872, Mr. Miller began energetically to carve out a pathway to independence and fortune. The results of his perseverance and toil are evident to everyone who beholds his neat home, and well-
regulated estate. The first winter he lived on his homestead, he occupied a board shanty, 12x14 feet in dimensions, made of cotton-wood, and destitute of even a floor and windows, light being admitted through two apertures in the wood. When his financial condition had improved sufficiently to warrant it, he erected his present comfortable resi- dence.
Though principally concerned in the extension of his own interests, Mr. Miller devotes some time to affairs of public moment, and votes the Repub- lican ticket. Ile has served as School Director for two years, aiming to elevate the cause of education as far as is possible, and is in favor of any measure calculated to benefit society in general. Relig- iously, his wife belongs to the Methodist Church, and they are among the highly esteemed members of the society in which they move, being worthy, upright, and charitable.
HARLES CURS. Among the well-regulated farms of Walnut Township may be prop- erly mentioned that of Mr. Curs, upon which he has erected a convenient and roomy dwelling, with a good barn and other outbuildings necessary for the successful prosecution of agricul- ture. Noticeable in the rear is a fine orchard, where a goodly assortment of fruit trees yield in their season luxuries for the use of the family and something besides. A peaceable and unobtrusive citizen, Mr. Curs makes a specialty of attending to his own concerns, which quality of character has resulted in his financial success, while he enjoys the esteem and confidence of those around him.
Our subject was born Oct. 14, 1826, in Prussia, and remained there until a man of thirty-three years. In the meantime he had labored industri- ously, but had not made the headway which he de- sired and finally resolved to emigrate to the United States. Accordingly in the summer of 1856 he boarded a sailing-vessel, which after an eight weeks' voyage landed him in the city of Baltimore on the 18th of July. Thence he made his way to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he sojourned two
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years and then joined a caravan bound across the plains for Pike's Peak. Ile remained in that re- gion from June until the following October, then returned eastward as far as Omaha. Neb., after which we find him in St. Joseph. Mo., employed on a railroad until the spring of 1859. Next he made his way to Riley County. this State, and preempted land about twenty miles south of his present farm. He lived upon this until after the ontbreak of the Civil War, and in 1862 enlisted in Company E, 13th Kansas Infantry, in which he served until the close. He was promoted first to Sergeant, then to Second Lieutenant. and partici- pated in many of the important battles which fol- lowed, also fought with guerrillas around the mountains in Arkansas. At the close of the war he received his honorable discharge and resumed work at the trade of a miller, which he had learned in his native land. He located first in Manhattan, then came to Marysville, this county, and also worked at other mills in this vicinity.
In 1876 Mr. Curs was united in marriage with Miss Anna, daughter of Daniel B. and Betsie A. (Carpenter) Himes. This lady was born in Rhode Island and came with her parents to Riley County, Kan., in 1859. The same year of his marriage Mr. Curs purchased 100 acres of his present farm. upon which he erected his substantial stone dwelling, and seventy acres of which he has brought to a good state of cultivation. Each year adds some- thing to the value of his property, and there is no doubt that his persistent industry will amply for- tify him against want in his old age. Both he and his excellent wife belong to the Lutheran Church. Mr. Curs votes the Republican ticket and has held the office of Township Treasurer. Aside from this he mixes very little in public affairs. otherwise than to give his influence in support of the enterprises affecting the moral and financial welfare of the people around him.
The father of our subject was John D. Curs, likewise a native of Prussia and a soldier under the great Napoleon. The maiden name of the mother was Catherine Arandt, and she was born not far from the early home of her husband. They like- wise were members of the Lutheran Church. The parents of Mrs. Curs were born in Rhode Island and
traced their ancestry on their father's side to France. Her mother's people were originally from England. Mr. and Mrs. Curs have four children. all living at home.
Among the views of the prominent residences of Marshall County, we direct the attention of the reader to that of Mr. Curs, where the many friends of himself and family always receive a hearty wel- come.
G EORGE TILLMANN. Among the many agriculturists of Logan Township, none takes higher rank in ability, energy and public spirit than the gentleman whose name heads this notice. He resides on section 25, where he owns 160 acres, well fenced and divided into fields. and where he carries on the business of farming and stock-raising. He was born in Germany, Dee. 10. 1848. The ancestry, so far as is known, is German, and the family for generations has had membership in the Lutheran Church.
Our subject was not two years old when his parents. William and Mary A. Tillmann, emigrated to this country. Landing at New York, they came immediately to Dodge County. Wis., and located upon a farm there. Upon this homestead they labored until July. 1861, when they came to this county and township, and preempted 160 acres of land, which Mr. Tillmann afterward sold. His last home was on a farm, one and a half miles south- west of Marysville. where he died December, 1888, at the age of seventy-four. The mother still lives with her son Benjamin. who is married and culti- vates the home farm. The parental family consisted of eight children, of whom our subject was the fifth.
Mr. Fillmann was married in this county to Ella, daughter of Alfred and Mary (Lloyd) Moxon, a native of this county, in which she was reared and educated. Her parents located in this State in 1860, and now live in Marysville. Our subject and his wife have no children, but have taken a child to rear, named Percy.
On the cstate of Mr. Tillmann a beautiful resi- dence attracts the admiring gaze of the passer-by,
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and a fine view thereof, given elsewhere in the ALBUM. will be equally admired by the readers of this volume. A barn and other outbuildings are also worthy of mention, being quite adequate to the purpose they were intended to fulfill. An orchard of about 200 apple trees, together with cherry and peach trees, adds to the attractiveness of the place, as well as to the income of its owner. The stock is all of good grade, the hogs being of Suffolk stock, the cattle Durham, and the horses Clydesdale and Cleveland Bays.
Mrs. Tillmann is a member in high standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Tillmann is a Republican, and supports the measures of his party with hearty zeal. He is a successful business man, a reliable citizen, a good neighbor, a kind husband and father, and most honorable in all his dealings. Both he and his wife are held in high esteem in the community.
ONATIIAN D. HOWE, one of Marshall County's leading farmers was born in Perry County, Ohio. Jan. 20. 1838. His father. William Howe, was a native of Georgetown, Md., and was born April 6, 1813. The latter left his native State in early manhood and emigrated to Ohio, settling in the wilderness of Warren County, where he constructed a good homestead and where he still lives. The farm which he cleared from the forest is now valued at $100 per acre.
The father of our subject was carefully reared by Quaker parents and loyally adheres to the simple faith of that peculiar sect, among whom he is an active member and a liberal contributor to the church. An honest and upright man, he is highly respected in his community, and in politics uni- formly tenders his support to the Republican party. Ile married Miss Ruth M. Bell, who was born near Washington City about 1815, and who died in Ohio, June 25, 1859, when comparatively a young woman. Their union was blest by the birth of seven child- ren. viz. : Jonathan D., our subject, Mary C., James S., William O., Martha J., Myra B. and Charles C.
The subject of this sketch was the eldest child of
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