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 90
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
Our subject was first married in Michigan, Feb. 16. 1860. to Miss Rosella Laskey, who departed this life July 20, 1862. On the 10th of November, 1866, in Montealm County, Mich., he was again married ; the bride was Miss Carrie E. Brown, born Inne 3. 1844, in Jefferson County, N. Y. She was The danghter of Jefferson M, and Lovina (Wilson)
695
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
Brown, and lived until the age of twenty in her native county. At that time ber parents removed to Montcalm County, Mich., where she resided un- til her marriage. Prior to this important event she was a school teacher, and is now an artist of con- sidarable ability. Mr. Brown was a native of Maine but spent a part of his early life in Vermont and New York States, being virtually reared to man- hood in New York City. Mrs. Brown was born in Westchester County, N. Y., but was also reared in the metropolis. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were the parents of nine children, three of whom survive: Lucy, now the widow of Eli Remington, of Jefferson County. N. Y .; Mrs. Ingraham and Edward, who lives in in Michigan. The oldest son, Thomas .J., was a soldier in the Union Army, and was wounded while near Washington City, subsequently dying from the effects of the wound.
While a resident of Michigan Mr. Ingraham served as Supervisor of his township. Politically, he is numbered in the ranks of the Republican party. Both he and his wife are active members of the Baptist Church. They take a great interest in social affairs, and in all enterprises which tend to improve the county and elevate society. Mr. Ingraham isa man of unquestioned integrity, and commands the respect of all who know him.
NDREW M. BILLINGSLEY. A subject of paramount importance to the inhabitants of any section is that of schools, and the efficiency of a school system depends very largely upon the character of those who conduct its work. It gives us pleasure to sketch the leading incidents in the career of one who for a number of years was engaged in the work of instruction, and in the equally important work of examination.
Before entering upon our subject's history, how- ever, a short sketch of his ancestors will not be out of place. His grandfather, William R. Billingsley, was a native of Virginia, and one of the "pioneers of Belmont County, Ohio, where he cleared up a farm and reared his family. He was also one of
the first settlers in Harrison County, in the same State, where he died in the year 1866, having reached his three score years and ten. His son. Samuel K., father of the gentleman whose name heads this notice, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, removing with his father's family to Harri- son County. In this eounty he was married to Miss Rebecca F. Knight, and to them were born seven children, of whom the eldest and fourh son and one daughter died young. The living children are: Samuel C., now a resident of Marys- ville, this State; Levi K., a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, residing in Johnson County, this State ; William F., a resident of Adams County, lowa; our subject; and Elijah P., who re- sides at Axtell.
Our subject began his life near Tippecanoe, Harrison Co., Ohio, May 7, 1851. When fourteen years of age his parents removed to the little town of Glasgow, Jefferson Co., Iowa, where the father bought a partly improved farm of 160 acres, con- tinuing the improvements usually made by the en- terprising and progressive farmer. Upon this farm our subject grew to manhood and finished his com- mon-sehool education. In September, 1872, hav- ing arrived at the age of manhood, he visited Kansas and pre-empted a elaim in Jewell County. The succeeding fall he sold this place for enough money to pay his expenses in homesteading, and taking another claim, spent time enough on it to secure it. During the intervals of improving his farm he taught in Marshall and Nemaha counties. making final proof on his homestead in July. 1878. lle continued more or less the work of teaching up to the year 1882. On account of ill-health he spent some time in Jefferson County, Iowa, at his former home, teaching there during the season of 1879 and 1880. He also taught one term in Henry County, Iowa. Entering Eastman's Business Col- lege at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., April 22, 1880, he passed the summer in study. being graduated on the 17th of August. Ile then returned to Kansas and accepted the position of Principal of the Axtell City Schools, which position he retained for two years. During the summer of 1882 he assisted in the Normal Institute at Frankfort. taking part in the examination of teachers at the close of the in-
696
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
stitute. Shortly before this time he was appointed member of the Board of County Examiners. Mr. Billingsley was one of those men who will allow no time to waste in idleness. and in the intervals of his professional work had kept books for Mr. Liv- ingston, of Axtell, and in the fall of 1882 was en- gaged by him as a book-keeper, retaining the position until January, 1884, where he became Deputy Register of Deeds under Mr. Sharp. After remaining in this office for some time he returned to Axtell, and with his brother. E. P. Billingsley, established the firm of Billingsley Bros., in the Real Estate, Loan and Abstract business, and In- surance agency. Early in the spring of 1887 our subject sold his share in business to his brother. and took the road for the National School Furnish- ing Company, of Chicago, lil. His territory em- braced all of Southwestern Kansas, of which he had entire control. About the middle of August he resigned his position to made his campaign for Register of Deeds. and being the successful candi- date, succeeded his former superior to that office, during the interval before taking charge of which, Jan. 9, 1888, he assisted the Treasurer of the connty in the collection of taxes. In connection with his official position Mr. Billingsley has con- trol of an abstract offiec.
Our subject celebrated Easter Sunday, March 28, 1880, by his marriage to Miss Maggie R. Stone- hocker, of Henry County, Iowa. Mrs. Billingsley was a native of Coshocton, Ohio, where she first saw the light Nov. 22. 1851, and where she lived until the fall of 1864. when with her parents she came to Henry County, Iowa. She was the daugh- ter of John M. and Mary (Pew) Stonehocker. Her father was a native of Coshocton County, Ohio. lle was engaged in farming in Iowa. He now lives near Belleville, Republic Co., Kan. The mothier died Aug. 16, 1879, near Salem, Iowa. Mrs. Bill- ingsley has borne her husband but one child, who gladdened their hearts only six weeks.
Mr. Billingsley is a man of fine ability and strict integrity of character. He is highly hon- ored by the people of the county, whom he has faithfully served. He will be a candidate for re- election, and will have no opposition in his party. Ile is an earnest Republican, the family from his grand-
father's time having been adherents of the princi- ples which he advocates, and in support of which his father spent three years in the late Civil War. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., both Subordi- nate Lodge and Camp, and of the K. of P.
R. ICHARD G. CUNNINGHAM, of the firm of Conningham & Mohrbacher, dealers in gen- eral merchandise, Summerfield, is one of the mostenterprising business men of that bright new town. The firm carries the largest stock in the place, and has also a well-selected stock of agricultural implements, buggies, wagons, etc. They occupy a fine new building, 20x56 feet on the ground floor, and eighteen feet high, located on the principal street of the town, and are building up an excellent trade.
The parents of our subject were James and Mary (Ring) Cunningham, both natives of New York State. Some years after their marriage they re- moved to Will Connty, Ill .. and settled upon a farm. The father had run a stationary engine in the East, and followed the same occupation after his removal to the Mississippi Valley. Our subjeet was the third of a family of eight children, all of whom survive except one. The father died on his farm in Illinois, in the year 1873, the mother still surviving.
Our subject was born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and when a child accompanied his parents to Illinois. In the common schools of that State, which are classed with the best in the country, he received his education. In 1878, being then twenty-three years of age, he left his parent's home, and started out in life for himself. lIe came to Marysville, this county, and found employment with L. W. Libby, in the agricultural implement business. He contin- ued ten years with Mr. Libby. whom he considers his great benefactor, as through his generosity our subjeet has been enabled to start in his present business.
Among our subject's schoolmates in Will County, Ill., had been Miss Malina J. Stoll, a young lady of bright mind and charming manners. . She is a na-
697
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
tive of Illinois, and removed with her parents to Beatrice, Neb., the same year in which our subject located in Marysville. To this lady Mr. Cunning- ham was married, April 6, 1885. The result of the union has been two children-Nellie May, and an infant son unnamed.
The parents of Mrs. Cunningham are II. C. and Barbara (Sheik) Stoll, who are still living near Beatrice, where the father has become famous for his fine breed of hogs. He owns 1,280 acres of finely improved land, having plastered houses for his stock, of which he takes to the fair each year two car-loads.
Mr. Cunningham is a member of the Woodmen fraternity, in which he carries $2,000 for the ben- efit of his family. IIe is thoroughly devoted to his business, and manifests a large degree of ability, is a reliable citizen, a kind husband and father, and a man entitled to the position he occupies as one of the most prominent men of Summerfield.
MOS WITHAM. Seldom does the biogra- pher encounter a more genial or whole- sonled man than he with whose name we introduce this biographical notice. By trade he is a stone-cutter of practical experience and an expert, but he has always been fond of agricultural pursuits. and may usually be found at his farm, which comprises 160 acres of good land, pleasantly located on section 9. During the late Civil War he gave a service of three years to his country, and it may safely be said that in all the relations of life he has performed his part nobly and like a man. In personal appearance he is large and well-built, with a countenance indicating his generous heart and open disposition. In his do. mestic relations he has been fortunate, his estima- ble wife being a lady well fitted for her position. Mrs. Witham came to this county during the period of its earliest settlement, and endured the solitude, hardship and toil incident to those times.
Next in importance to a man's own personality
is that from which he drew his origin. The father of our subject was the Rev. Elisha Witham, a na- tive of Maine and the son of an old seaman who served in the Revolutionary War, and during his life on the ocean was part owner of three ships. Ile died in the West Indies. Grandmother Wit- ham after becoming a widow emigrated to Ohio. and was one of the first settlers of Washing- ton County. Elisha, the father of our subject, learned coopering during his early manhood, and also followed farming along the Muskingum Valley in Washington County, Ohio. He sojourned there until 1834, then emigrated to Allen County, Ind., where he entered land and constructed a homestead upon which he spent his last days. He was a Whig, politically, and for many years a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Zilpha Rice. She was born in Boston, Mass .. and was the daughter of Nathan Rice, a Massachu- setts farmer who emigrated to Ohio and cleared a farm in Rainbow Valley. He had distinguished himself as a faithful soldier in the Revolutionary War, and spent his last years in the Buckeye State, living to be over seventy. He was united in marriage to Miss McClure, whose father was a native of Ireland. The mother of our subject died in Ohio. She had been twice married, and by her first husband was the mother of seven children, namely: Luciba, of Dakota; Henry, deceased : Jemima O .; Nathan, deceased; Amos, our subject; Armantha and Jerusha M., of Ohio. Of her sec- ond marriage there were born three children- Sarah, Asaph and Austin-all residents of Wash- ington County, Ohio. Nathan, Josiah M., Asaph and Austin were with the 100-day's men during the Civil War.
The subject of this sketch was born near Chester- field. in what was then Washington, but is now Morgan County, Ohio, April 10, 1825. Ile was nine years of age when he removed with the family to Indiana. The father dying there, the follow- ing year his mother returned to Ohio, and our sub- ject lived there on a farm until a youth of eighteen years, receiving a limited education in the sub- scription school. He thien began learning the trade of a stone-mason at Plymouth, serving an appren-
698
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
ticeship of three years. He followed his trade in Ohio until a man of thirty-six years, then engaged as a contractor and builder. He attained to un- usual skill, and there was very little which he could not accomplish in this line. He owned a residence and eleven lots in Plymouth, besides a farm in Morgan County. Our subject, however. in 1858, desirous of a change, left Ohio and made his way across the Mississippi to Hardin County, Iowa, locating in Eldora. where he established him- self in business. He remained there until 1860, then removed to Atchison County, this State, lo- cating on a farm near Monroeville. He still fol- lowed his trade, but remained there only one year.
On the 10th of September, 1862, the Civil War being in progress, our subject enlisted in Company F, 13th Kansas Infantry, which was mustered in at Atchison, and was at once sent to Ft. Scott, Kan. He participated in many of the important battles which followed, and wintered in the vicinity of Springfield, Mo. In the spring of 1863 the regi- ment repaired to Ft. Scott, and Mr. Witham se- cured a sixty days' furlough and returned home. Upon rejoining his regiment they were sent to Ft. Gibson to look after the Indians, and engaged in several conflicts with the Cherokee Nation, skir- mishing and fighting all the way for about three weeks. Later they were ordered to Ft. Smith, Ark., where they remained two months, and next held a fort near Van Buren for eighteen months. in the meantime foraging, scouting and being var- iously engaged. In the meantime Mr. Witham was seized with an ailment by which he came near los- ing his life, but finally recovered sufficiently to re- join his regiment, and remaining with it until the close of the war, was mustered out at Little Rock. Ile received his honorable discharge at Ft. Leav- enworth in June, 1865, after having served three years. He suffered the loss of an eye from expo- sure and hardship, and now receives a pension of $18 monthly from the Goverment. For two years he was unable to do any manual labor.
In addition to his other afflictions while in the army Mr. Witham lost his wife by death. Upon his return to Monrovia he resumed work at his trade in the employ of the Central Branch Railroad Com- pany, and in 1867 assisted in preparing for the
laying of culverts and building of bridges, receiv- ing $5 per day for his services. In 1868 he ope- rated as a contractor. In 1872 he repaired to Wichita, and followed his trade part of the time at $7 per day, remaining there until 1874.
The first wife of our subject, to whom he was married in Ohio March 16. 1848, was Miss IFester A. Ellis, who was born there. She departed this life in Monrovia, Kan., March 15, 1864. Of this union there had been horn six children : Hannah is the wife of Thomas Piper, and lives in Kansas City; Alice is the wife of E. Benjamin, and lives in Effingham, Atchinson County, this State; Louis is deceased; Nathan is engaged in the lumber busi- ness in Pawnee City, Neb .; Lucy A. is the wife of B. Johnson. of Vermillion, this connty; William H. is farming in the vicinity of Humboldt, Neb.
Our subject coutracted a second marriage in Noble Township, this county, Oct. 8, 1867, with Elizabeth, a daughter of Robert Morrison. the latter a native of Kentucky and a farmer by occu- pation. Grandfather Morrison was of German descent. He was born in North Carolina, and re- moved first to Garret County, Ky., and then to Howard County. He served in the War of 1812 as a Corporal. He was a member of the Christian Church. The maiden name of the mother of Mrs. Witham was Elizabeth McDonald, a native of Kentucky. Grandfather McDonald was born in the Blue Grass State, and carried on farming in Howard County, Ind. Mrs. Morrison died in the latter county. The parental family included eight children, viz .: Hugh, deceased; William, a resi- dent of Frankfort: Nancy, deceased: Elizabeth, Mrs. Witham; Robert, residing in Noble Township; Rosanna and Mary J. residents of Indiana; and George, of Noble Township, this county. George served three years in an Indiana regiment during the late Civil War, and Robert served six months in the 13th Kansas Infantry.
Mrs. Witham was born in Garret County, Ky., Feb. 22, 1829. She was five years old when the family removed to Howard County, Ind., where she was reared to womanhood and became familiar with all useful housewifely duties. On the 20th of December, 1848, she was married to Samuel Smith, who was born near Indianapolis, Ind., near which
699
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
he became the owner of a farm. They lived there until 1853, then started for the farther West by team, and located in Story County, Iowa. Mr. Smith farmed there two years, but finding the win- ters too severe, decided to try the climate of Kansas. In making the journey hither they crossed the Missouri at Weston, and located on the farm now oeeupied by Mr. and Mrs. Witham, which com- prises 160 acres on the banks of the Vermillion. They were the first settlers of Noble Township, their nearest neighbor being one Jolin Wells, sev- enteen miles distant. There were then only two houses between this point and Marysville. Indians were plentiful. embracing representatives of the Pottawatomie, Kickapoo, and Otoe tribes. Mr. Smith made some improvements on his land, but was eut down in his prime, dying on the 22d of August, 1860, at the age of thirty-four years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Smith there were born seven children, the eldest of whom, a son, James, is farm- ing in Noble Township; Maggie is the wife of George Warner, and they live in Vermillion ; Sarah E. is deceased; William II. makes his home with our subject; Samuel B., Robert J., and Albrada are deceased. One son was born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Witham, Hugh, Aug. 12, 1868, and remains at home with his parents. Mr. Witham, politieally, is a sound Republican, and has served as a School Director in his district for many years. He belongs to Vermillion Post No. 144, G. A. R., and to the A. F. & A. M., at Frankfort. His re- ligious views are in harmony with the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has officiated as Class-Leader. The Witham home- stead is improved with comfortable and substantial buildings, and the land is watered by Vermillion Creek. It is mostly devoted to general agriculture, although Mr. Witham keeps a goodly number of cattle and horses. Without making any great stir in the world he is looked upon as a reliable citizen, one who is contributing his quota to the moral and social welfare of the community.
Mrs. Witham was a resident of her present farm when the Indian massaere occurred near Marysville in 1863, when a number of emigrants were attacked and killed. Prior to this time Indians, alleged to he peaceable, were in the habit of visiting her
place and asking alms. Mrs. Witham always treated them kindly, and gave them to eat, her kindness winning for her the title of "good squaw." by which name she was known among the aborigi- nes for miles around.
LBERT KUNZ. One of the leading young men and prominent dealers of Waterville, is the gentleman whose name heads our sketeh, and who is engaged in the drug business in that thriving town. He started in life with only such capital as nature had bestowed upon him, and by the exercise of his native business ability, by industry and honest dealing, he has at- tained to a prominent position among the business men of Waterville, and by his fine character, and pleasing manners and address has achieved an en- viable popularity.
The father of our subject was Henry Kunz, a na- tive of Berlin, Germany, where he was born about the year 1814. He emigrated to America when a young man, and located in New York City. where he remained for many years, engaged in his trade of mechanic. In 1870 he came to Waterville, Kan., where he died seven years later. He had been in poor health many years prior to his death, and was in only moderate financial circumstances. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. and a man of many Chris- tian virtues. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Mary Miller, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, about 1820. She still survives. Six children were born to them, of whom the subject of this biography is the second.
Albert Kunz was born in New York City, Nov. 30, 1858. lle was reared in the place of his nativity, and made good use of the advantages afforded him by the common schools. When young, he learned the painter's trade, at which he worked until 1877, when he began elerking in a drug-store at Water- ville, to which place he had accompanied his par- ents. In 1880 he engaged in the drug business for himself, and has built up a good trade, and laid the foundation for greater success in the future. Miss
700
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
Isabella J. Hall, daughter of John Hall, of Water- ville, won the affection of our subject, and on Nov. 25. 1885, they became man and wife. They are the parents of one child, Henry L.
Mr. Kunz has served as Constable and City Marshall to the entire satisfaction of his constitu- ents. He gives his adherence to the Republican party, of whose principles he is an earnest advo- cate. At other times he has held various offices of trust; is a member of the I. O. O. F. in Waterville, and the A. O. U. W. society of the town.
E LI M. PUNTENEY, is a man who exhibits in his address and manner, much of that graceful and pleasing politeness for which the French people, from whom he is descended, are so noted. He has carried student life and habits into his rural home and one is impressed with the fact that had he applied himself to some professional calling, he would have found its duties and its in- telleetual demands more congenial than the rontine of rural life. His library is a well selected one. and its volumes bear evidence of having been fre- quently consulted. Ile has, however, been a suc- cessful farmer and his broad acres, finely situated and well watered, form with his commodious stone residence, an estate with which any man, valuing an honorable calling and an independent life, may well be content. Advancing years have sprinkled Mr. Punteney's hair and beard with gray, but his eye is yet bright, his mind vigorous, and his ener- gies unabated. The papers of the day, a number of which he takes, keep him posted concerning cur- rent events in the world's history, while the reviews and magazines reveal to him the best thoughts of the world's great thinkers. An old settler, he is and has been for more than thirty years, one of Marshall County's representative men and respected citizens.
Mr. Punteney was born Sept. 13, 1832, in Henry County, Ind., and is the son of John and Ann (Veazy) Punteney, the father a native of Maryland, and the mother of New Jersey. His grandfather was a Virginia Minute man during the Revolution-
ary War. His great-grandfather Punteney, was born in the same town in France as was Commodore Perry's father. Mr. John Punteney, the father of our subject, resided in Virginia until about fifty years of age, when he removed to Henry County, Ind., settling in Dudley Township. This was in 1830, and he was therefore one of the early settlers of that county. He sold his farm in his old age, and spent his remaining years in visiting among his children. He died in 1859, while on a visit to his son, William, near Plymouth Rock, Winneshiek Co .. Iowa. His wife had died in 1854. The parental family consisted of nine children, of whom our subject was the youngest. James went from Ilagerstown, Wayne Co., Ind., to California, in 1849. He died soon after. leaving a widow and three children. John II. is a farmer. and with his wife and family lives in St. Clair County, Mo .; Sarah is living at Marengo, Iowa; she is the widow of Joseph Shelley, who went to California early in the '50s, and died in 1879, leaving two children; Delia was the wife of Levi Colvin; she died in Tipton, Iowa, in 1854, leaving three children; George V. is Postmaster at Plymouth Rock, Iowa; he is married and has a family; Nelson was un- married and died in California in 1879; Mary is living at Bigelow, this eounty; she is the widow of Jesse Dennis, who died in Louisville during the war, leaving four children; William is a well-to-do farmer residing near Decorab, Winneshiek Co., lowa; he is married and has a family ; he is an old settler in Iowa, where he has been since early in the '50s.
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.