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 91
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The boyhood of our subject was spent near the place of his birth in the old Hoosier State. He was reared on a farm and after receiving a common school education, entered Asbury University as a student. He attended during three terms, and upon leaving the University engaged in school teaching. In 1853 he removed to Iowa, and lo- cated in the then new and growing town of Decoral, the county seat of Winneshiek County. Shortly afterward he started a sawmill at Plymouth Rock, seven miles northwest of Decorah on the Upper Iowa River. This business he continued until 1856, and while engaged in it, met with an acci- dent, which resulted in permanently crippling his
INDIAN SPRINGS FARM . WILLIAM MURPHY, SEC 27. CLEAR FORK TOWNSHIP.
RESIDENCE OF ELI M. PUNTENEY, SEC. 19. VERMILLION TOWNSHIP.
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right hand, of which he has since had but partial use. In 1856 the free State question in Kansas assumed such importance as to arouse the most in- tense interest throughout the entire country. Mr. Punteney's desire to have the new State enter the Union untainted by the touch of human slavery, led him to resolve to join the ranks of those who were waging a moral if not an actual warfare against the pro-slavery border ruffians, who were flocking into Kansas from Missouri, and other Southern Slave States.
After a short visit to Indiana, he, in the spring of 1857, turned his face Kansasward. While on a journey from Marysville to Fort Riley, he came to the land on which his residence now stands. Its admirable location along what is now known as the Barrett's Branch of the Vermillion, pleased him, and he resolved to have "some of it." Ile accord- ingly took the necessary steps to secure 160 acres. which he began to improve. In connection with his farming he was for several years engaged in freighting to and beyond Denver. He now de- votes himself to general farming and stock raising, and owns land to the amount of 325 acres. A view of his rural home and farm surroundings appears on another page of this work.
Mr. Puntoney was married May 3, 1859, to Miss Alvarada Smith, daughter of Thomas and Mary Smith, natives of Tennessee. Mrs. Punteney was born in Savannah, Mo., and has become the mother of thirteen children, twelve of whom are living. The second born died in infancy. The survivors are named respectively: John O., Archie, Anna, Mel- vina, Florence, Walter, Josephine, Veazy, Francis, Nellie, Frederick and Lawrence. John O. married Elizabeth Connack, and lives at home with his father. Archie married Sadie Burke, and is a me- chanic and resides in Kansas City. Anna married Samuel Wise, a locomotive engineer on the Santa Fe Railroad; they reside in Kansas City, Mo. All the others are unmarried, and at home, with the exception of Walter, who is now in Wyoming.
By reason of the accident to his hand, our sub- ject was incapacitated for active military service during the late war; however, he discharged the duties of quartermaster in the militia. He is an Eastern Star Mason and a member of Frankfort
Lodge, No. 67. From his early manhood to within a few years he was a Republican, but recently he has affiliated with the Union Labor party. Mr. Punteney was a member of the School Board of the Township, at the time when the building of the Cen- tral Branch of the Union Pacific Railroad was in progress. At that time he did the township a service by opposing and preventing the release of the railroad company from liability for school tax. Other townships along the line released the company and have since deeply regretted the step as it resulted in a serious loss to the township school funds.
OIIN PECENKA. During the early settle- ment of Logan Township there came a goodly number of natives of Bohemia, people hon- est and industrious, and who by their steady enterprise and frugality have become no unimpor- tant element among the people of this region. Of these the subject of this sketch is one of the lead- ing spirits and like his brethren has become well- to-do. He makes a speciality of fruit growing, having a large orchard planted with choice varieties of apples and other of large fruits, together with a splendid vineyard of choice grapes, and has like- wise an abundance of the smaller fruits. He came to this county in 1869 and preempted 160 acres of land occuping the south-west quarter of section 30. Later, he homesteaded 160 acres, the north-west quarter of section 30, where he now lives.
Upon becoming a resident of Logan Township, Mr. Pecenka at once began the improvements, which have made his farm noticeable among those around him. In 1874 being ready to establish a fireside of his own, he was married to Miss Mary, a daugh- ter of John Alexa, who was, like himself, a native of Bohemia, and whose family for many genera- tions were identified with the Catholic Church. This union resulted in the birth of four children- Amelia, Louisa, Mary and Ann. At the birth of Ann, on the 3d of May, 1882, the mother passed from earth. Our subject later was married to Miss Kate Alexa, a sister of his first wife, and they have two children-John and Kate.
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The subject of this sketch was born in Bohemia. April 21. 1847, and is thus in the prime of life. In the spring of 1860, when a lad of thirteen years he came to America with his parents, Westley and Kate Pecenka. They landed in New York City, and thenee made their way directly to Racine, Wis .. where our subjeet lived until coming to this county, in 1869. This region was then an open prairie and the land which he purchased was with - out any improvement, whatever. It has taken years of labor and an outlay of hundreds of dollars to bring it to its present condition. Ilis orehard already spoken of contains about 200 trees. lle has put up a substantial dwelling, stable, eorn- cribs, etc., has the farm all fenced and hedged and the land brought to a good state of enltivation, the most of it being in pasture and meadow. Our sub- ject and his family belong to the Catholic Church. and politically, Mr. Peeenka votes with the Demo- eratic party. He has held the offices of Road Commissioner and School Director, and he has be- come wholly in sympathy with the institutions of his adopted country.
The parents of our subject were natives of Bo- hemia, and were members of the Catholic Church. They came to America in the fall of 1861, and located near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they lived until 1869, then eame with our subject to this county, where they still live. owning and occupy- ing the east half of section 30, in Logan Town- ship.
NDREW J. TRAVELUTE. This gentle- man may be properly numbered among the most public-spirited and intelligent citizens of Marysville Township. Ile takes an active part in political affairs, formerly giving his support to the Democratic party, but now he is in hearty sympathy with the principles of the Union Labor party. In the fall of 1888 Mr. Travelute was elected Justice of the Peace, the du- ties of which office he is discharging in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to the peo- ple. He is fully posted upon the leading questions
of the day and is in sympathy with any measures calculated to elevate mankind at large.
Our subject was born in Lycoming County. Pa., June 30, 1841, but when about eighteen months old was taken by his parents to Mason County, Ill., where he lived until a youth of fourteen years and pursued his studies in the common school. In 1855 the family changed their residence to Ogle County, that State, where they lived until 1866. coming to this county in the spring of that year. On the 9th of October, 1866, our subject was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth J., daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Latterner) Mohrbacher, who were na- tives of the kingdom of Bavaria, and who emi- grated to America in 1845, settling in Wisconsin. In 1860 they came to this county and took up their residence in Elm Creek Township, where they spent the remainder of their days, the father dying April 6, 1872, and the mother, June 8, 1873. Their family consisted of seven sons and four daughters, of whom Mrs. Travelute was next to the eldest of the daughters. She was born near the present flourishing city of Milwaukee, June 19, 1846.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Travelute settled at their present homestead. on section 4, in Marysville Township, where they have since re- sided. Our subject first homesteaded eighty acres and afterward purchased a soldier's claim to a like amount, and later added still further to his posses- sions, until he has about 280 acres, all of which he has brought to a good state of cultivation. All the improvements upon it are the result of his own industry and perseverance. He has good buildings and modern machinery for the successful prosecution of farming. To him and his esti- mable wife there have been born five ehildren, namely: Robert W., Henry M .. John A., Josephine M. and Charles L. Mrs. Travelute is a very esti- mable lady and a member in good standing of the St. Gregory Catholic Church.
Our subject, after the outbreak of the Civil War. signified his devotion to the Union by enlisting in April 1862 in Company A, 67th Illinois Infantry, under the call for three months' men. At the ex- piration of his term of enlistment, he received his honorable discharge and the following spring went
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to California on account of ill-health and remained on the Pacific Slope until the fall of 1865. This recreation had the desired effect and he returned home greatly improved.
The parents of our subject were Charles Henry and Margaret (Spielman ) Travelute (further notice of whom is given in the sketeh of C. L. Watson, on another page in this volume). Their family con- sisted of five daughters and two sons, of whom Andrew J., our subject, was the eldest. All of the children are living, and they are residents of Kan- sas, except Mrs. Watson, who is a resident of Van- couver's Island. Mrs. Travelute is the sister of Jacob and Christian Mohrbacher, of this county, whose biographies, as well as those of their par- ents, will be found on another page in this work.
E DWIN C. MCKELLIPS. Like all other in- dustries properly conducted, farming has become an art and a science, and the bio- grapher finds some of the most intelligent men living engaged in this independent occupation. Among them may be mentioned the subject of this sketch, who understands his business, and whose well tilled fields indieate in a forcible manner the industry of the proprietor. IIe has been content with making very little show in the world, and therefore occupies a modest dwelling, but lives comfortably, and enjoys in a marked degree the re- spect of his neighbors.
A native of La Porte County, Ind., our subject was reared there upon a farm, growing up to habits of industry, and becoming familiar with the various pursuits of rural life. When reaching man's estate, he sought for his wife a maiden of his own town- ship-Miss Mary J., daughter of Elias and Amanda (Herold) Poston, and who was born in Athens County, Ohio. The newly wedded pair established themselves on a farm, and remained residents of the Hoosier State until the fall of 1875. They then set out for the farther West, halting in Jackson County, this State, and after a sojourn there of four years, our subject came to this county, and purchased 160 acres of unimproved land. He |
operated upon this for a few years, then sold out. and in the spring of 1889 purchased his present farm of 160 acres, occupying a part of sections 28 and 33, the residenee being on the former.
The parents of our subjeet were David and Lydia (Corliss) Mckellips, natives of Vermont, where they were reared, educated and married. They removed to Indiana in 1833, settling among the pioneers of La Porte County, where the father constructed a home from the wilderness, and where both parents spent the remainder of their lives. Their family consisted of seven children, six of whom are living and residents of Kansas. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Ireland, and upon emigrating to the United States located in Vermont, but spent his last years in Wisconsin. On the mother's side the grand- parents were of Scotch birth and ancestry.
To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born nine children, one of whom died in in- fancy. Their eldest daughter, Mary, is the wife of John McCament, and they live in Missouri; Ada married Thomas Hutton, and they are living in Summerfield, Kan .; George, Henry, Emma, Carlton, Edwin and Charles remain at home with their par- ents. Mr. Mckellips, politically, usually votes with the Democratic party, and although no office-seeker, at one time held the office of Road Commissioner three terms, and is at present the Township Clerk. He attempted to enlist in the Union service during the late war, but on account of having been struck by lightning in the left foot, was rejected.
On another page of this volume will be found a fine engraving of the residence of Mr. Mckellips, where he dwells in peace and contentment, sur- rounded by a group of happy children, and cheered by his helpful and devoted wife.
OHN CREVIER, of Wells Township, repre- sents real estate to the extent of 240 acres of choice land. 160 acres of which eom- prises the home farm, and is pleasantly located on section 7. All the interests of Mr. Crevier during his lifetime have centered in the
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State of Kansas, of which he is a native. having been born in Doniphan County, March 12. 1857. He is consequently a young man, in the thirty-third year of his age, and through his own industry has already established himself on a sound footing, financially, while his good qualities asa man and a citizen have gained him the esteem of his neigh- bors.
Charles and Theresa (Marquett) Crevier, the parents of our subject, were natives of Lower Can- ada and the father of French extraction. The latter, in 1849, contraeted the California gold fever, and crossing the plains was engaged in the mines of the Golden State at different times thereafter. going to and from there several times. Finally, coming to Kansas, he settled in Doniphan County, about 1862, and was among its earliest pioneers. lle pur- chased 160 acres of land from the Government, and made his home there a number of years, build- ing up a farm from the wilderness. He began here without capital, coming into this county with only $2.50 in his pocket. In Canada he had been very comfortably situated, but when first coming to the West, located in St. Joseph, Mo .. and lost a large amount of property by the river flood which swept that region. He has since aceummulated a com- fortable property, being the owner of a good farm in Center Township. He came to this eounty and settled in Center Township early in the 70's. open- ing up a farm where he now lives. lIe is a devout member of the Frankfort Catholic Church, and in politics a conseientious adherent of the Republican party.
To the parents of our subject there was born a large family of children, of whom the following survive, namely: Charles, Edward. John. Will- iam, Milly, Louisa, Della, Napoleon, Josephine and Frank.
The subject of this notice came with his father to this county, where he was reared to manhood, and received a limited education in the district school, conducted after the primitive methods of those times. As soon as old enough he was re- quired to make himself useful about the homestead, and remained unmarried until approaching the thirty-second year of his age. He then took unto himself a life partner, Miss Angusta Bushey, the
wedding occurring at the bride's home in St. Jo- seph, Mo., Jan. 16, 1889. He had settled on his present farm in the spring of 1888, although hav- ing purchased the place three years before. Politi- cally and religiously he is, like his honored father. a staneh Republican, and a member in good standing of the Frankfort Catholic Church. He has been frequently solicited to accept local offices. but prefers giving his time and attention to his farm and his family.
Mrs. Crevier was born in Berkshire County, Mass., Sept. 17, 1868, and is the daughter of Henry and Louisa (Senate) Bushey, who are now residents of St. Joseph, Mo., to which place they removed in 1887, from this State. The Bushey family is of French descent. To the parents of Mrs. Crevier there was born a large family of children, all of whom, with one exception, are still living. Mr. Bushey has been for some time in the employ of the Rock Island Railroad Company.
NDREW KJELLBERG. Sweden, like other foreign countries, has contributed liberally of some of the best of her sons to assist in the development of the Great West, and their handiwork may be seen all over Kansas, as in other States. The subject of this bio- graphieal outline is a fine representative of his na- tionality, and has one of the best farms within the precinets of Rock Township. This comprises 480 acres of well-developed land, finely located on sec- tion 11. embellished with substantial buildings, and all the other appurtenances of the modern rural homestead. The proprietor is one of the leaders among his countrymen in this region, and was formerly a resident of Rockford, IIl .. and President of the Union Furniture Company. Since coming to Kansas, he has been interested in agricultural pur- suits, of which he has made a decided success.
Our subject was born in the central part of Sweden, July 28. 1833, and was there reared upon a farm. He attended sehool only three weeks in his life, and remained under the parental roof until attaining his majority. Then purchasing a farm,
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he started in business for himself, but later, em- barked in the furniture business and cabinet-mak- ing, but at the same time retained and carried on his farm, until 1866. Ile then set out for America, August 1, embarking at Guttenburg, on the steamer "City of London." and after a voyage of twelve days, set foot upon American soil in New York City. Thence he proceeded directly to Rockford, Ill., with a capital of $20 in his pocket. He was soon taken ill, and for seven weeks was unable to work, at the end of which time his money was con- sumed, and he found himself $100 in debt. Not- withstanding this, he secured ground, and put up a house, contracting a debt of $1,100. He fol- lowed his trade for eight years, and on the 5th of January, 1876, the firm for which he was working, having cut down wages, he organized the Union Furniture Company, and by the 1st of March fol- lowing, had a shop running full blast. He was made President of the company, which position he occupied five years. The enterprise prospered, and thus Mr. Kjellberg obtained his start in life.
In 1881, our subject selling out his interests in Rockford, Ill., came to Kansas and purchased 640 acres of land in Rock Township, this county, pay- ing therefor $7.50 per acre. lle located on it, and brought the whole to a good state of cultiva- tion, enclosing it with hedge, and putting up the necessary buildings, besides gathering together the latest improved farm machinery. Ile has a wind- mill and water-tanks, keeps abont 100 head of cat- tle, twenty-two head of draft horses (nsing seven teams in the operation of his land), and has usually about 200 Poland-China swine. In 1889 he planted 200 acres of corn, 100 of flax, 50 acres of oats, and 40 of millet. In his estate he has a handsome resi- dence, a fine engraving of which will be observed with interest by all our readers.
Our subject before leaving his native country, was married in June, 1857, to Miss Johanna Nel- son, who was born there. They are the parents of six children, the eldest of whom, a daughter. Anna L., was graduated from the Jackson Mute Institute. and later was employed as a teacher in the same. She is now the wife of John .I. Long, a cabinet- maker of Kansas City. John is connected with the Union Furniture Company, of Rockford; Levin at-
tended the Jackson Deaf and Dumb Institute, and is at home with his parents; Emma S., Andrew, and Charles A., likewise remain under the parental roof. All were given excellent educations in the Rockford public schools.
In politics, Mr. Kjellberg is a decided Repub- liean, and an active worker for his party, frequently being sent as a delegate to the County Conventions. Ile officiated as Road Supervisor, two years. Re- ligiously, he is an active member of the Lutheran Church, at Salem, in which he has been a Deacon, and contributed liberally toward the building of the church edifice.
The father of our subject was John Kjellberg, a native of Elfsbordsland, Sweden, and the son of Andrew Kjellberg, who spent his entire life farm- ing in his native land. The son, John, also fol- lowed agriculture, and owned an estate which was named Stomen-Gard. He died in 1857, firm in the faith of the Lutheran Church.
The maiden name of the mother of our subject, was Anna Lena Storm. also a native of Sweden, and the daughter of Nels Storm, who was engaged in the War of 1813-14 against the Russians. Mrs. Kjellberg, our subject's mother, died in Sweden in 1852, at the age of fifty-two years. The parental family included four children, viz: Andrew, our sub- ject; Maria, Mrs. Nelson, of Pottawatomie County, this State; Johanna, and Karl, who remain in their native Sweden. Since the above was written, Mr. Kjellberg has organized a stock company among the Swedes, forty in number, called the Union Com- mercial Company, with headquarters at Vleits, Mar- shall Co., Kan. Mr. Kjellberg is President of this organization.
ICHAEL NI. BROWN, one of the most prominent farmers of St. Bridget, is an Ohio man, having been born in Warren County, that State, Sept. 31, 1837, and is the son of Jeffrey and Maria Brown. His paternal grandfather, Michael Brown, emigrated from Ger- many about 1812, settling among the earliest pio- neers of Warren County, Ohio, where he cleared a farm from the wilderness, and reared his family.
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Jeffrey Brown. the father of our subject, was born in Germany, in 1809, and is still living with bis second wife in Clinton County. Ind. He was the father of eleven children, and Michael H. was the youngest child of his mother, who died about six months after his birth. He commenced the bat- tle of life for himself when a lad of fourteen years, working on a farm at $12 and $15 per month. When leaving his native State, he emigrated to Indiana, whenee he came to Kansas. arriving in Marshall County. April 14. 1870, landing in Ver- million Station. At this time there was nothing but a salt barrel, to mark the spot where the depot now stands. Mr. Brown began buying cattle, and was ocenpied as a stock-dealer for five years. At the expiration of this time he was married to Miss Julia M. Byram. a native of Knox County. Ill., and the daughter of T. C. and Elizabeth ( Hancock ) By- ram, who likewise became residents of this county. After his marriage, Mr. Brown purchased eighty aeres of land near the present site of Beattie, which he placed under cultivation. He sold this in 1878, and purchased the quarter section where he now lives, and where he has built up a fine home. Later he added forty-five aeres to his possessions, and is still interested in live-stock, having a fine lot of cattle and horses in which he takes great pride. He breeds some of the finest Poland-China swine to be found in Marshall Connty.
Politically. Mr. Brown is a sound Republican. He has never sought office, but by the desire of his fellow-citizens, otliciates as School Director. Mrs. Brown is a member in good standing of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, with which she became connected when a young girl of fourteen years. Five of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs Brown are still living, namely: Florence Emma, Cora Ethel. Grace Elizabeth, George Jeffrey, and Addie. a twin. The other died when a few weeks old.
C HARLES C. BROWN is a direct descendant of an Englishman who came to this country. settling in Massachusetts prior to the year 1720. The great-grandfather of our subject was Joseph Brown, son of the above mentioned gentle-
man. lIe was born in Massachusetts, but spent the most of his life in Connecticut, where for many years he was a Justice of the Peace, a time when Connecticut yet retained some of the Blue Laws. and for sneh a erime as theft would sentence the criminal to lashes on the bare back at the whipping post. For three generations this family resided upon the same farm. Joseph Brown had a son Jesse, who in his turn became the possessor of the farm, and upon it reared ten children, the youngest of whom, named Lemuel, in his turn inherited the place. He was the father of eight children, of whom the subject of our sketch was the youngest.
Charles C. Brown was born Nov. 24, 1842, and was reared upon the anecstral aeres. He was mar- ried in Minden, Mich., to Sarah L. Turrell, a native of Vermont. Soon after his marriage he re- turned with his bride to his former home in Con- neetieut, where he resided until April, 1885, and then removed to this county, having some years previously bought a farm on section 23, Walnut Township. Ile engaged in mercantile business in Marysville, continuing in this occupation until the following spring, when he moved on his farm. The place was only slightly improved when he took possession. but he now has the 160 aeres under good cultivation, and has built a very nice house, which is represented on another page by a litho- graphie engraving, and has made other substantial and adequate improvements. forming altogether a home which is both comfortable and attractive.
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