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 92
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Mrs. Sarah Brown is a native of Vermont, the daughter of Ira and Betsey ( Martindell) Turrell. Her father was a native of Stafford, Conn., from which State he removed to Vermont, where he mar- ried, his wife being a native of the latter State. Mrs. Brown's maternal grandfather was Thomas Martindell, a native of England, where he was a shepherd boy. At the age of fifteen he was drafted into the British army, in which he spent about three years. He made two unsuccessful attempts to escape from the service, and on the second ocea- sion was sentenced to be shot as a traitor, and was placed on a coffin preparatory to that event, when a reprieve arrived. He made a third and success- ful attempt to reach the American army, and spent several years in the service of the Colonies, during
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the Revolutionary War. At the conclusion of that conflict he located in Vermont, there rearing a family and dying at the advanced age of ninety. Mrs. Brown received an excellent education, and for some years previous to her marriage to our subject, had been engaged in teaching in Wisconain and Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have no fam- ily, but have reared Rienzi Brown, a son of our subject's brother Nelson, to the age of ninteeen years.
During their residence in Connecticut, Mr. and Mrs. Brown were members of the Congregational Church, but on coming to this county they united with the Presbyterian Church of Marysville. They are of high standing in the community, being pos- sessed of fine intelligence, high principles and courteous manners.
OHN C. FORD. The above-named gentle- man owns and occupies an attractive home on section 33, St. Bridget Township, where he carries on general farming. His dwell- ing is a substantial structure, one and a half stories in height, 16x24 feet in ground dimensions, with an addition 20x16 feet. Around it lie 130 acres of highly cultivated land, on which are adequate farm buildings, together with 450 bearing apple trees. Six acres immediately adjacent to the house are planted in grove and orchard. The place is located half a mile east of the young and growing station of Mina, on the Kansas City, Wyandotte & Northwestern Railroad, seven miles north of Axtell.
The grandfather of our subject, George Ford. was an Englishman of splendid education, but be- came very poor, so that his family were deprived of the educational advantages he had himself re- ceived. His son, J. H. Ford, father of our subject, was born near Chumleigh. Devonshire, England. lIe was bound out when a boy, and grew to man- hood without education. After attaining to man's estate, he worked always with a view of emigrating to America. He was married to Miss Mary Carter, also of Devonshire. When their son, J. C. Ford, our subject, was but nine days old, they started
for America. The mother suffered much during the voyage, but regained her health, and is now living, at a good old age. The family settled at Batavia, N. Y., but a few years later removed to Ohio. There they lived one year, before continu- ing westward to Kickapoo, Peoria Co., III.
Our subject there spent his boyhood, receiving his education at the little Bramble Schoolhouse that is located on the road west of Kickapoo Creek. When he was eighteen years of age, he removed with his parents to Livingston County. At the age of twenty-one he commenced farming for him- self, and married Miss Mary J. Fuger. Her par- ents. Frederick and Mary ( Wagner) Fuger, were natives of Germany, who emigrated to America in 1850, when their daughter Mary was two and a half years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Ford have been born eight children, one of whom died in in- fancy. The survivors are named respectively : John William. Lilly A., George F., Ella Jane, Laura Bertha, Elsie May and Solomon Elmer.
In 1874 our subject came to this county and bought eighty acres of uncultivated land, where his home now is. He has since added an additional fifty, and brought the entire place to its present state.
The father of our subject, after establishing lis own family in America, sent money to pay for the passage of his father, brother, and two sisters, all of whom followed him across the Atlantic. The old gentleman lived some eighteen years in New York State, where he died at a ripe old age.
Mr. Ford is a member of Lodge No. 221, I. O. O. F., located at Axtell. He is a believer in, and supporter of, the Democratic party. lle is a man of upright character, industrious habits, and pos- sesses the respect of the citizens of his section.
W ILLIAM BECKER, editor of the Marys- ville Democrat (English) and Post (Ger- man, and Postmaster, has been a resident of Kansas for about twenty years. Ile was born in Fritzlar, Hesse-Cassel, Germany, Jan. 13, 1838. His parents were Philip and Christina (Rheinbold)
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Becker, both of whom died in their native land, where Philip Becker carried on a bakery. having been previously a farmer.
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Our subject received his education in Hamburg, to which city his father had removed in 1849. William attended the Johannarum and College in that city, from which he was graduated in 1855. On leaving college be began learning the trade of a baker from his father, and followed that occupation until he came to this country, spending as is usual in Germany, three years in traveling and working at his trade. Three years also, from 1859 until 1862 he served in the army in the First Regi- ment of IInssars at Ilesse-Cassel. His time after that was occupied in carrying on a bakery at Ham- burg, on his own account, until 1866, when he de- termined to try his fortunes in Ameria.
The subject of this notice came to America Oct. 2, 1866. He landed in New York City, whence he journeyed to Baltimore and Philadel- phia, but his objective point was Chicago, where he arrived a few weeks after landing in this country. HIe made Chicago his home for several years. until the spring of 1870, when he came to Kansas, first settling in Sabetha, Nemaha County, where he re- sided until April 1, 1880. At that time he came to Marysville, which has ever since been his home.
July 14, 1881, Mr. Becker entered the ranks of journalism, and on that day issued the first number of the Maryville Post. the only paper printed in the German language in the northern tier of coun- ties of this State. This journal has attained a good circulation, and exercises a wide influence among the German speaking people of this county. In its political complexion it is now Democratic, and of course reflects the views of its proprietor and editor. although first started as a Republican paper. On Oct. 5, 1882, Mr. Becker decided to enlarge his field of communication with the people of the county, and issued on that day the first number of the Marysville Democrat, the only Dem- ocratie paper in English, published in Marshall County. These journals have naturally brought their editor into prominence in the councils of the Democratic party in the county. and on the election of President Cleveland, he was chosen for the posi- tion of Postmaster of Marysville.
After coming to Marysville, Mr. Becker was chosen to several positions of trust and responsi- bility. In 1881 be was elected a member of the City Council. serving a year; from 1882 to 1885 he was City Treasurer, and in 1883, he was ap- pointed by Gov. Glick as Brigadier-General of the State Militia, holding that rank for two years.
Mr. Becker has been twice married, first in 1869 to Miss Mary Caffer, from Joliet, Ill., and a native of Louisiana. She died Aug. 3, 1873 at the age of twenty-six years.leaving two children, one of whom -Florence, died at Sabetha, aged eight years. The other child is Lucy, born April 18, 1870, who makes her home with her mother's brother in Atch- ison, where she was educated, finishing at a convent in St. Louis, Mo. The second wife of Mr. Becker, to whom he was united March 26, 1874, was Miss Mary O'Mara, a native of Chicago. Ill., where she was born July 14, 1856. This union has been blessed by the birth of seven children, all living under the parental roof. They are: Dorothea, born .July 9, 1875: Agatha, July 8. 1877; Jean- nette. April 18, 1879; William John. May 9, 1880; Mary, April 14, 1883; Margaret. Dec. 26, 1885, and Florence. July 25, 1888.
In the social institutions of the city, Mr. Becker takes much interest. He is a member of the Patri- archal and Subordinate Lodges of I. O. O. F .; the K. of H .; the A. O. U. W .; the S. K. of A .; the Degree of llonor Lodge of the A. O. U. W .; the order of Druids, and the Turner Society.
A man of positive convictions and views, which he does not hesitate to express on all proper occa- sions, Mr. Becker naturally makes both warm friends and enemies. llis papers are outspoken, and when he believes a thing to be wrong he does not lesi- late to say so, but he is always open to conviction. These traits of character give him considerable prominence, especially in political circles, as he stands alone in the county as the editorial expon- ent of Democrat doctrines. Of course, when his party has the power, he is, as he should be, re- warded for his services by appointment to any office within their gift. In regard to the question of prohibition, Mr. Becker takes the stand that it is impracticable. He is beartily in favor of a high license and a strict regulation of the liquor traffic.
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believing that with proper supervision the prac- tical side of temperance may he thereby advanced. He is by no means an advocate of the saloons, but counsels these measures, as a solution of the evils which affect many parts of this State.
Mr. Becker is an accomplished musician and since his residence in Marysville, has twice pre- sented to the public the cantata of Esther, the parts being filled by native talent under his direc- tion, and having about seventy-five singers in the cast. All of his children inherit his musical taste, his eldest daughter, Lucy, being an especially fine performer on the piano.
R RANK H. TOTTEN, of St. Bridget Town- ship, is probably the oldest man now living in the county who was born here. He first saw the light of day at Beattie, June 30, 1860, and is the son of Joseph and Susan Totten, a sketch of whom will be found on another page in this work. He grew to manhood on the farm north of the city, and attended the district school, laying the foun- dations of a practical education. He has seen considerable of the Great West, and is a man who keeps his eyes open to what is going on around him.
The boyhood and youth of Mr. Totten were spent in a comparatively uneventful manner --- learning the art of farming, and remaining a mem- ber of the household circle until his marriage. This interesting and important event was celebra- ted Ang. 17, 1884, the bride being Miss Orpha Craik. Mrs. Totten is the daughter of David and Mary (Craig) Craik, who came from England, and settled in Illinois before the birth of their daughter Orpha. They lived in the Prairie State until 1871. then coming to Kansas, settled in the vicinity of Oketo, this county. Prior to his marriage Mr. Totten had purchased eighty acres of land near Beattie, and the same amount in the city of Sum- merfield, all of which is under process of cultiva- tion. Later he purchased another eighty acres, which he has also improved, and altogether he is the owner of 325 acres of rich prairie land, which
yields in abundance the best crops of Northern Kansas. It is, however, largely devoted to live stock, Mr. Totten having on hand at the present time, October, 1889, seventy head of cattle and ten head of horses. Politically, Mr. Totten takes satisfaction in the reflection that he is "a Repub- lican by birth and education." Socially, he be- longs to Axtell Lodge No. 221, I. O. O. F. Mr. and Mrs. Totten have no children.
M AU'RICE B. IIALL, engaged in the real- estate, loan and insurance business at Ver- million, is one of its most prominent citizens-a man possessing an excellent education, an old-time teacher, and a public-spir- ited citizen. Ile was born near Charlotteville, Han- cock Co., Ind., Nov. 6, 1859, and is the son of Samuel A. Hall, also a native of that county. Ilis paternal grandfather, Festus Hall, was one of the early pioneers of Haneock County, settling first near the present site of Carthage, on the Little Blue River. He secured land and became well-to- do as a farmer and stock-raiser, and there spent his last days. During his early manhood he had served as a soldier in the War of 1812.
The father of our subject was reared to farming pursuits, and after his marriage became owner of the homestead. Later he sold this and removed to a point near Charlotteville, Ind., where he purchased a well-improved farm of eighty acres and engaged as a stock-dealer, buying and driving to Cincinnati. Ile subsequently became an extensive shipper, es- pecially during the war. He dealt largely in mess pork, but on account of a fall in prices when he had a large quantity on hand, lost probably $45,000. After this he disposed of his interests in that re- gion and removed to Rushville, where he was en- gaged for two years in the patent right business, traveling extensively. At the expiration of this time he located on a farm adjoining the town, but in the spring of 1872 sought the farther West, and located near Vermillion, Kan., owning and operating 160 acres of land. He sold this in 1884, and purchased forty acres on section 11, where he
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has effected modern improvements, and carries on farming in a modest way. still dealing in cattle. He is quite prominent in his community, having served as Township Trustee several years, also officiating as Township Clerk and Road Supervisor. He also holds the office of Postmaster. and belongs to the A. F. & A. M. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been a Class-Leader, and is at present a Trustee. Politically, he is a Republican.
Mrs. Martha .I. ( Kelley ) Hall, the mother of our subject, was born in Rush County. Ind .. and was the daughter of George R. Kelley, a native of Kentucky. The latter was reared and married in the Blue Grass State, whence he removed to Rush County. Ind., being one of its first settlers, and securing 300 acres of land. He was greatly pros- pered, becoming one of the most extensive stock- dealers of that region. He left there in 1870, coming to Kansas, and purchasing 10,000 acres of land in Marshall and adjoining counties. Three years later he changed his residence to the vicinity of Vermillion, where he purchased 200 acres of land, and in fact was the original founder of the town, giving a lot to every man who would build a house upon it. At the time of his death he was the owner of about 1,000 acres of land in Marshall County. He thoroughly improved the home farm, where he spent his last days amid all the comforts of life. Ilis death occurred July 3, 1884, when he was abont seventy-eight years old. In religions belief he was a strong Universalist.
The mother of our subject was carefully reared and well-educated, receiving good school advant- ages. She departed this life May 30, 1884. She likewise was a Universalist. The eight children born to her and her husband were Omar, now a banker at Waterville; Maurice B .; George, man- ager of the bank at Waterville; William, a profes- sional stone-cutter. and now engaged with a surveying party in Colorado; Anna, who died in infancy ; Frank and Festus, at home with their par- ents, and John, who died in December. 1889.
The subject of this sketch was a boy nine years of age when his parents removed to Rush County. Ind. He attended the city schools and made his home with his parents, accompanying them in
their various removals. U'pon reaching man's estate, he became considerably interested in live- stock. At the age of eighteen he taught his first school, and has followed this profession for several years, during the winter season. His duties in this connection have lain in different parts of the county. where he has become favorably known and is popular.
During the winter of 1884. Mr. Hall entered the office of the Register of Deeds as a deputy, and later was Deputy County Clerk. This latter position, however. he only held a brief time, resigning and resuming his old profession. In 1887 he engaged as a real-estate dealer, becoming the principal agent for S. T. Powell, of Waterville, and as an insurance agent, represents four good companies, this occupying the greater part of his time. In 1884, Mr. Hall was appointed a Notary Public, still holding the position. Politically, he is a sound Republican, prominent in his party, and is frequently sent as a delegate to its various conven- tions. He is a member and Secretary of the Cen- tral Committee. He belongs to the Masonic fra- ternity, Vermillion Lodge No. 320. At one time he was a member of the A. O. U. W. He owns his home in Vermillion. besides a number of town lots.
In Noble Township. Dec. 25, 1889. occurred the marriage of Maurice B. Hall with Miss Bella Rogers. This lady was born in Toronto, Canada, April 3, 1864, and came to Kansas in 1876 with her mother's family. Further notice of the family will be found in the biography of H. A. Rogers, on another page in this volume.
AMES JOHNSON. The seemingly unim- portant little peninsula of Denmark, washed by the Baltic and North seas, and with rugged shores extending in varied lines of beauty and grandeur along the Cattegat and Skager Rack, has furnished not only crowned heads for the proud dynasties of the Old World, but has given to the New World some of its most ener- getic and prosperous people. Among them may
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be noted the gentleman of whom this life record is written. His parents were Danes, and possessed the persistent, determined self-will by which their nation has wielded a mighty influence among others larger and more important.
A native of Denmark, our subject was born Sept. 27, 1847, to Hans Johnson Beek and Eleo- nora Eyrup. Themselves born and reared in that sea-girt peninsula, Mr. and Mrs. Beck passed their married life, where they had friends and loved ones, and there the father was removed by death while in the prime of a useful life. He left a widow and two children. of whom Mr. Johnson, our sub- jeet, was the eldest and the only son. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Beck determined to seek the United States, hoping that she might be better enabled to rear her children for future use- fulness, and trusting that she might be able to im- prove her own financial condition. She accompanied her brother to America in May, 1858, and our sub- ject was thus face to face with the dangers of the deep, for the passage was a tempestuous one, and it was only after repeated storms that they finally landed in New York. Accustomed, however, to the sullen roar of the angry waves, the ocean pre- sented no terrors to the lad, then scarcely eleven years old. With his uncle, mother and sister, he came directly west to Marshall County, Kan., where they settled on section 9, Franklin Township. In the home thus made, thirty years and more have been pleasantly and industriously passed by the mother, and there she yet remains.
An inmate of his mother's home and an active participant in all the labors necessary to the de- velopment of a home from the wilderness, James Johnson passed from boyhood to youth, and from youth to manhood. He was yet very young when he left his mother's roof and began to work for the Government at Ft. Leavenworth. lle was thus employed for four and one-half years, and after- ward was engaged in various occupations in the Far West, principally having charge of livestock. With the exception of a visit to his home in Marshall County, our subject was in the West until 1873, traveling through nearly all the States and Territories of that then undeveloped tract of country ; among others. he visited Colorado, Wy-
oming, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Old Mexico and Texas. He saw many things of wonderful interest, and was the hero of many thrilling episodes, enjoying the sports of the chase and experiencing the dangers of the land, whose sole inhabitants were hostile Indians and a few Americans. Many interesting hours may be passed in instructive and interesting conversation with Mr. Johnson, while he relates incidents of thrilling excitement and tells pleasant anecdotes of camp life.
Becoming tired of being a wanderer upon the earth. Mr. Johnson, in 1873, returned to Marshall County, and has since been engaged in farming and stock-raising. He has met with success in these pursuits, having a good farm with first-class buildings, and in stock-raising makes a specialty of Poland-China hogs, and huys and feeds large num- bers of cattle. His farm comprises 480 acres in Franklin Township, and in time will be one of the finest farms in the State, as he is a master mind in the cultivation of land, which everywhere shows the guiding hand over it. A view of his commodi- ous residence. with its surroundings, is an added feature of interest to our volume.
For many years a bachelor, Mr. Johnson at last succumbed to the charms of her who is now his wife, and who was formerly Miss Mary Lindsay, of St. Charles, Mo. They were united in the bonds of wedlock in Rosendale, Mo., June 2, 1889. Mrs. Johnson is a young lady of refinement and many accomplishments. and received a good education in St. Charles. being a graduate of the Lindenwood College, of that city. Her father was the late James Lindsay. Jr., and was born in Aylett, Scot- land, while her mother was Miss Sarah Fleet, a na- tive of Covington, Va. Mr. Lindsay was one of the earliest settlers of St. Charles, and was occupied in farming and stock-raising. He came to St. Charles when a lad of ten years, and that continued to be his home until his death, Dee. 16. 1884. His wife survives. Only one child was born to them, the wife of our subject, the date of her birth being Jan. 9, 1866. Naturally, she was the idol of her parents. who lived only to promote her happiness and to give her all the advantages they could. Thus she was fitted to become a useful and charming
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member of society, as well as a careful housekeeper and home-maker. Since her residence among the people of Marshall County she has, by her many charming and endearing ways, become a loved and admired member of the community.
Taking an active interest in all matters of politi- cal interest, Mr. Johnson was formerly a Democrat. but later became a member of the Union Labor party. He is also a member of the Sub No. 85, Encampment 81, of Odd Fellows, and is one of the Modern Woodmen of America.
RS. AMANDA R. SUMMERS. This lady occupies a snug homestead on section 28. Wells Township, and is widely and favor- ably known by a large portion of its peo ple. She was born in Bath County, Ky., Aug. 15, 1844, and is the daughter of Joseph and Emily (Boyd) Jones. Her maternal grandfather Boyd was a soldier in one of the important wars con- nected with the early history of this country. To her parents were born a large family of children, of whom the following survive: Nancy, the wife of A. B. Filson, of Kentucky; Louisiana, the wife of James M. Jones, of this county; Monroe, a resi- dent of Wells Township; George and Amanda. The parents were members in good standing of the Christian Church. The mother died when her daughter Amanda was a maiden of seventeen years and the father died about a year afterward. Amanda attended the common schools, and at the age of nineteen years was married, Dec. 24, 1863, to George R. Summers.
Mr. Summers was likewise a native of Bath County. Ky., and came with his parents to Kansas at an early date, the latter settling on the raw prairie from which has been built up the comforta- ble home which Mrs. Summers now occupies. Mr. Summers turned the first furrow here, and with his wife en dured the hardships and privations common to frontier life. After the outbreak of the Civil War he entered the Union service, but during the years of his soldier life was much of the time inca- pacitated for duty and contracted a disorder which
will probably always cling to him. About eleven years ago, owing to misfortune and ill-health, his mind became greatly affected, and in 1880 he was conveyed to the asylum at Ossawatomie, where he has since remained.
During his active years Mr. Summers was recog- nized as a good citizen. liberal and public-spirited. in favor of everything to improve the county and elevate society. lle was a kind man in his family, an indulgent husband and father, and enjoyed in a marked degrec the esteem and confidence of his neighbors. In politics he was a stanch Republican and in religion a member of the Christian Church. There were born to him and his estimable wife four children, viz .: Emily J., the wife of John Rich- ards ; William J., Marion and John.
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