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 93
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In the latter part of the '60s Mr. and Mrs. Sum- mers emigrated from Kentucky to Miami County, Kan., where they resided two years, then came to Marshall County. Since the misfortune of her husband Mrs. Summers has conducted the farm in an admirable manner. She has seen the country develop from its wild state into the abode of a prosperous and intelligent people, and may prop- erly be given a place among the pioneer wives and mothers who have done their part in the great work accomplished.
HARLES J. JOHNSON. One of the finest farms in Cottage Hill Township, is that owned and occupied by the above named gentleman, who is not only a large stock-dealer, but a leading citizen of the township. His estate con- sists of 160 acres on sections 10 and 11, which are carefully tilled, and bear excellent and adequate buildings. Here Mr. Johnson carries on a very successful business. He feeds all the grain he can raise, as well as a considerable amount which he annnally purchases, to the large herds of fine stock which he raises. Starting in life as a poor boy, he has already attained to a position of financial suc- cess such as many men arrive at only in far later years.
Our subject was born in Fogurhult Socken,
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Sweden, May 3, 1851. His father, Adolph F., was born March 13, 1826, in the same place, and there lived until 1869, when he came to America. He first settled in Boone County, Ill., and two years later, removed to this county, where he bought land upon which he lived until 1884, when he re- turned to his native land. In Sweden he had been both farmer and builder, but he has given the most of his attention to the former occupation. He has accumulated some means, but is still, as in his earlier life, a hard worker. He is a member of the Lu- theran Church. His wife, Christian Peterson, was also born in Sweden, her natal day being Nov. 29, 1823. She is also still living. The family con- sisted of two children, onr subject, and Helen S., who is now the wife of France Isaacson, and whose home is in Sweden.
Charles J. Johnson was reared on a farm, and under the compulsory education law in his native land, laid a thorough foundation for the intelli- gence of his later years. On Feb. 12, 1870, he sailed for America, and followed his father to Boone County, Ill. He accompanied his parents to this county. and has since resided where his father first made settlement. In Miss Emma M. Johnson, a resident of this county, he found all the qualifi- cations which he desired in a wife, and having won her consent, they were united in marriage, Feb. 12, 1880. Mrs. Johnson was a native of the same county as himself, her birth having taken place March 27, 1857, and she having come to America in the year 1869. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson two children have been born, Theodore and William R. They also reared a child named Mande Peterson, who has since died.
Mr. Johnson belongs to the A. O. U. W., in which he holds an insurance of a considerable amount, and to the Modern Woodmen of America. Ife is an earnest advocate of the principles of the Demo- catic party, never failing to support them by his vote. Ile was an active member of the Lutheran Church, and contributes generously to its support. Ile is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, a trustworthy citizen, and one who is interested in every movement which tends to advance the inter- ests of his section of the growing West. Though well occupied in the management of his own affairs,
Mr. Johnson has been willing to serve his neigh- bors in local affairs, and has filled several offices in the township.
A view of the beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson will be seen on another page in this book.
R EV. FATHER THOMAS J. BUTLER, pas- tor of the "St. Joseph of the Prairie" Catholic Church, on Irish Creek, Cleveland Township, was born in Lockport, N. Y., Sept. 22, 1859. His father, a native of County Mayo, Ireland, came to the United States when eighteen years old and settled in Buffalo, N. Y. lle was for many years a stock-holder in the Erie Canal. The mother, Margaret Irwin, was a native of the North of Ireland, and was brought to Lower Canada by her parents when but three years old, settling in the city of Quebec. During the black cholera rage at Buffalo, N. Y., she went to that city, where she helped the "Sisters" in their labor of caring for those afflicted by that terrible scourge. Our subjeet was one of a family of eleven children, of whom nine are still living. The mother died in 1880, leaving a large circle of friends and acquaintances to mourn their loss.
Onr subject was educated at St. Bonaventure College, of Alleghany, N. Y., where he was gradu- ated June 24, 1886, and on the same day was or- dained priest by Bishop Ryan, of Buffalo, for the Diocese of Leavenworth. Ile took charge of the congregation at Chetopa, Labette Co., Kan., in August of the same year, thence to Augusta, Butler Co., Kan .. in August, 1887, and in Novem- ber following went to Arkansas City, where he took charge of the congregations of Augusta, Arkansas City, Eldorado, Fredonia, and Fall River. During his administration the church in Arkansas City was finished. He came to this town in August, 1888, and has since had charge of this church and the church of Frankfort. The church of which he is now pastor was estab)- lished about thirty years ago by the Rev. Father Du Mortie, a French Jesuit Priest, who said the first mass. The first resident priest was Father
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Fitzgerald, who said mass in the house of Edward Burke, in the year 1867. The church membership was at first very small, but now numbers eighty families. The present structure is a fine frame building, 25x85, feet, with east and west wings. each 20x30 feet. The entire structure is in the shape of a cross, and cost about $3,000. The altar is very beautiful. and cost over 8400. The church and grounds. together with the parsonage, are val- ned at 85,000. Services are held each alternate Sunday, at this place and at Frankfort. A fluent speaker, a refined, cultivated and intelligent man, he is loved and respected by his congregation. He does not confine his intellectual studies to the works of his own faith, but keeps informed upon subjects relating to other creeds and other beliefs. Faith- ful to visit the sick and administer to their wants. he is loved and admired not only by his own con- gregation. but by members of all sects.
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We call the attention of our readers to a view of his church, found elsewhere in this volume.
b ON. FRED. A. STOCKS, Representative of the 48th District in the House of Represent- atives of the Kansas Legislature, is the only son of Mr. G. B. Stocks. He was born in Lena, Stephenson Co., Ill., March 25, 1863. His education was begun in the schools of Shelby County, Mo., from which place his parents removed in 1872, to Blue Rapids, when he was nine years old. On coming to Marshall County, he began at- tending the common school here, afterward enter- ing the State University of Kansas, at Lawrence, where he was graduated with honor in 1884, being one of the speakers selected to speak at the annual commencement, standing second in the largest class ever graduated at the University. and virtually leading his class, as those standing ahead of him, had had a year's extra course. In 1889 he was chosen to deliver the Master's Oration, on the oc- casion of his taking the degree of M. S. This speech made for Mr. Stocks the reputation of a cap- able and brilliant speaker. The subject, "Constitu- tional Development," was ably handled, and the
oration was widely printed, and attracted much at- tention and favorable comment. During his second year Mr. Stocks was editor-in-chief of the college paper, the Kansas Review.
On leaving the University, he at once entered the Bank of Blue Rapids as cashier and manager, as equal partner with his father, who had at that time purchased the banking business and real estate. Since that time the sole management of the affairs of the bank has been entrusted to his care. his father rightly having the utmost confidence in his ability and trustworthiness. Under his able and careful management, it has prospered. and greatly extended its business connections and usefulness. The bank was established in 1871, by Olmsted, Freeland & Co., the firm afterward becom- ing J. L. Freeland, from whom it was purchased by G. B. Stocks & Son. They do a general banking business, in all its branches, and have correspon- dents in all the largest cities of the country.
April 29. 1885, Mr. Stocks was united in mar- riage at Independence, Kan., to Miss Sallie A. Loveland, daughter of Dr. C. D. and S. A. (Hunt) Loveland. Her father had been a practicing phy- sician in Louisville, Ky., and was a graduate of the Medical College at Halifax, N. S., and also a grad- uate of Dartmouth College, N. Il. He was a bril- liant man, and an able and successful physician. In literary circles he was well known as a writer of uncommon merit. He died in 1869, at Havana, Ill. His widow makes her home with her daugh- ter and our subject, in Blue Rapids. Mrs. Stocks was born in Havana, IN., April 9, 1865.
Mr. and Mrs. Stocks are parents of two children, named Fred Loveland and William Stewart. In 1887 Mr. Stocks was elected Mayor of the city of Blue Rapids, and discharged the duties imposed upon him, to the entire satisfaction of the people who had chosen him. In November 1888, he was elected Representatives of the 48th District in the Kansas Legislature, on the Republican ticket. He was placed upon several important committees- was on the Ways and Means Committee, on the Committee on State Affairs, on two other Commit- tees, and was appointed Chairman of the sub-Com- mittee of the Ways and Means, to investigate the affairs of the State University, the institution from
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which he was graduated, and to find out and re- port upon its needs. He also served upon the sub-committee to investigate the condition of the Topeka Insane Asylum, and wrote the report for both of these committees. Although the youngest member of the Legislature, Mr. Stocks made for himself an enviable reputation as an able and con- seientious worker on legislative matters, and it may safely be predicted that he has before him a career of honor and success. He has very many friends in the community, all of whom speak of him in terms of highest praise, as a gentleman of great capacity, of sterling integrity and of unimpeach- able private character.
Mr. Stocks is a member of the Masonic frater- nity, belonging to Blue Rapids Lodge No. 169, and he is also a member of the Phi Kappa Psi So- ciety.
REKELL & FLEMMING. dealers in lumber and building material at St. Bridget, are numbered among its leading business men. The junior member, Mr. W. A. Flemming, was born in Clarion County, Pa., in 1851, and is the son of John and Mary Ann (Johnson) Flemming. The family in 1855 emigrated from the Keystone State to Illinois, settling near the present site of Gene- seo, Henry County, where the father purchased a traet of land which he improved into a good farm. He resided upon it until the spring of 1878, and then retiring from active labor took up his resi- dence in the town above mentioned. The son was reared on the farm and attended the district school during his younger years, while later he took a course of study at Knox College, Galesburg. Upon leaving college he began teaching and fol- lowed this profession in llenry County for three years. At the expiration of this time he returned to the farm and engaged in agriculture,
In the meantime, in the fall of 1877, Mr. Flem- ming was united in marriage with Miss Nellie M. Benedict, of Blue Rapids, Kan. Mrs. Flemming is the daughter of Foster E. and Jeanette (Follett) Benedict, who were among the earliest pioneers of 1Ienry County, Ill., where their daughter Nellie
M. was born. The Benediets were originally from Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Flemming remained at the old homestead until their removal to Summer- field, about the 1st of March, 1889, Soon after- ward Mr. Flemming associated himself with his present partner, who was also from Henry County, Ill., but after leaving Illinois sojourned for a while in Gage County, Neb. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Flemming four children, Frederick M., Fannie J., Charles Wilbert and John F.
Mr. Flemming politically is a straight Republi- can, and while a resident of Henry County, Ill., was elected to the office of County Clerk. He is a member in good standing of the Modern Wood- men. in which he carries $2,000 insurance for the benefit of his family. The firm of Trekell & Flem- ming carry a well-selected stock and have estab- lished a paying trade. They have three yards in a town which seven months ago was unmarked by a single building of any kind, but which now boasts 100 buildings and about 500 people. In its growth and development they have performed no unim- portant part.
HILIPS L. WHEELER, one of the repre- sentative farmers and stock-raisers of Mur- ray Township, owns a fine body of land on sections 2 and 3, embracing 480 acres. The most of this is under the plow, and in a good state of cultivation, and is largely devoted to stock-rais- ing. The buildings are the best in this part of the county, and Mr. Wheeler is regarded as one of its most progressive citizens.
Upon coming to Murray Township, in 1881, Mr. Wheeler first secured a half-section of land, and gradually increased his possessions. He had been formerly a resident of Buchanan Co., Mo., for twenty years, making his home on the line between that and Platte County, twenty miles from St. . Jo- seph. There also he owned land to the extent of 350 acres, which he brought to a good state of cul- tivation, in fact, making it one of the finest farms in the State. Prior to this, he had lived in the vi-
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cinity of Quincy, Ill., for twenty years, and also improved a farm there. He has been quite an ex- tensive traveler, crossing the Rocky Mountains, and visiting the Pacific Slope. His first trip to the Far West was made in 1861, in company with others, they having an outfit of over thirty teams, and following the Hollyway overland route. They visited Montgomery, Ilelena and Walla Walla, and later Mr. Wheeler worked in the mines.
During his sojourn in the Far West, Mr. Wheeler made the acquaintance of both friendly and un- friendly Indians, with the latter of whom he had several skirmishes. There are few of the Western States and Territories over which he has not trav- eled, and besides mining, he occupied himself in freighting and prospecting.
A fair type of the genuine New Englander, Mr. Wheeler was born in Danbury, Conn., Feb. 2, 1829. His father, Alvah, was likewise a native of that State, and a carpenter by trade. He snbse- quently operated as a contractor. He was married to Miss Jerusha Stevens, who was likewise born and reared in Fairfield County, Conn., and who, like himself, came of an old New England family. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and spent his entire life in New England, dying at an advanced age. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Fairfield County, Conn., a tanner and currier by trade, and lived to a ripe old age.
After marriage and the birth of their first child, the parents of our subject removed to Wayne County, Pa., and there two daughters, Elizabeth and Mary, were added to the household circle. Later, they changed their residence to Pough- keepsie, N. Y., where the father fulfilled contracts for a large number of both public and private buildings, and became well known as a skilled workman. In 1836 he pushed on further westward with his family, landing in Peoria, Ill., on the 13th of May, that year. We next find him in Knox County, and after building the Court House and other structures, both public and private, he se- cured a tract of land and turned his attention to farming. He finally removed to Oneida. and lived retired from active labor until his death, which occurred in 1865, at the age of seventy-four years. The widowed mother is still living at Oneida, and
is a very bright and intelligent old lady, more than ordinarily well preserved. She belongs to the Universalist Church, of which her husband was also a member.
The subject of this sketch was the eldest of two sons and six daughters born to his parents, and ac- quired his education principally in Galesburg, Ill. He remained a member of the parental household until his marriage, in 1851, with Miss Mary A. Powers. This lady was born in Allegany County, N. Y .. April 29, 1829, and was the daughter of Benjamin B. and May (Powell) Powers. natives of Vermont. ller father was a cousin of the famous sculptor, Iliram Powers, and Mrs. Powers was a niece of Ex- Gov. Marsh, of Vermont. Both parents were born in Woodstock, that State, where they lived until their marriage. Subsequently Mr. Powers followed his trade of a cabinet-maker, removing from New England to Allegany County, N. Y. In 1834 he sought the Prairie State, locating in Atlas, Pike County. Later, accompanied by his wife and chil- dren, he set out across the plains to Oregon over- land with teams. The mother died at Cheney Rock, near Ft. Ranney, Neb., June 10, 1851, and was laid to rest in a lonely grave on the plains. The father and children continued their journey to Oregon, and became the owners of a large tract of land. The father was prominent in politics, and in due time elected a member of the Legislature. He died in Oregon, in 1872. when quite well advanced in years. He likewise, together with his excellent wife, was a Universalist in religious belief.
Mrs. Wheeler was carefully reared, and remained with her parents until her marriage. She has proved a most efficient wife and helpmate, assisting her husband in the accumulation of their property. There were born to them twelve children, one of whom, a daughter, Ellen, became the wife of David Berkshire, and the mother of a son, Roy. She died at Waco, Tex., where she occupied the position of a teacher in the High School. Frank is engaged as a general merchant at Vilas, Colo .; Albert married Miss Martha Mattox, and lives in Platte City, Mo .; 11. Emma is the wife of Jefferson Morris, a farmer of Greenwood County, Kan .; Clara married Sam- uel V. Smith, and lives in Sumner County, Kan .; William married Miss Myra Hayward, and they
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live on a farm in Murray Township; Mary J. is the wife of Theodore Kauffold, likewise a farmer of Murray Township; Alta L. married George W. Randall, and they reside on a farm in Murray Township; Newton L. is likewise farming in the above-mentioned township; Edward A. is an agent of the Oregon Navigation and Transportation Com- pany, with headquarters at Portland; Frederick B. remains on the home farm, and likewise Willis A.
Mrs. Wheeler, together with her children, is a member in good standing of the Christian Church. Mr. Wheeler, politically, is a stanch Republican, and belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being iden- tified with the Blue Lodge, at Axtell, and the Chap- ter, at Agency, Mo .; also of the Hugh dePayne Commandery. at St. Joseph, that State.
R OSS & NYE, editors and publishers of the Anchor at Axtell have been located in that place for the past four years. James M. Ross. senior partner of the firm is a native of Warren County, N. Y. and was born May 19, 1853, his parents being Hamilton and Fanny (Ken- yon) Ross. The father was a farmer and lumber- man, but at the outbreak of the Rebellion he joined the Union army, enlisting in Company E, 118th New York Infantry, and served two years, dying from disease contracted in the army at the hospital in Virginia. He left a family of three children, viz: James M., Mary H., the wife of Frank Shirk, a farmer of Waterville Township, this county ; and Willard, who died in Waterville about eight years since at the age of twenty-one years. Four years after the death of her husband Mrs. Ross was married to John Atkinson, a farmer of Essex County, N. Y., where they are now liv- ing.
James M. Ross was but nine years old at the time of his father's death and received but little education, most of this being self acquired. Upon the marriage of his mother he went to live with his grandfather, A. W. Kenyon in Essex County, N. Y., where he was reared to farm pursuits. In 1868, when James M., was a youth of fifteen years
his grandfather came to Kansas and settled ou a farm in Leavenworth County. where they resided one year. Thence they removed to this county. In 1869 young Ross entered the office of the Wa- terville Telegraph, where he began learning the trade of a printer. After two years thus employed he repaired to Marysville, where he worked at his trade until in partnership with Thomas M. Nye, he purchased the office and the good will of the Axtell Anchor, and since that time has been a resi- dent of this place.
A marriage ceremony performed Sept. 9, 1877, united James M. Ross with Miss Nellie, daughter of J. L. and Harriet (Choate) McChesney. The par- ents of Mrs. Ross are residents of Waterville Town- ship, where Mr. McChesney has a farm. The union has resulted in the birth of two children -- Albert and Gertrude. Mr. Ross is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Axtell lodge. No. 234, also of the I. O. O. F., Axtell lodge No. 221, and of the A. O. U. W., Axtell lodge No. 202. At the last city election he was clected a member of the city council, and he is also a member of the Republican County Central Committee. He is industrious and capable and is making his way in the world solely by his own efforts, having started in life without the advan- tages of education and without financial assistance. His success is a matter of pride to his friends as well as satisfaction to himself.
Thomas M. Nye, junior partner of the above- mentioned firm, was born March 16, 1860, in Northfield, Mass., and is the son of Marshall and Jane ( Ellis) Nye, natives of New Hampshire. Mar- shall Nye was a farmer in Massachusetts to which State he removed after his marriage. Ile died Dec. 5, 1867 leaving his widow with a family of six young children, all of whom are living. The fam- ily is of French extraction, the name being origi- nally spelled Ney. From France they emigrated to England and thence to Scotland, whence several of the brothers came to America about the middle of the eighteenth century. From these brothers all of the Nyes living in the United States are descended. Some of them, as shown by the records, bought property in Massachusetts in 1752, which was in the possession of the family until a few years ago.
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Artemus Nye, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a resident of New Hampshire during his early life, but later purchased a farm in Massa- chusetts upon which he spent the remainder of his days. It was upon this farm that his son, Marshall, died. prior to the decease of the grandfather. The death of the former was due to over exertion and he was cut down in his prime on the 5th of Decem- ber, 1867, at the early age of thirty-seven years. He was a very industrious man and one who was held in universal esteem by his neighbors who placed thorough reliance upon his integrity and trust- worthiness. He was constantly called upon to assist them in their business affairs and his opinions were held in high respect. Ilis wife, Jane, is still living, making her home in North Amherst. Some time after becoming a widow she married Lyman Smith, who is now a retired farmer.
The record of the children of Marshall and Jane Nye is as follows: John E. is conducting a cream- ery at Northfield. Mass; Fred A. met with an accident, the injuries from which affected his brain, and he is now living at Northampton. Mass .; Thomas M., our subject. was the next in order of birth ; Henry L. is a foreman of the Whiting Pa- per Mills at Holyoke, Mass .; George Edward is em- ployed as a locomotive fireman in Southern New Hampshire with headquarters at Baldwinville, N. H .: Lora J. is the wife of George Clarke. a farmer living near Sunderland, Mass.
Thomas M. Nye lived with his mother until a boy of twelve years and attended the common school. At the age of sixteen he started ont in the world on his own account, being first employed on a farm near North Amherst, Mass. Later he emigrated to New Hampshire, and when a youth of eighteen came to the West in December, 1878, locating in Blairstown, Iowa. There, for a year he was employed on a large stock farm. In De- cember, 1879, he went to Cedar Rapids, lowa, and entered the employ of a wealthy physician, whose property consisted largely of real estate, which he looked after. In that capacity he worked for three years. In the meantime he took a regular course in the Cedar Rapids Business College, studying at night, and also read law during his leisure time and at night after his regular work was done. At
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