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 94
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the end of his three year's service he went into the office of the Cedar Rapids Insurance Company, his employer being the President, and there he spent the following three years. In that office he had a varied experience. filling a great many po- sitions and acquiring a business knowlege of in- calculable benefit. He staid with that company until the spring of 1885 when the company having reinsured all their risks and virtually retired from business, he was thus compelled to make a change, and now determined to go further Westward.
Making the town of Marysville, this county, his objective point, Mr. Nye engaged in the real-estate business for a time, but this not suiting his active temperament, he in December, 1885, in company with Mr. Ross purchased the office and business of the Axtell Anchor, which they have since con- ducted very successfully. Since locating in Axtell, Mr. Nye has made many friends, and it is safe to say that he will be heard from before he is many years older. He does thoroughly whatever he undertakes and is bound to succeed. In society affairs he is Past Grand of Axtell Lodge, No. 221, I. O. O. F. and is also Recorder of Axtell Lodge. No. 202. A. O. U. W .. which office he has held since its institution in 1886.
In 1886 he took an active part in the incorpor- ation of the city, and was the first City Clerk. He has been secretary of many of the business asso- ciations-board of trade. business mens' association, immigration society, etc -- and any enterprise that is for the best interest of the city or community always receives his hearty support.
lle was married Sept. 29, 1889 to Miss Olive Elliott, daughter of John and Miriam ( Lincoln) Elliott.
The Axtell Anchor was first issued Oct. 18. 1883 by the Anchor Publishing Company. The pro- prietorship was afterward vested in the name of Ilynes & Nash, and later in Al. Nash, from whom it was purchased by Messrs. Ross & Nye. It was originally Democratic in politics, but the present proprietors being Republicans, now reflects their political sentiments. The office material since coming into their possession has been largely in- creased and they have now all the appliances. not only for the publication of a paper in good style
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but for doing a first-class job business, and in this line have attained a fine reputation. For the last two years this office has done the county printing. The advertising patronage of the paper is the largest of any outside of the county-seat-a result due to the energy and hard work of its proprietors. They have just removed into their own building and put in new machinery. In fact the paper is prospering in every way and exercises a wide in- fluence in the county.
REDERICK H. MILLENBRUCHI. Few residents of Marshall County have assisted more materially in its recent development, or have greater belief in or firmer conviction of its future prosperity and high rank among the sister- hood of States than he of whom we write. Of thrifty, German ancestry, he inherits many admir- able traits of character, while the careful training given him in early youth by his parents has con- tributed to his depth of intellect and strength of mind.
The paternal ancestors of our subject were na- tives of Hanover, Germany, and all members of the Lutheran Church, while the maternal grandparents were born and reared in Bremen. Germany, and were also disciples of Martin Luther. In their own immediate vicinity these worthy people commanded the respect of all who knew them, and as they grew to advanced years were venerated by those who knew them best. When called to rest they left a vacant place among their friends, not easily filled.
The father of our subject. also named Frederick, was a native of Germany, but came to America in youth, and worked in Ohio by the month. Thence accompanied by his wife, he came to Indiana and selected as a home a spot in the midst of a heavy green timber. His wife, the mother of the subject of this notice, was in her youth Miss Mary Brockhoff, to whom Mr. Millenbruch had been married in Ohio, and with whom he made the long, wearisome journey to Indiana. Then their son Fred was a small boy, but he remembers the forests surrounding them on all sides, and encompassing
them in its shadows. This had to cleared away be- fore the father could farm, and as there was no sale for anything so common as wood the little lad used to han! with the oxen, the big logs together and burn them on the ground. In this way they finally cleared the land and made a comfortable little home out of the forest. Our subject was the only son and consequently had many additional burdens to bear, but was of incalculable assistance to his father and mother, ever willingly and cheerfully taking his share of the work, and doing whatever came to his notice as essential to the farm development. He remained under the home roof until his mar- riage, but his parents continued to reside where so many years of labor, pleasant and sweet to be re- membered, notwithstanding, had been quietly passed.
Our subject was born in Jackson County, Ind., where he passed his youth and early manhood, and there married Miss Mary, daughter of Fred Clay- camp,and a native of Indiana. He remained in Indi- ana until 1880. Thinking that Kansas had a better future before it than Indiana, and wishing to be- come financially more independent he and his fam- ily removed in 1880 to Brown County, Kan. Two years later they came to Marshall County and bought 240 acres of land, where he now lives. Upon this farm he has made many improvements, having erected a convenient and comfortable resi- dence, also wind-mill, stable and other buildings necessary to the farm of the present day. Ilis farm is worthy of special mention as being one of the best in the entire county in respect to fertility of soil and ready response to cultivation, and is en- closed by wire and hedge fences, the latter present- ing a beautiful appearance in the summer, when beautifully trimmed branches and green foliage are outlined against the clear blue of the sky.
The wife of our subject has been of great assist- ance to him in his labors, and has by kindly minis- trations in times of sickness, and ready, cheerful, comforting words in time of trouble, been a care- ful, ideal home maker and housekeeper. She is a member of the Lutheran Church, the faith of her fathers, and has five children living, namely: Ma- tilda, George. Alvina, Edwin and Sopha. Two have been removed from the home circle by death-
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Frank and Henry. In the best society of their vicin- ity. Mr. and Mrs. Millenbruch are held in the high- est esteem and are welcomed everywhere as among those who have developed the riches of the county and brought to the light of day her wonderful re. sources.
In political matters our subject is independent, and ever aims to assist to election those men who will best carry on the Government of both local and national affairs. Of his father's family only three survive, although there were seven in all. Our sub- ject takes an honest pride in his work in develop- ing the county, and can well afford to be likewise proud of his farm, his amiable wife and interesting children.
C HARLES TOTTEN. This gentleman ranks among the early settlers of Marshall County, having located here as early as December, 1869. Ile has an excellent farm. a.quarter section of land in Franklin Township and also a fine resi- dence in Beattie.
Mr. Totten was born in Rock Island County, III., Jan. 8, 1839. He lived there until he was seven- teen years of age, receiving a good education in the common schools. He then accompanied his parents. II. M. and Mariam Totten, to Poweshiek County. Iowa, and assisted in the farm work on the home- stead. When the war broke out he enlisted in the 4th lowa Cavalry, Company E. Ile had not wav- ered long after the old flag had been fired on, for we find his enlistment dated Oct. 1, 1861. Ile spent most of his time in the Department of the Mississippi. After the usual scouting and also after the battle of Pea Ridge, he joined Price and went to Helena. Ark., and from there with the force to Milliken's Bend on the Mississippi, and joined Grant's Army, crossing at Grand Gulf and taking the advance of the army about the 15th of May. He went with Sherman's corps to Jackson, and on May 17th went to the rear of Vicksburg and on the 18th formed their line and remained with his regiment during the entire siege.
After the famous siege of Vicksburg, he accom- panied his regiment to Grenada. Miss., and then
returned to Vicksburg. Ile also participated in Sherman's raid on Meridan. Ile had just previ- ously to this re-enlisted, and did not go home on the usual furlough until after returning from this raid. Returning from his furlough he joined his comrades at Memphis. Tenn., under Washburn. He was with the Guntown expedition, where our troops were on the losing side. He was also in the battle of Tupelo. Miss., and then did scouting duty until September 2d. 1864, when they joined A. J. Smith, at Brownsville. Ark .. on his raid after Price, who was making his last raid in Missouri. The division in which our subject was shipped from Cape Girard- eau, Mo., to St. Louis and finally overhauled Price at Independence, where a hard battle was fought Oct. 23, 1864.
Our subject was wounded in the right arm and shoulder at the battle of Osage, N. C., Oct. 25. 1864. lle was sent to the field hospital at Mound City, Kan., from which place after six weeks he was sent to Leavenworth. Ile was quite severely wounded, the injury being inflicted by a cartridge, a ball, and three buckshot. After three weeks he was given a furlough and came home. He now suffers from this injury, the fore arm being paral- yzed, having had the ulna nerve destroyed. As soon as he was able he rejoined the command and endeavored to get his discharge, but failing, was sent to Jo Holt Hospital, at Jeffersonville, Ind., and transferred to Keokuk. Iowa, in April, 1865. Ilere he was retained until June 1, when he was honorably discharged on account of disability.
After Mr. Totten's discharge he returned to his home where he remained until 1869, when he came to Kansas and took up a quarter of section 2, town- ship 2. range 8 east, (Franklin Township). all raw land at that time. Our subject made the usual im- provements and lived there until the spring of 1883. He left his farm in that year on account of a severe accident. He was having a well dug and reached the depth of sixty-five feet. The well had a rock bottom and he had started down to put in a blast to show his men how this might be done, when he fell the entire distance, dropping on his feet and breaking both bones in his left ankle, and one bone in his right, dislocating his shoulder, and also badly injuring his hips. Shortly after this he came to
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the village of Beattie, and for three years engaged in the furniture, undertaking and shelf hardware business. He then retired from active labor, and is enjoying the fruits of his life of toil.
Our subjeet has been Justice of the Peace in Franklin Township, and also Trustee, and a member of the School Board. He is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, a member of the G. A. R. and of the A. O. T. W. Ile is one of the representative men of Beattie, honored and respected by all who know him.
Our subject married Miss Elizabeth S. Ingraham, of Green Lake County, Wis., Sept. 13. 1873. To them have been born two children : Eugene I. and Guy G. Both are at home and are enjoying ex- eellent educational advantages. Mrs. Totten was born in New York Dec. 28, 1845, and is the daugh- ter of James and Eliza J. (McCulley) Ingraham. When a child three years old she eame to Illinois with her mother, the father having been drowned when she was only a few months old. Three years later a move was made to Wisconsin, where she lived until her marriage with our subjeet. Her mother, now Mrs. Johnson, still lives in that State.
C APT. WILLIAM RANDALL, a general farmer and stock-raiser, lives on section 27, Murray Township, where he, in 1880, pur- chased 160 acres of land. He was born in Jeffer- son County, N. Y., March 8, 1828, and is the son of Lyman and Susan ( Harris) Randall, who were likewise born there and settled in Lorrain Town- ship. The paternal grandfather was Hubbard Randall who carried on farming and died in the Empire State when very aged. The parents of our subjeet were natives of New York and Ver- mont, respectively. They lived in New York State until after the birth of their five children, then removed to Cleveland, Ohio, of which they were residents about twelve years. The father died about 1840, when middle aged. The mother was subse- quently married, and died in Polk County Mo., at the age of sixty years.
The subject of this sketeh was the third child in a family of four sons and one daughter, and was
very young when the family removed to Ohio. Ile was only about twelve years old at the time of his father's death. He afterward lived with his mother and stepfather in Missouri, until reaching his ma- jority. He was married in Buchanan County, that State, to Miss Elizabeth Gates who was born in Missouri, and was the daughter of Pleasant and Har- riet (McCurry) Gates, who were natives of Ten- nessee, whence they removed to Missouri when approaching mature years; were married in the lat- ter State and lived there on a farm until after the death of Mr. Gates, which occurred in Buchanan County. He was about sixty-eight years old. Mrs. Gates later eame to Kansas, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Randall, in this county, when about sixty-five years old ; she belonged to the Pres- byterian Churel.
Mr. and Mrs. Randall after their marriage lived in Buchanan County, Mo., until their removal to this county. Our subject was Captain of Com- pany L, in the Home Guards of the State, 25th Missouri Infantry, holding his commission during the late war. Of the ten children born to him and his estimable wife, only six are living. Nancy is the wife of Hiram Boone, and they live on a farm in Buebanan County, Mo .; Cladie became the wife of Samuel Beattie, and they live on a farm in No- ble Township, this county; Anna is the wife of Dennie Ryan, Jr., a farmer of St. Bridget Town- ship; William married Miss Mary Richie, and ope- rates a farm in Murray Township; George married Miss Alva Wheeler, and is farming in this county ; Charles remains at home with his parents. Mrs. Randall is a member of the Baptist Church, and the Captain, politically, is a Union Labor man.
OHN DEGNAN, of Marysville. conducts the largest and best livery barn in that city. Ile was born in LaSalle County, Ill., Nov. 25, 1855, his parents being Michael and Catherine (Higgins) Degnan, both of whom are still living in that county. where the father is en- gaged in farming. They are natives of Ireland, Mr. Degnan having been born in Connty Roseom- mon, and his wife in County Donegal. Mr. Degnan
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emigrated to America many years ago, coming di- reetly to Illinois, where he worked at whatever he found to do until by industry and thrift he had acenmulated sufficient means to purchase a farm, on which he has since passed his days. He was married in this country, his wife having come to America with her parents. The family consisted of the following children: Frank, the eldest, is married, and is a farmer in Illinois; our subject was the next in order of birth; then Kate, who is unmarried, and is living with her parents; Mary is the wife of Mi- chael Nolan. and living in Gage County, Neb .; Ellen is unmarried, and is living with her parents; James is married, and is farming in Illinois; Susan, Margaret and Celia are living at home.
John Degnan was brought up on a farm in Illi- nois, living with his parents until he was of age. In 1883 he emigrated to Kansas, settling in Marys- ville, which has since been his home. He at once engaged in his present business of dealing in live stock, buying and selling largely of horses, cattle and hogs. In the fall of 1884 he established a livery, which has grown to be one of the best in this part of the country. He has a large and finely equipped barn, keeping a fine stock of horses, and carriages of all kinds. Besides this he keeps for stock purposes a splendid lot of imported registered Norman horses, which are among the best in the State, as well as an imported jack.
November 14. 1888, Mr. Degnan was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Barlow, daughter of Michael Barlow, an early settler of this county, of whom a full sketch is appended. Mr. and Mrs. Degnan are members of the Catholic Church. Among the younger business men of Marysville, Mr. Degnan stands in the front rank for integrity and fair dealings.
ICHAEL BARLOW, merchant of Marys- ville, is one of the best known residents of Marshall County, having settled here in 1869. lle was born in County Roscom- mon, Ireland. Aug. 16, 1843, his parents being l'atrick and Ann (Gallooly) Barlow, both of whom
died in the old country. They left five children, three of whom emigrated to America. One son. Hubert, is now living in his native county. Those who came to America are: Kate, now wife of Luke Brennan, living in Cleveland, Ohio; Maria, who died in Connecticut, and our subject. The latter was seven years old when he came to America with his sister Maria. For a couple of years he worked as a boy on a farm, then accompanied his sister to Cleveland, which was his home until 1857. In that year he started with an outfit to Pike's Peak. but on reaching St. Joseph, Mo., he stopped there, where he remained working at a hotel until the outbreak of the Rebellion. He then enlisted in Company F, 33d Missouri Infantry, on June 15, 1862, for a term of three years, or during the war. He saw service in Missouri for four or five months. and afterward in Kentucky and Arkansas. On the 4th of July, 1863, Gen. Price tried to capture Helena, where the 33d was in charge of the fortifi- cations, but was beaten off. The regiment next went to Vicksburg, then to Jackson, Miss., where they were detached with others in order to join Gen. Banks in the Red River campaign. After this they came back to Memphis in the summer of 1864.
The next active service of the 33d was after Forrest to Tupelo, Miss., where they aided in the defeat of that rebel general. Again returning to Memphis they made a part of the force that chased Price through Missouri. They were next ordered to Nashville, where they took part in the siege and defense of that city. After that they were part of the force sent in pursuit of Hood, but on reaching the Columbia River. they were taken on transports to Mobile and participated in the capture of Span- ish Fort. Their next move was up the Tombigby River to Salem, Ala, but the war being by this time ended they were ordered to Benton Barracks, St. Lonis, Mo., where they were mustered out. With the exception of one month spent in the hospital Mr. Barlow was all this time on continuous duty.
After the war he engaged in business, of various kinds in St. Louis, Omaha and Lincoln. Ile came to Marysville in 1869, and here embarked in the saloon business, but on the passage of the Prohibi- tion law went into the general mercantile trade, which he has since carried on successfully. Since
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1879 he has been located in his own brick building on the corner of Broadway and Eighth streets.
Mr. Barlow was married, in 1869, to Miss Ma- tilda Wright, a daughter of John and Margaret Wright, of Washington, Pa., in which place Mrs. Barlow was born and where her mother yet lives, her father being deceased. One child was the result of this union, a daughter, Minnie, wife of John Degnan, as mentioned above. Mr. Barlow is a Re- publican, but has never taken an active part in politics, although he has been a member of the City Council of Marysville for several years. Ile takes a warm interest in social matters, and is a member of Lyon Post, No. 9, G. A. R. Ile is also affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Marysville Lodge No. 91, A. F. & A. M., and to Marysville Chapter, No. 9, R. A. M. He was for- merly a member of the I. O. O. F., but resigned from that order. An old resident of the county. Mr. Barlow is well known and has many friends in the community.
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E DMUND B. TARVIN. The subject of this sketch, who is now a resident of Franklin Township, was born in Campbell County, Ky., Sept. 8, 1847, and is the youngest son of G. W. Tarvin, of Marysville, whose family consisted of ten children. He was reared at his father's home- stead in his native county, residing there until ap- proaching the twenty-fourth year of his age, and becoming familiar with farm pursuits. In Novem- ber, 1870, he emigrated to this county, and entered the employ of Robert Lening, in Marysville Town- ship, with whom he remained that winter. On March 18, 1871, he rented a farm on Horseshoe Creek, where he lived until the following autumn, and then removed to Eh Creek Township.
Mr. Tarvin now rented land on shares until 1873, and then returned to the place where he was first employed, and rented that farm for one year. In the spring of 1874, he came to Franklin Township, and purchased forty-seven acres on seetion 17, where he has since resided. He has fair improve- ments on his place, and lives comfortably, Hle was
married in Campbell County, Ky., April 17, 1870, to Miss Nancy Ann Reed, who was born in Cov- ington, that State, July 12, 1848. This union re- sulted in the birth of six children, the eldest of whom, Alice M., died when two years old. The survivors are: Flora A., Adeline, Bessie I., Sadie E., and Lyda A. Flora is the wife of Oscar Dalrym- ple. Politically, Mr. Tarvin votes the Republican ticket. His family history may be found in this sketch of his father, G. W. Tarvin on another page in this volume.
OHN LIFE, one of the oldest settlers in the southwest part of Guittard Township, is located on section 31, where he owns eighty acres of land. He arrived here Oct. 17, 1859, settling on the Vermillion, where he has since lived. Then there were but a few settlers along the bottom, and none on the npland. Mr. Life purchased a claim, which he improved, and brought the soil to a productive condition. He was here in time to assist in organizing the Township and School District No. 10, being one of the first offi- cers of the Board, and has been a member of such for twenty-two years. He also has served as a Justice of the Peace, receiving his appointment while Kansas was a Territory, after the Missouri code.
The subject of this sketch was born in what is now West Virginia, Feb. 10. 1827, and lived there with his parents until a lad of ten years. He then accompanied them to Randolph County, Ind., where he was reared to man's estate. He was mar- ried, Aug. 8, 1847, to Miss Susanna Holsopple, and they became the parents of two children -- Elizabeth and Mary JJane. The elder is the wife Charles M. Devoe, of Wyoming. Mary became the wife of Frederick Millet, of Omaha, Neb. Mrs. Susanna Life accompanied her family to Kansas, and died April 1, 1868.
On the 16th of December, 1869, Mr. Life con- tracted a second marriage with Mrs. Mary L. (Kin- ser) Borren, and this union resulted in the birth of eight children, five of whom are living, viz .;
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Rhoda, Lucy, Perry, Maude and Martha. Mrs. Mary L. Life was born in Tennessee. Nov. 2, 1842, and when ten years old removed with her parents to Illinois. Upon reaching womanhood she was married, and became the mother of one child, a daughter, Ann Elizabeth. Her father's name was Adam Kinser.
The father of our subject was .John Life, a na- tive of West Virginia, where he grew to man's es- tate, and married Julia A. Baumgartner, a native of Germany. They removed to Indiana, where they spent their last days.
W ALLACE B. & MARION HAWK, drug- gists of Beattie, were born in Nodaway County, Mo .. Dec. 18, 1857. They were educated in Missouri, worked with their father on the farm, and also were in the mercantile business with him until he came to Beattie and established a drug store in 1880. The brothers came here soon after, and have remained here continuously, and now have a fine stock of goods and a good trade. They are among the representative men of the town, highly spoken of as honorable and honest business men.
W. B. Hawk married Miss Mina Sheldon, Sept. 22, 1885. Miss Sheldon was born in Seneca, this State, and is the daughter of Dr. J. J. Sheldon, who for many years preached in Seneca and in this place. She is the mother of one child, a daugh- ter, Ruby. Marion Hawk is still unmarried. Messrs. llawk are members of the Masonie fraternity.
0 RA C. ALLEN. The Empire State sent its full quota of sturdy men to swell the pio- neer settlements in the early days of our country's history. Scarcely a town dots the West- ern plains without it contains, in its long list of early sufferers from the privations and hardships natural to a new country, some of the names of the sons of that grand old State which is always fore-
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