Portrait and biographical album of Washington, Clay and Riley counties, Kansas, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent citizens together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of the state, Part 10

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Brothers
Number of Pages: 1258

USA > Kansas > Clay County > Portrait and biographical album of Washington, Clay and Riley counties, Kansas, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent citizens together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of the state > Part 10
USA > Kansas > Riley County > Portrait and biographical album of Washington, Clay and Riley counties, Kansas, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent citizens together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of the state > Part 10
USA > Kansas > Washington County > Portrait and biographical album of Washington, Clay and Riley counties, Kansas, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent citizens together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of the state > Part 10

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Respectfully

Nehemiah

reen.

stote atrotriste

ON. NEHEMIAHI GREEN, fourth Governor of the State of Kansas was, dur- ing the years of his active life, a man essentially in advance of his time. Progressive in thought, cultured, and to a great extent self-educated, he was, in addition to these quali- ties, endowed by nature with a strong character and deep sympa- thies, a temperament sanguine yet sedate, and with a steady inspira- tion to good deeds. He is now a confirmed invalid, having been con- fined to his room for the last three years, an uncomplaining sufferer. Comparatively few are aware of the fact that this affliction, overtaking him in the prime of life, is due to his exertions while an officer in the army, relieving his exhausted soldiers by himself carrying their guns and haver- sacks, during which a blood vessel was ruptured, and since Mr. Green has never seen a well day.

Mr. Green was born March 8, 1837, in Grassy Point Township, Hardin Co., Ohio. His father, Shepard Green, was a native of Washington County, Pa., where he was born August 2, 1808, and the son of Nehemiah Green, Sr., who was born in England, and came to America during revolution- ary times. He espoused the cause of the Colonists, and while doing his duty as a soldier, was taken prisoner and conveyed to England, where he was confined until after the surrender of Cornwallis, when he was exchanged. He then located in Wash- ington County, Pa.

Shepard Green, when a boy in his teens, went to Ohio and was one of the early settlers of Cham- paign County. There he learned the tinner's trade,

which he followed a few years, but after marriage he purchased a tract of timber land in Grassy Point Township, Hardin County, and put up a log house. In that humble dwelling the subject of this sketch was born. The country was wild and new, and there were no railroads for many years afterward. The State road, known as the Sandusky & Dayton road, passed by the farm, and after a few years Shepard Green put up a hotel which he conducted for several years, and which was made a stage station. Many distinguished guests sought entertainment under its roof; among them were Henry Clay, Tom Corwin, and Richard M. Johnson. About 1850 Mr. Green removed to Logan Connty, where his death occurred July 26, 1880.

For his wife Shepard Green chose in early man- hood Miss Mary A. Fisher. This lady was born at Fairfax Court House, Va., and was the daughter of William Fisher, a Virginian by birth, and one of the earliest pioneers of Ohio, he locating first on the Scioto river above Columbus. Later he re- moved to Logan County, where he purchased tim- ber land, improved a farm and died. The mother of our subjeet made her home with her parents until her marriage, learning to card, spin and weave, and when her children were small she made the greater part of the cloth in use in the family. Having no stove, her cooking was performed many years by a fire-place. She died at the home farm in Logan County, Ohio, in 1859.

Both Shepard Green and his excellent wife were conscientious members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the father for many years was one of its chief pillars. His house was the headquarters of the pioneer preachers, and services were fre- quently held there. Politically, he was an Old Line Whig. The parental family included nine children, all of whom lived to mature years, viz : William F., Louis F., Nehemiah, Naney, Fanny, Shepard, George S., Mary and Emma. The sons all served in the Union army during the Civil War.

124

NEHEMIAH GREEN.

When the Green family changed their residence to Logan County, Ohio, Nehemiah was a lad of thirteen years. He continued attending the sub- scription school until sixteen years old during the winter season, and in the meantime improved his opportunities for useful knowledge. His desire was for a finished education, and now to his great satis- faction he was permitted to enter Wesleyan Uni- versity at Delaware, Ohio, where he studied two years. In 1855 he left school to visit the Territory of Kansas. The journey was made by steamer on the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers to Kansas City; thence by team to Douglas County, this State. Mr. Green made a claim twelve miles south of Lawrence, and during that spring the troubles be- gan between the Free State and Pro-Slavery men.

Mr. Green was an ardent Free State man, and was prominently identified with John Brown, Jim Lane, Montgomery Bain, Gov. Robinson and Mar- cus Parrott, with whom he participated in the trials, struggles and triumphs which followed. He remained in Kansas until late in 1857, then returned to Ohio and entered the ministry, becoming a mem- ber of the Cincinnati Methodist Episcopal Confer- ence. He was stationed at Aberdeen and Williams- burg until the first call by President Lincoln for troops to quell the Rebellion.

It was not long before Mr. Green proffered his services as a soldier of the Union. enlisting as a private in Company B 89th Ohio Infantry. Two weeks later he was commissioned by Gov. Todd, as First Lieutenant and served with his regiment in Kentucky and West Virginia. He was in the cam- paign which drove Kirby Smith out of the Blue Grass State and Loring out of the Kanawa Valley. While on the Kirby Smith campaign he ruptured a blood vessel and suffered hemorrhages and has not seen a well day since. In 1863 he was obliged to resign. He recuperated in a measure and in 1864 enlisted in the Ohio National Guards and was Ser- geant Major of the 153d Regiment, serving in the Army of the Potomac. He received his discharge in September, 1864, and, returning to Kansas, re- sumed his ministerial labors, being placed in charge of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Manhattan.

In the meantime Mr. Green had kept himself well posted upon State and national events and was looked upon as a fit representative of the people's interest in legislative halls. In 1866 he was nomi- nated for Lieutenant-Governor and elected. In 1868 the Cimaron War broke out and Kansas was asked to raise a regiment of cavalry for the United States service. Gov. Crawford resigned and was appointed Colonel of the regiment and Mr. Green was then sworn in as his suceessor, administering the duties of his office until the close of the term. Executive business had in the meantime accumu-

lated while Gov. Crawford was raising the regi- ment, and the military and eontingent fund had been exhausted while the whole frontier was threat- ened by hostile Indians. The soldiers and their horses had to be fed and the former clothed. Gov. Green was equal to the emergency and borrowed money, while at the same time letting contracts sub- ject to the approval of the Legislature to carry on all business, both military and civil. He visited the various military posts, traveling in an ambulance, and personally inspecting the militia. The war ended with the capture and destruction of the bands of Indians commanded by Black Kettle and Little Raven, by Gen. Custer.

After the expiration of his term of office Gov. Green delivered the great seal of the State to his suecessor and resumed preaching. In due time he was chosen Presiding Elder of Manhattan District, which included the western half of the north half of the State. He followed up the frontier and laid the foundation for many prosperous churches. He thus labored actively in the church until 1873, when failing health compelled him to retire. That year he settled on his farm in Grant Township, Riley County. This farm comprises 840 acres of land.

Gov. Green lived a few years in comparative quiet but in 1880 was brought forward again by his old constituents, elected to the State Legisla- ture and took an important part in the proceedings. being finally elected Speaker pro tem. During this term the principal subjects acted upon were educa- tion, transportation, agriculture and temperance. Mr. Green took an important part in the proceed- ings to compel the Union Pacific Railroad to ac- knowledge its obligation to the State. A measure was passed which foreed the matter to the Supreme Court when the Company surrendered every point and although its offices were moved from the State, agreed to accept service on any local agent.

The marriage of Nehemiah Green and Miss Ida K. Leffingwell, of Williamsburg, Ohio, was cele- brated in 1860. This lady was born at that place and was the daughter of Sidney and Melissa (Bryant) Leffingwell. She became the mother of three children and died in 1871. The eldest child, Glenzen S., is a resident of Oregon. Effie married Dr. William B. Sweatman, and they live in Parkers ville, Morris Co., this State. Alice is the wife of Prof. John E. Edgerton, Principal of the schools of White City. In 1873 Mr. Green contracted a second marriage with Miss Mary Sturdevant. This lady was born in Rushville, N. Y. and is the daugh- ter of Josiah and Hannah (Peabody) Sturdevant, who were natives respectively of New England and New York State; they spent their last years in Rushville, N. Y. Of this union there have been born two children-Burtis W. and Ned M.

tames it . Harvey X

ames

Harvey

AMES M. HARVEY, fifth Gov- ernor of the State of Kansas, and a 30 Virginian by birth, is a native of Monroe County, and was born Sept. 21, 1833. His parents, Thomas and Margaret (Walker) Harvey, were also natives of the Old Dominion, but removed from that State when their son James M. was quite young. He acquired his education in the public and select schools of In- diana, Illinois and Iowa, and following his tastes and talents, became a finished practical sur- veyor and civil engineer. Mr. Ilarvey, in the year 1859, just before Kansas was freed from Territorial enthrallment, and when she was struggling to become one of the sisterhood of States, removed hither, settling in Riley County. He at once became warmly interested in the affairs of this section of country, and distinguished him- self for his ability, intelligence and enthusiastic sup- port of the measure which was to make the Territory a full member of the American Union. The pur- suit of agriculture at that time offered a more ample income than his profession, and in this he at ouce engaged, but the seclusion of the farm did not con- ceal his eminent ability and his talents from the public, and he was a prominent factor in the affairs of Kansas for a period of nearly thirty years.

It was not long after his arrival here until the

Civil War was precipitated upon the country, and James M. Harvey enlisted as a soldier of the Union army, and was soon given a Captain's commission in the 4th and 10th Regiments, which were consoli- dated. He served with honor in the campaign in which his command took part, and was mustered out in 1864. The following year, and also in 1866, he was elected to represent his county in the Kansas Legislature, where he displayed such power as to attract the leading men of the commonwealth, and in which he gave unmistakable indications of the distinction he would achieve in the future. After serving his terms creditably as a member of the House, he was, in 1867-71, a member of the Senate, and in the latter year was elected Governor.

The duties of these various offices Mr. Harvey discharged with that fidelity and ability which en- titled him to still higher distinction, and accordingly on the assembling of the State Leglature, in 1874, he was elected to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Alexander Caldwell, United States Senator. This vacancy had been temporarily filled by the appointment of Robert Crozier, but the Legislature promptly recognized the claims of Mr. Ilarvey, and gave him the merited compliment of his regular election to that position. He took his seat on the 12th of February, and in this, as in all other places which he was called upon to fill, dis- charged his duties with great credit to himself and honor to his State until the 4th of March, 1877, at which time his term expired.

198

JAMES M. IIARVEY.

During Mr. Harvey's incumbency of the Gov- ernor's office much important work was done by the Legislature, including the issuance of bonds for the military expenses of the Indian War, and pro- viding a military contingent fund for the protection of the frontier of the State against Indian depreda- tions-these two objects calling for $275,000; and also the further issuance of bonds to aid in com- pleting the west wing of the State Capitol, $70,000; to defray the expenses of raising the 19th Regiment, $14,000; and $1,500 was appropriated to buy seed wheat for destitute farmers on the frontier. Dur- ing that term also the east wing of the new capitol at Topeka was so far completed that on December 25 they were occupied by the State officers. At that date there had been expended on the wing com- pleted and on the west wing, on which work was still progressing, the sum of $417,588.29. At the annual election, which occurred Nov. 8, 1870, Gov. Harvey received over 19,000 majority over his Democratie opponent. For United States Sena- tor, to serve the unexpired term of Caldwell, the balloting commenced January 27, and was continued four days, no candidate receiving the required seventy votes necessary to a choice. On the 2d of February, Mr. Harvey was elected on a joint vote of seventy-six as against fifty-eight thrown for all other candidates.

During the twelfth session of the Kansas Legis- lature, James M. Harvey, Governor, thirty-eight laws were passed. Among them were bills authoriz- ing or legalizing the issuance of municipal bonds ; the State Board of Agriculture was created ; $3,000 was appropriated for the relief of Western settlers, and $2,500 for the Freedman's University of Quindaro; the boundaries of Kingman and Harvey Counties were defined, the latter named in honor of James M .; two new judicial districts were created, the Thirteenth and Fourteenth; the salaries of State officers and Judges of the Supreme Courts and Districts Courts were increased ; and an act passed providing for the sale of Normal School lands; Commissioners were also appointed to provide for the settlement of losses by Indian depredations between 1860 and 1871.

Gov. Harvey upon retiring from public life re- turned to his farm at Vinton, Riley County, where

he resided for a time, and then returned to the vicinity of bis old home in Virginia, and is now living in Richmond. On the 4th of October, 1854, he was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte Cutter, of Adams County, Ill., and of this union there were born six children, four daughters and two sons, namely : Clara, Emma, Lillian, Martha, James N. and John A.

The assuring smile of peace fell upon Kansas for the first time in her existence when the war of the Rebellion ended, and about the time Mr. Harvey, after serving valiantly in the ranks of the Union army, returned to Riley County, and was called upon to assist in the further great work which lay before both legislators and people. It was a time demanding the best efforts of its wisest men, and Mr. Harvey in his sphere was equal to the emer- gency, and to the perplexing duties devolving upon him as Legislator, Senator and Governor. Twelve years of turmoil and strife had trained the inhabitants to know no rest save in motion, and no safety ex- cept in incessant vigilance. Under this discipline their character had become as peculiar as the expe- riences through which they had passed. A rest- less energy was the controlling element, and the life of ease and peace was one so foreign to their ex- perience as to strike them as almost unnatural. They, however, under the fortunate rule of a wisc executive, turned to the pursuit of the peaceful arts and conquered the right to the free soil they now tread. Mines were opened, railroads built, hus- bandry and manufactures brought wealth and plenty, and peace and prosperity reigned.

Along with the happy state of affairs just above mentioned, there were also built up the indispensa- ble adjuncts of churches, schools and charitable institutions, together with happy homes, villages and cities, and all else which marks the develop- ment of a civilized and free people. Every man who at that critical period performed his duty de- serves to be perpetuated in history. Among these James M. Harvey was likewise equal to the emer- gency, and is amply entitled to have his name en- rolled among the patriots of that period, who labored efficiently in bringing about the future prosperity of the commonwealth which now occupies a proud position among the States west of the Mississippi.

Thomas A Blow

100

Thomas

sbern.

THOMAS A. OSBORN, one of the most popular and distinguished gentlemen who ever served the State of Kansas as her Executive, is to-day an honored citi- zen of that great common- wealth and a resident of her capital city. He was chosen to this high position at a critical time in the history of the State. While it is true that no commonwealth in onr glorious galaxy of States has been so sorely tried or passed through so many and such severe ordeals, there have been some peri- ods of greater trials than others. One crisis after another has come upon this people, but there was always a firm and wise hand ready and able to guide the ship of State through the storm and over the shoals. Kansas found in the person of Mr. Osborn a safe leader, a patriot and a statesman. From the year 1872 to 1877 was an important period in the history of Kansas, and during this time Thomas A. Osborn stood at the head of its affairs. Many vital questions were forced upon the Executive during these eventful years, and the record he made then will ever endear him to the hearts of the people of the State he so efficiently served. When tried he was not found wanting, but demonstrated that he possessed a sound judg- ment, a keen foresight, and an unfaltering devotion to the well-being and prosperity of the State. Though a stanch Republican as a citizen, as a Governor he was non partisan, and worked impartially to the bet- terment and welfare of the whole people. Not only

has he been a valued citizen of the State because he so ably filled the Gubernatorial Chair for two terms, but because for over a quarter of a century he has stood in the front rank of her most progres- sive and patriotic citizens, aiding in every laudable enterprise having for its object the public good.

Thomas A. Osborn was born nearly fifty-two years ago, at Meadville, Pa., Oct. 26, 1836. Hle attended the common schools of his neighborhood during his boyhood, and at the age of fifteen com- menced life as a printer by carrying the newspapers of the office. Here he served a full apprenticeship, and in the meantime pursued the course of study which had been interrupted by the necessity of making his own living. By his labors at the case he was enabled in due time to earn enough money to pay his way through Allegheny College, and in 1856 he commenced the study of law in the office of Judge Derrrickson, of his native town. The year following he came to Michigan, and was soon afterward admitted to the bar. In November, 1857, he migrated to Kansas, and began his career in the Territory at Lawrence, as a compositor in the office of the Herald of Freedom. Such was his fidelity to duty, and his industry and efficiency, that he was soon promoted to the position of foreman, and in March, 1858, the editor of the paper, after a two-weeks absence, expressed his thanks "to his worthy foreman, T. A. Osborn, Esq., for the very satisfactory manner in which he has conducted its columns."

Before Mr. Osborn was twenty-two years old he commenced the practice of law at Elwood, Doni- phan County, and soon acquired a fine reputation in his chosen profession. Politically, he was a strong

132

THOMAS A. OSBORN.

Republican and Free-State man, and in 1859 was elected Senator from Doniphan County to the first State Legislature, taking his seat in 1861, when twenty-five years old. The year following he was chosen President pro tem of the Senate during the absence of the Lieutenant Governor, and during the impeachment trial of Gov. Robinson and others. His next promotion was his election to the office of Lieutenant Governor over his competitor, Hon. J. J. Ingalls.

In 1864 Mr. Osborn received the appointment of United States Marshal in Kansas, by President Lincoln, and occupied the position until 1867, re- siding during and after his term of office at Leaven- worth. In the fall of 1872 he accepted from the hands of his party the nomination for Governor of Kansas. The convention assembled at Topeka, and their candidate was elected by a majority of 34,000. Ile was duly inaugurated in January, 1873, and served with so great ability and rendered such sat- isfaction that he was again chosen at the State Con- vention of his party for a second term. The fol- lowing November he was duly elected, and served another two years.

It is proper in this connection to give a resume of some of the occurrences in Kansas at the time Gov. Osborn occupied the position of State Execu- tive. In May, 1874, during his second year as Governor, the Indians on the southwestern frontier commenced depredations upon the settlers in Bar- bour County, which were confined for a time to the stealing of their cattle and horses. In an attempt to recover some of the plunder, a detachment of United States Cavalry fatally wounded a son of Little Robe, a chief of the Cheyennes. This in- cited the Indians to open outrages, and in June five murders were committed. These outrages alarmed the entire southwestern border, and action was at once taken to place the more exposed points in as good a condition of defense as was possible. Companies were organized and armed in readiness for an emer- gency, and stockades were constructed by the set- tlers at Medicine Lodge, Kiowa, Sun City, and at points midway between the two latter places. Not- withstanding these precautions, hundreds of people deserted their homes and sought protection in the larger towns. In July other murders were com- mitted, and suspicion pointed strongly to the Osage Indians. Early in August a party of these, twenty- five in number, appeared near the town of Kiowa, claiming to be ont on a buffalo hunt, and upon be- ing ordered to return to their reservation they re- fused to do so. This was communicated to Capt. Rieker, who was in command of a company of mounted militia, and who in setting out to find them, overtook them about fifteen miles northeast

of Medicine Lodge. In the skirmish which ensued four Indians were killed. The savages now grew more bold and decided in their onslaught upon the white settlers, and by the 1st of September they had slain sixteen citizens, six of whom were resi- dents of Lawrence and peaceably engaged in sur- veying public lands forty miles south and twenty miles west of Dodge City. Gov. Osborn was com- pelled to keep the volunteer militia companies on the border in active service until nearly the close of 1874, and between those who urged extreme measures and those who, more timid, advised a pol- icy of extreme forbearance, he was in a position re- quiring great ingenuity and temperance of action. Few men in his position could have done better, and more would probably have failed in assisting to bring all these troubles to a peaceable conclusion.

After leaving the Gubernatorial Chair in 1877, Mr. Osborn was appointed by President Hayes, United States Minister to Chili. In this position he remained for four years, when he was tendered by President Garfield the position of Minister to the Empire of Brazil. This he accepted, and remained near the court of Don Pedro until the administra- tion of President Cleveland came into power.

Mr. Oshorn's record as a foreign Minister was not only highly creditable to our own Nation, but doubly so to him as an official and a citizen of the great peace-loving Republic of America. While in Chili he was quite active in trying to bring to an end the bloody war in which that country was en- gaged with Peru and Bolivia, and in 1880 presided over a conference of representatives of the bellig- erent power on board the American man-of-war "Lackawanna" in the bay of Arica, which had in view that object. He also interested himself in bringing to a peaceful conclusion the long-pending boundary dispute between Chili and the Argentine Republic. For his valued and able services in this connection he received the thanks of both nations.

Since Gov. Osborn's return to the United States he has occupied himself in various enterprises, and while not entirely eschewing politics, has made known his desire to be excused from filling further official positions. He stood at the head of the Kansas delegation to the National Republican Convention in 1888, and in that august assembly was a prominent figure. He is a man whose opinions are universally held in respect, and one who has no nnimportant influence in the councils of his party. His early life and training served to build up within him that patience and self-reliance, and that perseverance in behalf of a worthy principle, which has been the secret of his standing among his fellowmen, and distinguished him as a man of more than ordinary ability, and one eminently to be trusted.

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Portrait and biographical album of Washington, Clay and Riley counties, Kansas, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent citizens together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of the state, Part 10

Author: Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Brothers Number of Pages: 1258

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Brothers
Number of Pages: 1258