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 100

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 100
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 100
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 100

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).

decided to make his home in Manhattan, and com- ing here he bought a residence on Leavenworth Street, which he has since sold and bought his pres- ent beautiful home, a fine brick house, of a hand- some and substantial style of architecture and replete with modern conveniences, aud here he and his family live in ease, surrounded by all the com- forts and luxuries that the heart can wish for. Since taking up his residence here Mr. Baker has devoted his time to looking after his investments and other private interests, for although scarcely past the prime of life, he has accumulated wealth and is numbered among the most solid citizens of Riley County.

Mr. Baker and Miss Emza A. Walker were united in marriage Sept. 1, 1864, and their wedded life has been blessed by the birth of five children: F. W., Laura, James, Walker, and Cludie (de- ceased). Mrs. Baker was born in Vinton County. Ohio, and is a daughter of 11. M. and Harriet Walker.

Mr. Baker's career in life shows him to possess uncommon energy, a determined will and steadfast purpose, combined with far-reaching sagacity and prudent judgment, so that he has always accom- plished whatever he has attempted. Since his set- tlement in Manhattan he has watched the growth of the city with pleasure, and in identifying himself with its highest interests socially, morally and ma- terially, he has done much to promote its welfare. Ile and his wife are people of high personal stand- ing among the best people of the city. and they are zealous members of the Christian Church. Politi- cally he is a stineh advocate of the Republican party, and he cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln.

R ILEY A. ELKINS. The early years of Mr. Elkins were spent on the frontier of North- ern Kansas, he being one of the first set- tlers of Clay County. Taking up a traet of wild land, he labored early and late in its eul- tivation and improvement, and was prospered. He has made for himself a very good record as a man and a citizen, having assisted in the preservation of

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the Union. and given his influence to those enter- prises calculated to benefit the people around him. His property embraces 572 acres of land, finely lo- cated on section 22, Grant Township, where he is well-known and highly respected.

A native of Orleans County, Vt., the subject of this notice was born Dec. 3, 1837, and is the son of Josiah Elkins, originally from Potton, Canada, and who was born just across the line from the birth- place of his son. The parents at that time supposed they were in the limits of the State of Vermont, and as soon as they learned they were not, they hastened to get there. The father was a miller by trade, which he followed over fifty years. Riley A. was reared and educated in his native county, at- tending school at North Troy. Afterward he assisted his father in a mill, but this not being con- genial to his tastes, he, as soon as reaching man's estate, began working on a farm.

Upon the breaking out of the Civil War, Mr. Elkins, in 1861, enlisted in Company C, 8th Ver- mont Infantry, in which he served two and one- half years, and was present at the battles of Port Hudson, Franklin and Ft. Beeseland. Subsequently, however, he was mostly detailed for police and guard duty. He was wounded at Port Hudson in the left shoulder, and was injured while carrying a heavy stiek of timber in building a bridge, sixty miles above New Orleans. At the expiration of term of service, he received his honorable discharge and decided to settle west of the Mississippi.

Coming to Kansas in 1866, Mr. Elkins home- steaded eighty acres of land in Grant Township. which he still owns, and besides this he has about 500 acres in the township, which is largely devoted to stoek-raising. He keeps graded Short-horn cat- tle, Poland-China swine, and a cross of Norman and French coach horses. It is hardly necessary to say that in politics he is a true-blue Republican. Ile served as Township Trustee two years, and was also School Treasurer of his district.

Mr. Elkins was married Feb. 5, 1865, at the bride's home in Lowell, Vt., to Miss Luey J., daughter of George Avery, a well-known citizen. Mr. Avery departed this life at the home of his son-in-law. our subjeet, in September, 1889, after having reached the age of ninety-one and one-half

years. To Mr. and Mrs. Elkins there have been born eight children, five of whom are living, viz .: Alice, Eugene, Bertha, Howard and Mabel. One son, Morris, died at the age of thirteen years. Clouden and Orpha died at the ages of six and four respectively. Alice married Joseph Babb, of Mul- berry Township, Clay County. Mr. and Mrs. Babb have two children-Emery and Ruth. Mr. Elkins is a member in good standing of the G. A. R., at Clay Center, and also belongs to the I. O. O. F. Mr. and Mrs. Elkins have taken a boy to raise- Walter W. Howard.

ACOB EILERS is the owner and ocenpant of a very pleasant farm residence in Clay County, the same being located on section 29, Bloom Township, and well improved and thoroughly cultivated. This estate was en- tered as a homestead by Mr. Eilers in 1875, his final proof being made in 1880, and he having since the date of his arrival here been industriously laboring to bring it to a high state of perfection. He was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and is well qualified to produce good results in rural life.

The lineage from which Mr. Eilers sprang is an ancient and honored one, both parents belonging to old families of the Duchy of Oldenburg, Germany. There they were born, married, and lived for many years, the father dying there in 1870, at the age of forty-six years. He bore the same name as his son, of whom we write, and his occupation was that of farming. He proved successful in his finan- eial life-work, and in gaining the esteem of his neighbors. Ile was a Lutheran, as is his widow, formerly Miss Anna Taddiken, who is now living in this township, having come to America in 1882. She is now fifty-seven years old, and vigorous and capable.

He who is the subject of this sketeli was born at the ancestral home near the North Sea, Aug. 22, 1854, and received the excellent education provided for her sons and daughters by the German Empire. He was not yet of age when he left his native land for a home in the New World, coming to the United States in 1871. Landing in the American

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metropolis, he remained in that city eight months. leaving it for a home in Jackson County, Mich. He came to this State and county in the fall of 1874, and soon after began his labors in the agri- cultural district of which he is now an honored resident.

The great step of Mr. Eilers' life was taken when he became the husband of Miss Helen O'Hara, that happy event having taken place in this township on the 28th of May, 1883. The lady who bears his name was born in the Empire State in 1863, and at the age of eight became a resident of this State, to which her parents had removed. She had been carefully reared by her estimable parents, and well educated, not only in the knowledge to be found in books, but in the essential virtues of true womanhood. She is the mother of four children- George C., Jacob, John, and Anna, all now at home.

Patrick and Roxie (Card) O'Hara, the parents of Mrs. Eilers, are now living in this township, on a large farm which they own. They came to this State from Iowa, where they had gone from New York. The father is of Irish descent, and the mother of German ancestry.

Mr. Eilers belongs to the Union Labor party, and is an earnest adherent of the principles of that political body. He and his wife attend the various churches of the vicinity, not yet having identified themselves with any body of Christian believers. They are people of social natures and hospitable dispositions, and interested in whatever will accrue to the prosperity of the community and its greater enjoyment.

years.

AMES M. MAXWELL may usually be found at his snug little farm in Lincoln Township. Washington County, where he tills 160 acres on section 18, and where he has resided many He homesteaded this farm in 1872, having very little capital with which to operate and has worked his way up to a good position, socially and financially. He was soon recognized as a valnable addition to the community, and has held varions minor offices, while he is a contributing member of

the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was born in Wayne County, Ohio, Nov. 30, 1837, and is the son of William Maxwell, of the pioneers of the Buekeye State.

William Maxwell was born in Pennsylvania in 1801. He went to Ohio and resided until 1840, then pushed on further westward into Indiana. settling in De Kalb County, where he remained until 1882, then located in this county, where he now resides. The most of his life has been passed upon a farm. He has held some of the minor offices and from his youth up, has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Maxwell family is of Scotch origin. William Maxwell, when ready to establish a home of his own, was united in marriage with Miss Betsy Woods, a native of llolmes County, Ohio, and likewise a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Twelve children comprised the family of William and Betsy Maxwell, and were named respectively: Mary A., Elvina, Filena, (de- ceased), Mary J., Elizabeth, Nowyna, James M., Aaron, William, Lona, Westly and Filena 2d, (de- ceased). The subject of this notice, the seventh child of his parents, was quite young when he re- moved from Ohio to Indiana, and received his early training on a farm in De Kalb County., the latter State, acquiring a common school education. Upon reaching his majority, he, in 1858, emigrated to Carroll County. Ill., where he lived until the spring of 1859. Then crossing the Mississippi, he journeyed west until reaching Denver, where he followed mining until 1862, then went to Oregon and remained during the winter. In the spring he went to the Salmon River gold mines in Washing- ton Territory and was engaged in mining there and in Idaho, until the autum of 1865. He then returned to his home in Indiana, passing through the Spokane Nation and the Bitter Root Country, then up through the Cordalane Country to Virginia City, all of which places were settled only by In- dians. He remained in Virginia City a short time, then visited Salt Lake City, coming from there to Denver, Col., and thence home.

Mr. Maxwell afterward sojourned in the Hoosier State nntil 1868, then seeking the far West took up his abode in Atchison County. this State, where he lived until coming to Washington County. In

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De Kalb County. Ind., he found a wife and helpmate, being married Dec. 25, 1866, to Miss Sophia J. Wright. This lady was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio., in 1839, and is the daughter of Alfred Wright, who was of German extraction. To Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell there were horn two children only, Edith and Flora, the former of whom died in early childhood. They are members in good stand- ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Maxwell, politically, is identified with the Republi- can party. Socially he belongs to Unity Lodge No. 276, I. O. O. F., at Barnes.

On another page of the ALBUM we present an excellent engraving of the residence of Mr. Max- well, where hospitality and good cheer abound, and where a cordial welcome is always extended to the many friends of the family.

W ILLIAM A. LITTLE. Washington County is the home of many men, who by arduous toil and strict frugality combined with good management, have raised themselves to a position of comfort in life. Among this class is the gentleman above mentioned, who is the owner of an attractive farm in Sheridan Township. It com- prises 160 acres, and is located on section 16. The entire acreage is under cultivation, and enclosed and divided by neat hedges. The dwelling is a well built frame, neatly furnished, and presided over by a lady who has been the constant helper of her husband in the upbuilding of their beautiful home. The stable, granary, corn-cribs, etc., are adequate and substantial. There is an orchard of about 500 apple trees ; three-fourths of an acre devoted to grapes, an acre to raspberries, and a quarter of an acre to strawberries. When Mr. and Mrs. Little took possession of this place in the spring of 1877 it had no improvements. They had neither horse nor cow, and only 87.50 in money. Much of the credit for their success is due to the wife, who encouraged and aided her husband as none but a loving woman can.

Mr. Little is of pure Irish parentage and ances- try. His paternal grandmother, was of as pure Irish descent as her husband. The mother of our sub)-

ject bore the maiden name of Ann Leonard. She was born in County Meith, Ireland, of which her husband, Philip Little, was also a native. They were reared and married in that county. About the year of 1833 they emigrated to the United States and located in New York State. A few years later they removed to Ohio, where their last days were spent. They died in the faith of the Catholic Church, in which they had been reared.

William A. Little was born in Perry County, Ohio, Oct. 13, 1838. He was reared on a farm there, and continued to make that his home until April, 1861. He then enlisted in Company B., 17th Ohio Infantry, in which he served three months. At the expiration of that term he re-enlisted, this time be- coming a member ot the 61st Ohio Infantry. Two years later he took his place among the veterans, and continued in the service until the close of the war. He enlisted as a private and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, in which capacity he acted until the termination of the contest. He had the fortune to be a participant in many of the most bloody conflicts of the war, and entered into them all with the brave and fervid spirit of patriotism. which might be expected of one of his race. Among the principal engagements were Gettys- burg, Chancellorsville, the second battle at Bull Run, Lookout Mountain, Resaca, Atlanta, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, and those of the March to the Sea. Near Savannah, Ga., he was wounded by a gun shot in the left leg. The ball struck the bone but did not break it. Ile was disabled for sometime.

On April 18, 1864, Mr. Little was united in mar- riage with Miss Ellen Dolan, a native of Perry County, Ohio. Her father, Patrick Dolan, was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland. He was reared in the Catholic faith, of which his father, Byran, and his ancestry were adherents. Mrs. Lit- tle's mother was born in Pennsylvania, of German parents and pure German ancestry.

In March, 1866, Mr. and Mrs. Little removed to Marshall County, Ill. In that and Iroquois County, they lived until 1872, when they came to Doni- phan County, Kan. In 1874 he bought a quarter section of school land in this county. It was then wild prairie with nothing but grasshoppers on it. that being " grasshopper year " here. Three years

Eliza Wells

Welcome Wells

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later he removed to the place, which has now become one of the most attractive homes in the township. Mr. Little was for several years engaged in the nursery business here, but has lately given his at- tention to general farming.

Mr. Little is a member of Clifton Lodge No. 181, 1. O. O.F. He also belongs to the A. O. U. W. No. 40, of Clifton. In the fall of 1888 he was elected Trustee of this township, and is now serving in that capacity. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church at Palmer.

ON. WELCOME WELLS. The annals of Manhattan could scarcely be written up without mention of this, one of her oldest and most highly respected citizens. His life career has been one of more than ordinary in- terest. during which he has made for himself a good record and hosts of friends. Although more than eighty-one years old, he, with his excellent wife is still well preserved and active, they attend- ing to their self-imposed daily labors, nearly as cheerfully and easily as they did fifty years ago. Mr. Wells forms one of the landmarks of Riley County, and, by his labors and patience has made for himself a name which will be held in kindly re- membrance long after he has been gathered to his fathers.

The subject of this sketch was born in Danville. Caledonia Co., Vt., Sept. 17, 1808. His father, Paul Wells, Jr., was born, it is believed, in the State of Vermont, and his paternal grandfather, Paul Wells, Sr., was likewise a native of New Eng- land. The latter served as a eadet and recruiting Sergeant in the Revolutionary War, under Arnold, and was present at the battles of Crown Point and Ticonderoga. He spent bis last days in Caledonia County, and met his death accidentally, being killed by the falling of a tree. He for a number of years received a pension from the Government.

Paul Wells. Jr .. was reared in the Green Moun- tain State, and at an early day removed to the wilds of Caledonia County, Vt., and purchased a tract of land four miles from St. Johnsburg. He

built a log house in the midst of the timber, and opened up a farm from the wilderness, upon which he spent the remainder of his life. He was married in early manhood to Miss Mary Mason, likewise a native of New England, and to them there were born twelve children. Welcome resided with his parents until a youth of seventeen years, then joined an elder brother in Rensselaer County, N. Y. and learned shoemaking, which he followed in Troy until 1831. Then removing to Utiea, he was simi- larly engaged until about 1855. He then started for Ohio, going by team to Dunkirk, and thenee by steamer to Cleveland, where he boarded a canal boat, and by this means proceeded to Coshocton, where he located, and again commeneed work at his trade. He remained a resident of the Buckeye State until 1857. and during that year started once more westward, this time to the Territory of Kau- sas. In making this journey he proceeded by rail to Jefferson City, Mo., which was then the western terminus of the railroad, and at that point took a steamer for Leavenworth. Thence he traveled by ox-team to the present site of Manhattan, which, as may be supposed, was marked by only a few houses, built in the most primitive style.

Upon his arrival in Manhattan, Mr. Wells en- tered a claim four miles west of the city. the greater part of which was timber. He was accompanied by three of his sons, who also entered claims, and the four remained there two years, and cleared a part of the land. Then selling out, Mr. Wells pur- chased a claim to a tract of prairie land in Potta- watomie County, three miles east of the city. which like Manhattan, was then in its infancy. Wild game was plentiful, including deer, otter, beaver. and a few miles west numbers of buffalo ranged the plains. No railroads were built through this section for several years afterward. For some time after coming here, Mr. Wells carried on a shop in Manhattan, while at the same time he proceeded with the improvement of his land. He was joined by the balance of his family in 1859, and the fol- lowing year among other improvements, set out an orchard of 100 trees. All but six of these perished on account of the dry weather. In 1864. Mr. Wells set out 200 more apple trees, and two years later added 800 trees. and has now one of the most valu-

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able orchards in the vicinity comprising 2,000 trees in good bearing condition, and of fifty varities.

One of the most important and interesting events in the life of Mr. Wells, was his marriage, May 17, 1829, with Miss Eliza Gardner, at her home in Troy, N. Y., which union, after a long period of more than sixty years, remains cemented by a more than ordinary affection. There were born to them seven children, of whom only three are living- George, Alfred, and Sarah J. Otis, the second born, died in Manhattan at the age of fifty years; Helen became the wife of Henry Laffer, and died at her home in Manhattan Township, in 1879, aged forty-five years; Samuel Lewis died when eight years old; and Albert died in Ohio at the age of thirty-seven.

Mrs. Wells was born in Warwick, Rhode Island, April 15, 1812, and is consequently three and one- half years younger than her husband. Her father, Jabez Gardner, was a native of Rhode Island, and the son of Samuel Gardner, a farmer by occupation, who spent his entire life in Rhode Island. Jabez Gardner was reared in his native State, whence he removed to New York State in 1815 with his fam- ily. The journey was made overland with one horse and a wagon, the family consisting of the wife and three children, and they carried with them their household effects. They located in Madison County during its pioneer days, but a short time later removed to Troy, and soon afterward to Clin- ton, where Mr. Gardner conducted an hotel, and where he spent the remainder of his life. His wife, Mary (Boone) Gardner, was born ou a farm thirty miles from Newport, R. I. She died in Clinton, N. Y. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Wells served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and spent his last years in Caledonia County, Vt., in the en- joyment of a pension.

It is estimated that not one couple in a half mil- lion live together for sixty years, and the "pearl wedding" of Mr. and Mrs. Welcome Wells, was ap- propriately celebrated May 7, 1889, at their pleas- ant home in Manhattan, Kan. They were presented with a pair of elegant chairs with handsome silver engraving, giving the date of their first wedding and their last. It was the occasion of the gather- ing together of a large number of friends, and sev-

eral finely-worded addresses were delivered in a brief and happy manner. The speakers reviewed the long and pleasant career of the honored old couple, who had traveled life's pathway so harmoni- ously together, and who, during the early settle- ment of Kansas contributed their full quota to its growth and development. The sixty years which spanned their wedded life, cover much of the his- tory of this country, and it is needless to state that they have watched the changes which have occur- red, not only in Kansas, but in the whole Union, with more than ordinary interest.

Mr. Wells cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Jackson in 1828, before reaching his majority. He voted for the elder Harrison in 1836 and 1840, and with equal enthusiasm he supported the grandson of the old hero in 1888, the latter being the six- teenth President for whom he has voted. His re- cord since becoming a citizen of Kansas, has been that which any man might be proud to look upon. Soon after his arrival in the Territory, he was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, and in 1862 he was chosen to represent Riley and Potta- watomie counties in the Legislature of the young State. He was returned in 1872-73. For nine years he was a member of the Board of County Commissioners of Pottawatomie County, and for three years he was President of the Board of Trus- tees of the Asylum for the Blind. In 1878 he was elected to the State Senate, and he has numbered among his friends, men high in the councils of the Nation-United States Senators, Congressmen and Governors.

Since the beginning of their married life, Mr. and Mrs. Wells have been the privileged witnesses of many great events in history, in which they have seen slavery abolished and free homes given by a free Government to a free people. That which they have valued above all gifts which Providence has bestowed upon them, however, has been the friendship which has been extended to them dur- ing their long and honored residence west of the Mississippi, as signified by Mr. Wells in returning thanks for the gifts and congratulations of their friends upon the occasion of their pearl wedding, and he generously maintains that he owes every- thing to his excellent wife, who has been his con-

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stant helper in every time of need. There have never been any unkind words between them, and Mr. Wells stated the remarkable fact that he had had a good mother-in-law. Letters of congratula- tion were read from Senator Plumb and Rev. D. C. Milner, and from Senator Ingalls. There was mu- sic and singing, and the band enlivened the closing exercises with a serenade. The portraits of Mr. Wells and wife appear elsewhere in this volnme.

AMES BROWN enjoys the distinction of' being one of the first settlers of Washington County, having resided here since the year 1859, and having experienced all the hard- ships of frontier life, while contributing his share to the development of the vast resources of the county. He has borne an active part in the pioneer work here, and to him and such as he, Kansas owes the Washington County of to-day. Upon coming West, Mr. Brown homesteaded 160 acres of land, which he has added to until he is now the fortunate owner of more than 400 acres of well-improved and highly cultivated land, while he is regarded as one of the most successful farmers of the vicinity.

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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 100

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

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