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 103

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 103
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 103
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 103

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).

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married in 1881, was formerly Mrs. Mary T. (Wright) Broughton, a native of Pennsylvania. She was first married to Joseph Wright, who en- tered the Union Army during the late Civil War. and after being in prison seven months, died on his way home to his family, leaving two sons, Frank and Irwin. Mrs. Wright subsequently married Jonah Broughton, who died in Sherman Township, leaving no children. Mr. and Mrs. Powell are

811

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church with which our subjeet has been connected for more than fifty years. During this time he has offi- ciated as Class-Leader since early manhood, and has been one of the chief pillars of the church. Of this church both of his deceased wives were also members. Politically, Mr. Powell, votes the straight Republican ticket, together with his sons. John Powell is a very intelligent and capable young man, popular in his community, and has served as Constable.

Mr. Powell eame to Clay County in 1873, and homesteaded a 1 60-acre farm which he now owns and ocenpies. His first dwelling was a little cottonwood shanty in which the family lived a couple of years, and then the present comfortable residence was erected. The outbuildings are all that is necessary for the shelter of stock and the storing of grain. Mr. Powell has planted a large number of forest trees and has an apple orchard of about fifty trees. There have been added from time to time the other little embellishments and conveniences which have so much to do with the happiness and comforts of a home. The whole premises pres- ent a picture of peace and content which is pleas- ant to look upon.

ON. FRANK P. HARKNESS, senior mem- ber of the firm of Harkness & Godard, and a leading attorney of Clay Center and Northern Kansas, has been engaged in the practice of law sinee coming to the city on the 1st of November, 1879. He was born in Bradford County, Pa., Dec. 14, 1854 and lived there until a youth of sixteen years. Later, after spending four years in study, he was graduated from the Troy (Pa.) High School and took a special course at Waverly, N. Y. He then entered upon the study of law in the office of Hon. J. B. Floyd, of Waverly, and subsequently was graduated from the Albany (N. Y.) Law School in the spring of 1877. Upon being admitted to the bar he was likewise admitted into partnership with his former preceptor with whom he practiced two years and then set out

for the West. After coming to Clay Center he formed a partnership with Mr. Godard and they have since transacted a successful business, which is steadily increasing. They are close students and have the largest library in this part of the State, west of Topeka. They are recognized as among the ablest lawyers of Kansas.

Mr. Ilarkness since coming to Kansas has taken an active part in politics and in 1884 was elected State Senator on the Republican ticket for a term of four years. He acquitted himself with such satisfaction to his constituents, that in the fall of 1888 he was re elected and has entered upon his second term of office with bright auspices for the future. In the Legislature he served on several important committees, being sometimes Chairman, ineluding the Judiciary, Assessment and Taxation, and he was also elected President pro temn of the Senate during the present term. During the last election he was Chairman of the special committee of the two Houses to investigate the State peni- tentiary, a business which occupied the greater part of the session and was one of the most important things that has come up before the Legislature. He was also selected as Chairman of a special commit- tee of the Senate, composed of five men, to revise the law governing State offices and State institu- tions, which committee is to report at the next session of the Legislature. Mr. Harkness was one of only three Senators who were re-elected to the Upper House. Prior to being called from home to take his seat in the Legislature, he was frequently selected as a delegate to the county and district conventions. Socially, he belongs to the I. O. O. F.

Mr. Harkness was married Nov. 30, 1882 to Miss Alma Strevelle, of Albany, N. Y. This lady was born near that city, and lived there with her par- ents until her marriage, receiving a good educa- tion. She is the daughter of George and Laura (Sager) Strevelle, the former of whom is a builder and contractor and with his estimable wife still resides in the Empire State. Mr. and Mrs. Hark- ness are the parents of one child. a daughter, Laura.

The father of our subject was Moses S. Hark- ness. a native of Springfield, Bradford Co., Pa., and of New England parentage. Ile was reared in

812

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

his native county, becoming familiar with farming pursuits and married Miss Nancy Christopher, who bore him eight children. Most of these have fled from the home nest, but the parents remain at the old homestead. They are honest and worthy people and highly respected by all who know them.

ACOB ENFIELD has been a resident of Washington County since 1879. At that date he bought eighty acres of school land in Coleman Township, being the south half of the southwest quarter of section 36. At the time not a furrow had been turned on the land, and there was not a vestige of anything upon it, except buffalo grass and a solitary tree. It is now under a line state of cultivation, and all well fenced. There are about 500 forest trees on the estate, seventy- five apple trees, a number of peach trees (all bear- ing), and a fine collection of cherry and other fruit trees. There are also grapes, gooseberries, straw- berries, etc. A comfortable house, 14x16 fcet, with an L of the same size, and many outhouses, go to make up a convenient home and farm. The place is well stocked with good grades of horses, cattle, etc.

Mr. Enfield is the son of Henry and Lucy Ann (Lower) Enfield. He first saw the light in Coschoc- ton County, Ohio. The parental family consisted of nine children that grew to maturity, he being the next to the eldest. Henry Enfield, the father, was born in Somerset County, Pa., and came to the Burkeye State with his father. He, with his fam- ily, left Ohio in the '50's, and spent two years in Vermilion County, Ill. He afterward removed to Polk County, Iowa, and thence to Cass County, where our subject grew to manhood.

Jacob Enfield received the benefit of the common schools of the section of Iowa in which he lived. When he came to this county, he experienced some of the trials common to those who enter a new country with a small capital. Ile got the main part of his house up, with the weather-boarding on the outside, but nothing donc on the inside. Ile then had $5 with which to support his family and feed his horses. Nothing had yet been done

on the farm, but he managed to put in about five acres of corn, to help him on the next season. From such a discouraging beginning he has pro- gressed to his present comfortable circumstances. Ilis success has been due to industry, economy and good judgment on the part of himself and his esti. mable wife.

The marriage of our subject took place in Iowa, Feb. 4, 1877, the bride being Miss Elsie Ann Rob- inson. She is a daughter of J. H. and Hannah (Slate) Robinson. Her mother was born Oct. 19, 1837, and is the daughter of Adam and Jane (Bur- ger) Slate. Adam Slate was born Dec. 25, 1801, and his wife May 6, 1815. To Mr. and Mrs. En- field two children have been born: Leroy, a lad at home, and Freddie, still a cooing babe.

Henry Enfield, the father of our subject, was born July 25, 1819. His wife, Lucinda (Lower) Enfield, was born March 9, 1825. Their marriage was celebrated on March 11, 1843.

Mr. Enfield, of whom we write, was reared a Democrat, but votes as he sees fit, being broad in his views on all political questions. In religion, he is also very liberal in his opinions. He is held in good repute by his fellow-citizens, as a man of honor and industrious habits, and in his domestic relations is kindly and affectionate.

U LRICH ROTHLESBERGER. The results of industry and perseverance seldom find a more admirable illlustration than in the subject of this sketch, who commenced at the foot of the ladder in life, and is now financially well-to- do. Ile may nsually be found at his well-regulated homestead on section 7, May Day Township, where he constructed a good farm from the primitive soil and is in the enjoyment of a fair portion of this world's goods. Besides this farm he has other lands in Riley County. He has labored upon the plan of developing his land to the best advantage before expending money in buildings, but in the near future intends to erect a fine residence. Hle is progressive in his ideas and in the open-

NEW RESIDENCE OF MR. ULRICH ROTHLESBERGER, SEC.7., MAY DAY TP., RILEY CO., KANS.

Gen L. Wortewill

815

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

ing up of one of its best farms has thus contributed to the advancement and financial prosperity of Riley County.

The subject of this sketch was born in Switzer- land, Jan. 19, 1835. He was reared and educated in his native place and lived there until a man of thirty-three years. Not having made the headway he desired, he now resolved to seek another country and accordingly boarding a sailing vessel at llavre, France, set his face toward the New World. After a prosperous voyage, he was landed in the city of New York, and coming directly to Kansas, located in Riley County, of which he has since been a resi- dent. In due time he purchased 600 acres of land on sections 7 and 8, establishing his home on sec- 7. lle remained a bachelor until 1878 and then, at the age of forty-three years, was united in marriage with Miss Fanny Bolli. This lady was born in Germany and came to America with her parents in 1878. Her union with our subject re- sulted in the birth of six children, viz: Mary, Henry, Herbert, Frederick and two who died un- named in infancy. Mr. Rothlesberger upon becom- ing a voting citizen identified himself with the Republican party, but he has very little to do with public affairs, preferring that some other man should assume the duties and responsibilities. -

The homestead of Mr. Rothlesberger is fully worthy of illustration in a work of this kind, and we accordingly append a view of the surroundings of one of Riley County's best citizens, and one who has been no unimportant factor in the growth, and development of her agricultural interests.

G EORGE L. WORLAND, of Bloom Town- ship, Clay County, was born in Ridgeway Township, Orleans Co., N. Y., April 15, 1845, and is the youngest of six children, the off- spring of David and Rebecca (Shipp) Worland. The parents were of English birth, and received their ed- ucation and training in the old country. There they were married and lived until after the birth of one child, Jane E., now the housekeeper of her brother George. Then crossing the Atlantic, they settled among the old Puritan stock of Orleans County, N.

Y. There both died in middle life, he of whom we write being but three years of age when he lost his father, and four when his mother was taken from him. . They had belonged to the Presbyterian Church and were honored members of the com- munity.

After the death of the parents, the Worland chil- dren were scattered, and George L. was early thrown upon his own resources for a livelihood, and the training which would fit him for a useful and hon- ored life. By his own efforts he acquired a fair education, and all his property has been made by his own untiring industry, economy and prudence. In 1868, Mr. Worland left the Empire State and took up his abode in McLean County, Ill., whence about two years later he came to Kansas, which has since been his home. He located a homestead in Clay County, on section 27, Bloom Township," making his first entry in August, 1870. Since that time the estate has been put under excellent improvements, and has become an attractive and productive farm. and on its broad acres Mr. Worland is successfully carry- ing on the business of general farming.

Mr. Worland was a single man when he came this State, and here made the acquaintance of the lady whose qualities of mind and character were best adapted to his wants as a companion in life. This lady was Miss Emma Whittaker, who was born in Randolph County, Ill., Oct. 16, 1847, and was edu- cated for a teacher. She became the wife of our subject, but did not long survive to cheer him, in his discouragements and aid him his worthy efforts in life, passing away at her home in Bloom Township, Jan. 18, 1884, at the birth of her first child, who was christened Emma E., and who was taken hence at the age of three years and seven months. Mrs. Worland died in the faith of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. of which she had been a consistent member.

The parents of Mrs. Worland, were William B. and Elizabeth (McMillan) Whittaker, natives of South Carolina and of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Slavery drove both families from the South, they being Reformed Presbyterians, and the "peculiar institution" being in opposition to their religious faith. The family upon leaving their Southern home, located in Randolph County, Ill., and in

816

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

1871, Mr. Whittaker came to this State and took np a homestead in Bloom Township, Clay County. The family comprised three children, and their home was here until the death of Mrs. Whittaker in 1880. Her husband died some time later at Superior, Neb .. both being quite old people. They were active in the work of the church to which they belonged, and Mr. Whittaker was an Elder therein.

Mr. Worland has held various township offices, including that of Trustee. He is a sound Repub- lican in his political views. Hle belongs to the United Presbyterian Church, and was one of the organizers of the society in Bloom Township, hold- ing the office of Trustee in the same. He is a warm-hearted, generous and noble-minded man, public-spirited, and active in every good enter- prise, and is highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens. A handsome lithographie portrait of Mr. Worland is shown on another page of this work.

OSEPH A. THROOP. This gentleman is one of the most enterprising farmers of Washington County, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Ile has now on hand forty-four head of cattle, among which is a thoroughi-bred Short-horn bull. The dwelling is a well-built frame house having over 1,000 feet of flooring. It is situated on an eminence commanding a beautiful view of the country for many miles around, and overlooking Parson Creek on the west. About ten acres of land surrounding the house has been set out in trees, and there is also an orchard of 100 apple-trees and 300 peach- trees, all of which are bearing. Some $60 worth of peaches were sold by Mr. Throop this year.

The gentleman of whom we write is a Can- adian, having been born in Lamer, Canada, on the 8th of May, 1836. His father, Joseph Throop, was also born in Canada, and there lived and died. He was a son of Calvin Throop. who was a native of Massachusetts and of Scotch parentage. Calvin Throop married Miss Annie Ripley, whose mother was a cousin of Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fame. Joseph Throop, Sr., the father of our subject, married Elizabeth Brundage,

daughter of Abraham Brundage, of Canada. To that country the Brundage family had gone from the States.

Joseph A. Throop, of whom we write, lived in Canada until fourteen years old, when he went to New York State. His father having died when he was but eleven years old, he received but a meager education. In Ogdensburg, N. Y., he worked in a fruit depot for two years. He then went to Ogle County, Ill., where he stayed until the breaking out of the Civil War.

Animated by a spirit of patriotism toward the country of his adoption, he eurolled himself among the defenders of the Union. He was mustered into service Sept. 18, 1861, as a member of Company C., 8th Illinois Cavalry, and took part in the cam- paigns of the Army of the Potomac. He took a personal part in the following engagements : Rap- pahannock, Yorktown. Mechanicsville, Dispatch Station, Malvern Hill, Pooleville, White Oak Swamp, Manassas, Barnettsville, Middletown, Boonesboro, Martinsburg, South Mountain, Antie- tam, Annisville, Barretts Crossroads, Fredericks- burg. Chancellorsville, Little Washington, the Rapidan Ford, and Beverly Ford. At the latter place he was taken prisoner, having been carried into the enemy's camp by an unruly horse. The com- pany to which he belonged had made a sabre charge' and Mr. Throop's horse, a very strong animal, be- coming excited in the conflict, dashed on and through the Rebel lines. As the Confederate sol- diers gathered thick about him, Mr. Throop of course surrendered. He was in the act of dis- mounting, when an officer rode up and with a sabre struck him over the left leg, which was then on top of the horse, exclaiming, as he did so, "Kill the Yankee s -- of a b --. " The wound was a painful one, and has since occasioned Mr. Throop much distress. For about six weeks Mr. Throop was an inmate of Libby Prison, to which he had been sent by his captors. He was then paroled, and being exchanged rejoined his regiment.

His term of enlistment having expired in 1863, Mr. Throop re-enlisted or " veteranized," as it was termed, for " three years or during the war." White in veteran service he participated in the conflicts at Williamsport, Culpeper Courthouse, Hazel Run,

817

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Stevensburg, Brandy Station, Morton's Ford, Sav- age Station and Peach orchard, where he acted as Orderly for Gen. Sumner. After a long and ardu- ous army life, which had been gallantly spent, Mr. Throop was mustered out of service at St. Louis, Mo., July 17, 1865, and turned his attention once more to the arts of pcace.

Returning to Ogle County, Ill., Mr. Throop took up the life of a farmer, which he continued in that county until 1872, in the fall of which year he came to Kansas. He arrived in Coleman Township on the 3d of October, and took up 160 acres of open prairie as a homestead. On that place he has since lived, reclaiming it from its primitive condition to one of high cultivation and productiveness. Ile has since added eighty acres under the Tree Culture Act, and now has 150 acres under the plow, the balance being used for pasture.

In Ogle County, Ill., on June 4, 1867, the rites of wedlock were celebrated between our subject and Mrs. Emily F. Millet nee Steel. The bride was the daughter of George C. and Rebecca (Fisher) Steel, of Ogle County, where she was born. Her mother was a native of the Buckeye State in which she was married. Josiah Steel, the grandfather of Mrs. Throop, was a soldier in the Revolution and also in the War of 1812. He and his wife, formerly Hannah Osborn, lived to be very old and died in Illinois.

Mr. and Mrs. Throop have seven children now living. Dora is engaged in teaching in Illinois, her education especially fitting her for that profes- sion. Elsie, a miss at home, is an accomplished musician, and is the organist in the Sunday-School which the family attend. Vernie, a young man. is still at home. Alta Elizabeth, Estella M., Bertie A., and Mand (the baby) complete the family circle. Mrs. Throop had two daughters by her former marriage. One of them died Sept. 24, 1880. at the age of twenty years and seventeen days. The surviving daughter, Mrs. Ida ( Millet) Orput resides in Ogle County. Ill. ; she is the wife of Eu- gene Orput.

Mr. Throop is a Republican, and bears a fair share in the political fight when there is any oc- casion. He has been a Justice of the Peace in this township for eight years, and served one year as

Township Trustee. He has usually been a mem- ber of the School Board of his district, and is now acting as clerk of that body. Ile is a public-spir- ited man, identifying himself with every enter- prise which is of public moment. The family be- long to the Baptist Church, and Mr. Throop is Superintendent of the Sunday-School, which is held in their school-house. He belongs to the Kearney Post of the G. A. R. at Washington.

FG RANCIS A. ABBOTT. Among the well- regulated homesteads of Manhattan Town- ship, that of Mr. Abbott stands conspicu- ous and forms an admirable monument to his industry and enterprise. He is one of the honored pioneers of Riley County and is regarded as one of its most enterprising and useful men. Public- spirited and liberal, he has always been ready to as- sist in the projects calculated to advance the inter- ests of the people around him, and in fact has been one of the corner stones in the building up of his township. He came here in the pioneer days and, taking up and purchasing land at different times, labored in true pioneer style under many difficul- ties and discouragements, but in his later years is reaping the fruits of his industry. He occupies no secondary position in his community, being a man looked up to-one who has exerted no small influence among his fellow-citizens and whose opinions are generally respected.

The subject of this sketch was born in Green- field, N. H., Dec. 10, 1831, and is the son of Hugh A. and Minerva (Cragin) Abbott, who were like- wise natives of that town. After marriage the parents settled not far from the place of their birth and continued residents of Greenfield the remain- der of their lives. The father followed his trade of a brick mason and also carried on a farm. . The household circle was completed by the birth of four children of whom Francis A. was the eldest born; the others are Edward P .. Mary Jane who is now the wife of A. C. Varnum of Lowell. Mass.,.and Charles Herman.

Mr. Abbott remained under the parental roof until a lad of fourteen years, then repaired to An-

818

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

dover, Mass., and for two years afterwards made his home with an uncle, Deacon Albert Abbott; next he emigrated to Lowell, Mass., where he was employed for seven years in the cotton mills, after which he returned to Andover and lived with another uncle, William Abbott, a year. We next find him again in Lowell, where he resided nine months. About this time the attention of many people in the Eastern States was turned to the Territory of Kansas as a section of country promis- ing great things for the enterprising emigrant, and young Abbott determined to seek his fortunes west of the Mississippi.

In the meantime on the 13th of March, 1855, Mr. Abbott was married in Boston, Mass .. to Miss Hannah M. Chapman. That very day the newly- wedded pair set out for Kansas in company with Dr. Charles Robinson who engineered the New England Colony to this section. In Lawrence Mr. Abbott cast his vote against slavery and for free- dom in Kansas, then proceeded to the vicinity of the infant town of Manhattan and took up a claim in Zeandale Township, near the Marshall family, where he lived five years. He then exchanged his property for a elaim on the Blue Bottoms near the mouth of the Kansas River, but only resided there a few months-through thesummer of 1860. Then disposing of a part of his land he returned to Zeandale Township and settled near the place where he had first lived, residing there until the spring of 1865.

Mr. Abbott now purchased a farm in Wabaunsee County where he lived nearly five years. Then selling out once more he returned to Zeandale Township and purchased another farm where he continued to live until March, 1884. Desiring now to dessen his labors, he purchased a small farm in Manhattan Township near the city, where he has since resided. He is now mostly retired from active labor and is taking life in a sensible man- ner. He has a pleasant home with attractive sur- roundings and hosts of friends. He and his estimable wife are members in good standing of, the Congregational Church and stand second to none in the social circles of their community. There were born to them seven children, viz: Franklin C., Herman C., Ella M., Lewis A., Caddie

M., Eva F. and George E., the latter of whom died when five years old. The family name was originally spelled Abbot-some member of the family later adding another t. The genealogy as far back as is known begins, 1st, with George Abbott of Rowley; 2. George Abbott-Sarah Farnham; 3. Nehemiah Abbott-Abigail Lovejoy; 4. Nehemiah Abbott- Sarah Foster; 5. William Abbott-Experience Bigsby; 6. Bigsby Abbott-Hepsibah Ames; 7. William Abbott-Hannah Bailey; Hugh Adams Abbott. Then follows, 1. George Abbott of An- dover-Hannah Chandler; 2. Nathaniel Abbott- Dorcas Hilbert; 3. Elizabeth Abbott-Timothy Moar; 4. Elizabeth Moar-Moses Bailey; Hannah Bailey.

An old historical work says: "Tradition reports that George Abbott emigrated from Yorkshire, England about 1640, with a band of Puritans. They possessed a marked character of their own. Some have been poor but few have come to neces- sitous circumstances. Few have been distinguished for wealth, but most have been in that happy state for which Agur prayed-a competency with con- tentment. They have been modest, willing to be excused from public business and publie notice ; have minded their own business and been remark- able for peace and good neighborhood. Punctual in attending public worship, all have claimed and freely granted the rights of conscience and private judgment. Those favored with collegiate educa- tion have honorably and usefully discharged the (luties of their stations."

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 103

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

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