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 104

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 104
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 104
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 104

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).

ONATHAN ELSWORTH. This jovial old gentleman is one of the most honored citi- zens of Haddam Township, Washington County. Ile has a nicely located farm of 160 acres, five miles from Haddam City, and is en- gaged in farming and stock-raising thereon. Of this, 100 acres are under the plow and forty acres are well fenced. The usual farm buildings have been erected upon the place, and groves and orch- ards adorn it. The estate is well watered by Pilke Branch, and with its unfailing supply of water forms a most excellent stock farm. Mr. Elsworth

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is of English ancestry on his father's side. His grandsire, Henry Elsworth, emigrated from Eng land to New York state when a boy. He served in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War. Ilis occupation was that of a far er.

John Elsworth, the father of our subject, was born in the Empire State, from which he removed to Allegheny County, Pa., being an early settler there. He was the best shot in the county and a great hunter. For two years he was occupied in hunting for a surveying party in Pennsylvania. He entered land in Allegheny County, and im- proved a large farm, which was eleared from the heavy forest. In 1828 he sold out and removed to Ohio, settling in Sandusky County. There he also improved a farm, upon which he resided for a few years. The pioneer spirit was strong within him, and settlers becoming too numerous in Sandusky County, he therefore removed to Wood County, where he cleared three farms. He remained in that county until 1851, being the owner of 250 acres of land. Thence he removed to Hardin County, Iowa, where he located on a farm. He also rented an ho- tel. Subsequently he removed to Nodaway County, Mo., where he continued engaged in farming until his death, which took place in 1861. During the border troubles he saved Marysville from destruc- tion by the Border Ruffians. He was a strong Union man and a leader in efforts against the rebels. His wife, in her maidenhood, Miss Mary Heiler, was a native of the Empire State, and of German descent. Her grandfather, George Heiler, died in that State, where he had been engaged in farming. Mrs. Mary Elsworth died in Missouri in 1883, at the age of eighty-four years; she had been a mem- ber of the Free Will Baptist Church for fifty years.

The parental family comprised twelve children: George is now living in this State; Freeman en- listed in 1862, in an Ohio Regiment, and served faithfully until his death nine months later; Daniel is living in Nodaway County, Mo .; Henry enlisted in 1861, in the 13th Missouri Infantry. and at the expiration of the term of enlistment re-entered the service, in which he continued until the close of the war; he is now living in Leavenworth, Kan. Esther is a resident of Nodaway County, Mo .; Eliza and Olive are deceased; Cosia resides in

Smith, Mo .; Almira is deceased; Calista resides in Nodaway County, Mo. The next in order of birth is the gentleman of whom we write, and following him came John, who is now dead.

Jonathan Elsworth was born in Angelica, Alle- ghany, Co., N. Y., Oct. 4, 1824 When four years old his parents removed to Ohio, in which State he was reared upon a farm. He assisted his father in the clearing of three farms in Wood County. Ilis school advantages were very limited, and a log school-house was the "seat of learning." He was accustomed to hunting coon, mink, etc., in the for- ests of the Buckeye State, and has cut a five-foot oak to get a coon that had taken refuge in its branches.

At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Elsworth left the parental roof and engaged at teaming in the timber. Ile drove five yoke of cattle, and followed the lumberman's occupation for several years. He then rented land and engaged in a farm life. In 1852 he removed to Oakland County, Mich., where for two years he cultivated rented land. Remov- ing thence to Clinton, Lenawee County, he bought ninety acres of timber land, which he eleared and improved, placing seventy-five acres under the plow, and also erected good buildings upon it. He subsequently removed to a location ten miles from Lansing.

In 1875 Mr. Elsworthi sold his Michigan property and came to Kansas by team. He crossed the Illinois River at Streator, the Mississippi at Rock Island, and the Missouri at Atchison. Passing through this county he located in Republic County, where he rented land for two years. He did not like the situation very well, being seriously afflicted by grasshoppers, and in 1877 he started for Oregon. He traveled with two teams across the plains, strik- ing the Platte River at Kearney. Thence the trail led to Cheyenne, thence to Laramie City and thence to the Snake River, following it down to Boise City, Idaho. There he stopped, and remained until the following spring, employed at irrigating and other work. He then determined to return further East, and with the same teams made a return trip via Salt Lake City. Ile did not like the Mormons and felt no safer with them than with the Indians. In June, 1878, having reached this county, he bought 160 acres of raw prairie, paying $3.50 per

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acre, and became a resident of Washington County. The land which he then purchased is that upon which he now resides, and which he has reclaimed from its primitive condition. Mr. Elsworth plants ninety acres to corn and has nine acres in tame hay. and runs eighty acres in addition to that which he owns. He raises Short-horn graded cattle; graded Poland-China hogs, and graded Norman draft horses. He keeps three teams employed upon his place.

In 1850 our subject was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Merrett, the ceremony taking place at the home of the bride in Wood County, Ohio. She was a native of New York State, and is pos- sessed of many of the virtues which fit a woman for the position of wife and mother. She has borne her husband six children : John, Elias; Elmer, now deceased; Sherman, Mary and Emma. The eldest son is now living at home; Elias is engaged in farming in Buchanan County, Mo., and Sherman in Republic County, Kan .; Mary is the wife of Will- iam Godwin, a boot and shoe dealer in Haddam City; Emma is now in attendance at the High School in Washington.

During his residence in Michigan Mr. Elsworth was School [Director, and held other positions of trust. He has been Supervisor of Roads in Had- dam Township one year. He votes the straight Democratic ticket, and has served as a delegate to county conventions. Ile has also served on the petit jury. He: is a man of_most genial nature, a good conversationalist, and is possessed of those sterling traits of character, which entitle him to the respect of the community.

AVID M. EVANS, one of the best auction- eers in Washington County, is well-known to most of its prominent people, having been a resident within its limits since 1874. He is an expert in his calling, his services being constantly in demand. He is at present Sheriff of Washington County.

A native of Highland County, Ohio, Mr. Evans was born Feb. 25. 1842, and is the son of Milton Evans, who was born on the same farm where his

son David first opened his eyes to the light. His mother was Naomi Maple, who was born and reared in Lewis County, Ky., and the parents were of Welsh and Irish descent respectively. When Da- vid M. was an infant of a few months, he was taken by his parents to the Blue Grass State, and from that time on until a youth of nineteen years, was a resident of Lewis County. His education was con- ducted in the country schools, and upon the out- break of the Civil War he enlisted under the first call for troops in Capt. Tom Hamrick's Company, and in November, 1861, marched away as color-bearer for the regiment under command of Col. Leonidas Metcalf. The regiment comprised about six com- panies made up and commanded by Gen. William Nelson. They went into the eastern part of the State, and sojourned in the mountains of Kentucky all winter, when they were ordered to Maysville, and the regiment was consolidated with Mark Mundy's Regiment, in 1862, and was numbered the 23d Kentucky Infantry.

These regiments were then assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and partook of all the dangers and hardships incidental to army life. They en- gaged in various important battles in which young Evans bore a part. Finally a part of the army pressed on toward Shiloh, but Mr. Evans remained with those detailed to stay at Nashville, Tenn. During the following summer they marched to Pulaski, the county seat of Giles County, Tenn., holding that point until July, 1862. They were then consolidated with the 36th Indiana, and the 6th and 124th Ohio, the old Guthrie Grays of Cin- cinnati, after which they entered upon one of the most extraordinary marches of the war, going to Eastern Tennessee in the vicinity of McMinnville, and there under Gen. Ammon, removed on to Mur- . freesboro, whence the famous campaign of. Gen. Bnell, set out from Louisville, Ky. Mr. Evans joined in the various marches and skirmishes until the 10th of December, 1862, when he was promoted to Sergeant, and for a few days was on detached service in the Quartermaster's department. Not liking this, however, he soon rejoined his company, shouldering his musket again, and feeling more in his element.

Sergt. Evans was in the field on that memorable

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day, Dee. 31, 1862, at Stone River, and fought un- til wounded by a shell late in the day and so dis- abled, that he was left on the battle field. After he recovered from his wound, he returned to his company in July, 1863, when they were in the vicinity of Manchester, Tenn. Ile participated with them in the battle of Chickamanga, and was in Chattanooga, Tenn , during the siege, being one of the volunteers to float down the Tennessee River with Brigadier General Whitaker, to assist in open- ing a line to meet Gen. Hooker's troops. Ile took an active part in the battle of Missionary Ridge, marched to the relief of Knoxville, and at the ex- piration of his first term of service, re-enlisted Jan. 1, 1864, at Blaine's Cross Roads, Tenn., for three years, or during the war.

After a thirty days' veteran furlough, Mr. Evans returned to his regiment, and went through the At- lanta campaign. On the 24th of October, he was given the colors of the regiment which he carried through the battle of Franklin. Subsequently he was promoted First Sergeant, and after the battle of Nashville, was with the regiment in Texas until January, 1866, and was then mustered out, for which he has a commission with two warrants of rank as Sergeant, a record of which any man might be proud.

Returning now to Lewis County, Ky., Lieut. Evans occupied himself as a stock dealer for three years, and in the meantime made preparations to establish a fireside of his own. On the 15th of December, 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha J., daughter of Rev. R. D. Lashbrook, and in the early part of January following, they removed to Missouri, and lived on a farm for three years. Thence they came to Kansas in 1874, set- tling in Phillips County, but on account of the drought and grasshoppers, soon changed their loca- tion to Washington County. Here Mr. Evans, during the five years which followed, established himself so firmly in the confidenee of the people, that in 1879, he was elected Sheriff. After serving two years, he was nominated for a second term. but his opponent won the day. Mr. Evans then turned his attention to the real estate business, and began his career as auctioneer, in which he has gained a reputation second to no man in this region. He is

a sound Republican, politically, a man of decided views, and as is usually the case with a man of strong character, is one who has made warm friends and some enemies.

After nearly twenty years of wedded life, Mrs. Martha J. Evans died at her home in Washington, Kan., Sept. 1, 1889, leaving four children, three sons and one daughter: Otilla May, aged sixteen years; Milton M., fourteen years; R. B. Hayes, twelve years; and Carl S., ten years. Mrs. Evans was a lady of many estimable qualities, and en- deared herself to her husband and friends, by whom her name will ever be held in tender remem- brance. Mr. Evans, in 1888 united with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, of which he is a consistent member, and a liberal supporter. Ile is a true patriot, and considers the time spent in defense of the old flag, one of the most honorable epochs in his history. Ile is warmly interested in the advanee- ment of the G. A. R., and holds the office of Com- mander of Kearney Post No. 5, Department of Kansas. He is likewise a member in good stand- ing of the A. O. U. W.

ARCUS BURTON, a well-known resident of Grant Township, Washington County. is a gentleman in the prime of life, having been born Nov. 26, 1842, and is a native of Henry County, Va. His parents, shortly after the birth of their son, removed to Butler County, Ohio, of which they were residents for a period of twelve years and engaged in farming pursuits. Then deciding to seek the farther West, they re- moved to Morgan County, Ill., where they remained four years, and then returned eastward as far as Shelby County, Ind. In the Hoosier State they sojourned until after the outbreak of the Civil War. Marcus, then a youth of eighteen, and pos- sessing his own ideas upon the subject of patriot- ism, entered the Union army as a member of Company 1, 3d Indiana Cavalry, which shortly af- terward was ordered to Louisville, Ky., at the time the rebel General Bragg was threatening the demo- lition of that place.

From Louisville young Burton went with his

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regiment to Nashville, Tenn., and not long after- ward participated in the battle of Stone River, and remained with his regiment until taken prisoner with his company at Sasquatchie Valley, when the rebels not being able to get them away, were obliged to pa- role them on the ground. In due time Mr. Burton rejoined his regiment and participated in the siege of Atlanta, engaging in all the battles up to that time under Gen. Kilpatrick. Later he was in the fight at Jonesboro, soon after which the time of enlistment of most of the regiment expired, this being in. the fall of 1864. Mr. Burton having a year longer to serve, was remanded to Kilpartick's headquarters and acted as a scont. At the battle of Benton- ville, N. C., he was detailed with three others to enter the rebel lines and secure the information necessary. After making a full circuit of that di- vision of the Confederate army, they brought up in the rear, and leaving their horses went on foot in- side the lines and secured that which they desired. Then they made their way back safely, passing through two lines of rebel piekets, and reaching their own army in safety.

Many were the thrilling and hairbreadth escapes which Mr. Burton experienced during the period of his army life. Onee at Waynesboro, N. C., a company of twenty-seven made a charge into the town, which was held by a large company of rebels. and lost but one man, the Lieutenant in command. They captured twenty-six prisoners. Five of the rebels were killed, and the balance fled in disor- der. Mr. Burton and his comrades were kept busy all during that campaign in cavalry skirmishes, and at the expiration of his term of enlistment he re- reived his honorable discharge at Greenboro, N. C. He was usually in excellent health, and returned home practically unharmed.

Returning now to Shelby County, Ind., Mr. Burton worked on a farm for a couple of years, and then was married, Sept. 5, 1867, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Silas and Naney Haskett. This lady became the mother of eight children and departed this life at her home in Indiana, Kan., in April, 1881. Joseph, the eldest son, remains at home with his father. Annie is the wife of Eb. Cole, formerly of Washington County, but now living on his farm which he homesteaded in Lane County,

this State. John W., Samuel, Marcus, Mary, Nan- nie and Ella are all at home with their father.

After his marriage Mr. Burton settled first in Hancock County, Ind., on a farm where he lived four years, and then in the fall of 1871, came to Washington County, Kan. He took up a home- stean on section 17, Grant Township, upon which he lived until proving np, then sold out, and par- chased the quarter section included in his present farm on section 8. Subsequently he doubled his first purchase and has now about 100 acres under the plow. A large portion is reserved for hay and pasture. Mr. Burton has planted an orchard of 100 apple trees, besides ornamental and shade trees. He feeds each year a goodly number of cattle and swine. His children have all been given a good education, and himself and most of his family are members of the Quaker Church organization which holds its meetings at the school-house in distriet No. 66. Politically, Mr. Burton is a sound Re- publiean, and for several years has been a School Director in his district.

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married March 15, 1884, was formerly Mrs. Mary A. Sexton, daughter of Mahlon Haworth, a native of Ohio, and now deceased. Mrs. Burton was born. April 5, 1841, in Indiana, and by her first marriage became the mother of four children, as follows: Leander, Mahlon, Martitia and Charlie.

- ERDINAND SCHWAB is one of the sue- cessful farmers of Clay County. He resides on section 36, Mulberry Township, where he owns 160 acres of land, the estate being well improved and adequately furnished with good farm buildings. This county and township have been his home since May 1880, at which time his now thoroughly cultivated farm was a tract of raw prairie.

Mr. Schwab is a native of world-renowned and romantic Switzerland. His birth took place in the Canton of Bern, Feb. 2, 1851, he being a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Schwab. In that country the mother died when in middle life. The father came to the United States in company with three of his

RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM SHORER, SEC.15, BLOOM TP., CLAY COUNTY, KANS.

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A 4

RESIDENCE OF FERDINAND SCHWAB, SEC.36, MULBERRY TP, CLAY COUNTY, KANS.

RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM KELLEY, SEC 4. BLOOM TP., CLAY COUNTY, KANS.

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sons in 1878, and has since lived with a son, Frank Schwab, Jr., in Bloom Township. He has now at- tained to the age of seventy-five years, and is still quite active. In his native country he had been engaged in farming and also ran two flouring-mills. The paternal family comprised four sons and three daughters, all now surviving except a son, who died in Switzerland.

Our subject is the youngest son, and youngest child but one in his parents' family. The loss of his mother occurred when he was but ten years old. Mr. Schwab was reared and educated amid the beautiful scenery of his native clime and after reaching man's estate came to America. He made his home in Henry County, Hl., for five years, and then went back to his native land for his father and two of his nephews. Accompanied by them he made his second departure from Switzerland in August, 1878. Taking passage at Havre, France, they landed in New York City after a voyage of less than two weeks, and came at once to this State.

At the home of the bride in this county, Mr. Schwab was united in marriage with Miss Emma Ruegg. She is, like her husband, a native Swiss, and when young, came to this country with her parents. Mr. Ruegg settled in Illinois, and some years later removed to this State, where he and his wife are yet living. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Schwab has been blessed by the birth of two bright children, Samuel and Bertha.

Mr. Schwab is a Democrat in politics, and as stanch in the support of the party as in the main- tenance of his moral principles. He is enterprising in the occupation which he has chosen in life, kindly in his domestic relations, and favorably re- garded in the community.

A handsome lithographic view of Mr. Schwab's residence is shown on another page.

W ILLIAM KELLEY. Among the snug homesteads of Bloom Township, Clay County, that of Mr. Kelley deserves spec- ial mention, being located on section 4. and com- prises 160 acres of choice land. He secured possession of this as a homesteader in May, 1877.

He came to this section with a capital of $15. the greater part of which was paid out in secure- ing his claim and providing himself with the necess- ary things with which to commence life here. His condition, financially, at the present is in wide contrast to that of twelve years ago, during which he has opened up one of the best farms in his neighborhood and has become well-to-do. Ile car- ried on general agriculture a number of years, in the meantime fencing his land, erecting buiklings and planting fruit and shade trees. Later he turned his attention to live stock, which industry is the source of a comfortable income.

A native of Logan County, Ohio, Mr. Kelley was born Dec. 1, 1822, and in 1844 removed thence to Marshall County, Ind., where he was married and of which he was a resident for eighteen years. Later he removed to Kankakee County, Ill., where he prosecuted farming for a period of twenty-two years and from the Prairie State he crossed the Father of Waters to Kansas. The father of our sub- ject was J. J. Kelley. a native of Fleming County, Ky., and of Irish decent, his paternal grand-par- ents having been born in the Emerald Isle. His father was a plasterer and bricklayer by trade and left his native State when a young man, go- ing into Champaign County, Ohio, where he mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Bendure. This lady was born in Ohio of American parents and French descent. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Kelley located in Logan County where the father followed his trade until the spring of 1840. Then with his lit- tle family he removed to Marshall County, Ind., where he died when nearly one hundred years old. He was a Democrat in politics and a member of the United Brethren Church. The wife and mother survived her husband four years, dying when about ninety-five years old. She was a member of the same church as her husband and active in the per- formance of her religious duties.

The subject of this sketch was the second child in a family of seven daughters and two sons. seven of whom are living, all married and with families of their own. In Marshall County, Ind., William met his fate in the person of Miss Lovisa Ben- dure, to whom he was married on the 4th of August, 1844. Mrs. Kelley was born in Ohio,

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Dec. 2, 1828, and was taken by her parents to Michigan when quite young, where she grew to womanhood. Later the family moved to Marshall County, Ind., where she lived two years and until her marriage. Her father John II. Bendure, was a native of Ohio, and of French ancestry. He was a farmer by occupation, and married Miss Nancy Cochran in Greene County, Ohio. Mrs. Bendare was a native of Kentucky and of Irish ancestry on the mother's side and was reared in Kentucky. She passed away prior to the death of her husband at the age of about fifty years. The latter died in Marshall County, Ohio, at the age of fifty-six. Both were members of the United Brethren Church and were most excellent and worthy people, honest and upright in their lives and highly respected by all who knew them.

To Mr. and Mrs. Kelley there have been born thir- teen children, seven of whom died young. Their eld- est living child, John H. married Miss Ella Koontz and is farming in Clifton Township, Washington, County; Marietta is the wife of Edward De Crow, and they reside on a farm in Coffey County, Kan .; Rufus B. married Miss Eva Survine and they live on a farm in a Bloom Township, Clay County ; Peter married Miss Laura Shearer and is farming on land belonging to his father in Bloom Town- ship. Emma, Mrs. Willinm Blosser, lives with her husband on a farm in Republic County; Ida is the wife of William Hileman, a farmer of Bloom Town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Kelley occupy a good position socially in their community and Mr. Kelley, pol- itically, votes the straight Democratic ticket.

The snug homestead of Mr. Kelley will be found fully represented by a well-executed lithographie view on another page, and is in all respects indica- tive of the enterprise and industry of its projector.

W ILLIAM SCHORER. Whatever may be the popular belief as to the merits of var- ious systems of religion, and even to a dis- believer in them all, the life of an earnest worker in the cause of Christianity is ever a subject of deep respect. Ile who is the subject of this bio-

graphy has for many years labored to win sonls to Christ, and has been highly successful in that work, being well fitted both by nature and education for the duties which he so long and faithfully con- ‹Incted. Owing to failing health he has now with- drawn from the ministry, and is occupying a farm which he owns in Bloom Township, Clay County. In this and Cloud counties he has ac- complished great good in building up churches, and he is highly honored wherever his works and character are known.

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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 104

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

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