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 105

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 105
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 105
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 105

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The Rev. Mr. Schorer comes of a long and honored line of Swiss ancestry, being himself a native of the Canton of Bern. His father, N. Schorer, was the youngest in a large family and lost his father when eleven years old. Having attained to years of mna- tnrity he became a merchant in his native city, Wangen, Switzerland. He married Miss Elizabeth Schorer, who, though bearing the same surname, was no relation, and to them were born five sons and four daughters. In 1867, the parents and all the family then living came to the United States, and took up their abode near Franklin, Wis. The children have since become of age and all are doing well in this country. The parents now re- side in Sheboygan, Wis., the father being sixty-seven years old, and the mother three score years and ten. Both are members of the Reformed Church, and prominent and highly honored members of their community.

The birth of our subject took place Jan. 21, 1847, and in his boyhood and early youth he was highly educated in his native canton. When eighteen years old he was, through the persuasions of a mis- sionary, induced to come to the United States, being the first of his family to leave his native land. He took passage from Hamburg, April 20, 1865, on the steamer " Teutonia," and after a voy- age of twenty days, most of which was rough[sail- ing, he landed in New York City. He went at once to Sheboygan. Wis., and entered the German Reformed Theological Seminary at Franklin. Af- ter completing the course of study in that institu- tion he was ordained to the ministry and took charge of a Swiss congregation near La Crosse. Later he had charge of a congregation at Waukon, Alamakee Co., Iowa, and after laboring there for

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three years, his voice and health failing, he went to Missouri to regain his strengtlı.

His health being restored, Mr. Sehorer next took charge of two congregations in Gasconade County, Mo., laboring there for some five years. In 1876, he came to this county and purchased 160 acres of land on section 15, Bloom Township, and subsequently bought 120 acres on another section. He took charge of the Presbyterian churches in this part of the county, and also in Cloud County, having four different congregations under his over- sight for some time. In 1884 he went to Holton, Jackson County, and there preached for a year,

having charge of two congregations, both of which increased in numbers during his labors there. Re- turning to this county he rested from his minis- terial labors for a year or more, and then resumed charge of his old congregations, retaining his place as an active minister of the gospel till September, 1889, when his health compelled his final with- drawal.

The membership of the Presbyterian churches in this vicinity has been largely increased under the care of Mr. Schorer, and he has also made a great success of farming and stock-raising. His home farm is well improved and supplied with an excellent assortment of buildings, conveniently disposed for the various purposes for which they were ereeted, and all have been put up by the pres. ent proprietor. The outlying land which he owns is broken, and is also being brought to a high state of productiveness.

The marriage of Mr. Schorer was celebrated in Waukon, lowa, the bride being Miss Sophia Haline, who was born near Franklin, Wis., July 1, 1852. Mrs. Schorer is a daughter of Frederick and Sophia (Dolmeye) Hahne, natives of Lippe-Detmold Ger- many, who after the birth of one child, emigrated in 1848, to the United States. They embarked on a sailing vessel, and after a voyage of some weeks landed in this country and took up their residence in Wisconsin, where Mr. Hahne began an agricul- tural life, having previously been engaged in car- pentering. From Wisconsin Mr. Haline removed to Alamakee County, Iowa, and then to Sac County, where his wife died when sixty years of age. He is yet living, having attained his three-score years and

ten. lle belongs to the German Reformed Church, as did his wife.

Mrs. Schorer was the recipient of the best of training at the hands of her worthy parents, with whom she remained until her marriage. She is the mother of nine children, of whom we note the following: Anna is attending the Presbyterian College at Emporia ; Hulda. is in the State Normal school at the same place ; Daniel T., Sarah, Bertha; Mary, Ida, Minnie and Edna are at home. The younger members of the family will receive good educational advantages in accordance with their years.

Mr. Schorer is a Republican in politics. Mrs. Schorer has always been an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and in her own sphere ac- complishes much good, being, like her husband. a highly respected member of the community. A view of the Schorer residence appears on another page, presenting the picture of a peaceful rural home where plenty abounds.

M ORTIMER REYNOLDS. a leading farmer of Mulberry Township, Clay County, owns and operates 240 acres of highly improved land which he brought to its present con- dition from a raw prairie. He came to this section from La Salle County, Ill., in 1885. and is now looked upon as one of the leading citizens in the northwestern part of the county. He was born in the town of Magnolia, Putnam Co., Ill., Dec. 19, 1856, and is the son of Dr. Albert Reynolds, a na- tive of Connecticut.

The father of our subject was reared in New York State whence later he removed to Ohio with his parents and was graduated from one of the medical colleges of the Buckeye State. There also he was first married and later went to Kentucky, where he followed the profession of medicine for some years and where his first wife died leaving five children. These all lived to mature years and were married. After the death of his first wife Dr. Reynolds moved to Putnam County, Ill., early in the 40's where he followed his practice and at the same time

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purchased land and opened np a good farm. He was successful, both professionally and financially, becoming well-to-do. He died at Lostant, La Salle Co., Ill., in 1887, at the age of eighty-eight years. He was a Whig during his early manhood, a Republican later and a strong Union man during the Civil War. He was likewise the opponent of slavery and left the State of Kentucky on account of his antagonism to the peculiar institution.

The father of our subject took for his second wife Miss Hannah J. Butterfield, then of Magnolia, Ill., but who was born in New Hampshire of New England parents. She came alone when a young woman to Illinois and is still living at the age of seventy-two years, making her home with her daughter, Clara J., in La Salle County. Mortimer was the youngest of her six children-four sons and two daughters. Of these there are only living, besides our subjeet, one of the sons, Arthur, and his sister, Clara J. Mortimer and Arthur, after reaching manhood, engaged in partnership in mer- cantile business at Lostant for two years. Then the former came to this State.

The marriage of Mortimer Reynolds and Miss Laura Hildebrand took place in La Salle County, Ill., Sept. 25, 1878. Mrs. Reynolds was born, June 14, 1858., in that county, where she was reared and educated. Her parents were Henry and Elizabeth (Needham) Hildebrand, who were likewise natives of Illinois and are still living on a farm in La Salle County, well-to-do, and surrounded by all life's comforts. The father is about fifty-seven years of age and the mother fifty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have two children-Charles A. and Edward L. Mr. Reynolds, like his father before him, endorses in the strongest manner the princi- ples of the Republican party. He is looked upon as a solid and a reliable man-one who is a credit to his eounty.

h ENRY RUEGG. The biographer in his mi- grations among the farmers in the north- western corner of Clay County, found Mr. Ruegg snugly located on a well-improved farm comprising 160 acres of land on section 34. He came to Kansas in 1872 from Madison County,

Ill., and located on a farm near Winkler's Mills, Riley County. Thenee in 1878 he changed his resi- denee to a point across the line, homesteading his present land. By a course of persevering industry and good management and after the labors of a number of years, he brought the soil to a good state of cultivation and erected substantial build- ings, enclosed and divided his land with fencing. planted fruit and shade trees and has now one of the most desirable farms in this part of the county.

Mr. Ruegg is a native of Switzerland and was born in the Canton of Zuriel, May 18, 1828. He lived there until a man of twenty-five years, then in 1867 emigrated to the United States, settling in the vicinity of Highland, Madison Co., Ill., where he sojourned until moving west of the Mississippi. He is the offspring of an excellent family, being the son of Hans Jacob Ruegg, a farmer in comfortable eireumstances who spent his entire life in his native country. His death occurred in 1879 when he was sixty-nine years old. The wife and mother whose maiden name was Catherine Seheuchzer, passed away when comparatively a young woman in 1832, Both parents were members of the German Re- formed Church.

The subject of this sketeh was one of the small family born to his mother and received a very good education in his native canton. He learned the miller's trade at a good age and when ready to establish a home of his own, was married to a maiden of his own town-Miss Elizabeth Weber. Mrs. Ruegg was the danghter of a highly respect- able family who were noted as being experts at pattern and model making, while at the same time many of them engaged in farming. After the birth of five children Mr. and Mrs. Ruegg in the fall of 1867, having resolved to emigrate to America, ra. paired to Havre, France, and took passage on the steamer "Arago" which after a safe voyage landed them in New York City. Thenee they proceeded to Illinois where two more children were added to the family circle. One child has been born to them since they came to Kansas.

The eight children of Mr. and Mrs. Ruegg are recorded as follows: Eda is the wife of Albert Schwab and they live on a farm in Oregon; Bertha is the wife of Lewis Pickett and they live on a

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farm near Ogden. this State; Anna married Gotlieb Ammeseager and they reside on a farm in Bloom Township; Emma is the wife of Ferdinand Schwab, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume; Mary is the wife of August Kolling, who is represented elsewhere in this work; Lena, Rosa and Lizzie are at home with their parents.

2 ICHOLAS ESSLINGER. Among the suc- cessful agriculturists of Washington County, are many who were born across the sea. They prove valuable citizens of our land, and ex- hibit a sturdy enterprise on the frontier. Of this class is the gentleman above named, who has lived in Clifton Township since July, 1859. He has seen the county grow from a wild waste, to the position it holds to-day in the front rank of civi- lized and cultivated communities. When he came, the country abounded with buffalo and other wild game, and the savage red man was frequently to be seen. Mr. Esslinger has' a number of times been attacked by the buffaloes of the plains, but has always escaped injury. He gives himself credit for having killed more than 200 rattlesnakes, though he was never bitten. When he first lived in this county, Jefferson City, forty miles distant, was the nearest market town, and Ft. Riley, forty miles away, was their post-office.

Mr. Esslinger was born in Luxemburg, Ger- many, Oct. 12, 1827. His parents were of Prussian hirth, but lived the most of their lives in Luxem- burg. The father, John Esslinger, was a farmer. He died when our subject, who was the youngest of four children, was fifteen months old. The mother, Elizabeth (Shoemaker) Esslinger, lived to be nearly one hundred years old. Her death also took place in Luxemburg. Nicholas Esslinger was reared by his mother until old enough to do for himself. On March 25, 1857, he took passage at Havre on the sailing. vessel "Edward Stanley." They landed in New York City, after an unevent- ful voyage of twenty-three days. Thence he went immediately to Stephenson County, Ill., where he remained two years. Ile then came to this State, and secured from the Government the land

which he has since made his home. It is well im- proved, and under thorough and intelligent cul- tivation.

In this county Mr. Esslinger was married to Gertrude Bowmaker, daughter of Joseph Bow- maker, whose sketch occupies another place in this BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. She was born in Prussia Dec. 12, 1843, and when young was brought to the United States by her parents. She remained with them until her marriage, acquiring all the skill for which German housewives are noted. She is the mother of ten children: Elizabeth is the wife of Peter Steinmetz, a blacksmith in Clifton; Mary, Magdalene, Anna, Margaret, Gertrude, Joseph, Angeline, Nicholas and Sophia are at home.

Mr. Esslinger was formerly a Republican, but is now a sound Democrat. He and his wife are char- ter members of the Roman Catholic Church of Clifton Township, and Mr. Esslinger has been an officer there since the organization was started. An enterprising farmer, a reliable citizen, and an in- telligent, kindly man, Mr. Esslinger merits and re- ceives the respect of his fellow-citizens. The church was built on Mr. Shoemaker's land in 1871, and the district school-house is on Mr. Esslinger's land.

R ICHARD ROENIGK is one of the thrifty and successful farmers of Clay County, the estate which he owns and occupies being situated on section 14, Bloom Township. It comprises 160 broad acres, bearing such sub- stantial improvements as are generally made by an enterprising agriculturist, its present condition being due to the gentleman of whom we write. He has been the owner of this farm since 1878, his residence in the county antedating that period seven years.

Mr. Roenigk was born in Saxony, Germany, April 4, 1857, and is a son of Gottlieb and Marga- ret (Zachary) Roenigk, natives likewise of that kingdom. The father was a descendant of an old Saxony family, and was engaged in farming. To himself and wife eleven children were born, seven living, all of whom came to the United States with their father. who sought a wider field for his ener-

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gies and greater opportunities for his children's ad- vancement. The family took passage at Bremen on the steamer " Rhine," May 4, 1871, and landed in New York City after an ocean voyage of thir- teen days. They came almost immediately to Kansas, and the father at once obtained a home- stead on section 14, Bloom Township. It was an unbroken tract of land, but its owner being a thor- ough farmer, at once began its improvement, and had accomplished a great deal when his death oc- curred four years after his arrival, he being sixty years of age. His widow continued her residence on the estate, which she still owns and which is now well improved. Mrs. Roenigk is now sixty- six years of age. She belongs to the Lutheran Church and is highly regarded by her associates therein and by all her neighbors. Six of her chil- dren are living. They are: Louisa, wife of Mates Rasmussen, living on a farm in Bloom Township; Adolph, a farmer and harness-maker, whose home is at Lincoln Center, Kan .; Anna, wife of Claus P. Hansen (see biography); our subjeet; Augusta, wife of Con. Myers, a farmer in Bloom Township; and Charles, who remains at home caring for his mother and managing the homestead.

Our subject is a member of the Union Labor party. He is not only well versed in agricultural work, but is a man of industrious habits, excellent moral character and intelligence, and as such is held in good repute by his neighbors and fellow- citizens.

W ILLIAM T. BLOOMFIELD, of Little Blue Township, is pursuing the even tenor of his way on a well-developed farm, com- prising 160 acres of land on section 35. His chief ambition has been to perform the duties of an honest man and a good citizen, make a comfortable living for his family and dwell at peace among his neighbors. He was born in Worcestershire, Eng- land, Feb. 21, 1835, and is the son of John Bloom- field, a native of the same shire and a weaver by trade. The family is of substantial English ances- try, honest and industrious people, who made their

living by diligence and frugality, avoided police courts and criminal cells and left the heritage of a good name to their posterity.

John Bloomfield in 1844 emigrated to America with his little family, and locating in 'Tariffville, Conn., sojourned there until his death, which oc- curred in 1850 when he was but forty years of age. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and also identified with the I.O.O.F. He spent his later years in farm pursuits and accumu- lated a good property. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Johnson. She also was a native of Worcestershire, and was born in 1812. She sur- vived her husband a period of thirty-three years, remaining a widow, and died in Chicago, Ill., in 1883. The parental household included eight chil- dren, five of whom are living and residents of the United States.

William T., the first child in the Bloomfield family, was a lad of nine years when his parents emigrated to America, and he lived with them in Tariffville, Conn., until probably eighteen years old. Upon leaving Connecticut he accompanied them to Ohio, and completed his studies in the lit- tle city of Akron, Summit County. He sojourned there until 1855, and that year came to Kansas, loeating in Lawrence, and participated in the con- flict arising from the slavery question and other Kansas troubles, being the supporter and sympa- thizer of the old hero John Brown. He left the State in 1857. repairing to Andrew County, Mo .. of which he was a resident until 1861.

We next find Mr. Bloomfield in Chicago, Ill., and the following year, the Civil War being in prog- ress, he enlisted as a private in Company K, 72d Illinois Infantry, which was attached to the 17th Army Corps. He participated in many of the hard-fought battles which followed, being at Ray- mond, Champion Hills, Vicksburg. Franklin and Nashville, Tenn. Although experiencing many hairbreadth eseapes, he came out without a wound and without being captured by the enemy. He was given his honorable discharge at Columbus, Ohio, July 13, 1865. Soon afterward he returned to Missouri and settling in Buchanan County, lived there until 1870, employing himself as a eab- inet-maker. In the fall of that year he came back

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to Kansas and homesteaded 112 acres of land on section 26 in Little Blue Township, Washington County. He employed himself in the cultivation and improvement of this land until 1880, then sell- ing out purchased 160 acres on section 35, Little Blue Township, where he has since followed the peaceful pursuits of agriculture.

When coming to Kansas, Mr. Bloomfield states. he was almost penniless. The extent and nature of his possessions to-day indicate in a forcible man- ner the diligence with which he has labored and the economy which he must have practiced. Politically he is usually found on the side of the Republican party. In religions matters he is con- nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Barnes. Socially he belongs to Post No. 363 G.A.R. at Barnes, and is also a member of Lodge No. 12, A. O. U. W. at Rockford, Ill.

On the 31st of January, 1858, Mr. Bloomfield was married to Miss Mary E. McChesney, of An- drew County, Mo. Mrs. Bloomfield was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Sept. 19, 1840, and is a daughter of Andrew L. and Elizabeth (Caples)- McChesney, the former of whom is dead but the latter is yet living. The six children of Mr. and Mrs. Bloomfield were named respectively Russel C , Lillie, John (deceased ), Elmer, Charles, and Arthur (deceased), who was a twin of Charles.

ON. DAVID E. BALLARD. This gentle- man has been designated as "one of the most hospitable, social and liberal men of his community," being public-spirited, strictly moral and of that courteous and gentle- manly demeanor which makes everybody his friend. Mr. Ballard is perhaps one of the most prominent men in Northern Kansas, intimately identified with its agricultural interests, a thorough and skillful farmer, and in business transactions his record is unimpeachable.

The subject of this sketch was born in Franklin, Vt., March 20, 1836, and is the son of Appleton and Epiphena (Ellenwood) Ballard. Appleton Ballard was born in Hanover, N.H., in 1809. When he was a boy his parents removed to Vermont where

he learned shoemaking at which he worked in con- nection with farming until 1837. Then, having decided to seck what was then the. West, he emi- grated to Morrow County, Ohio, and locating in Sparta, engaged in general merchandising until 1847. That year he left the Buckeye State and re- moving to Michigan established himself as a gen- eral mereliant at Lansing, where he sojourned until 1852. He then met with a sad misfortune, his store and stock being destroyed by fire, involving a total loss.

After this event the father of our subject moved just out of town and securing a little piece of land engaged as a vegetable gardener until his death, which occurred in October, 1885. He was a man of sound religious principles and from the age of twenty years had been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His father was Frederick Ballard, a native of Barnard, N. H., and who died in Sparta, Ohio. The paternal great- grandfather of our subject was Sherebiah Ballard, a gentleman of English birth and ancestry who crossed the Atlantic with five brothers prior to the Revolutionary War and settled in New York State. The entire six participated in the conflict which afterward ensued, fighting valiantly on the side of the Colonists until their independence was estab- lished.

Epiphena Ellenwood was born near Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sept. 9, 1809 and died at Lansing, Mich., in the spring of 1888. She was married to Appleton Ballard in 1830. Her father, Capt. El- lenwood was a seafaring man and the commander of a merchant vessel. He stood at the head of his profession and was likewise a successful man in business affairs. He was robbed and murdered in Halifax harbor after disposing of a cargo of mer- chandise. To the parents of our subject there were born ten children: Allen J., Sindenia A., David E., Henry D., Eunice L., Alonzo, Everette. Anna L., Sarah A., and Alice. Of these eight are living.

David E. Ballard was the third child of the par- ental family and was reared in his native town of Sparta, Ohio. acquiring his education in the com- mon schools. There also he took his first lesson in mercantile business and was also thus engaged with

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his uncle at Mt. Gilead, and later again with his father at Lansing, Mich. He remained a resident of Michigan State until 1855 and then determined to seek the farther West. We next find him in Tama County, Iowa, where he was occupied as a clerk in Toledo until 1857. Then crossing the Missouri River into the Territory of Kansas he was located for a time in Lawrence, Kan., and in the meanwhile had a hand in the troubles of that period, operating under James Lane.

Subsequently Mr. Ballard repaired to Brown County, Kan., and for some time followed the pro- fession of a teacher. Later he was connected with a surveying party, laying out town sites and en- gaged in other business tending to the development and settlement of the State. In 1858 he repaired to Washington, Kan., and was made Secretary of the first company organized to lay out the town. Subsequently he assisted in the organization of Washington County and at the first election of county officers was chosen Register of Deeds and County Clerk. Later further honors were be- stowed upon him as he was chosen by the Free State party as their first Representative in the Legislature. He served his full term with great eredit to himself and satisfaction to his con- stituents.

Mr. Ballard watched the progress of national affairs with the liveliest interest and maintained his loyalty to the State of Kansas. During the first year of the Civil War he entered the army as a private, but soon afterward, by the nrgency of friends and officials, left the ranks and raising a company joined the 2d Kansas Infantry as First Lieutenant of Company H. This regiment was soon afterward transformed into the 2d Kansas Cavalry, in which Lieutenant Ballard served until 1865 when he was obliged to send in his resignation on account of disability. In the meantime his services received their just recognition by the pre- sentation to him of a Captain's commission, but he resigned before being mustered in.

Daring the period of his army life Mr. Ballard operated mostly in Missouri and Arkansas. In May, 1865 he was appointed Quartermaster General of the Kansas State Militia. In 1866 he was com- missioned Deputy I'nited States Surveyor of public

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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 105

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

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