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 106

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 106
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 106
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 106

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).

lands in Kansas. In 1867 he was commissioned Deputy United States Marshall in his district and in 1868 was commissioned Assistant Assessor for Division No. 4, then covering what is now the 5th Congressional District of Kansas. He was still further honored in 1872 by being elected Assessor of railroad property for the 12th Judicial District of Kansas. In 1878 he was again elected to repre- sent his county in the State Legislature. His whole public career is one which reflects honor upon him and in which it could not be questioned that he had the interests of the people at heart.

Mr. Ballard in 1869, turning his attention seri- ously to agricultural affairs, purchased 160 acres of land on section 15, Little Blue Township, and there took up his abode. He was prospered in his sub- sequent transactions, financially, and added to his landed possessions until he is now the owner of 1,800 acres, lying on sections 9, 10, 15, 16, 21 and 22 of the above-mentioned township. When com- ing to this State he was obliged to borrow money to meet his current expenses. He long ago liqui- tlated that debt and has the satisfaction of knowing that every dollar of his money has been made in an honorable and legitimate manner. Besides that already mentioned, he also owns valuable city property in Washington, this State. He is one of the Directors of the First National Bank at that place and has taken an interest generally in the upbuilding of the town.

As a stock dealer Mr. Ballard is scarcely equalled by any man in Washington County and is particu- larly interested in blooded animals. He is the largest resident landholder within the limits of the county. His residence is located on section 15, Little Blue Township, and presents quite an im- posing appearance, surrounded as it is by various other buildings, with cattle sheds in the back ground, everything being neat and in good order, together with forest and fruit trees and all the other embel- lishments of the ideal country estate. Without making any great display or pretentions to elegance, the great homestead is in all its appartenances little less than complete and resembles a village more than private grounds.

Socially, Mr. Ballard stands high in the Masonic fraternity, having taken both the Chapter and

Robert M. Tunnell

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Council degrees. He has been a stanch Republiean sinee the organization of that party in 1856. He has by his hospitality and rare social qualities drawn around him hosts of friends whom both he and his most excellent wife entertain in a manner worthy of their means and station. Mrs. Ballard was in her girlhood Miss Louise Bowen, of Leaven- worth, Kan., and was wedded to our subject Dec. 25, 1865. Her native place was Royalton, Vt., and the date of her birth 1844. Her parents were Mark (who died in 1859) and Sarah L. (Harris) Bowen, now living in Royalton, Vt. They were both natives of Vermont.

The ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ballard were named respectively, Ernest F., Louise, Frank C., Mabel, Miriam, David C., Winifred, Mark A. B., Anna A. and Stella L. Louise died when six days old.

R EV. ROBERT M. TUNNELL, who has so long and acceptably held the pastorate of the Congregational Church at Manhattan, is a gentleman of culture, is well-known and posesses a fine Christian character, and during his ministry in this city he has been an important agent not only in advancing its religious standing, but also in elevating its social and educational status. Mr. Tunnell is a native of Illinois, born in Morgan County, eight miles north of Jacksonville. Oet. 17, 1830. His father. David Tunnell, was born in Washington County, Tenn., in 1800, was a son of Stephen Tunnell. a native of Spottsylvania County, Va., who was, in turn, a son of William Tunnell, who was born across the water in sunny France. In that land the family name was spelled Tannelier, and it has become corrupted since the great grandfather of our subject came to this coun- try. When he was three years old he was taken by his father to England and in that country he wooed and wedded Ann Fairfax, a native of Yorkshire. In colonial times, about 1730, he brought his wife to America, and located in Virginia; he bought land in Spottsylvania County, and resided there some years. He then went to Fairfax County to spend his last years. After his death his wife went to Tennessee with her son, the Rev. William Tun-

nell, and died at his home in Anderson County, at the remarkably advanced age of one hundred and four years. William Tunnell's brother James also came to America, and settled first in Accomack County, Va., and later in Dagsboro. Del., where he died. Another brother settled in North Carolina, and passed his remaining days in that State. The grandfather of our subject was reared and married in Virginia, and resided there until 1789, doing gallant service in the meantime in the Revolutionary War, under Washington. Receiving therefor a land-warrant in the year just mentioned, accom- panied by his wife and six children, with a wagon and pack-horses, he slowly made his way to the wilds of Tennessee, three months being consumed in the journey, and there selected his land in Wash- ington County. It was heavily timbered, and he devoted his time to its clearance and to tilling the soil the ensuing twenty years, and then took up his residence in Monroe County, Ky., of which he was also a pioneer. Purchasing a traet of land half a mile from Tompkinsville, he made his home there until his death. The maiden name of his wife was Keziah Money. She was also of French descent, born in the eastern part of Maryland, and was a daughter of Pierre Money, who is thought to have been born in France. He was one of the Huguenots who fled from persecution from that country to England, and thenee to America, where in George- town, D. C., his remaining days were spent in peace and in undisturbed enjoyment of his religious belief. The grandmother of our subject died in Morgan Co., Ill , in September, 1836. Both she and her husband were reared in the Calvinist faith and held tenaciously to it until death. They were the parents of eleven children, ten of whom grew to mature years.

The father of our subject joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in his vouth. He received a fair education and taught in the public schools as well as conducting singing schools. At the youthful age of eighteen years he eommeneed to preach, and was ordained in 1822, and preached in different places in Kentucky until 1830, when he too became a pioneer like his father before him, journeying overland into Illinois until he had penetrated to the wilds of Morgan County, where he took up a tract

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of Government land, he being one of the earliest settlers of that region. He built a log cabin for the accomodation of his family, and in that humble home the subject of this sketch was born. Besides improving his land, the father preached very accep- tably to his fellow-pioneers, and lived in the home that he built up there until 1867. In that year he settled in Sullivan County, Mo., where he bought a farm, and continued to combine preaching and agricultural pursuits in that part of Missouri until his death at a venerable age in 1872. A man of strong. tender nature and earnest thought, of blameless, exemplary life (like Chaucer's parson, "First he wrought, and afterward he taught,") he was an influence for great good, and he held a warm place in the hearts of many unto whom he had ministered the consolations of religion. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth McClure, and she was born in Lincoln County, Ky., in 1804. Iler father, William McClure, was born in Augusta County, Va., and his father, Robert McClure, was born in Ireland of Scotch ancestry, and coming to America in Colonial times, settled in Virginia. The maternal grandfather of our subject served under Lafayette in the Revolution, and receiving a land warrant for his services, he selected land in Lincoln County, Ky., in 1792, and became an early settler there. Her brother Robert MeClure, who went there at the same time, was a well-known Indian fighter,and was killed by the savages in 1794. About 1805 the maternal grandfather of our sub- ject removed to Hardin County, and made his home there on land that he bought until his death. Ilis wife, Rebecca Liggitt, was born in Augusta County, Va., and was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. The mother of our subject resided with her parents until her marriage, and became thoroughly conversant with the arts of spinning and weaving, and in after life used to clothe her children in cloth made by her own hand. She died in Morgan County, Ill., June 7, 1866. She was the mother of five children- Robert M., Jane, Martha, Mary and Arabella.

He of whom we write was the only son of his parents. He was given fine educational advantages. attending, beside the public schools, Illinois Col- lege, from which he was graduated with good standing in July, 1852. At the age of eighteen

he commenced teaching, and often taught during his college life and after graduation. While teach- ing be read law, but during the war he gave up the idea of being a lawyer, having a strong drawing towards the ministry, and he commenced preparing himself for his sacred calling. lle began to preach in 1867, coming to Kansas that fall, and in 1868 he accepted a call to Wabaunsee, where he had charge of a church until 1871. From there he went to In- dependence, Kan., and in 1875 to Wyandotte, where he remained until 1883, when he was called to the pulpit of the Congregational Church in this city, and has continued in charge ever since.

Mr. Tunnell has been twice married. In Feb- ruary, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss P. A. Randle, who was born in Edwardsville, Madi- son Co., Ill., in 1832, a daughter of Rev. I. B. and Mary (Harrison) Randle. In July, 1862, while yet in life's morning, their short wedded life was ended by death removing the faithful wife and ten- der mother from the scenes which her presence had blessed. There were three children born of that marriage, one of whom is still living, David, who is in business in St. Louis, The second marriage of our subject, which occurred in September, 1870. was to Miss Sophia Chapin, a native of Newport, N. II., and a daughter of Moses and Lydia (Hurd) Chapin, and a descendant of John Dwight, of Dedham, Mass. She is possessed of ready tact, warm heart, and an intelligent mind, which admirably fit her for her position in society as a pastor's wife, and she sympathizes with and strengthens her husband in his work. Of the children that have blessed their union, two are living, Jennie C, and Bessie C.

In his ministry Mr. Tunnell has been successful in winning the confidence and love of his people and the community, and it is due to him to say that the church under his guidance has not only sustained the character of the past, but has added to its reputation and influence and is prospering spir- itually and materially. The pulpit is his sphere, and his natural gifts have borne rich fruit. Ile is a deep and logical thinker, and clothes in clear, in- cisive language the thoughts to which he gives ut- terance when addressing an audience. Although he is chiefly absorbed in his profession, he has always been alive to all public interests, and has

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been especially prominent in educational matters. He was President of the Board of Education in In- dependence two terms, and was Superintendent of Schools while a resident of Wabaunsee County, He has served six years as a member of the School Board in Manhattan, and has been President of the Board four years. Ile has been a Republican since the formation of the party. He cast his first Presi- dential vote for Fremont, and took an active part in the canvas in Morgan County in 1856-'58-'60.

A lithographie portrait of Rev. R. M. Tunnell. accompanies this sketch and forms a fitting adorn- ment to the pages of this volume.

LE PETERSON was born near Chresteand- stad, in Southern Sweden, Skone, and there reared and educated under the compulsory educational laws. Ilis father, Peter Nelson, was born in the same county, and there married Miss Nellie Olston. He there reared his family of five sons, of whom our subject was the third. Mr. Nel- son died in February, 1849, and his widow sur- vived him until about the year 1883. The occu- pation of the father was that of a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were members of the Lutheran Church, and in; that faith reared] their _ family. - The ances- try. so far as known, were natives of Sweden. and identified with the Lutheran Church.

Mr. Peterson sailed from Malmo, Sweden, May 9, 1865. to Hamburg, Germany. There he took passage on a sailing-vessel for New York, where he landed June 27, after a voyage of six weeks and two days. After reaching the United States, he first located at Galesburg, Ill., where he worked by the day on a railroad. After having followed this employment for about six months. he came to Atchison, Kan., and worked there about three years. Thence, in April, 1869, he came to Clay County, and took up a homestead of 160 acres on section 15, Sherman Township, where he now lives.

When Mr. Peterson arrived at Galesburg, he had no money, but by hard work and economy lie saved enough to pay for his elaim and build a little frame house, on coming to this county. The first

winter here he lived in a dug-out, building a frame house, 12x24 feet, in the spring. He kept "baclie- lor's hall" in it until March 10, 1871, when he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Johnson. She is a native of Sweden, and a daughter of John and Anna Johnson. The father died in his native land, and the mother and daughter came to the United States in 1870. Mrs. Johnson belongs to the Lutheran Church, of which her husband was also a member.

Mr. Peterson and his worthy wife lived in the little frame house, which he had built upon his claim, for several years. During the time, he erected a barn, planted a large number of forest and fruit trees, and put his farm in a high state of cultivation. He now has the estate all feneed, and a commodious and well-built frame house is the home of the family. 1Ie has added to his original estate, his landed possessions now being 240 acres, most of which is under cultivation.

Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have been blessed by the birth of seven bright children, who are being care- fully reared, and receiving good educational ad- vantages. They are named respectively: Nellie, John, Perry, Anna, Oscar, Minnie and Matilda.

Mr. Peterson and his family belong to the Lu- theran Church, of Garfield Township, of which so- ciety he is one of the Trustees. Among the citizens of Clay County and vicinity. Mr. Peterson and his wife are highly respected for their many sterling qualities.

R EUBEN B. BRIGGS, one of the peaceable and law-abiding citizens of Little Blue Township. Washington County, pursues the even tenor of his way on a good farm of 240 acres of valuable land, finely located on section 31. He is a man well spoken of by his neighbors, possessing those estimable traits of character which have gained him the esteem and confidence of all who know him. Ile was born in Wyoming County, N. Y., March 8. 1847. and is the son of Alfred Briggs. a native of Sherburn. Conn., and born in 1813.

When Alfred Briggs was a child of four years. his parents removed to Wyoming County, N. Y.,

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where he was reared to man's estate, and spent the remainder of his life. He prosecuted farming suc- cessfully, and was at one time the possessor of a large amount of property. He was for many years prior to his death an active member of the Baptist Church. The paternal grandfather of our subject, likewise Reuben Briggs, was a native of Connecti- cut, and spent his last years in New York State. Alfred Briggs in early manhood was married to Miss Louisa Hatfield, a native of Allegany County, N. Y., and who is still living, being now (1889) about sixty-five years old. The parental family consisted of two sons only-Reuben B. and Albert.

The subject of this notice was reared on the farm in Wyoming County, N. Y., and received an aca- demie education, completing his studies at Weathers- field. Upon reaching his majority. he set out for the West, crossing the Father of Waters, and lo- cated in St. Joseph, Mo., where he occupied him- self at railroading. He only staid there until the following year, however, then coming to Kansas, homesteaded 160 acres of his present farm. He set- tled upon this in due time, and, in addition to its improvement and cultivation, occupied himself as a teacher of the district schools. He had no means at the beginning, and his possessions are conse- quently the result of his own industry and econ- omy.

Mr. Briggs, in September, 1868, returning to the Empire State, was there married to Miss Emma M. Doolittle, of Wyoming County. Mrs. Briggs is a native of New York, and was born in 1848. Her parents were Eli P. and Myraette (Olds) Doolittle, who were natives of New York and Scotland re- spectively, and are now deceased. The newly- wedded pair commenced the journey of life to- gether at the old homestead, which they now oc- enpy, and which then bore little resemblance to its present state. They labored together with a mu- tual purpose in view-that of securing a compe- tence, and have been fairly rewarded for their efforts. They were not blest with children of their own, but have an adopted son, Louis, who is now (1889) at home.

Politically, Mr. Briggs is a sound Republican. Ile is a member in high standing of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the 1. O. O. F. He has served

as a Trustee of Little Blue Township, and held other minor offices. An upright, honest man, prompt to meet his obligations, and the encourager of all things worthy and good, he is one of those com- manding the respect of all who know him.

S OLOMON SECREST. The beautiful coun- try of Switzerland has sent from her lim- ited territory to the border lands of Amer- ica many honored citizens. They bring with them the energy and rugged perseverance which win from the soil of their native land the grains and fruits, and from its rocks and mountains the hunter's and herdsman's guerdon, and ever come with a love for the institutions of freedom, which seem to be inhaled with the air of their native hills and valleys, and to be as inseparable from their hearts as their life blood itself. Their love for learning, their artistic tastes, and keen ob- servation are also as marked characteristics as their love for freedom, and however young a native of that land of beauty may be when he leaves it, and however devoted to the laws and institutions of another land, he is ever a Swiss. To this class be- longs the gentleman whose name heads this bio- graphy, and is a pleasure to chronicle the main events of his life.

Mr. Secrest is the senior member of the firm of Secrest & Sons, dealers in general merchandise, hardware, and agricultural implements at Ran- dolph, Riley County. The firm carries a complete line of goods, and is doing an extensive business, nine-tenths of the trade in agricultural implements passing through their hands. They have two store buildings, and Mr. Secrest also owns 1,200 acres of valuable land, for which he has paid sims varying from $1.25 to $30 per acre. He carries on farming extensively, and likewise raising and dealing in live stock. The home farm on sec- tion 4, Jackson Township, comprises 415 acres, and is marked with fine improvements, including a large stone residence and barn, with all the modern conveniences.

Mr. Secrest was born in Winterthur, Switzerland,

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Dec, 30, 1834, and reared on his father's farm. lle was the recipient of the advantages to be obtained in the excellent common schools of the land of his birth, and from the training of his father, who was a man of fine education and linguistic ability. When about twelve years old he came to America with his parents, sailing from llavre, France, and seven weeks later landed in New Orleans, La., whence they came up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Indiana, locating near Seymour. There our subject worked upon his father's farm until twenty-two years old, attending school about three months after coming to America.

Mr. Secrest had reached man's estate about the time of the great excitement over the admission of Kansas as a free or a slave State, and when anti-sla- very and pro-slavery feelings were at a high piteb. The Sunflower State of the Mississippi Valley, with its wonderful agricultural resources was a fruitful topic, even without the addition of the great issue.

Mr. Secrest determined to seek his fortune in the West, and assisted in having his State admitted to the Union unhampered by the curse of slavery. In September, 1856. therefore, he left his former home and came by rail to St. Louis, Mo., and thence up the Missouri River to Wyandotte, where he re- mained a few weeks. He and his brother, Edward, then joined the Indians on a buffalo hunt up the Smoky and Saline rivers, their object being to find some suitable place for agricultural purposes. Af- ter hunting some time they left the Indians on the Saline River, and having bought a pony, on which to stow their camp equipage, they proceeded on foot to the Big Blue. They selected the Fancy Creek bottom as the most fertile of the country round about, and soon after Mr. Secrest pre-empted 160 acres of his present farm. He was among the first twelve settlers of Northern Riley County, and came here without a dollar.

With characteristic energy Mr. Secrest began im- proving and cultivating his land, building a log house for his frontier home. Ilis arduous labors have been crowned with success, and the privations and difficulties of those early years nobly overcome. The large and valuable estate which he now owns, is mostly located on Fancy Creek, and the stone house in which be dwells is the first structure of the

kind built on that stream. The material to finish it with, was hauled by him from Leavenworth. He is the most prominent man in Jackson Town- ship, and one of the most substantial citizens of the county. He not only raises live stock, but also buys considerable numbers, feeding and ship- ping them to Chicago and Kansas City. IIe now has about 200 head on his farm. In 1879, Mr. Secrest opened a store at Randolph, which he has since enlarged, taking taking two of his sons into partnership.

In Blue Rapids, Marshall County, in March, 1861. the rites of wedlock were celebrated between our subject and Miss Melvina Dealy. The bride was a lady of fine character and possessed of many womanly accomplishments. She was born in Jaek- son County, Mo., and is a daughter of William Dealy, one of the old settlers on the Blue. The happy union of Mr. and Mrs. Secrest has been blessed by the birth of seven children, of whom we note the following: Caroline is married to George H. Hungerford; John is one of the firm of Secrest & Sons, and is in the store; Edwin S. superin- tends the farm, and is in company with his father in the business there; Birdie is attending the Agri- cultural College at Manhattan; William has taken the business course at Bethany College, Lindsborg. Kan., and is in the store; Viola and Ada are at home.

The grandfather of Mrs. Secrest was David Dealy, who was born in Kentucky and went to Missouri in 1818, moving on a pack-pony. He was a hunter, and squatting on a tract of land, became a large land owner. Ile carried on a plantation of about 1,000 acres and owned quite a number of slaves. The late war hav- ing nearly ruined him financially, he came to Marshall County and lived with his son. Witliam, the father of Mrs. Secrest, till the war was over. He then returned to his home in Missouri, and re- mained till his death. William Dealy was born in the Blue Grass State, and was engaged in farming in Missouri till 1859, when he came by team to Kansas and located near the present site of Blue Rapids, Marshall County, where he had a farm of 400 acres. Subsequently he sold it and bought where Waterville now stands, and resided there till

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about the year 1868, when he sold out and returned to his old home in Missouri. He bought 400 acres of the homestead near Lone Jack, and lived there till his death, March 4, 1885. In politics, he was a Democrat. His wife was Frances Tucker, dangh- ter of Joseph Tucker, who was born in North Caro- lina, and took up his abode in Missouri at an early period in the settlement of that State, and was there engaged in farming. Mrs. Frances Dealy de- parted this life in Missouri, in 1859. The dangh- ter who became the wife of our subject, was the third in a family of nine children, and came to this State with her father in 1859. remaining under his roof until her marriage.

Mr. Secrest belonged to the State Militia in 1864, and during the Indian excitement was scout- ing for a week. He has been Justice of the Peace for four years. He has been connected with the School Board and assisted in building the first school house in Northern Riley County. He is an active Republican and has been Chairman of the county convention, and twice served as delegate to the State convention. Mrs. Secrest belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Secrest is a liberal-minded man, and gives generously toward all public enterprises that promise to in- crease the prosperity of the county or State. He is well and favorably known and has many friends.

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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 106

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

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