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 107

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 107
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 107
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 107


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The father of Solomon, was John Secrest, who was born in Winterthur, Switzerland, and was first engaged as a journeyman weaver, travelling through various countries in pursuit of his trade. While a young man, he travelled through France, Germany. Spain, Portugal, England and Italy as valet to a nobleman. Later, he took up the occupa- tion of a farmer, on a small scale. In 1846 he came to America, and settling in Jackson County, Ind., there improved and operated a farm of 160 acres. In 1860 he came to this State and county, locating in Jackson Township, where he purchased 360 acres and resumed the pursuits of agriculture. He was very successful in financial matters. His edu- cation, as before stated, was excellent and he could speak seven languages. In religion he was a Protestant. His death took place in 1866, he be- ing sixty-five years old.


The wife of John Secrest was Miss Regula Fry-


hofer, also a native of Switzerland. She is now living at the home of our subject, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. She bore her husband four children: Edward, an agriculturist in Jackson Township; Solomon, our subject ; Esther, the wife of P. Heller, a farmer of Jackson Township; and John Jacob, who died in 1861, at the age of twenty- one years.


OHN G. BASTOW was an early pioneer of Washington County, coming here in 1859 and making claim to a piece of land joining the present site of the city of Washington, before the organization of the county and when there were but few in habitants here and scarcely an indication of the present wealth and importance of the county as a great agricultural centre. He subsequently joined a Kansas regiment and won an honorable record as a brave and true soldier, doing all that in him lay to aid his adopted country in the darkest hours of her trouble. And when the victory was won that brought peace, after living for a while in the Prairie State, Mr. Bastow again sought Kansas to build up a home for wife and weans, and since then has been identified with the agricultural interests of Washington County as a member of the farming community of Washington Township.


Mr. Bates is of English birth and breeding, born in Lincolnshire, England, Sept. 7, 1830. His father and mother, Leonard and Ann ( Watts) Bastow, were life-long residents of that shire. Our subject and two of his brothers, William and Thomas, came to America and were all early settlers of Washington County. William is now a resident of Harvey County, and Thomas died in California. John Bastow grew to man's estate in his early English home, and as soon as large enough commenced to earn his own living, receiving when a boy but $17 for his work for a whole year, and when he became a man he was given $50 for the same length of time. The sturdy, self-reliant young man determ- ined to emigrate to this country where he considered his labor would be more justly rewarded, and he accordingly set sail from Liverpool April 6, 1852,


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and landing in Quebec one month later, came di- reetly to the States. He located in Medina County, Ohio, and finding employment there on a farm, lived until 1857, when he made his way westward as far as Iowa, arriving there in January. He re- sided in Linn County two years, and then took up his abode in Kansas, which was then a territory. llis removal to this county was made with two yoke of oxen and a wagon, and he arrived bere early in June, making claim to a tract of land joining the present site of Washington, the land at that time being in the hands of the Government, with no building or improvements. Deer and antelopes roamed at will where costly business buildings and pleasant, cultured homes now stand, and a few miles west, buffaloes were to be seen in large num- bers. Mr. Bastow's first work was to build a log cabin on his land, which primitive habitation is still standing and is a pioneer landmark. At that time there was no railway west of the Missouri River, and no stores or blacksmith shops nearer than Marysville. In 1861 the great Civil War broke out, and as a patriotic, though not a native- born citizen, he left his work and sprang to the de- fense of his adopted country, enlisting in Company H. 2nd Kansas Cavalry. He did active service with his regiment, principally in Missouri and Ar- kansas, proving to be a faithful and brave soldier. ever ready to do his duty at all times and on all occasions, whether in camp or on the battlefield facing the enemy. He was honorably discharged in April, 1865, when hostilities ceased, and when he left the army he took up his residence in Illinois, in Kane County, and engaged in farming there until January, 1868, when he once again came to Kansas, designing to make his home here perma- nently this time. The claim that he had taken up when he settled here the first time he found occu- pied by another man who paid him for his im- provements, and Mr. Bastow then bought wild land in Farmington Township. But after living on it two years he bought his present homestead. He has developed this into a fine and highly productive farm, one of the most desirable in this vieinity. and has supplied it with all the necessary buildings and has besides planted a great variety of shade and fruit trees, including choice apple. pear. peach,


and cherry trees, which add greatly to the attrac- tiveness of his place, and he has also set out many small fruits.


Mr. Bastow and Miss Elmina Houghton united their lives for better or worse in 1858, and of their happy union seven children have been born- Frank E., Fannie E., Willard L., Kate A., Harry, Lucina, John M. Mrs. Bastow was born near Red- wood, Jefferson Co., N. Y., a daughter of Nehe- miah Houghton. Ile was born of German parentage in the same State, and was a farmer by occupation. In 1852 he removed with his family to Illinois. and settling in Kane County, resided there until after the war. He then bought a farm in the northeast- ern part of Iowa, and in 1880. came from there to Kansas, and located two and one-half miles north- west of Washington. IIe subsequently took up his abode in Pottawatomie County. and made his home there until his death in March, 1886. The maiden name of his wife was Laney Suits, and she was born in New York State, near Johnstown, a daugh- ter of Daniel Suits, who was of Germany ancestry. Mrs. Houghton is still living in Pottawatomie County.


Mr. Bastow has been a stanch, loyal, law-abiding citizen, and has been a credit to his adopted coun- try ever since he became a resident of the United States, and in the many years that he has lived in Washington Township his conduet in all the affairs of life has always commended him to his neighbors as an honorable, upright man, kindly and just in his dealings with others, and all that could be de- sired in his family relations. He interests himself in politics, and gives hearty support to the Repub- lican party.


B 2 ENJAMIN F. MARTIN. Among the in- telligent and progressive-minded men of Ogden Township, Mr. Martin deserves hon- orable mention. A farmer by occupation, he is one of those who have arisen from a modest position in life and has by his industry secured a competence, and contributed his full quota to the growth and development of Riley County. An Ohio man by hirth. he first opened his eyes to the light in Pickaway County, Sept. 25, 1840, and


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though he has had a wide experience in life he is still in his prime.


Mr. Martin was the fourth child in a family of three sons and two daughters born to his parents, four of whom are living. His father, John Martin, was a native of Pennsylvania, a substantial farmer, an honest man and a good citizen. His mother, Mrs. Lucinda (Beaver) Martin, was a native of Rockingham County, Va. Each moved to Ohio in their youth; they were married in Pickaway County. John Martin departed this life in 1842, when his son, Benjamin F., was only two years old. The mother was subsequently married to John Gray, who died in Ohio in August, 1888; she is still liv- ing with her daughter in Ohio. Of the second marriage there was one child.


John Martin became a resident of the Buckeye State early in the '20's. Benjamin, with his bro- thers and sisters, received a common school educa- cation, and learning the trade of a carpenter has followed this more or less, all his life. He re- mained a resident of his native State until reach- ing manhood, and then in 1859 came to Kansas Territory, settling in Riley County, where he re- mained until after the outbreak of the civil war. He then decided to have a hand in the preservation of the Union and returning home to Ohio enlisted in Company F, 90th Ohio Infantry, which three months later was transferred, first to the Pioneer Brigade and then to the 1st U. S. V. V. Engineers. In this young Martin served until the close of the war, operating in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Kentucky, and employed generally in building bridges, roads and block houses. Thus while not engaging in open confliet with the enemy he per- formed duties fully as necessary and effective.


Mr. Martin received an honorable discharge from the army June 30, 1865, after which he re- turned home and in two weeks again sought the new State of Kansas. Since that time he has been occupied almost wholly at his trade, especially since his sons have been able to carry on the farm. This latter embraces 152 aeres of choice land on sections 18 and 23. Mr. Martin is a man not given to show or ostentation and lives in a modest man- ner, surrounded by all the comforts of life. He takes an active part in politics and uniformly votes


.


the straight Republican ticket. He wields a marked influence in his party in this section and is fre- quently sent as delegate to the county conventions. He is the friend of education as evinced in the training and schooling of his own children.


In Kansas on the 19th of June, 1867, occurred the marriage of Benjamin F. Martin with Miss Lavina J., daughter of William and Lydia (Hoopes) Whitacre, of Columbiana County, Obio. The Whitacre family came to Kansas in 1858, set- tling in Ogden Township, Riley County, where the mother died June 23, 1867. Mr. Whitacre was subsequently married to Mrs. Eubanks, a widow. To him and his first wife there were born eight children, of whom Mrs. Martin was the fourth. Her birth occurred in Columbiana County, Ohio, Sept. 26, 1843. To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born seven children, viz: Edward W., John U., Charles E., Clarence G., George P., Lillian J. and Bertha M. Mr. Martin is a member in good standing of the I. O. O. F. Lodge at Milford in which he has filled the offices of Warden and Vice Grand. He also belongs to J. U. Parsons Post, G. A. R., of Ogden.


ILLIAM C. HARTMANN, proprietor of tlie Evergreen Park Nurseries, is a gentle- man widely and favorably known through- out Washington County as one of its most enter- prising and energetic men. In addition to his trans- actions as a nurseryman, he is quite extensively en- gaged in the cultivation of sorghum and broom corn. Ilis residence is the finest dwelling in Straw- berry Township, and the most elegant farm house in Washington County. It was erected in 1885 at a cost of $3,100 besides the labor of the proprietor in hauling material and putting in much time in superintending the work. The main building oc- cupies an area of 28x36 feet and there is an " L" 16x20 feet in dimensions. The whole structure is two stories in height, finely finished and tastefully furnished.


The Hartmann farm is supplied with excellent out buildings, including a broom-corn barn, stables, sheds, wind and feed mills and all the other appur-


TENANT HOUSE.


....


SEC. 25. T.4.R. 2


DUG-OUT


EVERGREEN PARK AND NURSERIES. PROPERTY OF HARTMANN


1879.( RAW PRARIE .)


THRESHING SCENE. LEWIS HARTMANN, ALSO AGENT FOR "BELLEVILLE THRESHERS."


NEER TIMES


SORGHUM


BARN


OM CORN


HOUSE


SONS, SECTIONS 23. 24.8 25.(T.4. R.2.) STRAWBERRY TP. WASHINGTON CO. KAN.


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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.


tenances which go to make up the ideal country estate. A fine park of ten acres adds greatly to the value and beauty of the property. Mr. Hart- mann has thirty-five acres devoted to orchards and thirty acres to a nursery where he raises a full line of nursery stock. Ile keeps himself thoroughly posted in this branch of business and has been re- markably successful, receiving orders annually from a large extent of territory adjacent. He also has a broom factory which is operated during the winter season. The estate is finely located on sec- tions 23, 24 and 25.


Mr. Hartmann first saw the light of day on . the other side of the Atlantic in the Kingdom of Han- over, Germany, April 3, 1839, and is the son of Ludwig and Louisa ( Reinhart) Hartmann, who were likewise of German birth and parentage. He spent the first thirteen years of his life in his na- tive Province and then in 1852 came with the fam- ily to America, they settling in St. Clair County, Ill. The father died there two years later. The parental household consisted of six children, three of whom besides William C. are living, Christian, Carolina and Christina, all residing near Waterloo, Ill. William C. upon reaching man's estate and when ready to establish a fireside of his own, re- turned to his native land and was there united in marriage with a maiden of his own country, Miss Lovisa llillebrecht, who like himself was born in Hanover. Then coming back to America he so- journed here a period of ten years, then again re- visited his native land accompanied by his family. Upon his return to the United States he proceeded to St. Louis where he opened a boarding house. Among his boarders were a large number of men. who were employed on the Red River and Missis- sippi Railroad construction. These being dis- charged without receiving pay for their labor, Mr. Hartmann had claims against them to the extent of $2,100, which they could not meet. Being thus financially ruined, he selected Chicago as his future home. Arriving there three days before the great fire, he immediately bought goods, and spent his last dollar in setting himself up in business, though he had not started nor had any insurance, when the fire swept away his all and he was left penni- less. The hardships and misfortunes of those few


days, if written down letter by letter, would be a living history of that awful catastrophe. After his little property was in ashes. he returned to St. Louis and sold his claims of $2,100 for ten cents on the dollar.


The first business after this disaster was to seek employment and Mr. Hartmann, repairing to Evan- ston, Ill., worked in a brickyard at that place one year. Subsequently he was employed on the Wis- consin Central Railroad. then in process of construc- tion. For some time he carried on a boarding tent in lowa on the Chicago & Rock Island Branch. Ile followed railroading until 1877. and at that date was the possessor of two teams and $200 in money as the result of his hard labor and prudent living. With this capital he came to Washington County, Kan., having done his last railroading on the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and purchasing 160 acres of land began to build up his fortunes. fle has had many hard experiences in life, but has over- come the difficulties which beset his way to financial success and presents a fine illustration of the results of perseverance under discouragement and the resolution which admits of no such word as "fail."


Mrs. Hartmann has proved in all respects an efficient helpmate to her husband, aiding him by every means in her power in his struggle to obtain a competence. She possesses all the thrift and industry of her German ancestors and has managed her household affairs with that economy and pro- dence which seldom fail of happy results. To Mr. and Mrs. Hartmann have been born eight chil- dren. but they have been called upon to part with five of these, there being now only three sons liv- ing, Louis, Emil and William, all of whom are at home.


Having been fully occupied with his own private affairs, Mr. Hartmann has never had time to seek office, although he keeps himself informed upon matters of interest to the intelligent citizen and has his own decided views upon all questions. lle is a member in good standing of the Lutheran Church and is everywhere recognized as one of the most valued citizens of Washington County and familiarly known as what in western parlance would be termed a "rustler." In building up one of the finest estates of Washington County, he


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has thus contributed his full quota to her growth and prosperity.


A view of Evergreen Park Nurseries and the elegant home of Mr. Hartmann accompanies this sketeh. The homestead is an ornament not only to the county, but also to the State, and has been eon- verted in a few years from raw prairie land to a finely improved estate.


ICTOR E. JOHNSON, Cashier of the Bank of Randolph, Riley county, and junior partner in the banking firm of J. A. John- son & Co., has undoubtedly more influence than any other eitizen of his age in the town of Rand- dolph. Possessed of an abundance of energy and business taet, combined with excellent judgment, a thorough education, and affable manners, he is very popular in the community and is frequently looked to for advice in business matters. He is an active politician in county affairs, and it is con- fidently expceted that ere many years he will be representing his distriet in the eouneil halls of his State.


The parentage and training, together with the surroundings of early life, have much to do with the after life of any youth. and before outlining the history of the subject of this sketeh it may be well to devote a few words to his family. His father, N. P. Johnson, was born in Ostergotland, Sweden, in 1828, and followed agrieultural pursuits there till 1854, when he became a resident of the I'nited States. He located near Galesburg, Ill., and worked on a farm until the spring of 1856, when he eame to Kansas, driving an ox-team over- land. He located in Pottawatomie county, on the Big Blue River, being one of the first settlers in the county and the second settler in the western part of it ; his wife was the first lady on the Big Blue in that county.


N. P. Johnson entered land and began farming, commencing work at the bottom of the agricultural ladder, and engaging also in stock-raising. He has worked his way onward and upward until he now owns 1,700 aeres of land in western Pottawatomie county, the same being well improved and supplied


with excellent buildings. He also has an interest in the bank above named. He is one of the wealth- iest farmers of the county in which he lives, and a prominent and leading citizen therein. His life affords a striking example of what may be aeeom- plished by energy and hard work. as he came to Ameriea poor and to Kansas without capital. Mr. Johnson participated in defense of American unity during the late Civil War, at the time of Quan . trell's raid, going almost to Kansas City, when the command was discharged. He belonged to the State Militia, and was engaged in scouting during the Indian scare. He is an active member of the Lutheran Church, serving as a Deaeon in the society.


The mother of our subject, Mary Johnson, was born in Ostergotland, Sweden, and is now the old- est matron in western Pottawatomie County. She has borne her husband seven children, as follows : Emma. now Mrs. Maxwell, living in Pottawatomie County ; J. W., farming in the same county ; August, still at home ; Alma, now Mrs. Elving, living in Omaha, Neb .; Vietor E., our subjeet; and Matilda and Otto, still at home.


Vietor E. Johnson, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the frontier and well remembers seeing the Indians around them, his birth having taking place on the homestead in Pottawatomie County, May 2, 1866. He had the advantages of the common sehools until the fall of 1882, when he entered the Commercial College at Topeka, gradna- ting in the spring of 1883. At the age of fifteen years he began clerking in a general store at Maria- dahl, and continued there until he started to college. (The town of Mariadahl was named after his grandmother, who was the first Swedish lady that died in that county.) On his return from college Mr. Johnson worked on his father's farm till the spring of 1884, when he returned to the store at Mariadahl as elerk and hook-keeper, which position he held for a year, and then returned to the home- stead. He remained under the parental roof-tree until the fall of 1886, when he engaged as elerk in a store at Randolph, Riley County. The following spring he became eashier of the bank and a stock- holder therein, and has since conducted the busi- ness. The bank is now on a solid substantial basis


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and doing as large business as any institution of the kind in this county. In 1888 the firm, of which our subject is one of the main stockholders, erected a large stone building, in which they are now con- ducting their banking and insurance business.


At the home of the bride's parents, William and Emma Peterson, in Pottawatomie County, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Miss Alice Peterson, the ceremony taking place June 28, 1888, The parents of the bride are well-to-do farmers. and she has been the recipient of excellent educa- tional advantages. Prior to her marriage she had been engaged in teaching, for which her mental culture and fine character well fitted her. Her union with Mr. Johnson has been blessed by the birth of an infant, who is yet unnamed.


Mr. Johnson held the position of Township Clerk in Blue Valley Township, Pottawatomie County, for a year; was City Clerk of Randolph for the same period of time, and is now Township Treasurer of Jackson Township. On March 16, 1888, he was appointed Notary Public by Gov. Martin (now ex-Governor), which office he holds at present. In polities he is a true Republican and has been a delegate to county conventions. He is an active member of the Lutheran Church at Maria- dahl, while his wife belongs to the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Mr. Johnson is not only frequently applied to for advice and counsel, which he cheer- fully gives, but is generous in support of all public enterprises which will tend to promote the welfare of the citizens of the county and State.


OSEPH F. SMITH, living in the southwestern part of Washington County, is pursuing the even tenor of his way in the cultivation of 160 acres of good land on section 2, Barnes Township. He is a gentleman very quiet and mob- trusive in his manner of living. an honest man and a good citizen, and highly esteemed by those who know him. He came to Kansas in 1883, set- tling upon his present place, where he has effected fair improvements, and brought the land to a high state of cultivation. His possessions are the result of his own industry, as he started in life without


means and has worked his way gradually upward, and has surrounded himself and family with all the comforts of life. He is a member in good standing of the Church of God, with which he united sev . eral years ago, and in politics he is independent, supporting principles rather than men.


Morrow County, Ohio, was the early tramping ground of our subject, and where his birth took place Oct. 20, 1847. Ile was the eldest of four children born to Adam H. and Susan (Feighner) Smith, the former a native of Pennsylvania and born March 2, 1823. When but a child the father of onr subject removed with his parents to Morrow County, Ohio, where he was reared and and lived until 1851. He then emigrated to Hunt- ington County, Ind .. where he sojourned a period of thirty years. In 1881, crossing the Mississippi he took up his abode in Richardson County, Neb., where he lived two years, then returned to Hnut- ington County, Ind., of which he is now a resident. He has followed farming all his life and is in good circumstances, financially. For many years he has been an active member of the Church of God. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Jacob Smith, one of the pioneer settlers of the Key-stone State


Mrs. Susan (Feighner) Smith, was born in Penn- sylvania. July 30, 1826, and departed this life in Huntington County, Ind., March 15, 1885, when ap- proaching the sixtieth year of her age. Her father was Daniel Feighner, a native of Pennsylvania, who spent liis last years in Indiana. To the parents of our subject there were born four children, viz: Catherine, Joseph F., Alexander and William. Joseph was reared in Huntington County, Ind., and at early age became familiar with farming pur- suits. He received a limited education under the imperfect school system of that time, and remained a resident of Iluntington County, until the removal of his father to Nebraska, and he was there a resi- dent of Falls City Precinct, until 1883. That year he came to Kansas, and settled where he now resides.




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