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 109

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 109
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 109
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 109

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).

b ENRY M. G. KINKAID is the owner and occupant of a carefully and intelligently managed, and well-improved farm in Grant Township, Riley County, and is personally one of the most genial, companionable. and intelli- gent men in this vicinity. Ilis farm comprises only forty aeres, but affords a comfortable home with many attractive features. Mr. Kinkaid was born in Greenbrier County, Ky., Jan. 24, 1828. (For parental and family history see sketch of Eli T. Kinkaid.)

Ile of whom we write was living in Morristown,

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Cass Co., Mo., when the Civil War broke out, and being a Republican and a Union man suffered on account of his principles. The Confederates sought to force him to join their ranks and take up arms in the cause of the South, but he refused to do so. Finding opposition nnavailing except to endanger his property and life, he crossed into Kansas, and on Sept. 8, 1861, took up arms in defense of the Union, becoming a member of Company G., 14th Kansas Infantry. He served but fifteen days in that command, being granted an unlimited furlough to enable him to get his family out of Missouri, they being in danger therein. Stealing through the Confederate pickets by night he reached Cass County, and succeeded at great risk and after much effort in getting his family across to this State, and collecting together the remnants of his property.

Coming at once to Riley County, Mr. Kinkaid took up a claim on section 28, in the bend of the Blue River, the land being located about one mile north of the present village of Stockdale, and con- sisting of the fractional lots 4 and 5, which com- prised seventy-nine and fourteen one-hundredths acres. A year or two ago he disposed of this pro- perty and purchased forty acres adjoining it on the west, where he is now residing.

At Rose Hill, Cass Co., Mo., Jan. 5, 1854, Mr. Kinkaid was united in marriage with Miss Susan- nah Davenport, a lady whose noble nature and Christian virtues entitled her to high regard, and who has been her husband's comfort and home counselor since their union. She is a daughter of Perry and Mary Davenport, and was born in Vir- ginia, as were her parents and grandparents. To Mr. and Mrs. Kinkaid three children have been born. John A. T. died at the age of six years; Mary J. E. is the wife of Joshua Wilkinson, a far- mer in Clay County, Kan., and is the mother of five living children: Sarah married Joseph E. Hus- sey, who also lives in Clay County, their family comprising two children.

Mr. Kinkaid was for many years a Republican, but has recently been identified with the Union La- bor party. He has served as Road Overseer for eight years, and his fitness for that position is proven by his continuance in the office. His wife belongs to the Baptist Church and he to the Chris-

tian Church. His industry, morality and genial nature are y ell-known, and he enjoys the respect and good-will of a large circle of acquaintances.

Another page of this volume presents a lithogra- phie portrait of Mr. Kinkaid, which will be recog- nized with pleasure by those who have read his history, and especially by his personal friends.

ANNIBAL H. GREELEY. The rugged New England element had played no small part in the development of the Great West, forming a goodly portion of the bone and sinew of its prosperity. It is this element which has especially encouraged its moral and educational growth and strengthened the fabric of society, illustrating the beauties of hospitality, and cement- ing the brotherhood of man by humane and kindly deeds. In this light has been reflected the charac. ter of Mr. Grecley, whose affable countenance, both among friends and strangers suggests the kindly im- pulses of his nature. The biographer finds him a genial and companionable old gentleman of sixty- seven years, who has borne life's burdens patiently and has made for himself a worthy record as a man and a citizen.

Mr. Greeley has been since January, 1869, a resi- dent of Kansas, and rents 518 acres of land on sec- tion 6, Ashland Township, Riley County. Ile was born in Clarendon, Rutland Co., Vt., Sept. 21, 1822, and is the son of Richard Greeley, who was a native of New Hampshire, and a wagon-maker by trade. His mother, who in her girlhood was Miss Desire Hosford, was born in Connecticut. After marriage they settled in Rutland County, Vt .. whence they removed when Hannibal II. was a lad of about six years, to Windsor County, that State. The latter there developed into manhood, acquir- ing a common-school education, and with it those habits of industry and frugality which distinguish the typical New Englander.

After reaching his majority, young Greeley, leaving the Green Mountain State, emigrated to Saratoga County, N. Y., where he followed his trade almost uninterruptedly for about twenty-five years. In the meantime he was married at Water-

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ford in May, 1847, to Miss Jane Ann Burst. In the fall of 1868, leaving the Empire State, he crossed the Mississippi with his little family, and coming to Kansas, settled in Ashland County in March of that year, and turning . his attention to agricultural pursuits, has since been thus engaged. He was at once recognized as a valuable addition to the community. and is a man in whom the people have entire confidence. He has maintained a warm interest in the prosperity of his adopted State, and in his township has held the office of Trustee and School Treasurer. He cast his first Presidential vote for Henry Clay, and gives his uniform sup- port to the Republican party.

Mrs. Jane Ann (Burst) Greeley was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., June 27, 1825, and lived there with her parents until her marriage. Of her union with our subject there have been born three children-Edward, John, and Fannie. The two sons are living in Manhattan. The daughter is the wife of James C. Day. a resident of Manhattan.

ILLIAM C JOHNSTON, a popular drug- gist in Manhattan, is classed among its most progressive and public spirited citi-

zens. He has borne an honorable part in the administration of its government, and has been identified with various enterprises calculated to advance the development of the city. He is a rep- resentative of the valiant citizen-soldiers of the I'nited States in the late Civil War, having sprung to his country's defence at the first call for troops. and though he was then a mere youth of but six- teen years, serving throughout the entire rebellion with the cool courage and efficiency of a time-worn, battle-scarred veteran of many wars.

Our subject was born Sept. 28, 1844, in Moscow, Clermont Co., Ohio, a son of Dr. William JJohn- ston, who was in his life-time one of the leading physicians of that part of the country. The doctor was born in Edinborough, Scotland, a descendant of a long line of Scotch ancestors. His father William Johnston, a native of Scotland, spent his last years in its capital city where he was engaged as a merchant. His widow with her four children

-William, Susan, Martha, John-came to America. Susan married John Johnston and located in Nicholsville, Clermont Co., Ohio. Martha and John died in early womanhood and manhood.

The grandmother of our subject bought a tract of timber land in Clermont County, and was one of its early settlers, locating there about 1810. She built a log cabin on her homestead, which she re- placed before her death by a substantial brick resi- dence, and had a finely improved farm. She was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church. and gave a tract of land to the society with which she worshipped for a church to be built on it, and dying in 1859, she was buried in the churchyard on her own farm.

The father of our subject was but eight years old when his father died, and two years later he accom- panied his mother to America, and was reared amid the pioneer scenes of their new home, as soon as old enough, assisting in clearing and cultivating the farm. lle was given excellent educational advan- tages for those times, and having a decided taste for the medical profession, commenced the study of medicine early, and was graduated from the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. After leav- ing college he opened an office at Moscow, in Cler- mont County, and practiced there many years, until his death in December, 1874, at a venerable age. He obtained high rank in his profession and was considered one of the first physicians of the county. The maiden name of his wife was Mary A. Fee. and she was born in Clermont County, at Withams- ville, being a daughter of Robert Fee, a native of Pennsylvania. He was of mingled Scotch and Irish ancestry, and was one of the earliest settlers of Ohio, where he was engaged as a farmer and stock dealer. In those days stock was driven to market across the mountains of Pennsylvania to Philadelphia and Baltimore. Mr. Fee died on the farm that he had improved in Clermont County. The mother of our subject died in 1868. Of the nine children born of her marriage, eight grew to man- hood and womanhood. namely ; William ( . Robert, John, Sarah, Kate, Annie, Susie, Charlie.

The early education of our subject was con- ducted in the public schools of his native town. and he afterward pursued a fine course of study

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at the Hygiene College in Clermont County. When he was thirteen years old his father bought a farm half a mile from Moscow, and William assisted in tilling the soil till the breaking out of the war. He had watched with intelligent interest the course of events that led to the Southern States rising in open rebellion, and his boyish patriotism was roused to a high pitch, and at the call for troops he enlisted in April, 1861, in Company C, 56th Ohio In- fantry for three months. During that time he served in West Virginia, and took part in the battle of Carnifax Ferry. After his discharge be returned home, and nothing daunted by his experience of the rough life of a soldier, the brave boy re-enlisted at the first opportunity, enrolling his name as a member of the 1st Independent Ohio Battery, Light Artillery, Sept. 14, 1861, for a period of three years. He veteranized in January, 1864, and served with honor till after the close of the war, being dis- charged with his company in July, 1865. He was mostly in Virginia, and was an active participant in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam, and many minor engagements. He was in General R. B. Hayes' and in General Scammon's brigades, and being the greater part of the time either on the right or the left wing of the Army of the Potomac,. did a great deal of marching and skirmishing. After his discharge from the army Mr. Johnston attended Hygiene College, and in 1866 came to Manhattan, and was here engaged as clerk in a drug store one year before establishing himself in the business, which he has conducted ever since having one of the neatest and most finely appointed drug stores in the city, and is well patronized.

Since coming here he has established a pleasant home, and to the wife who presides over it and makes it attractive alike to family and friends, he was united in marriage Jan. 2, 1872, Her maiden name was Myra J. Dimmock, and she was born in Medina County, Ohio, a daughter of John P. and Elizabeth T. (Hemingway) Dimmock. Their household is completed by the presence of the two children born to them, Nellie M. and William C.

Coming to Manhattan in the early years of his manhood, and when the city was yet in its infancy, Mr. Johnston has proved a valuable addition to its citizenship, as he is a man of education, of enlight-

ened views, and of well-defined, assertive character, which traits contribute to his success as a business man and make him useful in public life. He was at one time at the head of the city government, serving as Mayor of Manhattan two terms, and under his vigorons administration many needed improvements were introduced, among which we may mention the construction of the water works. He has been a member of the City Council and also of the School Board, acting in both capacities for the best interests of the municipality. Politically, he affiliates with the Republicans, using his influ- enee to promote party measures. He is a member of the G. A. R., belonging to Lew Gove Post, No. 100. He belongs to Phoenix Lodge, No. 35, K. P .; to Manhattan Lodge, No. 1465, K. of II .; to No. 413, K. & L. of II .; to Kaw Valley Camp. No. 1011, M. W. A.

LBERT AVERY, a well-known and highly- respected resident of Union Township, Clay County, was born in Lowell, Vt., Aug. 19, 1834, and came to Riley County. this State, in 1858. After making for himself a most worthy record as a man and a citzen, he departed this life at the homestead which he had built up, Feb. 1, 1875, in the forty-first year of his age. He was a brother of Henry Avery, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this ALBUM, together with the main facts concerning the history of their family.

Mr. Avery was reared in his native place, re- ceiving a practical education in the common-school, and careful home training by his excellent parents. He came to Kansas unmarried, but in due time made the acquaintance of Miss Calista Whittemore, who became his wife on the 11th of May, 1859, the wedding taking place at the bride's home in Batchel- Ier, Kan. Mrs. Calista Avery was likewise a native of the Green Mountain State, and came to Kansas with the Fullington family, who were among the early pioneers of Riley and Clay counties. She be- came the mother of one child, a son, Albert Calis- tus. and died on the 17th of February, 1861.

After this bereavement Mr. Avery returning to

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Vermont, in 1861, was, on the 10th of September, 1862, married the second time, to Miss Rosaline, daughter of Herod and Elvira ( Hitchcock) Farman, of Lowell. The next four years were spent in Ver- mont, and then, in 1866, Mr. Avery, returning to Kansas settled on Deep Creek, in Clay County, where he resided two years and a half. Thence he removed to the west side of the Republican River, settling on section 30, just north of the village of Wakefield, where he prosecuted agriculture successfully and spent his last days. He had be- come owner of a large tract of land which he left to his widow and children, and all lying in the bot- tom of the rich region of the Republican Valley. Ile was an honest, industrious, useful citizen. a man whose high character commended itself to all who knew him. In his death not only his family, but the county met with an irreparable loss.

Mr. Avery's second wife, now Mrs. Rosaline A. Moyer. continues on the homestead built up by her late husband, and is a lady highly esteemed in her community. Her father, Herod Farman, was a native of Bath, Grafton Co .. N. H., but spent the most of his life in Orleans County, Vt. He was a farmer by occupation, and a man of more than ordinary ability, occupying a prominent position in local polities, and finally being chosen by his party as their Representative in the State Legisla- ture. Ile was likewise an officer in the State Mili- tia, and a selectman of his town. He spent his last years in Vermont, his death taking place March 1, 1877, when he was nearly seventy-two years old.

Mrs. Elvira (Hitchcock ) Farman was the daugh- ter of Ileber Ilitchcock, a native of Massachusetts. She was born in Vermont, and was married to Herod Farman in Orleans County, that State, in 1832. They became the parents of ten children, viz: Ilector, now deceased, Carlos, Williard, Char- lotte, Ophie, Rosaline, Freeman, Lester and Heber, deceased, and Osmer. To Albert and Rosaline Avery there were born four children, Dustin, Wal- ter, Mary and Elvira Delilah. They all live with their mother on the old homestead, except Dustin, and form a most interesting and intelligent group. The family is one of the most intelligent and cul- tured to be met with anywhere. Mrs. Moyer has has given to her children that careful home train-

ing naturally suggested to the affectionate and re- fined mother, while their education has been care- fully conducted by good teachers. They will take their position in society as members of its best element. Walter married Miss Hattie Cragg, Oct. 9,1889, at the residence of the bride's parents in Zeandale, Riley Co., Kan.

1 SAAC NUTTER has been a resident of Wash- ington Comty, for nearly a quarter of a een- tury. For several years past his home has been on seetion 18, Farmington Township, where he owns 135 acres of fertile land, and where he carries on the pursuit of agriculture. Ilis father was I. W. Nutter, a native of West Virginia. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Martha Ann Holbert, was a native of Maryland. Their first set- tlement was in West Virginia, whence they re- moved to Missouri, and rented a farm in Atchison County. Their next change of residence was to this county, where they remained until their death. They first located in Charleston Township, after- ward removing to Farmington Township, where the mother died in the winter of 1885. The father departed this life in Highland Township abont 1874. Their family included seven sons and eight danghters, and our subjeet's name stands half way down the line.

Isaac Nutter was born in Calhoun County, W. Va., May 8, 1846. His boyhood and youth were passed in his native county. In the spring of 1865 he accompanied his parents to Missouri, and the next spring to this county. He made his home un- der the parental roof until his marriage, when he settled in Ilighland Township, where he had taken up a homestead. For ten years this was the fam- ily home. It was then sold. and Mr. Nutter and family resided in Washington for a few months. He then settled on the land which he now occupies. and which he has improved, and supplied with ade- quate and substantial buildings.

At the home of the bride in Farmington Town- ship, Nov. 24, 1870, Mr. Nutter was united in marriage with Miss Mary Jane Mccullough. Her parents, Robert and Nancy ( Wallace) Mccullough

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first settled in Ohio, and afterward resided for a time in Illinois. Thence they removed to Des Moines, Iowa, where Mrs. McCullough died in 1859. Mr. McCullough came to this county in 1870, and settled in Farmington Township, where he remained several years. Ile then returned to Ohio, where he still lives. They had a family of nine children. Mrs. Nutter was born Aug. 26, 1855. She is a lady of refinement and intelligence, and in all the duties of life, "acts well her part." She has borne ber husband six children: William P., Arthur O., John M., Walter E., Laura B., and Anna M. Will- iam. Arthur and Walter have been taken from them by death.

Mr. Nutter is a Democrat, and although not an office seeker, he has held some of the minor offices in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Nutter are mem- bers of the Society of Friends. Mr. Nutter has earned the good will and esteem of his neighbors by his correct life and upright character, and his wife shares the estimation in which he is held.

ANIEL BUSWELL. The spring of 1879 witnessed the advent of Mr. Buswell in Grant Township, Washington County, at which time he purchased 120 acres of school land, situated on section 16, all prairie, with- out a shrub or building. The diligent labor of a few years has worked a marvelous change, and has made this spot of prairie metaphorically to bloom and blossom as the rose, not with flowers, alto- gether, but with substantial buildings and valnable fruit trees. Eighty acres are in a good state of cultivation and forty acres are devoted to pasture. A neat, solid stone house shelters the family, and a stone and frame barn furnishes shelter for stock and storage for grain. About six acres are de- voted to fruit, Mr. Buswell having planted 280 apple trees, sixty cherry trees, forty peach trees, the same number of plum trees, and forty Black Marilla cherry trees, besides seventy-five grape vines and a large bed of strawberry plants. Mr. Buswell also makes a specialty of live-stock, feed- ing at this time (October, 1889) about twenty- seven head of steers and ten head of cattle for the

spring market. He has four good horses. The premises in all their appointments are indicative of enterprise and thrift, and a credit to the proprietor.

Mr. Buswell was born Dec. 4, 1840, in North- amptonshire, England, and when a boy of seven years came to America with his father's family, the latter consisting of the parents and three children. They settled three miles north of Elyria, Lorain C'o., Ohio, and the elder Buswell purchased a farm upon which he and his good wife have since lived. After settling in Ohio, five more children were added to the household circle. Daniel lived at home until fifteen years old. when his father gave him his time, and he then commenced working as a farm laborer, pursuing this until twenty-two years old. Being then in a condition to establish a home of his own, he was united in marriage with Miss Frances, daughter of Robert and Martha Baily, of Medina County, Ohio, where they still live. The young people not long afterward removed to White- side County, Ill., where they lived four years, then crossed the Mississippi into Iowa County, Iowa. After a three year's sojourn in that region, during which time he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, on eighty acres of land which he had purchased and where he made some good improvements, he sold out and removed to Washington County. Mo., but sojourned there only one year, and next came to Kansas, in the spring of 1879, and purchased a part of the farm which he now owns and occupies.

Mr. and Mrs. Buswell are the parents of two children only, the elder of whom, a son, Luther, is a youth of uncommon promise, and has chosen for his life calling the profession of a teacher. Ile is now (October, 1889) pursuing his studies in Hills- dale College, Mich., from which he expects to be gradnated in the spring of 1890. At the age of twelve years he had mastered a complete arith- metic, being a natural mathematician, and never at any examination falling below the standard mark -100. Adell, the daughter, is likewise more than ordinarily attentive to her books, and will in due time attend one of the higher institutions of learn- ing.

Politically, Mr. Buswell is in sympathy with the I'nion Labor party, and with his excellent wife belongs to the Free-Will Baptist Church at Cuba,

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Republic County. He takes an active interest in the temperanee work, and on this ticket was elected Justice of the l'eaee, which office he held two years. Ile is a man of decided views, and one whose opin- ions are generally respected. He was made the candidate of the Union Labor party for Township Trustee, but was defeated, as he expected, on ac- count of his party being in the minority.

NANIAS D. BRILL. A beautiful and fer- tile farm in Clay County is the home of the aboved named gentleman. who rauks among the progressive citizens of the county, not only in his agricultural labors, but in his interest in every movement which tends to the development and elevation of society, financially, mentally and morally. His citizenship in Kansas dates from 1868, in the spring of which year he be- camea resident of Jefferson County. Thence he came to this county, and on Feb. 12, 1870, filed claim to a homestead of 160 acres on sections 25 and 26. Bloom Township. The place is watered by the north branch of Five Creeks, and is in a fine state of cultivation, containing all the improvements which are needful to the work of general farming, in which its owner is engaged. The pleasant and cozy residence is located on section 25, and it, as well as the other farm buildings, is substantially built.

Mr. Brill comes of a highly respectable family, both parents and himself having been born in Frederick County, Va. His own birth took place Sept. 25, 1844, he being the youngest of a family made up of four sons and five daughters. He grew to man's estate in his native county, and while still a single man, went to Delaware County, Ohio, and after a residence there of two and a half years, during which time he was engaged in farming, came to this State.

The first matrimonial allianec of Mr. Brill was celebrated in this county, the bride being Miss Carrie Dague, a native of Lorain County, Ohio, where her death occurred after some years spent in this State. She breathed her last in April, 1876, being then thirty years old. She had been an ae- tive member of the German Baptist (Dunkard)

Church. She left one son, William H., who is now a resident of Morgan County, Mo.

Mr. Brill was a second time married. the cere- mony taking place in Five Creeks Township, and the bride being Mrs. Izettie White, nee Duffer. She was born in Morgan County, Ill., July 7, 1859, and is a daughter of Isaac and Delitha ( Bechinell) Duffer. Her father was a native of Kentucky but reared in Indiana, and there married to a lady whose nativity and training were similar to his own. Mrs. Duffer departed this life in this county in 1881. when about forty-five years of age. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her husband still survives and is making his home with their daughter, Mrs. Brill. The latter has spent the greater part of her life in this State, being earefully reared by her parents with whom she remained until her marriage to Garrison White. At his death she was left a widow with two children-Lou and Mattie-both of whom are now deceased. Her nnion with Mr. Brill has re- sulted in the birth of five children, all living but Carrie E. The survivors are John O., Howard E. and Mary E. (twins), and Laura E.

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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 109

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

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