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 114

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 114
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 114
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 114

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).

Mr. Elder never takes any part in political mat- ters. He and his family keep Saturday as a day of rest. being consistent members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. They have been identified with that denomination for over thirty years. Only a few families of that faith are in the neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Elder, in addition to their Christian characters, possess the kind, social natures which win them many friends wherever they are known.

ENRY C. FARIS. This gentleman is the owner and occupant of a pleasantly located farm in Coleman Township. Washington County. It comprises the east half of the southwest quarter of section 1. The place is all under the plow, well fenced, and supplied with adequate farm buildings. A good residence occu- pies an appropriate place upon the estate, and its hospitable roof shelters a pleasant family circle.

Before entering upon the sketch of the subject of this notice, it may be well to give some brief notes in regard to his aceestry. The first of the Faris family, who came to this country, settled at

Culpeper Courthouse, Va., upon his arrival from Ireland. IIe bore the name of William. Follow- ing him in the direct line came John Faris, who settled at Wheeling, W. Va., when there was noth- ing there but the fort. In the fort the family had on numerous occasions to take refuge from the Indians. The next in direct line was Adam. He married Sarah Irwin, a daughter of John Irwin. of Mt. Vernon, Ohio. The parents of John Irwin were pioneers in Ohio to which place they emigrated from Scotland when he was but a lad.

Adam and Sarah (Irwin) Faris lived at Wheel- ing for several years after their marriage. They then settled in Marshall County, Ill., where they lived on a farm for twenty-eight years. Thence they moved to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, which was their home for eight years. Their last removal was to Tarkio, Mo., where they now live surrounded by children and many friends. There they celebrated their golden wedding on May 19, 1886, six child- ren and eighteen grandchildren being present on that occasion.

The gentleman of whom we write is a son of the above-mentioned Adam Faris. IIe was born in West Virginia, and was a lad of eight years when the family removed to Illinois. He received a common school education in the latter State. and finished his course at Howe's Academy at Mt. Pleasant, Jowa. Subsequently he took a commer- cial course in Spaulding's Commercial College at Kansas City, Mo.

The patriotie spirit of Mr. Faris was roused at his country's need. and he took up arms in defense of the I'nion. He became a member of Company H. 11th Illinois Cavalry, under the command of Col. Robert G. Ingersoll. He participated in the campaigns about Vicksburg, Corinth, and Tupelo. doing gallant service with his regiment. On the Grierson raid he received two scars. A bullet passed through the fleshy part of the left arm penetrating the left breast, and he also received a flesh wound in the left hand. He received an hon- orable discharge in November, 1865, his term of service having expired.

After being mustered out of the service, Mr. Faris returned to his home in Marshall County. HI., whence he went to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Some

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years later he went to Atchison County, Mo., where he was engaged in the pursuit of agriculture until 1880. Thence he removed to his present home. He purchased 200 acres of land at the time of his arrival here, but has since sold all but the eighty which he now occupies.

The marriage of our subject took place in Belle- fontaine, Ohio, Dec. 23, 1875. The bride was Miss Emma E. Nelson, daughter of J. M. and Orpha (Oder) Nelson. Her father was born in Washing- ton County, Pa., being the son of John Nelson, who lived to be ninety-four years of age, and died in Bellefontaine. In that city J. M. Nelson is still living, having reared a large family. The mother of Mrs. Faris was born at Culpeper Courthouse, Va., being a daughter of William Oder of that place. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Faris has re- sulted in the birth of three children. They are: Harry N., a lad of ten years; Willie R., and Eddie E.

Mr. Faris is of Republican politics and does his share of friendly fighting in a campaign. He is a Presbyterian, being descended from Presby- terian ancestry on both sides of the house. He has many friends in the community, where his sterl- ing character is well known.

OIIN R. HOAR was a pioneer of Kansas as early as 1855, coming here that year with a colony from Massachusetts, to aid in making the Territory a free State, and to build up for himself and family a home under these sunny skies, and in so doing he has contributed his quota to the development of this glorious Commonwealth. From that time. with the exception of the years that he devoted to his country's service as a loyal soldier and assisted in carrying on the war, he has been a respected resident of Riley County, and has been actively associated with its agricultural and industrial interests, and has acquired a handsome competence. He now has a fine place, pleasantly located, one-half mile from the city of Manhattan, where he has erected a commodious house of a pretty, modern style of architecture, making one of the most attractive homes in this vicinity.

Our subject was born in the famous old town of Concord, Middlesex Co., Mass., Jan, 13, 1827, a descendant of good old New England stock. Sam- uel Hoar, his father, was born, reared and married in that town. He was a wheelwright by trade, and also followed farming the most of the time, and re- sided in Concord or adjoining towns until after the war, when he came to Riley County, and here the good old man ended his days in the home of our subject. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Catherines. She was also of Massachusetts birth, born in Charlestown, now a part of Boston, and her death occurred in her native State, in the town of Waltham, prior to her husband's decease.

John Hoar was reared amid the pleasant scenes of his birth, and when quite young was employed in a cotton factory in Waltham, the home of Gen. Banks, who was one of his mates in the factory at that time. Our subject, worked in the factory or on'a farm until 1847, and then, a venturesome, high- spirited youth of twenty years, wishing to see some- thing of the world, he enlisted in the United States naval service, and did duty on three different ves- sels until after the Mexican War, when he was dis- charged from the United States war ship "Galatin" in 1848. After that he gave three years' time to learning the trade of a carpenter in Waltham. We next hear of him as voyaging in a whaling vessel, sailing from Beverly, Mass., to the banks of New- foundland, the whole trip consuming eighteen months. In 1854 he retired from the sea, and was engaged as a carpenter on the State Reform School at Westboro, Mass. He carried on his trade in his native State until the spring of 1855, and then at Framingham, Mass., joined a colony that was bound for the Territory of Kansas, to locate on its rich soil and found new homes, and to assist the pioneers who had preceded them in their struggle against the pro-slavery element. They came by rail to St. Louis, then the western terminus of the railway ; from there by steamer to Kansas City, and thence by ox teams to Lawrence. There our - subject and others left their families and came to the junction of the Big Blue and Kansas rivers in search of a suitable location. On the present site of Manhattan, where there was not at the time a family living, Mr. Hoar made a claim to a quarter-section

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of land that is now included in the city limits. and he remained here to hold his claim, while his brother-in-law, Mr. Flag, returned to Lawrence for Mrs. Flag and Mrs. Hoar. To these sisters belong the distinction of having been the first women to live where the city of Manhattan now stands. They were good types of the noble, self-sacrificing, capa- ble pioneer women, who cheerfully left comfortable Eastern homes to accompany husbands, fathers and brothers to the wild Western frontier, and by the encouragement of their presence, their sympathy and their lofty patriotism they did much to make Kansas a Free State. Mrs. Hoar and Mrs. Flag are still living, and they have been interested witnesses of the entire growth of the county, and their hus- bands owe much to their able co-operation. For some months after coming here, Mr. Hoar and his family resided in a tent, and during that time he hewed logs and split puncheon for floors, and by fall had erected a comfortable log cabin. There were but few inhabitants in that region, and Kansas City was the nearest depot of supplies. Our sub- ject being fond of hunting had a rich field in which to pursue that pastime, for deer, wild turkeys and other game roamed the prairies around them, and where Junetion City now stands he once killed a buffalo. The following year people began to come in quite freely, and the country assumed a more civilized aspect. Mr. Iloar resided in Manhattan until 1858, and then pre-empted a claim from the Government on the south side of Kansas River. There was a log cabin on the place, which he re- placed by a more commodious frame house, and he engaged in agriculture there until 1863. In the month of February, that year, he laid aside his farming implements to take up arms in the eause of the Union, enlisting in Company L, 11th Kansas Cavalry, and serving faithfully until the close of the war. He fought with his regiment in Missouri, Arkansas and on the frontier. and was mustered out with his comrades in 1865. Returning to his Kansas home, he sought and found work as a car- penter, and continued to live on his farm and to attend to its cultivation until 1888, greatly increas- ing its value by the good improvements that he made, and he then sold it for a good price and built his present residence. Ile has twenty-five

acres of land around his home, and owns besides valuable property in Manhattan.

To the wife. who shares his home and makes it the comfortable and cozy abiding place that it is, Mr. Hoar was united in marriage in 1853. IIer maiden name was Emeline Fisk, and she was born in Weston, Mass. She is a lady of fine Christian character, and in her the Congregational Church finds one of its most consistent members. She is the mother of two children: Frank, a resident of Sedalia, Mo., and Emma, living at home.

But few people have been residents of Riley County longer than our subject, who is well-known among the old settlers and more recent comers. and by all he is justly held in high regard as one of its most desirable citizens. He is a sensible, thoughtful, keen-sighted man, independent in his views, and prudent and sagacious in the manage- ment of his affairs. In politics he champions the cause of the Union Labor party.

HILIP WASHINGTON ZEIGLER, a cit- izen of prominenee in Manhattan, one who has been a leader in its public affairs and in promoting its business interests, is the proprietor of a well-appointed and well-stocked hardware store and a tinner's shop, which he man- ages together, carrying on a large and profitable trade. Ile was born in Bedford County, Pa., Nov. 30, 1828, and is a son of Joseph and Eliza- beth ( Mathias) Zeigler, who were natives of Phila- dephia County, Pa. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Michael Zeigler, was engaged in the mercantile business during his life, and in the time of the Revolution he supplied the Colonial Army with stores and was paid in Continental serip, which proving worthless at the close of the war. the most of his property was swept away. After that he re- moved to Franklin County and established a tan- nery. and conducted that business there until death ealled him from the scene of his earthly labors. To him and his wife were born eight children-Michael. Isaac, llenry, Joseph, and four sisters, all dead ..

The father of our subject was reared in his na- tive state to agrienltural pursuits, and in 1833 he

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removed to Franklin County, and locating on a farm near Chambersburg, was actively engaged in farming there until 1854. In that year he became a pioneer of Bureau County, Ill., buying a traet of rich land two miles north of Wyanet, which he im- proved into a fine farm, and on which he made his home until he closed his eyes in death, in 1885, at a ripe old age.

The mother of our subject died when he was only six years of age, and after he was deprived of her tender care he continned to live with his father until he was sixteen years old, and then-a sturdy, manly, self-reliant youth -- he was apprenticed to learn the tinner's trade iu Chambersburg. After serving four years he did journeyman work in Huntingdon one year, in Johnstown a year and a half, and after that in Pittsburg, Cleveland, Chi- cago and Princeton (Ill.) In 1863 he came still further Westward as far as Cedar Rapids, lowa, and engaged in business in that city for himself for three years, returning at the end of that time to Princeton, Ill., where he carried on business for one year. Then, in 1867, he came to Manhattan, attracted thither by the opportunities offered in a growing, thriving town for any man of sufficient enterprise and vigor to make money. He imme- diately opened a hardware store and established a tin-shop in connection with it, and is managing both with marked success. He carries a complete line of hardware, stoves, cutlery, etc., and his shop is amply supplied with all the necessary machinery for the different branches of the tin trade.

Mr. Zeigler was married in Princeton, Ill., in October, 1862, to Dorcas E. Newell, and three children have come to bless their home-Harry, Hattie and Grace. Hattie is now the wife of Lee Shaffer, and lives in Manhattan. Mrs. Zeigler was born in Princeton, Ill., and is a daughter of Ben- jamin Newell, a pioneer of that place. she and her husband are devoted members of the Presby- terian Church, and their lives are guided by holy ('hristian principles.

In a man of Mr. Zeigler's sound understanding, good business habits and methods, whose integrity is beyond suspicion, his fellow. citizens have found an able and faithful public offieer -- one who never neglected or betrayed a trust -- and he has served

with honor as Mayor of Manhattan, as a member of the City Council, and for three years as County Commissioner of Riley County. In politics he is a decided Republican, and lends his influence to promote the interests of his party.

A portrait of Mr. Zeigler accompanies this sketch.

C HRISTOPHER C. FUNNELL. The men who first settled in Clifton, Washington County, and assisted in the building up of its various interests, are worthy of more than a passing notice. Mr. Funnell, one of its most successful and enterprising men, was the pioneer lumberman of this place, establishing himself in business here in January, 1878, just after the com- pletion of the Missouri Pacific Railroad through this section. He commenced in a modest manner in proportion to his means and the probable extent of his patronage, and has gradually broadened bis facilities until he has one of the largest and best- equipped lumber-yards in either Washington or Clay counties. He carries a full stock of all kinds of building material, and has had control of a large territory, receiving orders throughout this and ad- joining counties.

In former years Mr. Funnell was engaged as a farmer in Sherman Township, Clay County, this State, where he took up a homestead in 1871. He inereased his landed possessions until he was the owner of 533 acres, and besides this he owns 400 acres in Sheridan Township, Washington County, also 108 acres in Mulberry Township, Clay County. The whole is improved, and lying at a convenient distance to the town of Clifton, is quite valnable. Mr. Funnell proved a success as an agriculturist, and operated in live-stock with fine results.

Coming to Clay County, Kan., in the spring of 1876, Mr. Funnell had in view a visit to California. but was so pleased with this section of country that he concluded to locate here. He is a native of Norfolk, England, and was born Dec. 25, 1844. Upon coming to America he was a resident of Iowa for some years. His father and his paternal grandfather, each bearing the name of William,

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were likewise natives of Norfolk, and both emi- grated to America and to Kansas. The latter died and was buried in Clifton.

The father of our subject was a railroad con- tractor in England, and was married in his native town to Miss Elizabeth Germany. This lady was born and reared not far from the early home of her husband, and they lived in England until all but one of their children were born. They came to America in 1851, embarking from Liverpool on the sailing-vessel "The Crown." a three-master. They were overtaken by a storm near Newfound- land, in which the masts were swept away and the vessel was driven back across the ocean to the coast of Ireland within three days, opposite a little village known as Passage. Later they put into port at Tra- more, where William Funnell and his family found a home for nine months. He in the meantime en- gaged as a contractor, reseuing land from the sea, and there the youngest child of the family was born.

The Funnell family in leaving Ireland went to Bristol, and then to Holland, where they lived some years, the father operating as a railroad contractor. and there Christopher C. attended school. Finally the family returned to England, and in 1860 all came to the l'nited States, being successful in land- ing in New York City from the steamer "Edinburg." In due time they proceeded Westward to Iowa, settling near the present site of Letts, Louisa County. William Funnell purchased a farm and began life anew, remaining there until September, 1865. The family then all went back to England. where the eldest son, Henry, had gone two years before, in 1863.

In March, 1868. the subject of this sketch and his brother George returned to the United States and sought the town of Letts, Iowa, where later they were joined by an older brother, Henry. A year later their brother William came, and after a time they separated, and Christopher C. decided to visit his kinspeople in Kansas. This was in 1870. After coming here, however, he was induced to remain and succeeded in getting his brother William here. Then began the career of our subject, which has been so successful.

Mr. Funnell came to this region a bachelor, but

later decided that it was not good for man to be alone, and was married, in Clay County, June 30, 1874. to Miss Charlotte Kreeck. This lady was born in Ross County, Ohio, and is the daughter of John and Eva H. (Uhrig) Kreeek, who came to Kansas in 1872. They settled on a large tract of land in Clay County, and here Mr. Kreeck died at the age of forty-three years. The mother survives and is a very active and intelligent old lady. Two of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Funnell are deceased, viz .: an infant unnamel, and Char- lotte, who died when twenty-two months of age. The survivors are Ellsworth C., Floyd. Karl and Roy. They form a very bright and intelligent quartet. all remaining under the parental roof.

Politically, Mr. Funnell is identified with the Republican party. He and his wife are members in good standing of the Presbyterian Church. William Funnell and his wife still cling to the doc- trines of the Church of England. They are now retired from active labor, and enjoy the comforts of a pleasant home in the village of Clifton. Their son, Christopher C., owns and occupies one of the finest residences in the city. and which, from its location, commands a fine view. It is handsomely furnished, and indicative at all points of ample means and cultivated tastes. The family holds a leading position in the social circles of their com- munity, and number their friends among the best people.

RVILLE HUNTRESS, a member of the Board of Commissioners of Riley County. is carrying on a large mercantile business in Manhattan, with Mr. Stingley, under the firm name of Stingley & Huntress. They have a commodi- ous, handsomely-fitted up store on the corner of Poyntz avenue and Second street, and carry a very large stock of goods. In the department fronting on the avenue they have an elegant assortment of dry goods and gentleman's furnishing goods, and in the department opening on Second street, they have groceries of all kinds and a well-selected supply of china, crockery, glassware, etc .; and they have also a large warehouse on Second street for the sale of carriages, agricultural implements, and everything

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found in such an establishment. Mr. Huntress represents one of the oldest pioneer families of Kan- sas, and his father was in his time not only a prom- inent business man of Riley County, but he was for many years closely identified with its public life as one of its leading officials, an incumbent at different times of some of its most important offi- ees.

Our subject is a New Englander by birth, his carly home being near the town of Canton, Ox- ford Co., Me. His father, Amasa Huntress, was also a native of the Pine Tree State, and was there reared on a farm. He continued to live in Maine after his marriage until 1857, when he re- moved with his wife and three children to the Ter- ritory of Kansas, the long journey being made by rail as far as Jefferson City, Mo., then the western terminus of the railway, from there to Kansas City by steamer, and thence overland to Manhattan, ar- riving April 11 of that year. They found this to be a town of but seventeen buildings, most of them of a rude structure, and the surrounding country but sparsely inhabited indeed, there being only a few settlers along the streams and timber. Mr. IIuntress located in the village, but took a claim six miles away from here in a southerly direction, which after improving to some extent he sold in a few years and bought town property. A few years after he came here he was elected to the office of County Clerk, opening a grocery store here, which he carried on with good financial success some years. The last year or two before his death, which occurred Jan. 23d, 1883, he lived retired from active business. He was a man whose native ability, strong character and high reputation brought him to the front, and, as before mentioned. he was con- spicuous in the public life of the county. And be- sides holding the County Clerkship from 1862 to 1866, he was County Treasurer from 1867 to 1871. Ile acted as County Assessor from 1866 to 1870, and was Registrar of Deeds for Riley County for four years.

The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Clarissa Davis, and she was born in Kennebunkport, Me., and died in Manhattan. Of the three children horn of her wedded life the following is recorded : George G. died in 1861; Clara J. is the wife of

Samuel Long, and lives in Manhattan; Orville, of whom we write was the youngest child of the fam- ily, and was eleven years of age when he settled with his parents in Manhattan.

He had attended the public schools in Maine be- fore coming to Kansas, and after coming here he was a pupil in the pioneer schools of Manhattan. He commenced to learn the trade of a printer in the office of the first paper ever published in Man- hattan, and worked at his calling the greater part of the time for five years, and for awhile in Leavenworth, where he joined the Typo- graphical Union, No. 45, and still retains his certificate of membership. In the year of 1866 he entered the employ of Higinbotham Bros., as a clerk, and was with them until they sold out their business, when he became bookeeper in the Blue Valley Bank, retaining that position until 1869. In that year he formed a partnership with G. W. Higinbotham, and A. Stingley, and they opened a general store, under the firm name of G. W. Hig- inbotham & Co. Jan. 1, 1875, Mr. Higinbotham withdrew from the firm, which then carried on business as Stingley & Huntress till 1880, when Mr. Higinbotham again joined them, and the firm became Higinbotham, Stingley & Huntress. In 1880 these gentlemen built the Blue Valley flour- ing mills, and when in May, 1886, the partnership was again dissolved, Mr. Higinbotham took the mill as his share, and Messrs. Huntress and Sting- ley the mercantile business, which they still con- tinne under the name of Stingley & Huntress. In the fall of 1886 they removed to their present pleasant, commodious quarters on the corner of Poyntz avenue and Second street. They have pros- pered exceedingly in their business which has grown to be one of the most important of the city, commanding a large custom under their ex- cellent and enterprising management.

Mr. Huntress has been twice married. The maiden name of his first wife, to whom he was united in February, 1868, was Louisa M. Stingley. She was born in 1844, in West Virginia, Hardy County, a daughter of John and Polly Stingley. This good and true woman, devoted wife and mother, passed away Oet. 9, 1880. She was the mother of four children, of whom Edith, the only

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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 114

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

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