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 123

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 123
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 123
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 123

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AMES Y. MAXWELL. In every commu- nity there must be some to lead and there are numbers who can only follow. The status of society depends altogether upon its leading men and if they possess the spirit of intel- ligence and progress, the result is proportionately beneficial to those who come within the sphere of their influence. The subject of this notice has been one of the most useful citizens in Kimeo Town- ship, to which he emigrated in 1870, and where he has since lived. He is a lifelong farmer and is suc- cessfully operating 320 aeres of land on sections 11 and 12. The first land which he homesteaded, owing to a defective title, resulted in considerable loss to him, but he did not allow this fact to discourage him, and homesteaded another place. which he has brought to a condition of one of the most desirable farms in this part of the county.

Mr. Maxwell was born in Armstrong County, Pa., April 19, 1840, and is the son of David Max- well, also a native of that county, who occupied himself as a farmer and attained to a position of prominence among his fellow citizens. Ile was prosperous, financially, and possessed those qualites of character by which he was enabled to make a a good record as a man and a citizen. When but a boy lie united with the Presbyterian Church, of which he remained an active member the bal- ance of his life. He was of Scotch extraction and inherited some of the best traits of a substantial ancestry. He was cut down in the prime of life. dying when his son, James Y .. was but a lad.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was Adam Maxwell, one of the earliest settlers of the Keystone State. Ilistory records that his wife was

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the first white woman to cross the Alleghany Mountains. The family settled forty miles from Ft. Pitt. Adam Maxwell lived to be ninety years of age, and for a large portion of this time was a member of the Presbyterian Church. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Margaret IInston. She was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., in 1811. and died at the age of seventy- seven years, in 1888. IFer parents were Samuel and Elizabeth ( Patterson) Huston, who were na- tives of County Kildare, Ireland. They emigrated to America early in life and settled in Huntingdon County, Pa., where they sojourned a number of years and thence removed to Armstrong County, spending there the remainder of their lives and dying at an advanced age.

To David and Margaret Maxwell there was born a family of five children-Sarah, Samuel H., Eliza- beth E., Adam and James, four of whom are living. Adam died in boyhood; James Y,, the youngest born, spent his early life on a farm in Armstrong County, Pa., and attained his education in the best schools that region afforded. When a youth of eighteen years he left home and emigrating to Pike County, Ohio, worked there on a farm until the outbreak of the Civil War. Then, in 1861, he en- listed as a private in Company A, 53d Ohio Infan- try, which was attached to the Army of the Cum- berland, and under command of Gen. Sherman, participating in the battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg, Jackson, ( Miss.) Mission Ridge and other impor- tant engagements. Mr. Maxwell served all through the war, receiving his honorable discharge in Sep- tember, 1865.

Upon leaving the army our subject returned to Pike County, Ohio, and purchased a small tract of land upon which he followed farming until 1870. Not being satisfied with the progress he was mak- ing, financially, he came to Kansas and homesteaded 160 acres on section 1, of what is now Kimeo Township. He held possession of this until 1873, being then forced to abandon it as we have already stated. Since that year he has resided on his present farm. He is considerably interested in live stock, and has gathered around him all the con- veniences of modern rural life, bending his ener- gies to the establishment of a model homestead.

For eight years he served as Township Trustee and takes an active interest in educational matters, having served on the School Board a number of years, and otherwise promoting the good cause. Ile is a member in good standing of the A. F. & A. M. and is also connected with the G. A. R. Post at Greenleaf.

On the 3d day of July, 1875, occurred the mar- riage of James Y. Maxwell and Elizabeth E. Dodds, the wedding taking place at the minister's home in Seioto County, Ohio. Mrs. Maxwell was born in Butler County, Pa., April 8, 1843, and is the daughter of John and Emily (Winter) Dodds, who were also natives of the Keystone State. John Dodds and his wife were highly respected citizens in the community where they spent their younger years and which they left in 1851 for Scioto County, Ohio. Later, they removed to Johnson County, Mo., where they spent the re- mainder of their lives. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church in which Mr. Dodds served as Elder for many years.

Mrs. Maxwell is connected with the Presbyter- ian Church. Her union with our subject has been blessed by the birth of three children-Margaret E., John A. and Laura M., all of whom are living and remain under the parental roof.

OIIN SHUTTE, one of the substantial farmers of Hanover Township, may prop- erly be called "a diamond in the rough" being a man who presents the unvarnished side of lis character to the world, while within he possesses a heart big with generous impulses and lives at peace among his neighbors. He has always been industrious and frugal and has succeeded in accumulating a comfortable portion of this world's goods. We find him the owner of 275 acres of good land, pleasantly located on section 17 and fairly well improved. The dwelling is a substan- tial, modern structure, erected in 1880 at a cost of $1,200. Adjacent is an orchard of 100 trees and the buildings necessary for the various purposes of farm life. The farm accommodates seventy-three head of cattle, and four good horses are used in its

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operations. Mr. Shutte during the year 1889 lost a large number of swine.

A self-made man in the strictest sense of the word, Mr. Shutte has looked after himself since a lad of eleven years. He was born on the other side of the Atlantic in Prussia, Oct. 11, 1845, and emigrated with his parents to America when a lad of nine years. The latter were Christian and Mary (Pautien) Shutte who were likewise natives of Prussia, the father born in 1822 and a farmer by occupation. The parents emigrated to America in 1854, settling in Blue Island, Ill., where the mother died in January of the following year. The father was married a second time to Mrs. Christina Meyer, a widow with one child.

Christian Shutte came with his family to Kansas in 1868, and settled on section 17, Hanover Town- ship. Hle is now living on his farm south east of Hanover. Of his first marriage there were born six children of whom John is the only survivor. The latter received a common-school education in Illinois and employed himself on a farm until seventeen years old. He then went on to the rail- road for four years. Later for six years he was employed on a steamboat on the Mississippi River, the last two years of which he was second mate. In 1871 he came to Kansas and for one year opera- ted a sawmill. Next he entered the employ of the St. Joseph & Grand Island Rail Road Company, with whom he remained one season and then settled on his present farm.

About this time our subject took unto himself a wife and helpmate, being married March 13, 1872, to Miss Christina, daughter of John and Dorothea (Winterhof) Eggers. The parents of Mrs. Shutte were natives of Ilanover, Germany, where they lived until the death of the mother which occurred in 1863. Mr. Eggers in 1871 emigrated to Amer- ica with his children and lived in Illinois until 1885, during which year he came to this State. He de- parted this life in May 1889, at the home of his daughter Mrs Raff, in Hanover Township. Mrs. Shutte was the fourth of her parents' six children and was born in Hanover, Germany, Sept 1, 1854. She was a child of ten years when coming to America, and lived in Cook County, III., until 1872. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.

Shutte only four of whom are living, viz: Chris- tian, born March 12, 1879; Gustav, March 21, 1883; Henry, Nov. 7, 1885 and Sophie, Sept. 9, 1887. The family all attend the German- Lutheran Church at Ilanover. Mr. Slutte votes with the Democratic party, in which he is quite prominent and has served several times as a delegate to the county conventions. Ile held the office of Constable two years and was Road Over- scer for the same length of time. Ilis farm embraces 275 acres of good land, the greater part of which is under cultivation.

A UGUST LUEBKE. One of the most ele- gant homes in Hanover Township, Wash- ington County, is that owned and occupied by the above named gentleman. The resi- dence is situated on section 6, Hanover Township, and was erected in 1884 at a cost of over $2,000. The barn which accompanies it cost over $1,000. The owner of this beautiful place was born in Pommern, Germany, April 23, 1845. Ile grew to manhood in his native country, and was the recipient of the educational advantages which Germany insures to her sons. At the age of twenty-one he entered the German army, and served for two years as a mem- ber of the 8th Artillery. The regiment was stationed at Coblentz. In 1871 he came to America, landing at New York. He went immediately to Sauk County, Wis., where he worked on a farm for six months. He then came to Kansas and settled in Hanover Township, where he now owns 555 acres of land. This is divided into two farms. The principal crop raised is corn and 160 acres are under the plow. The estate bears 100 fruit trees, and over its pastures roam sixty head of cattle, twelve of horses and forty of hogs.

The father of our subject was John Lnebke, a native of Pommern. The mother was also a German, who died when our subject was a small child. The family was composed of seven children, of whom our subject was the fifth. In 1876 the father came to America and settled in Sauk County, Wis .. where he died four years later, His occupation was that of a farmer.

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August Luebke, of whom we write, was mar- ried March 28. 1872, to Mrs. Barbara Gundel- finger, a sister of Jacob Oswald. By her marriage with Frederick Gundelfinger, she became the mother of six children: John, George, Rudolph, Jacob, Andrew, and Matt F.

Mr. and Mrs. Luebke are members of the Evan- gelical Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Order, and has been through all the Chairs of the same. He takes an active interest in politics and votes the Republican ticket. He has served his fellow citizens as Township Trustee and Township Treasurer. He has also been Road Overseer, and for four years was a member of the School Board of district No. 88. A capable farmer, a good citizen, and an upright man, Mr. Luebke is justly esteemed by his fellow citizens.

C HARLES COMSTOCK. In the career of the subject of this biography we find that of a man whose course in life has been such as to commend him in a marked manner to the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens. Upright in his dealings, generous and public spirited, he has been a useful member of the community, exerting a good influence around him and furthering the en- terprises calculated to upbuild the moral and relig- ious elements of society. In his praiseworthy labors he has been encouraged by one of the best of women-a lady possessing rare qualifications, and one who has assisted in drawing around herself and family the best social elements of the community. We thus find a home which without pretensions to elegance. is encircled by an air of comfort and re- finement which makes it a most delightful resort.

The agricultural and stock raising interests of Washington County are worthily represented by Mr. Comstock, who owns and occupies 280 acres of fine land, comprising a part of sections 13 and 14 in Kimeo Township. During his eight- een years' residence here he has effected many im- provements and distinguished himself as a farmer of modern ideas, not content with anything less than to excel. He is a native of Janesville, Rock Co., Wis., and was born August 24, 1843. His

parents were Asa and Lydia (Smiley) Comstock. Asa Comstock was born in Vermont June 5, 1800. Abont 1821 he went to Canada where he was en- gaged in various pursuits for several years, then re .. moving to Schuylkill, N. Y., he operated as a rail- road contractor.

About 1840 Asa Comstock removed with his family to Janesville, Wis., where he lived five years. then changed his residence to Albany, Green County that State. In the vicinity of that town he followed farming until his death, which oc- curred February 22, 1875. His latter years were spent on a farm. He made a comfortable living for his family but never accumulated much property. Ile was a man of considerable prominence in his community and held the various minor offices. Possessed of more than ordinary intelligence, he was a constant reader and in his religious ideas, as- similated with the Quaker Church from childhood until the time of his death. He was a man of high character and greatly respected by all who knew him. His father was Peter Comstock, a native of Vermont and of English extraction. Peter Com- stock served in the War of 1812.

Mrs. Lydia (Smiley) Comstock was born in Jamestown, N. Y., August 2, 1813, and accom- panied her family to Wisconsin where she now resides. Her parents were Joseph and Sarah Smi- ley, natives of Rhode Island. Joseph Smiley was a well-to-do farmer and both he and his wife were church members and highly respected in their com- munity. To Asa and Lydia Comstock there were born eight children, viz: Harriet, Mary, Charles, Alice, Jane A., Asa L., Clara and Albert B. They are all living with the exception of Jane, who died when a promising young lady of eighteen years.

The subject of this sketch was born in Janesville, Rock Co., Wis., and spent his boyhood years on the farm. acquiring such education as the common school of that community afforded. Ile learned the arts of plowing. sowing and reaping and chose these for his life vocation. Being ambitious to go West and grow up with the country, he in 1871 crossed the Mississippi and homesteaded 160 acres of land on section 12, Kimeo Township, Wash- ington County, this State. He effected good im- provements, but after a number of years sold out

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and purchased 280 aeres on sections 13 and 14 of the same township, where he now re- sides. lIe bas one of the best improved farms in Washington County and has spared no pains to make his home beautiful and attractive. Person- ally, he is a man of whom any community may justly feel proud, being liberal, sociable, hospitable and in every sense of the word, a true gentleman.

Mr. Comstock for the past few years has been giving considerable attention to the breeding and development of blooded horses and cattle. In 1889 his name was before the Republican County Con- vention as a candidate for Sheriff, being defeated by a few votes. While a resident of Albany, Wis .. he identified himself with the I. O. O. F. and up- on coming to Kansas transferred his membership to I'nity Lodge No. 276 of Barnes, at the time of its organization, being a charter member. He has taken both the Subordinate and Encampment de- grees and is quite prominent therein. He is also connected with the A. O. U. W. Lodge at Green- leaf.

On the 15th of December, 1869, Mr. Comstock was married to Miss Alta Flint, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Simmons) Flint, who were natives of New York State and are now deceased. Of this union there have been born no children, but the household cirele includes an adopted son-Walter, a remarka- ble bright boy who is now (1889) sixteen years of age. Mrs. Comstock is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a lady highly es- teemed in the social circles of hier community.

AVID T. FITZPATRICK. Among the men who have labored to good purpose in advancing the material interests of Lin- coln Township, Washington County, may be most properly mentioned the subject of this biographical outline. who has been established in that township since 1876. Ile at that time pur- chased a part of his present farm, and is now the owner of 400 broad aeres, comprising a portion of sections 2, 3 and 10. He is a man who makes a specialty of attending to his legitimate calling, and is foremost among the ranks of the prosperous agri-

culturists of this section, carrying on extensively general farming and stock-raising. He has been greatly prospered in his labors, and by. wise man- agement is now comparatively independent, finan- cially.

Nearly every State in the Union is represented in this portion of the Great West, and the Blue Grass country has contributed its quota likewise to the development of the land beyond the Mississippi. The subject of this notice was born in Green County, Ky., Dec. 25, 1838, and is the son of Ed- ward C. Fitzpatrick, a native of Culpeper County, Va., and born in 1787. Ile spent his entire life in Kentucky, dying in Hart County, in 1847, when in the prime of life. By occupation he was a me- chanie and builder, and also engaged in farming. Hle superintended the construction of the bridge across the Rapahannock River, and other structures in that region bore the marks of his skill and in- dustry. He served in the War of 1812, as Captain of a company under Gen. Jackson, and was near the front in the bat: le of New Orleans. He was a man of property, a slave owner, and for many years prior to his death a member in good standing of the Baptist Church.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was Maj. David Fitzpatrick, an officer of the Revolutionary War, under the direct command of Gen. Washing- ton. Hle was born in Ireland and emigrated to America with a brother at an early date, settling in Virginia, where he spent his last days. The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Nancy J. Towles. She was born in Culpeper County, Va., and was the daughter of Robert Towles, a Revolu- tionary soldier. Of her marriage with Edward Fitzpatrick there were born ten children, viz: Jo- seph H., Mary W., Juda, John W .. Sally, Ann R., George (1st, deceased), George (2d), James and David T.

Mr. Fitzpatrick, our subject, was the youngest child of his parents, and was reared in his native county, acquiring a common-school education. His life passed in a comparatively uneventful manner until the outbreak of the Rebellion, and the first year of the war he joined the Confederate Army at Camp Jackson, Mo., as a member of Company A. Ist Missouri Infantry. lle served in this until af-

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ter the battle at Oak Hill, and was then transferred to the cavalry command. Soon afterward, however. he joined Company K, Ist Missouri Infantry, and served until 1864. when he received his honorable discharge. He was in the fight at Carthage, Oak Hill, Lexington, Mo., and Corinth, Miss .; also at Helena, Ark. After the war he located in Bu- chanan County, Mo., and for several years was en- gaged in buying and selling stock. He also carried on farming.

On the 21st of May, 1865, ocenrred the marriage of David T. Fitzpatrick with Miss Nana King, of DeKalb, Buchanan Co., Mo. Mrs. Fitzpatrick was born in that county, Ang. 13. 1847. and is the daughter of Preston R. and Lucydia (Lorance) King, natives respectively of Kentucky and North Carolina, but both reared in Indiana. Of this union there have been born six children, viz: Will- iam F., Lucinda, Samnel E., Preston R., Henry H. and Nanna. Mr. Fitzpatrick, politically, supports the Democratic party, and socially is a member in good standing of the Masonic fraternity.

E UGENE FINN. The year 1863 found Mr. Finn upon Kansas soil, and settling in Atch- ison he occupied himself at whatever he conld find to do until 1866. That year he changed his residence to Washington County, locating upon a farm in Lincoln Township, where he now lives. He has 153 acres of good land, on section 3, and in addition to general farming is considerably in- terested in stock-raising. Ile is a native of County Kerry. Ireland, and was born Sept. 28, 1832.

The father of our subject was Barthomel Finn, likewise a native of County Kerry, Ireland, where he spent his entire life, dying at the advanced age of seventy-three years. He was the son of another native-born citizen of County Kerry, who lived to be seventy-two years old, and who was of Spanish extraction. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Mary O'Donnell. She survived her husband over twenty years, spending her en- tire life in her native Ireland, and died at the advanced age of ninety-two. All were members the Roman Catholic Church.

The parents of our subject had a family of six children, viz: Mary. Martin, Thomas, Eugene. Barthomel and James. Eugene was the third child, and after a brief season spent in the com- mon school learned the trade of a shoemaker, at which he worked in his native county until 1853. Then, a young man of twenty years, and desirous of something better than he could hope to obtain in his native land, he set out for America, and after a safe voyage reached his destination. We next find him located in Clark County, Ohio, where lie sojourned until 1850. Next he changed his residence to Randolph County, Ind., where he con- ducted a boarding house until 1862. He then re- moved to Fortville, Madison County, that State, where he lived until the following year, when he cast his lot with the people west of the Mississippi.

Mr. Finn was reared in the doctrines of the Catholic Church, to which he still gives his faith- ful adherence. Before leaving Ireland he was mar- ried, May 14, 1853, to Miss Mary Maloney, who was born in County Kerry, in 1835. She became the mother of six children-Mary, Catherine, Liz- zie, Anthony, Nellie and Maggie-and departed this life at her home, Sept. 3, 1874, at the early age of thirty-nine years. Her parents were of Irish extraction. Mr. Finn as a farmer has proved a success, and as a member of his community is con- tributing his quota toward its advancement.

OHIN BERNARD SCHNIEDERJANS, of Independence Township is called the "King Bee" of that section. He emigrated hither before the Indians had left the country and still lives on the ground which was formerly the old meeting point of travelers overland to Cali- fornia. Ile still preserves with tender care the old log house of those days, which stands in the garden not far from the more modern residence which he now occupies. He is a man widely and favorably known and a favorite among old and young. He takes an active interest in politics, uniformly voting the Democratic ticket. His landed possessions em- brace 480 acres, well improved, and his immediate

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surroundings indicate in a forcible manner the thrift and industry which are the leading points in lis character.

The subject of this sketch was the eldest of ten children, the offspring of George Otto and Mary Ann (Bahmsman ) Schniederjans, who were natives of Hanover, Germany, and the father a carpenter and wagon maker. John B. Schniederjans was born Oct. 22, 1829, and is a native of the same place as his parents. The latter emigrated to America forty-six years ago when John Bernard was a lad of fourteen years. They settled in Effingham County. Ill., where they spent the remainder of their days, the mother dying in 1853 and the father in 1854.

Young Schniederjans was thoroughly educated in his native tongue and spent his early years under the parental roof. Ile served a thorough appren- ticeship at farming and when twenty-three years old started out for himself. One of the first important steps at this time was his marriage with Mrs. Mary (Uptmoore) Hatke, which occurred Jan. 5, 1852, at the bride's home in Effingham County, Ill. This lady is the daughter of G. Henry and Elizabeth (Backman) Uptmoore, who were natives of the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg and who emigrated to America fifty-four years ago, settling first in Cin- cinnati. Later they removed to Effingham County, Ill., where the father died in 1854 and the mother in 1856. Mrs. Schniederjans was the eldest of their four children and was born in Oldenburg, Germany, Aug. 30, 1829. She was first married to Antony Hatke, by whom she became the mother of two children, Frank and John, who are now residents of Washington County, Kan. Mr. Ilatke departed this life Oct. 16, 1851. Of her union with our subject there have been born eight chil- dren, five of whom are living. The eldest, a son, Henry, married Miss Lena Horner, is the father of one child and occupies a part of the homestead. Kate is the wife of Henry Pulsfort, and they live in Odell. Neb .; Annie is the wife of Henry Schultz. and is likewise a resident of Nebraska and the mother of one child; Joseph and Lizzie remain at home with their parents. Both parents and children belong to the Roman Catholic Church, in which Mr. Schniederjans has officiated as a Trustee and

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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 123

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

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