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 125

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 125
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 125
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 125

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. Green now resumed farming and prepared to establish a home of his own. On the 3d of October, 1869, he was wedded to Miss Mary, daughter of Martin and Mary (Dolan) Bergin. Mrs. Green was born in Grant County. Wis., in February, 1848. Her parents are now deceased. The young people sojourned in the Badger State until 1878, and then coming to Kansas, occupied a rented farm until the fall of that year, when Mr. Green bought his present homestead. He effe ted good improvements, and pursues the even tenor of

his way without ostentation, being chiefly remark- able as an honest man and a good eitizen. He is a favorite both in social and business circles, and belongs to Clay Center Lodge No. 115, I. O. O. F. lle also belongs to Phil Sheridan Post No. 88, G. A. R., at Clay Center. To Mr. and Mrs. Green there have been born four children, namely: Al- mira M., John W., Mary E. and Charles B. The father of our subject was Eden B. Green, a native of Vermont, who when a young man emigrated to New York State, where he married Miss Caroline E. Knox, who was born there. Soon afterward they removed to Waukesha County, Wis .. settling among the earliest pioneers of that region. In 1866, crossing the Father of Waters, they settled in the vicinity of Iowa City, where they spent their last days, dying at an advanced age. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Green were of Scotch- Irish ancestry.

The parents of Mrs. Green were natives of Ire- land. whence they emigrated to the United States in their youth, and were married in Wisconsin, where they spent their last days. Mr. Bergin ser- ved as a soldier in the Mexican War. Both par- ents had become members of the Catholic Church in Ireland, to which church their ancestors for generations had belonged.

H. DOWD, Editor and proprietor of the Palmer Pioneer.is a native of Peoria County, Ill., born Oct. 22, 1864. He is a son of Lucas and Elizabeth (Cook) Dowd, the former a native of Ireland, born in 1834, who emigrated when a boy to the United States, his parents both being deceased. He worked at any thing he could find to do, and on arriving at man- hood found himself in Ohio. Ile there heeame a farmer and in that State was married. Shortly after that important event in his history he emi- grated to Illinois, and bought a farm in Peoria County where he lived for a number of years. when he sold it and removed to Marshall County. where he lived about six years, but he never bought mueh property there, intending to go farther west. In 1871 he determined to try his fortunes in the Sun-

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flower State, and emigrated to Washington County, which has ever since been his home. In Sheridan Township he took a homestead, the same on which he now lives. To this he has added forty acres, since purchased, giving him a fine 200-acre farm, on which he has comfortable buildings, good orchard, water, fences, etc .. all the result of his own labors, as when he took it it was but raw prairie. He has always been industrious and economical and his present comfort is the direct result of years of effort. He is of a genial, kindly disposition, and has hosts of friends. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in Ohio in 1835, her parents being also from Ireland. They have had eleven children of whom two are deceased, Anthony at the age of three years, and John L. when he was twenty-three years old. The latter was a soldier in the United States Regulars, and died of fever in San Antonia, Tex. The sur- vivors are : Mary E. wife of Oliver P. Woody, an implement dealer in Palmer in this county; Cassie is the wife of C. E. Parkhurst, a farmer at Seapo, Republic Co., Kan .; Daniel D. is a farmer near Palmer, Washington County ; Maggie is married to J. R. Taylor, a farmer also near Palmer; J. H. is next; then William, a farmer at Palmer; Joseph, Francis L., and Albert are still under the parental roof.

J. H. Dowd, the subject of this sketel, remained with his father's brother in Illinois after his parents had removed to Kansas, and until the death of his unele, that was his home. ITis uncle died when J. H. was in his tenth year, and he was then brought to Kansas by his father who went after him. Ile had attended the distriet schools in Illinois, and for a time after coming to this State he also attended the distriet school, subsequently entering the Clifton High School where he fitted himself for teaching, which profession he followed for four years, all the time in Washington County. He gave this up in the spring of 1889. having purchased the busi- ness and material of the Palmer Pioneer, which had been established in January 1888, by F. T. Cook, from whom it was bought by Mr. Dowd. The paper is Republican in politics, and it is the aim of Mr. Dowd to make it a valuable medinm for the section of the county in which it is printed, he giv- ing especial attention to home matters. Ile has

greatly improved the paper in appearance as well as in its conduct and contents. He has also fa- cilities for doing job printing, a great convenience to the business men of Palmer and vicinity.

Mr. Dowd is a member of Lone Star Lodge, No. 284, I. O. O. F., of Palmer, also of Occidental Lodge, No. 164, I. O. G. T. He is an ambitious, en- ergetic young man, who is making his own way in the world unaided, and he is well thought of in the community where he resides.

MERICUS E. DRISKELL, though still a young man. is an old resident of Waslı- ington County, to which he has belonged since 1860. He is the ocenpant of an ex- cellent stone residence on section 33, in Franklin Township, and on the 280 broad aeres which sur- round it, he carries on his business of feeding and raising stock.

He is the son of Montilion G. and Emily S. (Ayres) Driskell and was born in Keokuk, Iowa, June 22, 1849. Montilion Driskell removed with his family to Kansas in 1860. He pre-empted land near Washington, and there made his home until 1887. He then removed to Oregon, where himself and wife now reside. The family was a large one and seven of them grew to maturity. They are: Eldon: Anna, wife of Anthony Voight; A. E., our subject ; Montilion C., Milton and Thomas who re- side in Oregon; and George, whose home is in this county.

Our subject was reared upon a farm. In 1865, at the age of seventeen, he was united in marriage with Sarah E. Dunnuck, and the young couple im- mediately after marriage settled where they now reside.

They filed on 160 acres under the homestead act, and have since increased their possessions to the amount which they now own. Their union has resulted in the birth of seven children: Alfred; Emily, wife of G. W. Stanley ; Marilla, Prudence, May, Effa and Clarence.

Mrs. Driskell was born in Kosciusko County, Ind., April 29, 1843. Her mother Catherine (Reas- onbee) Dunnuck died in Indiana. leaving six chil-

yours Truly S. S. Longley

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dren. The father, John Dunnuck, removed with his family to Kansas in 1863 and settled in Wash- ington County, where he subsequently died.

Mr. Driskell has served in Township offices with credit to himself and his constituents. He has oc- cupied the positions of School Treasurer, School Clerk and Township Treasurer and Clerk. Ile is now identified with the Union Labor party, though in former years he usually voted with the Demo- crats. He has never been a strict partisan, but al- ways considered the principles first and the party afterward. Ile has been for many years a mem- ber in full fellowship of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his standing therein is unquestioned. The early marriage, which in many cases proves so disastrous to the fortunes of a young man, has in this case proved quite the reverse. Mrs. Driskell has been an able helpmate and connselor to her husband, and the success to which they have already attained, gives promise that they will in time be classed among the wealthiest and most influential residents of the county.

YLVANUS S. LONGLEY has been a resi- dent of Washington County for a score of years. Ile resides on section 25, Green- leaf Township, and is now the owner of 360 acres of well improved land, where he is en- gaged in the pursuit of agriculture, and also raises considerable stock. He is one of the most exten- sive farmers in the county, and is in excellent circumstances. All his property has been accu- mulated since his arrival in this State.

The Longley family are of English extraction, members of it baving come to America at an early date and settled in Maine. The grandfather of our subject was a Revolutionary soldier. Ilis father, Sylvanus Longley, was a native of Maine, where he lived and died. He devoted all his life to farming, held some minor offices and was in only moderate financial circumstances. During the war of 1812 he served in the American army. He was born about the year 1797, and departed this life about 1882. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Orenda Garland. Like her hus-

band she was a native of Maine, where she was born about the year 1799, and passed from earth in 1885. Her union with Mr. Longley resulted in the birth of nine children: Jefferson, Harrison, Franklin, llenry, an infant unnamed, Minerva. Sylvanus S., Elizabeth, and another infant.

The subject of this sketch was born in Piscata- quis County, Me., Sept. 15, 1834, and he was reared in his native county, where he received his educa- tion. When about eighteen years of age he left his home and began a sea-faring life. For two years he followed whaling and was on the whale ship "Canton," of New Bedford, when it was wrecked in 1854. After that event he was engaged for two years as a sailor in the merchant service, and in 1856, he went to California and followed mining until 1861.

Ile then enlisted as a private in Company K., 2d California Calvary, which served on the plains, keeping down the Indians. Mr. Longley took part in some lively work and saw all he cared for of Indian warfare. At the Beak River tight in Idaho Territory, he received a wound at the hand of the savages. At Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1864, Mr. Longley was honorably discharged, and he then made an overland journey to Helena, Mon., where he again engaged in mining. At this employment he continued until the spring of 1868. when he came down the Missouri River, looking for a loca- tion. Ile found no place that he liked better than Kansas, and in 1869, he took a homestead of 160 acres, where he now resides. Since that time he has thoroughly improved bis land and added to his acreage, until it now amounts to the fine estate above mentioned.

On March 10, 1870, the rites of marriage were celebrated between our subject and Miss Laura A. Fairchild, of this county. The bride was born in lowa, August 6, 1850, and is a lady of intelligence and ability. She has borne her husband six bright children: William H., Jeff C .. Jessie, Bertha. Vesta and Ora.

Mr. Longley is one of the most prominent men in Washington County, especially among his fellow agriculturists. He has hekl many public offices, including those of Township Trustee. Clerk, Treas- urer and County Commissioner. In the latter

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office he served from January 1885 to January 1888. Heis interested in the social orders of the neighborhood and holds membership in Greenleaf Lodge No. 134 A. F. & A. M., and in Greenleaf Post, G. A. R. His judgment decides in favor of the principles of the Republican party, which he therefore cordially supports.

A portrait of this enterprising and highly re- spected gentleman may be seen on another page of this ALBUM.

G ARRETT W. JOHNSON, a veteran of the of the late Civil War, is closely identified with the industrial interests of Washington as a miller and part owner of the Washington mills. He is numbercd among the pioneers of Kansas, having been one of the earliest settlers of Republi- can County, and for some years actively assisted in developing its agricultural resources, owning and managing a good farm there which he elimi- nated from the wild prairie. He is a native of Virginia, born in Harrison County, Sept. 5, 1833. His father, Benjamin Johnson, was a native of the same State, while his paternal grandfather, Garrett Johnson, was born in England, and was the only member of his father's family to come to America. He was a farmer, and spent his last years in Vir- ginia, carrying on that occupation. The father of our subject was reared and married in Virginia, and in the fall of 1833 left the pleasant scenes of his boyhood and early manhood and with his family traveled in a wagon across the wild country that intervened between his old home and Indiana, and settled in Kosciusko County, of which he thus be- came an early pioneer. He bought a tract of tim- bered land, and there he and his wife and children lived in the most primitive manner in the log cabin, with its dirt and stick chimney, that he built as soon as he could get together the material. The mother used to cook savory meals over a fire in the rude open fireplace, and for some years spun aud wove all the cloth used in the family. There were no railways and Ft. Wayne and Michigan City, forty-two miles distant, were the nearest markets, and the father used to draw his wheat to those places over the rough roads and sell it for thirty-

seven cents a bushel. He improved a good farm, which he occupied many years. He now makes his home with his son, Isaac, in the same county, and is in his ninety-third year. The maiden name of his wife was Sarah Roberts, and she was born in Harrison County, Va., a daughter of Jesse Roberts, a native of Maryland. She died on the home farm in July, 1858.

Our subject was the fifth of nine children, and was but an infant when his parents took him to Indiana and there he was reared amid the pioneer scenes, and gleaned his education in the primitive schools of the early days of the settlement of that State, a rude log house serving as the temple of knowledge. As soon as he was large enough our subject had to assist his father in the arduous task of clearing his land from the primeval forest growth, and in till- ing the soil. Large black walnut trees that would be considered very valuable, now-a-days, had to be rolled together and burned after they were cut down to get rid of them. Mr. Johnson continued to live with his parents till he was twenty-one, when he went to Champaign County, Ill. At that time the railway was just completed through that county, and at Champlain there was only the nucleus of a town, a small building used as a station and another building used as a saloon. Our sub- ject found employment at Linn Grove, where he resided two years, when he returned to Indiana to spend the winter. He subsequently went back to Illinois, and worked a year in Clinton County. After that he again lived at home in Indiana, and for three years worked with his brother in a flour and saw-mill. He was thus engaged when the war broke out, and Ang. 20, 1861 he threw aside all personal considerations, all aims and ambitions, and enlisted in Company B, 30th Indiana Infantry to aid his brave fellow-countrymen in defending the Stars and Stripes. For three years, one month and nine days he served his country faithfully and courageously, facing the enemy on many a hardfought battlefield, and patiently enduring the hardships and privations of war. He took part in many battles, being with his regiment in Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. He fought at Shiloh, Corinth and Stone River, and at the latter place was captured, and for five

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months suffered the horrors of imprisonment in Libby Prison, Richmond. He was then paroled and sent home. Ile was exchanged, and a few months later he joined his regiment at Nashville. After that he and his comrades took part in the engagements at Chickamauga and Liberty Gap, and during the winter they were engaged in re- building the Nashville & Chattanooga Railway. In February, Mr. Johnson cut his foot and was not able to do duty again. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he was honorably discharged, and returned to Indiana, and in September, 1865 he went to Michigan to operate a sawmill. He was thus employed a year, and then returned to In- diana and managed his father's farm till 1868. In that year he made a new departure, and starting westward, came overland to Kansas, and east in his lot with the early settlers of Republic County, which was at that time on the frontier. Deer, antelope, wild turkey and other game were plenti- ful. and a few miles distant buffaloes were to be seen, and in 1869 he killed one on the site of Jewell City. Our subject took a homestead in the south- eastern part of the county, and building a house of cottonwood boards for shelter, immediately com- menced to improve his land. The nearest railway station was at Waterville, and for a time that was the nearest market. Mr. Johnson resided there till February, 1876, and then sold his property, and came to Washington County, and buying a half interest in the Washington Mills and a home close by, he has ever since been a valued resident of this township, devoting the greater part of his time to the management of the mills. The mills are in good order and are provided with an ample supply of first-class, modern machinery, and the company does an extensive and profitable business.

Mr. Johnson and Miss Susan M. Hanold, were united in marriage in October, 1864, and their's has proved a happy union, and has been blessed to them by the birth of five children, namely: Mattie, Belle, Zada, Lue and Stella. ' Mrs. Johnson was born in Portage County, Ohio, a danghter of Arter and Elizabeth (Sumerl) Hanold. She is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, as is shown by the course of her daily life.

Mr. Johnson is a man of marked sagacity, far-

reaching forethought, and clear judgment, and is thoroughly respected for those characteristics that denote the true man and honest citizen. In early life he was a follower of the Whig party, but even before the formation of the Republican party he had become a believer in its principles and was one of the first to join its ranks, voting for Gen. Fre- mont, the first Presidential candidate of the party.

R UFUS DARBY is one of the most honored citizens of Washington County, and one of her pioneer settlers. He came to Kansas in 1858, and during the border troubles was allied with those who were opposed to slavery and determined that Kansas should come into the Union as a free State. He has been identified with the progress of this county since his first settlement here, and has ever been regarded with respect and esteem by his fellow-citizens. His residence is a neat frame building just north of Morrow, and the estate of 160 acres is thoroughly and intelligently cultivated, being now under the management of his son, Asa R. Darby.

Mr. Darby was born near Washington, D. C., in Montgomery County, Md., on Jan. 28, 1816, and is of English descent on both his father's and mother's side. His father, Rezin Darby, was a Maryland planter. The parental family comprised twelve children, of whom brief mention is made as follows. Philip married Matilda Cross. and died of cholera in Ohio in 1838, leaving seven children. Delilalı died in December, 1884, at the residence of our sub- jeet, with whom she had made her home during the last eleven years of her life; she was unmarried. John died in 1844; he was married to Eleanor low- ard, and left two children. Edward lives near Washington City, in Montgomery County, Md. He was born in 1805 and is consequently eighty- four years old. He married Elizabeth Philips, who died in 1886. leaving three sons and two daughters. George, the oldest of the sons. is a contractor and builder in Washington City. Rezin is lumber in- spector for that city, and Rufus H., the owner and manager of a large printing and publishing house there, and publisher of the Washington City Repub-

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lic. Mary, one of the daughters, is the wife of John Coomes, and resides in Montgomery County, Md .; Susan, the other daughter, is unmarried and a resi- dent of Washington City. Mary Ann, the fifth of the brothers and sisters of our subject, died in C'lond County, Kan. She was the wife of Mahlon Woodward, and left nine children. Charles moved from Maryland to Western Ohio, over fifty years ago. After leaving his native State he was lost track of, and it is not now known whether he is living or dead. He married Elizabeth Starr. Susau died in Monroe County, Ohio, during the War. She was the wife of Samuel Blowers, a tobacco packer. Washington lives in Monroe County, Ohio. He is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been a member of the Eastern Ohio Conference for over thirty years. He married Melinda Bell and has three sons. William died in Franklin County, Kan., where he was engaged in farming, in 1877. He married Miss Mary Morris in Monroe County, Ohio. Elizabeth, widow of Lewis Gates, resides in Monroe County, Ohio. Rebecca died in infaney.

Rufus Darby was the eighth child in the parental family. His father died when he was twelve years of age, and a year later he went to clerk in a store in Frederick City. When he was fourteen years of age. his mother with her four minor children- our subject, Washington, William and Elizabeth --- moved from Maryland to Belmont, Ohio, where she bought a small farm. There not being work for him at home, our subject hired out as a farm hand. He received a good common school education, and as soon as he became old enough made use of it by be- coming a school teacher. He followed the profes- sion of teaching for two years.

On March 12, 1835, being then but a little more than nineteen years of age, our subject married Miss Melinda White. After his marriage he lived at home and cultivated his mother's farm. In 1841, he moved to Monroe County, Ohio, where he bought a small farm, on which he remained for two and a half years. He then sold out and returned to Belmont County, buying a house in Barnesville. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad being in process of construction at the time, he went to work with a pick and shovel as a grader, at eighty cents a day.

After a residence of two and a half years in Barnes- ville, he removed to Marshall County, Iowa, where he rented land for two years. He afterward bought a farm on which he remained until he removed to this State. His first settlement was on the Blue River. near Ballard's Falls. In 1860, he entered 160 acres of land on seetion 26, which now forms his home- stead. Later, when his sons became of age, he with them homesteaded two additional quarter sec- tions. bringing his landed possessions in Mill Creek Township, up to 480 acres. He has since disposed of all but 160 acres.

The wife of Mr. Darby was born June 30, 1811, and departed this life May 4, 1887, in the seventy- sixth year of her age. She had borne her husband nine children. Mary was born Sept. 30, 1836, and was married to W. W. Woodward, Feb. 17, 1857. She resides in Cloud County, this State, where her husband is engaged in farming and stock-feeding. They have eight living children. Rezin C., the oldest son of our subject, was born April 1, 1838, and died March 12, 1862, from a wound received at the battle of Pea Ridge. He was a member of Com- pany C, 4th Iowa Infantry. Ile was unmarried. James W., born April 15, 1839, is ranching in Missoula Connty, Mon .; he married Rosanna White, in April, 1870, and has six children. Philip was born April 5. 1841, and is a merchant in Washing- ton. Ile married Agnes A. Hollowell, Jan. 28, 1863. They have four living children. Edward was born Sept. 1, 1843, and died Sept. 23, 1852. Rufus was born March 8, 1846, and died Nov. 18, of the same year. Asa R. was born in Monroe County, Ohio, Aug. 25, 1847; he resides with his father. In September, 1887, he was united in mar- riage with Clara Belle Haworth, daughter of John and Louisa Haworth. She was born in Hardin County, Iowa, her parents being natives of Indiana and North Carolina respectively. She has borne her husband one child. Her housewifely abilities are displayed in the management of her well ordered household. Joseph, the eighth child of our subject, was born Nov. 26, 1749, and lived but a day. Laura was born July 27, 1852, and died Septem- ber 10, following.

Mr. Darby was the first Justice of the Peace in this county, being appointed by Gov. Medary. At

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that time Washington County covered an area equal to three times that now comprised within its bounds, and Mr. Darby's jurisdiction extended over nearly as much territory as the Congressional dis- trict in which he resides. He also acted as County Treasurer when the annual revenue of the county did not exceed $300. He represented Washing- ton County in the State Legislature two terms, in 1865 and 1869. The office of School Director has also been held by him. All the public positions he has filled have found him equal to an intelligent, prompt and faithful discharge of their duties. In early years he was an old line Whig. His anti- slavery convictions naturally led him to join the Republican party in 1856, and he has remained with it ever since. At various times he has been a delegate to congressional and county conven- tions. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ilis hair and gray side whiskers give him a venerable and dignified appearance, and although seventy-four years old, his face "is kindly and in- telligent. his manner genial, and his life has been upright, industrious and honorable.

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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 125

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

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