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 128

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 128
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 128
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 128

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).

The marriage of Mr. Hiatt took place in Had- dam Township, on New Year's Day, 1883. The bride was Miss Mattie M. Roberts, a native of Har- din County, Iowa. Their union has been blessed by the birth of one child, Florence L.

Mr. Hiatt is a member of the Haddam Percheron Horse Company, and is a straight Republican. He belongs to the Society of Friends at Pleasant View, and assisted in building the edifice in which they worship. He is now acting Treasurer of the So- ciety. He and his estimable wife are highly re- spected in the community where they have made their home.

AMES SMITH. This worthy pioneer of Garfield Township came to this section of country when the high prairie in this part of the township was Government land upon which few white settlers had located. He home- steaded 160 acres, in July, 1869, and with his wife and children took up his abode in a cottonwood shanty which he erected, 12x16 feet in dimensions. They occupied this about four years and in the meantime Mr. Smith planted trees and broke a part of the sod. He had been accompanied hither by his brother, Robert E. whom he now left in charge of his place while he returned to St. Louis, in order to earn money needed for further improvements and the necessities of the family. He held posses- sion of his property from that time on, being prospered in his labors, and in due time added to his worldly possessions until he had 320 . acres, the most of which is in a productive condition and yields to the proprietor a comfortable income. He makes a specialty of live stock and may be looked

upon as a success in farming, while as a citizen, no man stands higher in his community.

A native of Tariffville, Conn., Mr. Smith was born March 3, 1839, and lived there with his par- ents until a lad of seven years. The latter were John and Margaret (Sinclair) Smith, natives of Scotland. The father spent his last years in Massa- chusetts, the mother, at the home of our subject in Kansas. In 1846 they removed to Essex County, Mass., where James was reared and learned shoe- making. At the age of sixteen years, however, with the natural longing of youth for change and adventure, he embarked as a common sailor on an ocean vessel and followed the sea until the spring of 1861, in the meantime spending two summers at Grand Bank. He was mostly in the merchant ser- vice. His experience as a sailor brought him in contact with people from all countries.

Mr. Smith left his last ship at Gloucestershire, and in April, 1861, after the outbreak of the Civil War, joined a military company and took his first lessons in drilling. After the first of May follow- ing, he enlisted as a Union soldier in Company C, 17th Massachusetts Infantry and for three years thereafter served in that and Company I, until the expiration of his first term of enlistment. He then veteranized and continued in the army until after the close of the war. receiving his honorable dis- charge in July. 1865. He participated in several engagements in North Carolina and was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant. Although not being in any of the important battles of the war he had his tull share of privation and hardship, but fortunately came out unharmed.

Returning now to Lynn. Mass., Mr. Smith en- gaged in the shoe business until the spring of 1868. Then not being satisfied with his prospects, finan- cially. he determined upon seeking the Great West and we next find him in St. Louis, Mo., where he engaged as a shoc dealer and was married to Miss Hannah M. Tufts. . In the fall of 1869 he came to Kansas and his subsequent operations we have al- ready indicated. His brother, Robert. already spoken of, located land adjoining that of James, upon which he lived until his decease Nov. 6, 1887.

Mrs. Smith was born in Massachusetts, March 2. 1848 and is the daughter of Joseph W. and Martha

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F. (Abbott) Tufts, who were likewise natives of the Bay State. The mother spent her last years in Peabody. The father is still living. To our sub- ject and his good wife there have been born six children, all living, and named respectively, Clarence E., Lewis A., Jennie T., Maggie W., Archie W. and Roger O.

Mr. Smith cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln and gives his support to the Republican party. He served as Trustee and belongs to Phil Sheridan Post, No. 88, G. A. R. at Clay Center; the K. of P .; St. Elmo Lodge of Palmer, No. 61; the A. O. U. W., Palmer Lodge, No. 166, and the Select Sherman Legion No. 61 of Palmer.

Among the portraits of prominent citizens of Clay County, the reader will be pleased to notice that of Mr. Smith, who occupies a conspicuous position in both social and business circles.

- BRAHAM EBERLY, general farmer and fruit-grower, has a fine home in the south part of the city of Clay Center, with forty acres of land adjoining, and also owns one valuable farm, lying in this (Clay) county. His present dwelling was erected in 1885, and is a large and well built frame structure of pleasing design. It is surrounded by a beautiful vineyard and orchard, and other needful and convenient improvements. The land adjoining has been sub-divided and is now known as Eberly's addition, Mr. Eberly being interested in the sale thereof.

The subject of this sketch is a son of Henry Eberly, who was born in Huntington County, Pa., in 1796. Henry Eberly married Mary Ann Eddle- blute and after the birth of his oldest son, in 1827, removed to Ontario, Canada, where he continued to reside until his death in 1876. The mother sur- vived until July, 1887, when she too breathed her last.

Abraham Eberly first saw the light in Ontario, Canada, on April 28, 1839. He was educated there and remained with his father on a farm until after he had grown to manhood. He then went to Ogle County, Ill., where he worked two years, following which he came to Kansas. He landed in Leaven-

worth on the 1st day of Dec. 1863, and, this being before railroads had penetrated the western part of the 'Mississippi Valley, Mr. Eberly bought a horse and rode to Topeka, which was at that time a town of 300 inhabitants, with one wooden hotel.

From Topeka, Mr. Eberly went up to Wabaun - see County, and spent the winter on Mission Creek. The following March he returned to within three miles of Topeka, where he worked for two years. after which he visited his home. Returning to Topeka, he engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, living near that city until 1868, when he went to Riley County and took up a homestead in what was then Fancy Creek Township. He broke prairie, made fences, and erected farm buildings, reclaiming the primitive land, and making a fine farm of the 160 acres which comprised the homestead, and con- verting it into a fruit farm on which he lived until 1880. The farm not only furnished an abundant supply of fruit, 400 bushels of peaches having been raised the last year of his residence on it, but it is also well-stocked for general farming. At the date mentioned above, Mr. Eberly rented the farm and bought property in Clay Center, and after a residence of one year purchased the eighty acres adjoining, which are now being sold in city lots.

In 1867 Mr. Eberly was united in marriage with Miss Ruamy Bullard, of South Lyon, Mich., who died eleven months after her marriage. Several years later, in 1872, Mr. Eberly contracted a second matrimonial alliance, the bride being Miss Eliza- betb M. Cowles, daughter of Samuel and Maria C. ( Warner) Cowles, natives of New York and Ohio respectively. Mrs. Eberly was born near Beaver Dam, Wis., Oct. 12, 1849, and , there her father lived and died. Her union with Mr. Eberly has re- sulted in the birth of five children, only two of whom are now living-Alice Loraine and Henry Warren.

Mr. Eberly was Clerk of the first school district on Faney Creek for some time, and with H. S. Morse, now of Marysville, he was the means of building the first Baptist Church structure, a good stone building, which is still standing and occupied, he being an active member there at the time. He is now Deacon of the First Baptist Church of this place. Mr. Eberly has had no political aspirations,

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but is a steadfast supporter of the Republican party, which he believes enshrines the best prin- ciples. He is highly respected by his fellow citizens as an enterprising townsman, a good neighbor, and a Christian gentleman ; and his wife shares in the good will and friendship of those about them.

OSEPHUS LAWRENCE is the owner and occupant of a farm consisting of 120 acres on section 22, Barnes Township, Washington County. He also owns eighty aeres on see- tion 15. He was born near Kingston, Ontario Providence, Canada, May 5, 1826. His father, George Lawrence, was born in Massachusetts, where the city of Lawrence now stands. He was an own cousm of Abbott Lawrence, who settled and laid out the town of Lawrence, Kan. The family is of English extraction. George Lawrence emi- grated to Ontario when quite young, and there spent the remainder of his life. He was a carpenter and joiner, and in fair circumstances. Hle held some minor offices, and was well esteemed by those who knew him. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary Young, and was born in Rutland County, Vt. The Young family was of English extraction. Her father, George Young, was born at Rensselaer, N. Y., and died in the Em- pire State. He was a wagon and carriage maker.

The gentleman of whom we write was the only child of his parents. He was reared on a farm in Cattaraugus County, N. Y .. and received a good common-school education. In 1879 he came to Kansas and settled on section 21, Barnes Township, Two years later he removed to seetion 15, and in 1882 settled where he now resides. Mr. Lawrence started in life poor, and while in New York State he accumulated considerable means. He unfortun- ately lost it, however, and his present possessions are almost entirely the result of his work in this State. He is a man of great industry and untiring energy, and has during all his life exhibited a high degree of business management.

Mr. Lawrence has been three times married. His first union was with Miss Esther Day, the ceremony

taking place in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., May 5, 1847. Twelve children were the result of this union. They are named respectively: Mary E., Orrin J., James Edward, George Franklin, Belle, Esther Amelia, Sarah, Elsworth, Horace Grant, Lillian Beatrice, Oscar, and May Imogene. Mrs. Esther Lawrence died Nov. 23, 1873, and in Feb- ruary, 1876, Mr. Lawrence took a second compan- ion in the person of Mrs. Phoebe Hillar, of Chautauqua County. N. Y. She was also removed from him by death, the sad event taking place at Aurora, Ill., Oct. 25, 1885, the cause being a can- cer. On April 21, 1886 our subject was united in marriage with his present wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Erwin, and was a resident of Washington County, Kan.

Mr. Lawrence is a stalwart Republican, never failing to cast his vote in behalf of those principles which he believes will best advance the interests of this great and glorious Republic, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence have been for two years identified with the Christian Church. A worthy citizen, an up- right and kind hearted man, Mr. Lawrence is de- serving of the high place which he occupies in the esteem of the community.

ALTER PUCKEY, JR., is one of the able and highly respected business men of Clay Center, Clay County. He is engaged in the Real Estate, Loan and Insurance business, his office being at the corner of Court and Fifth streets. He has been identified with the business interests of this city since 1876 but until the spring of 1889 was interested with others in trade.

The gentleman of whom we write is the only son and child of his parents. His father, Walter Puckey, Sr., was born in Cornwall, England. and became a mining smith. About the middle of this century he came to America, and spent thirteen years in California. when returning to England for his family, he located with them in Galena, Ill. There he lived retired from active pursuits, until seven years ago. when he came to Clay Center, where he and his wife now live.

Walter Puekey, Jr., was born in Cornwall, July

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11, 1849, and there received his education, and began mercantile pursuits. In 1869, he came to the United States with his parents, and settled in Galena, Ill., entering into the mercantile business. This he continued for three years, after which he made his way to California via the Isthmus, and after a year's absence returned to the parental home. In 1877 he came to this city, being first en- gaged with W. F. Carter, and subsequently with others until 1886 when he went into the real estate office of Caldwell, Peterson & Mumford. In the spring of 1889, he opened an office for himself, succeeding M. E. Mumford & Co., and is now a prominent real estate, loan and insurance dealer of this city.

In Galena, Ill., Sept. 11, 1873, the rites of wed- lock were celebrated between Mr. Puckey and Miss Inez A. Grumme, daughter of Julius C. Grumme, now a resident of Hayes Township, this county. Miss Grumme was born in Galena in 1853, and is a lady of intelligence and culture. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Puckey, one only, a son Charles W., now living.

Mr. Puckey, while a worker in the Republican ranks is not an office-seeker. He is a member of I. O. O. F .. belonging to the Canton Patriarch Militant, and has represented the order as a dele- gate to the Grand Lodge and Encampment, and is now a member of the Grand Lodge of Kansas. Mr. Puckey is a man of ability, highly spoken of by the people of the county, where he has the name of being honest and honorable in all business trans- actions.

0 SMER C. COLMAN, a veteran of the late war, is now pursuing the peaceful arts of agriculture at a finely-developed little farm of eighty acres on section 21, in Barnes Township, Washington County. He lives quietly with his ex- cellent wife, they having no children, and without making any great stir in the world extracts from existence a large share of contentment and satis- faction, living unostentatiously and at peace with his neighbors. He started in life dependent upon his own resources, and his modest possessions are the result of his own labors, although he was for-

tunate a few months since in being made the recip- ient of $1.500 back pension from the Government.

A native of Delaware County, Ohio, our subject was born March 18, 1848, and is the son of Anson Colman, who was born in Maryland in 1797. The latter removed to Ohio when a young man. and was married in Delaware County, that State, to Miss Anna Closson, who was born there about 1815. The elder Colman followed farming all his life, and accumulated a good property. Politically he was an uncompromising Democrat. He only lived to be middle-aged, dying in Auglaize County, Ohio, in 1849, when his son, Osmer C., was a little more than seven years old.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was Jesse Colman, who was born in France and emi- grated to America in time to do service in the War of 1812, during which he received an honorable wound, and thereafter drew a pension from the Government. He spent his last days in Maryland. The mother of our subject survived her husband a period of thirty-four years, remaining a widow, and died in 1883, in Steuben County, Ind. She was a daughter of John and Esther Closson, who were natives of Ireland, but emigrated to America at an early day. To Anson and Anna Colman there were born six children, viz: Esther, Jane, George. Edith, Osmer C. and Lucy.

The subject of this sketch was the fifth child of his parents, and is the only surviving member of the family. After his birth his parents removed from Delaware to Auglaize County. Ohio, where he was reared to man's estate and bred to farm pur- suits. He received a common-school education, and was imbued with those principles of honesty and uprightness which have clung to him through all his after career. He remained a resident of his native State until after the outbreak of the Civil War, and in 1862 enlisted in the Union Army as a member of Company K, 99th Ohio Infantry, which was made a part of the 3d Division, 1st Brigade, 23d Army Corps. He was, however, permitted to serve only three months, and then, on account of failing health, was obliged to accept his honorable discharge. As soon as sufficiently recovered, how- ever, he returned to the fray, enlisting the second time, Sept. 14, 1864, in Company D, 180th Ohio

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Infantry, 3d Division, 1st Brigade, 23d Army Corps. Ile participated in some of the principal battles which followed, being at Franklin, Tenn .; Kingston and Goldsboro, N. C., and at the latter place met Sherman's army He received his final discharge July 12, 1865, at Charlotte, N. C. He endured all the hardships and privations of life in the army, but was ever found at his post, and looks on this period of his life as one reflecting more honor upon him than anything else he has ever done.

Upon leaving the army Mr. Colman repaired to Steuben County, Ind., where he followed engincer- ing for a number of years. In 1878, crossing the Father of Waters, he came to Barnes Township, Washington Co., Kan., and here he has since made his home. He was variously occupied until 1885, when he purchased his present farm. Industrious, honest and frugal, he lives comfortably, keeps out of debt, and is numbered among the respected men of his community. As an ex-soldier he belongs to Barnes Post, No. 363, G. A. R., and it is hardly necessary to say is, politically, a sound Republican.

On the 2d of May, 1878, before coming to Kan- sas, Mr. Colman was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Richey, of DeKalb County, Ind. Mrs. Col- man was born in Stark County, Ohio, Oct. 9, 1851, and is the daughter of Elijah and Margaret Richey, natives of Ohio, the father being deceased and the mother living in Barnes, Kan. Mr. and Mrs. Col- man have no children, but their hospitable doors are often opened to the many friends they have gathered around them since becoming residents of Kansas, and by whom they are justly held in high esteem.

E LI T. KINKAID. The personal appearance of the subject of this notice would attract at- tention anywhere, he being of fine stature, nearly six feet high, and a remarkably pleasant coun- tenance. He is a man well informed and intelligent, an energetic talker, full of army yarns and remi- niscences, amply able to recite a narrative of the thrilling scenes through which he has passed in times gone by. lle is a man popular with his neighbors, generous, whole-souled and one always

willing to render a favor. Hle owns and occupies a finely-cultivated farm, embellished with a com- modious two-story stone residence and other nec- essary buildings, situated at the foot of the bluffs which border the north side of the Kansas River Valley, within a half mile of Eureka Lake.

So far as book-learning is concerned Mr. Kin- kaid's advantages in his youth were quite limited, but he has kept his eyes open to what is going on around him in the world, and has had a practical experience of a varied character, which has con- spired to make him a well informed man and one more than ordinarily intelligent. His domestic af- fairs are presided over by a very intelligent and amiable lady, who is at once recognized as possess- ing refined and cultivated tastes and who is in all respects the equal of her husband.

Mr. Kinkaid is a man of fifty-two years, having been born Oct. 2, 1837, in Springtown, Crawford Co., Ind. His parents were Andrew and Elizabeth ( Lan- ders) Kinkaid, the former born near Bowling Green, Ky., and of Scotch descent, and the latter a native of Middle Tennessee. Andrew Kinkaid followed farming and almost from boyhood officiated as a minister of the Christian Church. He died in Morristown, Cass Co., Mo., about 1850, at the age of fifty five years. The mother is living with her daughter, Mrs. W. D. Springer, in Franklin County, this State, fourteen miles southeast of Ottawa.

There were born to the parents of Mr. Kinkaid a family of eleven children, the eldest of whom, llenry M. G., has been a resident of Kansas since 1861, and is now a leading stockdealer of Riley County. He married Miss Susan Davenport and is the father of two children. James Richard died in Cass County, Mo., unmarried, at the age of twenty-six years: Lively J. is the wife of W. D. Springer, a prominent farmer of Franklin County, and they have eight children; Jolin S. married Miss Callie Frazier, is the father of twelve children and lives at Mt. Idaho, Idaho Territory; Clement married Miss Lizzie Wells and is farming in Chero- kee County, this State, of which he has been a resi- dent since 1854; he is the father of seven children. Benjamin, who has been a resident of Leavenworth County since 1855, married Miss Lizzie Rice and is

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the father of six children; Cynthia died in Cass County, Mo .. when a maiden of seventeen years; Newland died in that county when four years old; Marion during the late Civil War enlisted in Com- pany D, 12th Kansas Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, from the effects of which he died after reaching home in Rantoul, Franklin Co., Kan., at the age of about eighteen years: Eliz- abeth is the wife of D. C. Moreland, a farmer of Eskridge, Wabaunsee County, and they have ten children.

When the subject of this sketch was about three years old, his parents in 1840 removed from Indi- ana to Cass County, Mo., and settled among thie Indians. The father purchased 240 acres of land and followed farming and preaching combined, maintaining his Republican principles in a hot pro- slavery neighborhood. Eli T. spent his boyhood under the home roof until fifteen years old, then in 1854 entered the employ of Yeager, Hlays, Bry- ant & Co., and commenced freighting across the plains, driving teams to and from Santa Fe and New Mexico. Later he engaged in herding cattle and putting up feed for winter in Kansas in 1854. lle next went with a wagon train to Albuquerque, and subsequently made a trip to Ft. Laramie. He was about eighty miles south of that fort in Octo- ber, 1855, when Gen. Harney had an encounter with the Sioux Indians, in which he exterminated 180 of them and took eighty-two prisoners, includ- iug two squaws and a number of children. Mr. Kinkaid and several of his trainmen assisted in the fight.

In 1854, Mr. Kinkaid coming to Franklin County, this State, took up 160 acres of land two miles east, of the present city of Baldwin and began breaking with two teams. comprising five yoke of oxen each. He thus operated two years, and then he lost his claim, another party jumping it because young Kinkaid was under age. The jumper sold it to a speculator and then skipped for the East; so Mr. Kinkaid could obtain no redress. After that he broke prairie for other parties until after the outbreak of the Civil War.

war, opening at Wilson's Creek, Mo. He was in the last day's battle of Shiloh and at the sicges of Corinth and Vicksburg, also at the battle of Tallahatchie, Miss. Finally his health failed and he was reduced in weight to ninety pounds. Ile was obliged to accept his honorable discharge, and was mustered out at Ft. Leavenworth, in July, 1864. Then returning to Franklin County, he rented a farm upon which he operated until 1867. That year he removed to Leavenworth County, and purchased eighty acres of wild land upon which he lived two years. Then selling out he purchased 160 acres in the same county, which he occupied one year. He left Leavenworth County in 1880, removing to the vicinity of Carbondale, where he farmed three years, and in 1883 changed his resi- dence to Riley County. He now purchased 272 acres of land on section 27 in Manhattan Town- ship, east of Eureka Lake, where he has one of the best improved homesteads in this region.

In August, 1864, at the city of Lawrence, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Eliza A. Wiles, a native of Illinois. Two children have been born of this union, Oscar E. and Edwin E., who are unmarried and remain at home with their parents. Mr. Kinkaid politically is a sound Re- publican, active in the councils of his party, and is frequently sent as a delegate to the county con- ventions. Socially he belongs to Post No. 100 G.A.R., at Manhattan. He was personally ac- quainted with John Brown of Ossawatomie, liv- ing for three years within a quarter of a mile of him in Franklin County. He was in full sympathy with the old hero, joining his band, and was under him at Ossawatomie. He was also with .James Montgomery and Jim Lane, when the latter scat- tered the border ruffians from a building in which they had gathered, by setting fire to a wagon-load of hay and running it against the building. Mr. Kinkaid with five other men was at Ossawatomie when 300 Missourians made a raid on the place, and assisted in holding the latter at bay for four hours, they being ignorant of the small number of the defenders.

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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 128

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

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