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 129

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 129
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 129
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 129

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In 1861 Mr. Kinkaid enlisted as a Union soldier During his boyhood days Mr. Kinkaid knew the notorious guerrilla. Bill Quantrell, and played with in Company D, 1st Kansas Infantry, and partici- pated in some of the most important battles of the | him during the carly years of each in Franklin

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County. Quantrell was a horse-thief before he be- came a rebel; and a criminal before he became a guerrilla. He was not a rebel from principle but from policy. He was reared in Kansas and made it the scene of murder and rapine in the name of a cause he never sincerely espoused. Mr. Kineaid in 1880 had the honor of felling the largest tree in Riley County, an elm near his home, measuring seven feet across the stump and being twenty-one feet in circumference.

AMES F. COLE has been a resident of Washington County since 1870, in which year he made settlement on section 9, Kimeo Township. The quarter-section of land which he then took up under the Homestead Act, has sinee been his home, and has been brought to a high state of fertility. Such improvements have been made upon it as are usual on the land of a progressive farmer, and it forms a very attractive home.

Horace Cole, the father of our subject, was born in Vermont. He went to Michigan in early life, and still resides there. Ilis occupation is that of a farmer. He is a member of the Baptist Church. Ifis father, Gideon Cole, was a shoemaker by trade, and lived to an age upwards of seventy-five years. Horace Cole was married to Lucinda King, born in Onondaga County, N. Y. Her father, Asel King, was a native of New York State, where he lived until 1840. He then removed to Jackson County, Mich., where he died at about four-score years of age. He was a tanner by occupation. Mrs. Lu- cinda Cole bore her husband thirteen children : James F., Adoniram, Chauney, William, Adiom, Melvina, twins who died in infancy, Horace M., Herbert C., Burton, and two infants. Six of this family are now living. The mother departed this life in 1880.

The gentleman of whom we write, was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., Sept. 17, 1834. IIe was reared and educated in Jackson County, Mich., ou a farm. During the late Civil War he served in the ranks from Oct. 19, 1861, to the spring of 1863. He was mustered into the service from Iron

Mountain, Mo., as a member of Company II, 24th Missouri Infantry.

On May 11th. 1855, Mr. Cole celebrated his marriage to Miss Laura Watkins. a worthy young lady whose home was in Jackson County, Mich. She was born in Seneca County, N. Y., Oct. 19, 1834. Her parents, Daniel and Elvira (Clark) Watkins, were natives of the Empire State. They removed to Michigan in 1846, and there spent the remainder of their lives, Mr. Watkins dying at the age of seventy-four years, and Mrs. Watkins at sixty-one. In early life they were members of the Baptist Church, but later united with the First Day Adventists.

Mr. and Mrs. James Cole have been blessed by the birth of four children-James E., Chauney N., Melvina and Winnie. The latter died at the age of nineteen months. Their family is further in- creased by a bright boy, now four years of age, whom they took to raise when he was six months old. Though not legally adopted, he will bear their name and be known as Albert A. Cole.

Mr. Cole is identified with the I. O. G. T. fra- ternity. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and of good standing therein. Mr. Cole commands the respect of his fellow-citizens, as a man of en- terprise in his occupation, kindly in his domestic life, and of unimpeachable character.

RTEMUS M. HUNGERFORD. In the career of this gentleman is illustrated that of an individual who commenced life de- pendent upon his own resources, who bat- tled with adverse circumstances, but finally by a course of steady perseverance attained success and now occupies a high position, socially and finan- cially, among the leading men of Union Township, Washington County. He has done a large amount of hard labor, working early and late during the first years of his settlement here, but is now inde- pendent and the owner of a fine estate embracing 400 acres of valuable land which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. In fact his farm is considered as having the best improvements of any

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in Union Township. He has a commodious and substantial residence, with all the necessary out- buildings, quantities of fruit and forest trees, and one of the largest orchards in the township. Every- thing about the premises is kept in proper shape, and the homestead invariably attracts the eye of the passing traveler who looks again and carries away with him a picture of plenty and content. Mr. Hungerford has been additionally fortunate in the selection of a life partner, his estimable wife being a lady highly educated and very intelligent, and one who takes great pride in beautifying her home and making it the most attractive spot on earth for those dear to her. The members of the family are well-read and musically inclined, and frequently entertain under their hospitable roof the wealth and culture of Washington County.

The Hungerford family traces its ancestry to England. Later they were represented in Oswego County, N. Y .. where the subject of this notice was born in the town of Mexico, June 16, 1848. He lived there on a farm with his parents until five years old, when the latter decided upon a removal to Towa and settled in Clinton County. They were among the earliest pioneers of that region, loeating on the frontier, and Artemus M. pursued his early studies in a log school house under the primitive methods of instruction of that day. Later, he at- tended the High School at DeWitt. When a youth of seventeen years he took charge of the bome farm and also operated a threshing machine. He had been engaged in this latter business since a boy of twelve and followed it until three machines had been worn out. Later, he engaged in the drug business at DeWitt.

On the 26th of December, 1877, Mr. Hungerford was married in DeWitt, Iowa, to Miss Eva Dickin- son, who was a native of Monmouth, Jackson County, that State. She acquired an excellent education and later employed herself as a teacher. The young people located in L'nion Township, Kan., but Mrs. Hungerford being in delicate health her husband took her to Davenport, Iowa, where she died at the " Burtis House," Aug. 14, 1879.

In the meantime, in the fall of 1878, Mr. Hung- erford had traveled overland with a wagon to Washington County. Kan. After the death of his

wife lie came back to this section in the spring of 1880 and purchased 320 acres of railroad land at $2 and $2.25 per acre. It was a wild and un- cultivated tract, upon which has been expended a large amount of labor and money in bringing it to its present condition. The second season Mr. Ilungerford kept bachelor's hall, working indoors and out. He set out forest and fruit trees, and by degrees ereeted the buildings and effected the other improvements which have combined to make his farm one of the best improved in the county. An artesian well supplies the live stock with water. Mr. Hungerford is interested in graded Short-horn cattle, and keeps about eleven head of horses, using three teams in the farm operations. He is also engaged in the grain business at Mahaska, a small town located four miles from the farm.

Mr. Hungerford contracted a second marriage Oct. 4, 1882, in Whiting, lowa, with Miss Bertha Barker. This lady was born in Slaterville, Tomp- kins County, N. Y., Aug. 2, 1857, and came to Iowa with her parents in 1879. She was as a pupil, unusually bright and attentive to her books and began teaching when a maiden of seventeen years. She at one time occupied the position of teacher in the High School at Ida Grove, Iowa, and was uniformly successful, being a favorite alike with parents and pupils. Her accomplishments were further added to by lessons in music and painting, and her home is largely decorated by the work of her own hands. Of ber union with our subject there has been born one child, a son, Her- bert, Aug. 30, 1885.

Politically, Mr. Hungerford is a straight Repub- lican. He is warmly interested in the success of his party and frequently serves as a delegate to the county conventions. He was the City Marshal of De Witt, lowa, one year, and is usually a member of the Sebool Board. Mrs. Hungerford belongs to the Presbyterian Church.

The father of our subjeet was Elial C. Hunger- ford, a native of Vermont and born in 1802. When a young man he removed with his parents to Oswego County, N. Y., and assisted in opening up the new farm which became the family homestead. In 1854 he pushed on to the farther West, locating near DeWitt, Clinton County, lowa, and was one

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of its earliest pioneers. He purchased land and continued farming until retiring from active labor. He spent his last days in DeWitt, dying in 1882. During the last years of his life he was a member of the Baptist Church. He married Miss Lucy Manwaring, a native of Oswego County, N. Y., and whose parents were of English descent, Mrs. Lucy Hungerford departed this life at her home in DeWitt, Iowa, in 1864; she was a member of the Baptist Church. The parental family included eight children, viz: Alonzo and D. K., deceased; Esther, Mrs. Dawson of Ida County, Iowa; Arte- mus M., the subject of this sketch; Cyrus, a black- smith of Sioux City, Iowa; Anna, who makes her home in Sioux City; Amos and Mary, the two latter deceased.

h ANS S. JELLUM. Considering the fact that he has not yet attained the thirtieth year of his age, the career of Mr. Jellum is one of more than ordinary interest. Ile is recognized as one of the most able men of Gar- field Township, where he has resided since 1870, on the old homestead of his father. He has served as Township Trustee and Clerk for four terms and is at present (1889) nominee for Register of Deeds of Clay County on the Union Labor Ticket. He is a gentleman of more than ordinary intelligence and good education, having followed the pro- fession of a teacher considerably and has likewise been familiar with farming pursuits from his boy- hood up. As an instructor he has made a good record, having taught school six terms consecut- ively in his own district very successfully.

Mr. Jellum completed his education at Clay Center, walking to and from the latter place, a dis- tance of eleven miles, each week. ITe comes of a hardy race, was born near Christiana, Norway, March 4, 1861. and is the son of Andrew G. Jellum, who was born near the capitalof Norway, Nov. 11, 1834. He comes from an old line of soldiers of German extraction, his paternal grandfather, And- rew Hill, having been a native of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. The latter participated in the war of 1812-13, when Norway and Sweden were united,

and spent his last years in the former. lle reared a large family, among them being a son, Andrew Hill, the father of Andrew G. Jellum-the latter receiving his name from the farm on which he lo- cated and purchased after reaching man's estate.

Andrew Hill, the father of Andrew G. Jellum, lived and died near the capital of Norway, attain- ing to a ripe old age. Ile had served as Assistant Sergeant in the Regimental department of the Na- tional Guards for several years, but likewise car- ried on farming and was a prominent man in l.is community. His son, Andrew G., the father of our subject, was reared on the farm and when of suit- able years served as a soldier for some time in the National Guards, his headquarters being at Horton, Norway. His brother, Jolm Hill, retaining his father's name, is now an officer in the Home Guards of his native country, with which he has served for seven years.

Andrew G. Jellum upon reaching man's estate married a lady of his own country-Miss Carrie Stixrod, who was born and reared in a seaport town, Selvig, and was the daughter of Samuel Stix- rod, who followed the profession of a teacher and was a leader under the Government and in the church, being likewise at the head of the choir in his parish. He was well educated and followed the profession of a teacher. He lived to an advanced age and during his last years received a pension from the Government. He kept himself well in- formed upon all subjects of political, social and religious interest, and was a leading member of the Lutheran Church.

After marriage Andrew G. Jellum and his wife lived on a farm near the capital of Norway, where were born their three eldest children-Christ, Hans S., our subject, and a sister, Lonisa. The latter never came to America but was reared by her grandparents, and is now married to Ole Hall, in Norway. Upon leaving Norway Andrew Jellum was accompanied by his wife and their two sons. taking passage at the port of Christiana in May. 1868, on the sailing vessel "Hanah," under com- mand of Capt. John Larson. When some days ont they were nearly shipwrecked in mid-ocean by a storm. the vessel being stripped of all its masts and left floating at the mercy of the winds and waves.

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After drifting about for some days they were en- abled to put into a port at Limerick, Ireland, where they were obliged to sojourn for six weeks, during which time the vessel was repaired and they again started on their journey. After a successful voy- age of some weeks they landed in Quebec, Canada, in July, 1868.

From the Dominion the Jellum family made their way by canal and river to Detroit, Mich., and thence across the lake to Milwaukee, Wis., landing at that place in August of the year above men- tioned. They settled in Norway, Wis., with an old Norse colony, who had located in Racine County, Wis., and which contained the first Luth- eran Church established in the United States. The father, in 1869, made a trip through Hamilton and Webster Counties, Iowa, with a view of changing his location, but not liking the climate he returned to his family in Norway, Wis., and in due time came to what was then known as the Eldora- do of the West -- Kansas. They located tempor- arily in Waterville, Washington County, where the father employed himself at whatever he could find to do, and in the meantime homesteaded 160 acres of land on section 8, in Garfield Township, Clay County, where he has since lived. At the time of seeuring his land he walked from Water- ville to Junction City, a distance of fifty miles, making the trip in one day and filing his claim in the United States Land Office. The next 'day he returned as he had gone, arriving home in time for an early supper. He put up a shanty on his land in the fall of 1870 and from that time on effected one improvement after another until the Jellum farm is considered one of the most desirable in the county.

The father of our subject was the son of wealthy parents, but his father having died and a stepfather coming into the family, he was deprived of his rightful heritage, only receiving $600 from his mother's estate after her death, which took place in 1870. This, however, was much better than nothing, enabling him to obtain a foothold, finan- cially, mueh sooner than he otherwise would have done. He has now a sufficiency of this world's goods and has likewise attained to prominence in his community, taking an active part in local mat-

ters and contributing his quota to the general wel- fare of the people. He is an active member of the Lutheran Church and in politics is a Union Labor man. Personally, he is a fine example of manly strength and vigor. He is now fifty-four years of age and his estimable wife is fifty-three. The lat- ter is mentally and physicially the suitable com- panion of her husband-very bright and intelli- gent and possessing unusual strength and activity for one of her years.

To the parents of our subject there were born eight children, the three youngest of whom are na- tives of Kansas, and are named respectively. Sophia, John B. and Anna K. The two elder also born in this country are, Josie J. and Martin. None are married with the exception of the eldest daughter previously mentioned. Hans S. has been quite prominent in political affairs, serving in the fall of 1886 as a delegate to the Fifth District Congressional Convention, and in 1888 he was a delegate to the State Convention of the Union Labor party, the first convention of the kind held in Kansas. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Custer Lodge, No. 19, at Clay Center, and is a charter member of the Farmers' Alliance of Gar- field Township, which was organized Sept. 25, 1889. He lives with bis parents and is unmarried

h ON. OLIVER II. BEESON, the only man in Washington County who has served two successive terms in the Kansas Legislature, · possesses some peculiar traits of character among them that magnetic influence which draws around him friends and admirers wherever he goes. He is chieny interested in agricultural pur- suits and has been highly successful as a farmer and stock-raiser. He owns and occupies a fine estate, comprising 240 acres of land on seetion 34, Strawberry Township.

The subject of this sketch was born in Wayne County, Ind., near the town of Franklin, Jan. 6, 1834. llis father, Ithamer Beeson, was born in Guilford County, N. C., and is long since deceased. Ile followed farming for his occupation and traced his ancestry to four brothers who emigrated from

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England during the Colonial days, He married Miss Mary, daughter of Jacob Bates and a native of Tennessee. Jacob Bales was a very powerful man, physically, and likewise possessed the sub- stantial traits of character which constituted him an honest man and a good eitizen.

To the parents of our subject there were born eight children, only three of whom are living and of whom Oliver II. was the eldest. Lewis R. is a resident of Sheridan Township, Kan .; Cynthia E. (Mrs. Brineman ) is a resident of Wells County, Ind .; the youngest son, William H., lost his life in the Union army during the late war in which he served as a member of Company 1, 69th Indiana Infantry ; Oliver H. was educated mostly in a Quaker school. his parents belonging to that religious seet, and when of suitable years he began learning the eoop- er's trade. Ile followed this mostly during the. winter season for a period of twenty years and worked his farm in summer. He had an ample ex- perience of pioneer life in Indiana and knows all about rolling logs, grubbing ont stumps. pulling dogweed, etc.

When a young man Mr. Beeson emigrated to Ilenry Connty, Ind .. and was there married Aug. 17, 1854 to Miss Asenath Adams. This lady was the daughter of Ebenezer Adams, who spent his last years in Indiana. Of her union with our sub- jeet there were born three children, the eldest of whom, Lewis C., married Miss Belle MeAtee, and is farming in Linn Township, Kan .; they have one child, Effie. Jolin married Miss Martha E. Tate. and is farming in Strawberry Township and is the father of two children, Earl and Ota. Curtis mar- ried Miss Harriet Blosser and lives in Clifton, this State; they have three children, Marvin, Melissa and Lenora. Mrs. Asenath Beeson departed this life March 18, 1862, at her home in Indiana.

On the 27th of November, 1862, Mr. Beeson contraeted a second matrimonial alliance with Miss Sarah, daughter of Jonathan Adams, who died in Plattsmouth, Neb. Jan. 19, 1873. Mrs. Sarah Beeson was born in Henry County, Ind., March 10, 1838. Hler union with our subject resulted in the birth of nine children, eight of whom are living, viz .: William H., Benjamin F., Charles Ulysses ; Laura E., Arminta J., Oliver C., Edward B. and

.James O. Lemuel V., the youngest, died of diph- theria in his second year; he was a remarkable child, unusually bright and intelligent, and his death was a severe affliction to the family. Benjamin married Miss Hattie Billings and lives in Strawberry Town- ship; Laura is the wife of George Dolin of Sheridan Township; neither of them have children.

Mr. Beeson settled in the vicinity of Platts- month, Neb., in 1865, where he prosecuted farming until 1873. That year, coming to Washington County. Kan., he settled on his present farm, select- ing it because of its unequaled springs of water which render the land exceedingly fertile. It is largely devoted to stock-raising, a specialty being made of graded Poland-China swine. Mr. Beeson served as Justice of the Peace two years and was elected a member of the Legislature on the Repub- lican ticket in 1881. He gave such good satisfac- tion to his constituents that he was re-elected in 1883, being nominated by acelamation at the con- vention. Ile has ever maintained a stanch adher- ence to the principles of the Republican party. His farm contains the highest point of land in Straw- berry Township and on that point he raised the stars and stripes during the Harrison-Cleveland campaign. He intends keeping that tattered flag as a memento of that memorable year. He is thoroughly posted upon State and National issues, and in religious matters, is identified with the Uni- ted Brethren Church.

ELSON B. CERTAIN was born in Warren County, Ohio, March 13, 1819. In that county he was reared, receiving his educa- tion in the subscription schools. When thirteen years old. he began to learn the trade of a black- smith. Ile worked at that trade in Ohio until the spring of 1850, when he went to Greene County, Ill. He continued at his trade in that State until 1871. He then came to Washington County, Kan .. and took up 160 acres under the Homestead Act. The land was located on section 20, Sheridan Township, and has been his home from that date. The journey from Illinois was made by wagon, and

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a few deer and antelope were yet to be seen in this seetion.

The first dwelling of Mr. Certain in this county was a little cottonwood shanty, 16x20 feet. The few settlers in the vicinity were chiefly residents of "dugouts." After building the cabin home, Mr. Certain began to break prairie and improve his farm. Sinee that time it has been brought to a high state of cultivation, and is well improved. The entire estate is under the plow, or in pasture. It is furnished with stable, eorn-eribs and other ade- quate outbuildings. The present dwelling is a neat and substantial frame, much more commodious than the home in which the family first took up their abode. An orchard of at least 100 trees adds to the comfort and beauty of the estate. When Mr. Certain came to this county, the town of C'lif- ton consisted of one store, one hotel and one saw- mill, and the country adjacent was chiefly open and wild.

In Warren County, Ohio, Mr. Certain celebrated his marriage with Miss Caroline Berger. This worthy lady was a daughter of Adam and Rebecca (Martin) Berger. A short time before her birth, her father had sold his property in Ohio, wth the in- tention of removing to Indiana. Prior to his re- moval, he rented the house in which our subject had been born. In that house Mrs. Certain first saw the light. While she was yet an infant, her parents went to Indiana, where two years later her father met his death. While working on a canal, he was killed by an accident. His widow later returned with her family to Warren County, Ohio, where she subsequently died. Mr. and Mrs. Berger were natives of Maryland and North Carolina re- spectively.

Mr. and Mrs. Certain have four children living: Mary, now Mrs. Frederick Snell, resides in this township; Bates T. lives in Kansas City, Wyan- dotte Co., Kan. Robert M. lives on the farm with his parents, and has the management of the estate; he married Miss Ada Wolf, and has two children. Another son, Andrew J., is also living at home. Seven children have been removed from Mr. and Mrs. Certain by death. Five were taken in in- faney. Of the others, Sarah J. married Thomas Atterbery, and died, leaving three children. One

of them, Lillie May, is being reared by her grand- parents (our subject and his wife). Belle married Alfred Griffith, and died, leaving one child.

Mr. Certain is a member of the I. O. O. F., at Clifton, having joined the order in Illinois about thirty years ago. He and his wife are communi- eants of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Certain is a man of upright character, well-informed and genial, and is held in high repute as a man and eitizen.

W ILLIAM STEINFELDT, the owner of 560 broad acres of land in Independence Town- ship, Washington County, has his home on seetion 21, and has made all the improvements which are upon it. The land was raw prairie when it came into his possession, and a part of it is trav- ersed by the Burlington & Missouri River Rail- road. The residence is located about three miles south of Lanham, and five miles north of Ilanover. In addition to general farming, Mr. Steinfeldt is successful as a stock-raiser, keeping nsually 100 head of cattle, the same number of swine and fif- teen head of horses. The proprietor is a man of note in his community, as being one of the largest land-owners in this section. IIe votes the straight Republican ticket, and takes an active interest in polities, being prominent in his party, and fre- quently sent as a delegate to county conventions. He has been a member of the School Board of his distriet for several years, and was once elected Con- stable, but deetined to serve.

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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 129

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

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