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 130

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 130
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 130
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 130

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 subject of this sketeh was born in the Grand Duehy of Oldenburg, Germany, Feb. 12, 1849, and was the eldest in a family of six children, the off- spring of William and Hamena (Spanhawk) Stein- feldt, who were likewise natives of Oldenburg, and the father a jeweler by trade. They were reared and married in their native place, and the mother spent her entire life in Germany, dying in 1882, when quite well advanced in years. The father is still living there. William emigrated to America when a youth of seventeen years, coming directly to Kansas. He spent the first three years in Doni- phan County, then removed to Washington County, where he has since lived. Ile reeived a fair edu-

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cation in his native tongue, and was bred to farm- ing pursuits from his boyhood np.

In the spring of 1875, William Steinfeldt was united in marriage with Miss Ida, daughter of Will- iam and Caroline (Dehin) Jenicke. The parents of Mrs. Steinfeldt were natives of Mecklenburg, Ger- · many, whence they emigrated to America in 1865. The father spent his last years in Hanover Town- ship, dying in 1873. The mother is still living, and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Mi- nardus, in Hanover, this State. The parental house- hold included five children, of whom Mrs. Stein- feldt was the third in order of birth. She was born in Germany, March 1, 1852, and was a child of thirteen years when her parents came to Amer- ica. She attended the common sehool, and re- mained with her parents until her marriage. Of this marriage there have been born four children- William, aged thirteen years (1889); Hildah, aged eleven years; John, aged nine, and Edward, aged seven. Mr. and Mrs. Steinfeldt are members in good standing of the German Lutheran Church. Like many of the people around them, they com- menced with small means, but have now a sufficieney of this world's goods to fortify them against want in their old age.

GNATIU'S KLECAN. There is nowhere a finer field than the State of Kansas for noting the extent to which energy and industry have elevated its people. The subject of this notice is an_ other forcible illustration of what a man may ae- complish, beginning at the foot of the ladder in life and keeping one steady purpose in view. Mr. Kle- can when starting out in life had nothing to depend upon but his own resources, but now, after a lapse of years which have been spent in the practice of industry and economy, he finds himself the owner of a good property, a fine farm and a pleasant home, and enjoys the respect and good will of his neighbors. He is a man who has seen much of the world and has learned well from observing closely that which is going on around him.

The sixth child of his parents, Mr. Klecan was born Aug. 3, 1849, in what was once the kingdom

of Bohemia, Austria, and there received a fair education in his native tongue. His father, Thomas Klecan, was likewise a native of Bohemia, and married Miss Catherine Krutova, a native of his own province. After the birth of all their children they, in 1852, emigrated to America, settling first in Peoria, Ill. Later they moved across the Missis- sippi into Lee County, Iowa, and from the Hawk- eye State, in 1859, came to Washington County, Kan. The father was a farmer by occupation and rested from his earthly labors in March, 1886, at a ripe old age. The mother is still living and makes her home in Hanover. The parental family con- sists of eight children, all of whom are living

Mr. Klecan on reaching his majority started out in life for himself, and for five years thereafter was on a steamboat on the Mississippi River. Later he was on a canal in Iowa for one year. Ile then learned wagon-making, at which he worked a little over one year, and coming to this State with his par- ents settled upon a farm and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. In the meantime he ac- quired a good knowledge of the English language and is more than ordinarily proficient in speaking and writing.

On Nov. 27, 1877. Mr. Klecan was married to Miss Annie, daughter of Michael Pacha, further mention of whom is made in the sketch of Michael Triska, on another page of this volume. Of this union there have been born six children, four of whom are living, namely: Mary, Tina, Annie and Joseph. Mr. and Mrs. Klecan are members in good standing of the Roman Catholic Church, at- tending services at Hanover. Mr. Klecan votes the Democratic ticket and keeps himself well posted upon the political issues of the day. Ile has never aspired to offiee, simply serving as Clerk of the School Board of his district.

Mr. Klecan homesteaded his present farm when it was a raw prairie without any improvements. It embraces 160 acres, seventy-five of which are under thorough cultivation. Ile has planted 140 fruit trees and 260 grape vines, and is quite an extensive breeder of cattle, horses and swine. His dwelling is a comfortable structure, while the barn and other out- houses are all that is necessary for the accommoda- tion of his live stock and grain. Mr. Klecan for

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the last seventeen years has added considerably to his income by operating a threshing machine. He is a man thoroughly respected in his community. and in redeeming a portion of the soil from the wilderness has contributed thus much to the devel- opment of Hanover Township.

ON. S. V. LEE. Among the citizens of Riley County, no one is more worthy of consideration than the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch. Well known as a pioneer of Kansas, he has often been before the publie in various official capacities, oc- eupying high places of trust, and it refleets bonor on himself and on his community that no word has ever been breathed against his character as a man, his standing as a gentleman, or his loyalty and trustworthiness as a citizen. He is a resident of Manhattan, where he has charge of Mr. Purcell's grain and agricultural implement warehouse, and his taet, versatility and good business habits render him an invaluable aid to that gentleman in the con- duct of this branch of his great mercantile in- terests.

A native of Pennsylvania, our subjeet was born in Canaan Township, Wayne County, June 29, 1825. His father, John F. Lee; was born in the town of Guilford, Conn., and was a son of Vene Lee, who is supposed to have been a native of that place, though born of English parentage. He was a farmer and moved from Connectieut to Pennsyl- vania at an early day, the removal being made with oxen and eart. He bought a tract of 500 acres of partially improved land in Canaan Township, and was a resident there the remainder of his life. In his time there were no railways in Pennsylvania for many a year after his settlement there, and mills and markets were some miles distant. When the mines were opened in 1828, there was a good market for produce created, the first mines being opened in Luzerne County, seven miles from his place. The maiden name of his wife was Polly Johnson, and she was likewise a native of Connec- ticut. She survived her husband some years, dying at last on the old homestead in Canaan Township.

They were conscientious and active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the grandmother of our subjeet being one of the six that formed the first Methodist Class in Guilford, Conn. The father of our subject was ten years old when his parents left their old New England home to form another in the wilderness in Pennsylvania. He was bred to the life of a farmer, and followed agricultural pursuits as long as he lived, continuing to reside on the home farm until about one year before his death, when he moved to Carbondale, where lie died in 1831. His death brought an honorable and useful life to a elose while it was yet in its prime. The maiden name of his wife was Eliza Chumard, and she was born in New York, of French and German ancestry. There were five children born to the parents of our subject. After the death of the father of our subject his mother married a second time, becoming the wife of Jesse Clark, and moving with him to Steuben County, N. Y., she spent the rest of her days there, finally meeting her death by being struck by a locomotive. She was the mother of five children by her second marriage, four of whom grew to maturity.

Ile of whom we write was only five years old when his father died, and after that he was reared by his paternal grandparents, those good and truly pious Christian people carefully training him in the right way and early instilling into his mind those high and honorable principles which nave been his guide in all his after life. The first recollee- tion that he has of traveling, was the journey of over 200 miles that he took with his grandmother with a horse and buggy on a visit from Pennsyl- vania to her old home in Connecticut, he at that time being seven years old. He attended school three months each year, and the remainder of the time assisted his grandfather in the labor of caring for his large farm. After his marriage our subject settled on land in Canaan Township, which he had inherited from his grandfather. He farmed there till the fall of 1855, when he removed to Indiana, having traded his farm in Pennsylvania for one in that State, located ten miles south of Columbus, in Bartholomew County. He resided there till 1860, and in the meantime had exchanged that farm for a flour-mill, which unfortunately was burned in

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the fall of 1859. In the spring of 1860 he re- solved to try life on the plains of Kansas, and traveled hither by rail as far as St. Louis, and thence by steamer to Leavenworth, and from there he traveled overland in a prairie sehooner to Potta- wattomie County. He purchased a squatter's claim in Blue Township, and subsequently made his title good by complying with the provisions of the homestead act. Twenty acres of the land were improved and a log cabin had been put up. The cabin was afterward destroyed by fire, and he erected a more substantial house of stone and other necessary buildings, besides planting shade and fruit trees, and otherwise greatly increasing the value of the place. After the death of his wife, in 1875, he rented his farm, and coming to Manhattan, was in the employ of Mr. Purcell the ensuing seven years. IIc next took charge of the Blue and Kan- sas Valley Commercial Agency's store, retaining that position two years. In 1887 he went to Cali- fornia, and for a time was in the employ of the Pacific Land and Improvement Company. After a sojourn of six months in the Golden State he returned to Manhattan in 1888, and in the spring of 1889 Mr. Purcell engaged him to take charge of his grain and agricultural implement warehouse, well knowing of old his ability and faithfulness, and he has been with him ever since.

Mr. Lee has been twice married. In October, 1846, he was wedded to Eliza Hubbard, in Corn- ing, N. Y. She was of English birth and came to this country with her parents when she was but five years old. After a serene and happy wedded life of nearly thirty years, this good woman and true wife passed from earth in February, 1875. her death taking place in Pottawatomie County, in the home that her presence had blessed, and in whose upbuilding she had aided her husband. Mr. Lee was married in 1877 to his present wife, formerly Emily A. Stancliff. a native of Knox County, Ill. Their pleasant married life has been blessed to them by the birth of three children -- Arthur M., Harry S. and Mary Esther.

A well-informed man, of sound, evenly-balanced intellect, dignity of character and irreproachable morals, Mr. Lee's fellow citizens bave always duly recognized his fitness in every way to be entrusted

with the management of important public affairs, and while he was a resident of Pottawatomie County he was often called upon to fill some re- sponsible office. At one time he was elected Super- intendent of the schools of Pottawatomie County, but he refused to serve. In 1863 he was elected as Representative to the State Legislature, and served in that honorable body with great credit to himself and to his constituents. lle was Justice of the Peace and Township Trustee of Blue Township for a period of eight years. In 1870 he was appointed Census Enumerator for the western half of Potta- watomie County. For two years during the war he was Enrolling Officer, and he was Revenue Collector for four years, and collected the first revenue in the Upper Kansas River Valley. In his political views he has always sided with the Republicans. Ile and his wife are people of strong religions sentiments, and in them the Methodist Episcopal Church finds two of its most faithful members.

ILLIAM KEESECKER is the owner and occupant of a beautiful farm on section 34, Farmington Township, Washington County. It comprises eighty acres of cultivated land, upon which the owner has planted numerous shade and fruit trees, and erected a comfortable and attractive residenee. In this pleasant home Mr. Keesecker and his wife are enjoying the fruits of the labors of their mature years and the society of the many friends to whom their doors are always open, and to whom their hospitality is so royally dispensed.

Mr. Keesecker is the eldest of a family of eight children, and was born in Berkeley County, W. Va .. Aug. 30, 1828. His parents, Aaron and Margaret (Rightstine) Keesecker. were also natives of West Virginia, where the father died in 1884. The mother had departed this life in 1862, while on a visit to her children in U'rbana. Ohio. The gentle- man of whom we write was reared to manhood in his native State. He remained under the parental roof until twelve years old, when he was appren- ticed to a tailor. Ile served an apprenticeship of over six years, becoming thoroughly acquainted

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with his trade in all its branches. Until the year 1854 lie remained in his native State, with the ex- ception of fifteen months, which he spent in Wash- ington, D. C. During all this time he followed his trade, and continued to do so after his removal. After leaving his native State he was a resident of West Liberty, Ohio, until the spring of 1879. At that period he turned his steps westward, and reaching Kansas, located at Washington. He there engaged in his former occupation, continuing his work therein until February, 1888. He then re- tired from the business and removed to his farm.

In Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1862. a ceremony was performed which transformed Miss Anna Pim into Mrs. William Keesecker. The bride was born near West Liberty, Ohio, Dec 20, 1840. Her father, Israel Pim, and her mother, Rachael ( Fisler) Pim, were natives of Chester County, Pa., where they were married and first settled. They after- ward removed to Ohio, and for some time lived near West Liberty. In 1856 they 'removed to Bellefontaine, Ohio, where they died. They had a family of six children, Mrs. Keesecker being the youngest. Mrs. Keesecker has borne her husband two children-Pusy P. and Glenn F.

Mr. Keesecker is a Democrat in politics, and his faith in the party principles is unbounded. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. During his residence in Washington Mr. Keesecker gained the reputation of a thoroughly reliable workman and an honorable dealer. The social qualities and fine character of Mr. Keesecker and his wife gain them many friends.

AMUEL CLARKE, Editor of the Wash- ington Post has been a resident of Kansas since April 18, 1865, on which day he ar- rived at Atchison. His parents are John W. and Amanda (Bard) Clarke. The former was born in Virginia Jan. 16, 1830, and died in Atchi. son, Kan .. Jan, 2, 1885. . He was a carpenter by trade, working at that occupation all his life. He resided in his native State until he was about twenty-five years of age, when he removed to Iowa, and in Warren County, that State, he met

his future wife, to whom he was united Nov. 10, 1853, in Missouri. They made their home in War- ren County, Iowa, until 1864, when the family emi- grated to Nebraska, but were driven off by hostile Indians, and then moved into Omaha. At the time stated above they decided to make their per- manent home in Kansas and in pursuance of that object took up their residence in Atchison. During the time they lived there Mr. Clarke continued to work at his trade, laboring at it faithfully until his death. He was a man of a quiet, retiring disposi- tion, and being of Quaker ancestry, his early as- sociations naturally left their impressions upon him and he never sought or held public office, but was strongly Democratic in his political sentiments. Some of his connections in Virginia were slave- owners, but he himself was a freedom-lover, which was the main cause of his leaving his native State, together with some of his relatives. His widow nor lives in Washington with her son. She was born Oct. 6, 1837, in Greenfield, Indiana, but was reared in Illinois, and later removed with her par- ents to Warren County, Iowa. Her ancestors on her father's side were for several generations, emi- ment as physicians, her great-grandfather, Samuel Bard, of Edinburg, having attained a world-wide fame in his profession. His son, Samuel, grand- father of Mrs. Clarke, was a physician in Phila- delphia, Pa., and her father, Richard Bard, followed in their footsteps, practicing in the places named, and late in life he removed to Boulder, Colorado, where he practiced his profession until his death in 1880, aged about seventy years. His wife pre- ceded him to the grave about six years.

John W. and Amanda Clarke were the parents of six children, viz: Samuel, who is the eldest; Mary Jane, wife of George Elliston, a farmer, liv- ing in Atchison County, Kan .; Malvina Louisa is unmarried and lives in Boulder, Col., where she is engaged in teaching; Julia Annie is married to W. F. Doran, marble-cutter, living in Bellville, Republic County, Kan .; William Richard is travel- ing to see the country, not yet having settled down ; Florence Antoinette, the youngest is with her mother and brother in Washington.

Samuel Clarke the subject of this sketch, was born in Palmyra, Warren County, Iowa, Aug. 15,

Yours truly Jesseg. Brewer

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1854, and was therefore but eleven years of age when the family emigrated to Kansas. In Atchi- son he first attended the common schools, afterward becoming a student in St. Benedict's College, leav- ing that institution to learn the trade of a printer in the office of the Atchison Champion, in 1870. He stayed there two years then entered the Patriot office, where he remained more than seven years. Having by this time been married, he in company with his wife's father, Dr. Charles Williamson, a full sketch of whose life is given elsewhere, re- moved to Palmer, Washington County, where they established the Palmer Register, the first number being issned April 10. 1880. They published the paper there until fall when they removed to Wash- ington and on Aug. 12, 1880. issued the first num- ber of the Washington Register, still published un- der that name. In January, 1883, Mr. Clarke dis- posed of his interest to W. A. Clark, who had previously purchased Dr. Williamson's interest. Our subject then went to Greenleaf, Washington County, where he was employed on the Journal until the following spring.

On May 3, 1883, Mr. Clarke established in Wash. ington the paper be is now conducting. In Septem- ber 1884, Charles F. Barrett became a partner in the Enterprise, and in January 1885 our subject sold his share to Mr. Barrett, going into the office of the Washington Republican, where he worked until December 1, 1888, when he re-purchased the Post of which he is now sole proprietor. The pa- per is Democratic in politics, and has attained a good circulation and a fair share of advertising patronage. It is well fitted up and has every ap- pliance for doing good job printing. Another en- terprise in which Mr. Clarke was engaged during this time was the publication of the "Morning and Day of Reform" a temperance organ which had been removed here from Chicago, Ill., and which he printed for a few months, when it was removed to New York where it is published under the name of the " Voice."

April 27, 1879. in Washington, Mr. Clarke was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann William- son, daughter of Dr. Charles Williamson, whose family history is given under his name. She was born at Mt. Pleasant, Atchison Co., Kan., in

December, 1859. They have four children now living-Sarah Amanda; Oscar L .; Kittie Clover; and Charles Williamson. One child, Laura Estella, died Dec. 18. 1880 aged but a few months.

Mr. and Mrs. Clarke are members of the Episco- pal Church of which he is Clerk and be is now Su- perintendent of its Sunday-school. A hard worker and a man of character, Mr. Clarke is making a success in his chosen profession, and stands well in the city where he has permanently settled and where he is recognized as a good citizen. Hle is and has been C'ity Clerk for the past seven years.

ESSE J. BREWER, the veteran soldier and prominent farmer who is the subject of this sketch, resides on section 34, Ogden Town- ship, Riley County. His father, Jobn Brewer, was a native of Virginia, and a farmer by occupa- tion. The mother, Nancy (Dowd) Brewer, was a native of Ohio. The parents were married in that State, and resided there during their lives, the death of Mrs. Brewer occurring there in 1844. The father was again married, and trudged along life's pathway a few more years, departing at length in 1857. Ilis first union was made fruitful by the birth of ten children, three of whom are now liv- ing. The subject of this sketch was the eighth child in order of birth, and was ushered into this world of changes, Feb. 4, 1837, in Vinton County, Ohio.

Jesse J. Brewer remained under his father's roof- tree until he reached the age of nineteen years. when he, like so many of the youth of the more Eastern States, left home to do for himself, and fol- lowed the "star of empire" in its westward course. until he reached Vermillion County, Ill. Ile only remained there about one year, however, when he went southward to Jefferson City, Mo., where he spent the winter. In the spring of 1858, he pur- sued his journey westward, and arrived in Kansas during the trouble that agitated the territory, and which became the herald announcing the approach of the mighty conflict that subsequently shook the entire country from centre to circumference. Mr. Brewer remained in Leavenworth County during

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the excitement of that period, and then removed to Riley County and settled on his present place. It was all raw land at that time, and he was almost the only settler for many miles around. He pre- empted the quarter-section. and erected some build- ings, broke up the land, and began his home. Such a lonely and desolate life, far away from kindred, friends, or neighbors, would have been appalling to timid natures, but the pioneers were too busy, to be lonely, and too hopeful of the future, to pay serious attention to the apparent desolation around them. Mr. Brewer, inspired by the courage and hopefulness of youth, worked vigorously to make a comfortable home, but the fiat of war had gone forth calling the patriotie sons of our land to leave their homes and face danger and death, wounds and imprisonment, to rescue their beloved Union from those who sought to dismember it.

In August, 1862, Mr. Brewer responded to the call for troops, and enlisted in Company A, 9th Kansas Cavalry, under Col. Lind. The field of operations to which this regiment was assigned, em- braced the district of South western Missouri, Arkan- sas and Indian Territory. As readers of the history of the war know, the fighting in that region was both sharp and severe. In addition to the regularly organized hosts of the enemy with whom they had to contend, they were menaced by Indians, and those irregularly formed bands which were such a terror to the border States-guerrillas. One of the guerrila bands with which Mr. Brewer and his fel- low-soldiers had to deal, was led by the daring chief named Quantrell. The regiment of which Mr. Brewer was a member, saw considerable service skirmishing with Quantrell's band, and also with several others, but never flinched from doing its whole duty, however hard or disagreeable it might happen to be.

Mr. Brewer served his country faithfully and well during the three years, lacking one month, for which he had enlisted, and was mustered out and honorably discharged at Devall's Bluff, Ark. He then returned home. His health had been seri- ously impaired by the exposure and hard service he had been obliged to undergo, his particular ail- ment taking the form of bronchitis, from which he has since been a sufferer. Upon his arrival at home,

he again took up his work on the farm, which, however, had not been wholly neglected during his absence, as his wife was able to keep things mov . ing

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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 130

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

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