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 132

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 132
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 132
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 132

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).

Mrs. Cusac was the youngest but one of the

children horn to her mother. She was but nine years old when her mother died, and was afterward reared by her father and step-mother, with whom she remained until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Cusae began their married life on a farm in Newton Township. where they were married. Two children were born to them there, one of whom died young. They afterward removed to Illinois. They be- gan their life in that State with but little of this world's goods, but when in 1879 they sold out to come to Kansas, they had a farm worth $10,000. Two years before coming to this State, Mr. Cusac had purchased a slightly-improved quarter section, which he made his home on coming here. He after- ward acquired the rest of the fine property which he now owns.

To Mr. and Mrs. Cusac five children have been born. Clara died in Ohio at the age of eighteen months; Minerva was the wife of N. E. Griffin ; she died in Clifton in 1888, leaving one child, Myrtle B. John H. Jr., is now living on a farm in Clifton Township; he married Miss Mary Ililte- brand. (His sketch may be found elsewhere). Charles married Miss Josephine Merritt; they occu- py a farm on section 20. Clifton Township. Isabel is the wife of Samuel Griffin ; they live in Clyde, Kan., where Mr. Griffin is engaged in various ways.

Mr. Cusac is of Republican politics. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which their children also belong. They are identified with every good work in the city which they have made their home, and among its citizens have many friends.

OHN BERGGREN. This gentleman is the owner of a fine farm of 420 acres in Sherman Township, Clay County. The most of the land is under cultivation, and the estate bears excellent improvements. The dwelling is situated on section 1. and is a substantial frame structure of pleasing design. A large frame barn and other excellent; outbuildings are conveniently situated upon the land. Mr. Berggren has been a resident here since 1875, and his experiences in Kansas life antedate his settlement here several

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years. Ile has been an eye witness of, and an active participant in, the trying scenes of pioneer life and the development of this section of the Great West.

Mr. Berggren was born in the Southern part of Sweden, Nov. 2, 1843, and was there reared on a farm. His education was obtained in the schools of that country, which are so well known as giving thorough fundamental work. His parents, Samuel and Baugte (Christianson) Berggren, were natives of Sweden, and members of the Lutheran Church, as were their ancestors so far as known. In 1869, our subjeet came to the United States, crossing the Atlantic on the steamer "Germany," which after a voyage of sixteen days landed at Quebec.

After landing on American soil, Mr. Berggren turned his steps directly to the Mississippi Valley, and reached Junction City, Kan., via Chicago, on the 10th of May, 1869. He at once began work on the Central Branch of the Union Pacific Railroad, which was then being constructed. When he ar- rived at Junction City he had just money enough left to buy some working clothes. He had saved $60, by his work upon the railroad, when he was taken sick, and continued ill until his money was gone and he was in debt $15 for board. He sold his best clothes, which he had brought from Swe- den, for $10. which he applied on his board bill, and as soon as able to do so again went to work. He saved money and paid the balauce of his indebt- edness, and then went to Neosho Falls, where he worked until March, 1870.

Returning to Junction City at that time, Mr. Berggren met Peter Palmquist and a Mr. Colgren, both Swedes, who had three yoke of steers and a wagon. The three young men with the ox-team went to Concordia, and each took a homestead near that town. At that time the prairies were full of prairie dogs and rattlesnakes, and Indians were quite numerous in the vicinity. The savages would steal horses and do considerable pilfering, and fre- quently threatened the settlers, but did no serious damage. Various kinds of game were still to be found on the Western prairies, and buffalo were sometimes seen. When Mr. Berggren first located he went on a buffalo hunt and returned with two calves, which he had caught. His first house was a cottonwood board shanty, 12x14 feet, in which he

kept "bach" for six months. Hle then went back to Junction City, and spent two months as a laborer there. Thence he returned to Concordia to his claim, making the distance of about seventy-five miles on foot. After working a short time on the claim he again returned to Junction City ou foot, and went to work there. Ile remained until he had made enough money to prove up on a home- stend, when he again walked to his claim, which he proved up and for which he got his deed.

Again traveling to Junction City on foot, Mr. Berggren worked there until he had obtained money enough to take him to Topeka, where he found work on the Santa Fe Railroad. After a stay of two and a half months he returned to Junc- tion C'ity to collect 870 that was due him there. On arrival, he found that his former employer had failed, and all he could secure in payment of his claim was a cow. He started to lead the animal to his farm, and at Clifton was overtaken by a heavy snow storm. This detained him three days, and he chopped wood for his board and feed for the cow.

Reaching lis homestead, Mr. Berggren stayed long enough to dig the potatoes that had been raised, and then went to Junction City, where he began work as a porter in the Hale House. Ile continued at that employment for two and a half years, and then engaged in farming on the place where he now resides. In 1874 he sold his home- stead, and in 1875 bought the present estate, which was at that time owned by the widowed mother of his wife. He has brought the place to a highly im- proved condition, and made of it an attractive and very comfortable home. He devotes his attention chiefly to feeding cattle, and makes a specialty of good grades of Poland-China hogs.

The marriage of Mr. Berggren took place on the 20th of April, 1874. the bride being Miss Christina Line, a native of Ore Dahlbyn, Sweden. She came to the United States with her parents in August, 1870, and her father filed on the land which now belongs to Mr. Berggreu. Mr. Lane died the next year and his widow proved up on the claim, which she afterward sold to her son-in-law. The ances- tors of Mrs. Berggren were Swedes and members of the Lutheran Church. She has borne her husband eight children, one of whom, Selma M., has been

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taken from them by death. The survivors are: Axtel F .. Hilma G., Albert W .. Selma, Emma, Ber- tha and Fred M.

Mr. and Mrs. Berggren belong to the Lutheran Church, in the faith of which they were reared. Their financial success and labors in the develop- ment of the county are recognized by their fellow- citizens, by whom they are held in good repute for this and for their private characters.

RED AFFOLTER. If a man may be judged by his surroundings, the career of Mr. Affolter has been marked by unquali- fied industry and perseveranee, these qualities hav- ing been essential in bringing his fine farm of 300 aeres to a good state of cultivation and effeeting the improvements which have made of it one of the most desirable estates in the northeastern eor- ner of Clay County. It is situated on seetion 1, Bloom Township, and largely devoted to stoek raising in addition to general farming. The fertile fields are well watered and inelosed with substan- tial fencing. The buildings are of a character finely adapted to the purposes of rural life, the dwelling being commodious and comfortable and the outbuildings all that are required in the shelter of stock and the storage of grain. The land has been earefully cultivated by improved machinery and the whole premises stand as a lasting monument to the projector.

Mr. Affolter in 1872 homesteaded 160 aeres of land upon which he first began the labors which have resulted so successfully, and in due time added to his possessions another quarter section which he improved as the first. Ile came to this State from Henry County. Ill., where he had lived four years, settling there upon his arrival in America, to which he had emigrated from the land of William Tell, where his birth took place in December, 1830. He comes of substantial Swiss ancestry, his father Charles Affolter, having been a sturdy and indus- trious Swiss farmer who spent his entire life in his native land and lived to be ninety years old. The latter was a good old man, greatly esteemed by his neighbors and a leading light in the Presbyterian

Church. His wife, Mary ( Kiser) Affolter, was born and reared not far from the birthplace of her husband and died in her native eanton at the ripe age of eighty-four years. She likewise was a Pres- byterian in religion. They were the parents of three children.

The subject of this sketch was reared and eduea- ted in his native place where he learned farm- ing which calling he followed there for some years. At the same time he did duty as a soldier in the regular army. In 1854 he was married to Miss Mary Kiser who bore the same name as his mother in her maidenhood, but was no relative. She like- wise was of Swiss parentage and aneestry and both her father and his wife lived and died in Switzer- land. passing away when quite aged.

Mr. and Mrs. Affolter lived in Switzerland thirteen years after their marriage. There have been born to them nine children. One daughter, Louisa, died at the age of fourteen years and six months, and Albert died when twelve and one-half years old. The survivors are recorded as follows: Fred married Miss Minnie Schwab and is farming in Bloom Township; Mary A. is the wife of Marion Kepner and they live on a farm in Mulberry Township; William is unmarried, but operates a farm in Bloom Township; Ferdinand, Eliza. Mary and Lena, are at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Affolter in their religious views are Presby- terians, and Mr, Affolter, politieally, supports the principles of the Democratic party.

u RIAH .E. NEED, late a member of the real estate firm of Need & Randall, Clay Center, is one of the most honorable business men of Clay County, where he has resided for about five years, and where he is recognized as a man of striet integrity and ability in financial affairs, and in other directions. He was seareely able to read when nineteen years of age, and at the age of twenty- two years, entered the field as a teacher which ealling he followed successfully for ten years in his native State, showing him to be a self-made man in the fullest extent of that term.

Our subjeet is a son of Jacob Need, who was

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born in Carroll County, Ohio. Nov. 24, 1820, and there lived until his marriage to Elizabeth Madden who lived and died an exemplary Christian, after which he removed to Owen County, Ind., and en- gaged in farming. He reared a family of seven children, remaining in the Hoosier State until 1880. when he moved to Industry, Dickinson Co., Kan., and now lives just inside the limits of this county. The mother of our subject died when he was only eight years old, since which tender age he has been without maternal care and training.

The gentleman of whom we write was born in Owen County, Ind., Nov. 27, 1849, and was but four years old when his parents moved to Sullivan County, where he grew to maturity. After re- ceiving a good practical education, he engaged in farming, continuing to reside in the Hoosier State until 1880. In the spring of that year he moved to Dickinson County, Kan., and purchased a partially improved farm, on which he lived until the spring of 1885, making many improvements on the land.

At the last named date. Mr. Need came to this city, and in co-partnership with his brother-in-law, J. W. Miller, began operations as real estate agent. More recently, he has been interested with his for- mer partner, Samuel Randall, as above stated, and the firm is doing a good business, having a reputa- tion for honorable dealing that insures the confi- dence of those who need the services of such a firm.

While a resident of Dickinson County, Mr. Need held the position of Township Trustee for three terms. He is now the Republican Sheriff of Clay County, the nomination having been given him by a large majority, and it being the first office he has asked for since coming here. The nomination amounted virtually to an election, as Mr. Need is popular not only in the city but in the entire county. Ile has been an active Republican worker since he was old enough to think and reason for himself on political topics. In a Democratic county, and with family ties binding him to the Demoeraey, he, in 1876, broke loose from that party, and began to work and vote for that which he thought embodied the truest principles, and from that day has been a stanch supporter of Re- publicanism.

In Sullivan County, Ind., at the residence of the

bride, Mr. Need was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Miller, the ceremony taking place March 8. 1875. Miss Miller was born in the county where she was married, on March 8, 1859. and in her native county was reared and educated. She has ever been her husband's sympathising helpmate. and their home is his resting place from the eares and annoyances of business life. Their union has been blessed by the birth of three children, two of whom, Oma and Estella .J., gladden their lives by their living presence.

Mr. Need belongs to the I. O. O. F. and K. of P. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Need is the daughter of John and Maria Miller, natives of Ohio, now deceased.

M EDLEY A. WATERS, Clerk of the Court, residing in Washington, is a conspicuous figure in the public and social life of that eity. He was born in Decatur County. Iowa. Feb. 22, 1858. His father, Mathew A. Wa- ters, was a native of Franklin County, Ohio, his father having been a pioneer farmer of that county. spending his last years there. The father of our subject was but four years old when he had the misfortune to lose his father, and his mother dying ten years later, he was thrown on his own resources at the youthful age of fourteen years, and from that time was self-supporting, earning his living at various kinds of employment. In 1854, prior to his marriage, he accompanied several others to Ma. haska County, Iowa, making the journey overland- and becoming one of the pioneers of that county. His first employment there was with his uncle, they establishing a brick-yard, and manufacturing the first brick ever made in that part of the county, and then contracting to erect the first brick house ever put np in Oskaloosa.

After marriage the father of our subject removed to Decatur County and opened a gen- eral store in Decatur City, being one of the first merchants there. There were no railways there at that time, and he had to get all his goods from Burlington by team. The region roundabout was thinly inhabited, and deer, antelopes and other

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kinds of wild game had not yet fled before the ad- vaneing steps of eivilization. IFe was prosperously engaged in business in Decatur City until 1865. when he went back to Oskaloosa, and buying land ten miles east of Skunk River, engaged in farming two years, and afterward removed to Oskaloosa and entered into the lumber business with J. Kal- bach & Sons, remaining with them until his death, Oet. 3, 1885. He was a man of varied resources, of infinite taet and marked enterprise, and in what- ever community he resided he was active in pro- moting its growth and advancing its material pros- perity, and his death was a public loss to Oska- loosa. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Lucy Shelton. She was born in Lex- ington, Ky., and died in Oskaloosa, Iowa, Sept. 14, 1880. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and always lived up to the teachings of Christianity. She was the mother of seven children, five of whom are living: Henry B. resides at Norton, Kas .; Medley A., our subject; William W. lives in Helena, Mon .; Cora May mar- ried W. P. Weleh, of Grand Forks, Dak .; Ilarry J. is Deputy Postmaster in Washington, Kan.

Medley A. Waters, of this biographical review, received a substantial education in the public schools of Oskaloosa, and as soon as large enough made himself generally useful, being ambitious to make his own way in the world. He worked for a time on a farm, and later was employed to drive a delivery wagon for a store. In 1873 he entered the printing office of the Oskaloosa Herald, and remain- ing there until 1878, gained a thorough knowledge of the " art preservative." He then came to Wash- ington, and for a few months was employed as a clerk in a general store, and after that worked in a marble-shop ten montlis, and at the end of that time again became a clerk, occupying that position in the general store of E. D. & A. W. Moore, and re- mained with them, with the exception of a year and a half, until January, 1889, when he resigned to accept the office of Clerk of the Court, to which he had been elected the fall previous. Ry close attention to his official duties, and the able manner in which he discharges them, he has shown himself to be the right man in the right place, and has gained the entire confidence of his constituents.

May 8, 1884, Mr. Waters' marriage with Miss Annie L. Horner was duly solemnized, and has been to them one of unalloyed happiness. Mrs. Waters is a native of Canada. She is gifted with intelligence and a fine disposition, has all the true elements of a genuine home-maker, and her dwell- ing is the abode of peace and hospitality.

Mr. and Mrs. Waters are active members of the Presbyterian Church, and cordially co-operate with their pastor and fellow-members in carrying out any good work for the benefit of the poor, the needy and the unfortunate. Mr. Waters is en- dowed with fine mental attributes. His personal habits are unexceptional and his character above reproaeli. He is prominently connected with the following societies: Washington Lodge, No. 76, I. O. O. F., having passed all the chairs: is a mem- ber of Laurel Lodge, No. 29, K. of P., being Sec- retary of Endowment Rank; belongs to Waters Camp, No. 983, M. W. A .; and he has been dele- gate to the Grand Lodge K. of P. and I. O. O. F. In his political sentiments he has always been a trne Republican.

REDERICK MAHLMANN. The fact that a man is well thought of by his neighbors speaks well for his personal character, luis labits and his manner of living. The subject of this notice owns and occupies a fine farm, embrace- ing 360 acres of improved land on section 17, In- dependence Township, which he has built up from its original condition and instituted one of the most desirable homesteads in this part of the county. Everything about the place is closely looked after, nothing being allowed to run to waste, no debris lying around to deface its appear- anee and the whole indicates the supervision of an enterprising and progressive farmer. In recording the leading men of Washington County, the name of Mr. Mahlmann could by no means be properly omitted from the list.

Until a young man of twenty-three years the subject of this notice lived in what was then the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, where he was born March 26, 1829, He was reared amid the peaceful

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pursuits of rural life, attended the common schools, and developed into manhood under the parental roof. Ile was the youngest in a family of six chil- dren, the offspring of Frederick, Sr., and Louisa (Fohrmann) Mahlmann, the former a native of Lippe and the latter of Brunswick, Germany. The parents spent their entire lives upon their native soil, engaged in agricultural pursuits. The father died when comparatively a young man, in 1835, and the mother passed away nine years later, in 1844.

In 1852, not being satisfied with his condition or his prospects in his native country, young Mahl- mann set out for America and after an ocean voyage of several days landed safely in New York City. From there he proceeded directly to She- boygan County, Wis .. where he spent one year, then took up his abode in Manitowoc County, where he sojourned for a period of twenty-seven years. Ile came to Kansas in the spring of 1880. settling upon his present farm. In the meantime, on Jan. 27, 1853, he was married in Wisconsin to Miss Fredericka, daughter of Frederick and Caro- lina (Luken) Redeker. The parents of Mrs. Mahl- mann were natives of Ilanover, Germany, where they were reared and married, and where the father died in 1846. The mother survived her husband for a period of twenty-five years, dying in 1871. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are living. Mrs. Mahlmann was the second child and was born Sept. 20, 1830 in Hanover, Germany. She was twenty-four years of age when she came to America, and lived in Manitowoc, Wis., until her marriage. Of her union with our subject there have been born nine children, all living and named respectively, Mary, Caroline, Louisa, Frederick, Sophia, Augusta, Henry, William and Emma. Six of the children are married and settled comfortably in life. The other three re- main at home with their parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Mahlmann are members in good standing of the German Lutheran Church, attend- ing services at Lanham. In this church Mr. Mahl- mann officiates as a Trustee. While a resident of Wisconsin he was quite prominent in local affairs. Ile served as Road Overseer five years and as Township Supervisor four years. Ile has also been

the Road Overseer in his present district for the last six years and he is Treasurer of School District No. 70. Ile takes an active part in politics, voting the straight Democratic ticket, and in former years was frequently sent as a delegate to the Manitowoc (Wis.) County Convention. Ilis children have re- ceived careful home training and a good education in the common schools.

Mr. Mahlmann has made good improvements on his place, putting up a substantial dwelling, a good barn and the sheds and other structures required for the shelter of stock and the storage of grain. As a stock-raiser he has been quite successful and during the season of 1889 had eighty-five head of cattle, eleven head of horses, ninety head of swine and a small flock of sheep. Ile has an orchard of 200 fruit trees in good bearing condition, and the other comforts and conveniences usually expected in a well-regulated modern homestead. He is con- sidered among his neighbors as a straightforward. honest man whose word is as good as his bond, and is making a record which his children will be proud to look upon in future years.

AX. HENRY, (Heinrich being the German ). This name is familiar to a large portion of the citizens of Swede Creek Township and is borne by one of its most popular men. Ile is likewise one of its most extensive farmers. owning and operating a whole section of land upon which he has effected good improvements and built up a homestead second to none in point of comfort and solidity in Riley County. Mr. Henry is highly educated and possesses more than ordinary intelligence, is progressive in his ideas, proud of being an American citizen, and a man whose suc- cesses, instead of making him hard and selfish, have developed the natural benevolence of his character and given him a broad sympathy with those less fortunate. His domestic relations are remarkably pleasant and his roof-tree evidently shelters one of the happiest families in Northern Kansas,

The subject of this sketeh whose full name is Maxamilian Ilenry. was born near the city of Ulm.

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in what was then the Kingdom of Wurtemburg, Feb. 6, 1837, and until a youth of sixteen years lived upon his father's farm and attended the pub- lic schools and the Latin school at I'lm. At the age mentioned he went into Lausanne, Switzerland, where for three years he was occupied as the em- ploye of a mercantile house and learned to speak and read the French language. Later he traveled through France and Italy, learning to speak Italian and spending one year in the city of Turin. When twenty-one years old he returned home and for two years thereafter assisted in the management of his father's farm.

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At the expiration of this time young Henry re- turned to France where he remained until setting out for America. Ile left Havre on the three- masted sailing vessel "Nuremburg" and after a voy- age of fifty days landed in the city of New Orleans in time to witness the beginning of the war. Thence soon afterward he journeyed up the Missis- sippi on a steamer to the mouth of the Ohio River and then proceeded to Louisville, Ky., after which he repaired to Scott County, Ind., and worked on a farm there one year. In April. 1862, in company with Edward Secrest, who was returning from a visit to his old friends in Indiana, he set out for Kansas, passing through Leavenworth, and soon afterward came to Riley County and homesteaded 160 acres of his present farm.

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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 132

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

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