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 133

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 133
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 133
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 133

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Mr. Henry was the first settler on North Otter Creek, and commeneed breaking the soil with oxen. He was practically without means and labored in true pioneer style, amid the disadvantages of a distant market and with imperfect farming im- plements. Patience and perseverance, however, bore their legitimate fruit and in due time his first pur- chase began to assume the proportions of a farm and he added to his real estate until he became one of the leading land owners of that section. lle fought prairie fires, chased wolves, and in 1863 went out after the Indians under the command of ('apt. Niehenke.

The Henry family occupy a large stone resi- dence, 40x45 feet in dimensions and two stories in height. His main barn is fifty feet square. He has wind mill, water tanks, hay scales and all the other appliances required by the progressive agriculturist.

He feeds large numbers of cattle and swine and has the largest horse ranch in his township, making a specialty of graded Normans and fine ponies. Ilis stables are excelled by none in the county and it is considered that he has one of its finest stock farms. It is well watered by Otter Creek, with plenty of timber growing along the banks.

The marriage of Max. Henry and Miss Laura Kasbobrer was celebrated in what is now the city of Leavenworth, Oct. 6, 1862. Mrs. Henry, like her husband, is a native of Ulm. Wurtemburg and was born May 11, 1839. She was betrothed in Germany and came to America to join her fu- ture husband the same year of their marriage. Her father, Matthew Kasbohrer, was a well-to-do lumber dealer of Wurtemburg and spent his entire life in his native land. dying in 1861, at the age of sixty -one years. Her mother, Mrs. Magdalena (Smidt) Kasbohrer, was likewise born in Ulm and died there. The parental household included seven children, five of whom are living, viz: Magdalena, Mrs. Almandinger, and Regina, Mrs. Andrus, both of Ulm ; Katrina, Mrs. Wagner, also of that city; Laura, Mrs. Henry, and Emma, Mrs. Gugenhan of Center Township, this State.

The seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry were named respectively: Caroline now the wife of Victor Gebhart, a farmer of Center Township; Louisa, the wife of O. Weber, of Jackson Town- ship; Charles, Emma, William, Herman and Paulina; the latter five at home with their parents. Mr. llenry is independent in politics and has served many times as a juryman. lle thoroughly believes in the education of the young and has been a mem- ber of the School Board of his district most of the time since coming here. He has likewise served as Road Supervisor, but beyond these minor offices, has no taste for the responsibilities of public life.

The father of our subject was Maxamilian Henry, Sr., a native of Wurtemburg and the son of Lud- wig Henry, who owned a farm of 300 acres on the Danube River and also operated a large bleaching establishment. Ile died there at the age of seventy years. Max. Sr., became heir to the same farm which lay just without the city limits of Ulm and was very valuable. He made a specialty of dairy- ing, keeping seventy cows and transporting the

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milk to Ulm. He died there in 1883 when ninety- three years old. He married Miss Sibylla Rems- hart who was born, reared and educated in Ulm and was the daughter of a wealthy brewer; she died at the age of seventy-five "years, having, like her husband, spent her entire life in her native Province. Their seven children were named re- spectively, Regina, Mrs. Ebner of l'Im; Max, our subject; Carl, proprietor of the Russian Hotel at Ulm; John L., a wealthy merchant of London, England; William who emigrated to America aud is now a merchant of Clay County, Kan .; Fred- ricka deceased, and Pauline, the wife of Gen. Roell of Weingarten, Germany.

ARSHALL BALTSOR is the owner and oc- cupant of a valuble farm in Washington County, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Ilis estate com- prises 240 acres on section 28. Clifton Township. It is under thorough cultivation, and furnished with excellent farm buildings. All the improve- ments have been made by himself, and witness to the fact that he is an enterprising and progressive farmer.

Mr. Baltsor arrived in this county on July 25, 1869. The following year he took a homestead, which forms part of his present landed estate. On it he has since lived with the exception of a short time spent as a hotel proprietor in Vining. Mr. Baltsor came to this county from Kankakee, Ill .. where he had been reared. He was born near Montreal, Canada, April 2, 1843, and was the eldest son in the parental family. When a child of about four years the family came to the United States and located on a farm four miles from Kankakee City, Ill.

There the mother died in the year 1853, being then in middle life. The father survived until April 18, 1888, when he too departed this life. He had reached the advanced age of eighty-two years. Francis and Lenora (Darussoux) Baltsor were na- tives of Canada and of French descent. Both were born near Montreal and there grew to manhood and womanhood. There they were married and

lived upon a farm until 1847, when, as before stated they removed to the United States. Both were members of the French Catholic Church.

The marriage of our subject took place in Kan- kakee, Ill., the bride being Miss Juliet Talbot. She was born in Canada, Aug. 11, 1847, and when a child of seven years came with her parents to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Talbot settled on a farm in Kankakee County, Ill., where they lived for some years. In the latter part of 1868 they came to Kansas. They purchased land at Green- leaf, a part of that city being on their farm. There they are now living, both past the age of sixty years. Like the Baltsor family, they are of French descent and of Catholie faith. Mrs. Baltsor was reared in Illinois. She is a good housewife, a lov- ing mother, and has the pleasing manners derived from her French ancestry. To herself and husband twelve children have been born. Six have been taken from them by death, the most of them dying when quite young. The living children bear the names of Georgiana, Eli, Nelson, Philip, Mary and Rosa. All still linger under the parental roof.

Mr. and Mrs. Baltsor are communicants of the Catholic Church. Mr. Baltsor is a believer in the principles of the Republican party.

-NE

ARTIN T. KING is of New England ori- gin, his parents, Sheppard and Orathy (Stoddard) King, having been natives of Vermont and Massachusetts, respectively. The father died in Missouri, and the mother in Kansas. Our subject was the youngest but one in a family of nine children. Ile was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., March 17, 1840. When about a year and a half old, his parents removed to Jeffer- son County, where his boyhood was passed. When he was fourteen years old they left the Empire State and removed to Delaware County, Iowa. There they resided five or six years, following which for about the same length of time their home was in Black Hawk County. They then changed their residence to Buchanan County, where they were at the breaking out of the late Civil War.

In the summer of 1861 Mr. King joined the vast

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hosts that had enlisted in the defense of the Union, and was enrolled in Company C, 9th Iowa Infantry. He served in that regiment about five months, when he was discharged and returned to his home. The following spring he again entered the service, enlisting in Company C, 27thi Iowa Infantry, in which he served until the close of the war. He took part in the Red River expedition and was at Nashi- ville, Tenn. When mustered out of the service he returned to Buchanan County, fowa. In 1870 he came to Washington County, and settled on sec- tion 35, Highland Township, where he has since been a resident. His present home is on section 24. He is the owner of 160 acres which he has improved. Ile occupies a commodious farm residence, and the other farm buildings are adequate for their purpose.

In Buchanan County, lowa, in August, 1862, Mr. King celebrated his marriage to Miss Sarah J. Davis, who was born in Indiana. The union has been blessed by the birth of seven children, namely : Addie, Henrietta, Helen, Rose M., Clara, Martin M. and Amanda. Rose died when about three years old.

Mr. King is interested in the cause of education and has served with discretion in some of the school offices. In polities he is a Republican, and he is a member of Gettysburg Post G. A. R., of Hollen- berg. He is a man of good repute in business and social affairs, and kindly in his domestic relations.

6 HEOTUS H. PARRISH. £ The gentleman who is the subject of this sketch, was born in Noble County, Ohio. Jan. 13, 1857. His father, Edward M. Parrish, was also born in Noble County. Ohio, and his grandfather, Edward Parrish. was a native of Baltimore, Md., where his ancestors settled on their arrival from England in the early history of our country. Mr. Edward Parrish was a farmer and was one of the early settlers of Noble County. where he bought a traet of land which was covered with a fine growth of timber. His farm was close by the village of Sharon, and he spent the re- mainder of his days there in the peaceful pur- suits of an agricultural life. lie was one of the leading citizens and held various offices of public

trust. Besides himself and wife his family con- sisted of six sons and daughters.

The father of our subjeet was reared on his father's farm and received in addition to a fair common-school education, a practical training in the usual pursuits incident to life on a farm. While yet young he was put in a mill to learn the miller's trade. At the death of his father, part of his inhertance consisted of two mills, one a flour- mill the other a sawmill, which he operated in eon- nection with the farm, which he also managed. In 1864, he sold ont his interests in Ohio and moved to Iowa, where he bought a farm, located north of Stuart, in Guthrie County. He prosecuted his farming interests for one year and then sold out, and some time later purchased a mill at Arbor Hill, Adair County, which he operated until 1879. He then disposed of the mill and moved to Washing- ton County, Kan., where he resided four years and then removed to Colorado. being one of the pioneers of Washington County, in that State. Being pleased with the looks of the country, he took up a homestead and turned his attention to improv- ing it.

The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Milcha Sims. She was a native of Noble County, Ohio, where she grew to womanhood, and in addition to the usual lessons learned in school learned the useful duties of a neat, practical house- keeper. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Mattie ; Theotus H., our subject ; Harry ; William; Katie; and Edward F. Theotns was only seven years old when his parents moved to Iowa, hence can not recall many of the scenes of his child- hood's home. He was educated in the publie schools of Guthrie County, and as soon as he was large enough commenced to assist his father in the mill. He learned the trade and worked for his parents till he was about fourteen years of age then went to work for a cousin. who operated a flour- mill in Guthrie County, remaining there till 1873. Then he took charge of his father's mill in Adair County, and operated it until 1876. He then moved to Kansas and worked in a mill in Phillips County. While a resident of Phillips County he made two excursions to points in Western Kansas and East- ern Colorado, visiting Denver, Julesburg, Greeley,

A & M hair

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and Kit Carson. also spending part of the time in the pleasurable excitement of hunting buffaloes on the plains.

Mr. Parrish remained in Phillips County nearly two years, and then went to Adair County where he resumed milling, continuing to live there till Feb- ruary, 1879. when he went to Leadville, Col., get- ting there in the opening days of the great exeit- ment. Ile went via railroad to Canon City, then in a stage to his destination, 126 miles distant. The fare was sixteen cents a mile, and after paying it he landed there with only $1.25 in his pocket. He worked for $3 per day and board. As soon as he made a start in that way he became a mine con- tractor at which he continued nearly one year. Ile was next employed as overseer at the .Jersey Mine up to the fall of 1880. when he returned to Adair County, and resumed milling. He bought a mill known as the Port Union Mills, and conducted its entire business until January, 1884. Ile then re- fereed the title and let the mill go. The next move he made was to Kansas, where, in Washington County he bought one-half interest in the Eureka Mills, and during the last three years has been the sole manager.

The Eureka Mills, which is the present business place of Mr. Parrish, is a stone building 46x40 feet and 52 feet high, including the attic. It is run by water power and has the latest improved ma- chinery, with a capacity of twenty-five to thirty- five barrels per day. They are doing a good busi- ness and bid fair to continue in their present pros- perity.

In October, 1880, Mr. Parrish was married to Miss Maggie Murphy, a native of Adair County. Iowa, and danghter of Robert T. and Martha (Key) Murphy. They are the parents of four bright and interesting children, namely: Bernard W., Merton H., Clarence and Gracie. Mrs. Parrish is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Parrish is a member of Frontier Lodge, No. 104, A. F. & A. M.

bought a timber tract and cleared enough for a small farm on which he lived some years, then hop- ing to do better in lowa, he removed there, mak- ing the journey in wagons. It was once again his lot to be in the foremost rank of the brave pioneers who courageously led the van of progress. and man- fully wrested homes for themselves and posterity from the untamed forces of nature. Being one of the first settlers of Adair County, he had a wide field from which to make his choice of a place of residence. He selected and entered a tract of land in Harrison Township. where he engaged in farm- ing, making it his home till 1876, when he sold out and removed to Kansas. Ile died at Baldwin. Douglas County. in December. 1888. The father of Mrs. Parrish was sixteen years old when his pa- rents went to lowa. A few years later he bought a tract of land in Harrison Township, which he farmed for some years. then sold it and bought again in Grand River Township, where he now resides. Mrs. Parrish's mother was born in Clay County, Ind., and where her father. William Key, who was a native of Kentucky, located in the early days of its history ; however, he tired at length of the place and removed, with other pioneers, to Adair County. lowa, where he spent his last days.

R EV. A. L. McNAIR. a licensed preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, has alto- gether spent a goodly portion of his life laboring in the Master's vineyard, and when not in the pulpit has improved his time as oppor- tunity offered, bringing lost sheep into the fold. From his youth up he has been of a pious turn of mind, and finds his chief pleasure in preaching to men Christ and Him erucified. Among the more practical things of life he has operated largely as an agriculturist. and may usually be found at his well-regulated farm of 152 acres, comprising a por- tion of section 6, Ashland Township. Riley County. and embracing some of the richest land in the Kan- sas bottoms.

" The father of Mrs. Parrish was born in Putnam County, Ind., and her grandfather, James Murphy, was born in North Carolina, and from there went to Kentucky, subsequently going to Putnam County, Ind. Ile was one of the earliest settlers of that The subject of this sketch was born in Bucks county, locating there in its pioneer days. He ! County, Pa., Nov. 9, 1831. His father, Samuel

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McNair, was also a native of that county, and a farmer by occupation. The mother, who in her girlhood was Miss Ann Long, was likewise a na- tive of that county, where she spent her entire life, dying when about thirty-four years old. After his wife's death Samuel McNair changed his resi- dence to Livingston County, N. Y., where he spent his last days, The parental household consisted of eight children, of whom A. L. was the fifth in order of birth. He spent his boyhood and youth at the place of his birth, becoming familiar with agricul- tural pursuits and imbued with those religious sentiments which have had their bearing upon his whole later life. Upon reaching his majority, with the natural desire of youth for fame, he repaired to Cincinnati, Ohio, where for a time he was em- ployed as clerk in a hotel, and later, wishing to enlarge his store of practical knowledge, took a course in the Commercial College.

After pursuing his studies about one year, young McNair, still pushing on further westward, located in Ripley County, Ind., where he commenced teach- ing, and was thus engaged for several terms, mostly during the winter season. In the summer he worked on the farm, and thus spent about twelve years. In the meantime he was married, in the summer of 1857, to Miss Martha Mattox. and so- journed in that region until the outbreak of the Civil War. In September, 1862, he enlisted as a U'nion soldier in Company A, 83d Indiana In- fantry, for three years, and served until after the close of the war. He was mustered out in June. 1865, and, returning to his family in Ripley County. carried on farming there until the fall of 1867. He then set out for the young State of Kansas.

In this State Mr. McNair first settled in Wa- haunsee Connty, where he lived ten years engaged, as before, in farming pursuits, and then changed his residence to Riley County. Since that time he has been a resident of Ashland Township. He was licensed to preach about 1859, and was ordained a local Deacon in April, 1874. In March, 1880, he was ordained an Elder. He was instrumental in the ercction of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Zeandale, and has contributed liberally of his time and means for the advancement of the society. While in the army he participated in several

important battles, and at the siege of Vicksburg suffered greatly from sickness and exposure, in con- sequence of which his hearing became greatly im- paired, and of this he has not yet fully recovered.

Mrs. Martha ( Mattox ) MeNair was born in Mont- gomery County, Va., Jan. 3, 1836, and is the daughter of John and Nancy Mattox, who were natives of Virginia, and who spent their last years in Indiana. The early years of Mrs. McNair were passed in a comparatively uneventful manner, dur- ing which time she attended the common schools and lived at home with her parents. Of her union with our subject there have been born six children- Samuel, John, Alice, Ann, Bertha and George. With the exception of Ann, they are all living and making their homes mostly in Manhattan, this State. Mr. McNair takes an active interest in edu- cational affairs, and has frequently served as a member of the School Board in his district.

We are pleased in being able to present the por- trait of Mr. McNair elsewhere in this volume.

ROF. CHARLES H. RICE, ex-County Su- perintendent of Schools of Washington Co., and Principal of the High School at Clif- ton, is one of the leading educators of this county. He has been identified with the schools of Clifton sinee their organization, and has brought them up to rank with the very best in the county. For six years after the organization of the Clifton school he was its principal. He then filled the office of County Superintendent for four years, after which he returned to professional work in Clifton. Prof. Rice has taught fifty -one terms, and with the exception of one term, that length of time has been spent in only four different school houses. The Professor is also a member of the bar, but does not make a specialty of the legal profession.

Our subject was born near Old Orchard Beach, Me., Jan. 22, 1841. He is the youngest in his father's family. When a lad of seven years his parents became residents of Bureau County, Til. His earlier education was obtained in Dover Acad- emy. Subsequently he attended Clark Seminary, at Aurora, Ill .. that institution now being known

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as Jenning's Institute. Ile applied himself studi- ously to his books, and obtained a fine education. In the third year of his attendance at Clark Semi- nary be took up arms in defense of the Union. A company was organized among the students of the institution, and under the command of Capt. Wins- low was enrolled as Company I, in the 141st Illi- nois Infantry. This regiment, under the command of Col. Bronson, was sent to Kentucky, where for six months it did garrison duty under Gen. Payne. After his discharge our subject returned to Bureau County, where he took up the profession of teach- ing and also operated a farm. His first work as a pedagogue was in that county in 1859, prior to his enrollment as a student in Clark's Seminary.

In 1868 Mr. Rice removed to Missouri, remain- ing a resident of that State for ten years. IIe taught in Proctorville, Caldwell County, and Fair- view, and also engaged in farming. While in Missouri he likewise studied law, and in 1874 passed his examination and was admitted to the bar. Ile practiced law one year in that State. In , 1878 Prof. Rice became a resident of this State, and identified himself with the educational interests of this county. In 1884 he purchased 160 acres of land in Strawberry Township, on which he has made some improvements. Ile has made that place his home a part of the time since its purchase.

Gideon Rice, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Maine, and born prior to the French and Indian War. He carried to his grave a mark made on his scalp with a tomahawk. When a boy a piece of his skull had been knocked out by that implement in the hand of a savage. He fought as a private in the war of the Revolu- tion, and in an early day was a member of the Legis- lature of Massachusetts. He was a man of promi- bence in his day and generation. He lived to the advanced age of ninety years, his death taking place near Old Orchard Beach, Me., where the most of his life had been spent.

Ephraim Rice, father of our subject, was one of the younger members of a large family, all sons but one. He was reared on a farm in his native State, Maine. While yet a young man he fought through the war of 1812. He escaped unhurt, as did his noble sire in the first struggle for American

independence from British tyranny. He suc- ceeded to the homestead of his father near Old Orchard Beach, and there all his children were born. He was a ship builder of master workman- ship. At one time he built a vessel and sailed it on his own account. In 1848 he moved with his family to Illinois. Ile bought a home in Fairview Township, Bureau County, where they were among the first settlers. For some time they had to mar- ket their grain at Chicago, but later had a home market. Ephraim died near Arlington in 1860. being then seventy-six years old. His widow sur- vived him eighteen months, and died in the same place when sixty-six years old. He was an Aboli- tionist, a follower of Whittier and a director in the "underground railway." During his later years his vote was given to the Republican party. Like his father before him, he was of strict Puritan ideas. He was not a member of any church, but was a close reader of the Bible and followed its precepts. His wife held very similar ideas of re- ligion. She was, like her husband, a native of Maine, and was the daughter of an old Revolu- tionary patriot named Zachariah Foss. He had a military record that is seldom surpassed, and was a well-known and prominent man. He was gathered to his fathers when ripe in years. Mrs. Eliza Rice bore her husband five children.

The marriage of our subject was celebrated in Bureau County, the bride being Miss Eleanor A. Boucher. She was born in Pennsylvania on Christ- mas day, 1845. When she was about nine years old her parents, Daniel and Jane (Clark) Boucher, re- moved to Illinois. There, in 1867, her mother died, being then forty-six years old. The father sub- sequently went to Dakota. He departed this life in Clark County, that State, in 1882, at the age of sixty-five. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Rice grew to woman- hood in Illinois, heing carefully reared by her par- ents, and educated at Dover Academy. She was for a time engaged in teaching, a work for which her education and natural taet well fitted her.

To Prof. Rice and his wife three children have been born. Arthur D. is a teacher in Strawberry Township. During the college sessions he is a stu- dent at Manhattan, Kan., where he will complete

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his education. Ada is similarly engaged. Carl is yet at home.

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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 133

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

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