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 134

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 134
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 134
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 134

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).

Prof. Rice is a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, at his sec- ond election. He is a member of the G. A. R. and the A. O. U. W. at Washington. He and his wife hold membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Prof. Rice is a true gentleman, and one whose example is worthy of imitation by the youth before whom he stands as instrnetor.

ELSON PARONTO, a native of the Dis- trict of Montreal, Canada, and of French descent, is recognized as one of the lead- ing farmers of Bloom Township, where he home- steaded land in 1874, and has his residence on see- tion 2. His landed possessions embrace 320 acres, all of which have been brought to a good state of cultivation. The land is well adapted to stock- raising, which forms a leading feature in the opera- tions of the proprietor. Mr. Paronto came to Kansas in the spring of 1874. Upon leaving his native city, he emigrated to Clayton County, N. Y., where he lived twelve years. Thence he went to Iroquois County, Ill., where he sojourned fifteen years and from there, in 1874, crossed the Mississ- ippi into Kansas. His operations have indicated in a marked degree the prudence and forethought which are the leading characteristics of the man and which have brought him success.

Mr. Paronto was born Jan. 15, 1828, and is the son of Noah and Julia (Levelley) Paronto, the former of whom, like his father before him, was a farmer by occupation and after his marriage emi- grated from the Dominion to New York State, in 1842, and lived there twelve years. In 1854 he removed to Kankakee County. III., and settled on a farm, where he died in 1853, at the age of fifty-two years. His wife survived him a number of years, dying at the age of sixty. Both were C'atholies in religion. Of the sixteen children born to them only three are living-two sons and a daughter.

The subject of this sketch remained under the parental roof until reaching man's estate and was

married in Kankakee County, III., to Miss Ada Marsant. This lady was likewise a native of the District of Montreal, born in 1836, and the daugh- ter of J. M. Marsant, who is represented else- where in this volume. The latter removed with his family from Canada to Illinois, and thence to Kansas in 1871, settling in Bloom Township, where he is still living and numbered among its leading citizens.

Mrs. Paronto was carefully reared by her ex- cellent parents, living with them until her marriage. She is now the mother of nine children, the eldest of whom, a son, Noel, married Miss Salina Belaird and is living on a farm in Bloom Township. Eliza- beth married Charles Lewis, a business man of To- peka. Ada is the wife of Charles Winegrove, a real estate man of Clay Center. John took to wife Miss Martha Martin and is operating a farm in Jackson County, this State. Henry is unmarried and operating a farm in Bloom Township. George married Miss Hattie Belaird and they live on a farm in Bloom Township. Cordelia is the wife of Au- gust Petermeyer, a farmer of Bloom Township; Nelson and Frederick are at home with their parents. Mr. Paronto, politically, is a sound Re- publican and with his good wife is a prominent member of the Baptist Church in which he officiates as Deacon.

R. HOWARD H. OLNEY, one of the well- known dentists of Clay Center, during his residence of five years in this place has built up a good business and made hosts of friends. IIe has a fine office in the business part of the city, and is thoroughly familiar with the duties of his profession. A native of Madison County, Ohio, he was born fourteen miles west of the city of Columbus, July 10, 1857, and is thus still a young man and has a prospeet before him, not only of further success in his calling, but the accumula- tion of a comfortable competence.

When a boy of eleven years young Olney, in 1868, went with his mother to Warsaw, Ind., (his father having died) and there attended sehool, and subsequently at an early age began to make his own living. Later he emigrated to Michigan, and was

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also for a time in the city of Chicago, in the em- ploy of Wells, Fargo, & Co. Thence he went to Peoria, Ill., where he engaged in the dry-goods trade and beeame interested in dentistry. In Peoria, Ill., he commenced studying with a view to this pro- fession, and later, returning to Warsaw, Ind., joined his brother, a dentist, remaining there with him three years. We next find him in Wapakoneta, Ohio, where he first entered upon the regular prac- tice of his profession and remained two years. Thence he removed to Spencerville, that State, where he made the acquaintance of Miss Florence V. Deal, and a mutual attachment followed, which resulted later in their marriage, June 17, 1885.

In 1884 Dr. Olney made a tour of the Southwest, visiting Old Mexico, and various cities in that region, and spending thus four months, from May 10 to September 1. This tour ended, Dr. Olney when looking about for a location, decided upon Clay Center, Kan., and here, in 1884, took up his abode. Early the following year, however, he re- turned to Ohio, but after marriage came back to Kansas, established himself at Clay Center, where he has since remained. He has become prominent in his profession in this county, and is looked upon as a man of high character and more than ordinary ability. He is a sound Republican, politically, and socially, belongs to the K. of P. Mrs. Florence (Deal) Olney was born in Elida, Ohio, Feb. 17, 1866, and is the daughter of the Rev. William Deal, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a member of the Central Ohio Conference. Ile is now at Mt. Blanchard. Mrs. Olney departed this life at her home in Clay Center, Kan., July 11, 1889.

To the Doctor and Mrs. Olney there were born two children, a son and a daughter-Howard Ross and Opal C. The father of our subject was George B. Olney, supposed to have been a native of Prov- idence, R. I., and who emigrated to Ohio about 1835. Ile there married Miss Cassandra Hartsook, and followed his trade of wagon and carriage- making, also undertaking, until his death, in Feb- ruary, 1862. This occurred very suddenly, in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was carrying on business. He had been talking on the various topics of the day, and after an excited discussion he was found

lying on the floor of the engine room, having been thrown from the fifth story of his coffin mauufaet- ory, down through the shute, and being instantly killed. He left a widow and nine children. The mother, upon leaving the Queen City, lived for a time in Warsaw, Ind., but is now at St. Anthony Park, St. Paul, Minn. The children are all living. George B. Olney, politically, was a stanch Repub- lican and a very intelligent man, having decided views upon all the leading questions of the day.

ENRY KIRBY was born in Ripley County, Ind., Sept. 1, 1833. His father, David Kirby, was born in Kentucky, and with his parents went to Ripley County, in the carly part of the present century. There he lived for many years, and thence removed to Greensburg, Ind., where he now resides. He followed farming until a few years ago, but is now retired from act- ive labor, having reached about the age of seventy- seveu. Ile is in only moderate circumstances. From early manhood he has been an active mem- ber of the Baptist Church. His father, Joel Kirby. grandfather of our subjeet, was born in Virginia, and died in Ripley County, Ind. Our subject's mother before her marriage bore the name of Eliza Brown; she was born in Ripley County, and there died. She was a daughter of Bartlett Brown, a na- tive of Virginia, who served in the War of 1812. Our subject's parents had five children. he being the eldest. The others were named respectively, Joel, Bartlett, Frankie and John.

HIenry Kirby received the usual training of a farmer's son, having spent his early life on a farm in Ripley and Jefferson Counties. Ind. There he remained until 1852, when he removed to Menard County, Ill. Two years later he again changed his residence, making his home in Boone County. Iowa, where he remained until 1860. Ile then crossed the Plains to the Rocky Mountains, and followed mining in Nevada, California, Oregon and Washington. until 1871. At that period he returned to Iowa, and was again a resident of Boone County. Five years later he removed to Washington County. Kan., and bought 160 acres on sections 18 and 33,

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Barnes Township, where he resided until 1881. when he bought on section 4, where he now_lives. Ile bas 160 acres in his home place, the residence and estate being unusually attractive. Mr. Kirby is also the owner of a farm of eighty acres, located on section 7. Cass Township, Boone County, lowa. In addition to his farming he raises considerable stock. He is regarded as one of the most enter- prising farmers in the county. He is a man of upright character and pleasing manners, and his neighbors and fellow-citizens speak of him very highly. In politics he is a Republican.

In August, 1871, Mr. Kirby celebrated his mar- riage to Mrs. Harriet Boswell, of Boone County, Iowa. She was born in Ohio, in "August, 1833, being a daughter of Henry and Harriet Nutt, na- tives of the Buckeye State. At the time of her mar- riage with our subject she was the widow of John Boswell, of Boone County. By her first marriage she became the mother of two children-Warren and George Boswell. She has borne her present husband one daughter-Mary.

EWTON ALLEN is now holding the office of Police Judge in Clay Center, a position to which he was elected in the spring of 1889, without opposition, having previously served three terms as Probate Judge of Clay County. He has been honored with many other offices, and has served in them all to the satisfaction of his constit- uents, who have shown their confidence in his char- acter and ability by continually placing him in positions of public responsibility.

The birth of Judge Allen took place Oct. 17, 1843, at North Farmington, Oakland Co., Mich .. where he received a good practical education. Ile grew to maturity in his native county, being reared to farm pursuits and remaining with his mother until 1870. Ile then came to Kansas, and took up a homestead of 160 acres in Clifton Township, Washington County, two and half miles north of Vining. He proved np on the claim in 1874. bav- ing in the meantime made from the raw land an improved farm. Three years later he sold the homestead and came to this city which has since

been his home, and where he occupies a pleasant resi- dence, No. 375 Dexter street. During the late Civil War Judge Allen served his country as a member of Company F, 30th Michigan Infantry, his enlist- ment taking place Dec. 25, 1864, a few weeks after he became of age. The command to which he be- longed was sent to the Northern department of the army, and was discharged in June, 1865.

At the home of the bride in Manhattan, Kan., Feh. 22, 1877, Judge Allen was united in marriage with Mrs. Elizabeth Hall. daughter of John and Hannah Ashton, Rev. Richard Wake officiating. Mrs. Allen has borne her husband one child-Winnie, now ten years of age. The wife of Judge Allen bore the maiden name of Ashton, and her birth took place in England in 1844. In 1848 she was brought to the United States by her parents who settled in Indiana, and in 1861 removed to Riley County, Kan., where they have since resided.

Judge Allen always votes the Republican ticket, and is a stanch temperance man. In 1873 he was elected Clerk of Clifton Township, Washington County. After coming to this city in 1877, he was appointed City Clerk, and also elected to the position of Township Clerk, in which capacity he served two and a half years. In Angust. 1877, he was appointed Deputy Clerk of the District Court, and has served actively in that capacity for twelve years, having kept the journals of the court. In October of the same year he was appointed Dep- uty Register of Deeds and held the appointment for five years, serving actively, however, but fif- teen months. Hle has also served one and a half years as Deputy in the County Clerk's office, and his appointment is still on file. In January. 1879, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff, in which capacity he served one year. In the fall of 1882, he was elected Probate Judge, his term of service beginning about the 10th of January, 1883, and he being re- elected three times, each time leading his party ticket. Judge Allen belongs to the G. A. R., the .K. of P. and the I. O. O. F., and is the present representative of the latter order to their Grand Lodge.

The father of our subject was Nathan C. Allen, who was born in Canada in the year 1812. When a young man he came to the United States and

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located in Oakland County, Mich., where he became quite a prominent politician. He was a temperate man and prosperous in his business life. llis death took place in 1855 in the State of which he had long been a resident. In 1842. Nathan Allen was married to Miss Samantha Hosmer, who bore him six children. All but one lived to mature years, but two of that number are now deceased. Some time after the death of Mr. Allen, his widow married Mr. James Ellis, and is now living near Novi, Mich.

E LWOOD LOWER is a resident of Coleman Township, Washington County, occupying a farm which was pre-empted by his father under the Homestead Act. Ile is the owner of a homestead in Strawberry Township, adjoining land owned by his brother. His own place is under fence and is used for grazing purposes. A good house has been erected upon it. Mr. Lower has been identified with the educational work of this county for some eight years and is a succesful in- structor. He first saw the light in Rock Island County, Ill., Nov. 3, 1857. In 1870 his father came to this county, which has since been the fam- ily home. Mr. Lower was studiously inclined and anxious to obtain a good education. By dint of perseverance and tact he accomplished his pur- pose and is now a well-informed and well-read man.

The rites of wedlock were celebrated between our subject and Miss Emma Odell, of Waterville, Kan., Feb. 18, 1884. The bride is a cultured lady and a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Cor- ney) Odell. They were formerly of Westchester . County, N. Y., and came to Kansas in 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Lower are the parents of two children, Raymond A. and Wesley D.

Mr. Lower is a member of Clifton Lodge, No. 122, A. F. & A. M., and of Washington Lodge No. 76, I. O. O. F., at Washington. He is a Re- publican and takes a prominent part in all the primaries. He was Trustee of the township in which he lived. He is a man of excellent char- acter and is regarded as one of the promising young citizens of the county.

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch

traces his ancestry to Holland, where the name was spelled Louvier. The first of the family who came to America was billed on shipboard as Mr. Lower, and the descendants have since used that name. The Mr. Lower above mentioned served for seven years in the Revolutionary army. Ile was mar- ried in this country and settled in . Pennsylvania. In Hollidaysburg. Blair County, that State, his son David, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born. David Lower settled near Lanark, Carroll County, where he purchased 1,000 acres of land, which is still held by the family. Ile died at the age of seventy-nine. His widow still survives.

Levi Lower, a son of David, went from his Pennsylvania home to Rock Island County, Ill., when still a young man. There he was married to Miss Mary Dougal, daugliter of Henry Dougal, of Port Byron, Ill. Her people were originally from Westmoreland County, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Levi Lower resided at Port Byron for some time and thence removed to Mt. Carroll. In 1861, Mr. Lower enlisted in Company I, of the 34th Illinois Infantry, which was assigned to the 14th Army Corps, in Gen. McCook's Division. He served gallantly for three years. He participated in the noted conflicts at Shiloh, Corinth, Inka and Mis- sionary Ridge, and in battles about Chattanooga and Atlanta. On his discharge in 1864, he re- turned to his home in Illinois and resumed the employment which he had given up to aid in the defense of the Union. He came to this county in 1870, and homesteaded the land upon which his son, our subject, now lives. He afterward added sixty acres in the same township. Still later he purchased 160 acres in Brantford, where he now lives.

W ILLIAM H. BROUGHTON, a prominent member of the City Council at Morgan_ ville, Clay County, is one of its oldest residents, and acted in his present capacity soon after its incorporation. He has always been promi- nent in local affairs, serving as Township Trustee and as a member of the School Board most of the time since coming to the State. Politically, he is a life-long Democrat, and is the only man in Sher-

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man Township who voted for Tilden for President in 1876. Notwithstanding his politics were unpop- ular, he has been retained in office regardless of party opinions-a fact which indicates in a marked manner the esteem and confidence in which he is held by his fellow-citizens.

A native of Crawford County, Pa., the subject of this sketch was born Jan. 19, 1842. and lived there with his parents until a lad of eight years. He is the son of Jonah and Temperance (Sturgiss) Broughton. who upon leaving Crawford County took up their abode in Warren County, Pa., where their son, William H., was reared to manbood. Ile had been bred to farming pursuits, but after the outbreak of the Civil War, entered the Union army in August, 1862, as a member of Company F, 145th Pennsylvania Infantry, serving as a private in that capacity about eighteen months. Ile was then promoted to Sergeant, with which rank he was mus- tered out at the close of the war, taking part in the grand review at Washington, D. C. On the even- ing before this interesting event, Gov. Curtin of Pennsylvania, presented the 145th Regiment with a new stand of colors, and Mr. Broughton was se- lected by Lieutenant-Colonel McQuarey to carry the new banner during the parade. After the re- view the regiment repaired to Pittsburg, where the boys received their honorable discharge.

Mr. Broughton during his army carcer partic- ipated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Gettys- burg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg and others in that vicinity. Al- though not receiving any wounds, the hardship and exposure which he suffered undermined his health, he being on duty every day, and, with the excep- tion of six weeks, constantly in the field. When leaving the army he returned to Pennyslvania where with the exception of eight months spent in New York State, he lived until 1870, mostly en- gaged in the lamber business. That year he came to Kansas and homesteaded 160 acres of land, five miles north of the present site of Morganville, which then gave little indication of its future im- portance. His first dwelling was a log cabin, 14x18 feet square with a dirt roof, and with furnishings and surroundings to correspond. He occupied this with his little family six years, then put up a

stone residence and barn, and gradually added the other structures necessary. He planted an orchard of about 100 trees, and brought his land to a good state of cultivation. Ile sold this land once, but repurchased it and still retains ownership. He lived upon it until 1885, then removing to Morgan- ville, engaged in the grain business in company with a partner until the fall of 1888. Since then he has been doing business for Davis & Co.

Mr. Broughton was married in Pennsylvania, Sept 10, 1860, to Miss Mary, daughter of Joseph McCoy, a native of that State. Before entering the army he had become the father of one child, a son, Richard, who is now living at Abilene, Kan. Later there were born twelve more children. viz: William H., also at Abilene, Kan .; Minnie, Myrtle, Frederick, Charles, Ida, Lucy, Pearl and James- all these living-besides one infant who died un- named, and Adelbert and Aida, who died at the ages of two years and seven months.

Mr. Broughton is a member of George B. Mc- Clellan Post at Morganville, in which be has served as Vice-Commander, and he belongs to Clifton Lodge, A. F. & A. M., also Morganville Lodge, No. 322, 1. O. O. F., and the A. O. U. W. of Morgan- ville. He is a member and regular attendant of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

OHN L. STRATTON. In the world's busy hive of workers, some are greedy for gain. laboring for themselves alone, while others have been endowed by nature with that broad and catholic spirit which takes in the welfare of their fellow-men. The latter class foster a com- mendable pride in the upbuilding of their commu- nity and the maintenance of the social system. encourage educational institutions and extend to their fellow-citizens generally the aid which shall have a tendency to elevate them, socially and mor- ally. . It is this element in men's characters which has redeemed the world, which has built cities, established our best institutions, raised man above the humdrum of everyday life and given to his thoughts a higher scope, fitting him not only for a worthy manhood, but preparing him for something

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better beyond this life. Among this class of men is the subject of this biographical outline who has signalized himself as a public-spirited citizen and the leader of the projects tending to the advance- ment of his community.

The Stratton family, it is supposed, originated in England and was represented in Pennsylvania at an early day. Long years ago three brothers, Thomas, Joseph and David Stratton, came over from England settling on Statton or Staten Island ; it is believed they were the original owners of it, one staying in New York, the others going to New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Daniel Stratton. the father of John L., went to Norwalk when there were but three houses there. Ills father was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War, and he was in the War of 1812. The first church at that place was organized at their house, and he was the first Class-Leader. He and his wife were worshipers in the Methodist Episco- pal Church, as were their ancestors for generations.

In Pennsylvania, was born Daniel Stratton, the father of our subject, whose early years were spent in Beaver County, and there it is supposed he was married to Miss Rachel Park, a native of his own State. They lived for a time thereafter in Beaver County, then removed to Huron County, Ohio. about 1821, where the mother departed this life about 1858. Daniel Stratton rested from his earthly labors in 1881, dying at his home in Tontogany. Wood Co., Ohio.

To the parents of our subject there was born a family of eleven children, five sons and six dangh- ters, of whom John L. was next to the youngest. Of these nine are still living, two daughters having died in infancy. John L. Stratton was born in Huron County, Ohio, Aug. 22, 1831. He lived on the farm until a young man grown and in the meantime learned carpentering and civil engineer- ing, finally operating as a contractor and builder and putting up steam sawmills until after the out- break of the Civil War. He also in the meantime became owner of a farm, which he operated in con- nection with his other business.

On the 15th of January, 1863, Mr. Stratton en- listed in the I'nion service as a member of the 10th Ohio Cavalry, being mustered in as a private and promoted to Commissary Sergeant, in which ca-

pacity he acted, with the exception of one year, when he was detailed as Wagonmaster, until the elose of the war. He was present at the surrender of the rebel General Johnston, in North Carolina, and participated in various other engagements, from which he escaped without injury. He was. however, while in camp accidentally shot in the left leg. The wound was not serious and did not ineapacitate him for his regular duties. At the close of the war he was mustered out at Washing- ton, D. C., and returning to Huron, Ohio, resumed his old business in Norwalk. where he sojourned two years. He then removed to Bowling Green. Wood County. and thence to Milton Center. where he remained until the spring of 1878.

In the spring of the year above mentioned, Mr. Stratton set out for the farther West and coming to Washington County, this State, secured eighty acres of land on section 1, Farmington Township. After becoming comfortably established he resumed carpentering and has put up many houses in the northern part of the county. He has thus become known to a goodly portion of its citizens. He has taken a particular interest in the establishment of schools and is a uniform supporter of the principles of the Republican party. Both he and his estima- ble wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which Mrs. Stratton has been connected almost from infaney. As one of the chief pillars of this church, Mr. Stratton has held its important offiees and has con- tributed liberally to its support. Socially, he is a charter member of Hollenburg Post, G. A. R., and also belongs to Washington Lodge, No. 5. He is also prominently connected with the Steele City Grange.

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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 134

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

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