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 139

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 139
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 139
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 139

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Indian Territory. The expedition was conducted by a scout, who either got lost or ran away, leav- ing the regiment on the plains without food or a guide. They subsisted several days on buffalo meat and hackberries, and after ten days found their way to their destination, after Gen. Custer had given them up and gone on a cruise and returned soon after. Then the 19th was ordered with him on another expedition into Texas. There Mr. Moon, with 120 others, was held about three months. In March, 1869, his company was sent as guard with Custer's command to a supply train, which inter- cepted them at a point on the Washitaw River, near the northern line of Texas. About a week later the regiment returned to camp and thence were sent Ft. Hayes, soon after which they were discharged. In the beginning this regiment was organized to rescue two ladies, who had been captured by the Indians on the Solomon River in the summer of 1868. They were rescued in Texas, the March following, and returned to their friends in safety.

In the fall of 1869, Mr. Moon returned to Wash- ington County, Kansas. He homesteaded 160 acres of land on section 26, Sherman Township, and kept bachelor's hall until the following summer. In the meantime he had been making prepara- tions for a life partner, and on the 16th of July, 1871, was wedded to Miss Edwina Noble. They lived on that place until the spring of 1876, then Mr. Moon removed to Peach C'reek and opened a blacksmith shop, which, with its contents, was de- stroyed by fire about two years later. He next removed to Palmer, where he built a shop which he conducted until September, 1881, then, selling out, repaired to St. Louis and worked in a machine shop until April, 1882. Then returning to Kansas, he employed himself as a carpenter at Fancy Creek until the spring of 1883, when he became a resi- dent of Green, where he has since remained.

Mrs. Edwina (Noble) Moon was born in Iowa and was the daughter of Obed and Susan Noble, who are now living in Riley County, Kan. Of this nnion there were born three children-Willard D., Irene and Elton. Mrs. Edwina Moon obtained a divorce from the subject of this sketch on the 6th of April, 1883, in Washington County. The present wife of our subject. to whom he was mar-

ried .Jan. 1, 1884, was formerly Miss Henrietta Clark. She was born in Wells County, Ind., in 1857. and was the daughter of Robert and Olive. Clark; the mother now lives in Clay County, Kan. Of this marriage there are two children-Una Leona and Lavernia A. Mr. Moon is a charter mem- ber of Highland Lodge, No. 296, A. F. & A. M. at Green and politically, supports the principles of the Republican party.

ICHAEL JONES, late of Mulberry Town - ship, Clay County, was born in Lincoln County, Ky., Oct. 16, 1816, and departed this life at his home in the above-mentioned township. July 12, 1889. He was of Southern an- teeedents, his father, James Jones, having been a native of Kentucky, where he was reared and mar- ried to Miss Sarah Jones (no relative) a native of his own county. James Jones prosecuted farming in the Blue Grass region until 1837, then, disposing of his worldly possessions in Kentucky, removed with his family across the Mississippi into Randolph County, Mo. He settled there on a new tract of land, from which he opened up a good farm, and there with his estimable wife spent the remainder of his days, his death taking place, July 4, 1840, when he was a little past fifty years old. Mrs. Jones sur- vived her husband the long period of thirty-three years, remaining a widow, and passing away in De- cember, 1873, at the advanced age of over eighty years. Both had been members of the Old School Baptist Church from childhood. James Jones. po- litically, was a Henry Clay Democrat, and a man prominent in local politics.

The subject of this sketch was the third child of his parents, whose family consisted of three sons and two daughters, all born and nearly all reared in Kentucky. lle accompanied his parents to Mis- souri, and was married m Boone County, July 4. 1844. to Miss Martha Sweeney. This lady. like himself, was a native of Kentucky, and was born in Washington County, April 3, 1813. Her parents were Daniel and Elizabeth (Jones) Sweeney. na- tives respectively, of Virginia and South Carolina. They removed to Kentucky, and were married in

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Lincoln County, after which they located upon a farm in Washington County, and Mr. Sweeney also engaged in blacksmithing. They remained there until after the birth of their ten children, five sons and five daughters, and then, in 1837, set out for the Southwest, loeating in Boone County, Mo., during its pioneer days. The father died many years later, at the home of one of his daughters, Eliza, in Ran- dolph County, in October, 1851. His remains were removed to Boone County for burial. He was then seventy-six years old. He was a consistent member of the Regular Baptist Church, in which he had officiated as Deacon. He bore an irreproach- able reputation for honesty and integrity, and was highly respected by his fellow-citizens. The wife and mother had died at Washington County, Ky .. Oct. 7, 1833, prior to the removal of the family to Missouri, at the age of fifty-two years; her remains were laid to rest in Hillsboro cemetery, near the church of which she was a member.

Mrs. Jones and her brother Harvey are the only survivors of the family, and the latter is living on a farm in Marion County, Ky. All the children re- ceived careful home training, and Mrs. Jones re- inained with her father eleven years after the death of her mother, assisting him in taking care of the younger children, and looking after the household affairs. Of her union with Michael Jones, which occurred July 4, 1844, there were born five chil- dren, one of whom, a son, Alonzo, died at the age of eleven years and four months. The survivors are recorded as follows: Amanda HI. is the wife of Thomas Earnest, a stock dealer of Ft. Collins, Colo .; Melissa married Paul Thorpe, and lives on a farm in Custer County, South Dakota; Denitia W. mar- ried James Earnest, and they are living at Sun Dance in Wyoming Territory ; Matilda is the widow of Edward Mayes, and resides at Raw Ilide, Wy. The household circle includes a foster child, Hattie Mason, who remains with Mrs. Jones.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Jones so- journed a few years in Missouri and Texas, and later went into Nebraska. Upon coming to Kan- sas they settled first in Riley County, whence in 1860 they removed to Colorado, on a stream called Cache La Poudre, thence to Cheyenne, Wy., and thence in 1877, to Clay County. this State. Mr.

Jones purchased 600 acres of land in Mulberry Township. For thirty-five years he was extensively engaged in stock-raising, becoming very successful as a breeder. Since his death, Mrs. Jones has man- aged the farm with rare ability, preserving its old- time reputation as one of the most valuable estates along the Northern line of Clay County. Mr. Jones did not meddle with political affairs, but voted independently, aiming to support the men whom he considered best qualified to serve the in- terests of the people.

A handsome lithographie portrait of Mr. Jones is shown on another page. He was neither a very early settler nor a life-long resident of Clay County. but such was his fidelity to business, and his nobil- ity of character, that older settlers stood no higher in publie esteem than he.

W ILLIAM ROGERS. The name of this gentleman is familiar to most of the resi- dents along the eastern line of Washington County, he being located on a fine farm in Barnes Township, comprising 200 acres of land on section 12. Thorough and enterprising as an agriculturist, he is likewise efficient and capable as a business man, and forms one of the leading men of his commu- nity and one who has since his residence here been devoted to its best interests. Ile has brought his land to a high state of cultivation and improved it with substantial buildings, while he avails himself of modern machinery in the tilling of the soil and keeps himself well posted upon the improvements of the day connected with his calling. He occupies no secondary position in his community and is a favorite, both in social and business circles.

A native of Devonshire, England, Mr. Rogers was born March 24, 1844, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Meagher) Rogers who were likewise natives of that country and of pure English stock. The father was born about 1814, and in early man- hood learned the trade of a stone eutter which he followed there mostly until 1850. Then, not being satisfied with his condition or his prospects, he re- solved upon emigrating to America and after a safe voyage landed in New York City where he located

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and worked at his trade for seven years. In 1857 he removed to Rockford, Ill., where he has since lived and has operated quite extensively as a stone cutter and contractor. Ile is in good circumstances, financially, among his worldly possessions being a good farm in Winnebago County, Ill. He is num- bered among the substantial men of his community.

Mrs. Elizabeth (Meagher) Rogers, the mother of our subject, was born in England about 1825, and died in Rockford, Ill., about 1872. There were born to her and her husband five children, viz: Anna M., William, Jane, Elizabeth, and John H. The subject of this sketch was the second child and lived in New York City with his parents until ten years old, going then with them to Rockford Ill., where he completed a common - school education. Later he worked with his father at stone cutting and also became familiar with farming pursuits. After the outbreak of the Civil War, he in 1862 enlisted as a private in Company E, 74th Illinois Infantry and participated in all the battles fought by the Army of the Cumberland. He was also in the Georgia campaign under the command of Gen. Sherman and at Resaca was slightly wounded. He participated in the battles of Nashville. Stone River and Frank . lin, Tenn., and remained with his regiment until after the close of the war, being mustered out and honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn., in 1865.

Mr. Rogers now returned to Rockford, Ill., where he remained until 1869. We next find him west of. the Mississippi in Marysville, this State. near which he began farming and carried on agri- culture extensively in Marshall County until 1886, besides dealing in lands, live stock, etc. During the year mentioned he came to his present place and here, as before, lias prosecuted farming and stock-raising with great success. He has effected many improvements upon his place siuce coming liere and is considered one of the most enterprising men in Washington County. He is prudent and cautious in all his dealings, keeping strictly within the bounds of honesty, and a man whose word is considered as good as his bond.

Mr. Rogers' possessions have been accumulated by his own unflagging industry, while he has made it the rule of his life to live within his income, adhering to the maxim that if the pennies are properly looked |

after, the dollars will take care of themselves. Polit- ically, like his honored father, h: supports the prin- ciples of the Republican party, and socially, is a member in good standing of the G. A. R. Post at Barnes.

The marriage of William Rogers and Miss Mary E. Gallagher, of Linnville, Ill., was celebrated at the bride's home Jan. 8, 1868. Mrs. Rogers was born in 1849, in Pennsylvania. and is the daughter of Ben- jamin and Jane Gallagher. This union resulted in the birth of four children, viz: Jenny, Lulu. Mabel and Willie. Mrs. Mary E. Rogers departed this life at her home in Marshall County, Kan., in September, 1880. Mr. Rogers in April, 1884, contracted a second marriage with Miss Eliza Burke of Marshall County, this State. This lady was born Aug. 30, 1857 in Kansas and is a daughter of Philip and Eliza (Andrews) Burke. Of this union there have been born two children-Clarence and Grace. The home- stead in all its appliances is suggestive of refined tastes and ample means, and forms a pleasant pic- ture of quiet country life which is delightful to contemplate.

G USTAVE A. PETERSON. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon those, who, coming to this county poor in purse and without home or friends, save the dependent ones accom- panying them, have yet overcome all obstacles, hewed down seemingly impassable barriers between them and the goal of success, and finally have ob- tained worldly prosperity, while at the same time. they have gained the respect of those who know them by their uprightness of character and honor- able dealing with all men. Thus we take pleasure in recording a few of the most important events in the life of Mr. Peterson, who, coming here poor, has gained the respect of his fellow-citizens, both by business management and the many admirable traits of disposition which he possesses. Generous. pleasant in conversation, shrewd in business, active in all good works, he is an important member of the political and social world in Sherman Town- ship, where he has a fine farm located on section 8.

Born in the central part of Sweden, March 25, 1833, Mr. Peterson was reared in the faith of the

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Lutheran Church, of which his parents, Peter and Anna Berkroat, were members in good standing, as were their ancestors as far as known. Passing his yonth in a manner similar to the boys of this coun- try and day, our subject arrived at man's estate, and then prepared to form home ties of his own. His wife, with whom he was united in marriage in Octo- ber, 1855, was in girlhood days, Miss Anna Char- lotte Munson, daughter of Jonas and Anna Munson. For a few years following their marriage our sub- ject and his wife lived in Sweden, where two sons and one daughter were born to them.

Hearing much of the prospects the land beyond the sea offered to the poor of other countries. Mr. Peterson decided to seek in the New World what he was unable to gain in his native land, namely, a comfortable home for his children, and provision against want when old age forbade further labor. In the spring of 1871. the family made the voyage in a steamship, landing in Quebec, thence coming di- rect to Moline, Ill. After stopping in that place for a week, they proceeded to Monroe County, Iowa, where our subject worked on a railroad for two years, and thus saved enough to come to Kansas and homestead 160 acres, comprising his present home.

Upon his arrival in Clay County, Mr. Peterson made a dugout, where he and his family lived for seven years, during which time he was making im- provements constantly, planting forest trees, a few of which are eighteen inches thick; also different varieties of fruit trees. As success began to smile upon the efforts of this industrious family, they commenced to plan for their residence, which finally was built, and now stands as a monument of what can be accomplished by industry, rightly directed. Adjacent to the house, are the other buildings nec- essary to a well-regulated estate, consisting of sta- bles, corn-cribs and granaries. During the first two years of his life in Clay County, our subject worked on the railroad, and his wife would walk four miles and do a large washing, two days of each week. In this way they obtained the money to buy a yoke of cattle and a plow, by means of which they broke the prairie and improved their farm. Now he has more than 100 acres in a high state of cultivation, with pastures, meadows and timber,

while the whole is enclosed by good fences. A val- uable part of the farm is an orchard of about forty trees, which annually yields bountiful barvests of rich fruits.

A family of four children came to bless the home of Mr. Peterson and his wife, viz .: Kate, wife of Clar- ence Aher, a resident of Sherman township; Charlie, John and Anna, who are under the parental roof and are receiving such education as will prepare them for whatsoever station in life they are called upon to fill. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are members of the Lutheran Church of Garfield Township, and he contributed liberally of his means to aid in the erection of the present church edifice. Politically, he is in hearty sympathy with the Republican party.

R EV. NICHOLAS NEUSIUS, Pastor of St. John's Catholic Church of Hanover, has also under his charge the Benedictine school. The congregation of St. John's was organ- ized in 1869-1870, among its charter members be- ing W. Wendel (who was very prominent and active in securing money ), II. Hellman, J. Hellman, G. Hellman, John Schwartz, II. Kemper, E. Turk, A. Neugebauer. A small church edifice was erected some years ago by Father Weikman. Later Father John Pichler was assigned to the charge and under his administration there were erected the following buildings : The Sisters' residence at a cost of $1,500; the church in 1878, costing $30,000; the school- house, $2,500 and the priest's residence, $2,000 --- making a total of $36,000 thus expended. They are all in good repair. Father Nensius has for his assistant a native of Bohemia, Rev. F. Ilavelka. (Father F. Havelka presides, attending to the Bohemians in Hanover, also as outside missions, Lanham, Neb., and Morrow, Washington County. In both places there are nice,substantial frame churches recently built. He was born Dec. 4, 1859, in Znaim, Moravia, Austria. He pursued his studies-class- ical, philosophical and theological-in his native place and at Vienna, Olmutz, Austria, and Louvain, Belgium. He was ordained June 29, 1889, in Lou- vain for the diocese of Leavenworth, Kan. ) The church occupies an area of 165x45 feet. All the

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buildings are constructed of stone and from a financial point of view St. John's parish is one of the largest and most promising in the northern part of the State of Kansas, Its membership embraces 220 families, the majority being German, Irish, Bo- hemian and American-born citizens of German and Irish descent.

Father Neusius of this sketch was born in the province of the Rhine, Germany, June 24, 1859. He was a student of the Jesuit College at Tourn- hout, Belgium, and pursued his philosophical stud- ies at St. Mary's in Pottawatomie County, this State, and at St. Benedict's in Atchison, Kan. He took his theological course at St. Francis Seminary, near Milwaukee, Wis., finishing in 1886. He was or- dained at Leavenworth Feb. 10, 1886, and was first placed in charge of the parish in Capioma, Nemeha County, Kan. A year later he was assigned to St. John's. His only relative in this country is his sister. Magdalene, who makes her home with him.

OHN NOLAN. The subject of this bio_ graphical record occupies no unimportant position in his community, being a man of more than ordinary intelligence, cultured and refined, a pillar in the Catholic Church, and a man who is uniformly found connected with the enterprises calculated to benefit his community, so- cially, morally and financially. Politically, he is a Democrat, and for the last four years has been a Justice of the Peace. He serves as a Director in his school district and has officiated as Clerk of the Board.

The capacities with which nature has endowed Mr. Nolan, have been enlarged by his habit of thought, reading and study, and he is a man with whom an hour may always be spent in a profitable and pleasant manner. Self-educated to a large ex- tent, he has learned much by his contact with men and by carefully noting what is going on around him in the world. Ile owns and occupies a well-devel- oped farm of 160 acres, eighty-five of which have been subjected to careful cultivation. llis present residence was erected in 1885 and with its sur-

roundings is indicative of a home abounding in all modern comforts. Mr. Nolan keeps a goodly as- sortment of live stock-twenty-five head of cattle, thirty head of swine and five good horses-and uti- lizes in his farm operations the latest improved ma- chinery.

The native place of Mr. Nolan was Montsed, County Tipperary, Ireland, where his birth occurred Dec. 5, 1843. He was the eldest child of Martin and Bridget (Kennedy) Nolan, who were likewise natives of County Tipperary and of pure Irish an- cestry. The parents were reared and married in their native county and about 1849 or '50, emigrated to America, settling in Camden County, N. J. There the mother died in September, 1857, and Martin Nolan, only surviving his wife a few months, passed away in April, 1858. Their remains were laid to rest within the Cathedral Cemetery in West Philadelphia, Pa.

To Martin and Bridget Nolan there were born five children-three sons and two daughters-only two of whom are living-John, our subject, and Marlin, the latter being a resident of Camden County, N. J. John was about seven years old when the family crossed the Atlantic and after the death of his parents he lived with a farmer, named Marlin Horner, for whom he worked five years and for a Mr. Plum five years. At the age of fourteen years he started out in life for himself at $6 per month and afterward made his own way and ob- tained what education he could by the perusal of in- structive books in his leisure hours,

During the summer of 1867 Mr. Nolan started for the West, reaching DeKalb County, III., on the 1 st of August and sojourning there two years, be- ing employed as a farm laborer by the month. Ile next rented a farm in Kendall County, which he operated three years. In June, 1870, returning to DeKalb County, he was united in marriage with Miss Honora O'Brien, the ceremony being per- formed by Rev. Father John Huth, in the Catholic Church at Somonank, III. Mrs. Nolan was born in Fakel, County Clare, Ireland, May 26, 1853, and is the daughter of Dennis and Honora (Corey) O'Brien, who were likewise natives of County Clare and emigrated to America in 1854. They continue to reside at Somonauk, Ill. Their family consisted

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of ten children, of whom Mrs. Nolan was the third in order of birth.

After his marriage Mr. Nolan farmed in DeKalb County. Ill., for six years. He came to Kansas in October, 1878, and purchased 160 acres of Govern- ment land on section 1. Independence Township, then known as Ilanover, Washington Co., then re- turned to Illinois, remaining there until April, 1879. He then came back to this State with his family, put up a house on his land and broke eighty acres. He remained upon this until March, 1883, then selling out purchased the farm which he now owns and oc- eupies. The following children compose the household circle of Mr. and Mrs. Nolan, and are named respectively, Mary, Annie, Honora, Martin, Catherine, John, Ellen and Johanna.

NDREW NENDEL is the owner and oc- cupant of a pleasant rural home on section 3, Independence Township, Washington County. The farm comprises 153 acres in a body, all improved and well cultivated. The residence, which was built in 1884, is neat and comfortable, and is presided over by the widowed mother of on subject. The improvements upon the farm have all been put upon it by its present owner, who has also set out all the shade and orna- mental trees which adorn it. An orchard of seventy- five apple, peach and plum trees, is among the at- tractive features of the place. A barn, which was erected in 1889, and other outbuildings, afford shelter for stock and crops. Mr. Nendel keeps twenty-five head of cattle, seven of horses and forty of hogs. He began life with no capital ex- cept his native energy, and has been able to sur- round himself and his mother with all the comforts of life.

The father of our subject was Casper Nendel, a native of Byer, Germany, and a blacksmith by trade. His mother bore the maiden name of Susan Fleckenstein, and is also a native of Byer. Mr. and Mrs. Nendel met at Cincinnati, Ohio, where they were married forty-six years ago. They lived in the Buckeye State until the death of the hus- band, which took place Nov. 9, 1887. The widow

is still in good health, although she passed her three- score years and ten a twelve month ago. She has been the mother of nine children, five of whom are now living.

Our subject was the oldest child of his parents, and was born Dec. 15, 1843, in Cincinnati. He received an excellent German education and a fair one in English. He learned the trade of a black- smith at which he worked until February, 1865. He then enlisted in the Union army, becoming a mem- ber of Company K., 10th Ohio Cavalry, and join- ing his regiment at La Vergne, Tenn. He was a member of Gen. Kilpatrick's Division and proved himself a worthy follower of that gallant patriot.

Mr. Nendel took part in the campaigns of Sher- man's march to the sea, and around Atlanta, after which his command rode north to join Gen. Grant. He was present at the surrender of Gen. Johnston in North Carolina. From the time of his enlist- ment until the discharge of the regiment on July 25, 1865, he never lost a day's service, but aided his country with all the strength of his young man- hood.

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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 139

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

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