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 141
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 141
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 141
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prietor of the creamery at Leonardville, and his brand of butter is well-known to the trade as being of a uniform grade of excellence. The Erpelding brothers are, perhaps, more closely identified with the business interests of Leonardville than any other men in the place. Their wealth and sagacity place them in a prominent position and bring them into connection with almost all interests relating to the growth and prosperity of the town.
OHN ROBINSON, late a resident of Iowa, and numbered among its most worthy citi- zens, was born in Hubbard County, Ohio, in 1818, and departed this life at his homestead April 29, 1867. He was a good man in all the re- lations of life, kind and indulgent to his family, industrious and reliable and made for himself a record of which his children will never be ashamed.
The parents of our subject were Thomas and Mary Robinson who were of Scotch-Irish descent and spent their last days in Pennsylvania. John was reared to manbood in his native State and on the Ilth of November, 1858, was married in Penn- sylvania to Miss Eliza Carringer. Of this union there were born five children, two of whom, Emma I. and Thomas E., died at the ages of fifteen and thirteen years. The survivors are Henry II., a resi- deut of Colorado; Ella S., and Elmer E. The eldest son married Miss Nancy Stewart and they became the parents of three children, one of whom died in infaney. The survivors are George E. and Herbert L.
Mr. and Mrs. Robinson after their marriage re- moved, in 1858, to Louisa County, Iowa, where the husband and father died, and where Mrs. Robinson continued to live until the fall of 1881. Then with her three children she came to Northern Kan- sas, settling upon the land which she now owns and occupies and where, with the assistance of her child- ren, she has built up a comfortable homestead, Mrs. Robinson is a member in good standing of the United Presbyterian Church and a lady greatly respected by all who know her.
Mrs. Robinson was born in Mercer County, Pa.,
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June 1, 1827, and is the daughter of Henry and Sarah ( Feather) Carringer, likewise natives of the Keystone State and both of German ancestry: Eliza was their eldest child and was reared to womanhood in her native county, receiving her education in its primitive schools. Her paternal grandfather served as a soldier seven years in the Revolutionary War. Her unele, Jacob Carringer, served in the War of 1812. The parental family consisted of ten children, namely : Eliza, David J., a resident of Colorado; George W., deceased; Cor- nelius A., residing in Pennsylvania; Mary, who lives with her sister, Mrs. Robinson; Sarah, Henry and Louisa deceased; Matilda, Mrs. Moore, of Riley County, this State, and Harvey M., deceased. Henry served as a soldier in the late Civil War.
Mr. Robinson was a Republican in polities and a consistent member of the I'nited Presbyterian Church.
OMER A. ROBINSON. In reviewing the early settlement of Exeter Township, Clay County, the name of Mr. Robinson will be found among its leading pioneers. His career has been one honorable and praiseworthy, filled in with industry and perseverance amid ditli- eulties, during which time he battled with the hard- ships of life on the frontier and made for himself a good homestead from a wild and uncultivated tract of land. He may now usually be found at his headquarters on section 4, surrounded by all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He has been quite prominent in local affairs and is the present Trustee of the township.
A native of Mercer County, Pa., Mr. Robinson was born Sept. 16, 1847, and is the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Spangler) Robinson, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Virginia. It is be- lieved that his paternal ancestors were of Scotch- Irish deseent, while the mother probably descended from the German. Grandfather Robinson is ered- ited with having served in the War of 1812. To Benjamin and Elizabeth Robinson there was born a family of seven children, ¡viz .: Homer A., Thomas H., a resident of DeKalb County, Ill .; Lee D .. a resident of Washington, Iowa; Miles and
James II. living in Sedgwick County, this State; Ithamer T.residing in Ellsworth, and William. The family, when 'Homer A. was a lad of ten years, removed to Louisa County, Iowa, settling among its earliest pioneers and there the father died Jan. 5, 1861. The mother later removed to DeKalb County, Ill., where her decease occurred in 1883.
Mr. Robinson was reared to man's estate in Louisa County, Iowa, becoming familiar with agri- cultural pursuits and acquiring a good education in the common schools. Later he attended two different colleges in Pennsylvania, paying his way himself, after having served as a soldier during the Civil War. He enlisted Feb. 22, 1864. in Com- pany F, 25th Iowa Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, and participated in many of the important battles which followed, going all through the Atlanta campaign and with Sherman on his march to the sea. Ile was wounded at the battle of Bentonville and for a short time was confined in the hospital at Goldsboro. Later he was taken to the hospital at Troy, N. Y., and received bis honorable discharge June 26, 1865.
Returning now to Iowa, Mr. Robinson resided for a time in Louisa County, then in the fall of 1869 eame to Clay County, Kan., and homesteaded a quarter of seetion 4 in Exeter Township, making the entry December 9. This entry is believed to have been the second in the township. The land, it is hardly necessary to say, was in its primitive condi- tion, but by the exercise of untiring energy and industry he brought it to a high state of cultivation and added to his possessions, so that he is now the owner of 200 aeres. upon which he has erected convenient buildings and has about him all the comforts of life. He has done his full share of pioneer labor and experienced the various hard- ships and difficulties of life on the frontier. He is serving his fifth year as Township Trustee, and officiated as a Justice of the Peace for five years. In religious matters he belongs to the United Pres- byterian Church at Idana, and politically, uniformly supports the Republican party.
St. Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 1872, was appro- priately celebrated by Mr. Robinson, it being the occasion of his marriage with Miss Mary McGinnis. This lady was born in 1819, in Pennsylvania, and
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by her union with our subject has become the mother of four children, three of whom are living: Nellie, Lee, and William N. Ada M. died when one year old. Mr. Robinson during his younger years taught school two terms in Louisa County, Iowa. He may be considered a successful man and is still in his prime, with, it is to be hoped, many more years of usefulness and enjoyment. Mrs. Robinson died Dec. 22, 1882.
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C APT. D. PARKINSON, proprietor of the First National Grocery, Washington, is a fine representative of the business men of Washington County, and as one of its leading mer- chants, is a potent factor in extending its com- mercial interests,and in otherwise promoting its wel- fare. He is a veteran of the late war, in which he won a creditable military record, his promotion from the ranks being due to his merits as a faithful and ef- ficient soldier. He was born in Concord Township, Jackson Co., Mich., June 20, 1838. Ilis father, Sylvanus Parkinson, was one of the early pioneers of that county. He was a native of Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and was reared in the State of his birth. In 1837 he removed from Erie County to Michigan, which he had previously visited and had made a claim to a tract of Government land in Concord Township, of which he thus became one of the first settlers. lle built a log cabin on bis land, in which humble abode our subject was born. The Kalamazoo River passed through his place. and with characteristic shrewdness and foresight, he determined to utilize the water power for mill purposes, and he soon made a dam and erected the first sawmill ever built in that part of the country. He thus became the pioneer mill-owner of that region, and carried on quite a profitable business in the manufacture of lumber. While operating the mill, he cleared a large tract of land, and super- intended its improvement into a valuable farm. His first habitation of logs was burned, and he erected in its place a more commodious frame house. His death, in 1846, closed a busy and honorable career, while cutting him down in the prime of life, and a useful citizen was lost to the township and county.
His wife did not long survive him, but died on the home farm in 1847. Her maiden name was Eliza- beth Farris, and she was born in the State of New York. Four of the children born of her marriage were reared to maturity, of which the following is recorded : William F. resides on the old homestead, in Concord, Mich .; Eleanor is the wife of Mr. Ken- yon, of Chicago; Caleb lives in Washington, D. C., where he has held a clerkship in the Second Audi- tor's office since 1862; the youngest child is the subject of this biographical review.
Our subject was a young boy when the death of his parents left him and his brothers and sister orphans, but he continued to live with them in their care on the old homestead. He laid the solid foundation of his education in the pioneer schools of his native township, and was advanced by attend- ance at the Seminary, at Albion. He lived with his brothers and sister till he was eighteen years old, and then, starting out in the world for himself, he made his way to Champaign County, Ill., where he found employment at farming, and one winter he taught school. He remained in that part of the Prairie State two years, and then went to Chicago, where, ambitious to gain a more thorough business education. he became a student at Bryant & Strat- ton's Commercial College. After leaving college. he found a position as clerk. and was thus em- ployed the opening year of the war. In 1862 he determined to enter the army, and aid his brave comrades who had gone to the front, in fighting the battles of their common country, and he en- listed, in the month of April, in Company A., 2d Battalion. 16th United States Infantry, and served with distinction three years. For nearly two years he was stationed at Columbus, Tenn., and during that time his regiment made several excursions in pursuit of the enemy. In 1864 our subject and his comrades joined Gen. Sherman at Chattanooga, and were with him on his famous march to Atlanta, their regiment being under Gen. Thomas'direct command, and they took part in the engagement at Jonesboro, and in all the principal battles of the campaign. At Lookout Mountain, Capt. Parkinson was granted a thirty days' furlough, and at the expiration of his leave of absence. he returned to Nashville just in time to take part in the great battle at that place,
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he being the only member of his regiment in that engagement, the others being at Lookout Moun- tain, where he soon rejoined them.
Capt. Parkingham served until the expiration of his term of enlistment, and soon after his return home, he received his commission as Second Lien- tenant, dated prior to the expiration of his first term of service. He joined his regiment at Lookout Mountain, and continued in the army some years after the close of the war, till 1869, in fact. lle was stationed at Nashville, and a part of the time at Memphis, and during that time he was promoted to the captaincy of his company, and commanded it during his last year of service. He acted as quartermaster and as Commissary, and the National Cemetery at Memphis was laid out and completed under his supervision. In 1869 the Captain re- signed from the army, and the following two years was engaged in the commission business at Mem- phis, and the two years ensuing carried on the same business in St. Louis. In 1874 he came to Kansas, and locating in Ft. Scott, engaged in the market gardening and game business, in Bourbon and Ne- osho counties, until 1877. In that year he estab- lished himself in Washington, and carried on various kinds of employment till 1881. In March of that year he bought a restaurant and a very small stoek of groceries, his only capital at that time being $325, and from that small beginning he has built up one of the most flourishing businesses in the city, as he now commands a trade of $60,000 a year.
Capt. Parkinson and Miss Emma Choate were married in 1869, and they have one child, David C. Mrs. Parkinson was born in Auburn, N. Y., and is a daughter of Joseph and H. Emeline Choate. She is a true, womanly woman, possessing those fine qualities that make her a veritable home-maker. A sincere Christian. she is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church.
Capt. Parkinson's career thus far has been one of honor in every department of life, whether as a military or civic official, as a business man, or in bis social and domestic relations. He possesses a clear, vigorous, well-trained mind, and bis judg- ment in regard to business matters is keen and far- seeing, and to these characteristics, together with
the fact that he personally superintends his affairs, is attributable his marked success. These traits have also made him invaluable in public office, as was found when he was at the head of the city government of Washington as Mayor, and when he served the municipality as a member of the City Council, in which positions he vigorously pushed forward all schemes looking toward the improve- ment of the city, or that would in any way pro- mote its upbuilding.
Mr. Parkinson is connected with the following organizations: Frontier Lodge, No. 104. A. F. & A. M .; Washington Lodge. No. 119, A. O. U. W .; Waters Camp, M. W. A .; and Laurel Lodge, No. 29, K. of P. In politics he is entirely independent of party, giving his support to the candidate whom he considers best qualified for the office.
AMES SAGER. Possessed of a fine phys- ique, a wonderful memory and more than ordinary business capacity, this gentleman wields an influence in both the social and political circles of his vicinity. He is a dealer in farm implements in Vining, and is well known to the people of Clay, Washington and Cloud counties, among whom his trade is large and flourishing. Ile became engaged in his present business in 1881. when he commenced with a much smaller stock than he is now compelled to carry. For the two years from 1887 to 1889 he was associated in part- nership with N. B. Needham (see biography on an- other page) in the town of Clifton, approximate to Vining, and after their partnership was dissolved. he farmed for one year before starting in his pres- ent business.
Coming to Washington County in the spring of 1870, Mr. Sager homesteaded in Clifton Township on sections 27 and 34, the date of his pre-emption being March 10, 1870. The land was then un- broken, he taking up the first farm in the section; beginning immediately to make improvements, the general appearance was soon changed from a de- serted tract of land to fields of waving grain and blushing fruits. His landed possessions have been
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since increased until their present acreage is 480. On this estate he followed agricultural pursuits for eight years, and in the meantime effected many improvements. At the time of his first arrival in this State he had no money, nor any farming im- plements, but by his indomitable industry he soon obtained an ox team and a plow, with which he began work, and by means of which he soon had his farm under headway. In due time he erected good buildings, including a neat and commodious residence and a good barn, besides all the out- buildings requisite on a modern estate.
Tracing the ancestry of our subject back a few generations, we find that his great-grandfather, David Sager, came of German parentage, and hav- ing emigrated from New York State, settled in Canada, making his home in Prince Edward County, Province of Ontario. His wife had accompanied him to Canada, and tliere they reared a family of six sons, of whom Jacob, the grandfather of our subject, was the eldest. Ile was born soon after his parents located in Prince Edward County, and there grew to manhood. He married Anna Rogers. also of the same county, and she became the mother of four sons and four daughters, who grew to maturity, married, and are yet living, excepting one daughter and one son. Jacob Sager and his wife lived on the old Sager homestead until, at a ripe old age, they passed to rest, the former dying very suddenly of heart disease and the latter of apoplexy. Of their eight children, John W., the father of him of whom we write, was the eldest, being reared to farm pursuits, and marrying Miss Mary A. Ilanna, who was born and reared in the Province of Ontario, near Napinee. Her parents were Scotch people, her father having emigrated from Scotland at an early day. J. W. Sager and his wife lived for many years in their old home, but afterward the mother came to the United States and settled in Washington County, and afterward removed to Graham County, Kansas, where she now lives, at the age of about sixty-five years.
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James Sager was reared to man's estate in Prince Edward County, where he was born Ang. 28, 1845. He is at present the oldest survivor of a large fam- ily, having five brothers and one sister who are yet living, all of whom reside in the United States, and
with one exception are married. Upon reaching the age of nineteen years .James Sager left the home of his youth and the shores of Canada, emigrating to the United States and coming to Detroit, Mich., in May, 1864, whence he came to Missouri and worked on the Ilannibal and St. Joe Railway. Leaving Missouri he proceeded to Knox County, Ill., where he was engaged as a farm laborer, con- tinuing thus employed while in Illinois. Not mak- ing much headway in that State, he resolved to seek new fields of labor, and so located in Kansas in 1870, having since that time attained prosperity by dint of untiring efforts and strenuons exertions.
A few years after coming to Kansas an important change took place in the life of Mr. Sager, for he was then married to Miss Iva S. Haynes, their union being consummated in Clifton Township, March 1, 1874. Mrs. Sager was born in Monroe County, Ill., March 24, 1852, to John G. and Amanda (Fairchild) Haynes. the former having come to Kansas as early as 1864. Ile made a pleasant home for his family in Clay County, and there died when an old man, having won the respect of all who knew him. The mother yet lives, and makes her home in Clifton Township, being now (1889) past sixty years of age. Mrs. Sager was one of the younger members of her father's family, and was twelve years of age when her parents removed to Kansas. At the parental homestead she lived until her marriage, learning all those useful things which were of such benefit to her when she as- sumed the responsible position of a housekeeper and a home maker. Wifehood and motherhood are graced by her, and the duties and cares of life become a pleasure when viewed by her sunny dis- position. Of the five children born to her and her husband, one, Charles A,, was taken from earth when only a little more than two years of age. while those living are: Gilbert A., Emily L., Millie E. A. and Frank M. The children are bright and intelligent, and form with their parents a pleasant and happy home circle. They are re- ceiving the foundations of a good education, which will be very extended and complete in later years.
Being prominent in politics, Mr. Sager has held all the offices of Clifton Township, and was County Commissioner for three consecutive years. Ile is
ـارالــ
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a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, No. 122. having occupied almost all the chairs of the lodge. He has been a delegate to the State Convention and is a member of the State Lodge, also of Signet Chapter, No. 52, of Clyde, Kan. The A. O. U. W. claim him as an honored member, his name being enrolled as a charter member of No. 40. of Clifton, wherein he has held all the offices. He votes uni- formly with the Republican party. Mr. and Mrs. Sager are universally respected, the former for his worth and honor, the latter for her many charms of gracious womanhood.
S AMUEL A. FOSTER is one of the leading citizens of Leonardville and one of the best business men of the place. He is, perhaps, more fully identified with the business interests of the town than almost any other man in it. He is a lumber dealer and carries on an extensive and profitable trade. Ile is a na- tive of Kansas, having been born in Leavenworth, Sept. 18, 1858, and is a son of John and Letitia (Sampson) Foster. John Foster is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Allegheny County, Jan. 6, 1833. He moved to Minnesota at an early date and lived there till 1857, when he moved to Leavenworth. Kan., where he worked at the carpenter's trade for a few years and then en- gaged in the lumber business. He continued in the latter occupation for a few years, then went to farming, which he followed some time. In 1879 he opened a lumber yard in Randolph, Kan., which is now being conducted by the Foster Lumber Company. In 1889 Mr. Foster went to Kansas City, Mo., where he now resides. Mr. Foster and two of his sons are members of the Foster Lumber ' Company, at Kansas City, an enterprise that brings in large returns yearly and has been the means of making its stock-holders quite wealthy and influen- tial. Mr. Foster is a thorough business man and has by his sagacity amassed a large fortune which he does not selfishly hoard, but is always ready to respond to the call of charity or other enterprises requiring liberal pecuniary aid. He is a member
of the Presbyterian Church and an upright, honor- able man. He is a Republican in politics and although true to his convictions is not bigoted in in his views. The father of John and grandfather of Samuel Foster, was Samuel, a native of the old Keystone State, of German extraction.
Letitia Sampson, the mother of our subject, is also a native of Pennsylvania where she was born in 1834. She is the daughter of Thomas Sampson, a native of the same State and of Irish extraction. Mrs. Foster is a lady of fine, prepossessing appear- ance and has preserved much of the vigor of youth to the present time. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have had nine children born unto them, named respectively: Annie, Samuel A., Thomas, Benjamin, Mary, Mattie. Iona, James and George.
The subject of this sketch is the second child and was reared in Leavenworth where he attended the common schools and secured a fair education. While yet in his teens he commenced earning his own living. He procured employment as a clerk and continued at that work until he was about twenty- four years of age. In 1882 he moved to Leon- ardville and engaged in the lumber, grain and coal business, which he has continued to follow to the present time. The immense business was conducted under the name of John Foster & Sons until 1889, when the Foster Lumber Company was organized. Samuel Foster had previously purchased, Jan. 1, 1888, the business at the towns of Leonardville and Green, which he still conducts. Although a young man, his general intelligence, shrewd busi- ness management and executive ability, have placed him in the front rank of prominent and in- fluential men in his town and have secured for him the unreserved confidence and support of all good citizens in his efforts to promote the welfare of the place. As a proof of the high esteem in which he is held, it is only necessary to say that he has been Mayor of Leonardville, and while in that office gave almost universal satisfaction. Like his father he belongs to the great Republican party and is a devoted adherent of the principles promulgated by its leaders.
Nov. 25, 1885, was a red letter day in the calen- dar of Samuel Foster, as on that day he led to the altar Miss Nellie Combs, a charming and intelligent
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young lady of Leavenworth, Kan,, and in the pres- ence of assembled friends made her his beloved wife. Mrs. Foster is a native of Leavenworth, Kan. She was born in 1860, and grew to woman- hood in her native town where she received a good education and is well fitted to be the companion of her devoted husband. One child, Earle, has come to cheer their hearts and fill their bome with sun- shine.
The portrait of Mr. Foster on another page will be recognized as that of one of the most enterpris- ing men of Leonardville, and one who has done much toward advancing her material interests.
OHN A. ALLEN, one of the leading grocers of Manhattan, is a fine representative of one of the earliest pioneer families of Kansas, and is distinguished as being one of the earli- est settlers in this State, he having come here with his parents when a lad of twelve years, in 1854, the year that Kansas was thrown open to the whites. And now, in the prime of a vigorous manhood, he may with pride point to the fact that he has witnessed the entire development of this part of the Great West,and while thus watching the making of a State he has contributed to its material, social and moral progress. A veteran of the late war, en- listing for the defence of the Stars and Stripes before he had attained his majority,he is now prom- inently identified with the G. A. R. as Past Com - mander of one of the Kansas posts.
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