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 149

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 149
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 149
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 149

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).

Milford O. Reitzel, the junior member of the firm, was born Jan. 10, 1859, in Hendricks County. Ind., his parents being W. M. and Malinda (Osborn) Reitzel, both now living in Osborn County, Kan. The former is a native of North Carolina, born in 1831, and was brought up to farming in Hendricks County, Ind., to which place his parents had re- moved when he was an infant. In that place he lived until 1877, when he came to Kansas and rented a farm in Marshall County, on which he lived for five years. He then removed to Washington County and rented another place for three years, subse- quently buying his present home in Osborn County. He has been twiee married, both times in Indiana, his first wife being Nancy McCormack, a native of Indiana, who died leaving two children-John W. and Emeline-the former of whom died in Indiana at the age of twenty-four; the latter is the wife of Charles Cook, a farmer in Cass County, Neb. The second wife of Mr. Reitzel was Malinda Osborn, who was born in Hendricks County, Ind., in 1836. Of this union there have been eight children, namely: Milford O., who is the eldest; Ardilla is the wife of W. M. Benfield, a farmer in Washington County; Thomas is also a resident of Washington County ; Alva is studying law in Stockton, Rooks Co., Kan .; Ida is the wife of John Kappel, a farmer in Cass County, Neb .; Albert and Belle are still with their parents. An infant died nnnamed.

W. M. Reitzel and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and for many years he has been a member of the Church Council, and he takes

1127

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

much interest in the Sunday-school work, and has been Superintendent for a long time. He is an upright, conscientious man who stands high in the estimation of the people who know him. He is in- variably respected for his sterling character and correet life; he is Justice of the Peace, of Valley Township, Osborn Co., Kan.

M. O. Reitzel, our subject, was brought up on the home farm in Hendricks County, Ind., and received his early education in its district schools. He was eighteen years old when the family came to Kansas. He worked for his father until he was of age, then engaged in farming, which he carried on for six years in Marshall and Washington counties. When twenty-seven years old he began to learn the trade of a printer, and in August, 1887, bought an in- terest in the concern with which he is now identi- fied.

Mr. Reitzel was married JJuly 4, 1885, in Wash- inton County, to Miss May Peterson, who was born May 10, 1866, in Wisconsin, and came to Kansas at the age of three years with her parents, Christo- pher and Cene Peterson, residents of Greenleaf Township, Washington County. Mr. Reitzel is a member of Vermilya Camp, No. 965, Modern Woodmen of America. He is also a member of the Good Templars, and is in every way a good citizen, who is highly respected by the people among whom he has made his home.

ENRY L. TOLLES has been identified with the interests of Clay County for nearly twenty years, and has marked its develop. ment from a thinly settled and almost un- cultivated region to its present state of productive- ness and civilization. He is a native of Barry County, Mich., his natal day being Aug. 16, 1837. His parents, Isaac and Clarissa (Pennock ) Tolles, were natives of Vermont and New York respec- tively, and the paternal ancestry, was in all proba- bility Danish. Hle was the eldest son in the pa- rental family, and was reared on a farm, receiving all the educational advantages which could be ob- tained in the schools of his native county at that period. The inhabitants of the farming districts

had not the school privileges now obtainable and our subject is to a great extent self-educated, having supplemented the excellent fundamental training he received by his observation and reading.

Leaving a bride of a few months, Mr. Tolles en- listed in the Union Army on Sept. 21. 1861, becom- ing a member of Company C., 66th Illinois In- fantry, which was part of the army of Tennessee. He participated in the battles of Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, both engagements at Corinth, Iuka, and all the con- tests of the Atlanta campaign, marching to the sea under Sherman's command. Bearing his part as a brave soldier should, in the numerous smaller engagements and skirmishes. in weary marches, and the monotonous duties of camp life, he con- tinued in the service of his country until July, 1865, at which time he was honorably discharged. He had been present at the surrender of Johnston's army and also participated in the grand review at Washington, D. C.

Returning to the duties of civil life, Mr. Tolles spent a short time in his native State, and the year after receiving his discharge from the army moved to Macon County, Mo. About three years later he returned to Michigan, where he continued to re- side until 1872, in the spring of' which year he came to this county and homesteaded 160 acres of land lying on sections 25 and 26 Blaine Township. He immediately settled thereon and began improv- ing and cultivating the estate, developing it from a primitive condition into one of high cultivation and productiveness. In 1884, he removed to Clay Center, where he continued to reside until the spring of 1889, when he again removed to a farm, that which he now occupies and located on sec- tion 7, comprising 103 acres, fertile and well culti- vated.

At the home of the bride in Barry County, Mich .. on Feb. 24, 1861. Mr. Tolles was united in mar- riage withi Miss Emeline Piper, a native of the county in which their wedding was celebrated. Their nnion has resulted in the birth of three chil- dren, William H., now living at Alma, Kan .; Frank H., who resides in this township, and Leona, who is still at home.

Mr. Tolles is a Republican. He has served for four years as Trustee of Blaine Township, filling

1128

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

the office with credit to himself and his constitu- ents. For two years he acted as Constable in C'lay Center. He is classed among the leading citizens of Blaine Township, where he and his family have a large circle of friends, being also well-known throughout the county. His integrity in matters of business is unquestioned, and his straightforward and honest manner in dealing with his fellow-men is well-known. Among the pioneers of the county, none are more worthy of representation in this volume than is the honored subject of this sketch.

G EORGE W. KENNEDY. Among the prom- inent men of Blaine Township, Clay County, may be properly mentioned Mr. Kennedy who owns and operates a well-tilled farm on section 32. 1Ie is one of the homesteaders who came to this section at an early date and who by his plodding industry has not only accumulated a competence, but has established himself in the es- teem and confidence of those around him. He is in the prime of life, having been born Dec. 19, 1846, and is an Ohio man, his early tramping ground having been in Ashland County, that State. · The parents of our subject were George W. and Catherine (Glessner) Kennedy, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Germany. His paternal grandparents were natives of Ireland, whence they emigrated at an early day, settling in the Keystone State, There George W. was reared to manhood and married, removing thence to Ash- land County, Ohio. In that county the mother died when her son George W. was a little lad of six years. The father was married a second time and subsequently removed to Williams County, Ohio, settling among its earliest pioneers. He improved a farm from the wilderness and died in 1879.

The subject of this sketch was the third child of his mother and remained with his father after her death until approaching man's estate. He assisted in clearing the farm from the timber and until a lad of fourteen years attended the primitive schools. As may be supposed his advantages were quite lim- ited but he made the most of his opportunities for

reading and observation and is a man with whom an hour may always be spent in a pleasant and profitable manner. The family was more than ordi- narily intelligent. One brother Arthur, is a teacher in Pittsburg, Pa .. and two other brothers, Francis and Gratton, are in the drug business, the first- mentioned in Byron, Ohio, and the latter in Chi- cago, Ill.

After the outbreak of the Civil War Mr. Ken- nedy, Dec. 19, 1862, enlisted as a Union soldier in Company HI, 38th Ohio Infantry, which was as- signed to the Third Division, 14th Corps, Army of the Potomac under the command of Gen. Thomas. Later he was transferred to another corps and participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and Jonesboro. At the latter place his regiment was nearly cut to pieces and his brother John fell fatally wounded by two rifle balls. George W. received a slight flesh wound in the right knee. Subsequently he participated in several skirmishes. Afterward he was employed as. a Gov- ernment muleteer in hauling provisions, and in this capacity went with Sherman's army on the march to the sea. He participated in the siege of Atlanta and still remaining with Sherman's army went up through the Carolinas to Washington and was pres- ent at the Grand Review. After a service of about two years and eight months he received his honora- ble discharge. He was the youngest soldier who carried a gun in his regiment.

After leaving the army young Kennedy returned to his old haants in Williams County, Ohio, and remained there several years. Finally, in 1872, he decided to cross the Mississippi, and coming to Kansas homesteaded 160 acres of land 'in Sher- man Township, Washington County. This land lay along Peach Creek. He took it in its primitive condition and constructed therefrom a good farm and resided upon it until 1884. That year he de- cided upon a change of location and took up his residence upon his present farm. This comprises 280 acres of finely-improved land which yields to the proprietor a handsome income.

In November, 1883, occurred the marriage of George W. Kennedy and Miss Melinda Wilson. This lady was born in Lexington, Ky., and came to Kansas with her parents in 1868. Of her union

1129

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

with our subject there are two children-Cora B .. born June 25, 1884, and Arthur T., Aug. 22, 1886. When coming West and homesteading his land Mr. Kennedy had not enough money to buy a sack of flour. For about thirteen years he kept bachelor hall in Washington County and endured the hard- ships and privations common to life on the frontier. He has seen the country develop from its wild state into one of the most prosperous commonwealths west of the Mississippi and takes an honest pride in the reflection that he has performed his part in the great transformation. Mr. Kennedy is a sound Republican, politically, but has little ambition for office. He, however, has served as Clerk of his school district and for two years was Constable.

P ROF. JEREMIAH E. PLATT, who was born in Plymouth, Conn., May 28, 1833, is the fifth of seven children born to Jireh and Sarah (Dutton) Platt. both of Connecticut ancestry and remote English descent. His father was a cabinet-maker and house-joiner, who purchased 120 acres of land near Mendon, Adams Co, Ill., when our subject was an in- fant, and removing with his family to that place remained there until his death, which occurred in 1861. Mr. Jireh Platt was an ardent Anti-slavery man, and a conductor in the "underground " rail- way in Illinois, actively engaged in assisting run- away slaves on their road to Canada. His son, Jeremiah, early imbibed a hatred of slavery, and one of his objects in coming to Kansas was to as- sist in making of it a free State even to the extent of fighting if necessary.

The first born of the parental family-Henry D., is a Congregational minister, located in Franklin, Neb .; he married Miss Sarah Stratton, and their living family consists of two children. Enoch is a farmer in Wabaunsee County, Kan .; he married Sarah Chapman and they have one child. Julia S. died unmarried at her home in Mendon, Ill., being twenty-nine years of age. Mary died in Griggs- ville, Ill., at the age of twenty-five years; she also being unmarried. Luther H. married Miss Nettie

Ferry, and is the father of two boys; he is engaged in the ministry in the Congregational Church at Dover, Kan. Martha is the wife of Amos Cottrell. a farmer at Wabaunsee, and their family comprises nine children. The mother of our subject died in 1875.

He of whom we write worked on his father's farm in Illinois during the summers, attending school in the winter months, until the age of eighteen, when he hecame a student in the academy at Waverly, Ill., teaching school during the vaca- tion for the two years' of his membership in that institution. He then took a scientific course of two years at the Illinois College, leaving the class on Sept. 5, 1856, to become a citizen of Kansas, and join the Anti-slavery ranks therein.

Mr. Platt pre-empted a claim of 160 acres, two miles south of Wabaunsee, Wabaunsee County, and for three years was engaged in farm labors during the summer, spending the winters in Illinois in the work of a pedagogue. In 1862-63 he taught in the village of Wabaunsee, and then in the lat- ter year he became the principal of the first graded school in Topeka. A year later he was elected to the faculty of the State Agricultural Col- lege, at Manhattan, having charge of the prepara- tory department and instruction in vocal music. In 1870, he was transferred to the chair of mathemat- ics, which he filled until 1883, teaching also the elementary English branches.

Since the date last mentioned, Prof. Platt has been State Sunday School Superintendent for the Congregational Church, and the Publication Society of Boston, Mass., and is constantly engaged in or- ganizing Sunday-schools and in active work in their interests. including the holding of the State, District, County and Town Institutes, and in conducting praise meetings and song services. He has organized over 150 new Sunday Schools in this State, and uses liis fine vocal talents in push- ing forward the work, it being an especial feature in the song and praise meetings.

Prof. Platt was married in Mendon, Ill., April 3, 1860, to Miss Jennie Smith, a lady whose refine- ment, intelligence and cultured manners, make her a fitting companion for a man of his character and at- tainments. She is the daughter of Samuel and

1130

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Mary A. (Trego) Smith, and is a native of Mary- land, her mother having been born in the same State, and her father in Connecticut; she was brought up in the latter State, completing her ed- ucation in Beanford Academy. Four children have been born to Professor and Mrs. Platt: George L., the first born, was graduated from the State Agricultural College at Manhattan, and then en- tered the college at Oberlin, Ohio, dying Dec. 20, 1878, aged abont eighteen years, the sad event tak. ing place but a short time after his admission to the famous Ohio school. Henry A. was also graduated at the State Agricultural College at Manhattan, and took a four year's classical course at Oberlin. He is now County Clerk of Wichita County, this State, and the owner of a fine cattle ranch. He married Miss Mary S. Smith, of Kentucky, and their resi- dence is in Leoti, Wichita County. Emery M. is a is a student in Topeka, and is learning stenography with a view to becoming an expert in that system of writing. He is one of the best tenor singers in the State, and took a three years' course in the Con- servatory at Oberlin, Ohio. Edward L., who is now at home, has for the past three years been a student in Washburn College, Topeka.

Prof. Platt owns a handsome brick residence about two miles from the business portion of Man- hattan, and a half mile northeast of the Agricul- tural College Farm. It is tastefully furnished, evincing the hand of a refined and cultured woman in its arrangement and adornment, and a highly-prized feature therein is a fine library, where the family and their friends find congenial compan- ionship, and pleasant recreation and enjoy the best thought of those whose works are worthy of pe- rusal. In 1857. Prof. Platt was chosen as the first County Superintendent of Schools, of Wabaunsee County, and filled a similar office in Riley County in 1865-66. Ilis sunshiny nature and hearty man - ner, combined with his personal knowledge of the work of teaching, well fitted him for a posi- tion of that nature, where hearty encouragement of the efforts made by both teacher and pupils, and an accurate judgment as to the needs of the schools are necessary to successful work. Prof. Platt in his own work as pedagogue proved highly success- ful in imparting instruction and the needful stim-

ulus to those under his charge, and manifests an equal enthusiasm in the Sunday School work in which he is now engaged. Ilis wife, like himself, is a member of the Congregational Church. He belongs to the Patrons of Husbandry, is a Republi- can in politics, and in 1860 was a member of the convention which nominated Congressional dele- gates.

ILLIAM D. VINCENT, one of the pio- neer settlers of Clay County, came to the newly-admitted State of Kansas in 1862. and to the above-mentioned county in 1878. He has thus witnessed in part the remarkable changes which have transformed a section of country, once harrassed by political troubles and other calamities, into a free and prosperons commonwealth. Like one of the blocks of masonry, which form the solid wall, he has been a useful man in his sphere and is looked upon with that tacit respect invol- untarily accorded to those of his experience and attainments.

Mr. Vincent was born in Weakley County, Tenn., Oct. 11, 1852, and is a son of William J. Vincent, a native of North Carolina, and who married Miss Elizabeth Freeman. In 1858 they started for the Territory of Kansas, but stopped for a time at Marshfield, Mo., Mr. Vincent, in the meantime, working at his trade of a carpenter. Upon the day Gen. Lyon was killed at the battle of Wilson Creek, they, bearing the guns and learning that the Union troops were being defeated, fled the coun- try, going to Illinois, not being able to reach Kan- sas direct, as they desired, on account of the rebel element being in possession of the land.

The following spring, however, the parents of our subject set out overland for Kansas and halted in what is now Riley County. Shortly afterward, Mr. Vincent went to Topeka, where he remained until after Quantrell's raid on the city of Lawrence and then thought best to move again, the inhabi- tants of the capital city not even daring to burn a light at night, for several weeks subsequent to the raid. Finally returning to Riley County he lived on a farm until the winter of 1864, then removed to Manhattan and there William D. acquired his

II31

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

early education and lived, with the exception of one year spent in Texas, until his removal to Clay Center.

William .I. Vincent departed this life in Man- hattan, Kan., in 1875, at the age of fifty-nine years. The mother is still living in Clay Center. Seven of their eight children lived to mature years, and all but two are residents of Clay Center. Martha is the wife of E. M. Pinkerton, of Lincoln, this State; and Frances, (Mrs. Stepp) is a resident of Ft. Smith, Ark. The others are John M., Emerson E., Wallace II. and Ella (Mrs. MeCormick). Will- iam D. completed his education at the State Agri- cultural College at Manhattan, in 1872. Later, he learned harness-making, and in connection with the hardware business, followed this trade until coming to Clay Center. in 1878. That year, with his brother, John M., he opened a large double store with a stock of hardware. harness and sad- dlery. Later. Emerson E. purchased an interest in the firm of Vincent Bros., and they are now con- ducting the largest establishment of the kind in Clay Center, and transacting a fine business.

Mr. Vincent was married March 7, 1872, to Miss Etta L. Ilosmer, of Ashland. Kan. This lady was born in Lawrence, N. Y., Dec. 1, 1855, and lived there till 1862, when with her father, Albert Ilosmer, and his family, she moved to Iowa, and lived in that State until 1864, when the family came to Riley County, Kansas, where they lived until her marriage. Of this union there have been born seven children, four of whom are living. namely : Lillian M., Victor V., Bessie and Paul. When Mr. Vincent eame to the site of Clay Center, in 1878, there was one brick and one stone building. Vin- cent Bros. established themselves in a frame store building, whence they removed to their present commodious quarters in 1882. Mr. Vineent is a man prominent in his community and is recognized as one of its most enterprising and valuable men. Ile represented his ward in the city council for one term, but declined to accept the position for the second term. He belongs to the K. of P. and M. W. A. In politics he is an old Greenbacker, hav- ing cast his first vote for Peter Cooper. for Presi- dent in 1876. Ile was a delegate in the Cincinnati convention which organized the Union Labor

party Feb. 22, 1887, since which time he has been a member of the National committee, of said party, for the State of Kansas. In 1882 he was tendered the nomination for Congress by the Greenback Congressional convention of the old first district, but deelined to make the race. Ile was afterward induced to accept the nomination for the Legisla- ture and made a joint canvas of Clay County with the late Hon. Wirt. W. Walton ; although his party strengthi was only about 200 in the county, he re- ceived 1,055 votes, falling only about 300 votes behind his opponent. Mr. Walton was a very popular man of State reputation, and the campaign was the most exciting one that had ever taken place in Clay County, attracting the attention of the press and politicians all over the State. Not- withstanding this bitter political fight the two gen- tlemen were warm personal friends and remained so up to the time of Mr. Walton's death. Mr. Vincent is a arm believer in the "single tax" doctrine as promulgated by Henry George. He fully rea- lizes that his political opinions are unpopular, but he is not the man to be driven from his posi- tion because the crowd is against him.

The Vincents are all lovers of good horses, of which they own about seventy head. They are gaining quite a reputation as breeders of trotters. and are gradually getting hold of some of the best standard-bred horses in the country.

W ILLIAM CAIRNS, a prominent young druggist of Greenleaf, Washington County, is a son of one of its oldest citizens, who is now deceased, and is a most worthy representa- tive of a fine old family. A native of Ontario, Canada, he was born June 4, 1857, and is conse- quently young in years. although he has long been recognized as one of the most solid citizens of this part of the county. having a large amount of go-ahead energy, which is bound to win.

The Cairns family is of substantial Scotch an- cestry and in the Land of the Thistle, Robert Cairns, the father of our subject, was born in 1819. He lived there until reaching man's estate, and when about twenty-one years old crossed the At-

1132

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Jantie and settled in the eastern portion of Canada, where he sojourned until about 1856 or 1857. He then moved to Bruce County, Canada, and lived there till 1871. In that year he came to Kansas and located in Jackson County and resided there till the fall of 1876. In that year he came to Greenleaf, Washington County. Ile had carried on farming in the Dominion, but in Greenleaf opened up a drug-store, which he conducted four years and then retired from active business.

To Robert Cairns the town of Greenleaf was largely indebted for its early development, as he invested considerable money and spent much time in promoting its best interests. He remained free from debt and accumulated a good property. Ile was for many years a member in good standing of the Presbyterian Church, and was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, keeping himself well in- formed on all the leading topics of the day. In Canada he held many offices of trust and responsi- bility. After coming to Kansas he identified him self with the Republican party, but had very little to do with political affairs. To him and his esti- mable wife there were born six children, the eldest of whom, a son, Thomas, is engaged in the lumber business in Grand Haven, Mich. John is a promi- nent farmer and stockman of Vancouver's Island; Julia is the wife of George Kerr and resides in Ontario, Canada; Robert is farming in Washington County, this State; William, the subject of this sketch, is next to the youngest; Mary is the wife of Hezekiah Merriett, and lives in Atchison County, this State.

Mr. Cairns spent his childhood and youth in the town of Tara, Bruce Co., Ontario, and there re- ceived his education in the common schools, although he subsequently attended the graded schools at Grand Haven, Mich .. and Atchison, this State. He spent a part of the year 1874 in Grand Rapids, then returned to Canada, where he so- journed a few months. Then, in 1876, he eame back to Kansas, and for a short period was a resi- dent of Atchison. Later he spent a year in Green- leaf, then returned to Atehison, but in 1877 located permanently in Greenleaf, where he has sinee been established in the drug business. He has read medicine considerably, and purposes to follow this

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 149

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

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