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 152

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 152
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 152
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 152

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).

During the late Civil War, Dr. Randall was a member of the Union League and frequently made strong I'nion speeches. Attempts were made by the enemies of the Government, to mob him, but they were unsuccessful. Becoming suspicious of plots against the Government he assumed the role of one who was becoming sick of the war and a traitor to the Union. So well did he act his part that a friend who was a member of the Golden Circle, believed him sincere, and divulged the plan of that order. This was, with Dan Voorhees of Indiana as their leader, assisted by Thomas A. Hendricks of the same State, to strike a death-blow at the United States Government by taking possession of sup- plies and in every way impeding the work of those who were striving to preserve the Union. Their plot was revealed to the authorities by Dr. Ran- dall, whose high standing gave weight to his words, and convinced those who heard him that he was

not spreading an "idle tale." Steps were taken by the Government to break up the Golden Circle. and frustrate their traitorous designs. That these meas- ures were successful is shown by the fact that we are still a nation.

In 1869 Dr. Randall came to this county, and settled near Palmer, in Sherman Township. Ile entered upon a farming life with the intention of abandoning the practice of his profession, but he was soon obliged to resume it. Since 1882, he has practiced but little, having at that time had the misfortune to lose his left leg below the knee. lle came to Linn in September, 1883, and bought the drug-store which he is now successfully managing.

Ou Oct. 18, 1844, Dr. Randall was united in mar- riage with Miss Lucinda II. Carpenter. She was born in Corinth, Saratoga C'o .. N. Y., June 3, 1823, and is of English ancestry. Her father, Dan- iel Carpenter. (now deceased), was born in Green- field, N. Y. Her paternal grandfather, Carpenter, and her maternal grandfather, Richard Smith, were both Revolutionary soldiers.

Our subjeet and his wife have been blessed by the birth of seven children, four of whom are now living. A brief notice of them is given as follows : Julius H., is now living at Decatur, Ill. ; his busi- ness is that of an architect. He was a soldier during the late War, entering the service at the age of fif- teen years. He married Miss Nancy Spitler, who has borne him two children-Minnie F. and Martha. Charles A. married Miss Elizabeth Wiggins; he is a farmer at Palmer, this county. Edwin F., also engaged in farming in Palmer, married Mrs. Fran- ces Dozier. Laura F. is the wife of D. Fred Cook. She is the mother of one child, Gershom Randall, a remarkably intelligent child.

One of the most interesting recollections of Dr. Randall's early life is that of seeing Gen. LaFayette at Ticonderoga, when the former was but five years old. Dr. Randall was a personal friend of the martyred Lincoln. In Will County, Ill., our subject was Deputy County Super- intendent of Schools for two years. Under Grant he held the position of Postmaster at Buffalo, Ill. He was the first postmaster at Mount Clifton, (now Palmer), which was the first office established in the southern part of the county. After holding the of-

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fice one year, the Doctor resigned. In the fall of 1875, he was elected to the Kansas Legislature, in which he served one term. The following year he refused the nomination for State Senator on ac- count of ill-health, from which he suffered for about two years. He and his wife are worthy members of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Randall is a member of the Women's Relief Corps. No couple in the county stand higher in the estimation of the citizens thereof. than Hon. G. A. Randall and his wife, who can look back over well spent and useful lives.

G EORGE T. LAMBERT, a well-educated young man who has just passed the twenty- seventh year of his age, follows principally the profession of a teacher and also operates a well- regulated farm of eighty acres on section 25, Linn Township. Washington County. He is well-edu- cated and intelligent, and possesses in a marked degree those traits of character which have drawn around him many friends andwell- wishers, and which betoken for him a bright and prosperous future. His native place was Lawrence County, Ohio, and the date of his birth July 7, 1862.

William C. Lambert, the father of our subject, was likewise a native of Lawrence County, Ohio, and he married a maiden of his own neighbor- hood-Miss Mahala, daughter of Isaac Peyton. Ile followed farming all his life. The paternal grandfather was Thomas Lambert, a native of Virginia, who emigrated with his parents to Law- rence County, Ohio, when a small boy, and there spent his last days. George T. was one of a fam- ily of nine children, seven of whom are living, viz .: Eva M., Serelza .J .; George T., our subject, Charles M., Luella, William G. and Perry F.

Young Lambert spent his boyhood and youth in an uneventful manner, assisting in the labors of the farm and attending the district schools of his native county. He made good use of his time at his books and taught school five years in Ohio be- fore coming to Kansas. He crossed the Mississippi in the spring of 1884. and for eighteen months thereafter taught school in Washington County, this State; then, returning to Ohio in August.

1885, sojourned there until March 5, 1886. Then coming back to Kansas, he located near Hollen- burg, Washington County, until November follow- ing, when he removed to district No. 41, near Washington, and conducted a school there four months.

In March, 1887, Mr. Lambert secured the land which he now owns and occupies. settling at once upon it, and conducts his farming operations in the summer season, while he occupies his winters in teaching. He has a very comfortable home- stead and some live stock, keeping about nine head of cattle, twenty-eight head of swine and four horses. His wife, to whom he was wedded Feb. 27, 1886, was in her girlhood Miss Nanny E. Here- ford, daughter of Brook G. Hereford, of Lawrence County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Lambert are the parents of two bright children-Charles W., born Oct. 12, 1887, and Eunice. born March 3, 1889.

Mr. and Mrs. Lambert are members in good standing of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Lambert, politically, gives his support to the Republican party. As an instructor he pursues the latest and best Nor- mal methods, and has been eminently successful, both as a tutor and a disciplinarian. He is exceed- · ingly popular and numbers his friends among the most intelligent and cultured people of Linn Town- ship and vicinity.

W ILLIAM G. LYTLE. The subject of this notice is a native of Iowa, having first opened his eyes to the light of day in Johnson County, near Iowa City, on March 21. 1855. His father was Lionel B. Lytle, and his grandfather John Lytle, supposed to be a native of Pennsylvania, moved to Knox County, Ohio, where he engaged in mercantile business. John Lytle pursued the business of a merchant in Ohio for some years. He then removed to Iowa and en- gaged in trade in Iowa County for abont four years ; then removed to Wayne County, where he bought a farm and retired from all business except that involved in the management of the farm where he made his home, content to pass the remainder of his days in the serene enjoyment of the peace and

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beauty of nature. The daisy-dotted turf has cov- ered his form these many years, but his memory still lives in the hearts of his descendants.

The father of our subject was reared in Ohio, and when a young man moved to Iowa, which was then in its pioneer stage of development. He lived for a time in Johnson County, and then went to Iowa County, where he opened a store for the pur- pose of transacting a general mercantile business. He was one of the early settlers of the latter-named county, and was honored by having the village in which he located named for him-Lytle City. He continued in business there as a general merchant until his deatlı, which occurred in 1868. Ile was an ardent patriot, an enthusiastic lover of progress and a wide-awake, public-spirited man who enjoyed the respect and esteem of a large local circle of friends and acquaintances. The maiden name of the mother of Mr. Lytle was Sarah Dumbauld, a native of Ohio, from which State she had come to lowa in her youth and there met Mr. Lytle. They were married in Solon. Johnson County, Iowa, and became the happy parents of six children, named, respectively, Margery, Frank, William G., Mary E., James and Lucy R. Mrs. Lytle was married a second time to Robert Grimes.

W. G. Lytle was but an infant when his parents removed to Iowa County, which remained his home during the earlier years of his life. Ile secured a good, sound, practical education in the schools of that county, and at the age of seventeen com- menced to learn the jewelry trade at Vinton, Iowa. He worked at that business there for two years, and then went to Keota, Iowa, where he worked some five years, going from there to Washington, Iowa, where he worked one year, then removed to Chicago, where he remained four years, being em- ployed at his trade during all this time. He then emigrated to Humboldt, Neb., where he engaged in business and remained till March, 1889, when he removed to Washington and opened a store which is a credit to the place and a means of pecuniary profit to himself. Ile carries a full line of jewelry, silver and plated ware, watches of various makes, and also musical instruments and optical goods. He is a skilled workman of good taste and carries a fine stock of fashionable goods. March 23 1889, |

Mr. Lytle and Miss Jennie Turner were united in marriage. Mrs. Lytle is a lady of elegant appear- ance and fine manners, and well fitted by nature and education to adoru the circle of society in which her husband's position places her. She is a native of Salem, Neb., and a daughter of J. J. and Elizabeth (Chaftien) Turner.

HOMAS J. HAGEMAN. This gentleman is classed among the prosperons farmers and stock-raisers of Clay County, having a fine farm located on section 13, of Mulberry Township. The 185 acres which comprise the estate are highly improved and cultivated. Among the improve- ments is a beautiful residence of modern design. and accompanying it is an excellent set of farm buildings. 1,100 fruit trees give of their abun- dance to the fortunate owners of this beautiful rural home.

Mr. Ilageman traces his descent from Holland on his father's side, his grandparents having emi- grated thence in their young days, and for some years resided in New Jersey, whence they removed to Hamilton County, Ohio. In later life they re- moved to Franklin County, Ind.,and there died when quite ripe in years. Their son, Simon Hageman, father of our subject, was born in New Jersey, and when eighteen years old, went to Ohio with his parents. When about of age he enlisted in defense of his country in the second struggle for Inde- gendence from British tyranny. He served as a private during the entire struggle of 1812, and at its close returned to Ohio. He subsequently re- moved from Hamilton County, where his parents resided, to Switzerland County, Ind., and there was married to Elizabeth Shuff.

Mrs. Elizabeth (Shuff) Hageman was born near Lexington, Ky., and when quite young removed with her parents to Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Shuff settled on Government land near Vevay, in Switzer- land County, and there spent the remainder of their lives, dying when quite old. They were among the very early settlers of the county and were classed among its best citizens. After their deaths, the homestead upon which they had lived

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for forty years became the home of Mr. and Mrs. Simon Hageman. Mr. Hageman was a stone mason, during a large portion of his early life, but after passing the age of forty years, he adopted the oc- cupation of farming. He died in 1870, in the house where his marriage had been celebrated, being eighty years old at the time of his decease. IIis widow is still living in the same house, and is now upwards of eighty-nine years old. She is drawing a pension for services rendered by her husband during the War of 1812, and is one of the very few who are entitled to such a pension. She is a noble old lady, in body and mind, quite well pre- served for one so old.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Simon Hageman comprised eight sons and three daughters : all lived to years of maturity, and ten were married and had families. Two sons were in the Union army during the late war. One died in Washington, D. C., about the close of the war, but while still in the service, his death being occasioned by a fever. The other son escaped injury in the service and is yet living. Of the entire family, four sons and one daughter still live, all, except our subject, being east of the Missouri River.

The gentleman of whom we write was born in Switzerland County, Ind., April 18, 1836. He was there reared and educated, and made that State his home until 1868. Ile then came to Kansas, and took up a homestead of 160 aeres in Bloom Town- ship, this county. There he resided, making im- provements upon the farm, until 1876, at which time he changed his residence to his present location.

Mr. Hageman has been three times married. The first ceremony took place in Switzerland County, Ind., the bride being Miss Ellen Thompson. She was a native of the county in which she was mar- ried, but was reared in Hamilton County, Ohio. She departed this life in this county, leaving two children. They are: Oliver M., a resident of Mul- berry Township. and Simon S., who is attending school in Ottawa, Kan., and will be graduated in two years.

The second marriage of Mr. Hageman took place in this township, the bride being Mrs. Elizabeth Hagerman, ner Steel. Her first husband. Lemuel (. Hageman, was a brother of our subject. Her death

took place in Switzerland County, Ind., she dying without offspring.

The third matrimonial alliance of Mr. Hageman was contracted in Bloom Township with Miss Louisa M. Polin. She was born in Cass County, Neb., March 29, 1857, and grew to womanhood west of the Missouri River, in Nebraska and Kansas. IIer father, Henry Polin, was born in Lieking County, Ohio, and died in Oak Hill Township, this county, June 5, 1886, being then about sixty-nine years of age. His widow, Mrs. Amanda J. (Davis) Polin, is yet living, her home being in the southern part of this county. She has passed the age of fifty years. Mrs. Louisa M. Hageman is the mother of two children, Stanley J. and Pearl A., both at home.

In politics Mr. Hageman is a Prohibitionist. He has held local offices, discharging their duties in a creditable manner. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church in this township, and he is a Deacon in the society. They are hos- pitable and whole-souled citizens, interested in every movement which will advance the interests of the people among whom they have made their home, and by whom they are highly respected.

R EV. JAMES S. SCOTT. For a period of nineteen years he with whose name we intro- duce this sketch had been a well-known and highly-respected resident of Clay County, residing near Clay Center, where he departed this life July 18, 1889. Ilis career was one useful in the extreme, during which, for a period of about forty years, he labored as a minister of the Re- formed Presbyterian Church. Finally, on account of failing health, he was compelled to partially abandon his ministerial labors, having been afflicted for over a quarter of a century with that almost ineurable disease, rheumatism.

Mr. Scott was born in Beaver County, Pa .. Ang. 8, 1823, and was a son of William and Rebecca (Young) Scott, who were likewise natives of the Keystone State. His paternal ancestors are be- lieved to have been of Scotch-Irish deseent. James S, was reared to manhood in his native county and

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received his preliminary education in the common schools. For some four years after reaching man- hood he followed blacksmithing, and finally, after thorough preparation, entered the university at Allegheny, Pa., from which he was graduated with honors in July, 1848. Later he attended the Theo- logical Seminary of the Reformed : Presbyterian Church at Philadelphia, and in the spring of 1851 was licensed to preach. The following year was spent at work in the home-mission field, during which he traveled over the greater part of Ken- tucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and North Carolina.

In November, 1852, Mr. Scott was united in marriage with Miss Prudence Morrow, and soon afterward was appointed pastor of the Monmouth Reformed Presbyterian Church. He became the father of a daughter, Elizabeth, now Mrs. James Chestnut. of Five Creek Township, and his wife died about a year after their marriage. Two years after her decease Mr. Scott was married to Miss Margaret IT. Bishop. In 1859 he returned to Beaver County, Pa., and continued his mission work until 1861, when he removed to St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and for eight years thereafter had charge of two congregations. In 1869 he returned to Pennsylvania, where he left his family, and coming to Kansas in 1870, homesteaded 160 acres of land four miles south of Clay Center, where he prepared to establish a permanent home, removing his family here in the fall of 1871. For sixteen years thereafter he was stated supply of the Re- publican City Church, his labors terminating in 1886. Afterward he occasionally preached as cir- cumstances required.

In the meantime, about 1872, Mr. Scott organ- ized what is now known as the Reformed Presby- terian Church, at Republican City, with twenty- five members. Of this he was the devoted pastor for sixteen years. For nearly thirty years prior to his death he suffered from muscular rhenmatism, which undermined a constitution of more than or- dinary strength. Notwithstanding the decline of his physical forces, his mental powers suffered no deterioration, in fact, they seemed to grow stronger toward the close of his life.

Mr. Scott had long been a contributor to the Phil-

adelphia Advocate, and both before and during the Civil War he wrote much npon the question of slavery, to which he was bitterly opposed. He was turned out of one congregation for which he had been preaching. on account of his abolition sentiments. He maintained to the last a lively in- terest in all leading questions of the day, giving to them much time and thought. He suffered in- tensely during the last few weeks of his life, and finally passed peacefully away at 6:16 on the even- ing of the date above mentioned. The last words which he uttered proved that he was still clinging to the hope which had been his anchor for nearly sixty-six long years. His devoted wife, two sons and six daughters tenderly watched with the white- haired father, as worn with suffering he awaited the summons which should call him from pain to everlasting peace. llis two other children in dis- tant homes were unable to be present and witness the passing away of him who had been their guide and counselor through childhood and youth.

On Saturday morning, the 20th of July, a large number of friends gathered at the family residence to pay their respects to one who had passed so many years of a blameless life among them. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. D. J. White, assisted by Revs. Stevenson and Carnahan. The local press published notices of the deceased highly commendatory of his life and character, and the entire community felt that it had sustained a loss which could never be replaced.

Mrs. Margaret IT. (Bishop) Scott became the wife of the subject of this sketch Nov. 22, 1854. She was born Nov. 13, 1831, in Linlithgow Scotland, and is the daughter of Ebenezer and Margaret (Hastie) Bishop, who were likewise na- tives of Scotland. and who, when their daughter was one year old, emigrated to America. They settled near Lexington. Ky., where they lived five years, then removed to MeDonough County, Ill., where Margaret was reared and married. The Bishop family were among the earliest settlers of that region, and the father died in McDonough County, Nov. 2. 1859; the mother died in Feb- ruary. 1874.

To Mr. and Mrs. Scott there was born a family of ten children. The eldest. Margaret, is the wife

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of G. H. Fullington, the present Treasurer of Clay County, Kan .; Agnes J. is the wife of R. C. Hall. of Loup County, Neb .; Mary E. married R. B. Trechisel, of Clay County; William E. is a resident of Ellis County ; John R. is assistant editor of the Clay Center Dispatch; Hlelen and James S. are at home with their mother; Jemima is the wife of Jobn Chestnut, Jr., the present Trustee of Blaine Township; Adda B. remains with her mother; Andrew died when eight months old.

The Seott family endured the usual hardships and privations of life in a new country, having settled upon their land when it was in its wild cou- dition, about as the Indians had left it. By per- severing industry and good management they built up a comfortable homestead where Mrs. Scott is still living, surrounded by the friends who have known her for so many years, and by whom she is held in high esteem. She is a lady of good educa- tion, having completed her studies in Rushville Seminary, Ill., and still remains a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, with which she has been connected for many years.

ACOB H. SMIES. Among the citizens of Clay County, few have shown more enter- prise than the above-named gentleman, whose pleasant home is located on section 18, Clay Township. Having acquired a good trade in his early life, he began work as a journeyman at a salary of $40 per year and board, and was obliged not only to clothe himself, but at times assisted his parents as their needs required. From this hum- hle beginning grew a financial suceess sufficient to allow of his purchase of an entire section of land. when in 1883 he became a resident of this county. The splendid farm which he now occupies, consists of 453 acres of valuable land, the balance of the section which he formerly owned having been sold.

Mr, Smies is a son of Frederick W. and Eliza- beth M. Smies, of Hanover, Germany. The mother was the oldest of six daughters, born to Henry Smies, and according to the law in Hanover at the time of ber marriage, her husband assumed her sur- name on account of her owning the property. This

worthy couple emigrated to America in 1845, bringing with them a family of two sons and three (laughters. Our subject was at that time nine years old, he having been born April 20, 1836, and hav- ing in his native land laid a good foundation for au education in his mother tongue. The family took passage at Bremerhaven on the sailing vessel " Schiller," and after an ocean voyage of thirty- three days landed in Baltimore, whence they went directly to Ohio, via Pittsburg. Their inland journey occupied about eleven days, the objective point being Cleveland, and the trip being made principally by eanal-boats and cars. After a short residence in Cleveland, they moved to a farm about seven miles east of that city, where they remained six years, when they again returned to the Forest City. There the mother died in 1854, the father surviving until 1883, when he too passed away.

The gentlemen of whom we write continued his education after arriving in America, by attendance in a school conducted by the Lutheran Church, where he followed up his studies in his native lan- guage. His knowledge of English is the result of his unaided efforts, and his contact with the Eng- lish speaking citizens. Having remained with his father on a farm until 1850, Mr. Smies entered a confectionery establishment in Cleveland, and spent three years in learning the trade, and man- agement of the business. The following two and a half years were spent in the employ of his for- mer master, Nichols Heisel. He then went to Philadelphia, Pa., where he continued as a journey- man working at his trade.

Mr. Smies began business for himself in 1860, remaining in Philadelphia three years, after which he returned to Cleveland and there conducted his business until 1881. The two years following were spent by him retired from active business life, and he then came to Kansas. After purchasing the sec- tion of nnenltivated land in Blaine Township, he beeame identified with the farming community, and turning his common sense and powers of observa- tion to good account in the intelligent cultivation of the same. His splendid farm and pleasant sur- roundings are a standing monument to his industry and good management.

The lady who has been Mr. Smies' companion

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and counselor for many years, bore the maiden name of Louisa Miller, and is a native of Baden, Germany, where her eyes opened to the light April 1, 1842. The ceremony which united them took place March 24, 1860, and their union has been blessed by the birth of seven children. Special pains have been taken in the education of their offspring. and their marked intelligence well repays the eare which has been bestowed upon them. Frederick, the eldest child, is now a book-keeper in Cleveland Ohio. He was graduated from the Annapolis Naval Academy, and subsequently spent two years on a eruise. Owing to there being a surplus of naval officers at that time, a law was passed by Congress under which young Smies, together with all of his class but ten, were discharged. Helen, the only daughter, was graduated at Oberlin College, Ohio; Louis, is like his elder brother, a book-keeper in Cleveland ; Henry is engaged with his father on the farm ; Edward is elerking in the postoffice at Clay Center ; George and Herman complete the family eirełe.

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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 152

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

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