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 153

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 153
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 153
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 153

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).

Mr. Smies is not a member of any religious body, but contributes to the support of the Presbyterian Church at Clay Center, which the family attends. Ile is a staneh Republican, firmly believing the principles of that party are best caleulated to de- velop the industries and character of the nation. Ile has served his fellow-citizens as a member of the School Board of his district. He is identified with the I. O. O. F. at Clay Center, and he and his family are active members of society, and highly respected by their fellow-citizens.

OHN HENRY. Among the residents of Clay County, who have witnessed its growth and the development of its agricultural re- sources, and who have shared in the toils and privations incident to early settlement in a country, the above named gentleman has long been numbered. He has lived and labored in this county for more than a score of years, and he and his wife, who has nobly shared in his trials and sneeesses, are now enjoying the fruits of years of usefulness and well doing. Their home is located

on section 14, Blaine Township, and is a beautiful and highly productive estate of 400 acres.

Mr. Henry is a son of John and Rebecca Henry, the former now deceased and the latter still living in the Emerald Isle. Mr. Henry was born in County Derry, Ireland, Nov. 12, 1834, the family being of Seoteh origin. He grew to man's estate in his native land, attending the common sehools, and receiving such education as could be obtained therein, adding to the information thus gained by reading and observation since boyhood. His early years were spent on a farm and he there learned lessons of practical value, which he has since made beneficial to himself and the section wherein his home is.

In 1858, Mr. Henry with his wife and one child, emigrated to America, taking passage at London- derry on a sailing-vessel via Liverpool, the voyage from the latter place occupying a period of six weeks. Landing at New York City, they went directly to Greene County, Ohio, where Mr. Henry was engaged in farming until the spring of 1861. He then removed to Randolph County, where he remained till the fall of 1868, when he came to this county, believing that the West afforded him a better field for his energies and a more promising outlook for financial success. He took up a home- stead elaim of 160 acres on seetion 9, Blaine Town- ship, the land being raw and without a furrow turned. Beginning at onee to improve and culti- vate it, Mr. Henry had changed its condition ma- terially before leaving it, which he did in 1881, moving to his present location on seetion 14. Ilis family followed him to Kansas the spring after his own arrival, and Mrs. Henry has borne her share in the scenes of pioneer life.

The marriage of Mr. Henry took place in the Emerald Isle in February 1856, the lady whom he had chosen as his companion being Miss Susanna Anderson, who was born in the North of Ireland Nov. 19, 1856. She is of Seoteh descent and is a daughter of James and Mary A. Anderson, also of Ireland. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Henry has been blessed by the birth of a numerous pro- geny, eleven now living. They are: Andrew J., and James W., residents of this county; William A., of Decatur County; Robert B., Charles E., Sadie

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B., Albert, Margaret S., Joseph A., Mary E., and Susie G. The parents met with a great grief in the loss of their daughter Ella, who completed the family cirele.

Mr. Henry is of Republican polities. Ile and his wife belong to the Reformed Presbyterian Church and he has served as an Elder in the organ- ization. They enjoy an extended acquaintance, and are regarded with respect as people of intelli- genee, excellent character, and interested in the growth and progress of society.

ERRITT V. JEROME. Probably no man in Clay Center, and vicinity has a better understanding of the marketable value of real estate in this region than Mr. Jerome. lle is one of the pioneers of Riley County, whence he came to Clay Center in 1886, and engaged in his present business as a real estate and loan agent. He is in the prime of life, having been born Nov. 9. 1844, and is a native of Ashtabula County, Ohio. He lived there until a young man of twenty-two years, then, in 1866, crossing the Mississippi, east his lot with the people of the Great West.

Upon completing a common-school education, Mr. Jerome worked on his father's farm until reaching man's estate and in 1865, was united in marriage with Miss Emma Church. Upon coming to Kansas he settled first on a farm adjoining Man- hattan, with Judge Chaffee, sojourning there until 1869. lle then homesteaded 160 acres of land on Fancy Creek in the northwest corner of Riley County, where he made the usual improvements and later added 80 aeres to his possessions. He set out one of the finest orchards in the northern part of Riley County and effected other improve- ments naturally suggested to the enterprising citi- zen. Ile was prominent in local affairs, officiating as Township Trustee three years, and during the time that May Day Township was organized, in which process he assisted.

Mr. Jerome was also instrumental in organizing two school districts and assisted in building the first school house in the vicinity of his land. which was the only building of its kind within a radius

of twenty miles. Ile lived on that farm until the spring of 1886, then sold out and moved to C'lay Center. Here he has valuable eity property and likewise owns 160 acres of land in Southern Da- kota. Politically. he affiliates with the Prohibition party and with his estimable wife belongs to the Baptist Church, in which he officiates as Deacon. The date of Mr. Jerome's marriage to Miss Emma Church was Dec. 27, 1865; she was born in Ashta- bula County, Ohio, Jan. 20, 1845, and is the daughter of William A. Church who in former years was an active business man of Jefferson, but. is now retired. The father of our subject was Merritt Jerome, Sr., a native of Harpersfield, Iler- kimer Co., N. Y., and who was born in 1802. He emigrated to Ohio when a young man and was one of the first settlers of Jefferson, which became the county seat of Ashtabula County. Among his first neighbors were Benjamin Wade and Joshua R. Giddings, who later took their station among the most eminent men of the Buckeye State. The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Eunice Loomis, and the parental family consisted of seven children, of whom Merritt V. was the youngest born. The mother died in 1874. Mr. Jerome survived his wife until 1879, spending his last years in Jefferson.

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OHN RITSON. Among the attractive homes of Coleman Township, Washington County, that of Mr. Ritson deserves special mention. Ile settled upon it as a homesteader in 1869 and with the assistance of his excellent wife has constructed from the bleak prairie a beautiful and comfortable home. The dwelling is surrounded by trees and shrubbery planted by their own hands, and there are around it many evidences of cultured tastes and a needful supply of this world's goods. The house stands on an elevation overlooking a beautiful landscape which spreads off miles away to the west. A refreshing spring flows from the hillside just below the house. Near this a large frame milk house has been erected and this is kept cool by the stream of flowing water which is con- veyed by pipes into the cattle yard' a few hundred

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feet beyond. Mr. Ritson has the other necessary buildings and conveniences required for successful farming, and is looked upon as a prosperous and well-to-do eitizen who has contributed his share to the general development of his county.

A native of Durham County, England, the sub- ject of this sketch was born Jan. 6, 1838, and is the son of Isaac and Jane (Armstrong) Ritson. The first wife of Mr. Ritson died Sept. 28. 1877, and he was married Dec. 24, 1878, to a finely edu- cated lady, Miss Burt, from New York, who for some time was engaged in that State as a teacher. Miss Burt held many positions of responsibility in the educational world, as teacher of German and Higher Mathematics in Brockport Collegiate In- stitnte, Monroe County, N. Y., as Preceptress of the Academy at Medina, Orleans Co., N. Y., and holding the same position at one time in Groton Academy, Tompkins County. She was also Prin- cipal of the Young Ladies' Seminary at Gainsville, Wyoming County, and was a teacher of Higher Mathematics, German and Latin, in Pike Seminary, Wyoming County, for a time.

Mr. Ritson is a man public spirited and enter- prising and gives his support and encouragement to the worthy enterprises calculated to enhance the value of the property in the county, as well as to promote the general prosperity morally and soci- ally of its people. A lithographie view of the home of Mr. Ritson appears on another page in this volume. He still retains the deed to the prop- erty which was issued to him direct by the Gov- ernment of the United States.

0 RSAMUS SHERWOOD has been the owner of property in Mill Creek Township, Wash- ington County, since 1881, although his resid- ence here hegan in August, 1886. He was born in Genesee County, N. Y., Dec. 15, 1815, and is a son of Solomon and Aurelia (Bigelow) Sherwood. His paternal grandparents came from England during Colonial days, and lived and died on leased ground in Livingston Manor, N. Y. There the father of our subject was born in 1787 and lived until 1809 when his father moved to Tennessee. He then

removed with his family to Ohio, settling near Royalton, twelve miles south of Cleveland. There they remained until their deaths, that of the father taking place in 1868, he being then in the eighty- second year of his age.

The maternal grandfather of our subject was only fourteen years old when he took his place as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The grand- mother of Mrs. Aurelia Sherwood was a sister of Gen. Ethan Allen. There is now to be seen in the collections of the Historical Society in Cleveland, Ohio, a pair of tongs made by that famous general, who was a blacksmith, and given by him to Mrs. Sherwood's grandmother.

The parents of our subject had eleven children born to them, of whom we record the following: Matilda, was the wife of David Walling, a farmer, and died in Michigan about eight years ago leav- ing two children; Marinda was the wife of Wooster Sanders, a well-to-do Michigan farmer, who died about 1856 leaving a wife and four children; she afterward married a Mr. Hadsell. Maria is the wife of Daniel Ely, a Michigan farmer, and has seven children; Rachael died when about twenty years of age, unmarried; Mary is the widow of Lorenzo Sprague, a carpenter, who died in 1862; she resides in Cleveland. Ohio, with her two children. Sam- uel is a blacksmith and farmer residing in Michi- gan ; he married Caroline Stewart; they have two children living. Calysta was the wife of Samuel Chandler, a merchant in Cleveland, Ohio; there she died when about forty-five years of age, leaving two children. Ira married Miss Dianna Enos; they have four children living and reside on the the old homestead near Royalton, Ohio. Cordelia was the wife of Thomas Moore, a trunk merchant doing business in New York City; she died when forty years old and left three children. Elizabeth married Henry Parker, a physician: they live in Berea, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, and have two living children.

Our subject was a babe of seventeen months when his parents moved to Ohio. There he was reared, receiving his education in the field. He remained at home until twenty-six years of age before starting in business for himself, When about twenty-one, while assisting with the home

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work he took up the carpenters trade at which he spent all the time he could spare from the farm. At twenty-six years of age he was married to Miss Ann Caine, daughter of John and Elizabeth Caine (the latter of whom was born on the Isle of Man ). After marriage he settled near Royalton and farmed 100 acres for four years. He then sold out and entered a general merchandise stor. in the town in partnership with a Mr. Teachout, the firm being known as Teachout & Sherwood. In that business he continued about four years, when he disposed of his interest therein and took up his trade. About the year 1849 he moved to Cleveland, which city became his home and the scene of his efforts to ad- vance himself in the world. He not only worked at his trade but after the discovery of petroleum in Pennsylvania and Ohio, he built a derrick and drilled oil wells through Eastern Ohio. He also constructed coal shutes throughout the coal dis- trict and became widely known as a successful and skillful mechanic. He turned his inventive genius to practical and profitable use, by inventing a ma- chine for sawing off piles under the water. He also invented a machine for hoisting ores, and has re- cently patented an ingenions contrivance for un- loading vessels. In 1879 he received from the United States Government the contract for build- ing the breakwater in Cleveland ITarbor, on which he was employed five years.

In August, 1886, coming to Kansas Mr. Sherwood settled on the place he now occupies. The property, as before stated, had been purchased by him in 1881. Ilis son, E. O. Sherwood, had farmed the place from 1883 until 1886. His farm consists of 500 acres and is systematically managed. judicious expenditures and wise economy being the rule. Beside his beautiful estate here he owns paying property in Cleveland, and would be much richer but for having had to pay $27,000 security debts.

Mrs. Ann Sherwood departed this life in 1858, deeply regretted by all who knew her. She was a member of the Methodist Church. Four children were the result of her union with our subject, all of whom survived her, and three of whom are still living. The first-born, Sebastian, was in his seventeenth year when the country was aroused by the fall of Ft. Sumter. Young as he was, his heart

thrilled with the desire to serve his country, and he enlisted in Cleveland as a member of Battery G. 1st Ohio Artillery. He met his death at the battle of Franklin, Tenn., Nov. 30, 1864, being then in the twentieth year of his age. The loss of his first-born was a severe blow to Mr. Sherwood, but he bore it as did thousands of the patriotic pa- rents of the North during the struggle for the pre- servation of the Union. The memory of the dead hero is saeredly cherished by the surviving mem- bers of the family. The second child is a daughter, Addie, who is now living in Cleveland. She is the wife of James Wyatt, a dairyman of that city: they have three children. William Edgar is a prominent lawyer of Cleveland and enjoys a Incra- tive practice and high standing at the bar; he is also Judge of the Superior Court of Cleveland; he married Miss Mary Hall, and they have three children. Ernest O., is in the employ of Mitchell Bros., wholesale hardware merchants in Cleveland ; he married Mrs. Annie Watkins.

October 11, 1859, Mr. Sherwood celebrated his marriage to his second wife who bore the maiden name of Lovesta Brewster. She is a native of Ohio and a daughter of Timothy and Lovesta Brewster, and is a member of the Christian Church. Her father was a Pennsylvanian and her mother a native of the Buckeye State. Mrs. Sherwood is a charming woman, refined, cultured and a model housewife. She dispenses the bountiful hospitality of her rural home with the same winning grace with which she in former years presided over her city mansion. The second marriage of our subject has been blessed by the birth of two children, a daughter and son. Nettie L., is the wife of Charles Ilolden, a member of the lithographing firm of Morgan & Co., Cleveland; they have one child. Irving is still single and resides with his parents.

Mr. Sherwood is a Republican, and during his residence in Cleveland was frequently a delegate to county, congressional and State Conventions. In the latter he sat as a delegate with the late Pre- sident James A. Garfield. As his sketch shows, he is a man of intelligence, energy and enterprise. His life has been spent in contact with men of char- acter and brains. In his business he has frequently been placed in positions of great responsibility,

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which called for skill, business talent and exccutive ability. He has been a strong, self-reliant man during his busy and useful life, and even now is vigorous, wide-awake and capable, although his hair and full beard are white with the frosts of more than seventy winters. Ile is a gentleman in every sense of the word, kindly, courteous and cordial. He has a good library and takes the best among the daily newspapers and current periodi- cals.

W ILLIAM F. PRENTICE. Among the young and enterprising business men of Clifton, Washington County. Mr. Prentice occupies no secondary position. Self-made, he has worked his way up from a modest beginning, dependent upon his own resources, with that perseverance which seldom fails of winning success. As junior member of the firm of Shea & Prentice. he is per- forming his part in conducting a flourishing trade in general merchandise, the business being estab- lished under the present firm style in the year 1881. In the biography of Mr. John Shea, which will be found on another page in this volume, appears a history of the enterprise which is now numbered among the leading business ventures of Clif- ton. Since taking up his residence here Mr. Pren- tice has been recognized as one of the most valuable men in the community. .

When first coming to this section Mr. Prentice, like other wise young men, homesteaded a tract of land and thus secured a basis for future operations. He endured many sacrifices for the sake of future good, and has never regretted them. We find him in Washington County as early as 1874, when the country around was comparatively unsettled. Mr. Prentice selected his land ou section 21. Strawberry Township, and taking up his abode upon it. re- mained there until he had acquired legal posses- sion. As its value increased it became a desirable acquisition to those designing to engage in agricul- tural pursuits, and in due time Mr. Prentice effected a sale and invested his capital in a business which was more congenial than farming. In mercantile

circles he seems to have found his legitimate field of operations.

A native of Fairfield, Ohio, Mr. Prentice was born Nov. 18, 1851, and in 1861 his parents re- moved to Valley Falls, Jefferson Co., this State. There young Prentice was chiefly reared and edu- cated, and at an early age he began forming his plans for the future. Some years before reaching his majority we find him employed as a clerk in the hardware store of his brother-in-law, William Crosby, a practical business man, who was well cal- culated to encourage a young man just starting out in life. He proved a valuable counselor, for which Mr. Prentice still feels grateful and regards Mr. Crosby as the friend who assisted him in laying the foundation of a successful career.

The subject of this notice is the offspring of an excellent family, being the son of Rev. Liberty Prentice, who had a long and eventful career as a minister of the Methodist Church. The latter was a native of New York State, was carefully reared and educated, and quite early in life began working in the Master's vineyard. He was married to Mrs. Athlena (Hoag) Willett, one fully his equal in birth and education and who proved a most suita- ble partner and helpmate. She had by her first marriage one child. The parents of our subject settled in Ohio, where Mr. Prentice labored as an itinerant preacher for some years, enduring with patience and courage the toils and privations inci- dent to that time. Ile filled the pulpit at Fairfield, Sandusky. Mt. Gilead and Berca, and was also Pre- siding Elder of the Cleveland Circuit. Finally, on account of failing health he decided upon a change of climate, and coming to Kansas in 1861, located in Valley Falls, where he preached for some time, and later was associated in business with his son- in-law, Mr. Crosby. Ile is now retired from active life, being seventy-four years old, and makes his home in Valley Falls. His wife, Athlena, died there in 1872, when about sixty years old. She was born and reared a Quaker, but for many years had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the faith of which she passed away.

Liberty Prentice after the death of his first wife was married to Mrs. Orr, of Leavenworth County, this State, and who is still living to care for her

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aged partner. William F. was the seventh child of his parents. He received such education as he could secure under the circumstances of his early life and after coming to Washington County, and securing that which would enable him to provide comforta_ bly for a family, he was united in marriage with Miss Gertrude Foster, at Jewell City, April 7, 1874. Mrs. Gertrude Prentice was born in Galesburg, Ill., July 27, 1852, and was well reared and highly edu- cated. She was naturally bright and fond of study and at the early age of sixteen years, entered upon the profession of a teacher, which she followed suc- cessfully, both in Illinois and Kansas, until her marriage. She came to this State with her parents, John S. and Louisa (Pease) Foster, who settled in Valley Falls, where Mr. Foster filled the chair of principal of the public schools. Later he removed with his family to Jewell City.

Mr. and Mrs. Prentice are the parents of two children, only one whom is living, a son, Harold, who was born Aug. 17, 1880. Mrs. Prentice is a charming and intelligent lady and prominently connected with the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Prentice is identified with the A. O. l". W., and the Select Knights. He has filled all the chairs of his lodge in both orders and has been sent to the Grand Lodges of the States. In politics, he supports the principles of the Republican party. He has no time to seek official honors, preferring to give his whole attention to his legitimate business.

OSHUA B. CAMPBELL, editor and pro- prietor of the Haddam Clipper, has been a resident of Kansas since June, 1869. He commenced the publication of this bright, newsy paper in July, 1883, and has successfully conducted it from that date, having made it a splen- did journal, frank in expressing the opinions and sentiments of its editor, and one of the leading organs of the Republican party throughout the county. In connection with the editorial work. there is a fine job department, which turns out good work, and is bringing to its owner a fair profit on his investment.

Born in Crawfordsville. Montgomery Co., Ind ..

May 29, 1855, our subject is of Scotch descent on his father's side, and of English parentage by his mother. The family have been residents of the United States for many generations. the great- grandfather of our subject, John Campbell, having been a soldier of the Revolutionary War. His son, Elias, was the grandfather of J. B. Campbell. Ile was a native of Pennsylvania, and later removed to New York, thence to Indiana, in which latter State he died in 1873, at the age of eighty-four years. He was married to Martha Parker in Penn- sylvania, she being a native of New Jersey and of English descent, while her father, William Parker, had also been in the Revolutionary War. She died in 1833, at the comparatively early age of thirty-nine years. This couple had six children, of whom two died before the family came West. Of the survivors the eldest is Elisha, father of our subject; next in order of birth was Ann, who is the widow of Humphrey Thorne, and lives in Danville, Ill .; Martha, wife of William Smith, a truckman of Washington, and W. P., a farmer of Washington County, Kansas.

The father of our subject, Elisha Campbell, was born in Northumberland County, Pa., Jan. 29, 1816, and in his youth learned the trade of a weaver. At the age of twenty years, while living with his parents in Ohio, he began life for himself at farming which has been his principal occupation since. When about twenty-four years old he went to Montgomery County, Ind., and there worked for a year at coopering, In 1841 he removed to Sehuyler County, Ill., still working at his trade of a cooper, then in 1842 he emigrated to where the city of St. Joseph, Mo., now stands. There was no sign of the present flourishing town, it being laid out the year Mr. Campbell arrived there. In that place he remained five years, engaged in farm work, and in 1847 returned to Montgomery County, Ind .. which was his home until 1852. The next move of Mr. Campbell was to Atchison County, Mo., and in that county he engaged in farming until 1861, then going to Nemeha County, Neb., broke a prairie farm of 120 acres, on which he lived a couple of years. Thenee he went to Hancock County, Ill., and the next year changed his location to Tama County, Towa, where he kept a drug store in C'hel-

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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 153

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

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