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 154

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 154
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 154
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 154

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).

1156

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

sea, and remained there over two years. Finally, in 1869, he came to Washington County, Kan., took up a homestead three miles north of Haddam, in what is now Iladdam Township. On this place he lived nearly fourteen years, then sold out, and removed to the city of Haddam, which has since been his home.

In 1841 Elisha Campbell was married in Indiana to Nancy Dillon, who was born in North Carolina Dec. 6, 1822. She is now living in Haddam with her husband. They were the parents of eight chil- dren. The following three died young: John, Aquilla, and Albert. One daughter, Martha, was married to Martin V. Bowman, and died in this county in 1870. The survivors are: Daniel, a farmer of Haddam City ; W. P., editor and proprie- tor of the Wamega (Kansas) Reporter. Sarah, un- married, lives with ber parents; our subject is the youngest.

Joshua B. Campbell followed the fortunes of his parents in their migrations until 1872, when he went into the office of the Republican at Washing- ton, Washington County, he having learned the trade of a printer previously in Iowa. A few months later he entered the office of the Waterville Telegraph, in Marshall County, Kan., then owned by his brother, W. P., and there he staid until the fall of 1876, then started a campaign paper at Frank- fort, in that county, which was the predecessor of the Bee, now published in that place. Ile sold this property after a short time, and came back to Washington, working at his trade for a few months. His next venture was in partnership with his brother, establishing the Tribune at Wamego, Kan .. in August, 1877. He staid there only a year, when he went for a short time to Kansas City, whence he returned to Waterville. In October, 1879, Mr. Campbell established the Wabaunsie County Herald, which he carried on until the fall of 1881, then s.lling it, came to Haddam, where he engaged in the drug business for a year and nine months. In July, 1883, he commenced the publication of his present journal. the Iladdam Clipper. which he has successfully conducted ever since. It is Republi- can in political support, and as before stated, is financially successful.

Mr. Campbell was united in marriage with Miss

Carrie Kunz, in Waterville, Kan., in 1879. Mrs. Campbell was born in the city of New York, Jan. 3, 1862. Their union has been blessed by the birth of three children, of whom one, Docy. died in childhood, and two, Bartley A. and Ralph B., are under the parental roof. Mrs. Campbell is a woman of rare graces of mind, pleasant, accomplished and hospitable to all who come under the home roof. Mr. Campbell is a member of Dirigo Lodge. No. 181, A. F. & A. M., of Haddam City. He is a stirring. active young man, who has had a varied experience in his business and knows how to run a live paper. His paper is principally circulated in the northwestern part of the county, where it ex- ercises a wide influence.

EFFERSON J. DAVIS, editor and propri- etor of the Mercury, published at Manhattan, is conducting one of the best local papers in the State. In August, 1889, it was enlarged, and is now a six-column quarto, well and cleanly printed and edited, and aims to be a journal which can properly enter into every family circle, fur- nishing the current news and first-class reading matter, both interesting and instructive. The office is well supplied with material for job-printing, and turns out admirable work. It is the only office in this part of the State which has ever published text books, and having a complete stereotyping outfit is particularly adapted to this class of work. The presses are run by water-motor, recently added to the office. Altogether the business is in a flourish- ing condition, and the success which Mr. Davis has attained is solely due to his energy and good judg- ment, as well as a thorough knowledge of his busi- ness.

The subject of this sketch was born in Fulton County, Ga., Oct. 27, 1851. Ilis paternal grand- father, J. E. Davis, emigrated to America from Wales in 1831, and settled in what was then Bun- combe County, N. C., where he bought a farm on the Upper Tennessee. There he spent the remain- der of his life, dying about the year 1859, at the age of eighty-three years. His wife, Elvira, sur- vived him several years, dying in 1868, at the age

1157

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

of ninety-two. On the maternal side, the grand- parents were Henry and Louisa Deweese, both of whom came from France and also settled in Bun- combe County, N. C. Henry Deweese is still liv- ing, making his home in Gilmer County, Ga., to which the family subsequently removed, and he is now ninety-four years old. His wife died in 1886, aged eighty-nine years.

To Grandfather Davis and wife there were born nine children, six of whom are yet living. The deceased had all arrived at years of maturity.

Only seven of the thirteen children born to Henry and Louisa Deweese are now living. The other six lived to become men and women, and all at one time sojourned under the parental roof after having reached mature years.

John E. Davis was born in Wales, Sept. 23, 1824. and was therefore but seven years old when he was brought to this country by his parents. In his youth he learned the trade of cabinet-making, and subsequently owned a large plantation near At- lanta, Ga., upon which he lived until the outbreak of the Civil War. He was a Union man and a member of the State Convention which met to de- cide whether the State should secede. IIe voted "no" on the question, and this was undoubtedly the cause of his losing his property, he being at that time a wealthy man. What he did not lose through his loyalty to the Stars and Stripes he lost by the liberation of his slaves and by property destroyed by Sherman's army on its famous march to the sea. At the elose of the war Mr. Davis had nothing of all his possessions remaining but the bare ground, and that he sold for a low price. He refused to enter the Confederate army, but was impressed into the mechanical service. His exten- sive factory at Atlanta, in which he manufactured wagons, carriages and furniture, was closed in 1863. In 1869 Mr. Davis came to Ft. Scott, this State, and soon afterward engaged in the grocery business which he is yet carrying on, and in which he has prospered. He has never held official positions, uniformly refusing those which have been proffered him. Up to the opening of the war he was a Whig in politics, but is now a stanch supporter of the Democratie party. He is a man of exemplary habits and character, upright and trustworthy and

of strong convictions as to right and wrong, always doing what he believes to be just. He thus de- servedly stands high in the estimation of those who know him.

Mrs. Lonisa Davis, the mother of our subject, was born in Buncombe County, N. C., Sept. 26. 1824, three days after the birth of her husband. She was there reared, and a few years after their marriage she came with her husband and two chil- dren to Georgia. She is still living and enjoys unusually good health. During all the years of her adult life she has been a consistent member of the Baptist Church, to whose advancement she has given liberally of her labor and means. This worthy couple were the parents of nine children, one of whom, a daughter, Ella, died at the age of seven years. The survivors are recorded as fol- lows: Elizabeth A. was born Aug. 10, 1846, and is the wife of H. B. Sabin, a carpenter at Ft. Scott, Kan .; Garrett H. is farming near the old home- stead in Georgia; Jefferson JI. was the next in or- der of birth; Robert is a railroad contractor, mak- ing his home at Ft. Scott; William D. is a com- mercial traveler; Columbus J. is a stone and brick mason ; Lee A. and Lawrence are commercial trav- elers, the last-named four likewise making their homes at Ft. Scott.

The subject of this sketch was a small boy at the outbreak of the Rebellion, and the country in which he lived being the theater of some of its most active operations, he had but little opportunity to attend school. His early education was thus oh- tained at home. During the latter years of the war he had varied experiences, and for the last two years was engaged in selling papers and working on an engine on the Western Atlantic Road from Chattanooga to Atlanta. In 1865, having among his other early experiences learned to set type, he went to work on the Atlanta Constitution, on its revival, when its office was established in the First Presbyterian Church, the only building suitable for the purpose left in the city. In this church seviees were also held on Sunday, when the printing office was necessarily closed.

Young Davis was thus occupied two years, and then engaged on the Sun in the same city. Tbe following year he went to St. Louis, Mo., and

1158

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

thence emigrated to New Orleans. and from there to California, being in various places and working in each. During 1871-3 he published the Democrat at Nevada, Mo. In the spring of 1874 he estab- lished himself in Manhattan, which has since been his home. For seven years he worked in the office of the Nationalist, having charge of its mechanical department, and at times of its editorial columns, its proprietor, Albert Griffin, being frequently ab- sent for considerable periods. He still kept his home here, although for two years he was super- intendent and telegraph editor of the Santa Fe New Mexican. In 1883 he returned to Manhattan and set up a book and job printing office. In May, 1884, he established the Mercury, which is growing to be an influential and paying journal.

On the 15th of March, 1877, Mr. Davis was united in marriage with Miss Mary B. Flagg, a na- tive of Manhattan, and born Aug. 4, 1860. Mrs. Davis is the daughter of John and Mary A. Flagg, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts, and a part of the colony which originally laid ont and settled Manhattan in 1855. Mrs. Flagg and her sister, Mrs. Emeline Iloar, still living in Manhattan. were the two first white women who settled within its limits. The father was, as may be supposed from his New England birth, an ardent anti-slavery man, and took an active part in the border war troubles. He was in the Union army, and after its elose became owner of a farm adjoining the city limits. Ile died in 1874. Of his children, four are now living, the eldest being John, a printer and publisher in Southern California; George is a black- smith of Manhattan; Mrs. Davis was the next in order of birth; Ida is unmarried and lives with her mother. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have one child, Clarence J., who was born April 20, 1879.

Mr. Davis is connected with many societies, be- ing a member of LaFayette Lodge, No. 16, A. F. & A. M., of Manhattan. He is also a Chapter Mason; a member of Phoenix Lodge, No. 35, K. of P .; of Manhattan Lodge, No. 1465, K. of H., and of Kaw Valley Camp, No. 1011, M. W. of A. HIe is well known and much liked as a thoroughly upright and conscientious man. Though not in accord with the majority of his fellow-citizens. politically, his personal character and the evident

sincerity of his opinions give him strength in the community. The Mercury, since it was established by Mr. Davis, in May, 1884, has grown and pros- pered. attaining a large circulation and enjoying a lucrative advertising patronage. It is the only Democratic paper published in Riley County. At the time of its establishment, and for some time afterward, it was the only one in the Fifth Con- gressional District.

E DWARD COLEMAN. This gentleman fur- nishes in his life a fine example of the results of industry and prudent management. He is the proprietor of the "Walnut Grove Farm." which consists of 320 acres of fine land in Coleman Township, Washington County. The residence is a fine two-story frame building, 16x26 feet, with an addition 14x20 feet, and porches on either side. Over 200 acres of the estate are under the plow, the balance being used as pasture and hay land. It is all well feneed, mostly by neat liedges. About 200 apple trees, 125 of which are now bearing, to- gether with an abundance of small fruit, have been planted. The place is further adorned by fully 10,000 forest trees. Altogether his home is as comfortable and attractive as man should wish.

Mr. Coleman was born in Knox County, Ohio, in [ 848. His parents were Jonas and Sarah Ann (Riee) Coleman, both of whose fathers bore the given name of Frederick. Frederick Coleman and Fred- erick Rice had served in the Revolutionary Army. When our subject was eight years old, his parents removed to Iowa, where they sojourned a year. They then removed to Minnesota, where the father pre-empted land on which the parents spent the re- mainder of their lives. Their family comprised nine children. of whom Edward was the second.

After having come to man's estate, Mr Coleman spent some time in Fayette County, Iowa. Ile left there on the 14th of February. 1870. and arrived in this county on the 17th of March. Ile filed a homestead claim to 160 acres of land. on which he proceeded to settle. The place did not present a very inviting appearance. being unbroken prairie,

1159

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

on which there was not a stiek as large as his finger. His first labor was to build a "dugout". This was done by digging into the side of a bank some ten or twelve feet; an upright pole with a crotch in the top was then set up in front, and from this to the bank in the rear another pole was laid; over this. small poles, sunflower stalks, weeds, grass, etc., was placed; on top of this frame work was laid dirt and sod. To this was added a sod chimney with a fire-place inside, then hanging blankets up in front, the house was complete. A tea-kettle, coffee-pot, frying-pan, and Dutch oven. made up the kitchen outfit. Dry weather set in, and it became impos- sible to break prairie. In company with Mr. Lan- don, Mr. Coleman went to the eastern part of the State to earn money, of which they were out.

In the fall of 1871, Mr. Coleman returned to Fayette County, Iowa. There the rites of wedlock were celebrated between himself and Miss Mary Soward, the daughter of D. F. Soward of that county. The bride's parents were formerly from Ohio. She was born in the county, in which she was married. The newly wedded couple ar- rived in this county in October. They com- menced housekeeping in what they called a "quail trap." it being a frame structure 12x16, without plaster or lining. In this structure they lived until 1886, having built several additions thereto. At that date they erected, and have since occupied their present beautiful dwelling.

In 1883, Mr. Coleman built a barn 36x46 feet. It had stood but fifteen months, when, during a se- vere thunder storm it was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. The catastrophe occurred about the 12th of August, just after the hay and oats had been put up. The horses were gotten out, but everything else in the barn was destroyed. It was insured for $700, and its owner received $671. With this he erected another structure the same size, with a large addition on the east side.

Since coming to this county, Mr. Coleman has added 200 acres to his original homestead. The estate is not only furnished with the neat dwelling and stables, but has also upon it a number of smaller houses, cribs, etc. Mr. Coleman pays con- siderable attention to stock, breeding some fine horses. He now has thirteen horses, eighty-three

head of cattle, and about 100 hogs, all of the best breeds, on his place.

To Mr. Coleman and This charming and intelli- gent wife, four children have been born. They are named respectively: Katie. Hardy D .. Grace E., and Edna F. They are being carefully reared and well educated. Mr. Coleman is a member of Had- dam Lodge, No. 226. A. F. & A. M. He is of Re- publican politics. For a number of years he has been Treasurer of the township, and for one year has been a Trustee. When the new township was formed, it was named in his honor without his knowledge. He is a public-spirited citizen, inter- ested in everything which will tend to advance the interests of the State and the county which he has made his home. Progressive and honorable as an agrieulturist, genial, intelligent and upright as a man, he is highly regarded by his fellow-citizens.

Le EWIS LAFLIN is one of Leonardville's re- tired business men and an honorable. up- right eitizen, who enjoys the fullest conti- dence and respect of his fellow-townsmen. He was born in Springfield, Vt., the 20th of June, 1835, and is a son of Lewis and Rosella Laflin. Lewis Laflin, Sr., was born in Paris, France, and when only a small lad eame with his father to America. They accompanied Gen. Lafayette, and upon their arrival settled in Springfield, Vt. Lewis grew to maturity in that place, and resided there many years after his marriage, but when our subject was a child the father removed to St. Albans, in the same State, in which place he died in 1837. He was a farmer by occupation, and followed that pursuit through life. A member of the Catholic Church. he was devout and conscientious in regard to his religious life, and honest and upright in his dealings with his fellow- men. Opportunities for amassing fortunes were not so plentiful in those days, but Mr. Laffin suc- ceeded in providing a fair living for his family. but never became wealthy. Rosella, his wife, was born in Quebec, Canada, and passed from the stage of earthly existence in St. Albans, in 1860. She bore him eight children, named respectively: Ed-

1160

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

ward, Peter, Abigail, John, Olive, Celia, Mary and Lewis.

Lewis Laflin. the one of whom we write, is the youngest of these children. He was reared on a farm and educated at St. Albans. During his youth he followed the plow and became a practical farmer. In the year 1854 he went to Fond du Lac, Wis., and secured an engagement as an engineer, which he pursued until 1857, in which year he went to the Territory of Kansas, but shortly afterward left and started East. Hle stopped at St. Joseph, Mo., and engaged as an engineer on a steamboat plying on the Missouri River. IIe continued in that occupation until 1860, when he engaged in farming until 1862, and then went to Clay County, Kan., and took up a homestead on the Republican River. In 1863 he enlisted in the army as a priv- ate, but was soon afterward promoted to Corporal, and in that capacity served to the close of the war. His field of service lay in Missouri, Arkansas and Dakota. His record as a soldier is highly honor- able, and his comrades in arms can bear witness to his repeated acts of gallantry, which frequently won for him words of praise from his superior officers.

Peace having been established, Mr. Laflin re- turned to Clay County, Kan.,and "turning his sword into a plowshare," began to till the soil, and also raise stock for the market. He followed the dual occupation of farming and stock-raising until 1883, when he removed to Leonardville and engaged in the mercantile business. Ile built up a large and extensive trade, and continued to follow the busi- ness until 1888, when he sold out and retired from the cares of active life. During his business career he made many warm friends by his liberal and fair dealing, and their good wishes go with him as lie lays aside the duties of business and devotes liim- self to the enjoyment of his well-earned repose, At the first election of town officers for Leonardville he was elected Mayor, and was re-elected the fol- lowing year. He owns a fine farm on sections 9 and 4 of Grant Township. He commenced life as a poor man, and has been the architect of his own fortune, which is a very good one. The I. O. O. F. Lodge. No. 222, of Leonardville, numbers him among its members, and the Republican party counts upon his vote and influence,

The marriage of Mr. Latlin and Miss Ester A. Phelps took place on the 6th of July, 1860, and has since proved to be a true union of heart and hand. Mrs. Laffin is a daughter of Almon and Matilda (Rugg) Phelps, natives of New York, and Connec- ticut. Mrs. Laflin was born in Battle Creek, Mich., Jan. 23, 1844, and resided at the time of her mar- riage in Doniphan County, Kan. Mr. and Mrs. Laffin have had nine children born to them, named respectively : Norman A., Milton F., Rosella, Net- tie, Nellie, Lewis, William, Eddie, and Delos. Ro- sella, Nettie, Nellie and Lewis are deceased.

AMES D COLT, JR., a well-known druggist of Riley, Riley County, is carrying on a Inerative trade in his line, and is recognized as one of the most stirring young business men of the place. In starting out for himself he received no assistance, but by his own energy and perseverance is attaining to a good position, finan- cially, while in social cireles he is a favorite every- where. Ile has not yet reached the twenty-third year of his age, having been born Jau. 6, 1867, and is a native of Kingston, Tenn.

James D. Colt, Sr., the father of our subject, was born in 1826, and reared on a farm in New York State. When a young man he sought the country beyond the Mississippi, locating in Chickasaw County, Iowa, where he sojourned until 1866. Cir- cumstances then effected his removal to the South, and he located in Kingston, Tenn., where he lived until 1876. We next find him in Kenton, Ohio, where he is still living and engaged as a manufacturer. He is a man in moderate circumstances, a peaceable and law-abiding citizen, and respected by his towns- men. He supports the principles of the Republican party, and is a member in good standing of the Presbyterian Church. He married Miss Melissa Eager, who was born in New York State and still survives. They are the parents of four children- Fred E.,Minnie, Abbie and James D).

The subject of this sketch was the youngest child of his parents, and was ten years old when, leaving his native State, he removed to Kenton, Ohio, with the family. and there received an academic educa-

1161

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

tion, being graduated from the Kenton High School in 1865. Hle commenced his business career as clerk in a drug-store at that place, and in 1886 came to Leonardville, Kan., with his brother Fred, and engaged in the drug business until 1887. That year he established himself in the same business in Riley Center, but in 1887, removed to Riley, of which he is now a resident. He is a Republican in polities, and socially, a member in good standing of Garfield Lodge, No. 235, A.F. & A. M . atLeon- ardville. He is unmarried.

R. CARL W. LINDNER, Cashier of the Farmers & Merchants' Bank of Clay Cen- ter, appears admirably adapted to the duties of his position and has contributed materially to its standing and success. This bank was established in January, 1877. opening for busi- ness on the 1st of the month, and is the oldest in- stitution of the kind in the Republican Valley. Its first president was H. H. Taylor; its first vice- president, Col. M. M. Miller; and its cashier, John A. Moss. It was brought into existence largely through the instrumentality of U. H. Emrick, N. Gollober and G. Kuhnle, and Dr. Lindner served as President from 1880 until 1884 when he be- came Cashier. It has a paid-up capital of $50,000 and does a thriving and steadily increasing busi- ness.

Dr. Lindner was born in Marietta, Ohio, Aug. 23, 1845, and when an infant was taken by his par- ents to Virginia. His father, Dr. Ernst Lindner, was born in Germany, in 1819, and came to Amer- ica when nineteen years old, after having served under King Louis Phillippe, in the French Army. After his arrival upon American soil he sojourned, for a time, in the city of Washington, and tlience went to Washington County, Ohio. His parents were noted teachers and died early in life, in Germany. Dr. Ernst Lindner sojourned near Marietta, Ohio, and established a silk manufactory, one of the first in the United States, which he operated success- fully and extensively. Later, he was delegated to go through the State of Florida selecting lands for German emigrants. He went down the river

on a flat-boat and embarked on the ocean in a little sloop.

At Marietta, Ohio, Ernst Lindner was married to Miss Caroline Crawford and they became the parents of five children, all of whom lived to ma ture years, and of whom Carl W. was the eldest. Soon after his marriage he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Stanton, of Cleveland, Ohio, unele of the then Secretary of State, Edwin M. Stanton, who became prominent under Lincoln's administration. He took his degree in one of the Cleveland medical institutions, and commenced the practice of his profession in Marietta, whence later he went to Kentucky. He was thus occupied until the outbreak of the Civil War.

In 1861, the father of our subject enlisted in the 36thi Ohio Infantry as an Adjutant in the 1st Regi- ment, commanded by Gen. Crook. He was ill for many months and finally resigned, but later re- turned to the army and was given a Colonel's com- mission. Again he was compelled to resign on the account of illness, and returning to Ohio re- mained there until 1878. In the fall of that year he came to Kansas, landing in Clay Center on the 3d of September. Thereafter he spent his time in Kansas, Ohio and Florida, in each of which States he had property, and was not particularly engaged in any other business than looking after it. After its organization he was a strong supporter of the Republican party. He held the office of County Treasurer, two terms, in Washington County, Ohio.

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 154

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

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