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 158

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 158
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 158
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 158

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).

1686 thirty-nine men with their families emigrated in a body to Connecticut and founded the town of Woodstock. Prominent among these men was one, John Holmes, then a young man of twenty- five, and from him sprang the branch of the family to which we have reference. Ilis son Dr. David Holmes, the next in line, was an active member of the Woodstock church, and he was an army sur- geon in both the French and Revolutionary wars. His son, the Rev. Abiel Holmes, D. D., L. L. D., born in 1763, was pastor of the Woodstock Congre- gational Church forty years. He gave a pulpit bible to the church, which after many years service was re-bound in 1843 by Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes his grandson, son of his son, the Rev. Abiel Holmes, who bore his name and title. Another of his sons, Dr. Lathrop Holmes, was the great-grand- father of our subject, He was a prominent physician in Woodstock, Conn. He and his wife went on a sea voyage to Georgia, and on the return trip the ship was lost and they perished. It was through their only child, their daughter Emma Temperance, grandmother of our subject, that connection with the Langdons was established, her daughter Emma Olivia, by her marriage with Spaulding Barstow, marrying as before mentioned, the Rev. George Langdon. To these, the parents of our subject, have been born six children, of whom the following is recorded: Hervert is cashier of the National Fire Insurance Company, of Hartford Conn .; Charles S. is local agent for the same company; Mary E., who was a music teacher in the Wood- stock Seminary some years, is now the wife of James W. Pierce, a baker and confectioner, resi- dent in Washington; our subject was the next in order of birth; Emma, the second child, died in infancy.

Joseph W. Langdon of this biography was born at Crystal Lake, MeHenry County, Ill., July 12, 1851. lle was but an infant when his parents returned to the East, and he was educated in Pittsfield, Mass., and Hartford, Conn., and while a student in the latter city he clerked in his uncle's store when not in school. He made his home with his parents until 1872, when he came to Kansas. and established himself in the nursery business in the city of Lawrence. remaining there till 1877.

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In that year he came to Washington, and buying land joining the city, opened the Washington County Nursery, and devoted his time exclusively to its management the ensuing ten years. In 1887 he opened an office and entered into the gener- al real estate, loan and insurance business, in which he has been eminently successful from a financial point of view. By his enterprise and business ability he has given an impetus to the growth of the city, and he takes as much pride in its progress and well-doing as its very earliest settlers, and may, indeed, be classed among its pioneers, although he did not come here for some years after it was founded. A manly, upright, noble-hearted man, inheriting from a Puritan an- cestry a deeply religious nature, he is a devoted Christain, and is an influence for much good in this community. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, which he has served as Elder and he is an ardent worker in the Sunday-school, loving children and beloved by them, he is in his element when working among them. He has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school many years, and is present Secretary of the County Sunday- school association, which office he has held several years. He is a member of the Y. M. C. A., and is Secretary of the County Bible Society. He lias always been a Republican in polities.

Mr. Langdon was married Oct. 1, 1874, to Miss Neva I. MeIntosh, and they have two children living: Fay H., born Feb. 8, 1881; Charles H., born Ang. 24, 1884. Walter Earl, their first child, born April 3, 1879, died Ang. 23, 1881. Mrs. Langdon was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the oldest daughter of Captain Thornton and Julia A. (Jackson) McIntosh. Her father was born in Kentucky Aug. 30, 1827, and being left an orphan at an early age, was cared for for a time by an uncle, and was reared to farming. He located in Mahaska County, Iowa, in the early days of its settlement, buying land there and engaging in agri- cultural pursuits. When the war broke out he sprang with patriotic ardor to the defense of the Union, was chosen Captain of Company K., 33d Iowa Infantry, and did faithful and valuable ser- vice at the front two years. At the expiration of that time lie had to resign on account of his wife's

ill health, and he was honorably discharged. Re- turning to his home in Iowa, he resumed farming. In 1869 he came to Kansas and settled in Leaven- worth County, and buying a farm near Springdale he engaged in farming and stock raising there some years. While a resident of that county he was active in public affairs, and was elected to the Legislature. In 1871 he sold his property in that part of the State, and moved to Oskaloosa, in Jeffer- son County, where he bought a half section of land near the town, and made his home there till his death March 23, 1888. He was twice married. Ilis first wife, mother of Mrs. Langdon, was born Nov. 21, 1831, and died January 1, 1863.

LEXANDER L. PARKMAN. Situated on section 13, directly on the eastern line of Lincoln Township lies the well-equipped 160-acre farm of Mr. Parkman, to the enl- tivation and improvement of which he has bent his energies since the fall of 1878. He came that year to Washington County and purchased the land which he now owns at a time when the country was comparatively new, bearing very little resemblance to its present condition. His career has been that of a peaceable and law-abiding citizen, during which he has given his attention mostly to his farming interests and has furnished to his com- munity an example of perseverance and industry worthy of emulation.

A man a little over sixty-three years old, the subject of this notice was born in Geauga County, Ohio, June 4, 1826, and is the son of Erastus Park- man who was born in New York State, Aug. 15, 1796. The latter was of German extraction and in early life learned the miller's trade which he mostly followed thereafter. He married a maiden of his own State, Miss Roxana Weston, who was born June 21, 1793 and died in 1876. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Nathaniel Weston. likewise a native of New York State and a farmer by occupation. Five children were born to Erastus and Roxana Parkman and were named respectively, Robert, Lydia, Alexander, Luey and Seymour.

Mr. Parkman, our subject, was the third child of

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his parents with whom he lived in Geauga County, Ohio, until 1839. He attended the common school and worked with his father on the farm until the year above mentioned, then leaving home proceeded to Noble County, Ind., where he worked in a woolen factory and remained six years. The year following he spent in his native State, then journeyed to Michigan and after three years spent there went back to Ohio. From there, in 1878, he came to this State, of which he has since been a resident. On the 23d of May, 1850, he was married in Ohio to Miss Eliza, daughter of Jerry Presley, the latter a native of New York State. Mrs. Parkman was born in Ohio and died at her home in Indiana in 1856.

In 1868 Mr. Parkman contracted a second mat- rimonial alliance with Miss Harriet .J. Baker. This lady was born in Massachusetts in 1839, and is the daughter of Valarous and Hannah (Bliss) Baker, who were of New England birth and ancestry and natives respectively of Vermont and Connecticut. Both were members of the Baptist Church. The father spent his last years in Indiana and the mother died in Michigan.

Mr. Parkman by his second marriage has one child, a son, Selah. Ile is a man who has very little to do with political matters, with the exception of giving his support to the Republican party, and he has no inclination to seek office. The little family are comfortable in their home surroundings and enjoy the friendship of all who know them.

Le EONARD C. SPAULDING is one of the honored citizens of Mill Creek Township, Washington County. He was born in Steu- ben County, N. Y., Dec. 28, 1820. His father, Tyler Spaulding, was born in Vermont, and was a son of Jeremiah Spaulding, who served in the War of 1812, and assisted in the defense of Plattsburg, N. Y. Going back two generations farther in the direct line, we find the family residents of New England and two of the ancestors bearing the name of Joseph. Prior to their day, the Spauldings lived in England. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Sarepta Chadwick. She was

born in New Ilampshire, and was a daughter of Nathan Chadwick of that State. The father of our subject died in 1854, the mother surviving until 1875.

The parental family comprised nine children, the gentleman of whom we write being the first born. The second, Ilarley, died in infancy. The oldest daughter, Lydia, is living in Lenawee County, Mich., near Hudson. She is the widow of J. L. Dewey, who died in March, 1889. Their family comprises nine children all living and grown to maturity. The next two children of the parental family, Tyler and Alexander, died in infancy. Achsah died when about fifteen years old. C'alysta is the wife of P. H. Armstrong. a farmer of East Otto, N. Y .; they have three children living. Syl- vester C., is living at the same place. His first wife bore the maiden name of Lucy Tuller; she died about the year 1880, leaving one child. Mr. Spaulding subsequently married Miss Holmes. Hannahette was the wife of Amos Austin; she died in Perry, Wyoming Co., N. Y., in 1865.

The gentleman"whose name initiates this notice was reared on a farm, and was the recipient of the educational advantages afforded by the common schools. He remained at home until he was twenty- nine years old. On Feb. 14, 1850, he was united in marriage with Miss Rhoda Larrabee. The bride was born in East Otto, N. Y., and was a daughter of Sydney and Lorinda (Scoville) Larrabee. Her parents were natives of Vermont. Mrs. Spaulding departed this life Aug. 8, 1886. Iler death was not only a grievous affliction to her family, but was felt by many friends to whom her sterling character and many virtues had endeared her.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding was blessed by the birth of eleven children. of whom we note the following: Morris G., the first born, died when a little more than a year old. Shelby mar- ried Miss Nancy A. Sherman; they live on a farm adjoining that of our subject; they have four chil- dren. Marcus L. married Miss Emma S. Bonesteel. She died in November, 1887, leaving one child. and the widowed husband subsequently married Miss Julia A. Wooding. Allie died Sept. 29, 1862, aged six years. The next in order of birth was Sydney T., who died Sept. 16, 1862. Cyrus E. 1

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died Oct. 3,1862, at the age of nine months. Eleanor V. married Thomas A. Vedder, a farmer of Mill Creek Township; they have two children. Amy L. is at home. Marshall T. died Nov. 3, 1867, aged one year. Frankie J. died in infancy. Bertha E. is unmarried and at home.

Mr. Spaulding is a Republican. He is a consis- tent member of the Free-Will Baptist Church. Ile is an intelligent, modest and thoroughly honorable man, of quiet and undemonstrative manners. His fellow-citizens regard him with great respect. Per- sonally he is of medium height, compact build, with fair complexion, light eyes, gray hair and full gray beard. He is a well preserved old gentleman, and bears the weight of his almost three score years and ten, more lightly than some men do a far less number.

ANS HANSON. The pleasant rural home of this gentleman is located in Mulberry Township, Clay County, where he owns 240 acres of improved land on sections 12 and 13. The farm is thoroughly cultivated, and bears all necessary buildings, well built and conven- iently disposed. Mr. Hanson also owns an im- proved farm of 160 acres lying east of Morgan- ville, in Sherman Township. He became a resi- dent of this State and county in 1872, at which time he purchased a homesteader's claim, which forms a portion of his present landed estate. He has since made the excellent improvements which it now bears, and brought his land to its present high state of productiveness.

Mr. Hanson is a native of Denmark, and of pure Danish blood. His father, Hans Peterson. was a farmer, and died at the age of fifty-six, our subject being then twenty-four years old. The mother bore the maiden name of Christina Clausen. She departed this life when our subject was but four years old. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, the gentleman of whom we write being the only son and youngest child: Two daughters died in their native land, and one is still living there. Both parents belonged to the Luth- eran Church.

July 13, 1837. He was reared and educated in his native land, and there resided until the year 1872. On March 3 of that year he took passage at Copen- hagen on a steamer bound for Quebec, Canada. After landing he went to Chicago, whence he came immediately to this State. He has prospered in his occupation here, and has built up a comfortable and substantial home.

The marriage of our subject was celebrated in his native land, the bride being Miss Margaretta Ilanson. This estimable lady was born and reared near her husband's birthplace. She was one of a family of two sons and two daughters born to her parents. One of her brothers. is now in the United States, the other brother and sister still living in their native land. Her father, John Ilanson, was a weaver, and lived /until past the age of sixty years. His wife, Sophia (nee Hanson), died in middle life. Both were members of the Lutheran Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Hanson, of this sketch, are the par- ents of eight children, five having been born in Denmark. Hannah, wife of Bruce Taylor, lives on a farm in Wyoming Territory. Christina, wife of Peter Anderson, resides on a farm in this county and township. Sophia is keeping house in Sher- man Township for her brothers Peter and William, who are engaged in farming there. Maggie, John A. and Lloyd D. still remain at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Hanson are members of the Luth- ran Church in Sherman Township. Mr. Hanson is a Republican in politics. Ile is highly respected by his fellow-citizens as a man of trust-worthiness in his business dealings and private life, and a re- liable citizen of the land of his adoption.

Z ENAS D. SMITH is one of the leading stock men of Greenleaf Township, Washing- ton County. He owns and occupies what is known as the "Elm Grove Farm" on section 27. He gives the greater part of his attention to the breeding of Poland-China hogs, but also keeps a few Holstein cattle. Mr. Smith has been an occu-

Ilans Hanson was born on the Island of Laaland, ; pant of his present home since 1870, although his

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citizenship of Kansas began at a much earlier date. He is one of the pioneers. having settled in Bour- bon County in 1858, and with the exception of three years he has been a continuous resident of the State since that time.

The subject of this sketch traces his descent from John Smith, who came to America on the "Mayflower." His grandfather bore the name of Seth, and his father that of Ira. The latter was born in Granby, Mass., in 1788. He removed to New York when a young man, and married there. In 1836 he removed to Ashtabula County, Ohio, and two years later to Lorain County, where be re- mained until 1850. He then changed his residence to LaSalle County, Ill., where he died March 24, 1855. He was in moderate circumstances, His life was devoted to the work of a minister of the Congregational Church. The mother of our sub- ject, in her maidenhood Miss Hannah Green, was born in Binghamton, N. Y., Jan. 11. 1793, and died in LaSalle County, Ill., Aug. 10, 1868. Her union with Ira Smith resulted in the birth of thir- teen children, eleven of whom reached the age of maturity.

Zenas D. Smith, of whom we write, was born March 12, 1832, in Union Township, Broome Co., N. Y., and was the seventh child of his parents. His boyhood and youth were passed in Lorain County, Ohio, where he received a good education. He was about eighteen years of age when he came with his parents to LaSalle County, Ill. There he worked on a farm until 1858, when he moved to Bourbon County, this State. After about five years residence there he went to Topeka, where he engaged in the dairy business and remained until 1867. Thence he returned to LaSalle County, Ill., where he sojourned two years. In 1870 he returned to Kansas and bought 120 acres of land, where he now resides.

In LaSalle County, Ill., Sept. 18, 1855, an in- teresting ceremony took place, by which Miss Fide- lia F. Ford became Mrs. Zenas D. Smith. The bride was born in Lowell, Mass., Nov. 14, 1835, being a daughter of Seth F. and Elizabeth (Fry) Ford. She has borne ten children: Ira, Ella, Sethi (deceased), LeRoy, Theodore and Flora (deceased ) Hattie, Lucy, Walter, and Edith (deceased).

Mr. Smith is a Republican, and gives a hearty support to the party principles. He has been Jus- tice of the Peace in Lincoln Township for several years. He is a man of high standing among the agriculturists of the county, and of good repute as a man and citizen wherever he is known.

During the famous Price raid in Kansas, our subject was directed by the Governor of the State with others to join a body of men for the purpose of repelling the invader. Our subject was taken prisoner about twelve miles south of Kansas City, near the Little Blue River, and was held captive five days, when he made his ;escape in the night, and returned to the Federal lines. His team of horses, harness and wagon, which were also pressed into the service, together with about $100 in money which he had on his person, were confiscated by the rebels. Mr. Smithi, after his release, was per- mitted to return to his home. From the mental strain and exposure incident to this experience, our subject's health was impaired to such a degree that he has never since fully recovered. This experi- ence occurred in October, and our subject having been strippedj of his wearing apparel. was obliged to make his way barefooted the entire distance.

ILLIAM GEPNER. The agricultural in- terests of Bloom Township find a worthy representative in Mr. Gepner, who owns 280 acres of improved land, on section 11. 120 of which he homesteaded from the Government in 1871. After paying out the necessary money re- quired to secure this land he only had $5 left and with this he purchased the necessaries of life for which he had to pay a big price. Ile was then a single man and kept batchelor's hall in a dugout, having for his only companions his faithful dogs and an old ox team who shared equally with him his shelter and food.

. From that modest beginning Mr. Gepner has con- structed one of the most beautiful homes in the northwest corner of Clay County. It has taken no small amount of hard labor, and hard cash like- wise, to bring the land to its present condition and erect upon it the buildings required by the enter-

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prising agriculturist. Mr. Gepner has his farm well stocked, has planted forest and fruit trees and gathered about himself and his family all the com- forts of modern life. He is a native of Germany, having been born in the city of Templeburg, Oct. 2, 1849, and lived there until sixteen years old, when, emigrating to America, he settled in Cincin - nati, Ohio, where he drove a milk wagon four years and laid up quite a little sum of money. This, however, he lost in a broken bank and among friends who deceived him. Therefore upon com- ing to Kansas he was obliged to commence again at the foot of the ladder.

The father of our subject was Karl Gepner, a car- penter by trade. and who married Miss Louisa Knout, who was born in South Germany. They became the parents of five children and sailed for America with their family in 1866, landing in Que- bec, Canada, after a seven weeks' voyage, on the 4th of July. They experienced a very stormy passage, at one time expecting to go to the bottom of the ocean. From Quebec, after a time they came over into the States and lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, until 1871. That year most of the family came to Kansas. The father and sons took up a homestead in Bloom Township, the former securing eighty acres from which he constructed a comfort- able home and where his death occurred April 17. 1885, when he was seventy-two years old. Ile was a member of the Presbyterian Church, in the or- ganization of which he assisted, and in politics, was a stanch Republican. The wife and mother is still living at the old homestead and is now seventy- seven years of age. She and her husband had lived together for the long period of forty-nine years and six months. She likewise is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

The subject of this sketch was married in his dugout Sept. 26, 1876, to Miss Lydia Petermyer. This lady was born in Gasconade County, Mo., in April, 1857, and seven years after her marriage died when twenty-six years old at the birth of her fourth child. She likewise was a Presbyterian in religion. Mr. Gepner in due time contracted a second marriage in Bloom Township with Miss Ma- linda Kink, a native of Canada, whose parents re- moved to Illinois and died when their daughter,

Malinda, was a small child. She died eighteen months after her wedding at the early age of nine- teen years and six months. She was of French parentage and a member of the Catholic Church. Of this union there was born one child, a son, Lud- wig.

In due time, Sept. 14, 1887, Mr. Gepner was a third time married to Miss Augusta Fieldbinder. This lady was born in Germany and when sixteen years old came with her parents to America. They settled in Illinois and Miss Augusta came to Kan- sas at the age of twenty-one years from Illinois. Of this union there has been born one child, a son, William J. The children of the first marriage of Mr. Gepner were named respectively, Frederick W., Fredina, Anna M., and Julius C., deceased Mr. Gepner is a member of the Presbyterian Church and a Republican in politics. His present wife is a Lutheran in religion. For the first few weeks after settling on his homestead Mr. Gepner actually lived on the weed called "lambs quarter," boiled with a little meat for which he had to pay a high price.

L EONARD P. CUSHING is one of the enter- prising and successful young farmers of Washington County. lle may well be proud of the success he has achieved and the part be has taken in the development of Sheridan Town- ship. He was born in Greene County, Ill., Feb. 14, 1855. When about nine years old, his parents re- moved to Christian County, where he was reared on a farm. He was the recipient of such educa- tional advantages as were afforded in the district schools.

In March, 1878, he came with his family to this county and purchased eighty acres of land. Ile has sinee bought an additional sixty acres, and brought the entire place to a high state of cultiva- tion and produetivenesss. The farm is divided into fields of convenient size, and all well feneed. There were no buildings on the land when it was purchased by Mr. Cushing. IIc now has adequate and substantial stable , hog pens, cribs, etc., and a neat and sufficiently commodious frame house. IIc has planted about 200 grape vines, and an orch-

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ard of seventy-five apple trees. Quite a number of forest trees afford cooling shelter on various parts of the estate.

In Christian County, Ill., on Feb. 14, 1877. an interesting ceremony took place. It was that which united the lives and fortunes of our subject and Miss Emma Webster of that county. The bride is a daughter of M. P. and Theresa (Chase) Webster. The union has been blessed by the birth of three interesting children -- Euda, Carrie and Olive.

Our subject is a son of Montgomery H. and Mary (Clark ) Cushing, and is the fourth in a fam- ily of nine children. Eight of them are still living. All were born in Illinois. The eldest son, George, served in the defense of the Union during the late Civil War. The parents removed from Illinois to Clay County, Neb., about the year 1879. There the father took a timber claim of eighty acres, up- on which the mother and two sons are now living. The father departed this life in April. 1885. The mother is a communicant of the Methodist Episco- pal Church.

Mr. Cushing served as Constable in this town- ship. He is a man of high principles, marked in- telligence, and kindly manners. His wife is pos- sessed of many social and domestic virtues. They stand well in the esteem of their neighbors and fel- low citizens, and are likely in the years to come to rank still higher as their years of usefulness in- crease.

E. BALDRY, Deputy Postmaster of Clifton, also carries on a thriving trade in books and confectionery. Ile came to the city in 1878 and with the exception of two years spent in Kansas City, Mo., has since maintained his resi- dence here. He was born in Lettsville, Louisa C'o., fowa. July 14, 1863, and received a practical education in the common-schools of Iowa and Kan- sas. For some time he was engaged as a clerk for his uncle, L. C. Chester, a prominent grain dealer.

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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 158

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

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