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 160

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 160
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 160
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 160

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).

Curtis Woods. upon reaching his majority, emi- grated in 1836. to Galena. Ill., making his way mostly by a river boat to that city. Thereafter he worked as a farm laborer in Jo Daviess County, and finally took up a claim of 160 acres near the pres- ent site of Scales Mound. He was married at that place July 9, 1845, to Miss Jane E. Crowder. This lady was born in the vicinity of Alton, Madison Co., Ill., Aug. 28, 1823, and is the daughter of William Crowder, who was born near Lexington,

Ky., and carried on farming there until 1819. That year Mr. Crowder had his wordly goods transported to St. Louis, then placed his wife and three chil- dren on their two horses and walked beside them, carrying his rifle on his shoulder. to Madison County, Ill. Prior to this he had taken part in the War of 1812. lle was an expert hunter and after settling in Illinois entered a claim and, with the exception of the time which he spent as a sol- dier in the Black Hawk War, lived there until his removal to Macoupin County. In that county his death took place when he was quite aged.

The maternal grandmother of our subject, Mrs. Elizabeth ( Wise) Crowder, was a native of Ken- tucky, and after the death of her husband went to Johnson County, Neb .. and made her home with her daughter until her death, in 1869. Curtis Woods became one of the most successful farmers of Northern Illinois, owning 220 acres of land in Scales Monnd Township and thirty-seven and one- half acres in Guilford Township. In the spring of 1869, however, he sold out and started for the farther West. Coming to Riley County, Kan., he purchased 700 acres of land on the Big Blue, in Jackson Township, to which he subsequently added another 100 acres. Here he surrounded himself and his family with all of the comforts and conveniences of modern life and departed hence Oet. 4, 1888. He was an active Republican, polit- ically, and east his first vote for William H. Harri- son. The widowed mother is still living and resid- ing on the homestead. She is a lady of many estimable qualities, and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Fancy Creek.

To the parents of our subject there were horn six children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Vir- ginia, is the wife of George Crowder. a resident of Sumner County, this State; George is engaged in a flouring mill at Topeka; Emily, Mrs. Vallett, is the wife of a leading merchant at Glen Elder; Louisa. Mrs. Haines is a widow and resides with her brother, Charles T',; the latter was next in order of birth; Effie, Mrs. Shartel, is the wife of an attor- ney-at-law in Sedan, this State.

Charles T. Woods was born near Scales Mound, Jo Daviess Co., IH .. Dec. 21, 1859. and was reared amid the quiet pursuits of farm life. Ile accom-

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panied the family to Kansas in the spring of 1869, crossing the Mississippi at Smith's Ferry, and the Missouri at St. Joseph, and arriving at their desti- nation after a journey of twenty-eight days. Young Woods thereafter attended first the district school and later the High school at Manhattan, completing his studies in the Agricultural College there. He, however, chose agriculture for his life oceupation and in the spring of 1887 took charge of his father's farm. The following year he began improv- ing property which he now owns-340 acres on the Big Blue bottoms-and may be pardoned for the opinion that he has one of the best farms in all Riley County. This was a present from his father when our subject was seventeen years old. The dwelling, a large, square, commodious structure, substantially built, was erected in 1885. In the building of the barn there was employed 775 perch of stone. The main part is 24x36 feet in dimen- sions, the east wing, 24x40 and the south wing, 24x46. Mr. Woods has a windmill and water tanks and all the other modern contrivances re- quired in the operations of a first-class farm. He is largely engaged in feeding cattle and swine, and keeps from fifteen to twenty head of draft horses. The farm is conveiently located one and one-half miles from Randolph. Mr. Woods, politically, is a staneh Democrat and is frequently sent as a dele- gate to the county conventions. Ile is a Knight of Pythias in good standing-a charter member of the lodge at Randolph.

ILLIAM H. PARSONS, D.S., leading dentist of Washington County, has an office in both Clifton and Clyde. establishing himself in the former place in June. 1886, and in the latter in January, 1888. He is recognized as one of the most skillful operators in this section and is in the enjoyment of a large and growing patronage. His two offices are fully equipped with all the imple- ments and conveniences required and the quality of his work is one which will bear inspection.

Dr. Parsons received his early instruction in den- tistry in the office of his honored grandfather, Dr. Seaman of New York State, and later was under the

Intorship of other eminent practitioners. He com- meneed the practice of his profession in St. Marys, this State, where he was associated with his brother, Dr. Horace Parsons, who is now the President of the Kansas State Dental Association. After some months spent with his brother he established an office of his own at Eskbridge and remained there until coming to Clifton. Ile was the pioneer dentist of this place and not only operates in the two towns mentioned, but in others at each point of the com- pass.

Born at Millport, Chemung Co., N.Y., two miles from the City of Elmira, May 24, 1849, the subject of this sketch is the son of Samnel Parsons, likewise a native of the Empire State, who was engaged as a merchant, lumberman and boat builder. The family flourished in Connecticut in the early days, the paternal grandfather being Uriah Parsons, also a lumberman and the son of a Revolutionary soldier who made for himself a good record as a defender of the liberties of the Colonists. Uriah Parsons was for some years in business in Connectient, but later emigrated to New York State and after a few years died at Millport, in September, 1840. He was then fifty-two years old having been born in 1788 in Litchfield, Conn. His father was Daniel Parsons, lilewise a native of Litchfield and who died when quite aged in New York State.

Uriah Parsons married Miss Charity Hall of Con- neetieut who was also of New England ancestry for several generations back. She accompanied ber hus- band to New York State and died there when ripe in years. The Parsons family for generations were identified with the Episcopal Church. Daniel, the great - grandfather of our subject married Miss Eunice Bertrand of Connecticut and she likewise died in New York State when well advanced in years. Samuel was the eldest of his father's family, his father dying when he was seventeen years old. lle assumed the management of the family affairs until twenty-eight years old when he was married in Chemung County, N. Y. to Miss Lorain Seaman. This lady was born and reared in Chemung County, and was the daughter of Dr. Horace and Sally (Whipple) Seaman, who were natives of Vermont. Removing to New York State after their marriage Mr. Seaman followed the profession of a dentist and

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physician for many years at Millport, to which he removed in 1829. He died there in 1881. Ilis wife. Sally Whipple, was the granddaughter of William Whipple, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. His father was Benjamin Seaman, a farmer of Bridgeland, Vt., where he died at the age of seventy-seven years. lle was the son of Jolin Seaman, a soldier of the Revolution who fought as a private at the battle of Stillwater, where he was wounded and where two of his brothers yielded up their lives.

Samuel Parsons and his wife for some years after their marriage lived in Millport, N.Y., then in 1870 emigrated to Kansas and homesteaded a tract of land near the present site of Westmoreland. Later they removed to Wamego where they still reside, retired from active labor. Mr. Parsons is sixty-nine years of age and his estimable wife ten years young- er. William, our subject, was the eldest of their four children, one of whom, a son, Uriah, died when a promising young man of twenty-two years. Ho- race Parsons operates as a dentist at Wamego. The younger brother, Galen, is a dentist at the same place.

The subject of this sketch received a good edu- eation in the schools of his native State, prior to entering upon the study of his profession. He was married in Westmoreland, this State, to Miss Louise Resing. Mrs. Parsons was born near Friendship. Ind., Oct. 19, 1855 and is the daughter of Henry L. and Margaret S. (Coch ) Resing, who were natives of Germany. Her paternal grandfather, Louis Re- sing, had two brothers who served in the French army under the first Napoleon and were in many famous battles, dying on the retreat from Moscow. The mother was born in the city of Leubruch, Ilano- ver, and came of pure German ancestry. After their marriage in Cincinnati, Ohio, IIenry Resing and his wife continued residents of the "Queen City" where Mr. Resing was engaged in the mercantile business until their removal to Indiana. There they first located on a farm in Ripley County in the vicinity of Friendship, and later Mr. Resing estab- lished a store in that town which he conducted until the fall of 1869. Then coming to Kansas he settled in the vicinity of Westmoreland, Pottawato- mie County, taking up a homestead. In 1882

the family removed to Topeka where Mr. Resing engaged in the coal business and where he and his wife still live, at the age of sixty-seven and sixty- six years respectively. They are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mrs. Parsons was a young girl of fourteen years when her parents came to Kansas and she completed her education at the Lawrence University. Of her union with our subject there has been born one child, a son, Roy A., who died when seventeen months old. Mr. Parsons, politically, is a sound Republican and during his younger years took an active part in local polities.

W ATSON T. OTWELL. The story of pio- neer life in the West is an ever interesting tale, however oft repeated, and as time lengthens the distance between the past and the present the tale is being repeated in a manner that precludes the possibility of those men being for- gotten who were instrumental in transforming the wilderness into the homes of a prosperous and happy people. The year 1889 seems especially de- voted to gathering the records of the old pioneers who came in the prime of their manhood to a strange wild country and battled with dangers. difficulties, and the other concomitants of life on the frontier. Among those whose names are des- tined to be handed down to prosterity, is that of Watson T. Otwell, who made a record of which his children have reason to be proud.

The subject of this sketch was born Feb. 26, 1838, in Sussex County, Del .. and departed this life at his home in Strawberry Township, Washington C'o., Kan., Feb. 19, 1884, at the age of nearly forty-six years, being eut down in the prime of life. But he had well improved his allotted time on earth and had accomplished more real good than many who attain to twice that age. Ile was the seion of a respectable family, being the son of John and Sarah (Short) Otwell, the former of whom was born on the same farm as his son.

The parental family comprised eleven children, ten of whom lived to mature years and eight of whom are now living, namely. Obed, William,

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Sarah, Rufus, Matthew C., George, Charles and Amelia C. One daughter, Mary J., died in the bloom of womanhood. The survivors are mostly residents of Delaware.

The subject of this sketch passed his early years in a comparatively uneventful manner under the parental roof, learning the arts of plowing, sowing and gathering in the harvest, and acquiring a fair education in the district school. With the exception of one year spent in a stave factory, he thereafter followed farming as his life occupation. He left his native State in 1864 and making his way to Indiana, lived one year in Plymouth occupied as above stated, and then spent five years there en- gaged in farming. In 1869 he set out for the country west of the ,Mississippi and coming to Kansas, in March, went to farming until in the fall of the year and then homesteaded 160 acres of land on section 12 in Strawberry Township, where he opened up the homestead now occupied by his family. It was then a wild prairie, with the near- est neighbor one and one-half mile distant.

The first dwelling of Mr. Otwell and his family in Kansas was a pole shanty covered with dirt in which they lived for two years. It is hardly neces- sary to say that it was furnished in simple style without any pretensions to fashion or elegance, and the table fare in those days was thoroughly in keep- ing with the other surroundings. All worked to- gether with the mutual purpose of effecting a change for the better, and in due time they realized their expectations. Mr. Ofwell especially labored early and late in the building up of his home, and his constitution in time gave way under the long- continued strain so that he was finally obliged to abandon hard labor and relegate this to other hands. His condition was aggravated by the drinking of cold water when over-heated in the harvest field, in Indiana. He was a remarkably patient man and bore his sufferings with heroic fortitude, seldom complaining although suffering greatly at times.

Mr. Otwell was called the poor man's friend, so charitable and kind was he to those less fortunate than himself. No deserving person in need was ever turned empty from his door. lle was pos- sessed of more than ordinary intelligence, was a regular reader, and kept himself well posted upon

the events of the day. Ile gave to his children the advantages of a good education, and set before them an example of honesty and integrity that was well worthy of imitation. They have grown up respected in their community and well fitted to become good and useful members of society.

Before leaving his native State, Mr. Otwell was married March 10, 1859, to Miss Mary E., daugh- ter of James and Priscilla (Carpenter) Webb. Mrs. Otwell was the eldest of her parents' three children, the others being Eliza A., and James R. She, like her husband was a native of Delaware, and was born March 3, 1839, She was reared in the same neighborhood as her husband and they grew up as children together. Their union has been blessed by the birth of nine children, four of whom are living-Sarah A., William E., Ida M., and Rufus R. Sarah is the wife of Edward G. Denman of Beloit, Mitchell Co .. this State; they have three children-May E .. Ray A., and Earl W. One son, George, died when a promising youth of seventeen years.

Politically, Mr. Otwell was a stanch supporter of the Republican party, although never aspiring to office. He was a man of decided views and his opinion was often sought by his neighbors upon matters affecting their best interests. He has left to his family the legacy of a good name, and his diligence and forethought resulted in the accumu- lation of a good property. The Otwell homestead is comfortable in all respects, and the family are numbered among the most highly respected citizens of Washington County.

ACOB OSWALD. The results of persever- ance and industry are nowhere more forcibly illustrated than in the career of Mr. Oswald, a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, who. upon coming to the United States had only the sınall capital of $2.50 in his pocket. He is now numbered among the well-to-do farmers of Frank- lin Township, and has been a resident of Wash- ington County since 1883. He is approaching his three-score and ten years, having been born Jan. 25, 1822, but as the result of a correct life and

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temperate habits. he preserves much of the vigor and activity of his younger years.

They whom Mr. Oswald called father and mother were named respectively Frederick and Anna Cath- erine (Buyler) Oswald, who were likewise natives of Wurtemburg, and the former of whom spent his entire life upon his native soil. The mother crossed the Atlantic in 1860, and joining her son in Washington County, Kan., departed this life in 1865. There had been born to her and her hus- band seven children, viz; Jacob, Barbara, George, Frederick, Andrew, Mathias and John, the latter of whom died in Jackson County, Iowa.

The subject of this notice was principally en- gaged in farming pursuits in his native country, but for a time served in the German army. At the outbreak of the Revolution, in 1848, he came to the United States, after his marriage, which oe- eurred in the month of May, that year, the bride being Miss Rosanna Foegle. Mr. Oswald spent two months in the eastern part of New York State, then emigrated to Carroll County, III., and purchased 120 acres of land, upon which he lived five years. At the expiration of this time, pushing on further westward he established himself in Jackson County, Iowa, where he farmed two years and then engaged in the livery business at Sabula. During the sec- ond year of the war, he, in 1862. enlisted as a Union soldier in Company A. 6th Iowa Cavalry, and served three years. His command was prin- cipally stationed in Dakota, to fight the Indians,and Mr. Oswald officiated as Sergeant and Orderly. He was twice wounded, once in the head and once in the hand. Upon leaving the service he returned to Sabula, and re-engaged in the livery business which he prosecuted until coming to Kansas, in 1883. Soon afterward he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, and which comprises 180 acres of choice land in a highly productive condition. He still retains ownership of property in Sabula, lowa.

When Mr. Oswald settled upon his present farm the only attempt at improvements was an old dug- ont little suited for a human shelter. He made it his first business to put up a habitable dwelling. put in the season's erops, then began making fenees. dividing his fields, and tilling the soil. He labored industriously a number of years. and soon met

with his legitimate reward. Ile assisted his chil- dren to a good start in life, and has sufficient to defend him against want in his old age. His eldest daughter, Mary, is the wife of Jacob Berns, and they live in Hanover; Louise married Henry Osen- dorf, and lives in Lanham, Neb .; John is at home with his parents ; Caroline is the wife of Fred Ehrke ; Katie married William Berner; Frank and Frances, twins, remain under the home roof.

Mr. Oswald upon becoming a voting citizen iden- tified himself with the Republican party, and relig- ously is a member of the Presbyterian Church. So- cially he belongs to the G. A. R. In Sabula, Iowa, lie was at one time a member of the City Council.

I. EDELBLUTE, proprietor of his fa- ther's old homestead in Wild Cat Town_ ship, Riley County, occupies the dwelling which was built by the latter in 1866. The farm is 220 acres in extent and finely located on seetion 35. The land is in a good state of cul- tivation and well improved and devoted mainly to live-stoek, there being upon the place at the pres- ent time (October, 1889) twenty-three head of cat- tle and nineteen head of horses. Prominent among the latter is one especially fine animal, a McGregor, besides " Challas" and " Easter Girl," the latter three years old with a record of 2:42. Mr. Edel- blute is warmly interested in horse-flesh, and is at the present time raising some fine animals.

The subject of this sketch was the sixth child of his parents-David and Lydia (Conrad) Edelblute, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was first a charcoal burner and then a farmer. He was born Aug. 4. 1843, and was one of ten chil- dren, all of whom are living and residents of Kan- sas, Colorado and Pennsylvania. The parents were married in Pennsylvania, and lived there until 1857, during which year D. II. was a lad of four- teen years. They then emigrated to Kansas, set- tling on the land now owned by their son. our sub- ject. The father developed the land from the primitive soil. and died twenty-two years later, in January, 1879. The mother had passed away in

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September, 1866. The early days of our subject were occupied in attending the common school and assisting in the lighter labors around the home- stead. He looked upon Kansas in its Territorial days, and lived with his parents until twenty-six years old. After the death of the father the family was broken up and scattered, and D. II. purchased the interest of the other heirs in the homestead and settled upon it, where he has since remained.

Mr. Edelblute, on the 18th of April, 1870, was united in marriage with Miss Sarah C. Knapp, a daughter of Lemuel Knapp, who came from New York to Kansas Territory, in 1854, settling first in Pawnee City, which was destroyed by order of Jefferson Davis, then Secretary of War. Mrs. Edelblute was the sixth in a family of seven chil- dren, and was born June 4th, 1851, in Essex County, N. Y. Of her union with our subject there have likewise been born seven children, viz: Mary, Harry, Nathan G., Jennie, Roy, Forrest and Florence. Mrs. Edelblute is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as also are Mary and llarry. Our subject usually votes the straight Re- publican ticket, but has had very little to do with political affairs. The daughter, Mary, was married Dec. 4, 1889, to Mr. Frank Ayars, of Snow Hill. Md., and returned there, to make it their future home.

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HEODORE INGERSOLL, a distant relative of the noted Robert G. Ingersoll,is numbered among the most liberal and public-spirited citizens of Clay Township, Clay County, which has been the scene of his prosperity and in whose growth and development he has taken an absorb- ing interest. Hle did good service as a U'nion soldier during the late Civil War, and is one of those whole-souled, genial and companionable men who makes friends wherever he goes.

Mr. Ingersoll is essentially a Western man, having been born in Washtenaw Co., Mich., Dec. 13, 1843. Ile is the son of a Congregationalist minister, Rev. Elihu P'. Ingersoll, who, in the discharge of his pious duties, traveled all over the States of Michi- gan, Illinois and Kansas. Ile was possessed of

more than ordinary musical tastes, and for several years was a teacher of music in Oherlin (Ohio) College. He departed this life at his home in Broughton, in 1887.

The subject of this sketch received a limited education and came to Kansas with his parents when a lad of fourteen years. Two years later he began freighting for the United States Govern- ment, under the firm name of Majors & Russell, making three or four trips with ox teams from Kansas City to Colorado. After the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted as a Union soldier in Company E, 8th Kansas Infantry, and served three years. participating in the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, and in other important engage- ments. He was wounded at Chickamauga and con- fined a year in the hospital. U'pon his recovery he endeavored to re-enlist, but was rejected on ac- count of disability. Then coming back to Kansas he settled in Wabaunsee County, where he re- mained until 1867. That year he changed his residence to Clay County, homesteading land on section 35, Clay Township, where he made his headquarters mostly until the fall of 1889. Then, removing to Broughton, he homesteaded 160 acres of raw prairie, which he improved and added to until he is now the owner of 280 acres, upon which he has erected two farm houses, with the necessary buildings adjacent, one of these being occupied by a tenant.

On St. Valentine's day, Feb. 14, 1871, Mr. In- gersoll was united in marriage with Miss Julia, daughter of Reuben Kipp, the latter a native of New York, and who spent his last years in Kansas. Of this union there have been born six children, five of whom are living-Katie, Viola, James, George and Edna,and all at home with their parents. Mr. Ingersoll cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln, and has steadfastly supported the Repub- lican party. Ile has been the School Treasurer of his district many years, and was made the first Postmaster of Rosevale, now Broughton, whichi position he held for a period of years. He first established the office, held it three or four years, tlien went to the neighborhood of Emporia and worked on the Santa Fe Railroad one season. He was re-appointed to the office by President Har-

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rison, and resumed his duties there Oct. 1, 1889. As an old soldier, he is a member of the G. A. R .. at Bronghton. Mrs. Ingersoll and her daughter, Katie, belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. at Broughton.

Mr. Ingersoll was first married in Galva, III., to Miss Anna Whitehead, who became the mother of one child, a daughter, Myrtle, and departed this life at her home in Broughton in 1869. The child died when two years old.

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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 160

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

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