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 162

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 162
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 162
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 162

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).

1203

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

chased the Nationalist to which he has since given his attention as manager.

The marriage of Mr. Thompson with Miss Alice M. Stolp was celebrated Ang. 17, 1882, at Atlanta, Cowley Co., Kan. Mrs. Thompson was likewise born in San Joaquin County, Cal., March 20, 1861, HIer parents, William R. and Lucy ( Kinley ) Stolp, had gone to the Golden State from Aurora, Ill., at an early day. They are both living on a farm in Cow- ley ('ounty, this State, to which place they came in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have three chil- dren-Nellie, born May 30, 1883; George Fred- rick, June 10, 1855, and Russell Sheldon, Sept. 16, 1888. Mr. Thompson is a member of the City Council, of Manhattan, now serving his second term, being elected first in 1887 and re-elected in 1889. Upon the organization of the Council he was chosen its President and acting Mayor. He and his wife are both members of the First Baptist Church of Manhattan, and Mr. Thompson is one of the Board of Trustees and the Treasurer. He is likewise teacher of the Bible Class in the Sabbath- school of the church. He is universally recognized as a gentleman of high character, of unblemished life, upright and honorable in all his dealings with his fellow-men and deservedly ranks high among the citizens of Riley County.

The Nationalist is the successor of the oldest pa- per published in Kansas west of Topeka. It was started as the Western Kansas Express, by Charles F. De Vivaldi, in Manhattan, in 1860. Subse- quently under the management of Josiah Pillsbury, its name was changed to the Independent, and in 1868 it was purchased by L. R. Elliott, who con- solidated it and the Kansas Radical, calling the paper the Manhattan Standard. In December. 1870 he sold to Albert Gritlin, who changed the name to the Nationalist. Mr. Griffin who had a national reputation as a newspaper man, brought the journal into prominence.

At the close of the war Mr. Griffin had gone to Mobile, Ala., where he established a paper entitled the Nationalist, the first of its name in the United States. It was so earnestly Republican in sentiment that it offended the lately rebellious Southerners and Mr. Griffin was compelled to abandon it. Ile then returned to Kansas where he was well-known

through his connection with Gen. James HI. Lane. Mr. Griffin published the paper with great success until the fall of 1886 when he sold it to its present proprietors, who have kept up its reputation in an admirable manner. It was until recently the official paper of both city and county, but very properly refused to do the work for next to nothing. It makes a specialty of local news, a feature being a large number of local correspondents. In politics it is radically but independently Republican. It admits to its columns nothing that can in any way encourage vice or immorality, and is eminently fitted for the home circle-essentially a family pa- per. The office is fully equipped for doing job printing of all kinds, having ample facilties for ex- ecuting fine commercial book and poster work and it is well patronized in that and in its advertising department.

OHN LEUSZLER, a veteran approaching the eighty-third year of his age and one of the earliest pioneers of Northern Kansas, began operations on the raw prairie in Linn Township, Washington County, when the country around him gave little evidence of having been visited by a white man. By the exercise of un- flagging industry and close economy he accumu- lated land and money, becoming financially inde- pendent. He was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Ger- many, May 2, 1807, and is the son of Rupert Leuszler, who emigrated to America in 1832, and made his home with his son, John, until his decease. which occurred many years ago.

The subject of this sketch first set foot upon American soil in 1831, locating in Doylestown, Pa. He operated a meat-market there for a period of nineteen years, then in 1852 removed to Medina County, Ohio. He farmed there and in Lorain County until 1869. Then coming to Kansas he homesteaded 160 acres of land, comprising the southeast quarter of section 4, Linn Township, where he operated successfully as a tiller of the soil and accumulated a competence.

Mr. Leuszler was married in September. 1834. to Miss Catherine Long. Mrs. Leuszler was born in Lehigh County, Pa., and is the daughter of John

1204

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Long, long since deceased. Of her union with our subject there were born fifteen children, ten of whom are living, viz: Mary ( Mrs. Hollinger), Eliza- beth (Mrs. Hasenpfing), Jacob. Catherine ( Mrs. Lytle), John, Peter, Tilly ( Mrs. Pauli), Noah, Han- nah (Mrs. Field), and Sarah ( Mrs. Fiebach). They are all scattered over the West, from Ohio to Cali- fornia and Washington.

At the time Mr. Leuszler settled in this region the present site of Washington was marked by a few houses, one of which, a log cabin, was utilized for a court-house. Ile hauled his lumber from Waterville, and also went there to mill. He has worked very hard, notwithstanding the fact that he has been troubled with rheumatism since a young man of twenty-four years. For the long period of forty-four years he has been a member of the Evangelical Association, and for about eight- een years officiated as a minister. Upon becoming a voting citizen he identified himself with the Democratic party, but in 1856 he was converted to the newly enunciated Republican principles. casting his Presidential vote for John C. Fremont, and has since given his support to the Republican party. After having been his faithful companion for a period of thirty-three years, Mis. Catherine Long was separated from her husband by death in 1867, during their residence in Ohio. The sons of Mr. Leuszler, who are elsewhere represented in this work, are among the most highly respected men in their community.

AVID K. RANKIN. This gentleman takes rank among the representative farmers and old settlers of Clay County, having been a resident therein for more than a score of years. Being early thrown upon his own resources, he has by energy and perseverance accumulated a fair share of this world's goods, and through the worth of his character become a man of influence in the see- tionwhere he resides. His first landed estate in this county consisted of 160 acres on section 17, Blaine Township, which was taken under the Homestead Aet in 1867, it being at that time in the usual con- dition of uncultivated prairie land. It has been

improved and the acreage added to, until the es- tate now comprises 480 acres, supplied with a fine residence, excellent barns and other outbuildings, and is considered one of the best farms in the county. Mr. Rankin is engaged in general farm- ing and in raising Short-horn cattle and Norman horses.

Mr. Rankin is a native of Indiana County, Pa., his birth having taken place Oct. 1, 1839. His parents, William and Eliza Rankin, were natives also of the Keystone State. The former died while our sub- jeet was still a young lad, and he lost his mother when but fifteen years old. He received but limited educational advantages, and after the death of his mother began working out by the month among the farmers of his native State, continuing so em- ployed until he attained to man's estate.

The breaking out of the Civil War found Mr. Rankin not only thoroughly imbued with the spirit of patriotism and a desire to serve his country, but with greater freedom from home ties and duties than was the case with many patriots. Not long after the fall of Ft. Sumter. therefore, he became a member of Company A, 78th Pennsyl- vania Infantry, and attached to the Army of the Tennessee. For a time he was under the command of Gen. Roseerans, and later served under other well-known generals. His army life covered a period of over three years, during which time he took part in many battles, the most noted of them being Lookout Mountain and Stone River. During the latter affray he was captured by the Confeder- ate forces, and for some two months endured con- finement in Libby Prison. In 1864 he was honor- ably discharged from the service and returned to his native State, conscious of having faithfully per- formed his duties in the ranks.

Since becoming a resident of Kansas Mr. Rankin has endured many of the hardships and privations incident to life on the frontier, and has borne his part in the development of this section of the Great West. Ile has labored not only for his per- sonal interest and advancement, but for the good of the community in the furtherance of the cause of education, in progressive work in the lines prop- erly belonging to agricultural life, and in any pro- posed movement for the public good. The school-

1205

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

ing which he missed in his boyhood has been made up by his desire to know what is going on in the world. and through the medium of the public press he has overcome in a great measure the lack of his youthful training. Mr. Rankin has served on the School Board, and is now one of the directors in the People's National Bank, of Clay Center. He belongs to the G. A. R. post at Clay Center. and gives his political adherence to the Democratic party.

In June, 1867, Mr. Rankin was united in mar- riage with Miss Margaret Cochran, of Pennsylvania, a lady who has nobly borne her part in the strug- gles and economies of their early life in the West, and whose housewifely abilities and womanly vir- tues are well displayed in the management of their beautiful home and the training of the children who bless their fireside. Their family circle now comprises nine children, two having been removed from them by death. The living bear the names respectively of William HI., Charles F., Claude W., Jesse H., Alda C., Millie C., Victor H., Presley Ray and Floyd V.

-do-

ARTEN PERSON. One of the most ad- mirable qualities in a man is promptness in meeting his obligations and courteousness in his transactions with his fellow men- He may be a man of decided views, but if he is careful not to give offense, this quality is no detrimental to his general makeup. In the character of Marten Person is combined these excellent elements which have established him in the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. We find him the owner of a fine estate lying in Brantford Town- ship, in the southwestern part of Washington County, embracing a tract of land which he set- tled upon when it was little more than a raw prairie and from which he has developed one of the most desirable farms in this section of country. His residence is a commodious and handsome stone structure, adjacent to which are substantial out- buildings and all the accessories for farming and stock-raising. Groves of forest trees and number- less fruit trees add to the value and attractiveness

of the place. The farm is beautifully situated and invariably attracts the admiring attention of the passing traveler, who turns more than once to re- gale himself with its beauties.

The early home of Mr. Person was on the other side of the Atlantic, in the southern part of Sweden, near the town of Helsingburg, where his birth took place April 16, 1857. Ile lived there until a youth of sixteen years, becoming familiar with the Scandinavian methods of farming and acquiring a rather limited education in the common school. At this time, having a brother in Kansas, lie crossed the Atlantic and joined him here in May. 1873, and soon afterwards purchased the claim which is included in his present homestead. This claim was 160 acres in extent and simply improved with a dugout. There were then only a very few of his countrymen in this region, but Brantford Township now boasts sixty honest Swedish voters, who commenced life in a manner similar to Mr. Person, and who are now mostly thrifty and well- to-do, being possessed of good homesteads. They also are considered as among the best citizens of this region and almost without exception are mem- bers of the Republican party.

After a few year's residence in Brantford Town- ship, and when ready to establish a home of his own, Marten Person took unto himselfa wife and helpmate, Miss Annie Nelson, who was born Oct. 15, 1884. in this township, and is the daughter of Erick Nelson, who died in Ilenderson County, Ill., when his daughter Annie was quite young. The latter then came to Kansas and made her home with a sister, with whom she remained until becoming the wife of Mr. Person. Of this union there have been born two children-Elna C. and Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Person are devout members of the Free Lutheran Church, aud Mr. Person, politically, it is hardly necessary to say, is a stanch supporter of the Republican party.

When coming to America our subject was ac- companied by his father, Nels Person, with two other children. The elder Person was a blacksmith by trade in his native Sweden. but also understood farming. He likewise settled in Brantford Town- ship and died in 1879. The widowed mother is still living, making her home with her son, our

1206

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

subject. There came to America with her and her family, her brother, M. Larson, who lives with her. Marten Person has been quite prominent in local affairs and has frequently been warmly endorsed, not only by his own countrymen, but by the Ameri- can-born citizens of Brantford Township, as a suitable incumbent of almost any office. He, how- ever, prefers to give his attention to his farming interests, although consenting to serve as Township Treasurer, which office he now holds. Ile farms on a large scale and makes a specialty of stock-raising, having a fine lot of cattle and swine. Living near him is his brother, Andrew, who is fully as pro- gressive and enterprising as himself and who like- wise has a fine home.

ENRY F. NEMITZ is one of the bright, wide-awake young farmers of Washington Township who are doing so much to ad- vance the great agricultural interests of this part of the State. He was born at Lake Huron, Province of Ontario. Canada, Nov.27, 1855, coming of a stalwart, hardy German race. His father, Will- iam Nemitz, was born in Germany, as was his father Charles Nemitz. The latter came to America soon after the Civil War when he was an old man, and located in Davis County, Iowa. He resided there, in the town of Pulaski, till 1873, when he came to Kansas and lived in Washington Township till his demise. The family comprises the following children : Charles, William, Henry. Edward, Al- bert. Ferdinand, Hannah and Frederica. all of whom came to this country, and his daughters are living in Washington County. The father of our subject was reared and educated in his na- tive land, and served two years or more in the German army in compliance with the laws of Ger- many. He came to America in 1852, and after living in Canada two years, crossed the border into the "States," and made his way to Davis County, Iowa, where be rented land, which he cultivated assiduously till 1870. In that year he came to Kansas making the journey with team, and took up his abode in Washington County. At that time the settlements in this county were confined to the

borders of the streams, and the interior was still in a wild, uncultivated condition, and the home of the deer, antelopes, and other game, which fur- nished appetizing food for the pioneers. Mr. Nemitz took up some land, on which there was a rude dugout in which the family took shelter, and he at once commenced to improve his land, whereon be still makes his home. He now has 320 acres of fine farming land, the greater part of it being im- proved, and he has erected a comfortable set of buildings for every necessary purpose. To him and his wife have been born seven children, of whom the following five are living: Henry F., Lizzie, Caroline, David and William.

Henry Nemitz of this biographical review was an active, capable lad of fifteen when he accom- panied his parents to Kansas, and he has since been a resident of Washington County. He gleaned "a very good education in the pioneer schools of Iowa, and in the local schools here, and early made himself useful to his father in the farm work, and he continued to live with bis parents till his mar- riage when he established a home of his own. That important event in his life occurred in 1879 when he was united to Miss Lydia MeNitt. She is a na- tive of Minnesota, born eight miles from Owatonna. Hler father, Daniel McNitt, was born in Salem, Washington Co., N. Y., a son of James McNitt, who is supposed to have been born in the United States of Scotch parentage, and who was a farmer and spent his last years in Washington County, N. Y. Mrs. Nemitz's father was reared in his na- tive county. and after the death of his first wife, re- moved to Wisconsin and married a second time, and then went to the territory of Minnesota and was a pioneer of Steele County, the removal from Wisconsin being made with teams. He entered a tract of Government land, which he cultivated till 1868, when he disposed of it, and moving to Brown County, Ill., lived at Mound Station till 1877, when he came to Kansas. After residing in Republic County a few months, he went to Jeffer- son County, Neb., and taking up a homestead claim, has lived there ever since. The maiden name of Mrs. Nemitz's mother was Charlotte Wallace, and she was born in New York State, a daughter of Daniel and Roxie Wallace. Mr. and Mrs. Nemitz

1207

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

have one ehild, Edwin. Mr. Nemitz has met with fine success in his farming ventures, and has shown himself to be a sagacious, thoughtful, practical methodical farmer, and bis well-ordered farm, with its fine looking, well-graded stock, its substantial buildings, and the necessary appliances for carry- ing on agriculture to the best advantage, is con- sidered one of the most desirable places in the neighborhood. He and his wife are pleasant, agree- able people, kind and considerate in their relations with others. and stand well socially. Politically. be is a firm Republican.

OHN L. PERKINS. The farming commu- nity of Brantford Township recognizes Mr. Perkins as one of its most enterprising and useful members. His bomestead is finely located and conveniently arranged, occupying a part of sections 23 and 24, there being eighty acres situated on either side of the publie highway. It was a tract of wild land when he took possession, and its condition to-day indicates the amount of perseverance and industry which have been ex- pended upon it, in addition to a goodly amount of hard cash.

A native of Sarna Township, Canada, Mr. Perkins was born Sept. 24, 1859, and when a lad of eleven years came with his parents to Kansas, in 1870. They settled first in Jackson County, where the father purchased 100 acres of land. Two years later, however, he sold out and homesteaded 160 acres in this township, Washington County, and with the assistance of his sous constructed a good homestead, and here John L. attained to man's estate. lle ae- quired his education in the common school, and was bred to those habits of industry and economy which have been the secret of his success. In addi- tion to general farming, he is considerably interested in live stock, having a goodly assortment of cattle and horses, and making a specialty of swinc.

D. O. Perkins, the father of our subject, was likewise born in the Dominion, and followed the occupation of a farmer all his lite. He remained a resident of Kansas until 1888, then selling ont, went to Florida. where he still sojourus. He is a

man of many excellent qualities. and has been a mem- ber of the United Brethren Church from hislyouth up. He married Miss Betsey Carmichael, who was born in Lowell, Canada, and they became the par- ents of twelve children, viz. : Hugh C .. Hannah O., William A., Dunean A., John L., Daniel O., Eli G., Elizabeth, Dolly. Ethel B., and two who died un- named.

The subject of this sketch, although only thirty years of age, has obtained a good start in life, and evidently has a successful career before him. Ile was married April 7, 1885, to Miss Electa, daugh- ter of Josiah Ruseo. The latter was a native of Huron County, Ohio, where he lived until April, 1869. He then emigrated to Kansas, and took up a homestead in Washington County, where he is still living. He is a prominent man in his town- ship, having been most of the time since coming here a member of the School Board, and has been almost a lifelong member of the United Brethren Church. He was married in Ohio to Miss Cather- ine Dills. John L., politically. is a sound Repub- lican. to which party his father and brothers also belong. He and his wife are members in good standing of the United Brethren Church. Ilis brother, William A. Perkins, is one of the Trustees of Brantford Township, and the family is generally held in high respect wherever known.

ACOB NELSON. In the subject of this no- tice we find a gentleman particularly fond of his home and its comforts, and one who has spent his best years in gathering around himself and his family those things which are best calculated for their happiness. He started in life without means, being wholly dependent upon the labor of his hands, but is now in good cireum- stances-in fact, independent as far as this world's goods are concerned. In this he has been ably as- sisted by his excellent wife, whose good manage- ment and economy in household affairs have largely assisted him on the highway to prosperity. They have one of the most attractive homes in this part of the county, and are held in high esteem by those who know them.

1208

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Mr. Nelson was born within two miles of Aahuus, in the Kingdom of Denmark, May 10, 1845, and is the son of Nels Soran. (In that country the son takes the father's given name for his surname.) Mr. Soran was a blacksmith by trade, but died when a young man, and when Jacob was a little lad of five years. The latter lived with his mother until ten years old, then began to earn his own living. He remained a resident of his native country until reaching his majority, then set sail for the United States in the spring of 1866, and after landing upon America's shore proceeded Westward, locating first in Racine County, Wis. The following year he crossed the Father of Waters and took up, his abode in Bremer County, lowa, but only staid there a short time, going thence to Floyd County, that State, where he sojourned until 1870. In the year above mentioned, Mr. Nelson proceeded south- westward into Kansas and homesteaded 160 acres of land in Strawberry Township, Washington County, which he still owns. It was then a wild, prairie, with not a tree npon it and no sign of cul- tivation. He went to work with a will, commenced cultivating the soil, making fences, planting fruit and forest trees and erecting buildings, and in due time gathered together all the conveniences and comforts of modern farm life. lle has three acres of forest trees, two acres planted to an apple- orchard, a frame dwelling (the main part 14x20 feet in dimensions and an addition of 10x20 feet), a good frame barn, the land all fenced and 120 acres under the plow. He can now rest npon his oars and look around him with a feeling of satis- faction that he has been amply rewarded for his labors.

On the 15th of February, 1878, Jacob Nelson was married in Strawberry Township to Miss Emma, daughter of Charles Schaffer. who settled in Grant Township, on the western line of Washington County, about 1878, and is now hving in Grant Township. The births of the four children of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are recorded as follows: Julia. born Feb. 18. 1879; Ernest. April 16, 1881; Gar- field, Nov. 22, 1883, and George, Dec. 11, 1886. Mr. Nelson. upon becoming a voting citizen, allied himself with the Republican party, of whose prin- ciples he has since been a supporter, Ile has never

sought office, confining himself strictly to his legiti- mate business. He and his estimable wife are mem- bers in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are now attending services at the Bap- tist Church.

Mrs. Emma (Schaffer) Nelson was born Aug. 17, 1857. in Alsace-Lorraine, near Strasburg, Germany, and came with her parents to America in 1874, when a maiden. of seventeen years. They located in Pittsburg, Pa., where she matured into woman- hood. She was carefully trained in all useful household duties, and became well-fitted for her future position in life as the wife and helpmate of a good man.

W ILLIAM H. ASHTON. one of the famous frontiersmen of Northern Kansas. witnessed many thrilling scenes during the first years of his sojourn on the border, and during the times which tried men's souls was distinguished for his courage and bravery, being one of those who placed his shoulder to the wheel, and never evaded any known duty. Few men have built up for them- selves a more honorable record, either as pioneers or citizens. He married the daughter of a promi- nent family, a lady who has been his suitable part- ner and helpmate in all the relations of life. and who deserves equally with him, honorable mention.

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 162

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

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