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 163

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 163
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 163
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 163

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).

The native place of Mr. Ashton was on the other side of the Atlantic, in Lincolnshire, England, and the date of his birth Oct. 8, 1841. He was the second born in a family of six children, the off- spring of John and Hannah (Taylor) Ashton, who were likewise natives of Lincolnshire, and who emi- grated to America in 1847. They settled in La- Grange County, Ind., and thence came to Kansas in 1860, taking up land on section 29, Wild Cat Township, and building up a good homestead where the mother died, in 1880. The father is still living.

The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood and youth in a manner common to the sons of pioneer farmers, and remained with his parents in Indiana until a youth of sixteen years. He then struck ont for himself, and coming to Riley County, Kan., en- tered the employ of Jesse Ingraham, of Wild Cat

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Township, and remained with him four years. IIe then started out on a self-appointed expedition across the plains to Denver, with two yoke of oxen and a load of bacon, arriving at his destination after a long journey of six weeks. He disposed of all his merchandise to good advantage, and then, accompanied by one H. H. Whiting, went into the mountains and was engaged in a sawmill from May until October. He had in the meantime dis- posed of his ox-team, and now purchasing another, returned home in the same tedious manner in which he had gone.

This experience. however, did not discourage our hero, for the next spring he repeated the journey to Denver, accompanied by William Silver, and soon after reaching his destination, the Civil War being in progress, he enlisted on the 12th of May, 1862, as a Union soldier in Company G.2d Col- orado Infantry. The regiment went to Ft. I'nion, New Mexico, then in August, that year, returning to Colorado halted at Ft. Lyon, returning thence to Denver. In May following, they were sent to Ft. Lyon and from there were ordered to Ft. Scott, Kan., after which they were detailed to guard a supply train on its way to Ft. Gibson, Indian Ter- ritory. At Cabin Creek they encountered the enemy, whom they successfully defeated and on the 17th of July occurred the battle of Honey Springs. In August they chased Gen. Cooper's army as far as Boggy Depot, on the Red River in Texas.

This regiment was then ordered to Ft. Smith, which they captured from the enemy and in No- vember they proceeded to St. Louis, where the regiment was consolidated with the 3d Colorado, and mounted. Their next destination was Kansas City, where they staid for a time and then went out hunting bushwhackers. They met the rebel, Gen. Price, at Lexington, Mo., and were driven back to the Little Blue. Here followed another encounter, when they were again defeated, and repaired to Independence and Big Blue. Later, they were forced to retreat to Kansas City, but at Westport, Gen. Price was defeated and was fol- lowed by the victorious troops to Mound City, Kan., where another fight ensued and several hun- dred prisoners were captured, together with some field pieces. After several more encounters Mr.

Ashton's regiment proceeded to Ft. Leavenworth. and thence to Fts. Riley and Larned, where Mr. Ashton was detailed as a scout, accompanied by nineteen men. Ile had several lively encounters with Indians-the Cheyennes, Arrapahoes, Kiowas and the Comanches, and remained in that vicinity until after the close of the war, receiving his hon- orable discharge at Ft. Riley, June 16, 1865.

Mr. Ashton received honorable wounds during his conflicts with the enemy, being struck by several bullets, once in the left hand and onee in the breast, but he endured the hardships and privations in an admirable manner-in fact was physically stronger upon leaving the army than when he en- tered it. In the latter part of 1865, he joined the force of Calvin M. Dyche, who was putting up hay for the Government, (an account of which may be found in the sketch of Mr. Dyche, elsewhere in this ALBUM). One night in October, that year, Messrs. Ashton and Dyche started out from Aubury Cross. Col. to Ft. Larned, a distance of 240 miles, through a hostile Indian country. The two were alone, as Mr. Ashton was the only man in the party who would volunteer to accompany Mr. Dyche on his perilons trip. After traveling about 160 miles Mr. Ashton's mule gave out, so he told his com- panion to go on and leave him. Mr. Ashton fol- lowed on behind as well as he could and after the arrival of his comrade at Ft. Larned. joined him later, fo. cing the poor animal along with his carbine; the latter never recovered from the effects of the long journey. Mr. Ashton subsequently returned to Ft. Riley, and after his contract with Mr. Dyche was ended secured land in Wild Cat Township, Riley County.

On the 26th of December, 1869, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Miss Mary E., daughter of David and Lyda (Conrad) Edel- blute, the wedding taking place at the bride's home in Wild Cat Township. The young people began the journey of life together at the new farm and by a course of patience and perseverance they have now a competence. The homestead embraces 280 acres of choice land, located eight and one-half miles northwest of Manhattan, with a neat and substantial residence, barns. sheds and all the necessary outbuildings. Stock-raising enters largely

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into the operations of Mr. Ashton, he usually keeping about forty head each of cattle and swine, and four- teen head of horses.

Mrs. Ashton was born July 1. 1850, in Clarion County, Pa., and was the ninth in a family of ten children, all of whom are living and located mostly in Kansas. The family came to Kansas Ter- ritory in 1857, settling in Wild Cat Township where the mother died in 1866. David Edelblute departed this life in 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Ashton became the parents of two children, one of whom, David Harlan, died Nov. 6, 1876, when four years' eight months and ten days old. The sole remain- ing child, a daughter, Lydia Estelle, was born in March, 1876, and remains at home with her parents.

Mr. Ashton takes a warm interest in politics and is a member of the Republican party. He has served as Treasurer and Road Overseer in Wild C'at Township, and for several years was connected with the School Board. Ile is identified with the A. F. & A. M., at Manhattan.

OHN C. SMITH. Among the honored resi- dents of Northern Kansas, who. after many years of useful labor, are enabled to spend their declining years free from active toil, is the above-named gentleman. He resides in Hollen- berg, Washington County, and is the owner of 120 acres of land, located on sections 33 and 34. Frank- lin Township. He is a man somewhat advanced in years, having been born in Columbia, Ky., May 11, 1828. He v as a son of John G. and Hester (Con- stant) Smith, who were natives of Virginia. Their home was near Richmond for many years after their marriage, but they subsequently removed to Kentucky, and there passed their remaining years. The father was a soldier during the War of 1812, holding the rank of Lieutenant, and was active as a recruiting officer. He was born Dec. 19, 1778, and died Feb. 23. 1852. The mother was born March 1, 1790, and died Aug. 27, 1850. The family consisted of the following children : Elizabeth mar- ried Robert Campbell : Ann M. married Joseph IIu- bank; Abigail married Charles Graham ; Charles O.

P .; Melinda C. married Peter Lovell; Hester E. mar- ried William Lovell; John C. is the subject of our notice; Felissa A. married Charles H. Boyd; Re- becca J. married William Stewart.

The gentleman of whom we write was reared upon a farm. He worked at farming and also at the trade of a blacksmith, remaining a resident of Kentucky until 1860. He then removed to Polk County, Iowa, and for ten years followed his trade in the little village of Avon. He next came to Kansas and took up a homestead in Republic County, and after a residence there of three years, came to this county and settled upon the farm which he still owns. For thirteen years he was a resident on his homestead, and numbered among the successful farmers of the township. In 1886 he removed to Hollenberg, where for two years he carried on the hardware business. He then retired from active life and is now enjoying the fruits of his industry, and the comfort and rest which those merit who have spent a useful life.

On March 11, 1850, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Stephen and Re- becca (Roberts) Lovell. This estimable young lady was born near Columbia, Ky., Ang. 10, 1832. Her mother was a native of the Blue Grass State, and her father of Pennsylvania. When a boy the latter removed to Kentucky, in which State he was married and resided until his death, which occurred at the advanced age of ninety-four years. Mrs. Lovell died at the age of forty-five years. The family consisted of nine children-Aaron. Zebulon, William, David, Elizabeth, Peter, Neodosa, Naomi and Mary. Mr. Lovell was three times married, and the children above named, were the issue of his second marriage. His first marriage had re- sulted in the birth of four children. To Mr. and .Mrs. Smith has been born one son-Benjamin, who married Nannie Barr, and lives on his father's farm.

Mr. Smith was, in his early life, a Democrat in politics, but in 1862, during a convention held at Des Moines, Iowa, he became "converted from the errors of his way" and has since been a stanch Re- publican. He belongs to the order of the I. O. O. F. and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. , As Treasurer of Franklin Township, and member

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of the Board of Education, he is serving his fellow- citizens with prudence and ability. Mr. Smith was a soldier during the Mexican War, serving in the 4th Kentucky Infantry under Col. John S. Williams, and as a member of Company B, which was led by Capt. John S. Squires, and receives a pension for his military service. A worthy citizen and a hos- pitable man, Mr. Smith has many friends in ITollen- berg and vicinity.

C HIARLES E. GIFFORD. This gentle- man holds a prominent place among the business men of Clay Center, where he is engaged in the lumber and coal business, owning a fine brick building-the Gifford Block-situated at the corner of Fifth and Clay Streets. His lumber yard is one of the largest in the West and he has there a fine two-story brick building which he erected for his own business purposes, and he also, in addition to the block before mentioned, owns other business and residence property in the city and three farms, two of which are located in Clay County.

C. M. Gifford, the father of our subject, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., in 1814, and mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Buckley, who was born in Ver- gennes, Vt. Their wedding took place in Essex County, which they made their home for several years, and in that county their son, our subject, opened his eyes to the light May 18, 1850. The father was engaged in mercantile business in Essex until 1857, when he removed to Lyons, lowa, and two years later to Marshall County, Kan., where he laid out the town of Irving and also home- steaded a farm which he improved and lived upon until 1863. He then removed to Manhattan and began hotel keeping, later changing his residence to a farm in the southwestern part of Riley County, where he now lives and where he owns the large amount of 2,200 acres of land. He is one of the largest land-owners in that county and is exten- sively engaged in stock-raising, making a specialty of Short-horn cattle. Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Gifford are the parents of six children, all still living.

The gentleman whose name initiates this sketch

pursued his elementary studies in the towns in which his boyhood was passed and finished his education in the Agricultural College at Manhattan, after which, in 1870, he went to Smith County and took up a homestead adjoining the proposed town of Smith Center. After having proved up on it, in the fall of 1871, he entered the store of J. D. Robinson, of Jewell City, continuing in his employ for five years, a part of the time being at Burling- ton, Kan. He next went into business for himself, carrying on a general merchandising establishment and dealing also in stock until 1878, when he came to Clay Center and undertook the business which he is still carrying on so successfully.

The position which Mr. Gifford holds among the business men of Clay Center and the property which he possesses, give abundant evidence of his business tact and ability, while his manly and up- right character insure him the cordial regard of his fellow citizens, and he promises to become still more influential and useful as years go by.

b ENRY J. BOND is one of the most promi- nent farmers and stockmen of Charleston Township, Washington County. He re- sides on section 17, and is the owner of over 1,100 acres of land. He rents one section in addition, making his farming and stock-raising oper- ations cover an area of almost 2,000 acres. He raises stock of a high grade, chiefly cattle, and a few years ago handled 1,000 head per annum. He has been engaged in his present occupation only since 1868, and arrived in America in 1853, withf a capi- tal of about £100 ($500.) His present fine finan- cial standing is the result of his diligence and fru- gality.

Mr. Bond is a son of James and Mary ( Young) Bond of Wiltshire, England, where his birth took place March 20, 1829. He learned the trade of a blacksmith, and followed the same in his native land until the year 1853. At that date he came to the United States, and first stopped in Wayne County, Ohio, where his two elder brothers were then located. He remained in that county for three years, and then changed his residence to

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Madison County, Ind., where he continued to pur- sue his trade. He next emigrated to Winterset, Iowa, in 1855, and there engaged in the blacksmith business until 1868. At that period he removed to this State,and purchasing 160 acres of land where he still resides, engaged in farming and stock-rais- ing, in which business he has since proved very successful.

Mr. Bond was married at the home of the bride in Lancashire, England, in 1851, to Miss Rose Ann Bridge. She was at the time twenty years of age, and is the only member of her family to come to America. The union has been blessed by the birth of the following children : James married Celia Be- mis, and has four children-Richard, May, Maggie, Sola; Mary, wife of Ilenry Davis has five children- John, Bond D., Ellen, Rosa, and Harry: John is unmarried.

Mr. Bond gives little attention to political intricacies, and votes for the man rather than the party. He takes great pride in his estate, whose extensive operations afford him abundant opportu - nity for the exercise of those sturdy qualities which he has inherited from his English ancestors.

Mr. Bond was one of the carly settlers of the county, as there was only two houses in Washing- ton at the time. Their neighbors were very scarce, and wild game was plenty. Mr. Bond has killed as many as five deer and ten wild turkeys in one day; wolves were also plenty at that time.

OHN K. BROWN. It has been twenty years since Mr. Brown first crossed the Missis- ippi and established himself on the frontier in Washington County, after having made the long journey from the New England coast and Carroll County, Me. In that county he was born Aug. 16. 1841, and thus is yet in his prime, al- though having seen much of life, especially in the Great West. Prior to his settlement in this State, he. in 1863. sailed to California, via the Isthmus of Panama, and for one year was engaged in min- ing in the Golden State. Next he sought the silver mines of Idaho, and afterward in Montana followed mining and freighting, and also occupied

himself as prospector and contractor for five years. Next he sought Oregon, Washington Territory, and I'tah, and for a time was in the employ of the l'nion Pacific Railroad Company. During those years he handled a large amount of money, both making and losing.

Upon coming to Washington County, this State, Mr. Brown at once homesteaded 160 acres of land on section 17, Franklin Township, where he has since made his home. He confined himself to the cultivation of the soil and the improvement of his land for a few years, then branched out into stock- raising, which industry yielded him handsome returns. In due time he added to his landed posses- sions, and is now the owner of 400 acres, all of which he has brought to a productive condition, and upon his homestead has instituted all modern improvements. He has a comfortable residence, a good barn and other outbuildings, together with the machinery required for the labor of sowing and reaping, and in fact the premises everywhere give evidence of being under the supervision of a man progressive in his ideas, and one who spends few idle hours.

After becoming a resident of the Sunflower State, Mr. Brown was married in October, 1870, to Miss Gelina, daughter of Leonard and Matilda (Adams) Hatter. Mrs. Brown was born in Washı- ington County, Iowa, Jan. 4, 1852. Her parents were natives of Ohio. the father being deceased and the mother living in Nebraska. Of her union with our subject there have been born five chil- dren-Cora, George, Walter, Freeman, and Tru- man. Mr. Brown cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and uniformly supports the Republican party. He has been somewhat promi- nent in local affairs, serving as County Commis- sioner for six years, also as Township Clerk and Treasurer. Ilis religious views correspond with the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His possessions are the accumulations of the last ten years, he having come to Kansas without means. It is hardly necessary to say that his time. has been profitably employed and his capital in- vested in the wisest manner.

The parents of our subject were Ezekiel M. and Eveline (True) Brown, who were likewise na-

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tives of Maine, and whose ancestors probably crossed the Atlantic during the Revolutionary times, and for several generations thereafter were represented in the Pine Tree State. Mr. Brown spent his childhood and youth in a comparatively uneventful manner, acquiring his education in the common sehool, mostly during the winter season, while in the summer he made himself useful on the farm. He thus acquired those habits of industry and economy which have doubtless been the secret of his later success in life. He is numbered among the substantial business men of his township whose growth he has watched with a warm interest, and to whose prosperity he has contributed in a marked degree.

ILLIAMSHARPE, President of the Farmers and Merchants' Bank at Clay Centre, is likewise owner of the bank building and a fine residence, the latter being sit- uated at the intersection of Sixth and Dexter streets. Mr. Sharpe is of English birth and par- entage, having first opened his eyes to the light at New Bolingbroke, Lincolnshire, England, Sept. 30, 1851. As a boy he was ambitious and bright be- yond his years, and at the age of fourteen went alone to the great city of London and commenced working at whatever he could find to do to earn an honest living. He was first an errand boy then a grocer's clerk, and finally resolved upon coming to America with his parents, who, upon reaching the United States, made their way directly to Kan- sas, settling in Junction City in March, 1870.

Later, the parents of our subject removed to Morris County, Kan., and William commenced work- ing for B. Rockwell, of Junction City, with whom he remained two years and secured an education by attending a night-school. Subsequently he became the employe of HIall & Porter, druggists, with whom he remained three years. In the meantime he was married Dec. 4, 1875, to Miss .Jessie Ger- trude Oxley, the wedding taking place near Coun- cil Grove, Morris County.

In 1876 Mr. Sharpe with his young wife came to Clay Centre and set up in the drug business for himself, being one of the first to establish a regular

store of this kind in the place, and located in a 30-foot store on Lincoln Ave. Six years later he purchased some real estate on Fifth street, where he did business from 1883 until 1885. He then put up a fine brick building on that street opposite the public square, but later sold out his drug-store and took part in the active management of the bank on the Ist of January, 1886, although he had been its president since May, 1882, and interested in the concern since 1879.

During the summer of 1886 Mr. Sharpe and his family sought the Pacific Slope, spending the sum- mer in California, and since that time they have traveled over most of the United States. The present standing of Mr. Sharpe, socially and finan- cially, is indicative of what a man may accomplish by perseverance and industry. From a modest be- ginning he has by prudence and forethought ar- cumulated a competence. He has endeavored to pursue a course of strict integrity in all his trans- actions. Ile has not been an office-seeker, but has served two terms in the City Council. He is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, in which he has been Treasurer ten years and during the erection of the fine church edifice in 1884. He stands high in Masonic cir- cles, being the Master of Clay Centre Lodge, No. 134, and High Priest of Chapter Bethany, No. 138. HIc is also Eminent Commander of Coronado Com- mandery, K. T., No. 20.

Mr. Sharpe established himself in Clay Centre, with a capital of $175. but his credit was good and his character irreproachable, and he also possessed the good-will of Dr. C. W. Lindner, who was of great assistance to him in building up a lucrative trade. He preserved his old-time habits of tem- perance and spent his evenings as far as possible at his home with his family, escaping thus the many temptations which are thrown around young men. Ile is a man very fond of his home and his family, which consists now of only his estimable wife, their only child, Eula Mande. having died March 1, 1880, when three years old.

Mrs. Jessie G. (Oxley) Sharpe was born in Bethel, Fairmount Co., Ohio, Nov. 6, 1857, and is the daughter of Robert H. and Rebecca (Ford) Oxley, with whom she lived in Ohio until 1871,

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and then the family removed to Morris County. Robert Oxley was born in Fairmount County, Ohio, where he was reared a farmer's boy, and when reaching man's estate was married to Miss Ford, a native of the same county. The latter died March 1, 1889, at the age of fifty-two years. Mr. Oxley is still living and makes his home in Missouri.

William Sharpe, the father of our subject, was likewise a native of Lincolnshire. England, and married Miss Rebecca Hutton. They reared a family of twelve children, of whom William was the eldest horn, and all of whom came to the United States. William Sharpe is still living, hav- ing attained to the age of seventy-one years. Ilis wife died in 1881, aged fifty-two years.

P. TYLER. M. D., a member of the firm of Tyler & Tyler, physicians and surgeons at Clifton, makes his headquarters at a well-regulated office located in the State Bank building, and is in the enjoyment of a lucrative practice. The firm was organized in January, 1886. The year prior to this time had been spent by Dr. Tyler at Morganville, where he commenced the regular practice of his profession. He was graduated from Rush Medical College in February, 1885. His first studies were conducted under the tutorship of that old and well-known physician, Dr. Jndd, of Galesburg, Ill., one of the leading practitioners of Knox County.

Dr. Tyler was born in Edgington, Rock Island Co., Ill., June 21, 1855. He spent his early years in the city of Galesburg, and attended Lombard l'niversity. He comes of New England stock, his father, Freeman Morton Tyler, having been a na- tive of Vermont. The latter grew up among the hills of the Green Mountain State, and being the son of parents in moderate circumstances learned to do all kinds of ordinary work and acquired habits of industry and economy. After becoming of age he completed an academic education in New Hampshire.

The father of our subject, upon leaving New England, emigrated to Ashtabula, Ohio, and began

the study of medicine under that eminent physi- cian, Dr. Ferrington. He commenced practicing before completing his studies, finally taking a fin- ishing course at a medical college in St. Louis, Mo. Later, returning to Vermont, he located at Spring Corners. There, in due time, he was married to Miss Mary A. Cutler. After the birth of several children they removed to Rock Island County, Ill .. settling in Edgington among the pioneers of that region. There the elder Tyler for some years en- joyed the monopoly of the practice in that section, and naturally became known to a large portion of the people. He was uniformly successful, being a lover of the sciences, and more than ordinarily in- telligent and progressive in his ideas, Religiously, he was a Free Thinker, and was thoroughly ac- quainted with the opinions of the leading men upon these subjects. It was seldom that he could not meet any argument presented him with facts and figures which were unanswerable, while his genial and social disposition drew around him a large circle of friends, comprised of the most intelligent people of the county.

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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 163

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

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