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 164

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 164
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 164
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 164

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Later in life the elder Tyler removed to Gales- burg, Ill., and retired from the practice of his pro- fession. His death occurred in January 1882, after he had arrived at the advanced age of seventy-nine years. In political opinions he was a Douglas Democrat, but never sought office. The wire and mother is still living, being now seventy-nine years old, and makes her home in Galesburg. Ill. She is a well-preserved, bright and interesting old lady.

The subject of this sketch was the youngest child of his parents, and received careful home training under the supervision of his excellent and capable mother, for whom he entertains an affection that is really remarkable. Upon reaching man's estate he was married in Galesburg, III., Oct. 12, 1887, to Miss Amelia B. Laux. This lady is the daughter of Prof. Carl Laux, a native of Germany, and a skilled muscian, who, after his graduation and mar- riage, emigrated to the United States and assisted in the preservation of the Union. He was a man of strong ideas and left Germany for political rea- sons. Hle sought Galesburg, III., for his location, where he became a popular teacher of classical music and spent the remainder of his life. The

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mother of Mrs. Tyler died at Knoxville, Ill., about 1882. Mrs. Tyler inherited the musical talents of her father, and eventually became his assistant. She is also in other respects an intelligent and ae- complished lady. There has been born to the Doc- tor and his estimable wife one child, a son, Carl Rupert. Dr. Tyler, socially, occupies a high posi- tion in Clifton. Politically, he is an uncompro- mising Democrat, and belongs to the A. O. U. W.

HOMAS J. CUMMINS. This gentleman is the owner and occupant of a fertile and pleasantly-located farm in Mill Creek Town- ship, Washington County. He is a progressive and energetic farmer, and his estate of 160 acres is intelligently cultivated and well cared for. The place bears evidence of being occupied by one who is anxious to rank with the best of his class.

Christopher Cummins, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Scotland. After emigrating to America he lived for some time in North Caro- lina, whence he removed to Ohio. In the latter State, near Columbus, his son Christopher, father of our subject, was born. The mother of our sub- ject bore the maiden name of Jane Scott. She was born near Lexington. Ky., where her mother had been reared. She is now seventy-six years of age, and her husband seventy-seven. The latler is a retired farmer. Their home is in Sigourney. lowa.

The paternal family comprised six children, our subjeet being the first born. James M., the sec- ond son, entered the Federal forces during the late Civil War. IIe enlisted at the age of nineteen in the 18th Kentucky Infantay, and was killed at Richmond, Ky. Elizabeth married John L. Coch- ran, a livery man at Sigourney. Iowa. They have one child. John is manager of a theatrical company. Ile married the talented actress Jennie Woltz, who is well-known to the amusement world. Christo- pher is traveling for Wilhelm & Son. wholesale grocers and commission merchants in St. Joseph, Mo. He married Miss Ella Gregory, and is the father of three children. Frances married Samuel Chidester, a farmer living near Sigourney, lowa. She has three children.

The gentleman of whom we write was born May 7. 1841, in Harrison County, Ky. He made his home with his parents until twenty-four years of age, at which time they removed to Iowa. During the war he was in the Kentucky Militia, unattached. The duty of his command was to look after raiders, guerrillas and marauding parties. He was at Cyn- thiana, Ky., and engaged in the pursuit of Morgan. In 1881 he removed to this county and bought 160 acres of land, upon which he was engaged in farm- ing until October, 1884. He then entered into the hardware business in Morrow, with W. A. Nye, under the firm name of Nye & Cummins. In the spring of 1886 he sold his interest to his partner, and removed to Hebron, Neb., where he engaged in the grocery business. Some time after he sold out that business and returned to his farm in this county. Ile is a carpenter by trade, and has fol- lowed that business in connection with his farming. He breeds Poland-China hogs.

On May 15, 1871, the rites of marriage were per- formed between Miss Cecilia L. Stewart and our subject. The bride was born in Fond du Lac County, Wis., and is a daughter of Almon and Ruth Stewart. The union has been blessed by the birth of four children, all living. They are named respectively: Bert, Gertrude, Robert M. and Zora.

Mr. Cummins was Postmaster at Morrow four years. Politically, he is in sympathy with the Republican party. He is a man of intelligence and good principles. a capable farmer and a trustwor- thy citizen.

M ICHAEL A. SELMER. Among those who east their fortunes with the early settlers of Kansas, Mr. Selmer deserves special men- tion. He had a wide experience of life on the frontier, which assisted in developing the best elements of a naturally strong character. and which has made him one of the most valued citizens of Washington County. lle first opened his eyes to the light on the other side of the Atlantic, in the Province of Posen, Prussia, Sept. 29, 1852, and lived there until a youth of seventeen years. lle acquired a practical education in the German tongue, and was trained to those habits of industry

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and economy which have enabled him to make a success of life.

Martin and Wilhemina (Luske) Selmer, the pa- rents of our subject, were likewise natives of Prus- sia and of pure German ancestry. The father and one son came to America, to which they were ere long followed by our subject, his mother and his brother Albert. They lived in Iowa six years, and then in 1873, came to Kansas, and Michael A. entered the northwest quarter of section 12, Grant Township, Washington County, taking possession in February, 1874. From this land he constructed his present beautiful home. The mother, that same year, purchased a farm north of where her son located, and he made his home with her until his marriage, in January, 1877.

The wife of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Martha, daughter of John and Ella Groathouse. At that time they were residents of Reynolds, Neb. They were born in the Grand Duchy of Mecklen- burg, Germany, whence they emigrated to America and settled in Jefferson County, Neb., during its pioneer days. Mr. Selmer, prior to his marriage, had put up a house 14x18 feet by placing 2x6 uprights two feet apart, filled in with con- crete composed of mortar and pounded sand- stone, and covered the whole with a board roof. This roof was blown away in a year or two and was replaced with a shingle roof, the sides cov- ered with weather-boarding and finished inside with plaster. With the later improvements, which the proprietor has added, it makes a very comfortable dwelling. He has built on an addition, 16x22 feet, with a porch in front, and the whole is now surrounded with trees and shrubbery, planted by the hands of the owner. Mr. Selmer has also planted about 100 apple trees, which are just be- ginning to bear. Ile has a goodly number of peach trees, which furnish to the family this luscious fruit in its season. A row of cottonwood trees surrounds the place. About sixty acres are broken and the balance is devoted to hay and pasture. Mr. Selmer is feeding this year (1889) twenty-two head of cattle and twenty swine; he keeps two horses to operate the farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Selmer rejoice in the possession of a family of bright and interesting children, the eld-

est of whom, a daughter, Eda, now twelve years old, is a miss who has taken kindly to her books and is well versed in the English language. The others are: Lena, Ella, Matilda, Daisy and Albert Julius. Mr. Selmer is liberal in his political views, and votes the Union Labor ticket. He was reared in the doctrines of the German Evangelical Church, but is not at present connected with any religious organization. Coming from a country enforcing the law of compulsory education, he is naturally in favor of giving to the young those advantages which will fit them for worthy and intelligent members of the community. Ile has served as School Treasurer in his district for a number of years.

W ARREN B. STEDMAN, represents an im- portant branch of business, being a dealer in harness and saddlery, and having es. tablished himself at Clifton, in November, 1885, as the successor of M. A. Roenigek. The latter gentleman established the business during the infancy of this now thriving city, and it is now upon a firm and paying basis. Mr. Stedman came to Clifton in July, 1884, from Emmetsburg. Iowa where he had been similarly engaged, as now, for a period of nine years.

In Emmetsburg Mr. Stedman learned his trade, and for a time was associated with his brother, who still carries on the business there. Ile was born in Adams, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Sept. 21, 1845, and is the son of Samuel R. Stedman, a native of Con- necticut, and born near the city of Hartford. The family flourished in New England during the Col- onial days. The father of our subject was reared and married in his native State; his wife in her girlhood was Miss A. Mary Moore. She was born in Hartford, and after marriage they emigrated to New York State, and thereafter lived in Copen- hagen and Watertown, prior to their settlement in Adams. Samuel Stedman was a tanner and currier by trade, but later in life became interested in farming pursuits. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War he. in the fall of 1861, enlisted in a regiment of the Black Horse Cavalry (an Oswego, N. Y., company), with whom he remained until honorably

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discharged, the company being disbanded on ar- count of a surplus of cavalry troops. Later he re-entered the service as a teamster, and was em- ployed in this capacity until taken ill at White House Landing in Virginia, when he was obliged to accept his final and honorable discharge.

Later, Warren B. Stedman enlisted as a Union soldier in September, 1863, in Company F, Ist New York Veteran Cavalry, before he was eighteen years old. He was one of the younger members of his regiment, who were known as "New York Vets." They marched to the front and fought the enemy. in the spring of 1864, under Gen. Seigel at Upper- ville, (now) W. Va. The next engagement was at New Market, May 15, 1864, and on the 5th of June following they, under Gen. Hunter, engaged with the enemy at Piedmont, Va., capturing 1,200 of them. The regiment was then sent back with their prisoners as a detachment, but later returned to the Shenandoah Valley and engaged in battle near Middletown, Va. They wintered in West Virginia, and in July, 1865, after the close of the war, werc mustered out, receiving their discharge at Roches- ter, N. Y., August 1, following. Mr. Stedman was in the service nearly two years.

Upon returning home Mr. Stedman remained there until Jan. 1, 1866, when he went to Martin County, Minn., which was then a wild and new region. In September following he was joined by his parents and the other members of the family and homesteaded a tract of land upon which they lived for some years, and where the mother died in 1872, at the age of sixty years, having been born in 1808. She was a Presbyterian in religion, and a lady of many estimable qualities. After her death the father and his boys removed to Iowa, where Mr. Stead- man died at the home of his son, Pratt 1I., near Emmetsburg, in February, 1885. He was nearly eighty-three years old. In religion he was a Bap- tist, and in politics, a Republican.

The subject of this sketch was the eldest son and second child of his parents, with whom he lived nntil after his marriage. This event occurred in Blue Earth County, Minn .. the maiden name of the bride being Miss Emily Williamson. of Jefferson County, N. Y. The latter fitted herself for a teacher which profession she followed before becoming the

wife of our subject. Of this union there has been born one child, a son, Melvin G., who remains at home with his parents. Mr. Stedman and his esti- mable wife are regular attendants of the Baptist Church. Like his father before him Mr. Stedman votes with the Republican party. He has been a member of the City Couneil one term, and belongs to the 1. O. O. F. No. 181, in which he has filled all the chairs of his lodge. He is likewise connected with Sedgwick Post, No. 24, G. A. R., at Clifton.

EFFERSON P. OVERLANDER. This gen- theman is one of the leading stock-raisers of Coleman Township, Washington County. having over 300 head of stock on hand at this writing. His estate comprises 400 acres, the eighty which he purchased in 1884 being located on seetion 26, and his additional purchase adjoin- ing it. It is under a fine state of eultivation, and marked with the improvements usually made by an enterprising agrieulturist and stock-man. The original homestead bears 275 apple trees, together with peaches, grapes and a variety of other fruits. The adjoining place also has a fine orchard.

Mr. Overlander was born near Victoria, Knox Co., Ill., the date of his birth being Feb. 6, 1851. llis parents were John and Sarah A. Overlander. He received an excellent common school education in his native county, where he remained until the age of eighteen. Ile then came to Kansas and made his home in Doniphan County from 1869 to 1885. At that period he became a resident of this county, locating upon the eighty acres which he had prev- iously purchased, and which he has since brought to their present fine condition, and to which he has so largely added.

At the home of the bride in Doniphan County, Mr. Overlander was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Fenley ; she is a daughter of W. H. and Elizabeth (Ford ) Fenley, and a lady possessed of many estimable qualities. Her parents had formerly lived in Kentucky, and before the war removed to St. Joseph, Mo. Her father freighted across the plains during the Rebellion. Later he removed to Doniphan County, Kan,, where he became the

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owner of 800 acres of fine land. His death occurred in that county on the 15th of June, 1885. His | widow is still residing there on a fine farm, Mr. and Mrs. Overlander are the parents of four chil- dren. three of whom are now living. They bear the names of Nora. Blanche, Verna and William P.

Mr. Overlander is a believer in and supporter of the principles of the Democracy. He is a man of integrity and intelligence, a kind neighbor, and a loving husband and father. and, with his wife, is highly esteemed by the community.

2 ICHOLAS B. WHITE. During that memor- able period of the history of Kansas em- braced in the '50's, many of the sterling men of the nation were attracted hither, and the remarkable strides made by the Territory and the State, were due to the character of its pioneers. Among those brave-hearted and noble-spirited men was the late Elder White. He not only brought with him that spirit of enterprise and love for a free political government so characteristic of the men of that day. but came bringing the Gospel message to cheer and console the pioneer families during their seasons of great trial and their hard- ships, and to plead with those rugged natures that had not yet acknowledged the Kingship of the Mes- siah. We therefore find him preaching the glad message to the scattered settlers in 'Riley County, even before a church building had yet been erected. Services were first held in the small dwellings of the pioneers, and later in school-houses, Mr. White often walking fifteen miles to and from his ap- pointments.

Our subjeet was born in Kentucky. Feb. 22, 1822, and was the son of lohn and Grace ( Roberts) White. the former a farmer by occupation, and in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture his son, our subject, was reared to manhood. Early in life he began teaching, combining his professional labors with work on a farm until he was twenty-six years old.

At the age of eighteen, Mr. White made confession of faith in Christ, and became a member of the Christian Church; a few years later he began his

labors as a minister of the Gospel, preaching in different parts of his native State until 1854, at which time he came to Kansas, then a territory. The journey was made via the Ohio and Missouri rivers to Kansas City, and with ox-team on to the Western frontier. Mr. White filed a claim to a tract of prairie land in what is now Ashland Town- ship, six miles south of the present site of Manhat- lan. After making his claim, he returned to the Blue Grass State and spent the winter near Lexing- ton.

In the spring of 1855, Elder White with his wife and four children started for their new home, go- ing by way of the rivers to Kansas City, and then procuring a horse and buggy drove the remainder of the distance to the claim. There being no house yet built, the family lived in a tent for three weeks, during which time our subject cut trees, sawed lumber, and built a board cabin in which they lived till fall. At that time they received a frame-house which had been shipped some time be- fore from Cincinnati, Ohio, but which on account of low water and the consequent close of navigation in the Kansas River, was not delivered promptly at its destination.

When Elder White and his family became resi- dents of this State, deer and other wild game were plenty. and Indians numerous in the locality. The Red Men were always ready to trade venison and buffalo meat for pork. For some time, the nearest mill was at Independence, Mo., where Elder White went with an ox-team, the trip consuming two or three weeks. On the present site of Manhattan but one building then stood.

Elder White remained on his farm ten years, and then moved to what is now known as the College Farm, buying thirty acres two miles northwest of the college. This was his home until 1882, at which time he removed to Manhattan, and there died Aug. 5, 1883. ripe in years and full of good works. He has left behind him a long record of usefulness in the Master's vineyard, and it may well be said of him, though "he rests from his labors his works do follow him." llis name will long be remembered, and his labors regarded with appreciation in the State with whose history he was so long and from so early a date identified.

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Mr. White was a Republican from the form- ation of that party, and was ever an earnest advocate of the abolition of slavery, the emancipa- tion of labor from grasping monopolies, and the prohibition of the manufacture and sale of liquor. Hle was an enthusiastic worker in behalf of Sunday- school Missions, both home and foreign, and was emphatically a reformer. He was among the fore- most in the advocaey of every movement of his age tending to the elevation of mankind. Doubt- less there were mistakes in his life and defects in his character, but his noble traits and sterling vir- tues, together with his benevolent and generous impulses and high aspirations should make the greater impression on us, as they filled the larger place in his life and character.

On the 1st of August, 1845, Elder White was united in marriage with Miss Permelia S. Trimble, a lady whose amiable character and Christian vir- tues well fitted her for the place she was to fill. She was born in Bourbon County, Ky., Nov. 24, 1826, and is a daughter of Forgus and Eliza (Campbell) Trimble. Forgus Trimble was born in the same county in which his daughter Permelia first saw the light, and was the son of a Scotch- man who was an early settler in Highland Town- ship, Bourbon County, and who spent the last years of his life on a farm there. At his death the es- tate was inherited by the father of Mrs. White, and he also spent his life there.

The mother of Mrs. White was born in Virginia, and was a daughter of John Campbell, a native of South Carolina and of Scotch ancestry. Mr. Camp- bell, during the Revolutionary War, took part in the defense of American liberty. Ilis occupation was that of a farmer. He went from his native State to the Old Dominion and thence to Kentucky, settling in Bourbon County, and spending his last days there, His wife bore the maiden name of Frances Greene, and was born in the State of Vir- ginia, from which her parents removed when she was but five years old. Their new home was in a section where Indians were numerous and hostile, and the settlers formed in colonies for protection, She used to spin and weave, as was the custom of the time, and made all the clothes used in the family.

Mrs. White resided with her parents until her

marriage, learning all the housewifely arts of her generation-spinning, weaving and knitting, as well as the cooking and housekeeping of the primitive housewife. While living in Kentneky, she sup- plied the family needs by her own manufacture of yarn and cloth, and having no stove did her cook- ing by the old-fashioned fireplace, as was the cus- tom in that section in the early days. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. White has continued to reside in Manhattan, where, in 1888, she erected a pleasant dwelling on Humboldt street, between Third and Fourth streets. She has four children living ; they are: Mattie, now Mrs. George C. Ab- bott, of Chicago, Ill .; A. Judson, pastor of the Christian Church at Atchison, and prime mover in the founding of Garfield University at Wichita; Kate E., now Mrs. Z. T. Turley, of Chicago, Ill .; and Beatrice, the companion of her mother.

Le OUIS ISTERMAN, of Clifton, is favorably known as a member of the firm of Schlitz Bros. & Co., dealers in all kinds of farm im- plements, and establishing their present business Feb. 22, 1888. The company was organized in December, 1887, under the present title and is tran- sacting a large business throughout Clifton and adjoining territory. The building, constructed after Mr. Isterman's own plan, is 100 x 32 feet in dimensions, and accommodates a $10,000 stock, from which is transacted an annual business of $35,000.

Mr. Isterman was born fifteen miles from the city of Berlin, Germany, Feb. 25, 1851, where he spent his early years, gaining a thorough education in his native tongue. He was bright and ambitious beyond his years, and in 1868, at the age of seven- teen emigrated to America, and in due time became an employe of the Marsh Harvester Company, spending thus seven years. Later he was for ten years a salesman for the Sandwich, (IH.,) Manu- facturing Company, being their general road agent. During this time his travels led him over the greater part of Kansas and considerable in other states. Upon locating in Clay County. Kan., he was thus well equipped for the calling which he had

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chosen, and he has borne no unimportant part in building up the business interests of Clifton.

Mr. Isterman traces his ancestry to Holland, from which country they emigrated to Prussia shortly after the seven years' war, during the reign of Frederick the Great. His father, August Ister- man, together with his seven brothers, was born on a boat on the River Havel. their father being a boat- man and running on the rivers Elbe, Havel and Spree. August, upon reaching manhood estab- lished himself as a merchant at Wilsnack, fifteen miles out of Berlin and conducted a business there a number of years. After the emigration of his son, Louis, to America, he came also with his wife and spent five years in the United States. hoping that Louis would return with him. The latter, how- ever, declined to leave his adopted country where he was doing well, so the parents returned without him to their native land, and the father resumed his old ocenpation on the river, fishing and supply- ing the Berlin markets with this commodity. The parents are still living, and now make their home at Rhinow. The father is seventy-eight years old and his good wife seventy-one. Both are mem- bers of the German-Lutheran Church. August Isterman for sometime prior to visiting America was engaged in the silk worm enlture.

The subject of this sketch was the youngest of three children born to his parents, the eldest being now a widow, Mrs. Augusta Moll of Havelberg, Prussia ; Theodore, the second child, emigrated to America, and is now in the employ of the Sand- wich, (Ill.,) Manufacturing Company, with which he has been for a number of years. Louis during his younger years attended regularly the schools of his native town. In due time after coming to America he was married at Plano, Ill., May 7. 1875, to Miss Augusta Thurow. This lady was born in Belgard, Germany, Nov. 27, 1856, and came to America with her parents in her girlhood. They located on what is now known as the Highland farm, in Kendall County, Ill. The parents, Louis and Carolina (Klotz) Thurow, were of pure Ger- man stock and the father is still living, being now seventy-one years old, making his home at the same farm where he. first settled. The mother died in 1879, when past fifty years old. They were reared

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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 164

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

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