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 165

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 165
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 165
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 165

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in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church in the faith of which the mother died and where the father still finds his religious consolation.

Mrs. Isterman completed her education in the schools of Kendall and Aurora, Kane counties, Ill., and made her home with her parents until her marriage. She is now the mother of two children -- Louis Jr., and Herman. Mr. Isterman. politi- cally, affiliates with the Democratic party. He and his wife are members in good standing of the C'on- gregational Church at Clay Center. They have a pleasant home in the south part of the city and their associates comprise its most cultured people.

C HARLES SMITH. This gentleman is a prominent attorney and has ably filled var. ions public positions in Washington, where his worth as a citizen is thoroughly appreciated and his private character highly valued. He was born in Gorham, Cumberland Co., Me., and re- ceived his education in the village school, at the early age of eight years beginning work on a farm in the vicinity, receiving his board and $1 per monthi for the labors which his strength permitted him to perform. The following three years he assisted his father on a farm near Waterford Flat, after which he again left his home and during the next three years received from 86 to 810 per month as a young farm hand.

When fourteen years old young Charles went to Aroostook County with his uncle to open a farm near Holton, and after remaining there one season went to Boston, Mass., finding employment in an office for a short time. His next move was to Brooklyn, where he clerked in a grocery store nearly a year, after which he secured a elerkship in Salem, Mass., remaining so employed in that city until 1864. In the spring of that year he enlisted in an independent company that was organized for coast defense, and spent his term of service in New Bedford and Fair Haven, being discharged at the expiration of three months. Ile at once re-entered the service, being enrolled in Company C., 61st Massachusetts, his term of enlistment being one year, and went immediately to the front in Vir-

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ginia, spending five weeks at City Point and tak- ing part in various battles around Petersburg.

At the close of the war, Mr. Smith was present at the Grand Review, was mustered out at Arling- ton Heights, and returned to the old Bay State, where he again took up his occupation of elerking in Salem. In that place he remained until 1867, then he went to Maine, and the following year came West, the fall of 1868 finding him in Washı- ington, Kan. The distance from Waterville was accomplished by riding on an ox wagon. Wash- ington at that date consisted of a store and post- office, and a few dwellings. and its appearance was not especially attractive at the end of a tedious journey.

Mr. Smith spent the first night at a farmhouse a mile east of the village, and the next day selected a homestead six miles from the present site of Clif- ton, and watered by Parson's Creek. He built a log cabin, and lived on his claim one year, keeping . bachelor's hall, his nearest "neighbors" being the deer and antelope, whose haunts were in the vicin- ity. Moving into town at the expiration of a twelvemonth, he engaged in the sale of general merchandise until 1876. when he read law under .ludge Lowe, and being admitted to the bar in 1877, has since practiced his profession here.

The wife of Mr. Smith bore the maiden name of Della P. Schenck, and is a native of Plain- ville, N. Y., and a daughter of John and Paulina (Sullivan) Schenck. She has borne her husband five children : C. Fred, Nellie L., Joseph Lowe, Harry J. and Hattie M. Mrs. Smith possesses many fine qualities of character and mind. and is carefully rearing her children in the principles of courtesy and right living.

The father of our subject was born in Epping. N. 11., July 17. 1796, and was christened Stevens. He learned the trade of a jeweler and when a young man settled in Gorham, Me., and engaged in the jewelry business until he had the misfortune to lose Ins establishment, by fire, when he began the manu- facture of shoes, and later engaged in the manufac- ture of paper cutlery. In 1853 he bought a home at Waterford Flat and a tract of land near by, and engage'l in farming. He resided there some years and then went to Paris Hill, dying at the home of

his daughter, Mrs. Marble. The maiden name of his wife was Sophia Chadbourne and she was born in Gorham. to Deacon and Desire Chadbourne. She departed this life at Waterford Flat, Oct. 18, 1859. She had borne eleven children, of whom eight were reared to manhood and womanhood.

Of the brothers and sisters of our subject we note the following: Frederick C. served as Adju- tant in the 73d Ohio Infantry and gave his life for his country's cause; Emeline married Hon. J. S. Hobbs, State Librarian of Maine; Nancy married C. A. Libby and lives at Minneapolis, Minn .; Martha L. is now deceased; Hendrick served in the 12th Maine Infantry during the late war, receiving injuries from which he has never recovered; Alfred resides in Boston; Ella M. S. married Elmer Marble and now lives in Washington. D. C.

Mr. Smith belongs to Kearney Post, No. 5, G.A.R., and to Lodge No. 104, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a charter member. Politically he has always been a Republican. Hle has served as Director of the School Board; as a member of the City Council and as C'ity Treasurer a number of years ; has also been Mayor and Street Commissioner and was City Attorney four years. Being intelligent, discrimin- ating and thoroughly interested in the development and true civilization of his chosen home, he proves an efficient public servant in any place of trust to which his fellow citizens call him. He belongs to the Baptist Church, and in the work of that relig- ious organization and in his position as President of the Y. M. C. A., is ably assisting in the moral and religious work of the city.

LEXANDER SEATON. It has been justly remarked, that to have been born in Scot- land, and of substantial Scotch ancestry, is honor enough for one life-time; and when to these conditions have been added that of an up- right and honest man, and a valued citizen, it is hard to conceive a more admirable state of things in con- nection with a man's personal history. Mr. Seaton comes under these conditions, and added to this is in the prime of life, with. it is to be hoped. many more years of usefulness before him. Many years

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ago he chose farming for his life occupation, a call- ing to which he seems specially adapted, and in which he has been highly successful. Ile has a fine body of land, and is accounted among the leading citizens of Little Blue Township.

The subject of this sketch was born in Perthshire. Scotland, April 5, 1849. His father, Alexander Seaton, was a native of the same shire, where he spent all the years of a long and bonorable life, dy- ing in November, 1888, at the advanced age of seventy-five. He too was a tiller of the soil, a man of note in his community, and had the honor of being one of the home guards who met Queen Vic- toria on her first visit to Scotland. He became a member of the Presbyterian Church early in life, and for many years officiated as Deaeon therein. He was a well-educated man, and held some of the minor offices in his parish. He accumulated a good property, and in his old age was surrounded by all the comforts of life.

The maiden name of the mother of our subject, was Elizabeth Duff. She also, like her husband and son, was a native of Perthshire, and is still liv- ing there, being now about seventy years old. The eight children of the parental family were named respectively, Ellen, Margaret, Alexander, Eliza, Alexander (2d), Isabel, Donald, and Jessie. Ellen, Alexander and Eliza are deceased. With the ex- ception of our subject, the survivors remain upon their native soil. Mr. Seaton of this sketch, is the fifth child of his parents, and spent his early years quietly and uneventfully under the home roof in Perthshire, acquiring his education in the common school, and assisting his father on the farm. He lived there until a man of thirty years, and then announced to his friends his determination to emi- grate to America. After a safe voyage he located in the Province of Ontario, Canada, and was a resi- dlent of Middlesex County until 1880. That year he came to Kansas, and bought 160 acres of land on section 35, Little Blue Township, Washington County, where he has since been a resident. In due time he added twelve acres to his first purchase. Ile came to this State with very little capital, and the property which he possesses has been made by downright hard labor, the practice of a close econ- omy and the exercise of a sound judgment. Upon

becoming a voting citizen, Mr. Seaton identified himself with the Republican party, of whose prin- ciples he is a stanch supporter.

Mr. Seaton enjoyed the state of single blessed- pess until a man of thirty-five years, and was then married Dec. 25. 1884, to Miss Jennie Read, of Waterville, this State. Mrs. Seaton was born in Ohio, Aug. 24, 1861, and is the daughter of John and Lorena (Moon) Read, who were natives of Ohio, and are now living in Marshall County, Kan. To our subject and his estimable lady there have been born two children, a daughter and son, Eliza- beth D. and Alexander W. Without making any pretentions to style or fashion, the Seatons live comfortably, and enjoy in a marked degree the es teem of their fellow-citizens. They are well worthy of representation in a work of this kind.

ENRY M. OCHILTREE, M. D., a practi- tioner of large experience, is numbered among the older physicians and surgeons of Wash- ington County, where he has made for him- self an enviable reputation. Of quiet and modest demeanor, he possesses that knowledge of the du- ties of his profession which has enabled him to build up a large and lucrative business and to es- tablish himself in the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. He possesses a thoroughi understanding of the art and science of med- icine, is a close student and extensive reader and never experiments with a patient, making it his business to understand the case before commencing treatment. Personally, he is of commanding pres- ence and would invariably attract attention in a crowd.

The subject of this notice was born in Morning Sun, Iowa, Aug. 29, 1849, and is therefore only a little over forty years of age-in the prime of life and still the midst of his usefulness. He spent his early life on his father's farm and pursued his first studiesin the district school. When a youth of seven- teen he became a student of Monmouth College, Ill., where he pursued a classical course of two years. L'pon returning home he engaged in the study of

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medicine which he had intended to follow since a youth of fifteen or sixteen years. He was for one year in the office of Dr. Holliday, of Morning Sun. and then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, lowa. After two years he was graduated with honors from this institution and he began the regular practice of his profession at Mediapolis, Iowa. He only remained there a short time, however, then returning to Morning Sun fol- lowed his practice there in connection with the drug business until 1874.

In the meantime Dr. Ochiltree had entertained the desire of seeking the farther West and decided to settle in Kansas. He took up his abode in Had- dam which then consisted of two stores and three houses. At this time there were only three phy- sicians in Washington County. His faithful atten- tion to duty soon insured him all he could con- veniently attend to and he has not only had a large ride in this county, but is called considerably into Republic County and Jefferson County, Neb. Ile has been a financier of excellent judgment and owns two farms, one of eighty acres and the other of 120 acres near the town limits. These are improved and operated by tenants. In addition to this the Doctor owns his residence. IIe has always evinced a warm interest in the upbuilding of this section, especially his adopted town, and is a mem- ber of the lladdam Town Site Company. Henry M. Ochiltree was first married in March. 1872, to Miss Almina Johnston, of Morning Sun, Iowa. from whom he obtained a divorce. The issue of this marriage was three children-the oldest, Frank Ochiltree, who resides with his mother in Chicago, being the only survivor.

Dr. Ochiltree was married in Wayne County, Ill., Oct. 8, 1879. to Miss Emma Harlan. This lady was born in that county. July 28. 1857, and is the danghter of William and Miriam Harlan. The father is now deceased. The mother resides in Wayne County, Ill. The Doctor and his estimable lady are the parents of three bright little daughters-Stella, Blanche and Ethel. Dr. Ochiltree has been quite prominent in local affairs in Haddam, serving as Mayor in 1888 and 1889. Socially, he belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Dirigo Lodge, No. 226. officiated as

W. M .. of said Lodge for three years, and is a mem- ber of the K. of P. and also of Pythian Chapter at Washington. He is a member of the County Board of Pension Examiners in which he officiates as Treasurer. Politically, he affiliates with the Re- publican party and is frequently sent as a delegate to county conventions. In religious matters he and his excellent wife are connected with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. The Doctor served on the Building Committee, officiates as Steward and is Superintendent of the Sunday- school.

The father of our subject was Henry M. Ochil- tree,Sr., who was born near Natural Bridge in Rock- bridge County, Va. The paternal grandfather was a native of Scotland and emigrated to America at an early day, settling in Virginia. He met death on the battlefield in the War of 1812. Henry M. Ochiltree was reared in his native county and when reaching man's estate engaged in mercantile business in company with a partner and lost heavily. He then decided to seek what was then the farther West and leaving Virginia, located in Preble County, Ohio, where he engaged in farming, until 1840. That year he started for lowa by team and settled near Virginia Grove, where he opened up a farm and again became well-to-do, owning 1,200 acres in the vicinity of Morning Sun, upon which he spent his last days, passing away in 1878. Ile was largely interested in fruit growing. Since a young man, he had been a devoted member of the United Presbyterian Church in which he officiated as Elder for many years. He died in the faith of the Republican party.

The mother of our subjeet was in her girlhood Miss Margaret Bell, a native of Ohio and the daugh- ter of William Bell, who was born in the North of Ireland and was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. The I latter upon coming to America, settled first in South Carolina, then removed to Preble County. Ohio. where he engaged in farming. He died while on a visit to Iowa. Mrs. Margaret ( Beli) Ochiltree de- parted this life at Morning Sun. Iowa, in October, 1887, being seventy-three years old. The parental household included nine children, viz. : William and an infant, deceased ; Thomas.a grain dealer of Morn- ing Sun, Iowa ; John, deceased; Marshall, a resident of Morning Sun; Henry M., Jr., the subject of this

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sketch; Jennie. Martha and Frank deceased. Thomas during the late War enlisted in 1863 in the 8th Iowa Cavalry and served until the close. John enlisted in 1861, when a youth of sixteen years, in the 16th Iowa Infantry and died some time after the battle of Pittsburg Landing, of disease con- tracted in the army. Ilis remains fill a soldier's grave on the Whitfield Farm in Mississippi.

G EORGE LYLE. The traveler passing through the Territory of Northern Kansas as early as 1856, five years before this now pros- perous commonwealth had become a State, saw little to encourage him to locate in a section of country peopled only by wild animals and Indians. There was, however, a band of hardy spirits who saw evidences of a soil which might be made richly fertile, underlying the prairie sod, and who believed in the future of Kansas. Among them was the sub- jeet of this notice, who was then in his prime and ready for almost any reasonable undertaking. Ile determined to pitch his tent in this region, and ac- cordingly purchased 160 aeres of land on section 19, Sherman Township, Riley County, from which, after years of labor and an outlay of hundreds of dollars, hie constructed one of the best home- steads in this region. After a time he parted with sixty acres, and now has an even hundred, which has been brought to a fine state of cultivation and whereon have been erected substantial and suitable buildings. Mr. Lyle of late years has been largely interested in horses, and has attained quite a repu- tation as an expert in the care and keeping of the equine race.

Mr. Lyle traces his ancestry to one of the very best nationalities on the face of the globe. He was born in the city of Perth, Scotland, Dec, 11, 1825, and is the son of Alexander Lyle, a native of the same place, and born in 1799. The latter spent his entire life on his native soil, dying at Parkhill, Scotland, Nov. 11, 1829. Ile traced his ancestry as far back as James III. He was a man of good business abilities and a fair education, and at the time of his death was Steward of the Parkhill prop-

erty. He was a man of decided views, and in re- ligion a devont member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The paternal grandfather, likewise a na- tive of the city of Perth, was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and died there at the age of sixty-three years.

The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Magdalene Malcom. She was also of pure Scotch ancestry, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the faith of which she passed away at the age of seventy-six years. There were born to her and her husband three children- George. Magdalene and Alexander. Alexander died in infancy; George, the eldest-born, was reared and educated in his native city, and as soon as becoming of suitable years, learned the trade of a machinist, which he followed until emigrating to the United States, in 1852. He was the only mem- ber of the family who came to this country. l'pon reaching American shores he sojourned for a time in the State of Louisiana, and operated as overseer on a sugar plantation. His subsequent course we have already indicated.

Mr. Lyle, in 1847, was married in the city of Perth, Scotland, to Miss Ellen Pollock, a maiden of his own nationality, who became the mother of three children. all of whom died when young. Mrs. Ellen Lyle departed this life at her home in Scotland. Mr. Lyle was a second time married, and there were born to him twelve children, viz .: Thomas, John, Alexander, Charles, Martin, Jonas, Frank, Grant G., Arthur, Walter S., Lincoln and Maude. Arthur died when two months old ; Mande died at the age of two years; James died when a promising youth of nineteen, and Alexander died at the age of twenty-six.

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OHN ANDERSON was born in Guilford, N. C., and was the third of six children born to his parents. During the Revolutionary War, the British soldiers visited the planta- tation in search of forage, and took all the provi- sions they could find. There was a hole under the hearth, where sweet potatoes were kept, and the mother secreted a sack of flour there. One of the

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soldiers, as he left the house, dropped a ham, which one of the boys picked up, and the mother placed that also in the potato hole. She then drew her chair over the trap door, and in that way saved some of the provisions.

Mr. Anderson became converted when quite young, and determined to devote himself to the Christian ministry. After receiving a good educa- tion, he began missionary work in Tennessee. Ala- bama, Mississippi and Kentucky among the Indians. Ile traveled where there were no inhabitants ex- cept the savages, sleeping in wigwams, or under trees with the blue canopy of heaven and the branches above him as his only covering. He fre- quently crossed the Ohio River at the present site of Louisville, while it was still known as Bear Grass. We append a brief sketch of his life and labors, taken from the "Ilistory of the Presbytery of Wash- ington."

Rev. John Anderson, D. D., Pastor of the church at Upper Buffalo, during the years 1802-1833, was one of the most distinguished, though most retiring, of these early fathers. Born in Guilford, N. C., April 10, 1767, he received both his classical and theological education under the eminent David C. Caldwell. He was brought to Christ by the preach- ing of the Rev. James McCready. a pupil and spiritual son of the Rev. Joseph Smith, at Buffalo, N. Y., who had meanwhile gone South. ITere, per- haps, we have the cord which drew Mr. Anderson to the scene of his life work. Having been licensed, and shortly afterward ordained. by the Presbytery of Orange, at a date not later than 1793, and hav- ing, partly for health's sake, spent several years of itinerant labor in the Carolinas. Tennessee and Kentucky, he finally reached Pennsylvania, and there settled permanently. He was received into the Presbytery of Ohio, Jan. 19, 1802, and installed Pastor of l'pper Buffalo Church in the spring fol- lowing. Dr. Anderson's preaching was plain, di- rect, terse, scriptural, practical, discriminating and pungent, insomuch that "the screw auger" was the sobriquet. by which he was widely known. His pastorate began amidst the glow of the great spir- itnal baptism of the opening century, and some of its most striking manifestations were in his own church. Ilis ministry, thus sanctified, was both

edifying and fruitful, whilst the wisdom that stamped it brought him, without his seeking, quiet but powerful leadership in ecclesiastical affairs, as well in all enterprises in behalf of education, mis- sions, temperance and the like.

The prominence of Dr. Anderson may be inferred from his presidency of the Board of Trustees of Washington College from the time of the charter in 1806, until 1833. The degree of D. D. was con- ferred upon him by this institution in 1841. Theo- logical pupils resorted to him for instruction in un- wonted numbers, especially after, by reason of age. Dr. McMillan had been compelled to give up that great work for the church. Among the pupils of Dr. Anderson was bis own son. the Rev. William C. Anderson, D. D., one of the most popular preachers of his day. His other son, yet living, John B. Anderson. L. L. D., has been a distinguished edu- cator and engineer, as well as Elder of the church. The venerable father fell asleep in .Jesus, Jan. 31, 1835, having borne his witness of the grace of God until his last breath.

ENRY OBER. senior member of the firm of Ober & Williams, land and loan agents. is also interested in the Barnes Enterprise, a journal published in the interest of the Republican party. lle is Justice of the Peace at the present time. a position which he has occupied for several years. He also deals quite extensively in grain. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the present administration. IJe is connected with the Baptist Church, and socially, belongs to the G. A. R. and the I. O. O. F. at Barnes.

The subject of this sketch was born in Montague. Mass., May 1, 1843, and is the son of Elijah P. Ober, a native of Townsend, Vt. The latter spent the earlier years of his life in the Green Mountain State, then removed to Leverett, Mass .. where he sojourned until 1869, then, coming to Washington County, this State, he established himself on a farm in Little Blue Township, but only lived until the following year. passing away at the age of sixty-four years. He was by oceu- pation a farmer and miller combined, and although

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never accumulating much of this world's goods, made a comfortable living for his family. He had been from early manhood a member of the Baptist Church, and was a man conscientious and upright in all his dealings.

Elijah P. Ober was married in early manhood, to Miss Susan Richardson. She was born in Shutes- bury. Mass., in 1817. She came to Kansas with the family, and died in Washington County the same year as her husband - 1870. The maternal grandparents of our subject were Joseph and Sa- rah (Green) Richardson, who spent their last years in Massachusetts. The Richardson family was of English extraction, of the old Puritan stock. Some of the earlier members figured conspicuously in the Revolutionary War. There was born to Elijah and Susan Ober a family of seven children, viz., Elijah S., Lodemea, Asa, Blake, Joseph, Hannah and Henry.

The Ober family is of German origin, and was first represented in America prior to the Revolu- tionary War. Asa, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Rutland, Vt., and died in Hoosic, N.Y .; Henry, our subject, spent his boy- hood days at Shutesbury, Mass., acquiring a prac- tical education in the common school. When not in school he assisted his father in the mill, until the outbreak of the Rebellion. He then enlisted as a private in Company H, 2d Regiment, United States Sharp-shooters, and served with that command in the Army of the Potomac, in 1864, then received his honorable discharge on account of disability. Ile participated in many of the important battles of the war, including Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettys- burg, and others. Although many times in the thickest of the fight, he miraculously escaped injury and returned to his home in safety.

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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 165

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

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