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 166

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 166
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 166
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 166

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).

After retiring from the service, Mr. Ober estab- lished himself in the milling business at Shutesbury, Mass. On account of failing health, however, he, in 1868, decided to change his location, and coming to Kansas took up a tract of Government land near the present site of Barnes, Washington County. He proceeded after the manner of pio- neers in improving his purchase and bringing the soil to a state of cultivation. He was

prospered in his labors, and in 1876, judging that the outlook would justify the measure, he laid out the town of Barnes, which has since been the object of his fostering care. He came to Kansas with a small capital, but is now the owner of two fine farms in addition to valuable real estate in the town. Ile has, since coming here, been a leading man in his community, and, possessing fine business qualifications. has borne a conspicuous part in building up its most important interests.

ON. WILLIAM FRYHOFER. There is no man within the limits of Riley County more generally respected than the subject of this notice, who occupies a high position socially and financially ; he is possessed of more than ordina- ry intelligence and the application which has made him not only successful in whatever he has under- taken. but has also made him a valued member of the community. His domestic relations are pleasant in the extreme, he having a very estimable and in- telligent wife and a family of interesting children. the latter well educated and enjoying the best ad- vantages which can be given them. They are musically inclined, and have quite an orchestra in the home circle. Mr. Fryhofer is very active in church matters, and in fact may uniformly be found giving his support to all the enterprises calculated for the public good. lle may usually be seen at his well-regulated homestead in Jackson Township, where he has a fine body of land, and is the owner altogether of 320 acres.

In reverting to the parental history of the subject of this notice, we find that he is of Swiss descent, his father, Jacob Fryhofer, having been born in Winterthur, Switzerland, in 1806. He was the owner of a small farm in the vicinity of Lake Zu- rich and occupied himself as a grape grower and in the manufacture of wine. He there spent his early years, but in 1834 emigrated to America and lo- cated in Jackson County, Ind., within a half mile of the present site of Seymour. He purchased a tract of Government land at twelve and one-bal. cents per acre from which he cleared the forest, drained it thoroughly and effected upon it good im-

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provements. It is hardly necessary to state, that he was one of the earliest pioneers of that region and he occupied his first purchase until 1852.

In the year above mentioned, Jacob Fryhofer traded his farm in Jackson County, Ind., for 160 acres of land in Spencer County, where he contin- ned to carry on farming, while at the same time he established a country store, which he conducted until 1864. That year, selling out his interest in the Hoosier State, he turned his steps toward the farther West, coming to Kansas to join his chil- dren. The mother had in the meantime, passed to her long home. He had purchased 160 acres of land in Jackson Township at the Government sale, in 1859, and now settling upon it, continued farming for a time, then retired from active labor, and now makes bis home with his son, William. He is at present the owner of eighty acres, adjoin- ing the town limits of Randolph. Intelligent and well-read, he keeps himself thoroughly posted upon public affairs, and votes the straight Republi- can ticket. For the long period of fifty years. he has been a member of the German Methodist Epis- copal Church, and is a frequent contributor to vari- ous religious papers. During the summer of 1889, a veteran of eighty-three years. he visited his old home, attended camp meetings and also made a trip to Niagara Falls.

The mother of our subject hore the maiden name of Susan Aggeter. Her birthplace was near the childhood home of her husband, and she was born in 1805. She died in Indiana in 1863. Five of the nine children comprising the parental family are now living. The four deceased are: John J .. John H .; Henry, who fell during the late Civil War; and the Rev. S. W., a minister of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. John N. Fryhofer, one of the brothers of our subject, is living on a farm in Jackson Township; Susan, Mrs. Henning, is a resi- dent of Evansville, Ind .; Mary, Mrs. Schroder, is also a resident of that city; William, our subject, is the next in order of birth; Emma is the wife of the Rev. Mr. Matill, of Cleveland, Ohio; Henry, during the Civil War, enlisted as a U'nion soldier in the 42d Indiana Infantry, and died at the hos- pital in Bowling Green, Ky., in 1862.

William Fryhofer was born in Jackson County,

Ind., Aug. 9, 1846. 1Ie was six years old when the family removed to Spencer County, where he at- tended the common school and assisted his father in the farm work. The homestead was within four miles of the old home of Abraham Lincoln. Will iam, when a youth of seventeen, leaving the paren- tal roof, set out, in the fall of 1863, for Kansas. journeying by rail to Atchison, thence by stage to Manhattan and from there, on foot, to Randolph. On the 28th of November, following, he located on his present place of 160 acres, the title of which was held by the central branch of the Union Pacific Railroad, after which it passed back to the Government, and from the latter young Fryhofer homesteaded it, in 1868. In the meantime he had made many improvements and during the follow- ing winter prepared the logs for his dwelling. lle was one of the first settlers on the creek. During the Indian scare of 1864, he served with the State militia.

In 1875 Mr. Freyhofer secured his full title to his present place, which is now well improved, one of its most attractive features being the substantial stone residence, which was put up in 1871. The main part is 21x30 feet in dimensions. with an addi- tion of 15x30 feet, and is two stories in height. The farm is well watered by Otter and Dry Branch creeks, and the place is equipped with all modern conveniences for general farming and stock-raising. Mr. Fryhofer feeds and ships, annually, two car- loads of high-grade cattle and swine, and makes a specialty of graded Clydesdale horses. At the head of his stables is an imported animal of great value. He is a great lover of the equine race, and is prominently connected, as a member and stock- holder, with the Fancy Creek Clydesdale Horse As sociation. He was at one time a member of the Blue Valley Agricultural Society, but on account of much other business, finally resigned.

The marriage of William Fryhofer and Miss Lonisa DeWyke, was celebrated in Jackson Town- ship, July 16, 1867. The father of Mrs. Fryhofer was Capt. John K. DeWyke, a native of Amster- dam, Holland, and the son of a ship-builder. John K. commenced following the sea when a boy of eleven years. and worked his way up to the com- mander of a vessel. Ile was on the high seas for a

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period of eighteen years, finally securing a half-in- terest in two vessels, one of which he commanded. He took part in the Revolution in Holland, and thereby lost a large portion of his property, which was confiscated. He finally quit the sea, and emi- grating to America, settled in Jackson County, Ind .. where he prosecuted farming successfully, and in due time recovered considerable of the property which he had lost in his native country. He de- parted this life in 1855. The mother bore the maiden name of Catherine Heller. She was born in Germany, one and one-half miles from Weisbaden, and was the daughter of Johannes ITeller, a native of Nassau, and a teamster by occupation. Grand- father Heller was also the owner of a small farm. He came to America in 1837, settling in Jackson County, Ind., near Brownstown, where he operated a farm of eighty acres, and where his death took place, in 1857.

The mother of Mrs. Fryhofer was educated in her native land and died in Indiana, in 1858. There were born to the parents ten children, seven of whom grew to mature years. Susan, Mrs. End- brock, lives in Jackson County, Ind .; Christine and Nancy are deceased; Nicholas is farming in Jackson Township, Riley Co., Kan .; John and George are deceased; Louisa, the wife of our snb- ject, was the youngest.

Mrs. Fryhofer was born in Brownstown, Jack- son Co., Ind., Aug. 3, 1849, and was left an orphan at the age of nine years. Thereafter she made her home with her uncle, Peter Heller, coming with him to Kansas, in the fall of 1864, and remaining with him until her marriage. She received a good education, attending the Iligh School at Browns- town and the Seminary at Seymour, Ind. Of her union with our subject there have been born five children-Clara. Irwin W., Nora Florence, George William and Emma L. They are all at home with their parents. The eldest daughter attended Hol- ton University, and is at present engaged as a teacher of music.

Mr. Fryhofer, politically, is a stanch Republican, prominent in the councils of his party in this section, and frequently serves as a delegate to the county and State conventions. He is warmly interested in the temperance movement. taking an active part in

the good work. He was instrumental in the organ- ization of Jackson Township and prominent in its school affairs, serving as a member of the Board most of the time since attaining his majority. Ile served as Township Clerk two years, Trustee five years and was Treasurer three years.

In the fall of 1886 Mr. Fryhofer was elected to represent the Republicans of Rilev County in the State Legislature, and served during the sessions of 1886-87, taking an active part in the discussions upon the temperance question, and serving on the Committee on Claims and Accounts, Agricultural and Horticultural and Penal Institutions. His re- ligious views coincide with the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ile is a charter member of the church at Fancy Creek, serving on the Building Committee during the erection of the church edifice, and for thirteen years has been the Superintendent of the Sunday-school, officiating as such since its organization. He has also served as Class-Leader and Trustee. Few men have been more actively engaged in all the enterprises tend- ing to the best good of a community. He is thus a man looked up to and respected as one who has has been closely identified with its best interests.

P ETER L. LEUSZLER. This gentleman is one of Linn Township's most substantial farmers and stock raisers, and has performed no small share in developing its agricnl- tural interests. His well-regulated homestead is pleasantly located on section 4, and is considered one of the best developed farms in this part of the county. The land has been brought to a thorough state of cultivation, and is largely enclosed and laid off with hedge, Mr. Leuszler having planted four miles of this fencing, which, being kept neatly trim- med, adds largely to the beauty of the landscape. He has also planted forest and fruit trees, having groves and a fine apple orchard, besides trees of the smaller fruits. The dwelling is a comfortable struc- ture and the barn, one of the largest in the town- ship, covers an area of thirty - two by sixty-eight feet, with sixteen-foot posts, and a stone basement under the whole, which furnishes a fine shelter

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for stock. of which Mr. Leuszler makes a specialty. By the use of the wind mill water is conveyed into the tanks through underground pipes and wherever else needed. The farm machinery is of the most improved pattern, and all the operations of the place are carried on in that intelligent manner which yields the best returns.

The early home of Mr. Leuszler was in Doyles- town, Bucks Co., Pa., where his birth took place Dec. 30, 1848. His father, John Leuszler, now a resident of Linn Township, this State, emigrated from Pennsylvania to Medina County, Ohio, in 1852, when Peter L. was four years old. In that county the latter received his early education and at the age of nineteen years commenced learning the trade of a carpenter. which he has followed much of the time since. in connection with farming. IIe came to Kansas in 1869, arriving in Washington County on the 19th of November and took up his abode iu Linn Township, of which he has since been a resident with the exception of four years from October, 1874 to 1878, which he spent in Lorain County, Ohio. Upon coming back from the Buckeye State, he re-located in September, 1884, upon his present farm.

Mr. Leuszler was a lad of thirteen years upon the outbreak of the Civil War, but young as he was hie maintained a lively interest in its progress from the first. Two years later, not being able to restrain his patriotism any longer, he enlisted in Company HI. 29th Ohio Infantry. before he had reached his fifteenth birthday, and served nineteen months. He was with his regiment at the battle of Dug Gap, Resaca, New Hope Church, Pine Knob, Kenesaw Mountain, on the Chattahoochie River and Peach Tree Creek, and at Atlanta. During the latter siege his regiment was under fire 100 days and out of 400 men lost 235. From Atlanta they proceeded to Savannah, skirmishing along the way. Mr. Leuszler fought at Bentonville and Raleigh, and had the extreme satisfaction of witnessing the sur- render of Johnston's Army, April 26, 1865. Not long afterward he received an honorable discharge on the 21st of July following. The booming of can- non and the bursting of shells bad the effect to impair his hearing but he never received a scratch. and was never captured. The sights and scenes which he witnessed during that terrible experience will never be effaced from his memory, and are numbered among the unwritten details in the lives of hundreds of the brave boys who performed so nobly their duty, and who, beyond the consciousness of this, received very little reward.

Mr. Leuszler settled on his present farm in 1884. He still owns eighty acres of his first purchase. His landed possessions embrace in all 240 acres. His

family consists of his wife and five children. Mr. Leuszler has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Wealthy S., daughter of Alexander H. Perry, to whom he was wedded Jan. 1, 1871, in Lorain Co., Ohio. Of this union there were born four children, three of whom are living: Charles R., Marshall H., and Catherine L. The wife and mother departed this life in 1883. Mr. Leuszler contracted a second marriage April 29, 1884, with Miss Nora Bellows. This lady was born July 7, 1859, in Seneca Falls, N. Y., and is the daughter of Henry Bellows, who came from New York to Kansas some years since and is now a resident of Greenleaf Township. By this marriage there are two children-Grace and Winnefred. Mr. Leuszler, politically is a stanch Republican and is the School Treasurer of his district and is Township Clerk, and;belongs to" the G.'A. R.

ALTON, a prominent German farmer of Blaine Township, Clay County, is one of its largest land-owners, being the possessor of 400 broad acres, which he purchased in 1879 and which was partially improved. He put up a fine residence with snitable and convenient outbuildings, planted forest and fruit trees, and now has one of the most desirable estates in this section of the county. His home, which lies on section 23, abounds in plenty and comfort, speak- ing well for the enterprise of the proprietor.

Mr. Alton was born in Germany, in 1828, and lived there until a youth of eighteen years, acquir- ing a good education in the public schools. Upon coming to America he commenced working on a farm in the vicinity of Cleveland, Ohio, and was there married to Miss Elizabeth Engert. Upon leaving the Buckeye State. they came directly to Kansas. There have been born to them a family of eleven children, all of whom are living, viz: Katherine, Mrs. Philip; Anna: Jacob, a resident of Lewisburg ; John. Benjamin. Henry, Alois, Lil- lie, Jennie. Clara and Louie.

Mr. Alton, upon becoming a voting citizen, iden- tified himself with the Democratic party, to which he still gives his honest adherence. He is a mem- ber of the church Sts. Peter and Paul.

Mrs. Elizabeth (Engert) Alton was born in the Province of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, in 1831. and came to the United States in 1847, settling in Cleveland, Ohio, where she made the acquaintance of her future husband. She comes of a good fam- ily, being the sister of Jacob Engert, who is repre- sented on another page in this volume. The Alton homestead is a eredit in every way to its proprietor. and the family is numbered among the most highly respected of the county.

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b ON. C. M. ANTHONY, Mayor of Clay Center and attorney-at-law, has practiced here for over twenty years, and is now one of the most prominent lawyers and citizens of the city. He was born in Clinton County, Ohio, Oct. 11, 1823, and in January, 1830, accompanied his father to Muncie, Ind., where he read law, and where he was admitted to practice in 1841. He began the practice of his profession in Petersburg, Pike Co, Ind., and there continued his legal work for fifteen years, serving as Prosecuting Attorney three terms. He next opened an office at Muncie. afterward going to Museatine County, Iowa,, and thence coming to this county in October, 1869, being the oldest attorney now living here.

Mr. Anthony was married in Pike County, Ind., Dec. 23, 1847, to Miss Nancy B. Campbell, who bore him four children, of whom only one is living -- W. P., now clerk of this county. Mrs. Anthony died here in 1870. When our subject first came to this county he bought a farm, which now comprises a large part of the town site, and on which he lived for a few years, when he married Mrs. Harriet A. Huntress, who also owned a large part of the town site. When Mr. Anthony arrived there were but about a dozen houses here.

Mrs. Anthony, whose maiden name was Harriet A. Fuller, was born in Canton, Oxford Co., Me., Aug. 28, 1821, and is a daughter of Charles and Mary ( Austin) Fuller. When twenty-one years old she moved to Boston, where, Jan. 14, 1844, she was united in marriage with Orvel Huntress, who was also a native of Canton, his natal day being Oct. 16, 1815. Mr. and Mrs. Huntress remained in Boston some years, and in 1852, leaving his wife there, Mr. Huntress went to California, where he spent two and a half years. Ile and his wife then spent four years at Mexico, Me., and in 1859 came to Kansas City, Mo .. whence the wife and children came by stage to Manhattan while the husband and father, having purchased an ox-team and loaded his goods and provisions, drove across the country. He opened a store on College Hill.

Mr. Huntress continued his merchandising at Manhattan for about two years. In May, 1861. he removed to this place, their only neighbors being ten miles distant in every direction except the east, where three and a-half miles was the distance. They took a claim adjoining the original town site of Clay Center, on what is now called River View, and is included in the limits, and there they made the usual improvements. When building, the ma- terial and their furniture were hauled from Leaven- worth. It was the largest and best house for a long time in this vicinity, and in it Mr. Huntress 1

kept the first store in what is now Clay County. After the death of Mr. Huntress his widow con- tinued on the farm, and added to it during the next two years another half section. Her son, C. O. Huntress, moved the post-office and store to what is now the town site, and took charge of it for two years, when he sold out and went to Dart- mouth. where he was graduated with the degree of B. S. in the class of 1874. Mrs. Huntress took charge of the post-office after his departure, and kept it until 1871, when she resigned, and, being married to our subject on May 14 of that year, they took charge of the farm property.

Mr. and Mrs. Anthony continued to live on the farm in River View, until April, 1887, when they took possession of their residence in the city. Mrs. Anthony has made a forty-acre addition to the city, called Huntress Addition, where the large school-house now stands. Mr. Anthony has also added 160 acres to the town site under his name. Huntress Park has been donated to the city.

Thomas C. Anthony, the father of our subject, was born in Richmond, Va., and in Highland County, Ohio, was united in marriage with Miss Julia Kimberly, a native of Lynchburg, Va. He was an attorney and farmer, and spent his latter days in Muscatine, Iowa, where his death occurred in 1860, his wife dying about the same time.

OHN HUGHES JENKINS. Wales occupies but an insignificant place on the map of the earth, but its people are very apt to make themselves felt in some way wherever they may chance to go. They possess a force of char- acter and singleness of purpose that inevitably car- ries them straight forward in any course that they may elect to follow. This characteristic is pos- sessed in an abundant degree by the subject of this sketch. He is a man closely identified with the business interests of Riley County, and one of its best educated and most illustrious citizens. He was born in Wales, Nov. 6, 1840, and is a son of the Rev. Isaac and Eliza (Hughes) Jenkins, both of whom were natives of Wales.

Isaac Jenkins was a prominent minister of the Wesleyan or Methodist Episcopal Church in Wales for more than forty years. He was a graduate of some of the most noted colleges and theological seminaries in England, and was known for his pro- found knowledge and exalted picty. His wife was a lady well fitted by nature and education to he the companion of a minister of the Gospel. They were the parents of nine children, of whom our subject is the eldest. He was reared in his native land, where he received his earliest education, after-

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ward attending one of the best colleges in England until his fifteenth year, when he left school and commenced clerking in a bank. Ile continued in that occupation, until his departure for this country, and was connected with some of the most noted banking concerns of England and Wales.

In 1868 Mr. Jenkins emigrated to America, and located at Utica, N. Y., where he remained one year, being employed in keeping books and clerk- ing. The next year, 1869, he removed to Kansas, and located at Arvonia, where he remained for some time, and then went to Bala, Kan., as agent for the Welsh Emigration Society. He has also been actively engaged in the banking, land and loan business, at Leonardville, since 1881. When the Rock Island Railroad was built through Riley County, Mr. Jenkins and others laid out Bala City, and established a banking honse in it. Ile conducts a general banking business at Bala City, but still has the banking house at Leonardville.

Politically, Mr. Jenkins is an Independent, not holding party fealty above personal liberty. While in nowise an aspirant for political honors, yet our subject has consented fill some of the minor positions in the field of political life. besides which he has held the honorable position of a Notary Public, and its responsible duties have been transacted with remarkable fidelity. He is held in the highest re- gard by all parties and creeds for his cheerful lib- erality and strict integrity. He is a member of Lodge No. 235, A. F. & A. M., at Leonardville, and is one of the I. O. (. F., at the same place. In the year 1872 the ceremony was performed that made our subject and Miss Elizabeth H. Jenkins husband and wife. Although Mrs. Jenkins bore the same name before and after marriage, she was not related to her husband in any way before mar- riage. She is a noble woman, and shares fully the esteem in which her husband is held in the city where they reside. They have been blessed with only one child, who is named after the grandfather, Isaac.

R EINHARD PHILIP, of Clay Center. is one of its best-known residents, and is prominent among its business interests being proprietor of the oldest and largest undertaking establishment of the city. He also deals in furniture, and is financially well-to-do.

Mr. Philip was born in Switzerland, July 5, 1845. and lived there until a young man twenty- two years old, obtaining his education in his native

Canton of Granbuenden. There also he learned cabinet-making, and was married to Miss Josephine Giesler. He emigrated to America in 1866, set- tling in Milwaukee, Wis., where he followed his trade in the factory of Flack & Straw, and during the last three years of his stay there officiated as a foreman. He and his estimable wife became the parents of one daughter, Josephine, who still re- mains with her father ; the mother died in Milwaukee.

Sojourning in the Badger State until 1872, Mr. Philip then came to Kansas, locating in Clay C'en- ter when it was a village of about 150 people. He established the first furniture store in the place, and in the course of a few years purchased seven different establishments, whose proprietors did not make a success of the business as thoroughly as he had done. Mr. Philip commenced in a small way, occupying a modest frame building. In 1881 he put up a large brick store, 25x130 feet in area, and two floors of which he devoted to his business. In due time these were well filled with a select stock of goods, including all the articles in demand for general house furnishing. It is conceded that he has the largest store and stock west of Topeka, and in the northern part of the State. He has built up a fine trade, and made many friends. He is essentially a self-made man, having come to the United States without means, and his possessions are the result of his unaided industry and good management.

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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 166

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

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