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 19

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 19
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 19
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 19

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OHN JOHNSON. In coming to Grant Township, Washington County, Mr. Johnson who is one of the leaders among his Swedish countrymen in this region, was fortunate in securing an extra good piece of land, 160 acres, for which he paid the sum of $500. Twenty acres of this land had been broken, but there were no other improvements with the exception of a well and a hole in the ground called a dugout. Into the latter he removed his family, in July, 1874, and they lived there one year. Ile then put up the present stone dwelling, 16 feet square, and in 1878 put on an addition, 16x31 feet and a story and a half high, the whole of which makes a comfortable and com- modious residence.

Not far from his dwelling Mr. Johnson has planted an orchard of 200 apple trees, besides cherry, apricot, pear and plum trees, with a variety

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of the smaller fruits. In 1883 he purchased a quarter section adjoining on the south and on both places has about 200 acres under the plow. On the latter farm is a good frame house and stables. Around his home Mr. Johnson has planted numbers of ornamental trees and all his land is properly fenced. His main barn is 32 x 66 feet in dimen- sions, while he has sheds and corn cribs, the latter 14 x 32 feet and a stone chicken house, 14 feet square. The whole estate forms a most attractive picture in the landscape of that region and indicates in a marked degree the intelligence and enterprise of the proprietor.

The subject of this sketeh was born in the town of Jonkoping, Sweden, Feb. 17, 1841, and was reared on a farm, receiving a common sehool edu- cation. His father was John Anderson and his paternal grandfather, Anders Croft. They spent their entire lives in Sweden. Jolin, in 1868, when a young man of twenty-seven years, emigrated to America and located first in Lewiston. Ill., seeuring employment on the Rushville branch of the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad. He was thus oc- cupied one year then crossed the Mississippi to Keokuk, Iowa, where he worked on the canal. On the 30th of August, 1872, he was married there to Miss Zilda S. Malmburg. From Keokuk he came to Washington County.

Of this union of Mr. Johnson there were born six children, four of whom are living, viz: Annie Idella, Eddie, Albert William, and Emma Sophia, all of whom are at home with their father. Mrs. Zilda Johnson departed. this life Dec. 8, 1883. Mr. Jolmson contracted a second marriage Dee. 3, 1886, with Mrs. Anna Johnson, who by her first marriage had become the mother of one child, a son, Hugo, who is now a young man and works with his step- father on the farm. Mrs. Jolinson was born in the same part of Sweden as her husband and upon coming to America in 1869, took up her residence in Keokuk. Iowa, where she supported herself for five years. Later she went to Des Moines, lowa, where she was first married. Of her union with our subject there have been born two children: Arthur Emanuel and David Benjamin. Mr. John- son is a Republican, politically, and a stanch sup- porter of the principles of his party. He has

officiated as Road Overseer and School Trustee, although meddling very little with political affairs. Both he and his wife were reared in the doetrines of the Lutheran Church of which they still remain faithful adherents.

E DWARD W. REED. Among the Garfield Township pioneers of '69, came Mr. Reed in the spring of that year and took up a homestead claim of 160 acres in the month of May, and here for a period of twenty years he has con- tinued to live and is looked upon as one of the old landmarks without mention of whose name the an- nals of Clay County would be incomplete. Ilis first dwelling was a 10 x 12 frame house and his first operations as a tiller of the soil were conducted in a highly primitive style. He labored under the difficulties of a distant market and imperfect farm- ing implements, but patience and perseverance prevailed and as the seasons passed and the soil re- sponded to the efforts of the husbandman, Mr. Reed in time found himself making decided headway. He added gradually to his first purchase and has now a well-regulated farm of 240 acres with 150 acres under the plow and the balance in meadow and pasturage. He is a man with quiet tastes and lives comfortably without making a grand display.

Mr. Reed was born in the city of Boston. Mass .. March 21, 1841, and lived there until a youth of seventeen years, attending the common schools and being otherwise variously employed. He was, however, of an adventurous disposition and at the age mentioned engaged as a common sailor on an ocean vessel and on account of his aptitude and the faithful performance of his duties, was in three months promoted to ship keeper. Later he became a second mate and finally was promoted to the position of mate of the vessel. He sailed from Boston to various , foreign ports, meeting many strange people and gaining a wide knowledge of different parts of the world. He met with the usual experience of life on the ocean, enduring hardships and encountering storms. On the 7th of

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January, 1864, while on board the "H. Grover" bound for China, the vessel was wrecked in the Gulf Stream when three days out and with its cargo was lost. Mr. Reed, with the crew of twenty- two men after being in the water several hours clinging to the wreck, was picked up by the "Will- iam A. Grozier " and conveyed to the Island of St. Thomas, where they landed. Mr. Reed had left of his worldly possessions the crown of a straw hat. his pants and a shirt. Eighteen of the twenty-two men afterward died as the result of overeating fruit and the exposure consequent upon the wreck.

From St. Thomas Mr. Reed embarked on the same ship which took him from the wreck, a whaler, as ship keeper and remained with it until 1868. That year he quit the sea and we next find him in Chicago, Ill., as Agent of the Buckeye Harvesting Company. Ile was thus occupied one year and the following spring found him a homesteader in Northern Kansas where he has since remained. He was married in Cloud County, this State, Nov. 19, 1874, to Miss Mary C., daughter of Conrad and Louisa Kirchner. Mrs. Reed was born in Lafayette County, Mo., April 17, 1860 and came to Clay County, this State, with her parents in 1869. They took up a homestead in Bloom Township where they still live. To Mr. and Mrs. Reed there have been born two children, Mary E. and Charlotte.

OHN C. PETTEY. Among the men who have contributed to the progress and devel- opment of Little Blue Township, Mr. Pettey deserved honorable mention. Personally, he possesses all the characteristics of the true gen- tleman which is at once discoverable in meeting him, while as a man and a citizen his record is irre- proachable. His occupation is that of a farmer, of which industry he has made an art and a science. studying how to develop his land to the best ad- vantage and carrying forward the improvements which reflect great eredit npon his enterprise and good judgment. His landed possessions embrace 160 aeres on section 32. Little Blue Township, Washing- ton County, where he now resides and has erected a

fine residence and gathered about himself and his family all the comforts and conveniences of modern life. He is considerably interested in live stock, keeping good grades of cattle, horses and swine. Although a quiet and unassuming man, mixing com- paratively little in public affairs, he keeps himself well posted upon matters of general interest and uniformly votes the Republican ticket.

A native of Aslıtabula County, Ohio, Mr. Pettey was born Jan. 13, 1836, and is the son of John and Huldah (McCumber) Pettey. John Pettey was born and reared in Vermont, whence he re- moved to New York State and from there to Ashta- bula County, Ohio, where he sojourned until 1844. That year he decided to cast his lot in the farther West and removed to Dane County, Wis., where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1868 at the age of seventy-two years. He was a seafaring man during his early manhood and captain of a lake vessel. Upon coming West he turned his at- tention to agricultural pursuits. He accumulated a good property and spent his declining years in ease and comfort. He had served as a soldier in the War of 1812.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was William Pettey, likewise a sailor by profession and commander of a war ship during Revolutionary times. The family was first represented in America prior to this, coming over from England in the early Colonial days. Mrs. Huldah (McCumber) Pettey was born in New York State and died in Dane County, Wis., in 1881, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. She traced her ancestry to Ireland. To John and Huldah Pettey there were born the following children, viz: Harriet, de- ceased; Abner, a farmer of Dane County, Wis .; Samantha, Perry, Justina and Marvin, deceased, and Cordelia. the wife of James Thompson, a mining expert at Los Angeles, Cal.

The subject of this sketch was the seventh child of his parents' family and was reared to man's estate on the farm in Dane County, Wis. After leaving the common schools he entered the Wis- consin State University at Madison where he pur- sued his studies for a time, but he chose farming for his life occupation and thereafter engaged in this in the Badger State until 1871. That year he

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came to Kansas and located in Jefferson County, remaining there until the following spring. His next removal was to Washington County where he homesteaded eighty acres of land which he sold. Hle has for some years been connected with the 1. 0. O. F., being at present a member of the lodge at Barnes.

For his life partner Mr. Pettey chose Miss Betsy Thompson. of Jefferson County, Wis., and they were wedded Dec. 2, 1858 at the bride's home in Wisconsin. Mrs. Pettey was born in Lincolnshire, England, April 30, 1838 and is the daughter of Robert and Abigail (Cole) Thompson who were likewise of English birth and parentage. The five children born of this union are recorded as follows: Ophelia, the eldest, is the wife of William Hallo- well, a farmer of Washington County, this State and they are the parents of two children: Florence and Bessie. Florence, the second child, married Clarence Snyder, an engineer of Washington County, and died Oct. 4, 1884, leaving three chil- dren, Florence, Grace and Laura. John, Jennie and Minnie are unmarried at home with their parents.

ECTOR C. FERGUSON is not only a typical Kentuckian, but is a fine specimen of the Western ranchman. He is in charge of Steele & Mitchim's ranch in Haddam Town- ship, Washington County, of which he has the sole management. He resides on section 20, and the ranch, which is comprised of three sections, in- cludes lands also on sections 17, 18, 19, and 31. Mr. Ferguson is engaged in running the farm, mak- ing improvements thereon, and feeding, buying and selling stock. He handles the finest blooded cattle. Fifty-three head of horses are kept upon the ranch, four span being constantly employed in work thereon. Mr. Ferguson is the personal owner of several head of fancy horses. The estate is well supplied with good barns, and the residence is comfortable and commodions. Mr. Ferguson is a man of excellent education and good breeding, and one with whom it is a pleasure to meet. He treats everyone with the utmost courtesy and dis-

penses his hospitality in a manner that is creditable even among Western ranchmen, who are noted for their hospitality. He is jolly and good natured, and having added to his education a large fund of practical information not to be found in books alone, he is well fitted for the position he occupies in social circles.

Mr.Ferguson traces his ancestry to Scotch families whose names have been prominent in history. Ile was named after Sir Hector Ferguson of Fergus Cas- tle. of whom his great-grandfather was a brother. Their mother through whom the property was inher- ited, was a relative of the Stuart family. The afore- said brother of Sir Hector, came to America prior to the Revolutionary War. He located in Virginia, where he engaged in farming a large tract of land and where he died soon afterward. Two of his sons were in the Continental army and died in defense of American liberty. Joseph was killed at the bat- tle of Brandywine, and Joshua at the Ileights of Abraham.

James Ferguson, the grandfather of our subject, was three years old when the family emigrated to America, and during the Revolutionary War was too young to enter the service. He was a delicate child but lived to quite an advanced age. He owned a large plantation adjoining that of Gen. Washington, his place being known as "Glade Farm." In 1820 he removed to Jessamine County, Ky., and bought 640 acres of land near Keene, paying $20 per acre for the same. There he was engaged in farming until his death, which took place in 1843.

Richard S. Ferguson, the father of our subject. was born in Fairfax County, Va., in 1810, and was consequently ten years old when his father removed to Kentucky. Upon reaching man's estate he vis- ited the ancestral home and spent one year there. At the age of twenty-three he became Justice of the Peace. Later he served in other offices, includ- ing that of Judge. In 1850 he was elected to the State Legislature, in which he served one term. He was afterward elected County Judge of Jessa- mine County. and served as such for twelve years. Hle was then elected to the Court of Claims, which position he oceupied until his death. Ile owned 235 acres of land adjoining Keene, and during

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every day of his life he spent some time in the country. Ile was a large man and attained to a weight of 325 pounds. He was a Republican in politics. The name of Judge R. S. Ferguson will long be remembered in Kentucky as that of a most influential man and trusted citizen.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Lizzie Chrisman. She was a direct descendant of Gen. Hugh Chrisman of Revolutionary record. He was a Virginian, but after the war obtained a land grant of two sections in Jessamine County, Ky., to which he brought his slaves, and which he cleared and improved. There he spent the remainder of his life. His son, Joseph H. Chrisman, father of Mrs. Ferguson, was born in Virginia, and accompanying his parents to Kentucky, was there engaged in farming until 1851. He then removed to Independ- ence, Jackson Co., Mo., where he owned a large farm and many slaves. Being burned out by the Jayhawkers he returned to Kentucky and settled in Woodford County, where he spent the remainder of his life. He occupied the position of Judge for ten years. His death occurred in Versailles. The mother of Mrs. Ferguson was a McDowell ; she was born in Danville, Ky. Her father was a native of Scotland, who came to America sufficiently early to engage with the Colonial army during the Revo- lution. Mrs. Ferguson was the recipient of a most excellent education. She is a strict member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She now resides in South Elkhorn, Fayette Co., Ky,, and has reached the ripe age of seventy-two years.

The parental family consists of five children: Richard M. is now Clerk of the Circuit Court at Lexington, Ky .; Betty S., now Mrs. Sandusky, resides at Nicholasville, Ky .; Maggie M., now Mrs. Smith, lives in Fayette County, Ky .; Mattie C.,now Mrs. Jessup, resides in Ludlow County, Ky., where her husband is in the railroad employ; Hector Chrisman is the gentleman of whom we write.

Both the parents of our subject had been married previous to their union with each other. The mother's first husband was J. II. Lewis, by whom she had one child-Joseph H. At the first tap of the drum in the late Civil War he enlisted in the 21st Kentucky Infantry, in which he served during the war. Ile was but nineteen years of age at the

time of enlistment. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River and Chickamauga, and those of the campaigns through Georgia and to the sea. When mustered out he had reached the rank of Second Lieutenant. His death occurred soon after the war.

The gentleman whose name initiates our notice was born near Keene, Jessamine Co., Ky., Feb. 6, 1856. He was reared upon the parental acres and received the advantages afforded by the common schools. Ilis fundamental education was supple- mented by a term of attendance at St. Mary's in Washington County, Ky. At the age of eight years he went to live with his aunt, Mrs. J. Allen, near Versailles City. There he remained until the spring of 1882, when he determined to "go West" and look over the country. He came to Kansas and took charge of the cattle on the ranch of Messrs. Steele and Mitchim. In 1887 he became the sole overseer under those gentleman, and is still con- ducting their affairs to their satisfaction. Mr. Ferguson is a believer in and supporter of the principles of the Democratic party.

E RASTU'S HI. PRALL. There are few of the older residents of Washington County, to whom the name of Mr. Prall is not a famil- iar sound. He came to this section of the country when it was a wild frontier, as early as 1861, the same year in which Kansas was admitted into the Union as a State, and since that time, has been closely identified with its most important interests. [Ie was prospered in his labors as a tiller of the soil, and was fortunate in the investment of his capital, so that he is now not only one of the most highly respected, but also one of the most wealthy men of his community. When first settling here, he was recognized as a valued addition to the pioneer ele- ment of the county, and in 1865-66, officiated as Sheriff, after having served as a faithful soldier in the Union army. The vicissitudes of a soldier's life greatly affected his health, and in some respects he has never fully recovered from the results of

WHITE & LOPEARED RABBITS.

RESIDENCE OF E. H. PRALL , SEC. 23. FRANKLIN TP, WASHINGTON CO, KAN.

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the hardships and privations which he then en- dured.

The native place of our subject was in Clark County, Ohio, and the date of his birth Dec. 5. 1835. ITis parents were Gable and Mary Prall, na- tives of Pennsylvania, where they were reared and married. Soon afterward they emigrated to Ohio, and the father departed this life when his son, Eras- tus was a lad of only thirteen years. Hle was thus wholly orphaned, as his mother had died several years before. Her family consisted of eleven chil- dren, ten of whom lived to mature years. After his father's death, young Prall was obliged to look out for himself, and he worked by the month on a farm until twenty-four years old. Then being in a condition to establish a home of his own, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret, daughter of Charles Bolt. The wedding occurred in Mont- gomery County, Iowa, of which Mr. Prall had been a resident five years, and about one month later the young couple came to this State. In 1862 Mr. Prall entered the army as a member of Company K, 9th Kansas Cavalry, in which he served three years and seventeen days. Although participating in many of the important battles of the war, and experiencing many hairbreadth escapes, he was neither wounded nor taken prisoner, but the hard- ships he endured undermined his health, and he now receives a pension from the Government.

Upon leaving the army, Mr. Prall resumed farm- ing in the township, where he had settled previously, and was thereafter greatly prospered in his labors as a tiller of the soil. He is now the owner of over 600 acres of land, and upon his homestead are first- class modern buildings, provided with all the con- veniences which ample means can supply. Upon his farm are four houses besides the one occupied by the family. A fine lithographie view of the farm of our subject, together with some of its most important buildings, is presented elsewhere in this volume. For some years Mr. Prall has been quite extensively interested in live stock, but now has the most of his land rented, and has wisely retired from the more arduous duties of life. In politics. it is hardly necessary to state, he is a Republican, "dyed in the wool."

Mr. and Mrs. Prall are the parents of seven chil-

dren, of whom the following five are living: Wil- lis W .; Ilarriet Ann, Mrs. Plowman; Rosa. the wife of Perle Welch; Ilarry and Henry Clay. Mr. Prall has always distinguished himself as a liberal- minded and public-spirited citizen, and one always to be found on the side of progress and reform, the friend of education and morality, and the sup- porter of every enterprise calculated to benefit the people around him.

IEDRICH MICHELSON is well known to the residents of Hanover and vicinity as one of its oldest settlers and leading busi- ness men. He some time since established himself in the furniture business, and also operates as undertaker. He was born in New York City, Sept. 27, 1851, and is the son of Diedrich Michelson, Sr .. a native of Germany.

The father of our subject spent his early years in his native land, acquiring a thorough education in its public schools. When reaching man's estate he emigrated to America, and subsequently fol- lowed the sea for a period of eighteen years, sailing inany times from New York City to Denmark. He married Miss Catherine Buckhorst, of the above- mentioned city, where he made his home until his death, in 1861. Soon afterward Diedrich, Jr., with his mother came West, and settled in Warrenton, Mo., where they lived for a number of years, Mr. Michelson being occupied as a teamster.

Subsequently our subject removed with his mother to St. Louis, living there until 1870, and being the only survivor of her four children. Their next removal was to Franklin County, that State, where they lived one year, and from there they came to Kansas, just as Hanover began to assume the proportions of a village. Mr. Michelson operated as a carpenter, having practically no means upon coming here. His industry and good management soon resulted in the accumulation of capital with which he started his present business. He put a fine stone store building, 25x62 feet in dimensions, and not long afterward was obliged to erect another building for the accommodation of his rapidly in-

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ereasing business. He is the owner of more than half the buildings north from Washington street to the corner of Hollenburg street, west. His residence stands conveniently on the same block. This was also put up by him, and in point of furnishings and surroundings forms one of the most attractive homes in the city.

Although no office seeker, Mr. Michelson has been prominent in local affairs, serving as Council- man three years, and occupying other positions of trust and responsibility. He has for many years been Secretary of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, and is also identified with the Masonic fraternity, also the A. O. U. W. He was trained in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church, to which he still loyally ad- heres. He gave substantial assistance toward the erection of the church edifice at Hanover. He operated as contraetor for the other church build- ings, also the City Hall and various other promi- nent buildings in the town. The manner in which his fellow-citizens speak of lim is sufficient indica- tion of his standing among them.

Our subject took for his wife Miss Henrietta llavekorst, the marriage being celebrated at the bride's home in Hanover, Sept. 23, 1875. They are the parents of two children-Julius and Died- rich, 2d. Mrs. Michelson was born in St. Joseph, Mo., April 12, 1857. and a year later was taken by her parents to Columbus, this State. Her father, George II. Havekorst, is a cabinet-maker by trade, and came to Hanover in 1870, after having served in the army, and living in Leavenworth and Atchi- son. He is now sixty-nine years old, and his wife, Mena, is aged fifty-six. The father lost his health in the army, and has been able to perform but very little labor since that time.

OHN P. BROCKWAY. Among the men who have developed the resources of Clay County, Mr. Brockway deserves special mention. Ilis well-cultivated farm of 160 aeres occupies the northeast quarter of section 32, Mulberry Township. to which he came in 1873. The country was then inhabited mostly by wild

beasts, and had been only a short time previons the happy hunting grounds of the Indians. Mr. Brockway first arrived in Kansas in 1869, and pur- chased a claim on section 10, in what is now Boone Township. After making some improvements he sold out and secured his present property. Ilis native place was in Schodack, Rensselaer, Co., N. Y., and the fate of his birth March 1. 1833. Ile comes of an old family who had settled in that State during the Colonial days, his father being Chauncey P., his grandfather Jesse, and his great- grandfather Nathaniel Brockway. The latter was born April 3, 1748, and came from Dover to Scho- dack probably in 1772. He was poor in purse and had nothing on which to depend save the labor of his hands, but by industry and perseverance suc- ceeded in constructing a comfortable homestead, and left to his descendants not only the heritage of a good name and robust health, but was enabled to give each of his children a farm. He followed ag- ricultural pursuits, and became the owner of 500 acres of good land. Religiously, he was a Metho- dist. He married Sylvia Hunter, who was born Oct. 27, 1750, and to them there were born uine children. Both Nathaniel Brockway and his wife lived to a good old age, she dying March 23, 1834, when eighty- four years old, and he surviving until Sept. 7, 1838. IIe was over ninety years of age, and during the latter part of his life was greatly afflicted, being nearly blind for a number of years.

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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 19

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

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