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 21

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 21
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 21
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 21

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).

Mr. Pitman studied his first lessons in the old school-house in Tennessee, and remained with his father until a young man of twenty-four years, being employed in farming pursuits. In 1862 he was conscripted into the rebel army, and kept there against his will for a couple of months, when he de- serted at the first opportunity, and remained in hiding until Gen. Rosecrans' army came into that vieinity. He was then made a willing captive, and sent first to Louisville, Ky., and afterward to Camp Chase. Finally he was sent to Rock Island, Ill., and enlisted in the 2d United States Infantry, in which he served one year. His regiment was sent out on the plains after the Indians, and saw muell hard service. After a number of months thus oc- cupied, and the war being practically ended, Mr. Pitman received his honorable discharge, after hav- ing made a record of which he may well be proud.

Upon retiring from the service, Mr. Pitman re- paired to Bond County, Ill., where he sojourned two years, working on a farm. In the meantime he was married April 3, 1866, to Mrs. Jane (Pane) Reed, who was born in Bond County, in 1830. The following year, 1867, they came to this State, and settled on the farm which they now own and oceupy. Mr. Pitman revisited the Prairie State in 1873, but his preference is for the land west of the . Mississippi. To him and his estimable wife there have been born five children, but only two are liv- ing, Mary Emeline and James Albert.

Mr. and Mrs. Pitman are members in good stand- ing of the Baptist Church, attending serviecs at Washington, Kan. Mr. Pitman as a Union soldier, was a member of Johnson Post, G. A. R., at Han-

CHURCH OF SACRED HEART, GREENLEAF, KAN. REV. JAS. CHRISTOPHORY, RECTOR.

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over, which has now been disbanded. He takes a genuine interest in the political issues of the day, and belongs to the Democratic party, although in local elections he aims to support the man whom he considers best qualified to serve the interests of the people. He has been a member of the School Board for several years, and also officiated as Road Overseer. llis snug homestead embraces eighty acres of land on section 31, where, without any pre- tentions to elegance, he lives simply and comfort- ably, and at peace with his neighbors.

G EORGE W. CAMPBELL, Clerk of Court, Riley County, a gentleman of talent, abil- ity, and high personal character, is consid- ered a decided acquisition to the citizenship of Manhattan, where he has taken up his residence. His portrait which appears on another page, is in like manner an important acquisition to this vol- ume. He was born in Jersey City, N. J., Feb. 3. 1849, a son of George P. and Eliza A. (Watson) Campbell, natives respectively of New York and New Jersey. The paternal grandfather of our sub- ject, was a pioneer of Washtenaw County, Mich., where he bought a large tract of land in the midst of the primeval forests, cleared and improved a fine farm, and was a resident there until death. having accumulated in the meantime a handsome property.

The father of our subject was reared in Michi- gan, and when he attained to manhood, ambitions to secure a better education and to see something of the world, he left the old homestead, though his father wished him to stay at home, and thus forfeited his share of his father's wealth. Ile proceeded to visit the East, and we next hear of him as teaching school on Long Island and elsewhere. Ile finally learned the daguerrean's art, and going to Helena, Ark .. opened a gallery there, and was conducting a successful business, when he was stricken with a fever in 1852, and his promising career was soon closed by death, while he was yet in manhood's prime. Ile was a man of much culture and of re-

fined tastes, a gentleman and a scholar, whom to know was to respect and honor. By his untimely death, his wife was left with two children to care for, our subject and his brother Louis, the latter of whom died in Leavenworth, in 1859.

At the time of her husband's death, Mrs. Camp- bell was in Ann Arbor, Mich., with her children. She bravely shouldered the responsibility of their support, and removing to Cincinnati, shortly after. she managed a boarding house there with good suc- eess for some years. In 1857 she boldly resolved to face the dangers and hardships of life on the frontier, believing that she could utilize her educa- tion where school teachers were so much needed by the intelligent, heroic, determined, thrifty class of men and women who were bravely struggling to maintain their rights on the soil of Kansas, and to gain its admission into the I'nion as a free State. With her children she embarked on a steamer on the Ohio, and proceeding to Leavenworth in the Territory of Kansas, she secured a position as teacher in one of the schools of that city, thus be- coming a pioneer of the profession in Kansas. With characteristic foresight and good judgment she bought a share in the town site of Manhattan in 1859, and in 1860 came to this city from Leaven- worth on a stage, and located her property.

Mrs. Campbell subsequently went to Ft. Riley, and thence returned to Leavenworth, and in 1860 retraced her way eastward, and took up her resi- dence in New York City, where she resided until 1863. In that year she again made her home in Cincinnati, and went into business there. opening a book and news store, and a circulating library. which she managed with' her usual success until 1866. She then once more became a resident of Kansas, living in Manhattan until 1868. when she opened a book store and a millinery establishment in Ogden, and has ever since been prosperously en- gaged in business there. Soon after going there. she bought a lot in the city and erected a neat and tasty dwelling on it, and afterward invested some money in a homestead of thirty-seven acres near Ogden, which she still owns, and which has greatly increased in value since it came into her posses- sion, not only on account of improvements that she has made, but also on account of the rise in the

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valuation of real estate. Mrs. Campbell is a woman of rare tact and business capacity, combined with more than ordinary energy and force of character, and her present prosperous circumstances are due solely to her own exertions.

Her son George W., of whom we write, was given good educational advantages, attending school in Leavenworth, afterward being a pupil in the public schools of New York City, and later of Cincinnati. During his residence in the latter city, he assisted his mother in her store, and also acted as her clerk in Manhattan. After their removal to Ogden, he built his mother's house, and also erected buildings on the homestead. In 1875 he bought the stock and building of a druggist in Ogden, paying for it in instalments, and, adding a stock of general mer- chandise, continued to carry on an extensive and flourishing business until 1889. In 1887 his store and stock were destroyed by fire, but with charac- teristic enterprise he immediately renewed his stock, and opened a store in an adjoining building. In 1889 he turned over his stock to Charles East- man. who is acting as his agent in business. lle having been elected Clerk of the Court of Riley County the year before, his duties in that office pre- cluded the possibility of close attention to the man- agement of his store.

Mr. Campbell was married in 1878, to Miss Jane F. Parish, a native of Canada, and a daughter of Lewis and Laura Parish, early settlers of Riley County. Three children have been born of this marriage-Clarence C., Laura J., and Louie M. Mr. Campbell is a man of fine mental endowments, who without wealth or influence has won for him- self an honorable position in the history of this county. By a singularly blameless and upright life, he has gained the confidence of all with whom he associates, his career as a business man, as a public officer, and as a private individual being without blemish. While he was a resident of Ogden, he took an active part in the administration of its gov- ernment, served as a member of the City Council, and was City Treasurer. For several years he was a member of the Union Sunday-school of that city. He has always been an earnest supporter of the Re- publican party, interesting himself much in politics. lle and his wife sustain pleasant social relations

with the best people in Manhattan, and in their at- tractive home they dispense a charming hospitality with characteristic tact and geniality.

RS. MARY N. CHAPLIN is one of the oldest settlers of Exeter Township, Clay County, owning and occupying 160 acres of land on section 9. She is a native of Portland, Me., where her eyes opened to the light March 4, 1825, she being a daughter of Benjamin and Sarah ( Lunt ) Thomes. Both her parents were born in the city of her nativity, her paternal ancestors being Irish and the maternal an- cestry in all probability English. Her grandfather Lunt was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and her father participated in the War of 1812. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomes, two of whom-Benjamin, living in Bangor, Mc., and the lady of whom we write, still survive.

Mrs. Chaplin was reared to maturity in her na- tive State and having lost her father when but eleven years old, she made her home in the family of her brother and other relatives. ller mother was spared to her until the fall of 1871, when she too breathed her last. In Massachusetts, Jan. 15, 1844, Miss Mary N. Thomes was united in marriage with Frederick Brocklebank, by whom she had one son-Frederick. Some time after Mr. Brockle- bank's death, she married Jacob Chaplin, the rites of wedlock being celebrated between them May 1. 1860.

Mr. Chaplin was born in New Brunswick, and in 1867, with his wife and family moved to Tona- wanda, N. Y., where they remained until the spring of 1870, when they emigrated to this county. Here Mr. Chaplin homesteaded 160 acres of land on which not a furrow had been turned, and which required energy and perseverance to make of it a good farm. Mr. Chaplin was a hard working and honest man, endeavoring to follow the Golden Rule in his dealings with mankind and possessing the clear judgment which made his advice and counsel sought by many about him. He was a kind and loving father and husband, laboring for

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the comfort and social and educational advantages of the family. His death, which occurred Jan 8, 1874 not only removed from the family circle a well beloved parent and companion, but from among the citizens of Clay County, one who was highly respected by all who knew him and who is greatly missed by neighbors and fellowmen. Mr. Chaplin was a member of the Masonie order.

We insert the following from a local paper in re- gard to his life and character:

"Jacob Chaplin, another of the pioneers of Clay County, has gone. He died at his residence in Exeter Township, on the 8th instant. The de- ceased was an old settler in this county, and since his residence with us, has always been an honest, hard working man, and had by hard labor and close ceonomy, just begun to reap the benefit of his years of privation and hardships. His illness was of short duration, and his death will be unexpected by his numerous friends, of whom few men had more, and we chronicle the above event with no common emotions of grief and veneration, at the departure of a man and a citizen, who bore himself in a long and eventful life without reproach, and on whose grave no flower will bloom except those nourished by love and friendship. His departure was not long delayed, and earth was loath to spare the presence of so good and pure-minded a man ; but, at last the taper went out, leaving no shadow of pain upon the brow, and as we think of the death of a harmless child of a year old, when taken to Heaven, we think of him, in his last hours. As one of a class of men, to whom we would refer witlı no invidious comparison with other generations, Mr. C. was always a gentleman. We never knew a single word to pass his lips that was calculated to wound the feelings of a human being. Althoughi he did not boast of his philanthropy, from the depth of his heart, he wished his fellows well. To a solid intelligence he united the most inflexible in- tegrity, the most lofty sense of justice and the stanchest devotion to every duty in life. A Chris- tian, an honest man ; no man has ever lived a purer or more blameless life. Upon no act of baseness, immorality, corruption, or dishonor, no man ever can put his finger."

To. Mr. and Mrs. Chaplin four children were

born-Hattie N., wife of Homer Spence ; Mary L., wife of John A. Ross ; Ernest, deceased ; and Nellie J., a public school teacher. Mrs. Chaplin. since the death of her husband has been successfully managing the estate and continuing the work which her companion had there begun. She is one of the oldest residents of Exeter Township, and is highly regarded for her kindly nature, her firm principles and her years of useful womanhood. Mr. Chaplin was first married to Miss Harriet Yates, of this union there were five children born, but only two are living, as follows: Eugenie V. and Mariah A.

ANIEL BLOCHER, late a prominent resident of Mill Creek Township. was one of the first settlers in this region, and became a very successful farmer, leaving an estate of over 1,000 aeres at his death, which occurred Dee. 24, 1884. The family residence is a neat frame structure, situated on a rise of ground and commanding a fine view of the surrounding country. The farm is considered one of the best in Washington County, being well cultivated and improved with good buildings. It is managed by Mrs. Blocher, a very bright, intelligent and well- educated lady, possessing rare business abilities. She is a self-reliant, independent woman, capable of managing her own concerns, and presides over her home with grace and dignity. The dwelling is tastefully furnished, and the cultivated tastes of the mistress are indicated in an admirable manner by a well-chosen library of standard works and current literature. Mrs. Blocker likewise possesses fine musical tastes, which she finds time to indulge in, and makes it a point to devote a portion of her time to reading. The home is a model one in all respects, and is the frequent resort of the cultured people in this part of the county.

The subject of this notice was born Jan. 3, 1835, in Cumberland, Md. Upon arriving at man's estate he allied himself with the Republican party, and came to Kansas in full sympathy with those who were determined that her fertile prairies should never resound to the crack of the slave

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driver's lash, or be cultivated by the unpaid toil of human beings held as chattels. The day of his arrival in Washington County-July 4, 1858- was a most appropriate one for the beginning of an honorable and useful career. The Indian was here yet, and while he protested he was "a good Indian," there was no knowing at what moment he might take to the war path, and leave death, mourning and desolation in his wake.

It required courage, fortitude and the enduring qualities of the truly earnest manhood to which our country owes so much, to face the dangers, hard- ships and privations of those early days, and to lay the foundations of the grand commonwealth that is now the home of a happy and prosperous people. Mr. Blocher bravely stood the test of those trying times. He set himself to work to rear his home in the midst of both dangers and discour- agements, and he steadfastly adhered to habits of industry, integrity and honesty, until he was re- warded with success, and was enabled to take his place among the well-to-do and representative men of Washington County.

The parents of Daniel Blocher were John and Mary ( Musselman) Blocher, natives of Pennsylva- nia and descendants of German aneestry. They were frugal and industrions people, training their children to honesty and sobriety, believing these to be the best equipment for honorable and useful lives. John Blocher was a farmer, and his sons, as fast as they grew old enough, were made acquainted with the mysteries of practical agriculture. They gained their knowledge of farming between the handles of the plow, where their frames were strengthened and their museles hardened by the more exacting toil of their manhood years.

Eleven children were born to John and Mary Blocher, the eldest of whom, a son, Christian, mar- ried Miss Anna Coon, is the father of a grown family, and resides on a farm in Alleghany County, Md .; Fanny is the wife of Elias Whitsell; Andrew married Miss Nancy Layman; Susan married Sam- uel Gaurliz; she and her husband, who was a farmer, are both deceased, dying in Alleghany County, Md., where Fanny and Andrew still live. John married Mary J. Layman, and died in 1856, leaving two children; Barbara is the widow of

Michael Durst; she and her children reside in Alleghany County, Md .; Elizabeth is the wife of Hanson Brown, who died in Maryland; George lives, owns and operates a farm in Alleghany County, Md. He is a bachelor; Jacob is in Mill Creek Township. Kan., and operates a farm : Jacob eame to Kansas in 1858, and is one of the oldest sur- viving pioneers of Washington County: he married Miss Emeline Edwards, and they are the parents of nine living children.

Coming to Kansas, in 1858 Daniel Bloeher set- tled in Mill Creek Township, on 160 acres of land, which is included in the estate left by him at his death. This land he improved and cultivated rapidly, and soon obtained recognition as one of the most thrifty and industrious farmers of this region. During the first few years the nearest market was at St. Joseph, Mo., from which place, goods, wares, arms, tools and similar commodities and provisions, such as were needed by the settlers, were transported overland in wagons. This was a tedious process even in summer but in winter, when the perils of prairie blizzards were added, as well as the danger of crossing the Missouri River on the ice, it became one that tried the courage and endurance of the hardiest and strongest of the settlers. Neighbors were few and far between, and school and church privileges were almost unknown. The people of those days, however, were helpful and neighborly, and there was a general desire among them to assist each other.

On the 5th of March, 1868, Daniel Blocher was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Swan. Six children were the result of this union, all but two of whom, Justin E. and Grace L., died in infancy. Justin is unmarried and resides with his unele, Mr. Isaac Edwards; Grace L. lives with hier stepmother, Mrs. Cora (Evans) Blocher. Mrs. Margaret (Swan) Blocher departed this life May 4, 1880. Mr. Blocher's second marriage took place Oct. 27, 1881, with Miss Cora Evans. This lady is the daughter of Milton and Naomi (Maple) Evans, natives of Lewis County, Ky., in which county their daugh- ter Cora was also born.

Mrs. Cora Blocher was one of eleven children, the eldest of whom, Emily A., married John Mc- Farin, a tanner, became the mother of eight chil-

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dren and died in Hillsboro, Ohio, at the age of forty-seven years; David M. married a Miss Lash- brook, of Lewis County, Ky .; he is the father of four children and lives in Washington County, this State; Daniel W., a resident of Tacoma, Wash., mar- ried Miss Ellen McCollum, and is the father of one child: he ocenpies himself as a mill superintendent; Mary L., the wife of L. W. Prior, is the mother of three children and resides in Clark County. Mo .; Julia L. married G. M. Thomas, is the mother of eight children, and lives near Washington, this State; America E, married W. L. Collins, is the mother of eight children, and resides on a farin near Pierre, Dak .; Henry C. was graduated from Westminster College, and is a minister of the Pres- byterian Church, also President of the Synodical College at Fulton, Callaway Co., Mo .; lie married Miss Elida Scott. and has two children; Cora, Mrs. Blocher, was the eighth child; Willie R. married G. T. Clavenger; he is a farmer living near Washington and they have two children; Isabel H. is the wife of O. L. Taylor, a banker of Haddam, and they have one child; Winona is unmarried and makes her home with Henry C., in Fulton, Mo.

When Mrs. Blocher was about twelve years old her parents removed to Manchester, Ohio, where she attended the city schools. Later they pushed on to the Southwest, settling in Luray, Clark Co., Mo. Miss Cora attended the Academy at La- Grange, Lewis County, that State, and also pursued lier studies at the High School at Keokuk, lowa. She was deprived of her mother by death when fifteen years of age, and her father died five years later. She fitted herself for a teacher, and in 1876 came to Mill Creek Township, Kan., where she taught school. On Oct. 27, 1881, she was married to Daniel Blocher, and there was born to them one child, who died in infancy. Upon becoming a widow she was left with her two step-children, as heir to an estate which at the time of Mr. Blocher's death comprised 1,080 acres of land. She retained the family residence and 520 acres, the two chil- · dren-Justin and Grace L .- taking 560 acres. The homestead in all respects is one of the finest in Mill Creek Township, having about it that air of solidity and comfort indicative of ample means and the refinements of modern life. It stands as a

monument to the genins and industry of its pro- jector, and the name of Daniel Blocher could not be perpetuated in a more worthy manner than that by which his widow is keeping up the homestead and teaching not only his children, but all who knew him, to hold his name in kindly remembrance.

P REDERICK A. SMITH is a well-known stock-raiser and farmer in Exeter Town- ship, Clay County, where he is successfully carrying on both occupations, being now the own- er of 480 acres of land under excellent cultiva- tion. He owns a thorough-bred Canadian draft stallion named " Honest Tom," registered as No. 114, four years old and weighing 1800 pounds, and is also the owner of the standard bred Hambletonian, " Reuben Drake," No. 1708, weight 1150 pounds. One of his colts took the sweep-stakes in the County Fair, one of his three year-olds took the county race, and a span of two year-olds took the prize for carriage team. Mr. Smith also raises Poland- China hogs and Durham cattle of high grade, and is now feeding sixty head of cattle.

The father of our subject is Alexander Smith, a native of Canada and of Irish descent, as is his wife, Matilda. He was reared near Ottawa and there married, and subsequently settled in Huron County, in the Province of Ontario, whence in 1878 he removed to the United States, locating in this county, where he still resides. He now owns a section of land in Exeter Township, the means which he has accumulated being the result of his own efforts and the good management of himself and wife, both of whom are well-known and high- ly respected in Exeter Township, and throughout the county. During his residence in Canada, Mr. Smith took a more or less active part in politics, his views now being decidedly on the side of Pro- hihition. Ile is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, in which he has held official positions. lIe is the father of a large family, eight children now living : John, in Marysville, Kan. ; Frederick A .; Ann J., wife of Frederick Godbolt in California; Frank, in Clay Center, Kan .; Edgar, in Arkansas ; Gertrude

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wife of Dr. Sawtell in Jipson, Kan. ; Oscar in Clay Center and Ida at home in the same town. Mr. Smith is now about seventy years old and his wife is also quite advanced in years.

The subject of this sketch was born in Huron County, Ontario, Canada, May 4, 1857, and was reared in his native land, receiving his education in the public schools of the Dominion. He was about of age when he accompanied his parents to this county where he has since made his home. Ile began business for himself in 1880, settling on a quarter section of land which his father gave him and which comprises a part of his present landed estate. He has subsequently added 320 acres by purchase, making up the valuable estate which he now owns and occupies, and where he is so success- fully carrying on the work of an agriculturist and stock-raiser.

At the home of the bride in Clay County, Kan., Nov. 3, 1880, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Wright, daughter of James Wright. The union has been blessed by the birth of four children: Lena was born Aug. 7, 1881; Alexander A., Aug. 26, 1883; Lottie, Nov. 31, 1885 and Grover, Aug. 11, 1888.

Mr. Smith is now serving his third term as Di- rector in the school district. In politics he is a Democrat with Prohibition proclivities. He is a progressive stockman and agriculturist, a reliable and public spirited citizen, and a man of upright character, justly receiving the respect of those who know his life and character.

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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 21

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

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