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 23

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 23
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 23
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 23

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. Preston is a member of Waterville Post, No. 266, G. A. R. His party affiliation is with the Republicans. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Waterville. As man and citizen, Mr. Preston is held in high repute by his acquaintances and fellow citizens.

ACOB H. STONEBACK. The prosperous farming community of Bloom Township, Clay County, recognizes the subject of this notice as one of its most substantial men. He has a snug homestead on section 17, comprising 160 acres of well-cultivated land, improved with sub- stantial buildings. IIe purchased the property in 1877 and took possession of it the following year. It lies on the second bottom of the Republican River, and is amply watered by that stream. It is devoted to general farming and stock-raising and yields a comfortable income to its proprietor.

A gentleman in the prime of life, Mr. Stoneback was born Oct. 21, 1842, and is a native of Warwick Township, Chester Co., Pa. His father, George Stoneback, likewise a native of Pennsylvania and supposed to have been of German ancestry, was farmer and blacksmith combined and possessed un- usual mechanical skill. Ile spent his entire life in his native county of Chester, dying at his home in

Warwick Township in February, 1881, after having nearly reached his threeseore years and ten. He was a kind man in his family, a good neighbor, respected by all who knew him and after the organ- ization of the Republican party, gave to it his un- qualified support.

The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Ann Houck. She likewise was a native of Chester County, Pa., and the daughter of Jacob Houck who was born there and was of German de- scent. Grandfather Houck was a farmer by occu- pation and spent his entire life in the Keystone State. The daughter Ann, like her brothers and sisters, was well reared and trained in the doctrines of the Dunkard religion; she is still living in Chester County, Pa., making her home with her daughters and has arrived at the advanced age of seventy- five years.

The subject of this sketch was the fifth in a family of eight children born to his parents, all of whom lived to mature years and seven of whom survive and have families of their own. Three sons emigrated to Kansas and are residents of Bloom Township, Clay County. Jacob H. learned blacksmithing of his father which he followed one year in his native connty and thirteen years in Montgomery County, Pa. He was married in Chester County, at Pleasant Retreat, to Miss Mary Shaner, on the 9th of February 1867. Mrs. Stoneback is a native of the same township as her husband and was born Sept. 10, 1846. Her parents were Jacob and Susan (Mounshour) Shaner, likewise na- tives of Chester County, Pa., and descended from Holland-Dutch stock. Jacob Shaner was a cabinet- maker by trade which he followed many years in Warwick Township, Pa. He died in North Coven- try, that State, in 1884, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He was a member of the German Reformed Church and in politics a Republican. His wife survived him about four years, dying in February, 1888, aged eighty years. She was a member of the same church as her husband.

Mrs. Stoneback was one of a family of four sons and two daughters, all of whom are living and with one exception, all married. Her childhood and youth passed in a comparatively uneventful man- ner under the home roof until her marriage. Of

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ber union with our subject there have been born eight children, three of whom are deceased: George, Jacob and Lillie, all of whom died young. The survivors are William G., Susan L., Harry W., Celia M. and Cora M., all at home with their par- ents. Mr. Stoneback, politically, is a sound Repub- lican and has held some of the minor offices of his township. As a soldier, he belongs to George B. MeClellan Post, No. 368, at Morganville.

On the 17th of August, 1862, during the progress of the Civil War, Mr. Stoneback enlisted in his native county in Company 1, 124th Pennsylvania Infantry under command of Capt. Hinkson and Col. Hawley. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and Mr. Stoneback with his comrades participated in many of the important battles of the war and endured the hardships and privations common to a soldier's life. Although frequently being in the thickest of the fight and engaging in the battle of Antietam and Chancellors- ville, he escaped without a wound, although con- tracting a disease from which he has never fully recovered. His army record was one reflecting credit upon him and at the close he received an honorable discharge.

R OBERT J. HUEY. One of the most prom- inent young men of Ogden Township is the one whose name stands at the head of this sketch. He resides on his farm on seetion 7, and takes a deep interest in the welfare of the neighborhood, being always ready to help push for- ward any legitimate enterprise which has for its ob- ject the improvement of the township. His abil- ity is recognized by those who know him best and his counsel is sought on all occasions of impor- tance.

Robert Huey, the father of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania, where he followed the oc- cupation of a farmer. In 1849, he caught the "gold fever " and went to California where he re- mained some time then went from there to Austra- lia, and after staying there a length of time. re- turned home. The mother, is Eliza (Benn) Iluey,

also a native of Pennslyvania. Their marriage took place in that State and it was also their home during the life-time of the father. His death oc- curred in 1856 and Mrs. Huey subsequently re- married, taking for her second husband, John E. Kaster. Their home is in Clarion County, Pa. By the first marriage there were two chil- dren ; the elder, Candace, died in infancy. Robert was born in Clarion County, Pa., Sept. 4, 1855. He was fortunate enough to secure a good common-school education besides attend- ing for a few terms, a good academy. Being thus well equipped for the struggle, he began the battle of life on a farm at the early age of fifteen years. Very wisely he did not regard his education as useless lumber to be cast aside for " practical knowledge " but utilized it to assist him in gaining a deeper insight into the workings of every-day life, and the result is, that although yet a young man, he is a successful one and likely to rise to still greater prominence and usefulness in his adopted State.

In 1876, during the month of October, our sub- ject left Pennsylvania and emigrated to Kansas. Ile first made his home with his uncle at Belvue, Pot- tawatomic County. In the Spring of 1883 he re- moved to Ogden where he bought eighty acres of land in the northeast quarter of section 7, town 11. range 7 east. The place was partly improved when Mr. Huey took possession of it and he has continued the improvements paying much attention to better- ing the quality of the soil. His efforts in the latter direction have proven very successful and are highly flattering to his ability as an advanced and pro- gressive farmer. He has at the present time about fifty acres under cultivation. In addition to rais- ing crops he also raises horses and hogs and trusts in the near future to have quite a large stock-farm.

Mr. Huey is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 281, of Ogden, and has held all the offices in the lodge. is at present sitting Past Grand, is also permanent Secretary. He has been a member of the School Board in Distriet 4, a position which his education eminently qualified him to fill. He was a Justice of the Peace one year and is now serving his second term as Township Trustee of Ogden Township. In politics he is active and efficient and throws the

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weight of his influence in favor of the Republican party. He was elected a delegate to the Congres- sional Convention at Clay Center, which met in July, 1886 and nominated John A. Anderson for Congress.

G EORGE FARRELL. Among the sturdy spirits who sought the wilds of Northern Kansas during its pioneer days, came Mr. Farrell, who may now be found at a well-regulated homestead in Exeter Township, on section 1. He comes of a substantial ancestry and was born on the other side of the Atlantic in Lancastershire, England, Nov. 27, 1825. His parents were Robert and Mary (Lawrence) Farrell who were natives respectively of Ireland and England.

When the subject of this sketch was three or four years old his parents removed to the North of Ire- land where he was reared to man's estate and re- ceived a limited education in the common schools. His habits of reading and observation, however, have made him an intelligent and well-informed man, fully capable of transacting all ordinary busi- ness and one with whom an hour may be spent in a pleasant and profitable manner. Mr. Farrell re- mained in Ireland until the spring of 1848 and then, a young man of twenty-one years, resolved upon seeking his fortunes in America. Repairing to Liverpool he embarked on the sailing vessel " Queen " which after a voyage of twenty-eight days landed him safely in New York City.

From this point young Farrell proceeded to Philadelphia, Pa., where he followed his trade of a weaver, and on the 12th of December, 1849 was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Ingraham. In the spring of 1855 he resolved upon a removal to the far West and crossing the Mississippi located in Monroe County. Iowa, among its earliest pio- neers. lle prosecuted farming there for a period of fifteen years, then coming to Northern Kansas located in the fall of 1870, in Clay County, of which he has since been a resident. He home- steaded 160 acres of land upon which no improve- ments had been made, whatever, and for a series of years bent his energies to the building up of the

homestead. He endured the hardships and priva- tions common to life on the frontier, and while watching the growth and development of his adopted county contributed materially to its well- fare. He identified himself with the United Pres- byterian Church in Iowa about 1860, and in poli- ties is a stanch supporter of the Republican party.

To our subject and his estimable wife there were born five children, the eldest, of whom, a son Will- iam H., is farming in Union Township; Robert is a resident of Blaine Township; John and James are living, the former in Nebraska, the latter in this county ; George is deceased. The mother of these children departed this life Jan, 8, 1889.

Robert Farrell was born in Monroe County, Iowa, June 18, 1856, and was fourteen years old when his parents came to Kansas, where he was reared to man's estate and has become one of the prominent and useful men of his community. He has a good farm of eighty acres on section 36, Blaine Township, and possesses in a marked degree the energy and perseverance of his sire. He has himself earned the property which he now owns, and is a steady-going, reliable man-one who en- joys the esteem of his neighbors and like his father votes the straight Republican ticket. IIe is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is meet- ing with success in his chosen calling.

F6 RISBY SHAFER JOHNSON, Superintend- ent of the Washington County Poor Farm, is making for himself a good record in this capacity and it is considered that he is faithfully earning the salary of $1,200 which forms one of the perquisites of the position. He came to Washing- ton County on the 3d of March, 1877, and in due time established himself as one of its most reliable citizens and was looked upon as one taking an in- terest in all that pertained to its prosperity and advancement. He is an Ohio man by birth, first opening his eyes to the light in Logan County, that State, Nov. 21, 1856.

John Jolmson, the father of our subject, was a | native of Kentucky and married for his second

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wife Miss Rachel Allman, the mother of Frisby S., who was born in Kentucky. After marriage the parents settled in Logan County, Ohio, and the father followed farming pursuits, building up a comfortable homestead where he and his estimable wife spent the remainder of their days. There were born to them five children, of whom Frisby S, was next to the youngest. John Shafer by a former marriage had become the father of six children. The family is considerably scattered but the most of them are residents of Ohio and Kansas.

The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days in the manner common to the sons of pioneer farmers, attending the district school in summer and being required to make himself useful around the homestead during the seasons of plowing, sow- ing and reaping. He lived with his parents on the old farm until reaching his majority and soon af- terward started out for himself, coming to this State and settling first in Little Blue Township, where his father had given him 160 acres of land on section 30. This land lay in its original condi- tion and Mr. Johnson made it his first business to put up a shelter for himself, in which he kept bach- elor's hall and proceeded with the improvement of his property. He thus lived until the latter part of 1879, and on the 3Ist of August, that year, took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Joanna Rose. This lady was born in Fulton County, Ohio, Aug. 8, 1862, and is the daughter of Peter and An- geline Rose, who came to Kansas in 1876 and set- tled in Washington County. Three years later they removed to Michigan and there spent their last days.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson commenced their wedded life on the farm where they lived until Mr. John- son was appointed to his present position, when they removed to the County Farm leaving the other in the hands of renters. But Mr. Johnson still superintends its operations.

The Washington County Poor Farm embraces 160 acres of land and is located on section 20, Lo- gan Township. Mr. Johnson was the first Super- intendent, it having only been purchased in the spring of 1888. It was opened with six inmates, The largest number at any time has been eleven and there is an average of abont nine. The

farm is self-supporting with the exception of the Superintendent's salary. Mr. JJohnson's farm is admirably adapted to fruit raising. He has a peach orchard of 500 trees and during the summer of 1889 sold $400 worth of this luscious fruit, some of the peaches being over ten inches in circumfer- ence.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the parents of two sons-Blaine and Ray. From the name of the first mentioned the politics of our subjeet may be readily guessed. He is a Republican of the first water, a man with decided views and opinions and one who is not easily turned from his convictions. He was elected one of the Trustees of Little Blue Township in the spring of 1888 and re-elected in 1889, but resigned to accept his present position. Socially he belongs to Lodge No. 276 I. O. O. F., at Barnes.

ACKSON M. PRIEST is the owner and occu- pant of a fertile farm on section 22. Logan Township, Washington County, where he settled in the spring of 1889, and to which he came from another part of the State. He was born in West Virginia Aug. 29, 1830, and was a son of Stephen and Mary ( Mendel) Priest. ITis parents were natives of West Virginia, whence they. some years after marriage, removed to Washington County, Ohio. Later they returned to Wetzel County, W. Va .. where the mother died June 17. 1859. The father survived until 1873 when he died, aged eighty-eight years. Valentine Mendel. the maternal grandfather of our subjeet, was a German, who settled in West Virginia. Ile mar- ried a Pennsylvania lady and reared a large family of children.

The gentleman of whom we write was the youn- gest of ten children born to his parents. His early life was spent in Ohio and West Virginia. He early learned the shoemaker's trade, and later the art of taking ambrotypes. He also engaged in the profession of teaching. He was not in the army during the late war but did good service in recruit- ing, spending time and money in that work. In 1869 he came to this State, making his first stop at

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Atehison. After a few months there be settled in Mayday Township, Riley County, where he took a homestead of 160 acres, on seetions 21, 27, and 28. He had no property when he came to Kansas, but by the exereise of thrift and industry he has been enabled to rear his family in comfort and to estab- lish himself on a good finaneial basis. In 1889, as above stated, he removed to this eounty.

Mr. Priest has been twice married. His first wife. Elizabeth Mount, with whom he was united in Washington County, Ohio, died two years and five months after their marriage, leaving no family. March 20, 1856, he became the husband of Mary J. Allen, daughter of Robert Allen, of West Virginia. The result of this union has been the birth of nine children-William A., John F., Leander J., Mary E., Quintelle U., Etha G., Samuel O., Harry A. and one who died in infancy.

Mr. Priest is a member of the Democratic party, but is not a striet party man. lle has held local offices, discharging their duties with diseretion. Ile belongs to the Church of Christ. with which he has been identified since the age of nineteen. A man of intelligence, industrious habits, friendly address and irreproachable character, Mr. Priest merits the esteem in which he is held.

W ILLIAM M. STILL. Among the self-made men worthy of mention in connection with the 'leading citizens of Ogden Township, Mr. Still should occupy a prominent position. De- prived of early advantages during his youth, he has had to struggle upward unaided except by the the resources with which nature endowed him. His career has been marked by great industry and per- severance, which have placed him in good cireum- stances financially. He is the owner of a valuable farm, where he has effected good improvements, and one of his chief desires now is to give to his chil- dren those advantages of which he was deprived in his youth. Ile is connected by marriage with some of the first families in the county, and is uni- versally respected by his fellow-citizens.

Of Southern antecedents, the subject of this

sketeh is the son of James Alfred Still, a native of Tennessee, a earpenter by trade, and also a farmer. The latter married Miss Lucina Cornwell in Ken- tucky, this lady being a native of the Blue Grass State, and they resided in that State until after the decease of the mother, which occurred in 1847. There were born to them nine children, of whom William M., next to the eldest, first opened bis eyes to the light, Dee. 11, 1833, at the home of his parents, in Marshall County, Ky.

When a lad of fifteen years, William Still left home, starting out in life for himself, and after being variously occupied, commenced running on a flat-boat on the Mississippi River. In 1854, he went into Mississippi County, Mo., and the follow- ing year came to Kansas Territory, accompanied by George and Jessie Edward. He settled on Solo- mon Forks, near the present site of Solomon City, and forty miles west of Ft. Riley, at which time there were two houses between there and the fort. One of these was ocenpied by Thomas Reynolds, and the other by James Lanning. A few months later young Still repaired to Ft. Riley and occupied himself in getting out logs for an old sawmill at Pawnee, which place was wiped out of existenee by order of the then Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis, in 1855. Later in the year, Mr. Still worked for a Mr. Morris on Eureka Lake, which lake Mr. Morris had named. In the spring of 1856 he went to Riley City and entered the employ of Fox Boothe, remaining with him during the summer, and when returning was employed by Joseph M. Myers. Later, he worked for James Dixon ( who is represented elsewhere in this work) putting up hay.

In the spring of 1857 Mr. Still rented land on Seven Mile Creek, and began farming. The next year he broke the first sod on his present place, and was the most northerly settler on Seven Mile Creek. In 1859, he rented a farm of C. M. Dyche, and in 1860 settled upon his present place, where he has since remained, with the exception of the time spent on a few trips on the plains. On the 23d of April. of that year, he took unto himself a wife and helpmate-Miss Catherine O'Malley, a sister of Mrs. Calvin M. Dyche, whose husband is represented elsewhere in this work.

July yours Mina Jauchche

Jours Very Truly august fachliche

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To Mr. and Mrs. Still there were born nine chil- dren, all of whom are living. Calvin M. married Bridget Quinn, is the father of two children (one deceased), and lives in Texas; Susan is the wife of J. C. Ryan, and the mother of one child; they live in Wabaunsee County, Kan .; Emeline is unmarried, and a resident of Texas; Mary Ellen, Daniel, Will- iam, Catherine, Allen and Sarah remain at home with their parents. Mrs. Still and the children are all members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Still, politieally, is rather conservative, but gives his sup- port to the Democratic party. He is the Treasurer of School District No. 32, and has been a member of the Board for a dozen years.

The Still homestead forms one of the most beau- tiful pictures in the landscape of Ogden Township. The estate includes 880 acres of land, 240 of which are under the plow, and the balance is pasture and meadow. The residence is a fine stone structure, a story and a half in height, and adjacent is the sub- stantial barn and other buildings usually required by the intelligent and progressive farmer. There is an orchard of 100 apple trees, besides the smaller fruits, and fifty grape vines. Mr. Still feeds all the grain he raises to his live-stock, and has the pres- ent season (1889) 160 head of cattle, thirteen head of horses, and a very large herd of swine. The farming operations are conducted in that systematic manner which seareely fails of satisfactory results.

UGUST JAEDICKE. In recounting the history of the origin of Hanover, Kan., and the German settlement surrounding it. the name of Mr. Jaedieke will ever oceupy a prominent and honored place. Among the most valuable citizens who have sought the American shore from across the Atlantic, the native born German unquestionably stands at the head. The sons of the Fatherland have not only proven a power in the development of the great West, but in lending their genius, their excellent judgment and their strong fidelity to the right, in molding governmental affairs and in upholding the laws in all sections of the great nation which they have ae-

cepted as their own and for which they have done so much. As above stated, our subject is especially identified with the early history of Hanover, he having erected the first building in the place, kept the first store ever opened here and was also the Postmaster during all these years, with the excep- tion of a short period of three years, when for po- lical reasons he had to make room for another.

In the history of the life of Mr. Jaedicke are many valuable lessons for the rising generation. The young men who are preparing themselves for active life may read with interest and with profit the sketch we will record in these pages of this es- teemed eitizen. He came here possessing but little means and with a partner started a small store and by closest attention to business, together with the exercise of economy and sagacity he prospered and was soon enabled to buy out the interest of his partner. He assumed control of the entire business and entered upon a career which has not only been pre-eminently successful as far the accumulation of means are concerned, but in being useful to the community with which he is thoroughly identified and making a honorable record as a business man and public-spirited citizen. He has proven him- self a friend to many a struggling neighbor and in this way has especially endeared himself to many who are to-day, well-to-do people. In 1878 be built the first brick business house ever erected in the town. It is a splendid building, 30x80 feet and fit to graee the street of any of the larger cities of the State. In this building he carried on busi- ness with unusual suecess until May 1st, 1889, which completed more than twenty years in the mercantile business in this place, he having first opened his store in 1868.

Our subjeet has ever been foremost in all publie enterprises and we therefore naturally find him at the head of the movement to organize the Ilanover State Bank, which organization was completed July 20, 1889. He was chosen President and his eldest son, August Jaedicke, Jr., was elected cashier. This young man has been especially qualified for the po- sition having received a splendid education, which was supplemented by a commercial course at Quiney, Ill. The Ilanover State Bank, which has already proven a great convenience and in fact a

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rich blessing to the people of this community, opened its doors Aug. 1st, 1889. Business was transacted in Mr. Jaedicke's office at the time and where it will remain until the completion of the splendid new bank building which is now being erected. This building, which occupies space 30x60 feet on the corner of North and Hollenberg streets, will be supplied with all the modern con- veniences and appliances for safety which modern architecture has devised. Upon the opposite corner he has erected a most elegant brick residence which has but recently been completed. It is supplied with all of the conveniences and embellishments which a man of wealth and good taste could desire. Besides this he has interested himself considerably in real estate and now owns about twenty-five houses in the city and upwards of 800 acres of fine farming land in the vicinity. All of this immense property Mr. Jaedicke has accumulated by his own efforts during the last twenty-five 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 23

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

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