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 25

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 25
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 25
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 25

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Mr. Foote is a believer in and a supporter of the principles of the Republican party. Mrs. Foote belongs to the Reformed Presbyterian Church. of which her husband is an attendant. Among their fellow-citizens they are held in high repute for their many fine traits of character, their hospital- ity, and their desire for the improvement of society in all that makes the best citizenship.

G EORGE S. ELWOOD. The farming and stock-raising interests of the county of Washington are ably represented by the above named gentleman, who is the proprietor of the well-know " Round Grove Stock Farm." The broad expanse of Kansas affords no farm that is better improved than this. It is located on sec- tion 17, Greenleaf Township, two miles from the town of Greenleaf. On the 240 acres that surround the fine residence, the owner carries on agriculture and stock-raising, giving the most of his attention to the stock business. He is a typical Western stock-man-plain in dress and manners, shrewd in business, thoroughly honest, and of the most pro- nounced liberality. As an illustration of his char- acter we mention the following incident. In 1886, he imported some cattle from southwestern Arkan- sas that were afterwards found to have the Texas fever. The disease spread rapidly and caused the death of a great many cattle throughout the county. On learning this fact, Mr. Elwood paid for them all without entering into any litigation. The sum expended in settlement amounted to as much as $75,000. Notwithstanding this misfortune, and the fact that Mr. Elwood has given away a small

fortune, it is pleasing to note that he is yet in good financial circumstances. Besides his fine rural home, he owns a great deal of property in Green- leaf, of which town he was one of the builders.

George S. Elwood was born in Mercer County, Pa., Nov. 10. 1852. His father, James C., was born in the same county, April 14, 1817, and there lived until 1858. He then removed to Jackson County, Iowa, where he remained until 1869, thence removing to Linn County, the same State. In 1879 he again changed his residence, locating near Greenleaf, this county, where he has since re- sided. He is a man of considerable means and has followed farming and the stock business all his life. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Thomas Elwood, a native of Ireland, and one of the first settlers of Mereer County, Pa., and a soldier in the War of 1812. Two of his brothers were killed at Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Jane Riley. She was also born in Mercer County. and her paternal ancestors were, like those of her husband, among the first settlers there. She is a daughter of John and Barbara (Simons) Riley, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, re- spectively, and first saw the light Aug. 6, 1818. Members of her family participated in the wars of the Revolution and 1812. She still survives, hav- ing passed her three-score years and ten. Her union with James Elwood resulted in the birth of ten children, of whom brief mention is made as fol- lows: Thomas is now an attorney-at-law at Maquoketa, Iowa; John T., is a farmer and stock- raiser in this county ; James, Cornelius and Lewis are deceased; next in order comes our subject; Ruth, now the wife of Sylvester D. Mitchell, re- sides on a farm in Osborne County ; Richard, is a farmer and stock man in Ness County. The two youngest children were twins, named Hiram and Henry. Henry is now living in this county en- gaged in farming and stock-raising; Hiram was engaged in the same occupation in this county pre- vious to his death, which occurred in 1884.

The subject of this notice was reared in Jackson County, Iowa, until the age of seventeen, when the family removed to Linn County. In 1872, he left that county and began dealing in stock, operat-

ROUND GROVE FARM. RESIDENCE OF GEO. S. ELWOOD, 1 MILE S.W. OF GREENLEAF, KANSAS .

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ing in Kansas, Nebraska, lowa, Indian Territory, Missouri, etc. He followed this ocenpation until 1880,"when he bought a farm on section 19, Green- leaf Township and there located. Ile has since changed his residence to section 17, as before men- tioned.

In Linn County, Iowa, Mr. Elwood made the acquaintance of Miss Nancy Crow, born in that county May 3, 1856. She is the daughter of Ed- ward M. and Sarah E. (Lewis) Crow. Her father settled in that county in 1836, on the farm where he still lives, and enjoys the distinction of having been the first white man to enter the county. Miss Crow was a young lady of noble character and high attainments which fitted her for any position in life; she also possessed the domestic virtues needful to a happy home. The acquaintance be- tween our subject and this young lady ripened into esteem, and on Sept. 12, 1876, they were united in marriage. Their union has resulted in the birth of one child. Jesse C.

Mr. Elwood is not an active politician but casts his vote with the Republican party. Though of a genial nature, Mr. Elwood does not belong to any social organization preferring to devote his time to his extended business and to the pleasures of home. A view of Round Grove Stock Farm and the beau- tiful residence of Mr. Elwood accompanies this sketch.

UGH ROSS. Were the early pioneers of Northern Kansas a literary people, posses- sing the pen of a ready writer, they could unfold a tale of life on the frontier, which would prove that "truth is stranger than fiction." Their children of to-day, living iu comfortable homes, and enjoying many of the luxuries of mod- ern life, scarcely realize the sacrifices endured by those who largely for their sakes braved difficulties and dangers, and toiled from year to year in the building up of a homestead. Among the settlers of 1870, is the subject of this notice, who took up a homestead claim of 160 acres when a young man prior to his marriage, and laid the foundations of

success and comfort in the future. Upon this place when he assumed possession, there was not a tree or a bush, and not a shelter for his head, and for a time he made his home with his brothers Donald, Walter and his sister Katie, on an adjoining farm, until ready to establish a home of his own. With this end in view he in time put up a little frame house 12x16 feet in dimensions. Then returning to Canada, he was married Feb. 16, 1877, to Miss Jessie, daughter of Alexander and Kate ( McDon- ald) Sutherland.

After his marriage Mr. Ross proceeded with the improvement of his property, making fences, set- ting out fruit and forest trees. including sixty ap- ple trees, together with plum and cherry trees. Later he erected a more commodious dwelling and a good barn with corn cribs, a granary, and the other structures necessary for the shelter of stock, and the storage of grain. His farm machinery in- cludes a wind-mill and other labor-saving con- trivances. When first coming here, Mr. Ross frequently saw large droves of antelopes and deer bounding over the long prairie-grass. He has watched the growth and development of Northern Kansas with that interest only felt by the intelli- gent and enterprising citizen, who considers the well-being of his fellowmen as not among the least of his concerns.

Of late years Mr. Ross has made a specialty of stoek, raising Short-horn cattle, Norman and Clyde horses, and Poland-China swine. To these lie feeds most of the grain raised upon his place. His fam- ily included five children, viz: Walter G., Alexan- der H., Donald C., and John C., Katie E., the fourth child dying at the interesting age of three and one- half years. Mr. Ross, politically, gives his sup- port to the Republican party, and is a member in good standing of Clifton Lodge No. 40, A. O. U. W.

The birth-place of Mr. Ross was in Oxford County, Province of Ontario, Canada, and the date thereof March 6, 1841. He attended the common- school during his younger years, and afterward worked considerably as a barn carpenter. The par- ents of Mrs. Ross were natives of Scotland, and members of the Presbyterian Church. They emi- grated to America with their respective parents.

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and were married in Canada, where the father died in March, 1885. The mother is still living there. Mr. Ross and his family are members in good stand- ing of the Presbyterian Church in which he offi- ciates as a Trustee.

ACOB SCHWAB, JR. Among those who have redeemed a portion of the raw prairie of Mulberry Township from its primitive condition, the subject of this notice is worthy of special mention. He is thoroughly versed in agricultural pursuits as has been fully illustrated through his operations on his fine farm of 160 acres, occupying a quarter of section 36. He took possession of this in 1880, soon after landing in America. after an ocean voyage from Switzer- land. Ile was born in the canton of Berne, Sept. 15, 1842, and is the offspring of a highly respected old Swiss family, his father being Jacob Schwab, Sr. The latter crossed the ocean in 1878, and is now living with his son Frank, in Bloom Town- ship, Kan., being an old man of seventy-six years. Ile married a lady of his own country, who died in Switzerland when forty-two years old, and when their son, our subject, was a youth of eighteen years, The family were Presbyterians in religion.

The subject of this sketch was the eldest in a family of four sons and three daughters. His child- hood and youth passed in an uneventful manner under the home roof, he in the meantime acquiring a practical education, and learning the trade of a miller, which he followed until coming to America. Ile was married, in 1863, to Miss Anna Affolter, a · maiden of his own canton, and who accompanied him to the United States. Her father, Samuel Af- folter, was likewise of Swiss birth and parentage, and spent his entire life amid the romantic scenery of his native land. Ile was a farmer by occupa- tion, an honest and industrious citizen, who enjoyed the esteem and confidence of all who knew him. Both he and his wife were members of the Presby- terian Church; the latter is still living in Switzer- land, and is now seventy-five years old.

Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schwab,

the eldest of whom, Godfrey, married Miss Rosa Hertig, and is farming in Mulberry Township, Clay County ; Arnold remains at home with his parents; Minnie is the wife of Fred Affolter, and they live on a farm in Bloom Township; Frank re- mains at home; Mary is the wife of Rudolph Fur- rer, and they live on a farm in Mulberry Township. The younger children are: Frederick, Lizzie, Emil, and Frieda. Mr. and Mrs. Schwab are Presby- terians in religious faith, and Mr. Schwab, politi- cally, is a stanch Democrat,

R OBERT J. HALL, a leading farmer and stock-raiser of Exeter Township, owns and occupies a good homestead on section 3, He was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., July 23, 1820, and is the son of James and Jane (Jameson) Hall, who were natives of Ireland. Robert J. was the fifth son of a family of ten chil- dren, and was reared to manhood on a farm in his native State, remaining under the home roof until a youth of seventeen years. He then began learn- ing the carpenter's trade, which he followed in con- nection with farming nearly all his life.

The subject of this sketch was married Dec. 23, 1843, to Miss Martha J. Dunlap, a native of his own county, and a daughter of John and Martha Dunlap, who spent their last years in Pennsylvania. This union resulted in the birth of ten children, six of whom are living: John is a resident of Osage County. this State; James lives in Idana, Kan .; Robert C. is a resident of Loup County, Neb .; El- mira married John Crawford, of Dickinson County ; Martha E. is the wife of Thomas Hargis, of Law- rence; Margaret is in Lawrence.

After the outbreak of the Civil War Mr. Hall was drafted, in September, 1862, into the 168th Pennsylvania Militia, and was under the command of Gen. Foster in North Carolina. He was in the service about eight months, and most of the time officiated as Clerk of the brigade in the Quarter- master's Department. He was therefore not en- gaged in any active fighting, and received his honorable discharge in the spring of 1863.

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Returning now to Pennsylvania, Mr. Hall, in 1863, made his way thence to Tama County, Iowa, where he resided for a period of seventeen years. He came to Clay County, Kan .. in 1880, settling in Exeter Township, on his present farm of 120 acres, which he has brought to a good state of cultivation and effected good improvements thereon. Both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Presbyterian Church at Idana. Politically, Mr. Hall votes the Republican ticket and favors prohibition.

B ENJAMIN PYM has been a resident of Washington County since the spring of 1877. The greater part of his life has been spent in the profession of teaching. Being compelled to abandon pedagogism on account of failing health, he has recently devoted his atten- tion to the management of his farm. It is located on section 16, Sheridan Township, and is carefully and intelligently tilled. The residence is a stone structure, and adequate stables and other outbuild- ings are conveniently disposed about it. An orchard of 100 apple trees, a number of plum trees, a plentiful supply of raspberries and a vineyard of 100 stands of grapes adorn and add to the value of the place.

Mr. Pym was born in Somersetshire, England, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Morgan) Pym. His birth took place April 4, 1835, and five years later his parents came to the United States. They located in Cayuga County, N. Y., where they still live. There they reared their family of five children, of whom our subject is the third. The parents are members of the Established Church of England, as were their ancestors as far as known. The father is engaged in farming.

The gentleman of whom we write was reared and educated in Cayuga County, being the recip- ient of the advantages afforded him in the village school. He removed to Illinois while yet a young man, and there he remained for many years. Twenty-five years of his residence there were spent

in the profession of teaching. Fifteen consecutive years he taught in one school. In 1871 he bought a quarter section of school land in this county. In 1877, as before stated, he took possession of the place, which was at that time raw prairie. IIe taught four terms after coming to this county, and then turned his attention to agriculture.

Mr. Pym was married in Illinois to Ellen, daughi- ter of Moses and Eliza (Pitts) Young. She is an intelligent and amiable lady, and a fitting mate for the man to whom she gave her heart and hand. She was born in Maine, of which State her grand- parents were residents for many years. Her paternal grandparents were William and Mary (Kel- ler) Young; her maternal grandparents were Abner and Jane (Malcolm) Pitts. Iler parents removed to Jo Daviess County, Ill., in 1855. whence, in the spring of 1871, they came to this State. They located on section 21 of this town- ship and county, and there improved a farm of 160 acres. Selling the estate, they removed to Clifton, where the father died in September, 1883. The mother subsequently married Carl Niles, and is now living in Clifton Township. Mrs. Pym is the oldest of seven children born to her parents. Three of her brothers and sisters still survive. The un- ion of Mr. and Mrs. Pym has been blessed by the birth of three children: Eloise E., now Mrs. Louis W. Lawrence, lives in Parkersville, Kan .; Joseph- ine J. and William remain under the parental roof. Mr. Pym belongs to the Clifton Lodge, A. F. & A. M.

ULIUS A. HUBERT. The intelligent and affable young gentleman who is the agent of the Union Pacific Railroad at Ogden, is the subject of this notice. Although young in years he is not a novice in experience, as he has served the Company in one capacity or another long enough to gain their implicit confidence in his integ- rity and ability to manage their affairs to the best advantage. Ile belongs to a family who were among the oldest settlers of the State, and his own charm of manner has won for him hosts of friends who

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admire and love him for his own sake, as well as respect him for the sake of his parents.

The father of our subject was Frederick Hubert, a native of Hamburg, Germany. He was a brewer by trade and followed his occupation in his native place until his departure for this country. The mother of Mr. Hubert, is a native of Berlin, Germany, in which city their marriage was cele. brated and from which place they emigrated to America in 1856. They landed in New York and at onee proceeded on their way toward Kansas. Upon entering the State they first made choice of Leavenworth in which to settle, but subsequently moved to Ogden, making the journey by means of an ox team. They moved into the "old double stone house," the first one built in Ogden. As soon as possible after their arrival Mr. Hubert built a brewery and commenced business, but aft- erward gave it up, selling out to Theodore Weich- selbaum. He then turned his attention to farming, to which he confined himself exclusively during the remainder of his life. Mr. and Mrs Hubert were the parents of three children, all of whom are now living and doing well for themselves. Mrs. Ilubert had previously been married to Herman Haacke, a native of Germany, who died in Amer- ica. and by whom she became the mother of six children, four of whom are still in the enjoyment of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The names of Mrs. Hubert's children are: Hubert Haseke, a resident of Junction City, where he is night operator for the Union Pacific Railroad; Anna lives at home; Franz S. is agent at Wamego for the Union Pacific; Herman is agent at Lenape, also for the Union Pacific Railroad. By the sec- ond marriage the children are: Julius A., the sub- ject of this sketch, who is agent at Ogdensburg for the Union Pacific Railroad; Paulina lives with her mother; and Carl A., who also lives at home.

Our subjeet was born April 4, 1868, in an old log house in Ogden, where he also attended school and grew to man's estate among his relatives and school companions. To a naturally bright and active mind he added the virtues of industry and close application to study, without which even the brightest minds amount to but little: henee, at a very early age he was sufficiently well educated to

make a practical application of the knowledge ob- tained in school by commencing a business career for himself. He learned telegraphy in the little office at Ogden, in which place also his brothers had previously learned the same business. The office at Ogden has constantly been in charge of some member of the Hubert family for twenty years. The present incumbent took possession of it on August 24, 1888. He has been in thie employ of the Pacific Railroad Company for four years. His first position with them was at Wamego, where he remained nearly two years. While there he was thrown from a moving engine and sustained serious internal and external injuries which incapacitated him from work for some time. When somewhat bet- ter he was transferred to Miltonvale, where be remained six weeks, then returned to Wamego for a short time when he was placed in charge in Ogden. 4

Mr. ITubert has just reached that happy period in the life of a young man when he casts his first vote. He takes quite a deep interest in political affairs, and will count one for the Republican side of the house in all future elections, as he is an ar- dent believer in the principles of that party. Our subject is a member of the order of Railroad Tele- graphers, an organization which he became united with in June, 1888. Ilis brothers, Hubert, Franz and Herman are also members of the same order. Mrs. Hubert, the mother, and all the family are connected with the Lutheran Church, and are reg- ular and devout attendants upon its services. So- cially, intellectually and morally the ITubert family are widely known for their many estimable quali- ties and are among the most prominent people of Riley County.

ONAS D. SCHOOLEY. Bloom Township has no better citizen than Mr. Schooley, one of its most practical and substantial farmers, who may usually be found at his headquar- quarters on section 17, where he has 158 acres of well-developed land, fertile and watered by the

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Republican River. The property which he has thus accumulated is the result of diligence and in- dustry exercised during the years of his early man- hood, when he commenced in life without other resources than those which nature had given him.

Mr. Schooley came to his present place from Five Creek Township, where, in 1871, he had homesteaded land at a time when the present flour- ishing city of Clay Center was a hamlet of a few houses. Ile improved his land, setting out an orchard and other trees, and erecting farm build- ings. Later, in 1885, he traded this for his pres- ent farm. He was born in Broad Run District, Loudoun Co., Va., Sept. 4, 1846, and lived there until 1869, when he emigrated to Iowa and settled in Jasper County, of which he was a resident two years, coming thence to Kansas.

The father of our subject was Jonas P. Schooley. likewise a native of the Old Dominion, and the de- scendant of an old Pennsylvania family, which crossed the ocean with William Penn. Jonas P. made his own way in the world from boyhood, en- gaging first in farming pursuits, and then in mer- chandising. He was successful, financially, and left at his death a fine property. He was a promi- nent man in his county, and represented his State and district in the Legislature as a member of the Lower House and a Senator. Through his in- fluence there was enacted the school law of Vir- ginia, providing for the education of its poorer population. He died in Loudoun County, in Janu- ary, 1870, at the age of eighty four years, being thrown from a borse, and receiving injuries from which he soon expired. In early manhood he af- filiated with the old Whig party, and later joined the Republicans. During the Civil War he was a stanch supporter of the Union, and lost both friends and property on account of expressing his views upon this and the subject of slavery. At one time he was largely interested in the Point of Rocks mines. For the poor he always had a word of sym- pathy and substantial aid, and was universally pop- ular among his fellow-citizens.

Mrs. Sarah A. (Smith) Schooley was likewise a native of Loudoun County, Va. She is still living. making her home with her children in the Old Dominion, and finds her religious consolation in

the doctrines of the Episcopal Church. Jonas P. Schooley was reared in the Society of Friends, and naturally clung to the faith which had been tauglit him in childhood. To him and his wife, Sarah. there was born a large family of children, who were all given a thorough education, and who are mostly engaged in agricultural pursuits. Annetta is the wife of the Rev. Curtis Grubb, a well-known missionary of the Episcopal Church to the East Indies.

Upon reaching man's estate, Jonas D. Schooley was married, in his native county, to Miss Molly Hollingsworth, in September, 1869. This lady was born the 25th of August, 1852, in Loudoun County, Va., and is the daughter of Charles and Nancy (Wetherel) Hollingsworth, likewise natives of that county, and who are yet living on a farm in the vicinity of Waterford. They are people highly respected, and active members of the Friends' Church of the Hicksite order. Mrs. Schooley was well reared by her pious parents, and grew up to a worthy and attractive womanhood. She is now the mother of five children, viz: Edna E., Silas D .. Katie R., Charles C. and Honora, who are all at home with their parents. Mr. Schooley, politically. is a sound Republican, and has held most of the township offices. Early in life he associated him- self with the Masonic fraternity, and is now a member of Blue Lodge, at Clay Center.

OHN H. PRIEST. This gentleman, who has been a resident of Washington County but ten years, is the owner and occupant of a fine farm on section 32, Logan Township. Ten years ago, this quarter-section was unimproved prairie land. It now has upon it a good set of farm buildings, and bears the appearance of a farm which has been settled for twenty years. Its fine appearance is due to the energy of its owner, who has been unusually successful in improving his land. Upon first coming to Kansas he engaged in sheep raising, but subseqently turned his attention chiefly to the raising of horses, cattle and hogs.

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lle also carried on his trade of a blacksmith, having a shop at Greenleaf, which is only a mile distant from his home.

The parents of our subject, Joseph and Elizabeth (Saddler) Priest, were natives of Staffordshire, England. There they grew to maturity, and after their marriage emigrated to Nova Scotia, then to the United States, in about the year 1829. Mr. Priest was a eable chain maker, and was associated with two of his brothers in that trade, the firm owning a factory in New York City. After several years residenee in the metropolis he removed to Ogdens- burg, where he followed the trade of a blacksmith. About the year 1844 he removed to Wisconsin, where he spent the remainder of his life. IIe resided at different places in that State, but prin- cipally at Omro, Winnebago County, and later at Delhi, in the same county. While living in the latter place he and his wife died, she having sur- vived her husband several years. The family in- eluded five girls and four boys. The daughters are: Ann, Susannah, Caroline and Emily, still liv- ing, and Elizabeth, deceased. The sons are: Jo- ram. at Detroit; William, at Moline; Samnel, at Oskosh, and our subject, all of whom are black- smiths by trade.

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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 25

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

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