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 31

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 31
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 31
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 31

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

After a residence of five years in that and Cedar County, the same State, he sold out and returned to Ohio. Among the friends of his youth and in the old homestead with his father, he continued to live until the death of the latter. Four years after that event, in 1882. he again sold his posessions, including the family residence, and once more started Westward, seeking a home where fertile soil and a balmy climate enhanced the pleasures of living. He is now comfortably situated, and with his good wife receives the respect of the entire com- munity. He has improved his farm. dividing and subdividing it into lots, putting up good fencing and erecting buildings essential to the proper car- rying on of a modern estate. A view of his resi- dence is presented on another page of this volume, and the interior arrangements correspond with the exterior, reflecting on every side the careful hand of the housewife.

The father and mother of our subject were Joseph and Mary ( Morris) King, natives respect- ively of Chester County, Pa., and North Carolina. After their marriage they located in Belmont County, Ohio, and from there removed to Morgan County, the same State, where their death occurred. Their family consisted of six sons and five daugh- ters. our subject being the third in order of birth. Ile was born in Penn Township, Morgan Co., Ohio, March 9, 1823, and was reared to manhood on his father's farm, continuing to live there until he was ready to establish a home of his own. He was then united in marriage with Miss Ruth Ball, the ceremony being solemnized in Morgan County, Ohio, Jan. 23, 1845. Mrs. King is the daughter of David and Julia A. (Parsons) Ball, the former a native of Loudoun County, Va., and the latter of Maryland. At their home in Jefferson County, Ohio, their daughter, Ruth, was born April 22, 1828. Subsequently they removed to Morgan County, Ohio, and in that, place closed their eyes to the scenes of earth.

When Mr. King for a second time decided to locate in the West, he chose for his home Mahaska County, Iowa, but being dissatisfied with it, he moved further toward the setting sun, and in Feb- ruary, 1883, located in this county in the town of Washington. At the expiration of two years he

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moved to a farm, which he had purchased in Au- gust, 1882, and here he has since made his home, bringing the 80-aere tract of land to a high state of cultivation, besides becoming the owner of 160 acres in Lowe Township.

Of the seven children born to our subject and his estimable wife, four are deceased, namely : Julia A., the eldest who died when five years old; Amos, who died at the age of eight; David F. and Susan, both of whom died in infancy. Of the remaining children, Joseph married Miss M. A. Turner; Mary is the wife of Isaac Haines; William O. lives with his father. He was elected Township Trustee in the fall of 1888 and is now filling that office to the general satisfaction of the community.

Mr. King is a Republican of long standing, and has filled various school offices, taking, at all times, an active interest in educational matters. He and his wife are members of the Society of Friends. They are possessed of fine social qualities, and are always interested in any movement which has for its object the advancement of the county.

RCHIBALD GARDNER. The early pio- neers of Clay County, were usually men equipped with those qualities of resolu- tion and perseverance which enabled them to overcome the many difficulties which beset them at the time of taking up their abode on the frontier. The traveler through this section in an early day, would have found Mr. Gardner established in a cottonwood shanty in Sherman Township, in the midst of a wild and unbroken country, working with imperfect implements the primitive soil. He thus labored a few years and in the mean time erected other buildings most needed, fenced his premises. planted an orchard and otherwise trans- formed his land into the semblance of a homestead. We find him in a commodious frame dwelling, sur- rounded by full grown fruit and shade trees, his land in a highly productive condition and himself comfortably fixed financially and otherwise. The term self-made may be most properly applied to

Mr. Gardner, as he commenced in life dependent upon his own resources, owing no man anything, financially or otherwise.

The subject of this biographical outline was born in Madison County, Iowa, in 1841. About 1858 his parents Cummings and Elizabeth (Wynn) Gardner, removed to Mercer County, Ill., where the father died in 1867, leaving a family of seven sons and two daughters. Three of the sons-Elijah, William and Archibald served as soldiers in the Union army during the late Civil War-Elijah in Company K, 102d Illinois Infantry three years as a private and William and Archibald in Company A, 30th Illinois Infantry. In the winter of 1862- 63 William was captured at Memphis, Tenn., and killed by guerillas as was reported by those who were his companions in misfortune. William and Archibald had enlisted in August, 1861. The latter served until August, 1864, when he received his honorable discharge and returned to Illinois.

In the spring of 1865, Mr. Gardner re-enlisted in Company E, 61st Illinois Infantry and served until the close of the war. Then returning to Illi- mois he resumed farming in that State until about 1868, when be removed to Monroe County, Iowa, and purchased a farm which he operated until the spring of 1870. His next removal was to this State and he homesteaded 134 acres on section 5, Sher- man Township, Clay County, where he now resides. He was one of the first settlers in this region and has seen the country develop from a wilderness into the abode of an intelligent and prosperous people.

Before leaving Illinois Mr. Gardner was married to Miss Mary J., daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Mc- Guire) Wynn. Mrs. Gardner was born in Indiana and lived with her parents until becoming mistress of her own home. She is now the mother of three living children-Emma, Grant and Clara. John M. and Charles are deceased. Mrs. Gardner is a very benevolent lady and a member of the Relief Corps. She also belongs to the Baptist Church in which Mr. Gardner is a Trustee and one of the pillars. As an ex-soldier Mr. Gardner is identified with the G. A. R., of Clifton, in which he has held several offices and is at present the Sen- ior Vice Commander, He considers that the period

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of his life spent in defense of the Union is one of which he has abundant reason to be proud. He went into the fight conscientiously and was one of the many who did their duty faithfully and well and whose career forms a part of the unwritten history of that terrible struggle.

ARRETT L. ROBBINS. In enumerating the pleasant homes of Coleman Township, men- tion very properly belongs to that of Mr. Robbins, represented by a fine view else_ where in this volume, together with the surround- ings of ornamental and fruit trees and the gentle slope of pasture land. The farm comprises 160 fertile acres, and is carefully and intelligently man- aged. Fully five aeres have been planted with trees, among which are 200 apple trees, besides cherry, pear, and a variety of small fruits. In the fall Mr. Robbins manufactured sorghum from the cane raised in the neighborhood. On his own place, in 1889, he raised eighteen aeres, which will yeld about twenty barrels.

The gentleman of whom we write is a son of Eli Robbins, of Henry County, Ind., whenee his parents had removed from North Carolina. In Henry County our subject was born, Sept. 1, 1850. When he was a child of but three years his parents removed to Iowa, spending about seven years near Grinnell. Thenee they removed to Missouri, where they stayed until the war, moving away from that State, and again taking up a residence in lowa. There Mr. Eli Robbins enlisted in the Union ser- vice as a member of Company K., 36th Iowa In- fantry. Ile died of small pox, in St. Louis, Mo., leaving a family of three sons and three daughters. The widow, with her family, remained in Iowa un- til 1870. During these years one of the daughters

was married. At the date above mentioned, the rest of the family, including the widowed mother, came to Kansas. They settled in this county, near where our subjeet now lives. Jarrett Robbins took up a claim which comprised the southwest quarter of seetion 24, in what is now known as Enosdale. After having lived on the place three

years he sold out and bought small places in Cole- man, In 1884 he bought the eighty aeres which form a part of his present comfortable home.

The wife of our subject bore the maiden name of Phœbe A. Barbee. She is a daughter of David Barbee, who came to this county at the same time with our subjeet. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins are the parents of eight children, all living: Louisa A. married Marion Dalrymple, a farmer of Coleman Township; they have one child. Amanda A. mar- ried T. S. Dalrymple, brother of Marion; her husband is also engaged in farming in Coleman Township. William is a young man, but still at home. Charles E .. Sarah Ellen. Lueinda .J., Emma, and Effie (the baby) complete the family circle.

Mr. Robbins is a Republican, and is quite aetive in local politics. Ile belongs to the Protestant Methodist Church, in which he holds license to preach. He is a man of honor in his business rela- tions, kindly in social and domestic life, and is respected by all who know him.

AVID S. LESHER. This gentleman is one of the young farmers of Washington County, and destined in time to become one of her leading citizens. He is a resi- dent of Haddam Township, where he owns the southeast quarter of section 17. The farm is pleas- antly located, and supplied with the usual improve- ments made by an enterprising farmer. The residence is new, neatly constructed, and of home- like aspect. The place is further beautified by groves and a good orchard, and is neatly fenced. The owner of this comfortable estate is blessed with an excellent education, fine principles, and the genial nature which makes friends wherever he goes.

The paternal grandfather of our subjeet was David Lesher, a native of Lancaster, Pa. He was an early settler in Cumberland County, of that State, where he cleared a tract of land sufficient for two farms, and engaged in agriculture. lle was gathered to his fathers in 1856.

Casper Lesher, the father of our subject, was

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born in Cumberland County, Pa. He engaged in agriculture and speculated considerably in land in his native State. He made several trips West, and finally determined to become a resident nearer to the setting sun. In 1864 he removed to Pierce County, Wis., and purchased a farm of eighty acres. In 1871 he changed his residence to Buchi- anan County. Iowa, where he bought land. Two years later he again moved, his new location being in St. Croix County, Wis. After a sojourn of a year he bought 400 acres of wild land in Sac County, lowa, for which he paid $3.50 per acre. He improved and operated that farm until 1882, and was financially successful. In 1883 he sold out, and removing to Gage County, Neb., bought a farm near Wymore. He now owns three farms. After a year's residence in Nebraska, he came to Grant Township, this county, and purchased 320 acres of land. He did not operate it himself, how- ever, but having bought the hotel property in Haddam, kept the hotel for a year. At the expi- ration of that time he located on a farm, which is well improved and carefully tilled. He is a Re- publican in principle and practice. The office of Justice of the Peace is now held by him. Ile is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Margaret Cook. She was likewise a na- tive of the Key Stone State, having been born in Perry County. Her father was a farmer of that State, wherein he died. Her union with Casper Lesher resulted in the birth of nine children. The eldest child, Mary, is a cripple, and resides with her parents; the second child is the gentleman of whom we write; following him came Clara, now Mrs. Kinney, residing in this township; Jacob, a farmer in Coleman Township; Hays, a farmer in Haddam Township; Elsworth, of Coleman Town- ship; John, engaged in farming the homestead; Sheridan, in the Clipper office, Hladdam; and Lu- ella, now Mrs. Tebo, of Strawberry Township.

David S. Lesher, the subject of this sketeli, was horn near Newbury, Cumberland Co., Pa., Dec. 3, 1851. Ile was reared upon a farm, and until the age of twelve his home was in his native State. Ile received the advantages of a good common school training, both there and in Wisconsin, to

which State the family removed. In 1873 he lo- cated on 120 acres of land in Sae County, Iowa, which land he improved and made into a good farm. In the fall of 1885 he sold out, and came by team to this county, crossing the Missouri River at Plattsmouth. He came to Haddam, and bought his present place, paying $2,000 for the 160 acres, only forty of which were broken. He now has eighty acres broken. and the estate otherwise im- proved, as before stated. He devoted his attention principally to the raising of corn and hogs, and also raises Durham cattle.

In Sac County, Iowa, April 6, 1876, Mr. Lesher was united in marriage with Miss Agnes Palmer. She was born in Jackson County, Iowa, and is a well educated lady and possessed of many domestic virtues. The union has been blessed by the birth of three children-Edwin, Bertha and Ethel.

During his residence in Iowa, Mr. Leshier, for a short time, followed the profession of a pedagogue. He was quite prominent in politics there. He served as Constable and School Director, and also on the Petit Jury. Since coming to this county he has been connected with the school offices, and is at present Clerk of the School Board. He is a straight Republican. Ile is identified with the Protestant Methodist Church at Haddam, and is at present a Trustee of that organization.

OHN A. SIMONS, one of the most public- spirited men of Greenleaf Township, is num- bered among the substantial elements of his community, and is recognized both by friend and stranger as a gentleman "to the manor born" in all respects. He was formerly the Postmaster at this place, but owing to a change of administra- tion, served only a few months. A plain, out- spoken man, he is yet one to be trusted, a man decided in his views, and not easily turned from his convictions. He came to Kansas in 1869, estab- lishing himself in the mercantile business at Greenleaf, after assisting in laying out the town, and putting up the second store in the place. Ile is still engaged in general merchandising, and serves

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as. Justice of the Peace. He is one of the pillars of the Christian Church, is a Democrat, politically, and socially is prominently identified with Post No. 134, G. A. R.

A native of Westmoreland County, Pa., Mr. Simons was born June 10, 1838, and is the son of John Simons, a native likewise of the Keystone State, and born in the Ligonier Valley, May 16, 1811. The latter spent the greater portion of his life in Westmoreland County, Pa., where he carried on farming. About 1866 he emigrated to Wyan- dot County, Ohio, where he sojourned for a period of twenty years, then coming to Greenleaf, Kan., made his home with his son. John A., until his death, which occurred June 28. 1889. He had been almost a lifelong member of the Baptist Church, and was of that reliable and sturdy temperament which has been transmitted in a marked degree to his offspring.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was Henry Simons, likewise a native of Pennsylvania, and who traced his ancestry to Germany, the latter crossing the Atlantic, and being numbered among the pioneer settlers of Pennsylvania. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Mary Me- Curdy. She was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., in 1814, and died in Wyandot County, Ohio, in 1884. The MeCurdy family was of Irish extrac- tion, but Grandfather Andrew McCurdy was born in Pennsylvania; he spent his last days there. To John and Mary Simons there were born seven chil- dren, viz: Joseph; an infant who died unnamed; John A., Henry L., Mary E., Samuel, and Hannah A. Of these but three are living: Henry L., Mary E., and John A., the latter being the eldest.

Mr. Simons spent his childhood and youth on the farm in Westmoreland County, Pa., acquiring his education in the common schools. He removed with the family to Wyandot County, Ohio, and was there at the outbreak of the Civil War. That same year he enlisted in Company M, 3d Ohio Cavalry, which was attached to the 17th Army Corps, a por- tion of the time serving with the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Simons participated in all the engagements of his regiment, and escaped without injury, receiving his honorable discharge at the ex- piration of his term of enlistment in October, 1864.

He experienced all the vicissitudes of life in the army, and was ever found at the post of duty. ready to meet whatever fate should befall him.

We next find our subject in the oil regions of Pennsylvania, where for two years he assisted in sinking wells, after which he returned to Wyandot County, Ohio, and followed farming until 1869. His next removal was to this State. Prior to this removal he was married Nov. 26, 1868, to Miss Eliza Bryant. Mrs. Simons was born in Miami County, Ohio. Dec. 3, 1843, and is the daughter of Henry and Catherine Bryant, who spent their last years in Ohio. Of this union there were two chil- dren only. Henry 11., and Zoie M .; the latter is hiv- ing. Mr. Simons occupies a snug dwelling in the west part of the town, and is known to a large pro- portion of its people as one of the most substantial men in his community.

W ILLIAM HI. BARLOW. Among Green- leaf's solid men, Mr. Barlow occupies a leading position. His native industry and enterprise have placed him in good circumstances, financially, while his genial and companionable dis- position has made everybody his friend. Ile is a native of Onondaga County. N. Y., and was born March 24, 1839. His father, George Barlow. was a native of Connecticut, whence he emigrated to New York State when young. The latter had been orphaned by the death of both parents when an in- fant of three months, and was reared in Wayne County, N. Y., whence he subsequently removed to Onondaga County. Of the latter he was a resi- dent until 1878, when he concluded to emigrate Westward. He sought the wilds of Michigan, and settled in the vicinity of Saginaw, of which eity he is now a resident, and has arrived at the advanced age of about eighty-eight years. Ile learned the trade of a stonemason in early manhood, but later became interested in farming, which he prosecuted in connection with his trade for many years.

George Barlow took for his wife Miss Lucy Handerhen. who was born in Ireland, and died in Saginaw, Mich., in 1880. at the age of sixty-five

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years. She bore her husband twelve children, of whom William H. was the eighth in order of birth. He was reared in his native county, and early in life learned the trade of a plasterer. Later in con- nection with this he operated as a builder and con- tractor. In 1861 he removed to Seneca County, N. Y., and after a residence there of four years, emigrated westward into Lee County, III., where he purchased a farm, and followed agriculture until 1869. That year he came to Kansas, and home- steaded 160 acres of land on section 17, Greenleaf Township, and of which he remained owner until 1887. Then he sold out and has since been giving his attention to farm improvements and machinery at Greenleaf. He started in life poor in purse, but is now comparatively independent, and has made his own way unaided to a good position, socially and financially. He is a man who keeps himself posted upon current events, and is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. He is prominently con- nected with Lodge No. 232, F. & A. M., at Green- leaf, and is also a member of the I. O. O. F.

In Onondaga County, N. Y., when nineteen years of age, Mr. Barlow was married March 21, 1858, to Miss Emily Molby, who was born in that county, Nov. 13, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Barlow are the par- ents of two children, both daughters, Ada and Clara. Ada is the wife of Mr. Jolin Flad, of Wat- erville, this State, and Clara, Mrs. Grant Beech, lives in Denver, Col.

C HARLES FREDERICK SCHWERDTFE- GER. The subject of this notice is recog- nized as one of the most prominent citizens of Linn Township. He is pleasantly located on section 22, and there he has a finely developed farm, a portion of which, with its principal build- ings, is represented by a lithographie engraving elsewhere in this volume. He is a leading farmer, being the possessor of 600 acres in Washington County, this State, besides having two farms in Cook County, Ill. During his eight years' resi- dence in Linn Township he has erected seventeen buildings, comprising those located on his farm and others in the town of Linn, where he has other

valuable real estate. He is a very liberal and pub- lic-spirited man, giving largely to all worthy en- terprises, religions and educational, that contribute to the general advancement of the people around him. His homestead buildings are remarkably fine, including a substantial modern residence and a barn over 100 feet long, this latter not being ex- celled probably by anything along the southern line of Washington County.

The native place of our subject was in South- eastern Indiana, near the town of Landsburg, and the date of his birth was Dec. 10, 1835. His fa- ther, Frederick Schwerdtfeger, was born in Hano- ver, Germany, whence he emigrated to America in 1832, and spent his last days in Indiana. The lat- ter was accompanied to America by his father's family, and they landed without means, being un- able to reach their destination, and stopped at Salt Salina. New York State, in order to work and se- cure money to complete their journey. The pa- ternal grandfather was also named Frederick. The son, Frederick, Jr., became acquainted with a maiden of his own country, Miss Catherine Francis, who was born in Prussia, and in due time they were married. The Francis family labored under the same difficulties as the others had done, land- ing in Baltimore in 1832 and remaining there until earning money to proceed further. They also set- tled in Southeastern Indiana.

The father of our subject learned the baker's trade, at which he worked one year in Cincinnati, before taking up his claim in Indiana. He cleared a farm, and met an accidental death by the run- ning away of his team, being instantly killed. The mother was subsequently married to Mr. Charles Schwerdtfeger, a brother of her first husband, and the family all remained together until reaching mature years. Charles Frederick was his father's only child. There were born of the second mar- riage of his mother four daughters and three sons, five of whom are living, namely, Henry, Angust. Charles, Sophia (Mrs. Schwitzer), and Minnie (Mrs. Rickenberg).

Mr. Schwerdtfeger removed with his parents to Cook County, Ill., in the spring of 1842, settling eighteen miles northwest of Chicago, which was then merely a village. He was offered forty acres

VIEW OF LINN FROM CUPOLA.

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RESIDENCE OF SON HENRY C. SCHWERDTFEGER.

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RESIDENCE OF C.F. SCHWERDTFEGER, SEC. 22.(T4.R.2) LINN TP, WASHINGTON CO.

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of ground, including that occupied by the West Side Market, for $400, but it was so swampy he declined purchasing. He had been well educated in his native tongue, and after coming to America became in due time familiar with the English lan- guage, speaking and writing it easily.

Our subjeet came to Kansas in October, 1881, and seeured a part of his present homestead. His industry and perseverance have been largely re- warded, everything he has taken hold of seeming to turn to money. Unlike some men. his success has not made him haughty or miserly, but he has ever evinced a willingness to assist those whose lot in life has been less fortunate.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Charlotte Langguth took place in DuPage County, III., Oct. 6, 1861. This lady is the daughter of Christian Langguth, deceased, and was born near Lyons, Ill., Jan. 15, 1841. There have been born of this union three children, the eldest of whom, a son, Henry, married Miss Lizzie Thruen, and they occupy a part of the farm. They have one child, Albert. John married Miss Annie Granke and is living in Linn Township. They have one child, Herman. Catherine is the wife of Herman Lehman of Linn Township, and the mother of one child, Emil. Mrs. Schwerdtfeger died on the 27th of May, 1868. Our subjeet on the 6th of June, 1869, contracted a second marriage with Miss Margaretta Langguth, a sister of his first wife, and to them have been born five children, Lotta M. C., Frederick C., Lud- wig F. A., Matilda Mary W. and Edwin August Ilerman Christ. These are unmarried and living at home. The family belongs to the Evangelical Church, and Mr. Schwerdtfeger politically votes with the Republican party. He has never sought office, preferring to give his time and attention to his farming interests.

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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 31

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

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