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 34

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 34
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 34
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 34

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).

A marriage ceremony, performed on the 12th of December, 1883, in Sheridan, Ill., united the des- tinies of Bayard T. Spradling and Miss Mary R. Miller. The wife of our subject was born May 12, 1861, in La Salle County, Ill., and is the daughter of Dyson and Harriet (Millard) Miller, who were natives of Ohio, and are now in Sheridan. Ill. Mrs. Spradling was carefully reared, and received a col- legiate education. Of her union with our subject there has been born one child, a daughter, Ethel R., Feb. 4, 1884. Mr. Spradling is a member in good standing of Blue Lodge No. 232, A. F. & A. M., the K. of P .. the Modern Woodmen of America and the Universalist Church. The little family occupies an attractive home in the central

part of the town, and enjoys the association of its best people. Our subjeet is one of the oldest busi- ness men in the town of Greenleaf, and has mate- rially aided in the growth and prosperity of the town.

P RANK LARABEE. This gentleman is well known in Washington County, having been for many years a preacher of the Protest- ant Methodist Church, and being the owner of as thoroughly improved a farm as can be found in Iladdam Township. where he resides. His estate of 200 acres is located on seetions 11 and 12. It is watered by Bowman Creek, and neat hedge fences divide the land into fields of convenient size. A vineyard of 400 vines, and the finest apple orchard in the county, consisting of 400 large trees, add to the beauty and remunerativeness of the place. The improvements include all necessary barns, sheds. etc., and a well-designed house, 36x22.

The grandfather of our subject was Thomas Larabee, a native of New York State, and a son of a Revolutionary soldier of French descent. lle was a farmer, and a pioneer in the western part of the State, where he cleared his land. Hle subse- quently removed to Lake County, Ill., where he entered land and again engaged in pioneer farm work. There he subsequently died. His wife be- longed to the Grant family, of which our lamented Commander-in-Chief was a member. Thomas Lar- abee was a man six feet in height and proportion- ately strong.

Albert Larabee, father of our subject, was born in Erie County, N. Y., and later resided on a farm in C'attaraugus County. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and a master mechanie. As a con- tractor and builder, he erected a number of the principal buildings in Buffalo. In 1843. he re- moved to Lake County, Ill., where he entered land in the wilderness. He worked at his trade in In- diana and adjoining sections, the improving of the farm devolving largely upon his family. Later, he removed to Lake County, Ind., where he bought land of the Erie Canal Company, paying for it $2 per acre. In that county he established a home and

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made fine improvements upon his farm. He con- tinned engaged in tilling the soil there until the death of his wife. In 1875, he came to Kansas, having divided his property among his children. He is now residing with one of his sons, having reached the ripe old age of seventy-eight years. He was an early member of the Abolition party, and one of the first to vote that ticket. He has been a member of the Protestant Methodist Church for many years.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Amy Scovill. She was of English ancestry, and a daughter of Hezekiah Scovill, of New York State. Her father was a carpenter and joiner, and also a farmer. He died in Cattaraugus County, N. Y. Mrs. Larabee died in Lake County, Ind., in 1872, having been the mother of eleven children. They are: our subject; Mrs. Esther Bonesteel, of Mill Creek; Mrs. Delila Clark, of Hodgeman ; Mrs. Mary E. Bonesteel, of Hodgeman; Theodore D., of Had- dam City; Olivia Sprague, of Hodgeman County ; Florence, now deceased ; Mrs. Alice Vincent; Orson of Hodgeman County ; Luman of Haddam ; and Wil- bur, now deceased.

The Rev. Frank Larabee was born near Otto, C'attaraugus Co., N. Y., Dec. 3, 1833. His life until the age of ten years was spent upon a farm there, and he attended the subscription schools of the neighborhood. In 1844, his parents settled in the wilderness of Lake County, Ill. The journey from their Eastern home occupied more time than would be necessary at this date. From Buffalo to Racine, Wis., they traveled by propeller, occupying one week en route. From Racine to their new home they traveled by teams. Our subject helped to clear and improve the farm in Illinois, and found his amusement in hunting the game which abounded there, deer, wolves, and other wild ani- mals being numerous. The advantages for school- ing were very meager. At the age of twenty years, the family removed to Lake County, Ind., and it was left to him to improve the farm there. He also learned the trade of a carpenter under his father's tuition.

At the age of twenty-three, our subject was mar- ried and left the paternal home, loeating upon forty acres of land which he purchhsed. That land

he improved, and until 1860 was engaged in farm- ing upon it. He then, on account of ill-health, started for California, traveling with ox-teams. He went by the North Platte route, and was five months in making the journey. On reaching the Golden State, he engaged in the carpenter's trade. After a sojourn of two years on the coast, he returned home by the Isthmus of Panama and New York, and again engaged in the pursuit of agriculture. In February, 1864, he enlisted in Company E. 155th Indiana Infantry, and was mustered into service at La Porte, Ind. The troops were sent to Indianapolis, and three weeks later to Kentucky and Tennessee, to guard against Hood's raids. In those border States they remained until the fall. Our subject was then taken sick, and was sent home on sick leave. He rejoined his regiment at Indian- apolis, where he was honorably discharged and mustered out of service, in July, 1865.

Returning to the ranks of civil life, Mr. Larabee bought a farm of 200 acres in Porter County, Ind. He improved the same, and continued farming upon it until 1874. He then sold out and came West by team, stopping at Fairbury, Neb. He then purchased a homestead claim of 160 acres of land, and located where he has since resided. Ile broke the soil and mproved the raw land, and has made of the place what it is to-day- one of the best in the vicinity. Mr. Larabee is now breaking forty acres of prairie, making his present landed estate 200 acres. In addition to general farming, he pays considerable attention to stock-raising. including mules and graded horses. He keeps four teams for use upon the farm.

In 1877, Mr. Larrabee began his work in the ministry, taking up the role of a local preacher. Two years later he was ordained in the Protestant Methodist Church, and took charge at Haddam. Of it he retained the pastorate until 1885, when he took charge of Tainter Mission work. He estab- lished three churches previous to his retirement, in 1889. He was the organizer of the Circuit, and is a member of the Conference.

In Lake County, Ind .. in November, 1846, Mr. Larabee was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Clark. She was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and her parents were pioneer settlers of Wisconsin

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and Indiana. She is a lady of marked intelligence and culture, having been educated for the profes- sion of teaching. She has borne her husband two children, and they have also an adopted daughter. Their own daughter, Lois, is the wife of William Kenully, who is engaged in the livery business in HIaddam. She has three children-Morris, Milfred and an infant yet unnamed. The only son, Al- bert, resides at home. The adopted daughter, Ida M., is the wife of Jerome Fox, of Republie County, Kan.

The Rev. Mr. Larabee does not aspire to public Office. He has repeatedly been tendered the office of Justice of the Peace, but did not accept. He has been School Treasurer since the district was organized. The schoolhouse is located on his farm, he having donated one and a half aeres for its grounds. He has also given one acre to be used as a burial ground. His generosity has also been ex- hibited in donations toward the building of the church, in which work he is one of the leaders. ITe is a Class-Leader in the Protestant Methodist Church, and has held every office therein, that of ordained Elder being the highest. Mr. Larabee is iu sympathy with the principles of the Republican party, and gives his voice and vote in their sup- port. Ile has twice served upon the Grand Jury.

AMES PUGH. of Grant Township, put up, and now occupies the first frame house which was built within its limits. It stands on section 19, and was built of native lumber, eut and sawed at Haddam, of Hackberry oak and elm. The building has been weatherboarded and re- shingled. but otherwise is firm as when erected. Be . longing to it is a farm of 160 aeres. with 110 acres under the plow. There are several acres planted in cottonwood trees, which serve as a shade and windbreak, and the proprietor has an orchard of 200 apple trees, many of which are in fine, bearing condition. There are other choiee fruits upon the place, including grapes, plums and peaches, in abundance. The farm is mostly enclosed with hedge and wire fencing, which gives it a very neat

appearance. Mr. Pugh avails himself of first-class machinery in the cultivation of his land, and a windmill plaeed four years since. raises water from a 130-foot well, conveying it to whatever point required. The other farm buildings include a sub- stantial barn, a good granary, corn-cribs, sheds. etc. The farm with its appurtenances is repre- sented by a view elsewhere in this work, and is in- dieative of the perseverance and energy of the proprietor, who came here a pioneer, and has made for himself a good reeord as a man and a citizen.

The subject of this sketch, a Western man, and in the prime of life, was born in Marion County, Ind .. Ang. 30, 1846. He crossed the Mississippi with his father when a small boy, the family set- tling in the vicinity of Cedar Rapids, lowa, where they lived until James was about ten years old, and thence removed to Nodaway County, Mo. There our subjeet completed a common-school education, and worked with his father on the farm until a youth of eighteen years. Then. in 1864, the Civil War being in progress, he entered the I'nion army as a member of Company K, 43d Missouri Infan- try. His father and two brothers, William and George, were also in the Union Army, the latter three serving three years. James enlisted for one year, and at the expiration of that time, received his honorable discharge. His time had mostly been employed in following up the bushwhackers of Missouri.

Upon leaving the service. Mr. Pugh went "out West," and entered the employ of Col. Fielding Burns, driving cattle across the plains. I'pon the first trip out he was snowed under near Ft. Larned. when about 180 head of cattle perished. They started out with a company of twenty-six men. only five of whom remained in that region during the winter, Mr. Pugh being one of these-and took care of such property as was left. In the spring a fresh supply of cattle and men were gotten together, and the train proceeded to Ft Union, New Mexico. Their mission accomplished, they returned to head- quarters, and then Mr. Pugh set out from Nebraska City to Ft. Laramie, and returned by the North Platte. His third expedition was to Ft. Phil Kear- ney, and thence he returned to Julesburg. He re- peated this process during the winter of 1868-69,

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repairing finally to Ft. C. F. Smith. That season was a very severe one, and numbers of both men, mules and cattle succumbed to the elements. Mr. Pugh this time officiated as wagon boss in the em- ploy of Wells. Fargo & Co. We next find him in Cheyenne, where he operated as a herder for the above-mentioned company. The Indians were very troublesome, stealing horses, and committing all sorts of depredations. Mr. Pugh occupied himself in this manner until the fall of 1868, then repairing to Page County. Iowa, worked on a farm there two years, and thence came to Washington County, Kan.

On the 10th of November, 1870, Mr. Pugh pur- chased the homestead which he now owns and occu- pies, paying therefor $20. He lived upon it keeping bachelor's hall eighteen months and on the 21st of March, 1872, he seenred unto himself a wife and helpmate, being married to Miss Margaret J., daughter of Samuel and Margaret J. ( Frame) Elder. The young couple went to housekeeping in the structure that still shelters their heads, allusion to which has already been made. They are now the parents of eight children, all living, healthy and bright, and which form a group of which they may be pardonably proud. They are named respec- tively, Minerva, Malinda Ellen, Martha Jane, Ma- rietta, Samuel E., James Arland, Myrtle Daisy, and Mabel Carrie. Mr. Pugh, politically. votes the straight Republican ticket, and is a warm defender of the principles of his party. Mrs. Pugh and her two eldest daughters belong to the Quaker Church.

Samuel Elder, the father of Mrs. Pugh, was born in the city of Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland, of Scotch-Irish aneestry of the strongest Protestant type. He married his wife, Miss Margaret .J. Frame, in Philadelphia, Pa .. and after the birth of their first child, Margaret .J., they removed to Illi- nois, settling in Ilenry County, where they so- journed until she was eleven years old. Then selling out. they came, in June, 1866. to Republic County, this State. taking up a homestead claim near what is now Ajenda post-olliee, where they still reside. Of the six children born to them. but two are liv- ing.

Mr. Elder, in 1867. sowed five bushels of wheat, harvested it with a case knife, threshed it over a

barrel, and then had five bushels still. He took it to Waterville to be ground after the fashion of corn meal, as the mill lacked a flour burr. This trip was repeated several times upon subsequent occasions, and sometimes Mr. Elder took his grist to Hanover or Clay Center. Later he went to Marks' Mill. Neb., and to Rose Creek, where wheat and corn was still ground in the first-mentioned primitive fash- ion. Many were the contrivances of which the pioneers availed themselves in those early days, and which the people of the present generation would look upon with doubt as to the possibility of sur- viving under such circumstances. Patience and perseverance, however, met in time with their re- ward, and the Elder family, like seores of others, emerged from their difficulties, and had the satis- faction of finding themselves comfortably situated in life amid modern surroundings and'convenienees.

NTHONY JONES, dealer in lumber and builder's supplies, Linn, Washington County, is one of the most substantial and respected citizens of that place. He carries a full. line of plain and dressed lumber, shingles, lath, hair. cement and other building materials, and is doing a large business.

Mr. Jones was born in Mahaska County, Iowa, twelve miles west of Oskaloosa, Sept. 13, 1845. llis parents were Joseph and Margaret (Cavender) Jones, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio. They removed to lowa in the spring of 1845, and there the father died in 1862. The pa- rental family consisted of eleven children, five of whom now survive. They are Parke, Edward, Amos, Theodate (now Mrs. Eubanks), and our subject.

The gentleman of whom we write, was reared in his native State and county, and there received his education in the common schools. During the late Civil War he was engaged in the service of the l'nion for a period of twenty-two months. Ilis name was attached to the muster-roll of Co. D., 36 Iowa Infantry. He participated in the battles at the Little Missouri River and Marks' Mills. At

yours Truly A. Southwick

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the latter place the entire brigade was captured, and Mr. Jones spent ten months of confinement as a prisoner in Camp Ford, Texas. At the expiration of that time an exchange was effected and our sub- ject with his comrades, returned to his duties. Ile returned to civil life only on the cessation of hos- tilities, having won the record of a faithful young patriot, and an efficient soldier.

When mustered out of the service, Mr. Jones engaged in farming in his native county, and re- mained a resident there until 1872. He then came to this county and selected a location five miles northwest of where Linn now stands. There he filed on a homestead of 160 acres and opened up a farm. After securing his homestead, he traded it for land in Missouri. This he exchanged for land two miles east of Linn where he carried on the work of an agriculturist for two years. In April, 1883, he embarked in his present occupation.

On the second day of January, 1870, Mr. Jones was united in marriage with Miss Mary M. Kelley. This estimable young lady. is a daughter of John Kelley. now deceased. The nnion of Mr. and Mrs. Jones has resulted in the birth of four chil- dren. They are named respectively, Sylvester. Ernest, Eva M. and Myrtie B. All are at home and deriving all the advantages possible from the schools of a State whose educational system ranks high.

Mr. Jones belongs to the social orders of the G. A. R. and Masons. Ile is a Republican in principles, and gives his voice and vote to the can- didates of the party be belives to be the best. Of unassuming manners, good business capacity and fine moral principles, Mr. Jones holds high rank among the citizens of Linn and the surrounding country.

ARON SOUTHWICK. It is always inter- esting to read the history of the early pioneers who have braved dangers and hardships inexpressible, in order to open up the wilderness to the advaneing army of civiliza- tion and have succeeded in their worthy efforts. Particularly interesting are the records of the lives and works of those men who have come to Kansas in its early settlement and have improved the raw

land, opening up roads where once was only the trackless prairie and building for themselves com- fortable homes wherein to pass their declining years. To the residents of Riley County. the name which introduces this sketeh represents a man who for more than twenty years has been closely identified with the growth of their community. and whose life is inseparably interwoven with that of the county. In connection with his biographical sketch we also present on another page a portrait of Mr. Southwick.

The seion of a good old English family, our sub- jeet traces his ancestry back to Lawrence and Cas- sandra South wick, who left England about the year 1680. and crossing the Atlantic, settled near Salem in Massachusetts. About this time the Quaker inhabitants of the Bay State were suffering from the persecutions of those of other religions, and for affiliating with this despised sect, Lawrence Southwick and his wife were banished among the Indians and doomed to a life of exposure. hardship and privations among hostile tribes, and at last perished among strangers. They left two children who, according to the heartless laws of Colonial times, were condemned by the Government to be transported to the Barbadoes and sold into slavery. Let it be recorded that no sea captain could be found who was willing to execute the sentence.

The immediate ancestors of Mr. Southwick. were George and Louisa (Tenny ) Southwick, natives of Massachusetts, and to them our subject was born in the town of Danby, Bennington Co., Vt., March 8, 1830. When he was four years of age his par- ents removed to Erie County. N. Y., where they resided for a period of four years. Thence they removed to Northern Ohio, when that State was being settled and when the "star of Empire" was in its Westward course, hovering over its valleys and rivers. though it shone with only a feeble light, and the future progress and growth of those wild lands could be only dimly discerned. In Ohio they re- mained fifteen years. and our subject received what was in those times considered a splendid education. and which he has since supplemented by an exten- sive course of reading. After attaining the rudi- ments of his education in the common schools of the district, he was a student at the High School

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of Mansfield, Richland County, and later attended the Vermillion Institute in Haysville, Ashland Co .. Ohio. He was a successful teacher, in which profes- sion he was engaged for thirteen terms, some being taught in Ohio, others in Michigan and Kansas.

In 1853 Mr. Southwick went to Michigan, and engaged in farming in Richland, Kalamazoo County. for a number of years. While a resident of this State he was united in marriage, April 18, 1858, with Miss Annette E. Fairbanks, and to them five children have been born, namely: George W .. Charles A., James J., Nettie A. and Ernest A. In 1869 Mr. Southwick, accompanied by his family. located in Kansas, settling in what was then Milford Township, Riley County, where he engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits. In 1870, in connection with several prominent citizens. Mr. Southwick organ- ized the Union Town Company, of which he was chosen Trustee and Secretary. The company bought land and laid out the town of Union, commonly known as Riley Center. That same year a post- office was established in the new town, and our sub- ject was appointed Postmaster. His commission was dated May 16, 1870.

After purchasing, in the autumn of 1879, a half- interest in the Independent, a paper published in Riley Center, by his son, C. A. Southwick, and M. L. Sears, Mr. Southwick assisted in editing and publishing the same for more than three years, when, on account of poor health, he sold his inter- est and retired from the business. The Chicago, Kansas & Nebraska Railway Company, in 1887. built their line of railway through Riley Center, and in order to assist in furnishing sufficient land to lay out a generous town site. Mr. Southwick sold the larger part of his farm to the Riley Town & Invest- ment Company, reserving four acres in the heart of the town, and there he makes his home.

0 LIVER NORMAN, a prominent member of the farming community of Garfield Town- ship, first set foot upon the soil of Kansas in. February, 1875, and soon afterward purchased his present farm of 160 acres. For this he paid the sum of $500, money that he had earned working on

the railroad. This took about all of his ready capi- tal, and after breaking twenty acres he again went to work by the month, and thus labored about three years. At the expiration of this time he re- turned to his undeveloped farm and made a little rock basement, 14x16 feet, over which he put a roof and kept bachelor's hall in this about three years. Then, having accumulated the necessary means, be built upon this basement a good frame house.

Having thus wisely laid the foundation of a home, Mr. Norman proceeded to secure for himself a wife and helpmate, being married, Jan. 27, 1882, to Miss Carrie Erickson. The young couple began life together in a manner far more comfortable than many of their neighbors about them, but the fol- lowing summer they met with a great misfortune, lightning striking their dwelling, and it was burned to the ground. Mr. Norman, however, did not allow himself to be discouraged, but that same summer put up a part of his present dwelling, and two years later built the addition and now has a neat and substantial residence, besides bringing his farm to a good state of cultivation. Ile has past- ure lands, meadow and timber, with a good stable, corn-cribs and other ontbuildings. The household circle now includes two bright children: Anna, born Jan. 25, 1883, and Josephine, Sept. 22, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Norman are members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, and hold a good position socially in their community.

Oliver Norman was born May 5, 1842, in the northern part of Sweden and there reared upon a farm, acquiring his education in a country school. His parents, Olaf and Mattie Erick Norman. as far back as is known, were of Swedish ancestry and members of the Lutheran Church. They spent their entire lives in their native land, the father dying in October, 1877, at the age of seventy-four years, and the mother Ang. 15, 1889, aged eighty- one. Their family consisted of six children, three living.

The subject of this sketch left his old home on the 13th of May, 1868, and a few days later sailed for America, landing in New York City about the 10th of June. Thence he proceeded directly to Eastern Illinois, where he worked about one year by the day and the month, and then going to Iowa

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was employed on the railroad. We next find him in Grundy County, Mo., where he was employed on a railroad, and whence he came to Kansas in the early part of 1875. His career has been signalized chiefly by great industry and economy, while as a peaccable and law-abiding citizen he has set an example worthy of emulation by those around him. Hle does not meddle any with political affairs except upon occasions of general elections when he casts his vote with the Union Labor party.

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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 34

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

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