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 37

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 37
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 37
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 37

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).

OIIN L. BUTLER although only occupying his present farm five years, has already ef- fected valuable improvements and has one of the most attractive homes in his locality. lle came to Kansas in 1879 with a capital of $11 in his pocket and worked two months thereafter as a f:um laborer. At the expiration of this time he rented a tract of land and since then has been uni- formly prosperous. He was at one time well-to-do in Ohio, but by unwise speculations lost quite a little fortune. In disposition he is courteous and companionable-a man who makes friends wherever he goes -- and is a general favorite both in business and social eireles.

The subject of this sketch was born near Salem. in Mahoning County, Ohio, Sept. 9, 1833, and was the son of Lawrence W. Butler, who was born in 1797 in New Jersey. His paternal grandfather, Benjamin Butler, was a native of the North of Ire- land, whence he emigrated to America early in life and settling in New Jersey was there married. He engaged as a farmer and gardener, but finally emi- grated to Ohio about 1810, entering land in Mahon- ing County, of which he was one of the earliest pioneers. He continued to reside there until his death, which took place in 1813.

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The father of our subject prosecuted farming and stock-raising in Mahoning County, Ohio. and became owner of considerable land, comprising seven farms. In 1856 he removed to Portage County, where he lost property and later changed his residence to Stark County. Ile died near Lyons, in that county, in 1886. He had always been a prominent man in his community and served as County Commissioner and Township Trustee be- sides occupying other positions of trust and respon- sibility. In religious matters he belonged to the Friends' Church. He married Miss Sarah Votaw, a native of Virginia and the daughter of Moses Votaw. The latter was likewise a native of the Old Dominion, whence he removed at an early day to Columbiana County, Ohio. He was a Quaker of French descent and his father was born in France. Mrs. Sarah Butler died in Portage County, Ohio. in 1867.

To the parents of our subject there were born nine children, the eldest of whom, Moses, is a farmer and stock dealer of Iowa. Hannah, (Mrs. Tatum) is a resident of Cleveland, Ohio; Lewis during the late war was a Captain in the 67th Ohio Infantry, which he organized, and then promoted to Lieu- tenant- Colonel. He served from the opening until the close of the war and was wounded. He is now in the Indian Territory. Mary died in Minnesota: .Joseph died in Arkansas; Benjamin is a resident of Indiana, and Recorder of Morgan County, having his home in Mooresville. Eunice (Mrs. Stanley ) resides near Adrian, Mich .; John L., our subject, was the next in order of birth; Sarah (Mrs. Thomas) lives in Montana.

The subject of this notice spent his early life quietly and uneventfully at the farm, attending the common school and remaining under the home roof until a youth of nineteen years. Hle then entered the Friends' College at Richmond, Ind., attending there four months and afterward was a student in Salem, (Ohio) High School one winter. Afterward he remained at home until twenty-three years old, then rented his father's farm until 1859. Upon removing from this he occupied another rented farm for fourteen years.

After this Mr. Butler purchased 280 acres of land near Salem and engaged extensively in the buying

and shipping of live stock to lowa, in which he made a large amount of money, but lost it in oil speculations in Pennsylvania, to which State he removed in 1868. Ile thus parted with $5,000 in one year.

In the fall of 1879 he started in the dairy and cheese business, operating a factory in Ohio for a period of nine years. IIe did a large business, but owing to inexperience and having to pay a high rate of interest, he hecame involved and was obliged to sell his land. Then coming West he located in Sabetha, Nemaha County, this State, and afterward rented a farm. He finally purchased eighty acres of land in Nemaha County, which he operated until 1884 and during the last years of his stay there, manufactured cheese, keeping thirty- eight cows.

In the spring of the year above mentioned Mr. Butler disposed of his interest in Nemaha County, and set out overland by team to Washington County. Kan., locating soon thereafter on his present farm which he had purchased in 1882 and for which he paid $7.90 per acre. It was then in a wild, uncul- tivated condition and it has taken industrious labor to effect the change which we now behold. Mr. Butler has planted forest and fruit trees. erected good buildings and brought eighty acres of his land under the plow. It is amply watered and constitutes an excellent stock farm. Mr. Butler has a cheese factory, in which is utilized the milk of thirteen cows. He has one team of first-class draft horses and a herd of Poland-China and Berkshire swine. In the fall of 1889 he harvested fifty-seven acres of corn. The prospects are good for his continued prosperity.

Miss Sarah French, of Salem, Ohio. became the wife of our subject on Wednesday, the 1st of Oeto- ber, 1856, the wedding being celebrated at the bride's home. Mrs. Butler was born in Mahoning County, Ohio. and is the daughter of Thomas French, a native of Virginia, a Quaker in religious belief and a successful farmer who had also learned shoemaking during his early manhood. He spent his last years in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Butler are the parents of three children, the eldest of whom, Thomas F., like his father, is a lover of line horses in which he is considerably interested, while he is also

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engaged in the stock business in Portage County, Ohio. Lawrence W. is farming in Haddam Town- ship, this eounty; Meribah I. has followed the pro- fession of a teacher for the last five years and is prominent in educational cireles. Mr. Butler is a member of the Friends' Church at Pleasant View, and assisted in the erection of the church edifice. Politically he is a sound Republican.

M ICHAEL TRISKA. The town of llano- ver was brought into existence by the energy and enterprise of a few leading in- dividuals who had the good judgment and forethought to believe that it might, with proper management, become a desirable business point. Among these Mr. Triska was one of the first in business. Business was necessarily conducted in a modest manner at first, but it gradually inereased until a fine trade was established.

Iu reverting to the early history of the subject of this notice, we find that he was born Nov. 24, 1848. in Bohemia, and lived there until the spring of 1866, being then a youth of eighteen years. He had now decided upon emigrating to the United States and after a safe voyage he landed in the city of Baltimore, whence he proceeded to St. Louis, Mo., and later went into Illinois, spending a few months in both the latter State and Missouri. Later he lived for a time in Troy, Lincoln Co., Mo., but finally returned to Madison County, Ill., and while there was joined by his parents who followed him to Ameriea two years after his arrival.

In Illinois, Mr. Triska worked most of the time on a farm and in 1870 set ont for Kansas. Arriv- ing in Washington County, he preempted 160 acres of land and entered a homestead of eighty aeres in Little Blue Township, on the eastern line of the county. This 240 acres was a wild and unculti- vated tract and Mr. Triska labored in true pioneer style, amid many difficulties, for the cultivation and improvement of his property. He kept bachelor's hall, and conveyed his flour and groceries on his back from Ilanover, ahout seven miles away, for about two years. He commenced with a team of

horses. but in due time had gathered together a fine assortment of live stock and the farming implements necessary for the successful proseention of agrieul- ture. After a few years Mr. Triska employed his · winters in a store, being at one time with Benjamin Bird, of St. Joseph, and next with Mr. Jaedieke. of Hanover. In 1876 he managed the grain ship- ping interests of the Granger organization.

In 1876 also Mr. Triska took unto himself a wife and helpmate, being married in September, that year, to Miss Catherine Pacha, of Marshall County. The young couple established themselves at a snug home in Washington, where Mr. Triska engaged in the store of Mr. Collins. In 1877 he returned to Ilanover and entered the employ of Dr. Moll. with with whom he remained until going with Dr. Ja- eobs, on the Otoe Reservation, twelve miles north of Hanover. He started the first grocery store in Charleston, and the same year put in a stoek of general merchandise. In due time he purchased the interest of his partner and eondueted the busi- ness until the building of the Burlington & Mis- souri Railroad, when he removed his business one mile north, to Odell. and was one of the earliest merchants of that place. He remained there until 1882, then selling out established a store at the de- pot west of the Grand Island Railroad depot. A few months later he joined his stock with that of Mr. Jaedicke and they operated together for over six years. IIe then purchased the interest of the latter, May 1, 1889. and now has the finest general store in Hanover, operating an exelusive eash busi- ress. He carries a earefully-selected stock of goods and enjoys a good patronage from the best people of Hanover and vieinity. He is widely and favor- ably known throughout Washington and adjoining counties, as a man of strict integrity and one who can at all times be trusted.

Mr. Triska owns a good dwelling and a bloek of land in the city limits. Ile commeneed in life de- pendent upon his own resources and did not even have the experience of hard work to assist him, having been in college until the day of leaving for the United States. Ile has frequently been solicited to occupy public positions, but prefers giving his attention to his business affairs. He was reared in the doctrines of the Catholic Church, of which he

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is still a member with his wife. Socially, he is identified with the Masonic fraternity, the Bohe- mian order of C. S. P. S., and the A. O. I. W. The five children born to him and his estimable wife are still living, being named respectively, John, Cath- erine, LeGrande O. Albert, Michael and Francis Joseph.

Mrs. Catherine (Pacha) Triska was born in Can- ada in 1852, and came to Kansas with her mother in 1875, they settling in Marshall County, where she lived until her marriage.

ATHAN M. SMITH, M. D , whose portrait is a valuable addition to the pages of the ALBUM, is a graduate of one of the best medi- cal schools in the country, that of the l'niversity of Ann Arbor, and is prominent among the members of his profession now praetising in Washington County. He is a popular and well-known eitizen of the city of Washington, where he has a charm- ing home. The doctor is a native of Lake County, Ohio, the town of Concord the place of his birth, and 1842 the year in which he was born. His father, bearing the same name as himself, was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., which was also the na- tive county of the grandfather of our subjeet, who bore the name of his son and grandson. The lat- ter was reared and married in that part of New York, Pamelia Merwin, a native of the county, becoming his wife, Hle participated in the War of 1812, and about 1830 removed to Ohio, going by way of the Erie Canal and Lake Erie, and located in Huntsburg, Geauga County. becoming one of its pioneers. He bought a tract of heavily timbered land, and commeneed to establish a home in the primeval forests, first building a log house. IIe then entered upon the hard task of clearing his land that he might improve a farm and carry on his oc- eupation as a tiller of the soil. He lived on that homestead until a short time before his death, and then retired to Bloomfield, Trumbull County. where his life was brought to a close. His faithful wife

did not long survive him, but passed away six months after his demise, both living to a good old age.

The father of our subject was eighteen years old when the family removed to Ohio. He was reared on a farm, and marrying in Concord, Ohio, lived there about two years thereafter, and then settled in Geauga County, on a part of his father's home- stead. Here he erected a log house for a dwelling for his family, and engaged in farming there sev- eral years. In 1856 he sold his property in Ohio, and once more entered upon the life of a pioneer. he and his family traveling across the intervening States to the distant Territory of Minnesota with teams, cooking and camping by the way-side noon and night. He made a claim to Government land near Eyota, in Olinstead County, and first built a log house for a shelter before comineneing to re- claim a farm from the wild prairies. There were no railways in that part of the country then, and Winona was the nearest market. Ile improved and fenced his homestead, making it a valuable farm, and resided on it many years. He now lives in re- tirement in Eyota, at nearly eighty years of age, his wife sharing with him the comforts of their pleasant home.

The parents of our subjeet had a family of four- teen children, ten of whom still live, as follows: Lysander, Susan, Nathan, Rose, Mary, Martha, Ernest, Herman, Luella, and Mina. They were carefully reared and trained to good and useful lives, and were brought up under the teaching of the Methodist Church, which the family usually at- tended. The maiden name of the mother was Eme- line Moorehouse, and she was born in Fairfield, Conn. The maiden name of her mother was Nash, and she was a daughter of that Gen. Nash, who was a famous officer in the Indian wars of Connecticut. He was at one time hotly pursued by his savage foes. and hid himself within a hollow log. The redskins coming up soon after, sat down to rest on that very log, and he heard them talk over what they would do to him if they should find him. which, it is needless to add, they failed to accom- plish. Otheniel Moorehouse, the maternal grand- father of our subject, was, it is thought. born in Connecticut, of English parentage. Hle removed

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to Ohio in 1833, and settled among the pioneers of Geauga County, where he carried on his trade of a blacksmith, in the town of Huntsburg. He spent his last years in Windsor, Ashtabula County, with a daughter.

Dr. Nathan Smith of this biographical sketch, was reared amid pioneer scenes, attending school when opportunity offered, and at the age of twelve years, the self-reliant, active little lad began to make his own way in the world, working on a farm that year, at $5 a month. He continued thus en- ployed in the summer seasons, and in winter did chores for his board while attending school. In the month of August, 1862, when twenty years of age, he determined to take up arms in defense of his country, and enlisted in Company E, 105th Ohio In- fantry, with Capt. B. W. Canfield, and going to the front, he took an active part in the battles of Riel- mond, Ky., and Perrysville. In the latter engage- ment he was wounded in the left foot. Ile was on de- tached duty at the time of the battle of Nashville, and fought in that engagement. After serving with credit and valor until the war closed,he was mustered out with his regiment near Washington in June, 1865. He returned to Ohio, and resumed the study of medicine, which he had abandoned to enter the army, and under the able instruction of Dr. David Brown, of East Clarindon, Ohio, made rapid progress, and subsequently attended medical lectures at An Arbor, and was graduated from the medical depart- ment of that university in 1868, with an honorable standing in his class, and well-equipped for his chosen profession. He began to practice at Breeds- ville, Van Buren Co., Mich. But with the de- mands of a large practice, and the long drives necessitated thereby, his health failed, and he sold out, and going to Minnesota, the State where his parents reside, he re-established himself as a doctor in Rushford, Fillmore County, his health being greatly benefited by the change of climate. Two years later he removed to Granite Falls, Chippewa County, and was a pioneer of that part of Minne- sota, and one of the first settlers of that place, there being but one house there at that time. He bought town property, and took up a homestead six miles distant, and while practicing as a physiciam, super- intended the improvement of a farm. He remained

there through the five years of the grasshopper plague, and suffered financially with others, and in 1876 disposed of his possessions in Minnesota, and coming to Kansas, located in Washington, where he has been in active practice ever since, bis learning and skill having early commended him to the con- fidence of the people. An educated man, of deep, sound sense, and of broad, enlightened views, whose professional duties bring him into contact with all kinds and classes of people, the Doctor necessarily wields considerable influence in this city, much of whose growth and development he has witnessed since he came here to reside, and in whose welfare he has always taken an unbounded interest.

Dr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss El- len F. Case, June 30, 1868. She is a native of the State of New York, and a daughter of Hiram and Lucinda Case. She is a woman of rare worth, and dispenses the hospitalties of her well-appointed home with a free hand, as all know who have crossed its threshold. Three children complete the household circle-Blanche, Henry, and Ora.

M ATTHEW SMITH, a reliable farmer of Linn Township, Washington County, is an intelligent citizen, and stands high as a Christian and a member of the Masonic fraternity. He prosecutes farming in a modest way on 160 acres of land, occupying a portion of section 3, which he homesteaded in the spring of 1870. Stock-raising enters considerably into his operations, and his well-tilled fields yield him a comfortable income.

Wayne County, Ohio, was the early tramping ground of our subject, and where his birth took place Aug. 4, 1835. His father, William Smith, a native of Ireland, was born in 1790, and emigrated to the United States in 1805, when a lad of fifteen years. He learned the trade of a weaver and fol- lowed it in Wayne County, Ohio, several years, al- though living at the same time on a farm. When reaching man's estate he was married to Miss Sarah Beaty, a native of his own country and who came to America with her parents when a young child.

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The Beaty family settled in Oakland County, Mich., where the parents of Mrs. Smith spent the remainder of their lives. Their family consisted of ten chi !- dren, seven of whom are living. namely; Robert, George, William, Samuel, Matthew, Martha and Sarah. The deceased were JJames, Mary and John, all of whom lived to mature years.

After pursuing the usual course of study in the district school, young Smith entered the academy at Orland, Ind., and later was a student in the academy at Williams' Center, Ohio. Upon leaving school he followed teaching in the Buckeye State for five years and also taught one term after coming to Kansas. After the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted as a I'nion soldier in Company E., 86th Ohio Infantry, and participated in the engagement at Cumberland Gap, and was in the raid after Morgan. He received his honorable discharge, and remained a resident of Ohio until the spring of 1870. Then coming to Kansas, he homesteaded the land which he now owns and occupies.

Mr. Smith was married in Ohio, March 16, 1863, to Miss Susan Ware, daughter of Henry Ware, who spent his last years in that State. Mrs. Smith was born in Ashland County, Ohio, Aug. 18, 1843, and by her union with our subject became the mother of two children, Henry A. and William W., both of whom are unmarried and remain at home with their parents. Mr. Smith politically is a Republican, and has served as Township Clerk and Trustee, also as Clerk and Treasurer of his school district. Ile in former years officiated as Justice of the Peace. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the G. A.R., and with his estimable wife is a member of the Ad- vent Christian Church. Living without display or ostentation, they still have around them all the comforts of life and enjoy the esteem and confi- dence of their neighbors.

ERMAN H. MERTEN, JR., one of the younger farmers of Sherman Township, Clay County, is an example of enterprise and in- dustry well worthy of imitation. His land is very fertile and his buildings are mostly the ,

work of his own hands, as he is an expert in the use of carpenter's tools. He is a Western man with Western interests, having been born in St. Louis. Mo., Dec. 31, 1854. About 1857 his parents, Her- man and Caroline (Myer) Merten, removed to Quiney, Ill., where Herman Il. was reared and at. tended the German school until about twelve years old. Ile then entered the Central Wesleyan College of Warrenton and at the completion of his course in book-keeping, obtained a certificate and was prepared to transact any ordinary business.

When completing his studies, Mr. Merten returned to Quiney, Ill., and served an apprenticeship of over two years as a carpenter and builder. He worked about eight years in that city and then in 1879 came to Kansas and located on a part of the land which he now owns and occupies. It was then an open prairie and his first business was to put up a dwelling, he building a house of two rooms. Then followed as soon as possible a large barn 30 x 40 feet, with a shed 35 x 16 feet and other necessary structures. Later he built a large addition to his house which is now one of the most commodious residences in the township. He has a corn crib and granary and all these have been erected mostly by himself. thus saving hundreds of dollars.

The farm of Mr. Merten is all enelosed and divided with neat and substantial fencing. Ile has planted an orchard of about fifty trees and added various other embellishments to the place, calculated for the comfort and happiness of the home. He still follows carpentering as opportunity offers. His family consists of his wife and six children, he having been married in Quincy, Ill., Nov. 18, 1875 to Miss Emma, daughter of Casper and Anna (Spilker) Boge, a native of that city. The parents of Mrs. Merten were born near Here- ford, Germany, and in their native country were members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The father died at Quincy; the mother still resides there.

To Mr. and Mrs. Merten there have been born six children : Linnie, Emma, Herman .J., Clara, Walter W. and Edward E., all of whom are living and form a remarkably bright and interesting group. Mr. Merten politieally, is a Democrat and

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socially, belongs to Morganville Lodge, No. 217, A. O. U. W. He is a favorite both in social and business circles and his career is being watched with kindly interest by many friends.

E DWARD S. WILLIAMS, a retired farmer in fair circumstances, removed from Sherman Township to Clifton in 1887, and is now wisely taking life easy amid the comforts of a pleas- ant village home. He has a well-tilled farm of 120 acres on section 29, Sherman Township, which he developed from an uncultivated tract of land and has it improved with good buildings. He has wit- nessed with warm interest the transformation of this section of country from its first primitive con- dition to the home of a civilized and cultivated people, and has contributed his quota in bringing about its present condition. He is favorably known to the old residents along the southern line of the county, as a man who has made for himself a good record, and as one deserving of recognition among its worthy pioneers.

Mr. Williams was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., seven miles from Syracuse. Nov. 20, 1826. When a boy his parents removed to Richland County, Ohio, where they sojourned seven years, then took up their line of march for Illinois, and thereafter for some years made their home in Kane and Winnebago counties. Edward S. in 1849, wishing to see something more of the Great West, went up into Grant County, Wis., where he owned a tract of land, and prosecuted agriculture until 1870. That year first found him on the new soil of Kansas, and with the interests of this now prosperous commonwealth he has since been closely identified.

Elijah Williams, the father of our subject, was born and reared on the old De Witt Clinton farm, fourteen miles from Newburg, N. Y., living there until a man of twenty-five years. His father, Joseph Williams, had been given a life lease from that estate and there he spent his last years, dying at an advanced age. His son, Elijah, was born May 9, 1800, and when leaving the place where he

had made his home, established himself on the old Judge Monroe place, in Onondaga County. where in due time he was married to Miss Lucretia Du Cett. This lady was born and reared in Che- nango County, N. Y., and was the daughter of the Rev. Barzeal DuC'ett, who was of French origin, and who was for many years a minister of the Old School Baptist Church. He spent his last days in New York State.

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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 37

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

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