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 38

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 38
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 38
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 38

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After their marriage, Elijah Williams and his wife lived upon the old Monroe homestead for some years, then removed to another farm in an- other part of the State, settling in a comparatively, new country. To them there was born in that State one child only, Edward S., but after their re- moval to Richland County, Ohio, the household circle was increased by the birth of four more children. Their subsequent removals to Illinois and Wisconsin have already been noted. In the latter State they located in Grant County, where they spent their last days, the father dying of cholera in 1850. The mother survived her hus- band until 1881, dying at the age of eighty-one years, having been born May 16, 1800. Both were members of the Old School Baptist Church. Elijah Williams was for some years a Colonel of the State militia in New York during the mustering period, and was for some time keeper of the jail in Grant County, Wis.

Edward S. Williams, the eldest child of his par- ents, attained to his majority in Grant County, Wis. On the 1st of February, 1864, he entered the ranks of the Union army as a member of Com- pany E. 35th Wisconsin Infantry. He went with his regiment to New Orleans and participated in some of the important battles which followed, in- cluding the engagement at Port Hudson, and as- sisted in the building of forty miles of corduroy road for the passage of the army through a marshy country. The regiment during its entire service traversed about 8000 miles, pulling a large train of wagons by hand a distance of 100 miles. This regiment served through the Mobile campaign and in the siege of Spanish Fort, being under fire for thirteen days. Henry T. Williams, a brother of our subject, was a member of Com- pany B, Ist Battallion, 16th United States Infantry,

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and after being in battle twenty-one days, was taken prisoner at the battle of Chickamauga, and yielded up his life at the rebel stronghold at Dan . ville.

Mr. Williams was first married in Rockford, Ill., to Miss Maria Countryman, a native of New York State, and who died in Lancaster, Grant Co., Wis., leaving two children, both daughters. The eldest. Mary, is the wife of John H. Countryman, and they live on a farm, on the Des Moines River, in Webster County, Iowa. Ellen married Chaney E. Jones, a mechanic, and they live near Richmond, Va. The second marriage of our subject was with Rebecea Ketner, June 21, 1854, in Grant County, Wis. This lady was born in Blair County, Pa., April 1, 1821, and removed with her parents when quite young to Willmore, Cambria County, that State. When thirty years old she repaired to Grant County, Wis., with her parents. they locat- ing near Beetown. David Ketner occupied him- self as a farmer and mechanic, and died at the age of sixty-six years. His wife survived him until May 29, 1872, passing away at the age of seventy- six. During their younger years Mr. and Mrs. Ketner were members of the Presbyterian Church, but later identified themselves with the Congrega- tionalists.

Two children only were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wil- liams : Emma A., the wife of E. R. Surprenant, who is a contractor and builder, of Denver, Col., and Edward II., who married Miss Cora Beckner. The latter are residents of Clifton. Mr. Williams, politically, affiliates with the Republican party, of whose principles he is an earnest advocate.

R OBERT H. MILLEN, D. S., for the past eighteen years has followed his profession among the people of Clay Center and vi- einity and has become one of the most prominent and successful men therein. Ile estab- lished himself there in 1871, being thus one of the early residents of the place. He is a man highly spoken of, both as a citizen and a practitioner and

has made hosts of friends during his sojourn in Clay County.

Dr. Millen was born in Indiana County, Pa., March 29, 1836, and lived there until a young man of twenty-four years, aequiring a good practical education in the common sehool. He is the seion of an excellent family, being the son of James Millen who was born under the same roof-tree as his son Robert, and there grew to man's estate. Ile married Miss Mary Ann Cunningham, a native of Ireland. who came to America with her parents when a child of twelve years. They continned on the old farm, rearing a family of nine children. The father met with a violent death, being killed by a threshing machine in 1843, when Robert was a boy of seven years. The mother continued at the homestead until sometime in the '60's, then made her home with her daughters until her de- eease, which oeeurred in Latrobe, Penn., in 1883.

The subject of this notice remained a resident of his native State until after the outbreak of the Civil War. Then, he, in September, 1861, en- listed as a Union soldier in Company K, 11th Pennsylvania Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He participated actively in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock Station, Thoroughfare, Ga., the second battle of Bull Run, and was at South Mountain, Antietam and Gettysburg, besides in several skirmishes. After being in the service over three years he was given an honorable discharge and mustered out at Wash- ington, D. C .. Oct. 1, 1864.

Returning now to his native State young Millen resumed the study of dentistry and finished in the office of Dr. Richey at Elmwood, Ill., with whom he practiced until coming to Kansas. He opened an office at Clay Center in 1871, being the first den- tist to settle here permanently. Ile has uniformly signalized himself as a liberal-minded and public- spirited citizen, always interested in those projects calculated to promote the advancement of his adopted town. He votes the straight Republiean ticket and is a member in good standing of the G. A. R., the I. O. O. F. and the K. of P.

At Tecumseh, Neb., Dr. Millen was married June 16, 1873, to Miss Mary M. Alford. Mrs. Millen was born in Indiana County, Pa., May 31. 1845.

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and is the daughter of .1. B. Alford, who removed to Nebraska the same year of her marriage. He is now a resident of Johnson County, being proprie- tor of the hotel at Sterling. The Doctor and his estimable lady are the parents of two children, daughters-Aurora A. and Melissa M. They occupy a snug home on Lincoln Avenue, Clay Cen- ter, and are widely and favorably known to most of its people.

B ERNARD HAVERKAMP. It is interest- ing to note the different nationalities which are represented in the settlement of Kansas as in that of other States, not only West of the Mississippi. but the entire Union. The sons of the Fatherland have done good service upon American soil, since the Colonies established their independence. Their stout muscles and substantial traits of character have served not only themselves to excellent purpose, but have assisted in the pros- perty and advancement of a large section of coun- try whose soil a half century ago needed only such cultivation as they were able to give it, in order to yield the rich crops which have made the West the granary of the world. Mr. Haverkamp in 1869 sought the soil of Kansas locating first in Riley County, where he homesteaded 160 acres of land, but in 1880, selling this he changed his residence to Washington County, and is now finely located on section 30, Lincoln Township. He has added to his first purchase, having in 1885, seenred 160 acres adjoining and the whole 240 acres has been brought to a good state of cultivation. The build- ings without being pretentious, answer the general purposes of farm life and the family of our subject has no reason to complain of its surroundings.

The subject of this notice was born in the King- dom of Prussia, Feb. 16, 1833, and is the son of Theodore Haverkamp, likewise a native of that country, where he made a living as a day laborer and where he spent his entire life. The mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Steffins) Haverkamp, was a native of the same province as her husband and both were members in good standing of the German Catholic

Church. They were the parents of three children only-Henry. Elizabeth and Bernard. They all received a good common-school education and Ber- nard remained in his native country until a man of thirty-four years, principally engaged in agricul- tural pursuits.

Finally being very much dissatisfied with his surroundings and his prospects, Mr. Haverkamp decided to seek his fortune on the soil of America. The summer of 1867 found him located in Ken- tucky, where he resided until 1869. That year he came to Kansas and proceeded as we have already described. He was married April 19, 1883 to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel Dahm who is now a resident of Marshall County, this State. Mrs. Haverkamp was born Feb. 5, 1851, in Wisconsin. and spent her childhood and youth uneventfully as a member of the parental household. Of the four children born of her union with our subject two died in infancy. The survivors are Kate and Elizabeth M. Politically, Mr. Ilaverkamp is iden- tified with the Democratic party and he and his wife are members in good standing of the German Lutheran Church.

OHN C. WIGGINS resides on section 3, Sherman Township, Washington County, where he is operating the homestead for his father. He was reared to farm pursuits, which since maturity he has successfully carried on. Ile was born in Elgin, Ill., July 1, 1854, and was fifteen years of age when his parents removed to this county. Ile continued to live on the home farm until about 1880, when he bought 160 acres of land on section 2, Sherman Township. There he resided until 1885, when, at the death of his mother. he sold his farm and bought eighty acres on section 10, adjoining his father's homestead, and came back to operate that,

In January, 1877, Mr. Wiggins was united in marriage with Miss Dellie Avery. She was born in Douglas County, Ill., Oct. 6, 1860, and is a lady of education and many domestic virtues. Her parents were Charles and Annie Avery, natives of

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the Empire State, who came to Illinois at quite an early day. There the mother died of consumption some years later. The father subsequently went to Lincoln, Neb., where he died of the same dread disease at the age of thirty-six years. Ile had been a farmer, but during his later years followed butch- ering. Mr. and Mrs. Wiggins have been the pa- rents of three children: Leslie C., fifteen months old, now brightens their fireside; Albert A. and Elvina E. (twins) died in infancy.

Richard Il. Wiggins, the father of our subject, was born in Duanesburgh, N. Y., Oct. 16, 1819. When eleven years old his parents removed to Rotterdam, where he remained until 1845, at which time he removed to Elgin, Ill. In the latter place he resided until the spring of 1860, when he re- moved to Clay County, of the same State, whence in the fall of 1869 he came to this county. He filed a claim of 160 acres of land on section 3. Sherman Township, which he secured under the Homestead Act. There he has since resided, en- gaged in farming and stock-raising. Ile is a men- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. llis wife was Miss Anna Vedder, who was born in Rotter- dam, N. Y., May 7, 1818. ller father, Nicholas Vedder, was of German descent, and a native of the Empire State, where he spent his entire life, dying at an advanced age. He was a carriage- maker by trade, and was in good circumstances. He was identified with the German Reformed Church. In politics he was a Republican.

Mrs. Richard Wiggins died in this county Aug. 6, 1885, having borne her husband ten children. They were: Jacob H., who was born Oct. 22, 1840, and died Ang. 2, 1862; Nicholas V., who was born Oct. 9, 1842, and died Sept. 7, 1845; Nathaniel B., who was born Dec. 29, 1844, and died Sept. 14, 1845; Cornelius, who was born Sept. 18, 1846, is still living ; Nicholas V., born Feb. 17, 1850, died Sept. 7, 1850; Elizabeth; John C .; Albert, who was born Oet. 12, 1856, and died April 9, 1860; Aaron; and Annie E., who was born March 10, 1863, and died Oct. 16, 1864.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was Jacob Wiggins, a native of Long Island, where he was born July 24, 1784. In 1796 he removed to Duanesburgh, N. Y., where he resided until 1830.

He then went to Rotterdam, where he ran a saw- mill until 1845. At that period he removed to Cook County, Ill., where he spent his last days, being gathered to his fathers Aug. 8. 1850.

Aaron Wiggins, a brother of the gentleman whose name heads this biography, was the ninth child in the parental family. Ile was born Feb. 12, 1859, and since his tenth year has been a resident of this county. At that time he came here with his parents, and continued on the home farm until 1880, when he became the possessor of eighty acres of land on section 3, Sherman Township. In 1882 he started a fish pond, which covers an area of about six acres and has a depth of about fifteen feet. In 1887 he stocked the pond with German carp, and the indications are that he will make a success of carp raising. In 1884 he learned the jeweler's trade, and carried on that business in Pal- mer two years. He has also worked at the trade a short time in other towns in this State. During the last four years he has been engaged in the man- ufacture of brooms at his home. He intends giv- ing up that business, however, and devoting his entire time to pisciculture.

John C. Wiggins is a stanch Republican, as are his father and the brother of whom we have made brief mention. He is an educated and enterprising gentleman, kindly in his social and domestic life, and a trustworthy cltizen, and as such shares the esteem of the community. Mr. Wiggins was en- gaged in the drug business at Linn, this county, from 1887 until 1888, when he sold out and re- sumed farming.

OIIN HATKE. The attention of the trav- eler. passing through the southern portion of section 15, Independence Township, Wash- ington County, is at once attracted to the homestead which has been built up by the industry of the gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch. The farm, 120 acres in extent, has been brought to a high state of cultivation, and is en- tirely surrounded by a neatly trimmed hedge, making a most beautiful picture in the landscape.

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Adjacent to the dwelling stand 400 evergreen trees, and there is also a fine flower garden, laid out in artistic form and filled with some of the choicest exotics which can be produced. The dwelling is a tasteful modern structure, finished and furnished in a manner at once indicative of refined tastes and ample means. Near by is a fine barn, erected dur- ing the summer of 1889, largely by the hands of the proprietor, and outside of this at a cost of $500. There are upon the place 900 fruit trees in good bearing condition, and a half-acre of grapes of choice varieties. Mr. Hatke is considerably in- terested in live-stock, keeping eighteen head of cattle, thirty-eight head of swine and three good horses, which are used to carry on the farm. He is likewise considerable of an apiarist, having forty- one hives of bees. In looking over the farm and its appurtenances, it would seem that there was little to be added to make it an ideal home.

The subject of this sketch was born in Effingham County, Ill., in September, 1850, and was the youngest ehild of John and Sophy (Upmore) Hatke, who were natives of Germany, where they spent their childhood and youth. Upon coming to Amer ica, they settled in the vicinity of Springfield, III., where John Hatke, Sr., departed this life. The mother was subsequently married, in Illinois, to J. B. Schneidjans, and they came to Kansas about 1869. Of the first marriage there were born two children-the subject of tkis sketch and his brother, who is a resident of Hanover.

Mr. Hatke went with his mother and stepfather to Stearns County, Minn., and sojourned with them until a youth of eighteen years. From that State they removed to Texas, but only remained there a short time, eoming thence to Kansas, in 1870. Mr. Hatke, when he attained to his majority, started out for himself, and was in the employ of a farmer in Ilanover Township, for a period of four years. In the meantime, he saved what he could of his earn- ings, and now procuring a team, rented a farm, and in connection with this, operated a threshing-ma . chine for his brother, Frank, for two years. He then took up bis abode in Hanover, where he lived one year, and at the expiration of this time pur- chased a tract of raw prairie, which he has trans- formed into one of the finest farms in this part of

the county. It has taken no small amount of labor to bring it to its present condition, and no small outlay of hard cash. This, however, has been capi- tal well invested, and yields handsome returns.

On the 21st of January, 1883, occurred one of the most interesting and important events in the life of Mr. Hatke, namely, his marriage with Miss Emma. daughter of Peter Staub, now a resident of Hanover. Mrs. Hatke was the younger of two children, comprising the parental household, and was born in Hanover Township, this State, June 16, 1864. She was given a good education, and re- eeived an excellent home training. Of her union with our subject there have been born two children -Frank and Barney. Mr. Hatke takes an active interest in politics, voting the straight Democratic ticket. He and his estimable wife are leading mem- bers of the Roman Catholic Church, attending services at Hanover.

IEDRICH LEVIEN. Washington County is indebted to Germany for many of her most successful farmers and best citizens. Among the Germans of this, class, con- spicuous place must be given to the above-named gentleman, who resides on section 6, Hanover Township. The home farm consists of 200 acres, all well improved and thoroughly cultivated. ITis elegant rural residence, which was built in 1886, at a cost of over $2,000, and the barn, which bad been erected five years previous at a cost of about $1,100, are among the finest in the county, while his estate is still further embellished by an excellent orchard of fifty trees, 120 grape vines and various small fruits. He is the owner of 525 acres of land, and now has 115 head of cattle, eleven horses and 140 hogs. He may well be proud of his fine home and estate, all of which has been the result of his own efforts.

The parents of our subject were Herman and Al- merich (Schroeder) Levien, natives of Oldenburg, Germany, where they resided during their entire lives. The father was a farmer, and served for two years in the German army. The mother died in

FARM RESIDENCE OF A. P. ME CULLEY, SEC.25. FARMINGTON TP. WASHINGTON CO.

RESIDENCE OF DIEDRICH LEVIEN, SEC. G. HANOVER TP. WASHINGTON CO.

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1858, the father surviving until July 10. 1889. He had accumulated a considerable property and had retired from active life some years before his death, which occurred when he was nearly eighty-nine years old.

The parental family consisted of two children, of whom our subject was the elder, and he was born in Oldenburg, Dec. 20, 1838. He received a good education in his native land and language, and has from manhood been engaged in agricultural pur- suits. When about thirty years of age, he came to America, landing at Baltimore, Md., and journey- ing westward to Peoria County, III. He removed thence to Hanover, this State, where he rented a farm for one season. He bought 160 acres, which constituted the nucleus of his present estate, and which he has increased to the amount of acreage above-mentioned.

On the 13th of November, 1870. Mr. Levien was united in marriage with Johanna Wulff, daughter of John B. and Almuth (Bruns) Wulff, of Oldeu- burg, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Wulff came to America in 1870, and to Kansas the same year. Of their family of five children, Mrs. Levien was the eldest, and was born Dec. 25, 1846, in the sanie town which was her husband's birthplace. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Levien has resulted in the birth of eight children. The eldest, John George, was born Aug. 9, 1871, and departed this life Jan. 8, 1877. His body was interred in Hanover. not far from the home of his sorrowing parents. Their living children are: Anna, born June 10, 1873; Mary, April 14, 1875 ; Alma, Oct. 28, 1877 ; Sophie, Jan. 6, 1879; George, Jan. 4, 1881 ; Hermine, Aug. 2, 1883; and Henry, April 18, 1889.

Mr. Levien takes an interest in politics, and votes the Republican ticket. He has been a mem- ber of Lodge No. 155. I. O. O. F., of Hanover, and at one time was Road Overseer, and is now Director of School District No. 111, discharging the duties of the office in a faithful and efficient way. He and his wife are members of the German Lutheran Church, at Hanover. He has been the administrator of several estates, and is now the guardian of two minors. lle is a man of strict integrity, of a lib- eral nature, and is held in high repute in the com- munity. We invite the attention of our many

readers to a fine lithographie view, which may be found elsewhere in this volume, of the handsome residence, outbuildings and stock on the farm of Mr. Levien.

BRAIIAM P. McCULLEY. The subject of this sketch is one of the most substan- tial agriculturalists of Farmington Town- ship, Washington County, and pursues the even tenor of his way at his well-regulated home- stead on section 25, which embraces 110 acres of choice land upon which he has made good improve- ments. He came here in the spring of 1868 and homesteaded 160 acres of land on section 25, tak- ing up his residence there the following year. He was reared to farm pursuits and of these has made an art and a science; in the meantime he has laid something by for a rainy day and has surrounded his family with all the comforts of life.

Mr. MeCulley was born in Brown County, Ohio, Oct. 22, 1846 and lived there with his parents un- til a lad of eight years. The family then sought the country west of the Mississippi, locating in Mahaska County, Iowa, where Abraham P .. de- veloped into manhood and completed his educa- tion in the common schools. He was married at his own home in Farmington Township, this State, May 12, 1870, to Miss Rachel J. Breckenridge. Mrs. McCulley was born in Adams County, Ohio, Oct. 22. 1845 and our subject and his wife thus have the privilege of celebrating their birthday in common.

John McCulley, the father of our subject, was likewise a native of Ohio, and married Miss Cath- erine Workman, who was born and reared not far from the early home of her husband. After mar- riage they continued residents of Brown County until their removal to lowa, where they lived until 1869. After coming to Kansas the mother died in August, 1882. John McCulley survived his wife not quite three years, passing away in June. 1885. The parental family included six children, of whom Abraham was next to the youngest; five of these are living and located mostly in Kansas.

The parents of our subject's wife were Roddy

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and Jane (Cross) Breckenridge, natives respectively of Kentucky and Ohio. After marriage they lived in Adams County, the latter State, until their removal to Mahaska County, Iowa, where the mother died. Mr. Breckenridge about 1874 came to Kansas and settled in Farmington Township, but subsequently removed to Nemaha County, where his death took place in December, 1883. He was the father of ten children, Mrs. McCulley being the sixth in order of birth. She became the mother of six children, viz: Arthur M., John T., Roddy L., Rancy E. and two who died in infancy.

Mr. McCulley cast his first Presidential vote for U. S. Grant, and is a stanch supporter of Republi- ean principles .. He and his estimable wife are numbered among the most faithful members and attendants of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Although plain and unassuming people they have been no unimportant factors in upholding the moral and social clement of the community, being the friends of law and order and representing the best qualities of citizenship.

Mr. MeCulley has a homestead of which he may justly be proud as it represents the result of years of unremitting toil. Elsewhere in this volume ap- pears a lithographic view of his neatly anished res- idence with its pleasant surroundings.

Le ARS ANDERSON. This gentleman is a prominent resident of Morganville and in- deed of Clay County. His residence, a commodious and well designed frame structure, is situated within the city limits of Morganville, and the adjoining estate of about eighty acres is furn- ished with a good barn, orchard and other conven- ienees. Mr. Anderson owns 1,282 acres in this county, the most of this splendid landed estate being under fine cultivation.

Mr. Anderson was born on the farm Tvedt in ITolmedal Sogen, Skonevegs Prestejeld, South Ilordland, Bergens Stift, Norway. Aug. 3, 1835. lle is the son of Andrew T. Anderson and Mangela, daughter of Lars Skrome. The parents and ances- try were Lutherans and in that church our subject

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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 38

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

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