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 39

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 39
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 39
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 39

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).

was reared. Ile came to the United States in the spring of 1856, making the voyage on the Norwe- gian sail ship " Hakonadel Sten." He left Norway on May 16, and landed at Quebec, July 27. Thence he went directly to Chicago, Il1., and then located in Kendall Connty, and in that part of the State lived until the spring of 1870. He first worked as a farm hand for some two years, following which for four years he was hired to a nursery man. He then began farming and raising trees. The latter occupation he followed about twelve months. when he sold the nursery and devoted his entire attention to agriculture for the succeeding four years. He then engaged in the sale of general merchandise and in this business spent a similar length of time.

In May, 1870, Mr. Anderson sold the stock and good-will of his mercantile business, rented the store-room which he had built, and came to Kan- sas. Hle took a homestead of 160 acres in what is now. Garfield Township, this county, and pre- empted the same amount. He lived on the home- stead several years, during which time he improved and beautified it. About two years after coming to this State he bought 560 acres on a creek bot- tom in Sherman Township. and moved to the new place. There he built a house, broke the prairie, and two years after his purchase sold the farm and moved back to his homestead. About the year 1886 he removed to his present home in the city.

When Mr. Anderson located on his homestead there were only two or three houses between it and Clay Center, which was then a village containing three stores, one mill and a couple of blacksmith shops. Morganville was not then established. The splendid estate which Mr. Anderson now owns, he has acquired by his energetic labors and excellent judgment, combined with prudence and economy during the years of his pecuniary struggles. He is one of the most successful men of the township, and may well be proud of the position which he has attained among the property owners of this vicinity.

The parents of our subject came to the United States in 1861, and a few years later accompanied their son to Kansas, making their home with him. The father's death occurred in February, 1883, he

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being eighty-five years and five months old. The widowed mother still survives, at the advanced age of eighty-five years.

The family of Mr. Anderson consists of four daughters and one son. The oldest ehild, .Jennie M .. is now attending the business college at Law- rence, this State. The second child. Lengha C., is at college at Northfield, Minn .; Ella, Severt and Carry are still at home.

Mr. Anderson and family are members of the Lutheran Church. His private character is irre- proachable, and he is as a citizen, reliable and trust- worthy.

OIN AFFLECK. The biographer in mak- ing his way among the well-to-do farmers of Garfield Township, found none more worthy of mention in a work of this kind than him with whose name we introduce this biographical outline and who, by his industry and forethought. has made for himself one of the most desirable homesteads in that region. He comes from one of the best countries on the face of the globe -- Scot- land-having been born in the city of Glasgow, Dee. 26, 1825. He was there reared and educated and learned the trade of a book binder. He had been a thoughtful and ambitious lad from his youth up and had read much concerning the advantages offered in the United States for the young and en- terprising emigrant. He determined to seek this country and on the 12th of May. 1847, when a young man in the twenty-second year of his age. he set out from Portsmouth, England, on a sail- ing vessel the "Appola" and landed in the city of Quebec on the 5th of July, following. He worked at his trade there about three years and thence went to Toronto where he sojourned until 1857. There he was married to Miss Jane, daugh- ter of William Patterson, a native of Ireland. In the month of April they removed to New York City where Mr. Affleck followed his trade until 1861.

The Civil War now being in progress, furnished to Mr. Affleck, as to others, unlooked for employ- ment and be enlisted as a Union soldier in the Ist

New York Cavalry. He served three years and was present at many a hard-fought battle including those in the MeClellan campaign, winding up at Antietam. Later he went up the Shenandoah Val- ley and near Winchester was captured by the enemy and conveyed to Libby Prison. He was confined there about forty-two weeks and was then taken to Belle Isle where he staid about two weeks. after which he was exchanged and went to Annapolis with other paroled prisoners. From that time until joining his regiment he was in Washington. D. C.

In the fall of 1863 Mr. Affleck joined his com- rades in the old regiment in time to participate in the battle of Piedmont, when he was again cap- tured, but immediately escaped, joining his regi- ment on the march to Lynchburg, and thereafter engaged in numerous skirmishes. August 28, 1864. he received his honorable discharge at Harper's Ferry, and soon afterward returned to New York State. In the meantime his first wife, to whom he had been married in Canada, died in July, 1862, leaving one child, a son. Joseph.

In May, 1865, Mr. Affleck contracted a second marriage with Miss Barbara, daughter of William and Mary ( Milligan) Milroy, the wedding taking place at the bride's home in New York City. Mrs. Affleck and her parents were both natives of Scot- land, where the latter died. The daughter emi- grated to America in 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Milroy were Scotch Presbyterians in religion as also were the parents of Mr. Affleck's first wife. Our subject after this marriage worked at his trade in New York City, until 1870, and in the spring of that year set out for Kansas.

Coming directly to Clay County, Mr. Affleck now homesteaded 160 acres of land on seetion 2, Garfield Township, where he took up his abode and has since lived. The little family occupied a tent until the father and son could construct a dugont which had a sod upper story and was covered with boards. In the fall Mr. Affleck put up a little frame house 12 x 14 feet in dimensions which they occupied several years. After making some other improve- ments on his farm Mr. Affleck, leaving his family, returned to New York City. and worked at his trade about ten months in order to obtain the needed funds required for further improving his property.

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Upon coming back he gave his attention entirely to his farm, making fences, erecting buildings and planting forest and fruit trees. He has an apple orchard of 100 trees and about thirty peach trees in good bearing condition. His timber claim of eighty acres embraces about 4,000 trees while he has five acres elsewhere, being thus fully supplied with the material for lumber and fuel.

To our subject and his present wife there have been born eight children, viz .: William, Ellen, Anna, Mary, Alice, John, Isabel and James. They are all living and with their parents, are members in good standing of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Affleck has officiated as an Elder in his church since its organization. Ile gives his support to the Re- publican party and is a member of Sedgwick Post, G. A. R. at Clifton. Aside from serving as Justice of the Peace, he has never assumed the responsibili- ties of office. He is a man universally respected for the sterling worth of his character and is looked upon as one of the representative men of an in- telligent community.

HILIP ROTHMAN. Among the influen- tial residents of Clay Center, few are better known and none more highly respected than the gentleman whose life is tbus briefly outlined in its most important phases. For many years and during the most active period of his life he was engaged in farming pursuits, but having retired from the arduons labors necessary to success in this vocation, he is now a prosperous coal dealer, and associated with the most vital in- terests of his county. Many changes have been wrought in the face of the landscape since his arrival with his family, Aug. 15, 1862, when nature yet wore the primitive appearance of all frontier communities and wild animals ranged at will. Immediately preceding his arrival in Clay County, the town site of the present flourishing town of Clay Center had been laid out, and Mr. Rothman was so pleased with the appearance of the land and the outlook for the future, that he took up a home- stead of 160 acres three miles cast of the city. this

land being now included in the County Poor Farm. Our subject and his family were accompanied on their removal here from Doniphan County by four other families, and when they had located in the county, the census thereof showed only sixteen households. From such a beginning Mr. Rothman has watched the growth of Clay County, until now he takes justifiable pride in beholding the results of the labors of those worthy pioneers, among whom he occupies an honorable position.

After building a log cabin, with floor and roof of dirt, Mr. Rothman saw his family domiciled therein and surrounded with the necessities of life, and then he proceeded to improve the land he had preempted, breaking, plowing, and planting with undaunted perseverance, and finally bringing the land out of its original condition until it became one of the garden spots of the county. The first years of his residence here he raised only small crops, and took the products of his labor to June- tion City or Ft. Riley, thirty-five miles distant, where he secured fair prices. Continuing his work, he brought 100 acres to a high state of cultivation, enclosed with good fences and embellished witlı first-class farm buildings. The old log cabin was in due time replaced by a handsome residence of mod- ern design, the shingles for which our subject con- veyed from Clay Center. He afterward added to the attractions of his estate by planting an avenue of trees, which yet stand, and form the beautiful driveway leading to the Poor House. The vine- yard which Mr. Rothman planted was the first in the county, while he also planted an orchard, con- taining many choice varieties of apple trees. Hav- ing put all these valuable improvements on his farm, he was enabled to sell it in 1875 at a fair profit, and for two years prior to that time and ever since he has made Clay Center his home.

Having erected a fine hotel in Clay Center, Mr. Rothman opened it under the name of the "Farm- ers' Resort," and continued its proprietor until 1885, when having built a commodious and at- tractive residence on the corner of Sixth and Court streets, opposite the Court House Square, he moved into it and is there living happily, surrounded by the comforts of earthly existence. He is still in- terested in fruits. and has on his homestead the

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finest pears raised in the county, fully equal in their delicious flavor and sweetness to the boasted C'ali- fornia fruit. These he has sold at fifty cents per dozen, and besides raises a choice variety of plums, cherries and apples; while he devotes a one-half acre to the culture of the grape, and has one of the finest grape arbors in the city.

Mr. Rothman was born in llesse-Darmstadt, May 12, 1828, and in this province he passed the first twenty years of his life, coming in 1848 to Illinois, and stopping in St. Clair County. He was en- gaged for a few years in railroading, being foreman on the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, and on the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad. which line runs through Hannibal, Mo. In the latter city he met. and married, in 1856, Miss Regina Trout, a native of Germany and born April 17, 1824. There have come to them a family of six children, of whom three survive, namely : Mary, who married J. P. Redmond, and lives in Clay Center; Margaret, Mrs. Herring, resides in Kansas City ; Regina E. is at home with her parents. The family are members of the Lutheran Church. . while Mr. Rothman. politically, supports the Democratic party, in which he is one of the leaders of his community. Ile is also a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the K. of P. Ile was elected Sheriff of Clay County in 1868, and was so successful in the first term of office that he was again chosen, thus serving four years in that responsible position. He was Deputy Marshal ten years under the Republican and four years under the Democratic Administration. He wields a power with those who know him best, such as can be attained only by an honorable and up- right life, and is reasonably proud of his share in developing the vast resources of Clay County.

W ILLIAM H. TAYLOR. Among the suc- cessful farmers and stock-breeders of Clay County, this gentleman deserves mention. He keeps the best and most popular breeds of horses and cattle. He is located on section 4, Mul- berry Township, his farm being favorably situated in the first bottom of the Republican River, and

between that stream and Scribner Creek. Mr. Tay- lor purchased the farm in 1882, and has since made most of the improvements upon it, which include adequate and substantial farm buildings of various kinds. Mr. Taylor came to this county from Brant- ford Township, Washington County, where he had lived for a year previous, and to which he had removed from his native State of Illinois.

The grandparents of our subjeet. William and Ellen (McMahan) Taylor, were born in the Old Dominion, both being of Irish parentage. They went to Kentucky in early life, and there were mar- ried. making their home near Hopkinsville for many years. Several children were there born to them. In the early part of the present century they settled in Williamson County, Ill., the country around them being all unbroken by the hand of man. They improved a large tract, and succeeded well in farming and stock-raising, making a spe- cialty of the latter. Mrs. Taylor died about the year 1867, at the age of seventy years. Mr. Tay- lor survived until the summer of 1874, when he too passed away, having lived to the advanced age of ninety years. His death was the result of old age, and he passed away as if in sleep. At the time of his decease, every tooth in his head was sound. HIe had been a temperate man in all things, and was of pronounced morals. He belonged to no religious body, but in most particulars held the faith of the Christian Church. In his political views he was first a Whig, and later a Republican. In his place and generation he was a representative citizen.

James Taylor, the son of the above noted, was born in Kentucky. and removed with his parents to Illinois. There he was married to Miss Sabra Hindman, a native of Williamson County. She bore him four sons and four daughters, all but two of whom are still living, all the survivors having fam- ilies. She died some years since, and Mr. Taylor is now living with his second wife. He is now nearly four-score years of age, has always been a man of steady habits and highly respected by his neighbors.

When Abraham Lincoln issued his second eall for troops in 1861, James Taylor and three sons. William 11., Elias, and Newton, answered the call. The father and two sons were enrolled in the 60th

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Illinois Infantry, Company K, the regiment being commanded by Col. Toler. The 60th served under the gallant Gen. Sherman, while the regiment to which the son Newton belonged, was under com- mand of "Pap" Thomas. All of the family group were privates except one, Elias, who held the rank of Orderly Sergeant. All reported for duty nearly every day during their terms of service, and took an active part in all the engagements of their regi- ments. The father was twice wounded, both times seriously, he being the only one of the band who was injured. All, however, narrowly escaped wounds, receiving numerous bullet holes in their clothing. Each served more than three years, the entire period of the father's army-life being four and a half years, he having re-enlisted as a veteran.

William H. Taylor, the subject of this sketch, was born in Herring Prairie, Williamson Co., Ill., on the 14th of January, 1838, and is the eld- est of his mother's children. He was the recip- ient of excellent home training from his worthy parents, and resided under the home roof until after the breaking out of the Civil War, when he aecom- panied his father and brothers to the front. When mustered out of service after his valiant army life, he took up for himself the duties of a civilian. Ile was married in his native county, to Miss Elizabeth E. McInturff, in whom he found the qualities he thought most desirable in a life companion. After some years residence in their native State and county, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor removed to Kansas, as noted at the beginning of this sketch.

Mrs. Taylor was born in Tennessee, but reared in Williamson County, Ill. Her parents, James and Catherine Ann (Clapp) MeInturff are natives of Tennessee, whence they removed to Kentucky. later to Illinois, and finally to Kansas. They are now living in Vining, this county, retired farmers, both being well advanced in years. Mr. and Mrs. Tay- lor have had nine children born to them, five of whom have been removed from them by death. The deceased are Eddie and Myrtie, twins, and three infants unnamed. The survivors are Joanna May, James II., and Nannie C. and Belle S., twins. They are well-educated, very intelligent for their years, and possessed of good manners.

24, G. A. R., of Clifton. In politics, he is a Re- publican. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor and the two eldest children, are members of the Christian Church, in which he holds the office of Elder. and has been an official member since the organization of the so- ciety here, a work in which he was very instrumen- tal. The church is generously supported by him.

ONAH W. TURNER came to Clay County, Kan., from Jo Daviess County, Ill., in 1871, and purchased 160 acres of land in Mulberry Township, where he has since sojourned. About the same time he also homesteaded eighty acres on section 15,and has now eighty acres of well- improved land there, which has become the source of a comfortable income. He was born in Hancock County, Ind., Feb. 4, 1840, and is the son of Adam Turner, a native of Ohio, and a farmer and general mechanic by occupation. The latter, emigrated to Indiana a single man, and was there married to Miss Elizabeth A. S. Troxel. This lady was born in Maryland, and was of English ancestry. Her parents were likewise natives of that State, and emi- grated to Indiana at an early day. In 1840 they removed to Illinois, spending the remainder of their lives in Jo Daviess County.

Adam Turner and his wife, after their marriage, sojourned in Indiana among its earliest pioneers until after the birth of two children-Jonah, our subject, being the younger. Then, in 1840, they emigrated to Wisconsin, settling in the new min- ing town of Shullsburg. where the father became interested in the mines. Later, in 1850, he re- moved to Guilford Township, Jo Davicss Co., Ill., and died there Nov. 3, 1854, at the age of forty- seven years, having been born Nov. 25, 1807. He was a good man in the broadest sense of the term, a Whig, politically, and a citizen highly esteemed in his community.

The mother of our subject survived her husband some years, then coming to Kansas, died at the home of her son-in-law, J. A. Dittmar, in Clay Center, April 12, 1880. She was then sixty-two

Mr. Taylor is a member of Sedgwick Post No. years old, having been born sept. 11, 1818. She

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found her religious home in the Methodist Episco- pal Church. Jonah was only a few months old when his parents removed to Wisconsin. He went with them to Illinois, and received his early educa- tion in Jo Daviess County, where he likewise at- tained to his majority. In 1870. with his mother and two sisters, he came to Kansas, and for some years they all lived together.

When ready to establish a fireside of his own, Mr. Turner was married June 4, 1879, in Clifton, Kan., to Miss Julia A. Wellborn. This lady was a native of Wilkes County, N. C., and was born Oct. 9, 1843. Her parents were Thomas S. and Amanda (Templeton) Wellborn, likewise natives of North Carolina, the father being of Scotch ancestry, and born in Stokes County, and the mother in Iredell County. After marriage they lived for a number of years in Wilkes County. In the year 1862 they removed to Watauga County, and from there, in 1864, to Washington County, E. Tenn., where they settled upon a farm, and have since made their home in that county, being now resi- dents of Johnson City. The father is now about seventy-eight years, and the mother seventy-four years old. They are most worthy and excellent people, and members in good standing of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Mr. Wellborn was a strong Union man during the late Civil War, and suffered much on account of his principles, losing all his property and enduring many outrages. One of his sons was killed during that terrible time, and he nearly lost his own life, because he strenuously opposed secession and slavery.

Mrs. Turner remained with her parents until af- ter their removal to Tennessee, and having acquired a good education, occupied herself as a teacher. She came to Kansas in 1877, and two years later was married. She became the mother of four chil- dren, two of whom died unnamed. The survivors are: J. Bessie, and Francis M. Mr. and Mrs. Turner are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically, Mr. Turner is a supporter of the Republican party. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace and Township Trustee, to- gether with other positions of trust and responsi- bility.

After the last call for troops, Mr. Turner, on the

6th of October, 1864. enlisted in Company E, 17th Illinois Cavalry, which operated mostly in South- ern Missouri and Kansas in the scouting service. The war ending a few months afterward, he was not called upon to participate in any active fighting, and was honorably discharged at Ft. Leaven worthı, Oct. 6, 1865, one year from the time of his enlist- ment.

OHN R. SCOTT, Manager of the Dispatch, published at Clay Center, is regarded by the citizens of Clay Center and vicinity, as a gentleman of sterling worth, upright and trustworthy, and is justly held in high esteem. Ilis business qualifications are only equalled by those which constitute the most desirable elements in a citizen and a member of society. A native of St. Lawrence County, N. Y., Mr. Scott was born Aug. 22, 1862, and is the son of James S. and Margaret H. (Bishop) Scott.

This branch of the Scott family is of Scotch- Irish descent, but for many generations have been residents of the United States, most of them living in Pennsylvania, where the grandfather of our sub- ject, William Scott, was born in Beaver County. Ile there spent his lifetime on a farm, dying about the year 1861. His wife was a Miss Young, who passed away a few years prior to the decease of her husband. They had a family of five sons and three daughters, one daughter dying about the time of reaching womanhood. Robert G., a farmer in McDorough County, INI., died about the year 1875.

James S. Scott departed this life July 18, 1889. Five of his children yet survive. William is farming in Dakota; David is pursuing agriculture near Page City, Iowa; John Y. is a machinist. and lives at Parsons, this State; Elizabeth is the wife of Andrew Waterson, a farmer at Beaver, Pa .; Rebecca is the wife of David MeKeague, who is farming near Beaver Falls, Pa. James S. Scott was born in Beaver County, Pa., Aug. 8. 1823. and received his early education in the common schools of his na- tive county, which he attended until he was seven- teen years old. He then began an apprenticeship at

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blacksmithing, at which he worked for about four years. Desiring, however, to obtain a better edu- cation, he left his trade and entered the University of Western Pennsylvania, at Pittsburg, of which he was a student four years, being graduated in 1848. Next he entered the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, at Philadelphia, where he fitted himself for the ministry, and in the spring of 1851 was licensed to preach. He spent one year in the home mission work in what was then the Western States-Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, etc.

In November, 1852, Mr. Scott was married to Miss Prudence Morrow, and they settled in Mon- month, Ill., where he was stationed as pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. He remained with that charge nntil 1859, and in the meantime his wife, Prudence, died in less than a year after their marriage. In November, 1854, Mr. Scott was again married, Miss Margaret H. Bishop becoming his wife. In 1859, Mr. Scott returned from his na- tive county, and again for a year engaged in mis- sion work. In the spring of 1861 he removed to St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where he supplied two churches.

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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 39

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

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