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 40
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 40
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 40
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Mr. Scott continued this work in the Empire State until 1869, when he returned to Beaver County, Pa., where he left his family while he came to Kansas, at the request of the Western Presby- tery. He did not intend to make his home in this State, but the Presbytery were so urgent in their call for his services that he set aside his own inclin- ations, and in 1870 returned to Kansas with his family, and took up one of the first homesteads entered on the uplands, about four miles south of Clay Center. There he built a house and reared his family, and there made his home until his death. For sixteen years after coming to Kansas he was stated supply of the Republican City Church, his connection with it continning until 1886, when he gave up regular pulpit work, often, however. preaching for other pastors.
For many years Mr. Scott was a sufferer from muscular rheumatism, but notwithstanding this drawback he accomplished much literary work in addition to his regular pastoral duties. Among other things, he compiled a song book, with music,
and a translation of the Book of Psalms from the Hebrew, both of which were completed a short time before his death. Before, and during the War of the Rebellion, he wrote much on the subject of slavery, of which he was a bitter opponent. His strong expressions of opinion on this subject some- times got him into difficulty, he being compelled to leave one church on account of his strong anti- slavery sentiments. To all the leading questions of the day he gave much study and thought. He was a man of decided convictions on all questions of right and wrong, and his influence was always cast on the side of the weak and the oppressed. Upright and conscientious in all his acts, his char- acter was above reproach, and the esteem of his fel- low-men was his in a marked degree, even of those who differed with him on questions of policy.
By his first marriage James S. Scott became the father of one child. Elizabeth, now the wife of James Chesnut, a farmer of Blaine Township, Clay County. Of his second marriage there were born ten children, one of whom, Andrew Riley, died in infancy. The nine living are: Margaret R., the wife of G. H. Fullington, the present County Treasurer; Agnes J., wife of R. C. Hall, a farmer of Rock County, Neb .; Mary E., wife of Rudolph Trechsel, a farmer of Blaine Township; William E., a farmer of Ellis County, this State, and who married Clara E. Foote ; John R., the sub- ject of this sketch; Helen M. and James S., living with their mother; Viola J., the wife of John Chest- nut, Deputy Sheriff, and a farmer of Blaine Town- ship; and Addie Bella, living with her mother.
When his parents came to this State. John R. Scott was a lad eight years of age. He commenced his education in the district school, and worked on the home farm until reaching his majority. Later. he attended the High School, in Clay Center, from which he was graduated in 1886. He then en- tered the office of . tratton & Morgan, Abstracters, with whom he staid one year, and then spent the following year in another office in the same busi- ness. He then established an office of his own, but closed it nine months later and engaged with Mr. William Docking. Upon the latter assuming con- trol of the Dispatch, he made Mr. Scott its editor and manager, a position which he is now filling
Young Jonly
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creditably to himself and satisfactorily to all con- cerned. He is a member of the Reformed Presby- terian Church, of Republican City, and since his residenee in Clay Center. has been a supply teacher in the Sabbath-school of the Presbyterian Church.
G EORGE W. MARTIN, Sheriff of Clay County, is one of the oldest settlers of Northern Kansas, having come to this re- gion in 1877. He has been one of those who assisted materially in its early growth and develop- ment, being possessed of enterprise and industry, and by his very example proving a stimulus to less determined individuals who might have re- tired discouraged from the field. His interests have always lain in the Western country, of which he is a native, having been born in Fulton County, Ind., Oct. 7, 1842. Two years later his parents removed to La Porte County, where he lived until a boy of twelve. His next home was in lowa.
The father of our subject was Anthony Martin, who is still living and bears the distinction of be. ing the oldest man in Clay County. Ile makes his home with his son, George W. He was born in Virginia, May 31, 1802, and was there married to Miss Sarah MeColley. He was a blacksmith by trade, which he followed in the Old Dominion for a number of years after his marriage and after the birth of his older children. He then emigrated to Indiana and followed his trade of blacksmith in Fulton County, while at the time officiating as a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. During his early settlement in the Hoosier State, Indians were plentiful, likewise wild animals.
In the spring of 1854. the Martin family took up its line of march for the farther West, and on crossing the Mississippi, settled on a traet of wild land, in Appanoose County, Iowa, near which afterward grew up the now flourishing town of Centerville. The father split the rails for his first fences and George W., hauled them seven miles with two yoke of cattle. He likewise carried the mail two days in the week, from Centerville to Laneaster, Mo., a distance of thirty-seven miles,
going Monday and returning Tuesday, on horse- back. This was their only means of obtaining ready caslı, and for this service they received about $400 per year. The first time George W. signed the post-office voucher, he was a youth of seventeen years and was obliged to make his mark, being un- able to write his name. This so mortified him that he resolved it should never happen again, and al- though he did not have any school advantages, he from that time on commenced to study and prac- tice penmanship. and in due time obtained a good, practical education, sufficient to enable him to do any ordinary business. He is now accounted one of the shrewdest and most capable business men in the county.
The Martin family continued on the Iowa farm until the elose of the Civil War. The father in the meantime enlisted as a Union soldier in Company G, 37th Iowa Infantry, a regiment composed of old men entirely, and who were familiarly called the "Gray-beards." Mr. Martin served nearly three years, and at the close of the war went back to his farm. The mother died soon afterward, in 1866, at the age of sixty-five years. The father then sold his farm and has since made his home with his son, our subjeet.
George W. Martin on the 11th of May, 1863, likewise entered the Union army as a member of Company E. 7th lowa Cavalry, which was assigned to the department of the Missouri. He traveled all over the West after Indians and bushwhackers, and was in the service nearly three years and one month, and with the exception of one week, when he suffered an injury by being thrown from his horse, was uniformly ready for duty. He was mustered out at Leavenworth, Kan., and returning to Iowa, worked on his father's farm until it was sołd.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Mary J. Morrisey, of Centerville, occurred Nov. 8, 1866. Afterward Mr. Martin engaged in the grocery business one year, then was on the farm for a time, and finally removed to Centerville, Iowa. Ile soon became prominent in local affairs, and was elected Constable, in which position he served six years. Later he was Deputy Sheriff, in Iowa, which occupied him wholly for a time, and after-
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ward he learned the art of plastering, and worked at this in Iowa and Kansas until 1881. That year le was elected Sheriff of Clay County, and served two years. Ile was next elected City Marshal, of Clay Center, which office he held four years, then, in 1887, was re-elected Sheriff, and is now filling out his second term. He is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and stands high in the 1. O. O. F. He has recently been promoted to Major in a division of the uniformed rank of Odd Fellows- and for seven years has been Captain in the State Militia.
To Mr. and Mrs. Martin there have been born seven children, six of whom are living, viz: Jesse C., Amy A., George E., Grace C., Mary S. and Grant W. Mrs. Martin was born in Fulton County, Ind., and removed with her parents to Iowa in 1854, sojourning there until her marriage.
Mr. Martin when entering the army was an un- sophisticated conntry boy, but had many warm friends. He was mustered into the service as a Sergeant, and two years later promoted to Regi- mental Commissary Sergeant, ranking as Sergeant Major. There was little opportunity for further promotion, as the regiment experienced very little loss, the men from subordinates to officers being generally in good health and little mortality oc- earring to require promotions. In connection with this biographical review we present a fine por- trait of Mr. Martin, who is both widely and favor- ably known throughout Clay County.
OHN H. MERTEN is one of those worthy young men, who having located in Clay County, are doing all in their power to ad- vance its interests and make it one of the foremost counties in the State. He is a man of in- tegrity, who is worthy of the respect and confidence of the people, which he enjoys. Always ready to give liberally of his means and labor to any cause he deems advisable, generous to those in need, charitable toward those in error, a kind father and devoted husband, he is one of whom his fellow-
citizens may well be proud, as a representative citi- zen of their county.
Born in Quincy, Ill., Oct. 5, 1857, Mr. Merten passed the first thirteen years of his life in that pleasant city, where he obtained the rudiments of his education. Thence, going to Delaware County, Iowa, he made his home thereafter with F. H. Mer- ten, and in the winter season attended school in Galena, Ill., where he was graduated after an ad- vanced course of study. However, after leaving college, he did not cease his intellectual pursuits, but by a careful system of reading, has broadened his intellect and deepened his mental acquirements. The so-called " Wild West " was an attractive place to the vision of Mr. Merten as he could glance ahead and discern the magnificent promises it con- tained of future riches. In 1879 he came to Clay County, locating on section 15 of Sherman Town- ship, on the site of his present farm of 240 aeres. Then, far as eye could reach, stretched broad and seemingly boundless prairies. But perseverance and industry have brought their usual reward to Mr. Merten, for he now has a fine farm, of which anyone might well be proud. embellished with a convenient and commodious frame house, a good barn, corn cribs, wind mill, a granary, and other requisites of a modern estate. The first winter after his arrival here, he was engaged in teaching school, while the summer season was devoted to the planting and harvesting of grain.
Mr. Merten was very fortunate in the selection of a wife and helpmate, as Miss Hattie B. Klipsch, with whom he was united in marriage Oct. 24, 1882, is a lady possessing the many gracious charms of womanhood, and enjoying the love and respect of her many warm friends. She is the daughter of G. (). 'and Elizabeth (Vaughn) Klipsch, natives of Kentucky, where Mrs. Merten was likewise born. Mr. and Mrs. Klipsch were pioneers in Sullivan County. Mo., where they still reside. Our subject and his wife have lost one child, Maggie, while they have two living, John H. and Leda A. They are bright and intelligent children, taking equal pleasure in their games and childish pleasures and their happy home. Mr. Merten, politically, affiliates with the Republican party, and has served as Clerk of Sher- man Township for three years. Mrs. Merten is a
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consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and noted for her many good works. Our subject is a charter member of the A. O. l'. W. Lodge No. 217 of Morganville.
The parents of him whose biography we record were natives of Hanover, Germany, and of Missouri, U. S. A., respectively. The father came to America when a lad of thirteen years, with his father, John Merten, who with his family was a member of the Lutheran Church, as were the Merten ancestry as far back as their lineage can be traced.
ENRY E. KNAPP. Those adventurous men who cast their lot with the people of Kansas during the early settlement of Clay County, and especially those who came hither illy supplied with hard cash, had before them no easy task. The hardships and privations which they endured, and the courage with which they met and overcame the difficulties which beset them should be preserved in history, and handed down to future generations. Many of them were Eastern born, and had been nurtured in comfortable homes. This made the contrast of their lives on the fron- tier still wider, and the fact that they persevered through many hardships, keeping in view the ob- ject for which they came, finally attaining it, shows of what metal they were really made.
The subject of this sketch was born in Genesee County, N. Y., May 17, 1815. In June, 1820, his parents, Alexander and Hannah ( Maltby) Knapp. emigrated to the woods of Trumbull County, Ohio. and located in the heavy timber two miles from any settlement. Their earthly possessions consisted of a few household goods, and a set of blacksmith tools hauled in a wagon from their old home in New York State. Upon the arrival of the Knapp family in that section, the older pioneers came together. and put up for them a log house. This was made with a puncheon floor and elapboard roof and a blanket hung over the door. They also put up a rough log building for a blacksmith shop. The two strnetures were erected in one day, and the goods unloaded and conveyed to their destination
in the building. Mr. Knapp had a yoke of bulls and one horse. With the assistance of these, he began clearing away the timber from around his cabin home, at a time when wild animals were plentiful, and when deer would come up to the house and browse on the leaves of the trees which were felled.
The Knapp family at that time consisted of five children, of whom Henry E. was next to the young- est. The youngest born soon died, and was laid in a little grave in the forest. Two years later the mother was laid beside it. leaving the father with four sous. The latter remained there, the father working at his trade, and being quite skillful, he had all he was able to do. The boys cleared the land and brought the soil to a good state of eulti- vation. Their apparel was homespun and home- made, and they wore buckskin pantaloons. The elder Knapp upon retiring from active labor, re- moved to Bloomfield, Trumbull County, and spent his last days with his daughter, Mrs. Almon Loomis, dying when about eiglity years old.
The subject of this sketch was reared to man- hood on the pioneer farm in the Buckeye State, and then began working out by the month, princi- pally teaming to the Ohio River. A few years later he commenced dealing in horses, which he took to the Eastern markets and other points. Finally he went to New England, visiting Connecticut and Massachusetts. the native States of his parents. and he sojourned there about four years. In Litch- field County, Conn., he was married, Sept. 11, 1844. to Miss Olivia W., daughter of Samuel and Olive (Phelps) Coles. Mrs. Knapp was born in the above- mentioned county, which was also the native place of her father. Her mother was born in the south- eastern part of the same State. Mr. Coles spent his last years in Litchfield County; the mother died in Lake County, Ohio.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Knapp settled in Trumbull County, Ohio, where they lived several years. They then removed to Adams, Wis., where they lived six years; Mr. Knapp occupied himself at. farming. l'pon leaving Wisconsin, they journeyed to Clark County, Mo., where they sojourned six years. then in 1871 came to Kansas and located on the land which had been previously filed on by a
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Mr. Pratt, who died. Mr. Knapp gave the widow a horse in exchange for her claim, and then home- steaded 160 acres, where he constructed a dugout in which he lived with his family for the next six years.
In due time Mr. Knapp added to his landed pos- sessions by the purchase of 160 acres more, and brought all his land to a good state of cultivation. In due time the dugout was abandoned for a more modern dwelling, and other structures have arisen around it as needed. Fruit and shade trees have been planted in goodly numbers, and the farm ma- chinery inelades a windmill and other modern con- trivances to aid the farmer in his operations. Mr. Knapp has this year (1889) 280 acres of growing corn from which he expects to reap a bountiful harvest.
The six children of Mr. and Mrs. Knapp, are re- corded as follows: Horace H. is living in this town- ship; Mary became the wife of Alonzo W. Lathrop, and died leaving three children; Julia married Lee Greenwood, and died without children; Charles M. died when thirty-four years old; Frank E. makes his home with his parents; Lora E., Mrs. Richard Wood, is a resident of Sherman Township. Mr. Knapp, politically, has upheld the principles of the Republican party, but is now a Prohibitionist, and he and his wife are members in good standing of the Baptist Church.
R RANCIS M. DAMETZ, a veteran of the Civil War, is one of the most skillful of the practical, enterprising farmers of Washing- ton County, and he has one of the most valuable farms within its bounds, comprising the northeast quarter of section 21, Washington Township, and he has besides another good farm of 160 acres in Coleman Township. He is of German birth and antecedents, born in Zeitz, near Leipsic, a city of Saxony, June 1, 1834. ITis father, Samuel Dametz, was born in Greensburg, in the Province of Silesia, Germany. He followed the shoemaker's trade and also farmed, and spent his entire life in the Father- land. The maiden name of the mother of our
subject was Caroline Meltzer. and she was also a life-long resident of Germany. There were five children born to her and her husband: Robert. Morris, Julius, Henrietta and Francis, all of whom but Robert are still living.
He of whom we write was the only member of the family to come to America, though three of his nephews have since come : Francis Julius, who lives in Rooks County ; Francis M., in New York; Paul, in Connecticut. Our subject gleaned a sub- stantial education in the excellent schools of his native land, which he attended quite steadily till after he was fourteen years old, when he commenced to learn the trade of a butcher, which he followed till 1854. In that year the stalwart, wide-awake, capable youth, ambitious to see something of the world and to make something out of life more than he could do at home. determined to emigrate to the United States of America, the goal of so many of his countrymen, to see if he could improve his fortunes here. He set sail from Bremen the 1st of April, and after a long and tedious voyage, landed in New York on the 20th of the following May, a stranger in a strange land, with only a capital of thirty-seven cents with which to begin his new life. Nothing daunted by this disheartening array of facts he sought and soon found employment, be- coming a driver on a canal in New Jersey. A week later he went to Pennsylvania, where he found work on a farm in Northampton County at §5 a month. Two months later he went to work at his . trade in Easton, obtaining $9 a month for his wages till the following spring. He then came Westward as far as Illinois, and the ensuing eight years was employed on a farm. After that we hear of him in Iowa, where he became identified with the agricultural interests of Marion County, buying a 40-acre farm, which he worked profitably, and later bought more land, and continued carrying on farming in lowa till 1873. In the month of March, that year, Mr. Dametz came to Kansas with a team, having traded his lowa possessions for 160 acres of wild land, comprising his farm on section 21, Washington Township. He now has the entire tract well improved, surrounded by a neatly trimmed hedge, and provided with a good set of conveniently arranged frame buildings and every-
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thing necessary to carry on agriculture after the most approved methods, and lias it stocked with eattle, horses and hogs of excellent grades. Ilis farm in Coleman Township is also in good shape as regards improvements. cultivation, etc., and compares well with others in its neighborhood. Mr. Dametz has been very successful in raising small fruit and has a choice variety in his gardens.
In September, 1856 Mr. Dametz took an impor- tant step in his life, and one that has contributed materially to his comfort, prosperity and happiness, by his marriage to Miss Lavina Ilorn, a native of Clinton County, Pa., and a daughter of Samuel and Snsan (Smith) Horn. Her father was born in Clearfield County, Pa., his father, David Ilorn, a farmer, of German aneestry, having spent his last years there. Mrs. Dametz's maternal grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania, and was of German parentage. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Dametz are as follows: Susan Caroline is the wife of Arthur Bissel. and they live in Washington ; Lu- cinda Jane is the wife of Lemon D. Thompson, and they live in Washington Township; Charles married Mary E. Phillippi, and they live in Coleman Town- ship; Samuel married Lillie Penwell, and they live near Steele City, Neb. ; Omar A. lives in Denver; Frank E. at home; Mary married Joseph Mcclellan; they live in Washington Township.
Mr. Dametz is a well educated man, and has a good command of both the German and English languages, speaking either fluently. Ile is a fine representative of our self-made men, as all that he is and all that he has, he owes to his own exertions, he having been well endowed by nature with energy, force and stability of character, and a good capacity for intelligent labor. Since coming here he has proved a valuable citizen, one whom all could trust, aud with characteristie public spirit he has en- couraged all schemes for the improvement of the township. IIeis President of the Friends' Academy Association under whose auspices the new academy is being erected in Washington, and he is Presi- dent of the Washington Township Sunday School Association. Ile and his wife are members of the Society of Friends, and in their daily lives live up to the teachings of the Quaker doctrines. We should do scant justice to our subject did we not
mention his connection with the late war in which he bore so honorable a part. Although a believer in the peaceful tenets of the Quaker faith. after the breaking out of the strife between the North and the South, Mr. Dametz watched the struggle with intense interest, and at last his patriotism overcom- ing every scruple he determined to aid in lighting his country's battles, and enlisted Aug. 22, 1862 in Company I. 74th Illinois Infantry, serving with valor and credit till the expiration of his term of enlistment in September, 1863. In the following February, 1864 he again offered his services to his country, and became a member of Company D. 36th lowa Infantry, and did not leave the service till after the last battle was fought, being stationed the most of the time in Arkansas. His army record was that of a brave, faithful soldier, always ready at the summons of duty, whether in camp or in face of the enemy.
ORMAN A. HAWKE is one of the repre- sentative farmers of Sheridan Township,
V Washington County. His home is pleas- antly located on section 18, and supplied with the nsual farm buildings. The estate comprises 120 acres, which have been brought to a high state of cultivation. About eighteen aeres are devoted to pasture, and are substantially fenced. The beauti- ful orchard contains abont 150 trees.
Mr. Hawke was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., Oct. 9, 1814. His parents, John and Polly (Allen) Hawke, were natives of Massachusetts, but spent the greater part of their lives in the Empire State. There they reared a family of five child- ren, and there they died. Our subject was reared upon a farm, and obtained a practical knowledge of agriculture when quite young. He was the re- cipent of the educational advantages to be derived from the common schools of the vicinity.
In 1857, Mr. Hawke left his native State and removed to Rockford, Ill. There he clerked in a general store for several years. He subsequently spent a few years in tilling the soil in that neigh- borhood. He removed to Kansas in March, 1878, and purchased a farm which he now ocenpies.
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There was only a small house upon the place at that time, and'about ninety acres of the ground had been plowed.
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