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 41

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 41
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 41
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 41

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).

The marriage of our subject took place in New York State. The estimable young lady with whom he was united bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Pym. She is a sister of Benjamin Pym, whose sketch is found elsewhere in this" work. Mr. and Mrs. Hawke have been blessed by the birth of three children : William P .. Edwin B. and Alfred A.

Mr. Hawke is a man kindly in his domestic and social relations, is a successful agriculturist and a citizen whose worth is undisputed. He and his wife enjoy the thorough esteem of their neighbors and fellow citizens.

E NOS R. LEE. The subject of this notice has had a wide experience of frontier life and a full share of its toils and hardships. Although he has been the owner of farm property for a good many years, his legitimate business is that of a carpenter, to which he gives the most of his attention, his farm now being operated by his sons. Ilis pleasant homestead lies on section 9, in the vicinity of Riley and forms a pleasing picture of comfort and content. Mr. Lee started in life at the foot of the ladder and has earned every dollar of his property. He is now surrounded by all life's comforts with a sufficiency for his declining years.

A native of Tuscarawas County. Ohio, our sub- ject was born Oct. 28, 1837, and is the son of Daniel and Maria (Ruley ) Lee who were both na- tives of Ohio. The parental family consisted of ten children, six of whom are living and located mostly in Iowa. Enos R. was the third in order of birth and was reared on a farm in his native county, receiving a practical educa- tion in the common school. He at an early age evinced an aptness for handling edged tools and when a mere boy began learning the carpenter's trade which he has followed nearly all his life.

In 1860 Mr. Lee, then a young man of twenty- three years, first struck the soil of Kansas Territory,

but not being particularly impressed with the country moved on to Colorado, where he sojourned until after the outbreak of the Civil War. In June. 1862, he enlisted as a Union soldier in Company G., 2d Colorado Cavalry which was assigned to the Department of the Missouri. He served until the close of the war, mostly in guerrilla warfare, and when his services were no longer needed, re- ceived an honorable discharge. Then returning to Kansas he settled in Cloud County, where he pre- empted 160 acres of land, but owing to the hos- tility of the Indians was compelled to "move on." Going then into Clay County he located near the present site of the city of Clifton, and cultivated the soil there until 1874, then changing his resi- dence to Hamilton County, Iowa, where he re- mained until the fall of 1883, when he returned to Riley County, and purchased 160 acres of land on section 9, Madison Township.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Mary E. Wilson took place at the bride's home Oct. 28, 1865. Mrs. Lee was born in Virginia, in 1847, and is the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Wilson,who were natives of that State; her father is deceased and her mother living in Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Lee there have been born nine children, viz: Wesley. Clara. Ellen, Rosa, Flavius Q., Louis, Maria, Alice and Clayton. The eldest is twenty-one years old and the youngest four, and they all live with their parents.

S QUIRE M. JUSTIS. The hospitable home of this gentleman is situated on section 33, Highland Township, Washington County, and his lands comprise 240 broad acres. llis parents were Morton and Dorcas (Eaton) Jus- ' tis, who after their marriage settled in Dearborn County, Ind., and there resided until their death. The father was born in Monongahela, Pa., and the mother at Alexandria, Va. They had a large family. which included eight sons and ten daugh- ters, and our subject was the eleventh in order of birth.

That event took place May 11, 1827, in Dear- born County, Ind., where he was reared to man-

361

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

hood. In Sept. 1864, he enlisted in Company D .. 35th Indiana Infantry and served until the close of the war. At the battle of Nashville. Tenn., he was injured in the head by a concussion, which im- paired his hearing. In 1867 he was ordained as a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. For the first ten or fifteen years after his ordina- tion he preached most of the time, and has always since devoted more or less of his time to the cause of Christianity. Previous to his ordination as Minister. he had been Class Leader from 1849 to 1867. His native county continued to be his home until 1875, in the summer of which year he became a resident of this county.

At the home of the bride in Ripley County, Ind., on Independence Day, 1850, Mr. Justis was united in marriage with Miss Clarissa Driskell. This es- timable young lady was borne in Baltimore, Md., July 20, 1830. She has borne her husband seven children: Franklin C., William E., Eliza J., Ella M., Charles M., Alice C., and George S. Eliza is now the wife of Taylor Roberts; Ella is the wife of Martin C. Gustin; Alice is the wife of Wallace (. Palmer; George S. is at home with his parents.

Mr. Justis belongs to Gettysburg Post. No. 72. G. A. R., at Hollenburg. In politics he is a Republican and never fails to cast his influence in support of the principles of that party. His wife is a member of the same church as himself. Mr. Justis and his wife are people: of intelligence and culture, and are held in high repute for their lives and work.

ORACE W. MORGAN, M. D., senior mem- ber of the firm of Morgan & Morgan, phy- sicians and surgeons, and also a member of the Board of Pension Examiners, is one of the leading lights in the medical fraternity of Clay County, having his headquarters at Clay Center. He was the first secretary of the above-mentioned Board, upon which he has served since its organi- zation. He is essentially a Western man, having been born in Burlington, Iowa, and is in the prime of life, his birth taking place April 30, 1849.

When he was but an infant the parents of Dr. Morgan removed to Pella. Warren Co., Iowa, and there he spent his boyhood days attending the common schools. Later he was a student in the University of Central Iowa, and completed his studies in the Iowa State Agricultural College, at the age of twenty-two years. Ile then learned the drug business and in the meantime began reading medicine. He took his first medical lectures in the medical department of the University of Iowa, and later repairing to New York City, entered the med- ical department of the University from which he was graduated in 1879. Prior to this he had en- tered upon the practice of his chosen profession. lle now located at WaKeency, the county seat of Trego County, Kan., and after three or four months was appointed surgeon of the Union Pacific Rail- road Company, with headquarters at Ellis, running west to meet the Denver surgeons and east to Brookville. In addition to this he had a heavy private practice, there being but a few reliable physicians in that part of the country. He nearly lived on the train, making long journeys in the pursuance of his duties. He left that region in the fall of 1883, disliking to be away from his family. He is still in the employ of this road, however, and has obtained quite a prestige as one of the most skillful surgical operators to be found.

Dr. Morgan was married in Booneville, Iowa, Sept. 27, 1877 to Miss Della C. Baldwin. Mrs. Morgan was born in Grafton, N. II., Dec. 28, 1860 and is the daughter of William H. and Diana (Jones) Baldwin, who remained residents of the Old Granite State until their daughter was a child of nine years. Then coming West they located in Booneville and Miss Della there grew to womanhood and completed her education in the college at Grin- nell. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin are still living, mak- ing their home in Clay Center. Mrs. Morgan was their only child. To the Doctor and his estimable wife there has been born one child, a son, Guy W., April 13, 1879.

The father of our subject was Elijah D). Morgan, a native of Kentucky, and born April 30, 1816. He was married in Indiana to Mrs. Kerrilla A. D. (Wilhite) Riddle, who was born in Kentucky in 1813. They emigrated to Iowa during its pioneer

362

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

days and there the most of their active life was spent. They are now in Clay Center, Kan. Dr. Morgan is associated with most of the prominent medical organizations in this part of Kansas, being a member of the State Medical Society, the Repub- lican Valley Medical Society, the Kansas Central District Society, and is recognized among his pro- fessional brethren as one of the leading lights. He belongs to Clay Center Lodge, No. 134; Bethany Chapter, No. 38; Coronado Commandery, No. 20, of Clay Center. and Isis Temple, ( Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine), at Salina. and Consis- tory No. 3 Scottish Rite Masons of that place; also the K. of P., Clay Center, the A. O. U. W. and M. W. A. He has attained to the 32d degree in Ma- sonry. He has very little to do with politics, simply supporting by his vote the principles of the Republican party.

R UFUS F. ROBERTS, resides on a pleasantly located farm of 160 acres, and is widely known as a breeder of Kentucky running horses, a business he is extensively engaged in as well as that of stock-raising. He dates his settlement in this county from March, 1872, when he purchased a farm on section 21, Charleston Township, and by unremitting toil and persistent endeavor, has converted it from its primitive condi- tion of nature to a fine stock farm. He also has a comfortable rural home, a view of which appears on another page of this volume, while the sur- roundings are indicative of the cultured taste and indefatigable labors of the owner.

A native of Lawrence County, Ky., our subject first saw the light Feb. 3, 1848. His parents George R. and Julia A. (Burton) Roberts, removed to Weston, Platte Co., Mo., in 1854, and the follow- ing spring settled near Leavenworth, Kan. Two years later they removed to Johnson County and located near the present site of Olathe. They are now living near the home of our subject. The record of their children is as follows: Rebecca married James Ham, and resides in Kansas City. Mo .; Christian L. is deceased ; Mary is the wife of

James Smith ; Caroline is the wife of George Al- ger ; George was a soldier and while on his way to join his command was killed in Missouri ; C'ather- ine is the wife of George Roberts ; Rufus F. our subject ; Ellen is the wife of Nelson Fickle ; Miller F., and Emma, the wife of Dr. Norman.

Ile of whom we write remained under his father's roof until the outbreak of the Civil War, when tired with that spirit of patriotism which formed so potent an element in the character of all the " boys in blue," he enlisted, in 1861, in Company H., 12th Kansas Infantry, and for more than three years served in defense of his country. Before the com- pany was mustered into the service it was engaged in a conflict with Quantrell's Band. The com- mand was taken prisoners but soon paroled, and was afterward placed on the frontier to guard against Indian outbreaks. After a faithful service Mr. Roberts was mustered out in 1865 as a non- commissioned officer.

After his return from the army Mr. Roberts con- tinued his residence in Johnson County, where, in 1869, he was united in marriage with Julia, daugh- ter of Clark and Eliza Moore. Mrs. Roberts was born in Alton, Ill., Oct. 16, 1848. Shortly after her marriage she accompanied her husband to How- ard County, and the following year located in Washington County. Their five children are named respectively : Mand, Buffer, Josephine, Roscoe and Roy.

The Republican party has an ardent and enthus- iastic advocate in Mr. Roberts, who takes a lively interest in the principles of this organization and labors to advance its political doctrines. Washing- ton County is the better for his having lived in it, although as a matter of course he exerts the great- est influence in his immediate neighborhood.

W ILLIAM II. NEMITZ is numbered among the pioneers of Washington County who have been important factors in developing its great agricultural resources, and since coming here nearly thirty years ago he has acquired a goodly amount of property. He is considered one

STOCK-FARM OF WM H. NEMITZ, SEC. 34. WASHINGTON TP., WASHINGTON CO.

DUKEOF KENTUCKY.

SHIBBOLETH

RESIDENCE OF R. F. ROBERTS, SEC. 21. CHARLESTON TP., WASHINGTON CO.

365

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

of the most prosperous and substantial farmers of Washington Township, where he owns a large and well-improved farm that he has eliminated from the wild prairies by his own well directed labors. lle was born in the Valley of Beuttow, Prussia. Feb. 6, 1828. His father, Charles Nemitz, also a native of Prussia, was a natural mechanic and worked at different trades with equal facility, con- tinuing to live in Germany till 1866, when he came to America to live with his children, and rounded out a good old age in Washington Town- ship, in August, 1880. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Henrietta Kuntze, and she is a native of Prussia. She now lives at the ven- erable age of eighty-five years, making her home with her daughter. Mrs. Labes. She had nine chil- dren, of whom the following came to this country : William Il .. Albert, Charlie, Ferdinand, Edward, Henry, Hannah (wife of August Thrum), Fritchie (wife of Julius Labes).

William Nemitz attended school quite regularly till he was fourteen years old and gained a substantial education in his native language;he after- ward became quite proficient in the English lan- guage. After leaving school he served seven years to learn the tailor's trade, receiving his board and clothes while working. At the expiration of his term of apprenticeship he joined the Prussian army, and was a soldier till the fall of 1850. But military life soon lost its fascinations for him, so he left the army, and in 1851 resolved to try his fortunes in America,setting sail from Bremen, April 1, and landing in New York after a weary and monotonous voyage of ten weeks. He was $84 in debt on his arrival in this country, but nothing daunted by such a discouraging outlook in a strange land, he went to lIamilton, Canada, where he found employment in a brick yard, and soon earned enough to set himself square with the world and began life anew, owing no man. Ile worked in that place the ensuing three years, and then engaged in the mason's trade at Lake Hnron till 1860.

Attracted by the fine inducements of cheap lands and a genial climate, whereby a man of enterprise, energy, and business tact could in a few years possess a good farm and build up a comfortable home, our subject resolved to settle in Kansas, and

coming to Washington County, he took up the land that he now occupies under the provisions of the Homestead Act. He thus became one of the early settlers of Washington County, and has nobly per- formed his share of the pioneer labor that has brought it to its present prosperous and advanced condition. The country roundabout in those early days was sparsely inhabited, and deer, antelopes. wild turkeys and other wild game were plentiful, and only a few miles away buffaloes were to be seen. Mr. Nemitz first built a dugout, in which his family lived very comfortably a few years, and he then replaced it by a more commodious stone house. He now has 320 acres of exceedingly fer- tile, highly cultivated land, all well fenced, and a part of it excellent pasture land for his fine stock, with a never failing stream of water passing through the farm. A view of his estate with its various improvements and comfortable residence appears elsewhere in this volume.

During these years that he has been accumulating all this property Mr. Nemitz has not been without the inestimable help of a good wife, to whom he was married in 1852. Her maiden name was Thena Plisky, and she is, like himself, a native of Prussia. They have five children living, David, Henry, Will- iam, Elizabeth, Lena. Mr. and Mrs. Nemitz were reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church and have always remained true toits teachings. Mr. Nemitz has used good judgment and keen discernment in the management of his affairs, and at the same time has never dealt wrongfully with others, so that he richly deserves his prosperity. and his standing in the community is among our most respected citizens.

OSEPH P. REDMOND. manufacturer of cigars, and dealer in tobacco and smoker's goods, has been a resident of Clay Center for ten years, having come here in 1879. He has made for himself a prominent and respected position among the business men of this county, where he is well and favorably known.

Mr. Redmond was born in Brooklyn, N. Y.,

366

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Sept 10, 1854, and when fourteen years old went to New York City and learned the trade of cigar- making. Ile remained in the metropolis three years, and in 1871 came to Leavenworth, Kan., working in various cities for a few years thereafter. At Marysville he was foreman for Charles Pusch, and removed thence to Clay Center in 1879, engag- ing in the business which be has'since been success- fully carrying on.

At Marysville, Mr. Redmond was united in marriage with Miss Nellie L. Hamilton, who bore one son, George II .. who is still living. Mrs. Red- mond having departed this life, Mr. Redmond sub- sequently married Miss Mary Rothman, of Clay Center, the ceremony which united them being performed Oct. 24, 1888. Miss Rothman was born in Missouri, and with her parents (see sketch of P. Rothman) came here at an early date in the history of this place.

Marshall J. Redmond, the father of our subject, is an Englishiman, having opened his eyes to the light in Hull. He married Miss Marthia Princeton, of Massachusetts, and lived in Brooklyn, N. Y., being employed in the Brooklyn Navy Yard for years. In 1877 he removed to Adrian, Mich., where he and his wife still live. Both are quite advanced in years, Mr. Redmond having been born in 1817, and his wife being four years younger.

Mr. Redmond of whom we write, is a member of the I. O. O. F. in all its branches, also of the K. of P .. and of the A. O. U. W.

B ENJAMIN W. McCOSH. Among the en- terprising farmers of Clay County, none is more thoroughly alive, and anxious to keep pace with the best efforts of the age, and the class to which he belongs. than is the gentleman above named. He takes an especial interest in the cause of education, believing that the future pros- perity of this great Republic depends upon the training received by the rising generation. His pleasant home is situated on section 34, Athelstane Township, and indicates to the most eareless ob- server that it is owned by an intelligent and pro-

gressive agriculturist. Not only is the land care- fully tilled, but excellent buildings have been erected upon it, and fences and trees farther adorn the place.

Mr. McC'osh is a native of the Keystone State, hav- ing been born in Adams County, in January, 1840. His father was a farmer, and he was reared upon the parental acres, receiving a common-school edu- cation only. At the age of nineteen be learned the saddler's trade, which he followed until after the breaking out of the late Civil War. In 1863 lie en- listed in defense of the flag of his country, and served until the close of the war in Company 1, 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was detailed as saddler for the company, and afterward as dispatch mes- senger from Harper's Ferry through the Shenan- doah Valley. Though often placed in positions of danger, he was never captured nor wounded. A short time before Lee's surrender, he was ordered to rejoin his command. and was at Staunton, Va., when the surrender took place. He returned to Winchester, Va., and was mustered out, receiving his papers and last pay at Philadelphia.

Returning to his home, Mr. McCosh resumed work at his trade of saddle-maker, which he fol- lowed until the year 1866, when he engaged in burning lime. The latter occupation he continued until 1870, when he came to Kansas and located the homestead which he now occupies. The fol- lowing year he brought his family, and commenced the improvements on the farm. When he came to the county, there were no improvements, and Texas cattle roamed over the prairies. Mr. MeCosh broke prairie in 1871 and prepared to raise a crop. sod- corn being the first attempted. In 1872, the set- tlers met in convention, and having the right to establish the herding of stoek, it having been se- cured them by act of Legislature, they compelled the cattle men to that act, thus securing their land and crops from destruction by range cattle. In 1874, Mr. McCosh failed on his corn erop, but had some wheat, and got through the season without aid. Hail damaged his crops, and destroyed all bis fruit in 1884, and corn was a failure in 1887 and 1888. The last season (1889) crops of all kinds were good.

Benjamin MeCosh was united in marriage in

367

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

1866, with Miss Mollie, daughter of Abram Miller, of Pennsly vania. Mr. Miller is still living in that State. His occupations are farming and carpen- tering. The union of Benjamin and Mollie Mc- Cosh resulted in the birth of twelve children, namely : Milton, Charles, Harry, Edward, William, ' Cora. Thompson, Emma, Maudie, James. Lloyd, and George. The wife and mother died on April 29, 1885. The next year Mr. MeCosh contracted a second matrimonial alliance, the bride in this in- stance being Miss Lillie Hamme. Her father. Jesse Hlamme, was born in York, Pa., and came to this State about the year 1877. His occupation is that of a farmer. The second union of Mr. McCosh has been blessed by the birth of two children, Ly- dia and Newton.

The gentleman of whom we write, comes of hon- orable Pennsylvania ancestry. His father, An- drew McCosh, was a farmer, and married Susannah Vanscoye, daughter of Enoch Vanscoye, a stone and brickmason. Five children were born to this union-Emma, James, Benjamin, John, and Mor- ris. John, like our subject, enlisted in the service of his country, serving about eighteen months. and to the close of the war. Ile died in Kansas. in 1884, being still single.

Mr. McCosh belongs to the social orders of the G. A. R. and I. O. O. F. He was formerly a Re- publican, but is now independent in politics.

OHN MCADAMS. The farming and stock- raising interests of Bloom Township, Clay County, recognize in the subject of this no- tice one of their most successful represent- atives-a man possessed of great industry and perseverance, and also endowed with those genial qualities which have drawn around him numbers of warm friends. The home of himself and his es- timable wife always has an open door and good cheer. for both those with whom they have been associated for years, and also for the stranger who may happen within their gates.

When coming to Bloom Township. in the fall of

1869, Mr. McAdams selected 160 acres of land on section 2, upon which he settled as a homesteader. and where he has sinee lived. The land was then in its primitive condition, and the task before him. seemed indeed a great one, but he bent his ener- gies to the labor which he had voluntarily assumed and in due time met his reward. He is now the owner of a well-appointed farm, the land in a good state of cultivation and embellished with substan- tial buildings. He was among the first voters in the township and he remembers the time, when standing in his doorway and looking over the broad unsettled country, it seemed to him that it would be years and years before civilization would seek this section to any extent. Ilis expectations in this regard, however, were happily disappointed, as in time he could count his neighbors here and there-men who, like himself, braved the dangers and difficulties of the frontier and came to stay.

For some years prior to his arrival in Kansas, Mr. MeAdams had been a resident of Wayne County. Ind. He was born in Milford, Hamilton Co., Ohio, in June, 1846, and is the son of William McAdams, whom it is believed was likewise a na- tive of that State, and who was of German descent. The latter was reared in Ohio, and learned brick- laying and stone-masonry, at which he became very skillful, and thereafter was employed at this in Cincinnati, Ohio, and in other important towns. It is believed be was married in Ohio to Miss Nancy Stewart, who is supposed to have been born in that State, and there they spent most of their lives after- ward. William McAdams died at Milford, Ohio, in the prime of life. His wife survived him about fifteen years. dying in 1871, when about sixty-four or sixty.five years old. She was a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a noble-hearted. generous woman, kind in all her ways and greatly beloved by those around her.

The subject of this sketch was the youngest of seven children-two sons and five daughters-all of whom, with one exception, lived to mature years and were married. One daughter died when a maiden of sixteen years. Three of the family are yet living. two being residents of Indiana. JJohn, our subject, was quite young at the time of his father's death. and

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 41

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

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