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 46

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 46
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 46
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 46

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Mr. Peterson is located quite a distance from his birthplace, which was in Richland County, N. J., where he first opened his eyes to the light May 26. 1853. His parents a few months later set out for Illinois, locating in Mason County, where the mother died when Abe was two years old, and when he was a little lad of four, he was doubly orphaned by the death of his father. Ile was then taken into the home of James Pellem, where he lived two years, and then his sister, Mary J., was married to Mr. Jenkins, and took him to her own home, where he lived until a youth of seventeen years. Mr. Jenkins settled near Waterford, whence they subsequently removed to a farm in the vicinity of Cuba, where young Peterson acquired such educa- tion as the common schools afforded. At the age mentioned, he started out for himself, working by the month on a farm, and when twenty years old was married.

At the time of leaving his brother-in-law, our subject had a cash capital of fifty cents in his pocket with which he parted for his passage across the Illi- nois River, and then was in debt fifty cents for toll. He walked sixty miles to procure work on a farm, and occupied himself as a farm laborer until ap- proaching the twenty-first year of his age. On the 29th of January, 1874, he was married to Miss Mary J. Weston, and the young couple located on a rented farm in Fulton County, Ill., where they lived until coming to Washington County, Kan., in February, 1883. Here also Mr. Peterson oper- ated as a renter two years in the vicinity of Brant- ford. and then in 1885 purchased the land from which he has constructed his present farm. Upon this he has effected many improvements. greatly increasing the fertility of the soil.

Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.

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Peterson, viz: Florence Gertrude, Katie Lnella, Agnes, and Thomas Leroy. The parents of Mrs. Pet- erson were Samuel and Mary (Lathbury) Weston, the former a son of Robert and Jane (Adams) Weston, natives of Staffordshire, England. Sam- vel and Mary Weston are now living in Kansas. Our subject is the son of Abraham and Margaret (Rodger) Peterson, the former of whom, during his early manhood occupied himself as a ship carpen- ter and sailor in New Jersey. Ile left at his death, which occurred at Waterford, in 1857. a family of fonr sons and one daughter. These are now liv- ing, with the exception of one son, who died in the war. The mother died in Mason City, III .. in 1885.

W ILLIAM HANNEY, proprietor of the White Star Steam Laundry. Clay Center, operates the largest establishment of the kind in this part of the country and at times gives employment to fifteen hands. He is a man highly spoken of by his townsmen, being noted for his business integrity and those qualities which have admitted him as an ever-welcome member to the social circle. He was born in Somersetshire, Eng- land, May 13, 1844, and lived there until a young man of nineteen years. After that for a period of seven years he resided in Wales.

In May, 1869 Mr. Ilanney emigrated to America and settled in Cook County, III., where he sojourned about three months. Thenee he crossed the Miss- issippi into Burlingame, Kan., and in January, 1870, homesteaded 160 acres in Clay Township. Clay County, when the present city of Clay Center was a hamlet of six houses. Upon his land there were no improvements, whatever, and for seven years he lived in a dngout. This structure, however, was tightly walled up and warmer than many a more modern dwelling.

After breaking a part of his prairie land Mr. Ilanney proceeded with other improvements, set- ting out fruit and forest trees, including one of the first orchards in this vicinity. His fruit trees, however, were subsequently destroyed by grass- hoppers. He fenced his land and put up the neces-

sary buildings, and lived there until 1877. That year he removed to Clay Center and occupied him- self in Barber's Elevator for one year. He then established his present enterprise of which he has made a decided success. He became prominent in local affairs, serving as Constable three years, as Jailer and Deputy Sheriff three years. For two years he operated a creamery. He organized the Rosevale Band of which he became the leader and which was the first musical band in Clay County. He was connected with this for seven years. Sub- sequently he organized the Clay Center Band, of which he is still a member and which is now known as the " Dispatch."

While living in Wales Mr. Hanney was married in March, 1865, to Miss Anna Hapgood, a native of England, and who subsequently went to Wales where she made the acquaintance of her future husband. Of this union there have been born seven children only four of whom are living, viz .: Henry George, Minnie Mary, Leita May and Clayton Edward. They are all at home with their parents, receiving the training and education suita- ble to their station in life. Mr. and Mrs. Hanney are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church and highly spoken of by all who know them.

Mrs. Hanney is the daughter of Richard and Elizabetlı (Derry) Hapgood, natives of England. The father is deceased; the mother is living in Clay Center. The names of Mr. Hanney's parents were James and Hannah (Hapgood ) Hanney, natives of England. The father is deceased; the mother is still living in Wales.

9 6

LEXANDER ROSS. Among the solid men of Garfield Township, Mr. Ross holds a leading position and is no unimportant factor in its farming and stock-raising in- terests. He makes a specialty of Norman and Clydesdale horses, graded Short-horn cattle and Poland-China swine. His homestead is embellished with good buildings neatly painted, and every-

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thing about the premises indicates the thrift and industry which have been the important factors in developing one of the richest sections of Kansas. Clay Connty has been especially fortunate in her pioneers, among whom Mr. Ross is worthy of special mention.

The subject of this sketch, was born in Ontario, Canada, where he was reared on a farm and re- ceived his early education in the common schools. llis father, Walter Ross, was born near the city of Edinburg, Scotland, and in that city learned the trade of a carpenter, but only followed it for a brief time in his native country. Ile emigrated to Canada when a young man and was there married to Miss Elizabeth Ross, a native of Canada and not related to her husband. The father and mother are still living at the old homestead in the Dominion. Alexander Ross was married Feb. 2, 1870, in Canada to Miss Margaret, daughter of Ilugh and Ann ( Mon- roe) Sutherland, and who was born there March 14, 1844. Her parents were natives of Scotland but emigrated to Canada early in life where the father died and where the mother still lives. In the meantime Mr. Ross had learned carpentering at which he worked eight years in Canada and Chic- ago. After his marriage he, in 187 I, came to Kansas and homesteaded 160 acres of his present farm in Garfield Township. There was then not a twig or a bush upon the place, only the wild prairie grass over which deer. antelope, prairie chickens and jack rabbits roamed in their native freedom. He put up a cottonwood house, 12 x 20 feet in dimensions and commenced the improvements which have re- sulted in making it one of the best farms in this region. In due time the first modest dwelling was abandoned for a more commodious residence and besides this there is a large barn with sheds, corn cribs, a granary, an orchard of about 500 apple trees, together with peach and pear trees, and a goodly growth of forest trees. The greater part of the land now is in a good state of cultivation. Mr. Ross has added to his real estate until he now has 320 acres.

There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ross three children only, James Alexander the youngest, who died April 4, 1884, aged eight years, eight months and sixteen days ; and two now living, a son and a

daughter-Walter H. and Christina A. E. Both parents and children belong to the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Ross officiates as Clerk and has held other offices.

G EORGE W. HAYS, of the firm of Hays & Howell, lumber dealers, Morganville. Clay County, is an energetic business man, and a highly respected citizen.

He is the only lumber dealer in the place, and has sole management of the business, his partner being a non-resident. They carry a stock of about $8,000, which they will increase as they intend to keep constantly on hand a full line of building material. The business is yet in its infancy, having been he- gun in August, 1889.

Mr. Hays was born in Beaver County, Pa., in the year 1855. IIe was a child of five years when his parents, William and Sarah (Fulton) Hays, removed to Columbiana County, Ohio. There our subjeet was reared, and educated in the schools of Wellsville. There the mother died about the year 1862. the father surviving until 1884. In 1879, Mr. Hays came to Manhattan and worked as a farm hand for a few months. He then began work- ing at the carpenter's trade, and continued so em- ployed in Manhattan for about one and a half years. Thence he came to Topeka, and thence to Wamego. Following this he went to Clyde, whence he came to this place in the fall of 1884. He worked at his trade and assisted in building the principal part of the city. lle was the leading car- penter of the place, and doing a good business when he abandoned it to enter the field in which he is now employed.

In this place, in March, 1887, the rites of wed- lock were celebrated between our subject and Mary, daughter of William Silvers (see sketeh). The union has been blessed by the birth of one little prattler, Leah.

The parents of Mr. Hays were natives of West Virginia, and when young moved to Pennsylvania. The father was first married to Lutitia Woodrow, who bore him three children. They are. John W .;

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Lutitia, now Mrs. llarper Ralston. of Clyde, Kan .; and William M. Our subject's mother was the second wife of his father. She bore six children, namely: Samuel F., David C., George W., James H., and Henry A. and Mary (twins). Henry A. was drowned in the Scioto disaster on the Ohio River, by the sinking of an excursion steamer in September, 1881.

Mrs. Hays is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and holds a high standing among the members of that body. Mr. Hays already has bigh rank among the young citizens and business men of Morganville, where he is recognized as a man of strict probity in business relations and of unblemished private character.

G EORGE TIMMONS. This gentleman is one of the large land owners of Mulberry Township, C'lay County,owning the whole of section 26. The place is in a finely improved con- dition, with excellent farm buildings, and well stocked. When it came into the possession of Mr. Timmons. in September 1878, it was untouched by the plow and bore no improvements ..

Mr. Timmons was born in Ross County, Ohio, Nov. 30, 1836. He was reared and educated in that county, making it his home for a number of years after he had come to man's estate. Thence he moved to Saline County, Mo., living for thir- teen years near Marshall. He then came to this county, making his home as ahove noted.

Ananias Timmons, the grandfather of our subject. was a native of Maryland and of German parent- age. In his early life he went to Ohio, and while yet a single man settled on a farm in Ross County, of which he was a pioneer. There his death took place very suddenly when he was nearly four-score years old, being caused by apoplexy. He had married an Ohio lady. Miss Ellen Roten, who also died in Ross County when about eighty years old.

S. R. Timmons, son of the above noted, and fa- ther of our subject, was born on his father's home- stead in Ohio, and there reared to farm pursuits. There he married Rachael Hanshaw, who was born

in North Carolina, but reared in Ross County, Ohio. where her parents had early removed from her and their native State. Martin and Sarah llanshaw, parents of Mrs. Rachael Timmons, lived to be quite old, having retired from the active duties of life some years before their death. Mr. and Mrs. S. R. Timmons, began their married life together on a farm, and there lived until the death of the former. The sad event occurred in 1874. and was caused by heart disease, which struck him down suddenly when sixty odd years old. Ile was a moral man and considered one of the best farm- ers and citizens of Ross County. Ilis widow is still living and is now more than eighty-five years old. She makes her home with her son Isaac, in Vinton County, Ohio. Our subject is the first born in a family of three sons and three daughters, all of whom lived to maturity. All are married and have families. One daughter has departed this life, her deatlı taking place in Pottawatomie County, Kan.

The gentleman of whom we write celebrated his marriage to Miss Matilda Baker in his native county and at the home of the bride. She was born in Jackson, that county, Sept. 23, 1836 and was there reared and educated. Iler parents, Josiah and Emma (Schooly) Baker, were natives of the same county and were there reared and married. They made it their home until 1865. when they removed to Saline County, Mo., near what is now the town of Slater. There they are now living retired from active life. Mr. Baker is seventy-five years old, and his wife has passed her three-score years and ten. They have been mem- bers of the Christian Church for many years. Mrs. Timmons is the eldest of five children, two sons and three daughters, who were born to her parents, All are still living, are married and have families.

The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Timmons were Rev. Joseph and Mary (Hankins) Baker, na- tives of Kentucky and of German ancestry. They were probably married in Ohio, and they lived on a farm in Ross County of that State for many years. Mr. Baker was a soldier during the war with Mexico. lle was a minister in the Christian Church the most of his life, his wife being a mem- ber of the same body. He was also a successful farmer and trader, and at the time of his decease

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was possessed of great wealth. Both he and his wife lived to be quite aged.

To Mr. and Mrs. Timmons nine children have been born of whom we note the following : Jo- siah married Miss Elizabeth Bates, and lives on a farm in Saline County, Mo. Emma E. is the wife of Lewis Kreeek, a hardware dealer in Clif. ton. Mary A. is the wife of P. M. Thomson and lives on a farm in Saline County, Mo. Welcome C. married Miss Maggie Babb; he is a hardware dealer in Idana, this eounty. W. T. Sherman mar- ried Miss Maggie Gillespie, and lives on his father's farm. Arvina J., is at home. Rachael O. married Henry M. Sorell and lives on a farm in this town- ship. Daisy H. and Sarah M., are at home. All are well informed, well edueated, and all but four are members of the Christian Church. The son, Welcome, is a Deaeon in that body.

Mr. Timmons is a sound Republican. Mrs. Tim- mons has been a member of the Christian Church sinee she was seventeen years of age, and is now united with that organization at Vining. The fam- ily stand high in the respect of their fellow-citizens as people of intelligence. good breeding, and up- right characters.

(1IN PISHNY, JR. This very intelligent and promising young farmer of Swede Creek Township, is well known throughout the northern part of Riley County, and is a universal favorite. Ile operates and superintends his father's large farm of 640 acres, and although only twenty-four years old, exhibits the good judg- ment and forethought of a man many years his senior. He has entered upon a career which prom- ises much for the future. and which is watched with interest by hosts of friends.

The subject of this sketch was born near the eity of Brumm, in the Province of Moravia, Austria, Feb. 15, 1865, but his recollections of his early home are little more than a dream, as when a child of four years he was brought by his parents to America. Leaving the city of Bremen in the spring of 1869, they embarked on the steamer "America,"

and after an ocean voyage of fourteen days landed in Castle Garden, N. Y. Thenee they proceeded by rail to Racine, Wis., where they lived two years. In 1871 they came to Kansas, being among the first settlers on the prairie of Swede Creek Township. The country was then wild and unsettled, and game of all kinds was plentiful. It had disappeared, however, before young Pishny was large enough to hunt. As soon as old enough, he was required to make himself useful, and began following the plow and driving oxen at the age of seven.

In consequence of being thus early required to labor, Mr. Pishny received only limited schooling, but by his own efforts has become well informed. At the age of eighteen years he took charge of his father's farm, upon which he has made almost all of the improvements, putting up a stone house, a barn and other buildings. About 150 aeres is un- der the plow, and the whole enclosed with feneing. It is well-watered by living springs, and there are three orchards with a tenant house. The family residence stands about nine miles from Blue Rapids. The land is largely devoted to stoek-raising. Mr. Pishny making a specialty of Polled-Angus cattle, keeping from 100 to 150 head, and shipping about twenty head annually. He keeps about fourteen head of graded English draft horses, utilizing about three teams in the farm work.

John Pishiny, Sr., the father of our subject, is likewise a native of Moravia, and was born April 28, 1838. The paternal grandfather. Frank Pishny, owned a small farm in his native Provinee of Mo- ravia, and there spent his entire life. John, Sr .. owned and operated two farms there until eoming to America, in 1869. While a resident of Racine. Wis., he worked in and about the eity until coming to this State. After his arrival her- 1. mesteaded eighty acres of his present land, and subsequently purchased a quarter-section of railroad land adjoin- ing. He was very successful as a tiller of the soil, and investel his surplus eapital in land until he is now the owner of a whole section.

Mrs. Mary (Stephan) Pishny was born in Mora- via, October 10, 1841. and is the daughter of John Stephan, an Austrian farmer, who, with his wife, is a member of the Evangelieal Churel. To Mr. and Mrs. Pishny there were born five children,

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viz: John, .Jr., Josie W., Mrs. Smerchek, of Swede Creek Township; Annie, Sally, and Mary, at home with their parents. John, Jr., although meddling very little with public affairs, has his own views upon matters and things, and votes independently.

R OBERT BURK. In circulating among the farmers and stock-raisers of Clifton Town- ship, the biographer finds few who have been more thorough or successful in their labors than he whose name stands at the head of this sketch. He has occupied the same farm since May, 1871, this being finely located on section 2, Clifton Township. He was unable to make his entry until the following year and the land was in its primitive condition when he assumed possession. He came hither totally without means, with the exception of a team of horses and $20 in his pocket. A year later his horses were stolen and he had many other difficulties to contend with. After homesteading his land, he in order to obtain the necessary money required to secure his title, went into the State of Missouri and eut cord wood. He labored and contrived thus for a number of years and in due time his perseverance and in- dustry bore their legitimate results. He has now a fine traet of fertile land with good buildings, with fruit and shade trees and everything about the premises for his comfort and convenience. He is numbered among the solid men in the southwestern part of the county.

Mr. Burk came to Kansas from Polk County, Iowa, where he had moved a few years previous from Indiana. He had been a resident of the latter State from the time of reaching his majority. Ilis native place was Belmont County, Ohio, and the date of his birth Oct. 22, 1826. When he was a boy of six years his father removed to Knox County, Ohio, where he sojourned until reaching his majority and he then accompanied the family to Northern Indiana. Samuel Burk, the father of our subjeet, was born in Pennsylvania but was taken to Ohio by his parents when quite young. lle was reared to farming pursuits which he fol-

lowed uninterruptedly through life, with the ex- ception of the time he served as a soldier in the war of 1812. He was married in Ohio to Miss Mary Shouse. The mother of our subject was born in Virginia of German parents and they re- moved to Ohio when she was quite young, where she was reared to womanhood.

Samuel Burk and his wife after their marriage sojourned for a time in Belmont County, Ohio, and then removed to Harrison County. They next took up their residence in Knox County, that State, and after the birth of all their children, set out in October, 1847, for another home, seeking the wilds of St. Josephi County, Ind. They there spent their last days, Samuel Burk passing away about 1885 at the age of sixty-seven years, and his partner in La Porte County, that State, aged seventy-four. Both were active members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church in which Mr. Burk for a number of years officiated regularly as a local preacher, hav- ing received a license therefor.

Robert Burk was the eldest son and third child in a family of three sons and four daughters born to his parents, but he has only one brother and one sister living, they being residents of Indiana and Nebraska. Ile accompanied the family in their va- rious removals from one county to another in the Buckeye State, and spent his early manhood in St. Joseph County, Ind., where he was married to Miss Arty M. Fuson. This lady was born in Champaign County. Ohio, and was the daughter of Rev. Joel Fuson, a minister of the Free Will Baptist Church. She was reared and educated in her native State and accompanied her husband to Kansas, remaining his faithful companion until her decease, which took place at her home in Clifton Township, on the 19th of February, 1881. Mrs. Burk had been a mem- ber of the l'nited Brethren Church from her girl- hood. Her union with our subject resulted in the birth of nine children, the eldest of whom, two daughters, Jane E. and Celia A. (Mrs. Hetu) are living in this county. Daniel M., Mary O., Robert W., Eliza C., Jolin, Samuel and Schuyler C. All are married.

Mr. Burk contracted a second matrimonial al- lianee in Sumner County, this State, with Miss Martha Rerick. This lady was born in St. Joseph

FARM RESIDENCE OF EPH. BADGER, SEC.30. CLIFTON TP. WASHINGTON CO. KAN.

FARM RESIDENCE OF G.T.B.IMAN SEC. 31. SHERIDAN TP. WASHINGTON Co. KAN.

FARM RESIDENCE OF ROBERT BURK, SEC. 2. CLIFTON TR WASHINGTON CO. KAN

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County. Ind., and is the daughter of Henry and Ann (Hathaway) Reriek the former an Indiana farmer. She came to Kansas in 1872 with her broth- ers. Mr. Burk is a member in good standing of the I'nited Brethren Church, with which he has been connected for the long period of forty years, fre- quently filling its important offices. Politically, he is a sound Republican and warmly interested in the temperance movement, A fine lithographie engraving of the home of Mr. Burk appears on an . other page of this volume.

E PHRAIM BADGER made his first entry into Kansas in 1855, he being then a lad of fourteen. Since the summer of 1866, he has been a resident of Washington County, assisting to make its history, and no one takes deeper interest in its best welfare than he. Ile and his wife have passed through the varied scenes of pioneer life, some of which are pleasant to recall while around others cluster bitter memories. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Badger is in Clifton Township, on section The estate comprises land in the adjoining section 31 also. It is in a fine state of cultivation, and furnished with adequate buildings, is also well supplied with forest and fruit trees, and well stocked with good breeds of horses, cattle and logs. A view of the residence, with other import- ant buildings and a portion of the surrounding farm appears elsewhere in this work.

Our subjeet was born in Hartford Township, Trumbull Co., Ohio, on Nov. 1, 1841, and is the second child in a family which consisted of seven sons and five daughters. The early boyhood of Mr. Badger was passed in his native county, whence he accompanied his father to this State, and settled in Riley County, not far from Junetion City, the claim being the first one taken on the Re- publican River. It was surrounded by an nneul- tivated waste of land, where Indians and wild game abounded. Buffaloes could be seen on every side. There our subject lived with his parents until after the breaking out of the late War, when he deter- mined to devote his energies to the service of his

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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 46

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

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