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 50

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 50
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 50
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 50

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).

AMES KINSLEY. This gentleman, though only thirty-five years of age, is already one of the most prominent young men of Sheridan Township, Washington County. Previous to his residence here he occupied a prominent place among the young citizens of Clifton Town- ship. In both townships he has held various posi- tions of publie trust and responsibility.

Mr. Kinsley was born in Pike County, Miss., Aug. 12, 1854. When about three years of age his parents, Thomas and Catherine (Kaho) Kinsley, removed to New Orleans. About two years later they located in Atchison, Kan., from which place, after a year's sojourn, they went to Buchanan County, Mo. In April, 1861, they became iesi- dents of Kansas. They first located on Elk Creek, about three miles north of Clyde, Cloud County. The parental family consisted of six children, of whom our subject was the fifth. Three young men

located with them. Buffaloes were yet to be seen occasionally, and Indians were all around them.

Only a few months were spent in that location. In the fall of the same year they removed west of Clyde, to what was then known as Bull Run Ferry. There they " squatted," and remained until the fol- lowing spring. Thence they removed to Clifton Township, this county, and there farmed for one season. Thence they went to the home of George Funnell. (See sketch.) In the spring of 1863 the father filed a homestead elaim on 160 acres, on section 7, Sheridan Township. There the family removed. The parents are still living on the home- stead, which is now a fine farm. Later the father preempted a quarter section also in this township, and the most of the entire estate is cultivated.

Both parents of our subject are of Irish birth. In the Emerald Isle they were reared in the Cath- olic faith, as were their ancestors so far as known. They were married in the Catholic Church, with all the rites of their religious faith. Of their fam- ily of six children, five now survive. They are: Mary, Mathias, Bridget (now the wife of George Funnell), Anna, and our subject. The deceased daughter bore the name of Johannah.

The gentleman whose name initiates this notice was married in this township to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Fink) Bow- maker. She is a native of Illinois, and her parents are of Prussian birth. Three bright children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kinsley. They bear the names of Mary E., Catherine M. and Thomas J. Mr. Kinsley owns eighty acres of the old home- stead. He has made good improvements upon it, and has a comfortable and pleasant home.

In Clifton Township Mr. Kinsley held the office of Constable for some time. Ile was Township Treasurer for one year, and School Treasurer for three years. In this township he has served as Treasurer for two years, and now holds the office of School Director. In all the offices to which he has been elected, he has proved himself worthy of the trust placed in him. Prompt and vigorous at duty's call, of strict integrity and active intelli- gence, he has faithfully discharged his public duties. In private life he is equally eapable and trustworthy. He is a life-time Republican. He

428

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

and his family are members of the Catholic Church. in which faith he was reared. They have a well- regulated and finely improved homestead, and are justly proud of their neat residence. A view of the latter is presented elsewhere in this work.

OHN THESMAN, a man popular in both the social and business circles of his com- ----- munity, owns and occupies 160 acres of good land on section 2, Hanover Township. Ile is of that kindly and genial disposition which it is so pleasant to meet, and extends alike to friend and stranger the cordial hospitality, which at once plaees them at ease, and himself on a sound foot- ing in their good graces. IIe is a life-long farmer by occupation, and is considerably interested in live-stoek, keeping a goodly number of horses, cat- tle and swine, all graded animals. The farm is well watered by Cottonwood Creek, which runs through it, fringed with timber. Adjacent to the dwelling is an, orchard of 200 trees, and Mr. Thesman has planted nearly 300 grape vines. He has in fact around him all the comforts of life, and without living elegantly, extracts much comfort from the home which he has built up, and where lie has lived for the last nineteen years.

In Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany. the sub- ject of this sketeli was born Nov. 11, 1840, and is the son of John Sr., and Louisa ( Thesman ) Thesman, the latter a second cousin of her husband, and both of whom were natives of the same Province as their son. They were there reared and married, and there the father died in 1841, when John, Jr., was but an infant. The mother subsequently re- married, and in 1860 emigrated to America, settling in Erie County, N. Y. She spent her last days in that county, dying in 1883. Of her first mar- riage there were born two children only-John and Joseph. The latter is now deceased.

Mr. Thesman spent his first twenty years in his native Province, receiving a good education in the common school, and being bred to farm pur- suits. After coming to America he lived eight years in Erie County, N. Y., then coming to Kan- sas, settled on his present farm, which was then in

a vastly different condition from what it is now. In 1864 be took unto himself a wife and helpmeet, Miss Henrietta Hartig, who was born in September, 1839, in Gostshoff, Germany, and came to America with her two sisters and one brother in 1864. The sisters still live in Erie County, N. Y. Her par- ents were natives of the same Province as their daughter, and lived there until the death of the father, which occurred in 1868. Their family eon- sisted of ten children, eight of whom are living.

To Mr. and Mrs. Thesman there have been born three children-John, Henry and Mary. The see- ond son died in 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Thesman are members in good standing of the German Lutheran Church at Hanover. Mr. Thesman, socially, is prominently connected with the I. O. O. F., being Noble Grand, having passed through all the chairs of his lodge. He is a warm admirer of the prin- ciples of the order, and is enthusiastie over its prosperity and success in this country. In political matters he votes the Democratic ticket. He is one of those straightforward and reliable men who can always be depended upon to encourage morality and good order, and who illustrates in his own career all the qualities of the honest man and good citizen. He has been fortunate in acquiring a comfortable amount of this world's goods, and will be enabled to spend his old age in peace and comfort.

000

OHN M. TOWNSEND was born in Fre- mont County, Iowa, July, 23, 1853. His parents having removed to Atchison County, Mo., during his boyhood, he grew to man- hood in that State. In June, 1881, he came to Washington County, Kan., and settled in Highland Township, on section 11. He is the owner of 200 acres of land, and gives his attention almost wholly to stock-raising, earrying on quite an extensive business. He raises graded stock, and keeps about eighty head of cattle, and turns off from 100 to 200 head of hogs annually.

The parents of our subject were Robert and Rosa (Gilmore) Townsend. The father was a native of Indiana, and his first settlement after marrying was in Missouri. He remained there but a short

429

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

time, however, when he changed his residence to Fremont County, Iowa. IIe subsequently re- turned to Atchison County, Mo., where his wife died Sept. 15, 1887. The parental family com- prised ten children, our subject being the second in order of birth.

John M. Townsend, the gentleman of whom we write, was married in Washington County, Kan .. July, 2, 1882, to Miss Ursie Williford, whose birth had taken place in Indiana, July 15, 1853. Mr. Townsend and his estimable wife are the parents of one child-Raymond, who was born Dec. 19, 1885.

Mr. Townsend has been Township Trustee for two years and School Treasurer for three years. In both offices he has shown his capacity for finance. lle takes quite an interest in political affairs, and is a member of the Republican party. Although not connected with any church, Mr. Townsend is a believer in the doctrines of Christianity. His wife is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. and of high standing therein. Though his resi- dence in Kansas has extended over but a few years, his upright character and financial ability. give promise that he will ere long be ranked as one of the leading men of the county. He is at present a .Justice of the Peace.

NDREW SWEET. Occupying a promi- nent position among the farmers and stock raisers of Grant Township, Riley County, is the above named gentleman, whose landed estate now amounts to about 876 acres, sit- uated on sections 3, 4 and 9, and who is engaged in raising cattle, hogs, horses and mules for market. His ability both as an agriculturist and a stock- man is acknowledged by all about him, and his up- right character is equally well-known and valued.

His residence is a commodions stone edifice, sit- uated on the high ground overlooking the Blue River Valley from the mouth of Mill Creek north, and the fine estate comprises bottom and bluff pas- ture land and valley. The dwelling contains an excellent library, and an organ indicates that music is regarded as one of the essentials to home cheer

and home happiness. The financial success of Mr. Sweet enables himself and family to gratify their tastes and display their hospitality, and frequent gatherings at the house indicate that it is a favorite spot, particularly with the musie loving yonng people. The youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sweet has from her childhood been a collector of mineralogical and geological specimens, and now has a rare collection enriched by contributions from almost every part of the world, and including also many other curious and interesting articles of vertu, the whole forming a valuable and highly prized embellishment of the home.

Mr. Sweet is a descendant of one of two brothers who came from England with William Penn and assisted in the early development of Pennsylvania. from which State his grandfather removed to Ken - tucky. There B. F. Sweet, the father of our sub- ject, was born and grew to manhood, marrying Miss Jane Robinson, who was born in Virginia and became an inhabitant of the Blue Grass State when three years old. B. F. Sweet was a farmer and cabinet-maker. He moved to Ohio about the year 1832, and in Brown County our subject was born on Oct. 31. 1834, being the third in a family of five children. The first born of the parental family is Lucy M., now the wife of I. M. Sullivan, a min- ister of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Bald- win City. Douglas County, Kan .; they have four living children. Elizabeth F. resides in the same place and is the wife of James Hair and the mother of six children. Thomas served during the war in the 22d Ohio Infantry, and lost his health in the army, surviving, however, until 1881; he married Mattie Freyberger, and left two children. James, a twin of Thomas, was Color Sergeant in the 48th Ohio Infantry, and when Gen. Grant made an as- sault on the Confederate works at Vicksburg, on May 22, 1863, he was the first man to place the Union colors on the breast works, receiving a death wound from a bullet a few moments afterward.

Andrew Sweet was reared on a farm and re- ceived the usual common school education of a farmer's son on the frontier, where schools were "few and far between." He remained at home until of age, and then rented from his father for fifteen years, carrying on a successful agricultural

430

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

life. Under the call for 100 days' men in 1864 he became a member of Company K, 60th Ohio In- fantry, holding the rank of Corporal.

Turmng his steps westward in the fall of 1870, Mr. Sweet arrived in Manhattan on Oct. 28, and made his home in that town until the following February, when he purchased 156 acres of land, which forms a part of his present estate. Learning that the adjoining 160 acres was government land, he soon after filed a claim upon it under the Home- stead Act, making his residence thereon. This acre- age was increased by purchase until his landed estate amounted to almost 1,000 acres, but having sold seventy-seven acres to a son, his own holding is at present but 876.

On March, 27, 1856, in Brown County, Ohio, the rites of wedlock were celebrated between Mr. Sweet and Miss Mary P. Talley, who was also a na- tive of the Buckeye State. The happy nnion has resulted in the birth of five children, only one of whom is now at home. Ann married Worth Nixon, a farmer in good circumstances, whose home is in the Blue Valley, in the southeast corner of Grant Township; they have one child. Benjamin F. mar- ried Lucy A. Knipe, daughter of the Rev. William Knipe, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this vol- ume; they reside in Montgomery County, and have three children. Thomas married Miss Jessie A. Pierce, and their home is near the Paul school house in Grant Township. John II. is unmarried and is employed as clerk in the hardware store of P. W. Zeigler, in Manhattan. Lillie, who is at home, is well educated and accomplished, being an ex- cellent performer on the organ and regarded as the best singer in the neighborhood, her sweet voice leading in the Sunday-school where her musical ability is very useful. All the children received their education at Baker University.

Mr. Sweet is a Republican and has served as del- egate to county conventions. He has been Road Overseer for several years and is now serving as a member of the District School Board bringing the same qualities to bear in the management of town- ship affairs, which have made him so successful in his own private work in life. Since childhood he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is a valued assistant in the good work

of the denomination. His wife, in her own sphere, has shown herself as able as he in his, and shares with him in the esteem of a large circle of acquaint- ances.

M ARTIN THOMPSON is the owner and occupant of a fine farm on section 14 Kimeo Township, Washington County. It comprises 160 acres under thorough cul- tivation, and bearing such improvements as are usual to a progressive farmer. Mr. Thompson also owns 160 acres on section 23. He gives con- siderable attention to stock-raising, and keeps from fifty to 100 head of good cattle.

The parents of our subject were John and Re- becca (Coler) Thompson. His father was a well- to-do farmer in Morgan County, Ohio, where he died at the age of forty-six years. The mother died when our subject was but a year old, leaving three young children to the care of her husband. The latter subsequently married again, and four children were the result of the second marriage. The seven children born to John Thompson bore the names of Catherine, Eli, Martin, Mary, Will- iam, Margaret and John. Eli and Margaret are now deceased. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Hugh Thompson, was one of the pioneers of Oregon, to which territory he removed in 1852, and there lived to a good old age.

The gentleman whose name heads this notice, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, April 7, 1850. He was reared on a farm, and received a common- school education, remaining in his native county until 1869. He then went to Andrew County, Mo., where he remained five months. Returning to his native State, he continued there until the following year, when he removed to Vernon Connty, Wis. There he was engaged in farming until 1876, with the exception of a short time spent in freighting before the days of railroads in the West. From Wisconsin he removed to Kaufman County, Tex., where he sojourned a couple of years. His last removal was to this county, when in 1878 he purchased the land upon which he now resides.

At the home of the bride in Vernon County,

431

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Wis., July 4, 1871, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with Miss Huldah Davis. She is a lady of culture and refinement, and was born Jan. 13, 1852, in the same county where her husband first saw the light. Her parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Gladden) Davis, were natives of Pennsylvania. They removed to Wisconsin in 1855, and there Mr. Davis died at the age of seventy-one years. Mrs. Davis still survives, having now reached the age of seventy-two years. She is a worthy mem- ber of the Christian Church, with which her hus- band was also identified during his life.

Mr. Thompson is in sympathy with the principles of the Republican party, for which he never fails to cast his vote. He has been an office holder ever since he became a resident of this county, and he is now Treasurer of Kimeo Township. He is a man of strict integrity, of more than ordinary intelli- gence, and is justly esteemed by his fellow-citizens.

OHN DURHAM. This gentleman is the owner and occupant of a pleasantly located farm in Greenleaf Township, Washington County, where he is devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. His fine farm is located on sections 27 and 28, and com- prises 160 acres under thorough cultivation, and bearing good improvements.

The father of our subject was Bryce R. Durham, born in Genesee County, N. Y., about the year 1802. He was a son of Jacob Durham, who was a native of New Jersey, and of Irish descent. Bryce Durham removed to Erie County, Pa., when quite a young man, and there followed farming until his death, which occurred about 1855. He was in very good financial circumstances. He married Maria Vandevender, born in Genesee County, N. Y., in 1800. She was a daughter of Peter Vandevender, of German extraction, and who was born in New Jersey. He was an officer in the Revolutionary War. Several of the members of the Vandevender family were West Point cadets at an early date, and served in the Revolutionary War, and the War

of 1812. Mrs. Maria (Vandevender) Durham, died in Erie County, Pa , in 1870, having borne her hus- band several children. They are: Benjamin, a mill- wright at LaCrosse, Wis .; William, a farmer in this county ; Jane, wife of Austin Seeley, a farmer in Harrison County, lowa; John, of whom we write; and two daughters who are now deceased. The third child was Mary, who married Albert L. Ma- shon, of Donelsonville, La., and subsequently died. The fifth child was Eliza, who died in Springfield, Pa., at the age of eighteen years.

John Durham was born in Springfield, Erie County, Pa., April 19, 1841. He was reared to the age of fourteen in his native place. At that time his father died, and he went to Louisiana and lived at Bastrop, Moorhouse Parish. Some time later he went to St. Joseph, La., and for two years was overseer on a plantation there. He afterward followed contracting, continuing in that business until 1859, when he returned to his native State and county. There he was engaged in the oil busi- ness for about two years.

On Aug. 12, 1862, Mr. Durham joined the United States army as a private, being enrolled in Company A, 145th Pennsylvania Infantry, which served with the Army of the Potomae. On the 13th of De- cember following his enlistment. he was severely wounded at Fredericksburg, where he received a gun-shot wound through the body. On Feb. 21, 1863, he was honorably discharged, owning to dis- ability, and returned to his home. After regain- ing his health in the fall of 1863, he went to work in an oar factory at Maumee City. Ohio. One year later the factory was removed to Defiance County, where Mr. Durham accompanied it. There he remained until 1869, when he removed to this county. He homesteaded 160 acres on section 13. of what is now Linn Township. He lived there until 1880, when he sold out, and bought the quar- ter-section where he now resides. He started in life with but a small capital, and is now very com- fortably situated.

At the home of the bride's parents in Maumee City, Ohio, April 17, 1865, Mr. Durham celebrated his marriage to Miss Carrie Whitehead. This es- timable young lady was a daughter of David and Mary A. (MeCue) Whitehead. She has borne her

432

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

husband two children: W. Wilson, who was born Feb. 4. 1866, and Altie A., who was born Jan. 11, 1877.

Mr. Durham is a believer in, and a supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He holds membership in the A. F. and A. M. Lodge No. 215. at Bryan, Ohio. Ile is a good citizen, and an honorable man, and as such is esteemed by his neighbors and fellow-citizens.

AMES A. TOTTEN. The home of this gentleman is one of the pleasant rural resi- dences of Washington County. It is located in Sheridan Township and is represented by a tine view on another page of this volume. The estate, consists of 235 productive acres. 155 being under the plow, and the remainder in pasture and meadow. Au orchard of about 200 trees, a good system of fencing, adequate stable and other farm buildings, together with a well built frame resi- dence, indicate that the estate is under the control of a thorough and progressive farmer.

Mr. Totten was born in Niagara County, N. Y .. and was reared on a farm. He was educated in the district schools and the Academy at Lockport, N. Y .. and made excellent use of the advantages he received, following the profession of a teacher for two years in his native county. In the spring of 1871 he removed to Floyd County, Iowa. About a year later he came to this county, and took up a home- stead of 160 acres in Mill Creek Township. He improved the farm and remained upon it until 1877. Selling out then, he bought 120 acres in his present location, to which he has since added 115 acres. It was chiefly wild land, which he has brought to its present state of cultivation. It is well adapted to general farming, in which its owner is engaged.

The marriage of our subject took place in this county in 1874. The bride was Miss Alice E .. daughter of Rev. L. Prentice, of Valley Falls, Kan. She is a native of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and a lady of intelligence and refinement. Her pa- rents removed to this State in 1861, and located near Valley Falls, Jefferson County. There her

mother. Athelina ( Willit) Prentice died in 1872. The father subsequently married a Mrs. Orr of Leavenworth County, this State. The parents of Mrs. Totten were natives of New York State, where they were married, afterward removing to Ohio. The father preached in the northern part of the latter State when it was almost a wilderness. They lived in several different counties in Ohio, . previous to their removal to Kansas. Both wer members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. M and Mrs. Totten have four children living. They are named respectively : Walter P., Edgar W Mary A. and Laura E. Two children Lloyd B. and Edna E. have been taken from them by the hai of death.

Mr. Totten and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Clifton. He was County School Examiner from 1876 to 1882. Dure ing the past six years he has held the office of Justice of the Peace in this county. A trust- worthy citizen and an educated and Christian gentleman, Mr. Totten is entitled to the respect of his neighbors and fellow citizens, and it is not withheld from him.

2 HOMAS IIETU, late of Clifton Township, departed this life at his homestead on sec. tion 26, July 28, 1879. Ile was born near the city of Montreal, Canada, Nov. 9, 1846, and was the son of French-Canadian parents. His father, Joseph Hetu, was likewise a native of the Dominion, and of French ancestry. The latter was a farmer by occupation, and married a French Canadian lady, whose first name was Delilah. She was born in the city of Montreal. Joseph Hetu is still liv- ing, and has now arrived at the advanced age of eighty-three years. He is retired from active busi- ness, and makes his home in Assumption, Canada. His wife died there in April, 1889, at the age of eighty-two years; both had embraced the Catholic faith in their youth.

The subject of this sketch spent the first four- teen years of his life in his native Province, then coming over into the States, settled near Kankakee, Ill., whence later he removed west of the Missis-

RESIDENCE OF J.A.TOTTEN, SEC.28. SHERIDAN TP. WASHINGTON CO. KAN.

FARM RESIDENCE OF MRS. CELIA A.HETU, SEC. 26 CLIFTON TP. WASHINGTON CO. KAN.

FARM RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH BOWMAKER JR.SEC.7. SHERIDAN TP. WASHINGTON CO. KAN.

435

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

sippi, ard located in Reno, Neb. He there learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed in that State until 1870, then came to Kansas and erected the first blacksmith shop in Clifton. Ile operated this for a number of years, and then, about 1872, homesteaded eighty acres of land on section 26, Clifton Township, from which he con- structed a good farm, and there spent the remain- der of his-days. In the meantime he added to his real estate forty acres of timber on the same section.

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 50

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

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