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 52

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 52
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 52
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 52

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).

After being mustered out of the service, Mr. Blos- ser returned to his native county, where for a time he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. Later he

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removed to Mercer County, where he was engaged in the same business for three years. Thence he went to Saline County, Mo., where he operated a large flouring mill, run by water and steam, and also carried on a large general store. He had asso- ciated with him there, his brother John Blosser, and did business in Saline County for eight years. Failing health sent him to the mountains of Col- orado, where he sojourned for some time. From that State he came to Kansas, as before stated, in 1879.

In Mercer County, Ohio, Mr. Blosser celebrated his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Beougher. She is a daughter of Daniel and Mahala (Beery) Beougher, and was born in Mercer County, Oct. 16, 1851. She was well educated in her native county, and is a lady of intelligence and refinement. Her parents are now living in that county, where they own a beautiful home. Mr. Beougher is a successful farmer. Both he and his wife are natives of the Buckeye State, their marriage having taken place in Fairfield County. They are estimable people, and both are members of the Church of God.

Mr. Blosser is of Republican politics. He be- longs to the G. A. R., Sebwick Post No. 24, at Clifton. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, in which he is an Elder. He was the chief instrument in the organization, of which he is a charter member, and one of the main sup- ports. He assisted in organizing the church at Malta Bend, Mo., when in business there, and also the church at De Witt, Carroll Co., Mo. Mr. Blos- ser hold high rank among the citizens of Clifton and vicinity, as a man of more than ordinary in- telligence. and of sterling character. His wife shares with him the esteem of the community. She is the foster mother of a child whom she calls Fred.

OHN STONEBACK. Among the fine farm- ing lands on the first bottom of the Repub_ lican River are 148 acres which have been subjected to a thorough process of cultiva- tion and improvement by Mr. Stoneback, who is widely and favorably known to the people of Bloom Township. In addition to being a thorough farmer,

he is a blacksmith of no mean skill and on account of his knowledge of this art saves many dollars an- nually, by being able to not only repair his own farming implements, but those of his neighbors. Hle purchased his present property in April, 1877, and its appearance to-day is indicative of the in- dustry and perseverance with which he has ope- rated upon it.

The birthplace of our subject was in Warwick Township, Chester County, Pa., and the date thereof May 29, 1835. His father, George Stone- back, was likewise a native of that township, and was born, reared, lived and died upon the same farm. He also followed blacksmithing and was a mechanic of no mean skill. He attained to the age of sixty-three years, making the record of an honest man and a good citizen, affiliating in early man- hood with the old Whig party and later endorsing its Republican successor.

The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Ann Houck ; she is yet living, being now sev - enty-three years old and makes her home with her daughter in Chester County, Pa. She is a lady of many estimable qualities and a member of the Dun- kard Church. John, our subject, was the eldest child of his parents, whose family consisted of three sons and five daughters. all of whom lived to mature years, and nearly all of whom are married, except one-Eliza Jane, who died aged thirteen years. John, when a lad of fifteen years, began learning the blacksmith's trade of his father and followed this mainly until a few years since. Upon reaching man's estate he was married in his native township to Miss Sarah Bachman, who was born May 26, 1839, not far from the early home of her husband. Her parents were Lewis and Martha ( McFarland) Bachman, descendants of stanch old Pennsylvania stock which traced its ancestry to Holland. The McFarlands were of Irish descent and both fami- lies were numbered among the early settlers of Chester County, Pa. Lewis Bachman is still living there and has attained to more than four score years and five. During his active business life he was principally engaged as a merchant and after the organization of the Republican party he became .one of its stanchest supporters. Although aged he is still quite active.

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Mrs. [Stoneback was 'deprived of the excellent care of her mother when a child less than twelve years old and was reared by her father and step- mother, the latter of whom is living. Mr. and Mrs. Stoneback after their marriage continued resi- dents of their native township and Mr. Stoneback employed himself in his father's shop two years. Later he was engaged in a foundry four years. At the expiration of this time he purchased a small farm which he operated in connection with his trade for twelve years. He then decided to seek the far West and came to Northern Kansas, where he has since resided. He is the father of nine children, two of whom are deceased, viz: Katie and Martha. Their eldest living son, Sylves- ter, married Miss Elizabeth Tebby, and is a farmer of Bloom Township; George L. is the partner of his brother. Sylvester, in farming; Laura is the ^wife of Ferdinand Petermeyers, a farmer of Bloom Township; John G. married Miss Ida Harper, and they are residents of Sheridan County, where they have homesteaded land; Sarah Anna, Clara Effie and Mary J. remain at home [ with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Stoneback attend the Baptist Church at Morganville, in which Mr. Stoneback officiates as Deacon. In politics he is a sound Republican, but has never sought office, preferring to devote his at- tion to his legitimate calling.

W INSLOW M. HAYNES, a son of John G. Haynes, one of the earliest pioneers of Clifton Township, is occupying part of a 1,100-acre traet of land taken up by the latter when this section of the country was an almost unbroken wilderness. The share of Winslow M. comprises 160 acres, forty of which lie within the town limits of Vining and are in consequence quite valuable. Upon this he has resided since 1873, when he began farming on his own account. He has effected good improvements and has gathered around himself and family all the comforts of life.

1849 and where he lived until fourteen years old. He attained to his majority in Mulberry Township, Clay County, and there his father spent his last days. The mother is still living at the residence of her son, Charles, near Vining, aged about seventy years. Further mention is made of them in the biography of their son, H. S. Haynes, elsewhere in this volume.

Our subject was married in Mulberry Town- ship, Sept. 29, 1872, to Miss Susan Wilson. Mrs. Haynes like her husband, is a native of Mon- roe County, Ill., and was born May I, 1854. Her father, John Wilson, was a farmer by occupation and died in Monroe County, Ill .. in the prime of life when his daughter, Susan, was but two years old. ller mother was Miss Nancy Allen, likewise of Monroe County ; after the death of Mr. Wilson she was married to James Hendricks of that county. Later she removed with Mr. Hendricks and her children to Cass County, Mo .. where they sojourned three years. Then coming to Kansas they located in Mulberry Township, Clay County, and Mrs. Haynes lived there with her mother and stepfather until her marriage. Afterward the latter returned to Monroe County, Ill., where Mrs. Ilendrieks died. Mr. Ilendricks subsequently returned to Kansas where he died in the prime of life.

Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Haynes, two of whom, Eveline and Emory, died when less than a year old. The survivors are Mayo and May, (twins), Iva, Maggie O. and Alonzo W. Mr."Haynes, politically, supports the principles of the Republican party. He is regarded as an honest man and a good citizen and is contributing his quota to the agricultural interests of his county. He is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, also of the A. O. U. W. at Clifton. We invite the attention of our many readers to a handsome engraving of the home and surroundings of Mr. Haynes, on another page of this volume.

G EORGE FUNNELL. This gentleman is the owner of 750 acres of land in Washington County, and has been a resident here for

Mr. Haynes came to this vicinity from Mulberry Township, Clay County in the fall of 1863. IIis father's family had removed to Kansas from Monroe County, Ill., where Winslow was born Dec. 25, , twenty-eight years. His land is all well improved.

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FARM RESIDENCE OF W. M.HAYNES ,SEC.34, CLIFTON TP.WASHINGTON CO. KAN

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RESIDENCE OF MR. GEORGE FUNNELL, SEC. 33. SHERIDANTP WASHINGTON CO. KAN.

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The home farm comprises 320 acres on see- tion 33, Sheridan Township. It is furnished with a comfortable frame house and all necessary barns and out-buildings, and is represented by a view on another page of this volume. Mr. Funnell can ro- late many interesting experiences of the early life in this section, having begun his residence here prior to the admission of Kansas as a State, and while the country was in a wild and thinly settled condition.

Mr. Funnell was born in Norfolk, England, in June, 1831, and came to the United States; in the fall of 1851. The voyage was made on the "Ocean Queen" (Capt. Creswell) and occupied six weeks and one day. After landing at New York. Mr. Funnell went directly to Cook County, Ill., where an elder sister, Mary A., wife of lohn Baldry, had previously located. There our subject lived until the spring of 1856, whence he went to Louisa County, Iowa. In that county he operated a rented farm for five years. He then. in 1860, came to this State, and took a squatter's claim where he now lives. In 1862 the land was offered for sale, and he then preempted 160 acres. The original patent, signed by Abraham Lincoln, is now in his possession. The first house on the claim was a log cabin with cotton-wood bark roof. In that house he lived until 1869, at which time he built his present dwelling.

During the first years of Mr. Funnell's resi- dence here, buffalo and elk were to be found, and antelope, deer and wild turkey were plentiful. The nearest postoffice was fifty miles distant at Ft. Riley, where he walked to get his mail, for better time could be made on foot than with the ox team he owned. Marketing was chiefly done at Man- hattan, and milling 125 miles away at Grasshopper Falls, where there was an old water power gristmill. On coming to the county Mr. Funnell had traveled on the Missouri River, as far as Kansas City, where he bought oxen and wagon, and completed bis jour- ney overland.

In 1862, the Indians began to be troublesome, and in 1863, they had become so bold that on many occasions the settlers were badly frightened, and left their homes to seek safety in towns. Dur- ing one of the Indian raids, Mr. Funnell and family,

with other rural settlers sought safety at Clay Cen- ter, whence they repaired to Clifton and staid a week. They then went to the residence of G. D. Brooks, two miles west of Clifton, where they built a stockade on the bank of the Republican River. There they remained about a week until furnished protection by Government forces. At the time of this raid, the eldest son of our subject was a babe of nine months. lle was the second child born in this township, the first having been Mary, daughter of Peter Esslingler, and wife of Peter Schiltz, of Clay Center.

The parents of our subject were William and Eleanor (Byham) Funnell, who came to the Uni- ted States in 1852, and made their home with our subject until their deaths, which occurred in this county. The mother was house keeper for her son until his marriage. Both parents were natives of England and of pure English ancestors. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The mother died June 27, 1869, aged eighty-five years, the father Nov. 4, 1877, aged ninety-five years and six montlıs.

The marriage of our subject took place in the southwest quarter of Washington County, and was celebrated Jan. 7, 1863, in the little log house which was to be the future home of the newly mar- ried couple ; the ceremony was performed by Rufus Darby, Esq. The bride was Bridget, daughter of Thomas and Catherine (Kaho) Kinsley. She is possessed of those qualities of character which are especially needful to a prosperous and happy life on the frontier, and is highly esteemed by those who best know her useful life. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Funnell. One daughter, Mary E., died in childhood. The sur- vivors are : William H., Mathew T. and Elizabeth A., who were born in the cabin on the claim ; James C., George A., Katie B .. Arthur W., Jessie E., and Ada F.

After securing his preemption claim, Mr. Fun- nell homesteaded 160 acres on the same section and the two claims comprise the home farm. In addition he now owns 160 acres on section 27, 200 acres on section 26, and seventy acres on section 27 (in a separate piece from the quarter of that section).

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Mr. Funnell is a member of the A. O. U. W. as is his eldest son, William H. He was the first Trus- tee of Clifton Township, which then comprised one-fourth of the county, and included what is now Sheridan Township. He served in that capacity for two years. He has also been Treasurer of this township. Hle and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Clifton. He is not only an enterprising farmer, but a most excellent citizen, and a man whose probity of character is unquestioned.

OSEPH M. JACKSON, a retired farmer and a resident of Clifton, owns and occupies one of the pleasantest homes within the town limits, to which he removed in the spring of 1889. Prior to this he had been located on a good farm on section 35, Clifton Township, of which he still retains ownership. He preempted this land in the spring of 1870 and thereafter lived upon it until his removal to Clifton, sojourning there for a period of nineteen years. He is numbered among the leading pioneers of Washington County, and has been no unimportant factor in assisting it to its present condition. He literally built up a home from the wilderness, bringing his land to a good state of cultivation and erecting substantial build- ings. Besides this farm he owns another of eighty acres in the same township and still another of eighty acres in Sheridan Township, both of which are well improved.

The subject of this notice was born in Surry County, N. C., March 1, 1840, and lived there until coming to Kansas. His father, Amos Jackson, was likewise a native of that county and the son of Joseph Jackson, a gentleman of Scotch birth and parentage. The latter was reared to manhood in his native shire and when reaching man's estate set out for America, accompanied by his betrothed, Miss Sarah Jessup, in the latter part of the last century. They located in what is known as West- field, Surry Co., N. C., and in due time were mar- ried and remained there the balance of their days. Joseph Jackson died when about sixty years old; his wife survived him many years and was nearly

one hundred years old at the time of her death. He was a Whig, politically, and both belonged to the Quaker Church.

Amos Jackson, the father of our subject, was the third child of a large family, and was reared at the old homestead where he attained to his major- ity. He was married in his native county to Miss Sally Hill, who was born in Stokes County, N. C., and who was of German descent, being the daugh- ter of Robert and Betsey (Vest) Hill. The latter were likewise born in Stokes County, N. C., but later removed to Surry County and there spent their last days, passing away when ripe in years. They were highly respectable people and members in good standing of the Baptist Church.

After marriage, the parents of our subject settled on the farm which was left to Amos Jackson by his father and which remained the home of himself and his good wife until their death. The former died in 1870 at the age of seventy-three years. He was a member of the Society of Friends, a good man in the broadest sense of the term and had been financially a success. He was first a member of the old Whig party and upon its abandonment identified himself with the Republicans. Mrs. Jack- son survived her husband a number of years, dying in 1878, aged seventy-one. She was a member of the Baptist Church.

The subject of this sketch was the second born in a family of four children. The eldest, a son, William, married Miss Sarah Shelton and they live on a farm in Stokes County, N. C. Martha is the wife of Elijah Pell, a farmer of Surry County, that State. Robert, the youngest, married Miss Laura Tillie and is farming in Surry County. Joseph M. passed his younger years quietly engaged in agri- cultural pursuits and remaining a member of the parental household until reaching his majority. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, not desiring to affiliate with the enemies of the Union, he left home and enlisted in Company D, in a regiment of 8th Tennessee Cavalry, being mustered in as a Sergeant. He participated in some of the impor- tant battles which followed and was in several skirmishes. This regiment was sent after the rebel raider, Morgan, Mr. Jackson being with it at the time. In the latter part of 1863 he was taken ill

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and confined in the hospital nine months. Upon his recovery he joined his regiment and was at the battle of Greenville in October, 1864. While on the retreat his horse, a very fine and swift animal, was shot three times but carried his master beyond the point of danger before falling disabled. . Mr. Jackson had become separated from his comrades. but joined them the next day. He had himself been wounded at the time his horse was shot and now was compelled to lie in the hospital again. Iie was three times confined in the hospital and finally on the 24th of May, received his honorable dis- charge from the service, after doing duty two years and nine months, being nine months in the Cum- berland Mountains detained in the mountain fights.

Upon retiring from the army Mr. Jackson re- turned to North Carolina and settled in Watauga County, where he sojourned four and one-half years. In the meantime he had married Sept. 12, 1865, Miss Susan Von Cannon. This lady was born in Randolph County, N. C., Oct. 30, 1842, and is the daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Hammon ) Von Cannon, who were likewise natives of North Caro- lina, but in middle life removed to Johnson County, Tenn., where the father died in 1881 at the age of sixty. eight years. He carried on farming and also labored as a mechanic. The mother is yet living and makes her home with her younger danghter, Mrs. Martha Culver. in Watauga County, N. C .; she is eighty years of age and belongs to the Society of Friends.

Mrs. Jackson received excellent home training and a good education in the common school. She became familiar with all useful household duties and was well fitted to take charge of a good man's home. Of her union with our subject there is one child only-Andrew-who was born July 1, 1866, and is now steward of the Leonard Hotel in Rock- ford, Ill. He possesses rare business qualities, being more than ordinarily wide-awake, enterpris- ing and industrious.

Mr. Jackson came to Washington County, Kan., with his family in the latter part of 1870, arriving here on the 12th of September. The country around bore a wide contrast to its present condition, Indians and wild animals still being plentiful. Securing his land he labored in true pioneer style,

while the country settled up around him by degrees and he watched with interest and satisfaction the growth and development of this now prosperous commonwealth, Both he and his estimable wife were reared in the doctrines of the Quaker faith, but they are now members of the Methodist Church. Politically, Mr. Jackson is a sound Republican. As a former soldier he belongs to the G. A. R., being a member of Sedgwick Post, No. 24, at Clifton.

W ILLIAM S. McKELVY, member of the firm of McKelvy Bros., which is represented on another page of this volume, was born in Wyandot County, Ohio, Sept. 17, 1858, and is the seventh in a family of nine children, the off- spring of James and Nancy (Erwin) MeKelvy, who were natives respectively of Scotland and Ireland. His early life was spent at the homestead i. Ohio and in 1870, when a lad of twelve years, he came with his parents to Washington County, this State. He attended the best schools in Washington County, and in due time entered the Kansas Nor- mal College at Ft. Scott, from which he was grad- nated in 1883. Thereafter he followed the profession of a teacher until 1885, when he associated himself in partnership with his brother. Mathew. and they established themselves in mercantile business at Barnes, and are recognized as the leading house of that kind in this place. Their substantial stone building, which was erected in the fall of 1889, is at once an ornament to the town. and is considered a good omen for its future prosperity. Mckelvy Bros. have built up a flourishing trade, and being prompt and reliable men, have fully established themselves in the confidence and esteem of the peo- ple around them.

The subject of this notice on the 3d of March, 1886, was united in marriage with Miss Bertha Bogert of Marshall County, this State. Mrs. MeKelvy was born in Pennsylvania in 1861, and is a daughter of Henry V. and Nancy ( Robinson) Bogert, who are now residents of Beattie. Of her union with our subject there has been born one child, a son, Wyman C. Mr. McKelvy, politically, is a sound Republican, and his estimable lady is a

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consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. There are few young business men in the southern part of Washington County who have entered upon a more creditable or successful career than Mr. MeKelvy. He is a favorite in the social circle, and has hosts of friends who are watching his progress with kindly interest. Pub- lic-spirited and enterprising, he has already made his mark as a member of the community, possessing more than ordinary abilities as a man and a citizen.

ELBERT A. VALENTINE, junior member of the firm of Campbell & Valentine, and joint proprietor of the Clay Center Times, is, with his partner, conducting one of the liveliest journals in this part of Kansas, further mention of which will be found in the sketch of Mr. Campbell, elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Val- entine is a native of Adair County, Iowa, and was born April 16, 1856. The family is descended from Richard Valentine, an Englishman, who set. tled at Hempstead, L. I., in 1644.

In 1728 the grandson of Richard Valentine, who was also named Richard, emigrated from Long Island to Elizabeth, N. J. Daniel, a grandson of the last-named Richard, removed to Ohio, locating in Champaign County for a year, finally settling in Shelby County. Prior to the emigration, John W. Valentine was horn in New Jersey, and he was the grandfather of him of whom we write. In Ohio he was married to Rebecca Kinkennon, a na- tive of Tennessee, and they became the parents of Daniel M., father of the subject of this notice. Daniel M. was born in Shelby County, Ohio, June 18, 1830, and with his parents removed to Tippe- canoe County, Ind., in 1836. He received a good education for that day and place, and followed farming until he was twenty years old. Afterward he engaged in surveying and school-teaching. In 1854 be removed to Greene County, Iowa, thence to Madison County, and finally settled in Adair County. While in Indiana he began the study of law which he kept up after his removal, and in 1858 he was admitted to the Iowa bar at Winterset. The following year he came to Kansas, stopping at

Leavenworth until 1860, when he removed to Pe- oria City, Franklin County, and lived in various places in that county until 1875, then taking up his residence at Topeka. During the War of the Rebellion, Mr. Valentine frequently saw active ser- vice, being a member of the Kansas militia. organ- ized to repel invasion, and who were several times called out. He was in the division which success- fully repelled the rebel general, Price.

Daniel M. Valentine is one of the most noted citizens of the Sunflower State. He has, since early manhood, filled many positions of trust and re- sponsibility. In Iowa he was for three years County Surveyor of Adair County, and County Attorney for one year prior to his removal to Kansas. Two years after this, in November, 1861, he was elected a member of the Kansas House of Representatives, and in 1863-64 he was a member of the State Sen- ate. From 1864 to 1868 inclusive, he was Judge of the Fourth Judicial District, and in the fall of 1868 was elected Justice of the Supreme Court of Kansas. Three times since he has been re-elected to the same eminent position, being once nominated without a dissenting voice, and always without se- rious opposition. He is an ardent and powerful supporter and advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and in all his public and private relations has ever sustained the character of an up- right man. As an occupant of the Bench he has, by his able, just and impartial decisions, won the respect and esteem of the bar, and of his fellow- jurists.

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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 52

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

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