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 53

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 53
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 53
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 53

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).

At Fontanelle, Iowa, June 26, 1855, Judge Val- entine was united in marriage with Miss Martha Root, who was born in Iowa, April 1, 1836, her parents being among the earliest settlers of that State, settling there when it was a part of the Ter- ritory of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Valentine be- came the parents of twelve children, three of whom died in infancy. Of the nine now living, Delbert A. is the eldest. Sarah Eva is the wife of A. A. Goddard, of Clay Center; John William lives at Admire, this State; Ilarry Edward, Mar- tha Abby, Maggie Elsie, Ralph Elmer, Lillian Irene and Louis Franklin are with their parents.

Delbert A. Valentine was reared in Franklin County, Kan., and there received his early educa-

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tion, being nineteen years of age when his parents removed to Topeka. That same year he was ap- pointed Deputy Clerk of the Supreme Court, which position he held for six years, and during the greater part of this time had entire charge of the office, the clerk being ill and out of the State. In the meantime he was engaged in mining enterprises in Colorado and New Mexico, and was one of the few who were uniformly successful. Immediately after leaving the Clerk's office Mr. Valentine came to Clay Center in 1881 and purchased a half inter- est in the Dispatch, being for three years the partner of W. W. Walton, one of the best known politicians and newspaper men in Kansas, and who met a tragie death a few years later by a railroad accident. In 1884 he purchased the Times, as already stated, and with which he has since been connected. He has been one of the most active and energetie citi- zens of Clay Center, and has been connected with most of its public enterprises, uniformly taking a leading part in every movement calculated to ad- vance the interests of the city. He was one of the originators and promoters of the water-works company, of which he has been Secretary and Treasurer from its inception to the present time. He was largely instrumental in bringing the Rock Island Railroad to Clay Center, and was Secretary of a local company which sold its interest to the Rock Island, mainly through his influence, that be- ing the point which decided the building of the road; the beautiful fair grounds at Clay Center is another enterprise in which Mr. Valentine was one of the active promoters. In 1882, Clay Center being without a good hotel, he and Mr. W. W. Walton built the brick structure first called the Dispatch Hotel, after the newspaper, but for many years past known as the Henry House. At the time of its construction this hotel was far in advance of any in this part of Kansas. Later Mr. Valentine also aided in the building of the elegant Bonham Hotel, and in fact no enterprise in Clay Center has ever lacked his prompt, personal and pecuniary aid. A band, formerly in existence in Clay Cen- ter which acquired a reputation all over the country, was one of Mr. Valentine's projects, and while he was its manager it enjoyed a wide popularity.

It will thus be seen that the subject of this

sketch, although a young man, has been one of the leading spirits of Clay Center. He is a fine rep- resentative of the younger element of the West. wide-awake, alert, publie-spirited and prompt to aid in anything which promotes the prosperity of the city or county in which he resides. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Clay Center Lodge, No. 134; to Bethany Chapter. No. 38, R. A. M., and to Coronado Commandery, No. 20, K. T. He also is a member of Isis Tem- ple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and he likewise belongs to the Knights of Pythias. He has never been a candidate for any local office, as he believes that a newspaper man should not put himself in any position where his opinions may be influenced. Twice, however, he has held the honorable position of Presidential Elector, first in 1884 as Elector at large from the State of Kansas, and was the youngest man ever elected to that office, being only .twenty- eight years of age. In 1888 he was chosen Elector from the Fifth Kansas District. A gentleman of decided convictions, he makes both warm friends and bitter enemies, as does every man of his eali- bre, but his character and capacity are questioned by neither friend nor foe.

ILLIAM DURHAM has been a resident of Washington County, since 1876, at which time he bought 160 acres on sections 21 and 22, Greenleaf Township, where he still resides. He is engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, which he has followed all his life, and also pays considerable attention to stock business. He was born in Gene- see County, N. Y., Dee. 28, 1828, and is the sec- ond of a family of seven children, born to Bryce R. and Maria (Vandevender) Durham. (For his- tory of his parents see sketch of John Durham.) When eighteen months old his parents removed to Springfield, Erie Co., Pa., where he was reared. There he lived until 1876, being a resident all that time on the same farm, with the exception of seven years.

At the residence of the bride in Springfield, Pa., April 18, 1848, Mr. Durham was united in marriage with Miss Emmeline Seeley. She was a daughter of

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Austin and Mary (Hart) Seeley, of Pennsylvania, and was born Dec. 27, 1830. She departed this life Aug. 20, 1886, regretted by many friends who sym- pathized with her sorrowing family. Mrs. Durham had borne her husband three children-Edwin, Al- bert, and Louisa.

Edwin was married to Miss Cornelia Davidson, of Springfield, Pa .; they had six children-Nellie, William, Benjamin, George, Franklin, and Earl N. Albert married Miss Angeline King, also of Spring- field, and lias seven children-Emmeline, Joseph, Jessie, Lucy, Lenora, Edwin, and Ralph; Louisa married Robert B. Davidson, also of Springfield; they have five children-Mary, William. Leona, Ella, and Elma.

Mr. Durham is a member of the I. O. O. F. fra- ternity. Believing the principles of Democracy will best advance the interests of our country, he gives his hearty support to the Democratic party. A reliable citizen, an upright man, and a kindly neighbor, Mr. Durham is held in high respect by his fellow-citizens.

W ENSL GRESL, Jr. The residence of this. gentleman is considered the finest structure of its kind in Independence Township,and it forms the nucleus of a fine body of land, 340 acres in extent, 160 of which have been brought to a fine state of cultivation. The residence was com- pleted in the fall of 1888 at a cost of $2,000. An- other attractive feature of the homestead is a fine barn 36x50 feet in dimensions which was finished in 1887. Adjacent is an orchard of 175 fruit trees, and the hand of taste is apparent in the large variety of flowers which are under the fostering care of Mrs. Gresl. Mr. Gresl keeps a goodly as- sortment of live stock, including eighty head of cattle, sixty head of swine and eight good horses. Everything about the premises indicates the in- dustry with which the proprietor has labored and the success which has attended him.

The subject of this sketch was born in Austria, Feb. 22, 1852 and was the second child of Wensl Gresl, Sr. and Louisa ( Murtria) Gresl who were natives of the same province as their son. The

parental household included nine children, five of whom are living. Wensl Gresl Jr., emigrated to America with his parents when a lad of twelve years and settling in Manitowoc County, Wis., lived there for a period of ten years. Thence he went to Nebraska, where he sojourned two years and from there came to Kansas, settling on the farm of which he is now the owner. This farm was originally a part of the Otoe Indian Reserva- tion and was in its wild state when Mr. Gresl moved upon it.

The subject of this sketch on April 28, 1880 took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Annie Weber, daughter of Frank and Barbara (Gerl) Weber, natives of Austria who emigrated to Amer- ica many years ago. They were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are living and resi- dents mostly of Wisconsin. Mrs. Gresl was the ninth in order of birth and was born March 23, 1861, in Manitowoc County, Wis. She was given a common-school education and remained under the parental roof until her marriage. Mrs. Barbara Weber departed this life in 1871 and Mr. Weber died in 1886.

Five children comprise the household circle of Mr. and Mrs. Gresl whose births are recorded as follows: Louisa, July 17, 1881 ; Annie, Feb. 25, 1882; Rosa, Jan. 26, 1884; Barbara, Jan. 10, 1887; Matilda. Jan. 12, 1889. Mr. Gresl takes an active part in politics and supports the principles of the Republican party. He and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Roman Catholic Church in which he has been prominent, giving to it a liberal support and being foremost in all good works.

ADISON VAN WINKLE. Few of the older residents of Union Township are unacquainted with this highly esteemed old resident, who came to this section of country during its pioneer days and has made for himself a worthy record, both as a member of the farming community and as a citizen. Arduous la- bor and early hardships have had their effect upon his constitution and although not strong, physically, he preserves that equable temperament which en-

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ables him to meet his friends in a cordial and cheer- ful spirit and also to extend to strangers the courtesy for which he has always been noted. The Van Winkle latch-string always hangs out and the hos- pitality of the old roof-tree is proverbial.

In reverting to the early history of Mr. Van Winkle, we find that he was born near East Palmyra, Wayne Co .. N. Y., Oct. 13, 1827. He lived there on a farm until a boy of eight years, then started out for himself in the world and since that time has been dependent upon his own resources. He worked first for his board and then going into Seneca County, became an inmate of the family of Calvin P. Clark, whom he assisted in cutting saw-logs and doing other pioneer labor. After a time he returned to his native county and en- tered the employ of II. Pierson, with whom he remained two years. Later he worked for his Grandfather Easterly, in Seneca County, at $5 per month and attended school in a log school house, receiving such instruction as the facilities of that day afforded. After this he worked on his uncle's place at $8 per month until fifteen years old. His wages were then raised and he remained there until a youth of eighteen years.

Young Van Winkle now began working as a carpenter and joiner in Ontario County, N. Y. at which he occupied himself until 1852. That year he decided to seek the Western country and made his way by canal and lake to Macomb County, Mich. Thence by steamer he proceeded to New Baltimore, Mich., where he purchased eighty acres of land upon which he operated ten years with very little profit. In the meantime he also worked at car- pentering, but in 1862, removed to St. Clair County and locating in the swamp lands, engaged in the manufacture of barrel hoops, getting out about 1.000,000 in one year.

In 1868 Mr. Van Winkle purchased forty-three acres of forest land near Imlay City, Lapeer Co., Mich. He improved this and carried on farming until the spring of 1877. Then selling out he came to Washington County, Kan., locating on his present farm of 160 acres, only twenty acres of which were broken. The only improvement was a dug-out without a floor and a straw roof. Ile paid $600 for this land, selecting it on account of

the timber and bottom land. His live stock con- sisted of a team of horses and two cows. Since that time he has been making one improvement after another and has 100 acres under the plow. IIe has built fencing, set out forest and fruit trees, put up two houses and has the farm machinery necessary. including a wind mill which conveys water to whatever spot needed. This is considered one of the best stock farms in Washington County. Dur- ing the season of 1889 Mr. Van Winkle harvested ninety acres of corn, which he feeds mostly to his live stock, these including high grade animals.

Our subject was first married in Viana, Ontario Co., N. Y. Oct. 4, 1848, to Miss Mary S. Booth. This lady was born in Connecticut and died in Michigan in 1855. She was the mother of two daughters, the eldest of whom, Rosanna, became the wife of H. Mckinstry and died leaving two children, Seeley and Mary A .; the other daughter Julia is de- ceased. Mr. Van Winkle,in 1856, contracted a second marriage at Romeo, Macomb Co., Mich., with Miss Sarah A. Booth, a sister of the first wife, who was likewise born in Connecticut and who died in Capac, Mich., in December, 1864. This union resulted in the birth of three children, Eugene, Charles and Frank, the latter of whom died in Colorado, Dec. 20, 1888 at the age of twenty-eight years. Charles married Miss Abbie Adams and resides on a farm near Haddam.

Mr. Van Winkle was married the third time in Capac, Mich., March 10, 1866 to Lovina, the widowed daughter of Benaiah Mckinstry, and who was born in Seneca County, N. Y. John McKin- stry the paternal grandfather, was likewise a native of the Empire State and of Scotch descent. He farmed for many years in Seneca County, and represented the fourth generation in America. Benaiah Mckinstry, during his younger years prosecuted agriculture in Seneca County, N. Y., but later emigrated to Michigan and purchased 160 acres of land, which he operated about five years, then changed his residence to Shiawassa County. He resided there likewise for years, then removed to Livingston County. We next find him in St. Clair County, on an 80-acre farm of which he held possession eighteen years. He spent his last days in Capac, passing away June 27, 1886 at the

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age of seventy-eight years. He was a Democrat, politically, and in religious matters, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The maiden name of the mother of Mrs. Van Winkle, was Elizabeth Buyce. She was born in Seneca County, N. Y. and is the daughter of Henry Buyce, who with his wife Catherine, was born in Hol- land. They emigrated to America at an early day and settled in Seneca County, N. Y., where they spent the remainder of their lives engaged in farming pursuits. The mother was reared by her Unele John, with whom she remained until her marriage. She was the first wife of Mr. Mckinstry. Her first husband was William Merrill, by whom she became the mother of one child, John, who is now deceased; she departed this life Dec. 19, 1888. Like her hushand, she had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Mckinstry were the parents of eleven children, viz: Jacob B., a resident of Ths- eola, Mich .; John, living in Van Buren County, that State; Sarah A., Mrs. Odell of Lapeer County; Henry residing in St. Clair County ; Margaret, de- ceased ; Mary, a resident of Tuseola, Mich .; Lovina H., Mrs. Van Winkle; Orrin living in St. Clair County, Mich .; William V., also a resident of that county; Catherine, Mrs. Osmond of Genesee County and Alvaretta who died in infancy. John. during the Civil War, enlisted, in 1862, in the 10th Michigan Infantry. serving three years. He was in the company which captured Jefferson Davis, serving as a Lientenant. Henry enlisted in August, 1862, in the 5th Michigan Cavalry and served twenty-two months. He was wounded in the breast and discharged from the hospital on aceount of disability.

Mrs. Lovina Van Winkle was born near Waterloo, Seneca Co., N. Y., March 14, 1845, and was four years old when her parents removed to Michigan. They went overland in wagons to Buffalo, and thenee journeyed by boat to their destination. Lovina was reared in the pioneer country, receiv- ing only a few months' schooling each year. Her mother being practically an invalid she was obliged to attend to the household affairs from the time she was nine years old until her marriage. Her first husband was William Huntley, who was born in

Wayne County, N. Y., and whose father, Arthur Huntley, was a farmer of that county for many years. William Huntley in August, 1862, enlisted in Company E. 5th Michigan Cavalry, and went South with his regiment as a teamster. He was captured by the rebels at Spottsylvania in August, 1864 and taken to Belle Isle where he was confined three months. He was then removed to Anderson- ville prison where he died from starvation in June, 1865. Mrs. Huntley then returned home, remain- ing there until her second marriage. Of her union with Mr. Huntley there was born one child, a son, William K., who is a resident of Thayer County, Neb.

Of the third marriage of Mr. Van Winkle there have been born six children, viz: Julia E., Eli, Alma and Madison, deceased, David and Ada S. at home with their parents. Julia E., is the wife of George L. Arnold, who owns and operates a farm of 160 aeres in Richardson County, Neb. In Michigan Mr. Van Winkle was Township Treas- urer one year, Commissioner of Highways ten years and a member of the School Board fifteen years. In Kansas he has been a member of the School Board of his, district three terms. In Wayne Connty, N. Y. he belonged to the Royal Blue Degree of the I. O. O. F. Politically. he is a staneh Democrat and has served as a juryman, both in Michigan and Kansas.

Calvin Van Winkle, the father of our subject, was a native of New Jersey. Grandfather Van Winkle was a man of more than ordinary intelli- genee and became prominent in his community. He married Miss Sarah Hopkins of Long Island, and a daughter of one of the first families. Mr. Van Winkle followed earpentering as well as farm- ing, and in East Palmyra, N. Y., operated largely asa builder and contractor during the last years of his life. He died on the 25th of September, 1835 at Palmyra, N. Y. The Van Winkle family traces its ancestry to Holland and was represented in America as early as about 1616.

The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Elizabeth Easterly. She was born in Kinder- book, N. Y. and was the daughter of Martin Easterly, one of the earliest settlers of Ontario County, N. Y. and an intimate friend of Martin

0.771. Eddy

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Van Buren. He lived near Waterloo in Seneca County for a time, but finally returned to Ontario County, where he spent his last days. Mrs. Eliza- beth Van Winkle died in New York State in 1861; she was a lady possessing many estimable qualities and belonged to the Baptist Church. Of her six children, Julia A., the eldest, died in 1859; Marvin died in February, 1874. Madison of this sketch was the third child; David is a commission mer- chant at the Union stock yards. Chicago; John and Ann are deceased.

AVID M. EDDY. This gentleman is one of the most prominent citizens of Morgan- ville, Clay County, being a pioneer mer- chant of that thriving town. He is now engaged in the sale of general merchandise, and is known as a man of the strictest integrity in busi- ness dealings, and as a citizen interested and active in the development of the young and growing eity. He was one of the firm who bought the original town site and laid out a part of the town, and was one of the signers to the petition for the incorpora- tion of the place. He owns a tasty residence and 115 aeres of the section on which the town is situ- ted, and is also the owner of the building in which his business is carried on.

Mr. Eddy comes of a long line of honorable an- cestry, and in the history of the family for more than 300 years no member has ever failed finan- cially to the detriment of his creditors. Honest principle has been observed in all their business affairs, and they have been known to their contem- poraries as strictly reliable in all things.

Seth Eddy, the father of our subject, was a na- tive of Massachusetts, and was married in Vermont to Miss Millie Huggins. They removed to New York and there reared their family of seven sons, all of whom are now living. They had one daughter who died at the age of twenty years. Their last days were spent in New York State, they dying at the ages of seventy-five and eighty-one years, re- spectively. Both were members of the Baptist Church, in which the father had been Deacon for

about fifty years. He was an officer during the War of 1812.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was Samuel Eddy, also born in Massachusetts. There he was married to Miss Morton, whose father was in the Revolutionary War. In his native State Samuel Eddy reared his family, his own later years being spent in New York with his son, Seth.

The maternal grandfather of our subject is sup- posed to have been a native of Massachusetts, although he reared his family in Vermont, to which State he removed early in life. His name was Adolphus Huggins, and his wife was Miss Hutch- inson, who was at that time a noted singer. When ninety years old she could still sing the most diffi- cult pieces of music. She was a great reader, well versed in foreign and United States history, kept well posted in political matters, and was a great Biblical student. She had a remarkable memory, and retained all her faculties until her death, which occurred in Marion, Wayne Co., N. Y., at the age of about ninety-six years. One of her brothers was a captain in the Revolutionary War, and he and two other brothers were victims of the Wyoming Massacre in Pennsylvania.

The gentleman whose name initiates this notice was born in Wayne County, N. Y., in 1818, and is the sixth of the seven sons born to his parents. He was reared in his native county, and there re- ceived an excellent education. lle was engaged in the mercantile business in his native State for many years. In November. 1871, he came to Morgan- ville, and engaged in the drug business. The fol- lowing January, his family joined him here. He continued for several years in the business which he had first opened in Morganville, adding a stock of groceries and dry goods. He then sold the drug business, and has since conducted the trade in groceries and dry goods.

The marriage of Mr. Eddy and Sarah S. Atkins took place at the home of the bride, in Wayne County, N. Y. Mrs. Eddy was the daughter of Alfred W. and Fidelia (Brown) Atkins, natives of the Empire State, where they spent their lives. She was their only child. and when an infant lost her mother. Her father lived to be fifty-six years old. Her maternal grandfather was Moses Brown,

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of the Empire State, and her paternal ancestors were Welsh. Seven brothers by the name of At- kins came from Wales to the United States about the year 1720, and of one of these Mrs. Eddy was a direct descendant. Of the children born to her and our subject, Lizzie is the wife of Fred M. Woods, of Lincoln, Neb .; Augustus is engaged in business in Yonkers, N. Y., and Seth W. resides in Lincoln, Neb.

The second union of Mr. Eddy was blessed by the birth of two children, both daughters. One. Millie, was taken from them by death after their removal to Kansas. Frances was married Sept. 19, 1889, to N. C. Johnson, of Lawrence, this State.

Mr. Eddy and his family are members of the Baptist Church. We take pleasure in calling the attention of the reader to a fine portrait of our sub- ject, which may be found elsewhere in this volume. He is one of the most highly respected citizens of Morganville, and his family share the esteem in which he is held.

C HARLES GRAIIAM. There is not within the limits of Little Blue Township, a finer farm than that which has been built up by Mr. Graham, who is a man widely and favorably known in the southeastern part of Washington County. Of late years, in addition to general ag- riculture, he has made a specialty of live stock, in which he is an extensive dealer, and which by his good judgment and common sense has been the means of yielding him very handsome returns. He ships several carloads annually, mostly to Kansas City.

Mr. Graham came to Kansas in 1879 with very little hard cash in his pocket, and homesteaded 160 acres of land on section 27, Little Blue Township. on the eastern line of Washington County. Op- erating upon the maxim that "a rolling stone gathers no moss," he adhered steadily to his first purpose of developing a farm in Kansas, laboring early and late amid many difficulties, and in due time found himself upon solid ground, financially. He is now the owner of 520 broad acres of finely- developed land, upon which, in 1877. he erected a

fine two-story stone residence, which, with its sur- roundings forms one of the most elegant homes in Washington County. The ample grounds are orna- mented with shade trees, while adjacent to the dwelling there have been planted trees of the fruits which grow abundantly in this region, fur- nishing to the family all the luxuries of the season. The main barn and other ontbuildings are amply adapted to the general purposes of rural life. The homestead is in all respects a picture delightful to the eye, and it stands a lasting monument to the in- dustry of the proprietor.

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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 53

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

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