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 55

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 55
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 55
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 55

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).

AVID WRIGHT, a leading citizen of Barnes Township, is a man possessing strong traits of character, and by his own industry and energy has accumulated a good property. Like many of the men about him, he is of Eastern birth, the scion of a substantial old family, and was born in Delaware County, N. Y., Oct. 24, 1836. His father, Tobias Wright, was likewise a native of that county, and born in 1790, He remained a resident of New York State until 1838, then emigrated with his family to Huron County, Ohio, where he sojourned for a period of six years. In 1844 he changed his residence to Williams County, Ohio, where he spent the remain-

der of his life, dying in St. Joe Township, in 1862. He was a farmer by occupation, and although never attaining to a position of wealth or influ- ence, made a comfortable living for his family, and was recognized as an honest man and a good citizen.

Mrs. Susan (Cook) Wright, the mother of our subject, was likewise a native of the Empire State, and born about 1800. She accompanied her fam- ily to Ohio, and died in Williams County, Jan. 22, 1888, when quite advanced in years. She was a daughter of Charles Cook, who spent his last years in New York State. To Tobias and Susan Wright there were born six children, the eldest of whom, Alexander, died when about three and a half years old. David, our subject, was the second child; Charles and William are farmers, the former living in Steuben County, Ind., and the latter in Williams County, Ohio; Tama is the wife of Oliver P. Learned, a native of De Kalb County, Ind .; Tobias, Jr., took to newspaper life, and is doing editorial work in New York City.

The subject of this notice was reared at the old homestead in Williams County, Ohio, and received his education in the common school. Ile worked with his father on the farm while a member of the parental family, and afterward followed farming for -himself until 1869. That year he left the Buckeye State, and coming to Kansas, secured the tract of land on sections 29 and 30, Barnes Town- ship, where he now resides. This embraces 160 acres, which he has brought to a good state of cul- tivation, and upon which he has erected substantial buildings. He started in life without means, and worked his way upward to his present position solely by his own efforts. He is prominent in his community, and a member in good standing of Unity Lodge, No. 276, I. O. O. F., at Barnes.

Jan. 6, 1861, occurred the marriage of David Wright with Miss Lydia A. Beverly, of De Kalb County, Ind. Mrs. Wright was born in that county in 1840, and is the daughter of Philander F. and Esta (Helmer) Beverly, both natives of New York State, and now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are the parents of six children, the eldest of whom, a son, Arthur B., married Miss Fanny Jackson, of Washington County, Kan,, aud is now

FARM RESIDENCE OF JOHN M.HOFFMANN, SEC.15. GRANT TP, WASHINGTON CO.,KAN.

FARM RESIDENCE OF FRANK SEIFERT, SECII.T.A.R.I.E.BRANTFORD TE, WASHINGTON CO.,KAN.

CREAM HILL SCHOOL

RESIDENCE OF DAVID WRIGHT, SEC.30. BANES TP., WASHINGTON CO, KAN.

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living in Barnes Township; Dell is the wife of William Fagan, a farmer of Barnes Township, and they have one child, a son, Walter; Dillie is the wife of Herbert Williams, a druggist of Linn, this State, and they have one child, Lulla D .; Curtis and Charles are unmarried, and remain at home with their parents; Sharlott died when twelve years old, Charles and Sbarlott were twins, and were born March 22, 1866. Dell and Dillie are also twins. and were born Feb. 6, 1868. The Wright family occupies a good social position in their community, and are numbered among its best people. A fine engraving of their residence will be found on an- other page of the ALBUM.

RANK SEIFERT. Scarcely too much can be said regarding the native ability and enterprise of the subject of this notice. llis chief ambition has evidently been to build up one of the finest homesteads in Northern Kansas, and it must be confessed that he has very nearly attained to the height of his desires in this respect. He has evidently made of farming an art and a science. Ilis land, 160 acres in extent, has been brought to a high state of cultivation, is enelosed and divided with neat and substantial feneing, and embellished with modern buildings,and all the other appurtenances of the ideal country estate. He has set out great quantities of fruit and forest trees, and among the groves are various fish ponds which serve to increase the attractions of the place. Ile makes a specialty of live stock, and cultivates his land with the most approved farm machinery, while a large windmill assists in conveying water through pipes wherever required. Mr. Seifert makes a specialty of Short-horn cattle and Poland- China and Chester-White swine, and Norman and Clydesdale horses. His lots and fields are laid off for the accommodation of these, while numberless pens and sheds shelter them from the heat of sum- mer and the blasts of winter. It would seem as though nothing had been left undone in and around the premises for the comfort of both man and beast. As a business man Mr. Seifert has distinguished

himself in fully as admirable a manner as he has in agriculture. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat. and has occupied some of the minor offices in his township. Ile has likewise been a successful insur- ance agent of long standing.

The subject of this sketch is of German descent, but was born in Dearborn County, Ind., Aug. 17. 1841. When he was five years old his parents removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lived until a lad of thirteen. The family then returned to Indiana, where the father purchased a farm, and where Frank lived with them three years longer. He then returned to Cincinnati, and served a two years' apprenticeship as a stone cutter, but upon returning to the homestead changed his occupation, and entered the employ of the Indianapolis & Cin- cinnati Railroad Company as clerk, remaining with them two years.

At the expiration of this time young Seifert took charge of his father's farm, which he operated one year, then purchased a saloon in Sunmansville. Ripley Co., Ind., which he conducted until after John Morgan's raid through the country. We next find him in Buena Vista, Ohio, where he clerked in a store one year, and then, in partnership with his father, engaged as an hotel keeper and in the butchering business. In 1866, leaving the Buckeye State, he removed to Carroll County, III .. where he sojourned until 1869.

Crossing the Father of Waters Mr. Seifert now established himself in Corning, Mo., where he spent the following winter in cutting eord wood. In March, 1870, he started on foot for the promised land-Kansas-arriving in Brantford Township. Washington County, in April. After skirmishing around considerably he filed his claim to a tract of land on section 11, and then returned to Missouri for his family. He had a wife and two children, and in company with two or three other men started out with two yoke of cattle and a wagon, the latter being so heavily loaded that only the two children could ride.

Mr. Seifert and his wife, therefore, walked all the way from Missouri to Northern Kansas, arriv- ing at their destination in the latter part of May. 1870. They lived partly in the wagon for three months, and the balance of the time on the ground,

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while Mr. Seifert was breaking ten acres of his land. He then built a sod house, which they occupied until the following year. At this time his old trade came into play, and he commenced the foundation of a stone house, building one story and covering it with sod. The family occupied those limited quarters until 1882, then Mr. Seifert added another story to his dwelling and covered it with shingles.

It will thus be seen that Mr. Seifert has been making headway continuously since settling upon his land, and in 1884 he made another addition to this house, so that he now has a very respectable and comfortable residence. His granary and some of the other structures are likewise built of stone, and have that solid and homelike appearance which is pleasant to look upon. At the time of his com- ing here the country bore a wild and desolate appearance, and was inhabited mostly by wild ani- mals. Mr. Seifert and his family suffered great in- convenience the first year, having very little money, and sometimes subsisted upon prairie-root soup. He, however, had "come to stay," and he resolved that no common circumstance should canse him to leave. His industry and perseverance have been admirably rewarded. He is not only well-to-do, financially, but his career has been such as to secure him the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. Like Longfellow's Village Blacksmith "he can look the whole world in the face for he owes not any man."

The first wife of our subject, to whom he was married in Indiana, May 7, 1863, was, in her girl- hood, Miss Mary, daughter of Peter Huschart, a native of Bavaria, Germany, who, upon emigrating to America, settled upon a farm in Dearborn County, Ind., and is now deceased. Of this happy and congenial union there were born eleven chil- dren, five of whom died young. The survivors are: Mary A., Catherine, Frank E., Matilda, An- drew N. and Emma. Mrs. Mary Seifert departed this life at the homestead in Brantford Township, Oct. 6, 1881. She was a very excellent woman, and in all respects the true and faithful helpmate of her husband. Upon coming to Kansas she assisted him in every way in her power in improving the homestead, planting with her own hands many of the walnut trees which now form one of the finest

groves to be seen in this part of the country. She was entirely devoted to her home and her family, and her name is held in tender remembrance by her husband and children.

On the 14th of February, 1883, Mr. Seifert con- tracted a second marriage with Miss Kate Urban. 'This lady is a daughter of Joseph Urban, a native of Austria, and now a resident of Cloud County, this State. She was born July 7, 1855, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of one child, Reselfa. Mr. Seifert is a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership with Clif- ton Lodge No. 152, and is now Senior Warden.

OHN M. HOFFMANN, one of the most successful German farmers of Grant Town - ship, is also one of its leading land owners and pays into the County Treasury annually a snug sum on account of valuable, taxable prop- erty. He was born in the Canton of Glarus, Switzerland, Oct. 1, 1829 and in 1852, at the age of twenty-three years, emigrated to America, being equipped with a fair education. Upon reaching the United States he settled in Philadelphia and for nine years thereafter occupied himself in the calico and oil cloth business. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War the house with which he was connected took large contracts to furnish knapsacks and haversacks to the army, and young Hoffmann assist- ed in the manufacture of these articles.

In the meantime he was married in Philadelphia to Miss Luzia, daughter of Michael Gallitine, a na- tive of his own canton in Switzerland. The young people left the city of Brotherly Love for Oshkosh, Wis .. where Mr. Hoffmann was employed in a saw- mill and lumber yard until 1865. He left Wiscon- sin in the fall of 1871 and coming to Kansas home- steaded a part of the land in Grant Township, where he now lives. The following spring he rent- ed a tract of land three miles south of Washington in order to raise a crop, while at the same time he made what improvements he could upon his own property, breaking some of the land and making fences.

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That first winter the Hoffmann family lived in a little shed which was poor protection against the blasts of winter and the season being very severe, they suffered greatly. In the fall of 1872 Mr. Hoffmann completed his first house, and the month of December found him domiciled in it. Ilaving been built on the side of a hill, it was quite com- fortable. They occupied this dwelling several years and then abandoned it for the present commo- dious and comfortable structure which is more in keeping with their position, socially and financially, and which is represented elsewhere by a fine view. During these years Mr. Hoffmann erected other necessary structures-a barn, corn cribs and sheds for his cattle, as he makes a specialty of stock rais- ing. He also planted an orchard of 400 apple trees of choice varieties which are just beginning to bear. The first orchard which he set out was destroyed by the grasshoppers and the very severe winter which followed.

As Mr. Hoffmann's capital increased he invested it in additional land, his whole estate now compris- ing 400 acres, 200 acres of which are under the plow and the balance is utilized for pasture and hay. In addition to his apple orchard he has 200 peach trees which during the season of 1889, yield- ed bountifully. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoffmann, five are deceased. Jacob died of typhoid fever in 1883, when a prom- ising youth of seventeen years. Ile was the second one taken from the household circle by this dread disease. a daughter Barbara Eva having died De- cember 30, 1882. One daughter, Lucy Martha was born in Kansas and died in 1876, when four years old. The survivors are John M. who owns a farm adjoining that of his father and has also a homestead in Rooks County ; Rudolph has a farm of eighty acres near to the homestead; Henry re- mains with his father. He and his brother John, made quite a tour through the Northwestern country in 1888, visiting California, Oregon and Washington Territory. They came home satisfied that their father was located in about the best see- tion of country which could be found. Arnold likewise remains at the homestead.

The parents of our subject were John M. and Barbara Hoffmann, the former of whom emigrated

to America when our subject was a small boy, leaving his wife and two sons in the old country.

One of the sons died at the age of sixteen, about ten years after John M., Jr., came over. One year afterwards the mother came over and joined her son, the father having died in 1841. She took up a homestead in Kansas, but only lived on it about three weeks, and afterwards with her son a short time when she died.

Mr. Hoffmann upon becoming a voting citizen identified himself with the Republican party and has been quite prominent in local affairs, serving as a member of both the Town and School boards in Washington County.

F6 AYETTE R. DIKEMAN. The list of repre- sentative citizens in Barnes Township, would by no means be complete without the name of this gentleman who owns and operates a choice body of land 120 acres in extent, and eligibly lo- cated on section 15. He came to Kansas in 1878, purchasing his present farm soon afterward, and besides bringing the land to a high state of culti- vation, has effected good improvements, his build- ings being in fact among the best in the township. Ile takes a worthy pride in his home surroundings. doing everything in his power to make them pleas- ant and attractive. His fields indicate careful cul- tivation, and everything about the premises is kept up in good shape. While meddling very little with public affairs, he keeps himself well-posted upon all matters of general interest, and uniformly votes the Republican ticket. He is a member in good standing of the 1. O. O. F., in which he has taken both the Subordinate and Encampment de- grees, belonging to Lodge No. 276, at Barnes. He is also a member of the Grand Lodge.

Mr. Dikeman's family was represented in New England at an early day, and the subject of this sketch was born in Rutland, Vt., June 10, 1855. Ilis father, Frederick A. Dikeman, was born in Ben- son, that State, Feb. 4, 1822, and was there reared to man's estate and married. Later he remove to New Jersey, and then, on account of failing health. repaired to Saratoga Springs, N. Y., where

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his death took place July 12, 1867. He was a well-educated man, and in addition to farming, oc- cupied himself considerably as a teacher. He ac- cumulated a comfortable property, and from early manhood until his decease, was an active member of the Baptist Church. The paternal grandfather of our subject, was Azor Dikeman, a native of Ver- mont, and of English and German extraction.

The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Martha L. Whitney. She was born in the lit- the town of Schroon, N. Y., Jan. 16, 1823, and was the daughter of Aaron Whitney, a native of Rhode Island. The parental family included five chil- dren, viz: Carrie L., Fayette R., Mary W., Ella F., and Cornelia E. Fayette R., the second child, was a lad of eight years when his parents removed to Vineland, N. J., where they lived only two years, then went to Greenfield, N. Y. He completed his studies a. Mechanicsville and Albany, and after- ward followed the profession of a teacher in the Empire State until coming to Kansas.

On the 5th of September, 1877, Mr. Dikeman took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Ida A. Butler, who was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., Sept. 26, 1857. Mrs. Dikeman is the daughter of Calvin and Marie (Allen) Butler, who were natives of New York, and are now living in Waterville, Marshall Co., Kan. Of her union with our subject, there have been born five children, viz: Mabel L., Lulu E., Fred died when a babe two weeks old; Mande A., and Lee H.

HOMAS ROBERTSON. The Kansas pioneer of 1873. found little to encourage him in the attempt of building up a homestead from the uncultivated soil. Especially in the northern townships was the outlook anything but cheerful. Over the wild stretch of country, deer, antelope and other animals were to be seen in abundance, to- gether with wild turkeys, prairie chickens, etc. It needed no small amount of courage to make a set- tlement under these circumstances, but among the men who had resolved to subdue a portion of the soil of Northern Kansas was Mr. Robertson, who, in the spring of 1873, coming into Clay County

homesteaded 160 acres of land on sections 25 and 26, Bloom Township. His next business was to put up a dwelling. which consisted of a one-room house, 12x14 feet in dimensions and his next was to prepare a portion of the ground for cultivation. Ilis neighbors were few and far between and lived chiefly in dugouts. The pleasant flourishing city of Clay Center, twelve miles distant, consisted then of one mill and a general store, and to this place at the close of the season he conveyed his marketable produce, making the journey in a laborious manner with a team. His sole companion was his brother Robert, and the two being unmarried lived many years together. Robert later settled on a farm ad- joining and died Jan. 5, 1889.

The subject of this sketch was born on the other side of the Atlantic, in Burwickshire, Scotland, Sept. 10, 1847. His father was a farmer and Thomas spent his early years under the home roof, receiving a district-school education. John Robert- son and his wife, who in her girlhood was May Nesbitt, were likewise natives of Scotland and members of the Presbyterian Church, in the faitlı of which they reared their family of nine children of whom Thomas was the seventh. In that faith the mother died after having spent her entire life on her native soil. John Robertson, who died in Illi- nois, for many years officiated as an Elder in his church and was an honest, straightforward man who enjoyed the repect of his community.

The subject of this sketch lived in his native shire until the spring of 1864, then set sail from the city of Glasgow on the combined sailing and steamship " Caledonia," which landed him in New York City fourteen days later. Thence he repaired 10 Washington County, Ill., where he farmed on rented land four years. From these he went across the Mississippi into Pettis County, Mo., where he was employed as a farm laborer another four years and we next find him in Northern Kan- sas looking around for a homestead claim and soon settling where he has since remained.

Mr. Robertson landed in Illinois with a capital of $5 in his pocket. He has now besides the farm already mentioned, eighty acres in the same town- ship, well improved. and two and one-half acres of valuable land in Clay Center, which is rented to a

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gardener. He carries on farming in a general way and has been uniformly successful. IIe is still un- married and after becoming tired of keeping bach- elor's hall, took up his abode in Morganville, making his home with his brother Daniel, who has been a resident there a number of years.

Mr. Robertson was accompanied to America by four brothers and his father. One of the brothers, John, is a resident of Missouri, and the others live in Kansas. One sister remains in her native Scot- land.

W ILLIAM H. EDELBLUTE. This name represents that of one of the leading men of Wild Cat Township. Ile possesses no ordinary ability as a farmer and a citizen and has built up one of the most desirable estates in Riley County. He comes of a good family, being the son of David Edelblute, who was born in Hunting- don County, Pa., in 1803. The latter was an iron worker and a charcoal burner until 1857 when he left Pennsylvania and emigrated to Kansas, after- ward turning his attention to farming.

The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Lydia Conrad. She likewise was a native of the Keystone State where she was reared and mar- ried. She accompanied her family to Kansas and died at the homestead in 1866. The father sur- vived his wife thirteen years. his death taking place in 1879. He had been prominent in his com- munity and the Treasurer of his school district for ten years. The parental family consisted of ten children, all of whom are living. William H., the eldest, was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., Sept. 15, 1829 and there received his early education. He remained under the parental roof until twenty- two years old. then took a position as clerk in a general store in bis native township and was thus occupied one year. He preceded the family across the Mississippi, coming in 1855 and settling near Lawrence on the Wabaunsee River. Three months later, however, he made a visit to Iowa and then returned to his native State.

The following year, 1856, young Edelblute came baek to Kansas and took possession of a " squat- ter's " claim when there were few settlers in Wild

Cat Township. To-day he is the only living resi- dent on Wild Cat Creek who settled here that year. He cceupied himself with his land until entering the I'nion army. in August, 1862, having enlisted in Company (. 11th Kansas Infantry. He was promoted to Corporal and also served as company clerk. He took part in the battles of Cane Hill, Prairie Grove, Little Blue. Westport, Mine River and Newtonia. Later the regiment was employed in hunting bushwhackers. At the battle of Little Blue, Mr. Edelblute was struck on the knee by a spent ball and on that same day received a slight wound on the hand. Further than this he escaped unharmed, receiving his honorable discharge May 23,1865.

Returning now to his old haunts in Riley County. Kan., Mr. Edelblute proceeded with the improve- ment of his property to which he brought a bride in the spring of 1869. He was married on the 4th of March, that year, to Miss Artimissa V., daughter of Joseph P. Ryan, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Ryan spent his last days in Clay County, dying in 1879. Mrs. Edelblute was born Dec. 23, 1844. in Clark County. Ind., and was the second child in a family of seven. all of whom are living. Of her union with our subject there have been born five children. namely: William H., Jr., John A., George C., Merril R. and Mary Belle. Parents and children are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which Mrs. Edelblute is Stewardess and assistant Superinten- dent of the Sabbath-school, also teacher of the Bible Class. Both she and her husband are active workers in the Master's vineyard, the latter serving as Secretary and Treasurer of the Board of Trus- tees in the church and aiding its progress otherwise as he has opportunity.

Always interested in political matters Mr. Edel- blute votes the Republican ticket. lle is Clerk of School District, No. 6, a position which he has oc- eupied many years, and is also Road Overseer. Ile has been Township Treasurer a number of years, a part of the time before the sub-division of Grant Township and since the organization of Wild Cat. The temperance work receives his heartiest sup- port. As a I'nion soldier, he belongs to the G. A. R., being identified with Lew Gove Post, No.

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100 at Manhattan. Ilis farm embraces 408} aeres of land, seventy acres of which are under the plow and the balance devoted to pasturage. It accommodates seventy head of horses and eattle and seventy head of swine. The horses are of fine Morgan stock. There is an orchard of 100 apple trees in good bearing condition, together with grapes and the smaller fruits.

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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 55

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

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