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 56

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 56
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 56
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 56

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).

C APT. JOHN II. GARRETSON, who earned his title on account of efficient serviee dur- ing the late Civil War, is one of the most prominent and highly respected residents of Wash- ington County, and is now quietly pursuing the even tenor of his way on a good farm of 122 acres, located on section 36, Union Township. He is a gentleman of remarkably modest demeanor, one who has quietly and thoughtfully observed mankind and has his own views and opinions without in. truding them very much upon other people. He is a man of high moral principle and enjoys the confidence and esteem of those around him.

A native of Ripley Connty, Ind., Capt. Garret- son was born July 8, 1841, and a year later his parents emigrated by team to Bedford County, Pa. They lived there five years, then removed in the same manner as before, to Wisconsin and from there to lowa, crossing the Mississippi at Cassville and locating in Clayton County. There John II. was reared upon a farm and received a limited ed- ucation in the pioneer schools. These were con- ducted on the subscription plan. The first school was opened in his mother's house, then in a log structure, put up in the most primitive style. Wild game was then plentiful in that region and the country was very thinly settled. presenting a wide contrast to its appearance to-day. Young Garretson remained a member of the parental household until nineteen years of age, then left home to enter the army, enlisting Sept. 24, 1861, under the first call for three years' men, in Com- pany E, 9th Iowa Infantry, at Dubuque, and soon afterward was sent with his regiment to St. Louis, whence they proceeded to Springfield, Mo. On the 17th of February. 1862, they met the enemy in

battle at Sugar Creek, and on the 7th of March fol- lowing our subject participated in the engagement at Pea Ridge, after which they went over the Ozark Mountains to Helena, Ark., skirmishing along the way. Later they fought at Chickasaw Bayou, Ar- kansas Post, Jackson, Miss., and participated in the siege of Vieksburg from May 18, to July 4, 1863.

On the 22d of May, 1863, while assailing the works at Vicksburg, Mr. Garretson was wounded by a minie ball. He was taken first to the regi- mental hospital and afterward transferred to the hospital in Tennessee. The ball was never removed. but he recovered sufficiently in about six weeks to rejoin his regiment and participate in the fight at Jackson, Miss., on the 10th of July following. Later he was at Brandon, Miss., Cherokee, Deer Creek, Tuseumbia, Ala., Lookout Mountain, Mis- sion Ridge, Ringgold, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, and wound up with the siege of Atlanta. In the meantime Mr. Garretson 'arose from the position of First Sergeant to First Lieutenant, and later took command of his company and at Beaufort, S. C., received a Cap- tain's commission. He fought in many of the other important battles of the war and at its close repaired to Washington and was present at the Grand Review. Thence he went to Louisville, Ky., where he was mustered out and received his honor- able discharge, July 25, 1865, at Clinton. Iowa.

Capt. Garretson during his army life experi- enced many hairbreadth escapes from capture and death, but fortunately returned unharmed, with the exception of having contracted dyspepsia which still elings to him. He located in Clayton, Iowa and engaged in farming, operating eighty aeres of land which he had purchased near Strawberry Point, and also rented his mother's farm until her death. Afterward he purchased the homestead of eighty acres and lived upon it until 1875. Then, remov- ing to Clear Lake, lowa, he invested some of his capital in a drug store which he conducted one year. He sold this in the fall of 1876 and set out for Kansas overland by team, crossing the Missouri at Brownsville, on the ice and located in I'nion Township, Washington County. He operated on rented land for the first three years, then, in 1879, purchased his present place upon which he has

471

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

made all the improvements which are now upon it. He followed the plow himself over a large portion of the soil, set out forest and fruit trees, erected buildings and occupied it until 1880. Then rent- ing it he returned to lowa to look after his inter- ests there and operated as a carpenter until selling his farm there. Then returning to Kansas, he re- sumed agriculture on his land in Union Township. In 1881 he homesteaded 160 acres in Lincoln County, proved it up later and sold it in 1884. He is largely interested in stock raising, keeping graded Holstein and Short-horn cattle, full-blooded Poland-China swine and high-grade horses. He keeps sixteen head of first-class draft horses, using three teams in his farm work. As a breeder of fine stock, he stands second to no man in this part of Washington County.

Capt. Garretson appropriately celebrated the 4th of July, 1869, by his marriage with Miss Almeda Hait in Clayton County, Iowa. Mrs. Garretson was born in Stephenson County, Ill., Sept. 6, 1851. The Captain and his wife are the parents of one child, De Corsa, who was born April 28. 1870, and remains at home with his parents. The Republican party finds one of its most ardent advocates in Capt. Garretson, who has served as a delegate to the County Convention and has officiated as School Director and Road Supervisor. He is Past Com- mander of Haddam Post, G. A. R. and is identified with the Masonic fraternity in Volga, Iowa.

The subject of this notice is the son of Samuel Garretson, a native of Bedford County, Pa., and a cabinetmaker by trade. The latter upon leaving the Keystone State located near Indianapolis, Ind., where he followed his trade until 1842. That year he emigrated to Dane County, Wis., locating in Cookstown where he operated as a carpenter and builder. He was a skilled workman, understand- ing his business in all its details. In 1847 he once more changed his residence, this time to Clayton County. Jowa, where he purchased a large tract of land which he improved and upon which he resided until his death, in 1849. He became a prominent and popular citizen and was a member of the Friend's Church.

The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Ilannah Rouser. She was born in Bedford,

Pa., of Quaker parentage, being the daughter of Baptiste F. W. Rouser; she died May 22, 1873, in Clayton County, Iowa, at the age of sixty-five years. To Samuel and Emma Garretson there was born a family of nine children, viz: Na- thaniel who died in California; Rachel who died in Jowa; William who died in the army during the late Civil War; Joseph a resident of Washington County, this State; Hannah R., deceased; Eliza- beth, a resident of Jefferson County, Neb .; Johu II., our subject; Mary E., Mrs. Reed, of Ilall County, Neb., and an infant who died unnamed. William, in 1862, enlisted in the 21st Iowa Infan- try and died of fever at Milliken's Bend, Miss.

G OTTLIEB BUSCH. The enterprising Ger- man fariner has contributed materially to the growth and development of Riley County. Mr. Busch has been in nowise behind his country- men in this respect, and although a plain man of quiet demeanor there is a latent force in his char- acter which has enabled him to make for himself a good record both as a farmer and a citizen. Ile is in- telligent, prudent and industrious, and has one of the pleasantest homes in the Moehlmann Bottoms, also one of the largest and best-developed farms in this section.

A native of the Province of Westphalen, Prus- sia, our subject was born April 15, 1851, and is the son of Peter and Eliza (Tenhaussen) Busch, the former a timber-worker by occupation. When Gottlieb was a lad of fourteen years the family emi- grated to America, landing in the City of New Or- leans, whence they came directly to Northern Kansas and settled on the place where Mr. Busch now lives. They first secured 121 acres of land to which Mr. Busch has added thirty-three acres, making a good farm 154 acres in extent.

To the parents of our subject there were born seven children, the eldest of whom, a son, Peter, who married Miss Hannah Wolburg, is the father of seven children and a resident of Quincy. Ill.

William is married and follows coal-mining in his native Prussia. Henry is unmarried and a resident of Riley County Kan. August was killed on a

472

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

railroad soon after the family came to Kansas, be- ing only twenty-one years old and unmarried. Ricka is the wife of William Easterhaus, and they live near Junction City. Emma died in Prussia when quite young. The mother departed this life at the homestead in November, 1888. The father is still living and makes his home with his son, Gottlieb.

In February, 1876, Mr. Busch was married to Miss Charlotte, daughter of Christian and Eliza- beth Flies, who is likewise a native of Germany. There have been born to them five children, viz: Emma, who died when two years old; Herman, Amelia, Anna and Adelia. Both Mr. and Mrs. Busch are members in good standing of the Luth- eran Church. Mr. Busch, politically, is a stanch Democrat, quite prominent in party politics, and for the past seven years has been sent as a delegate to the county conventions. Socially, he belongs to Manhattan Lodge, No. 35, K. of P. He has offici- ated as Road Overseer and School Treasurer and is now a school Director.

APT. WILLIAM J. TOBEY, junior mem- ber of the firm of Stackpole & Tobey of Washington, and cashier of the Greenleaf State Bank at Greenleaf. is one of the most stirring business men of Washington County and has given a decided impetus to its most important interests. His native place was in Thomaston, Me., and the date of his birth April 14. 1845. He is the offspring of an excellent family, being the son of Capt. William Tobey who was born in Portland, Me., in 1817, and who followed the sea for a number of years. becoming commander of some of the best vessels plying the main.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Capt. Lemuel Tobey, was born in or near Portland, Me., and during his younger years followed the sea. He married Miss Sarah Sanborn, a native of Yar- mouth, and was lost overboard off Cape Hatteras, during a heavy gale of wind, while yet a young man. Ilis son, William, served an apprenticeship at sail-making and when twenty-one years old em- barked on a vessel and followed the sea two or three years. He then resumed work at his trade

in Thomaston, Me., and prosecuted this nine years. In 1851 he was placed in command of the bark "Cali- fornia" under the United States merchant marine service and after one voyage took command of the "C. F. O'Brien." In 1853 he once more settled down upon terra firma and resumed work at his trade, being thus oceupied until 1860. Then his love of the sea still remaining strong within him he onee more engaged as commander of the ship " Ionian." Ile continned in the marine service as Captain un- til 1878 and in the meantime commanded the ships "Frank Flint," the "Pactolus," St. Lucie," "St. Nicholas" and "Emanuel Llaguano," all of the port of New York. Upon finally leaving the sea, in 1878 he retired to Thomaston, Me., where his death oecurred May 2, 1882.

The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Lucinda Flint. She was born in Damariscotta, Me., and was the daughter of Capt. Joseph and Sarah (Allen) Flint, who were also natives of that place. Joseph Flint by occupation was a farmer and ship carpenter. He was likewise Captain of the State Militia, commanding a company in the War of 1812. Mrs. Lucinda (Flint) Tobey is still living and making her home with her children. Of these latter, eight in number: William J. was the eldest; Sarah E. is the wife of Capt. F. W. Stackpole, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume; Martha E. is the wife of S. F. Robins and lives in Clyde, Kan .; Abby F. married W. P. Rice of Kansas City, Mo .; Lucinda is a resident of 'Thomaston, Me .; Charles E. lives in Cuba, this State. Frank H. is a resident of Ft. Payne, Ala .; George W., the second son, died in infancy.

William J. Tobey received his education in the schools of his native town and like his father be- fore him, learned the trade of a sail maker. He followed this until 1863 then embarked on board a vessel and followed his trade two years with that ship, later going in the "Pactolus" commanded by his father, Two years later he sailed as second mate and for three years afterward he was first mate. The four years following he was master of the vessel. In 1875 he resigned to take command of the "St. Clara," which ship he commanded six years. Then. after a vacation of one year, he, in 1883, took command of the JJohn McDonald, a new

L. A. Warner

John Warmer

475

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

vessel which had been launched in December, 1882 and was at the time next to the largest American vessel in existence. In November, 1884, he re- solved to leave the sea and settle upon the land. =

Coming now to Kansas Capt. Tobey began operat- ing as a banker. A more extended notice of the institution with which he is connected will be found in a sketch of his partner on another page in this volume.

The voyages of Capt. Tobey were from New York City to San Francisco, thenee to the principal European ports and return. He also visited the western coast of South America, taking in Aus- tralia, and rounded Cape Ilorn thirty-five times. He was married Feb. 4. 1876, to Miss Lucy A. Henderson. This lady was born in Thomaston, Me., and is the daughter of William and Susan A. (Jordan) Henderson who were natives of Thomas- ton, Me .. and are now deceased. Of this union there have been born three children-Alice 11., William H. and Lney A. Mrs. Tobey is a member of the Presbyterian Church in which Mr. Tobey officiates as a Trustee. The latter. socially, be- longs to Orient Lodge, No. 15, A. F. & A. M. The Captain's home was in Thomaston, Me., until 1883 when he removed to Wellesley Ilills, Mass. Thence he came to this county in 1885. Notwithstanding his comparatively brief residence he has fully es- tablished himself in the confidence and esteem of the people and is considered a valuable acquisition to the community.

OHN WARNER, a leading farmer and stock- raiser of Riley County, resides on section 28, Ogden Township, where he is industri- ously engaged as a practical worker in de- veloping the resources of the estate. He comes of a substantial German ancestry, from whom he in- herits qualities of thrift and prudence. Ilis home is an unusually pleasant one and is situated about six and one half miles southwest of Manhattan.

Mr. Warner is a leading stock-breeder and has some very fine specimens of horseflesh. At the head of his stable is " Julian," a full-blooded Per-

cheron horse, said by good judges to be one of the finest in the State, sixteen and one-half hands high, weight nearly 1,800 lbs. and a perfect beauty from the ground up. Of course the intelligent reader will readily surmise that such a horse as " Julian " was not bought by the owner for nothing; indeed, if one could see him as he rears his head proudly in the stable or careers over the luscious pasturage, it would not be a surprise to be told that Mr. War- ner paid $1,000 for him when he was only twenty months old. Besides "Julian " Mr. Warner has some - thirty-one head of horses, seventy of cattle and seventy of hogs. The cattle are largely full- blooded Short-horns and the rest are all of high grade. Our subjeet is quite a horse man and has made a study of horses, hence is usually se- leeted as a judge of these animals when the State Fairs are held.

The parents of Mr. Warner were John and Eliz- abeth (Feester) Warner, natives of Baden. Ger- many, where they were united in marriage. In 1838 they came to the United States, and settling in Clark County, Ind., made it their home until 1849. Removing thence in the fall of 1850, to Oldham County, Ky., after a year's residence there they returned to Indiana and sojonrned in Scott County for one year. Later they removed to Jackson County, the same State, and in the fall of 1852 located in Tama County, Iowa, where the mother died in 1857.

In 1860 another removal was made, this time to the Sunflower State, where the father lived with his son John, our subjeet, near Stockdale, Riley County, until he ceased his earthly pilgrimage in 1879. Eleven children came to bless their home. of whom eight are now living. Of these our sub- ject was the third, and was born in Baden, Oct. 16. 1833, hence was five years of age when his parents emigrated to this country. His advantages for ob- taining an education in school were exceedingly limited, but he did succeed in securing what is of more importance than mere book knowledge. that is a fine business education and thorough training in all the details required in managing the practical affairs of life.

When fourteen years of age our subject began to work for himself. His father was a railroad con-

476

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

traetor and filled some very heavy contracts be- tween the years 1848 and 1852. Although so young our subjeet was placed in a position of re- sponsibility, being given charge of the horses and required to supply the camps of the workmen with all necessary materials. He continued working for his father until he was twenty years of age, when he started out to begin an independent career. having for eapital the munificent sum of seventy- five eents in his pocket. However, he had "grit" and " get up" and no false pride, so he was bound to sueceed. His first work was making rails for fifty cents per hundred in lowa. Not finding him- self likely to become a " bloated hond-holder " at that rate, he went to Indiana where he secured work at more remunerative wages.

Dee. 18, 1853, Mr. Warner led Miss Ellen E. White to the altar, and the ceremony was per- formed that united them in the holy bonds of mat- rimony. Mrs. Warner was a daughter of Jesse and Naney (Roundtree) White, who were natives of North Carolina. They removed to Kansas in 1857, and settled at Stockdale, Riley County, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The death of Mr. White occurred in 1861, and that of Mrs. White in 1865. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Mrs. Warner was the third. She was born in 1834, and departed this life July 16, 1862, deeply lamented by her family and a large eirele of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Warner were the parents of five children, all of whom are now deceased.

In July, 1863, Mr. Warner was again mar- ried, taking for his companion Miss Elizabeth E. Odell, a daughter of William Odell, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Odell were natives of Massachusetts and were the parents of ten ehil- dren, of whom Mrs. Warner was the ninth. She was born May 12, 1843, and departed for her heav- enly home Dee. 8, 1872. The second marriage of our subject resulted in the birth of four children, three of whom are now living, named respectively, Frances Eugenia, Mary Etta and Ella E. Mr. Warner was married the third time in 1874, the lady's name being Miss Lucy A. Lee, a daughter of Horace Lee. Mr. and Mrs. Horace Lee were natives of Massachusetts and Connecticut, and

were the parents of seven children, of whom Mrs. Warner was the sixth. She was born Sept. 12. 1830, and is a lady of rare culture and winning manners.

Our subjeet moved to Kansas in 1857 and set- tled on a farm near Stockdale. He enlisted in the Union Army, Aug. 25, 1862, in Company G, 11th Kansas Infantry, which was later converted into a cavalry regiment. He was elected corporal immediately after his enlistment, and fought gal- lantly with his regiment in the battles of Marys- ville, Ark .; Prairie Grove and Cane Ilill, also in Arkansas, besides being engaged in almost continuous skirmishing with Rebel . bushwhack- ers " all along the border. He served his country faithfully till the war was over, and received his discharge June 13, 1865, at Ft. Leavenworth. He then returned home and once more commenced operations on his farm. In 1869 he moved from Stockdale to his present place, which was then raw prairie. All the improvements have been made by him since that time. The present residence was built partly in 1870, but was changed some- what and given its present form in 1885. lle has a fine stone barn and other necessary outbuildings, an orchard of 500 trees, a fine vineyard, and his farm is in all respeets a model one.

Mr. Warner and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Manhattan, and are regular in their attendance and liberal in their of- ferings. Ile is also a member of the G.A.R. of Manhattan, Lew Gove Post No. 100. He has been a member of the School Board of District No. 18. takes an interest in polities and votes the Repub- liean tieket. He was a Republican during the mighty throes which " Bleeding Kansas" experi- eneed in her gallant struggle for liberty, when it took courage to espouse the cause of downtrodden but afterwards gloriously-triumphant freedom.

Mr. Warner is not laeking in that useful quality which we call " grit," as is shown by his record in making a home for himself in the then " Wild West." Upon coming to Kansas in the winter of 1857, he had $13.50 and two yoke of small oxen. IHis first table was made from packing-boxes. He worked all day making rails and at night split shin- gles by the light of the shavings. Ile also made

477

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

ax-handles and ox-bows. He hauled good oak wood thirteen miles with an ox team and sold it for $2.50 per cord, receiving in pay paper money issued by the county and called "County Serip," which was shaved by the merchants at twenty-five cents on the dollar, although they charged about four times the present value of goods for what they sold to the farmers, who had no place else at that time to buy.

Mr. Warner takes a deep interest in the religious welfare of the community, and at one time was Superintendent of two Sunday-schools, one meeting in the morning and the other in the afternoon.

Fine portraits of Mr. Warner and his estimable wife appear elsewhere in the ALBUM, and not only add to the value but are also an ornament to the work.

OSEPII H. YODER, although a resident of Haddam but a comparatively short time, is recognized as the leading business man of the place, and is possessed of that courteous and winning demeanor, which seeures for him friends wherever he goes. He has fully identified himself with the interests of Haddam and vicinity, and being liberal and public-spirited, is recognized as a valuable addition to the community. He is prominently connected with the Methodist Episco- pal Church, in which he officiates as Steward, Trustee, and Assistant Superintendent of the Sun- day-school. He performed efficient service as one of the building committee during the erection of the church edifice. Politically, he is a sound Re- publican, and has frequently represented his party in the county conventions.

The early home of the subject of this notice, was in the vicinity of Somerset, in the county of that name, in Pennsylvania, where he first opened liis eyes to the light, Sept. 6, 1852. He was brought up on a farm, and taught to make himself useful at an early age. Ile received a practical education, attending the district school nntil fourteen years of age, and then entered the High School at Somerset, where he pursued his studies two years, and was given a first-grade certificate in proof of bis fitness for a teacher. lle afterward followed this profes-

sion during the winter seasons until the spring of 1874. In the meantime he engaged in farming dur- ing the summer.

At the expiration of this time, young Yoder de- cided to seek the Far West, and made his way by rail to Iowa, locating on a farm near Iowa City. Here he proceeded as before, farming in summer, and teaching school in Johnson County during the winter. In the spring of 1875 he purchased a half- interest in the store of his brother, C. C. Yoder, at Pleasant Hill, and they, under the firm of C. C. Yoder & Brother, prosecuted general merehandis- ing, Joseph H. in the meantime teaching as before, during the winter season. He was thus occupied until 1880, when his brother was appointed Post- master, and the post-office was conducted in their store. Joseph H. officiated as Assistant Postmaster until the following spring, when he removed to Minden, Iowa, and not long afterward was appointed Postmaster at that place. In due time he purchased a stock of dry-goods, and built up a good trade. He discharged the duties of Postmaster until 1885, then resigned in favor of a Cleveland man, being himself a Republican.

In June, 1886, Mr. Yoder disposed of his inter- ests in the Hawkeye State, and coming to Kansas, engaged as clerk in the store of his brother at Had- dam, operating thus one year. He then purchased a half-interest, and in partnership with his brother. established the firm of Yoder Bros., who as gen- eral merchants have the second largest store in the town. Mr. Yoder. in 1887, put up a neat modern residence, which is beautifully located and sur- rounded with all kinds of shrubbery and fruit trees. He was one of the organizers of the Western Ex- change Bank, and is a stockholder therein. 1 stirring, active business man, he exerts no small influence in his community, and may be found the uniform encourager of the enterprises calculated for the advancement of the people.

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 56

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

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