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 57

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 57
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 57
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 57

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).

Mr. Yoder was married in Council Bluffs, Iowa, June 9, 1881, to Miss Septima I. Shaff. This lady was born at Pleasant Hill, that State, April 10. 1855, and was the daughter of Horatio Shaff, a na- tive of the Province of Ontario, Canada, and a farmer by occupation. Mr. Shaff emigrated to Iowa during its early days, settling in Johnson

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County, where he was greatly prospered as a tiller of the soil, becoming well-to-do. In 1876 he re- moved to Pottawattamie, locating on a farm near Walnut, where his death occurred in 1889. Politi- cally, he was a stanch Republican, and in religious matters, assimilated with the doctrines of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Anna (Fry) Shaff, the mother of Mrs. Yoder, was born in Ohio, and died in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, in 1887. Mrs. Yoder received a good education, and taught school for some time prior to her marriage. She was also for a time engaged in millinery and dress- making at Walnut, Mr. and Mrs. Yoder have two children, Roy and Earl.

The father of our subject was Benedict Yoder, likewise a native of Somerset County, Pa., and born Aug. 20, 1817. The paternal gradfather was John Yoder, a native of Berks County, Pa., where he carried on farming during his early life, clear- ing a homestead, but finally removed to Somerset County, and there spent his last days. He started in life for himself at the age of twenty years, open- ing up his farm, and was the owner of 140 acres of good land. He was an honest citizen, and a mem- ber in good standing of the Mennonite Church. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of Scotland, and emigrated to the United States probably during the Colonial days.

Benedict Yoder, the father of our subject, cleared a farm of 110 acres in Somerset County, Pa., con- structing a good home where he still resides. In the meantime he came to the West with the intention of locating his children. and traveled extensively in this section of country. He has always been a great lover of fine horses, and makes a specialty of these, mostly draft animals. He is a Republican, politically, and a member of the Mennonite Church. He is one of the best-known men of Somerset County. where he has wielded a wide influence.

Mrs. Sarah (Miller) Yoder, the mother of our subject, was born in Somerset County, Pa., Nov. 20, 1825. Grandfather Miller was a native of Switzerland, and came to America with his parents when a child of three years. They opened up a farm in Somerset County, Pa,, and there he spent his last days. To Benedict and Sarah Yoder there was born a family of thirteen children, the eldest

of whom, Samuel B., continues a resident of his native county of Somerset; Daniel M. first located in Iowa, and then came to Kansas, and is located in Haddam; Charles C. is merchant of Pleasant Hill, Iowa; John M. is a resident of Johnstown, Pa., where he officiates as agent for distributing the do- nations contributed for the sufferers from the recent terrible flood in that place; Simon T. is a merchant of Minden, Iowa; Joseph H., of this sketch was the next in order of birth; Ezra L. is a merchant of Minden, Iowa; Mary remains at home with her parents; Sadie, Mrs. Lehman, continues a resident of Somerset County, Pa .; Nancy A., Mrs. Rhodes, lives in Saline County, this State; Gertie is in Som- erset, Pa .; Kate A., Mrs. Mostoller, is in Somerset County, Pa .; and Florence M. is with her parents.

Samuel B. Yoder, during the late Civil War, en- listed in 1861, in the 142d Pennsylvania Infantry, and served until being wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, being shot through the left breast and right arm. He was left on the battlefield three days, with nothing to eat and drink excepting a cup of coffee which his captain gave him. He fell into the hands of the rebels. but they finally aban- doned him, supposing he would die. After the battle was over he was removed to a hospital, and finally partially recovered, although still a cripple and in ill health.

OHN FLAGG, one of the very first settlers of Manhattan Township, and one of its most active and enterprising men, came to Kansas in the spring of 1855 and continued his resi- dence in this township until his death, which oc- curred May 14, 1874. For two years after settling in the township he carried on farming exclusively. then, in company with others, erected a flouring- mill and assisted in the operation of this until fail- ing health compelled him to abandon this business. He then engaged in the mercantile business at Man- hattan a number of years, but finally selling ont purchased a farm in the township near the city lim- its, the operation of which he superintended until called hence. He was a stanch Union man during the late Civil War, and enlisted in the 100 days'

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service. but saw no active fighting, simply with his comrades holding himself in readiness to defend the border if necessary. Socially he belonged to the Masonic fraternity.

John Flagg, the son of Joel and Eunice Flagg, was born March 3, 1822, in Lincoln, Mass., and on the 11th of August 1847, was united in marriage with Mary A. Fiske.

Mrs. Flagg was the eldest in a family of four children, three daughters and one son. and was born in Weston, Massachusetts, Jan. 5, 1828. Her parents, George and Achsa (Allen) Fiske, were like- wise natives of Weston, where they were reared and married and where the mother died. Subse- quently the family removed to Natick, where the father died about 1878. Mary A. was reared to womanhood in Weston and lived there and in Waltham until her marriage. Soon afterward she settled with her husband in Boston, where Mr. Flagg was occupied as a blacksmith on carriage work, and where they lived one year. Thence they removed to Portland Me .. of which they were resi- dents seven years and until emigrating to the West.

To Mr. and Mrs. Flagg there was born a family of seven children, namely, Hattie Emma, John, Hattie Caroline, George, Mary, Ida and Marie. Ilattie Emma, Ida and Hattie Caroline are de- ceased.

Mrs. Flagg is a very intelligent and pleasant lady and a member in good standing of the Con- gregational Church. She has a delightful home, which is often the resort of the many friends which she has made by her hospitality and genuine good- ness of heart. The family residence is tastefully furnished and is recognized at once as the home of refinement and culture.

E ZEKIEL L. FOSTER, deceased, was a well- known and greatly respected pioneer of this part of Kansas, and assisted in the develop- ment of the rich agricultural resources of this re- gion. A practical, skilful farmer, possessing good financial ability, he became one of the substantial men of wealth of Riley County. Of an energetic

disposition, endowed with a good degree of saga- eity and sterling common sense, his counsels were songht in the management of public affairs, and the estimation in which he was held by his fellow- citizens may be judged by the fact that when he was a resident of Davis County, which was a Demo- cratie stronghold, he was one of the first Republi- cans to be elected to ofliee in that county. Retiring to Manhattan some years before his decease, be erected here a handsome, commodious residence, which with its ample grounds, comprises one of the most attractive homes in the city, and here his last years were pleasantly spent, and in the fullness of time he passed away, and thus an exemplary life, well rounded out in years of well-doing, and filled with all things that go to make a good man in the truest sense of the word, was brought to a peaceful elose: but his memory will be fondly cherished by his relatives, friends and neighbors.

Ezekiel Foster was of good New England birth and descent, a native of Rochester, Windsor Co., Vt., born Jan. 1, 1812. His father, Major Foster, was a native of Massachusetts, and he was an early settler of Rochester, where he carried on the veeu- pation of farmer, and spent his last years. Ile was a soldier of the War of 1812. His wife's maiden name was Susanna Hubbard, and she was likewise a native of New England. The subject of this sketeli was bred to the life of a farmer amid the pleasant scenes of his birth-place, and was there educated. He lived in Vermont till he was twenty-two years old, and then went to Ohio, and was a teacher in the pioneer schools of that State for awhile. In 1835 he came still further Westward and located in Tazewell County, Ill., becoming one of its pioneers, and he was also engaged in teaching in the early schools of Pleasant Grove and in other parts of the county. He went from there to Sycamore, in De Kalb County, and was engaged in business there two years, and after that he was established in Galesburg in the manufacture and sale of pumps, and later in the same city carried on a mercantile business. In 1859 Mr. Foster came to Kansas to cast in his lot with the pioneers who had preceded him, and bought a claim in what was then Davis County (now Riley County), four miles south of the town in the township of Ashland. Eight acres

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of his land were broken, and a log house with a board addition and a corn crib had been erected. In the early spring of 1860 our subject returned to Illinois for his family, and brought them back with him to their new home, traveling by rail to Atchi- son, where they embarked on a steamer for Leav- enworth, and from there came with a team to Riley County. Arriving at their destination, the family moved into the house, and Mr. Foster immediately commenced to improve his land as soon as they were settled. There being no railways, there were no markets nearer than the Missouri River. But when the war broke out and a garrison was estab- lished at Ft. Riley, the settlers found a ready sale for thier produee. Deer and other kinds of game lingered for a time after our subject came here, and furnished delicious food for the larder of the pio- neers. Mr. Foster in 1861 returned to Illinois and brought some apple trees and set ont the first or- chard that bore fruit in this section. In 1865 Mr. Foster bought seventy-five acres of land in Riley County, which is now included in the Kansas State Agricultural College farm at Manhattan, and in 1868 he settled on the place. There was a comfortable stone house on the spot where the college building now stands. In 1872 he sold the farm to the State for the college grounds, and in 1873 he bought a farm eight miles from Manhattan and in Ashland Township. Living there four years, at the expira- tion of that time he removed to his original farm, on which he resided till 1880. In that year he came to Manhattan and built an elegant stone house on the corner of Ninth and Laramie streets, the beautifully laid out grounds surrounding the mansion including a whole block which Mr. Foster had purchased when he sold his farm. In this pleasant home the suminons of death came to him Jan, 21, 1884. and the community was called upon to mourn with his bereaved family the loss of a good citizen, a kind husband and father, and a con- siderate neighbor. He led a blameless, useful, Christian life, and was always found on the side of the right in every canse in which he interested him- self, and he was a courageous, ardent champion of different needed reforms. In early life he was an old line Whig, and on the formation of the Repub- lican party fell into its ranks as an earnest abolition-

ist, and he was also an energetic temperance worker. While a resident of Davis County he served as County Clerk and County Commissioner, and dis- charged the duties of those responsible offices with characteristic intelligence and fidelity. He joined the Congregational Church in Galesburg, and from that time was a firm and liberal supporter of religion.

Mr. Foster was twice married. First in Illinois to Mary Delong, a native of Vermont, who died at Galesburg in 1850, leaving one daughter, Mary, as the result of their pleasant wedded life. She is now the wife of E. II. Grecley and lives in Manhattan. The second marriage of our subject occurred in Vermont in 1856 to Miss Jane A. Greeley, who survives him. She was born amid the beautiful hills of Rutland County, Vt., in the pretty town of Clarendon, Aug. 31, 1820. Her father, Richard Greeley, was born near Salisbury, N. H., a son of Benjamin Greeley. also a native of New England. The latter was a farmer, and is supposed to have spent his entire life in New Hampshire. Mrs. Fos- ter's father was bred to the life of a farmer, and when a young man went to New York, and located at Salem. He was living there at the time of the War of 1812, and joined a volunteer company, which went forth to take part in the battle at Platts- burg, but arrived on the scene too late. After the war Mr. Greeley located in Clarendon, Vt., and opening a shop there, he carried on the trade of a wheelwright, which he had learned in Salem. In the year 1828 he removed to Rochester. Windsor Co., Vt., and followed his calling there, and there died at the venerable age of eighty-four years. The maiden name of his wife was Desire Ilosford. She was born in Hebron, Ct., a daughter of Talcott Hosford, also a native of Connecticut. He went to Vermont when quite well along in years, and the remainder of his life was passed there. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Fuller. She was a na- tive of Connectient, and spent her last years in Clarendon. Mrs. Foster's mother came to Man- hattan and made her home with her till her death in 1879 at the advanced age of eighty-six years.

Mrs. Foster was carefully trained by worthy parents and was given the advantages of a good education, At the youthful age of seventeen she

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entered the teacher's profession, and for fifteen years engaged in it with marked success, teaching during that time, with the exception of three years, in the public schools of her native State. She is a woman of culture and refinement, and of true Christian character. She joined the Congregational Church in Vermont, when she was a young lady, and has been a consistent church member ever since. She occupies the handsome residence built by her husband, dispensing a quiet and pleasant hospitality to all who eross its threshold.

ENRY D. GRAVES, owner and ocenpant of an excellent farm in Riley County, ranks among the successful agriculturists of Kansas, and was identified with its history during some of the trying scenes which earned for it the name of the " Bloody Ground." Ilis estate is situated in Grant Township, on section 16, and the 120 acres that comprise it are in a state of thor- ough cultivation and bear marked improvements, the chief of which is an immense barn ninety-six feet long, recently erected.

Mr. Graves is descended from an honorable lin- eage, ancestors in both lines having been early settlers in the United States. On his father's side he traces his descent from the Sunderland family of Graves, who settled in the town of Sunderland. Mass., not long after the arrival of the " May- flower " at Plymouth Rock in 1620, and his grand- father was a Revolutionary soldier. Ilis maternal grandfather was descended from one of two broth- ers who came from England about the same time as the Graves family, loeating in Hatfield, Mass. His mother's mother bore the maiden name of Mary Montague, and a sister of his mother, who married Sylvester Grant, of Brattleborough, Vt., died in Sedgwick County, Kan., in the fall of 1885, leaving two boys and two girls.

The parents of our subject were Dexter and Mary (Robbins) Graves, the former of whom was born in Conway, Mass., and was engaged in farni- ing. He departed this life at the age of forty-nine, our subject being then twelve years old, and the mother survived until July 4, 1878, when she

passed away, having reached the age of seventy- seven years. lle of whom we write was the fourth in a family of seven children, all of whom are living except the third born -- Dexter - who died at the age of two years. Willard is living in Keene, N. II., is married and has two children. Mary is the wife of Samuel Packard, who operates a bakery in Brattleborough, Vt., and their family consists of three daughters. The home of George and his family is in Buckland, Mass., and he is engaged in farming. Austin lives with his family in Albany, N. Y .; he has accumulated a snug fortune as a dealer in paper stock. tin-ware and old junk, and has fifty men with wagous in his employ and con- stantly on the road. Albert is in Springfield, Mass., and has a wife and four children; his oceu- pation is that of a carpenter.

Henry D. Graves was born in Guildford, Vt., May 22, 1836, and was reared on a farm, receiving a common school education in his boyhood. He sub- sequently attended the West Brattleborough Acad- emy two terms, working on a farm at $5 per montlı for the money with which to pay his board while thus continuing his studies. When about sixteen years old he went to Manchester, N. H., and worked in a harness factory, being after a year's employment there, transferred to the dressing- room, where he worked nine months as "fifth hand." In the fall of 1854 he turned his steps westward, and locating in Lawrence, Kan., re- mained a twelvemonth. He was identified with the Free State element while there, and was Second Lieutenant of a company of 100 men which was organized to protect Lawrence against the border ruffians of Missouri.

After participating in some of the stirring scenes of the Kansas frontier he returned to his home in Vermont, and a year later his mother having sold out her place the family went to Buckland, Mass., where Mr. Graves remained two years. Ile then went to Brattleborough, Vt., and entering a carriage factory learned the trade of carriage making, at which he labored until the breaking out of the Civil War. Immediately after the battle of Bull Run he enlisted in Company F., 4th Vermont In- fantry, his brothers - Willard and Albert -- being members of the same regiment and company. The

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latter was severely wounded by the explosion of a shell at the battle of Antietam. The regiment to which they belonged was attached to the army of the Potomac. Mr. Graves was taken sick in the winter of 1862, and in the following April was dis- charged from the hospital as unfit for duty. The succeeding fall he re-enlisted, this time becoming a member of the 1st Massachusetts Veteran Cavalry, and was again taken sick and discharged from the service in the spring of 1864.

After his second and final discharge Mr. Graves returned to Springfield, Mass., and after a short so- journ went to Canandaigua, N. Y., where for a few months he was employed in the agricultural ma- chinery works. In the fall of 1865 he came again to Kansas, and during the winter made his home with E. P. Weber, on the Blue River. The follow- ing spring he moved on to the place at the mouth of Tuttle Creek, which is now owned by John Cress, and shortly afterward took steps to have section 16 (school section) put into the mar- ket, and succeeding in his effort purchased 120 acres of the same, which he now occupies. This acreage was increased by purchase until he owned 360 acres, of which he has sold 240 and now holds only the original amount.

Mr. Graves has been married three times, his first marriage having taken place in Manchester, N. H., to Miss Mary Shannon, who bore him two children. Of these Ida is the wife of David Quinn, and the mother of five children, her home being in Grant Township. Ella lives in New England, Hettinger Co., Dak., and is the wife of Ed Part- ridge, who owns the " Pioneer Store; " they have one daughter.

The second wife of Mr. Graves was Mrs. Cathe- rine Mitchell, a widow with two children, who afterward took the name of Graves. William mar- ried Sara Henton, and has six children; he is a stone-mason, and is now living in Colorado. George, who is also living in the Centennial State, married Ida Hultz and has two children. Mrs. Catherine Graves died in 1873 and her husband re- mained a widower until March 18, 1879, when he contracted his third matrimonial alliance. The lady with whom he was then united was Miss Anna .L. Johnson, who was born in Sweden, and

who has borne him five children, Mary, Dexter, Austin, William H. and Mabel E. The third born died when fifteen months old, and the others form an attractive group at the home fireside.

Mr. Graves has served his neighbors as Clerk of the School Board of his district, and is now a member of that body. Ile belongs to LaFayette Lodge No. 16, A. F & A. M., ard is a member of Lew Gove Post No. 100, G. A. R., at Manhattan. He is one of those men who think it no discredit to change his party affiliations when a platform does not embody the principles which the needs of the country demand, or when his views as to such needs are changed by observation and study. He has therefore been identified with different political organizations, coming to the State a Democrat,after- ward identifying himself with the Republican party, transferring his allegiance again to the Democracy, and later being a Greenbacker and now a Union Labor man. He has been a delegate to county, State and congressional conventions of both Dem- ocratie and Republican parties, and was chosen delegate to the National Democratic Convention in 1880, which nominated Gen. Hancock for the Presidency. He was unable to attend that conven- tion, however, and was represented therein by his alternate. Ile is now a member of the County Central Committee of the Union Labor party. Mr. Graves is an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, of which he has long been a member. In the line of his occupation in life, Mr. Graves aims to keep abreast of the times and in all current events and general topics to be well informed and intelligent. Ile is a worthy citizen and a man whose standing in the religious body to which he belongs is suffic- iently indicative of his character and the estimate in which he is held.

Le UMAN P. DEWEY, of Farmington Town- ship, was appointed Postmaster of Dewey in 1884, under the administration of Presi- dent Arthur, and has heltl the office since that time. In addition to its duties, which are by no means onerous, he carries on the cultivation of a fine tract of land, 200 acres in extent and occupying a por-

FARM RESIDENCE OF JAMES KINSLEY, SEC.7. SHERIDAN TP., WASHINGTON CO.KAN.

1.0.0.F.

AB.PROUTY.

HARDWARE

RESIDENCE AND BUSINESS PROPERTY OF A. B. PROUTY, HOLLENBURG, KAN.

THE HOMESTEAD

RAMERLI ON FARM

RESIDENCE OF C.L.HAM MELL, SEC.19, SHERMAN TP., WASHINGTON CO. KAN.

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tion of section 17. Ile is a man of energy and enterprise, as is indicated by the condition of his well-tilled fields and in his substantial modern buildings, which are without question an ornament to this part of the county. The residence is a taste- ful frame structure, finished in good style and with all necessary conveniences. while his barns and out- buildings reflect great credit upon the owner. being erected with a special view to the easy and successful prosecution of his calling. He has a goodly assortment of live-stock, and harvests his crops with the aid of modern machinery. As a member of the community he occupies no second- ary position, being liberal and public spirited and uniformly encouraging the enterprises calculated to build up his township.

Mr. Dewey, the only child of his parents, was born in Oakland County, Mich., April 14. 1835. IIis parents. Rudolphus and Cynthia (Wilton) Dewey, were natives of New York State, where they were reared and married, and where they lived un- til emigrating to the Wolverine State. After carrying on farming a number of years in Oakland County, the elder Dewey disposed of his farm property and took up his abode with his family in Livingston County, where he spent his last days. The mother subsequently joined her son, Luman P., in Kansas, and died in his home in Farmington Township, Washington County, March 18, 1879.

Until a lad of thirteen years Mr. Dewey lived with his parents at the homestead where he was born, in Oakland County, Mich., then accompanied the family to Livingston County, sojourning there until after his father's death. He and his mother then removed to St. Croix County, Wis., where they lived eight years. In the meantime young Dewey learned the carpenter's trade in Wisconsin, which he followed until coming to Kansas, in June, 1869. He was variously occupied until the fall of that year, and then purchased the land which he now owns, soon afterward establishing himself upon it, and there he has since lived. He carried on the farm until 1885, then turned it over to other hands, and is now taking life comparatively easy.

On the 18th of May, 1879, occurred the mar- riage of Luman P. Dewey with Jeretta Bradley, the wedding taking place at the bride's home. in

Farmington Township. Mrs. Dewey was born in Johnson County, Ky., May 12, 1855, and is the daughter of Ralph and Sarah Bradley, who were natives of Kentucky, and who came to Kansas about 1879. They are now residents of Washing- ton County. Mr. and Mrs. Dewey are the parents of three interesting children-Eva, Philander J. and Ida. Mr. Dewey is a stanch supporter of Re- publican principles, and the fact that he held the office of Postmaster through the Democratic ad- ministration is sufficient evidence of his popularity among his fellow-citizens.

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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 57

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

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