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 61

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 61
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 61
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 61

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).

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health, but principally to seek a home in the ge- nial clime and on the fertile land of the Sunflower State. Accompanied by his brother-in-law. Mr. Allbright, he came west to Washington County, intending to go into Nebraska. When, however. they rea thed this county, they were so well pleased with it that they settled down here permanently. Mr. Young took up a homestead in Washington Township, which he improved, and a few years afterward sold, since which time he has owned several farms in other parts of the county. For five years he lived on a farm near Washington. where he was considerably interested in stock-rais- ing and dairying. The first work in which our subject engaged in this county was teaching. He, however, soon became occupied with public affairs, and August 25, 1870, he and M. J. Kelly estab- lished the Washington Republican. The first paper published in Washington County was The Observer the first issue of which appeared March 19, 1869, the name being afterward changed to The Magnet. This latter paper was purchased by Mr. Young in December, 1870, and January 9, 1871, it was con- solidated with the Republican, of which Mr. Young was sole proprietor, having purchased the interest of Mr. Kelley. The Republican was published by our subject until July 19, 1872, when he sold the paper to Martin & Stultz, thus closing his career as a newspaper man.

Mr. Young has also been largely identified with the mercantile interests of the county. In the spring of 1873 in partnership with J. W. Barley, now Register of Deeds, he purchased the general merchandising establishment of Rockefeller, & Skin- ner, and the firm of Barley & Young carried on the business for about one year, then taking in the former senior partner, Mr. Rockefeller under the firm name of Rockefeller, Barley & Young. In the fall of 1877 Mr. Young sold his business on pre- paring to take possession of the office of County Clerk. Eight years later, on going out of office our subjeet embarked in the boot and shoe business in Washington, which he carried on from Dec. 10, 1886, to Dec. 10, 1887, exactly one year. Since then he has devoted his attention solely to the du- ties of the responsible position which he now fills.

May 27, 1871. Mr. Young was united in mar.

riage with Miss Fannie Rockefeller, daughter of Senator Philip and llannah (Kelsey ) Rockefeller. both now deceased. The father was a prominent and well known citizen of this county. a captain in the Union army, one of the pioneers of Kansas. and further particulars of his history will be found elsewhere. Mrs. Young was born in Litchfield, Conn., June 24, 1854, and was but a child when her parents came to Kansas. Our subject and his wife have had nine children, eight of whom are yet under the parental roof. They are named respect- ively: Arthur E., Pearl O .. William J., Frank L., Fred C., Edna F., Grace A. and Jean O. The child who died was named Elmer.

In February, 1881, an association ealled the Northwestern Poland-China Swine Association was formed and incorporated under the State laws, and from its inception to the present time Mr. Young has been its secretary. This association is one of four in the United States, having a record and keeping a register of Poland-China hogs.

Mr. Young is a member of the I. O. O. F., Wash- ington Lodge, No. 76. He was brought up in the faith of his parents, but like them is now a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, as is also his wife. He was a charter member of the Good Templars Lodge of Washington, and is in hearty sympathy with the temperance reform. Mr. Young has given eminent satisfaction to his constituents and has been honored by filling the longest terms of office of any- one ever elected in the county. It is the universal testimony of the people who know him that he has discharged the duties imposed upon him with a fidelity which reflects upon him the highest credit. Honest, upright, and with a fair share of the sturdy, straightforward characteristics of his ancestry, he has the universal respect and esteem of those among whom he has lived for more than a score of years.

LBERT J. CROOKS. The subject of this notice pursues the even tenor of his way as one of the solid farmers of May Day Township, Riley County, engaged in culti- vating 144 acres of land on section 18. ITis chief characteristics are those of a peaceable and law-

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abiding citizen-one who, perhaps, without having been the hero of any thrilling event, has worthily performed his part in life, and given his influence and support to the moral and educational advance- ment of his community. He has for a number of years been a member of the Distriet School Board, and politically is a sound Republican. The greater part of his farm is in a produetive condition, and he has ereeted thereon substantial buildings and gathered about himself and family all the comforts and convenienees of modern life.

The subject of this sketch was born in DeKalb County, Ind., June 28, 1843, and is the son of William Crooks, a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, whence he removed to DeKalb County, Ind., where he spent his entire life, engaged in farming pursuits. He was married in early manhood to Miss Nancy Rose, who was born in Ohio, and re- moved with her parents to Indiana when quite young. She died at the homestead there when fifty-three years old. The parental household in- cluded nine children, who were named, respectively : Henry, Albert, Jane, Julia, William, Fremont, Os- car, Frank and Bert. Fremont died when a man of twenty-nine years, in Minnesota; Osear died at the age of nineteen, at the old homestead in Indiana. Mr. Crooks was the second child of his parents, and was reared on the farm in DeKalb County, Ind., attending the common sehool and becoming famil- iar with the art of plowing, sowing and reaping. He was a youth of eighteen years at the outbreak of the Civil War, and watched the confliet until February, 1864, then decided to have a hand in the preservation of the Union. He accordingly enlisted at Indianapolis, in Company H, 152d In- diana Infantry. Ile went with his regiment to Harper's Ferry and different parts of Virginia aud Maryland, and after the elose of the war was mus- tered out and received his honorable discharge in Charleston, W. Va., in August, 1865.

On the 12th of September, 1865, Mr. Crooks was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Emerson, the wedding taking place at the bride's home in DeKalb County, Ind. This lady was born Feb. 1, 1843, and, like her husband, is a native of DeKalb County, Ind. Her parents were William and Lydia ( Hel- wig) Emerson, the former of whom was born in

the eity of Belfast, Ireland, and the latter in Ohio. Mr. Emerson came to America when a child, and was reared and educated in Patterson, N. J. When a young man he emigrated to Ohio, where he was married. In 1840 he removed to Indiana, settling in DeKalb County, and homesteaded a tract of lahd upon which they still live. He is practically retired from aetive labor, but gives his attention to the buying and selling of stoek. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratie party. Mr. and Mrs. Crooks are the parents of one child, a son, George, born May 9. 1876.

OHN JOHNSON, now deceased, was a resi- dent of Washington County but a few years. ITis residenec, however, had been sufficiently long for him to become known as a man of true worth and an earnest Christian. He was for many years engaged in preaching, first as an ex- horter and later as a licensed minister of the Gos- pel. His death occurred at his home in Clifton, Jan. 13, 1884.

Mr. Johnson was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, Sept. 4. 1824. His parents, John and Mar- garet ( Laramore) Johnson, were Virginians. The mother was of German descent and the father of Irish ancestry. John Jolison, Sr., was engaged in farming. Some years after his marriage he removed to Muskingum County, Ohio, where he subse- qnently died of consumption. His widow survived for a few years, but she too was taken from earth by the same dread disease. They were worthy peo- ple, and both were for many years members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The gentleman of whom we write was quite young when his parents died. He was reared by Mr. Peter Marquand, and his wife, Emily, in Mon- roe Township, Muskingum County. His early life was spent upon the farm, and he was bred to the oeeupation of a farmer. Upon arriving at man's estate he engaged in that business for himself. Several years after his marriage he removed to Viuton County, Ohio. There he enlisted in the 100 days' service as Corporal in the 148th regi- ment, Ohio National Guards. He was enrolled

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May 2, 1864. The company had been out but a short time when he was taken sick near Harper's Ferry, Va. Ilis complaint became chronic and he was unfit for duty a considerable part of the time. He would never allow himself to be taken to the hospital. preferring to remain in camp with his comrades. This he did until his discharge Sept. 14, 1864, performing a soldier's duties whenever it was possible.

When mustered out of the service Mr. Johnson returned to his home in Vinton County. His wife had plowed and harvested the crop of the year during his absence. They remained on the farm there until the spring of 1880. Mr. Johnson had never recovered his health, and the hope of improv- ing it led him to Kansas. He purchased eighty acres in Strawberry Township, this county, where they lived and made some improvements. Grow- ing too feeble to work he finally retired to the city of Clifton, where he died, as before noted. His illness had been very distressing, and his death was a happy release from suffering, though a severe af- fiction to his devoted wife and family. Mr. John- son had always been of Republican politics.

The marriage of our subject was celebrated in the county of his nativity in 1845. The bride was Miss Mary A. Roberts, daughter of Joshua and Sarah ( Hall) Roberts. She was born March 26, 1825, in Loudoun County, Va. Iler father was a native of the same county, and her mother of Jeff- erson County, the same State. Mr. Roberts was a stone-mason. After the birth of the most of their family Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, in 1839, removed to Muskingum County, Ohio. There Mr. Roberts died when aged forty-nine years. His widow sur- vived until Nov. 19, 1888, when she, too, passed away ; she was then eighty-two years of age. Most of the years of her widowhood were spent at the home of her youngest daughter, Mrs. Sophia Kyste, in Hamilton County, Ohio. Both Mr. and Mrs. Roberts were consistent members of the Methodist Church.

Mrs. Johnson was the eldest of nine children born to her parents. She was about fourteen years old when they removed from the Old Dominion to the Buckeye State. There she grew to womanhood, being married at the age of twenty years; she has

borne seven children, four of whom are now dead. One son, Joshua R., died at Camp Chase, Colum- bus, Ohio, in January, 1864, aged nineteen. He had enlisted as aprivate, Nov. 12 1863, as a member of the 12th Ohio Cavalry. His death was very sudden, being occasioned by cramp colic. He was of a de- cidedly religious temperament. Another son. Rich- ard A. died at the age of eight months; Cornelia was taken away at the age of eighteen; she was a young lady of intelligence and fine character. Mar- garet C. died when ten years old. The living children are: Sarah E., wife of Horton Emmet For- rest; she lives on a farm in Benton County, Ohio. Hiram is farming on his mother's estate in Straw- berry Township, this county; he married Miss Gertrude Mackley. James married Miss Elvira Campbell; they live on a farm near Palmer.

Mrs. Johnson is a noble-hearted woman, and as wife, mother, neighbor or friend acts well her part. Since thirteen years old she has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her children are all identified with the same denomina- tion.

M ICAJAH F. DIAL, dealer in lumber, coal, lime and cement, superintends likewise the operations of the old homestead of 753 acres on sections 11 and 12, Swede Creek Township, with headquarters at Cleburne. He is one of the native-born citizens of Riley County, first opening his eyes to the light on the old home- stead on the Big Blue, Aug. 29, 1863. He was given good school advantages, but when a youth of sixteen years, on account of his father's death, much of the care of the estate was thrown upon his shoulders, and right well did he discharge the duties devolving upon him. He operated the farm successfully, and many a night was out late in the cold, driving through the wind, snow and sleet upon errands which must be done. In due time he added to the estate by the purchase of land, which he improved, putting up a barn 30x60 feet in dimensions, planting fourteen acres with apple trees and five aeres with other kinds of fruit trees. He gathered together the best farm machinery. in- eluding wind mill and hay scales, and for the last

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few years has made a specialty of fine stock, includ- ing full-blooded Short-horn cattle, Poland-China swine, and about thirty-seven head of draft and road horses. Part of the farm is rented.

In August, 1889, Mr. Dial established himself in the lumber business at Cleburne, where be put up an office and the other necessary buildings. This is the only lumber yard on the Blue, between Blue Rapids and Randolph, and is naturally patronized by people from all sections of the country. The family own property in Manhattan, where they purpose building a residence in the near future, so that the younger members can complete their edn- cation in the college. Micajah F., although not enjoying the advantages of a thorough education, is determined that his brothers shall do so. He has been a School Director in his district for three years, and politically, is a "true-blue" Republican. The father of our subject was William Dial, a na- tive of LaFayette County, Ohio, and who removed to Illinois with his parents when twelve years old. They located in the vicinity of Vandalia, where William completed his education and engaged in farming. In 1857 he made his first trip to Kansas Territory, overland with a buggy, and also went into Southern Missouri. In the latter he was way- laid by eight or ten men, who took from him $400 and the most of his clothing. Then without re- sources he returned to Kansas, settling in Pottawa- tomie County, and worked for $10 per month until the fall of the year. Then coming to Riley County, he preempted eighty acres of land on section 11, Swede Creek Township, which is in- cluded in his present farm.

Mr. Dial was one of the very first settlers in this region and an expert hunter. He put up a log house on his claim and began cultivating the soil, in which he was successful. In 1863, he home- steaded another eighty acres, and by industry and perseverance accumulated a small fortune, so that at the tune of his death, which occurred April 30, 1880, he was the owner of 677 acres of improved land. He was a man more than ordinarily intelli- gent and enterprising, and a universal favorite in his community. He served as Justice of the Peace for a number of years, and was possessed of great natural business ability, enabling him to give safe

advice to the many who frequently approached him on account of business or other difficulties. lle was cut down in his prime, being only forty- nine years old.

The maiden name of the mother of our subject. was Johanna Sophia Carlson. She was a native of Sweden, and the daughter of Peter Carlson, who emigrated to America with his family in 1857. They lived in Illinois one year, then came to Kan- sas, aud were the first family to locate in Swede Creek Township. Mr. Carlson prospered as a tiller of the soil, and accumulated 360 acres of improved land. He is now retired from active labor, and makes his home in Olesburg, Pottawatomie County. Mrs. Carlson died about thirty years ago. Mrs. Dial is living on the old homestead with the rest of the family, and is a member of the Lutheran Church, The parental household included nine children, of whom Micajah F. is the eldest. Mary A. lives in Manhattan; Huldah M. is dress-making in Denver; James L., Lilly C., Charles W. and Fred V., next to the youngest, are attending the Agricultural College at Manhattan. George H. and Benjamin W., the youngest, are at home with their mother.

LFRED DAWDY has been a resident of Washington County for twenty-three years , having in the fall of 1866 come from Iowa. His first settlement was made on sec- tion 26, and he afterward purchased on section 27, Farmington Township, where he owns 160 acres of fertile land. He has given his attention to farm- ing and stock-raising, has brought his land to a high state of productiveness, built a substantial and commodious residence and such other build- ings as are usually erceted by a progressive farmer.

Matthew Dawdy, father of our subject, was a soldier during the Mexican War, and was killed at the battle of Buena Vista. His family have no positive knowledge as to his birthplace, but it was either the Blue Grass State or Illinois. Hle mar- ried Miss Martha Forbush of Illinois, and settled in Scott County, that State, where Mrs. Dawdy ‹lied. The family comprised five children, the

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gentleman of whom we write being the second in order of birth. He was born in Greene County, Ill., Dec. 15, 1837, and was reared on a farm, grow- ing to manhood in Greene and Seott counties. From the latter county he removed in the spring of 1885 to Mahaska County, Iowa, where he resided about eighteen months. He then removed to this county, as before stated.

In Winchester, Scott County, III., Mr. Dawdy was united in marriage with Miss Margaret M. Ilowell, the ceremony taking place Oct 3, 1861. The bride was a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Baird) Howell, natives of Tennessee and the sec- ond in a family of ten children. After their mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Howell settled in Seott County, Ill., where their daughter Margaret was born Dec. 1, 1839. They later removed to Mahaska County, lowa, where Mrs. Howell died. Mr. Howeil still survives.

Mr. Dawdy, although not an office seeker, has filled the offices of Township Treasurer and Town- ship Trustee, with credit to himself and benefit to the township. In politics he gives his political ad- herence to the Democratic party. Mr. and Mrs. Dawdy are members of the Baptist Church and have taken quite an active part in church work. Mr. Dowdy is a man whose fine character, agri- cultural enterprise and pleasing manners win him many friends, and his estimable wife shares in the esteem in which he is beld.

NTON DUSCH. One may be no judge of the comparative value of land and yet be able by a glance over an agricultural distriet to determine who are its first-class farmers. Well kept fences and comfortable quarters for man and beast, together with adequate shelter for crops, are evidences that he who runs may read. The home of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch bears these evidences. The estate comprises 240 acres of land all in a body and fenced into 80-acre tracts. It is located on section 28, Independence Township, Washington County. The dwelling, which was built in 1883. at a cost of $1,200, is an attractive and comfort-

able home. A modern corn-crib and sheds for machinery are now being built; 300 apple, 50 cherry, 100 mulberry, and 15 peach trees, to- gether with 200 grapevines and other small fruits, contribute to the beauty as well as to the remuner- ativeness of the farm. Forty-five head of cattle, eleven head of horses and forty of hogs are kept upon the place.

Anton Dusch is of French birth and parentage. lJe was born in Alsace, March 22, 1840, and was the sixth in a family of eight children. His par- ents, Joseph and Odel ( Manger) Dusch, were Alsa- tians and resided during their entire lives in their native land, where the father was engaged in farm- ing. He died in 1848, and his widow survived until 1860, when she too passed from earth.

He of whom we write grew to manhood in his native land, and received a fair education in both French and German. He learned the trade of a carpenter, and traveled over much of France. Strasburg and Paris were his home at different pe- riods. In 1864 he came to America, and landing at New York. went directly to Bureau County, III .. where he made his home for six years. He trav- eled considerably, going south as far as New Or- leans and northwest into Iowa, but returning to Illinois, which he considered his home. In 1870 he came to Kansas and settled upon the farm where he now resides. The land was all raw prai- rie when he took it; 120 acres are now kept under the plow and the remainder is at present de- voted to other farm use. Mr. Dusch began life for himself with a capital of $200 in money and a span of horses and wagon. His success is due to his own industry and energy combined with the good management and thrift of his ladylike wife, who proves herself a valuable assistant.

The marriage of our subject took place June 29. 1870. the bride being Mary Ellen Sheehan, daughter of Richard and Susan (Russell ) Sheehan. Mr. Sheehan was a native of Ireland and a boat- calker by trade. Mrs. Sheehan was born in Can- ada. She was married in Calais, Me., but the family subsequently removed to Lee County. Ill. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sheehan, their daughter Mary Ellen. wife of our subject, be- ing the third. Mr. and Mrs. Dusch have been

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blessed by the birth of eight children, all of whom are yet under the parental roof. They are named respectively, Theresa Barbara, Charles Francis, Mary Antoinette, James Blaine, Rosa Ann, Cath- erine, John and Ernest.

Mr. Dusch is an active man in political affairs and votes the Republican ticket. He has been a frequent delegate to county conventions. Last year he was a member of the County Central Com- mittee. He is a Director of School District No. 70 and has been a member of the Board for four years. Both he and wife are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Dusch is a reliable citizen and a good neighbor, and as such is esteemed by all who know him.

AMES H. COLT, editor and proprietor of the Randolph Enterprise and Postmaster of that place, has been a resident of Kansas since the fall of 1877. He is a native of Erie County, Pa., and was born Jan. 7, 1834. The grandfather of Mr. Colt on the paternal side was Major Israel C'olt, agent of the great Holland Land Company in Western Pennsylvania, where he set. tled on the banks of French Creek, near Water- ford, Erie County, and there he died. His son, James S., became the father of the subject of this sketch.

James S. Colt was born at the old homestead in Erie County, Pa., in 1793, and died in the same county in 1875 at the ripe old age of eighty-two years. He was a lumberman by occupation, fol- lowing that business until age rendered active labor impossible. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and participated in the battle of Lundy's Lane under Gen. Winfield Scott. Being of an adventur- ous disposition, he did not stay long in any one place, but the greater part of his life was passed in the lumber regions of Western and Central Pennsyl- vania. He was a social companionable man and made many friends.

The father of our subjeet was married in Erie County, Pa., to Miss Mary Black, a native also of the same county, and who died at a comparatively early age in the summer of 1834. She left five

children, all of whom are living. George W. is a resident of California, and was one of its original pioneers-a'49-er, who has never sinee left the Golden State; C'aroline is the wife of Fitzjohn Owen, a resident of Kenosha County, Wis .; An- drew Jackson is living on the old homestead in Erie County, Pa .; Angeline is the wife of A. Con- nell, living in Carthage, Mo .; James H. was the youngest born.

The subject of this sketch was born on the old homestead, where his grandfather lived, and he re- mained a resident of his native connty until twenty- two years old. After going through the common schools he became a pupil of the Waterford Acad- emy, and later attended Allegheny College at Meadville, Pa., where he fitted himself for teach- ing, which profession he followed for fifteen years, first in Pennsylvania and after the year 1859, in Wisconsin. In the latter State he remained till 1870 when he joined the Wisconsin Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church being licensed to preach His first charge was at Wilmont, Kenosha County. He remained in the Wisconsin Conference until the fall of 1870, when on coming to this State he joined the Kansas Conference. Here he was ac- tive in ministerial work until the spring of 1888, when on account of throat trouble he took a super- numerary relation and locating in Clifton, Clay County, was engaged on the Local News of that place in which he purchased an interest. In June following, he sold his interest in that paper and re- moving to Randolph, purchased the Enterprise of which he is at present the editor and proprietor. The paper is Republican in politics and its aim is particularly to be a thorough home paper, in giving all the local news. As is to be expected from the character of Mr. Colt, it is a paper no parent need be afraid to place in the hands of children, nothing tending in the slighest degree to impurity being admitted to its columns. The office is well equipped for job printing and in both depart- ments enjoys a fair degree of patronage.

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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 61

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

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