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 64

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 64
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 64
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 64

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).

The next venture of our subject was as a farmer in Warren County, Iowa. With characteristic en- terprise lie bought a team and farming implements on time and rented land, and was very prosperously engaged in agricultural pursuits in that part of the country until December, 1881. In the meantime he had invested some of his money in 160 aeres of railroad land near Riley Centre, Kan., and in the month mentioned he came to this State to settle here, buying a home in Riley Centre village. He farmed his land one year, and in 1883 sold it and established himself in the furniture business in Leonardville, continuing it until March 21, 1887. Cn that date he disposed of his business for a re- munerative consideration, and on the 28th received his appointment to his present office as Registrar of Deeds for Riley County to fill a vacancy, and so well did he discharge the duties connected with that

office, that he received the compliment of an elec- tion to the position in the fall of the same year.

Mr. Cress was married, Nov. 25, 1866, to Miss Mary Clapsaddle, a native of Putnamville, Ind .. and a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Foley) Clap- saddle, natives, respectively. of Pennsylvania and Kentucky, and pioneers of Putnam County, Ind. Our subject and his wife have one daughter living, Alverta M.

Mr. Cress is a noble-spirited, generous-hearted man, whose course in life as a soldier, as a man of business, as a publie official and as a private citi- zen, has been thoroughly commendable and well calculated to secure the confidence of those with whom he associates or has dealings. IIe is one of the leading members of the G. A. R. in this part of Kansas, being identified with Sergeant Mercer Post No. 194. He also belongs to the A. F. & A. M., being a member of Garfield Lodge No. 235. Ile and his wife are members in high standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and do all they can to forward its good work.

C HIARLES N. LEWIS. The homestead built up by this prominent and highly respected citizen of Sherman Township, Clay County, is worthy of more than a passing notice. It em- braces 190 acres of well-cultivated land, forty-six acres in pasture, an orchard of about 100 apple trees. a goodly assortment of forest trees and the buildings reflect eredit upon the proprietor. There is now almost completed (October 1889) a commodious frame residence, combining comfort with conven- ience and which when finished will be one of the attractive features of this section. There is that about the premises which indicates enterprise, fore- thought and good judgment in no ordinary degree.

The subject of this notice was born in Jennings County, Ind., Sept. 7. 1839, and was there reared on a farm to man's estate. His father, Daniel Lewis, was born Jan. 17, 1813 in Seneca County, N. Y., and when a mere boy removed from there to Indi- ana where he spent the remainder of his life. He married Miss Harriet R., daughter of Samuel and

529

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Iba Keith, and they became the parents of eleven children, four of whom died young. After the death of his wife Harriet, Daniel Lewis married Frances. daughter of James and Lucy Keith, a cousin of his first wife and there were born to them eleven children, three of whom died in early years. Mr. Lewis and both his wives died upon the same farm. The mother of our subject was a Baptist in relig- ious belief. The paternal grandfather, William Lewis, is likewise supposed to have been a native of New York State and with his wife, Sarah, spent his last days in Indiana; both were members of the Baptist Church.

Charles N. Lewis attained to manhood in Indi- ana and was there married to Miss Keziah J., daughter of John and Clarinda ( Monroe) Mayfield. The record of the four children born to them in Indiana, is as follows: Harriet R. is the wife of William II. Gibbons, of Kansas City, Mo .; Clarinda A. married Joseph Barrett and lives at Haskins, Ohio; Elverilla died when about three years old; Matilda is the wife of William M. C'oultice of this township. In September 1866, Mr. Lewis set out overland with a wagon to Riley County, this State, and located on a farm on Mill Creek. Thence two years later he removed to Washington County, taking up a homestead in the fall of 1868 on section 33, township 5, range 5, where he improved a farm. Ile sold this in the fall of 1882 and the following spring removed to that upon which he now lives. He has here 116 acres and about seventy acres else- where.

Considering the fact that Mr. Lewis arrived in Kansas with a cash capital of fifteen eents, a team of poor horses and an old wagon, his present position and possessions illustrate in a marked manner the diligence and good judgment with which he has labored. In this labor he has been greatly assisted by his estimable wife. who by her industry and economy has enabled him to accumulate a compe- tence. There have been born to them in this State nine children, viz: Martha E., Mrs. Benjamin F. Watson, of Sherman Township; Theodore E., Emma deceased; Carrie A. O., Daniel W., Anna M. de- ceased; Marion H, John O. and James L.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are members in good stand- ing of the Baptist Church with which they united

before their marriage in Indiana. Mr. Lewis has for many years officiated as Deacon and was a Trustee of the church in Washington County. le is a man decided in his views and opinions and po- litically, a stanch supporter of the Republican party, although warmly upholding the temperance cause and in favor of prohibition.

M ONROE DUSTON, County Commissioner of Washington County, and one of its most prominent citizens, owus and occupies one of its finest farms, and is a man who has made his presence felt in the business, social and church circles of his community. Intelligent. ambitious and energetic, he is one of those men willing to give of his time and means to the build- ing up of his township, and one who has since becoming a resident here been closely identified with its best interests.

The subject of this sketch was born in Ilenniker. N. H., May 16, 1842, and is the son of the Hon. Zadok Duston, Jr., a native of the same place and born Feb. 13, 1811. In Henniker the father of our subject was reared and educated and entered upon a prosperous career as a farmer, accumulating a good property. He dealt extensively in live-stock and from this industry likewise realized handsome re- turns. He was a prominent man in his community. officiating as Justice of the Peace for many years. and finally was elected to represent his county in the State Legislature, serving in the sessions of 1863. For many years prior to his death he was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he contributed liberally, and was looked upon as one of its chief pillars. Ile de- parted this life April 2. 1877.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Zadok Duston, Sr., was, like his son and grandson, also a native of Henniker, N. H., and by occupation was a lifelong farmer. The Duston family traced their ancestry to one Hannah Duston, of historic fame and a native of England. They were first repre- sented in this country by three brothers, who crossed the Atlantic at an early date. about the

530

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

time of the sailing of the "Mayflower." Down through the several generations they have preserved an honorable record, becoming widely and favor- ably known in New England, where many of them lived and died.

The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Serena B. Feleh. She was born in the town of Ware, N. H., July 14, 1822. and was the daughter of Thomas Ware, also a native of the Old Granite State. She died in New Ilampshire Dee. 31, 1872. The Felch family are also of English extraction, and were among the carly settlers of New England. To Zadok and Serena Duston there were born three children: Elizabeth J. was born April 1, 1832, and died July 1, 1856; Hannah B. was born Nov. 7. 1843, and is the wife of Luke W. Hill, of Antrim, N. H .; Monroe, the subject of this sketch, was the youngest child. Ile spent his boyhood years in his native town, attending its public schools until fitted for the higher branches, and was then ad- mitted as a student of New Hampshire College, -

from which he was graduated with honors in 1868.

Upon leaving college Mr. Duston resumed farm- ing, to which he had been bred since boyhood, but only sojourned in New England until the following year. Resolving now to seek his fortunes West of the Mississippi, he, in the fall of 1869, came to Kansas and homesteaded 160 aeres of land on sec- tion 11, Little Blue Township. Upon this he set- tled at once, and here he has since resided. He is one more instance of the results of perseverance and diligence, and although comneneing without capital, is now comparatively independent. In due time he added forty acres to his first purchase, this latter lying on section 10. For eight years after coming to Kansas he followed teaching, while at the same time carrying on the improvement of his farm. In addition to general agriculture, he keeps good grades of live-stock, and in whatever he undertakes aims to excel.

been Township Treasurer and Clerk of the School Board, and in 1887 was elected County Commis- sioner, which office he still holds. Politically, he supports the principles of the Republican party.

The 4th of November, 1872, marked an interest- ing epoch in the life of our subject, as upon the evening of that day he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Keefover, of Washington County, Kan. Mrs. Duston is a native of Virginia, and was born June 4, 1853. Her parents were James and Elizabeth (Sharp) Keefover, likewise natives of the Old Dominion, where they lived until 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Duston commenced their wedded life together at the homestead which they still occupy. and the household thus established was in due time brightened by the birth of nine children, viz .: Elizabeth, Monroe J., Luke H., Manly Z., Charles S., Daisy E., Annie B., Arthur W. and an infant unnamed. The home surroundings of the Duston family are pleasant in the extreme, while Mr. Dus- ton and his excellent wife enjoy the esteem and confidence of hosts of friends.

RANCIS E. MARSH is considered one of the leading general merchants of Manhat- tan, where he has a large and neatly fitted up store, filled with a well-assorted stock of gro- eeries and dry goods, and by strict attention to his business, which is carried on systematically, and after the best methods, he has built up an exten- sive and lucrative trade since he embarked in busi- ness seven years ago. He is a veteran of the late Civil War, though he was but a boy when the re- bellion broke out, but he enlisted before he had at- tained to manhood, and did as gallant and faithful service as many an older soldier.

Mr. Marsh was born in Jackson, Wayne Co., Ohio, June 19, 1846. His father, William N. Marsh, was born in Vermont, and his father, Nel- son Marsh, is also supposed to have been of New England birth. He was an axe helve maker, and was a resident of Vermont many years until his re- moval to Ohio, where he settled in Medina County

Under the influence of his early training Mr. Duston imbibed those religious sentiments which ruled the lives of his excellent parents, and he has been for some time a member of the United Bretli- ren Church. His fitness for the local offices was recognized years ago. and for the last ten years he has served as a Justice of the Peace. He has also | among its pioneers, and worked at his trade until

531

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

death closed his earthly labors. The father of our subject was but a boy when his parents went to Ohio to live, and he was reared amid the pioneer scenes of that State. IIe early learned the trade of a broom-maker, but after his marriage be devoted himself to the mercantile business in Jackson, con - tinning to reside in Wayne County, Ohio, until his removal to Michigan in 1853. He lived in Bronson, Branch Co., Mich., one year, and then left Michigan for lowa, going thither by rail to the Mississippi, and thence to Shell Rock, Butler County, of which he thus became a pioneer. He bought a tract of wild prairie land, improved a part of it, and made his home there until 1860. In that year he sold his property in Iowa, and returning to Ohio, engaged for awhile in the mercantile business in Creston. ITis next move was to Jackson, his old home, where he engaged in trade until his retire- ment from active life, and there he still continues to make his residence, respected and esteemed by all about him for his many good qualities of head and heart, that make him a good citizen and a good man. Ilis amiable wife lives to share with him the comforts of their pleasant home that she aided him in upbuilding. Their wedded life has been blessed to them by the birth of five children-Francis E .. Mary, Otto W., Annie, and Clarence B.

The first named, the subject of this biography, was a lad of eight years when his parents removed to Iowa, and he there laid the foundation of his education in the pioneer schools of Butler County. In those early days of the settlement of that county he can remember well the wild aspect of the sparsely settled, but little cultivated country, where deer, wolves, wild turkeys and other game used to roam over the prairies and through the tim- ber. When he was not in school he assisted his father on his farm. On his return to Ohio he at- tended school and worked at farming some years. But the rebellion was raging, and the brave, high- spirited boy longed with all the ardor of youth, to take part in his country's defense, and June, 1863, when he was just eighteen years old, his heart's de- sire was gratified, and his name was enrolled as a member of Company G, 86th Ohio Infantry, the term of enlistment being for six months. His regi- ment served in Ohio, being engaged in the pursuit

and capture of Morgan and his band of guerrillas. In the fall of 1863, our subject and his comrades were despatched to Cumberland Gap, and were de- tained there on duty until February, 1864. when they were honorably discharged at Camp Cleve- land. Our subject returned home after his experi- ence of life in the army, and the 3d of April, 1865. he re-enlisted in Company I, 197th Ohio Infantry, for one year, or until the close of the war. His regiment remained at Camp Chase awhile, and then went to Dover, Del., and did camp duty there un- til hostilities ceased, and they were then sent to Maryland. and were finally discharged at Camp Bradford. in that State, July 31, 1865, having served faithfully and efficiently, and won good re- cords for true soldierly conduet at all times, and on all occasions. Mr. Marsh, after his return to his old home in Ohio, wishing to complete his educa- tion, attended Canaan Academy for a time, and pursued a good course of study. After leaving school, he engaged with his father in the mercantile business in Jackson, until 1868, and he then car- ried on the same kind of business in Canaan, Ohio, one year. After that we hear of him in Medina County, conducting business there until 1871. In that year he sold out there, and came to Manhat- tan, and in 1872 was employed by E. B. Purcell as a elerk in the grocery department of his store, con- tinuing with that gentleman until September. 1882, when he resigned and went to Topeka, where he was given charge of the grocery department in the wholesale store of A. D. McMillan & Co. He re- tained that position a short time, and was then en- gaged in a retail grocery a few months. Nov. 8. 1882, he returned to Manhattan and went into business for himself, opening a grocery store, and from that small beginning. he has built up his pre- sent extensive and valuable business.

Mr. Marsh and Miss Henrietta Romich were united in marriage in 1868, and of their happy married life five children have been born, namely: Harvard S. G., Francis E., Sarah, William Andrew. Their youngest child died in infancy. Mrs, Marsh was a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Andrew and Sarah Romich. Her household and her many friends were saddened by her death, which occur- red May 19, 1883. Mr. Marsh was married to his

532

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

present amiable wife, formerly Jennie (Jordan) Maffitt, a native of Pennsylvania, in August, 1886, and to them has come one child. Frank Ernest.

Mr. Marsh is highly regarded in business circles in this city, not only as a man of enterprise, tact, and keen judgment, but as an honorable man in all his transactions, one whose word is as good as a bond, and may be relied upon in all cases. It is such men who are a credit to the citizenship of Manhattan, and elevate its social and moral status. lle and his wife are active members of the Presby- terian Church, and in their daily lives are true to the faith. Mr. Marsh interests himself in politics, as every true citizen should, and uses his influence in favor of the Republican party. He is a promi- nent member of the G. A. R .; being Senior Vice- Commander of the Lew Gove Post, No. 100; and he is also identified with Manhattan Lodge No. 1465. K. of H .; and with A. O. U. W., No. 190.

AMES A. MANN. No man of his years in Clay County, has shown better business qual- tities than the above named. Kansas agri- culturists have suffered many total and par- tial failures in crops during the past twenty years, and many of them are burdened by debts and have their property heavily mortgaged. The gentleman of whom we write, beginning his farm life in this county when but twenty-one years old. and without capital, having been obliged to work on the rail- road a month to get money wherewith to secure his homestead, has kept his estate free from inenm- brance and stands on a firm financial basis.

Mr. Mann became a resident of Kansas in 1870, being then too young to lay claim to land under the laws of our Government. About two years later he entered a homestead of 160 acres in Five Creeks Township, which is now a beautiful and most comfortable home. lle built a small rock house, in which he kept bachelor's hall for six years. When he took his claim there was but one house in sight and very little breaking done on the prairies. He worked out by the month for a year after homesteading, improving the place as fast as possible, and as soon as he could do so, devoting

his time entirely to his own farm and its cultiva- tion. In 1873 he hired some breaking done, not being yet supplied with teams and farm implements, and finding it to his advantage to hire such work for a time, while he himself engaged at other em- ployment. Ilis land lying on the "bench" the hot wind strikes it much worse than the low lands, and his crops have necessarily suffered greater in- jury than that of farmers on the bottoms. Not- withstanding this disadvantage, he has had but two years of entire failure, though several seasons the yield was very light. Since 1886, there has been but a light yield until this season (1889) when crops were quite good. Last year he suffered not only from the hot winds, but from a destructive hail storm.

Mr. Mann is a son of James Mann, a native of Ireland and a farmer by occupation, and Margaret Linn of Ireland. The union of this worthy couple resulted in the birth of eight children: Elizabeth .J., Mary, Mathew, Joseph, James A .. Maggie, and Samuel and William J. (twins). Our subject was born in Antrim County, Ireland, March 25, 1850, and came to America with his parents. They landed at New York, whence they went to Ohio and sojourned a year, after which the father settled in Waukesha County, Wis., where he still resides. Ile is now a man of eighty-five years of age and still quite hale. His rugged constitution has been transmitted to his son, our subject, who is in posses- sion of fine health and is robust and vigorous. Two brothers of James A. Mann came to this State when he died, and they still live in Jackson County, where they first settled.

The marriage of Mr. Mann was celebrated at the home of the bride on Feb. 27. 1880. the lady with whom he was united being Miss Mary Greenlee. Her father, Robert Greenlee, came to this State from Pennsylvania, of which he was a native, in 1870. He has always been engaged in farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Mann three bright children have been born-Maggie E., Robert J. and Joseph B.

Mr. Mann has always been a Republican and is favorable to Prohibition. The high regard in which he is held by his neighbors is indicated by the fact that he has served them as Township Trustee, Clerk and Treasurer of the School District, has

John Schwab

535

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

held the office of Assessor five terms and is now elected to his sixth term. He is not identified with any religious body. Mrs. Mann belongs to the Covenanter Reform Church-Scotch Presbyterian.

OHN SCIIWAB. on the 25th of May, 1870, pitched his tent (in reality ) on land which he had homesteaded in Bloom Township, Clay County, where he has since been a resident. He came to this section poor in purse but is now the owner of 380 broad acres, lying on sections 7 and 8, the residence being on the former. He has two sets of farm buildings, both very good, and a fine as- sortment of live stock. which industry has been the source of a generous income. He lived in the tent spoken of two months when he was enabled to move into a more substantial dwelling.

Mr. Schwab came to this section from Carroll County, Mo., where he had lived nine years en- gaged as a farmer and butcher. Prior to this he had been a resident of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, having been for five years superintendent of a stone quarry. He had removed from Mellenry County. Ill., settling in the latter State soon after his arrival in America. IIe is a native of Switzer- land and was born in the Canton of Berne, May 4. 1829. and is enabled to trace his family history back several generations. Ilis father. Stephen Schwab, was a farmer by occupation and spent his entire life in his native Canton of Berne, dying there Feb. 16, 1866, at the age of seventy- two years. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, a good man and a worthy citizen.

The mother of our subject was in her maidenhood Miss Elizabeth Valter. She was a native of the same canton as her husband and son, and there spent her entire life, dying in 1862 at the age of sixty-three years. She likewise was a member of the Presbyterian Church. There were born to her and her husband three children, a son and two daughters. The latter, Lizzie and Annie, are widows and living in Switzerland, the former being seventy-one years old and the latter seventy-six. They adhere to the religious faith of their parents.

The subject of this sketch received careful home

training and a good education in the common schools. He remained a resident of his native can- ton until his marriage, his chosen bride being Miss Elizabeth Affolter, who was born there, June 7. 1833, and was the child of an excellent old Swiss family. Her father, John Affolter, was a farmer by occupation and died at the age of forty-six years in Berne. The mother, Mrs. Mary (Foch) Affolter, survived her husband many years, dying at the age of sixty-four. They likewise were Presbyter- ians in religion. Their daughter, Elizabeth, was the youngest of their three children and by her marriage with our subject became the mother of one child only, a son. Albert. Ile married Miss Ida Ruegg and they live on a farm in Jarvis, Ore .; they have five children-Emma. Minnie, Arthur H., Otto A. and Matthew. Mrs. Elizabeth (Af- folter) Schwab departed this life May 6, 1880, at the homestead in Bloom Township.

Mr. Schwab after his marriage lived four years in his native country, then sailed for America from Ilavre, France, on a three-master, the " William Floatingham," which after a voyage of twenty- eight days landed them safely in New York City. Thence they proceeded to MeHenry County, Ill. ; from there to Ohio, later to Missouri and finally to Kansas. Mr. Schwab has been quite prominent in local affairs and has served as Justice of the Peace ten years. Formerly he supported the Republican party, but is now a Union Labor man. A handsome lithographie portrait of Mr. Schwab is presented on another page.

RMENIOUS M. DULL. This gentleman, though a resident of Washington County for only three years, has already acquired an excellent reputation as a farmer and stock-raiser. He is located on section 9, Farming- ton Township, where he owns 240 acres of land. The neat and attractive appearance of the place gives evidence of good management, and the cul- tivated fields and grazing herds are a fine feature of the landscape.

Mr. Dull is by birth and parentage a son of Pennsylvania. Ilis father. W. A. Dull, was born in Center County and his mother Sarah (Chaney)

536

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Dull, in Huntington County, while he himself was a native of Mifflin County. The parental family comprised six children. Our subject, who was the eldest, was born Dec. 8, 1851. He was a child of two years when his parents removed to Weston. Lawrence County, where they lived for eight or nine years. Our subjeet's next home was in Mercer County, where he lived until eighteen years of age. He then accompanied his parents to Dickson County, Tenn .. and remained there from 1869 until 1886. At the latter date he became a resident of Kansas. During his residence in Tennessee he was engaged in the lumber business, but since coming to this State, has devoted himself entirely to his present occupation.

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 64

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

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