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 69

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 69
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 69
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 69

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 Bowmaker homestead is represented in a well executed lithographie view on another page.

SAAC C. SHERMAN. No better representa- tive of the success that may be gained by the once despised "colored man" in the vocation of a farmer, can be found in Washington County, than lie whose name heads this notice. He owns 320 acres of good land in Clifton Township, his home being on section 19. Ilis residence is comfortable, and his homestead is supplied with all the necessary farm buildings. He has witnessed much of the development of this county, a great part of which was an unbroken waste when he came here in the fall of 1869.

Mr. Sherman was born in Barnwell District, S. C., Jan. 4, 1847. Ilis parents were slaves and both died before the Proclamation of Emancipa- tion. He knows but little of their history, except that they lived in bondage. He was reared. as were other slaves, without the advantages of learn- ing, being the "property" of Mr. James Irving. In the spring of 1865, when Sherman was marching through Georgia, onr subject was living at San- dersville, Washington County, that State. He fell into the ranks and went with the grand old gen-

eral to the sea. As he joined the vast army he happened into the ranks of Company G. Ith Iowa Infantry. With that company he remained until all were discharged at the close of the war. He then came North to Union County, Iowa, where he made his home until 1869. He learned to read and write, and is quite a good scholar and a well- informed man. As before stated Mr. Sherman came to Kansas in 1869. A few months later he took up a homestead on sections 19 and 30. build- ing his house on the former seetion. He has since secured 160 acres where he now lives, on section 9, still retaining possession of his original home- stead. Ile is a successful and enterprising agri- culturist, and the natural skill of his race in tilling the soil is used to great advantage by him.

Mr. Sherman celebrated his marriage in this county in the spring of 1889. The bride was Miss Ada Decker, a native of Delaware County, Ohio. where she was born Oct. 11, 1871. She lost her mother when quite young. and came West in 1886, and has since lived in this county. Mrs. Sher- man is the daughter of white parents. She has been the recipient of # good common-school educa- tion, and is a young lady of intelligence and ster- ling character.

Mr. Sherman has held some of the local offices of the township. and discharged their duties con- scientiously and with good judgment. He belongs to the Republican party, and no more stalwart member is to be found within its ranks than he. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while his wife belongs to the Episcopal Church. Mr. Sherman is a good neighbor and citizen, and is highly respected by those among whom his lot is cast. The view of his homestead, on another page, in- dicates his industry and perseverance under diffi- culties, furnishing an example worthy of imitation.

2 ORVEN Z. MCFADDEN owns and oper- ates one of the best farms in Chapman Township, Clay County. The home place is watered by Chapman Creek, and is very favor- ably located both for the raising of crops and stock. It is supplied with groves, orchards, and a well as-

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sorted and well built collection of farm buildings. All of the buildings and most of the other improve- ments are the work of Mr. McFadden. He farms on a large scale, owing four quarter sections of land, and devoting considerable attention also to raising horses, cattle and hogs.

Mr. McFadden was born in Jefferson County, Ind., Nov. 12, 1847, and accompanied his parents to this State in 1866, being then about nine- teen years of age. He was reared to farm life and has always been engaged in the pursuit of agricul- ture. He remained with his father until 1869, when he was married and began life for himself. He took up a homestead of 160 acres in Mulberry Township, which land he improved and cultivated, until able to prove up on it. Soon after securing the claim. he traded for other land and stock, his new farm lying on section 30, of Oakland Town- ship, and having been located by W. Baker. Mr. McFadden subsequently traded that quarter sec- tion and the stock upon it for the farm which he now occupies, and to which he has added until his landed possessions amount to 640 acres. Since living on his present farm he has never failed to raise some crops, though since 1885, they have been very light until this year (1889), when the yield was good from all grains sowed. Chinch bugs and droughts have made wheat culture so unprofi- table that the farmers of this part of Kansas have nearly abandoned the attempt to raise that grain. This section was sparsely settled and life here at- tended with many difficulties when Mr. MeFadden became a citizen of Kansas.

The wife of Mr. McFadden was in her maiden- hood Miss Mary Shumaker; she is a daughter of Moses and Mary (Smith) Shumaker of Pennsyl- vania, and came to Kansas with a cousin. She has borne her husband six children. who bear the names of Herbert Il., John II., Carrie, Birdie, Z. B. O. and Mell .; Carrie and Z. B. O, are deceased.

William II. McFadden, the father of our subject, is of Irish descent and was born in Kentucky. He lived in Indiana for many years engaged in farming, and in 1866, came to this State and settled near Clay Center. There he filed a homestead claim, and having improved and cultivated the estate and proved up on it, sold out after having lived there

seven years. He married Miss Angeline Clark, daughter of IIczekiah Clark, also an agriculturist- The union resulted in the birth of seven children: Norven Z.,Trevanion, Sarah J., Dorinda. Philander L., and Willis A., and Romanus who is deceased. Mr. McFadden belongs to the Masonic fraternity. He is a Democrat and supported prohibition, though he has now decided that the kind of prohibition that is here does not prohibit and is not what is needed. The success which he has met with, abundantly proves his energy, industry and prudent manage- ment, and the respect which is felt for him by his fellow-citizens is a testimonial to the worth of his character.

SAAC MAYFIELD, M. D., is a dealer in drugs at Randolph, Riley County. It is but little more than a decade since this gentleman ar- rived in Randolph, where he now enjoys an hon- orable reputation as a man of fine character, mental and professional ability, and genial nature. Since coming to this county, he has built up a fine prac- tice as a physician and surgeon, but now devotes the most of his time to the drug business, feeling that after long years of usefulness he may well be allowed a more quiet life than was his for many years. Though now seventy-six years old, he is more hale and hearty than many men much younger than he, and enjoys life with the zest of earlier manhood.

Dr. Mayfield is of English descent, his grand- father, William Mayfield, having been a watch- maker in London, carrying on a factory in that city. Ile was a man of considerable means, and prominent among the artisans of the world's me- tropolis. The father of our subject was Thomas Mayfield, who was born in London, and was gradn - ated from the London Medical College. He began practice in that city when thirty-two years old, but shortly afterward came to America, locating in Maryland, first in Harper's Ferry, and soon afterward in Baltimore. He had become so thor- oughly identified with the interests of the United States, that during the War of 1812 he took part in behalf of the country of his adoption. During this contest he was detailed on city duty. In

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1834 he removed to Jefferson County, Ind .. and buying land near Madison, made himself a rural home, still continning the practice of his profession. His death occurred there in 1869, he being eighty- four years old. His religions faith was that of the Universalist Church.

The wife of Dr. Thomas Mayfield was Ellen Tunsal, a finely-educated lady of Scotch birth. She was living in London when she made the acquaint- ance of the gentleman who became her husband. the ceremony taking place in that city. Her death occurred in Baltimore, when our subject was still a child. Of the eleven children born to her and her husband, six attained to years of maturity, though John, Benjamin, Ellen and Ann have since passed from earth. The only surviving member of the family beside our subject is Hannah, now Mrs. Watson, whose home is near Stockdale, this county.

Dr. Isaac Mayfield was born in Baltimore, Md .. Sept. 12, 1813, while the city was illuminated by the glare, and its accustomed quiet rent by the sounds of the bombardment of Ft. Henry, where still the "broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, o'er the ramparts we loved were so gallantly streaming." He grew to manhood in the city of his birth, receiving the advantages of the subscription schools. When fifteen years old, he began working for his uncle at lock and gunsmith- ing, becoming an adept with tools. Four years later he entered the laboratory of the Medical Col- lege, assisting the professor to mount skeletons, and under him began the study of medicine. 1Ie attended the lectures almost regularly for the fol- lowing three years, but was not graduated, and be- gan the practice of medicine with his father. After the removal of the family to Indiana, our subject began speculating in machinery. He built a card- ing mill on Big Creek, Jefferson County, ran it for three years, and then built a saw and gristmill, which he conducted until he failed, in 1856. Aban- doning machinery, he then took up the practice of medicine in Madison, continuing it until he en- tered the Union Army, on New Year's Day, 1863.

Twenty young men were in Dr. Mayfield's office when the recruiting officer asked them to enlist. They said they would do so if the Doctor would go along to take care of them. He immediately

put down his name, and eighteen of the twenty followed his example at the time, the other two enlisting soon after. Dr. Mayfield was mustered into the service at Columbus, as a private in Com- pany K. 120th Indiana Infantry. He was twice offered the position of Army Surgeon, but would not accept it, having frequent opportunities, how- ever, to act in a medical capacity. He joined Sher- man's forces at Charleston, and took part in the battles of his division on the march through Georgia, and then back to Nashville, among the engage- ments in which the regiment participated being Springhill, Frankhill and Nashville. The command then went to the Tennessee, where, they took ship to Washington, and then down the Potomac River to Moorehead City. The railroad having been rebuilt towards Goldsboro, they there met the gallant commander whom they admired and re- spected as much as though they did not, in the freedom of camp-life and campaigning. speak of him as "Old Billy." After the battle of Kingston, while on dress parade, a message from Grant was read, telling of the surrender of Gen. Lee. The division marched toward Raleigh, meeting a flag of truce by the way, and remained three or four morthis at that city. There were sick to care for. and Dr. Mayfield there continued the work as sur- geon, which he had been doing in hospital and field for a number of months. In September, 1865. he went to Indianapolis, and was mustered out and honorably discharged. He had served a period of two years and six months as faithfully and gallantly as any of the young men of the command, though fifty years old when he enlisted. For some years after the war his health was quite poor, but he finally began the practice of his profession once more.

Being one of those men who believe there is al- ways something to be learned in the practical sciences, and desiring to keep abreast of the most advanced thought of the age, Dr. Mayfield took a course of lectures at the Medical College of Ohio, at Cincinnati, in 1869-70, being graduated with the honors of his class. He again engaged in medical practice in Deputy, Ind., where he built the first dwelling of that place. In the fall of 1878 he located in this city, and opened the drug

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store which he still controls. He also continued the practice of his profession, which he has re- cently nearly abandoned. lle owns 100 acres of improved land adjoining the city, and is in quite good financial circumstances.

The first marriage of Dr. Mayfield was celebrated in Baltimore, in 1833, the bride being Miss Mary A. White, a native of Yorkshire, England, who died in Indiana nine months after her marriage. The second matrimonial alliance of Dr. Mayfield took place in Jefferson County, Ind., in 1847. The lady with whom he was united was Miss Eva Stewart, a native of the county in which their wedding took place. The union was blessd by the birth of four children-Benjamin, Virginia, Florella and Cather- ine. The two last mentioned are deceased. Ben- jamin is with his father; Virginia is married to George Warren, and lives on Mill Creek, in this county.

Dr. Mayfield was married the third time, in Jef- ferson County, Ind., to Miss Elizabeth Stewart, who was born in that county March 22, 1833. She was reared on a farm, and in her early years at- tended a subscription school in a log schoolhouse with slab benches. She educated herself, the fam- ily being in but moderate circumstances, and when twenty years old she began teaching, following that profession for twelve years and until her marriage. She has one daughter, Ellen G., who resides at home.

The grandfather of Mrs. Mayfield was Joseph Stewart, the younger of the two sons of a landed proprietor in Ireland. On the death of the father the estate fell to the elder son, and the younger de- clining to fill a position so nearly that of a servant as he felt his own would be, ran away to America. Ile was only a boy when he crossed the Atlantic, and the remainder of his life was spent as a citi- zen of the United States. Ile first lived in Ken- tucky, and after his marriage to a Miss Elizabeth Wilson, of that State, he removed to Ohio, and was engaged in farming there until his death. His son, David Stewart, was born in the Buckeye State, and in his early years removed to Jefferson County, Ind., where he spent the remainder of his life. Ile was a farmer, and also a stone mason. In polities he was a Republican, and in religion a Universalist.

His wife was Miss Catherine Troutman, who was born in Kentucky, her parents, Adam and Eve (Miller) Troutman, being natives of Virginia and Maryland respectively. They removed to Ken- tucky in an early day, and later to Jefferson County, Ind., where Mr. Troutman became a well-to-do farmer and an extensive miller on Misscattatack, or Muddy Creek. Mrs. Stewart died in the Hoosier State, having borne her husband ten children. They are: Margaret, living in Linn County, Kan .; An- drew and Eve, deceased; Peter, living in Jennings County, Ind .; Adam, deceased; Patrick II., of Co- lumbus, Ohio; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Mayfield; Ma- tilda, of Jefferson County, Ind .; William, of Scott County, Ind .; and Thomas, now deceased. William was a member of the 82d Indiana Infantry, and served ten months, till crippled and unfit for ser- vice. Thomas enlisted, in 1861, in the 14th Ken- tucky Infantry, and served until his death. The sad event took place at the battle of Atlanta, he being shot by a sharpshooter's bullet while sitting by the side of the road reading a letter from home.

Dr. Mayfield belongs to Sergt. MeCoy Post No. 210, G. A. R., of Randolph, and now holds the office of Commander, having occupied that posi- tion for the past four years. Ile is a member of the State Medical Association, and is Examining Physician for the Masonic fraternity, I. O. O. F., and several private insurance companies. He has served on the City Council of Randolph. In his earlier years he was an Old Line Whig, and voted for .J. Q. Adams when he ran against Gen. Jackson and was defeated for a second term. He also voted for William Henry Harrison. Ile is now a stanch Republican.

EFFERSON TURNER. After prosecuting farming in Brantford Township, Washington Co., some years, Mr.Turner determined upon a change of location and occupation and ac- cordingly moved into town and established a gen- eral repair shop, where he makes old road vehicles and other things in this line as good as new. Ile was one of the pioneer homesteaders of Brantford Township, where on the 3d of May, that year, he took up 160 acres of land on section 35. His ex-

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perience thereafter was similiar to that of others who had settled upon the frontier at that early date and during the years which followed he labored carly and late to cultivate his land and bring about the needed improvements. As a wagon and car- riage manufacturer, he is a skilled workman and followed this ten years after securing bis land.

Mr. Turner came to Kansas from Michigan, in which State he had lived a number of years, opera- ting as a mechanic in Hastings. Barry County. His native place was Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence, Co., N. Y., and the date of his birth Jan. 26, 1833. His father. Elisha R. Turner was born near the city of Lowell, Mass., and when becoming of suitable age learned the trade of a shoemaker. He came of excellent stock, being the grandson of an old Rev- olutionary soldier, who suffered and fought for the liberty of the Colonists. It is supposed that like his father before him, he spent his last years in the Bay State.

Elisha R. Turner was married probably in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, to Miss Julia A. Hidorn. The lady was born in the Mohawk Valley, New York State, and came of Scotch and German an- cestry. After marriage the parents of our subject began life in the usual way of the New Englanders -industriously and frugally, the husband following his trade of shoemaker and the wife carefully at- tending to her household duties. After the birth of one child they left their native State for Og- densburg, N. Y., where Mr. Turner followed his trade for a time, then purchased land and turned his attention to farming and dairying. He there spent the remainder of his active life and lived un- til reaching the eighty-second year of his age, pass- ing away about 1877. His wife survived him until 1889, dying at the age of seventy-one. Both were members of the Universalist Church. Mr. Turner until the outbreak of the Civil War, was a Demo- crat, politically, but in revolving the questions arising during that struggle, he concluded he was with the wrong party and identified himself with the Republicans.

The subject of this sketch was the third child in a family of eight sons and three daughters, all of whom are living, married, and have families of their own. Seven of the sons served in the Union

army during the Rebellion in different regiments. None of them were even taken prisoners by the enemy. One of them had his thumb shot off and one received a bullet wound in the leg from the enemy. Otherwise they returned home uninjured. Jefferson lived at home until fifteen years old then commenced learning the trade of a carpenter, also wagon and carriage making ; and thereafter worked for Israel Lamb in Ogdensburg. After being thus occupied three years he spent one year in l'tica. still under instruction, but afterward was recog- nized as a full-fledged journeyman.

About 1861 Mr. Turner repairing to Michigan, was employed one year in a wagon shop. His op- erations were interrupted by the outbreak of the Rebellion and he enlisted in August, 1862, in the 1st Michigan Engineers, mostly composed of engi- neers and mechanics. He went with his regiment to Perryville, Ky., and participated in the first en- gagement with the enemy there, during which he had his clothes pierced by eleven bullets from the enemy's guns. Later he fought in some of the im- portant battles of the war, remaining in the service until the close and receiving his honorable dis- charge in May, 1865, in Washington, D. C. Being of robust health he was usually able to report for duty, having been but a short time ill in the hos- pital. In 1866, hc established a wagon shop in Hastings, which he conducted three years, then sell- ing out, he removed to Kansas in 1870.

Mr. Turner came to Kansas when a single man. but at Waterville met his fate in the person of Miss Christina Lawson, to whom he was married March 17, 1873. Mrs. Turner was born within forty miles of the city of Stockholm, Sweden, in 1855, and lived there until a girl of fifteen years. She then accompanied her parents to America, they seeking the West and settling at once at Water- ville, Kan. Mr. Lawson homesteaded land from which he constructed a good farm which he still occupies with his estimable wife. Mrs. Turner re- mained with her parents until her marriage, being trained to those habits of industry which fitted her to become the suitable partner of a good man's home. There were born to her and her husband two children-Edward J. and Elisha R. Mr. and Mrs. Turner are members of the Presbyterian

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Church in which Mr. Turner has been an Elder for some years. Politically, he is an uncompromis- ing Democrat. He has held some of the local of- fices, but is a modest man and usually prefers the quiet retreat of his own home to anything in public life.

C HARLES J. MILLS. Among the young men of Riley County, the gentleman above named deserves prominent mention. He is the agent and manager of Foster's Lumber Com- pany at Randolph, and is now serving as Clerk of Jackson Township, and he owns a valuable farm of 160 acres in Sherman Township. He is a shrewd business man, and of undoubted integrity and high moral character. The business which he is now managing is an extensive one, the stock being com- plete, and the business amounting to about $40,000 per year.

Mr. Mills was born June 25, 1857, near Hvet- land, Sweden, and reared to the age of twelve years on his father's farm in that country. In 1869 he accompanied his parents to America, their landing being made at Quebec, after a voyage of one month. The family went directly to Missouri, and settled in Sedalia, where the young lad found employment as office boy for Mr. Smith, a lawyer of that cit ;. After coming to this country, Mr. Mills had but one term of school, though previous to leaving his native land, he had enjoyed the privileges of the fine schools of that country. When thirteen years old, he came with his parents to this State, and spent the next two years in assisting to improve the farm in Pottawatomie County. He next spent a year in working out by the month on farms, fol- lowing which he came to this place and engaged as a clerk in a general store run by Messrs. Smith and Velet of St. Louis, Mo. Three years later, on ac- count of failing health, Mr. Mills returned to his father's homestead, where he again spent some time in rural life and the more healthful exercise of farm work. His next departure from home was to en- gage in stone masonry and carpenter work. The winter of 1878-79, was spent in Topeka. Kan., clerking. In 1882 he bought 160 acres of railroad land, paying $2.75 per acre, which farm he made

his home till March 1888, putting upon it such im- provements as are usually made by an enterprising farmer. At the date last mentioned he rented his rural home, and returning to this city became a clerk in Foster's lumber yard, and in January, 1889, became the manager of their large business. In addition to his valuable farm, Mr. Mills owns four lots in Randolph.

In Miss Lena Johnson, a native of Westrejotland, Sweden, Mr. Mills found the lady whom he de- sired for a companion and helpmate through life. and with ber he was united in marriage in Jackson Township, Jan. 10. 1882.

Mr. Mills is a stanch Republican, and has served as delegate in the county conventions of his party. He was Clerk of Jackson Township for four years, then Trustee for two years, and is now again serving as Clerk. He is an active member of the Lutheran Mission Church, being Clerk and Secretary in the Society, as well as Secretary of the Sunday-school.

The father of our subject bears the name of John, and was born in Smaland, Sweden, in September, 1829, being a son of Jonas D. Mills, native of the same country and a farmer there. John Mills learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade, begin- ning at the age of fifteen, and following it until he was twenty. Ile then enlisted in the Swedish standing army, in the Smaland Grenadiers, and worked his way to the rank of Corporal. He served from one to four months a year, and the balance of the time was engaged in contracting and building in the country near IIvetland where he resided. Having determined to come to the United States, he resigned from the army and received his honor- able discharge in March, 1868. In May, 1869, he came with his family to Quebec via Hull and Liver- pool, thence to Kansas City and Sedalia, where he began work on the railroad. He subsequently en- gaged in carpenter work in the same city. In the spring of 1870 he came to Kansas, and homestead- ing 160 acres in the Blue Valley, in Pottawatomie County, he improved and operated the farm till 1878. He then sold and changed his residence to this county, purchasing 160 acres of railroad land in Jackson Township. After having operated this estate for six years, be rented it and came to this city, where he engaged in contracting and build-

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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 69

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

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