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 71

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 71
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 71
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 71

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).

Capt. Lewis has been a Notary Publie nearly all his life, and in this county has held the position for ten years. Ile has been Police Judge for a year. In Ohio he was at one time candidate for Probate Judge in a Demoeratie district, but being on the Republican tieket was defeated. His first Presidential vote was cast for Gen. Fremont, and from that day he has been an earnest Republican. and has served as delegate to both county and State conventions. Capt. Lewis is Adjutant of Sergeant McCoy post, No. 210, G. A. R., at Ran- dolph. Ile is a charter member of the Methodist

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Episcopal Church in this eity, and is active in every good work, and every public enterprise which promises to enhance the welfare of the com- munity. His upright life, his brilliant talents, and his years of usefulness, entitle him to the respect of his fellow citizens. who do not fail to render it.

F6 REDERICK VONTUNGELN. Clay County is the home of many successful farmers, whose estates are not only valuable but at- tractive. One of the most elegant of these rural homes is that owned ' by the gentleman named above. It is situated on section 30, Mulberry Township, near the south bank of the Republican River, and comprises 301 broad acres. Nearly the entire acreage is under the plow, and the estate is well stocked and supplied with excellent buildings. The improvements have chiefly been made by Mr. Von Tungeln, who purchased from the original homesteader, John Taylor, in 1875.

The family from which our subject is descended is of ancient lineage, and had lived on an estate in Oldenburg from the year 1400 until a few years ago. The homestead comprised 120 acres, a large farm for that country, and was known as " Klein Waddewarden." It was sold for $34,500, and another property owned by the family was disposed of at the same time for $7,000. They were there- fore considered as quite well-to-do, and very thrifty. They represented the better element of their State, and were fine specimens of physical manhood. being large and rugged, with splendid forms. At least three generations of the name have lived and died on the old homestead. They include the father of our subjeet, Karl Von Tungein. and his father and grandfather, both of whom were named Iste Habben. The family for years back have been members of the Lutheran Church.

Karl Von Tungeln, the father of our subject, died at the age of fifty-two years, leaving a family of two sons and five daughters. His wife bore the maiden name of Gerken Toben. and came also of an old and highly respected German family. She departed this life in 1887, being about sixty-eight

years old. Of the parental family. our subject is the only one in the United States.

Frederick Von Tungeln was born in Waddewar- den, Oldenburg, Germany, on December 9, 1837, and is the oldest of the children born to his parents. He was well reared and received an excellent edu- cation in his native language and in French. He lost his father when fifteen years old. He was married in his native land, and continued to live there until after the birth of six children. He then with his family emigrated to America. They took passage on the "Leipsic," which sailed from Bremer- haven May 10th, 1871, and landed in Baltimore, Md., after an exceedingly pleasant voyage of fonr- teen days.

From Baltimore, Mr. Von Tangeln went to Chicago, and thence to Cass County, Iowa, arriving in the latter locality in June, 1871. He settled on a slightly improved farm, and there remained for two years. Thence, in 1873, he came to Kansas, purchasing a claim on a homestead in Bloom Town- ship, this county. Two years later he purchased and located on his present estate, of which he took possession Sept. 2, 1875.

The wife of Mr. Von Tungeln bore the maiden name of Henrietta Carls. She was born in the Kingdom of Hanover, now a part of the German Empire, on the 2d of July, 1839. Her parents, Harm and Catherina ( Wyens) Carls are now de- ceased. The father died in Hanover when quite advanced in years; and the mother, who survived him, departed this life in Oldenburg, she also being quite old. Both were members of the Lutheran Church.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Von Tungeln has re- sulted in the birth of ten children, two of whom have been removed from them by the hand of death. They were Henry and Karl, both of whom died young. Of the living, four are married, and residing in homes of their own. Antonia "is the wife of William Mittendorf, and lives on a farm in Union Township, this connty. Herman was mar- ried in Oldenburg to a lady of that State, Miss llelena Harms. They now live on a farm which they own in this township. Louis, who is a farmer in Hayes Township, married Miss Minnie Mellies. Elmer is a farmer of Five Creek Township. He

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married Miss Maggie E. Sehryver. August, Frieda, Adolph, and Louisa are still at home.

Mr. Von Tungeln belongs to the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 322, at Morganville; and to the A. O. U. W., No. 217, at the same place. Ile is in sym- pathy with the principles of the Democratic party, and supports them with his vote and influence. He is not only a progressive farmer and an educated man, but is possessed of the pleasant and refined manners of a well-bred gentleman. His wife is no less worthy of esteem and both have many friends in the community.

ACOB PIERCE. The home of this gentle- man, who is a successful agriculturist, is one among the many pleasant residences of which Riley County furnishes so many ex- amples. It is located on section 4 in the western part of Grant Township, the carefully cultivated and finely improved estate comprising 160 acres, and having been the home of its present owner since 1871. A view over the estate shows its owner to be skilled in the management of a farm, and a visit beneath the hospitable roof of the dwelling gives an equal estimate of the housewifely ability and good taste of the lady who is at the head of the household.

The eyes of Jacob Pierce first opened to the light, Sept. 6th, 1833, and his boyhood, youth and early manhood were passed in the Buckeye State. (For sketch of his parents and parental family see biography of Joseph Pierce). He was engaged in an agricultural life in Auglaize County until Au- gust 1862, when, feeling the needs of his country, he could no longer content himself in the peaceful walks of life and therefore enlisted in Company E, 118th Ohio Infantry, which formed a part of the 23rd Army Corps. Ile was in Knoxville during the siege of that city and during his army life faithfully discharged his duties. At the close of the war he was discharged at Washington City, June 30, 1865, and returned to Ohio. where he re- mained until the spring of 1869.

Early that season Mr. Pierce turned his face toward the West and arriving in Manhattan, March

23, settled on a preemption claim of eighty acres. seven miles east of his present home. Two years later he moved to the place which he now occupies, taking the land under the Homestead Act, and building on his first claim the second house in the "divide" between Manhattan and Clay Cen- ter.

Realizing that it was not "good for man to live alone," Mr. Pierce was married on April 11, 1861, to Miss Elmira, daughter of Richard and Agnes Merrill, the former of whom is now living in this township, at the age of seventy.eight years. Mrs. Merrill died in July, 1863, being then seventy- seven years old. Mrs. Pierce was born in Ilar- rison Township, Richland Co, Ohio, and is the sixth in a family of ten children.

The first born in the family of which Mrs. Pierce is a member, was her brother -- Nicholas -- who died in Richland County, Ohio, when sixteen years old. The next in the family is Mary A .. who is unmar- ried and lives with her father. Elizabeth is living in Paulding County, Ohio, and has four children. She is the widow of Samuel Pierce, who served in the same company with our subject, and was wounded at Reseca, Ga., from the effects of which he died. Jolin W. was a member of Company K., 8th Iowa Cavalry, and served until the elose of the war, receiving his discharge in August, 1865. Ilis left ear was deafened by the explosion of a shell close to his head. He came to Kansas in 1871 and now lives with the subject of this sketch. On March 6, 1866, he married Miss Annie Bolton, who died Jan. 14, 1875, leaving four children-Susan L., William, John and Anna. Of these the first born married Charles Mitchell, and departed this life when about twenty years old. The others are single and at home. The third sister of Mrs. Pierce is Jane, who married William Lambert and is now living in Ogden. Kan. Emma died in Michigan at the age of thirty-six, leaving four chil- dren, having been the wife of William Klinger. Harriet is the wife of William HI. Goldriek, and the mother of two children, the family home being in Berrien County, Mich. Demas and William P. are unmarried and live with their father.

Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are the parents of eight chil- dren, named respectively: Agnes J., Thomas E.,

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Mary M., Ida Belle, Annie E., William I., Laura M. and Forrest R. Agnes died when thirteen years old; Laura at the age of five years ; and Forrest R. when one year old. Mary married Wesley M. Enlow, who carries on a grocery store in Leonard- ville; they have one child. Ida Belle married C. E. Stice, and lives on a farm near that of her father; they have one child. The others are single and at home.

Mr. Pierce is a thorough going Republican, his first vote having been cast for Fremont in 1856, since which time he has ever stood by the party of his choice. lle belongs to the Sergeant Mercer Post, No. 194, G. A. R. at Leonardville. as does his brother-in-law Jolin W. Merrill. Ile is a mem- ber of the Church of God, and for his Christian character, his good citizenship, and his ability in his chosen occupation, he is held in high esteem by neighbors and acquaintances.

EONARD H. PATTERSON. There is probably not within the limits of Wild Cat Township, Riley County, a man more widely known than Mr. Patterson, who finds friends wher- ever he goes. Generous, open-hearted. well in- formed, and with a very retentive memory, from which he draws many an interesting anecdote, he is usually to be found the center of an admiring circle, to whom he can relate many a tale of life in the Wild West.

The subject of this sketch was born April 5, 1836, in Erie County, Pa., and was the eldest in a family of nine children, the offspring of William .J. and Eunice (Hardy) Patterson, both natives of New York State, and the former born in Jefferson County. The parents were married in 1835 and removed to Western Pennsylvania that same year. There the mother died in 1857. The father sur- vived his wife for a period of twenty-one years, spending his last days in Erie County, Pa., and passing away in 1878. Only three of the family are living, Leonard, Mary and Frelinghi.

Mr. Patterson spent his early years amid the quiet pursuits of farm life, obtaining his education in the common school, and when twenty-one years

old struck ont for himself. 1Ie worked on a farm in New York State one year and followed agricult- ure from that time on until 1860. That year he came to Kansas Territory, and for five years there- after was a citizen of Leavenworth, although serv- ing as a soldier in the Union army. In September. 1861, he enlisted in Company F. 6th Kansas Cav- alry, which regiment was employed chiefly in hunt- ing bushwhackers along the Kansas and Missouri frontier.

In 1863 the regiment of which Mr. Patterson was a member went into Indian Territory and res- cued the Northern sympathizers of the Cherokee Nation from their enemies, escorting them to Ft. Scott. Then they chased Gen. Price on what was known as " the Lone Jack Scout." Later they took part in the Gen. Blount campaign in Mis- souri and Arkansas. which closed with the battle at Prairie Grove, Ark. In the spring of 1863 the regiment was divided and Mr. Patterson was again in Missouri and Arkansas. In July the boys were re-united and the whole regiment sent to Ft. Gib- son. Thence in the fall they were ordered to Ft. Smith, around which they foraged until spring.

In 1864 the regiment went South to reinforce Gen. Banks. Mr. Patterson was then under Gen. Steele; and after Banks' retreat Steele went to Lit- tle Rock, Ark. Later the troops returned to Ft. Smith, where Mr. Patterson remained until the expiration of his term of service. Ile received his honorable discharge at Leavenworth, in November, 1864. After leaving the regular service he be- came wagon-master for a Government train from Leavenworth to Ft. Gibson, and was thus occupied six months. Afterward he took two droves of ponies to Ft. Larned and Mound City. Next he was engaged in freighting from Leavenworth to Ft. Laramie.

Returning now to his native State, Mr. Patterson arrived amid the scenes of his childhood Dec. 23. 1865. On the Ist of March following he was united in marriage with Miss Della, daughter of Arold Freeman, a farmer and an early settler in that region, having located there in 1816. Mrs. Patterson was one of a family of nine children, and was born Dec. 18. 1834, in Crawford County, Pa. Both she and her husband are members of the

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Universalist Church. Mr. Patterson votes the straight Republican ticket, and for the past nine years has been a member of the School Board of District No. 6. Ile has also officiated as Road Overseer. Socially he belongs to Lew Gove Post, No. 100, G. A. R. His landed possessions comprise 700 broad aeres, thoroughly improved and largely devoted to stock-raising, Mr. Patterson shipping from five to ten carloads annually.

AMES J. LAW. During the early settle- ment of Sherman Township, Clay County, there emigrated to it a young man of twenty years, landing here in November, 1865, with a capital of seventy-five cents in his pocket. He had already seen considerable of the world and experienced the vicissitudes of life in two armies and his determination now was to cast his lot with the people of the young State of Kansas, and if pos- sible acquire for himself a home and a competence. The task before him was no small one, but he possessed the courage and resolution of which suc- cessful men are made and he set about this self ap- pointed work in the best manner which then offered. For four years thereafter he worked as a farm la- borer and then in March, 1869, homesteaded 160 aeres of land where he now lives. He labored early and late the first few years in cultivating the soil, ereeting buildings and bringing about the im- provements naturally suggested to the intelligent and enterprising man. We now find him, James J. Law-the owner of a good farm and surrounded by all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. In addition to this he is a highly respected citizen and one who has been valuable to his com- munity.

A native of Gibson County, Tenn., Mr. Law was born June 8, 1845, and there spent the years of his childhood and youth on bis father's farm. The latter, Lemuel Il. Law, was likewise a native of Tennessee, where he was reared and married to Miss Mary, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Coppage) Thomas. This lady was born in North Carolina, and removed to Tennessee with her par- ents in her girlhood. 'The latter reared their

family of five children in Tennessee and died there. When James .J. Law was sixteen years old and still pursuing his studies in the district school, a com- pany was organized, chiefly of school boys, and at its head was William Thomas. his uncle, who officiated as a recruiting officer. He persuaded young Law to enlist in Company E, 31 st Tennessee Cavalry, and he served, with other schoolmates, for about two and one-half years and until Sher- man made his raid through Georgia. Young Law during this time had his seruples about serving with the enemies of his country, and escaping from the Confederate ranks joined the Union army and was taken as a loyal prisoner to Chicago, and as an applicant for the oath of allegiance to the United States Government. As soon as the oath was ad- ministered he enlisted as a Union soldier in Com- pany H, 5th United States Infantry, and served on the frontier in the States of Colorado and Texas, for about eight months, when his services were no longer needed. He then received his honorable discharge and turned his steps toward the State of Kansas, of which he has since been a resident.

On the 22d of October, 1866, Mr. Law, esteem- ing it not good for even a young man to be alone, took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Ly- dia E., daughter of Hiram and Sarah E. (Lakin) Cooper. The young people did not receive any costly wedding presents nor take an extended tour, but soon after their marriage commenced house- keeping in a log cabin, with a dirt roof and the same material for a floor. Later Mr. Law put up an addition to his dwelling, which he covered with a roof of shingles and which was considered quite a pretentious structure for those times. The little family occupied this until the present comfortable dwelling was built. In the meantime Mr. Law proceeded with the improvement of his property, planting forest and fruit trees and erecting by de- grees the necessary buildings. He now has an apple orchard of 150 trees in good bearing con- dition, besides other trees, also stable, granary and corn-cribs. His land is mostly in a productive condition and devoted to general farming and stock raising.

The six children born to our subject and his estimable wife were named respectively, William

RESIDENCE OF JAMES M. MAXWELL, SEC.18. LINCOLN TP, WASHINGTON CO. KANS.

FARM RESIDENCE OF JOHN RITSON.SEC.31. COLEMAN TP. WASHINGTON CO. KANS.

RESIDENCE OF JAMES BROWN, SEC. 32, BARNES TP, WASHINGTON CO. KANS.

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F., Hiram L., Charles W. and Perry J., Mary E. and Frances E. The two latter died while young. Mr. and Mrs. Law have been connected with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church for about twenty-three years. Mr. Law has been recognized as one of the pillars, serving as Class-Leader and Steward and contribut- ing a liberal support. He is identified with the A. F. & A. M., being a member of Clifton Lodge. No. 122. In politics, he is a sound Republican. His honored father, although a resident of Tennessee, was a member of the old Whig party.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was Jesse Law, who served as a soldier in the War of 1812 and subsequently located in Smith County, Tenn., where he reared his family and died. He was for some years a pensioner. His father had served in the Indian War in Florida. Back another generation, we find John Law, a native of Scotland, who emigrated to America with his brothers, William and Henry, prior to the Revolutionary War and located in Virginia where they were all married, reared families and died. Their descend- ants are scattered throughout nearly every State in the Union. On his mother's side the grandparents of our subject were natives of North Carolina. and spent their last days in Tennessee. An interesting fact in connection with the history of Mr. and Mrs. Law is, that they were the first couple married in C'lay County, Kan., after its organization.

W ILLIAM TAYLOR. This gentleman is an honored citizen of foreign birth who, while proud of his lineage and his ancestral home, is yet devoted to the interests and welfare of the land of his adoption. lle was born in Tibber- ton Grange, England, June 27, 1839, and reared to an agricultural life. He grew to manhood on the parental estate, and at the age of twenty-one made a voyage from his native land around Cape Horn to California. IIe remained on the western coast of North America for several years, being engaged for a time as a coast sailor, subsequently spending some time in British Columbia, and at various per- iods being at Ft. Madison, Ft. Gamboll and at Seattle, visiting the latter place when it was but a

small village. He owned and worked in mines at Caribon for a time. In the year 1868 he was on the I'nited States gun boat "Saginaw," and sailed to Victoria and also into the Alaska waters. Dur- ing the voyage he received an injury, and on returning to San Francisco he was sent to the hos- pital on Mars Island.

When discharged from the hospital. in 1869, Mr. Taylor returned to England by way of the isthmus. Being the oldest son he was entitled to the estate at his father's death, but he preferred to live in this country, and after a short sojourn in his native land he returned to America. Before leaving England he was married, and he and his wife started for Junction City, where they arrived in October, 1871.

Mr. Taylor homesteaded eighty acres of land in Athelstane Township, Clay County, and at once began improving the same. He first built a dug- out, in which they lived one winter, and he then built a small frame house. There were no houses to be seen from his home, and but little breaking had been done in the vicinity, where Texas cattle roamed at their own will. Mr. Taylor had money and friends in the Old Country, who would help him if he needed assistance and called upon them. He had about sixty acres of his homestead broken, and beginning operations as a farmer, in 1872 and 1873, he raised corn and other erops. In the grass- hopper year, 1874, he had a good wheat crop but no corn. From that time to 1885, all his grain yielded well, after which came another lighter yield. This year. 1889, all the crops have been abundant.

Mr. Taylor's present estate comprises 330 acres, 172 of which are bottom land, which is much better adapted to agricultural purposes than the uplands of this section. One of the most prominent features of the fine estate is a blue grass pasture of about eighteen acres, which is proving a great success for late use. Mr. Taylor has seen the country around him settle np, with villages and towns becoming numerous throughout the country, and is now en- joying the fruits of his pioneer industry and toil. and the prosperity of the land which he has made his own.

William Taylor, Sr., the father of our subjeet. belonged to the landed gentry of England. Ile

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married Miss Eliza M., daughter of Thomas JJones, also an agriculturist there. To this union ten chil- dren were born. bearing the names of: Sarah, Will- iam, Jr., Eliza M., Catherine A., Albert, Walter. Thomas. Emily, Ellen and George. The wife and mother passed from earth in 1855, and the father subsequently married Miss Mary Williams, a former governess in the house. This union resulted in the birth of one child, Frederick William, and both mother and child are now deceased. William Tay- lor, Sr., departed this life in 1858. One of his sons formerly lived in this country, and died in Kansas City, Mo.

The gentleman of whom we write, celebrated his marriage in 1871, in his native country, the bride being Miss Louisa J., daughter of Thomas Wood, who lived and died in England. Mrs. Taylor has two sisters living in this State. She and her hus- band are chikIless.

Mr. Taylor belongs to the Democratic party, and takes the side of the opposition on the question which has been so prominently before the Kansas citizens during the last few years-the question of Prohibition. He and his wife were reared in the faith of the Episcopal Church, in which they hold membership. Ile is an honored citizen of Clay County, and his wife shares in the respect and friendship of those among whom they have made their home.

ULIUS C. VAN EVEREN is the owner and occupant of a pleasant home situated just south of the Agricultural College grounds at Manhattan, Riley County, the four acres which comprise it being devoted to the culture of fruit. The principal part of the estate is a vineyard, and early grapes are shipped by Mr. Van Everen as far west as Denver, Col. The owner of this pleasant home has been a resident of Kansas for nearly a score of years and identified with the interests of this county.

Mr. Van Everen was born in Washington County, N. Y., July 3. 1845, and when quite small his par- ents removed to Chicago, Ill., where they remained until 1856, and whence they removed to Batavia,

Kane County, Ill. After remaining about seven years in the latter place they returned to the Em- pire State, making their home in Hudson, where his father subsequently died. In 1868, the subject of this sketch returned to Illinois where he sojourned a year only, returning again to his native State, where he turned his excellent and beantiful penmanship to aecount, teaching that art in a private school until 1871. Coming to Kansas at that date he chose Grant Township, this county, as his location, and purchased a farm of 146 acres lying eight miles up the Blue. After having oper- ated this farm for ten years, le removed to the place where he now lives and where he has since devoted his time to horticulture.

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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 71

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

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