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 78

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 78
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 78
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 78

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 gentleman of whom we write was born near Christianshamn, Sweden, June 24, 1859, and brought up on his father's farm. The schools of that section were excellent and after having passed through the lower departments he entered the High School, where he was still in attendance when his parents determined to come to America, he being then but eleven years old. They left Gottenberg and reached New York, via Hull and Liverpool. Mr. Peterson attended the Titusville schools until sixteen years old, when he entered Meadville University for one year, and learned telegraphy. At the age of seven- teen he took charge of a station on the Pipe Line. near Titusville, and continued there for nine months, when he went into the commercial depart- ment of the Titusville Associated Press. He re- mained in that business until the fall of 1876, when he came to Randolph and engaged in clerking. In 1885, he began a real estate and insurance busi- ness, and soon after founded the Bank of Randolph, which he conducted until April, 1887, when he sold to J. A. Johnson & Co. He then established the Farmer's Bank of East Randolph, and the store in partnership with his father-in-law under the firm name of S. P. Johnson & Co. They have erected the buildings in which they carry on their business. and are prospering in their enterprise.

In Randolph on New Year's Day, 1885, the rites of wedlock were celebrated between Mr. Peterson and Miss Mary A. Johnson. The bride was born

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in Butler County; this State, and is a lady of edu- cation and accomplishments. She has attended the State Agricultural College at Manhattan, and has taught musie, in which she is proficient. Her ! union with our subject has been blessed by the birth of three children: Gertrude, Leonora, and an infant named Florence B.

The father of Mrs. Peterson is S. P. Johnson, senior member of the firm mentioned at the begin- ning of this sketch, and who was born in Kalmars- Lan, Sweden, Aug. 17, 1837. He is a son of Nels Johnson, who was born in the same place and was engaged in farming in his native land until 1854, when both father and son came to America. On becoming a resident of the United States, Mr. Johnson located in Marshall County, Ill., where he was occupied in tilling the soil until 1858. At that date he came to Kansas, making the journey by ox-team, and located in Butler County, among the Indians and border ruffians. His father accompan- ied him and spent his last days in this State.

In the fall of 1861, Mr. Johnson entered the service of the United States Government, being a member of "Jim Lane's Band " for six months. In the spring of 1864 he came to this county and lo- cated on the Big Blue, where he still lives. IIe started with 163 acres of raw land, and has been financially successful, being now the owner of 700 acres of improved land, which he superintends, and an interest in the buildings and business before mentioned. He laid out and named the town of East Randolph. In politics he is a Republican. In Butler County he served as County Commis- sioner in 1863-64.

The mother of Mrs. Peterson was in her maiden - hood Miss Mary E. Thomas. She was born in Lawrence County, Ind., Jan. 4, 1838, and is a daughter of Hendrickson Thomas, who was born in North Carolina. As early as 1826, Mr. Thomas entered land in Lawrence County, Ind., and en- gaged in tilling the soil. In 1848 he went to Buchanan County, Mo., farming there until 1855, when he removed to Kansas. Ilis death occurred in Butler County in 1876. The mother of Mrs. Peterson was but five years old when she came to Missouri, and coming to this State while in her teens, she well remembers the Border Ruffian days.

Her union with S. P. Johnson resulted in the birth of six children, Mrs. Peterson being the oldest. The others are still at home. They bear the names of Margaret, Ellen, John, Alice, and LeRoy.

Mr. Peterson has been Township Clerk for six years and is now serving his fifth year as Notary Public, having been appointed by Gov. Martin. Ile belongs to the I. O. O. F. at Randolph, to the Farmers' Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of the same place, and to the Randolph Lodge, K. of P., of which he is Trustee. He is an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and has been dele- gate to county and State conventions.

OIIN D. SWEET. This gentleman is an in- fluential and well-known resident of Grant Township, Riley County, having been en- gaged in business at Stockdale for some years past, and being the owner of valuable outly- ing land as well as village property. He is engaged in the mercantile business, owning and occupying a fine two-story stone store building, 24x60 feet, which was erected at a cost of $3,000 and in which a stock of general merchandise amounting to $4,000 is kept.

Mr. Sweet was born in Brown County, Ohio. March 4, 1847, and is a son of Andrew and Eliza- beth (Monday) Sweet. The latter was a native of Ohio and the former of Kentucky, his occupation being that of a farmer. The parental family com- prised ten children, our subject being the sixth in order of birth. Grace is the widow of Dorwin Deloss Moorhead, an educator and farmer ; her home is in Idaho and she has six children. Benja- min is a farmer whose home is at Curryville, Pike Co, Mo., he married Martha Sweet, and they have three living children; during the late war he served in the 27th Ohio Infantry. Ann married Erastus Ireton, a blacksmith; she died in Ohio; she left three sons. May was the wife of William Brower, a blacksmith, who is now living in Nebraska City ; she died in Kelseyville, Cal., leaving six chil- dren. James married Lecta Presley and their home is in Flora, Ill .; he served in the 27th Ohio Infantry, and is now a commercial traveler. Susan- nah married J. E. H. Day, of Brown County, Ohio,

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and is the mother of four children; her husband is also an old soldier. William is unmarried and is engaged in ranehing in Idaho. Ezekiel is also a ranchman in the same territory but is married. Charles Vernon is unmarried and lives in Idaho with his brother William.

John D. Sweet was reared on a farm and received a common sehool education. When but sixteen years of age he enlisted in Company F, 38th Ohio Infantry, serving as a private in the Western Army and participating in several heavy engagements and numerous minor skirmishes, entering into the duties of a soldier's life with the enthusiasm of the youth and the patriotism of a man. He was discharged at Cleveland July 12, 1865, and being ill with typhoid fever at the time, was left at a private house, having the expense of his illness to defray.

As soon after his discharge as he was able to do so, Mr. Sweet returned to his home, and soon after went to learn the trade of a blacksmith with his brother-in-law. Erastus Ireton, working under him eighteen months, and then setting ont for the West. Reaching Kansas in 1868, he worked on a farm for his board until fall, going to Preseott, Linn County. where he finished learning his trade under his brother-in-law, William Brower, whom he soon bought out, carrying on the shop himself for over ten years. Selling out at that time, he changed his location to Bowling Green, Pike Co., Mo., and ran a shop there for some months, when he again changed his residenee, this time making settlement in this county.

Engaging at his trade in Stockdale, he earried on a shop for about four years and then sold. He had previously purchased a building which was oeeupied as a store, and rented the room to Mr. Sumner, who was eonducting a general merehan- dise establishment therein. Mr. Sweet bought his stoek about the year 1880, and starting in business with about $130 worth of groceries. has built up a good trade and now carries a well assorted stoek of general merchandise, valued at several thousand dollars. Mrs. Sweet having received nearly $3.000 a few years since from her parent's estate, has been enabled to assist her husband with funds for the more rapid inerease in his facilities and possessions.

The fine stone building in which Mr. Sweet now

carries on his business has been built by himself. and he contemplates the erection of a modern resi- denee in the near future. In addition to the store and residenee in Stockdale, he owns two other houses therein and 183 aeres of valuable land one mile distant, the same lying on the Blue River. Mr. Sweet has displayed shrewdness and good judgment in the conduct of his business affairs, and is yearly adding to his store of this world's goods. With a fair education in his early years, he has, in the school of practical experience, learned muel that is not to be found on the curriculum of the schools, and which is necessary to the success of a business man and a citizen. His intelligence, en- terprise, and good principles redound to liis eredit among the citizens of the county and elsewhere where he is known.

Mrs. Sweet, whose ability in the conduet of her household affairs and whose good counsel and en- conragement have been a valned assistance to her husband, bore the maiden name of Laura C. Cham- bers. She is the youngest daughter of Enoch and Mary (Moore) Chambers, and is a native of Butler County, Ohio. The rites of wedlock were eele- brated between Mr. and Mrs. Sweet, Sept. 26, 1872, and six children cluster about their hearthstone. The interesting family bear the names of Charles, Fred, Lney, Nellie, Ernst, and Howard C.

Mr. Sweet has held the office of Postmaster in Stockdale for the past eleven years. In politics he is a firm Republican. He is a Second Adventist, while his wife belongs to the Methodist Church, and both are esteemed as worthy members of their respective denominations.

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C HRIS E. WORRE. The adage that "truth is stranger than fietion." has been scores of times verified during the early settlement of Kansas, when its pioneers took upon themselves a task of more than ordinary magnitude. They were, almost without exception, men who came to stay-not adventurers expecting to reap spoils from the misfortunes of others. The courage and resolution with which they pursued their purpose is really a matter of amazement, when we

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come to look upon it in all its bearings. Ameri- cans, Germans, Swedes and Norwegians alike cast their lot on the frontier, and like brothers assisted each other in the common struggle. The subject of this sketch was one of those hardy spirits, and before proceeding with the story of his experiences on the Kansas frontier, we will go back across the At- lantic, and note the origin whence he sprang.

In Norway, March 13, 1847, Chris E. Worre was born and lived there until a lad of fourteen years. Norway, like Germany, compels her chil- dren to be educated, and young Worre formed no exception to the demand. He attended the com- mon school until the age designated, and then, being of a roving and adventurous disposition, en . gaged as cook on an ocean vessel, and followed the sea in that capacity for over five years. This gave him an admirable opportunity of seeing the world, during which time he visited England, Ireland, Scotland, Holland, France. Spain, Portugal, Ger- many and other European countries. Finally he sailed for America, putting in safely at New York harbor from one of the first steamships which crossed the Atlantic.

Leaving the metropolis, Mr. Worre came directly Westward and halted at Pontiac, Ill., where he en- gaged as a farm laborer by the month. Then owing to a little difficulty about the poll tax, which he neither understood or appreciated, he left the country in company with some friends, journeying Westward in a wagon to Iowa. There he located in Adams County, and worked one month for $16, which he spent in replenishing his wardrobe. Then in company with a Mr. DeWitt, who offered to take him to Kansas if he would go, he came to Washing- ton County with a party consisting of three persons with a team, Mrs. DeWitt being left at the hotel in Marysville. They camped near the present site of Strawberry Post-office, then went into Osborn County, where some boys asked them why they did not take up a homestead. They had under- stood that the land was all taken up, and the par- ents of the boys said there was no land left. Not being satisfied with this answer, the party made further inquiries, and gathered from Mr. William Totten, who occupied the homestead where he now lives. that there was still land at the command of

the homesteader. Mr. Totten extended to the party good cheer and hospitality, and they re- mained with him several days, in the meantime each one procuring what he desired and which he occupies to this day.

The following summer Mr. Worre, being practi- cally without money, set out in company with .Jim Odgers on foot to St. Joseph, Mo., in the hope of getting work. The pair had $1 between them, and arrived at their destination not quite starved. They stayed there until in the fall, then returned in somewhat better condition, financially, and Mr. Worre hired five acres of breaking done, for which he paid $5 per acre. IIe embarked on a similar expedition the next summer to the same place, and returned as before in the fall. In this and other ways he in due time fenced his land, and brought the soil to a productive condition. Later he erected the necessary buildings, and planted apple, peach, plum and Siberian crab trees, beside grape, blackberry and strawberry vines. He also added eighty acres to his original purchase, and has now 150 acres under the plow, with fully an acre of forest trees, likewise planted by his own hand.

The Worre family lived in a dugout for a num- ber of years, then put up a board shanty, and just as they had moved into it a prairie fire swept this region, destroying the dwelling and all its contents. Mr. Worre, however, had put up a good log house for a tenant who had his farm a number of years, and into this he removed with his family and oc- cupied it some time after his marriage to his pres- ent wife. This event occurred in November, 1883, with Mrs. DeWitt, who was then living in the log house. In 1886 Mr. Worre put up on the other place the dwelling which he now occupies, and that same year moved it to its present location. He had contracted with a party to effect the remo- vał for the consideration of $22.50. The man, however, failed to carry out his agreement, and Mr. Worre, with the assistance of his neighbors and a keg of beer, effected the removal in half a day, with nobody hurt and "lots of fun" besides.

In addition to that which Mr. Worre had already accomplished he, in 1885, repaired to Livingston County, Ill., on a visit to his brother, and in the

Regin Same.

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same year sailed for the Old Country on the steamer "Oregon." Ile was absent four months, and dur- ing that time his wife was on a visit to Eastern friends in Wisconsin. Mrs. Worre is the daughter of John Odgers, one of the pioneer settlers of the Badger State. Of her union with our subject there have been born two daughters-Clara Celia and Nettie May. Mr. Worre meddles very little with political affairs, but has his views upon various questions and votes the Union Labor Ticket.

The parents of our subject were Ola and Bertha (Alexander) Worre, likewise natives of Norway, and now living in that country.

EZIN IAMS. The following simple state- ment will perhaps give the reader a more correct idea than anything else of the gen- eral character and makeup of Mr. Iams who is well known throughout Clay County. He has, himself, put under cultivation over 1,000 acres of prairie land in Clay County, Kan., and has built eight or ten houses, doing much of the work him- self and has likewise located as many as fifty fam- ilies in this county. He thus may be truly called one of the pioneer father's of this section and no man has done more to develop the best resources of the county and further its material interests. Clay Center has also been the object of his fostering care, as here he has disbursed his capital and been closely identified with its growth and prosperity. He is a man of keen foresight, and enthusiastic in regard to the future of Clay County and Northern Kansas in general. He is possessed of more than ordinary ability, energy and perseverance, and be- ing yet in the prime of life, still better things are expected of him than even any he has yet performed. He has for the last ten years been interested in real estate to which he still gives his elose attention.

A native of Greene County, Pa .. the subject of this notice was born Jan. 27, 1850, and three months later was taken by his parents to Noble County, Ohio. His father, Isaac lams, died there two years later and the mother died Nov. 3, 1865. when Re- zin was a youth of fifteen years. Isaac Iams was

likewise a native of Greene County, Pa., and born in 1810. He lived there until reaching man's estate and was then married in 1832 to Miss Elizabeth Williams, who was born and reared in Washington County, Pa., and came of a good family. Her brothers became distinguished lawyers and scien- tists. Robert E. Williams, one of these, is now a resident of Bloomington, Ill., and has amassed a fortune. Richard died in the city of Pekin, Ill., about 1873, and Abraham died in Marion County. Kan.

From a boy the father of our subject was a stock dealer, sending large numbers of cattle from the Northwest to Baltimore, Fredericksburg, and other Eastern markets. In the early times he frequently drove cattle from Indiana and Illinois to New York City. He enjoyed a large acquaintance, doing busi- ness with numbers of men in several States. He was the father of ten children, three of whom died in childhood. At his decease he left a family of seven children, three sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to mature years; Elinor Jane be- came the wife of H. P. Smith, of Spring Hill, Kan .; Rebecca married Nimrod Young, of Green, Kan .; Isaac is a prominent farmer near that place; Sarah ( Mrs. Wilson) died in Arkansas; Martha A. is un- married, and lives in Green, Clay Co., Kan; Rezin, our subject, was next to the youngest; Richard died when twenty-one years old.

Although Isaac Jams, Sr., was a prominent and wealthy man, his large property at his death being left in the care of a guardian was, through mis- management, lost to its rightful heirs, and Rezin when starting out in life found himself dependent upon his own resources. The old homestead farm in Ohio was sold. He attended school at Carlisle, Ohio, during his younger years, then at Bloom- ington, Ill., and later completed his studies in Ohio. He occupied himself as a teacher one term. and in 1871 came to Clay County, Kan., with his brother, Isaac, and settled near Faney Creek, in what is now Highland Township, and engaged in stock raising. The brothers each took up a quarter section of land which they own to-day. Rezin took possession of his property and effected improve- ments as rapidly as possible, drawing his lumber with an ox team from Waterville, twenty-eight

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miles, the nearest railroad point at that time. The brothers built their own houses, Isaac's being a frame structure and Rezin's built of stone. The latter is still standing in good condition and is now used as a tenant house. Our subject set out orchi- ards and groves, brought his land to a good state of cultivation and lived upon it eight years. His industry and frugality bore their legitimate fruits and in due time he found himself on the high road to prosperity. He invested his surplus capital in additional land until he became the owner of 1,200 acres in Clay County. This has all been brought to a good state of cultivation. Mr. Iams also has land farther West.

In 1879 Mr. Iams leaving the farm, moved into Clay Center and engaged in the real estate and loan business. and in the meantime while doing business there he purchased three business blocks. He also has a goodly number of lots and some residence property. He was one of the pioneer dealers in real estate and assisted many people in establishing homes.

Miss Martha MeLaughlin, of Clay Center, became the wife of our subject Dee. 24, 1884. This lady was born at IIomer, LaSalle Co., Ill., Dec. 26, 1866 and was taken by her parents when a child to Men- dota, Ill., whenee they came to Kansas when she was nine years old. Her father, William McLaughlin, is living on a farm in Clay Township. The mother, Sarah (Edwards) MeLanghlin is deceased. At this writing there have been born two children, one of whom, Alma Irene, died at the age of twenty-two months. The survivor, a son. Rezin Howard, was born September 1st, 1887.

Among the brotherhood societies, Mr. Iams has for years been a prominent light and is at present on one of the most important committees of the Grand Lodge of Kansas, Knights of Pythias, also ranking as Major on the Commander's staff of Pa- triarchs Militant. He is Past Chief Patriarch of the Encampment, Past Grand of I. O. O. F., and a member of the Uniformed rank, K. of P .; also is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He possesses . superior gifts as an orator, having a fine command of language and a thorough knowledge of the writ- ings of many of the standard poets, his favorite being Robert Burns, from whom he quotes verse

after verse, being able to adapt these lines to the subjeet inatter in hand in an admirable manner.

Politically, Mr. Iams votes with the Republican party but cares little for the honors of office, pre- ferring to give liis attention to his business matters. He is a member and steward of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he contributes a liberal support. A self-made man in the best sense of the term, his eareer has been marked by sterling integ- rity and ability of a high order. The best traits of his character are but the reflection of those which distinguished his mother, who was a lady of more than ordinary intelligence and a noble Christian woman. We invite the attention of our readers to an elegant portrait of Mr. Iams on another page of this volume.

ON. ROBERT B. SPILMAN, Judge of the 21st Judicial District of Kansas and one of the most eminent members of the bar in this part of the West, is one of the leading citizens of Manhattan, with whose public life he has been intimately connected in the past through holding some of its highest civic offices, and no one is held in greater respect and honor than he. He is a distinguished veteran of the late war, in which he won a noble military record both as a brave and fearless private in the ranks, and as a gallant and efficient officer when promoted to the leadership of men. His career in civic life has been no less honorable since he came to Kansas a year or two after the close of the war when the State was in its infancy, and it is to such men of large brain and great force of character that this commonwealth is indebted for the stability of its institutions, its good government, and its grand position among its sister States in the Union.

Mr. Spilman was born in Parke County, Ind .. Aug. 17, 1840. His father, William Spilman, was born in Barren County, Ky., in 1803 in pioneer times, his father, a native of Virginia, having been an early settler of that region, and dying there in 1815~ The father of our subject was twelve years old when his father departed this life, and he con- tinued to live with his mother, and was married in his native State. About 1830, he too became a

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pioneer, starting from his early home with teams to carry his household effects, and accompanied by his wife and two children, he crossed the Ohio River and penetrated the wilds of Indiana many miles till at last he arrived at his destination far in the inte- rior of Parke County, of which he became an early settler. He took up a tract of land in the prime- val forests three miles from Rockville, the county seat. His first work was to build a log cabin to shelter his family, which he afterwards replaced by a hewed log house, which was the birth place of our subject. He cleared a part of his land, and lived on it till 1850, when he removed to Crawfordsville, and bought a home and eight acres of land, and en- gaged in farming there till his death in 1876. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Dorcas Garrison She was born in Barren County, Ky., a daughter of one of its pioneer families, and she died in her home in Crawfordsville in 1879. There were five children born to her and her hus- band, as follows: Mary E., the wife of Perry Goss, of Grundy County, Ill .; James F., deceased; Mar- cus l., now living in Crawfordsville, Ind .; William E .. deceased, and our subject.

The latter was the youngest of the family. He obtained the basis of a sound education in the pioneer schools of Parke County, the first one being taught in a log school house, and conducted o the subscription plan. After the removal of his parents to Crawfordsville, he attended school there, and at the youthful age of fourteen years he en- tered the preparatory department of Wabash Col- lege, at Crawfordsville. He was graduated with honors from college in the class of 1861, and in the fall of that year he commenced the study of law, teaching a term of school the following winter at Sugar Grove, near Crawfordsville, in Tippecanoe County. In August, 1862, he laid aside all per- sonal aims and ambitions, and in the opening years af a promising young manhood went forth to battle for his country and, if need be, to die for the honor of the old flag, enlisting in Co. K, 86th In- diana Infantry, and doing valiant service from that time till after the cessation of hostilities. Dur- ing all those weary years of hardship, privation and sacrifice he continued with his regiment, engag- ing with it in every battle that it took a part, and

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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 78

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

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