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 80

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 80
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 80
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 80

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Mr. Emrich was reared to farm life, being the son of an Ohio agriculturist, Moses Emrich, a na- tive of the Buckeye State, where he is still living. The mother, Mary ( Wheeland) Emrich, was the daughter of George Wheeland, a Virginia planter, and of this union eight children were born. George W., a native of the Buckeye State, was born in Ross County, Feb. 21, 1838, and received a common school education, together with such practical train- ing as farmer's sons usually obtain. At the age of twenty-three he went to Clark County. Ill., and the war breaking out, he enlisted under the flag which is the symbol of American freedom and unity. His first 'enrollment was in the three months' service, but later he enlisted for three years. His name belonged to the muster-roll of Company D, First Artillery, but after going into camp at Springfield, the regiment was re-organized, and Mr. Emrich became a member of Company B, 2d Regiment. He participated in many battles, some of them heavy and bloody conflicts, being attached to the 16th Army Corps, which, under Gen. Dodge, occupied Corinth, Miss., as a part of the left wing of the Army of the Mississippi.

Mr. Emrich was Sergeant of the battery in his

first company, and in 1863, being detailed to assist in recruiting the Alabama company of scouts, was appointed First Lieutenant of that company, which was an excellent body of fighters. He was among the gallant 60.000 who accompanied Gen. Sherman toward the sea, and at Fayetteville, N. C., he was wounded and fell into the hands of the enemy. lle was sent to Wilmington, N. C., and the Rebels having no use for him then, was left in the hospital. where he rapidly improved. Becoming able to get about, Mr. Emrich took his departure for the North, without having asked any one's permission. He reached New York, thence went to Ohio, and rejoined his regiment as soon as he was able to again aet a soldier's part. The command was at Huntsville when he reached them, and he remained there until Oct. 20, 1865, when he was discharged and paid off.

On his return to civil life, Mr. Emrich went back to his former home in Ohio, where he remained until 1869, at which time he came to Kan- sas. He located in Clay County, taking a home- stead on section 12, Chapman Township, having first purchased a quarter section on which was a cabin. This gave him a place in which to live, and was the family home for two years. After having proved np on his homestead, he sold it, retaining ownership of the other 160 acres. He has bought 120 acres additional, and has the entire estate in an excellent state of cultivation. He has suffered some failures in crops, the worst having been in 1874-the grasshopper year. From 1885 until 1889 the crops were light, but they were very good this season. Mr. Emrich was more fortunate than some of the settlers in this county, having had a little means with which to begin improve- ments when he came here.

In the early part of the year 1866, George W. Emrich was united in marriage with Miss Eliza, daughter of Thomas Ray, a farmer and stock- dealer of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Emrich seven children have been born-Norah. Millie, Rose, Arthur, Ernest, Jane and Nellie. Mrs. Emrich is a lady of kindly, social nature, and an excellent housewife.

Mr. Emrich has served two terms as County Commissioner, and is now filling an unexpired

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term. He has held the office of School Commis- sioner several terms, has also been Township Treas- urer, and was the first Postmaster in the township. Of the social orders, he affiliates with the I. O. O. F., and belongs to the G. A. R., at Clay Center. Po- litically he is a Republican. Ile opposed the Pro- hibition Amendment when first brought before the State, but has now become friendly to it. He still suffers somewhat from the gunshot wound in his thigh, and receives a small pension on account of it. He is interested in every movement looking toward the advancement of the material and moral interests of the State and county, by whose citizens he is regarded with respect.

The handsome residence of Mr. Emrich will be found lithographed on another page of this volume.

W ILLIAM McNEIL, JR., owns and occupies a finely improved and well-stocked farm in Clay County, of which he has been a resident since 1873. The homestead is located on section 30, Bloom Township, and has been brought by its owner to a high state of fertility, and now bears all the necessary farm buildings, conveniently arranged, and substantially constructed. Mr. Me- Neil has been a hard working man, and has pros- pered in his efforts, and since he came to this State. has purchased seven quarter sections of land. He is making provision for his children. by giving each a farm.

The McNeil family is of old and honored Scotch lineage, the family home having been in Ayre- shire, Scotland. There the grandfather of our sub- ject, Robert MeNeil, was engaged in farming and mining for a number of years. He married Miss Barbara White of the same shire, and to them there were born three sons and one daughter, the eldest of whom, William, became the father of our sub- ject.

William McNeil, Sr., and his brother John, came to the I'nited States about the close of the War of 1812. and locating in Grand Isle County, Vt., lived there for many years. William McNeil, Sr., was a carpenter, and John, after having followed a sailor's life for a time, became a farmer, In Grand Isle

County, William MeNeil, Sr., married Miss Mar- garet Miller, a native of that county, in which her parents lived and died. Mrs. MeNeil was of a varied ancestry, having the blood of the Irish, Ger- man, and French nations in her veins. She de- parted this life in the county of her birth, in March, 1832, when her son, William, Jr .. the subject of this biography, was but two weeks old. She was in the prime of life, and left two children, our sub- ject and his brother Alex. to the care of her be- reaved husband.

About the year 1833, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Me- Neil came to America, and made their home in Vermont, where their two sons were living. Some months later, they, in company with their son John, his wife and four children; their son William, Sr., and his two sons, started for Illinois. About the time they reached Lake Erie, Alex McNeil, the brother of our subject, died, he being then a child of six years. While out on Lake Erie, the grand- mother died of cholera, and was buried in the lake. and a few hours later the wife of John McNeil died of the same dread disease; her body also being de- posited in a watery grave. The remainder of the family finally arrived in Cook County, Ill., where they remained for a few years, thenee removing to Randolph County. There a few years later, Robert McNeil died at the age of seventy-three years.

About the year 1847, William McNeil, Sr., took for his second wife Miss Rosa Mathews, of Ran- dolph County, Ill., and they made their home on a farm there. Mr. McNeil departed this life in 1871, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He was fairly successful in business, and was a man of prob- ity and many sterling qualities. In politics he was an Abolitionist, and in religion he was a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. His widow is yet living, making her home in the same county, and is now seventy-six years old. She also is a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church (Covenanters).

William McNeil, Jr., is the only living child of his father's family. He was reared under the pa- ternal roof in Randolph County, Ill., leaving it only for a home of his own after his marriage in 1854. Ile first settled on a farm in the same county, remaining there until the close of the late Rebel-

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lion, when he came with his family to Johnson County, Kan., taking up a claim on the Indian Re- servation. After making some improvements on his 160 acres there, Mr. McNeil sold out, and in 1873 came to this county as has been before stated. His prosperity since that time, and the large acre- age which he has purchased in this State, have been recorded above.

In Randolph County, Ill., Mr. MeNeil was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Crawford, a lady who possesses in a large degree the worth and abil- ity of the Scotch-Irish lineage from which she sprang. She was born in County Antrim, Ireland, her parents also being natives of that section, where they died. They were of Protestant faith, and members of the Presbyterian Church. Early in the year' 1848, Miss Crawford came to America with a kinsman who located in Randolph County, Ill., aud there she became of age and married.

The devoted wife of Mr. McNeil died at her her home in this township, Jan. 15, 1889, at the age of fifty-six years. She had been the mother of twelve children, two having preceded her to the tomb. The others have been carefully trained in the graces and virtues of trne manhood and woman- hood, and their intelligence and worth of character are a monument to the nobility of their mother's life. She was a member of the Reformed Presby- terian Church.

Of the family of Mr. McNeil, we note the follow- ing: Charles II. died when eighteen months old; and Renrick C. in 1886, at the age of twenty-three years, while still single; William J. is living on a farm in Five Creeks Township, Clay County; Rob. ert J. married Miss Maggie Young, and lives on a farm in Bloom Township; Thomas A. married Miss Lou Caruthers; their home is in the agricultural districts of Star Township, Cloud County; Charles G. who married Miss May Marshall, is farming in Colfax Township, Cloud County; Calvin T. is now in California; Martin L. is engaged in book-keep- ing in Johnson County ; Mary J. is at home, and is the female head of the household; Edward and David O. are at home, and assist in managing the farm; Joseph W. is also at home.

The religious membership of Mr. McNeil, is in the United Presbyterian Church, In politics he is

a Prohibitionist. Ile is a fine type of manhood. being thrifty. energetie, intelligent, and of unim- peachable moral character, for all which qualities he is well and favorably known, having many friends in the surrounding country. A handsome lithographie view is shown on another page, of Mr. McNeil's residence, which with its surroundings. stands as a monument to his thrift and industry.

AMES C. CONKRIGHT, a leading busi- ness man of Morganville, and one who has done much toward the upbuilding of the town, has occupied many positions of trust and responsibility and is looked upon by his fellow- citizens as one eminently deserving of their confi- dence and esteem. He was born in Casey County, Ky., Feb. 1,1828, and when about two years old was taken by his parents, Isaac and Elizabeth (Taylor) Conkright, to Scott County, Ill. A year later they removed to Pike County, that State. where James C. was reared to manhood on a farm which his father had preempted during the pioneer days and where both parents spent the remainder of their lives.

The subject of this sketch was first married in Pike County, Ill. to Miss Clarinda, daughter of John and Hannah Maee, who was born in Maine and was taken, by her parents, to Illinois when a mere child. Two daughters were born of this union, Elizabeth H., now the wife of James Spencer, of Jacksonville, Ill. ; and Mary J., Mrs. Charles H. Sanderson, of Custer County, Neb. Mrs. Clarinda Conkright departed this life in Pike County, Ill. on Feb. 25. 1862. She was a lady of many estimable qualities and belonged to the Universalist Church. Mr. Conkright for his second wife married Miss Luverbia Petty, who bore him seven children, namely : Clarinda, Frederick H., Josephine, Sarah Grace, John, James C. and Isaac S., the two latter twins; all are living.

Our subject came with his family to Neosha County, Kan., in 1869 and purchased ninety acres of land upon which he lived about five years. Then returning to Illinois he remained there until 1884, when he came back to Kansas and engaged as a

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hotel-keeper in Morganville, while at the same time he prosecuted farming. He was instrumental in having the city incorporated and was elected in 1885 as its first Mayor, serving two terms. He was a Police Judge likewise two terms, and is serving his second term as Justice of the Peace. Morganville from the time of his coming here was a mere hamlet and he has watched the building up of his adopted town with an interest only felt by an intelligent and public-spirited citizen. He occu- pies a high standing in the community, and socially, belongs to the A. F. & A. M., lodge No. 218, of New Salem, Ill.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was Isaac Conkright, a native of North Carolina, where he was married, and whence he removed to Ken- tucky when a young man. In due time he left the Blue Grass regions and established himself in Pike County, Ill., where he spent his last days. While a resident of Neosha County, Mr. Conkright served two terms as Justice of the Peace, and also while living in Pike County, Ill. served one term, and two terms in this, Clay County and Nov. 5. 1889 was elected Township Trustee.

C ALVIN B. PRITNER. Among the worthy citizens of Wild Cat Township, Riley County, Mr. Pritner occupies no secondary position. He is one of its most successful and prominent farmers -- a man pleasant and affable in his demeanor, and one who by his industry and perseverance has accumulated a competence. Hc has a well-developed farm embellished witli a stone residence, substantial outbuildings and the other appliances of the ideal country home.

The subject of this sketch was the youngest child of his parents, whose family consisted of seven children, three of whom are living. He was born in Pennsylvania, July 30. 1849. His father, Dr. .John T. Pritner, likewise a native of the Keystone State, was a practicing physician and a graduate of .lefferson College, Philadelphia. The latter mar- ried in early manhood Miss Lucinda Reynolds, a native of his own State and they lived there until the death of the mother, in 1859. Three years

later the family came to Kansas, the father taking up his abode with his son, Leslie R., who came to the Territory in 1858. The father purchased the land which Calvin B. now ocenpies, in 1864, putting up a house in which he and Calvin kept bachelor's hall for six years. Dr. Pritner departed this life in 1884.

Young Pritner spent his boyhood and youth after the manner of boys in a country town, at- tending the common school, and was thirteen years of age when his father emigrated to Kansas. He chose farming for his vocation and learned the art thoroughly as prosecuted on the frontier at a time when their neighbors were few and far between.

When a young man twenty-four years old he was married, Oct. 20, 1873, to Miss Julia, daughter of Jeptha and Margaret Ayars, of Wild Cat Town- ship. Mrs. Pritner was born July 4, 1856 in Grant County, Wis. Of her union with our sub- ject there were born four children, three of whom are living, viz: Camdon B., Mary L. and Milton; Josie died in infancy.

The Pritner homestead comprises 380 acres of well-improved land, 125 of which are under the plow. The present proprietor has expended $1,000 upon the dwelling alone. There are 150 fruit trees upon the place, thirty grape vines, seventy head of cattle, seventy-five head of swine and eleven lead of horses. Mr. Pritner is consider- ably interested in politics and votes the Democratic ticket. His father, Dr. Pritner, was prominent in the early settlement of Clarion, Pa. and was also no unimportant factor in the growth and develop- ment of Northern Kansas.

OLIN PIPHIER was born in Chester County, Pa., Aug. 26, 1811. His father, John Pipher, was probably born in the same county, as he was there reared and married. He learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed for some time. Removing to Cumberland County, lie rented a farm which he operated two or three years. He than removed to Ilarrisburg, at that time a place of about 8,000 inhabitants, and was there em- ployed at various kinds of work until his death,

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which occurred about the year 1831. The wife of John Pipher, Sr., was in her maidenhood Miss Mary Ludwig, and was also a native of the Key- stone State. She died in Harrisburg about the year 1844. She had borne nine children, seven of whom lived to maturity.

The gentleman of whom we write was the seventh child in the parental family. He was a lad of about eleven years when his father died, and he had to commence work as soon as he was large enough. He first found employment at stripping tobacco, earning sixty-two and a half cents per week, and boarding himself. When thirteen years old, he commenced to learn the trade of a tobacco- nist, serving three and a half years' apprenticeship. He continued to work at that trade in Philadel- phia and Harrisburg until his marriage. He then went to Pittsburg, where he followed the same occupation for three years, thence moving to New Lisbon, Ohio, where he carried on the business seven years. Ile next located in Cincinnati, where he remained until 1855. The business did not agree with his health and he resolved to come West and seek a home. Ile organized a company of 150, of which he was made President.

While they were making arrangements for their journey West, Mr. Pipher was invited by J. J. Davis to join him and others in formation of the Cin- cinnati and Kansas Land Company. The plan was for each member to pay $1,000 and come to Kan- sas and start a town to be named Manhattan. On the 26th of April, 1855, the company started with a steamer and traveled via the Ohio, Missouri and Mississippi rivers to the mouth of the Kansas River. The water in that stream was so low that the steamer could not proceed, and Mr. Pipher and two companions started with two horses and car- riage overland for Ft. Riley. They spent the night on the open prairie, a severe thunder shower adding to the discomfort of their situation. On arriving at the present site of Junction City, the party halted and there staked out a large town and commenced the survey.

In the meantime the water had risen in the Kan- sas River, and the steamer had proceeded up stream as far as the site of what is now known as Manhat- tan, where a town ealled Boston had been started.

As the steamer could get no farther, some of the people went overland to where Mr. Pipher and his comrades were at work laying out a town. They did not like to settle so far away from an avenue of communication with their friends in the East, and so they all returned to Boston. The proprie- tors of that place offered the Kansas Land Com- pany one-half of the town-site if they would stop there, and also agreed to adopt the name of the newly arrived company. Tbe Kansas Land Com- pany thus settled here, and from that time until the present, Judge Pipher has been a resident of Manhattan and identified with its best interests.

When the town was organized in 1855, Mr. Pipher was elected Mayor, and when the post-office was established he became the first Postmaster. At that time the mail route was from Leavenworth to Ft. Riley, passing four miles from here, and Mr. Pipher used to go out and intercept the tri- weekly mail-carrier. 1n 1856, the route was changed so as to pass through Manhattan. Mr. Pipher was chosen Justiee of the Peace by Gov. Reeder in 1855.

In 1857, there was an election to permanently locate the county seat of Riley County. At Ogden a large vote was cast, and the returns showed a majority in favor of that place. The Manhattan people were sure that there were many fraudulent votes east for Ogden, and searched for evidence which they presented to acting Governor Weleh. He would do nothing in the matter, and Judge Pipher, in his capacity as Justice of the Peace, con- vened court and summoned people from Ogden. sending the sheriff for one of the judges of elec- tion who failed to appear. Fifty or more illegal votes were proved to have been cast at Ogden, and the matter being placed before the Legislature, Manhattan was declared the county seat.

Judge Pipher was agent for the Kansas Land Company about a year after locating here. In Sep- tember, 1855, he returned East on business con- nected with the company. This was during the heat of the Free State and Pro-slavery troubles and on the boat were many Pro-slavery men. One of these was very pronounced in his denunciation of Free State men. He engaged our subjeet in con- versation one night, and the next day tried to do the same. After he had left the boat, Judge Pipher

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was informed by a Kentuckian, that the man had plotted with others to engage him in a controversy and take his life. The Judge was an ardent Free State man and always stood by his colors. Ile was one of the judges of election at the time the Lecomp- ton Constitution was adopted and cast his vote for the Wyandotte Constitution.

In 1856, Mr. Pipher was placed in charge of a a store here, while the proprietor was away. Li- qnors were sold in the establishment, and being a strong temperance man, Mr. Pipher objected. He soon engaged in business for himself and continued it for upwards of twenty years.

Judge Pipher joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in his youth and has ever been a devoted member. When on his way to Kansas he organized a Class of twenty-two members on the boat, and from that Class has grown the present church of Manhattan. He has been an earnest worker, both in the church and Sunday-school. In 1872, he was elected as alternate to the General Methodist Epis- copal Conference at Brooklyn, N. Y., and in 1876, as delegate to the General Conference at Baltimore, Md. He was delegate to the Kansas Conference in 1872, 1876, 1880, 1884 and 1888. He has been Trustee, Steward and Class-Leader sixty years. He joined the I. O. O. F. in Philadelphia before he was twenty-one, and affiliated with that order until February, 1888, when he withdrew.

Judge Pipher has been twice married. Ilis first matrimonial alliance was contracted in 1832, the bride being Eliza Crall, a native of Pennsyl- vania, and the ceremony being performed in Har- risburg. Mrs. Eliza Pipher died in 1852. She had borne her husband four children: William A and Mary A. died in their infancy ; John W., and Sallie now the wife of G. W. Brown ; both reside in Man- hattan. The second marriage of Mr. Pipher took place in 1853, the bride being Mrs. Nancy (Davis) Straub.

Judge Pipher is a Republican in politics. As will be seen from the above sketch, he has been for many years a prominent figure in the history of Manhattan. and one who has been very useful in advancing the welfare of this city. He has not only been connected with affairs in their political aspect, but has labored faithfully for the advance-

ment of morality and religion. In his beautiful home he can spend his declining years in the pleas- ing pleasing consciousness that his days have been well-spent, and that the world has been benefited by his life and example. He was elected Probate Judge three terms and Police Judge three times, since coming to Manhattan.

ILLIAM M. HAYES. The family of Hayes, of which this gentleman is a direct descendant, came to America on the "May - flower," in 1620. They were from England, and their descendants have been associated with the history of New England from the days of the Pil- grims. The grandfather of our subject was Ben- jamin Hayes, son of a man who lived and died in New Hampshire. He was himself engaged in the Revolutionary Army. He led a varied life, fol- lowing the occupations of farmer, merchant and school-teacher. For some time he sold goods over the country in the New England style. After having lived many years at Dover, N.H., he re- moved to Maine, where a son had previously gone. In Penobscot County he spent the remainder of his life, dying when eighty-eight years of age. In polities he was a Whig. During his later years he was a believer in the Universalist doctrine. He had married in New Hampshire Miss Elizabethi Hurd. She was born and reared in Dover. She aesompanied her husband to Maine, and died in Penobscot County when seventy-seven years of age. She was not a member of any church. They had a family of twelve children. James, the fa- ther of our subject, was the youngest but two.

James Hayes was born in Dover, N. HI., Aug. 12, 1799. There he lived until nearly of age. He learned the trade of a cabinet-maker under Mr. Wamly and Mr. Neil. When about twenty-one he left his native place and located in Penobseot County, Me., where be opened up a farm. There he lived for some years, caring for his parents from their arrival there until their death. He was mar- ried in Boston, Mass., to Phobe Nutting. She was born in Maine, and removed with her parents

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to Boston. After her marriage they returned with hier to the Pine Tree State. They settled on a farm in Somerset County, where they remained until their death at an advanced age. Mr. Aaron Nutting for some years followed a seafaring life. Both he and his wife were Baptists. Mrs. Nutting bore the maiden name of Chamberlain.

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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 80

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

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