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 82

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 82
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 82
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 82

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A view of the Quinn homestead assists in embel- lishing another page of this volume.

TEPHEN WILSON. One of the most com- modious farm houses in the broad State of Kansas, and the finest in the township where it is located, is that recently com- pleted on section 6, Charleston Township, Wash- ington County. It is owned and occupied by the gentleman whose name initiates this notice, and is surrounded by 320 acres of fine farm land. There their owner carries on his business of stock-raising, producing fine horses, cattle and hogs.

Mr. Wilson is of English birth, and first saw the light in Yorkshire, July 1, 1839. He is a son of

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Richard and Sarah (Robinson) Wilson, who were the parents of four children: William, Stephen, Jeremiah and Sarah Jane. Our subjeet is the only one of the family who left his native land for a home in America. In early life he learned the trade of a carpenter, and pursued the same until after his arrival in America. He worked in differ- ent towns, but did not travel much in England. In 1869 he crossed the Atlantic, and landed in New York, where he remained for about three months. Hle then came to Kansas and took a homestead in Franklin Township. He afterward changed his filing, and secured the land by pre-emption. He resided there until 1880, at which date he pur- ebased 160 acres of unimproved land, where he now resides, and where he has since its purchase made his home. When Mr. Wilson came to the United States, he had considerable money, but he lost about all of it, and has renewed his fortunes since he be- came an American citizen.

Sometime after his arrival in America, Mr. Wil- son became acquainted with Miss Emeline Uber. She was a native of Pennsylvania, and a lady in whom Mr. Wilson found all the qualities which he desired in a life companion. He wooed and won, and they were united in marriage April 28, 1879. Their otherwise happy home has been unblessed by the prattle of childish voiees.

Mr. Wilson does not confine himself to any po .. litical party, but votes for the man and the princi- ples, which in his judgment best serve the interests of the time. Ile has served as a member of the School Board, and the cause of education will not suffer at his hands. He is not a member of any re- ligions or civic society. He is a man of honor and uprightness, intelligent and enterprising, and justly esteemed by the citizens among whom he has cast his lot.

ELS JOHNSON. This well-to-do citizen of Goshen Township takes pardonable pride in the fact that he has borne no unimpor- tant part in the development of this part of Clay County. Not only has he improved a farm here from the primitive soil, but prior to settling, where he now lives, also improved a farm in Washington

County from land which he homesteaded from the Government. Ile is widely and favorably known to many of the older residents of the two counties. and has made for himself a good record, both as a skillful farmer and a reliable citizen.

A native of the Kingdom of Denmark, Mr. Johnson was born April 6, 1848, and there spent his early years until twenty years old. His parents, Nels and Kate (Hanson) Johnson, were likewise of Danish birth and ancestry, and were members of the Lutheran Church, as were their progenitors be- fore them as far back as is known. The father was a farmer by occupation and Nels, Jr., was trained to habits of industry, aud learned the art of agri- enlture as carried on in his native Kingdom. He, however, desired something better than he had known in his native land, and in 1867 sailed for America from the port of Hamburg on the "Ilarmonia," which landed him on the 24th of June, in New York City, after a voyage of sixteen days. Thence he proceeded directly to LaSalle County, Ill., and rented a farm upon which he oper- ated four years. At the expiration of this time he set ont for the country west of the Mississippi and coming to Washington County, Kan., homesteaded 160 acres of land on section 23, Sherman Town- ship. He put up a little frame house 14x20 feet in dimensions, and being unmarried kept & bachelor's hall about three years. In the meantime he broke a goodly portion of the sod, made fenees, planted fruit and forest trees, and thus establishing a com- fortable little home. He now needed only a wife and helpmate to complete his happiness, and on the 25th of October, 1874, was united in marriage with Miss Frances C. Cutler. The young people com- meneed the journey of life together on their own premises and lived there until the spring of 1884. Then selling out Mr. Johnson purchased his present farm of 160 acres on seetion 7, Goshen Township, Clay County.

Upon his new purchase Mr. Johnson proceeded as before, building np a homestead from first prin- ciples. There was no improvements upon this land, but he maintained that "what man has done man may do," and he proceeded as before in the development of his land, erecting buildings, mak- ing fences, planting fruit and shade trees, and at

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the same time raising each year the usual crops. We find now him the occupant of a commodious frame dwelling, adjacent to which is a good barn, corn cribs, an orchard of 100 trees, and all the other ap- purtenances of the well-regulated modern farm.

Mr. Johnson when settling in the State of Illinois had a capital of $20, and from that small sum he has built up his present possessions. Ile has made it a rule to live within his income, and has invested his capital in a wise manner. To such men as Mr. Johnson is due the prosperity of the great State of Kansas. Ile has a fine family, consisting of his wife and four children, the latter named respect- ively : Lizzie B., Francis E., Frederick M. and Clar- ence N. Mrs. Johnson was born in Genesee County, N. Y., July 8, 1858, and is the daughter of Francis O. and Catherine (Gourley) Cutler, na- tives respectively of New York State and Scotland. They came to Washington County, Kan., in 1870, and took up a homestead in Sherman Township, where they still live. Mrs. Johnson is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Johnson was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church, to which he still adheres. He belongs to the Farmers Alliance, of Goshen Township and the Masonic Lodge at Green.

The home surroundings of Mr. Johnson and his family are finely illustrated in a view of the pre- mises to be found on another page.

G EORGE C. WILSON. It is gratifying to note, that as the world progresses, farming has become an art and a science, and * we find living in the agricultural districts some of the most intelligent men. Mr. Wilson, although only residing in Franklin Township, Washington County, since the spring of 1881, has been recognized as one of its leading men, not only a skillful and thor- ongh farmer, but a valued citizen. Ile operates 160 acres of land on section 28, and derives there- from a comfortable income.

Mr. Wilson is a Western man in all respects, and here his interests have centered since his boyhood days. He was born in Marion County, Iowa, July 29, 1847, and is the son of George S. and Mary

(Case) Wilson, who were natives of New Jersey. They spent their childhood and youth near the place of their birth, where they were married. and where they lived until removing to Indiana about 1848. Thence later they crossed the Mississippi. and established themselves on a tract of land among the earliest pioneers of Marion County, Iowa. The father, however, only lived a few years thereafter. meeting his death by drowning in the Des Moines River, in 1854. The mother died in Marion County, lowa, in 1862.

Mr. Wilson after the death of his parents, em- ployed himself for a number of years as a farm hand, and assisted his brothers and sisters as he was able. Of these, nine in number, the record is as follows: Ruth married Isaac N. Core, and died Oct. 6, 1889, in McHenry County, Iowa; Elizabeth is the wife of G. B. Stanley, and makes her home at Red Rock, Iowa; John sojourns in Arizona, Terri- tory ; Emily is the wife of Frank McKenny, and they live in California; Martha became the wife of W. B. Fisher, and died in Marion County, Iowa; George C., the subject of this sketch, is the next in order of birth; Sidney is the wife of Thomas Fra- zier, of Russell County, Kan .; Sarah married W. B. Fisher, and died in Washington County; Lucien is a resident of Russell County.

In 1869 George C. Wilson was united in mar- riage with Miss Mina Fisher, who was born in Lake County, Ohio, Jan. 15, 1850. Mrs. Wilson is the daughter of William and Waty A. (Holbrook) Fisher, of Washington, Kan. Upon leaving the Buckeye State, they removed first to Wisconsin, and later to Marion County, lowa, where Mrs. Wilson remained a member of the parental house- hold until her marriage. Afterward Mr. and Mrs. Wilson lived upon a farm in Iowa until com- ing to this county. Mr. Wilson purchased 160 acres of land in Franklin Township, and to this for the last eight years has given his undivided atten- tion.

Politically, Mr. Wilson gives his nniform sup- port to the Republican party. He is the Trustee of Franklin Township, and also occupies the office of Justice of the Peace. He takes considerable in- terest in local politics, and religiously, is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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In February, 1889. Mr. Wilson's residence was de- stroyed by fire together with nearly all its contents, and upon which there was no insurance. He has since rebuilt. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have seven children, whose names are as follows: William, Herbert, Alma, Scott, Harry, Glenn, and Delia.

W ILLIAM HI. STILLMAN, M.D. The sub- ject of this notice, one of the leading phy- sicians of Manhattan Township and a veteran of nearly seventy-one years, comprises no unimportant factor among the best elements of Northern Kansas, to which he came during the trying times of its early settlement, and with oth- ers was frequently called out to protect the free State capital, Topeka, from the border ruffians. He is well educated, intelligent and a man of more than ordinary ability. He follows his profession with much of his old-time energy and all of its success. He resides upon a well regulated farm, one and one-half miles north of Manhattan, where he has a large stone residence, good barns and other outbuildings, a fine orchard and all the ap- purtenances of the modern country estate. Like many other men, he has met with reverses and has had various difficulties to contend with, but notwithstanding all this he has preserved his integrity and courage and made for himself a good record, both as a man and a citizen.

The subject of this sketch was born in Westerly, R.I., Jan. 7, 1819, and is the son of William and Charlotte (Champlain) Stillman, who were likewise natives of that State, as was also his paternal grandfather, William Stillman. His grandfather John Pickard. an Englishman, was an officer under Cromwell, and fled to America after the death of the Protector. There being a reward offered for his capture, he changed his name to Stillman and set- tled in Weathersfield, Conn. There is in the fam- ily a Bible which he brought with him from England and which bears his name in his own handwriting.

William Stillman. the father of our subject. was in his younger years a mechanic, but later he stud- ied medicine and for a number of years was a prac-

tising physician in Rhode Island and Connecticut. lle lived to be eighty-five years of age, and died in Ashaway, R. I. His father was by trade a watch and clock-maker, and lived to the advanced age of ninety-six years. Adam Champlain, the maternal grandfather of the Doctor, was reared in Newport, R. I., and served in the Revolutionary War. Ile spent his last years in Hopkinton, R. I., passing away at the age of eighty years.

To the parents of our subjeet there was born a family of seven children, William H. being the eld- est. The next son, Abram C., died in Rhode Island when a promising youth of about nineteen years. Ezra went to California during the early days of the gold excitement, and on his return started from San Francisco for the Isthmus. The vessel was wrecked and he with many others was cast away, and having never been heard from, the sup- position is that he is dead. Elizabeth married George W. Taylor, a manufacturer of Hopkinton, R. I., and later went to Florida for her health, where she died, leaving no children; . Joseph; Matilda mar- ried Jonathan Larkin, a carpenter and wagon- maker by trade, and died in 1886 in Florida. In the meantime Mr. Larkin in 1849 went to Cali- fornia, returning early in the '50's to Rhode Island, where he is probably now living. Elisha is mar- ried and employed as a book-keeper at Hopkinton, R. I.

Dr. Stillman pursued his early studies in the com- mon schools, and after reaching his majority at- tended the High School one year in Westerly. R. I. Later he attended school at Providence four months. He next went to New London, Conn .. and commenced the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. Azar Estee, and subsequently attended lectures two years. He began the prac- tiee of his profession at Westerly, following it there for a period of fourteen years. Then in the spring of 1855 he came to Kansas Territory and took up 160 acres of land on the branch of Rock Creek in Blue Township. He began its cultivation and improvement, and was the second practicing physician in the county, the first being Dr. Hunting.

During the latter years of his sojourn in his na- tive State. Dr. Stillman had been in poor health

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and sought the West] in the hope of recovering. He intended then to abandon the practice of medi- cine. He had been accompanied hither by parties who came with him solely because he was a physi- cian and who forced him back to his practice. He remained here the first time only about six months. returning to Rhode Island to settle up his business, intending to return with his family to Kansas when this was accomplished. Upon his arrival there he was taken down with pneumonia and was an inva- lid for six months. After his recovery he came back to Kansas, still leaving his family in Rhode Island. Upon arriving here he found another man in possession of his claim, and accordingly made another on section 6, which is included in the farm which he now owns and occupies. He proceeded with the cultivation and improvement of this and was prospered in his labors. He is now one of the largest land-owners in Riley County, having 525 acres. He has practiced and farmed continu- ously. being equally successful in both callings and furnishing a fine illustration of the results of en- ergy and perseverance. He is a sound Republican politically but has invariably declined the cares and responsibilities of office.

The subject of this sketch was married in West- erly, R. I., March 12, 1843, to Miss Sarah, daughter of James and Mary Ross and a native of that place. This union resulted in the birth of five children, the two eldest of whom, William and Abram, died in infancy. James, a resident of New York City, is first engineer in the Tribune Build- ing; he is married and the father of a son, George. Phebe died Dec. 25, 1870, unmarried, in Rhode Island, when about twenty-one years old. The youngest, William R., born April 19, 1854, was killed at sea in a storm, being thrown from the ship's berth. Mrs. Sarah ( Ross) Stillman departed this life at her home at Westerly, R. I., in 1854. She was born Dec. 19, 1821.

Dr. Stillman was the second time married, in 1855, to Mrs. Mary ( Irish) Green, widow of Albert Green, by whom she became the mother of two children, Thomas and Elizabeth, the former of whom is a resident of Rhode Island and the latter died there in August. 1889. Of this [marriage of the Doctor there were no children. His third wife

was formerly Miss Josephine A. Cottrell, and there were born to them two children, Elsie and Lottie E. Elsie died in early childhood from the effects of eating a box of sugar-coated pills, which she obtained without the knowledge of her mother. Miss Lottie remains at home with her father.

OSEPH BRADBURY. Few men have met with better success financially; than Mr. Bradbury, of Grant Township, Clay County, and few are more popular. He early in life chose agriculture for his vocation, and may usually be found at his fine homestead on section 7, where he has one of the handsomest resi- dences in his township, and other surroundings in- dicating cultured tastes and ample means. ()n another page of this volume appears a fine view of his home, which comprises 806 acres of land, and is devoted chiefly to the raising of graded Short- horn cattle, Poland-China swine and French coach horses.

A native of Yorkshire, England, Mr. Bradbury was born Oct. 26, 1833, and is the son of John and Mary (Hague) Bradbury, who were likewise natives of that shire, and the former of whom died there in 1847. Ile likewise was a farmer and stock-raiser. The parental family consisted of five children. three of whom are living, the two besides our sub- ject being Martha and Thomas, who continue to reside upon their native soil.

After the death of his father, Joseph Bradbury left the homestead and went to live with an uncle in a village in his native shire, where he was em- ployed in a woolen mill for several years and until 1856. Then, a young man of twenty-three years, he crossed the Atlantic and located in Adams County, Ill., where he lived until after the outbreak of the Civil War. On the 8th of August, 1861. having now become a resident of Kansas, he en- listed as a Union soldier in Company G, 4th Kan- sas Infantry, under Capt. (afterward Governor) llarvey, his regiment being consolidated with the 3d regiment, and named the 10th Kansas Infantry. He served over four years, and was engaged in many battles, viz .: Dry Wood, Morristown, Lo-

RESIDENCE OF JOSESH BRADBURY , SEC. 7. GRANT TP, CLAY CO. KAN

RESIDENCE OF ED. SHORT, SEC.34. CLIFTON TP,WASHINGTON CO. KAN.

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cust Grove, Osccola, Mo., Newtonia, Old Ft. Wayne, Lone Jack, Cane IIill, Prairie Grove, Van Buren, Pleasant Hill, Duck River, Franklin and Nashville, Tenn., and Sibley Mills, also Spanish Fort and Blakely. In fact he participated in all the battles of his regiment, veteranizing _at St. Louis in 1864, was never absent from his command, never in the hospital, and came out without a scratch-a record quite remarkable and one of which few men can boast.

Upon retiring from the service, Mr. Bradbury, returning to Illinois, was married Dec. 17, 1865, to Miss Rhoda G., daughter of William Brooks, who died in Pike County, III. The latter was a native of Yorkshire, England, and married Miss Elizabeth Dean, a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., where the parents subsequently settled, and where their daughter, Rhoda G., was born March 13, 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Bradbury are the parents of four children, viz .: William S., Marens, Elizabeth and John T .; with the exception of the eldest son all are at home with their parents. William is a stu- dent in the Lawrence Business College. Mr. Brad- bury came to Kansas in 1869, settling in Riley County, where he lived until 1871. He then changed his residence to Clay Connty, and home- steaded 133 acres on section 18, Grant Township, from which he has built up his fine estate. Upon becoming a voting citizen he identified himself with the Republican party. He, however, meddles very little with politics, preferring to excel as a farmer and stock-raiser, and it must be admitted that he has approached very near the standard which he many years ago set up for himself, and upon which he has steadily kept his eye.

E DWARD SHORT, a settler of 1872, located on his present farm in Clifton Township on the 4th of December, that year. and com- menced the work of cultivating eighty acres that his father had given him on section 34. By a course of industry and perserverance he built up his present comfortable homestead and brought the soil to a productive condition so that it is now the source of a good income. He also operates his

father's farm on section 33. Stock-raising forms a principal feature in his operations-a very profitable industry from which he has realized handsomely.

A native of Sussex County, Del., Mr. Short was born July 17, 1837 and at the age of fourteen months was taken by his parents to the vicinity of what is now Knox. Stark Co., Ind., where he spent bis childhood and youth and was there at the out- break of the late Civil War. Afterward he lived in Missouri one year and from there came to Kan- sas. His father, Job Short, was a native of Dela- ware and was there married to Miss Nancy Benson who was born and reared not far from the early home of her husband. They settled in Sussex County, Del., and became the parents of three children of whom Edward was the youngest. L'pon the removal to Indiana they settled first in Cass County where the father farmed on rented land. In 1847 they removed to Stark County where the elder Short pre-empted a tract of land and pur- chased 100 head of cattle for fattening. The country around abounded in all kinds of wild game, from .bears to weazels, and the red man pitched his tent on every side of the pioneers. When the time came for locating the county seat Mr. Short made an effort to get it on his own farm, but did not snecced. Through his influence. how- ever, it was located near there. He proceeded with the improvement of his property and increased his area to 200 acres which he sold in 1859. Ile then removed to Marshall County, settling in Plymouth and conducting an hotel during the progress of the Civil War. In 1865 he withdrew from this and in 1868 disposed of his property in Indiana and came to Kansas.

The father of our subject in Washington County, this State, secured 240 acres of land by a trade. There were upon this scarcely an improvement, but the family settled down and after a few years of diligent labor transformed a portion of the wilderness into a comfortable homestead. The parents finally abandoned active labor and retired to a snug home in the village of Clyde, Cloud County, where they lived four years. Later they removed to Concordia, where the mother died November 9th, 1887, when nearly seventy-eight years old. Job Short is still living and is now (1889)

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seventy-eight years old. He makes his home with his son, Aaron, in Concordia. He is liberal in his religious views as was also his excellent wife. Since the organization of the Republican party, in 1856, he has been a stanch supporter of its principles.

The subject of this sketch was the third in a family of nine children, eight of whom are living and all are married and have families. Three of the sons. William T., Jacob and Edward served in the Union army during the late Civil War. Jacob served in Company F, 13th Indiana Infantry, and Edward in Company F. 87th Indiana Infantry. Jacob was wounded at Greenbrier, Va., in the hand. William was in the 100 days' service and escaped unhurt. Edward enlisted in Fulton County, Ind. in the 87th Indiana Infantry, Company F, which was assigned to the army of the Cumberland, 14th Army Corps. He participated in the battles of Mission Ridge and Resaca and was all through the Atlanta campaign, being under the fire of the enemy four months of this time. He, however, escaped unhurt, although frequently receiving close calls from bullet and shell, and was given his honor- able discharge at the close of the war after a ser- vice of two years and ten months.

Upon leaving the army Mr. Short returned to his family in Cass County, Ind., he having been mar- ried in 1858 to Miss Mahala J. Oliver of Logan- sport, Ind. Mrs. Short was born in Miami County, that State, March 7, 1843. and was the daughter of John and Rhoda ( Watts) Oliver,the former of whom died when his daughter, Mahala was a child of thir- teen years. The mother is still living with her second husband, Elijah Snethen, near Fargo, in North Dakota.

To the parents of Mrs. Short there was born a family of twelvechildren and three sons served in the Union army during the late war, in Indiana regiments. One of them yielded up his life to his country and was laid in an unknown grave. The remaining two returned to their homes in safety. Mrs. Short received excellent parental training, re- maining with her mother until her marriage. Of this union there have been born two children one of whom, Noah M., died in infancy. John T. married Miss Emma E. Precure and they live on the farm of Mr. Short; they have three children,

Alice S., George E. and Edward H. Mr. and Mrs. Short are regular attendants of the Baptist Church at Clifton, in which Mr. Short was Sunday-school Superintendent four years. Mrs. Short is greatly interested in the temperance work, occupying the position of County Superintendent in the W. C. T. U. She is likewise identified with the W. R. C., in which she has served as President and is now Junior Vice President. She was teacher of a Bible elass at Clifton four years, and elsewhere was Superin- tendent of the Sunday-school two years and had charge of the Bible class. Mr. Short, politically, is a sound Republican and a member of Sedgewick Post. No. 24 G. A. R. at Clifton. He is also a Master Workman in the A. O. U. W. at Clifton.

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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 82

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

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