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 84

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 84
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 84
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 84

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).

Going back three generations in the Watson line, we find .James Watson of Virginia, who emigrated to Kentucky at an early day. His wife, in her maidenhood, a Miss Sanders, was the mother of seven children. The next in the direct line was

U. H. Watson, who was born in Kentucky. He married Miss Mary A. Alexander, daughter of James Alexander of the Blue Grass State. They made their home in Indiana, where their son, our subjeet, was born.

Mr. Watson is a Republican and is not sparing in his endeavors to promote the interests of his party. He is now serving as Trustee for his town- ship. He and his wife are members of the Chris- tian Church. He is a fine example of a Christian gentleman, and is a reliable, public spirited eitizen.

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A UGUST WINKLER. The Fatherland has been largely represented in the early settlement of Kansas, and its sons have proved themselves worthy of mention among its best citizens. The subject of this sketch, a pioneer of 1858, acquired 160 acres of wild land in Center Township, and by a course of industry and perseverance extended his possessions. until at the time of his decease, Feb. 17, 1885, at the age of fifty-six years, he was the owner of over 200 broad acres and a half interest in two mills. He was born in Germany, in 1830 and lived there until a man of twenty-eight years, aequiring his educa- tion in the publie schools and learned the miller's trade. Mr. Winkler on the 3rd of May, 1853, set out from Hamburg to the United States and landed in New York after a severe voyage of sev- eral weeks; he then made his way to Toledo and there was variously employed for some time, and in 1855 returned to his native home and remained a little less than a year when he again set out for America, and upon reaching it he at once sought the western wilds, loeating in Center Township, Riley Co., Kan., where he afterward made his home.

Mr. Winkler remained a single man for about six years after coming to America, and was then mar- ried in Center Township. to Miss Anna Vogler. Aug. 13, 1864. Mrs. Winkler was born in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, Sept. 17, 1834, and came to America with her brother in 1862. She occupies the homestead left by her hus- band, and is widely and favorably know through -

yours Truly Samuel Himble in

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out Center Township. There were born to ber and her husband three children-Amelia, William and Herman. The daughter is the wife of of Otto Bucli- heim. a general merchant at Winkler's Mills and who is represented elsewhere in this volume. The sons remain with their mother on the farm, which they operate, together with the Blue River roller mill. Mrs. Winkler was reared in the doetrines of the Lutheran Church to which she still adheres, at- tending services at Leonardville. The homestead forms one of the most valuable estates in Center Township, and was built up, as were they all. by the hand of thrift and industry. It is chiefly de- voted to general farming and a goodly assortment of live-stock.

AMUEL KIMBLE, SR. The subject of this biography is a man who has had a wide experience of life in its various phases and one who has exhibited more than ordinary energy and perseverance under the difficulties common to the lot of man. He has met with losses and erosses like most of his fellow- men. but, with an energy which acknowledges no such word as "fail," he recovered himself each time, and is now one of the most wealthy and pros- perous men of his community. His possessions embrace 2,200 acres of land, nearly all in one body, and mostly in tame grass, being largely devoted to stock-raising. During the present year (1889) Mr. Kimble is feeding 100 head of cattle, forty head of swine and ten horses, and he proposes in the near future to add largely to these.

When Mr. Kimble first came to Riley County there were few settlers within its limits. He has watehed with absorbing interest the growth and development of Northern Kansas, and has contrib- uted his share in bringing the now prosperous com- monwealth to its present condition. He came here with comparatively little means, his own accumula- tions, but, like the wise man of Scripture, he has been enabled to add to his talent tenfold. His homestead is embellished with a fine stone residence put up in 1864, and which, although encountering the storms of a quarter of a century, seems as sub-

stantial as when first built. lle has two stone barns, one ereeted in 1874, and the other five years later. The other buildings, devoted to the storage of grain and the shelter of stock. are amply adapted to the purposes for which they were designed.

A native of Chester County, l'a., Mr. Kimble was born Feb. 7, 1822, and was the second in a family of seven children, the offspring of James and Mary Ann ( Loney ) Kimble, the former a native of the Keystone State and the latter born in the city of Dublin, Ireland, although reared in Pennsylva- nia. The parents were married in the latter State, where they lived a few years afterward, then emi- grated to Noble County, Ohio, of which they were residents about twenty years. We next find them in MeDonough County, Ill., where the mother died. James Kimble in 1879 came to Kansas and made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Sam Hous- ton, until his decease, which oeeurred in 1880. Only three children of the parental family are liv- ing, those besides our subject being Mrs. Naney Nelson, and Mrs. Tabitha Houston, residents of Iowa and Kansas respectively.

Samuel Kimble grew to manhood in the Buckeye State and learned the trade of a carpenter which he followed until coming to Kansas. When twenty- five years of age he was married April 8, 1847, to Miss Mary Ann, daughter of Francis Petty. the latter a native of Canada. Mrs. Kimble was next to the youngest of the six children born to her parents, her birth occurring Nov. 8, 1826, in Guernsey County, Ohio. Soon after their marriage the newly wedded pair took up their abode in Noble County, Ohio, where they lived until 1860. That year, coming to Kansas, they settled on a tract of prairie land in Manhattan Township, which Mr. Kimble purchased and which is now included in his present farm.

Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kimble, six of whom are living. Joseph is a resi- dent of Manhattan Township; Francis Byron lives in Wild Cat Township; Samuel, Jr., is a practicing attorney of Manhattan City; Mary Ann is the wife of David Carnahan, a native of Saline County, this State; Martha is the wife of Thomas Murphy, of Wild Cat Township; Emma remains at home with her parents. Mr. Kimble is conservative in poli-

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ties and votas the straight Democratic tieket. He has officiated as Road Overseer and has been a member of the School Board in his district almost from the time of coming here.

In 1865 Mr. Kimble was one of a company of men organized to build the Rock Ford gristmill, an undertaking which involved the outlay of a snug sum of hard cash and required considerable resolution and perseverance to accomplish. When everything was in readiness to work, a flood in the Big Blue partially destroyed the dam and some of the members of the company refused to sub- scribe money for repairs. A joint stock company was then organized, with E. B. Purcell as presi- dent. This individual secured the assistance of Eastern capitalists, and Mr. Kimble was frozen ont of the firm, entailing a loss to him of $10,000. This was a large sum to lose at that time and in this section of country; and this does not include all which he has lost, as upon the collapse of the Blue Valley Bank, which closed its doors in 1888, he had upon deposit $16,000. Considering where he stands to-day, and how he has recovered from his losses, it must be acknowledged that he is a man of more than ordinary perseverance and courage. He is held in that respeet by his fellow-citizens which is tacitly accorded the man who has been enabled to surmount the obstacles placed in his path, and who has never allowed himself to give way to dis- couragement under any circumstances. ' He has one of the finest stock farms in Northern Kansas - in faet, if he does not now, he will soon stand at the head of this industry here.

It is eminently fitting that the portrait of Mr. Kimble should be employed to assist in embellislı- ing this volume, and we therefore give it place on another page.

AMUEL S. WELCH, M. D., one of the oldest physicians of Franklin Township, has been established at Hollenberg for over thirteen years and has become widely and favorably known among its people. He is a con - scientions practitioner and has been uniformly successful, while as a member of the community, he is classed among its leading men. Ile was born

in Stark County, Ohio. JJuly 24, 1829, and is the son of John and Susannah (Shuster) Welch, who were natives respectively of Baltimore, Md., and Washington County, Pa.

The Welch family is of Irish extraction and was first represented in the United States, probably during the Colonial days. John Welch was born in 1777 and learned the trade of a brickmaker which he carried on in connection with farming pursuits. The parents were married in Pennsyl- vania whence they removed to Ohio, where the father died when nearly seventy-five years old. The mother had passed away some years prior to the decease of her husband, aged fifty-three. The household cirele ineluded ten children, all of whom lived to mature years. Lucinda, the eldest of the family, became the wife of Nelson Traey, and died in Ohio; Daniel died when a promising young man of twenty years; James died at the age of twenty-six ; Margaret married and resides in Indiana; John is a resident of Jefferson County, Iowa; Susannah be- came the wife of Wesley Minor and died in Tus- carawas County, Ohio; Catherine married Samuel Albaugh, and lives in Ohio; Samuel S., our subjeet; George died at the age of twenty seven years; Will- iam is a resident of Stark County, Ohio, and mar- ried Miss Jane Smith.

Mr. Welch received an excellent education. After leaving the primary school he attended the Academy at Twinsburg, Ohio, and later, Hagers- town Academy. Finally he entered Richmond College, and there completed his studies. Subse- quently he taught school for a number of terms. In 1855 he entered upon the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. R. R. Hall, of Fair- field, Iowa, and commenced the practice of his chosen profession in Marion, that State. Later he removed to Clark County. During the progress of the Civil War, he, in 1864, enlisted in the service and officiated as Hospital Steward and Surgeon for eighteen months.

Dr. Welch retired from the army at the close of the war, returning to Clark County, Iowa, but on account of failing health, was unable to ride and so took up the practice of dentistry which he followed for five years in Kingston, Mo. From there he went to Shawnee, Johnson

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Co., Kan., where he resumed the practice of medi- cine in connection with dentistry. lle left there about 1876, removing to Washington County and locating on a farm. He prosecuted agriculture in connection with the practice of his professional duties until 1883, then removing to Hollenberg has since given his entire attention to his profession.

The Doctor while a resident of Ohio, was married in 1854, to Miss Margaretta, daughter of George and Margaretta (Kline) Christofel. Mrs. Welchi was born in Wayne County, Ohio, Sept. 7, 1834. Her parents were natives of Bavaria, Germany. where they were reared and married, and whence they emigrated to the United States, settling in Wayne County, Ohio. There the father died and later the mother removed to Sandusky City, where she too passed away. They were the parents of the following children, one of whom died in Germany and one died in Ohio at the age of fourteen years. George and Adam, likewise died in Ohio, the latter in Sandusky City. Jacob enlisted in the Union service and was killed at the battle of Stone River after having rendered gallant service in the 80th Ohio Infantry, in which he held a Captain's com- mission. Catherine became the wife of Christ Correll and is a resident of Sandusky City, Ohio; Julia married Walter Carlisle and they live in Colorado; Frederick, during the war served as First Lieutenant of Company K, in the 15th lowa Infantry, and is now a resident of Knoxville, Iowa; Margaretta, Mrs. Welch, was the youngest of the family. The mother after the death of her hus- band was married a second time and became the mother of a son-Daniel Rider-who during the Rebellion served as a member of Company K, 16th Illinois Infantry, from the beginning until the close of the war. He was badly wounded at the battle of Corinth. but upon his recovery refused to accept his discharge and remained with his com rades until they were all mustered out. He is now a resident of Parkerville, this State.

To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born four children-one of whom, Willie L., died in early childhood. Their eldest son living. Virgil C., is editor of the Alma Enterprise in this State; Pearl E. is married and lives at Oketo, Kan. ; Cora May is the wife of F. N. Martin and lives in

Kansas. Dr. Welch, politically, is a stanch Re- publican and keeps himself well posted upon State and National affairs. He finds his religious home in the Methodist Episcopal Church where he has found consolation for the last forty years. Mrs. Welch has been a member of this church for thirty- two years and is always active in church and Sun- day-school work. The Doctor is a charter member of Gettysburg Post, No. 70, G. A. R., in which he has served as Commander. He also belongs to the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 182. at Hollenburg.

LVIN A. YOUNG (deceased) was one of the founders of the town of Greenleaf, Washington County, where he started the first store and built and operated the first steam elevator. His history will be in many par- ticulars, a history of the development of the town where he was for a number of years an influential resident.

Mr. Young was born in Farmington, Wis., Oct. 9, 1851. (For ancestry see sketch of J. O. Young of Washington ). He was reared to manhood in his native place and continued to reside there until 1876. At that date he removed to Greenleaf and bought the first lot sold there, upon which he started his store. He continued in the mercantile business for a few years and then went into the grain and stock business. After a few years in that occupation he sold out, in January, 1888, and trav- eled over the West in search of health. His quest was unavailing, however, and in May he returned to this county where he breathed his last, May 23, at Washington.

A few years after coming to Kansas, Mr. Young bought a farm of 160 acres on section 5, Greenleaf Township, where considerable attention was paid by him to stock business. To him is due the honor of the introduction of Holstein cattle into this county. He was at one time Vice-President of the National Bank at Greenleaf. He was Justice of the Peace aad held many other minor offices. Po- litically he was a Republican. Possessed of an ex- cellent education, having attended Ilillsdale College at Hillsdale, Mich., having earned the money for

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his tuition by teaching school, he took an active interest in all educational matters. For many years before his death he was a member of the Baptist Church and took an active part in its work. He was in easy financial circumstances, and contributed liberally to the support of the church and other good works. In his death Greenleaf lost one of her most upright men and honored citizens.

Mr. Young was married Aug. 21, 1873, to Miss Mary S. Friedemann of Milwaukee, Wis. She was born in Addison, Washington County, Wis., April 20, 1852, and is a daughter of John G. and Mary E. ( Young) Friedemann. Her parents were natives of Germany, who came to America when they were children, and were married in Addison. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Young resulted in the birth of three children, Byron E., Newton E., and Charlie A. Mrs. Young now resides on the farm two miles north of Greenleaf. She is a lady of fine character, and is training her children to be worthy followers in the footsteps of their deceased father.

B ENNETT I. Il. HOUSE is a descendant of families who for several generations have been inhabitants of Virginia, but of re- mote German extra :tion. His grandfather, Abraham House, was a millwright and miller. His father, Jacob, was born in Rockingham County, Va., and followed various pursuits during his life. At the time of his death he was in good cir- cumstances. The mother of our subject was, in her maidenhood, Miss Jane Hudkins. She was born in Barbour County, in what is now West Virginia, in 1822, and died in 1879. She was the daughter of Richard Hudkins, also a Virginian, who was en- gaged in farming until his death, which took place when he was very old. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob House became the parents of eight children-Elizabeth A., Judith A., Almira E., Elam, Bennett I. H., Em- iline J., Harriet S., and John J .. all of whom are now living.

The gentleman of whom we write was born in Barbour County, W. Va., Dec. 2, 1845, and was reared upon a farm. Ile followed agriculture in his native State until 1873, when he came to Wash-

ington County. He located on section 20, Sher- man Township, where he obtained 160 acres of land under the Homestead Act. He has spent one year in Palmer engaged in stock-dealing. With that exception he has been a continuons resident of his homestead since his first settlement upon it. He pays his principal attention to stock business, but also carries on general farming.

At the residence of the bride's sister, Mrs. B. M. Gall, in Barbour County, W. Va., on Feb. 22, 1871, the rites of wedlock were performed between Mr. House and Miss Harriet E. Kerr. She was born in that county, Dec. 25, 1851, and is a daughter of Daniel B. and Matilda (Dickinson) Kerr. Both parents were natives of West Virginia. The father was a mason by trade, but was principally engaged in farming. He was identified with the United Brethren Church. Mr. House and his estimable wife have been blessed by the birth of eight chil- dren: The first born, Elkim M., died at the age of four years, and the next to the youngest born died in infancy. The survivors are: Emma A., Wal- ter B., Effie F., Laura D., Claudia B., and Lloyd B.

Mr: House is interested in the cause of educa- tion, and has been connected with the School Board of this township. He holds membership in several social organizations. Hc belongs to the Lone Star Lodge, No. 168, I. O. O. F., at Palmer; to the A. O. U. W., No. 166. S. K. at Palmer, and to the A. O. U. W., No. 61, Sherman Legion. Intelligent, enterprising and genial, and possessed of excellent principles, Mr. House stands high in the regard of the citizens among whom he has cast bis lot.

E PHRAIM ST. JOHN. One of the old-time maxims is " Be sure you are right, then go ahead." The man of deliberation and fore- thought usually wins the race in the end, and is one whose last days are seldom embittered with the result of hasty action. The subject of this sketch is peculiar in this respect, being a man who weighs well each important action, and one whose good judgment seldom leads him astray. He has thus made for himself an honorable and dignified record. He is one of the representative men of Riley County,

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and a resident of Zeandale Township, where he has a well-regulated farm of eighty acres, on sec- tion 23. He occupies a substantial stone house, which, with its surroundings, impresses the passer- by with its air of comfort and plenty.

The subject of this sketch was born in Walton, Delaware Co., N. Y., Sept. 15, 1838, and was the fifth in a family of seven children, the offspring of Ephraim, Sr., and Amelia (Goodrich) St. John. who were likewise born in that county. The parents, after marriage, continned their abode there, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Ephraim was reared to manhood in his native county. making his home with his parents, acquir- ing a common-school education and assisting in the labors of the farm until a young man of twenty years. Then in the spring of 1859 he came to the Territory of Kansas and pre-empted eighty acres of land, which is now included in his present farm, and where he has since resided. The country was then a wild, uncultivated tract, over which In- dians and wild animals roamed unrestrained. The outlook was such as to try the most courageous spirit, but Mr. St. Jolin was equal to the emergency, and maintained his residence here amid the various difficulties and drawbacks with which the early his- tory of Kansas was pregnant. He lived in the most economical manner during those first years, cultivating his land and effecting improvements until he had attained a solid foothold financially.

Mr. St. John was first married in Manhattan Township, in the fall of 1861, to Miss Romania B. Persons. This lady was born in Connecticut, and died at the homestead, in Zeandale Township, in the spring of 1867. Of this union there was born one child. Mr. St. John contracted a second mar- riage in the spring of 1869, at Hamden, Delaware Co., N. Y., with Miss Alice J. Mallory. This lady was likewise a native of Delaware County, N. Y., and was born June 22. 1851. Of her union with our subject there is one child only, a daughter, Lillian A., a young lady of much promise, who is now a student at the Agricultural College.

Mr. St. John, politically, supports the principles of the Republican party, and with his wife belongs to the Manhattan Grange. He has served as a County Commissioner three years, likewise as

Township Trustee, Justice of the Peace, and Town- ship Clerk. He is a man prompt to meet his busi- ness obligations, and one whose word is considered as good as his bond.

W ALTER F. CARTER, Justice of the l'eace at Clay Center, lias entered upon an hon- orable aud worthy career, being a man still young in years, and one who has made many friends during his sojourn in Northern Kansas. He was born in Franklin, Tenn., Oct. 12, 1854, and lived there until the spring of 1870, being then in the sixteenth year of his age. His father, Moscow B. C'arter, was born at the same homestead as his son, and still owns and occupies the property which dur- ing war times was the battle-ground of Hood and Thomas, and a view of which appears in the illu- strations comprising Harpers' War Series.

The father of our subject was born Dec. 5, 1825, and reared to man's estate in his native place. There also he was married to Miss Callie D. Dob- bins. There were born to them four children, only three of whom are living, namely: Hugh E., a resi- dent of Clay Center; Lena, Mrs. Gillespie, of Franklin, Tenn., and Walter F., our subject. The mother departed this life at the old home in 1860. The father carried on farming there from his hoy- hood up. After the battle above spoken of, the house was used as a hospital, when Walter F. was a boy of about ten years.

In the spring of 1870 young Carter repaired to Nashville. Tenn., and entered a publishing house to learn the printer's trade. He remained there four years, then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, to at- tend a commercial school six months. At the ex- piration of this time he was engaged as clerk in a hotel two years. Upon the 5th of March, 1877, the day of the inauguration of President Hayes, the 4th being Sunday, he started for Kansas, and coming directly to Clay Center, established himself in the grocery business, which he followed for six years. In the meantime he became prominent in local affairs, and evinced such adaptability for legal business, that he was elected Clerk of the Dis- triet Court in November, 1882, qualifying in Jan-

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uary following. He held this position two years, and then, being a Democrat in a Republican county. was defeated for the second term. In the spring of 1885, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and has been re-elected each term since. His well-equipped office is centrally located in the Dittmar Block. where he transacts an extensive and lucrative busi- ness.

Miss Maria T. Martin, of Cincinnati, became the wife of our subject on the 1st of September. 1876. Mrs. Carter was a native of New Hampshire, and was born in February, 1856. Her parents removed to Cincinnati when she was quite young, and there she was reared to an interesting womanhood. Mr. and Mrs. Carter are the parents of two children, Bert C., and Alma C. As a Knight Templar, Mr. Carter has held the office of Recorder of Coronado Com- inandery for the past seven years, having passed through all the subordinate orders of Masonry ; he is also connected with the I. O. O. F. He is a man of unquestioned ability, and is highly spoken of by his townspeople.

C APT. WILLIAM FRANK. There are few in- dividuals sojourning any length of time in Logan Township, Washington County, who are unacquainted with this name which has been familiar to all within its precincts for twenty years. Capt. Frank is one of those substantial characters who make their mark at once in the community and who are popular with all classes of citizens. He has followed farming mainly as an occupation, and may be usually found at a comfortable homestead com- prising 160 acres of land on section 21, Logan Township. He came to Washington County, this State, as early as 1869, and has since made his home within its limits.

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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 84

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

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