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 89

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 89
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 89
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 89

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).

We next find Mr. Friedrichs in the city of Cin- cinnati. Ohio, where he worked perhaps two years then returning to Newark, was married, in 1859, to Fredericka Schwab. This lady was born in the Kingdom of Saxony, where her parents spent their entire lives. She came to America with rela- tives in 1854. The young people commenced the journey of life together in Newark, and remained there until the outbreak of the Civil War. During that first year, 1861, Mr. Friedrichs entered the service of his adopted country, enlisting in Com- pany 11, 41st New York Infantry, which was the third regiment to enlist in the three-years' service. For two years he was with the Army of the Poto- mac, and took part in the various battles in which it was engaged, namely: Bull Run. Cross Keys. Culpepper Courthouse, Chancellorsville and Get- tysburg, being in 11th Army Corps, which lost heavily. Subsequently they went to the Atlantic coast, capturing Ft. Wagner and Folly Island.

At the expiration of his term of service, Mr. Friedrichs was sent to New York City with his

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regiment, and was duly mustered out. He spent the time thereafter until coming to Kansas, in New York and Ohio. To him and his estimable wife there have been born no children. Mrs. Friedrichs had one child by her first husband, who is now the wife of Peter Bichel, of Grant Township. Mr. Friedrichs supports the principles of the Republican party, but has no aspirations for office. He was reared in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church, but is not now connected with any religions organ- ization. As a farmer, he has been a decided sue- cess, and as a member of the community is looked upon as one of its most peaceable and law-abiding citizens.

AMES P. HINES first set foot upon the soil of Kansas in the fall of 1869, coming over- land by team from Ottumwa, Iowa. He crossed the Missouri River at St. Joseph. and homesteaded a tract of land near the infant town of Hanover, acquiring 160 acres upon which he prosecuted agriculture and which be improved with buildings, remaining there until the spring of 1883. Then removing to Haddam, Washington County, he rented a farm the first year, then pur- chased the 160 acres of land which he now owns and occupies, and which is located on section 21. Ile also has forty acres on section 27. He is a lib- eral and public spirited-citizen, interested in the progress of his adopted town, giving the right of way to the railroad company and otherwise signal- izing himself as a useful member of the community. Ile is a favorite, both in social and business circles, possessing that courteous and affable disposition which inspires him to do a good deed as he has opportunity, and which naturally makes every body his friend. As a farmer, he is thorough and skill- ful. and has a very comfortable and attractive home.

Mr. Hines is a man in the prime of life, having been born May 20, 1840, near Morristown, N. J. Ile was bred to farm pursuits, and at an early age was taken into the home of his grandfather where he was taught habits of industry and with whom he remained until a lad of fourteen years, attending the common-school. About 1854 he emigrated to

Iowa with an uncle, James Pierson, settling in Van Buren County, where Mr. Pierson died. Young Hines at the age of twenty-one engaged in farming on his own account until after the outbreak of the Civil War. In 1862, returning to his native State, he in September, of that year, entered the ranks of the Union Army as a member of Company I, 30th New Jersey Infantry, being mustered in at Flemington. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Po- tomac and they first engaged in the building of a fort near the city of Washington. Later they went down the Potomac River to Fredericksburg with the Burnside expedition and wintered at Belle Plain Landing. Then as a part of the Ist army corps, under General Ilooker, our subject with his comrades participated in the battle of Fredericks- burg. Although receiving a sunstroke and endur- ing the hardships common to life in the army, he maintained his excellent health, was never in the hospital and was never wounded. He was mustered out in June, 1863, and received his honorable dis- charge at Flemington. He participated in several skirmishes.

Upon leaving the service Mr. Ilines returned to to his native State where he remained until the fall of 1863, then there being too many copperheads in that vicinity, he determined to seek the Western country, and set out for Iowa. Locating in Van Buren County he engaged first in farming on his uncle's place and was afterward employed in a coal mine. He left Iowa in the fall of 1868 and began teaming on the North Missouri Railroad bridge at Ottumwa and was thus occupied seven months. His next change of location was to Washington County. Kan.

Mr. Hines was married in Van Buren County, Iowa, in April, 1868, to Miss Mary J. Elliott. Mrs. Hines was born in Scotland and came to America with her parents when quite young. She received a good education and occupied herself as a teacher before her marriage. This union resulted in the birth of cleven children, viz: Robert; Elmer, who was killed by a horse when about seven years old; Phebe; Arminta, (deceased) ; Jemima, Iva, Garfield S., Kitty, James. Gertie and a babe Nalis. Robert is a resident of Nebraska; Phebe resides in Had- dam; the other children are at home with their

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parents. Mr. Hines, politically, is a strong Repub- lican and has been quite prominent in local affairs, serving as Road Supervisor and as a School Direc- tor in his district two years. He is the Acting Sergeant of Col. Putnam's Post, No. 419, G. A. R., at Haddam. The greater part of his land has been brought to a state of cultivation, eighty acres being under the plow. He has erected good build- ing and planted an orchard of eleven acres, besides numbers of forest trees. In addition to this prop- erty he owns ten lots within the town limits of Iladdam. He makes a specialty of fine horses and has one valuable animal, a Clydesdale, registered, and three jacks.

John Hines, the father of our subject, was like- wise a native of New Jersey, and the son of an Irish gentleman of Scotch descent, who emigrated to America at an early date and settling in New Jersey occupied himself as a farmer until his death. John Hines was a wagon-maker by trade and en- gaged in business in Morristown, N. J., where he died. He married Miss Jemima Beard, a native of his own State and a daughter of William Beard, also born in New Jersey. The latter was a slave- holder and carried on farming. Mrs. Jemima Ilines departed this life in New Jersey, during the war. The parental household consisted of five children, viz: Stephen, James P., Jerusha. Edward and Phebe A. The latter is a resident of Iowa; the others are located mostly in New Jersey.

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ILLIAM BLUE, The early pioneer of any section of country is always an object of interest to every intelligent individual. Those who have the least acquaintance with the early settlement of Kansas, will recall to mind the peculiar troubles through which she passed and the fact that those men who were willing to settle upon her frontier twenty years ago or thereabouts, must have possessed spirits of more than ordinary cour- age and fortitude.

Among these men Mr. Blue bore a conspicuous part for his steady perseverance under almost un- heard-of difficulties and his stanch adherence to his resolution of building up a homestead and staying

with the people among whom he had cast his lot. The story of the hardships and privations endured by the frontiersman and his family has been too often told in this volume to need repetition here, perhaps, but suffice it to say that William Blue oc- cupies a position secondary to no man in this respect. He took up a tract of wild land upon which he labored early and late in the construction of a homestead and we now find him among the well-to-do farmers of Union Township, pleasantly located on the northwest quarter of section 10, township 9, range 3 east. Here he has effected all the ordinary improvements suggested to the enter- prising man and although making no pretentions to living elegantly, there is about his premises the air of solid comfort and content which is always pleasant to look upon.

Next to a man's own personality that of those from whom he drew his origin is a matter of in- terest. The subject of this sketch is the son of Barnett Blue, who was born on the Potomac River in Ilampshire County, Va., and when a lad removed with his parents to the vicinity of what was after- wards the flourishing city of Chillicothe. Ohio. That section of country upon their arrival here was simply a wilderness, as they took up their abode as early as 1801, when Ohio was still a Terri- tory. Ile was there reared amid the wild scenes of pioneer life and there spent his last days engaged in farming pursuits.

The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Elizabeth McMurray of Scotch-Irish extrac- tion. Her father was one of the early emigrants to America, arriving here in time to have a hand in the Revolutionary struggle on the side of the colo- mists, being under the direct command of Gen. Washington. Mrs. Elizabeth Blue departed this life twenty years after the decease of her husband. spending her last years in Indiana.

William Blue was born in Fayette County, Ohio, Feb. 25, 1827, and lived with his parents, assisting in the labors of the farm, until a youth of eighteen ycars. He was of an ambitious and enterprising disposition and now, anxious to do something for himself, began driving cattle from Ohio to Phila- delphia. Subsequently he engaged in flat-boating on the Ohio and lower Mississippi rivers and was

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thus occupied until late in the summer of 1871. He finally decided to seek the farther West and coming to the Territory of Kansas, landed in Leavenworth in August of the above-mentioned year, in the em- ploy of the United States Government in the Quartermaster's department. Thereafter he fol- lowed freighting and scouting on the plains for the next two years, frequently being on the trail of Indians and in the solitudes of that wild country met with many an interesting and thrilling experience. He also threaded his way among the Rocky Moun- tains and finally reached the Pacific Slope where he spent two years in mining.

At the expiration of this time Mr. Blue began to feel that it would be well to return to the haunts of civilization. He accordingly embarked on au ocean steamer at San Francisco and made his way by the water route to New York City, whence he returned to his old home in Ohio. Desirous now of establishing a fireside of his own he was mar- ried Feb. 15, 1853, to Miss Hannah Ann Stratton, who was then a resident of Peru, Ind, but who had been born and reared in Fayette County, Ohio. The young people commenced the journey of life together on a farm in Miami County, Ind., where Mr. Blue purchased land and followed agriculture until 1864. Then selling out he removed to Grant County, Wis., and later he was a resident of Minnesota and Iowa, but not being suited with any location as yet, he, in 1867, returned to Kansas settling on a farm in the vicinity of Lawrence. The grasshoppers soon drove him from those quarters and we next find him in Plattsburg, Mo .. and there- after he followed freighting two years.

There was, however, something which constantly turned Mr. Blue's thoughts to Kansas, and in 1869 he tried again to become a resident of the State, this time successfully, settling in Clay County of which he has since been a resident. Ile homesteaded the east half of the northwest quarter of section 10 and the west half of the northeast quarter of the same, making 160 acres which he now owns. He had the honor of putting up the first dwelling he- tween the Republican River and Chapman Creek, on the high prairie land and here he has held the fort against droughts, grasshoppers, hard times and other drawbacks. He has 120 acres in a good state

of cultivation and forty aeres in pasture. He is one of the oldest settlers in Clay County as well as one of the earliest pioneers of the plains. Many and great have been the changes which he has witnessed since first venturing into the far West, and had he the pen of a ready writer, he could give to the world a tale of truth stranger than fiction.

To Mr. and Mrs. Blue there were born five chil- dren whom they named respectively Cassius, Rol - lin S., Elinora, Maggie and Juniata.

1 SAAC YODER. This gentleman is one of the successful farmers of Washington County, his home estate being one of the best in the vicin- ity. It consists of 160 broad and fertile acres lo- cated on seetion 29, Clifton Township. It bears all the improvements usually made by an enterpris- ing farmer. Mr. Yoder also owns 160 acres of im- proved land on section 18. He was born in Juniata County Pa., Sept. 7, 1844. Ile was reared and ed- ucated in his native county, and there obtained a practical knowledge of farming. He is the young- est of a family of six sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to maturity. Seven of them are yet living, and all except our subject. reside within their native State. Soon after his marriage Mr. Yoder and his wife came to Kansas. This was in the year 1870, and he at once filed a claim on the land which forms his present home es- late. It was secured by him under the homestead act, and has since been the family home.

The paternal ancesters of our subject came to America from Germany about 1720, and located in Pennsylvania. They were German-Swiss. The grandfather of our subject was John Yoder, Sr. He was a farmer and spent his entire life in Penn- sylvania. His death took place in Ohio, he having reached a ripe old age. He was of the Omish re- ligion. He had a son, also called John, who be- came the father of our subject.

John Yoder, Jr., was reared upon a farm. He was married in Lancaster County to Miss Magda- lena Zook. The bride was born'and reared near Lancaster City, and belonged to an old Pennsylva-

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his family. The old Zook stock were, like the Yo- ders, of Omish religion. Some of the family had come to America early in the eighteenth century. After his marriage John Yoder, Jr., continued to live in Laneaster County for many years. There seven children were born to himself and wife. Later they removed to Juniata County, locating on a farm in Spruce Hill Township. There they event- ually died when quite old. Though brought up in the Omish faith they identified themselves with the River Brethren.

In his native county in Pennsylvania, Mr. Isaac Yoder was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Evans. She was born in the same county as her hus- band, their parental families being neighbors. The childish friendship between the two "grew with their growth," and led them in mature years to unite their lives and fortunes. The father of Mrs. Yoder was Elas Evans, who was of Welsh descent. His business was that of a harness-maker. He died when quite an old man, at East Waterford, Pa. The death of Mrs. Evans occurred at the same place when she was ripe in years. She was a life-mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which her husband was also identified. Mr. and Mrs. Yoder have been blessed by the birth of five ehil- dren. The charming group around the family fireside is composed of Sylvia E., John E., Katie M., Mattie and Grover C.

Mr. and Mrs. Yoder are active, hard-working people, and are held in good repute by their neigh- bors. In politics Mr. Yoder is a sound Democrat.

R ICHARD BURK. The subject of this sketeh is one of Leonardville's most thor- ough and popular business men. He was born in Ulm, Wurtemburg, Germany, Jan. 30, 1840, and is a son of Carl and Charlotte ( Bar- dile) Burk, both of whom were likewise natives of the Fatherland. They were the parents of seven children. named respectively. Carl, Matilda, Pau- lina. Charlotte, Emil, Richard and Rudolph. A fa- tal illness carried off both parents while our subject was yet in his childhood, and he was reared by rela- tives who did their best to supply the place of his

natural guardians. He was sent regularly to the best schools of the town and secured a practical education. lle was a bright and attentive pupil, and made good use of his opportunities, while at the same time making friends among his school- mates and being a general favorite with his teach- ers.

While yet young, Mr. Burk was placed in a mer- cantile house and received a thorough training in the business of general merchandising. As a clerk he was faithful to his employers' interests, and his fidelity was rewarded with their implicit confidence and esteem. He was thoroughly trusted by them and continued to serve them in the capacity of a clerk for many years, subsequently engaging in the business of a commercial traveler, his ronte lead- ing him through many places of interest in Ger- many. He followed the latter occupation until the year 1863, when he emigrated to America, and came directly to Riley County, Kan. Upon his arrival he bought land on Fancy Creek, and followed farm- ing until 1871, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Winkler's Mills, in the same county. He remained there till 1883, in which year he re- moved to Leonardville and opened a store for the transaction of his business as a merchant. He is now one of the solid men of the place, and has ae- cumulated the most of his present fortune since his arrival in America. Mr. Burk brought a small capital with him to this country and has turned it so often that it has grown out of all proportion to its original size. America has proven not only the "land of the free and the home of the brave" to him, but the land of fulfilled promises and the home of prosperity. Opportunities of making money are not wanting in this country, but the ability to successfully grapple with them is not al- ways possessed in equal degree by those to whom they are presented. Our subjeet, however, was not one to let slip any legitimate chances that were given him of increasing his worldly possessions, hence he is to-day a comparatively rich man, and is able and willing to assist others less fortunately situated than himself.

Mr. Burk and his interesting family are active and efficient members of the Lutheran Church. Politically, he is a Democrat, and assists to a mod-

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erate extent in the counsels of his party. On Sept. 15, 1863, he was married to one of Germany's fairest and most worthy daughters, Miss Wilhel- mena Guganhan, who like her husband is a native of Ulm, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Burk have had eight children born unto them, and named respect- ively, Emil, Eugene, Mollie, Rudolph, Amanda, Emma, Louis and Ilelena. Mr. Burk is one of the oldest settlers of Riley County, and stands de- servedly high in the estimation of all who know him. He is not only one of the leading merchants of Leonardville. but, with his family, occupies a prominent place in the social circles of the town.

On another page will be found the pietured fea- tures of Mr. Burk, as one of the representative bus- iness men of Riley county.

OHN D. WILSON. There are few indi- viduals sojourning in the southern part of Washington County.who are unfamiliar with the name of this gentleman, who has made for himself a fine record in more ways than one. We will commence at the beginning of his history by stating that he is a native of the old Granite State, having been born at Haverhill, March 11, 1834. Ile is the offspring of a good family, being the son of the Rev. Cyril Wilson, who was born in Vermont, and for many years was a preacher in the Christian Advent Church. He removed from New Ilampshire to Vermont in 1837 (after having resided in the former State a few years), and traveled throughout the Green Mountain State, preaching and making his home in Stockbridge, Bridport, and at other points. He labored under the belief that the Adventists were all going to heaven within a short time, but, contrary to his expectations, the world continued to revolve on its axis, and people lived until being taken off in the usual manner. The Wilson family, finally leaving New England, sought the wilds of Michigan, loeat- ing on what was then Cracker Hill, but is now Parma, in 1848. John D., at the age of sixteen years, started out for himself, working at whatever he could find to do. When seventeen years old he began to learn shoemaking, which he followed in

winter, while he worked at briekmaking in sum- mer. He was thus occupied until 1858, then, com- ing to Kansas, was similarly employed one year, and in the meantime it was discovered that he pos- sesssed more than ordinary talent for the police service, and other business in connection therewith. In due time he was elected City Marshal (or Chief- of-Police) of Atchison, in which position he served three years. In the meantime he also had obtained quite a reputation as an auctioneer, being very sue- cessful, and he finally engaged in this in company with Frank Howard, of Atchison, and officiated at sales, not only through the farming distriets in Kansas, but across the river in Missouri.

In 1869 Mr. Wilson established himself at Wa. terville, Marshall County, this State, and at the same time homesteaded 160 acres of land, settling npon it with his family that same fall. With his usual enterprise, which has never allowed him to be idle, he commeneed dealing in real estate, and made a specialty of locating men on homesteads' as the agent for railroad lands, for the firm of Knight & Vastine, who were the largest land- owners then in this locality. He likewise estab- lished a livery stable at Waterville, and took contracts for carrying the mail on four different routes, running hacks in all directions from Water- ville, which was then the terminus of the Chicago, Burlington & Union Pacific Railroad.

In 1876, with the spirit of adventure still upon him, Mr. Wilson, after establishing his family com- fortably in Atchison, set out for the Black Hills. A six-months sojourn in that region satisfied him, and returning that same fall, he was cordially wel- comed by the citizens of Washington County, who promptly elected him as their Sheriff, which office he held two years, and made his home in Wash- ington. At the expiration of his term of office he returned to his farm in Linn Township, of which he has since been a resident. He has much of the time been engaged as an auctioneer, and he is also the general agent for William Radam's Mierobe Killer, a wonderful medicine which eures that dread- ful disease, typhoid fever, in the space of twenty- four hours, and works with the same effeet upon other deadly diseases, It will be seen by the above record that Mr. Wilson is a man who must

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always be busy both with hands and brain. He possesses a fine fund of general information, having had a large experience with men and things, and having kept his eyes open to what is going on around him in the world. He and his estimable wife are joint owners of 320 acres of land, all in one body, which constitutes their homestead.

Over twenty-four years ago, on the 6th of Sep- tember, 1865, John D. Wilson was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary, daughter of David White- head. Mrs. Wilson was born in Rochester, N. Y .. Sept. 21, 1835. Her father was of English birth and parentage. and emigrated to America early in life, following the trade of a miller. He removed. with his family, to Cleveland, Ohio. when Miss Mary was an infant, and about thirteen or fourteen years later came further westward. and located in Milwaukee, Wis., making the journey by the lakes. Finally. he went back to New York State, locating in Oswego, and from there, a few years later, re- moved to Madison, Ind. The last home of the family was in Maumee City, Ohio. where the house- hold was broken up. There were four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson-Alta M. (now de- ceased ), Carrie E., Franklin C. and Celia. Miss Carrie taught school, but being ambitious of a fin- ished education, is at the present time (1889) a stu- dent in Midland College, at Atchison. C'elia is preparing herself for the profession of a teacher. Frank remains with his father on the farm.

For several years Mr. Wilson officiated as Town . ship Trustee. He stands high in the Masonic fra- ternity, being a Knight Templar and a member of the Grand Lodge. He belonged to the first C'hap- ter in the State of Kansas, and for two years was Master of the Lodge at Greenleaf. He is also iden- tified with the I. O. O. F. While occupying the office of Sheriff, he passed through some thrilling experiences, which called forth the courage for which he has always been noted from his earliest years. At that time the firm of Shriner Bros., bankers, of Washington, failed. They had de- posited notes, to the amount of $6,000 or $7,000, in the hands of a former Treasurer of Washington County. This ex-official had money in the bank, and having learned of the condition of affairs. he attached these notes. and was shot by John Shriner.

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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 89

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

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