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 91

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 91
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 91
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 91

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When coming to Kansas, Mr. Lower brought with him his young wife, formerly Miss Mary Dougal, to whom he was married Nov. 13, 1855, in Rock Island, Ill. This lady was born July 12, 1832, in Pennsylvania, and is the daughter of Henry Dougal, who emigrated to Illinois, and died there in 1859. His wife survived bim until 1873, dying in Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Lower there have been born six children. viz: David E., James B., Harry M., Emma C., Frank W. and William S. Mr. Lower, politically, is a sound Republican, and votes for prohibition. Ile is not connected with any religions organization, but his estimable wife is a Presbyterian. Mrs. Lower has been a true and faithful helpmate to her husband, assisting him in his pioneer labors, and he admits that it is largely owing to her economical management of the house- hold affairs that he has prospered so well. His farm, now 460 acres in extent, forms one of the most valuable estates in this region, and on account of

it, there is annually paid into the county treasury a snug sum in the way of taxes.

The father of our subject was David Lower, a rative of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. · His paternal grandfather emigrated to America in time to participate in the Revolutionary War. Ile had no money when starting from his native conn- try, and was sold for his passage. lle obtained his freedom by enlisting in the Continental Army. After the war was over, he ocenpied himself as a weaver and farmer combined, and spent the re- mainder of his life in Pennsylvania. dying there abont 1836. David Lower married Miss Susanna Rhodes, a native of Pennsylvania, who survives him, and is now living in Carroll County, Ill .; she is the mother of ten children, Levi, our subject, being the eldest. One brother died in the army, and his remains were laid in a soldier's grave at Paducah, Ky.

Levi Lower enlisted as a Union soldier in Car- roll County, Ill., in the 34th Illinois Infantry, in which he served three years. lle then re-enlisted in the 4th Cavalry, but the war closed before he reached his command. He received his honorable discharge at Atlanta, Ga. While a member of the 34th Regiment, he was captured three times by the enemy, but succeeded each time in making his escape. At the battle of Stone River he received eleven different wounds, but was only disabled from active service a few days. He has never as- pired to office, but at the solicitation of his friends, accepted that of County Commissioner, and is fill- ing the position with credit to himself and satisfac- tion to all concerned. His term expires in January. 1890.

ARL LAENGRICH. Washington County is the home of many prosperous agricultor- ists, whose fine farms are beautiful as well as remunerative. The gentleman above named is one of these men. He lives on section 19, Independ- ence 'Township, where he owns 320 acres of land, all in one body. It is well tilled and supplied with all needful farm buildings. among them an attractive house that was erected in 1885. The orchard and vineyard are especially fine. The

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former contains 300 apple. 50 peach, 25 cherry trees, and various small fruits. The vineyard contains 250 stands of grapes. The owner of this fine estate began on nothing, and was for several years the support of his parents.

The parents of our subject were Christian and Christina (Thiele) Laengrich, natives of Saxe, Prusia. They were married in the Old Country, and came to America in 1867, settling in Milwau- kee, Wis. The father died in 1875. and the mother in 1887. Nine children were born to them, eight are now living.

The gentleman of whom we write, was the young est in his father's family and was born in Saxe, Feb. 24, 1850. He received a good education in German, being a resident of his native land until the age of seventeen years. Ile then came to America withi his parents, and lived in Wisconsin until 1879. Ile next resided in Nebraska for two years, after which he came to Kansas and settled on his present place. In early life he learned the trade of a carpenter, at which he worked until his marriage. He has done all the wood work about his place. He keeps about 50 head of cattle, 9 horses and 100 hogs.

In Wisconsin, Jan. 7. 1871, the ceremony was performed which transformed Miss Henrietta Riese into Mrs. Carl Laengrich. The bride was a daugh- ter of Michael and Christiana (Laengrich) Riese, natives of Saxe, who had removed to America in 1868 and settled in Wisconsin. Mr. Riese was a farmer. His death occurred in 1868. His widow subsequently married again, and is now living near Odell, Neb. Mrs. Laengrich was the only child of her parents, born Oct. 10, 1853, in Saxe. She has been the mother of nine children, three of whom are deceased. Those now living are: Albert, Oscar, Ida, Frida, Amelia and Carl, all of whom are at home and attending school. Their father takes a lively interest in their education and they are being taught both English and German. They are not only receiving their education but are being carefully reared, as their excellent behavior and courteous manners testify.

Mr. Laengrich takes an active interest in politics, generally voting the Republican ticket, though in 1 local elections he votes for the man, rather than the

party. He is a member of the Turner Society, in Michigan, and during his residenee in Wisconsin served his neighborhood as Road Overseer. Both he and his wife are members of the German Luth- eran Church, of Lanham, in which they have high standing. A man of intelligence and upright character, an able and honorable farmer, and a good citizen, Mr. Laengrich deserves the position which he occupies in the esteem of his neighbors and fellow-eitizens.

AMES W. FRENCH, physician and surgeon of Morrow, Washington County, is not only a well informed and successful practitioner. but is a man of fine personal appearance. He is six feet tall, broad shouldered, and weighs about 180 pounds. His gray hair and long flowing gray beard and mustache, added to his fine form, make up a personnel both noticeable and attractive. His appearance is not belied by his mental abilities, as he is educated, intelligent, and a fine conversa- tionalist.

Dr. French was born in Tewksbury, Mass., Oct. 31, 1832, his parents being George W. and Maria M. French. His father was the son of Hezekialı French, a New England farmer, and in his youth learned cloth making. He erected the first woolen factory in Wolcottsville, Mass., and also owned one in Lowell. In 1833 he removed to Wisconsin and settled in Foxville, now Burlington, in Racine County. There he went into the carriage-making business, which he followed for several years. He then became associated with James Cotton, buying a half interest in the Burlington Woolen Mill, the machinery of which he brought from Lowell. At the breaking out of the late war this mill made the first gray cloth used to uniform Wisconsin soldiers. The first lot was made for Col. Stark weather's regi- ment, the 1st Wisconsin. The Confederates having adopted a gray uniform, a change in the color of the Federal uniform was necessary. The firm, therefore, took back 2.000 yards of their manufac- ture and dyed it blue. In the fall of 1868 the mill dam was destroyed, causing the fall of part of the mill, and the destruction of much of its machinery. The wreck was such as to ineur a greater expense

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in its repair and restoration than the proprietors were in a condition to stand. The father of our subject. therefore, engaged in farming, at which he continued for a number of years. Ile is now living in Haven, Reno Co., Kan., at the age of ninety years. During his residence in Wisconsin he served several years as Sheriff of Racine County. Ile is a member of the Masonic order, and was. after the death of Dr. Wolcott, the oldest Mason in Wiscon- sin. He has been a Democrat all his life. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. During the gold excitement in California, he went to that Ter- ritory, where he spent the years from 1851 to 1855.

The wife of George French, and the mother of our subject, was a daughter of Kittridge French, of French descent, and a Revolutionary soldier. She departed this life in Burlington, Wis., in 1878, hav- ing borne her husband nine children, of whom brief mention is made as follows: Ann resides in Haven, Reno County ; she is the wife of F. O. Thorp, who was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate, and is well known in Racine, as an able and successful criminal lawyer. Caroline died in infancy, in Tewksbury, Mass. Sarah died in 1862, at Proph- etstown, Whiteside Co., III .; she went to California in 1851 with her father, and there married Il. F. Kellum, a stock dealer; she remained in California seven years; she left four children, all girls. Mary married the Rev. M. Knapp, a Methodist minister, aud died in Missouri, in 1878, leaving no children. George lives in Perry, lowa; during the early years of his manhood he was a lawyer, and was Chief Justice of Dakota Territory from 1862 to 1868. lle is now engaged in the wholesale grocery busi- ness, and is a member of a firm having houses in Chicago, Ill., in Des Moines, Iowa, and in Perry. He married Miss DeGolyer; they have three chil- dren. William is now living in Seattle, Wash. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in Wisconsin, but was rejected. He is a carpenter. He married Miss Lizzie McKercher, who has borne him two children. The next in order in the family is the gentleman whose name initiates this notice, and following him came Asaph. The youngest mem - ber of the family is llezekiab, a lawyer residing in Wisconsin ; he is married and has a family.

Dr. French was but two years old when his par- 1

ents removed to Wisconsin, where he was reared. and received a good common-school education. He remained with his parents until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he entered the services of the I'mion. He enlisted. July, 1861, in Milwaukee, joining the 1st Wisconsin Infantry, under the com- mand of Col. Starkweather. Ile was out but forty days when he was discharged, but immediately re-enlisted, this time being attached to the 9th Wisconsin, Randall's Battery, with which he served until July, 1865. He saw service mostly on the frontier in Kansas and Colorado. He participated in the fight at Ft. Larned, under Col. Leavenworth, when sixty-eight men held out against 2,600 Indi- ans, mostly Cheyennes, Commanches, Arapahoes. and Kiowas, for forty-eight hours, when re-enforce- ments arrived from Fts. Riley and Kearney. He also took part in the conflict in Sand Creek, Kan. He was on detached duty at Ft. Leavenworth from July, 1862, to October, 1864. At the battle of Ilickman's Mills he was wounded in the right leg, the tibia being broken between the ankle and knee by a minie ball, which has never been ex- tracted. After recovering from the wound Dr. French was ordered to Ft. Leavenworth, where he had charge of the Post Battery. He also served for a time as Hospital Steward, at Independence. Mo. After receiving his discharge at Ft. Leavenworth, he returned to Burlington, Wis.

Subsequently our subject removed to Missouri, and began reading medicine at West Point, Bates County, under Dr. John S. Davis, with whom he read for four years. He then visited his home, after which he repaired to Chicago, III., and had his eyes operated on by Dr. DeLasker Miller. He then spent one winter in attendance at Rush Medical College, and returning to West Point, Mo., in 1870, took up the practice of his profession. There he remained for a year, thence removing to Osaga, now Fulton. Kan., and becoming Assistant Surgeon of the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Gulf Railroad, un- der Dr. Horton. He also practiced in Pleasanton, Olathe, and LaCygne, Kan., until 1878, when he removed to Louisburgh, where he remained one year. He then returned to LaCynge, whence he came to Morrow in 1885. He is an Old-School physician. In addition to his practice here he is

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the proprietor of a drug, book and stationery store.

The marriage of our subject took place at Ells- worth City, Ellsworth Co., Kan., June 24, 1868. The bride was Miss Susan Gallion, daughter of James Gallion, and adopted daughter of John S. Davis. She is a slender, good-looking lady, of vi- vacious manners, and educated mind. She was horn in the Hoosier State. Her union with Dr. French has been blessed by the birth of three chil_ dren-Eva, Charles and William, all intelligent and well bred.

Dr. French is a Republican, and heartily supports the principles and candidates of that party. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church. IIis reputa- tion is that of a good citizen, and a cultured and upright man.

b ON. PATRICK H. C. BRUCE, an ex-mem- ber of the Kentucky Legislature and now a resident of Clay Township. Clay County. Kan., is a man highly esteemed for his official and executive ability and one recognized as possessing more than ordinary capacities. He is mostly self educated, and by persistent study and research, has become well informed upon all topics of interest to the intelligent citizen. He owns and occupies forty acres of land on section 5 and has held the office of Township Trustee for the past eight years. He is a member in good standing of the Christian Church and likewise of the Masonic fraternity.

Lewis County, Ky., was the birth place of our subject and the date thereof May 5. 1818. He is thus a veteran of seventy-one years. His father, John Bruce, Jr., was a native of Virginia and the son of John Bruce, Sr., who served in the Revolu- tionary War. The paternal great-grandfather, likewise John Bruce, emigrated from Scotland in 1747, and settled in Petersly, Va. There accom- panied him to the United States his brother Alex- ander, who settled in another part of the Old Dominion and of whom or his descendants little is known. Grandfather Bruce settled in Madi- son County, Ky., after the independence of the colonists had been established and for a time lived in a fort, safe from the Indians. Later he

moved into Bourbon County, Ky., where the In- dians destroyed and carried off his property. Hc then sought safety in. Girard County, where he spent the remainder of his life.

The mother of our subject was in her girlhood, Miss Isabella Boyle. Her father was Alexander Boyle, who spent his last years in Kentucky. The parental family consisted of twelve children, six of whom are living, viz: Mahala, ( Mrs. Jameson;) Patrick H. C., Andrew J., Margaret, (Mrs. Leitch,) Alexander, 2d, and Simon B. Patrick, like his brothers and sisters, went to school in a log cabin with split log seats upheld by wooden pins and the desks fastened to the wall with the same contri- vance. The floor was of puncheon and the roof of clapboards held down by weight poles. The system of instruction was in keeping with the architecture of the temple of learning and the teachers administered "birch oil" freely. The scholars chopped and carried the wood and made the fires.

Young Bruce thus developed into manhood amid the wild scenes of pioneer life in the Blue Grass State, and became a prominent man in his com- munity. Ile at an early age developed those quali- ties which marked the man and after serving a period of eight years as Justice of the Peace and occupying acceptably other positions of trust and responsibility, he was. in 1865, duly elected to the Legislature of his native State. That year, how- ever, he was seized with an affection of the eyes and for eight years suffered thus; for three years of that time was nearly blind.

In the meantime, on the 7th of November, 1839, occurred the marriage of Patrick H. C. Bruce and Miss Malinda Crawford. This lady was the daughter of the well known Jonathan Crawford, who spent his last days in Kentucky. She, like her husband, was born in Lewis County, Ky., July 1, 1822, and was one of a family of eight children. six of whom are living-Martha A., Thomas H .. Robert A., Laura and Isabel. Martha became the wife of Samuel Kibbey; they live in Clay Center and have four children-Bruce, Annie, Henry and llattie. Robert A. married Miss Annie Burdett and they live in Clay Township; they have two children-Olive and Bertha. Laura married

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Charles Baldwin of Belleville, this State; they have no children. Isabel is the wife of Newton W. Jewett of Clay Center, and they have two children -Newton C. and Mary M.

Mr. Bruce came to Kansas in March, 1877, and settled on the west side of ('lay Center. In the spring of 1879, he moved to his present place where he has a neat and comfortable home, which is the resort of the many friends he and his estimable wife have made since their sojourn in Clay County. Mr. Bruce is the encourager of all enterprises tend- ing to the elevation of society and is a man who stands second to none in his community.

P RANCIS G. PRIBOTH. The results of energy and industry are nowhere more apparent than in the surroundings of Mr. Priboth, who makes his headquarters at a well-de- veloped homestead comprising 139 aeres of land in the Moehlman Bottoms on section 31, Manhattan Township. Ile is a man well informed and intelli- gent, popular among his neighbors and one who deals courteously with all with whom he comes in contact.

A native of Magdeburg, Germany, the subject of this sketch was born .Jan. 2. 1825, and is the son of Christian and Mary (Lareliner) Priboth who were of pure German ancestry and spent their entire lives in their native land. Their family consisted of five children. Franeis G. acquired a good edu- eation in the common schools of his native provinee, remaining a resident there until a youth of twenty-nine years. Becoming then greatly in- terested in the reports which reached him from America, which was then holding out great induee- ments to the young and enterprising emigrant, he resolved upon seeking its shores and accordingly on the 8th of October, 1854, set out from Bremen and landed in the city of Baltimore in November following. Thence he repaired to Chicago, Ill., and shortly afterward secured employment on a farm in the vieinity of Kankakee. 1Ie had learned the tailor's trade in Germany and worked at this for a time in Chicago. Ile remained a resident of the Prairie State five years, then in the

spring of 1860 crossed the Mississippi and on the 5th of July following, located on his present place in Manhattan Township, taking up 113 acres to which he has since added twenty-six aeres. He began life in Kansas in true pioneer style, making it a rule to live within his income and for a num- ber of years labored early and late and managed very closely to make both ends meet. There are few men who labor thus without corresponding re- turns and Mr. Priboth in due time found himself on the road to prosperity.

While a resident of Chicago. Mr. Priboth was married Aug. 9, 1859. to Miss Caroline, daughter of Gottlieb and Elizabeth Roediger. The twelve children of this union were born as follows: Amelia. Nov. 19, 1860; Francis, Nov. 21, 1862; Herman. Feb. 6, 1864; Alvina, Sept. 13, 1866; Caroline, Dec. 17, 1868; Frederick. March 5. 1870; Dora, Feb. 21, 1872; Rona, Ang. 19, 1873; Arthur, July 14, 1875; Martha, April 15, 1877; Gustav, April 19, 1879, and Emiel, Nov. 3, 1880. Amelia is the wife of Charles Rosencutter who is farming a part of the home place and they have three children. Alvina is the wife of Samuel Deibler, of Manhattan, and they have one child. Mr. Priboth is pardon- ably proud of his twelve children and has a photo- graph group of them, together with his wife and himself, which makes a very interesting picture to look upon. Mrs. Priboth was born in the Grand Duehy of Mecklenburg, Germany, Aug. 24, 1841.

Politically Mr. Priboth belongs to the Demo- cratie party , and in religious matters is a Lutheran. Ile is frequently sent as a delegate to the county conventions and is a member of the Central Com- mittee. The family residence is a large two story frame structure which with its surroundings makes a very attractive home. He is now Township Treasurer.

ILLIAM GUGENHAN, a Kansas pioneer of 1863 and holding a leading position among its substantial German element, also holds a well-regulated homestead, comprising 525 acres, eligibly located in Center Township and Jackson Township. He came to this section eom- paratively without means and purchased 160 acres.

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upon which his residence now stands. Subse- quently he homesteaded eighty acres and in due time purchased 280 acres more, so that he now has one of the finest estates in Riley County. While carrying on general farming profitably, he also gives considerable attention to stock-raising. His thrift and industry have conspired to surround him with all the comforts of life, while he has a sufficiency of this world's goods to insure him against want in his old age.

Mr. Gugenhan was born nearly fifty-two years ago, on the 28th of March, 1838, in the Kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany, to William and Mar- garet (Kurtz) Gugenhan who were likewise born in Wurtemburg and there spent their entire lives. The father died when about sixty years old, the mother died when our subject was four years. The parental household was completed by the birth of eight children, only four of whom are living, namely: Bertha, Mary, William and Minnic. Bertha and Mary continue to reside in Germany; Minnie is a resident of Leonard ville.

The subject of this sketch was reared and educa- ted in his native Province, being placed in school at an early age and made to continue his studies until a lad of fourteen. After his emigration to Ameriea he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Kaesbohrer, the wedding taking place Sept. 27, 1863, at the bride's home in Pottawatomie County. Mrs. Gugenhan is likewise a native of Wurtemburg and born Aug. 30, 1841. Iler union with our subject resulted in the birth of four children, viz: Emma, William, Clara and Richard. Emma and Richard died in infancy.

b OTEL BONHAM. This house is located in Clay Center, and was opened to the pub- lic, Sept. 1, 1887. It is without question the best-arranged and best-furnished hotel in the State of Kansas, and is acknowledged by those who have partaken of its hospitality to be. regardless of price, the best establishment of its kind in the West. It is a four-story building above the basement and is located near the business center

of the city, the main front and entrance being on Fifth street, "the main street of the city" and the side entrance on Dexter street. The fronts are built of pressed brick, beautifully trimmed with stone and an iron cornice. Within are all the accommodations for both ladies and gentlemen us- ually found in a first-class house, especially intended for the convenience and comfort of the traveling public. It contains 100 large, elegantly furnished rooms with hot and cold water, bath rooms and electric calls, with ample protection against fire and heated throughout with steam.

The first, second and third floors of the Hotel Bonham, with the exception of the parlors and bridal chambers, are furnished with antique oak; the fourth floor is finished with ash and every room and hall is carpeted with either velvet or Brus- sels. The office, reading-room, dining-room, par- lors and halls attract the attention of strangers on account of their size and splendid furnishings. It is scarcely necessary to say that this elegant host- lery is conducted in all its departments in the most systematic manner and its guests are accorded that courteous attention which cannot fail to please.

Built at the same time as the Hotel Bonham and forming a part of the same structure, is the Bonham Opera House, merely separated from the hotel by a heavy brick wall. This is 60x105 feet in dimen- sions, with a stage 32x60 feet, and is three full stories above the basement. The main auditorium is on the first floor with balcony and gallery above. The seating capacity is 1.100 and includes the best opera chairs and the most beautiful scenery. It carries every protection against fire and has many ways of exit.

E. J. Bonham, the projector of the above enter- prises, came to Clay Center in September, 1874, and was in the mercantile business until the fall of 1883. lle was then elected Register of Deeds and re- elected in 1885, holding the office for four years. He was active in securing for Clay Center a first- class hotel and the opera house, which were named in his honor.

Mr. Bonham was born in Lancaster, Grant Co .. Wis., in 1852, and lived there until coming to Kansas, twenty years later. While serving as Reg- ister of Deeds he became interested in abstracting,

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which interest he still maintains. Ile purchased the Dispatch in March. 1887, of which he was sole editor and proprietor two years and still has an in- terest in that paper.

AD -dp- AS

R. EV WILLIAM B. SMALLWOOD, an ex- tensive farmer, owning and occupying one of the most desirable farms in Washington Township. Washington County, besides a large farm in Decatur County, this State, is one of the leading divines of the Baptist denomination in this part of the West, where he has been instru- mental in advancing the interests of this church. and in organizing religious societies, and is now pre- siding very acceptably over the Hubbell Church at Thayer, Neb.

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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 91

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

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