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 93

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 93
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 93
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 93

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).

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this occasion had nothing in the house to eat but turnips and bread, and a little venison, which was their diet during that whole winter. At one time they had sixty pounds of flour, which Mr. Faulk carried on his back seven miles. He was one of a company of seven who came here at the same time to make their home, taking up homesteads, and the only one left of that band of men.

The second year of his residence here Mr. Faulk and his little family came very near starving, and at a time when there was over 500 pounds of flour owing to him at the mills. The latter, on account of the extreme dry weather, were unable to run. Mr. Faulk and a neighbor had eaten up everything with the exception of some string beans. The neighbor went to Washington, and while absent looking for something to eat, those who were left behind existed on a pint of the beans. One day Mr. Faulk went into a store, where he had been in the habit of trading when he had money, and asked for some flour or cornmeal on time. This was re- fused him, but Mr. Faulk told the store-keeper they must have something and proceeded to help him- self. The merchant then assisted him to what he wanted and he returned home with his neighbor. The two wives had then been one whole day with- ont eating even string beans. The neighbor's wife Mrs. Chapman, had gone to bed to die, and it was with difficulty that they persuaded her at last to get up.

During that summer Mr. Faulk walked four miles to work for Charles Bachman, and went all summer without shoes. They lived on "shorts" a coarse flour, and had a broom, a paper of soda and a lariat, among their worldly possessions. For the first few years all the cash Mr. Faulk handled was the $4.50 he had when coming here, the $20 which he borrowed to make his entry, and fifty cents be- sides. His work went for anything he could get. Now, surrounded by all the comforts of life, and the owner of a valuable farm, he is able to look around him with satisfaction upon that which he bas accomplished by a course of patient industry and perseverance. He has under the plow 115 acres of prime land, and the balance of his farm of 160 acres is in pasture and hay. The whole is neatly fenced and embellished with suitable buildings.

Mr. Faulk has planted quite a number of orna- mental trees, including one acre of walnut trees now in good bearing condition. He has an orchard of about 100 apple trees, the most of which are productive, a goodly number of peach trees of a very fine variety and the smaller fruits.

To Mr. and Mrs. Faulk there were born eight children, seven of whom are living. Mattie, the eldest, died in October, 1871, at the age of eight months, during their stay in the old dugout, with not a neighbor for three miles and Mrs. Faulk being entirely alone at the time the babe expired; Winnie, Myrtie. Clarice, Lorenzo, Lovern, Maude and Earl are at home with their parents. Mr. Faulk, politi- cally, was a sound Republican, and has been some- what prominent in local affairs, serving an Constable and Road Supervisor. He has seen this section of country during the process of its growth and de- delopment, and watched with warmest interest its prosperity while contributing his quota to the gen- eral march of progress. The scenes through which he has passed, if properly related, would make an interesting volume.

ACOB KOZEL. This gentleman is the owner of one of the finest farms in Washington County, where he and his sons are engaged in stock-feeding and shipping, and general farming. The home estate is located in Coleman Township, and comprises 320 acres, on section 4. The dwelling is a good frame house, but a finer and more modern residence is to be erected during the next year. There are about a dozen buildings on the place, used for stables, cribs, cattle-barns, etc. One thousand apple trees have been set out and have been bearing the past seven years. There are also about 200 bearing peach trees, the whole making up the finest orchard in this county. The place is supplied with a complete system of water-works. A large reservoir is built at the house, into which the water is pumped by a windmill. Pipes convey it into the house, and others carry it some thousand feet away into the cattle yard. The reservoir there is furnished with an automatic stop by which the water is shut off when the tanks are full. In ad-

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dition to the home place, Mr. Kozel also owns 160 acres on section 28, Mill Creek Township, and eighty aeres on section 33. All has been put under cultivation hy him except about forty acres, which was broken when he purchased it. About 100 head of cattle and several car-loads of hogs are shipped annually. The three sons of Mr. Kozel have the management of the estate and business, but all is conducted in their father's name. The young men are bright and energetie, and work harmoniously together. taking a laudable pride in the work which they have accomplished.

Mr. Kozel is a native of Prague. Austria, and is a son of Joseph and Mary Kozel. His father fol- lowed silver mining. Our subject received an ex- cellent common-school education in the Bohemian language, and then learned the trade of a tailor. Ile came to America with his father and step- mother, his own mother having died when he was very small. They landed in New Orleans, La., in 1849, and the same year went to St. Louis, Mo. There our subject worked at his trade, afterward going to Milwaukee, Wis .. where he was similarly employed. Subsequently he settled on a farm near Kossuth, in Manitowoc County. He after- ward returned to St. Louis. where he was living when the Civil War broke out. He was a member of the 2d Regiment of Missouri State Militia, in which he served six months during the Rebellion. Hle afterward served one year in the Missouri Re- serve Corps, and took part in one battle under Gen. John C. Fremont. Mr. Kosel again removed to Milwaukee, continuing to work at the trade which he had learned. Some time later he took his family to Fairbury, Neb., where they settled on a farm. This was during the grasshopper raid of 1874, and they met the " hoppers" on the way. Mr. Kosel had sold a nice home in the city of Mil- waukee, and the change to a country that had been overridden by destructive insects was a great one. The next move of our subject was to this county. where he opened a tailor shop in Washington. He conducted the business but a short time before pur- chasing the place where he now lives.

Mr. Kosel celebrated his marriage on Jan. 16, 1855. He was then twenty-one years old, having been born in 1834. The bride was Miss Barbara

Lackey, daughter of Martin and Mary Lackey. Three sons and two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kozel. They have been carefully reared by their estimable mother, and all have been well educated. Slavena. the oldest daughter, mar- ried W. J. Noble, a barber in Greenleaf. The ceremony took place Sept. 15, 1877. George, the eldest son, has been educated for the profession of teaching. He, however, is at home, and assisted by his brothers. William H. and Charles, has the man- agement of the estate. Paulina is a young lady, and still at home.

Mr. Kozel is a member of Lodge No. 119, A. O. l'. W., in which he carries $2,000 insurance on his life. He also belongs to the C. S. P. S., holding his membership in Hanover. In that society he carries $1,000 insurance. He is Democratic in his politi- cal views, and his sons vote with their father. The family are highly respected by their fellow-citizens for their energy, intelligence and sterling principles.

1 SAAC S. BLOSS. A compendium of Clay County biographies would be incomplete with- out the history of this gentleman. who is one of the oldest pioneers of Hayes Township, and the owner and occupant of a pleasant farm located on section 22. Hlis years of Christian life, his good citizenship, and his kindliness toward all with whom he comes in contact, alike insure him their respeet, and he and his noble-hearted and capable wife hold a high place in the regard of those who know their lives and characters.

He of whom we write is a son of Dorman and Susannah (Scott) Bloss, natives of Massachusetts, and the Bloss family is traced back in a direct line to the year of 1630, when one of that name emi- grated to Massachusetts from England. Being such early settlers of the Bay State, it is safe to say that the ancestors opposed Toryism, and left Eng- land on account of lack of religious liberty, and that the Continental army numbered in its ranks men of that name. The ancestral religion was that of the Congregational Church, so far as known. The father of our subject was twice married, six children being the result of the first union, and four

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of the second. Of the latter family three are now living. The oldest, Hiram, lives in Clay Center. The youngest, Lovisa, the widow of Ilarrison Kelly, lives with her son, Prof. D. S. Kelly, a teacher in the State Normal School of Emporia.

Isaac S. Bloss was the second son of his mother, and opened his eyes to the light in Tioga County, Pa., April 21, 1817. When a few months old his parents removed to Jackson County, Ind., where he grew nearly to years of manhood, acquiring such education as could be there obtained. When nine- teen years old he went to Washington County, the same State, where he continued to reside until the spring of 1870. He then came with his family to this State, and deciding upon Clay County as his future place of residence, filed on a homestead of of 160 acres, which he still ocenpies. There were only seven houses in Clay Center, when Mr. Bloss arrived in the county, and but few settlers in Hayes Township, and dug- outs the only residences. So sparsely was the country settled that deer and antelope frequently passed the door, and the country about them was in almost a primitive condition. The land upon which Mr. Bloss resides is now in an excellent state of productiveness and improvement, and is a valuable piece of property. He gives mueli ere- dit to his wife, who has been his counselor and helpmate for many years, and who with him is now enjoying the comforts which should surround de- clining years, and are a legitimate fruit of lives well spent.

On March 20, 1828, Mr. Bloss was united in mar- riage with Miss Naney MeKnight, a native of the Hoosier State, who was removed from him by the hand of death, Sept. 27, 1862. She had borne him three children, the second ehild and oldest daughter -Elizabeth, J., being now deceased. The first born is Prof. John M. Bloss, Superintendent of the public schools at Topeka, Kan .; and the youngest is Margaret, wife of Willis W. Tatlock, of Washı- ington County, Ind.

After remaining a widower several years, Mr. Bloss contracted a second matrimonial alliance on Sept. 5, 1866, the bride being Miss Jane Mcknight, who was born in Jackson County, Ind., Oct. 16, 1840, and is a daughter of William and Jane Me-

Knight, Her father was a native of Mercer County. Ky .. and of Scotch-Irish descent, while her mother was of German ancestry, and was born in Wash- ington County, Ind. By his second marriage Mr. Bloss became the father of six children: Prof. Schuyler C., principal of the 3rd Ward school at Clay Center; Scott, May, Hiram, Alva and Susan- nah.

Mr. Bloss has served as Justice of the Peace for two years, and as Trustee of Hayes Township sev- eral years, filling both positions in a creditable manner. He is a Republican with strong Prohibi- tion sentiments, and an earnest advocate of good government and morality. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, at Clay Cen- ter, and he is now officiating as an Elder. During his residence in Indiana, he was a Deacon and Elder in the church.

F6 ERNANDO B. DAWES, Attorney and Counselor at Law, at Clay Center, came to Clay County on June 10, 1878, and is one of the oldest practicing attorneys of his adopted city. He has built up one of the most extensive law practices within its limits and has especially distinguished himself in criminal cases. Ile is in fact considered the ablest criminal lawyer in Clay and several adjoining counties, making a specialty of this branch of the profession. He is a close stu- dent and gives his entire attention to the duties of his profession, keeping himself well informed in regard to the questions which are constantly aris- ing. He does not act as the agent of any other enterprise, not even making collections or loans. He does nothing but a strictly law business.

Mr. Dawes is yet a young man, having been born Nov. 14. 1855 in Allen County: Ind. His boyhood days were spent upon a farm and he attended the district school. When of suitable years and attainments, he entered the United Brethren Academy at Roanoke, Huntington Co., Ind., and upon emerging from this institution com- menced the study of law at Ft. Wayne. He was admitted to the bar in 1877, at the age of twenty-two

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years and the following year cast his lot among the people of Kansas.

Mr. Dawes was married to Miss Olive E. Wilson in 1875. They are now the parents of four chil- ! dren, a son and three daughters, viz: Leona O., Iona N., Raymond B. and Pansy Y. They occupy a snug home in the northeastern part of town. Mr. Dawes since 1880 has been quite active in political affairs, doing some excellent campaign work. He is a uniform supporter of the Republi- can party. His well equipped office is located on Lincoln Avenue, where he has an ample library and all the other documents required for the successful practice of law. He has entered upon a prosperous - career and promises to make himself beard here- after.

A UGUST KOLLING. Bloom Township con- tains numbers of well-to-do farmers, and among them may be mentioned the subject of this sketch, who owns and operates 160 acres of well-developed land on section 3. He pur- chased this in 1878. when it was but little removed from its primitive state, and located upon it in 1881. He came to Kansas from Will County, III .. of which he had been a resident a number of years. His native place was in Schaumberg Lippe, Prussia, where he first opened his eyes to the light April 2, 1853.

The father of our subject was Conrad Kolling, likewise a native of Prussia, and of pure German ancestry. fle acquired a good education, and learned the trade of a carpenter, and when reach- ing man's estate, was married in his native Pro- vince to Miss Caroline Meier, This lady was likewise born and reared in Prussia, and after the birth of their five children, of whom August was the youngest but one, the parents started for the United States, taking passage on the old sailing-ves- sel "Victoria," at the port of Bremen, and landing in the city of Baltimore, Md., after a seven week's voyage.

there until the death of the mother, which occurred in 1884. when she was seventy years old. Mr. Kolling, after the death of his wife, came to Kansas and makes his home with his son, William, a farmer of Mulberry Township, Clay County; he is now seventy-nine years old. Both parents became con- nected with the Lutheran Church early in life.

The subject of this sketch was fourteen years old when his parents came to America, and he attair ed to his majority in Will County, Ill. He came to Kansas a single man in 1881, and was married in Bloom Township, the 31st of January, 1883, to Miss Mary Ruegg. Mrs. Kolling was born in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, Nov. 5, 1863, and is the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Weber) Rnegg, who were also of Swiss birth and parentage. The latter emigrated to the United States in 1867, after their marriage and after the birth of most of their family. They settled in the vicinity of High- land, Ill., but in 1873, came to Kansas, and located in Goshen Township, Clay County. In 1878 they removed to Mulberry Township, where the father purchased 160 acres of land on section 34, and where both parents now live, being each about sixty years old. They are most excellent and worthy people. and members of the Reformed Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Kolling there have been born two children, Henry C', and Rose C. Mr. Kolling, po- litically, is a stanchi Republican, and with his ex- cellent wife belongs to the Lutheran Church.

By unflagging efforts in one direction, Mr. Kol- ling has established a fine homestead, and built thereon a comfortable and cozy residence, a view of which may be found elsewhere in this work.

LEXANDER CAMPBELL, The Camp- bells of Scotland have for generations been renowned in song and story, and thoughi, perhaps, the later descendants are men of more practical ideas than their ances- tors, they have, notwithstanding, usually inherited those substantial elements of character which go to make up the honest man and the useful citizen. The subject of this sketch-one of the great Scotch

Thence the Kolling family proceeded to Pennsyl- vania, where they sojourned three months, and then removed to Will County, III. The father pur- chased forty acres of land, and the family lived | Campbell family-is numbered among the most

RESIDENCE OF FRANK G. SCHWAB, SEC.7. (R.2. E.) BLOOM TP., CLAY CO. KAN.

RESIDENCE OF ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, SEC. 23. MULBERRYTP.,CLAY CO. KAN.

RESIDENCE OF AUGUST KOLLING, SEC. 3. BLOOM TP., CLAY CO.KAN.

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successful farmers and stock-raisers of Northern Kansas, his land lying on section 23, Mulberry Township, in the northwest corner of Clay County. His 240-acre farmn is nearly all under a good state of cultivation, and embellished with substantial buildings.

Mr. Campbell came to this region in 1884, from the vicinity of Huron, Dak., where he had lived two years. Prior to this, he had been a resident of the Province of Ontario, Canada, near the town of Sarna. He was born at the sea-port of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Nov. 22, 1830, and is the son of Angus Campbell, an honest Scotch farmer, and a native of the Highlands, although reared in the Lowlands. He married a Lowland bride. Miss Mary Duncan, who was born of Scotch Presbyte- rian parents, and well reared.

In 1833, after the birth of three children, An- gus Campbell crossed the Atlantic, and was fol- lowed by his family the succeeding year, all sailing from Peterhead to Quebec, Canada. In the Do- minion they settled on a wild tract of land, which they slowly improved into the semblance of a farm, and which they occupied some years. Later they removed to Huron County, in the same Province, where the father died at the age of sixty-three years. The mother survived her husband until the fall of 1888, passing away at the ripe age of eighty. three. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church.

The subject of this sketch was the eldest son and second child of a large family, most of whom died young. He has a brother and three sisters yet liv- ing. He remained a member of the home house- hold until his marriage, which was celebrated near Sarna, Huron County, Canada, the bride being Miss Mary Watt, who was born on the Canada side of the Niagara Falls, in 1846, and was of Scotch descent. Her parents, George and Grace Watt, were natives of Perthshire, Scotland, where they were reared and married, and where the most of their children were born. Upon coming to Amer- ica they settled on a tract of wild, wooded land in Huron County, Canada, and there spent the re- mainder of their lives. The father had labored to good purpose, becoming well-to-do, and the par- ents spent their declining years surrounded by all

the comforts of life. Each had attained to their four-score years at the time of their decease. They had been active members of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Watt for many years offl- ciated as a Deacon, and were worthy people who enjoyed the esteem of all around them.

Mrs. Campbell was the youngest child of her parents, and the only one born in America. Sub- sequently her parents removed from the vicinity of the Falls, to Huron County, Canada, She was care- fully reared by her excellent parents, acquired a common-school education, and remained at home until her marriage. Iler union with Mr. Campbell resulted in the birth of thirteen children, one of whom died in infancy. . James D. is farming in the new State of Washington ; Grace is sojourning with an uncle in Dickinson County, Kan .; Angus, George, Mary A., Jane, Allen, Alexander, John G., Mary, Belle, David and Catherine remain at home with their parents. They are remarkably bright and in- teresting children, and are being carefully trained and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church in Clifton, in which Mr. Campbell has held the office of Deacon for some years. He is an active worker in the church and Sunday-school, the latter of which has often been held in his own house. In Huron, Dak., he organ- ized a Church Society. He is remarkably well in- formed upon Bible subjects, being able to quote large portious of the Scriptures. Politically, he is a sound Democrat.

In connection with the biographical review of Mr. Campbell, is presented elsewhere in this vol- ume, a fine engraving of the home and suround- ings on his farm. Although only a few years have elapsed tince he first saw Kansas soil, he has ac- complished much for himself and for his commu- nity.

F6 RANK G. SCHWAB. Among the many good citizens and successful agriculturists that Switzerland has furnished to the broad State of Kansas, a high rank should be given to the gentleman above named, who owns and occupies one of the best improved farms in Bloom Town- ship, Clay County. It comprises 160 acres on sec-

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tion 7, and is devoted to general farming and stock-raising. It is supplied with fine farm build- ings, is well stocked and carefully and intelligently cultivated. Mr. Schwab was the first of his fam- ily to come to the United States, whither the others have since followed him.

The paternal ancestry of our subject had for several generations resided in Canton Berne. The grandfather was Samuel Schwab, who obtained ownership of a mill there in 1798, and conducted it during the remainder of his aetive life, or until 1853, when his son Jacob, who had learned his trade therein, became the owner and proprietor. Jacob Schwab, who is the father of our subject, carried on the milling business for some years, transmitting it to his son, Jacob Schwab, Jr., whose biography occupies another page in this work. The father then, in 1878, came to the United States, and has since made his home with his son, Frank G., the subject of this sketch. He is now seventy-five years of age, and is stout and active for one of his years. He is a member of the. Reformed Presbyte- rian Church, as was his wife. The lady whom he married, bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Schwab, and was a native of Canton Solothurn, her birth having taken place Oct. 3, 1814, that being the year in which her husband also was born. She spent her entire life in her native country, dying July 12, 1859. at the age of forty-five years. She was the mother of nine children, six sons and three daughters, six of whom are now living. They are: Ferdinand (see sketch); Jacob, Jr .; our subject; Eliza and Louisa, all residents of this county. Margaret still lives in Switzerland.

The gentleman of whom we write, was reared and educated in Canton Berne, Switzerland, where his birth had taken place Jan. 20, 1845. For a time he worked in his father's mill, setting out for the United States when about twenty-two years old. He took passage at Havre, May 29, 1867, on an old steamship, the "Mississippi," which sailed with 1,200 passengers on board. Land- ing was made at New York City, after an un- eventful and pleasant voyage of fifteen days. This was the last ocean trip ever made by that vessel, which was even then a shabby affair, and was sunk shortly afterward wlule engaged in coast trading.

After landing in America, Mr. Schwab proceeded at once to Henry County, Ill., where he engaged in farming during the following nine years. He then paid a visit to his native land, and after an absence of some months returned to America and came to this State, where he has since lived. He purchased the farm which he now occupies, and which he has reclaimed from the uncultivated and unimproved condition in which it came into his hands, to a beautiful and highly productive tract of land. On it he has had erected a convenient resi- dence, a handsome engraving of which can be found elsewhere in this volume. Around the house are arranged the various outbuildings essen- tial to the successful carrying on of a well-regulated estate.

In his native land Mr. Schwab served for a time in the standing army, as his father had done for twelve years. He is independent in politics, and belongs to the German Reformed Presbyterian Church. He has never married; otherwise he has performed the duties of life in a creditable man- mer, and one which gains for him a high reputa- tion among those who know him.

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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 93

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

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