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 96

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 96
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 96
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 96

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NDREW J. SLEEPER, Station Agent of the Union Pacific Railroad, at Clay Cen- Center, has been located at that point in his present capacity since August, 1878. He was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Aug. 10, 1844, but a year later was taken by his parents to Cincin- nati, where they lived till he was a boy of seven. They then returned to the City of Brotherly Love, where Andrew .J. completed a common-school edu- cation and attained to manhood.

Andrew J. after assisting his father for some years in the umbrella business, became Assistant Librarian in the Mercantile Library at Philadel- phia. Later he was a clerk and operator for the Philadelphia & Southern Steamship Company. Ile removed to the city of St. Louis, Mo., in the fall of 1869 and became an employe of the old Kansas Pacific Railway, being in the Auditor's office two years. The general offices were then removed to

Kansas City and Mr. Sleeper removed with them in 1871. Andrew J. remained there until 1878, then came to Clay County, this State, and was at once given charge of the position which he still holds. He is the Vice President and also a Direc- tor of the Phoenix Loan and Building Association and possesses a knowledge of general business metli- ods which have made him a desirable acquisition to the community. He meddles very little with politics otherwise than to cast his vote with the Republican party.

Mr. Sleeper was married Jan. 10, 1876, to Miss Jennie S. Smith, of Kansas City. Mrs. Sleeper was born in Charleston, S. C., January, 1852, and when a child of two years was taken by her parents to Kansas City, where she lived until attaining to wo- manhood. Her father, F. B. Smith, was one of the pioneer settlers of that place, removing in 1876 to Galveston, Tex., where he died a few years later. Mr. and Mrs. Sleeper are the parents of three chil- dren living-Charles Luther, Henry Clay and Adelaide Judith. Mr. Sleeper belongs to Coronado Commandery. K. T., Bethany Chapter and Clay Lodge, A. F. & A. M. His estimable wife is a member in good standing of the Baptist Church.

Israel Sleeper, the father of our subject, was born and reared in Philadelphia, Pa., and was there married to Miss Judith Ashton, who bore him three children. With the exception of a few years spent in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a member of the firm of Sleeper Bros., wholesale umbrella dealers, he spent his entire life in his native city. The paternal grandfather of our subject instituted the first um- brella factory in the United States. ' Israel Sleeper departed this life in 1876, at the age of sixty-five years. The mother survived her husband until 1885, dying at the age of seventy-three.

AJOR N. A. ADAMS, a pioneer of Kansas and a distinguished officer of the Union Army during the late Civil War, has since 1

won no less renown in times of peace as an incumbent of important federal and civic offices, and as one of the successful stock-raisers of Kan- sas, He is the proprietor of a large ranch in 1

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Greene Township, Pottawatomie County, which he devotes to raising high-bred horses, chiefly draft, of the Norman breed. The Major has a beautiful home in Manhattan, where he is consid- ered one of the leading citizens. He is a fine rep- resentative of the grand army of eitizen-soldiers of this great Republic, who, since laying down their arms at the elose of the war, have aided in achiev- ing as great a victory on these Western plains, whereby waste places have been transformed into magnificent harvest fields, opulent eities and thiriv- ing towns have sprung up on every hand, and com- meree, agriculture and manufactures flourish on what was once known as the "Great American Desert."

Maj. Adams was born in Putnam County, N. Y., Sept. 14, 1835, a son of Alanson Adams, who was born, reared and married in the same connty, and there resided till 1837. In that year he removed with his family to Chenango County, the same State, and bought a farm in Greene Township, and there being a sawmill on his land he operated that as well as carrying on farming, and made his home there till his death, which occurred in 1839 while he was yet in the prime and vigor of life. The maiden name of his wife was Mary M. Cole. She was born in Winchester County. and was a life-long resident of New York State. She met her death in a railway accident on the New York & Erie Rail- way in 1869. Our subject and his sister, Mrs. E. B. Purcell, are the only surviving members of the family.

He attended school in the district where he was reared, and his education was further advanced at seleet schools in Fayette and Coventry, and by at- tendance at the Delaware Literary Institute at Franklin, N. Y., and as a student at Madison Uni- versity at Hamilton, N. Y., from which he was graduated in the class of 1857. Thus liberally ed- ueated any profession was opened to him, and he entered that of teaching, and going to Missouri he taught in Clay County, that State, during the fall and winter of 1857, and in 1858 eame to Manhat- tan, then a frontier town. He made a claim to a traet of land in Pottawatomie County, opposite Cleburne, and built a comfortable log house, in which he kept a bachelor's establishment when not

boarding, as that was before his marriage. In the fall he returned to Missouri and engaged in teaeli- ing in Clinton County until spring, when he came to Manhattan once more, but only to fit himself out for life in the Rockies, he having determined to try his fortune in the mines. Forming a partnership with M. W. Scott, now Superintendent of Schools in Binghampton, N. Y., and a Mr. Davis, and procur- ing two yoke of oxen, a wagon, and a cow, our sub- jeet started with those gentlemen across the plains for Colorado. On the desolate, lonely trail, where the bones of many an emigrant was bleaching in the hot sun. they encountered an innumerable quantity of buffaloes, deer. antelopes and other wild animals. After thirty days' travel they ar- rived at the present site of Golden City, in the foot- hills about twelve miles from Denver, and from there went on a prospecting tour to Gregory's dig- gings, and after buying a elaim, returned for the team and camping outfit. Our subject mined there a few months, and then started with a party on a prospecting trip to South Park, where they discov- ered a fair gulch mine on the Blue, near what was afterward known as French Guleh. In the fall he sold his claim, tiring of the rough life of the miner's eamps so far from the centres of civiliza- tion, and retraced his steps across the plains to Manhattan, accompanied by C. R. Barnes. He soon left for his old home in Chenango County, N. Y., for the purpose of consummating a marriage with one of his schoolmates, Miss Amanda C., daughter of James and Clarissa Macombe, a native of that county. Their wedding was celebrated in Deeem- ber, of that year, and in the following spring Maj. Adams returned to Manhattan with his bride. In the summer he traded his claim for a farm two miles from Manhattan, lying in Riley County, and engaged in farming and stoek-raising there till 1862. In the spring of that year he was chosen captain of a company of militia, and in August the greater part of the company enlisted in the regular service, our subjeet among them, and were designat- ed as Company G, 11th Kansas Regiment. The Major commanded the company at the battles of Cane Hill, Ft. Wayne, Prairie Grove and Van Buren, his cool courage and daring while facing the enemy being noted by his superiors, and when the regi-

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ment was changed to cavalry, its gallant Captain was promoted to be Major, and was subsequently appointed Inspector-General of the Department of Kansas, and Chief of Cavalry, serving in that ca- pacity until Price's raid. But a man of his active temperament and daring disposition preferred field service, and at his own request, was returned to his regiment, and served with it until the close of the war receiving his discharge from the army in July, 186. Returning to Manhattan, Maj. Adams re- sumed farming, and soon engaged in the stock, grain and lumber business. In 1867 he removed to Manhattan and erected a residence on the corner of Pierre and First streets, and has resided there since, his present home being a beautiful, handsomely furnished stone house, pleasantly located on the corner of Juliette avenue and Houston street. Our subject continued in the grain and stock business until 1881, and in 1883 he bought a large ranch of 3,200 acres, advantageously sitnated in Greene Township, Pottawatomie County, a part of which he has since sold, reducing its acreage to 1,040 acres, and there he is extensively engaged in rais- ing horses, as before mentioned, he being one of the leaders in this industry in this part of the country.

Our subject is a man of versatile genius, and be- sides the management of his stock-farm he carries on other branches of busmess. and has dealt to quite an extent in real-estate. From 1870 to 1872 he was associated with L. R. Elliott in the real-es- tate business. and in 1888 they laid out the village of Fairmount.

Maj. Adams has largely assisted in establishing Manhattan on a seeure basis, and making it one of the most substantial and flourishing cities in this part of Kansas, and his liberality and enterprise are still active in furthering its growth and promoting its highest interests. His marked executive ability. temperate judgment and ripe experience, have been of inestimable value in the management of public affairs, and the city made great progress when he was at the head of its government as Mayor, and then he served with no less efficiency as a member of the City Council. In 1873 Gov. Osborn appointed him Regent of the State Agri- cultural College, and he held that office five years,

doing all that lay in his power to strengthen its po- sition as one of the best educational institutions of the kind in the West. In 1881 President Arthur appointed him Pension Agent for the district in- cluding Kansas, Colorado, Missouri and Indian Territory, and he served with distinction until the change of administration. In 1885 Gov. John A. Martin appointed him one of the State House Com- missioners, and he was reappointed by Gov. L. U. Humphrey in 1889, and is still a member and President of the Board. During his term of office the State House at Topeka has been assuming its present magnificent proportions, and under his prudent management Kansas is getting one of the best Capitol buildings in the United States, at a less cost than that of any other State so far attempt- ing the erection of such a structure. Always a stanch Republican, the Major has been a leader in the party in this State, and in 1876 his friends brought him forward as a candidate for the gov- ernorship, and the handsome support given to him in the convention testified to the high estimation in which he is held. He is identified with the A. F. & A. M. as a member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 16; of Manhattan Chapter, No. 14, and of To- peka Commandery, No. 4.

ITCHELL WHEELER. The self-made man is admirably illustrated in the career of Mr. Wheeler, who at an early period in his life was made acquainted with its so- ber realities, and when a youth of twenty years commenced its battles on his own account. Ile had been trained to frugal habits and saved from the first what he could of his earnings, and for years labored early and late in the hope of accumulating a competence for his old age. In following his subsequent course we find that he has been quite successful in his efforts, and that he is accounted among the well-to-do citizens of Sherman Town- ship, Clay County, and one of its most extensive farmers.

Mr. Wheeler was born in Licking County, Ohio, Feb. 5, 1855, and there spent the years of his boy-

FARM RESIDENCE OF MRS. MARY J. SMITH , SEC. 21. EXETER TP, CLAY CO.

MORGANVILLE

ELEVATOR

ROLLER MILLS.

C.K&N. R.R.

C.K &N. R.R.

UPRR.

MORGANVILLE MILLS & ELEVATOR, WHEELER & TEMPLE, PROPR'S, MORGANVILLE, KANSAS.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

hood, attending the common school and assisting his parents as far as he was able. The latter, Thomas and Caroline ( Williams) Wheeler. emigrated to Kansas in 1868, and spent the first three months in Manhattan. Thence they removed to Clay County, where the father homesteaded 160 acres in Bloom Township-Mitchell then being thirteen years old. Their first shelter was a dugont with a sod roof, and they occupied this a number of years, during which time they carried on the improvement of the farm as steadily as possible under the circumstances. In the winter season they hewed logs and finally put up a log house two stories in height. This was quite an improvement upon the dugout, and when it had been weather-boarded and an addition built on. they had quite a pretentious dwelling, and this they still occupy.

Young Wheeler by operating in the manner de- scribed in our first paragraph, earned enough money to buy a team of horses, one of which soon died. Ile purchased another on time and began breaking prairie, thus obtaining his start in life. He lived with his parents until his marriage, this event oe- curring Dec. 9, 1880, the maiden of his choice being Miss Laura Van Nostin. The young people began the journey of life together in a manner corresponding to their means and sur- ronndings, and in 1874 Mr. Wheeler purchased land in Bloom Township, upon which they lived until September, 1888. He still retains possession of his farm property, which comprises 640 acres, in Bloom Township, and is largely devoted to live- stock, he pasturing numbers of cattle, from the proceeds of which he enjoys a handsome income. Mr. Wheeler also has 160 acres on sections 7 and 8, Bloom Township, and 160 aeres on section 29. Ile is thus one of the leading land-owners of Clay County.

To Mr. Wheeler and his estimable wife there were born but two children, a daughter, Clara C., born May 30, 1883, and who still continues to live with her parents, and one deceased, named Lora Mabel. Mr. Wheeler distinctly remembers the time when wild turkeys, deer and antelope were plentiful in this region, and an occasional elk was seen. Indians strolled over the country at inter- vals. When his father first settled here there were

only three or four men before him, and one of these was a bachelor. They endured all the hardships and privations of frontier life, the inconvenience of a distant mill and market, and maintained their cour- age until prosperity smiled upon them, and the country, becoming settled up, proved a most de- sirable place of residence.

The father of Mrs. Wheeler, was Alexander Van Nostin, a native of McLean County, III. When he was two years old, his parents came to Kansas and homesteaded land in Grant Township, in the south- eastern part of Clay County, where Mrs. Wheeler was reared to womanhood. They now are resi- dents of Clay Center. To this city also removed Mr. Wheeler and his family in September, 1888. Prior to this, in July of that year, Mr. Wheeler had purchased a half interest in the Morganville Roller Mills, and has since purchased the quarter in- terest of Jonas Johnston. He is thus the owner of three-fourths of the property. In connection with milling he is extensively engaged as a grain and stock dealer. He votes the Democratie ticket. but has no aspirations for office, his chief ambition be- ing to succeed in his legitimate calling. He be- longs to Morganville Lodge, No. 322, I. O. O. F., of which he is a charter member, and also be- longs to the Encampment at Clay Center. He is likewise identified with the A. O. U. W., of Mor- ganville.

On another page of this work may be found an engraving of the Morganville Roller Mills, which have materially aided in the advancement of that eity. Under the admirable management of Messrs. Wheeler & Temple they have contributed to the de- velopment of the trade and business prosperity of Morganville, and are well-known throughout this section of the country.

RS. MARY J. SMITH has, since the spring of 1871, been a resident of Exeter Town- ship, Clay County, her fine farm of 160 aeres being located on section 21. There she has established a comfortable home, where. sur- rounded by loving children, and a host of warm friends, and in the midst of home and social duties,

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she expects to pass the evening of her useful and worthy life. On another page of the ALBUM ap. pears a lithographie engraving of ber residence, which is commodious and conveniently arranged, and the abode of peace and hearty hospitality. It has been her home as above mentioned, since the year 1871, when the family removed from Junction City. where they had previously made their home, to the farm, which had been taken up by Mr. Smith under the Homestead Act. The work upon the place was principally done by the boys, the father being a tinner, and carrying on his trade at Junction City, in connection with the oversight of the estate.

Mrs. Smith is a daughter of Elijah and Dorcas Barnes, the father a native of New Hampshire, though reared in Vermont, and the mother a native of the Buckeye State. The parental family com- prised five children, four of whom are now living. They are: Mrs. Smith ; Martha A., the wife of G. C. Martin, of Chicago; Buell, of Dickinson County, Kan .; and Hattie M., wife of C. Kezeler, of Chi- cago. She of whom we write, was born in Mc- Donough County, Ill., April 1, 1838, and was reared to maturity in Will County, to which her parents removed when she was an infant twelve months old. She received a common-school education, and at the age of fourteen, engaged as a compositor in a printing office, following that employment most of the time until her marriage.

On April 15, 1856, Mary J. Barnes was united in marriage with Henry W. Smith, a son of Archi- bald and Miranda Smith, and born in the Empire State, Aug. 29, 1832. The happy nnion resulted in the birth of eleven children, seven of whom are now living: Effie W. is the wife of C. Maher, and lives in Colorado; Warren N. resides in Argentine, Kan .; Clara M., is the wife of J. B. Kiner, of this township; Wade A. lives in Atbelstane Township; Herbert N., Mattie D., and Henry N., are their mother's companions on the home farm.

In the fall of 1869 Mr. Smith came from Illinois to Kansas, his wife following him the next spring, and Junction City being their home until, as before stated, they removed to the farm. Mr. Smith served in the army during the late Civil War, for a period of about four months. He was a member

of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a man of excellent Christian character. In his death, which occurred May 23, 1886, Clay County lost one of her best citizens, and to the family circle came the irreparable loss of one who was a kind and loving husband and father. The bereaved widow is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and finds comfort in the blessed hope of a meeting where parting shall be no more.

E LIAS TEMPLE, junior member of the firm of Wheeler & Temple, associated himself with his present partner in 1887, and pur- chased the Morganville Roller Mills, the first en- terprise fitted out with this improved machinery in the Republican Valley. The mills have a capacity of seventy-five barrels per day, and on account of their establishment here, Morganville has become a first- class grain market. This firm has also erected an elevator with a capacity of about 14.000 bushels. Both members are stirring business men, and have materially aided in the growth and prosperity of the town. Mr. Temple is chief manager of the mill, and is conducting it in a highly successful manner.

The subject of this sketch was born in Westmore- land County, Pa., Dec. 4, 1851, and in 1855 bis parents, William G. and Mary (Cashdollar) Tem- ple, removed to Randolph County, Ill., where Elias was reared on a farm, and educated in the district school, and the schools of Chester. The parents were natives of the Keystone State, where they ar- rived at mature years, and were married. They are still living and residents of Illinois. The pa- ternal grandfather was Robert Temple, likewise a native of Pennsylvania. where he was married, and whence he removed with his family to Illinois about 1852, and there with his estimable wife spent his last days. He was a genuine type of the hardy pioneer and built up a comfortable home from the wilder- ness. He was an active politician, and a member of the old Whig party.

Elias Temple learned millwrighting in Illinois, where he lived until 1877. He then determined to

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seek the farther West, and going into Washington County, Iowa, rented a mill and lived there until 1884. In the meantime he was married Oct. 9, 1878, to Miss Mattie, daughter of J. S. Maple, a native of Pennsylvania. They made their home in Illinois until coming to Kansas, where Mr. Temple employed himself as a miller two years, then em- barked in his present enterprise.

Two children were born to our subject and his estimable wife, Ray D., and Hazel B. Mrs. Mattie Temple died at her home in Morganville, July 4, 1886. In August, 1887, Mr. Temple contracted a second marriage with Miss Sadie, daughter of G. O. Klipsch. This lady was born in Sullivan County, Mo., in 1861, acquired a good education, and came with her sister to Clay County, Kan., where she employed herself as a teacher in the city schools sev- eral years. Mr. and Mrs." Temple are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Temple is a member of the City Council. Ile belongs to Morganville Lodge No. 322, 1. O. O. F .. in which he is Past Grand, and he is also identified with Lodge No. 217, A. O. U. W. in Morganville.

In connection with the personal history of our subject, we present"a fine view of the Morganville Mills, in which he has such a deep interest and for which he has accomplished so much.

OSEPH HELLMAN. The subject of this sketch looked npon the present site of Han- over, Washington County, in February, 1871. when it was made an object of attention by the existence of a half dozen small houses. Ilis correct judgment led him to believe that by proper management it might become a good business point and he determined to establish himself here. Ile carried out his resolution and here he has since made his home, with the exception of two years spent in Seneca, Nemeha County, this State. Ile may be properly numbered among those men who set the wheel of progress rolling and who have smoothed the way for its onward march.

The subject of this notice is essentially a West- ern man with Western interests, having been born in Lee County, Iowa, Feb, 13, 1847, He is thus

in the very prime of life and it is to be hoped has many long years of usefulness before him. 2 Ile spent his youthful days after finishing his studies in the common school on his father's farm, until 1866, when he went to West Point, Iowa, remain- ing there one year, after which the family settled on a farm two miles northeast of the village and lived there five years. Then coming to Kansas he established the third store on Jaedicke street in Hanover, modestly beginning with a small stoek of goods.

As the country settled up Mr. Hellman increased his facilities for trade and built up a successful business, which he continued until 1881. Then selling out he spent some time traveling and after- ward purchased a farm of 560 acres in Nemeha County, upon which he operated two years. At the expiration of this time he retired from aetive labor, having accumulated a fine property. Ilis handsome residence is pleasantly situated in the northern part of town and is fitted up with all the refinements of modern life ; he also has other valu- able farm property. Coming to this section with only small means, he has by his own energy and industry become one of the well-to-do and sub- stantial citizens of Hanover Township.

Soon after taking up his residence in Ilanover Mr. Hellman was recognized as a valued addition to the community. After having held various offices he was elected Mayor of the city, serving four terms and he was a member of the City Coun- til six years. He has been a stanch supporter of the Democratic party since reaching manhood. He took a prominent part in the organization of St. John's Catholic Church and contributed liberally toward the erection of the church edifice. There were then about thirty families and mass was read by Father Sucitberg, prior to the building of the church. About 1872 a small frame building, 20x40 feet was put up and this, in 1876, was en- larged by an addition of twenty feet. Later, in 1879, the first part of the new church, 48x100 feet was erected and later a cross was added, so that it is now 70x90 feet in dimensions. There was also built the St. Benedictine School under charge of the Sisters, also a fine stone house for their accommodation. Later, the Priest's house

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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 96

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

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