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 97

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 97
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 97
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 97

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).

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIICAL ALBUM.

was ereeted. These are all solid stone structures and are situated prominently on a hill over-looking the whole city. The officiating Priest, at present (1889) is Father Neusius assisted by Father Helveka (Bohemian) who holds every fourth ser- vicc. Four Sisters have charge of the school which is attended by 120 scholars. This is one of the largest parishes west of the Missouri River and is a matter of pardonable pride to its members. For several years Mr. Ilellman dealt quite exten- sively in live stock and lumber. Ile shipped the first load of swine ever sent out of Hanover, in company with his brother, Mr. H. Hellman. He has always taken a warm interest in the various enterprises calculated to build up the town.

The wife of our subject, to whom he was mar- ried, at Mt. Pleasant, Henry Co., Iowa. Aug. 30, 1877 was formerly Miss Mary Mulligan. This lady was born in Perry County, Ohio, March 28, 1850, and is the daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Walpole) Mulligan who removed from the Buck- eye State to Henry County, Iowa, where they are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Helman are the parents of two bright children, a daughter and son, Lily Elizabeth and Francis Xavier.

The father of our subject was Bennet IIellman, a native of Hanover, Germany, and born in 1810. He married Miss Elizabeth Vosburg and emigrat- ing to America, spent one year in the city of Buff- alo, N. Y., and then settled on a farm in Lee County, Iowa, during its pioneer days. Ile built up a home- stead from the wilderness and died there in 1850. The wife and mother passed away about 1861. Their family of seven children all lived to mature years and six of them survive, viz: Henry, Gar- ret, Catherine, Elizabeth and Philamina (the wife of Charles Mulligan ), and Joseph our subject ; they are all residents of Hanover.

OHN BAYLES. There is not within the limits of Manhattan Township, Riley County, a more attractive home than that belonging to Mr. Bayles, which is finely situated on section 6. llis farm lies on the Blue Valley Road about two miles north of Manhattan,

and is embellished with a large and attractive stone residence from which may be gained an ex- cellent view of the surrounding country. Mr. Bayles is justly proud of his achievements which have been the result of his own industry and energy. Ile is a self-made man in the strictest sense of the term, enterprising and progressive and in favor of everything to improve his county and elevate society. He has given his children excel- lent advantages, and within the home, books and other evidences of refinement and cultured tastes abound. The young people are all students and readers, and the family group is one extremely pleasant to look upon.

A native of Suffolk County, England, the subject of this sketch was born Feb. 10, 1827 and is the son of Benjamin and Amy (Cook) Bayles who were of pure English stock. Benjamin Bayles was reared to farming pursuits, which he carried on in his native country twenty-one years before coming to America. He crossed the Atlantic in 1851 and settled in the vicinity of Sharpsburg. Pa., where he followed his chosen calling. In the meantime, John went to live with his maternal uncle, John Cook, also a farmer, and with whom he remained one year.

Leaving Pennsylvania in 1870, Mr. Bayles sought the Far West, coming to this State and pur- chasing 315 acres of land near Garrison on the Blne River in Pottawatomie County. The follow- ing year his father came out and purchased 260 acres near him, this being the last of the Pottawa- tomie Reservation sold, and upon which he at onee moved. The son purchased the land in 1871 for his father. He lived near Garrison until 1876 when he traded 275 acres of his land for 169 acres comprising his present farm. He has 107 acres in the bend of the Blue River, two miles south of Virdence, which is operated by his son Benjamin,

Benjamin Bayles departed this life Oct. 29, 1887, at the advanced age of ninety-one years, at the home of his son, our subject. The mother died when about seventy-seven years old. The four- teen children of the parental family are recorded as follows: Lydia married John Mutimer, in England and coming to America both died in Pennsylvania, leaving one son. George, who is now a resident of

769

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

Beaver County, that State; Mary married Simon Wilson, and died leaving one daughter, now the wife of Eli Mills; Ann died in Erie County, Pa., shortly after the family came to America; Rachel, who is living in Sharpsburg, near Pittsburg, Pa .. is the widow of Benjamin Sleigh who died leaving four children; George (unmarried ) was drowned in the Thames River, England. in 1847; Dinah is the wife of Jesse Garrard, a retired farmer of Pitts- burg, Pa., and they have six children; Robert married Miss Lizzie Coast and occupies a part of the old homestead in Pottawatomie County; he has three children. Rebecca married William Har- ris, a prosperous farmer, and they live in the vicin- ity of Pittsburg, Pa .; they have one child. The next two children were named Elizabeth, and both died young; Mary married David Jones and died in Sharpsburg, Pa., in 1856, leaving one child; Let- tice died in Dunkirk, Pa., at the age of fifteen years; Jeptha, is a farmer in Riley County. this State.

John Bayles was reared to farming pursuits and attended the district school in the winter season, during his boyhood days. When twenty eight years old he was married, March 28, 1854, to Miss Susannah, daughter of William and Martha Sleigh, who was born in Pennsylvania, and whose parents were natives of England. This union resulted in the birth of ten children. Mary E. is unmarried and living at home; John A. died in 1879, at the age of twenty-two years; Benjamin B. married Miss Ella Cowell and lives on a farm two miles southeast of his father; he has three children. Caro- line E. died in Pennsylvania, when three years old : Rachel is the wife of Ernest Coffman, a farmer in Jewell County, this State, and they have two chil- dren; Lydia, Ruth, Joseph and Sarah are at home with their father. The youngest child died un- named.

Mr. Bayles, politieally, is a sound Republican, quite prominent in his party, and has been sent as a delegate to the county conventions. lle has been a member of the School Board of his district and Road Supervisor a number of years. Ile and his excellent wife are members in good standing of the Baptist Church.

Mr. Bayles has effected good improvements on

his place, having an orchard of 700 trees, mostly apple, and a large two story stone residence, erected in 1885 with a good barn and suitable outbuildings. His land lies in the Blue Valley, two miles north of Manhattan. It is well fenced and under a fine state of cultivation. Mr. Bayles avails himself of modern machinery in the operation of his farm and keeps himself well posted in regard to agricultural affairs as well as current events generally. llis children are receiving excellent advantages. the elder ones having attended the Agricultural Col- lege, from which one son, Joseph. was graduated in the class of 1889.

HOMAS CHESTNUT, Sr. Among the sue- cessful men of Blaine Township, the subject of this sketch oceupies a position in the front ranks. By a course of industry and prudence he has accumulated property to the amount of 200 acres of choice land, lying on sections 32 and 29. upon which he has effected all the improvements which attract the attention of the passing traveler and which constitutes one of the best homesteads in this region. Mr. Chestnut is one of the repre- sentative pioneers of Clay County, who came within its borders at an early date and who while witnes- sing its growth and development have been no un- important factors in transforming it from a wilderness to the abode of an intelligent and pros- perous people.

The subject of this notice was born on the other side of the Atlantic in County Derry, in the north of Ireland, Sept. 6, 1810, and is thus approaching the eightieth year of his age. Ilis parents. Natha- niel and Jane (Chestnut) Chestnut. werc natives of the same county as their son and spent their last years in Canada and Scotland respectively. During the boyhood of Thomas they removed to Scotland. settling in the city of Glasgow where he was reared to manhood and was variously occupied, working several years in a boiler manufactory. Ilis parents being in limited circumstances he only received a meagre education, but he was more than ordinarily intelligent and his habits of industry and sterling

770

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

integrity of character, resulted in making friends for him wherever he went.

In the city of Glasgow, when a man of twenty- six years, Mr. Chestnut was first married in 1836, to Miss Barbara Adam, who bore him ten children and departed this life at their home in Clay County in 1876. Eight of these children are living. The eldest son, James, is a resident of Blaine Town- ship; Nathaniel lives in Nebraska ; Thomas is farm- ing in Blaine Township; William is a resident of Exeter Township; John is also a resident of that township, and Robert is a minister in the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Illinois; Margaret is the wife of John Black, in Blaine Township; Barbara married Frank Croops, of California.

Mr. Chestnut in 1878 contracted a second mar- iage with Mrs. Mary Acheson. In the meantime, in 1840, he emigrated to America, taking passage at Glasgow on a sailing vessel and after a tedions ocean voyage of seven weeks and three days landed in New York City. Thence he proceeded directly to Buffalo, where he remained, however, only a short time, going thence into Canada, of which he was a resident ten years and followed farming most of the time. In 1851 returning to the States he set- tled in Bureau County, Ill. Five years later, in 1856, he crossed the Mississippi into DesMoines County, Iowa, where he resided until coming to Kansas, in the fall of 1868. Soon afterward he homesteaded 160 acres of land on section 29, Blaine Township, where he opened up a good farm which he occupied about seventeen years. At the expi- ration of this time he removed to his present farm. He has done a large amount of pioneer labor, en- during the hardships and privations which were the common lot of those who settled upon the frontier. His career has been one eminently worthy, during which he has enjoyed the esteem and con- fidence of his fellow-citizens.

He joined the Reformed Presbyterian Church when a youth of sixteen years and has since re- mained a consistent member of it, assisting in its support, serving as a Deacon and Elder and con- stituting himself in various other positions one of its.chief pillars. The sunset of life is passing quietly and peacefully with Mr. Chestnut and while, per- haps, he has not been the hero of any very thrill-

ing events he has distinguished himself as an honest man and a good citizen-one whose name will be held in kindly remembrance long after he has been gathered to his fathers.

LBERT WINGROVE, capitalist and money loaner, is widely and favorably known to the people of Clay County, within whose limits he has resided since April, 1870. He is now a resident of Clay Center, and a director and stockholder in the People's National Bank. He is looked upon as one of the solid men in this section, with whose material interests he has been closely identified for nearly twenty years.

Upon coming to Northern Kansas, Mr. Wingrove entered land, comprising the northwest quarter of section 18, in what is now Blaine Township. From this he constructed a homestead, effecting the usual improvements naturally suggested to a man of enterprise. He planted fruit and forest trees, in- cluding a fine orchard, and a good grove which is now valuable timber, and erected a residence and other buildings necessary to his comfort and profit. While carrying. on the cultivation of the soil, he also became interested in live-stock. He was re- cognized as a valuable man in the community, and as one interested in its material welfare. He was chosen as Township Clerk, in which office he served two terms, and was the Treasurer of his school dis- triet almost from the time of settling there until leaving. He assisted in the organization of this district, and also was instrumental in the erection of its first school-house, teaching one term of four months, being on the building committee, and maintained an active interest in township affairs, until his removal to Clay Center in 1884.

Mr. Wingrove does business upon his own capi- tal mainly, although operating when requested for other parties. He is an active Republican, politi- cally, warmly alive to the interests of his party, and contributing of his time and influence to its advancement. He owns a fine farm of 160 acres in Gill Township, Clay County, and a like amount of land in Graham County, besides valuable city property. Ile has contributed his full quota to the

771

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

growth and advancement of Clay Center. His religious views coincide with the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is an efli- cient member, and in which he officiates as Stew- ard. IJis estimable wife also belongs to this church at Clay Center.

The subject of this sketch was born near Bu- chanan, West Va., March 25, 1848, and there grew to mature years. He obtained a practical educa- tion, completing his studies in Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. In March, 1864, during the progress of the Civil War, and before be had reached the sixteenth vear of his age, he en- listed as a Union soldier, in Company M, 3d West Virginia Cavalry, an old veteran regiment, and was in the Army of West Virginia under the command of Gen. Sheridan, the division being commanded by Gen. Custer, and attached to the Army of the Potomac at Petersburg, Va., in the spring of 1865.

In addition to the usual amount of scouting along the Shenandoah Valley, young Wingrove was present at the battle of Lynchburg, Gen Hun- ter commanding, in which six of the twenty-five men of his company present were killed or woun- ded. He was also at Winchester, where the three principal officers of the regiment were killed or disabled, and the Captain of his company was wounded. This by no means completes the list of battles in which he participated, the others being Dinwiddie Court-House, Five Forks, Hatchies Run. Farmville, Opequon, Fisher's Hill, Waynes- boro, and Appomattox, making in all nine or ten hard and desperately fought engagements, with in- numerable smaller battles. At Lynchburg he was struck with a piece of shell on the elbow, and later a bullet tore a hole in his hat, but missed the sol- dier. He was at Cedar Creek at the time Sheridan made his famous ride from Winchester, which has been celebrated in verse by Thomas Buchanan Reed, and has become almost as much a part of history as the regular annals of the war. In some of the smaller engagements the fighting was fully as dangerous as in others more noted. The hoy of fifteen acquitted himself bravely with the company of veterans, being absent only ten days from his regiment, and missing but one fight in which his company was engaged. IIe was mustered out at

Wheeling, West Va., June 30, 1865, at that time being but little more than seventeen years old. For about ten days previous to Lee's surrender the company was under almost constant fire, and at roll-call after the surrender the company numbered but thirteen out of the original eighty or 100 men, the others having been killed or disabled. Our subject was one of these thirteen, and participated in the grand review at Washington, in which his regiment led the procession, and his company was the third. Their badge was a red necktie presented by Gen. Custer to those only who were with him in his last battle.

Upon retiring from the service, Mr. Wingrove found himself disabled on account of synovites of the left knee, and is still obliged to use crutches. He has been a great sufferer from this injury, which was caused by concussion of the knee with a gun in a charge in the Shenandoah Valley. Ile resumed his studies at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and on his re- turn home taught one term of school in the winter of 1869-70. At the age of twenty-two years he east his lot among the people of Northern Kansas. Set- tling in what is now Blaine Township, he made the acquaintance of Miss Eliza B. Shotwell, to whom he was married Dec. 3, 1873. This lady was born in Battle Creek, Mich., Aug. 26, 1852, and came to Kanssa. with her parents in the spring of 1871. Of her marriage with our subject there have been born five children, four of whom are living- Maude, Cora, Harry and Albert Linn. Frances Ola died Feb. 11, 1889.

The father of our subject was Harrison Win- grove, who was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., and there grew to man's estate. He was twice married, his second wife being Mrs. Frances Phil- lips, who became the mother of five children, of whom Albert was the second born. His brother Charles is a resident of Clay Center, and is rep- resented elsewhere in this volume. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and has for many years lived at French Creek, W. Va. Samuel P. Shot- well, the father of Mrs. Wingrove, was a native of New Jersey State, and was married to Miss Maria Watson, of Ohio. Later he removed to Michigan, and for some time was a leading merchant in Au- gusta. He afterward came to Kansas, and is now

772

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

living on a farm in Five Creeks Township, Clay County; the mother of Mrs. Wingrove died May 1, 1886. Mr. Wingrove is a member of Phil Sheri- dan Post No. 88. G. A. R., of Clay Center, and is Quartermaster of the same, having filled the office three years in succession.

S TEPHEN BRADLEY. One of the most pleasant personages to meet is a genuine English gentleman of the old school, and Mr. Bradley is a goodly representative of such a character. In addition to his genial and com- panionable qualities, he possesses fine business abil- ity, is full of energy, and in fact is recognized as one of the most progressive men of his community. He is engaged in both farming and merchandising, having two stores and a charming farmstead, the latter located a few miles west of the village, and in Republic County.

A native of England, and born in Deal, Kent County, in 1842, Mr. Bradley came, in 1870, at the age of twenty-seven years, to America, on the steamship "Java," of the Cunard Line, landing in New York City, where he remained one year. As a boy, he attended the common schools until twelve years old, and then entered Hofwell College, near Dover, where he prosecuted his studies three years and was graduated. He then learned the miller's trade, but not liking the business, he went as an assistant in the importation of grain with his cous- ins at Dover, England.

When leaving New York City, Mr. Bradley came directly to Washington County, Kan., and home- steaded 160 acres of land in Elk Creek Township. lle experienced the usual difficulties of life on the frontier, and being short of means, commenced teaching the second season, and was thus occupied for eight consecutive terms. His uncommon in- dustry and enterprise, together with his fine mental abilities made him at once a favorite in his com- munity, while his readiness to assist his neighbors in any emergency, received due appreciation. Al- though never calling himself a preacher, he fre- quently officiated as such when there was a death in the neighborhood, reading the Episcopal Burial

Service at a time when no other minister could be secured, and he was ever ready to extend advice and encouragment, with more substantial aid, to those in need.

While carrying on the cultivation of his land as rapidly as possible, Mr. Bradley also maintained a warm interest in the growth and development of his adopted township. In 1871 he established his first store at Brantford, but sold out two years later, and resumed school teaching. In 1881 he purchased back the store, which he has since successfully con- ducted, and is now putting a large addition to the building, in order to increase the facilities for his constantly accumulating trade. In 1888 he estab- lished a branch store at Agenda, which is also in a flourishing condition. In each he keeps a gene- ral stock of the merchandise usually required in the village or country household, and takes in ex- change grain and other country produce.

Mr. Bradley has performed all the duties of an honest man and a good citizen with one exception -he still remains a bachelor. Politically, he is a sound Republican, and friendly to the Prohibition faction. He has great faith in the future of Kan- sas, and if every man would contribute as much toward her wealth and prosperity, this future would be abundantly assured.

Stephen Bradley, Sr., the father of our subject, was likewise a native of Kent, England, and a miller by trade. He married Miss Mary E., daugh- ter of John Atkins, the great smuggler, who at one time came near being captured on the high seas, and whose punishment would have been severe. At that time his men all left his ship, and the man- of-war which attacked him shot across the bow of his vessel and through the sails, but the sturdy old veteran would not surrender. Finally a friendly fog intervened between him and his pursuers, and he thus escaped, after throwing overboard whisky and other valuable stores. His life and acts were published afterward under the caption of "The Smuggler." He died at the age of eighty-one years, after marrying the second time, and his sec- ond wife lived to be eighty years old. He accu- mulated a large amount of property, comprising a large estate, money and valuables.

To Stephen and Mary Bradley there was born a

RESIDENCE OF NELS JOHNSON, SEC. 7. GOSHEN TOWNSHIP, CLAY CO.

RES.OF A. P. PATTERSON, SEC.1. SHERMAN TOWNSHIP, (R.2.E.) CLAY Co.

RESIDENCE OF J. H. CLARK, SEC.11. GOSHEN TOWNSHIP, CLAY CO.

775

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.

family of eight children, six of whom lived to mature years, namely .: Henry, Stephen, Jr., Charles, William, Selina and John. The latter was the eld- est born and died at the age of thirty years. Three of the sons came to America, and all are residents of Kansas. Stepben, like his brothers and sisters, was reared in the doctrines of the Episcopal Church, but since coming to America he has been identified with the United Brethren.

L ORENZO NORRIS is engaged in general farming in Clifton Township, Washington County. His home is located on section 15, and 160 broad and fertile acres make up the estate. It is supplied with such improvements as are usually made by an enterprising farmer, and has been the home of Mr. Norris since the spring of 1870. He is a Canadian, having been born in County Elgin, Province of Ontario, Oct. 4, 1837. He was a babe of two and one-half years, when his father died. His widowed mother continued a resident of Canada until 1857.

Our subject was reared in his native land, and there partially learned his trade of a carriage and wagon carpenter. Having arrived at man's estate, he removed to Lena, Ill. There he finished his trade, and during the following six years operated a carriage-shop. He then, in 1870, came to Kan- sas, and settled where he has since made his home. He entered a homestead of 160 acres, and for two years occupied a "dugout" upon it. He then built a shanty, and sometime later his present comfortable dwelling. His land is now well-improved and care- fully cultivated.

The father of our subject was E. Norris, a native of Connecticut. Ile grew to manhood in his native State, and there learned the trade of a tanner and shoemaker. In 1812, he enlisted from New York State, and fought under Capt. Kane through the second struggle for American independence. IIe was married in Schenectady, N. Y., and after his marriage went to County Elgin, Ontario. There he died. He was a member of the Baptist Church, as was his wife.

The wife of E. Norris bore the maiden name of

Sarah MeKenney. She was born in New York State, and there lived until after her marriage. Her grandfather, Robert MeKenney, Sr., was an English- man who lived for a number of years in Nova Sco- tia, There his son, Robert, Jr. (father of Mrs. Norris) was born. Five years after his birth, the family removed to Virginia, where Mr. McKenney, Sr., had a large plantation six miles square. There the senior McKenney spent the remainder of bis life. Robert, Jr., enlisted as a captain in the Revo- lutionary War, and led his company against the British at Bunker Hill. Some years later he re- moved to County Elgin, Ontario, and there died at the age of eighty-eight. He was for years in re- ceipt of a pension as a Revolutionary soldier. His wife, lived to be ninety-three years old, dying in County Elgin. She was a native of Pennsylvania, and of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. She was the mother of six sons and five daughters, of whom Mrs. Sarah Norris was the third child, and second daughter. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Sarah Norris remained a widow. In 1857, she came to the United States, settling in Kent County, Mich., where she died at the age of eighty-seven. She belonged to a long-lived family, all her broth- ers and sisters having lived to be nearly four-score years old. She had borne four sons and three daughters, all but one of whom are yet living. All have been married. Our subject is the youngest of the family.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 97

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

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