Portrait and biographical record of southeastern Kansas, containing biographical sketches of prominent citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States and the governors of the state of Kansas, Part 12

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 506


USA > Kansas > Portrait and biographical record of southeastern Kansas, containing biographical sketches of prominent citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States and the governors of the state of Kansas > Part 12


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"Herein the work assigned by Gen. Grant was accomplished. But now the fire of the enemy be- came very severe; the shells rent the ground in every direction; our lines were infiladed from the different spars of the ridge, where the enemy was protected against our fire by his works and his dominant position. There appeared at first thought to Gen. Willich, holding position about 100 yards behind the rifle pits, to be only three chances, viz: To obey orders and to be shot without effective resistance; to fall back, or to charge. The second chance being out of the question, I galloped with Lieut. Green, of my staff, up to the 8th Kansas, lying in line behind the rifle pits. Col. Martin, commanding the regiment, seeing me, jumped on the breastworks and shouted: 'Here we are, Gen- eral, what more?' 'Forward, storm! We have to take the works on the ridge,' was the answer. The Colonel: 'Altogether, boys, forward! Hip, hip, hurrah!' Like one man, the whole line, with one leap, cleared the breastworks; forward they moved and the air was soon filled with the sound, 'Forward ! Forward!' extending more and more, right and left."


Returning home, Col. Martin resumed control of the Atchison Champion early in January, 1865, and on the 22d of March issued the first number of the Daily Champion. He has been commander of the department, a delegate to the National Republican


Conventions of 1860, 1868, 1872 and 1880; was a United States Centennial Commissioner, and one of the Vice Presidents of that body; was one of the incorporators of the State Historical Society, of which he was President for one term; was elected by the two Houses of Congress one of the Board of Managers of the National Soldiers' Home, in 1878, and re-elected in 1882, being now Second Vice President of that body. He was married, June 1, 1871, to Miss Ida Challiss, eldest daughter of Dr. William L. Challiss, of Atchison, and has seven children.


At the Republican State Convention, held in Topeka July 17, 1884, the rules were suspended and John A. Martin was nominated for Governor by acclamation. At the November election following he was elected Governor by a plurality of 38,495 votes. At the Republican State Convention, held in Topeka July 7, 1886, he was again unanimously nominated for a second term, and at the November election following was elected Governor by a plu- rality vote of 33,918. He was the first and only Governor of Kansas who was twice unanimously nominated by his party for that office, and has served with distinction, filling the honored position occupied by his able predecessors with equal ability, and giving to the people as the Chief Executive of the populous and growing State, satisfaction. He is a man of honest, upright character, and abhors trickery and deceit, and in looking over his long and useful life he may well feel a just pride at the position he has won in the esteem and confidence of honest men, and the respect of all good citizens. There are but few men of the stirring State of Kansas who have been more closely identified with all public movements for the general welfare and prosperity of the State than John A. Martin. His name may be found on almost every page of the memorable history of Kansas, from the holding of the first Republican Convention, held at Osawato- mie in 1859, until to-day, when he is the leading spirit among the enterprising men of the most pro- gressive State of the Nation. A man of excellent judgment, moved by honest purpose and love for the general welfare of the whole State, he is always found identified with the right, and, as might be expected, popular with the people.


Lymany Land . I Humphrey


000


Lyman &. Humphrey.


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ON. L. U. HUMPHREY. This distinguished gen- tleman was chosen Gov- ernor of Kansas, at the election held in Novem- ber, 1888. He had made for himself an honorable record on the deadly battle-field, as well as in the more monotonous, though not less courage-requiring hours of po- litical life, in the fields of journal- ism, in the forensic arena, and in the various capacities in which he has labored for the public weal. It


is not our purpose in this brief sketch, to dwell at great length upon his private life, his public record sufficing to indicate that his character is noble, and his example a worthy one.


Gov. Humphrey was born in Stark County, Ohio, July 25, 1844. His father, Col. Lyman Humphrey, who was a native of Connecticut, of English de- scent, and a lawyer of distinction, died when the subject of this sketch was but eight years of age. At the outbreak of the Civil War, in 1861, Gov. Humphrey was attending the High School at Mas- sillon, ana nis rervid, patriotic heart was thrilled to the utmost, with an enthusiastic desire to serve his country, and uphold the flag which he had been taught to revere. Though only a boy of seven-


teen, he enlisted in Company I, 76th Ohio Infan- try, a regiment famous for its bravery, and for the eminent men who belonged to it. Such was the gal- lantry, and the proper conception of a soldier's du- ties exhibited by him, that he had been promoted to the office of 1st Lieutenant, had acted as Adju- tant of his regiment, and had commanded a com- pany for a year, before he was out of his minority.


Much active service was experienced by Capt. Humphrey, and among the battles in which he par- ticipated, were those of Donelson, Pittsburg Land- ing, Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Atlanta, and the fighting around that city, he be- ing under fire five or six weeks in that single cam- paign. He was with Sherman in his march to the sea, was present at the capture of Savannah, and was engaged in many other trying scenes. He was with his regiment in the campaign through the Carolinas, and took part in the battle of Benton- ville, as well as in the capture of Gen. Joe John- ston's army. He was twice wounded, once at Pittsburg Landing, and once at Chattanooga, but refused to retire from the field. During the four years of his military service, he never was absent from duty for a day. The regiment of which he was a member, belonged to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 15th Corps, Army of the Tennessee.


At the termination of the war Capt. Humphrey resumed the studies which had been interrupted by


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LYMAN U. HUMPHREY.


. the "irrepressible conflict," feeling the need of a more thorough education to fit him to act well his part in the battle of life. He entered Mt. Union College, and soon after matriculated in the law dle- partment of the Michigan University, from which he was graduated after having completed his stud- ies in the legal profession. Returning to his native State he was admitted to practice in the several courts of Ohio, in 1868, but feeling that the West would afford a broader field for his labors, he re- moved to Shelby County, Mo., where for a time he assisted in editing the Shelby County Herald.


The newer State of Kansas, which had already become the home of many men eminent in various walks of life, seemed to beckon Capt. Humphrey still further West, and in February, 1871, he crossed the Missouri and located at Independence. He formed a law partnership with the Hon. Alexander M. York, the attempt at whose bribery by Senator Pomeroy in 1873, during the contest for United States Senatorial honors, brought his name promi- nently before the people of Kansas as an opponent to fraud and corruption. The legal relation be- tween the two gentlemen lasted until 1876, after which time Gov. Humphrey continued the practice of his chosen profession alone. 'The Independence Tribune was founded by Messrs. A .M. York, W. T. Yoe and L. U. Humphrey, the latter with- drawing from the firm at the expiration of a year.


Gov. Humphrey had not long been a resident of Kansas before his talents were known and his fit- ness for public office appreciated, In 1871, the year of his arrival in the State, he was honored by the Republican nomination as candidate for a seat in the State Legislature, but because of his vigor- ons opposition to the issue of questionable bonds to the L. L. & G. Railroad Company, he was de- feated by a small vote. In 1876 he was vindicated by an election to the House from a district form- erly Democratic, and served two years as a member of the Republican State Central Committee. In 1877 Melville J. Salter having accepted a position in the land office at Independence, resigned his position as Lieutenant Governor, and our subject was chosen to fill the vacancy. His principal op- ponent was the Democratic candidate, Thomas W. Waterson, who received 24,740 votes, while Mr.


Humphrey received 62,750, his majority over all other candidates being 27,381. The following year he was re-elected; the covention which nominated him having, after a protracted and exciting strug- gle, placed John P. St. John at the head of the ticket.


In 1884 Mr. Humphrey was elected to the State Senate for the term of four years, and upon the or- ganization of that Legislative body was chosen President, pro tem, by a unanimous vote. On July 25, 1888, that being the forty-fourth anni- versary of his birth, he was nominated for Gover- nor of the State of Kansas, and was elected by the splendid majority of 73,361. Gov. Humphrey carried 104 out of the 106 counties in the State, his opponent in the contest being no less prominent a person than Judge John Martin.


Gov. Humphrey has been frequently called upon to preside as a Judge, pro tem, of the District Court, an honor which indicates the degree of con- fidence reposed in him by the public. He has been an active Republican, and has an enviable record both as a speaker and writer in behalf of the prin- ciples to which he is a devotee. Ile is deeply in- terested in the promulgation of the fundamental doctrines of true government, and the loyal prin- ciples for which our forefathers in earlier years and our nearer kinsmen in recent times, gave their strength and even their lives. He belongs to the Loyal Legion, a body made up of those who, like himself, are intensely patriotic. Also is a member of the G. A. R., and a prominent Mason. His affa- bility, his frankness, and his justice in dealing with men, has won for him a high place in the esteem of all with whom he comes in contact, either personally or through the medium of his published addresses. His keen perception as to the wants of the growing State, his desire that she shall be built up in all the elements that constitute the true greatness and glory of a government or of a people, and the powers of discrimination, which lead him to discern right from wrong, justice from injustice, especially qualify him for the high office to which the people called him.


Gov. Humphrey was married at Independence on Christmas Day, 1872, to Miss Leonard, daughter of James C. Leonard. They have two ch ldren. Lv- man L., and A. Lincoln.


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L.D. Lewelling


SOUTHEASTERN KANSAS.


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INTRODUCTORY.


HE time has arrived when it becomes the duty of the people of this county to per- petuate the names of their pioneers, to furnish a record of their early settlement, and relate the story of their progress. The civilization of our day, the enlightenment of the age and the duty that men of the pres- ent time owe to their ancestors, to themselves and to their posterity, demand that a record of their lives and deeds should be made. In bio- graphical history is found a power to instruct man by precedent, to enliven the mental faculties, and to waft down the river of time a safe vessel in which the names and actions of the people who contributed to raise this country from its primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly the great and aged men, who in their prime entered the wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as their heritage, are passing to their graves. The number re- maining who can relate the incidents of the first days of settlement is becoming small indeed, so that an actual necessity exists for the collection and preser- vation of events without delay, before all the early settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time.


To be forgotten has been the great dread of mankind from remotest ages. All will be forgotten soon enough, in spite of their best works and the most earnest efforts of their friends to perserve the memory of their lives. The means employed to prevent oblivion and to perpetuate their memory has been in propor- tion to the amount of intelligence they possessed. The pyramids of Egypt were built to perpetuate the names and deeds of their great rulers. The exhu- mations made by the archeologists of Egypt from buried Memphis indicate a desire of those people


to perpetuate the memory of their achievements. The erection of the great obelisks were for the same purpose. Coming down to a later period, we find the Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monu- ments, and carving out statues to chronicle their great achievements and carry them down the ages. It is also evident that the Mound-builders, in piling up their great mounds of earth, had but this idea- to leave something to show that they had lived. All these works, though many of them costly in the ex- treme, give but a faint idea of the lives and charac- ters of those whose memory they were intended to perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses of the people that then lived. The great pyramids and some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity ; the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crum- bling into dust.


It was left to modern ages to establish an intelli- gent, undecaying, immutable method of perpetuating a full history-immutable in that it is almost un- limited in extent and perpetual in its action; and this is through the art of printing.


To the present generation, however, we are in- debted for the introduction of the admirable system of local biography. By this system every man, though he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, has the means to perpetuate his life, his history, through the coming ages.


The scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the physical man is left. The monument which his chil- dren or friends may erect to his memory in the ceme. tery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished, which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated by a record of this kind.


To preserve the lineaments of our companions we engrave their portraits, for the same reason we col- lect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we think it necessary, as we speak only truth of them, to wait until they are dead, or until those who know them are gone: to do this we are ashamed only to publish to the world the history of those whose lives are unworthy of public record.


BIOGRAPHICAL.


h ON. HENRY G. WEBB, attorney-at-law and a prominent citizen of Parsons, was born in Ridgebury Township, Bradford County, Pa. He is a son of Hon. John Leland Webb, a native of Fairfield County, Conn., who was there reared, removing thence to Pennsylvania and be- coming an active business man of Bradford County. He engaged in contracting and building, and was one of the first contractors of the North Branch Canal in northern Pennsylvania. Politically he was a Democrat, firm in his allegiance to party principles and nominees.


Among the positions in which John L. Webb served may be mentioned those of Commissioner and Sheriff of the county of Bradford. He was twice elected to the State Legislature, and in that responsible position served with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. In his religious belief he was identified with the Christian Church, and was devoted to the success and growth of that religious organization. He married Miss Anise Hammond, a native of Chemung, N. Y., and they became the parents of seven children, four of whom are now living.


Reared to manhood in Pennsylvania, the sub- ject of this sketch received a fair education in the common schools. In September, 1848, he was ad- mitted to the Bar at Wellsboro, Pa., having studied law after the death of his father in October, 1846. He conducted his readings in the office of John C.


Knox, who afterward was elected Judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. After having been admitted to the Bar, Mr. Webb removed to Wisconsin in 1849 and located at Princeton, Mar- quette County, removing thence to Wautoma, Waushara County, where he engaged in the prac- tice of his profession until the spring of 1868. That year witnessed his arrival in Kansas, where for a time he resided in Mound City.


In the spring of 1870 Mr. Webb came to Oswego, Labette County, and in the fall of the same year he was chosen Judge of this judicial district, re- taining that position until 1873, when he resigned. He then formed a legal partnership with W. B. Glass, and the connection continued for about nine years, when it was dissolved. The Judge then associated with himself L. C. True, under the firm name of Webb & True, and this partnership con- tinued for fifteen months. Judge Webb then re- moved to Cherokee County, and made his home there until January, 1889, when he came to Par- sons. Here he formed a partnership with C. L. Caldwell, under the firm title of Webb & Caldwell, and the two conducted an extensive legal practice until the 20th of May, 1893.


On the 20th of May, 1849, Judge Webb and Miss Susan J. Abbott were united in marriage. Mrs. Webb was born and reared in Lorain County, Ohio, and was a daughter of Justin Abbott. She died on the. 3d of September, 1864. The Judge


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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


was again married, April 13, 1866, his bride being Miss Amanda J., daughter of Linford Gower. She was born in Pennsylvania and accompanied her ยท parents to Wisconsin when a child, growing to womanhood in Plainfield Township, Waushara County. Of his first union, the Judge has one child, Emma E., wife of Christopher C. Wenzell, a builder and contractor residing in Kansas City, Mo.


An independent Republican in politics, Judge Webb has been elected upon the ticket of his party to numerous positions of trust. In 1860 he was elected to represent his district in Wisconsin in the Lower House of the Legislature. In 1864 he was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate, and two years later re-elected to that position. In the fall of 1876 he was chosen to represent this district in the State Legislature, and while an incumbent of that honored position was instrumental in advane- ing the interests of his constituents.


In his social affiliations the Judge is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the chapter. He is a man who has ever maintained a deep inter- est in the welfare of the people and the progress of the county and state, and his labors have been instrumental in accomplishing many greatly needed reforms. Ilaving been the incumbent of various important positions, he has been situated so as to render the people much valuable service, and with justice it may be said that no citizen of Parsons has accomplished more for the develop- ment of the resources of the city and county than has he. While residing in Wiseonsin he served as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, and by vir- tue of that office became a member of the County Commissioners' Board.


Judge Webb has ever been prominent in the cause of truth and justice. His legal attainments are widely known, and have been recognized by the Bar of the state, his position among those of his profession being one of eminence and influ- ence. ITis opinions in important cases are eagerly sought, and, as given, are indicative of his ability and thorough knowledge of legal technicalities. Ilis decisions in important matters are well worthy to be placed side by side with those of the past,


which have sustained the dignity of the highest judicial tribunals of the state.


W ILLIAM W. WILSON, since August, 1858, an energetic citizen and enterprising gen- eral agriculturist of Mound City Town- ship, Linn County, Kan., was born in Jay County, Ind., August 27, 1839. Ilis parents, Joseph and Sabina (Grisell) Wilson, were long-time residents of Indiana, and there enjoyed the high esteem of many friends. By his marriage Joseph Wilson became the father of ten children, four of whom arrived at adult age. Ilannah married D. F. Hoover and makes her home in Jay County, Ind .; Maria is the wife of E. M. Hyatt, a well known citizen of Mound City Township; and Joseph A. is a suc- cessful business man of St. Louis, Mo.


The father of our subject, with two of his chil- dren and a half-brother, T. F., came to Kansas, and took up a claim in Mound City Township, where he passed his declining years and died De- cember 13, 1866. A Republican and active in local affairs, he occupied with ability various of- fices of trust while a citizen of Indiana, efficiently performing the duties of County Treasurer and Postmaster. Our subject, reared and educated in Jay County, Ind., when about sixteen years of age removed with his parents to Iowa, locating in 1856 in Lee County. When they journeyed to Kansas two years later, Mr. Wilson, who then had not attained his majority, was legally given his time by his father. He pre-empted a claim in Mound City Township, which he afterward sold, homesteading the place where he now resides.


Our subject is the owner of one hundred and ninety acres of land, finely cultivated and de- voted to mixed farming. For some years he fol- lowed stock-raising almost exclusively, and han- dled large flocks and herds of graded cattle and hogs. A cyclone at one time wrought great de- struction of property in this immediate neighbor-


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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


hood, and tore to pieces houses, barns and gran- arics. A large and commodious barn arose from the foundation of the old building, and the hand- some and modern stone residence has since been repaired and is one of the most attractive homes in the township. In 1860 our subject was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Souder. Two children blessed the union: Joseph, who married Anna Krouse; and Sabina, who died in infancy.


Mrs. Wilson, born in Columbiana County, Ohio, October 22, 1838, is the daughter of Michael and Margaret (Cannon) Souder, natives of the same county, widely known and highly respected. The paternal grandfather, Michael Souder, was of Ger- man parentage and settled in Columbiana County in 1802. Mr. and Mrs. Souder later removed from their native state to Knox County, Ill., and re- sided near Galesburgh. In 1859, journeying to Kansas, they settled for a time in Mound City Township, but after some years removed to Mis- sonri, making their home in Pettis County, where Mr. Sonder died January 4, 1888. The mother yet survives and enjoys comparatively good health.


Mrs. Wilson was one of eight children. Amanda married John Armstrong and died in Linn Coun- ty, Kan .; Mahala is the wife of Thomas Seran, a citizen of Pettis County, Mo .; Elizabeth was the third in order of birth; John died at the age of seventeen years; Frances M. resides in Saline County, Mo .; Armina married David Gelder and resides in Oklahoma; Mathew lives in Pettis Coun- ty, Mo .; and Lindsey C. also lives in Pettis Coun- ty, Mo. In 1888 our subject and his estimable wife experienced the pleasure of an extended ab- sence in California, the home farm being rented. They spent a twelvemonth in Placerville, El Do- rado County, and visited in Oregon for abont three months.


In 1892 Mrs. Wilson made a second trip to California, sojourning mostly in a valley near San Francisco. The inviting Wilson homestead is one of the most desirably located in Mound City Township, and is the abode of thrift and plenty. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are Congregationalists, and have ever been foremost in the extension and support of religious work and influence. Our sub- ject for many years voted the straight Republican


ticket, but of late has been independent in poli- tics, and gives his hearty support to the best man for the placc. In all matters of local inter- est and enterprise he has long been an important factor, and for nearly thirty-five changing years has been associated with the upward growth and rapid development of Linn County.


OSEPH T. LEONARD. Prominent among the solid financial institutions of Crawford County stands the First National Bank of Girard. Organized in 1884 with J. D. Barker as President, it enjoyed a steady growth and won the confidence of the people to an ever- increasing extent during the entire period of that gentleman's connection with it. At the close of July, 1893, nine years having elapsed since the foundation of the institution, $65,000 had been paid in dividends at twelve per cent. per annum. and a special dividend declared of twenty per cent.


The present officers of the First National Bank are: H. P. Grund, President; Joseph T. Leonard, Cashier; D. Corning, Vice-President; Directors, J. D. Barker, W. C. McMillan, D. Corning, H. P. Grund, J. E. Raymond, T. Mclaughlin and J. T. Leonard. The stockholders are men of promi- nence in the county, and without an exception are wealthy and successful men. Mr. Grund, who served as Vice-President during the Presidency of Mr. Barker, and who was elected President in 1892, is one of the most prominent merchants in the county, having a large establishment and conduct- ing an extensive business at Girard.




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