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 16
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In July, 1864, the regiment took part in the battle under A. J. Smith at Tupelo. At the time of the assassination of President Lincoln, our sub- ject was stationed at Pilot Knob, and later was ordered to southern Missouri. In July, 1865, he went to Cape Girardeau, Mo., from there by steam to Omaha, Neb., next to Ft. Kearney, and from there back to Leavenworth, Kan. At the expiration of hostilities he was discharged, Decem- ber 29, 1865. During the period of his active service he had several horses shot under him and frequently his clothes were pierced by bullets, but he fortunately escaped uninjured and was always ready for duty, with the exception of eight days spent in a hospital. During the latter montlis of his service, he was Commissary-Sergeant.
Returning to Linn County, Mr. Haller resumed
farming operations and also dealt extensively in real estate, having at different times owned a large amount of real estate. At present he is the owner of three hundred and forty-seven acres of land, which is subdivided into three well improved farms. Prior to coming to Kansas he had through economy saved $600, but in 1858 he unfortunately lost all he had by fire. Undaunted by this catas- trophe, he commenced once more to build up his fortune, and with what success we have already noted. In politics he is a Republican. He has served as Township Trustee, having been nominated for that position without his knowledge. Ile has been twice married, his first wife having been Amanda, daughter of William and Sarah Osborn, natives of North Carolina. Mrs. Amanda Haller was born in Indiana and died in Kansas, leaving a son, William O. The second wife of Mr. Haller bore the maiden name of Mary Woodman and is a daughter of Samuel and Mary E. (Miller) Wood- man, natives of Vermont and Pennsylvania. Our subject is a man of energy, keen in his business transactions and thoughtful in his intercourse with others.
OHN W. BENNETT. Carlyle we believe it was who said that "the true delineation of the most humble man and his scene of pilgrimage through life is capable of inter- esting the greatest men; that all men are to an un- speakable degree brothers, each man's life a strange emblem of every man's; and that human portraits, faithfully drawn, are of all pictures the welcomest on human walls." Within the hmits of the pres- ent volume, it will be impossible to present a por- trait, and it shall be our attempt merely to give a faithful sketch of the events which have been es- pecially noteworthy in the life of Mr. Bennett.
Now a resident of Parsons, where he is engaged in the agricultural implement business, the subject of this sketch is a native of Kane County, Ill., and was born on the 2d of July, 1849. His father,
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Elias Bennett, was born in Chemung County, N. Y., and grew to manhood in that place, where he married Miss Sarah, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Reser. After his marriage he engaged in farming in Chemung County until about 1833, when he settled in Kane County, Ill., and em- barked in farming pursuits. In 1862 he enlisted in the artillery under the command of Capt. George Renrick, and continued in active service until, as a result of exposure and long marches, he contracted disease, which caused his death at Knoxville, Tenn., in January, 1863. His widow survived for a number of years, passing away on the 12th of December, 1891. He was a man of prominence in his community, and an ardent ad- vocate of the Democratic party.
In the parental family there were nine children, of whom seven are still living. John W. was reared in Kane County, and there received a fair education. In 1881 he came to Kansas, and for a time conducted a livery business at Parsons. Af- ter eight years thus spent, he started in the agri- cultural implement business, in which he has since engaged. As a business man, he is conservative and cautious, prudent in making investments and judicious in the conduct of his business, yet lie is energetic and pushing.
In Newaygo County, Mich., March 14, 1875, Mr. Bennett was united in marriage with Miss Clara M., daughter of Charles Warren, a resident of Ionia County, Mich. Mrs. Bennett died on the 19th of February, 1892, after having become the mother of three children, Mabel, Grace and Cora. Grace died February 12, 1893, at the age of eleven years and fifteen days. In his political opinions, Mr. Bennett is a Republican and an active worker in the party. He has served for six years as a member of the City Council, and for two years was a member of the Board of Education. At the Re- publican County Convention, in August, 1893, lie was nominated for Sheriff of the county, and was elected by a majority of four hundred and eighty- six.
Socially, Mr. Bennett is identified with the Ma- sonic fraternity, being a member of Parsons Lodge No. 117. He is connected with the Knights of Pythias, Uniformed Rank, and has been an active
member of the lodge. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Select Knights. of the city. In every enterprise calcu- lated to promote the interests of Parsons, he is warmly interested, and gives his support to every public-spirited enterprise.
OIIN BURDUE, the owner of the northeast quarter of section 18, Centreville Town- ship, is one of the well known farmers of Linn County, and occupies a high place in the regard of his neighbors. He is one of the pio- neers of the Sunflower State, whither he came in the spring of 1857 from his former home in HIuron County, Ohio, and has been closely con- nected with the history of the township since the date of his arrival here. A practical and indus- trious man, he devotes his attention closely to the details of farm labor, and has met with success in his undertakings.
The Burdue family is of French origin. The grandfather of our subject was Nathaniel Burdue, a native of France, and a long-time resident of the Keystone State. William Burdue, father of John, was born in Erie County, Pa., and in his early manhood married Elizabeth Blazier, a native of Ilanover Township, Washington County, Pa. The fatlier of Mrs. Burdue was George Blazier, who was presumably a descendant of German an- cestors. The parents of our subject settled in lluron County, Ohio, soon after their marriage, and made it their permanent home until called from earth. They were the parents of seven chil- dren who lived to maturity, namely: Nathaniel, George, William W. (deceased), John, Jacob (dle- ceased), Isaac and Benjamin. The members of the family who still survive are highly respected and prominent in their various communities.
Born in Huron County, Ohio, February 22, 1822, the subject of this biographical notice was
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reared to manhood in that county, and remained there until the time of his removal to Kansas, al- though meantime he had made temporary sojourns in other places. In the fall of 1844 he left Huron County and removed to Cass County, Mich., where he resided for two years, working for others by the month. He did not feel satisfied to make his permanent home in Michigan, and accordingly re- turned to Ohio in 1846, and continued to reside there until 1857, when he located in Linn County. En route to Kansas, he stopped in Iowa, remain- ing there through the winter and coming to Linn County in the spring.
In Centreville Township Mr. Burdue secured a claim to a tract of land and has since made this his home. Farming has been his life occupation, and he is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres, which he secured through industry and the exercise of good judgment. His marriage was solemnized in Huron County, Ohio, on the 20th of June, 1848, his wife being Miss Sarah Hill, who, it is thought, was born in the state of New York. A stanch Democrat in his political opinions, Mr. Burdue gives his support to the principles of his chosen party, and his ballot may always be relied upon in behalf of its candidates.
NDREW TIIRONDSON. As indicated by the name, the subject of this sketch is a Norwegian. He was born in Norway, and was reared to manhood in his native land, whence, in the fall of 1865, lie set sail for America. Alone, with little money and no friends, he landed in the city of New York, and shortly afterward came west to Chicago, where he remained for three years. Ile then located in Kansas City and for two years followed the trade of a currier and tan- ner.
While a resident of Kansas City, Mr. Throndson was united in marriage with Miss Maria L. Eman-
uelson, who was a native of Sweden. With his wife, he removed in 1871 to Kansas and resided for a time in Bourbon County, removing from there to Crawford County in 1874 and locating up- on the farm where he now resides. In Bourbon County he was engaged in mining, but since coming to this county he has followed farming and stock-raising. Entering upon this vocation in a small way, he has steadily advanced and prospered, and is now one of the most successful farmers and largest landowners of this section of the state.
The farm which Mr. Throndson owns and oper- ates is located in Sherman Township and consists of six hundred and twenty-eight acres, all of which he has accumulated since coming to this county. The place is well stocked with cattle and valuable horses, and Mr. Throndson has been quite success- ful in his efforts as a stock-raiser. In addition to farming and stock-raising, he has had the manage- ment and control of the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis Railroad tree farm at Farlington, having accepted that position at the solicitation of the owners.
The first marriage of Mr. Throndson resulted in the birth of six children: Alma, Hylmer, Oscar, Signe, Julius and Gustav. The mother of these children died at her home March 23, 1886. By his second marriage, which united him with Mamie Traver, there were born three children: Clarence, Irene and Cecil. Though not a native of this country, no native-born citizen takes a deeper or more intelligent interest in its welfare than does Mr. Throndson. In politics, he gives his support to the men and measures of the Republican party, of which he is a loyal adherent. He has served as Treasurer of Sherman Township for one term and has occupied other positions of trust and responsi- bility. He is also interested in educational affairs, and has given his children the best advantages possible in the way of obtaining an education.
In religious connections, Mr. Throndson is iden- tified with the Methodist Episcopal Church and gave liberally of his time and means toward the erection of the new church edifice at Farlington. In his social relations, he is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity and is prominent in that order. En- terprising and public-spirited, he is always in favor
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of, and lends his substantial assistance to, all pro- jects which are likely to benefit his locality. His life furnishes an excellent illustration of the suc- cess due to honesty and fair dealing in connection with energy and economy.
OHN A. HENNING, M. D., Pn. D. The healing art has always been held in honor, whatever the state of society. Among all people to-day the curer of ills, by what name soever called, is esteemed a friend of his kind. Prominent among the close students of his profession and in his mission of healing the sick, Dr. John A. Henning's generous treatment of his patients, his liberality and kindness of heart, have won for him not the respect alone, but the earnest regard of the large clientele which he lias gathered around him. He is a native of Bucks County, Pa., born September 7, 1829, and his ancestors for many generations have been resi- dents of that state.
The parents of our subject, David and Eliza- beth (Schuartz) Henning, were born in the Key- stone State in 1798 and 1802 respectively, and the father was a farmer by occupation. In 1835 he removed with his family to Darke County, Ohio, and thence in 1848 to Wayne County, Ind., and settled on a farm near Richmond, where his death occurred in 1877. Ilis wife passed away the year previous. They were the parents of ten children, nine of whom attained their majority, John A. being the fourth in order of birth. The early life of the latter was passed on the farm and he attended the country schools, where the "three Rs" were tanght. In those days a per- son who understood arithmetic and could read and write was well qualified to teach school.
When young Henning was seventeen years of age he met with an accident while working around a threshing-machine. One of his lower limbs was
caught and he was crippled for life. ITis parents being poor, he was obliged to choose some occupa- tion whereby he would be enabled to carn his own livelihood, and he chose teaching. During the winter seasons he attended the high school at Richmond, and in the summer he taught school to earn sufficient means to clothe himself and at- tend school the following winter. When nine- teen years of age, an accident occurred which changed his course in life. A professor of phre- nology came to the neighborhood, and among the numerous persons to have their heads examined was our subject. The professor informed him that he would make an excellent architect or a fine mechanic, but as he was a cripple he would ad- vise him to study medicine. Young Henning de- clared he would never be a doctor, that he had no desire to study medicine, and that he had very little respect for physicians.
Returning to his school, our subject remained there for some time, but within a year began the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. George W. Reynolds. At the same time he taught school, and in the spring of the year 1856 he took a course of lectures in the Eclectic Med- ical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio. In May of the same year, he hung out his sign as Dr. J. A. Henning, at Dunkirk, Ind., and is was thought by many that he could not make a living. He at- tended closely to his business, however, and at the end of his first year's practice had $900. For eight years he remained at Dunkirk, and then re- moved to Farmland, Randolph County, Ind., and five years later changed his location to Redkey, Ind. There he gave up his profession, and for two years he engaged in merchandising. IIe be- came the owner of a gristmill, but this was de- stroyed by fire, and as he met with other losses, which satisfied his ambition as a merchant, he re- turned to his profession. In 1880 he was gradu- ated from the Bennett Medical College, of Chi- cago, after which he located in Indianapolis, where he assisted in founding the Indiana Eclec- tic Medical College, in which he occupied the chair of materia medica and therapeutics. Ile was well pleased with the position, but on account of his wife's poor health and to please his son,
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who wished to go west, he turned his face toward the setting sun, and came to Kansas January 3, 1883. He located at Garnett and entered upon a lucrative practice, which he still continues.
The Doctor is a close student, and in 1892 the degree of Ph. D. was conferred upon him by the Society of American Literature and Art of Buf- falo, N. Y. He is a frequent contributor to med- ical journals, and his name is well known among the medical fraternity. Being a careful financier, he has accumulated enough of this world's goods to place him in very comfortable circumstances. He has no desire to save money, but wishes to get solid enjoyment out of it as he goes along, and to rest his mind from his practice he and his wife frequently take extended trips.
Dr. Henning was married in 1853 to Miss Ase- nath, daughter of Boyd and Rebecca Lindville. She was a native of Delaware County, Ind., and was born May 7, 1836. To Dr. and Mrs. Henning were born two children, a daughter and son, the former of whom died in infancy. The son, whose birth oc- curred in 1855, married Miss May Green and is a successful farmer, residing six miles northeast of Garnett. In politics the Doctor is a Repub- lican, and is now County Physician. He is a member of the State Medical Society of Kansas, Missouri and Indiana, and socially is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Ile and his wife are prom- inent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which they have been connected for many years.
G EORGE II. McDONALD, Deputy Clerk of the District Court, and a prominent resi- dent of Girard, was born in Butler County, Pa., on the 20th of August, 1825. He is of imme- diate Scotch descent, his father, Norman McDon- ald, having been born in the land of thistles. From that country he emigrated to America in boyhood, and settled in Pennsylvania, where for a
number of years he made his home in Butler County. Thence he removed to Ohio, and resided in Meigs County until his death, which occurred in 1851. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and participated in that memorable and useless struggle at New Orleans, under the brave leader- ship of General Jackson.
In Butler County, Pa., the subject of this sketch passed the days of his youth in a comparatively uneventful manner, alternating attendance at the common schools with hard work upon the home farm. At the age ef twenty-four years he re- moved to Meigs County, Ohio. Prior to that event, however, he had engaged in teaching school, having entered that profession at the age of scv- enteen. In 1863 he enlisted as a member of Com- pany M, Fifth Illinois Cavalry, and remained in the service until the close of the war. After re- maining for a time in the Quartermaster's depart- ment, he took charge of the Brigade Commissary's department, and continued in that capacity until October 29, 1865, when he was honorably dis- charged.
Upon retiring from the army, Mr. McDonald went to Wayne County, Ill., where he continued to make his home until 1878. He removed from that state to Iowa, and remained there for four years. Later he sojourned in Illinois for one ycar, and from there came to Kansas, where he and each of his sons pre-empted claims in Clark County. In 1890 he came to Crawford County, where he has since made his home. He was united in marriage in 1851 with Miss Sarah F. Martin, and they are the parents of six living children: Emma, wife of C. L. King, and a resident of Clark County, Kan .; Mrs. Viola Hardin; William W., who is the popular District Clerk residing in Gir- ard; Norman, who lives in Farlington; George W., one of the editors of the Herald; and Clara, who lives at home.
In all public and political matters, Mr. McDon- ald takes an intelligent interest, and gives the weight of his influence to the Republican party, believing the principles of this political organiza- tion best adapted to promote the welfare of the people. Ile affiliates with the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to the post at Girard. In re-
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ligious connections, he and his wife are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which they are active and prominent members. For some years he has engaged as a dealer in stock, which he keeps on his land in Clark County, and from the sale of which he receives a good income. While a resident of Wayne County, Ill., he served as a member of the County Court. For seven years he filled the position of Assessor of the township, and he has also served as Justice of the Peace, and in other offices of trust.
LONZO APPLEGATE, a practical and suc- cessful general agriculturist cultivating a finely improved farm of two hundred acres located in Centreville Township, Linn County, Kan., has been a leading citizen of this part of the state for about a score of years. Our subject is a native of New Jersey, and was born April 8, 1842, near Tom's River, Ocean County. His parents, Moses and Euphemia (Iley- er) Applegate, were both born in New Jersey, the mother being a native of Morris County. The Ap- plegates were of sturdy Scotch ancestry, but the paternal grandfather, Ebenezer Applegate, was for a long time a resident of New Jersey. In that state he spent his deelming years, and died at an ad- vanced age.
ยท The Heyer family was descended from a long line of German forefathers, thrifty, hard-working and upright people. The mother, after a life of faithfulness to her husband and family, passed away in the state of her birthi in the year 1875. Three children of the parents survived to adult age, Alonzo, Peter C. and James. The father was by occupation a farmer, and upon the old home- stead our subject gained much of the practical knowledge which has aided him upward in the
struggle of daily life. He spent the years of youth in assisting his parents and receiving in- struction in the home schools of the district.
Upon May 16, 1861, were united in marriage Alonzo Applegate and Miss Sarah W. Moore, the latter of whom was born in Pennsylvania, Decen- ber 26, 1843. The parents of Mrs. Applegate, Michael and Elizabeth (Mears) Moore, were also natives of the Quaker State, where they spent the first part of their married life. They afterward located in New Jersey, and finally removed to Linn County, Kan., in 1867. This state was their permanent home-with the exception of the three years spent in Missouri-until 1892, when they returned to New Jersey, where they now reside. Of their large family of twelve sons and daugh- ters, eleven survived to reach adult age, and are in the order of their birth: Joseph, Nathan, Sarah, Ann, Rachael, Fannie, Mary, Elizabeth, Lewis, John and Carrie. John died in Centreville Town- ship, Linn County, in 1874.
Our subject was married in Ocean County, N. J., and with his excellent wife was making his home in his native state when, in 1863, he enlisted in Company F, Fourteenth New Jersey Infantry, and remained in the service of the Government for one year, at the end of which time he was dis- charged for disability. During the twelvemonth Mr. Applegate had courageously participated in the battles of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Ber- muda Hundred and Petersburgh. Constantly ex- posed to the perils of the battlefield and the vicis- situdes of the weather, he was taken ill with typhoid fever and was discharged on account of his feeble condition from the hospital at Newark, N. J.
Our subject returned to Ocean County and en- gaged in the pursuit of farming near his old home until the fall of 1873. Emigrating to Kansas, he for four years rented and worked land in Cen- treville Township, then homesteaded forty acres where he now resides. In these passing years he has been financially prospered, and has inereased his homestead by the addition of one hundred and sixty acres. Ile has brought his land up to a high state of cultivation, has improved his property with excellent and commodious buildings and he
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now ranks among the prosperous and substantial citizens of the county.
Twelve children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Applegate, one of whom passed away in in- fancy and one in early childhood. The surviv- ing sons and daughters are: Alonzo E., who mar- ried Jane Randall; Sarah, the wife of John Won- derley, Jr .; Effie, the wife of Wesley Hale; Edith, the wife of Eugene Shoemaker; Moses, who mar- ried Miss Clara Elington; Fannie, Michael, Ona, Jesse and Pearl. The brothers and sisters enjoy a wide acquaintance and the affectionate regard of a large circle of old-time friends. Politically our subject is a Republican and has ever been inter- ested in local and national issues, and, a liberal- spirited and patriotic citizen, is an important fac- tor in matters of mutual welfare. Fraternally he is associated with the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and is a ready aid in good work and benevolent enterprises.
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L EVI SMITH. Among the fine farms of Linn County is the Smith homestead, which is located on section 18, Potosi Township, in the midst of a rich farming country. Original- ly consisting of eighty acres, it now comprises one hundred and sixty acres, upon which have been placed all the improvements modern agriculture can suggest. Through a proper rotation of crops and fertilization of the soil, the value of the land has been greatly increased, and the place now ranks among the finest in the township. The resi- dence is a neat and cozy abode, furnished in a manner indicating the refined tastes of the in- mates.
The fourth in a family of ten children, our sub- ject is the son of John S. and Margaret (Van Gor- der) Smith, natives respectively of Orange Coun- ty, N. Y., and New York City. The father resides in Iowa, but the mother departed this life at her home in Iowa County, lowa. In the county of
Tompkins, state of New York, the subject of this sketchi was born on the 6th of January, 1834. When he was about six years of age, he was taken by his parents to Michigan, and sojourned for six months in Jackson County, removing thence to Calhoun County, where the years of his boy- hood and youth were passed. Ilis education was limited to the common schools of the home dis- trict, but through self-culture he has become well informed.
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