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 18
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wife of L. M. Hathaway. Mr. and Mrs. Hathaway have been blessed with a family of children, six of whomTare living: Gaetano M., Rufus C., Artemus B., Lamort, Clarence H. and David. Formerly a Baptist in his religious views, our subject is now identified with the United Brethren Church, and together with his good wife takes an active part in the benevolent work and enterprises of the locality. Mr. Smith is deeply interested in both local and national issues, and in his official posi- tions has given great satisfaction to the commu- nity in which he resides. After a successful career as a merchant he retired from his business in Pleasanton, in 1889. Since occupying him- self entirely in the cultivation of his homestead, he has taken high place among the agricultur- ists of Linn County, and possesses the sincere regard of a wide acquaintance.
AMES A. RAMSEY. The rapid advance- ment made of late in matters pertaining to popular education is due in no small part to the brilliant leaders who have risen here and there, and who have dedicated their labors and energics to the npbuilding of the school in- terests of their respective states. Among those who have won wide recognition in Kansas is James A. Ramsey, who early began the career of a teacher and is now filling creditably the position of County Superintendent of Schools. He comes of Scotch descent, and inherits all the thrift and energy of his ancestors. His grandfather, Robert Ramsey, was born in Scotland, but came to Amer- ica at an early date and settled in western Pennsyl- vania. There he reared five sons and one daughter: Robert (father of our subject), William, Andrew, James N., Oliver and Sarah Ann, the latter of whom married Samnel Dobbins.
The father of our subject, Robert Ramsey, Jr.,
was born in Mercer County, Pa., and after grow- ing up, followed farming in that state for some time. . When a young man, he was tempted by the fertile prairies of Illinois to make a settlement within that state, locating in Washington County, in 1838. There he was married to Miss Mary M. McAfee, and there he passed the remainder of his days engaged in agricultural pursuits. Hle was the owner of about three hundred acres of land, and being a member of the Covenanter Church took no interest in politics. IIis death occurred in February, 1885, when sixty-four years of age. The mother, who was a native of Philadelphia, Pa., is still living, and resides with a daughter in New York State. Their five children were named as follows: Maggie, wife of Hugh Dugan, of Sterling Center, N. Y .; Nannie, wife of Rev. T. J. Allen, a minister of the Covenanter Church of Sterling, Kan .; James A .; Lizzie, wife of William Carson, of Oakdale, Ill .; and Robert George, a minister of the United Presbyterian Church of Xenia, Ohio.
The early scholastic training of our subject was received in the common schools and in Coulter- ville Academy, from which he was graduated. Later he taught school in Washington County, Ill., for seven years, and then came to Kansas, where he continued the same occupation for five years. In the fall of 1890 he was elected County Superintendent of Schools, and re-elected in 1892. Public education in Kansas has no more earnest advocate and co-operator than he-no one who more thoroughly understands and appreciates its needs and interests, and perhaps no one better qualified through experience to bring it to that high state of perfection which its present rapid advancement assures. Ile is a Republican in his political preferment, and only two candidates were elected on the ticket in 1890. In 1892 he received an increased majority.
Mr. Ramsey selected his wife in the person of Miss Hattie L. Mcclurkin, only child of Archibald Mcclurkin, of Oakdale, Ill., and their union was celebrated May 10, 1881. She was born in that town November 27, 1861. Mr. Mcclurkin was a farmer and an early settler of Washington Coun- ty, Ill. His death occurred in 1863. Two chil-
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dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey: Norman F. and Lester A. Mr. Ramsey is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and is one of the rep- resentative men of this section. He founded the "Anderson County Teacher," a monthly published in the interests of the Anderson County schools, and is still its editor. It is now on its second vol- ume. Ile taught the public schools of Oakdale, Ill., and Welda, Kan., and met with the best of success. His mother was a teacher, and cach of her five children followed that profession for over ten years. In connection with teaching, Mr. Ram- sey was also engaged in farming, and for some time owned a farm near Welda.
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R OBERT G. STEWART. Time has dealt kindly with this venerable citizen of Pa- ola and his wife, and has enabled them to lay aside the labors of former years and settle down to the enjoyment of the physical com- forts and social pleasures their adequate means and refined tastes make possible and agreeable. They have an extended acquaintance and have long been known as being among the best represen- tatives of the agricultural class of Miami County. Having always been engaged in farming, Mr. Stewart is well versed in the principles of agricult- ure, employs the best modern methods in the cultivation of his land and derives a comfortable income from his harvests. On account of advane- ing years he no longer actively engages as a tiller of the soil, but still superintends the management of his extended landed possessions and gives to his valuable business interests the same thoughtful attention which characterized him in life's prime.
A native of Ohio, the subject of this biograph- ical sketch was born in Warren County in 1814. He was one of nine children comprising the fam-
ily of Alexander and Rebecca (Clarke) Stewart, natives respectively of North and South Carolina. The Stewart family originated in Scotland and from that country several of the name emigrated to the United States in an early day and settled in the south. The fourth in order of birth in the family, our subject spent his boyhood years in the parental home, where he grew to a robust man- hood, well qualified physically and mentally to discharge his duties as a citizen and fulfill his ob- ligations as a man. His educational advantages were limited to such information as could be ob- tained in the pioneer schools of the neighborhood, and the broad fund of knowledge he now pos- sesses is the result of self-culture.
In Ohio, on the 18th of January, 1843, Robert Stewart was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Van Dervort, a native of the Buckeye State and the daughter of Jonah and Elizabeth (Reed) Van Dervort. IIer father was born in Virginia and removed thence to Ohio, where he resided until death. The children born to the union of our subject and his wife were seven in number. Fla- vins A., the eldest, served in the War of the Re- bellion and is at present a resident of Miami County. Cassius N. makes his home in Arizona. Mary, the third in respect to age, is deceased. John and Iva reside with their parents. Sarah is the wife of Joseph Bates. Libbie is living at home and tenderly cares for her aged parents.
In 1869 Mr. Stewart brought his family to Kan- sas, and here he has since resided. With the aid of his sons he has purchased and cleared large tracts of land and now owns over one section in Miami County, all of which they have improved. The sons are manly and industrious, and, like their father, advocate the principles of the Repub- lican party. During the days of the old-line Whig party, Mr. Stewart voted that ticket, but since the organization of the Republican party he has been unswerving in his allegiance thereto. While he takes an intelligent interest in local and national affairs, he is not a zealous partisan, and has always preferred the quietude of domestic life to the excitement of a public career.
The religious home of the family is in the Bap- tist Church, with which all the children excepting
RESIDENCE OF GEORGE ROOKSTOOL, SEC.7., OSAGE TP., MIAMI CO., KAN.
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RESIDENCE OF R. G. STEWART, SEC. 28., PAOLA TP., MIAMI CO., KAN.
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one are actively identified. Mr. Stewart has never been an advocate of secret organizations and is not identified with any fraternal association. In addition to general farming he has made a specialty of raising Clydesdale horses and has met with flat- tering success in that department of agriculture. All the improvements now noticeable upon his farm are the result of his efforts, and the place ranks among the finest in the county. The build- ings are substantial, each adapted to its special purpose. The traveler who passes the farm inva- riably panses to admire the handsome residence, which Mr. Stewart erected at a cost of $4,000, and which is one of the finest in the county.
G EORGE ROOKSTOOL. The agricultural part of the community is its bone and sinew, from which come the strength and vigor necessary to carry on the affairs of manu- facture, commerce and the state. When the agri- cultural class is composed of men and women of courage, enterprise, intelligence and integrity, prosperity will attend all departments of activity, and this is pre-eminently the case in Miami Coun- ty. Among the sons of Ohio who have brought with them to Kansas the sturdy habits of inde- pendence, integrity and industry, which have ever marked the native Ohioan, we are gratified to be able to mention George Rookstool, whose beauti- ful farm is to be found on section 7, township 19, range 23, Osage Township.
Our subject was born in Preble County, Ohio, November 6, 1833, to the union of Samuel and Mary (Brown) Rookstool. In 1835 his parents removed to Elkhart County, Ind., and there passed the remainder of his days. They were honest, upright citizens and were held in high es- teem by all. George was but two years of age when his parents removed to Elkhart County, and there he grew to mature years, actively engaged
in cultivating the soil of his father's farm. He secured a good practical education in the common schools and then began teaching, following this profession for one term and meeting with good success.
In 1855 Mr. Rookstool was nuited in marriage with Miss Rebecca Bunger, a native of Elkhart County, Ind., and the daughter of George and Mary Bunger, who were esteemed residents of that county. Following his marriage our subject rented land in Elkhart County until 1859, when he started westward with his family. After a journey of one month in a wagon he reached Kansas and at once took a claim where he now resides, and in due time pre-empted the same. On account of ill health he was obliged to return to Indiana in 1862, and for six years followed farming in Elk- hart County. He then returned to his Kansas home and has since been remarkably successful as a farmer and stock-raiser. He is now the owner of four hundred and eighty-eight acres of land and has one of the finest residences in the town- ship. Everything about his place proves that he is a man of enterprise and energy, and all his farming operations are conducted in a manner re- flecting the highest credit upon his management and good judgment. For a number of years he gave his attention largely to the breeding of Short-horn cattle, but in connection is now en- gaged in raising draft and trotting horses.
By his marriage Mr. Rookstool 'became the fa- ther of eleven children, of whom the following attained years of maturity: Albert, residing in Miami County; Martha, wife of Fred Diehm, of Linn County; Emma, wife of Jerome Russell, of Pratt County, Kan .; Ashley, of Miami County; Ella, wife of Charles Springer, of Linn County, Kan .; Samuel, of Miami County; George C. and Minnie, who are at home. A grand-daughter, Edith, makes her home with our subject. In his political views Mr. Rookstool is a stanch advocate of Republican principles and cast his first Presi- dential vote for Col. J. C. Fremont in 1856. He has been a member of the School Board and has held other local positions in his township. So- cially, he is identified with Lodge No. 131, A. F. & A. M., and also belongs to the Eastern Star, in
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which his wife also holds membership. Both are highly respected in the community, and their home is a model of comfort and convenience.
R EV. R. H. SHERAR, ordained in 1878 as a preacher of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and a man of ability and enter- prise, is an extensive landholder and a prosperous general agriculturist, whose home farm is located upon section 18, Stanton Township, Miami County, Kan. Long a resident of the state and closely identified with the vital interests of Kansas, Mr. Sherar has, as a citizen and a minister of the Gospel, greatly aided in the upward growth and rapid advancement of hus present locality, and, widely known, commands universal respeet and esteem. Our subject, born September 1, 1837, in Franklin County, N. Y., was the son of Caleb Sherar, a native of Maryland, who was born in 1811. The family is of English descent, Grandfather Sherar being a captain in the regular army of England. Captain Sherar took part in the battle of Waterloo, and was given a grant of two hun- dred acres of land near Cork, Ireland. A man of ambition, he determined to emigrate to America, and in 1813 crossed the Atlantic and settled in the state of New York. The mother of Rev. R. H. Sherar was Ann (Moore) Sherar, who was born in Ireland, of Scotch-Irish descent. The home of the parents was blessed with the presence of eight children, four sons and four daughters. Three of the broth- ers and two of the sisters are yet living. The mother was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and active in good work. The parents arriving in Kansas in 1855 were the first set- tlers of Stanton Township. The father was an active politician and joined the militia during the Civil War. After a career of busy usefulness he passed away in 1872, the mother also entering into rest the same year.
Our subjeet, spending his boyhood days mostly in Illinois, attended the excellent schools of Free-
port and Cherry Valley. Accompanying his par- ents to Kansas when eighteen years of age, he en- tered into the pursuits of agriculture, and the sue- ceeding year, 1856, joined the force of John Brown at Osawatomie. The forec, consisting of thirty- five men, took part in the engagements of Black Jack, Middle Creek and Osawatomie. Mr. Sherar actively participated in the various difficulties shared by John Brown until the departure of the latter for Virginia. During one of the border fights our subject received a buekshot wound in the forehead. Well acquainted with Brown and personally drilled by him, Mr. Sherar served as Corporal under bim and was later offered a com- mission as Colonel in a Virginia regiment if he would go to the south. Our subject preached the funeral sermon of one of the men who escaped from Harper's Ferry and afterward died in Paola. He was named Charles Leonhardts, and was known as a man of great personal courage.
In 1859 were united in marriage R. H. Sherar and Miss Maggie S. Downen, daughter of Job and Ala- bama (Williams) Downen. Mr. Downen, a native of Illinois, died in De Witt County, deeply mourned by a large circle of friends. Mrs. Downen, a na- tive of Kentucky, married a second time, and re- moving to Kansas in 1855, is now residing in Osa- watomie. Three children of the first marriage and two of the second are now living.
Mrs. Sherar was born September 23, 1840, in De Witt County, Ill., and was there reared and ed- ucated. Mr. Sherar, after his marriage, went to Pike's Peak and worked in the gold mines, but returned home the same year and settled upon a farm in Stanton Township, a pioneer settler of the locality, the land then being entirely in a wild condition. In the spring of 1861, our subject raised a company of state militia and was com- missioned First Lieutenant. The company, known as the Stanton Guards, was attached to Colonel Colton's regiment. Mr. Sherar, taking an active part in the engagement near Morristown, Mo., had charge of the company, and continued in the service until the spring of 1863, when he was mus- tered out. Immediately re-enlisting, our subject was actively engaged on the border between Kan- sas and Missouri for five months, and participated
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in numerous sharp fights. Ile and John Huff were candidates for Captain and Huff won. Mr. Sherar knew Quantrell personally, and went at one time in pursuit of his band. One day when visiting Stanton on business, he found Captain Snider and four other men trying to kill Quan- trell. They had leveled their guns at him, but Mr. Sherar threw up their guns and hurried Quantrell into the store, keeping himself between Quantrell and the five men. Once safe inside, Quan- trell ascended a ladder, and our subject, following with a cocked pistol in his hand, stated that he would shoot the first man who put his head above thic floor, and finally safely surrendered Quantrell to the Sheriff. At the close of five months' service, Mr. Sherar, in the spring of 1864, enlisted in Company I, Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry, and as Or- derly Sergeant served with fidelity until he was inustered out, July 24, 1865. He took an active part in the battles of Camden, Mo., and Westport, and later, sent to Nashville, fought under General Thomas in the battle against the forces of General Hood. He was then sent back to Ft. Leaven- worth and from there to New Mexico. Our subject, with his regiment, was engaged in a fight with the Indians at Salt Bottom, on the Arkansas River, near Cimarron Crossing. A second time in a conflict with the Indians on the Arkansas, in Wal- nut, Mr. Sherar found his scalp in great danger, but fortunately escaped unhurt. A third time he met the Indians in a battle at Little Arkansas, and not long after was mustered out at Leavenworthi. While on the plains Mr. Sherar killed numerous buffaloes and liad many exciting experiences. At the close of the war he settled upon his present farm, where he has resided ever since.
In 1868 Mr. Sherar was converted and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and in 1872 united with the Presbytery and six years afterward was ordained to preach the Word. For fourteen years pastor of a church in Richland Township, and for ten years in charge of a church at Rantoul, our subject has been the instrument of good, and has brought a powerful influence to bear upon his lo- cality. Ile las, aside from lus pastoral labors, con- ducted with ability a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres, and, financially prospered, owns
in all about nine hundred and seventy acres of valuable land. The home farm, under a high state of cultivation, is finely improved with mod- ern, commodious and substantial buildings.
Mr. and Mrs. Sherar have welcomed to their hearts and home seven children. Lillie Ann, the wife of Elijah Freeman, is the mother of four chil- dren; Minnie, wife of James Price, has one child; El- mer is unmarried; Harrison is the husband of Laura Ogden and has no family; Miles is deceased; Rob- ert and Otis complete the family group. Elmer was a student at the State Normal School two years, and attended Ozark College one year. The daughters taught school. Mr. Sherar, for nine years a member of the Board of Education, takes a great interest in the advancement of the schools of his district. Politically a strong Republican, he has been asked to become a candidate for the Legislature, but has refused. Our subject is fra- ternally associated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Likewise a mem- ber of the Anti-Horse Thief Association, he organ- ized the society in the state, and in early days a leader, assisted in the hanging of seven horse thieves. As a man of law and order, he did his duty, but now rejoices in the better days which bless the land. Valued by all who know him, our subject, as a clergyman and citizen, has fought a good fight and is well worthy of the confidence he now receives from the entire community in which his peaceful life is passed.
B ENJAMIN F. BLAKER, senior member of the firm of B. F. Blaker & Co., lumber and grain merchants of Pleasanton, and also one of the proprietors of the Blaker Milling Company, of this place, became a resident of this thriving village in 1870, and has since been thor- oughly identified with the business interests of
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the town and county. He was born in Bucks County, Pa., December 3, 1844, and is a son of Joshua C. and Ann (Croasdale) Blaker, also na- tives of Bucks County.
Upon his father's farm our subject was reared to manhood, gaining early in life a practical knowledge of agriculture, and also acquiring a fair education in the district schools. In 1870 he came to Kansas and located in Pleasanton, where he embarked in the lumber business. One year later his brother Alfred joined him and the firm name was changed to B. F. Blaker & Co. In 1872 they commenced dealing in grain, and two years later built an elevator. In 1886 they erected the mills of Pleasanton under the firm name of the Blaker Milling Company, and these they equipped with all the modern improvements. The capacity of the mills is about one hundred and fifty barrels of flour per pay and one hundred barrels of meal. About one-fourth of the entire amount of wheat used has to be imported, as the home market can not supply the demand. The firm also operates Inmber yards at La Cygne, Fontana, Blne Mound, Parker, Gridley and Kincaid, Kan .; and Sprague and Amsterdam, Mo., and also handles grain at some other points. They are interested in a com- mission honse in Kansas City, where Alfred Blaker makes his home and whither he removed for the purpose of being near his business.
The marriage of Benjamin F. Blaker occurred in 1872 and united him with Miss Adda Brabant, who was born in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1850. They are the parents of two children, Emma and Pau- line. In his political opinions Mr. Blaker is a Republican and has held a number of local offices, to which he has been elected by the unanimous choice of his party. He always performs his duty as a citizen, but is obliged to give his attention largely to his private affairs and therefore does not mingle with the public life of the city to any large extent. Socially, he is identified with Eu- reka Lodge No. 88, F. & A. M., of which he is Past Master.
The success which Mr. Blaker has achieved and the prominent position he now occupies in busi- ness circles represent the result of his own unaided exertions. When he came to Kansas he was poor
in purse, though rich in hope and conrage. Now he is the owner of some thousand acres, part of which is utilized as a stock ranch, and he is also the owner of valuable real estate in Pleasanton, being one of the most successful business men of this place. In disposition he is quiet and reserved; in his business he is cautious and conservative and displays the possession of excellent business capacity, and in his social relations he is thought- ful and considerate. Ile is a member of Jewell Post No. 3, G. A. R., at Pleasanton.
ANIEL M. MARTIN. There are few men of the present day whom the world acknowl- edges as successful more worthy of honor- able mention, or whose history affords a better example of what may be accomplished by perse- verance and strict integrity, than the subject of this sketch. He has been a resident of Miami . County since April 22, 1857. Ile is a native of the Empire State, born in Washington County, August 30, 1834, and is the son of Daniel and Deidemia (Spring) Martin, both natives of that county and state.
The family removed from New York to Michi- gan in September, 1837, and resided in Allegån County, where the father had previously worked at his trade of a millwright. The latter also pur- chased a good tract of land. In 1839 they went to Chicago, when that city presented a rather dif- ferent appearance from its present vast propor- tions, and the father took a claim north of the village, where he and his family resided until 1854. From there they went to Missouri, and kept a hotel at West Point until August, 1856, when they were made prisoners and taken to Kansas by border ruflians. They were placed on a boat and ordered to leave and never return. In 1857 the
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family came to Kansas and took a claim south of Osawatomie, where the father died in September, 1859, when sixty-two years of age. The mother followed him to the grave in April, 1884, when seventy-seven years of age. They had born to their union eleven children, all of whom grew to mature years.
The eldest child, Leander, enlisted in Company A, Eighteenth United States Regiment, was made First Lieutenant, and was killed at Sand Moun- tain, Tenn .; Jolın resides in Michigan; George H. makes his home in Osawatomie; Daniel M. is our subject; Alamanza E. married Dr. J. C. Price, of Osawatomie; William is next; Helen married Dr. A. J. Wade; Ilannibal S. resides in Colorado; Sarah F. married Charles Marvin, of Meadville, Pa .; Ben- jamin lives in Colorado; and Anna L. is now Mrs. Dunean, of Colorado. The father was first a Whig in his political views, but later affiliated with the Republican party and voted with that until his death. The youthful days of our subject were pass- ed in New York, Michigan and Illinois, and his ed- ucational advantages were rather limited. He eame with his parents to the Sunflower State in 1857, and as he had learned the carpenter's trade he worked at that in this state, but was also en- gaged in other enterprises.
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