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 19
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At the opening of the Civil War his patriotism was aroused, and in July he enlisted in Company B, Third Kansas Infantry. Upon the re-organiza- tion of the company it became Company D, Tenth Kansas. Mr. Martin was commissioned Second Lieutenant of Company A, Eighteenth United States troops, in July, 1864, and when his brother was killed, succeeded him as First Lieutenant. He was mustered out in Mareli, 1866. At Perry Grove he received a gun-shot wound and still carries the ball. Following the war he began working at his trade at Osawatomie, and in 1884 settled on his farm of eighty acres, where he has made good im- provements. He was married August 30, 1866, to Miss Keturah A. Snider, a native of Chester Coun- ty, Pa., and the daughter of Eli Snider, a black- smith by trade. Three children have been given them: Florence M., George M. and Dama E. In polities Mr. Martin is a Populist. He lias been Township Treasurer, is now Justice of the Peace
of Mound Township, and has held other local posi- tions. Ile is a member of the Ancient Free & Ae- eepted Masons.
NTON F. MEYER. In the life of this suc- eessful business man of Crawford County are illustrated the results of perseverance and energy, coupled with judicious man- agement and striet integrity. Ile is a citizen of whom any community might well be proud, and the people of this county, fully appreciating his ability, accord him a place in the foremost ranks of representative business men. At present he conducts a flourishing mercantile business in the village of Brazilton, and is not only the most prominent business man of this place, but the most influential citizen as well. In addition to mer- chandising, he has for the past three years held the position of Postmaster.
Born in Germany, in the province of Hanover, the subject of this sketch was a small child when he accompanied his parents, Christian and Ollie (Tiedeman) Meyer, to this country. Locating in St. Louis, the father followed his trade of a tailor, and soon afterward went to Sedalia, thence to Con- cordia. In 1868 he came to Kansas and located upon a traet of land in Sherman Township, Craw- ford County, where he remained until his death in 1875. His wife survived him for a few years, passing away in 1877.
At the age of fourteen our subjeet commenced to earn his livelihood, and for some time thereaf- ter followed any occupation he could find to en- gage his attention and bring him substantial re- turns. Upon coming to Kansas in 1868, he as- sisted his father in clearing and improving a farm, and in 1875 he purchased one hundred and twen- ty aeres lying in Sherman Township, Crawford County, for which he paid $4.50 per aere. He gave his attention to improving the property and tilling the soil, making liis home upon that place
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for about twelve years. In 1887 he disposed of the farm, and coming to Brazilton embarked in the general mereantile business, in which he has sinee engaged.
On the 16th of November, 1873, Mr. Meyer was united in marriage with Miss Johanna Fisher, the daughter of Frederick Christof Fisher, a native of Germany, who came to the United States about 1858 and settled in Benton, Mo. The family re- sided in Missouri until about 1862, when the wife and mother died. Later the father died in Mis- souri, in 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have had six children, four of whom are now living, namely: Clara, Bertha, Matilda and Otto. The two de- ceased are Theodore and Emma.
The political views of Mr. Meyer are widely known throughout Crawford County, his voice and his vote being with the Republican party, of which he is a local leader. In religious belief, he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. He has established a large trade among the people of this part of the county, who consider his store the best place in which to purchase dry goods and drugs. lle buys both grain and corn, which he ships largely to the eastern markets. In all the relations of life, whether business or social, lie is always the same consistent and upright man, and receives the confidence of all who know it.
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RTHUR FULLER, senior member of the firm of Fuller & Randolph, attorneys-at- law at Pittsburgh and Girard, is one of the most eminent practitioners of Crawford County, and is an influential citizen of Girard, where he has resided for a number of years. IIe is at present serving as City Attorney of Girard, and in that position his knowledge of technicali- ties and intricate points of law and jurisprudence
is universally recognized. Politieally a Repub- lican, he is one of the prominent local workers of his party, and is actively interested in the conduct of local and national affairs.
Referring to the parental history of our subjeet, we find that he is the son of Dr. Benjamin A. Full- er, a native of New York State, who was reared near the foot of Lake Geneva. About 1847 he re- moved to Illinois, and began the practice of medi- cine in Sangamon County, where he continued to reside for a number of years. His serviees during the year of the cholera were highly appreciated by the people of the community, and he won the con- fidence of his large circle of acquaintances. In the spring of 1875 he came to Crawford County, Kan., and has since engaged in the practice of medicine at Farlington, of which he is a prominent eitizen.
In the parental family there were two children, Arthur and Ada, the latter being the wife of Gov. A. P. Riddle, of Minneapolis, Kan. Arthur was born in Virden, Maeoupin County, Ill., on the 31st of July, 1859. Ile received his education in the common sehools of Sangamon County, and also attended the high school at Springfield. At the age of eighteen years he commeneed to teach school in Crawford County, where he remained for four years thus engaged. Ile then began the study of law with 1). B. Van Sickel, now of Kansas City, Mo. On the 4th of October, 1882, he was admitted to practice at the Bar of the state, and he now also practices before the United States Court.
In 1887 Mr. Fuller was united in marriage with Miss Anna P. Richardson, the daughter of James Richardson, a prominent hotel man, who for a time was proprietor of the St. James, at Girard, and who now lives in Kansas City. Mrs. Fuller was born in Connecticut, and removed from that state to Chicago in her girlhood. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller are the parents of one child, Lois. In his practice Mr. Fuller has made a specialty of rail- road work, and at present is attorney for the Atelison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company, the St. Louis & Santa Fe Railway Company, the Cherokee & Pittsburgh Coal Mining Company, the Pittsburgh & Midway Coal and Mining Com-
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pany, and the First National Bank at Girard. He also makes a specialty of corporation law.
Mr. Fuller has frequently represented his party as their delegate to the state conventions of the Republican party, and is an active worker for that organization. In his social relations, he is iden- tified with the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias, being Past Chancellor-Commander in the latter society. The firm of Fuller & Randolph is the most prominent in the county, Mr. Ran- dolph making his headquarters at Pittsburgh, while Mr. Fuller represents the firm and conducts the office at Girard.
S AMUEL BOWMAN, a successful farmer of Centreville Township, Linn County, and the owner of valuable farming property on section 36, township 20, range 21, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, December 21, 1841. His parents, John and Mary (Morris) Bowman, married, passed their entire lives and finally died in Pickaway County. They had a family of eight children, the eldest of whom, Isaac, was drowned in childhood; John is a resi- dent of Greeley, Kan .; William lives in Summer County, this state; Lydia, Mrs. Weckley, makes her home with her brother John; Melissa, the wife of R. Burk, resides in Shelby County, Ill .; Matilda, Mrs. George Cummings, lives in Crawford Coun- ty, Kan .; and Mary, who is the wife of William McCullongh, lives in Ottawa, Kan.
The youngest child of the family is Samuel, the subject of this sketch. Left an orphan in his early life, he subsequently made his home with his brother, whom, in 1854, he accompanied to Illi-
nois, locating in Shelby County. He resided with his brother until 1862, when he enlisted in the Union army, and was mustered into service as a member of Company C, Thirty-fifth Illinois In- fantry. Among the engagements in which he par- ticipated may be mentioned the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Buzzard's Roost, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Pickett's Mills, and many skir- mishes on the way to Atlanta. When the period of service of his regiment expired and it was mus- tered ont, our subject was transferred to Company I, Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry, in which he served until June, 1865, being on detached service. At the expiration of this period of enlistment, he was mustered out of the service at Nashville.
At the close of the war Mr. Bowman returned to Shelby County, Ill., and again engaged as a farm hand. In 1867 he returned to his native county, and there married Mrs. Elvina (Stein) Grant. IIe afterward operated rented land in Shelby County, whence in 1872, loading all his worldly effects in two wagons, he started for the Sunflower State, and after a journey of twenty-one days settled on the place where he now resides. Purchasing eighty acres of wild prairie land, he at once com- menced the arduous task of improving a farm, and from time to time he added to his possessions until his property now consists of two hundred and forty acres, where he engages in mixed husbandry. Politically he is a Populist, but in former years he was a Democrat. Socially he is identified with James M. Arthur Post No. 300, G. A. R., at Goodrich.
Elvina Stein, as Mrs. Bowman was known in maidenhood, was born in Pennsylvania, Septem- ber 13, 1840, being a daughter of John and Mary (Klingerman) Stein. The family removed to Pickaway County, Ohio, about 1843, where her parents died, leaving three children: Elvina; Will- iam, a mechanic at Garnett, Kan., and Edwin, who resides in Anderson County. The only daughter was orphaned in childhood, and was sixteen years of age when she became the wife of George Grant, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio. He died at the age of thirty-three, leaving his widow with two children; Lewis, and Emma, wife of Richard Sands, of Mound City, Kan, Mr. and Mrs. Bow-
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man are the parents of four children: Lizzie, wife of Charles Cooper; Charles, Minnie and Clara.
OSEPII M. KING. One of the most promi- nent and successful enterprises of Mon- mouth is the mercantile establishment owned and conducted by Mr. King. From the inception of the business in 1892 until the present time, it has enjoyed a steady growth, and now is numbered among the important industries of the county. The store building is a conven- iently arranged structure, 24x120 feet in dimen- sions, and the proprietor always carries a large and well assorted stock of goods. The trade is good, embracing the people of the village and the farmers of the surrounding country.
Born in Bracken County, Ky., October 28, 1835, our subject is a son of William D. and Nancy (Turner) King, both of whom were born in the Blue Grass State. Prior to the Civil War they re- moved to Indiana and settled in Clinton County, where the wife and mother died in 1850. The fa- ther died in Montgomery County, Ind., at the age of seventy-three. Joseph M. was reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools of Kentucky, adding to the knowledge acquired in schools the broader information gained by self- culture and diligent application.
In 1854 Mr. King was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Coffman, who was born in Indiana June 8, 1836. The young couple settled on a farm in Clinton County, Ind., and in 1867 came to Kansas, where they settled upon improved land in Sheridan Township, Crawford County. Ile improved the one hundred and sixty acres com- prising the farm, and made it his home for a num- ber of years, adding to his possessions until he ac- quired the ownership of two hundred acres, which be still holds. In 1880 he embarked in business at Monmouth, but later went to Pittsburgh, and engaged in merchandising there for one year.
Then disposing of the business he returned to Monmouth and opened the store which he still conducts. He also superintends the management of his farm, and in addition to this handles all the grain at this point.
Mr. and Mrs. King were the parents of nine chil- dren, of whom seven are now living, namely: E. J., M. S., N. A., S. N., F. J., W.W. and F. M., the latter now a telegraph operator at Coffeyville. In his so- cial relations Mr. King is identified with the Ma- sonic order and the Ancient Order of United Work- men, and in the latter organization has served as Master Workman. In politics a Democrat, he has been honored by election to various offices of trust. He has been Township Trustee and has held the school offices. He was nominated for the office of Sheriff, but suffered defeat with the re- mainder of the ticket. As a business man he is conservative and cautious, and is averse to speeu- lation of any sort. His genial manners and the uniform reliability of his transactions have won for him the confidence of all with whom he has business or social relations.
ILLIAM GARDNER, Mayor of Girard, is one of the most enterprising business men of Crawford County. The gratifying suc- cess which has crowned his efforts is the more no- ticeable and praiseworthy because of the few op- portunities afforded him in the earlier days for that training and other help usually considered indispensable to a start in life and the success which is desired. He is a worthy representative of that class best designated by the term "self- made."
In Girard, on the southwest corner of the public square, stands the furniture and undertaking es- tablishment of which Mr. Gardner is the owner and proprietor. Since the inception of this enter- prise, in 1875, it has enjoyed a steady growth, and at the present time is numbered among the sub-
Thomas Roberts
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stantial enterprises of the placc. As a business man, the frank geniality, tact and readiness to oblige, which have ever characterized Mr. Gardner, have won for him the confidence of the people of Girard and the surrounding country, and his pat- ronage includes all classes of people.
A native of London, England, the subject of this biographical notice was born on the 2d of July, 1840. He is a son of William Gardner, like- wise a native of England, who there spent his en- tire life. Ile was reared in London, and in youth learned the trade of a ship carpenter at Portsmouth, England. At the age of sixteen he went to sea, and for the eight years following was employed on a trading vessel. He also spent two years as a member of the English navy. In 1863, having resolved to seek a home in the United States, he emigrated hither, and for two years thereafter was employed as a ship carpenter on an English trad- ing ship. At that time he did not located per- manently in this country, but returned here in 1872, and coming directly to Kansas, settled in Girard, where he followed the trade of a house carpenter and a cabinet-maker for a unmber of years.
While a resident of England, Mr. Gardner was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Cook, an estimable lady, who is highly esteemed in social circles. A Republican in his political belief, Mr. Gardner has been actively identified with public and political affairs ever since locating in Girard. For two years he served as Coroner of the county, and for one year was a member of the City Coun- cil. In April, 1891, his fellow-citizens honored him by conferring upon him the highest office within their power, that of Mayor, and he served for one term with such efficiency that he was re- elected in 1893, and is the present incumbent of the position. He has assisted materially in main- taining and promoting the reputation of Girard as a community of law-abiding and intelligent peo- ple. He is at present a member of the Board of Trade.
In his social relations, Mr. Gardner is actively connected with the Masonic fraternity, and he has served as Chancellor-Commander of the Knights of Pythias lodge. He is also a member of the An-
cient Order of United Workmen. A gentleman of modest and unassuming deportment, of genial manners and of real merit, he has the confidence and esteem of the entire community.
ON. THOMAS ROBERTS. Among those who achieved eminence solely by excel- lence of character, without any of the modern appliances by which unworthy persons seek to gain undeserved and transient popularity, Judge Thomas Roberts occupied a prominent place. In presenting his biography the mind lingeringly dwells upon the fair record of his life. Around his name and reputation cluster all the manly virtues, truth, candor, magnanimity and benevolence. Brave, noble and generous, he was a man whom to know was a privilege, and to honor a pleasure. He was born in Wales, March 23, 1816, and died in Miami County, Kan., August 1,1892.
When a child, our subject removed with his par- ents to Liverpool, England, and there received his English education. After the death of his father he returned to Wales and received an edu- cation in the Welsh language, but after the death of his mother he again went to England, and made his home there until 1835. Then a strong desire to try his fortune in the New World induced him to leave his country. After reaching New York he went to Ohio, where December 10, 1838, he inarried Clarinda Farr, a native of Lorain County, Ohio, who was the first white child born in that county, her birth occurring September 15, 1817. She was the daughter of Abel and Mary (Smith) Farr, the first family to settle in Lorain County.
Our subject and his wife removed to the terri- tory of Wisconsin in 1841, and resided in the wil- derness of what is now Racine County, later going to Dodge County. In 1855 he brought his family to Kansas and entered a claim on the creek near the
4
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present site of Osawatomie. Here he built at a cost of 84,000 the first mill in the county, which later was destroyed by fire, proving a total loss. Mr. Roberts was a strong Free State man and took an active part in the border troubles with John Brown and others. His house was a free hotel. When the town was burned he was taken from his bed and told that he was to be killed. His reply was, "Kill me then;" but they concluded to let him go, saying, "I guess he is not a regular Yan- kee."
In 1859 Mr. Roberts was elected Probate Judge of Lykens, now Miami County, in the first terri- torial election, and served two years. In 1861 he was elected State Senator and served as a member of the court that impeached the state officers in 1862. In 1864 he was elected Clerk of the District Court, and two years later became County Attor- ney. During the war he held the commission of Captain of the Fifth Kansas Militia, and after peace was declared he practiced law. In 1885 he removed to the city of Osawatomie, erected sev- eral buildings, and was engaged in the practice of law and the collecting and insurance business. He left a valuable estate, consisting of country and city property. He was a man of unquestioned in- tegrity, a close reasoner and a profound thinker. As a judge, he comprehended at once the law and facts of the case, and his analytical powers enabled him to develop the points with such clearness and force that his decisions commended themselves alike to the Bar and to the people.
To Judge Roberts and his wife were born six children, as follows: Sarah Adelaide, who married C. W. Stevens; Thomas F .; Adeliza, wife of Will- iam West; Flora, wife of James Mullins; Belle, wife of Robert Mullins, and Emma, who married Lewis Evert, and died near Somerset, Kan. Judge Roberts was a Republican and a strong advocate of prohibition. Socially he was a Mason. At the time of his marriage he was a poor man, but he brought $6,000 with him to Kansas and was suc- cessful after locating in Miami County.
Abel Farr, the father of Mrs. Roberts, was born in New Hampshire, as was also the mother. The latter was the daughter of Aaron Smith, a Puritan from England and an officer in the Revolu-
tionary War, where he lost an eye and an arm. He was captured by the Indians. He owned three hundred acres on the Connecticut River and this land he improved and cultivated. The parents of Mrs. Roberts were married in the Buckeye State, where they were among the early settlers, and where they passed the remainder of their days. Mrs. Roberts is now residing in Osawatomie and looks after the rental of her property. She is a lady of more than ordinary intelligence and re- finement.
R ICH E. BOTTRELL came to Kansas in 1876 and now makes his home on section 12, Liberty Township, Linn County, three and three-fourths miles southeast of the city of Parker. He is of English parentage and descent. His paternal grandfather, Richard Bot- trell, was born in England and married Miss Grace Harris, their union resulting in the birth of two children: Richard, now a resident of Outagamie County, Wis., and John, the father of our subject. The family emigrated to the United States in 1846, and settled in Walworth County, Wis., near Troy Centre, where the grandparents died.
A native of Devonshire, England, John Bottrell was born in 1831, and was a youth of fifteen years when he accompanied his parents to America. In 1853 he married Miss Sarina S. Bovee, who was born in Utica, N. Y., in 1833, being the daughter of P. V. Bovee, an early settler of Eagle, Waukesha County, Wis. John Bottrell and his wife resided in Wisconsin until the spring of 1876, when they sold their ninety-acre farm and removed to Kan- sas. The journey was made with two terms and occupied four weeks. When the tedious trip was brought to a close the family settled in Lib- erty Township, Linn County, upon one hundred and sixty acres that had been purchased pre-
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viously. Upon the homestead there established, the wife and mother passed from earth in 1888. The father still resides there.
The parents of our subject had a family of five children, of whom the eldest, our subject, was born in Walworth County, Wis., September 18, 1854. The record of the family is completed by the names of Philip E .; John L., a resident of Montgomery County, Kan .; Grace, wife of Isaac E. Nolin; and Guy L. The father of these children enlisted in August, 1862, as a member of Com- pany A, Twenty-fourth Wisconsin Infantry, and served for three years, participating in all the marches and engagements of the regiment. He was a valiant soldier in time of war and a public- spirited citizen in times of peace.
On his father's farm in Walworth County, Wis., the subject of this biographical sketch was reared to manhood, meantime receiving the advantages of a common-school education as well as a course of study in the normal school at Whitewater, Wis. For a time he was employed on a farın, working for others, and he also clerked in a store in Oconto County. At the age of nineteen he engaged in teaching in Oconto County and re- mained there until 1876, when in company with the other members of his father's family he came to Kansas. Here for several years he taught school during the winter seasons and engaged in farming in the summer.
In 1882 Mr. Bottrell married Miss Laura B. Payne, who was born at Cadmus, Linn County December 11, 1859, being a daughter of Judson and Cornelia (Walton) Payne. The only child of this union is Leslie, who was born August 4, 1890. Since his marriage Mr. Bottrell has resided on section 12, Liberty Township, where he owns one hundred and forty acres of good land, em- bellished with a first-class set of farm buildings and containing all the modern improvements. Formerly a Republican, he now affiliates with the Populists and is quite prominent in local political affairs. He has served as Justice of the Peace and in other positions of honor. He is one of the stockholders in the corporation mercantile busi- ness at Parker and is closely identified with many other important enterprises of Linn County.
OIIN W. ELAM, a successful farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 7, Neosho Township, Labette County, is a son of James and Merinda (Sharp) Elam. IIis father was born in Virginia, and his mother in North Caro- lina. During childhood, they removed to Clark County, Ill., where they were married and where they reared a family. In 1866, they emigrated to Bentonville, Ark., where the father is still living, at the age of eighty-four years. In the family were twelve children, of whom seven grew to manhood and womanhood. Three brothers served in the Civil War. James H. was a Corporal of the Eighty- fifth Illinois Infantry, and being c.iptured, was confined in Libby Prison; A. M. served in the Forty-third Indiana Infantry, and was confined in the stockade at Tyler, Tex., for more than a year.
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