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 24
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the men could find little to do, Thaddeus Hiatt, of New York, and W. F. M. Arny, of Blooming- ton, Ill., organized these men into a colony, and through the influence of Mr. Kauffman they lo- cated in Anderson County.
Returning to his claim about December 20, 1856, he assisted the colony in securing claims in the fertile valleys of the Pottawatomic creeks, and assisted in building the first houses in the new town of Hiatt, camping with the colony in the timber on Cedar Creek, near the town site of Hiatt, almost the entire winter of 1856-57, and enduring extreme hardships and privations. When the Civil War broke out, the settlers met at the house of Mr. Kauffman and organized a company of militia, Mr. Kauffman being chosen Captain. They prepared for duty, but later Mr. Kauffman bid adieu to his company and enlisted as a private sol- dier. He was mustered into the service in Com- pany A, Third Kansas Volunteers, the same being subsequently consolidated with the Fourth Regi- ment, forming the Tenth Kansas Infantry, his com- pany taking the position of Company C. On the 11th of September, 1862, he was commissioned First Lieutenant of Company L, Third Regiment, Indian Brigade, commanded by Col. William A. Philips, and May 28, 1863, he was promoted to the rank of Captain. The commands with which he was connected did service in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Indian Territory, and he participated in numerous engagements with the enemy. He was mnstered out of service May 31, 1865.
Returning to Anderson County, Kan., after the war, he was married August 29, 1865, to Miss Me- lissa J. Patton, a native of Preble County, Ohio. and the daughter of Peter and Hannah (Oglesby) Patton. After marriage Captain Kauffman resided on his farm until November, 1868, when he re- moved to Garnett, where for two years he filled the office of Clerk of the District Court, and also engaged in the real-estate and loan business, which he conducted until 1874. Hle then purchased the Garnett Plain Dealer, and conducted its publi- cation until 1882. From July, 1878, to 1886, he was Postmaster at that place, but since the latter date he has been engaged in the real-estate busi- ness. Ile has also built some business blocks and
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private residences in Garnett, among which may be mentioned the building occupied by the Bank of Garnett and the opera house block, of which he was sole proprietor and manager for a number of years. In polities he is a stanch Republican.
In 1857 Mr. Kauffman was a delegate to the Kansas State Convention at Grasshopper Falls, and the same year he received a majority of the votes east for Probate Judge of Anderson County. The following year he was elected Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Reeder Township and served as a member of the County Board of Su- pervisor one term. In 1868 he was elected Clerk of the District Court, and from 1878 to 1886 he heid the office of Postmaster. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. and Mrs. Kauffman have an adopted son, Arthur B., who is now a resident of Chicago, Ill.
ON. JOHN C. COLLINS. The history of every community is made up, so far as its most interesting features are concerned, of the events and transactions of the lives of its prominent and representative citizens. In any history of Miami County an outline of the career of the subject of this sketch should not fail to be presented. In every relation of life he has been honorable and upright, and although quiet and unassuming, his life has been full of good deeds.
Born in Lewis County, Ky., in 1837, our subject spent the years of boyhood and youth in the Blue Grass State, where for a time he was a student in the subscription schools of the home neighbor- hood. His attention, however, was devoted prin- cipally to agricultural work, and early in life he gained a thorough knowledge of farming pursuits. Removing to Ohio in 1854, he remained in that state for a number of years, enlisting from there
as a soldier in the Union army. When the first call was issued by President Lincoln for troops, in April, 1861, Mr. Collins was one of the first to respond. He became a member of Company D, Twenty-second Ohio Infantry, and upon the date of the organization of this regiment he was com- missioned Second Lieutenant, and served in that capacity for four months, at which time (August 9) they were mustered out of the service.
From the 8th of September, 1861, until the 1st of October following, Lieutenant Collins served as a recruiting officer. He then enlisted in Company G, Fourteenth Kentucky Infantry, a company which he had aided in organizing and raising, and of which he was commissioned First Lientenant. lle served in that position until June, 1862, when he was commissioned Captain of the company. Meanwhile he had participated in all the early skirmishes of the war, and had engaged in a num- ber of fights along the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, from Parkersburg, Va., to Clarks- burg, Philippi and Grafton.
During the Captain's three years' service, he was for a time under Gen. "Bill" Nelson, and later was in the command of General Garfield. IIe par- ticipated in the battles of Ivy Mountain, Pikes- ville and Palm Gap, and under General Garfield marched from Paintsville to the vicinity of Pres- ton, Ky. From there he was transferred to Lex- ington, and later, under General Morgan, of Ohio, took part in the battle of Cumberland Gap. He was present at the battle of Tazewell, Tenn., after which he was transferred to eastern Kentucky. It may with justice be said that to his bravery was largely due the capture of the rebels at Laurel Creek, Wayne County, Va., where provisions, stolen horses, etc., were captured.
The Captain came back to Ohio in 1863 with the prisoners captured at Laurel Creek, and while on a furlough was united in marriage, in March, 1863, with Miss Mary J. Simonin, who accompan- ied him to the front. He took charge of his com- mand again, and in 1864, at Paintsville, defeated the rebels under General Clay. Later, at Mead- ows Lakin River, lie captured fifty southern sol- (liers. In May, 1864, he was transferred to Georgia, and on the 23d of that month was at Kingston.
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Ile participated in all the engagements of the At- fanta.campaign prior to and including the fall of Atlanta, after which he was mustered out of the service, January 31, 1865.
In reviewing the Captain's military career, the reader will notice how, step by step, he climbed the ladder of military honors, until at the close of the war he bore the respected and well merited title of Captain. As a soldier and a commanding oflicer, he was bold and daring, performing his du- ties with that fearless, unabating zeal which in- spired the most timid of his followers with brav- ery. Upon retiring from the army, he came at once to Richland Towuship, Miami County, and here rented a farm for two years. He then pur- chased the farm which he still owns, and which comprises two hundred and fifty acres of well improved land. He conducts a general farming business, and in his private affairs displays the same spirit of daring and perseverance which char- acterized his war record.
Ilaving been a studious reader throughout his entire active life, our subject is naturally a well informed man. Ilis ability is recognized by the people of the county, who have frequently chosen him for positions of public trust. Upon the Re- publican ticket he was elected Township Trustee, and served in that office from 1874 until 1876. In 1884 he was elected Probate Judge, which office he retained for three consecutive terms, serv- ing with great efficiency and success. In his so- cial connections. he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, the Grand Army of the Republic and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and has held offices in all these organ- izations.
Although space will not admit of our noting step by step the genealogy of the Collins family, this sketch would be incomplete were no mention whatever made of our subject's ancestors. His paternal grandfather was a native of Ireland, and was of Scotch descent. Hle emigrated to this country in early life, and spent his remaining years in the east. Our subject's maternal grand- father, William Cordingley, was a native of Eng- land, whence, accompanied by his wife, he emi- grated to America, and made settlement in Ken-
tucky in an early day, becoming a prominent politician and well known citizen of that state.
The parents of our subject were George W. and Nancy (Cordingley) Collins, the former a native of Maryland, born near Baltimore, but reared in Washington, D. C. While serving as page in Congress, lie formed the acquaintance of Mr. Cord- ingley, who was then a Member of Congress from Kentucky. In that way he met the lady whom lie afterward married; they reared a family of eleven children, many of whom are now filling honorable positions in the business world.
In Judge Collins the community has a faithful and unswerving friend. ever alert to serve her best interests, and generous in his contributions toward every movement tending to the general advancement. He is a cultured and polished gen- tleman, both by instinct and training, and posses- ses a generous and true-hearted disposition. As a farmer. as well as a business man, he has long been connected with the public life of the county, and as an official he has proved himself to be incor- ruptible, able and efficient.
LBERT H. INGERSOLL, an energetic and enterprising general agriculturist and stock-raiser residing upon section 2, town- ship 23, range 22, Blue Mound Township, Linn County, Kan., has been a resident of the state since 1881, and within the last half-score of years has been closely identified with the growing inter- ests and rapid advancement of his present locality. Mr. Ingersoll was born in Vermilion County, III .. November 1. 1851. His parents were Samuel P. and Sarah R. Ingersoll, both natives of the Empire State. The father was born on the shore of Ca- yuga Lake January 13, 1808, and was reared in the home of his parents, Benjamin and Laura In- gersoll, natives of New England. In 1818, the paternal grandparents with their family emi-
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grated from New York State to Ohio and settled in Warren County, where Benjamin worked at his trade of shoemaker and sturdily began the battle of life. The grandparents were blessed with twelve children, of whom the father of our subject was the fourth in order of birth. After a time he learned the trade of a plasterer and engaged in that business in Cincinnati. When twenty-one years of age he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Snell, and with his excellent wife he removed from the Buckeye State to Indiana, later making his home with his family in Vermilion County, Ill., and settling in what is now Danville, in which city S. P. Ingersoll built the first house of any note.
Until advanced in years the father pursued his trade in Illinois and then came to Kansas, where he now resides with our subject. The mother passed peacefully away in 1881, aged seventy- three, leaving a family of children. Benjamin mar- ried Sarah Campbell, and died in Vermilion Coun- ty; Laura Ann, the eldest, who also died in Vermil- ion County, was the wife of Samuel Possee; Re- becca married William Smith and passed away in Vermilion County; Sophia S. died in Marion Coun- ty, Ind .; Eleanor married Henry Armentrout and lives in Linn County, Kan .; Michael Crawford died in Vermilion County; Charles is a well known citizen of Vermilion County; George B. died in Vermilion County; Albert was the young- est of the household band. The father owned in Illinois about three hundred acres of excellent land, which he brought up to a high state of cultivation and well improved. The mother, a member of the Christian Church and a devout Christian woman, reared her children to respect religious observances. The father has always taken ,a prominent part in the enterprises of the various localities in which he has resided, and is politically a Republican, having been a strong adherent of that party since its formation.
Our subject, reared to mature years in his birth- place, was educated in the district schools of Ver- milion County, and was trained to habits of self-reliance upon his father's farm. Although from early youth a practical agriculturist, he learned the trade of a plasterer, and beginning life
for himself engaged in that occupation principally during his sojourn in Illinois. He entered into matrimonial bonds in his birthplace, marrying Miss Roxena Dalby, daughter of Christopher Dalby. After a time deciding to try their fortunes in an- other state, Mr. and Mrs. Ingersoll removed to their present home in Kansas, where our subject tills the soil of one hundred and sixty fertile acres, which annually yield him an abundant harvest. The pleasant home has been blessed by the birthi of one child, Addie Ann. Politically Albert Inger- soll, like his father, is a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Ulysses S. Grant. Fraternally he is an active member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and numbers many warm friends within the order, and also enjoys the esteem and confidence of his fellow-townsmen, without respect to party lines or affiliation.
OHN J. BLACKBURN, a well known and extensive stock-raiser and thoroughly prac- tical general agriculturist residing upon section 5, Centreville Township, Linn Coun- ty, Kan., prosperously conducts the old Blackburn homestead, upon which his father, a man of strong character, prominent in the early struggles of the state, long made his home. Our subject was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, December 30, 1851, and was but seven years of age when he came to Linn County, Kan. His father, the late Henry Black- burn, an enterprising and liberal-spirited citizen and an important factor in the upward progress of Kansas, was a native of England, and was born January 25, 1812. Rearcd and educated in the land of his nativity, he attained to manhood bright, intelligent and ambitious, and realizing the broader opportunities of the United States, decided to try his fortunes in the New World. After a safe voyage he reached our hospitable shores and soon made his way to the prairies of Illinois, locating in Morgan County, where he
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engaged in the cultivation of a farm. In a short time he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Eaton. Later the father and mother journeyed to lowa, and settling in Mahaska County made the Hawkeye State their permanent home.
After many years' residence in Iowa, the mother passed away, in March, 1854. She was a lady of supe- rior ability and lovely character and was mourned by all who knew her. The father removed to Linn County, Kan., with his family in 1858, and located in Centreville Township, where he was married to Miss Jane V. Terrell. Seven children blessed the first marriage, two little ones dying in infancy. The survi ving children, four daughters and one son, are, Ilester, Cassandra, Josephine, Jane and Jolin J.
The father, Henry Blackburn, entered with ardor into the live issues of the day, and, appreci- ated by his fellow-citizens as one of the represen- tative men of Linn County, was elected to the Kansas Legislature in 1868. As a member of im- portant committees he did his duty faithfully, serving the best interests of his constituents and making an excellent record as a public man. Ilav- ing for sixteen years shared in the trials and tri- umphs of the state. Ilenry Blackburn passed to his rest November 8, 1884, regretted as a public loss. Aside from his other positions of trust he was for several terms Commissioner of Linn County, and while in Mahaska County, Iowa, was for a number of years Register of Decds. True to his duties as a friend and citizen, he was universally esteemed, and his memory will long be green in the hearts of the people of the community in which the lat- ter years of his useful life were passed.
Our subject received a good common-school education in his home district, and, trained to the everyday routine duties of the farm, made the pursuit of agriculture the occupation of his early years. lle now devotes humself mainly to raising a high grade of stock, handling some of the best in this part of the state. The three hun- dred acreage of the old farm has been brought up to a highi state of cultivation and finely improved with excellent buildings, erected mainly by the father of our subject.
John J. Blackburn and Miss Arcelia Jackman were married in Linn County, Kan., Novem-
ber 8, 1883. Mrs. Blackburn was a native of Linn County, Iowa, and was born April 29, 1861. Her parents, Adam and Jane ( McMullen) Jackman, came to Kansas in 1878 and settled in Miami County, which part of the state they then made their home, some time later locating in Centreville Township. They were the parents of six children, Arcelia, Nancy C., Richard G., William (deceased), John and Lavada. Our subject and his accom- plished wife have been blessed by the birth of one child, a daughter, Mary. Without being in any sense of the word an office-seeker, Mr. Blackburn is a public-spirited citizen, intelligently interested in both local and national issues and, ever ready to assist in the promotion of enterprise, commands the confidence of many friends and the high regard of his fellow-townsmen.
HIOMAS A. KINSELLA, one of the promi- nent farmers of Grant Township, owns two hundred and forty acres in the above mentioned township, and since the time of his coming here has been a leader in the matters per- taining to the development and progress of this section of the county. Ile is an Illinois man by birth, and possesses in a marked manner the qual- ities usually attributed to the individuals who first opened their eyes in that state. The birth of this gentleman took place in Will County, Ill., in 1849. Ile was the eldest of six children born to John and Mary (Ryan) Kinsella, both natives of Ireland, from Carlow and Kilkenny respectively. They were married in Illinois, and the following are the children born to this worthy couple: Thomas A., our subject; Frank, a manufacturer of stained glass in Chicago; Jennie, John D., Annie and J. E., all of whom, with the exception of our subject, reside in Chicago. The maternal grandfather, Thomas Ryan, came to America at an early day.
Our subject grew to manhood in his native county, and was liberally educated in the common
yours Respectfully Y' N. Keller
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schools there. He graduated from the business college at Notre Dame, Ind., after which he en- gaged in teaching in Will County, Ill. He re- mained there until 1878, when he resolved to try the broader opportunities of the west, and settled in Kansas. Here he purchased his present farm of two hundred and forty acres, all of which he has improved and developed, so that he now has one of the finest farms in this section of the state. Ile is interested in sheep and cattle, and is also a very successful farmer.
In Will County, Ill., in 1875, Thomas A. Kin- sella and Maggie C. Lacey were united in marri- age. They are the parents of six children, John, Frank, Leo, Paul, Mary and Florence, all of whom are members of the Catholic Church. Politically, our subject is a member of the People's party, and has held the office of Town Trustee in Grant for three terms. Mr. Kinsella has been a prominent member of the Farmers' Alliance ever since its organization, and in 1889 was made President of it. He is at present Secretary of the Alliance store, and has held that position for several years.
G EORGE W. KELLER, a real-estate dealer and farmer and stock dealer of Colony, came to Kansas on the 19th of February, 1879. IIe located in Linn County, and the fol- lowing November came to Anderson County, set- tling in what is now Lone Elm Township, at the head of Deer Creek. Mr. Keller was born in New- ark Township, Licking County, Ohio, June 11, 1846, and is a son of Henry M. and Anna (Hen- ton) Keller. The family is of German extraction, and was founded in this country during early Co- lonial days. As the country became settled further west, they emigrated to Pennsylvania, North Car- olina and Kentucky.
Our subject is a descendant of the Pennsylvania branch. The grandfather, Jacob Keller, removed from the Keystone State to Ohio in the early set- tlement of Licking County, and became one of the pioneers of Newark. Ile improved a farm in 6
the forest and became the owner of a large traet of land in the Lieking Valley, where is some of the most fertile and valuable land in the Buckeye State. This property, inherited by his descend- ants, has made many of them well-to-do. The grandparents lived to a good old age. They had six sons and three daughters who grew to mature years: Benjamin, now of Bates County, Mo .; Abra- ham and Daniel, who died in Ohio; Eli, who was a prominent breeder of Merino sheep and died in Ohio; Jacob, who died on the old homestead; Henry M., father of our subject; Elizabeth, wife of Peter IIoller, of Ohio; Diana, who died in childhood; and Sarah, wife of Richard Jones, of Franklin County, Ohio.
Henry Keller was reared on a farm and acquired a good education in Dennison College, of Gran- ville, Ohio. He then engaged in teaching for some years, after which he worked in wood for some time. He possessed considerable genius in that direction, and has invented and patented several articles. He owns a highly cultivated and valuable farm of two hundred and thirty aeres near Newark, on which he still makes his home. He is an earnest and faithful member of the Meth- odist Church and an untiring laborer in the Mas- ter's vineyard. He married Anna, daughter of Capt. John IIenton, of Fairfield County, Ohio, and she has since been his faithful companion and helpmate. Their family numbers three sons and three daughters, of whom George is the eldest; Rachel A. is the wife of Samuel Kinney, of New- ark, Ohio; Abraham is a farmer of Carson, Iowa; Henry C. is a farmer and merchant of West Plains, Mo .; Sarah became the wife of Charles Diekson, and after his death married John Shepherd, of Oklahoma; Minerva is the wife of David W. Sanders, of Burlington, Kan.
The schools of Newark afforded our subject his educational privileges. He remained at home until he had attained his majority and then removed to Illinois, being employed as a teacher in the schools of Cole, Moultrie and Shelby Counties until 1870. In Moultrie County he married Lydia Rale, who died in MeLean County a year later, leaving a son, Frank. Mr. Keller improved a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Martin Township, Mc-
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Lean County. In 1873 he returned to Newark, Ohio, and in November wedded Eliza J., daughter of David T. and Elizabeth Black. She was born in Newark. Their union has been blessed with five children: Belle, Day, Guy W., Elsie J. and Clinton T.
In February, 1879, Mr. Keller came to Kansas and purchased four hundred and twenty-six acres of land in Lone Elm Township, where he carried on general farming and stock-raising. He now owns three farms in this county and one in Allen County, comprising seven hundred acres, all high- ly cultivated and improved. Removing to Colony, he there made his home for five years, but is now living on one of his farms, which lies near the vil- lage. He conducts a real-estate, loan and insur- ance business, having an office in Colony, and also deals in live-stock. He is one of the original stockholders and a director in the People's Bank, of Colony, and is a stockholder in the Eastern Kansas Telephone Company. He takes an active part in local politics, supports the Republican party, is a member of the Central Committee, and has frequently served as a delegate to the county, district an state conventions. He is connected with the Masonic fraternity and Knights of Pyth- ias, and ever since he was a young man has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He possesses a generous and kindly spirit, gives freely to benevolent and charitable interests, and never withholds his aid from any enterprise that is cal- culated to promote the public good or advance the general welfare.
ON. JAMES P. RANNEY. Among those who have achieved prominence solely by excellence of character, without any of the modern appliances by which unworthy persons seek to gain undeserved and transient popularity, the subject of this sketch occupies a conspicuous place. James P. Ranney has a pleas-
ant and comfortable rural home on section 36, township 18, range 22, Mound Township, and is classed among the representative men of his sec- tion. He was born in Milwaukee, Wis., July 17, 1848, to the marriage of William and Ann (Os- trander) Ranney, worthy and much esteemed resi- dents of that city, where they made their home for some time.
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