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 29
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From the Pacific Coast James Scott proceeded to Australia, and in that far-distant land he en- gaged in mining, remaining there almost two years. After a long absence at a distance so great from his family, he returned to the United States and spent a little while in Ohio. Accompanied by his family, he removed to Wapello County, Iowa, where he conducted farming for one and one-half years, and in the spring of 1857 removed to Missouri, loeating in Livingston County, where he died in 1885. His wife departed this life in Columbus, Ohio, about 1857. They were the par- ents of eight children, viz .: William B., Elizabeth,
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Thomas F., Francis M., Susannah, Mary J., John W., and one who died unnamed in infancy.
The eldest son, the subject of this sketch, was born October 9, 1830, being a native of Jefferson County, Ohio. He remained an inmate of his fa- ther's home until twenty years of age, after which he worked on a farm for a time. Subsequently he worked on a railroad for three years and then went to Drakesville, Davis County, Iowa, where he followed the occupation of a carpenter and cabinet-maker for six years. From that place he removed to Montezuma, Poweshiek County, Iowa, whence he came to Linn County in the spring of 1859. Immediately after his arrival in Kansas, he pre-empted a claim and commenced the work of improving the farm where he has since resided. He owns two hundred and fifteen acres, upon which he has erected the full complement of buildings.
In Drakesville, Davis County, Iowa, October 19, 1854, occurred the marriage of Mr. Scott to Miss Nancy K. Scott, who was born in Jefferson Coun- ty, Ohio, March 2, 1835, being the daughter of W. G. and Isabella (Ross) Scott, natives of the Buck- eye State. They are the parents of four children, Frank J., Wilbur E., Clarence V. and Alma M. Independent in politics, Mr. Scott has been prom- inently identified with the public affairs of Linn County, and has served in a number of important local Offices. In the fall of 1869 he was elected to the State Legislature of Kansas, and at the ex- piration of his term of office was re-elected, in the fall of 1871. Seven years later he was again chosen to represent his constituents in the Legis- lature, and the fact of his long service in that po- sition proves better than mere words could do his popularity throughout this district. IIe is the present Treasurer of Centreville Township, and has served as Postmaster at Oakwood ever since 1879, with the exception of a few months.
In his religious views Mr. Scott is liberal, but while he holds membership in no denomination, he is liberal in his contributions to all, and the poor and needy are never turned away unaided. Socially, he affiliates with the Masonic fraternity and is prominent in the local lodge. For many years he devoted his attention closely to agricul-
ture, but in the spring of 1889 he embarked in the mercantile business at Oakwood, in which he has since been engaged, also continuing his farm work. From August, 1878, until he established his busi- ness at Oakwood, he had a general store on his farm. IIe is undoubtedly one of the foremost men of southeastern Kansas, and his labors on behalf of his fellow-men entitle him to the lasting regard of all who cherish an interest in the county and desire its progress, materially, morally and socially.
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ENRY KING. No country has afforded greater opportunities to the poor man than our own; it is indeed the poor man's country. Here an industrious, frugal man has a chance to accumulate wealth. Many fail to do so, but the best of our population lay by some of their earnings and soon find themselves in pos- session of a handsome property. Among them is the gentleman whose name heads this article. Mr. King resides in North Township, and is a native of Quebec, Canada. When quite young he came with his parents to Indiana, locating where Ft. Wayne now stands, and in that county grew to mature years. He was the second of seven chil- dren born unto Mark and Helen (Robinson) King. the former a native of Maine, and the latter of Scotland. The brothers and sisters were as follows: Paul, who was killed during the war while performing his duties as Orderly Sergeant; Mary A., who became the wife of K. Sutherland and died at Emporia, Kan., leaving a family of five children; Hannah, wife of Martin Hoover, of Ohio; David, of Ft. Wayne, Ind .; Ollie, who lives in Colorado; John, who makes his home in Indiana, and George.
Our subject went to Iowa and located at Wa- peld, and while there married Miss Susan J. Van Horn, and they came to Labette County, locating
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on the farm where they still reside. Mr. King is the owner of one hundred and sixty aeres of land, all of which he has since improved. His improve- ments are all of a good and substantial character and thoroughly fitted for the uses to which he puts them.
To Mr. and Mrs. King have been born three children, two of whom are living. Charles resides at home, and Lydia is the wife of A. B. Williams. Jesse died in the winter of 1892-93. Politically, Mr. King is a Democrat, and is a strong advocate of the principles of his ehosen party. Mr. King is an esteemed resident of Labette County and takes now, as he always has, an active interest in its prosperity, aiding all beneficial sehemes tend- ing to develop its business resources or improve its educational or social status.
OHN C. BURNETT, an influential eitizen of Centreville Township, Linn County, Kan., and one of the enterprising and pros- perous agrieulturists of the state, has been for many years a tiller of the soil of section 35, where he cultivates a large farm of three hundred and eighty aeres, mostly under a high state of productiveness and well improved with a hand- some residence, commodious and substantial barns and other buildings. Mr. Burnett is a native of Wayne County, Ky., and was born June 16, 1831. llis paternal grandfather, Jeremiah Burnett, was a highly respected resident of Virginia, where he married and reared his family, and, continuing in the Old Dominion, there passed away at an ad- vaneed age. The fathier, Isaac Burnett, born upon the old Virginia homestead, spent the days of ehildhood in his birthplace, but attaining to ma- ture years, emigrated to Wayne County, Ky., where he died. The mother, Nancy (Hurt) Burnett, was also a native of the south and was born in South
Carolina. She remained the greater part of her life in Wayne County, Ky., where she likewise passed away. The parents welcomed to their hearts and home eight children: Elizabeth, Jeremiah, William, Jonathan, Reuben, James, John C. and Polly A.
Our subjeet, reared in Kentucky, there attended the district sehools, and through the days of boy- hood assisted his father in the daily round of agri- cultural toil. Ile grew up an energetic and indus- trious man, self-reliant and thoroughly posted in the occupation which he has made the business of his life. August 16, 1853, John C. Burnett and Miss Artemesia Scott were united in marriage in Wayne County, Ky. The bride, a most estimable lady, was the daughter of Thomas and Myra (Long) Seott, early settlers of Kentucky, well known and highly respected. Mrs. Artemesia Bur- nett was a native of Tennessee and was born in Morgan County, March 1, 1831. She spent the years of childhood in her birthplace, and later re- moved with her parents to Kentucky and remained with her father and mother until her marriage.
Our subject and his faithful wife made their home in Wayne County and continued their residence in that part of Kentucky nntil 1873, when they emigrated to Linn County, Kan., from that time their permanent abiding place. Mrs. Burnett was a devout Christian, and had been from her early years a member of the Baptist Church, and when death claimed her, upon February 14, 1883, was fully prepared to meet the Master. She had borne nine children, three sons and six daughters. Anna M., the eldest, is the wife of Alvis Parmley; James C. married Mary Slater; Thomas S. is next; Naney is the wife of Walter McBride; Myra is the wife of .Joseph Teagarden; Harrison married Miss Lillie Toal; Emily is the wife of Charles Minnich; Jane and Josie complete the list of brothers and sisters, all oeeupying positions of usefulness and influence.
Devoting himself with close attention to the cares of his farm, Mr. Burnett has never taken an active part in local politics, but is intelligently in- terested in all the vital questions and issues of the day. He is always ready to do his share in mat- ters of public welfare and needed local improve- ments, and is one of the substantial men of the county. For about thirty years our subject has
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been connected with the Baptist Church, and, a Christian man of sterling integrity of character, is ever to be found on the side of right and justice.
OHN Q. ADAMS, who was an extensive stock-raiser, prominent general agriculturist and leading citizen of Linn County, re- sided upon a homestead on section 27, Paris Township. His broad acres, finely cultivated, and embellished with superior improvements made the eight hundred and twenty acre tract one of the most magnificent pieces of farming property in Linn County. Settling in Kansas in 1859, Mr. Adams ably discharged the duties of the various official positions of trust which he held. A de- voted friend to educational advancement, and in earlier years a most competent and successful in- structor, he materially aided in elevating the schools of the county to their present high grade of scholarship and instruction. Our subject was a native of Boston, Mass., and was born March 9, 1830. Ilis parents were also of New England birth, and were descended from a long line of sturdy, self-reliant and energetic ancestors. His father, John Q. Adams, was born amid the hills of New Hampshire, and his mother, Lovina (Walker) Adams, was a native of Maine. The parents were married in Boston, where the father was for some years prosperously engaged in the mercantile busi- ness. The charms of the west finally induced the father and mother to remove to Ohio, to which state they journeyed in 1831, settling in Coshoc- ton County.
In the Buckeye State the father devoted him- self to the pursuit of agriculture, and there for two-score of years he tilled the soil, and after a long and useful life passed away, respected by all who knew him, in the fall of 1873. The mother survived eighteen years, dying in the
early winter of 1891. Seven children gathered in the home upon the old Ohio farm: John Q., Ed- ward W., Sarah M., James C., Betsey L., Angusta and Dorothy. The eldest-born, our subject, was but one year old when with his parents he re- moved from Boston to Ohio, where he was reared upon his father's farm and enjoyed excellent educational advantages. Although early trained to the daily round of agricultural pursuits, he adopted the avocation of a teacher, and for eleven years engaging in his chosen pursuit, was known as one of the able instructors of Ohio and Indi- ana. In July. 1852, Mr. Adams made his home in Indiana, settling in Decatur County. lle was Principal of the high school of Greensburgh, Ind., and while residing in that city made the acquain- tance of his future wife.
Upon January 22, 1856, were united in marriage John Q. Adams and Miss Sarah J. Wilson. The latter was a native of Decatur County, Ind., and was born June 24, 1838. The parents of Mrs. Adams, John D. and Sarah Hester Wilson, were also natives of Indiana and spent their en- tire married life within the borders of the state. The father died near his birthplace, but the mother passed away in Linn County, Kan., at the resi- dence of her daughter, Mrs. Adams.
In July, 1859, our subject, with his estimable wife and their two children, emigrated to Kansas, lo- cating in Blue Mound, where they remained for about seven years, and in 1866 settled upon the farm where the family now reside, in Paris Town- ship. The attractive and commodious residence, with its beautiful surroundings, the large and well finished barns and granaries, presents a scene of prosperous thrift and plenty second to none in the county. Ten intelligent sons and daughters gathered about the fireside, and as they arrived at the proper age, received the superior educa- tional advantages their locality afforded. They were in the order of their birth: John Q., Jr., who married Miss Mary Brooks; Ida B., the wife of William Chitwood; Edward J .; Maro M., who married Rachael Stanley; Ira G., who married Miss Ella Ellington ; Daisey, the wife of A. B. Ashbangh; Bruce B., Don L., Myrtle and Robert C. Mrs. Adams occupies a high social position, and has the
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pleasure of sceing her children grow up to years of usefulness.
Mr. Adams passed to his final rest October 13, 1893, mourned by his devoted family and a host of friends, who knew him only to give praise to his deeds of valor and his good name. He was the second County Superintendent of Schools in Linn County, and for seven terms was Township Trustee. At his hands the interests of the chil- dren of the county met with carnest and devoted attention, and the educational work which he ac- complished will prove his enduring monument. Politically a Republican, Mr. Adams was intelli- gently posted on all current matters of the day, and gave his hearty support to the "party of re- form."
W ILLIAM K. KELLERMAN is one of the most substantial farmers of Anderson County, and his home on section 5, West- phalia Township, is one of the finest in the com- munity. His settlement in Kansas dates from the 9th of April, 1875, and in the eighteen years which have since passed he has always lived at his pres- ent place of abode. Ile was born in Bedford County, Pa., March 20, 1838, and is a son of Lewis and Catherine (Kerr) Kellerman, also natives of the Keystone State. The grandfather, John Kel- lerman, was born in Cambria County, Pa., and was a blacksmith by trade. Ile spent his entire life in the state of his birth, and passed away when more than seventy years of age. His children were as follows: Elizabeth, wife of Jacob May; Samuel; Lewis; Margaret, wife of Elias Croner; Mary Ann, wife of John Kizer; Daniel; Joseph; and Susan, wife of John L. Hill.
The father of our subject is still living in Cof- fey County, Kan., and is now more than eighty years of age. In early life he followed teaming between Baltimore and Washington, beginning that work at the age of thirteen. Later he teamed
from Philadelphia westward to Pittsburg, Pa., and Zanesville, Ohio. In Bedford County, Pa., he married Miss Kerr, who died in 1838, leaving three children: James, now a resident of Anderson County; John, of La Plata County, Colo .; and William K. Lewis Kellerman was again married, his second union being with Margaret Hill, by whom he had the following children: Esther, wife of Irvin Hill, of Denver, Colo .; David, who is liv- ing in Burlington, Kan .; Charles, a resident of Coffey County, Kan .; Samuel, whose home is in Denver, Colo .; and Mrs. Laura Dyckman. The father of this family came to Kansas in 1866, and for a time resided in Anderson County, but is now living in Coffey County, where he owns three good farms and follows stock-raising. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.
In the usual manner of farmer lads, William Kellerman spent the days of his boyhood and youth and in the common schools acquired his education. Having attained to man's estate he chose as a companion and helpmate on life's jour- ney Miss Henrietta Miller, a native of Bedford County, Pa., and a daughter of Josiah Miller. Their union was celebrated in 1860, and they be- gan their domestic life upon the farm. Mr. Kel- lerman owned and operated one hundred and ninety-three acres of valuable land, which he placed under a high state of cultivation. Wishing to seek a home in the west, he came to Kansas in 1875 and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land in Anderson County. Later he purchased an additional tract of one hundred and sixty acres, and he now owns two hundred acres, having given to his children the remaining one hundred and twenty acres. This is one of the valuable and desirable places of the neighborhood, complete in all its appointments and supplied with all modern conveniences and accessories. His residence, which was erected in 1887, is the finest in the neighborhood. It is neatly and tastefully furnished and supplied with all that refinement and culture approve.
In 1876 Mr. Kellerman was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 31st of Jannary. Nine children had been born of that union: Elsworth, now of Washington; Maggie,
RESIDENCE OF W. K. KELLERMAN, SEC. 5.,( 21 .- 18.) WESTPHALIA TP., ANDERSON CO., KAN.
RESIDENCE OF ROBERT MICHAEL, SEC. 27., CENTREVILLE TP., LINN CO., KAN.
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who died at the age fourteen; Allie, wife of Jacob Mosher, of Oklahoma; Ida, wife of George Can- nad, of Oklahoma; Warren, who died at the age of eight years; Howard, at home; Dora, who died at the age of eleven, and George at the age of six; and Hattie, wife of James Smiley, of Franklin County, Kan. November 22, 1877, Mr. Kellerman was married to Miss Mattie Whaley, of Iowa County, Wis., who died July 19, 1892, leaving two children, Mary K. and Earl W. On the 15th of March, 1893, Mr. Kellerman married Matilda, daughter of William and Caroline (Ebert) Sahm. She was born in San Antonio, Tex., August 7, 1861.
In politics Mr. Kellerman is a Populist, but would never accept public office except that of Treasurer of the school district, which he has held for many years. At the age of sixteen he united with the Lutheran Church and has since been one of its faithful metubers. His business career has been a profitable and successful one, his indefatiga- ble labors having won him a handsome competence and numbered him among the substantial citizens of the community. He is a man of generous and kindly spirit, and his genial manner has gained him many friends.
R OBERT MICIIAEL. Many of the prosper- ous citizens of Linn County are those who came here in an early day and entered land from the Government, devoting their attention for many years to improving their claims and cultivating their farms. Now as the result of their efforts they are the owners of ex- tensive and valuable estates, from which each year large harvests are gathered. Among those who eame to Kansas in 1859 and pre-empted claims in Linn County was Mr. Michael, who entered one hun- dred and eighty acres in Centreville Township. At that time he sojourned here but a short while,
coming baek in 1864 and locating in this county permanently.
A native of Huntingdon County, Pa., our sub- ject was born July 18, 1820. Ile is of German descent, his grandfather, Peter Michael, having been born in the Fatherland, whence he emigrated to America and afterward participated in the Rev- olutionary War. He attained to the great age of one hundred and five years and passed away in Blair County, Pa. The father of our subject, Jo- seph Michael, was born near Gettysburg, in Mary- land, and married Miss Ellen Wilson, a native of Huntingdon County, Pa. Her father, William Wilson, who was born in Ireland, emigrated to the United States and settled in Huntingdon County, Pa., where he died.
After his marriage Joseph Michael located in Huntingdon County, whence he removed to the adjoining county of Clearfield; there his wife died in the latter part of the '50s, and he passed away in the early part of the '60s, about four years after the demise of his wife. They were the parents of nine children, eight of whom attained to mature years. They were named, David, Ilan- nah, Michael, Nancy, Susanna, Eliza, Delilah, Will- iam and Edward. Michael, the third in the family in respect to age, was reared in Huntingdon County prior to the age of seven years, when he accompanied his parents to Clearfield County and there grew to manhood on his father's farm. He was principally engaged in lumbering before he eame to Kansas.
In Clearfield County, Pa., in June, 1841, oc- curred the marriage of Mr. Michael to Miss Emily Rose, who was born in New York January 22, 1823. They had a family of seven children, Nancy M., Clark, Ady, William, John, Eleanor and Emma. Mrs. Emily Michael died in Clear- field County in November, 1859. Our subject was married in Linn County, Kan., in 1865, to Miss Corrilla Barr, who died in Centreville Township, leaving one son, Ellsworth M. In Linn County on the 27th of February, 1873, Mr. Michael mar- ried Mrs. Clarissa Hurst, the widow of William IInrst, who died in Menard County, Ill., in April, 1866. Iler parents, Henry P. and Mary (Potter) HIusted, were natives respectively of Pennsylvania
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and New York, he having been born March 10, 1794, and she March 29, 1792. They were mar- ried August 13, 1815, and became the parents of nine children, Emily, Amarilis, Hannah, Lyman, Benjamin D .. Clarissa, Celestia, George W. and Truman G. Mrs. Husted passed away on the 31st of October, 1865, while her husband died in Octo- ber, 1869.
Mrs. Michael is a native of Ohio, having been born in Holmes County, June 12, 1828. Her first marriage resulted in the birth of eight children, John H., James A., Mary J., Hannah, Emily, An- nis, Alice and William G. Mrs. Michael is a lady of refined tastes, is devoted to the welfare of her husband and children, and ministers to their com- fort with untiring hands. In her religious con- nections she is identified with the Baptist Church, in the work of which she takes an active part. She has aided her husband in the accumulation of his property, and his success is due in no small ineasure to her untiring exertions and cheerful co-operation.
The farm occupied by Mr. Michael consists of three hundred and eighty acres and is em- bellished with all the modern conveniences, in- cluding a substantial set of buildings adapted to their various uses. The land is devoted principally to general farming, and each year large crops of corn and wheat are raised. In political affairs Mr. Michael has taken a warm in- terest and is one of the leading Republicans of the township. Every enterprise of undoubted benefit to the community meets with his enthusiastic sup- port, and while he has gained wealth through the cultivation of the soil of Linn County, the welfare of the county has in turn been advanced through his capability and energy.
G EORGE W. OVERLEY. The farming in- terests of Crawford County are carried on by an active and intelligent class of men, who are thus performing their share in maintain- ing and extending the agricultural interests of
this part of Kansas. Among the number is the gentleman whose name introduces this paragraph, and who owns a finely improved farm on section 22, Osage Township. He has witnessed the won- derful progress of the county during the more than twenty years of his residence here, and has been a prominent factor in local growth and pros- perity.
Concerning the parental history of our subject, we note the following: llis father, Isaac Overley, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1810, and from that state removed to Indiana, thence to Illinois, where for a time he resided in Sangamon County, and later went to Piatt County. In 1870 he lo- cated in Kansas, where he purchased an unim- proved tract of land, comprising the northeast quarter of section 22, Osage Township, Crawford County. There he continued to reside until his death, which occurred in April, 1877. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Wurtz- baugh, was born in Ohio in 1812, and died in August, 1879, at the Kansas home.
Of a family of nine children, seven of whom are now living, the subject of this sketch is the youngest in respect to age. He was born in San- gamon County, Ill., January 6, 1854, and was reared to manhood principally in Illinois, where he was a student in the common schools. At the age of sixteen he accompanied his parents to Kan- sas, and aided his father in the development of the property purchased on section 22. In Febru- ary, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A., daughter of Thomas Marriott, of Ohio. She was born in Licking County, Ohio, in Septem- ber, 1854, and at the age of four years was or- phaned by her father's death. Her mother after- ward married J. B. Fleming, and is still living. After completing her education in the schools of Girard, Kan., Mrs. Overley followed the profession of a school teacher in Crawford County prior to her marriage. She is a lady of culture and a prominent member of the Christian Church.
Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Over- ley, three are now living, viz .: Clara Belle, Ora George and Otis Weaver. Our subject is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres, of which the entire tract is under the plow excepting twenty
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