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 32
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long be green in the hearts of all who knew and loved them. Sharing in the privations and sacri- fices of the early days in Kansas, and in the Civil War fighting a good fight, our subject has survived to rejoice in the triumphs of the state which now takes a proud position among her sisters of the Federal Union. Mr. and Mrs. Wells, numbered among the pioneers of Kansas, command the high regard of a wide acquaintance and a host of old- time friends.
OIIN STEVENS, profitably conducting a fine farm of two hundred and ninety fertile acres located upon section 31, Centreville Township, Linn County, Kan., is one of the representative agriculturists and leading citizens of the state, in which he has resided continuously since 1856. Born in Luzerne County, Pa., Jan- mary 16, 1850, our subject was the son of Thomas and Caroline (Seward) Stevens. The paternal grandfather, Benjamin Stevens, early made his home in Ohio, in which state his son Thomas was born. Later removing to Luzerne County, Pa., the grandfather passed away after a long life of busy usefulness. The mother, a de- scendant of an honored family, was united in marriage with the father in Pennsylvania, and soon afterward they emigrated to the far west, lo- cating in Iowa in 1856. The parents about one ycar later removed to Anderson County, Kan., and a twelvemonth after permanently settled in Scott Township, from that time their constant res- idence.
In the parental family' were eight children. Harriet, who was the wife of L. Clark, died in Paris Township; Clara is the wife of James Ken- nedy; Matilda is the wife of Quincy Kennedy; Harrison was a soldier in the Sixth Kansas Caval- ry and was killed near Ft. Smith, Ark .; Martha is the wife of Daniel Augur; John is our subject;
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Lydia is the wife of John Williamson; and Will- iam married Belle Brooks.
Our subject came with his family to Kansas and remained with his parents until he was twenty- four years of age, but from the time he was thir- teen years old he was self-supporting and worked out by the week or month. Only a little lad when he arrived- within the borders of the state, he received his education in the district schools of Kansas, and an industrious and ambitions young man, he reached mature years well fitted to assume the responsibilities of life. Mr. Stevens was mar- ried in Paris Township, Linn County, Kan., Octo- tober 10, 1885, to Miss Mary Kennedy, a grand- daughter of Charles and Sarah ( Phillips) Kennedy. The latter were natives of Hardin County, Ky., and pioneers of Schuyler County, Ill., where they set- tled in the fall of 1834. They shared with cour- age the difficulties and privations of frontier life and remained there until their death. The revered grandmother passed away in May, 1851, the grand- father, honored by all who knew him, surviving until May 16, 1885. The parents of Mrs. Mary Stevens, Jesse and Eliza (Hawthorn) Kennedy. were numbered among the early dwellers within the state of Kansas. Jesse Kennedy was born in Hardin County, Ky., October 4, 1834, and March 23, 1863, was wedded to Miss Eliza Hawthorn, a native of Burlington, Iowa. Previous to his mar- riage the father of Mrs. Stevens had located, in May, 1857, in Linn County, Kan., settling at first in Valley Township, whither he brought his wife, but in the spring of 1864 removed to Paris Township, where he yet resides.
Mrs. Kennedy passed away on the 8th of March, 1870, mourned by many friends. She was the mother of three children: Mary, Josie and Robert. Mrs. Stevens was born in Valley Township, Linn County, January 26, 1864. Immediately after their marriage our subject and his estimable wife settled on their present homestead, where Mr. Stevens has so successfully cultivated his valuable acreage. Financially prospered, he has made many excellent improvements, and has built one of the most attractive and comfortable country residences in his locality. The four children who have brightened with their cheery and intelligent pres-
ence the pleasant home are: Bertie, Jesse, Frank- lin and Freddie F. Two little ones, Jesse and Franklin, died in infancy. Surrounded by friends and relatives, Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are occupy- ing positions of social and business influence, and taking an active part in all worthy work and be- nevolent enterprises of their neighborhood, are universally esteemed, and enjoy the hearty and best wishes of many friends. Our subject, while not a politician, is well posted on the current affairs of the day and is interested in both local and national issues.
AMES W. GALYEN, a leading agriculturist residing on seetion 17, Neosho Township, Labette County, was born in Vermilion County, Ill., in 1837. His father, Abram J. Galyen, was born in Tennessee in 1808, and was a son of Jacob Galyen, who emigrated to America from England in an early day, and married a lady of Scotch birth about the time of the Revolu- tionary War. To them were born two sons. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Lyon, was a native of the Buckeye State, and went thence to Vermilion County, Ill., with her parents, locating near Georgetown. The family there remained until 1849, when they emi- grated to Barry County, Mo., and kept a wayside inn. The mother still makes her home in that lo- cality, but the father died in 1854. He was a famous shot with the rifle, and spent much of his time in hunting wild turkeys and other wild game. lle was assassinated by a desperado named Jordan.
Our subject is one of a family of seven children, five of whom are still living. 1le grew to man- hood upon the farm and acquired his education in the common schools. At the age of eighteen he left home and went to Texas, where he spent the three succeeding years of his life. He then re- turned to Missouri, where he engaged in farming and handling stock in a small way until the war broke out. It was in 1860 that he married Luere-
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tia J. Lovelace, a native of Missouri, who was born in 1844. They become the parents of one son, Isaac, who operates the home farm in connec- tion with his father.
The same year of his marriage Mr. Galyen en- listed in the Confederate service, and participated in the battle of Pea Ridge. While he was gone his stock was stolen, his fences were destroyed and his home plundered. He took part in many bat- tles and skirmishes, and during the service was captured. Ile was parolled at Fayetteville, Ark., and then went to his home, but later rejoined his regiment and served in the battles of Ilelena and Little Rock. He was there again captured, pa- rolled and once more returned home. Later he went to Benton, Ark., but he remained there only a short time.
In 1865, Mr. Galyen came to Kansas and made a claim on which he has since made his home. It was then all wild land, but his labors have trans- formed the barren prairies into rich and fertile fields, which yield to the owner a golden tribute. His possessions aggregate four hundred and fifty acres of valuable land, and he makes a specialty of fruit growing. In politics he is a stalwart Demo- crat. A man of liberal and progressive views, he keeps himself well informed on all matters of gen- eral interest and is a loyal citizen. lle is a man of upright principles and sterling worth, and the confidence of the entire community is his.
MOS POOLE. Those who pitched their tents in Kansas as early as 1868 are usu- ally denominated pioneers, a title that may with propriety be applied to the sub- jeet of this biographical notice. Originally from Pennsylvania. he early in life removed to Illinois, making the long journey overland with horses. Some time later he again started westward and came to Kansas, making the journey with three 9
teams and consuming three weeks en route. At that time Kansas City was the railroad terminus and also the market place for the people of the Sunflower State.
On section 34, in Liberty Township, northeast of the village of Parker, Linn County, will be no- ticed the finely improved farm belonging to Amos Poole. He is a native of Cayuga County, N. Y., February 14, 1821, being the date of his birth. His father, William Poole, removed from New Jersey to New York, where he resided until 1834, and removed thence to Crawford County, Pa. There his death occurred, and there also his wife, whose maiden name was Dolly Douglas, passed away. They were worthy people, honorable and industrious, kind and thoughtful in their relations with others, and trained their twelve children for positions of usefulness and honor.
When a lad of about thirteen years, Amos Poole accompanied his parents to Pennsylvania, where he was reared to the life of a farmer, gaining a thorough and accurate knowledge of agriculture in all its details. About 1845 he removed to Illi- nois and located in Warren County, where he pur- sued the occupation of a farmer until the time of his removal to this state. Here he settled upon one hundred and sixty acres of land, which under his skillful management has been transformed from raw, wild prairie to a finely improved farm, embellished with every convenience of a modern estate.
In September, 1846, occurred the marriage of Amos Poole to Miss Eliza Ward, who was born in Crawford County, Pa., October 4, 1828. Her par- ents, John and Harriet (St. John) Ward, were natives of the state of New York; whence they removed to Pennsylvania, and from there to War- ren County, Ill., where they died. Mr. Ward was a carpenter by trade, and also followed the occu- pation of a farmer. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Poole has been blessed by the birth of eight chil- dren, namely: John G., who resides in Downs, Os- borne County, Kan., being a prominent physician of that place; Wilham, a farmer, tilling the soil of the home place; Harriet Ann, who died in infancy; Willis Porter, who resides in Woodson County, and is a farmer by occupation; H. Frank, a har-
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ness-maker at Parker; Rhoda, the wife of Daniel Watson, of Linn County; Abraham L., a barber in Parker, and Charles H., a farmer residing in Liberty Township.
While not a partisan in his political preferences, Mr. Poole nevertheless has firm convictions of his own, and is frank in their avowal. Ile gives his stanch support to the Republican party and advo- cates its principles with fidelity and enthusiasm. His interest in educational matters has always been abiding and deep, and while a member of the School Board he was instrumental in raising the standard of education and promoting the interests of the schools of the district. In his religious connectious he advocates the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
HOMAS CRANSTON. One mile north of the village of MeCune lies an attractive homestead, upon which have been placed all the improvements that enhance the value of farming property. There are two hundred and forty acres in the place, upon which general farm- ing operations are successfully conducted by the proprietor. A substantial set of buildings has been erected, and the soil placed under excellent cultivation, while by good fencing the land is divided into fields of convenient size for pastur- age or cultivation.
Among those who have emigrated to America from the lands beyond the sea, there are none who display more thrift or industry than the sturdy Scotch. Our subject may be justly proud of the fact that his native home was the land of the thistle, and his ancestors, through many suc- cessìve generations, Scotch. He was born in Dum- fries-shire, and grew to manhood in the country of his birth. At the age of twenty years he emigrated
to America, and for three years afterward was en- gaged at his trade of a carpet weaver in Massachu- setts.
At the time the Civil War commenced, Mr. Cranston was a resident of Jefferson County, Ind. In 1862 he enlisted as a member of Company A, Third Indiana Cavalry, Colonel Chapman com- manding. The regiment was incorporated with the Army of the Potomac, and took part in the fol- lowing engagements: Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Fredericksburg. Chancellorsville, the Kilpatrick raid to Richmond, Sheridan's raid, Wilson's raid, and other important battles. They destroyed the Danville Railroad at Winchester, and our subject there had the good fortune to see General Sheri- dan on his celebrated ride from "twenty miles away." He participated in the Shenandoah Valley campaign, was present at Five Forks, and was with General Custer at Sailor's Creek before the sur- render of General Lee. He was with his company in the three-days siege of Appomattox Court House, and at the close of the war took part in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C. Ile received an honorable discharge at Indianapolis in 1865.
Returning to his home, Mr. Cranston engaged in farming in Jefferson County. Shortly after- ward, in 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Annie, daughter of Robert and Agnes (Kirk- wood) Glenn, natives of Ayrshire, Scotland. Mr. Cranston has no relatives in America save those related by marriage. Mrs. Cranston was the mother of six children, Sterling, William, James 1., Agnes, Jolin and David, the latter of whom is deceased.
In 1881 Mr. Cranston came to Kansas and pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres in Crawford County, to which he has since added by purchase, until at the present time (1893) he is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of valuable land.
A visitor to the home of Mr. Cranston will see that he has not only erected good buildings and kept his farm well supplied with modern machin- ery, but that he is also successful as a tiller of the soil. His harvests are invariably large, and lie finds a ready sale for all the grain he raises. In politics, he is a Republican, but has never aspired to office, Socially, he is a member of the Grand
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Army of the Republic, and is Commander of the post at McCune. Ilis wife is an active worker in the Presbyterian Church, and while he is not iden- tified therewith, he contributes liberally to its sup- port.
R OBERT P. LYTLE was born in Rock Castle County, Ky., April 9, 1843, and is a son of John J. and Elizabeth (lleathham) Lytle, natives of Kentucky. Grandfather Lytle was a soldier in the War of 1812. John J., who engaged for a time in the mercantile business in the Blue Grass State, afterward became interested in farming pursuits. His death occurred in 1862. His widow resides in Parsons and is now (1893) eighty-seven years of age. They were the parents of seven children, all of whom are living with the exception of one son, who was a soldier in both the Mexican and Civil Wars, and was taken pris- oner and kept for six months on quarter rations. Surviving both wars, he was finally killed, in 1878, by a snow-slide in Hinsdale County, Colo. The father was a member of the Christian Church, while his wife was a Methodist. As a Whig he took an active part in politics and held numerons offices in Kentucky. Coming to Kansas in 1857, he settled on a farm in Atchison County and there established a permanent home.
Upon the home farm our subject grew to man- hood. In 1861 he commenced freighting goods across the plains between Atchison and Denver, continuing thus engaged until 1864. Meantime he passed through many perilous experiences and witnessed many exciting scenes among the Indians. In the year last named he came to this county and settled on section 20, Ladore Town- ship, upon wild land comprising a part of the Osage Ceded Lands. Ilere he has since resided and is now the owner of four hundred and sev- enty-five acres of improved land, upon which he
engages in raising grain and stock, making a specialty of mules. His residence, erected a few years ago, cost $1,500 and is a neat and commo- dious structure.
October 17, 1869, Mr. Lytle married Miss Alice Bedell, who was born in Missouri in January, 1851, and is a daughter of William R. Bedell, who came to Kansas in 1868 and now lives in Cowley County. Mr. and Mrs. Lytle are the parents of ten children, the following of whom are now liv- ing: Nellie, Rosetta, Lillie, William R., Bertie N., Jimmie J., Ralph P. and Jessie Lucille. The relig- ious home of the family is in the Christian Church, in which he is a Trustee and an active worker in the Sunday-school. Miss Rosetta, who is a teacher of music, is the organist of the church.
Mr. Lytle is a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Association, the Ancient Order of United Work- men and the Masonic fraternity. As a member of the Republican party he takes an active part in political affairs and has frequently served as a del- egate to conventions. He is serving as Clerk of the local school district No. 35, and was Clerk of Ladore Township in an early day. During the Civil War he was a member of Capt. Sam Hollis- ter's Camp, Twelfth Kansas State Militia.
R EV. NICHOLAS W. TAYLOR. a farmer re- siding in Washington Township, Crawford County, is the son of Joseph and Polly Ann (lludnall) Taylor, and a brother of J. I. Taylor, now residing in Lincoln Township. He was born in Warren County, Ky., June 21, 1828, and received a common-school education in the temples of learning then to be found in the Blue Grass State. Upon attaining his majority he purchased a farm in Warren County, and at once commenced the active career of an agricult- urist.
Not content with the education he had received in the district schools, our subject, as soon as he
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had saved sufficient money, attended a seleet school in Warren County, where he supplemented the knowledge previously acquired by a systematic study of the high-school branches. He then com- menced to teach sehool in the county, and contin- ued in that profession for some time, teaching nine terms in Kentucky and Missouri. As an in- struetor he was interested in the progress of each pupil and a friend of all under his preceptorship, so that he was popular and successful as a teacher.
On the 28th of June, 1854, the subject of this notice was united in marriage with Miss Julia A. E., daughter of William Cole, formerly a promi- nent resident of Warren County, Ky. Her pater- nal grandfather was born in a fort during the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Taylor was born in Warren County, June 6, 1833, and was there reared to womanhood, remaining an inmate of the parental home until she went to that of her hus- band. They have had thirteen children, but only seven are now living: Mary A., the widow of John Defabaugh, and the mother of one child; Naney E., who married J. O. Barkdale, by whom she has four children; Joseph I., a widower resid- ing in California; Emma; William N .; Charles T. and James A.
In 1854 Mr. Taylor purchased a large tract of land, including nine hundred and seventy aeres, in Warren County, Ky. Soon afterward he dis- posed of the property, and coming north, so- journed for one year in Mississippi County, Mo., whenee in 1855 he came to Kansas and settled in Jefferson County, near Winchester. The land was at that time wild and scarcely a furrow had been turned in the soil. Of cultivation not a trace was to be seen, and even a vivid imagination could scarcely depict the present prosperity of the place. The first purchase of Mr. Taylor con- sisted of one hundred and sixty acres, to which he added from time to time until he acquired two hundred and forty acres. This he sold in 1869, and during the same year located upon his present farm, then wholly unimproved.
The village of Mulberry was platted by Mr. Taylor soon after his arrival in Crawford County. There he opened a store and conducted a general mercantile business for two years, since which
time he has resided upon his farm. Soon after coming here he erected a three-story stone house at a cost of $800, the stone for which was taken from the quarry on his land. Later he planted an orchard, and from time to time made other improvements, which materially enhanced the value of the place. He made his home in the stone house from 1871 until 1886, with the exeep- tion of one year spent in Girard and three years in Baldwin City. In 1886 he erected the resi- dence in which he has since made his home. This house is one of the most substantial and commod- ious in the township, and was erected at a cost of $2,000. The barn, which was also built in 1886, cost $2,500, and is 60x80 feet in dimensions, with a seven-foot basement. This building serves as a granary, having at present (1893) three hundred tons of hay, and also is used for the shelter of the hundred head of stock which Mr. Taylor owns.
In 1873 Mr. Taylor fell from a load of hay upon a three-tined fork, which entered his body just below the sternum. Two of the tines passed through his lungs, while the third penetrated the liver and came out on the right side near the spinal column. This incident proved almost fatal, and it was long ere the injured man recovered sufficiently to again superintend the management of his farm. He is now the owner of five hun- dred and fifty-seven acres of land, upon which he engages in raising grain and stock. He makes a specialty of Poland-China hogs, in the raising of which he has been very successful.
At the age of twenty-one, Mr. Taylor united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has sinee been a faithful member of that denomina- tion. In former years he wasaccustomed to offici- ate as a local preacher and also as circuit preacher, having been ordained to the ministry in 1862. Ile now preaches occasionally, and his efforts in that line are always appreciated by his friends. As a minister he has been carnest and loyal, fear- less in the presentation of the Gospel and eloquent in appeals to his hearers. Socially he is identified with the Masonic order.
Through all the years of his active life, Mr. Tay- lor has steadfastly adhered to the principles of the Republican party, and notwithstanding the pop-
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nlarity of the People's party in late years, he has never forsaken the political organization with which his lot was first cast. He joined the Farm- er's Alliance, and has served as President of the County Alliance. While a resident of Jefferson County he was elected Sheriff in 1861, and served in that responsible position for two years. His name was prominently mentioned for the position of State Senator, but his strong temperance pro- clivities defeated him in the convention.
AMUEL ANDERSON, who since 1880 has been a resident of Kansas, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Beaver County, October 7, 1844. lle is a son of John and Sarah (Miller) Anderson, both of whom were born and reared in the Keystone State and there married. The father, who was a miller by trade and a farmer by occupation, went to Cali- fornia during the early part of the '50s and there died. His wife passed away in 1844. Of their six children three are now living.
The subject of this sketch was reared in Beaver County, where he acquired a fair education in the common schools. Orphaned in yonth, he was obliged to be self-supporting from an early age. In June, 1861, he enlisted as a member of Company D, Tenth Pennsylvania Reserves, and for a time remained with his regiment in Pennsylvania. After the battle of Bull Run he was ordered to Washington, D.C., and was there attached to fifteen thousand Pennsylvania reserves. He participated in the following engagements: Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, South Mountain, Antietam and Gettysburg, and was then transferred to Battery D, Fifth United States Light Artillery, known as Griffin's Battery. With his regiment he took part in the Mine Run campaign and accompanied General Grant through the Wilderness, witnessing various desperate en- counters between the opposing armies. At the
expiration of his period of service he was honora- bly discharged. Though often under fire and in the thickest of the conflict, he was never wounded nor captured.
Removing to Pittsburgh, Pa., Mr. Anderson there served for five years as an officer on the regular police force, with which he was connected for a period of about twelve years altogether. For five years he filled the position of Alderman, and later was employed for eighteen months in the delin- quent tax office. Coming to Kansas in 1880 he settled on his present farm, consisting of four hundred acres of partly improved land. As a re- sult of his efforts he has placed the soil under good cultivation, and conducts general farming and stock-raising.
In 1872 Mr. Anderson married Miss Maggie Roos, who was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., in 1844. They are the parents of three chil- dren: Paul, Mark and Clay. For many years a member of the Republican party, Mr. Anderson has been active in its ranks and attends all the political gatherings of the community. He has served as a member of the School Board. Socially he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to a post at Paola.
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