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 36
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No event of special importance occurred during the childhood and youth of our subject, which were quietly passed on the home farm. After at- taining his majority, he worked as a farm hand for two years, and then rented land for a year. Subsequently he purchased forty acres, and fol- lowed farming in his own interest until coming to Kansas in August, 1870. In November of the same year he settled upon his present farm, pur- chasing one hundred and sixty acres of land, which was then unimproved, but which, through his untiring zeal and eficient labors, has become a highly improved and fertile tract. The bound- aries of his farm have been extended until it now comprises four hundred and seventy acres of rich land. Great neatness characterizes the place. The buildings are all in good repair, the fences well kept, the hedges well trimmed, and good walks are around his buildings. This well deserves to be mentioned among the model farms of Ander- son County. In connection with its cultivation, Mr. Mann is also extensively engaged in raising fine stock.
Our subject has been twice married. In Van Wert County, Ohio, January 21, 1861, he wedded
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RESIDENCE OF J. A. MANN , SEC. 8., ( 21,- 18.) WESTPHALIA TP., ANDERSON CO., KAN.
RESIDENCE OF H. H. STALEY , SEC.19. (19 .- 19.) PUTNAM TP., ANDERSON CO., KAN.
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Sarah J. Todd, a native of that county, and a daughter of William and Mary (Hire) Todd. She died in Kansas July 20, 1873, leaving three chil- dren: Mary Lillie, wife of Frank S. Mitchell, of Garnett, Kan .; Ashley E., who is hving near Gar- nett; and Cary L., at home. On the 9th of March, 1874, Mr. Mann married Mrs. Elizabeth (Aldridge) Starr, who was born in Washington County, Mo., and is a daughter of James and Nancy J. (Patter- son ) Aldridge. They have four children: Pliny C., Emma Florence, Walter S. and Edwin C. In poli- tics Mr. Mann is a Republican, has served as County Commissioner for one term, Township Treasurer two terms, and as a member of the School Board. For many years he has been a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The hon- orable, upright life which he has lived has gained him universal confidence and won him the good will of all.
ENRY HARRISON STALEY is one of the most prosperous farmers and stock-raisers in Putnam Township, Anderson County, where he has a large farm and other valua- ble property. Almost twenty years ago he came to this county, when it was in a wild and unsettled condition. He bravely persevered until he over- came every obstacle that lay in his pathway, and finally achieved success, solely by the exercise of good management and enterprise, and it may well be said that he is a self-made man.
Mr. Staley was born in Crawford County, Ohio, October 10, 1844, and there spent the first nine years of his life. His parents, Jacob S. and Cath- erine (Meeks) Staley, were natives of Pennsylva- nia and Ross County, Ohio, respectively. The former was reared in Ohio and was a successful farmer in Tama County, Iowa. Ile died in the spring of 1883, and his wife passed away ten
years later. They were the parents of ten children, six sons and four daughters, of whom our subject was the eighth in order of birth. He was reared to manhood in Tama County, lowa, where he re- eeived a common-school education. In the spring of 1866 he removed to Cass County, Mo., where he at once engaged in farming and stoek-raising on a small scale.
The tract on which Mr. Staley located was all raw land, with no improvements whatever, and as he had but little money with which to start out in life he was compelled to use the most rigid eeon- omy. He remained in Cass County until 1874, at which time he decided to remove to Anderson County, and again he endured the hardships of pioneer life. From a small beginning he has accumulated considerable valuable farming land, upon which have been made all the substan- tial improvements that mark the place one of the most desirable in this locality. He keeps more than five hundred head of cattle and several hundred hogs, besides a large number of horses and mules. Ile is probably the most extensive stock-raiser in Anderson County, and manages his business with sound judgment.
Our subject has been twice married, his first alliance having been contracted in 1876. llis wife, Margaret McFarland, was a native of New York, of Scotch descent, and died in August, 1880. The present wife of Mr. Staley bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Price; she is a native of Scotland, having been born in Glasgow. Their marriage took place in Coffey County, Kan., in March, 1886, and has resulted in the birth of the following children: Maggie, Grace and Harrison.
The energy and prudence displayed by Mr. Sta- ley in the management of his affairs make him one of the best examples of a first-class agriculturist, and the reliable manner in which he has ever per- formed the duties devolving upon him as a citizen of a great commonwealth and as a member of soci- ety has won for him the esteem of all who know him. His wife and family are also accorded their due measure of regard. He has held some of the minor offices in the township and has served faith- fully in the interests of his fellow-citizens. At the present time he is proprietor of the Broad-
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lands Stock Farm, which he conducts in the most efficient manner possible, as only those can do who have had long experience in the business.
C
AMES A. SMITH. Gibbon has said that every man has two educations, one which is given him, and the other and most im- portant, that which he gives himself. Sir Walter Scott emphasized this statement when he said: "The best part of a man's education is that which he gives himself." The mind has been en- dowed with no more powerful ambition than that of self-improvement. The self-made man carries with him his own capital-a capital unaffected by monetary crises, an investment whose interest is not regulated by success of speculation-a treasure which none can dispute, and of which no one can deprive him.
As a representative of the class who have at- tained success in life solely through their own ex- ertions, and whose knowledge has been acquired by virtue of their own untiring labor in its pur- suit, we mention the name of James A. Smithi, one of the early settlers of Crawford County and an attorney-at-law residing in Girard. He was born near the city of Monmouth, Ill., on the 5th of May, 1840, and is a son of Seth and Cathar- ine (Tuttle) Smith. The mother was a native of Boston, Mass. The father was born in Connecti- cut, but was reared principally in Boston, Mass., where he conducted mercantile pursuits in South Boston until 1838, when he removed to Illinois and located near Monmouth.
The early education of our subject was acquired in Monmouth. Although his advantages were limited, he improved his opportunities, and by a steady course of reading has always kept himself well informed upon current events. On the 17th of April, 1861, he enlisted in the Union army,
becoming a member of Company F, Seventeenth Illinois Infantry, serving in the said regiment until June, 1864, and in the commissary depart- ment until October 17, 1865, when he was honor- ably discharged at Ft. Scott, Kan. While in ac- tive service, he commenced reading law under the preceptorship of General Blair, and was admitted to the Bar in the fall of 1866, before Judge Valen- tine, at Ft. Scott.
Immediately after his admission to the Bar, Mr. Sınith came to this strip of land, which he aided in organizing under the name of Cherokee Coun- ty. For a time he served as attorney for the Mn- tual Cherokee Strip, and was the first attorney for Cherokee County. For ten years he officiated as Probate Judge, occupying that position for four successive terms-from 1876 to 1884. Hle is now serving his second term as Justice of the Peace. Ile has been a member of the Common Council of the city of Girard, and has held other positions of prominence and trust. In the various posi- tions he has filled he has been elected by unprece- dented majorities, which faet is due to his ster- ling worth and high character. In the practice of law he makes a specialty of probate business, his experience as Probate Judge having given him a thorough knowledge of that line of practice. He has an extensive general practice, extending throughout Crawford and the surrounding coun- ties.
In his social relations Mr. Smith is identified with the Masonic fraternity and the Knights Tem- plar, and is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He has been especially active in the Masonic order, and has held all the offices in the lodge, including that of High Priest. In the Grand Army of the Republic he has served as Commander and Adjutant. In the Republican party he is one of the most prominent leaders in the county, and has served as Chairman of the Republican Central Committee.
In the early days of the settlement of Kansas Mr. Smith was an active participant in the league troubles, and on several occasions was arrested. HIe contributed toward the sending of a delegate to Washington in order to have the matter satis- factorily adjusted. He was one of the parties who
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started the petition for the organization of the Strip, and narrates many interesting incidents connected with that important affair, as well as the general history of this section of Kansas. Few men are more widely known than he, and as one of the honored pioneers of Crawford County he justly merits the high esteem in which he is held. September 1, 1869, Mr. Smith and Miss Carrie Stearns were united in marriage. She is the daugh- ter of Henry Stearns, a native of New York. Of this union there are three children: Helen, Grant and Catharine C., all at home and bright, intelli- gent children.
C APT. REUBEN SMITH, Cashier of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Osawato- mie, Kan., is a banker of experience and sound judgment, to whose efficiency is largely due the prosperous condition shown by the statement of the bank. He was born near Manchester, Eng- land, October 29, 1832, to the union of James and Axie Smith, and was the eldest of three children, and the only one who came to the United States, his sister, Sarah, and his brother, llenry, remaining in England. Our subject remained in his native country until twenty-one years of age, and up to that time worked in a brickyard owned by his father. When he first came to the United States he worked as a farm hand, receiving $10 per month from a farmer near Burlington, Iowa, where he remained for some time. His wages were in- creased to $17 per month, and during the last years of his stay there he worked land on shares. Ile saved money and in 1857 came to Kansas, settling in Miami County, Osawatomie Township, two miles south of the present city of Osawatomie.
Subsequently Mr. Smith took a claim but sold the same within one year, and took another two miles farther east, which he soon had under a fair state of cultivation. He was a Free State man, and
although the border warfare was going on lie did not take an active part. He sold his second claim, and as he had saved a little money he next pur- chased one hundred and twenty acres of land near the west line of Osage Township. This was in 1860, a year when no ram fell in Kansas and no crops were raised. In 1861, before the United States called for troops, our subject raised a com- pany of state militia and was commissioned Cap- tain, being the first man commissioned in Miami County. This company did duty along the bor- der of Kansas, and was also ordered to Missouri to assist United States troops. The company was called upon frequently and did noble duty witli- out the hope of reward.
In August the company disbanded, and Captain Smith enlisted as a private, being assigned to duty in what was know as the Cass County (Mo.) Home Guards, but more generally known as the Nugent Indians, a name given them by Gen. Samuel Sturges, who commanded the brigade. Our subject served there seven months and was mus- tered out as Sergeant. Later he was assigned to a new company and made First Lieutenant of Com- pany A, Second Battalion Missouri State Cav- alry, serving with the same. In August, 1862, the Captain of the company was killed at Lonc Jack, and our subject was then promoted to the rank of Captain, serving in that capacity until the latter part of the year. IIe commanded the company in the engagements with guerrillas and bush whackers in Missouri most of the time, and was also on duty in Arkansas and Indian Territory.
Within ten days after the Captain was mustered out he was placed on duty as Assistant Provost- Marshal and served as a spy and scout in Mis- souri under Generals Curtis and Blunt. In 1864 his old company of militia re-elected him Captain, and he commanded the same during the Price raid and in all engagements that followed, driv- ing the enemy out of the state. This occupied thirty days. He still held his commission as Pro- vost-Marshal, and served until the close of the war. Immediately afterward Captain Smith re- turned to his farm, which he found in a ruinous condition, and sold out and purchased another farm. Previous to the war, in 1858, he married
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Miss Mary Rowcroft, and this was the first mar- riage in Mound Township, Miami County. She was the daughter of Mark Rowcroft, one of the first settlers of Miami County, and died in 1868, leaving two children: Minnie D., now the wife of George Williams, and Laurella, wife of George Whitaker.
Our subject's second marriage occurred in 1868, to Mrs. Margaret Baker, nee Gillehand, and they had one child, Edwin R. Mrs. Smith died in 1873, and in 1874 the Captain selected his third wife in the person of Mrs. Mariah C. Bowman. Seven children have been born to this union: Frances, Arthur II .. John H., Frederick, Clara, Benjamin H. and Fannie. In the year 1869 Cap- tain Smith was elected to the State Legislature, and served three terms. In the spring of 1873 he was appointed a member of the Board of Trustees of the Kansas State Insane Asylum at Osawatomie, being Secretary of the Board. In the fall of 1873 he resigned and was appointed Steward of the in- stitution, a position he held with one short inter- mission until 1889. Ile then resigned and as- sisted in organizing the bank of which he has since been Cashier. This is a state bank, with an authorized capital of $50,000, its business is in- creasing year by year, and its reputation has become firmly established. It is but justice to say that no bank in the county has a better class of depositors or enjoys to a higher degree the confi- dece of the public. The President, Robert Kin- caid, is a man of great personal popularity and one who has the confidence and good-will of all.
A Republican in his political views, Captain Smith helped to organize the party in Kansas, the convention being called at Osawatomie in 1858, and ITorace Greeley was present. Our subject bas held the office of Assessor and Justice of the Peace and other local positions. He is the owner of three hundred and forty-five acres of land
in Mound Township, and aside from his duties as Cashier he is engaged in raising stock. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, blue lodge, chapter and commandery, and is also a member of the Knights of Honor. lle was Comman- der of Osawatomie Post No. 322, G. A. R. Captain Smith- gives close attention to business,
and although he came to the United States with no means, and to Kansas with less than $300, he was rich in integrity, industry and resolution, and is now one of the substantial men of Miami County. He has been a delegate to state conven- tions and has been a member of the City Central Committee. At present he is President of the Board of Trade at Osawatomie.
RANK SHINKLE. Few men have lived more quietly and unostentatiously than Frank Shinkle, and yet few have exerted a more salutary influence upon the immediate so- ciety in which they move, or impressed a com- munity with a more profound reliance on their honor, ability and sterling worth. His life has not been illustrious with startling or striking con- trasts, but it has shown how a laudable ambition may be gratified when accompanied by pure mo- tives, perseverance, industry and steadfastness of purpose.
Mr. Shinkle is a prominent farmer and stock- raiser of Miami County, Kan., and the son of James Shinkle, who first saw the light of day in Brown County, Ohio, September 2, 1823. Chris- tian Shinkle, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of the Keystone State, and was fourteen years of age when his parents moved to Ohio. He assisted his father in clearing the Brown Coun- ty farm, which was covered with heavy timber, and was there married to Miss Malinda Judd. About 1826 he and the family moved to Sanga- mon County, Ill., where they were among the pioneers. There the grandmother died in 1842, and the grandfather subsequently moved to De Witt County, where his death occurred in 1849. They were the parents of four sons and one daugh- ter, all of whom followed agricultural pursuits.
James Shinkle, father of our subject, was next to the youngest child of the above mentioned fam- ily. He reached mature years in Illinois, and
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was married in De Witt County, that state, in 1844, to Miss Martha S., daughter of James and Mary McCord. She was born in Tennessee, and came with her parents to Illinois as early as 1832, being among the early settlers of De Witt Coun- ty. James Shinkle purchased raw prairie land in De Witt County, worked industriously and perse- veringly, and became the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of excellent land. Ile followed stock-raising and made many improvements. He was a member of the One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Infantry during the Rebellion. In 1865 he sold out, and with team and wagon made his way to Kansas, settling on section 15, township 19, range 23, Osage Township, Miami County, where he had purchased one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land in 1864. Not being satisfied, he remained there only until 1866, and then moved to Linn County, Scott Township, pur- chased land, and there made his home until 1888, when, on account of the death of his wife, he gave up his farm and found a comfortable home with his children. He became the owner of four hundred acres in Scott Township, and followed mixed husbandry for many years. To his mar- riage were born three children, our subject being the eldest in order of birth. John N. married and made his home in Linn County until his death. lle left a daughter. McCord is an able attorney of Linn County, Kan. In politics the father is a Republican, and in religion a Methodist, having held membership in the church for fifty years. Ile was also Class-leader for many years.
The original of this notice was born in De Witt County, Ill., December 12, 1815, and his early education was received in the district schools. IIe came with the family to Kansas in 1865, and the father soon gave him the one hundred and sixty aeres on which he has since resided. He is now the owner of about two thousand acres of land, but has not given his attention entirely to farm- ing, but gives much of his time to stock-raising. For the past four years he has had a partner, Ben- jamin Shinkle, in the stock business, and they buy, feed and ship. They handle two thousand head annually, and also raise horses. Mr. Shinkle is also connected with a mercantile firm at Fon-
tana. In 1868 he was married to Miss Mary E. Jolly, a native of Ohio, and the daughter of Elias and Elizabeth (Bishop) Jolly. Seven children have been given them: Mattie, Naomi, James, Nannie, Ellery, Ethel and Swanie. In politics he is a Republican, and held the office of Town- ship Treasurer for one term. Socially, he is a member of Lodge No. 312, I. O. O. F., and re- ligiously is a Methodist.
M. MASON, a farmer residing in Osage Township, Crawford County, is a native of Ohio, having been born in Portage County on the 23d of September, 1835. lle is a son of Peter and Sebra (Day) Mason, natives of Connecticut and early settlers of Ohio, where the father engaged in farming in Portage County. In his community he was highly esteemed as a man of honorable and noble principles. He was a Whig in his political belief, and was a man of pa- triotic spirit and a loyal soldier in the War of 1812. From him his children inherited their pa- triotic love of country and devotion to the Union, and it is a noteworthy fact that five of the sons served in the Civil War.
Our subject is one of seventeen children, of whom seven are now living, 1893. He was reared to manhood upon a farm, amid the scenes of rural life, and at the age of sixteen commenced to learn the trade of a carpenter, which he afterward fol- lowed as a journeyman and contractor for a num- ber of years. In that way he earned sufficient money to enable him to pursue a commercial course in a college at Cleveland, Ohio, where he prose- euted his studies with diligence and success. In 1855 he removed to Illinois, and in the village of Bushnell purchassd a drug business, which he con- ducted for a time. Disposing of the store, lie lo- cated on a farm and continued to engage as an agriculturist in Illinois until 1863, the year of his arrival in Kansas, Here for two years he made
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his home upon a partially improved farm in Bour- bon County.
While a resident of Bourbon County, Mr. Ma- son enlisted in a battalion for guard duty at home, and served until the close of the war, par- tieipating in the battles of Little Blue, Mine Creek, Westport, and all the engagements against General Priee. Ile accompanied the regiment into Arkan- sas, but with that exception his military service was confined to the state in which he lives. In the fall of 1865, shortly after retiring from the service, he loeated upon one hundred and sixty acres, comprising a portion of his present farm on seetion 11, Osage Township. The land was then unimproved, and the county of Crawford was very sparsely settled.
From time to time Mr. Mason has added to his property until he is now the owner of three hun- dred and twenty aeres of finely improved land, upon which he has placed first-elass improvements, the estate being one of the best in the township. In 1885 his residence was completed at a cost of 83,000, and the barn, which is a substantial struc- ture, was built at a cost of 8700. The farm is neatly feneed with hedge and barbed wire, and the land is divided and subdivided into fields of convenient size for pasturage or cultivation. AII the cereals are raised here, although a specialty is made of corn. The place is well stocked with logs and cattle.
In 1856 Mr. Mason was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Everett, who was born in New Jersey in 1836. They are the - parents of three children, namely: Ada L., who married J. H. Foresman, of Joplin, Mo., and has one child; John C., who died at the age of seventeen; and Frank E., a mereliant residing in MeCune. The last-named son married Miss Laura Ramp, and they have one child. In religious matters Mr. Mason is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as Steward and Trustee. He is a prominent worker in the Sunday-school, and served as Superintend- ent while residing in Illinois. In social connee- tions he is a Mason, and aided in the organization of Oswego Lodge.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Mason cast his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln for President. Ile
has frequently served as a delegate to varions conventions, both county and state. Ile has served as a Commissioner of this eounty, and was at one time a candidate for the Legislature, but was de- feated. In educational matters he is always inter- ested, and has been a member of the local Sehool Board. He has given his children good educa- tional advantages, and both his son and danghter were students in Baker University, at Baldwin City.
E BENEZER M. GENTLE. a prominent citizen, a thoroughly practical general agriculturist and a prosperous stock-raiser, residing near the village of Mound City, Linn County, has for over twenty-two years shared in the advaneing in- terests of his present locality, and proven an impor- tant factor in the development of enterprise. Born near Cincinnati, Ilamilton County, Ohio, July 24, 1829, our subject is the son of William and Mary M. (Thompson ) Gentle, both natives of Frederick County, Md. The parents were reared and edu- cated in the home of their childhood, and were there married, removing to Hamilton County, Ohio, about 1810. The father died in 1850, aged sixty- two years; the mother, long surviving, after his demise removed to Iancoek County, Ill., where she died at a good old age. William and Mary Gentle were numbered among the pioneers of Hamilton County, and were honored by all who knew them. Intelligent, hard-working and upright, they en- dured with hope and courage the sacrifiees and toil demanded of our early settlers. Twelve chil- dren clustered about their fireside, three daughters and six sons surviving to adult age. Elizabeth married Jesse II. Hubbard, and died in Hancock County, III .; John died in Fulton County, IN .; William passed away in Hancock County, III., in 1869; Ilester beeame the wife of Zachariah Ilol- land, and died in Hamilton County, Ohio; Benja-
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