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 37
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min resides in Ford County, Ill .; James C. died in Fulton County, Ill .; Thomas died in Iowa; Mar- garet was the wife of Thomas Stewart, and died in Hamilton County, Ohio.
Our subject, Ebenezer M., was the youngest of the parental family. He remained in Ohio, work- ing upon the farm of his father, until nineteen years of age, when, having received a fair educa- tion in the schools of the district, he learned the trade of a carpenter. In 1855, he located in Warren County, Ill., and worked at his trade one year, but at the expiration of the twelve months removed to Fulton County, and settled at Farm- ington. In this latter village Mr. Gentle was in 1858 united in marriage with Miss Lydia Ann Fink, daughter of Solomon and Sarah Fink, old residents and well known citizens of Maryland, the native state of Mrs. Gentle. After their mar- riage, our subject and his estimable wife made their home in Hancock County, Ill., where Mr. Gentle entered into the pursuit of agriculture and devoted himself unweariedly to the tilling of the soil until 1866, when again he engaged in the busi- ness of his trade as carpenter and builder. At this time the tide of emigration setting in vigorously toward the farther west, Mr. and Mrs. Gentle finally decided to try their fortunes in the state of Kansas, and in 1870 journeyed with their fam- ily to Linn County. Our subject in a short time purchased eighty aeres of land, but entered into the grocery business at Mound City, where with his family he continued to reside until 1876. In the meantime he for four years occupied himself with his trade, and found ready employment at remunerative figures as a carpenter and builder.
In 1876, his family removed to the farm, where the sons devoted themselves to general agriculture and stock-raising, our subject continuing profit- ably to handle the tools of his trade. In 1883, Mr. Gentle determined to emigrate to the farther west and sold out, with his two sons then travel- ing to Oregon with the intention of making that state his permanent abiding place. Our subject, however, finally decided that Kansas suited him quite as well, if not better than Oregon, and re- turned to his former locality, purchased forty acres, and built an attractive and commodious
residence. Seven children have blessed the home with their presence. Charles T. was the eldest; Adolphus married Nina Strain; Alverta is at home; George lives in Winslow, Ariz .; W. Fred is a citizen of San Francisco, Cal .; Ira M. is next; and Lana A. is the wife of Ilenry Savage, of Kan- sas City. Mr. Gentle is fraternally associated with Magnolia Lodge No. 20, I. O.O. F., and has passed the chairs. Ile has been a delegate to the Grand Lodge, enjoying both within and without this order the confidence of many friends. Poli- tically, our subject is a strong Republican, and is well posted in the local and national issues of the day, ever doing his full duty as a true represent- ative citizen.
ARRY T. POTTER was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1844, and came to America with his parents in 1849. After two years spent in New York, the family emigrated to Morgan County, Ill., where he grew to man- hood and made his home until 1874. In the com- mon schools he acquired huis education. In 1871 he was united in marriage with Miss Annie E. Donald, and they began their domestic life upon a farm in Morgan County. Mr. Potter there purchased eighty acres of timberland, which he cleared and improved. This he sold in 1874, and then came to Crawford County, where he spent his remaining days.
After reaching Kansas, Mr. Potter purchased one hundred and sixty aeres of land and became Land Agent for the Memphis Railroad Company. In this way he advertised the land and caused the settlement of the neighborhood. He always took a leading part in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and its development, and aided materially in the public growth and progress. At an early day he became identified with the Methodist Chureli, and was always one of its prominent and active workers. In polities he was a Republican until 1888, when he allied
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himself with the Prohibition party, and by it was nominated for State Auditor. At the time of his death he owned over two sections of land, which he had accumulated through industry, persever- ance and good management. He thus left his family in good circumstances. Socially, he was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Potter was born a family of six children, as follows: Effie M., wife of the Rev. R. E. McLean, of Cherryville, pastor of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, of that place; George E., James Newton; Della and Stella, twins; and Ar- thur. Mrs. Potter was born in Morgan County, 111., and is a daughter of William and Sarah Don- ald. Her father was a native of Scotland, and her mother was born on the Green Isle of Erin. In youth they came to America, and were here mar- ried. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church, and were highly respected people. Mr. Potter was called to his final rest in 1891, at the age of forty-seven years, and his loss was mourned throughout the entire community. His church lost a consistent member, the community a valued citizen, his neighbors a faithful friend, and his family a loving and tender bnsband and father.
ESSE V. WHISLER. Among the residents of Crawford County who have come hither from the east and have here found pros- perity and success in farming and stock- raising may be mentioned the name of Jesse V. Whisler. The farm which he owns and occupies is situated on section 22, Washington Township, and consists of one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which have been placed numerous farm buildings and improvements of a substan- tial nature. When our subject located here, the farm was unimproved, and as far as the eye could
penetrate there stretched a seemingly endless ex- panse of prairie land.
The Whisler family is of Pennsylvania-Dutch origin. The parents of our subject, Daniel and Sarah (Bender) Whisler, were both natives of Pennsylvania, but removed from there to Ohio, where the father died. The mother and family later proceeded westward to lowa. The mother resides in Findlay, Ohio, at this writing. They had a family of five children, our subject being the fourth in order of birth. He was born in Rich- land County, Ohio, in 1844, and in his boyhood accompanied his parents to Jefferson County, Iowa, where he resided from 1856 nntil 1870. ITis edu- cation was received in the schools of Ohio and lowa, and has been supplemented by observation and thoughtful reading.
The first marriage of Mr. Whisler took place in Jowa and united him with Miss Mary Porter, a teacher in the schools of Louisa County, that state. Of this union three children were born, viz .: Maggie, who is the wife of A. S. Sargent, of Rice County, Kan .; Sadie, a teacher of Crawford County; and John W., who is a minister in the Church of God and a young man of brilliant at- tainments and splendid education. After the death of Mrs. Mary Whisler, our subject was again married, in 1880, his wife being Christena Fred- erick. They are the parents of three children: Mabel, Gertrude and A. Frederick.
After coming to Kansas, in the year 1870, Mr. Whisler engaged in teaching in Crawford County for several years, and aided in the organization of public schools in his district. IIc has taken an active interest in educational matters and rendered efficient service as a member of the School Board. In politics he is a Populist, and upon the ticket of that party he was elected to the position of Town Clerk, serving in that office for several terms. Ile is now officiating as Township Treasurer. In religious connections he and his family are members of the Church of God, and he has been especially active in Sunday-school work, having served as Superintendent or Assist- ant Superintendent during almost the entire pe- riod that has elapsed since the organization of the Fairview Union Sunday-school. For three years
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le filled the position of County Sunday-school President, and for five years was Vice-President of the association. He has officiated almost con - stantly as Township President. For many years he has been an Elder in the church. In his social relations he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Anti-Horse Thief Association.
HOMAS W. REYNOLDS, the efficient Clerk of Neosho County, and a well known resi- dent of Erie, was born in Greene County, Ohio, July 29, 1839. His paternal grandfather was a farmer of Allegheny County, Pa., and in Greene County, Ohio, bought a farm for his son, William Reynolds, the father of our subject, who, removing thither, married Miss Eliza Mitchell, daughter of John Mitchell. Both parents were natives of Allegheny County. The maternal grand- father became the owner of eleven hundred acres of land in Ohio. William Reynolds followed farm- ing in Greene County upon one hundred and seven acres of good land until his death in 1840. His widow then went to live with her father, but afterward married Rev. William Davidson, of Hamilton, Olio, a minister of the United Presby- terian Church.
The subject of this sketch was reared in his mother's home, and educated in Ilamilton, Ohio, attending the high school. At the age of eigh- teen he determined to seek a home in the west, and went to Nebraska, locating in Nemaha Coun- ty. In the spring of 1860 he crossed the plains to Pike's Peak, Colo., and while en route had a fight with the Indians. There lie engaged in prospecting and mining until the following win- ter, when he returned to Hamilton, Ohio, and when President Lincoln issued his call for seventy- five thousand volunteers he enlisted, on the 19th
of April, 1861, in Company F, Third Ohio In- fantry.
Mr. Reynolds was in the service for three years and three months, and was mustered out in June, 1864. For the last year and a-half he served as Orderly Sergeant of his company, and acted as its Commander for thirteen months. He spent the first season in the Army of the East, participating in the battle of Tiger Valley, and afterward went to Bowling Green, thence to Nashville, and on to Murfreesboro and Huntsville. In the fall they joined Buell's army and participated in the bat- tle of Perryville. Later Rosecrans assumed com- mand, and they went to Nashville and partici- pated in the battle of Stone River or Murfreesboro. They were then detailed with the Fifty-first and Seventy-third Indiana and Eightieth Illmois reg- iments to go on a raid under Col. A. D. Straight. After a hard battle near Rome they were captured by General Forest and turned over to the home guard of that place, by which they were searched and robbed and then sent to Richmond and At- lanta. They were afterward placed in Belle Isle Prison, but in a short time were parolled and taken to Camp Chase. Not long afterward Mr. Reynolds joined his regiment in Cineinnati, and went to Nashville. Later he did guard duty, and subsequently was sent to Chattanooga. where he was at the expiration of his term of service. Ile then went to Camp Dennison, Ohio, where he was mustered out.
After the war Mr. Reynolds remained in Ham- ilton, Ohio, for about a year in the employ of the Government, and then went to Gibson Coun- ty, Ind., where his father had entered one hundred and sixty acres of timberland. On the 8th of February, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Jane M., daughter of Elijalı Coulter, a miller and farmer of Gibson County. Unto them have been born ten children, all of whom are still liv- ing. Two of the number are married, while the others are yet with their parents.
In the midst of the forests in Indiana Mr. Reyn- olds hewed out a farm, upon which he made his home for three and a-half years. He then sold out, in September, 1870, and came to Neosho Coun- ty, locating in Canville Township, and enter-
11
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ing one hundred and sixty acres of land on see- tion 24 from the Government. He now has two hundred and sixty acres, all under a high state of cultivation and well improved. Ile carries on general farming and stock-raising, and in his dealings has met with good success.
Mr. Reynolds exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party. In the fall of 1889 he was elected to the office of County Clerk, and entered upon its duties the following Janu- ary. On the expiration of his two years' term he was again elected, and is the present incum- bent. For three terms he served as Township Trustee, and was Clerk of the Township Board for several years. For two terms he served as Justice of the Peace, and has been a member of the School Board for a number of years. He takes quite an active part in Grand Army work, and is a charter member of Earltown Post No. 206, G. A. R. Mr. Reynolds has led a busy and useful life, and has ever been found true to the trust re- posed in him.
E DWARD T. CAMPBELL. For more than twenty years Mr. Campbell has resided upon section 2, of Sherman Township, Crawford County, where he engages in general farming and stock-raising. At the time of locat- ing here, about 1872, he purchased from the rail- road company one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land, and to the original tract he has from time to time added until he is now the owner of five hundred and twenty aeres, of which two hundred and twenty acres are under excellent cultivation.
The parents of our subjeet, James and Mahala J. (Fields) Campbell, were natives of Russell County, Va., and belonged to the F. F. Vs. The father followed farming in the Old Dominion until his death, after which his wife married James Har-
mon, becoming by the second union the mother of one child, Lottie, wife of John Holtman, of Crawford County, Kan., and the mother of two children. Mrs. Mahala J. Harmon has been a second time widowed and now makes her home with our subjeet. By her first marriage she had three chil- dren, two of whom are now living, E. T. and J. F. The mother is a member of the Christian Church and is a lady of upright and amiable character, beloved by all who know her.
Born in Russell County, Va., on the 23d of Sep- tember, 1853, the subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm in the Old Dominion, where he re- sided until he was seventeen years of age. In the subscription schools of the district he received the rudiments of an education. His literary advan- tages, however, were very meagre, and the exten- sive knowledge he now possesses has been acquired principally by self-culture. In the spring of 1870 he came to Kansas and has since resided in Craw- ford County. After coming here he worked for a time on the farm of the present Lieutenant-Gov- ernor, Perey Daniels, and then in 1872 settled upon the farm where he has since remained.
In 1886 Mr. Campbell was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of William and Amanda (Hall) Lawler, of Farlington, this state. Mrs. Campbell is a member in high standing of the Missionary Baptist Church and is regarded as a worthy and exemplary Christian by all who know her. In his social connections Mr. Campbell is a Mason, and is also identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Farlington, of which he has been Master. Since the organization of the People's party, he has been one of its most active supporters and has frequently served as a delegate to its conventions. For two years he filled the position of Trustee of Sherman Township, and he is now a member of the School Board.
Mr. Campbell is a practical grain and stock farmer, and has been generally very successful in his farming operations. A man of solid worth and character, he is recognized as such by his fel- low-citizens, and is highly regarded by all who know him. As the result of patient toil and hon- orable industry he enjoys a well earned compe- tence, Ile has never engaged in uncertain specu-
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lations or the turmoils of political strife, but has attended strictly to his chosen occupation.
A few words with reference to J. F. Campbell, our subject's brother, will not be amiss in this con- nection. He was born in Russell County, Va., in 1856, and accompanied the family to Kansas. About 1874 he married Miss Theodosia, daughter of A. M. Clifford, now of Oklahoma. Mrs. Theo- dosia Campbell died in June, 1892, after having become the mother of four children, all of whom are now living. Mr. Campbell settled upon the southeast quarter of section 34, Sherman Town- ship, and from the wild land improved a fine farm. In March, 1893, he disposed of the property and removed to Oklahoma, where he has since resided. Ile was an official in the Baptist Church while a resident of Crawford County, and was highly es- teemed, not only by the congregation, but also by everyone who knew him. As a Populist, he took an active part in political affairs, and for two years served as Trustee of Sherman Township. Ile is identified with the Fraternal Aid Society.
S TEPHEN ABOTT HERRIMAN, deceased. The life narrative of the head of a family is interesting, not only to his posterity, but also to the citizens of the section in which he has resided, and this is doubly true when such a man has established for himself and his chil- dren a reputation for integrity, character and ability, and has been of value in the development of that portion of the country which was his home. Such a narrative do we have in the sketch of Stephen A. Herriman, who located in Kansas in the spring of 1868.
Mr. Herriman was a native of the Buckeye State, born in Clarke County, November 1, 1838, and the son of George W. and Elizabeth IIerri- man. He was reared to the ardnous duties of the farm, and educated in the common schools, Later
he taught school in Kentucky for one year and then went to Ohio, where, in connection with teaching, he tilled the soil for some time. During the Civil War he enlisted in Company K, Thirty- first Ohio Infantry, and served three years as a private soldier. He was slightly wounded once in a finger. After the war he returned to Ohio and resumed teaching and farming alter- nately. As before stated, lie came to Kansas in the spring of 1868 and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he immediately be- gan improving. At the same time he taught school. The land was raw prairie when he pur- chased it, and as time passed he added to the orig- inal tract until he was the owner of one thousand acres. lle also engaged in stock-raising and feed- ing, and became one of the substantial, worthy citi- zens of the county. On the home place he erected a fine residence and substantial barns and out- buildings.
In the year 1889 Mr. Herriman removed from the farm and located in Garnett, where he pur- chased a pleasant residence. This worthy man passed away on the 31st of January, 1893, and in his death the community lost one of its best citi- zens, and the family a noble husband and loving father. All his property was the result of energy and industry on his part, and everything that he undertook seemed to prosper. He was very domes- tie in his taste, and loved the home fireside better than any other place on earth. In politics, he was independent, and for one term held the office of County Commissioner. On the 3d of September, 1868, he married Miss Mary E. Little, daughter of Jolin and Mary Ann (llighwood) Little, and a na- tive of Clarke County, Ohio, born January 12, 1848. She resided in her native county until her marriage. Three children were the fruits of this union: Grace, who was born April 9, 1871, and married Brainard W. Gowdey; Mary Susan, who was born October 12, 1876; and Ada May, born December 16, 1878. The two last are with their mother.
John Little, father of Mrs. Herriman, was a na- tive of the Keystone State, born August 18, 1819, and was married in his native state when but twenty-one years of age. His wife was originally
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from England, and came to the United States when nine years of age. Soon after marriage they moved by wagon over the mountains of Pennsylvania to Clarke County, Ohio, and settled on a farm where they resided for many years. Mrs. Little there died February 19, 1883, when sixty-two years of age. Afterward Mr. Little went to Minneapolis and has made his home with a son there ever sinee. He and his wife were the parents of seven daughters and a son. Lydia Elma married Cyrus Murray and resides in Clarke County, Ohio; Anna High- wood married John Herriman (see sketch); Susan Merrett married Cyrus Ball, and died in Clarke County, Ohio; Mary E. is Mrs. Herriman; Emma Margaret married William Baxter, and resides in Minneapolis, Minn .; Ada Maria married Alfred Clements, and resides in Clarke County, Ohio; Laura Jane married Lemuel Nicholson, and resides in Clarke County, Ohio, and Jolin Warren, a phy- sician of Minneapolis, Minn., is noted far and wide for his success in the healing art, and has one of the finest libraries in the city. The father of these children was one of the honest, upright men of the county and was universally respected.
S AMUEL M. PORTER, who resides on section 23, Westphalia Township, Ander- son County, northwest of the village of Westphalia, owns a fine farm, which attests by its thrift and productiveness the excellent qualities of thoroughness and system which mark the owner. The career of Mr. Porter, of whom it is our pleasure and privilege to here attempt a short sketch, is connected about equally with Ohio and Kansas. Born in the former state in Brown County, October 10, 1839, he was there reared and educated, receiving such advantages as the common schools afforded. When but a lad he be- came familiar with all the duties of the farm and
assisted his father in tilling the soil until the breaking out of the Civil War.
In October, 1861, our subject enlisted and was mustered in with Company A, Seventieth Ohio Infantry, and served for fifteen months, when he was discharged at Memphis on account of physical disability. Ile participated in the bloody battle of Shiloh and the evacuation of Corinth, holding the rank of Sergeant. Returning to the Buckeye State in 1863, he was married to Miss Euphemia Games, who was born in Brown County, Ohio, and is a daughter of John Games. In 1869 our subject and family left Ohio and made their way toward the setting sun, stopping nearly one year near Peru, La Salle County, Ill., where he was en- gaged in tilling the soil. From there he came direct to Kansas, and at once invested in eighty acres of raw prairie land, which he improved by cultiva- tion, and on which he erected a substantial dwel- ling and good outbuildings. This was in Miami County, and there he resided until 1882, when he located in Anderson County and purchased a half- section of land, which was also unimproved.
Mr. Porter now owns four hundred acres, has it improved and cultivated, and has followed stock-raising for the most part since locating here. To his marriage were born nine children, one of whom died in infancy. Those living are: Jolin, David, Elijah, Martin, Lonnie, Belle, Grace and Albert. Politically, Mr. Porter is a Republican, and his associations, as far as party is concerned, have always been with that body. Ile has never sought office, but has been Township Treasurer. Hle is a member of the United Brethren Church. With little or no assistance he has made his own way in life, and being distinguished for prudence, fore- sight and good judgment has been unusually suc- cessful. Ile is one of the original stockholders and directors in the Bank of Westphalia.
Moses and Jane (Martin) Porter, the parents of our subject, were natives of the Buckeye State, and there resided until about 1863, having in the meantime united their fortunes. They then removed to La Fayette, Ind., near which city the father purchased a farm. As he was advanced in years, and as he had secured a competency, he re- tired from the farm, and now makes his home in La
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Fayette. Although eighty years of age, time has dealt leniently with him, and he enjoys compara- tively good health. His wife, and the mother of our subject, died in June, 1892, when eighty-one years of age. Both were consistent and exemplary members of thic Methodist Episcopal Church, and in former years were active workers in the same. They reared six children, as follows: Elijah, who resides in Brown County, Ohio, and is engaged in farming; Samuel M., our subject; Amos, a farmer of La Fayette, Ind .; Eugene, a grocer of La Fayette; Cerilda, who married John Games and resides at Baldwin, Kan .; and Jackson, who died in La Fay- ette, Ind.
W N. EWING, a prominent farmer and stock- raiser of Neosho County. residing on sec- tion 25, Ladore Township, was born in Pendleton County, Ky., in 1840, and was the sec- ond in order of birth in a family of five children, whose parents were Milton and Nancy (Brann) Ewing. They were also natives of Kentucky. The grandfather, John Ewing, removed from Vir- ginia to Kentucky when the latter state was yet a territory, and he had a patent from the Gov- ernor of Virginia for a large tract of land. He was very fond of hunting, and became quite noted as a marksman.
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