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 38
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In the county of his nativity our subject grew to manhood, and in the common schools acquired a good English education. When the war be- tween the north and south broke out, he identi- fied himself with the southern cause and served for about three years. After his return home from the war, he was married, in 1867, the lady of his choice being Miss Nancy Makemson. They began their domestic life in Kentucky, but after three years emigrated westward to Kansas, and Mr. Ew- ing purchased the farm on which he now resides. It comprises four hundred acres of rich and val- uable land, and his entire landed possessions ag-
gregate one section. All the improvements upon the farm are the work of his hands, and there- fore stand as monuments to his thrift and enter- prise. All modern conveniences and accessories are there found, and the place is incomplete in no particular. In connection with general farming, he carries on stock-raising, and always has good grades of horses and cattle upon his place.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ewing has been born a fam- ily of three children, two sons and a daughter, viz .: Edgar, who is married and resides on his father's farm; Lillian and William, who are still under the parental roof. The household is the abode of hospitality, and its members rank high in social circles. Mr. Ewing and his family belong to the Church of Christ, and take an active and com- mendable interest in church work. In politics he was formerly a Democrat, but of late years has voted with the People's party. He has never cared for political preferment, desiring rather to give his entire time and attention to his business interests, in which he has met with signal success. His pros- perity has been achieved by persistent and dili- gent effort, and his success is the merited crown of his labors.
ON. DAVID A. CROCKER, a well known business man of Linn County, and a prom- inent hardware merchant of Pleasanton, was born in Franklin County, Ind., August 30, 1834. His father, Benjamin Crocker, was born near Falmouth, Mass., in 1778, and grew to man- hood in his native place, where he learned the trade of a shoemaker. After his marriage, which united him with Miss Elizabeth Bourn, he removed to Indiana, and for a time followed Ins trade, but later engaged in farming. Some time after going to Indiana, he purchased a tract of land covered with timber, and while he worked at his trade he
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hired others to clear his land. Upon his farm, which consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, he made good improvements, and there he re- mained nntil his death, which occurred in 1851. His wife died in Indiana some years pior to his demise.
There were three sons and five daughters in the family, viz .: Jane, Thomas. Patience, Benjamin, Lucy, Elizabeth, Cecelia and David A. The last- named, the youngest member of the family, was reared on the home farm, and in his childhood was a student in the country schools. In 1854 he ac- companied his sister to Keokuk Connty, Iowa, and there worked at the trade of a carpenter, hav- ing served an apprenticeship to that trade while a resident of Indiana. In 1857 he came to Kansas and entered a claim to a tract of land in Linn County, on which he made improvements, and at the same time worked in a saw and grist mill near Mound City. Ile finally secured a clear title to his land and resided there until 1876, becoming the owner of two hundred and sixty acres.
In the fall of 1876 Mr. Crocker came to Pleas- anton and purchased an interest in the hardware business of Park & Baldwin, of which he became the sole proprietor in 1884. His present store building was erected in 1887, and he owns a one- half interest in the opera house which is above his store. In politics a Republican, he has served as County Commissioner for two terms, member of the State Legislature for one term, Mayor of Pleas- anton, and delegate to district and state conven- tions. For years he has been one of the promi- nent figures in the political life of the county, and his service in various official positions has been eminently satisfactory to his constituents. While in the Legislature he was a member of the Com- mittee on Agriculture, in which position he ren- dered efficient service. Socially, he is identified with Eureka Lodge No. 88, F. & A. M., and Pleas- anton Lodge No. 65, I. O. O. F., of which he is Noble Grand. In addition to his hardware busi- ness, he still retains the ownership of one hundred and sixty acres located near Pleasanton.
The first marriage of Mr. Crocker occurred in 1867, and united him with Miss Drusilla Botkin, who died in 1869, leaving one child, Clara. Some
time after the demise of his first wife, he was again married, choosing as his bride Miss Amelia Botkin, a sister of his former wife, and a daughter of Isaac Botkin. Mrs. Crocker is a native of Ohio, and was born near Springfield, in August, 1834. She is a lady possessing many noble qualities, and her character is such as to endear her to all her ac- quaintances.
OSHUA B. BAILEY is one of the enter- prising farmers of Reeder Township, An- derson County, his home being on section 24, where he owns and carries on a valu- able farm. Ilis birth occurred in Greene County, Mo., December 4, 1849, and he was early inured to the duties and routine of mercantile work, gain- ing a practical experience, which has been of great benefit to him during his entire career. He continued to live on the old homestead with his parents until 1870, when he started out to make his own way in the world.
The first point at which our subject began his life work was at Colorado Springs, Colo .. where lie was employed as a clerk in a mercantile estab- lishment. For several years following he worked for different firms in various capacities, until June, 1876, when he came to Kansas, settling first in Garnett. For some time he was employed in the Anderson County Savings Bank, and when this institution was united with the First National Bank, taking the name of the latter, he was made one of the tellers. In this position be continued until coming to Reeder Township.
The marriage of Mr. Bailey took place Septem- ber 20, 1877, during his residence in Garnett. Ilis wife was formerly Mrs. Mary (Porter) Buterbaugh, widow of the late Dr. John Buterbaugh. She was born in Livingston County, N. Y., July 12, 1845, and is a daughter of Mathew and Salomi Porter. Her parents were also natives of the same county,
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and in 1859 they removed to the west, settling in Reeder Township. They afterward located in Garnett, where they passed their remaining years, their deaths occurring there. By her first marriage Mrs. Bailey had one daughter, Fannie M., now the wife of A. W. Baird. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have five children, who in order of birth are as follows: Helen, Mathew P., Jesse J., Mary and Frances Folsom, Joshua M. Bailey, our subject's father, was born in Logan County, Ky. On arriv- ing at man's estate, he was united in marriage with Miss Lavinda H. Neal, a native of Tennessee.
The farm of Mr. Bailey comprises two hundred and forty-three acres, situated on section 24. It is al! under cultivation, and since it has come into his possession he has made many substantial im- provements upon the place, which is a model one in every respect. Upon it is a well built resi- dence, good barns and other necessary build- ings. The owner keeps thoroughly abreast with the times in everything pertaining to carrying on a farm, and is not content to follow merely the old ways of doing things, but consults farm jour- nals and in every way possible uses the most mod- ern methods in his work. He is justly considered one of the most practical and enterprising agri- culturists of this region.
ON. C. G. LANCE, Judge of the Police Court of Pittsburgh, was born in Warren County, Tenn., on the 26th of October, 1841. He is the descendant of patriotic ancestors, his grandfathers, Henry Lance and Rich- ard Stone, having both been participants in the Revolutionary War. He is a son of J. F. Lance, a native of Tennessee, who engaged in the voca- tion of a farmer in the state of his birth, remain- ing there until his demise. A man of firm con- victions, he was a stanch adherent of the Demo- cratie party. In his religious connections he was
identified with the Christian Church. llis wife, our subject's mother, was Amanda Maria Camp- bell, likewise a native of Tennessee.
In Middle Tennessee the subject of this sketch spent the years of his boyhood, which were un- eventfully passed in a manner similar to other farmer lads. However, the monotony of life was rudely disturbed by the outbreak of the Civil War, and he, although a son of the sunny south, was a firm friend of the Union, to which from the first his sympathies were given. In January, 1863, he enlisted in the United States navy, and served until August 12, 1865, when he was discharged with the rank of first class Fireman. He partici- pated in the siege of Savannah, Charleston, the surrender of Richmond and many minor engage- ments.
At the close of the war, Mr. Lance returned to Middle Tennessee, where, on the 26th of October, 1865, he married Miss Eliza, daughter of Thomp- son Frazier, a farmer living in Coffee County, Tenn. After his marriage Mr. Lance engaged in farming in Coffee County, where he remained for twelve years. lle then removed to Missouri, and con- ducted farming and stock-raising in Cedar County for a period of seven years. In 1885 he came to Kansas, and on arriving in Pittsburgh engaged for a time as proprietor of the Cottage House. Hle then opened a coal yard west of the city, where he remained for two years, conducting a good business.
The first connection of Mr. Lance with the po- lice force dates from 1890, when he was appointed a member of the force, serving in that capacity for twenty months. He was then elected to the office of Police Magistrate, and is now serving his second term as the ineumbent of that office. Hle is at the head of the department, consisting of five officers-a marshal and four policemen. Un- til 1873 he was a Republican, but at the organiza- tion of the People's party in this state (in which he aided) he supported the principles of that party , to which he has since adhered. He has attended every state convention of this party, as well as every congressional and county convention, and has been one of its strongest workers in Crawford County. Notwithstanding his prominence in poli-
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tics, he is not solicitous of office, and has never aspired to public positions. He has many warm friends in Pittsburgh, and both times that he lias been nominated for the position he now holds has run ahead of his ticket. He was nominated on the Reform ticket for the State Legislature by ac- clamation, but refused to accept.
In his social relations Judge Lance is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Fraternal Aid, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of La- bor, Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Alli- ance, and other organizations for the benefit of the laboring class. He has served as Master Work- man of the Knights of Labor, and for twenty years has been an active worker in labor organiz- ations, having always been a firm friend of the workingman and interested in everything that tends to advance the interest of that class.
ACOB BAUER. Linn County boasts of a large number of farms which, in regard to fertility and cultivation, are unsurpassed by any in the state. One of these estates lies on section 28, Centreville Township, and consists of one hundred and twenty acres of highly improved land, upon which have been placed all the embell- ishments of a first-class modern farm. The owner, Mr. Bauer, under whose personal supervision all
these improvements have been made, is a practical, energetic and industrious farmer, who thoroughly understands every detail of his business and exer- cises good judgment in his agricultural operations.
Mr. Bauer is one of the men who, natives of Ger- many, have emigrated to the New World, and here found success and prosperity. llis home has been in Linn County since August of 1876. Ile was born in the town of Siegen, province of West- phalia, kingdom of Prussia, February 20, 1844. His parents, Conrad and Elizabeth (Fauchs) Bauer,
emigrated to America in 1865, and settled in La Salle County, Ill., where they passed their remain- ing days. He departed this life on the 24th of June, 1866, and she survived him a few years, dying January 11, 1872. They were the parents of a large family of children, but only four at- tained to mature years, Jacob being the eldest of these.
In the Fatherland, the subject of this sketeh grew to stalwart manhood, availing himself mean- time of the excellent opportunities for securing an education that were offered him. In his youth he learned the trade of a tanner, and followed that occupation for five years in the Old Country. In 1864 he left his home and the associations of his youth, and, taking passage for America, landed in New York after a comparatively uneventful voyage. Coming west to Illinois, he settled in La Salle County, and was employed in a stone quarry until the time of his removal to Kansas.
Upon locating iu Linn County, Mr. Bauer pur- chased forty acres on section 28, Centreville Town- ship, which he improved and upon which he has since resided. From time to time, as opportunity offered, he has added to his original purchase until he is now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres, constituting a well improved and highly cultivated farm. His buildings are substantial and conveniently arranged, the residence being a neat farm structure, and other commodious buildings being provided for the storage of grain and the shelter of stock.
In Linn County, August 20, 1877, Mr. Bauer was united in marriage with Mrs. Sophia Crain, widow of Jerome Crain. IIer parents, Lewis and Lonisa (Schrader) Hermann, were natives of Prus- sia, whence they emigrated to the United States in 1852, and sojourned for a time in Clinton County, Iowa. There Mrs. Hermann died during the latter part of December, 1856, and in the summer of the following year Mr. Hermann, accompanied by his family, came to Linn County, settling near Farlin- ville, Paris Township, where he died January 12, 1884. They were the parents of four children, who lived to mature years, Sophia being the second in order of birth. She was born in Siegen, Westphalia, Prussia, August 26, 1850, and was a
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child of two years when her parents came to the United States.
The first husband of Mrs. Bauer was Jerome Crain, to whom she bore three children, namely: Ella M., the wife of Rudolph Radke; Eliza and Clara L. Mr. Crain died in Linn County, Kan., March 4, 1876. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Bauer has been blessed by the birth of seven children, as follows: Amelia M., Bertha S., Earl F., Nora S., George, Pearl A. and an infant son. The children are bright and intelligent, and are receiving excel- lent educations in the liome schools. A progress- ive, intelligent man, Mr. Bauer stands high among his fellow-citizens, and is said to be one of the best farmers for miles around. With his wife, he enjoys a high degree of popularity among the people of the community.
ONATHAN C. BROADIIEAD, for thirty- three years a prosperous general agricultur- ist and well known stock-raiser of Linn County, Kan., is a leading citizen of his lo- cality, and has held with faithful efficiency many of the- offices of Paris Township. His valuable homestead of three hundred and sixty acres situ- ated upon section 3 is under a high state of cul- tivation, and annually yielding an abundant har- vest, also shelters many of the finest cattle and horses in the state, stock-raising being a special and most profitable feature of the Broadhead farm. Our subject was born in the town of Harmony, Chautauqua County, N. Y., April 29, 1837, and was the son of Jolin and Elizabeth (Cheney) Broad- head. The father, born in Yorkshire, England, came to America when comparatively a young man, and married for his second wife the mother of our subject, a native of Rensselaer County, N. Y. The maternal grandfather, Jonathan Cheney, a New Englander by nativity, was born in Con-
necticut. Ile was a man of enterprise and sagac- ity and was numbered among the early settlers of Harmony, where, upon his old farm, he passed away at an advanced age, beloved by all who knew him. Jolin and Elizabeth Broadhead, im- mediately after their marriage, located in Chau- tauqua County, which they continued to make their home with the exception of three years they passed in Linn County, Mound City Township, Kan.
The parents finally spent their declining years in Busti, Chautauqua County, N. Y., where they died mourned by all their old-time friends and neighbors. Their two children are Jonathan C. and James W. By his first marriage, with Hannah Hall, the father had ten sons and daughters, of whom the Hon. Jabez Broadhead was the eldest son, and was for many years one of the best known and most influential citizens of Linn County. Our subject was born upon the old homestead of his maternal grandfather, but was reared and edu- cated in Busti, where he lived with his parents until he was eighteen years'of age. He then went. to Wisconsin to work in the pineries, and began life for himself with energetic industry. At the expiration of three years, Mr. Broadhead returned to his old home in the Empire State, and after a brief visit to the scenes of his childhood, in April, 1859, located permanently in Linn County, Kan. He first bought and settled upon two hundred acres of land where he now lives, and there en- tered with ardor into the pursuits of agriculture. Financially prospered, he has added to the original amount a quarter-section, and bringing the large acreage under cultivation, has improved the farm with attractive and substantial buildings.
Upon August 11, 1867, Jonathan C. Broadhead and Miss Susan White were united in marriage in Linn County. Mrs. Broadhead, a lady of intel- ligence and culture, was born in DeWitt County, Ill., April 10, 1850. Her father, Henry M. White, was a Kentuckian by birth, and her mother, Eliza- beth (Barnes) White, was born in Ohio. In the fall of 1864, Mr. and Mrs. White came from their farm in DeWitt County, Ill., to Kansas, locating in Miami County, but during the following twelve- month they removed to Paris Township, their
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home for many years. They now live a retired life in Pleasanton, Kan., and are spending the evening of their days not far from various members of their family. They had seven children: Maria, Susan, Mary, Ella, Myrtle, Andy and one little one who died in infancy. Immediately following the marriage of our subject, he settled with his wife upon the farm now his home, and here has gathered the family of sons and daughters, six of of whom yet survive to cheer the hearts of the parents. They are in the order of their birth, Eva; Mattie, the wife of Ira Myers; James R., Fred C., Bessie M. and Josephine R. Devoting himself exclusively to general agriculture and stoek-rais- ing, Mr. Broadhead has taken time to give faith- ful service as a public officer, and by so doing has won the esteem he so richly deserves. Together with his wife and family he occupies a social po- sition second to none in the township, and worth- ily commands the high regard of a host of friends.
OSEPII SIMPSON. During recent years stock-raising has become one of the promi-
nent industries of Linn County, and'among
the number who have engaged in it with success may be mentioned the name of the gentle- man who is a prominent resident of Centreville Township, and who forms the subject of our sketcli. He dates his residence in Kansas from the year 1866, although it was not until some twelve years later that lie located on his present farm on section 2, township 22. range 21, where he owns three hundred and twenty acres and en- gages extensively in stock-raising.
Born in Philadelphia, Pa., December 17, 1848, our subject is a son of William and Eliza ( McCul- lum) Simpson, natives of County Antrim, Ireland, the former born in 1803, and the latter August 14, 1825. They were married in Ireland in 1847,
and soon afterward emigrated to the United States, settling in Philadelphia, Pa. In 1855 they re- moved to Lee County, Ill., where they resided upon a farm. In 1866 they came to Kansas, the overland journey with teams requiring three weeks and five days.
Settling in Linn County, William Simpson pur- chased land which was somewhat improved. Ilere he gave his attention to agriculture with such success that he became the owner of five hundred and sixty acres of highly improved land. Upon the homestead there established he remained until his death, January 3, 1893. Ilis wife died on the 8th of September, 1892. Their three children were Joseph, Daniel L., and Lizzie, wife of Collin Morrison. The religious home of the family was in the Presbyterian Church. The father was a man of energy and prudence, kind in his inter- course with others, and an earnest worker in re- ligious enterprises.
Upon his father's farm, our subject was reared to manhood. He attended the common schools of Illinois and Kansas, and assisted in the work of cultivating the home farm until his marriage. That important event occurred in 1873, and un- ited him with Miss Hannah Hurst, who was born in Fulton County, Ill., December 17, 1855. Iler parents, William and Clarissa (Husted) Hurst, were early settlers of Fulton County, where lier father died. Later, her mother married again, becoming the wife of Robert Michaels, with whom she now resides in Linn County. Since 1878 Mr. Simpson has resided on his farm in Centreville Township, where he conducts stock-raising on an extensive scale.
To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Simpson five children have been born, namely: Myrtle, who was born on the first day of the year 1875; William, born June 11, 1878; Leonard, April 18, 1881; Robert, January 16, 1884; and Winnie, October 1, 1890. Politically, Mr. Simpson was formerly a Republican, but now affiliates with the Populists, being a prominent worker in that organization. He has served as Justiee of the Peace and has also been a member of the School Board. In these as well as all other positions he has been called upon to occupy, he has served with credit to him-
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self and to the general satisfaction of the people, whose welfare is ever a matter of personal impor- tance to him.
B C. REDLON. In the brief and imperfect outline we are able to give in this sketch of the personal history of one of the wealth- iest residents of Crawford County, we can do little more than merely glance at some of the principal events with which he has been connected and identified in his long and useful career as a farmer, stock-dealer and business man. An ac- count of the life and character of Mr. Redlon, ris- ing from an humble position by his own unaided efforts to a place of honor among men, presents a useful lesson to the youth of this generation and adds another striking illustration of the power and force of determined purpose and persever- ance.
The landed possessions of Mr. Redlon aggregate thirty-four hundred and eighty-nine acres, the larger part of which has been placed under culti- vation. His home is pleasantly situated on section 13, Crawford Township, where he has erected a substantial residence, commodious barns and other outbuildings. He has also planted an orchard of two hundred trees and put out ten miles of fenc- ing. In former years he was proprietor of a hard- ware store in Girard, and is now the owner of a flouring mill in this city. The mill has a capacity of forty barrels daily and is one of the best in the county.
As a stock-raiser and dealer, Mr. Redlon is one of the most prominent men in the county. Ilis place is stocked with two hundred head of cattle, hogs, sheep and horses, including an imported draft stallion, of the Percheron breed, named "Ilandsome," and conceded to be one of the finest stallions in the state. While Mr. Redlon has been
successful in the majority of his enterprises, he lias also met with reverses and has had his share of misfortune. However, he is still very wealthy, notwithstanding his losses.
Some mention of the ancestry of Mr. Redlon will not be inappropriate in this connection. He is a son of Benjamin Redlon, who was born in Buxton, Me., June 19, 1803. The paternal grand- parents were Amos and Miranda (Emery) Redlon, while the great-grandparents were Ebenezer and Sarah (Hanscome) Redlon. From Ebenezer the lineage is traced to Ebenezer, Sr., who settled in Buxton, Me., in 1762; preceding him were Matth- ias, Magnus and Gervasius. The family came to England with William the Conqueror in 1065, and received large grants of land in Northumberland County, where several successive generations re- sided. The father of our subject was a soldier in the Aroostick War. By trade he was a blacksmith, and in later life followed farming.
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