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 39
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The mother of our subject was Hannah, daugli- ter of James and Martha (Hancock) Gibson, all natives of Maine, the latter being a relative of John Hancock of Massachusetts. Mrs. Hannah Redlon was born in Saco, Me., in 1800, and was married in Buxton, that state, where she lived until 1840, removing thence to the Mohawk Val- ley. From there the family removed to the south- western part of New York, where they remained for a number of years. Their next home was in Waushara County, Wis., and in 1885 they went from that state to Nebraska, where the father died February 6, 1887, and the mother June 9, 1889. They were active members of the Free Will Bap- tist Church, and were a worthy couple, highly es- teemed where they resided. Of their ten children, the following now survive: Sarah (Mrs. Kilpatrick), Benjamin C., W. K., Elizabeth (Mrs. Youngs), Mrs. Mary Griffith, Mrs. Abigail Hall, Mrs. Cyrene Hall and Thomas L.
Born in Harrison Township, Cumberland Coun- ty, Me., October 9, 1829, our subject was a student in the common schools of Maine and New York. At the age of nineteen he bought his time of his father, after which he learned the trade of a black- smith and for a time was employed in the machine shops of John A. Ritts, of Rochester, N. Y. In
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1849 he went across the plains to California, the journey consuming three months and fifteen days. He was diverted from his original intention of going to Sacramento, instead of which he first vis- ited the Spanish settlements and later went to San Francisco. Proceeding to the mines, he opened a blacksmith shop and conducted a flourishing busi- ness for two years when, becoming ill, he was obliged to return home.
After following his trade for a time in Califor- nia, Mr. Redlon went to Wisconsin in 1852 and settled in Fond du Lac County, where he worked at his trade. Hle then removed to Plainfield, Waushara County, Wis., where he remained until 1866. From there he came to Kansas and for two years made his home in Ft. Scott, after which he came to Crawford County and settled upon the ranch in Sherman Township where he has since re- sided. He paid $10,000 for the place, which is one of the finest in the county. In politics he is a Re- publican and has been the incumbent of numerous township offices.
In 1847 Mr. Redlon married Miss Eliza Smith, who was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1830. Eight children were born of the union, seven of whom are now living, as follows: Lloyd, Hannah, Charles, Alice, Flora, Penola and Marion. After the death of Mrs. Eliza Redlon, our subject was again mar- ried, choosing as his wife Miss Emma Ann Getter, who was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, Jan- uary 29, 1869. At the age of twelve years she united with the Evangelical Lutheran Church, of which she was afterward a member until her death. At her Kansas home on the 8th of November, 1891, she was united in marriage with Mr. Redlon and soon afterward came to Crawford County.
Some time prior to her marriage Mrs. Redlon suffered from an attack of la grippe, which after- ward developed into consumption. On the 15th of June, 1893, at her request, she was taken to the home of her parents near Leon, and there she died July 7, at 10:30 A. M. The funeral services were held in the Methodist Church at Leon, Rev. W. M. Runyan delivering the discourse to a large audi- ence. From there the remains were conveyed to the Leon cemetery and laid to rest. We cannot close this sketch more appropriately than by quot-
ing from a poem written by Mrs. M. J. Sparks, of Marion, Ill:
"If life were done when still, cold hands Are crossed upon the pulseless breast,
If all were o'er when death-dimmed eyes
Are closed in their unbroken rest,
Well might we shed the burning tear, As in the anguish of despair
We stand beside a loved one's bier And mourn the loss of one so dear.
But far beyond the shores of time, Beyond life's billows tempest-driven,
There beams a hope, a joy sublime, Those cherished ones we'll meet in heaven. For life with them is just begun; Earth's prison bars are burst in twain,
Their conflict's o'er, their battle's won, In yon bright clime they live again."
R EV. SAMUEL B. McGREW, a representative man and public-spirited citizen of Linn County, Kan., has for thirty-three years been an active participant in the early struggles and later triumphs of the state, and re- siding on section 20, Centreville Township. is widely known as an important factor in the up- ward growth and rapid development of the vital interests of his locality. Our subject, born in Westmoreland County, Pa., October 10, 1826, was the son of James B. and Isabella McGrew. The paternal grandfather, James B. McGrew, was a na- tive of Scotland, and, a man of enterprise, emi- grated to the United States in about 1785, locating in Westmoreland County, where he passed the re- mainder of his life, and where the father of our subject, James B., Jr., was born and died. The mother was a daughter of William McGrew, a na- tive of Westmoreland County, Pa., where his chil- dren were also born. Later, the mother removing to Ohio, ched in the Buckeye State. The maternal grandfather, emigrating from Ireland, made his home in l'ennsylvania until his death. The par-
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ents attained to adult age in the home of their childhood, and were married in the county of their birth. Not long afterward, however, they settled in Beaver County, where they lived about twelve years, then returning to their early home.
The old home was blessed by the birth of four daughters and seven sons. Samuel B., the young- est of the family, was but ten years of age when his father died, and he was sent by his guardian to Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson County, Ohio, for three years, which he spent in a Quaker boarding school. Ile then enjoyed a four years' course of instruc- tion in Washington College, Washington County, Pa., and was graduited with high honors at the age of seventeen. For the succeeding two years our subject devoted himself to teaching, and to the study of medicine in West Newton, Pa. Later he settled in Indiana, and for three years taught school near Greencastle, after which he journeyed to Iowa, and locating near Mt. Pleasant, Henry County, engaged in teaching there for two years and a-half. In the meantime, February 1, 1849, Mr. MeGrew was united in marriage with Miss Easter Ann Cubbison, who was born in Florence, Washington County, Pa., March 1, 1828. The fa- ther of Mrs. McGrew, James Cubbison, was a native of Ireland, and Mrs. Lydia (Culley) Cub- bison, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa. Af- ter teaching six years in Henry and Lucas Coun- ties, Iowa, our subject, in 1857, located in Kansas, and for nine years lived near Mound City. In March, 1866, he settled permanently on the farm in Centreville Township where he now resides.
In 1852, the Rev. Samuel B. McGrew was licensed to preachi, and entered the Kansas Conference in 1860. He became an Elder of the United Brethren Church in 1865, and in 1869 was made the Pre- siding Elder; he has ever since occupied that important position, at the same time presiding over the Neosho Annual Conference. Nine chil- dren have with their cheerful presence brightened the home of our subject and his worthy wife. Lydia I. is the wife of Peter Paddock; Ellen mar- ried II. Bettes; James B. married Eva Johnson; Mary J. is the wife of David Marvel; Emmett married Jane Johnson; Ada is Mrs. Vincent Sis- son; John C. is the husband of Louie Gibbons;
Lizzie is the wife of John Burkhead; Samuel W. married Amanda Barber. Upon August 28, 1892, the devoted wife and mother passed to her rest, mourned by all who knew her. The fine home- stead of two hundred and twenty acres owned by Elder MeGrew is improved with attractive and substantial buildings, and one hundred and sixty acres of the farm are under a highly productive state and annually yield an abundant harvest.
A man of sound principle and sterling integrity, our subject fully commands the confidence of his fellow-citizens, and was elected to the Legislature, serving his constituents with faithful efficiency during the sessions of 1863 and 1864. He also held the responsible official position of County Assessor in 1862 and 1863. During his career as a citizen and minister of the Gospel, Elder Mc- Grew has passed through many thrilling experi- ences. In the autumn of 1863, having just re- turned, between 12 and 1 o'clock at night, from a Quarterly meeting, a posse of nine border ruffians surrounded his home (then near Mound City) and demanded that he should come out at once. This he refused to do, and having barricaded his doors, went aloft with his only weapon, a small hatchet. After a parley of half an hour the miscreants be- gan to pile up wood on the left side of the house and declared their intention to smoke him out. For the first time our subject addressed them, say- ing, "I do not wish to hurt you or see you hurt, but if at the end of three minutes a man of you remains upon these premises, he will be killed." Then at the close of two moments he knocked a board off the roof, which, falling among the ruf- fians, frightened them so they desisted momentar- ily. Mr. McGrew again addressing them, said, "You have now half a moment in which to escape before I give the signal for help. "Then taking up a tin horn, the good Elder blew three tremendous blasts, when the men speedily departed and were soon over the border safe in Missouri. As soon as they were gone, our subject sent a boy to a brother who lived about a quarter of a mile distant, and he went north to the residence of a Mr. Smith, whom the posse had threateded to kill. He reached the Smiths in safety, warned them of their dan- ger, and being furnished with a swift horse, pro-
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ceeded to Mound City, where he gave the alarm. On the way thither he was seen by his brother, also mounted on a fleet horse, and who supposing him to be a border ruffian, pursued him a mile and three-quarters before he discovered who he was. One hundred citizens of Mound City were in full pursuit very soon, but the scoundrels who had at- tempted assault escaped. Surviving the troublous days of the early history of Kansas, the Rev. Sam- uel B. MeGrew is identified with the present pros- perity of his adopted state, where, a man of in- born courage and native ability, he has sur- mounted difficulties and overcome all the obstacles which at first beset his path to success.
ORMAN G. ROUND, an influential citizen and early settler of Linn County, Kan., is a pr. sperous general agriculturist and suc- cessful stock-raiser of Centreville Township, and for many years has been closely identified with the rapid development of the various local enter- prises and prominent interests of this part of the state. Our subject was born in Knox County, Ill., August 10, 1848. Ilis parents, Robert D. and Eliza (Albro) Round, were among the substantial residents and representative pioneers intimately associated with the history and upward growth of Kansas, to which state they emigrated in June, 1857. The father was a native of Maryland, but the mother was born in the state of New York. Shortly after their marriage the parents made their home in Knox County, Ill., and from there after a time removed to Arkansas, where they resided for some five years. At the expiration of this length of time they journeyed to Linn County, Kan., and settled in Centreville Township, where after eighteen years passed in busy usefulness the father died, September 30, 1875. Five children
brightened the fireside of Robert D. and Eliza Round: Norman G .; Phoebe M., the wife of A. A. Stevenson; John W., who married Ella Waymire; Dora M., wife of Benjamin Lockwood; and Ida, wife of W. J. Cook.
Norman G. Round, the eldest of his father's family, was only a little lad when his parents lo- cated in Kansas, but at the time of the Civil War had entered his teens, and actively partici- pated in the scenes of those troublous times. lle received his education mainly in the district schools of the home neighborhood, and, trained from his earliest youth to industrious and self- reliant habits, attained to manhood well prepared to meet and overcome the cares and perplexities of daily life. In Centreville Township, August 7, 1873, our subject entered into matrimonial bonds, then wedding Miss Margaret Plymate, a native of Warren County, Ill., who was born February 13, 1852. The father of Mrs. Round, John Plymate, was a native of the Empire State. The mother, Mary (Vance) Plymate, was born in Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Plymate married in Warren County, Ill., and resided there continuously until September, 1866, when they journeyed to Kansas, and locating in Linn County, settled in Centreville Township, where they passed their last years, highly respected by all who knew them. Mr. Plymate died March 8, 1876, the mother surviving until May 20, 1890. Their home had been blessed by the birth of four children: Ilila A., Margaret, Nancy .J. and John. llila is the wife of Adam Hloleman; Mrs. Round was the second in order of birth; Nancy J. is the wife of Thomas MeGee; John died in in- fancy.
Immediately after the marriage of our subject he located with his wife in Centreville Township, and entered upon the cultivation of one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he has owned ever since, and upon which he still continues to live. The farm is under excellent cultivation and is im- proved with a pleasant and commodious dwelling, good barns and other buildings. The five chil- dren who have gathered in the home are Lura M., Elra G., John R., Opal M. and Clyde W. The es- timable wife of our subject is a valued member of the Baptist Church, and is active in religious and
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benevolent work. Mr. Round is prominent in local polities, and has held with efficient discharge of duty many of the township offices. A man of sterling integrity and publie spirit, he justly com- mands the confidence of his fellow-townsmen.
W ILLIAM L. CROSSWHITE, a resident of Linn County, Kan., since 1882, owns and occupies one of Liberty Township's finest farms, located on section 4, one mile north of the village of Parker. He was born in Campbell County, Tenn., November 9, 1826, being a son of William and Nancy (Lindsey) Crosswhite. The family is of English extraction. The paternal grandfather of our subject, George Crosswhite, was a native of England, and in company with a brother emigrated to the United States, settling in Tennessee, while his brother located in Kentucky. George Crosswhite was a farmer by occupation, and died in Campbell County, Tenn.
In Grandfather Crosswhite's family there were eight children, four sons and four danghters, viz .: John, William, Reuben, Jesse, Polly, Anna, Ura and Aggie. William, the second in order of birth, was born in Tennessee about 1799, and spent al- most his entire life in Campbell County, where he engaged in the mercantile business and also followed the occupation of a farmer. He died in Johnson County, Tenn., at the age of forty-seven years. ITis wife survived him many years and at- tained to the advanced age of about four-score and ten.
There were ten children in the family of Will- iam Crosswhite, of whom we note the following: George was drowned when a boy; Mary married James M. Miller and died in Campbell County, Tenn .; our subject is the next in order of birth; John is a farmer of Tennessee; Cornelius makes his home in Gentry County, Mo., where he pursues
farming avocations; Alfred C. died in Johnson County, Kan .; Isaac passed away while residing in Tennessee; Madison died in the hospital at Nashi- ville; Sarah married Joseph York, and departed this life in Tennessee; Anna married William Chil- ders. Of the above mentioned sons, four, Cornel- ius, Alfred C., Madison and William, were soldiers in the Union army, and Isaae served in the Con- federate army.
In East Tennessee, amid rural scenes and envi- ronments, the subject of this sketch attained a sturdy manhood. In 1847 he married Miss Eliz- abeth Shown, who was born in Johnson County, Tenn., February 12, 1829. Her paternal grand- father, Leonard Shown, was born in England, and emigrated to the United States when a young man, settling in Tennessee. IIer father, Isaac Shown, was born in Tennessee, where he spent his entire life engaged in farming pursuits, passing away at the age of forty-five years. Ile married Miss Polly Wills, also a native of Tennessee, in which state her death occurred.
In 1854 Mr. Crosswhite removed to Gentry County, Mo., where he engaged in farming and accumulated considerable property. In 1864 he enlisted as a member of Company II, Eighteenth Missouri Infantry, and served for eleven months, accompanying General Sherman on his famous march to the sea, and participating in the Grand Review at Washington. Afterward he was taken siek and was sent to the hospital, where he re- mained until mustered out of the service under general order. After the war he engaged in farm- ing in Cass County, Mo., whence in 1882 he came to Kansas and settled upon his present farm. Ile is the owner of six hundred and forty acres of well improved land, upon which he engages in stock-raising.
Mr. and Mrs. Crosswhite are the parents of eleven children, of whom we note the following: Mary A. E., who was born December 5, 1847, married Sylvester McBride and resides in Missouri; Nancy C. was born March 17, 1850, and became the wife of William Franz, their home being in Cass County, Mo .; Sarah E., whose birth occurred March 17, 1852, was united in marriage with Met- calf Ament, and died in Cass County, Mo .; Will-
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iam. who was born May 10, 1854, resides in Cass County, Mo .; Elizabeth, whose birth occurred Oc- tober 5, 1856, married Benjamin Ament, and they are residents of Cass County, Mo .; Isaac Albert, who was born October 9, 1859, married Miss Lot- tie Breckenridge and lives on the home farm; Sophia Jane, a twin of Isaac A., became the wife of William Bradley, and makes her home in Linn County, Kan .; Benjamin J., whose birth took place December 29, 1861. chose as his wife Miss Josie Ingram, and they are residents of Linn County; Rufus Il. was born April 7, 1863, and is with his parents; Fannie, who was born February 5, 1866, died at the age of eleven years; and Maggie M., the youngest of the family, who was born April 18, 1869, resides at home. Politically, Mr. Cross- white is independent in loeal matters and a sup- porter of Democratic principles in national elec- tions. Mrs. Crosswhite is a devoted member of the Baptist Church and one of the prominent workers of that denomination.
ANIEL M. BENDER, residing on section 30, North Township, is an able and enter- prising farmer, and has been potent in extending the agricultural interest of Lab- ette County. He was born in Harrisburg, Pa., No- vember 17, 1843, and is a son of Jacob and Maria (Mayer) Bender. natives of Pennsylvania, both of whom are now deceased. Daniel M. was reared on his father's farm, where he remained until he was a youth of sixteen. He then served an appren- tieeship to learn the trade of a miller, and at the expiration of the time followed his trade as a journeyman for one year in the Keystone State.
Removing to Indiana, Mr. Bender secured em- ployment in a mill in Palestine, and later was en- gaged at his trade in Oswego, the same state, In
November, 1863, he enlisted as a private in Com- pany 1, Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, and marched with his regiment to Louisville, where the com- pany was mounted. From there they proceeded to the Tennessee River, where they did considerable service under different commanders, and especially under General Wilson. Later they were in the command of General Milroy, and then with Gen. George H. Thomas. Proceeding to Mobile, they pursued the Confederate President, Jefferson Da- vis, and took part in a number of fiercely con- tested engagements, including the battles of Mary Cole, Ala., Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Mobile, Ala.
After having served for two years and one month, Mr. Bender was honorably discharged. Ile had participated in a number of battles, without receiving any injury save a wound in the left limb in 1863. He was promoted to Fourth Duty Sergeant, and in the summer of 1864 was appointed Orderly Sergeant. After retiring from the service, he returned to Palestine, Ind., where he resumed work in a mill. A few years after returning from the war, he was united in marriage, in 1867, with Miss Eliza A. Beatty, a native of Boone Prairie, Ind., born in February, 1844. Mrs. Bender is the daughter of the late Ross Beatty, one of the early settlers of Indiana.
In 1867, immediately following his marriage, Mr. Bender came to Kansas and settled west of Chetopa, on section 13, llackberry Township, Labette County. He was one of the earliest set- tlers of the township, and put up the first box house within its limits. For five years he made his home there, improving his farm and engaging with success as a tiller of the soil. Thence he re- moved to the village of Chetopa, where he em- barked in the milling business, and continued thus engaged for a period of six years. In January, 1880, he removed to Oswego, Kan., where he re- sided until 1885, coming in that year to his pres- ent farm.
As the result of energetie application, Mr. Bender has accumulated three hundred and thirty acres of land, all of which is well improved. He erected in 1884 a substantial and conveniently arranged residence, which cost him $3,500, and is one of the most comfortable homes of the commu-
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nity. He has planted fifty acres in an orchard, and in addition to general farming, also engages with success in stock-raising, making a specialty of pedigreed horses, and now owning three stand- ard-bred trotters of the Hambletonian stock.
Mr. and Mrs. Bender are the parents of two chil- dren, Earl Ross and Lottie Pearl. In their religious connections they are active members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Bender has served as Trustee and Steward. In former years he actively engaged in Sunday-school work. So- cially he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Antietam Post, G. A. R., at Parsons. In politics, he is a straightforward Republican, and takes an intelligent interest in public affairs. In 1868, while residing in Hack- berry Township, he was elected Justice of the Peace. In 1879 he was elected Sheriff of Labette County, and served so acceptably that at the ex- piration of his term of office lie was re-elected to the same position, serving four years altogether.
In the fall of 1892, Mr. Bender was nominated by the Republican Convention for the Legislature, and was elected by legal votes, with a majority of thirty-six, notwithstanding the fact that in the district there was a Democratic majority of one hundred and eighty to overcome. However, forty- five illegal votes were cast against him, which made a majority of nine for his opponent in the State Legislature of 1893. He contested the seat before a committee selected. Only one witness could be brought before the committee. The otli- ers could not be compelled to testify, because the committee was not recognized by Governor Llew- elling. The witness above-mentioned secured a writ of habeas corpus, and the case was taken be- fore the Supreme Court, which decided the legality of the Republican House, but it was then so close to the end of the session that the contest still re- mains open.
For the past twenty years Mr. Bender has taken an active interest in conventions and party mat- ters, and is one of the most influential Republicans of the county. Aside from political affairs, he is also prominent in social and business circles, and wherever known, is highly regarded for his manly qualities and upright life, He has a large interest
in a cattle ranch in Colorado, an enterprise which has proved remunerative. Since 1868 he has been closely connected with the history of the county in which he now resides. During that year he established a flouring mill at Chetopa, and manu- factured the first flour in Labette County.
LBERT JOHNSON, a prominent stock- raiser of Linn County, residing on section 25, in the southwestern part of Liberty Township, was born in Delaware County, N. Y., September 27, 1843. His parents, Benja- min and Elizabeth (Pierce) Johnson, and his grandfather, Benjamin Johnson, were all natives of New York. The ancestors of the Johnson family for many generations resided in the New England States. Great-grandfather Johnson served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, where he rendered valiant service in the cause of the Union; he attained to the great age of one hundred and four years. Grandfather Johnson was also a man of patriotic spirit, and during the War of 1812 his name was enrolled for active service, and as Colonel he bravely led his regi- ment through all its marches and engagements. llis occupation was that of farming, and he was thus engaged in both Delaware and Cortland Counties, N. Y.
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