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 40
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Benjamin Johnson was for many years a resi- dent of Delaware County, N. Y., where he fol- lowed the trade of a carpenter. About 1856 he re- moved to Knox County, Ill., where he resided un- til his death at the age of sixty-four years. Ilis wife is at present residing in Indianapolis, Ind. They were the parents of seven children, all liv- ing, as follows: Willis, a real-estate dealer residing in Kansas City; Elbridge, a carpenter who lives in Lawrence, Kan .; Albert, our subject; Josephine, who married James Smith, of Indianapolis, Ind .;
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Sanford F., a grocer of Kansas City; Martha, the wife of Edward I. Mitchell, of Dubuque, lowa; and Carrie, the wife of Charles Bishop, of Indian- apolis, Ind. The father of this family was a man of prominence in Delaware County, and in his business of contracting frequently employed one hundred men. He built the seminary at Charlotte- ville, N. Y., and other substantial structures still standing as monuments to his skill. In polities he was first a Democrat, and later a Republican. Ile and his family were identified with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, in which they were ear- nest workers.
For some years the Johnson family resided in the country, and the sons were all trained to agri- cultural pursuits, but none of them, excepting our subject, entertained a preference for agriculture. Ilis tastes have always been in the direction of rural life, and after completing his education he entered upon the independent life of a farmer. At the age of twenty-one, he married Miss Mary E. Davis, who was born in Knox County, III., being the daughter of Southwick and Elizabeth E. Da- vis. Mr. Johnson had accompanied his father to Knox County at the age of thirteen years, and with the other members of the family settled in Galesburgh. After his marriage he gave his atten- tion to the cultivation of a farm in Washington County, JII., for some two or three years. In 1868 he came to Kansas and settled in Franklin County. whence in 1875 he removed to the prop- erty he now owns. He has two hundred aeres upon which have been placed the best of improve- ments. In addition to general farming, he has de- voted considerable attention to stoek-raising, and makes a specialty of Normans and Clydesdales, having on his farm a number of imported horses of great value.
The marriage of Mr. Johnson was blessed by the birth of three children: Ida, wife of Harvey Griffith; Benjamin and ,Jennie. In polities a Re- publiean, Mr. Johnson has been closely connected with local political affairs for a number of years. Ile served as County Treasurer for one term, and for the same length of time filled the position of Clerk of Franklin County. As a citizen he is pro- gressive and enterprising, favoring all measures
which will elevate society and uplift his fellow- men. During the dark days of the Civil War, his sympathies were with the Union, and in the spring of 1864 he was mustered into service as a member of Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry, in which he served for six months. He was then discharged on account of physical disability. He is one of the best known stockmen of Linn County, and for eight years has engaged extensively in raising cattle and fine horses, gaining an enviable reputation as a suc- cessful agrieulturist and capable business man.
Le ORENZO D. HERLOCKER has been a resi- dent of Crawford County since the spring of 1871, and now conducts agricultural operations on seetion 19, Sherman Township. A native of Franklin County, Ohio, he was born on the 23d of April, 1845, and is the son of Samuel and Mary A. (Johnson) Herlocker. His parents were natives of the Buckeye State, the father hav- ing been born in Fairfield County, April 16, 1806, and the mother in Delaware Connty, April 19, 1823. He remained a resident of that state until his death, in August, 1892, meantime following the trade of a tanner and the occupation of a farmer. Ilis wife survives him, and makes her home in Delaware County. By a previous marriage he had three children, one of whom, Christian, served in the Second Colorado Cavalry during the Civil War.
A sincere Christian, Samuel Herlocker was for many years identificd with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he took an active part. Politi- eally, he was a Democrat, and served in various positions, including that of Justice of the Peace for fifteen years. He was an industrious, ener- getic man, and was honored by all who knew him,
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Ile and his second wife (our subjeet's mother) were the parents of eight children, seven of whom are now living. The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm, and was not more fortunate than other young men of his time in his opportunities for obtaining an education. In re- turn for his efforts he received only a meagre foundation for an education, but he had energy and a strong desire to learn, and did not content himself with his limited schooling. Through read- ing and self-culture he has become well informed.
In 1868, Mr. Herlocker married Miss Ehzabeth Kramer, a native of Franklin County, Ohio, born May 1, 1843, the daughter of Jacob Kramer, a farmer by occupation. For three years our sub- jeet drove a wholesale notion wagon in Ohio, but after his marriage he removed to Jones County, lowa, where he operated a rented farm until the spring of 1871. IIe then came to Kansas and set- tled upon the farm where he has since resided. Hle erected a frame house, 10x14 feet in dimen- sions, in which he resided until 1880, when he erected his present home at a cost of $2,200. Here he and his wife make their home with their four children: Elmer, John, Edward and Ida May.
The farm owned by Mr. Ilerlocker consists of three hundred and twenty acres, of which the en- tire traet has been cleared with the exception of twenty aeres. He has planted two and a-quarter miles of hedge fencing, and set out four hun- dred trees. He engages in general farming, and in addition to raising grain, devotes considerable attention to stock-raising. Ile and his wife are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as Trustee. He aided in the erection of the church at Farlington. For twelve years he has served as a member of the School Board, and has given his children every facility for obtaining good educations, his son Elmer being now a student at Ft. Scott.
Socially a Mason, Mr. Herlocker is identified with Blue Lodge No. 93, Chapter No. 30 and the commandery. Ile is a member of the Indepen- dent Order of Red Men, and has served as Master of Farlington Lodge No. 113, A. O. U. W. In polities a life-long Democrat, he has always taken an interest in public affairs, and has frequently
served as a delegate to the conventions. Ile took an active part in the last state convention. For six years, from 1876 to 1882, he served as County Commissioner, and has also been Trustee of Sher- man Township and Sheriff of Crawford County in 1890-91. At the last county convention held at Girard, August 12, 1893, he was again placed in nomination for the position of Sheriff. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Crawford County Agricultural Society, and is the Viee- President of that organization.
W ILLIAM S. KIMBALL, a farmer residing in Sherman Township, Crawford County, is a native of Cambridge, Washington County, N. Y., and was born in 1840. At the age of four years he was taken by his parents to Ft. Madison, Iowa, and thence removed to Ilancock County, Ill., where he remained for two years. His next home was in Bureau County, Ill., where, at the age of eighteen, he began to be self-support- ing. He worked out by the month for seven years, after which he rented land in Bureau County, 111., and engaged in farming for some time.
Our subject is the son of William and Cordelia (Freeman) Kimball, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts. The paternal grandfather, John Kimball, spent his entire life in the village of Old Iladley, Mass. The family is of English origin and was represented in Massachusetts during the early history of that state. William S. was the eldest of five children, the others being Mary, Maria, John and George. Ile was married in Stark County. Ill., on the 30th of December, 1863, to Maggie P. Comstock, and five children have been born of the union. They are: George W., who resides in Genoa, Neb .; Edna M., wife of Charles Dickens, who lives near Genoa, Neb .; Will-
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ard A., Naney and Essa M., who are with their parents.
Since coming to Crawford County in 1885, Mr. Kimball has accumulated four hundred acres, upon which he conducts general farming, and to the management of which he gives his personal super- vision. Ile engages extensively as a stock-dealer, and raises horses, cattle and hogs. Ile is the owner of two imported mares, and one Clydesdale stallion that was imported direct from Scotland. By a long course of honorable dealing, he has be- come widely and favorably known to the citizens of Crawford County, and is regarded as a man of superior judgment and marked ability.
In politics a stanch Republican, Mr. Kimball al- ways supports the nominees of his party. In his social relations, he is identified with the Farmers' Alliance, the National Detective Association and the Masonic fraternity, and stands high in all of these organizations. The citizens of his township have for many years availed themselves of his services in various positions, and he has always served with credit to himself and to the satisfac- tion of his constituents. He takes a leading part in public enterprises, is liberal to those in need, kind and amiable in the domestic circle, and genial as a citizen. llis many commendable traits of character endear him to the confidence of a large circle of friends.
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ONATHAN E. WOLF is one of the repre- sentative citizens and well known agricult- urists of Welda Township, and makes his home on section 6. He has been a resident of this vicinity since 1883, but has lived in Kan- sas for about twenty years. He is a son of Jacob Wolf, who was born in Adams County, Pa. IIe in turn was a son of Adam Wolf, a native of Ilan- over, Germany, who emigrated to America in his early manhood and made a settlement in Adams
County, Pa. On reaching his majority, Jacob Wolf chose for his life companion Miss Matilda Bales, who is of English parentage. Iler birth oc- curred in Perry County, Pa. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Wolf continued to live in Adams County for several years, afterward removing to Westmoreland County in the same state. Later they concluded to try their fortunes in the west. and first settled in Dubuque County, Iowa, thence coming to Kansas, and locating in Miami County in 1872. Mrs. Wolf died in that county in 1888, and the father died in Welda Township, June 8, 1890.
Our subject, whose birth occurred August 9, 1835, in Adams County, Pa., is one of five chil- dren, being the eldest of the family. The others are as follows: Frederick A., Mary E., Esther B. and Ninetta M. Our subject was only three years of age when his parents removed to Westmoreland County, Pa., where he lived until nearly thirteen years of age. With his parents he then proceeded to Dubuque County, lowa, where the principal part of his education was obtained. Ile remained under the parental roof until the winter of 1869, when he embarked in agricultural pursuits for himself.
In June, 1862, Mr. Wolf enlisted in the defense of the Old Flag, becoming a member of Company A, Eighteenth Iowa Infantry. At the expiration of nine months of arduous. service he was honor- ably discharged on account of disability, and re- turned to Dubuque Connty. In the winter of 1869, he went to Lawrence County, Mo., where he remained only a few months. Thenec he proceeded to Miami County, Kan., where he was actively engaged in farming for twelve years. From his boyhood np to the present time he has lived the life of a farmer, and is thoroughly con- versant with every detail of the work. llis valn- able farm comprises within its boundaries four hundred and forty acres, which have been mainly placed under cultivation. Substantial and well kept buildings necessary for the various depart- ments of farm work are on the place, on which he has made many improvements since becoming its owner in 1883.
The first marriage of Mr. Wolf took place March
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18, 1858, with Miss Mary M. Taylor, who was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., March 3, 1840. By their union were born five children: Jacob K .; John R. L., now deceased; Laura E., Lorenzo T. and Liva G. Jacob K. wedded Emma Hledric. The second son died at the age of two years and seven months. Laura E. became the wife of E. A. Nokes. Lorenzo T. married Miss Phila Randall. Liva G. is the wife of Joseph Yokum. The de- voted wife and mother died in this township, March 17, 1887. The present wife of Mr. Wolf was formerly Mrs. Nancy J. Randall, widow of James P. Randall.
Our subject has held a number of township offices, which he has filled with credit to himself and to the full satisfaction of his constituents. Ile was for some time Township Trustee. Ile has al- ways had a warm place in his heart for the boys in blue, and is a member of Louisburg Post No. 252, G. A. R. In all his business dealings, Mr. Wolf has been found honorable and just, and is a man of sterling worth.
NDREW J. RANNEY, Commissioner of Miami County, is a man of good judg- ment, well read, and of versatile talents. Hle was born in Waukesha County, Wis., July 24, 1844, his parents being William and Ann (Ostrander) Ranney, the former of whom was a native New Englander, born in Massachusetts, the mother's birth having oeeurred in the state of New York. At Vienna they were joined in the bonds of matrimony, and in 1837 migrated west- ward, their objective point being Wiseonsin, at whiel time there were only two houses in Milwau- kee.
William Ranney was a contractor and build- er, and taking up his residence in Milwaukee,
he built the first warehouses and mills of the place. Later he moved to Waukesha, and in 1848 to Rock County, and in the vicinity of Beloit he purchased and improved a good farm on which he made his home until 1866. The Sunflower State then became his home, and here death claimed him in 1882, at the age of eighty years. His widow survived him two years, dying in her eighty-fourth year. A family of six children blessed the union of this worthy couple: Emily, who married J. B. Vanal- stine, of Rock County, Wis .; Phæbe, who died at the age of seventeen years; William, who resides in Miami County, Kan .; Andrew J., the sub- ject of this sketch; James P., also a resident of Miami County, and Mary, wife of O. N. Niles, of Miami County. The father by a former marriage had two children: Daniel, who died at Racine, Wis., and Pamelia, who became the wife of James Barnes, and died at Grand Haven, Mich. The mother by a former marriage, with a Mr. McCar- they, had one child. Levi, who died without issue. William Ranney was a Democrat until the opening of the Civil War, then became a stanch Republi- ean, by which party he was elected to the office of Supervisor of the town of Plymouth, Rock Coun- ty, Wis. He and his wife were for many years active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were highly honored eitizens in every locality in which they made their home.
Andrew J. Ranney spent his early life on his father's farm in Rock County, and during that time was given the advantages of the common schools. In 1866 he eame to Kansas and pur- chased eighty aeres of raw prairie, but while put- ting it under cultivation he also followed the trade of a stone mason and stone cutter on different railroads throughout the country, continuing this business up to within a recent date. Ile did a great deal of work on the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Memphis and the Missouri Pacific Railroads as contractor, and was considered a master workman. By the exercise of great energy, perseverance and determination he has become possessed of a very fine farm of two hundred and forty acres, which he devotes to general farming, raising annually, besides the usual cereals, a large amount of stock, in which he also deals. His farm shows that he is
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a man of thrift and energy, for it is neatly kept and well improved, and his stock is always in good condition and well cared for.
Mr. Ranney was first married in 1871 to Miss Nettie Smith, a daughter of Ezra Smith. She was born in the state of New York, and died in 1873, leaving one son, Guy L. His second marriage took place in 1883, Miss Florence Turner, a daugh- ter of A. J. Turner, becoming his wife. She was born in Miami County, Kan., and has borne her husband three children: Fred, Frank and Carl. Mr. Ranney is most emphatically a Republican in his political affiliations, by which party he was elected Trustee of his township, and also to the position of County Commissioner, which he is now filling, and which office came to him unsolicited. He has made his own way in life, and in looking back over his career no one can say but that it has been good.
ON. JOHN M. MAHR, M. D., editor of the Crawford County Democrat, and a success- ful physician of McCune, is a native of Illinois, having been born at Galena, Au- gust 29, 1844. Ile is the son of Daniel and Mary A. (Montague) Mahr, early settlers of Jo Daviess County, Ill., and well known throughout that sec- tion of the state for their hospitality and kind- ness to the strangers who visited the county, as well as to the pioneers who resided there. The fa- ther died in 1861; the mother, who still survives (1893), makes her home in South Dakota.
The only survivor of a family of four children, the subject of this sketch spent his childhood years in the parental home and received his education in the common schools. At the age of fourteen he went to Texas, where he remained for a number of years, beginning the study of medicine in Bell County. On the 8th of September, 1862, he en- listed as Ilospital Steward at Lexington, Mo., and
served in that capacity until April 18, 1863. On the 18th of May, 1863, he enlisted as a private in Company A, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, at La- Grange, Tenn., and at the expiration of his period of service, in 1864, he re-enlisted and served until the close of the war, receiving an honorable dis- charge November 4, 1865. In the summer of 1864 he was promoted to Hospital Steward of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry, in which capacity he was serving at the time of his discharge.
Among the battles in which the Doctor partici- pated may be mentioned the following: Memphis; Hurricane Creek, Miss .; Okolona; Prairie Station; West Point; New Castle and Moscow, Tenn .; Sal- isbury; Wyatt; Salem, Miss .; Collierville, Boli- var, Whitesville, Franklin and Nashville, Tenn. In addition to these he participated in many skirmishes, including his service in Missouri, when a student at Lexington, at the time of Colonel Mulligan's siege. During the entire period of his service, covering three years and three months, he was never wounded nor captured, and was almost invariably able to report for duty. He took part in all of Grierson's operations, with the exception of the Grierson raid of 1863.
After leaving the army, Doctor Mahir located in Sidney, Ill., where he engaged in the drug busi- ness until the fall of 1866. He then entered the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, from which institution he was graduated in the spring of 1867. He commenced the practice of his profession at Kansas, Ill., and remained there until August, 1867, when he came to the Sunflower State and located in Sherman City, Cherokee County. In 1869 he located in Labette County, in the village of Montana, where he conducted a large practice until March 1, 1884, since which time he has resided in McCune.
March 29, 1866, the Doctor was united in mar- riage at Sidney, Ill., with Miss Matilda J. Harmon, who was born in Ohio August 20, 1847. Her par- ents were Charles and Almira Harmon, the former a native of Ohio and an early settler of Missouri. Being a strong Union man during the war, he was obliged to leave Missouri, and crossing the river into Illinois, settled in Edgar County, and later removed to Champaign County, the same state.
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He came to Kansas at the time of the Doctor's lo- cation here. Doctor and Mrs. Mahr are the parents of three children, namely :J. C., a practicing physi- cian of Pond Creek, who married Miss Nettie Fair, and has one child; George C., of McCune, who married Miss Orpha Sowers, and has two children, and Coral M.
In 1889 Doctor Mahr established the Crawford County Democrat at McCune, a weekly paper de- voted to the interests of the Democratic party, and a representative organ of that party. Under the editorship of our subject, the paper has worked its way steadily up to a position of prominence throughout the county, and it is now a welcome guest in hundreds of homes. The present circula- tion is seven hundred and fifty. The Doctor re- cently bought out the Republican paper published at this place.
Socially Doctor Mahr is a member of the Ma- sonic order, belonging to Temple Lodge No. 237, A. F. & A. M., of which he has been Master. Ile is also identified with Parsons Royal Arch Chapter, also the Couer de Leon Commandery of Parsons and the Abdallah Shrine of Leavenworth. IIe is also prominently connected with Osage Post No. 156, G. A. R., of McCune, of which he has been Commander and is now Surgeon. Identified with the Knights of Pythias, he has been Chan- cellor and Deputy Grand Chancellor of the lodge. IIe has also served as Medical Examiner of the Ancient Order of United Workmen at McCune, and is the present Chief Protector of the Select Friends of MeCune.
Actively interested in politics, Doctor Mahr was formerly a zealous Republican, but for twenty-one years has been equally ardent in his support of the Democratic party. He has frequently served as delegate to various local and state conventions. In 1870-71 he represented Labette County in the Kansas Legislature, and took an active part in all public and progressive matters calculated to bene- fit his constituents; he was Chairman of the Com- mittee on Public Lands, and a member of the Com- mittee on Federal Relations. During the first administration of President Cleveland he served as Postmaster at McCune, resigning the office No- vember 30, 1889. IIe has been honored by election
to the position of Mayor of McCune, and has also been a member of the Council. Ile is a man of prominence, politically and in business and pro- fessional circles, and through his contributions to medical journals in recent years has gained con- siderable fame among his professional brethren.
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6 B. ROBINSON, a prosperous and enterpris- ing general agriculturist and stock-raiser of Marysville Township, Miami County, Kan., now located upon a magnificent farm of five hun- dred acres, occupies a large portion of section 36, and is numbered among the leading citizens and substantial men of the county. For many chang- ing years identified with the vital interests of his present home, our subject has efficiently held vari- ous responsible positions of public trust, and dur- ing 1882, 1883 and 1884 was County Commis- sioner, serving during 1884 as Chairman of the Board.
Mr. Robinson, a native of Greene County, Ill., was the son of T. C. and Eliza A. (Biscoe) Robin- son, natives of Maryland, and was reared upon the farms of their parents. The father, a man of spirit and courage, was a member of the militia during the Mexican War. Always a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for many years a Steward, he entered into rest in 1890, mourned by all who knew him. The excellent mother yet survives. The pleasant home of the parents was blessed by the birth of ten children, seven of whom are now living. The two sons, George H. and our subject, T. B., actively partici- pated in the conflict of the Civil War. George II. was Sergeant in Company II, Ninety-first Illinois Infantry, and served with fidelity.
Our subject, born November 15, 1840, was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools of Greene County, Ill., completing his studies at Car-
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rollton. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, and in 1864 enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-third Illinois Infantry, as Sergeant. Detailed to guard the prison at Roek Island, our subject remained there during his term of service, and was discharged in October, 1864, then returning home. Ile was married November 8, 1864, to Miss Mary Mason, who was a native of Kentucky, but later a resident of Illinois. The latter was born June 21, 1842, and is the daughter of Dr. George B. Mason, who, in his ninety- second year, is a resident of Greene County, Ill. An early settler of Illinois, formerly a popular citizen of Kentucky, he was a Representative in the Legislature of the latter state for two years. Mr. Robinson emigrated to Kansas in 1866, and settled in Ten Mile Township on wild land, which he cultivated four years. He then sold out at $30 per acre, and soon after located on his present farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land, to which he has added three hundred and forty. Upon his farm he raises grain chietly, but also cultivates a variety of produce and handles high-grade cattle and hogs.
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