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 42
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have all been made under the supervision of Mr. Miller, who since 1880 has devoted himself en- tirely to agricultural pursuits. The daughter of our subject, Miss Annetta, who is a teacher, is an accomplished young lady; she has received a musical education and possesses talent of a high order. The son, Sylvester, living in Franklin County, owns two hundred and fourteen acres of land and is a prosperous farmer.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller are both valued members of the Church of God and, earnest, upright and conscientious Christians, are active in the good work of that denomination. Politically a stanchi Republican and a firm believer in the principles the party, our subject takes a leading place in the local councils of the party, and aiding in all mat- ters of public welfare, has been especially inter- ested in the advancement of the schools of his locality. For some length of time Mr. Miller has been seriously crippled in his right hand by a eatarrhal affection. Ile has successfully won his way since his arrival in the state and, together with his family, enjoys the esteem and confidence of a wide acquaintance, and possesses the best wishes of a host of friends.
ILLIAM GOFF, a farmer residing in Sher- idan Township, Crawford County, and the owner of a finely improved farm of six hundred acres, is a native of Fayette County, Pa., and was born June 20, 1825. Ilis parents, Jacob and Mary (Williams) Goff, were born in the Keystone State, where he engaged in the vocation of a farmer, and from which he went forth to do serv- ice for his country in the War of 1812. In 1833 he came to Illinois and settled in La Salle County, on the Vermilion River, where he and his wife remained until death. They had six children, three of whom are now living. Two of his sons were soldiers in the Civil War, and our subject served in the Kansas state militia four years.
At the age of thirteen years our subject was orphaned by the death of his parents, after which
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he hired out by the month at a salary of $8. This amount, however, was given him in orders at a store, where he received $6 in exchange for the order. In that way he worked for two years and then went to the lead mines at Mineral Point, Wis., where he remained for two years. Return- ing to Illinois, he engaged in teaming on the canal from Chicago to La Salle for two years. In the fall of 1848 he opened the first coal bank in La Salle, and shipped the coal to Chicago on the first boat ever run on the canal.
In 1849 Mr. Goff crossed the plains to Califor- nia, making the journey with an ox-team, cross- ing the Missouri River at St. Joseph and reaching Salt Lake City during the latter part of June. He spent one and one-half months in that place, then proceeded to Los Angeles along the southern route. The party of which he was a member had one hundred and five wagons and paid $1,000 to a Mormon guide, who conducted them two hun- dred and fifty miles south of Salt Lake. There dividing into small companies, our subject and six other men sold their teams and purchased mules, which they packed with provisions for fifteen days. They traveled about two hundred miles and passed the spot where the famous Mountain Meadow massacre took place.
In the wilderness, surrounded by lofty moun- tains and far removed from human habitations, the little company wandered for many days and nights, and their supply of food and water giving out, they were threatened with the most hor- rible of all fates, death by starvation. Fifteen of their horses died, and their own strength was exhausted. They determined, therefore, to at- tempt to find their way back to Salt Lake City, and after traveling for some time fortunately struck the old trail. Their sole provisions con- sisted of five pounds of flour for each person, to- gether with a small piece of bacon. They were obliged to kill a large number of their horses, and after drying the meat subsisted upon it until help was received. They met a passing company, to whom they gave all the mules and money on hand, for which they were allowed the privilege of accompanying the excursionists to California.
They journeyed along without further trouble
until within one day's journey of the mountain's summit, after which our subject and his partner, Sam Wilson, proceeded together. They killed a crow which they boiled and ate for breakfast. With no other food than this they traveled all day down the mountain and at night secured some beef. On the following day they obtained dinner at a ranch, for which good fortune they were very grateful. On the following day they reached the Williams' ranch, where they remained for three weeks. One year after leaving his eastern home he arrived in Los Angeles, where he found wages so low that many people were working for their board without other remuneration. This was not encouraging news to the two men, who had only about $5 with them.
It was not long, however, before Mr. Goff se- cured a position at $1 per day and his board, and for one month he engaged in blasting roek for a small stone building. Upon completing that work he found a captain of a ship who consented to take him and his partner to Sacramento and trust them for the money. They gave their notes for the passage for $40, and after a voyage of four and one-half days reached San Francisco safely. There he secured a job as a day lahorer, and for four and one-half days, at a salary of $4 per day, aided in filling up and grading a lot. Times were hard, money scarce, and there was much suffering among the people, for while wages were high the cost of living was even higher.
Mr. Goff also worked for three weeks in laying a stone wall, receiving 86 per day. After paying all bill's he and his friend had enough money left to enable them to reach Sacramento, and after a voy- age of six days on a whaleboat they reached their destination. A few days later they secured work in unloading steamboats, and afterward received $16 a ton for putting up hay. They purchased a scythe for $40 and mowed a swath around eight hundred acres, being thus engaged for three weeks and receiving 820 per ton for the hay thus secured. In two months they made over $1,000 in this way.
From Sacramento proceeding to the mines on Feather River, Mr. Goff purchased a claim, where he worked for one month. The claim proved worthless, however, and as he could not sell it he
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abandoned it entirely. Going to Marysville, he pro- cured supplies and then journeyed to Rich Bar, on Feather River, camping in the Onion Valley. He remained in California some time afterward and then came to his Illinois home, after an absence of eight years. Fortune had smiled upon him and he bronght considerable money home with him.
In 1859 Mr. Goff came to Kansas and settled in Bourbon County, where he remained until 1866. During that year he located upon one hundred aeres, comprising a portion of his present farm. At the time of his arrival there were no settlers for miles around, and he now enjoys the distinc- tion of being the earliest settler in this section of the county. Ile has added to his original purehase from time to time, until his landed possessions now aggregate six hundred acres of well improved land. As a farmer he has used keen discrimina- tion and excellent judgment in the planting and harvesting of crops, and is recognized as one of the most progressive men of the county.
While residing in Bourbon County, Mr. Goff was united in marriage, in the spring of 1860, with Miss Charlotte Ford, who was born in Maine Au- gust 8, 1842. She was educated in her native state and in Illinois, and in 1859 came to Kansas, where she followed the profession of a teacher. Iler parents, Isaac and Mary Jane ( MeQuestin) Ford, were natives respectively of Maine and New Hampshire, and settled in La Salle County, Ill., in 1852, where they remained until death. Mr. and Mrs. Goff are the parents of six children. Mary, who married J. W. Carter, has one child. William is also married and has one child. Ora is the wife of Clinton Cook, and they have two children. The others, Newton, Clara and Eddie, are still with their parents.
As a citizen Mr. Goff takes an intelligent inter- est in everything pertaining to the general ad- vancement of his community, and in his political belief affiliates with the Populists. Ile has always maintained a deep interest in educational matters, and has frequently served as a member of the School Board. Ilis children have been the recipi- ents of the best educational advantages possible in the county, and the eldest daughter was for some time prior to her marriage a successful teacher.
OEL T. TINDER, M. D., who is a member of the firm of Tinder Brothers, practicing physicians and surgeons at Parsons, was born in Danville, Ind., on the 24th of No- vember, 1845. He is a son of William Tinder, who was born in Shelby County, Ky., and was reared to manhood in Indiana, where he resided for a time in Jennings County, and later made set- tlement in Hendricks County. In the county last named he was united in marriage with Miss Cath- erine Kennedy, the daughter of Jesse Kennedy, a native of England, who emigrated to America in company with two brothers.
After his marriage, William Tinder located upon a tract of land in Hendricks County, which his fa- ther had entered from the Government. There he continued to reside. engaging with success in agricultural pursuits until his death, which oc- curred in March, 1884. His widow still survives and makes her home in Danville, Ind. In his po- litical affiliations he was a Democrat and took an active interest in all the work of his party. A successful farmer, he was engaged in stock-raising. in which department of agriculture he met with equal prosperity. In his religious belief he was a Baptist and aided in all religions and philanthropic enterprises to the extent of his ability.
Tracing the ancestry of the Tinder family back another generation, we find that the grandfather of our subject, Joel Tinder, was a native of Vir- ginia and there married Miss Martha Johnson, who was a second cousin of President Andrew Johnson. After their marriage the grandparents of our subject removed from the Old Dominion to Kentucky and became identified with the pio- neers of Shelby County, where they continued to reside until death. Like all Kentuckians, they were hospitable, and they also possessed the Vir- ginian characteristics of refinement, generosity and culture.
The family of which our subject is a member consisted of twelve children, of whom eleven grew to manhood and womanhood, and ten are at the present writing (1893) living. Joel T. was reared on the old homestead in Danville, Ind .. and re- ceived a fair education in the common schools, although the knowledge he now possesses has
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been mainly acquired by self-culture. Upon start- ing out in life for himself he began to teach school, and followed that profession for ten years in the schools of Hendricks County, Ind., with the exception of one term in Putnam County, that state. Meantime he employed his leisure hours in the study of law and medicine and formed an at- tachment to the latter science.
On Christmas Day, 1870, Doctor Tinder was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie, danghter of John and Mary (Haynes) Bousman, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Hendrieks County, Ind. Mrs. Tinder was born near Hillsboro, Ohio, and grew to womanhood in Indiana. By her union sbe has become the mother of six children, Maud E. alone surviving. After his marriage our sub- ject purchased and conducted a drug store, but retired from business in order to accept the prin- cipalship of the schools at Coatesville, Ind., filling that position for five years. Thence he removed to Danville, Ind., and conducted a flourishing drug business there for three years.
In 1883 the Doctor was graduated from the Central College of Physicians and Surgeons at Indianapolis and at once came to Parsons, having traded his property in Indiana for a large farm. Ilere he and his younger brother, J. W., estah- lished the practice in medicine and surgery which they have since conducted. They are widely and favorably known as practitioners of the regular school of medicine, and their diagnosis of cases and application of remedies to the disease prove the possession on their part of great knowledge and extensive learning.
Politically, the Doctor is a Democrat. In Au- gust, 1893, he was appointed United States Pen- sion Examiner for Labette County, and is now Medical Examiner for the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is also Medical Examiner for the following organizations: Modern Woodmen of America, Woodmen of the World; Order of Select Friends, of which he is also Vice-President; the Fraternal Aid Association, the Order of Ægis, the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, the Kansas Mutual Life Insurance Company; the Equitable, of Iowa, and other companies and or- ders. He is also Supreme Medical Examiner of the
Patriarchs of America. He has been the incum- bent of all the chairs of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge, also serving as Past Grand. He is a Mason, and is prominent in that fraternity. In his religious opinions he is identified with the Christian Church. He is the owner of one hun- dred and sixty acres of arable land in Labette County, which he devotes to general farming, and which is under the management of a superintend- ent residing on the place. He also owns a fine residence property located on the corner of Six- teenth Street and Johnson Avenue. in Parsons, which is one of the many pretty homes of this city.
LVA CLARK. In these days of money making, when life is a constant stuggle between right and wrong, it is a pleasure to present to an intelligent reader the unsul- lied record of an honorable man. To the youth it will be a useful lesson, an incentive to honest in- dustry. Such a person we find in the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, and who is one of the prominent residents of Neosho County. Ile conduets a farm located on section 3, Lincoln Township, where he owns two hundred and forty acres of finely improved land.
Our subject is one of three sons, two of whom were soldiers in the Civil War. James, a veteran of the conflict, is a resident of Forest Grove, Oregon, and a member of the City Council of that place. Born in Vinton County, Ohio, December 8, 1841, our subject is a son of Stephen and Amanda Clark. He was reared to manhood on a farm in the Buckeye State, and received such advantages as were afforded by the common schools of the home neighborhood.
August 9, 1862, Mr. Clark enlisted as a mem- ber of Company I, Ninety-second Ohio Infantry, and went to the front as private. He served in Vir-
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ginia under General Cox until January, 1863, af- ter which, under General Rosecrans, he participated in the engagements at Ft. Donelson and Nash- ville. During his three years' service he took part in the following battles, among others of lesser note: Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Kingston (Ga.), Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochie River, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Savannah, Benton ville (N. C.). and also witnessed the surrender of General John- ston. He accompanied General Sherman on his famous march to the sea, after which he went to Washington, D. C., and took part in the Grand Re- view. During a part of the time he was in active service, he was on detached duty at General Baird's headquarters. He was never wounded, nor at any time captured by the Confederates, and was always able to report for duty, excepting for four days during which he was in the hospital.
Upon returning home, Mr. Clark resumed farm- ing operations on his mother's homestead. From there, in 1868, he removed to Kansas and settled on the farm where he has since resided. The county was sparsely settled at that time, and neighbors were few and times hard. Through tire- less exertions he has accumulated two hundred and forty aeres, upon which he engages in mixed farming. On New Year's Day, 1867. he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Tom, a na- live of Atliens County, Ohio, born in 1847. They are the parents of eleven children, of whom nine are living, namely: John Il., Orson L., Minnie R., Charles S., Sarah B., Fred S., Clara L., Alva Clyde and J. Arthur.
In their religious belief, Mr. and Mrs. Clark are members of the Methodist Protestant Church at Mentor, in which he is one of the Trustees. He was formerly Superintendent of the Sunday-school and is now one of the teachers. He has served as a member of the School Board. Socially, he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has occupies all the chairs, and has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge. lle is also a member of the encampment. In the Grand Army of the Republic, he is now serving as Commander, and has held every oflice in the post, In the Anti-Ilorse Thief Association, of
which he is a member, he has officiated as Sec- retary and President, and has also been its dele- gate to the State Association. IIe was a dele- gate to, and member of the Grand Council of the Settlers' Protective Association of the Osage ceded lands in Kansas. In politics, he is a Republican, and has ever been active in public affairs. He has frequently been a delegate to various con ventions, and for eight years served as Justice of the Peace.
AVID A. WARREN. While not the only industry, agriculture has for a number of years formed the most important occupa- tion of the people of Kansas, and especially the residents of Linn County. Through it many who came to this state without money or friends have gained positions of influence and honor. Among this number mention should be made of the suc- cessful agriculturist whose name introduces this . sketch, and who owns a finely improved farm on section 27, Centreville Township.
During the year 1859 Mr. Warren first came to Linn County. Here he pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres on section 27, Centreville Town- ship. At that time, however, he remained in the county but a few months, returning to Huron County, Ohio, and remaining there for a number of years. In October, 1865, he again came to Linn County, and in February of the following year he settled upon his land, and at once con- meneed the work of improving the property. Through energy and judicious investments he gradually increased his possessions, until he is now the owner of five hundred and fifty-five aeres that pay a golden tribute to his care and cultivation. As the result of his good manage- ment, he now enjoys the comforts, pleasures and amenities of social existence, and has all the means for making life worth living.
The father of our subject, John Warren, was born in New England, October 17, 1796, being the son
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of David Warren, a native of New England, who died in Rochester, Vt. The mother of our sub- ject bore the maiden name of llannah Austin, and was born in New England December 22, 1799. John Warren was married to Hannah Anstin on the 11th of January, 1820, in Rochester, Vt. Thence in 1853 he removed to Huron County, Ohio, and his death occurred in Lime Township, that county, Angust 29, 1853, resulting from ty- phoid fever. Ilis widow also died in lluron County, having survived his demise for thirteen years.
In the parental family there were eleven chil- dren, eight of whom attained to manhood and womanhood, namely: Martha, Julia A., John W., Hannah C., Dorcas L., David A., Mary E. and Henry B. All are deceased with the exception of Mary E., Mrs. Leonard Ross, of Iowa City, Iowa; and David A. The latter was born in Rochester, Vt., June 14, 1836, and passed the early years of his life in the Green Mountain State. In 1853 he removed to Inron County, Ohio, and after the death of his father he continued to reside with his mother until 1859, when he came to Kansas, and after pre-empting his land returned to the Buckeye State.
In September, 1861, when the Rebellion had thrown its dark shadow over the nation, Mr. War- ren enlisted as a member of Company C, Fifty- fifth Ohio Infantry. He participated in the fol- lowing engagements, besides many battles of minor importance: Second battle of Bull Run, Chancel- lorsville, Gettysburg, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek and Bentonville. At Bull Run he was wounded in the side, and suffered from the effects of the in- jury for two months. At Gettysburg he was wounded in the right limb; at Peach Tree Creek he received a slight wound in the head; and at Bentonville, N. C., he was seriously wounded in the left limb. Through the entire period of his service he was absent from only one battle in which his regiment participated. July 3, 1865, he was mustered out at New York City, on David's Island.
Returning to Linn County in October, 1865, Mr. Warren settled upon his land in February of the following year. Here he has erected a set of
neat buildings, including one of the finest resi- dences for miles around. He was married in Linn County, August 15, 1876, to Miss Mary J. Morri- son, who was born in Green County, Wis. Her father, the late James N. Morrison, was born in Pike County, Ohio, August 19, 1819, being a de- scendant of Scotch ancestors. The mother of Mrs. Warren, Rebecca Snider, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, February 19, 1825, being the dangh- ter of Asa B. Snider, a native of Virginia.
After Mr. Morrison's marriage, which took place on the 17th of October, 1842, he settled in Ver- milion County, Ill., but three years later moved to Green County, Wis., and thence, early in the '70s, be came to Linn County, Kan., where he resided until his death, May 2, 1892. Ile had a family of eiglit children, six of whom reached maturity. They are: Charles M., Mary J., Asa F., Elmira B., Ella (deceased) and John. Mrs. Warren, who was the eldest daughter, was reared in Green County, and accompanied her parents to Kansas, remaining with them until her marriage. In his political be- lief, Mr. Warren is a stanch supporter of the Re- publican party and takes an active interest in local matters. In religions connections, he and his wife are identified with the Methodist Episco- pal Church.
ENRY B. SCOTT, a popular citizen of Linn County and a prosperous agriculturist of Centreville Township, owns and cultivates two hundred and twenty acres on section 15, where he has resided for many years. He is a genial, affable gentleman, well informed and pub- lic spirited, and his efforts have contributed not a little to promote the general welfare of the com- munity. lle is the son of the Rev. William Grout Scott, who was born in Jefferson County, Ohio. May 11, 1811, being of Scotch-Irish descent.
The mother of our subject was Isabella Ross, who was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, March 4,
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1811, a descendant of Scotch ancestors. After their marriage, the parents of our subject settled in Jefferson County, Ohio, where he was pastor of a Methodist Protestant Church. Subsequently he was pastor of churches in various places in Ohio, Iowa and Missouri, and came to Kansas in 1858. Ilis death occurred on the 3d of February, 1861. After his demise his widow returned to the Sun- flower State, and died at Pleasanton, March 21, 1879.
There were eight children in the parental fam- ily, as follows: Susannah, who died in Muskingum County, Ohio, March 12, 1851, when nearly eigh- teen years old; Nancy, who is the wife of William Scott, a resident of Centreville Township; Mar- garet, the widow of Jarvis Danforth; IIenry B .; Lina, Mrs. Thomas Barwick; Ede, the wife of Isaac Moon; Asa S .; and Mary, Mrs. George Dewey. llenry B. was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, December 10, 1838, and made bis home with his parents until he was eightcen years old, when he started out in the world for himself.
Coming to Kansas, Mr. Scott resided in the northern part of the state until 1858, when he came to Linn County and embarked in farming in Centreville Township. Ile was thus engaged until lie enlisted in the fall of 1862 as a member of Com- pany I, Fifth Kansas Cavalry. He served until the close of the war, and at Ilelena, Ark., lost the hearing of his right ear by the concussion of a cannon ball. At the close of the Rebellion, he re- turned to Linn County and settled upon the farm in Centreville Township where he has since re- sided. Ile is one of the prominent members of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is very popular among the veterans of the war.
In Centreville Township, November 13, 1866, Mr. Scott was united in marriage with Miss Han- nah J. Crozier, who was born in Tompkins Coun- ty, N. Y., December 4, 1847. For information concerning her parents, the reader is referred to the sketch of George II. Crozier, which is presented elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Scott were the parents of four children: Lillie B., who died when about nine months old; Elizabeth, whose deatlı occurred October 31, 1888, at the age of nineteen years; Isabella and William G, Mr. Scott takes an
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