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 46
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Our subject fought in the battle of Belmont, under Gen. U. S. Grant, then, forwarded to Colnm- bus, Ky., was stationed there two weeks. He as- sisted in the capture of Island No. 10, and was promoted to the Second Lieutenancy before the engagement of Belmont. Next sent to Pittsburg Landing, Lieutenant Williams actively participated in the conflict of Corinth under Halleck; from there he proceeded to Iuka, then went forward to Tuscumbia, thence to Decatur, Ala .; he then fought in Nashville, Tenn., under command of Gen. John M. Palmer. Our subject later took part in the en- gagements of the Army of the Cumberland and fought in the battle of Stone River under General Sheridan. The command then drove General Bragg's army into Chattanooga, and September 19, 1863, Captain Williams fought in the battle of Chickamauga. On the second day he was des- perately wounded by a gunshot, which, striking the right temple, passed through his head and came out in the centre of the left check. The ball severing the optic nerve of the right eye, our sub- jeet lost the use of that member, and was also de- prived of the senses of taste and smell. Insensible for three days, Captain Williams was left on the field for dead, and for twelve dreary days of suffering remained there. Finally rescued from the horrors of the field, he was borne to the hos- pital in Chattanooga, where his wounds were skill-
fully cared for by Dr. E. H. Bowman, surgeon of our subject's own regiment.
Captain Williams remained in Chattanooga Hos- pital until the middle of November, 1863, when he was sent back to Nashville Hospital. He was later removed to the Parole Camp at St. Louis, Mo., and remained there until exchanged in June, 1864. He returned to military duty in Nashi- ville, and was sent to Springfield, Ill., and was must- ered out with his regiment September 20, 1864. Captain Williams at once returned to his home in Pike County, Ill., and in the winter of 1867 went into the mercantile business in Perry, where he remained until 1872, then locating permanently in Linn County, Kan., and settling on a farm at Blue Mound. His homestead, though raw prairie land, yielded to culture and was under excellent improvement when in the year 1882 he removed to Mound City, here entering the office of Register of Deeds and Abstracts as Deputy. In the fall of 1883 Captain Williams was elected Regis- ter of Deeds, and with faithful ability discharged the duties of the position until January, 1888. Since then he has not engaged in any regular bus- iness, the vision of his apparently uninjured eye failing him rapidly. Distinguished upon the field for his gallant conduct, our subject received his promotion as First Lieutenant in May, 1862, and became Captain December 1, 1862.
After the war, upon May 2, 1865, were united in marriage Captain L. French Williams and Miss Nannie L. Bertrees, a native of Pike County, Ill., and a daughter of Charles M. Bertrees, now a well known resident of Mound City. Five children have brightened with their cheerful presence the home of Captain and Mrs. Williams. Clara, the eldest-born, is the wife of E. N. Smith; she is the mother of one child, and resides in El Dorado, Kan. The other daughters are in the order of birth Nettie M., Fannie, Hannah and Emma. These ac- complished sisters have all received good educa- tions. Miss Nettie, possessed of artistic tastes, is studying in Chicago. Our subject and his estima- ble wife are both valued members of the Baptist Church and foremost in good work. Captain Williams assisted in establishing Montgomery Post No. 33, G. A. R., in Mound City, and was the
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first Commander. He is fraternally associated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and has been Recorder of the society for eight years. He likewise affiliates with the Ancient Free & Ac- eepted Masons, and among these various orders has a host of sincere friends. Politically a Re- publican and a local leader in the councils of the "party of reform and progress," Captain Williams has frequently been a delegate to conventions, where, ably representing his constituents, he has displayed executive ability of a high order. A true friend and upright citizen, our subjeet enjoys the entire confidence of his fellow-townsmen, and together with his wife and family occupies a posi- tion of social influence. Suffering through long years from the terrible wound received upon the field of battle, and knowing that the latter days of his life must be clouded by impaired eyesight, Captain Williams has the proud consolation that his sacrifice was not in vain, and that national ex- istence to-day owes its preservation to the loyal heroes of the Civil War.
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SRAEL K. BROWN, a prosperous farmer of Crawford County and the owner of valuable land in Lincoln Township, was born in Stephenson County, Ill., in 1840. He is the de- seendant of loyal and patriotic forefathers, and may be justly proud of the fact that both his pa- ternal and maternal grandfathers were valiant soldiers in the War of the Revolution. Ilis par- ents, Col. Ezekiel and Cornelia (Keyes) Brown, were born and reared in Worcester County, Mass., and removed from there to New York, where for a number of years they made their hone.
From the Empire State Colonel Brown removed as far west as Illinois, where he resided for some time. Coming thence to Kansas, he resided first in Bourbon, where he served as County Assessor
for five years. He came to Crawford County in 1865, and died at the home of his son, Israel K., in 1872. Ilis wife also died here in 1883. Both were sincere Christians and active members of the Missionary Baptist Church. In every community where they resided they won the esteem and con- fidence of their associates and were known as a worthy, hospitable and kind-hearted couple. The father won his title in consequence of having held the commission of Colonel for a number of years.
The family of which our subject is a member consists of seven children, of whom we note the following: H. B. is a resident of Kansas and lives in Ft. Seott. Addie L. is the wife of W. R. Vance. Elizabeth, now deceased, married G. P. Cole and became the mother of seven children. Persis, the deceased wife of G. A. Hungerford, had two chil- dren. Dollie A. is the wife of G. A. Fountain and has four children; she lives in South Dakota. Our subjeet is the next in order of birth. Chad resides in Lincoln Township, Crawford County.
At the age of eighteen years our subject accom- panied his parents to Kansas, where he has since made his home. In 1862 he enlisted as a member of the Second Kansas Battery, which became a factor of the Seventh Army Corps and operated west of the Mississippi River. Ile participated in a number of important engagements, including the battles of Honey Creek and Ft. Smith, and also took part in many skirmishes, where the danger was equally great, though the results were less im- portant. In August, 1865, at the close of the war, he was mustered out of the service and honorably discharged.
Our subject has Patent No. I on the Cherokee Nentral Land, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres of land. He was threatened for proving up the land but was never obliged to protect himself. lle now owns the entire tract included in his original purchase, with the exception of five acres deeded to the village of Cato. A life- long Republican, he has served as Trustee of Lin- coln Township and was nominated on the Repub- lican ticket for the office of Clerk of the District Court, but the fusion of Democrats and Populists defeated him. In his religious affiliations he is identified with the Missionary Baptist Church.
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Socially, he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Select Knights and the Grand Army of the Republic. The present resi- dence is a large stone building, erected in 1882. Previous to that year he lived in the log house that now stands in his yard.
R. GEORGE W. PILKINGTON. The medical profession in Garnett is repre- sented by a number of skillful practition- ers, who have an extended knowledge of therapeutics, and who hold enviable repu- tations as physicians of ability. This noble pro- fession affords to the student a never ending source of investigation and experiment. New remedies are constantly being discovered, steady progress is being made in surgery, and new diseases are presenting themselves under varying forms of civilization. Whatever may be said of discoveries in other fields of knowledge-and cer- tainly they are astonishing-it can be truthfully said of this science that not one can equal it in the great strides it is making toward a comprehensive grasp of the whole subject of man in relation to health and disease, the prevention and the cure of ills that flesh is heir to.
In the noble army of workers in this great field stands the name of George W. Pilkington, who located in Garnett in 1883, but who has been a resident of Kansas since 1881. Hle is a native of the Prairie State, born in Ottawa, August 1, 1848, and a son of George W. and Martha (Crary) Pilking- ton, natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and Ohio, the former born near llarrisburg, and the latter in Cincinnati. George W. Pilkington, Sr., when a young man, went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and was there married to Miss Martha Crary, who was a daughter of Lyman Crary. About 1844 the par- ents of our subject removed to Ottawa, Ill., when
there were but few houses in that place, and there the father remained until 1862, engaged in farm- ing. From there he removed to Pontiac, where he improved a farm and became the owner of one of the finest farms in Livingston County. In 1882. he came to Kansas, and settled at Garnett, where his death occurred January 15, 1892. The mother, who was born in 1817, resides in Garnett, and is in the enjoyment of a comfortable old age. She is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The father was unusually successful as an agriculturist.
Of the six children born to the above mentioned couple, four grew to mature years. William Wil- son was killed at the battle of Peach Tree Creek. Hle enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was a non-commissioned officer when killed. John M. died soon after attaining his majority. Lyman D. is a partner with our subject in the drug business at Garnett. The original of this notice was early initiated into the duties of farm life, and until nineteen years of age had attended only the common schools of his county. He then entered the Christian College, located at Eureka, Ill., and there graduated from the commercial course. He also took the normal course. Later, he entered tlie Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, Ill., but as his means were limited he left this college after the junior year. After this he entered the Eclectic Medical College, from which he graduated in 1877, and afterwards located at Sullivan, Moultrie Coun- ty, Ill. Five years later he entered the Miami Medical College, and attended the same two years.
In the year 1881 he came to Kansas, and ac- cepted the position of Assistant Surgeon of the Kansas Central and Union Pacific Railroads, with headquarters at Clay Centre, Kan. There be re- mained two years, and then came to Garnett, where he has since given his attention to office and city practice and to the drug business. He is Assistant Surgeon of the Missouri Pacific and the K., N. & D. Railroads, and is one of the most prominent physicians of the county.
Financially the Doctor has been very successful, and is in the enjoyment of a competency earned by his own efforts. In politics he adheres to the
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principles of the Republican party, and was Chair- man of the Fifth District (Illinois) Central Com- mittee for four years. Socially, he is a Knight Templar in the Masonic fraternity.
OHN R. DIVELBISS, M. D., a leading med- ical practitioner and skillful surgeon of La Cygne, Linn County, is a pioneer physi- cian of the state, and located at West Point in 1860. West Point, now a defunct town, was then a thriving place, situated on the state line east of La Cygne, and the principal trading point in eastern Kansas, Kansas City then being known as Westport Landing.
Our subject, born in Franklin County, Pa., Oc- tober 27, 1817, was the son of John and Maria (McCune) Divelbiss. The paternal great-grand- father, emigrating from Wurtemberg, Germany, to America, was accompanied hither by two broth- ers, the three fleeing from Germany during the storm of the revolution in the Old Country. The grandfather, John Divelbiss, actively participated in the struggles of the War of Independence, and was one of the brave soldiers who aided in estab- lishing a republican government in our beloved land. He also fought with courage in the War of 1812. He was a man of earnest nature and up- right character.
The maternal ancestors of our subject for many generations lived and died in Scotland, but a forefather finally founded in the United States a family branch whose descendants are numbered among the true and tried citizens of the Union. The parents of Doctor Divelbiss removed to the westin 1852, and settled near Canton, Fulton Coun- ty, Ill., where the mother passed away in 1861, deeply mourned. The father, not long after the death of his life companion, journeyed to Kansas, arriving in 1868, and survived until October 30,
1885. Ile was born April 27, 1800, and through- out his long career of busy usefulness was known as a man of ability and of sterling integrity of character.
Reared upon a farm, our subject completed his higher studies in Marshall College, of Mercersburg, Pa., and graduated with honor in 1848. He then traveled extensively in the west and south, and having read medicine with Dr. James Scott, of Mercersburg, then commenced the practice of his profession. In the fall of 1848 he located in Peoria, and spent the most of his time in that city until 1860, when he left Illinois for the broader and newer field of Kansas, at once making his home in West Point.
When Doctor Divelbiss located in Kansas border warfare was at its height. He was decidedly a Free State man, but did not express his opinions, and as a physician and surgeon attended the sick and wounded of both sides with impartiality. When the Civil War became an assured fact, it was necessary and right for every man to de- clare his convictions, and our subject, being a stanch Union advocate, found himself no longer safe in West Point. In 1861, Doctor Divelbiss removed to Paola, and two years later located in Grasshopper Falls, now Valley Falls, and there con- tinued the practice of medicine nutil 1872, when he again made his home in Linn County, and set- tled in La Cygne, since his permanent abiding place.
Immediately after his location in Kansas, enter- ing upon an extensive round of practice, Doctor Divelbiss journeyed day and night over a sparsely settled country, with roads and bridges far from the best, and, traveling on horseback, frequently slept for hours in the saddle. During the Civil War our subject served as Surgeon of the Third Kansas State Militia, and was on the field at the time of the Price raid. Ile knew every resident within the radius of fifty miles from West Point and had an extensive acquaintance throughicut the state.
In 1856 were united in marriage John R. Divel- biss and Miss Martha Rector, daughter of John Rector, a successful farmer of Fulton County, Ill. The estimable wife of our subject was a native of
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Ohio, but early accompanied her parents to Illi- nois. Six children blessed the home, of whom one son, John F., died at the age of four years. 'The five surviving arc: Lorilla J., wife of Elijah Saunders; Eunice, who married Leander Robinson; Ada, wife of James Northway; Mary, wife of J. T. Norland; and Louis B., at home.
Politically, in early life a Whig and later a Re- publican, Doctor Divelbiss has held several local positions of trust, and was the efficient Postmaster of Grasshopper Falls. He is fraternally a valued member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and in religious affiliation is a Presbyterian. Al- though almost entirely devoted throughout his long career to the practice of his profession, our subject, while in Grasshopper Falls, was interested in a drug and grocery business, and was kept con- stantly occupied with the demands of his various employments. For the past score of years closely identified with the development of his present home locality, Doctor Divelbiss is known as a man of enterprise and as a skillful physician, and enjoys the high regard and the best wishes of a wide acquaintance.
BRAHAM B. MITCIIELL, one of the early settlers of Crawford County, now residing in Farlington, was born near Bedford, Lawrence County, Ind., in 1826. He comes of an old English family, which was founded in America by his grandfather, Abraham Mitchell, a native of England. Ile emigrated to the New World in Colonial days and aided the Colonies in their struggle for independence. After the war he became a preacher of the Baptist Church. Thomas Mitchell, the father of our sub- ject, was born in this country, and during the early childhood of our subject removed to Mor-
gan County, Mo. Ile had only two sons, Abra- ham B., and Josiah, who is now a resident of Clay County, IlI.
Mr. Mitchell whose name heads this record was reared to manhood in Morgan County, and there acquired his education. After attaining to man's estate, he returned to the county of his nativity and was united in marriage with Nancy Bil- lings. He at once began speculating in land, and in 1869 came to Crawford County, where he purchased the quarter-section upou which he now lives. He has been very successful in his business dealings, and from time to time has made addi- tional purchases, until he now owns six hundred acres of valuable land, which yields him a good income.
In 1892 Mr. Mitchell was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, and since that time he has married Mrs. Nancy J. Dalton, daughter of .James, Billings. Unto them has been born one child, Sarah D. They have a pleasant home, which is the abode of hospitality, and throughout the com- munity where they are widely and favorably known they have many friends.
Mr. Mitchell comes of an old Whig family, but has always affiliated with the Democratic party, and soon after his arrival in Crawford County was elected to the Legislature, serving one termn. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church and have long been carnest laborers in the Master's vineyard. Charitable and benevolent, probably no man in the community has done more towards aiding orphan children than Mr. Mitchell. Knowing the hardships of his own childhood, he has the keenest sympathy for those who are left alone to fight life's battles, and his assistance has served to encourage and help many over the diffi- culties and obstacles of this life.
Mr. Mitchell may truly be called a self-made man, for he started out when a child empty handed. He worked his own way through school, and when he had become a man, returned to his home in Indiana, where he collected what was due him from his father's estate, about $600. With this he purchased land, and by judicious and careful investments he has acquired a handsome property and worked his way upward to a posi-
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tion of wealth and affluence. His example may serve to encourage others and is deserving of em- ulation.
G ABRIEL J. MASTERS, a prominent citizen and a leading general agriculturist of Marysville Township, Miami County, Kan., is a man of executive ability and excellent judg- ment. Ile has held with efficiency the position of Township Clerk, and for many years has been inti- mately connected with the promotion of the pro- gressive interests of his home locality. Born August 17, 1848, in Jessamine County, Ky., our subject was the son of John Masters, likewise a native of Jessamine County, and born in the year 1812. Ilis mother, Elizabeth (IIendricks ) Masters, a native of Virginia, born in 1818, later removed to Kentucky, in which state she was married. The parents remained in Kentucky until 1854, and then journeying to Illinois made their home in MeLean County on a farm. Again removing to the farther west, they came in 1867 to Miami County, Kan., and settled upon section 27, on partly improved land, upon which valuable homestead the father died fifteen years afterward, passing away in 1882. The mother surviving a half-score of years entered into rest in 1892. They were the parents of nine children, and of the happy sons and daughters who once gathered about their hospitable fireside, seven are yet living. William H. was the eldest born; Joseph T. is a prosperous farmer of Harvey County; James S. resides in Miami County; Gabriel J. is our subject; W. M. is in charge of the abstract office of Paola; Mary J. is now Mrs. William Lyon; Hendricks is a travel- ing salesman.
The parents were valued members of the Chris- tian Church, the father being for many years an honored Elder and active in the extension of re- ligions influence. A man of upright character
and sincere purpose, he was an ardent advocate of right and justice, and was unflinching in his con- victions of duty. Two of the sons, William H. and Joseph T., served with bravery in the Civil War, and both were members of the Ninety-fourth Illinois Regiment. Our subject, the fourth of the living children, was reared upon the farm of his father and was educated in the district schools of Illinois. Remaining with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, he accompan- ied them to Kansas, and through years of ex- tended and practical experience gaining a tlior- ough knowledge of agricultural pursuits, has made farming the vocation of his life.
In the year 1873 were united in marriage Gabriel J. Masters and Miss Eliza A. Perry, daugh- ter of H. O. Perry, of Hillsdale, Miami County. The estimable wife of our subject, a native of Indiana, and born in the year 1855, received her education in the schools of her birthplace. After his marriage, Mr. Masters lived for two years on his father's homestead, and spent the succeeding two years on the Perry place, then removing to liis present farm, all wild land. To the original eighty our subject has since added, now owning one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land. Ile also owns a half-interest with his brother in fifty acres located elsewhere.
The home farm of Mr. Masters is highly culti- vated, and annually yielding an abundant harvest, is likewise improved with substantial and com- modions buildings. The family residence, costing 8700, was erected in 1886. Some of the home- stead acres are planted out to fruit, and promise a fine orchard in the near future. On section 25 Mr. Masters has fifty finely improved acres, con- taining an orchard of one hundred trees, all in good condition. Grain, wheat, oats, flax and corn are raised on the farm, where also large numbers of high-grade stock are fed and reared. The pleas- ant home of Mr. and Mrs. Masters has been blessed by the birth of six children, four surviving. Ray and Harry have passed away; Claude, Earl, Myrtle and Oliver are living. Our subject is an Elder of the Hillsdale Congregational Church, of which his excellent wife is also a valued member. Mr. Masters takes a leading part in the Sunday-
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school, and has likewise served for five years as an able Director of the district schools. He has given his children a good education, and Claude, aged fifteen, has graduated from the county school.
Politically a Republican, and occupying a promi- nent place in the local councils of the party, our subject has served to the great satisfaction of his constituents at state and county conventions. Ile has been Township Clerk, and faithful to every trust reposed in him, has been repeatedly urged by his fellow-citizens to make the race for the office of County Commissioner, but has steadfastly re- fused to do so. He and his family are social fa- vorites, and enjoy the esteem and best wishes of a large circle of friends.
OEL ELLIOTT. It is doubtless entirely due to the industrious and persevering manner with which Mr. Elliott has conducted farm- ing operations that he has risen to such a substantial position among the agriculturists of Miami County. In 1871 he located on his present farm in Richland Township, and has since de- voted his attention to his chosen occupation with so much energy and ability that he has acquired the ownership of a fine tract of land, embellished with suitable buildings and machinery adapted to agricultural purposes.
A native of Indiana, the subject of this sketch was born in Montgomery County in 1840. He was one of eight children born to the union of John and Grace (Riley) Elliott, natives respect- ively of Pennsylvania and Ohio, who were mar- ried near the city of Hamilton, Ohio. Four of the brothers came to Kansas: John, who is now a resident of Richland Township; Mack, Henry and Joel, all of whom are living in this township. In many of the states of the Union the Elliott family
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