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 49
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Mr. Durst has devoted himself entirely to agri- cultural pursuits and stock-raising, and handles upon his farm some of the finest horses and cattle bred in this part of the country. Without being in any sense of the word a politician, he is intelli- gently interested in the vital questions of the day. He is ever ready to lend a helping hand in matters of mutual welfare, and is widely known and highly respected as a kind neighbor, sincere friend and upright citizen.
ON. M. L. PALMER, who is a prominent agriculturist and stock-raiser located upon section 13, Richland Township, Miami County, Kan., was elected by his constitu- ents of the Seventeenth District to the Legislature of the state. lle has with efficient fidelity dis- charged the duties entrusted to his care, and as an ardent Republican, takes a high place in the local councils of the party. Our subject, born August 23, 1840, in Salem Township, Washington County, Ohio, attained to manhood upon his father's farm and attended the schools of the home neighbor- hood, excelling especially in the study of history, ancient and modern.
The father of our subject, Joseph Palmer, born June 30, 1815, in Vermont, removed to Ohio in 1818 and was numbered among the very early pioneers of Washington County. His mother, Matilda (Ward) Palmer, was born in Washington County July 2, 1815. The parents, both of Eng-
lish descent, were united in marriage in the native state and county of the mother, who passed away June 24, 1861, widely known and universally be- loved for her true Christian character and exem- plary life. Of the three children who blessed the home of the parents, two are now living. The father and mother were both members of the Uni- versalist Church. Early in life a Whig, the father was later a strong Republican. Casting his first vote in 1836, he has never but once missed a state or national election. For twenty-four years suc- cessively he served as Justice of the Peace, giving thorough satisfaction to the general public by his wise administration of the law. One of his brothers did gallant duty in the War of 1812, and no member of the family has ever been wanting in true loyalty to the Government. The eldest daughter, Mrs. Eunice Flanders, lives in Ten Mile Township, Miami County, and is the mother of two children.
M. L. Palmer and Miss Mary J. Flanders were married in Washington County, Ohio, October 30, 1861. The estimable wife of our subject, born De- cember 19, 1842, in Washington County, Ohio, was the daughter of Jacob Flanders, a long-time and highly esteemed resident of the Buckeye State. Three sons have brightened the home. Edward W. married Mary J. Caton and is a citizen of Richland Township; Dudley R., the husband of Kate KcKinney, also makes his home in the town- ship; Harry, the youngest son, is unmarried.
Upon the 27th of August, 1862, Mr. Palmer enlisted as a private in Company H, Seventh Ohio Cavalry, and was later promoted to be Cor- poral. He first entered a camp of instruction at Ripley, Ohio, and remaining until December, crossed the river at Marysville, Ky., and joined Gen. Q. A. Gilmore at Lexington, Ky. In Sep- tember, 1863, he went with General Burnside to East Tennessee, and engaging at Cumberland Gap in the thick of the fight took part in the campaign of East Tennessee until the following April, when he was sent to Nicholasville to recruit. After Morgan's raid into Kentucky, Mr. Palmer was en- gaged against him in Cynthiana, Ky., and his reg- iment joined Sherman in Marietta, Ga., July 4, 1864. Mr. Palmer was never wounded nor cap-
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tured and remained constantly on duty until May 25, 1865.
Our subject actively engaged in the battle of Dutton ilill, Ky., and was also in numerous skir- mishes with Morgan, Basil Duke, and Pegram up to July 4, 1863, and also fought Morgan near Columbus, Ky., and participated in the battles of Buffington Island, second engagement at Cumber- land Gap, and for some time daily upon the field of warfare, was in the battles of Blue Springs, Jones- boro, Bluntville, Bean Station, Greenville, Rogers- ville, Walkersford Danbridge, Mossy Creek and Marysville. During his long period of service, Mr. Palmer contracted an ailment from which he never recovered. He was left near Stamford, Ky., with- out descriptive list and then worked in a colored enlisting office in Kentucky under Capt. J. C. Ran- dolph until he was discharged. Before this illness Mr. Palmer never missed a detail nor a day's duty. For two years after the close of the war he was confined to the house and had a hemorrhage of the lungs. In 1870 he received employment as a collecting agent for a railroad and held that posi- tion of trust for two years. Mr. Palmer was for six years conductor on a Pittsburgh, Marietta & Clevleand train, and for four years was a station agent and telegraph operator.
Removing to Kansas in the month of December, 1881, our subject settled on his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, then wild land, but now under a highly profitable state of cultivation. Exclusively a farmer, he has devoted himself to the improvement of his homestead, one of the finest and most valuable in the township. A friend to educational advancement, lie lias taken an active interest in the schools of Kansas and has given the children excellent opportunities for in- struction. Fraternally he is connected with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and is a member of Palmer Lodge, at Salem, Ohio, and has held minor offices in the order. Ile is likewise a member of Paola Post, G. A. R. Mrs. Palmer is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has throughout her life been active in good works. Our subject is politically a local power, and in both Ohio and Kansas has been a delegate to various conven- tions. Ile has been twice elected Township Trus-
tee, and in 1890 a candidate for re-election to the Legislature, was defeated by the Populists. While occupying a seat in the Legislature in 1888 and 1889, Mr. Palmer served with marked ability as Chairman of the Committee on Roads and High- ways, and was a member of the Railroad Com- mittee, and also a member of the Committee on County Seats and County Lines. In the con- duct of his public duties, true to his constituents and the people of his state, our subject gained the high regard of all with whom he came in contact and has a host of friends in Miami County.
G OTTLOB ZORN. As a representative of the progressive and successful farmers of Linn County, Kan., especial mention belongs to the subject of this sketch, who conducts agri- rultural operations on section 28, Centreville Township. He became a resident of this county in 1872, coming at that time from La Salle County, Ill. Mr. Zorn is a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and was born March 20, 1849. llis parents, Frede- rick and Louisa Zorn, came to America in 1854, and making their way to La Salle County, Ill., were classed among its well-to-do residents. The father died in 1866, and the mother of our subject still survives.
Mr. Zorn of this sketch is the youngest but one in the parental family of six children, his brothers and sisters being Christian, Fred, Mina, Eliza and Charlie. He was reared to manhood in La Salle County, and when making his home in this state first settled in Paris Township, Linn County, where he resided for two years. Later removing to Blue Mound Township, he was there engaged in tilling the soil until the spring of 1878, when he located in Centreville Township on the farm where he is at present residing. It contains one
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hundred and twenty acres, and the improvements and substantial buildings which adorn the place are the results of his efforts and stand as monu- ments to his thrift.
Gottlob Zorn and Miss Phila MeLaughlin were married April 11, 1872, in La Salle County, Ill. Mrs. Zorn was born in the above county Novem- ber 11, 1848, and is a daughter of Hiram and Priscilla (Melcher) Mclaughlin, the former of whom died while residing in Illinois. Of their family of six children two are now living.
To onr subject and his wife have been born four children, viz .: Mary L., Frank O., Jessie L. and Sylvia. A strong Republican, Mr. Zorn is recognized as a man of extended influence and enjoys the esteem of a host of friends. He has served many terms as a member of the School Board and has done much to promote the standard of scholarship in his neighborhood. February 20, 1865, our subject became a member of Company K, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry. While en ronte with his company from Springfield to Camp Butler Mr. Zorn was injured and remain- ed in the service only about seven months, when he received his honorable discharge.
R OBERT LANDERS, one of the largest land owners of Crawford County and a resident of Sherman 'Township, is a native of Lim- erick, Ireland, and spent his boyhood years in the land of his birth. At the age of twenty years, he emigrated to America, and for a few years made his home in the south. In 1858, while residing in St. Louis, he was united in marriage with Miss Hannah O'Brien, who, like himself, was of Irish birth and parentage. They became the parents of six children: John, Patrick, Katie, Mary, Robert and Ellen.
For a number of years after his marriage, the
subject of this sketch remained a resident of Mis- souri, whence, in 1871, he removed to Kansas, and located in Sherman Township, Crawford Connty. He purchased eighty acres, comprising the nucleus of his present possessions, and at once commenced the task of clearing and cultivating a farm. As an evidence of his industry and good management, it is only necessary to mention the fact that he is now (1893) the owner of eleven hundred and twenty acres, all of which he has accumulated since coming to this county. This large farm Mr. Landers personally superintends, devoting it to the raising of grain as well as good grades of live- stock. He feeds to his stock all the grain he raises, and has accumulated wealth by buying and selling horses, cattle and hogs. In business life he has achieved success, to which he is justly entitled by honorable dealing and industrious perseverance. and has the satisfaction of knowing that every dollar of his wealth has come to him in a legiti- mate and honest way.
Although not a politician, Mr. Landers takes an active part in the issues and controversies of the day, voting and acting with the Democratic party. Among the public positions he has been called upon to occupy may be mentioned the office of Treasurer of Sherman Township, which he filled for two years. He has never aspired to any post- tion of prominence officially, yet few men who are ambitious in that way would fill a place of trust more worthily. For twenty years he has served as a member of the School Board, and was instru- mental in promoting the interests of the common schools of his township. He and his family are members of the Roman Catholic Church.
John Landers, our subject's eldest son, received excellent educational advantages in his yonth, and graduated with the Class of '85 from the business college at Ft. Scott, Kan. He is now the business manager of the farm, and in addition to being in- terested with his father, is also the owner of four hundred acres. First - class improvements have been added to the farm, including a fine residence and substantial barns. Our subject usually keeps from one hundred to one hundred and fifty head of cattle, having, as above stated, made a success of his stock enterprises. His life furnishes an
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illustration of the fact that a man may attain success in spite of adverse circumstances. His advantages for an education were very limited; indeed, it may with truth be said that he had no advantages and but few opportunities. He had neither capital nor friends when he came to America, yet he has secured prosperity and suc- cess, and now has an assured competence for life.
W. SPICER. The character and standing of a man are usually determined by what he has accomplished. The life work of Mr. Spicer is finely illustrated by the amount of property he has accumulated and the comforts by which his family is surrounded. He has one of the most attractive homesteads in Crawford Coun- ty, embracing one hundred and fifty-seven acres, located on sections 27 and 28 in Baker Township. His farm is supplied with first-class buildings, and everything about the place is kept in good shape, from the live-stock to the farm machinery. The many conveniences which the owner of the estate has gathered about himself and his family indicate his progressive character and untiring energy. The leading features of his character are his strict at- tention to business, his promptness in meeting his obligations and his excellent understanding of all the branches of general agriculture. lle numbers his friends by the score, and welcomes beneath his hospitable roof the best people of the township.
Born in Bourbon County, Ky., on the 21st of August, 1829, our subject is a descendant in the second generation of R. Spicer, who went to Bourbon County from Pennsylvania and spent the remainder of his days in the Blue Grass State. Two of our subject's uncles, William and Merritt Spicer, were soldiers in the War of the Revolu- tion. IIis father, Allen Spicer, was a native of Bourbon County, and was there reared to man-
hood, receiving only very meagre educational ad- vantages. There he married Miss Elizabeth Piper, an estimable young lady of that county.
When our subject was a lad of twelve, he ac- companied his parents to Illinois and settled in Vermilion County, where his father was a pioneer. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of Government land, for which he paid $1.25 per acre, and which he cleared and improved. About 1870 he came to Kansas and settled in Baker Township, Crawford County, where he continued to reside until his death, in 1889. His wife died in Illinois. In his political belief he was a Demo- crat, and supported the principles of that party throughout his entire life. In his religious con- victions he was a member of the Christian Church. While residing in Vermilion County, he served as Constable. He also occupied other positions of prominence and responsibility. Ile and his wife were the parents of eight children, of whom four are living.
In Vermilion County, III., J. W. Spicer was reared to manhood. His boyhood and youth passed uneventfully, while he assisted his father on the farm and attended the common schools. On the 18th of March, 1852, he was 'united in marriage with Miss Rachel, daughter of William Swank, a native of Pickaway Connty, Ohio, who removed from that state to Illinois. Mrs. Spicer was born in Vermilion County, that state, of which her father was one of the earliest settlers. She has become the mother of eleven children, of whom six are living. Lillie, who was born Octo- ber 30, 1858, married Newton Lawler, a merchant residing in Farlington, Kan .; Douglas, who was born August 3, 1862, married Miss Mertie Tred- well and lives in Baker Township, Crawford Coun- ty; Myrtle was born January 5, 1865, and is the wife of J. G. Starr, a real-estate dealer of Aurora, Mo .; Sephus was born April 11, 1867, and is still at home. Siotia, who was born April 11, 1873, and Emma, whose birth occurred August 1.1, 1876, also reside with their parents.
After his marriage Mr. Spicer purchased one hundred and sixty acres located in Vermilion County, Ill., and upon that place he resided for a period of twenty-two years. The land he placed
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under a good state of cultivation, erected good buildings, substantial fences, and introduced the other appliances necessary to the modern and well regulated farm. While residing in that county, he held various township offices, in all of which he rendered acceptable service, and was instru- mental in promoting the welfare of his fellow- citizens. In 1875 he disposed of his property there and came to Kansas, where he purchased bis present farm in Baker Township, Crawford Coun- ty. The years which followed were replete with labor and the exercise of prudence and economy, and this course rigidly adhered to produced the results which he looks upon to-day. His land is well watered by a small creek which flows through his farm, and he has introduced all the improve- ments to be found on a first-class estate.
Since taking up his residence in Crawford Coun- ty, Mr. Spicer has participated in its growth to its present condition as one of the most prosperous agricultural counties of the state. Though al- ways a busy man, he has found time for the thought- ful consideration of all subjects of vital import- ance to the community. In matters political, he gives his influence to the People's party, and is active in the ranks of that organization. Formerly he supported Democratic principles. In his social relations he is identified with the Masonic frater- nity, and aided in the organization of the lodge in Pittsburgh, this state, with which is now iden- tified.
B RALEY & WICKHAM is a firm well known throughout Crawford County, for it is composed of two of the most prominent business men of the community. They are located in Girard, and have two departments of their business. One of the members of the firm deals extensively in stock, while the other looks after the farming interests. By fair and honest
dealing they have won universal confidence, and a well merited success has crowned their efforts.
John W. Braley, the senior member of the firm, is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Sherman Township. He was born in Orleans County, N. Y., and there spent the days of his boyhood and youth. About 1850 he engaged in manufactur- ing, having previously served an apprenticeship to the Star & Nichols Manufacturing Company. Ile continued the manufacture of woolen goods for three years in New York, and then removed to Livingston County, Mich., where he followed farming for about twelve years.
The year 1867 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Bra- ley in Kansas. He came with his brother and Mr. Wickham, bringing about fifteen hundred sheep, the greater part of which died during the follow- ing winter. Since that time he has been engaged in stock-raising under the firm name of Braley & Wickham. They now have about two hundred sheep on their farm, and also handle cattle, horses and hogs. This land comprises two sections, all of which they have improved and fenced. One pasture alone contains seven hundred and twenty acres.
Mr. Braley is a Knight Templar Mason, and is a stanch Republican. IIc has taken an active part in politics, and served as Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners for two years, during which time the County Treasurer was impeached and turned out of office. He has taken an active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community, and is recognized as a valued citizen.
Nelson J. Wickham was born in Orleans Coun- ty, N. Y., in 1834, and is a son of Case Wick- ham, who was born in Canada. The grandfather, John Wickham, was a native of Dutchess Coun- ty, N. Y., and the family was of Scotch and Eng- lish descent.
Mr. Wickham enlisted in the Seventeenth New York Battery in August, 1862, and joined the Eastern army, taking part in the siege of Peters- burg and all of the engagements until the final surrender of Lee, which he witnessed. His brigade withstood the last charge. Returning to his home, Mr. Wickham in 1866 became interested with the
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Braley Brothers, and the following year they came to Kansas. About 1871 Mr. Wickham and John W. Braley became the sole partners, and this con- nection has since continued. They are men of excellent business and executive ability, and have been more than ordinarily successful. In 1876 Mr. Wickham married Miss Emma S. Jones, a native of Indiana. He is a member of the Grand Army post of Girard, and is a stalwart Republican in politics. The members of the firm of Braley & Wickham well deserve representation in this volume.
F6 REDERICK DIXON MYRICK is a promi- nent farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 16, township 22, range 22, Linn County, and dates his settlement in this place from December 5, 1856. Ile was born in Old Paris, Ilenry County, Tenn., February 26, 1837, and is the son of William and Nancy (Gross) Myrick, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respec- tively. The grandfather of our subject was born in Wales, and coming to the United States about 1792, located in North Carolina. Ile was accom- panied on his emigration to this country by two brothers, one of whom spent his entire life in North Carolina, and the other lived and died in Virginia.
William Myrick, the father of our subject, was born in 1801, while his mother was born in 1806. They were married in Tennessee, where they were farmers, and where they resided until coming to Kansas in 1857. Here they purchased a farm near Mapleton, on which they resided until their de- cease, the father dying in 1873. Their family in- cluded ten sons and two daughters, of whom those deceased are: George N., Howell A., Marcus 1 .. , Matthew C., Harriet J. and two who died in in- faney. Those living besides our subject are: Louisa, Jackson R., William Thomas and Newton Green.
The parents were members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church South.
The subject of this sketch came to Kansas in 1856, at which time he entered a claim from the Government for a portion of what is now one of his valuable farms. It will thus be seen that he resided in Kansas during the border troubles, but being a man who attended strictly to his own affairs, he was never molested. During the Civil War he was a member of the state militia. Ile has frequently met John Brown, and often heard him speak.
When first coming to Kansas, Mr. Myrick settled in Mapleton, Bourbon County, where he resided for a period of twenty-one years. He was the pro- jector of the first milling enterprise in the above place, and in 1861 manufactured the first flour ever turned out in the county. He continued to oper- ate the mill for four years, and was very success- ful in that branch of business. Mr. Myrick now owns three hundred and sixty-one acres of valu- able land in two separate farms, and makes a specialty of raising fine grades of stock.
Miss Elizabeth Robinson was united in marriage with our subject August 6, 1859. She was born in Coffee County, Tenn., October 6, 1843, and was the daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Murphy) Rob- inson. Her parents removed to Arkansas about 1845, and made their home in Carroll County for seven years, at the end of that time coming to Bourbon County, this state. They made their home there for two years, and then going to northern Missouri, resided there for seven years, and subsequently returned to Arkansas, where the father died in Carroll County. Mrs. Robinson, who is still living, resides in North Cherokee Na- tion. She became the mother of a family of ten children: Virginia; Elizabeth, the wife of our sub- ject; Abner, Mary J., Julia Ann, William T., Har- riet B., William Park, Murphy and Ella.
To Mr. and Mrs. Myrick were born the follow- ing ten children: Georgiana, Abner B., Benjie, Frederick, Fredonia, Gracie, Della, Clinton, Wal- ter and Thomas. In his political relations, our sub- jeet is a stanch Democrat. Ile is a member of Edora Lodge No. 28, A. F. & A. M., of which he is Past Master, and also holds membership with the East-
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ern Star chapter at Mapleton. For sixteen years Mr. Myrick has represented the German Insurance Company of Freeport, Ill., in this section, and is likewise agent for the State Insurance Company of Des Moines. Hle is a self-made man in the truest sense of the term, all of his property being the re- sult of much hard labor on his part, and he is a man whose word is considered as good as his bond.
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C F. JOHNSON is the owner of four hundred acres of land on section 26, Richland Town- ship, constituting one of the richest farms in Miami County. This valuable property he has acquired through his indomitable industry and good management. As a farmer Mr. Johnson dis- plays excellent judgment in the rotation of crops and the cultivation of the land, but as a stock- raiser he is one of the most prominent in the county, beginning in this branch of agriculture about three years ago. He is interested in breed- ing Belgium stallions and coach horses, of the lat- ter having a fine coal-black animal which is named "Robert," and was imported in 1887. In that year also "Hercules," a fine chestnut sorrel stallion, was brought from Belgium.
Our subject was born in Logan County, Ill., and is the son of Ilenry Johnson, a native of Indiana, whence he removed to the Prairie State when a boy. He was a farmer by occupation, and during the Civil War was First Lieutenant in the One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Infantry. He was in the service for two and a-half years, when he was discharged on account of physical disability.
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