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 50
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The maiden name of our subject's mother was Lockey Ewing. She was born in Kentucky, and met and married Henry Johnson in Illinois. In 1880 the parents removed to Kansas and made sct- tlement on the same section where our subject lives, There they departed this life, the mother's
decease occurring in 1885, and the father dying in 1891.
The parental family included three children, of whom C. F., the subject of this sketch, is the eldest. Levi makes his home in Kansas City, and Mary E., now Mrs. Coultis, is living in Ottawa, Kan. The parents of our subject were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were active workers in the same. The father was a Grand Army man and a member of Wellsville Post.
Our subject was born January 1, 1836, and was reared on his father's farm. lle received a good education, completing his studies in Jacksonville (Ill.) College. Upon leaving the school-room, he engaged in farming, and in this pursuit has accumulated a fine competency. In April, 1859, he was married to Miss Mary Jane Manley, and to them has been born a son, Henry A. Mrs. M. J. Johnson died in 1865, and in 1869 our subject was married to Josephine, daughter of James G. and Pamelia (Green) Berry. Mrs. Johnson is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, while her parents were born in Virginia, the father in 1800, and the mother two years later. Mr. and Mrs. Berry set- tled in Sangamon County, Ill., about 1858, and remained there until 1862, when they took up their abode in Logan County, where the former died in 1878, and the latter in 1884. Of their family of twelve children. seven are living.
Mrs. Josephine Johnson was born in 1846, in Montgomery County, Ill., and there received her education. In 1880 she came with her husband to Kansas, and located on the farm where they make their home at the present time, when it was only partly improved. They are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Socially, Mr. Johnson is a Grand Army man, and in politics a stanch Re publican, casting his first vote for Abraham Lin- coln. He has been greatly interested in school affairs, and has served his district as a member of the School Board. He is a great leader in politi- cal affairs, and frequently represents his state and county in conventions. He has been Justice of the Peace for two terms, and in every enterprise to which he gives his support he maintains a deep and unwavering interest.
In 1861, while residing in Illinois, the colored
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people were all driven from Logan County, with the exception of one, who was employed by our subject. He was ordered to send this man away, and was even threatened with mob violence if he did not do so. A company of sixty men was sent to compel him to do as he had been requested, but having received orders from Governor Yates to hold the negro, he did so, and received the pro- tection of soldiers, who filled his house and com- pelled the retreat of the mob when within a-half mile of his residence.
G EORGE M. EVERLINE. The test of a man's ability and aptitude for any line of business is the result he is able to show after a fair trial. No man in Garnett, Kan., per- haps has more thoroughly demonstrated his abil- ity to push an enterprise to a successful issue than George M. Everline, and no one deserves more honorable mention as a thorough-going, wide- awake citizen. Mr. Everline is now one of the foremost general fire, lightning and tornado in- surance agents in this part of the state. Like many of the enterprising men of the county, he is a native of Germany, born in Bavaria June 7, 1831, and is a son of John S. and Ursula Barbara (Kramer) Everline. The name Everline, however, was formerly spelled Eherlien. The first member of this family to settle in America was the father of our subject, who came here in 1838, and settled in Circleville, Ohio, where his death occurred the following year.
The father of our subject was head miller in a flouring-mill at the time of his death, which oc- curred very suddenly when he was forty-four years of age. The mother died in 1884, in De- catur, Ill. George M. was the only child born to this estimable couple. Ile resided in Ohio until
1854, and received a common-school education in his youth. Later he attended a select school, and still later a business college in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was but nine years of age when his father died, and after this he worked on the Sciota River for some time. In 1854 he accompanied a dealer in live stock to Illinois, and worked for him a num- ber of years. His first trip to Illinois was to drive a number of horses there. He purchased some land near Decatur, Ill., and in the year 1856 was married to Miss Nancy Ricketts, a native of Coshocton County, Ohio, and the daughter of John and Elizabeth Ricketts.
In the year 1857 Mr. Everline moved to Oakley and engaged in merchandising, and was also made Postmaster and railroad agent. In the spring of 1864 he came west, and, leaving his wife with her parents near Ottawa, enlisted, and was mustered into service as a private in Company HI, Eleventh Kansas Infantry. He served about two years, remaining with that company during his service, and while in camp he was clerk at head- quarters. After leaving the army he elerked in a store a short time at Ottawa, and later tanght school at Peoria, Franklin County, Kan. In the spring of 1866 he came to Garnett, and in the fall of the same year was elected Clerk of the District Court and served one term, after which he en- gaged in the insurance business. In 1870 he was again elceted Clerk of the District Court and served another term. Since that time he has been engaged in the insurance business. He rep- resents fourteen prominent insurance companies, and, with the exception of about four years, has been Justice of the Peace since 1876.
Our subject has held other local positions, the most prominent being Clerk of the District Court, Councilman, Police Judge, City Clerk, Mayor, mem- ber of the School Board, Deputy Registrar of Deeds and Township Clerk. To Mr. and Mrs. Everline were born eleven children, eight of whom are now living: Carrie, who died in 1869, aged eleven years; Emma; Arthur J., who was an employe of the Kansas City, Ft. Scott and Memphis Railroad, and who was killed in the switch yards at Men- phis, Tenn., December 6, 1889; Dora, who became the wife of J. Sanders, of St. Joseph, Mo .; Perry L.,
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an employe of the Santa Fe Railroad Company; Julia May; Alfred R., in the employ of the same road; Minnie, Earl and Inez. In politics Mr. Everline is a Republican. He is a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons and the Grand Army of the Republic, and is a public-spirited citizen.
OHIN M. ROSE, a prosperous agricultorist and successful stock-raiser, residing upon one of the best farms in Mound Township, Miami County, has since 1872 been identi- fied with the advancement of his present home in- terests, and, widely known, is highly esteemed for his business ability and sterling integrity of char- aeter. Born in Sandusky County, Ohio, August 24, 1843, our subject is the son of James and Nancy (Gordon) Rose, natives of the Buckeye State, and both of whom are now deceased.
The parental family included eight sons and three daughters, of whom David was Captain of Company E, Thirty-first Ohio Infantry, and died while in the service. Edward, who was a member of the Tenth Ohio Cavalry, is also deceased; James resides in Chase County, Kan., where he is Probate Judge; Henry makes his home in Syra- cuse, Neb .; Charles is a resident of Florida; Alonzo makes his home in Delaware County, Ohio; Ferdinand is a farmer in Morrow County, that state; Mary, now Mrs. L. M. Cunard, is located at Mt. Gilead, Ohio; Martha, now Mrs. G. II. Mosier, is living in Delaware County, the above state, while Eliza, Mrs. E. Curl, is also residing in the Buckeye Statc.
John M. Rose, of this sketch, owned a small farm in Ohio, which he tilled until coming to Kansas in 1872. For two years after locating here he operated rented land, and at the expiration of that time purchased eighty acres of his present
fine estate, which now embraces two hundred and forty acres. He has always followed farming pur- suits, and his understanding of agriculture in its various departments is broad and deep. Mr. Rose devotes the greater portion of his time and at- tention to stock-raising, and has upon his place some fine registered animals.
In the year 1862, our subject was mustered into the service of the Union army as a member of Company B, Tenth Ohio Cavalry, and served his country bravely for twelve months, when he was discharged on account of physical disability. All of his brothers, with the exception of the young- est, then a lad of eight years, were soldiers in the Union army, and were all wounded save John M. After the establishment of peace, Mr. Rose re- turned to Ohio, where he resumed farming, which has been his life occupation.
The lady to whom our subject was married in 1865 was born in Morrow County, Ohio, and bore the name of Miss Sarah Jane Pipes. By their union were born five sons and three daugh- ters, of whom Bert was killed by lightning when twenty-two years of age. The remaining sons and daughters arc Edward, James, John, Lud- will, Lillian, Lulu and Fern. In his political re- lations our subject is a Republican, and socially a Grand Army man. He is one of Miami Coun- ty's most enterprising citizens, and has always been identified with movements beneficial to the community.
ACOB M. ROIIRER. Of that sturdy and independent elass, the farmers of Kansas, none are possessed of more genuine merit and a stronger character than the subject of this biographical notice. He has attained a more than ordinary degree of success in his calling as an agriculturist, and wherever known, he is con- ceded to be an energetic and progressive tiller of
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the soil, and a public-spirited eitizen, interested in the welfare of the township and county where he resides.
A native of Ohio, our subjeet was born in Holmes County in 1839, and in his youth removed to Illinois. At the opening of the Civil War he esponsed the cause of the Union, and in August, 1862, his name was enrolled as a member of Com- pany E, Ninety-fourth Illinois Infantry, Colonel Orm, of Bloomington, commanding. He was mustered into the service at Bloomington, and from that city accompanied his regiment to St. Louis. Thence he went with his eommand to the southwestern part of Maryland, where he partici- pated in a number of minor engagements. From Maryland he marehed to the south, and was pres- ent at the siege of Vieksburg, in which he served with bravery. After having served for two years, he was honorably discharged at the expiration of his period of service, and from Brownsville, Tex., returned to his home in Illinois.
In the fall of 1869, Mr. Rohrer was united in marriage with Miss Mollie E. Clarke, an aecom- plished young lady, who received a superior liter- ary education in the schools of Bloomington, 111. They are the parents of four children, namely: Ettie, who was graduated from the Emporia High School in June, 1892, and is now a teacher in Miami County; William, Lana and Beulah, who are with their parents. The family occupies a high position in the social circles of the community, and its members are welcome guests in the best homes of the county.
Coming to the Sunflower State in 1874, Mr. Rohrer, in partnership with his brother A., bought a quarter-seetion of land in Miami County. After- ward our subjeet purchased his brother's interest, and at present is the owner of more than fifteen hundred acres of fertile land. This large estate has been accumulated through his personal efforts and is under his direct supervision. In addition to farming, he has engaged with success in the raising of eattle and hogs. He usually feeds all the grain he raises, although occasionally he dis- poses of corn or wheat in the city market.
In his political belief Mr. Rohrer gives his hearty support to the principles of the Republican party,
and is prominent in the ranks of that organiza- tion. He has served as Treasurer of Richland Township, and for twelve consecutive years offiei- ated as a member of the School Board. In what- ever position he has served, he has proved the possession of energy, good judgment and taet, and is justly prominent in local affairs. Socially he is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to the post at Paola. Ile and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a liberal subseriber to all the enterprises of that denomination.
F. HENTZEN, a progressive eitizen of Erie, Neosho County, Kan., has become so well known in this community that he needs no special introduction to our read-
ers. He is at present engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, and as his friends are many we feel assured that this record of his life will be received with general interest.
Our subjeet was born in Missouri, in Clay Con- ty, seven miles northeast of Kansas City, and is the son of Heury Hentzen, a native of Berlin, Germany. The father emigrated to America in company with his family in the '30s, and Ioeating in Jefferson City, Mo., there followed his trade of a barber. Ilis wife dying, he was again married, the lady of his ehoiee being Miss Margaret Cham- bers. She was born of Swiss parents, and her mother, who emigrated to America, made her home in Columbus, Ohio.
In 1848, the father of our subjeet, removed to Missouri, where he purchased and improved land, his place consisting of one hundred and sixty-two acres, and at the same time he carried on milling operations. He was engaged in this latter indus- try until some time in the '60s, when he disposed
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of his milling interests and engaged in farming until his decease, which occurred in January, 1887. The mother of our subject departed this life Sep- tember 4, 1893, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Betty Clinton, in Missouri.
H. F. Hentzen, of this sketch, was reared to manhood in Clay County, Mo., and there received such an education as could be gained in the schools near his home. He was married September 13, 1881, to Miss Mary J., daughter of Henry Mc- Bride. The year previous Mr. Hentzen had come to this county, and locating at Osage Mission con- ducted the furniture and undertaking business there for a period of six and a-half years. At the expiration of that time he made his advent into Erie, with whose interests he has since been con- nected.
In political affairs our subject is a stanch Repub- lican and at the present time is serving acceptably as a member of the City Council. He is an active member of the Catholic Church. In addition to his business interests already mentioned, he owns a quarter-section of land in this county which he hires cultivated.
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AMES F. JOHNSTON. The biographies of successful men who, without the influ- ence of wealth or the prestige of family, have attained to positions of usefulness and honor serve the two-fold purpose of encour- aging the young and paying a well merited trib- ute to the man himself. While Mr. Johnston has not gained great wealth, he has secured a valu- able property and is numbered among the sub- stantial residents of Miami County. He is thie owner and occupant of a finely improved farm, located on sections 3 and 34, the residence being located on the section first named.
Born in Bond County, Ill., in 1835, our subject
is the son of James and Mary (Price) Johnston, natives respectively of South Carolina and Vir- ginia. He was reared to manhood in the county of his birth, where he received a common-school education, and during the summer seasons aided in the work on the home farm. His parents being in humble circumstances, he commenced his active business career with no fortune save his industry and uncompromising integrity. He established a home of his own in 1858, when he was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Merry, an estimable lady, possessing a noble character and kindly dis- position.
After his marriage Mr. Johnston continued to reside in Bond County until 1866, when he came to Kansas and settled in Richiland Township, Mi- ami County. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land on section 10, to the cultivation of which he devoted his time for a number of years. At present he owns, as above stated, a farm of two hundred and forty-nine acres, situated on sections 3 and 34. He has brought the land to a high state of cultivation, and has erected the substantial and commodious buildings which are now on the property. In connection with general farming, he was for many years ex- tensively engaged in raising stock, meeting with success in that line of work.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnston reared a family of five children, viz .: Samuel N .; Mary I., wife of Frank Redenbaugh, of California; James D .; Clara A., who married D. D. Bryon; and Charles, who makes his home in Franklin County, this state. The family was bereaved in 1869 by the death of the devoted wife and mother, whose loss was a severe affliction to the husband and children. Mr. John- ston has been closely identified with the worthy interests of the county in which he has resided for so many years. In all matters pertaining to the general good he is especially active, and is a friend to local progress and educational advance- ment. For a period covering more than twenty- five years he has served as a member of the School Board in the district where he resides, and has materially promoted the standard of education in the community.
Politically a stanch Republican, Mr. Johnston
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has at various times been elected to official posi- tions, in which he has served with fidelity and to the great satisfaction of the people. For two years he filled the position of Township Treasurer, and in the fall of 1892 he was elected Clerk of Richland Township. In his religious affiliations, he has been actively connected with the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church since about 1870. He is well known throughout the county, and his sterling worth has won for him the high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
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P ETER H. WATKINS. Of all the numerous vocations by which men gain a livelihood, none is more honest and independent than that of tilling the soil. Prominent among the farmers who successfully manage their affairs in Washington Township, Anderson County, is the gentleman above named, who is located on a well cultivated tract on section 4, where he has re- sided since 1870. The grandfather of our subject, whose given name was Ebenezer, was a native of Wales, and came to this country when four years old. He was a gallant soldier in the War of the Revolution, and passed away in Virginia. The paternal grandmother bore the maiden name of Christina Marks, and was born in Loudoun Coun- ty, Va. After the death of her husband, wbich occurred in Floyd County, she went to Wahington County, Ind., where she spent the remainder of her life, and died some time in the early '40s.
The father of our subject, Isaiah Watkins, was born in Montgomery County, Va., on the 17th of April, 1811, and was there reared to manhood. He is a man of strict moral principles and good character, and is liked by all who know him. In the year 1835, he married a Miss Margaret Bierley, who was a native of Washington County, Ind.,
where she was born in March, 1818. After their union, Mr. and Mrs. Watkins remained in Wash- ington County for about four years, and then re- moved to Bartholomew County, where the latter tlied February 12, 1858. Mr. Watkins continued to live there till 1882, when he came to Ander- son County to live with his children. He is the father of nine children, namely: Peter II., John B., George W., Jacob T., Lemuel F., Isaiah M., Luther, Lafayette and Melissa.
Peter H. Watkins is a native of the state of Indiana, having been born in Washington Coun- ty, on the 3d of October, 1837. He was about three years old when his parents moved to Bar- tholomew County, Ind., where he grew to mature years, during which time he was constantly in that county with the exception of about two and one- half years, which he spent in Pike County, Ill. In the summer of 1870 he came to Anderson County, purchased land in this township, and has ever since made this his abiding place.
For a life-companion, our subject chose Mrs. Rachael Vanscoyoc, who was born in Grant Coun- ty, Ind., December 28, 1840. The marriage was performed in Washington Township, October 3, 1872, at the home of the bride. Mrs. Watkins' parents, Evan and Margaret (Scott) Benbow, were natives of North Carolina and early settlers of Grant County, where they died some years ago. Of the nine children born to them, five sons and four daughters, Mrs. Watkins was the fourth in order of birth. She was formerly married to Isaac Vanscoyoc, to whom she bore six children: Clara, John, Jane, Altice, Denny and Thomas. Mr. Vanscoyoc passed away May 18, 1870.
The union of our subject and his wife bas been blessed by the birth of two children, William Clarence and Frank. Mr. Watkins finds time in the midst of his extensive personal affairs to bear an active part in the local and political trans- actions and in all movements which tend to the general welfare of the community. Ile has been Township Trustee and Treasurer, and has also filled the responsible office of Town Clerk, discharging his duties in every capacity in a trustworthy man- ner and to the satisfaction of the people. He is identified with the German Baptist (or Dunkard)
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Church, in which he is an active worker. Mr. Wat- kins has always been an industrious man and a good manager, and has made for himself and family a comfortable maintenance. He is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of fertile land, on which have been erected a number of convenient and valuable buildings. Personally he is a genial and companionable man, strictly honorable in all his dealings, and therefore is highly regarded by all with whom he has to do.
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SAAC SHACKELTON, a prosperons and ener- getic general agriculturist located upon sec- tion 13, Osawatomie Township, Miami Coun- ty, Kan., handles upon his broad acres some of the finest stock in the state, and has been especially successful in raising a grade of horses second to none in his locality. Widely known and highly esteemed for his enterprise and excellent business qualifications, our subject enjoys the con- fidence of many friends, and is intimately associ- ated with the progressive interests of Miami County, where he has continuously resided since 1878. Mr. Shackelton was born near Trenton, N. J., September 9, 1839, and was the son of Samuel Shackelton, likewise a native of New Jer- sey, and born in 1814. The paternal grandfather, emigrating from England to the United States, located in the town of llope, N. J., in a very early day. The mother, Katie (Derlin) Shackelton, was also born in New Jersey. Her father emi- grated from Wales to America and lived for many years in New Jersey, where he died, mourned by all who knew him. The parents of our subject, marrying in their native state, remained there for some time, but finally journeyed to Pennsylvania and made their home in Easton, Northampton County. They spent a number of years in the Quaker State, but finally, following the tide of emi-
gration, found their way to Illinois, settling in De- Kalb County, their permanent abiding place until their death.
The father, by occupation both a carpenter and farmer, after a life of busy usefulness died in 1878, his good wife having preceded him to the better land eight years before, in 1870. Of the nine children who blessed the union of the father and mother, four survived to maturity: M. G., Emily, Maria and Isaac. Our subject was about thirteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to DeKalb County, Ill. He gained a com- mon-school education in the Quaker State, and re- maining with his father until 1866, was variously engaged in agricultural duties and carpenter work. lle entered the employ of the Government in 1862, and did the duty of timekeeper of a con- struction corps. He has devoted almost his entire life to farming, but has gained a thorough knowl- edge of the trade of a carpenter, working side by side with his father at the bench.
In DeKalb County. Ill., in the year 1870, were united in marriage Isaac Shackelton and Miss Han- nah Adelia Butts; she was born in Otsego County, N. Y., and was the daughter of the late Jesse D. and Lucinda P. (Forbush) Butts, the latter of whom was born in Massachusetts, December 29, 1816. The maternal grandfather, Aaron Forbush, died in the Empire State, where he was widely known and highly respected. The parents of Mrs. Shackelton married and settled in Otsego County, N. Y., and journeying to Illinois, located in De- Kalb County in 1855. After residing for many years in that part of the state, they finally removed to Chicago, their permanent home until the death of the father, August 7, 1880. The mother passed away April 17, 1891, in Sidney, lowa. Of their five children four lived to maturity: Demetrius E., Charles A., Hannah A. (Mrs. Shackelton) and Frank L.
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