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 53
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Genoa, Cayuga County, N. Y., and the date of her birth February 26, 1822. The parents were mar- ried in Norwalk, Ohio, December 10, 1845, and began their wedded life in Huron County, re- maining there for a period of about twelve years. Young and ambitious, and influenced by a de- sire to better themselves in life, they in 1857 joined the tide of western emigration and journey- ed to Kansas, in the spring of the same year set- tling in Centreville Township, Linn County.
The father for eight years engaged in the pur- suit of agriculture in his western home, but upon the 10th of October, 1865, passed away, mourned by his family and the entire community of Cen- treville Township. He and his good wife had been blessed by the birth of two children, sons, Walter, who died in childhood, and Andrew J., our subject. The mother married again, her sec- ond husband being Allen McKee, a native of New York. Mr. and Mrs. McKee were married Janu- ary 18, 1871, and continued to make Centreville Township their home. Mr. McKee died here No- vember 7, 1877. Mr. Hill has spent his entire life in his present locality, where he was reared, attended the district school, and growing up to years of maturity, dutifully assisted upon the home farm. From his earliest years accustomed to the round of agricultural pursuits, our subject, begin- ning life for himself as a farmer, has met with financial success. His one hundred and twenty- six acre tract is under a highly productive state of cultivation, annually yielding an abundant crop. It is well improved with attractive and sub- stantial buildings and is one of the best pieces of farming property in the township and presents a scene of thrift and plenty.
February 26, 1889, Andrew J. llill and Miss Mary Smitheran were joined in the bonds of wed- lock. The accomplished wife of our subject, a social favorite, was born in Delaware County, Iowa, August 9, 1863. Two children were born to our subject and his wife, Nellie M. and Walter. Mr. and Mrs. Will are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are active in good work, participating in the social and benev- olent enterprises of that religious denomina- tion. Our subject has held various offices in
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the church, of which he is a generous suppor- ter. The parents of Mr. Hill were also from their early youth devoted Christians and members of the Methodist Episcopal Churchi. Deeply in- terested in the advancement of the vital interests of the township and ever ready to give assistance in needed improvements, our subject is a public- spirited man and a true American citizen, pro- gressive and liberal in sentiment.
E LIJAII W. PEIRSOL, a representative gen- eral agriculturist and successful stock-raiser of Williamsburgh Township, Franklin Coun- ty Kan., is one of the extensive landholders of the state, with whose progressive interests he has been closely identified for more than a score of years. Our subject, born in Washington County, Pa., June 12, 1836, was the son of John and Cath- erine (Wesley) Peirsol, long time residents of the Quaker State, widely known and highly respected. The father and mother marrying and settling in Washington County, later removed to Union County, Ohio, where after years of busy useful- ness they entered into rest. Of the thirteen chil- dren who blessed the home eleven survived to reach adult age, and were in the order of their birth Christiana, Silas, Elijah W., Evan, Mary, Margaret, Kate, George, John, Enoch and Jacob. Elijah W. was about two years of age when his parents made their home in Ohio, and in this latter state our subjeet received his education and train- ing in habits of industrious self-reliance. From his earliest boyhood assisting in the daily round of agricultural duties upon the old farm, he grew up a practical tiller of the soil, energetic and en- terprising, and was well fitted to make his own way in life.
Remaining with his father until twenty-one
years of age Mr. Peirsol then left home, and be- ginning life for himself journeyed to Madison County, Ind., and worked out as a farm laborer until he enlisted, in August, 1861, in Company F, Thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and courageously served sixteen months, then being discharged at Helena, Ark. Our subject returned home, and in the spring of 1864 went to Idalio, making the long journey overland with an ox-team and was four months on the road. He was engaged for the two succeeding years in mining and freight- ing and met with fair success in his various ven- tures. In the fall of 1866, Mr. Peirsol, jour- neying through Idaho and Montana, reached the Missouri River, and in company with a party of sixteen others boarded a flat-boat, and making a safe voyage, were landed at Omaha, from which city our subject proceeded directly to his Ohio home. After making a visit to the scenes of liis youth, Mr. Peirsol, in the spring of 1867, located in Ottawa County, Kan., and engaged in business for about two and a-half years, when he sold out and removed to Texas, and was occupied while in the Lone Star State in buying and shipping stock to Kansas. Ile purchased four hundred head of cattle, which he drove to Franklin County, and in the spring of 187I purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, desirably located upon section 12, Williamsburgh Township, and financially pros- pered, has since added to that purchase until now he owns fourteen hundred acres of valuable land.
Our subject has devoted himself with most ex- cellent results entirely to farming and stock-rais- ing since locating permanenly in Kansas. Bring- ing a portion of his land up to a high state of cultivation and improving his broad acres with commodious and substantial buildings, Mr. Peirsol is numbered among the leading general agricul- turists and prominent stockmen of the state. In Madison County, Ind., January 23, 1873, were united in marriage Elijalı W. Peirsol and Melissa McClintoek, who was born in Madison County, Ind .. November 11, 1841. The parents of Mrs. Peir- sol, Alexander and Mary (Wise) MeClintock, were married and passed their lives in Madison County, where they welcomed to their hearts and home seven children: Samuel, George (deceased), Mary
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J., Gilbert (deceased), Melissa, Alexander, and John (deceased).
Our subject and his estimable wife are the pa- rents of three children: Alma Kate, Elijah E. and Melissa May. These bright and intelligent daughters and son, receiving the best educational advantages of their home vicinity, are favorites with a wide acquaintance, and are fitting them- selves to occupy with honor any position of trust to which they may be called in the future. While in no sense of the word a politician, Mr. Peirsol is well posted on local and national issues, and a true American citizen, takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to the public good. A man of sterling integrity, excellent judgment and na- tive ability, he has with energy won his upward way to assured success and now fully possesses the kindly regard of the community where he has passed twenty-two years, and which he has materially aided in its progress.
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LEXANDER LEMON. Though a num- ber of years have passed since the subject of this sketch closed bis eyes upon the seenes of time, he is still remembered with affection by his associates of days gone by. A successful agriculturist, he managed his estate in a skillful manner, so as to secure the very best results from every acre, and succeeded in bringing the place to a high state of cultivation, embellish- ing it with all the buildings necessary for the proper conduct of his work. He was quite well known by the people of Linn County and was especially prominent in Scott Township, where he resided on section 8.
The father of our subject, William Lemon, resided for many years in Westmoreland County,
Pa., where they finally departed this life. Alex- ander was born in that county August 12, 1834, and was one of a family of nine children. The biographer finds little of special interest or im- portance to record concerning his childhood and youthful years, which were uneventfully passed upon his father's farm. In the common schools of the home neighborhood he laid the foundation of his education, which, however, has been gained largely in the school of experience.
In the fall of 1856 Mr. Lemon removed from the Keystone State to Iowa and resided in that state until June, 1857. Thence proceeding to Scott Township, Linn County, he secured a claim on section 8, and bere made his home until his death. A man of industrious, painstaking dispo- sition, he succeeded in introducing improvements of a modern nature and built a large number of structures for the storage of grain and shelter of stock. At the time of his demise lie was the owner of one hundred and seventy acres. On the 13th of December, 1887, at his home, his useful life was brought to an end. In his death the community lost an energetic citizen, the people a kind neigh- bor, his family a loving husband and father, and the Methodist Episcopal Church one of its most prominent members.
In Indiana County, Pa., February 21, 1860, Mr. Lemon was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Kelly, a native of that county, born July 19, 1838. IIer parents, Robert and Rachel (Glasgow) Kelly, were of Irish and Seoteh parentage respectively, and died in Indiana County, Pa. They had a family of nine children, of whom Mrs. Lemon is the seventh. Their union has resulted in the birth of six children, the eldest and youngest of whom died in infancy. William E. died in childhood, and Elmer F. passed away at the age of four months. The two survivors are James II. and Nora E., the latter being the wife of Samuel Traul.
Since her husband's death Mrs. Lemon has had entire charge of the estate, which she conducts in such a manner as to secure the most desirable re- sults. Possessing executive ability and wise judg- ment, which she brings to the details of her work, she has met with more than ordinary success, and the results enjoyed prove her high capabilities.
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She is a devoted Christian, a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and strives in all her deeds to exemplify the religion which she pro- fesses.
G IDEON BURGESS, an extensive and pros- perous general farmer pleasantly located upon section 17, Richmond Township, Franklin County, emigrating from Allen County, Ind., arrived in his present locality in June, 1880. Our subject is a native of New England, and was born in Litchfield County, Conn., September 11, 1812. The Burgess family originally came from England in the "Mayflower," landing on the shores of New England, where they founded the Amer- ican branch, from whom have descended honored citizens, courageous and upright, widely known and highly respected.
The great-grandfather of our subject, Ileze- kiah Burgess, was born in Litchfield County, Conn., but later made his home in Washington County, where the paternal grandfather, Ebenezer Burgess, was born, reared and educated, attained to a self-reliant manhood and was married. The grandfather, spending his life within the borders of his native county, there reared his family of sons and daughters. Upon the old Burgess home- stead the father, Eben Burgess, was born, but later located in Litchfield County, Conn., where, with his wife and family, he resided for some time.
The mother of our subject, Olive (Smedley ) Bur- gess, was a native of Litchfield County, Conn., and was the daughter of Ephraim Smedley, a man of sterling character, also born in Litchfield County, and the descendant of worthy English ancestors. The parents were married in Litchfield County, but after some years resolved to try their fort- unes in the broader west, and in June, 1832, jour-
neyed to Allen County, Ind., then literally a wil- derness. For sixteen years the parents shared the privations of pioneer life, then, August 31, 1848, the wife and mother passed away. The fa- ther, surviving a score of years, lived to become an eye-witness of the wonderful development of the west, and, universally regretted, died April 5, 1868. The three children who blessed their union were: Lucy, who became the wife of Elisha Green, and later died in Allen County, Ind., August 2, 1843; George, the eldest son; and Gideon, our subject. The latter passed the early years of his life on a farm in Litchfield County, and in 1832 accompanied his parents to the west, settling in Allen County, Ind. He made the trip to Albany, N. Y., by wagon, and then took the Erie Canal to Buffalo. From Buffalo, in the steamer "Anthony Wayne," he traveled via lake to Pennsylvania, and thence by wagon to Maumee, Ohio, where he took a keel-boat pushed by men up the Maumee River to Ft. Wayne. At this time young, energetic and ambitions, Mr. Burgess en- tered with zeal into the pursuit of agriculture, tilling the fertile soil of Indiana.
In Allen County, Ind., November 25, 1840, were united in marriage Gideon Burgess and Miss Louisa Smith, born in Bethlehem, Washington County, Conn., November 11, 1823. The father of Mrs. Burgess, John Smith, was a native of Wood- bury, Conn. The mother, Betsey (Scott) Smith, was born in Bethlehem, that state. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were united in wedlock in Woodbury Coun- ty, and there spent the remainder of their lives. The father passed away in 1830, but the mother, surviving more than a half-century, was eighty- two years old when she entered into rest. Their six children were Elizabeth, John, Louisa, Nancy, Martha and Isaac. Louisa emigrated with the Burgess family to Indiana in 1832, when only nine years of age.
The union of our subject and his estimable wife has been brightened by the birth of seven sons and daughters. Althea is the wife of Nathan Risdon; Lucy was the wife of Robert Bell and died in Allen County, January 15, 1877; George was the third child; Ezra died when about two years old; Asa and Louisa both died in childhood;
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and Eben H. married Sarah Conklin. When Mr. Burgess located in Kansas, he settled on the farm where he now lives, and has continuously resided in Richmond Township, Franklin County. Own- ing a valuable farm of thirteen hundred and sixty acres, our subject has brought a portion of the land up to a high state of cultivation, and improved the homestead with first-class buildings, an attrac- tive and commodious residence and large and sub- stantial barns.
Politically a Republican, Mr. Burgess held with honor official positions of trust in Indiana, and, a strong advocate of reform and progress, is intelli- gently posted in both local and national issues. Gideon Burgess is a true and self-reliant American citizen, and enjoys the esteem and confidence of the entire community. Recognized as a man of judgment and executive ability, he occupies a po- sition of useful influence. The Burgess farm, a scene of thrift and plenty, is the abode of hospi- tality, and is well known to the dwellers of Frank- lin County.
C OL. JAMES F. HARRISON, the popular and enterprising County Surveyor, and old- time citizen of Mound City, Linn County, Kan., born March 9, 1825, in Cincinnati, Ohio, was the son of William Henry Harrison, a native of Vincennes, Ind. His father, born September 26, 1802, was the son of Gen. William Henry Ilar- rison, the paternal grandfather of our subject be- ing the hero of Tippecanoe, and later President of the United States. The father, educated in Transylvania University, in Kentucky, was admit- ted to the Bar in Ohio in 1823. The mother, Jane Findlay Irwin, was the daughter of Archibald Irwin, a prosperous farmer near Mercersburgh, Pa. Born in 1804, she passed away at forty-three years of age, May 11, 1847. The father died univer-
sally mourned February 6, 1838. On the Harri- son side the family dates back to Thomas Harrison, a Major-General of the Parliamentary army, and once Colonel of the Old Ironsides Regiment of Cromwell. He was one of the judges who tried King Charles, and was the one who, by orders of Cromwell, dissolved the long Parliament and ar- rested the Speaker. He was hung, drawn and quartered, May 10, 1660. His son. Benjamin Har- rison, who emigrated to America on account of political differences with his father, located in the Old Dominion, and became Clerk of the Council of Virginia. He died in the year 1649, and left a son, Benjamin; the latter was born September 20, 1645, in Southwork Parish, Surrey County, Va., and died in January, 1713. His son, Benjamin, born in Berkley, Va., and later Attorney-General and Treasurer of the state, was also Speaker of the House of Burgesses, and died April 10, 1710, aged thirty-seven years.
Benjamin Harrison, also born in Berkley, and a son of the last-named and Sheriff of Charles City County, and in 1728 a member of the House of Burgesses died in 1774. His son, Benjamin, likewise of Berkley, was a member of the House of Burgesses, from 1750 to 1775, and was a member of the First Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was three times Governor of Virginia and carried the popu- lar vote of his state. Ifis third son, William Ilenry Harrison, born in Berkley, February 9, 1773, afterward became the famous General and later President of the United States. He served as Aide de Camp under Anthony Wayne and was Secretary of the Northwest Territory. He was a delegate to Congress from that territory, and, a brave soldier, fought at the battle of Tippecanoe November 7, 1811. He was also engaged at Ft. Meigs, and participated in the battle of the Thames October 5, 1812. IIe was United States Senator from Ohio, and was Minister to Colombia. Presi- dent of the United States, he expired while in of- fice, April 4, 1841. His second son, William IIenry Harrison, became the father of our subject. Upon the maternal side, the family dates back to Archibald Irwin, who settled in Pennsylvania be- fore the Revolutionary War. He was a cadet of
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the House of Irwin, of Bonshaw, Scotland. His son Archibald married Mary McDowell, and their son Archibald married Mary Ramsay, whose fa- ther was a younger member of the Dalhousie fam- ily of Scotland. Their daughter was Jane Find- lay Irwin, the mother of Col. James F. Harrison.
The parents after their marriage settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where the father practiced law, and later died in his father's house at North Bend. The father and mother were blessed with two children, James F. and William Henry. The lat- ter, born May 5, 1828, died in Mexico, in April, 1849.
Our subject, who was educated in Cincinnati College, entered West Point Military Academy in 1841 and graduated in 1845. Gen. Fitz John Porter was in the same class. Colonel Harrison later resigned from the academy, but when the war broke out with Mexico, volunteered. in the First Ohio Infantry. He was Adjutant of the same when only twenty-one years of age, and served with distinction under Col. Alexander M. Mitchell. Our subject remained with his regiment actively engaged all through the war; he was under the command of General Taylor until discharged in June, 1847, and participated in numerous hot skirmishes with the Mexican Cavalry. Our sub- ject became an inmate of the White House at Wash- ington, D. C., during the incumbency of President W. H. Harrison, and was at his bedside when that veteran soldier and statesman entered into rest, mourned by all loyal citizens as a national loss. This was prior to his going to West Point. After his return from the Mexican War, Colonel Ilarri- son entered into the study of law, and later ad- mitted to the Bar of Indiana, practiced there for a few years. He resided in Dayton, Ohio, from 1854 until 1864, and enlisted in the three months' ser- vice in the Civil War, being Colonel of the Eleventh Ohio Infantry. During the Chickamauga Cam- paign, he was Aide de Camp and Chief of Staff to Gen. W. Il. Lytle, and was covered by the life blood of the General when he was killed Septem- ber 20, 1863. The friendship between our subject and the General was very strong; their fathers also had been friends, tried and true, as has like- wise been their grandfathers. For a short time
Colonel Harrison served on the staff of Gen. P. H. Sheridan, but after the sad demise of General Ly- tle, resigned from the army.
During the last call of President Lincoln, our subject re-enlisted as a private in the First Ohio Cavalry, and was transferred as Lieutenant to the One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Ohio Infantry. Later as Captain of the One Hundred and Eighty- seventh Ohio he went to Georgia and remained until the close of the war. During the Squirrel IIunter Campaign in Ohio, our subject was the re- cipient of the following order, September 12, 1862:
"Colonel Harrison, First Regiment State Militia, has been placed in charge of the defense of the Obio River west of Cincinnati to the Indiana line. He will be obeyed and respected accord- ingly. By order of Maj .- Gen. Lew Wallace, and Maj. M. McDowell, A. D. C.
Our subject served through the campaign and was discharged by order of David Tod, Governor of Ohio. Colonel Harrison raised a company in Dayton, Ohio, in a half-hour and was placed in command of a regiment. The same day he was given charge of a brigade, being then engaged two weeks in the service of the Government. In 1866, our subject settled in Linn County, where for many years he has been County Surveyor and one of the most popular men of his locality.
In the year 1848 were united in marriage James F. Harrison and Miss Caroline M. Alston, of South Carolina. This estimable lady died in the spring of 1863, and the three children of the union are now deccased. Our subject marry- ing again, wedded in December, 1864, Miss Alice Kennedy, a native of Mississippi, and a daughter of John Kennedy, formerly of Belfast, Ireland, but originally a Scotch farmer, removing to Belfast in mature life. Unto this second marriage were born six children, five of whom are now living, lohn Scott, William Henry, Mary Randolph, James Findlay, Jr., and Archie Irwin. Colonel Harrison is a member of the Episcopal Church and is fore- most in the good work and benevolent enterprises of that denomination. Fraternally associated with Jewell Post No. 3, G. A. R., of Pleasanton, he is likewise a member of the Veterans' Associ :- tion of the Mexican War. Politically, our subject
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was a Douglas Democrat and had been a slave- holder, but the first gun fired at Sumter changed him and killed his Democracy for all time to come. The relationship between Colonel Harrison and ex-President Benjamin Harrison is that of cousins, there being relationship on both the fa- ther's and mother's side. The descendant of hon- ored ancestry, and himself personally faithful to all his obligations as a man and citizen, our sub- ject has won a high place in the regard of a wide acquaintance, and throughout Linn County is es- teemed as a man of fine attainments, superior abil- ity and sterling integrity of character.
R' YAN G. MENDENIIALL, M. D., a successful general medical practitioner of La Cygne, Linn County, Kan., settled in his present locality in 1873, and has for a score of years been actively engaged in the responsible duties of his profession within the town and sur- rounding country. Doctor Mendenhall, financially prospered, possesses large landed interests, owning fifteen hundred highly cultivated aeres in Kansas, one whole section of which he uses as a magnifi- cent stock farm, where are bred high grades of horses and cattle. He also possesses valnable real estate in Kansas City, Mo., and is known as one of the most energetie and enterprising business men of his locality. Our subject, a native of Hamilton County, Ind., was born December 5, 1841, and was the son of James and Rebecca (Campbell) Mendenhall. The American Menden- halls are all descendants of three brothers who, emigrating from England to America, settled in North Carolina during Colonial days. The ances- tors of the mother were the well known and hon- ored Campbells of Scotland. The father of Doctor Mendenhall was born in Ohio, but the mother was a native of the state of South Carolina. The par-
ents were wedded in Ohio and subsequently made their home in Indiana. Remaining in the latter state until 1858, they then removed to Vermilion County, III., and settled on a farm near Danville, where they spent the remainder of their lives.
The father, after a long career of busy useful- ness, passed away in 1873, aged sixty-four years. The mother survived until 1890, and was seventy- eight years old at the time of her death. Eight children, of whom our subject was the fifth in order of birth, had clustered about the fireside of the parents. Sarah became the wife of John Reeves and died in Hamilton County, Ind. Pris- cilla married M. Patton and resides in Vermilion County, Ill. Ira C. is a leading minister of the United Brethren Church. Lydia married John Newlan and died in Parke County, Ind. Ryan G. is our subjeet. Almeda was the wife of Samuel Thompson and passed away in La Cygne. Rhoda is married and resides in Vermilion County, III. Jennie is the wife of Wesley Elliott, also of that county. The early life of our subject was spent upon the farm of his father, but he acquired a lit- erary education, completing his higher studies in Bloomingdale (Ind.) Academy. Later, at Ridge Farm, Ill., Doetor Mendenhall entered upon the study of medicine, with Doctor Boswell Ward as preceptor, and subsequently attended the Uni- versity of Michigan, from which he was grad- uated in 1867. Not long after our subject began the practice of medicine in Waterman, Parke County, Ind., and in October, 1870, entered Belle- vue Hospital, from which he was graduated in 1871. Doctor Mendenhall immediately afterward settled in Kansas City, but two years later removed to his present locality, where he has been eminently sue- cessful as a physician and business man.
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