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 56
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tucky, was a Justice of the Peace for forty years, and was usually Chairman of the Public Board. The father and mother, united in marriage in 1833, removed during the same year to Illinois, locating in McLean County, where they invested in a two hundred acre farm. In 1859 they emigrated to Kansas, and settled on the homestead now owned by our subject. The land when it first came into possession of the father was in a wild condition, but in a brief time yielded to cultivation. Wright Mannen took a very active part in the affairs of his new home. He was a member of the state militia, and thoroughly courageous and resolute, aided in all the struggles of the border warfare, sharing the privations and sacrifices of those troublous days. Two of his sons, Ilenry H. and Thomas M., served with gallantry in the Union army. The latter was in the Twelfth Kansas Vol- unteer Infantry; the former was a member of the Ninety - fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and died in the service of his country. A third son, A. J., now Sheriff of Wilson County, was likewise connected with the state militia.
Thirteen children, seven of whom are yet sur- viving, clustered in the old home. Elizabeth A. Marcellus is the mother of six children; Thomas M., with a family of four, is a successful farmer; Ann E. Smith has four children; A. J., a promi- ment resident of Wilson County, is the father of four children; our subject, J. M., is the fifth child; Edith Davis has four children, and Alice Pontious is the mother of two children. The parents were devoted members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and for forty years aided actively in the extension of religious work and influence. The father was an Elder of the church, and when he passed away, December 14, 1878, was mourned by all who knew him. His hfe companion, who had shared his joys and sorrows for forty-five years, survived his death until September 15, 1880.
Our subject, reared upon an Illinois farm until eleven years of age, then removed with his parents to Kansas, and in this state enjoyed excellent edu- cational advantages, first attending the district school of his home neighborhood, and later the public schools of Ottawa and Paola, and at sixteen years of age entering the college at Baldwin City.
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Mr. Mannen remained with his father and mother until their death, and then bought out the interest of the other heirs in the old home, where he has since continued his residence, devoting himself entirely to the pursuit of agriculture and stock- raising. The farm is well improved with substan- tial and commodious buildings, modern in design and finish.
Upon March 12, 1884, were united in marriage J. M. Mannen and Miss Helen Patten, a daughter of Robert and Catherine M. (Sibley) Patten. Mr. Patten was a native of Granville, N. Y., and was born April 13, 1820. Mrs. Patten is a native of Bennington, Vt., and was born January 5, 1826. Married at Bennington on March 4, 1846, they re- moved from the Green Mountain State to DeKalb County, Ill., where they were located until 1870. They then made their home in IIillsdale, Kan., where the father died on the Ist of June, 1876. He was a harness-maker by occupation, and was a man of energetic industry, commanding the esteem of a wide acquaintance. He and his good wife were from early years members of the Presbyterian Church, of which denomination he was a Ruling Elder. Ile was a Douglas Demo- erat, and actively participated in public matters of local welfare. Of the five children of Mr. and Mrs. Patten but one is living. The estimable wife of our subjeet was born December 29, 1849, in DeKalb County, Ill. She was educated in the high school of Sandwich, Ill., and was a substitute teacher there for some time. Mr. and Mrs. Mannen are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and our subject is Elder of Bethel Congregation. Both take a leading part and are very successful in Sunday-school work. Mrs. Mannen has been a Sunday-school teacher since she was fourteen years old, and, being a woman of business ability, has been Treasurer of the Ladies' Foreign Aid Society. She is exceedingly popular with young girls, and with their assistance has made and presented to the Old Ladies' Rest a large and handsome quilt. The home has not been blessed with sons and daugh- ters, but a bright young lad, Gilbert I. Protzman, is one of the family.
Fraternally a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, Mr. Mannen was Deacon for
four years in Stanton. Politically he is a stalwart Republican, and prominent in local affairs, has for twenty-four years been a delegate to conventions, discharging the trusts reposed in him with efli- eieney. lle was a candidate for County Clerk, but the Democratie ticket won the race. A man of integrity, our subjeet is a Prohibitionist in principle and a firm believer in a united effort to uplift fallen humanity. Financially prospered, his one hundred and thirty-four acreage, annually yielding an abundant harvest, is one of the finest farms in the locality, and as a landmark of the early days is known far and wide.
h ON. WILLIAM SPRIGGS, a prominent citizen of Anderson County, and one of the most influential residents of Lincoln Township, was born in Floyd County, Ky., October 11, 1825. Ile was a child of two years when, in 1827, he was taken by his father, John Spriggs, to Jennings County, Ind. There he grew to manhood upon his father's farm, remain- ing with his parents until he reached his majority.
In 1846 Mr. Spriggs embarked in farming pur- suits and continued thus engaged for two years. He then entered the law office of the late D. C. Rich, at Vernon, Ind., and under the preceptorship of that gentleman pursued his legal studies for one year. Later, purchasing a small farm in Jen- nings County, he located upon the place and en- tered upon the task of improving and cultivating the land. After having spent two years in that way, he abandoned the occupation of a farmer and embarked in the practice of law at Vernon, re- maining at that place until the spring of 1857.
At that time Mr. Spriggs, accompanied by his family, came to Anderson County and bought
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land near the town of Scipio. While he followed agriculture, he at the same time gained a lucrative practice in law in the neighboring town. Six years later he traded his farm for a section of land in Monroe Township, to the cultivation of which he devoted his attention exclusively for fifteen years. In the spring of 1858 he was elected to the State Constitutional Convention, and after- ward was elected to the Territorial Legislature, where he served for one term. In the fall of 1859 he was chosen State Senator and served in that capacity during two sessions of the Senate.
It was felt by his fellow-citizens that a merited honor had been conferred , upon Mr. Spriggs when, in the fall of 1862, he was elected State Treasurer. His services in that office were so satisfactory to the people, and proved to so large a degree liis wisdom and executive ability, that in the fall of 1864 he was re-elected for a second term. Early in the spring of 1867, Gov. S. J. Crawford ap- pointed him District Judge and he served in that position for one year, at the expiration of which time he retired from public life and again fol- lowed the peaceful and profitable vocation of farming, also raising great numbers of stock. In 1881 he was employed by the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company as claim agent, and acted in that line for eleven years without the loss of a day until November 1, 1892.
Since the date last mentioned Mr. Spriggs has continued farming and stock-raising on his fine place, which is situated on section 2, Lincoln Township. His landed possessions aggregate four hundred and ten broad acres, embellished by a complete line of farm buildings, including a com- modious barn, and the entire surroundings show the care and attention of the owner. Our subject was married to Miss Margaret Ray, of Jennings County, Ind., August 2, 1847, and the result of their union has been the birth of eight children, namely: Euphame, the wife of George Ridgeway; Newton, who married Mary Shaughnessey; Sarah, now Mrs. William Frankenberger; Mary, the wife of Robert Hogue; John, who married Melinda Lewis; Carrie, the wife of W. T. Hopkins; Nathan- iel, and Clay.
The Judge has been a prominent man as well as
a valuable citizen of Anderson County, and he is well informed on all the leading questions of the day. Ile takes an active part in educational affairs, is liberal in his religious views and has always aimed to lead a strictly moral life.
AMES M. MULLINS, a prominent citizen, representative general agriculturist and prosperous stock-raiser of Osage Township, Miami County, Kan., has been intimately associated with the changing fortunes and pro- gressive interests of the state for the past thirty- seven years. Born in Linn County, Mo., Novem- ber 19, 1842, our subject is the son of Hiram Mul- lins, a native of Mercer County, Ky., who was born in 1806. The father, leaving his native state when a young and ambitions man, journeyed to Mis- souri, and locating for a time in Howard County, was there wedded to Miss Susanna Thompson, a na- tive of Virginia. The parents remained for a time in Howard County, but later removed to Linn County; they were numbered among the pioneer settlers of their locality, and continued to make their home in that part of Missouri until June, 1855, when they emigrated to the farther west and set- tled in Stanton Township. With the exception of two years spent in Oregon, the father and mother remained continuously in Stanton Township until 1871; at that time they removed to Osage Town- ship, from that time their permanent home until within about a twelvemonth of their death. The father, surviving to reach his eighty-seventh year, entered into rest in Osawatomie Township. The beloved mother, outliving her life companion but one week, died aged eighty years. United in life, through which they had happily walked together more than half a century, the venerable hus- band and wife were not long divided by death.
The father, always a hard-working, industrious man of ability and energy, had led a very active
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life, and from his youth a practical farmer, had allowed himself but little rest until declining years caused him to retire from daily cares. Ten children gathered in the old home. The sons and daughters were in the order of their birth: William, deceased; Margaret, the wife of John T. Billings, a prosper- ous citizen of Osawatomie Township; Lucy A., the wife of S. C. Willard, of Louisburgh, Kan .; Thomas P. and Ifiram, both deceased; John T., Nathaniel and Robert. One daughter passed away in childhood. Our subject spent the early years of boyhood in Linn County, Mo., and remaining there until about thirteen years of age, attended the district schools of his home neighborhood. After accompanying his parents to Kansas in 1855, he enjoyed the educational opportunities of his new liome, although the schools were then only in a primitive condition. Until 1871 Mr. Mullins made his home with his parents, whom he assisted in the care of the homestead. In the month of Angust, 1861, our subject enlisted in the Missouri Home Guards and remained with his company about one year. He later enlisted in Company C, Kansas Cavalry, and served faithfully about two years. Prior to his last enlistment Mr. Mullins drove an ox-team for the Government to Mexico, making two long trips. He left the army with badly impaired health, and it was some time before he recuperated.
November 19, 1871, were united in marriage James M. Mullins and Miss Flora A. Roberts; the latter was born in Wisconsin, and is a daughter of Judge Roberts, a man of high ability and seholarly attainments. Immediately subsequent to his mar- riage, our subject settled upon the farm where he now resides, and which-one of the best in the township-is highly cultivated and finely im- proved with good and substantial buildings. Mr. Mullins, beginning life for himself with limited means, has with excellent results devoted himself to the tilling of the soil and stock-raising. The children who gathered in his home were seven in number, but two died in infancy. The five sur- viving are: William, Thomas, James, Lorin and Alice. Politically a Republican and a strong be- liever in the principles of the party, our subjeet is, however, not an office-seeker, but a publie-
spirited citizen, intelligently desiring the best good. He is ever ready to lend a helping hand in matters of mutual welfare, and earnest, straight- forward and possessed of sterling integrity of character, is numbered among the loyal and sub- stantial citizens of the state.
AMES REDDIN, deceased, an honored pio- neer settler of Kansas, and for many years a prosperons general agriculturist residing on a fine farm located on section 22, Osage Township, Miami County, Kan., was a man who by his sterling integrity of character, excellent business attainments and kindly nature gained the esteem of the entire community who surrounded him, and by whom he was mourned as a publie loss when, on the 6th of June, 1887, he entered into rest. Our subject, a native of Ireland, was born in County Donegal, and was the descendant of a long line of industrious and useful ancestors. Re- ceiving his schooling in his native land, he emi- grated at an early age to the United States and located in the sunny south, where, having attained to a self-reliant manhood, he was united in marriage with a most estimable and accomplished lady. She was a native of North Carolina, and was born in Guilford in May, 1818. Our subject married his wife in North Carolina, but remained there only a short time afterward. Ambitious and enterprising, Mr. and Mrs. Reddin determined to try their fort- unes in the broader west, and journeyed to In- diana during the very early days in the history of the state. After one year spent amid the frontier seenes, during which he aided in the cultivation of the fertile soil of Indiana, our subject with his wife and family removed to Missouri.
The Reddins remained but comparatively a short time in Missouri when they decided to
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join the tide of emigration then taking its way to Kansas, and the family again sought a new home amid strange and untried scenes. They set- tled in Osage Township, whose people gladly wel- comed them into their midst. Mr. Reddin devoted himself untiringly to the cultivation of the soil, and at the time of his death owned one of the best farms in his location.
Our subject's farm of four hundred acres, improved with comfortable buildings, annually yielded an abundant barvest and presented a scene of thrift and plenty, which plainly evi- denced the financial success of the owner. Be- sides carrying on general farming, our subject handled some of the best stock in the county, and was numbered among the progressive and thoroughly practical agriculturists of the state. Appreciated by his neighbors and fellow-citizens, Mr. Reddin held with ability local offices, and gave to each public duty the conscientious attention and fidelity which distinguished him in all his work of life. His wife, a helpmate indeed, and a woman of a high order of ability, taught in an early day in the subscription schools, and later was a teacher in the public schools. She continued in this vocation for about forty years, and has been thus engaged with unvarying success the greater part of her life. Mrs. Reddin was a very benevolent woman, and during the days of slavery assisted the colored people, ever being a friend to the poor, op- pressed and needy.
The widow of our subject, surviving him three years, passed away mourned by all who knew her August 22. 1890. The two children who blessed the home were James E., who died in infancy, and Swannie A. After the death of Mr. Reddin, the only daughter, Miss Swannie, cared for her mother devotedly and took full charge of the estate left by the father. Miss Reddin taught school eight years in Missouri. She is a lady of superior busi- ness ability, handling her extensive interests with skill and clear judgment. She is the owner of four hundred and sixty-three acres of valuable land, eighty of which sbe purchased since the death of her parents. Aside from the manage- ment of her landed property, Miss Reddin is a half-owner in a flourishing mercantile business in
Baxter Springs. She is one of the busiest citizens of Osage Township, and divides her time between the superintendence of her extensive farm and the establishment in Baxter Springs. Possessing a wide acquaintance throughout Miami County, the daughter of our subject enjoys the sincere re- gard of many friends, and a lady of energetic en- terprise, is worthy of the prosperity now attend- ing her earnest efforts.
L EE WILLIAMS, M. D., a practicing phy- sician and surgeon of Oswego, was born at Pleasant Hill, Miami County, Ohio, June 23, 1850. His father, Isaac, was also a native of Miami County, whither Grandfather John Will- iams came in an early day and entered a tract of land from the Government. Isaac Williams was a farmer by occupation, and for about twenty- one years served as a Justice of the Peace. He married Sarah Waymire, and they became the par- ents of twelve children, five of whom are still living.
Orphaned by his father's death when he was a mere child, our subject developed habits of self- reliance and determination, and was obliged to earn his own support from boyhood days. Ilc was reared on the old homestead in Miami Coun- ty, and received his education at Pleasant Hill. He commenced the study of medicine with Dr. S. W. Keister, now a a resident of Troy, Ohio, and later prosecuted his studies in the Louisville Medical College. In 1877 he was graduated from the Ken- tucky School of Medicine, and locating in Tippe- canoe City, Ohio, commenced the practice of his profession, remaining in that place about eight months.
In April, 1878, the Doctor came to Oswego, and has since engaged in practice at this place. IIe
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also superintends the management of a valuable farm, consisting of two hundred and thirty acres, located one mile from the city, and from the rental of the land derives a fair income. Ile is one of the Directors of the Oswego State Bank. Politically, he is a Republican, and socially is identified with the Masonic fraternity and the Modern Woodmen of America. In 1870 he mar- ried Miss Lucy Davenport, a native of Montgom- ery County, Ohio, and they are the parents of two children : Carrie (deceased) and Cora.
E DWARD STEIN. The business opportu- nities in this country are great, and are open to all, whether native or foreign born, and all a young man needs to do is to determine what his natural gifts, taste and capacity will en- able him to successfully grasp and prepare himself for, and when this is determined, to industriously persevere in his vocation, observing honorable methods in all relations. If this is done, snc- cess, the aim and object of all, will be the reward.
Such a narrative of success is afforded in the life of Edward Stein, and is a lesson from which others can profit. In Lehigh County, of the Keystone State, was born April 29, 1842, a boy who grew up to sturdy manhood ambitious to excel in the pursuit of his choice. His father, John Stein, died about the year 1846, and his mother, who was known in her maidenhood as Mary Klinga- mon, died in 1851. Early in life Edward was thrown on his own resources, and as his parents had moved to Pickaway County, Ohio, when he was but three years old, he had been reared to the life of a farmer, consequently receiving very little schooling. After his parents both died, he farmed until he was twenty years of age. At that
time the Civil War broke out, and, with a patriotic desire to serve his country, he enlisted in Com- pany F, Forty-third Ohio Infantry, in 1861. Dur- ing his three years of service he was a drummer, and was in the battles of Island No. 10, Corinth and Iuka, and was also with General Sherman in his Atlanta Campaign. He was mustered out of service in 1864, at Savannah, Ga.
After his war experiences, Mr. Stein returned home to Pickaway County, and again engaged in farming for two years, and then removed to An- derson County in the fall of 1868. He settled in Lincoln Township, on the section where he now resides, and at once began clearing and cultivating the land. Since that time he has so skillfully managed as to increase his estate both in dimen- sions and value, and is now the possessor of a quarter-section of fine farming land. Gentle and unobtrusive, Mr. Stein accords to every man the right to his opinions, and his dealings with his fellow-citizens have always been of an honest and upright character.
Our subject's marriage united him with Miss Kate F. Morgan, who is a native of Pickaway County, where she was born July 31, 1844. Their marriage occurred in that county, October 12, 1865, and has resulted in the birth of seven living children, as follows: George E., who mar- ried Miss Maud Ridgeway; Harley, Edmund S., Rosa M., Charles M., Ray A. and ITattie B. Will- iam is deceased. Mrs. Stein's parents, Samuel D. and Electa (Sabine) Morgan, came to Anderson County in the latter part of the '70s, where the former died November 1, 1890, and the latter passed to her final rest April 8, 1888. Both were highly respected in the neighborhood in which they resided, and were sadly missed when death called them from this life to the one beyond.
Mr. Stein has always taken an active interest in the public issues of the day, and he has held some township offices, having been elected Trustee for two terms, and at one time was a candidate for County Treasurer, but was defeated by seventeen votes. Politically he is a Democrat. Ile is a member of Kilpatrick Post No. 180, and is highly connected with the Grand Army of the Republic and the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Stein is a public-
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spirited man, and is ever ready to do all that lies within his power toward the advancement of his community.
G EORGE W. MITCHELL is one of the pio- neers and self-made men of Kansas, his residence here dating from 1859. He is to- day one of the best-known and most highly re- speeted citizens of Linn County, and is residing upon his fine homestead on seetion 21, town- sinp 22, range 23, Mound City Township. Born in Preble County, Ohio, on the 29th of April, 1836, our subject is the son of Robert and Cynthia (Brotherton) Mitchell, natives of Vir- ginia. The paternal grandfather, Nathaniel Mitchell, who was of Irish ancestry, was a man of sterling character, and an early resident of the Old Dominion. Removing from Virginia to Ohio, he was numbered among the pioneers of Preble County and passed the remainder of his life in the Buckeye State. The parents were married in Ohio and remained there until about 1838, when they removed to Huntington County, Ind., where the father engaged in the occupation of farming, and the mother soon after died. She left three chil- dren: Clements Ferguson, who died in Springfield, Ill., unmarried; Milton, who went to California many years ago, his present whereabouts being unknown; and our subject, George W., the young- est. The father had by a former marriage two ehil- dren: Jolin, who accompanied Milton to Cali- fornia and has not been heard from for many years, and one who died in early childhood. The father, for the third time entering the bonds of matrimony, reared by his last wife four children. Nathaniel resides in Indiana; Delilah married Mr. McElwaine, and died in Indiana; James was a courageous and faithful soldier serving in the Union army in the Civil War; he was captured
and endured such terrible suffering in Libby Prison that he afterward died in Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Mo .; William lives in Mound City. The father of our subject died in Indiana at a good old age.
George W., reared upon a farm, assisted in the daily round of agricultural duties and attended the school of the home district. When eighteen years of age he learned briek-making and brick- laying, and in 1858 journeyed to the west to seek his fortune. He located in Cooper, Mo., for a brief time, and the following year, with a capital of $50, started on horseback for Kansas. Arriving safe and sound, he without delay took up a claim on the Indian Reservation near LaCygne, but afterward relinquished this land and entered a homestead on section 20, near where he now re- sides. During the troublous period of the war Mr. Mitchell was a member of the Sixth Kansas Militia and ably aided in the defense against the rullians of the border, being a number of times called out to repress violence and deeds of blood. Our subject finally proved up on his homestead, which he yet owns. Ile is possessed of real estate aggregating five hundred aeres, and has already given his children over two hundred and forty acres of land.
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